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

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

   

LZ11 Viktoria Luise.

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

John Doran


   

USS Lenape

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

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

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

Army career.

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

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

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

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

Navy career.

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

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

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

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

John Doran


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

. http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn126-130.htm


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   

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

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

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

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

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

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

   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   

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

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

   Sandhill Camp was situated near Warminster in Wiltshire.

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

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


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

       

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

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

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

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

       

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

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

       

       

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

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

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

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

    John Doran


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

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

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

       

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

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

    John Doran


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

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

    John Doran


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Battalion (Infantry)

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

    Regiment

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

    Brigade

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

    Division

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

    Corps

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

    Armies

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

    GHQ

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

    Changing Tactics as the war progresses.

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

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

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

    Cavalry

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

    Artillery

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

    Other Corps.

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

    Machine Gun Corps.

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

    Two New Corps

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

    The British Armies of 1914-1918

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

    Now for that explanation of Brigade and Division Structure.

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

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

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

    Divisional Mounted Troops: 1 Cavalry Battalion and 1 Cyclist Battalion

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

    Royal Engineers: 3 Field Companies and 1 Signal Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps: 3 Field Ambulance Companies

    Divisional Train Army Service Corps: Mobile Veterinary Section

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

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

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

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

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

    John Doran


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

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

       King Edward VII Hospital was situated in Grosvenor Gardens, London

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

       

       

       

       

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

       

    SS (later HMS) Fauvette

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

    John Doran


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

    1915-05-02   

       

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

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

       An Extract from Red Cross Description of VAD services.

    What was a VAD, exactly?

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

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

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

    What kind of work did VADs do?

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

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

    Red Cross


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

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

       

       

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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


       

    LZ13 Hansa

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

    John Doran


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

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

    John Doran


       

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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


       

    LZ36 L9

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

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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

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

    John Doran


       

    LZ104 L59

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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


       

    LZ59 L20

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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


       

    LZ66 L23

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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


       

    LZ76 L33 Wreckage.

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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


       

    LZ96 L49

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

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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

    John Doran


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

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

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

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

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

    John Doran


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

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

    John Doran


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

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

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

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

       

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

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

       

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

       

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

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

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

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

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

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

       

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

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

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

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

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

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

     Zeppelin Raids on Britain  German strategic bombing during World War I

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

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

    John Doran


     Australian Troop Transports  

    HMAT A74 Marathon Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

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

    John Doran


     Australian Troop Transports  

    HMAT A8 Argyllshire

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

    John Doran


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

       

       

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

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

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

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

       

    RMS Andania

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

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

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

    John Doran


       

       

    HMHS Britannic

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

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

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

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

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

    John Doran


     British Troopship  

    RMS Andania

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

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

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

    History.

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

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

    John Doran


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

       

    USS Von Steuben

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    John Doran


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

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

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

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

    John Doran


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

       

    HS Anglia

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

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

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

    John Doran


       

    HS Dover Castle

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

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

    John Doran


     Hospital ship  

    HMHS Aquitania

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

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

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

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

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

    John Doran


       

    HMT Plassy

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

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

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

    John Doran


       

    SS Glengorm Castle

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

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

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

    John Doran


       

    SS Ellora

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

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

    John Doran


       

    SS Gloucester Castle

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

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

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

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

    John Doran


       

    SS Guildford Castle

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

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

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

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

    John Doran


       

    SS Herefordshire

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

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

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

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

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

    John Doran


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

         

      HMHS Letitia

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

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

      John Doran


         

      HMHS Valdivia

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

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

      John Doran


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        1st August 1914   

        HMHS Tagus

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

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

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

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

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

        John Doran


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

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

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

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

           

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

           SM U-17

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

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

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

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

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

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

        John Doran U-boat index


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

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

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

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

        John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

        John Doran u boat index


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

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

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

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

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

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

        John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

        John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

        John Doran


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

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

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

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

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

        John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


           SM U-36 was a Type U 31 built at Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 196). Ordered 29 Mar 1912, Laid down 2 Jan 1913, Launched 6 Jun 1914 and Commissioned 14 Nov 1914.
        Commanded from the 14 Nov 1914 to 24 Jul 1915 by Ernst Graeff, she had a career of 2 patrols sailing with II Flotilla. Successes claimed include 14 ships sunk with a total of 12,674 tons and 3 ships taken as prize with a total of 3,466 tons.
        • 8 May 1915 Lilian Drost 1,966 da
        • 10 May 1915 Björn (prize) 1,241 sw
        • 10 May 1915 Niobe (prize) 654 nl
        • 19 Jul 1915 Nordlyset 82 nw
        • 22 Jul 1915 King Athelstan 159 br
        • 22 Jul 1915 Rubonia 3,644 ru
        • 22 Jul 1915 Star Of Peace 180 br
        • 23 Jul 1915 Danae 1,505 fr
        • 23 Jul 1915 Fimreite 3,819 nw
        • 23 Jul 1915 Hermione 210 br
        • 23 Jul 1915 Honoria 207 br
        • 23 Jul 1915 Sutton 332 br
        • 24 Jul 1915 Anglia 107 br
        • 24 Jul 1915 Cassio 172 br
        • 24 Jul 1915 Pass Of Balmaha (prize) 1,571 am
        • 24 Jul 1915 Roslin 128 br
        • 24 Jul 1915 Strathmore 163 br

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

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

        John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

           

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

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

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

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

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

        John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

        John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

        John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran Uboat Index


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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


             

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


             SM U-152 was a Type U 151 built at Shipyard Reiherstiegw., Hamburg Ordered 29 Nov 1916, Launched 20 May 1917 and Commissioned 17 Oct 1917 She was Commanded by Constantin Kolbe from 20 Oct 1917 to 3 May 1918, Gehrard von Zitzewitz from 4 May 1918 to 24 Aug 1918 and from 25 Aug 1918 to 15 Nov 1918 by Adolf Franz. She had a career for two patrols with U-Kreuzer Flotilla and claimed 19 ships sunk with a total of 37,505 tons plus 3 ships damaged with a total of 11,406 tons.
          • 25 Jan 1918 Giralda 2,194 sp
          • 26 Jan 1918 Germano 236 pt
          • 26 Jan 1918 Serra Do Gerez 257 pt
          • 27 Jan 1918 Julia Frances 183 am
          • 28 Jan 1918 Neptuno 321 pt
          • 5 Feb 1918 Sebastian 2,563 sp
          • 9 Feb 1918 Ceferino 3,647 sp
          • 15 Feb 1918 Neguri 1,859 sp
          • 16 Feb 1918 Mar Caspio 2,723 sp
          • 24 Feb 1918 Gaetana Costanzo 1,027 it
          • 26 Feb 1918 Siljestad 4,298 nw
          • 6 Mar 1918 Elector 134 pt
          • 7 Mar 1918 Luigi 3,549 it
          • 13 Mar 1918 A. E. Whyland 130 am
          • 16 Mar 1918 Ellaston 3,192 br
          • 31 Mar 1918 Indien 4,199 da
          • 3 Apr 1918 Elsie Birdett 118 br
          • 11 Sep 1918 Constance (damaged) 199 da
          • 29 Sep 1918 George G. Henry (damaged) 6,936 am
          • 30 Sep 1918 Ticonderoga 5,130 am
          • 14 Oct 1918 Stifinder 1,745 nw
          • 15 Oct 1918 Messina (damaged) 4,271 br

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

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

          John Doran - U-Boat Index - WW1


             Pompier Camp was located near Kemmel in Flanders.

             

          SM U-139

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


             SM U-105 was a Type U 93 built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 274) Ordered 5 May 1916, Launched 16 May 1917 and Commissioned 4 Jul 1917. She was commanded by Friedrich Strackerjan and had a career of 6 patrols sailing with IV Flotilla. She claimed 19 ships sunk with a total of 55,834 tons and 2 ships damaged with a total of 0 tons.
          • 14 Oct 1917 Ecaterini C. D. 3,739 gr
          • 15 Oct 1917 Saint Paul 79 fr
          • 15 Oct 1917 St. Helens 1,497 am
          • 17 Oct 1917 Antilles 6,878 am
          • 19 Dec 1917 Vinovia 7,046 br
          • 22 Dec 1917 Colemere 2,120 br
          • 24 Dec 1917 Canova 4,637 br
          • 28 Dec 1917 Lord Derby 3,757 br
          • 24 Feb 1918 Sarpfos 1,458 nw
          • 26 Feb 1918 Dalewood 2,420 br
          • 27 Feb 1918 Largo 1,764 br
          • 1 Mar 1918 Penvearn 3,710 br
          • 2 Mar 1918 Carmelite 2,583 br
          • 29 Apr 1918 Christiana Davis 86 br
          • 29 Apr 1918 Johnny Toole 84 br
          • 7 May 1918 Nantes 1,580 br
          • 7 May 1918 Saxon 1,595 br
          • 2 Jul 1918 Pieuse Paysanne (damaged) unknown fr
          • 2 Jul 1918 Albert 1er (damaged) unknown fr
          • 31 Aug 1918 Milwaukee 7,323 br
          • 7 Sep 1918 Ruysdael 3,478 br

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


             SM U-104 was a Type U 57 uboat built at Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 255) Ordered 15 Sep 1915, Laid down 4 Aug 1916, Launched 3 Jul 1917 and Commissioned 12 Aug 1917 Commanded by Kurt Bernis, U104 had a career of 4 patrols between 1st of October 1917 and 25th of Apr 1918 with II Flotilla She claimed 8 ships sunk with a total of 10,795 tons.
          • 26 Oct 1917 Sapele 4,366 br
          • 15 Dec 1917 Maidag 1,253 nw
          • 21 Dec 1917 Spro 1,507 nw
          • 25 Dec 1917 Ajax 1,018 da
          • 2 Mar 1918 Kenmare 1,330 br
          • 12 Apr 1918 Njaal 578 ru
          • 16 Apr 1918 Widwud 299 ru
          • 22 Apr 1918 Fern 444 br

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-boat Index


             SM U-94 was a Type U 93 Uboat built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 258) Ordered 15 Sep 1915. Laid down 25 Mar 1916 and launched 5 Jan 1917. The U Boats was Commissioned 3 Mar 1917 Commanderded from 3 Mar 1917 to 24 Mar 1918 by Alfred Saalwächter. Then until 11 Nov 1918 by Oblt. Martin Schwab she had a career on 13 patrols and from 20 Apr 1917 to 11 Nov 1918 was part of IV Flotilla She claimed 21 ships sunk with a total of 61,881 tons and 3 ships damaged with a total of 19,326 tons.
          • 9 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Deveron 1,261 nw
          • 11 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Thessaly (damaged) 4,310 br
          • 12 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Amakura 2,316 br
          • 13 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Cederic 2,344 nw
          • 20 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Salvia (hms) 1,250 br
          • 24 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Sylvanian 4,858 br
          • 26 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Haverford (damaged) 11,635 br
          • 29 Jul 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Ingeborg 1,207 da
          • 29 Jul 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Adalia 3,847 br
          • 30 Jul 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Kildin 1,640 ru
          • 30 Jul 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Manchester Inventor 4,112 br
          • 30 Jul 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Souma 2,200 ru
          • 6 Aug 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Argalia 4,641 br
          • 12 Aug 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Lynorta 3,684 br
          • 16 Aug 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Svanholm 1,400 da
          • 19 Sep 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Hydra 174 da
          • 24 Sep 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Petersham (damaged) 3,381 br
          • 15 Dec 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Bernard 3,682 br
          • 16 Dec 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Bristol City 2,511 br
          • 19 Feb 1918 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Barrowmore 3,832 br
          • 26 Feb 1918 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Snyg 370 nw
          • 2 Mar 1918 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Rockpool 4,502 br
          • 18 May 1918 U 94 Martin Schwab Hurunui 10,644 br
          • 25 May 1918 U 94 Martin Schwab Saphir 1,406 nw

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

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

          John Doran


             SM U-91

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran


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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran


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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index


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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


             

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


           U-Boat  SM U-82 was a Type U 81, built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 252) Ordered 23 Jun 1915, Laid down 31 Aug 1915, Launched 1 Jul 1916 and Commissioned 16 Sep 1916 From her launch until the 29th of Apr 1918 she was commanded by Hans Adam then from the 30th of Apr 1918 to the 11th of Nov 1918 she was commanded by Heinrich Middendorff. Her career spanned 11 patrols with IV Flotilla Claiming 36 ships sunk with a total of 110,160 tons and 3 ships damaged with a total of 32,914 tons.
          • 5 Dec 1916 Dorit 242 da
          • 5 Dec 1916 Ella 879 nw
          • 6 Dec 1916 Christine 196 da
          • 6 Dec 1916 Robert 353 da
          • 10 Dec 1916 Gerda 287 da
          • 2 Jan 1917 Omnium 8,719 fr
          • 3 Jan 1917 Viking 761 da
          • 4 Jan 1917 Calabro 1,925 it
          • 5 Jan 1917 Ebro 1,028 da
          • 6 Jan 1917 Beaufront 1,720 br
          • 23 Apr 1917 Marita 1,759 nw
          • 24 Apr 1917 Thistleard 4,136 br
          • 25 Apr 1917 Hackensack 4,060 br
          • 4 May 1917 Ellin (damaged) 4,577 gr
          • 11 Jun 1917 Zylpha 2,917 br
          • 13 Jun 1917 Storegut 2,557 nw
          • 14 Jun 1917 Highbury 4,831 br
          • 14 Jun 1917 Ortolan 1,727 br
          • 15 Jun 1917 Albertine Beatrice 1,379 nl
          • 15 Jun 1917 Westonby 3,795 br
          • 16 Jun 1917 Jessie 2,256 br
          • 18 Jun 1917 Thistledhu 4,026 br
          • 25 Jul 1917 Monkstone 3,097 br
          • 31 Jul 1917 Orubian 3,876 br
          • 31 Jul 1917 Quernmore 7,302 br
          • 19 Sep 1917 Saint Ronald 4,387 br
          • 15 Nov 1917 De Dollart 243 nl
          • 19 Feb 1918 Glencarron 5,117 br
          • 19 Feb 1918 Philadelphian 5,165 br
          • 8 Apr 1918 Tainui (damaged) 9,965 br
          • 10 Apr 1918 Westfield 3,453 br
          • 5 Jun 1918 Argonaut 4,826 am
          • 7 Jun 1918 Brisk 1,662 nw
          • 8 Jun 1918 Hunsgrove 3,063 br
          • 8 Jun 1918 Saima 1,147 br
          • 4 Sep 1918 Dora 7,037 am
          • 5 Sep 1918 Mount Vernon (uss) (damaged) 18,372 am
          • 12 Sep 1918 Galway Castle 7,988 br
          • 16 Sep 1918 Madryn 2,244 br

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


             

          HMS Russell

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

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

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

          John Doran


             SM U-75

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran


           HMS Hampshire  

          HMS Hampshire

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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran


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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran


             

          HMS Brisk

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

          History

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

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

          John Doran


             

          HMS Drake

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


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

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

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

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

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

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

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


             SM U-60 was a Type U 57 built by A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 215). Ordered 6 Oct 1914, Laid down 22 Jun 1915, Launched 5 Jul 1916 and Commissioned 1 Nov 1916.

          Commanders.
          1 Nov 1916 - 31 Oct 1917 Karlgeorg Schuster.
          1 Nov 1917 - 20 Nov 1917 Karl (i.V.) Jasper.
          21 Nov 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 Franz Grünert

          Career 10 patrols.
          13 Jan 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 II Flotilla

          Successes 52 ships sunk with a total of 107,940 tons.
          3 ships damaged with a total of 7,447 tons.

          • 4 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Ghazee 5,084 br
          • 5 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Lux 2,621 br
          • 5 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Warley Pickering 4,196 br
          • 7 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Storskog 2,191 nw
          • 14 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Hopemoor 3,740 br
          • 17 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Dalbeattie 1,327 nw
          • 17 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Iolo 3,840 br
          • 21 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Tecwyn 132 br
          • 29 Mar 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Os 637 nw
          • 4 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Domingo 2,131 it
          • 6 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Marion 1,587 nw
          • 7 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Salmo 1,721 br
          • 16 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Queen Mary 5,658 br
          • 19 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Howth Head 4,440 br
          • 20 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Torr Head 5,911 br
          • 23 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Svanen 1,807 da
          • 10 Jun 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Clan Alpine 3,587 br
          • 17 Jun 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Nostra Madre 649 it
          • 19 Jun 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Brookby 3,679 br
          • 27 Jun 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Armadale 6,153 br
          • 29 Jul 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Cesarevitch Alexei 2,387 ru
          • 30 Jul 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Canis 526 nw
          • 9 Aug 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Agne 1,010 sw
          • 9 Aug 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Export 2,712 ru
          • 22 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Mascotte 199 fr
          • 23 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Gloire 51 fr
          • 23 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Henry Lippitt 895 am
          • 23 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Jeune Mathilde 58 fr
          • 25 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Edouard Detaille 2,185 fr
          • 29 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Bon Premier 1,352 fr
          • 29 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Eugenie Fautrel 2,212 fr
          • 29 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Percy B. 330 br
          • 1 Oct 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Saint Pierre 277 fr
          • 2 Oct 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Eugene Louise (damaged) 283 fr
          • 3 Oct 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Saint Antoine 217 fr
          • 3 Oct 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Stella 219 fr
          • 11 Dec 1917 U 60 Franz Grünert Bard 709 nw
          • 12 Dec 1917 U 60 Franz Grünert St. Croix 2,530 nw
          • 19 Dec 1917 U 60 Franz Grünert Ingrid Ii 1,145 nw
          • 22 Dec 1917 U 60 Franz Grünert Hunsbrook (damaged) 4,463 br
          • 21 Feb 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Hugin 1,667 sw
          • 25 Feb 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Apollo 242 da
          • 3 Mar 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Northfield 2,099 br
          • 4 Mar 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Quarnero 3,237 it
          • 28 Apr 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Poitiers 2,045 fr
          • 28 Apr 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Rimfakse 1,119 nw
          • 29 Apr 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Saint Chamond 2,866 fr
          • 2 May 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Girdleness 3,018 br
          • 4 May 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Polbrae 1,087 br
          • 5 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Vera Elizabeth 180 br
          • 13 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Plawsworth 4,724 br
          • 17 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Harlseywood (damaged) 2,701 br
          • 17 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Saint Georges 633 fr
          • 20 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Gemini 2,128 br
          • 20 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Orfordness 2,790 br

          Fate 21 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Ran aground on the English East coast on the way to be broken up in 1921.

          There was another U 60 in World War Two.
          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 1 Jun 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 22 Jul 1939.

          John Doran


             KUK U-15 Austrian submarine was a Type U-10 launched in April 1915 and commissioned on the 6th of October 1915

          Commanders:
          6 Oct 1915 - 18 Nov 1915 Friedrich Schlosser
          28 Nov 1915 - 25 Mar 1916 Friedrich Fähndrich
          25 Mar 1916 - 10 May 1916 Franz Rzemenowsky von Trautenegg
          10 May 1916 - 11 Dec 1916 Friedrich Fähndrich
          9 Oct 1916 - 28 Oct 1916 Franz Rzemenowsky von Trautenegg
          11 Dec 1916 - 12 Jun 1917 Otto Molitor
          12 Jun 1917 - 17 Jul 1917 Otto Molitor
          17 Jul 1917 - 9 Mar 1918 Ludwig Müller
          17 Mar 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Andreas Korparic

          U15 claimed 5 ships sunk with a total of 8,044 tons

          • 18 Dec 1915 Erzen 25 al
          • 18 Dec 1915 Figlio Preligiona 80 al
          • 17 May 1916 Stura 2,237 it
          • 23 Jun 1916 Citta Di Messina 3,495 it
          • 23 Jun 1916 Fourche 745 fr
          • 25 Oct 1916 Polceverra 2,207 it

          U15 was scrapped in 1920.

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


             KUK U-4 Austrian Submarine, a type U-3 was launched on the 20th November 1908 and commissioned on 29th August 1909 She was commanded by: Hermann Jüstel 7 Jul 1913 - 2 Apr 1915, Edgar Wolf 2 Apr 1915 - 9 Apr 1915, Rudolf Singule 9 Apr 1915 - 30 Nov 1917 and Franz Rzemenowsky von Trautenegg from 30th of Nov 1917 onwards.

          She claimed 14 ships sunk with a total of 15,039 tons, 2 ships damaged with a total of 3,535 tons, 3 ships taken as prize with a total of 13 tons, 1 warship sunk with a total of 7,234 tons and 1 warship damaged with a total of 5,400 tons.

          • 28 Nov 1914 k.u.k. U4 Hermann Jüstel Fiore Del Mare (prize) 13 al
          • 9 Jun 1915 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Dublin (hms) (damaged) 5,400 br
          • 18 Jul 1915 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Giuseppe Garibaldi 7,234 it
          • 9 Dec 1915 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Gjovadje (prize) unknown al
          • 9 Dec 1915 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Papagallo 10 al
          • 3 Jan 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Halil (prize) unknown al
          • 2 Feb 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Jean Bart Ii 475 fr
          • 30 Mar 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule John Pritchard 118 br
          • 14 Aug 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Pantellaria 204 it
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Inverbervie 4,309 br
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Ml 246 (damaged) 37 br
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Italia (damaged) 3,498 it
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Ml 230 37 br
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Ml 253 37 br
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Ml 255 37 br
          • 13 Oct 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Margaretha 2,092 it
          • 4 May 1917 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Perseo 4,857 it
          • 30 May 1917 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Italia 1,305 fr
          • 19 Jun 1917 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Cefira 411 fr
          • 19 Jun 1917 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Edouard Corbiere 475 fr
          • 12 Jul 1917 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Berthilde 672 fr

          She was scrapped in 1920.

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


             

          HMS Dublin

          HMS Dublin, was a British Light cruiser of 5,400 tons. Built in 1911 by W. Beardmore & Co. Ltd. Glasgow for the Royal Navy She was damaged during attack by the Austrian Submarine KUK U4 commanded by Rudolf Singule off Cape Pali on the 9th of June 1915 with the loss of 12 lives.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Edgar

          HMS Edgar was a Protected Cruiser with a GRT of 7,350 tons. She was built 1890 at the Devonport Dockyard. Edgar was damaged during attack by the Austrian U-Boat KUK U29 commanded by Leo Prásil on the 4th April 1918 (35.06N, 14.24E). No casualties.

          John Doran


             Austrian Submarine KUK SM U-23 was a Type U-20 which was launched on the 5th of January 1917 and commissioned 1st September 1917. From the 15th of Apr 1917 to 21 Feb 1918 she was commanded by Klemens Ritter von Bezard. KUK SMU-23 was sunk on the 21st of February 1918.

          John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


             

             

          HMS Triumph

          HMS Triumph, was a Swiftsure class pre-dreadnought battleship. Built Vickers, Barrow, laid down February 1902, completed June 1904, at a cost of £956,596. She was 462 feet 6 inch long at the waterline 475 feet 3 inch overall, beam 71 feet 2 inches, draught 24 feet 8 inches, displacement 11,740 load 13,432 tons deep. Her propulsion was 2 shaft Triple Expansion, 12,500 ihp, speed 19 knots. Armour was 7-3inch belt, 10inch barbettes, 10inch gun houses, 3-1inch decks. Armament was 4 x 10inch 45 cal BL (2 x 2), 14 x 7.5inch BL (14 x 1), 14 x 14pounder QF (14 x 1), 2 x 12pounder QF (2 x 1), 4 x 6pounder (4 x 1), 2 x 18inch TT. Crew complement 729 Officers and ratings. Originally designed by Sir Edward Reed for Chile to counter Argentinean armoured cruisers but owing to financial problems these ships were put up for sale before completion. The ships were purchased by the British government in December 1903 mainly to prevent their possible sale to Russia. The design emphasised speed and a heavy secondary armament at the expense of protection and main armament.

          World War 1 Service:

          • In reserve at Hong Kong at the start of war and re-commissioned there.
          • Took part in search for Admiral Graf Spee and captured a German collier.
          • August-November 1914 attached to Japanese Second Fleet for action against German base at Tsingtau.
          • November 1914-January 1915 under refit at Hong Kong.
          • February 1915 joined Dardanelles Squadron.
          • Took part in attacks on forts and supported landings.
          • 18 April 1915 one of her picket boats along with one from HMS Majestic destroyed the grounded British submarine E15 to prevent capture.
          • 25 May 1915 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U21.

          John Doran


             HMS Redoubtable was known as HMS Revenge from 1894 to 1915 then renamed Redoubtable (1915 to 1919). due to a new HMS Revenge being launched in 1915 The ship was a pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Sovereign class of the British Royal Navy. She notably served as the flagship of the Flying Squadron and bombarding the coast of Flanders during World War I Laid down by Palmers on 12 February 1891, launched on 3 November 1892, and completed in March 1894. She was 410 feet long and had a maximum cruising speed of 17 knots. Her armament included four 67-ton 13.5-inch (343-mm) guns and several smaller calibre guns.

          The Royal Sovereign-class battleships were designed by Sir William White and were the most potent battleships in the world until HMS Dreadnought rendered them obsolete overnight in 1906. In their day the Royal Sovereigns had also embodied revolutionary improvements in firepower, armour and speed. The main armament of four 13.5-inch (343-mm) guns was housed in two barbettes, rather than turrets, at either end of the ship which allowed a high freeboard, greatly increasing their capacity for fighting in rough weather; however, they tended to develop a heavy roll in some conditions, and after HMS Resolution rolled badly in heavy seas in 1893, the entire class was nicknamed the Rolling Ressies, which stuck even though the problem was quickly corrected by the fitting of bilge keels. The secondary armament was designed to provide potent, quick firing support for the main battery. Despite their greatly increased weight, thanks to a main armour belt which ran for two thirds of their length, they were the fastest capital ships in the world in their time. In 1906, the Royal Sovereigns were made obsolete with the launch of the revolutionary HMS Dreadnought. HMS Revenge was the only the Royal Sovereign class to see the outbreak of World War 1.

          HMS Redoubtable was sold for scrap in December 1919.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Jupiter - Malta 1915

          HMS Jupiter was a Majestic class pre-dreadnought battleship, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, which sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

          • Ships in Majestic Class
          • Caesar
          • Hannibal
          • Illustrious
          • Jupiter
          • Magnificent
          • Majestic
          • Mars
          • Prince George
          • Victorious

          When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line. Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes. Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

          The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

          The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide. More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts, as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

          When World War I broke out in August 1914, Jupiter was transferred to the 7th Battle Squadron of the Channel Fleet. During this service, she covered the passage of the British Expeditionary Force from England to France in September 1914. In late October 1914, Jupiter was reassigned to serve alongside her sister ship Majestic as a guard ship at the Nore. On 3 November 1914, Jupiter and Majestic left the Nore and relieved their sister ships Hannibal and Magnificent of guard ship duty on the Humber. In December 1914, Jupiter moved on to guard ship duty on the Tyne. On 5 February 1915, Jupiter was detached from her guard ship duty to serve temporarily as an icebreaker at Arkhangelsk, Russia, while the regular icebreaker there was under refit. In this duty, Jupiter made history by becoming the first ship ever to get through the ice into Arkhangelsk during the winter; her February arrival was the earliest in history there.

          Jupiter left Arkhangelsk in May 1915 to return to the Channel Fleet, and was paid off at Birkenhead on 19 May 1915. She then began a refit by Cammell Laird there that lasted until August 1915. Her refit completed, Jupiter was commissioned at Birkenhead on 12 August 1915 for service in the Mediterranean Sea on the Suez Canal Patrol. On 21 October 1915, she was transferred to the Red Sea to become guard ship at Aden and flagship of the Senior Naval Officer, Red Sea Patrol. She was relieved of flagship duty by the troopship RIM Northbrook of the Royal Indian Marine on 9 December 1915 and returned to the Suez Canal Patrol for Mediterranean service. This lasted from April to November 1916, with a home port in Port Said, Egypt.

          Jupiter left Egypt on 22 November 1916 and returned to the United Kingdom, where she was paid off at Devonport to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. She remained at Devonport until April 1919, in commission as a special service vessel and auxiliary patrol ship until February 1918, when she was again paid off. After that she became an accommodation ship. In April 1919, Jupiter became the first Majestic-class ship to be placed on the disposal list. She was sold for scrapping on 15 January 1920, and on 11 March 1920 was towed from Chatham to Blyth to be scrapped.

          John Doran


             

             

          HMS London

          HMS London was a pre-dreadnought battleship of the Formidable class. She was laid down at Portsmouth Dockyard on 8th of December 1898, launched on 21st of September 1899, and completed in June 1902. After the first three Formidables, there was a change in design for the last five ships, starting with London; as a result they are often considered to constitute the London class, but also can be viewed as in effect a sub-class of the Formidable class. The main difference in the Londons was thinner deck armour, some other detail changes to the armour scheme and the consequent lower displacement.

          HMS London commissioned at Portsmouth Dockyard on 7th of June 1902 for service in the Mediterranean Fleet. Before departing home waters, she served as flagship for the Coronation Review for King Edward VII at Spithead on 16th of August 1902. While in the Mediterranean, she underwent refits at Malta in 1902,1903 and 1906. In March 1907, London transferred to the Nore Division, Home Fleet, at the Nore, then to the Channel Fleet on 2nd of June 1908, serving as Flagship, Rear Admiral, Channel Fleet. She underwent a refit at Chatham Dockyard in 1908, and paid off there on 19th of April 1909 to undergo an extensive refit. Her refit complete, London commissioned at Chatham on 8th of February 1910 to serve as Second Flagship, Rear Admiral, Atlantic Fleet. Under the fleet reorganisation of 1 May 1912, she became part of the Second Home Fleet at the Nore, reduced to a nucleus crew and assigned to the 3rd Battle Squadron. She collided with the merchant steamer SS Don Benite on 11 May 1912. She transferred to the 5th Battle Squadron and was used in experiments with flying off aircraft from May 1912 until 1913, employing a ramp built over her forecastle which had been transferred from the battleship Hibernia. During these experiments, Commander Charles Rumney Samson, who had made the world's first takeoff from a moving ship in May 1912 from Hibernia using a Short Improved S.27 biplane and the same ramp—repeated his feat by taking off in the same aeroplane from London on 4th of July 1912 while London was underway.

          Upon the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the 5th Battle Squadron was assigned to the Channel Fleet and based at Portland. Their first task was to escort the British Expeditionary Force across the English Channel. A number of experimental paint schemes were tried during the first month of the war but these were quickly abandoned in favour of battleship grey. It was briefly planned to deploy the squadron to replace the ships lost during the Action of 22nd of September 1914 but the orders to transfer to the Medway were rescinded.

          The squadron transferred to Sheerness on the 14th of November 1914 to guard against a possible German invasion. While there HMS London was present when HMS Bulwark exploded and London's crew joined in the attempts to rescue survivors. The enquiry into the explosion was carried out aboard HMS London. The squadron returned to Portland on 30th of December 1914.

          On the 19th of March 1915, London was transferred for service in the Dardanelles Campaign. She joined the British Dardanelles Squadron at Lemnos on 23rd of March 1915, and supported the main landings at Gaba Tepe and Anzac Cove on 25th of April 1915.

          London, along with battleships HMS Implacable, HMS Queen, and HMS Prince of Wales, was transferred to the 2nd Detached Squadron, organised to reinforce the Italian Navy in the Adriatic Sea when Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. She was based at Taranto, Italy, and underwent a refit at Gibraltar in October 1915 during her Adriatic service. In October 1916, London returned to the United Kingdom, paid off at Devonport Dockyard to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels, and was laid up. While inactive, she underwent a refit in 1916,1917.

          In February 1918, London moved to Rosyth and began conversion to a minelayer. The conversion included removal of all four of her 12-inch (305-mm) guns and her anti-torpedo nets, replacement of her after main-battery turret with a 6-inch (152-mm) gun, and installation of minelaying equipment on her quarterdeck, including rails for 240 mines, and of a canvas screen to conceal the entire quarterdeck from external view. The conversion was completed in April 1918, and on 18th of May 1918 London was recommissioned at Rosyth for service in the Grand Fleet's 1st Minelaying Squadron. Before the war ended on 11th of November 1918, London had laid 2,640 mines in the Northern Mine Barrage.

          In January 1919, London was reduced to reserve at Devonport as a depot ship. As part of a post-war fleet organisation, she was assigned to the 3rd Fleet there. London was placed on the disposal list at Devonport in January 1920, and on the sale list on 31st of March 1920. She was sold for scrapping to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company on 4th of June 1920. She was resold to the Slough Trading Company, then again resold to a German firm. She was towed to Germany for scrapping in April 1922.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Venerable at Malta 1915

          HMS Venerable was laid down at Chatham Dockyard on 2 January 1899, launched on 2 November 1899, and completed in November 1902. After many delays due to difficulties with her machinery contractors, HMS Venerable commissioned on 12th November 1902 for service as Second Flagship, Rear Admiral, Mediterranean Fleet.On 13 May 1912 she transferred to the Second Home Fleet at the Nore and went into the commissioned reserve with a nucleus crew as part of the 5th Battle Squadron.

          When World War I broke out in August 1914, the 5th Battle Squadron was assigned to the Channel Fleet, based at Portland. Returning to full commission, HMS Venerable patrolled the English Channel. HMS Venerable paid off into care and maintenance at Portland at the end of December 1918. She was sold to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company for scrapping on 4th of June 1920, resold to Slough Trading Company in 1922, then resold again to a German firm in the middle of 1922. She was towed to Germany for scrapping.

          John Doran


           HMS Albemarle  

          HMS Albemarle

          HMS Albemarle was a pre-dreadnought Duncan-class battleship of the Royal Navy, named after George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle. She was amongst the fastest battleships of her time when she was commissioned, but she was superseded by the new dreadnoughts which began entering service from 1906. Despite this, she served with the Grand Fleet on the Northern Patrol during the early stages of World War I. She was dispatched to Murmansk in Russia for guard and icebreaking duties for most of 1916. On her return to England, she underwent a refit and was in reserve for the remainder of the war. Decommissioned in April 1919, she was scrapped in 1920.

          HMS Albemarle was laid down on 1 January 1900 at Chatham Dockyard,[5] and launched on 5 March 1901, when Lady Kennedy, wife of Admiral Sir William Kennedy, Commander-in-Chief of the Nore, performed the christening.[6] She was completed in November 1903.

          World War I

          When World War I began in August 1914, plans originally called for Albemarle and battleships Agamemnon, Cornwallis, Duncan, Exmouth, Russell, and Vengeance to form the 6th Battle Squadron and serve in the Channel Fleet, where it was to patrol the English Channel and cover the movement of the British Expeditionary Force to France. However, plans also existed for the 6th Battle Squadron to be assigned to the Grand Fleet, and, when the war began, the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, requested that Albemarle and her four surviving sister ships of the Duncan class (Cornwallis, Duncan, Exmouth, and Russell) be assigned to the 3rd Battle Squadron in the Grand Fleet for patrol duties to make up for the Grand Fleet's shortage of cruisers. Accordingly, the 6th Battle Squadron was abolished temporarily, and Albemarle joined the 3rd Battle Squadron at Scapa Flow on 8 August 1914, and worked with Grand Fleet cruisers on the Northern Patrol.

          Albemarle and her four Duncan-class sisters, as well as the battleships of the King Edward VII class, temporarily were transferred to the Channel Fleet on 2 November 1914 to reinforce that fleet in the face of German Navy activity in the Channel Fleet's area. On 13 November 1914, the King Edward VII-class ships returned to the Grand Fleet, but Albemarle and the other Duncans stayed in the Channel Fleet, where they reconstituted the 6th Battle Squadron on 14 November 1914. This squadron was given a mission of bombarding German submarine bases on the coast of Belgium, and was based at Portland, although it transferred to Dover immediately on 14 November 1914. However, due a lack of antisubmarine defenses at Dover, the squadron returned to Portland on 19 November 1914. The 6th Battle Squadron returned to Dover in December 1914, then transferred to Sheerness on 30 December 1914 to relieve the 5th Battle Squadron there in guarding against a German invasion of the United Kingdom.

          Between January and May 1915, the 6th Battle Squadron was dispersed. Albemarle left the squadron in April 1915 and rejoined the 3rd Battle Squadron in the Grand Fleet. She underwent a refit at Chatham Dockyard in October 1915.

          In November 1915, Albemarle was ordered to move to the Mediterranean with a division of the 3rd Battle Squadron that also included the battleships Hibernia (the flagship), Zealandia, and Russell. The ships left Scapa Flow on 6 November 1915, but encountered extremely heavy weather that night in the Pentland Firth. Albemarle, heavily loaded with spare ammunition, suffered severe damage early on 7 November when two large waves struck her in rapid succession, wrecking her forebridge and chart house, shifting the roof of her conning tower, and flooding her forward main gun turret, mess decks, and flats. An officer and rating were washed overboard and lost, another rating was killed, and three officers and 16 ratings suffered serious injuries; two of the injured ratings later died. In an 8th November 1915 letter to First Sea Lord Admiral Henry B. Jackson, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet Admiral John R. Jellicoe described what had happened, saying that Albemarle had been making 16 knots when water from the two waves had risen as high as the bottom of her lower foretop, filling the foretop with water, sweeping her forward deck clear and smashing the forebridge, most of which was found in pieces on her upper deck. Accompanied by Zealandia, Hibernia assisted her in proceeding for repairs to Scapa Flow, where she arrived later on 7 November and transferred 24 injured ratings on stretchers and three officers to the hospital ship Plassey for further treatment.

          When her repairs were complete in December 1915, Albemarle was ordered to rejoin the Grand Fleet. She thus became the only Duncan-class ship (other than Montagu, which had been wrecked before the war) with no wartime Mediterranean service.

          In January 1916, Albemarle was detached from the Grand Fleet to serve in North Russia at Murmansk as guard ship and as an icebreaker in the approaches to Arkhangelsk. At Murmansk, she also served as flagship of Senior Naval Officer, Murmansk.

          Decommissioning

          Albemarle returned to the United Kingdom in September 1916, paying off at Portsmouth to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. She began a refit at Liverpool in October 1916, and upon its completion in March 1917 she went into reserve at Devonport Dockyard; her main-deck casemate 6-inch (152-mm) guns were removed and replaced with four 6-inch (152-mm) guns on her battery deck between September 1916 and May 1917.

          Post-World War I

          Albemarle was in reserve until April 1919, used as an overflow accommodation ship for the naval barracks at Devonport, and was attached to the Gunnery School in 1919.

          Disposal

          Albemarle was placed on the disposal list in April 1919 and on the sale list in August 1919. She was sold for scrapping to Cohen Shipbeaking Company on 19 November 1919 and arrived at Swansea for scrapping in April 1920.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Cornwallis

          HMS Cornwallis was laid down by Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company at Leamouth, London on 19 July 1899 and launched on 17 July 1901, when she was christened by Mrs. William L. Ainslie, wife of one of the directors. The launching ceremony was subdued, due to the Court mourning, yet the launch was witnessed by a vast throng of spectators, including diplomats from the other naval powers at the time. After delays due to labour troubles, she was completed in February 1904. HMS Cornwallis commissioned on 9 February 1904 to relieve battleship Renown in the Mediterranean Fleet. In the Mediterranean Sea she collided with the Greek brigantine Angelica on 17 September 1904, but suffered no serious damage. She transferred to the Channel Fleet in February 1905, then to the Atlantic Fleet on 14 January 1907. During her Atlantic Fleet service, she underwent a refit at Gibraltar from January to May 1908, and became Second Flagship, Rear Admiral, on 25 August 1909. In August 1909, Cornwallis transferred back to the Mediterranean Fleet and was based at Malta. Under a fleet reorganization on 1 May 1912, the Mediterranean Fleet battle squadron became the 4th Battle Squadron, Home Fleet, based at Gibraltar rather than Malta, and Cornwallis thus became a Home Fleet unit at Gibraltar. She was reduced to a nucleus crew in the 6th Battle Squadron, Second Fleet, in March 1914.

          When World War I began in August 1914, plans originally called for Cornwallis and battleships Agamemnon, Albemarle, Duncan, Exmouth, Russell, and Vengeance to combine in the 6th Battle Squadron and serve in the Channel Fleet, where the squadron was to patrol the English Channel and cover the movement of the British Expeditionary Force to France. However, plans also existed for the 6th Battle Squadron to be assigned to the Grand Fleet, and, when the war began, the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, requested that Cornwallis and her four surviving sister ships of the Duncan class (Albemarle, Duncan, Exmouth, and Russell) be assigned to the 3rd Battle Squadron in the Grand Fleet for patrol duties to make up for the Grand Fleet's shortage of cruisers. Accordingly, the 6th Battle Squadron was abolished temporarily, and Cornwallis joined the 3rd Battle Squadron at Scapa Flow on 8 August 1914.

          Cornwallis and her four Duncan-class sisters, as well as the battleships of the King Edward VII class, temporarily were transferred to the Channel Fleet on 2 November 1914 to reinforce that fleet in the face of German Navy activity in the Channel Fleet's area. On 13 November 1914, the King Edward VII-class ships returned to the Grand Fleet, but Cornwallis and the other Duncans stayed in the Channel Fleet, where they reconstituted the 6th Battle Squadron on 14 November 1914. This squadron was given a mission of bombarding German submarine bases on the coast of Belgium, and was based at Portland, although it transferred to Dover immediately on 14 November 1914. However, due a lack of antisubmarine defenses at Dover, the squadron returned to Portland on 19 November 1914. The 6th Battle Squadron returned to Dover in December 1914. Cornwallis was detached from the squadron in late December 1914 and assigned to West Ireland, where she was based at Clew Bay and Killarney Bay. She remained there until January 1915.

          In January 1915, Cornwallis was ordered to the Dardanelles to participate in the Dardanelles Campaign. She departed Portland on 24 January 1915 and arrived at Tenedos to join the British Dardanelles Squadron on 13 February 1915. HMS Cornwallis participated in all the operations of the Dardanelles campaign. She took part in the opening bombardment of the Ottoman Turkish entrance forts on 18 February 1915 and 19 February 1915 (firing the first shell of the bombardment), combined with battleships Albion, Triumph, and Vengeance in using her secondary battery to silence forts Sedd el Bahr and Kum Kale on 25 February 1915, and took part in the main bombardment of the Narrows forts on 18 March 1915. She also supported the landings at Morto Bay on 25 April 1915. From 18 December 1915 through 20 December 1915, she covered the evacuation of Allied troops from Suvla Bay, firing 500 12-inch (305-mm) and 6,000 6-inch (152-mm) rounds, and was the last large ship to leave the Suvla Bay area.

          After the Suvla Bay evacuation was complete, Cornwallis was transferred to the Suez Canal Patrol, which she joined on 4 January 1916. She operated as part of this patrol and on the East Indies Station until March 1916, including convoy duty in the Indian Ocean. She returned to the eastern Mediterranean in March 1916, and underwent a refit at Malta in May and June 1916.

          On 9 January 1917, Cornwallis was hit on her starboard side by a torpedo from German submarine U-32, commanded by Kurt Hartwig, in the eastern Mediterranean, 60 nautical miles (110 km) east of Malta. Some of her stokeholds flooded, causing her to list about ten degrees to starboard, but counter flooding corrected the list. About 75 minutes after the first torpedo hit, another did, also on the starboard side, and Cornwallis rolled quickly to starboard. Fifteen men were killed in the torpedo explosions, but she stayed afloat long enough to get the rest of the crew off. She sank about 30 minutes after the second torpedo hit.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Exmouth

          HMS Exmouth was laid down by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead on 10 August 1899. She was floated out on 31 August 1901, when she was named by Lady Alice Stanley, wife of Lord Stanley, Financial Secretary to the War Office, who afterwards gave a speech. After delays due to labour problems, she was completed in May 1903. HMS Exmouth was commissioned at Chatham Dockyard on 2 June 1903 for service in the Mediterranean Fleet. She returned to the United Kingdom in May 1904, and on 18 May 1904 recommissioned as Flagship, Vice Admiral, Home Fleet, serving as flagship of Sir Arthur Wilson. When the Home Fleet was redesignated as the Channel Fleet, she continued in her capacity as flagship as a Channel Fleet unit. She transferred her flag in April 1907, was reduced to a nucleus crew, and entered the commissioned reserve to begin a refit at Portsmouth Dockyard. Her refit complete, she recommissioned on 25 May 1907 to serve as Flagship, Vice Admiral, Atlantic Fleet. On 20 November 1908 she transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet to serve as flagship there, and underwent a refit at Malta in 1908,1909. Under a fleet reorganization of 1 May 1912, the Mediterranean Fleet became the 4th Battle Squadron, First Fleet, Home Fleet, and changed its base from Malta to Gibraltar. Exmouth became Flagship, Vice Admiral, Home Fleet, in July 1912. In December 1912, battleship HMS Dreadnought replaced Exmouth in the 4th Battle Squadron, and Exmouth began a refit at Malta. Upon completion of her refit, Exmouth recommissioned on 1 July 1913 at Devonport Dockyard with a nucleus crew to serve in the commissioned reserve with the 6th Battle Squadron, Second Fleet. She was assigned duties as a gunnery training ship at Devonport.

          When World War I began in August 1914, plans originally called for Exmouth and battleships Agamemnon, Albemarle, Cornwallis, Duncan, Russell, and Vengeance to combine in the 6th Battle Squadron and serve in the Channel Fleet, where the squadron was to patrol the English Channel and cover the movement of the British Expeditionary Force to France. However, plans also existed for the 6th Battle Squadron to be assigned to the Grand Fleet, and, when the war began, the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, requested that Exmouth and her four surviving sister ships of the Duncan class (Albemarle, Cornwallis, Duncan, and Russell) be assigned to the 3rd Battle Squadron in the Grand Fleet for patrol duties to make up for the Grand Fleet's shortage of cruisers. Accordingly, the 6th Battle Squadron was abolished temporarily, and Exmouth joined the 3rd Battle Squadron at Scapa Flow on 8 August 1914. She worked with the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. When the Grand Fleet dreadnought battleship HMS Audacious struck a mine north of Ireland on 27 October 1914, Exmouth was sent to tow her to safety, but Audacious had to be abandoned before Exmouth arrived; Audacious capsized and exploded just as Exmouth appeared on the scene.

          Exmouth and her four Duncan-class sisters, as well as the battleships of the King Edward VII class, temporarily were transferred to the Channel Fleet on 2 November 1914 to reinforce that fleet in the face of Imperial German Navy activity in the Channel Fleet's area. On 13 November 1914, the King Edward VII-class ships returned to the Grand Fleet, but Exmouth and the other Duncans stayed in the Channel Fleet, where they reconstituted the 6th Battle Squadron on 14 November 1914. This squadron was given a mission of bombarding German submarine bases on the coast of Belgium, and was based at Portland, although it transferred to Dover immediately on 14 November 1914. However, due a lack of antisubmarine defenses at Dover, the squadron returned to Portland on 19 November 1914.

          Exmouth and Russell bombarded Zeebrugge, which was used by German submarines on passage from their base at Bruges, on 23 November 1914, firing over 400 rounds in what was described as a highly successful action in contemporary Dutch reports but actually achieved very little and discouraged the Royal Navy from continuing such bombardments.

          The 6th Battle Squadron returned to Dover in December 1914, then transferred to Sheerness on 30 December 1914 to relieve the 5th Battle Squadron there in guarding against a German invasion of the United Kingdom. Between January and May 1915, the 6th Battle Squadron was dispersed. Exmouth left the squadron when she transferred to the Dardanelles on 12 May 1915 for service in the Dardanelles Campaign as Flagship, Rear Admiral, supporting squadron, flying the flag of Rear Admiral Nicholson. She was fitted with extra-heavy anti-torpedo nets for this service. After the torpedoing and sinking of battleships HMS Goliath, HMS Triumph, and HMS Majestic, all within the space of two weeks in May 1915, she was the only battleship allowed to remain off the Gallipoli Peninsula beaches. She supported the Allied attack on Achi Baba on 4 June 1915 and Allied attacks in the Cape Helles area in August 1915.

          Exmouth left the Dardanelles in November 1915 and transferred to the Aegean Sea to become Flagship, 3rd Detached Squadron, a force based at Salonika that had been organized to assist the French Navy in blockading the Aegean coast of Greece and Bulgaria and to reinforce the Suez Canal Patrol. On 28 November 1915, she took aboard personnel of the British Belgrade Naval Force as they were being evacuated from Serbia. From September to December 1916 she served in the Allied force supporting Allied demands against the government of Greece, participating in the seizure of the Greek fleet at Salamis and landing Royal Marines at Athens on 1 December 1916.

          Exmouth transferred to the East Indies Station in March 1917, where she performed convoy escort duties in the Indian Ocean between Colombo and Bombay. In June 1917, she ended this service to return to the United Kingdom, calling at Zanzibar, The Cape and Sierra Leone during the voyage. She arrived at Devonport in August 1917, and paid off to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. Exmouth remained in reserve at Devonport until April 1919, and was used as an accommodation ship beginning in January 1918.

          Exmouth was placed on the sale list in April 1919 and sold for scrapping to Forth Shipbreaking Company on 15 January 1920. Her hull was scrapped in the Netherlands.

          John Doran


             

          HMS King Edward VII

          HMS King Edward VII was laid down at Devonport Dockyard on 8 March 1902. She was launched by King Edward VII on 23 July 1903, and completed in February 1905. Named after King Edward VII, was the lead ship of her class of Royal Navy pre-dreadnought battleships. King Edward VII consented to having King Edward VII carry his name on the condition that she always serve as a flagship. The Royal Navy honoured this wish throughout her career. She was commissioned in 1905, and entered service with the Atlantic Fleet as Flagship, Commander-in-chief (by request of the King, she was always to serve as a Flagship). Rendered obsolete in 1906 with the commissioning of the revolutionary Dreadnought, she underwent a refit in 1907, following which she was assigned to the Channel Fleet and then to the Home Fleet. In 1912, she, together with her sister ships, formed the 3rd Battle Squadron.

          At the outbreak of the Great War, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth, with King Edward VII continuing her service as squadron flagship. The squadron was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. The squadron returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November, although King Edward VII remained behind temporarily, not returning to the Grand Fleet until 30 November 1914.

          King Edward VII served in the Grand Fleet until her loss in January 1916. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sisters often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

          On 6 January 1916, King Edward VII — having transferred her flag temporarily, departed Scapa Flow at 07:12 on a voyage around the northern coast of Scotland to Belfast, where she was scheduled to undergo a refit. At 1047, she struck a mine that had been laid by the German auxiliary cruiser SMS Möwe off Cape Wrath. The explosion occurred under the starboard engine room, and King Edward VII listed 8° to starboard. Her commanding officer, Captain Maclachlan, ordered her helm put over to starboard to close the coast and beach the ship if necessary, but the helm jammed hard to starboard and the engine rooms quickly flooded, stopping the engines. Counterflooding reduced her list to 5°.

          Signals to the passing collier Princess Melita induced her to close with King Edward VII and attempt to tow the battleship; soon, flotilla leader Kempfenfelt also arrived and joined the tow attempt. Towing began at 14:15, but King Edward VII settled deeper in the water and took on a 15° list in a rising sea and strong winds and proved unmanageable. Princess Melita's towline parted at 1440, after which Captain Maclachlan ordered Kempfenfelt to slip her tow as well. With flooding continuing and darkness approaching, Captain Maclachlan ordered King Edward VII abandoned. The destroyer Musketeer came alongside at 14:45, and she and destroyers Fortune and Marne, took off the crew with the loss of only one life (a man fell between the battleship and one of the rescue vessels), the last man off being Captain Maclachlan, who boarded destroyer Nessus at 16:10. Fortune, Marne, and Musketeer departed to take the battleship's crew to port, while Nessus stayed on the scene until 1720 with tugs that had arrived to assist. After Nessus departed, the tugs continued to stand by, and saw King Edward VII capsize at 2010 and sink around nine hours after the explosion.

          At the time it was not clear whether King Edward VII had hit a naval mine or a been torpedoed. The presence of the minefield was determined from an examination of German records after the war.

          Divers first visited the wreck of King Edward VII, in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, in April 1997.

          John Doran


           HMS New Zealand  

          HMS New Zealand

          HMS New Zealand was one of three Indefatigable-class battlecruisers built for the defence of the British Empire. Launched in 1911, the ship was funded by the government of New Zealand as a gift to Britain, and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1912. She had been intended for the China Station, but was released by the New Zealand government at the request of the Admiralty for service in British waters. During 1913, New Zealand was sent on a ten-month tour of the British Dominions, with an emphasis on a visit to her namesake nation. She was back in British waters at the start of World War I, and operated as part of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet, in opposition to the German High Seas Fleet. During the war, the battlecruiser participated in all three of the major North Sea battles—Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank, and Jutland—and was involved in the response to the inconclusive Raid on Scarborough, and the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. New Zealand contributed to the destruction of two cruisers during her wartime service and was hit by enemy fire only once, sustaining no casualties. Her status as a "lucky ship" was attributed by the crew to a Maori piupiu (warrior's skirt) and hei-tiki (pendant) worn by the captain during battle. After the war, New Zealand was sent on a second world tour, this time to allow Admiral John Jellicoe to review the naval defences of the Dominions. In 1920, the battlecruiser was placed in reserve. She was broken up for scrap in 1922 in order to meet Britain's tonnage limit in the disarmament provisions of the Washington Naval Treaty.

          • Name: HMS New Zealand
          • Namesake: Dominion of New Zealand
          • Builder: Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering, Govan
          • Laid down: 20 June 1910
          • Launched: 1 July 1911
          • Commissioned: 19 November 1912
          • Struck: 19 December 1922
          • Fate: Sold for scrap, 19 December 1922

          New Zealand was sent on a ten-month flag-waving tour of New Zealand via South Africa in 1913. During this tour, the ship was seen by an estimated half-million New Zealanders, almost half the population and her captain was presented with a Maori piupiu (a warrior's skirt made from rolled flax) together with a greenstone hei-tiki (pendant), which were intended to ward off evil. The Admiralty requested that New Zealand return to the United Kingdom when the tour concluded, rather than remain in the Pacific region as originally planned. The New Zealand Government acceded to the request and, upon her arrival on 8 December 1913, New Zealand joined the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron (1st BCS) of the Grand Fleet. The squadron visited Brest in February 1914, and Riga, Reval and Kronstadt in the Russian Empire the following June. On 19 August 1914, shortly after World War I began, New Zealand was transferred to the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron (2nd BCS). HMS New Zealand became flagship of the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet on 15 January 1915, and saw action the following week in the Battle of Dogger Bank.

          The squadron joined the Grand Fleet in a sortie on 29 March, in response to intelligence that the German fleet was leaving port as the precursor to a major operation. By the next night, the German ships had withdrawn, and the squadron returned to Rosyth. On 11 April, the British fleet was again deployed on the intelligence that a German force was planning an operation. The Germans intended to lay mines at the Swarte Bank, but after a scouting Zeppelin located a British light cruiser squadron, they began to prepare for what they thought was a British attack. Heavy fog and the need to refuel caused Australia and the British vessels to return to port on 17 April and, although they were redeployed that night, they were unable to stop two German light cruisers from laying the minefield. From 26 to 28 January 1916, the 2nd BCS was positioned off the Skagerrak while the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron swept the strait in an unsuccessful search for a possible minelayer. On the morning of 21 April 1916, the 2nd BCS sailed again for the Skagerrak, this time to support efforts to disrupt the transport of Swedish ore to Germany. The planned destroyer sweep of the Kattegat was cancelled when word came that the High Seas Fleet was mobilising for an operation of their own (later learned to be timed to coincide with the Irish Easter Rising) and the British ships were ordered to a rendezvous point in the middle of the North Sea, while the rest of the Grand Fleet made for the south-eastern end of the Long Forties. On the afternoon of 22 April, the Battlecruiser Fleet was patrolling to the north-west of Horn Reefs when heavy fog came down. The ships were zigzagging to avoid submarine attack when Australia collided with sister ship New Zealand twice in three minutes. Australia was damaged badly enough to be put out of action for several months, but New Zealand returned to the fleet on 30 May, a day before the start of the Battle of Jutland. It relieved Indefatigable as flagship. New Zealand was relieved by Australia as flagship of the 2nd BCS on 22 February 1915, but took over again following a collision with the Australia.

          HMS New Zealand saw action in the Battle of Jutland and was again New Zealand was relieved by Australia as flagship on 9 June and temporarily attached to the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron, until HMS Renown relieved her in September. On the evening of 18 August, the Grand Fleet put to sea in response to a message deciphered by Room 40 that indicated that the High Seas Fleet, minus II Squadron, would be leaving harbour that night. The German objective was to bombard Sunderland on 19 August, based on extensive reconnaissance provided by airships and submarines. The Grand Fleet sailed with 29 dreadnought battleships and six battlecruisers. Throughout the next day, Jellicoe and Scheer received conflicting intelligence; after reaching the location in the North Sea where they expected to encounter the High Seas Fleet, they turned north in the erroneous belief that they had entered a minefield. Scheer turned south again, then steered south-eastward to pursue a lone British battle squadron sighted by an airship, which was in fact the Harwich Force of cruisers and destroyers under Commodore Tyrwhitt. Realising their mistake, the Germans changed course for home. The only contact came in the evening when Tyrwhitt sighted the High Seas Fleet but was unable to achieve an advantageous attack position before dark, and broke off contact. The British and the German fleets returned home. The British lost two cruisers to submarine attacks and one German dreadnought had been torpedoed. New Zealand underwent a refit at Rosyth in November 1916. She temporarily replaced Australia as squadron flagship between 29 November and 7 January 1917. The ship's company were firm believers both in the old chief's prophecy and in the ability of the piu piu and tiki to ward off trouble. More than a year after the Battle of Jutland, on the last occasion that New Zealand sighted enemy ships and went to action stations, a seaman was seen to climb a ladder to the bridge and take a quick look around. "It's all right," he called to his mates below, "he's got them on", a shout that assured them that the captain was wearing the piu piu and tiki.

          German minesweepers and escorting light cruisers were attempting to clear British-laid minefields in the Heligoland Bight in late 1917. The Admiralty planned a large operation for 17 November to destroy the ships, and allocated two light cruiser squadrons and the 1st Cruiser Squadron covered by the reinforced 1st Battlecruiser Squadron and, more distantly, the 1st Battle Squadron of battleships. New Zealand was attached to the 1st BCS for this operation, which became known as the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. New Zealand did not fire her guns during the battle. As in previous engagements, Captain Green wore the piupiu and tiki for luck.

          During 1918, New Zealand and the Grand Fleet's other capital ships were used on occasion to escort convoys between Britain and Norway. The 2nd BCS spent the period from 8 to 21 February covering these convoys in company with battleships and destroyers, and put to sea on 6 March in company with the 1st BCS to support minelayers. The 2nd BCS again supported minelayers in the North Sea from 25 June or 26 June to the end of July. During September and October, New Zealand and the 2nd BCS supervised and protected minelaying operations north of Orkney. The battlecruiser was present at the surrender of the High Seas Fleet as part of the 2nd BCS.

          Dominion tour

          Following the war, Admiral Jellicoe was tasked with helping to plan and coordinate the naval policies and defences of the British Dominions. New Zealand was made available for his transportation, and was refitted between December 1918 and February 1919 for the tour. The main changes were the removal of her flying-off platforms and the lower forward four-inch guns. The first stop was India, with New Zealand arriving in Bombay on 14 March 1919 and departing six weeks later. The battlecruiser arrived at Albany, Western Australia, on 15 May, where Jellicoe and his staff disembarked to take an overland route across the country. New Zealand sailed via Melbourne and Hobart to depart from Sydney for New Zealand on 16 August. The ship was particularly popular in New Zealand, where crowds flocked to visit her as they had done in 1913. Jellicoe, too, was popular and he later returned to New Zealand to serve as Governor-General from 1920 to 1924. The ship stopped off at Fiji and Hawaii before arriving on 8 November in Canada, the final country to be assessed. After returning to the United Kingdom, the battlecruiser was paid off into reserve on 15 March 1920. New Zealand was regarded as obsolete by the Royal Navy, because her 12-inch guns were inferior to the 15-inch guns deployed on the latest generation of battlecruisers. She was sold for scrap on 19 December 1922 to meet the tonnage restrictions set on the British Empire by the Washington Naval Treaty. The New Zealand Government completed paying off the loan used to fund the ship in the 1944/45 financial year.

          Many items from the battlecruiser were sent to New Zealand after she was scrapped. Equipment including several 4-inch guns, a range finder and laundry equipment, were used by military units while other artifacts were placed on display in museums. During World War II, the 4-inch guns were the main armament of the land batteries which protected the entrances to the harbours at Auckland, Wellington and Lyttelton. The captain's piupiu was returned to New Zealand in 2005 and is on display at the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum in Auckland alongside the ship's bell and other artifacts. The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington also holds several items from the ship in its collection.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Bellerophon

          HMS Bellerophon was the first of the class of three dreadnought battleships in the Bellerophon class. The cost of building was £1,763,491, making her the most expensive of her class. She was laid down built Portsmouth Dockyard on 6th of December 1906, launched 27 July 1907 and commissioned into the fleet on 20 February 1909. On trials she made 21.25 knots, a speed lower than that of her sisters due to inferior shp; she developed 25,061 shp, as opposed to HMS Superb's 27,407 shp and HMS Temeraire's 26,966 shp. Upon completion she joined the 1st Battle Squadron of the Home Fleet. On 26 May 1911 she was in a collision with the battlecruiser HMS Inflexible. Bellerophon received damage whilst Inflexible took bow damage which put her in the dockyard until November.

          On the 1st of August 1914, after the Fleet Mobilisation and the formation of the Grand Fleet, she joined the 4th Battle Squadron. On the 27th of August during the journey to the fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow, Bellerophon collided with the vessel SS St Clair off the Orkney Islands but sustained no major damage. In May 1915, she headed to the Royal Dockyard, Devonport for a refit.

          At the Battle of Jutland in May 1916, the vessel was under the command of Captain Edward F. Bruen in the Fourth Division (commanded by Rear Admiral Alexander Duff) of the 4th Battle Squadron under Vice Admiral Doveton Sturdee. The 4th Battle Squadron deployed behind the 2nd Battle Squadron in line ahead during the main part of the battle, and Bellerophon fired 62 12 inch rounds without receiving one hit. After the battle she swept with the other vessels of the Grand Fleet regularly. Between June and September 1917 she served as the flagship of the 2ic of the 4th Battle Squadron, carrying the flag of Rear Admiral Roger Keyes and then Rear Admiral Douglas Nicholson. Unlike her sister ships she was not deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron in October 1918.

          Placed in reserve in 1919 by dint of their less powerful main armament (in comparison to the later super-dreadnought-type ships of the Orion, King George V, Iron Duke, Queen Elizabeth, and Revenge classes), she and sister ship Superb were used as Gunnery Schools (Turret Drills); her sister Temeraire became a cadet training ship (seagoing). With a view towards both the relative obsolescence of the class and the need for compliance with the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty that was shortly to be signed by Great Britain, HMS Bellerophon was sold to the breakers in November 1921 and broken up in 1923. The ship in profile can be seen on the ten-dollar note from the Royal Bank of Canada issued in 1913.

          John Doran


             

             

          HMS Superb

          HMS Superb was a Bellerophon-class battleship of the British Royal Navy. She was built in Elswick at a cost of £1,744,287, and was completed on 19 June 1909. She was only the fourth dreadnought-type battleship to be completed anywhere in the world, being preceded only by HMS Dreadnought and by her two sister ships HMS Bellerophon and HMS Temeraire Having been ordered on 26 December 1906 and laid down on 6 February 1907 she was only completed in May 1909. Her building was significantly delayed by labour disputes in the dockyard. She was commissioned at Portsmouth on 29 May 1909 into the first division of the Grand Fleet. She undertook normal peacetime exercises with other units of the fleet, and on 24 June 1911 was present at the Coronation fleet review. On 1 May the first division became the First Battle Squadron.

          She continued routine peacetime activity until 29 July 1914 when the Grand Fleet relocated to its war base at Scapa Flow. On 10th of November 1915 Superb was transferred to the Fourth Battle Squadron, which changed her place in the command structure but not her geographical location. At the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916 Superb was the flagship of the fourth battle squadron, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Alexander. L. Duff. She received no hits and sustained no casualties. She saw no other active service during the First World War; routine exercises continued until 1918.

          In October 1918 she was sent to reinforce the British Eastern Mediterranean Squadron, and in November, as the flagship of Vice-Admiral Gough-Calthorpe, led a combined Franco-British force through the Dardanelles to Constantinople (now Istanbul) after the signing by Turkey of the armistice at the conclusion of the war.

          In April 1919 she was relieved and sailed for England, and on 26 April 1919 was reduced to reserve status at Sheerness. In May 1922 she was used as a gunnery target, and later in the year as a target for aerial attack. In December 1922 she was sold to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company of Dover, and was towed to Dover where she was broken up.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Temeraire

          HMS Temeraire was a Bellerophon-class battleship in the Royal Navy built at the Royal Dockyard, Devonport. She was ordered under the 1906 Naval Estimates at the cost of £1,641,114. Although not externally much different from her predecessor Dreadnought, internally she and others of the Bellerophon-class were much improved, with better sub-division of bulkheads against torpedo attack. A heavier secondary armament (originally, 16 single-mounted 4 inch in casemates placed in the superstructure) was believed to be capable of fighting off torpedo boat attacks. She was built at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth, laid down on 1st January 1907, launched on 24th August 1907 and commissioned on 15th May 1919.

          For the majority of the Great War, Temeraire was a member of the 4th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. On a sweep of the North Sea on 18 March 1915, she unsuccessfully attempted to ram U-29, which had just attacked Neptune; in the process, she nearly collided with Dreadnought, which ended up ramming and sinking U-29. During the summer of that year, she refitted at HM Dockyard, Devonport.

          At the Battle of Jutland, Temeraire, under the command of Captain E.V. Underhill, fired seventy-two 12 in (305 mm) and fifty 4 in (102 mm) shells, at the crippled German light cruiser SMS Wiesbaden, claiming 2 or three hits, at the battlecruiser SMS Derfflinger and German destroyers. Temeraire received no damage. In October 1918, she was detached to the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron under the overall command of Vice Admiral Gough-Calthrope.

          With the end of hostilities, Temeraire was converted to a seagoing cadet training ship. With the other members of her class, she was regarded as obsolete; with a view towards the need for compliance with the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty that was shortly to be signed by Great Britain, she was decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1921.

          John Doran


             The 13th (Service) Battalion (Forest of Dean)(Pioneers) Gloucestershire Regiment was formed at Malvern in December 1914 by Lieut-Col. H. Webb, MP. Adopted by War Office 12 July 1915.
        • August 1915 : attached as Divisional Pioneers to 39th Division.
        • Moved to Aldershot in September 1915 and landed in France 3 March 1916.
        • 6 May 1918 : reduced to cadre strength.

             

          HMS Neptune

          HMS Neptune was a Royal Navy dreadnought battleship, intended to be the lead ship of three Neptune-class battleships, but the subsequent two ships had slightly thicker belt armour and were reclassified as the Colossus class. Ordered in the 1908 Naval Estimates and built by Portsmouth Dockyard. Laid down on the 19th January 1909, Launched on the 30th September 1909 and Commissioned on the 11th January 1911.

          she had a displacement of 19,900 tons (22,000 full load), Length: 546 ft (166 m), Beam: 85 ft (26 m), Draught: 27 ft (8.2 m).
          Powered by Parsons steam turbines, direct drive on four shafts, 25,000 shp, 18 Yarrow boilers, she had a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h) and a range of 6,330 nm at 10 knots (19 km/h). Her crew complement was 756 officers and ratings. She was armed with 10 × BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk XI guns (5×2), 12 × BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 × 18 inch (457 mm) torpedo tubes (later removed).

          She was the first Royal Navy battleship that differed in her gun turret layout from Dreadnought. She had two wing turrets staggered en echelon so that all five turrets could shoot in broadside, although in practice the blast damage to the superstructure and boats made this impractical except in an emergency. To achieve this staggering firepower with such a small increase in hull length, the ship was equipped with superfiring rear turrets; arranged so that one would fire over the other when shooting towards the stern. She was the first Royal Navy ship to have a superfiring main armament. However, the upper of the two turrets could not fire within 30 degrees of the stern without the lower turret being damaged by blast through its sighting hoods. A further saving in length was achieved by siting the ship's boats on a flying deck over the two midships turrets to reduce the length of the vessel. However, had the flying deck been damaged during action, they may have fallen onto the turrets, immobilising them. The bridge was also situated above the conning tower, which risked similarly being obscured if the bridge collapsed.

          She was one of the first battleships to be built with director gun-control and was used for trials of this then-novel system. She was flagship of the Home Fleet from May 1911 until May 1912 when she was transferred to the 1st Battle Squadron, where she remained until June 1916, just after the Battle of Jutland. She was accidentally struck by SS Needvaal in April 1916 but no serious damage was done. She was present at the Battle of Jutland as part of Admiral Jellicoe's Battle Fleet. She fired only 48 12 inch (305 mm) shells but is credited with scoring several hits on the German battlecruiser Lützow. Her captain was Vivian Bernard.

          After the war she was quickly transferred to the reserve fleet and subsequently scrapped in 1922.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Colossus

          HMS Colossus of the British Royal Navy was a Colossus-class dreadnought battleships. She was built by Scotts of Greenock, laid down on the 8th July 1908, launched on 9 April 1910 and commissioned on the 8th August 1911. Although very similar to Neptune she was not part of Neptune's class as Colossus and her sister ship, Hercules, had greater armour. She had a displacement of 19,680 tons (normal) and 22,700 tons fully laden. Length: 546 ft (166 m) Beam: 85 ft (26 m) Draught: 26.3 ft (8.0 m) She was powered by Steam turbines fed by 18 boilers, with 4 shafts and 25,000 hp Her top speed was 21 knots (39 km/h) She had a crew complement of 755 officers and ratings, with up to 800 in wartime Her armament consisted of 10 × BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk XII guns, 16 × BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 × 21 in torpedo tubes Her armour was 11 inch (280 mm) on her waterline beltm 3 inch (76.2 mm) on her deck and her turrets were 11 inch (280 mm). She joined the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Home Fleet.

          When the First World War began in August 1914, Colossus became the flagship of the 1st Battle Squadron. While commanded by Captain Dudley Pound she fought with distinction at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 while acting as the flagship of Rear-Admiral Ernest Gaunt. During the battle, Colossus took two hits which caused minor damage and six casualties. When the war came to a close, Colossus became a training ship until 1920 when, under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty, she was stricken and eventually broken up in 1928. Her sister-ship was scrapped in 1921.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Hercules

          HMS Hercules was a Colossus-class battleship built by Palmers, launched on 10 May 1910, and commissioned on 31 July 1911 at Portsmouth. She was a 20,000-ton dreadnought, mounting ten 12 inch (305 mm) guns in five twin gun turrets, sixteen 4 inch (101.6 mm), four 3 pounders, and three 21 inch (533.4 mm) torpedo tubes. She was capable of 21 knots (39 km/h). Her crew numbered 751 officers and ratings. She was flagship of the 2nd Division Home Fleet and from July 1912 to March 1913 she was flagship of the 2nd Battle Squadron. On 22 March 1913 during a gale she collided with and damaged SS Mary Parkes of Glasgow, suffering only minor damage herself.

          Hercules had a reputation as 'A pugilists ship' amongst the men. Many a 'troublemaker' was posted to Hercules. Discipline was strict. She was equipped with a boxing ring. Breaches of discipline, especially those that resulted in arguments or fights, would very often be dealt with by 'volunteering' those involved to fight in the ring. Large wagers were often placed on these bouts by both the officers and men. Another punishment meted-out, was to lock miscreants in the brig with a length of used heavy hawser. The offender was allowed out as soon as he had, with his bare hands, unpicked the hawser. This might take days and result in ripped and bleeding nails.

          In August 1914 she joined the Grand Fleet. On the 31st of May 1916, at the Battle of Jutland, she fought in the 6th Division along with Marlborough, Revenge and Agincourt. She was the 23rd ship in line after deployment. She engaged enemy battlecruisers from 19.00-19.15 achieving hits with her fifth and sixth salvoes. She fired 98 rounds from her main armament during the whole engagement. She was straddled and hit by splinters, but sustained no damage or casualties. Turned to avoid several torpedoes, one of which was seen to pass right alongside.

          In June 1916, Hercules was transferred to become flagship of the 4th Battle Squadron. 19 August 1916 she was at sea with the Squadron to intercept the German High Seas Fleet's attempted raid on Sunderland; during this foray she carried out the first test of a towed kite balloon (without observers). 24 April 1918, with HMS St. Vincent she was ordered to Orkney to support Agincourt and the 2nd Cruiser Squadron during the last sortie of the High Seas Fleet. 21 November, Hercules took part in Operation ZZ. She was in the southern line of ships escorting the nine battleships, five battlecruisers, seven light cruisers and 49 destroyers of the Imperial German Navy as they were surrendered to the Grand Fleet and sailed to the Firth of Forth.

          On the 3rd of December 1918, Hercules was detached to take the Allied Naval Armistice Commission to Kiel, returning to Rosyth on 10 December. She was accompanied by the destroyers Verdun, Venetia, Viceroy and Vidette. On this occasion, she flew three Admirals' flags from her single tripod mast. They were flown side by side on the lower yard, a British Vice Admiral's and an American Rear Admiral's on the (senior) starboard side and a French Rear Admiral's on the port side thus giving equal dignity to each flag. Junior officers commented that it was all very unseamanlike and irreverently speculated whether the yard could stand the strain. In February 1919 she was reduced to the Reserve Fleet. On 8 November 1921, she was sold to a German ship breaker, Hercules left Rosyth under tow to be scrapped at Kiel.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Collingwood

          HMS Collingwood was a St. Vincent-class dreadnought battleship of the British Royal Navy. Her design was essentially similar to the design of the previous ships, the Bellerophon class. The Admiralty perceived in the planned building of German dreadnoughts a potential threat to the naval security of Great Britain, and saw the need to construct a significant modern battle fleet as fast as possible. Building to an existing concept clearly saved time. It was intended that there should be initially a core battle-fleet of eight similar battleships; HMS Dreadnought, three Bellerophon class, three St. Vincent class and one further unnamed ship, later authorised as HMS Neptune. Collingwood was ordered on 26 October 1907. She was laid down at Devonport dockyard on 3 February 1908; launched on 7 November 1908 and completed in May 1910. On 3 May 1910, she was commissioned at Portsmouth into the first division of the Home Fleet.

          With other members of the fleet she took part in regular peacetime exercises and in February 1911 damaged her bottom plating on an uncharted rock off Ferrol, needing dockyard repair. On 24 June 1911 she was present at the Coronation Fleet Review at Spithead. On 1 May 1912 the first division was renamed the First Battle Squadron. She underwent an extensive refit in 1912,1913 and recommissioned on 21 April 1914 as flagship of the second-in-command, first battle squadron.

          Between 17 and 20 July 1914, she took part in a test mobilisation and fleet review. There were more dreadnought-class battleships present at this review than at any review before or since. On 29 July 1914 she sailed to the war station of the fleet at Scapa Flow. She was based briefly (22 October to 3 November 1914) with the greater part of the fleet at Lough Swilly while the defences at Scapa were strengthened.

          Collingwood was in the battle line at the Battle of Jutland, being the twentieth ship from the head of the line after deployment. She engaged a König-class dreadnought between 1854 and 1926 and claimed hits on her. During the charge of the German battle cruisers she engaged SMS Derfflinger.

          Prince Albert (the future King George VI) was a sub-lieutenant commanding "A" turret and he is reported as having sat in the open on the turret roof to watch the action. The ship saw no other action during World War I except for routine patrolling and exercises but was present in the Southern line of the Grand Fleet at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet on 21 November 1918.

          In March 1919 she was reduced to reserve, becoming for a short time a gunnery training ship at Portsmouth. In March 1921 she was placed on the disposal list; on 1 December she was sold to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company and in March 1922 she was towed to Dover and broken up.

          John Doran


             

          HMS St Vincent

          HMS St. Vincent was the lead ship of the three St. Vincent class of battleships of the British Royal Navy, the other two being Collingwood, and Vanguard. Visually, they were very difficult to distinguish from the Bellerophons. The major innovation in this class was the adoption of longer 50 calibre main armament, increased from the 45 calibre fitted to previous classes

          Ordered in 1907, HMS St Vincent was laid down at Portsmouth Dockyard on the 30th December 1907 and launched on the 10th September 1908. She was commissioned on 3 May 1910 as 2nd flagship of 1st Division Home Fleet at Portsmouth. She was commanded by Capt. Douglas Nicholson and was flagship of Rear-Admiral Richard Peirse, M.V.O., Home Fleet, at the Coronation Spithead Review of 24 June 1911.

          In April 1914, she became flagship of the Second-in-Command, 1st Battle Squadron Home Fleet, which she remained until November 1915, when she became a private ship. She was in the 5th Division of the battlefleet at the Battle of Jutland, 20th in the line of battle, and engaged a German battleship believed to have been of the König class. In June 1916, she was transferred to the 4th Battle Squadron. In March 1919, she was reduced to reserve and became a gunnery training ship, which she remained until placed on the Disposal list in March 1921. Her captain had been Harold Briggs. She was sold for scrap in 1921.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Vanguard

          HMS Vanguard, the ninth vessel to bear the name, was ordered in 1907 and built at Vickers Barrow-in-Furness, She was laid on the 2nd of April 1908, Launched on the 22nd of February 1909 and Commissioned on 1st of March 1910. Vanguard was a St. Vincent-class dreadnought battleship with a displacement of 19,560 t. Length: 152.4 m (500 ft) Beam: 25.6 m (84 ft) Draught: 8.7 m (28.5 ft). Her propulsion was 4 shaft Parsons turbines, coal-fired boilers, 24,500 shp, giving a top speed of21.7 knots (40.2 km/h) She had a range of 6,900 nautical miles (12,780 km) at 10 knots (19 km/h) and her crew complement was 758 officers and ratings. She was armed with:

          • 10 × BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk XI guns (5×2)
          • 12 × BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns
          • 1 × 4 inch AA gun
          • 1 × 3 inch AA gun
          • 3 × 18 inch torpedo tubes (submerged)
          At the outbreak of World War I, Vanguard joined the First Battle Squadron at Scapa Flow, and fought in the Battle of Jutland as part of the Fourth Battle Squadron. As one of twenty-four dreadnoughts in Jellicoe's Battle Fleet, she did not suffer any damage or casualties.

          Just before midnight on 9 July 1917 at Scapa Flow, Vanguard suffered an explosion, probably caused by an unnoticed stokehold fire heating cordite stored against an adjacent bulkhead in one of the two magazines which served the amidships gun turrets 'P' and 'Q'. She sank almost instantly, killing an estimated 804 men and there were only two survivors. One of the casualties of the disaster was Captain Kyōsuke Eto, a military observer from the Imperial Japanese Navy, which was allied with the Royal Navy at the time through the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.

          The site is now designated as a controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act. In terms of loss of life, the destruction of the Vanguard remains the most catastrophic accidental explosion in the history of the UK, and one of the worst accidental losses of the Royal Navy.

          John Doran


             7th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester on the 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Elstead in November, returning to Aldershot in March 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the battalion was reduced to a cadre and on the 17th of June 1918 returned to England and were absorbed by 33rd Battalion, London Regiment.

             2/6th (City of London) Battalion (Rifles)
        • Formed in London in August 1914.
        • Moved in October to Walton-on-Thames, then Burgess Hill in November where placed under orders of 2/1st London Brigade in 2/1st London Division.
        • Moved to Norwich in May 1915 and formation retitled as 174th Brigade in 58th (2/1st London) Division.
        • Moved on to Ipswich next month, then Stowmarket and Sudbury and then to Sutton Veny in July 1916.
        • 25 January 1917 : landed at Le Havre.
        • 31 January 1918 : absorbed by 1/6th Battalion

             8th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, was raised at Newcastle in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, they moved to Belton Park, Grantham. On the 4th of April 1915 the new 11th Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They served with 34th Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division proceeding to Gallipoli in July 1915 sailing from Liverpool to Murdos, landing near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th of August 1915. On the 20th December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli to Imbros and then to Egypt in January 1916 where they took over defence of a section of the Suez canal. They were recalled to France in June, embarking from Alexandria on 3rd of July, arriving as reinforcements to the battle of The Somme. In 1917 they saw action in the Battle of Messines and Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they saw action in the Second Battles of Arras and the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, reaching high ground east of Havay when the Armistice was signed. The 8th Battalion was demobbed in 1919.

             

          HMS Orion

          HMS Orion was a dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy. Launched in 1910, she was the lead ship of her class; she was the first so-called "super-dreadnought", being the first British dreadnought to mount guns of calibre greater than twelve inches, and the first British dreadnought to have all of its main armament mounted on the centreline.

          HMS Orion was an Orion-class battleship with a displacement of 22,000 long tons (22,000 t) Length: 581 ft (177 m), Beam: 88 ft 7 in (27.00 m), Draught: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
          she was propelled by Steam turbines red by 18 boilers with 4 shafts, giving 27,000 hp (20 MW). Her top speed was 21 kn (39 km/h) She had a crew complement of 750,1,100 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 10 x BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns, 16 x BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 x 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged)

          Orion was laid down in Portsmouth Dockyard on 29 November 1909. She was launched on 20 August 1910, ran her sea trials starting in September 1911 and was commissioned on 2 January 1912. She joined the second division of the Home Fleet as second flag-ship, in which role she relieved the pre-dreadnought battleship Hibernia. On 7 January 1912 she was damaged when Revenge broke loose from her moorings and collided with Orion, causing minor damage to the port side.

          At Jutland on 31 May 1916 she carried the flag of Rear-Admiral Arthur Leveson, the second in command of the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. She took part in the general battleship action, claiming no hits and receiving none. In the later part of the action she claimed four hits on the German battlecruiser Lützow. As this battlecruiser did not survive the action confirmation was not possible. She remained with the Grand Fleet, seeing, in common with the rest of the battle-fleet, no more action during the remainder of the war. On 3 October 1919 she became flagship of the Reserve Fleet at Portsmouth, and in June 1921 she became a seagoing gunnery training ship at Portland.

          On 12 April 1922 she was paid off onto the disposal list under the terms of the Washington Treaty. On 19 December she was sold to shipbreakers Cox and Danks, and from February 1923 she was broken up at Upnor.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Conqueror

          HMS Conqueror was an Orion-class battleship of the Royal Navy, built by William Beardmore and Company, Dalmuir at a cost of £1,891,164 Laid down on the 5 April 1910, she was launched on 1 May 1911 and Commissioned on 1 December 1912 She had a displacement of 22,000 long tons (22,000 t). Length: 581 ft (177 m), Beam: 88 ft 7 in (27.00 m), Draught: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
          Her propulsion was provided by Steam turbines fed by 18 boilers with 4 shafts, giving 27,000 hp (20 MW) and a top speed of 21 kn (39 km/h). Her Crew Complement was 750,1,100 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 10 x BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns, 16 x BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 x 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged).

          She served in the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet in World War I, and fought at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, suffering no damage. As a result of the Washington Naval Convention she was decommissioned in 1921 and sold for scrap

          John Doran


             

          HMS Monarch

          HMS Monarch was an Orion-class battleship of the Royal Navy these were the first battleships in the Royal Navy to feature an all-big-gun armament on the centre line. HMS Monarch, was bult by Armstrong, Elswick, at a cost of £1,888,736. She was laid down on 1 April 1910, launched on 30 March 1911 and was commissioned in February 1912. She had a displacement of 22,000 long tons (22,000 t). Length: 581 ft (177 m), Beam: 88 ft 7 in (27.00 m), Draught: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m) Propelled by 4 shafts, powered by steam turbines, fed by 18 boilers, giving 27,000 hp (20 MW) she had a top speed of 21 kn (39 km/h)Her Crew Complement was 750,1,100 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 10 x BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns, 16 x BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 x 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged). On her commissioning in Feb 1912, Monarch was the second of the Orion class to be completed, she was followed by the HMS Thunderer in June and HMS Conqueror in November of the same year, together they formed the second division of the 2nd Battle Squadron. Pre-war their lives were typical of any other major warship in the British fleet with fleet manoeuvres and battle practice.

          Early in World War I, Monarch was unsuccessfully attacked by the German submarine U-15, on 8 August 1914 and off the Fair Isle channel, U-15, an early gasoline engined boat, was sighted on the surface by the cruiser HMS Birmingham, after Birmingham opened fire the submarine commenced diving, the cruiser then rammed the submarine which was lost with all 25 of her men, it was U-15's first and last patrol.

          On 27 December 1914 Monarch rammed HMS Conqueror suffering moderate damage to her bow, she received temporary repairs at Scapa Flow before proceeding to Devonport for full repairs, she rejoined her sister-ships on 20 January 1915, HMS Conqueror was also seriously damaged in this collision. At the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916 all four of the Orion-class ships were present under the leadership of Rear Admiral Arthur Leveson flying his flag in the Orion; his CO was Captain O. Backhouse. Monarch was commanded by Captain G.H. Borret. Monarch's first action at Jutland came at 1833 when she sighted five German battleships, three König and two Kaiser-class ships. She opened with Armour Piercing Capped shells at the leading König-class ship, but could only fire two salvoes before the König ships disappeared. She then fired a further salvo at the leading Kaiser-class ship. Although claiming a ‘straddle’ on the leading König, she actually scored one hit on SMS König herself. This 13.5" shell hit the 6.75" casemate side armour in way of Number 1 port 5.9" gun, the shell burst on the armour blowing a hole some three by two feet in size. Most of the blast went downwards, blowing a ten foot square hole in the 1.5" thick armoured upper-deck; the deck was also driven down over a large area. Several charges for the 5.9" gun were ignited and burnt including those in the hoists to Number 14 magazine, but the fires did not penetrate the magazine. The crew of the gun had a lucky escape as an earlier nearby hit had forced them to evacuate the gun-house due to gas from the explosion and so no injuries were incurred. The gun however whilst largely undamaged had its sights and control cables destroyed. In 1914 Monarch sighted the German battlecruiser Lützow and opened on her with five salvos of Armour Piercing Capped shells at a range of 17,300 yards increasing to 18,500 yards; straddles were claimed but no hits before the target was lost in smoke and spray. There were five hits on the Lützow at this time and they could only have been fired by either the Orion or the Monarch. Lützow was in serious trouble and was only saved from further serious damage by the actions of her escorting destroyers in making smoke and shielding her from view. This was effectively the end of the battle for the Orion class as the German high seas fleet was in retreat to the south under cover of smoke and a torpedo attack by their destroyers which for a while had the British fleet turned away to the North to avoid the torpedoes. In total Monarch fired 53 rounds of 13.5" shell all of which were Armour Piercing Capped shells. Like the rest of her sister ships she did not use her 4" secondary batteries, and also like the rest of her sister ships she received no damage or injuries. After the Battle of Jutland the German High Seas put in very few appearances on the North sea so life for the British fleet became mainly sweeps and patrols of the North Sea.

          As a result of the Washington Naval Convention she was decommissioned in 1921. On 14 June 1924, Monarch was assigned her final role, that of target ship. She was decommissioned and stripped of anything valuable including scrap metals at Portsmouth Dockyard. She was then towed out by dockyard tugs into Hurd's Deep in the English Channel approximately 50 miles (93 km) south of the Isles of Scilly and on 21 January 1925 was attacked by a wave of Royal Air Force bombers, which scored several hits; this was followed by the C-class light cruisers HMS Caledon, HMS Calliope, HMS Carysfort, and HMS Curacoa firing shells of 6-inch (152-mm) caliber, and the V and W-class destroyer HMS Vectis, using her guns of 4-inch (102-mm) calibre.

          Following this exercise, the battlecruisers HMS Hood and HMS Repulse and the five Revenge-class battleships HMS Ramillies, HMS Resolution, HMS Revenge, HMS Royal Oak, and HMS Royal Sovereign commenced firing at her with their 15-inch (381-mm) guns. The number of hits on Monarch is unknown, but after nine hours of shelling she finally sank at 2200 after a final hit by Revenge.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Thunderer was the third Orion-class battleship built for the Royal Navy and was the last vessel to be constructed by Thames Iron Works. She was the last and largest warship ever built on the River Thames, and after her completion her builders declared bankruptcy. She was ordered in 1909, laid down on 13 April 1910, launched on 1 February 1911 and commissioned in May 1912 at a cost of £1,892,82 Displacement was 22,000 long tons (22,000 t) Length: 581 ft (177 m), Beam: 88 ft 7 in (27.00 m), Draught: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m). Her Propulsion consisted of Steam turbines fed by 18 boilers, propelling 4 shafts, with 27,000 hp (20 MW), giving a top speed of 21 kn (39 km/h) Crew Complement:= was 750 to 1,100 officers and ratings. Her armament consisted of 10 x BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns, 16 x BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 x 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged)

          On commissioning in June 1912 Thunderer and her three Orion-class sisters, Orion, Conqueror and Monarch formed the 2nd Division of the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet and she remained with her sister ships throughout.

          In December 1914, she was refitted. She was present with her squadron at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, firing 37 13.5" (343 mm) shells. Thunderer first came to action on the 31st Of May 1916 at 18:30 when indistinct ranges of 22 to 18,000 yards were obtained on some German ships. Due to poor visibility from smoke she did not open fire at this time, it must be remembered Thunderer was at the rear of the 2nd division and her visibility would be affected by the smoke of the three leading ships. At 1915 Thunderer sighted two enemy battleships visible between the Royal Oak and the Iron Duke. She fired two salvoes of Common Percussion Capped shell at the leading ship; no hits were made and the second salvo was actually fired over the top of the Iron Duke. Thunderer did not sight the enemy again, however during the German fleet's run to the south after they broke off the engagement the Moltke sighted four large ships at 2240; these were the four Orion-class ships, so she had a lucky escape that the British lookouts did not see her. In total, Thunderer fired just 37 rounds of 13.5" all being Common Percussion Capped, she did not use her 4 in batteries at all. She suffered no damage. Post-Jutland, the Orion class ships spent their time on routine fleet manoeuvres.

          John Doran


             

          HMS King George V

          King George V, was built by HM Dockyard Portsmouth Laid down 16th January 1911, Launched 9th October 1911, Completed in November 1912. She had a displacement of 23,400 tonnes, Length: 598 ft (182.3 m), Beam: 89 ft (27.1 m), Draught: 28 ft (8.5 m) Her propulsion was 18 boilers feeding 4 Parsons turbines with direct drive to 4 shafts, giving 27,000 shp (20,100 kW) and a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) Her Armament consisted of 10 × BL 13.5-inch (343 mm) Mk V guns, 16 × BL 4-inch (102 mm) Mk VII guns, 4 × 3-pounder (47-mm) guns and 3 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. Her Armour Belt was 8 to 12 in (203 to 305 mm), decks 1 to 4 in (25 to 102 mm) barbettes 3 to 10 in (76 to 254 mm) and turrets 11 in (279 mm) She had a crew complement of 870, though this increased substantially by 1916 to 1,110.

          On the outbreak of the First World War, the 2nd Battle Squadron became part of the Grand Fleet, with King George V serving as flagship for the squadron. In November 1914, King George V was found to suffer from problems with her condensers. This forced the ship to be withdrawn from operations while her port condenser was retubed, which took until 12 December, with her starboard condenser being retubed in January. The 2nd Battle Squadron, including King George V sailed from Scapa Flow on 15 December in an attempt to combat German warships that were bombarding towns on the East coast of England. When German battlecruisers and cruisers under the command of Franz von Hipper attacked Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby on 16 December, the 2nd Battle Squadron and the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron was deployed to try and intercept the German force, unaware that the German entire High Seas Fleet had been deployed to support Hipper's ships. While the 2nd Battle Squadron came to within 10 miles of the much larger High Seas Fleet, no engagement occurred.

          She took part in the Battle of Jutland, on the 31st of May 1916, being the lead ship of the 1st Division of the 2nd Battle Squadron. Her sister-ships were HMS Centurion, HMS Audacious and HMS Ajax. At the Battle of Jutland, the 2nd Battle Squadron was divided into two divisions, with Vice Admiral Martyn Jerram, in command of the 1st Division, flying his flag aboard King George V, while Captain Frederick Field served as the ship's captain. King George V was lightly engaged during the battle, firing nine 13.5 in rounds at the German battlecruiser SMS Derfflinger, which missed. King George V was undamaged in the battle.

          HMS King George V was decommissioned in 1919, used as a training ship between 1923,26 and scrapped in 1926.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Centurion

          HMS Centurion was the second super-dreadnought battleship of the King George V class. Her sister ships were: HMS King George V, HMS Audacious, HMS Ajax. She was built at HM Dockyard, Devonport, laid down on the 16th of January 1911, launched 18 November 1911 and commissioned in May 1913. She had a displacement of 25,500 tonnes, Length: 598 ft (182.3 m), Beam: 89 ft (27.1 m), Draught: 28 ft (8.5 m) Her propulsion was 18 boilers with 4 Parsons turbines and direct drive to 4 shafts producing 27,000 shp (20,100 kW) which gave her a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) The ships complement was 782 officers and ratings. Her armament consisted of 10 × BL 13.5-inch (343 mm) Mk V guns, 16 × BL 4-inch (102 mm) Mk VII guns, 4 × 3-pounder (47-mm) guns and 3 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. Her armour dBelt was 8 to 12 in (203 to 305 mm), Decks: 1 to 4 in (25 to 102 mm), Barbettes: 3 to 10 in (76 to 254 mm) and Turrets: 11 in (279 mm)

          HMS Centurion was attached upon completion to the 2nd Battle Squadron, led by sister ship HMS King George V. She was present at the Battle of Jutland as part of the main body of Grand Fleet under the command of Captain Michael Culme-Seymour but was only lightly engaged, firing four salvos of her main armament at the German Battlecruiser Lützow before HMS Orion blocked Centurion's line of fire to Lützow.

          After duty in the North Sea, where she was commanded for a time by Roger Keyes, she was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean in 1918 with HMS Superb to oversee the capitulation of the Ottoman Empire. In 1919, Centurion was dispatched to the Black Sea in the Allied Intervention in the Russian Civil War.

          With the signing of the Washington Naval Treaty Centurion was decommissioned and made a target ship to replace HMS Agamemnon in 1924. She remained in this role at Portsmouth Harbour until April 1941, where she was fitted with a false superstructure so as to resemble the battleship HMS Anson then building at HM Dockyard, Portsmouth.

          On 4 April 1941, the Admiralty suggested that a heavy naval bombardment of the Libyan city of Tripoli should be made by the Mediterranean Fleet and followed up by blocking the port with a block ship, the Centurion. Admiral Andrew Cunningham declined the offer due to her slow speeds and heavy enemy air cover, so this idea was shelved. In June 1942, she sailed with Operation Vigorous in the eastern Mediterranean to simulate an operational battleship. Between 1942 and 1944 Centurion was stationed off Suez as an anti-aircraft ship and to give pause to Regia Marina action in the area—the Italians thought that her false wooden 13.5-inch guns were real and kept their super-dreadnoughts away. Her final act after a long and somewhat understated career was to be sunk as a breakwater off the Normandy beaches after D-Day. Reportedly the Germans thought that the old vessel had been sunk by shore batteries of the German 352nd Division with great loss of life when only 70 crewmen were observed leaving the sinking vessel; in fact the 70 men were the entire crew.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Ajax

          HMS Ajax was a King George V-class battleship (one of four ships of the class). Ajax was laid down at Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering, Greenock yard on 27 February 1911. She was launched on 21 March 1912 and completed in March 1913. She underwent sea trials during April 1913, and was commissioned into the first division of the second battle squadron of the Grand Fleet at Devonport on 31 October 1913. She had a displacement of 23,400 tonnes, Length: 598 ft (182.3 m), Beam: 89 ft (27.1 m), Draught: 28 ft (8.5 m) Her propulsion was provided by 18 boilers driving 4 Parsons turbines, and direct drive to 4 shafts, producing 27,000 shp (20,100 kW), which gave her a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) Her ships complement was 900 officers and ratings. Her armament consisted of 10 × BL 13.5-inch (343 mm) Mk V guns, 16 × BL 4-inch (102 mm) Mk VII guns, 4 × 3-pounder (47-mm) guns, 3 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. Her Armour Belt was 8 to 12 in (203 to 305 mm) Decks: 1 to 4 in (25 to 102 mm) Barbettes: 3 to 10 in (76 to 254 mm) Turrets: 11 in (279 mm) Her only distinctive pre-war activity was her participation, with her sisters HMS King George V, HMS Audacious and HMS Centurion, at the Kiel canal celebrations in June 1914. She transferred to Scapa Flow with the rest of the Grand fleet on 29 July 1914, in response to the increasing political tension in Europe.

          She remained with the Grand Fleet for the duration of World War I. She saw action only at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. In this action the first division of the second battle squadron, commanded by Vice-Admiral Sir Martyn Jerram, consisted of HMS King George V, HMS Ajax, HMS Centurion and HMS Erin. She sighted the leading ships of the battle line of the German High Seas Fleet and the German battle cruisers and fired on them. She herself received no hits; because of the number of ships involved it was not possible to establish if she made any hits on her targets.

          She remained at Scapa Flow until June 1919, being transferred to the third battle squadron for the final four months of her time there. In June 1919 she was transferred to the fourth battle squadron, which formed part of the Mediterranean Fleet. She took part with her battle squadron in actions against the Bolsheviks and Turkish nationalists in 1919 in the Black Sea and in the Sea of Marmora. When the Sultan of Turkey was deposed in 1923 he was conveyed to Mecca in HMS Ajax. In April 1924 she returned to Devonport, and was part of the Reserve Fleet until October 1926, when she was paid off onto the disposal list. On 10 December 1926 she was sold to Alloa Shipbreaking Company, and broken up at Rosyth from 14 December 1926.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Erin

          HMS Erin was a dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy, built for an order placed by the Ottoman government with the British Vickers company, originally under the name of Reşad, but was renamed Reşadiye during construction. The Ottomans intended was to procure a battleship which was at least the equal of any other ship currently afloat or building. The design was based on that of King George V, but with some features of Iron Duke. The ship was laid down at Vickers shipyard on 6 December 1911, launched on 3 September 1913.

          In 1914, when the First World War broke out the ship was nearly completed; at the orders of Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty, she was seized for use by the Royal Navy and renamed Erin. She was completed in August 1914. She was taken over for the Royal Navy on 22 August 1914. She had a displacement of 27,500 long tons (27,940 t) (normal), 30,250 long tons (30,740 t) (full load) Length: 559 ft 6 in (170.54 m), Beam: 91 ft (27.7 m), Draught: 28 ft (8.5 m) Her power was 26,500 shp (19,800 kW), produced by 4 Parsons steam turbines fed by 15 Babcock boilers and driving 4 shafts, giving her a top speed of 21 kn (38.9 km/h) Her complement was 1,070 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 10 × 13.5 in (343 mm) Mk VI guns (5x2), 16 × 6 in (152.4 mm) guns, 6 × 6-pounder 57 mm (2.2 in) guns, 2 × 3 in (76.2 mm) 20 cwt anti-aircraft guns and 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes. Her Armour Belt was 12 in (30.5 cm), Main armour was 9 in (22.9 cm) and Turrets 4,11 in (10.2,27.9 cm)

          It has been claimed that the seizing of Erin and the Sultân Osmân-ı Evvel (renamed Agincourt) was instrumental in bringing the Ottoman Empire into the war on the side of the Central Powers, but this is disputed given that the Ottomans and Germans had concluded a secret alliance on 2 August. An attempt by the British to compensate the Ottomans for the loss of their battleships was ignored. On 5 September 1914, she joined the Grand Fleet at its principal war base at Scapa Flow in Orkney. She was briefly part of the Fourth Battle Squadron, being transferred to the Second Battle Squadron in October 1914.

          On the 31st of May 1916, she was present at the Battle of Jutland. After the deployment of the battle fleet, the Second Battle Squadron formed the head of the line; its first division consisted of King George V (the flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir T. H. Martyn Jerram), Ajax, Centurion and Erin, which was therefore the fourth ship in the line. She remained with the Grand Fleet for the remainder of the war, seeing no further enemy action.

          In October 1919, she was placed in Reserve at the Nore. From December 1919, she was used at Chatham Dockyard as a turret drill ship. In July and August 1920, she underwent a refit at Devonport Dockyard. It had been intended that under the terms of the Washington treaty of 1921 she should be retained as a training ship, but a change of plan meant that this rôle was filled by Thunderer, and in May 1922, she was placed on the disposal list. On 19 December 1922, she was sold to the shipbreaking firm of Cox and Danks, and in 1923 she was broken up at Queenborough.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Agincourt with Erin in background

          HMS Agincourt was a dreadnought battleship built in the United Kingdom in the early 1910s as part of Brazil's role in a South American naval arms race, she held the distinction of mounting more heavy guns (fourteen) and more turrets (seven) than any other dreadnought battleship constructed, in keeping with the Brazilians' requirement for an especially impressive design. Brazil ordered the ship as The Rio de Janeiro and she was laid down on 14 September 1911 by Armstrongs in Newcastle upon Tyne and launched on 22 January 1913. But the collapse of the rubber boom and a warming in relations with the country's chief rival, Argentina, led to the ship's sale while under construction to the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Navy renamed her Sultan Osman I, after the empire's founder. The ship was nearly complete when World War I broke out, and was undergoing sea trials before delivery. The Ottoman crew arrived to collect her, the Turkish captain, waiting with five hundred Turkish sailors aboard a transport in the Tyne, threatened to board his ships and hoist the Turkish flag; Churchill gave orders to resist such an attempt "by armed force if necessary." the British Admiralty fears of a German,Ottoman alliance led to her seizure for use by the Royal Navy. This act was a significant contributor to the decision of the Ottoman government to join the Central Powers, as the payments for the ship and another which would become HMS Erin were complete, and distrust of Britain increased. Such an action was allowed for in the contracts, as First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill had not wanted to risk the ships being used against the British, but it had consequences. The takeover caused considerable ill will in the Ottoman Empire, where public subscriptions had partially funded the ships. When the Ottoman government had been in a financial deadlock over the budget of the battleships, donations for the Ottoman Navy had come in from taverns, cafés, schools and markets, and large donations were rewarded with a "Navy Donation Medal". The seizure, and the gift of the German battlecruiser Goeben to the Ottomans, influenced public opinion in the Empire to turn away from Britain, and they entered the war on the side of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire against the Triple Entente of Britain, France, and Russia on 29th of October 1914, after Goeben had attacked Russian facilities in the Black Sea.

          The Royal Navy made modifications to Agincourt before her commissioning, in particular removing the flying bridge over the two centre turrets. The ship was also initially fitted with Turkish-style lavatories that had to be replaced. Her name, Agincourt, was a favourite of Churchill's, and had initially been allocated to a sixth vessel of the Queen Elizabeth class ordered under the 1914,15 Naval Estimates, but not yet begun at the war's outbreak. Her nickname, The Gin Palace, came from her luxurious fittings and a corruption of her name (A Gin Court), pink gin being a popular drink among Royal Navy officers at the time. The Admiralty was unprepared to man a ship of Agincourt's size at such short notice and her crew was drawn from the highest and lowest echelons of the service: the Royal yachts and the detention barracks. Agincourt's captain, Captain Douglas Romily Lothian Nicholson and executive officer came from HMY Victoria and Albert III, most of whose crew was also transferred to Agincourt on 3rd of August 1914. Most of the naval reservists had already been called up by this time and sent to other ships so a number of minor criminals who had had their sentences remitted were received from various naval prisons and detention camps.

          Agincourt was working up until 7th of September 1914, when she joined the 4th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. The fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow was not yet secure against submarine attack and much of the fleet was kept at sea, where Agincourt spent forty of her first eighty days with the Grand Fleet. This was the beginning of a year and a half of inaction, only broken by occasional North Sea 'sweeps' intended to draw the enemy from his bases. The ship spent the bulk of her time during the war on patrols and exercises. On 1st of January 1915, Agincourt was still assigned to the 4th BS, but was assigned to the 1st Battle Squadron before the Battle of Jutland on 31st of May 1916.

          Although the Grand Fleet made several sorties over the next few years it is not known if Agincourt participated in them. On 23 April 1918, Agincourt and Hercules were stationed at Scapa Flow to provide cover for the Scandinavian convoys between Norway and Britain when the High Seas Fleet sortied in an attempt to destroy the convoy. The reports from German Intelligence were slightly off schedule, as both the inbound and outbound convoys were in port when the Germans reached their normal route so Admiral Scheer ordered the fleet to return to Germany without spotting any British ships.

          Agincourt was later transferred to the 2nd Battle Squadron and was present at the surrender of the High Seas Fleet on 21 November 1918. She was placed in reserve at Rosyth in March 1919. After unsuccessful attempts to sell her to the Brazilian Government, she was listed for disposal in April 1921, but was used for experimental purposes later that year. She was sold for scrap on 19 December 1922 to comply with the tonnage limitations of the Washington Naval Treaty, although she was not actually broken up until the end of 1924.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Canada

          HMS Canada was built as the Almirante Latorre, named after Juan José Latorre, a super-dreadnought battleship for the Chilean Navy. Construction began at Armstrong Whitworth's Elswick yard in Newcastle upon Tyne soon after the ship was ordered in November 1911. She had a displacement of 25,000 long tons (25,401 t) standard and 32,000 long tons (32,514 t) full load. Length: 625 ft (191 m), Beam: 92.5 ft (28.2 m), Draught: 33 ft (10 m) Her propulsion was provided by coal and oil fuel in 21 Yarrow boilers feeding low pressure Parsons and High pressure Brown-Curtis steam turbines, giving 37,000 shp (27,591 kW), Her top speed 22.75 knots (42.13 km/h; 26.18 mph) Her Ships Complement was 834 officers and men and her armament consisted of 10 × 14 in (356 mm)/45 caliber BL guns, 16 × 6 in (152 mm) guns, 2 × 3 in (76 mm) anti-aircraft guns, 4 × 3-pounder guns and 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged). Her Armour Belt was 9 in (230 mm), Deck: 1.5 in (38 mm), Barbette: 10 in (250 mm), Turret: 10 in (250 mm) and Conning tower: 11 in (280 mm). She was launched on the 27th of November 1913, as Almirante Latorre and was approaching completion when she was purchased by the United Kingdom's Royal Navy on the 9th of September 1914. she was not forcibly seized like the Ottoman Reşadiye and Sultân Osmân-ı Evvel, two other ships being built for a foreign navy, because the Allies' reliance on Chilean munitions imports made retention of Chile's friendly neutral status with the United Kingdom a matter of vital importance. The ship was modified for British service, the bridge was taken off in favour of two open platforms, and a mast was added in between the two funnels to support a derrick that would service launches. The super-dreadnought completed fitting-out on 20th of September 1915 and was commissioned into the Royal Navy on the 15th of October 1915, she served in the Grand Fleet as HMS Canada for the duration of the war. She saw action during the Battle of Jutland, firing 42 rounds from her 14-inch guns and 109 6-inch shells during the battle, and suffered no hits or casualties. During the battle, she got off two salvoes at the disabled cruiser Wiesbaden at 1840, and fired five more at an unknown ship around 1920. Her 6-inch guns were utilized for firing at German destroyers at 19:11. HMS Canada was transferred to the 1st Battle Squadron on 12 June 1916. In 1917,18, she was fitted with better rangefinders and range dials, and two of the aft 6-inch secondary guns were removed after they suffered blast damage from the middle 14-inch turret. In the latter year, flying-off platforms for aircraft were added atop the superfiring turrets fore and aft.

          HMS Canada was put into the reserve fleet in March 1919 and was repurchased by Chile in 1920. She took back her original name of Almirante Latorre, and served as the Chilean flagship and frequently as presidential transport. She underwent a thorough modernization in the United Kingdom in 1929,31. In September 1931, crewmen aboard Almirante Latorre instigated a mutiny, which the majority of the Chilean fleet quickly joined. After divisions developed between the mutineers, the rebellion fell apart and the ships were returned to government control. Almirante Latorre was placed in reserve for a time in the 1930s because of the Great Depression, but she was in good enough condition to receive interest from the United States after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This overture was declined and the ship spent most of the Second World War on patrol for Chile. She was scrapped in Japan beginning in 1959.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Benbow

          HMS Benbow was an Iron Duke-class battleship of the Royal Navy, the third ship of the class and the third ship to be named in honour of Admiral John Benbow. She was ordered under the 1911 Naval Estimates and built in the yards of William Beardmore and Company, of Glasgow. She was laid down on 30 May 1912 and launched on 12 November 1913. She was commissioned in October 1914 after the outbreak of the First World War. Her sister ships were: Iron Duke, Marlborough and Emperor of India. She had a displacement of 25,000 tons / 29,500 full load Length: 622 ft 9 in (189.8 m), Beam: 90 ft (27.4 m), Draught: 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m) Her propulsion was 4 shaft Parsons steam turbines with direct drive, fed by 18 Babcock & Wilcox or Yarrow boilers delivering 29,000 hp, giving her a top speed of 21.25 knots (39.4 km/h) and a range of 14,000 nm at 10 knots (18.5 km/h) Her armament consisted of 10 × BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns (5 × twin turrets), 12 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk VII guns (single mounts), 2 × QF 3 inch 20 cwt AA guns and 4 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes Her Armour Belt was 12 in, Bulkheads: 8 in, Barbettes: 10 in, Turrets: 11 in and Decks: 2.5 in

          Benbow served as the 4th Battle Squadron's flagship until June 1916. She was initially the flagship of Admiral Douglas Gamble, until he was replaced in February 1915 by Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee. Her commander was Captain H. W. Parker.

          Prior to the Battle of Jutland, Benbow left Scapa Flow with the rest of the Grand Fleet under the command of Admiral John Jellicoe on 30 May 1916. She led the 4th Division, consisting of HMS Bellerophon, HMS Temeraire and HMS Vanguard. She spent the remainder of the war at anchor at the 4th Division's home port of Scapa Flow, or on manoeuvres and routine patrols in the North Sea.

          In 1919 Benbow was deployed in the Mediterranean, and then with the Black Sea squadron in support of the White Russians in the Russian Civil War. She carried out a number of shore bombardments, until she left the squadron in 1920. She became part of the Mediterranean fleet until 1926. Benbow's captain between 1921 and 1923 was James Fownes Somerville, later Sir James Fownes Somerville, Admiral of the Fleet. HMS Benbow left the Mediterranean in 1926 and joined the Atlantic Fleet until 1929, when she was paid off into reserve. She was disarmed in 1930 under the terms of the London Naval Treaty and placed on the disposal list. Benbow was sold for scrap in January 1931 and scrapped in March 1931 by Metal Industries, of Rosyth.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Queen Elizabeth

          HMS Queen Elizabeth was built at HM Dockyard Portsmouth, laid down on 21st October 1912, launched on 16th October 1913 and commissioned on 22nd December 1914. HMS Queen Elizabeth was the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth-class of dreadnought battleships, named in honour of Elizabeth I of England. She saw service in both World Wars. A super-dreadnought class of battleships, she and the other vessels in the class were the first ships of their type to be powered by oil instead of coal. She was launched on 16 October 1913 at Portsmouth, Hampshire, and entered service in January 1915 during World War I.

          While still undergoing testing in the Mediterranean, the Queen Elizabeth was sent to the Dardanelles for the Allied attempt to knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war. The Queen Elizabeth was the only modern battleship to participate, though a number of battle cruisers and pre-dreadnought battleships were also involved. She became the flagship for the preliminary naval operations in the Dardanelles Campaign, leading the first line of British battleships in the battle of 18 March 1915. During the attempted military invasion of the Gallipoli on 25 April, the Queen Elizabeth was the flagship for General Sir Ian Hamilton, commander of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. However, after the sinking of HMS Goliath by a Turkish torpedo boat on 12 May, the Queen Elizabeth was immediately withdrawn to a safer position.

          She joined Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas's 5th Battle Squadron (consisting of Queen Elizabeth-class battleships) of the Grand Fleet based at Scapa Flow, but she missed the Battle of Jutland due to being in dock for maintenance.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Barham

          HMS Barham was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship of the Royal Navy named after Admiral Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham, built at the John Brown shipyards in Clydebank, Scotland, and launched in 1914. She had a crew of 950 to 1300 officers and ratings.

          Barham was commissioned in August 1915, and joined the 5th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet based at Scapa Flow as flagship on 2 October 1915. On 1 December 1915, she collided with her sister ship Warspite, with both ships receiving significant damage. After temporary repair at Scapa, Barham was sent to Invergordon for more permanent repairs, sailing again on the 23rd of December. At the Battle of Jutland on 31 May to 1 June 1916, Barham was Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas's flagship of the 5th Battle Squadron, attached to Admiral David Beatty's battlecruiser fleet. Barham fired 337 15-inch shells and 25 6-inch shells during the battle. The number of hits cannot be confirmed, but it is believed that she and her sister ship Valiant made 23 or 24 hits between them, making them two of the most accurate warships in the British fleet. She received six hits during the battle, five from 12-inch shells and one from an 11-inch shell, suffering casualties of 26 killed and 46 wounded. Following Jutland, Barham was under repair until 5 July 1916. She was refitted at Cromarty between February and March 1917, being fitted with a pair of 12-pounder anti-aircraft guns that year, and was again refitted in February 1918. She was sunk during the Second World War on 25 November 1941 by the German submarine U-331

          John Doran


             

          HMS Warspite

          HMS Warspite was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship, built at HM Dockyard Devonport, laid down on 31st of October 1912, launched on 26th of November 1913 and commissioned on 8th of March 1915. She was the seventh warship of the Royal Navy to carry the name. Her thirty-year career covered both world wars and took her across the Atlantic, Indian, Arctic and Pacific Oceans. She was involved in several major engagements, including battles in the North Sea and Mediterranean, earning her the most battle honours ever awarded to an individual ship in the Royal Navy and the most awarded for actions during the Second World War. For this and other reasons Warspite gained the nickname the "Grand Old Lady" after a comment made by her most famous commander, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham in 1943.

          When she was launched in 1913 the use of oil as fuel and untried 15-inch guns were revolutionary concepts in the naval arms race between Britain and Germany, a considerable risk for Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty and Admiral John Fisher who had advocated the design. However, the new fast battleships proved to be an outstanding success.

          In 1916 she was damaged during action at the Battle of Jutland. Upon the completion of her repairs, Warspite rejoined the 5th Battle Squadron. Further misfortune struck soon afterwards, when she collided with Valiant after a night-shooting exercise, necessitating more repair work at Rosyth. Captain Philpotts avoided reprimand on this occasion, but was moved to a shore-based job as Naval Assistant to the new First Sea Lord, Admiral Jellicoe. He was replaced by Captain de Bartolome in December 1916. In June 1917, Warspite collided with a destroyer, but did not require major repairs. In the following month, Warspite was rocked at her moorings in Scapa Flow when Vanguard, a St. Vincent-class battleship, exploded with the loss of hundreds of her crew when an ammunition magazine detonated. Early in April 1918 she joined the Grand Fleet in a fruitless pursuit of the German High Seas Fleet which had been hunting for a convoy near Norway. In 1918, Warspite had to spend four months being repaired after a boiler room caught fire. Captain Hubert Lynes relieved Captain de Bartolome and on 21st of November he took the Warspite out to escort the German High Seas Fleet into internment at Scapa Flow following the signing of the Armistice.

          HMS Warspite was refitted twice between the wars, but advances in technology and the cumulative effects of battle damage relegated her to the role of shore bombardment towards the end of the Second World War. She was decommissioned in 1945 and wrecked off the Cornish coast on the way to the scrap yard.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Malaya

          HMS Malaya was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship built at Armstrong Whitworth, at High Walker on Tyneside. She was laid down on 20 October 1913, launched 18 March 1915 and commissioned the on 1st February 1916. She had a displacement of 27,500 tons standard, 36,500 tons full load Length: 645 ft 9 in (196.82 m), Beam: 90 ft 6 in (27.58 m), Draught: 30 ft 2 in (9.19 m) Propulsion was provided by Parsons direct drive steam turbines, fed by 24 boilers driving 4 shafts giving 75,000 shp, and a top speed of 24 knots (44 km/h). Her bunkerage held 3,400 tons oil, giving a range of 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h). Her Ships Complement was 950,1300 officers and ratings. She was armed with 8 × BL 15-inch Mk I guns (4 x 2), 16 (Queen Elizabeth) or 14 (other ships) × single BL 6-inch Mk XII guns, 2 × single QF 3-inch 20cwt anti-aircraft guns, 4 × single 3-pdr (47 mm) saluting guns and 4 × 21-inch (530 mm) submerged torpedo tubes. HMS Malaya flew the red-white-black-yellow ensign of the Federated Malay States and was named in honour of the Federated Malay States in British Malaya, whose government paid for her construction. She served in Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas's 5th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. She took part in the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, where she was hit eight times and took major damage and heavy crew casualties. A total of 65 men died, in the battle or later of their injuries. Among the wounded was Able Seaman Willie Vicarage, notable as one of the first men to receive facial reconstruction using plastic surgery and the first to receive radical reconstruction via the tubed pedicule technique pioneered by Sir Harold Gillies.

          On 17 November 1922 Malaya carried the last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed VI, from Istanbul into exile on Malta (and later San Remo). In August,September 1938 she served in the port of Haifa during the 1936,39 Arab revolt in Palestine.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Valiant

          HMS Valiant was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship built at Fairfield, Clydebank, laid down on 31 January 1913, launched 4 November 1914 and commissioned on 13 January 1916.

          The Queen Elizabeths were the first battleships to be armed with 15-inch (381 mm) guns, and were described in the 1919 edition of Jane's Fighting Ships as "the most successful type of capital ship yet designed." They saw much service in both world wars.

          HMS Valiant had a displacement: 27,500 tons standard, 36,500 tons full load. ength: 645 ft 9 in (196.82 m), Beam: 90 ft 6 in (27.58 m), Draught: 30 ft 2 in (9.19 m) Her propulsion was provided by Parsons direct drive steam turbines fed by 24 boilers, driving 4 shafts to give 75,000 shp and a to speed of 24 knots (44 km/h). With a bunkerage of 3,400 tons oil, she had a range of 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h) Her Ships Complement was 950,1300 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 8 × BL 15-inch Mk I guns (4 x 2), 16 × single BL 6-inch Mk XII guns, 2 × single QF 3-inch 20cwt anti-aircraft guns, 4 × single 3-pdr (47 mm) saluting guns, and 4 × 21-inch (530 mm) submerged torpedo tubes. Her turbines were manufactured by Fairfields, and her armour plate was provided by William Beardmore and Company. Upon completion on 19 February 1916 under Captain Maurice Woollcombe she joined the recently formed Fifth Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet.

          At the Battle of Jutland she fired 288 15-inch shells at the German High Seas Fleet. Despite the severity of damage suffered by her sister ships in the battle, she suffered no damage. One of her 15-inch guns which had been in Valiant at Jutland was later removed and became one of the three guns of the Johore Battery at Singapore. However, on 24th of August that same year she collided with HMS Warspite and was in repairs until the 18th of September.

          From 1919 to the end of 1924 she was part of the 1st Battle Squadron, Atlantic Fleet after which she was with the 1st Battle Squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet until March 1929. She was broken up at Cairnryan in 1948.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Revenge (1915)

          HMS Revenge was a Revenge class battleship built by Vickers-Armstrong, laid down on 22nd December 1913 under the name Renown, launched 29th May 1915 and commissioned on the 1st February 1916.

          The Revenge-class battleships (listed as Royal Sovereign class in several editions of Jane's Fighting Ships, and sometimes also known as the "R" class) were five battleships of the Royal Navy, ordered as World War I loomed on the horizon, and launched in 1914,1916. There were originally to have been eight of the class, but two were later redesigned, becoming the Renown-class battle cruisers, while the other, which was to have been named HMS Resistance, was cancelled.

          HMS Revenge had a displacement of 29,150 tons standard, 33,500 tons full load. Length: 624 ft (190 m), Beam: 88.5 ft (27.0 m), Draught: 28.6 ft (8.7 m) Her propulsion was provided by Steam turbines, driving 4 shafts, fed by 24 boilers, giving 26,500 shp (20 MW) She had a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h) and range of 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h) Her Ships Complement was 997,1,150 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 8 × 15 in /42 guns (381 mm), 14 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk XII guns, 2 × QF 3-inch (76.20 mm) 20 cwt anti-aircraft guns, 4 × 47 mm guns and 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged). Armour Belt was 13 in (330 mm) amidships; 4,6 in (102,152 mm) ends. Deck: up to 5 in (127 mm). Turrets: 13 in (330 mm) faces; 5 in (127 mm) sides; 5 in (127 mm) roof Barbettes: up to 10 in (254 mm) and citadel: 11 in (279 mm).

          Revenge was in action at The Battle of Jutland under the command of Captain E. B. Kiddle. The day before the Grand Fleet departed their base to confront the surrendering German High Seas Fleet in Operation ZZ, a visit was made by senior members of the British Royal Family: King George V, Queen Mary and Edward, Prince of Wales. The King and his son visited USS New York, HMS Lion and Revenge. Queen Mary had tea in Revenge.

          In 1919, at Scapa Flow, Admiral Ludwig von Reuter issued the order to the now interned German High Seas Fleet to scuttle the entire fleet of 74 ships to prevent their use by the victorious Allies. After the incident, von Reuter was brought to the quarterdeck of Revenge, flagship of Vice-Admiral Sydney Fremantle and accused of breaching naval honour. Von Reuter replied to the accusation, "I am convinced that any English naval officer, placed as I was, would have acted in the same way." No charges were brought against him.

          In January 1920, the 1st Battle Squadron was detached to the Mediterranean due to crises in the region. While there, Revenge supported Greek forces and remained in the Black Sea, due to concerns about the Russian Civil War until July, when she returned to the British Atlantic Fleet. In 1922, Revenge, with her sister ships Ramillies, Resolution and Royal Sovereign, was again sent to the Mediterranean due to further tension in the area, in no small part due to the forced abdication of King Constantine I of Greece. Revenge was stationed at Constantinople and the Dardanelles throughout her deployment. She rejoined the Atlantic Fleet the following year.

          In January 1928 she was paid off for refit at Devonport Dockyard; this included her 3-inch anti-aircraft guns being replaced by 4-inch guns and a control system was installed to direct them from a station on the foremast. Two of the 6-inch guns were removed from the foc’sle deck. She was recommissioned in March 1929 into the British Mediterranean Fleet. A further minor refit in May 1931 added two platforms for the new eight-barrelled 2-pounder pom-pom anti-aircraft guns, although only the starboard set of guns was actually fitted due to a shortage. On 16 July 1935, Revenge was part of the Naval Review of 160 warships at Spithead in celebration of George V's Silver Jubilee. Later that year she was stationed at Alexandria due to potential dangers posed by the Second Italo-Abyssinian War.

          In 1936 she was paid off for another refit. She was recommissioned a year later into the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. Early in 1939, her single 4-inch guns were replaced with four twin Mark XVI 4-inch guns and the fire control system was upgraded with a second system being added astern. She finally received the port multiple 2-pounder pom-pom and two four barrelled Vickers .50 machine guns were fitted on either side of the control tower. On 9 August 1939 she was part of another Fleet Review, that was observed by George VI. Revenge was now becoming rather antiquated and slow, but she was still used a great deal throughout the war, being assigned to the North Atlantic Escort Force, together with her sister-ship Resolution.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Royal Oak

          HMS Royal Oak, a Revenge Class Battleship was built at HM Dockyard, Devonport, laid down on 15 January 1914, launched on 17 November 1914 and commissioned on 1st May 1916 at a final cost of £2,468,269. She was the eighth vessel to bear the name Royal Oak, replacing a pre-dreadnought scrapped in 1914. She had a displacement of 29,150 tons standard, 33,500 tons full load. Length: 624 ft (190 m), Beam: 88.5 ft (27.0 m), Draught: 28.6 ft (8.7 m) Her propulsion was provided by Steam turbines, driving 4 shafts, fed by 24 boilers, giving 26,500 shp (20 MW) with a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h) and a range of 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h). Her Ships Complement was 997,1,150 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 8 × 15 in /42 guns (381 mm), 14 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk XII guns, 2 × QF 3-inch (76.20 mm) 20 cwt anti-aircraft guns, 4 × 47 mm guns and 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged). Her Armour Belt was 13 in (330 mm) amidships; 4,6 in (102,152 mm) ends. Deck: up to 5 in (127 mm). Turrets: 13 in (330 mm) faces; 5 in (127 mm) sides; 5 in (127 mm) roof. Barbettes: up to 10 in (254 mm) and Citadel: 11 in (279 mm)

          Upon completion Royal Oak was assigned to the Third Division of the Fourth Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet and engaged the German High Seas Fleet in the Battle of Jutland. Under the command of Captain Crawford Maclachlan, Royal Oak left Scapa Flow on the evening of 30 May in the company of the battleships Superb, Canada and Admiral Jellicoe's flagship Iron Duke. The next day's indecisive battle saw Royal Oak fire a total of thirty-eight 15-inch and eighty-four 6-inch shells, claiming three hits on the battlecruiser SMS Derfflinger, putting one of its turrets out of action, and a hit on the cruiser SMS Wiesbaden. She avoided damage herself, despite being straddled by shellfire on one occasion. Following the battle, Royal Oak was reassigned to the First Battle Squadron.

          On 5th November 1918 — the final week of the First World War — she was anchored off Burntisland in the Firth of Forth accompanied by the seaplane tender Campania and the light battlecruiser Glorious. A sudden Force 10 squall caused Campania to drag her anchor, collide with Royal Oak and then with Glorious. Both capital ships suffered only minor damage; Campania, however, was holed by her initial collision and sank five hours later without loss of life.

          At the end of the First World War, Royal Oak escorted several vessels of the surrendering German High Seas Fleet from the Firth of Forth to their internment in Scapa Flow and was present at a ceremony in Pentland Firth to greet other ships as they followed. She was sunk at Scapa Flow in October 1939.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Lion

          HMS Lion, was a Battlecruiser, built by HM Dockyard Devonport, laid down on 29 September 1909, launched on 6 August 1910 and completed in May 1912 at a cost of £2,086,458. Like all ships of the Lion Class, she had a Displacement of 26,270 long tons (26,690 t) normal load, 30,820 long tons (31,310 t) deep load. Length: 700 ft (213.4 m), Beam: 88 ft 6.75 in (27.0 m), Draught: 32 ft 5 in (9.9 m) at deep load Power: 70,000 shp (52,000 kW), 42 Yarrow boilers, Propulsion: 4 shafts, Parsons direct-drive steam turbines She had a Maximum speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) and a range of 5,610 nmi (10,390 km; 6,460 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). The ships Complement was 1,092 officers and ratings, and she was armed with: 4 × 2, BL 13.5-inch guns, 16 × 1, BL 4-inch guns and 2 × 1, 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes Her armour belt measured 9,4 inches (229,102 mm), bulkheads were 4 inches (102 mm), barbettes at 9,8 inches (229,203 mm) turrets were 9 inches (229 mm), her decks measured 2.5 inches (64 mm) and her conning tower was 10 inches (254 mm) thick.

          The Lion-class battlecruisers were designed to be as superior to the new German battlecruisers of the Moltke class as the German ships were to the Invincible class. The increase in speed, armour and gun size forced a 65% increase in size over the Indefatigable class and made them the largest warships in the world.

          Lion's first action was as flagship of the battlecruiser force under the command of Admiral Beatty during the Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28th of August 1914. She took part in the chase after the enemy raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby on the 16th of December. She was also in action during the Battle of Dogger Bank on the 24th of January 1915. She fired 243 rounds from her main guns, but only made four hits: one each on Blücher and Derfflinger, and two on Seydlitz. In return she had been hit by the Germans sixteen times, but only suffered one man killed and twenty wounded. Lion was badly damaged and Indomitable was ordered to tow her back to port at 1500, but it took two hours and two tries before she could start to tow Lion, and a further day-and-a-half to reach port at speeds of 7,10 knots (13,19 km/h; 8.1,11.5 mph), even after Lion's starboard engine was temporarily repaired. After repairs at Palmers Shipyard, she rejoined the Battlecruiser Fleet, again as Beatty's flagship, on 7 April.

          On 31 May 1916 Admiral Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet put to sea to intercept a sortie by the High Seas Fleet into the North Sea at the Battle of Jutland. Lion became the flagship of Vice-Admiral W. C. Pakenham in December 1916 when he assumed command of the Battlecruiser Fleet upon Beatty's promotion to command of the Grand Fleet. Lion had an uneventful time for the rest of the war, conducting patrols of the North Sea as the High Seas Fleet was forbidden to risk any more losses. She provided support for British light forces involved in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight on 17 November 1917, but never came within range of any German forces.

          The 1st BCS, including Lion, sailed on the 12th of December 1917 in a futile attempt to intercept the German destroyers that had sunk the convoy en route to Norway earlier that day, but returned to base the following day. Lion, along with the rest of the Grand Fleet, sortied on the afternoon of 23 March 1918 after radio transmissions had revealed that the High Seas Fleet was at sea after a failed attempt to intercept the regular British convoy to Norway. However, the Germans were too far ahead of the British and escaped without firing a shot.

          HMS Lion was among the escorting ships when the High Seas Fleet sailed for Scapa Flow on 21st of November 1918 to be interned. Along with the rest of the 1st BCS she guarded the interned ships until she was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet in April 1919. She was then placed in reserve in March 1920 and was paid off on 30 March 1922. Despite a press campaign to have her saved for the nation as a memorial, Lion was sold for scrap on 31 January 1924 for £77,000 to meet the tonnage limitations of the Washington Naval Treaty.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Princess Royal

          HMS Princess Royal was built by Vickers, Barrow, laid down on 2 May 1910, launched on 24 April 1911 and completed in November 1912 at a cost of £2,092,214. She was the second of two Lion-class battlecruisers built for the Royal Navy before World War I. Designed in response to the Moltke-class battlecruisers of the German Navy, the ships significantly improved on the speed, armament, and armour of the preceding Indefatigable class. The ship was named for The Princess Royal, a title occasionally granted to the Monarch's eldest daughter.

          HMS Princess Royal served in the Battle of Heligoland Bight a month after the war began. She was then sent to the Caribbean to prevent the German East Asia Squadron from using the Panama Canal. After the East Asia Squadron was sunk at the Battle of the Falkland Islands in December 1914, Princess Royal rejoined the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron. During the Battle of Dogger Bank, Princess Royal scored only a few hits, although one crippled the German armoured cruiser Blücher. Shortly afterwards, she became the flagship of the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Osmond Brock.

          She was moderately damaged during the Battle of Jutland and required a month and a half of repairs. Apart from providing distant support during the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1917, the ship spent the rest of the war on uneventful patrols of the North Sea. Princess Royal was placed into reserve in 1920, then was sold for breaking up as scrap in 1922 to meet the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty.

          The other deviation from working with the Home Fleet was that Princess Royal sailed from Cromarty on 28 September to rendezvous with a Canadian troop convoy bound for the United Kingdom. She rejoined the 1st BCS on 26 October, but was detached again a few days later to reinforce the North Atlantic and Caribbean Squadrons in the search for Admiral Graf Spee's German East Asia Squadron after it destroyed the West Indies Squadron on 1 November 1914. Princess Royal arrived at Halifax on 21 November, then spent several days off New York City before she steamed down to the Caribbean to guard against the possibility that Graf Spee would use the Panama Canal. The East Asia Squadron was sunk off the Falkland Islands on 7 December, and Princess Royal left Kingston, Jamaica to sail to the UK on 19 December.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Iron Duke

          HMS Iron Duke was a dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy, the lead ship of her class, named in honour of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. She was built by Portsmouth Dockyard, and her keel laid in January 1912. Launched ten months later, she was commissioned into the Home Fleet in March 1914 as the fleet flagship. She was armed with a main battery of ten 13.5-inch (340 mm) guns and was capable of a top speed of 21.25 knots (39.36 km/h; 24.45 mph).

          In August 1914, after the outbreak of World War I, the Home Fleet was reorganised as the Grand Fleet; Iron Duke remained the flagship of the fleet, now under Admiral John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe. On the evening of 22 November 1914, the Grand Fleet conducted a fruitless sweep in the southern half of the North Sea; Iron Duke stood with the main body in support of Vice Admiral David Beatty's 1st Battlecruiser Squadron. The fleet was back in port in Scapa Flow by 27 November. Iron Duke and most of the fleet remained in port during the German raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby in December 1914, though the 3rd Battle Squadron was sent to reinforce the British forces in the area. Iron Duke went to sea with the 2nd and 4th Battle Squadrons for gunnery practice north of the Hebrides on 23 and 24 December. The following day, the rest of the fleet joined Iron Duke for a sweep in the North Sea, which concluded on 27 December.

          Iron Duke and the rest of the fleet conducted gunnery drills on 10,13 January 1915 west of the Orkneys and Shetlands. On the evening of 23 January, the bulk of the Grand Fleet sailed in support of Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet, but Iron Duke and the rest of the fleet did not become engaged in the ensuing Battle of Dogger Bank the following day. Upon returning from the operation, Iron Duke went to Invergordon for refit; while she was away, HMS Centurion acted as the temporary fleet flagship. The work was completed by 23 February, after which she returned to Scapa Flow. On 7,10 March, the Grand Fleet conducted a sweep in the northern North Sea, during which it conducted training manoeuvres. Another such cruise took place on 16,19 March. On 11 April, the Grand Fleet conducted a patrol in the central North Sea and returned to port on 14 April; another patrol in the area took place on 17,19 April, followed by gunnery drills off the Shetlands on 20,21 April.

          The Grand Fleet conducted a sweep into the central North Sea on 17,19 May without encountering any German vessels. On 25 May, Iron Duke carried Jellicoe to Rosyth to meet with Admiral Henry Jackson, the new First Sea Lord. Iron Duke returned to Scapa Flow on 28 May, in time to participate in another sweep into the North Sea on 29,31 May. After returning to Scapa Flow, Iron Duke immediately departed for Cromarty. The fleet conducted gunnery training in mid-June. Iron Duke, the 2nd Battle Squadron, and the 1st Cruiser Squadron conducted gunnery training at Cromarty on 2 August; after completing the drills, the ships returned to Scapa Flow. On 7 August, the ship again took Jellicoe to Cromarty for another meeting, this time with the Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith. Iron Duke was back in Scapa Flow by 16 August.

          On 2,5 September, the fleet went on another cruise in the northern end of the North Sea and conducted gunnery drills. Throughout the rest of the month, the Grand Fleet conducted numerous training exercises. Iron Duke went to Invergordon on 1 October for another period of refitting—the work lasted until 11 October. Two days later, the majority of the fleet conducted another sweep into the North Sea, returning to port on 15 October. On 2,5 November, Iron Duke participated in another fleet training operation west of the Orkneys. Another such cruise took place on 1,4 December. Later in the month, Iron Duke took part in gunnery drills, and during them, conducted an experiment of sorts to determine the accuracy of the ship's gunners. Jellicoe concluded that the "result was very satisfactory."

          Iron Duke collided with the tanker Prudentia on 12 January 1916 while in Scapa Flow, and the latter sank. The tanker had come loose during a severe gale, which had winds of up to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h). Iron Duke was undamaged in the accident. The typical routine of gunnery drills and squadron exercises occurred in January. The fleet departed for a cruise in the North Sea on 26 February; Jellicoe had intended to use the Harwich Force to sweep the Heligoland Bight, but bad weather prevented operations in the southern North Sea. As a result, the operation was confined to the northern end of the sea. On the night of 25 March, Iron Duke and the rest of the fleet sailed from Scapa Flow to support the Battlecruiser Fleet and other light forces that raided the German zeppelin base at Tondern. By the time the Grand Fleet approached the area on 26 March, the British and German forces had already disengaged and a severe gale threatened the light craft. Iron Duke guided the destroyers back to Scapa while the rest of the fleet retired independently.

          On 21 April, the Grand Fleet conducted a demonstration off Horns Reef to distract the Germans while the Russian Navy relaid its defensive minefields in the Baltic Sea. The fleet returned to Scapa Flow on 24 April and refuelled before proceeding south in response to intelligence reports that the Germans were about to launch a raid on Lowestoft. The Grand Fleet did not arrive in the area until after the Germans had withdrawn. On 2,4 May, the fleet conducted another demonstration off Horns Reef to keep German attention focused on the North Sea.

          On the 31st of May she was in action at the Battle of Jutland as the flagship of the Grand Fleet. She inflicted significant damage on the German battleship SMS König early in the main fleet action. On 18th of August, the Germans again sortied, this time to bombard Sunderland; Scheer hoped to draw out Beatty's battlecruisers and destroy them. British signals intelligence decrypted German wireless transmissions, allowing Jellicoe enough time to deploy the Grand Fleet in an attempt to engage in a decisive battle. Both sides withdrew, however, after their opponents' submarines inflicted losses: the British cruisers Nottingham and Falmouth were both torpedoed and sunk by German U-boats, and the German battleship SMS Westfalen was damaged by the British submarine E23. After returning to port, Jellicoe issued an order that prohibited risking the fleet in the southern half of the North Sea due to the overwhelming risk from mines and U-boats.

          In the aftermath of Jutland, the Royal Navy determined that horizontal protection, particularly over ammunition magazines, was insufficient. As a result, many ships in the Grand Fleet had additional armour installed; Iron Duke went into dock for this work in October. The work, which saw over 100 long tons (100 t) of armour added to the ship, was completed by December. On 28 November 1916, while she was still in dry dock, Admiral Beatty replaced Jellicoe as the commander of the Grand Fleet; Iron Duke served as his flagship until January 1917, when he transferred to Queen Elizabeth.[28] In 1918, flying-off platforms for aircraft were installed on Iron Duke's "B" and "Q" turrets.

          In January 1917, she was relieved as fleet flagship. After the war, Iron Duke operated in the Mediterranean as the flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet. She participated in both the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War in the Black Sea and the Greco-Turkish War. She also assisted in the evacuation of refugees from Smyrna. In 1926, she was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, where she served as a training ship.

          Iron Duke only remained on active duty for a few more years; in 1930, the London Naval Treaty specified that the four Iron Duke-class battleships be scrapped or otherwise demilitarised. Iron Duke was therefore converted into a gunnery training ship; her armour and much of her armament was removed to render her unfit for combat. She served in this capacity until the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, when she was moored in Scapa Flow as a harbour defence ship. In October, she was badly damaged by German bombers and was run aground to avoid sinking. She continued to serve as an anti-aircraft platform for the duration of the war, and was eventually refloated and broken up for scrap in the late 1940s

          John Doran


             

             Walkergate City Hospital was built on Benfield Road in 1888 as an isolation hospital for Infectious Diseases, often known as The Fever Hospital. During the Great War two temporary pavilions were constructed on the east side of Benton Road for military use, they were also in military use during WW2 and were converted into a geriatric unit in 1953, remaining in use until 1979 when they were demolished.

             Lemington Bond Munitions Works was a filling factory managed by Armstrong, Whitworth and Co. It was situated at Lemington Point, on an island on the River Tyne formed by an old loop of the river, Lemmington Gut, later the site of the Anglo Great Lakes Graphite Plant. The munitions factory was nicknamed "Canary Island" by locals due to the cordite turning the skin of workers a shade of yellow.

             Derwenthaugh Munitions Works was part of the Armstrong Munitions Factory on the Tyne and was engaged in the assembly of shells.

             Dick, Kerr & Co was a manufacturer of electric trams with a factory on Strand Road in Preston, Lancashire, during the Great War they converted part of the factory to produce ammunition for the war effort. they also produced petrol-electric locomotives for use on the light railways of the western front.

             Cleveland House on Eston Road, Grangetown, Middlesbrough, belonging to Bolkow and Vaughn Works was used as a Naval Hospital during the Great War. The buidling became the Council Offices in 1920.

             Bolkow Vaughn, based in Middlesbrough were Ironmasters, steel manufacturers and colliery owners. Their products are listed in 1914 Whitakers Red Book as; "Cleveland pig iron, hematite, ferro-manganese and spiegeleisen steel rails and plates, tramrails, ironstone, coal, coke and byproducts such as sulphate of ammonia, benzol, toluol, xylol, sol, naphtha and motor spirit; also fire brick and plate bricks, ground annealed slag and artificial stone. The manufacture of steel is carried on by the acid and basic processes, both Bessemer and Siemens. Employees 18,000"

             Lennel House in Coldstream, the country home of Lady Clementine Waring was a convalescent hospital for officers of the rank of Major and above under the care of Neurology specialists.

             Seven hundred acres of land at Grange Farm, Billingham was purchased in 1917 as a site for the production of chemicals for explosives. Some production of Nitrogen began in late 1918, but the massive complex was not completed until after the end of the war and the works were put up for sale in 1919 and were purchased by Brunner Mond.

             

          HMS Invincible

          HMS Invincible was a battlecruiser of the British Royal Navy, the lead ship of her class of three, and the first battlecruiser to be built by any country in the world. She was built by Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick. An Invincible-class battlecruiser, she was laid down on on 2nd of April 1906, Launched on 13th April 1907 and commissioned on the 20th of March 1909 at a cost of £1,768,995 She had a displacement of 17,250 long tons (17,530 t), 20,420 long tons (20,750 t) at (deep load). Length: 567 ft (173 m) overall, Beam: 78.5 ft (23.9 m), Draught: 30 ft (9.1 m) deep load Powered by 31 Yarrow boilers giving 41,000 shp (31,000 kW), and propelled by four-shaft Parsons direct-drive steam turbines. She had a top speed of 25.5 knots (47.2 km/h; 29.3 mph) with a range of 2,270 nmi (4,200 km; 2,610 mi) at 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph), 3,090 nmi (5,720 km; 3,560 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) Her ships complement was 784 officers and ratings, but she allowed for up to 1000 in wartime. Her armament consisted of 4 × 2 - BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk X guns, 16 × 1 - QF 4-in (102mm) Mk III guns. 7 × 1 - Maxim guns and 5 × 1 - submerged 18-inch (450-mm) torpedo tubes.

          Entering service from the second half of 1908 she was assigned to the Home Fleet. In 1914, Invincible was refitting in England when war broke out. She participated in the Battle of Heligoland Bight and was the flagship of the 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron during the Battle of Jutland. The squadron had been detached from Admiral Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet a few days before the battle for gunnery practice with the Grand Fleet and acted as its heavy scouting force during the battle. She was destroyed by a magazine explosion during the battle on teh 31st of May 1916, after 'Q' turret was penetrated by fire from German Battleships Lützow and Derfflinger. Only 6 of her crew of over 1000 survived the explosion.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Inflexible

          HMS Inflexible, a Battlecruiser of theInvincible class, was built by John Brown of Clydebank. Laid down on 5 February 1906, Launched on 26 June 1907 and commissioned on 20th October 1908 at a cost of £1,768,229. she had a displacement of 17,250 long tons (17,530 t), 20,420 long tons (20,750 t) at (deep load) Length: 567 ft (173 m) overall, Beam: 78.5 ft (23.9 m), Draught: 30 ft (9.1 m) deep load. Powered by 31 Yarrow boilers giving 41,000 shp (31,000 kW) to four-shaft Parsons direct-drive steam turbines . She had a top speed of 25.5 knots (47.2 km/h; 29.3 mph) and a range of 2,270 nmi (4,200 km; 2,610 mi) at 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph), 3,090 nmi (5,720 km; 3,560 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) Her ships complement was 784 (up to 1000 in wartime) officers and ratings. Her armament consisted of 4 × 2 - BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk X guns, 16 × 1 - QF 4-in (102mm) Mk III guns, 7 × 1 - Maxim guns and 5 × 1 - submerged 18-inch (450-mm) torpedo tubes.

          HMS Inflexible had an active career during the war. She tried to hunt down the German battlecruiser SMS Goeben and the light cruiser SMS Breslau in the Mediterranean Sea when war broke out and she and her sister ship Invincible sank the German armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and SMS Gneisenau during the Battle of the Falkland Islands. Inflexible bombarded Turkish forts in the Dardanelles in 1915, but was damaged by return fire and struck a mine while maneuvering. She had to be beached to prevent her from sinking, but she was patched up and sent to Malta, and then Gibraltar for more permanent repairs. Transferred to the Grand Fleet afterwards she damaged the German battlecruiser Lützow during the Battle of Jutland and watched Invincible explode. She was deemed obsolete after the war and was sold for scrap in 1921.

          John Doran


             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

          HMS Queen Mary

          HMS Queen Mary was the last battlecruiser built by the Royal Navy before World War I. The sole member of her class, Queen Mary shared many features with the Lion-class battlecruisers, including her eight 13.5-inch guns. She was completed in 1913 and took part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1914. Like most of the modern British battlecruisers, she remained in the North Sea during the war. As part of the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron, she was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to intercept a German force that had bombarded the North Sea coast of England in December 1914. She was refitting in early 1915 and missed the Battle of Dogger Bank in January, but was present and met her fate in the Battle of Jutland. She was hit twice by the German battlecruiser Derfflinger during the early part of the battle and her magazines exploded shortly afterwards, sinking the ship. Her wreck was discovered in 1991 and rests in pieces, some of which are upside down, on the floor of the North Sea. Queen Mary is designated as a protected site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 as it is the grave of 1,266 officers and men.

          Queen Mary was ordered under the 1910,11 Naval Programme. It was standard practice to order only one battlecruiser with each naval programme. She differed from her predecessors of the Lion class in the layout of her secondary armament in the location of the officers' quarters. All battleships since HMS Dreadnought in 1905 had the officers' quarters closer to their action stations amidships. After complaints from the Fleet, Queen Mary was the first battlecruiser to restore their quarters to their traditional place in the stern. In addition, she was the first battlecruiser to mount a sternwalk. Queen Mary, the only ship of her name ever to serve in the Royal Navy, was named for Mary of Teck, the wife of King George V. The Queen's representative at the ship's christening on 20 March 1912 was the wife of Viscount Allendale. Queen Mary was laid down at Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow, on 6 March 1911. She was launched on 20 March 1912 and was completed in August 1913 at a total cost of £2,078,491 (including guns). The ship came under the command of Captain Reginald Hall on 1 July and was the last battlecruiser introduced before the start of World War I, being commissioned on 4 September 1913. Assigned to the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron (BCS) under the command of Rear Admiral David Beatty, Queen Mary and the rest of the 1st BCS made a port visit to Brest in February 1914 and the squadron visited Russia in June.

          During World War I HMS Queen Mary's first action was as part of the battlecruiser force under the command of Beatty during the Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28th of August 1914. Like most of the Grand Fleet she remained in the North sea area during the Great War. Her next action was an unsuccessful attempt to cut off the German Squadron after the bombardment of Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool on the 16th December 1914 Queen Mary was undergoing refitting in January and February 1915 and missed the Battle of Dogger Bank. Her final engagement was in the Battle of Jutland where she sunk with the loss of 1,266 crewmen. Eighteen survivors were picked up by the destroyers HMS Laurel, HMS Petard, and HMS Tipperary. A further two were rescued by the Germans.

          Queen Mary, along with the other Jutland wrecks, has been declared a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 to discourage further damage to the resting place of 1,266 officers and men. Surveys of this site conducted by nautical archaeologist Innes McCartney in 2001,03 have shown the wreck is in three sections, with the two forward sections being heavily damaged and in pieces. Her aft end is upside down and relatively complete except for her propellers, which have been salvaged. Examination of the damage to the ship has suggested that the initial explosion was not in the magazine of 'A' or 'B' forward main turrets, but instead in the magazine of the forward 4-inch battery. An explosion of the quantity of cordite in the main magazine would have been sufficient to also ignite 'Q' magazine, destroying much more of the ship. The explosion in the smaller magazine would have been sufficient to break the ship in two, the blast then spreading to the forward magazine and ripping apart the forward section.

          John Doran


             

          HMS Tiger

          HMS Tiger was the sole battlecruiser in the 1911,12 Naval Programme. She was laid down at the John Brown and Company shipyard in Clydebank on 6 June 1912, launched on 15 December 1913 and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 3 October 1914, at a cost of £2,593,100, including armament. The ship was still under construction when the First World War broke out in August 1914. On 3 August 1914 Captain Henry Bertram Pelly was appointed to command the ship. Beatty described Pelly at the time as "a very charming person and, what is more important just now, a very efficient officer". After the Battle of Coronel and the deployment of three battlecruisers to hunt for the German East Asia Squadron, Tiger was ordered to cut short her firing trials off Berehaven and was commissioned into the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron (1st BCS) two months later, on 3 October. She began trials and working up and Beatty described Tiger to the First Sea Lord, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher of Kilverstone, as "not yet fit to fight. Three out of her four dynamoes are out of action for an indefinite period, and her training is impeded by bad weather, which might continue for many weeks at this time of year and at present is quite unprepared and inefficient."

          Tiger took part in the First Battle of Dogger Bank and The Battle of Jutland. She was also present in support during the second Battle of Heligoland Bight and the unsuccessful attempt to intercept German ships after a planned bombardment of Sunderland.

          After her repairs were completed, Tiger served as the temporary flagship of the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron while Lion was under repair. In the meantime, on the evening of 18 August the Grand Fleet put to sea in response to a message deciphered by Room 40 which indicated that the High Seas Fleet, less the II Squadron, would be leaving harbour that night. The German objective was to bombard Sunderland on the 19th, with extensive reconnaissance provided by airships and submarines. The Grand Fleet sailed with 29 dreadnought battleships and six battlecruisers. Throughout the 19th, Jellicoe and Scheer received conflicting intelligence, with the result that having reached its rendezvous in the North Sea, the Grand Fleet steered north in the erroneous belief that it had entered a minefield before turning south again. Scheer steered south-eastward pursuing a lone British battle squadron reported by an airship, which was in fact the Harwich Force under Commodore Tyrwhitt. Having realised their mistake the Germans then steered for home. The only contact came in the evening when Tyrwhitt sighted the High Seas Fleet but was unable to achieve an advantageous attack position before dark, and broke off contact. Both the British and the German fleets returned home. The British had lost two cruisers to submarine attacks and a German dreadnought had been damaged by a torpedo.

          The ship received a lengthy refit from 10 November 1916 to 29 January 1917 at Rosyth where her deck and turret roof armour were reinforced and additional rangefinders were added over her conning tower and the rear of 'X' turret. For the remainder of the war, Tiger uneventfully patrolled the North Sea, as both fleets were essentially forbidden to risk any more losses. She provided support for British light forces involved in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight on 17 November 1917, but never came within range of any German forces. The same year saw her undergo a minor refit during which a flying-off platform for a Sopwith Camel was mounted on 'Q' turret and a searchlight platform was added to her third funnel. She underwent a more extensive refit in 1918 which saw her topmast shifted to the top of the derrick-stump and a more substantial observation platform added to the foremast. Some of her short rangefinders were replaced by longer ones as well.

          Tiger remained in service with the Royal Navy after the Armistice with Germany and she had a flying-off platform added on 'B' turret's roof in 1919. The ship collided with the battleship Royal Sovereign in late 1920 while assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. Tiger survived the culling of older capital ships following the Washington Naval Treaty, although she was placed in reserve on 22 August 1921. The ship was refitted in March 1922 with a 25-foot rangefinder fitted on 'X' turret, her original pair of 3-inch AA guns replaced by four 4-inch guns and the flying-off platform on 'Q' turret was removed. On 14 February 1924, Tiger was recommissioned and became a seagoing training ship, a role she served in throughout the 1920s. Her last major period of activity came in 1929, when Hood went into dockyard hands for refit. While Hood was out of commission, Tiger returned to active service to keep the Royal Navy's three-ship Battlecruiser Squadron (normally made up of Hood plus the smaller Renown and Repulse) up to strength. Although by the 1930s Tiger was still in reasonable condition, the decision was taken to discard her following the London Naval Conference of 1930 as part of an overall reduction in world battleship fleets. Under the command of Captain Kenneth Dewar from 1928 to 1929, her final commander was Arthur Bedford, and she remained in service with the fleet until Hood came out of refit in early 1931, at which time she was taken out of commission in accordance with the terms of the London Naval Treaty. Tiger took the cheers of the Atlantic Fleet on 30 March 1931 at Devonport.

          She was paid off on 15 May 1931 at Rosyth, before being sold to T. W. Ward of Inverkeithing for breaking up in February 1932.

          John Doran


             HMS Defence was a Minotaur-class Armoured Cruiser. She joined 5th Cruiser Squadron in February 1909 but transferred to 1st CS in July (Home Fleet); escorted Royal Yacht Medina November-December 1912, and then went to China Station as flagship. Joined 1st CS as flagship in 1913, and took part in hunt for Goeben and Breslau in August 1914. Stationed off Dardanelles in September but sent to South Atlantic to reinforce Rear-Admiral Cradock's squadron; diverted to Cape of Good Hope in November 1914. Became flagship 1st CS, Grand Fleet, in January 1915 and was sunk by gunfire of German battleship Friedrich der Grosse at Jutland, 31 May 1916. All hands (893 officers and men) lost as a result of cordite charges catching fire in the ammunition passages. (Battle honour - Jutland 1916).

             

             On the 21st of March 1918 the German Army launched attack on the Western Front, code named Operation Michael. Half a million German troops were moved from the Russian front to take part in the offensive. Attack opened with a huge bombardment over 45 miles of the front line . One million artillery shells were fired on the Allied lines during a five hour barrage. This was followed by a swift assault across a battered landscape swathed in mist and artillery smoke. Sixty five Divisions of the Imperial German Army overwhelmed the 26 Allied Divisions who were holding the trenches. The front lines were pushed back across the hard fought battlefields of the Somme and by the time the advance was brought to a halt in early May, parts of the front line were further west than the old front line had been prior to the 1st of July 1916 when the Allied had launched their assault.

           HMS Courageous  

          HMS Courageous

          HMS Courageous was the lead ship of the Courageous-class cruisers built for the Royal Navy during the First World War. Designed to support the Baltic Project championed by the First Sea Lord, John Fisher, the ship was very lightly armoured and armed with only a few heavy guns. Courageous was completed in late 1916 and spent the war patrolling the North Sea. She participated in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight in November 1917 and was present when the German High Seas Fleet surrendered a year later. Courageous was decommissioned after the war, but rebuilt as an aircraft carrier during the mid-1920s. She could carry 48 aircraft compared to the 36 carried by her half-sister Furious on approximately the same tonnage. After recommissioning she spent most of her career operating off Great Britain and Ireland. She briefly became a training carrier, but reverted to her normal role a few months before the start of the Second World War in September 1939. Courageous was torpedoed and sunk in the opening weeks of the war, going down with more than 500 of her crew.

          • Name: HMS Courageous
          • Ordered: 14 March 1915
          • Builder: Armstrong Whitworth
          • Cost: £2,038,225
          • Laid down: 26 March 1915
          • Launched: 5 February 1916
          • Completed: 4 November 1916
          • Reclassified: Converted to aircraft carrier, June 1924, February 1928
          • Fate: Sunk by U-29, 17 September 1939

          Laid down on 26 March 1915, Courageous was launched on 5 February 1916 and completed on 4 November. During her sea trials later that month, she sustained structural damage while running at full speed in a rough head sea but the exact cause is uncertain. The forecastle deck was deeply buckled in three places between the breakwater and the forward turret. In addition the side plating was visibly buckled between the forecastle and upper decks. Water had entered the submerged torpedo room and rivets had sheared in the angle irons securing the deck armour in place. The ship was stiffened with 130 long tons of steel in response. As of 23 November 1916, she cost £2,038,225 to build. Upon commissioning, Courageous was assigned to the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet. She became flagship of the 1st Cruiser Squadron near the end of 1916 when that unit was re-formed after most of its ships had been sunk at the Battle of Jutland in May. The ship was temporarily fitted as a minelayer in April 1917 by the addition of mine rails on her quarterdeck that could hold over 200 mines, but never actually laid any mines. In mid-1917, she received half a dozen torpedo mounts, each with two tubes. One mount on each side of the mainmast on the upper deck and two mounts on each side of the rear turret on the quarterdeck. On 30 July 1917, Rear-Admiral Trevylyan Napier assumed command of the 1st Cruiser Squadron and was appointed Acting Vice-Admiral Commanding the Light Cruiser Force until he was relieved on 26 October 1918. On 16 October 1917, the Admiralty received word of German ship movements, possibly indicating some sort of raid. Admiral Beatty, the commander of the Grand Fleet, ordered most of his light cruisers and destroyers to sea in an effort to locate the enemy ships. Courageous and Glorious were not initially included amongst them, but were sent to reinforce the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron patrolling the central part of the North Sea later that day. Two German Brummer-class light cruisers managed to slip through the gaps between the British patrols and destroy a convoy bound for Norway during the morning of 17 October, but no word was received of the engagement until that afternoon. The 1st Cruiser Squadron was ordered to intercept, but was unsuccessful as the German cruisers were faster than expected.

          Second Battle of Heligoland Bight

          Throughout 1917 the Admiralty was becoming more concerned about German efforts to sweep paths through the British-laid minefields intended to restrict the actions of the High Seas Fleet and German submarines. A preliminary raid on German minesweeping forces on 31 October by light forces destroyed ten small ships. Based on intelligence reports, the Admiralty allocated the 1st Cruiser Squadron on 17 November 1917, with cover provided by the reinforced 1st Battlecruiser Squadron and distant cover by the battleships of the 1st Battle Squadron, to destroy the minesweepers and their light cruiser escorts. The German ships—four light cruisers of II Scouting Force, eight destroyers, three divisions of minesweepers, eight sperrbrechers (cork-filled trawlers) and two other trawlers to mark the swept route—were spotted at 0730. Courageous and the light cruiser Cardiff opened fire with their forward guns seven minutes later. The Germans responded by laying an effective smoke screen. The British continued in pursuit, but lost track of most of the smaller ships in the smoke and concentrated fire on the light cruisers. Courageous fired 92 fifteen-inch shells and 180 four-inch shells during the battle and the only damage she received was from her own muzzle blast. One fifteen-inch shell hit a gun shield of the light cruiser SMS Pillau but did not affect her speed. At 0930 the 1st Cruiser Squadron broke off their pursuit so they would not enter a minefield marked on their maps. The ships turned south, playing no further role in the battle. After the battle, the mine fittings on Courageous were removed, and she spent the rest of the war intermittently patrolling the North Sea. In 1918, short take-off platforms were fitted for a Sopwith Camel and a Sopwith 1½ Strutter on both 15-inch turrets. The ship was present at the surrender of the German High Seas fleet on 21 November 1918. Courageous was placed in reserve at Rosyth on 1 February 1919 and she again became Napier's flagship as he was appointed Vice-Admiral Commanding the Rosyth Reserve until 1 May. The ship was assigned to the Gunnery School at Devonport the following year as a turret drill ship. She became flagship of the Rear-Admiral Commanding the Reserve at Devonport in March 1920. Captain Sidney Meyrick became her Flag Captain in 1920.

          John Doran


             High Beech Camp was situated in Loughton, Essex.

           HMAS Australia  

          HMAS Australia

          HMAS Australia was one of three Indefatigable-class battlecruisers built for the defence of the British Empire. Ordered by the Australian government in 1909, she was launched in 1911, and commissioned as flagship of the fledgling Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1913. Australia was the only capital ship ever to serve in the RAN. At the start of World War I, Australia was tasked with finding and destroying the German East Asia Squadron, which was prompted to withdraw from the Pacific by the battlecruiser's presence. Repeated diversions to support the capture of German colonies in New Guinea and Samoa, as well as an overcautious Admiralty, prevented the battlecruiser from engaging the German squadron before the latter's destruction. Australia was then assigned to North Sea operations, which consisted primarily of patrols and exercises, until the end of the war. During this time, Australia was involved in early attempts at naval aviation, and 11 of her personnel participated in the Zeebrugge Raid. The battlecruiser was not at the Battle of Jutland, as she was undergoing repairs following a collision with sister ship HMS New Zealand. Australia only ever fired in anger twice: at a German merchant vessel in January 1915, and at a suspected submarine contact in December 1917. On her return to Australian waters, several sailors aboard the warship mutinied after a request for an extra day's leave in Fremantle was denied, although other issues played a part in the mutiny, including minimal leave during the war, problems with pay, and the perception that Royal Navy personnel were more likely to receive promotions than Australian sailors. Post-war budget cuts saw Australia's role downgraded to a training ship before she was placed in reserve in 1921. The disarmament provisions of the Washington Naval Treaty required the destruction of Australia as part of Britain's commitment, and she was scuttled off Sydney Heads in 1924.

          • Namesake: Nation of Australia
          • Ordered: 9 December 1909
          • Builder: John Brown & Company, Clydebank
          • Yard number: 402
          • Laid down: 26 June 1910
          • Launched: 25 October 1911
          • Commissioned: 21 June 1913
          • Decommissioned: 12 December 1921
          • Fate: Scuttled, 12 April 1924

          Following her commissioning, Australia hosted several official events. On 30 June, King George V and Edward, Prince of Wales, visited Australia to farewell the ship. During this visit, King George knighted Patey on the ship's quarterdeck—the first time a naval officer was knighted aboard a warship since Francis Drake. On 1 July, Patey hosted a luncheon which was attended by imperial dignitaries, including Reid, the Agents-General of the Australian states, First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, Secretary of State for the Colonies Lewis Harcourt, and the High Commissioners of other British Dominions. That afternoon, 600 Australian expatriates were invited to a ceremonial farewelling and were entertained by shows and fireworks. Journalists and cinematographers were allowed aboard to report on Australia prior to her departure and an official reporter was embarked for the voyage to Australia. His role was to promote the ship as a symbol of the bond between Australia and the United Kingdom. Australia was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Sydney during the voyage to Australia. On 25 July, the two ships left England for South Africa. The visit was part of an agreement between the Prime Ministers of Australia and South Africa to promote the link between the two nations, along with the nations' links to the rest of the British Empire. The two ships were anchored in Table Bay from 18 to 26 August, during which the ships' companies participated in parades and receptions, while tens of thousands of people came to observe the ships. The two ships also visited Simon's Town, while Australia additionally called into Durban. No other major ports were visited on the voyage, and the warships were instructed to avoid all major Australian ports. Australia and Sydney reached Jervis Bay on 2 October, where they rendezvoused with the rest of the RAN fleet (the cruisers Encounter and Melbourne, and the destroyers Parramatta, Warrego, and Yarra). The seven warships prepared for a formal fleet entry into Sydney Harbour. On 4 October, Australia led the fleet into Sydney Harbour, where responsibility for Australian naval defence was passed from the Royal Navy's Australia Squadron, commanded by King-Hall aboard HMS Cambrian, to the RAN, commanded by Patey aboard Australia.

          Early service

          In her first year of service, Australia visited as many major Australian ports as possible, in order to expose the new navy to the widest possible audience and induce feelings of nationhood. Naval historian David Stevens claims that these visits did more to break down state rivalries and promote the unity of Australia as a federated commonwealth than any other event. During late 1913, footage for the film Sea Dogs of Australia was filmed aboard the battlecruiser; the film was withdrawn almost immediately after first screening in August 1914 because of security concerns. During July 1914, Australia and other units of the RAN fleet were on a training cruise in Queensland waters. On 27 July, the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board learned through press telegrams that the British Admiralty thought that there would be imminent and widespread war in Europe following the July Crisis, and had begun to position its fleets as a precaution. Three days later, the Board learned that the official warning telegram had been sent: at 22:30, Australia was recalled to Sydney to take on coal and stores. On 3 August, the RAN was placed under Admiralty control. Orders for RAN warships were prepared over the next few days. Australia was assigned to the concentration of British naval power on the China Station, but was allowed to seek out and destroy any armoured warships (particularly those of the German East Asia Squadron) in the Australian Station before doing so. Vice Admiral Maximilian von Spee, commander of the German squadron, was aware of Australia's presence in the region and her superiority to his entire force. The German admiral's plan was to harass British shipping and colonies in the Pacific until the presence of Australia and the China Squadron forced his fleet to relocate to other seas.

          World War I - Securing local waters

          The British Empire declared war on Germany on 5 August, and the RAN swung into action. Australia had departed Sydney the night before, and was heading north to rendezvous with other RAN vessels south of German New Guinea. The German colonial capital of Rabaul was considered a likely base of operations for von Spee, and Patey put together a plan to clear the harbour. Australia's role was to hang backand, if the armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and SMS Gneisenau were present, the other RAN vessels would lure them into range of the battlecruiser. The night-time operation was executed on 11 August, and no German ships were found in the harbour. Over the next two days, Australia and the other ships unsuccessfully searched the nearby bays and coastline for the German ships and any wireless stations, before returning to Port Moresby to refuel. In late August, Australia and Melbourne escorted a New Zealand occupation force to German Samoa. Patey believed that the German fleet was likely to be in the eastern Pacific, and Samoa would be a logical move. Providing protection for the New Zealand troopships was a beneficial coincidence, although the timing could have been better, as an Australian expedition to occupy German New Guinea departed from Sydney a few days after the New Zealand force left home waters—Australia was expected to support both, but Patey only learned of the expeditions after they had commenced their journeys. The battlecruiser left Port Moresby on 17 August and was met by Melbourne en route on 20 August. The next day, they reached Nouméa and the New Zealand occupation force, consisting of the troopships Moeraki and Monowai, the French cruiser Montcalm, and three Pelorus-class cruisers. The grounding of Monowai delayed the expedition's departure until 23 August so the ships reached Suva, Fiji on 26 August, and arrived off Apia early in the morning of 30 August. The city surrendered without a fight, freeing Australia and Melbourne to depart at noon on 31 August to meet the Australian force bound for Rabaul. The Australian invasion force had mustered off the Louisiade Archipelago by 9 September; the assembled ships included Australia, the cruisers Sydney, and Encounter, the destroyers Parramatta, Warrego, and Yarra, the submarines AE1 and AE2, the auxiliary cruiser HMAS Berrima, the storeship SS Aorangi, three colliers and an oiler. The force sailed north, and at 0600 on 11 September, Australia deployed two picket boats to secure Karavia Bay for the expeditionary force's transports and supply ships. Later that day, Australia captured the German steamer Sumatra off Cape Tawui. After this, the battlecruiser stood off, in case she was required to shell one of the two wireless stations the occupation force was attempting to capture. The German colony was captured, and on 15 September, Australia departed for Sydney.

          Pursuit of von Spee

          The presence of Australia around the former German colonies, combined with the likelihood of Japan declaring war on Germany, prompted von Spee to withdraw his ships from the region. On 13 August, the East Asia Squadron—with the exception of SMS Emden, which was sent to prey on British shipping in the Indian Ocean—had begun to move eastwards. After appearing off Samoa on 14 September, then attacking Tahiti eight days later, von Spee led his force to South America, and from there planned to sail for the Atlantic. Patey was ordered on 17 September to head back north with Australia and Sydney to protect the Australian expeditionary force. On 1 October, Australia, Sydney, Montcalm, and Encounter headed north from Rabaul to find the German ships, but turned around to return at midnight, after receiving an Admiralty message about the Tahiti attack. Although Patey suspected that the Germans were heading for South America and wanted to follow with Australia, the Admiralty was unsure that the intelligence was accurate and tasked the battlecruiser with patrolling around Fiji in case they returned. Australia reached Suva on 12 October and spent the next four weeks patrolling the waters around Fiji, Samoa, and New Caledonia. Despite Patey's desires to range out further, Admiralty orders kept him chained to Suva until early November. As Patey predicted, von Spee had continued east, and it was not until his force inflicted the first defeat on the Royal Navy in 100 years at the Battle of Coronel that Australia was allowed to pursue. Departing on 8 November, the battlecruiser replenished coal from a pre-positioned collier on 14 November, and reached Chamela Bay (near Manzanillo, Mexico) 12 days later. Patey was made commander of a multinational squadron tasked with preventing the German squadron from sailing north to Canadian waters, or following them if they attempted to enter the Atlantic via the Panama Canal or around Cape Horn. Patey's ships included Australia, the British light cruiser HMS Newcastle and the Japanese cruisers Izumo, Asama, and the ex-Russian battleship Hizen. The ships made for the Galapagos Islands, which were searched from 4 to 6 December. After finding no trace of von Spee's force, the Admiralty ordered Patey to investigate the South American coast from Perlas Island down to the Gulf of Guayaquil. The German squadron had sailed for the Atlantic via Cape Horn and was defeated by a British fleet after attempting to raid the Falkland Islands on 8 December. Patey's squadron learned of this 10 December, while off the Gulf of Panama; Australia's personnel were disappointed that they did not have the chance to take on Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Nevertheless, the battlecruiser's presence in the Pacific during 1914 had provided an important counter to the German armoured cruisers, and enabled the RAN to participate in the Admiralty's global strategy. Moreover, it is unlikely that the attack on Rabaul would have gone ahead had Australia not been available to protect the landing force.

          North Sea operations

          As the threat of a German naval attack had been removed by the destruction of the East Asia Squadron, Australia was free for deployment elsewhere. Initially, the battlecruiser was to serve as flagship of the West Indies Squadron, with the task of pursuing and destroying any German vessels that evaded North Sea blockades. Australia was ordered to sail to Jamaica via the Panama Canal, but as it was closed to heavy shipping, she was forced to sail down the coast of South America and pass through the Strait of Magellan during 31 December 1914 and 1 January 1915. Australia is the only ship of the RAN to cross from the Pacific to the Atlantic by sailing under South America. During the crossing, one of the warship's propellers was damaged, and she had to limp to the Falkland Islands at half speed. Temporary repairs were made, and Australia departed on 5 January. A vessel well clear of the usual shipping routes was spotted on the afternoon of the next day, and the battlecruiser attempted to pursue, but was hampered by the damaged propeller. Unable to close the gap before sunset, a warning shot was fired from 'A' turret, which caused the ship—the former German passenger liner, now naval auxiliary Eleonora Woermann—to stop and be captured. As Australia could not spare enough personnel to crew the merchant ship, and Eleonora Woermann was too slow to keep pace with the battlecruiser, the crew was taken aboard and the ship was sunk. Following the Battle of Dogger Bank, the Admiralty saw the need for dedicated battlecruiser squadrons in British waters and earmarked Australia to lead one of them. On 11 January, while en route to Jamaica, Australia was diverted to Gibraltar. Reaching there on 20 January, the battlecruiser was ordered to proceed to Plymouth, where she arrived on 28 January and paid off for a short refit. The docking was completed on 12 February, and Australia reached Rosyth on 17 February after sailing through a gale. She was made flagship of the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron (2nd BCS) of the Battlecruiser Fleet, part of the British Grand Fleet on 22 February. Vice Admiral Patey was appointed to command this squadron. In early March, to avoid a conflict of seniority between Patey and the leader of the Battlecruiser Fleet, Vice Admiral David Beatty, Patey was reassigned to the West Indies, and Rear Admiral William Pakenham raised his flag aboard Australia. British and Allied ships deployed to the North Sea were tasked with protecting the British Isles from German naval attack, and keeping the German High Seas Fleet penned in European waters through a distant blockade while trying to lure them into a decisive battle. During her time with the 2nd BCS, Australia's operations primarily consisted of training exercises (either in isolation or with other ships), patrols of the North Sea area in response to actual or perceived German movements, and some escort work. These duties were so monotonous, one sailor was driven insane. Australia joined the Grand Fleet in a sortie on 29 March, in response to intelligence that the German fleet was leaving port as the precursor to a major operation. By the next night, the German ships had withdrawn, and Australia returned to Rosyth. On 11 April, the British fleet was again deployed on the intelligence that a German force was planning an operation. The Germans intended to lay mines at the Swarte Bank, but after a scouting Zeppelin located a British light cruiser squadron, they began to prepare for what they thought was a British attack. Heavy fog and the need to refuel caused Australia and the British vessels to return to port on 17 August and, although they were redeployed that night, they were unable to stop two German light cruisers from laying the minefield. From 26 to 28 January 1916, the 2nd BCS was positioned off the Skagerrak while the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron swept the strait in an unsuccessful search of a possible minelayer. On the morning of 21 April, Australia and her sister ships sailed again for the Skagerrak, this time to support efforts to disrupt the transport of Swedish ore to Germany. The planned destroyer sweep of the Kattegat was cancelled when word came that the High Seas Fleet was mobilising for an operation of their own (later learned to be timed to coincide with the Irish Easter Rising) and the British ships were ordered to a rendezvous point in the middle of the North Sea, while the rest of the Grand Fleet made for the south-eastern end of the Long Forties. On the afternoon of 22 April, the Battlecruiser Fleet was patrolling to the north-west of Horn Reefs when heavy fog came down. The ships were zigzagging to avoid submarine attack, which, combined with the weather conditions, caused Australia to collide with sister ship HMS New Zealand twice in three minutes. Procedural errors were found to be the cause of the collisions, which saw Australia (the more heavily damaged of the two ships) docked for six weeks of repairs between April and June 1916. Initial inspections of the damage were made in a floating dock on the River Tyne, but the nature of the damage required a diversion to Devonport, Devon for the actual repair work. The repairs were completed more quickly than expected and Australia rejoined the 2nd BCS Squadron at Rosyth on 9 June, having missed the Battle of Jutland.

          On the evening of 18 August, the Grand Fleet put to sea in response to a message deciphered by Room 40, which indicated that the High Seas Fleet, minus II Squadron, would be leaving harbour that night. The German objective was to bombard Sunderland on 19 August, with extensive reconnaissance provided by airships and submarines. The Grand Fleet sailed with 29 dreadnought battleships and 6 battlecruisers. Throughout the next day, Jellicoe and Scheer received conflicting intelligence, with the result that having reached its rendezvous in the North Sea, the Grand Fleet steered north in the erroneous belief that it had entered a minefield before turning south again. Scheer steered south-eastward to pursue a lone British battle squadron sighted by an airship, which was in fact the Harwich Force under Commodore Tyrwhitt. Having realised their mistake, the Germans changed course for home. The only contact came in the evening when Tyrwhitt sighted the High Seas Fleet but was unable to achieve an advantageous attack position before dark, and broke off. Both the British and German fleets returned home, with two British cruisers sunk by submarines and a German dreadnought battleship damaged by a torpedo. The year 1917 saw a continuation of the battlecruiser's routine of exercises and patrols into the North Sea, with few incidents. During this year Australia's activities were limited to training voyages between Rosyth and Scapa Flow and occasional patrols to the north-east of Britain in search of German raiders. In May, while preparing the warship for action stations, a 12-inch shell became jammed in the shell hoist when its fuze became hooked onto a projection. After the magazines were evacuated, Lieutenant-Commander F. C. Darley climbed down the hoist and successfully removed the fuze. On 26 June, King George V visited the ship. On 12 December, Australia was involved in a second collision, this time with the battlecruiser HMS Repulse. Following this accident, she underwent three weeks of repairs from December 1917 until January 1918. During the repair period, Australia became the first RAN ship to launch an aircraft, when a Sopwith Pup took off from her quarterdeck on 18 December. On 30 December, Australia shelled a suspected submarine contact, the only time during her deployment with the 2nd BCS that she fired on the enemy. In February 1918, the call went out for volunteers to participate in a special mission to close the port of Zeebrugge using blockships. Although many aboard Australia volunteered their services in an attempt to escape the drudgery of North Sea patrols, only 11 personnel—10 sailors and an engineering lieutenant—were selected for the raid, which occurred on 23 April. The lieutenant was posted to the engine room of the requisitioned ferry HMS Iris II, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for his efforts. The other Australians were assigned to the boiler rooms of the blockship Thetis, or as part of a storming party along the mole. All ten sailors survived—Australia was the only ship to have no casualties from the raid—and three were awarded the DSM, while another three were mentioned in dispatches. One of the sailors was listed in the ballot to receive a Victoria Cross, but he did not receive the award. During 1918, Australia and the Grand Fleet's other capital ships on occasion escorted convoys travelling between Britain and Norway. The 2nd BCS spent the period from 8 to 21 February covering these convoys in company with battleships and destroyers, and put to sea on 6 March in company with the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron to support minelayers. From 8 March on, the battlecruiser tested the capabilities of aircraft launched from platforms mounted over 'P' and 'Q' turrets. Australia, along with the rest of the Grand Fleet, sortied on the afternoon of 23 March 1918 after radio transmissions had revealed that the High Seas Fleet was at sea after a failed attempt to intercept the regular British convoy to Norway. However, the Germans were too far ahead of the British and escaped without firing a shot. The 2nd BCS sailed again on 25 April to support minelayers, then cover one of the Scandinavian convoys the next day. Following the successful launch of a fully laden Sopwith 1½ Strutter scout plane on 14 May, Australia started carrying two aircraft (a Strutter for reconnaissance, and a Sopwith Camel fighter) and operated them until the end of the war. The 2nd BCS again supported minelayers in the North Sea between 25,26 June and 29,30 July. During September and October, Australia and the 2nd BCS supervised and protected minelaying operations north of Orkney.

          War's end

          When the armistice with Germany was signed on 11 November 1918 to end World War I, one of the conditions was that the German High Seas Fleet was to be interred at Scapa Flow. The German fleet crossed the North Sea and, on 21 November, the British Grand Fleet sailed out to meet it. Australia led the port division of the fleet. Australia then escorted the battlecruiser SMS Hindenburg to Scapa Flow and was assigned as the German vessel's guardship. Australia subsequently formed part of the force which guarded the High Seas Fleet during late 1918 and early 1919 and spent much of her time either at anchor at Scapa Flow, or conducting patrols in the North Sea. This monotonous duty contributed to low morale among some sections of the ship's crew. After being formally farewelled by the Prince of Wales and First Sea Lord Rosslyn Wemyss on 22 April 1919, Australia departed from Portsmouth for home the next day. She sailed in company with HMAS Brisbane for the first part of the voyage, but the light cruiser later had to detach to tow the submarine J5. Australia arrived in Fremantle on 28 May 1919, the first time the ship had seen home waters in four and a half years. Despite returning home, the battlecruiser remained under Admiralty control until 1 August 1919. Australia was not awarded any official battle honours, although personnel aboard the battlecruiser and her successor claimed the operations in the Pacific, the North Sea patrol duties, and the battlecruiser's presence at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet as unofficial honours. Following a reorganisation of RAN battle honours in 2010, the honours "Rabaul 1914" and "North Sea 1915,18" were retroactively awarded on 1 March 2010.

          Mutiny

          Post-war

          In May 1920, Australia participated in celebrations and naval activities associated with the visit of the Prince of Wales. From July to November 1920, an Avro 504 floatplane of the Australian Air Corps was embarked aboard Australia as part of a series of trials intended to cumulate in the creation of a naval aviation branch. The aircraft was stored on the quarterdeck next to 'Q' turret, and was deployed and recovered by derrick. Inter-service rivalry and the ship's reduction to non-seagoing status in September prevented further operations. Following the demise of German naval power in the Pacific the fleet unit concept was no longer seen as being relevant, and Australia did not have a clear role. As a result, post-war budget cuts prompted the RAN to take the battlecruiser out of active service, as the large share of resources and manpower consumed by Australia could be better used elsewhere in the RAN. In August 1920 the battlecruiser was rated by the Naval Board as 11th out of the RAN's 12 priorities. Accordingly, her crew was reduced later that year and she was assigned to Flinders Naval Depot as a gunnery and torpedo training ship. In the event of a major conflict, Australia was to serve in a role akin to coastal artillery. She was not considered to have been placed in reserve at this time, however, as it was not possible for the RAN to provide a trained crew at short notice.

          Decommissioning and fate

          Australia returned to Sydney in November 1921, and was paid off into reserve in December. By this time battlecruisers built before the Battle of Jutland were considered obsolete, and there is no record of the Admiralty suggesting that Australia purchase a replacement. Moreover, it is unlikely that the Australian Government would have agreed to such a suggestion given the prevailing political and financial conditions. As the Admiralty had decided to phase out 12-inch guns and had stopped the manufacture of shells for these weapons shortly after the war, it would have been necessary to replace Australia's main armament once the Navy's stock of shells reached their expiry date given that it was not possible to produce replacement shells in Australia. This was also not financially feasible for the government, particularly given the RAN's lack of interest in retaining the ship. The 1922 Washington Naval Treaty was a mutual naval arms limitation and disarmament treaty between the five major naval powers of the time (the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Japan, Italy, and France). One of the main aspects of the treaty was the limitation on the number and size of capital ships each nation possessed. As the RAN was counted as part of the Royal Navy for the purposes of the treaty, Australia was one of the battlecruisers nominated for disposal to meet the British limit. The battlecruiser had to be made unusable for warlike activities within six months of the treaty's ratification, then disposed of by scuttling, as Australia did not have the facilities to break her up for scrap, and the British share of target ships was taken up by Royal Navy vessels. This was the only time the Australian military has been affected by a disarmament treaty until the 1997 Ottawa Treaty banning the use of anti-personnel mines. Some equipment had been removed when Australia was decommissioned for use in other ships, but after the November 1923 decision by the Cabinet confirming the scuttling, RAN personnel and private contractors began to remove piping and other small fittings. Between November 1923 and January 1924, £68,000 of equipment was reclaimed; over half was donated to tertiary education centres (some of which was still in use in the 1970s), while the rest was either marked for use in future warships, or sold as souvenirs. Some consideration was given to reusing Australia's 12-inch guns in coastal fortifications, but this did not occur as ammunition for these weapons was no longer being manufactured by the British, and the cost of building suitable structures was excessive. It was instead decided to sink the gun turrets and spare barrels with the rest of the ship. There was also a proposal to remove Australia's conning tower and install it on the Sydney Harbour foreshore; although this did not go ahead, the idea was later used when the foremast of HMAS Sydney was erected as a monument at Bradleys Head. The ship's outer starboard propeller is on display at the Australian War Memorial, while other artefacts are in the collections of the War Memorial, the Australian National Maritime Museum, and the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre. The scuttling was originally scheduled for Anzac Day (25 April) 1924, but was brought forward to 12 April, so the visiting British Special Service Squadron could participate. On the day of the sinking, Australia was towed out to a point 25 nautical miles north east of Sydney Heads. Under the terms of the Washington Treaty, the battlecruiser needed to be sunk in water that was deep enough to make it infeasible to refloat her at a future date. The former flagship was escorted by the Australian warships Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Anzac, and Stalwart, the ships of the Special Service Squadron, and several civilian ferries carrying passengers. Many personnel volunteered to be part of the scuttling party, but only those who had served aboard her were selected. At 1430, the scuttling party set the charges, opened all seacocks, and cleared the ship. Explosive charges blew a hole in the hull a few minutes later, but it took 20 minutes for the intake of water to bring holes cut in the battlecruiser's upper flanks to the waterline. The angle of list increased significantly, causing the three spare 12-inch barrels lashed to the deck to break free and roll overboard, before Australia inverted completely and began to sink stern-first. Australia submerged completely at 1451. A Royal Australian Air Force aircraft dropped a wreath where the warship had sunk, while Brisbane fired a rolling 21-gun salute. The wreck was gazetted as being at 33°53'25?S 151°46'5?E, 270 metres (890 ft) below. However, there were discrepancies with other sources and the exact location of Australia was unknown. There are two schools of thought surrounding the decision to scuttle the battlecruiser. The first is that sinking Australia was a major blow to the nation's ability to defend herself. Following the battlecruiser's scuttling, the most powerful warships in the RAN were four old light cruisers. The battlecruiser had served as a deterrent to German naval action against Australia during the war and with growing tensions between Japan and the United States of America, that deterrence may have been required if the nations became openly hostile towards each other or towards Australia. The opposing argument is that, while an emotive and symbolic loss, the ship was obsolete, and would have been a drain on resources. Operating and maintaining the warship was beyond the capabilities of the RAN's post-war budgets, necessitating the ship's reduction in status in 1920 and assignment to reserve in 1921. Ammunition and replacement barrels for the main guns were no longer manufactured. To remain effective, Australia required major modernisation (including new propulsion machinery, increased armour and armament, and new fire control systems) at a cost equivalent to a new County-class cruiser. In 1990, a large, unknown shipwreck was encountered by the Furgo Seafloor Surveys vessel MV Moana Wave 1 while surveying the path of the Pacific Rim West Submarine Telecommunications Cable. One of the survey ship's crew theorised that the wreck, located at 33°51'54.21?S 151°44'25.11?E in 390 metres (1,280 ft) of water, was Australia, but Furgo kept the information to themselves until 2002, when the company's Australian branch mentioned the discovery during a conference. This piqued the interest of a member of the New South Wales Heritage Office (now the Heritage Branch of the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage) requested copies of the company's data. The size and location of the ship pointed towards it being Australia, but the depth meant verification through inspection could only be achieved with a remote operated vehicle. The RAN was approached in 2007 for assistance, but although they supported the project, the RAN did not have the equipment to assist. In March 2007, the United States Navy loaned the deep-sea ROV CURV-21 to the Australian Government, to locate and recover a Black Hawk helicopter which crashed during the Australian response to the 2006 Fijian coup d'état. While en route back to Australia, the ROV, carried aboard Defence Maritime Services vessel Seahorse Standard, was directed to Furgo's coordinates at the request of the NSW Heritage Office to verify and inspect the wreck. Video footage captured by the ROV allowed the NSW Heritage Office to confirm that the wreck was Australia by matching features like the superstructure and masts to historical photographs. Although initially sinking stern-first, the battlecruiser levelled out as she sank, with the aft mast the first to strike the bottom. After hitting the seabed, Australia slid about 400 metres (1,300 ft) to her final resting place. The wreck site is protected under the federal Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.

          John Doran


           HMS Renown  

          HMS Renown

          HMS Renown was the lead ship of her class of battle cruisers of the Royal Navy built during the First World War. She was originally laid down on the 30th of December 1914 as an improved version of the Revenge-class by Fairfield at Govan, Scotland. Her construction was suspended on the outbreak of war on the grounds she would not be ready in a timely manner. Admiral Lord Fisher, upon becoming First Sea Lord, gained approval to restart her construction with a revised design which could be built and enter service quickly. The Director of Naval Construction (DNC), Eustace Tennyson-D'Eyncourt, quickly produced an entirely new design to meet Admiral Lord Fisher's requirements and the builders agreed to deliver the ships in 15 months. Construction of the revised design began on the 25th of January 1915. They did not quite meet that ambitious goal, but the ship was launched on the 4th of March 1916 and commissioned on the 20th of September 1916 at a cost of £3,117,204.

          Renown, and her sister HMS Repulse, were the world's fastest capital ships upon completion. Renown did not see combat during the war and was reconstructed twice between the wars before seeing service during the Second World War. She was sold for scrapping on the 19th of March 1948

          John Doran


             

          HMS Repulse

          HMS Repulse was a Renown-class battlecruiser of the Royal Navy. She was originally laid down as an improved version of the Revenge-class battleships and her construction was suspended on the outbreak of war because she would not be ready in a timely manner. Admiral Lord Fisher, upon becoming First Sea Lord, gained approval to restart her construction as a battlecruiser that could be built and enter service quickly. The Director of Naval Construction (DNC), Eustace Tennyson-D'Eyncourt, quickly produced an entirely new design to meet Admiral Lord Fisher's requirements and the builders agreed to deliver the ships in 15 months. They did not quite meet that ambitious goal, but the ship was delivered a few months after the Battle of Jutland in 1916. Repulse, and her sister HMS Renown, were the world's fastest capital ships upon completion. Repulse was laid down by John Brown, Clydebank, Scotland on 25th of January 1915. The ship was launched on 8th of January 1916 and completed on 18th of August 1916, after the Battle of Jutland. Her construction cost £2,829,087. She served with the Grand Fleet in the North Sea during the remaining two years of the First World War. Repulse relieved HMS Lion as flagship of the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron for the duration of the war and saw action during the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. On 12th of December 1917, Repulse was damaged in a collision with the battlecruiser HMAS Australia. The ship was present at the surrender of the High Seas Fleet at Scapa Flow on 21st of November 1918.

          She was reconstructed twice between the wars. The 1920s reconstruction increased her armour protection and made lesser improvements, while the 1930s reconstruction was much more thorough. HMS Repulse was sunk by Japanese air attack off Malaya on 10th of December 1941

          John Doran


             

             

             

             

             The 2nd Battalion Eastern Ontario Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force was created in response to the First World War. The battalion comprised local militia in many regions of Ontario (and even from Quebec City). Men came from as far away as Sault Ste. Marie to join in Canada’s military endeavor. Local militia gathered at Valcartier, in August 1914 and became part of the 2nd Battalion.

          The original officers were drawn from the various regiments that recruited for the battalion, including the Governor General's Foot Guards of Ottawa, the 16th Prince Edward Regiment, the 40th Northumberland Regiment, the 41st Brockville Rifles, and the 42nd Regiment (Lanark and Renfrew), among others.

          The battalion boarded the S.S. Cassandra from Quebec City on 22 September 1914, but sailed only as far as the Gaspé Basin, where more troops were collected. The battalion finally left the Gaspé Basin on 3 October as part of a convoy of at least 30 other ships, carrying a combined 32,000 Canadian soldiers, which would be the first of the Canadian infantry contributions to the war.

          The Cassandra landed at Plymouth on 25 October, where the battalion disembarked and began rigorous training for the European battlefield.

          On 8 February 1915, the battalion was mobilized for war. They sailed out of England aboard the S.S. Blackwell, bound for France. The battalion’s first taste of battle came later that month, on 19 February, when they entered the trench system at Armentières.

          Their first battle was the Second Battle of Ypres, in April 1915. When the battalion pulled out of the battle, on 29 April, the final count included 6 officers and 68 other ranks killed, 4 officers and 158 other ranks wounded, and 5 officers and 302 other ranks missing, for a combined loss of 543 men.

          The 2nd Battalion also fought at the battles of Ypres, St. Julien, Festubert, Pozières, Vimy (1917), Arleux, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, and Canal du Nord, to name only a few. By the end of the war, 242 officers and 5,084 other ranks had fought with the battalion. Of those, 52 officers and 1,227 other ranks were killed in action, accidentally killed, or died of their injuries.

          At 8:30 on the morning of 24 April 1919, the 2nd Battalion was officially demobilized at Kingston, Ontario.

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

          16th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Summary up to 6 am 16th December 1916   33rd Battalion AIF up to 6 am 16th December 1916
          Right (1) Sub Sector
          Intelligence Summary

          Our operations: Artillery: I-10,2 heard (?) at 8 pm two minutes 10 seconds. Shelled railway salient at 9:30 pm with shrapnel. Fired one salvo at 12 midnight on target in rear of enemy firing line. Fired six shots over 2-10,6 on to enemy support line.
          Vickers guns: Fired during night on targets in the rear of enemy position.
          Lewis guns: Fired on an enemy patrol - strength not known, which was moving in front of left Co. wire. Otherwise quiet. 1 gun put out of action by split cartridge case jamming in trench. Replaced from reserve.

          Patrols: At 6 pm patrol left strong point at left can left-centre of A gap. They patrolled towards enemy lines moving towards the left. At 7 pm a noise was heard on our wire almost directly in front of where they went out. 10 minutes later it was heard again. One of the men coughed, there was a rustling sound then quietness. A short time after this, not long enough to allow anyone to reach the hostile lines 12 very lights were sent up by him in quick succession. Patrol returned at 8:15 by the same route as it went out. Otherwise patrols report very everything quiet on front I -16,4 and I, 10,1 during night. A patrol left the north of mushrooms salient at 5:35 to examine no mans land returned at 5:50 and reported an enemy patrol inside our wire. Lewis gun fired in its direction. Patrol went out again and reported talking closer. Two verey lights were fired by us but could not see patrol. Lewis gun again fired. Patrol left same place 645 to reconnoitre in front of wiring party to north of mushroom. Return 730 reporting no enemy seen.

          Patrol from left of mushroom 9 pm returned 1050 reconnoitred no mans land reported enemy working party on his wire in front of C Post but could not fire on them on account of patrol from B Co. being out. Patrol went out from I-10-D- 9.5,7 worked to the fourth, then returned by same route reported having been fired on by machine gun in old disused trench in no mans land at about I-11,c-2.5,95. This is doubtful however, as it was probably the gun in the railway salient firing. They also report enemy were opposite I-10,3 very strong. The above machine gun killed one man in a party covering our wiring party at about 10:30 pm. Otherwise nothing to report on frontage I-10,2 to I-10,3.

          On front I-10,4, I-10,5 patrols went out from 5:30 pm. These returning up to 10:15 pm reported all quiet. Patel left C Post at 10:15 reported having seen a hostile patrol in no mans land at 11:15 pm. Did not succeed in getting in touch with them. Patrols from 12 midnight onwards had nothing of note to report.

          Frontage: I-10,6, I-10,7 Patrols from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm report all quiet. Patrol left I-10,6 at 9:35 and after moving out 100' heard an enemy patrol in front. Lewis guns open fire and two Verey lights were fired but no patrols seen. Patrol then proceeded and worked towards the north. They returned at 11:30 but had nothing further to report. Patrol left I-10,6 at 11:30 and patrolled enemy wire opposite. They found it in fairly good condition. Patrols from then onwards report all quiet. Enemy operations: Enemy artillery: for most part quiet all day. They fired a few about 10 rifle grenades which fell short of the parapet in front of I-10,1 some of which were duds. A 77 mm fired on left centre Co. about I-10-B-8-4 at 11:45. Fired 11 rounds apparently at working party. The gun was firing from about a bearing of 1040 from I-10-d-9.5,2.5. Enemy fired some light trench mortar at Central Avenue at about 10 am without result. At about 1.45 to 2.45 enemy fired six rounds 77 mm HE from same gun as above at same place. No damage done.

          Machine guns: Gun above reported to be in No mans land reported by covered ground in front of C gap and traversed our parapet. Gun in railway salient fired frequently during the night apparently over our firing line at target in rear. New gun heard near railway salient particulars later. Machine gun opposite B post very troublesome during night wounding one man. It is believed to be behind the front line in the support line. In front of I-10,6 & 7 machine guns were quieter than usual.

          Enemy defences: No new work observed.

          Enemy movement: Enemy can be seen just after daylight with a telescope moving along communication trench about I -11-C-6,8 showing head and shoulders. He cannot be seen during the day. He is wearing leather waistcoats similar to those issued to our troops also round blue caps. Communications: Enemy fired many verey lights during the night. During the evening bombardment of our support and communication trenches at 12:35 pm. Two lights were observed in Armentières. These lights appeared at intervals during the enemy bombardment but disappeared as soon as the bombardment closed. They were observed for about 15 minutes. The bearing of these lights from La Petite Porte Farm was 312° and 315° magnetic and were in high buildings.

          Aircraft: Enemy observation balloon was up for a very short time early in the morning well back and some distance to the left of the Battalion position well in rear.

          Miscellaneous: On14th instant enemy registered his own wire south of railway salient with 77 mm. Enemy frequently bombed his own wire during the night. Transport heard behind enemy line all night. Enemy fired a number of rifle grenades during the day over I-10,6, I-10-7 most of which burst in the air harmlessly. A number of rifle grenades were fired from our position I-10-6 which appeared to land within enemy trenches.

          33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


             1st Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry were based at Tipperary with 16th Brigade, 6th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilsed and returned to England, where 6th Division concentrated near Cambridge for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. Marched to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

             

             

             The 9th Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF during the First World War. It was the first battalion recruited in Queensland, and with the 10th, 11th and 12th Battalions it formed the 3rd Brigade. The 9th battalion was raised within weeks of the declaration of war in August 1914 and embarked just two months later. After preliminary training, the battalion sailed to Egypt, arriving in early December. The 3rd Brigade was the covering force for the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915, and so was the first ashore at around 4.30 am. The battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line of the Anzac beachhead. It served at Anzac until the evacuation in December 1915. After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt. It was split to help form the 49th Battalion and bought up to strength with reinforcements. In March 1916 the battalion sailed for France and the Western Front. From then until 1918 the battalion took part in operations against the German Army. The battalion’s first major action in France was at Pozières in the Somme valley. The 9th Battalion attacked on the extreme right of the line and it was during this action that Private John Leak won, with the bayonet, the battalion’s only Victoria Cross. Later the battalion fought at Ypres, in Flanders, before returning to the Somme for winter. In 1917 the battalion moved back to Belgium for the advance to the Hindenburg Line, and in March and April1918 helped stop the German spring offensive. The battalion participated in the great allied offensive of 1918 and fought near Amiens on 8 August. The advance by British and empire troops was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as "the black day of the German Army in this war".

          The battalion continued operations until late September 1918. At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent. The November armistice was followed by the peace treaty of Versailles, signed on 28 June 1919.

          In November 1918 members of the AIF began to return to Australia for demobilisation and discharge. On 5 February 1919, the 9th and 10th Battalions were amalgamated.

             During WW1 Crystal Palace was used as a training establishment for the Royal Navy. It was officially known as HMS Victory VI, and informally as HMS Crystal Palace. 125,000 officers and men were trained here.

             North Irish Horse A Squadron proceeded to France on 19th of August 1914 and was attached to GHQ. On 4th of January 1916, it was transferred to 55th (West Lancashire) Division and on 10th of May 1916 went to VII Corps, forming the 1st North Irish Horse together with D and E Squadrons. This unit transferred to XIX Corps in July 1917 and to V Corps in September 1917. In March 1918, the unit became a Cyclist Battalion, which it then remained.

             HMS Orvieto sailed as part of the Northern Patrol which enforced a British blockade of Germany and her allies, preventing trade across the Altantic.

          31st December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.12  Not to be taken in front line trenches
          33rd Battalion A.I.F.
          Routine Order No.122
          By
          Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead.
          Commanding
          Chappelle d'Armentières 31?12.16.

          Lewis Gun School. 1193.
          The following NCO has been detailed to attend Lewis Gun school at Le Touquet, commencing 3rd December, 1916: Cpl G.A. Cawkwell.
          Front line area. 1194.
          All Officers, N.C.O.s and men visiting the front line must first report at the Battalion Headquarters and obtain permission and guides to move to forward lines.

          Repair of lines. 1195.
          Company Commanders will be entirely responsible for the maintenance and repair of their lines. In order to assist them the O.C., 209th Field Company R.E. is placing sappers at disposal of Battalion. One sapper will report to each Co. Headquarters daily at 8 am. These sappers will be accommodated and rationed by O.C. 209th Field Company, but will be under the Company Commanders of whose Battalion sub-sector they are allotted for all arrangements regarding their work. At least 15 men per Company to be detailed to work under these sappers.

          Sanitary. 1196. Units when occupying the Subsidiary Lines must pay special attention to the latrines and cleanliness of same.

          Dress. 1197.
          Men must not be allowed to leave their Battalion billeting area. If so, they must be in possession of a pass bearing office stamp and must carry their rifle and wear their equipment (less pack) field dressing, and anti-gas appliances.
          Runners need only carry rifle, 10 rounds ammunition, field dressing, and anti-gas appliances.
          All working parties must parade in fighting order with anti-gas appliances.

          Shaving. 1198.
          All ranks must shave daily.

          Trench feet. 1199.
          In the future every man who contracts "trench feet" through neglect to take the necessary precautions as ordered for its prevention will be brought to trial Field General Court-Martial in the same way as men found to be suffering from self-inflicted wounds.

          Forward Zone. 1200.
          Every man in the forward zone must take care that he is never, under any circumstances, parted from his rifle.

          Chloride of lime. 1201.
          It's you should be restricted almost entirely for the purpose of sterilisation of drinking water. Tins must be kept closely fastened.

          Enemy food supplies. 1202.
          Warning is issued of the possibility of food found in enemy trenches being purposely contaminated with disease especially any found in parcels.

          Issue of rum. 1203.
          Rum will only be issued to troops who return to quarters after completing a tour of duty. It will then only be issued on the advice of medical officer. Battalions must arrange for the issue of hot tea, cocoa, etc two men on duty during bad weather conditions.

          Fuel pumps. 1204.
          Quartermaster will arrange through Group Supply Officer to send transport with loaders to fuel dumps to draw fuel.

          Appointments and promotions. 1205.
          Lt. W. Layton is seconded for duty with the 3rd Australian Divisional Training Battalion. Dated 6th November, 1916.

          The undermentioned officers are transferred to the 52nd Battalion. Dated 30th October, 1916.

          Lt. H.J. Moore (who ceases to be seconded for duty with 9th Infantry Training Battalion on transfer.)
          2/Lt. H.P. York.

          9th Infantry Training Battalion.
          They undermentioned officer ceased to be seconded for duty with the Training Battalion on transfer to 52nd Battalion.
          Lt. H.J. Moore. Dated 30th October 1916.
          Reductions. 1206.
          No. 179 Lt/Cpl. E.G. Shaughnessy having ceased his duties as Cpl Bugler, reverts to the ranks forthwith.

          Transfer. 1207.
          The undermentioned transfers have been approved:-
          No.14. Private W.J. Bath from open Headquarters to A. Co.
          No. 356. Private E. G. Atley from B. Co. to Headquarters.

          (Signed) R.C. Jones 2/Lt. Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

          33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


              The 1st Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was first raised in 1688.

          The 1st Battalion was a regular army battalion and were in Mullingar, Ireland at the outbreak of war. They left England as part of 15th Infantry Brigade in the 5th Division and landed in France on the 16th of August 1914. They were known as one of the battalions of Old Contemptibles who outfought the German Army in the early engagements of the war.

          They were at Mons in August and fought at Le Cateau, where 5 VC’s were won. After service on the Aisne, they took their position in Flanders and were also involved in the actions at Neuve-Chapelle and La Bassee. By the end of November the Division had suffered 5,000 casualties and remained in a purely defensive role that winter. Between the 3rd of March and 7th of April 1915 they were attached with 15th Brigade to 28th Division in in exchange for 83rd Brigade in order to familiarise the newly arrived troops with the Western Front. In early 1915, the 1st Battalion was engaged at the Second Ypres, defending Hill 60, where another 4 VCs were won in one day. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

              The 1st Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was first raised in 1688.
          The 1st Battalion was a regular army battalion and were in Mullingar, Ireland at the outbreak of war. They left England as part of 15th Infantry Brigade in the 5th Division and landed in France on the 16th of August 1914. They were known as one of the battalions of Old Contemptibles who outfought the German Army in the early engagements of the war.

          They were at Mons in August and fought at Le Cateau, where 5 VCs were won. After service on the Aisne, they took their position in Flanders and were also involved in the actions at Neuve-Chapelle and La Bassee. By the end of November the Division had suffered 5,000 casualties and remained in a purely defensive role that winter. Between the 3rd of March and 7th of April 1915 they were attached with 15th Brigade to 28th Division in in exchange for 83rd Brigade in order to familiarise the newly arrived troops with the Western Front. In early 1915, the 1st Battalion was engaged at the Second Ypres, defending Hill 60, where another 4 VCs were won in one day. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

             The 2nd Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment can be traced back to 1858.

          In 1914 the battalion was stationed at Roberts Heights near Pretoria in South Africa when war broke out. They were immediately recalled to England, landing at Southampton on 19th September 1914. Having rekitted for European warfare, joined 21st Brigade, 7th Division and left Southampton at 8am 5th October on the S.S. Winifredian and after a brief stop at Dover for supplies, landed in Zeebrugge at 6.30am on the 7th October to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army.

          7th Division met the enemy for the first time in a brief skirmish on the 18th October 1914, around the 10 km marker stone on the Ypres-Menin road. Their involvement in the Great War on the Western Front would last for another forty-nine months, with their last action being fought at Preux-au-Bois on the 4th November 1918, 8 km north east of Le Cateau and not far from their first engagement four years earlier.

          The Battalion was in action throughout the Western Front, being made up of regular soliders, they were regarded as the primary assault unit and despite sustaining many casualties they always acquitting themselves excellently. The 7th Division became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. The 2nd Bedfords transferred with 21st Brigade to 30th Division in exchange for 91st Brigade on the 19th of December 1915. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme in March 1918 the 2nd Bedfords fought almost to the last man in attempting to stem the German advance after the Russian forces had capitulated, allowing additional troops to be transferred to the Western Front. So heavy were the casualties that they were amalgamated with the 7th Bedfordshire Battalion. On the 22nd of May 1918 they transferred to 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division and were in action in The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre.

             The 3rd Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised as a 'Militia' battalion in 1757.When war broke out in August 1914 the Battalion was based in Bedford, within a few days they moved to Felixstowe, manning the Harwich Garrison to defend the coast. It would be their base for the remainer of the war, where they provided home defence and trained drafts for front line units.

             The 4th (Special Reserve) Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment was originally formed in 1757, and was stationed in Bedford when war broke out on the 4th of August 1914. A training unit, it moved within a few days of declaration of war to Felixstowe to provide home defence around Harwich. It also supplied drafts for front-line battalions until mid-1916 and the Battle of the Somme.

          On the 25th of July 1916, the 4th Battalion converted to war service, landing at Le Havre on the 25th July 1916 attached to 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. Engagements as part of the 190th Brigade between July 1916 and November 1918 include the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of the Ancre (both 1916), the Battle of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres at Passchendaele (both 1917), the German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael) and the final Hundred Days Offensives (both in 1918).

             The 5th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised as a 'Rifle Volunteer Battalion' in 1860, becoming the 5th Territorial Battalion in Haldene's reforms in 1908. They were embodied in August 1914 and provided home defence in East Anglia and on the Norfolk coast until they were sent abroad in July 1915. They served in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine until disembodied in June 1919.

             The 2/5th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised in October 1914 and trained drafts for the front line 1st/5th Battalion.

             The 3/5th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised in June 1915 and trained drafts for the front line 1st/5th Battalion.

             The 6th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised in Bedford in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army they joined 9th (Scottish) Division as Divisional Troops. In March 1915 they transferred to 112th Brigade, 37th Division and proceeded to France in August. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and on the 20th of May they were reduced to cadre with 700 men transferring to 1/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. On the 20th the remaining cadre transferred to 39th Division. and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. On the 4th of August 1918 the 6th Bedfords disbanded in France.

              The 7th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised at Bedford in September 1914 for the duration of the war as a part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They joined 15th (Scottish) Divisionas divisional troops. On the 25th of February 1915 they transferred to 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. The bulk of the battalion was transferred into the 2nd Battalion on the 25th of May 1918. A cadre of officers and NCO's were assigned to train American Units with 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, until the battalion was disbanded in July 1918, the remaining troops joining the 2nd Bedfords.

             The 8th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was a 'Service' Battalion raised in October 1914 as a part of Kitchener's third army, attached to 71st Brigade, 24th Division. They served on the Western Front from August 1915. On the 11th October 1915 they transferred with 71st Brigade to 6th Division. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. On the 16th of February 1918 the battalion was disbanded and the men were then transferred into the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th Battalions.

             The 9th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was a 'Service' Battalion raised in October 1914 as a part of K4, for the duration of the war. It remained in England as a Reserve Battalion, providing drafts for the front line units until it was transferred into the 28th Battalion Training Reserve in August 1916.

             The 10th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was a 'Service' Battalion raised in December 1914 as a part of K4, for the duration of the war. It remained in England as a Reserve Battalion and transferred into the 27th Battalion Training Reserve in September 1916, later becoming the Regiment's 53rd Battalion in October 1917.

             The 11th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was a Territorial Battalion raised in January 1917, providing home defence on the Suffolk coast until disbanded in 1919.

             The 12th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was raised in December 1916 as a Transport Workers Battalion. They were based in Croydon and were never armed. They were disbanded in August 1919

             The 13th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was raised in March 1917 as a Transport Workers Battalion. They were based in Croydon. They were disbanded in September 1919

             The 1st Battalion, The Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment) was based in Mandora Barracks, Aldershot on the outbreak of war on 4 Aug 1914, part of 6th Brigade in 2nd Division. The battalion embarked for France and Flanders in the first elements of the British Expeditionary Force on the 13th of August 1914, landing at Rouen. They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. On 13th of December 1915 the battalion was transferred to 99th Brigade in 2nd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. The 1st Battalion ended the war at Escarmain, north of Solesmes, France. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

             At the outbreak of war in August 1914 the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment were in Jhansi, India. They returned home, arriving in England on the 22nd of October and joined the 25th Brigade in Winchester for a short period of training before proceeding to France to reinforce the BEF, landing at Le Havre on the 5th of November 1914. They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

             The 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment was raised at Reading on 6 November 1914 as a second line unit. They undertook training at Maidenhead, moving to Chelmsford in April 1915 and then to Salisbury Plain in March 1916. They proceeded to France with the 184th Brigade in 61st (2nd South Midland) Division, landing at Le Havre on the 27th of May 1916. The suffered heavy casualties at Fromelles in July 1916 and saw action on The Somme and Third Battle of Ypres in 1917, St Quentin, The Somme, the Battles of the Lys and in Picardy during 1918, ending the war near Cambrai.

             The 5th (Service) Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment was a Kitchener Battalion, raised at Reading on the 25th August 1914. They underwent training at Shorncliffe, Folkestone and Malplaquet Barracks at Aldershot. They proceeded to France on the 31st of May 1915 and served with 35th Brigade in 12th (Eastern) Division on the Western Front. They underwent instruction withthe more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. On the 6th of February 1918 rhe 5th Berkshires transferred to 36th Brigade still with 12th (Eastern) Division. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

             The 6th (Service) Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment was raised at Reading in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. They trainined at Colchester and moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in May 1915. They proceeded to France on the 26th of July 1915 and the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 12th of February 1918 the 6th Berkshires disbanded in France, with troops transferring to 1st, 2nd and 5th Berkshires.

             The 8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment was a Kitchener Battalion, raised at Reading in September 1914 and joined 26th Division. They underwent training on Salisbury Plain and returned to Reading in November 1914. They moved to Sutton Veny in May 1915 and proceeded to France on the 8th of August 1915, landing at Le Havre to join 1st Brigade, 1st Division who had suffered heavy casualties in the first year of the war.They served in France and Flanders taking part in many major battles, including Loos in late 1915, The Somme in 1916 and Ypres in 1917. In February 1918 they transferred to to 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division and fought on The Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line.

             The 7th Battalion, Berkshire Regiment was raised at Reading in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and placed joined 78th Brigade, 26th Division. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They trained at Codford St Mary spending the winter in billets in Reading. They moved to Fovant in May 1915 and to Longbridge Deverell in July for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 20th of September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

              1st Battalion, The Black Watch were based in Aldershot with the 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France almost at once, landing at le Harve on the 14th, being amongst the first troops of the British Expeditionary Force. They fought in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and the Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

             2nd Battalion, The Black Watch were serving in Bareilly, India with the Bareilly Brigade in Meerut Division when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilized and sailed for France on the 21st of September 1914, landing at Marseilles on the 12th of October, crossing Frnace by train to join the British Expeditionary Force. They saw action in in the Battle of Givenchy. In 1915 the were in action at Neuve Chapelle in March, Festubert in May, and suffered heavy casualties in attacks at Loos in September. On the 26th they were brought up to strength by amalgamating with the 1/4th Black Watch, working at one unit unit November. They moved to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra on the 31st of December 1915, their formation being renamed 21st Brigade, 7th Indian Division. They suffered greatly in the attempted relief of Kut-el-Amara, against the Turks. On the 4th of February 1916, having suffered heavy casualties at Shaikh Sa'ad, they joined with the 1st Seaforth Highlanders to form the Highland Battalion, resuming their own idemtities on the 12th July 1916. In March 1917 they were in action at Bagdad. In January 1918 they moved to Palestine, arriving at Suez on the 13th, taking part in Allenby's successful action at Megiddo in September.

             4th Battalion, The Black Watch was a territorial unit based in Dundee with the Black Watch Brigade when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 26th of February 1915, landing at Le Havre and on the 4th of March joined the Bareilly Brigade, Meerut Division. On the 26th of September they amalgamated with 2nd Black Watch but resumed their own identity on the 6th of November when they transferred to 139th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division. On the 14th they transferred again, this time to 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. On the 7th of January 1916 they transferred to 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division, then on the 29th of February they transferred to 118th Brigade, 39th Division and amalgamated with 1/5th Battalion to form the 4/5th Black Watch on the 15th of March 1916.

             8th Battalion was raised at Perth on the 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, they joined 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. Following inital training in the Perth area they moved to Aldershot. In January 1915 they moved to Alton and in March to Bordon. They proceeded to France on the 10th of March 1915, landing at Boulogne and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval in which the fierce fighting reduced the 8th Black Watch to just 171 men, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

             7th Battalion, The Black Watch was a Territorial unit based at St Andrews under command of the Black Watch Brigade, when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilized and moved to Queensferry to man the Forth Defences. In November 1914 they moved to the Tay Defences. On the 16th of April 1915 they moved to Bedford to join 2nd Highland Brigade in Highland Division and prepare for deployment overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 2nd of May 1915. On the 12th of May the formation was renamed 153rd Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division and concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq. They were rushed to the defence of Ypres when the enemy attacked using poison gas on the 22nd of April 1915, and were in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December. The 6th Black Watch, 4th Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

             9th Battalion, The Black Watch was raised at Perth on the 13th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They trained at Aldershot, Liss, Chisledon, and commenced final training at Tidworth in May 1915. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 8th of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. On the 7 February 1918 they transferred to 46th Brigade still with 15th (Scottish) Division and fought in The First Battle of Bapaume. After suffering very heavy losses in The First Battle of Arras, they were reduced to a cadre and on the 21st of May 1918 they transferred to 118th Brigade, 39th Division. On the 17th of June they transferred to 16th (Irish) Division and returned to England. They absorbed the 15th Battalion and transferred to 47th Brigade, still with 16th (Irish) Division. They returned to France, landing at Boulogne on the 28th of July 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

             10th Battalion, The Black Watch was raised at Perth on the 13th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, they joined 77th Brigade, 26th Division. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. The 10th Black Watch spent the winter in billets in Bristol and trained at Sutton Veny. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 20th of September 1915, the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In July 1918 some units of the Division, including the 10th Black Watch moved back to France. On the 21st of July they joined 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On the 15th of October the 10th Black Watch was disbanded in France.

             13th (Scottish Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, The Black Watch was formed on the 1st of October 1916 at Abbassia in Egypt from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd dismounted Scottish Horse Yeomanry. They moved to to Salonika, arriving on the 21st of October and joined 81st Brigade, 27th Division. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France including the 13th Black Watch, who joined the reforming 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 15th of July. They went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

             1st Battalion, The Border Regiment were in Maymyo, Burma when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, landing at Avonmouth on the 10th of January 1915. They joined 87th Brigade in 29th Division at Rugby. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 17th of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

             The 2nd Battalion, The Border Regiment were based at Pembroke Dock when war broke out in August 1914. On the 5th of September they moved to Lyndhurst to join 20th Brigade in 7th Division. They landed at Zeebrugge on the 6th of October 1914 ready for action on the Western Front. They saw action in The First Battle of Ypres at teh end of 1914 and in 1915 were in action at: The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy, and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they moved to The Somme and were in action at Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin and the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and Operations on the Ancre In 1917 they took part in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Arras offensive in the flanking operations around Bullecourt, and the Third Balle of Ypres includig; The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. At the end of the year the 7th Divsion were ordered to Italy taking up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. In October 1918 they had a central role in crossing the River Piave, and were in action in the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

             The 3rd Battalion, The Border Regiment was a reserve battalion, it remained in UK throughout the war as a depot and training unit. At the outbreak of war in August 1914 they were based in Carlisle but moved to Shoeburyness on mobilisation and then in January 1916 to Conway, in November 1916 to Barrow and finally in March 1917 to Great Crosby for duty with the Mersey Garrison.

             4th (Cumberland and Westmoreland) Battalion, The Border Regiment were based in Carlisle when war broke out in August 1914 attached to the East Lancashire Division.They moved to Barrow and then in September 1914 they moved to Sittingbourne and transferred to Middlesex Brigade in Home Counties Division. On the 29th September 1914 they sailed from Southampton for India. The Division was broken up on arrival and remained in India throughout the war. On arrival they were attached to Burma Division and moved to Rangoon in early December 1914. In February 1918 they transferred to Jubbulpore Brigade in 5th (Mhow) Division.

             2/4th (Cumberland and Westmoreland) Battalion, The Border Regiment was formed at Kendal in September 1914 as a home service unit. They moved to billets in Blackpool for training and on the 4th of March 1915 sailed from Avonmouth for India. They Remained in India throughout the war. Attached on arrival to Poona Brigade in 6th (Poona) Divisional Area and in November 1915 they transferred to Jubbulpore Brigade in 5th (Mhow) Division. In March 1916 they transferred to Peshawar Brigade in 1st (Peshawar) Division, and in March 1917 moved to 4th (Rawalpindi) Brigade in 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division. In December 1917 they joined the Nowshera Brigade in 1st (Peshawar) Division. Then in October 1918 returned to the 4th (Rawalpindi) Brigade in 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division.

             5th (Cumberland) Battalion, The Border Regiment was based in Carlisle in August 1914, they were attached to the East Lancashire Division and trained in Barrow. They proceeded to France on the 26th of October 1914 landing at Le Havre. On the 5th of May 1915 they joined 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division and on 20 December 1915 they transferred to 151st Brigade also in 50th Division. They saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres, on The Somme, the Battle of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 12th of February 1918 the Battalion transferred to as Pioneer Battalion to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and were in action on the Somme. On the 7th of May 1918 they transferred to 97th Brigade in 32nd Division and absorbed a cadre of the Border regiment's 11th (Lonsdale) Battalion and were in action during the Battle of the Hindenburgh Line and during the final advance in Picardy.

             The 2/5th Battalion, Border Regiment was raised at Kendal in October 1914 as a home service, second line unit. They moved to billets in Blackpool and underwent training. In November 1915 the Battalion was at Falkirk where it was merged with the 2/4th and 2/5th Bns of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, to form the 13th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers.

             The 3/5th Battalion, Border Regiment was formed at Kendal in March 1915 as depot and training, third line unit. They moved to Ramsey on the Isle of Man in December 1915 and became a Reserve Battalion on the 8th of April 1916. On the 1st of September 1916 they were at Witley and were absorbed by the 3/4th Battalion. They moved to Ripon in January 1917 then to Hunmanby near Scarborough in May 1917 and to Filey in November 1917.

             3/4th Battalion, The Border Regiment was formed at Kendal in March 1915 as depot and training, third line unit. They moved to Ramsey on the Isle of Man in December 1915 and became a Reserve Battalion on the 8th of April 1916. On the 1st of September 1916 they were at Witley and the 3/4th absorbed 3/5th Battalion. They moved to Ripon in January 1917 then to Hunmanby near Scarborough in May 1917 and to Filey in November 1917.

             6th (Service) Battalion, The Border Regiment was raised in Carlisle in August 1914 as part of Kitcheners First New Army, joined 33rd Brigade in 11th (Northern) Division. The 6th Battalion trained at Belton Park, Grantham then moved to Frensham in April 1915. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool on the 1st of July 1915, they landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. They saw action until they were withdrawn to Imbros on the 19th of December 1915 and were evacuted to Egypt January 1916 they were evacuated to Egypt and took over the defence of a section of the Suez Canal. In mid June 1916 orders were received for a to France, and they sailed from Alexandria on the 3rd of July. The Division went into the front line on the Somme on the 27th of July 1916 and were in action at Flers-Courcelette and Thiepval. In 1917 they saw action on the Ancre and then moved to Flanders were they took part in the Battle of Messines. They were in action throughout the Battle of Paschendaele and in 1918 were in action during the Second Battle of Arras and the Battle of the Hindenburgh Line. The 6th Battalion was on the high ground east of Havay at the Armistice and were disbanded at Mazingarbe in France on the 9th of February 1918.

              7th (Service) Battalion, The Border Regiment was raised in Carlisle on the 7th September 1914 as part of Kitcheners Second New Army, they were attached to 51st Brigade in 17th (Northern) Division. They trained at Andover and moved to Bovington in January 1915 and then to Winchester in June 1915. They proceeded to France on the 15th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne. The Division concentrated near St Omer and and underwent trench familiarisation then took over a section of front line in the Southern part of the Ypres Salient. In the Spring of 1916 they were in action near the Bluff on the Commines Canal, south east of Ypres. They then moved to the Somme and saw action in the Battle of Albert where the Division captured Fricourt, and the Battle of Deville Wood. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras and The Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). On the 22nd of September 1917 the 7th Battalion absorbed the dismounted Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry and was renamed 7th (Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry) Battalion. 1918 saw them in action on The Somme and in the Battle of the Hindenburgh Line and the Final Advance in Artois.

             8th (Service) Battalion, The Border Regiment was raised in Carlisle in September 1914 as part of Kitcheners Third New Army. They joined 75th Brigade, 25th Division and moved to Codford for training in November 1914, being billeted in Boscombe. The Battalion moved to Romsey in May 1915 and then to Aldershot following in June.

          They proceeded to France on the 27th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne. The 25th Division concentrated around Nieppe and saw action in 1916 on Vimy Ridge. The Division then moved to The Somme in late June 1916 and saw action in the Battle of Albert with 75th Brigade suffering heavily on the 3rd of July near Martinsart and again in mid July in the Ovillers area. Between the 23rd of July and 10th of August 1916, the 25th Division held a sector of the line north of the River Ancre and in late September and October they were in action during the Battle of the Ancre Heights. At the end of October the Division moved to Flanders and took over the Ploegsteert sector where they would spend the first quarter of 1917. The Battalion was in action in the Battle of Messines and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action at the The Battle of St Quentin and The First Battle of Bapaume, before returning to Flanders. The 25th Division was in the front line at Ploegsteert when the enemy launched the Spring Offensive on the 12th of April and the 75th Brigade suffered heavily around the area of Hill 63 before withdrawing to Kemmel and then to Ballieul taking part in heavy fighting throughout the Battles of the Lys. In early May 1918 the 25th Division were sent to the Champagne for a period of rest, but the enemy launched an attack at 1am on the 27th of May and the Division was once again in action. The 8th Borders were sent to hold the Aisne bridges at Pontavert and Concevreux but by mid-day the Germans had broken through and crossed the Aisne. The 25th Division was all but destroyed.

          The remnants of the units of the 25th Division were broken up to reinforce other Division and on the 22nd of June 1918 the 8th Borders transferred to the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, returning to action in October 1918 during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             10th (Reserve) Battalion, The Border Regiment remained in England throughout the war as a training battalion.

             1st Garrison Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in Bedford in December 1915 for service in India.

             2nd Garrison Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in Bedford in December 1916 for service in India.

             3rd Garrison Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in Bedford in January 1917. They served in India and Burma.

             18th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in January 1917 by the redesignation of the 68th Provisional Battalion, Territorial Force. They served in the UK until the end of the Great War.

             51st (Graduated) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in October 1917 by the redesignation of the 249th Graduated Battalion. The served in the UK until the end of the conflict, mainly in a training role.

             52nd (Graduated) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in October 1917 by the redesignation of the 252nd Graduated Battalion. The Battalion served in the UK until the end of the conflict, mainly in a training role.

             53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was a UK based training unit, formed in October 1917 from the 27th Young Soldier Battalion.

             11th (Lonsdale) Battalion, The Border Regiment was raised in Penrith, Carlisle, Kendal and Workington on 17 September 1914 by the Earl of Lonsdale and an Executive Committee. They trained at Carlisle Racecourse. In May 1915 they moved to Prees Heath and joined 97th Brigade in 32nd Division. In June 1915 they moved to Wensleydale and then to Fovant in August. The Battalion was adopted by the War Office on the 27th of August 1915.

          They proceeded to Framce and landed at Boulogne on the 23rd of November 1915. They saw action at The Battle of the Somme in 1916, Operations on the Ancre and the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in 1917. In early 1918 they were in action on The Somme. On the 10th of May 1918 the Battalion was reduced to cadre strength, with surplus men being transferred to 1/5th Battalion On the 13 May the remainder of the Battalion transferred to the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and on the 31st of July 1918 the 11th Battalion was absorbed by 5th Bn

             The 12th (Reserve) Battalion, Border Regiment remained in England throughout the war as a training battalion.

             1st Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) were in Fermoy when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilsed with 16th Brigade and returned to England, where 6th Division concentrated near Cambridge for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. Marched to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

             2nd Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) were in Madras when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrision, the 2nd Buffs returned to England, arriving on the 23rd of December. They joined 85th Brigade, 28th Division who were assembling near Winchester. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

             6th (Service) Battalion, The East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) was raised at Canterbury in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 37th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Purfleet with final training being undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining the Division. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

             7th (Service) Battalion, The East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) was raised at Canterbury in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 55th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

             8th (Service) Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) was raised at Canterbury in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 72nd Brigade, 24th Division. The Division began to assemble in the area of Shoreham but suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on the 4th of September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In October the 8th Buffs transferred to 17th Brigade, still with 24th Division. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. When the armmy was reorganised in February 1918 the 8th Buffs were disbanded in France with teh troops transferring to other units.

             The 1st Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was in Edinburgh when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force, landing at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. On the 5th of September they joined 1st Brigade in 1st Division and saw action at The Battle of Mons, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and the First Battle of Ypres. They were involed in the winter actions leading into 1915 when they saw action at The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the the Battles of the Somme, having been reinforced by troops from 1/4th Battalion which has been disbanded. In 1917 they took part in the The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. They were in action at the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre in 1918. After the Armistice the 1st Division advanced into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

             The 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was in Poona, India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing Devonport on 16 November 1914, then moved to Winchester and joined 81st Brigade, 27th Division. They proceeded to France on the 20th of December 1914 landing at Le Havre. They were in action at St Eloi and The Second Battle of Ypres, but were ordered to Salonika, arriving on the 5th of December 1915. In 1916 they were involved in the capture of Karajakois, the capture of Yenikoi and the battle of Tumbitza Farm. They were in action in the capture of Homondos in 1917 and in 1918, the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. After the Armistice with Bulgaria on the 30th of September, 27th Division continued to advance, but was ordered to halt on the on 2nd of November, soon after it had passed Krupnik. In December they embarked for operations on the Black Sea and reached Constantinople on the 19th and Tiflis in January 1919. The 27th Division was disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

             The 3rd Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was based at Inverness when war broke out in August 1914, it moved on mobilisation to Cromarty and then Invergordon remaining a depot and training unit. In November 1917 it moved to Birr in Ireland and in March 1918 to Ballyvonare, Limerick in April and later returned to Ballyvonare.

             The 5th (Service) Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was raised at Inverness in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, they joined 26th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division. The Battalion moved to Aldershot for training and in February 1915 went to Bordon. They porceeded to France and landed at Boulogne on the 10th of May 1915. They saw action in The Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battles of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, the Third Battle of Ypres and the last phase of the Cambrai operations in 1917. In 1918 the Battalion was in action on the Somme, the Battles of the Lys and The Final Advance in Flanders. The 9th (Scottish) Division was withdrawn for rest in late October and was in billets at the Armistice on the 11th of November. The Division then advanced to the Rhine as part of the occupation force and entered Germany on the 4th of December 1918, based in the Cologne brideghead. In late February 1919, war units left and were demobilised, being replaced by regular troops.

             The 6th (Service) Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was raised at Inverness in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army Joined 45th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division. The Battalion moved to Aldershot for training and went to Bramshott in November then to Basingstoke in February 1915 and Chisledon in April. They proceeded to France on the 10th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne. They saw action at the The Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battles of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, on the Somme, in the the Battles of the Marne and The Final Advance in Artois in 1918.

             The 7th (Service) Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was raised at Inverness in September 1914 and moved to Aldershot for training in November, joining 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division on the 13th of January 1915. They moved into billets at Liphook in January 1915, then to Cirencester in February, Chisledon in April, then Tidworth in May. They proceeded to France on the 9th of July 1915 and landed at Boulogne. They saw action at the The Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battles of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, on the Somme in early 1918. On the 10th of June 1918, the 7th Battalion was reduced to a cadre, with 400 troops being transferred to the 6th Battalion. The 7th Battalion was disbanded in France on the 14th of August 1918.

             The 1st Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in 1881 from the 26th (The Cameronian) Regiment of Foot.

          At the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 the 1st Battalion was in Glasgow. They proceeded to France and landed at Rouen on the 11th of August 1914 as Lines of Communication troops with the BEF. On the 22nd of August 1914 they joined 19th Infantry Brigade, which was an independent command at this time, but became part of 6th Division on the 12th of October 1914. On the 31st of May 1915 the 19th Brigade transferred to 27th Division, and saw action in The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 19th of August 1915, 19th Brigade transferred to 2nd Division and saw action in the Battle of Loos in the Autumn before transferring to 33rd Division on the 25th of November 1915. They saw action in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, the Hindenburg Line, the Flanders Coast and the Third Battles of Ypres during 1917. In 1918 they took part in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 2nd Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in 1881 from the 90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers) (Light Infantry). They proceeded to France in November 1914 with the 23rd Brigade, 8th Division to reinforce the British Expeditionary Force. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 they moved south for the Battle of the Somme and in 1917 they were involved in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battle of Ypres. In February 1918 they transferred to 59th Brigade, 20th Division and were again in action on The Somme suffering in heavy fighting. In April the Division was withdrawn to the South West of Amiens and recieved new drafts of men before going into action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 3rd Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was in Hamilton when was broke out in August 1914. The 3rd Battalion was a training unit and remained in Britain throughout the war, moving in August 1914 to Nigg and then in early 1918 to Invergordon to form part of the Cromarty Garrision.

             The 4th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was in Hamilton in August 1914. The 4th Battalion became a training unit and remained in Britain throughout the war. In August 1914 it moved to Gourock and then in April 1916 to Greenock. In 1917 it took over coastal defence work at Haddington and in June 1918 moved to Edinburgh for duty with the Forth Garrison.

             The 5/6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed on the 29th of May 1916 when the 5th Cameronians merged with 6th Cameronians to become 5/6th Battalion and became part of 19th Brigade, 33rd Division.

          They saw action in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, on the Hindenburg Line, the Flanders Coast and in the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, the Third Battles of Ypres, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy in 1918.

             The 9th (Service) Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was raised at Hamilton in August 1914 as part of Kitcheners First new Army and joined 28th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Bordon for training and in March 1915 went on to Bramshott. They proceeded to France and landed at Boulogne on the 12th of May 1915 with 27th Brigade in same Division. They saw action at The Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, the Third Battle of Ypres and the Cambrai operations in 1917. On the 5th of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division and were in action on the Somme. On the 21st of April 1918 they transferred to South African Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division and were in action in the the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. On the 12th of September 1918 the 9th Battalion transferred to 28th Brigade in same Division. The Division was withdrawn for rest in late October and were in billets on the 11th of November at the Armistice. The Division crossed into Germany as part of the occupation force on the 4th of December 1918 and were possitioned in the Cologne brideghead. The war units were replaced in February 1919 and the men demobilized.

             The 10th (Service) Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was raised at Hamilton in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Bordon for training and in February 1915 went into billets at Winchester then moved on to Park House and Chisledon Camps on Salisbury Plain in April 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne the 10th of July 1915. They saw action at the Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battles of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, on the Somme, in the Battles of the Marne and the Final Advance in Artois in 1918.

             The 13th (Service) Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was raised at Hamilton in July 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. After training close to home the joined 120th Brigade, 40th Division at Aldershot in September. In February 1916 the battalion was absorbed by 14th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.

             The 18th (Service) Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was raised at Aldershot on the 1st of June 1918 and moved to Deal, absorbing the cadre of the 6/7th Royal Scots Fusiliers on the 20th. On the 2nd of July 1918 they joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and proceeded to France, landing on the 31st of July. They were in action in The Final Advance in Artois.

             The 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a regular unit of the British Army and was in Londonderry when war broke out in August 1914 with 15th Brigade in 5th Division. They sailed from Belfast to France to join the British Expeditionary Force, landing at Le Havre on the 16th of August 1914. They saw action at The Battle of Mons, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee, at Messines and in The First Battle of Ypres. Between the 3rd of March and 7th of April 1915 they were attached with 15th Brigade to 28th Division in in exchange for 83rd Brigade in order to familiarise the newly arrived troops with the Western Front. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In March 1916 they took over a sector in the front line in the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, in front of Arras. The 5th Division arrived on the Somme to relieve the British units who had suffered badly in the attack on the first of July and went into action at High Wood, being withdrawn in October. The Division spent late Autumn and winter near Festubert and in 1917 were in action in the Battles of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they took part in the Battle of Hazebrouck, with the 1st Cheshires fighting in the Defence of Nieppe Forest. In August after a short period of rest they returned to the Somme and the 5th Division was in more or less continuous action until the end of October 1918, seeing action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy, being near Le Quesnoy at the Armistice. They returned to Flanders in December where demobilisation began.

             The 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a regular unit of the British Army and was in Jubbulpore, India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Devonport on the 24th of December 1914. They joined 84th Brigade, 28th Division, at Winchester and proceeded to France, embarking at Southampton and landing at Le Havre on the 17th of January 1915. 28th Division concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck. They saw action in the The Second Battle of Ypres, where casualties were high and The Battle of Loos. In October 1915 were ordered to Egypt and sailed from Marseilles for Alexandria, then on to Salonika in January 1916. They took part in the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a in October 1916. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Barakli and Kumli and in 1918 were in action in the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When hostilities with Bulgaria ended on the 30th of September 1918 they were in the area of Trnovo and in early November they moved to Gallipoli to occupy the Dardanelles Forts.

             The 8th (Service) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Chester on the 12th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkish attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsuccessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

             The 9th (Service) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Chester on the 13th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. They moved to Salisbury Plain for training and went into billets in Basingstoke in December 1914 for the winter, returning to Salisbury Plain in March 1915. They proceeded to France on the 19th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 7th of February 1918 they transferred to 56th Brigade in same Division. In 1918 they fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

             The 10th (Service) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Chester on the 10th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's ThirdNew Army and joined 75th Brigade, 25th Division. They trained at Codford St Mary and spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth. They moved to Aldershot for final training in May 1915 and proceeded to France on the 26th of September, the division concentrating in the area of Nieppe. On the 26th of October they transferred to 7th Brigade still with 25th Division. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavy lossed. On the 21st of June 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength with many troops transferring to the 9th Cheshires. The cadre crossed to England and returned to Aldershot, moving to North Walsham where in July they were absorbed by 15th South Wales Borderers.

             The 11th (Service) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Chester on the 17th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 75th Brigade, 25th Division. They trained at Codford St Mary and spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth. They moved to Aldershot for final training in May 1915 and proceeded to France on the 26th of September, the division concentrating in the area of Nieppe. On the 26th of October they transferred to 7th Brigade still with 25th Division. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavy lossed. On the 17th of June 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength with many troops transferring to the 1/6th Cheshires. On the 23rd of June the cadre transferred to 39th Division and on the 3rd of August was disbanded in France.

             The 12th (Service) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Chester on the 13th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 22nd Division as army troops. They trained at Seaford, spending the winter in billets in Eastbourne. In February 1915 they transferred to 66th Brigade, still with 22nd Division. They moved to Aldershot for final training in June and proceeded to France on the 6th of September, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their first action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. They were in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

             The 13th (Wirral) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised at Port Sunlight on 1st of September 1914 by Gershom Stewart, MP. They moved to Chester and joined 74th Brigade, 25th Division in Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division assembled in the area around Salisbury for training and the 13th Cheshires spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth. The Division moved to Aldershot in May 1915 for final training. They proceeded to to France on the 25th of September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first major action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 16th of February the 13th Cheshires were disbanded in France, with the troops transferring to other units.

             The 15th (1st Birkenhead) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised at Birkenhead as a Bantam Battalion on the 18th of November 1914 by Alfred Bigland MP. Bantam Battalions were those which admitted troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches After initial training close to home, they moved to Hoylake. In June 1915 :they joined 105th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Battalion was adopted by the War Office on the 15th of August 1915 and they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, landing at Le Havre and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

             The 16th (2nd Birkenhead) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised at Birkenhead as a Bantam Battalion on the 3rd of December 1914 by Alfred Bigland MP. Bantam Battalions were those which admitted troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they moved to Hoylake. In June 1915 :they joined 105th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Battalion was adopted by the War Office on the 15th of August 1915 and they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, landing at Le Havre and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 6th of February the 16th Cheshires disbanded in Belgium, with troops transferring to other units.

             1st Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment were in Jersey when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 21st of August, landing at Le Havre, they joined Lines of Communication Defence Troops. On the 14th of September 1914 the 1sy Battalion joined 8th Brigade, 3rd Division. The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne on the 30th of September they transferred to 14th Brigade, 5th Division. The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. On the 12th of January 1916 they transferred to 95th Brigade in same Division. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. %th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance on the 7th of April 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilisation began.

             8th (Service) Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment was raised at Exeter on the 19th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 14th (Light) Division as Divisional Troops. In May 1915 they left the Division, having completed training, but a lack of ammunition delayed them and it was not until the 26th of July that they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre. On the 4th of August 1915 they joined 20th Brigade, 7th Division. They were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

             The 9th (Service) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was raised at Exeter on the 15th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They were attached as Divisional Troops to 20th (Light) Division which assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott, but training was difficult due to lack of equipment. In February 1915 the Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, then in April they moved to Salisbury Plain, for final training. The 9th Devonshire's left the Division and on the 28th of July they proceeded to France landing at Le Harve. On the 8th of August 1915 they joined 20th Brigade, 7th Division. The were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The 9th Devonshires left the Division and returned to France, joining 7th Brigade, 25th Division on the 16th September 1918. They were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment was in Belfast in August 1914 at the outbreak of war, serving with 15th Brigade, 5th Division. The battalion was sent to France, arriving on 16th August 1914 and fought on the Western Front throughout the war. The Battalion's worst losses were at Hill 60 at the beginning of May 1915 during Second Battle of Ypres. The Germans launched a gas attack which resulted in just under 500 casualties. in November 1915 the 1st Battalion transferred to the newly arrived 32nd Division as part of an exchange to stiffen the inexperienced volunteer division with the more experienced 5th Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment was in India when war broke out in August 1914, serving with the 16th (Poona) Brigade, 6th Indian Division. It took part in the Mesopotamian campaign and was besieged in Kut and was captured when General Townshend surrendered in April 1916. The Battalion reconstituted in July 1916 and became Corps Troops in the Tigris Corps. In January 1917 it was allocated to the 9th (Sirhind) Brigade, 3rd Indian Division and went to Egypt in April 1918 and from there on to Palestine.

             At the outbreak of war in August 1914, 4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment was the regiment's only Territorial battalion. Subsequently a reserve, the 2/4th and second reserve the 3/4th, were formed. The 1/4th and 2/4th went to India in 1914 and in February 1916 the 1/4th went to Mesopotamia with 42nd Indian Brigade and fought throughout the campaign.

             The 2/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment went to India in 1914 and then to Egypt in August 1917, they then fought in Palestine with the 75th Division. The 2/4th Battalion was disbanded in August 1918.

             The 5th (Service) Battalion were raised in 1914 through the Kitchener Scheme. The 5th began life as Army Troops and then joined the 11th Division and saw action at Gallipoli between August and December 1915. The Battalion moved to the Western Front and saw action there from July 1916 until the end of the war.

             The 6th (Service) Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment was raised at Dorchester on 6 September 1914 through the Kitchener Scheme. After initial training close to home, the battalion joined 17th (Northern) Division as Army Troops and moved to Wareham. In March 1915 they transferred to 50th Brigade still with 17th (Northern) Division and moved to Romsey in May. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne the 14th of July 1915, concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

             2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers were in Gravesend, as part of 10th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they moved to Harrow to prepare to join them. The 2nd Dublin Fusiliers proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 22nd of August 1914 arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south to The Somme taking part in the Battles which began on the 1st of July. On the 15th of November 1916 the Battalion transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 10th of February 1918 as the army was reorganised, the 2nd Battalion absorbed 200 men from disbanded 8/9th Battalion. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties and on the 14th of April 1918 the 2nd Battalion amalgamated with 1st. On the 1st of June 1918 the remaining cadre of the 2nd Battalion transferred to 94th Brigade, 31st Division. The Battalion was reconstituted on the 6th of June, absorbing troops from the 7th Battalion and on the 16th of June they transferred as Army Troops to Lines of Communication, until the 15th of July when they transferred to 149th Brigade in the reforming 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December.

             The 6th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers was raised at Naas in August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. They joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and moved to the Curragh. In May 1915 they sailed from Holyhead and moved to Basingstoke, England for final training. On the 11th of July 1915 they sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli via Mytilene. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and of the 27th of April the 6th Dublin Fusiliers left the Division, and were sent to the Western Front. They sailed from Alexandria on the 3rd of July to Taranto, then travelled by train to The Somme. On the 21st of July they joined 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On the 10th of september 1917 they transferred to 198th Brigade still with 66th Division. They were in action in The Battle of Cambrai, The Pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. On the 31st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest and moved to Serain area. They returned to action on the 2nd of November and advanced through Le Cateau engaging the enemy in some sharp fights until the Armistice.

             The 7th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers was raised at Naas in August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. At the request of Mr Browning, the President of the Irish Rugby Football Union, the CO of the new battalion agreed to keep open D Company as a special company, for the Pals from the Irish Rugby Union volunteers. They joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and moved to the Curragh. In May 1915 they sailed from Holyhead and moved to Basingstoke, England for final training. On the 11th of July 1915 they sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli via Mytilene. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and the 7th Dublin Fusiliers left the Division, sailing from Alexandria to Marseilles arriving on the 1st of June 1918. They travelled by train to the Somme and on the 6th were reduced to cadre, with troops transferring to the 2nd Dublin Fusiliers. The cadre then returned to England and was absorbed into the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

             8th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers was raised in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at Buttevant, then moved to Ballyhooley in June 1915. In September they crossed to England for final training at Blackdown. They proceeded to France in December 1915, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Divisieon captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 24th of October 1917 the 8th Dublin Fusiliers amalgamated with the 9th Battalion to form 8/9th Battalion.

             9th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers was raised in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at Buttevant, then moved to Ballyhooley in June 1915. In September they crossed to England for final training at Blackdown. They proceeded to France in December 1915, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Divisieon captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 24th of October 1917 the 9th Dublin Fusiliers amalgamated with the 9th Battalion to form 8/9th Battalion.

             10th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers was raised in Dublin in late 1915. They trained at Buttevant, moving to Ballyhooley in June 1915. They crossed to England in August 1916 for final training at Pirbright and proceeded to France on the 19th of August 1916, landing at Le Havre and joining 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. They were in action during The Battle of the Ancre and the Operations on the Ancre between January and March 1917. They moved north to Arras and fought in The Second Battle of the Scarpe, capturing Gavrelle, and The Battle of Arleux. On the 23rd of June 1917 they transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and fought in the later stages of the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark. On the 24th of October 1917 they absorbed the 8/9th Battalion. The 10th Dublin Fusilers was disbanded in France on the 15th of February 1918, with men going to 19th Entrenching Battalion as the army was reorganised.

             1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry were at the Curragh in Ireland serving with 14th Brigade, 5th Division when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre 15 August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. on the 12th of January 1916 the 1st DCLI transferred to 95th Brigade still with 5th Division. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

             2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry were in Hong Kong when war was declared in August 1914. They returned to England early November 1914, once a Territorial unit arrived in Hong Kong to take over the garrison. They joined 82nd Brigade, 27th Division at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester and proceeded to France via Southampton on the 21st of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarked from Marsailles arriving on the 5th of December. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

             6th (Service) Battalion, DCLI was raised at Bodmin in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot and spent the winter Witley, returning to Aldershot in February 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 22nd of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 20th of February 1918 the 6th DCLI was disbanded in France.

             10th (Service) Battalion (Cornwall Pioneers), DCLI was raised at Truro on the 29th of March 1915 by the Mayor and the City and trained at Penzance They were adopted by War Office on the 24th of August 1915 and in October moved to Hayle. They proceeded to France on the 20th of June 1916 landing at Le Havre and joined 2nd Division as Pioneers, being under direct command of Divisional HQ. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras. Between the 16th of July and 7th of November 1917 they were temporarily attached as Pioneers to the recently arrived 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and took part in Operations on the Flanders Coast and The Battle of Poelcapelle before returning to 2nd Division. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

             13th Battalion, DCLI was raised at Aldeburgh on the 1st of June 1918 and joined the reforming 49th Brigade, 16th Irish Division. The battalion was absorbed by the 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry later in June.

             

          The 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was a territorial battalion serving with the York & Durham Brigade, Northumbrian Division.

          They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base at Stockton-on-Tees. They moved to the Hartlepools on the 10th of August, then to Ravensworth Park and were in Newcastle by October.

          They proceeded to France, Landing at Boulogne on the 18th of April 1915 and joined 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, on the Somme in 1916 and at Arras and Passchendaele in 1917.

          On the 12th of February 1918 they transferred to 151st Brigade in same Division and were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. In July after heavy losses, the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and transferred to Lines of Communication, and on the 16th of August 1918 the 5th DLI transferred to 117th Brigade in 39th Division were engaged in training the newly arrived American troops.

          They remained a training cadre and were disbanded in France on the 9th of November 1918.

             

          The 2/8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised at Durham in October 1914 as a second line unit. They moved to Leam Camp (Heworth) and were placed under orders of 190th Brigade in 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division.

          They moved to Doncaster in November 1915 and in July 1916 the 63rd Division was broken up and 190th Brigade moved to Catterick.

          On the 29th of November 1916 they moved to Basingstoke and in December 1917 the battalion was disbanded in England.

             

          The 2/9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised at Ravensworth Park on the 11th of September 1914 as a second line unit. They moved to Leam Camp (Heworth) and were placed under orders of 190th Brigade in 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division.

          They moved to Doncaster in November 1915 and in July 1916 the 63rd Division was broken up and 190th Brigade moved to Catterick. On the 29th of November 1916 the 2/9th moved to Andover then in March 1917 to Colchester and Frinton in September.

          On the 4th of November 1916, they sailed from Southampton to France and proceeded to Salonika arriving on the 15th of November taking up duty as Army Troops in area of Salonika town where they remained for the duration of the war.

             

          The 11th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division.

          After training close to home with little equipment, they moved to Woking, then to Pirbright. On the 6th of January 1915 they converted into a Pioneer Battalion with the same Division. They moved to Witley in February 1915 and then to Larkhill in March 1915 for fianl training.

          They proceeded to France on the 20th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation.

          In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in the Battle of Delville Wood, the Battle of Guillemont, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the Battle of Morval and the Battle of Le Transloy.

          In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battle of Langemarck, the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, the Battle of Polygon Wood and the Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in the Battle of St Quentin, the actions at the Somme crossings and the Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer.

          They returned to action at the Battle of the Selle and fought in the Battle of Valenciennes, the Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle.

          At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area.

          Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

             

          The 12th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 and joined the 68th Brigade in 23rd Division, alongside the 13th Battalion. They moved to Aldershot, Hampshire in November, then to Willesborough, Kent in February 1915 and went on in May to Bramshott.

          They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 26th of August and concentrating near Tilques.

          On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions.

          They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th.

          During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest.

          On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling.

          In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers.

          In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th.

          On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars.

          In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December.

          In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile.

          They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

             

          The 13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 joined the 68th Brigade in 23rd Division, alongside the 13th Battalion. They moved to Aldershot, Hampshire in November, then to Willesborough, Kent in February 1915 and went on in May to Bramshott.

          They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 26th of August and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions.

          They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest.

          On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling.

          In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers.

          In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th.

          On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme.

          They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele.

          In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau

          On the 14th of September 1918 the 13th DLI left 23rd Division and returned to France, joining 74th Brigade, 25th Division at St Riquier on 19 September 1918 and were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

             

          The 19th (2nd County) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised in Durham on the 13th of January 1915 by the Durham Parliamentary Recruiting Committee as a Bantam Battalion, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches.

          After initial training close to home they moved to Cocken Hall in May 1915, where they joined 106th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire in June 1915 and moved to Perham Down, Salisbury Plain for final training in August.

          They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 1st of February 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer.

          They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm.

          The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose.

          In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 8th of February 1918 they transferred to 104th Brigade, still with 35th Division.

          In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont.

          They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

             

          The 20th (Wearside) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised in Sunderland on the 10th of July 1915 by the Mayor and a committee.

          After inital training close to home the moved to Wensleydale in August and then to Barnard Castle in October. In January they joined 123rd Brigade, 41st Division at Aldershot.

          They proceeded to France on the 5th May 1916 landing at Le Havreand and the division concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme.

          In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt.

          They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys.

          In March they transferred to 124th Brigade, still with 41st Division. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on 12 January the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead.

          Demobilisation began; in March 1919 and the Division was renamed the London Division.

             1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment was in Colchester serving with 11th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914.

          4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and the 1st East Lancashires moved to Harrow on the 18th of August and proceeded to France on the 22nd, landing at Le Harve.

          They arrived in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time.

          They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914.

          In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme.

          In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele.

          On the 1st of February 1918 the Battalion transferred to 103rd Brigade, 34th Division, as the army was reorganised. They were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses.

          The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops.

          On the 26th of May 1918 the 1st East Lancashires transferred to 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division and were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy, crossing the Sambre, in the first week of November.

          The Division began to demobilise in January 1919.

          Historical Records


             2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment was in Wijnberg, South Africa when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Southampton on the 30th of October 1914 and joined 24th Brigade in 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 6th November 1914 a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred with 24th Brigade to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. On the 3rd of February 1918 tthe 2nd east Lancashires transferred to 25th Brigade still with 8th Division. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

             The 6th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 38th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division and trained at Lucknow Barracks, Tidworth spending the winter in billets at Winchester. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire, with the 6th East Lancashires at Alma Barracks. They sailed from Avonmouth on the 16th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

             The 7th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. They trained at Tidworth and moved into billets in Andover in December 1914 for the winter. In February 1915 they moved to Clevedon and then to Perham Down in late March for final training. They proceeded to France on the 18th of July 1915, the divsion concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. The 7th East Lancashires were disbanded in France on the 22nd of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

             13th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment,was raised in France on the 11th of June 1918 as the 8th Garrison Guard Battalion, they were renamed on the 13th of July. They served with 119th Brigade, 40th Division and saw action action in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

             1st Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was in Dublin with 14th Brigade, 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 15th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. On the 12th of January 1916 transferred to 95th Brigade atill with 5th Division. In March 1916, 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

             2nd Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was in Chaubattia, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they returned to England, landing at Devonport on the 23rd of December 1914. They joined 85th Brigade, 28th Division who were assembling near Winchester. They proceeded to France, via Southampton landing at Le Havre on the 19th of January 1915. The Division concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and the 2nd East Surreys moved to Salonika on the 1st of December. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France. The remainer of the Division, including the 2nd East Surreys were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

             7th Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was raised at Kingston-upon-Thames in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 37th Brigade in 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Purfleet and spent the winter in billets in Sandgate. They moved to Albuhera Barracks in Aldershot in February 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 2nd of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. The 7th East Surrey's were disbanded in France on the 5th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

             8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment was raised at Kingston-upon-Thames in Septeber 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 55th Brigade in 18th (Eastern) Division. They moved to Purfleet for training but joined the rest of the division at Colchetser by April 1915. In May they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne 28 July 1915, the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

             9th Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was raised at Kingston-upon-Thames in Septeber 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 72nd Brigade in 24th Division. They trained at Worthing, moving to Shoreham by April 1915 the moving to Blackdown, Aldershot in June for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 1st of September 1915. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

             12th (Bermondsey) Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was raised at Bermondsey on the 14th of May 1915 by the Mayor and Borough. After inital training close to home they moved to Witley in October to join 122nd Brigade, 41st Division. They moved to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot in February 1916 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 2nd of May, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March 1919 and the Division was renamed the London Division.

             13th (Wandsworth) Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was raised at Wandsworth on the 16th of June 1915 by the Mayor and Borough and was adopted by the War Office on the 28th of August 1915. After initial traning close to home they moved to Witley in September and joined 41st Division. In October they transferred to 118th Brigade, 39th Division at Barrossa Barracks, Aldershot, returning to Witley in November. On the 23rd of February 1916 they moved to Blackdown and transferred to 120th Brigade, 40th Division and underwent final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 4th of June 1916, the division concentrating near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie and The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. On the 16th of February 1918 they transferred to 119th Brigade, still with 40th Division. They fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 5th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 3rd of June transferred to 34th Division, then on the 17th to 39th Division and on the 30th to 7th Brigade, 25th Division. They returned to England and went to Lowestoft, where the battalion was reconstituted by troops transferring from the 15th East Surreys. On the 3rd of November 1918 the battalion was disbanded in England.

             1st Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York's Own) went to France with 18th Brigade, 6th Division, joining the BEF at the Battle of the Aisne. In November 1915 it was transferred to 64th Brigade, 21st Division with which it remained for the rest of the war on the Western Front. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919. The 1st Battalion suffered 1,536 losses during the Great War 1914-1918.

             2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York's Own) was in India in August 1914 when war broke out, it arrived home in December 1914, to join the newly formed 28th Division, near Winchester. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

             6th (Service) Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment was raised at Beverley on 27 August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army joined 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Belton Park, Grantham, to train with other units of the Division. In December 1914 the 6th East Yorks became the Pioneer Battalion to the 11th Division. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Avonmouth via Mudros on the 1st of July 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria and landed at Marseilles on the 10 July 1916. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

             The 10th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment was known as the Hull Commercials or 1st Hull Pals and was raised in Hull on the 29th of August 1914 by Lord Nunburnholme and the East Riding TF Association. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 92nd Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, the later to Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

          In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

          Not long after arriving on the Western Front they took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras and in 1918 they fought at St Quentin, Bapaume and Arras before moving north to counter the German Spring Offensive on the Lys. Towards the end of the conflict they were in action in the the Final Advance in Flanders.

             The 11th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment was known as the Hull Tradesmen or 2nd Hull Pals and was raised in Hull on the 2nd of September 191 by Lord Nunburnholme and the East Riding TF Association. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 92nd Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, then later to South Camp, Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

          In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

          Not long after arriving on the Western Front they took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras and in 1918 they fought at St Quentin, Bapaume and Arras before moving north to counter the German Spring Offensive on the Lys. Towards the end of the conflict they were in action in the the Final Advance in Flanders.

             The 12th Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment was known as the Hull Sportsmen or 3rd Hull Pals and was raised in Hull on the 11th of August 1914 by Lord Nunburnholme and the East Riding TF Association. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 92nd Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, then later to South Camp, Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

          In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

          Not long after arriving on the Western Front they took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras. On the 8th of February 1918 the Hull Sportsman's Battalion was disbanded in France

             The 13th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment was known as the 4th Hull Pals or the Hull T'Others and was raised in Hull on the 2nd of September 1914 by Lord Nunburnholme and the East Riding TF Association. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 92nd Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, then later to South Camp, Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

          In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

          Not long after arriving on the Western Front they took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras. On the 8th of February 1918 the Hull Sportsmen Battalion was disbanded in France

             The 14th (Reserve) Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment was formed at Lichfield in August 1915 as a Reserve battalion and moved to Clipstone Camp. By April 1916 they were at Seaton Delaval. On the 1st of September 1916 they were renamed 90th Training Reserve Battalion with 21st Reserve Brigade and moved to Blyth.

             1st Battalion, The Essex Regiment was in Mauritius when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, arriving in December. On the 18th of January 1915 they moved to Banbury to join 88th Brigade, 29th Division. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 21st of March sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. On the 4 February 1918 they transferred to 112th Brigade, 37th Division and were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

             2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment was in Chatham serving with 12th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing and the 2nd Essex were sent to Cromer and Norwich in a defensive role. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they were recalled to Harrow then proceeded to France, landing at Le Harve on the 28th of August. They arrived in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. In 1916 the 2nd Essex were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Essex Regiment was raised at Warley in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. They moved to Shorncliffe and then to Colchester and to Codford St Mary in May 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 26th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the divsion concentrating near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

             1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment were at Bordon serving with 3rd Brigade, 1st Division when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 13th of August 1914 and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

             7th (Service) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 39th Brigade 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. They moved to Tidworth and and spent the winter in billets in Basingstoke. They moved to Blackdown, Aldershot in February 1915 for final training and sailed from Avonmouth on the 19th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 39th Brigade was detached and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

             8th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 57th Brigade in 19th (Western) Division. They trained at Perham Down and in March 1915 moved to Tidworth for final training. They proceeded to France on the 18th of July 1915, the division concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

             9th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 78th Brigade, 26th Division. They trained at Codford St Mary, spending the winter in billets in Cheltenham. In April 1915 they moved to Longbridge Deverill for final training and proceeded to France on the 21st of September. They moved to Salonika travelling via Marseilles in November 1915. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France including the 9th Gloucesters who left the division on the 4th of July. On the 21st of July they joined 198th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and became a Pioneer Battalion on the 22nd of September. They returned to action in October in The Battle of Cambrai and The Pursuit to the Selle. They fought in The Battle of the Selle and on the 21st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest moving to the Serain area. On the 2nd of November they advanced through Le Cateau engaging in sharp fighting. On the 9th of November a number of units of the Division were selected to advance through Belgium to occupy the Rhone Bridgeheads and were placed under command of Bethell's Force. At the Armistice the advanced units of this Force were on the line of Pont de Republique through Grandrieu to Montbliart. They advanced into Germany and remained there until demobilised.

             10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and was attached to to 26th Division. They moved to Salisbury Plain for training and by November 1914 had moved to billets in Cheltenham. They returned to Salisbury Plain in April 1915 to complete thier training. They proceeded to France on the 8th of August 1915 and joined 1st Brigade, 1st Division on the 17th. They first saw action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 14th of February 1918 the 10th Gloucesters were disbanded in France.

             The 12th (Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol on the 30th of August 1914 by the Citizens Recruiting Committee. After training cloe to home, in June 1915 they joined 95th Brigade, 32nd Division at Wensleydale, being officially adopted by the War Office on the 23rd of June. They moved to Codford on Salisbury Plain for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France on the 21st of November 1915. On the 26th of December 1915 they transferred with 95th Brigade to 5th Division as part of an exchange designed to stiffen the inexperienced 32nd Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 12th Gloucesters were disbanded in France in the 19th of October 1918.

             13th (Forest of Dean Pioneers) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Malvern in December 1914 by Lieut-Col. H. Webb, MP. After inital training close to home, the battalion was adopted by War Office on the 12th of July 1915. In August 1915 they joined 39th Division as Divisional Pioneers and moved to Aldershot in September for final training. They proceeded to France on the 3rd of March 1916. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre on the 6th of May 1918. On the 16th of June they transferred to 197th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and on the 20th of September 1918 to the Lines of Communication.

             The 14th (West of England) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol on the 22nd of April 1915, by the Citizens Recruiting Committee, as a Bantam Battalion, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, on the 23rd of June the Battalion was adopted by War Office they joined 105th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on 30 January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The Pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 11th of February were disbanded in France, with troops transferring to other units, including the 13th Gloucesters.

             18th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised in Clacton on the 20th of June 1918 from the remaining cadre of the 5th Baattalion, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry. On the 2nd of July they joined the reforming 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They proceeded to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

             1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was based in Plymouth with 8th Brigade in 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 14th of August 1914, landing at Boulogne. They were in action They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, and after taking heavy casualties at Le Cateau, they transferred to Army Troops, on the 12th of September 1914. They returned to 8th Brigade on the 30th of September. On the 19th of October 1915 they transferred to 76th Brigade still with 3rd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

             8th (Service) Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders was raised at Aberdeen in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, they joined 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. After inital training in the Aberdeen area they moved to Aldershot and in February 1915 went to Bordon for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 10th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. On the 7th of May 1916 they joined 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division at Bethune and on the 11th amalgamated with 10th Battalion to form the 8/10th Gordons.

             9th (Service) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was raised in Aberdeen in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They trained at Aldershot and in November moved to Haslemere, becoming a pioneer Battalion for 15th (Scottish) Division on the 12th of January 1915. In February the moved to Perham Down, then to Andover for final training in May. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915, landing at Boulogne. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was raised in Aberdeen in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They trained at Aldershot and in November moved to Midhurst then to Chisledon in March 1915 and to Tidworth for final training in May. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915, landing at Boulogne. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position, suffering heavy losses and on the 11th of May 1916 they amalgamated with 8th Battalion to form the 8/10th Gordons.

             8/10th (Service) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was formed on the 11th of May 1916 when the 8th Gordons amalgamated with the 10th. They served with 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

             The 1st Battalion, Green Howards was in Barian, Punjab, India with the 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division when war broke out in August 1914. The Battalion remained in India throughout the conflict.

             The 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was in Guernsey in August 1914 when war broke out. They were ordered to return to England and landed at Southampton on the 28th of August and joined 21st Brigade, 7th Division. They proceeded to Belgium to join the BEF on the 6th of October 1914 landing at Zeebrugge. They suffered very heavy losses in the First Battle of Ypres and did not regain full strength until February 1915. They took part in the major battles of 1915 including, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert, the second action at Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On the 20th of December 1915 21st Brigade transferred to 30th Division. They saw action in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive and the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. In early 1918 they saw action on the Somme and at the Battle of the Lys, following which the army was reorganised, the 2nd Battaion absorbed the 6th Battalion on the 11th of May 1918 and transferred to 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. They saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburgh Line and at the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

             3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was in Richmond when war broke out in August 1914. They remained in UK throughout the war, providing drafts for other battalions. The regimental depot remained at Richmond while battalion moved to war station at West Hartlepool, with detachments at Seaton Carew and South Gare.

             4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was a territorial unit, they had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base in Northallerton. They proceeded to France on the 18th April 1915, landing at Boulogne. They arrived in Flanders as the enemy attacked Ypres with poison gas for the first time and went straight into action. They remained in the Ypres sector throughout the Second Battle of Ypres. On the 14th of May 1915 the York & Durham Brigade, Northumbrian Division, of which the 4th Btn were part, was renamed 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. In 1916 they saw action in the Battle of the Somme and in 1917 took part in the Arras Offensive and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they again saw action on The Somme, the Lys and the Aisne. The Division was reorganised due to the men suffering exhaustion and heavy casualties and on the 16th of July 1918 the Division was reduced to cadre strength and moved back to take over the Lines of Communication. On the 16th of August 1918 the 1/4th Battalion transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division and were engaged in training the newly arrived American 77th Division. They remained a training cadre and were demobilised on the 6th of November 1918.

             7th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was a Kitchener Battalion, raised at Richmond on September 1914. They joined 50th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division and moved to Wareham for training moving in May 1915 to Romsey. They proceeded to France on the 14th of July 1915 landing at Boulogne and taking over the front line in the southern Ypres Sector.In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

             8th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was formed at Richmond, North Yorkshire on the 22nd September 1914 and served with the 69th Brigade, 23rd Division. The battalion moved to Frensham and in February 1915 went on to Folkestone and Maistone in Kent, landing at Boulogne on the 26th of August 1915, the division concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

             9th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was formed at Richmond, North Yorkshire on the 26th of September 1914 and served with 69th Brigade, 23rd Division. The Battalion moved to Frensham and in February 1915 went on to Folkestone then to Maistone in Kent. They landed at Boulogne on the 26th of August 1915 the division concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau. The 9th Green Howards returned to France in September 1918 to join the 74th Brigade, 25th Division seeing action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The Battalion were involved with salvage work around Cambrai after the Armistice. in the first three months of 1919, men who had enlisted before 1st January 1916 were demobbed, men who had enlisted later were transferred to other units and joined the Army of Occupation on the Rhine.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was a Kitchener Battalion raised at Richmond on 30th of September 1914. They joined the 62nd Brigade, 21st Division and moved to Berkhamsted and then on to Halton Park near Tring for training in October. Between November 1914 and May 1915 they were in billets in Aylesbury whilst training before returning to Halton Park. In August 1915 they moved to Witley Camp the proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne. They saw action in the Battle of Loos and in 1916 were in action at The Battle of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action on the Hindenburg Line, in the Arras Offensive and the Third Battle of Ypres and at Cambrai. In 1918 they were involved in action on the Somme, the Battles of the Lys and Hindenburgh Line and the final advance in Picardy. On the 10th of February 1918 the Battalion disbanded in France with some men transferring to other units.

             13th (Service) Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was raised Richmond in July 1915 as a Bantam Battalion, accepting men who did not meet the minimum height and chest measurements required for service in the army at that time. They trained at Aldershot and joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division. On the 2nd of April 1916 they absorbed the 18th Sherwood Foresters. They proceeded to France, landing at le Havre on the 6th of June 1916, the division concentrating near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 6th of May the 13th Green Howards was reduced to cadre strength and were attached to 34th Division for two weeks, followed by two weeks attached to 30th Division. On the 30th of June they transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division, returning to England and absorbing the 19th Green Howards in August to return to strength. On the 9th of September 75th Brigade was redesignated the 236th Brigade and they sailed from Dundee on the 17th of October for service in North Russia, arriving at Murmansk on the 27th of November 1918.

             1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment were in Colchester with 11th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. This Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and the 1st Hampshires moved to Harrow to prepare to proceed to France. They landed at Le Havre on the 23rd of August 1914 arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

             2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment were in Mhow, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, landing at Plymouth on the 22nd of December 1914. They moved to Romsey and then on to Stratford-upon-Avon on the 13th of February to join 88th Brigade, 29th Division. They moved to Warwick and were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 29th of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

             Thorpe Lodge, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich was used as convalescent hospital during the Great War.

             Larkhill Camp, on Salisbury Plain was designated the School of Instruction for Royal Horse and Field Artillery. Construction began on 12 August 1914 and the camp was completed in early 1915, the buildings were mainly built of corrugated iron and the roads were constructed using chalk, the local stone. The camp was connected to the London and Southwestern Railway at Amesbury Station by a military light railway. Today Larkhill Camp is still in use as the School of Artillery for the British Army.

             10th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was raised at Winchester in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and moved to Dublin, and joined 10th (Irish) Division as Divisional Troops. They moved to Mullingar in September and in March 1915 to the Curragh, transferring to 29th Brigade still with 10th (Irish) Division. They retruned to England in May and underwent final training at Basingstoke. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool on the 7th of July, via Mudros. They landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 2nd of November 1916 the 10th Hampshires transferred to 82nd Brigade, 27th Division. In 1917 they were in action durinhg the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in Sepetember the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

             11th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to Dublin, to join 16th (Irish) Division as Army Troops. They moved to Mullingar in September and converted to Pioneers in December 1914. They moved to Kilworth in March 1915 and then to Aldershot for final training in September 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 18th of December 1915. concentrating in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme, suffering very heavy casualties. On the 2nd of May 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and returned to England with the division on the 18th of June 1918 and reconstituted at Lowestoft, absorbing the 13th Battalion, Border Regiment. They moved to Aldershot on the the 3rd of July and returned to France, landing at Boulogne on the 1st of August. 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

             12th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 79th Brigade in 26th Division. They trained at Codford, spending the winter in billets in Basingstoke, but training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They moved to Bath in March 1915 and to Sutton Veny for final training in May. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

             14th (1st Portsmouth) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was raised at Portsmouth on the 3rd of September 1914 by the Mayor and a local Committee. After initial training close to home, the battalion was adopted by the War Office on the 30th of May 1915. In October they moved to Witley to join 116th Brigade, 39th Division. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 6th of March 1916, the division concentrating near Blaringhem. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 22nd of March the 14th Hampshires were disbanded in France, with the troops transferring to other units, including the 20th Entrenching Battalion.

             15th (2nd Portsmouth) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was raised at Portsmouth on the 5th of April 1915 by the Mayor and local Committee and was adopted by The War Office on the 30th of May 1915. After inital training close to home they joined 122nd Brigade, 41st Division at Aldershot in October. In February 1916 they moved to the Marlborough Lines, Albdershot for final training and proceeded to France in early May, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. On the 27th of September 1917 they amalgamated with the dismounted 1/1st Hampshire Yeomanry and were renamed as the 15th (Hampshire Yeomanry) Battalion, at Caestre. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised at Hamilton in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home they joined 28th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Bordon and in March 1915 went on to Bramshott for final training. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 12th of May 1915, attached to the South African Brigade still with 9th (Scottish) Division. On the 14th of May 1916 they transferred to 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division and amalgamated with 11th (Service) Battalion to form the 10th/11th Battalion. They would not resume their own identity until the 21st of June 1918 when they had returned to England after heavy losses and were reformed absorbing the 22nd HLI, they returned to France on the 5th of July landing at Bologne with 43rd Brigade 14th (Light) Division and went into action at Ypres and fought in the Final Advance in Flanders.

             10th/11th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was formed on the 14th of May 1916 when the 10th HLI amalgamated with 11th HLI to form the 10/11th Battalion and they joined 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 119th Brigade, 40th Division then on the 16th to 120th Brigade in the same Division as the Army was reorganised. They were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck, suffering very heavy losses. On the 6th of May 1918 the Battalion was reduced to cadre on the 3rd of June they transferred to 34th Division and on the 16th to 43rd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division at Boulogne and they returned to England. They moved to Brookwood near Aldershot and on the 21st of June 1918 the Battalion was rebuilt by absorbing the 22nd Battalion HLI. The battalion was retitled the 10th HLI and returned to France on the 5th of July, landing at Boulogne and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders.

             11th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised at Hamilton in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home they joined 28th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Bordon and in March 1915 went on to Bramshott for final training. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 12th of May 1915, attached to the South African Brigade still with 9th (Scottish) Division. On the 14th they transferred to 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division and amalgamated with 10th (Service) Battalion to form the 10th/11th Battalion.

             12th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised at Hamilton in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Bordon for training and in March 1915 moved to Romsey then to Chisledon Camp on Salisbury Plain for final training in April 1915. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 10th of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. On the 3rd of February 1918 they transferred to 106th Brigade, 35th Division. They were in action in The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem during the Final Advance in Flanders.

             14th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised at Hamilton in July 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. They trained at Troon until September when they moved to Blackdown to join 120th Brigade, 40th Division. On the 2nd of March 1916 they absorbed the 13th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). They proceeded to France in June 1916, where the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, on the 3rd of June the 14th HLI transferred to 34th Division, then on the 17th to 39th Division. On the 16th of August they transferred to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, returning to action in October in The Battle of Cambrai and The Pursuit to the Selle. They fought in The Battle of the Selle and on the 21st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest moving to the Serain area. On the 2nd of November they advanced through Le Cateau engaging in sharp fighting. On the 9th of November a number of units of the Division were selected to advance through Belgium to occupy the Rhone Bridgeheads and were placed under command of Bethell's Force. At the Armistice the advanced units of this Force were on the line of Pont de Republique through Grandrieu to Montbliart. They advanced into Germany and remained there until demobilised.

             15th (Glasgow Tramways) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised in Glasgow on the 2nd of September 1914 by the Lord Provost and City, with many recruits coming from the Tramways Department. They trained at Gailes and in May 1915 moved to Prees Heath to join 97th Brigade in 32nd Division. The camp was found to be too wet for training and they moved in June 1915 to Wensleydale. The Battalion was adopted by the War Office on the 1st of July 1915 and they moved to Salisbury Plain in August for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 23rd of November 1915 In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. On the 3rd of January 1918 they transferred to 14th Brigade still with 32nd Division and were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             18th (4th Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised in Glasgow on the 26th of February 1915 by the Lord Provost and City as a Bantam Battalion with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they moved to Girvan and then to Gailes in May 1915. In June they joined 106th Brigade 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Battalion was adopted by the War Office in July, and in August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France on February 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. On the 23rd September 1917 the 18th HLI was brought up to strength by absorbing the HQ and two Squadrons of the Glasgow Yeomanry and were retitled the 18th (Glasgow Yeomanry) Battalion. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

             1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was at Shorncliffe serving with 10th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They moved at once to York and then to Harrow on the 18th of August to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France on the 23rd of August, landing at Boulogne, and crossing France in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe. On the 3rd of August 1917 they transferred to 36th (Ulster) Division and joined 107th Brigade on the 24th. They were in action in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 8th of February 1918 they transferred to 108th Brigade still with 36th (Ulster) Division. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

             2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers were at Quetta in India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to Britain, and joined 82nd Brigade, 27th Division at Winchester on the 20th of November 1914. They proceeded to France via southampton landing at le Havre on the 19th of December. as a much-needed reinforcement. The 27th div concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, with the 2nd Irish Fusiliers sailing in mid December, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm On the 2nd of November 1916 they transferred to 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

             5th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was raised at Armagh in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. After training in Ireland they moved to Basingstoke, England in April 1915 for final training. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. In October 1915 they moved via Mudros to Salonika and on the 2nd of November 1916 absorbed the 6th Royal Irish Fusiliers. In September 1917 they moved to Egypt for service in Palestine. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and on the 30th of April 1918 the 5th Irish Fusiliers left the Division and sailed from Port Said to Marseilles arriving on the 27th of May. They travelled by train to the Somme and joined 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the 23rd of July. On the 24th of August they transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and absorbed the 11th Irish Fusiliers. They were in action in The Final Advance in Artois.

             7/8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was formed on the 15th of October 1916 when the 7th Battalion amalgamated with 8th Battalion to form the 7/8th Battalion. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. The 7/8th was disbanded on the 10th of February 1918, when the army was reorganised, the men transferred to the 1st and 9th Irish Fusiliers.

             6th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was raised at Armagh in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. After training in Ireland they moved to Basingstoke, England in April 1915 for final training. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 6th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. In October 1915 they moved via Mudros to Salonika and on the 2nd of November 1916 the battalion was absorbed by the 5th Royal Irish Fusiliers.

             7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was raised at Armagh in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at Tipperary and crossed to England in September 1915, for final training at Pirbright. They proceeded to France in February 1916. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. on the 15th of October 1916 the 7th Battalion amalgamated with 8th Battalion to form the 7/8th Battalion.

             8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was raised at Armagh in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at Tipperary and crossed to England in September 1915, for final training at Pirbright. They proceeded to France in February 1916. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. on the 15th of October 1916 the 8th Battalion amalgamated with 8th Battalion to form the 7/8th Battalion.

             9th (County Armagh) Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers was raised in Belfast in September 1914, from the Armagh, Monaghan and Cavan Volunteers, units of the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force. The Battalion was attached to 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down and in July 1915, the Division moved to Seaford, in Sussex, England and then to France in early October 1915.

          The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for thier action on the 1st of July 1916, when they were one of the few Divisions to reach thier objective. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood, troops crossed about 400 yards of No Man's Land, entering the Schwaben Redoubt, (close to where the Ulster Tower stands today) then advancing on towards Stuff Redoubt. The men held out for the day but as their stocks of bombs and ammunition dwindled, they were forced to fall back. The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the 1st of July were over 5,000 in total. Nine men of the 36th Division were awarded the Victoria Cross on the 1st of July 1916. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 25th September 1917 the 9th (County Armagh) Btn was renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, absorbing two squadrons of the North Irish Horse. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

          The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland. Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

          Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

          A DVD was released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, which follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The International Group for Great War Archaeology.

          You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




             11th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was formed at Greatham, West Hartlepool on the 1st of June 1918. On the 18th June, it absorbed the cadre of the 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers and on the 28th moved to Aldershot to join 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They proceeded to France in late in July and on the 29th of August were absorbed by the 5th Battalion.

             2nd Garrison Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was formed in Dublin in April 1916 and moved to Templemore in May. Moved to Salonika in August 1916 and was attached to 228th Brigade, 28th Division between March and August 1917.

              1st Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment was in Dover serving with 12th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 23rd of August 1914, arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and moved south to The Somme. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. The 1st Kings Own were in action during the Battles of the Somme in 1916. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

             2nd Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was in Lebong in India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a Territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison at Lebong, the 2nd King's Own returned to England, arriving on the 22nd of December. They joined 83rd Brigade, 28th Division at to Hursley Park. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve on the 16th of January 1915, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

             6th (Service) Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) was raised at Lancaster in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 38th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division and trained on Salisbury Plain. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

             7th (Service) Battalion, The King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was raised at Lancaster in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The new Division concentrated in the Bulford area with the 7th Kings Own being based at Tidworth Pennings for training. They spent the winter in billets in Andover, moving to Clevedon in February 1915 and returning to Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. The 7th Kings Own was disbanded in France on the 22nd of February 1918 when the army was reorganised with troops transferring to the 1/4th and 1/5th Kings Own, and the 6th Entrenching Battalion.

             8th (Service) Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was raised at Lancaster in October 1914 as part of Kitcheners's Third New Army and joined 76th Brigade, 25th Division which assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France on the 27th of September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. On the 15th of October 1915 the 8th Kings Own, transferred with 76th Brigade to 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

             9th (Service) Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was raised at Lancaster in October 1914 as part of Kitcheners's Third New Army and joined 65th Brigade, 22nd Division. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 6th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

              11th (Service) Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was raised at Lancaster in August 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. They joined 120th Brigade, 40th Division and on the 2nd of March 1916, absorbed the 12th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. They proceeded to France in the first week of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In ealy 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 7th of February 1918 the 11th Kings Own were disbanded in France, with the troops transferring to other units.

             4th Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment was in Seaforth, Liverpool when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 6th of March 1915, landing at Le Havre and joining Sirhind Brigade, Lahore Division of Indian Corps. On the 10th of November 1915 they transferred to 137th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division then on the 3rd of December transferred again to 56th then on the 19th to 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. On the 27th of February 1916 they transferred to 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

             11th (Service) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was raised at Seaforth on the 23rd of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, and joined 14th (Light) Division. On the 11th of January 1915 they converted into Pioneer Battalion. After training they proceeded to France, landing on the 30th of May. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, also XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April the Battalion was reduced to a cadre and they returned to England on the 17th of June and were absorbed by the 15th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

             12th (Service) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was raised at Seaforth 1n tSeptember 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, and joined 20th (Light) Division as Army Troops. After training close to home with little equipment, they moved to Aldershot. In January 1915 the 12th Kings Liverpool joined 61st Brigade, still with 20th (Light) Division. In February 1915 they Division moved to Guildford, then to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France on the 27th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

             13th (Service) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was raised at Seaforth in September 1914, part of Kitchoner's Third New Army, which assembled in the area around Salisbury. The 13th Kings Liverpool were initally attached as Army Troops to 25th Division. In February 1915 they transferred to 76th Brigade in same Division. They proceeded to France on the 27th of September 1915, landing at Le Havre and concentrating in the area of Nieppe. On the 15th of October 1915 the Battalion transferred with 76th Brigade to 3rd Division then on the 23rd the Battalion transferred to 8th Brigade, still in 3rd Division. On the 4th of April 1916 they transferred to 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

             14th (Service) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was raised at Seaforth in October 1914, part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and joined 65th Brigade, 22nd Division which assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. The 14th Kings proceeded to France on the 5th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. The 14th Kings left 22nd Division and returned to France in June 1918, joining 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the 23rd of July. On the 13th of August they were absorbed by the 18th Kings.

             17th (1st City) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was the first of all the Pals Battalions, raised by Lord Derby at the old watch factory, Prescot, Liverpool on the 29th of August 1914. They joined 89th Brigade, 30th Division which concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France on the 7th of November 1915 landing Bologne, the division concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavy lossed. On the 14th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 16th of June 1918 transferred to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On the 30th they transffered to 75th Brigade, 25th Division and crossed to England. On the 9th of September the Brigade was retitled 236th Brigade and on the 11th of October they sailed from Glasgow for service in North Russia, where they remained until September 1919.

             18th (2nd City) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was raised by Lord Derby at the old watch factory, Prescot, Liverpool on the 29th of August 1914. After training in the Liverpool areas, on the 30th of April they joined 89th Brigade, 30th Division which concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France on the 7th of November 1915 landing Bologne, the division concentrating near Amiens. On the 25th of December 1915 they transferred to 21st Brigade, still with 30th Division.In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. On the 24th of September they absorbed 16 officers and 290 men from the 1/1st Lancashire Hussars and the 18th (2nd City) Battalion was renamed the 18th (Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion. On the 11th of February 1918 they transferred to 89th Brigade still with 30th Division. They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavy lossed. On the 14th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 19th of June transferred to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On the 13th of August they were brought up to strength by absorbing the 14th Kings Liverpool and on the 19 of September 1918 joined 199th Brigade 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, returning to action in October in The Battle of Cambrai and The Pursuit to the Selle. They fought in The Battle of the Selle and on the 21st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest moving to the Serain area. On the 2nd of November they advanced through Le Cateau engaging in sharp fighting. On the 9th of November a number of units of the Division were selected to advance through Belgium to occupy the Rhone Bridgeheads and were placed under command of Bethell's Force. At the Armistice the advanced units of this Force were on the line of Pont de Republique through Grandrieu to Montbliart. They advanced into Germany and remained there until demobilised.

             2nd (Garrison) Battalion, The King's Liverpool Regiment was formed at Pembroke Dock in November 1915. They moved to Egypt in March 1916 then on to Salonika, where they joined 228th Brigade, 28th Division on the 28th of August 1917. They were in action during the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and the remainder of the Division, including the 2nd Garrision battalion were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. 228th Brigade transferred to the Greek Crete Division on the 30th of September 1918 and was broken up on the 4th of October 1918.

             1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps were based at Aldershot with 6th Brigade, 2nd Division when war broke out in Auguat 1914. The proceeded to France with the BEF on the 13th of August 1914, landing at Rouen and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. On the 13th of December 1915 they transferred to 99th Brigade still with 2nd Division. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

             2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps were at Blackdown with 2nd Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France landing at le Harve on the 13th of August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

             4th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps were in Gharial, India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England with the 3rd KRRC arriving on the 18th of November and joined 80th Brigade, 27th Division at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester. They proceeded to France via Southampton in mid December 1914 landing at Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and on the 19th the 4th KRRC sailed from Marseilles, arriving on the 25th. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm In 1917 they were in action durinhg the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in Sepetember including the 4th KRRC who moved to France in June and joined the reforming 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 16th of July. They went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

             7th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on 19th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Grayshott in November and to Bordon in February 1915, returning to Aldershot in March 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 25th of April, the 7th KRRC was reduced to a training cadre and on the 16th of June they transferred to 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and returned to England for re-establishment and were absorbed by 34th Battalion, London Regiment at Clacton.

             8th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Grayshott in November and to Bordon in February 1915, returning to Aldershot in March 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the 8th KRRC was reduced to a cadre and on the 16th of June they transferred to 34th Division, on the 27th they joined 39th Division. The 8th KRRC was disbanded on the 3rd of August 1918.

             9th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Petworth in November, returning to Aldershot in March 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 20th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the 9th KRRC was reduced to a cadre and on the 16th of June they transferred to 34th Division, on the 27th they joined 39th Division. The 9th KRRC was disbanded on the 3rd of August 1918.

             10th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on 14th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After training close to home they moved to Blackdown, then in February 1915 to Witley and to Hamilton Camp near Stonehenge in April for final training. They proceeded to France on the 21st of July 1915, landing at Boulogne and the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. On the 5th of February 1918 the 10th KRRC was disbanded at Dickebusch when the army was reorganised.

             11th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After training close to home they moved to Blackdown, then in February 1915 to Witley and to Larkhill in April for final training. They proceeded to France on the 21st of July 1915, landing at Boulogne and the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

             12th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on the 21st of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After training close to home they moved to moved to Bisley, then to Blackdown in November 1914 then February 1915 to billets in Hindhead. They moved to Larkhill on the 10th of April 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of July 1915, landing at Boulogne and the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

             13th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on the 7th of October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 21st Division as army troops. They trained at Halton Park, moving into winter billets in November at Amersham and Great Missenden. They moved to Windmill Hill on Salisbury Plain in April 1915 and transferred to 111th Brigade in 37th Division. They proceeded to France on the 31st of July, landing at Boulogne and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             16th (Church Lads Brigade) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Denham, Buckinghamshire on the 19th of September 1914 by Field-Marshal Lord Grenfell, Commandant of the Church Lads Brigade, from current and previous members of this organisation. After inital training close to home they moved to Rayleigh in March then returned to Denham in May. They joined 100th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone Camp in June 1915 and moved to Perham Down for final training in August. They proceeded to France on the 17th of November landing at Le Havre. 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

             17th (British Empire League) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised in London on the 16th of May 1915 by the British Empire League. After inital training cloe to home, they moved to Paddockhurst. In July they joined 117th Brigade, 39th Division, moving in September to Hursley Park and in January 1916 to Witley for final training, spending a brief spell at Aldershot then returning to Witley. They proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1916, landing at Le Havre, teh division concentrating near Blaringhem. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre on the 16th of May and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. On the 16th of August 1918 the 17th KRRC transferred to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and took up duties on lines of Communication work at Durcat.

             18th (Arts & Crafts) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Gidea Park in London on the 4th of June 1915 by Major Sir Herbert Raphael. After inital training close to home they joined 122nd Brigade, 41st Division At Witley in October. In November they moved to Aldershot, in Feburay to Witley and returned to Aldershot for final training. They proceeded to France on the 3rd of May 1916 landing at Le Havre, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

             20th (Service) Battalion (British Empire League Pioneers), King's Royal Rifle Corps were raised in London on the 20th of August 1915 by the British Empire League. In February 1916 they moved to Wellingborough for final training and proceeded to France on the 30th of March 1916 landing at Le Havre. On the 19th of May 1916 they joined 3rd Division as a Pioneer Battalion. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

             21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised in September 1915 from volunteers from the farming communities of Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland by the Northern Command. They trained at Duncombe Park, Helmsley, moving to Aldershot to join 124th Brigade, 41st Division for final training. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. At this time the army was being reorganised and in March the battalion was disbanded in France with the troops transferring to other units.

             4th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry was a territorial unit and were based in Shrewsbury as Army Troops attached to Welsh Division when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilised for war and moved to Sittingbourne. On the 29th of October 1914 they sailed from Southampton for India, arriving at Bombay on 1st of December. On the 10th of February 1915 they moved to Singapore, with a detachment being sent to the Andaman Islands, remaining there until the 13th of April 1917. The battalion was recalled to Britain, pausing at Capetown from the 30th of May until the 29th of June when they sailed for Southampton. Once in England, they re-equipped and proceeded to France on the 27th of July 1917, landing at Le Havre. On the 18th of August they joined 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and saw action in The Second Battle of Passchendaele, in December were involved in The action of Welsh Ridge. On the 4th of February 1918 the battalion transferred to 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division and fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

             5th (Service) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry was raised at Shrewsbury in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot and moved to Chiddingfold in March 1915, before returning to Aldershot for final training. They proceeded to France on the 20th of May 1915, landing at Boulogne. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. They were disbanded at Jussy on the 4th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised, with the men transferring to the 1st, 1/4th, 6th and 7th Battalions.

             6th (Service) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry was raised at Shrewsbury in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initial training the in the Shrewsbury area with little equipment, they moved to Aldershot and then to Larkhill in April 1915 for final training. The proceeded to France on the 22nd of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

             7th (Service) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry were raised at Shrewsbury in September 1914, part of Kitchener's First Army they were attached to 76th Brigade, 25th Division. They moved to Codford for training then to Bournemouth in May 1915, to Romsey in late May then in June to Aldershot. They proceeded to France on the 28th of September 1915 landing at Boulogne and and concentrating in the area of Nieppe. On the 15th of October 1915 76th Brigade were transferred to 3rd Division and on the 19th the Battalion was moved to 8th Brigade still with 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

             8th (Service) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry were raised at Shrewsbury in September 1914, part of Kitchener's Third Army and joined 66th Brigade, 22nd Division. They trained at Seaford, spending the winter in billets at Eastbourne from December returning to Seaford in March 1915. They moved to Aldershot in May for final training and proceeded to France on the 5th of September, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

             1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers were in Lucknow, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, arriving on the 28th of December 1914 to join 87th Brigade, 29th Division at Rugby. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 18th of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles arriving on the 18th of March and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

             2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers were based in in Dublin serving with 13th Brigade, 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force, landing at Le Havre on the 15th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops, the 2nd Battalion remained with 5th Division. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

             6th (Service) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers was raised in Berwick-on-Tweed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First Army after inital training thethe Berwick area they joined 28th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division and moved to Bordon. In March 1915 they moved to Bramshott for final training. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. On the 6th of May 1916 they transferred to 27th Brigade still with 9th (Scottish) Division. They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

             7th (Service) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers was raised in Berwick-on-Tweed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, after inital training in the Berwick area they joined 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division and moved to Bordon. In February 1915 they went into billets at Winchester then moved to Park House and Chisledon Camps on Salisbury Plain in April 1915 for final training. The proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 10th of July 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. On the 28th of May 1916 they merged with the 8th Battalion to form the 7/8th KOSB.

             8th (Service) Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers was raised in Berwick-on-Tweed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, after inital training in the Berwick area they joined 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division and moved to Bordon. In February 1915 they went into billets at Winchester then moved to Park House and Chisledon Camps on Salisbury Plain in April 1915 for final training. The proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 10th of July 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. On the 28th of May 1916 they merged with the 8th Battalion to form the 7/8th KOSB.

             10th (Service) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers was formed in France on 11 June 1918, they joined 120th Brigade, 40th Division and saw action in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

             1st Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were in Singapore when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, as soon as a Territorial unit arrived to man the garrision, landing at Southampton on the 9th of November. They moved to Hursley Park moving to Harwich on the 18th November. On the 17th of December they returned to Hursley Park to joing 83rd Brigade, 28th Division. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve on the 16th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and the 1st KOYLI went on to Salonika on the 7th of December 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France including the 1st KOYLI who left the division on the 20th of June and moved to France via Taranto, Italy.. They joined the reforming 151st Brigade in 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 16th of July. They went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

             2nd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were in Dublin with 13th Brigade, 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF and landed at Le Havre on the 16th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, the Battalion was one of the units of 5th Division which were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops, on the 28th of December 1915 they transferred to 97th Brigade in 32nd Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             6th (Service) Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was raised at Pontefract on the 12th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 43rd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Woking, moving to Witley in November 1914 for the winter, then moving to Aldershot in February 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 21st of May 1915 landing at Boulogne. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 19th of February 1918 the 6th KOYLI were disbanded in France as the army was reorganised.

             8th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 70th Brigade, 23rd Division. They undertook training in England at Pontefract, Frensham, Aldershot, Hythe and Bordon, before proceeding to France. They landed at Boulogne in August 1915. They transferred to with 70th Brigade to 8th Division on the 18th of October 1915, in an exchange with 24th Brigade allowing the inexperienced troops to learn from those who had battle experience, returning to their orginal divisions in June 1916. The 23rd Division were at Bomy beginning a period of intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

             9th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 64th Brigade, 21st Division. After initial training close to home they moved to Berkhamsted and then to Halton Park in October. They spent the winter in billets in Maidenhead from November and returned to Halton Park in April 1915. They moved to Witley for final training in August and proceeded to France in September 1915. They marched across France and went straight into action in reserve of the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September, suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             10th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 64th Brigade, 21st Division. After initial training close to home they moved to Berkhamsted and then to Halton Park in October. They spent the winter in billets in Maidenhead from November and returned to Halton Park in April 1915. They moved to Witley for final training in August and proceeded to France in September 1915. They marched across France and went straight into action in reserve of the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September, suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 the army was reorganised and the 10th Yorkshire light infantry was disbanded on the 13th of February with the troops transferring to other units, including the 20th Entrenching Battalion.

             15th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was formed on the 11th of June 1918, in France. They served with 120th Brigade, 40th Division and saw action in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

             2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were in Dover with 12th Brigade, 4th Division when war was declared in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 20th of August 1914, arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 4th of November 1915 the 2nd Lancashires moved with 12th Brigade to 36th (Ulster) Division to provide training over the winter months and returned to 4th Division on the 3rd of February 1916. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was raised in Bury in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, they joined 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 15th of July 1915, concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

             11th (Service) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was raised at Codford in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and joined 74th Brigade, 25th Division. The Division assembled for training in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France on the 25th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne and the division concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys. On the 12th of August 1918 the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers was disbanded in France.

             12th (Service) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was raised in Bury in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, they joined 65th Brigade, 22nd Division. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. They proceeded to France on the 5th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne, the divsion concentrated near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika arriving on the 5th of November. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In July 1918 they 12the Lancashire Fusiliers left Division and returned to France, joining 199th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the 16th and being absorbed by 6th Lancashire Fusiliers.

             15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were known as the 1st Salford Pals, the battalion was raised in Salford, Manchester, in September 1914. The began training near home and on the 28 December 1914 they moved to Conway for training. They became part of the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division and moved in May 1915 to concentrate in Shropshire at Prees Heath. The camp was found to be too wet for training and the Division moved on the 21st of June 1915 to Catterick in North Yorkshire, using the firing ranges at Strenshall. In August 1915 they moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 22nd of November 1915. Their first taste of action was at Thiepval Ridge on The Somme on the 1st of July 1916, the battle resulted in the Salford Pals being almost wiped out. The battalion was reinforced and saw action throughout the war. In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             16th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were known as the 2nd Salford Pals, the battalion was raised in Salford on the 15th of November 1914, by Mr Montague Barlow MP and the Salford Brigade Committee. They began training near home and on the 28 December 1914 they moved to Conway for training. They became part of the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division and moved in May 1915 to concentrate in Shropshire at Prees Heath. The camp was found to be too wet for training and the Division moved on the 21st of June 1915 to Catterick in North Yorkshire, using the firing ranges at Strenshall. In August 1915 they moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 22nd of November 1915. Their first taste of action was at Thiepval Ridge on The Somme on the 1st of July 1916, the battle resulted in the Salford Pals being almost wiped out. The battalion was reinforced and saw action throughout the war. In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             17th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was raised as a Bantam Battalion (troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches) in Bury on the 3rd of December 1914 by Lieut-Col. G. E. Wike and a Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Chadderton near Oldham on the 16th of March 1915. On the 21st of June they joined 104th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. They moved to Cholderton, Salisbury Plain for final training in August and the Battalion was formally adopted by the War Office on the 27th. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 29th of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

             18th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was raised as a Bantam Battalion (troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches) in Bury on the 13th of January 1915 by Lieut-Col. G. E. Wike and a Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Garswood Park, Ashton in Makerfield on the 8th of April 1915. On the 21st of June they joined 104th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. They moved to Cholderton, Salisbury Plain for final training in August and the Battalion was formally adopted by the War Office on the 27th. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 29th of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

             19th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were known as 3rd Salford Pals, the battalion was raised in Salford on the 15th of January 1915, by Mr Montague Barlow MP and the Salford Brigade Committee. They began training near home and in March they moved to Conway for training. They became part of the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division and moved on the 21st of June 1915 to Catterick in North Yorkshire. using the firing ranges at Strenshall. In August 1915 they moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at le Harve on the 22nd of November 1915. On the 5th of January 1916 they transferred to 14th Brigade still with 32nd Division. Their first taste of action was at Thiepval Ridge on The Somme on the 1st of July 1916, the battle resulted in the Salford Pals being almost wiped out. On the 29th of July 1916 they transferred to GHQ and converted to be a Pioneer Battalion, joining 49th (West Riding) Division on the 7th of August. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

             20th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were known as the 4th Salford Pals, the battalion was raised in Salford on the 23rd of March 1915, by Mr Montague Barlow MP and the Salford Brigade Committee as a Bantam Battalion (troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches). After initial training close to home, they moved to Conway in July 1915 and joined 104th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire in June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France on the 30th of January 1916, landing at Le Havre and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 4th Salford Pals were disbanded in Belgium on the 16 February 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

             1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment were in Fermoy when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilsed with 16th Brigade and returned to England, where 6th Division concentrated near Cambridge for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They marched to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF before moving north to Flanders. They were in action at Hooge in 1915. On the 17th of November 1915 the battalion transferred to 71st Brigade still in 6th Division. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

             The 2/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was a 2nd line Territorial Force unit and had its HQ in Loughborough as part of the Lincoln and Leicester Brigade, North Midland Division and was mobilised in September 1914. In January 1915 the battalion moved to Luton being billeted in private homes, in February and march they had a spell at Epping digging practice trenches. In July moved to the St Albans area, under canvas at Briton Camp for training and route marches. In Aug 1915, the Brigade was retitled 177th Brigade, 59th Division (2nd North Midland) and in October they were moved back to billets in Harpenden. Throughout 1915 some members of the 2/5 Leicesters also provided guards for the prisoner of war camp at Donnington Hall.

          In January 1916 parties of Officers were sent to France on tours of instruction in the trenches and in March, the long awaited orders to proceed overseas were received. But on Easter Monday, the rebellion in Ireland, forced a rapid change of plans. The 177th Brigade were recalled from leave and ordered move to Liverpool at midnight, the following day the sailed from Liverpool on the SS Ulster, a fast mailboat, escorted by a Royal Navy destroyer. Their first taste of action was not to be in the trenches of the Western Front, but in the streets of Dublin. By the end of the month the main uprising was over and the 2/5th Battalion were employed as search parties in Ballsbridge and guarded railways, bridges and other key infrastructure. On the 10th of May they moved out of the city to tackle pockets of resistance in Co. Kerry, moving from village to village, searching homes and making arrests. In June word was received that the Battalion would be moving to France and training resumed with long route marches through Ireland. Over 7 days in August they marched 80 miles from Tralee to Fermoy Barracks, where they would remain until January 1917, engaged in live fire training in trench warfare. The return trip from Ireland was made aboard the SS Ulster and they arrived at Fovant Camp in Wiltshire by train at 7pm on the 6th of January 1917.

          After embarkation leave they proceeded to France via Southampton, arriving at Le Harve on the 24th February 1917. They were sent to the Somme area where the enemy were retreating to the Hindenburgh line. The made their first attack on the villages of Hesbecourt and Hervilly on the 31st of March 1917, capturing both villages and suffering a number of casualties.

          In September the 2/5th Battalion moved north to Ypres to prepare for the Third Balle of Ypres. They saw action at Polygon Wood in the area of Hill 37. They moved to Lens on the 13th of October 1917 and were involved in the Cambrai Operations and spent Christmas resting at Le Cauroy. In February 1918 the 2/5th Battalion was disbanded, with the men being split between the 1st Battalion, 1/4th and 2/4th Battalions.

             6th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was raised at Leicester in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 9th (Scottish) Division as Divisional Troops. In April 1915 they transferred to 110th Brigade, 37th Division and proceeded to France on 29th of July 1915 the Division concentrating near Tilques. On the 7th of July 1916 they transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st Division. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             7th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was raised at Leicester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Secind New Army and joined 15th (Scottish) Division as Divisional Troops. In April 1915 they transferred to 110th Brigade, 37th Division and proceeded to France on 29th of July 1915 the Division concentrating near Tilques. On the 7th of July 1916 they transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st Division. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was raised at Leicester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 23rd Division as Divisional Troops. In April 1915 they transferred to 110th Brigade, 38th Division and proceeded to France on 29th of July 1915 the Division concentrating near Tilques. On the 8th of July 1916 they transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st Division. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys suffering heavily. On the 28th of June 1918 the 8th Leicesters was reduced to cadre strength with troops transferring to the 7th Leicesters. The cadre transferred to 25th Division and returned to England, on the 7th of July they were absorbed by the 14th Battalion, West Riding Regiment.

             9th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was raised at Leicester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 23rd Division as Divisional Troops. In April 1915 they transferred to 110th Brigade, 39th Division and proceeded to France on 29th of July 1915 the Division concentrating near Tilques. On the 9th of July 1916 they transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st Division. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In early 1918 the army was reorgansied and on the 20th of February the 9th Leicesters was disbanded in France with troops transferring to the 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th Leicesters, the 20th Entrenching Battalion and some being sent to VIII Corps Reinforcement Camp where they were posted to other units.

             1st Battalion, Leinster Regiment were in Fyzabad, India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England and landed Plymouth on the 16th of November 1914. They joined 82nd Brigade, 27th Division at Winchester and proceeded to France from Southampton on the 20th of December, landing at Le Havre. The 27th Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm On the 2nd of November 1916 the 1st Leinsters transferred to 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. On the 14th of September 1917 concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

             2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment were at Cork with 17th Brigade in 6th Division when war was declared in August 1914. They returned to England and moved Cambridge on the 18th of August then on to Newmarket. They proceeded to France on the 12th of September 1914 landing at St Nazaire. They marched at once across to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. In mid October 1915 they transferred to 73rd Brigade, 24th Division. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. On the 1st of February 1918 the transferred to 47th Brigade in 16th (Irish) Division at Tincourt and absorbed troops from disbanded 7th Btn. On the 13th of April 1918 they absorbed troops from disbanded 6th Connaught Rangers and on the 23rd of April 1918, transferred to 88th Brigade in 29th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders, including the The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63. After the Armistice 29th Division selected to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads in Germany and they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918 and arrived in Cologne on the 9th. The 29th Division was demobilised in early 1919.

             7th (Service) Battalion, Leinster Regiment was raised at Fermoy in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 47th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They moved to Kilworth in January 1915 and crossed to England in September 1915, undertaking final training at Blackdown. They proceeded to France on the 18th of December 1915 landing at Le Havre and concentrating in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 14th of April 1918 the 7th Leinsters were disbanded at Tincourt with the men transferring to 2nd Leinsters and the 19th Entrenching Battalion.

             1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment were in Portsmouth at the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 serving with 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. They proceeded to France witt the BEF, landing at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. On the 14th of November 1915 the 1st Lincolns transferred to 62nd Brigade, 21st Division, who had suffered heavy casualties at at Loos. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment were in Bermuda when war broke out in August 1914 they returned to England via Halifax, Nova Scotialanding on the 3rd of October. They joined 25th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. The proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 6th of November 1914 a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. On the 4th of February 1918 they transferred to 62nd Brigade, 21st Division. They fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys, the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 21st Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             2/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment was formed in Grimsby on the 6th of February 1915 as a Second Line Territorial Battalion. In July they joined 177th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division, at St Albans and were renamed 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. The Military Services Act of 1916, meant that all troops were now liable for overseas service and the Division began training for deployment to France. When the Irish rebellion broke out in April 1916, the Division was sent to Dublin, Ireland and was engaged in fierce fighting against the Irish nationalist forces, suffering their first casualties. They then moved to the Curragh, returning to England in January 1917 and moved to Fovant for final training. They proceeded to France in February and the Diviison concentrated at Mericourt and went into the front line south of the Somme, near Estrees. In April they were in action in The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in the Somme area, but their lack of training became obvious and whilst they suceeded in capturing Jeancourt they were viciously replused at Le Verguier. Though they were engaged in attacks at Villeret and Hargicourt quarries. In May the Division was withdrawn for a few days rest then moved back into the front line at Havrincourt and Flesquieres. In June they moved to rest at Barastre then in late August travelled by train from Acheux to Winnezeele, arriving in Flanders on the 1st of September. They were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood. In October they moved to Lens taking over the front line then moved to Bapaume on the 17th of November. They were in action during The capture of Bourlon Wood and The German counter attacks. On the 23rd of November they moved to Etricourt, until the 29th when they returned to Bourlon Wood. On the 1st of December 470 Field Company RE, which was marching to Gouzeaucourt, was caught up in the German advance and assisted in the defence of the area until the Guards Division was able to counter attack. On the 23rd of December they moved to Le Cauroy for rest and further training, going back into the line at Bullecourt on the 11th of February 1918. In March 177th Brigade and the divisional artillery were in action in The Battle of St Quentin. The whole Division then suffered heavily in the The Battle of Bapaume. The Division, without the artillery, moved to Poperinge in Flanders, receiving new drafts of men. On the 5th of April they took over the front line at Passchendaele. On the 13th of April they moved to reinforce the Lys area and were in action during The Battle of Bailleul, suffering heavy losses as the enmy broke through, they moved back to Mont Noir and fought in the The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. In early May the Division was reduced to a training cadre establishment. On the 29th of May the 2/5th Linclons transferred to 21st Brigade, 30th Division, then on the 28th of June they joined 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, being absorbed by 1/5th Battalion on the 31st of July.

             6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

          6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment was raised at Lincoln in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 33rd Brigade in 11th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Belton Park, Grantham. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training.

          They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February.

          On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval.

          In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle.

          In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay. Between 26-28 November the Division was moved back behind the River Scheldt.

          Demobilisation began in January 1919 and ended in June 1919.

             7th (Service) Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment was raised at Lincoln in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 51st Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

             The 7th Battalion The London Regiment was nicknamed the ‘Shiny Seventh’ was formed as part of the Territorial Force in April 1908, having previously been the 3rd City of London Rifle Volunteers. The Battalion landed in France in March 1915 as part of the 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. They first saw action at Festubert in May 1915, and later took part in major battles at Loos in September 1915, Vimy in May 1916, High Wood in September 1916, Butte de Warlencourt in October 1916 moving to Belguim in 1917 and seeing action in the battle of Passchendaele at Messines in June of that year before returning to France for the battles at and Cambrai in November 1917. In 1918 the 1/7th amaganated with the 2/7th to become the 7th Battalion, seeing action at Villiers Bretonneux, Mallard Wood, Epehy, Courrieres, Maulde.

             9th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment, The 1st Queen Victoria’s Rifles are the descendants of The Duke of Cumberland’s Corps of Sharpshooters which was inaugurated in September 1803. In 1908, when the Territorial Force was created, the 9th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) was allocated to the 3rd London Brigade, 1st London Division.

          In August 1914 they had their HQ at 56 Davies Street and were part of 3rd London Brigade, 1st London Division. They Moved on mobilisation to Bullswater, going on in September to Crowborough. Early in the Great War, the 1st London Division was broken up to provide reinforcements for the BEF and on 5th November 1914 the 9th Battalion landed at Havre and joined 13th Brigade, 5th Division. The battalion fought with 5th Division throughout 1915, at Hill 60, Second Ypres and St Julien. In February 1916 the 56th Division was formed in France and the 9th Battalion were allocated to the 169th Brigade. It fought with this division on the Somme, Arras, Third Ypres and Cambrai and transferred to the 58th Division in February 1918 where it amalgamated with the 2/9th to become the 9th Battalion.

             1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were based in Aldershot serving with 2nd Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at le Harve on the 13th. The 1st Loyals fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 7th of February 1918 they transferred to 1st Brigade, 1st Division and were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

             2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were in Bangalore, India when war broke out in August 1914. On the 3rd of November 1914 they landed at Tanga in German East Africa, with the 27th Indian Brigade. In May 1916 they moved to South Africa for a period of rest as the troops were in ill-health. They proceeded to Egypt, landing at Suez on the 18th of January 1917 and joined 232nd Brigade, 75th Division on the 14th of April, transferring to 233rd and then 234th Brigades of the same Division. On the 9th of August 1917 following a medical board they left the Division and moved to Sidi Bashr and then went into the Lines of Communication at Gaza. On the 27th of May 1918 they moved to France, landing at Marseilles and travelling by train to join 94th Brigade, 31st Division on the 4th of June. On the 28th of June they transferred to 101st Brigade, 34th Division and went into to action at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

             7th (Service) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. After training close to home they moved to Bulford and then to Whitchurch in December 1914 for the winter before going to Tidworth for final training. They proceeded to France on the 17th of July 1915 landing at Boulogne, the division concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. The 7th Loyals were disbanded in France on the 10th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

             8th (Service) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 74th Brigade, 25th Division. The new division assembled in the area around Salisbury for training. The 8th Loyals moved to billets in Boscombe in December, then to Bournemouth in January, they returned to Boscombe in March. In May they moved to Romsey and to Aldershot for final training in June. They proceeded to to France on the 16th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the area of Nieppe. On the 26th of October the battalion transferred to 7th Brigade, still with 25th Division. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 8th Loyals were disbanded at Courcelles on the 16th of February 1918, with the troops tramsferring to other units.

             2/1st Battalion, London Regiment was a Territorial unit with HQ at Tufton Street in Westminster as part of 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division, when war was declared in August 1914. They were mobilised at once to guard the Amesbury-Southampton docks railway. On the 4th of September 1914 they sailed with the 1st London Brigade from Southampton to Malta, arriving in Valetta on the 14th of September to take over the garrison, allowing the regular units to return home for service in France. They left Malta on the 2nd of January 1915 landing at Marseilles on the 6th, the travelled north by train 17th Brigade, 6th Division on the 17th of February. On the 14th of October they transferred with 17th Brigade to 24th Division then on the 9th of February 1916 they transferred to 169th Brigade in the newly formed 56th (London) Division, which was concentrating in the Hallencourt area. They were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

             3rd/9th (3rd Queen Victoria’s Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, was formed in April 1915 and remained in Britain throughout the Great War in the role of training and providing reinforcements for the other two QVR battalions.

             2/3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment was formed in London in September 1914. They trained at Epsom Downs and Tonbridge, joining 2/1st London Brigade, 2/1st London Division. On the 31st of December they left the Division and moved to Malta to replace the 1/3rd Londons at the garrison there. On the 27th of August 1915 they moved to Egypt, and went on to land at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 13th of October 1915, joining the 86th Brigade, 29th Division. They were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt and transferred to 53rd (Welsh) Division. In April 1916 they left the Division and moved to France. In June 1916 the original 2/3rd Londons were disbanded at Rouen, with the 3/3rd Batalion then being renamed 2/3rd. When the army was reorganised in ealy 1918, the 2/3rd battalion was absorbed by 1/3rd Londons, on the 6th of February 1918.

             The 2/6th Battalion, London Regiment was formed at the end of August 1914 and became part of 2nd London Brigade, 1st London Division. The 2/6th arrived in France in January 1917 with 174th Brigade, 58th Division, and saw its first major action at Bullecourt. The Battalion also took part in the Third Battle of Ypres in late 1917. At the end of January 1918 the 1/6th and 2/6th were amalgamated and became known at the 6th Battalion, serving with the 58th Division until the end of the war.

             2nd/9th (2nd Queen Victoria’s Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, was formed in August 1915. The 2/9th went to France in February 1917 with 58th Division and saw action at Bullecourt and Third Ypres before amalgamating with the 1st/9th Battalion.

             2/14th (2nd London Scottish) Battalion, London Regiment, was a second line Territorial unit formed in London in September 1914, from the troops of the 14th (1st London Scottish) Battalion who had not volunteered for serviceover seas. They joined 2/4th London Brigade, 2/2nd London Division at White City, later retitled 179th Brigade, 60th (2/2nd London) Division. They moved to Maidstone in January 1915 then to Watford in April, to Saffron Walden in June and to Sutton Veny in January 1916 to prepare for service overseas. Due to the Irish rebellion, plans to embark for France were with drawn and on the 28th of April the 2nd London Scottish landed at Cork for security duties in Ireland, based at Ballincollig and moving to Macroom. On the 14th of May they returned to England, sailing from Rosslare to Fishguard and returned to Sutton Veny to continue training. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of June, landing at Le Havre. In November they were ordered to Salonika. Travelling by train fom Longpre to Marseilles and sailing via Malta, they arrived in Salonika on 25 December 1916. In 1917 they were in action during the The Battles of Doiran in April and May. They moved to Egypt, concentrating at Moascar in the Southern Suez Canal Zone then advanced into Palestine. They were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza including the capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria position and The capture and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they saw action in The capture of Jericho, The battle of Tell'Asur, The first Trans-Jordan raid (as part of Shea's Force) The attack on Amman (as part of Chaytor's Column) and The second Trans-Jordan raid. In the spring and summer the division was \"Indianised\" with British units leaving for France and units of the Indian Army taking their place. The 2nd London Scottish left the Division on the 30th of May and returned to France, joining 90th Brigade, 30th Division on the 2nd of July. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

             2/15th (2nd Prince of Wales's Own Civil Service Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, was a second line Territorial unit formed at Somerset House, London in September 1914, from the troops of the 15th (1st Civil Service Rifles) Battalion who had not volunteered for serviceover seas. They joined 2/4th London Brigade, 2/2nd London Division at White City, later retitled 179th Brigade, 60th (2/2nd London) Division. They moved to Maidstone in January 1915 then to Watford in April, to Saffron Walden in June and to Sutton Veny in January 1916 to prepare for service overseas. Due to the Irish rebellion, plans to embark for France were with drawn and on the 28th of April the 2nd London Scottish landed at Cork for security duties in Ireland, based at Ballincollig and moving to Macroom. On the 14th of May they returned to England, sailing from Rosslare to Fishguard and returned to Sutton Veny to continue training. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of June, landing at Le Havre. In November they were ordered to Salonika. Travelling by train fom Longpre to Marseilles and sailing via Malta, they arrived in Salonika on 25 December 1916. In 1917 they were in action during the The Battles of Doiran in April and May. They moved to Egypt, concentrating at Moascar in the Southern Suez Canal Zone then advanced into Palestine. They were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza including the capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria position and The capture and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they saw action in The capture of Jericho, The battle of Tell'Asur, The first Trans-Jordan raid (as part of Shea's Force) The attack on Amman (as part of Chaytor's Column) and The second Trans-Jordan raid. In the spring and summer the division was \"Indianised\" with British units leaving for France and units of the Indian Army taking their place. The 2nd Civil Service Rifles left the Division on the 30th of May and returned to France, joining 90th Brigade, 30th Division on the 2nd of July. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

             2/17th (2nd Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were raised in London in August 1914. After training in the London area they joined 2/5th London Brigade, 2/2nd London Division at Reigate in January 1915. The division was later retitled 180th Brigade, 60th (2/2nd London) Division. They moved to St Albans in March 1915, then to Bishops Stortford in May 1915 and to Sutton Veny in January 1916 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 23rd of June, landing at Le Havre. In November 1916 they moved to Salonika. they were ordered to Salonika. Travelling by train fom Longpre to Marseilles and sailing via Malta, they arrived in Salonika on 25 December 1916. In 1917 they were in action during the The Battles of Doiran in April and May. They moved to Egypt, concentrating at Moascar in the Southern Suez Canal Zone then advanced into Palestine. They were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza including the capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria position and The capture and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they saw action in The capture of Jericho, The battle of Tell'Asur, The first Trans-Jordan raid (as part of Shea's Force) The attack on Amman (as part of Chaytor's Column) and The second Trans-Jordan raid. In the spring and summer the division was Indianised with British units leaving for France and units of the Indian Army taking their place. On the 27th of May the 2/17th Londons left the Division and moved to France, joining 89th Brigade, 30th Division the 30th of June at Audruicq. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

             2/23rd Battalion, London Regiment was raised at Clapham Junction, London in August 1914. After training in the London area they joined 2/6th London Brigade, 2/2nd London Division at Redhill, later named 181st Brigade, 60th (2/2nd London) Division. They moved to St Albans in March 1915, then to Braintree in May 1915 to and Sutton Veny in January 1916 for final training. They proceeded to France in June landing at Le Havre. In November they were ordered to Salonika. Travelling by train fom Longpre to Marseilles and sailing via Malta, they arrived in Salonika on 25 December 1916. In 1917 they were in action during the The Battles of Doiran in April and May. They moved to Egypt, concentrating at Moascar in the Southern Suez Canal Zone then advanced into Palestine. They were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza including the capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria position and The capture and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they saw action in The capture of Jericho, The battle of Tell'Asur, The first Trans-Jordan raid (as part of Shea's Force) The attack on Amman (as part of Chaytor's Column) and The second Trans-Jordan raid. In the spring and summer the division was \"Indianised\" with British units leaving for France and units of the Indian Army taking their place. On the 26th of May the 2/23rd Londons left the Division and moved to France and joined 21st Brigade, 30th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

             33rd Battalion, London Regiment was formed at Clacton-on-Sea in early June 1918. On the 18th they moved to Pirbright and absorbed the cadre of the 7th Battalion Rifle Brigade, joining the reforming 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They proceeded to France on the 3rd of July 1918, landing at Boulogne. The Division joined Second Army and saw action at Ypres and in the final advance in Flanders.

             34th Battalion, London Regiment was formed at formed in Clacton-on-Sea in early June 1918. On the 27th of June, they moved to Aldershot, absorbing the cadre of the 7th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps and joining the reforming 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They proceeded to France on the 1st of August 1918, landing at Boulogne and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

             Formed by Lord Baden Powell in 1907 the Boy Scouts played a vital role on the Home Front during the Great War, from assisting the army and police as watchers and signallers to raising money for the war effort and collecting material for recycling. The discipline and training was also an excellent preparation for military service and an outlet for patriotic fervour amongst young boys keen to do their bit for King and Country.

             National Reserve was formed in the years just before the War as a register of men who had military experience, but who were not liable to be recalled for military service. Those who enrolled signed an honourable obligation with the Territorial Force County Associations to serve in the event of war. In August 1914 the numbers of old soldiers in The National Reserve numbered over 200 thousand. On the 6th of August 1914 the War Office announced that National Reserve members would be accepted for enlistment into the army upto the age of 42 yrs. The men of the National Reserve were called up for duty by the end of the month to free up the Territorial Forces for active service.

             9th (Service) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 74th Brigade, 25th Division. The new division assembled in the area around Salisbury for training. The 9th Loyals moved to billets in Christchurch in December, then to Southbourne in January. In May they moved to Romsey and to Aldershot for final training in June. They proceeded to to France on the 26th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. On the 21st of June 1918 they formed 2nd Composite Battalion with the 8th Border Regiment and transferred to 50th (Northumbrian) Division. On the 12th of August 1918 the battalion was disbanded in France.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army joined 22nd Division as army troops. They trained on the South Downs, spending the winter in Eastbourne. In April 1915 they transferred to the newly forming 112th Brigade, 37th Division, which was concentrating at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 1st of August, the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 4th of February the 10th Loyals were disbanded in France.

             15th (Service) Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was raised at Cromer on the 1st of June 1918. On the 19th of June they absorbed the cadre of the 11th King's Liverpool Regiment, who had just returned from France. At Brookwood they joined 14th (Light) Division, as a Pioneer Battalion and proceeded to France on the 5th of July, landing at Boulogne. They joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the Final Advance in Flanders.

             2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment were in Curragh serving with 14th Brigade, 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They mobilised and proceeded to France landing at Le Harve on the 17th of August 1914 and entrained to La Cateau. They went into action on the 23rd forming a defensive line near Wasmes on the Mons-Conde canal at The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat. They were also in action at The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units from 5th Division were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops and the 2nd Manchesters moved with 14th Brigade to 32nd Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. On the 6th of February 1918 the battalion transferred to 96th Brigade, still with 32nd Division. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 12th (Service) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised at Ashton-under-Lyne in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, and joined 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Wimborne in January 1915 they in May 1915 moved to Hursley Park, Winchester for final training. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 17th of July 1915, the division concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders, on the 24th of September 1917 they absorbed the Head quarters troops and two squadrons of the dismounted Duke of Lancaster's Yeomanry. and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

             The 13th (Service) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised at Ashton-under-Lyne in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and joined 25th Division as army troops. They moved to Seaford and in October transferred to 66th Brigade, 22nd Division. In November they moved to billets in Eastbourne for the winter, returning to Seaford in March 1915. In May they moved to Aldershot for final training. They proceeded to France in early September, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. On the 22nd of June 1918 the 13th Manchesters left 22nd Division and returned to France, arriving at Abancourt on the 11th of July. They joined 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the 21st and absorbed the 17th Manchesters on the 30th of July. On the 13th of August 1918 the 13th Manchesters were absorbed by the 1/9th Manchesters.

             The 16th (1st City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 28th of August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Initially they trained at Heaton Park but moved in April 1915 to Belton Park, where they joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division. They to Larkhill in September 1915 for final training and proceeded to France on the 6th of November 1915. concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. On the 13th of May 1918 the 16th Manchesters were reduced to cadre strength. They transferred to 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division on the 18th of June 1918 they returned to England via Boulogne and were reconstituted at Cowshott, absorbing the 29th Manchesters. They returned to France on the 4th of July 1918 and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders.

             The 17th (2nd City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 28th of August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Initially they trained at Heaton Park but moved in April 1915 to Belton Park, where they joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division. They to Larkhill in September 1915 for final training and proceeded to France on the 6th of November 1915. concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. On the 11th of February 1918 they transferred to 21st Brigade, still with 30th Division. They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavily. On the 15th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 19th of June transferred to to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On the 30th of July 1918 the 17th Manchesters were absorbed into the 13th Manchesters.

             The 18th (3rd City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 28th of August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Initially they trained at White City in Old Trafford, then at Heaton Park but moved in April 1915 to Belton Park, where they joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division. They to Larkhill in September 1915 for final training and proceeded to France on the 6th of November 1915. concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 18th Manchesters were disbanded at Haut Allaines on the 20th of February 1918, with the troops transferring to other units.

             The 19th (4th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 28th of August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Initially they trained at Heaton Park but moved in April 1915 to Belton Park, where they joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division. They to Larkhill in September 1915 for final training and proceeded to France on the 6th of November 1915. concentrating near Amiens. on the 21st of December they transferred to 21st Brigade, still with 30th Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 18th Manchesters were disbanded in France on the 6th of February 1918, with the troops transferring to other units.

             The 20th (5th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in in Manchester on the 8th of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. They moved to Morecambe for training and in April 1915 moved to Grantham to join 91st Brigade, 30th Division. In September 1915 they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury Plain for final training and proceeded to France in November 1915, landing at Boulogne. On the 20th of December 1915, 91st Brigade transferred to 7th Division the 20th Manchesters then transferred to 22nd Brigade still with 7th Division. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave, in late January 1918. On the 13th of September 1918 the 20th Manchesters left 7th Division and returned to France, joining 7th Brigade, 25th Division. They were in action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 21st (6th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 13th of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. They moved to Morecambe for training in January 1915 and in April moved to Grantham to join 91st Brigade, 30th Division. In September they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury Plain for final training and proceeded to France in early November, landing at Boulogne. On the 20th of December 1915 91st Brigade transferred to 7th Division. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. On the 13th of September 1918 the 21st Manchesters left 7th Division and returned to France, joining 7th Brigade, 25th Division. They were in action during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 22nd (7th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 21st of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. They moved to Morecambe for training in January 1915 and in April joined 91st Brigade, 30th Division at Grantham. They moved to Larkhill, Salisbury Plain for final training in September 1915 and proceeded to France in early November, landing at Boulogne. On the 20th of December 1915 91st Brigade transferred to 7th Division. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

             The 23rd (8th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 21st of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City as a Bantam Battalion, comprised of troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they moved to Morecambe in December 1914. In June 1915 they joined 104th Brigade in 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, landing at Bologne and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 23rd Manchesters were disbanded in France on the 16th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

             The 24th (Oldham) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Oldham on the 24th of October 1914 by the Mayor and Town. They moved to Llanfairfechan in March 1915 and joined 91st Brigade, 30th Division at Grantham in April 1915. In September 1915 they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury Plain for final training and proceeded to France in early November landing at Boulogne. On the 20th of December 91st Brigade transferred to 7th Division and the 24th Manchesters transferred to 22nd Brigade, with 7th Division. On the 22nd of May 1916 they converted into a Pioneer Battalion and transferred to the command of 7th Division HQ. The Oldham Pioneers were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

             1st Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was at Woolwich when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 11th of August landing at Le Harve and taking on duties as Lines of Communication troops at Rouen. On the 22nd they became attached to 19th Infantry Brigade, which was an independent command at this time, not attached to any division. On the 12th of October 1914 the battalion transferred with 19th Brigade to 6th Division. On the 31st of May 1915 they transferred with 19th Brigade to 27th Division, then on the 19th of August to 2nd Division. On the 25th of November 1915 the Battalion transferred to 98th Brigade to the newly arrived 33rd Division. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme, in 1917 at Arras, on the Hindenburg Line, during the Operations on the Flanders Coast and in the Third battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 33rd Division was in a period of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval

             4th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was based in Devonport with 8th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 14th of August 1914 landing at Boulogne. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 14th of November 1915 they transferred to 63rd Brigade in 21st Division In 1916 they were in action in Battle of The Somme, on the 8th of July 1916 they moved with the Brigade to 37th Division. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

             3/10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was formed in May 1915 and after training in Kent moved to to Bourne Park. They proceeded to France on the 1st of June 1917 landing at Le Havre and joined the South African Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. On the 2nd of August 1917 they transferred to 10th Brigade, 4th Division. Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. The 3/10th Middlesex was disbanded in France on the 20th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

             11th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised at Mill Hill in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Colchester moving to Shorncliffe in November and in February 1915 they moved into Ramillies Barracks at Aldershot for final training. The Division proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. The 11th Middlesex were disbanded in France on the 7th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

             12th (Service) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised at Mill Hill in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. They moved to Colchester for training, undertaking final training at Codford, on Salisbury Plain from May 1915. They proceeded to France on the 26th of July 1915 landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 13th of February 1918 the 12th Middlesex was disbanded in France as the army was reorganised.

             The 13th (Service) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised at Mill Hill in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 73rd Brigade, 24th Division. They trained on the South Downs, sepnding the winter billets in Hove. They moved to Shoreham in May then to Pirbright in June for final training. They proceeded to France on the 2nd of September 1915, landing at Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

             The 16th (Public Schools) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in London on the 1st of September 1914 by Lt-Col. J.J.Mackay. They trained at Kempton Park racecourse, moving to Warlingham in December. They joined 100th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone Camp in July and moved to Perham Down for final training in August. They proceeded to France on the 17th of November, landing at Boulogne. 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. On the 25th of February 1916 they left Division and transferred to GHQ Troops then joined 86th Brigade, 29th Division on the 25th of April. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 11th of February the 16th Middlesex were disbanded near Poperinghe in Belgium with troops transferring to other units.

             The 17th (1st Football) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in London on the 12th of December 1914 by W. Joynson Hicks MP. They trained at White City, moving to Cranleigh in April 1915. They joined 100th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone Camp in July and moved to Perham Down for final training in August. The proceeded to France on the 18th of November landing at Boulogne. On the 8th of December they transferred to 6th Brigade, 2nd Division. They fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and onthe 10th of February 1918 the 1st Footballers were disbanded in France with the troops transferring to other units.

             The 18th (1st Public Works) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in London on the 19th of January 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. They trained at Alexandra Palace, and moved to Rayleigh in May. They joined 33rd Division as a Pioneer Battalion at Clipstone Camp in July and moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. Their role as Pioneers was to provide and maintain support services to the Front Line including repairing trenches, tunnelling, laying rail tracks, revetting canals etc. They proceeded to France on the 15th of November, landing at Le Havre. 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. In 1916 the division were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a period of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

             20th (Shoreditch) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in Shoreditch on the 18th of May 1915 by the Mayor and Borough. In July 1915 they joined 118th Brigade in 39th Division and moved to Aldershot. In February 1916 they moved to Witley and transferred to 121st Brigade, 40th Division. They proceeded to France in June 1916 and the divison concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 6th of May 1918 they were reduced to a cadre and on the 31st they transferred to 16th (Irish) Division. On the 20th of June they absorbed the 34th Middlesex and moved to Boulogne on the 16th of July, transferring to 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They returned to England on the 17th and moved to Brookwood. They returned to France on the 5th of July 1918 landing at Boulogne, they joined Second Army and saw action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

             21st (Islington) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in Islington on the 18th of May 1915 by the Mayor and Borough. After initial training close to home, in July 1915 they joined 118th Brigade, 39th Division and moved to Aldershot in October. In February 1916 they moved to Witley and transferred to 121st Brigade, 40th Division for final training. They proceeded to France in the first week of June and the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie and The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. On the 5th of February 1918 they transferred to 119th Brigade still with 40th Division, they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 5th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 3rd of June they transferred to 34th Division. On the 30th they moved to Boulogne, transferring to 74th Brigade, 25th Division and crossed to England the folowing day. At Aldershot they left the Division and were sent to Cromer to man the coastal defences.

             22nd (2nd Islington) Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised at Mill Hill in June 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. After inital training close to home they joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division at Aldershot in October. They moved to Witley in February 1916 and on the 2nd of April the battalion was disbanded in England with the troops transferring to other units.

             23rd (2nd Football) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in London on the 29th of June 1915 by W. Joynson Hicks MP. They trained at Cranleigh and in November joined 123rd Brigade, 41st Division at Aldershot. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, and the division concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on 12 January the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began; in March 1919 and the Division was renamed the London Division.

             26th (3rd Public Works Pioneers) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in London on the 9th of August 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. They trained at Alexandra Park. They proceeded to Salonika, arriving on the 24th of August 1916 and joined 27th Division as a Pioneer Battalion. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division, including the 3rd Middlesex Pioneers were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

             The Guards Division was uniquely formed in France in August 1915 when various Guards units were drawn from other Divisions already in Flanders to form this unit. It served on the Western Front throughout WW1.

          In Autumn 1915 they were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at the The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, in which the Division captured Lesboeufs. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and Third Battle of Ypres including The Battle of Pilkem, The Battle of the Menin Road, The Battle of Poelkapelle and The First Battle of Passchendale. In 1918 They fought on the Somme during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Albert and The Second Battle of Bapaume. Also The 1918 First Battle of Arras, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to The Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre

          The division, which was in and around Maubeuge at the Armistice, was joined by the 4th (Guards) Brigade from 31st Division on 17 November 1918. The Guards Division was then ordered to the Rhine and crossed the German frontier on 11 December. Battalions began to return to England on 20 February 1919 and the final moves of the Division were completed by 29 April 1919.

          Divisional Order of Battle of the Guards Division:

          1st Guards Brigade

          • Joined as complete 4th (Guards) Brigade from 2nd Division on 20 August 1915 and renumbered two days later.
          • 2nd Bn, the Grenadier Guards
          • 2nd Bn, the Coldstream Guards
          • 3rd Bn, the Coldstream Guards left 8 February 1918
          • 1st Bn, the Irish Guards
          • 1st Guards Brigade Machine Gun Company formed by 19 September 1915 and left to move into 4th Bn Guards MG Regiment 1 March 1918
          • 1st Guards Trench Mortar Battery formed by 18 May 1916

          2nd Guards Brigade

          • 3rd Bn, the Grenadier Guards joined 19 August 1915
          • 1st Bn, the Coldstream Guards joined 25 August 1915
          • 1st Bn, the Scots Guards joined 25 August 1915
          • 2nd Bn, the Irish Guards joined 17 August 1915, left 8 February 1918
          • 2nd Guards Brigade Machine Gun Company formed by 19 September 1915 and left to move into 4th Bn Guards MG Regiment 1 March 1918
          • 2nd Guards Trench Mortar Battery formed in April 1916

          3rd Guards Brigade

          • 1st Bn, the Grenadier Guards joined 4 August 1915
          • 4th Bn, the Grenadier Guards joined 19 August 1915, left 18 February 1918
          • 2nd Bn, the Scots Guards joined 9 August 1915
          • 1st Bn, the Welsh Guards joined 20 August 1915
          • 3rd Guards Brigade Machine Gun Company formed by 19 September 1915, left to move into 4th Bn Guards MG Regiment 1 March 1918
          • 3rd Guards Trench Mortar Battery formed 24 March 1916

          Divisional Troops

          • 4th Bn, the Coldstream Guards joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 15 August 1915
          • 4th (Foot Guards) Bn, the Guards Machine Gun Regiment joined 27 March 1917 as 4th Guards MG Company, became Bn 1 March 1918
          • Guards Divisional Employment Company formed by 30 June 1917

          Divisional Mounted Troops

          The Household Cavalry Divisional Squadron joined 5 August 1915, broken up 20 June 1916

          Divisional Artillery

          • LXI (Howitzer) Brigade 24 August 1915 until 14 November 1916
          • LXXIV Brigade, RFA from 30 August 1915
          • LXXV Brigade, RFA from 4 September1915
          • LXXVI Brigade, RFA from 4 September 1915 to 19 January 1917
          • Guards Divisional Ammunition Column joined 3 September 1915, from 16th (Irish) Division. The four Brigade Ammunition Columns were amalgamated into DAC on the 13th of May 1916
          • V. Guard Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA was formed May in 1916, left 8 February 1918
          • X.Gds, Y.Gds and Z.Gds Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed March 1916; on 8 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

          Royal Engineers

          • 55th Field Company from September 1915
          • 75th Field Company from August 1915
          • 76th Field Company from August 1915
          • Guards Divisional Signals Company from August 1915 (previously 16th (Irish) Division)

          Royal Army Medical Corps units

          • 3rd Field Ambulance from 25 August 1915
          • 4th Field Ambulance from 19 August 1915
          • 9th Field Ambulance from 28 August 1915
          • 45th Sanitary Section from August 1915, transferred to XVII Corps on 9th April 1917

          Other Divisional Troops

          • 4th Divisional Train ASC 11, 124, 168, 436 Companies, joined 24 August 1915
          • 46th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC from 17 August 1915
          • Guards Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop from 23 August 1915, transferred to Divisional Train on 9th April 1916


              1st Division was one of the first British formations to move to France, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions:

          In 1914 The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, including the Rearguard Affair of Etreux, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne including participation in the Actions on the Aisne heights and the Action of Chivy and First Battle of Ypres

          In 1915 the Winter Operations 1914-15, The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos

          In 1916 they were in action during the following Battles of the Somme: The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval.

          In 1917 they fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Second Battle of Passchendaele which was part of Third Battle of Ypres.

          In 1918 they were in action during The Battle of Estaires - Lys, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Battle of Bethune, The Battle of Drocourt-Queant, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of Beaurevoir, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal

          The Division was selected to advance into Germany and form part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

          Divisional Order of Battle of the 1st Division

          1st Brigade

          • 1st Bn, Coldstream Guards left August 1915
          • 1st Bn, Scots Guards left August 1915
          • 1st Bn, Black Watch
          • 2nd Bn, Royal Munster Fusiliers left August 1914
          • 1st Bn, Cameron Highlanders joined September 1914
          • 1/14th Bn, London Regiment joined November 1914, left February 1916
          • 10th Bn, Gloucestershire Regt joined August 1915
          • 8th Bn, Royal Berkshire Regt joined August 1915, left 2 February 1918
          • 1st Trench Mortar Battery joined by 27 November 1915
          • 1st Machine Gun Company formed on 26 January 1916, left to move into 1st MG Battalion 28 February 1918
          • 1st Bn, Loyal North Lancashire Regt joined February 1918

          2nd Brigade

          • 2nd Bn, Royal Sussex Regt
          • 1st Bn, Loyal North Lancashire Regt left for 1st Brigade February 1918
          • 1st Bn, Northamptonshire Regt
          • 2nd Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
          • 1/5th Bn, Royal Sussex Regt joined February 1915, left August 1915
          • 1/9th Bn, King's (Liverpool Regt) joined March 1915, left November 1915
          • 1/5th Bn, King's Own (Lancaster Regt) joined October 1915, left January 1915
          • 2nd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 27 November 1915
          • 2nd Machine Gun Company formed on 26 January 1916, left to move into 1st MG Battalion 28 February 1918

          3rd Brigade

          • 1st Bn, Queen's left November 1914
          • 1st Bn, South Wales Borderers
          • 1st Bn, Gloucestershire Regiment
          • 2nd Bn, Welsh Regiment
          • 2nd Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined November 1914, left February 1918
          • 1/4th Bn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined November 1914, left September 1915
          • 1/6th Bn, Welsh Regiment joined October 1915, left May 1916
          • 1/9th Bn, King's (Liverpool Regt) joined November 1915, left January 1916
          • 3rd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 27 November 1915
          • 3rd Machine Gun Company formed on 26 January 1916, left to move into 1st MG Battalion 28 February 1918

          Divisional Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

          • 1/6th Bn, Welsh Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion May 1916
          • 216th Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 22 March 1917, left to move into 1st MG Battalion 28 February 1918
          • 1st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 28 February 1918
          • 1st Divisional Train ASC 6, 13, 16 and 36 Companies
          • 2nd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
          • 204th Divisional Employment Company joined 19 May 1917 at which time it was 6th Divisional Employment Company; renamed 14 June 1917
          • 1st Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop Unit joined by 30 January 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 7 April 1916

          Divisional Mounted Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

          • C Squadron, 15th (King's) Hussars left April 1915
          • B Sqn, 1/1st Northumberland Hussars joined 13 April 1915, left 18 April 1916
          • 1st Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 15 June 1916

          Divisional Artillery

          • XXV Brigade, RFA
          • XXVI Brigade, RFA left January 1917
          • XXXIX Brigade, RFA
          • LXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 14 November 1916
          • 1st Divisional Ammunition Column
          • 26th Heavy Battery RGA left April 1915
          • V.1 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 30 January 1917, broken up 9 February 1918
          • X.1, Y.1 and Z.1 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined by 16 March 1916; on 9 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

          Royal Engineers

          • 23rd Field Company
          • 26th Field Company
          • 1st (Lowland) Field Company joined December 1914, later renamed 409th Field Company
          • 1st Divisional Signals Company

          Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 1st Field Ambulance
        • 2nd Field Ambulance
        • 3rd Field Ambulance left for Guards Division 24 August 1915
        • 142nd Field Ambulance joined 24 August 1915
        • 13th Sanitary Section joined by 30 January 1915, left 2 April 1916


           2nd Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France, and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions.

        1914

        • The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, the Affair of Landrecies, the Rearguard affair of Le Grand Fayt and the Rearguard actions of Villers-Cotterets
        • The Battle of the Marne
        • The Battle of the Aisne including participation in the Actions on the Aisne heights
        • First Battle of Ypres

        1915

        • Winter Operations 1914-15
        • The Battle of Festubert
        • The Battle of Loos

        1916

        • The Battle of Delville Wood
        • The Battle of the Ancre
        • Operations on the Ancre

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The First Battle of the Scarpe
        • The Battle of Arleux
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe
        • The Battle of Cambrai

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin
        • The Battle of Bapaume
        • The First Battle of Arras 1918
        • The Battle of Albert
        • The Second Battle of Bapaume
        • The Battle of Havrincourt
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918
        • The Battle of the Selle

        2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and form part of the Occupation Force.

        Order of Battle of 2nd Division

        4th (Guards) Brigade

        On the formation of the Guards Division in August 1915, the Brigade left 2nd Division and moved to Guards Division being renamed 1st Guards Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Grenadier Guards
        • 2nd Btn, Coldstream Guards
        • 3rd Btn, Coldstream Guards
        • 1st Btn, Irish Guards
        • 1/1st Btn, Hertfordshire Regiment from November 1914

        5th Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Worcestershire Regiment until December 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
        • 2nd Btn, Highland Light Infantry
        • 2nd Btn, Connaught Rangers until November 1914
        • 1/9th Btn, the Highland Light Infantry from November 1914 until January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from January 1915 until July 1915
        • 1st Btn, Queen's from July 1915 until December 1915
        • 1/7th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) from September 1915 until November 1915
        • 17th Btn, Royal Fusiliers from December 1915 until February 1918
        • 24th Btn, Royal Fusiliers from December 1915
        • 5th Machine Gun Company was formed on 1st January 1916, became part of 2nd MG Battalion on 4th of March 1918
        • 5th Trench Mortar Battery from 11th of March 1916

        6th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
        • 2nd Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment until December 1915
        • 1st Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps until December 1915
        • 1/5th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) from February 1915 until December 1915
        • 1/7th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) from March 1915 until September 1915
        • 17th Btn, Middlesex Regiment from 8 December 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 13th Btn, Essex Regiment joined December 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 17th Btn, Royal Fusiliers joined February 1918
        • 6th Machine Gun Company formed on 4th of January 1916, became part of 2nd MG Battalion on 4th of March 1918
        • 6th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 18 March 1916

        19th Brigade

        19th Brigade joined from 27th Division to replace the 4th (Guards) Brigade on 19th August 1915 transferred to 33rd Division on 25th November 1915

        • 2nd Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
        • 1/5th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
        • 1st Btn, Middlesex Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

        99th Brigade

        99th Brigade joined 33rd Division on 25th November 1915

        • 17th Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 22nd Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 23rd Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 24th Btn, Royal Fusiliers until December 1915
        • 1/5th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) from February 1915 until December 1915
        • 1st Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment from March 1915
        • 1st Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps from 8th December 1915
        • 99th Machine Gun Company from 28 April 1916, became part of 2nd MG Battalion 4th of March 1918
        • 99th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 18 March 1916

        Divisional Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 10th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Cornwall Pioneers) joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion June 1916, left in July 1917 then returned in November 1917
        • 242nd Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 18 July 1917, absorbed into 2nd MG Battalion 4th of March 1918
        • 2nd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 4th of March 1918
        • 2nd Divisional Train ASC 8, 11, 28, 31, 35 Companies. 11 Coy left with 4th (Guards) Brigade in August 1915
        • 3rd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 205th Divisional Employment Company joined 18 May 1917 at which time it was 7th Divisional Employment Company; renamed in June 1917
        • 2nd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop Unit joined by 4 April 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916

        Divisional Mounted Troops.

        • B Squadron, 15th (King's) Hussars until April 1915
        • B Sqn, South Irish Horse joined May 1915 until May 1916
        • 2nd Company, Army Cyclist Corps until June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XXXIV Brigade, RFA until January 1917
        • XXXVI Brigade, RFA
        • XLI Brigade, RFA
        • XLIV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA until May 1916
        • 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column
        • 1st Siege Battery RGA from February 1915 until April 1915
        • 26th Heavy Battery RGA from February 1915 until April 1915
        • 35th Heavy Battery RGA until April 1915
        • No 11 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 22nd September 1914 to 25th January 1915
        • No 7 Mountain Battery RGA attached 4th February 1915 to 9th December 1915
        • V.2 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 26 May 1917, left by 3 January 1918
        • X.2, Y.2 and Z.2 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined in April 1916; on 24 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 5th Field Company
        • 11th Field Company left December 1915
        • 226th Field Company joined December 1915
        • 1st (East Anglian) Field Company from January 1915, later renamed 483rd Field Company RE
        • 2nd Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 4th Field Ambulance left for Guards Division 19 August 1915
        • 5th Field Ambulance
        • 6th Field Ambulance
        • 19th Field Ambulance from August 1915 until November 1915
        • 100th Field Ambulance from November 1915
        • 11th Sanitary Section joined by 9 January 1915 until 27th of December 1916


           3rd Division was one of the first British formations to move to France and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. It was initially part of II Corps.

        1914

        • The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, including the the Rearguard action of Solesmes
        • The Battle of Le Cateau
        • The Battle of the Marne
        • The Battle of the Aisne including participation in the Actions on the Aisne heights
        • The Battles of La Bassee and Messines 1914
        • First Battle of Ypres

        1915

        • Winter Operations 1914-15
        • The First Attack on Bellewaarde
        • The Actions of Hooge
        • The Second Attack on Bellewaarde (in support of the opening attack in the Battle of Loos)

        1916

        • The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bazentin - Somme in which the Division helped capture Longueval
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Battle of Arleux - Arras 1917
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras 7 in which the Division helped capture Roeux
        • The Battle of the Menin Road - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1917

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The First Battle of Arras 1918 - Somme
        • The Battle of Estaires - Lys
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Lys
        • The Battle of Bethune - Lys
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Selle

        The Division was selected to advance into Germany and form part of the Occupation Force.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 3rd Division

        7th Brigade

          7th Brigade transferred to 25th Division on 18 October 1915

        • 3rd Btn, Worcestershire Regt
        • 2nd Btn, South Lancashire Regt
        • 1st Btn, Wiltshire Regt
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Rifles
        • 1/1st Btn, Honourable Artillery Company joined from 8th Brigade 9 December 1914, left 14 October 1915
        • 1/4th Btn, South Lancashire Regt joined 24 February 1915, left to become Pioneers 12 October 1915

        8th Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regt left 24 October 1914
        • 4th Btn, Middlesex Regt left 13 November 1915
        • 1st Btn, Gordon Highlanders left 12 September 1914, returned 30 September 1914
        • 1st Btn, Devonshire Regt joined 14 September 1914, left 30 September 1914
        • 2nd Btn, Suffolk Regt joined 25 October 1914, left for 76th Brigade 22 October 1915
        • 1/1st Btn, Honourable Artillery Company joined 10 November 1914, left for 7th Brigade 9 Dec 1914
        • 1/4th Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined 27 February 1915, left for 76th Brigade 19 October 1915
        • 13th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 23 October 1915, left for 9th Brigade 4 April 1916
        • 7th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry joined from 76th Brigade 19 October 1915
        • 1/5th Btn, London Regiment joined 25 October 1915, left 10 February 1916
        • 8th Btn, East Yorkshire Regimentt joined 16 November 1915, left 17 February 1918 to form 10th Entrenching Btn with 12th West Yorks
        • 1st Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined from 9th Brigade 5 April 1916
        • 8th Machine Gun Company formed on 22 January 1916, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918
        • 8th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 18 April 1916

        9th Brigade

           9th Brigade temporarily transferred to 28th Division between 17 February and 2 April 1915, exchanged with 85th Brigade.

        • 1st Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
        • 4th Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment left 13 November 1915
        • 1st Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers left for 8th Brigade 5 April 1916
        • 1/10th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 25 November 1914, left 6 January 1916
        • 12th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment joined 16 November 1915, left February 1918
        • 9th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 8 February 1916, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918
        • 13th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined from 8th Brigade 4 April 1916
        • 9th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 1 May 1916

        76th Brigade

           76th Brigade was transferred from 25th Division on 18 October 1915 an exchange with 7th Brigade.

        • 8th Btn, King's Own (Lancaster)
        • 10th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers left 15 February 1918 to form 8th Entrenching Btn with 19th RWF
        • 7th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry left 19 October 1915 for 8th Brigade
        • 13th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left 23 October 1915 for 8th Brigade
        • 1st Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined from 8th Brigade 19 October 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Suffolk Regt joined from 8th Brigade 22 October 1915
        • 76th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 13 April 1916, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918
        • 76th Trench Mortar Battery joined on 1 April 1916 (previously named 43rd TMB)

        Divisional Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 1/4th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment became Divisional Pioneer Battalion from 7th Brigade 12 October 1915, left 9 January 1916
        • 20th Btn, the King's Royal Rifle Corps joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 19 May 1916
        • 233rd Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 18 July 1917, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918
        • 3rd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 6 March 1918
        • 3rd Divisional Train ASC comprised 15, 21, 22, 29 HT Companies ASC
        • 11th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 206th Divisional Employment Company joined 31 May 1917 previously named 8th Divisional Employment Company.
        • 3rd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop Unit joined by 18 April 1915, transferred to Divisional Supply Column 9 April 1916

        Divisional Mounted Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

        • B Squadron, 15th (King's) Hussars left 14 April 1915
        • C Sqn, South Irish Horse joined May 1915, left 11 May 1916
        • 3rd Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 31 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XXIII Brigade, RFA left to become an Army Brigade 21 January 1917
        • XL Brigade, RFA
        • XLI Brigade, RFA
        • XXX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 14 May 1916
        • 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column
        • 48th Heavy Battery RGA left 19 April 1915
        • No 5 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 20 September 1914 to December 1914
        • No 5 Mountain Battery RGA attached 14 December 1914 to 3 March 1915
        • V.3 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed July 1916, left 6 March 1918
        • X.3, Y.3 and Z.3 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined in February 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 56th Field Company
        • 57th Field Company left 7 April 1915
        • 438th (1/1st Cheshire) Field Company joined 22 December 1914
        • 529th (1/1st East Riding) Field Company joined 20 September 1915
        • 3rd Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 7th Field Ambulance
        • 8th Field Ambulance
        • 9th Field Ambulance left for Guards Division 26 August 1915
        • 142nd Field Ambulance joined 26 August 1915
        • 4A Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 3 April 1917, renamed 5th Sanitary Section in April 1916


           4th Division Division was initially planned to be part of the original British Expeditionary Force, but at the last minute the formation was held back in England to counter any German landing. A decision was soon taken to despatch it to France and it arrived just in time to play a valuble part at Le Cateau. The 4th Division then remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions.

        1914

        • The Battle of Le Cateau (The Division fought in this action without its Mounted Troops, Heavy Battery, Divisional Ammunition Column, Field Companies RE, Signals Company RE, Field Ambulances RAMC and Divisional Train, which were all still en route from England)
        • The Battle of the Marne
        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battle of Messines 1914

        1915

        The Second Battle of Ypres

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

        1918

        • The First Battle of Arras 1918 - Somme
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck in which the battalion fought in the Defence of Hinges Ridge - Battle of Lys
        • The Battle of Bethune - Battle of Lys
        • The Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of the Scarpe - Second Battles of Arras
        • The Battle of Drocourt-Queant - Second Battles of Arras
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Battles of the Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of Valenciennes - Final Advance in Picardy

        The Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 4th Division

        10th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Seaforth Highlanders
        • 1st Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers left August 1917
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers left November 1916
        • 1/7th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined January 1915, left March 1916
        • 1/9th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined May 1915, left July 1915
        • The Household Battalion joined November 1916, disbanded February 1918
        • 3/10th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined August 1917, disbanded February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment joined February 1918
        • 10th Machine Gun Company formed on 22 December 1915, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918
        • 10th Trench Mortar Battery formed June 1916

        11th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Somerset Light Infantry
        • 1st Btn, East Lancashire Regiment left February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Hampshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 1/5th Btn, London Regiment joined November 1914, left May 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined July 1915, left May 1916
        • 11th Machine Gun Company formed on 23 December 1915, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918
        • 11th Trench Mortar Battery formed in June 1916

        12th Brigade

        12th Brigade was attached to 36th (Ulster) Division between 4 November 1915 and 3 February 1916 in exchange for 107th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, King's Own (Lancaster)
        • 2nd Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers left December 1914
        • 2nd Btn, Essex Regiment
        • 1/2nd Btn, Monmouthshire Regiment joined November 1914, left January 1916 but absent May to July 1915
        • 1/5th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment joined February 1915, left January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regt joined March 1915, left July 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment joined January 1916, left February 1918
        • 12th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 24 January 1916, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918
        • 12th Trench Mortar Battery formed 11 June 1916

        107th Brigade

        107th Brigade joined from 36th (Ulster) Division in temporary exchange for 12th Brigade (listed above)

        Divisional Troops

        • 21st Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in June 1916
        • 234th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 16 July 1917, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918
        • 11th Entrenching Battalion formed 20 February 1918 from troops from disbanded 3/10th Middlesex Regiment
        • No 4 Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps formed 26 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • B Squadron, 19th Hussars left April 1915
        • A Sqn, 1/st Northamptonshire Yeomanry joined 13 April 1915, left 11 May 1916
        • 4th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XIV Brigade, RFA left January 1917
        • XXIX Brigade, RFA
        • XXXII Brigade, RFA
        • XXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left February 1915
        • CXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade left May 1916
        • 4th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 31st Heavy Battery RGA left April 1915
        • No 4 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 20 September 1914 to January 1915
        • No 2 Mountain Battery RGA attached 14 December 1914 to 21 April 1915
        • V.4 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed by July 1916, left 8 February 1918
        • X.4, Y.4 and Z.4 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined in February 1916; on 8 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 7th Field Company left April 1915
        • 9th Field Company
        • 1st (West Lancashire) Field Company joined February 1915, left February 1916
        • 1st (Durham) Field Company joined September 1915, later renamed 526th Field Company RE
        • 1st (Renfrew) Field Company joined May 1916, renamed 406th Field Company RE
        • 4th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 10th Field Ambulance
        • 11th Field Ambulance
        • 12th Field Ambulance
        • 4th Sanitary Section joined as 3A Section 20 February 1915, renamed in April 1916, left 29 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 4th Divisional Train ASC 18, 25, 32, 38 Companies
        • 4th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 207th Divisional Employment Company joined 17 May 1917 at which time it was 4th Divisional Employment Company; renamed in June 1917
        • 4th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined by 18 April 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           5th Division was part of the original British Expeditionary Force and remained on the Western Front until late 1917 when it moved to Italy. It took part in most of the major actions.

        1914

        • The Battle of Mons and subsequent retreat, including the Action of Elouges
        • The Battle of Le Cateau and the Affair of Crepy-en-Valois
        • The Battle of the Marne
        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battles of La Bassee and Messines 1914
        • The First Battle of Ypres

        1915

        The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60

        In late 1915, many units were switched for those of 32nd Division, a newly arrived volunteer formation. The idea was to strengthen the inexperienced Division by mixing in some regular army troops; even though by now many of the pre-war regulars had gone and the regular battalions themselves were often largely composed of new recruits.

        1916

        March 1916 saw a move, with 5th Division taking over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, in front of Arras. This was a lively time, with many trench raids, sniping and mining activities in the front lines. When the Franco-British offensive opened on the Somme on 1 July 1916, the 5th Division was enjoying a period of rest and re-fit and was in GHQ Reserve. However, this restful time was not destined to last.

        • The Attacks on High Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
        • The Battle of Morval - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        By 5th of October 1916 the Division had left the Somme and was holding a quieter line near Festubert. There was a constant threat from enemy artillery and sniper fire, but in comparison with the Somme it was a relatively tranquil period that lasted until March 1917.

        1917

        • The Battle of Vimy - Arras
        • The Attack on La Coulotte - Arras
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras 1 including the Capture by the Division of Oppy Wood
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

        5th Division was one of five British formations selected to be moved to Italy in Late 1917. This was a strategic and political move agreed by the British Government at the request of the Allied Supreme War Council, in an effort to stiffen Italian resistance to enemy attack after a recent disaster at Caporetto. Many diaries at this time, by men who had witnessed slaughter in the floods of Passchendaele, talk of the move and Italy as being "like another world". Much work was done preparing to move into the mountainous area of the Brenta, but eventually the Division was instead moved to the line along the River Piave, taking up positions in late January 1918. Unfortunately this pleasant period was not to last, for the Division was recalled hurriedly to France, once the enemy had made an attack in overwhelming strength on 21 March 1918.

        1918

        • The Battle of Hazebrouck, the Defence of Nieppe Forest - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Drocourt-Queant - Somme
        • The Battle of the Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy

        The Division remained in the area of Le Quesnoy until mid-December 1918, as demobilisation commenced. On 13 December, the Division began a march into Belgium, eventually to the area between Namur and Wavre. The first men were demobilised on 22 December and more followed at regular intervals through early 1919.

        Order of Battle of the 5th Division

        13th Brigade

        13th Brigade was attached to 28th Division between 23 February 1915 and 7 April 1915 in exchange for 84th Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers
        • 2nd Btn, Duke of Wellington's left January 1916
        • 1st Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Yorkshire Light Infantry left December 1915
        • 1/9th Btn, London Regiment joined November 1915, left February 1915
        • 14th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined December 1915, left October 1918
        • 15th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined January 1916, disbanded October 1918
        • 16th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined October 1918
        • 13th Machine Gun Company formed on 24 December 1915, left to move into 5th MG Battalion 26 April 1918
        • 13th Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

        14th Brigade

        14th Brigade transferred to 32nd Division on 30 December 1915

        • 1st Btn, Devonshire Regiment left for 95th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Suffolk Regiment left September 1914
        • 1st Btn, East Surrey Regiment left for 95th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 1st Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry left for 95th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 1/5th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined February 1915, left November 1915
        • 1/9th Btn, Royal Scots joined November 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined November 1915

        15th Brigade

        15th Brigade was attached to 28th Division between 3 March 1915 and 7 April 1915 in exchange for 83rd Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Norfolk Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Cheshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment t left November 1915
        • 1/6th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined December 1914, left March 1915
        • 1/6th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment ) joined February 1915, left November 1915
        • 16th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined December 1915, left October 1918
        • 15th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 27 December 1915, left to move into 5th MG Battalion 26 April 1918
        • 15th Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

        95th Brigade

        Brigade transferred from 32nd Division on 26 December 1915

        • 14th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment left for 13th Brigade 28 December 1915
        • 15th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment left for 14th Brigade 28 December 1915
        • 16th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment left for 15th Brigade 26 December 1915
        • 12th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment disbanded October 1918
        • 1st Btn, Devonshire Regiment joined from 14th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 1st Btn, East Surrey Regiment joined from 14th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 1st Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry joined from 14th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 95th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 20 December 1915 as 14th Company, left to move into 5th MG Battalion 26 April 1918
        • 95th Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 1/6th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in June 1915, left October 1918
        • 1/5th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in November 1915, left February 1916
        • 14th Btn, the Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in October 1918
        • 205th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 19 March 1917, left to move into 5th MG Battalion 26 February 1918
        • No 5 Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps formed 26 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Squadron, the 19th Hussars left April 1915
        • C Sqn, 1/st Northamptonshire Yeomanry joined and left in early April 1915
        • 5th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • VIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left May 1916
        • XV Brigade, RFA
        • XVII Brigade, RFA
        • XVIII Brigade, RFA left January 1917
        • 5th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 108th Heavy Battery RGA left April 1915
        • No 6 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 12 September 1914 to December 1914
        • V.5 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 18 October 1916, left November 1917
        • X.5, Y.5 and Z.5 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined in April 1916; on 15 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 17th Field Company left September 1915
        • 59th Field Company
        • 2nd (Home Counties) Field Company joined February 1915, later renamed 491st Field Company RE
        • 2nd (Durham) Field Company joined September 1915, later renamed 527th Field Company RE
        • 5th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 13th Field Ambulance
        • 14th Field Ambulance
        • 15th Field Ambulance
        • 6th Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 2 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 5th Divisional Train ASC 4, 6, 33 and 37 Companies
        • 5th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 208th Divisional Employment Company joined 22 May 1917 at which time it was 10th Divisional Employment Company being renamed in June 1917
        • 5th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined by 13 June 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 16 April 1916


           6th Division was a peacetime Division of the pre-war British Army. The units were quartered in Ireland and England at the outbreak of war, and were ordered on mobilisation to concentrate near Cambridge. By early September it was fully equipped and trained. On the 10th of September 1914 it landed at St Nazaire and proceeded to the Western Front, where it remained throughout the war. The Division arrived in time to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF on the Aisne, before the whole army was moved north into Flanders.

        The 6th Division in 1914-1918

        1914

        The actions on the Aisne heights

        1915

        The action at Hooge

        1916

        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
        • The Battle of Morval - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        1917

        • The Battle of Hill 70
        • The Cambrai Operations

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Bailleul - The Advance in Flanders
        • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - The Advance in Flanders
        • The Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge - The Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Beaurevoir - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle
        • The Battle of the Selle

        6th Division was billeted around Bohain at the Armistice on 11 November 1918. It was selected to march into Germany as part of the occupation force and began to move between the 14th and 18th of November to Solre-le-Chateau to assemble. The Division crossed the German border on 13th of December and reached its destination at Bruehl on 23rd of December.

        The Units forming the 6th Division.

        16th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, East Kent Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left November 1915
        • 1st Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 2nd Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 1/5th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined February 1915, left June 1915
        • 8th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined 17 November 1915, disbanded 16 February 1918
        • 16th Machine Gun Company formed in February 1916, left to move into 6th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 16th Trench Mortar Battery formed 3 April 1916

        17th Brigade

        Brigade transferred to 24th Division in exchange for 71st Brigade on 14th of October 1915

        • 1st Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Leinster Regiment
        • 3rd Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 2nd Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 1/2nd Btn, London Regiment joined February 1915

        18th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left November 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Sherwood Foresters left October 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Durham Light Infantry
        • 1/16th Btn, London Regiment joined November 1914, left January 1916
        • 11th Btn, Essex Regiment joined October 1915
        • 14th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined November 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 18th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed in February 1916, left to move into 6th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 18th Trench Mortar Battery formed 16 April 1916

        19th Brigade

        Brigade joined from GHQ Troops on 12 October 1914 and left to join 27th Division on 31 May 1915

        • 2nd Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Cameronians
        • 1st Btn, Middlesex Regt
        • 2nd Btn,Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
        • 1/5th Btn, Cameronians joined November 1915

        71st Brigade

        Brigade transferred to 24th Division in exchange for 17th Brigade on 11 October 1915

        • 9th Btn, Norfolk Regiment
        • 9th Btn, Suffolk Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 8th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment left November 1915
        • 11th Btn, Essex Regiment left October 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Sherwood Foresters joined October 1915
        • 1st Btn, Leicestershire Regiment joined November 1915
        • 71st Machine Gun Company formed 14 March 1916, left to move into 6th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 71st Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 11th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in April 1916
        • 192nd Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 15 December 1916, left to move into 6th MG Battalion 1 March 1918.
        • No 6 Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 1 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • C Squadron,19th Hussars left April 1915
        • B Sqn, 1/st Northamptonshire Yeomanry joined April 1915, left May 1916
        • 6th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • II Brigade, RFA
        • XII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left May 1916
        • XXIV Brigade, RFA
        • XXXVIII Brigade, RFA left January 1917
        • 6th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 24th Heavy Battery RGA left April 1915
        • No 2 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 4 October 1914 to 16 December 1914
        • V.6 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 20 July 1916, left 6 March 1918
        • X.6, Y.6 and Z.6 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined on 1 April 1916; on 15 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 12th Field Company
        • 38th Field Company left April 1915
        • 1st (London) Field Company joined December 1914, later renamed 509th Field Company RE
        • 2/2nd (West Riding) Field Company joined October 1915, later renamed 459th Field Company RE
        • 6th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 16th Field Ambulance
        • 17th Field Ambulance
        • 18th Field Ambulance
        • 8th Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 5 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 6th Divisional Train ASC 17, 19, 23 and 24 Companies
        • 6th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 209th Divisional Employment Company joined 20 May 1917 at which time it was 11th Divisional Employment Company; renamed in June 1917
        • 6th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined by 10 June 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           Formed by Lord Baden Powell, the Girl Guides undertook messenger duties on the Home Front during the Great War and were also trained in first aid.

           1st Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers were in Rangoon, Burma when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to Britain, landing at Avonmouth on the 10th of January 1915. They joined 86th Brigade, 29th Division at Coventry and on the 16th of March 1915 they sailed from Avonmouth for Gallipoli, via Alexandria and Mudros. They landed at Cape Helles on the 25th of April 1915 suffering heavy casualties and on the 30th of April they merged with the 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers forming a unit nick named the 'Dubsters'. They resumed their own identity on the 19th of May 1915. They were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January, returning to Egypt. On the 13th of March 1916 they sailed from Port Said for Marseilles and travelled by train to the Somme. On the 25th of April 1916 they transferred to the Lines of Communication and on the 28th joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division, absorbing the disbanded 9th Munsters. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. On the 22nd of November 1916 they transferred to 47th Brigade, still with 16th (Irish) Division absorbing over 400 troops from the disbanding 8th Munsters. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme, suffering very heavy casualties. On the 19th of April they transferred to 172nd Brigade, 57th (2nd North Midland) Division absorbing the 2nd Munsters. They were in action during the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, including assisting in the capture of Cambrai in October, The occupation of Lille and the Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice the 57th Division was at rest in the eastern suburbs of Lille. They moved to Arras on the 21st of November to assist with the clear up and the Division was demobilised between March and July 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers were based at at Aldershot with 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Division when war was declared in August 1914. They were amongst the first troops to proceed to France, arriving at le Harve on the 14th of August. They fought at The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat and after suffering heavy casualties at Etreux, the battalion was with drawn from 1st Division on the 14th of September 1914. After receiving reinforcements they joined 3rd Brigade, 1st Division on the 9th of November 1914. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, having been futher strengthened by troops from disbanded 9th Battalion who arrived on the 30th of May. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 3rd of February 1918 the 2nd Munsters transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and on the 14th of April absorbed the 19th Entrenching Battalion. On the 19th of April 1918 the 2nd Munsters was reduced to cadre, with troops transferring to 1st Munsters. On the 31st of May the cadre transferred to 94th Brigade, 31st Division and receiving troops from disbanded 6th Munsters. near the end of June they transferred to Lines of Communication amnd joined the reforming 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 15th of July 1918. They then saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

           6th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers were raised at Tralee in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. They moved to the Curragh for training and in May 1915 moved to Hackwood Park, Basingstoke, England. On the 9th of July they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. On the 3rd of November 1916 they absorbed the 7th Munster Fusiliers. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units, and on the 30th of April 1918 they left the Division and sailed from Port Said to Marseilles, arriving on the 1st of June. They travelled by train to the Western Front and on the 5th of June the 6th Munsters was absorbed by 2nd Battalion, leaving a cadre which joined 117th Brigade, 39th Division who were supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. The cadre was disbanded on the 3rd of August 1918.

           7th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers were raised at Tralee in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. They moved to the Curragh for training and in May 1915 moved to Hackwood Park, Basingstoke, England. On the 9th of July they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 7th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 70 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. On the 3rd of November 1917 they were absorbed by the 6th Munster Fusiliers.

           8th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers were raised in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 47th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at to Fermoy, then moved to Mitchelstown in November, to Templemore in February 1915 and back to Fermoy in May. They crossed to England in September 1915, undertaking final training at Blackdown. They proceeded to France on the 18th of December 1915, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated in the Bethune area. On the 30th of May 1916 they absorbed over 200 men from the disbanding 9th Munster Fusiliers. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. On the 23rd of November 1916 teh battalion was disbanded in France, with the men transferring to the 1st Battalion.

           9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers was raised in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at Kilworth, then moved to Ballyvonare in January 1915 and to Ballyhooley in June. They crossed to England in September 1915, for final training at Blackdown. They proceeded to France on the 20th of December 1915, landing at Le Havre the division concentrated in the Bethune area. On the 30th of May 1916 the 9th Munsters was disbanded in France, with the men transferring to the 1st, 2nd and 8th Munsters.

           1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was in Holywood, Belfast serving with 15th Brigade, 5th Division, when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in mid August. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. Between the 3rd of March and 7th of April 1915 they were attached with 15th Brigade to 28th Division in in exchange for 83rd Brigade in order to familiarise the newly arrived troops with the Western Front. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

           7th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was raised at Norwich in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 35th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. 35th Brigade and Divisional artillery concentrated near Shorncliffe, in late August. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France on the 31st of May landing at Boulogne, the Division concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was raised at Norwich in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France, landinf at Boulogne on the 25th of July 1915, the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 12th of February 1918 the battalion was disbanded in France, with the men transferring to the 7th and 9th Norfolks.

           9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was raised at Norwich in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. They joined 71st Brigade in 24th Division in the area of Shoreham for training. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 30th of August 1915. The 24th Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on the 4th of September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. On the 15th of October 1915 the 9th Norfolks transferred with 71st Brigade to 6th Division. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

           12th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was formed at the Suez Canal defences in Egypt on the 11th of February 1917 from the 1/1st Norfolk Yeomanry. They moved to El Arish and joined 230th Brigade, 74th Division. They saw action in The Second and Third Battles of Gaza including the Capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria Position. They were also in action during the The capture and defence of Jerusalem and The Battle of Tell'Asur. On the 1st of May they sailed from Alexandria for Marseilles, landing on the 7th of May and travelling by train to the Western Front. On the 21st of June 1918 they transferred to 94th Brigade, 31st Division. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

           1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment were in Blackdown near Aldershot serving with 2nd Brigade, 1st Division. They proceeded to France, landing at le Harve on the 13th of August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

           2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment were in Alexandria, Egypt when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, in October and joined 24th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park near Winchester. They proceeded to France landing at Le Harve on the 5th of November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

           5th (Service) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment was raised at Northampton in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 12th (Eastern) Division as divisional troops. They trained at Shorncliffe moving to Hythe in November 1914. In January 1915 they converted to a Pioneer Battalion and moved to Aldershot for final training in February 1915. They proceeded to France on the 30th of May landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

           6th (Service) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment was raised at Northampton in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 18th (Eastern) Division as army troops. They moved to Colchester for training and in November transferred to 54th Brigade in the same Division. They moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915 for final training and proceeded to France on the 26th of July 1915, where the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

           The 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment were at Buttevant as part of 17th Brigade in 6th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They moved to Cambridge and quickly on to Newmarket before proceeding to France of the 12th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They marched across France to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred to 72nd Brigade, 24th Division. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment was based in Lichfield when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilised and moved to Guernsey to take over the garrison from a regular unit. They moved to Marske in October 1916 and by March 1917 was at Saltburn, North Yorkshire. In June 1917 they moved to Westerner and joined 200th Brigade, 67th Division. On the 7th of October they left the Division and proceede to France, landing at Le Havre to join 167th Brigade, 56th (London) Division. On the 15th of November they transferred to 106th Brigade, 35th Division. On the 3rd of February 1918 they transferred to 105th Brigade, still with 35th Division. In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

           7th (Service) Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, was raised Lichfield on the 29th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 39th Brigade 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. They moved to Tidworth and and spent the winter in billets in Basingstoke. They moved to Blackdown, Aldershot in February 1915 for final training and sailed from Avonmouth on the 19th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 39th Brigade was detached and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

           8th (Service) Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment was raised Lichfield on the 18th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 57th Brigade in 19th (Western) Division. They trained on Salisbury Plain, spending the winter in billets in Bristol from December 1914. In February 1915 they moved to Weston-super-Mare, then in April they moved to Tidworth for final training. They proceeded to France on the 18th of July 1915, the division concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 7th of February 1918 they transferred to 56th Brigade, still with 19th Division. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

           9th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment was raised at Lichfield on the 20th of September 1914 as part of as part of Kitchener's Third New Army joined 22nd Division as army troops. They trained on the South Downs, spending the winter in billets in Hastings from December. On the 20th of April 1915 they became a Pioneer Battalion and transferred to the newly forming 37th Division, which was concentrating at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 29th of July, the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres.

           The 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers were in Portsmouth at the outbreak of war in August 1914. They proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. Serving with the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, BEF. They remained on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action in most of the major battles. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

           The 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers were serving in India at the outbreak of war in August 1914. They arrived in England on the 22nd of December 1914 to join 84th Brigade, 28th Division. On the 18th of January 1915 they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre. They saw action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. They were sent to Egypt in October 1915, sailing from Marseilles to Alexandria and then on to Salonika in January 1916. They took part in the occupation of Mazirko and saw action at Barakli Jum'a. In June 1918 they returned to France and joined 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division taking part in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the final advance in Picardy.

           10th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 and joined 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 69th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos 23rd Division held the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 and joined 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 69th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos 23rd Division held the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           12th (Service) Battalion The Northumberland Fusiliers was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 62th Brigade, 21st Division. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. The artillery was at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted, RE at Chesham, and ASC at Dunstable. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park, whilst the artillery moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted and the RE to Wendover. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France their first experience of action being in the British assault at Loos on 26th September 1915,suffering heavy casualties, just a few days after arriving in France. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive. In August 1917 they joined with the 13th battalion to form the 12/13th Battalion.

           13th (Service) Battalion The Northumberland Fusiliers was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 62th Brigade, 21st Division. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. The artillery was at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted, RE at Chesham, and ASC at Dunstable. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park, whilst the artillery moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted and the RE to Wendover. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France their first experience of action being in the British assault at Loos on 26th September 1915,suffering heavy casualties, just a few days after arriving in France. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive. In August 1917 they joined with the 12th battalion to form the 12/13th Battalion.

           14th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 as part Kitchener's Third New Army. They were attached to the 21st Division as a pioneer battalion The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. The artillery was at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted, RE at Chesham, and ASC at Dunstable. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park, whilst the artillery moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted and the RE to Wendover. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They embarked for France in September 1915 and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. The division served on the Western Front through out the conflict, seeing action in many of the major battles. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

           15th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was a Kitchener Battalion, formed in Darlington in October 1914. On the 10th of April 1915 they became a Reserve battalion and in September 1916 they were absorbed into Training Reserve Battalions of the 1st Reserve Brigade. They remained in Britain throughout the conflict in a training role, providing reinforcements for service abroad.

           16th (Newcastle) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 by the Newcastle & Gateshead Chamber of Commerce, one of the Pals Battalions. They served with 96th Brigade, 32nd Division, and began training near home then moved in May 1915 to concentrate in Shropshire at Prees Heath. The camp was found to be too wet for training and the Division moved to Wensley and Richmond in Yorkshire, using the firing ranges at Strenshall. In August 1915 they moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of November 1915. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

           17th (Service) Battalion (North Eastern Railway Pioneers) The Northumberland Fusiliers was raised in Hull in September 1914 by the North Eastern Railway Company. In January 1915 the became a Pioneer Bn and in June joined 32nd Division. They proceeded to France and landed at La Havre on the 21st of November 1915. They saw action in the Battle of The Somme and on the 19th of October 1916 transferred to GHQ as Railway Construction Troops. In the first week of September 1917 they rejoined 32nd Division until the 15th of November when they rejoined GHQ as Railway Construction Troops. On the 31st of May 1918 they resumed their pioneer role joining 52nd (Lowland) Division who had just arrived in France from Palestine. They saw action on The Somme, Arras, the Hindenburg Line and the final Advance in Artois.

           19th (2nd Tyneside Pioneers) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised at Newcastle on the 16th of November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City. After initial training close to home, they became a Pioneer Battalion on the 8th of February 1915 and joined 35th Division in July at Masham, North Yorkshire then moved to Salisbury Plain in August for final training. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 29th of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

           20th Battalion, 1st Tyneside Scottish, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers was raised in 1914 in Newcastle mainly from men of Scottish decent from the North East. Initially training in Newcastle City centre the 1st Tyneside Scottish moved to Alnwick camp, in the grounds of Alnwick castle on the 29th of January 1915. They joined 102nd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915. In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, attacking just north of the village of La Boisselle, not far from Albert. At 7.28 am on 1st July 1916 two great mines were detonated beneath the German positions, one to the north of the village and one to the south. At 7.30 am the whistles sounded and the attack began. The 1st Tyneside Scottish had 500 yards to cover, under heavy machine gun fire, before reaching the German lines, 26 Officers and 564 men from this battalion lost thier lives. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

           22nd Battalion, 3rd Tyneside Scottish, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised on the 5th November 1914 in Newcastle mainly from men of Scottish decent from the North East. Initially training in Newcastle City centre the 3rd Tyneside Scottish moved to Alnwick camp, in the grounds of Alnwick castle on in early May 1915. They joined 102nd Brigade, 34th Division who were concentrating at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, and in late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer.

        The 1st Tyneside Scottish were in action on the 1st of July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme attacking just south of the village of La Boisselle, not far from Albert. At 7.28 am on 1st July 1916 two great mines were detonated beneath the German positions, one to the north of the village and one to the south. At 7.30 am the whistles sounded and the attack began. The 3rd Tyneside Scottish followed the 2nd Tyneside Scottish across 200 yards of No Man's Land, 20 Officers and 628 men of the 3rd Tyneside Scottish were lost.

        In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek.

        In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses.

        On the 17th of May 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength, they transferred to 16th (Irish) Division and returned to England on the 18th of June. They were brought back to strength by absorbing the new 38th Northumberland Fusilers joining 48th Brigade, still with 16th (Irish) Division. They returned to France in July 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

           23rd (4th Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised on the 26th of November 1914 in Newcastle mainly from men of Scottish decent from the North East. Initially training in Newcastle City centre the 3rd Tyneside Scottish moved to Alnwick camp, in the grounds of Alnwick castle on in early May 1915. They joined 102nd Brigade, 34th Division who were concentrating at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, and in late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. The 1st Tyneside Scottish were in action on the 1st of July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme attacking just south of the village of La Boisselle, not far from Albert. At 7.28 am on 1st July 1916 two great mines were detonated beneath the German positions, one to the north of the village and one to the south. At 7.30 am the whistles sounded and the attack began. The 3rd Tyneside Scottish followed the 2nd Tyneside Scottish across 200 yards of No Man's Land, 20 Officers and 628 men of the 3rd Tyneside Scottish were lost. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. On the 17th of May 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength, on the 17th of June they transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division, then on the 29th of July to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, and on the 20th of September they transferred with 197th Brigade to the Lines of Communication.

           24th (1st Tyneside Irish) Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers was a Pals Battalion, raised at Newcastle on 14 November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City. After initial training near home, they joined 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915 and after further training they moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916, where the division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and on the 10th they amalgamated with 27th Battalion to form the 24/27th Battalion.

           26th (3rd Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was a Pals Battalion, raised at Newcastle in November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City. After initial training near home they joined 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915 and after further training they moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916, where the Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 3rd Tyneside Irish were disbanded on the 3rd of February 1918 in France, teh troops transferring to other units.

           27th (4th Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was a Pals Battalion, raised at Newcastle in January 1915, by the Lord Mayor and City.After initial training near home, they joined 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915 and after further training they moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916, where the division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and on the 10th they amalgamated with 27th Battalion to form the 24/27th Battalion.

           1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry were a territorial unit based in Aylesbury, serving with South Midland Brigade, South Midland Division. The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5th of August and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August and commenced training. They proceeded to France from Folkestone, landing at Bologne on the 31st of March 1915. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 145th Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

           The 7th (Service) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was raised at Oxford in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 78th Brigade. 26th Division. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France on the 21st September 1915, landing at Boulogne and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

           6th (Service) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was raised at Oxford in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initial training the in the Oxford area with little equipment, they moved to Deepcut In February 1915 they moved to Godalming and then to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France on the 22nd of July, landing at Bologne and the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 15th of February th e6th Ox & Bucks were disbanded in France, with troops transferring to the 2/4th and 5th Ox & Bucks and the 14th Entrenching Battalion.

           5th (Service) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was raised at Oxford in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. After training they proceeded to France, landing at Bologne on the 21st of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the battalion was reduced to a cadre and on the 16th of June thet transferred to 16th (Irish) Division and returned to England. On the 20th of June 1918 they were absorbed by the 18th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.

           1st Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) were at in Bordon Camp serving with 3rd Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 13th of August 1914. They were in action at The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres. On the 8th of November 1914 the Battalion transferred to the direct command of I Corps and were in action in the The Battles of Aubers and Festubert. On the 21st of July 1915 they transferred to 5th Brigade, 2nd Division and were in action at The Battle of Loos. On the 15th of December 1915 they transferred to the newly arrived 100th Brigade, 33rd Division to strengthen the formation. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. on the 5th of February 1918 they moved to 19th Brigade still in 33rd Division and were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took place throughout the first months of 1919.

           2nd Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) were in Pretoria when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing on the 19th of September 1914. They joined 22nd Brigade, 7th Division who were concentrating in the New Forest, Hampshire. They landed at Zeebrugge on the 6th of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On the 20th of December 1915 the 2nd Queens transferred to 91st Brigade still with 7th Division. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

           2/4th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Croydon in August 1914 as Second Line unit. They joined 2nd Surrey Brigade, 2nd Home Counties Division. On the 24th of April 1915 they joined 160th Brigade, 53rd Division at Cambridge, as a composite unit with the 2/5th Queen's, but in June they became separate units once more, having moved to Bedford in May. On the 2nd of July orders arrived to re-equip for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and The Division, without their artillery, embarked at Sevonport on the 14th of July, to Lemnos via Alexandria. The Division made a landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses. By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. Between the beginning of June and the end of August, many of the units were ordered to France, being replaced by Indian units. On the 29th of June the 2/4th Queens joined the reforming 101st Brigade, 34th Division in France. and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

           3/4th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Windsor in June 1915. After training close to home they joined 200th Brigade, 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division in July 1915. They proceeded to France on the 9th of August 1917 and joined 62nd Brigade, 21st Division. The were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 11th of February the 3/4th Queens were disbanded in France, with men transferring to the 7th Queen's and then 20th Entrenching Battalion.

           6th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Guildford in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 37th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Purfleet with final training being undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining the Division. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

           7th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Guildford in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 55th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

           8th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Guildford in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 72nd Brigade, 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In February 1918 the 8th Queens transferred to 17th Brigade, still with 24th Division. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           10th (Battersea) Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Battersea on the 3rd of June 1915 by the Mayor and Borough of Battersea, they joined 124th Brigade, 41st Division and trained at Aldershot. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys suffering bery heavy casualties. On the 16th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and the following day transferred to 39th Division. On the 14th of August the battalion was disbanded in France with the remain troops transferring to other units.

           11th (Lambeth) Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Lambeth on the 16th of June 1915 by the Mayor and Borough of Lambeth, they joined 123rd Brigade, 41st Division and trained at Aldershot. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

           1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade were at Colchester with 11th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 23rd of August 1914 in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade were at Kuldana in India when war was broke out in August 1914. They returned to Britain, embarking from Bombay on the 20th of September arriving at Liverpool on the 22nd of October. They joined 25th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester and proceeded to France landing at Le Harve on the 6th of November 1914. They were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

           3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade were at Cork serving with 17th Brigade in 6th Division when war was declared in August 1914. They mobilised to England and moved to Cambridge then swiftly on to Newmarket. They proceeded to France on the 12th of September 1914 landing at St Nazaire. They immediatley marched across France to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They then moved north to Flanders and in October 1915 transferred with 17th Brigade to 24th Division. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester on the 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Grayshott in November, returning to Aldershot in March 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the battalion was reduced to a cadre and on the 16th of June 1918 they left the Division and the cadre was disbanded on the 3rd of August 1918.

           9th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester on the 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Petworth in November, returning to Aldershot in February 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the battalion was reduced to a cadre and on the 16th of June 1918 they left the Division and the cadre was disbanded on the 3rd of August 1918.

           10th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initail training in the Winchester area they moved to Blackdown, then in February 1915 to Witley and to Hamilton Camp near Stonehenge in April for final training. They proceeded to France on the 21st of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 5th of February 1918 the 10th Rifles were disbanded at La Clytte, the troops transferring to other units.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initail training in the Winchester area they moved to Blackdown, then in February 1915 to Witley and to Hamilton Camp near Stonehenge in April for final training. They proceeded to France on the 21st of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

           12th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initail training in the Winchester area they moved to Blackdown, then in February 1915 to Witley and to Larkhill in April for final training. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

           13th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 21st Division as army troops. After training close to home they moved to Halton Park and spent the winter in billets in High Wycombe from November. In April they moved to Andover and transferred to 111th Brigade still with 37th Division. They proceeded to France on the 31st of July, landing at Boulogne and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

           16th (St Pancras) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised in the Borough of St. Pancras on the 2nd of April 1915 by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Paddockhurst. In August 1915 they joined 117th Brigade, 39th Division at Hursley Park. In November they moved to Aldershot for a brief spell then to Whitley for final training. They proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1916, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrating near Blaringhem. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre on the 16th of May and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. On the 16th of August the St Pancras Rifles moved to Abancourt to join 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and on the 20th of September took up duties on lines of Communication work.

           1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) were in Kinsale when war broke out, serving with 17th Brigade, 6th Division. They returned to England and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They marched to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. On the 14th of October 1915 17th Brigade transferred to 24th Division. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) were in Calcutta, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, arriving in December and joining 86th Brigade, 29th Division at Nuneaton. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

           3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) were in Lucknow, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they returned to England, arriving in December. They joined 85th Brigade, 28th Division who were assembling near Winchester. They proceeded to France, via Southampton landing at Le Havre in mid January 1915. The Division concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France, including the 3rd Royal Fusiliers who joined the reforming 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

           4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) were based in Parkhurst, Isle of Wight serving with 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. They proceeded to France with the BEF, landing at Le Havre on the 13th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

           8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at Hounslow on 21st August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. 36th Brigade underwent training at Colchester then final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. The Division proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. The 8th Royal Fusiliers was disbanded in France on the 6th of February 1918 when teh army was reorganised.

           9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at Hounslow on 21 August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. 36th Brigade underwent training at Colchester then final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. The Division proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 49th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 9th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 9th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

           10th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in the City of London in August 1914 as an independent unit named The Stockbrokers Battalion. In September 1914 they joined 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division in the Colchester area, when it was raised as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, and became Army troops in the same division in October. In March 1915 the 10th Fusiliers transferred to 111th Brigade, 37th Division, moving in April in Cholderton on Salisbury Plain where the division was concentrating and proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 30th of July 1915 and concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

           11th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at Hounslow on the 6th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

           12th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at Hounslow in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 73rd Brigade, 24th Division. The Division began to assemble in the area of Shoreham but suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France on the 1st of September. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In October they transferred to 17th Brigade. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. When the army was reorganised in early 1918 the 12th Royal Fusiliers were disbanded on the 13th of February, the troops transferring to the 1st, 10th and 11th Royal Fusiliers.

           17th (Empire) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in London on the 31st of August 1914 by the British Empire Committee. On the 26th of June 1915 they joined 99th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orders to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train were replaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque. On the 25th of November 1915 The Battalion transferred to 2nd Division as part of an exchange to strengthen the inexperienced 33rd Division. On the 13th of December 1915 the Battalion transferred to 5th Brigade, still in 2nd Division. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they transferred on the 6th of February to 6th Brigade in same Division and fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

           18th (1st Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in at Epsom on the 11th of September 1914 by the Public Schools and University Men's Force. Following initial training near home, on the 26th of June 1915 they joined 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. The Division concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. They proceeded France in November and by the 21st, 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division and the on the 27th of November, the 1st Public Schools Battalion transferred to 19th Brigade. On the the 26of February 1916 the battalion transferred to GHQ and was disbanded on the 24th of April 1916 with many of the men being commissioned.

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

           20th (3rd Public Schools) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in at Epsom on the 11th of September 1914 by the Public Schools and University Men's Force. Following initial training near home, on the 26th of June 1915 they joined 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. The Division concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. They proceeded France in November and by the 21st, 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division and the on the 27th of November, the 3rd Public Schools Battalion transferred to 19th Brigade. On the the 26 of February 1916 the battalion transferred to GHQ.

           22nd (Kensington) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at White City on the 11th of September 1914, by the Mayor and Borough of Kensington. In June 1915 they joined 99th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train were replaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque. On the 25th of November 1915 The Battalion transferred to 2nd Division as part of an exchange to strengthen the inexperienced 33rd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. The Battalion was disbanded in France on the 3rd of February 1918.

           24th (2nd Sportsman's) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at the Hotel Cecil in the Strand, London, on the 25th of September 1914 by E.Cunliffe-Owen. In June 1915 they joined 99th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train were replaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque. On the 25th of November 1915 The Battalion transferred to 2nd Division as part of an exchange to strengthen the inexperienced 33rd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

           26th (Banker's) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in London on the 17th of July 1915 by the Lord Mayor and City of London, from volunteers who were mainly bank clerks and accountants. After inital training close to home they joined 124th Brigade, 41st Division at Aldershot in November 1915. They proceeded to France on the 4th of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

           32nd (East Ham) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in London on the 18th of October 1915 by the Mayor and Borough of East Ham. After inital training close to home they joined 124th Brigade, 41st Division at Aldershot in November 1915. They proceeded to France on the 5th of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. At this time the army was being reorganised and on the 18th of March the battalion was disbanded in France with the troops transferring to other units.

           38th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at Plymouth on the 20th January 1918 from Jewish volunteers, who were mainly Russian immigrants. They sailed for Egypt on the 5th of February 1918. After training they joined 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division on the 11th of June 1918. On the 25th of July they were detached from their Brigade and during September they were attached to the Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were in Dover with 12th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914, they soon moved to Norfolk. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France, landed at Le Havre on the 22nd of August 1914, arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at Messines in 1914. On the 6th of December 1914 the Battalion became GHQ Troops, on the 26th of January 1915 they transferred to 5th Brigade in 2nd Division and saw action at The Battle of Festubert. On the 22nd of July 1915 they transferred as Army Troops to Third Army, then joined 14th Brigade, 5th Division on the 8th of November 1915. On the 24th of December 1915 the Battalion transferred to 96th Brigade, 32nd Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. When the Army was reorganised in February 1918 the 2nd Inskillings transferred to 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division and were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

           5th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was raised at Omagh in August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. They joined 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and moved to Dublin for training then on to Kildare by early 1915. In April 1915, they moved to Basingstoke, England for final training. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos and landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units, and the 5th Inniskillings were sent to France, joining 198th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the 19th of July 1918. They were in action in The Battle of Cambrai, The Pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. On the 31st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest and moved to Serain area. They returned to action on the 2nd of November and advanced through Le Cateau engaging the enemy in some sharp fights until the Armistice.

           6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was raised at Omagh in August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. They joined 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and moved to Dublin for training then on to Kildare by early 1915. In April 1915, they moved to Basingstoke, England for final training. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos and landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 6th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units, and the 6th Inniskillings were sent to France on the 2nd of May. On the 7th of June they joined 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division, then on the 18th transferred to 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. On the 29th they transferred to Lines of Communication and on the 16th of July joined 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau and demobilisation began December.

           7th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was raised at Omagh in October 1914, part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division, training at Tipperary, moving in August 1915 Finner Camp. They crossed to England in September 1915 for final training at Woking. They proceeded to France in February 1916 and were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 23rd of August 1917 they amalgamated with 8th Inniskillings to become the 7/8th Battalion.

           8th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was raised at Omagh in October 1914, part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division, training at Tipperary, moving in August 1915 Finner Camp. They crossed to England in September 1915 for final training at Woking. They proceeded to France in February 1916 and were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 23rd of August 1917 they amalgamated with 7th Inniskillings to become the 7/8th Battalion.

           9th (County Tyrone) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed at Omagh, in September 1914, from the Tyrone Volunteers they were attached to 3rd Brigade, Ulster Division. On the 2nd November 1914 the formation was renamed 109th Brigade, 36th Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down and in July 1915, the Division moved to Seaford, in Sussex, England and then to France in early October 1915.The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for their action on the 1st of July 1916, when they were one of the few Divisions to reach their objective. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood, troops crossed about 400 yards of No Man's Land, entering the Schwaben Redoubt, (close to where the Ulster Tower stands today) then advancing on towards Stuff Redoubt. The men held out for the day but as their stocks of bombs and ammunition dwindled, they were forced to fall back. The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the 1st of July were over 5,000 in total. Nine men of the 36th Division were awarded the Victoria Cross on the 1st of July 1916. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

        The Ulster Tower, at Theipval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Theipval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

        Please note that Theipval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:


         More info.

           The 7/8th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed on the 23rd of August 1917 when the 7th Battalion amalgamated with 8th. They were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties and on the 22nd April 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength. On the 17th of June they transferred to 102nd Brigade, 34th Division then on the 26th to GHQ Troops. The battalion was re-established with men joining from 8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade and on the 3rd of July 1918 they joined 89th Brigade, 30th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

           The 10th (Derry) Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed at Omagh, in September 1914, from the Derry Volunteers. They were attached to 3rd Brigade, Ulster Division until the 2nd of November 1914 when they formation was renamed 109th Brigade, 36th Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down and in July 1915, the Division moved to Seaford, in Sussex, England and then to France in early October 1915. The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for thier action on the 1st of July 1916, when they were one of the few Divisions to reach thier objective. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood, troops crossed about 400 yards of No Man's Land, entering the Schwaben Redoubt, (close to where the Ulster Tower stands today) then advancing on towards Stuff Redoubt. The men held out for the day but as their stocks of bombs and ammunition dwindled, they were forced to fall back. The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the 1st of July were over 5,000 in total. Nine men of the 36th Division were awarded the Victoria Cross on the 1st of July 1916. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. The Battalion was disbanded in France on the 21st January 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

        The Ulster Tower, at Theipval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Theipval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

        Please note that Theipval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 11th (Donegal and Fermanagh) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed at Omagh in September 1914, from the Donegal and Fermanagh Volunteers. The Battalion was attached to 3rd Brigade, Ulster Division until the 2nd of November 1914 when the formation was renamed 109th Brigade, 36th Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down and in July 1915, the Division moved to Seaford, in Sussex, England and then to France in early October 1915. The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for their action on the 1st of July 1916, when they were one of the few Divisions to reach their objective. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood, troops crossed about 400 yards of No Man's Land, entering the Schwaben Redoubt, (close to where the Ulster Tower stands today) then advancing on towards Stuff Redoubt. The men held out for the day but as their stocks of bombs and ammunition dwindled, they were forced to fall back. The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the 1st of July were over 5,000 in total. Nine men of the 36th Division were awarded the Victoria Cross on the 1st of July 1916.In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. When the army was reorganised in early 1918 the Battalion was disbanded in France on the 21st January 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.


        The Ulster Tower, at Theipval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

        Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           13th Garrison Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed June 1918 and served with 119th Brigade, 40th Division. On the 13th of July 1918 it was renamed 13th (Service) Battalion. They saw action action in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was in Devonport serving with 8th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee where the Battalion suffered very heavy losses near Le Pilly with many troops taken as Prisoners of War. On the 24th of October 1914 what remained of the 2nd Royal Irish transferred as Army Troops to Lines of Communication. Reinforcements arrived over the winter and on the 14th of March 1915 they transferred to 12th Brigade, 4th Division. they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and on the 26th of July 1915 they transferred to 11th Brigade still with 4th Division. On the 22nd of May 1916 they transferred to 22nd Brigade, 7th Division and were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the Sapture of Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin and the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. On the 14th of October 1916 they transferred to 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 23rd of April 1918 they transferred to 188th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. They were in action at the The Battle of Albert in August 1918, then moved north to arras seeing action at The Battle of Drocourt-Queant in September, then the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, and The passage of the Grand Honelle in the first week of November during the Final Advance in Picardy.

           5th (Pioneers) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was raised at Clonmel in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. In June 1915, they converted to Pioneer Battalion. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool to Mudros. They landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipolli and were in action at Kiretch Teke Sirt between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 1st of April 1918 they transferred to 52nd (Lowland) Division and sailed for France, landing at Marseilles and the Division concentrated near Abbeville. They moved to Aire and went into the front line near Vimy on the 6th of May. On the 31st of May 1918 the 5th Royal Irish transferred to the Lines of Communication, then on the 14th of July 1918 joined 50th (Northumbrian) Division as a Pioneer Battalion. They went into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December.

           6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was raised at Clonmel on the 6th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 47th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. In March 1915 one Company from the Guernsey Militia joined the battalion. They proceeded to France in December 1915, landing at le Havre and concentrating in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties and on the 6th of February 1918 the 6th Royal Irish was disbanded in France.

           7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was formed in France, from the dismounted 1st and 2nd South Irish Horse on the 1st of September 1917. They joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division on the 14 October 1917 during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of April 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units, the 7th Battalion was reformed on the 26th of June and transferred to 21st Brigade, 30th Division on the 4th of July. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was formed in France, on the 25 May 1918 from the 2nd Garrison Battalion. They joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division on the 20th June and were in action in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

           1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was in Nasiribad when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to Britainm landing at Devonport on the 18th of November and joining 82nd Brigade, 27th Division. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton, landing at Le Havre on the 20th of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The 27th Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November the Division was ordered to Salonika and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. The 1st Battalion Irish Regiment sailed from Marseilles on the 28th of Noevember. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. On the 3rd of November 1916 the Battalion transferred to 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

           1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles were in Aden at the out break of the Great Was in August 1914. They embarked for Britain on the 27th of September 1914 and arrived at Liverpool on the 22nd of October they joined 25th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. They proceeded to on the 6th November 1914 landing at Le Havre a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In Feb 1918 the 1st Irish Rifles transfered to to 107th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. They were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles were based at Tidworth with 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF, landing at Rouen on the 14th of August. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred with 7th Brigade to 25th Division. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. On the 13th of November 1917 they transferred to 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division, absorbing the 7th Battalion then on the 8th of February 1918 they transferred to 107th Brigade, still in 36th Division. They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where it remained and was demobilised by June 1919.

           6th Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles were raised at Dublin in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. They moved to the Curragh in February 1915 then in May 1915 they moved to Hackwood Park, Basingstoke, England for final training. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 15th of May 1918 the 6th Royal Irish Rifles was disbanded at Deir-el-Nidham.

           7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles was raised at Belfast in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. From January 1915 they trained at Ballyvonare, absorbing a company of the Royal Jersey Militia on the 5th of March. In June they moved to Ballyholley and crossed to England in September for final training at Aldershot. They proceeded to France on the 20th of December 1915, landing at le Havre, the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and on the 23rd of August they transferred to 49th Brigade still with 16th (Irish) Division. They were in action The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres and on the 14th of October 1917 they transferred to 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. The 7th Battalion was absorbed by the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles on the 14th of November 1917.

           8th (East Belfast) Battalion was raised in Belfast September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. They joined the 107th Brigade 36th (Ulster) Division at Ballykinler. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. From the 5th November 1915 to 3rd Feb 1916 the 8th served with with 107th Bde, 4th Division for winter training. On the 29th August 1917 the 8th Battalion amalgamated with 9th Btn to form 8th/9th Btn. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 8/9th Royal Irish Rifles was disbanded in France on the 7th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 9th (West Belfast) Battalion was raised in Belfast September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. They joined the 107th Brigade 36th (Ulster) Division at Ballykinler. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. From the 5th November 1915 to 3rd Feb 1916 the 9th Battalion served with with 107th Bde, 4th Division for winter training. On the 29th August 1917 the 8th amalgamated with 9th Btn to form 8th/9th Battalion The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 9th battalion was disbanded in France on the 7th of February 1918.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 10th (South Belfast) Battalion was raised in Belfast September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. They joined the 107th Brigade 36th (Ulster) Division at Ballykinler. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. From the 5th November 1915 to 3rd Feb 1916 the 8th served with with 107th Bde, 4th Division for winter training. On the 29th August 1917 the 8th amalgamated with 9th Bn to form 8th/9th Battalion The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 8th battalion was disbanded in France on the 20th of February 1918.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 11th (South Antrim) Battalion was raised in County Antrim September 1914. They joined the 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division at Clandeboye in December 1914. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 13th of November 1917 the Battalion amalgamated with 13th Btn to form the 11/13th Royal Irish Rifles. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 11/13th battalion was disbanded in France on the 18th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to 22nd Entrenching Battalion.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 12th (Central Antrim) Battalion was raised in County Antrim in September 1914. They joined the 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division at Newtownards. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. From the 5th November 1915 to 3rd Feb 1916 the 9th Battalion served with with 107th Bde, 4th Division for winter training. On the 29th August 1917 the 8th amalgamated with 9th Btn to form 8th/9th Battalion The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 13th of November 1917 the Battalion amalgamated with 13th Btn to form the 11/13th Royal Irish Rifles. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 11/13th battalion was disbanded in France on the 18th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to 22nd Entrenching Battalion.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 13th (1st County Down) Battalion was raised in County Down in September 1914 from the Down Volunteers. They trained at Clandeboye and joined 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 13th of November 1917 the Battalion amalgamated with 13th Btn to form the 11/13th Royal Irish Rifles. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 11/13th battalion was disbanded in France on the 18th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to 22nd Entrenching Battalion.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           14th (Young Citizens) Battalion was raised in Belfast in September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. They moved to Bundoran in December 1914, then to Randalstown in January 1915. and joined 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. The 14th battalion was disbanded in France on the 18th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           15th (North Belfast) Battalion was raised in Belfast September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. They joined the 107th Brigade 36th (Ulster) Division at Ballykinler. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. From the 5th November 1915 to 3rd Feb 1916 the 8th served with with 107th Bde, 4th Division for winter training. On the 29th August 1917 the 8th amalgamated with 9th Bn to form 8th/9th Battalion The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland. Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           16th (2nd County Down Pioneers) Battalion was raised in Lurgan in September 1914 from the Down Volunteers and became the pioneer battalion for 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. 36th (Ulster) Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           1st Battalion, Royal Scots were in Allahabad when war broke out in August 1914, they returned to England, landing on the 16th of November 1914 and joining 81st Brigade, 27th Division. They sailed from Southampton to Le Havre on the 20th of December 1914. The 27th div concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm In 1917 they were in action durinhg the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in Sepetember the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Scots were based in Plymouth with 8th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing Bologne on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

           9th (Highlanders) Battalion, Royal Scots was a Territorial unit with HQ at 89 East Claremont Street, Edinburgh serving with the Lothian Brigade, Scottish Coast Defences. They proceeded to France on the 26th of February 1915 landing at Le Havre and joining 81st Brigade, 27th Division. They saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 24th of November 1915 they transferred to 14th Brigade, 5th Division and on the 25th of January 1916 transferred to Third Army Troops. On the 1st of March 1916 they joined 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. In February 1918 the British Army was reorganised and on the 6th the 1/9th Royal Scots transferred to 183rd Brigade, 61st (South Midland) Division. they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and The Actions at the Somme Crossings they then returned to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck and The Battle of Bethune. On the 1st of June 1918 they transferred to 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They were in action in Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised at Edinburgh in August 1914, as part of Kitchener's First New Army. after initial training in the Edinburgh area they joined 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division and moved to Bordon. They proceeded to France in May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

           12th (Service) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised at Edinburgh in August 1914, as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training in the Edinburgh area they joined 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division and moved to Bordon. They proceeded to France in May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

           15th (1st Edinburgh) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised in September 1914 by the Lord Provost and City with half the men being recruited in Edinbugh and half in Manchester, for this reason the Battalion is sometimes known as the Manchester Scottish. After initial training close to home, they moved to Troon in March 1915 then in June they joined 101st Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon. They moved to Sutton Veny for final training in September and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 8th of January 1916. 34th Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. The 15th Royal Scots transferred to 39th Division at Wolphus on the 17th of May. The battalion was disbanded in France on the 14th of August 1918.

           16th (2nd Edinburgh) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised in December 1914 by Lt-Col. G.McCrae, MP. After initial training close to home, they joined 101st Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915 at Ripon. They moved to Sutton Veny for final training in September and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 8th of January 1916. 34th Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. The 15th Royal Scots transferred to 39th Division at Wolphus on the 17th of May. The battalion was disbanded in France on the 14th of August 1918.

           17th (Rosebery) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised in Edinburgh in February 1915 by Lord Rosebery, as a Bantam Battalion from men who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they moved to Glencorse in April 1915 then to Selkirk in May. In June they joined 106th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham and went on to Chisledon, for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 1st February 1916, and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

           1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were based in Gosport with 9th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF, landing at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 5th of April 1916 they transferred to 8th Brigade still in 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were in Gibraltar when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing in September 1914 and joining 21st Brigade, 7th Division who were concentrating in the New Forest in Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of December 1915 the 2nd Royal Scots transferred with 21st Brigade to 30th Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. On the 7th of April 1918 the Battalion transferred to 120th Brigade, 40th Division and on the 26th of April moved to South African Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. On the 13th of September 1918 they transferred to 28th Brigade still with 9th (Scottish) Division. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

           4th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were a territorial unit based in Kilmarnock serving with the South Scottish Brigade, Lowland Division. They had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences at Stirling. In May 1915 the formation was renamed 155th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 21st of May for Gallipoli, via Mudros. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged in clearing Herchies.

           5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were a territorial unit based in Ayr serving with the South Scottish Brigade, Lowland Division. They had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences at Stirling. In May 1915 the formation was renamed 155th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 21st of May for Gallipoli, via Mudros. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged in clearing Herchies.

           7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers was raised at Ayr in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division they moved to Aldershot for training and in November 1914 went on to Bramshott and spent the winter billets in Basingstoke, in March they moved to Draycott Camp at Chisledon for final training. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 9th of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. On the 7th of May 1916 they amalgamated with 6th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers to become 6/7th Battalion.

           2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders were based at Shorncliffe with 10th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing and the 2nd Seaforths were mobilised to North Yorkshire, being based at around the city of York. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel,soon brought a move to Harrow to prepare to proceed to France. They crossed the channel on the 23rd of August 1914, landing at Boulogne and crossing France in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south to The Somme taking part in the Battles there over the summer months. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

           5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders were a territorial unit based at Golspie with the Seaforth & Cameron Brigade, Highland Division. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for annual camp and were at once recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and the Division concentrated at Bedford. They proceeded to France on the 2nd of May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. The brigade was renamed 152nd Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December.

           7th (Service) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was raised at Fort George in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 26th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division. After initial training in Scotland they moved to Aldershot and in January 1915 going into billets in Alton. They moved on to Bordon in March for final training and proceeded to France in mid May landing at Boulogne. They went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was raised at Fort George in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Aldershot for training and in November moved to Petersfield, then to to Chisledon Camp on Salisbury Plain in February 1915, then to Tidworth for final training in May. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

           9th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was raised at Fort George in October 1914. after initial training in Scotalnd they moved to Aldershot in November and the on 3rd of December joined 9th (Scottish) Division. They became a Pioneer Battalion in early 1915 and moved to Rowledge near Farnham for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 10th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

           1st Garrison Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was formed at Tillicoultry in July 1916. They moved to Salonika in August 1916 and on the 1st of March 1917 joined 228th Brigade, 28th Division. They were in action during the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and the remainder of the Division, including the 2/5th Durhams were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. 228th Brigade transferred to the Greek Crete Division on the 30th of September 1918 and was broken up on the 4th of October 1918.

           1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) were in Bombay, India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Plymouth on the 2nd of October 1914 and joined 24th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 5th of November a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

           8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was a territorial unit with HQ in Newark, serving with the Notts. & Derby Brigade in the North Midland Division. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. In November they moved to Braintree to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 25th of February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

           9th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, they moved to Belton Park, Grantham. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

           10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 51st Brigade in 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Wool then to West Lulworth in October and back to to Wool in December. In June 1915 they Moved to Winchester for final training. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France, landed at Boulogne on the 14th of July 1915, the division concentrated near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

           11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and became part of 70th Brigade in 23rd Division. They undertook training in Derby the moved to Stanhope Lines at Aldershot in December 1914, then to Shorncliffe in February 1915 and in May they moved to Bordon. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 27th of August 1915. They transferred to with 70th Brigade to 8th Division on the 18th of October 1915, in an exchange with 24th Brigade allowing the inexperienced troops to learn from those who had battle experience, returning to their orginal divisions in June 1916. The 23rd Division were at Bomy beginning a period of intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau. The 11th Sherwood foresters left 23rd Division in September 1918 and moved to France to join 74th Brigade in 25th Division and were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

           12th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby on the 1st of October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 24th Division as army troops. They trained at Shoreham though the division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In April 1915 the 12th Sherwoods converted to be a Pioneer Battalion for same Division. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France on the 29th of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on the 4th September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. The Battalion became famous for the production of the trench newspaper "Wipers Times" which it first began to print when in the town of Ypres in Belgium in 1916.

        In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           15th (Nottingham) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Nottingham in February 1915, by the Mayor and a Committee, as a Bantam Battalion, from troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they joined 105th Brigade in 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire in June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France on the 1st of February 1916, and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

           16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby on the 16th of April 1915, by the Duke of Devonshire and the Derbyshire Territorial Force Association. They moved to Buxton on the 4th of May and then on to Redmires near Sheffield on 8th of June. On the 2nd of September they moved to Hursley near Winchester to join 117th Brigade, 39th Division. They moved to Aldershot on the 30th of September and then to Witley for final training. They proceeded to France on the 6th of March 1916, landing at Le Havre, and concentrating near Blaringhem. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre on the 16th of May and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. On the 16th of August the 16th Sherwoods transferred to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, returning to action in October in The Battle of Cambrai and The Pursuit to the Selle. They fought in The Battle of the Selle and on the 21st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest moving to the Serain area. On the 2nd of November they advanced through Le Cateau engaging in sharp fighting. On the 9th of November a number of units of the Division were selected to advance through Belgium to occupy the Rhone Bridgeheads and were placed under command of Bethell's Force. At the Armistice the advanced units of this Force were on the line of Pont de Republique through Grandrieu to Montbliart. They advanced into Germany and remained there until demobilised.

           17th (Welbeck Rangers) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Nottingham on the 1st of June 1915 by the Mayor and a Recruiting Committee. After initial training close to home they joined 117th Brigade, 39th Division at Aldershot in October. They moved to Witley for final training in November 1915 and proceeded to France on the 6th of March 1916, landing at Le Havre, the Division concentrating near Blaringhem. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 12th of February the 17th Sherwoods were disbanded in France with the troops transferring to other units.

           18th (Service) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby on the 27th of July 1915, as a Bantam Battalion. After inital training close to home they joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division at Aldershot in October. On the 2nd of April 1916 the Battalion was absorbed by the 13th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment at Woking.

           At the outbreak of war in 1914 The 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry was in Colchester, with 11th Brigade, 4th Division, was one of two regular battalions of the Somerset Light Infantry. The Battalion arrived in France with the BEF on 22 August 1914, in time to fight in the battle of Le Cateau during the retreat from Mons. They remained on the Western Front with 4th Division, throughout the war, suffering 1,315 losses. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

           The 6th (Service) Battalion Somerset Light Infantry was raised at Taunton in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Army and was attached to 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They proceeded to France in May 1915 and served on the Western Front throughout the war. They took part in The Action of Hooge, in which the Division became the first to be attacked by flamethrowers, and The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they fought at Delville Wood and Flers-Courcelette in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 They were involved in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they suffered heavily in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, due to the heavy casualties the Division was withdrawn to the rear and on the 14th of April 1918 the 6th Somerset Light Infantry formed a composite unit with the 5th Battalion, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry, the unit was reduced to cadre strength two weeks later. On the 18th of June they transferred to the 16th Division and returned to England. On the 20th June the 6th Somerset Light Infantry was reconstituted and absorbed 13th Bn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, they returned to France on the 1st of August 1918, landing at Boulogne, as part of 49th Brigade 16th (Irish) Division and joined Second Army. They were in action in the Final Advance in Flanders.

           The 8th (Service) Battalion was raised at Taunton in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army, they were attached to 63rd Brigade, 21st Division, which initially concentrated in the Tring area, with troops spending some time in camp at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park and on the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1915 and landed at Le Havre. The Division embarked on lengthy marches and went into action in the British assault at Loos on 26 September, where the Division suffered over 3,800 casualties. In 1916 they were in action in The Battle of The Somme and on the 8th of July 1916 the battalion transferred with 63rd Brigade to 37th Division. In 1917 the took part in the Arras Offensive and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they returned to The Somme seeing action in the The Battle of the Ancre and the Battle of Albert, they then took part in the the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

           The 11th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry was raised during the war as a Territorial Battalion. They saw action on the Western Front with the 59th Division, arriving in France in May 1918.

           The 12th (West Somerset Yeomanry) Battalion was converted from a yeomanry regiment to infantry in Egypt in January 1917, serving with the 74th Division. They were sent to France in May 1918.

           The 2/4th Battalion was formed as a second line Territorial battalion of The Somerset Light Infantry. The 2/4th joined 34th Division in France in July 1918, becoming a divisional pioneer battalion. They were in action at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

           The 2/5th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry was a second line Territorial battalion raised at Taunton in September 1914 as a Second Line battalion, part of 135th Brigade, 2nd Wessex Division. They were sent to India to replace regular army units who were returning home to join the BEF in France and on the 12th of December 1914 they landed in India. The Division was broken up on arrival and the 2/5th Battalion became divisional troops with the Burma Division. In January 1916 they transferred to the Rangoon Brigade in same Division. They remained in India for the duration of the war.

           2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was based at Tidworth with 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war was decalred in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF and landed at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred with 7th Brigade to 25th Division and on the 26th they transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. On the 21st of June 1916 they transferred to 64th Brigade in 21st Division and were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 30th of June 1918 they transferred to 89th Brigade, 30th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919, 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

           6th (Service) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at Warrington in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 38th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division, they trained at Tidworth spending the winter in billets at Winchester. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire, with the 6th East Lancashires at Alma Barracks. They sailed from Avonmouth on the 16th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

           7th (Service) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at Warrington in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 56th Brigade in 19th (Western) Division. They trained at Tidworth and moved in billets in Andover in December 1914. They moved to Clevedon in February 1915 then returned to Tidworth in March for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 18th of July 1915, the division and concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. The 7th South Lancashires were disbanded in France on the 22nd of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

           8th (Service) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at Warrington in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 75th Brigade, 25th Division. They trained at Codford, spending the winter in billets in Bournemouth. They moved to Wokingham in May 1915 and to Aldershot in June for final training. They proceeded to France on the 28th of September 1915, the division concentrating in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 16th of February 1918 the 8th South Lancashires were disbanded in France with the troops transferring to other units.

           9th (Service) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at Warrington in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 66th Brigade, 22nd Division They moved to Seaford for training and in December they moved to billets in Eastbourne for the winter. In March 1915 they returned to Seaford, moving to Bourley near Aldershot in May for final training. The proceeded to France on the 7th of September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 29th, arriving on the 5th of November. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

           11th (St Helens Pioneers) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at St. Helens on the 1st of September 1914 by Lord Derby. After initial training close to home they moved to Bangor in February 1915. On the 15th of May 1915 they moved to Grantham and joined 30th Division as a Pioneer Battalion. They were adopted by the War Office on the 15th of August 1915 and moved to Larkhill for final training in September. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 7th of November 1915, the division concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavy losses. On the 15th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 19th of June transferred to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, on the 30th they transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division and returned to England, moving to Aldershot. On the 3rd of July the battalion was brought back up to strength by absorbing the 18th South Lancashires and they returned to France as Pioneers with 25th Division and saw action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

           12th (Service) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at Warrington in June 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. After inital training close to home they joined 120th Brigade, 40th Division at Blackdown in January 1916 . On the 2nd of March 1916 they were absorbed by the 11th Battalion the King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment).

           15th (Transport Workers) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was formed at Bebington in December 1916, they were based and worked in the Mersey docks.

           16th (Transport Workers) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was formed at Prescot in April 1917, they were based and worked in the Mersey docks.

           17th (Transport Workers) Battalion was formed at Bidston, Cheshire in April 1918 they were employed in working the canals.

           1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment were in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. They returned to England, landing Southampton on the 19th of September 1914 and joined 22nd Brigade in 7th Division at Lyndhurst where they were concentrating in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge on the 6th of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On the 20th of December 1915 the 1st South Staffs transferred to 91st Brigade still with 7th Division. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

           4th (Service) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was based at Lichfield in August 1914 when war broke out. They moved at once to Jersey, remaining there until September 1916 when they moved Marske near Redcar. In June 1917 they moved to Canterbury and proceeded to France on the 10th of October 1917, landing at Le Havre and joining 7th Brigade, 25th Division. They saw action in the Third battle of Ypres, during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys, sufferingheavy losses. On the 22nd of June they moved with the remnants of various battalions to form 25th Composite Brigade and transferred to 50th (Northumbrian) Division. On the 11th of July 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division. On the 6th of November the 4th South Staffords were disbanded in France.

           5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was a territorial unit based in Walsall serving with the Staffordshire Brigade in North Midland Division, when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August, they moved to Bishops Stortford in November to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. They first saw action at Wulverghem in the Ypres Sector in April 1915. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

           6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was a territorial unit based in Wolverhampton serving with the Staffordshire Brigade in North Midland Division, when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August, they moved to Bishops Stortford in November to prepare for service over seas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. They first saw action at Wulverghem in the Ypres Sector in April 1915. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

           7th (Service) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was raised at Lichfield in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First Army and joined 33rd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. They moved to Belton Park, Grantham for training then to Frensham in April 1915 for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

           8th (Service) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was raised at Lichfield in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 51st Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Wareham, Dorset to continue training, moving to West Lulworth and then to Wool in January 1915. In June 1915 they moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. on the 23rd of February 1918 the battalion was disbanded in France with men transferring to the 2/6th and 7th Battalions of the South Staffordshire Regiment and the 7th Entrenching Battalion.

           9th (Service) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was raised at Lichfield in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army. They undertook training at Aldershot and in December 1914 went into Talavera Barracks. The Battalion was attached to 23rd Division as Army Troops, and became a Pioneer Battalion in December 1914. They moved to Shorncliffe in March 1915 and to Oxney Park, Bordon in May before proceeding to France. They landed at Boulogne on the 24th of August 1915, the division concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers were in Bordon serving with 3rd Brigade, 1st Division when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 13th of August 1914 and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, including the recapture Gheluvelt at the height of the crisis on 31st of October, alongside the 2nd Worcesters. They were in action at The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

           2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers were in in Tientsin, China when war was declared in August 1914. On the 23rd of September they landed at Lao Shan Bay and were engaged in operations against the German territory of Tsingtao. They moved to Hong Kong and embarked for England on the 4th of December, landing at Plymouth on the 12th of January 1915. They joined 87th Brigade, 29th Division. at Rugby. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 17th of March, sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles, arriving on the 15th of March and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

           4th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

           5th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. They trained at Park House Camp, Tidworth and spent the winter in billets in Basingstoke. On the 10th of January 1915 they converted to be a Pioneer Battalion and moved to billets in Burnham. In March 1915 the moved to Bulford and then in April to Perham Down for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 16th of July 1915. 19th (Western) Division concentrated near St Omer and their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

           6th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon on the 12th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 76th Brigade, 25th Division which assembled in the area around Salisbury with the 6th South Wales Borderers based at Codford..they spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth. In February 1915 they converted to be a Pioneer Battalion Moving to Hursley Park in April for a short while then moving to Aldershot for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 25th of September 1915, the division concentrateing in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys. On the 2nd of July they transferred to 30th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

           7th Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon on the 14th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 67th Brigade, 22nd Division. They trained at Seaford, spending the winter in billets at St Leonards, and returning to Seaford in April 1915. They moved to Aldershot for final training in May and proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 6th of September, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

           8th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon on the 19th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 68th Brigade, 22nd Division. They trained at Seaford, spending the winter in billets at St Leonards, and returning to Seaford in April 1915. They moved to Aldershot for final training in May and proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 6th of September, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 30th. 68th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their first action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. The 8th South Wales Borderers left the 22nd Division on the 30th of June 1918.

           10th (1st Gwent) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon in October 1914 by the Welsh National Executive Committee. After inital training close to home they moved by end to Colwyn Bay and joined 130th Brigade, 43rd Division, which was renamed 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 29th of April 1915. They moved to Hursley Park near Winchester in July 1915 but then to Hazeley Down for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 4th of December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919

           11th (2nd Gwent) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon on the 5th of December 1914 by the Welsh National Executive Committee. After inital training close to home they moved by end to Colwyn Bay and joined 130th Brigade, 43rd Division, which was renamed 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 29th of April 1915. They moved to Hursley Park near Winchester in July 1915 but then to Hazeley Down for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 4th of December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 27th of February 1918 the 11th South Wales Borderers was disbanded in France with troops tramsferring to other units.

           12th (3rd Gwent) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Newport in March 1915 by the Welsh National Executive Committee as a Bantam Battalion, they joined the Welsh Bantam Brigade. After intial training close to home, they moved to Prees Heath in July 1915. In eptember they moved to Aldershot, for final training and the brigade was renamed 119th Brigade, 40th Division. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 2nd of June 1916, and the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 10th of February 1918 the battalion disbanded in France with troops transferring to other units.

           1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment were in Khartoum, Sudan when war was declared in August 1914. They returned to England as soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison. The 1st Suffolks arriving home on the 23rd of October. On the 17th of November 1914 they joined 84th Brigade 28th Division, at Winchester. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve on 18th of January, the divison concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and on the 24th they left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt, all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and the division went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

           2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment were at the Curragh in Ireland serving with 14th Brigade, 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England and proceeded to France landing at Le Harve on the 17th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, after suffering heavy casualties at The Battle of Le Cateau the transferred to GHQ Troops. On the 22nd of October 1915 they transferred to 76th Brigade in 3rd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

           4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment were a territorial unit with HQ in in Portman Road, Ipswich, they were part of Norfolk & Suffolk Brigade, East Anglian Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 9th of November 1914, landing at Le Havre, and joining Jullundur Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division. On the 15th of November 1915 they transferred to 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division, then on the 22nd of February 1916 they transferred to 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 15th of February 1918 they transferred to 58th (2nd London) Division as a Pioneer Battalion. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert and The Second Battle of Bapaume on the Somme. In September they fought in The Battle of Epehy and were in action in October and November during the Final Advance in Artois.

           9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was raised at Bury St. Edmunds in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. They joined 71st Brigade in 24th Division in the area of Shoreham for training. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 30th of August 1915. The 24th Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on the 4th of September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. On the 11th of October 1915 the 9th Suffolks transferred with 71st Brigade to 6th Division. In 1916 they were in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. The Battalion was disbanded in France on the 16th of February 1918.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was raised at Bury St Edmunds in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France on the 25th of July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 7th of February 1918 the 8th Suffolks were disbanded in France.

           11th (Cambridgeshire) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was raised at Cambridge on the 25th of September 1914, by the Cambridge and Isle of Ely TF Association. After initial training close to home, they joined 101st Brigade, 34th Division in May 1915 at Ripon. They moved to Sutton Veny for final training in September and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 9th of January 1916. 34th Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 3rd of February 1918 they transferred to 103rd Brigade still with 34th Division. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre. On the 26th of May the 11th Suffolks transferred to 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. They were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy, crossing the Sambre, in the first week of November. The Division began to demobilise in January 1919.

           12th (East Anglian) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was raised at Bury St. Edmunds in July 1915, as a bantam battalion. In November 1915 they joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division. They proceeded to France on the 6th of June 1916, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 6th of May 1918 the 12th Suffolks were reduced to cadre strength and on the 16th of June transferred to 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division and returned to England the following day. They were reconstituted by absorbing the 16th Suffolks and retruned to France on the 5th of July 1918, landing at Boulogne. The Division joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

           2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment were in Woking serving with 2nd Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was raised at Chichester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. They moved to Colchester for training and on the 4th of February 1915 converted to be a Pioneer Battalion. In May they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training, proceeding to France, landing at Boulogne in late July and the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

           11th (1st South Down) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was raised at Bexhill on the 7th of September 1914 by Lieut-Col. Lowther, MP and Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Maidstone in July 1915 and were adopted by the War Office. They moved to Aldershot in September and then to Witley to join 116th Brigade, 39th Division in October. They proceeded to France, landed at Le Havre in March 1916, the division concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade who had remained in England to complete thier training. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre on the 23rd of May. On the 30th of June they transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division and crossed back to England, going to Aldershot. In July they absorbed the 13th Royal West Kents to return to strength. On the 9th of September the Brigade was renamed 236th Brigade and left the Division. On the 17th of October they sailed from Dundee for service in North Russia.

           12th (2nd South Down) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was raised at Bexhill on the 3rd of November 1914 by Lieut-Col. Lowther, MP and Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Maidstone in July 1915 and were adopted by the War Office. They moved to Aldershot in September and then to Witley to join 116th Brigade, 39th Division in October. They proceeded to France, landed at Le Havre in March 1916, the division concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade who had remained in England to complete their training. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 8th of February the 12th Sussex were disbanded in France, with troops transferring to other units.

           13th (3rd South Down) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was raised at Bexhill on the 20th of November 1914 by Lieut-Col. Lowther, MP and Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Maidstone in July 1915 and were adopted by the War Office. They moved to Aldershot in September and then to Witley to join 116th Brigade, 39th Division in October. They proceeded to France, landed at Le Havre in March 1916, the division concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade who had remained in England to complete their training. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and were reduced to a cadre on the 23rd of May. On the 17th of June 1918 the 13th Sussex transferred to 118th Brigade still with 39th Division and on the 14th of August the abttalion was disbanded in France, with troops transferring to the 1/4th Sussex to bring that Battalion back to full strength.

           1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was based in Shorncliffe with 10th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and the 1st Warwicks proceeded to France on the 22nd of August 1914, arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south to The Somme taking part in the Battles there over the summer months. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was in Malta when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, arriving on the 19th of August 1914 and joined 22nd Brigade, 7th Division. After training they proceeded to France, landing at Zeebrugge on the 6th of October 1914.

           295th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery were armed with 6inch 26cwt Vickers Howitzers. They were in action at Messines from 7th of April 1917 until moving further north in the Ypres Salient in July, where they were in action until November 1917 in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. They saw action at Piave from 27th of October 1918. Their war service totalled 20789 Rounds Through.

           East Weare Battery overlooks Portland Harbour below the cliff to the east of the Verne Citadel. It was built in the 1860s by recommendation of the Royal Commission to guard the new Portland harbour and Royal Navy institutions on Portland island. The Battery was remodelled in the 1880's and was armed with C pivot 9-inch RMLs. The batteries were equipped with standard artillery stores, a small redoubt, a resident gunner's house and a self-defensible detention barracks, East Weare Camp, was built directly above B battery. In 1891, more modifications were made, the two centre gun positions of C Battery were altered to take 2 x 10-inch RMLs on C pivots with sunken way. B Battery was also modified to take 2 x 10-inch RML in positions 1 and 2, whilst the third gun was removed. A-battery was re-armed with 4 x 10-inch RMLs. During 1899-1901 two 9.2-inch BL guns were installed in A-Battery and three six inch BL guns in B-Battery new magazines were built along with a lamp room and paint store, whilst the old main magazine was converted for use as the sergeant's mess and quarters. A range finding station and Battery Observation Post were placed near to the Detention Barracks.

        In 1915 the disused D Battery, which had its own magazine adjacent, was handed over to the Royal Navy, who used the magazine for storing explosives. By 1917 one 6-inch gun was removed and the other two followed by 1919.

           9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised at Warwick in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 39th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 39th Brigade moved to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th (Service) Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th . The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 39th Brigade was detached and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised at Warwick in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 24th Division as army troops. The Division began to assemble in the area of Shoreham but suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In April 1915 the 11th Warwicks transferred to 112th Brigade, 37th Division at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France on the 30th of July, the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In ealry 1918 the army was reorganised and the 11th Warwicks were disbanded in France on the 7th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

           14th (1st Birmingham Pals) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised in Birmingham in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and a local committee. After training they joined 95th Brigade, 32nd Division on the 26 June 1915. They proceeded to France on the 21st of November 1915, landing at Boulogne. On the 28th December 1915 they transferred to 13th Brigade, 5th Division as part of an exchange designed to strengthen the newly arrived 32nd Division with more experienced troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918. They saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. On the 5th of October 1918 the Birmingham Pals became a Pioneer Battalion with 5th Division. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

           15th (2nd Birmingham Pals) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised in Birmingham in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and a local committee. After training they joined 95th Brigade, 32nd Division on the 26 June 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 21st of November 1915. On the 28 December 1915 they transferred to 14th Brigade, 5th Division, one of many units were exchanged to stiffen the inexperienced 32nd Division with regular army troops. On the 14th of January 1916 they transferred to 13th Brigade still with 5th Division In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. They then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until October and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. On the 6th of October 1918 the 2nd Birmingham Pals were disbanded with troops transferring to the 1st and 3rd Birmingham Pals Battalions.

           16th (3rd Birmingham Pals) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised in Birmingham in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and a local committee. After training they joined 95th Brigade, 32nd Division on the 26th of June 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 21st of November 1915. On the 26th of December they transferred to 15th Brigade, 5th Division as part of an exchange to stiffen the inexperienced 32nd Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. On the 4th of October 1918 they transferred to 13th Brigade still with 5th Division. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

           1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers were in Malta when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Southampton on the 3rd of September 1914. They joined 22nd Brigade, 7th Division who were concentrating in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge on the 7th of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers were in Portland when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 11th of August landing at Rouen and taking on duties as Lines of Communication troops. On the 22nd they became attached to 19th Infantry Brigade, which was an independent command at this time, not attached to any division. On the 12th of October 1914 the battalion transferred with 19th Brigade to 6th Division. On the 31st of May 1915 they transferred with 19th Brigade to 27th Division, then on the 19th of August to 2nd Division. On the 25th of November 1915 the battalion transferred with 19th Brigade to the newly arrived 33rd Division. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme, in 1917 at Arras, on the Hindenburg Line, during the Operations on the Flanders Coast and in the Third battles of Ypres. On the 6th of February 1918 the 2nd Welsh Fusiliers transferred to 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Wrexham in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut including the actions fought at Hanna, Fallahiya, and Sanniyat. After taking the first two, the 13th Division was stopped by the Turkish forces under the overall command of Khalil Pasha at the Battle of the Sanniyat on 9 April 1916. During the fighting 5,9 April 1916, four of the 13th Division's soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross.. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

           9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Wrexham on the 9th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. They trained at to Tidworth, spending the winter in billets in Basingstoke, they returned to Tidworth in March 1915 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of July 1915. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

           10th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Wrexham on the 16th of October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 76th Brigade, 25th Division. They moved to Codford St Mary for training and spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth. They moved to Romsey on the 29th of April 1915 and ten to Aldershot for final training on the 3rd of June 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 27th of September 1915. On the 15th of October 1915 the Battalion transferred with 76th Brigade to 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. On the 8th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised, the 10th Welch Fusiliers disbanded in France, with the men transferring into the 8th Entrenching Battalion.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Wrexham on the 18th of October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 67th Brigade, 22nd Division. They trained at Seaford and spent the winter in billets in St Leonards. They returned to Seaford in April 1915 then moved to Aldershot for final training in June 1915. The proceeded to France in early September, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

           13th (1st North Wales) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Rhyl on the 3rd of September 1914 by the Denbigh and Flint Territorial Force Associations, but transferred to the Welsh National Executive Committee on the 10th of October. In November 1914 they joined 128th Brigade, 43rd Division at Llandudno, which was renamed 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           14th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Llandudno on the 2nd of November 1914 by the Welsh National Executive Committee. Later in the month they joined 128th Brigade, 43rd Division at Llandudno, which was renamed 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           15th (1st London Welsh) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised in London on the 20th of October 1914. After initial training the London area, in December they joined 128th Brigade, 43rd Division at Llandudno, which was renamed 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in early 1918 the army was reorgansied and on the 27th of February the 15th Welsh Fusiliers were disbanded in France with troops transferring to other units.

           16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Llandudno in November 1914 by the Welsh National Executive Committee from recruits surplus to 13th Battalion. Later in the month they joined 128th Brigade, 43rd Division at Llandudno, which was renamed 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           17th (2nd North Wales) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Llandudno at Llandudno on the 2nd of February 1915. they trained in Llandudno, joining 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           

           19th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised in March 1915 by the Welsh National Executive Committee as a Bantam Battalion. They trained with 38th (Welsh) Division at Deganwy until August 1915 when they joined 119th Brigade, 40th Division at Aldershot. They proceeded to France in early June 1916 and the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie and The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 6th of February 1918 the 19th Welsh Fusiliers disbanded in France, with the troops transferring to the 8th Entrenching Battalion.

           24th (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was formed in at El Arish Egypt on the 1st of March 1917 from the Denbighshire Yeomanry, they joined 229th Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. They saw action in The Second and Third Battles of Gaza including the Capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria Position. They were also in action during the The capture and defence of Jerusalem and The Battle of Tell'Asur. On the 1st of May they sailed from Alexandria for Marseilles, landing on the 7th of May and travelling by train to the Western Front. On the 21st of June 1918 they transferred to 94th Brigade, 31st Division. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

           1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment were in Chakrata, India, with Dehra Dun Brigade, Meerut Division when war was declared in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, the 1st Welsh returned to England, landing at Plymouth on the 22nd of December joining 84th Brigade, 28th Division at Hursley Park near Winchester. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve on the 18th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

           2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment were in Bordon serving with 3rd Brigade, 1st Division when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 13th of August 1914 and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought in the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

           4th Battalion, The Welsh Regiment was a Territorial unit based in in Carmarthen with the South Wales Brigade, when war broke out in August 1914. They moved to Tunbridge Wells for training in November 1914 the in February 1915 moved to Scotland to man to the Forth and Tay defences. On the 17th of April 1915 they transferred to 159th Brigade in 53rd (Welsh) Division and moved to Bedford to prepare for deployment abroad. They emabarked from Devonport for the Gallipoli front on the 19 July 1915 and made a landing at Suvla Bay on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses, on the 8th of October 1915 the 1/4th Battalion amalgamated with 1/5th to form the 4th Welsh Composite Ballation. (They would resumed their original identity on the 10th of February 1916) By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. On the 3rd of July 1917, the 1/4th again amalganated with the 1/5th and bcame known as the 4/5th Battalion. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. Between the beginning of June and the end of August, many of the units were ordered to France, being replaced by Indian units, the artillery also remained with the Division. In September they were in action at The battle of Nablus before being with drawn for rest on the 26th and moved back to Tell'Asur. They then moved to Ramle where they entrained for Alexandria on the 27th of October. The Armistice with Turkey took effect on 31st of October and the Division was demobilised with the first parties leaving for England on the 22nd of December.

           8th (Pioneers) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Cardiff in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire, in January 1915 they became a Pioneer Battalion. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

           9th (Service) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Cardiff on the 9th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. They trained on Salisbury Plain and moved into billets in Basingstoke in November 1914 for the winter. In January they moved to Weston Super Mare and to Perham Down in May 1915 for final training. They proceeded tp France, landing at Boulogne in mid July 1915, the division concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

           The 10th (1st Rhondda) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised in the Rhondda Valleyin September 1914 by D. Watts Morgan, MP. They moved to Codford St Mary for training and joined 76th Brigade in 25th Division. On the 30th of September they transferred to 129th Brigade, 43rd Division at Rhyl. On the 29th of April 1915, the formation was renamed, 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. They moved to Winchester in August 1915 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 6th of February 1918 the 10th Welsh were disbanded in France.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Cardiff in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 67th Brigade, 22nd Division. They trained on the South Downs and spent the winter in billets in Hastings from December 1914. They moved to Seaford in April 1915 and then to Aldershot in May for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 6th of September 1915, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 30th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

           13th (2nd Rhondda) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised in Cardiff on the 23rd of October 1914. They joined 129th Brigade, 43rd Division at Rhyl. On the 29th of April 1915, the formation was renamed, 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. They moved to Winchester in August 1915 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           14th (Swansea) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised Swansea in October 1914 by the Mayor and Corporation and the Swansea Football and Cricket Club. After initial training close to home they joined 129th Brigade, 43rd Division at Rhyl. On the 29th of April 1915, the formation was renamed, 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. They moved to Winchester in August 1915 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           15th (Carmarthenshire) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised by the Carmarthenshire County Committee in October 1914. After initial training close to home they joined 129th Brigade, 43rd Division at Rhyl. On the 29th of April 1915, the formation was renamed, 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. They moved to Winchester in August 1915 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           16th (Cardiff City) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Cardiff in November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and Corporation. They joined 130th Brigade in 43rd Division and trained at Colwyn Bay. The brigade was renamed 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in December. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 7th of February 1918 the 16th Welsh were disbanded in France with troops transferring to other units.

           17th (1st Glamorgan) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised in Cardiff in December 1914 as a Bantam Battalion. After initial training close to home they joined 43rd Division at Rhyl, they moved to Rhos in January 1915 and to Prees Heath in July where they transferred to 119th Brigade, 40th Division. In September they moved to Aldershot for final training and proceeded to France in June 1916 and the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 9th of February 1918 the 17th Welsh were disbanded in France with troops transferring to other units.

           18th (2nd Glamorgan) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Cardiff in January 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. They moved to Porthcawl and joined 43rd Division. In July they moved to Prees Heath, transferring to 119th Brigade, 40th Division. They moved to Aldershot in September. The Division proceeded to France in the first week of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 5th of May 1918 the 18th Welsh was reduced to cadre strength and returned to England, transferring on the 18th of June 1918 to 47th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division at North Walsham. The Battalion was reconstituted, absorbing the 25th Battalion. They moved to Aldershot and returned to France on the 29th of July. They were in action in The Final Advance in Artois.

           19th (Pioneers) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Colwyn Bay in February 1915 as a Pioneer Battalion. They joined 43rd Division in February 1914, which was renamed the 38th (Welsh) Division, 28 April 1915. They proceeded to France, landed at Le Havre in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919

           23rd (Welsh Pioneers) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was formed at Porthcawl in September 1915. They moved to Aldershot in March 1916 and in May to Thetford to join 69th Division, In June they left the division and on the 13th of July sailed from Devonport for Salonkia where they joined 28th Division as a Pioneer Battalion on the 24th of August. They were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

           1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was based in Dublin with 13th Brigade, 5th Division when war was declared in August 1914. hey proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 15th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops, but the 1st West Kents remained with 5th Division. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

           6th (Service) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was raised at Maidstone on the 14th of August 1914 as part ofKitchener's First New Army and joined 37th Brigade in 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Colchester and moved to Purfleet in September 1914 they spent the winter in billets in Hythe from December. They moved to Aldershot for final training in February 1915 and proceeded to France on the 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

           7th (Service) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was raised at Maidstone on the 5th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 55th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. after initial training near home, they moved to Colchester in April 1915 and then to Salisbury Plain in May for final training. They proceeded to France on the 27th of July 1915 landing at Le Havre the Division concentrating near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In February 1918 they transferred to 53rd Brigade still with 18th (Eastern) Division. They saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was raised at Maidstone on the 12th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 72nd Brigade, 24th Division. They trained at Shoreham and moved to billets in Worthing for the winter in December, returning to Shoreham in April 1915. They moved to Blackdown in July for final training and proceeded to France on the 30th of August 1915, landing at Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           10th (Kent County) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was raised at Maidstone on the 3rd of May 1915 by Lord Harris, Vice Lieutenant of Kent, at the request of the Army Council. After inital training close to home they joined 118th Brigade, 39th Division in July. In October they transferred to 123rd Brigade, 41st Division. They moved to Aldershot for final training in January 1916 and proceeded to France on the 4th of May where the division concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul.

        In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso.

        In February 1917 they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender.

        41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on 12 January the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began; in March 1919 and the Division was renamed the London Division.

           11th (Lewisham) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was raised at Lewisham on the 5th of May 1915 by the Mayor and a local committee. They trained at Catford and joined 118th Brigade, 39th Division in July. In in October they transferred to 122nd Brigade, 41st Division. They moved to Aldershot for final training in January 1916 and proceeded to France on the 3rd of May, and the division concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. On the 16th of March 1918 the 11th Kents were disbanded in France with troops transferring to other units.

           When the Great War war broke out in August 1914, the 1st Battalion West Riding Regiment was in Lahore, India, where it had been since 1905. It was one of eight regular battalions to remain in India throughout the war.

           2nd Battalion West Riding Regiment was raised as 76th Foot in 1787. At the outbreak of the Great War the battalion was stationed in Dublin with the 13th Brigade, 5th Division. They arrived in France on the 16th of August 1914 and within a short time it was in action at Le Cateau and the Retreat from Mons, suffering 360 casualties. They saw action on the Marne, the Aisne and at Ypres.

        On the 11th of November 1914, the Germans launched a desparate attack to on Ypres and in the fighting the 2nd Battalion almost eliminated the Fusilier battalion of the 2nd (Prussian) Guard Grenadier Regiment (4th Guard Brigade) whose casualties numbered 15 officers and 500 men. The 2nd Duke of Wellingtons lost 400 officers and men. On the 18th of April 1915, in a successful assault on the high ground at Hill 60, the battalion suffered 421 casualties, 15 of them officers. On 5th May the Germans attacked using chlorine gas and recaptured the lost ground, inflicting a further 350 casualties on the Battalion.

        In January 1916 the battalion was transferred to the 4th Division in which it served for the rest of the war. Seeing action in 1916 in the Battles of the Somme, in 1917 in the Battles of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they took part in The First Battle of Arras 1918, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, the Second Battles of Arras 1918, The Battle of the Canal du Nord on the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

           7th Battalion West Riding Regiment was a Territorial unit based in Milnsbridge, serving with 2nd West Riding Brigade, West Riding Division. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service, taking up possition on the coastal defences near Hull and Grimsby. On the 5th of November they moved to billets in Doncaster for the winter. They trained in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in preparation for service overseeas. They proceeded to France on the 17th of April 1915, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 147th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

           8th Battalion West Riding Regiment was raised at Halifax in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 34th Brigade in 11th (Northern) Division. Moved to Belton Park (Grantham) On the 18th of January 1915 they transferred to 32nd Brigade still in 11th (Northern) Division. They moved to Witley in April 1915 for final training and in July sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli, via Mudros. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. On the 13th of February 1918 the battalion was disbanded in France at the reorganisation of the Army.

           9th Battalion West Riding Regiment was raised at Halifax in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Wareham, then to Bovington in October and to Wimborne in November 1914. They moved to Hursley Park, Winchester in June 1915 for final training. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 15th of July 1915, concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

           2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was in Malta in August 1914 when war broke out, they returned to England landing at Southampton on the 25th of September to join 23rd Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park near Winchester. After training they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 5th of November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF.

        The 2nd Battalion remained on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge and Bois Grenier during 1915, in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, in te eretreat to the the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917, on the Somme, the Aisne, the Second Battle of Arras and the Final Advance in Artois in 1918.

           3rd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was in York in August 1914 when war broke out, they soon moved to Whitley Bay to defend the coast. The 3rd Battalion remained in Britain throughout the conflict, training troops to reinforce other units abroad.

           4th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was in York in August 1914 when war broke out, they soon moved to Falmouth, going on to Redcar in December 1915 and to West Hartlepool in April 1916 to defend the coast. The 4th Battalion remained in Britain throughout the conflict, training troops to reinforce other units abroad.

           5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), a territorial battalion was in York in August 1914 when war broke out, on the 10th of August they moved to Selby, and end of the month to Strenshall, in late October they returned to York. In March 1915 they moved to Gainsborough before proceeding to France, sailing from Folkestone on the 15th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne with the 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.

        They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action at Aubers Ridge, on the Somme, the Flanders Coast, the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of the Lys and the Final Advance in Picardy.

           2/5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), was raised at York on the 28th of September 1914. On the 1st of March 1915 they moved to Matlock to join 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. In May they moved to Thoresby Park, and in October 1915 to Retford, November to Newcastle, January 1916 they moved to Salisbury Plain and in June 1916 to Somerleyton near Lowestoft then in October 1916 to Bedford. On the 5th of January 1917 they proceeded to France, sailing from Southampton to Le Havre.

        They saw their first action on the Ancre in February, and went on to take part in many major actions, including, the Arras Offensive, the Hindenburgh Line, and at Cambrai in 1917. On the Somme, Arras, the Hidenburgh Line and the final advance in Picardy in 1918.

           6th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), a territorial battalion was based in Bradford in August 1914 when war broke out, on the 10th of August they moved to Selby, and end of the month to Strenshall, in late October they moved to York. In March 1915 they moved to Gainsborough before proceeding to France, sailing from Folkestone on the 15th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne with the 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.

        They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action at Aubers Ridge, on the Somme, the Flanders Coast, in the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of the Lys and the final advance in Picardy.

           2/6th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), was raised at Bradford on 12 September 1914. On the 1st of March 1915 they moved to Matlock to join 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. In May they moved to Thoresby Park, and in October 1915 to Retford, November to Newcastle, January 1916 they moved to Salisbury Plain and in June 1916 to Somerleyton near Lowestoft then in October 1916 to Bedford. On the 5th of January 1917 they proceeded to France, sailing from Southampton to Le Havre.

        They saw their first action on the Ancre in February, and went on to take part in many major actions, including, the Arras Offensive, the Hindenburgh Line, and at Cambrai in 1917. On the Somme, Arras, the Hidenburgh Line and the final advance in Picardy in 1918.

           7th Battalion, (Leeds Rifles) West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), a territorial battalion was at Carlton Barracks, Leeds in August 1914 when war broke out. On the 10th of August they moved to Selby, and end of the month to Strenshall, in late October they moved to York. In March 1915 they moved to Gainsborough before proceeding to France, sailing from Folkestone on the 15th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne with the 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.

        They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action at Aubers Ridge, on the Somme, the Flanders Coast, the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of the Lys and the final advance in Picardy.

           2/7th (2nd Leeds Rifles) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), was raised at Leeds on the 15th of September 1914. On the 1st of March 1915 they moved to Matlock to join 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd west Riding) Division. In May the moved to Thoresby Park, then in October 1915 to Retford, in November to Newcastle, in January 1916 to Salisbury Plain and in June 1916 to Somerleyton near Lowestoft. In October 1916 they moved to Bedford. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in January 1917.

        They saw their first action on the Ancre in February, and went on to take part in many major actions, including, the Arras Offensive, the Hindenburgh Line, and at Cambrai in 1917. On the Somme, Arras, the Hidenburgh Line. On the 16th of June 1918 the Battalion was reduced to cadre strength and returned to England to be absorbed into 18th Battalion York & Lancs Regiment.

           8th Battalion, (Leeds Rifles) West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), a territorial battalion was based at Carlton Barracks, Leeds in August 1914 when war broke out. On the 10th of August they moved to Selby, and end of the month to Strenshall, in late October they moved to York. In March 1915 they moved to Gainsborough before proceeding to France, sailing from Folkestone on the 15th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne with the 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action at Aubers Ridge, on the Somme, the Flanders Coast, the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of the Lys and the final advance in Picardy. On the 30th of January 1918 they absorbed the 2/8th Battalion and transferred to 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division.

           2/8th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), was raised at at Leeds, 14 September 1914. On the 1st of March 1915 they moved to Matlock to join 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd west Riding) Division. In May the moved to Thoresby Park, then in October 1915 to Retford, in November to Newcastle, in January 1916 to Salisbury Plain and in June 1916 to Somerleyton near Lowestoft. In October 1916 they moved to Bedford. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in January 1917.

        They saw their first action on the Ancre in February, and went on to take part in many major actions, including, the Arras Offensive, the Hindenburgh Line, and at Cambrai in 1917. On the 1st of February 1918 the Battalion was absorbed by 1/8th Btn and took part in in the final advance in Picardy.

           9th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), was a Kitchener Battalion, raised at York on the 25th of August 1914, as part of 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. After initial training they moved to Grantham in Lincolnshire, then on the 4th of April 1915 they moved to Frensham for final training. On the 3rd of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool to Mudros. Their first action was the landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 6th of August 1915. On the 19th of December 1915 they were withdrawn from Gallipoli and moved to Imbros and on to Egypt to take over defence of of a section of the Suez Canal. They were ordered to France to reinforce the British Army on the Somme, and on the 1st July 1916 they landed at Marseilles and travelled by train to the Western Front. They went into action on the Somme where they were to remain for the rest of the year. In 1917 they saw action on the Ancre, then moved to Flanders for the Battle of Messines and the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 13th of November 1917 they absorbed all 400 men remaining men of the 1/1st Yorkshire Hussars and became 9th (Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion. In 1918 they were in action at the Second Battle of Arras and on the Hindenburg Line.

           10th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was raised at York on the 3rd of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 50th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne the 14th of July 1915, concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

           11th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was formed at York, on 10th October 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third Army. They joined 69th Brigade, 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           12th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was raised at York on the 16th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New army and joined 63rd Brigade, 21st Division. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They proceeded to France during the first week of September, landing at Le Havre and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. On the 16th of November 1915 the Battalion transferred to 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. On the 17th of February 1918 the 12th West Yorks was disbanded in France, the troops amalgamating with the 8th East Yorks to form the 10th Entrenching Battalion.

           12th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was raised at York on the 16th if September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New army and joined 63rd Brigade, 21st Division. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They proceeded to France during the first week of September, landing at Le Havre and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. On the 16th of November 1915 the Battalion transferred to 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. On the 17th of February 1918 the 12th West Yorks was disbanded in France, the troops amalgamating with the 8th East Yorks to form the 10th Entrenching Battalion.

           15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (1st Leeds Pals) was raised in Leeds in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. After training locally they moved to Silkstone in December 1914. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 93rd Brigade, 31st Division and moved to South Camp, Ripon and later to Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury. In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916. Their first taste of action was at Serre on the Somme where they suffered heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras. In early 1918 they were on the Somme then moved north into Flanders for the Battle of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders.

           16th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, the 1st Bradford Pals, was raised in Bradford in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. After training locally they moved to Silkstone in December 1914. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 93rd Brigade, 31st Division and moved to South Camp, Ripon and later to Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury. In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916. Their first taste of action was at Serre on the Somme where they suffered heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras. They were disbanded in France on the 15th of February 1918.

           17th (2nd Leeds Pals) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment was raised in Leeds in December 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City, as a Bantam Battalion from men who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they joined 106th Brigade, 35th Division in June 1915 at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France on the 1st of February 1916, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 16th of November 1917 they left 35th Division to join XIX Corps on railway work. In December they amalgamated with 15th Battalion, West Yorks.

           18th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, the 2nd Bradford Pals, was raised in Bradford on the 22nd of January 1915 by the Lord Mayor and City. After training locally they moved to Silkstone in December 1914. In May 1915 the Battalion joined the 93rd Brigade, 31st Division and moved to South Camp, Ripon and later to Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury. In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916. Their first taste of action was at Serre on the Somme where they suffered heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras. They were disbanded in France on the 15th of February 1918.

           21st (Wool Textile Pioneers) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment was raised in Halifax on the 24th of September 1915 by the Lord Mayor and City of Leeds. After initial training in Halifax they moved to Skipton in February 1916. They proceeded to France in June 1916 and joined 4th Division as Divisional Pioneer Battalion. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

           1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment were based at at Tidworth with 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF, landing at Rouen on the 14th of August. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred with 7th Brigade to 25th Division. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, and on the 21st of June 1918 they transferred to 110th Brigade, 21st Division. They took part in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 21st Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment were in Gibraltar when war broke out in August 1914, they returned to England, landing Southampton on the 3rd of September 1914. They joined 21st Brigade, 7th Division at Lyndhurst.in the New Forest in Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge on the 7th of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On gthe 19th of December 1915 the transferred with 1st Brigade to 30th Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. On the 13th of May 1918 the 2nd Wiltshires transferred to 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division and were in action the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay.

           5th (Service) Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment was raised in Devizes in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 13th (Western) Division as divisional troops. They moved to Tidworth and then to Chisledon in October 1914. In December 1914 they moved to billets in Cirencester and joined 40th Brigade still with 13th (Western) Division. They moved to Woking in February 1915 and then to Bisley in May. On the 1st of July 1915 they sailed from Avonmouth landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They suffered heavy casualties in the Turkish attack on the 10th of August and were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

           6th (Service) Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment was raised in Devizes in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 19th (Western) Division as diviaional troops, training on Salisbury Plain. In December 1914 they moved to billets in Basingstoke for the winter and joined 58th Brigade still with 19th (Western) Division. They moved to Perham Down in March for final training and proceeded to France in July 1915. and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 20th of September 1917 they amalgamated with the Wiltshire Yeomanry, and were retitled the 6th (Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry) Battalion. In 1918 They fought on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. On the 13th of May 1918 they were reduced to cadre strength with menn transferring to the 2nd Battalion. On the 16th of June they transferred to 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division and returned to England via Boulogne. At Brookwood, the Battalion was reconstituted and absorbed the 9th Dorsetshire regiment. They returned to France on the 4th of July, landing at Boulogne and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders.

           7th (Service) Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment was raised in Devizes in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 79th Brigade in 26th Division. They trained at Codford, spending the winter in billets in Marlborough, but training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They moved to Sutton Veny for final training in April. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France including the 7th Wiltshires who arrived at Serqueux on the 1st of July and joined the reforming 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 16th. They returned to action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England

           1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were in Cairo whe war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Liverpool on the 16th of October 1914, they joined 24th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 6th of November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. They transferred to 23rd Division on the 18th of October 1915 transferred returning to 8th Division on the 15th of July 1916. In 1916 they were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

           2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were based at Aldershot with 5th Brigade, 2nd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF, landing at Boulogne on the 14th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. On the 20th of December 1915 they transferred to 100th Brigade, 33rd Division. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a period of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took place throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

           3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were based in Tidworth with 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Rouen on the 16th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 18th of October 1915 the 3rd Worcesters transferred with 7th Brigade to 25th Division to strengthen the newly arrived Division and on the 10th of November they transferred to 74th Brigade still in 25th Division. The 25th Division's first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys. In 22 June 1918 the 3rd Worcesters transferred to 57th Brigade in 19th (Western) Division, and absorbed the 10th Battalion. They were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy and at the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay.

           4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were based in in Meiktila, Burma when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, landing at Avonmouth on the 1st of February 1915. They joined 88th Brigade, 29th Division at Leamington Spa. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 21st of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

           5th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were based in Worcester when war broke out, they were mobilised and moved to Plymouth.

           6th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were based in Worcester when war broke out, they were mobilised and moved to Plymouth.

           7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was a territorial unit based in in Kidderminster serving with the Gloucester and Worcester Brigade in South Midland Division. The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to Swindon, then to Maldon in Essex in the second week of August to concentrate with the Division and commence training. They proceeded to France from Folkestone, landing at Bologne on the 31st of March 1915. The Division concentrated near Cassel. On the 15th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 144th Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

           8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was raised at Worcester in August 1914 and joined the Gloucester and Worcester Brigade, South Midland Division. They moved Swindon but by the second week of August moved to Maldon in Essex. They proceeded to France on the 31st of March 1915, landing at Boulogne. The Division concentrated near Cassel and on the 15th of May the formation was renamed the 144th Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in the fighting on the Asiago Plateau. On the 17th of September the battalion returned to France and transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division seeing action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

           9th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was raised at Worcester in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 39th Brigade 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. They moved to Tidworth and and spengt the winter in billets in Basingstoke. They moved to Blackdown, Aldershot in February 1915 for final training and sailed from Avonmouth on the 19th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 39th Brigade was detached and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

           10th (Service) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was raised at Worcester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 57th Brigade in 19th (Western) Division. They trained at Perham Down and in March 1915 moved to Tidworth for final training. They proceeded to France on the 18th of July 1915, the division concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. On the 22nd of June 1918 the 10th Worcesters was reduced to cadre strength, with most troops transferring to the 3rd Worcesters. On the 28th the cadre joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division and on the 10th of July was absorbed by the 17th Worcesters.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was raised at Worcester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 78th Brigade, 26th Division. They trained at Codford St Mary, spending the winter in billets in Cheltenham. In April 1915 they moved to Longbridge Deverill for final training and proceeded to France on the 21st of September. They moved to Salonika travelling via Marseilles in November 1915. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

           2nd Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment were serving at at Limerick with the 16th Brigade, 6th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilised and returned to England, where 6th Division concentrated near Cambridge for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire and marched to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

           4th (Hallamshire) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment was a Territorial unit based in Sheffield serving with the 3rd West Riding Brigade, West Riding Division. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service, moving to Doncaster. In November they moved to Gainsborough and in in February 1915 to York to prepare for service overseas, those men who had not volunteered for Imperial Service transferred tp the newly formed 2/4th Battalion. They proceeded to France on the 14th of April 1915, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

           6th (Service) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment was raised at Pontefract in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army They joined 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division and after initial training in the Pontefract area moved to Belton Park, Grantham to train with the other infantry units of the Division. They moved to Witley in April 1915 for final training and on the 3rd of July 1915 sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli, via Mudros. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

           7th (Service) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment was raised at Pontefract as part of Kitchener's Second Army and joined 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Wareham in Dorset to continue training and converted to a Pioneer Battalion, in late May 1915 moved to the Hursley Park, Winchester. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne the 14th of July 1915, concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

           8th (Service) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army and joined the 70th Brigade in 23rd Division. They undertook training at Frensham, Aldershot, Hythe and Bordon Before proceeding to France. They landed at Boulogne on the 27th of August 1915 and in October 1915 they transferred with the 70th Brigade to the 8th Division. On the 17 July 1916 they returned to the 23rd Division and saw action on The Sommein The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           9th (Service) Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army and joined 70th Brigade in 23rd Division. They undertook training at Frensham, Aldershot, Hythe and Bordon Before proceeding to France. They landed at Boulogne on the 27th of August 1915 and in October 1915 they transferred with the 70th Brigade to the 8th Division. On the 17 July 1916 they returned to the 23rd Division and saw action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           10th (Service) Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army and joined 63rd Brigade in 21st Division. After initial training close to home they moved to Halton Park, spending the winiter in billets in Leighton Buzzard from December. They moved to Tring in May 1915 then to Witley in August for final training. They proceeded to France on the 11th of September, landing at Boulogne. The Division embarked on lengthy marches and went into action in the British assault at Loos on 26 September, where the Division suffered over 3,800 casualties. In 1916 they were in action in The Battle of The Somme and on the 8th of July 1916 the battalion transferred with 63rd Brigade to 37th Division. In 1917 the took part in the Arras Offensive and the Third Battle of Ypres. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 4th of February the 10th Yorks and Lancs was disbanded in France, with the troops transferring to other units.

           York and Lancaster Regiment, 12th (Sheffield) Battalion, known as The Sheffield Pals was raised on the 10th September 1914 with almost 1000 volunteers being recruited in the first two days. Training began at drill took place at Bramhall Lane, home of Sheffield United Cricket and Football Club, the activities did nothing for the quality of the pitch and on Saturday 5th December 1914 the battalion left Sheffield for Redmires Camp, a few miles west of the city. The Battalion joined the 94th Brigade, 31st Division. They also trained at Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

        In December 1915 The Sheffield Pals boarded HMT Nestor at Devonport and set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. The ship arrived in Alexandria on 1st January 1916 thus all the men of the division missed qualification for the 1914-15 Star by one day.

        The expected Turkishh invasion did not appear and in March 1916 The Sheffield Pals and the rest of 31 Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France,a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

        18 days after arriving in France The Sheffield Pals took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras and in 1918 they fought at St Quentin, Bapaume and Arras before moving north to counter the German Spring Offensive on the Lys. Towards the end of the conflict they were in action in the the Final Advance in Flanders.

           York and Lancaster Regiment, 13th (Barnsley) Battalion, known as The 1st Barnsley Pals was raised on 17 September 1914 by the Mayor and Town. After training locally they moved to Silkstone in December 1914. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 94th Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, the later to Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury. In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916. 18 days after arriving in France The Barnsley Pals took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

           York and Lancaster Regiment, 14th (2nd Barnsley) Battalion, known The 2nd Barnsley Pals was raised on 30 November 1914 by the Mayor and Town. After training locally they moved to Silkstone in December 1914. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 94th Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, the later to Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

        In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

        18 days after arriving in France The Barnsley Pals took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1

           18th (Service) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment was formed at Margate on the 11th of June 1918, absorbing the cadre of the 2/7th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. On the 11th of June 1918 they joined the reforming 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division and proceeded to France on the 3rd of July 1918, landing at Boulogne. The Division joined Second Army and saw action at Ypres and in the final advance in Flanders.

         Divisional History  The 36th (Ulster) Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 36th (Ulster) Division

        In September 1914, the Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force which raised thirteen battalions for the three Irish regiments based in Ulster: the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, the Royal Irish Fusiliers and the Royal Irish Rifles. A unique situation existed.

        This summary is from Ray Westlake’s "Kitchener’s Army"

        "It took several weeks after war was declared before permission to form an Ulster Division was granted. The Ulster Volunteer Force, a Protestant organisation created by Sir Edward Carson as a force to counter the threat of the Home Rule Bill, was already in existence and its members were as eager as any to join the war. However, due to the political situation in Ireland, things were held up. Many volunteers refused to wait and either crossed to England or Scotland to enlist, or joined the 10th or 16th Divisions already being formed by the War Office in Ireland.

        With over 80,000 members, it was clear that the UVF was in a position to make an important contribution to the recruitment of the New Armies. Lord Kitchener met with Sir Edward Carson in London who, although eager to help was concerned at how the situation in Ireland might turn while his force was away at war. The Government were not able to give any guarantees that might put Sir Edward’s mind at rest. However, he later agreed to raise a Division, without any conditions, and within days had placed an order for 10,000 uniforms with a London firm of outfitters."

        The UVF was not only organised but trained to some extent as a military force and had been armed. It was therefore considerably more advanced as a formed body of men than the similar formations of the New Armies now being created elsewhere.

        These battalions were clothed and administered by their raisers in the same way as the locally raised New Army battalions in Great Britain."

        1914

        August: Formed in Ireland as the Ulster Division, with Brigades numbered 1,2 and 3. On 28 August 1914, the Division and its Brigades adopted the titles shown on this page.

        1915

        July: the Division moved to Seaford on the Sussex coast of England. Lord Kitchener inspected the Division there on 27 July 1915, and later remarked to Carson "your Division of Ulstermen is the finest I have yet seen".

        Another inspection took place, by King George V, on 30 September 1915.

        3-6 October: the Division moved to France, although the artillery remained in England until November.

        The Ulster Division initially concentrated in the area around Flesselles, some ten miles north of Arras. Gradually, men were sent in groups for familiarisation with trench warfare conditions and were attached to the Regular Army 4th Division for the purpose in the (at this time) quiet area north of the River Ancre near Albert.

        On 21 October the Division was moved away from the fighting area towards Abbeville, where it spent most of the winter of 1915-16 continuing training. One of the Brigades was attached to 4th Division for several weeks at this time and the artillery finally rejoined.

        1916

        The whole Division finally took over a complete section of the front line on 7 February, between the River Ancre and the Mailly-Maillet to Serre road. Division HQ was at Acheux. In the first week of March, the Division extended its front, the 109th Brigade taking over the sector south of the Ancre, known by the name of Thiepval Wood.

        The Division remained in the Western Front in France and Flanders throughout the rest of the war and took part in the following engagements

        The Battle of Albert in which the Division attacked at the Schwaben Redoubt near Thiepval. This was part of the Battle of the Somme 1916.

        The ground over which the Ulstermen attacked on 1 July.

        Their front line skirted the northern edge of Thiepval wood, facing a gentle upward slope toward the Schwaben Redoubt, a defensive complex in the second main German trench system north of Thiepval.

        The Division was relieved on 2 July, having suffered 5104 casualties of who approximately 2069 died.

        1917

        • The Battle of Messines, in which the Division captured Wytschaete
        • The Battle of Langemarck part of the Third Battles of Ypres 1917
        • The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood

        1918

        The Division was substantially reorganised in February 1918.

        Battle of St Quentin

        On 21 March 1918 the Division was holding a sector of the British front line and Forward Zone south west of St Quentin. The main defences consisted of a number of isolated redoubts, in which the Ulstermen held on for several hours while under bombardment and ultimately being surrounded and cut off.

        • The Actions at the Somme Crossings - Somme 1918
        • The Battle of Rosieres - Somme 1918
        • The Battle of Messines - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys
        • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Courtrai - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The action of Ooteghem - Final Advance in Flanders

        On 11 November the Division was at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing. It remained there throughout the period of demobilisation. It ceased to exist on 29 June 1919.

        The Great War cost the 36th (Ulster) Division 32186 men killed, wounded or missing.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 36th (Ulster) Division

        107th Brigade

        This brigade was attached to 4th Division for instructional purposes between 5 November 1915 and 3 February 1916

        • 8th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (East Belfast) renamed as 8/9th from August 1917 and disbanded 7 February 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (West Belfast) merged into 9th Bn from August 1917
        • 10th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (South Belfast) disbanded 20 February 1918
        • 15th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (North Belfast)
        • 107th Machine Gun Company joined 18 December 1915, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 107th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 April 1916
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined August 1917, left for 108th Brigade February 1918
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined February 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined February 1918

        108th Brigade

        • 11th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (South Antrim) renamed as 11/13th from 13 November 1917 and disbanded 18 February 1918
        • 12th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (Central Antrim)
        • 13th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (County Down) merged into 11th Bn on 13 November 1917
        • 9th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers (County Armagh)
        • 108th Machine Gun Company joined 26 January 1916, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 108th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 April 1916
        • 7th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined October 1917, merged into 2nd Bn November 1917
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined November 1917, left February 1918
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined from 107th Brigade February 1918

        109th Brigade

        • 9th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (County Tyrone)
        • 10th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Derry) disbanded January 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Donegal and Fermanagh) disbanded February 1918
        • 14th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (Young Citizens) disbanded February 1918
        • 109th Machine Gun Company joined 23 January 1916, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 109th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 April 1916
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined February 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined February 1918

        12th Brigade

        This brigade was attached from 4th Division in exchange for 107th Brigade between 4 November 1915 and 3 February 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 16th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (County Down Pioneers) Divisional Pioneer Battalion
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined August 1917, left for 107th Brigade same month
        • 266th Machine Gun Company joined 17 January 1918, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 36th Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • Service Sqn, the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons left June 1916
        • 36th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps broken up 31 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The original artillery of 36th (Ulster) Division, shown below, did not accompany the Division to France in November 1915, but rejoined it there in December.

        The artillery of the 56th (1st London) Division moved to France with 36th (Ulster) Division and remained under command until 12 December 1915.

        • CLIII Brigade, RFA
        • CLIV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up late September 1916
        • CLXXII Brigade, RFA broken up 31 January 1917
        • CLXXIII Brigade, RFA
        • 36 Heavy Battery RGA raised with that Division but broken up while still at home
        • 36th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.36 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 20 June 1916; disbanded 11 February 1918
        • X.36, Y.36 and Z.36 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 1 June 1916; on 11 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 121st Field Company
        • 122nd Field Company
        • 150th Field Company
        • 36th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 108th Field Ambulance
        • 109th Field Ambulance
        • 110th Field Ambulance
        • 76th Sanitary Section left April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 36th Divisional Train ASC 251, 252, 253 and 254 Companies.
        • 48th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 233rd Divisional Employment Company joined 21 July 1917
        • 35th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop disbanded April 1916


           8th Division was formed in England during October 1914 by the bringing together of regular army units which had been stationed at various points around the British Empire. The Division moved to France in November 1914, a badly-needed reinforcement to the BEF. It remained on the Western Front throughout the rest of the war, taking part in the following actions:

        1915

        • The Battle of Neuve Chapelle
        • The Battle of Aubers
        • The action of Bois Grenier (a diversionary attack coinciding with the Battle of Loos)

        1916

        The Battle of Albert (the first phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Pilkem - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battle of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The actions at the Somme crossings - Somme
        • The Battle of Rosieres - Somme
        • The actions of Villers-Bretonneux - Somme
        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Final Advance in Artois in which the Division captured Douai

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 8th Division

        23rd Infantry Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Devonshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Scottish Rifles left February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Middlesex Regiment
        • 1/6th Btn, Scottish Rifles joined March 1915, left June 1915
        • 1/7th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined March 1915, left February 1916
        • 23rd Machine Gun Company formed 15 January 1916, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918
        • 23rd Trench Mortar Battery formed January 1916

        24th Infantry Brigade

        24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division in exchange for 70th Brigade on 18 October 1915. Returned to 8th Division on 15 July 1916.

        • 1st Btn, Worcestershire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, East Lancashire Regiment left February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 2nd Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment
        • 1/5th Btn, Black Watch joined November 1914, left while Brigade was with 24th Division
        • 1/4th Btn, Cameron Highlanders joined February 1915, left April 1915
        • 24th Machine Gun Company formed 19 January 1916, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918
        • 24th Trench Mortar Battery formed January 1916

        25th Infantry Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment left February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Royal Irish Rifles left February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 1/13th Btn, London Regiment joined November 1914, left May 1915
        • 1/1st Btn, London Regiment joined May 1915, left February 1916
        • 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined August 1915, left October 1915
        • 2nd Btn, East Lancashire Regiment joined February 1918
        • 25th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed 10 January 1916, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918
        • 25th Trench Mortar Battery formed February 1916

        70th Infantry Brigade

        70th Brigade transferred from 23rd Division in exchange for 24th Brigade on 18 October 1915. Returned to 23rd Division on 17 July 1916.

        • 11th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 8th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
        • 8th Btn, York & Lancaster Regt
        • 9th Btn, York & Lancaster Regt
        • 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regt joined October 1915, left February 1916
        • 70th Machine Gun Company joined 5 March 1916
        • 70th Trench Mortar Battery formed January 1916

        Divisional Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 1/5th Btn, Black Watch joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion October 1915, left January 1916
        • 22nd Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 2 July 1916
        • 1/7th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined 20 June 1918, absorbed 22nd DLI and replaced it as Pioneer Btn 3 July 1918
        • 218th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 23 March 1917, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918
        • No 8 Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 20 January 1918
        • 8th Divisional Train ASC 42, 84, 85 and 87 Companies
        • 15th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 211th Divisional Employment Company joined May 1917
        • 8th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 20 October 1914, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916

        Divisional Mounted Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 1/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry left April 1915
        • C Sqn, 1/1st Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry joined April 1915, left 13 May 1916
        • 8th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 12 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • V Brigade, RHA left January 1917
        • XXXIII Brigade, RFA
        • XLV Brigade, RFA
        • CXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined August 1915, left May 1916
        • 8th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • No 7 Mountain Battery RGA attached 13 to 24 December 1914
        • No 5 Mountain Battery RGA attached 3 to 26 March 1915
        • U.8 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 5 June 1916, disbanded 8 August 1916
        • W.8 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed May 1916, left February 1918
        • X.8, Y.8 and Z.8 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined May 1916; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 2nd Field Company
        • 15th Field Company
        • 1st (Home Counties) Field Company joined February 1915, later renamed 490th Field Company RE
        • 8th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance
        • 25th (2nd Wessex) Field Ambulance
        • 26th (3rd Wessex) Field Ambulance
        • 14th Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 16 April 1917


           7th Division was formed during September and very early October 1914, by the bringing together of regular army units from various points around the British Empire. They were assembled in the New Forest in Hampshire before initially moving to Belgium. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, ordered to assist in the defence of Antwerp. However, by the time they arrived the city was already falling and the 7th was instead ordered to hold certain important bridges and other places that would help the westward evacuation of the Belgian army. Once the Belgians were through, the Division was moved westwards, where the infantry entrenched in front of Ypres, the first British troops to occupy that fateful place.

        1914

        The First Battle of Ypres: the Division fought the advancing German army to a standstill at "Wipers". All units suffered grievous losses and it was not until the following January - February that it was once more in a complete enough condition to be considered as being at full fighting strength. After First Ypres, it was often known as the "Immortal Seventh".

        1915

        • The Battle of Neuve Chapelle
        • The Battle of Aubers
        • The Battle of Festubert
        • The second action of Givenchy
        • The Battle of Loos

        The Division took part in the initial assault north of the Vermelles-Hulluch road, facing the Quarries and a series of strongpoints. Suffering badly from British cloud gas - which was not moved sufficiently by the gentle breeze - and badly cut up by German machine gun fire and artillery, the Division nonetheless seized the Quarries and only failed to penetrate the third German line due to the relative weakness of the numbers of men that got through. The Divisional Commander, Major-General Thompson Capper, died of wounds received during this action.

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme in which the Division captured Mametz
        • The Battle of Bazentin and the attacks on High Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme
        • Operations on the Ancre

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The Arras offensive in which the Division fought in the flanking operations round Bullecourt - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

        1918

        Italy

        7th Division wasone of five British formations selected to be moved to Italy. This was a strategic and political move agreed by the British Government at the request of the Allied Supreme War Council, in an effort to stiffen Italian resistance to enemy attack after a recent disaster at Caporetto. Many diaries at this time, by men who had witnessed the slaughter in the floods of Passchendaele, talk of the move and Italy as being "like another world". Much work was done preparing to move into the mountainous area of the Brenta, but eventually the Division was instead moved to the line along the River Piave, taking up positions in late January 1918. In October 1918 the Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, the Battle of Vittoria Veneto and the eventual defeat of Austria-Hungary.

        14 Victoria Crosses were awarded to men of the 7th Division, which from October 1914 to the Armistice suffered a total of approximately 68,000 of all ranks killed, wounded or missing in action.

        Order of Battle of the 7th Division

        20th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Grenadier Guards left August 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Scots Guards left August 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Border Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Gordon Highlanders
        • 1/6th Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined December 1914, left January 1916
        • 8th Btn, Devonshire Regiment joined August 1915
        • 9th Btn, Devonshire Regiment left September 1918
        • 1/6th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined January 1916, left February 1916
        • 20th Machine Gun Company formed 10 February 1916, left to move into 7th MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 20th Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 February 1916

        21st Brigade

        21st Brigade transferred to 30th Division in exchange for 91st Brigade on 19 December 1915

        • 2nd Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Yorkshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers
        • 2nd Btn, Wiltshire Regiment
        • 1/4th Btn, Cameron Highlanders joined April 1915

        22nd Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Queen's left December 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment left December 1915
        • 1/8th Btn, Royal Scots joined November 1914, left August 1915
        • 1/7th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment ) joined November 1915. left January 1916
        • 20th Btn, Manchester Regiment joined December 1915, left September 1918
        • 24th Btn, Manchester Regiment joined December 1915, left May 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined May 1916, left October 1916
        • 2/1st Btn, Honourable Artillery Company joined October 1916
        • 22nd Brigade Machine Gun Company formed 24 February 1916, left to move into 7th MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 22nd Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 April 1916

        91st Brigade

        91st Brigade transferred from 30th Division in exchange for 21st Brigade on 20 December 1915

        • 21st Btn, Manchester Regiment left September 1918
        • 22nd Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 1/4th Btn, Cameron Highlanders left January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Queen's joined December 1915
        • 1st Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment joined December 1915
        • 91st Machine Gun Company formed 14 March 1916, left to move into 7th MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 91st Trench Mortar Battery formed May 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 24th Btn, Manchester Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in May 1916
        • 220th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 25 March 1917, left to move into 7th MG Battalion 1 April 191 8
        • No 7 Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps formed 1 April 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • 1/1st Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry B and C Sqns left 12 April 1915, remainder left 13 May 1916
        • 7th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XIV Brigade, RFA left January 1917
        • XXII Brigade, RFA
        • XXXV Brigade, RFA
        • XXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined June 1915, left may 1916
        • 7th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • III Heavy Brigade RGA left March 1915
        • No 7 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 25 September 1914 to 20 December 1914
        • No 5 Mountain Battery RGA attached 26 March to 20 April 1915
        • V.7 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed June 1916, disbanded 12 November 1917
        • X.7, Y.7 and Z.7 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined by March 1916; on 22 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 54th Field Company
        • 55th Field Company left September 1915
        • 2nd (Highland) Field Company joined January 1915, left January 1916
        • 3rd (Durham) Field Company joined January 1916, later renamed 528th Field Company RE
        • 7th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 21st Field Ambulance
        • 22nd Field Ambulance
        • 23rd Field Ambulance
        • 10th Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 8 August 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 7th Divisional Train ASC 39, 40, 42 and 86 Companies
        • 12th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 210th Divisional Employment Company joined 21 May 1917 at which time it was 12th Divisional Employment Company; renamed in June 1917
        • 7th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 20 June 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           9th (Scottish) Division came into existence as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Scottish Command. Having been in training at home since late August 1914, although only gradually as arms and equipment were obtained, the recruits were judged to be ready for war by May 1915. The 9th Division served on the Western Front throughout the war, and was regarded by many as one of the best fighting formations of the first world war.

        Training locations: August 1914: Salisbury Training Centre, September 1914: Bordon

        The units of the Division crossed to France from 9th to 12th of May 1915 and then took part in the following actions:

        1915

        The Battle of Loos

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bazentin - Somme in which the Division captured Longueval
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The action of Welsh Ridge (the last phase of the Cambrai operations 1917)

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The First Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Messines - Lys
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Lys
        • The First Battle of Kemmel - Lys
        • The Second Battle of Kemmel - Lys
        • The Advance in Flanders in which the Division captured the Outtersteene Ridge
        • The Final Advance in Flanders in which the Division fought in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem

        The Division was withdrawn for rest on 26-27 October 1918 and was still in billets at the Armistice. It was selected to advance to the Rhine as part of the occupation force and crossed into Germany on 4 December 1918, taking up a position in the Cologne bridgehead. In late February 1919, the original units left and were demobilised, being replaced by others. The Division was renamed as the Lowland Division and the fine history of the 9th (Scottish) Division was at an end.

        52,055 officers and men of the Division were killed, wounded or captured during the war.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 9th (Scottish) Division

        26th Brigade (Highland)

        • 8th Btn, Black Watch
        • 7th Btn, Seaforth Highlanders
        • 8th Btn, Gordon Highlanders left May 1916
        • 5th Btn, Cameron Highlanders
        • 1/5th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined December 1915, left January 1916
        • 10th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined from 27th Brigade May 1916, left February 1918
        • 26th Machine Gun Company formed 29 January 1916, left to move into 9th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 26th Trench Mortar Battery joined 15 June 1916

        27th Brigade (Lowland)

        • 11th Btn, Royal Scots
        • 12th Btn. Royal Scots
        • 6th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers left May 1916
        • 10th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left for 26th Brigade May 1916
        • 6th Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers joined from 28th Brigade 6 May 1916
        • 9th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) joined May 1916, left February 1918
        • 27th Machine Gun Company formed 23 December 1915, left to move into 9th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 27th Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1916

        28th Brigade

        28th Brigade was broken up on 16 May 1916 and replaced by the South African Brigade. Reformed as a three-battalion brigade in September 1918

        • 6th Btn, the King's Own Scottish Borderers left for 27th Brigade 6 May 1916
        • 9th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) returned September 1918
        • 10th Btn, Highland Light Infantry
        • 11th Btn, Highland Light Infantry
        • 28th Machine Gun Company formed 3 January 1916,
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined September 1918
        • 1st Btn, Royal Newfoundland Regt joined September 1918
        • 28th Trench Mortar Battery joined 11 September 1918

        South African Brigade

        Brigade joined Division on 22 April 1916 and left on 13 September 1918.

        • 1st Regiment, South African Infantry
        • 2nd Regiment, South African Infantry
        • 3rd Regiment, South African Infantry disbanded 18 February 1918
        • 4th Regiment, South African Infantry
        • 28th Machine Gun Company joined 6 May 1916, left to move into 9th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • South African Trench Mortar Battery joined 13 June 1916
        • 3/4th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment joined 6 June 1917, left 15 June 1917
        • 3/10th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined 6 June 1917, left 23 July 1917
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined 26 April 1918, left 13 September 1918
        • 9th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) joined 21 April 1918, left 12 September 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 6th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment left March 1915
        • 6th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left April 1915
        • 9th Btn, Seaforth Highlanders joined December 1914, became Divisional Pioneer Battalion early 1915
        • 10th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 30 April 1915, left 11 June 1916
        • 197th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 19 December 1916, left to move into 9th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • No 9 Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps formed 1 March 1918
        • 11th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 7 October 1918, left 7 November 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • B Sqn, 1/1st Glasgow Yeomanry joined 15 May 1915, left 10 May 1916
        • 9th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 1 December 1914, left 26 June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • L Brigade, RFA
        • LI Brigade, RFA
        • LII Brigade, RFA left 8 January 1917
        • LIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 11 September 1916
        • 9th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 9th Heavy Battery RGA left 16 May 1915
        • V.9 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined May 1916, left February 1918
        • X.9, Y.9 and Z.9 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined April 1916; on 13 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 63rd Field Company
        • 64th Field Company
        • 90th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 9th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 27th Field Ambulance
        • 28th Field Ambulance
        • 29th Field Ambulance left May 1916
        • South African Field Ambulance joined May 1916, left 13 September 1918
        • 2/1st (East Lancashire) Field Ambulance joined 26 September 1918
        • 20th Sanitary Section left 29 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 9th Divisional Train ASC 104, 105, 106 and 107 Companies
        • 21st Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 212th Divisional Employment Company formed by 23 June 1917
        • 9th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           1st Cavalry Division went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force in August 1914. Originally titled as the Cavalry Division, it was re-titled as 1st Cavalry Division on 16th of September 1914 when a second division was formed. It remained on the Western Front in France and Flanders throughout the war. The Division took part in most of the major actions where cavalry was used as a mounted mobile force, and also many others where the troops were dismounted and effectively served as infantry, including:

        1914

        • The Battle of Mons (23 August, with subsequent Action of Elouges and Rearguard Action of Solesmes)
        • The Battle of Le Cateau (26 August, with subsequent Rearguard Affair of Etreux, Affair of Nery and Rearguard Actions of Villers-Cotterets)
        • The Battle of the Marne
        • The Battle of the Aisne (12 - 15 September and subsequent Actions on the Aisne Heights)
        • The Battles of Ypres 1914

        1915

        • Winter Operations 1914-15
        • The Battles of Ypres 1915

        1916

        The Battle of Flers-Courcelette

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe
        • The Tank Attack (20 - 21 November, Cambrai Operations)
        • The capture of Bourlon Wood (24 - 26 November, Cambrai Operations)
        • The German counterattacks (30 November - 3 December, Cambrai Operations)

        1918

        The Battle of St Quentin

        On 24 March 1918 each brigade and the machine gun squadron furnished a regiment to be constituted as a Dismounted Division. These units returned to 1st Cavalry Division two days later.

        • The Battle of Bapaume
        • The Battle of Rosieres (8 - 10 August)
        • The Battle of Albert
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918
        • The Pursuit to the Selle
        • The Final Advance in Picardy

        The Division was selected to advance into Germany as an advance screen for Second Army and form part of the Occupation Force. The move began on 17 November, and brigades reached the Rhine at Cologne and Bonn on 12 December.

        Divisional Order of Battle of the 1st Cavalry Division

        1st Cavalry Brigade

        • 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays)
        • 5th Dragoon Guards
        • 11th Hussars
        • 1st Signal Troop RE
        • I Battery, RHA joined 17 September 1914
        • 1st Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 28 February 1916

        2nd Cavalry Brigade

        • 4th Dragoon Guards
        • 9th Lancers
        • 18th Hussars
        • 2nd Signal Troop RE
        • H Battery, RHA joined 28 September 1914
        • 2nd Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 28 February 1916

        3rd Cavalry Brigade

        left for 2nd Cavalry Division 13 September 1914

        • 4th Hussars
        • 5th Royal Irish Lancers
        • 16th Lancers
        • 3rd Signal Troop RE

        4th Cavalry Brigade

        left for 2nd Cavalry Division 14 October 1914

        • Composite Regiment of Household Cavalry
        • 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)
        • 3rd Hussars
        • 4th Signal Troop RE

        9th Cavalry Brigade

        formed 14 April 1915

        • 15th Hussars
        • 19th Hussars
        • 1/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry joined 12 June 1915
        • 1/1st Warwickshire Battery, RHA
        • 9th Signal Troop RE
        • 9th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 28 February 1916

        Divisional Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 1st Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars joined 31 October 1914, left for 2nd Cavalry Division 11 November 1914
        • 8th Motor Machine Gun Battery MGC joined 18 March 1916, left 23 October 1917
        • 1st Cavalry Divisional HQ ASC 27 (Horsed Transport) Company
        • 1st Cavalry Divisional Auxiliary (Horse) ASC 574 (Horsed Transport) Company, formed 26 September 1915
        • 1st Cavalry Divisional Supply Column ASC 57 and 58 (Mechanical Transport) Companies. 57 absorbed 58 on 10 October 1916. No 3 (Amm.) Section of this company left for Cavalry Corps Ammunition Park on 11 October 1918
        • 771st Divisional Employment Company formed 16 September 1917
        • 1st Cavalry Division Field Ambulance Workshop joined 14 May 1915, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 6 April 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        Note above the RHA batteries serving under brigade command III Brigade (D and E Batteries), RHA and III Brigade Ammunition Column, RHA left for 2nd Cavalry Division 17 September 1914

        VII Brigade (I and L Batteries), RHA and VII Brigade Ammunition Column, RHA Following very serious losses at Nery on 1 September 1914, "L" Battery was withdrawn from action, returning to the UK to be reformed. It was temporarily replaced by a battery made from various other units and designated Z Battery. L's permanent replacement, "H", joined from VI Brigade in England in late September 1914. "I" Battery left for 1st Cavalry Brigade on 17 September 1914 and "H" Battery left for 2nd Cavalry Brigade on 28 September 1914

        Royal Engineers

        • 1st Field Squadron
        • 1st Signal Squadron

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 1st Cavalry Field Ambulance
        • 2nd Cavalry Field Ambulance left for 2nd Cavalry Division 13 September 1914
        • 3rd Cavalry Field Ambulance
        • 4th Cavalry Field Ambulance left for 2nd Cavalry Division 16 October 1914
        • No 9 Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915

        Royal Army Veterinary Corps

        • 1st Mobile Veterinary Section
        • 8th Mobile Veterinary Section left for 2nd Cavalry Division 13 September 1914
        • 9th Mobile Veterinary Section left for 2nd Cavalry Division 13 September 1914
        • 10th Mobile Veterinary Section left for 2nd Cavalry Division 16 October 1914


           1st Cyclist Division was formed in July 1916 by the conversion of the 1st Mounted Division. It was then broken up in November 1916 without being involved in active service.

           The 1st Mounted Division was formed in August 1914 for the home defence of the United Kingdom. It was formed from existing mounted brigades of the Territorial Force, each of three regiments of Yeomanry. The Divisional order of battle was subject to frequent changes as the First Line Brigades left for service overseas and were then replaced by Second Line units. It was converted to the 1st Cyclist Division in July 1916, and was then broken up in November 1916 without being involved in active service.

        An unrelated 1st Mounted Division was formed in July 1916, from the 3rd Mounted Division, lasting until September 1917. Another incarnation of 1st Mounted Division was created in April 1918 from the Yeomanry Mounted Division, lasting until July 1918

        Divisional Order of Battle.

        Commanding Generals

        • Major General E. Alderson (5 August to 28 September 1914)
        • Lieutenant General Robert George Broadwood (September 1914 to November 1916)

        Eastern Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Suffolk Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Norfolk Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Essex Yeomanry - left on 1 December 1914 and joined the 8th Cavalry Brigade in France.
        • 2nd King Edward's Horse - replaced Essex Yeomanry, left on 1 February 1915 for the Canadian Cavalry Brigade.
        • 1/1st Welsh Horse Yeomanry - replaced King Edward's Horse.
        • 1/1st Essex Battery RHA

        In September 1915, the brigade was dismounted and moved via Egypt to ANZAC bridgehead on Gallipoli, attached to 54th Division.

        1st South Midland Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
        • 1/1st Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars
        • 1/1st Warwickshire RHA

        The Brigade moved to the 2nd Mounted Division in September 1914, and was replaced in the Division by the South Wales Mounted Brigade.

        2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Berkshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars
        • 1/1st Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars - left on 19 September 1914 and joined the 4th Cavalry Brigade in France.
        • 1/1st Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry - replaced Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars.
        • 1/1st Berkshire RHA

        The Brigade moved to the 2nd Mounted Division in September 1914 and was replaced in the Division by the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade.

        Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
        • 1/1st South Nottinghamshire Hussars
        • 1/1st Derbyshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Nottinghamshire RHA

        The Brigade moved to the 2nd Mounted Division in August 1914 and was replaced in the Division by the North Midland Mounted Brigade.

        South Wales Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Glamorgan Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Glamorganshire RHA

        The Brigade joined the Division in September 1914 to replace the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade and was itself replaced in the Division by the 2/1st Eastern Mounted Brigade.

        In November 1915 the Brigade units were dismounted and moved to Egypt in March 1916. They were absorbed along with the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade into the 4th Dismounted Brigade which joined the Western Frontier Force. It was re-designated as the 231st Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division.

        Welsh Border Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Shropshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Cheshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Denbighshire Hussars
        • 1/1st Shropshire RHA

        The Brigade joined the Division in September 1914 to replace the 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade. In November 1915 the regiments were dismounted and moved to Egypt in March 1916. It was absorbed into 4th Dismounted Brigade along with the South Wales Mounted Brigade.

        North Midland Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Staffordshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry - left in late October 1914 and joined the 7th Cavalry Brigade in France.
        • 1/1st Lincolnshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Welsh Horse Yeomanry - replaced Leicestershire Yeomanry and transferred to the Eastern Mounted Brigade in February 1915.
        • 1/1st East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry - replaced Welsh Horse in May 1915.
        • 1/1st Leicestershire RHA

        The Brigade joined the Division in September 1914,to replace the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade. In October 1915, the Brigade left and became an independent command and would be replaced in the Division by the 2/1st North Midland Mounted Brigade. The orders to move to Salonika were altered and the Brigade moved to Egypt instead, arriving November 1915. They were then redesignated the 22nd Mounted Brigade in April 1916.

        2/1st Eastern Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Suffolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Norfolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Essex Yeomanry

        The Brigade joined Division in March 1916, to replace the South Wales Mounted Brigade. They left the Division by July 1916.

        2/1st South Wales Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Pembroke Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Glamorgan Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Glamorganshire RHA

        The Brigade replaced the Eastern Mounted Brigade in October 1915. They were then redesignated the 4th Mounted Brigade in July 1916. In the same month when this Division became the 1st Cyclist Division, they were then redesignated as the 4th Cyclist Brigade. The Brigade was broken up in November 1916.

        2/1st North Midland Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Staffordshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Lincolnshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Leicestershire RHA

        The 2/1st North Midland Mounted Brigade Replaced the North Midland Mounted Brigade in October 1915. It was redesignated as the 3rd Mounted Brigade in July 1916. In the same month when this Division became the 1st Cyclist Division, they were then redesignated as the 3rd Cyclist Brigade. The Brigade was broken up in November 1916.

        2/1st Welsh Border Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Shropshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Cheshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Denbighshire Hussars
        • 2/1st Shropshire RHA

        The brigade joined the Division in March 1915 to replace the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade, they would leave the Division in July 1916 and were replaced by the 2nd Mounted Brigade.

        1st Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Lovat Scouts
        • 2/2nd Lovat Scouts

        The brigade which was redesignated from the 2/1st Highland Mounted Brigade, joined the Division in May 1916 to replace the 2/1st Eastern Mounted Brigade, they would leave the Division in July 1916.

        2nd Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Royal North Devon Yeomanry
        • 2/1st West Somerset Yeomanry

        The brigade which was redesignated from the 2/2nd South Western Mounted Brigade, joined the Division in May 1916 to replace the 2/1st Welsh Border Mounted Brigade. In July 1916 when this Division became the 1st Cyclist Division, they would be redesignated as 1st Cyclist Brigade. The Brigade was broken up in November 1916.

        Cyclist Units

        • 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion, the Norfolk Regiment
        • 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion, the Suffolk Regiment
        • 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion, the Royal Sussex Regiment
        • 1/25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion, the London Regiment (left and moved to India in January 1916)
        • 2/25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion, the London Regiment (joined by November 1915)


           4th Mounted Division was formed on 20th of March 1916. It remained in England on Home Defence duties throughout its existence. In July 1916 the yeomanry regiments were dismounted and their horses sent to remount depots. The regiments then converted to yeomanry cyclist regiments and the division was then renamed the 2nd Cyclist Division. The Headquarters was at Colchester and Brigadier-General Lord Lovat was appointed to command.

        Order of Battle, April 1916

        13th Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Eastern
        • 2/1st Suffolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Norfolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Essex Yeomanry
        • 13th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop, RE
        • 13th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 13th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC

        14th Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st South Eastern
        • 2/1st Royal East Kent Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Sussex Yeomanry
        • 14th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop RE
        • 14th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 14th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC

        15th Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st South Western
        • 2/1st Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st North Somerset Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Hampshire Yeomanry
        • 15th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop, RE
        • 15th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 15th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC

        16th Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Southern
        • 2/1st Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Surrey Yeomanry
        • 16th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop RE
        • 16th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 16th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC

        Divisional Troops

        • 4th Mounted Division Signal Squadron RE
        • 4th Mounted Division Company, ASC


           2nd Cyclist Division was formedby the conversion of the 4th Mounted Division, the yeomanry regiments were dismounted and their horses sent to remount depots. The regiments then converted to yeomanry cyclist regiments. It was assigned to the Southern Army, Home Defence Troops. Divisional Headquarters remained at Colchester and Lord Lovat remained in command.

        Order of Battle

        5th Cyclist Brigade

        • 2/1st Suffolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Norfolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Sussex Yeomanry[a]
        • 1/8th (Cyclist) Battalion, Essex Regiment
        • 5th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troop RE
        • 5th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 5th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC

        6th Cyclist Brigade

        • 2/1st Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st North Somerset Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Hampshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion
        • 6th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troop RE
        • 6th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 6th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC

        7th Cyclist Brigade

        • 2/1st Royal East Kent Yeomanry[a]
        • 2/1st Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Surrey Yeomanry
        • 7th (Cyclist) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment
        • 7th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troops RE
        • 7th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 7th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC

        8th Cyclist Brigade

        • 2/1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
        • 2/1st Berkshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars
        • 2/8th (Cyclist) Battalion, Essex Regiment
        • 8th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troop RE
        • 8th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 8th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC

        Divisional Troops

        • 2nd Cyclist Division Signal Squadron RE
        • 2nd Cyclist Division Company, ASC

        The Headquarters moved to Ipswich in September 1916. The division was broken up in November 1916, having remained in England on Home Defence duties throughout its brief existence. The cyclist brigades were dissolved and the yeomanry regiments were amalgamated in pairs to form yeomanry battalions in new cyclist brigades.

           The 3rd Mounted Division was formed in March 1915 by the renaming of the 2/2nd Mounted Division a depot formation for the 2nd Mounted Division which was being sent abroad on active service. In July 1916 its name changed again, to 1st Mounted Division (the original 1st Mounted had just become the 1st Cyclist Division).

           2/2nd Mounted Division was formed on 6 March 1915 as a depot formation for the 2nd Mounted Division which was being sent abroad on active service.

        The 2/2nd comprised the second-line formations of all units in the 2nd Mounted Division, and took over the 2nd's Home Defence role of guarding the Norfolk coast against a possible invasion. The division was very undermanned and under equipped at first. Each second-line Territorial unit formed at their original depots were scattered across London and the Midlands, and then had to assemble on the east coast to form the division. At first, rather than growing in size, the division shrunk as men were drafted off to active units overseas. The division also suffered lack of equipment; the artillery batteries were issued with the older 15 pounder Breech Loading Cannon rather than the 15 pounder Quick Firing gun that was the standard weapon of first line TF RHA units. There was also a lack of Lee Enfield rifles, and some soldiers had Japanese-made carbines instead. By March 1916 the division was mostly up to strength and at this point it was renamed the 3rd Mounted Division.

         Divisional History  The 2nd Mounted Division was a Yeomanry (Territorial Army Cavalry) Division that served in the First World War. At the outbreak of war it was assigned to defence of the Norfolk coast. In March 1915 it formed a second-line duplicate of itself, the 2/2nd Mounted Division. Leaving the 2/2nd on coastal defence, it then fought at Gallipoli from April to December 1915, under the command of Major General William Peyton, before being disbanded in January 1916.

        A different 2nd Mounted Division, was formed in Egypt in 1918 from the Indian elements of the 5th Cavalry Division in France, but then renumbered as the 5th Cavalry Division, served in Palestine and was a part of the Palestine Occupation Force

        Formation

        A decision was made to form a new mounted division from the mounted brigades in and around the Churn area of Berkshire. On 2 September 1914, 2nd Mounted Division, with Headquarters at Goring, came into being with three mounted brigades transferred from 1st Mounted Division (1st South Midland Mounted Brigade at Newbury, 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade at Churn and the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade at South Stoke) along with the London Mounted Brigade at Streatley. The brigades were relatively widely dispersed to allow an adequate water supply for the horses and to provide sufficient training areas.

        Order of Battle, September 1914

        1st South Midland Mounted Brigade

        • Warwickshire Yeomanry
        • Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
        • Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars

        London Mounted Brigade

        • 1st County of London Yeomanry
        • City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders)
        • 3rd County of London Yeomanry

        2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade

        • Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars
        • Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars
        • Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry[n 1]
        • Berkshire Yeomanry

        Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade

        • Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
        • South Nottinghamshire Hussars
        • Derbyshire Yeomanry

        Divisional Troops

        Medical - RAMC

        • 1st South Midland Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 2nd South Midland Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • Notts. and Derby. Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • London Field Ambulance, RAMC

        Divisional Artillery

        • Royal Horse Artillery (Territorial Force)
        • I Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.)
        • Warwickshire RHA and 1st South Midland Ammunition Column
        • B Battery, HAC
        • II Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.)
        • Berkshire RHA and 2nd South Midland Ammunition Column
        • Nottinghamshire RHA and Notts. and Derby. Ammunition Column
        • A Battery, HAC and London Ammunition Column
        • B Battery, HAC

        Veterinary - AVC

        • 1st South Midland Mobile Veterinary Section
        • 2nd South Midland Mobile Veterinary Section
        • Notts. and Derby. Mobile Veterinary Section
        • London Mobile Veterinary Section

        Signal Service RE

        • 1st South Midland Signal Troop
        • 2nd South Midland Signal Troop
        • Notts. and Derby. Signal Troop
        • London Signal Troop
        • 2nd Mounted Division Signal Squadron

        2nd Mounted Division Train ASC

        • 1st South Midland Transport and Supply Column, ASC
        • 2nd South Midland Transport and Supply Column, ASC
        • Notts. and Derby. Transport and Supply Column, ASC
        • London Transport and Supply Column, ASC
        • 2nd Mounted Division Company, ASC

        In November 1914, the division moved to Norfolk on coastal defence duties. Headquarters was established at Hanworth and the mounted brigades were at King's Lynn (1st South Midland), Fakenham (2nd South Midland), Holt (Notts. and Derby.) and Hanworth (London).

        Egypt

        In March 1915, the division was put on warning for overseas service. In early April, the division starting leaving Avonmouth and the last elements landed at Alexandria before the end of the month. By the middle of May, the Divisional Headquarters, the 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade and Notts. and Derby. Mounted Brigade were at Cairo, the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade was at Alexandria, and the London Mounted Brigade and the horse artillery batteries were near Ismaïlia on Suez Canal defences.

        The mounted brigades were numbered at this time.

        On 10 August 1915, the division was reorganized as a dismounted formation in preparation for service at Gallipoli. Each Yeomanry Regiment left a squadron headquarters and two troops (about 100 officers and men) in Egypt to look after the horses.

        The artillery batteries and ammunition columns, signal troops, mobile veterinary sections, Mounted Brigade Transport and Supply Columns and two of the Field Ambulances were also left behind in Egypt.

        The Yeomanry Mounted Brigade, which was formed in Egypt in January 1915, was likewise dismounted and joined the division on 13 August as a fifth brigade.

        The division entrained for Alexandria on 13 August, sailed the next day and reached Mudros on 17 August. It landed at Suvla Bay that night.

        The division landed at "A" Beach, Suvla Bay on the night of 17 August and morning of 18 August and moved into reserve positions at Lala Baba on the night of 20 August. On 21 August it advanced to Chocolate Hill under heavy fire and took part in the attack on Hill 112.

        Due to losses during the Battle of Scimitar Hill and wastage during August 1915, the division had to be reorganised. On 4 September 1915, the 1st Composite Mounted Brigade was formed from the 1st, 2nd and 5th Mounted Brigades, and the 2nd Composite Mounted Brigade from the 3rd and 4th Mounted Brigades. Each dismounted brigade formed a battalion sized unit, for example, 1st South Midland Regiment (Warkwickshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire Yeomanry).

        The Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade landed as Suvla on 2 September and joined the division. Likewise, the Highland Mounted Brigade joined the division after landing on 26 September. Both brigades were dismounted in the UK before sailing directly for Gallipoli.

        Order of Battle, September 1915

        1st Composite Mounted Brigade

        • 1st South Midland Regiment
        • 2nd South Midland Regiment
        • 5th Yeomanry Regiment

        2nd Composite Mounted Brigade

        • 3rd Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment
        • 4th London Regiment

        Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade

        • 1st Scottish Horse
        • 2nd Scottish Horse
        • 3rd Scottish Horse

        Highland Mounted Brigade

        • Fife and Forfar Yeomanry
        • 1st Lovat Scouts
        • 2nd Lovat Scouts

        Divisional Troops

        • 2nd Mounted Division Company, ASC
        • 2nd Mounted Division Train, ASC
        • 2nd Mounted Division Signal Squadron, RE

        Medical - RAMC

        • 2nd South Midland Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • London Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • Scottish Horse Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • Highland Field Ambulance, RAMC

        Engineers RE

        • 1st Kent Field Company, RE
        • 2nd Kent Field Company, RE

        Return to Egypt

        The division returned to Egypt from Gallipoli in December 1915 and was reformed and remounted. The artillery batteries and other units left in Egypt rejoined the division between 10 and 20 December 1915. However, the dismemberment of the division began almost immediately as units were posted to the Western Frontier Force or to various other commands.

        1st South Midland Mounted Brigade left the division on 3 and 4 January 1916 for Es Salhia. The brigade served as Corps Troops in Egypt from 21 January 1916. On 31 March 1916, the remaining Mounted Brigades were numbered in a single sequence. As a consequence, the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade was redesignated as 5th Mounted Brigade on 20 April. It joined the Imperial Mounted Division in January 1917.

        2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade left the division on 17 January 1916 and was sent to the Western Frontier of Egypt as an independent formation. It was redesignated as 6th Mounted Brigade in April 1916. It served with the Western Frontier Force from January to October 1916 and also joined the Imperial Mounted Division in January 1917.

        Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade left the division on 18 and 19 January 1916. In February 1916 the brigade was sent to take part in the Salonika Campaign. It was redesignated as 7th Mounted Brigade and returned to Egypt in June 1917.

        London Mounted Brigade left the division on 18 January 1916 and was sent to Abbassia. It served as part of the Suez Canal Defences. It was redesignated as 8th Mounted Brigade. From November 1916 to June 1917 it also served at Salonika before returning to Egypt in June 1917. The brigade joined the newly formed Yeomanry Mounted Division on 21 July 1917 at el Fuqari.

        Yeomanry Mounted Brigade left the 2nd Mounted Division on 7 December 1915, was reformed and remounted, and joined the Western Frontier Force.

        By March 1916, the brigade had been broken up.

        On 21 January 1916, 2nd Mounted Division was disbanded.

           2nd Cavalry Division was formed on the 13th of September 1914. The Division remained on the Western Front in France and Flanders throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions.

        1914

        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battle of Messines 1914
        • The Battle of Armentieres
        • The Battle of Gheluvelt

        1915

        • Winter Operations 1914-15
        • The Battle of Neuve Chapelle
        • The Battle of St Julien
        • The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge

        1916

        No major engagements

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe
        • The Tank Attack
        • The capture of Bourlon Wood
        • The German counterattacks (Cambrai Operations)

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck
        • The Battle of Amiens
        • The Battle of Albert
        • The Second Battle of Bapaume
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal
        • The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918
        • The Pursuit to the Selle
        • The Final Advance in Picardy

        The Division was selected to advance into Germany as an advance screen for Fourth Army and form part of the Occupation Force. The move began on 17 November, Cinet and Rochefort were reached five days later and the 5th Cavalry Brigade crossed the German border south of St Vith on 1 December. The Division ceased to exist at midnight 31st March / 1st of April 1919.

        Order of Battle of the 2nd Cavalry Division

        3rd Cavalry Brigade joined on 13 September 1914

        • 4th Hussars
        • 5th Royal Irish Lancers
        • 16th Lancers
        • D Battery, RHA joined from III Brigade RHA 17 September 1914
        • 3rd Signal Troop RE
        • 3rd Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 29 February 1916

        5th Cavalry Brigade joined on 13 September 1914

        • 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys)
        • 12th Lancers
        • 20th Hussars
        • E Battery, RHA joined from III Brigade RHA 17 September 1914
        • 5th Signal Troop RE
        • 5th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 26 February 1916

        4th Cavalry Brigade joined from 1st Cavalry Division on 14 October 1914

        • Composite Regiment of Household Cavalry left 11 November 1914
        • 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)
        • 3rd Hussars
        • 1st Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars joined 11 November 1914
        • J Battery, RHA
        • 4th Signal Troop RE
        • 4th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 28 February 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • III Brigade, RHA and III Brigade Ammunition Column, RHA joined from 1st Cavalry Division 17 September 1914; D Battery then placed under 3rd Cavalry Brigade and E Battery under 5th Cavalry Brigade. Brigade HQ then broken up and not reformed until March 1916
        • 1/1st Warwickshire Battery, RHA joined 4 December 1914, left 14 April 1915

        Royal Engineers

        • 2nd Field Squadron joined 16 October 1914
        • 2nd Signal Squadron formed about 28 September 1914

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 2nd Cavalry Field Ambulance joined with 3rd Cavalry Brigade
        • 5th Cavalry Field Ambulance joined with 5th Cavalry Brigade
        • 4th Cavalry Field Ambulance joined 16 October 1914
        • No 4 Sanitary Section joined 12 January 1915, retitled as 4A in December 1915

        Royal Army Veterinary Corps

        • 7th Mobile Veterinary Section joined 16 September 1914
        • 8th Mobile Veterinary Section joined with 3rd Cavalry Brigade
        • 9th Mobile Veterinary Section joined 15 October 1914

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry joined 14 March 1918, absorbed into regiments of 3rd Cavalry Brigade 4 April 1918
        • 2nd Cavalry Divisional HQ ASC 424 (Horsed Transport) Company, formed 10 October 1914
        • 2nd Cavalry Divisional Auxiliary (Horse) ASC 575 (Horsed Transport) Company, formed 25 September 1915
        • 2nd Cavalry Divisional Supply Column ASC 46 and 413 (Mechanical Transport) Companies. 46 absorbed 413 on 10 October 1916.
        • 772nd Divisional Employment Company formed on 16 September 1917
        • 2nd Cavalry Division Field Ambulance Workshop joined by 26 February 1915, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 16 April 1916


         Divisional History  The 10th (Irish) Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 10th (Irish) Division

        The Division came into existence as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Irish Command. After initial training at the regimental depots, the units of the Division moved in 1915 to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare, where training in Brigade strength began.

        In May 1915 the Division moved to England and concentrated around Basingstoke. It was inspected by Lord Kitchener at Hackwood Park on 28/29 May 1915.

        On 27 June1915, the Division received orders to prepare for service at Gallipoli.

        1915 and 1916

        Divisional HQ embarked at Liverpool on 9 July, and by the end of the month most units had assembled on Lemnos. On 6-7 August 1915 the Division landed at Suvla Bay, less 29th Brigade which went to ANZAC Cove.

        The main body made an attack on Chocolate Hill 7/8 August. Parts of 29th Brigade took part in actions on Sari Bair 6-10 August and at Hill 60 later that month.

        On 29 September 1915 the Division withdrew from Gallipoli and moved to Mudros. On the 4-5 October it went on to Salonika, landing there 5-10 October. It took part on 7 and 8 December 1915 in the action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Brigades of the Division were in action at the Karajakois (30 September to 2 October 1915) and Yenikoi (3-4 October 1915). Salonika

        1917 and 1918

        On 18 August 1917, the Division was ordered to concentrate at the port of Salonika for embarakation. Early in September it moved to Egypt, completing assembly near Rafa by 16 October 1917. The Division was involved in the Palestine campaign thereafter. Between April and June 1918, a major reorganisation took place as many British units were replaced by Indian ones.

        On 12 November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, ready for moving back to Egypt. By 1 December it was at Cairo.

        From 1915 to 1918 the Division suffered a total of 9,363 officers and men killed, wounded or missing in action.

        The units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 10th (Irish) Division.

        29th Brigade

        • 5th Bn, the Royal Irish Regt left June 1915
        • 6th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles disbanded 15 May 1918
        • 5th Bn, the Connaught Rangers left 29 April 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Leinster Regt left 2 May 1918
        • 10th Bn, the Hampshire Regt joined March 1915, left November 1916
        • 1st Bn, the Leinster Regt joined November 1916
        • 29th Machine Gun Company formed 10 May 1916, left to move into 10th MG Battalion 7 May 1918
        • 29th Trench Mortar Battery joined 2 October 1916 (title up to 8 December 1916 was No 7 Stokes Mortar Battery). It was merged into Divisional TMB 17 October 1917
        • 1/54th Sikhs joined 27 April 1918
        • 1/101st Grenadiers joined 30 April 1918
        • 2/151st Infantry joined 10 June1918

        30th Brigade

        • 6th Bn, the Royal Munster Fusiliers left 30 April 1918
        • 7th Bn, the Royal Munster Fusiliers absorbed by 6th Bn, 3 November 1916
        • 6th Bn, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers left 27 May 1918
        • 7th Bn, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers left 30 April 1918
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Regt joined 3 November 1916
        • 30th Machine Gun Company formed 10 May 1916, left to move into 10th MG Battalion 7 May 1918
        • 30th Trench Mortar Battery joined 28 September 1916 (title up to 8 December 1916 was No 8 Stokes Mortar Battery). It was merged into Divisional TMB 17 October 1917
        • 38th Dogras joined 29 April 1918
        • 46th Punjabis joined 25 May 1918
        • 1st Kashmir Rifles joined 30 April 1918

        31st Brigade

        • 5th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers left 28 May 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers left 2 May 1918
        • 5th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers left 30 April 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers absorbed by 5th Bn 2 November 1916
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined 2 November 1916
        • 31st Machine Gun Company formed 11 May 1916, left to move into 10th MG Battalion 7 May 19188
        • 31st Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 October 1916 and merged into Divisional TMB 17 October 1917
        • 38th Bn, the Royal Fusiliers joined 11 June 1918, left 17 July 1918 2/42nd Deoli joined 18 July 1918
        • 74th Punjabis joined 29 April 1918
        • 2/101st Grenadiers joined 1 May 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 5th Bn, the Royal Irish Regt joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion June 1915, left April 1918
        • Divisional Trench Mortar Battery formed 17 October 1917, broken up 9 June 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        10th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 7 December 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LIV Brigade, RFA left for 28th Division 29 August 1917
        • LV Brigade, RFA left for 13th Division January 1916
        • LVI Brigade, RFA left for 13th Division January 1916
        • LVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left for XII Corps artillery 28 August 1917
        • 10th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA the original column did not go overseas with the Division. The Column formerly with 29th Division joined in Egypt in October 1915. Suffered losses when transport "Marquette" torpedoed off Salonika on 23 October. Numbers were made up by men, horses and equipment from 42nd Division Ammunition Column. Formally renumbered 10th DAC on 4 March 1916
        • LXVII Brigade, RFA joined from 13th Division October 1915
        • LXVIII Brigade, RFA joined from 13th Division October 1915
        • 10th Heavy Battery RGA joined March 1915, left by 10 August 1915
        • 15th Heavy Battery RGA joined 10 August 1915, left by 19 December 1915
        • IV (Highland) Mountain Bde, RGA joined 13 August 1915
        • 2nd Mountain Battery RGA joined 30 December 1915, left for 27th Division 27 February 1916
        • CXXXII (Howitzer) Bde, RFA joined 26 April 1916, broekn upo 25 January 1917
        • Hong Kong & Singapore Mountain Battery RGA joined 1 September 1918, left 26 October 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 65th Field Company left 14 July 1918
        • 66th Field Company
        • 85th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 10th Divisional Signals Company
        • 18/3 Sappers & Miners joined by 17 July 1918

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 30th Field Ambulance
        • 31st Field Ambulance
        • 32nd Field Ambulance
        • When the Division was Indianised, the three Field Ambulances above handed over all stores and equipment to the 154th, 166th and 165th Camel Field Ambulances and left on 20 May 1918, going to base
        • 21st Sanitary Section left 31 July 1915, rejoined October 1915, left again 22 October 1917
        • 18th Sanitary Section joined 22 October 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 10th Divisional Train ASC 108, 109, 110 and 111 Companies. Did not move overseas with the Irish Division and transferred to 22nd Division. Replaced by 52nd Divisional Train (471, 472, 473 and 474 Companies) in October 1915
        • 25th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 212th Divisional Employment Company formed by 23 June 1917
        • 10th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop remained with original Divisional Train when it left


         Divisional History  75th Division was an infantry division of the British Army in World War I. It was raised in the field by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) in 1917 and uniquely it included British, Indian and South African troops. It served in the Middle East during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign being involved in the Battles of Megiddo.

        Formation

        On 16 March 1917 the War Office gave the EEF permission to raise a new British division from infantry battalions of the Territorial Force arriving in Egypt as reinforcements from India. These were primarily from the 43rd (Wessex) and 45th (2nd Wessex) divisions, which had sailed to India in 1914 to relieve Regular troops. The division was assigned the number 75, and its three infantry brigades the numbers 232, 233 and 234. Brigadier-General Philip Palin of 29th Indian Brigade was promoted to command the new division.

        232nd Brigade began to form at Moascar on 14 April 1917, but on 24 May the War Office ordered that some Indian Army battalions should also be included in order to speed up the formation of the Division. The first of these came from Palin's 29th Indian Brigade. The War Office then decided on 11 June that the division should be 'Indianised', with an establishment of one British and three Indian battalions to each brigade. However, this conversion was not completed until the summer of 1918. The process of assembling the division was drawn out: 233rd Brigade began to assemble at Zeitun on 25 May 1917, but then took over the Rafa defences in Sinai and only joined 75th Division on 18 August. The division officially came into existence on 25 June when 234th Brigade started to assemble at el'Arish.

        Finding the necessary artillery for the division was a real difficulty. A new CLXXII Field Brigade reached Alexandria from the United Kingdom on 23 July, and was immediately broken up to form the nucleus of two second-line Territorial brigades, CLXXII and XXXVII, taking the numbers of units that had been disbanded in France. The third field brigade came from South Africa in July, and joined 75th Division on 12 September after it had been reorganised and re-equipped with 18-pounder guns. However, due to the shortage of 4.5-inch howitzers it was not until October that the British brigades received their howitzer batteries, and the South African brigade's did not arrive until the following April.

        Divisional Order of Battle for 75th Division

        75th Division Staff

        • General Officer Commanding: Maj-Gen Sir Philip Palin
        • General Staff Officer Grade 1:
        • Lt-Col J. Spencer
        • Lt-Col S.H. Kershaw (from 6 December 1917)
        • Lt-Col G.B. Rowan-Hamilton (from 30 August 1918)
        • Lt-Col D. Ovey (from 29 October 1918)
        • Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General:
        • Lt-Col R.L. Macalpine-Leny

        232nd Brigade

        • 1/5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment
        • 2/5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
        • 1/4th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
        • 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
        • 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles
        • 2/4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry
        • 1/4th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
        • 72nd Punjabis
        • 2/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment
        • 3rd Battalion, Kashmir Rifles
        • 229th Machine Gun Company
        • 232nd Trench Mortar Battery

        233rd Brigade

        • 1/5th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (had gone to India with 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division in October 1914; joined 25 May 1917)
        • 2/4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (had gone to India with 45th (2nd Wessex) Infantry Division in December 1914; joined 25 May 1917; left for Western Front 2 May 1918 and joined 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division)
        • 3rd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles (joined 30 June 1917 from 29th Indian Brigade of 10th Indian Division)
        • 230th Machine Gun Company (joined 15 July 1917; transferred to 75th Battalion Machine Gun Corps 3 May 1918)
        • 233rd Trench Mortar Battery (joined 1 September 1917; disbanded 27 November 1918)
        • 1/4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (had gone to India with 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division in October 1914; joined 15 October 1917; transferred to 232nd Brigade 3 May 1918)
        • 2/4th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment (had gone to India with 45th (2nd Wessex) Division in December 1914; transferred from 234th Brigade 25 April 1918; disbanded by 10 August 1918)
        • 29th Punjabis (joined from India 28 April 1918)
        • 2nd Battalion 154th Infantry (a new battalion formed at Basra with one company each from:
        • 102nd Grenadiers
        • 108th Infantry
        • 119th Infantry (The Mooltan Regiment)
        • 122nd Rajputana Infantry
        • and joined from Mesopotamia 25 July 1918)

        234th Brigade

        • 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
        • 1/4th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
        • 123rd Outram's Rifles
        • 58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force)
        • 2/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment
        • 2/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment
        • 1/152nd Infantry
        • 231st Machine Gun Company
        • 234th Trench Mortar Battery [1]

        Divisional Artillery

        Artillery Brigadier-General, Royal Artillery: Brig-Gen H.A. Boyce

        • XXXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
        • 389 Battery, RFA
        • 390 Battery, RFA
        • 405 (Howitzer) Battery, RFA

        • CLXXII Brigade, RFA
        • 391 Battery, RFA
        • 392 Battery, RFA
        • 406 (Howitzer) Battery, RFA

        • I South African Field Brigade
        • A Battery
        • B Battery
        • C (Howitzer) Battery (from April 1918)

        • VIII Mountain Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery (25 March,15 September
        • 1918) 11th Mountain Battery, RGA (3.7-inch mountain howitzers)
        • 13th Mountain Battery, RGA (3.7-inch mountain howitzers)
        • 17th Mountain Battery, RGA (2.75-inch mountain guns)

        • X.75, Y.75 and Z.75 Medium Trench Mortar Batteries (joined 3 October 1917; disbanded 22 February 1918)
        • 75th Divisional Ammunition Column (formed 29 August 1917 from brigade ammunition columns)

        • Machine guns
        • 75th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (formed 3 May 1918) 229th, 230th and 231st MG Companies (from 232, 233 and 234 Brigades respectively)

        Royal Engineers

        • Engineers Commanding Royal Engineers:
        • Lt-Col G.S.C. Cooke
        • Lt-Col A.G. Turner (from 1 September 1918)
        • 495th (1/Kent) Field Company, Royal Engineers (from 54th (East Anglian) Division 26 August 1917; returned to 54th 26 May 1918)
        • 496th (2/Kent) Field Company, RE (from 53rd (Welsh) Division 4 July 1917)
        • 10th Company, 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Sappers and Miners (from Palestine Lines of Communication 7 December 1917)
        • 16th Company, 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Sappers and Miners (joined from India 23 May 1918)
        • 75th Divisional Signal Company, RE

        • Pioneers
        • 2nd Battalion, 32nd Sikh Pioneers (10 May,24 July 1918)

        Medical

        • 145th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps (joined 14 August 1917; handed over personnel, equipment and transport to 123rd CFA and disbanded 19 May 1918)
        • 146th Field Ambulance, RAMC (joined 14 August 1917; handed over to 127th CFA and disbanded 19 May 1918)
        • 147th Field Ambulance, RAMC (joined 14 August 1917; handed over to 163rd CFA and disbanded 19 May 1918)
        • 123rd Indian Field Ambulance (joined 30 June 1917; became 123rd Combined Field Ambulance 21 May 1918)
        • 127th Combined Field Ambulance (originally from 7th (Meerut) Division, joined 14 May 1918)
        • 163rd Combined Field Ambulance (joined from India 14 May 1918)
        • 107th Sanitary Section (joined from France 14 July 1917)

        Veterinary

        60th Mobile Veterinary Section (joined 3 July 1917)

        Transport

        75th Divisional Train (originally formed as 'X' Divisional Train; joined 3 July 1918) 925, 926, 927 and 928 Horse Transport Companies, Army Service Corps

        Active Service

        75th Division joined XXI Corps and took part in the invasion of Palestine, beginning with the Third Battle of Gaza on 27 October 1917, leading to the capture of Gaza (6,7 November) and Junction Station (13,14 November), and the Battle of Nebi Samwil (20,24 November). In the Spring of 1918 the division was involved in the actions at Tell 'Asur (11,12 March) and Berukin (9,11 April).

        Battle of Sharon

        The Battle of Tabsor was fought on 19,20 September 1918 beginning the Battle of Sharon, which along with the Battle of Nablus formed the set piece Battle of Megiddo fought between 19 and 25 September in the last months of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of the First World War. During the infantry phase of the Battle of Sharon the British Empire 60th Division, XXI Corps attacked and captured the section of the front line nearest the Mediterranean coast under cover of an intense artillery barrage including a creeping barrage and naval gunfire. This Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) victory over the entrenched Ottoman Eighth Army, composed of German and Ottoman soldiers, began the Final Offensive, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the equivalent of one Ottoman army, the retreat of what remained of two others, and the capture of many thousands of prisoners and many miles of territory from the Judean Hills to the border of modern-day Turkey. After the end of the battle of Megiddo, the Desert Mounted Corps pursued the retreating soldiers to Damascus, six days later. By the time the Armistice of Mudros was signed between the Allies and the Ottoman Empire five weeks later, Aleppo had been captured.

        During the Battle of Tabsor the 3rd (Lahore), 7th (Meerut) and 75th Divisions attacked the entrenched Ottoman Empire Eighth Army defending the Tabsor defences. These defences were located in the middle section of the front line, assigned to the XXI Corps. On their left the Battle of Tulkarm was being fought with the Battle of Arara fought on their right. Together with the cavalry phase, these battles make up the Battle of Sharon, which, with the Battle of Nablus, fought by the XX Corps and Chaytor's Force, have become known as the Battle of Megiddo. Megiddo developed into a major set piece offensive, when large formations of the Allied EEF, attacked and responded to the reactions of three Ottoman armies, each time following a predetermined plan. The offensive resulted in defeat for Ottoman forces in Palestine, Syria and the Transjordan.

        These operations began the Final Offensive, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the equivalent of an Ottoman army and the retreat in disarray of what remained of two armies. The defeat of the Yildirim Army Group, commanded by Otto Liman von Sanders, resulted in the capture of many thousands of prisoners and many miles of territory stretching from the Judean Hills. After the battle of Megiddo, Desert Mounted Corps pursued the retreating German and Ottoman soldiers to Damascus, which was captured six days later, when the pursuit continued on to close to the border of modern-day Turkey. Five weeks after the Final Offensive began and with Aleppo captured, the Armistice of Mudros was signed between the Allies and the Ottoman Empire ending the fighting in this theatre.

        Following its reorganisation in the summer of 1918, 75th Division joined General Allenby's final offensive (the Battles of Megiddo). At the Battle of Sharon (19 September), 75th Division was given the task of taking Miske and the trench system around the village of Et Tire, held by the Turkish 49th Division. Palin had under his command 'A' Squadron (Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry) of the Composite Corps Cavalry Regiment and 2nd Light Armoured Motor Battery, Machine Gun Corps.

        There was no preliminary bombardment: the advance began at 04:30 in moonlight behind a barrage fired by the field artillery, trench mortars and machine guns onto the enemy front line, while the howitzers and heavy artillery fired on specific targets behind. Once the attackers reached the front line, the 18-pounders laid a creeping barrage in front of them onto the subsequent objectives. 75th Division had 232nd Brigade on the right, while 234th Brigade was on the left with two companies of the 5/Somerset Light Infantry from 233rd Bde. The Somerset LI companies were to advance between 234th's left and right battalions to capture an isolated work while the others moved straight ahead. The rest of 233rd Brigade was in reserve.

        232nd Brigade swept through the enemy's front line, meeting little opposition. The pack mules carrying the brigade signal equipment were stampeded by the bombardment, so no news got back, but the brigade captured Miske with the aid of the South African Field Artillery, which had moved forward quickly after completing its bombardment programme. Et Tire, surrounded by trenches and cactus edges, was more formidable, and the leading troops were exhausted. The Imperial Service Troops of the 3rd Kashmir Rifles had moved up to Brigade HQ on the initiative of their British liaison officer, and were sent in to reinforce the attack. Simultaneously the divisional GSO1 (Lt-Col Rowan-Hamilton) had been sent up by Palin with the cavalry squadron and armoured cars. With the renewed attack and with armoured cars outflanking the village, the Turks evacuated their positions, leaving behind all the papers of their XXII Corps HQ.

        234th Brigade had an easier task. The creeping barrage was so accurate that the leading battalions and the Somerset LI companies were able to follow close behind it and gain their objectives with little opposition. In fact the barrage was too slow, and the enemy was able to get away, the only hard fighting being on the Turkish gun lines, which were taken at bayonet point by the 1/152nd Indian Infantry.

        By 17:00, XXI Corps' attack had rolled up the whole Turkish right and allowed the Desert Mounted Corps to sweep forward to complete the envelopment of the Turkish army and begin the pursuit.

        Postwar

        After the end of the fighting on 19 September, 75th Division and the rest of XXI Corps were left on salvage work and road repair until the Armistice with the Turks was signed on 31 October. Demobilisation began early in 1919, but 75th Division was selected for the Army of Occupation of Palestine.

        In March 1919 it returned to garrison duty in Egypt, becoming responsible for the Eastern Delta, which was renamed 75th Division Area. Many other units were attached for this work. After July 1919 the disturbances in Egypt began to die down and units began to disperse to their home countries. On 1 April 1920 the Division Area and remaining troops were handed over to 10th (Irish) Division and 75th Division ceased to exist.

        The divisional number has never been reactivated.

           The 11th (Northern) Division was formed as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of Kitchener's First New Army. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Northern Command. After initial training at the regimental depots, the units of the Division concentrated: the infantry at Grantham in Lincolnshire, artillery at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon in Northamptonshire, RE at Newark, RAMC at Sheffield, ASC at Lichfield in Staffordshire.

        On 18th of October 1914, still desperately short of uniform and equipment, the infantry of the Division was inspected by Lord Kitchener at Belton Park. On 4 April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham, where final training was undertaken. King George V inspected the Division on Hankey Common on 31 May 1915. On 12 June 1915, the Division received orders to prepare for service at Gallipoli.

        1915

        Embarkation took place at Liverpool from 30th of June, with much of the Division sailing on the Aquitania and Empress of Britain. Mudros was reached by Divisional HQ and 32nd Brigade on 10 July. On 6-7 August 1915 the Division landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay.

        On 19th/20th of December 1915 the Division withdrew from Gallipoli and moved to Imbros.

        1916

        On 26 January the Division began to move to Egypt, landing at Alexandria on 2 February and concentrating at Sidi Bishr six days later. 19 February saw the Division take over a section of the Suez canal defences.

        The Division received orders on 17 June 1916 for a move to France. Embarkation at Alexandria was completed on 3rd July and by 7th of that month Divisional HQ had been set up at Flesselles. By 27 July, the Division had taken over part of the front in Third Army sector. The Division then took part in the following operations:

        • The capture of the Wundt-Werk (Wonder Work) - Somme
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
        • The Battle of Thiepval - Somme

        1917

        • Operations on the Ancre
        • The Battle of Messines
        • The Battle of the Langemarck - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of the Scarpe - Second Battles of Arras
        • The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line - Second Battles of Arras
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle

        When the Armistice halted the fighting, the Division was on high ground east of Havay. Between 26-28 November the Division was moved back behind the River Scheldt. Demobilisation began in January 1919 and ended in June 1919.

        From 1915 to 1918 the Division suffered a total of 32,165 officers and men killed, wounded or missing in action.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 11th (Northern) Division.

        32nd Brigade

        • 9th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
        • 6th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left December 1914
        • 6th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment left June 1918
        • 6th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment joined 18 January 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 32nd Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918
        • 32nd Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 July 1916
        • 2nd Btn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined May 1918

        33rd Brigade

        • 6th Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment
        • 6th Btn, Border Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 7th Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment
        • 9th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 33rd Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918
        • 33rd Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1917

        34th Brigade

        • 8th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
        • 9th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers disbanded February 1918
        • 5th Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment
        • 11th Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 34th Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918
        • 34th Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1917

        Divisional Troops

        • 6th Btn, the East Yorkshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in December 1914
        • 11 Motor Machine Gun Battery joined early 1915, left before embarkation
        • 250th Machine Gun Company joined 16 November 1917, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918
        • 11th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 28 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, Royal Glasgow Yeomanry 2-30 June 1915 only
        • B Sqn, Hertfordshire Yeomanry 4 April - July 1916
        • 11th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed January 1915, left 12 July 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LVIII Brigade, RFA
        • LIX Brigade, RFA
        • LX Brigade, RFA broken up January 1917
        • LXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left before embarkation
        • 11th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 11th (Hull) Heavy Battery, RGA left before embarkation
        • 91st Heavy Battery, RGA left before embarkation
        • 10th Heavy Battery, RGA attached at Suvla Bay 14 August to 17 December 1915
        • CXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined 26 April 1916, broken up January 1917
        • V.11 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 9 August 1916, left 12 February 1918
        • X.11, Y.11 and Z.11 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined 9 August 1916; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 67th Field Company
        • 68th Field Company
        • 86th Field Company joined February 1915
        • 11th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 33rd Field Ambulance
        • 34th Field Ambulance
        • 35th Field Ambulance
        • 21st Sanitary Section left 9 December 1916

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 11th Divisional Train ASC 112, 113, 114 and 115 Companies. Did not move overseas with the Division and transferred to 26th Division.
        • Shared 10th Divisional Train at Gallipoli and Egypt.
        • 11th Divisional Train ASC reformed (479, 480, 481 and 482 Companies) July 1916
        • 22nd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 213th Divisional Employment Company formed by 30 June 1917
        • 11th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop remained with original Divisional Train when it left


         Divisional History  The 74th (Yeomanry) Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 74th (Yeomanry) Division

        This formation was created during the war. On 14 January 1917 the GOC Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Sir Edmund Allenby, gave orders for the reorganisation of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Dismounted Brigades of Yeomanry - at the time all were serving on Suez Canal defences - and for their conversion and redesignation as the 229th, 230th and 231st Infantry Brigades. These Brigades were organised as a Division, which began to assemble on 4 March 1917 near El Arish. It was, strictly, a Division of the Territorial Force. The Divisional artillery did not join until July, by which time the Division had already taken part in its first action, the Second Battle of Gaza. It remained in action in Palestine until April 1918, taking part in the following engagements:

        1917

        • The Second Battle of Gaza (17 - 19 April 1917)
        • The Third Battle of Gaza (27 October - 7 November 1917, including the Capture of Beersheba on 31 October and the capture of the Sheria Position on 6 November)
        • The capture of Jerusalem (8 - 9 December 1917)
        • The Defence of Jerusalem (27 - 30 December 1917)

        1918

        The Battle of Tell'Asur (8 - 12 March 1918)

        On 3 March 1918 the Division received a warning order to prepare to leave Palestine and move to France. It was relieved on 7-9 March and marched back to Lydda. Here the artillery was reorganised, a pioneer battalion joined and the machine gun battalion was formed. On 14 April Divisional HQ moved to Kantara, followed by the rest of the units.

        Embarkation began at Alexandria on 29 April. The first units landed at Marseilles on 7 May 1918 and entrained for the north. Concentration was completed in the area of Rue (near Abbeville) by 18 May.

        Training for unfamiliar operations, notably gas defence, was undertaken before, towards the end of May, the units moved to the Doullens - St Pol Area. In June a reduction to a nine-battalion format took place while training continued and the Division was held in GHQ Reserve. On 14 July, the Division took over a sector of front line near Merville and then remained in France and Flanders for the rest of the war, taking part in the following engagements:

        • The Second Battles of the Somme (Second Battle of Bapaume, 2-3 September 1918)
        • The Battles of the Hindenburg Line (Battle of Epehy, 18 September 1918)
        • The Final Advance in Artois and Flanders
        The Division crossed the Scheldt on 9 November and two days later the advanced units crossed the Dendre (Dender) Canal. When the Arnistice came into effect they had occupied Ath. Five days later the Division moved to the area Rebaix - Herinnes - Tournai, with HQ being at Frasnes-les-Buissenal. Work was carried out on repairing the Tournai-Leuze railway.

        King George V visited the Division on 7 December 1918.

        Although demobilisation took place principally in the first months of 1919, Divisional HQ was kept in operation near Lessines until the 10 July 1919.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 74th (Yeomanry) Division

        • 229th Brigade formerly 2nd Dismounted Brigade
        • 16th Bn, the Devonshire Regiment
        • 12th Bn, the Somerset Light Infantry
        • 12th Bn, the Royal Scots Fusiliers left 21 June 1918
        • 14th Bn, the Black Watch
        • 4th Machine Gun Company moved to 74th Bn MGC 11 April 1918
        • 229th Trench Mortar Battery

        230th Brigade formerly 3rd Dismounted Brigade

        • 10th Bn, the Buffs
        • 12th Bn, the Norfolk Regiment left 21 June 1918
        • 15th Bn, the Suffolk Regiment
        • 16th Bn, the Royal Sussex Regiment
        • 209th Machine Gun Company moved to 74th Bn MGC 11 April 1918
        • 230th Trench Mortar Battery

        231st Brigade formerly 4th Dismounted Brigade

        • 24th Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers left 21 June 1918
        • 25th Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 24th Bn, the Welsh Regiment
        • 10th Bn, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 210th Machine Gun Company moved to 74th Bn MGC 11 April 1918
        • 231st Trench Mortar Battery formed 27 June 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 1/12th Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regt joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 10 April 1918
        • 261st Machine Gun Company joined 5 March 1918, moved to 74th Bn MGC 11 April 1918
        • 212st, 262nd, 264th, 271st and 272nd Machine Gun Companies MGC joined May 1917, left to form Fourth Army Troops MG Battalion on arrival in France
        • 74th Battalion MGC formed 11 April 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        A Sqn, 1 /2nd London Yeomanry joined 5 April 1917, left for XX Corps Cavalry Regiment 23 August 1917

        Divisional Artillery

        • XLIV Brigade, RFA
        • CXVII Brigade, RFA
        • CCLXVIII Brigade, RFA broken up at Lydda 31 March 1918
        • 527 (Howitzer) Battery, RFA attached 7 - 24 March 1918
        • 16th Mountain Battery, RGA attached 7 - 9 March 1918
        • Hong Kong & Singapore Mountain Battery RGA attached 31 October - 4 November 1917
        • 74th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • X.74 and Y.74 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined at Houvin 12 June 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 439th (2/1st Cheshire) Field Company joined at Ramle 9 April 1917
        • 496th (1/2nd Kent) Field Company joined at Rafa 12 April 1917, left 25 May 1917
        • 5th Royal Monmouth Field Company joined at Deir-el-Belah 12-19 April 1917
        • 5th Royal Anglesey Field Company joined at Deir-el-Belah 14 April 1917
        • 74th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 229th Field Ambulance
        • 230th Field Ambulance
        • 231st Field Ambulance
        • 87th Sanitary Section joined at Deir-el-Belah 22 April 1917, left for Fourth Army 25 may 1918

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 74th Divisional Train ASC 447, 448, 449 and 450 Companies ASC, formerly
        • 42nd (East Lancashire) and 53rd (Welsh) Divisional Train
        • 59th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined at Deir-el-Belah 13 April 1917
        • 985th Divisional Employment Company formed 18 May 1918


         Divisional History  On the outbreak of World War I the Territorial Force (TF) immediately mobilised for home defence, but shortly afterwards (31 August 1914), its units were authorised to raise 2nd battalions formed from those men who had not volunteered for, or were not fit for, overseas service, together with new volunteers, while the 1st Line went overseas to supplement the Regulars. Early in 1915 the 2nd Line TF battalions were also raised to full strength to form new divisions, and began to form Reserve (3rd Line) units to supply drafts. The remaining Home Service men were separated out in May 1915 to form brigades of Coast Defence Battalions (termed Provisional Battalions from June 1915).

        9th Provisional Brigade

        9th Provisional Brigade was formed in East Kent mainly from details of local units and infantry from Lancashire. It had the following composition:

        • 9th Provisional Yeomanry Squadron formed at Margate on 14 September 1915 from detachments of the South Western Mounted Brigade and the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles and was initially stationed at Whitstable.
        • 9th Provisional Cyclist Company formed at Herne Bay on 8 September 1915 from two platoons of Home Service men drawn from 1/1st and 2/1st Kent Cyclist Battalions, the remainder from 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment; it was temporarily attached to 42nd Provisional Battalion.
        • 9th Provisional Battery and Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery formed at Hastings on 9 September 1915 and shortly afterwards moved to Herne Bay; it was equipped with four French 90 mm field guns.
        • 9th Provisional Brigade Ammunition Column RFA
        • 9th Provisional Field Company Royal Engineers
        • 9th Provisional Signals Section RE
        • 41st Provisional Battalion from home service details of the King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment).
        • 42nd Provisional Battalion formed on 1 September 1915 at Herne Bay from home service details of the 2/4th, 3/4th, 2/5th and 3/5th Battalions of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
        • 44th Provisional Battalion formed on 1 September 1915 from home service details of 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions of the King's (Liverpool) Regiment and stationed in Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Sandwich.
        • 45th Provisional Battalion formed from home service details of the Manchester Regiment.
        • 9th Provisional Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps, formed at Ramsgate on 19 September 1915 from the home service details of the 2/1st, 2/2nd and 2/3rd Home Counties Field Ambulances.
        • 9th Provisional Brigade Train Army Service Corps, from home service details from Middlesex and Surrey.

        A number of men on the strength of these units were absent on civil employment such as munitions work.

        In the autumn of 1915 the brigade was under the command of 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division in Second Army of Central Force. By July 1916 the brigade was under the control of Southern Army of Home Forces, with its battalions billeted as follows:

        • Brigade Headquarters: Margate
        • 41st Provisional Bn: Westgate-on-Sea
        • 42nd Provisional Bn: Broadstairs
        • 44th Provisional Bn: Ramsgate
        • 45th Provisional Bn: Margate

        73rd Division formed

        Late in 1916 the War Office decided to form three new home-service divisions; 73rd was the last of these, assembling at Blackpool in November. The division was based on 9th Provisional Bde, which moved from Margate and provided four infantry battalions and many of the support units. (On 1 January 1917 these all received new designations and numbers.) In addition, 189th (2/1st Yorkshire and Durham) Brigade, left over after the earlier disbandment of 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division, provided other components. Personnel to help form the other five artillery batteries were transferred from other home service divisions. The rest of the division was composed of new units.

        After assembling in Lancashire, 73rd Division moved in early January 1917 to join Southern Army of Home Forces, stationed in Essex and Hertfordshire, with the following composition:

        Staff

        • General Officer Commanding:
        • Major-General Hon. C.E. Bingham (2 November 1916,4 April 1917)
        • Major-General J.C. Young (4 April,6 September 1917)
        • Major-General H.G. Ruggles-Brise (6 September 1917,4 March 1918)
        • General Staff Officer Grade 1:
        • Lieutenant-Colonel E.B.C. Boddam (1 November 1916,12 January 1917);
        • Lieutenant-Colonel C.M. Davies (16 January,31 December 1917)
        • Assistant-Adjutant and Quartermaster-General:
        • Colonel C.L. Macnab (1 November 1916,17 April 1917);
        • Lt-Col F.C. Dundas (24 April 1917,1 March 1918)

        HQ: Chelmsford

        218th Brigade

        • 218 Brigade was drawn from 9th Provisional Bde:
        • General Offficer Commanding:
        • Brigadier-General H. Martin (1 November 1916,17 March 1917)
        • Brigadier-General W.M. Withycombe (17 March,10 July 1917)
        • Brigadier-General A. Martyn (10 July 1917,31 January 1918)
        • 41st Provisional Bn: became 12th Bn King's Own; disbanded 23 March 1918.
        • 42nd Provisional Bn: became 14th Bn Loyals; the battalion was gradually drafted and disappeared by 17 December 1917.
        • 44th Provisional Bn: 26th Bn King's; disbanded 29 March 1918.
        • 267th Bn Training Reserve: joined by 23 July 1917, became 52nd (Graduated) Bn Leicestershire Regiment; transferred to 69th (2nd East Anglian) Division 17 January 1918.

        The units of 218 Brigade were stationed at Witham, Terling and Kelvedon.

        219th Brigade

        • 219 Brigade was newly formed:
        • General Officer Commanding:
        • Brigadier-General R. Dawson (1 November 1916,7 September 1917)
        • Brigadier-General F.L. Bandon (7 September 1917,22 February 1918)
        • 8th (Home Service) Bn Dorsetshire Regiment; originally 2nd Garrison Bn Dorsets; the battalion was gradually drafted and disappeared by 3 December 1917.
        • 13th (Home Service) Bn Loyals: newly formed at Blackpool; disbanded 29 March 1918.
        • 45th Provisional Bn from 9th Provisional Bde: became 28th Bn Manchesters; disbanded March 1918.
        • 270th Bn TR: joined by 9 September 1917, became 52nd (Graduated) Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry; transferred to 69th Division January 1918.

        The units of 219 Brigade were stationed at Danbury and Maldon, later moving to Southend.

        220th Brigade

        • 220 Brigade was formed from 189th (2/1st Yorkshire and Durham) Bde:
        • GOC: Brigadier-General F.F.W. Daniell (1 November 1916,27 February 1918)
        • 2/4th Bn Green Howards; the battalion was gradually drafted and reduced to a cadre by the end of July 1917; it disbanded on 21 December 1917.
        • 2/5th Bn Green Howards; disbanded 29 March 1918.
        • 17th (Home Service) Bn Green Howards: newly formed at Blackpool; disbanded 15 December 1917.
        • 273rd Bn TR: joined 23 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Bn Durham Light Infantry; transferred to 69th Division on 15 January 1918.
        • 274th Bn TR: joined 9 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment; transferred to 68th (2nd Welsh) Division by 11 March 1918.

        The units of 220 Brigade were stationed at Chelmsford, Widford and Arbour Lane.

        Divisional mounted troops

        • 9th Provisional Cyclist Company: became 73rd Divisional Cyclist Company Army Cyclist Corps (Home Service); disbanded by 1 April 1918.
        • 1/8th (Cyclist) Bn Essex Regiment (attached January,October 1917).
        • 2/7th (Cyclist) Bn Devonshire Regiment (attached October 1917,January 1918).

        The mounted troops were stationed at Wickford and Southminster.

        Royal Artillery

        • Brigadier-General Royal Artillery:
        • J.J. MacMahon (8 November 1916,12 March 1917)
        • W.A. Robinson (12 March,19 November 1917)
        • L.A.C. Gordon (19 November 1917,4 February 1918)

        HQ: Chelmsford

        • CCCLIV Field Brigade RFA at Danbury:
        • A Battery (later 1211 Field Battery): formerly 9th Provisional Battery[15], 6 x 18-pounder QF guns
        • B Battery, 6 x 18-pdr
        • C (Howitzer) Battery, 4 x QF 4.5-inch howitzer
        • CCCLV Field Brigade RFA at Great Leighs:
        • A Battery, 6 x 18-pdr
        • B Battery, 6 x 18-pdr
        • C (Howitzer) Battery, 4 x 4.5 Howitzer
        • 73rd Divisional Ammunition Column: formerly 9th Provisional Brigade Ammunition Column.

        Royal Engineers

        • Commanding Royal Engineers: Lieutenant-Colonel H.W. Sanders
        • 1/6th Kent Fortress Company RE: became 546th Field Company[15][31]
        • 1/7th Kent Fortress Company RE: became 547th Field Company[15][31]
        • 9th Provisional Field Company RE: became 648th (East Lancashire) Field Company
        • 9th Provisional Signal Section: became 73rd Divisional Signal Company

        The field companies were stationed at Qitham and Chelsmford, and the signal company at Hitchin.

        Medical services

        • 9th Provisional Field Ambulance RAMC:
        • A Section: became 307th (Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • B Section: became 308th (Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • C Section: became 309th (Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • 109th Sanitary Section

        58th Mobile Veterinary Section Army Veterinary Corps

        Transport

        • 73rd Divisional Train:
        • 9th Provisional Brigade Company ASC: became 829th Horse Transport Company ASC
        • 830th, 831st and 832nd HT Companies ASC: newly formed

        Training

        The Military Service Act 1916 swept away the Home/Foreign service distinction, and all TF soldiers became liable for overseas service, if medically fit. Henceforth part of the role of the Home Service divisions was physical conditioning to render men fit for drafting overseas, alongside units of the Training Reserve. 'Graduated Battalions' of the Training Reserve were organised in four companies according to age, from 18 to 19 years. Recruits progressed from one to another company after three months, so that every three months there was a company of trained 19-year-old men available for drafting overseas. In July 1917 it was decided that the Graduated Battalions could serve in a Home Defence role while completing their training. Between July and September 1917, four Graduated Battalions joined 73rd Division, and in October these were affiliated to line regiments and adopted territorial designations.

        Disbandment

        Towards the end of 1917 the War Office decided to break up the three home service divisions, and on 22 December 1917 the Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces, was ordered to break up the division as soon as possible. Three battalions left in January, the artillery was broken up in February, and the division ceased to exist on 8 April 1918. Only the divisional engineers remained, and on 22 June 1918 the HQ and field companies went to France for active service on the Western Front.

        The 73rd Division title has never been reactivated.

         Divisional History  The 72nd Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 72nd Division

        This formation was created during the war. Late in 1916 orders were given for the formation of three additional home-service Divisions; they would have the dual role of carrying out training of men for overseas drafts, plus providing forces for home defence. 72nd was one of the three Divisions formed, and was initially established in Somerset. Division HQ was set up at Weston but soon moved to Bath. It moved between 5-18 January 1917 to Bedford, Wellingborough and Northampton (taking the place of 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division, recently departed for France). The Division came under command of Southern Army, Home Forces, and was responsible for East Coast defences from the River Deben to Orfordness. On 21 December 1917 orders were received that the Division should be broken up. Disbandment began in January 1918 and the final elements disappeared on 8 April 1918.

        On 1 January 1917 the Provisional units were all retitled, as shown in the Order of Battle below.

        A number of non-regimentally-affiliated Graduated Battalions joined in July 1917. They were affiliated and retitled on 27 October 1917.

        The order of battle of the 72nd Division

        215th Brigade

        • The three battalions comprising this Brigade had previously been with 8th Provisional Brigade, which was not under a Division
        • 28th Provisional Battalion became 13th Lincolnshire Regiment, left by July 1917
        • 70th Provisional Battalion became 15th Royal Sussex Regiment
        • 81st Provisional Battalion became 18th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, left by 24 December 1917
        • 258th Graduated Battalion joined by 23 July 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry on 27 October 1917
        • 259th Graduated Battalion joined by 24 September 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers on 27 October 1917

        216th Brigade

        • 10th Bn, the Somerset Light Infantry left by July 1917
        • 14th Bn, the Yorkshire Light Infantry disbanded 8 April 1918
        • 83rd Provisional Battalion from 8th Provisional Bde; became 10th Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry; left by July 1917
        • 261st Graduated Battalion joined by 23 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment on 27 October 1917
        • 262nd Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 27 October 1917

        217th Brigade

        • 2/4th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers disbanded by 8 April 1918
        • 2/5th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers left by July 1917
        • 2/6th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers left by 10 December 1917
        • 264th Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) on 27 October 1917
        • 265th Graduated Battalion joined by 24 September 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers on 27 October 1917

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        72nd Divisional Cyclist Company, ACC broken up by 25 February 1918

        Divisional Artillery broken up by 25 February 1918

        • CCCLII Brigade, RFA
        • CCCLIII Brigade, RFA
        • 72nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA

        Royal Engineers all units joined by 20 November 1916

        • 550th (3/1st Glamorgan) Field Company joined as a Fortress Company and redesignated; landed in France 23 June 1918 and went to Second Army
        • 551st (2/2nd Glamorgan) Field Company broken up by 8 April 1918
        • 647th (South Midland) Field Company broken up by 8 April 1918
        • 72nd Divisional Signals Company joined as 8th Provisional Signals Section and redesignated; broken up 4 February 1918

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • The 8th Provisional Field Ambulance joined 4 December 1916 and formed the three FAs for 72nd Division
        • 304th (South Midland) Field Ambulance disbanded by 18 March 1918
        • 305th (South Midland) Field Ambulance disbanded by 18 March 1918
        • 306th (South Midland) Field Ambulance disbanded by 11 March 1918
        • 105th Sanitary Section

        • 72nd Divisional Train ASC 825, 826, 827 and 828 Companies ASC. 825 had previously been 8th Provisional Company ASC; the others were new and formed for the Division in November 1916; disbanded by 8 April 1918
        • 57th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined January 1917, disbanded by 4 March 1918

        There is no memorial or published history of 72nd Division.

         Divisional History  The 71st Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 71st Division

        This formation was created during the war. Late in 1916 orders were given for the formation of three additional home-service Divisions; they would have the dual role of carrying out training of men for overseas drafts, plus providing forces for home defence. 71st was one of the three Divisions formed, and was initially established in Hampshire and Surrey. Division HQ was set up at Gostrey House at Farnham but soon moved to nearby Elmer House. The entire Division moved in the first week of March 1917 to Suffolk and Essex, concentrating in the Colchester area. The Division came under command of Southern Army, Home Forces, and was responsible for East Coast defences from Mersey Island to Walton on the Naze. On 21 December 1917 orders were received that the Division should be broken up. Disbandment began in January 1918 and the final elements disappeared on 8 April 1918.

        On 1 January 1917 the Provisional units were all retitled, as shown in the Order of Battle below.

        A number of non-regimentally-affiliated Graduated Battalions joined in July 1917. They were affiliated and retitled on 27 October 1917.

        In October 1917, 214th Brigade was formed into a special brigade for operations at Murmansk in North Russia. It was transferred to 67th Division on 12 February 1918.

        The order of battle of the 71st Division

        212th Brigade

        • The three battalions comprising this Brigade had previously been with 6th Provisional Brigade, which was not under a Division; broken up 7 March 1918
        • 61st Provisional Battalion became 11th Norfolk Regiment, left by 29 October 1917
        • 100th Provisional Battalion became 29th London Regiment, to 226 Mixed Brigade
        • 101st Provisional Battalion became 30th London Regiment, to 226 Mixed Brigade 5 February 1918
        • 249th Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment on 27 October 1917, left 19 February 1918
        • 250th Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment on 27 October 1917, left 26 February 1918

        213th Brigade broken up 11 March 1918

        • 16th Bn, the Queen's formed at Farnham 11 November 1916, to 214th Brigade 12 November 1917
        • 25th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment joined 3 November 1916, left 22 December 1916
        • 66th Provisional Battalion from 6th Provisional Bde; became 16th Essex Regiment; left by 24 December 1917
        • 18th Bn, the Hampshire Regiment formed at Alton 22 December 1916; left by 24 December 1917
        • 252nd Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment on 27 October 1917; left by 25 February 1918
        • 253rd Graduated Battalion joined by 17 September 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment on 27 October 1917; left by 25 February 1918
        • 52nd (Graduated) Bn, the Queen's joined from 214th Brigade 12 November 1917; left by 18 February 1918

        214th Brigade October 1917, formed into a special brigade for operations at Murmansk in North Russia; left for 67th Division 12 February 1918

        • 2/6th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined 29 November 1916, to 226 Mixed Brigade
        • 2/7th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined 29 November 1916
        • 2/8th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined 29 November 1916, left by 9 July 1917
        • 255th Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Queen's on 27 October 1917; to 213th Brigade 12 November 1917
        • 256th Graduated Battalion joined by 17 September 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment on 27 October 1917; left by 18 February 1918
        • XLIX Brigade, RFA formed 22 October 1917
        • 2/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry TF joined 26 October 1917, left with Brigade
        • 2/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry TF joined 26 October 1917, left with Brigade
        • 252 Company, MGC joined 9 November 1917, left with Brigade
        • 253 Company, MGC joined 9 November 1917, left with Brigade
        • 16th Bn, the Queen's joined from 213th Brigade 12 November 1917

        226th Mixed Brigade joined 13 April 1917, left for 67th Division 12 February 1918

        • 2/6th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined from 214th Brigade
        • 29th Bn, the London Regiment joined from 212th Brigade
        • 30th Bn, the London Regiment joined from 212th Brigade 5 February 1918
        • 2/1st London Heavy Battery, RGA
        • 2/2nd London Heavy Battery, RGA

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • 71st Divisional Cyclist Company, ACC joined 11 January 1917, disbanded 3 February 1918
        • C Sqn, 2/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry TF jpoined 6 March 1917

        Divisional Artillery broken up by 25 February 1918

        • CCCL Brigade, RFA formed 13 November 1916, disbanded 25 February 1918
        • CCCLI Brigade, RFA formed 13 November 1916, left 29 January 1918
        • 71st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA joined as 6th Provisional BAC 27 November 1916, disbanded 25 February 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 548th (2/1st Dundee) Field Company joined as a Fortress Company 27 November 1916 and redesignated; left 30 March 1918 for service in North Russia
        • 549th (2/3rd Lancashire) Field Company joined as a Fortress Company 12 December 1916 and redesignated; left 30 March 1918 for service in France
        • 645th (West Lancashire) Field Company joined as 6th Provisional Field Company 14 November 1916, renumbered on 3 February 1917; left for 67th Division 26 October 1917
        • 71st Divisional Signals Company joined as 6th Provisional Signals Section and redesignated; left with 214th Special Brigade
        • 492nd Field Company joined from 67th Division 26 October 1917; left 12 February 1918 for service in North Russia

        Royal Army Medical Corps the 6th Provisional Field Ambulance joined 4 December 1916 and formed the three FAs for 72nd Division

        • 301st (Welsh) Field Ambulance disbanded by 31 January 1918
        • 302nd (Welsh) Field Ambulance left with 214th Special Brigade
        • 303rd (Welsh) Field Ambulance disbanded by 31 January 1918
        • 104th Sanitary Section

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 71st Divisional Train ASC 821, 822, 823 and 824 Companies ASC. 821 had previously been 6th Provisional Company ASC; the others were new and formed for the Division in December 1916; disbanded by 23 February 1918
        • 56th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 8 January 1917, left 7 March 1918

        There is no memorial or published history of 71st Division.

         Divisional History  The 12th (Eastern) Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 12th (Eastern) Division

        The Division came into existence as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Eastern Command. It was assembled from late August 1914: 35th Brigade and artillery in the area of Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially at Aldershot and then at Lord's cricket ground.

        Divisional training was completed near Aldershot from 20 February 1915, where the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joined. The Division moved to France on 29 May - 1 June 1915 and after two days rest near Boulogne, moved to concentrate near St Omer and by 6 June had moved to the Meteren-Steenwerck area. Next day Divisional HQ established at Nieppe. Units of the Division were placed under temporary orders of 48th (South Midland) Division for the purposes of instruction. The third of the New Army formations to go to France (after 9th (Scottish) and 14th (Light) Divisions) the 12th Division served with distinction on the Western Front throughout the rest of the war.

        1915

        On 23 June 1915 the Division took over a sector of the front line for the first time, at Ploegsteert Wood, relieving 46th (North MIdland) Division. 6th Queen's, 6th Buffs and 11th Middlesex were the units that first entered the trenches. By 15 July the Divisional front had extended south to reach east of Armentieres; the 12th was now holding 7000 yards. In just holding this relatively quiet sector, in July alone the Division suffered the loss of 7 officers and 64 men killed, 18 officers and 413 men wounded.

        The Battle of Loos

        On 26 September, after this battle had started, the Division was relieved by the 1st Canadian and 50th (Northumbrian) Divisions and moved towards the Loos front. It arrived on 29 September and relieved outgoing units in the Gun Trench - Hulluch Quarries sector on the night of 30 September - 1 October. The Division commenced consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. The Officer Commanding, Major-General Frederick Wing CB, was killed in action on 2 October 1915. His ADC, Lieutenant Christopher Tower DSO, was killed by the same shell. On 8 October, the Division repelled a heavy German infantry attack. Five days later the Division took part in a large scale action to renew the offensive, now called the "Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt". The Division succeeded in capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men were killed or wounded. By the end of 21 October the Division had been relieved and moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune. It took over the Hohenzollern Redoubt front after a very short rest of five days and spent a cold, wet and miserable month here before being relieved on 15 November by 15th (Scottish) Division, whereupon it moved into reserve at Lillers.

        On 9 December, 9th Royal Fusiliers was given the unusual task of assisting in a round-up of spies and other uncertain characters in the streets of Bethune. Next day the Division moved up and relieved 33rd Division in the front line north of the La Bassee canal at Givenchy.

        1916

        Between 12 December 1915 and 18 January 1916 in a quiet period of trench-holding, the Division nonetheless suffered the loss of 102 officers and 670 men killed, wounded or missing. Relieved on 19 January and moved to Busnes, the Division had a spell of training in open warfare. Units moved back into the Loos trenches at the Quarries on 12-13 February 1916 and by 15 February held the line from there to the Hohenzollern Redoubt.

        The area of the Hohenzollern Redoubt had in the meantime become one where underground mine warfare was very active. A plan was evolved that required 4 mines to be blown under the enemy positions, which would be followed by an infantry assault aimed at capturing the enemy front trench called "The Chord". 36th Brigade made the attack after 170 Tunnelling Company RE detonated the mines at 1745 on 2 March 1916, successfully capturing the craters and gaining important observation over enemy lines as far as Fosse 8. Severe fighting in the crater area continued for some weeks, with the Division suffering more than 4000 casualties until being finally relieved on 26 April. A period of rest and training began, until finally - beginning with the RE Field Companies - the Division moved to the Somme.

        The Battles of the Somme 1916

        The Battle of Albert

        By 18 June 1916 the Division was based at Flesselles. It immediately carried out a training exercise to practice a planned attack to capture Martinpuich. This action never materialised. The Division moved up to Baizieux on 30 June and reached Hencourt and Millencourt by 10am on 1 July, in reserve to the British infantry attack that had begun earlier that morning. It moved to relieve 8th Division, which had suffered a severe repulse at Ovillers-la-Boisselle, during the night of 1-2 July.

        Ordered to continue the attack on Ovillers, 35th and 37th Brigades went in at 0315 on 2 July (just before this, Divisional HQ received information that a British attack on their left, by X Corps against Thiepval, was cancelled). Unlike the troops of 8th Division who had to cross a wide no man's land in the bright morning sun, the 12th Division attack, at night, adopted sensible tactics of advancing across no man's land while the artillery bombarded the enemy and rushed the last few yards when it lifted. The first wave of the attack met with mixed success: for example the 9th Essex came under heavy shellfire before it had reached even the British front line; it was difficult to keep direction in the deep shellholes; yet the 5th Berkshire and 7th Suffolk crossed, finding the enemy wire was well cut, and took at least two lines of German trenches before becoming bogged in intense bombing fights in the trenches. 6th Queen's were held up by wire and machine gun fire from Mash Valley. Heavy fire from the Leipzig salient - where X Corps would have been attacking - halted supporting units in no man's land, and the attack failed to achieve its objective.

        On 7 July 36th Brigade, with 74th Brigade attached to the Division for the purpose, attacked again and in spite of heavy casualties from German artillery and machine guns in Mash Valley, succeeded in holding the first and second lines that they captured on the spur on which Ovillers stands. By the time the Division was withdrawn to the area on Contay on 9 July, 189 officers and 4576 men had become casualties.

        The Battle of Pozieres

        After short spells at Bus-les-Artois and in the front line at Beaumont Hamel, the Division moved back to the Ovillers area for an operation north and northwest of Pozieres designed to destroy the enemy garrison holding Thiepval. On 3 August, an attack aimed at capturing 4th Avenue Trench was successful and pushed on to Ration Trench next day. German counter attacks including flamethrowers were beaten off over the next few days. An attack on 8 August to finally capture the stubborn enemy Point 77 failed with heavy casualties to 7th Sussex. Severe local fighting continued for five more days, when the Division was relieved and moved to the area of Doullens. Casualties since 28 July amounted to 126 officers and 2739 men.

        The Battle of Le Transloy

        Marched for five days after leaving Somme and relieved 11th (Northern) Division on the Arras front on 22 August. A comparatively quiet time, punctuated by trench raids. Relieved on 26-7 September and moved back to Somme, taking over forward positions in appalling conditions at Geudecourt, Grid and Grid Support on 1-2 October. Fourth Army mounted an attack on 7 October: the objective for the Division was Bayonet Trench and 500 yards beyond. A small gain was made in spite of heavy enemy fire. So few men made it to Bayonet Trench that it could not be held. Troops came under machine gun fire from German aircraft on 9 October. More efforts were made on 12 and 19 October, that got no further. The Division - except its artillery - was relieved on 19 October and returned to Arras. Another 135 officers and 3176 men had become casualties. In all, almost 11000 casualties had been sustained in a total of just 43 days fighting on the Somme.

        Again, Arras proved to be a relatively quiet sector although there were frequent trench raids and shellfire. On 17 December 1916, the Division moved out of the front line for rest - its first since June - in the Grande Rullecourt and Ambrines areas.

        1917

        The Arras Offensive

        The First Battle of the Scarpe

        As early as January 1917, the Division received notice that it would take part in an offensive at Arras. It moved to the front in that sector on 14 January. It did not leave other than for periods of rest until towards the end of 1917. The position held at Arras was not affected by the German withdrawal from the Somme to the Hindenburg Line in March

        The task of the Division, now part of VI Corps, in the Arras attack was to capture the enemy's "Black Line" (forward position) then go on to the "Brown Line" (the Wancourt-Feuchy trench including the strong point at Feuchy Chapel). The artillery bombardment opened on 4 April 1917, and the infantry - many of whom had been able to approach the front line in the long tunnels and subways reaching out from Arras itself, advanced behind a creeping barrage on 9 April. Resistance was rapidly overcome; fine counter-battery work had stifled the German guns. The leading troops quickly captured the Black Line, but German fire increased as successive waves came through to advance on the Feuchy Switch trench, notably from Observation Ridge. In places, the German soldiers were seen retreating at a run and by noon, 37th Division had pushed through with orders to capture Monchy le Preux. The 12th Division remained in position, as snow and sleet fell.

        On the night 11-12 April, 36th and 37th Brigades moved up and relieved units of of 8th Cavalry Brigade east of Monchy. Next day, 29th Division relieved 12th Division, whereupon the units moved back to the area between Arras and Doullens. The attack had been highly successful, making an advance on the Divisional front of some 4000 yards for a total of 2018 casualties.

        The Battle of Arleux

        After a ten day rest the Division re-entered the Arras battlefield, 37th Brigade going into the forward positions between the north east of Monchy and the River Scarpe. On 28 April, formations north of 12th Division undertook an operation to capture Roeux. 35th Brigade took part and attacked Rifle and Bayonet Trench but owing to heavy enemy shellfire and machine guns firing from Roeux - which was not captured - fell back to its start point.

        The Third Battle of the Scarpe

        This action included the Division's role in the capture of Roeux. A larger effort - including the British Fifth, Third and First Armies - took place on 3 May 1917, with an artillery bombardment that began two days earlier. 12th Division's role was to make an advance of some 2500 yards, including the capture of Pelves on the left flank. A preliminary attack on the left by 36th Brigade in the early hours of 2 May, including a gas barrage fired by Livens projectors, was not entirely successful but apparently caused considerable casualties to the enemy. The main attack was of mixed fortune, although 7th Royal Sussex reached the objective and then beat off determined counter attacks. Once again, German shellfire was the primary cause of problems and and heavy machine gun fire from Roeux caused many casualties. Shellfire was heavy over the next few days and the uncertain position of the advanced troops in Devil's Trench meant that British artillery was cautious in replying on German trenches. The Division was relieved on 16 May and moved to the area of Le Cauroy, having suffered a total of 141 officers and 3380 other ranks casualties since 25 April 1917.

        Between 17 May and 19 October 1917, the Division held positions east of Monchy le Preux, mounting several raids and small scale attacks and beating off some made against them, notably in the area of Hook Trench - Pick Avenue - Tites Copse. Much manual work took place, for the position held in May was of shell holes and disconnected parts of trenches, with few dugouts and no communications. When out of the line, units took part in training at Beaurains, where a scale model of the area occupied had been built for the purposes of instruction. A very successful major raid was carried out on 14 October. Five days later the Division was relieved by 4th Division, and returned to La Cauroy. (It should be noted that in holding the Arras front for as long as it did, 12th Division did not take part in the Third Battle of Ypres).

        The Cambrai operations

        Divisional HQ moved to Hesdin on 30 October, preparatory to a move to the Cambrai front. Commander in Chief Sir Douglas Haig watched a rehearsal attack carried out by 6th Buffs and 7th East Surrey on 13 November. Next day, a gradual move to the Heudecourt - Vaucelette Farm area began, where the Division went into III Corps for the offensive. It was the right-most formation of the attacking force.

        The special role of 12th Division in the attack of 20 November 1917 was to capture its first objective and then form a defensive flank to the south east, keeping in touch with 55th (West Lancashire) Division which was not attacking. Advancing from Gonnelieu, the Division moved forward through Sonnet and Pam Pam Farms, Bonavis and Lateau Wood, and dug in a defensive flank to allow the cavalry to pass unrestricted, as ordered. On the extreme right of the attack, the 7th Royal Sussex got into Banteux, which had been subjected to gas attack from Livens projectors. The next three days were spent in consolidating as the centre of the battle moved to the north. On 24 November a local operation to move the line to Quarry Post - Bleak Quarry - to gain command of a better line of observation - was carried out by 35th and 36th Brigades, which met with mixed success.

        By 29 November it had become apparent that the enemy was assembling a force in the area of Villers Guislain, south of 12th Division in area of 55th. Warning orders were issued: just in time, for on 30 November at 0645, heavy shellfire began to fall and by 0745 Divisional HQ was already out of touch with its forward units. The failure of the 24 November attack now became apparent as the enemy had invisibly assembled a considerable attacking force in the canal valley. A hard and confused fight followed as the German infantry advanced, the Division falling back across the recently won ground. By the end of the day the line had held at La Vacquerie. Further German efforts on 1 December were largely held off, although by now losses to some units had been as high as 50% of the strength they had before the counter attack. Relieved on 3-4 December, the Division - excluding its artillery which stayed a while longer - moved to Albert and from there moved by train to Aire, with billets at nearby Thiennes and Berguette.

        1918

        On 5 January 1918 Divisional HQ moved to Merville and on 13 January moved again to Croix du Bac where it came under orders of XV Corps, while the brigades relieved 38th (Welsh) Division in the Fleurbaix front line. Various trench raids took place here, as did the reduction of brigades from 4 battalions to 3. On 22 March orders were received warning the Division of an imminent move. Two days later the Division, less its artillery, concentrated in the Busnes area and moved that night by motor lorry to Albert.

        The First Battles of the Somme 1918

        The Battle of Bapaume

        On the morning of 24 March the Division arrived in the area of Senlis, Warloy and Bouzincourt. A tiring and confusing day was to follow. That afternoon, 36 and 37 Brigades moved forward to the line Montauban-Bazentin le Grand, on the old 1916 Somme battlefield. But events were moving fast as the enemy's offensive pressed forward. 35 Brigade after much marching took up a position covering Albert. 37 Brigade, in the area of Ovillers, covered the withdrawal of 47th (London) Division and then itself withdrew to Aveluy and by 0430 on 26 March 36 Brigade had also taken up a position west of the Ancre. There were no prepared trenches or wire defences and natural lines, such as the railway embankment north of Albert, were taken up to await the expected German attack. There was no touch with other Divisions to the right but contact was made with 2nd Division on the left.

        26 March 1918

        The First Battle of Arras 1918

        Soon after midday on 26 March, Germans were seen advancing down the slopes into the Ancre valley. They were also seen in large numbers to the south of Albert moving on Meaulte and Dernancourt and by 7pm Albert itself was full of them. The 7/Suffolks had to withdraw through the ruined town to west of the railway line. On the northern side too, it seemed that the Division was in great danger of being outflanked, for enemy had got to Grandcourt and Beaumont Hamel. All units came under increasing pressure as the enemy pressed on. Many enemy attacks were repelled with heavy casualties, although the Division suffered 1634 casualties in halting their advance.

        The Division was finally relieved by 47th (London) Division on 29 March and moved to Warloy. After a short rest, the Division came back to the front line on 2 April. Further enemy efforts on 5 and 6 April were beaten off, yet by the time relief came from 38th (Welsh) Division and the 12th Division had withdrawn to Toutencourt, another 1285 men were lost.

        April to July were spent in the area of Auchonvillers and Mailly-Maillet, where new drafts arrived to replace the losses.

        Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was to say in his "British Campaign in France and Flanders, January to July 1918" of the Division's role in March and April that they "withdrew from the line in glory, for it is no exaggeration to say that they had fought the Germans to an absolute standstill". He was right. The enemy offensive in Picardy had finally been defeated.

        On 1 July 1918, two years to the day that the British offensive had opened on the Somme, the Division carried out an attack at Bouzincourt. After initial success, counter attack drove the attacking units back at a cost of 680 casualties. The Division was relieved on 10 July and came under orders of XXII Corps. It was moved to the area south of Amiens.

        The Battle of Amiens

        The Divisional artillery supported the successful attack of the French 66th Division near Moreuil on 23 July 1918. It remained in action near Gentelles in covering the 2nd Australian Division, and between 8 and 25 August played a part in the highly successful attack by Fourth Army, the Battle of Amiens. Meanwhile the infantry of the Division continued to rebuild and train. On 30 July, the Division moved to III Corps and the area of Vignacourt, Canaples and Pernois.

        The Battle of Albert, a phase of the Second Battles of the Somme 1918

        Under the command of III Corps and on the left flank of this Corps front along the River Ancre, the Division generally played only a holding role on 8 August 1918 when Fourth Army made its great attack. However, German withdrawal from the Ancre and from Dernancourt being observed before the attack took place, 35 Brigade - on the Division's right - became involved. The 7/Norfolk and 9/Essex advanced to their objectives, consolidating a new line from the west of Morlancourt to the Ancre, but the Cambridgeshires on the right were held up by heavy fire from the Sailly Laurette road. The battalion renewed its attack later in the day, assisted by a tank, and achieved its objectives, capturing 316 enemy, 14 machine guns and 10 mortars. 37 Brigade took up this attack later on 9 August and succeeded in further captures. By the evening of 10 August the old Amiens defence line had been recaptured: in all the Division had by now advanced almost two miles.

        After a brief rest, the Division attacked again on 22 August, pushing right across the wilderness of the old Somme battlefield, capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood, which was reached after a week's continuous fighting. The Division had made an advance of another 15000 yards. It was relieved on 30 August by 47th (London) Division and moved back to the Carnoy-Briqueterie area.

        On 4-5 September 1918 the Division relieved 18th (Eastern) Division east of the Canal du Nord and just south of Manancourt, for an attack on Nurlu. Formidable wire defences and German counter attacks were overcome, Nurlu was taken. The German army retreated in haste for several miles, pursued by the Division which reached the line Sorel Wood - Lieramont cemetery. The advance was continued early on 8 September, capturing Guyencourt although in spite of heavy casualties. The movement halted 1000 yards west of Epehy and Pezieres, where the Division was relieved. It was now some 17 miles ahead of where the offensive had opened on 8 August. More than 1000 prisoners had been taken, as well as 17 artillery pieces and dozens of smaller weapons.

        The battles of the Hindenburg Line

        The Battle of Epehy

        After a rest in the area of Manancourt, the Division was ordered to renew the attack on Epehy. This took place on 18 September. Enemy strongholds at Malassise Farm and Fishers Keep held on stubbornly and caused heavy casualties but gradually resistance was overcome. Over the next few days further attacks were made against heavily defended posts and trenches; fighting was intense and progress slow.

        The Battle of the St Quentin canal

        On 27 September 1918, the British Third and Fourth Armies made a heavy attack on the Hindenburg Line. The role of 12th Division, still involved in pushing through and past the Epehy defences, was to secure the vantage points up to the St Quentin Canal and to protect the left flank of the 27th Division of the United States Army which was attacking under orders of Fourth Army. Localised actions took place at first before the main attack on 29 September, in which the Division fought up through the formidable mass of enemy trenches in front of Ossus Wood before reaching the western outskirts of Vendhuile. This successful action gave the US Division, 46th (North) Midland and Australian Divisions to the right the chance to break through the Hindenburg Line on this most important day in the the final offensive. The Division was now 26 miles from where the offensive had begun on 8 August and for that ground had lost 6229 officers and men. The Division was withdrawn for rest in the areas of Savy, Acq and Aubigny and left III Corps at this point.

        The Final Advance in Artois

        On the night 6-7 October 1918, the Division relieved 20th (Light) Division in Third Army, taking over the front sector between Oppy and Eleu dit Leauvette. It became apparent that the enemy was in the process of withdrawing from this area, leaving only stubborn outposts. Patrols pushed out and a general advance began through Drocourt, Mericourt and Billy-Montigny (east of Lens), in which the strong Drocourt-Queant Line was occupied by the Division. The advance had now assumed the characteristics of open warfare: the trenches were of the past and this battle became one of pursuit, communications and logistics. The advance pushed on through Courcelles, Henin-Lietard, past the Canal de la Haute Deule. By 23 October, the Division was crossing the River Scarpe at St Amand and four days later were at the Scheldt Canal. The Division was withdrawn for rest on 30 October and as events turned out, had finished its war.

        Once the enemy had signed the Armistice, the Division - not selected to advance into Germany - moved to the area east of Douai. Main activities were battlefield salvage and sports, as demobilisation began. On 22 March 1919, the Division ceased to exist.

        The order of battle of the 12th (Eastern) Division

        35th Brigade

        • 7th Bn, the Norfolk Regt
        • 7th Bn, the Suffolk Regt left May 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Essex Regt
        • 5th Bn, the Royal Berkshire Regt left February 1918
        • 35th Machine Gun Company formed 1 February 1916, left to move into 12th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 35th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 25 June 1916
        • 1/1st Bn, the Cambridgeshire Regt joined May 1918

        36th Brigade

        • 8th Bn, the Royal Fusiliers disbanded February 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Royal Fusiliers
        • 7th Bn, the Royal Sussex Regt
        • 11th Bn, the Middlesex Regt disbanded February 1918
        • 36th Machine Gun Company formed 1 February 1916, left to move into 12th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 36th Trench Mortar Battery formed 15 June 1916
        • 5th Bn, the Royal Berkshire Regt joined February 1918

        37th Brigade

        • 6th Bn, the Queen's
        • 6th Bn, the Buffs
        • 7th Bn, the East Surrey Regt disbanded February 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Royal West Kent Regt
        • 37th Machine Gun Company formed 4 February 1916, left to move into 12th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 37th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 15 June 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 5th Bn, the Northamptonshire Regt
        • 9 Motor Machine Gun Battery joined early 1915, left 20 June 1915
        • 235th Machine Gun Company joined 16 July 1917, left to move into 12th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 12th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 1 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, the King Edward's Horse ljoined April 1915, left June 1916
        • 12th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 15 June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXII Brigade, RFA
        • LXIII Brigade, RFA
        • LXIV Brigade, RFA left 6 January 1917
        • LXV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 30 August 1916
        • 12th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 12th Heavy Battery, RGA left 8 June 1915
        • V.12 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 31 July 1916, disbanded 12 February 1918
        • X.12, Y.12 and Z.12 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed 1 July 1916; on 16 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 69th Field Company
        • 70th Field Company
        • 87th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 12th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 36th Field Ambulance
      • 37th Field Ambulance
      • 38th Field Ambulance
      • 23rd Sanitary Section left 1 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 12th Divisional Train ASC 116, 117, 118 and 119 Companies
      • 23rd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 214th Divisional Employment Company joined 16 June 1917
      • 12th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 7 June 1915, absorbed into Divisional Train 16 April 1916


         The 13th (Western) Division came into existence as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Western Command. The infantry brigades began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914; 39th went to Basingstoke in January 1915. Towards the end of February the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire.

      1915

      On 7 June 1915, orders were received to prepare to move to the Mediterranean. All mechanical transport was withdrawn and the first reinforcement drafts were ordered not to sail (other than those for the artillery, end RE Companies).

      13 June 1915 : first transports left port, and sailed to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing at Gallipoli. Between 6-16 July 1915 the Divisional infantry landed on Cape Helles and relieved 29th Division. They left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between 3-5 August 1915.

      Gallipoli

      • The Battle of Sari Bair
      • The Battle of Russell's Top
      • The Battle of Hill 60, ANZAC

      Soon afterwards the Division was transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. It was evacuated from Suvla 19-20 December 1915, whereupon the infantry moved after a weeks rest to the Helles bridgehead.

      1916

      The last Turkish attacks at Helles

      On 8-9 January 1916, the Division was evacuated from Helles and by 31 January was concentrated at Port Said. The Division held forward posts in the Suez Canal defences.

      On the 12th February 1916 it began to move to Mesopotamia, to strengthen the force being assembled for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. By 27 March, the Division had assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad and came under orders of the Tigris Corps. It then took part in the attempts to relieve Kut. After these efforts failed and Kut fell, the British force in the theatre was built up and reorganised.

      1917

      • The Battle of Kut al Amara
      • The capture of the Hai Salient
      • The capture of Dahra Bend
      • The passage of the Diyala

      At 10.30am on 11 March 1917, D Squadron, 1/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry and the 6th (Service) Btn, King's Own were the first British troops to enter Baghdad, which fell on this day.

      During the rest of March and April 1917, operations were undertaken to consolidate the position won at Baghdad, by pushing north across Iraq. As part of "Marshall's Column", the Division fought at Delli 'Abbas (27-28 March), Duqma (29 March), Nahr Kalis (9-15 April), crossed the 'Adhaim (18 April) and at Shatt al 'Adhaim (30 April).

      It also fought later in the year, in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin (18-20 October and 3-6 December 1917), and finally at Tuz Khurmatli (29 April 1917).

      1918

      By 28 May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and it remained here until the end of the war. In this inhospitable place, men endured summer temperatures as high as 111 degrees F in the shade. Many working parties were supplied for work on maintaining roads.

      On 1 July 1918, Division received orders to detach 39th Brigade for the North Persia Force. It left the Division between 10 July and 19 August 1918. Brigade HQ arrived in Baku at Dunsterforce HQ on 24 August 1918.

      In October and early November 1918, parts of 40th Brigade and the Divisional artillery took part in operations as part of "Lewin's Column", pushing north towards Turkey, with advance units reaching as far as Altun Kopri when Turkey signed an Armistice on 31 October 1918.

      By 31 December 1918, all areas north of Kirkuk had been evacuated. On 11 January 1919, the Division - by now only some 12,000 strong - began to move south to Amara, and disbandment of the Division proceeded there during February 1919.

      6th (Service) Btn, East Lancashire and 6th (Service) Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were selected for the Army of Occupation in Mesopotamia and were posted to join 34th Indian Infantry Brigade.

      13th (Western) Division, the only wholly British Division to have served in Mesopotamia, ceased to exist on 17 March 1919. During the war it had suffered 12,656 killed, wounded and missing, and 57,667 went sick (most of whom returned to duty, and this figure will include men who reported on more than one occasion).

      The units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 13th (Western) Division

      38th Brigade

      • 6th Btn, King's Own
      • 6th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment
      • 6th Btn,South Lancashire Regiment
      • 6th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
      • 38th Machine Gun Company joined 24 October 1916
      • 38th Supply & Transport Column ASC formed January 1917, merged into Div Train 1 August 1918
      • 38th Trench Mortar Battery G Battery joined from 39th Brigade 7 October 1917, renamed 38th Battery February 1918
      • 38th SAA Section ASC joined March 1918

      39th Brigade

      1 July 1918 : Brigade received orders to be detached from Division and to be attached to the North Persia Force. It left the Division between 10 July and 19 August 1918. Brigade HQ arrived in Baku at Dunsterforce HQ on 24 August 1918.

      • 9th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
      • 7th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment
      • 9th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment
      • 7th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment
      • 39th Machine Gun Company joined 26 October 1916
      • 39th Supply & Transport Column ASC formed January 1917
      • 39th Trench Mortar Battery joined as G Battery 13 January 1917, moved to 38th Brigade 7 October 1917. Replaced by H Battery, which arrived from 14th (Indian) Division on 8 October 1917 and was renamed 39th Battery 18 February 1918
      • 39th SAA Section ASC joined March 1918

      40th Brigade

      • 8th Btn, Cheshire Regiment
      • 8th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
      • 4th Btn, South Wales Borderers
      • 8th Btn, Welsh Regt left January 1915 to become Divisional Pioneer Bn
      • 5th Btn, the Wiltshire Regt joined December 1914
      • 40th Machine Gun Company joined 24 October 1916
      • 40th Supply & Transport Column ASC formed January 1917, merged into Div Train 1 August 1918
      • 40th Trench Mortar Battery joined as I Battery 23 September 1917, renamed 40th battery 18 February 1918

      Divisional Troops

      • 5th Btn, Wiltshire Regt left for 40th Brigade December 1914
      • 8th Btn, Welsh Regt became Divisional Pioneer Battalion from January 1915
      • 273rd Company, MGC formed October-November 1917

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • C Sqn, 33rd (Indian) Cavalry attached briefly in March 1916
      • D Sqn, 1/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry joined 8 July 1916, left 20 November 1916, rejoined 3 March 1917, left 3 August 1917
      • 13th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps

      Divisional Artillery

      • LXVI Brigade, RFA
      • LXVII Brigade, RFA left for 10th (Irish) Division October 1915
      • LXVIII Brigade, RFA left for 10th (Irish) Division October 1915
      • LXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up May 1916
      • LV Brigade, RFA arrived from 10th (Irish) Division January 1916
      • LVI Brigade, RFA arrived from 10th (Irish) Division January 1916, left July 1916
      • 13th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA joined August 1914, but did not go overseas with the Division. Unlike in most other Divisions, each artillery brigade retained its own Ammunition Column
      • 13th Heavy Battery, RGA raised for this Division, the Battery was ordered to France on 30 May 1915 as part of XVII Heavy Brigade. On 23 October 1915, it joined 28th Division
      • 91st Heavy Battery, RGA joined for Gallipoli 7 June 1915, left for XCVI Brigade RGA in 1917
      • 74th Heavy Battery, RGA joined in Mesopotamia 24 August 1916, left for LXVI Brigade 23 November 1916
      • 157th Heavy Battery, RGA one section was attached January-February 1917
      • 2/104th Heavy Battery, RGA attached February-March and October-December 1917
      • 157th Siege Battery, RGA attached briefly in February 1917 26 (Jacob's) Mountain Battery, RGA joined 23 October 1917, left 10 August 1918
      • 177th Heavy Battery, RGA joined 25 October 1917, left 29 May 1918
      • 384th Siege Battery, RGA joined 25 October 1917, left 1 October 1918
      • 387th Siege Battery, RGA joined 25 October 1917, left 24 March 1918
      • The Division had no Medium or Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries, but had four "Trench Howitzer Batteries" armed with 2-inch mortars. They were numbered 133, 135, 136 and 137. Joined Division January-February 1917.

      Royal Engineers

      • 71st Field Company
      • 72nd Field Company left for North Persia Force with 39th Brigade Group
      • 88th Field Company
      • 13th Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 39th Field Ambulance
      • 40th Field Ambulance left for North Persia Force with 39th Brigade Group
      • 41st Field Ambulance
      • 24th Sanitary Section went to Egypt
      • 28th Sanitary Section joined in Mesoptamia in March 1916

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 13th Divisional Train ASC originally 120, 121, 122, 123 Coys. This Train did not sail for Gallipoli. It moved to Egypt in November 1915 and joined 28th Division. A Divisional Transport and Supply Column was formed for the Division in Mesopotamia. On 1 August 1918, the Brigade Transport and Supply Columns from 38th and 40th Brigade merged with it, at which point this unit once again became known as 13th Divisional Train
      • 24th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 13th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined Division September 1915 but did not go overseas
      • 10th Field Bakery ASC joined as first British mobile field bakery, 23 April 1916
      • 31st Field Butchery ASC joined 23 April 1916


         The 14th (Light) Division was formed as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers. At first it was numbered the 8th (Light) Division, but as more regular army units became available to create a Division, they were given precedence and this was renumbered as the 14th (Light) Division. Initially without equipment or arms of any kind, the recruits were judged to be ready by May 1915, although its move to the fighting front was delayed by lack of rifle and artillery ammunition. The 14th (Light) Division served on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in the following engagements:

      1915

      • The Action of Hooge, in which the Division had the misfortune to be the first to be attacked by flamethrower.
      • The Second Attack on Bellewaarde

      1916

      • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
      • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Battle of Langemark - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of the Avre - Somme
        • The Battle of Ypres and the final advance in Flanders

        On the Somme in 1918 the Division suffered very severe casualties, losing almost 6,000 troops. XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the line and placed on the construction of a new defensive line in the rear. On 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre. Various units were temporarily attached before the Division was moved to England for re-establishment on 17th of June 1918. The refreshed Division, although still short on numbers, moved back to France and joined Second Army in early July 1918.

        On 24 March 1919 the Division ceased to exist, having suffered more than 37,100 casualties during the war.

        The units forming the divisional order of battle of the 14th (Light) Division

        41st Brigade

        • 7th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps left February 1918
        • 8th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 7th Btn, Rifle Brigade left June 1918
        • 8th Btn, Rifle Brigade left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 41st Machine Gun Company joined 15 February 1916, left to move into 14th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 41st Trench Mortar Battery joined 2 May 1916
        • 18th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment joined in England June 1918
        • 29th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined in England June 1918
        • 33rd Btn, London Regiment joined in England June 1918

        42nd Brigade

        • 5th Btn, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 5th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry disbanded February 1918
        • 9th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 9th Btn, Rifle Brigade left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 42nd Machine Gun Company joined 24 February 1916, left to move into 14th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 42nd Trench Mortar Battery joined 15 April 1916
        • 6th Btn, Wiltshire Regt joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt
        • 16th Btn, Manchester Regt joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt
        • 14th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt

        43rd Brigade

        • 6th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry left June 1918
        • 6th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry disbanded February 1918
        • 6th Btn, Yorkshire Light Infantry disbanded February 1918
        • 10th Btn, Durham Light Infantry disbanded February 1918
        • 43rd Machine Gun Company formed at Houtkerque 16 February 1916, left to move into 16th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 43rd Trench Mortar Battery joined 24 April 1916
        • 9th Btn, Cameronians joined February 1918, left April 1918
        • 7th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps joined February 1918, left as a cadre June 1918
        • 12th Btn, Suffolk Regiment joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt
        • 6th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers briefly attached June 1918
        • 20th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt
        • 10/11th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt

        Divisional Troops

        • 11th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) became Divisional Pioneer Battalion joined January 1915, left June 1918
        • 8th Btn, Devonshire Regt left May 1915
        • 15th Btn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regt joined in England June 1918
        • 6th Btn, the Leinster Regt briefly attached July 1918
        • 8th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined early 1915, left 5 November 1916
        • 249th Machine Gun Company joined 21 July 1917, left 1 October 1917
        • 224th Machine Gun Company joined 17 November 1917, left to move into 14th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 14th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 1 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • D Sqn, Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry left 11 May 1916
        • 14th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 11 January 1915, left 11 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XLVI Brigade, RFA
        • XLVII Brigade, RFA
        • XLVIII Brigade, RFA left 7 January 1917
        • XLIX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 6 October 1916
        • 14th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 14th Heavy Battery, RGA formed as 8th (New) Heavy Battery RGA - the most senior Heavy Battery of the New Armies - on 12 October 1914. Designation changed soon after, and joined Division 9 February 1915. Left on 8 June 1915 and joined XVI Heavy Artillery Brigade.
        • V.14 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 28 July 1916, left 19 January 1918 to join Fifth Army Mortar School
        • X.14, Y.14 and Z.14 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed 11 March 1916; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 61st Field Company
        • 62nd Field Company
        • 89th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 14th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 42nd Field Ambulance
        • 43rd Field Ambulance
        • 44th Field Ambulance
        • 25th Sanitary Section left 1 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 14th Divisional Train ASC 100, 101, 102 and 103 Companies
        • 26th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 215th Divisional Employment Company, Labour Corps joined by 9 June 1917
        • 14th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           15th (Scottish) Division was established by the Scottish Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The Division was inspected by HM King George V on 26 September 1914 - the first occasion on which the Division paraded as a formed unit, and with the exception of the Staff, plain clothes were worn. By 22 January 1915 the Division was in uniform for an inspection by Kitchener. By the early summer of 1915, the Division was considered to be ready for France and embarkation orders were received on 3 July 1915. The Division served with distinction on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in most of the significant actions and winning regard by the enemy as one of the most formidable in the British army.

        1915

        The Battle of Loos

        1916

        • In spring 1916, the Division was involved in German gas attacks near Hulluch (27-29 April 1916) and in the defence of the Kink position (11 May 1916). These are among the engagements officially known as the Actions of Spring 1916.
        • The Battle of Pozieres - Somme
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme in which the Division captured Martinpuich
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme in which the Division took part in attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive in which the Division captured Guemappe
        • The Battle of Pilckem - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Langemark - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The First Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
        • The Battle of the Soissonnais and of the Ourcq including the the attack on Buzancy, a phase of the Battles of the Marne
        • The Final Advance in Artois

        Order of Battle of the 15th (Scottish) Division

        44th Brigade

        • 9th Btn, Black Watch left February 1918
        • 8th Btn, Seaforth Highlanders
        • 9th Btn, Gordon Highlanders left January 1915
        • 10th Btn, Gordon Highlanders left May 1916
        • 7th Btn, Cameron Highlanders joined January 1915, left as a cadre June 1918
        • 1/4th Btn, Black Watch joined November 1915, left January 1916
        • 8th Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined May 1916, left as a cadre June 1918. Renamed 8/10th Btn from May 1916
        • 44th Machine Gun Company joined 12 January 1916, left to move into 15th MG Battalion 17 March 1918
        • 44th Trench Mortar Battery joined 25 June 1916
        • 4/5th Btn, Black Watch joined June 1918
        • 1/5th Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined June 1918

        45th Brigade

        • 13th Btn, Royal Scots
        • 7th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers. joined in September 1914, renamed 6/7th Btn in May 1916, left February 1918
        • 6th Btn, Cameron Highlanders
        • 11th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 45th Machine Gun Company joined 12 February 1916, left to move into 15th MG Battalion 17 March 1918
        • 45th Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 June 1916
        • 1/8th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined June 1918

        46th Brigade

        • 7th Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers
        • 8th Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers merged and became 7/8th Bn, May 1916
        • 10th Btn, Cameronians
        • 12th Btn, Highland Light Infantry left February 1918
        • 1/4th Btn, Suffolk Regiment joined November 1915, left February 1916
        • 1/4th Btn, Seaforth Highlanders joined November 1915, left February 1916
        • 46th Machine Gun Company joined 11 February 1916, left to move into 15th MG Battalion 17 March 1918
        • 10/11th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined May 1916, left February 1918
        • 46th Trench Mortar Battery joined 20 June 1916
        • 9th Btn, Black Watch joined February 1918, left as a cadre May 1918
        • 4/5th Btn, Black Watch joined May 1918, left June 1918
        • 1/9th Btn, Royal Scots joined June 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 7th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment left February 1915
        • 7th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left April 1915
        • 9th Btn, Gordon Highlanders joines as Divisional Pioneer Battalion January 1915
        • 11th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 23 June 1915, left 22 July 1916
        • 225th Machine Gun Company joined 19 July 1917, left to move into 15th MG Battalion 17 March 1918
        • 15th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 17 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • B Sqn, Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry joined 23 June 1915, left 10 May 1916
        • 15th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 23 December 1914, left 21 June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXX Brigade, RFA
        • LXXI Brigade, RFA
        • LXXII Brigade, RFA left 20 January 1917
        • LXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 1-3 December 1916
        • 15th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 15th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to Gallipoli and was attached to 10th (Irish) Division in 1915
        • V.15 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined November 1916, left 9 February 1918
        • X.15, Y.15 and Z.15 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed by June 1916; on 9 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 73rd Field Company
        • 74th Field Company
        • 91st Field Company joined January 1915
        • 15th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 45th Field Ambulance
        • 46th Field Ambulance
        • 47th Field Ambulance
        • 32nd Sanitary Section left 29 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 15th Divisional Train ASC 138, 139, 140 and 141 Companies
        • 27th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 216th Divisional Employment Company joined 22 May 1917
        • 15th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           16th (Irish) Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The Division moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. The training and preparation of the Division was slowed by the loss of many of its units to the 37th and Guards Divisions when they were created in 1915.

        In December 1915 the Division moved to France and concentrated in the Bethune area. It served on the Western Front with distinction throughout the war.

        1916

        • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme in which the Division captured the village
        • The Battle of Ginchy - Somme

        1917

        • The Battle of Messines
        • The Battle of Langemark

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Rosieres - Somme

        On the 18th of June 1918 after suffering very heavy casualties a decision was taken to return the Division to England for refit and it was then significantly reconstituted. The Division lost virtually all of its remaining Irish units at this point. They returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and took part in the Final Advance in Artois.

        The Division suffered the loss of more than 28,000 casualties during the war.

        Order of Battle of the 16th (Irish) Division

        47th Brigade

        • 6th Btn, Royal Irish Regiment disbanded 9 February 1918. Troops were redeployed to 2nd and 7th Royal Irish Regiment
        • 6th Btn, Connaught Rangers reduced to cadre 13 April 1918. Troops were redeployed to 2nd Leinster, left June 1918
        • 7th Btn, Leinster Regiment disbanded 14 February 1918. Troops went to 2nd Btn and to 19th Entrenching Bn,
        • 8th Btn, the Royal Munster Fusiliers absorbed by 1st Btn of the regiment on 23 November 1916
        • 47th Machine Gun Company MGC joined 28 April 1916, moved to 16th Battalion MGC 9 March 1918
        • 47th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 June 1916, reformed in England 1918
        • 1st Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined 22 November 1916, left 20 April 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Leinster Regiment joined 2 February 1918, left 23 April 1918
        • 14th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment joined 26 June 1918, after absorbing 2/4th Btn of the regiment
        • 6/7th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined as a cadre June 1918, left July 1918
        • 9th Btn, Black Watch joined 2 July 1918 after absorbing 15th Btn of the regiment
        • 18th Btn, Welsh Regiment joined 7 July 1918 after absorbing 25th Btn of the regiment

        48th Brigade

        • 7th Btn, Royal Irish Rifles left 23 August 1917
        • 9th Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers disbanded 30 May 1916. Troops deployed to 1st, 2nd and 8th Bns of the regiment
        • 8th Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers merged and became 8/9th Bn 24 October 1917. Surplus troops went to 10th Btn. Disbanded 10 February 1918, troops went to 1st Btn
        • 9th Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers amalgamated into 8/9 Btn 24 October 1917
        • 48th Machine Gun Company MGC joined 28 April 1916, moved to 16th Battalion MGC 9 March 1918
        • 1st Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined 28 May 1916, left 22 November 1916
        • 48th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 24 June 1916, reformed in England 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined 16 November 1916, amalgamated with 1st Btn 14 April 1918. 2nd Btn was then reformed as a training cadre. Left 1 June 1918
        • 1st Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined 19 October 1917, amalgamated with 2nd Btn 14 April 1918. Left 26 April 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined 3 February 1918, left as cadre 19 May 1918, surplus troops going to 1st Btn. Left 31 May 1918
        • 22nd Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers joined 2 July 1918, after absorbing 38th NF.
        • 18th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) joined 2 July 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined 10 June 1918, absorbed by 5th Bn 29 August 1918
        • 5th Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers joined 24 August 1918
        • 10th Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined 23 June 1917, left 13 February 1918. Disbanded two days later and troops went to 19th Entrenching Bn

        49th Brigade

        • 7th Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers amalgamated with 8th Btn 15 October 1916 and became 7/8th Btn. Disbanded 10 February 1918, troops going to 1st and 9th Btns
        • 8th Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers amalgamated with 8th Btn 15 October 1916 and became 7/8th Btn
        • 7th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers amalgamated with 8th Bn 23 August 1917 and became 7/8th Btn. Reduced to cadre 22 April 1918, surplus troops to 2nd Royal Irish Regiment. Cadre left 17 June 1918
        • 8th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined October 1914, amalgamated with 7th Btn 23 August 1917
        • 49th Machine Gun Company MGC joined 29 April 1916, moved to 16th Battalion MGC 9 March 1918
        • 49th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 June 1916, reformed in England 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined 14 October 1916, left 23 April 1918
        • 7th Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined 14 October 1917, reduced to cadre 18 April 1918. Left 17 June 1918
        • 34th Btn, London Regiment joined 27 June 1918
        • 7th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps joined as a cadre June 1918, absorbed by 34th London Regiment in same month
        • 5th Btn, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry joined as a cadre June 1918, absorbed by 18th Gloucesters in same month
        • 13th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry joined as a cadre June 1918, absorbed by 6th Somersets in same month
        • 7th Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined as a cadre June 1918, absorbed by 11th Royal Irish Fusiliers in same month
        • 6/7th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined as a cadre June 1918, absorbed by 18th Scottish Rifles in same month
        • 18th Btn, the Gloucestershire Regiment joined 2 July 1918
        • 6th Btn, the Somerset Light Infantry joined 4 July 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 11th Btn, Hampshire Regiment joined 20 September 1914. Absorbed many troops of 13th Btn, Border Regiment in June 1918
        • 269th Machine Gun Company MGC joined 18 January 1918, moved to 16th Battalion MGC 9 March 1918
        • 16th Machine Gun Battalion MGC formed 9 March 1918. Broken up at Camiers on 8 May 1918 and troops transferred to infantry. A new Bn was formed at Grantham on 18 June 1918 and joined the Division on 2 August 1918
        • 19th Entrenching Battalion joined 4 April 1918, disbanded 5 May 1918. Troops went to 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • 16th Divisional Cyclist Company joined 11 December 1914, disbanded 1 June 1916. Troops redeployed to the infantry
        • C Squadron, South Irish Horse joined January 1915, left 17 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXXIV Brigade RFA left in July 1915 to join Guards Division
        • LXXV Brigade RFA left in July 1915 to join Guards Division
        • LXXVI Brigade RFA left in July 1915 to join Guards Division
        • LXXVII (H) Brigade RFA left in July 1915 but rejoined in France 22nd of February 1916, left 22nd of February 1917
        • CLXXVII Brigade RFA joined in France on 22nd of February 1916
        • CLXXX Brigade RFA joined in France on 22nd of February 1916
        • CLXXXII Brigade RFA joined in France on 22nd of February 1916. Broken up on 27th of August 1916
        • 16th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA the original DAC left in August 1915 to join Guards Division. A new DAC joined Division in France on 22nd of February 1916
        • 16th Heavy Battery RGA raised for the Division but moved independently to France in July 1915
        • X.16, Y.16 and Z.16 Medium Trench Mortar Batteries RFA joined by June 1916. Z.16 broken up 27 February 1918. X.16 and Y.16 broken up 20 April 1918, troops being absorbed by other units
        • V.16 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined by 5 September 1916, left February 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 75th Field Company left 13 August 1915 to join Guards Division
        • 76th Field Company left 13 August 1915 to join Guards Division
        • 16th Divisional Signal Company left 13 August 1915 to join Guards Division. A new Company joined in September 1915
        • 95th Field Company joined 30 January 1915 from 26th Division, left 17 August 1915 to join 7th Division
        • 155th Field Company joined in August 1915
        • 156th Field Company joined in August 1915
        • 157th Field Company joined in August 1915

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 48th Field Ambulance left June 1915 and joined 37th Division
        • 49th Field Ambulance left June 1915 and joined 37th Division
        • 50th Field Ambulance left June 1915 and joined 37th Division
        • 111th Field Ambulance joined September 1915
        • 112th Field Ambulance joined September 1915
        • 113th Field Ambulance joined September 1915
        • 81st Sanitary Section joined before embarkation, left for IX Corps in April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 16th Divisional Train ASC 142, 143, 144 and 145 Companies
        • 16th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 25 December 1915 from
        • Lahore Division. Absorbed into Divisional Train by 9 April 1916
        • 217th Divisional Employment Company formed by 30 June 1917
        • 47th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC


           17th (Northern) Division was established by the Northern Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Wareham - Lulworth - Swanage - Wool- Bovington area of Dorset but moved in late May 1915 to the Winchester area. After receiving an order that the Division would be retained for home defence (subsequently cancelled), advance parties left for France on 6th of July. Main embarkation began on 12 July and units moved to concentrate near St Omer. The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1915

        The Division spent its initial period of trench familiarisation and then holding the front lines in the southern area of the Ypres salient.

        1916

        • The Actions of Spring 1916.
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme in which the Division captured Fricourt
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Capture of Roeux - Arras Offensive
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Amiens - Somme
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Havrincourt - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Artois
        • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Artois

        When the Armistice came into effect at 1100 on 11th of November 1918 the leading elements of the Division were south east of Maubeuge. Over the next two days the Division was withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau; on 6 December it moved behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation began in January 1919 and the Division ceased to exist at the end of May.

        In all the 17th (Northern) Division had suffered the loss of 40258 killed, wounded and missing.

        Order of Battle of the 17th (Northern) Division

        50th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 7th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment left March 1915
        • 6th Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment joined March 1915
        • 50th Machine Gun Company joined 12 February 1916, left to move into 17th MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 50th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 25 June 1916

        51st Brigade

        • 7th Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Border Regiment
        • 8th Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 10th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 51st Machine Gun Company joined 12 February 1916, left to move into 17th MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 51st Trench Mortar Battery formed by 3 July 1916
        • 3/4th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment joined 22 June 1917, left 12 July 1917

        52nd Brigade

        • 9th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers left August 1917
        • 10th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
        • 9th Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
        • 12th Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 52nd Machine Gun Company joined 12 February 1916, left to move into 17th MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 52nd Trench Mortar Battery formed by 15 June 1916
        • 3/4th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment joined 3 August 1917, disbanded by 20 February 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 6th Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment left March 1915
        • 7th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment joined as Pioneer Battalion March 1915
        • 3/4th Btn, the Royal West Kent Regiment attached as Pioneer Battalion 12 July - 3 August 1917
        • 12th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 10 July 1915, left 7 May 1916
        • 236th Machine Gun Company joined 17 July 1917, left to move into 17th MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 17th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 24 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, Yorkshire Dragoons Yeomanry left 10 May 1916
        • 17th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 24 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXXVIII Brigade, RFA
        • LXXIX Brigade, RFA
        • LXXX Brigade, RFA broken up 31 August 1916
        • LXXXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 1-27 January 1917
        • 17th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 17th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to France and joined XXIX Heavy Artillery Brigade on 9 October 1915
        • V.17 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 22 August 1916, left 28 February 1918
        • X.17, Y.17 and Z.17 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed by 22 August 1916; by 28 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 77th Field Company
        • 78th Field Company
        • 93rd Field Company
        • 17th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 51st Field Ambulance
        • 52nd Field Ambulance
        • 53rd Field Ambulance
        • 34th Sanitary Section left 10 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 17th Divisional Train ASC 146, 147, 148 and 149 Companies
        • 29th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 218th Divisional Employment Company joined 9 June 1917
        • 17th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train 2 April 1916


           18th (Eastern) Division was established by Eastern Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were difficult, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved in May 1915 to Salisbury Plain. King George V inspected the Division on 24 June. Embarkation for France began on a month later and the units assembled near Flesselles, completing concentration there five days later.

        They served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme in which the Division captured its objectives near Montauban
        • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme in which the Division captured Trones Wood
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Thiepval Ridge - Somme
        • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme in which the Division played a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and in the capture of Regina Trench
        • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

        1917

        • Operations on the Ancre (notably Miraumont and the capture of Irles)
        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe, a phase of the Arras offensive
        • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of Ypres
        • First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of the Avre - Somme
        • The actions of Villers-Brettoneux - Somme
        • The Battle of Amiens
        • The Battle of Albertin - Somme. in which the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and recaptured Trones Wood
        • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Artois
        • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Artois

        When the Armistice came into effect at 11am on 11 November 1918 the units of the Division were in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau. Demobilisation began on 10th of December 1918 and by 19th/20th of March 1919 the Division ceased to exist. 18th (Eastern) Division casualties amounted to 46503 killed, wounded and missing, of whom 13727 died and are listed in the Divisional roll of honour held at St James's Church in Colchester.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 18th (Eastern) Division

        53rd Brigade

        • 8th Btn, Norfolk Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 8th Btn, Suffolk Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 10th Btn, Essex Regiment
        • 6th Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 53rd Machine Gun Company joined 13 February 1916, left to move into 18th MG Battalion 16 February 1918
        • 53rd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 17 June 1916
        • 8th Bn, Royal Berkshire Regiment joined February 1918
        • 7th Bn, Royal West Kent Regiment joined February 1918

        54th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, Royal Fusiliers left October 1914
        • 11th Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 8th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment left February 1915
        • 12th Btn, Middlesex Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 6th Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment joined November 1914
        • 7th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined February 1915
        • 54th Machine Gun Company joined 13 February 1916, left to move into 18th MG Battalion 16 February 1918
        • 54th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 June 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined May 1918

        55th Brigade

        • 7th Btn, The Queen's
        • 7th Btn, The Buffs
        • 8th Btn, East Surrey Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment left February 1918
        • 55th Machine Gun Company joined 13 February 1916, left to move into 18th MG Battalion 16 February 1918
        • 55th Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 June 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 6th Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment left November 1914
        • 10th Btn, Royal Fusiliers joined October 1914, left March 1915
        • 8th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment joined as Pioneer Bn February 1915
        • 15th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 22 July 1915, left 4 May 1916
        • 18th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 16 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • C Sqn, Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry joined 15 June 1915, left 10 May 1916
        • 18th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 8 December 1914, left 21 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXXXII Brigade, RFA
        • LXXXIII Brigade, RFA
        • LXXXIV Brigade, RFA left 25 January 1917
        • LXXXV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 3 December 1916
        • 18th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 18th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to Egypt in October 1915 and spent most of the war in Salonika
        • V.18 and W. 18 Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries RFA V Bty formed 28 April 1916; was attached to Fourth Army TM School until 6 May 1916; left for II Corps on 19 February 1918. W Bty formed 21 May 1916, but broken up by 26 November 1916, having by then received no weapons
        • X.18, Y.18 and Z.18 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed by 19 June 1916; by 19 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 79th Field Company
        • 80th Field Company
        • 92nd Field Company
        • 18th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 54th Field Ambulance
        • 55th Field Ambulance
        • 56th Field Ambulance
        • 35th Sanitary Section. left 24 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 18th Divisional Train ASC 150, 151, 152 and 153 Companies
        • 30th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 219th Divisional Employment Company joined 3 June 1917
        • 18th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train 16 April 1916


           19th (Western) Division was established by the Western Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions moved into billets for the winter, in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare. In March 1915 all units concentrated near Tidworth. The Division was inspected by King George V on 23 June 1915. Advanced parties left for France on 11 July and the main body crossed the English Channel 16-21 July. Units initially moved to the point of assembly near St Omer. The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1915

        The Action of Pietre

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme in which the Division captured La Boisselle
        • The attacks on High Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Pozieres Ridge - Somme
        • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme
        • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

        1917

        • The Battle of Messines
        • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battles of Ypres
        • First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Messines - Lys
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Lys
        • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Lys
        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Picardy and the passage of the Grand Honelle

        The Division advanced across Marlborough's old battlefield at Malplaquet on 8 November, after which it was withdrawn into XVII Corps Reserve. When the Armistice came into effect at 1100 on 11 November 1918 the units of the Division were in billets near Bavay. By 26 November they had moved west to Naours. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and by 18/19 March 1919 the Division ceased to exist. Final cadres returned to England 21-27 June 1919.

        In all the 19th (Western) Division had suffered the loss of 39381 killed, wounded and missing.

        Order of Battle of the 19th (Western) Division.

        56th Brigade

        • 7th Btn, King's Own disbanded February 1918
        • 7th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 7th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 7th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 4th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 3 December 1915, left 19 December 1915
        • 56th Machine Gun Company joined 14 February 1916, although a provisional Company existed September - December 1915, left to move into 19th MG Battalion 14 February 1918
        • 56th Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 June 1916, broken up 5 February 1918 and reconstructed 6 March 1918
        • 9th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined February 1918
        • 1/4th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry joined February 1918
        • 8th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment joined February 1918

        57th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment
        • 10th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment left as a cadre June 1918
        • 8th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment left February 1918
        • 57th Machine Gun Company joined 14 February 1916, left to move into 19th MG Battalion 14 February 1918
        • 57th Trench Mortar Battery joined 15 June 1916
        • 3rd Btn, Worcestershire Regiment joined June 1918

        58th Brigade

        • 9th Btn, Cheshire Regiment left February 1918
        • 9th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 5th Btn, South Wales Borderers left December 1914
        • 9th Btn, Welsh Regiment
        • 6th Btn, Wiltshire Regiment joined December 1914, left as a cadre June 1918
        • 58th Machine Gun Company joined 14 February 1916, left to move into 19th MG Battalion 14 February 1918
        • 58th Trench Mortar Battery joined 15 June 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Wiltshire Regiment joined May 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 6th Btn, Wiltshire Regiment left December 1914
        • 5th Btn, South Wales Borderers joined as provisional Pioneer Bn December 1914, conversion completed February 1915
        • 13th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 14 July 1915, left 7 March 1916 246th Company, MGC joined 19 July 1917, moved into 19 Mg Bn 14 February 1918
        • 19th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 14 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • C Sqn, Yorkshire Dragoons Yeomanry joined 26 June 1915, left 21 April 1916
        • 19th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 19 November 1914, left 21 April 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXXXVI Brigade, RFA left 23 January 1917
        • LXXXVII Brigade, RFA
        • LXXXVIII Brigade, RFA
        • LXXXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 8-9 September 1916
        • 19th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 19th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to France on 15 July 1915 and joined XXI Brigade RGA
        • W.19 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined May 1916, disbanded 19 February 1918
        • X.19, Y.19 and Z.19 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed by May 1916; on 18 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 81st Field Company
        • 82nd Field Company
        • 94th Field Company
        • 19th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 57th Field Ambulance
        • 58th Field Ambulance
        • 59th Field Ambulance
        • 36th Sanitary Section left 9 July 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 19th Divisional Train ASC 154, 155, 156 and 157 Companies
        • 31st Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 220th Divisional Employment Company joined 19 July 1917
        • 19th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train 6 April 1916


           20th (Light) Division was established in September 1914 as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The units of the Division first assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. Artillery was particularly hard to come by; 12 old guns arrived from India in February 1915. When in the same month the Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, the artillery had to go by train as there was insufficient harness for the horses. Another move was made, to Salisbury Plain, in April 1915. The Division was inspected by King George V at Knighton Down on 24 June 1915, by which time all equipment had arrived and the Division was judged ready for war. On 26th of July 1915 the Division completed concentration in the Saint-Omer area, all units having crossed to France during the preceding few days. Early trench familiarisation and training took place in the Fleurbaix area.

        The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1916

        • The Battle of Mount Sorrel
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
        • The Battle of Morval - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Cambrai Operations

        1918

          The Battle of St Quentin - Somme The actions at the Somme crossings - Somme The Battle of Rosieres - Somme

        The Division was withdrawn after the heavy fighting of the Somme battles, moving on 20th of April 1918 to an area south west of Amiens. During the summer months it received many new drafts of men.

        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of Valenciennes - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Picardy and the passage of the Grand Honelle

        The Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge when the Armistice came into effect at 1100 on 11th of November. Late in the month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. demobilisation began on 7 January 1919 and the final cadres crossed to England on 28 May..

        In all the 20th (Light) Division had suffered the loss of 35470 killed, wounded and missing.

        Order of Battle of the 20th (Light) Division

        59th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps disbanded February 1918
        • 11th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
        • 10th Btn, Rifle Brigade disbanded February 1918
        • 11th Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 59th Machine Gun Company joined 3 March 1916, left to move into 20th MG Battalion 15 March 1918
        • 59th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 July 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Cameronians joined February 1918

        60th Brigade

        • 6th Btn, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry left February 1918
        • 6th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 12th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
        • 12th Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 60th Machine Gun Company joined 3 March 1916, left to move into 20th MG Battalion 15 March 1918
        • 60th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 July 1916

        61st Brigade

        • 7th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry
        • 7th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
        • 7th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry left February 1918
        • 11th Btn, Durham Light Infantry left January 1915
        • 12th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined January 1915
        • 61st Machine Gun Company joined 3 March 1916, left to move into 20th MG Battalion 15 March 1918
        • 61st Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 July 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 12th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left January 1915
        • 9th Btn, Devonshire Regiment left April 1915
        • 11th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined as Pioneer Bn January 1915
        • 14th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 26 January 1915, left 22 April 1916
        • 217th Company, MGC joined March 1917, moved into 20 MG Bn 15 March 1918
        • 20th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 15 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • HQ, D Sqn and MG Section, the Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry joined 24 June 1915, left 29 April 1916
        • 20th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 22 December 1914, left 17 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XC Brigade, RFA broken up 30 August 1916
        • XCI Brigade, RFA
        • XCII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left 8 January 1917
        • XCIII Brigade, RFA broken up 8-9 September 1916
        • 20th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 20th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to France in August 1915
        • V.20 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed by 24 May 1916, broken up 2 February 1918
        • X.20, Y.20 and Z.20 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed by 24 May 1916; on 2 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 83rd Field Company
        • 84th Field Company
        • 96th Field Company joined from 26th Division in January 1915
        • 20th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 60th Field Ambulance
        • 61st Field Ambulance
        • 62nd Field Ambulance
        • 33rd Sanitary Section left 24 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 20th Divisional Train ASC 158, 159, 160 and 161 Companies
        • 32nd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 221st Divisional Employment Company joined 30 June 1917
        • 20th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop disbanded 31 March 1916


           The 29th Division was one of three Divisions creates as regular units from the further garrisons of Empire arrived back in England after having received recall orders soon after war was declared, many having waited until a Territorial unit had gone out to replace them. The 29th Division was formed in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area of Warwickshire in January-March 1915. Originally intended for France, pressure on Lord Kitchener to launch a ground attack at Gallipoli forced him to deploy the Division there. The 29th Division embarked at Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd of March 1915 and went via Malta to Alexandria. On 7 April the first units to have arrived at Egypt Bena Ro re-embark for the move to Mudros, the deep water harbour at the island of Imbros that was going to be used as a forward base for operations at Gallipoli. The Division landed at Cape Helles on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and subsequently took part in the following actions:

        1915

        • The Naval bombardment of the Straits Forts
        • The Naval attempt to force the Straits
        • The Landings at Cape Helles and ANZAC Cove
        • The deployment of the RMLI to Gallipoli
        • The First Battle of Krithia
        • The Turkish night counter-attack
        • The Second Battle of Krithia
        • The Third Battle of Krithia
        • The Battle of Gully Ravine
        • The Landings at Suvla Bay and the ANZAC attack on Chunuk Bair
        • The Battle of Scimitar Hill and attack on Hill 60
        • Evacuation of ANZAC bridgehead and Suvla Bay
        • Evacuation of Cape Helles bridgehead

        1916

        On the nights on the 7th and 8th of January 1916, the Division was evacuated from Gallipoli and all units returned to Egypt. Orders were received there on 25th of February for a move to France. Embarking in March it arrived at Marseilles and moved to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy between 15th and 29th of March. The Division remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war.

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Cambrai

        1918

          The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys The Battle of Messines 1918 - Battles of the Lys The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence on Nieppe Forest - Battles of the Lys The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys The Action of Outtersteene Ridge - Advance in Flanders The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 - Advance in Flanders The Battle of Ypres 1918 - Final Advance in Flanders The Battle of Courtrai - Final Advance in Flanders

        After the Armistice the Division was among those selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead. All units crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on 4th of December 1918 and arrived in Cologne five days later. The Division crossed the Rhine by the Honhenzollern Bridge on 13 December. Gradually, demobilisation began and by March 1919 most units were down to cadre strength.

        Divisional Order of Battle of the 29th Division

        86th Infantry Brigade (Fusilier Brigade)

        • 2nd Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers left April 1916
        • 1st Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers left October 1917, rejoined April 1918
        • 2/3rd Btn, London Regiment joined August 1915, left January 1916 86th Machine Gun Company formed 26 February 1916, moved to 29 Battalion MGC on 15 Feb 1918
        • 16th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined April 1916, disbanded February 1918
        • 86th Trench Mortar Battery formed 21 April 1916
        • 1st Btn, the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry joined October 1917, left April 1918

        87th Infantry Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, South Wales Borderers
        • 1st Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers
        • 1st Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers left February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Border Regiment
        • 87th Machine Gun Company formed 16 February 1916, moved to 29 Battalion MGC on 15 Feb 1918
        • 87th Trench Mortar Battery formed 28 April 1916

        88th Infantry Brigade

        • 4th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Hampshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Essex Regiment left February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Royal Newfoundland Regiment left April 1918
        • 1/5th Btn, Royal Scots joined March 1915, left July 1915
        • 2/1st Btn, London Regiment joined August 1915, left January 1916
        • 88th Machine Gun Company formed 21 February 1916, moved to 29 Battalion MGC on 15 Feb 1918
        • 88th Trench Mortar Battery formed 16 April 1916
        • 2nd Btn, the Leinster Regiment joined April 1918

        Divisional Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 1/2nd tBn, Monmouthshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in May 1916
        • 29th Divisional Train 246, 247, 248 and 249 TF Companies, ASC. This was originally the Wessex Divisional Train from the Wessex Division. This transferred to 53rd (Welsh) Division in Egypt, March 1916, after seeing action in Gallipoli. A new Divisional Train was formed in England, consisting of 225, 226, 227 and 228 Companies, ASC. It moved to France and joined the Division 24 March 1916
        • 18th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 226th Divisional Employment Company joined on 25 May 1917 as 28th Employment Company, 1st Labour Corps; redesignated in June 1917
        • 29th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop remained in Egypt when Division moved to France. A fresh unit joined in France, and it was absorbed by the Divisional Supply Column in April 1916

        Divisional Mounted Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

        • C Sqn, Surrey Yeomanry left 11 May 1916
        • 1 Section, 10 Squadron, Royal Naval Armoured Car Detachment attached between 5 May 1915 and 20 June 1915

        Divisional Artillery

        • XV Brigade, RHA
        • XVII Brigade, RFA
        • CXLVII Brigade, RFA left January 1917
        • IV Highland Mountain Brigade, RGA left July 1915
        • 29th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA original 29th DAC remained in Egypt when the Division moved to France (in October 1916 it was transferred to the 10th (Irish) Division. While en-route to Salonika its ship was torpedoed and more than 100 men were lost). On arrival in France the former DAC of the 53rd (Welsh) Division joined 29th Division
        • CXXXII Brigade, RFA formerly LVII (H) joined 2 March 1916, broken up 12 September 1916
        • V.29 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed May 1916, broken up 4 February 1918
        • X.29, Y.29 and Z.29 Medium Trench Mortar Batteries, RFA joined April 1916; on 4 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 2nd (Lowland) Field Company left February 1916
        • 510th Field Company renamed from 2nd (London) Field Company
        • 455th Field Company renamed from 1st (West Riding) Field Company
        • 497th Field Company joined February 1916, renamed from 3rd (kent) Field Company
        • 1st London Divisional Signal Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 87th (1st West Lancashire) Field Ambulance
        • 88th (1st East Anglian) Field Ambulance
        • 89th (1st Highland) Field Ambulance
        • 16th Sanitary Section left April 1917


           The 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Tring area, spending some time in camp at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. The artillery was at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted, RE at Chesham, and ASC at Dunstable. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park, the artillery went to Aston Clinton (One brigade staying at Berkhamsted) and the RE to Wendover. Rifles were received in late June 1915 and after firing their first course the infantry moved from 9 August to Witley Camp. Lord Kitchener inspected the Division on the march on 12 August. Advanced parties embarking for France began on 2 September and the main body began to cross the Channel five days later. Units moved to assemble near Tilques, completing concentration on 13 September. The Division's first experience was truly appalling. Having been in France for only a few days, lengthy forced marches brought it into the reserve for the British assault at Loos. GHQ planning left it too far behind to be a useful reinforcement on the first day, but it was sent into action on 26 September, whereupon it suffered over 3,800 casualties for very little gain.

        The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1915

        The Battle of Loos

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
        • The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The flanking operations around Bullecourt - Arras Offensive
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Cambrai Operations

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The First Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Messines - Lys
        • The Second Battle of Kemmel - Lys
        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy

        When the Armistice came into effect at 1100 on 11th of November 1918 the units of the Division were halted around Berlaimont. Next day they moved to Beaufort, going between 12-20 December to west of Amiens. Demobilisation began and by 19 May 1919 the Division ceased to exist.

        In all the 21st Division had suffered the loss of 55581 killed, wounded and missing.

        Order of Battle of the 21st Division

        62nd Brigade

        • 12th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
        • 13th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers merged into 12th Bn in August 1917, renamed 12/13th Btn
        • 8th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left November 1915
        • 10th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment joined November 1915
        • 62nd Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, left to move into 21st MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 62nd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 16 June 1916
        • 3/4th Btn, Queen's joined 9 August 1917, disbanded by 11 February 1918, with large number of men going to 7th Queen's
        • 2nd Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment joined February 1918

        63rd Brigade

        On 8 July 1916 63rd Brigade was transferred to the 37th Division

        • 8th Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry
        • 12th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment left November 1915
        • 10th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 4th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined November 1915
        • 63rd Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916
        • 63rd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 16 June 1916

        64th Brigade

        • 9th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
        • 10th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire LI disbanded February 1918
        • 14th Btn, Durham Light Infantry left November 1915
        • 15th Btn, Durham Light Infantry
        • 1st Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment joined November 1915
        • 64th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, left to move into 21st MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 64th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 16 June 1916
        • 2nd Btn, South Lancashire Regiment joined 21 June 1918, left 30 June 1918

        110th Brigade (Leicester Tigers Brigade)

        On 7 July 1916 110th brigade was transferred from the 37th Division in exchange for 63rd Brigade

        • 6th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left June 1918
        • 9th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 110th Machine Gun Company left to move into 21st MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 110th Trench Mortar Battery
        • 1st Btn, Wiltshire Regiment joined June 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 14th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers became Divisional Pioneer Battalion in February 1915
        • 13th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps left April 1915
        • 13th Btn, Rifle Brigade left April 1915
        • 237th Machine Gun Company joined 17 July 1917, left to move into 21st MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 21st Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 24 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, South Irish Horse joined January 1915, left May 1916
        • 21st Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed February 1915, left 10 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XCIV Brigade, RFA
        • XCV Brigade, RFA
        • XCVI Brigade, RFA broken up 13 January 1917
        • XCVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 28-31 August 1916
        • 21st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 21st Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved to France as part of XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade on 21 August 1915
        • V.21 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 1 June 1916, left February 1918
        • W.21 Medium Mortar Battery RFA joined May 1916, left August 1916
        • X.21, Y.21 and Z.21 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined 1-13 March 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 85th Field Company left January 1915
        • 86th Field Company left February 1915
        • 97th Field Company
        • 98th Field Company
        • 126th Field Company joined March 1915
        • 21st Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 63rd Field Ambulance
        • 64th Field Ambulance
        • 65th Field Ambulance
        • 38th Sanitary Section left 1 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 21st Divisional Train ASC 182, 183, 184 and 185 Companies
        • 33rd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 222nd Divisional Employment Company joined 30 June 1917
        • 21st Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column April 1916


         Divisional History  The 22nd Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 22nd Division

        This Division was established in September 1914 as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units began to assemble in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery at Lewes, from September 1914. The Division remained in these areas, other than when the infantry moved for two weeks entrenchment training to Maidstone in April 1915, as it was trained and equipped.

        The Division crossed to France in early September 1915, all units being concentrated near Flesselles by 9th of the month. But the stay in France was to be very short.

        On 27 October 1915, the Division, having been moved by train to Marseilles, began to embark for Salonika. It completed concentration there in November, although the final artillery units were still coming in as late as 13 December 1915. The 22nd Division remained in the theatre for the rest of the war, taking part in the following operations:

        1915

        8-13 December: the Retreat from Serbia (Advanced Divisional HQ, 6th Brigade, 9th Border and 68th Field Ambulance only)

        1916

        • 10-18 August 1916: the Battle of Horseshoe Hill
        • 13-14 September 1916: the Battle of Machukovo

        1917

        24-25 April and 8-9 May 1917: the Battles of Doiran

        1918

        The Division lost a number of units in mid 1918; they were transferred to France

        18-19 September 1918: the Battle of Doiran

        An Armistice with Bulgaria was signed on 30 September 1918.

        By 18-20 October, units of the Division had marched back to Stavros. Here they embarked on destroyers with the intention of a landing at Dede Agach to continue the fight against Turkey. After one attempt was called off due to rough weather, the infantry finally landed on 28 October 1918. On reaching Makri, the Division learned that an Armistice with Turkey was imminent. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and the Division ceased to exist by 31 March 1919.

        The 22nd Division had suffered casualties of 7,728 killed, wounded and missing during the war but vastly larger numbers sick with malaria, dysentery and other diseases rife in the Salonika theatre.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 22nd Division

        65th Brigade

        • 9th Bn, the King's Own
        • 14th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) left 11 June 1918
        • 12th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers left 2 July 1918
        • 9th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment
        • 65th Machine Gun Company joined 14 July 1916
        • 65th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined by 17 July 1916
        • 65th Trench Mortar Battery joined 3 November 1916
        • 8th Bn, the South Wales Borderers joined July 1918

        66th Brigade

        • 9th Bn, the Border Regiment left February 1915
        • 9th Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment
        • 8th Bn, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 13th Bn, the Manchester Regiment left 28 June 1918
        • 12th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined February 1915
        • 66th Machine Gun Company joined 14 July 1916
        • 66th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined by 17 July 1916
        • 66th Trench Mortar Battery joined 5 November 1916

        67th Brigade

        • 11th Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 7th Bn, the South Wales Borderers
        • 8th Bn, the South Wales Borderers left 30 June 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Welsh Regiment
        • 67th Machine Gun Company joined 14 July 1916
        • 67th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined by 17 July 1916
        • 67th Trench Mortar Battery joined 4 November 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 12th Bn, the Cheshire regiment left February 1915
        • 10th Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left April 1915
        • 9th Bn, the North Staffordshire Regiment left April 1915
        • 9th Bn, the Border Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in February 1915
        • 10th Bn, the Hampshire Regiment joined January 1919, left February 1919
        • 2nd Bn, the QVO Rajput Light Infantry joined January 1919, left February 1919
        • 10th Bn, the Hampshire Regiment joined January 1919, left February 1919
        • 1/10th Bn, the Jats briefly in January 1919
        • 95th Bn, Russell's Infantry joined January 1919, left February 1919

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • D Sqn, the Lothians & Border Horse Yeomanry joined July 1915, left 29 November 1916
        • 22nd Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed February 1915, left November 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XCVIII Brigade, RFA
        • XCIX Brigade, RFA
        • C Brigade, RFA
        • CI Brigade, RFA
        • 22nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA transferred to become 'A' Section of XII Corps Ammunition Column, January 1915. 22nd Division retained the Brigade Ammunition Columns
        • 22nd Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved to France joining XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade on 31 August 1915

        Royal Engineers

        • 87th Field Company left February 1915
        • 88th Field Company left February 1915
        • 99th Field Company joined February 1915
        • 100th Field Company joined February 1915
        • 127th Field Company joined by June 1915
        • 22nd Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 66th Field Ambulance
        • 67th Field Ambulance
        • 68th Field Ambulance
        • 39th Sanitary Section

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 22nd Divisional Train ASC 186, 187, 188 and 189 Coys ASC joined October 1914 but moved to 30th Division when 22nd Division left France; 108, 109, 110 and 111 Coys ASC joined from 10th (Irish) Division when in Salonika
        • 34th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 816th Divisional Employment Company formed 10 October 1917
        • 22nd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop remained in France


           The 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units of the Division began to assemble at Bullswater (68th Brigade) and Frensham (69th and 70th Brigades and RE) in Hampshire in September 1914. The King, Queen and Princess Mary visited the fledgling Division on 29 September. The artillery formed at Mytchett Camp from November onwards. In early December, as the weather worsened, the Division moved into Aldershot, with CII and CIII Brigades of the artillery going to Ewshott. More moves were made to Shorncliffe in Kent at the end of February 1915 and to Bordon in Hampshire at the end of May. In April and May, some of the infantry was engaged on building defences to the south of London. Between 21 and 26 August 1915 the Division landed in Boulogne and proceeded to the concentrate near Tilques. The 23rd Division thereafter served on the Western Front until late 1917 when it moved to Italy.

        Actions:

        1915

        On 5 September the Division was attached to III Corps and moved to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, where trench familiarisation began under the tutelage of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. The Division took responsibility for a front line sector for the first time nine days later, taking over between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road. CIII and CV Brigades RFA were attached to 8th Division for operations in connection with the Battle of Loos. At this time, 23rd Division was holding the front at Bois Grenier. It remained in this area for a considerable time. 10th Northumberland Fusiliers carried out the Division's first trench raid in the night of 31st of December / 1st of January.

        1916

        The Division was relieved after a lengthy five month spell in the front line by 34th Division, between 26 January and 8 February 1916. After a certain amount of confusing movement, Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem and the units concentrated around Bruay. On 3 March 1916 orders were received to relieve the French 17th Division in the Carency sector. The front to be held was between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River, including the posts on the Notre Dame de Lorette hill behind. Artillery was positioned in the area Carency - Ablain St Nazaire - Bois de Bouvigny, an exposed position in which it was subject to severe shelling. In early March many former miners were withdrawn from the ranks to establish a Tunnelling Company of the Royal Engineers. Mid March saw 68th Brigade taking over the Calonne front and 69th the Angres front. Many parties attached to 176 Tunnelling Company RE especially for work in the Noulette sector. Relieved by 2nd Division between 12 and 19 April and withdrew to Bruay area. Moved back into the Souchez-Angres front 10-13 May.

        The German Attack on Vimy Ridge

        The enemy attack on 21 May fell most heavily on 47th (London) Division, which was to the 23rd Division's right in the area of Berthonval. Shellfire fell heavily around Aix Noulette from 1630. Divisional artillery was very active in support of the 47th Division until 24 May and again on 1 June when 2nd Division continued operations to recover lost ground. 23rd Division was relieved by 47th (London) Division on 11 June and moved to Bomy, with the artillery going to Chamblain Chatelain ("Charlie Chaplin") and Therouanne. Intensive training commenced.

        23rd Division took part in the following major engagements:

        • The Battle of Albert
        • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge
        • The Battle of Pozieres
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette
        • The Battle of Morval
        • The Battle of Le Transloy

        1917

        • The Battle of Messines
        • Operations carried out during the Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of the Menin Road
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele

        In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy where it then remained. It completed concentration between Mantua and Marcaria on 16 November and took over the front line at the Montello on 4 December.

        1918

        • The campaign in Italy
        • The fighting on the Asiago Plateau
        • The Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and of the Monticano.

        On 2 November the Division came out onto XIV Corps Reserve and when the Armistice took effect in Italy at 3pm on 4 November, units were halted midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. The Divisional units moved to a billeting area west of Treviso on 11th of November. Demobilisation took place largely in January and February 1919. By March the Division had been reduced to cadre strength.

        During the war the Division lost 23574 men killed, wounded and missing.

        Order of Battle of the 23rd Division

        68th Brigade

        • 10th (Service) Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
        • 11th (Service) Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
        • 12th (Service) Btn, Durham Light Infantry
        • 12th (Service) Btn, Durham Light Infantry left 14 September 1918
        • 68th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 68th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 13 June 1916

        69th Brigade

        • 11th (Service) Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
        • 8th (Service) Btn, Yorkshire Regiment
        • 9th (Service) Btn, Yorkshire Regiment left 13 September 1918
        • 10th (Service) Btn, Duke of Wellington's
        • 69th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 69th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 23 June 1916

        70th Brigade

        • 18 October 1915 transferred to 8th Division, returning 17 July 1916
        • 11th (Service) Btn, Sherwood Foresters left 13 September 1918
        • 8th (Service) Btn, King's Own Yorkshire LI
        • 8th (Service) Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 9th (Service) Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined October 1915, left February 1916
        • 70th Machine Gun Company joined July 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 70th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 18 June 1916

        24th Brigade

        • 18 October 1915 transferred from 8th Division, returning 15 July 1916
        • 1st Btn, Worcestershire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, East Lancashire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 2nd Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment
        • 24th Machine Gun Company formed by 17 February 1916
        • 24th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 13 June 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 8th (Service) Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left 8 April 1915
        • 9th (Service) Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left 8 April 1915
        • 9th (Service) Btn South Staffordshire Regiment converted to Pioneer Battalion in April 1915
        • 194th Machine Gun Company joined near Vlamertinghe 16 December 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 23rd Machine Gun Battalion created 1 April 1918
        • 100 (Warwicks and South Notts Yeomanry) Machine Gun Battalion joined 2 October 1918, left 19 October 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • RHQ, MG Section and C Sqn, the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry joined 27 June 1915, left 20 April 1916
        • 23rd Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed in January 1915, left 20 April 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CII Brigade, RFA
        • CIII Brigade, RFA
        • CIV Brigade, RFA left 18 January 1917
        • CV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up by 3 September 1916
        • 23rd Heavy Battery, RGA raised in August 1914 for the Division but left and moved independently to France on 15 September 1915, joining No. 1 Group in I Corps. In November 1915 moved to XXII HA Brigade
        • 23rd Divisional Ammunition Column
        • V.23 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed in the Division in March 1916, disbanded in late October 1917
        • X.23 Medium Trench Mortar Battery RFA raised as 12th TM batt in 1915, joined Division in January 1916 and redesignated as X Battery in March 1916
        • Y.23 Medium Trench Mortar Battery RFA raised as 21st TM batt in 1915, joined Division in January 1916 and redesignated as Y Battery on 15 March 1916
        • Z.23 Medium Trench Mortar Battery RFA, formed in the Division in March 1916 and initially armed with French 58mm mortars. Broken up in March 1918; X and Y Batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 89th Field Company left for 14th Division 22 January 1915
        • 90th Field Company left for 9th Division in January 1915
        • 101st Field Company joined from 32nd Division 1 February 1915
        • 102nd Field Company joined from 32nd Division 1 February 1915
        • 128th Field Company joined by 9 April 1915
        • 23rd Divisional Signals Company
        • 2 Sections of 180 Tunnelling Company RE attached briefly in October 1915

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 69th Field Ambulance
        • 70th Field Ambulance
        • 71st Field Ambulance
        • 40th Sanitary Section joined 20 August 1915, left 10 April 1917 for X Corps

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 23rd Divisional Train ASC 190, 191, 192 and 193 Companies, formed 16 January 1915
        • 35th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 20 June 1915
        • 223rd Divisional Employment Company formed by 30 June 1917
        • 23rd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop merged into Divisional Supply Column April 1916


           The 24th Division was established in September 1914 as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units of the Division began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. It was March 1915 before makeshift drab uniforms arrived and not until July before rifles were issued. The Division moved between the 19th and 23rd of June 1915 to Aldershot for final training. Lord Kitchener inspected the Division at Chobham ranges on 19 August and next day it was the turn of King George V. Orders were received on 19 August to move to France and the first units departed one week later. Concentration was completed in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September. The Division's first experience was truly appalling. Having been in France for only a few days, lengthy forced marches brought it into the reserve for the British assault at Loos. GHQ planning left it too far behind to be a useful reinforcement on the first day, but it was sent into action on 26 September, whereupon it suffered over 4178 casualties for very little gain.

        The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1915

        The Battle of Loos

        1916

        • The German gas attack at Wulverghem
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme

        1917

        • The Battle of Vimy Ridge, a phase of the Arras offensive
        • The Battle of Messines
        • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Cambrai Operations (the German counter attack)

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Actions at the Somme Crossings - Somme
        • The Battle of Rosieres - Somme
        • The First Battle of the Avre - Somme
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918, a phase of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Picardy including the passage of the Grand Honelle

        When the Armistice came into effect at 11am on 11 November 1918 the units of the Division were holding positions 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. Between 17-19 November they moved back to the area between Denain and Douai and 25-27 November went to the area St Amand-Orchies. On 18 December the Division moved once more, to Tournai. Demobilisation began and by 26 March 1919 only cadres were left.

        In all the 24th Division had suffered the loss of 35362 killed, wounded and missing.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 24th Division

        71st Brigade

        • Brigade moved to 6th Division on 11 October 1915 in exchange for 17th Brigade
        • 9th Btn, Norfolk Regiment
        • 9th Btn, Suffolk Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment
        • 11th Btn, Essex Regiment

        72nd Brigade

        • 8th Btn, Queen's left February 1918
        • 8th Btn, Buffs left October 1915
        • 9th Btn, East Surrey Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment
        • 1st Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment joined October 1915
        • 72nd Machine Gun Company joined 14 March 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 5 March 1918
        • 72nd Trench Mortar Battery formed by 19 July 1916

        73rd Brigade

        • 12th Btn, Royal Fusiliers left October 1915
        • 9th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment
        • 13th Btn, Middlesex Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Leinster Regiment joined October 1915, left February 1918
        • 73rd Machine Gun Company joined 14 March 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 5 March 1918
        • 73rd Trench Mortar Battery formed by 15 June 1916

        17th Brigade

        • 18 October 1915 transferred from 6th Division, in exchange for 71st Brigade
        • 1st Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 12th Btn, Royal Fusiliers disbanded February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Leinster Regiment left October 1915
        • 3rd Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 8th Btn, Buffs joined October 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 1/2nd Btn, London Regiment left 9 February 1916
        • 17th Machine Gun Company formed 17 January 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 5 March 1918
        • 17th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 26 July 1916
        • 8th Btn, Queen's joined February 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 11th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined before March 1915, left 9 April 1915
        • 13th Btn, Royal Fusiliers joined before March 1915, left 9 April 1915
        • 12th Btn, Sherwood Foresters joined before March 1915, converted to Pioneer Battalion in April 1915
        • No 3 Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 30 October 1915, left 23 November 1915
        • 191st Machine Gun Company joined 15 December 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 5 March 1918
        • 24th Machine Gun Battalion created 5 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, 1st Royal Glasgow Yeomanry joined 30 June 1915, left 29 April 1916
        • 24th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed by 15 February 1915, left 29 April 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CVI Brigade, RFA
        • CVII Brigade, RFA
        • CVIII Brigade, RFA left 27 January 1917
        • CIX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 3 October 1916
        • 24th Heavy Battery, RGA raised in August 1914 for the Division. Redesignated 130th HB. Left before Division went to France and joined XXXV HA Brigade for service in Egypt. Not same as 24th Heavy Battery, a unit of the pre-war regular army
        • 24th Divisional Ammunition Column
        • 13th Divisional Ammunition Column joined 3 July 1915, left 6 August 1915
        • V.24 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 30 July 1916, left February 1918
        • X.24, Y.24 and Z,24 Medium Trench Mortar Batteries RFA joined by 30 April 1916, Z.24 broken up in February 1918 and X and Y expanded to six guns each

        Royal Engineers

        • 91st Field Company left January 1915
        • 92nd Field Company left January 1915
        • 103rd Field Company joined February 1915
        • 104th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 129th Field Company joined March 1915
        • 24th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 72nd Field Ambulance
        • 73rd Field Ambulance
        • 74th Field Ambulance
        • 41st Sanitary Section left 5 April 1917 for First Army

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 24th Divisional Train ASC 194, 195, 196 and 197 Companies
        • 36th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 25 June 1915
        • 223rd Divisional Employment Company formed by 30 June 1917
        • 24th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop merged into Divisional Supply Column April 1916

        There is no main memorial to the 24th Division but it is well remembered in the village of Verguier, where it fought so valiantly against the German attack on 21 March 1918.

         Divisional History  The 25th Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 25th Division

        This Division was established in September 1914 as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units of the Division began to assemble in the area of Salisbury. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. Inspected by Lord Kitchener on 12 August 1915, the units of the Division crossed to France 25 - 30 September and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. The 25th Division thereafter served on the Western Front throughout the war, except for a period in 1918 when it underwent a major refit and reorganisation.

        1916

        German attack on Vimy Ridge

        During this defensive fight, the Division's first Victoria Cross was won by Lieutenant Richard Jones of the 8th Loyal North Lancs. It was a posthumous award, for this officer was killed in action on 21 May 1916.

        Withdrawn for rest and training, west of St Pol. Moved to the area behind the Somme front in the third week of June 1916, in the area around Warloy. Was in Fourth Army Reserve at the opening of the offensive.

        The Battle of Albert (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

        7th and 75th Brigades with some supporting units received orders on 2 July to move to Aveluy Wood and Martinsart respectively, and came under orders of 32nd Division. On 3 July, 75th Brigade made a virtually unsupported and inevitably costly and unsuccessful attack in one of the awful, piecemeal, efforts to hold on to the minor gains made in the Thiepval area on 1 July. The rest of the Division relieved 32nd Division in the night of 3/4 July. More localised and equally ineffective attacks were made. On 5 July, 74th Brigade was detached for duty with 12th (Eastern) Division at La Boisselle, where it took part in an attack on Ovillers. Divisional HQ moved to Henencourt on 8 July and the following day, 25th Division took over the front held by 12th (Eastern) Division.

        The Battle of Bazentin (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

        As the Somme offensive moved from its early phase (designated the Battle of Albert) to the next major push (the Battle of Bazentin), the 25th Division continued to carry out operations on a small scale in the Ovillers area. Casualties were heavy, with no gains of any significance being made. Relieved by 48th (South Midland) Division during the night 16/17 July, the Division moved to Beauval.

        The Battle of Pozieres (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

        From 23 July to 10 August 1916, the Division held a sector of the line north of the River Ancre. Once again,just as in the Bazentin battle, the Division is recognised as having been in action during the Battle of Pozieres, without being in the area of most attention during the fighting. Relieved by units of 6th and Guards Divisions between 7 and 14 August, the Division moved to Bus les Artois for rest and training. Divisional HQ moved up to Hedauville on 18 August and the infantry moved into the trenches of the Leipzig Salient. A local attack by 7th Brigade on 21 August was carried out successfully, using for the first time a device known as a "push pipe mine" to destroy enemy defences before the infantry went in. Further attacks were made on 23, 25 and 26 August. On 3 September, a larger scale attack was made in support of the 4th Australian Division which was assaulting Mouquet Farm. The Division was relieved on 11 September by 11th (Northern) Division and moved by bus to Abbeville.

        The Battle of the Ancre Heights (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

        On 26 September, 74th Brigade took over a sector of line immediately south of the River Ancre. The rest of the Division followed. After a series of small scale raids and operations, a major attack was made by the Division on 9 October - in appalling ground conditions - that captured the northern face of Stuff Redoubt. German counter attacks were beaten off, before another attack went in to capture "The Mounds" just north of Stuff Redoubt. Relieved and moved to Doullens area on 22/23 October 1916. On 31 October, Divisional HQ moved to Bailleul and the forward units took over the Ploegsteert sector.

        1917

        The first quarter of 1917 was spent in the Ploegsteert sector: a relatively quiet time punctuated by frequent raids and minor operations.

        The Battle of Messines

        The Division was selected to be one that would make the assault and was placed in the front line between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. The New Zealand Division was on the right and the 36th (Ulster) Division on the left of 25th Division. The attack was made by 74th Brigade on the right, 7th Brigade on the left, with 75th Brigade in close support. In addition to its own field artillery, the Division enjoyed the support of the Guards Division artillery and 34th, 93rd and 2nd New Zealand Army Field Brigades RFA. Two of the huge mines exploded at the start of the attack - those at Spanbroekmolen and Ontario Farm - fell just outside the boundaries of the Divisional front. The Division lost no fewer than 24 infantry company commanders during this action. In total, the losses in this successful action were 145 officers and 2907 men killed, wounded or missing. A further attack was carried out on 14-15 June, designed to advance the line another 800 yards. The Divisional front for this action was between the Blauwepoortebeek stream and the river Douve. Again, this was a successful action and the Division reached the line through Gapaard. On the night of 22-23 June, the Division began to withdraw and moved to rest in the area of Bomy, near St-Omer. It then moved on 7 and 8 July to Ypres, where much work began preparing for the Division's part in the next great offensive.

        The Battle of Pilkem (a phase of the Third Battles of Ypres)

        On 8 July 1917, Divisional HQ was established at Busseboom and came under orders of II Corps for the opening of the Third Ypres offensive. When the attack began on 31 July, 25th Division was in Corps Reserve, behind 24th, 30th and 8th Divisions which were in the front line. 7th and 75th Brigades, in place at Belgian Chateau, received orders to reinforce the attacking units as early as 0830 but were not called upon to take up the advance as expected, due to the attack being held up. 7th and 75th Brigades relieved the tired units of 8th Division in the front line of the Westhoek and Bellewaarde ridges on 1 August. On 10 August, 74th Brigade took part in the renewal of the attack. In a successful action, Westhoek was captured, although at a severe cost: 47 officers and 1244 men killed, wounded or missing. The 13th Bn, the Cheshires alone lost 19 officers and 395 men. Heavy and continuous localised fighting took place until the Division was withdrawn on 9 September 1917, whereupon it moved to the Bethune area.

        At the beginning of October 1917, the artillery went into action for a few days near Lievin, in support of 11th (Northern) Division. 25th Division took over the Givenchy sector on 4 October and held it for seven weeks. The Divisional history notes the establishment of a Reinforcement Camp at Ferme du Roi. No operations of any significance took place at this time, Many Portuguese units carried out familiarisation in trench warfare while attached to the Division.

        On 1 December 1917, the Division moved by train to Achiet le Grand and moved to relieve 3rd Division south of Bullecourt. It remained in this position, carrying out much work in digging a continuous front trench system, until relieved on 13 February 1918.

        1918

        The Division moved to the area north west of Bapaume on 13 February, becoming reserve Division to IV Corps. AS rumours of an impending enemy attack grew, 74th and 75th Brigades moved up closer to the front, at Fremicourt and Biefvillers respectively, where manual work in cable laying was undertaken.

        The Battle of St Quentin (a phase of the First Battles of the Somme 1918)

        In this battle, the units of the Division were ordered to reinforce other sorely pressed formations in a piecemeal fashion. From the opening phases of the attack until the Division was withdrawn six days later, it fought continuously under strange commanders and staffs, and not as a Division. 74th Brigade was ordered to support 51st (Highland) Division on the Bapaume-Cambrai road; 75th Brigade moved up to Favreuil to reinforce 6th Division. 7th Brigade moved up as support and took up position at Fremicourt.

        The First Battle of Bapaume (a phase of the First Battles of the Somme 1918)

        The defensive fight was continuous and confusing, as enemy units pushed forward on all sides. Carrying out a fighting withdrawal, by 26 March the Division found itself on the 1916 Somme battlefield. On that date, the Division was finally relieved and moved to Pommier and thence to Couin. By 28 March, the Brigades were south of Doullens and out - for the moment - of harm's way. The Division was desperately tired, having been in continuous action and covering on 27 and 28 March a considerable distance on foot (36 miles in 36 hours). It had also lost more than half its fighting strength: 318 officers and men dead, 1496 wounded and 1588 missing, many taken prisoner.

        On 30 and 31 March, the Division entrained and moved to Caestre. (The Divisional artillery remained behind, supporting the New Zealand Division, until 7 April). Here, many reinforcements arrived, bringing the Division back up to full strength, although of course with many newly trained recruits and large numbers of 19 year-olds. The absence of experienced NCOs and troops who had worked together for a lengthy period would soon be keenly felt. In addition, many senior officer positions in the Division changed hands: the 25th Division of 9 April was a very different one to that which had been ordered forward on 21 March. The Division was once again holding the front line near Ploegsteert when the enemy struck again.

        The Battle of Estaires (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)

        74th Brigade was in Divisional Reserve when the enemy attacked the British positions to the south (between Armentieres and Givenchy) on 9 April 1918. It was ordered to join the defence south of Steenwerck and held on only with difficulty.

        The Battle of Messines, 1918 (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)

        The enemy attack broke through the British Ploegsteert and advanced along the Ypres road, endangering the garrison holding Ploegsteert Wood. Ordered to counter attack, 75th Brigade, the Royal Engineers, Machine Gun Battalion and other elements of the Division became involved in heavy fighting. With the enemy infiltrating on either side on 10 May, losses at the Catacombs of Hill 63 were serious although there were many remarkable acts as some units managed to extricate themselves and withdraw. Further retirements were forced upon the Division - which also had 100th Brigade of 33rd Division under orders - on 12 April; the forward position on this day ran through Kortepyp. The army's line of defence that ran in front of Dranoutre and Kemmel, was held by a hastily organised composite force of units and men of the Division.

        The Battle of Bailleul (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)

        By the morning of 13 April, 74th Brigade was established on the high ground east of Bailleul. Coming under bombardment from 0930 onwards and attacked by infantry two hours later, the Brigade fought a staunch defence - as did 7th and 75th Brigades nearby. Fighting continued throughout the 14th, and next day the high ground and the town of Bailleul itself fell to the Germans. The Division was by now thoroughly shattered: broken up, exhausted by continuous fighting for five days, and fragmented by heavy losses. A sad composite formation of what was left of 7th and 75th Brigades withdrew through Boeschepe on 16 April but were ordered up to the area south of Mont Noir in support of 34th Division.

        The First Battle of Kemmel (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)

        By 17/18 April it had been withdrawn to Abeele. 74th Brigade came out to Proven on 20/21 April.

        The Second Battle of Kemmel (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)

        There would be little rest. After four days out of the line, during which French troops had joined the line and lost on 25 April 1918 the key position of Kemmel Hill, 25th Division was ordered to reinforce and counter attack under orders of the French 2nd Cavalry Corps. The attack went in at 0300 on 26 April after a heavy overnight fall of rain. Two brigades of the artillery of 38th (Welsh) Division supported the 25th Division in this enterprise. Assisted by fog but held up by the flooded Kemmelbeek, the objectives were captured although the line of the railway could not be held and the troops consolidated. Casualties were light at first but heavier in the withdrawal from the railway position. The Divisions to the left and right fared less well, leaving 25th Division holding a narrow sector including the Le Clytte (De Klijte) - Kemmel road.

        Intelligence reports began to indicate that an attack might be expected against the British positions as far north as Ypres. German shellfire opened in the early morning of 29 April but British artillery and infantry firepower from 75th Brigade broke up several enemy attempts. The line afterward became comparatively quiet, and the Division was withdrawn by 4 May to about 10 miles west of Poperinge. From the start of the Battle of the Lys on 9 April, the Division had suffered another 7702 casualties, of whom 270 were known to be dead. This was two thirds of the Division's fighting strength. Of the total, 3407 were missing. The 10th and 11th Cheshires, 4th South Staffordshires, 1st Wiltshires and 9th Loyal North Lancashires suffered particularly heavy casualties.

        The Battle of the Aisne 1918

        The Division entrained at Rexpoede on 9 May and undertook a long journey to Fismes, 20 miles SE of Soissons in the Champagne. It was the last of four British Divisions making up IX Corps to arrive in the area, under a plan to relieve fresh French Divisions for the north. The front line on the Chemin des Dames and south of the Aisne had been very quiet since spring 1917 and it was expected that the tired Divisions could recuperate there.

        On 26 May, intelligence confirmed a heavy German attack could be expected. 25th Division was in reserve and ordered up into a closer support position.

        The Allied front line on the Aisne. The 25th Division was ordered up to the area of Guyencourt - Muscourt - Ventelay, south of the River Aisne and north east of Fismes, when the enemy struck south across the Chemin des Dames.

        At 0100 on 27 May 1918, a heavy German bombardment with gas and high explosive hit the entire area between the front line beyond the Chemin and Fismes itself. The infantry began to attack three hours later. The Division was instructed to hold the second line of defence, except for the poor 8th Border which was sent off to hold the Aisne bridges at Pontavert and Concevreux. By 10am, all three Brigades had come under orders of the 21st, 8th and 50th Divisions respectively, which by now were fighting for their lives north of the river. By mid-day the Germans had broken through and crossed the Aisne: the units of 25th Division were thrown piecemeal into action. They were all but destroyed. The 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, holding high ground north of the Vesle, held out to the last man. The remnants of many units were temporarily joined into composite units, fighting a withdrawal as the enemy pressed on many miles across the River Marne. Casualties between 26 May and 14 June amounted to 4338 officers and men, of whom 2511 were missing.

        By 9 June, a decision had been taken to break up what was left of the Division to reinforce other formations. On 24 June, Divisional HQ with the artillery, Field Ambulances and Machine Gun Battalion entrained for Hesdin. HQ returned to England on 30 June 1918 to begin the process of rebuilding. The infantry was assigned to other Divisions. The reformed Division moved back to France in September 1918, moving at first to St Riquier near Abbeville. Late in the month, it entrained for Fourth Army, coming under XIII Corps which was by now engaged in the more or less continuous and eventually victorious advance across Picardy.

        The Battle of Beaurevoir (a phase of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line)

        Marching up from between Amiens and Albert to Templeux-le-Guerard, the Brigades took up position on 3 October at Ronssoy, Moislains and Nurlu, preparatory to an attack on the enemy's defensive line at Beaurevoir. Fighting for the well defended position went on until 7 October, by which time a 3000 yard advance had been made despite heavy casualties. 508 German prisoners were taken.

        The Battle of Cambrai 1918 (a phase of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line)

        8 October proved to be a highly successful day for the Division, which made a fine advance in the area of Ponchaux with few casualties.

        The Pursuit to and Battle of the Selle (phases of the Final Advance in Picardy)

        The following days followed a similar pattern as the Division pressed through Honnechy and St Benin, although losses mounted. The Division was relieved during the night 11/12 October by 50th Division. The Division rested in the area Serain - Premont - Ellincourt until 16 October.

        The Battle of the Sambre (phases of the Final Advance in Picardy)

        In this action, the Division fought the passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal at Landrecies. The crossing of the canal was a considerable feat: it was 55 feet wide and over 6 feet deep. Fortunately, wooden foot bridges left by the Germans were captured quickly, thanks to a brilliant rapid advance in which the suppression of stubborn machine gun posts was a feature. Many prisoners and stores were taken in Landrecies itself. The advance pressed on next day across the Petit Helpe river. In all, the Division moved forward 12 miles in difficult country, including the Bois l'Eveque, halfway between Le Cateau and the Foret de Mormal. The Division was relieved by 66th Division in the night of 7/8 November.

        1919

        Casualties in the operations since returning to France were 5289 in all. After the signing of he Armistice on 11 November 1918, the Division moved to billets in the area of Le Cateau and began salvage work near Cambrai two weeks later. Some 3000 men who had enlisted after 1 January 1916 were transferred to units going forward as part of the Army of Occupation of the Rhine. By 1 March 1919, all men who had enlisted before 1916 had been sent home for demobilisation.

        The Division was demobilised by 28 March 1919, having suffered 48,300 casualties during the war.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 25th Division

        74th Brigade from formation to mid 1918

        • 11th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers disbanded August 1918
        • 13th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment disbanded August 1918
        • 8th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment left November 1914
        • 8th Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left October 1915
        • 9th Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left June 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined October 1915, left November 1917
        • 74th Machine Gun Company joined on 17 March 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
        • 74th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 17 June 1916
        • 3rd Bn, the Worcestershire Regiment joined November 1917, left June 1918
        • 74th Brigade during and after reconstitution in mid 1918
        • 2/7th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers joined June 1918, disbanded July 1918
        • 21st Bn, the Middlesex Regiment joined June 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined September 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Sherwood Foresters joined September 1918
        • 13th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined September 1918
        • 74th Trench Mortar Battery see above

        75th Brigade from formation to mid 1918

        • 10th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment left October 1915
        • 11th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment left as a cadre June 1918
        • 8th Bn, the Border Regiment left June 1918
        • 8th Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment joined October 1915, left June 1918
        • 75th Machine Gun Company joined on 15 March 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
        • 75th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 June 1916
        • 75th Brigade during and after reconstitution in mid 1918
        • On 9 September 1918, the Brigade was renumbered as 236th Brigade and was placed under orders for service in North Russia. It left the 25th Division at this point and sailed from Dundee on 17 October 1918.
        • 1/6th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined May 1918, left July 1918
        • 17th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment ) joined June 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Royal Sussex Regiment joined June 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined June 1918
        • 13th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined June 1918
        • A new 75th Brigade was formed on 17 September 1918
        • 1/8th Bn, the Royal Warwicks joined September 1918
        • 1/8th Bn, the Worcesters joined September 1918
        • 75th Trench Mortar Battery see above

        76th Brigade - left to join 3rd Division on 15 October 1915

        • 8th Bn, the King's Own
        • 10th Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 6th Bn, the South Wales Borderers left February 1915
        • 10th Bn, the Welsh Regiment joined and left in September 1914
        • 7th Bn, the ing's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 13th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined February 1915

        7th Brigade - joined from 3rd Division in exchange for 76th Brigade on 18 October 1915

        • 10th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment left as a cadre July 1918
        • 3rd Bn, the Worcestershire Regiment left November 1917
        • 2nd Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment left to join 75th Brigade a week after Brigade joined Division
        • 8th Bn, the Loyal North Lancahire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 1st Bn, the Wiltshire Regiment left June 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles left to join 74th Brigade a week after Brigade joined Division
        • 7th Machine Gun Company joined on 12 January 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
        • 7th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 17 July 1916
        • 4th Bn, the South Staffordshire Regiment joined October 1917, left June 1918
        • 7th Brigade during and after reconstitution in mid 1918
        • 13th Bn, the East Surrey Regiment joined as cadre in, June 1918, disbanded November 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Devonshire Regiment joined September 1918
        • 20th Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined September 1918
        • 21st Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined September 1918
        • 7th Trench Mortar Battery see above

        Divisional Troops

        • 13th Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined September 1914, left October 1914
        • 13th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined October 1914, left February 1915
        • 8th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment joined November 1914, left March 1915
        • 6th Bn, the South Wales Borderers joined as Divisional pioneer battalion February 1915, left June 1918
        • 8th Bn, the Leicestershire Regiment joined as a cadre June 1918
        • 11th Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment joined as a cadre June 1918, became Divisional pioneer battalion October 1918
        • 195th Machine Gun Company joined 16 December 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
        • 25th Machine Gun Battalion created 1 March 1918, left 23 July 1918, rejoined 19 October 1918
        • 100 (Warwicks and South Notts Yeomanry) Machine Gun Battalion joined 2 October 1918, left 19 October 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        RHQ and B Sqn, the Lothians and Border Horse Yeomanry joined summer 1915, left May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The Divisional artillery remained in France when the rest of the Division returned to England for re-fit after severe casualties in June 1918. It was attached in succession to Third Army, then IV Corps and III Corps in Fourth Army. On 31 July 1918, it covered 58th Division, and between 4 and 30 August 1918 12th Division, where it took part ion the Battles of Amiens and Albert. On 30 August it transferred to 47th Division, taking part in the Second Battle of Bapaume. The Divisional Artillery subsequently covered the 58th, 74th and 12th Divisions. CX Brigade took part in the Battle of Epehy. On 25 September, it transferred to the Australian Corps and took part in the Battle of the Saint-Quentin Canal, then rejoined the 25th Division on 4 October 1918.

        • CX Brigade, RFA between 26 May and 4 June 1918, attached to 8th Division
        • CXI Brigade, RFA broken up 27 November 1916
        • CXII Brigade, RFA between 26 May and 21 June 1918, attached to 21st Division
        • CXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left 14 February 1917
        • 25th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to France
        • 25th Divisional Ammunition Column the four Brigade Ammunition Columns amalgamated into DAC in May 1916
        • W.25 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined by 17 July 1916, broken up 4 March 1918
        • X.25, Y.25 and Z.25 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined by 19 April 1916; on 4 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each)

        Royal Engineers

        • 93rd Field Company left February 1915
        • 94th Field Company left February 1915
        • 106th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 105th Field Company joined February 1915
        • 130th Field Company joined May 1915
        • 25th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 75th Field Ambulance
        • 76th Field Ambulance
        • 77th Field Ambulance
        • 42nd Sanitary Section left 18 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 25th Divisional Train ASC 198, 199, 200 and 201 Companies, joined November 1914.
        • 37th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 225th Divisional Employment Company joined 21 May 1917
        • 25th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 14 November 1915, merged into Divisional workshops 7 April 1916

        A history of the Division was written by Lieutenant Colonel M. Kincaid-Smith while the war was still in progress. It does not cover any period before July 1916 and it must be said is not among the best of Divisional histories. This can perhaps be excused by the fact that it was written by 5 March 1919. The book includes long lists of gallantry awards, with selected citations even down to those for awards of the Military Medal.

           The 26th Division was established in September 1914 as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Khaki uniform and equipment were not made available until February-April 1915 and in the meantime eveything was improvised. Embarkation for France began in September 1915 and the concentration of units at Guignemicourt (west of Amiens) was completed before the end of the month. However, the Division was not destined to remain on the Western Front, because in November 1915 it moved to Salonika where it then remained. On 2 November, the Division concentrated at Flesselles and moved to Salonika via embarkation at Marseilles. On 26 December 1915, units began to move from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp and all units were in place there by 8 February 1916. The 26th Division remained in the Salonika theatre for the rest of the war, taking part in the following operations:

        1916

        • The Battle of Horseshoe Hill

        1917

        • The Battles of Doiran

        1918

        The Division lost a number of units in mid 1918, which were transferred to France

        • The Battle of Doiran
        • The Pursuit to the Strumica Valley.

        Forward units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boundary on 25 September 1918. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople (as the war with Turkey was still underway) but this also soon ceased. 26th Division successively became part of the Army of the Danube and then of the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace the dwindling British presence. By 10 May 1919, the Division ceased to exist.

        The 26th Division had suffered casualties of 8,022 killed, wounded and missing during the war but vastly larger numbers sick with malaria, dysentery and other diseases rife in the Salonika theatre.

        Order of Battle of the 26th Division

        77th Brigade

        • 8th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers
        • 11th Btn, Cameronians
        • 10th Btn, Black Watch left 30 June 1918
        • 12th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
        • 77th Machine Gun Company joined 24 July 1916
        • 77th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 27 July 1916
        • 77th Trench Mortar Battery joined 3 November 1916

        78th Brigade

        • 9th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment left 4 July 1918
        • 11th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Ox & Bucks. Light Infantry
        • 7th Btn, the Royal Berkshire Regiment
        • 78th Machine Gun Company joined 22 July 1916
        • 78th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 27 July 1916
        • 78th Trench Mortar Battery joined 12 November 1916

        79th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, Devonshire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
        • 12th Btn, Hampshire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Wiltshire Regiment left 16 June 1918
        • 79th Machine Gun Company joined 15 July 1916
        • 79th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 27 July 1916
        • 79th Trench Mortar Battery joined 3 November 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 10th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment left August 1915
        • 8th Btn, Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry became Divisional Pioneer Battalion in February 1915
        • 8th Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment left August 1915

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, e Lothians & Border Horse Yeomanry joined 30 July 1915, left 29 November 1916
        • 26th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 4 January 1915, left 16 December 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CXIV Brigade, RFA
        • CXV Brigade, RFA
        • CXVI Brigade, RFA
        • CXVII Brigade, RFA left 9 August 1917 for 74th (Yeomanry) Division
        • 26th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA transferred to XII Corps Ammunition Column, 22 January 1917. 22nd Division retained the Brigade Ammunition Columns
        • 131st Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division in January 1915 but moved to France joining XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade on 12 March 1916
        • LVII Brigade, RFA joined September 1917
        • XXXI Brigade, RFA briefly attached 17 June to 24 August 1917
        • IV Highland Mountain Brigade, RGA briefly attached in August 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 95th Field Company left 29 January 1915 for 16th (Irish) Division
        • 96th Field Company left 1 February 1915 for 20th (Light) Division
        • 107th Field Company joined 30 January 1915 from 35th Division
        • 108th Field Company joined 30 January 1915 from 35th Division
        • 131st Field Company joined 25 April 1915
        • 26th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 78th Field Ambulance joined 25 August 1915
        • 79th Field Ambulance joined 25 August 1915
        • 80th Field Ambulance joined 25 August 1915
        • 43rd Sanitary Section

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 26th Divisional Train ASC 202, 203, 204 and 205 Companies ASC joined in November and December 1914 but remained when the Division moved to Salonika, becoming the 32nd Divisional Train. 112, 113, 114 and 115 Coys ASC then transferred from 11th (Northern) Division.
        • On 22 January 1916, the Train was on board the "Norseman" when it was torpedoed in the Gulk of Salonika but all personnel were saved, although 600 mules lost their lives.
        • In October 1916 the Train was reorganised into "Pack and Wheel Echelons"; in July 1917 it was further reorganised, to suit local conditions
        • 38th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 817th Divisional Employment Company formed October 1917
        • 26th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined June 1915 but remained in France


           The 27th Division was one of three Division formed as regular units from the further garrisons of Empire arrived back in England, having been recalled soon after the declaration of war but many having waited until a Territorial unit had gone out to replace them. The 27th Division was formed at Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 and was soon rushed as a much-needed reinforcement to France. Shortage of some types of units were filled by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. It embarked at Southampton and landed at Le Havre on 20th-23rd of December 1914 and then moved to concentrate in the area between Aire and Arques. The Division subsequently took part in these actions:

        1915

        • The Action of St Eloi
        • The Second Battle of Ypres

        The Division was ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on 17 November, but it was not until 13 February 1916 that the last of the Division finally arrived.

        1916

        • The capture of Karajakois
        • The capture of Yenikoi
        • The battles of Tumbitza Farm

        1917

        • The capture of Homondos

        1918

        The Division lost a number of units in mid 1918, which were transferred to France

        • The final offensive in Salonika
        • The Roche Noir Salient
        • The passage of the Vardar river and pursuit to the Strumica valley

        Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on 30 September, with the Division by then in the area Kosturino - Rabrovo - Cestovo. The Division continued to advance and passed Krupnik by the end of October. 27th Division was ordered to halt and turn about on 2 November, embarking in December for operations on the Black Sea. It reached Constantinople on 19 December and opened HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was not disbanded until 24 September 1919, by which time it was at Batum.

        Order of Battle of the 27th Division

        80th Infantry Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 3rd Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
        • 4th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps left June 1918
        • 4th Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry left for 3rd Canadian Division, November 1915
        • 80th Machine Gun Company joined 16 May 1916
        • 80th Trench Mortar Battery joined 2 September 1916
        • 80th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 28 September 1916

        81st Infantry Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Royal Scots
        • 1st Btn, Gloucestershire Regt left November 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Cameron Highlanders
        • 1st Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
        • 1/9th Btn, Royal Scots joined February 1915, left November 1915
        • 1/9th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined February 1915, left May 1915
        • 81st Machine Gun Company joined 16 May 1916
        • 81st SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 28 September 1916
        • 81st Trench Mortar Battery joined 16 October 1916
        • 13th Bn, Black Watch joined October 1916, left June 1918

        82nd Infantry Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Royal Irish Regt left November 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Duke of Cornwall's LI
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers left November 1916
        • 1st Btn, Leinster Regiment left November 1916
        • 1/1st Btn, Cambridgeshire Regt joined February 1915, left November 1915
        • 82nd Machine Gun Company formed 16 May 1916
        • 82nd Trench Mortar Battery formed 31 July 1916
        • 82nd SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 28 September 1916
        • 10th Btn, Cameron Highlanders joined October 1916, left June 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Gloucestershire Regt joined November 1916
        • 10th Btn, Hampshire Regiment joined November 1916

        19th Infantry Brigade

        This Brigade joined from 6th Division on 31 May 1915 but left to go to 2nd Division on 19 August 1915.

        • 2nd Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
        • 1/5th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
        • 1st Btn, the Middlesex Regt
        • 2nd Btn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

        Divisional Troops

        • 26th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in August 1916
        • 27th Divisional Train 95, 96, 97 and 98 Companies ASC joined in November and December 1914 but remained when the Division moved to Salonika, becoming the 55th Divisional Train.
        • A new Train, comprising 483, 484, 485 and 486 Companies sailed from Devonport on 16 January 1916.
        • In April 1916 the Train was reorganised into "Pack and Wheel Echelons"; 852, 853, 845 and 856 Companies also later joined.
        • 16th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 818th Divisional Employment Company formed 14 September 1917
        • 27th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined February 1915 but remained in France when Division moved to Salonika

        Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

        • A Sqn, Surrey Yeomanry left 27 December 1916
        • D Sqn, Derbyshire Yeomanry joined 26 March 1916, left June 1916
        • 27th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 7 December 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • I Brigade, RFA
        • XIX Brigade, RFA
        • XX Brigade, RFA
        • CXXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined August 1915
        • 27th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA formed December 1914 from the IV Home Counties (Howitzer) Brigade TF RFA; disbanded 8 January 1917. 27th Division retained the Brigade Ammunition Columns
        • 130th Howitzer Battery, RFA attached between 8 January and 21 February 1915
        • 61st Howitzer Battery, RFA attached between 21 February 1915 and June 1915
        • 2nd Mountain Battery, RGA briefly attached 17 to 24 July 1916
        • Bute Mountain Battery of IV Highland Mountain Brigade, RGA attached between 22 July and 8 September 1918, and again 23 September and 25 September 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 1st (Wessex) Field Company later renamed 500th Field Company
        • 2nd (Wessex) Field Company later renamed 501st Field Company
        • 1st (South Midland) Field Company left March 1915
        • 17th Field Company joined March 1915
        • Wessex Divisional Signal Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 81st (1st Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • 82nd (2nd Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • 83rd (3rd Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • 7th Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 16 April 1917


           28th Division was one of three Divisions formed as regular units from the further garrisons of Empire arrived back in England, many having waited until a Territorial unit had gone out to replace them. The 28th Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen Hill Camps near Winchester in December 1914 - January 1915 and was rushed as a much-needed reinforcement to France. Shortage of some types of units were filled by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. The units of the Division embarked at Southampton and landed at Le Havre on 16-19 January 1915 and then moved to concentrate in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck. The Division subsequently took part in these actions:

        1915

        • The Second Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Loos

        The Division was ordered on 19 October 1915 to to prepare to sail. The first units left Marseilles for Alexandria (Egypt) five days later and all units (except XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) were there by 22 November. The Division was then ordered on to Salonika and completed its disembarkation on 4 January 1916.

        1916

        • The occupation of Mazirko
        • The capture of Barakli Jum'a

        1917

        • The capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a)
        • The capture of Barakli and Kumli

        1918

        The Division lost a number of units in mid 1918 which were transferred to France

        • The Battle of Doiran
        • The pursuit to the Strumica valley

        Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on 30 September, with the Division by then in the area of Trnovo. The Division was ordered in early November to move to Gallipoli to occupy the Dardanelles Forts. On 14 November 85th Brigade arrived at Constantinople and Divisional HQ was established at Chanak

        Order of Battle of the 28th Division

        83rd Infantry Brigade

        83rd Brigade was temporarily under the command of 5th Division between 3 March and 7 April 1915, when it was replaced in 28th Division by 15th Brigade from that Division.

        • 2nd Btn, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
        • 2nd Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry left June 1918
        • 1st Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 1/5th Btn, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) joined March 1915, left October 1915
        • 1/3rd Btn, Monmouthshire Regiment joined March 1915, left September 1915. Absent May to August 1915 having amalgamated with its sister 1/1st and 1/2nd Btns following serious casualties at Ypres
        • 83rd Machine Gun Company formed 21 May 1916
        • 83rd Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 September 1916, original title No 4 TMB
        • 83rd SAA Section Ammunition Column formed May 1916

        84th Infantry Brigade

        This Brigade was temporarily under the command of 5th Division between 23 February and 7 April 1915, when it was replaced in 28th Division by 13th Brigade from that Division.

        • 2nd Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers left June 1918
        • 1st Btn, Suffolk Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Cheshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Welsh Regiment
        • 1/6th Btn, Welsh Regiment joined July 1915, left October 1915
        • 1/1st Btn, Monmouthshire Regiment joined February 1915, left September 1915
        • 1/12th Btn, the London Regiment joined February 1915, left May 1915
        • 84th Machine Gun Company formed 18 May 1916
        • 84th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined May 1916
        • 84th Trench Mortar Battery joined 7 November 1916

        85th Infantry Brigade

        Brigade transferred temporarily to 3rd Division between 19 February 1915 and 6 April 1915. It was replaced by the 9th Brigade from that Division.

        • 2nd Btn, Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
        • 3rd Btn, Royal Fusiliers left July 1918
        • 2nd Btn, East Surrey Regiment
        • 3rd Btn, Middlesex Regiment left November 1916
        • 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined March 1915, left June 1915
        • 85th Machine Gun Company formed 18 May 1916
        • 85th Trench Mortar Battery formed September 1916, original title No 5 TMB
        • 85th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined May 1916

        Composite Infantry Brigade

        Following serious casualties at Ypres in April 1915 a Composite Brigade was formed, composed of the 2nd Buffs, 2nd Cheshire Regiment, 1st Welsh Regiment and 1st Btn York & Lancaster Regiment. It was dissolved on 19 May 1915 and the formation assumed its normal configuration.

        228th Infantry Brigade

        This Brigade was formed on 26 February 1917 as Army Troops, although it was always associated with this Division. It came under the command of the Greek Crete Division from 30 September 1918 and was broken up on 4 October 1918.

        • 2nd (Garrison) Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
        • 2/5th Btn, Durham Light Infantry
        • 1st Garrison Btn, Seaforth Highlanders
        • 2nd Garrison Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers left August 1917
        • 22nd Btn, Rifle Brigade joined November 1916
        • 277th Machine Gun Company formed 11 September 1917, originally as 228th Company
        • 228th Trench Mortar Battery formed 18 September 1917
        • 228th Signal Section RE formed 15 March 1917
        • 143rd Field Ambulance RAMC formed 19 March 1917

        Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 23rd Btn, Welsh Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in August 1916
        • 28th Divisional Train 120, 21, 122 and 123 Companies ASC joined from
        • 13th Division in November 1915
        • 17th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 819th Divisional Employment Company formed 14 September 1917
        • 28th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined February 1915 but remained in France when Division moved to Salonika

        Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

          B Sqn, Surrey Yeomanry left 27 December 1916
        • 28th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 8 December 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • III Brigade, RFA
        • XXXI Brigade, RFA
        • CXLVI Brigade, RFA left August 1917
        • VIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA attached from 5th Division between 21 February and 23 June 1915
        • 28th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA Division also retained the Brigade Ammunition Columns
        • 71 and 121 Heavy Batteries, RGA joined 18 January 1915, left 6 April 1915
        • 61st Howitzer Battery, RFA attached between 21 February 1915 and June 1915
        • CXXX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined September 1915
        • 13 Heavy Battery, RGA raised for 13th Division, the Battery was ordered to France on 30 May 1915 as part of XVII Heavy Brigade. On 23 October 1915, it joined 28th Division and moved to Salonika. On 26 February, left Division and joined XXXVII Heavy Brigade
        • 7th Mountain Battery, RGA attached between 30 December 1915 and 18 June 1916
        • IV Highland Mountain Brigade, RGA joined December 1916, left 10 September 1918
        • LIV Brigade, RFA joined August 1917
        • III Mountain Brigade, RGA joined 16 September 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 1st (North Midland) Field Company left April 1915
        • 1st (Northumbrian) Field Company left June 1915
        • 3rd (London) Field Company left April 1915
        • 38th Field Company joined April 1915
        • 17th Field Company joined June 1915
        • 2/1st (North Midland) Field Company joined 19 June 1915, left 10 July 1915
        • 2/1st (Northumbrian) Field Company joined July 1915, later renamed 449th Field Coy
        • 1/7th (Hampshire) Field Company joined October 1915, later renamed 506th Field Coy
        • Home Counties Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 84th (2nd London) Field Ambulance
        • 85th (3rd London) Field Ambulance
        • 86th (2nd Northumbrian) Field Ambulance
        • 15th (London) Sanitary Section


         Divisional History  This Division was not formed until World War Two.

           The 30th Division was formed as one of six new Divisions authorised by War Office in December 1914 comprised of units of Kitchener's 5th New Army, they were initially numbered 37 to 42. But renumbered with 37 becoming 30th Division. As the Earl of Derby (Lord Stanley) was a driving force behind the raising of many of the units in this Division, when asked he gave permission for a variation of his family crest to be used as the Divisional symbol. After training near home, the units were moved to concentrate near Grantham in April 1915. There were severe shortages of arms, ammunition and much equipment - for example there was only one gun carriage available even by mid July and even that was for funerals! It was not until October that the artillery was in a position to commence firing practice, a few weeks after the Division had moved to the area of Larkhill on Salisbury Plain. On 4th of November the Division was inspected by Lord Derby, and entrainment began two days later. The Division sailed to le Havre and Boulogne and all units concentrated near Ailly le Haut Clocher (near Amiens) by 12 November 1915. The 30th Division subsequently remained in France and Flanders and took part in these actions:

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme

        1917

        • The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The actions at the Somme Crossings - Somme
        • The Battle of Rosieres - Somme
        • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
        • The Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of the Scherpenberg - Battles of the Lys

        The army reorganisation in February 1918 and following the Battles of the Somme and Lys completely changed 30th Division, with the Pals battalions of Liverpool and Manchester being mostly replaced by the London Regiment.

        • The capture of Neuve Eglise - Advance in Flanders
        • The capture of Wulverghem - Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Courtrai - Final Advance in Flanders

        The Division's advance across Flanders continued after the fighting at Courtrai on 14th to 19th of October. On 9th of November, 89th Brigade forced a crossing of the River Scheldt and by that night elements of the Division were at Renaix. At the time when the Armistice came into effect, 1100 on 11 November, the advanced units had reached the line Ghoy - la Livarde, north west of Lessines. Relieved by 29th Division, the 30th began a series of westwards moves and by 4 December was in billets at Renescure. In early January, units of the Division moved for duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples. Here, men began to be demobilised. The first unit to have been demobilised down to a cadre left for England in May 1919; others were disbanded in France. The Division ceased to exist on 1 september 1919.

        The Great War had cost 30th Division a total of 35182 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of the 30th Division

        89th Brigade

        • 17th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left June 1918
        • 18th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left December 1915, rejoined February 1918, left June 1918
        • 19th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
        • 20th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) disbanded February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined December 1915, left February 1918
        • 89th Machine Gun Company joined 13 March 1916, moved to 30th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 89th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 16 June 1916
        • 7th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment cadre joined May 1918, left June 1918
        • 2nd Btn,South Lancashire Regiment joined June 1918
        • 7/8th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined July 1918
        • 2/17th Btn, London Regiment joined July 1918

        90th Brigade

        • 16th Btn, Manchester Regiment left as cadre June 1918
        • 17th Btn, Manchester Regiment left February 1918
        • 18th Btn, Manchester Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 19th Btn, Manchester Regiment left December 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined December 1915
        • 90th Machine Gun Company joined 13 March 1916, moved to 30th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 90th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 June 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined February 1918, left May 1918
        • 14th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined April 1918, left June 1918
        • 2/14th Btn, London Regiment joined July 1918
        • 2/15th Btn, London Regiment joined July 1918
        • 2/16th Btn, London Regiment joined July 1918

        91st Brigade

        91st Brigade transferred to 7th Division on 20th of December 1915 in exchange for 21st Brigade

        • 20th Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 21st Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 22nd Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 24th Btn, Manchester Regiment

        21st Brigade

        21st Brigade joined from 7th Division on 20 December 1915 in exchange for 91st Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment moved to 89th Brigade soon after joining Division
        • 2nd Btn, Yorkshire Regiment left May 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers moved to 90th Brigade soon after joining Division
        • 2nd Btn, Wiltshire Regiment left May 1918
        • 18th Btn,, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined from 89th Brigade in exchange for 2nd Bedfords
        • 19th Btn, Manchester Regiment joined from 90th Brigade in exchange for 2nd RSF
        • 21st Machine Gun Company joined 8 March 1916, moved to 30th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 21st Trench Mortar Battery formed by 5 July 1916
        • 17th Btn, Manchester Regiment joined February 1918, left as cadre June 1918
        • 2/5th Btn,Lincolnshire Regiment joined May 1918, left June 1918
        • 7th Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined July 1918
        • 1/6th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined July 1918
        • 2/23rd Btn, London Regiment joined July 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 11th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion May 1915, left as cadre June 1918
        • 7th Btn, Sherwood Foresters joined as cadre May 1918, left June 1918
        • 13th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment joined and left as cadre, June 1918 6th Bn, the South Wales Borderers joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion July 1918
        • 226th Machine Gun Company joined 19 July 1917, moved to 30th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 30th Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918, reduced to cadre 13 May 1918 (540 men moved to 31st Bn), being replaced on 29 June 1918 by "A" Bn, MGC which was then redesignated as 30th Bn
        • 19th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 10 February 1916, left 6 June 1916

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • D Sqn, Lancashire Hussars left 10 May 1916
        • 30th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 21 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CXLVIII Brigade, RFA
        • CXLIX Brigade, RFA
        • CL Brigade, RFA left 2 January 1917
        • CLI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 26 August 1916
        • 30th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 11 (Hull) Heavy Battery, RGA joined June 1915, left March 1916
        • 125 Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to France on 29 April 1916
        • V.30 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined by 7 October 1916, left by 11 February 1918
        • X.30, Y.30 and Z.30 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA by 11 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 200th (County Palatine) Field Company
        • 201st (County Palatine) Field Company
        • 202nd (County Palatine) Field Company
        • 30th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 111th Field Ambulance left September 1915
        • 112th Field Ambulance left September 1915
        • 113th Field Ambulance left September 1915
        • 70th Sanitary Section left 2 April 1917
        • 96th Field Ambulance joined November 1915
        • 97th Field Ambulance joined November 1915
        • 98th Field Ambulance joined November 1915

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 30th Divisional Train ASC 186, 187, 188 and 189 Companies ASC joined from 22nd Division in France in November 1915
        • 40th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 227th Divisional Employment Company joined 24 May 1917
        • 30th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop merged into Divisional workshops 7 April 1916


           The 31st Division was one of six Divisions formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army. The Division was largely comprised of locally raised units often known as Pals. It was a predominantly Northern Division, with most units originating in Lancashire or Yorkshire, hence the use of the red and white roses in the Divisional symbol. On 16th of December 1914, two Companies of the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry became the first troops of the New Armies to come under enemy fire, when they were manning the trenches of the Tyne and Tees defences which were shelled by the German ships Derfflinger, Von Der Tann and Blucher. After in most cases commencing training near home, the units were moved to concentrate at South Camp at Ripon in April and May 1915. There were severe shortages of arms, ammunition and much equipment. It was not until September that the Division moved for final training and firing practice at Fovant on Salisbury Plain. In late November 1915 the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France. Advance parties began to depart. But on 2 December final orders were received that the Division would go to Egypt, accompanied by the artillery of 32nd Division. Its own artillery would join 32nd Division in France. The advanced parties were recalled and the Division sailed from 7 December, with Divisional HQ being established at Port Said on Christmas Eve. The last units arrived in Egypt on 23 January 1916. The Division took over the No 3 Sector of the Suez Canal defences and Divisional HQ moved to Kantara on 23rd of January. The stay in Egypt was short, and between 1st and 6th of March the Division sailed to Marseilles for service on the Western Front. The 31st Division subsequently remained in France and Flanders and took part in these actions:

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme including the attack on Serre
        • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

        1917

        • Operations on the Ancre
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Capture of Oppy Wood - Arras Offensive

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
        • The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys
        • The Defence of Nieppe Forest - Battles of the Lys
        • The attack at La Becque - Battles of the Lys
        • The capture of Vieux Berquin - Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The action of Tieghem - Final Advance in Flanders

        The Division's advance across Flanders continued on 9 November when units forced a crossing of the River Scheldt. At the time when the Armistice came into effect, 1100 on 11 November, the advanced units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. The Division moved back to the Arques-Blendecques are and here men began to be demobilised. The Division ceased to exist on 20 May 1919.

        The Great War had cost 31st Division a total of 30091 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of the 31st Division

        92nd Brigade

        On 16 April 1918 it was decided that due to the heavy casualties recently sustained, the 92nd and 93rd Brigades would be temporarily amalgamated and called the 92nd Composite Brigade. It was broken up two days later and the 92nd and 93rd Brigades were reconstituted soon after.

        • 10th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Commercials)
        • 11th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Tradesmen)
        • 12th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (Hull Sportsmen)
        • 13th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (Hull t'Others)
        • 92nd Machine Gun Company joined 20 May 1916, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918
        • 92nd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 11 April 1916
        • 11th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment joined February 1918 (Accrington Pals)

        93rd Brigade

        • 15th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment (1st Leeds Pals)
        • 16th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (1st Bradford Pals)
        • 18th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (2nd Bradford Pals)
        • 18th Btn, Durham Light Infantry (Durham Pals)
        • 93rd Machine Gun Company joined 20 May 1916, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918
        • 93rd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 12 April 1916
        • 13th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment joined February 1918 (1st Barnsley pals)

        94th Brigade

        The Brigade was broken up between 11 and 16 February 1918. It was reformed on 30 May 1918, principally from units that had been reduced down to training cadres. It was fully reconstituted on 21 June 1918 by the addition of units from the 74th Division, and redesignated 94th (Yeomanry) Brigade.

        • 11th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment left February 1918 (Accrington Pals)
        • 12th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment disbanded February 1918 (Sheffield City Battalion)
        • 13th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment (1st Barnsley Pals)
        • 14th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment disbanded February 1918 (2nd Barnsley Pals)
        • 94th Machine Gun Company joined 21 May 1916, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918
        • 94th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 11 April 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined as cadre May 1918, left June 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined and left June 1918
        • 12th Btn, Norfolk Regiment joined June 1918 (Norfolk Yeomanry)
        • 12th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined June 1918 (Ayr & Lanark Yeomanry)
        • 24th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined June 1918 (Denbighshire Yeomanry)

        4th (Guards) Brigade

        Brigade joined from Guards Division on 8th February 1918, left for GHQ Reserve on 20th May 1918

        • 4th Btn, Grenadier Guards
        • 3rd Btn, Coldstream Guards
        • 2nd Btn, Irish Guards
        • 4th Guards Trench Mortar Battery

        Divisional Troops

        • 12th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion May 1915
        • 243rd Machine Gun Company joined 18 July 1917, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918
        • 31st Battalion MGC formed 21 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • B Sqn, Lancashire Hussars left 9 May 1916
        • 31st Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 9 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The original Divisional Artillery joined the 32nd Division between 30 December 1915 and 3 January 1916

        • CLV Brigade, RFA
        • CLXI Brigade, RFA
        • CLXIV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA
        • CLXVIII Brigade, RFA
        • 31st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • The original artillery of the 32nd Division moved to France to join the 31st Division on 8 December 1915
        • CLXV Brigade, RFA
        • CLXIX Brigade, RFA broken up 24 January 1917
        • CLXX Brigade, RFA
        • CLXXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 27 August 1916
        • 31st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.31 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 4 June 1916, broken up 5 February 1918
        • X.31, Y.31 and Z.31 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 31 March 1916; by 15 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 210th (Leeds) Field Company
        • 211th (Leeds) Field Company
        • 223rd (Leeds) Field Company
        • 31st Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 93rd Field Ambulance
        • 94th Field Ambulance
        • 95th Field Ambulance
        • 71st Sanitary Section left to join XIII Corps 4-11 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 31st Divisional Train ASC originally 217, 218, 219 and 220 Coys, but this Train remained in Egypt in March 1916, joining 52nd (Lowland) Division. 221, 222, 223 and 279 Companies joined from 32nd Division in France
        • 41st Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 228th Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917
        • 31st Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop left for 52nd (Lowland) Division 21 April 1916


           32nd Division was one of six new divisions formed in December 1914 and was largely made up of Pals Battalions. It was a predominantly Northern Division. After commencing training near home (although the Glasgow battalions moved to camp at Gailes and the 11th Border at Blackhall), the units were moved in May 1915 to concentrate in Shropshire but Prees Heath was found to be too wet for training and the brigades instead moved to Yorkshire encamped at Wensley and Richmond, with use of the firing ranges at Strenshall. It was not until August that the Division moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. In November 1915 the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France. It remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

          The Battle of Albert - Somme The Battle of Bazentin - Somme The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

        1917

        • Operations on the Ancre
        • The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line

        1918

        • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
        • The Battle of Amiens
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Beaurevoir - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Sambre, including the passage of the Oise-Sambre Canal, a phase of the Final Advance in Picardy

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 32nd Division

        95th Brigade

        This brigade left the Division and was transferred to 5th Division on 26 December 1915 .

        • 14th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (1st Birmingham City)
        • 15th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (2nd Birmingham City)
        • 16th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (3rd Birmingham City)
        • 12th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment (Bristol's Own)

        96th Brigade

        • 16th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers (Newcastle)
        • 15th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers (1st Salford Pals)
        • 16th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers (2nd Salford Pals)
        • 19th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers left January 1916 (3rd Salford Pals)
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined January 1916, left February 1918
        • 96th Machine Gun Company joined 15 March 1916, moved to 32nd Bn MGC 21 Feb 1918
        • 96th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Manchester Regiment joined February 1918

        97th Brigade

        • 11th Btn, Border Regiment left as a cadre May 1918 (Lonsdale)
        • 15th Btn, Highland Light Infantry left January 1916 (Glasgow Tramways)
        • 16th Btn, Highland Light Infantry left February 1918 (Glasgow Boys Brigade)
        • 17th Btn, Highland Light Infantry disbanded February 1918 (3rd Glasgow)
        • 2nd Btn, King's Own Yorkshire LI joined December 1915
        • 97th Machine Gun Company joined 15 March 1916, moved to 32nd Bn MGC 21 Feb 1918
        • 97th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916
        • 10th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined February 1918
        • 1/5th Btn, Border Regiment joined May 1918

        14th Brigade

        Brigade joined from 5th Division on 30 December 1915

        • 1/9th Btn, Royal Scots left January 1916
        • 1st Btn, Devonshire Regiment left January 1916
        • 1st Btn, East Surrey Regiment left January 1916
        • 1st Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry left January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Manchester Regiment joined December 1915, left February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment joined 7 January 1916
        • 19th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers joined January 1916, left July 1916
        • 15th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined January 1916
        • 14th Machine Gun Company joined February 1916, moved to 32nd Bn MGC 21 Feb 1918
        • 14th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916
        • 1/5th Btn, Royal Scots joined 29 July 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 17th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion June 1915, left October 1916, returned September 1917, finally left November 1917 (North Eastern Railway Pioneers)
        • 1/12th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion November 1916, left January 1917
        • 16th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion February 1918 (Glasgow Boys Brigade)
        • 219th Machine Gun Company joined 25 March 1917, moved to 32nd Bn MGC 21 Feb 1918
        • 32nd Battalion MGC formed 21 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • F Sqn, North Irish Horse briefly, between April and June 1916
        • 32nd Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 31 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The original Divisional Artillery remained in England and on 2 December 1915 joined the 31st Division

        • CLXV Brigade, RFA
        • CLXIX Brigade, RFA
        • CLXX Brigade, RFA
        • CLXXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA
        • The original Divisional Artillery of the 31st Division joined to replace them between 30 December 1915 and 3 January 1916
        • CLV Brigade, RFA left 20 January 1917
        • CLXI Brigade, RFA
        • CLXIV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up September 1916
        • CLXVIII Brigade, RFA War diary click here
        • 32nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.32, W.32 Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by June 1916; W Bty broken up 28 December 1916; V redesignated X on 12 February 1918
        • X.32, Y.32 and Z.32 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed May 1916; by 12 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 206th (Glasgow) Field Company
        • 218th (Glasgow) Field Company
        • 219th (Glasgow) Field Company
        • 32nd Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 96th Field Ambulance left November 1915
        • 97th Field Ambulance left November 1915
        • 98th Field Ambulance left November 1915
        • 90th Field Ambulance joined November 1915
        • 91st Field Ambulance joined November 1915
        • 92nd Field Ambulance joined November 1915
        • 72nd Sanitary Section left 17 April 1917
        Other Divisional Troops

        • 32nd Divisional Train ASC originally 221, 222, 223 and 224 Companies ASC. This Train remained behind when the Division sailed in November 1915 and was replaced by 202, 203, 204 and 205 Companies. The original train later joined 31st Division
        • 42nd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 229th Divisional Employment Company joined 25 March 1917
        • 32nd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop disbanded 6 April 1916


           70th squadron RFC was formed on April 22, 1916 at Farnborough, and was equipped with the Sopwith 1½ Strutter. The squadron was posted to France, and in 1917 re-equipped with Sopwith Camels. The squadron briefly disbanded in January 1920, reforming nine days later at Heliopolis, Egypt via the renumbering of No. 58 Squadron. The squadron was equipped with the Vickers Vimy bomber.

           The 33rd Division was one of six new Divisions authorised in December 1914 made up of the newly raised Pals Battalions, with units raised by the public schools, footballers and other sportsmen and the Church Lads Brigade, among others. 33rd Division troops were predominantly from the south of England. After commencing training near home, the units were moved in July 1915 to concentrate at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. It was not until August that the Division moved for final training and firing practice at Salisbury Plain. In November 1915 the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France, but the original artillery and Train would not accompany it; instead, it would receive the artillery that had been raised for and trained with the 54th (East Anglian) Division. The move began on 12 November and by 21 November all units had reached the concentration area near Morbecque. Soon after arrival the Division was considerably strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division, and other changes.

        The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bazentin - Somme
        • The attacks on High Wood - Somme
        • The capture of Boritska and Dewdrop Trenches - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The actions on the Hindenburg Line
        • Operations on the Flanders coast (Operation Hush)
        • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of Messines - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys
        • The defence of Neuve Eglise - Battles of the Lys
        • The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
        • The fighting for and recapture of Ridge Wood - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of the Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai - Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy

        On 26th of October the Division captured Englefontaine and was that night relieved by the 38th (Welsh) Division. After a period of rest at Troisvilles it re-entered the line on 5th of November, advancing through the Foret de Mormal. By 7th of November it was on a line to the east of the Avesnes-Maubeuge road. It was there once again relieved by the Welsh Division and moved to the Sambre valley near Leval; it was there at the Armistice. By 4 December the Division had moved to Montigny and was there inspected by King George V; by 17th of December it was at Hornoy. Demobilisation continued throughout the first months of 1919. Divisional HQ moved to Le Havre on 28 February and on 30 June the Division ceased to exist.

        The Great War cost 33rd Division 37404 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of the 33rd Division

        98th Brigade

        • 18th Btn, Royal Fusiliers (1st Public Schools) to 19th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 19th Btn, Royal Fusiliers (2nd Public Schools) left 28 February 1916
        • 20th Btn, Royal Fusiliers (3rd Public Schools) to 19th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 21st Btn, Royal Fusiliers (4th Public Schools) left 28 February 1916
        • 1st Btn, Middlesex Regiment from 19th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders from 19th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 4th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 27 February 1916
        • 1/4th Btn, Suffolk Regiment joined 28 February 1916, left February 1918
        • 98th Machine Gun Company joined 28 April 1916, moved to 33rd Bn MGC 19 Feb 1918
        • 98th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 30 June 1916

        99th Brigade

        Brigade left to join 2nd Division on 25 November 1915

        • 17th Btn, Royal Fusiliers (Empire)
        • 22nd Btn, Royal Fusiliers (Kensington)
        • 23rd Btn, Royal Fusiliers (1st Sportsmen's)
        • 24th Btn, Royal Fusiliers (2nd Sportsmen's)

        100th Brigade

        • 13th Btn, Essex Regiment left 22 December 1915 (West Ham)
        • 16th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left 25 February 1916 (Public Schools)
        • 17th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left 8 December 1915 (1st Football)
        • 16th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps (Church Lads Brigade)
        • 1st Btn, Queen's joined 15 December 1915, to 19th Brigade 14 February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Worcestershire Regiment joined 20 December 1915
        • 1/6th Btn, Cameronians joined and left February 1916
        • 100th Machine Gun Company joined 28 April 1916, moved to 33rd Bn MGC 19 Feb 1918
        • 1/9th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined 29 May 1916
        • 100th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 13 June 1916

        19th Brigade

        19th Brigade joined from 2nd Division on 25th of November 1915

        • 1st Btn, Middlesex Regiment to 98th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders to 98th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers left 4 February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Cameronians
        • 1/5th Btn, Cameronians became 5/6th Bn May 1916
        • 18th Btn, Royal Fusiliers from 98th Brigade 27 November 1915, left 26 February 1916
        • 20th Btn, Royal Fusiliers from 98th Brigade 27 November 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 19th Machine Gun Company formed 24 February 1916, moved to 33rd Bn MGC 19 Feb 1918
        • 19th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 24 June 1916
        • 1st Btn, Queens joined from 100th Brigade 14 February 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 18th (1st Public Works Pioneers) Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion July 1915
        • 19th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined November 1915 but left and moved independently to France 6 February 1916
        • 248th Machine Gun Company joined 21 July 1917, moved to 33rd Bn MGC 19 Feb 1918
        • 33rd Battalion MGC formed 19 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • F Sqn, North Irish Horse joined January 1915, redesignated at B Sqn on 25 May 1916, left 19 April 1916 for 1st Cavalry Division
        • 33rd Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 19 April 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The original Divisional artillery was designated Camberwell, as it was raised there by the Mayor and a committee between January and June 1915. Initial assembly and training took place in Dulwich. It joined the Division at Bulford between 5 and 8 August 1915. However the artillery did not proceed to France with Division. Instead, it took the artillery of the 54th (East Anglian) Division. 33rd Divisional artillery (as shown below) crossed to France and rejoined its Division in December 1915

        • CLVI Brigade, RFA
        • CLXII Brigade, RFA
        • CLXVI Brigade, RFA broken up 12 September 1916
        • CLXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 12 September 1916
        • 126 (Camberwell) Heavy Battery RGA left for XXII Heavy Artillery Group on 2 May 1916
        • 33rd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.33 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 29 May 1916; broken up February 1918
        • X.33, Y.33 and Z.33 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 4 May 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 212th (Tottenham) Field Company
        • 222nd (Tottenham) Field Company
        • 226th (Tottenham) Field Company left for 2nd Division 2 December 1915
        • 33rd (Tottenham) Divisional Signals Company
        • 11th Field Company joined from 2nd Division 2 December 1915

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 99th Field Ambulance
        • 100th Field Ambulance left for 2nd Division late November 1915
        • 101st Field Ambulance
        • 73rd Sanitary Section left 31 March 1917
        • 19th Field Ambulance joined from 2nd Division late November 1915

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 33rd Divisional Train ASC originally 225,226, 227 and 228 Companies. Embarked for France 12 November 1915 but transferred in March 1916 to 29th Division.
        • 170, 171, 172 and 173 Companies, formerly the 28th Divisional Train, joined on 13 November 1915.
        • 172 Company switched with 8 Company from 2nd Divisional Train in late November 1915
        • 43rd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 230th Divisional Employment Company joined 1 June 1917
        • 33rd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column on 31 March 1916


           On 10th of December 1914 the War Office authorised the formation of the Fifth New Army. Like the other Kitchener Armies, it comprised six Divisions, in this case numbered 37 to 42. What eventually became 34th Division was originally numbered 41st. In April 1915, the original Fourth New Army was broken up and its units converted for training and draft-finding purposes. When this took place the Fifth New Army became Fourth New Army and its Divisions were renumbered to 30th - 35th: thus what we remember as 34th Division was born.

        The Division was largely comprised of locally raised units often known as "Pals", notably those raised in the north east and known as the Tyneside Scottish and Tyneside Irish. There were also the Manchester Scottish, the Grimsby Chums and others. After in most cases commencing training near home, the units were moved in mid 1915 to concentrate at Ripon in Yorkshire. It was not until late August that the Division moved for final training and firing practice at Salisbury Plain.

        On 3 January 1916 embarkation orders arrived; by 15 January the Division had crossed the Channel and was concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. (Note: it follows that no man who was with the original contingent of this Division was awarded the 1914-1915 Star).

        The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

          The Battle of Albert - Somme 1916 including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme 1916 The Battle of Pozieres Ridge - Somme 1916 The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme 1916 (only 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers)

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive 1917
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive 1917
        • The Battle of Arleux - Arras Offensive 1917
        • The fighting at Hargicourt (August)
        • The Third Battles of Ypres (fighting for the Broenbeek, 13-23 October 1917)

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme 1918
        • The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys
        • The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys

        After suffering heavy losses during the Battles of the Lys, the Division was withdrawn from fighting and moved on 21 April to the area west of Poperinge. It was reorganised here while put to work digging a new defensive line Abeele-Watou. On 13 May the infantry moved to near Lumbres and was then reduced to a cadre, employed training American troops. Between 19 June and 1 July the Division was reconstituted and entered the final phase of the war as a very different Division:

        • The Battle of the Soissonais and of the Ourcq
        • The capture of Baigneux Ridge
        • The 4th Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Courtrai
        • The action of Ooteghem
        • The action of Tieghem

        On 1 November the Division was relieved and was in the area east of Courtrai at the Armistice. It was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began its move across Belgium and into Germany on 14 November. Between 12-19 December it was billeted near Namu, on 22 December a large number of miners and others with industrial skills left to be demobilised. By 29 January 1919 the Division had occupied the Cologne bridgehead. The infantry of the Division was once again reconstituted in March 1919 and on 15 March the whole formation was renamed the Eastern Division.

        The Great War cost 34th Division 41183 men killed, wounded or missing.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 34th Division

        101st Brigade

        • 15th Bn, the Royal Scots (1st Edinburgh) left May 1918
        • 16th Bn, the Royal Scots (2nd Edinburgh) left May 1918
        • 10th Bn, the Lincolnshire Regiment (Grimsby Chums) left February 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Suffolk Regiment left May 1918
        • 101st Machine Gun Company joined 27 April 1916, moved to 34th Bn MGC 26 Feb 1918
        • 101st Trench Mortar Battery joined 18 February 1916, broken up 16 May 1918, reformed 2 July 1918
        • 2/4th Bn, the Queens joined June 1918
        • 1/4th Bn, the Royal Sussex Regiment joined June 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined June 1918

        102nd Brigade (Tyneside Scottish)

        The Brigade was attached to the 37th Division between 6 July and 22 August 1916, following extremely heavy casualties incurred by the Brigade during the attack at La Boiselle on 1 July 1916

        • 20th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish) disbanded February 1918
        • 21st Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish) disbanded February 1918
        • 22nd Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish) left June 1918
        • 23rd Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Scottish) left June 1918
        • 102nd Machine Gun Company joined 27 April 1916, moved to 34th Bn MGC 26 Feb 1918
        • 102nd Trench Mortar Battery joined 18 February 1916, broken up 16 May 1918, reformed 10 July 1918
        • 25th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers joined February 1918, left June 1918
        • 1/4th Bn, the Lincolnshire Regiment joined and left June 1918
        • 7/8th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined june 1918 as cadre, left July 1918
        • 1/1st Bn, the Herefordshire Regiment joined June 1918
        • 1/4th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined July 1918
        • 1/7th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined July 1918

        103rd Brigade (Tyneside Irish)

        The Brigade was attached to the 37th Division between 6 July and 22 August 1916, following extremely heavy casualties incurred by the Brigade during the attack at La Boiselle on 1 July 1916

        • 24th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Irish) disbanded February 1918
        • 25th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Irish) left February 1918
        • 26th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Irish) disbanded February 1918
        • 27th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Irish) disbanded February 1918
        • 103rd Machine Gun Company joined 27 April 1916, moved to 34th Bn MGC 26 Feb 1918
        • 103rd Trench Mortar Battery joined 18 February 1916, broken up 16 May 1918, reformed 1 July 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers joined August 1917, left 26 May 1918
        • 10th Bn, the Lincolnshire Regiment (Grimsby Chums) joined February 1918, left June 1918
        • 1st Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment joined February 1918, left May 1918
        • 1/5th Bn, the King's Own Scottish Borderers joined June 1918 1/8th Bn, the Cameronians joined June 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined and left June 1918
        • 1/5th Bn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined June 1918

        111th and 112th Brigades

        Both Brigades were attached from the 37th Division between 6 July and 22 August 1916, in exchange for the 102nd and 103rd Brigades

        Divisional Troops

        • 18th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion July 1915, left June 1918
        • 19th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined November 1915 but left and moved independently to France 6 February 1916
        • 240th Machine Gun Company joined 18 July 1917, moved to 34th Bn MGC 26 Feb 1918
        • 34th Battalion MGC formed 26 February 1918
        • 2/4th Bn, the Somerset Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion June 1918
        • Note: a number of battalions joined the Division for short periods during its reorganisation in mid 1918:
        • 13th Yorkshire, 13th East Surrey, 2/5th Sherwood Foresters, 21st Middlesex, 8th and 9th King's Royal Rifle Corps, 1/5th North Staffordshire, 3/4th Royal West Kent, 10/11th and 14th Highland Light Infantry, 6th Connaught Rangers, 6th Leinster Regiment, 8th Rifle Brigade. All had left by July 1918.

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • E Sqn, the North Irish Horse left May 1916
        • 34th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 11 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The Divisional artillery was was placed under temporary command of 5th Division while the infantry was being reorganised in mid 1918

        • CLII Brigade, RFA
        • CLX Brigade, RFA
        • CLXXV Brigade, RFA left 26 January 1917
        • CLXXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 28 August 1916
        • 130 Heavy Battery RGA raised with Division but moved independently to France
        • 516 Heavy Battery RGA joined CLXXV Brigade 7 October 1916
        • 34th (Nottingham) Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.34 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 16 August 1916; left for VI Corps 6 March 1918
        • X.34, Y.34 and Z.34 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 18 June 1916; on 6 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 105th Field Company left February 1915
        • 106th Field Company left February 1915
        • 207th (Norfolk) Field Company joined May 1915
        • 208th (Norfolk) Field Company joined May 1915
        • 209th (Norfolk) Field Company joined May 1915
        • 34th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 102nd Field Ambulance
        • 103rd Field Ambulance
        • 104th Field Ambulance
        • 74th Sanitary Section left 31 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 34th Divisional Train ASC 229, 230, 231 and 232 Companies.
        • 44th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 231st Divisional Employment Company joined 25 May 1917
        • 34th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop disbanded 31 March 1916


           Royal Engineers, 34th Division proceeded to France in January 1916 and remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war. They took part in the following engagements:

        1916 The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 The First Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The Second Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux, The fighting at Hargicourt in August and The Third Battles of Ypres (fighting for the Broenbeek, 13-23 October 1917). In 1918, The Battle of St Quentin, Battle of the Lys, The Battle of the Soissonais and of the Ourcq on the Marne, The capture of Baigneux Ridge, The 4th Battle of Ypres, The Battle of Courtrai, The action at Ooteghem and The action of Tieghem.

          34th Divisional Engineers was made up of
        • 207th (Norfolk) Field Company, RE
        • 208th (Norfolk) Field Company, RE
        • 209th (Norfolk) Field Company, RE
        • 34th Divisional Signals Company, RE.


           The liner Bayano was taken over early in the First World War for service as an auxiliary cruiser.

           35th Division was authorised by the War Officer in December 1914 as a formation of the Fifth New Army. The Division was largely comprised of Bantam Battalions, manned by troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After early training near home, the units concentrated in June 1915 in North Yorkshire. Divisional HQ was at Masham and units were at Roomer Common, Marfield, Fearby and Masham. In August 1915 the Division moved to Salisbury Plain, HQ being set up at Marlborough. Over the next few weeks moves were made to Chiseldon and Cholderton. In late 1915 orders were received to kit for a move to Egypt but this was soon rescinded. On 28th of January 1916 the Division began to cross the English Channel and by early on 6th of February all units were concentrated east of St Omer.

        The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

        • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme
        • The fighting for Arrow Head Copse and Maltz Horn Farm - Somme
        • The fighting for Falfemont Farm - Somme

        On 8th of December the Divisional commanding officer Major General H. J. S. Landon, submitted a report complaining that replacement drafts he had received were not of the same tough physical standard as the original bantams but were undeveloped, unfit men from the towns. A medical inspection was duly carried out and 1439 men rejected from the ranks. A second inspection removed another batch, bringing the total to 2784. These men were in the main transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places were filled with men transferred from disbanded yeomanry regiments; they had to be quickly trained in infantry methods and a Divisional depot was formed for the purpose. Brigades were then ordered that no more bantams were to be accepted. Original bantams who passed the medical inspection remained in place.

        1917

        • The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The fighting in Houthulst Forest - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The First Battle of Bapaume, a phase of the First Battles of the Somme 1918
        • The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Courtrai - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The action of Tieghem - Final Advance in Flanders

        On 9th of November the Division established a bridgehead across the River Scheldt near Berchem. two days later the Division was ordered to push on to the line of the River Dender and before 11am had entered Grammont; by the time of the Armistice posts had been established across the river and at the sluice. The Division was ordered to move west on 12th of November and continued to do so over the next few days, passing through Ypres on 28th of November. By 2nd of December Divisional HQ had been established at Eperlecques. Many miners were demobilised during the month and demobilisation happened apace. In January 1919, units of the Division was called upon to quell rioting in the transit camps at Calais. The Division ceased to exist by the end of April 1919.

        The Great War cost 35th Division 23915 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of the 35th Division

        104th Brigade

        • 17th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
        • 18th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
        • 20th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers disbanded February 1918
        • 23rd Btn, Manchester Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 104th Machine Gun Company joined April 1916, moved to 35th Bn MGC February 1918
        • 104th Trench Mortar Battery joined February 1916
        • 9th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers joined August 1917, left May 1918
        • 19th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined February 1918

        105th Brigade

        • 15th Btn, Cheshire Regiment (1st Birkenhead)
        • 16th Btn, Cheshire Regiment (2nd Birkenhead) disbanded February 1918
        • 14th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment (West of England) disbanded February 1918
        • 15th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 105th Machine Gun Company joined April 1916, moved to 35th Bn MGC February 1918
        • 105th Trench Mortar Battery joined February 1916
        • 4th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment joined February 1918
        • 1/7th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined July 1918

        106th Brigade

        • 17th Btn, Royal Scots (Rosebery)
        • 17th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment (2nd Leeds) left November 1917
        • 19th Btn, Durham Light Infantry (2nd County) left February 1918
        • 18th Btn, Highland Light Infantry (4th Glasgow) disbanded February 1918
        • 106th Machine Gun Company joined April 1916, moved to 35th Bn MGC February 1918
        • 106th Trench Mortar Battery joined April 1916
        • 4th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment joined November 1917, to 105th Brigade February 1918
        • 12th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined February 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 19th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers Divisional Pioneer Battalion
        • 241st Machine Gun Company joined 18 July 1917, moved to 35th Btn MGC February 1918
        • 35th Battalion MGC formed 2 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • F Sqn, Lancashire Hussars left 9 May 1916
        • 35th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 10 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CLVII Brigade, RFA (Aberdeen)
        • CLVIII Brigade, RFA (Accrington and Burnley) broken up 28 February 1917
        • CLVIX Brigade, RFA (Glasgow)
        • CLXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA (West Ham) broken up 9 September 1916
        • 131 Heavy Battery RGA raised in Lewisham for 26th Division on 22 January 1915, but did not sail with that Division and was then attached to 35th. Left Division and moved independently to France, joining XXIII HA Group in March 1916
        • 35th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA (British Empire League)
        • V.35 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 16 August 1916; left for VI Corps 6 March 1918
        • X.35, Y.35 and Z.35 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 28 June 1916; on 8 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 203rd (Cambridge) Field Company
        • 204th (Cambridge) Field Company
        • 205th (Cambridge) Field Company
        • 35th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 105th Field Ambulance
        • 106th Field Ambulance
        • 107th Field Ambulance
        • 75th Sanitary Section left 9 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 35th Divisional Train ASC 233, 234, 235 and 236 Companies.
        • 45th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 232nd Divisional Employment Company joined 9 June 1917
        • 35th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 31 March 1916


           The 37th Division was raised for the Sixth New Army in March 1915. It was originally known as 44th Division. A War Office decision to convert the Fourth New Army into training units and to replace 16th (Irish) Division in Second New Army led to it being promoted. It was renamed 37th Division and joined Second New Army. Divisional HQ was established at Andover on 12th of April 1915. In April 1915 the Division concentrated at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and on 25 June the units were inspected by king George V at Sidbury Hill. On 22 July 1915 the Division began to cross the English Channel and by 2 August all units were concentrated near Tilques. The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

        • The Battle of the Ancre

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe
        • The Battle of Arleux
        • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge
        • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood
        • The Battle of Broodseinde
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele

        1918

        • The Battle of the Ancre
        • The Battle of the Albert
        • The Battle of Havrincourt
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord
        • The Battle of Cambrai
        • The pursuit to the Selle
        • The Battle of the Selle
        • The Battle of the Sambre
        At the Armistice on 11th of November 1918 the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. After moving back to the Bethencourt - Caudry area, it moved on 1st December 1918 to Charleroi. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and by 25 March 1919 the Division ceased to exist.

        The Great War cost 37th Division 29969 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of 37th Division

        110th Brigade

        110th Brigade (Leicester Tigers Brigade) transferred to 21st Division on 7 July 1916

        • 6th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 9th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 110th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved to 37th Bn MGC February 1918
        • 110th Trench Mortar Battery formed on 13 June 1916 from two sections that arrived in March

        111th Brigade

        111th brigade was attached to 34th Division between 6 July and 22 August 1916

        • 10th Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 13th Btn, Royal Fusiliers moved to 112th Brigade 4 February 1918
        • 13th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
        • 13th Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 111th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved to 37th Bn MGC 4 March 1918
        • 111th Trench Mortar Battery formed 2 July 1916 from two sections that joined in May

        112th Brigade

        112th Brigade was attached to 34th Division between 6 July and 22 August 1916

        • 11th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment disbanded 7 February 1918
        • 6th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment left 21 May 1918
        • 8th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment disbanded 4 February 1918
        • 10th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment disbanded 4 February 1918
        • 112th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved to 37th Bn MGC 4 March 1918
        • 112th Trench Mortar Battery formed 1 July 1916 from two sections that joined in May and June
        • 13th Btn, Royal Fusiliers joined from 111th Brigade 4 February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Essex Regiment joined 4 February 1918
        • 1/1st Btn, Hertfordshire Regiment joined 11 May 1918

        63rd Brigade

        63rd brigade joined from 21st Division in exchange for 110th Brigade on 8 July 1916

        • 8th Btn, Lincolsnhire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry
        • 4th Btn, Middlesex Regiment
        • 10th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment disbanded 4 February 1918
        • 63rd Machine Gun Company moved to 37th Bn MGC 4 March 1918
        • 63rd Trench Mortar Battery

        Divisional Troops

        • 9th Bn,Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment Divisional Pioneer Battalion (attached to 34th Division in 1916)
        • 16th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 26 July 1915, left 9 May 1916
        • 247th Machine Gun Company joined 19 July 1917, moved to 37th Btn MGC 4 March 1918
        • 37th Battalion MGC formed 4 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • RHQ and B Sqn, Yorkshire Dragoons left May 1916
        • 37th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 12 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CXXIII Brigade, RFA transferred to 37th Division April 1915
        • CXXIV Brigade, RFA transferred to 37th Division April 1915
        • CXXV Brigade, RFA broken up 31st August 1916
        • CXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up January 1917
        • 37 Heavy Battery RGA raised with the Division but was broken up early 1915
        • 37th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.37 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 25 May 1916; left 6 February 1918
        • X.37, Y.37 and Z.37 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed May 1916; on 6 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 152nd Field Company
        • 153rd Field Company
        • 154th Field Company
        • 37th Divisional Signals Company raised as 40th Divisional Signals Company, joined 17 June 1915

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 48th Field Ambulance joined from 16th (Irish) Division in June 1915
        • 49th Field Ambulance joined from 16th (Irish) Division in June 1915
        • 50th Field Ambulance joined from 16th (Irish) Division in June 1915
        • 37th Sanitary Section left 20 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 37th Divisional Train ASC 288, 289, 290 and 291 Companies.
        • 28th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 234th Divisional Employment Company joined 16 June 1917
        • 35th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 6 April 1916


         Divisional History  38th (Welsh) Division was formed after official sanction was given for a Welsh Army Corps to be raised by public subscription on 10th of October 1914. The Corps was never actually formed. The Division moved to France between 21st of November and 6th of December 1915 and remained in France and Flanders throughout the war.

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert

        1917

        • The Battle of Pilkem
        • The Battle of Langemark

        1918

        • The Battle of Albert
        • The Battle of the Bapaume
        • The Battle of Havrincourt
        • The Battle of Epehy
        • The Battle of Beaurevoir
        • The Battle of Cambrai
        • The Battle of the Selle
        • The Battle of the Sambre

        The Division was demobilised between December 1918 and June 1919, having suffered 28,600 casualties during the war.

        The order of battle of the 38th (Welsh) Division

        113th Brigade

        • 13th (1st North Wales) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined November 1914
        • 14th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined November 1914
        • 15th (1st London Welsh) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined November 1914, disbanded 8 February 1918
        • 16th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined November 1914
        • 17th (2nd North Wales) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined February 1915, left July 1915
        • 113th Machine Gun Company joined 19 May 1916, moved into 38 MG Bn March 1918
        • 113th Trench Mortar Battery joined 26 December 1915

        114th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, (1st Rhondda) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined September 1914, disbanded February 1918
        • 13th (2nd Rhondda) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined October 1914
        • 14th (Swansea) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined October 1914
        • 15th (Carmarthenshire County Committee) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined October 1914
        • 114th Machine Gun Company joined 19 May 1916, moved into 38 MG Btn March 1918
        • 114th Trench Mortar Battery joined 26 December 1915

        115th Brigade

        • 16th Btn, (Cardiff City) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined October 1914, disbanded February 1918
        • 10th (1st Gwent) Btn, South Wales Borderers joined November 1914
        • 11th Btn, (2nd Gwent) Btn, South Wales Borderers joined January 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 17th (2nd North Wales) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined July 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined February 1918
        • 115th Machine Gun Company joined 19 May 1916, moved into 38 MG Bn March 1918
        • 115th Mortar Battery joined 26 December 1915

        Divisional Troops

        • 19th (Glamorgan Pioneers) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined as Divisional pioneer battalion February 1915
        • 176th Machine Gun Company joined 28 March 1917, moved into 38 MG Btn March 1918
        • 38th Machine Gun Battalion formed 2 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • HQ, MG Section and D Squadron, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry joined by 4 December 1915, left 31 May 1916
        • 38th Divisional Cyclist Company joined 22 April 1915, left 10 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CXIX Brigade, RFA joined by August 1915, left 14 January 1917
        • CXX Brigade, RFA joined by August 1915, broken up late August 1916
        • CXXI Brigade, RFA joined by August 1915
        • CXXII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined by August 1915
        • 38 Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but left for XLII Heavy Artillery Group soon after
        • 38th Divisional Ammunition Column joined December 1914. The four Brigade Ammunition Columns amalgamated into DAC in May 1916
        • V.38 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed by 28 July 1916, left for V/XV Corps 9 February 1918
        • X.38, Y.38 and Z.38 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed April 1916; Z Bty broken up 9 February 1918 when batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 123rd Field Company joined April 1915
        • 124th Field Company joined April 1915
        • 151st Field Company joined August 1915
        • 38th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps units

        • 129th Field Ambulance joined December 1914
        • 130th Field Ambulance joined December 1914
        • 131st Field Ambulance joined December 1914
        • 77th Sanitary Section left April 1917
        • No 5 (Welsh) Bacteriological Section transferred to First Army 3rd of December 1915

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 38th Divisional Train ASC 330, 331, 332 and 333 Companies, formed April 1915
        • 235th Divisional Employment Company joined 23 June 1917
        • 49th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined December 1914
        • 38th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined from Meerut Division 30 November 1915, left April 1916


           The 39th Division was formed near Winchester in early August 1915. The units who had already joined moved to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on 28th of September. The remainder (except the Divisional mounted squadron, 118th Infantry Brigade, the Field Ambulances and Veterinary Section) joined at Aldershot in mid October the entire Division moved to Witley, where it was completed. Mobilisation orders were received in February 1916 and advance parties departed late in the month. 118th Brigade was well behind in training and was left behind, but its HQ staff went to France and took over five new battalions on 29th February. The other units of the Division crossed to Le Havre and by 11th March all units were concentrated near Blaringhem. The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

        • Attack near Richebourg l'Avoue
        • The fighting on the Ancre
        • The Battle of Thiepval Ridge
        • The Battle of the Ancre Heights
        • The Battle of the Ancre

        1917

        • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge
        • The Battle of Langemarck
        • The Battle of the Menin Road
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin
        • The actions at the Somme crossings
        • The Battle of Bapaume
        • The Battle of Rosieres
        • The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge
        • The First Battle of Kemmel
        • The Second Battle of Kemmel
        • The Battle of the Scherpenberg

        After suffering heavy losses during the Battles of the Lys a decision was taken to reduce the Division down to a cadre. This took place by 1 June. After this it was engaged in supervising courses of instruction for American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division. Divisional HQ was based at Eperlecques from 11th April to 7th June 1918, it then moved to Wolphus and then Varengeville and to Rouen. Orders were received on 1 November to demobilise the training cadres. The Division was reconstituted by taking over the 197th Brigade from 66th Division. They embarkation camps and reinforcement depots in early 1919. Demobilisation proceeded and by 10 July 1919 the Division ceased to exist.

        The Great War cost 39th Division 27869 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of the 39th Division

        116th Brigade

        116th Brigade was originally raised (numbered 121st) for the original 40th Division of the Fifth New Army.

        • 11th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment (1st South Down) left as cadre June 1918
        • 12th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment (2nd South Down) disbanded 8 February 1918
        • 13th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment (3rd South Down) left as cadre June 1918
        • 14th Btn, Hampshire Regiment (1st Portsmouth) disbanded 23 February 1918
        • 116th Machine Gun Company joined 18 May 1916, moved to 39th Bn MGC 14 March 1918
        • 116th Trench Mortar Battery formed on 16 June 1916 from two sections that joined in April
        • 1/1st Btn, Hertfordshire Regiment joined from 118th Brigade 8 February 1918, left 9 May 1918

          Units attached as cadres for short periods after 21 May 1918

          • 15th and 16th Royal Scots
          • 18th and 23rd Northumberland Fusiliers;
          • 1/4th and 10th Lincolnshire Regiment
          • 7th Suffolk Regiment
          • 1/4th East Yorkshire Regiment
          • 6th Bedfordshire Regiment
          • 1/4th and 1/5th Yorkshire Regiment
          • 4th South Staffordshire Regiment
          • 1/5th North Staffordshire Regiment

        117th Brigade

        • 16th Btn, Sherwood Foresters (Chatsworth Rifles) left as a cadre 16 August 1918
        • 17th Btn, Sherwood Foresters (Welbeck Rangers) disbanded 8 February 1918
        • 17th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps (British Empire League) left as a cadre 16 August 1918
        • 16th Btn, Rifle Brigade (St Pancras) left as a cadre August 1918
        • 117th Machine Gun Company joined 18 May 1916, moved to 39th Bn MGC 14 March 1918
        • 117th Trench Mortar Battery formed 18 June 1916 from two sections that joined on 15 April

          Units attached as cadres for short periods after 21 May 1918

          • 2/10th Btn, King's (Liverool Regiment)
          • 1/4th Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment
          • 11th Btn, Cheshire Regiment
          • 2/5th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
          • 8th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
          • 9th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
          • 1/5th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment
          • 1/5th Btn, Durham Light Infantry
          • 1/6th Btn, Durham Light Infantry
          • 1/8th Btn, Durham Light Infantry
          • 6th Btn, Connaught Rangers
          • 8thBtn, Rifle Brigade
          • 9th Btn, Rifle Brigade
          • 6th Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers

        118th Brigade 118th Brigade was raised in London in July 1915 but reorganised at Aldershot on 16 October 1915. It moved to Witley and joined 39th Division in November 1915.

        • 10th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment (Kent County) left 16 October 1915
        • 11th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment (Lewisham) left 16 October 1915
        • 13th Btn, East Surrey Regiment (Wandsworth) remained in England 23 February 1916
        • 20th Btn, Middlesex Regiment (Shoreditch) remained in England 23 February 1916
        • 21st Btn, Middlesex Regiment (Islington) remained in England 23 February 1916
        • 14th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders remained in England 23 February 1916
        • 1/6th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined in France 29 February 1916, left 28 May 1918
        • 1/4th Btn, Black Watch joined in France 29 February 1916, amalgamated with 1/5th Btn, March 1916 and became 4/5th Btn, resumed own identity 6 May 1918, left 14 May 1918
        • 1/5th Btn, Black Watch joined in France 29 February 1916, amalgamated with 1/5th Bn March 1916 and became 4/5th Bn
        • 1/1st Btn, Cambridgeshire Regiment joined in France 29 February 1916, left 9 May 1918
        • 1/1st Btn, Hertfordshire Regiment joined in France 29 February 1916, left for 116th Brigade 8 February 1918
        • 118th Machine Gun Company joined 21 March 1916, moved to 39th Bn MGC 14 March 1918
        • 118th Trench Mortar Battery formed 1 July 1916 from two sections that joined 7 April 1916

          Units attached as cadres for short periods after 21 May 1918

          • 1/4th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
          • 1/5th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
          • 1/6th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
          • 18th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
          • 1/4th Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment
          • 6th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment
          • 4th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment
          • 11th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment
          • 13th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment
          • 9th Btn, Black Watch
          • 8/10th Btn, Gordon Highlanders
          • 7th Btn, Cameron Highlanders
          • 11th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

        39th Divisional Composite Brigade

        Formed on 10th April 1918 after the Division suffered heavy losses and placed under command of Brig-Gen. A. Hubback. Fought in the Battles of the Lys as an independent command attached to XXII Corps. Returned to Division and men deployed to old units by 6 May 1918

    • 1st Btn, formed from remnants of 11th Royal Sussex and 1/1st Hertfordshire
    • 2nd Btn, formed from remnants of 13th Gloucestershire and 13th Royal Sussex
    • 3rd Btn, formed from remnants of units of 117th Brigade
    • 4th Btn, formed from remnants of units 118th Brigade
    • 5th Btn, formed from remnants of units of all three Brigades
    • 118th Trench Mortar Battery
    • No 4 (287) Company, 39th Divisional Train ASC

    Divisional Troops

    • 13th Btn, the Gloucestershire Regiment (Forest of Dean) left as a cadre by 6 May 1918
    • 228th Machine Gun Company joined 19 July 1917, moved to 39th Bn MGC 14 March 1918, left for 40th Division 11 September 1918
    • 39th Battalion MGC formed 14 March 1918

      Units attached as cadres for short periods after 21 May 1918

      • 25th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
      • 13th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment
      • 13th Btn, East Surrey Regiment
      • 7th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
      • 21st Btn, Middlesex Regiment
      • 14th Btn, Highland Light Infantry
      • 8th Btn, Suffolk Regiment

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • E Sqn, South Irish Horse joined 17 March 1916, left for I Corps Cavalry Regiment 10 May 1916
      • 39th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps joined 14 November 1915, left for XV Corps Cyclist Battalion 10 May 1916

      Divisional Artillery < ul>

    • CLXXIV Brigade, RFA raised by the Thames Ironworks Company.
    • CLXXIX Brigade, RFA raised by the Thames Ironworks Company, broken up 18 January 1917
    • CLXXXIV Brigade, RFA raised by the Thames Ironworks Company, broken up 30 November 1916
    • CLXXXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA
    • 39th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.39 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 27 August 1916, broken up 7 February 1918
    • X.39, Y.39 and Z.39 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 17 June 1916; on 7 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 225th (Stockton on Tees) Field Company
    • 227th (Stockton on Tees) Field Company
    • 234th (Stockton on Tees) Company
    • 39th Divisional Signals Company (Empire)

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 132th Field Ambulance
    • 133rd Field Ambulance
    • 134th Field Ambulance
    • 82nd Sanitary Section left 17 April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 39th Divisional Train ASC 284, 285, 286 and 287 Companies
    • 50th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 236th Divisional Employment Company joined 30 June 1917
    • 39th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 9 April 1916


       3rd Cavalry Division was formed at Windmill Hill Camp at Ludgershall in early September 1914. It left there on 5 October and began to embark next day at Southampton. After some sailing delay due to suspected submarine activity in the English Channel, it arrived at Ostende on 8 October and proceeded to Bruges as part of IV Corps. The Division then remained on the Western Front in France and Flanders, taking part in the following engagements:

    1914

    • The Antwerp operations
    • Battles of Ypres 1914
    • The Battle of Langemarck
    • The Battle of Gheluvelt
    • The Battle of Nonne Bosschen

    1915

    • Winter Operations 1914-15
    • The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge
    • The Battle of Loos

    1916

    No major engagements

    1917

    • The First Battle of the Scarpe
    • The attack on Monchy le Preux

    1918

    The Battle of St Quentin

    Between 22 and 25 March 1918 the Division provided the 3rd Dismounted Division, organised into three dismounted brigades. It also provided a mounted detachment under "Harman's Detachment" and then "Reynolds's Force" between 23 and 29 March.

    • The actions at the Somme crossings
    • The Battle of the Avre
    • The Battle of Amiens
    • The Battle of Cambrai 1918
    • The Pursuit to the Selle
    • The Final Advance in Flanders

    By 11th of November 1918 the advance units of the Division had reached the line of the River Dender at Leuze and Lessines.

    The Division was selected to advance into Germany as an advance screen for Second Army and form part of the Occupation Force. The move began on 17 November; Waterloo was reached four days later. Transport and supply difficulties caused a change of plan and the Division remained in Belgium throughout the winter. The Division ceased to exist at midnight 31 March / 1 April 1919.

    Order of Battle of the 3rd Cavalry Division

    6th Cavalry Brigade began to form on 19 September 1914

    • 1st Royal Dragoons
    • 10th Hussars left for 8th Cav Brigade 20 November 1914, rejoined from 8th Cav Brigade 12 March 1918
    • 3rd Dragoon Guards joined 4 November 1914
    • 1/1st North Somerset Yeomanry joined 13 November 1914, left for 8th Cav Brigade 13 March 1918
    • C Battery, RHA joined 19 October 1914
    • 6th Signal Troop RE
    • 6th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 29 February 1916

    7th Cavalry Brigade formed on 1 September 1914

    • 1st Life Guards left 10 March 1918
    • 2nd Life Guards left 10 March 1918
    • Royal Horse Guards left for 8th Cav Brigade 21 November 1914
    • 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry joined 12 November 1914, left for 8th Cav Brigade 7 November 1917
    • K Battery, RHA joined 1 October 1914
    • 7th Signal Troop RE
    • 7th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 29 February 1916, broken up 14 April 1918
    • 7th Dragoon Guards joined 10 March 1918
    • 6th Inniskilling Dragoons joined 10 March 1918
    • 17th Lancers joined 10 March 1918

    8th Cavalry Brigade formed 20 November 1914, left 14 March 1918

    • Royal Horse Guards joined from 7th Cav Brigade 21 November 1914, rejoined 7th Cav Brigade 7 November 1917
    • 10th Hussars joined from 6th Cav Brigade 20 November 1914, rejoined 6th Cav Brigade 12 March 1918
    • 1/1st Essex Yeomanry joined 11 December 1914
    • G Battery, RHA joined 25 November 1914, left for 5th Cavalry Division 13 March 1918
    • 8th Signal Troop RE
    • 8th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 29 February 1916, left for 7th Cav Brigade 11 March 1918
    • 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry joined from 7th Cav Brigade 7 November 1917

    Canadian Cavalry Brigade attached between 10 April and 17 June 1916, joined 13 March 1918

    • Royal Canadian Dragoons
    • Lord Strathcona's Horse
    • Fort Garry Horse
    • Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade
    • Cavalry Cavalry Machine Gun Squadron
    • Canadian Signal Troop RE

    Divisional Artillery

    XV Brigade, RHA and XV Brigade Ammunition Column, RHA formed 1 October 1914 and retitled as IV Brigade in May 1915

    Royal Engineers

    • 3rd Field Squadron joined 19 October 1914
    • 3rd Signal Squadron formed 12 September 1914

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 6th Cavalry Field Ambulance formed 14 September 1914
    • 7th Cavalry Field Ambulance formed 3 October 1914
    • 20th Cavalry Field Ambulance joined ?, left 23 December 1914
    • 8th Cavalry Field Ambulance joined 23 December 1914, left 14 March 1918
    • 7th Canadian Field Ambulance joined 13 March 1918
    • No 12 Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915

    Royal Army Veterinary Corps

    • 13th Mobile Veterinary Section
    • 14th Mobile Veterinary Section
    • 20th Mobile Veterinary Section joined 9 March 1915, left 14 March 1918
    • 'A' Canadian Veterinary Section joined 13 March 1918

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 7th Motor Machine Gun Battery MGC joined 30 March 1916, left 18 July 1917
    • 3rd Cavalry Divisional HQ ASC 81 (Horsed Transport) Company, formed 14 September 1914
    • 3rd Cavalry Divisional Auxiliary (Horse) ASC 576 (Horsed Transport) Company, formed 23 September 1915
    • 3rd Cavalry Divisional Supply Column ASC 73 and 414 (Mechanical Transport) Companies, formed 4 and 16 September 1914 respectively. 73 absorbed 414 on 10 October 1916.
    • 773rd Divisional Employment Company formed 16 September 1917
    • 3rd Cavalry Division Field Ambulance Workshop joined 14 May 1915, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 1 April 1916


       40th Division was formed between September and December 1915, composed of some bantam units and others which had a mixture of regulation-height and shorter men. Weeding out of very under-sized or unfit men delayed the training programme and it was not until late spring 1916 that the Division was ready to proceed on active service. The Divisional staff assembled at Stanhope Lines, Aldershot, early in September 1915 and by December the various units had concentrated at nearby Blackdown, Pirbright and Woking.

    The Division moved to France between 2 and 6 June 1916 and by 9 June had concentrated near Lillers. It then served between June and late October 1916 on the front near Loos. The 40th Division remained on the Western Front throughout the rest of the war and took part in the following engagements:

    1916

    The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

    1917

    • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
    • The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie
    • The Cambrai Operations, in which the Division participated in the capture of Bourlon Wood

    1918

    • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
    • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys
    • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys

    After suffering heavy losses during the Battles of the Lys a decision was taken to reduce the Division down to a cadre. This took place from 2 May. Divisional HQ moved to St Omer to 4 June, then went to Lederzeele and Renescure (from 23 June). By the middle of the month all training cadres had left. A number of Garrison Guard Battalions joined during June and were converted to fighting units. Orders were received to reorganise the Division and this was completed by mid July 1918. From 18 July the Division once again took part in active operations.

    1918

    The Final Advance in Flanders, including the Battle of Ypres

    On the night 10th/11th of November the Division was relieved and Divisional HQ moved to Lannoy.

    The Division moved to Roubaix on 25 November. Demobilisation proceeded and by mid May 1919 the Division ceased to exist.

    The Great War cost 40th Division 19179 men killed, wounded or missing.

    Order of Battle of the 40th Division

    119th Brigade

    This brigade was often known as the Welsh Bantam Brigade, until February 1918.

    • 19th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers disbanded February 1918
    • 12th Btn, South Wales Borderers disbanded February 1918
    • 17th Btn, Welsh Regiment disbanded February 1918
    • 18th Btn, Welsh Regiment disbanded February 1918
    • 119th Machine Gun Company joined 19 June 1916, moved to 40th Bn MGC March 1918
    • 119th Trench Mortar Battery formed 25 June 1916
    • 13th Btn, East Surrey Regiment joined from 120th Brigade February 1918, left as cadre June 1918
    • 21st Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined February 1918, left as cadre May 1918
    • 10/11th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined and left February 1918
    • 13th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined as 13th Garrison Bn in June 1918
    • 13th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment joined as 8th Garrison Guard Bn in June 1918
    • 12th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment joined as 12th Garrison Bn in June 1918

    120th Brigade

    • 11th Btn, King's Own disbanded February 1918
    • 13th Btn, Cameronians left February 1916
    • 14th Btn, Highland Light Infantry left as a cadre June 1918
    • 13th Btn, East Surrey Regiment joined February 1916, left for 119th Brigade February 1918
    • 14th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left April 1918
    • 12th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment joined January 1916, absorbed into 11th King's Own March 1916
    • 120th Machine Gun Company joined 19 June 1916, moved to 40th Bn MGC March 1918
    • 120th Trench Mortar Battery joined 8 June 1916
    • 10/11th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined February 1918, left as cadre June 1918
    • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined and left April 1918
    • 10th Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers joined June 1918
    • 15th Btn, Yorkshire Light Infantry joined June 1918
    • 11th Btn, Cameron Highlanders joined as 6th Garrison Guard Bn June 1918

    121st Brigade

    • 12th Btn, Suffolk Regiment left May 1918
    • 13th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment left June 1918
    • 18th Btn, Sherwood Foresters merged with 13th Yorkshire R in April 1916
    • 22nd Btn, Middlesex Regiment disbanded April 1916
    • 20th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined 23 February 1916, left as cadre May 1918
    • 21st Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined 23 February 1916, left February 1918
    • 121st Machine Gun Company joined 19 June 1916, moved to 40th Bn MGC March 1918
    • 121st Trench Mortar Battery joined 25 June 1916
    • 8th Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined as 8th Garrison Bn June 1918
    • 23rd Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers joined as 23rd Garrison Bn June 1918
    • 23rd Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined June 1918
    • 9th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment joined as cadre June 1918, absorbed July 1918

    Divisional Troops

    • 12th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment Divisional Pioneers left June 1918
    • 244th Machine Gun Company joined July 1917, moved to 40th Bn MGC March 1918
    • 40th Battalion MGC formed March 1918, disbanded May 1918
    • 17th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment Divisional Pioneers joined June 1918
    • 104th Battalion MGC formed 24 August 1918, left 16 September 1918
    • 39th Battalion MGC joined 11 September 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • A Sqn, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry left 20 June 1916
    • 40th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 11 June 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • CLXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA
    • CLXXXI Brigade, RFA
    • CLXXXV Brigade, RFA broken up 31 August 1916
    • CLXXXVIII Brigade, RFA broken up 1 September 1916
    • 40th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA (Hammersmith)
    • V.40 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 4 July 1916; broken up 7 March 1918
    • X.40, Y.40 and Z.40 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 25 June 1916; on 7 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 224th Field Company
    • 229th Field Company
    • 231st Company
    • 40th Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 135th Field Ambulance
    • 136th Field Ambulance
    • 137th Field Ambulance
    • 83rd Sanitary Section left April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 40th Divisional Train ASC 225, 226, 227, 228 Companies joined November 1915 but were replaced by 292, 293, 294 and 295 Companies by April 1916
    • 51st Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 237th Divisional Employment Company joined April 1917
    • 40th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop left after June 1918


       The 1st (Peshawar) Division was a Regular Division of the British Indian Army. It was formed after the Kitchener reforms of the Indian Army in 1903. During World War I it remained in India for local defence but it was mobilised for action on the North West Frontier on several occasions during the period.

    The Division was in the Northern Army, later called Northern Command. In 1919, the Division was mobilised for operations in Afghanistan during the Third Afghan War. Typical of all Indian Army formations, it contained a mixture of British units and Indian ones and unlike British Divisions it contained a mixture of cavalry and infantry components.

    Units forming Divisional Order of Battle in 1914.

    1st (Risalpur) Cavalry Brigade

    • 13th Duke of Connaught's Lancers
    • 14th Murray's Jat Lancers
    • 1st Duke of York's Own Skinner's Horse
    • Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Frontier Force)
    • Lumsden's Cavalry
    • 21st Lancers
    • M Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • 1st Guides Infantry.

    1st (Peshawar) Infantry Brigade

    • 2nd Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • 1st Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment
    • 14th Sikhs
    • 21st Punjabis
    • 72nd Punjabis.

    2nd (Nowshera) Infantry Brigade

    • 1st Btn, Durham Light Infantry
    • 24th Punjabis
    • 46th Punjabis
    • 82nd Punjabis
    • 112th Infantry

    Peshawar Brigade - Formed July 1918

    • 1st Btn, Yorkshire Regiment
    • 30th Lancers.

    Divisional Troops

    • 2/1st Guides Rifles
    • 38th Dogras
    • 51st Sikhs.


       41st Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915. The majority of the units that comprised the division were originally locally raised ones, primarily from the south of England. The division was inspected by king George V and Field Marshal Lord French on 26th of April 1916. The units of 41st Division moved to France between 1st and 6th of May 1916 and by 8th May had concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. The division then remained on the Western Front until October 1917 and took part in the following engagements:

    1916

    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
    • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Messines
    • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
    • The Battle of the Menin Road - Third Battles of Ypres
    • Operations on the Flanders coast

    On 7 November the Division was notified that it was to be transferred to Italy. The move (by train) began five days later and by 18 November all units had concentrated north west of Mantua. The Division took over a sector of front line behind the River Piave, north west of Treviso, between 30 November and early on 2 December.

    1918

    On 28 February 1918 the Division concentrated in Campo San Piero, preparatory to returning to France. By 9 March it had completed concentration near Doullens and Mondicourt.

    • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
    • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The Battle of Arras - Somme
    • The Battles of the Lys
    • The Advance in Flanders
    • The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders
    • The Battle of Courtrai - Final Advance in Flanders
    • The action of Ooteghem - Final Advance in Flanders

    The forward units of the Division were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and on the line of the River Dender near Grammont when the Armistice brought fighting to an end. Selected to join the Army of Occupation, the Division began to move on 18 December, going via Enghien - Hal - Braine 'Alleud - Sombreffe - Temploux - north of Namur and Huy. On 6 January the move was completed by train and on 12 January the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead.Demobilisation began; on 15 March the Division was retitled as the London Division.

    The Great War cost 41st Division 32158 men killed, wounded or missing.

    Order of Battle of the 41st Division

    122nd Brigade

    • 12th Btn, East Surrey Regiment (Bermondsey)
    • 15th Btn, Hampshire Regiment (2nd Portsmouth)
    • 11th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment (Lewisham) disbanded March 1918
    • 18th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps (Arts and Crafts)
    • 122nd Machine Gun Company joined May 1916, moved to 41st Battalion MGC March 1918
    • 122nd Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916

    123rd Brigade

    • 11th Btn, Queen's
    • 10th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment (Kent County)
    • 23rd Btn, Middlesex Regiment (2nd Football)
    • 20th Btn, Durham Light Infantry (Wearside) left for 124th Brigade in March 1918
    • 123rd Machine Gun Company joined June 1916, moved to 41st Battalion MGC March 1918
    • 123rd Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916

    124th Brigade

    • 10th Btn, Queen's West Surrey Regiment (Lambeth)
    • 26th Btn, Royal Fusiliers
    • 32nd Btn, Royal Fusiliers disbanded March 1918
    • 21st Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps (Yeomen Rifles) disbanded March 1918
    • 124th Machine Gun Company joined June 1916, moved to 41st Bn MGC March 1918
    • 124th Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916
    • 20th Btn, Durham Light Infantry (Wearside) joined from 123rd Brigade March 1918

    Divisional Troops

    • 13th Btn, East Surrey Regiment (Wandsworth) left October 1915
    • 23rd Btn, Middlesex Regiment (2nd Public Works) joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn October 1915
    • 238th Machine Gun Company joined July 1917, left October 1917
    • 199th Machine Gun Company joined October 1917, moved to 41st Battalion MGC March 1918
    • 41st Battalion MGC formed March 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • B Sqn, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry left 31 May 1916
    • 41st Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 28 May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • CLXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up November 1916
    • CLXXXVII Brigade, RFA
    • CLXXXIX Brigade, RFA left January 1917
    • CXC Brigade, RFA
    • 41st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA (West Ham)
    • V.41 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed July 1916; disbanded October 1917
    • X.41, Y.41 and Z.41 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed May 1916; in April 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each
    • XIII Belgian Field Artillery Regiment attached January to May 1917

    Royal Engineers

    • 228th (Barnsley) Field Company
    • 233rd (Ripon) Field Company
    • 237th (Reading) Company
    • 41st Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 138th Field Ambulance
    • 139th Field Ambulance
    • 140th Field Ambulance
    • 84th Sanitary Section left April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 41st Divisional Train ASC 296, 297, 298 and 299 Companies
    • 52nd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 41st Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop left May 1916


       42nd (East Lancashire) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5th of August 1914.

    1914

    The East Lancashire was the first Territorial Division to move overseas. The Division was warned on 5th of September 1914 that it would be sent to Egypt and four days later it began to embark at Southampton, the first transports sailing on 10 September. Disembarkation began at Alexandria on 25th of September, and with the exception of the Manchester Brigade concentrated around Cairo, where acclimatisation and further training commenced. The Manchester Brigade remained at Alexandria, sending one battalion to Khartoum and half a battalion to Cyprus, to garrison key military installations. Initially, Britain set out only to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkish troops that were massed in Palestine, and it was for this purpose that the East Lancashire Division was moved to the theatre. Detachments from the Division began to move to the Canal Zone in October 1914. The first clash in the Suez area occurred on 20 November 1914, when a patrol of the Bikanir Camel Corps met 200 Turk-controlled mounted Bedouin east of Kantara.

    1915

    By mid January 1915 the Turks were ready to advance, having assembled a force of two Divisions with another in reserve, plus assorted camel and horse units. This was not a big force, considering the scale of their ambition was to wrest Egypt from British control and score a strategic success by seizing the canal. The force took the central route across the Sinai desert, taking ten days to reach the canal zone, intending to capture Ismailia and therefore the critical drinking water supplies. British aircraft tracked their progress; on 28 January 1915 observers identified a large column of troops on the centre route. British and French ships entered the canal, and opened fire while infantry manned defensive positions. Patrols clashed on 2 February, but a sandstorm halted any further action until next day.

    Various units of the East Lancashire Division were engaged in defending against the Turk attack on 3 February 1915.

    Turkish attack on the Suez Canal Once this first threat had subsided, they remained in the Canal Zone, until ordered to reinforce the beleaguered garrison on Gallipoli.

    Gallipoli

    The East Lancashire Division began to embark at Alexandria on 1st of May 1915. The first transports left next day, and the last on 6 May. 14,224 men of the Division landed at Cape Helles. The Division was involved in three notable attempts to break out of the Helles bridgehead to capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. These attacks took place on 6-8 May (in which only the Lancashire Fusiliers Brigade of the Division took part), 4 June and 6-13 August. The last of these is known officially as the Battle of Krithia Vineyard, which gives some impression of the relatively small areas being so violently contested. It was undertaken not only to try to capture ground but to divert Turk attention from a large British landing further up the coast at Suvla Bay; an enterprise which failed and ultimately led to the decision to evacuate the hopeless position on Gallipoli.

    By mid August 1915 the East Lancashire Division, through battle casualties and sickness, was down to little more than one third of its normal establishment. It received reinforcement in the shape of men of the Yeomanry, fighting dismounted. The Division, along with all other units in the Helles bridgehead, made a successful withdrawal from Gallipoli by 8 January 1916.

    1916

    After a short stay on Mudros while sufficient shipping was made available and the army administration got on top of the flood of units coming to Egypt from Gallipoli, the Division returned to Alexandria.

    The Battle of Romani (4-5 August 1916)

    Further work was undertaken on the Suez Canal defences throughout the spring and summer of 1916. In early August 1916, the Lancashire Fusiliers and Manchester Brigades made a very long march under blazing sun, towards Romani where a short engagement took place in which the Turkish units were pushed back with heavy loss. The Brigades (of the by now retitled 42nd (East Lancashire) Division) had to wade and struggle through loose sand, and the physical effort was extreme. Many men collapsed.

    Romani was an important victory, because from there the British force pushed a railway and water line across the Sinai desert that would enable an assault with the intention of clearing Palestine. The East Lancs were involved as advance guards as the building moved forward as far as El Arish. However, a decision had been taken to restructure the force in Palestine, and in consequence the Division was ordered for the first time to the Western Front. All units embarked at Alexandria by the end of February 1917.

    1917

    On arrival and after being re-equipped for trench warfare in very different conditions to those the men had become accustomed to, the Division entered the line at Epehy, as part of III Corps in Fourth Army. They remained in this area, soon moving to Havrincourt where they remained until 8 July. These positions faced the formidable German Hindenburg Line in front of Cambrai. Through the rest of July and August, the Division carried out rest and training, in the area of Albert (on the old Somme battlefield of 1916).

    September 1917 saw a move north, to join the offensive at Ypres that had opened on 31 July. This is officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, or more popularly, Passchendaele. Although the battle opened well it had soon become literally bogged down as Flanders endured the worst August weather for many years. September, however, was very warm and dry. During this time the British Second and Fifth Armies made a number of costly but successful "bite and hold" advances. The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division relieved 15th (Scottish) Division in XIX Corps of Fifth Army on the overcast day of 28 August.

    The Lancashire Fusiliers Brigade carried out an unsuccessful attack on 6 September, against strongly held German pillboxes at Iberian, Borry and Beck House Farms. The small amount of ground they captured was in fact given up next day. The 4th East Lancashires made an attack on a strongpoint called Sans Souci on 15 September.

    Later in the month, the Division moved to the Belgian coast at Nieuport. This was now a relatively quiet sector and it gave an opportunity for the Division to reorganise and assimilate many new drafts. The Division remained in this area until November, when relieved by a French Division, and moved to Givenchy, on the La Bassee Canal near Bethune.

    Givenchy was a notorious spot. Although the front line here had been static since late 1914, it had been constantly fought over and was in particular a place where underground mine warfare had been undertaken by both sides. The lines were made of the lips of many craters of mines that had been blown in 1915 and 1916. The Division was mostly used in the construction of concrete defence works (which, incidentally, were used to great advantage by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division in stemming a strong enemy attack here in April 1918.

    The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division then remained on the Western Front and took part in the following engagements:

    1918

    • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme
    • The Battle of Albert - Somme
    • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
    • The pursuit to the Selle - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of the Selle, a phase of the Final Advance in Picardy

    The forward units of the Division were at Hautmont and across the River Sambre when the Arnistice brought fighting to an end at 1100 on 11 November 1918. Not selected to join the Army of Occupation, the Division was visited by King George V on 1st of December 1918. Units moved to the Charleroi area between 14th and 19th of December and demobilisation began. By midnight 15th/16th of March the units were down to their last cadres.

    The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    The Units forming the divisional order of battle of the 42nd (East Lancashire)Division

    125th (Lancashire Fusiliers) Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
    • 1/6th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers left February 1918
    • 1/7th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
    • 1/8th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
    • 125th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved to 42nd Battalion MGC 25 February 1918
    • 125th Trench Mortar Battery joined 26 March 1917

    126th (East Lancashire) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment left February 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment
    • 1/9th Btn, Manchester Regiment left February 1918
    • 1/10th Btn, Manchester Regiment
    • 123rd Machine Gun Company joined 14 March 1916, moved to 42nd Battalion MGC 23 Feb 1918
    • 123rd Trench Mortar Battery joined 26 March 1917
    • 1/8th Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined from 127th Brigade February 1918

    127th (Manchester) Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn, Manchester Regiment
    • 1/6th Btn, Manchester Regiment
    • 1/7th Btn, Manchester Regiment
    • 1/8th Btn, Manchester Regiment left for 126th Brigade February 1918
    • 127th Machine Gun Company joined 14 March 1916, moved to 42nd Battalion MGC 23 Feb 1918
    • 127th Trench Mortar Battery joined 26 March 1917

    Divisional Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 268th Machine Gun Company joined 20 January 1918, moved to 42nd Battalion MGC 23 Feb 1918
    • 1/7th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneers 12 February 1918
    • 42nd Battalion MGC formed 23 February 1918
    • 42nd Divisional Train ASC retitled from the East Lancashire Divisional Transport and Supply Column on 17 January 1916, and the units also retitled as 447, 448, 449 and 450 Companies ASC. Remained in Egypt when the Division moved to France and was transferred to 53rd (Welsh) Division). replaced in France by 428, 429, 430 and 431 Companies ASC which joined at Pont Remy on 4 March 1917
    • 19th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 239th Divisional Employment Company joined 1 June 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

    A Sqn, Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry embarked with Division but remained in Egypt, did not go to Gallipoli, left 29 January 1917

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCX Brigade, RFA
    • CCXI Brigade, RFA
    • CCXII Brigade, RFA broken up 21 February 1917
    • CXCIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 26 December 1916
    • 2nd Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division and moved independently to France, joining XVI HA Brigade RGA on 15 February 1916
    • 42nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.42 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 23 March 1917; left for I Corps 3 February 1918
    • X.42, Y.42 and Z.42 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 23 March 1917; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 427th (1st East Lancashire) Field Company
    • 428th (2nd East Lancashire) Field Company
    • 420th (2nd West Lancashire) Company joined August 1915, left June 1916
    • 429th (3rd East Lancashire) Field Company joined July 1916
    • 42nd (East Lancashire) Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st East Lancashire Field Ambulance
    • 2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance
    • 3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance
    • 22nd Sanitary Section joined 9 February 1916, left for XIX Corps 19 April 1917


       43rd (Wessex) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed as the Wessex Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

    The units of the Division had moved to their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain in late July 1914 when War Office instructions arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On 3 August the brigades moved to defended ports while Divisional HQ was established at Exeter. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914. Five days later the Division reconcentrated at Salisbury Plain and HQ moved to Tidworth. On 22nd of September 1914 the Government of India agreed to send 32 British and 20 Indian regular army battalions to Europe in exchange for 43 TF battalions. Lord Kitchener proposed instead to send the Wessex Division. The entire Division was to go, with the exception of the staffs of the infantry brigades, the ammunition columns of the artillery brigades, the Royal Engineers, the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Hampshire Heavy Battery, RGA. All units assembled at Southampton on 9th of October. Sailing via Malta and Suez, the main body of the Division went to Bombay, landing on 9th of November, with three units (4th, 5th and 6th Devons) landing at Karachi two days later.

    On arrival, the units reverted to peacetime service conditions but remained embodied for full time duty.

    1915

    In March 1915, the 4th Hampshire Regiment and 5th Hampshire Howitzer Battery RFA left for service in Mesopotamia.

    4th Hampshire Howitzer Battery RFA went to Aden in September 1915.

    1916

    Large numbers of units were sent to Mesopotamia; they were replaced by Second Line TF and Garrison units coming out from England. These units, while taking over the roles, were not placed under Divisional command.

    1917

    Three units left for Palestine and others went to Mesopotamia and Aden.

    In 1919, some men being sent home from Mesopotamia were retained in India and formed into provisional battalions on account of local civil disorders. They were retained in India for the Third Afghan War. This aside, units were gradually reduced to cadres and sailed for England. The Wessex Division was reformed in England in 1920.

    Order of Battle of the 43rd (Wessex)Division

    128th (Hampshire) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Hampshire Regiment left March 1915 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/5th Btn, Hampshire Regiment
    • 1/6th Btn, Hampshire Regiment left September 1917 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/7th Btn, Hampshire Regiment physically left January 1918 (Aden) but remained under Divisional command

    129th (South Western) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry left February 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/5th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry left May 1917 (Palestine)
    • 1/4th Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment left February 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/4th Btn, Wiltshire Regiment left September 1917 (Palestine)

    130th (Devon & Cornwall) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Devonshire Regiment left February 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/5th Btn, Devonshire Regiment left April 1917 (Palestine)
    • 1/6th Btn, Devonshire Regiment left January 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/4th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry left January 1916 (Aden) then went to Palestine in February 1917

    Divisional Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

    Wessex Divisional Transport and Supply Column ASC did not go to India (instead formed 29th Division Train and 27th Divisional Reserve Park in England)

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXV (I Wessex) Brigade, RFA left October 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • CCXVI (Howitzer) (II Wessex) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXVII (III Wessex) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXVIII (IV Wessex) Brigade, RFA
    • Wessex (Hampshire) Heavy Battery, RGA did not go to India

    Royal Engineers

    • I Wessex Field Company did not go to India (joined 27th Division in England)
    • II Wessex Field Company same
    • Wessex Divisional Signals Company same

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st Wessex Field Ambulance did not go to India (joined 8th Division in England)
    • 2nd Wessex Field Ambulance
    • 3rd Wessex Field Ambulance


       44th (Home Counties) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed as the Home Counties Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914.

    Early in September 1914 two battalions which had already reached the required proportion of men agreeing to overseas service (1/7th and 1/8th Middlesex Regiment) were detached and sent to Gibraltar in order to relieve units of the regular army that were needed for France. On 22nd of September 1914 the government of India agreed to send 32 British and 20 Indian regular army battalions to Europe in exchange for 43 TF battalions. Lord Kitchener proposed to send the Home Counties Division. The entire Division was to go, with the exception of the staffs of the infantry brigades, the ammunition columns of the artillery brigades, the Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical Corps and the Divisional Transport and Supply Column ASC. All units that were going to India assembled at Southampton and sailed on 30 October. They all went to Bombay, landing between 1st and 3rd of December. The Brecknockshire Battalion of the South Wales Borderers was detached and embarked at Bombay on 9 December for Aden, where it arrived seven days later. On arrival, the units reverted to peacetime service conditions but remained embodied for full time duty. Units moved out to garrison Kamptee, Mhow, Jullundur, Mooltan, Ferozepore, Jubbulpore, Lucknow, Cawnpore, Fyzabad, Mhow, Jhansi, Dinapore and Fort William. Two units went to Burma, being stationed at Rangoon and Myanmo. One of these, the 1/4th King's Shropshire Light Infantry, also sent a detachment to the Andaman Islands.

    1915

    The 1/4th King's Shropshire Light Infantry in Rangoon was ordered on 21 January to disarm a native infantry battalion of the local garrison which was threatening mutiny. Soon after, another mutiny at Singapore caused more than half the battalion to be sent there and the 2/4th Border Regiment, which arrived in April, was sent to reinforce Rangoon.

    In August the Brecknockshire Battalion returned form Aden, where it was replaced by 1/4th Buffs.

    Large numbers of units were sent to Mesopotamia; they were replaced by Second Line and Garrison units coming out from England. These units, while taking over the roles, were not placed under Divisional command. This process, along with rotation of units going to Aden, continued through 1916, 1917 and 1918.

    1919

    Some units were retained in India for the Third Afghan War (1/4th Bn, the Queen's, 1/4th and 2/4th Bns, the Border Regiment and 1/4th Bn, the Royal West Kent Regiment). This aside, units were gradually reduced to cadres and sailed for England. The Home Counties Division was reformed in England in 1920.

    The units forming the divisional order of battle of the 44th (Home Counties) Division

    131st (Surrey) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Queen's
    • 1/5th Btn, Queen's left December 1915 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/5th Btn, East Surrey Regiment left December 1917 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/6th Btn, East Surrey Regiment served in Aden 7 February 1917 to 8 January 1918

    132nd (Middlesex) Brigade

    • 1/7th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left September 1914
    • 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left September 1914
    • 1/9th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left November 1917 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/10th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left September 1917 (Palestine)
    • 1/4th Btn, Border Regiment joined October 1914
    • 1/4th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry) joined October 1914, served in Rangoon, Singapore and Hong Kong 91915/1916), Ceylon (April-May 1917) then left Division and went via South Africa to France
    • 1/1st Brecknockshire Battalion, South Wales Borderers joined October 1914, served in Aden 16 December 1914 - 5 August 1915
    • 2/4th Btn, Border Regiment joined March 1915

    133rd (Kent) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Buffs served in Aden 4 August 1915 to 28 January 1916
    • 1/5th Btn, Buffs left December 1915 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/4th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment left January 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/5th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment left December 1917 (Mesopotamia)

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXX (I Home Counties) Brigade, RFA left December 1915 for service in Mesopotamia but returned to India July 1916; left again October 1917 (Mesopotamia)
    • CCXXI (Howitzer) (II Home Counties) Brigade, RFA left October 1917 (Mesopotamia)
    • III Home Counties (Cinque Ports) Brigade, RFA left May 1916 (Mesopotamia) (did not have title CCXXII until later)
    • IV Home Counties (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left for 27th Division December 1914
    • Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery, RGA did not go to India; to France December 1915

    Royal Engineers

    • I Home Counties Field Company left for 8th Division in France February 1915
    • II Home Counties Field Company left for 5th Division in France February 1915
    • Home Counties Divisional Signals Company left for 28th Division January 1915

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 27th Division November 1914 (retitled 81st FA)
    • 2nd Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 27th Division November 1914 (retitled 82nd FA)
    • 3rd Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 27th Division November 1914 (retitled 83rd FA)

    Other Divisional Troops

    Home Counties Divisional Transport and Supply Column ASC left for 27th Division in November 1914

       45th (2nd Wessex) Division was formed in September 1914 as a second line territorial divisin. In September 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all men of the units of the Territorial Force who had agreed to serve overseas from that that had not. Those left as home service only were formed into second line units. These units were organised into 14 Divisions, each a mirror image if its first line.

    The Wessex Division (later numbered 43rd) departed for India in October 1914. Some of the second line units had already formed but most came into existence after the departure of the first line. Arrangements had already been made to send the Welsh Division to India, to release regular units from garrison duty for active service. On 25 November 1914 it was decided to instead send from the 2nd Wessex 10 battalions of infantry and the artillery. The other 'second line' units (Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical Corps, Army Service Corps, etc) of the Division would not go and many were eventually posted to fill gaps in other Divisions. The transport and horses of all units going to India were left behind. The Division, thus depleted, sailed from Southampton on 12th of December 1914. The total strength was 283 officers and 9344 men, with 36 guns. Two battalions (2/4th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and 2/4th Hampshire Regiment went to Karachi (arriving 9 January 1915) via Aden; the rest landed at Bombay (4-8 January 1915). The artillery was stationed at Kirkee, Secunderabad and Bangalore; the infantry at Bombay, Poona, Secunderabad, Bangalore, Ahmednagar, Karachi, Quetta, Wellington and Meiktila.

    The units of the Division were repeatedly called upon to supply drafts to the 'first line'. It had been originally conceived that at some point the Division might be withdrawn from India for France, but this became an impractical proposition and it remained in India throughout the war. It was reduced in 1919 and eventually ceased to exist.

    Order of Battle of the 45th (2nd Wessex) Division

    134th (2/1st Hampshire) Brigade, ceased to exist from September 1917

    • 2/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment left for Egypt May 1917
    • 2/5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment left for Egypt April 1917
    • 2/6th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment did not go to India; left February 1915 and joined 84th Provisional Battalion; later became 17th Hampshire Regiment
    • 2/7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment left for Mesopotamia September 1917

    135th (2/1st South Western) Brigade

    • 2/4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry left for Egypt September 1917
    • 2/5th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry
    • 2/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment left for Egypt August 1917
    • 2/4th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment

    136th (2/1st Devon & Cornwall) Brigade

    • 2/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment left for Egypt October 1917
    • 2/5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment did not go to India; went to Egypt September 1915
    • 2/6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment left for Mesopotamia September 1917
    • 2/4th Battalion, Duke of Conrwall's Light Infantry

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCCXV (2/I Wessex) Brigade, RFA broken up April 1917
    • 2/II Wessex Brigade, RFA did not go to India; remained at home as training unit
    • CCCXVII (2/III Wessex) Brigade, RFA
    • CCCXVIII (2/IV Wessex) (How) Bde, RFA


     Divisional History  The 46th (North Midland) Division in 1914-1918

    The history of 46th (North Midland) Division

    The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914.

    1914

    The units of the Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August 1914.

    1915

    King George V inspected the Division on 19th of February 1915. Advance parties landed at Boulogne on 23 February and eight days later the units began to arrive. Concentration was completed by 8th of March. The North Midland was thus the first TF Division to arrive complete in a theatre of war. The first months were spent in the Ypres salient.

    On 12th of May 1915 the Division was retitled as the 46th (North Midland) Division and the brigades were also retitled.

    The Division then took part in the following engagements:

    • The German liquid fire attack at Hooge (30-31 July 1915)
    • The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt (13 October 1915)

    On 23 December 1915 the Division was ordered to proceed to Egypt, leaving the Divisional Ammunition Column (for the 55th Division), the Divisional Train (with the 56th Division) and the Mobile Veterinary Section. Most units reached Egypt via Marseilles by 13 January.

    1916

    After just a few days in Egypt, the move of the Division was countermanded and the units were returned to France, whereupon the DAC, Train and Vets rejoined. The Division remained in France and Flanders for the rest of the war, taking part in the following engagements:

    The diversionary attack at Gommecourt (1 July 1916)

    1917

    • Operations on the Ancre (March)
    • Occupation of the Gommecourt defences (4 March)
    • The attack on Rettemoy Graben (12 March)
    • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
    • The attack on Lievin (1 July)
    • The Battle of Hill 70 (15-25 August)

    1918

    • The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise - Hindenburg Line 1918
    • The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line - Hindenburg Line 1918
    • The Battle of Cambrai - Hindenburg Line 1918
    • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
    • The Battle of Sambre - Final Advance in Picardy

    The forward units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord on 11 November 1918. Not selected to join the Army of Occupation, the Division moved back to Landrecies on 14-15 November. Units moved to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 and demobilisation began. By June it was down to cadre level.

    The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    The units forming the divisional order of battle of the 46th (North Midland) Division

    137th (Staffordshire) Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn, the South Staffordshire Regiment
    • 1/6th Btn, the South Staffordshire Regiment
    • 1/5th Btn, the North Staffordshire Regiment left January 1918
    • 1/6th Btn, the North Staffordshire Regiment
    • 4th Btn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined November 1915, left December 1915
    • 1/4th Btn, the Seaforth Highlanders joined and left November 1915
    • 1/4th Btn, the London Regiment joined and left November 1915
    • 137th Machine Gun Company joined 7 March 1916, moved to 46th Btn MGC 28 February 1918
    • 137th Trench Mortar Battery joined 2 March 1916

    138th (Lincoln & Leicester) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, the Lincolnshire Regiment left January 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, the Lincolnshire Regiment
    • 1/4th Btn, the Leicestershire Regiment
    • 1/5th Btn, the Leicestershire Regiment
    • 138th Machine Gun Company joined 22 February 1916, moved to 46th Btn MGC 28 Feb 1918
    • 138th Trench Mortar Battery joined 2 March 1916

    139th (Sherwood Forester) Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn, the Sherwood Foresters
    • 1/6th Btn, the Sherwood Foresters
    • 1/7th Btn, the Sherwood Foresters left January 1918
    • 1/8th Btn, the Sherwood Foresters
    • 1/4th Btn, the Black Watch joined and left November 1915
    • 1/3rd Btn, the London Regiment joined and left November 1915
    • 139th Machine Gun Company joined 16 February 1916, moved to 46th Btn MGC 26 Feb 1918
    • 139th Trench Mortar Battery joined 9 March 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 1/1st Btn, the Monmouthshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in September 1915
    • 178th Machine Gun Company joined 28 March 1917, moved to 46th Bn MGC 28 Feb 1918
    • 46th Battalion MGC formed 28 February 1918
    • 100th Battalion MGC joined 26 September 1918, left 1 October 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • B Sqn, the Yorkshire Hussars left 5 May 1916
    • North Midland Divisional Cyclist Company left 9 May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXXX Brigade, RFA
    • CCXXXI Brigade, RFA
    • CCXXXII Brigade, RFA left January 1917
    • CCXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up August 1916
    • North Midland (Staffordshire) Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left for XIII HA Brigade, RGA on 18 April 1915
    • 46th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.46 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 20 June 1916; left for I Corps 3 February 1918
    • X.46, Y.46 and Z.46 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 9-17 March 1916; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 465th (1st North Midland) Field Company left January 1915, rejoined April 1915
    • 466th (2nd North Midland) Field Company
    • 468th (2/1st North Midland) Company
    • 57th (3rd East Lancashire) Field Company joined April 1915, left July 1915
    • 46th Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st North Midland Field Ambulance
    • 2nd North Midland Field Ambulance
    • 3rd North Midland Field Ambulance
    • 17th Sanitary Section joined 4 March 1915, left for V Corps 21 March 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 46th Divisional Train ASC retitled from the North Midland Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 451, 452, 453 and 454 Companies ASC
    • 1st North Midland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 46th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 6 April 1916
    • 240th Divisional Employment Company joined 25 June 1917


       47th (2nd London) Division was a first line formation of the Territorial Force, formed as the 2nd London Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

    1914

    The units of the Division had just arrived for annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the St Albans area by mid August 1914. In October the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service. Many units were detached from the Division and sent independently to France as sorely needed reinforcements for the BEF.

    1915

    Units began to cross to France on 8th-9th of March. 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the rest concentrated near Bethune by 22 March. 5th London Brigade then rejoined. The 2nd London was the second TF Division to arrive complete in France. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

    • The Battle of Aubers Ridge
    • The Battle of Festubert
    • The Battle of Loos
    • The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt

    1916

    • The German attack at Vimy Ridge
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme, in which the Division captured High Wood
    • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme, in which the Division captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye
    • The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Messines
    • Third Battles of Ypres
    • The Cambrai Operations, in which the Division captured Bourlon Wood and fought the German counter attacks

    1918

    • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
    • The First Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme
    • The Battle of Albert - Somme
    • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The operations in Artois including the official entry into Lille a phase of the Final Advance in Artois

    The forward units of the Division reached Franses-lez-Buissenal / Moustier, north of Leuze, on 10th of November 1918. Next day the Division marched back to Tournai and on 26 November moved on to the Bethune area. Not selected to join the Army of Occupation, the demobilisation of the Division began and the first parties moved to England 1-10 January 1919. By 28 March it was down to cadre level. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    Order of Battle of the 47th (2nd London) Division

    140th (4th London) Brigade

    • 1/13th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
    • 1/14th Battalion, London Regiment left September 1914
    • 1/15th Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/16th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
    • 1/6th Battalion, London Regiment joined November 1914, left January 1918
    • 1/7th Battalion, London Regiment joined November 1914, left February 1918
    • 1/8th Battalion, London Regiment joined November 1914, left February 1918
    • 140th Machine Gun Company formed 13 Dec 1915, moved to 47th Battalion MGC 1 March 1918
    • 140th Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916
    • 1/17th Battalion, London Regiment joined from 141st Brigade February 1918
    • 1/21st Battalion, London Regiment joined from 142nd Brigade February 1918

    141st (5th London) Brigade

    • 1/17th Battalion, London Regiment left for 140th Brigade February 1918
    • 1/18th Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/19th Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/20th Battalion, London Regiment
    • 141st Machine Gun Company formed 12 Dec 1915, moved to 47th Battalion MGC 1 March 1918
    • 141st Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916

    142nd (6th London) Brigade

    • 1/21st Battalion, London Regiment left for 140th Brigade February 1918
    • 1/22nd Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/23rd Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/24th Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/3rd Battalion, London Regiment joined November 1915, left February 1916
    • 142nd Machine Gun Company formed 10 Dec 1915, moved to 47th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
    • 142nd Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 1/1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company joined August 1914, left September 1914
    • 1/28th Battalion, London Regiment joined August 1914, left October 1914
    • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneers September 1915
    • 239th Machine Gun Company joined 17 July 1917, left 1 October 1917
    • 255th Machine Gun Company joined 19 November 1917, moved to 47th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
    • 47th Battalion, MGC formed 1 March 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • C Sqn, 1st King Edward's Horse left June 1916
    • 2nd London Divisional Cyclist Company left 1 June 1916

    Divisional Artillery

      The artillery of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division was also attached to the 47th Division between 13 and 25 August 1918, whereupon it was transferred to the 3rd Australian Division

    • CCXXXV Brigade, RFA
    • CCXXXVI Brigade, RFA
    • CCXXXVII Brigade, RFA left November 1916
    • CCXXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up January 1917
    • CCLXXX Brigade, RFA attached 3-26 January 1916
    • CCLXXXII Brigade, RFA attached 27 January - 19 February 1916
    • 47th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.47 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 6 November 1916; left for V Corps 16 February 1918
    • X.47, Y.47 and Z.47 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA X and Y joined 17 November 1915, originally as No 7 and No 8, and Z was formed in April 1916; on 1 February 1918, X broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each, Z Batt being redesignated X Battery

    Royal Engineers

    • 517th (3rd London) Field Company left December 1914, rejoined April 1915
    • 518th (4th London) Field Company
    • 520th (2/3rd London) Company joined June 1915
    • 47th Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 4th London Field Ambulance
    • 5th London Field Ambulance
    • 6th London Field Ambulance
    • 47th Sanitary Section left for Second Army 18 April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 47th Divisional Train ASC retitled from the 2nd London Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 455, 456, 457 and 458 Companies ASC
    • 2nd London Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 47th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 3 April 1916
    • 241st Divisional Employment Company joined May 1917


       The 48th (South Midland) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed as the South Midland Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

    1914

    The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by mid August 1914.

    On 13th of March the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service and entrainment began a week later. Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades went via Folkestone-Boulogne while all other units went from Southampton to Le Havre. By 3 April the Division had concentrated near Cassel. The Division then remained in France and Flanders until late 1917 and took part in the following engagements:

    1916

    • The Battle of Albert - Somme
    • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme, in which the Division captured Ovillers
    • The Battle of Pozieres Ridge - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

    1917

    • The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, in which the Division occupied Peronne
    • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of the Ypres
    • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of the Ypres
    • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battles of the Ypres
    • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battles of the Ypres

    Divisional HQ received orders on 10th of November for a move to Italy. Entrainment began on 21st of November and all units had detrained around Legnano (Adige) by 1 December. The Division them moved north to the area allotted to XI Corps.

    1918

    The Division relieved 7th Division to hold the front line sector at the Montello between 1st and 16th of March. It then moved west, to the Asiago sector. The Division took part in:

    • The fighting on the Asiago Plateau
    • The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto, in the Val d'Assa rather than the Vittoria Veneto itself.

    The Division had the distinction on 3 November of surrounding and capturing the commander of the Austrian III Corps (General von Ritter-Romer), three Divisional commanders and about 14 battalions. By the Armitice (which here was at 1500 on 4 November), the Division had pushed forward into the Trentino and was eight miles NW of Levico. In so doing the Warwickshire Brigade also took the distinction of being the first British formation to enter into what had been European enemy "home ground" before the war. By 10 November the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza; by five days later it was at Trissino. The demobilisation of the Division began in early 1919 and the service of the Division came to an end on 31 March when the final cadres left for England.

    The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    Order of Battle of the 48th (South Midland) Division

    143rd (Warwickshire) Brigade

    • 1/5th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
    • 1/6th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
    • 1/7th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
    • 1/8th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment left September 1918
    • 143rd Machine Gun Company formed 8 January 1916, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
    • 143rd Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 June 1916

    144th (Gloucester & Worcester) Brigade

    • 1/4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
    • 1/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
    • 1/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
    • 1/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment left September 1918
    • 144th Machine Gun Company formed 23 January 1916, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
    • 144th Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 June 1916

    145th (South Midland) Brigade

    • 1/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment left September 1918
    • 1/4th Battalion, Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • 1/1st Bucks Battalion, Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • 145th Machine Gun Company formed 11 January 1916, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
    • 145th Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 June 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 1/5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneers August 1915
    • 251st Machine Gun Company joined 16 Nov 1917, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
    • 48th Battalion MGC formed 22 March 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • B Sqn, 1st King Edward's Horse joined April 1915, left June 1916
    • South Midland Divisional Cyclist Company left 14 May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXL (I South Midland) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXLI (II South Midland) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXLII (III South Midland) Brigade, RFA left to become Army Brigade 20 January 1917
    • CCXLIII (IV S.M.) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up October 1916 South Midland (Warwicks) Heavy Battery, RGA left 16 April 1915
    • 48th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.48 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 21 April 1916; disbanded 10 November 1917
    • X.48, Y.48 and Z.48 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 15 March 1916; on 21 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 474th (1st South Midland) Field Company left December 1914, rejoined May 1915
    • 475th (2nd South Midland) Field Company
    • 7th Field Company joined April 1915, left June 1915
    • 419th (1st West Lancashire) Field Company attached 18-28 April 1915
    • 476th (2/1st South Midland) Field Company joined June 1915
    • 48th Divisional Signal Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st South Midland Field Ambulance
    • 2nd South Midland Ambulance
    • 3rd South Midland Field Ambulance
    • 48th Sanitary Section formed 21 February 1915, left for III Corps 4 April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 48th Divisional Train ASC retitled from the South Midland Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 459, 460, 461 and 462 Companies ASC
    • 1st South Midland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 48th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 4 April 1916
    • 242nd Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917


       49th West Riding Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as a result of the Haldane reforms in 1908 and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime Territorial Force.

    1914

    The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5th of August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area by mid August 1914.

    1915

    49th Division was prepared for overseas service and entrainment began on 12th of April. Divisional infantry sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne while all other units went from Southampton to Le Havre. By the 19th of April the Division had concentrated in the area of Estaires - Merville - Neuf Berquin. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

    1915

    • The Battle of Aubers Ridge
    • The defence against the first Phosgene attack

    1916

    • The Battle of Albert - Somme
    • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme
    • The Battle of Pozieres Ridge - Somme
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme

    1917

    • Operations on the Flanders Coast (Hush)
    • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battles of the Ypres

    1918

    • The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys
    • The Battle of Messines - Battles of the Lys
    • The Battle of Bailleul, in which the Division defended Neuve Eglise. - Battles of the Lys
    • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
    • The Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
    • The Battle of the Scherpenberg - Battles of the Lys
    • The pursuit to the Selle
    • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
    • The Battle of Valenciennes - Final Advance in Picardy

    The Division was resting at Douai on the 11th of November 1918. Demobilisation began in early 1919 and the service of the Division came to an end on 30th of March when the final cadres left for England. 49th Division was reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    Divisional Order of Battle of the 49th (West Riding) Division.

    146th (West Riding) Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
    • 1/6th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
    • 1/7th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
    • 1/8th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment left January 1918
    • 146th Machine Gun Company formed 27 January 1916, moved to 49th Btn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 146th Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916

    147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • 1/5th Btn, Duke of Wellington's Regiment left January 1918
    • 1/6th Btn, Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • 1/7th Btn, Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • 147th Machine Gun Company formed 26 January 1916, moved to 49th Btn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 147th Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916

    148th (3rd West Riding) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • 1/5th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry left February 1918
    • 1/4th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
    • 1/5th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
    • 148th Machine Gun Company formed 6 February 1916, moved to 49th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 148th Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 1/3rd Btn, Monmouthshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn in April 1915, left August 1916
    • 19th Btn, the Lancashire Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn August 1916
    • 199th Machine Gun Company joined 19 December 1916, left 29 October 1917
    • 254th Machine Gun Company joined 26 Nov 1917, moved to 49th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 49th Battalion MGC formed 1st of March 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • C Sqn, 1/1st Yorkshire Hussars left 8 May 1916
    • F Sqn, North Irish Horse briefly between April and June 1916
    • West Riding Divisional Cyclist Company left 26 May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXLV (I West Riding) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXLVI (II West Riding) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXLVII (III West Riding) Brigade, RFA broken up 28 February 1917
    • CCXLVIII (IV W. R.) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 18 October 1916
    • West Riding Heavy Battery, RGA a Battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division to join VIII Brigade, II Group HA on 24 April 1915; returned to Division 13 May 1915, and finally left on 28 June 1915, rejoining VIII Brigade
    • 49th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • W.49, V.49 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 17 May 1916; V absorbed W by 7 June 1917; left for X Corps on 7 February 1918
    • X.49, Y.49 and Z.49 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 4 April 1916 from former 34, 37 and 48 TMB's; by 9 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 1st West Riding Field Company left for 29th Division on the 6th of February 1915.
    • 456th (2nd West Riding) Field Company
    • 458th (2/1st West Riding) Field Company joined June 1915
    • 57th Field Company joined July 1915
    • 49th Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st West Riding Field Ambulance
    • 2nd West Riding Ambulance
    • 3rd West Riding Field Ambulance
    • 49th Sanitary Section left for XI Corps 2 April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 49th Divisional Train ASC retitled from the West Riding Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 463, 464, 465 and 466 Companies ASC
    • 1st West Riding Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 49th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 4 April 1916
    • 243rd Divisional Employment Company joined 16 June 1917


       The Northumbrian Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. In early April 1915 the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service and entrainment began on 16 April. By 23 April the Division had concentrated in the area of Steenvoorde. It had arrived just as the German army had attacked at nearby Ypres, using poison gas for the first time, and was rushed into the battle. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

    • The Battle of St Julien - Second Battles of Ypres
    • The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge - Second Battles of Ypres
    • The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge - Second Battles of Ypres

    1916

    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
    • The Battle of Morval - Somme
    • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme

    1917

      The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive 1917 The Capture of Wancourt Ridge - Arras Offensive 1917 The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive 1917 The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of the Ypres

    1918

      The Battle of St Quentin - Somme The Actions at the Somme Crossings - Somme The Battle of Rosieres - Somme The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys The Battle of the Aisne

    The Division had now taken part in the three great battles against the German offensives of 1918. It had suffered heavy casualties and was exhausted. A decision was taken to rebuild the Division. The original infantry units left and others arrived to take their place. It was not until October that the Division was once again considered to take the field and went on to see action in:

    • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
    • The pursuit to the Selle
    • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
    • The Battle of Valenciennes - Final Advance in Picardy

    The Division had been relieved and was resting at Solre le Chateau on 11th of November 1918. Demobilisation of the Division began December and the service of the Division came to an end on 19 March when the final cadres left for England. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division

    149th (Northumbrian) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/6th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/7th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers left 10 February 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, Border Regiment joined May 1915, left for 151st Brigade December 1915
    • 149th Machine Gun Company formed 6 February 1916, moved to 50th Btn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 149th Trench Mortar Battery formed 18 June 1916
    • 3rd Btn, Royal Fusiliers joined 15 July 1918
    • 13th Btn, Black Watch joined 15 July 1918
    • 2nd Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined 15 July 1918

    150th (York & Durham) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/4th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, Durham Light Infantry left for 151st Brigade 12 February 1918
    • 150th Machine Gun Company formed 1st of February 1916, moved to 50th Btn MGC on the 1st of March 1918
    • 150th Trench Mortar Battery formed 18 June 1916
    • 2nd Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers joined 16 July 1918
    • 7th Btn, Wiltshire Regiment joined 15 July 1918
    • 2nd Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined 15 July 1918

    151st (Durham Light Infantry) Brigade

    • 1/6th Btn, Durham Light Infantry reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/7th Btn, Durham Light Infantry left to become Pioneer Bn 16 November 1915
    • 1/8th Btn, Durham Light Infantry reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/9th Btn, Durham Light Infantry left 12 February 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Rgt joined 11 June 1915, left 21 December 1915
    • 1/5th Btn, Border Regiment joined from 149th Brigade December 1915, left 12 February 1918
    • 151st Machine Gun Company formed 6 February 1916, moved to 50th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 151st Trench Mortar Battery formed 18 June 1916
    • 1/5th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined from 150th Brigade 12 February 1918, reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 6th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined 16 July 1918
    • 1st Btn, King's Own Yorkshire LI joined 15 July 1918
    • 4th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps joined 16 July 1918

    Divisional Troops

    • 1/7th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 16 November 1915, left 20 June 1918
    • 245th Machine Gun Company joined 30 July 1917, moved to 50th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 50th Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918
    • 5th Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 14 July 1918
    • A number of units joined the Division on a temporary basis during the reorganisation in mid 1918 including 8th Border Regiment, 4th South Staffordshire Regiment and 9th Loyal North Lancashire. All had left by August 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • RHQ and A Sqn, 1/1st Yorkshire Hussars left 10 May 1916
    • Northumbrian Divisional Cyclist Company left 20 May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    From 1 August 1918, the Divisional Artillery served variously under the command of 18th, 58th, 47th, 3rd Australian and 11th Divisions, and did not return to 50th Division until 20 October 1918

    • CCL (I Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA
    • CCLI (II Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA
    • CCLII (III Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA broken up 20 January 1917
    • CCLIII (IV Nthbrn) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 16 November 1916
    • Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Battery, RGA a Battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division to join XIII Brigade HA on 16 May 1915
    • 50th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.50 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined Jul y 1916, left for V/VIII Corps on 11 February 1918
    • X.50, Y.50 and Z.50 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 5 March 1916 from former 23, 29 and 31 TMB's; by 1 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 446th (1st Northumbrian) Field Company left December 1914, rejoined June 1915
    • 447th (2nd Northumbrian) Field Company
    • 7th Field Company joined June 1915
    • 50th Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance
    • 2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance left December 1914
    • 3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance
    • 2/2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance joined April 1915
    • 50th Sanitary Section left for Fourth Army 3 April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 50th Divisional Train ASC retitled from the Northumbrian Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 467, 468, 469 and 470 Companies ASC
    • 1st Northumbrian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 50th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 3 April 1916
    • 244th Divisional Employment Company joined 9 June 1917


       

    HMS Aquitainia was a troop ship

       51st (Highland) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as the Highland Division a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

    1914

    The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5th of August 1914. A week later the Division was ordered to concentrate at Bedford. On 22md of October it was inspected there by King George V. Several units left the Division during the period November 1914 to March 1915, being sent independently to France as reinforcements for the BEF.

    1915

    On 13th of April the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service. It crossed the Channel between 30th of April and 3rd of May and by the 6th of May had concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq. In early May 1915, the Highland Division was hurried to the defence of Ypres. The enemy had attacked on 22nd of April 1915, using poison gas for the first time. All available reserves were deployed to stop the Germans taking advantage of the initial surprise. The Division remained in action until moved to the area of Estaires on the River Lys, on 19th of May. The Division also took part in the following engagements in 1915:

    • The Battle of Festubert
    • The Second Action of Givenchy

      1916

      • The attacks on High Wood - Somme
      • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme in which the Division captured Beaumont Hamel and took more than 2000 prisoners.

      1917

      • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
      • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
      • The capture and defence of Roeux - Arras Offensive
      • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Third Battles of the Ypres
      • The Battle of Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of the Ypres
      • The tank attack - Cambrai Operations
      • The capture of Bourlon Wood - Cambrai Operations
      • The German counter attacks - Cambrai Operations

      1918

      • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
      • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
      • The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys
      • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys
      • The Battle of the Tardenois - Battles of the Marne
      • The Battle of the Scarpe - Second Battles of Arras
      • The Pursuit to the Selle
      • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy

      The Division had been relieved and was resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area on 11th of November 1918. The demobilisation of the Division began December and the service of the Division came to an end in March when the final cadres left for England. The 6th Black Watch, 4th Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders had the honour of selection to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919. The Division was reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

      Order of Battle of the 51st (Highland) Division

      152nd (1st Highland) Brigade (Seaforth and Cameron Brigade up to 12 May 1915)

      • 1/4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders left November 1914
      • 1/5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
      • 1/6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
      • 1/4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders left February 1915
      • 1/6th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined from 153rd Brigade April 1915, left June 1915
      • 1/8th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined from 153rd Brigade April 1915, left February 1918
      • 1/6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders joined June 1916 (later retitled 6/7th Battalion)
      • 152nd Machine Gun Company formed 16 January 1916, moved to 51st Bn MGC 19 Feb 1918
      • 152nd Trench Mortar Battery formed July 1916

      153rd (2nd Highland) Brigade (Gordon Brigade up to 12th of May 1915)

      • 1/4th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders left February 1915
      • 1/5th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders left February 1918
      • 1/6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders left December 1914
      • 1/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders left October 1918
      • Shetland Coys, the Gordon Highlanders absorbed late 1916
      • 7th Battalion, Black Watch
      • 153rd Machine Gun Company formed 15 January 1916, moved to 51st Battalion MGC 19 Feb 1918
      • 153rd Trench Mortar Battery formed July 1916
      • 1/6th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined 6 October 1918

      154th (3rd Highland) Brigade (Argyll & Sutherland Brigade) units exchanged with those of the the North Lancashire Brigade from West Lancashire Division on 18th April 1915 and retitled on 12th May 1915. The components of the former North Lancashire Brigade returned to their old Division on 6th of January 1916being replaced by Scottish units.

      • 1/6th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left for 152nd Brigade April 1915
      • 1/7th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left December 1914, rejoined March 1916
      • 1/8th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left for 152nd Brigade April 1915
      • 1/9th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left February 1915
      • 1/4th Battalion, King's Own joined 18 April 1915, left 6 January 1916
      • 1/8th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 18 April 1915, left 6 January 1916
      • 2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers joined 18 April 1915, left 6 January 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Rgt joined 18 April 1915, left 6 January 1916
      • 1/6th Battalion, Cameronians joined 2 June 1915, left 12 January 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, Black Watch joined 6 January 1916, left 29 February 1916
      • 1/5th Battalion, Black Watch joined 6 January 1916, left 29 February 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders joined 7 January 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders joined 7 January 1916, left 26 February 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders joined 23 February 1916
      • 1/9th Battalion, Royal Scots joined 1 March 1916, left 6 February 1918
      • 154th Machine Gun Company formed 14 January 1916, moved to 51st Battalion, MGC 19 Feb 1918
      • 154th Trench Mortar Battery formed July 1916
      • 1/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry joined from 151st Brigade 12 February 1918, reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918

      Divisional Troops

      • 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion, 19 August 1915
      • 232nd Machine Gun Company joined 20 July 1917, moved to 51st Battalion, MGC 19 Feb 1918
      • 51st Battalion MGC formed 19 February 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • D Squadron,North Irish Horse left May 1916
      • Highland Divisional Cyclist Company left 9 May 1916

      Divisional Artillery

      • CCLV (I Highland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCLVI (II Highland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCLVIII (III Highland) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 21 August 1916
      • IV Highland (Mountain) Brigade, RFA left 10 March 1915
      • CCLX (I Lowland) Brigade, RFA joined 10 November 1915, broken up 28 January 1917
      • Highland (Fifeshire) Heavy Battery, RGA a Battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division to join IV Brigade HA on 3 May 1915
      • 51st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • V.51 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 18 October 1916, left for IV Corps in February 1918
      • X.51, Y.51 and Z.51 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 28 April 1916, in February 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

      Royal Engineers

      • 400th (1st Highland) Field Company
      • 404th (2/2nd Highland) Field Company
      • 3rd (Durham) Field Company joined 19 September 1915, left 30 January 1916
      • 404th (2nd Highland) Field Company rejoined January 1916
      • 51st Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2nd Highland Field Ambulance
      • 3rd Highland Field Ambulance
      • 2/1st Highland Field Ambulance joined May 1915
      • 51st Sanitary Section left for XVII Corps 17 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 51st Divisional Train ASC retitled from the Highland Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 471, 472, 473 and 474 Companies ASC
      • 1st Highland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 51st Divisional Ambulance Workshop joined May 1915, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 6 April 1916
      • 245th Divisional Employment Company joined 6 June 1917


         The 52nd (Lowland) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed as the Lowland Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

      1914

      The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to their allotted positions on the Scottish coastal defences by mid August 1914. Several of the Division's units left in the period November 1914 - March 1915

      1915

      On 5th of April the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service; on 7th of May this was confirmed, with the destination being Gallipoli. The units embarked at Liverpool and Devonport between 18th of May and 8th of June. On 22nd of May when a train carrying the battalion HQ and two Companies of the 1/7th Royal Scots crashed in an accident at Quntinshill near Gretna. 3 officers and 207 men died, 5 officers and 219 were injured. Fewer than 70 men survived this crash unscathed. Two of the field artillery brigades and the heavy battery remained on the Forth defences. The first units landed on Gallipoli (Cape Helles) on 6th of June. The Division was then involved in the following moves and engagements:

      • Gully Ravine
      • Achi Baba Nullah
      • Krithia Nullahs
      • The evacuation of Helles

      1916

      The Division moved to Egypt after being evacuated from Gallipoli and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. It subsequently moved to El Kantara and on 2 March took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences.

      • Dueidar - Palestine
      • The Battle of Romani - Palestine

      1917

      The following actions took place in the ongoing Palestine campaign.

      • The First Battle of Gaza
      • The Second Battle of Gaza
      • The Third Battle of Gaza
      • Wadi el Hesi
      • Burqa (156th Brigade)
      • El Maghar (155th Brigade)
      • The capture of Junction Station
      • The Battle of Nabi Samweil
      • The Battle of Jaffa, including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja

      1918

      52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918. Orders were received on 24th of March that the Division would be relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and that it would then proceed to France. The Divisional artillery was exchanged with that of the Indian Division and all units sailed from Alexandria between 4 and 11 April. The Division went via Marseilles and concentrated near Abbeville by 23 April. The ship Kingstonian, carring IX Brigade RFA, 413 Company RE and a section of the Divisional Ammunition Column) was torpedoed on 11th of April. On 29th of April the Division moved to Aire and took over a sector of front line near Vimy on 6 May. It was withdrawn into reserve on 23 July and eight days later once again went into the line north east of Arras:

      • The Battle of Albert
      • The Battle of the Scarpe
      • The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line
      • The Battle of the Canal du Nord
      • The Final Advance in Artois

      The Division was in the front line north of the Mons Canal and was engaged on clearing Herchies on 11th of November 1918. The demobilisation of the Division began in December and the service of the Division came to an end on 31 May when the final cadres left for home. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

      Order of Battle of the 52nd (Lowland) Division

      155th (South Scottish) Brigade

      • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers
      • 1/5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers
      • 1/4th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers
      • 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers left 28 June 1918
      • 155th Machine Gun Company formed 23 March 1916, moved to 52nd Battalion, MGC 28 April 1918
      • 155th Trench Mortar Battery formed 24 May 1917

      156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade

      • 1/5th Battalion, Cameronians left November 1914
      • 1/6th Battalion, Cameronians left March 1915
      • 1/7th Battalion, Cameronians
      • 1/8th Battalion, Cameronians left 28 June 1918
      • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Scots joined April 1915
      • 1/7th Battalion, Royal Scots joined April 1915
      • 156th Machine Gun Company formed 16 March 1916, moved to 52nd Battalion, MGC 28 April 1918
      • 156th Trench Mortar Battery formed 27 June 1917

      157th (Highland Light Infantry) Brigade

      • 1/5th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
      • 1/6th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
      • 1/7th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
      • 1/9th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry until November 1914
      • 1/5th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined April 1915, until 28 June 1918
      • 157th Machine Gun Company formed 14 March 1916, moved to 52nd Battalion, MGC 28 April 1918
      • 157th Trench Mortar Battery formed 11 June 1917

      Divisional Troops

      • 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment - Divisional Pioneer Battalion 3 April 1918 - 31 May 1918
      • 17th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers - Divisional Pioneer Btn from 31 May 1918
      • 211th Machine Gun Company formed before 15 September 1917 in XXI Corps, joined Division 1st of April 1918, became 52nd Battalion, MGC 28 April 1918
      • 52nd Battalion MGC formed 28 April 1918
      • 1st Dismounted Brigade (Ayrshire and Lanarkshire Yeomanry, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Scottish Horse, 1 Signals Coy, 1 MG Coy, 1 Field Ambulance) was also attached to the Division 8 February 1916 to 28 June 1916 on the Suez Canal defences

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • Lowland Divisional Cyclist Company broken up 1 August 1915, reformed in Egypt 27 March 1916, left for XXI Corps 8 December 1917
      • RHQ and C Sqn, 1/1st Royal Glasgow Yeomanry joined 10 October 1915, left for XXI Corps Cavalary regiment on 21 August 1917
      • Lowland Mounted Brigade (Ayrshire and Lanarkshire Yeomanry) was also attached to the Division between 11 October and 31 December 1915
      • A troop, 4th Hussars and a detachment of VIII Corps Cyclist Battalion were attached to the Division 30 October to 11 November 1918

      Divisional Artillery

      From 1 August 1918, the Divisional Artillery served variously under the command of 18th, 58th, 47th, 3rd Australian and 11th Divisions, and did not return to 52nd Division until 20 October 1918

      • CCLXI (II Lowland) Brigade, RFA remained in Egypt when Division went to Gallipoli, left 3 April 1918
      • CCLXIII (IV Lowland) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA remained in Egypt when Division went to Gallipoli, broken up 30 December 1916
      • CCLXII (III Lowland) Brigade, RFA rejoined 17 March 1916, left 3 April 1918
      • CCLXIV (V Lowland) Brigade, RFA rejoined 17 March 1916, left 3 April 1918
      • Lowland (Edinburgh) Heavy Battery, RGA did not sail with the Division; moved independently to France 16 february 1916 and joined XVII HA Brigade
      • 52nd Pom-Pom Battery, RFA attached during June 1917
      • IX Battery, RFA joined 1 April 1918
      • LVI Battery, RFA joined 1 April 1918
      • 52nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA remained in Egypt when Division went to Gallipoli, broken up 17 March 1916, reformed 1 january 1917, excahnged for the DAC of 7th (Meerut) Div on 1 April 1918
      • X.52, Y.52 and Z.52 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 30 October 1917, all left for 7th (Meerut) Division 3 April 1918, replaced by two batteries (X and Y) from TM School on 8 May 1918

      Royal Engineers

      • 1st Lowland Field Company until December 1914
      • 410th (2nd Lowland) Field Company until March 1915, rejoined 24 February 1916
      • 412th (2/1st Lowland) Field Company from March 1915
      • 413th (2/2nd Lowland) Field Company from March 1915
      • 52nd Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 1st Lowland Field Ambulance
      • 2nd Lowland Field Ambulance
      • 3rd Lowland Field Ambulance
      • 52nd Sanitary Section until October 1915, rejoined October 1917, until 4 May 1918

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 52nd Divisional Train ASC (Lowland Divisional Transport and Supply Column) consisting of 471, 472, 473 and 474 Companies ASC. until October 1915. Replaced by 217, 218, 219 and 220 Companies ASC from March 1916.
      • 1st Lowland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 52nd Divisional Ambulance Workshop from 21 April 1916, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column in June 1917
      • 984th Divisional Employment Company from April 1918


         53rd (Welsh) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as the Welsh Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

      1914

      The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to their allotted positions at Shrewsbury, Wellington, Oswestry and Fort Scoveston by 11 August 1914. At the end of the month the entire Division moved to Northampton. Several of the Division's units left in the period November 1914 - February 1915. They were gradually replaced by second line units, but these suffered from shortages of arms, slowing training. These units were subsequently replaced in early 1915. The Division received a warning order on 18 November, advising preparation for a move to India, but this was cancelled a week later and eventually the 2nd Wessex Division went in its place. The Welsh Division moved to Cambridge in December.

      1915

      King George V inspected the Division on 11 February 1915. The Division moved to Bedford in May. On 2 July the Division was ordered to refit for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and embarked at Devonport. Sailing via Alexandria (25-30 July), the ships reached Lemnos 29 July - 7 August. On 9 August units landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. The Division was then involved in the following moves and engagements:

      • The landing at Suvla Bay
      • Operations in the Suvla Bay area

      The effects of fighting, few reinforcements and the dreadful blizzard of November reduced the Division to just 162 officers and 2428 men (about 15% of full strength). On 11th and 12th of December the Division was evacuated to Mudros and then went on to Alexandria, where it began to arrive 20th of December. The last units reached Wardan three days later.

      1916

      The divisional artillery rejoined at Wardan 11-22 February 1916.

      The Battle of Romani - Palestine.

      1917

      • Ongoing Palestine Campaign Activity
      • The First Battle of Gaza (158th Brigade only)
      • The Second Battle of Gaza
      • The Third Battle of Gaza including the Capture of Beersheba and the Capture of Tell Khuweilfe
      • The Capture of Jerusalem
      • The Defence of Jerusalem

      1918

      • Continued campaign in Palestine
      • The Battle of Tell'Asur
      • Between 4 June and 29 August 1918 the Division, other than the artillery, was "Indianised", which meant that Indian units arrived to replace most of the British ones. Many of the latter were ordered to France.
      • The battle of Nablus - Battles of Megiddo

      On 26 September the Division was withdrawn for rest and moved back to Tell'Asur. By 12 October it had moved to Ramle, and on 27 October began entraining for Alexandria. It was there when the Armistice with Turkey took effect on 31 October. The first parties to be demobilised left for England on 22 December.The final cadres sailed home from Port Said on 15 June 1919. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

      Order of Battle of the 53rd (Welsh) Division

      158th (North Wales) Brigade

      This Brigade served under command of 2nd Mounted Division between 31 October and 28 November 1915

      • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers left November 1914
      • 1/5th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
      • 1/6th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers amalgamated with 1/5th on 2 August 1918
      • 1/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers left for 160th Brigade 24 June 1918
      • 1/1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment joined from 160th Brigade 24 April 1915, left 1 June 1918
      • 158th Machine Gun Company formed 26 April 1916, moved to 53rd Battalion, MGC 25 April 1918
      • 158th Trench Mortar Battery formed 22 July 1917
      • 4/11th Ghurka Rifles joined 4 June 1918
      • 3/153rd Infantry joined 10 June 1918
      • 3/154th Infantry joined 3 August 1918

      159th (Cheshire) Brigade

      This Brigade served under command of 2nd Mounted Division between 29 November and 9 December 1915

      • 1/4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment left 31 May 1918
      • 1/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment left February 1915
      • 1/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment left November 1914
      • 1/7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment left 1 June 1918
      • 2/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment joined November 1914, left April 1915
      • 2/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment joined February 1915, left April 1915
      • 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment joined 17 April 1915
      • 1/5th Battalion, Welsh Regiment joined 17 April 1915, between 8 October 1915 and 20 February 1916 merged with 1/4th to form 4th Welsh Composite Battalion and fully amalgamated 30 July 1918
      • 159th Machine Gun Company formed 20 April 1916, moved to 53rd Battalion, MGC 25 April 1918
      • 159th Trench Mortar Battery formed 28 June 1917
      • 3/152nd Infantry joined 4 June 1918
      • 2/153rd Infantry joined 5 June 1918
      • 1/153rd Infantry joined 2 August 1918

      160th (Welsh Border) Brigade

      • 1/1st Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment left February 1915
      • 1/2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment left November 1914
      • 1/3rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment left February 1915
      • 1/1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment left for 158th Brigade 24 April 1915
      • 2/4th Battalion, Queen's joined 24 April 1915, left 31 May 1918
      • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment joined 24 April 1915, left 30 May 1918
      • 2/4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment joined 24 April 1915, left 25 August 1918
      • 2/10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment joined 24 April 1915, left 19 August 1918
      • 160th Machine Gun Company formed 11 May 1916, moved to 53rd Battalion, MGC 25 April 1918
      • 160th Trench Mortar Battery formed 26 June 1917
      • 21st Punjabis joined 26 May 1918
      • 110th Mahratta Light Infantry joined 28 June 1918, left 19 July 1918
      • 1st Cape Corps joined 22 July 1918, left 15 May 1919
      • 17th Infantry joined 6 August 1918

      Divisional Troops

      • 2/1st Battalion, London Regiment joined 15 January 1916, left April 1916
      • 2/3rd Battalion, London Regiment joined 15 January 1916, left April 1916
      • 2/2nd Battalion, London Regiment joined 22 February 1916, left April 1916
      • 2/4th Battalion, London Regiment joined 22 February 1916, left April 1916
      • 155th Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion, 12 August 1918
      • 53rd Battalion MGC formed at Ain Sinia 15-25 April 1918
      • Cape Corps Machine Gun Company joined 17 September 1918 and added to 53rd Bn MGC

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • Welsh Divisional Cyclist Company formed May-June 1915
      • A Sqn, the 1/1st Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry joined 1 February 1917, left for XXI Corps Cavalry Regiment on 23 August 1917

      Divisional Artillery

      The Divisional Artillery did not leave England when the Division embarked for service at Gallipoli. It remained at Bedford and was there rearmed. It sailed for France from 20 November 1915 and concentrated near Pont Remy by five days later. Entrainment began on 1 February 1916, embarkation at Marseilles began two days later and by 22 February 1916 the artillery had concentrated at Beni Salama and came once again under command of this Division.

      • CCLXV (I Welsh) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 26 May 1916
      • CCLXVI (II Welsh) Brigade, RFA renumbered CCLXVII 25 December 1916
      • CCLXVII (Cheshire) Brigade, RFA renumbered CCLXV 25 December 1916
      • CCLXVIII (III Welsh) Brigade, RFA renumbered CCLXVI 25 December 1916
      • Welsh (Caernarvonshire) Heavy Battery, RGA did not sail with the Division; moved independently to France 3 March1916 and joined XXIII HA Brigade
      • 53rd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA

      Royal Engineers

      • 436th (1st Welsh) Field Company renumbered on 4 February 1917
      • Cheshire Field Company left November 1914
      • 439th (2/1st Cheshire) Field Company joined November 1914, renumbered on 4 February 1917
      • 437th (2/1st Welsh) Field Company sailed 4 October 1915, landed at Suvla 24 October and was initially attached to IX Corps, joining Division at Lala Baba 2 December 1915, renumbered on 4 February 1917, left 9 April 1918
      • 53rd Divisional Signals Company HQ and No 1 Section of this Company was attached to 54th (East Anglian) Division at Suvla between 10-23 August 1915; on 15 December 1915 it was ordered to Salonika and joined XII Corps there on 27 December 1915; it landed at Alexandria 21 January 1916 and came back under orders of this Division at Wardan next day
      • 72nd Company, 3rd Sappers & Miners joined 5 August 1918

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 1st Welsh Field Ambulance left 21 August 1918
      • 2nd Welsh Field Ambulance absorbed into 170 Combined Field Ambulance on 11 September 1918
      • 3rd Welsh Field Ambulance attached to 54th (East Anglian) Division at Suvla between 11-18 August 1915, absorbed into 171 Combined Field Ambulance on 8-11 September 1918
      • 53rd Sanitary Section formed April 1915
      • 113th Combined Field Ambulance joined 3 July 1918
      • 170th Combined Field Ambulance joined 29 August 1918
      • 172st Combined Field Ambulance joined 23 August 1918

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 53rd Divisional Train ASC comprising 479, 480, 481 and 482 Companies ASC, the original Train did not sail with the Division. It transferred to join 11th (Northern) Division for service in France.
      • The units of 29th Divisional Train joined this Division on 17 March 1916, comprising 246, 247, 248 and 249 Companies ASC
      • 53rd (Welsh) Mobile Veterinary Section AVC formed 27 June 1915, did not sail with the Division, embarked 21 March 1916 and rejoined Division 11 April 1916

      There is a memorial to the 53rd (Welsh) Division in Ramleh War Cemetery, which is now in Israel.

         54th (East Anglian) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as the East Anglian Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

      1914

      The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to their allotted positions at Brentwood by 10 August 1914. Ten days later the entire Division moved to the areas of Chelmsford, Bury St Edmunds and Norwich. Several of the Division's units left in the period November 1914 - February 1915. Some were gradually replaced by second line units. The Division was employed on coastal defence duties at this time.

      1915

      The Division moved to St Albans in May 1915 under orders for overseas service. On 8th of July the Division was ordered to refit for service at Gallipoli. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left between 14th and 19th of July and embarked at Devonport. Sailing from Liverpool and Devonport, the first ships reached Lemnos on 6th of August. On 10 August units landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. The Division was then involved in the following moves and engagements:

      • The landing at Suvla Bay
      • Operations in the Suvla Bay area

      On 26 November the Division was ordered to prepare to withdraw to Mudros. On 3-8 December the Division was evacuated from Gallipoli, only 240 officers and 4480 men strong. On 13 December it then went on to Alexandria, where it arrived on the 18th December. The units then concentrated at Sidi Bishr.

      1916

      The divisional artillery rejoined at Mena Camp (Cairo) 11-15 February 1916. The Division occupied No 1 (Southern) Section of the Suez Canal defences on 2 April 1916.

      1917

      • Actions during Palestine Campaign 1917
      • The First Battle of Gaza
      • The Second Battle of Gaza
      • The Third Battle of Gaza including the Capture of Gaza
      • The Battle of Jaffa

      1918

      • Ongoing Palestine Campaign Activity 1918
      • The fight at Ras el'Ain (162nd Brigade only)
      • The operations at Berukin
      • The Battle of Sharon - Battles of Megiddo

      On 24th of September the Division concentrated at Hable and began an advance to Haifa three days later. This move was completed on 4th of October. The division was ordered to Beirut on 20th of October; this move began three days later and the brigades moved on successive days via Acre, Ras es Naqura, Tyre and Sidon. The units concentrated at Beirut between 31st October and 5th of November, but the Turks signed an Armistice on 31st of October. The Division moved to El Qantara, back in Egypt, from 28 November. The first parties to be demobilised left for England in January 1919.The final cadres sailed home on 30 September 1919. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

      Order of Battle of the 54th (East Anglian) Division

      161st (Essex) Brigade

      • 1/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment
      • 1/5th Battalion, Essex Regiment
      • 1/6th Battalion, Essex Regiment
      • 1/7th Battalion, Essex Regiment
      • 161st Machine Gun Company formed 23 April 1916, moved to 54th Battalion, MGC 19 April 1918
      • 161st Trench Mortar Battery formed 17 May 1917

      162nd (East Midland) Brigade

      • 1/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
      • 1/4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment
      • 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment left February 1915
      • 1/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment left November 1914
      • 2/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment joined February 1915, left April 1915
      • 1/10th Battalion, London Regiment joined April 1915
      • 1/11th Battalion, London Regiment joined April 1915
      • 162nd Machine Gun Company formed 26 April 1916, moved to 54th Battalion, MGC 19 April 1918
      • 162nd Trench Mortar Battery formed 5 May 1917

      163rd (Norfolk & Suffolk) Brigade

      • 1/4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment
      • 1/5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment
      • 1/4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment left November 1914
      • 1/5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
      • 1/8th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment joined 19 April 1915
      • 163rd Machine Gun Company formed 1 May 1916, moved to 54th Battalion, MGC 19 April 1918
      • 163rd Trench Mortar Battery formed 9 May 1917

      Divisional Troops

      54th Battalion MGC formed 19 April 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • East Anglian Divisional Cyclist Company left February 1917
      • HQ and A Sqn, 1/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry joined 20 March 1917, left for XXI Corps Cavalry Regiment on 26 August 1917

      Divisional Artillery

      The Divisional Artillery did not leave England when the Division embarked for service at Gallipoli. It remained at Brandon and Thetford and was there rearmed. It sailed for France from 17 November 1915 and concentrated near Blaringhem by four days later. Entrainment began on 11 January 1916, embarkation at Marseilles began on 30 January and between 8-15 February 1916 the artillery had concentrated at Mena Camp and came once again under command of this Division.

      • CCLXX (I E Anglian) Brigade, RFA renumbered CCLXXII 21 December 1916
      • CCLXXI (II E Anglian) Brigade, RFA
      • CCLXXII (III E Anglian) (How) Brigade, RFA broken up 21 December 1916
      • CCLXXIII (IV E Anglian) Brigade, RFA renumbered CCLXX 21 December 1916
      • East Anglian (Essex) Heavy Battery, RGA did not sail with the Division; moved independently to France 14 March 1916 and joined XXIII HA Brigade
      • 54th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • X.54, Y.54 and Z.54 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined 3 October 1917, disbanded 2 March 1918 when Corps took over TM responsibilities

      Royal Engineers

      • 1st East Anglian Field Company left December 1914
      • 484th (2nd East Anglian) Field Company
      • 486th (2/1st East Anglian) Field Company joined September 1914
      • 495th (1st Kent) Field Company joined 1 July 1916
      • 53rd Divisional Signals Company
      • 54th Divisional Signals Company HQ and No 1 Section of this Company was attached at Suvla between 10-23 August 1915

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 1st East Anglian Field Ambulance left January 1915
      • 2nd East Anglian Field Ambulance
      • 3rd East Anglian Field Ambulance
      • 2/1st East Anglian Field Ambulance joined late 1914
      • 54th Sanitary Section

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 54th Divisional Train ASC comprising 483, 484, 485 and 486 Companies ASC, the original Train did not sail with the Division. It transferred to join 27th Division for service in Salonika.
      • A new Train joined this Division on 5-24 February 1917, comprising 428, 429, 430 and 431 Companies ASC which were renumbered on 18 April 1917 to become 921, 922, 923 and 924 Companies ASC
      • 54th (East Anglian) Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 11 April 1916
      • Detachement Francais de Palestine et Syrie (7/1st Tirailleurs Algeriens, 1 and 2nd Armeniens and various other snmaller units) attached 12 - 28 September 1918 for Megiddo operations


         The 55th (West Lancashire) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as the West Lancashire Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. In August 1909, the West Lancashire became the first TF Division to take the field when it assembled for annual camp at Caerwys in North Wales.

      1914

      The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914. All of the infantry units left the Division during the period November 1914 - March 1915, most being sent independently to France as reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division temporarily joined with its second line, the 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division.

      1915

      The Divisional artillery moved to France in October 1915 and joined 2nd Canadian Division. In November the War Office authorised the re-formation of the West Lancashire Division, now to be known as the 55th, in France.

      1916

      The Division began to concentrate in the Hallencourt area on 3rd of January and was completed by 27th of January. The Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras - in the area Wailly - Bretencourt - by 16 February. Trench warfare commenced, with many raids and minor operations. On 17 April 1916, a large scale raid was undertaken by the 1/8th (Irish) Battalion, the King's (Liverpool), in which 2/Lt E. F. Baxter became the Division's first winner of the Victoria Cross. In this relatively "quiet" period before the Division moved into the Battle of the Somme, it nonetheless suffered casualties of 63 officers and 1047 men killed, wounded or missing. Relieved by 11th (Northern) Division on 25 July 1916, the 55th now moved south and took up a place in the front line opposite the village of Guillemont. It then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

      • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme
      • The Battle of Ginchy - Somme
      • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
      • The Battle of Morval - Somme

      Relieved by 41st Division on 28 September, the Division withdrew to the area of Buire and Ribemont. Here, orders were received to move to Flanders. 55th relieved 29th Division in the Ypres salient in October 1916. It was destined to remain in this area for almost a year. The first section of line that was occupied by the Division was Wieltje to Railway Wood.

      1917

      The first half of the year was spent in the salient, which had a comparatively quiet time, if being surrounded by enemy on three sides and under constant artillery fire could be described as quiet.

      • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
      • The Battle of Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of the Ypres
      • The tank attack and the German counter attacks - Cambrai Operations

      1918

      The Division relieved 42nd (East Lancashire) Division in the front line at Givenchy and Festubert on 15 February. Here, it faced numerous strong enemy raids in March. Early April was at first much quieter: it was a lull before a storm.

      • The Battle of Estaires including the Defence of Givenchy (9-17 April) - Battles of the Lys
      • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys
      • The capture of Givenchy craters
      • The capture of Canteleux trench
      • The pursuit to Mons - Final Advance in Artois

      On 15th of November 1918 55th Division received orders to join the British force that would advance across Belgium and move into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads. These orders were cancelled on 21 November, at which time the Division was employed on road and railway repair work in the area of Leuze. King George V visited the Division on 7th of December. On 15th of December the Division began to move to the Brussels area. King Albert of the Belgians reviewed the Division, which had begun to demobilise, on 3 January 1919. The service of the Division came to an end by April 1919 when the final cadres left for England. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

      Order of Battle of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division

      164th (North Lancashire) Brigade This Brigade joined the Highland Division on 18 April 1915, being redesignated 154th Brigade. It returned to this Division in January 1916.

      • 1/4th Battalion, King's Own
      • 1/5th Battalion, King's Own left 15 February 1915
      • 1/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regt
      • 1/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regt left 13 February 1915
      • 2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers joined February 1915
      • 1/8th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined January 1916, left January 1918
      • 164th Machine Gun Company formed 19 February 1916, moved to 55th Battalion, MGC 7 Mar 1918
      • 164th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916

      165th (Liverpool) Brigade

      • 1/5th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left 22 February 1915, rejoined January 1916
      • 1/6th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left 25 February 1915, rejoined January 1916
      • 1/7th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left 8 March 1915, rejoined January 1916
      • 1/8th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left February 1915
      • 1/9th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined January 1916, left February 1918
      • 165th Machine Gun Company formed 26 February 1916, moved to 55th Battalion, MGC 7 Mar 1918
      • 165th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916

      166th (South Lancashire) Brigade

      • 1/9th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left March 1915
      • 1/10th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left November 1914, rejoined January 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment left 13 February 1915
      • 1/5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment left 13 February 1915, rejoined January 1916
      • 2/5th Battalion, King's Own joined February 1915, left April 1915
      • 1/5th Battalion, King's Own joined 7 January 1916
      • 1/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Rgt joined January 1916
      • 166th Machine Gun Company joined 1 March 1916, moved to 55th Battalion, MGC 7 Mar 1918
      • 166th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916
      • 2/10th Battalion, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined April 1918 but absorbed into 1/10th in same month

      Divisional Troops

      • 1/4th Battalion,, the South Lancashire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn January 1916
      • 196th Machine Gun Company joined 22 December 1916, moved to 55th Battalion, MGC 17 Mar 1918
      • 55th Battalion MGC formed 7 March 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • 1/1st Lancashire Hussars left 29 October 1915
      • A Sqn, North Irish Horse joined January 1916, left May 1916
      • West Lancashire Divisional Cyclist Company joined 16 January 1916, left 11 May 1916

      Divisional Artillery rejoined from 2nd Canadian Division in January 1916

      • CCLXXV (I West Lancs) Brigade, RFA
      • CCLXXVI (II West Lancs) Brigade, RFA
      • CCLXXVII (III West Lancs) Brigade, RFA left January 1917
      • CCLXXVIII (IV West Lancs) (How) Bde, RFA broken up October 1916
      • 1st Lancashire) Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division to join 57th Division in early 1915
      • 55th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • V.55 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 25 May 1916, left 29 January 1918
      • X.55, Y.55 and Z.55 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 3 June 1916, on 29 January 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

      Royal Engineers

      • 419th (1st West Lancs) Field Company
      • 2nd West Lancs Field Company left June 1915
      • 422nd (2/1st West Lancs) Field Company joined January 1916
      • 423rd (2/2nd West Lancs) Field Company joined January 1916
      • 55th Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 1st West Lancs Field Ambulance left January 1915
      • 2nd West Lancs Field Ambulance left October 1915
      • 3rd West Lancs Field Ambulance rejoined 16 January 1916
      • 2/1st West Lancs Field Ambulance joined 17 January 1916
      • 2/1st Wessex Field Ambulance joined 16 January 1916
      • 55th Sanitary Section joined 16 January 1916, left for VIII Corps 12 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 55th Divisional Train ASC The original Divisional Train, formed in September 1915 and composed of 505, 506, 507 and 508 Companies ASC, remained at home when the units of the Division moved to France. It was transferred to the 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division. A complete Train, composed of 95, 96, 97 and 98 Coys joined from 27th Division 1 January 1916
      • 1st West Lancs Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 5 January 1916
      • 55th Divisional Ambulance Workshop joined 6 January 1916, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 3 April 1916
      • 246th Divisional Employment Company joined 16 June 1917


         60th (2/2nd London) Division was created as a result of an order issued on the 31st of August 1914. The War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward. The units of the Division were quickly filled and a partial concentration carried out at White City in October. Early parades and training was done in civilian clothes and with only a bare minimum of available equipment. In December the units of the Division began to move to the Dorking-Reigate area in Surrey.

      Drafts of men began to be supplied to the corresponding 'first line' units as early as January 1915. In that month, the first rifles arrived but they were Japanese models and with only 100 rounds of ammunition each. Lord Kitchener inspected the Division at Epsom Downs on 21st of January 1916, by which date only one battalion was fully equipped with rifles.

      In March 1917, the 47th (2nd London) Division was preparing to embark for service in France. Many large drafts left 60th Division to bring the 'first line' up to full strength. Later that month the Division moved to St Albans. At the end of May Divisional HQ moved to Bishops Stortford and the units were scattered across Hertfordshire and Essex. At last, 6300 Lee Enfield rifles were received in November 1915. Modern artillery also began to arrive at the end of the month. The Division moved to Warminster (Salisbury Plain) training area in late January 1916, with Divisional HQ being set up at Sutton Veny. King George V inspected the Division there on 31st of May. Orders were received on 14th of June 1916 to send advance parties to Le Havre and Boulogne to prepare for the Division to cross to France. The crossing was completed by the 29th of June and the Division concentrated in XVII Corps area.

      On 1st of November 1916 the Division received orders to re-organise, preparatory for a move to Salonika. Units entrained at Longpre between 14-25 November and, going via Marseilles and Malta, assembled at Salonika on 25 December 1916. The Division then took part in the following engagements:

      1917

      • The Battle of Doiran
      • The Third Battle of Gaza
      • The capture of Jerusalem
      • The defence of Jerusalem

      1918

      • The capture of Jericho
      • The battle of Tell'Asur
      • The first Trans-Jordan raid
      • The attack on Amman
      • The second Trans-Jordan raid

      Between 26th of May and 1st of August 1918 the Division was "Indianised"; that is, British units (most of which went to France) were exchanged for units of the Indian Army. They then saw action in:

      • Battle of Sharon

          Divisional HQ moved to Mulebbis on 24th of September and thence to Auja in early October. It moved (after the Armistice) to Lydda, then five days later a longer move via Qantara to Alexandria commenced. By the 26th of November the whole Division was at Alexandria and demobilisation commenced and was complete by the 31st of May 1919 when the Division ceased to exist.

          179th (2/4th London) Brigade

          • 2/13th Battalion, London Regiment
          • 2/14th Battalion, London Regiment left 30 May 1918
          • 2/15th Battalion, London Regiment left 30 May 1918
          • 2/16th Battalion, London Regiment left 30 May 1918
          • 179th Machine Gun Company joined 29 June 1916, moved to 60th Battalion, MGC 14 May 1918
          • 179th Trench Mortar Battery joined 4 July 1916
          • SAA Section Ammunition Column joined December 1916, left June 1917
          • 3/151st Infantry joined 4 June 1918
          • 2/19th Punjabis joined 23 June 1918
          • 2/127th Baluchis joined 26 June 1918

          180th (2/5th London) Brigade

          • 2/17th Battalion, London Regiment left 27 May 1918
          • 2/18th Battalion, London Regiment disbanded 4-7 July 1918
          • 2/19th Battalion, London Regiment
          • 2/20th Battalion, London Regiment left 27 May 1918
          • 180th Machine Gun Company joined 29 June 1916, moved to 60th Battalion, MGC 14 May 1918
          • 180th Trench Mortar Battery joined 4 July 1916
          • SAA Section Ammunition Column joined December 1916, left June 1917 2nd Guides joined 13 July 1918
          • 2/30th Punjabis joined 13 July 1918
          • 1/50th Kumaon Rifles joined 23 July 1918

          181st (2/6th London) Brigade

          • 2/21st Battalion, London Regiment disbanded 3 June 1918
          • 2/22nd Battalion, London Regiment
          • 2/23rd Battalion, London Regiment left 26 May 1918
          • 2/24th Battalion, London Regiment left 26 May 1918
          • 181st Machine Gun Company joined 29 June 1916, moved to 60th Battalion, MGC 14 May 1918
          • 181st Trench Mortar Battery joined 4 July 1916
          • SAA Section Ammunition Column joined December 1916, left June 1917
          • 2/97th Infantry joined 26 June 1918
          • 130th Baluchis joined 26 June 1918
          • 2/152nd Infantry joined 30 June 1918

          Divisional Troops

          • 1/12th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regt joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 1 June 1916, left 30 April 1918
          • 2/155th Pioneers joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 28 June 1918, left for 10th Division 19 July 1918
          • 2/107th Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 16 September 1918 60th Battalion, MGC formed 14 May 1918

          Divisional Mounted Troops

          • 2/2nd City of London Yeomanry left 24 January 1916
          • 60th Divisional Cyclist Company left 5 September 1916
          • B Sqn, 1/1st Hampshire Carabiniers joined 26 April 1916, left 8 July 1916
          • A Sqn, Duke of Lancaster's Yeomanry were briefly attached in August 1917

          Divisional Artillery

          • CCC (2/V London) Brigade, RFA broken up 30-31 August 1916
          • CCCI (2/VI London) Brigade, RFA
          • CCCII (2/VII London) Brigade, RFA
          • CCCIII (2/VIII London (Howitzer)) Brigade, RFA
          • 60th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
          • 2/2nd London Heavy Battery RGA left 24 January 1916
          • 1/1st Wessex Heavy Battery RGA joined 7 April 1915, left 24 January 1916
          • 2/1st Wessex Heavy Battery RGA joined April 1915, left 24 January 1916
          • W.60 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 28 July1916; left December 1916
          • X.60, Y.60 and Z.60 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 6 July 1916; all disbanded in arrival in Egypt

          Royal Engineers

          • 2/3rd London Field Company left and moved independently to France 23 June 1915, joined 47th (2nd London) Division
          • 521st (2/4th London) Field Company
          • 519th (3/3rd London) Field Company joined by November 1915
          • 522nd (1/6th London) Company joined June 1915, left 18 July 1918
          • 60th Divisional Signals Company

          Royal Army Medical Corps

          • 2/4th London Field Ambulance broken up 30 June - 4 July 1918
          • 2/5th London Field Ambulance broken up 30 June - 4 July 1918
          • 2/6th London Field Ambulance broken up 30 June - 4 July 1918
          • 60th Sanitary Section joined 29 February 1916
          • 121st Combined Field Ambulance joined 29 June 1918
          • 160th Combined London Field Ambulance joined 30 June 1918
          • 179th Combined Field Ambulance joined 1 July 1918

          Other Divisional Troops

          • 60th Divisional Train ASC 517, 518, 519 and 520 Companies ASC (while in Salonika the Train was reorganised. These Companies became the Wheeled Echelon. A Pack Echelon, consisting of 861, 862, 863 and 864 Companies, was also formed. The organisation reverted once in Egypt)
          • 2/2nd London Mobile Veterinary Section AVC


           Divisional History  The 56th (1st London) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as 1st London Division was a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

          1914

          The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914. All of the infantry units left the Division during the period September 1914 - April 1915, most being sent independently to France as reinforcements for the BEF.

          1915

          1916

          In January 1916 the War Office authorised the re-formation of the London Division, now to be known as the 56th, in France. The Division began to concentrate in the Hallencourt area on 5th of February and was largely completed by 21 February. It then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

          • The diversionary attack at Gommecourt - Somme
          • The Battle of Ginchy - Somme
          • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
          • The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles - Somme 1916
          • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme

          1917

          • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
          • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
          • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
          • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of the Ypres
          • The capture of Tadpole Copse - Cambrai Operations
          • The capture of Bourlon Wood - Cambrai Operations
          • The German counter attacks - Cambrai Operations

          1918

          • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
          • The Battle of Albert - Somme
          • The Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
          • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
          • The Battle of the Cambrai - Hindenburg Line
          • The pursuit to the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
          • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Picardy
          • The passage of the Grand Honelle - Final Advance in Picardy

          By the end of the 10th of November 1918 the Division had been withdrawn for rest, although the artillery was still in action up to the Armistice at 1100 on 11th of November. The forward infantry was on that date at Harveng. The Division received orders to join the British force that would advance across Belgium and move into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads. These orders were cancelled on 21 November, at which time the Division was employed on road and railway repair work in the area of Harveng. In all, the Division existed as such for 1010 days during the Great War; it spent 330 days at rest, 195 in quiet sectors, 385 in active sectors and 100 days in battle. Demobilisation began and the final cadres left for home on 18 May 1919. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

          Order of Battle of the 56th (1st London) Division.

          167th (1st London) Brigade. Left the Division and moved to Malta in September 1914. It reformed at Hallencourt in February 1916.

          • 1/1st Battalion, London Regiment left May 1915, rejoined February 1916
          • 1/2nd Battalion, London Regiment left February 1915
          • 1/3rd Battalion, London Regiment left May 1915, rejoined February 1916, left January 1918
          • 1/4th Battalion, London Regiment left January 1915
          • 1/7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment joined February 1916
          • 1/8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment joined February 1916
          • 167th Machine Gun Company formed 22 March 1916, moved to 56th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
          • 167th Trench Mortar Battery joined 14 June 1916
          • 4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment joined October 1917, left November 1917

          168th (2nd London) Brigade. Broken up in November 1914. It reformed at Yanville in February 1916.

          • 1/5th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
          • 1/6th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
          • 1/7th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
          • 1/8th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
          • 1/4th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 1/12th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916, left January 1918
          • 1/13th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 1/14th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 168th Machine Gun Company formed 16 March 1916, moved to 56th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
          • 168th Trench Mortar Battery joined 13 June 1916

          169th (3rd London) Brigade. Broken up in April 1915. It reformed at Hallencourt in February 1916.

          • 1/9th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914, rejoined February 1916, left February 1918
          • 1/10th Battalion, London Regiment left April 1915
          • 1/11th Battalion, London Regiment left April 1915
          • 1/12th Battalion, London Regiment left December 1914
          • 1/2nd Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 1/5th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 1/16th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 169th Machine Gun Company formed 17 March 1916, moved to 56th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
          • 169th Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 June 1916

          Divisional Troops

          • 1/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion, February 1916
          • 193rd Machine Gun Company joined 24 December 1916, moved to 56th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
          • 56th Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918

          Divisional Mounted Troops

          • 2nd County of London Yeomanry left April 1915
          • B Squadron, 2nd King Edward's Horse joined March 1915, left 30 May 1915
          • 1st London Divisional Cyclist Company joined April 1916, left May 1916

          Divisional Artillery The Divisional Artillery was attached to the 36th (Ulster) Division in September 1915, after which the Brigades were attached to various other Divisions and formations before rejoining in February 1916.

          • CCLXXX (I London) Brigade, RFA
          • CCLXXXI (II London) Brigade, RFA
          • CCLXXXII (III London) Brigade, RFA left January 1917
          • CCLXXXIII (IV London) (How) Bde, RFA broken up November 1916
          • 1st London Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division to join 58th Division in early 1915
          • 56th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
          • V.56 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed May 1916, left February 1918
          • X.56, Y.56 and Z.56 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed mid May 1916, in early February 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

          Royal Engineers

          • 1st London Field Company left December 1914
          • 2nd London Field Company left January 1915
          • 416th (1st Edinburgh) Field Company joined May 1916
          • 512th (2/1st London) Field Company joined February 1916
          • 513th (2/2nd London) Field Company joined February 1916
          • 56th Divisional Signals Company original company went with 1st Brigade to Malta and remained there; replaced in February 1916 by the Signals Company from 58th Division

          Royal Army Medical Corps

          • 1st London Field Ambulance left June 1916
          • 2nd London Field Ambulance left December 1914
          • 3rd London Field Ambulance left December 1914
          • 2/1st London Field Ambulance joined February 1916
          • 2/2nd London Field Ambulance joined February 1916
          • 2/3rd London Field Ambulance joined February 1916
          • 56th Sanitary Section joined 11 February 1916, left for VII Corps 1 April 1917

          Other Divisional Troops

          • 56th Divisional Train ASC Originally 170, 171, 172 and 173 Coys but they were detached in November 1915 and moved to Salonika with 28th Division. Replaced by 213, 214, 215 and 216 Coys ASC from 30th Division
          • 1st London Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 14 March 1916
          • 56th Divisional Ambulance Workshop joined 28 February 1916, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 31 March 1916
          • 247th Divisional Employment Company joined 23 June 1917


             The 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division was formed as the 2nd West Lancashire Division a second line Territorial Division On 31st of August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. When some of the 'first line' units of the senior 55th (West Lancashire) Division were sent overseas, their place in that Division was taken by the 'second line'. The remainder, less the artillery which was in a parlous state as far as equipment went, moved to concentrate at Canterbury, Maidstone and Ashford and were formed into the 2nd West Lancashire Division, which got the number 57 in August 1915. The Divisional symbol is a D on its side, the D standing for Lord Derby. The 'second line' Divisions suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected. The artillery did not leave its home basis for Canterbury until September 1915, having received some obsolescent equipment from the 'first line' units which were being re-equipped with modern guns. The infantry received Japanese rifles, quite different to the Lee-Enfields that equipped the British armies in the fields, and only got modern rifles and ammunition in late November 1915.

          1916

          The passing of the Military Service Act in early 1916 deemed all men to have agreed to serve overseas and thus the Division was available to be sent, once it was trained. In July 1916 the units of the Division moved to the Aldershot area, being based at Blackdown, Deepcut, Pirbright, Woking and other places in the vicinity.

          1917

          The Division received a warning order on 5th of January 1917 that it would soon depart for France. The units crossed the Channel between the 7th and 22nd of February and completed concentration at Merris on 23rd of February 1917. Three days later it took over the right sector of II Anzac Corps, north of Le Tilleloy. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

          The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

          1918

          • The Battles of the Lys (Divisional artillery only)
          • The Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
          • The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line - Arras
          • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
          • The Battle of the Cambrai - Hindenburg Line in which the Division assisted in the capture of Cambrai
          • The occupation of Lille during the general final advance in Artois

          The Division was withdrawn for rest on 1 November and was in the eastern suburbs of Lille at the Armistice. On 21st of November 1918 the Division received orders to move to Arras to begin the process of clearing up. It had arrived in the area by 4 December. Here the units began to demobilise and by 23rd of March 1919 the Division was down to a small set of cadres. The last of these started for England on 25th of June 1919 and on 4th of July the last artillery sailed, bringing the history of the Division to an end.

          Order of Battle of the 57th (West Lancashire) Division

          170th (2/1st North Lancashire) Brigade

          • 2/4th Battalion, King's Own left 20 October 1915
          • 2/5th Battalion, King's Own
          • 2/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
          • 2/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left February 1918
          • 4/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined 22 October 1915, absorbed by 1/5th Bn February 1918
          • 170th Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, moved to 57th Battalion, MGC 1 Mar 1918
          • 170th Trench Mortar Battery joined February 1917
          • 1/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined February 1918

          171st (2/1st Liverpool) Brigade

          • 2/5th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) disbanded February 1918
          • 2/6th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
          • 2/7th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
          • 2/8th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) absorbed by 1/8th Battalion, January 1918
          • 171st Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, moved to 57th Battalion, MGC 1 Mar 1918
          • 171st Trench Mortar Battery joined February 1917
          • 1/8th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined January 1918

          172nd (2/1st South Lancashire) Brigade

          • 2/9th Battalion,e King's (Liverpool Regiment) absorbed by 1/9th Bn January 1918
          • 2/10th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left April 1918
          • 2/4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment
          • 2/5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment left 13 February 1915, rejoined January 1916
          • 172nd Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, moved to 57th Battalion, MGC 1 Mar 1918
          • 172nd Trench Mortar Battery joined February 1917
          • 1/9th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined January 1918
          • 1st Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined April 1918

          Divisional Troops

          • 2/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regt joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn February 1918
          • 173rd Machine Gun Company joined 31 March 1917, moved to 57th Battalion, MGC 1 Mar 1918
          • 57th Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918

          Divisional Mounted Troops

          • 1/1st Lancashire Hussars left 29 October 1915 (1 Squadronn) and 14 November 1915 (2 Squadrons)
          • 1/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion joined October 1915, left 2 December 1915
          • A Squadron, 2/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry joined 1916, left before Division sailed
          • West Lancashire Divisional Cyclist Company left 7 December 1915
          • 57th Divisional Cyclist Company joined 1916, left before Division sailed

          Divisional Artillery the artillery of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division also served with this Division from April to September 1915

          • CCLXXXV (2/I West Lancs) Brigade, RFA
          • CCLXXXVI (2/II West Lancs) Brigade, RFA
          • CCLXXXVII (2/III West Lancs) Brigade, RFA broken up 20 February 1917 (2/IV West Lancs) (How) Bde, RFA broken up July 1916 (ie before brigades were numbered)
          • 1st Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which joined from 55th Division in April 1915, left 28 December 1915 and moved independently to France, arriving on 26 January 1916 and coming initially under orders of XXIX Heavy Artillery Brigade
          • 2/1st Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA joined 26 November 1915, received four 4.7-inch guns on 29 December 1915, later moved independently to France, arriving on 1 July 1916 and coming initially under orders of II Anzac Corps
          • 57th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
          • W.57 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 1 March 1917, left for XV Corps 17 February 1918
          • X.57, Y.57 and Z.57 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 1 March 1917, in February 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

          Royal Engineers

          • 422nd (2/1st West Lancs) Field Company left December 1915
          • 423rd (2/2nd West Lancs) Field Company left December 1915
          • 421st (1/3rd West Lancs) Field Company joined December 1915
          • 502nd (1/3rd Wessex) Field Company joined December 1915
          • 505th (2/3rd Wessex) Field Company joined February 1916
          • 57th Divisional Signals Company

          Royal Army Medical Corps

          • 2/1st West Lancs Field Ambulance left 7 December 1915
          • 1/2nd West Lancs Field Ambulance left 22 October 1915
          • 1/3rd West Lancs Field Ambulance left 7 December 1915
          • 2/2nd Wessex Field Ambulance joined 4 December 1915
          • 3/2nd West Lancs Field Ambulance joined 4 December 1915
          • 2/3rd Wessex Field Ambulance joined 5 December 1915
          • 57th Sanitary Section left for Second Army 15 April 1917

          Other Divisional Troops

          • 57th Divisional Train ASC The original 55th Divisional Train, formed in September 1915 and composed of 505, 506, 507 and 508 Companies ASC, remained at home when the units of that Division moved to France. It was transferred to the 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division.
          • 57th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined by September 916
          • 248th Divisional Employment Company formed by 16 June 1917


             The 58th (2/1st London) Division was formed as the 2/1st London Division, a second line Territorial Division. On 31st of August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. When many of the 'first line' units of the senior 56th (1st London) Division were sent overseas, that Division was temporarily disbanded and the rest of its units joined the 'second line' in the 2/1st London Division. The number 57 was not issued until August 1915.

          The 2/1st London Infantry Brigade was sent for garrison duty at Malta in early 1915, being replaced in the Division by the 'third line' 3/1st London Infantry Brigade. The 'second line' Divisions suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected. The passing of the Military Service Act in early 1916 deemed all men to have agreed to serve overseas and thus the Division was available to be sent, once it was trained. After being based in the Ipswich area, the Division took over the East Coast defences in spring 1916. It moved again, to Sutton Veny, in July 1916.

          1917

          The Division received a warning order on 1st of January 1917 that it would soon depart for France. The units crossed the Channel from Southampton and Boulogne from 20th January and completed concentration at Lucheux on 8th of February. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

          • The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
          • The Battle of Bullecourt
          • The actions of the Hindenburg Line
          • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
          • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of Ypres
          • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

          1918

          • The Battle of St Quentin
          • The Battle of the Avre
          • The Battle of Villers-Bretonneux
          • The Battle of Amiens
          • The Battle of Albert - Somme
          • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
          • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line
          • The general final advance in Artois

          The Division had crossed the River Scheldt and the forward units were south of Ath on 11 November 1918. The Division remained in the Peruwelz area after the Armistice. Here the units began to demobilise and by early March 1919 the Division was down to a small set of cadres which were moved to Leuze. The last units sailed for home at the end of June 1919, bringing the history of the Division to an end.

          Order of Battle of the 58th (London) Division

          2/1st London Brigade Brigade left the Division for Malta in early 1915

          • 2/1st Battalion, London Regiment arrived Malta 11 February 1915
          • 2/2nd Battalion, London Regiment arrived Malta 31 December 1914
          • 2/3rd Battalion, London Regiment arrived 31 December 1914
          • 2/4th Battalion, London Regiment arrived 31 December 1914

          174th (2/2nd London) Brigade

          • 2/5th Battalion, London Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
          • 2/6th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 6th Battalion 31 January 1918
          • 2/7th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 7th Battalion 2 February 1918
          • 2/8th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 8th Battalion 2 February 1918
          • 198th Machine Gun Company joined 21 February 1917, moved to 58th Battalion, MGC 2 Mar 1918
          • 174th Trench Mortar Battery

          175th (2/3rd London) Brigade

          • 2/9th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 9th Battalion on 1st February 1918
          • 2/10th Battalion, London Regiment
          • 2/11th Battalion, London Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
          • 2/12th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 12th Battalion 31 January 1918
          • 44th Machine Gun Company attached 23 February 1917 to 22 March 1917
          • 215th Machine Gun Company joined 21 March 1917, moved to 58th Battalion, MGC 2 Mar 1918
          • 175th Trench Mortar Battery

          173rd (3/1st London) Brigade formed April 1915, replaced 2/1st London Brigade in this Division in August 1915

          • 3/1st Battalion, London Regiment renamed 2/1st Battalion, June 1916, disbanded 31 January 1918
          • 3/2nd Battalion, London Regiment renamed 2/2nd Battalion, June 1916, left 12 September 1918
          • 3/3rd Battalion, London Regiment renamed 2/3rd Battalion, June 1916, became 3rd Bn 31 January 1918
          • 3/4th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 2/4th Battalion, June 1916, aborbed into 2/2nd Battalion, 12 September 1918
          • 197th Machine Gun Company attached 22 February 1917 to 26 March 1917
          • 214th Machine Gun Company joined 25 March 1917, moved to 58th Battalion, MGC 2 Mar 1918
          • 173rd Trench Mortar Battery
          • 2/24th Battalion, London Regiment joined at Guyencourt 11 September 1918

          Divisional Troops

          • 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion, 15 February 1918
          • 206th Machine Gun Company joined 24 March 1917, moved to 58th Battalion, MGC 2 Mar 1918
          • 58th Battalion MGC formed 2 March 1918
          • 100th Machine Gun Company attached 7-25 September 1918

          Divisional Mounted Troops

          • 1/1st Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry broken up early 1915
          • A Sqn, Hampshire Carabiniers joined 21 March 1916 (A Sqn moved independently to France 17 January 1917, rejoined 25 January 1917)
          • 1/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion joined October 1915, left 2 December 1915
          • 2/1st Wessex Divisional Cyclist Company left before Division sailed

          Divisional Artillery note: the artillery of 1st London Division came under command of this Division August 1915 - 23 September 1915 when transferred to the 36th (Ulster) Division

          • CCXC (2/I London) Brigade, RFA joined 25 September 1915
          • CCXCI (2/II London) Brigade, RFA joined 27 September 1915
          • CCXCIII (2/III London) Brigade, RFA joined 25 September 1915, became Army Brigade January 1917 (note: Brigade included 1st Glamorgan RHA and 1st Shropshire RHA)
          • 2/IV London (How) Bde, RFA joined 21 September 1915, broken up July 1916 (ie before brigades were numbered)
          • 1st London Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which joined from 1st London Division in early 1915, left 11 February and moved independently to France, arriving on 3 March 1916 and coming initially under orders of XXVII Heavy Artillery Group
          • 2/1st London Heavy Battery, RGA joined 24 September 1915, did not sail and remained in England
          • 58th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
          • V.58 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA most personnel to X.58 and Y.58 on 8 February 1918, rest left for V/III Corps 18 February 1918
          • X.58, Y.58 and Z.58 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 1 March 1917, on 7-8 February 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

          Royal Engineers

          • 2/1st London Field Company left for 1st London Division 21 February 1916
          • 2/2nd London Field Company left for 1st London Division 21 February 1916
          • 511th (1/5th London) Field Company joined 16 November 1915
          • 503rd (2/1st Wessex) Field Company joined 22 February 1916
          • 504th (2/2nd Wessex) Field Company joined 23 February 1916
          • 58th Divisional Signals Company

          Royal Army Medical Corps

          • 2/1st London Field Ambulance left for 1st London Division 21 February 1916
          • 2/2nd London Field Ambulance left for 1st London Division 21 February 1916
          • 2/3rd London Field Ambulance left for 1st London Division 21 February 1916
          • 2/1st Home Counties Field Ambulance joined 22 February 1916
          • 2/2nd Home Counties Ambulance joined 22 February 1916
          • 2/3rd Home Counties Field Ambulance joined 22 February 1916
          • 58th Sanitary Section left for VIII Corps 30 March1917

          Other Divisional Troops

          • 58th Divisional Train ASC 509, 510, 511 and 512 Companies ASC
          • 58th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 21 November 1915
          • 249th Divisional Employment Company formed by 23 June 1917, broken up 22 April 1919


             The 59th (2nd North Midland) Division was formed as the 2nd North Midland Division, a second line territorial division. On 31st of August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward. The 'first line' 46th (North Midland) Division went to France in March 1915. The units of the 'second line', the 2nd North Midland Division, remained at home for some time. Along with other 'second line' Divisions it suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected

          In early January 1915 the units moved and concentrated in the Luton area. Drafts began to leave for the 'first line' units in June, and their places taken by new recruits.In July 1915 the Division moved to St Albans and soon afterward the number 59 was issued and the full title became 59th (2nd North Midland Division).

          1916

          In April 1916 the Division was hurriedly ordered to Ireland to assist in quelling troubles that broke out in Dublin and elsewhere. Severe fighting took place in the battle against the Irish nationalist forces. The Division's first battle casualties were incurred. Once things had settled down the units moved from Dublin to the Curragh. The passing of the Military Service Act in early 1916 deemed all men to have agreed to serve overseas and thus the Division was available to be sent, once it was trained.

          1917

          The Division returned to England in January 1917 and was based at Fovant by the end of the month. (The 65th (2nd Lowland) Division replaced it in Ireland). Orders were received to the effect that it would soon depart for France. Advanced parties left on 2 February: they missed an inspection by King George V that took place on 13 February. The units crossed the Channel from 17 February and completed concentration at Mericourt on 3 March 1917. Reports said that the Division could not be considered properly trained (largely as it had been split up in Ireland) but it did not have any opportunity to add to its training before it was thrown into the front line south of the Somme, near Estrees. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

          • The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
          • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of the Ypres
          • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of the Ypres
          • The capture of Bourlon Wood - Cambrai Operations
          • The German counter attacks - Cambrai Operations

          1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme (only 177th Brigade and the artillery)
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme 1918
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys
        • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme 1918
        • The Final advance in Artois and Flanders.

        In May, the battalions of 176th Brigade left to go to Egypt. By July 1919 the Division was down to a small set of cadres and on 1 September 1919 the history of the Division came to an end.

        Order of Battle of the 59th (2nd North Midland) Division

        176th (2/1st Staffordshire) Brigade

        • 2/5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
        • 2/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 30 May 1918
        • 2/5th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment merged with 1/5th Battalion, 30 January 1918, reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 2 June 1918
        • 2/6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 7 June 1918
        • 174th Machine Gun Company joined 178th Brigade 28 February 1917
        • 176th Trench Mortar Battery formed 20 January 1917, disbanded 8 May 1918, reformed 11 July 1918
        • 6/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined as cadre 7-10 May 1918 and left for 176th Brigade 18 June 1918
        • 1st Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion,joined 13 May 1918, renamed 17th Garrison Battalion, Worcestershire regiment on 25 May, left 18 June 1918
        • 2nd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined 13 May 1918, left for 177th Brigade 22 May 1918
        • 3rd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined 13 May 1918, left for 177th Brigade 22 May1918
        • 4th Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined 13 May 1918, redesignated as 23rd Garrison Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers 25 May 1918, left 18 June 1918
        • 4th Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined 16 May 1918, renamed 26th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 25th Garrison Guard Battalion, Kings (Liverpool Regiment) joined from 177th Brigade 16 June 1918, renamed 25th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 5th Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment joined 13 May 1918, renamed 17th Garrison Guard Battalion, 25 May 1918 and then 17th Bn 16 July 1918

        177th (2/1st Lincoln & Leicester) Brigade

        • 2/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment merged with 1/4th Battalion, 31 January 1918, reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 2 June 1918
        • 2/5th Battalion,Lincolnshire Regiment reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 29 May 1918
        • 2/4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 18 June 1918
        • 2/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
        • 44th Machine Gun Company attached 23 February 1917 to 22 March 1917
        • 177th Machine Gun Company joined 127 February 1917, moved to 59th Battalion, MGC 7-8 Mar 1918
        • 177th Trench Mortar Battery formed 20 January 1917, disbanded 8 May 1918, reformed 17 August 1918
        • 2/6th Garrison Guard Battalion, Durham Light Infantry joined 10 May 1918, renamed 2/6th Bn 16 July 1918
        • 11th Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment joined 12 May 1918, renamed 11th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 15th Garrison Guard Battalion, Essex Regiment joined 12 May 1918, renamed 15th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 2nd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined from 176th Brigade 22 May 1918, redesignated as 25th Garrison Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps on 25 May 1918, left to become Divisional Pioneers 16 June 1918
        • 3rd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined from 176th Brigade 22 May 1918, redesignated as 13th Garrison Battalion, Duke of Wellington's on 25 May 1918, left for 178th Brigade 16 June 1918

        178th (2/1st Sherwood Forester) Brigade

        • 2/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters reduced to cadre 7 May 1918, left 2 June 1918
        • 2/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters reduced to cadre 7 May 1918, disbanded 31 July 1918
        • 2/7th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters merged with 1/7th Battalion, 31 January 1918, reduced to cadre 7 May 1918, left 28 May 1918
        • 2/8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters disbanded by 30 January 1918
        • 174th Machine Gun Company attached 24 February 1917 to 6 March 1917
        • 175th Machine Gun Company joined 13 March 1917, moved to 59th Battalion, MGC 7-8 Mar 1918
        • 178th Trench Mortar Battery
        • 36th Garrison Guard Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers joined 12 May 1918, renamed 36th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 11th Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined 12 May 1918, renamed 11th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 2nd Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment joined 17 May 1918, resdignated 8th Garrison Battalion, 25 May 1918, left 19 June 1918
        • 25th Garrison Guard Battalion, Cheshire Regiment joined 25 May 1918, left 19 June 1918
        • 13th Garrison Battalion, Duke of Wellington's joined from 177th Brigade 16 June 1918, renamed 13th Battalion, on 16 July 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 6/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion, 21 February 1918, reduced to cadre 7-10 May 1918 and left for 176th Brigade
        • 200th Machine Gun Company joined 18 January 1917, moved to 59th Battalion, MGC 7-8 Mar 1918
        • 59th Battalion MGC formed 7-8 March 1918, reduced to cadre and disappeared May 1918
        • 25th Garrison Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 16 June 1918, retitled as 25th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 200th Machine Gun Company joined 2 October 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • 2/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry left when Division moved to Ireland
        • 2/1st North Midland Divisional Cyclist Company joined 17 March 1915, left when Division went to France
        • C Squadron, 2/1st Northumberland Fusiliers joined 28 March 1916, left for
        • XIX Corps on 26 March 1917

        Divisional Artillery

        • CCXCV (2/I N Midland) Brigade, RFA
        • CCXCVI (2/II N Midland) Brigade, RFA
        • CCXCVII (2/III N Midland) Brigade, RFA broken up before Division moved to France
        • CCXCVIII (2/IV N Midland) (How) Bde, RFA leftto become Army Brigade 4 April 1917
        • 2/1st North Midland Heavy Battery, RGA joined 5 February 1915, left and moved independently to France, arriving on 3 May 1916 and coming initially under orders of VI Corps Heavy Artillery
        • 1/IV Home Counties (How) Bde, RFA attached 10 March to 27 June 1915
        • 1/I Wessex Heavy Battery, RGA attached 13 March to 7 April 1915
        • 2/I Wessex Heavy Battery, RGA attached 20 February to April 1916
        • 59th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.59 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 20 January 1917, left March 1918
        • X.59, Y.59 and Z.59 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 20 January 1917, in February 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 467th (1/3rd North Midland) Field Company
        • 469th (2/2nd North Midland) Field Company joined 4 February 1915
        • 470th (3/1st North Midland) Field Company joined 4 February 1915
        • 59th Divisional Signals Company joined 4 February 1915

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 2/1st North Midland Field Ambulance joined 3 February 1915
        • 2/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance joined 3 February 1915
        • 2/3rd North Midland Field Ambulance joined 3 February 1915
        • 59th Sanitary Section left for Cavalry Corps 18-19 May 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 59th Divisional Train ASC 513, 514, 515 and 516 Companies ASC
        • 59th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 250th Divisional Employment Company formed by 16 June 1917


           61st (2nd South Midland) Division was formed in 1914. On 31st of August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward. The 'first line' 48th (South Midland) Division went to France in March 1915. The units of the 'second line', the 2nd South Midland Division, remained at home for some time. Along with other 'second line' Divisions suffered it greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected

        In early January 1915 the units moved and concentrated in the Northampton area. Drafts began to leave for the 'first line' units, and their places taken by new recruits. In April 1915 the Division moved to Chelmsford and soon afterward the number 61 was issued and the full title became 61st (2nd South Midland Division). The units were inspected by Lord Kitchener on 6 August 1915. In February and early March 1916 the Division moved to Salisbury Plain. King George V inspected the Division at Bulford on 5 May 1916. The Division was warned in May that it would go on overseas service and entrainment began on the 21st. By 28 May the Division, less the Ammunition Column (which was still at Le Havre), had concentrated in the area of Merville - Gonnehem - Busnes - Thiennes. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

        • The Attack at Fromelles

        1917

        • The Operations on the Ancre
        • The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The German counter attacks at Cambrai

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin
        • The Actions at the Somme Crossings
        • The Battle of Estaires
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck
        • The Battle of Bethune
        • The Battle of the Selle
        • The Battle of Valenciennes

      The Division was relieved on 3rd of November and was south of Valenciennes, along the River Ecaillon, at the Armistice. It withdrew west, being near Cambrai by 17th of November and west of Dullens from 28 November. The Division began to demobilise in January 1919 and for a time men were leaving for home at a rate of 1,000 per week. Two battalions were detached for duties at the Base Ports, otherwise the Division was chiefly employed on guard duty and working parties. A battalion was sent to restore order when trouble broke out between the British West Indies Regiment and the Chinese Labour Corps at Abancourt. In July drafts were sent to Egypt and the Black Sea, and Divisional HQ in France closed on 30 July 1919.

      Order of Battle of the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division

      182nd (2nd Warwickshire) Brigade

      • 2/5th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
      • 2/6th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
      • 2/7th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
      • 2/8th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
      • 182nd Machine Gun Company joined 19 June 1916, moved to 61st Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
      • 182nd Trench Mortar Battery formed 13 June 1916
      • 2/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment joined from 183rd Brigade February 1918

      183rd (2nd Gloucester & Worcester) Brigade

      • 2/4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment disbanded February 1918
      • 2/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment disbanded February 1918
      • 2/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment disbanded February 1918
      • 2/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment left for 182nd Brigade February 1918
      • 183rd Machine Gun Company joined 19 June 1916, moved to 61st Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
      • 183rd Trench Mortar Battery formed 27 June 1916
      • 1/9th Battalion, Royal Scots joined February 1918, left June 1918
      • 1/5th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders joined February 1918, left June 1918
      • 1/8th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined February 1918, left June 1918
      • 9th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers joined June 1918
      • 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment joined June 1918
      • 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment joined June 1918

      184th (2nd South Midland) Brigade

      • 2/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
      • 2/4th Battalion, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
      • 2/1st Battalion, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry disbanded February 1918
      • 2/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment
      • 184th Machine Gun Company joined 20 June 1916, moved to 61st Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
      • 184th Trench Mortar Battery formed 27 June 1916

      Divisional Troops

      • 1/5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn April 1916
      • 267th Machine Gun Company joined 18 January 1918, moved to 61st Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
      • 61st Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • 2/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry joined October 1915, left February 1916
      • 2/2nd County of London Yeomanry joined 24 January 1916, left February 1916
      • C Sqn, 1/1st Hampshire Yeomanry joined 18 March 1916, left 7 June 1916
      • 2nd South Midland Divisional Cyclist Company left June 1916

      Divisional Artillery Note: the artillery of 59th Division was also attached between 8 and 26 August 1918

      • CCCV (2/I South Midland) Brigade, RFA broken up 17 September 1916
      • CCCVI (2/II South Midland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCVII (2/III South Midland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCVIII (2/IV S.M.) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 27 January 1917
      • 2/1st South Midland (Warwicks) Heavy Battery, RGA left 3 February 1916
      • 2/2nd London Heavy Battery RGA joined 24 January 1916, left 3 February 1916
      • 1/1st Wessex Heavy Battery RGA attached 24 January to February 1916
      • 2/1st Wessex Heavy Battery RGA attached 24 January to February 1916
      • 61st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • V.61 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 16 August 1916; left 7 February 1918
      • X.61, Y.61 and Z.61 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed June 1916; on 7 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

      Royal Engineers

      • 477th (2/1st South Midland) Field Company moved independently to France and joined 48th Division June 1915
      • 478th (2/2nd South Midland) Field Company
      • 479th (3/1st South Midland) Field Company
      • 476th (1/3rd South Midland) Field Company joined by May 1916
      • 61st Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/1st South Midland Field Ambulance
      • 2/2nd South Midland Ambulance
      • 2/3rd South Midland Field Ambulance
      • 61st Sanitary Section left for IV Corps 12 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 61st Divisional Train ASC 521, 522, 523 and 524 Companies ASC
      • 2/1st South Midland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 251st Divisional Employment Company joined 7 June 1917


       Divisional History  The 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division in 1914-1918

      The history of 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division

      On 31 August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward.

      The 'first line' 49th (West Riding) Division went to France in April 1915.

      The units of the 'second line', the 2nd West Riding Division, remained at home for quite some time. Along with other 'second line' Divisions suffered it greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected. The Division also continually supplied drafts of men to the 'first line', which delayed things terribly.

      In March 1915 Divisional HQ moved to Matlock Bath and the various units gradually moved to the Matlock, Derby, Belper, Nottingham and Bakewell areas. Two months later moves were made to Thoresby Park, Babworth Park, Welbeck Park, Southwell and Beverley. A further move in October 1915 saw all units concentrated in the area of Retford, then quickly going to Newcastle and in early 1916 to Salisbury Plain. Yet another move was made in June 1916, with the Division going to Lowestoft, Wangford, Flixton Park, Bungay and Somerleytown.

      The Division was inspected by King George V on 26 July 1916. The units made a final move to Bedford, Wellingborough and Northampton in October 1916, where orders were received to embark for France.

      The Divisional Ammunition Column sailed from Avonmouth for Rouen on 30 December 1916; the rest crossed from Southampton to Le Havre from 5 January 1917 and by 18 January concentration was completed in Third Army area between the rivers Canche and Authie. The Division then remained on the Western Front in France and Flanders for the rest of the war and took part in the following engagements:

      1917

      • The Operations on the Ancre ( 15 February - 13 March)
      • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line (14 - 19 March)
      • The first attack on Bullecourt (part of the Arras offensive) (11 April)
      • The German attack on Lagnicourt (part of the Arras offensive) (15 April)
      • The Battle of Bullecourt (part of the flanking operations round Arras) (3 - 17 May)
      • The actions on the Hindenburg Line (20 - 28 May)
      • The Cambrai Operations (Tank attack 20 - 21 November and the capture of Bourlon Wood 27 - 28 November)

      1918

      • The Battle of Bapaume (25 March) - Somme 1918
      • The First Battle of Arras 1918 (28 March) - Somme 1918
      • The Battle of the Tardenois (Battles of the Marne 1918) (20 - 30 July)
      • The Battle of the Scarpe (26 - 30 August) - Arras 1918
      • The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line (2 September) - Arras 1918
      • The Battle of Havrincourt (12 September) - Hindenburg Line
      • The Battle of the Canal du Nord (27 - 30 September) - Hindenburg Line
      • The Battle of the Selle (17 - 23 October) - Final Advance in Picardy
      • The capture of Solesmes (20 October) - Final Advance in Picardy
      • The Battle of the Sambre (4 November) - Final Advance in Picardy

      On 9 November the Division entered the southern outskirts of Maubeuge, crossed the Sambre and reached the Maubeuge-Avesnes road. The Division was selected to form part of the army which would advance across Belgium and occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, the only Territorial formation to receive this honour. The move began on 18 November, although the Division halted 1 - 9 December between Ciney and Rochefort. The German border was crossed on 15 December and the last units reached the allotted area around Schleiden on Christmas Day.

      In February 1919, Scots battalions began to arrive and the Division was renamed as the Highland Division on 15 March 1919.

      The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division

      185th (2/1st West Riding) Brigade

      • 2/5th Bn, the West Yorkshire Regiment disbanded 13-18 August 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the West Yorkshire Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the West Yorkshire Regiment disbanded 16-19 June 1918
      • 2/8th Bn, the West Yorkshire Regiment became 8th Bn on 1 February 1918
      • 212th Machine Gun Company joined 9 March 1917, moved to 62nd Bn MGC 9 March 1918
      • 185th Trench Mortar Battery
      • 1/5th Bn, the Devonshire Regiment joined 6 June 1918
      • 2/20th Bn, the London Regiment joined 9 August 1918

      186th (2/2nd West Riding) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the Duke of Wellington's
      • 2/5th Bn, the Duke of Wellington's became 5th Bn on 1 February 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the Duke of Wellington's disbanded 31 January 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Duke of Wellington's disbanded 17-18 June 1918
      • 213th Machine Gun Company joined 9 March 1917, moved to 62nd Bn MGC 9 March 1918
      • 186th Trench Mortar Battery
      • 2/4th Bn, the Hampshire Regiment joined 14 June 1918

      187th (2/3rd West Riding) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the King's Own Yorkshire LI
      • 2/5th Bn, the King's Own Yorkshire LI became 5th Bn on 2 February 1918
      • 2/4th Bn, the York & Lancaster Regiment
      • 2/5th Bn, the York & Lancaster Regiment disbanded 3 February 1918
      • 208th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1917, moved to 62nd Bn MGC 9 March 1918
      • 187th Trench Mortar Battery

      Divisional Troops

      • 1/9th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 12 February 1918
      • 201st Machine Gun Company joined 30 March 1917, moved to 62nd Bn MGC 9 March 1918
      • 62nd Battalion MGC formed 9 March 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • HQ, MG Section and B Sqn, the 2/1st Northumberland Hussars joined 18 April 1916, left before embarkation
      • 62nd Divisional Cyclist Company formed 23 March 1915, left 19 January 1917

      Divisional Artillery Note: the artillery of 59th Division was also attached 15-24 April 1918 and 17 May - 19 June 1918

      • CCCX (2/I West Riding) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXI (2/II West Riding) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXII (2/III West Riding) Brigade, RFA broken up 28 February 1917
      • 2/IV West Riding (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up may 1916
      • 2/1st West Riding Heavy Battery, RGA left before embarkation and attached to Tyne garrison
      • 62nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • V.62 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA broken up 11 February 1918
      • X.62, Y.62 and Z.62 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA on 11 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

      Royal Engineers

      • 2/1st West Riding Field Company left for 49th Division 23 June 1916, later retitled 458th
      • 2/2nd West Riding Field Company left for 6th Division 13 October 1915, later retitled 459th
      • 461st (3/1st West Riding) Field Company
      • 457th (1/3rd West Riding) Field Company joined by November 1916
      • 460th (2/3rd West Riding) Field Company joined by November 1916
      • 62nd Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/1st West Riding Field Ambulance
      • 2/2nd West Riding Ambulance
      • 2/3rd West Riding Field Ambulance
      • 62nd Sanitary Section left for First Army 8 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 62nd Divisional Train ASC retitled from the 2nd West Riding Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 525, 526, 527 and 528 Companies ASC
      • 2/1st West Riding Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined by November 1916
      • 252nd Divisional Employment Company formed by 14 July 1917


       Divisional History  The 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division in 1914-1918

      The history of 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division

      On 31 August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward.

      The 'first line' 50th (Northumbrian) Division went to France in April 1915.

      The units of the 'second line', the 2nd Northumbrian Division, remained at home. Along with other 'second line' Divisions suffered it greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected.

      Divisional HQ was set up at Newcastle and took responsibility for coastal defences of the sector Seaham Harbour - Sunderland - Newcastle; 188th Brigade at Swallwell Camp; 189th Brigade at Cramlington Camp and 190th at Heworth. The artillery was at Newcastle, Gosforth Park and Gateshead; the RE at Newcastle. King George V inspected the Division at Newcastle on 20 May 1915.

      On 26 July 1915 orders were received that 600 was the minimum strength for any 'second line' infantry battalion and any men in excess of that number could be taken for overseas service.

      On 30 November 1915, HQ moved to Retford in Nottinghamshire. 188th Brigade went to York; 189th Brigade to Retford and 190th to Doncaster. The artillery moved to Retford, York and Doncaster, with the heavy battery RGA going to Hedon; the RE to Worksop. It then remained at these locations.

      In late May 1916, the artillery left for service in France, going at first to Heytesbury and on 2 July 1916 sailing to join 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.

      Orders were received to break up the Division and it ceased to exist on 21 July 1916, although the brigades remained a while longer (see below). 189th and 190th moved to Catterick on 22 July 1916.

      The units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division

      188th (2nd Northumbrian) Brigade broken up 14 November 1916

      • 2/4th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers moved to 72nd Division in November 1916
      • 2/5th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers moved to 72nd Division in November 1916
      • 2/6th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers moved to 72nd Division 27 November 1916
      • 2/7th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers sailed for Egypt 20 January 1917

      189th (2nd York & Durham) Brigade broken up 11 November 1916

      • 2/4th Bn, the East Yorkshire Regiment left 4 November 1916 for garrison duty at Bermuda
      • 2/4th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment moved to 73rd Division 9 November 1916
      • 2/5th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment moved to 73rd Division 9 November 1916
      • 2/5th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry left 31 October 1916 for garrison duty at Salonika

      190th (2nd Durham Light Infantry) Brigade broken up 4 December 1916

      • 2/6th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry moved to 71st Division 29 November 1916
      • 2/7th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry moved to 71st Division 29 November 1916
      • 2/8th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry moved to 71st Division 29 November 1916
      • 2/9th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry left 1 November 1916 for garrison duty at Salonika

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • 1/1st Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade were under Divisional command to August 1915;
      • 2/1st Welsh Border Mounted Brigade to April 1916;
      • 1/1st East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry until 21 May 1915
      • 2nd Northumbrian Divisional Cyclist Company formed at Whitburn Hall between 13 February and 19 April 1915

      Divisional Artillery left late May 1916

      • CCCXV (2/I Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXVI (2/II Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXVII (2/III Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXVIII (2/IV Nthbrn) (How.) Brigade, RFA
      • 2/1st Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Battery, RGA left 9 November 1915 for Tyne garrison

      Royal Engineers

      • 2/2nd Northumbrian Field Company joined 15th (Indian) Division in Mesopotamia by 1 December 1916. Numbered 448 Company 6 March 1917
      • 3/1st Northumbrian Field Company joined 15th (Indian) Division in Mesopotamia by 10 March 1917. Numbered 450 Company 6 March 1917
      • 1/3rd Northumbrian Field Company joined ny January 1916; moved on to
      • 15th (Indian) Division in Mesopotamia by 10 January 1917. Numbered 451 Company 6 March 1917
      • 2nd Northumbrian Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance moved to Salonika as Army Troops September 1916
      • 3/2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance
      • 2/3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance moved to Salonika as XVI Corps Troops September 1916
      • 2/1st Northumbrian Sanitary Section left for Fourth Army 3 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 63rd Divisional Train ASC formed November 1914, the units were eventually titled 529, 530, 531 and 532 Companies ASC
      • 2/1st Northumbrian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC left 11 August 1915
      • 63rd Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 1916


         The Royal Marine Brigades were formed in August 1914 from the Reserves of the Royal Navy. They saw action in defence of Antwerp. The Royal Naval Division was formed on England in September 1914. The survivors of the RM Brigades joined in October. The Division moved to Egypt and saw action in the Gallipoli campaign. Transferred from the Admiralty to the War Office on in April 1916 the Division was redesignated 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on 19th of July 1916. They arrived at Marseilles in May 1916 and remained on the Western Front for the rest of the Great War.

      They saw action in The Battle of the Ancre, in November 1916, Operations on the Ancre in early 1917, Second Battle of the Scarpe in April 1917 in which the Division captured Gavrelle and the Battle of Arleux. In autum 1917 they saw action in the Third Battles of Ypres 1917 and The action of Welsh Ridge in December, They were in action during the German Spring offensive and The Battle of Albert in the summer of 1918, followed by the Battle of Drocourt-Queant in September 1918 and the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy 63rd Royal Naval Division was demobilised in France in early 1919. It had suffered over 47,900 casualties during the Great War.

      Order of battle of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division

      • 1st Royal Naval Brigade was formed in August 1914, renamed 1st (Royal Naval) Brigade, then 1st Brigade. It was broken up in July 1916 with personnel transferred to the 3rd (Royal Marine) Brigade.
        • 1st (Drake) Battalion left May 1916
        • 2nd (Hawke) Battalion left May 1916
        • 3rd (Benbow) Battalion disbanded 9 June 1915
        • 4th (Collingwood) Battalion left 30 May 1915
        • 5th (Nelson) Battalion joined April 1915, left May 1916
        • 7th (Hood) Battalion joined August 1915, left July 1916
        • 12th (Deal) Battalion joined 12 March 1915, left 30 May 1915
        • 2/4th Battalion, London Regiment joined October 1915, left January 1916
        • 188th Machine Gun Company joined 12 May 1917, moved to 189th Brigade 19 June 1917
      • 2nd Royal Naval Brigade formed in August 1914, was renamed 2nd (Royal Naval) Brigade, and later 2nd (Royal Naval) Brigade. On the 19 July 1916, it became 189th Brigade.
        • 5th (Nelson) Battalion, transferred to 1st Brigade in April 1915, rejoined May 1916
        • 6th (Howe) Battalion left July 1916
        • 7th (Hood) Battalion transferred to 1st Brigade in August 1915, rejoined July 1916
        • 8th (Anson) Battalion left May 1916
        • Chatham & Deal Battalion joined August 1915, renamed 1st Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry, left May 1916
        • Portsmouth & Plymouth Battalion joined August 1915, renamed 2nd Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry, left May 1916
        • 2/2nd Battalion, London Regiment joined October 1915, left January 1916
        • 2nd (Hawke) Battalion, joined from 1st Brigade May 1916
        • 4th (Collingwood) Battalion joined from 1st Brigade May 1915, disbanded in June 1915
        • 1st (Drake) Battalion joined from 1st Brigade in July 1916
        • 189th Machine Gun Company joined from 1st Brigade 12 June 1917, moved to 63rd Btn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 189th Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1916
      • Royal Marine Brigade formed in August 1914, renamed 3rd (Royal Marine) Brigade and disbanded in August 1915.
        • Royal Marine A Battalion left 31 August 1914
        • 9th (Chatham) Battalion
        • 10th (Portsmouth) Battalion
        • 11th (Plymouth) Battalion
        • 12th (Deal) Battalion
      • 3rd (Royal Marine) Brigade was formed in May 1916, it was redesignated the 1st (Royal Naval) Brigade, then 188th Brigade.
          8th (Anson) Battalion joined from 2nd Brigade May 1916
        • 1st Royal Marines joined May 1916
        • 2nd Royal Marines joined May 1916
        • 6th (Howe) Battalion joined from 2nd Brigade July 1916
        • 188th Machine Gun Company, August 1916, transferred to Base Depot in May 1917. 223rd MG Company joined in June 1917. Moved into 63rd Btn MGC on 1st March 1918
        • 188th Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1916
        • 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment joined April 1918
      • 190th Brigade formed July 1916
        • 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers joined July 1916
        • 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment joined July 1916
        • 1/1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company joined July 1916, left June 1917
        • 10th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined August 1916, left June 1917
        • 190th Machine Gun Company joined July 1916, moved to 63rd Battalion, MGC on 1 March 1918
        • 190th Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1916
        • 1/28th Battalion, London Regiment joined June 1917
        • 1/4th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry joined August 1917, left February 1918
      • Divisional Troops
        • Armoured Motor Machine-Gun Squadron joined March 1915, left May 1915
        • 14th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneers June 1916
        • 223rd Machine Gun Company joined September 1917, moved to 63rd Battalion, MGC in March 1918
        • 63rd Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918
        • RN Divisional Cyclist Company broken up June 1916
      • Divisional Artillery, joined from 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division, July 1916
        • CCXXIII (I/IV Home Counties) (How) Brigade, RFA joined June 1916, broken up July 1916
        • CCCXV (2/I Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA joined July 1916, left February 1917
        • CCCXVI (2/II Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA joined July 1916, broken up 31 August 1916
        • CCCXVII (2/III Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA joined July 1916
        • CCCXVIII (2/IV Northumbrian) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined July 1916
        • 63rd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA joined July 1916
        • V.63 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined July 1916, broken up February 1918
        • X.63, Y.63 and Z.63 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined July 1916. In February 1918, Z Battery was broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each
      • Royal Engineers
        • RE Detachment, Royal Marine Brigade joined September 1914
        • No 1 Company, redesignated 247th Field Company Feb 1917
        • No 2 Company, redesignated 248th Field Company Feb 1917
        • No 3 Company, redesignated 249th Field Company Feb 1917
        • 63rd Divisional Signals Company
      • Royal Army Medical Corps.
        • No 1 Field Ambulance, redesignated 1st (Royal Naval) Field Ambulance July 1916
        • No 2 Field Ambulance, redesignated 2nd (Royal Naval) Field Ambulance July 1916
        • No 3 Field Ambulance, redesignated 3rd (Royal Naval) Field Ambulance July 1916
        • Royal Naval Sanitary Section joined March 1915 remained in Egypt.
        • 63rd Sanitary Section formed 31st May 1916, left for First Army April 1917
      • Divisional Troops
        • RND Divisional Train ASC joined March 1915, the original Companies left in March 1916 and replaced in June 1916 by 761st, 762nd, 763rd and 764th Companies ASC which became 63rd Divisional Train in July 1916.
        • 19th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined March 1915, left February 1916
        • 53rd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined June 1916


       Divisional History  The 64th (2nd Highland) Division in 1914-1918

      The history of 64th (2nd Highland) Division

      On 31 August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward.

      The 'first line' 51st (Highland) Division went to France in late April and early May 1915.

      The units of the 'second line', the 2nd Highland Division, remained at home. Along with other 'second line' Divisions it suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected.

      Divisional HQ was set up at Perth in January 1915; the infantry Brigades at Blair Atholl, Scone and Falkirk. The artillery was at Edzell, Forfar, Brechin and Rothesay with the heavy battery at Dunfermline; the RE, RAMC and ASC at Blair Atholl, Perth and Scone. Later that year a move was made to winter quarters. Divisional HQ remained at Perth; 192st Brigade went to Pitlochry, Crieff, Aberfeldy and Auchterarder; 192nd Brigade to Blairgowrie and Forfar; 193rd to Montrose and Arbroath. The artillery was now at Blairgowrie, Forfar, Brechin and Rothesay; the RE at Perth, Alyth, Dundee and Coupar, RAMC at Comrie, Alyth and Forfar and ASC at Kirriemuir, Montrose, Blairgowrie and Crieff.

      On 26 July 1915 orders were received that 600 was the minimum strength for any 'second line' infantry battalion and any men in excess of that number could be taken for overseas service.

      Between November 1915 and April 1916 the infantry battalions titles were changed. For example the 2/4th Seaforth Highlanders in 191st Brigade became No 1 Battalion.

      In March 1916, the Division moved to England, with HQ being set up in Norwich. The brigades went to Kelling, Taverham and North Walsham; the artillery to Blickling and Worstead; RE at Norwich, Taverham, North Walsham and Kelling.

      During 1917 a major restructuring of the Division took place, with the 'second line' units being withdrawn and replaced by Graduated Battalions. Further moves around East Anglia were made throughout the year and 1918.

      Orders were received to demobilise in early 1919 and by 15 April the Division had ceased to exist.

      The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 64th (2nd Highland) Division

      191st (2nd Seaforth & Cameron Highlanders) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the Seaforth Highlanders left by February 1918, disbanded June 1918
      • 2/5th Bn, the Seaforth Highlanders absorbed into 2/6th Bn in October 1915
      • 2/6th Bn, the Seaforth Highlanders left by February 1918, disbanded June 1918
      • 2/4th Bn, the Cameron Highlanders left by February 1918, disbanded June 1918
      • 2/4th Bn, the Black Watch joined by November 1915, disbanded December 1917
      • 201st Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the Highland Light Infantry on 27 October 1917
      • 202nd Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the Gordon Highlanders on 27 October 1917
      • 51st (Graduated) Battalion, the Royal Sussex Regiment joined 25 February 1918
      • 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, the Royal Sussex Regiment joined 25 February 1918

      192nd (2nd Gordon Highlanders) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the Gordon Highlanders absorbed into 2/5th Bn in November 1915
      • 2/5th Bn, the Gordon Highlanders disbanded on 31 July 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the Gordon Highlanders absorbed into 2/7th Bn in November 1915
      • 2/7th Bn, the Gordon Highlanders disbanded on 30 September 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the Black Watch disbanded in September 1917
      • 2/7th Bn, the Black Watch disbanded in April 1918
      • 205th Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 52nd Bn of the Highland Light Infantry on 27 October 1917
      • 206th Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the Devonshire Regiment on 27 October 1917
      • 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, the Queen's joined 25 February 1918
      • 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment joined from 193rd Brigade 26 February 1918

      193rd (2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) Brigade

      • 2/6th Bn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders disbanded 13 March 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders disbanded Autumn 1917
      • 2/8th Bn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders disbanded 19 July 1918
      • 2/9th Bn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders disbanded October 1917
      • 209th Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the Middlesex Regiment on 27 October 1917
      • 210th Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 52nd Bn of the Devonshire Regiment on 27 October 1917, left for 192nd Brigade 26 February 1918
      • 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment joined 25 February 1918
      • 51st (Graduated) Battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment joined 25 February 1918
      • 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment joined 25 February 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • 2nd Highland Divisional Cyclist Company
      • C Sqn, 2/1st Glasgow Yeomanry brief ely between April 1916 and June 1917

      Divisional Artillery

      • CCCXX (2/I Highland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXI (2/II Highland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXII (2/III Highland) (How) Brigade, RFA broken up May 1916
      • (new) CCCXXII Brigade, RFA joined by 3 November 1916, broken up by 29 January 1917
      • Bute Mountain Battery, RFA attached April - September 1916
      • 1129 Battery, RFA attached May 1917
      • 2/1st Highland (Fifeshire) Heavy Battery, RGA left September 1916

      Royal Engineers

      • 2/1st Highland Field Company later numbered 403 Company
      • 3/2nd Highland Field Company later numbered 405 Company
      • 1/3rd Highland Field Company later numbered 402 Company
      • 2nd Highland Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/2nd Highland Field Ambulance later numbered 311 Field Ambulance
      • 2/3rd Highland Field Ambulance later numbered 312 Field Ambulance
      • 3/1st Highland Field Ambulance later numbered 310 Field Ambulance
      • 2/1st Highland Sanitary Section left late 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 64th Divisional Train ASC formed November 1914, the units were eventually titled 533, 534, 535 and 536 Companies ASC
      • 2/ 1st Highland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 64th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 1916


       Divisional History  The 65th (2nd Lowland) Division in 1914-1918

      The history of 65th (2nd Highland) Division

      On 31 August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward.

      The 'first line' 52nd (Lowland) Division went to Gallipoli in July 1915.

      The units of the 'second line', the 2nd Lowland Division, remained at home. Along with other 'second line' Divisions suffered it greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected.

      Divisional HQ was set up at Bridge of Allan; the infantry Brigades at Rumbling Bridge, Cambusbarraon and Dunfermline. The artillery was at Edinburgh, Larbert and Tillicoultry with the heavy battery at Stirling; the RE at Bridge of Allan; RAMC and ASC at Dunfermline, Rumbling Bridge and Stirling. in November 1915 a move was made to winter quarters.

      On 26 July 1915 orders were received that 600 was the minimum strength for any 'second line' infantry battalion and any men in excess of that number could be taken for overseas service.

      In March 1916, the Division moved to England, with HQ being set up in Chelmsford. The brigades went to Chelmsford, Billericay and Danbury.

      Early in 1917 the Division moved to Ireland, allowng the release of 59th (2nd North Midland) Division for service in France. By 10 January Divisional HQ had been established at the Curragh. The brigades of the Division were widely dispersed: 194th to Dublin and the Curragh; 195th to Fermoy, Tralee, Limerick, Moore Park and Kilworth; 196th at the Curragh, Galway and Naas. In August 1917 194th moved to Oughterard and Moycullen, and 196th to Dublin.

      During 1917 a restructuring of the Division took place, with the 'second line' units being withdrawn and replaced by Graduated Battalions.

      Orders were received on 11 January 1918 to disband the Division. The various units were redeployed or disbanded and Divisional HQ closed on 18 March 1918. The final details had left the Division by 15 May 1918.

      The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 65th (2nd Lowland) Division

      194th (2nd South Scottish) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the Royal Scots Fusiliers merged in November 1915 with 2/5th Bn and 2/5th Border Regiment to form 13th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916 and absorbed 2/5th Battalion Disbanded 15 May 1918
      • 2/5th Bn, the Royal Scots Fusiliers merged in November 1915 with 2/4th Bn and 2/5th Border Regiment to form 13th Battalion Absorbed into 2/4th Bn in January 1916
      • 2/4th Bn, the King's Own Scottish Borderers merged in November 1915 with 2/5th Bn to form 14th Battalion Absorbed into 2/5th Bn in January 1916
      • 2/5th Bn, the King's Own Scottish Borderers merged in November 1915 with 2/4th Bn to form 14th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916 and absorbed 2/4th Battalion Disbanded 15 May 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Royal Scots joined November 1915, initially retitled as 15th Bn but resumed identity in January 1916
      • 2/8th Bn, the Royal Scots joined November 1915, initially retitled as 16th Bn but resumed identity in January 1916; disbanded summer 1917
      • 213th Graduated Battalion joined 23 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the Cheshire Regiment on 27 October 1917

      195th (2/1st Scottish Rifles) Brigade

      • 2/5th Bn, the Cameronians merged in November 1915 with 2/8th Bn to form 17th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916 and absorbed 2/8th Battalion Disbanded 15 May 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the Cameronians merged in November 1915 with 2/7th Bn to form 18th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916 and absorbed 2/7th Battalion Disbanded 15 May 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Cameronians merged in November 1915 with 2/6th Bn to form 18th Battalion Absorbed into 2/6th Bn January 1916
      • 2/8th Bn, the Cameronians merged in November 1915 with 2/5th Bn to form 17th Battalion Absorbed into 2/5th Bn January 1916
      • 2/4th Bn, the Royal Scots joined November 1915 and amalgamated with 2/5 and 2/6th to become 19th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916 2/9th Bn, the Royal Scots joined November 1915 and renamed 20th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916. Disbanded March 1918
      • 217th Graduated Battalion joined 23 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the King's (Liverpool Regiment) on 27 October 1917

      196th (2/1st highland Light Infantry) Brigade

      • 2/5th Bn, the Highland Light Infantry temporarily renamed as 21st Bn between November 1915 and January 1916
      • 2/6th Bn, the Highland Light Infantry temporarily renamed as 22nd Bn between November 1915 and January 1916
      • 2/7th Bn, the Highland Light Infantry temporarily renamed as 23rd Bn between November 1915 and January 1916. Disbanded by end of 1917
      • 2/9th Bn, the Highland Light Infantry temporarily renamed as 24th Bn between November 1915 and January 1916
      • 221st Graduated Battalion joined 23 July 1917, became 52nd Bn of the Cheshire Regiment on 30 October 1917

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • 2/1st Lowland Divisional Cyclist Company
      • A Sqn, 2/1st Glasgow Yeomanry briefly in 1916-1917

      Divisional Artillery

      • CCCXXV (2/I Lowland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXVI (2/II Lowland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXVII (2/III Lowland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXVIII (2/IV Lowland) (How) Brigade, RFA broken up May 1916 65th Divisional Ammunition Column
      • 2/1st Lowland (City of Edinburgh) Heavy Battery, RGA left May 1916 and went to France, arriving Le Havre 30 May

      Royal Engineers

      • 3/1st Lowland Field Company later numbered 414 Company
      • 3/2nd Lowland Field Company later numbered 415 Company
      • 1/3rd Lowland Field Company later numbered 411 Company
      • 2nd Lowland Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/1st Lowland Field Ambulance later numbered 313 Field Ambulance
      • 2/2nd Lowland Field Ambulance later numbered 314 Field Ambulance
      • 2/3rd Lowland Field Ambulance later numbered 315 Field Ambulance
      • 2/1st Lowland Sanitary Section left 7 May 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 65th Divisional Train ASC formed November 1914, the units were eventually titled 537, 538, 539 and 540 Companies ASC
      • 2/1st Lowland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 65th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 1916


       Divisional History  The 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division in 1914-1918

      On 31st of August 1914 The War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas (Imperial Service) were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, their battalion names prefixed with 2/ which would be this reserve.

      With the Imperial Service territorials in the 'first line' battalions of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division ordered to prepare to depart for Egypt in September 1914. The units of the 'second line', the 2nd East Lancashire Division, were joined by many new recruits from September onwards. The Division was to remaine at home for quite some time. Along with other 'second line' Divisions it suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected. The Division also continually supplied drafts of men to the 'first line'.

      In 1916 the Division moved to the south of England and took responsibility for the defence of part of the east Coast. Most units were based in Suffolk.

      1917

      The Division received orders on 11 February 1917 for embarkation for France. Entrainment began on 25th of February and by 16th of March all units had arrived and the Division concentrated under XI Corps. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

      • The Operations on the Flanders Coast (Operation Hush) (26 June to 25 September 1917)
      • The Battle of Poelcapelle 1917 - Third Battles of the Ypres (6th to 10th of October 1917)

      1918

      • The Battle of St Quentin (21-23 March 1918)
      • The Actions at the Somme Crossings (24-25 March 1918)
      • The Battle of Rosieres (26-27 March 1918)

      The Divisional Artillery and 541 Company ASC of the Divisional Train remained in action when the rest of the Division was withdrawn from action, and did not rejoin until 8 November.

      As a result of the losses it had suffered in this fighting, the Division was reduced to a training cadre and reformed and reconstituted. 197th Brigade left the Division and was retained in training drafts and reinforcements. It splace was taken by the South African Brigade. Many cadre units were attached to the Division for short periods between June and September 1918.

      • The Battle of Cambrai (8-9 October 1918)
      • The Pursuit to the Selle (9-12 October 19180)

      The Battle of the Selle, a phase of the Final Advance in Picardy (17-20 October 1918)

      On 20-21 October the Division was withdrawn and rested in the Serain area until 1 November. It advanced through Le Cateau from 2 November and had some sharp engagements over the next few days. On 9 November a number of units of the Division were placed under command of Bethell's Force (see below). At the Armistice the advanced units of this Force were on the line Pont de Republique - Grandrieu - east of Sivry - Montbliart.

      The Division was selected to march through Belgium as part of the British force for occupying the Rhine bridgeheads. The move began on 18 November and took the Division through Philippeville, Dinant and Ciney. The units billeted in the area Dinant - Huy - Marche - Rochefort and there halted.

      Demobilisation began here and at midnight 24-25 March 1919 the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, the "Clickety Clicks", ceased to exist.

      The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division

      • 2/5th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers left 18 April 1915
      • 2/6th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers renamed 6th Bn 20 February 1918, left for 199th Brigade 22 July 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers left June 1918
      • 2/8th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers reduced to cadre 22 April 1918, disbanded 31 July 1918
      • 3/5th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers joined April 1915, disbanded 13 February 1918
      • 202nd Machine Gun Company moved to 66th Bn MGC 11 March 1918
      • 197th Trench Mortar Battery
      • 6th Bn, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined 21 July 1918, left for 198th Brigade 19 August 1918
      • 9th Bn, the Gloucestershire Regiment joined 21 July 1918, left to become Divisional Pioneer Bn 22 September 1918
      • 18th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 66th Div as cadre on 19 June 1918, moved to 197th Brigade 8 August 1918, left for 199th Brigade 19 September 1918

      198th (East Lancashire) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment renamed 4th Bn 19 February 1918, reduced to cadre April 1918, left August 1918
      • 2/5th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment reduced to cadre April 1918, left July 1918
      • 2/9th Bn, the Manchester Regiment reduced to cadre April 1918, left for 199th Brigade 22 July 1918
      • 2/10th Bn, the Manchester Regiment disbanded 15 February 1918
      • 203rd Machine Gun Company moved to 66th Bn MGC 11 March 1918 198th Trench Mortar Battery
      • 5th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined at Abancourt 19 July 1918
      • 6th Bn, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined from 197th Brigade 19 August 1918
      • 6th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers joined from 199th Brigade 22 September 1918

      199th (Manchester) Brigade

      • 2/5th Bn, the Manchester Regiment reduced to cadre April 1918, disbanded 31 July 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the Manchester Regiment reduced to cadre April 1918, disbanded 31 July 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Manchester Regiment reduced to cadre April 1918, disbanded 31 July 1918
      • 2/8th Bn, the Manchester Regiment disbanded 13 February 1918
      • 204th Machine Gun Company moved to 66th Bn MGC 11 March 1918 199th Trench Mortar Battery
      • 6th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers joined from 197th Brigade 22 July 1918, left for 198th Brigade 22 September 1918
      • 2/9th Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined as cadre from 198th Brigade 22 July 1918
      • 5th Bn, the Connaught Rangers joined 25 August 1918
      • 18th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined from 197th Brigade 19 September 1918

      South African Brigade joined from 9th (Scottish) Division 13 September 1918.

      • 1st Regt, the South African Infantry
      • 2nd Regt, the South African Infantry
      • 4th Regt, the South African Infantry
      • South African Trench Mortar Battery

      Divisional Troops

      • 10th Bn, the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry attached as Divisional Pioneer Bn from 2nd Division 6 July to 7 November 1917
      • 1/5th Bn, the Border Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 13 February 1918, left 7 May 1918
      • 9th Bn, the Gloucestershire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn from 197th Brigade 22 September 1918
      • 66th Battalion MGC formed 11 March 1918, broken up 15 April 1918
      • 100th Battalion MGC joined 19 October 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • B Sqn, 2/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry did not go to France
      • 66th Divisional Cyclist Company did not go to France

      Divisional Artillery Note: the artillery of 59th Division was also attached between 8 and 26 August 1918

      • CCCXXX (2/I East Lancs) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXXI (2/II East Lancs) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXXII (2/III East Lancs) Brigade, RFA broken up April 1917
      • 2/IV East Lancs (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up May 1916
      • 1/2nd Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA left 5 January 1916
      • 2/1st Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA left July 1916
      • 2/2nd Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA left when the Division moved to France
      • 2/1st Wessex Heavy Battery RGA attached 24 January to February 1916
      • 66th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • V.66 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined February 1917; left 3 February 1918
      • X.66, Y.66 and Z.66 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined February 1917; on 3 February 1918, Y broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each, Z then renamed Y

      Royal Engineers

      • 430th (2/1st East Lancs) Field Company moved independently to France and joined 48th Division June 1915
      • 431st (2/2nd East Lancs) Field Company
      • 432nd (2/3rd East Lancs) Field Company
      • 66th Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/1st East Lancashire Field Ambulance left for 27th (American) Division 22 June 1918
      • 2/2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance
      • 2/3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance
      • South African Field Ambulance joined 23 September 1918
      • 3/1st London Sanitary Section left before Division went to France
      • 66th Sanitary Section joined near St Venant 5 March 1917, left for XI Corps 8-9 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 66th Divisional Train ASC 541, 542, 543 and 544 Companies ASC
      • 1/1st East Lancashire Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 254th Divisional Employment Company formed by 14 July 1917

      Attached Troops

      A number of units were attached to the Division in the period June to September 1918, while it was being rebuilt and reconstituted. Most stayed for short periods and most had already been reduced to cadres. Others were disbanded or absorbed into other units while under the command of the Division. The rest were eventually transferred to other Divisions or the Lines of Communication:

      • 18th, 23rd and 25th Bns, the Northumberland Fusiliers;
      • 14th, 17th and 19th Bns, the King's (Liverpool Regiment);
      • 2/5th and 10th Bns, the Lincolnshire Regiment;
      • 7th Bn, the Suffolk Regiment;
      • 7th Bn, the Bedfordshire Regiment;
      • 6th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment;
      • 12th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers;
      • 13th Bn, the Gloucestershire Regiment;
      • 11th Bn, the Border Regiment;
      • 2/6th Bn, the South Staffordshire Regiment;
      • 11th Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment;
      • 10th Bn, the Black Watch;
      • 7th and 16th Bns, the Sherwood Foresters;
      • 17th Bn, the King's Royal Rifle Corps;
      • 13th and 17th Bns, the Manchester Regiment;
      • 2/6th Bn, the North Staffordshire Regiment;
      • 14th Bn, the Highland Light Infantry;
      • 5th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers;
      • 16th Bn, the Rifle Brigade;
      • 6th Bn, the Leinster Regiment;
      • 2/20th and 2/24th Bns, the London Regiment.

      Bethell's Force

      Formed on 9 November 1918, Bethell's Force included a number of units from this Division: the South African Brigade and Field Ambulance, three Field and Signals Companies RE, one Company of the 9th Bn, the Gloucestershire Regiment, one Company of the 100th Battalion MGC and detachments from 2/2nd and 2/3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance.

      The Force was dissolved after the Armistice and the units returned to the Division.


       Divisional History  There is little reference in websites regarding this 3rd line Division formerly known as the 2nd East Anglian Division (Home Territorial Force). It remained in the UK on Home Defence Duties and provided reinforcements for other Divisions.

      The 2nd East Anglian Division was formed from the Home Service men of the Territorial Force units in the 54th Division, formed in Great Britain late in 1914. The Division remained in Great Britain throughout the war providing many drafts for the units overseas.

      Infantry Units

      206th (2nd Essex) Brigade.

      • 238th Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Northumberland Fusiliers.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. 05 Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 2/4th Bn Essex Regt. Dec 1914 - 06 Dec 1915. Disbanded.
      • 2/5th Bn Essex Regt. Dec 1914 - Mar 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/6th Bn Essex Regt. Dec 1914 - Jan 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/7th Bn Essex Regt. Dec 1914 - 10 Oct 1917. To the 67th Division.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Durham Light Infantry. 15 Jan 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Durham Light Infantry. 15 Jan 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 237th Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Rifle Brigade.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Rifle Brigade. 27 Oct 1917 - Feb 1918. To the 67th Division.
      • 4/1st Bn Hertfordshire Regt. 17 Nov 1915 - Aug 1917. Disbanded.

      207th (2nd East Midland) Brigade.

      • 242nd Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn West Yorkshire Regt.
      • 51st Graduated Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 27 Oct 21917 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 23 Feb 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 2/5th Bn Bedfordshire Regt. Jan 1915 - 18 Mar 1918. Disbanded.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Leicestershire Regt. 15 Jan 1918 - Autumn 1918. To the 208th Brigade.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Leicestershire Regt. 17 Jan 1918 - Autumn 1918. To the 208th Brigade.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Sherwood Foresters. 23 Feb 1918 - Apr 1918. To the 208th Brigade.
      • 2/4th Bn Northamptonshire Regt. Early 1915 - 14 Mar 1918. Disbanded.
      • 51st Graduated Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 241st Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 52nd Graduated Bn Rifle Brigade.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Rifle Brigade. 27 Oct 1917 - Feb 1918. To the 67th Division.
      • 2/1st Bn Cambridgeshire Regt. Dec 1914 - Feb 1915. To the 54th Division.
      • 2/1st Bn Cambridgeshire Regt. Apr 1915 - 08 Oct 1917. To the 67th Division.
      • 2/1st Bn Hertfordshire Regt. Early 1915 - 14 Mar 1918. Disbanded.

      208th (2nd Norfolk and Suffolk) Brigade.

      • 245th Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Queen’s.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Queen’s. 27 Oct 1917 - 20 Apr 1918. To the 68th Division.
      • 2/4th Bn Norfolk Regt. Nov 1914 - Jun 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/5th Bn Norfolk Regt. Nov 1914 - May 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/4th Bn Suffolk Regt. Nov 1914 - Dec 1915. Disbanded, personnel to the 3/4th Battalion
      • 2/5th Bn Suffolk Regt. Nov 1914 - 28 Sep 1917. To the 67th Division.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Leicestershire Regt. Autumn 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Leicestershire Regt. Autumn 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 246th Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Sherwood Foresters.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Sherwood Foresters. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Sherwood Foresters. Apr 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 51st Graduated Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 15 Jan 1918 - May 1918. To the 207th Brigade.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Jan 1918 - May 1918. To the 207th Brigade.
      • 4/1st Bn Cambridgeshire Regt. Nov 1915 - Oct 1917. Disbanded.

      Attached Troops.

      • 23rd Bn Welsh Regt. 13 May 1916 - 22 Jun 1916. To the 28th Division.
      • 1/12th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regt. 13 May 1916 - 01 Jun 1918. To the 60th Division.
      • 26th Bn Middlesex Regt. 01 Jun 1916 - 22 Jun 1916. To the 62nd Division.


       Divisional History  There is little recorded on website records regarding the 68th Welsh Division formerly known as the 2nd Welsh Division. It remained in the UK on Home Defense duties and provided reinforcements for other Divisions.

      The 2nd Welsh Division was formed from the Home Service men of the Territorial Force units in the 53rd Division, formed in Great Britain in April 1915. The Division remained in Great Britain throughout the war but did supply many men to overseas units.

      Infantry Units

      203rd (2nd North Wales) Brigade.

      • 51st Graduated Bn King’s. 11 Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 2/4th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 22 Apr 1915 - Mar 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/5th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Apr 1915 - 16 Mar 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/6th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Apr 1915 - 08 Sep 1917. Disbanded.
      • 2/7th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Apr 1915 - 12 Sep 1917. Disbanded.
      • 226th Graduated Battalion 23 Jul 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Welsh Regt.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Welsh Regt. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 225th Graduated Battalion 23 Jul 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Manchester Regt.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Manchester Regt. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Manchester Regt. Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

      204th (2nd Cheshire) Brigade.

    • 51st Graduated Bn Queen’s. Jul 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 51st Graduated Bn Royal Fusiliers. Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 52nd Graduated Bn Royal Fusiliers. Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 2/4th Bn Cheshire Regt. Mar 1915 - 18 Dec 1915. Absorbed by the 2/7th Battalion
    • 2/5th Bn Cheshire Regt. 22 Apr 1915 - 21 Apr 1918. Disbanded.
    • 2/6th Bn Cheshire Regt. 22 Apr 1915 - Jul 1917. Disbanded.
    • 2/7th Bn Cheshire Regt. Mar 1915 - 31 Mar 1918. Disbanded.
    • 230th Graduated Battalion 24 Sep 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn South Wales Borderers.
    • 51st Graduated Bn South Wales Borderers. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 2/4th Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 26 Nov 1915 - Dec 1917. Absorbed by the other Battalions in the Brigade.
    • 229th Graduated Battalion 23 Jul 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 52nd Graduated Bn Manchester Regt.
    • 52nd Graduated Bn Manchester Regt. 27 Oct 1917 - Mar 1918. To the 203rd Brigade.

    205th (2nd Welsh Border) Brigade.

    • 51st Graduated Bn Royal Warwickshire Regt. Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 52nd Graduated Bn Royal Warwickshire Regt. Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 233rd Graduated Battalion 23 Jul 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 52nd Graduated Bn King’s.
    • 52nd Graduated Bn King’s. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 234th Graduated Battalion 23 Jul 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 52nd Graduated Bn Welsh Regt.
    • 52nd Graduated Bn Welsh Regt. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 2/1st Bn Monmouthshire Regt. Apr 1915 - 31 Mar 1918. Disbanded.
    • 2/2nd Bn Monmouthshire Regt. Apr 1915 - 21 Apr 1918. Disbanded.
    • 2/3rd Bn Monmouthshire Regt. Apr 1915 - Aug 1917. Disbanded, personnel to the 2/1st and 2/2nd Bns.
    • 2/1st Bn Herefordshire Regt. Apr 1915 - 10 Sep 1917. Disbanded.

    Attached Troops.

    • 2/1st Brecknockshire Bn (SWB). End 1915 - Nov 1916. Absorbed by the 2/7th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
    • 2/25th Bn London Regt. May 1917 - Mar 1918. To the 227th Brigade.


     Divisional History  The 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division in 1914-1918

    The history of 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division

    On 31 August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward.

    The 'first line' 44th (Home Counties) Division went to India in October 1914 and the formation of the 'second line', the 2nd Home Counties Division, was accelerated. It remained at home throughout the war. Along with other 'second line' Divisions it suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected. The infantry received Japanese rifles, quite different to the Lee-Enfields that equipped the British armies in the fields, and only got modern rifles and ammunition in late November 1915; the artillery were initially given some French guns and some 15 pounders for which there was no ammunition, and the gunners were not fully equipped until well into 1916.

    Initial orders were to form the Division in the area around Windsor, and the three infantry brigades were duly located at Staines, Ascot and Sunninghill. By November 1915 the Division came under orders of Second Army, Central Force and had moved to Sevenoaks (HQ and 201 Brigade), Reigate and Redhill (200 Brigade), Tonbridge (202 Brigade and two RE Field Companies), Brighton (cyclists), Southborough (one RE Field Company). The artillery was scattered at Westerham, Brasted, Riverhead, Seal and Ightham. Further moves were made in 1916, with HQ going to Canterbury, but the Division remained in Kent.

    Between September and the end of 1917 the infantry was completely reorganised, and at this time the Division lost its Territorial distinction, being renamed as just the 67th Division. During the winter it moved to Essex and Suffolk: Colchester (HQ, two brigades and some artillery and engineers), Ipswich (the other brigade and some artillery), Great Bentley (cyclists and heavy artillery), Driffield (some engineers).

    The Division ceased to exist on 17 March 1919.

    The order of battle of the 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division

    • 3/4th Bn, the Queen's left to go to France, landing 1 June 1917
    • 2/5th Bn, the Queen's
    • 2/5th Bn, the East Surrey Regiment
    • 2/6th Bn, the East Surrey Regiment
    • 4th (Extra Reserve) Bn, the North Staffordshire Regiment joined June 1917, left to go to France, landing 7 Oct 1917
    • 200th Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1917, appears to have left by September 1917
    • 276th Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 3rd Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn Northumberland Fusiliers on 27 October 1917
    • 277th Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 9th Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn West Yorkshire Regiment on 27 October 1917
    • 278th Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 9th Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn Sherwood Foresters on 27 October 1917
    • 2/1st Bn, the Cambridgeshire Regiment joined 8 October 1917

    201st (2/1st Middlesex) Brigade

    • 2/7th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment left for Gibraltar February 1915
    • 2/8th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment left for Gibraltar February 1915
    • 2/9th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment disbanded November 1917
    • 2/10th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment left April 1915
    • 3/7th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment replaced 2/7th Bn, renamed 2/7th Bn on 10 June 1917
    • 3/8th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment replaced 2/8th Bn, renamed 2/8th Bn on 15 June 1917
    • 3/10th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment joined May 1915; left to go to France, landing 1 June 1917
    • 4th (Extra Reserve) Bn, the South Staffordshire Regiment joined June 1917; left to go to France, landing 10 Oct 1917
    • 201st Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1917, appears to have left by September 1917
    • 280th Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 33rd Training Reserve Bn); renamed 51st (Graduated) Bn Hampshire Regiment on 27 October 1917
    • 281st Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 93rd Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn Hampshire Regiment on 27 October 1917
    • 282nd Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 57th Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn South Wales Borderers on 27 October 1917
    • 2/7th Bn, the Essex Regiment joined 10 October 1917 52nd (Graduated) Bn, the Rifle Brigade joined February 1918 - sources differ, some saying 51st.

    202nd (2/1st Kent) Brigade

    • 2/4th Bn, the Buffs
    • 2/5th Bn, the Buffs
    • 3/4th Bn, the Royal West Kent Regiment left and landed in France 1 June 1917
    • 2/5th Bn, the Royal West Kent Regiment disbanded November 1917
    • 1st Bn, the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry joined May 1917, and landed in France 27 September 1917
    • 284th Graduated Battalion joined 17 September 1917 (formerly 17th Training Reserve Bn); renamed 51st (Graduated) Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps on 27 October 1917
    • 286th Graduated Battalion joined 17 September 1917 (formerly 40th Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn Gordon Highlanders on 27 October 1917
    • 2/5th Bn, the Suffolk Regiment joined 28 September 1917; disbanded April 1918
    • 285th Graduated Battalion joined by 1 October 1917 (formerly 22nd Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps on 27 October 1917
    • 52nd (Graduated) Bn, the Rifle Brigade joined 22 February 1918

    214th Brigade joined from 71st Division 12 February 1918

    • 2/7th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry left by 23 September 1918 and moved to North Russia
    • 2/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry TF left by 2 September 1918
    • 2/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry TF left by 2 September 1918
    • 16th Bn, the Queen's left by 28 October 1918
    • 4th Reserve Bn, the Buffs joined by 28 October 1918
    • 4th Reserve Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined by 28 October 1918
    • 51st (Graduated) Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined by 2 December 1918
    • 52nd (Graduated) Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined by 2 December 1918

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCCXXXV (2/I Home Counties) Brigade, RFA broken up during 1917
    • CCCXXXVI (2/II Home Counties) Brigade, RFA
    • CCCXXXVII (2/III Home Counties) Brigade, RFA
    • CCCXXXVIII (2/IV Home Counties) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up during 1916
    • 67th (2 Home Counties) Divisional Ammunition Column
    • 1/1 Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery, RGA joined 30 October 1914, left 17 November 1915
    • 2/1 Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery, RGA established 26 December 1914, left 7 February 1916
    • 130th Heavy Battery, RGA attached 19 November 1915 - 7 February 1916, then Egypt
    • 2/2 Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA attached September 1916 - August 1917
    • 2/1 Warwickshire Heavy Battery, RGA attached September 1916 - August 1917
    • XLIX Brigade, RFA joined with 214th Infantry Brigade, disbanded by 25 March 1918
    • 2/1 London Heavy Battery, RGA joined 12 February 1918
    • 2/2 London Heavy Battery, RGA joined 12 February 1918

    Royal Engineers

    • II/I Home Counties Field Company
    • II/II Home Counties Field Company
    • I/III Home Counties Field Company joined 6 November 1915
    • 67th (2nd Home Counties) Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 2/1st Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 58th Division on 22 February 1916
    • 2/2nd Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 58th Division on 22 February 1916
    • 2/3rd Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 58th Division on 22 February 1916
    • 67th Sanitary Section joined 5 June 1918
    • 3/1st Home Counties Field Ambulance formed to replace 2/1st
    • 3/2nd Home Counties Field Ambulance formed to replace 2/2nd
    • 3/3rd Home Counties Field Ambulance formed to replace 2/3rd

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 2/1st Kent Cyclist Bn joined May 1917, left August 1917
    • 67th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 2nd Home Counties Divisional Train ASC By 10 November 1915 the units making up the Train had been numbered as 545, 546, 547 and 548 Companies ASC
    • 67th Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train during 1916


     Divisional History  History 10th Indian Division

    First formation

    The 28th, 29th and 30th Indian Brigades were formed in October 1914 and posted to Egypt as Indian Expeditionary Force F. The 10th Indian Division was formed on 24 December 1915 with these three brigades and little else in terms of divisional troops. The division beat off Turkish attempts to cross the Suez Canal on 3,4 February 1915 in the Actions on the Suez Canal.

    Thereafter, the division was soon dissolved with a brigade (30th) sent to Mesopotamia in March 1915, another (29th) detached to Gallipoli from April to December 1915, and the third (28th) detached to Aden from July to September 1915, before it also departed for Mesopotamia in November.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle (January 1915)

    28th Indian Brigade (Major-General Sir G. Younghusband)

    • 51st Sikhs (Frontier Force)
    • 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force)
    • 56th Punjabi Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 1/5th Gurkha Rifles

    29th Indian Brigade (Brigadier-General H.V. Cox)

    • 14th King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs
    • 69th Punjabis
    • 89th Punjabis
    • 1/6th Gurkha Rifles

    30th Indian Brigade (Major-General C.J. Melliss

    • 24th Punjabis
    • 76th Punjabis
    • 126th Baluchistan Infantry
    • 2/7th Gurkha Rifles

    Divisional troops VII Mountain Brigade, IMA

    • 21st Kohat Mountain Battery (Frontier Force)
    • 26th Jacob's Mountain Battery
    • Field Ambulances
    • 105th Indian Field Ambulance
    • 108th Indian Field Ambulance[e]
    • 123rd Indian Field Ambulance
    • 135th Indian Field Ambulance

    Re-formed

    The division was re-formed on 7 January 1916 as part of the Suez Canal Defences with units and formations in Egypt:

    • 20th Indian Brigade joined from 7th (Meerut) Division,
    • 29th Indian Brigade rejoined from Gallipoli and
    • 31st Indian Brigade joined from 11th Indian Division.

    The new division was short lived: it was broken up again on 7 March 1916 as the need to reform depleted units from France made this plan unrealistic.

    Order of Battle, January 1916

    The division commanded the following units in January 1916:

    20th Indian Brigade (Brigadier-General H.D. Watson)

    • 2/2nd Gurkha Rifles
    • 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles
    • 39th Garhwal Rifles[g]
    • 4th Gwalior Infantry (I.S.)

    29th Indian Brigade (Brigadier-General P.C. Palin)

    • 14th King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs
    • 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 1/5th Gurkha Rifles
    • 1/6th Gurkha Rifles

    31st Indian Brigade (Brigadier-General A.H. Bingley)

    • 58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 1/4th Gurkha Rifles
    • 2/8th Gurkha Rifles
    • 1st Patiala Infantry (I.S.)

    Divisional Troops

    • 33rd Punjabis
    • 2/10th Gurkha Rifles
    • Alwar Infantry (I.S.)
    • Mounted Troops Mysore Lancers (I.S.)
    • Patiala Lancers (I.S.)
    • Hyderabad Lancers (I.S.)
    • Bikaner Camel Corps (I.S.)
    • Artillery Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Artillery Battery
    • Engineers 10th Company, 2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners
    • Pioneers 23rd Sikh Pioneers
    • Field Ambulances
    • 105th Indian Field Ambulance
    • 108th Indian Field Ambulance
    • 123rd Indian Field Ambulance
    • 135th Indian Field Ambulance


       The St George was a steel copper sheathed first class cruiser of the Naval Defence Act Programme and was launched in 1892. She was built by contract at the yard of Messrs Earle at Hull and engined by Messrs Maudsley & Co. She was commissioned at Portsmouth in October 1894 as the flagship of the Commander in Chief on the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Stations. She then carried the flag of Rear Admiral Harry H Rawson C.B. Up to May 1906 HMS St George served as Boys Training Ship in 4th Cruiser Squadron. But after May she went into reserve at Devonport. In 1909 she was converted to a destroyer depot Ship at Chatham and re commissioned as depot ship for the 3rd destroyer squadron at the Nore in March 1910. In June 1910 she suffered some damage after grounding off Sheerness. Served with 6th destroyer Flotilla 1912 - 1913 and then 9th Destroyer Flotilla 1913 - 1914.

    During the early months of world war one she served as part of the Humber Patrol. In 1917 was converted to support submarines and went to the Aegean in 1918 - 1919 with the 2nd Submarine Flotilla. She was paid off in 1920 and scrapped June 1920.

     Divisional History  The 11th Indian Division was an infantry division of the British Indian Army during World War I. It was formed in December 1914 with two infantry brigades already in Egypt and a third formed in January 1915. After taking part in the Actions on the Suez Canal, the division was dispersed as its brigades were posted away.

    The division was commanded throughout its existence by Major-General A. Wallace.

    History

    The pre-war 22nd (Lucknow) Infantry Brigade and the 32nd Indian Brigade (formed in October 1914) were posted to Egypt to help defend the Suez Canal. The 11th Indian Division was formed on 24 December 1915 with these two brigades and little else in terms of divisional troops. A third brigade (31st) was formed in January 1915 with other units already in Egypt. The division beat off Turkish attempts to cross the Suez Canal on 3,4 February 1915 in the Actions on the Suez Canal.

    Thereafter, the division was dissolved in May 1915 with its brigades posted to the Suez Canal Defences. The brigades did not last much longer: the 22nd and 32nd Brigades were broken up in January 1916 and the 31st Brigade joined 10th Indian Division at the same time, but was also broken up a month later.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle, January 1915

    The division commanded the following units in January 1915:

    Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade

    • 1st Hyderabad Lancers
    • Mysore Lancers
    • Patiala Lancers

    22nd (Lucknow) Brigade (Brigadier-General W.A. Watson)

    • 2/10th Gurkha Rifles
    • 3rd Brahmans
    • 62nd Punjabis
    • 92nd Punjabis

    31st Indian Brigade (Brigadier-General A.H. Bingley)

    • 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Rajput Light Infantry
    • 27th Punjabis
    • 93rd Burma Infantry
    • 128th Pioneers

    32nd (Imperial Service) Brigade (Brigadier-General H.D. Watson)

    • 33rd Punjabis
    • Alwar Infantry (I.S.)
    • 4th Gwalior Infantry (I.S.)
    • 1st Patiala Infantry (I.S.)

    Divisional troops

    • 23rd Sikh Pioneers
    • 21st (Kohat) Mountain Battery (Frontier Force)
    • 121st Indian Field Ambulance
    • 124th Indian Field Ambulance


     Divisional History  The 12th Indian Division was formed in March 1915 from units of the British Indian Army. It formed part of the Tigris Corps, for service during the Mesopotamia Campaign of World War I. The Division arrived in Mesopotamia in April 1915 and remained there until it was broken up in March 1916. The Division's brigades remained in Mesopotamia as independent formations until forming part of the 15th Indian Division in May 1916. During its short existence it fought in a number of actions including the Battle of Shaiba between April 12,14, 1915, the Battle of Khafajiya between May 14,16, 1915, the Battle of Nasiriya between July 5, 13-14, 24 1915, where 400 British and Indian soldiers were killed in the battle and up to 2,000 Turkish Soldiers.[citation needed] The Occupation of Nasiriya and the affair at Butanuja, January 14, 1916.

    Formation

    12th Indian Brigade Commanding Officer, Brigadier K E Lean

    • 2nd Btn Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • 4th Prince Albert Victor's Rajputs
    • 44th Merwara Infantry
    • 90th Punjabis

    30th Indian Brigade Commanding Officer, Major General C J Melliss

      24th Punjabis 76th Punjabis 2/7th Gurkha Rifles

    33rd Indian Brigade Commanding Officer, Brigadier R Wapshare

      1/4th Btn Hampshire Regiment 11th Rajputs 66th Punjabis 67th Punjabis

    Divisional Cavalry

    Two sqns 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry.

    Divisional Artillery

    • 86 Heavy Bty Royal Garrison Artillery
    • 104 Heavy Bty Royal Garrison Artillery
    • 1/5th Hants Howitzer Bty Royal Field Artillery

    Divisional Engineers

    • 12 Field Coy Sirmur Imperial Service Coy, Sappers & Miners
    • 12 Div Signal Coy


     Divisional History  The 14th Indian Division was formed during World War I, for service in the Mesopotamia Campaign. It was composed of Battalions of the Regular British Army the British Territorial Force and the British Indian Army.

    The Division now part of the Tigris Corps was involved in a number on minor engagements the Second Battle of Kut and the Fall of Baghdad, the Division's 36th Brigade was left in Baghdad as the Garrison.

    The Division remained in Mesopotamia until the Armistice of Mudros 31 October 1918.

    Battles

    • Advance to the Hai and capture of the Khudaira Bend. 14 December 1916.
    • Capture of the Hai Salient. 25 January, 5 February 1917.
    • Capture of Sannaiyat. 17,24 February 1917.
    • Second Battle of Kut. 23 February 1917
    • Passage of the Tigris. 23,24 February 1917.
    • Fall of Baghdad (1917). 8,11 March 1917
    • Passage of the ‘Adhaim. 18 April 1917.
    • Action of the Shatt al Adhaim. 30 April 1917.
    • Second action of Jabal Hamrin. 16,20 October 1917.
    • Third action of Jabal Hamrin. 3,6 December 1917.

    Formation May 1917 - units in the Divisional Order of Battle.

    35th Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
    • 37th Dogras
    • 102nd Grenadiers
    • 2/4th Gurkha Rifles

    36th Brigade

    • (Garrison of Baghdad city)
    • 1/4th Btn Hampshire Regiment
    • 26th Punjabis
    • 62nd Punjabis
    • 82nd Punjabis

    37th Brigade

      2nd Btn Norfolk Regiment
    • 67th Punjabis
    • 1/2nd Gurkha Rifles
    • 2/9th Gurkha Rifles

    Artillery

    • 13th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
    • C/69th Howitzer battery [1]


     Divisional History  The 15th Indian Division was a formation of the British Indian Army, operational from 1916 to 1919.

    The division was formed on 7 May 1916 on the Euphrates Front in Mesopotamia, as a replacement for 12th Indian Division. It served throughout the war on the Euphrates Front, and was formally disbanded in March 1919. The division was not attached to either of the army corps operating in Mesopotamia, the I Corps and III Corps.

    Battle honours

    • 11 September 1916 Action of As Sahilan
    • 28,29 September 1917 Capture of Ramadi
    • 9 March 1918 Occupation of Hit
    • 26,27 March 1918 Action of Khan Baghdadi

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle July 1918

    12th Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 1/5th Battalion Queen's Royal Regiment
    • 1st Battalion 90th Punjabis
    • 1st Battalion 43rd Erinpura Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion 39th Garhwal Rifles
    • 128 M.G. Coy
    • 12 Lt. T.M. Bty

    42nd Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 1/4th Battalion Dorset Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion 5th Gurkha Rifles
    • 2nd Battalion 6th Gurkha Rifles
    • 1st Battalion 5th Gurkha Rifles
    • 130 M.G. Coy
    • 42 Lt. T.M. Bty

    50th Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 1st Battalion Ox & Bucks
    • 1st Battalion 6th Jat Light Infantry
    • 1st Battalion 14th Ferozepore Sikhs
    • 1st Battalion 97th Deccan Infantry
    • 256 M.G. Coy
    • 50 Lt. T.M. Bty

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXXII Brigade RFA
    • 375 Bty. RFA
    • 1070 Bty. RFA
    • 1072 Bty. RFA
    • 429 (Howitzer) Bty. RFA
    • CCXV Brigade RFA
    • 1087 Bty. RFA
    • 1088 Bty. RFA
    • 816 Bty. RFA
    • 524 (Howitzer) Bty. RFA Volunteer Battery

    Divisional troops

    • 22nd Cavalry (Frontier Force)
    • 448 Field Company RE
    • 450 Field Company RE
    • 451 Field Company RE
    • 48th Pioneers
    • 275 M.G. Coy


     Divisional History  The 16th Indian Division was an infantry division of the Indian Army during World War I. It was formed in December 1916, during World War I. It was the only war formed division of the British Indian Army that was not sent overseas, instead it was sent to guard the North West Frontier. The division took over the responsibilities of the 3rd Lahore Divisional Area when it was disbanded in May 1917.

    The 16th Division was called into action for the Waziristan Campaign in 1917, the 45th (Jullundur) Brigade under command of Brigadier Reginald Dyer were responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. In 1919, they were sent into Afghanistan during the Third Afghan War.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle

    43rd Indian Brigade

    • 2/6th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion 12th Pioneers
    • 1st Battalion 124th Duchess of Connaught's Own Baluchistan
    • 1st Battalion 4th Gurkha Rifles

    44th (Ferozepore) Brigade - joined the division in February 1917:

    • 1/9th Battalion Hampshire Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion 17th Infantry
    • 2nd Battalion 30th Punjabis (Replaced by the 3rd battalion August 1918)

    45th (Jullundur) Brigade - joined the division in May 1917:

    • 1/25th Battalion London Regiment
    • 3rd Battalion 23rd Sikh Pioneers
    • 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 2nd Battalion 151st Sikh Infantry

    In the Third Afghan War the formation was:

    • 1 Squadron 37th Lancers (Baluch Horse)
    • 1/25th Battalion London Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion 41st Dogras
    • 2nd Battalion 69th Punjabis
    • 3rd Battalion 150th Indian Infantry
    • 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 1 Company 2/4th Battalion Border Regiment
    • 23rd (Peshawar) Mountain Battery (Frontier Force)[2]

    Ambala Brigade - joined the division in May 1917:

    • 1/9th Battalion Middlesex Regiment
    • 4th Battalion 30th Punjabis

    Divisional troops

    • 23rd Battalion Rifle Brigade
    • 2nd Battalion 10th Jats


     Divisional History  The 17th Indian Division was formed in 1917 from units of the British Indian Army for service in the Mesopotamia Campaign during World War I. The division was involved in the Action at Fat-ha Gorge on the Little Zab between October 23,26, 1918 and the Battle of Sharqat, October 28,30, 1918. At the end of the Great War it was part of the occupation force in Iraq until it was disbanded in 1928.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle.

    34th Brigade

    • 2nd Btn Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • 31st Punjabis
    • 1/112th Infantry
    • 114th Mahrattas

    51st Brigade

    • 1st Btn Highland Light Infantry
    • 1/2nd Rajputs
    • 14th Ferozepore Sikhs
    • 1/10th Gurkha Rifles

    52nd Brigade

    • 1/6th Btn Hampshire Regiment
    • 45th Rattray's Sikhs
    • 84th Punjabis
    • 1/113th Infantry

    Artillery

    • 220th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
    • 221st Brigade Royal Field Artilley


     Divisional History  The 18th Indian Division was formed during World War I in 1917 from units of the British Indian Army, for service in Mesopotamia and Persia, in what was called the Mesopotamia Campaign. The Division was attached to the Tigris Corps and was involved in the Actions at the Fat-ha Gorge and on the Little Zab between the 23,26 October 1918 and the Battle of Sharqat between 28,30 October 1918.

    At the end of the war the division would remain in Iraq as part of the Iraq Occupation Force, until it was disbanded in 1920

    Units within the Divisional Order of Battle Formation 30 March 1918

    53rd Brigade

    • 1/9th Btn Middlesex Regiment
    • 89th Punjabis
    • 3rd Gurkha Rifles
    • 7th Gurkha Rifles (at Falluja Temporarily attached to 15th Indian Infantry Division)
    • 1 Squadron Patiala Lancers
    • 2 Squadrons 10th Lancers

    54th Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • 25th Punjabis
    • 39th Garhwal Rifles
    • 52nd Sikhs (Frontier Force)

    55th Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn East Surrey Regiment
    • 10th Jats
    • 94th Russell's Infantry
    • 116th Mahrattas

    Divisional Artillery

    • 336th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
    • 337th Brigade Royal Field Artillery


     Divisional History  The 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division was a regular army division of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1903 after the Kitchener reforms of the Indian Army. During World War I it remained in India for local defence but it was mobilised for action on the North West Frontier on several occasions during the period. The Division was mobilised in 1919 for service during the Third Afghan War.

    Units in Divisional Order of Battle Formation in August 1914

    Sialkot (2nd) Cavalry Brigade

    • 17th Lancers
    • 6th Cavalry
    • 19th Lancers

    Abbottabad (3rd) Brigade

    • 1st Battalion, 5th Gurkha Rifles
    • 2nd Battalion, 5th Gurkha Rifles
    • 1st Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles
    • 2nd Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles
    • 68th, 94th and 104th Companies, Royal Garrison Artillery
    • VII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
    • 4th, 38th and 78th Batteries, RFA

    Rawalpindi (4th) Brigade

    • 21st Lancers
    • 5th Cavalry
    • 35th Sikhs
    • 84th Punjabis
    • 9 Mountain Battery, RGA
    • W Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • II Mountain Brigade, RGA
    • 1st and 6th Mountain Batteries, RGA

    Jhelum (5th) Brigade

    • 21st Cavalry
    • 37th Dogras
    • 69th Punjabis
    • 76th Punjabis
    • 87th Punjabis

    Divisional Troops

    • 32nd Pioneers (at Sialkot)
    • 1st Battalion, Green Howards
    • 4th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade
    • 2nd Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment (at Murree)
    • I Mountain Brigade, Indian Mountain Artillery (at Abbotabad),
    • 27th and 30th Mountain Batteries, IMA
    • V Mountain Brigade, IMA
    • 23rd, 28th and 29th Mountain Batteries, IMA


       The 3rd (Lahore) Division was an infantry division of the British Indian Army, first organised in 1852. It saw service during the Great War with the Indian Corps in France before being moved to the Middle East where it fought against troops of the Ottoman Empire.

    Western Front 1914

    In 1914 the 3rd (Lahore) Division was part of Indian Expeditionary Force A sent to reinforce the British Expeditionary Force fighting in France. The bulk constituted an infantry division as part of Indian Corps, while the Ambala Cavalry Brigade was detached to form part of 1st Indian Cavalry Division in the Indian Cavalry Corps. While in France the division was known as the Lahore Division, and its brigades by their names, to avoid confusion with the 3rd British Division. Despatch from India was delayed by the activities of the German raiders Emden and Konigsberg operating in the Indian Ocean, and by the slow speed of the transport vessels. The first two brigades landed at Marseilles on 26 September 1914, but there were further delays while the troops were re-armed with the latest pattern rifle, and the supply train could be improvised, using tradesmen's vans procured locally.

    The 3rd Lahore Divisional Area was formed in late 1914 to take over the garrison duties of the 3rd Division when it left for France. The 3rd Lahore Divisional Area was disbanded in May 1917, the responsibilities of the area being taken over by the 16th Division.

    Ferozepore Brigade - GOC: Brig-Gen R.G. Egerton, CB

    • 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers
    • 9th Bhopal Infantry
    • 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis

    Jullundur Brigade - GOC: Maj-Gen P.M. Carnegy, CB

    • 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment
    • 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (Territorial Force) - joined from GHQ Reserve 4 December 1914
    • 15th Ludhiana Sikhs
    • 47th Sikhs
    • 59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force)

    Sirhind Brigade - arrived at Marseilles from Egypt 30 November, joined 9 December 1914 - GOC: Maj-Gen J.M.S. Brunker

    • 1st Btn. Highland Light Infantry
    • 125th Napier's Rifles
    • 1/1st Gurkha Rifles
    • 1/4th Gurkha Rifles

    Divisional Troops: Mounted Troops:

    15th Lancers (Cureton’s Multanis)

    Artillery:

    • V Brigade, Royal Field Artillery - joined 22 November 1914 from 7th (Meerut) Division 64th, 73rd & 81st Batteries, V Brigade Ammunition Column
    • XI Brigade, RFA - joined 22 November 1914 from 7th (Meerut) Division 83rd, 84th & 85th Batteries, XI Brigade Ammunition Column
    • XVIII Brigade, RFA 59th, 93rd & 94th Batteries, XVIII Brigade Ammunition Column
    • 109th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (4.7-inch guns) Heavy Battery Ammunition Column
    • Lahore Divisional Ammunition Column

    Engineers

    • 20th & 21st Companies, 3rd Sappers and Miners
    • Signals Service: Lahore Signal Company

    Pioneers - 34th Sikh Pioneers

    Supply & Transport - Lahore Divisional train

    Medical Units:

    • 7th & 8th British Field Ambulances
    • 111th, 112th and 113th Indian Field Ambulances

    The division finally got into action piecemeal at the simultaneous Battles of La Bassee, 1st Messines and Armentieres along the British part of the Western Front in October,November 1914. When the troops were relieved in November 1914, the reassembled division defended a section of the front in Indian Corps' sector.

    Western Front 1915

    After winter operations (in which the Indian soldiers suffered badly) the division next took part in the Battles of Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert and Loos in 1915.

    Order of Battle May 1915 - GOC: Maj-Gen H.D'U. Keary

    Ferozepore Brigade - GOC: Brig-Gen R.G. Egerton, CB

    • 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers
    • 1/4th Btn. London Regiment (Territorial Force)
    • 9th Bhopal Infantry
    • 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis

    Jullundur Brigade - GOC: Brig-Gen E.P. Strickland

    • 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment
    • 1/4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (Territorial Force)
    • 1/5th Btn Border Regiment (Territorial Force)
    • 40th Pathans
    • 47th Sikhs
    • 59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force)

    Sirhind Brigade - GOC: Brig-Gen W.G. Walker, VC

    • 1st Btn. Highland Light Infantry
    • 4th Btn. King's Regiment (Special Reserve)
    • 15th Ludhiana Sikhs
    • 1/1st Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)
    • 1/4th Gurkha Rifles

    Divisional Troops: As before, with addition of XLIII (Howitzer Bde, RA (40th & 57th Batteries)

    Mesopotamia

    On 13th of August 1915, General Sir John Nixon, commanding Indian Expeditionary Force D in Mesopotamia, requested one of the Indian infantry divisions in France as reinforcements for his advance on Baghdad. Coincidentally, on the same day, the Secretary of State for India, Austen Chamberlain, told the Viceroy of India that he was anxious for the Indian infantry to be withdrawn from France before they had to endure another winter. The system for supplying drafts had broken down and the Indian battalions were becoming very weak after the heavy casualties they had suffered. Although the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, objected to their withdrawal from the Western Front, orders were issued on 31 October for the two divisions of Indian Corps (3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Division) to embark at Marseilles for Mesopotamia. They were to leave behind their attached Territorial Force and Special Reserve battalions, and the three RFA brigades of 18-pounder guns of 3rd (Lahore) Division. The two divisions were relieved in the front line on 6 November and were due at Basra in December, but their departure from Marseilles was delayed because of fear of submarine attack. 3rd (Lahore) Division finally arrived in Mesopotamia in April 1916 and joined Tigris Corps, too late to relieve 6th (Poona) Division at Kut-al-Amara.

    Palestine

    After the fall of Baghdad, the Palestine Campaign was given priority over Mesopotamia, and in March 1918 the division was transferred to Egypt to join Sir Edmund Allenby's Egyptian Expeditionary Force until the end of the war. At the Battle of Megiddo in September 1918 it formed part of Sir Edward Bulfin's XXI Corps on the right flank.

    Order of Battle September 1918 - GOC: Maj-Gen A.R. Hoskins

    7th Brigade

    • 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers
    • 2/7th Gurkha Rifles
    • 27th Punjabis
    • 91st Punjabis

    8th Brigade

    • 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment
    • 47th Sikhs
    • 59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 2/124th Baluchistan Infantry

    9th Brigade

    • 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders
    • 28th Punjabis
    • 92nd Punjabis
    • 125th Napier's Rifles


     Divisional History  The 9th (Secunderabad) Division was a formation of the British Indian Army. It was part of the Southern Army and was formed in 1904 after Lord Kitchener was appointed Commander-in-Chief, India between 1902 and 1909. He instituted large-scale reforms, including merging the three armies of the Presidencies into a unified force and forming higher level formations, eight army divisions, and brigading Indian and British units. Following Kitchener's reforms, the British Indian Army became "the force recruited locally and permanently based in India, together with its expatriate British officers." The Division remained in India on internal security duties during World War I, but some of it brigades were transferred to serve with other units. Its 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade, traveled to France and served on the Western Front as part of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division. The 27th Banglore Brigade served in East Africa as part of the Indian Expeditionary Force B. Force B was broken up in December 1914 and its units used for the defence of East Africa.

    Composition in 1914 - Divisional Commander, Lt General Woon

    9th Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade - Commander Brigadier General Wadeson

    • 7th (Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards
    • 20th Deccan Horse
    • 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse
    • Signal Troop

    1st Secunderabad Infantry Brigade - Commander Major General Wilkinson

    • 2nd Btn King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • 1st Brahmans
    • 88th Carnatic Infantry
    • 94th Infantry
    • XIX Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    2nd Secunderabad Infantry Brigade - Commander Brigadier General Rodwell

    • 1st Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • 6th Jat Light Infantry
    • 83rd Wallajahabad Light Infantry
    • XIII Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    27th Bangalore Brigade - Commander Brigadier General Wapshare

    • 2nd Btn Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
    • 61st Pioneers
    • 101st Grenadiers
    • 108th Infantry
    • IV Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Later formed the Indian Expeditionary Force B for service in British East Africa the formation was;

    • 2nd Btn Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
    • 63rd Palamcottah Light Infantry
    • 98th Infantry
    • 101st Grenadiers

    Southern Brigade - Commander Brigadier General W Hamilton

    • 2nd Btn Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
    • 1st Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • 73rd Carnatic Infantry
    • 75th Carnatic Infantry
    • 86th Carnatic Infantry
    • IX Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery


       4th (Quetta) Division was an infantry division of the British Indian Army. It was formed by General Kitchener while he was Commander-in-chief of India. During World War I the division remained in India under the command of Lt General H Grover.

    Divisional Order of Battle

    1st Quetta Infantry Brigade - Brigadier General Sitwell

    • 2nd Battalion Somerset Light Infantry
    • 12th Pioneers
    • 19th Punjabis
    • 58th Vaughn's Rifles
    • 1/7th Gurkha Rifles
    • 2/7th Gurkha XXI Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    2nd Quetta Infantry Brigade - Major General Mellis, VC

    • 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • 40th Pathans
    • 67th Punjabis
    • 106th Hazara Pioneers
    • 114th Mahrattas
    • IV Mountain Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery

    Karachi Brigade Brigadier - General Shaw

    • 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers - left for England in December 1915.
    • 127th Baluch Light Infantry
    • 69th Company RGA

    Divisional troops

    • 10th Duke of Cambridge’s Own Lancers (Hodson’s Horse)
    • 22nd Cavalry (Frontier Force)
    • 28th Light Cavalry
    • 15th Sikhs
    • 29th Punjabis
    • 31st Punjabis
    • 60th Company RGA


     Divisional History  The 5th (Mhow) Division was a regular division of the British Indian Army and part of the Southern Army which was formed in 1903 after Lord Kitchener was appointed Commander-in-Chief, India between 1902 and 1909. He instituted large-scale reforms, including merging the three armies of the Presidencies into a unified force and forming higher level formations, eight army divisions, and brigading Indian and British units. Following Kitchener's reforms, the British Indian Army was "the force recruited locally and permanently based in India, together with its expatriate British officers."

    The Division remained in India on internal security duties during World War I, but some of its units were transferred to serve with other Formations. The Cavalry units formed the 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade in the 1st Indian Cavalry Division and served in France and Egypt.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle in 1914

    Commanding General Major General H Payne

    Nasirabad Brigade - Commanding General Major General Davison

    • 27th Light Cavalry
    • 1st Btn Royal Irish Regiment
    • 42nd Deoli Regiment
    • 43rd Erinpura Regiment
    • 44th Merwara Infantry
    • 90th Punjabis
    • XIII Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery
    • XI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
    • XIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

    Jubbulpore Brigade - Commanding General, Major General Fanshawe

    • 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
    • 32nd Lancers
    • 2nd Btn Cheshire Regiment
    • 1st Btn York and Lancaster Regiment
    • 2nd Btn East Yorkshire Regiment
    • 16th Rajputs (The Lucknow Regiment)
    • 63rd Palamcottah Light Infantry
    • 97th Deccan Infantry
    • 98th Infantry
    • Royal Garrison Artillery, 71 and 90 Companies

    Jhansi Brigade - Commanding General, Major General Townshend

    • 8th Lancers
    • 38th Central Indian Horse
    • 2nd Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • 10th Jats
    • 99th Deccan Infantry
    • 107th Pioneers
    • 116th Mahrattas
    • Royal Garrison Artillery, 60 Company

    Divisional Troops

    • 14th King's Hussars
    • 2nd Btn Hampshire Regiment
    • 96th Berah Infantry
    • 125th Napier's Rifles
    • VI Brigade RFA
    • XX Brigade RFA


     Divisional History  The 6th (Poona) Division was a division of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1903, following the Kitchener reforms of the Indian Army.

    World War I

    The 6th (Poona) Division served in the Mesopotamian campaign. Led by Major General Barrett then Major General Townshend, the division were the first British Indian troops to land in Mesopotamia in November 1914 at the Fao Landing. After a string of early successes, the 6th Division was delivered a setback at the Battle of Ctesiphon in November 1915. Following this engagement, the division withdrew back to Kut, where Townshend made the decision to hold the city. After a lengthy siege by the Ottomans, Townshend surrendered in April 1916. 10,061 troops were taken captive. Following the surrender, the garrisoned force conducted a forced march back to Anatolia. The suffering of the enlisted soldiers was particularly egregious, and over 4000 died in captivity.

    After the surrender, the Poona Division ceased to exist until another 6th Division was raised in 1920 for the Iraq Rebellion.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle December 1914

    16th Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment
    • 1st Battalion 20th Duke of Cambridge's Own Infantry (Brownlow's Punjabis)
    • 1st Battalion 104th Wellesley's Rifles
    • 1st Battalion 117th Mahrattas

    17th Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 1st Battalion Ox & Bucks
    • 1st Battalion 119th Infantry (The Mooltan Regiment)
    • 1st Battalion 103rd Mahratta Light Infantry
    • 1st Battalion 22nd Punjabis

    18th Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment
    • 1st Battalion 110th Mahratta Light Infantry
    • 1st Battalion 120th Rajputana Infantry
    • 1st Battalion 7th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Rajputs

    Divisional Artillery X Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

    • 76 Bty. RFA
    • 82 Bty. RFA
    • 63 Bty. RFA
    • 1st Indian Mountain Artillery Brigade
    • 23rd (Peshawar) Mountain Battery (Frontier Force)
    • 30th Mountain Battery
    • 1/5th Hampshire Howitzer Battery

    Divisional troops

    • 33rd Queen Victoria's Own Light Cavalry
    • 17 Co. 3rd Sappers and Miners
    • 22 Co. 3rd Sappers and Miners
    • 48th Pioneers


     Divisional History  The 7th (Meerut) Division was an infantry division of the British Indian Army that saw active service during World War I.

    Pre-Mutiny

    The Meerut Division first appeared in the Indian Army List in 1829, under the command of Sir Jasper Nicolls, KCB. At this period Divisions were primarily administrative organisations controlling the brigades and stations in their area, rather than field formations, but they did provide field forces when required. There were generally one Indian cavalry and two Indian infantry regiments stationed at Meerut itself, in addition to British troops: in 1829 these were the 4th Bengal Light Cavalry, 29th and 32nd Bengal Native Infantry.

    Indian Mutiny

    In May 1857, on the eve of the 'Indian Mutiny' (or 'First War of Independence'), the troops at Meerut comprised the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) and a battalion of the 60th (King’s Royal Rifle Corps), the 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry, and 11th and 20th Bengal Native Infantry under the command of Maj-Gen W.H. Hewitt. The mutiny outbreak at Meerut was one of the first and most serious of the whole conflict.

    Post-Mutiny

    The division was reconstituted when peace returned. Over succeeding decades, the stations controlled by Meerut Division varied, and the forces under command were regularly rotated.

    Pre,World War I

    Under the reforms introduced by Lord Roberts as Commander-in-Chief (CinC) India, the Divisions were renamed 1st Class Districts in 1890. In the next round of reforms inaugurated by Lord Kitchener as CinC, they became numbered divisions with their territorial affiliation as a subsidiary title. The title 7th (Meerut) Division first appeared in the Army List between 30 September and 31 December 1904, as part of Western (later Northern) Command. On the eve of World War I, the division had its HQ at Mussoorie, and had the Meerut Cavalry Brigade and the Bareilly (HQ Ranikhet), Dehra Dun and Garhwal (HQ Lansdowne) Infantry Brigades under command.

    World War I

    Western Front

    In 1914 the 7th (Meerut) Division was part of Indian Expeditionary Force A sent to reinforce the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) fighting in France. The bulk constituted an infantry division as part of Indian Corps, while the Meerut Cavalry Brigade was detached to form part of 2nd Indian Cavalry Division in the Indian Cavalry Corps. While in France the division was known as the Meerut Division, and its brigades by their names, to avoid confusion with the 7th British Division. Despatch from India was delayed by the activities of the German raiders Emden and Konigsberg operating in the Indian Ocean, and by the slow speed of the transport vessels. The division landed at Marseilles 12,14 October 1914, but there were further delays while the troops were re-armed with the latest pattern rifle, and the supply train could be improvised, using tradesmen's vans procured locally. The division finally got into action at the Battles of La Bassee, 1st Messines and Armentieres in October,November 1914.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle, October 1914

    GOC: Lieut-Gen C.A. Anderson, CB - GSO1: Col C.W. Jacob

    Dehra Dun Brigade GOC: Brig-Gen C.E. Johnson

    • 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
    • 6th Jat Light Infantry
    • 2/2nd King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Regiment)
    • 1/9th Gurkha Rifles

    Garhwal Brigade GOC: Maj-Gen H.D’U. Keary, CB, DSO

    • 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment
    • 1/39th Garhwal Rifles
    • 2/39th Garhwal Rifles
    • 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles

    Bareilly Brigade GOC: Maj-Gen F. Macbean, CVO, CB

    • 2nd Battalion Black Watch
    • 41st Dogras
    • 58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 2/8th Gurkha Rifles

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    4th Cavalry

    Divisional Artillery

    • IV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA) - replaced V Brigade (transferred to 3rd (Lahore) Division) 17 October 1914
    • 7th, 14th & 66th Batteries
    • IV Brigade Ammunition Column
    • IX Brigade,
    • RFA 19th, 20th & 28th Batteries
    • IX Brigade Ammunition Column
    • XIII Brigade, RFA - replaced XI Brigade (transferred to 3rd (Lahore) Division 17 October 1914
    • 2nd, 8th & 44th Batteries
    • XIII Brigade Ammunition Column
    • 110th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Heavy Battery Ammunition Column
    • Meerut Divisional Ammunition Column

    Engineers

    • 3rd & 4th Companies, 1st King George’s Own Sappers and Miners
    • Signals Service
    • Meerut Signal Company
    • Divisional Pioneers
    • 107th Pioneers
    • Supply & Transport:
    • Meerut Divisional train
    • Medical Units:
    • 19th & 20th British Field Ambulances
    • 128th, 129th and 130th Indian Field Ambulances

    After winter operations (in which the Indian soldiers suffered badly) the division next took part in the Battles of Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert and Loos in 1915.

    Order of Battle, May 1915

    GOC: Lieut-Gen Sir C.A. Anderson, KCB

    Dehra Dun Brigade - GOC: - Brig-Gen Col C.W. Jacob

    • 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
    • 1/4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (Territorial Force)
    • 6th Jat Light Infantry
    • 2nd Battalion 2nd King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Regiment)
    • 1st Battalion 9th Gurkha Rifles

    Garwhal Brigade GOC: - Brig-Gen C.G. Blackader

    • 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment
    • 1/3rd Battalion London Regiment (Territorial Force)
    • 39th Garhwal Rifles
    • 2nd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles
    • 2nd Battalion 8th Gurkha Rifles

    Bareilly Brigade GOC: Brig-Gen W.M. Southey

    • 2nd Battalion Black Watch
    • 1/4th Battalion Black Watch (Territorial Force)
    • 41st Dogras
    • 58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 125th Napier's Rifles

    Divisional Troops

    As before, with the addition of 30th Battery of XLIII (Howitzer Brigade) RGA.

    By the Battle of Loos in September 1915, Maj-Gen Claud Jacob had replaced Anderson as GOC of 7th (Meerut) Division, and the exhausted 61st Jats and 41st Dogras had been replaced by the 93rd Burma Infantry and 33rd Punjabis (from Egypt), while 30th Battery, XLII (How) Brigade had been replaced by 61st Battery, VIII (How) Bde.

    Mesopotamia

    On 13 August 1915, General Sir John Nixon, commanding Indian Expeditionary Force D in Mesopotamia, requested one of the Indian infantry divisions in France as reinforcements for his advance on Baghdad. Coincidentally, on the same day, the Secretary of State for India, Austen Chamberlain, told the Viceroy of India that he was anxious for the Indian infantry to be withdrawn from France before they had to endure another winter. The system for supplying drafts had broken down and the Indian battalions were becoming very weak after the heavy casualties they had suffered. Although the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, objected to their withdrawal from the Western Front, orders were issued on 31 October for the two divisions of Indian Corps (3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Division) to embark at Marseilles for Mesopotamia. They were to leave behind their attached Territorial Force battalions. The two divisions were relieved in the front line on 6 November and were due at Basra on 1 December, but their departure from Marseilles was delayed until after 25 December because of fear of submarine attack. 7th (Meerut) Division finally arrived in Mesopotamia in Spring 1917 and joined Tigris Corps, too late to relieve the 6th (Poona) Division at Kut-al-Amara.

    The division participated in the battles at the Sheikh Sa'ad, Wadi, Hanna, Dujailia, and the Sannaiyat. After the fall of Kut, as part of the reorganization of the British and Indian forces in the region, the division spent much of the summer and fall refitting. The Meerut and Lahore Divisions would eventually become part of the I Indian Army Corps, part of the newly formed Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, participating in the capture of Baghdad in March 1917.

    Palestine

    After the fall of Baghdad, the Palestine Campaign was given priority over Mesopotamia, and in December 1917 Sir Edmund Allenby, commanding the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF), was informed that after he had captured Jerusalem he would be reinforced by the 7th (Meerut) Division from Mesopotamia. The division moved from Mesopotamia to Egypt in December, and then on 1 April 1918 it relieved the 52nd (Lowland) Division, which was on its way to the Western Front. The EEF undertook few operations during the hot weather of Summer 1918, but the Meerut Division captured 'North Sister' and 'South Sister' Hills on 8 June, and raided 'Piffer Ridge' on 27 June. It subsequently took part in Allenby's advance through Palestine, including the Battle of Megiddo as part of Lieutenant-General Bulfin's XXI British Corps operating on the right flank.

    Order of Battle September 1918

    GOC: Maj-Gen Sir V.B. Fane

    19th Brigade:

    • 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
    • 28th Punjabis
    • 92nd Punjabis
    • 125th Napier’s Rifles

    21st Brigade:

    • 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • 1st Battalion Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Frontier Force) (Lumsden's) Infantry
    • 20th Punjabis
    • 1/8th Gurkha Rifles

    28th Brigade:

    • 2nd Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment
    • 51st Sikhs (Frontier Force)
    • 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force)
    • 56th Punjabi Rifles


     Divisional History  The 8th (Lucknow) Division was a formation of the British Indian Army's Northern Army that was first formed as a result of the Kitchener reforms of the Indian Army in 1903. The Division remained in India on internal security duties during World War I, though the 8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade was transferred to the 1st Indian Cavalry Division and served in France on the Western Front and the 22nd Lucknow Infantry Brigade served as part of the 11th Indian Division in Egypt.

    Division formation in 1914

    8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade - Commander: Major General Cookson

    • 1st King's Dragoon Guards
    • 16th Cavalry
    • 36th Jacob's Horse
    • 39th Central India Horse

    22nd Lucknow Infantry Brigade - Commander: Major General A Wilson

    • 3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
    • 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • 17th Infantry (The Loyal Regiment)
    • 36th Sikhs
    • 74th Punjabis
    • U Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • V Brigade, Royal Field Artillery 63rd, 64th and 73rd Batteries

    Fyzabad Brigade - Commander: Brigadier General Kavangh

    • 12th Cavalry
    • 1st Battalion, Leinster Regiment
    • 9th Bhopal Infantry

    Allahabad Brigade - Commander: Brigadier General Cowper

    • 17th Cavalry
    • 1st Battalion, Royal Scots
    • 3rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
    • 62nd Punjabis
    • 92nd Punjabis

    Presidency Brigade

    Presidency Brigade was based in Calcutta - Commander: Major General May

    • 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
    • 2nd Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
    • 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • 11th Rajputs
    • 22nd Punjabis
    • 93rd Burma Infantry
    • 2/10th Gurkha Rifles
    • XVII Brigade RFA 10th, 26th and 92nd Batteries
    • 51st and 62nd Companies RGA

    Divisional Troops

    • 5th Light Infantry, at Nowgong
    • 113th Infantry, at Dibrugarh
    • 123rd Outram's Rifles, at Manipur
    • 1/8th Gurkha Rifles, at Shillong


     Divisional History  The 1st Indian Cavalry Division was a division of the British Indian Army formed at the outbreak of World War I. It served on the Western Front, being renamed as 4th Cavalry Division on 26 November 1916. In March 1918, the 4th Cavalry Division was broken up. The British units remained in France and the Indian elements were sent to Egypt to help constitute 1st Mounted Division.

    The division sailed for France from Bombay on October 16, 1914, under the command of Major General H D Fanshawe. The division was re-designated the 4th Cavalry Division in November 1916. During the war the Division served in the trenches as infantry. Due to the difference in troop levels between infantry and cavalry regiments, each cavalry brigade formed one dismounted cavalry regiment.

    The high number of officer casualties suffered early on had an effect on its later performance. British officers that understood the language, customs, and psychology of their men could not be quickly replaced, and the alien environment of the Western Front had some effect on the soldiers. The division served in France and Flanders, held in reserve for the expected breakthrough. It provided dismounted parties for trench duties, but its only battle was the Battle of Cambrai, during the German counterattacks of 30 November, 3 December. In March 1918 it was broken up and the Indian regiments combined in Egypt with the Yeomanry Mounted Division to form the 1st Mounted Division (later 4th Cavalry Division).

    Order of Battle November 1914

    2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade

    • 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own)
    • 6th King Edward's Own Cavalry
    • 19th Lancers (Fane's Horse)

    3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade to 15 September 1915, then to 2nd Indian Cavalry Division

    • 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars
    • 9th Hodson's Horse
    • 30th Lancers (Gordon's Horse)

    8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade

    • 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards
    • 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse)
    • 36th Jacob's Horse

    5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade from 2nd Indian Cavalry Division on 15 September 1915

    • 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons
    • 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
    • 38th King George's Own Central India Horse

    I Indian Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery

    • A Battery, RHA with 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade then 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade
    • Q Battery, RHA with 2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade
    • U Battery, RHA with 8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade
    • I Indian RHA Brigade Ammunition Column


     Divisional History  The Burma Division was a static formation of the British Indian Army. It was created as part of the 1903 reforms of the Indian Army by Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener then Commander-in-Chief, India. The task of such formations was to oversee area brigades commanding Internal Security troops. The formation is best thought of as a provincial or district command rather than as an infantry division.

    The headquarters of the division was at Maymyo.

    At the start of World War I the division consisted of:

    Commander Major General T Pilcher

    Rangoon Brigade, Brigadier General Johnstone

    • 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
    • 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • 66th Punjabis
    • 79th Infantry
    • 89th Punjabis
    • 64th & 75th Batteries Royal Garrison Artillery
    • 22 Mountain Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Mandalay Brigade, Major General Raitt

    • 1st Battalion Border Regiment
    • 64th Pioneers
    • 80th Infantry
    • 91st Punjabis
    • 1/10th Gurkha Rifles


     Divisional History  The 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was a division of the British Indian Army formed at the outbreak of World War I. It served on the Western Front, being renamed as 5th Cavalry Division on 26 November 1916. In March 1918, the 5th Cavalry Division was broken up. The British and Canadian units remained in France and the Indian elements were sent to Egypt to help constitute 2nd Mounted Division.

    The division sailed for France from Bombay on October 16, 1914, under the command of Major General G A Cookson. During the war the division would serve in the trenches as infantry. Due to the difference on troop levels each cavalry brigade, once dismounted, formed a dismounted regiment.

    In March 1916 the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was attached to the British Fourth Army. On July 1, 1916 the Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade moved into a reserve position on the Somme, ready to exploit any breakthrough. The same brigade was sent up again on July 14, to Montauban to support the attack on the Bazentin, Longueval ridge. At 1730 the leading two regiments were ordered to advance between High Wood and Delville Wood. The British 7th Dragoon Guards and the Indian 20th Deccan Horse galloped forward to a position between the woods, but little could be achieved. At 0330 on July 15, they returned to Montauban, having suffered casualties of 74 men and 110 horses. Cavalry units were again brought forward on September 15 to support the attack on Flers-Courcelette, but were not drawn into the fighting and played no further part in the Battle of the Somme except as labour units in reserve. The high number of officer casualties suffered early on had an effect on its later performance. British officers that understood the language, customs, and psychology of their men could not be quickly replaced, and the alien environment of the Western Front had some effect on the soldiers. The 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was renamed the 5th Cavalry Division on 26 November 1916 and attached to the 5th Army. In March 1918 the division was transferred to Egypt, although its two British regular cavalry regiments (8th Hussars and 7th Dragoon Guards) remained in France.

    Order of Battle December 1914

    5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade to 15 September 1915, then to 1st Indian Cavalry Division

    • 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons
    • 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
    • 38th King George's Own Central India Horse
    • X Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

    7th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade to June 1916

    • 13th Hussars
    • 3rd Skinner's Horse
    • 18th King George's Own Lancers
    • V Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

    9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade

    • 7th (Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards
    • 20th Deccan Horse
    • 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse
    • N Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

    II Indian Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery

    • N Battery, RHA attached to 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade
    • V Battery, RHA attached to 7th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade
    • X Battery, RHA attached to 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade then 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade
    • II Indian RHA Brigade Ammunition Column

    Order of Battle March 1917

    3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade from 1st Indian Cavalry Division on 15 September 1915

    • 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars
    • 9th Hodson's Horse
    • 30th Lancers (Gordon's Horse)X Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • 14th Machine Gun Squadron

    9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade

    • 7th (Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards
    • 20th Deccan Horse
    • 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse
    • N Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • 13th Machine Gun Squadron

    Canadian Cavalry Brigade from June 1916

    • Royal Canadian Dragoons
    • Lord Strathcona's Horse
    • Fort Garry Horse
    • Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade
    • (A and B Batteries, RCHA)
    • Canadian Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron

    XVII Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (II Indian Brigade, RHA redesignated)

    • N Battery, RHA attached to 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade
    • X Battery, RHA attached to 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade
    • XVII RHA Brigade Ammunition Column

    Order of Battle September 1918

    Main article: Battle of Megiddo (1918)

    13th Cavalry Brigade (Brigadier General Philip James Vandeleur Kelly)

    • Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
    • 9th Hodson's Horse
    • 18th King George's Own Lancers

    14th Cavalry Brigade (Brigadier General Goland Vanhalt Clarke)

    • Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
    • 20th Deccan Horse
    • 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse

    15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade (Brigadier General Cyril Rodney Harbord)

    • Jodhpur Lancers
    • Mysore Lancers
    • 1st Hyderabad Lancers
    • B Battery, Honourable Artillery Company
    • Essex Battery RHA with Divisional Ammunition Column.
    • 11th LAM Battery
    • No. 1 Light Car Patrol


       4th Cavalry Division (British Indian Army) was formed in July 1918 by the renaming of the 1st Mounted Division which had been active since April 1918, when the Yeomanry Mounted Division was merged with elements of the 1st Indian Cavalry Division withdrawn from the Western Front, it was the third distinct division to bear the title of 1st Mounted Division. On 24th April 1918, the 6th Mounted Brigade was merged with elements of the 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade, the 8th Mounted Brigade with the 8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade, and the 22nd Mounted Brigade with the 2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade. Six of the Yeomanry Regiments were merged in pairs, converted to Machine Gun Battalions, and posted to the Western Front: C Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed by the merger of the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars and the Berkshire Yeomanry. D Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed by the merger of the Lincolnshire Yeomanry and the East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry, E Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed by the merger of the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) and the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) They were replaced by Indian Cavalry Regiments from France. The Field Ambulances and Mobile Veterinary Sections merged with their Indian counterparts. Other units were retained unchanged, though some were renumbered to reflect the new divisional designation.

    On 22nd of July 1918, the 1st Mounted Division was renumbered as the 4th Cavalry Division and the brigades renamed the 10th, 11th and 12th Cavalry Brigades. The sub units (Signal Troops, Combined Cavalry Field Ambulances and Mobile Veterinary Sections) were also renumbered. The Division served as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Palestine in World War I seeing action in Palestine during the Second Trans-Jordan Raid, the Battle of Megiddo and the Capture of Damascus. It remained in Palestine after the end of the war on occupation duties. However, Demobilization had began immediately and most of the British war time units had left by May 1919, though the 1/1st County of London Yeomanry did not leave until March 1920. The Division was finally broken up in 1921.

    4th Cavalry Division Order of Battle, September 1918

    10th Cavalry Brigade

    • Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry
    • 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
    • 38th King George's Own Central India Horse
    • 17th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 10th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop
    • 10th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 10th Mobile Veterinary Section

    11th Cavalry Brigade

    • 1st County of London Yeomanry
    • 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse)
    • 36th Jacob's Horse
    • 21st Machine Gun Squadron
    • 11th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop
    • 11th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 11th Mobile Veterinary Section

    12th Cavalry Brigade

    • Staffordshire Yeomanry (Queen's Own Royal Regiment)
    • 6th King Edward's Own Cavalry
    • 19th Lancers (Fane's Horse)
    • 18th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 12th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop
    • 12th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 12th Mobile Veterinary Section

    Divisional Artillery

    • XX Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery
    • Hampshire RHA
    • Berkshire RHA
    • Leicestershire RHA
    • XX RHA Brigade Ammunition Column

    Divisional Troops

    • 4th Field Squadron, RE
    • 4th Cavalry Division Signal Squadron
    • 4th Cavalry Division Train

    • 999th Company ASC
    • 1000th Company ASC
    • 1001st Company ASC
    • 1002nd Company ASC


     Divisional History  The 2nd Mounted Division was a cavalry division that served as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Palestine in World War I. It was formed in April 1918 when three brigades already in Palestine were merged with elements of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division withdrawn from the Western Front. In July 1918, the division was renamed as the 5th Cavalry Division. It remained in Palestine after the end of the war on occupation duties until finally broken up in 1920.

    Formation

    2nd Mounted Division

    In March 1918, the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was broken up in France. The Canadian (Canadian Cavalry Brigade) and British units (notably 7th Dragoon Guards, 8th Hussars and N and X Batteries RHA) remained in France and the Indian elements were sent to Egypt.

    By an Egyptian Expeditionary Force GHQ Order of 12 April 1918, the mounted troops of the EEF were reorganised when the Indian Army units arrived in theatre. On 24 April 1918, the 2nd Mounted Division was formed on the Indian Establishment. This new formation should not be confused with the original 2nd Mounted Division that saw action in the Gallipoli Campaign, though the 5th and 7th Mounted Brigades served in both.

    • The 5th Mounted Brigade was transferred from the Australian Mounted Division and merged with elements of the 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade.
    • The 7th Mounted Brigade (which had been acting in an independent role) was merged with elements of the 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade.
    • The Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade (which had been on service in Egypt and Palestine since 1914) joined as the division's third brigade.
    • Two of the Yeomanry Regiments were merged (Warwickshire Yeomanry of the 5th Mounted Brigade and the South Nottinghamshire Hussars of 7th Mounted Brigade) to form B Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. It was posted to France, arriving in June.
    • The Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars became the XX Corps Cavalry Regiment. They were replaced by Indian Cavalry Regiments from France.
    • The Field Ambulances and Mobile Veterinary Sections merged with their Indian counterparts.
    • The Essex Battery, RHA and ammunition column joined with 7th Mounted Brigade.
    • Other divisional elements were raised for the new division.

    5th Cavalry Division

    On 22nd July 1918, the 2nd Mounted Division was renumbered as the 5th Cavalry Division and the Brigades as the 13th, 14th and 15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigades. The sub units (Signal Troops, Combined Cavalry Field Ambulances and Mobile Veterinary Sections) were renumbered on the same date.

    Divisional Order of Battle, September 1918

    13th Cavalry Brigade

    • Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
    • 9th Hodson's Horse
    • 18th King George's Own Lancers
    • 19th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 13th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop
    • 13th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 13th Mobile Veterinary Section

    14th Cavalry Brigade

    • Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
    • 20th Deccan Horse
    • 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse
    • 20th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 14th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop
    • 14th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 14th Mobile Veterinary Section

    15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade

    • Mysore Lancers
    • 1st Hyderabad Lancers
    • 1st Jodhpur Lancers
    • 15th I.S. Machine Gun Squadron
    • 15th Kathiawar Signal Troop
    • 15th I.S. Cavalry Field Ambulance
    • 15th I.S. Mobile Veterinary Section

    Artillery

    • Essex Battery, RHA
    • Nottinghamshire Battery, RHA
    • Ammunition Column

    Divisional Troops

    • 5th Field Squadron, RE
    • 5th Cavalry Division Signal Squadron
    • 5th Cavalry Division Train
      • 1044th Company ASC
      • 1103rd Company ASC
      • 1104th Company ASC
      • 1105th Company ASC

    Battles

    The 2nd Mounted / 5th Cavalry Division served with the Desert Mounted Corps for the rest of the war, taking part in the following actions.

    • Second Transjordan Raid (30 April to 4 May 1918, 15th I.S. Brigade only),
    • Affair of Abu Tellul (14 July), and the Final Offensive including the Battle of Megiddo (19 to 25 September),
    • Capture of Haifa (23 September, 15th I.S. Brigade only) and Damascus (1 October),
    • Affair of Haritan (26 October, 15th I.S. Brigade only) and Occupation of Aleppo.

    The division remained in Palestine on occupation duties after the end of the war. However, demobilization began immediately and most of the British war time units had left by the middle of 1919. 14th Cavalry Brigade was broken up in September 1919 and the 15th (I.S.) Cavalry Brigade in January 1920. The division was finally broken up in April 1920.

     Divisional History  The Cavalry Division was formed in 1916 during First World War by units of the British Army and the British Indian Army stationed in India for service in Mesopotamia in the Mesopotamia Campaign. The Division was broken up in 1918, but its brigades then served independently.

    6th Indian Cavalry Brigade

    • 14th King's Hussars
    • 21st Cavalry
    • 22nd Cavalry
    • 15th Machine Gun Squadron
    • S Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • No 2 Troop, 2nd Sappers & Miners
    • 6th Cavalry Brigade Supply & Transport Company

    7th Indian Cavalry Brigade

    The 7th Indian Cavalry Brigade later served as an independent brigade when the Division was broken up. In 1918 it fought at the Battle of Sharqat and was present at the occupation of Mosul at the end of the campaign, shortly after the armistice.

    • 13th Hussars
    • 13th Duke of Cambridge's Own Lancers (Watson's Horse)
    • 14th Murray's Jat Lancers
    • 16th Machine Gun Squadron
    • V Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

    11th Indian Cavalry Brigade

    The 11th Indian Cavalry Brigade also served as an independent brigade when the Division was broken up. It was formed in September 1917 from three cavalry regiments sent from India and an artillery battery sent from the Western Front. Its machine gun squadron and other support units were assembled in Mesopotamia. It fought at the Action of Khan Baghdadi and the Battle of Sharqat. It also was present at the occupation of Mosul at the end of the campaign.

    • 7th Hussars
    • Guides Cavalry
    • 23rd Cavalry (Frontier Force)
    • 25th Machine Gun Squadron
    • W Battery, Royal Horse Artillery


       1st Australian Division 1914-1918

    On 3rd of August 1914, the day before Britain declared war - the Government of Australia offered an expeditionary force of 20,000 men, to be composed of a Division plus a brigade of Light Horse and titled the Australian Imperial Force. The original AIF sailed on 1 November 1914 and proceeded via Colombo to Egypt. The original intention was that the force would continue on to England but problems of accommodation being experienced by the Canadian units then in England forced a change of mind. The Force halted in Egypt and training recommenced. Thereafter the Division fought in many of the major actions of the war.

    1915

    • 3 February 1915: two battalions involved in defending against Turkish attack on Suez Canal
    • March 1915 : 3rd Brigade moves to Lemnos
    • 1 April 1915 : Division receives orders to prepare to make amphibious assault at Gallipoli
    • 25 April 1915 : Division lands at what was to become forever known as ANZAC Beach
    • The Division withdrew from Gallipoli in late 1915.

    1916

    On 13 January 1916 it was decided that the AIF would be developed to create five Divisions, four Australian and one New Zealand. The infantry brigades of 1st Division were split to create a nucleus of the 14th, 15th and 16th Brigades and places in all six brigades were filled by new drafts. The Division was warned for France and sailed on 13 March 1916. It remained in France and Flanders for the rest of the war.

    The Battle of Pozieres including the fighting for Mouquet Farm - Somme 1916

    1917

    • Operations on the Ancre including the capture of the Thilloys
    • The Arras Offensive, in which the Division fought the German attack on Lagnicourt and in the Battle of Bullecourt
    • The Battle of the Menin Road - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

    1918

    The Australian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918. When the enemy launched its second phase of the spring offensive, the Division was rushed from the Somme to help plug the gap.

    • The Battle of Hazebrouck in which the Division fought the defence of Nieppe Forest - Battles of the Lys
    • The Battle of Amiens
    • The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Chuignes - Somme 1918
    • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line

    The Division was in Australian Corps reserve at the Armistice and was not selected to advance into Germany.

    Demobilisation commenced in early 1919 and by March 1919 the Division merged with 4th Australian Division.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the 1st Australian Division

    1st Australian Brigade

    • 1st Battalion, AIF
    • 2nd Battalion, AIF
    • 3rd Battalion, AIF
    • 4th Battalion, AIF
    • 1st Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 1st Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 1st Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

    2nd Australian Brigade

    • 5th Battalion, AIF
    • 6th Battalion, AIF
    • 7th Battalion, AIF
    • 8th Battalion, AIF
    • 2nd Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 1st Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 2nd Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

    3rd Australian Brigade

    • 9th Battalion, AIF
    • 10th Battalion, AIF
    • 11th Battalion, AIF
    • 12th Battalion, AIF
    • 3rd Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 1st Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 3rd Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

    Divisional Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 1st Australian Pioneer Battalion formed in Egypt
    • 21st Australian Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, left to move into 1st Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 1st Australian Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
    • 1st Australian Divisional Train ASC later titled 741, 742, 743 and 744 Companies
    • 1st Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 1st Australian Divisional Employment Company joined August 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 4th Australian Light Horse left April 1915, returned after Gallipoli and left March 1916
    • 1st Australian Cyclist Company formed in Egypt, left May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • 1 Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 2 Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 3 Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 21 Australian (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA formed in Egypt, absorbed by July 1916
    • 1st Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • 1st Australian Heavy Battery RGA formed at Gallipoli in November 1915, disbanded in December
    • V.1.A Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed June 1916, left February 1918
    • X.1.A, Y.1.A and Z.1.A Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed April 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

  • 1st Australian Field Company
  • 2nd Australian Field Company
  • 3rd Australian Field Company
  • 1st Australian Divisional Signals Company

Royal Army Medical Corps

  • 1st Australian Field Ambulance
  • 2nd Australian Field Ambulance
  • 3rd Australian Field Ambulance


   2nd Australian Division sailed for Egypt in May and June 1915. By August they had been joined there by new artillery units from Australia and other ancillary units largely improvised from the reserves in Egypt. They were formed into the 2nd Australian Division. In August 1915 the Division reinforced the garrison at Gallipoli. Thereafter the Division fought in many of the major actions of the war.

1915

  • Gallipoli campaign

1916

The Division sailed for France on 13th of March 1916. It then remained in France and Flanders for the rest of the war. The Division then took part in the following battles and engagements:

  • The Battle of Pozieres including the fighting for Mouquet Farm - Somme

1917

  • Operations on the Ancre including the capture of the Thilloys and Irles
  • During the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Division captured Bapaume
  • The Arras Offensive, in which the Division fought the German attack on Lagnicourt and in the Battle of Bullecourt
  • The Battle of the Menin Road - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

1918

The Australian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

  • The Battle of the Avre
  • The Capture of Hamel
  • The Second Battle of Bapaume in which the Division captured Mont St Quentin
  • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
  • The Battle of Beaurevoir in which the Division captured Montbrehain - Hindenburg Line

The Division was not selected to advance into Germany. Demobilisation commenced in early 1919 and by March 1919 the Division merged with 5th Australian Division.

The Divisional Order of Battle of the 2nd Australian Division

5th Australian Brigade

  • 17th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 18th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 19th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 20th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 5th Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 2nd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 5th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

6th Australian Brigade

  • 21st Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 22nd Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 23rd Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 24th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 6th Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 2nd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 6th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

7th Australian Brigade

  • 25th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 26th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 27th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 28th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 7th Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 2nd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 7th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

Divisional Troops

  • 2nd Australian Pioneer Btn formed in Egypt in March 1916
  • 22nd Australian Machine Gun Company joined March 1917, left to move into 2nd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 2nd Australian Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
  • 2nd Australian Divisional Train ASC formed in Egypt in August 1915, later titled 745, 746, 747 and 848 Companies
  • 2nd Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC formed in Egypt in August 1915
  • 2nd Australian Divisional Employment Company joined January 1917

Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

  • 13th Australian Light Horse joined July 1915, broken up February 1916
  • 2nd Australian Cyclist Company formed in Egypt, left May 1916

Divisional Artillery

  • 4th Australian Brigade, RFA
  • 5th Australian Brigade, RFA
  • 6th Australian Brigade, RFA
  • 22 Australian (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA formed in Egypt, absorbed by May 1916
  • 2nd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
  • 1st Australian Heavy Battery RGA formed at Gallipoli in November 1915, disbanded in December
  • V.2.A Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed June 1916, left February 1918
  • X.2.A, Y.2.A and Z.2.A Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed June 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

Royal Engineers

  • 5th Australian Field Company formed in Egypt in July 1915, renumbered 8th and left February 1916
  • 6th Australian Field Company joined from Australia in February 1916
  • 7th Australian Field Company joined from Australia in February 1916
  • 2nd Australian Divisional Signals Company

Royal Army Medical Corps

  • 5th Australian Field Ambulance formed in Egypt in August 1915
  • 6th Australian Field Ambulance formed in Egypt in August 1915
  • 7th Australian Field Ambulance formed in Egypt in August 1915


   3rd Australian Division was formed in March 1916 and arrived in England from July 1916. After intensive training it crossed to France in December and saw action in many of the major battles of the war.Initially under the command of then Major General John Monash, generally regarded asone of the finest military commanders of the war. He was succeeded on 31st of May 1918 by Major General John Gellibrand.

1917

  • The Battle of Messines
  • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

1918

The Australian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

  • The Battle of the Avre (First Battles of the Somme 1918)
  • The Capture of Hamel
  • The Battle of Albert - Second Battles of the Somme 1918
  • The Second Battle of Bapaume in which the Division captured Mont St Quentin - Second Battles of the Somme 1918
  • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal (Battles of the Hindenburg Line)

The Division was not selected to advance into Germany. Demobilisation commenced in late 1918 and by May 1919 the last troops of the Division had departed for home.

The Divisional Order of Battle of the 3rd Australian Division

9th Australian Brigade

  • 33rd Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 34th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 35th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 36th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 9th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 3rd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 9th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed August 1916

10th Australian Brigade

  • 37th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 38th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 39th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 40th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 10th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 3rd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 10th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed August 1916

11th Australian Brigade

  • 41st Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 42nd Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 43rd Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 44th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 11th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 3rd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 11th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed August 1916

Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

  • 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion formed in Egypt in March 1916
  • 207th Machine Gun Company (British Army). Joined October 1916, left October 1917
  • 23rd Australian Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, left to move into 3rd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
  • 3rd Australian Divisional Train ASC later titled 867, 868, 869 and 870 Companies
  • 3rd Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC formed in Egypt in August 1915
  • 3rd Australian Divisional Employment Company joined January 1917

Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

  • 3rd Australian Cyclist Company left July 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • 7th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 8th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 9th Australian Brigade, RFA broken up in January 1917
    • 23rd Australian (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA absorbed in January 1917
    • 3rd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • V.3.A Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed August 1916, left February 1918
    • X.3.A, Y.3.A and Z.3.A Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed August 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 9th Australian Field Company
    • 10th Australian Field Company
    • 11th Australian Field Company
    • 3rd Australian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 9th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 10th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 11th Australian Field Ambulance


       4th Australian Division began to form in Egypt in February 1916, after a decision to essentially duplicate the original Australian Imperial Force which had now withdrawn from Gallipoli. Delays in assembling the artillery meant that the Division could not depart for France before June 1916. It entered the front line near Armentieres late that month and then took part in the following battles and engagements:

    1916

    The Battle of Pozieres including the fighting for Mouquet Farm (Somme)

    1917

    • Operations on the Ancre
    • The advance to the Hindenburg Line
    • The Arras Offensive including the Battle of Bullecourt
    • The Battle of Messines
    • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

    1918 The Australian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

    • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme
    • The actions of Villers-Bretonneux - Somme
    • The Capture of Hamel
    • The Battle of Amiens
    • The Battle of Albert - Somme The Battle of Epehy (Battles of the Hindenburg Line)

    The Division was not selected to advance into Germany. Demobilisation commenced in late 1918 and in March 1919 the Division merged with 1st Australian Division.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the 4th Australian Division

    4th Australian Brigade - joined in Egypt

    • 13th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 14th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 15th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 16th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 4th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 4th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed in July 1916

    12th Australian Brigade

    • 45th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 46th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 47th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 48th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 12th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 12th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed July 1916

    13th Australian Brigade

    • 49th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 50th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 51st Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 52nd Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 13th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 13th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed July 1916

    Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion formed in Egypt in March 1916
    • 23rd Australian Machine Gun Company joined June 1917, left to move into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
    • 4th Australian Divisional Train ASC later titled 753, 754, 755 and 756 Companies
    • 4th Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 4th Australian Divisional Employment Company joined January 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • B Squadron, 13th Australian Light Horse joined March 1916, left July 1916
    • 4th Australian Cyclist Company left June 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • 10th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 11th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 12th Australian Brigade, RFA left January 1917
    • 24th Australian (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA absorbed in January 1917
    • 4th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • V.4.A Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed July 1916, left February 1918
    • X.4.A, Y.3.A and Z.4.A Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed July 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 4th Australian Field Company
    • 12th Australian Field Company
    • 13th Australian Field Company
    • 4th Australian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 4th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 12th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 13th Australian Field Ambulance


     Divisional History  The 5th Australian Division in 1914-1918

    This Division began to form in Egypt in February 1916, after a decision to essentially duplicate the original AIF which had now withdrawn from Gallipoli. Delays in assembling the artillery meant that the Division could not depart for France before June 1916:

    1916

    The attack at Fromelles (Somme 1916 - diversionary action)

    1917

    • Operations on the Ancre including the capture of the Thilloys
    • The advance to the Hindenburg Line
    • The Arras Offensive including the Battle of Bullecourt and actions on the Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

    1918

    The Australian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

    • The Battle of the Avre - Somme 1918
    • The actions of Villers-Bretonneux - Somme 1918
    • The Capture of Hamel
    • The Battle of Amiens
    • The Battle of Albert - Somme 1918
    • The Second Battle of Bapaume including the occupation of Peronne - Somme 1918
    • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal and the capture of the Bellicourt tunnel defences (Hindenburg Line)

    The Division was not selected to advance into Germany. Demobilisation commenced in late 1918 and in March 1919 the Division merged with 1st Australian Division.

    The order of battle of the 5th Australian Division

    8th Australian Brigade - joined in Egypt in December 1915

    • 29th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 30th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 31st Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 32nd Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 8th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 5th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 8th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed in France July 1916

    14th Australian Brigade - formed in Egypt

    • 53rd Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 54th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 55th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 56th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 14th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 5th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 14th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed in France July 1916

    15th Australian Brigade - formed in Egypt

      57th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 58th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 59th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 60th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 15th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 5th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 15th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed in France July 1916

    Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 5th Australian Pioneer Bn formed in Egypt in March 1916
    • 25th Australian Machine Gun Company joined September 1917, left to move into 5th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 5th Australian Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
    • 5th Australian Divisional Train ASC later titled 757, 758, 759 and 760 Companies
    • 5th Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 5th Australian Divisional Employment Company joined January 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • C Sqn, 13th Australian Light Horse joined March 1916, left July 1916
    • 5th Australian Cyclist Company left June 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • 13th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 14th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 15th Australian Brigade, RFA broken up January 1917
    • 25th Australian (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA absorbed in January 1917
    • 5th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • V.5.A Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed July 1916, left February 1918
    • X.5.A, Y.5.A and Z.5.A Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed July 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 8th Australian Field Company
    • 14th Australian Field Company
    • 15th Australian Field Company
    • 5th Australian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 8th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 14th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 15th Australian Field Ambulance


     Divisional History  The New Zealand and Australian Division in 1914-1916

    The history of the New Zealand and Australian Division

    A New Zealand Expeditionary Force of just under 8500 men, volunteers for overseas service drawn from the recently raised Territorial Force, sailed from home on 14 October 1914. En route they linked up with an Australian brigade and, original intentions of going to England having been changed, together arrived at Egypt on 3 December 1914.:

    1915

    • 2 February 1915 : engaged in defending against Tuirkish attack on the Suez Canal
    • 1 April 1915 : Division receives orders to prepare to make amphibious assault at Gallipoli
    • 25 April 1915 : Division lands at what was to become forever known as ANZAC Beach
    • Gallipoli
    • 8 August 1915 : a key date for New Zealand history as the force assaults Chunuk Bair.
    • The Division withdrew from Gallipoli in late 1915.

    1916

    Reconstituted as the New Zealand Division in February and March 1916

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the New Zealand and Australian Division

    New Zealand Brigade

    • Wellington Bn
    • Canterbury Bn
    • Auckland Bn
    • Otago Bn
    • Maori Bn under command from February 1915

    4th Australian Brigade

    • 13th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 14th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 15th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 16th Bn, the Australian Infantry

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • Otago Mounted Rifles attached to New Zealand Brigade
    • New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade attached to New Zealand Brigade
    • Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington Mounted Rifles attached to New Zealand Brigade
    • 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade consisted of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Australian Light Horse, attached to 4th Australian Brigade
    • 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade consisted of 8th, 9th and 10th Australian Light Horse, attached to 4th Australian Brigade

    Divisional Artillery

    • 1 New Zealand Brigade, RFA
    • 2 New Zealand Brigade, RFA formed at Gallipoli in July 1915

    Royal Engineers

    • 1st New Zealand Field Company
    • 2nd New Zealand Field Company
    • 4th Australian Field Company
    • New Zealand and Australian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • New Zealand and Australian Field Ambulance formed January 1915
    • 4th Australian Field Ambulance
    • New Zealand and Australian Mounted Field Ambulance formed May 1915

    Other Divisional Troops

  • 4th Australian Light Horse attached to 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade in April 1915
  • 12th Australian Light Horse arrived Egypt July 1915, attached to 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade August-December 1915
  • New Zealand and Australian Divisional Train ASC formed January 1915
  • New Zealand and Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC formed January 1915

     Divisional History  The New Zealand Division in 1914-1918

    The history of New Zealand Division

    Formed in Egypt in March 1916, the Division was based on the New Zealand and Australian Division. In April 1916 the Division moved to France and remained there. It developed a reputation as being among the best of the formations under British command, fighting in many of the major actions of the war.

    1916

      The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme 1916 The Battle of Morval - Somme 1916 The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme 1916

    1917

    • The Battle of Messines
    • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

    1918

    The Division was not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

    • The First Battle of Arras - Somme 1918
    • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme 1918
    • The Battle of Albert - Somme 1918
    • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme 1918
    • The Battle of Havrincourt - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of Cambrai - Hindenburg Line
    • The pursuit to the Selle
    • The Battle of the Selle
    • The Battle of the Sambre and the capture of Le Quesnoy

    The Division was selected to advance into Germany and demobilisation commenced there in late 1918.

    The Division was disbanded in Germany in March 1919.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the New Zealand Division

    1st New Zealand Brigade - joined from the New Zealand and Australian Division in Egypt in March 1916

    • 1st Wellington Bn
    • 1st Canterbury Bn
    • 1st Auckland Bn
    • 1st Otago Bn
    • 1st NZ Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into New Zealand MG Bn February 1918
    • 1st NZ Trench Mortar Battery formed in France April 1916

    2nd New Zealand Brigade - formed in Egypt February 1916

    • 2nd Wellington Bn
    • 2nd Canterbury Bn
    • 2nd Auckland Bn
    • 2nd Otago Bn
    • 2nd NZ Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into New Zealand MG Bn February 1918
    • 2nd NZ Trench Mortar Battery formed in France April 1916

    3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade - formation completed in Egypt March 1916

    • 1st New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • 2nd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • 4th New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • 3rd NZ Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into New Zealand MG Bn February 1918
    • 3rd NZ Trench Mortar Battery formed in France April 1916

    4th New Zealand Brigade - joined May 1917, broken up February 1918

    • 3rd Wellington Bn
    • 3rd Canterbury Bn
    • 3rd Auckland Bn
    • 3rd Otago Bn
    • 5th NZ Machine Gun Company left to move into New Zealand MG Battalion February 1918
    • 4th NZ Trench Mortar Battery

    Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • New Zealand Pioneer Battalion formed February 1916 from Maori Bn, Otago Mounted Rifles and 2nd Maori Contingent
    • 4th NZ Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, left to move into New Zealand MG Battalion March 1918
    • NZ Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
    • NZ Divisional Train ASC later titled 749, 750, 751, 752 and 1048 Companies
    • NZ Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • NZ Divisional Employment Company joined February 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    Otago Mounted Rifles joined Pioneer Bn in February 1916, one Sqn remaining until March 1916 when it left to become II ANZAC Corps Cavalry Regiment

    Divisional Artillery

    • 1st NZ Brigade, RFA
    • 2nd NZ Brigade, RFA left December 1916
    • 3rd NZ Brigade, RFA
    • 4th NZ (Howitzer) Bde, RFA broken up January 1917
    • NZ Divisional Ammunition Column
    • V.NZ Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed June 1916, left February 1918
    • X.NZ, Y.NZ and Z.NZ Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed April 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 1st NZ Field Company
    • 2nd NZ Field Company
    • 3rd NZ Field Company
    • 4th NZ Field Company formed March 1917, broken up February 1918
    • NZ Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st NZ Field Ambulance
    • 2nd NZ Field Ambulance
    • 3rd NZ Field Ambulance
    • 4th NZ Field Ambulance joined June 1917, broken up February 1918


     Divisional History  The Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division was a mounted infantry division of the British Empire during the First World War. The division was raised in March 1916 and was assigned to the I ANZAC Corps. On establishment, it consisted of four brigades comprising three Australian light horse and one New Zealand mounted rifles, supported by British horse artillery. In 1917, one of the Australian brigades was replaced by a British yeomanry brigade. After April 1917, the standard order of battle was reduced to two Australian brigades and one New Zealand brigade, although the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade and other British mounted brigades were temporarily attached several times during operations.

    The division had two wartime commanders; the first was the Australian Major-General Harry Chauvel, who had commanded the 1st Light Horse Brigade at Gallipoli. When Chauvel was promoted to command the Desert Column, of which the division was part, he was replaced by the New Zealander Major-General Edward Chaytor from the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, who remained in command for the rest of the war. Post-war, Brigadier-General Granville Ryrie commanded the division from December 1918 until it was disbanded in June 1919.

    In December 1915, the brigades that would form the ANZAC Mounted Division were evacuated from the Gallipoli Campaign and became part of the British Empire's Egyptian Expeditionary Force. In March 1916, after raising, the division served, as the mounted formation, in the I ANZAC Corps. Then subsequently served under the command of Eastern Force for most of 1916. The division served in the Desert Column from the end of 1916 until mid-1917, when the column was expanded and renamed the Desert Mounted Corps. The division fought and won almost all the major battles across the Sinai Peninsula during 1916, and the following year it fought from Gaza to Jerusalem in southern Palestine. In 1918, it took part in the Jordan Valley operations, the raid on Amman, the raid on Es Salt and the final advance to Amman and Ziza, part of the Battle of Megiddo. During which the division formed the main part of Chaytor's Force, which captured 10,300 men from the Turkish Fourth Army.

    Battles

    1916

    • Jifjafa,
    • Romani,
    • Bir el Ard,
    • Magdhaba

    1917

    • Rafa,
    • 1st Gaza,
    • 2nd Gaza,
    • Beersheba,
    • Tel el Khuweilfe,
    • Mughar Ridge,
    • Ayun Kara

    1918

    • Jericho,
    • Amman,
    • Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt,
    • Third Transjordan attack


     Divisional History  The Australian Mounted Division originally formed as the Imperial Mounted Division in January 1917, was a mounted infantry, light horse and yeomanry division. The division was formed in Egypt, and along with the Anzac Mounted Division formed part of Desert Column, Egyptian Expeditionary Force in World War I. The division was originally made up of the Australian 3rd Light Horse Brigade, (formerly Anzac Mounted Division) the reconstituted 4th Light Horse Brigade, and two British yeomanry brigades; the 5th Mounted Brigade and 6th Mounted Brigade.

    History

    During the First Battle of Gaza, the division (as the Imperial Mounted Division) provided protection from counter-attack on the eastern flank while the main infantry assault was underway. The brigades became the rearguard during the withdrawal from Gaza after the attack was called off.

    Divisional Order of Battle

    3rd Light Horse Brigade

    • 8th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria, Australia)
    • 9th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria and South Australia)
    • 10th Light Horse Regiment (Western Australia)

    4th Light Horse Brigade

    • 4th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria)
    • 11th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland and South Australia)
    • 12th Light Horse Regiment (New South Wales)

    5th Mounted Brigade (January 1917, April 1918)

    • Warwickshire Yeomanry
    • Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
    • Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars
    • 16th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 5th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop
    • 5th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 5th Mounted Brigade Mobile Veterinary Section

    The British 5th Mounted Brigade (formerly the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade) joined from Corps Troops in January 1917 on formation of the division. With the division, it took part in the First and Second Battles of Gaza.

    The brigade remained with the division when it was renamed Australian Mounted Division on 30 June 1917. It then took part in the Third Battle of Gaza including the Capture of Beersheba and the Battle of Mughar Ridge. It also resisted the Turkish counter-attacks in the Turkish Defence of Jerusalem.

    Three of the brigade's squadrons took part in the Charge at Huj, the last British cavalry charge against enemy guns.

    In March 1918, the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was broken up in France. The Canadian (Canadian Cavalry Brigade) and British units (7th Dragoon Guards, 8th Hussars and N and X Batteries, RHA) remained in France and the Indian elements were sent to Egypt.

    By an Egyptian Expeditionary Force GHQ Order of 12 April 1918, the mounted troops of the EEF were reorganised when the Indian Army units arrived in theatre. On 24 April 1918, the 2nd Mounted Division was formed on the Indian Establishment. 5th Mounted Brigade was merged with elements of the 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade and assigned to the new division.

    6th Mounted Brigade (January 1917, June 1917)

    6th Mounted Brigade Organisation, July 1917

    • Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars
    • Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry
    • Berkshire Yeomanry
    • 17th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 6th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop
    • 2/South Midland Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 4/1st North Midland Mobile Veterinary Section

    The British 6th Mounted Brigade (formerly the 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade) joined from the Western Frontier Force in January 1917 on formation of the division. With the division, it took part in the First and Second Battles of Gaza. The complete brigade was transferred to the newly formed Yeomanry Mounted Division on 27 June 1917, joining it at el Maraqeb.

    5th Light Horse Brigade (from mid-1918)[edit]

    • 14th Light Horse Regiment
    • 15th Light Horse Regiment
    • 16th Regiment Mixte de Marche de Palestine et Syrie (also known as the 1er Régiment Mixte de Marche de Cavalerie du Lavant)
    • XIX Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.)[edit]
    • HAC 13-pounders March 1918
    • 1st Nottinghamshire Battery Royal Horse Artillery (RHA)
    • 1/1st Berkshire Battery RHA
    • A Battery, Honourable Artillery Company (HAC)
    • B Battery, Honourable Artillery Company
    • XIX RHA Brigade Ammunition Column

    Light Horse Field Ambulance

    • Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance
    • 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance
    • 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance


     Divisional History  Searching for details reveals no record of an actual Canadian Cavalry or Mounted Division but it seems that the major Canadian Cavalry units were formed into the Canadian Cavalry Brigade details of which are recorded as follows.

    The Canadian Cavalry Brigade was raised in December 1914, under it first commanding officer Brigadier-General J.E.B. Seely. It was originally composed of two Canadian and one British regiments and an attached artillery battery. The Canadian units were the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) and the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery battery. The British regiment was the King Edward's Horse (The King's Overseas Dominions Regiment).

    History

    The brigade's units arrived in England in 1914, then left as a dismounted formation for France in April 1915. The brigade arrived in France during the Battle of Festubert and then served in the trenches during the Battle of Givenchy.

    The brigade remained serving as infantry until the end of January 1916, when it was re-formed as a cavalry force. It became part of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division (later 5th Cavalry Division) in the British Cavalry Corps.

    It was held in reserve during the Battle of the Somme, its first mounted operation being during the German retreat to the Hindenberg Line. In the final days of the war the brigade, finally able to get into open ground, cleared nine French villages, captured around 400, with several artillery pieces and about 100 machine guns.

    Formation Brigade Commanders

    • Brigadier-General J.E.B Seely
    • Brigadier-General R.W. Paterson — from May 1918

    Cavalry Units in Brigade

    • Royal Canadian Dragoons
    • Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
    • King Edward's Horse (The King's Overseas Dominions Regiment) later replaced by The Fort Garry Horse
    • Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

    Notable members

    • Lieutenant Harcus Strachan, VC
    • Lieutenant Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey, VC
    • Lieutenant Gordon Flowerdew, VC


     Divisional History  The 5th Canadian Division of the Canadian Corps was formed during World War I. The 5th began assembling in Britain in February, 1917, but was broken up in February 1918 before it was fully formed. Its men were used as reinforcements for the other four Canadian divisions, helping to maintain the over-strength Divisions of 22,000-25,000 with more than 100,000 men Total.

    Infantry Units

    13th Canadian Brigade

    • 128th (Moose Jaw) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - May 1917. Absorbed by the 15th Canadian Reserve Battalion; 160th Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 1918. Absorbed by the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 164th (Halton and Dufferin) Battalion Canadian Infantry. May 1917 - April 1918. Absorbed by the 8th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 202nd Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - May 28, 1918. Absorbed by the 9th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 208th Battalion Canadian Infantry. May 1917 - January 3, 1918. Absorbed by the 2nd and 3rd Canadian Reserve Battalions.

    14th Canadian Brigade

    • 125th Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - April 16, 1918. Absorbed by the 8th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 150th (Carabiniers Mont Royal) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 15, 1918. Absorbed by the 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 156th (Leeds and Grenville) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 15, 1918. Absorbed by the 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 161st Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 15, 1918. Absorbed by the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

    15th Canadian Brigade

    • 104th (New Brunswick) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 15, 1918. Absorbed by the 13th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 119th (Algoma) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - April 16, 1918. Absorbed by the 8th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 15, 1918. Absorbed by the 17th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 198th (Canadian Buffs) Battalion Canadian Infantry. April 1917, March 9, 1918. Absorbed by the 3rd Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 199th (Duchess of Connaught's Own Irish Canadian Rangers) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - April 1917. Absorbed by the 23rd Canadian Reserve Battalion.

    Attached Troops

    • 164th (Halton and Dufferin) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - May 1917. To the 13th Canadian Brigade;
    • 198th (Canadian Buffs) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - April 1917. To the 15th Canadian Brigade;
    • 208th Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - May 1917. To the 13th Canadian Brigade;
    • 236th (MacLean Highlanders) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - May 1917. Disbanded on March 13, 1918.
    • 12 Canadian Field Ambulance


       1st Canadian Division 1914-1918

    On 1st of August 1914, three days before Britain declared war, the Governor-General of Canada offered help should war break out. On 7th August Lord Kitchener responded that the Canadians might form a Division. An Expeditionary Force soon began to assemble at Valcartier (Quebec). The Division sailed on 3rd of October 1914 and arrived in England eleven days later. Training re-commenced on Salisbury Plain and the Division embarked for St Nazaire in early February 1915. It arrived in the Hazebrouck -Strazeele area on 15th of February and thereafter the Division fought in many of the major actions of the war.

    1915

    • The Second Battle of Ypres
    • The Battle of Festubert
    • The Second Action of Givenchy

    1916

    • The Battle of Mount Sorrel
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
    • The Battle of Thiepval - Somme
    • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Vimy
    • The Battle of Arleux
    • The Third Battle of the Scarpe and the capture of Fresnoy
    • Operations towards Lens
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele

    1918

    The Canadian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918. They were also fortunate in avoiding the defensive fighting against the German offensives of spring 1918.

    • The Battle of Amiens and actions around Damery
    • The Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
    • The Battle of Drocourt-Queant - Arras
    • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of Cambrai - Hindenburg Line

    The Division was selected to advance into Germany but demobilisation commenced in late 1918.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the 1st Canadian Division

    1st Canadian Brigade

    • 1st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Western Ontario)
    • 2nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Eastern Ontario)
    • 3rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Toronto)
    • 4th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Central Ontario)
    • 1st Canadian Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into 1st Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 1st Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed May 1916

    2nd Canadian Brigade

    • 5th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Western Cavalry)
    • 6th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Fort Garry Horse) left December 1914
    • 7th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (1st British Columbia)
    • 8th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (90th Rifles)
    • 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force joined December 1914
    • 2nd Canadian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 1st Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 2nd Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

    3rd Canadian Brigade

    • 13th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Royal Highlanders)
    • 14th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Royal Montreal)
    • 15th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (48th Highlanders)
    • 16th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Scottish)
    • 3rd Canadian Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 1st Canadian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 3rd Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

    4th Canadian Brigade - broken up by January 1915

    • 9th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force
    • 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force - moved to 1st Brigade in December 1914
    • 11th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force
    • 12th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force

    Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 17th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Nova Scotia Highlanders) left January 1915, became reserve unit
    • 18th Battalion - disbanded September 1914
    • Newfoundland Contingent - left December 1914, later formed complete Battalion
    • 1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion formed march 1916
    • 13th Canadian Machine Gun Company joined January 1917, left to move into 1st Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 1st Canadian Machine Gun Battalion formed March 1918
    • 1st Canadian Divisional Train ASC later titled 437, 438, 439 and 440 Companies
    • 1st Canadian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 1st Canadian Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • Service Sqn, the 19th Alberta Dragoons left May 1916
    • 1st Canadian Cyclist Company left May 1916
    • Royal Canadian Dragoons joined October 1914, left February 1915
    • Strathcona's Horse joined October 1914, left February 1915
    • Automobile Machine Gun Brigade No 1 left February 1915

    Divisional Artillery

    • 1st Canadian Brigade, RFA
    • 2nd Canadian Brigade, RFA
    • 3rd Canadian Brigade, RFA left May 1917
    • Royal Canadian Horse Artillery RHA joined September 1914, left February 1915
    • 1st Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • CXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA British unit. Joined February 1915, left June 1916
    • 22nd Canadian Brigade, RFA formed June 1916, disbanded March 1917
    • W.1.C Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined June 1916, retitled as V.1.C in 1918
    • X.1.C, Y.1.C and Z.1.C Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed March 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    Field Companies formed into a Brigade in June 1918

    • 1st Canadian Field Company
    • 2nd Canadian Field Company
    • 3rd Canadian Field Company
    • 1st Canadian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 3rd Canadian Field Ambulance


       On 6th of October 1914 the Governor-General of Canada offered a second Division. The 2nd Canadian Division sailed in May 1915 and arrived in England shortly afterward. It completed training at Shorncliffe and crossed to France 15-18 September 1915. Thereafter the Division fought in many of the major actions of the war.

    1916

    • The Actions of St Eloi Craters
    • The Battle of Mount Sorrel
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
    • The Battle of Thiepval - Somme
    • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Vimy - Arras Offensive
    • The Attack on La Coulotte - Arras Offensive
    • The Battle of Arleux - Arras Offensive
    • The Third Battle of the Scarpe and the capture of Fresnoy - Arras Offensive
    • Operations towards Lens - Arras Offensive
    • The Battle of Hill 70 - Arras Offensive
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres)

    1918

    The Canadian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

    • The First Battle of Arras 1918
    • The Battle of Amiens and actions around Damery
    • The Battle of the Scarpe
    • The Battle of Cambrai (Hindenburg Line)
    • The pursuit to the Selle
    • The Battle of the Sambre, notably the passage of the Grand Honelle

    The Division was selected to advance into Germany but demobilisation commenced in late 1918. The last elements returned home in May 1919.

    The order of battle of the 2nd Canadian Division

    4th Canadian Brigade - formed when the original 4th Brigade, initially with 1st Canadian Division, was converted into a reserve

    • 18th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Western Ontario)
    • 19th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Central Ontario)
    • 20th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Central Ontario)
    • 21st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Eastern Ontario)
    • 4th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into 2nd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 4th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916

    5th Canadian Brigade

    • 22nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadien Francais)
    • 24th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force(Victoria Rifles)
    • 25th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Nova Scotia Rifles)
    • 26th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (New Brunswick)
    • 5th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into 2nd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 5th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916

    6th Canadian Brigade

    • 27th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (City of Winnipeg)
    • 28th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (North West)
    • 29th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Vancouver)
    • 31st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Alberta)
    • 6th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 2nd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 6th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed May 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion joined March 1916
    • 14th Canadian Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, left to move into 2nd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 2nd Canadian Machine Gun Battalion formed March 1918
    • 2nd Canadian Divisional Train ASC later titled 672, 673, 674 and 675 Companies
    • 2nd Canadian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 2nd Canadian Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • A Sqn, 7th Canadian Mounted Rifles joined March 1916, left May 1916
    • 2nd Canadian Cyclist Company joined May 1915, left May 1916
    • Borden's Armoured Motor Battery joined May 1915, left December 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • 4th Canadian Brigade, RFA left May 1917
    • 5th Canadian Brigade, RFA
    • 6th Canadian Brigade, RFA not sent to France and disbanded
    • 7th Canadian Brigade, RFA broken up March 1917
    • 2nd Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • CXXXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA British unit. Joined September 1915, left June 1916
    • 6th Canadian Brigade, RFA formed as 8th Brigade but retitled before joining January 1916
    • W.2.C Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined June 1916, retitled as V.2.C in 1918
    • X.2.C, Y.2.C and Z.2.C Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed March 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    Field Companies formed into a 2nd Brigade in June 1918

    • 4th Canadian Field Company
    • 5th Canadian Field Company
    • 6th Canadian Field Company
    • 2nd Canadian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 4th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 5th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 6th Canadian Field Ambulance


       3rd Canadian Division was formed in France in December 1915 from Canadian troops already overseas in reserve. A shortage of reserve artillery resulted in the guns of the 3rd (Lahore) Division of the Indian Corps joining. The Division saw action many of the major battles of the war.

    1916

    • The Battle of Mount Sorrel
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
    • The Battle of Thiepval - Somme
    • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Vimy - Arras Offensive
    • The Attack on La Coulotte - Arras Offensive
    • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
    • Operations towards Lens - Arras Offensive
    • The affairs south of Souchez river - Arras Offensive
    • The capture of Avion - Arras Offensive
    • The Battle of Hill 70 - Arras Offensive
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres)

    1918

    • The Battle of Amiens and actions around Damery
    • The Battle of the Scarpe and the capture of Monchy le Preux - Arras 1918
    • The Battle of the Canal du Nord and the capture of Bourlon Wood - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of Cambrai and the capture of the town - Hindenburg Line
    • The pursuit to the Selle
    • The Battle of Valenciennes and the capture of Mons

    The Division was not selected to advance into Germany and demobilisation commenced in late 1918. Most elements crossed to England in February 1919 and were sent home soon after.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the 3rd Canadian Division

    7th Canadian Brigade

    • Royal Canadian Regiment
    • Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
    • 42nd Btn, Canadian Infantry (Royal Highlanders)
    • 49th Btn, Canadian Infantry (Edmonton)
    • 7th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed April 1916, left to move into 3rd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 7th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916

    8th Canadian Brigade

    • 1st Btn, Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • 2nd Btn, Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • 4th Btn, Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • 5th Btn, Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • 8th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 3rd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 8th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916

    9th Canadian Brigade

    • 43rd Btn, Canadian Infntry (Cameron Highlanders)
    • 52nd Btn, Canadian Infantry (North Ontario)
    • 58th Btn, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario)
    • 60th Btn, Canadian Infantry (Victoria Rifles)
    • 9th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed April 1916, left to move into 3rd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 9th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed May 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 3rd Canadian Pioneer Battalion joined January 1916, retitled from 48th Bn, the Canadian Infantry
    • 15th Canadian Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, left to move into 3rd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 3rd Canadian Machine Gun Battalion formed March 1918
    • 3rd Canadian Divisional Train ASC later titled 676, 677, 678 and 679 Companies
    • 3rd Canadian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 3rd Canadian Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • Service Sqn, 1st Hussars joined February 1916, left May 1916
    • 3rd Canadian Cyclist Company joined February 1916, left May 1916
    • Eaton's Armoured Motor Battery joined February 1916, left December 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • V Brigade, RFA British unit. Joined 20 March 1916, left 13 July 1916
    • XVIII Brigade, RFA British unit. Joined 20 March 1916, left 13 July 1916
    • 8th Canadian Brigade, RFA joined July 1916, left June 1917
    • 9th Canadian Brigade, RFA joined July 1916
    • 10th Canadian Brigade, RFA joined July 1916
    • 11th Canadian Brigade, RFA joined July 1916, broken up June 1917
    • 3rd Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • W.3.C Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined June 1916, retitled as V.3.C in 1918
    • X.3.C, Y.3.C and Z.3.C Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed March 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    Field Companies formed into a 3rd Brigade in June 1918

    • 7th Canadian Field Company
    • 8th Canadian Field Company
    • 9th Canadian Field Company
    • 3rd Canadian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 8th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 9th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 10th Canadian Field Ambulance


       4th Canadian Division was formed in England in April 1916, the Division assembled at Bramshott and crossed to France in August 1916. As with other Canadian Divisions, a lack of artillery was the constraint and the Division was initially joined by the former artillery of 3rd (Lahore) Division, recently attached to 3rd Canadian Division. Once overseas the Division fought in many of the major actions of the war.

    1916

      The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Vimy - Arras Offensive
    • Operations towards Lens - Arras Offensive
    • The affairs south of Souchez river - Arras Offensive
    • The capture of Avion - Arras Offensive
    • The Battle of Hill 70 - Arras Offensive
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres)

    1918

    The Canadian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918. They were not involved in the defensive fighting against the German attack in spring 1918.

    • The Battle of Amiens and actions around Damery
    • The Battle of Drocourt-Queant (Arras)
    • The Battle of the Canal du Nord and the capture of Bourlon Wood (Hindenburg Line)
    • The Battle of Valenciennes and the capture of Mont Houy
    • The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle

    The Division was not selected to advance into Germany and demobilisation commenced in late 1918. Most elements crossed to England in March 1919 and home soon after.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the 4th Canadian Division

    10th Canadian Brigade

    • 44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba)
    • 46th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (S Saskatchewan)
    • 47th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (British Columbia)
    • 50th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Calgary)
    • 10th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed August 1916, left to move into 4th Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 10th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined October 1916

    11th Canadian Brigade

    • 54th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Kootenay)
    • 75th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Mississauga)
    • 87th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Grenadier Guards) joined June 1916
    • 102nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (N British Columbia)
    • 11th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed August 1916, left to move into 4th Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 11th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined October 1916

    12th Canadian Brigade

    • 38th Battalion, Canadian Infntry (Ottawa)
    • 51st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Edmonton) left 3 November 1916
    • 72nd Battalion, Canadian Inf (Seaforth Highlanders)
    • 73rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Royal Highlanders)
    • 78th Battalion, Canadian Inf (Winnipeg Grenadiers)
    • 87th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Grenadier Guards) left June 1916
    • 12th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed August 1916, left to move into 4th Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 12th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed October 1916

    Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 4th Canadian Pioneer Battalion retitled from 67th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Western Scots), disbanded April 1917
    • 124th Canadian Pioneer Battalion joined March 1917, retitled from Governor-General's Bodyguard, moved into Engineer Brigade June 1918
    • 16th Canadian Machine Gun Company joined December 1916, left to move into 4th Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 4th Canadian Machine Gun Battalion formed March 1918
    • 4th Canadian Divisional Train ASC later titled 784, 795, 796, 797 Companies
    • 4th Canadian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 4th Canadian Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 4th Canadian Cyclist Company joined April 1916, left May 1916
    • Yukon Detachment (Machine Gun) joined April 1916, left August 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • V Brigade, RFA (British). Joined September 1916, left July 1917
    • XI Brigade, RFA (British). Joined April 1916, left July 1917
    • XVIII Brigade, RFA (British). Joined September 1916, left July 1917
    • 3rd Canadian Brigade, RFA joined May 1917
    • 4th Canadian Brigade, RFA joined May 1917
    • 4th Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • W.4.C Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined June 1916, retitled as V.4.C in 1918
    • X.4.C, Y.4.C and Z.4.C Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed June 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    Field Companies formed into a 4th Brigade in June 1918

    • 10th Canadian Field Company
    • 11th Canadian Field Company
    • 12th Canadian Field Company
    • 4th Canadian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 11th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 12th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 13th Canadian Field Ambulance


       City of Marseilles 8250 gross tons, length 469.3ft x beam 57ft, one funnel, two masts, twin screw, speed 14 knots. Accommodation for 141-1st and 46-2nd class passengers. Launched on 26th Oct 1912 by Palmers Co Ltd Jarrow for Ellerman's Hall Line, she left Liverpool on 26th Jan 1913 on her maiden voyage to New York, Port Said and Bombay. She subsequently sailed between Liverpool and Bombay. On 23rd Nov 1915 she was attacked by a submarine en route from Liverpool to Bombay and hit it with her gunfire.

       460th Howitzer Battery, Royal Field Artillery was formed in 1914 as part of 132nd Brigade and moved to 17th Brigade in 1915, being increased to six howitzers and renamed D Battery. They moved to 15th Brigade in 1916 which was attached to the 5th Division.

       No 2 Squadron of the RFC played a part in the battles of Mons and Ypres in 1915, at Loos and the Somme in 1916, at Arras in 1917 and the second battle of the Somme in 1918. It was redesignated No. 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       No. 3 Squadron was formed on 13 May 1912 taking over the aircraft of No. 2 (Aeroplane) Company at Larkhill. It proceeded to France with the BEF in August 1914 to undertake reconnaissance duties. It was redesignated No. 3 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       The Royal Flying Corps was constituted in 1912 and in August 1913 a single flight of No. 3 Squadron, was detached to create No. 5 Squadron, based at Farnborough. The squadron's aircraft were four Maurice Farman, Longhorns and three Avro 504s. The squadron was engaged in testing new aircraft types alongside the adjacent Royal Aircraft Experimental Factory. On 28th of May 1914 No. 5 Squadron moved to Netheravon for battle training equipped with one flight of Sopwiths and two flights of Henry Farmons. Then on 6th of July 1914, it moved to Fort Grange, Gosport, intended as a home base for the squadron. The Sopwith’s proved unsatisfactory and were replaced with Avros.

    No. 5 Squadron proceeded to France in August 1914 in a reconnaissance role, becoming specialized observers for artillery flying the BE2 and from May 1917 the RE8. It was redesignated No. 5 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918. At the end of the war they moved to Germany.

       No. 6 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Farnborough on 31st of January 1914. They proceeded to France in August 1914. However their aircraft and many of their crews were then immediately reassigned to other Squadrons in order to bring them up to strength, and the squadron was not operational until October. It was renamed No. 6 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       No. 7 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps formed at Farnborough on 1st of May 1914, the last squadron of the RFC to be formed before the outbreak of war, but was disbanded to bring other Squadrons up to strength. It was reformed on 28th September 1914 and proceeded to France in April 1915. The squadron was engaged in both bombing and reconnaissance during the Battles of the Somme in 1916 and 1917, and at Ypres in 1917, and in support of Belgium forces in the closing months of the war. Becoming No. 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918, it disbanded at the end of 1919.

       No. 9 Squadron was formed at St. Omer France on 8th of December 1914 from the HQ Wireless Unit RFC and was known as No. 9 (Wireless) Squadron. It flew with aircraft of other squadrons to provide communication with ground forces. The demand for wireless was such that flights from 9 Squadron were soon attached to the individual Wings. It was redesignated No. 9 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918

       No. 12 Squadron was formed on 14 February 1915 at Netheravon from a nucleus from No. 1 Squadron. In April 1916 the Squadron moved to St Omer France flying BE2Cs to undertake a long-range reconnaissance role.

       No. 14 Squadron was formed at Shoreham on 3rd of February 1915 from a nucleus from No. 3 Reserve Squadron. They proecced to the Middle East in November for Army co-operation duties in Egypt Palestine and Arabia.

       Hamble Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hamble House, Hamble-le-Rice in Hampshire. Built in 1740 by a naval ship builder, it was later home to Sir A.V.Roe who had an aircraft factory at Hamble during the Great War. The property has been demolished.

       No 20 Squadron formed at Netheravon on 1st September 1915 from crew of No. 7 Reserve Squadron. They proceeded to France in January 1916 as the R.F.C.'s first officially designated 'fighter-reconnaissance" squadron, equipped with the ungainly-looking but very strong and reliable F.E.2B design from the Royal Aircraft Factory. These 2-seater fighters were exceptionally light and agile and, with a pusher propeller at the rear and the observer/gunner positioned ahead of the pilot with uninterrupted field of fire, these proved to be one of the more successful early designs. The unit's main role was to carry out deep reconnaissance behind the German lines: photographing and reporting all German army movements, defences and troop dispositions within the patrol area, while simultaneously seeking out and destroying German aircraft and occasionally carrying out bombing raids. As an effective fighter force they were often deployed to protect and keep watch over reconnaissance missions by other squadrons.

       No. 22 Squadron was formed at Fort Grange, Gosport on the 1st of September 1915. The Squadron went to France on 1st of April 1916 equipped principally with FE 2b as a general-purpose squadron to be used for reconnaissance, bombing and photographic work.

       Grayshott War Hospital was located in one wing of the Convent of the Cenacle at Grayshott, and opened on the 18th of September 1914 with 25 beds. Rev. Mother Superior and the Sisters of the Convent staffed the hospital alongside local doctors, surgical sisters and volunteers. The hospital closed on the 14th of January 1919 having treated 835 patients.

       No. 26 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon on 8th of October 1915 with a nucleus from the South African Air Corps. It served in East Africa and was redesignated No. 26 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       

       No. 33 Squadron formed at Filton on the 12th January 1916 from personnel who had not proceeded to France with No. 12 Squadron. 33 Squadron moved to Yorkshire flying BE2Cs in Home Defence duties mainly countering enemy airship raids on towns and cities.

       No. 35 Squadron formed on the 1st February 1916 at Thetford in Norfolk from a flight from No.9 (Reserve) Squadron. They moved to Narborough in June and trained alongside a Cavalry unit with the intention that it would operate as a cavalry cooperation unit.

       

       

       No 46 Squadron formed at Wyton on the 19th of April 1916 from a nucleus supplied by No 2 Reserve Squadron. They proceeed to France in October for artillery spotting duties and photographic reconnaissance sorties flying Nieuport two-seaters.

       

       The 2nd/5th Battalion, Manchester Regiment was formed at Wigan in August 1914 as a second line unit, initially made up of territorials from the 5th Battalion who had not signed up for Imperial Service overseas. Their main role was home defence and training new recruits. In November they joined 199th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. In May 1915 the moved to Crowborough then in March 1916 to Colchester to undertake final training for overseas service. They proceeded to France in February 1917 and saw their first action in June with the launch of Operation Hush on the Flanders Coast. They were in action during the Battle of Poelcpelle in October before moving south to The Somme where they suffered heavy losses during Operation Michael in March 1918, suffering heavy losses. The battalion was reduced to a cadre and was disbanded on the 31st of July with the remaining men being transferred to other units.

       No 49 Squadron formed on the 15th of April 1916 at Dover as a training unit flying Martinsyde Elephants, BE2Cs and RE7s. It received its first DH4s in April 1917 and by November the squadron was fully equipped with them. It was redesignated No. 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       

       No 56 Squadron formed at Gosport on the 8th of June 1916 from a nucleus from No 28 Squadron. In July they moved to London Colney in July. They became the first squadron to be equipped with the SE5 in March 1917 just before they proceeded to France in April.

       No 59 Squadron formed at Narborough Norfolk on the 1st of August 1916 as a Corps Reconnaissance squadron equipped with RE8s. After training they proceeded to St Omer France in February 1917.

       No 64 Squadron formed as a training unit on the 1st of August 1916 at Sedgeford equipped with FE2bs. DH5 fighters arrived in June 1917 and they proceeded to France in October. It was redesignated No. 64 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       No 66 Squadron formed at Filton as a fighter squadron on the 30th of June 1916 equipped with Sopwith Pup. They proceeded to France in March 1917.

       

       No 71 Squadron was the British official designation for No.4 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps from when it was formed on 27th March 1917 until February 1918. However it was always known by its Australian designation by its men and the Australian authorities.

       No 74 Squadron formed at Northolt on the 1st of July 1917 as a training unit moving to London Colney on the 10th. In March 1918 the squadron re-equipped with SE5As and proceeded to France in April. 

       No 76 Squadron formed on the 15th of September 1916 at Ripon for home defence duties over Yorkshire flying BE2s and BE12s. The squadron re-equiped with Bristol F2Bs in 1918. 76 squadron disbanded at Tadcaster on the 13th of June 1919.

       

       No 79 Squadron formed at Gosport on the 1st of August 1917 as a fighter unit equipped with Dolphins. They proceeded to France in December 1917.

       No 80 Squadron formed at Montrose on the 1st of August 1917 as a fighter unit equipped with Sopwith Camels. They proceeded to France in January 1918

       

       No 82 Squadron formed as a Corps reconnaissance unit at Doncaster on the 7th of January 1917 flying Armstrong Whitworth FK8s. They proceeded to France in November 1917.

       No 83 Squadron formed on the 7th of January 1917 at Montrose and moved to Spittlegate in Lincolnshire for training. They were at Wyton in September 1917 before moving to Narborough at the end of the year where re-equipped with FE2b and FE2d aircraft.  They proceeded to France in March 1918 arriving at the start of the German Operation Michael.

       No 87 Squadron formed on the 1st of September 1917 at Upavon from D Squadron of the Central Flying School. They proceeded to France in April 1918 where they flew fighter and ground attack operations.

       No 88 Squadron formed at Gosport on 24 July 1917. They proceeded to France in April 1918.

       No 90 Squadron formed as a fighter unit at Shawbury on the 8th of October 1917 but its personnel were transferred to other squadrons as reinforcements and the squadron disbanded on 3 August 1918. 90 Squadron was reformed at Buckminster on the 14th of August as a home defence squadron flying the fighter version of the Avro 504K. It was disbanded again on 13th of June 1919

       No 91 Squadron formed at Spittlegate on the 1st of September 1917 moving to Chattis Hill on the 14th as a W/T training squadron being equipped with a variety of types of aircraft. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 91 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron was disbanded on the 4th of July 1918 but immediately reformed as a fighter squadron at Kenley.

       No 92 Squadron formed as a Canadian fighter unit at London Colney on 1st September 1917. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 92 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They proceeded to France equipped with SE5As in July 1918.

       No 93 Squadron formed at Croydon from a nucleus provided by No 40 Training Squadron on the 23rd of September 1917. They moved to Chattis Hill in October 1917 and then to Tangmere in March 1918. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 93 Squadron, Royal Air Force. 93 Squadron disbanded on the 17th August 1918. It was reformed on the 14th of October 1918 but not fully equipped or staffed at teh time of the Armistice and was disbanded again on the 21st November 1918.

       No 94 Squadron formed as a pilot training unit at Harling Road on 1st of August 1917 from a nucleus of No 55 Training Squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 94 Squadron, Royal Air Force. In September 1918 it was re-equipped with SE5As and was mobilised, proceeding to France at the end of October 1918.

       No 95 Squadron formed on paper on the 1st of September 1917 from a nucleus of No 43 Training Squadron; in practice it assembled at Ternhill in October. They moved to Shotwick at the end of the month. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 95 Squadron, Royal Air Force. It was disbanded on the 4th July 1918 without becoming operational.

       No 96 Squadron formed as a training unit at South Carlton on the 8th October 1917. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 96 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The Squadron was disbanded on 4 July 1918 to provide re-enforcements of men and machines to existing operational squadrons. It reformed at RAF Wyton on 28 September 1918 but did not become operational before the Armistice and its formation was abandoned by December 1918.

       No 97 Squadron formed as a training unit at Waddington on the 1st of December 1917 . They moved to Netheravon in March 1918 and converted to Handley Page O/400 heavy bombers. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 97 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They proceeded to France in August 1918 to the Independent Force employed in strategic bombing.

       No 98 Squadron formed as a day bomber unit at Harlaxton on the 30th of August 1917 from a nucleus from No 4 Training Squadron. They moved to Old Sarum the next day to equip with DH9s. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 98 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They proceeded to France in April 1918 and were at once engaged in repelling the German attack of Operation Georgette.

       No 99 Squadron formed at Yatesbury on the 15th of August 1917 from a nucleus from No 13 Training Squadron. It was equipped with DH6s and BE2e s but converted to DH9s in April 1918 just before they proceeed to France to join the No 41 Wing in a day bomber role. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 99 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No 100 Squadron formed at Hingham on the 23rd of February 1917 from . Made up largely of experienced Home Defence crew from No.51 Squadron, they swiftly proceeded to France in March 1917. They were equipped with FE2bs for night bomber duties - the first night bomber squadron - under the operational control of RFC HQ in 3rd Brigade area. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 100 Squadron, Royal Air Force. In May 1918 the squadron transferred to 41st Wing in the Nancy Area.

       No 101 Squadron formed at Farnborough as a night bomber unit on 12th of July 1917 equipped with FE2s. They proceeded to France at the end the month. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No. 102 Squadron formed at Hingham as a night bomber unit in August 1917 equipped with FE 2bs and ds They proceeded to France in September. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No 103 Squadron formed as a day bomber unit at Beaulieu on 1st of September 1917 equipped with DH9s. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 103 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They proceeded to France in May 1918.

       No 104 Squadron formed as a light bomber unit onthe 4th of September 1917 at Wyton equipped with DH9s. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 104 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They moved to Andover then proceeded to France in May 1918 to join the Independent Force in attacking industrial targets in the Saar region of Germany.

       No 105 Squadron was formed at Waddington on the 14th of September 1917 as a day bomber unit. It moved to Andover to undertake training. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 105 Squadron, Royal Air Force, as a Corps Reconnaissance unit. Equipped with RE8s, it was sent to Omagh in Ireland to provide support to local security units.

       No 106 Squadron formed at at Andover on the 30th of September 1917 equipped with RE8s for a Corps reconnaissance role. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron was posted to Ireland in May 1918 and remained there until it was disbanded on the 8th of October 1919.

       No 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force was formed as a day bomber unit at Lake Down on 15th of May 1918 equipped with DH9s. They proceeded to France in June and operated against targets such as enemy airfields base areas and lines of communication.

       No 108 squadron formed as a DH9 equipped day bomber unit on the 11th of November 1917 at Stonehenge. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 108 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They transferred to the Western Front in July 1918 to begin operations against targets in Belgium.

       No 109 Squadron was formed as a new bomber squadron at South Carlton on the 1st of November 1917 from a nucleus from No 61 Training Depot Station. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 109 Squadron, Royal Air Force. It was disbanded on 19th August 1918 without becoming operational.

       No 110 Squadron formed as a light bomber squadron at Rendcombe on the 1st of November 1917 initially as training squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 110 Squadron, Royal Air Force. In July 1918 the Squadron received the first DH9As. These were the gift of His Exalted Highness, the Nizam of Hyderabad. Each aircraft bore an inscription to that effect, and the unit became known as the 'Hyderabad' Squadron in the newly formed Royal Air Force. The next two months were spent working up. They proceeded to France in September to joining the Independent Force and carried out daylight raids against targets in Germany. After the Armistice they remained on the continent in the role of light transport (mail) unit until the squadron was disbanded on 27th of August 1919.

       No 111 Squadron was formed as a fighter unit at Deir-el-Belah in Palestine on the 1st of August 1917 its first role was to support General Allenby s campaign against the Turks.

       No. 112 Squadron formed at Throwley on the 30th of July 1917 and was engaged in a home defence role equipped initially with Sopwith Pups. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 112 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No 113 Squadron formed on the 1st of August 1917 at Ismailia Egypt as a Corps reconnaissance unit in Egypt, and later in Palestine. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 113 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No 114 Squadron formed at Lahore India on 22nd of Sep 1917 from a nucleus from No 31 Squadron. They flew BE2c and 2es in support of the Army on the North-West Frontier. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 114 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No. 115 Squadron formed at Catterick on the 1st of December 1917 from a nucleus from No 52 Training Squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 115 Squadron, Royal Air Force. After training they received Handley Page O/400s in July 1918 and they joined the Independent Force in France in September. They carried out strategic bombing operations against targets in Germany until the Armistice.

       No 116 Squadron was formed at RAF Andover on 1 December 1917 as a night bomber unit and moved to Bicester to begin training with FE2bs. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 116 Squadron, Royal Air Force: at that time it was at RAF Netheravon. They were due to be re-equipped with Handley Page O/400s but the due to the Armistice the squadron was disbanded at Feltham on the 20th of November 1918.

       No. 117 Squadron formed as a day bomber unit at Beaulieu on the 1st of January 1918 and began training with DH4s at Wyton. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 117 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron was primarily engaged in training US aircrew. It was disbanded at Norwich in September 1918, but in October it was reformed at Wyton, and once again equipped with DH9s.

    In May 1919 it moved to Ireland for internal security operations. They disbanded on 31st of January 1920.

       No. 118 Squadron formed at Catterick on 1st of January 1918 as a heavy bomber unit equipped with Handley Page O/400s. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 118 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They moved to Bicester in June and disbanded on the 7th of September 1918.

       No 119 Squadron formed as a day bomber unit on 1st of March 1918 (or some sources say 1st January 1918) at Andover. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 119 Squadron, Royal Air Force. It was disbanded at Wyton on the 6th of December 1918 without becoming operational.

       No. 120 Squadron formed as a day bomber unit at Cramlington on 1st of January 1918, drawing initial crew from 75 Training Squadron based there. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 120 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They only received the DH.9 bomber for training purposes in October 1918 and were never operational in that role. They moved to Hawkinge in May 1919 and operated a mail service to and from France until August. The squadron was disbanded on the 21st of October 1919.

       No. 121 Squadron formed at Narborough on 1st of January 1918 as a light bomber squadron equipped with DH9s. Shortly after it was formed it was given the role of training members of the American Air Service belonging to the 20th, 24th and 163rd United States Aero Squadrons. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 121 Squadron, Royal Air Force. By the summer there were more than 20,000 US aero troops in Britain, almost 75% of this number training to be mechanics. After the US Squadrons had all departed for service on the Western Front, no.121 Squadron was disbanded on 17th of August 1918.

    The squadron reformed on the 14th of October 1918 at Bracebridge Heath near Lincoln with the intention that it should become a day-bomber unit, but folowing the Armistive it was disbanded again in November before their allotted DH10 aircraft had arrived.

       No 122 Squadron formed as a training squadron at Sedgefield on the 1st of January 1918. The squadron was disbanded on the 17th of August having been due to move on the 18th to Upper Heyford to convert to DH9s and mobilise as a day bomber unit. The squadron was reformed at RAF Upper Heyford in October 1918 but the Armistice was declared before new aircraft arrived and it was disbanded on 20th of November 1918.

       Durham R.G.A.(T.F.) became a unit in it's own right in 1908 when it was formed from the old 4th Durham R.G.A.(Volunteers). The organisation of the unit in 1914 was:

    • H.Q. - The Armoury, West Hartlepool.
    • No.1 Heavy Battery - Sunderland.
    • No.2 Company - West Hartlepool.
    • No.3 Company - West Hartlepool.
    • No.4 Company - West Hartlepool.
    • No.5 Company - Hartlepool.

    No.1 Heavy Bty, Durham R.G.A.(T.F.) went on to form a second line battery, the two now became 1/1st(H.B.),Durham R.G.A.(T.F.) & 2/1st(H.B.),Durham R.G.A.(T.F.). On the 31st October 1915 teh two batteries amalgamated as 142nd(Durham)Heavy Battery, R.G.A.(T.F.), which was made up entirely of Durham R.G.A.(T.F.) personnel.

       174th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers moved into the Houplines area on formation in 1915. They also worked in the Rue du Bois sector before moving to the Somme in July 1915, taking over French mine workings between La Boisselle and Carnoy. They gave up part of this front to the newly-formed 183rd Company in October 1915, and concentrated on Mametz sector. By October 1916, the company had moved north of the Ancre, to an area facing Beaumont-Hamel. In the German attack of March 1918, they suffered severe casualties while working on machine-gun emplacements at Bullecourt and fought as emergency infantry. They then worked on a long section of trench near Monchy-au-Bois.

       HMS Cressy was an Armoured Cruiser. During the early months of World War 1 the Royal Navy maintained a patrol of old Cressy class armoured cruisers, known as Cruiser Force C, in the area of the North Sea known as the Broad Fourteens. There was opposition to this patrol from many senior officers, including Admiral Jellicoe and Commodores Keyes and Tyrwhitt, on the grounds that the ships were very vulnerable to a raid by modern German surface ships and the patrol was nick named the "live bait squadron". The Admiralty maintained the patrol on the grounds that destroyers were not able to maintain the patrol in the frequent bad weather and that there were insufficient modern light cruisers available.

    In the early hours of September 20th 1914 the cruisers HMS Euryalus, HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy were preparing to go on patrol under Rear Admiral Christian in Euryalus. Normally the patrol was under command of Rear Admiral Campbell in HMS Bacchantes but he was absent so Christian helped fill the gap although he had other duties. The weather was too bad for destroyers to be at sea and unfortunately Euryalus had to drop out due to lack of coal and weather damage to her wireless, Rear Admiral Christian had to remain with his ship rather than transfer to another ship as the weather was too bad to transfer. He delegated command to Captain Drummond in Aboukir although he did not make it clear that Drummond had the authority to order the destroyers to sea if the weather improved, which it did towards the end of September 21st.

    Early on September 22nd 1914 the German submarine U9 under the command of Commander Otto Weddigen sighted the Cressy, Aboukir and Hogue steaming NNE at 10 knots without zigzagging. Although the patrols were supposed to maintain 12-13 knots and zigzag the old cruisers were unable to maintain that speed and the zigzagging order was widely ignored as there had been no submarines sighted in the area during the war. U9 manoeuvred to attack and at about 0625 fired a single torpedo at Aboukir, which stuck her on her port side. Aboukir rapidly suffered heavy flooding and despite counter flooding developed a 20 degree list and lost engine power. It was soon clear that she was a lost cause and Captain Drummond ordered her to be abandoned, although only one boat had survived the attack so most crew had to jump into the sea. At first Drummond thought that Aboukir had been mined and signalled the other two cruisers to close and assist but he soon realised that it was a torpedo attack and ordered the other cruisers away, but too late. As Aboukir rolled over and sank, half an hour after being attacked, U9 fired two torpedoes at HMS Hogue that hit her amidships and rapidly flooded her engine room. Captain Nicholson of Hogue had stopped the ship to lower boats to rescue the crew of Aboukir, thinking that as he was the other side of Aboukir from U9 he would be safe. Unfortunately U9 had manoeuvred around Aboukir and attacked Hogue from a range of only 300 yards.

    The firing of two torpedoes affected the trim of U9 which broke the surface briefly and was fired on by Hogue without effect. It only took Hogue ten minutes to sink as U9 headed for HMS Cressy. Cressy, under Captain Johnson, had also stopped to lower boats but got underway on sighting a periscope. At about 0720 however U9 fired two torpedoes, one of which just missed but the other hit Cressy on her starboard side, Cressy briefly firing on U9s periscope with no effect. The damage to Cressy was not fatal but U9 turned round and fired her last torpedo which hit Cressy sinking her within a quarter of an hour.

    Survivors were picked up by several nearby merchant ships including the Dutch Flora and Titan and the British trawlers JGC and Corainder before the Harwich force of light cruisers and destroyers arrived. Flora returned to Holland with 286 rescued crew who were quickly returned to Britain even though the neutral Dutch should have interned them. In all 837 men were rescued but 1459 died, many of which were reservists or cadets. In the aftermath of the attack the patrol by armoured cruisers was abandoned, the stopping of major ships in dangerous waters banned and the order to steam at 13 knots and zigzag re-emphasised.

    A court of inquiry was set up and found that some blame was attributable to all of the senior officers involved - Captain Drummond for not zigzagging and for not calling for destroyers, Rear Admiral Christian was criticised for not making it clear to Drummond that he could summon the destroyers and Rear Admiral Campbell for not being present and for a very poor performance at the inquiry at which he stated that he did not know what the purpose of his command was. The bulk of the blame was directed at the Admiralty for persisting with a patrol that was dangerous and of limited value against the advice of senior sea going officers

       The Royal Defence Corps was formed in 1916 by the conversion the Garrison Battalions of the infantry regiments on Home Service, which were made up of conscripts and soldiers either too old or medically unfit for service overseas. The Protection Companies of the RDC provided troops to guard the infrastructure of the UK such as ports, bridges and factories and also to guard military and prisoner of war camps, taking over the duties from the Territorial units. The Observer Companies took over the duties of keeping watch over the coast and skies for enemy activity.

       250th Brigade was re-designated from the 1st Northumbrian Brigade on the 16th May 1916 which had been part of the prewar 50th (Northumbrian) Division. D Battery was the Howitzer Battery for the Brigade.

    They saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme in 1916

       Q Ships were armed vessels disguised as merchant ships. The Q-ships were certainly an exciting and heroic part of the war at sea. However, the loss of six Special Service ships as late as August 1917 lends credence to the impression they were not a useful part of the Allied anti-submarine effort.

    Whatever they accomplished, it is worth noting that apart from the actual U-boats sunk, there were other benefits to the Allies. Even more U-boats were damaged, sometimes severely, and it must have made it that much harder for U-boats to get into survivable attacking positions for fear the target might turn out to be a Q-ship. Hence many merchant ships could have been spared torpedoing or gun attack because Q-ships were at sea. Certainly the Q-ships were, at least until mid 1917, a large but valuable part of the Allies anti-U-boat campaign

    Types of Q-ships or Special Service ships included:

    • Steamships - cargo ships, coasters, colliers, store carriers, tramps, tugs
    • Fishing vessels - steam trawlers, drifters, trawling smacks
    • Sailing ships, some fitted with auxiliary engines - schooners, barquentines, brigantines, ketches
    • Convoy sloops - 1 decoy ship, 13 PC-"type decoy patrol boats, and convoy sloops of the "Azalea","Aubrietia" and "Anchusa" classes

    Most Special Service ships paid off after a period varying from months to years, and reverted to other duties. Not all the ships were lost while on Special Service. Some were sunk after reverting to other duties.

     German Army Structure  The Imperial German Army (Deutsches Heer) was the name given to the combined land and air forces of the German Empire. The term Deutsches Heer is also used for the modern German Army, the land component of the Bundeswehr. The German Army was formed after the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership in 1871, and dissolved in 1919, after the defeat of the German Empire in World War I.

    The basic peacetime organizational structure of the Imperial German Army was based around the Army inspectorate (Armee-Inspektion), the army corps (Armeekorps), the division, and the regiment. During wartime, the staff of the Army inspectorates formed field army commands, which controlled the corps and subordinate units. During World War I, a higher command level, the army group (Heeresgruppe) was created. Each army group controlled several field armies.

    Military Service - Conscription.

    All European countries, except Britain, required compulsory military service for it's young men, a tradition created by Napoleon Bonaparte. In Germany, all able bodied men between the ages of 17 and 45, were liable for military service. Some men working in professions considered more important than military service were exempt. During the War, some agricultural workers, heavy industrial workers, and munitions workers were also exempt.

    The German Army had four classifications of military service; Active, Reserve, Landwehr and Landsturm. At the age of 17, a man might be called up to serve in the Landsturm 1st Ban, a sort of National Guard for home defense. The British Army equivalent was the Territorial Force. In peacetime, it was mandatory to serve in the Army upon a man's 20th birthday. A 2 year period of Active service then began, or 3 years in the cavalry and field artillery. After that time, a man would be liable to serve the next 4 to 5 years in the Reserve, usually a 2 week training period each year. Serving in the Reserve during peacetime, was generally regarded as a vacation from home and work. After the Reserve period, a man was then liable to serve in the Landwehr for the next 11 years. The last stage was being liable for service for 7 years in the Landsturm 2nd Ban. After the age of 45, a man was then free from further military service. It was only in times of war that the Landwehr and Landsturm were expected to be called for duty.

    After 1900, another measure was created, the Ersatz (Supplement or Reinforcement) Reserve. The Ersatz Reserve was made up of men fit for active duty, but excused for family or economic reasons, and for minor physical defects. These men were liable for Reserve service for 12 years, where they might be called up for 3 annual training sessions. In practice only a small number of these men underwent any training before 1914. Men unfit for war service were still liable for service in the Landsturm from the age of 17-45.

    historical records


       Alnwick Camp was situated on the pastures beneath Alnwick Castle, home to the Duke of Northumberland, across the River Aln from the castle. This area has been used for training camps by the military before the war, in late 1914 hutted camps were constructed to house men in training.

     German Army - ORBAT  First Army was commanded by Generaloberst Alexander von Kluck.

    Order of Battle

    II Corps (General der Infanterie Alexander von Linsingen)

    • 3rd Infantry Division
    • 4th Infantry Division

    III Corps (General der Infanterie Ewald von Lochow)

    • 5th Infantry Division
    • 6th Infantry Division

    IV Corps (General der Infanterie Friedrich Bertram Sixt von Armin)

    • 7th Infantry Division
    • 8th Infantry Division

    IX Corps (General der Infanterie Ferdinand von Quast)

    • 17th Infantry Division
    • 18th Infantry Division

    III Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Hans von Beseler)

    • 5th Reserve Division
    • 6th Reserve Division

    IV Reserve Corps (General der Artillerie Hans von Gronau)

    • 7th Reserve Division
    • 22nd Reserve Division

    IX Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Max von Boehn)

    • 17th Reserve Division
    • 18th Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • 10th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 11th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 27th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • Pionier Regiment

    historical records


       Stockwood House near Luton was used as the North Midland Divisional Veterinary Hospital. Mobile Veterinary Sections 911 to 1041 were based there.

     German Army - ORBAT  2nd Army was commanded by Generaloberst Karl von Bülow.

    Guards Corps (General der Infanterie Karl von Plettenberg)

    • 1st Guards Infantry Division
    • 2nd Guards Infantry Division

    VII Corps (General der Kavallerie Karl von Einem)

    • 13th Infantry Division
    • 14th Infantry Division

    X Corps (General der Infanterie Otto von Emmich)

    • 19th Infantry Division
    • 20th Infantry Division

    Guards Reserve Corps (General der Artillerie Max von Gallwitz)

    • 3rd Guards Infantry Division
    • 1st Guards Reserve Division

    VII Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Hans von Zwehl)

    • 13th Reserve Division
    • 14th Reserve Division

    X Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Günther Graf von Kirchbach)

    • 2nd Guards Reserve Division
    • 19th Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • 25th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 29th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 4 Mortar Battalions
    • 10-cm Gun Battalion
    • 2 Heavy Coastal Mortar Batteries
    • 2 Pionier Regiments

    historical records


     German Army - ORBAT  3rd Army was commanded by Generaloberst Max von Hausen.

    XI Corps (General der Infanterie Otto von Plüskow)

    • 22nd Infantry Division
    • 38th Infantry Division

    XII (1st Royal Saxon) Corps (General der Infanterie Karl d'Elsa)

    • 23rd Infantry Division
    • 32nd Infantry Division

    XIX (2nd Royal Saxon) Corps (General der Kavallerie Maximilian von Laffert)

    • 24th Infantry Division
    • 40th Infantry Division

    XII (Royal Saxon) Reserve Corps (General der Artillerie Hans von Kirchbach)

    • 23rd Reserve Division
    • 24th Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • 47th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • Mortar Battalion
    • Pionier Regiment

    historical records


     German Army - ORBAT  4th Army was commanded by Generaloberst Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg.

    VI Corps (General der Infanterie Kurt von Pritzelwitz)

    • 11th Infantry Division
    • 12th Infantry Division

    VIII Corps (Generalleutnant Erich Tülff von Tschepe und Weidenbach)

    • 15th Infantry Division
    • 16th Infantry Division

    XVIII Corps (General der Infanterie Dedo von Schenck)

    • 21st Infantry Division
    • 25th Infantry Division

    VIII Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Wilhelm Freiherr von Egloffstein)

    • 15th Reserve Division
    • 16th Reserve Division

    XVIII Reserve Corps (Generalleutnant Kuno von Steuben)

    • 21st Reserve Division
    • 25th Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • 49th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 2 Mortar Battalions
    • Pionier Regiment

    historical records


     German Army - ORBAT  5th Army was commanded by Generalmajor Wilhelm, Crown Prince of Germany.

    V Corps (General der Infanterie Hermann von Strantz)

    • 9th Infantry Division
    • 10th Infantry Division

    XIII (Royal Württemberg) Corps (General der Infanterie Max von Fabeck)

    • 26th Infantry Division
    • 27th Infantry Division

    XVI Corps (General der Infanterie Bruno von Mudra)

    • 33rd Infantry Division
    • 34th Infantry Division

    V Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Erich von Gündell)

    • 9th Reserve Division
    • 10th Reserve Division

    VI Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Konrad von Goßler)

    • 11th Reserve Division
    • 12th Reserve Division
    • 13th Mixed Landwehr Brigade

    2nd Landwehr Division(Senior Landwehr Commander 2)

    • 43rd Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 45th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 53rd Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 9th Bavarian Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 13th Mixed Lanfwehr Brigade

    Army Troops

    • 4 Mortar Battalions
    • 2 Pionier Regiments

    historical records


     German Army - ORBAT  6th Army was commanded by Generaloberst Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria.

    XXI Corps (General der Infanterie Fritz von Below)

    • 31st Infantry Division
    • 42nd Infantry Division

    I Bavarian Corps (General der Infanterie Oskar Ritter und Edler v. Xylander)

    • 1st Bavarian Infantry Division
    • 2nd Bavarian Infantry Division

    II Bavarian Corps (General der Infanterie Karl Ritter von Martini)

    • 3rd Bavarian Infantry Division
    • 4th Bavarian Infantry Division

    III Bavarian Corps (General der Kavallerie Ludwig Freiherr von Gebsattel)

    • 5th Bavarian Infantry Division
    • 6th Bavarian Infantry Division

    I Bavarian Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Karl Ritter von Fasbender)

    • 1st Bavarian Reserve Division
    • 5th Bavarian Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • Guards Ersatz Division
    • 4th Ersatz Division
    • 8th Ersatz Division
    • 10th Ersatz Division
    • 3 Mortar Battalions
    • Heavy Coastal Mortar Battery
    • Heavy Coastal Gun Battery
    • 2 Pionier Regiments

    historical records


     German Army - ORBAT  7th Army was commanded by Generaloberst Josias von Heeringen.

    XIV Corps (General der Infanterie Ernst Freiherr von Hoiningen, Gen. Huene)

    • 28th Infantry Division
    • 29th Infantry Division

    XV Corps (General der Infanterie Berthold von Deimling)

    • 30th Infantry Division
    • 39th Infantry Division

    XIV Reserve Corps (General der Artillerie Richard von Schubert)

    • 26th Reserve Division
    • 28th Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • 19th Ersatz Division
    • Bavarian Ersatz Division
    • 60th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • Upper Rhine Fortifications
    • 55th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 110th Reinforced Landwehr Infantry Regiment
    • 1st Bavarian Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 2nd Bavarian Mixed Landwehr Brigade

    historical records


     German Army - ORBAT  Eastern Front - Eighth Army

    8th Army was commanded by Generaloberst Maximilian von Prittwitz.

    I Corps (Generalleutnant Hermann von François)

    • 1st Infantry Division
    • 2nd Infantry Division

    XVII Corps (General der Kavallerie August von Mackensen)

    • 35th Infantry Division
    • 36th Infantry Division

    XX Corps (General der Infanterie Friedrich von Scholtz)

    • 37th Infantry Division
    • 41st Infantry Division

    I Reserve Corps (Generalleutnant Otto von Below)

    • 1st Reserve Division
    • 36th Reserve Division
    • 3rd Reserve Division
    • 1st Cavalry Division

    Landwehr Corps (General der Infanterie Remus von Woyrsch)

    • 3rd Landwehr Division (Senior Landwehr Commander 3)
    • 17th Landwehr Infantry Brigade
    • 18th Landwehr Infantry Brigade

    • 4th Landwehr Division (Senior Landwehr Commander 4)
    • 22nd Landwehr Infantry Brigade
    • 23rd Landwehr Infantry Brigade

    Army Troops

    • 2nd Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 6th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 70th Mixed Landwehr Brigade

    historical records


     German Army - ORBAT  Army of the North

    9th German North Army

    IX Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Max von Boehn)

    • 17th Reserve Division
    • 18th Reserve Division
    • 1st Landwehr Division (Senior Landwehr Commander 1)
      • 33rd Mixed Landwehr Brigade
      • 34th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
      • 37th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
      • 38th Mixed Landwehr Brigade

    Central Reserves and Border Fortresses

    Strassburg 30th Reserve Division

  • 60th Reserve Infantry Brigade
  • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Infantry Brigade
  • 10th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Brigade

    Metz 33rd Reserve Division

    • 8th Bavarian Infantry Brigade
    • 66th Reserve Infantry Brigade
    • Reserve Infantry Regiment Metz

    Thorn 35th Reserve Division

    • 5th Landwehr Infantry Brigade
    • 20th Landwehr Infantry Brigade

    Königsberg

    • 9th Landwehr Infantry Brigade Königsberg
    • Ersatz Infantry Brigade Königsberg

    Posen 19th Landwehr Infantry Brigade

    Graudenz Provisional 69th Infantry Brigade

    historical records


     German Army Corps  German Army Corps

    The main battle formation was the Army Corps (Armeekorps). Each corps consisted of two or more divisions and various support troops. It covered a specific geographical area. The corps was also responsible for maintaining the Reserves and Landwehr in the corps area.

    By 1914, there were twenty-one Army Corps areas under Prussian jurisdiction and three Bavarian Army Corps. Besides the regional corps, there was also a Guard Corps (Gardecorps), which controlled Prussia's elite Guard units. Besides it's divisions, a corps generally included a light infantry (Jäger) battalion, a heavy artillery (Fußartillerie) battalion, an engineer battalion, a telegraph battalion and a trains battalion. Some corps areas also included fortress troops.

    Each of the 25 corps had a Field Aviation Unit (Feldflieger Abteilung) attached to it.

    During World War One, the Army Corps became a mobile tactical formation. In addition four Higher Cavalry Commands were formed from the Cavalry Inspectorate. These were the equivalent of corps as they each had at least two divisions of cavalry.

    The former corps areas each became the responsibility of a Wehrkreis (Military District, sometimes translated as Corp Area). Their primary purpose was to supervise the training and enlisted of reservists and new recruits. Originally each Military District was linked to an Army Corps, so Wehrkreis I took over I Armeekorps area of responsibility and sent replacements to it's designated Army Corps units.

    The first sixteen Reserve Corps raised followed this pattern, however these links between rear areas and front line units were gradually broken as the war went on and later Corps were raised or reinforced with troops from all over Germany.

    historical records


     Corps Structure  1st Bavarian Army Corps part of 6th Army Group.

    Divisions

    • 1st Bavarian Infantry Division
    • 2nd Bavarian Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  2nd Bavarian Army Corps part of 6th Army

    Divisions

  • 3rd Bavarian Infantry Division
  • 4th Bavarian Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  3rd Bavarian Army Corps part of 6th Army

    Divisions

    • 5th Bavarian Infantry Division
    • 6th Bavarian Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  1st Bavarian Reserve Army Corps part of 6th Army

    Divisions

    • 1st Bavarian Reserve Infantry Division
    • 5th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  21st Army Corps part of 6th Army

    Divisions

    • 31st Infantry Division
    • 42nd Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  2nd German Army Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 3rd Infantry Division
    • 4th Infantry Division

    Later transformed as Headquarters of the German South Army from 11th January 1915 to 25th January 1918, serving exclusively on the Eastern Front.

    historical records


     Corps structure  3rd German Army Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 5th Infantry Division
    • 6th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  4th German Army Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 7th Infantry Division
    • 8th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  9th German Army Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 17th Infantry Division
    • 18th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  3rd German Reserve Army Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 5th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 6th Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  9th German Army Reserve Corps part of 1st Army and Army of the North

    Divisions

    • 17th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 18th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 1st Landwehr Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  4th German Army Reserve Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 7th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 22nd Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  German Guards Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 1st Guards Division
    • 2nd Guards Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  7th German Army Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 13th Infantry Division
    • 14th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  10th German Army Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 19th Infantry Division
    • 20th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  7th German Army Reserve Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 13th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 14th Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  German Guards Reserve Army Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 3rd Guards Infantry Division
    • 1st Guards Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  10th German Army Reserve Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 2nd Guards Reserve Division
    • 19th Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  5th German Army Corps part of 5th Army

    Divisions

    • 9th Infantry Division
    • 10th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  13th German Army Corps part of 5th Army

    Divisions

    • 26th Infantry Division
    • 27th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  16th German Army Corps part of 5th Army

    Divisions

    • 33rd Infantry Division
    • 34th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  5th German Army Reserve Corps part of 5th Army

    Divisions

    • 9th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 10th Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  6th German Army Reserve Corps part of 5th Army

    Division

    • 11th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 12th Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  11th German Army Corps part of 3rd Army

    Division

    • 22nd Infantry Division
    • 38th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  12th German Army Corps part of 3rd Army

    Divisions

    • 23rd Infantry Division
    • 32nd Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  19th German Army Corps part of 3rd Army

    Divisions

    • 24th Infantry Division
    • 40th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  12th German Army Reserve Corps part of 3rd Army

    Divisions

    • 23rd Reserve Infantry Division
    • 24th Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  6th German Army Corps part of 4th Army

    Divisions

    • 11th Infantry Division
    • 12th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  8th German Army Corps part of 4th Army

    Division

    • 15th Infantry Division
    • 16th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  18th German Army Corps part of 4th Army

    Divisions

    • 21st Infantry Division
    • 25th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  8th German Army Reserve Corps part of 4th Army

    Divisions

    • 15th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 16th Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  18th German Army Reserve Corps part of 4th Army

    Divisions

    • 21st Reserve Infantry Division
    • 25th Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Divisional History  1st Guards Division part of the Guards Corps and 2nd Army

    Order of battle 1914

    • 1st Guards Brigade
      • 1st Foot Guards Regiment
      • 2nd Foot Guards Regiment
    • 2nd Guards Brigade
      • 3rd Foot Guards Regiment
      • 4th Foot Guards Regiment
      1st Artillery Guards Brigade
      • 1st Guards Artillery Regiment
      • 3rd Guards Artillery Regiment

    historical records


     Divisional History  1st German Guards Division

    Additions to Order of Battle in 1915

    • 1st Guards Engineering Battalion
    • Field Company Guards Pioneers
    • 1st Guards Pontoon Engineers
    • 4th Guards Telephone Detachment

    historical records


     Corps structure  14th German Army Corps part of 7th Army

    Divisions

    • 28th Infantry Division
    • 29th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  15th German Army Corps part of 7th Army

    Divisions

    • 30th Infantry Division
    • 39th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  14th German Army Reserve Corps part of 7th Army

    Divisions

    • 26th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 28th Reserve Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  1st German Army Corps part of 8th Army - Eastern Front

    Divisions

    • 1st Infantry Division
    • 2nd Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  17th German Army Corps part of 8th Army

    Divisions

    • 35th Infantry Division
    • 36th Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  20th German Army Corps part of 8th Army

    Divisions

    • 37th Infantry Division
    • 41st Infantry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  1st German Army Reserve Corps part of 8th Army

    Divisions

    • 1st Reserve Infantry Division
    • 3rd Reserve Infantry Division
    • 1st Cavalry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  German Landwehr Corps part of 8th Army

    Divisions

    • 3rd Landwehr Division
      • 17th Landwehr Infantry Brigade
      • 18th Landwehr Infantry Brigade
    • 4th Landwehr Division
      • 22nd Landwehr Infantry Brigade
      • 23rd Landwehr Infantry Brigade

    historical records


     Divisional Structure 1916  1st German Guards Division

    Revised Order of Battle 1916

    1st/2nd Guards Brigade

    • 1st Foot Guards Regiment
    • 2nd Foot Guards Regiment
    • 4th Foot Guards Regiment

    Cavalry

    • Guards Regiment (Massow)
    • 1st Squadron
    • 2nd Squadron
    • 3rd Squadron
    • 4th Squadron
    • Body Guard Hussars Regiment
    • 6th Dragoon Regiment
    • 2nd Squadron

    Artillery

    • 1st Guards Brigade
    • 1st Guards Artillery Regiment
    • 3rd Guards Artillery Regiment

    Engineers and Liaison

    • 1st Guards Engineering Battalion
    • 1st Guards Pioneer Company
    • 1st Guards Trench Mortar Company
    • 1st Guards Pontoon Engineers
    • 1st Guards Telephone Detachment

    historical records


     Divisional Structure 1917  1st German Guards Division

    Revisions to Divisional Order of Battle 1917

    1st Guards Brigade only but no changes in the 3 divisions.

    Cavalry

    • 2nd Squadron Body Guard Hussars left the Division
    • 4th Squadron Body Guard Hussars left the Division

    Artillery restructured to include.

    • 1st Guards Artillery Command
    • 1st Guards Artillery Regiment

    Engineering and Liaison - no changes

    Medical and Veterinary

    • Field Hospital
    • 1st Ambulance Company
    • Veterinary Hospital

    Transport

    Divisional Motor Transport Column

    Attached

      35th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Sharpshooter Company

    historical records


     Order of Battle 1918  1st German Guards Division

    Revised Divisional Order of Battle in 1918

    Infantry

    1st Guards Brigade

    • 1st Foot Guard Regiment
    • 2nd Foot Guard Regiment
    • 4th Foot Guard Regiment

    Cavalry

    3rd Squadron Body Guards Hussars Regiment

    Artillery

    1st Guards Artillery Command

    • 1st Guards Field Artillery Regiment (less 4 and 5 Abteil)
    • 1st Abteil Light Guards Foot Artillery Regiment (1, 2 and 4 Batteries)
    • 870 Light Ammunition Column
    • 1099 Light Ammunition Column
    • 1128 Light Ammunition Column

    Engineering and Liaison

    • Guards Pioneer Battalion (1st and 5th Company Guards Pioneers)
    • 23 Searchlight Section

    Medical and Veterinary

    • 1st Ambulance Company
    • 4th Field Hospital
    • 6th Field Hospital
    • 1st Guards Veterinary Hospital

    historical records


     Allied Intelligence evaluation 1917  1st German Guards Division

    Allied Intelligence Value - 1917 Estimate

    The 1st Guard Division may be considered one of the very best German divisions. Excellent conduct under fire. It displayed on the Aisne as well as on the Somme, energy and determination while on the defensive. Among its heavy losses there was an exceedingly small number of prisoners. Again on the Aisne (April-May, 1917), it displayed remarkable military qualities. It received important reinforcements of the younger classes (15-16-17), 30 per cent from the class of 1917. Its normal value was reduced temporarily on account of the arrival of elements which had never been under fire (June, 1917). Prisoners taken in the Argonne (June, 1917) seemed less keen for fighting.

    The above quote from a joint French and American report based on observation and prisoner interrogation which was compiled for all German Divisions active during 1914 to 1918.

    historical records


     Corps structure  1st German Cavalry Corps preceding 3rd Army (General der Kavallerie Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen)

    Divisions

    Each Cavalry Division consisted of 3 Brigades, each of 2 Cavalry Regiments (24 squadrons in total), 3 horse artillery batteries (of 4 guns each) and an MG detachment (with 6 Machine Guns).

    • Guards Cavalry Division
    • 5th Cavalry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  2nd German Cavalry Corps - preceding 1st and 2nd Armies (General der Kavallerie Georg von der Marwitz)

    Divisions

    Each Cavalry Division consisted of 3 Brigades, each of 2 Cavalry Regiments (24 squadrons in total), 3 horse artillery batteries (of 4 guns each) and an MG detachment (with 6 Machine Guns).

    • 2nd Cavalry Division
    • 4th Cavalry Division
    • 9th Cavalry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  3rd German Cavalry Corps - preceding 6th Army(General der Kavallerie Rudolf Ritter von Frommel)

    Divisions

    Each Cavalry Division consisted of 3 Brigades, each of 2 Cavalry Regiments (24 squadrons in total), 3 horse artillery batteries (of 4 guns each) and an MG detachment (with 6 Machine Guns).

    • 7th Cavalry Division
    • 8th Cavalry Division
    • Bavarian Cavalry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  4th German Cavalry Corps - preceding 4th and 5th Armies (General der Kavallerie Gustav Freiherr von Hollen)

    Divisions

    Each Cavalry Division consisted of 3 Brigades, each of 2 Cavalry Regiments (24 squadrons in total), 3 horse artillery batteries (of 4 guns each) and an MG detachment (with 6 Machine Guns).

    • 3rd Cavalry Division
    • 6th Cavalry Division

    historical records


     Corps structure  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    The Alpenkorps was a mountain division formed by the Imperial German Army during World War I. It was considered by the Allies to be one of the best units in the German Army.

    After experiencing considerable difficulties in fighting the French Chasseurs Alpins in the Vosges Mountains during the Battle of the Frontiers, the German Army decided to form its own specialized mountain units. The Royal Bavarian 1st and 2nd Snowshoe Battalions were formed in Bavaria on November 21, 1914. A third battalion was formed in April 1915 from the 4th, 5th and 6th companies of the second battalion.

    In May 1915, the three battalions were brought together with a fourth (composed of other battalions and Bavarian Landwehr troops) to form the 3rd Jäger Regiment.

    In October 1915, the designation Schneeschuhbataillon (literally snow shoe battalion) was removed. (units were also called Ski Battalions)

    Additionally, in May 1915, the Bavarian 1st, 2nd and 2nd Reserve Jäger Battalions were joined to form the Royal Bavarian 1st Jäger Regiment. The Prussian 10th, 10th Reserve and 14th Reserve Jäger Battalions were also joined together, forming the 2nd Jäger Regiment.

    These units, along with the elite Royal Bavarian Infantry Lifeguards Regiment and the Bavarian Army Bodyguard Regiment, became the core of the Alpenkorps. They were provided with additional artillery, machine gun and other support units.

    The Alpenkorps was officially founded on May 18, 1915 with Bavarian Generalleutnant Konrad Krafft von Dellmensingen as its commander. Bavarian Generalmajor Ludwig Ritter von Tutschek and Prussian Generalmajor Ernst von Below were appointed as his Jäger Brigade commanders.

    Alpine Corps - Order of Battle in May 1915

    • 1st Jäger Brigade
      • 1st Bavarian Jäger Bodyguard Infantry Regiment
    • 2nd Jäger Brigade
      • 2nd Jäger Regiment
      • 3rd Jäger Regiment

    Army Troops

    • 203 Field Artillery Regiment
    • 201 Mountain Machine Gun Detachment
    • 202 Mountain Machine Gun Detachment
    • 205 Mountain Machine Gun Detachment
    • 209 Mountain Machine Gun Detachment

    Although titled as the Alpine Corps, its size and classification was realistically that of a Division within the German Army.

    historical records


     Corps structure  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Divisional Order of Battle - changes in 1916

    Army Troops

    Artillery changed to 2 Mountain Field Artillery Company formed from Detachments of 187, 203 and 204 Field Artillery Regiments

    Engineering and Liaison

    • 102 Pioneer Company
    • 105 Pioneer Company
    • 106 Pioneer Company
    • 175 Trench Mortar Company
    • Cyclist Battalion (dissolved in June 1916)

    historical records


     Corps structure  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Order of Battle - 1917

    1st Bavarian Jäger Brigade

    • Bodyguard Infantry Regiment
    • 1st Bavarian Jäger Regiment
    • 2nd Jäger Regiment

    Army Troops

    Artillery

    • 203 Field Artillery Regiment - 1 Abteil (Company)
    • 6 Mountain Artillery Abteil

    Engineers and Liaison

  • 102 Pioneer Company
  • 283 Pioneer Company
  • 175 Trench Mortar Company
  • 204 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
  • 102 Bavarian Searchlight Section
  • 622 Telephone Detachment
  • 88 Divisional Wireless Detachment

    Medical and Veterinary

    • 201 Ambulance Company
    • 239 Ambulance Company
    • 202 Field Hospital
    • 203 Field Hospital
    • 18 Bavarian Field Hospital
    • Veterinary Hospital

    Transport

    • 444 Motor Transport Column
    • 695 Motor Transport Column
    • 790 Motor Transport Column

    historical records


     Corps structure  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Changes to Order of Battle in 1918

    Infantry Brigade - no change

    Cavalry

    3 Squadron, 4th Bavarian Cavalry Regiment.

    7 Artillery Command

    • 204 Field Artillery Regiment
    • 1 Abteil - 1st Bavarian Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
    • 1 Abteil - 6th Mountain Artillery (Staff + 1,2 and 17 Batteries)
    • 1401 Light Ammunition Column
    • 1402 Light Ammunition Column
    • 1403 Light Ammunition Column

    Engineering and Liaison

    • 9th Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
    • 102 Pioneer Company
    • 283 Pioneer Company
    • 175 Trench Mortar Company
    • 102 Searchlight Section
    • 622 Signal Command
    • 622 Telephone Detachment
    • 133 Bavarian Wireless Detachment

    Medical and Veterinary

    • 201 Ambulance Company
    • 239 Ambulance Company
    • 201 Field Hospital
    • 44 Bavarian Field Hospital
    • 18 Bavarian Field Hospital

    Transport

    695 Bavarian Motor Transport Company

    historical records


     Allied Intelligence evaluation 1917  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Recruiting and Value - 1917 Estimate.

    The Leib Regiment and the 1st Regiment of Jaegers are Bavarian, recruited principally from upper Bavaria. The 2nd Regiment of Jaegers is purely Prussian.

    Value - 1917 Estimate.

    The discipline and firmness of the commanding officers make the Alpine Corps an elite body, of genuine combat value.

    historical records


     Allied Intelligence evaluation 1918  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Value - 1918 Estimate.

    The Alpine Corps was considered one of the best German units. It showed its worth by retaking the village of Flallu on the l1th of August, and while counterattacking at Foislains on the 2nd September. Nevertheless, the morale was lowered. The Alpine Corps comprised about 3,500 Infantry combatants early in August 1918. It lost about 700 prisoners in August and September.

    historical records


     Outline History WW1  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Outline of main locations 1915 to 1918

    First campaigns in the Dolomites and France

    Although Germany and Italy were not at war until 1916, the Alpenkorps was immediately dispatched to reinforce the thinly occupied front line in the Dolomite mountains. It did not undertake offensive actions, but defended the front against repeated attacks by the Italian Alpini until Austria was able to extract enough forces from the eastern war theatre and relocate them to the new front. The unit had an air arm, which was FFA 9, flying Pfalz Parasol aircraft. After four months, the Alpenkorps returned briefly to the Western Front, as now the Austrian defenders were sufficient in numbers and entrenched enough to hold the front on their own. The Austrian Kaiserschützen honored the men of the Alpenkorps by awarding them their unit insignia: the Edelweiss.

    Serbia

    After only a week in France and the Dolomites, the Alpenkorps was sent to fight in the Serbian Campaign.

    Verdun

    The Alpenkorps returned to France in March 1916. After a short respite, it entered into the Battle of Verdun in June 1916. The regiments of the Alpenkorps lost over 70% of their strength in the fighting around Fort Vaux and Fleury.

    After leaving the line, the regiments were reconstituted, and in mid-July 1916 the 3rd Jäger Regiment was transferred from the division. The 2nd Brigade headquarters was eliminated and the Alpenkorps became a triangular division with 1st Brigade controlling the other two Jäger regiments and the Infanterie-Leib-Regiment.

    Romania

    Romania entered the war on the side of the Entente on August 27, 1916. In September, the Alpenkorps was dispatched to fight in the Romanian Campaign. The Infanterie-Leib-Regiment suffered a number of losses in the mountain fighting in Romania, including one of its most prominent members, Prince Heinrich of Bavaria, a major and battalion commander. The Alpenkorps remained in Romania until April 1917 and then again returned to the Western Front. In August 1917, the Alpenkorps returned to Romania and participated in the final battles there in the wake of the Kerensky Offensive.

    Caporetto

    In September 1917, the Alpenkorps was sent once more to the Italian Front to reinforce the Austrian Army for the upcoming 12th Battle of the Isonzo. By this point, the Royal Württemberg mountain battalion had been attached to the division, and one of its members, the later-Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel, would distinguish himself at Caporetto in November. Another company commander who distinguished himself at Caporetto, the Infanterie-Leib-Regiment's Ferdinand Schörner, would also rise to Field Marshal in World War II.

    France

    The Alpenkorps returned to the Western Front in 1918. It participated in the Battle of the Lys in April and fought in the Battle of Picardy in the Hundred Days Offensive.

    In October, it returned to the Balkans, where it was at the time of the Armistice.

    Traditions

    The Alpenkorps was dissolved after the end of hostilities, but the traditions of its constituent regular units were carried on in the Reichswehr and then the Wehrmacht. The Edelweiss became the symbol of the German Gebirgsjäger. Although the Bundeswehr does not formally carry the traditions of any pre-1945 units, the Gebirgsjäger continued to wear the Edelweiss cap badge and informally maintain the traditions of the Alpenkorps.

    historical records


       The 30th Punjabis were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army raised in 1857, as the 22nd Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 30th Punjabis in 1903 and became 1st Battalion 16th Punjab Regiment in 1922. In 1947, it was allocated to the Pakistan Army, where it continues to exist as 13th Battalion The Punjab Regiment. The regiment was raised during the upheaval of the Indian Mutiny, by Captain R.O.T. Nicholls at Ludhiana on 10 June 1857, as the 22nd Regiment of Punjab Infantry. The men were mostly drawn from other infantry and police battalions in the Punjab and their class composition was Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs and Dogras. For the next two years, the regiment remained engaged in suppressing the rebellion. The regiment took an active part in the Bhutan War of 1864-66, the Second Afghan War of 1878-80, the Chitral Expedition of 1895, and the Tirah Campaign of 1897.

    During the First World War, the 1st Battalion, 30th Punjabis served with distinction in the East African Campaign, while their 2nd Battalion, raised in 1918, served in the Palestine Campaign and fought in the Battle of Megiddo. During the war, 30th Punjabis raised two more battalions, which stayed in India. All war-raised battalions were disbanded after the war.

     Divisional Structure 1918  Bavarian Cavalry Division part of 3rd Cavalry Corps - preceding 6th Army.

    Order of Battle 1918

    Cavalry 1918

    • 1st Bavarian Cavalry Brigade
      • 1st Heavy Reiter Regiment
    • 4th Bavarian Cavalry Brigade
      • 1st Bavarian Uhlan Regiment
      • 2nd Bavarian Uhlan Regiment
    • 5th Bavarian Cavalry Brigade
      • 1st Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment
      • 6th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

    Artillery

    5th Bavarian Horse Artillery Abteil.

    Engineering and Liaison

    • Pioneer Detachment
    • 1st Bavarian Machine Gun Battery
    • 300 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company

    Attached: Glanz Landsturm Infantry Battalion (VI/9)

    Divisional History 1918

    The units of this division were used on police duty in the Ukraine and in Roumania in the spring of 1918.

    A part of the division was serving in the Crimea in the early summer. It continued in that general area through the year.

    Allied Intelligent Estimate 1918.

    The division was rated as fourth class.

    historical records


     Divisional Structure 1914  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1914

    • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
      • 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
      • 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 59th Landwer Brigade
      • 28th Ersatz Regiment
      • 120th Landwehr Regiment

    historical records


     Divisional Structure 1915  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

    Addition to Divisional Order of Battle 1915

    Infantry - no changes

    Artillery

    • 1st Ersatz Abteil Field Artillery Regiment - 1st Bavarian Cavalry Division
    • 2nd Ersatz Battery 8th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

    historical records


     Divisional Structure 1916  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1916

    Infantry

    • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
      • 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
      • 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 59th Landwehr Brigade
      • 28th Ersatz Regiment
      • 81st Landwehr Regiment

    Cavalry

    Ersatz Cavalry Detachment - 1st Bavarian Cavalry Division

    Engineering and Liaison

    • 2nd Landwehr Pioneer Company - 2nd Bavarian Cavalry Division
    • 3rd Landwehr Pioneer Company - 3rd Bavarian Cavalry Division
    • 1st Bavarian Mining Company
    • 1st Bavarian Heavy Trench Mortar Detachment

    historical records


     Divisional Structure 1917  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1917

    Infantry

    3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade

    • 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 28th Ersatz Regiment

    Cavalry

    • 1st Squadron, 6th Bavarian Reserve Schutzen Cavalry Regiment
    • Ersatz Cavalry Abteil, 1st Bavarian Cavalry Division.

    Artillery Command

    Bavarian Ersatz Field Artillery Regiment

    Engineers and Liaison

    • Pioneer Battalion: 4th and 6th Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Companies.
    • 1st Bavarian Mining Company
    • 100 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
    • 5th Bavarian Reserve Searchlight Section
    • 551 Telephone Detachment

    Medical and Veterinary

    • 9th Bavarian Ambulance Company
    • 40th Bavarian Field Hospital
    • 41st Bavarian Field Hospital
    • 33rd Bavarian Veterinary Hospital

    Transport

    767 Motor Transport Company

    historical records


     Divisional Structure 1918  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1918

    Infantry

    3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade

    • 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 18th Bavarian Reserve Regiment

    Cavalry

    1st Squadron, 6th Bavarian Reserve Schutzen Cavalry Regiment

    19th Bavarian Artillery Command

    Bavarian Ersatz Field Artillery Regiment

    Engineers and Liaison

    • 13th Pioneer Battalion: 4th and 6th Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Companies.
    • 1st Bavarian Mining Company
    • 100 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
    • 5th Bavarian Reserve Searchlight Section
    • 551 Bavarian Telephone Detachment

    Medical and Veterinary

    • 9th Bavarian Ambulance Company
    • 40th Bavarian Field Hospital
    • 41st Bavarian Field Hospital
    • 33rd Bavarian Veterinary Hospital

    Transport

    767 Motor Transport Company

    historical records


     Divisional Structure 1914  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1914

    Infantry

    • 1st Guards Reserve Brigade
      • 1st Guards Reserve Regiment
      • 2nd Guards Reserve Regiment
    • 15th Reserve Brigade
      • 64th Reserve Regiment
      • 93rd Reserve Regiment
    • Guards Reserve Snipers Battalion

    Cavalry

    Guards Reserve Dragoons - 3 Squadrons

    Artillery

    • 1st Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
    • 3rd Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

    historical records


     Divisional Structure 1915  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1915

    Infantry

    • 1st Guards Reserve Brigade
      • 1st Guards Reserve Regiment
      • 2nd Guards Reserve Regiment
    • 15th Reserve Brigade
      • 64th Reserve Regiment
      • 93rd Reserve Regiment
    • Guards Reserve Snipers Battalion

    Cavalry

    Guards Reserve Dragoons Regiment

    Artillery

    • 1st Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
    • 3rd Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

    Engineers and Liaison

      1st Engineers Battalion
      • 2nd Field Company
      • 3rd Field Company
      • 28th Pioneer Company
      • 1st Guards Reserve Pontoon Engineers
      • 1st Guards Reserve Telephone Detachment

      historical records


       Divisional Structure 1916  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

      Divisional Order of Battle 1916

      Infantry

      • 1st Guards Reserve Brigade
        • 1st Guards Reserve Regiment
        • 2nd Guards Reserve Regiment
        • 64th Reserve Regiment

      Cavalry

      Guards Reserve Dragoons Regiment 3 Squadrons

      Artillery

      • 1st Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
      • 3rd Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

      Engineers and Liaison

        1st Engineers Battalion
        • 2nd Field Company
        • 3rd Field Company
        • 28th Pioneer Company
        • 1st Guards Reserve Pontoon Engineers
        • 1st Guards Reserve Telephone Detachment
        • 5th Guards Trench Mortar Company

        historical records


         Divisional Structure 1917  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1917

        Infantry

        • 1st Guards Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Guards Reserve Regiment
          • 2nd Guards Reserve Regiment
          • 64th Reserve Regiment

        Cavalry

        Guards Reserve Dragoons Regiment 1st Squadron

        Artillery

        • 7th Guards Artillery Command
        • 1st Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (9 Batteries)

        Engineers and Liaison

          1st Engineers Battalion
          • 2nd Field Company
          • 3rd Field Company
          • 28th Pioneer Company
          • 401 Guards Telephone Detachment
          • 5th Guards Trench Mortar Company

          Medical and Veterinary

          • 266 Ambulance Company
          • 395 Field Hospital
          • Veterinary Hospital

          Transport

          701 Motor Transport Column

          historical records


           Divisional Structure 1918  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

          Divisional Order of Battle 1918

          Infantry

          • 1st Guards Reserve Brigade
            • 1st Guards Reserve Regiment
            • 2nd Guards Reserve Regiment
            • 64th Reserve Regiment

          Cavalry

          Guards Reserve Dragoons Regiment 1st Squadron

          Artillery

          • 8th Guards Artillery Command
          • 1st Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
          • 2nd Abteil 1st Foot Artillery Regiment (Staff, 7, 8 and 13 Batteries)
          • 701 Light Ammunition Column
          • 1269 Light Ammunition Column
          • 1328 Light Ammunition Column

          Engineers and Liaison

          • 28th Pioneers Battalion
            • 2nd Pioneers Company
            • 3rd Pioneers Company
            • 61st Searchlight Section
          • 401 Guards Signal Command
            • 401 Guards Telephone Detachment
            • 17th Wireless Detachment

          Medical and Veterinary

          • 266 Ambulance Company
          • 389 Field Hospital
          • 395 Field Hospital
          • 401 Veterinary Hospital

          Transport

          701 Motor Transport Column

          historical records


           Divisional Structure 1914  Guard Ersatz Division part of German 6th Army

          The Guard Ersatz Division (Garde-Ersatz-Division) was a division of the Imperial German Army during World War I. Ersatz is German for replacement. The division was formed from companies of the replacement battalions (Ersatz-Bataillone) of the regiments of Prussian Guards and several other Prussian regiments. The division was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914.

          • The Guard Ersatz Division fought in the opening phases of the war in the Battle of the Frontiers and then participated in the Race to the Sea.
          • In 1916, the division fought in the Battle of Verdun.
          • In 1917, the division participated in the Second Battle of the Aisne.
          • In July 1917, the division was sent to the Eastern Front, where it fought in the Baltic region. It returned to the Western Front in September 1917 near Verdun and remained on the Western Front until the Armistice.

          Divisional Order of Battle 1914

          Infantry and Support

          • 1st Mixed Guard Ersatz Brigade
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 1
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 2
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 3
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 4
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 5
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 6
            • Guard Cavalry Ersatz Abteilung Berlin
            • 1st Guard Field Artillery Ersatz Abteilung
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Ersatz Abteilung
            • 1st Ersatz Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
          • 5th Mixed Guard Ersatz Brigade
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 5
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 6
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 7
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 8
            • Cavalry Ersatz Abteilung Pasewalk - 2 Army Corps
            • Forward Pomeranian Field Artillery Ersatz Abteilung 38
            • Rear Pomeranian Field Artillery Ersatz Abteilung 53
            • 1st Ersatz Company Guard Pioneer Battalion 2

          historical records


           Divisional Structure 1918  Guard Ersatz Division part of German 6th Army

          Divisional Order of Battle - 8th March 1918

          Guard Ersatz Brigade

          • 6th Guard Regiment
          • 7th Guard Regiment
          • 399th Infantry Regiment
          • Machine Gun Abteilung 29
          • 5th Squadron 2nd Guard Uhlan Regiment
          • Guard Artillery Command 6
          • 7th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
          • 89th Foot Artillery Battalion
          • 501 Stab Pioneer Battalion
          • 301 Guard Pioneer Company
          • 302 Guard Pioneer Company
          • 7th Guard Trench Company
          • 551 Guard Division Communications Command

          historical records


           Divisional Structure 1914  Guards Cavalry Division part of German 1st Cavalry Corps preceeding 3rd Army

          Pre-war - The Guards Corps had four cavalry brigades organised as the Guards Cavalry Division, the only peace-time Cavalry Division in the German Army. On mobilisation, the pre-war cavalry brigades were withdrawn from their divisions. 33 Brigades (66 regiments) were used to form the 11 Cavalry Divisions. The remaining 22 brigades (44 regiments) were broken up and their regiments were employed as divisional cavalry for the 50 active divisions

          The Guards Cavalry Division (Garde-Kavallerie-Division) was a unit of the German army that was stationed in Berlin. The division was a part of the Guards Corps (Gardekorps).

          Before the outbreak of war, the division order of Battle was:

          • 1st Guards Cavalry Brigade
            • Gardes du Corps
            • Guards Cuirassiers
          • 2nd Guards Cavalry Brigade
            • 1st Guards Uhlans
            • 3rd Guards Uhlans
          • 3rd Guards Cavalry Brigade
            • 1st Guards Dragoons "Queen of Great Britain and Ireland"
            • 2nd Guards Dragoons "Empress Alexandra of Russia"
          • 4th Guards Cavalry Brigade
            • Life Guards Hussars
            • 2nd Guards Uhlans

          The division was initially assigned to I Cavalry Corps, which preceded the 3rd Army on the Western Front. It served on the Western Front until December 1914, then undertook frontier guard duties against Holland until 30 June 1915, when it relocated to Russia.

          From 16 March 1918 to 9 April 1918, it was dismounted, re-formed and trained on the Zossen troop training ground. Thereafter, it served as the Guard Cavalry Schützen Division on the Western Front. It was in Artois until May 1918, then Champagne and Aisne. By the end of the war, it was serving under VI Reserve Corps, 1st Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.

          historical records


           Divisional Structure 1916 to 1918  Guards Cavalry Division part of German 1st Cavalry Corps preceeding 3rd Army

          Conversion to Schutzen Division (Dismounted Infantry Role)

          Guard Cavalry Schützen Division

          The Guard Cavalry Division was extensively reorganised in the course of the war, culminating in conversion to a Cavalry Schützen Division, i.e. Dissmounted Cavalry. The cavalry brigades were renamed Cavalry Schützen Commands and performed a similar role to that of an infantry regiment command. Likewise, the cavalry regiments became Cavalry Schützen Regiments and were allocated the role of an infantry battalion (and their squadrons acted as infantry companies). However, these units were much weaker than normal infantry formations (for example, a Schützen squadron had a strength of just 4 officers and 109 NCOs and other ranks, considerably less than that of an infantry company).

          • 1st Guards Cavalry Brigade became independent on 9 April 1917
          • 2nd Guards Cavalry Brigade became independent on 6 June 1916
          • 3rd Guards Cavalry Brigade became independent on 18 October 1916
          • 19th Cavalry Brigade joined from 9th Cavalry Division on 8 April 1917 and became independent on 12 February 1918
          • 11th Cavalry Brigade joined from 5th Cavalry Division on 23 March 1918 and was renamed 11th Cavalry Schützen Command on 8 May 1918
          • 14th Cavalry Brigade joined from 9th Cavalry Division on 23 February 1918 and was renamed 14th Cavalry Schützen Command on 8 May 1918
          • 38th Cavalry Brigade joined from 8th Cavalry Division on 20 April 1918 and renamed 38th Cavalry Schützen Command on 8 May 1918

          historical records


           Divisional Structure 1918  Guards Cavalry Division part of German 1st Cavalry Corps preceeding 3rd Army

          Divisional Order of Battle - Late 1918

          • 5th Landwehr Brigade
            • 11th Cavalry Schützen Command
              • Guards Cuirassiers
              • 1st (Silesian) Life Cuirassiers "Great Elector"
              • 8th (2nd Silesian) Dragoons "King Frederick III"
            • 14th Cavalry Schützen Command
              • 4th (1st Silesian) Hussars "von Schill"
              • 11th (2nd Westphalian) Hussars
              • 5th (Westphalian) Uhlans
            • 38th Cavalry Schützen Command
              • 4th (Westphalian) Cuirassiers "von Driesen"
              • 2nd Jäger zu Pferde
              • 6th Jäger zu Pferde

          • 1st Guard MG Detachment
          • 1st Squadron, 5th Jäger zu Pferde (mounted cavalry)
          • 132nd Artillery Command 3rd Guards Field Artillery
          • 722nd Light Ammunition Column
          • 852nd Light Ammunition Column
          • 1135th Light Ammunition Column
          • 412th Pioneer Battalion 2nd Ersatz Company, 18th Pioneer Battalion
          • 307th Pioneer Company
          • 226th Signal Command
          • 226th Telephone Detachment
          • 183rd Wireless Detachment

          Medical and Veterinary

          • 257th Ambulance Company
          • 642nd Ambulance Company
          • 1st Field Hospital
          • 302nd Field Hospital
          • 262nd Veterinary Hospital

          Transport

          636th Motor Transport Column

          historical records


           Jäger Structure - WW1  Jäger Units development in German Imperial Army.

          Pre-war units

          Theses were organised units of light infantry or sharpshooters basically at battalion level and attached to larger units (divisions/corps) mainly as scouts or light quick reaction forces.

          • Germany (Imperial) Army
            • Royal Prussian Guard Jäger Battalion
            • Royal Prussian Guard Schützen Battalion
            • Royal Prussian Jäger Battalion Count York von Wartenburg (East Prussian) No.1
            • Royal Prussian Jäger Battalion Prince Bismarck (Pomeranian) No.2
            • Royal Prussian Brandenburg Jäger Battalion No.3
            • Royal Prussian Magdeburg Jäger Battalion No.4
            • Royal Prussian Jäger Battalion von Neumann (1st Silesian) No.5
            • Royal Prussian 2nd Silesian Jäger Battalion No.6
            • Royal Prussian Westphalian Jäger Battalion No.7
            • Royal Prussian Rhineland (or Rhenish) Jäger Battalion No.8
            • Royal Prussian Lauenburg Jäger Battalion No.9
            • Royal Prussian Hanoverian Jäger Battalion No.10
            • Royal Prussian Electoral Hessian Jäger Battalion No.11
            • Royal Saxon Jäger Battalion No.12
            • Royal Saxon Jäger Battalion No.13
            • Grand-Ducal Mecklenburg Jäger Battalion No.14
            • Royal Bavarian 1st Jäger Battalion
            • Royal Bavarian 2nd Jäger Battalion

          With the onset of WW1 more battalions were raised and were formed into larger regiments usually with two or three battalions.

          WW1 1914 to 1916

          Germany (First World War)

          1914

          • Guard Reserve Jäger Battalion
          • Guard Reserve Schützen Battalion
          • Reserve Jäger Battalions 1-14
          • Bavarian Reserve Jäger Battalions 1-2
          • Bavarian Ski Battalions 1-2

          1915

          • Reserve Jäger Battalions 15-26
          • Royal Prussian 27th Jäger Battalion (Finnish Volunteers)
          • Bavarian Ski Battalions 3-4
          • Württemberg Ski Company (later renamed the Württemberg Mountain Company and expanded to a Battalion, then a Regiment)
          • Bavarian Jäger Regiment No.1 (1st and 2nd Bavarian Jäger Battalions, 2nd Bavarian Reserve Jäger Battalion)
          • Jäger Regiment No.2 (10th Jäger Battalion, 10th and 14th Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Bavarian Jäger Regiment No.3 (1st - 4th Bavarian Ski Battalions)
          • Alpine Corps (1st, 2nd & 3rd Jäger Regiments)

          1916

          • Württemberg Mountain Battalion
          • Jäger Regiment No.4 (11th Jäger Battalion, 5th and 6th Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.5 (17th, 18th and 23rd Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.6 (5th, 6th and 14th Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.7 (13th Jäger Battalion, 25th and 26th Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.8 (4th, 16th and 24th Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.9 (8th Jäger Battalion, 12th Reserve Jäger Battalion)
          • Jäger Regiment No.10 (12th Jäger Battalion, 13th Reserve Jäger Battalion)

          During 1917 reorganisation into regiments continued and a Jäger Division was created.

          1917

          • Royal Bavarian 29th Infantry Regiment (Jager Regiment) (1st Bavarian Reserve Jager Battalion, 7th and 9th Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • German Jäger Division (11th, 12th & 13th Jäger Regiments)

          The German Jäger Division included

          • 11th Jäger Regiment
          • 12th Jäger Regiment
          • 13th Jäger Regiment

          It also included other divisional support units.

          1918

          • Württemberg Mountain Regiment
          • Jäger Regiment No.11 (Guard Reserve Jäger Battalion, Guard Reserve Schützen Battalion, 1st Jäger Battalion)
          • Jäger Regiment No.12 (2nd and 7th Jäger Battalions, 1st Reserve Jäger Battalion)
          • Jäger Regiment No.13 (8th, 20th and 21st Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.14 (15th, 19th and 22nd Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Bavarian Reserve Jäger Regiment No.15 (1st Bavarian Reserve Jager Battalion and Caucasian Railway Protection Battalion)

          historical records


           Divisional Structure 1918  Jäger Division part of 54th Corps z.b.V - German Second Army.

          Divisional Order of Battle on formation in 1917.

          Stab 5th Ersatz Infantry Brigade

          • Stab 4th Dragoon Regiment - von Bredow (1st Schlesisches)
          • Guards Reserve Jäger Battalion
          • Guards Reserve Schützen Battalion

          • Stab 2nd Uhlen Regiment - von Katzler (Schlesisches)
          • 1st Reserve Jäger Battalion
          • 2nd Pomeranian Jäger Battalion (Fürst Bismarck)

          • Stab 8th Royal Bavarian Chevalliers Regiment
          • 8th Reserve Jäger Battalion
          • Wurttemberg Mountain Battalion
          • Brandenberg Jäger Battalion

          Notes

          Stab refers to a Headquarters or Command to which units can be attached.

          In the Corps title - z.b.V (zur besonderen Verwendung) translates to "For Special Use"

           Divisional Structure 1918  Jäger Division part of 54th Corps z.b.V - German Second Army.

          Divisional Order of Battle 1918

          5th Ersatz Infantry Brigade

          • Jäger-Regiment Nr. 11
            • The Regiment was formed in October 1917 on the Italian front.
            • The regimental staff was the staff of the Dragoner Nr. 4
            • Garde Reserve Jäger Bataillon,
            • Garde Reserve Schützen Bataillon,
            • Jäger Bataillon Nr. 1
            • The Regiment was part of the Deutsche Jäger Division, the commander was Oberstleutnant Freiherr von Bettendorf
          • Jäger-Regiment Nr. 12
            • The Regiment was formed in October 1917 on the Italian front.
            • The regimental staff was the staff of the Ulanen Regiment Nr. 2
            • Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 2,
            • Reserve Jäger Bataillon Nr. 1,
            • Jäger Bataillon Nr. 12 (from 1.12.1917)
            • The Regiment was part of the Deutsche Jäger Division, the commander was Oberstleutnant von Pappritz of the Ulanen Regiment Nr. 2
          • Jäger-Regiment Nr. 13
            • The Regiment was formed in October 1917 on the Italian front.
            • The regimental staff was the staff of the 8. Bayerische Chevauleger-Regiment
            • Reserve Jäger Bataillon Nr. 8,
            • Reserve Jäger Bataillon Nr. 20,
            • Reserve Jäger Bataillon Nr. 21
            • The Regiment was part of the Deutsche Jäger Division, the commander was Oberstleutnant von Bibra of the 8, Bayerische Chevauleger-Regiment
          • 1st Squadron 10th Dragoon Regiment - King Albert of Saxony (east Prussian)

            224th Artillery Command

            • 24th Holstein Field Artillery Regiment
            • 4th Bavarian Foot Artillery Regiment

            422 Pioneer Battalion

            901 Communications Command

            Divisional Commanders

            • Oberst Georg von Wodtke - 14th Sep to 23rd Nov. 1917
            • Generalmajor Johannes von Dassel - 24th Nov 1917 to 14th Dec 1918.

            historical records


             Order of Battle 1918  17th German Army

            Commander (1918) General der Infanterie Bruno von Mudra

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps
              • 187th Division
              • 26th Reserve Division
              • 10th Ersatz Division
              • 208th Division
            • 2nd Bavarian Corps
              • 234th Division
              • 25th Division
            • 18th German Army Corps
              • 220th Division
              • 35th Division
              • 6th Division
            • 14th German Army Reserve Corps
              • 214th Division
              • 111th Division
              • 48th Reserve Division
              • 206th Division
              • 12th Division
              • 28th Reserve Division

            Historical Records


             Order of Battle 1918  18th German Army

            Commander (1918) General der Infanterie Oskar von Hutier

            • 1st Bavarian Corps
              • 19th Reserve Division
              • 29th Division
              • 15th Reserve Division
              • 200th Division
              • 204th Division
              • 34th Division
            • 26th German Reserve Corps
              • 75th Reserve Division
              • 9th Division
              • 18th Division
              • 6th Bavarian Division
            • 18th German Reserve Corps
              • 231st Division
              • 238th Division
              • 81st Reserve Division
              • 2nd Division
              • 1st Reserve Division
              • 82nd Reserve Division (two-thirds)
              • 5th Reserve Division
            • 14th German Corps
              • 232nd Division
              • 237th Division
              • 11th Division
              • 221st Division
              • 105th Division
              • 87th Division
            • Army Command
                5th Ersatz Division

            Historical Records


             Order of Battle 1918  19th German Army

            Commander (1918) Generaloberst Felix Graf von Bothmer

            • 19th German Army Corps
              • 84th Landwehr Brigade
              • 48th Landwehr Division
            • 66th German Army Corps (zbV)
              • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division
              • 19th Ersatz Division
              • 17th Reserve Division
            • 15th German Army Corps
              • 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division
              • 83rd Division

            Historical Records


             Order of Battle 1918  Armee Abteilung A

            Commander (1918) General der Infanterie Johannes von Eben

            • 59th German Army Corps (zbV)
              • 96th Division
              • 21st Landwehr Division
              • 75th Reserve Division
            • 7th German Army Corps
              • 82nd Composite Reserve Infantry Brigade
              • 301st Division
            • 15th Bavarian Army Corps
              • 39th Bavarian Reserve Division
              • 61st Landwehr Division
            • 9th Austro-Hungarian Army Corps
              • 37th Austro-Hungarian Division
              • 4th Landwehr Division

            Historical Records


             Order of Battle 1918  Armee Abteilung B

            Commander (1918) General der Infanterie Erich von Gündell

            • 64th German Army Corps (zbV)
              • 6th Bavarian Landwehr Division
              • 4th Cavalry Schützen Division
              • 7th Cavalry Schützen Division
            • 10th German Army Corps
              • 26th Landwehr Division
              • 30th Bavarian Reserve Division
              • 31st Division
            • 12th German Army Corps
              • 44th Landwehr Division
              • 25th Landwehr Division

            Historical Records


             Order of Battle 1918  Armee Abteilung C

            Commander (1918) Generalleutnant Georg Fuchs

            • 13th German Army Corps
              • 5th Guards Division
              • 3rd Bavarian Division
              • 241st Division
            • 5th German Army Corps
              • 13th Landwehr Division
              • 94th Division
              • 35th Austro-Hungarian Division
            • 12th German Army Reserve Corps
              • 5th Landwehr Division
              • 224th Division
            • 57th German Army Corps (zbV)
              • 8th Landwehr Division
              • 255th Division
            • Group Metz
              • 31st Landwehr Brigade
              • 10th Division
              • 18th Landwehr Division
              • 2nd Landwehr Division
            • Army Troops
              • 45th Reserve Division

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  German Naval Corps part of German 4th Army.

            Divisions

            • 1st Naval Division
            • 2nd Naval Division
            • 38th Landwehr Division (two-thirds)
            • 3rd Division (one-third)
            • 85th Landwehr Division

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  18th Austro-Hungarian Army Corps part of 5th German Army

            Divisions

            • 33rd Division
            • 32nd Division
            • 106th Austro-Hungarian Division (less elements)
            • 37th Division
            • 236th Division
            • 20th Division

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  9th Austro-Hungarian Army Corps part of Armee Abteilung A

            Divisions

            • 37th Austro-Hungarian Division
            • 4th Landwehr Division

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  55th German Army Corps (zbV) part of 6th German Army

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

            • 38th Division
            • 12th Bavarian Division
            • 5th Bavarian Division
            • 4th Ersatz Division (two-thirds)
            • 9th Reserve Division

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  40th German Army Reserve Corps part of 6th German Army

            Divisions

            • 16th Division
            • 8th Division

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  51st German Army Corps (zbV)part of 2nd German Army

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

            • 2nd Cyclist Brigade
            • 243rd Division
            • 121st Division
            • 54th Division
            • 1st Guards Reserve Division
            • 22nd Reserve Division

            Army Troops

            17th Reserve Division

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  54th German Army Corps (zbV) part of 2nd German Army

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

            • 21st Reserve Division
            • 22nd Division
            • 4th Division
            • 113th Division
            • 239th Division
            • 12th Reserve Division
            • Jäger Division
            • 185th Division

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  German Army Group Metz part of Armee Abteilung C

            Divisions

            • 31st Landwehr Division
            • 10th Division
            • 18th Landwehr Division
            • 2nd Landwehr Division

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  57th German Army Corps (zbV) part of Armee Abteilung C.

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

            • 8th Landwehr Division
            • 255th Division

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  15th Bavarian Army Reserve Corps part of Armee Abteilung A.

            Divisions

            • 39th Bavarian Reserve Division
            • 61st Landwehr Brigade

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  58th German Army Corps (zbV) part of 5th German Army

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

            • 240th Division
            • 15th Bavarian Division
            • 52nd Division
            • 31st Division

            Historical Records


             Corps structure  59th German Army Corps (zbV) part of Armee Abteilung A.

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

          • 96th Division
          • 21st Landwehr Division
          • 75th Reserve Division

          Historical Records


           Corps structure  64th German Army Corps (zbV) part of Armee Abteilung B.

          zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

          Divisions

          • 6th Bavarian Landwehr Division
          • 4th Cavalry Schützen Division
          • 7th Cavalry Schützen Division
          • 26th Landwehr Division

          Historical Records


           Corps structure  66th German Army Corps (zbV) part of 19th German Army

          zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

          Divisions

          • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division
          • 19th Ersatz Division
          • 17th Reserve Division

          Historical Records


           Corps structure  65th German Army Corps (zbV) part of 7th German Army

          zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

          Divisions

        • 5th Division
        • 4th Guards Division
        • 216th Division
        • 50th Division

        Historical Records


         Corps structure  24th German Army Reserve Corps part of 1st German Army

        Divisions

        • 51st Reserve Division
        • 7th Division

        Historical Records


         Corps structure  25th German Army Reserve Corps part of 3rd German Army

        Divisions

        • 9th Landwehr Division
        • 199th Division
        • 3rd Guards Division
        • 1st Guards Division

        Historical Records


         Corps structure  26th German Army Reserve Corps part of 18th German Army

        Divisions

        • 75th Reserve Division
        • 9th Division
        • 18th Division
        • 6th Bavarian Division

        Historical Records


         Corps structure  38th German Army Reserve Corps part of 3rd German Army

        No divisions assigned in 1918.

        Historical Records


         Divisional Structure 1914  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1914

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Infantry Brigade
          • 1st Grenadiers Regiment
          • 41st Regiment
        • 2nd Infantry Brigade
          • 3rd Grenadiers Regiment
          • 43rd Regiment

        Cavalry

        8th Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Artillery Brigade

        • 16th Field Artillery Regiment
        • 52nd Field Artillery Regiment

        Historical Records


         Divisional Structure 1915  1st German Division was part of 1st Army Corps and 9th Army of the North

        Divisional Order of Battle 1915

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Infantry Brigade
          • 1st Grenadiers Regiment
          • 41st Regiment
        • 2nd Infantry Brigade
          • 3rd Grenadiers Regiment
          • 43rd Regiment

        Cavalry

        8th Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Artillery Brigade

        • 16th Field Artillery Regiment
        • 52nd Field Artillery Regiment

        Engineers and Liaison

        • 1st Engineers Battalion (1st Command District)
        • 1st Pioneers Field Company
        • 1st Pontoon Engineers
        • 1st Telephone Detachment

        Historical Records


         Divisional Structure 1916  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 10th Army of the South

        Divisional Order of Battle 1916

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Infantry Brigade
          • 1st Grenadiers Regiment
          • 41st Regiment
        • 2nd Infantry Brigade
          • 3rd Grenadiers Regiment
          • 43rd Regiment

        Cavalry

        8th Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Artillery Brigade

        • 16th Field Artillery Regiment
        • 52nd Field Artillery Regiment

        Engineers and Liaison

        • 1st Engineers Battalion (1st Command District)
        • 1st Pioneers 3rd Field Company
        • 1st Pontoon Engineers
        • 1st Telephone Detachment
        • 1st Trench Mortar Company
        • 271st Pioneer Company

        Attached 100th Labour Battalion

        Historical Records


         Divisional Structure 1917  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1917

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Infantry Brigade
          • 1st Grenadiers Regiment
          • 3rd Grenadiers Regiment
          • 43rd Regiment

        Cavalry

        3rd Squadron 8th Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Artillery Command (z)

        • 16th Field Artillery Regiment
        • 52nd Field Artillery Regiment

        Engineers and Liaison

        • 112th Engineers Battalion
        • 1st Pioneers 3rd Field Company (z)
        • 1st Telephone Detachment
        • 1st Trench Mortar Company
        • 271st Pioneer Company
        • 305th Searchlight Section
        • 311th Searchlight Section
        • 312th Searchlight Section
        • 392nd Searchlight Section

        Medical and Veterinary

        • 4th Ambulance Company
        • Field Hospital
        • 1st Veterinary Hospital

        Transport

        534th Motor Transport Column

        Attached units

        • 66th Machine Gun Sharpshooting Detachment
        • 54th Light Machine Gun Section
        • 55th Light Machine Gun Section
        • 56th Light Machine Gun Section
        • 57th Light Machine Gun Section

        Historical Records


         Divisional Structure 1918  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1918

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Infantry Brigade
          • 1st Grenadiers Regiment
          • 3rd Grenadiers Regiment
          • 43rd Regiment

        Cavalry

        3rd Squadron 8th Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Artillery Command

        • 16th Field Artillery Regiment
        • 10th Field Artillery Regiment - 1st Abteilung (Staff, 1, 3 and 4 Batteries)
        • 1083 Light Ammunition Column
        • 1095 Light Ammunition Column
        • 1096 Light Ammunition Column

        Engineers and Liaison

        • 110th Pioneer Battalion
        • 1st Pioneers 3rd Field Company (z)
        • 1st Trench Mortar Company
        • 271st Pioneer Company
        • 108th Searchlight Section
        • 1st Signal Command
        • 1st Telephone Detachment
        • 43rd Wireless Detachment

        Medical and Veterinary

        • 4th Ambulance Company
        • 13th Field Hospital
        • 16th Field Hospital
        • 1st Veterinary Hospital

        Transport

        534th Motor Transport Column

        Historical Records


           German Army of the South

        10th South German Army

        The South Army was formed in Breslau, on 11 January 1915, by the transformation of II Corps for the Hungarian Carparthian Front. II Corps commander, General der Infanterie Alexander von Linsingen took over the new army command.

        On 8 July 1915, von Linsingen transferred as commander of the new Army of the Bug. In his place, General der Infanterie Felix Graf von Bothmer of II Bavarian Reserve Corps took command of the South Army. With the Russians withdrawing from the war (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk) and the run down of German forces on the Eastern Front, the army was dissolved on 25 January 1918.

        The headquarters of the army was located in Mukachevo (from 11 January 1915), Stryi (from 5 June 1915), Berezhany (from 4 September 1915), Khodoriv (from 15 November 1916) and Chortkiv (from 4 August 1917).

        Commanders

        The South Army had the following commanders during its existence

        • From the 11th January 1915 General der Infanterie Alexander von Linsingen, previously II Corps and later moved to Army of the Bug (8th July 1915).
        • From the 8th July 1915 General der Infanterie Felix Graf von Bothmer, previously II Bavarian Reserve Corps and later moved to 19th Army (25th January 1918).

        Historical Records


         Divisional Structure 1914  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1914

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Reserve Regiment
          • 3rd Reserve Regiment
        • 72nd Reserve Brigade
          • 18th Reserve Regiment
          • 59th Reserve Regiment
        • 1st Jäger Battalion

        Cavalry

        • 1st Reserve Uhlan Regiment (3 Squadrons)
        • 1st Reserve Ersatz Cavalry Regiment (3 Squadrons)

        Artillery

        1st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (6 Batteries)

        Historical Records


         Divisional Structure 1915  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1915

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Reserve Regiment
          • 3rd Reserve Regiment
        • 72nd Reserve Brigade
          • 18th Reserve Regiment
          • 59th Reserve Regiment
        • 1st Jäger Battalion

        Cavalry

        • 1st Reserve Uhlan Regiment (3 Squadrons)
        • 1st Reserve Ersatz Cavalry Regiment (3 Squadrons)

        Artillery

        1st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (6 Batteries)

        Engineering and Liaison

        • 2nd Engineers Battalion No. 1
        • 1st Reserve Company Pioneers Battalion
        • 1st Reserve Pontoon Engineers
        • 1st Reserve Telephone Detachment

        Historical Records


         Divisional Structure 1916  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1916

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Reserve Regiment
          • 3rd Reserve Regiment
        • 72nd Reserve Brigade
          • 18th Reserve Regiment
          • 59th Reserve Regiment
        • 1st Jäger Battalion

        Cavalry

        • 1st Reserve Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (6 Batteries)

        Engineering and Liaison

        • 4th Field Company, 2nd Pioneers Battalion.
        • 204th Trench Mortar Company
        • 1st Reserve Pontoon Engineers
        • 1st Reserve Telephone Detachment

        Historical Records


         Divisional Structure 1917  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1917

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Reserve Regiment
          • 3rd Reserve Regiment
          • 59th Reserve Regiment
        • 1st Jäger Battalion

        Cavalry

        • 1st Reserve Uhlan Regiment (3 Squadrons)

        Artillery

        1st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (9 Batteries)

        Engineering and Liaison

        • 4th Field Company, 2nd Pioneers Battalion.
        • 1st Field Company, 2nd Pioneers Battalion.
        • 301st Engineering Battalion
        • 201st Trench Mortar Company
        • 348 Searchlight Section
        • 1st Reserve Telephone Detachment

        Medical and Veterinary

        • 501st Ambulance Company
        • 399th Field Hospital
        • 9th Reserve Field Hospital
        • Veterinary Hospital

        Transport

        Motor Transport Column

        Historical Records


         Divisional Structure 1918  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1918

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Reserve Regiment
          • 3rd Reserve Regiment
          • 59th Reserve Regiment

        Cavalry

        • 4th Squadron, 2nd Guards Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        • 1st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (9 Batteries)
        • 2nd Abteilung 1st Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
        • 1363 Light Ammunition Column
        • 1390 Light Ammunition Column
        • 1393 Light Ammunition Column

        Engineering and Liaison

        • 4th Field Company, 2nd Pioneers Battalion.
        • 1st Field Company, 34th Reserve Pioneers Battalion.
        • 301st Engineering Battalion
        • 201st Trench Mortar Company
        • 31st Searchlight Section
        • 401st Signals Command
        • 401st Telephone Detachment
        • 158th Wireless Detachment

        Medical and Veterinary

        • 501st Ambulance Company
        • 399th Field Hospital
        • 9th Reserve Field Hospital
        • 137th Veterinary Hospital

        Historical Records


         Divisional History  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        The 1st Reserve Division (1. Reserve-Division) was a reserve infantry division of the Imperial German Army in World War I. It was formed, on mobilization in August 1914, from reserve infantry units, primarily from East Prussia and was part of I Reserve Corps. The division served on the Eastern Front from the beginning of the war until October 1917, after which it was transferred to the Western Front for the wars final campaigns. It was rated a third class division by Allied intelligence, mainly due to its losses in heavy fighting and reduced quality of replacement troops.

        1st Reserve Division (1. Reserve-Division)

        Active from 1914 to 1919

        Division Size Approx. 15,000

        World War I - Main activities: Gumbinnen, Tannenberg, 1st Masurian Lakes, Lodz, Spring Offensive, Hundred Days Offensive.

        Late World War I organization

        German Divisions underwent many changes during the war, with regiments moving from division to division, and some being destroyed and rebuilt. During the war, most divisions became triangular - one infantry brigade with three infantry regiments rather than two infantry brigades of two regiments (a square division). The 1st Reserve Division triangulated in June 1917. An artillery commander replaced the artillery brigade headquarters, the cavalry was further reduced, the engineer contingent was increased and a divisional signals command was created.

        Historical Records


         Divisional Structure 1914  1st German Landwehr Division part of 9th German Army Reserve Corps and Army of the North

        On mobilization, the 1st Landwehr Division was created by aggregating four mixed Landwehr brigades (gemischte Landwehr-Brigaden), each of which generally included its own infantry, cavalry and artillery.

        Order of Battle in 1914

        • 33rd Mixed Landwehr Brigade
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 75
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 76
          • 2nd Guard Landwehr Squadron
          • 1st Landwehr Squadron/IX Corps
          • 1st Landwehr Battery/IX Corps
        • 34th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 31
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 84
          • 3rd Guard Landwehr Squadron
          • 2nd Landwehr Squadron/IX Corps
          • 2nd Landwehr Battery/IX Corps
        • 37th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 73
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 74
          • 2nd Landwehr Squadron/X Corps
          • 2nd Landwehr Field Artillery Battalion/X Corps
        • 38th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 77
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 78
          • 3rd Landwehr Squadron/X Corps

            The 33rd and 34th Mixed Landwehr Brigades were raised in the IX Corps area (the Province of Schleswig-Holstein, part of the Province of Hanover, the Grand Duchies of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and the Hanseatic Cities of Bremen, Hamburg, and Lübeck). The 37th and 38th Mixed Landwehr Brigades were raised in the X Corps area (the Province of Hanover, the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, and the Duchy of Brunswick).

            On 27 August, the division was ordered to reinforce the eastern front; however, the 37th and 38th Mixed Landwehr Brigades were left behind to guard the northern coast and later transferred to the western front.

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1918  1st German Landwehr Division part of 9th German Army Reserve Corps and Army of the North

            Order of Battle 1918

            German Divisions underwent many changes during the war, with regiments moving from division to division, and some being destroyed and rebuilt. During the war, most divisions became triangular - one infantry brigade with three infantry regiments rather than two infantry brigades of two regiments (a square division). In the case of Landwehr divisions, the mixed Landwehr brigades were converted to regular infantry brigades before being triangularized and were often used to form new units. The 1st Landwehr Division's order of battle on 15 January 1918 was as follows:

            34th Landwehr Brigade

            • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 31
            • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 33
            • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 84
            • 3rd Squadron, Light Cavalry Regiment No. 12
            • Artillery Command 128
            • Field Artillery Regiment No. 96
            • Pioneer Battalion No. 401
            • 1st Ersatz Company, Pioneer Battalion 'Prinz Radziwill' (East Prussian) No. 1
            • 2nd Landwehr Pioneer Company/II Corps
            • Trench Mortar Company No. 301
            • Divisional Signals Command 501

            Historical Records


             Army Structure  German Army of the Bug

            The Army of the Bug (German: Bugarmee / Armeeoberkommando Bug / A.O.K. Bug) was an army level command of the German Army in World War I named for the Bug River. It was formed against Russia on 8 July 1915 and served exclusively on the Eastern Front. It was dissolved on 31 March 1918.

            History

            The Army of the Bug was formed on 8 July 1915 by renaming the previous South Army headquarters in Lemberg. After the commander, General der Infanterie Alexander von Linsingen, had been appointed to simultaneous command of Heeresgruppe Linsingen on 20 September 1915, the Army of the Bug was split into Armee-Gruppen that were under the direct command of the Heeresgruppe. At various times, these included

            • Armee-Gruppe Gronau (formerly XXXXI Reserve Corps) 20 September 1915, 18 September 1916 (then raised to the status of an Armee-Abteilung)
            • Armee-Gruppe Marwitz (formerly VI Corps) 15 June 1916, 22 August 1917
            • Armee-Gruppe Litzmann (formerly XXXX Reserve Corps) 28 July 1916, 28 January 1918

            The dissolution of the last of these on 28 January 1918 marked the end of the Army of the Bug as well.

            Commanders

            The Army of the Bug was commanded throughout its existence by General der Infanterie Alexander von Linsingen (previously commander of South Army). Linsingen was simultaneously commander of Heeresgruppe Linsingen from 20 September 1915 and remained its commander when the Army of the Bug was disbanded.

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1914  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 6th German Army.

            Divisional structure 1914

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Brigade
              • Body Infantry Regiment
              • 1st Bavarian Regiment
            • 2nd Bavarian Brigade
              • 2nd Bavarian Regiment
              • 16th Bavarian Regiment

            Cavalry

            8th Bavarian Light Cavalry

            Artillery

            • 1st Bavarian Artillery Brigade
            • 1st Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
            • 7th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 1st Field Company
            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 3rd Field Company

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1915  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

            Divisional structure 1915

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Regiment
            • 2nd Bavarian Brigade
              • 2nd Bavarian Regiment
              • 24th Bavarian Regiment

            Cavalry

            8th Bavarian Light Cavalry

            Artillery

            • 1st Bavarian Artillery Brigade
            • 1st Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
            • 7th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 1st Field Company
            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 3rd Field Company
            • 1st Bavarian Pontoon Engineers
            • 1st Bavarian Telephone Detachment

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1916  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

            Divisional structure 1916

            Infantry

            • 2nd Bavarian Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Regiment
              • 24th Bavarian Regiment

            Cavalry

            8th Bavarian Light Cavalry - 3 Squadrons

            Artillery

            • 1st Bavarian Artillery Brigade
            • 1st Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
            • 7th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 1st Field Company
            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 3rd Field Company
            • 1st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 1st Bavarian Pontoon Engineers
            • 1st Bavarian Telephone Detachment

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1917  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

            Divisional structure 1917

            Infantry

            • 2nd Bavarian Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Regiment
              • 24th Bavarian Regiment

            Cavalry

            • 8th Bavarian Light Cavalry - 2nd Squadron
            • 8th Bavarian Light Cavalry - 3rd Squadron

            Artillery

            • 1st Bavarian Artillery Command
            • 1st Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Pioneers Company
            • 3rd Bavarian Pioneers Company
            • 1st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 1st Bavarian Pontoon Engineers
            • 1st Bavarian Telephone Detachment
            • 1st Bavarian Searchlight Section

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 1st Bavarian Ambulance Company
            • Field Hospital
            • Veterinary Hospital

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1918  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

            Divisional structure 1918

            Infantry

            • 2nd Bavarian Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Regiment
              • 24th Bavarian Regiment

            Cavalry

            • 8th Bavarian Light Cavalry - 2nd Squadron

            Artillery

            • 1st Bavarian Artillery Command
            • 1st Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
            • 9th Bavarian Foot Artillery Regiment
            • 123rd Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
            • 146th Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
            • 158th Bavarian Light Ammunition Column

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Pioneers Battalion
            • 1st Bavarian Pioneers Company
            • 3rd Bavarian Pioneers Company
            • 1st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 1st Bavarian Signal Command
            • 1st Bavarian Telephone Detachment
            • 40th Wireless Detachment
            • 1st Bavarian Searchlight Section

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 1st Bavarian Ambulance Company
            • 3rd Bavarian Field Hospital
            • 4th Bavarian Field Hospital

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1914  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
            • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 12th Bavarian Reserve Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Bavarian Reserve Cavalry Regiment

            Artillery

            1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1915  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1915

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
            • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 12th Bavarian Reserve Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Bavarian Reserve Cavalry Regiment

            Artillery

            1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Engineering Battalion
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Telephone Detachment
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Pontoon Engineers

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1916  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1916

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Bavarian Reserve Cavalry Regiment

            Artillery

            1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 4th Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 201st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Telephone Detachment
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Pontoon Engineers

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1917  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1917

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment

            Cavalry

            3rd Squadron, 3rd Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

            Artillery

            • 13th Bavarian Artillery Command
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 17th Bavarian Engineering Battalion
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 17th Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 201st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 401st Bavarian Telephone Detachment
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Searchlight Section

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 15th Bavarian Ambulance Company
            • 45th Bavarian Field Hospital
            • 48th Bavarian Field Hospital
            • 49th Bavarian Field Hospital
            • Veterinary Hospital

            Transport

            750th Motor Transport Column

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1918  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment

            Cavalry

            3rd Squadron, 3rd Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

            Artillery

            • 13th Bavarian Artillery Command
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
            • 1st Abteilung, 1st Bavarian Foot Artillery Regiment (Staff, 1,2 and 4 Batteries)
            • 101st Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
            • 145th Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
            • 147th Bavarian Light Ammunition Column

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 17th Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 17th Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 201st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 18th Bavarian Reserve Searchlight Section
            • 401st Bavarian Signals Command
            • 401st Bavarian Telephone Detachment
            • 106th Bavarian Wireless Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 15th Bavarian Ambulance Company
            • 45th Bavarian Field Hospital
            • 48th Bavarian Field Hospital

            Transport

            750th Motor Transport Column

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1914  1st Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            Infantry

            • 13th Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Brigade
              • 8th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 10th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
            • 14th Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Brigade
              • 15th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 122nd Royal Wurttemberg Landwehr Infantry Regiment
            • 60th Landwehr Infantry Brigade
              • 60th Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 71st Thuringen Landwehr Infantry Regiment

            Cavalry

            • Cavalry Ersatz Abteilung -2nd Guards Uhlan Regiment
            • 1st Landwehr Squadron - 2nd Bavarian Army Corps

            Artillery

            • 2nd Ersatz Abteilung 22nd Westphalian Field Artillery Regiment
            • 1st Ersatz Abteilung 84th Strassburg Field Artillery Regiment
            • Landau Battery Royal Bavarian Landsturm

            Engineers and Liaison

            1st Landwehr Pioneer Company - Bavarian Army Corps

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1918  1st Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            • 5th Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Brigade
              • 4th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 6th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 7th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 6th Machinegun Sharpshooter Abteilung

            Cavalry

            3rd Squadron - 8th Royal Bavarian Chevalliers Regiment

            Artillery

            • 22nd Royal Bavarian Artillery Command
            • 1st Royal Bavarian Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 24th Royal Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
            • 1st Royal Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Company
            • 18th Royal Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 301st Royal Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 501st Royal Bavarian Communications Command

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1914  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            Infantry

              1st Naval Brigade 2nd Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Landwehr Squadron, 10th Command District

            Artillery

            • 1st Landwehr Field Artillery Detachment, 10th Command District
            • 2nd Landwehr Field Artillery Detachment, 10th Command District

            Unfortunately no breakdown of which brigade and Division at any given time during WW1, but units of the German Naval Corps - (all Divisions) served by the sea on the extreme west of the Western Front throughout the Great War.

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1915  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1915

            Infantry

              1st Naval Brigade 2nd Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Landwehr Squadron, 10th Command District

            Artillery

            • 1st Naval Artillery Brigade
            • 1st Naval Field Artillery Regiment
            • 2nd Naval Field Artillery Regiment
            • Torpedo-Matrosen Artillery Regiment

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1916  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1916

            Infantry

              1st Naval Brigade 2nd Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Landwehr Squadron, 10th Command District

            Artillery

            • 1st Naval Field Artillery Regiment
            • 2nd Naval Field Artillery Regiment
            • 3rd Naval Field Artillery Regiment
            • Torpedo-Matrosen Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Naval Pioneer Company
            • 2nd Naval Pioneer Company
            • 165th Trench Mortar Company

            Attached units

            124th Labour Battalion

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1917  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1917

            Infantry

            1st Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Cavalry

            4th Squadron, 6th Cuiraisier Regiment

            Artillery

            • 258th Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment
            • Torpedo-Matrosen Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Naval Pioneer Company
            • 2nd Naval Pioneer Company
            • 337th Pioneer Company
            • 165th Trench Mortar Company
            • Telephone Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • Ambulance Company
            • 1st Naval Field Hospital
            • Veterinary Hospital

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column

            Attached units

            41st Cyclist Company

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1918  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            1st Naval Brigade

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment

            Cavalry

            4th Squadron, 6th Cuirassier Regiment

            Artillery

            • Marine Field Artillery Regiment
            • 1st Matrosen Artillery Regiment
            • Marine Corps 1st Foot Artillery Ammunition Column
            • 2nd Light Ammunition Column of Marine Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Marine Pioneer Battalion
            • 1st Marine Pioneer Company
            • 4th Marine Pioneer Company
            • 1st Entrenching Company
            • 2nd Entrenching Company
            • 291st Marine Signal Command
            • 291st Marine Telephone Detachment
            • 291st Marine Wireless Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 1st Marine Ambulance Company
            • 1st Marine Field Hospital
            • Veterinary Hospital (Ostend)

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column

            Attached and Odd units

            • 1st Section Flanders Reconnaissance Flight
            • 2nd Section Flanders Reconnaissance Flight
            • 41st Cyclist Company

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1914  1st German Cavalry Division part of 1st Reserve Cavalry Corps and 8th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            • 1st Cavalry Brigade (from 1st Corps District)
              • 3rd (East Prussian) Cuirassiers (Count Wrangel)
              • 1st (Lithuanian) Dragoons (Prince Albrecht of Prussia)
            • 2nd Cavalry Brigade (from 1st Corps District)
              • 12th (Lithuanian) Uhlans
              • 9th Jäger zu Pferde
            • 41st Cavalry Brigade (from 20th Corps District)
              • 5th (West Prussian) Cuirassiers (Duke Frederick Eugene of Württemberg)
              • 4th (1st Pommeranian) Uhlans (von Schmidt)

            Horse Artillery

            Abteilung of the 1st (1st Lithuanian) Field Artillery (Prince August of Prussia)

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 5th Machine Gun Detachment
            • Pioneer Detachment
            • Signals Detachment
            • 17th Heavy Wireless Station
            • 7th Light Wireless Station
            • 14th Light Wireless Station

            Transport

            Cavalry Motorised Vehicle Column

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1918  1st German Cavalry Division part of 1st Reserve Cavalry Corps and 8th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            • 2nd Cavalry Brigade (from 1st Corps District)
              • 3rd (East Prussian) Cuirassiers (Count Wrangel)
              • 1st (Lithuanian) Dragoons (Prince Albrecht of Prussia)
              • 12th (Lithuanian) Uhlans

            Horse Artillery

            • Abteilung of the 1st (1st Lithuanian) Field Artillery (Prince August of Prussia)
            • Abteilung of the 35th (1st West Prussian) Field Artillery

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Pioneer Detachment
            • 347th Searchlight Section

            Medical and Veterinary

              70th Ambulance Company 66th Veterinary Hospital 142nd Veterinary Hospital

            Other Units

            • 152nd Cyclist Company
            • 153rd Cyclist Company
            • 159th Cyclist Company

            Historical Records


               Lynch Camp was situated at Kilworth, Cork, Ireland, halfway between Fermoy and Mitchelstown. The 14,000 acre training camp was purchased by the British military in the 1880's and the firing opened there in 1886. The site is still in use as a military training area.

             Divisional Structure 1915  2nd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1915

            Infantry

            • 3rd Naval Brigade
            • 4th Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1916  2nd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1916

            Infantry

            • 3rd Naval Brigade
            • 4th Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Artillery

            • Marine Field Artillery A Battery

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 3rd Naval Pioneer Company

            Attached units

            27th Labour Battalion

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1917  2nd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1917

            Infantry

            • 3rd Naval Brigade
            • 4th Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Artillery

            • 1st Marine Field Artillery Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Field Artillery Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 3rd Naval Pioneer Company
            • 4th Naval Pioneer Company
            • 377th Pioneer Company
            • Telephone Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • Ambulance Company
            • Field Hospital
            • Veterinary Hospital

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column

            Attached units

            Coast Defense Battalion

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1918  2nd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            3rd Marine Brigade

            • 3rd Marine Regiment
            • 4th Marine Regiment
            • 5th Marine Regiment

            Cavalry

            4th Squadron, 10th Hussar Regiment

            Artillery

            • 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 2nd Marine Pioneer Battalion
            • 2nd Marine Pioneer Company
            • 3rd Marine Pioneer Company
            • 3rd Entrenching Company
            • 4th Entrenching Company
            • 292nd Marine Signal Command
            • 292nd Marine Telephone Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 2nd Marine Ambulance Company
            • 3rd Marine Field Hospital
            • 4th Marine Field Hospital

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column

            Attached and Odd units

            • Coast Defense Battalion



             Divisional Structure 1917  2nd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1917

            Infantry

            4th Naval Brigade

            • 1st Marine Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Regiment

            Artillery

            • 9th Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Company Marine Pioneer Battalion
            • 2nd Company Marine Pioneer Battalion
            • 337th Pioneer Company
            • 165th Trench Mortar Company

            Attached units

            Coast Defense Battalion

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1918  3rd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            Marine Infantry Brigade

            • 1st Marine Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Regiment

            Cavalry

            3rd Squadron, 7th Hussar Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Matrosen Field Artillery Regiment
            • 925th Light Ammunition Column
            • 1234th Light Ammunition Column
            • 1292nd Light Ammunition Column

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 115th Pioneer Battalion
            • 1st Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 4th Marine Pioneer Company
            • 293rd Signal Command
            • 293rd Telephone Detachment
            • 68th Wireless Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 610th Ambulance Company
            • 2nd Marine Field Hospital
            • 390th Field Hospital
            • 569 Veterinary Hospital (Ostend)

            Transport

            679th Motor Transport Column

            Attached and Odd units

            • Coast Defense Battalion

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1914  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            Infantry

            • 3rd Guard Brigade
              • 1st Grenardier Regiment
              • 2nd Grenardier Regiment
            • 4th Guard Brigade
              • 3rd Grenardier Regiment
              • 4th Grenardier Regiment
            • 5th Guard Brigade
              • 5th Grenardier Regiment
              • 5th Foot Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Guard Artillery Brigade
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Regiment
            • 4th Guard Field Artillery Regiment

            Historical Records


            2015-01-29 HMS OTTER  

            HMS Otter in Hong Kong 1914

            HMS OTTER was an Avon-class, 3 funnel, 30 knot destroyer ordered under the 1895-6 Naval Estimates. She was built by Vickers at Barrow in Furness. Laid down 1896-06-09, launched 1896-11-23, and commissioned 1900-03-01. She displaced 355 tons standard, and was 214 feet long overall, beam 20feet, draught 8feet 5in. She had 4 x Thorneycroft water tube boilers and 2 x Vertical Triple Expansion turbines driving 2 shafts developing 6300shp. This gave her 30 knots top speed.

            Armamment was 1 x 3in QF 12 pdr gun, with 15rpm rate of fire and a max range of 11700 yds, 5 x 2.25in QF 6pdr guns with 25rpm rate of fire and a range of 4000yds. Complement was 63 officers and men.

            On commissioning she sailed for Hong Kong and served throughout her time on the China Station on typical anti-piracy, anti-smuggling patrols. She was refitted and her boilers re-tubed in 1902. In 1912 she was redesignated a C-class destroyer. She was paid off and sold for breaking up in Hong Kong on 1916-10-25.

             Divisional Structure 1915  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1915

            Infantry

            • 3rd Guard Brigade
              • 1st Grenardier Regiment
              • 2nd Grenardier Regiment
            • 4th Guard Brigade
              • 3rd Grenardier Regiment
              • 4th Grenardier Regiment

            Cavalry

            • 4th Guards Brigade
            • Body Guard Hussar Regiment
            • 2nd Guard Uhlan Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Guard Artillery Brigade
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Regiment
            • 4th Guard Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Guard Engineers Battalion
            • Field Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 2nd Guard Pontoon Engineers
            • 2nd Guard Telephone Detachment

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1916  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1916

            Infantry

            • 3rd Guard Brigade
              • 1st Grenardier Regiment
              • 2nd Grenardier Regiment
            • 4th Guard Brigade
              • 3rd Grenardier Regiment
              • 4th Grenardier Regiment

            Cavalry

            • Cavalry Regiment Schlotheim
            • 2nd Squadron, 2nd Guard Uhlan Regiment
            • 5th Squadron, 2nd Guard Uhlan Regiment
            • 1st Squadron, 9th Dragoon Regiment
            • Ersatz Squadron, 2nd Uhlan Regiment
            • Ersatz Squadron, 1st Horse Jäger Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Guard Artillery Brigade
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Regiment
            • 4th Guard Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Guard Engineers Battalion
            • 2nd Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 1st Company 28th Pioneer Battalion
            • 281st Pioneer Company
            • 2nd Guard Pontoon Engineers
            • 2nd Guard Telephone Detachment
            • 2nd Guard Trench Mortar Company

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1917  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1917

            Infantry

            • 3rd Guard Brigade
              • 1st Grenardier Regiment
              • 2nd Grenardier Regiment
              • 4th Grenardier Regiment

            Cavalry

            • 1st Squadron, 9th Dragoon Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Guard Artillery Command
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 102nd Engineers Battalion
            • 2nd Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 3rd Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 278th Searchlight Section
            • 281st Searchlight Section
            • 298th Searchlight Section
            • 2nd Guard Pontoon Engineers
            • 2nd Guard Telephone Detachment
            • 2nd Guard Trench Mortar Company

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 2nd Ambulance Company
            • 2nd Field Hospital
            • 3rd Field Hospital
            • 2nd Guard Veterinary Hospital

            Attached Units

            • 2nd Machine Gun Sharpshooter Detachment
            • 1st Abteilung 43 Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
            • 3rd Abteilung 43 Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
            • 1st Abteilung 16th Foot Artillery Regiment
            • 2nd Abteilung 11th Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
            • 10th Battery 13th Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
            • 190th Foot Battery
            • 9th Battery 12th Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment with Transport
            • 1st Battery 57th Landwehr Foot Artillery Regiment
            • 3rd Company 87th Labour Battalion
            • 1133rd Wireless Detachment (from 27th Division)
            • 289th Pigeon Loft
            • 3rd Balloon Section
            • 327th Ammunition Train
            • 191st Motor Transport Column
            • 216th Motor Transport Column
            • 853rd Motor Transport Column
            • 865th Motor Transport Column
            • 188th Depot Supply Train

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1918  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            • 3rd Guard Brigade
              • 1st Grenardier Regiment
              • 2nd Grenardier Regiment
              • 4th Grenardier Regiment

            Cavalry

            • 1st Squadron, Body Guard Hussar Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Guard Artillery Command
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Regiment
            • 3rd Abteilung, 3rd Foot Artillery Regiment (Staff,10,11 and 12 Batteries)
            • 535th Foot Artillery Battery
            • 965th Light Ammunition Column
            • 1385th Light Ammunition Column
            • 1386th Light Ammunition Column

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 102nd Pioneer Battalion
            • 2nd Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 3rd Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 211th Searchlight Section
            • 2nd Guard Signal Command
            • 2nd Guard Telephone Detachment
            • 73rd Wireless Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 2nd Ambulance Company
            • 2nd Field Hospital
            • 3rd Field Hospital
            • 2nd Guard Veterinary Hospital

            Historical Records


             Divisional History  2nd Guards Reserve Division part of 10th German Army Reserve Corps and German 2nd Army

            Divisional History

            The 2nd Guards Reserve Division (2. Garde-Reserve-Division) was a reserve infantry division of the Imperial German Army in World War I. Despite its name, it was not a reserve formation of the Prussian Guards like the 1st Guards Reserve Division. Instead, other than the 55th Reserve Infantry Regiment, which was raised by the 4th Guards Grenadiers, it was primarily made up of non-Guards reservists from Westphalia and Hanover. It was formed on mobilization in August 1914 as part of X Reserve Corps and dissolved in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after the Armistice.

            The division spent the entire war on the Western Front. It fought in the First Battle of the Marne in 1914, the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Battles of Arras and Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, and occupied various parts of the front throughout the war. It participated in the 1918 German Spring Offensive. It was rated by Allied intelligence as a second class division.

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1914  2nd Guards Reserve Division part of 10th German Army Reserve Corps and German 2nd Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            On mobilization in August 1914, reserve infantry regiments from Westphalia and Hannover, as well as smaller German states adjoining these Prussian provinces, were called up and formed the core of the 2nd Guards Reserve Division. They were joined by artillery, cavalry, and engineer units also from various parts of Germany. The 2nd Guards Reserve Division's initial wartime organization was as follows:

            Infantry

            • 26th Reserve Infantry Brigade
              • 15th Westfälisches Reserve Infantry Regiment
              • 55th Westfälisches Reserve Infantry Regiment
            • 38th Reserve Infantry Brigade
              • 77th Hannoversches Reserve Infantry Regiment
              • 91st Hannoversches Reserve Infantry Regiment
              • 10th Hannoversches Reserve Jäger Battalion

            Cavalry

            2nd Reserve Uhlan Regiment

            Artillery

            20th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            10th Battalion 4th Hannoversches Pioneers

            Historical Records


             Divisional History  2nd German Cavalry Division part of 2nd Cavalry Corps which preceded 1st and 2nd German Armies.

            Divisional History

            The 2nd Cavalry Division (2. Kavallerie-Division) was a unit of the German Army in World War I. The division was formed on the mobilization of the German Army in August 1914. The division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I.

            It was initially assigned to II Cavalry Corps, which preceded the 1st and 2nd Armies on the Western Front. On 12 November 1914, it was transferred to Russia and then to Romania on 25 November 1916, returning to the West in December 1916. It served as a Frontier Guard on the Dutch border from 26 February 1917 to 10 September 1917; then it was again transferred to Russia and finally to the Ukraine in March 1918.

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1914  2nd German Cavalry Division part of 2nd Cavalry Corps wnich preceeded 1st and 2nd German Armies.

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            Cavalry

            • 5th Cavalry Brigade (from III Corps District)
              • 2nd (1st Brandenburg) Dragoons
              • 3rd (1st Brandenburg) Uhlans (Emperor Alexander II of Russia)
            • 8th Cavalry Brigade (from IV Corps District)
              • 7th (Magdeburg) Cuirassiers (von Seydlitz)
              • 12th (Thuringian) Hussars
            • Leib Hussar Brigade (from XVII Corps District)
              • 1st Life Hussars (Totenkopf)
              • 2nd Life Hussars (Queen Victoria of Prussia)

            Artillery

            Horse Artillery Abteilung of the 35th (1st West Prussian) Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 4th Machine Gun Detachment
            • Pioneer Detachment
            • 1st Signals Detachment Heavy Wireless Station
            • 5th Light Wireless Station
            • 6th Light Wireless Station

            Transport

            Cavalry Motorised Vehicle Column 2

            Historical Records


             Divisional Structure 1918  2nd German Cavalry Division part of 2nd Cavalry Corps which preceded 1st and 2nd German Armies.

            Divisional Structure 1918

            From August 1916, the Division was significantly restructured.

            • Leib Hussar Brigade became independent on 20 August 1916
            • 5th Cavalry Brigade became independent on 8 August 1916
            • 8th Cavalry brigade was transferred to 1st Cavalry Division on 25 July 1916
            • 22nd Cavalry Brigade joined on 13 August 1916 from 3rd Cavalry Division
            • 25th Cavalry Brigade joined on 23 September 1916 also from 3rd Cavalry Division
            • 7th Bavarian Cavalry Brigade "Siebenburgische" joined (previously independent) and left again on 18 February 1918

            The organisation in 1918

            • 22nd Cavalry Brigade (11th Corps District)
              • 5th (Rhenish) Dragoons "Baron Manteuffel"
              • 14th (2nd Kurhessian) Hussars "Landgrave Frederick II of Hesse-Homburg"
            • 25th Cavalry Brigade (18th Corps District)
              • 23rd Guards Dragoons (1st Grand Ducal Hessian)
              • 24th Life Dragoons (2nd Grand Ducal Hessian)
            • 7th Bavarian Cavalry Brigade "Siebenburgische"
              • 4th Royal Bavarian Chevau-légers "King"
              • 5th Royal Bavarian Chevau-légers "Archduke Albrecht of Austria"

              Artillery

              Horse Artillery Abteilung of the 15th (1st Upper Alsatian) Field Artillery Regiment

              Engineers and Liaison

              • 2nd Pioneer Detachment
              • 7th Cavalry Pioneer Detachment
              • 200th Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
              • 2nd Machine Gun Detachment
              • 3rd Machine Gun Detachment

              Medical and Veterinary

              21st Ambulance Company

              Attached units

              • 4th Jager Battalion
              • 1st Cyclist Company, 3rd Jager Battalion
              • 2nd Cyclist Company, 3rd Jager Battalion

              Historical Records


               Divisional Structure 1914  2nd German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

              Divisional Structure in 1914

              Infantry

              • 3rd Infantry Brigade
                • 4th Grenadier Regiment
                • 44th Infantry Regiment
              • 4th Infantry Brigade
                • 33rd Fusilier Regiment
                • 45th Infantry Regiment

              Cavalry

              10th Horse Jäger Regiment

              Artillery

              2nd Artillery Brigade

              • 1st Field Artillery Regiment
              • 37th Field Artillery Regiment

              Historical Records


               Divisional Structure 1915  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

              Divisional Structure in 1915

              Infantry

              • 3rd Infantry Brigade
                • 4th Grenadier Regiment
                • 44th Infantry Regiment
              • 4th Infantry Brigade
                • 33rd Fusilier Regiment
                • 45th Infantry Regiment

              Cavalry

              10th Horse Jäger Regiment

              Artillery

              2nd Artillery Brigade

              • 1st Field Artillery Regiment
              • 37th Field Artillery Regiment

              Engineers and Liaison

              • 1st Pioneer Battalion
              • 1st Field Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Pontoon Engineers
              • 2nd Telephone Detachment

              Historical Records


               Divisional Structure 1916  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

              Divisional Structure in 1916

              Infantry

              • 3rd Infantry Brigade
                • 4th Grenadier Regiment
                • 44th Infantry Regiment
                • 33rd Fusilier Regiment
                • 3rd Landsturm Regiment

              Cavalry

              10th Horse Jäger Regiment

              Artillery

              2nd Artillery Brigade

              • 1st Field Artillery Regiment
              • 37th Field Artillery Regiment

              Engineers and Liaison

              • 1st Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Field Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Trench Mortar Company
              • 2nd Pontoon Engineers
              • 2nd Telephone Detachment



               Divisional Structure 1916  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

              Divisional Structure in 1917

              Infantry

              • 3rd Infantry Brigade
                • 4th Grenadier Regiment
                • 44th Infantry Regiment
                • 33rd Fusilier Regiment

              Cavalry

              10th Horse Jäger Regiment, 2nd Squadron

              Artillery

              2nd Artillery Command

              • 1st Field Artillery Regiment

              Engineers and Liaison

              • 1st Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 4th Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Trench Mortar Company
              • 2nd Searchlight Section
              • 2nd Telephone Detachment

              Medical and Veterinary

              • 5th Ambulance Company
              • 11th Field Hospital
              • 12th Field Hospital
              • 195th Veterinary Hospital

              Transport

              535 Motor Transport Column

              Attached

              • 150th Bavarian Anti-Aircraft Section
              • Cyclist Detachment - 2nd Landsturm Battalion.

              Historical Records


               Divisional Structure 1918  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

              Divisional Structure in 1918

              Infantry

              • 3rd Infantry Brigade
                • 4th Grenadier Regiment
                • 44th Infantry Regiment
                • 33rd Fusilier Regiment

              Cavalry

              10th Horse Jäger Regiment, 2nd Squadron

              Artillery

              2nd Artillery Command

              • 1st Field Artillery Regiment
              • 4th Abteilung 6th Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
              • 872 Light Ammunition Column
              • 1364 Light Ammunition Column
              • 1392 Light Ammunition Column

              Engineers and Liaison

              • 1st Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 4th Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Trench Mortar Company
              • 4th Searchlight Section
              • 2nd Telephone Detachment
              • 159th Wireless Detachment

              Medical and Veterinary

              • 5th Ambulance Company
              • 11th Field Hospital
              • 12th Field Hospital
              • 195th Veterinary Hospital

              Transport

              535 Motor Transport Column

              Attached

              Historical Records


               Divisional Structure 1917  2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 8th Army

              Divisional Structure 1917

              Infantry

              9th Bavarian Landwehr Brigade

              • 2nd Landwehr Bavarian Regiment
              • 5th Landwehr Bavarian Regiment
              • 10th Landwehr Bavarian Regiment

              Cavalry

              5th Squadron, 4th Bavarian Light Cavalry

              Artillery Command

              • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment
              • 811 Field Artillery Battery
              • 905 Field Artillery Battery

              Engineers and Liaisons

              • 25th Bavarian Engineers Battalion
              • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Company
              • 3rd Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Company
              • 502 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
              • 502 Telephone Detachment

              Medical and Veterinary

              • 24th Bavarian Ambulance Company
              • 17th Bavarian Field Hospital
              • 63rd Bavarian Field Hospital
              • 32nd Veterinary Hospital

              Transport

              Motor Transport Column

              Attached

              156th Labour Battalion.

              Historical Records


               Divisional Structure 1918  2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 8th Army

              Later (1918) part of 66th Corps(zbV) and 19th Army (zbV = zur besonderen Vervendung) (for special use)

              Divisional Structure 1918

              Infantry

              9th Bavarian Landwehr Brigade

              • 2nd Landwehr Bavarian Regiment
              • 5th Landwehr Bavarian Regiment
              • 10th Landwehr Bavarian Regiment

              Cavalry

              3rd Squadron, 1st Bavarian Reserve Cavalry Regiment

              Artillery Command

              • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment

              Engineers and Liaisons

              • 25th Bavarian Engineers Battalion
              • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Company
              • 3rd Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Company
              • 12 Bavarian Searchlight Section
              • 502 Telephone Detachment
              • 502 Signals Command

              Medical and Veterinary

              • 24th Bavarian Ambulance Company
              • 17th Bavarian Field Hospital
              • 63rd Bavarian Field Hospital

              Historical Records


               Divisional Structure 1914 and 1915  2nd Landwehr Division part of 5th German Army

              Divisional Structure in 1914 and 1915

              Infantry

              • 53 Mixed Landwehr Brigade
                • 124 Landwehr Regiment
                • 125 Landwehr Regiment
              • 9th Bavarian Mixed Landwehr Brigade
                • 6th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment
                • 7th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment

                Cavalry

                3rd Landwehr Squadron, 13th Cavalry District.

                Artillery

                1st Landwehr Battery, Landsturm Battalion (13th Cavalry District).

                Historical Records


                 Divisional Structure 1916  2nd Landwehr Division part of 5th German Army

                Divisional Structure in 1916

                Infantry

                • 53 Mixed Landwehr Brigade
                  • 124 Landwehr Regiment
                  • 125 Landwehr Regiment
                  • 120 Landwehr Regiment
                  • 122 Landwehr Regiment
                  • 6th Reserve Jäger Battalion

                  Cavalry

                  • 3rd Landwehr Squadron, 13th Cavalry District.
                  • 3rd Landsturm Squadron, 13th Cavalry District.

                  Artillery

                  2nd Landwehr Regiment.

                  Engineers and Liaison

                  • 6th Company, 13th Pioneers
                  • 3rd Company, 18th Pioneers
                  • 302nd Trench Mortar Company

                  Historical Records


                   Divisional Structure 1917  2nd Landwehr Division part of 5th German Army

                  Divisional Structure in 1917

                  Infantry

                  • 54 Landwehr Brigade
                    • 120 Landwehr Regiment
                    • 122 Landwehr Regiment
                    • 125 Landwehr Regiment

                  Cavalry

                  • 3rd Landwehr Squadron, 13th Cavalry District.
                  • 4th Squadron, 20th Uhlan Regiment.

                  Artillery

                  • 142nd Artillery Command
                  • 2nd Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment

                  Engineers and Liaisons

                  • 402 Engineering Battalion
                  • 1st Landwehr Company 13th Pioneers
                  • 5th Landwehr Company 13th Pioneers
                  • 302 Trench Mortar Company
                  • 299 Searchlight Section
                  • 502 Telephone Detachment

                  Medical and Veterinary

                  • 572 Ambulance Company
                  • 254 Field Hospital
                  • 25 Landwehr Field Hospital
                  • 502 Veterinary Hospital

                    Transport

                    772 Motor Transport Column

                    Historical Records


                     Divisional Structure 1918  2nd Landwehr Division part of 5th German Army

                    Divisional Structure in 1918

                    Infantry

                    • 54 Landwehr Brigade
                      • 120 Landwehr Regiment
                      • 122 Landwehr Regiment
                      • 125 Landwehr Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    • 3rd Landwehr Squadron, 13th Cavalry District.
                    • 4th Squadron, 20th Uhlan Regiment.

                    Artillery

                    • 142nd Artillery Command
                    • 2nd Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaisons

                    • 402 Engineering Battalion
                    • 1st Landwehr Company 13th Pioneers
                    • 5th Landwehr Company 13th Pioneers
                    • 302 Trench Mortar Company
                    • 224 Searchlight Section
                    • 502 Signal Command
                    • 502 Telephone Detachment
                    • 176 Wireless Detachment

                    Medical and Veterinary

                    • 572 Ambulance Company
                    • 254 Field Hospital
                    • 25 Landwehr Field Hospital
                    • 502 Veterinary Hospital

                    Transport

                    772 Motor Transport Column

                    Historical Records


                     Divisional Structure 1914  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                    Divisional structure in 1914.

                    Infantry

                    • 3rd Bavarian Brigade
                      • 3rd Bavarian Regiment
                      • 20th Bavarian Regiment
                    • 4th Bavarian Brigade
                      • 12th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 15th Bavarian Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    4th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 2nd Bavarian Artillery Brigade
                    • 4th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 9th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaison

                    2nd Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion

                    Historical Records


                     Divisional Structure 1915  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                    Divisional structure in 1915.

                    Infantry

                    • 3rd Bavarian Brigade
                      • 3rd Bavarian Regiment
                      • 20th Bavarian Regiment
                    • 4th Bavarian Brigade
                      • 12th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 15th Bavarian Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    4th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 2nd Bavarian Artillery Brigade
                    • 4th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 9th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaison

                    • 2nd Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                    • 2nd Bavarian Pontoon Engineers
                    • 2nd Bavarian Telephone Detachment

                    Historical Records


                     Divisional Structure 1916  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                    Divisional structure in 1916.

                    Infantry

                    • 4th Bavarian Brigade
                      • 12th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 15th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 20th Bavarian Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    3 Squadrons, 4th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 2nd Bavarian Artillery Brigade
                    • 2nd Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 9th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaison

                    • 2nd Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                    • 4th Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                    • 2nd Reserve Company, 19th Pioneers
                    • 2nd Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
                    • 2nd Bavarian Pontoon Engineers
                    • 2nd Bavarian Telephone Detachment

                    Historical Records


                     Divisional Structure 1917  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                    Divisional structure in 1917.

                    Infantry

                    • 4th Bavarian Brigade
                      • 12th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 15th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 20th Bavarian Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    2 and 3 Squadrons, 8th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 2nd Bavarian Artillery Command
                    • 9th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaison

                    • 2nd Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                    • 4th Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                    • 2nd Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
                    • 2nd Bavarian Telephone Detachment

                    Medical and Veterinary

                    • 2nd Bavarian Ambulance Company
                    • 6th Bavarian Field Hospital
                    • Veterinary Hospital

                    Transport

                    682 Motor Transport Column

                    Historical Records


                     Divisional Structure 1918  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                    Divisional structure in 1918.

                    Infantry

                    • 4th Bavarian Brigade
                      • 12th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 15th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 20th Bavarian Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    3 Squadrons, 8th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 2nd Bavarian Artillery Command
                    • 9th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 1st Abteilung, 3rd Bavarian Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
                    • 151 Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
                    • 153 Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
                    • 160 Bavarian Light Ammunition Column

                    Engineers and Liaison

                    • 7th Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                      • 2nd Bavarian Pioneer Company
                      • 4th Bavarian Pioneer Company
                      • 2nd Bavarian Trench Mortar Company

                    2nd Bavarian Signal Command

                    • 2nd Bavarian Telephone Detachment
                    • 107th Wireless Detachment

                    Medical and Veterinary

                    • 2nd Bavarian Ambulance Company
                    • 6th Bavarian Field Hospital
                    • 8th Bavarian Field Hospital

                    Transport

                    682 Motor Transport Column

                    Historical Records


                     Divisional Structure 1916  3rd German Guards Division part of Guards Reserve Corps and 2nd German Army

                    Divisional Structure in 1916

                    Infantry

                    • 6th Guard Brigade
                      • Guard Fusiliers
                      • Landwehr Regiment
                      • 9th Grenadier Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    Guard Reserve Uhlan Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 5th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 6th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • (formed of the Juterbog Instruction Regiment)

                    Engineers and Liaisons

                    • Pioneer Company
                    • 3rd Guard Trench Mortar Company
                    • 3rd Guard Pontoon Engineers
                    • 3rd Guard Telephone Detachment

                    Attached

                    75th Anti-Aircraft Section

                    Historical Records


                     Divisional Structure 1914  3rd German Guards Division part of Guards Reserve Corps and 2nd German Army

                    Divisional Structure in 1914: Organised in August 1914 with elements taken from 1st and 2nd Guard Divisions.

                    Infantry

                    • 5th Guard Brigade
                      • 5th Foot Regiment
                      • 5th Grenadier Regiment
                    • 6th Guard Brigade
                      • Guard Fusiliers
                      • Landwehr Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    Guard Reserve Uhlan Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 5th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 6th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • (formed of the Juterbog Instruction Regiment)

                    Historical Records


                     Divisional Structure 1915  3rd German Guards Division part of Guards Reserve Corps and 2nd German Army

                    Divisional Structure in 1915

                    Infantry

                    • 5th Guard Brigade
                      • 5th Foot Regiment
                      • 5th Grenadier Regiment
                    • 6th Guard Brigade
                      • Guard Fusiliers
                      • Landwehr Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    Guard Reserve Uhlan Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 5th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 6th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • (formed of the Juterbog Instruction Regiment)

                    Engineers and Liaisons

                    • Pioneer Company
                    • 3rd Guard Pontoon Engineers
                    • 3rd Guard Telephone Detachment

                    Historical Records


                     Divisional Structure 1917  3rd German Guards Division part of Guards Reserve Corps and 2nd German Army

                    Divisional Structure in 1917

                    Infantry

                    • 6th Guard Brigade
                      • Guard Fusiliers
                      • Landwehr Regiment
                      • 9th Grenadier Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    • 3rd Squadron Guard Reserve Uhlan Regiment
                    • 1st Squadron 2nd Guard Dragoon Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • Artillery Command
                    • 5th Guard Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaisons

                    • 104th Pioneer Battalion
                    • 1st Company, 28th Pioneers
                    • 274th Pioneer Company
                    • 3rd Guard Trench Mortar Company
                    • 280th Searchlight Section
                    • 3rd Guard Telephone Detachment
                    • 55th Telephone Detachment

                    Medical and Veterinary

                    • 7th Ambulance Company
                    • 265th Ambulance Company
                    • 393rd Ambulance Company
                    • 35th Field Hospital
                    • 3rd Guards Veterinary Hospital

                    Transport

                    Motor Transport Column

                    Attached

                    75th Anti-Aircraft Section

                    Historical Records


                       16th General Hospital was situated at Le Treport on the coast of France.

                       The Grange Auxiliary Hospital opened on 30th January 1915 in a house lent by a Mrs Vivian Brettell, on the slopes of St Ann's Hill, a 20-minute walk away from Chertsey. It was large and comfortable with pleasant grounds, mature shady trees, and tennis and croquet lawns. The Hospital opened with 10 beds and received overflow patients from St George's Hill Auxiliary Hospital. By the end of March 1915 the beds were all occupied and soon increased to 20, then 25 beds, and the Hospital became affiliated to the Tooting Military Hospital. The nursing staff consisted of a Sister-in-charge and members of the Surrey 82nd, 96th and 122nd Voluntary Aid Detachments.

                    By 1917 the Hospital had 30 beds for wounded servicemen, who usually stayed for about two weeks, receiving general treatment and massage (physiotherapy). The nursing staff included a Matron and 2 resident V.A.D. nurses.

                    The Hospital closed on 23rd January 1919. During its operational lifetime, some 1,038 patients had been treated. The expenses of the Hospital, beyond the military grant, had been borne entirely locally, and included gifts of vegetables, fruit, flowers, cakes, etc.

                    Since 1965 the building has been a nursing home - the Grange Retirement Home.

                       Peter Meadows and Edward Waterson in Lost houses of County Durham describe Cocken Hall as "a little known house in a fine setting beside the River Wear". The core of the house appears to have been 17th century with later additions. The site was better known for its ornamental gardens and picturesque prospects in the late 18th century but seems to have hit hard times in the early 19th century. In 1802 the collection of pictures had been removed, some of the woods had been cut down and the place was no longer "one of the shew places of Durham". It seems to have been reduced in size as some point. In 1804 the house was occupied by a community of nuns who had been expelled from Belgium. They remained until 1830 when the establishment of Cocken Pit to the east made a quiet and contemplative life impossible. Later tenants included John Gully 1783-1863, a remarkable character who started out as a prize fighter and became a Member of Parliament.

                    The property seems to have come into the ownership of the Earls of Durham in the 1870s although more research is required on this subject. A set of sale particulars survives from the 1870s which give a valuable insight into the layout of the house. The ground floor consisted of an entrance hall, large drawing room, music room, dining room, smoke room and a W.C., a bedroom and butler’s pantry, housekeeper’s room, still room, large ale and wine cellar, a kitchen, scullery, servants’ hall, shoe house, wash house, laundry, bake house, stick house and larder with one wing not in use but formerly used as a chapel. The yard had a dairy, apple room, coal house, ash pit and other "conveniences". The first floor contained the Maple room and dressing room, a large billiard room, Green room and dressing room, lobby and W.C. with three bedrooms down a passage, two in the clock square and four servant’s bedrooms. The second floor had two large bedrooms with a south and west view and a W.C., a nursery and two bedrooms. There were cottages at the hall for the gamekeeper, butler, gardener, coachman and cowman with a detached cottage for the woodman. The stables comprised seven stalls and a loose box, a coach house and harness room with a hay loft and granary above. Also three stalls for cart horses, two coach houses, dog kennels, cart shed, pony stable, gun room, two cow houses, pot houses and a joiner’s shop. Interesting though this information is no detailed plan of the house is known so it is impossible to locate most of these rooms precisely.

                    The house was occupied by a number of tenants up to 1908 when some renovation was undertaken for a new tenant who died before he could take up residence. It was not re-let for some reason and was only occupied by a caretaker who in spring 1914 discovered a very inept attempt by suffragettes to set fire to the place.

                    AlastairFraser NML Project Info


                       When war broke out in August 1914 3rd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment were at Pontefract. They were a depot and training unit, they moved on mobilisation to Cleadon and in January 1915 moved to Sunderland. In August 1915 they moved to Durham and returned to Sunderland in February 1916 as part of the Tyne Garrison.

                       The first battalion to arrive at Cocken Hall was the 18th DLI in September 1914. In May 1915 the camp became home to 19th DLI and later in the year the training camp was taken over by 3rd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.

                       Phalempim Aerodrome is situated on a farm on the D62 in Phalempin, just south of Lille in France, only the bomb store remains of the WW1 buildings. It was home to Jasta 30.

                       Roucourt Aerodrome, to the east of Arras was constructed in the grounds of Roucourt CVhaeteau, which is privately owned and not accessible to visitors. Roucourt was home to Jasta 11 and Jasta 12, responsible for much destruction during "Bloddy April" 1917.

                       Chocques Aerodrome was situated next to the Chateau de Werppe, to the west of Bethune in France. Initially the aerodrome was named Gonneham. It was home to 3 Squadron RFC who arrived on the 24th of November 1914 and the Portuguese Flying Corps who flew with 10 Squadron from January 1917.

                       Hesdigneul Aerodrome was home to No 2 Squadron RFC from the 30th of June 1915 to June 1918. The airfield is situated to the south west of Bethune and now lies beneath houses and a sports ground.

                       Bruay Aerodrome situated in Bruay to the south west of Bethune in France was at various times home to 3, 16, 18, 23, 35, 40, 46 and 54 Squadrons RFC as well as No 4 Australian Squadron. Today little remains of the airfield with the Stade-Prac Municiple Roger Salengers now occupying the site.

                       Mont-St-Eloi Aerodrome was situated close to the ruined abbey in Mont-St-Eloi, just north of Arras. It was home to No 3 and no 8 Naval Squadrons of the Royal Naval Air Service.

                       Le Hameau Aerodrome, to the north west of Arras was home to two airfields. At the eastern end fighter squadrons flew from Filescamp Farm and at the western end, sometimes known as Izel-les-Hameaux, two seaters were based.

                       Avesnes-le-Comte Aerodrome to the north west of Arras was home to 12 Squadron from March 1916 to May 1917 and No 43 Squadron from March to June 1918.

                       Auxi-le-Chateau Aerodrome to the north west of Doullens, was opened in April 1918 when the RFC had to abandon some of its forward airfields as the Germans advanced. It was home to No 8 and No 52 Squadrons.

                       La Bellevue Aerodrome to the east of Doullens opened in February 1916 and was at various times until May 1919, home to 2, 8, 11, 32, 35, 49, 59, 60, 62, 73 and 80 Squadrons.

                       The Arras Offensive

                    The First Battle of the Scarpe

                    As early as January 1917, the Division received notice that it would take part in an offensive at Arras. It moved to the front in that sector on 14 January. It did not leave other than for periods of rest until towards the end of 1917. The position held at Arras was not affected by the German withdrawal from the Somme to the Hindenburg Line in March.

                    The task of the Division, now part of VI Corps, in the Arras attack was to capture the enemy's "Black Line" (forward position) then go on to the "Brown Line" (the Wancourt-Feuchy trench including the strong point at Feuchy Chapel). The artillery bombardment opened on 4 April 1917 and the infantry - many of whom had been able to approach the front line in the long tunnels and subways reaching out from Arras itself - advanced behind a creeping barrage on 9 April. Resistance was rapidly overcome; fine counter-battery work had stifled the German guns. The leading troops quickly captured the Black Line, but German fire increased as successive waves came through to advance on the Feuchy Switch trench, notably from Observation Ridge. In places, the German soldiers were seen retreating at a run and by noon, 37th Division had pushed through with orders to capture Monchy le Preux. The 12th Division remained in position, as snow and sleet fell.

                    On the night 11-12 April, 36th and 37th Brigades moved up and relieved units of of 8th Cavalry Brigade east of Monchy. Next day, 29th Division relieved 12th Division, whereupon the units moved back to the area between Arras and Doullens. The attack had been highly successful, making an advance on the Divisional front of some 4000 yards for a total of 2018 casualties.

                    The Battle of Arleux

                    After a ten day rest the Division re-entered the Arras battlefield, 37th Brigade going into the forward positions between the north east of Monchy and the River Scarpe. On 28 April, formations north of 12th Division undertook an operation to capture Roeux. 35th Brigade took part and attacked Rifle and Bayonet Trench but owing to heavy enemy shellfire and machine guns firing from Roeux - which was not captured - fell back to its start point.

                    The Third Battle of the Scarpe

                    This action included the Division's role in the capture of Roeux. A larger effort - including the British Fifth, Third and First Armies - took place on 3 May 1917, with an artillery bombardment that began two days earlier. 12th Division's role was to make an advance of some 2500 yards, including the capture of Pelves on the left flank. A preliminary attack on the left by 36th Brigade in the early hours of 2 May, including a gas barrage fired by Livens projectors, was not entirely successful but apparently caused considerable casualties to the enemy. The main attack was of mixed fortune, although 7th Royal Sussex reached the objective and then beat off determined counter attacks. Once again, German shellfire was the primary cause of problems and and heavy machine gun fire from Roeux caused many casualties. Shellfire was heavy over the next few days and the uncertain position of the advanced troops in Devil's Trench meant that British artillery was cautious in replying on German trenches. The Division was relieved on 16 May and moved to the area of Le Cauroy, having suffered a total of 141 officers and 3380 other ranks casualties since 25 April 1917.

                    Between 17 May and 19 October 1917, the Division held positions east of Monchy le Preux, mounting several raids and small scale attacks and beating off some made against them, notably in the area of Hook Trench - Pick Avenue - Tites Copse. Much manual work took place, for the position held in May was of shell holes and disconnected parts of trenches, with few dugouts and no communications. When out of the line, units took part in training at Beaurains, where a scale model of the area occupied had been built for the purposes of instruction. A very successful major raid was carried out on 14 October. Five days later the Division was relieved by 4th Division, and returned to La Cauroy. (It should be noted that in holding the Arras front for as long as it did, 12th Division did not take part in the Third Battle of Ypres).

                    The Cambrai operations

                    Divisional HQ moved to Hesdin on 30 October, preparatory to a move to the Cambrai front. Commander in Chief Sir Douglas Haig watched a rehearsal attack carried out by 6th Buffs and 7th East Surrey on 13 November. Next day, a gradual move to the Heudecourt - Vaucelette Farm area began, where the Division went into III Corps for the offensive. It was the right-most formation of the attacking force.

                    The special role of 12th Division in the attack of 20 November 1917 was to capture its first objective and then form a defensive flank to the south east, keeping in touch with 55th (West Lancashire) Division which was not attacking. Advancing from Gonnelieu, the Division moved forward through Sonnet and Pam Pam Farms, Bonavis and Lateau Wood, and dug in a defensive flank to allow the cavalry to pass unrestricted, as ordered. On the extreme right of the attack, the 7th Royal Sussex got into Banteux, which had been subjected to gas attack from Livens projectors.The next three days were spent in consolidating as the centre of the battle moved to the north. On 24 November a local operation to move the line to Quarry Post - Bleak Quarry - to gain command of a better line of observation - was carried out by 35th and 36th Brigades, which met with mixed success.

                    By 29 November it had become apparent that the enemy was assembling a force in the area of Villers Guislain, south of 12th Division in area of 55th. Warning orders were issued: just in time, for on 30 November at 6.45am, heavy shellfire began to fall and by 7.45am Divisional HQ was already out of touch with its forward units. The failure of the 24 November attack now became apparent as the enemy had invisibly assembled a considerable attacking force in the canal valley. A hard and confused fight followed as the German infantry advanced, the Division falling back across the recently won ground. By the end of the day the line had held at La Vacquerie. Further German efforts on 1 December were largely held off, although by now losses to some units had been as high as 50% of the strength they had before the counter attack. Relieved on 3-4 December, the Division - excluding its artillery which stayed a while longer - moved to Albert and from there moved by train to Aire, with billets at nearby Thiennes and Berguette.

                       E30 was built by Armstrong Whitworth, Newcastle upon Tyne. She was laid down on 29 June 1914 and was commissioned in November 1915. E30 was mined off Orfordness, Suffolk in the North Sea on 22 December 1916. There were no survivors from her compliment of 30.

                       Q-Ship HMS Prize was a topsail schooner of 200 tons, under command of Lieutenant William Edward Sanders, R.N.R. She sighted an enemy submarine on the 30th April, 1917. The enemy opened fire at three miles range and approached slowly astern. The panic party, in the charge of Skipper William Henry Brewer, R.N.R. (Trawler Section), immediately abandoned ship. The ship's head was put into the wind, and the guns' crews concealed themselves by lying face downwards on the deck. The enemy continued deliberately shelling the schooner, inflicting severe damage and wounding a number of men. For 20 minutes she continued to approach, firing as she came, but at length, apparently satisfied that no one remained an board, she drew out on the schooner's quarter 70 yards away. The white ensign was immediately hoisted, the screens dropped, and all guns opened fire. A shell struck the foremost gun of the submarine, blowing it to atoms and annihilating the crew. Another shot demolished the conning tower, and at the same time a Lewis gun raked the survivors off the submarine's deck. She sank four minutes after the commencement of the action in clouds of smoke, the glare of an internal fire being visible through the rents in her hull. The captain of the submarine, a warrant-officer and one man were picked up and brought on board the Prize, which was then herself sinking fast. Captors and prisoners, however, succeeded in plugging the shot holes and keeping the water, under with the pumps. The "Prize" then set sail for the land, 120 miles distant. They were finally picked up two days later by a motor-launch and towed the remaining five miles into harbour.

                    This submarine U93 did not sink and managed to return to base. As a result the actions of this Q ship were known to the Germans and she was sunk on the 13th August by U48. The sinking was witnessed by British submarine D8 which was working with HMS Prize at the time.

                       HMS Amphion was a Royal Navy Light Cruiser which was mined and sunk in the North Sea on the 6th August 1914. Around 150 British sailors were killed in the sinking, as well as 18 of the crew rescued from Königin Luise ( The German minelayer which had just laid the minefield and was pursued and sunk by two British Destroyers).

                       HMS Indefatigable was a battlecruiser of the Royal Navy and the lead ship of her class. Her keel was laid down in 1909 and she was commissioned in 1911. She was an enlarged version of the earlier Invincible class with a revised protection scheme and additional length amidships to allow her two middle turrets to fire on either broadside.

                    When the First World War began, Indefatigable was serving with the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron (BCS) in the Mediterranean, where she was unsuccessful in the pursuit of the battlecruiser Goeben and the light cruiser Breslau as they fled towards the Ottoman Empire. The ship bombarded Ottoman fortifications defending the Dardanelles on 3 November 1914, then, following a refit in Malta, returned to the United Kingdom in February where she rejoined the 2nd BCS. Indefatigable was sunk on 31 May 1916 during the Battle of Jutland. Part of Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet, she was hit several times in the first minutes of the "Run to the South", the opening phase of the battlecruiser action. Shells from the German battlecruiser Von der Tann caused an explosion ripping a hole in her hull, and a second explosion hurled large pieces of the ship 200 feet (60 m) in the air. Only two of the crew of 1,019 survived.

                    HMS Indefatigable World War 1 Service includes:

                    • 2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron as Flagship of the British Mediterranean Fleet.
                    • August 1914 spent unsuccessfully hunting SMS Goeben and Breslau.
                    • 18 August became flagship of Dardanelles squadron.
                    • 3 November 1914 bombarded Dardanelles forts.
                    • 24 January 1915 left for refit at Malta.
                    • 14 February 1915 left Malta for home waters.
                    • 20 February joined 2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet.
                    • 31 May 1916 sunk by SMS Von der Tann at the Battle of Jutland.



                       Wordsley Hospital was near Stourbridge, Worcs and was noted for its pioneering plastic surgery unit.

                       At the outbreak of war in August 1914 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment were in Jullundur, India serving with the 8th (Jullundur) Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division. They embarked with the Division from India on 29th of August 1914 as part of the Indian Corps and landed at Marseilles, France on 26th of September 1914. They served on the Western Front the 10th of December 1915, when they proceeded to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra on 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt in March 1918 to become part of the 8th Indian Brigade of 3rd Indian Division. and later moved to Palestine. At the time of the Turkish Armistice on 30th of October 1918 the 1st Battalion was situated at Jaljulye, Palestine, north east of Jaffa.

                       Ripon Camp in North Yorkshire was was a vast First World War training camp, accommodating 30,000 troops. It was situated to the south west of the city. A military hospital with 670 beds stood opposite the turning to Studley Roger and is today the site of a memorial. An estimated 350,000 men passed through Ripon Camp during the course of the Great war.

                       Rushmoor Camp, Aldershot is in Hampshire.

                       Mayfield Camp was situated in Sunderland.

                       Riding Mill POW Camp, Slayley P.O. was a working camp administered by the parent camp at Catterick.

                       1st Northern General Hospital POW Camp was a working camp administered by the parent camp at Catterick.

                       The POW Camp at Catterick was a main camp, the administrative headquarters for the working camps in the area. Situated on the site of the present day Catterick Garrison and opened as a training camp in 1915, by the end of the Great War 5000 prisoners of war were held at Catterick.

                       The Derbyshire Howitzer Battery was initially part of the 4th (North Midlands) Howitzer Brigade which was later re-designated as A Battery in the 233rd Howitzer Brigade and served with the 46th (North Midland) Division. This brigade was broken up and the Derby Howitzer Battery then became D (Howitzer) Battery (1st Derbyshire) in 230th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (1st North Midland) which remained with the 46th (North Midland) Division.

                       

                    Guiseley Town Hall was used as an Auxiliary Hospital from August 1916.

                       No 1 Battery Royal Field Artillery had been equipped with the horse drawn 18-pounder since 1908. The gun had a range of 6525 yards and a maximum rate of fire of approximately 13 rounds per minute. Later versions of the 18-pounder had an increased range of up to 11000 yards and a rate of fire of 30 rounds per minute.

                    In August 1914 No1 Battery were stationed at Trawsfynydd in North Wales with the Depot Brigade. On 3rd August 1914, with the outbreak of War imminent, orders were received for the Battery to return to their main base in Leeds. On 5th August orders were received to mobilize and the following day the Battery sent 4 officers, 82 other ranks and 56 horses to various units of the British Expeditionary Force to make other units up to their war establishment. On 10th August, under the command of Maj Head, No 1 Battery was made up to war strength by reservists and the local purchase of horses. They moved moved to Hursley Camp near Winchester in September where it joined the Divisional Artillery of the newly formed 8th Division commanded by Maj Gen F J Davies. The Battery embarked on SS Armenian at Southampton and disembarked at Le Havre.

                    The Battery first saw action on 16th November 1914 when they engaged enemy machine guns at Aubers in support of the infantry. They were in action in Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915, the Battle of Loos in September 1915, the Battle of the Somme in July 1916 and in the diversionary attack the at Fromelles. In 1917 they were in action at the Third Battle of Ypres. They were on the Somme during the 1918 German Spring Offensive and suffered heavy casualties during the attack on the quiet sector in which tehy ahd been sent to rest. In October they returned to action in the final Allied Advance to Victory.

                       Prior to WW1 the Royal Warwickshire Regt had two regular infantry battalions. Consistent with many other regiments, one battalion was home based and was used as a feeder battalion to the overseas battalion as necessary to keep that one up to strength. This is the main reason why the service records of some soldiers can sometimes appear to be contradictory in respect of which battalion they served with. In the case of the R/W/Regt. many soldiers who were sent out to join the 1st Bn in India were later to be found serving with the 2nd Bn in WW1. (The 2nd Bn R/W/Regt. never served in India) The 1st Bn sailed from India back to the UK in Dec 1912. (At the same time the 2nd Bn was outbound to Malta) The 1st Bn arrived back in early January 1913 and were initially based at Shorncliffe, near Folkestone. On 8th August 1914, amid fears of a German invasion of the East coast, they were sent by train to Yorkshire. Almost immediately this fear was seen to be unfounded and they were sent back to join other units of the 10thBrigade, 4th Division of the BEF at Southampton. There they boarded the SS Caledonian on 22nd August and landed at Boulogne in France the following day.

                       The Lowca Chemical Factory near Whitehaven produced Benzol and Toluene, a main ingredient for artillery shells.

                       The Royal Edward was a passenger ship that could accommodate 1,114 passengers in three classes. At the outbreak of WWI both the Royal Edward and her sister ship the Royal George were requisitioned by the Royal Navy as troopships. The Royal Edward was first used to bring Canadian troops to Europe. On July 28th she left the port of Avonmouth with 1,367 officers and men of the British 29th Infantry, headed to Gallipoli. She arrived at Alexandria on August 10th, and then she sailed to the island of Lemnos, the staging base for the Dardanelles.

                       Ben-my-Chree was chartered by the Royal Navy in January 1915 and the packet steamer was converted into a seaplane carrier by replacing part of her aft superstructure with a hanger that could house four to six seaplanes. The aircraft were lifted in and out of the water by derricks in the front and rear of the ship. In May of 1915 she sailed for the Dardanelles carrying only two Short 184 torpedo bombers. Torpedo bombers were another untested weapon of WWI. They had been used in training, with the first aerial torpedo was dropped from a Short Type 81 on July 28, 1914 by Arthur Longmore. However one had not been used in combat yet. The Ben-my-Chree’s two airplanes were used for reconnaissance and for spotting naval gunfire for the troops on Gallipoli.

                       

                    HMPMS Eldridge was a paddle minesweeper.

                       After the British had captured Ngaundere at the end of June the Germans retreated to Tangere and the Mora Mountain. The Allies tightened their lines closer around the mountain, but the attacks slowed to small actions. German commander von Raben offered his African soldiers the freedom to leave, but none accepted and they all stayed to fight. One of the German Askaris, Sergeant Batinga, led a squad of men on a night time raid burning down the British camp at Sava. More raids by the Germans brought in food, guns, ammunition and other supplies, while they killed 10 British soldiers and wounded four more.

                    On the 6th of August 1915 the French attempted to take the village of Kilwe. The tribe in the village supported the Germans and led by Sergeants Weissenberger and Steffens, they counterattacked, killing one French soldier and forcing the rest out of their village. The Germans could only leave a dozen soldiers in the village to stop another attack.

                       Austro-Hungarian submarine U-5 was built in 1907 and launched in 1909 and was used as a training boat until the beginning of the war. Her second commander in the war was Georg Johannes von Trapp. Von Trapp had entered the Royal Austro-Hungarian naval academy at the age of fourteen, following his father’s footsteps. He traveled the world, doing a cruise to Australia and toured the Biblical sites in the Holy Land. He brought seven bottles of water from the River Jordan which was later used to baptize his first seven children. After his graduation from the academy he was assigned to the cruiser SMS Kaiserin und Konigin Maria Theresia and he was decorated for his performance during the Boxer Rebellion. He was fascinated by submarines and in 1908 he transferred to the newly formed submarine division. He was given command of the U-6, launched by his wife, Agatha Whitehead.

                    Von Trapp took command of the U-5 on April 17, 1915 and conducted nine combat patrols. The largest ship sunk was the French armored cruiser Leon Gambetta, sunk south of Cape Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy.

                    Before the war Von Trapp’s wife, Agatha Whitehead’s father, Robert Whitehead, opened up a torpedo factory in Fiume (Croatia). Robert Whitehead was the inventor of the modern torpedo and when the invention was rejected by the British government the Austrian Emperor Franz Josef invited him to open his factory in his empire. Agatha’s inherited wealth sustained the couple and she gave Georg von Trapp seven children. After the war Agatha died of scarlet fever that she contracted from her daughter Agatha. Von Trapp acquired a villa in Aigen, a suburb of Salzburg and moved his family there in 1924. In 1926 his daughter Maria was unable to go to school due to an illness so Von Trapp hired Maria Augusta Kutschera from the nearby Nonnberg Abbey to tutor his daughter. Von Trapp married Maria in 1927 and had three more children with her. In 1935 Von Trapp tried to help a friend in the Austrian banking business by withdrawing his money from a bank in England and depositing it in an Austrian bank. A hostile Germany was bringing economic pressure on Austria and the bank failed, wiping out most of the family’s fortune. Maria took charge of providing for the family and had the family sing at various events to earn money. After Germany took over Austria Von Trapp was offered a commission in the Germany Navy in 1938. Von Trapp was opposed to Nazi ideology and turned down the offer. He knew there would be a chance he would now be arrested so he decided to leave Austria with his family.

                    The movie The Sound of Music is based upon his life with Maria. Unlike the movie, the Von Trapp’s were considered Italian citizens since George Von Trapp had been born in the Italian territory of Zara. The family left Austria by train and went to Italy in daylight. From there the family booked passage to the United States for their first concert tour in 1939. They returned to Europe to tour Scandinavia and returned to Salzburg for a few months in 1939. The family eventually settled in Vermont in 1941. Georg von Trapp died in 1947 in Stowe, Vermont.

                       After the Germans cavalry breakthrough at Gorlice-Tarnow they began a double envelopment of the Russian Armies in Poland. There was a disagreement between the 'easterners' under Hindenburg and Ludendorff and the 'westerners' under Falkenhayn that led to the northern half of the attack moving too far south west to prevent the Russians from escaping to the east. However Warsaw was now threatened.

                    The attack began on July 13th with the new German Twelfth Army under General von Gallwitz attacking towards the Narev River, north of Warsaw. They quickly reached the river and by the end of July the German troops had reached the Russian fortress of Nov-Georgievsk, northwest of Warsaw. The Russian Commander in Chief, Grand Duke Nicholas, decided to evacuate the city and focus on defending the fortress. The city was stripped of everything that might be useful to the Germans. The factories were dismantled and sent eastward. Gold was taken from the banks, books and papers from the Government offices, relics and sacred items taken from churches, bells taken from towers, copper from roofs and wire from telegraph poles. All were loaded into wagon trains that were miles long. Half a million refugees streamed eastward while only the Poles and the poorest Jews remained. Everyday German aircraft bombed the streets and Germans shells burst among the houses, causing great fires. On August 5th the Vistula bridges were blown up to make it harder for the Germans. Three hours later the German cavalry galloped in and captured the city without a fight.

                    Bavarian Prince Leopold arrived that evening and took the palace as his quarters. In the east the horizon glowed from the Russians burning the crops and villages as they fell back, using the same tactic that had defeat Napoleon. The Kaiser was overjoyed and wrote to his sister, the Queen of Greece, that "the war drama is now coming to a close."

                       HMS Campania had originally been built in 1893 for the White Star Line, but by 1914 she was considered worn out. The Royal Navy purchased the Campania and converted her into an armed merchant cruiser with eight 120mm quick firing guns. She was converted to an aircraft carrier by adding a 160 foot "flying off deck" and two derricks to transfer seaplanes to the water. She could carry seven large seaplanes and four small seaplanes in her two holds. The flight deck had to be lifted off the holds to get access to the seaplanes. The HMS Campania was commissioned on 17th of April 1915.

                    The first takeoff from a flight deck took place on 2nd August 1915 when a Sopwith Schneider floatplane mounted on a wheeled trolley took off as the Campania steamed into the wind. In future trials the North Sea proved too rough to launch aircraft. The captain recommended that the flight deck be lengthened and given a steeper slope to allow gravity to boost the aircraft’s acceleration. The ship was modified and the flight deck was lengthened to 245 feet and her forward funnel was divided into two.

                       Lonehort Fort was situated on Bere Island in Southern Ireland

                       Bodelwyddan Park was situated near Rhyl.

                       Rolston Camp was situated near Hornsea.

                       South Dalton Camp was situated near Pocklington in Yorkshire. The 2nd Northumberland RFA were based there in the summer of 1915.

                       34th Company Machine Gun Corps served with 11th Division, in Egypt from 1st of March 1916. They amalgamated with 32nd & 33rd Companies to form No 11 Battalion, MGC on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 32nd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division in March 1916 in Egypt whilst manning the Suez Canal defences. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. They amalgamated with the other Machine Gun companies of the Division to form the 11th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 33rd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 33rd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division in March 1916 in Egypt whilst manning the Suez Canal defences. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. They amalgamated with the other Machine Gun companies of the Division to form the 11th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 1st Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 1st Guards Brigade, 1st Division on the 26th of January 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved into 1st MG Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 10th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 10th Brigade, 4th Division on the 22 December 1915. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of The Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. On the 26th of February 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 4th Division to become the 4th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       100th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 100th Brigade 33rd Division on the 28th of April 1916. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 19th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 33rd Division and became 33rd Battalion MGC.

                       101st Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 101st Brigade 34th Division on the 27th of April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 26th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 34th Division and became 34th Battalion MGC.

                       102nd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 102nd Brigade 34th Division on the 27th of April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 26th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 34th Division and became 34th Battalion MGC.

                       103rd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 103rd Brigade 34th Division on the 27th of April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 26th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 34th Division and became 34th Battalion MGC.

                       104th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 104th Brigade, 35th Division in April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 35th Division and became 35th Battalion MGC.

                       105th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 105th Brigade 35th Division in April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 35th Division and became 35th Battalion MGC.

                       106th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 106th Brigade 35th Division in April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 35th Division and became 35th Battalion MGC.

                       107th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 107th Brigade 36th Ulster Division on the 18th of December 1915. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 36th Division and became 36th Battalion MGC.

                    The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland. Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

                    Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

                    A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

                    You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:



                     More info.

                        108th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 108th Brigade 36th Ulster Division on the 26th of January 1916. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 the Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 36th Division and became 36th Battalion MGC.

                    The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland. Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

                    Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

                    A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

                    You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:



                     More info.

                       109th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 109th Brigade 36th Ulster Division on the 23rd of January 1916. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 the Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 36th Division and became 36th Battalion MGC.

                    The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland. Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

                    Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

                    A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

                    You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:



                     More info.

                       The 11th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 11th Brigade, 4th Division on the 23rd of December 1915. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of The Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. On the 26th of February 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 4th Division to become the 4th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 110th Machine Gun Company joined, 110th Brigade, 37th Division on the 4th of March 1916. On the 7th of July the brigade transferred to 21st Division. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 37th Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 111th Machine Gun Company joined, 111th Brigade, 37th Division on the 4th of March 1916. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 37th Machine Gun Battalion on the 4th of March 1918.

                       The 112th Machine Gun Company joined, 112th Brigade, 37th Division on the 4th of March 1916. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 37th Machine Gun Battalion on the 4th of March 1918.

                       The 113th Machine Gun Company joined, 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 19th of May 1916. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 38th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 114th Machine Gun Company joined, 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 19th of May 1916. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 38th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 115th Machine Gun Company joined, 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 19th of May 1916. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 38th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 116th Machine Gun Company joined, 116th Brigade, 39th Division on the 18th of May 1916. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 39th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of March 1918.

                       The 117th Machine Gun Company joined, 117th Brigade, 39th Division on the 18th of May 1916. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 39th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of March 1918.

                       The 118th Machine Gun Company joined, 118th Brigade, 39th Division on the 21st of March 1916. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 39th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of March 1918.

                       The 119th Machine Gun Company joined, 119th Brigade, 40th Division on the 19th of June 1916. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 40th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 12th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 12th Brigade, 4th Division on the 24th of January 1916. They were in action during the Battles of The Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. On the 26th of February 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 4th Division to become the 4th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 120th Machine Gun Company joined, 120th Brigade, 40th Division on the 19th of June 1916. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 40th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 121st Machine Gun Company joined, 121st Brigade, 40th Division on the 19th of June 1916. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 40th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 122nd Machine Gun Company joined, 122nd Brigade, 41st Division in May 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 41st Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 123rd Machine Gun Company joined, 123rd Brigade, 41st Division in May 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 41st Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 124th Machine Gun Company joined, 124th Brigade, 41st Division in May 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 41st Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 125th Machine Gun Company joined, 125th (Lancashire Fusiliers) Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division on the 4th of March 1916. The division had just arrived on the Western Front having served in Egypt and Gallipoli. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 42nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 25th of February 1918

                       The 126th Machine Gun Company joined, 126th (East Lancashire) Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division on the 14th of March 1916. The division had just arrived on the Western Front having served in Egypt and Gallipoli. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 42nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 23rd of February 1918.

                       The 127th Machine Gun Company joined, 127th (Manchester) Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division on the 14th of March 1916. The division had just arrived on the Western Front having served in Egypt and Gallipoli. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 42nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 23rd of February 1918

                       The 12th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 12th (Eastern) Division. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       The 13th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 13th Brigade, 5th Division on the 24th of December 1915. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 26th of April 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 5th Division to become the 5th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 137th Machine Gun Company joined 137th (Staffordshire) Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division on the 7th of March 1916 in France. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 46th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 138th Machine Gun Company joined 138th (Lincoln & Leicester) Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division on the 22nd of February 1916 in France. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 46th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 139th Machine Gun Company joined 139th (Sherwood Forester) Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division on the 16th of February 1916 in France. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 46th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 14th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 14th Brigade, 5th Division on the 27 December 1915, They were later renamed the 95th Brigade Machine Gun Company. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 26th of April 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 5th Division to become the 5th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 140th Machine Gun Company was formed in 140th (4th London) Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division on the 13th of December 1915 in France. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 47th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 141st Machine Gun Company was formed in 141st (5th London) Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division on the 12th of December 1915 in France. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 47th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 142nd Machine Gun Company was formed in 142nd (6th London) Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division on the 12th of December 1915 in France. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 47th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 143rd Machine Gun Company was formed in 143rd (Warwickshire) Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division on the 8th of January 1916 in France. They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 48th Machine Gun Battalion on the 22nd of March 1918.

                       The 144th Machine Gun Company was formed in 144th (Gloucester & Worcester) Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division on the 23rd of January 1916 in France. They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering heavy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 48th Machine Gun Battalion on the 22nd of March 1918.

                       The 145th Machine Gun Company was formed in 145th (South Midland) Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division on the 11th of January 1916 in France. They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering heavy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 48th Machine Gun Battalion on the 22nd of March 1918.

                       The 146th Machine Gun Company was formed in 146th (West Riding) Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division on the 27th of January 1916. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 49th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 147th Machine Gun Company was formed in 147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division on the 26th of January 1916. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 49th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 148th Machine Gun Company was formed in 148th (3rd West Riding) Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division on the 6th of February 1916. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 49th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

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

                       The 14th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 14th (Light) Division. They were in action at Ypres and in the final advance in Flanders

                       The 15th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division on the 27th of December 1915. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 26th of April 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 5th Division to become the 5th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 150th Machine Gun Company was formed in 150th (York & Durham) Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 1st of February 1916. They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 50th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 151st Machine Gun Company was formed in 151st (Durham Light Infantry) Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 6th of February 1916. They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 50th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 152nd Machine Gun Company was formed in 152nd (1st Highland) Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division on the 16th of January 1916. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 51st Machine Gun Battalion on the 19th of February 1918.

                       The 153rd Machine Gun Company was formed in 153rd (2nd Highland) Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division on the 15th of January 1916. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 51st Machine Gun Battalion on the 19th of February 1918.

                       The 154th Machine Gun Company was formed in 154th (3rd Highland) Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division on the 14th of January 1916. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 51st Machine Gun Battalion on the 19th of February 1918.

                       The 155th Machine Gun Company was formed in 155th (South Scottish) Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division on the 23rd of March 1916. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 52nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of April 1918.

                       The 156th Machine Gun Company was formed in 156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division on the 16th of March 1916. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 52nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of April 1918.

                       The 157th Machine Gun Company was formed in 157th (Highland Light Infantry) Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division on the 14th of March 1916. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 52nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of April 1918.

                       The 15th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 17th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 15th (Scottish) Division. They were in action action at The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       The 16th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 16th Brigade, 6th Division in February 1916. In 1916 they were in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 6th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 16th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 9th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 16th (Irish) Division. They were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties, the battalion was broken up at Camiers on the 8th of May 1918 with the troops transferring to infantry battalions. A new 16th Machine Gun Battalion was formed at Grantham on the 18th of June 1918 and joined the 16th (Irish) Division at Samer on the 2nd of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       The 176th Machine Gun Company joined 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of March 1917. They were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 38th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 178th Machine Gun Company joined 46th (North Midland) Division on the 28th of March 1917 in France. They were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 46th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 17th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 24th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 17th (Northern) Division. they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt.

                       The 18th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 18th Brigade, 6th Division in February 1916. Later that year they were in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other MG Companies of the Division to form the 6th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 18th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 20th of April 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 18th (Eastern) Division. They saw action during in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       19th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 19th Brigade 33rd Division on the 24th of Feburary 1916. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 19th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 33rd Division and became 33rd Battalion MGC.

                       The 191st Machine Gun Company joined 24th Division on the 15th of December 1916. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. On the 5th of March 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 24th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 194th Machine Gun Company joined 23rd Division on the 16th of December 1916, near Vlamertinghe In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. On the 1st of April 1918 the Company joined with the other MGC's of the Division to become No 23 Battalion, MGC.

                       The 195th Machine Gun Company joined 25th Division on the 16th of December 1916. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. On the 1st of April 1918 the Company joined with the other MGC's of the Division to become No 25 Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.

                       The 197th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 9th (Scottish) Division on the 19th of December 1916 as the Divisional Machine Gun company under the direct Command of Divisional HQ. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. They joined 9th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918

                       The 199th Machine Gun Company joined 41st Division in October 1917. They were in action in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 41st Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 19th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 14th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 19th (Western) Division. They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       The 2nd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 2nd Guards Brigade, 1st Division on the 26th of January 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved into 1st MG Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 20th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 20th Brigade, 7th Division on the 10th February 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. On the 1st of April 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 7th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 205th Machine Gun Company joined 5th Division on the 19th of March 1917 as the Division was preparing for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 26th of February 1918 they became the 5th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 20th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 15th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 20th (Light) Division. They fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       The 21st Machine Gun Company joined 21st Brigade, 30th Division on the 8th of March 1916. They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 30th Battalion MGC on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 211th Machine Gun Company was formed in XXI Corps, they joined 52nd (Lowland) Division on the 1st of April 1918. They proceeded to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 52nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of April 1918.

                       The 216th Machine Gun Company joined 3rd Brigade, 1st Division on the 22nd of March 1917, they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved into 1st MG Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 217th Machine Gun Company joined 20th (Light) Division in March 1917, they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. They moved into 20th Machine Gun Battalion on the 15th of March 1918

                       The 218th Machine Gun Company joined 8th Division on the 23rd of March 1917. They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai. On the 20th of January 1918 they became the 8th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 21st Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 24th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 21st Division. They were in action during the Battles of the Lys, the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       The 22nd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 22nd Brigade, 7th Division on the 24th of February 1916. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. On the 1st of April 1918 they joined with the other MG Companies of the Division to form the 7th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 220th Machine Gun Company joined 7th Division on the 25th of March 1917. They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. On the 1st of April 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to become the 7th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 225th Machine Gun Company joined 15th (Scottish) Division on the 19th of July 1917 and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume and The First Battle of Arras. On the 17th of March 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to become the 15th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 226th Machine Gun Company joined 30th Division on the 19th of July 1917. They took part in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 30th Battalion MGC on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 227th Machine Gun Company was formed in 228th Brigade, 28th Division on the 11th of September 1917 in Salonika, originally named 227th MGC. In 1918 they were in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       The 228th Machine Gun Company joined 39th Division on the 19th of July 1917. They fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 39th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of March 1918.

                       The 23rd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 23rd Brigade, 8th Division on the 15th of January 1916. They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. On the 20th January 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 8th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 232nd Machine Gun Company joined 51st (Highland) Division on the 20th of July 1917. They were in action in the The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 51st Machine Gun Battalion on the 19th of February 1918.

                       The 233rd Machine Gun Company joined 3rd Division on the 18 July 1917 and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 234th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 4th Division on the 16th of July 1917 as the Divisional Machine Gun company under the direct Command of Divisional HQ. They were in action in the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. On the 26th of February 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 4th Division to become the 4th Machine Gun Battalion who were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       The 235th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 12th (Eastern) Division on the 16th of July 1917. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. They combined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 11th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 236th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 17th (Northern) Division on the 17th of July 1917 and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. They combined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 17th Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918

                       The 237th Machine Gun Company joined 37th Division on the 17th of July 1917. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 21st Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 238th Machine Gun Company joined 41st Division in July 1917. They were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. They left the Division in October 1917.

                       The 239th Machine Gun Company joined 47th (2nd London) Division on the 17th of July 1917 in France and were in action in the last few days of The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres. They left the Division on the 1st of October 1917.

                       The 23rd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 23rd Division. They were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       The 24th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 24th Brigade, 8th Division on the 10th of January 1916. They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. On the 20th January 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 8th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       240th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 34th Division on the 18th of July 1917. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 26th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 34th Division and became 34th Battalion MGC.

                       241st Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 35th Division on the 18th of July 1917. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 35th Division and became 35th Battalion MGC.

                       The 242nd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 2nd Division on the 18th of July 1917 as the Divisional Machine Gun company under the direct Command of Divisional HQ. They saw action at The Battle of Cambrai. They amalgamated with the other MG Coys of 2nd Division to become the 2nd MG Battalion on the 4th of March 1918 and then fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle

                       243rd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 31st Division on the 18th of July 1917. On the 21st of February 1918 they merged with other MGC of the Division to become 31st Bn MGC still with 31st Division. In early 1918 they were on the Somme before moving north to Flanders for the Battle of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders.

                       The 244th Machine Gun Company joined 40th Division in July 19117. They they saw action during The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 40th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 246th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 19th (Western) Division on the 19th of July 1917. They were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 19th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of February 1918.

                       The 247th Machine Gun Company joined 37th Division on the 19th of July 1917. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 37th Machine Gun Battalion on the 4th of March 1918.

                       248th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 33rd Division on the 21st of July 1917. They took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 19th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 33rd Division and became 33rd Battalion MGC.

                       The 249th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 14th (Light) Division on the 21st of July 1917. They fought in The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. They left the Division on the 1st of October 1917.

                       The 24th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 5th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 24th Division. they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       The 25th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 25th Brigade, 8th Division on the 10th of January 1916. They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. On the 20th January 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 8th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 250th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 11th (Northern) Division on the 16th of November 1917 they combined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 11th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 251st Machine Gun Company joined 48th (South Midland) Division on the 16th of November 1917. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 48th Machine Gun Battalion on the 22nd of March 1918.

                       The 254th Machine Gun Company joined 49th (West Riding) Division on the 19th of December 1916. They were in action in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 49th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 255th Machine Gun Company joined 47th (2nd London) Division on the 19th of November 1917 in France. They were in action The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 47th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 25th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 25th Division. They briefly left the division between the 23rd of July and 19th of October 1918. They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       The 26th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division on the 29th of January 1916. they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme and on the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 9th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       266th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 36th Ulster Division on the 17th of January 1918. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 36th Division and became 36th Battalion MGC. They were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       The 268th Machine Gun Company joined 42nd (East Lancashire) Division on the 20th of January 1918. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 42nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 23rd of February 1918.

                       The 269th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 18th of January 1918, they combined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 16th Machine Gun Battalion on the 9th of March 1918

                       The 27th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division on the 29th of January 1916. they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme and on the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 9th Machine Gun Battalion

                       The 273rd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps was formed in 13th (Western) Division in October and November 1917. they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       The 28th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 28th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division on the 3rd of January 1916. On the 6th of May 1916 they transferred to the South African Brigade still with 9th (Scottish) Division. They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme and on the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 9th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 29th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division on the 10th May 1916 at Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 7th of May 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 10th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 3rd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division on the 26th of January 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved into 1st MG Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 30th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division on the 10th May 1916 at Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. The 30th Brigade landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 30th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 7th of May 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 10th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 30th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 30th Division. They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys, being reduced to a cadre on the 13th of May 1918 with 540 men transferring to 31st Battalion. On the 29th of June 1918 they were brought back to full strength by absorbing \"A\" Battalion MGC. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       The 31st Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division on the 11th May 1916 at Basingstoke. They served in Salonika, on the 7th and 8th of December 1619 they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 7th of May 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 10th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 31st Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 21st of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 31st Division. They saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

                       The 33rd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 19th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 33rd Division. They were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took place throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

                       The 34th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 26th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 34th Division. They were in action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                       The 35th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 35th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division on the 1st of February 1916. the Division moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. They amalgamated with the other Machine Gun companies of the Division to form the 12th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 36th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 2nd of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 36th Division. They were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       The 37th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 37th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division on the 4th of February 1916. the Division moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. They amalgamated with the other Machine Gun companies of the Division to form the 12th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 37th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 4th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 37th Division. They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

                       The 38th Machine Gun Company joined 13th (Western) Division on the 24th of October 1916 as they pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       The 38th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 2nd of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 38th Division. They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       The 39th Machine Gun Company joined 13th (Western) Division on the 26th of October 1916 as they pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 39th Brigade was detached and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

                       The 39th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 14th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 39th Division. They took part in The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       The 3rd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the MG companies of the 3rd Division. They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       The 40th Machine Gun Battalion was formed in March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 40th Division. They were in action during The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses and were disbanded in May.

                       The 41st Machine Gun Company joined 14th (Light) Division on the 15th of February 1916. They were in action on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 14th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 41st Machine Gun Battalion was formed in March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 41st Division. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       The 42nd Machine Gun Company joined 14th (Light) Division on the 24th of February 1916. They were in action on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 14th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 42nd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 23rd of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 42nd Division. They saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       The 43rd Machine Gun Company formed at Houtkerque on the 16th of February 1916 and joined 14th (Light) Division . They were in action on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 14th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 44th Machine Gun Company joined 15th (Scottish) Division on the 12th of January 1916. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 15th MG Battalion on the 17th of March 1918.

                       The 45th Machine Gun Company joined 15th (Scottish) Division on the 11th of February 1916. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 15th MG Battalion on the 17th of March 1918.

                       The 46th Machine Gun Company joined 15th (Scottish) Division on the 11th of February 1916. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 15th MG Battalion on the 17th of March 1918.

                       The 46th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 28th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 46th (North Midland) Division. They saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                       The 47th Machine Gun Company joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 28th of April 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 16th MG Battalion on the 9th of March 1918.

                       The 47th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                       The 48th Machine Gun Company joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 28th of April 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 16th MG Battalion on the 9th of March 1918.

                       The 48th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 22nd of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 48th (South Midland) Division in Italy. They saw action in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                       The 49th Machine Gun Company joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 29th of April 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 16th MG Battalion on the 9th of March 1918.

                       The 49th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 49th (West Riding) Division. They were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

                       The 4th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 26th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 4th Division when the army was reorganised. They were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

                       The 50th Machine Gun Company joined 17th (Northern) Division on the 12th of February 1916. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 17th Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 50th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 50th (Northumberland) Division. They were in action in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. The orginal infantry units were withdrawn and others arrived to take their place. The reformed Division went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

                       The 51st Machine Gun Company joined 17th (Northern) Division on the 12th of February 1916. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 17th Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 51st Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 19th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 51st (Highland) Division in the Cambrai area, where they remained until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December. The 6th Black Watch, 4th Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

                       The 52nd Machine Gun Company joined 17th (Northern) Division on the 12th of February 1916. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 17th Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 52nd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 28th of April 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 52nd (Highland) Division. The Division took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.

                       The 53rd Machine Gun Company joined 18th (Eastern) Division on the 13th of February 1916. they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 18th Machine Gun Battalion on the 16th of February 1918.

                       The 54th Machine Gun Company joined 18th (Eastern) Division on the 13th of February 1916. They were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 18th Machine Gun Battalion on the 16th of February 1918.

                       The 55th Machine Gun Company joined 18th (Eastern) Division on the 13th of February 1916. They were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 18th Machine Gun Battalion on the 16th of February 1918.

                       The 56th Machine Gun Company joined 19th (Western) Division on the 14th of February 1916, though the machine gunners of the 56th Brigade had formed a provisional company the previous September. They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 19th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of February 1918.

                       The 57th Machine Gun Company joined 19th (Western) Division on the 14th of February 1916. They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 19th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of February 1918.

                       The 58th Machine Gun Company joined 19th (Western) Division on the 14th of February 1916. They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 19th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of February 1918.

                       The 59th Machine Gun Company joined 20th (Light) Division on the 3rd of March 1916. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 20th Machine Gun Battalion on the 15th of March 1918.

                       The 5th Machine Gun Battalion was formed in Italy on the 26th of February 1918 from the 205th Machine Gun Company and continued to serve with 5th Division. The Division was recalled to France to assist with countering the German Advance in late March 1918 On the 26th of April 1918 they absorbed the 15th, 16th and 95th Machine Gun Companies and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       The 60th Machine Gun Company joined 20th (Light) Division on the 3rd of March 1916. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 20th Machine Gun Battalion on the 15th of March 1918.

                       The 62nd Machine Gun Company joined 21st Division on the 4th of March 1916. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 21st Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 63rd Machine Gun Company joined 21st Division on the 4th of March 1916. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, on the 8th of July 1916 they moved with the Brigade to 37th Division. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 37th Machine Gun Battalion in February 1918.

                       The 64th Machine Gun Company joined 21st Division on the 4th of March 1916. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 21st Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 65th Machine Gun Company joined 22nd Division on the 14th of July 1916 in Salonkia. The were in action at in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       The 66th Machine Gun Company joined 22nd Division on the 14th of July 1916 in Salonkia. The were in action at in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       The 67th Machine Gun Company joined 22nd Division on the 14th of July 1916 in Salonkia. The were in action at in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       The 68th Machine Gun Company was formed Grantham, Lincolnshire on the 4th of March 1916 and joined 68th Brigade, 23rd Division at Bullswater in September, as the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent then to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of May for final training. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. They fought alongside the 10th Btn. and 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusilers, the 12th and 13th battalions Durham Light Infantry and the 68th Trench Mortar Battery. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. On the 1st of April 1918 the Company joined with the other MGC's of the Division to become No 23 Battalion, MGC.

                       The 69th Machine Gun Company was formed Grantham, Lincolnshire on the 4th of March 1916 and joined 69th Brigade, 23rd Division at Frensham in September, as the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent then to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of May for final training. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. They fought alongside the 10th Btn. and 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusilers, the 12th and 13th battalions Durham Light Infantry and the 69th Trench Mortar Battery. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. On the 1st of April 1918 the Company joined with the other MGC's of the Division to become No 23 Battalion, MGC.

                       The 7th Machine Gun Company joined 7th Brigade, 25th Division in January 1916. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme. On the 1st of March they joined with other Machine Gun companies of the Division to become the 25th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 70th Machine Gun Company was formed on the 5th of March 1916, they joined 70th Brigade, 23rd Division in July 1916. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       The 71st Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 71st Brigade, 6th Division on the 14th of March 1916. Later that year they were in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 6th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 72nd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 72nd Brigade, 24th Division on the 14th of March 1916. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. On the 5th of March 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun companies of the Division to become the 24th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 73rd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 73rd Brigade, 24th Division on the 14th of March 1916. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. On the 5th of March 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun companies of the Division to become the 24th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 74th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 74th Brigade, 25th Division on the 17th of March 1916. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun companies of the Division to become the 25th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 75th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 75th Brigade, 25th Division on the 15th of March 1916. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun companies of the Division to become the 25th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 76th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 76th Brigade, 3rd Division on the 13th of April 1916. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 6th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 77th Machine Gun Company joined 77th Brigade, 26th Division on the 24th of July 1916. They were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       The 78th Machine Gun Company joined 78th Brigade, 26th Division on the 22nd of July 1916. They were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       The 79th Machine Gun Company joined 79th Brigade, 26th Division on the 15th of July 1916. They were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       The 7th Machine Gun Battalion was formed in Italy on the 1st of April 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 7th Division. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       The 8th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 8th Brigade, 3th Division on the 22 January 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. They alamgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to become 3th MG Battalion on the 28th of February 1918 In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       The 80th Machine Gun Company joined 80th Brigade, 27th Division on the 2nd of September 1916 in Salonika. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       The 81st Machine Gun Company joined 81st Brigade, 27th Division on the 16th of May 1916 in Salonika. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units of the Division returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       The 82nd Machine Gun Company was formed in 82nd Brigade, 27th Division on the 16th of May 1916 in Salonika. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units of the Division returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       The 83rd Machine Gun Company was formed in 83rd Brigade, 28th Division on the 21st of May 1916 in Salonika. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       The 84th Machine Gun Company was formed in 84th Brigade, 28th Division on the 18th of May 1916 in Salonika. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       The 85th Machine Gun Company was formed in 85th Brigade, 28th Division on the 18th of May 1916 in Salonika. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       The 86th Machine Gun Company was formed in 86th Brigade, 29th Division on the 26th of February 1916. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 29th Battalion MGC on the 15th of February 1918.

                       The 87th Machine Gun Company was formed in 87th Brigade, 29th Division on the 16th of February 1916. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 29th Battalion MGC on the 15th of February 1918.

                       The 88th Machine Gun Company was formed in 88th Brigade, 29th Division on the 21st of February 1916. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 29th Battalion MGC on the 15th of February 1918.

                       The 89th Machine Gun Company joined 89th Brigade, 30th Division on the 13th of March 1916. they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 30th Battalion MGC on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 8th Machine Gun Battalion was on the 20th of April 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 8th Division. They saw action during The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       The 9th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 9th Brigade, 3th Division on the 8th February 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. They alamgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to become 3th MG Battalion on the 29th of February 1918 In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       The 90th Machine Gun Company joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division on the 13th of March 1916. They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 30th Battalion MGC on the 1st of March 1918.

                       91st Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps was formed in 91st Brigade 7th Division on the 14th of March 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. On the 1st of April 1918 they merged with other Machine Gun Companies of 7th Division to become 7th Battalion Machine Gun Corps.

                       92nd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps was joined 92nd Brigade 31st Division on the 20th of May 1916. Their first action being the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. On the 21st of February 1918 they merged with other Machine Gun Companies of 31st Division to become 31st Battalion Machine Gun Corps.

                       93rd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 93rd Brigade 31st Division on the 20th of May 1916. They saw action at Serre at Battle of the Somme in 1916 and were on the Ancre and in the Battles of Arras in 1917. On the 21st of February 1918 they merged with other MGC of the Division to become 31st Bn MGC still with 31st Division. In early 1918 they were on the Somme before moving north to Flanders for the Battle of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders.

                       94th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 94th Brigade 31st Division on the 21st of May 1916. They saw action at Serre at Battle of the Somme in 1916 and were on the Ancre and in the Battles of Arras in 1917. On the 21st of February 1918 they became 31st Bn MGC with 31st Division. In early 1918 they were on the Somme before moving north to Flanders for the Battle of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders.

                       96th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 96th Brigade 32nd Division on the 15th of March 1916. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. On the 21st of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 32nd Division and became 32nd Battalion MGC.

                       98th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 98th Brigade 33rd Division on the 28th of April 1916. they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 19th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 33rd Division and became 33rd Battalion MGC.

                       The 99th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps was raised in Grantham and joined 33rd Brigade, 2nd Division in France on the 28th of April 1916. They fought in the Battles of the Somme, including the Battle of Deville Wood and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. On the 4th of March 1918 they amalgamated with other units to form No 2 Bn, MGC, they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle.

                       The 9th Machine Gun Battalion was on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 9th (Scottish) Division. They saw action during in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice.

                       100th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps with 33rd Division. Following initial training near home, the units concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train werereplaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division, and 100th Field Ambulance transferred to 2nd Division with them. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice

                       101st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 33rd Division. Following initial training near home, the units concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train werereplaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

                       102nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 334th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                       103rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 334th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                       105th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

                       106th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

                       107th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

                       108th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, minus the Divisional Artillery, which followed in November. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville, for winter training. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade from 4th Division were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       109th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, minus the Divisional Artillery, which followed in November. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville, for winter training. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade from 4th Division were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       10th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 10th Brigade, 4rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend Britain against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August 1914. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

                       10th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 7th Division on the 9th of January 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They left the division on the 5th of April 1917 and transferred to Corps command.

                       110th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, minus the Divisional Artillery, which followed in November. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville, for winter training. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade from 4th Division were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       111th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 30th Division, the Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. They transferred to 16th (Irish) Division in September 1915. They proceeded to France in December 1915 and the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       112th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 30th Division, the Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. They transferred to 16th (Irish) Division in September 1915. They proceeded to France in December 1915 and the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       113th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 30th Division, the Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. They transferred to 16th (Irish) Division in September 1915. They proceeded to France in December 1915 and the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       11th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 11th Brigade, 4rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend Britain against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August 1914. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

                       129th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 38th (Welsh) Division from December 1914. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       12th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 12th Brigade, 4rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend Britain against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August 1914. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

                       130th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 38th (Welsh) Division from December 1914. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       131th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 38th (Welsh) Division from December 1914. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       132nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       133rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       134th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       135th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       136th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       137th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       138th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       139th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       13th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 13th Brigade, 5rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 5th Division arrived in France with the BEF in mid August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       13th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 1st Division in January 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They left the division on the 2nd of April 1916 and transferred to Corps command.

                       142nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 3rd Brigade, 1st Division on the 24th of August 1915 and were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       143rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was formed on the 19th of March 1917 as part of 228 Brigade, 28th Division in Salonika. They were in action during the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and the remainder of the Division, including the 2nd Garrision battalion were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. 228th Brigade transferred to the Greek Crete Division on the 30th of September 1918 and was broken up on the 4th of October 1918.

                       14th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 14th Brigade, 5rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 5th Division arrived in France with the BEF in mid August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       14th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 8th Division on the 9th of January 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They left the division on the 16th of April 1917 and transferred to Corps command.

                       15th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 15th Brigade, 5rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 5th Division arrived in France with the BEF in mid August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       15th (London) Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 28th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       16th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 16th Brigade, 6th Division, they proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. Then marched at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       16th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 29th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 29th Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. The left the division in April 1917.

                       17th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 6th Division, they proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. Then marched at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       17th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 46th (North Midland) Division from March 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. On the 21st of March 1917 they transferred to V Corps.

                       18th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 6th Division, they proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. Then marched at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       19th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 2nd Division in August 1915, they saw action at The Battle of Loos before leaving 2nd Division in November 1915 when 33rd Division was strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division, near Morbecque. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February

                       1st East Lancashire Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       1st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 1st Brigade, 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       1st West Riding Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 49th (West Riding) Division The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

                       The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations.

                       21st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 7th Division in late September 1914, as regular army units concentrated in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       2/1st Highland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 51st (Highland) Division from May 1915. The Division proceeded to France in early May 1915 and concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December. The 6th Black Watch, 4th Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

                       21st Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the RAMC trained at Sheffield. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. They left 11th (Northern) Division on the 9th of December 1916. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations.

                       22nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 7th Division in late September 1914, as regular army units concentrated in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       22nd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division from the 9th of February 1916. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The East Lancashire Division at that time was engaed in defending the Suez Canal from the Turkish forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkishh attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embarked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They left the division on the 19th of April 1917 and joined XIX Corps

                       23rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 7th Division in late September 1914, as regular army units concentrated in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       23rd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 12th (Northern) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe. 23rd Sanitary Section left the division on the 1st of April 1917 and transferred to Corps command.

                       24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       24th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 13th (Western) Division in Mesopotamia in March 1916. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       25th (2nd Wessex) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       25th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Light) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. They left the division on the 1st of April 1917 and came under Corps command.

                       26th (3rd Wessex) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       27th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 9th (Scottish) Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

                       28th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 9th (Scottish) Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

                       29th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 9th (Scottish) Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

                       2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       2nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 2nd Brigade, 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       2/2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 50th (Northumbrian) Division in April 1915, just before they proceeded to France. The division concentrated in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battles of the Ypres. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. The orginal infantry units were withdrawn and others arrived to take their place. The reformed Division went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on the 19th of March when the final troops left for England

                       30th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 10th (Irish) Division 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and 30th Field Ambulance returned to base, handing all their stores and equipment over to the 154th Camel Field Ambulance who replaced them on the 20th of May 1918.

                       31st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and 31st Field Ambulance returned to base, handing all their stores and equipment over to the 166th Camel Field Ambulance who replaced them on the 20th of May 1918.

                       32nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and 32nd Field Ambulance returned to base, handing all their stores and equipment over to the 165th Camel Field Ambulance who replaced them on the 20th of May 1918.

                       32nd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 15th (Scottish) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       33rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the infantry at Grantham, the artillery at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon, the Engineers at Newark, RAMC at Sheffield and ASC at Lichfield in Staffordshire. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       33rd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 20th (Light) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. They left the division on the 24th of April 1917.

                       34th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the infantry at Grantham, the artillery at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon, the Engineers at Newark, RAMC at Sheffield and ASC at Lichfield in Staffordshire. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       34th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 17th (Northern) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919

                       35th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the infantry at Grantham, the artillery at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon, the Engineers at Newark, RAMC at Sheffield and ASC at Lichfield in Staffordshire. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       35th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 18th (Eastern) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       36th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       36th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 19th (Western) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines. 36th Sanitation Section left the division on the 9th of July 1917.

                       37th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 37th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       37th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 37th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. was formed in early 1915, in April the Division concentrated at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France in July, concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe. They left the Divsion on the 20th of April 1917.

                       38th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 38th Brigade at Colchester, 38th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       38th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 21st Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. 38th Sanitary Section left the Division on the 1st of April 1917

                       39th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 39th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       3rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 3rd Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914, They were one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers. The 3rd Field Ambulance transferred to the Guards Division on the 24th of August 1915 and were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs. In 1917 they were in action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Third Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on The Somme, during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice they were near Maubeuge and were then ordered to the Rhine, crossing the German frontier on the 11th of December. Battalions began to return to England on the 20th of February 1919 and had all returned home by the 29th of April 1919.

                       3rd North Midland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 3rd of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

                       40th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 40th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 40th Field Ambulance was detached with 39th Brigade and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

                       40th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 23rd Division from the 20th of August 1915 joining then near Tilques. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. On the 10th of April 1917 they left the Division and transferred to X Corps.

                       41st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 41st Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 41st Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       41st Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 24th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 24th Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. They left 24th Division on the 5th of April 1917 and came under the command of First Army.

                       42nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, also XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       42nd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 25th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 25th Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June the Division returned to England to reconstitute. They returned to France and fought in The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       43rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, also XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       43rd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 26th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The 26th Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of teh new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       44th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, also XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       45th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       46th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       47th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       47th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 47th (2nd London) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The 2nd London Division was part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war was declared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. They left the Division on the 18th of April 1917, transferring to Second Army.

                       48th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 16th (Irish) Division. 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. In June 1915 they transferred to 37th Division which was concentrating at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France in July,the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

                       48th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps was formed on the 21st of February 1915 and served with 48th (South Midland) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre.

                       49th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 16th (Irish) Division. 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. In June 1915 they transferred to 37th Division which was concentrating at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France in July,the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

                       49th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps was served with 49th (West Riding) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. They left the Division on the 2nd of April 1917, transferring to XI Corps.

                       4th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 2nd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 2nd Division was one of the first formations to proceed to France with the BEF in August 1914, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and saw action at The Battle of Festubert. 4th Field Ambulance RAMC transferred to the Guards Division on the 19th of August 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs. In 1917 they were in action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Third Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on The Somme, during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice they were near Maubeuge and were then ordered to the Rhine, crossing the German frontier on the 11th of December. the Guards Division began to return to England on the 20th of February 1919 and had all returned home by the 29th of April 1919.

                       50th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 16th (Irish) Division. 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. In June 1915 they transferred to 37th Division which was concentrating at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France in July,the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

                       50th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps was served with 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the division concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. They left the Division on the 3rd of April 1917, transferring to Fourth Army.

                       51st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919

                       51st Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps was served with 51st (Highland) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They proceeded to France in May 1915, concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel. They left the Division on the 17th of April 1917, transferring to XVII Corps.

                       52nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919

                       52nd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 52nd (Highland) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Lowland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. They sailed from Liverpool and Devonport between 18 May and 8 June for Gallipoli. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs. They left the Division in October 1915, transferring to 10th (Irish) Division and moving to Salonika. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917. They rejoined 52nd (Lowland) in October 1917, then transferred to XI Corps on the 4th of May 1918.

                       53rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

                       54th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       55th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       56th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       57th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       58th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       59th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       5th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 2nd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 2nd Division was one of the first formations to proceed to France with the BEF in August 1914, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and saw action at The Battle of Festubert. and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

                       60th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiens and received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       61st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiens and received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       62nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiens and received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       63rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 21st Division. The Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       64th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 21st Division. The Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       65th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 21st Division. The Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       66th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       67th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       68th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 68th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       69th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 69th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       6th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 2nd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 2nd Division was one of the first formations to proceed to France with the BEF in August 1914, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and saw action at The Battle of Festubert. and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

                       70th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 70th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       70th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 30th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban.

                       71st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 71st and 71st brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       71st Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 31st Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. After initial training close to home, the units concentrated at South Camp, Ripon in April and May 1915. Training was difficult due to severe shortages of arms, ammunition and equipment. In September they moved to Fovant on Salisbury Plain for final training for service in France. Advance parties had already crossed the channel when the division was ordered to Egypt in December, accompanied by the artillery of 32nd Division in exchange for thier own Divisional artillery. They sailed for Egypt in December and took over No 3 Sector of the Suez Canal. They were recalled to France and sailed to Marseilles during the first week of March for service on the Western Front. Their first action being the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre. They left the Division and trasnferred to XIII Corps in the second week of March 1917.

                       72nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. Training suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       73rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. Training suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       73rd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 33rd Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. Following initial training near home, the units concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train werereplaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, leaving 33rd Division on the 31st of March 1917.

                       74th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. Training suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       74th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 34th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. They left the Division on the 31st of March 1917.

                       75th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June the Division returned to England to reconstitute. They returned to France and fought in The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. tion, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       75th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 35th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. They left the Division on the 9th of April 1917.

                       76th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 76th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June the Division returned to England to reconstitute. They returned to France and fought in The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. tion, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       76th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 36th (Ulster) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, minus the Divisional Artillery, which followed in November. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville, for winter training. 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. They left the Division in April 1917.

                       77th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 77th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June the Division returned to England to reconstitute. They returned to France and fought in The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. tion, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       77th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 38th (Welsh) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Welsh Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. 77th Sanitary Section left the Division in April 1917.

                       78th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 26th Division on the 25th of August 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       79th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 26th Division on the 25th of August 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       7th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 3rd Divsion proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       7th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 27th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The 27th Division was formed at at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 from regular army units who had arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       80th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 26th Division on the 25th of August 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       81st Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 16th (Irish) Division, which they joined in England in late 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 16th (Irish) Division proceeded to France in December 1915 concentrating in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       82nd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 39th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 39th Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       83rd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 40th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. They left the division in April 1917.

                       84th (2nd City of London) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 28th Division. The 28th Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       84th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 41st Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. They left the division in April 1917.

                       85th (3rd London) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 28th Division. The 28th Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 23rd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of the Northumbrian Division in the Territorial Force. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base. The 50th division was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and took up their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. The 2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance left the Division in December 1914 and transferred to 28th Division in December, they were later redesignated 86th (2nd Northumbrian) Field Ambulance. The 28th Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 23rd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       87th (1st West Lancashire) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 29th Division. The Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

                       88th (1st East Anglian) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 29th Division. The Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

                       89th (1st Highland) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 29th Division. The Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

                       8th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 8th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 3rd Divsion proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       8th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps was formed in 6th Division on the 9th of January 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They left the division on the 5th of April 1917 and transferred to Corps command.

                       93rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps Served with 31st Division. After initial training close to home, the units concentrated at South Camp, Ripon in April and May 1915. Training was difficult due to severe shortages of arms, ammunition and equipment. In September they moved to Fovant on Salisbury Plain for final training for service in France. Advance parties had already crossed the channel when the division was ordered to Egypt in December, accompanied by the artillery of 32nd Division in exchange for thier own Divisional artillery. They sailed for Egypt in December and took over No 3 Sector of the Suez Canal. They were recalled to France and sailed to Marseilles during the first week of March for service on the Western Front. Their first action being the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

                       94th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps Served with 31st Division. After initial training close to home, the units concentrated at South Camp, Ripon in April and May 1915. Training was difficult due to severe shortages of arms, ammunition and equipment. In September they moved to Fovant on Salisbury Plain for final training for service in France. Advance parties had already crossed the channel when the division was ordered to Egypt in December, accompanied by the artillery of 32nd Division in exchange for thier own Divisional artillery. They sailed for Egypt in December and took over No 3 Sector of the Suez Canal. They were recalled to France and sailed to Marseilles during the first week of March for service on the Western Front. Their first action being the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

                       95th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 31st Division. After initial training close to home, the units concentrated at South Camp, Ripon in April and May 1915. Training was difficult due to severe shortages of arms, ammunition and equipment. In September they moved to Fovant on Salisbury Plain for final training for service in France. Advance parties had already crossed the channel when the division was ordered to Egypt in December, accompanied by the artillery of 32nd Division in exchange for thier own Divisional artillery. They sailed for Egypt in December and took over No 3 Sector of the Suez Canal. They were recalled to France and sailed to Marseilles during the first week of March for service on the Western Front. Their first action being the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

                       96th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 30th Division in November 1915, as the division was concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       97th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 30th Division in November 1915, as the division was concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       98th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 30th Division in November 1915, as the division was concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       99th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 33rd Division. Following initial training near home, the units concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train werereplaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

                       9th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 9th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 3rd Divsion proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. on the 26th of August 1915, 9th Field Ambulance transferred to the Guards Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       10th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 9th (Scottish) Division on the 30th of April 1915, went into action in the The Battle of Loos. They left 9th (Scottish) Division on the 11th of June 1916

                       The 11th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 11th (Northern) Division for training in early 1915 but left the Division before they went overseas in June. They joined 15th (Scottish) Division on the 23rd of June 1915, and proceeded to France in July. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres but left 15th (Scottish) Division on the 22nd of July. They joined 9th (Scottish) Division on the 7th of October 1918 they were in action during The Advance in Flanders and left the Division on the 7th of November 1918.

                       The 12th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 17th (Northern) Division on the 10th of July 1915. They proceeded to France and moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal. They left the Division on the 7th of May 1916.

                       The 13th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 19th (Western) Division on the 14th of July 1915. They were in action at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. They left the Division on the 7th of March 1916.

                       The 14th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 20th (Light) Division on the 26th of January 1915 in the St Omer area. They left the Division on the 22nd of April 1916.

                       The 15th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 18th (Eastern) Division on the 22nd of July 1915 near Flesselles in France. They left the Division on the 4th of May 1916.

                       The 16th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 37th Division on the 26th of July 1915 near Tilques. They left the Division on the 9th of May 1916.

                       The 19th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 34th Division in November 1915 on Salisbury Plain. They left the Division on the 6th of February 1916 and proceeded to France.

                       The 3rd Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 24th Division on the 30th of October 1915 and left on the 23rd of November 1915

                       The 8th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 14th (Light) Divsion in early 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. They left 14th Division on the 5th of November 1916.

                       The 9th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 12th (Eastern) Division in early 1915. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. They left 12th (Eastern) Division on the 1st of March 1918.

                       10th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. Went the Division departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos, the original column remained behind, their place being taken by the men formerly of 29th Division Column which joined 10th (Irish) Division in Egypt in October 1915. They suffered losses when transport \"Marquette\" was torpedoed off the coast of Salonika on the 23rd of October and replacements were transferred from 42nd Division Ammunition Column. They were formally renumbered 10th Divisional Ammunition Column on the 4th of March 1916. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

                        11th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the infantry at Grantham, the artillery at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon, the Engineers at Newark, RAMC at Sheffield and ASC at Lichfield in Staffordshire. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       12th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       14th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, also XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       15th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 15th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       16th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 16th (Irish) Division. 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. Some units were transferred to the 37th and Guards Divisions when they were formed in 1915, amongst them the Divisional Ammunition Column, being renamed accordingly. A new 16th Divisional Ammunition Column joined 16th (Irish) Division in France on the 22nd of February 1916. Later that year they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       17th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

                       18th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       19th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1918.

                       1st Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       20th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       21st Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 21st Division. 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets, with the artillery at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted. In May 1915 they moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       23rd Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 69th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919

                       24th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 24th Division. The was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                    11th March 2016   

                    25th Division of the Royal Field Artillery leaving Frome © Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) Frome Society for Local Study

                    The origin of the 25th Division of the RFA dates back to Army Order No. 388 in September 1914 with the formation of six divisions (21st to 26th) and Army Troops to the Regular Army. The war diary places the early formation of the 25th Division, as reported in the Somerset Standard newspaper, to have taken place in the Somerset town of Frome. The Somerset Standard of 20th November 1914 reported that Col Bethell had been in the market town of Frome during the week to advise those connected with the arrangements that had already been made, that the Market Hall and the Market Yard in the center of the town would be in use very shortly by the new recruits that were expected, quite soon, and that the officers of the newly formed 25th Division of the Royal Field Artillery would use the Masonic Hall as their headquarters. "On Monday 23th November 1914 the first of 300 new artillery recruits arrived by special train at Frome Railway Station for their initial training, from London. The men arrived "light" at approximately 6.30 am and marched in the direction of the Market Hall where they were given the first of many breakfasts. Following on from breakfast the men did some drills in the market yard and later in the afternoon marched back to the railway station and collected their kit bags. In the evening they were free to acquaint themselves with what the town of Frome had to offer. On the following day a further 400 recruits arrived. Of these first batch of 700 recruits the majority where Londoners with the remainder being Scots. "The Officer commanding the 25th Division of the Royal Field Artillery had recently been promoted to Brigadier-General with Colonel Grundy as his second in command. The division comprised of four brigades with each brigade made up of four batteries of 200 men in each battery. Most of the non-commissioned officers were men who had served at the battle on Mons and who had been wounded and subsequently recovered from their wounds. It was understood that six guns were to be allocated to each brigade and that some 200 horses would also be acquired, at some stage." Over the coming weeks the Somerset Standard reported that on 29th November a further 350 troops had arrived from Cosham near Portsmouth and that on 18th December an additional 600 troops had arrived from Exeter or from Ipswich or Brighton. Around Christmas 1914 the Somerset Standard reported that there was a further arrival of some 60 or 70 men from Torquay and that the troops quartered in the town now number some 1,500 and that in addition to dismounted drills the men are daily exercised with the horses and guns. The 25th Division of the RFA, led by Brigadier-General H A Bethell, left Frome for its next location in England, as stated in the Somerset Standard dated 16 April, 1915. It is assumed that the next location was in fact Heytesbury Military Camp and then possibly Larkhill Military Camp. The 25th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery was formed in May 1916 from the four brigade ammunition columns of 25th Division. The division was in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June the Division returned to England to reconstitute. They returned to France and fought in The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                    Somerset Standard articles from Nov 1914 to Apr 1915 and copy of War Diary from the FIREPOWER RFA Museum in London


                       26th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 26th Division. The 26th Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill On the 22 of January 1917 the DAC transferred to XII Corps Ammunition Column, with the division retaining brigade level ammunition columns.

                    In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       27th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery was formed in December 1914 from the IV Home Counties (Howitzer) Brigade TF, RFA and served with 27th Division. The 27th Division was formed at at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 from regular army units who had arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. The DAC was disbanded on the 8th of January 1917 with 274th Division retaining the Brigade Ammunition Columns

                       28th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 28th Division. The Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       29th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 29th Division. The Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when the Division returned to Egypt. In March 29th Division was sent to France, but the DAC remained in Egypt, joining 10th (Irish) Division in October. The DAC of 53rd (Welsh) Division transferred to become the new 29th DAC as the Division concentrated in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

                       2nd Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 2nd Division. 2nd Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       30th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 30th Division. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began

                       31st Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery joined 31st Division on the 30th of December 1915 at Fovant on Salisbury Plain. They trabnsferred to 32nd Division and proceeded to France, rejoining 31st Division when they returned from Egypt in March. They were in action during the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

                       34th (Nottingham) Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 34th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                       35th (British Empire League) Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

                       36th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 36th Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, minus the Divisional Artillery, which followed in November. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville, for winter training. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade from 4th Division were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       37th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 37th Division. The was formed in early 1915, in April the Division concentrated at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France in July, concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

                       38th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 38th (Welsh) Division from December 1914. The 38th Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. The four Brigade Ammunition Columns amalgamated into the DAC in May 1916. In July the Division were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       39th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       3rd Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 3rd Division. 3rd Divsion proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       40th (Hammersmith) Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       41st (West Ham) Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       42nd (East Lancashire) Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       46th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

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

                       48th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were iin action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                       49th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 49th (West Riding) Division. The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919

                       4th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 4th Division. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

                       50th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Northumbrian Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed in 1908 as one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base. The 50th division was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and took up their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. In April they proceeded to France concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. The orginal infantry units were withdrawn and others arrived to take their place. The reformed Division went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

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

                       5th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 5th Division. 5th Division arrived in France with the BEF in mid August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       6th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 6th Division. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire and moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       7th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 7th Division. In late September 1914 7th Division concentrated in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       8th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       9th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 9th (Scottish) Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice.

                       L Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 9th Scottish Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice.

                       LI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 9th Scottish Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice.

                       108th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 5th Division, being amongst the first troops to arrive on the Western Front. They saw action in the Battle of Mons, The Marne, The Aisne and First Ypres as well as the Winter operations of 1914-15.

                       10th Heavy Battery were attached to 10th (Irish) Division between March and August 1915, They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke and departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They joined 11th (Northern Division) at Sulva Bay on 14th of August and remained with the division until 17th of December 1915. In 1917 they were with 96th Brigade RGA, 75th Division equipped with 4 x 60pdrs, as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

                       10th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 16th of February 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       113th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 12th of June 1916.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       11th (Hull) Heavy Battery were formed from the 1st Hull Heavy Battery in 1916. They had trained with 11th (Northern) Division, but left the Division in June 1915 to join 30th Division. In February 1916 they transferred to 38th Brigade RGA and were deployed in the East African Campaign, arriving at Kilindini on the 16th of March 1916.

                       11th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 21st of April 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       121st Heavy Battery joined 28th Division on the 18th of January 1915. On the 6th of April 1915 the left the division.

                       122nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       125th Heavy Battery was raised with 30th Division. The Division was formed in April 1915 and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. 125th Heavy Battery left the divison on the 29th of April 1916.

                       12th Heavy Battery were attached to 12th (Eastern) Division until the 8th of June 1915. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with the artillery training near Shorncliffe. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division. 12th Heavy Battery left the Division on the 8th of June 1915.

                       12th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       130th Heavy Battery, RGA was raised as divisional artillery for 24th Division in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division began to assemble in the area of Shoreham but suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training. 130th Heavy battery left the division to join XXXV Heavy Artillery Brigade and proceeded to Egypt.

                       131st Heavy Battery, RGA was raised in Lewisham as divisional artillery for raised for 26th Division on the 22nd of January 1915, but left 26th Division when they went overseas. They then joined 35th Division and later moved independently to France, joining XXIII Heavy Artillery Group in March 1916.

                       138th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to Salonika in August 1916.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       13th Heavy Battery was raised for 13th (Western) Division as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The division began to assemble on Salisbury Plain in August 1914. Near the end of February 1915 the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire for final training. 13th Heavy Battery left the Division and were sent to France on the 30th of May 1915 as part of XVII Heavy Brigade. On 23rd of October 1915, they joined 28th Division who were preparing to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt arriving the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       13th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 23rd of April 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       141st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 9th of August 1916.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       144th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in August 1916

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       14th Heavy Battery was the first heavy battery of the Kitchener's New Army, initally named 8th Heavy, they were quickly redesignated and joined 14th (Light) Division on the 9th of February 1915. They left the division on the 8th of June 1915 and joined XVI Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       14th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to Gallipoli in 1915 and after the withdrawal were sent to France

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       15th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 15th (Scottish) Divsion and trained at at Charlton Park, Woolwich. They left the Division and landed on Gallipoli at Sulva Bay on the 10th of August 1915. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli to Mudros and then moved to Egypt.

                       15th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 11th of July 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       160th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 18th of September 1916

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       16th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 16th (Irish) Divsion by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. In 1915 16th Heavy Battery left the Division and proceeded to France.

                       16th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 20th of July 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory

                       177th Heavy Battery joined 13th (Western) Division in Mesopotamia on the 25th of October 1917, they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. They left the division on the 29th of May 1918

                       17th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 17th (Northern) Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They left the Division and proceeded to France on the 9th of October 1915.

                       17th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery served in Gallipoli from July 1915 and later transferred to the Western Front.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       18th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 18th (Eastern) Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They left the Division and proceeded to Egypt in October 1915 spending most of the war in Salonika.

                       18th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in late September 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       195th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 28th of November 1916

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       19th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 19th (Western) Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They left the Division in July 1915 and proceeded to France on the 15th to join XXI Brigade RGA

                       19th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in May 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       1st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 2nd Division on the 17th of September 1914 with the BEF. They saw action at Mons, the battle of the Marne, Battle of the Aisne and the 1st Battle of Ypres. In April 1915 they left 2nd Division.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       200th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceede to France on the 2nd of November 1916.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       1st London Heavy Battery was part of the 56th (1st London) Division TF who had just set out for their annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914.

                    The Battery, equipped with four 4.7-inch guns left the Division to join 58th (2/1st London) Division in early 1915 remaining with them in England until 11th of February 1916. They proceeded to France on 3rd of March 1916 where they joined XXVII Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       1st Lancashire Heavy Battery was part of the West Lancashire Division TF who had just set out for thier annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division were recalled and underwent training in England before proceeding to France and being renamed 55th (West Lancashire) Division.

                    The Battery, equipped with four 4.7-inch guns left the West Lancashire Division to join 57th Division in April 1915 remaining with them in England until 28th of December 1915. They proceeded to France on 26th of January 1916 where they joined XXIX Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       20th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 20th (Light) Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They left the Division in July 1915 and proceeded to France in August.

                       20th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in June 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       21st Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 21st Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. They left the Division in July 1915 and proceeded to France on the 21st of August with XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       21st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in May 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       220th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France, 25th of December 1916.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       22nd Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 22nd Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. They left the Division in July 1915 and proceeded to France on the 31st of August joining XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       22nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in October 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       236th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 29th of January 1917.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       23rd Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 23rd Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, they moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe in Kent then moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of May. They left the Division in July 1915 and proceeded to France on the 15th of September 1915, joining No. 1 Group in I Corps. In November 1915 they ransferred to XXII HA Brigade.

                       23rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 20th of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       24th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was a pre war unit, which served with 6th Division, they proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire and moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and left the Division in May 1915.

                       24th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 20th of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       25th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was raised with 25th Division in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. 25th Heavy Battery left the division and proceeded to France independently

                       25th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 3rd of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       262nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       26th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 1st Division, being amongst the first troops to arrive on the Western Front.

                    They saw action in the Battle of Mons, The Marne, The Aisne and First Ypres as well as the Winter operations of 1914-15. They transferred to 2nd Division in February 1915

                       26th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 3rd of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       27th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 4th of September 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       28th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 4th of September 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       297th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       29th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 3rd of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       2nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 17th of September 1914 with the BEF. On the 5th of November 1914 the Battery was in a position near Loisine Beuvry. the war diary records: "Loisne was shelled by the enemy between 10 & 10.30am and again between 1.30 & 2.20pm. During the latter period one shell pitched in the Battery's bivouac killing two gunners (S. Cole and Squires, G)."

                    They were in action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in 1915

                    In late 1918 they were part of Fourth Army, XIII Corps, 85 Brigade RGA, affiliated to 50th Division. On the 10th of October 1918 they were positioned just North of Reumont, providing harassing fire on roads east of Le Cateau.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       31st Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 4th Division, being amongst the first troops to arrive on the Western Front. Equipped with 60pounder guns, they saw action in the Battle of Mons, The Marne, The Aisne and First Ypres as well as the Winter operations of 1914-15.

                       35th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 2nd Division, being amongst the first troops to arrive on the Western Front.

                    They saw action in the Battle of Mons, The Marne, The Aisne and First Ypres as well as the Winter operations of 1914-15.

                       37th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was raised as part of 37th Division, but was broken up before the Division proceeded to France.

                       384th Siege Battery joined 13th (Western) Division in Mesopotamia on the 25th of October 1917, they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib enduring extreme summer temperatures. They left the division on the 1st of October 1918.

                       387th Siege Battery joined 13th (Western) Division in Mesopotamia on the 25th of October 1917, they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin. They left the division on the 24th of March 1918

                       38th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was raised as part of 38th Division, but left before the Division proceeded to France, and joined XLII Heavy Artillery Group.

                       395th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery served in Italy in 1917 and went to Mesopotamia in March 1918 with 11th Cavalry Brigade attached to 15th Brigade.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       3rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 17th of September 1914 with the BEF.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       41st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed under the command of Major H.C. Hall in July 1915 composed of regular solider from Hong Kong and Singapore and Territorials from Durham RGA. They proceeded to France on the 9th of December 1915 with four 6 inch Howitzer Guns, which had a range of 9000 yards.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       42nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery saw action at Gallipoli from the 11th of July 1915 and later transferred to the Western Front.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       45th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France arriving on the 31st of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       48th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 3rd Division, being amongst the first troops to arrive on the Western Front.

                    They saw action in the Battle of Mons, The Marne, The Aisne and First Ypres as well as the Winter operations of 1914-15.

                       4th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 17th of September 1914 with the BEF.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       5th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in September 1914 with the BEF.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       6th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed from men of the 23rd, 39th and 107th Companies RGA. They proceeded to France in September 1914 with the BEF, armed with horse-drawn 6 inch Howitzers of the older 30 cwt type.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       71st Heavy Battery joined 28th Division on the 17th of February 1915. On the 6th of April 1915 they left the Division as the Heavy Artillery was reorganised.

                       74th Heavy Battery joined 13th (Western) Division in Mesopotamia on the 24th of August 1746. They transferred to LXVI Brigade on the 23rd of November 1916

                       8th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery joined the BEF in France in mid October 1914.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       91st Heavy Battery trained with 11th (Northern) Division, but left the Division to join 13th (Western) Division on the 7th of June 1915. They proceeded to the Mediterranean landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. They left 13th (Western) Division and joined XCVI Brigade RGA in 1917

                       9th Heavy Battery was formed on the 26th of August 1914 equipped with 4, 4.7inch guns. They proceeded to France with 9th (Scottish) Division in May 1915 and almost immediatley joined H.A.Reserve and went into action near Armentieres. Later the Battery transferred to 16th H.A.Brigade and was re-equipped with 60 pdrs in January 1917

                       9th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 21st of April 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       The 1/1st Highland (Fifeshire) Heavy Battery was part of the 51st (Highland) Division TF who had just set out for thier annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division returned home and were sent to Bedford the following week for training . The Highland (Fifeshire) Heavy Battery proceeded to France with 51st Division in late April 1915, equipped with four 4.7-inch guns. Shortly after the Division arrived in Flanders, there was an attack on Ypres, the first using poison gas and the Highland Division was rushed into action to the defend Ypres On 3rd May 1915 the Battery joined IV Brigade HA.

                       The 1/1st Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery was part of the 44th (Home Counties) Division TF at the out break of war in August 1914 the division was mobilized and the brigade artillery took up position at the defensive forts on the south coast.

                    On 22nd September 1914 the Indian Government agreed to exchange 52 regular British and Indian army battalions for 43 Territorial Battalions and the infantry battalions of Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery TF was selected to be sent to India. The Artillery, Medical Corps and Royal Engineers remained in Europe.

                    The Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery proceeded to France in December 1915.

                    On 11 Nov 1918 the Battery was in 92nd Brigade RGA supporting 3rd Division.

                       The 1/1st Lowland (Edinburgh) Heavy Battery was part of the 51st (Highland) Division TF who had just set out for their annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division returned home and took up position on the Scottish Coastal Defences. The Lowland (Edinburgh) Heavy Battery remained on the Coastal defences when the 51st Division departed for Gallipoli in May 1915. The Battery proceeded to France on the 16th of February 1916 and joined XVII Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       1/1st Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Battery was part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division TF who had just set out for their annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division returned home took up their positions on the Tyne Defences. The Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Battery proceeded to France with 50th Division in mid April 1915, equipped with four 4.7-inch guns. Shortly after the Division arrived at Steenvoorde in Flanders, there was an attack on Ypres, the first using poison gas and the 50th Division were rushed into action. On 16th May 1915 the Battery joined XIII Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       1/1st North Midland (Staffordshire) Heavy Battery, was part of the 46th (North Midland) Division TF and was mobilised at the outbreak of war in August 1914 and underwent training in the area around Luton. The battery was equipped with four 4.7-inch guns and they proceeded to France in February 1915 being the first complete TF Division to arrive on the Western Front, spending the first few months of active service in the Ypres Salient.

                    They joined XIII HA Brigade, RGA on 18th of April 1915

                       1/1st South Midland (Warwick) Heavy Battery, was part of the 48th (South Midland) Division TF, based in Birmingham and was mobilised at the outbreak of war in August 1914 and underwent training in the area around Chelmsford, having been recalled from their summer camp. They sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne in mid March 1915 and the Division concentrated near Cassel. The Battery left the Division on 16th of April 1915.

                       1/1st Welsh (Caernarvonshire) Heavy Battery was part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division TF who had just set out for thier annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division returned home and took up their defensive positions at Shrewsbury, Wellington, Oswestry and Fort Scoveston. At the end of August they moved to Northampton and then to Cambridge in November. In July 1915 the 53rd (Welsh) Division departed for Gallipoli, but the Welsh (Caernarvonshire) Heavy Battery remained in England.

                    The Battery proceeded to France on the 3rd of March 1916 and joined XXIII HA Bde.

                       1/1st Wessex Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was part of the 43rd (Wessex) Division TF at the out break of war in August 1914 the division was mobilized and the brigade artillery took up possition at the defensive forts on the south coast.

                    On 22nd September 1914 the Indian Government agreed to exchange 52 regular British and Indian army battalions for 43 Territorial Battalions and the infantry battalions of 43rd (Wessex) Division TF was selected to be sent to India. The Artillery, Medical Corps and Royal Engineers remained in Europe.

                       1/1st West Riding Heavy Battery was part of the 49th (West Riding) Division TF who had just set out for thier annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division returned home and underwent training in south Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The West Riding Heavy Battery proceeded to France on sailing from Southampton to Le Havre in April 1915, equipped with four 4.7-inch guns. On 24 April 1915 the Battery joined VIII Brigade, II Group Heavy Artillery, but returned to support the 49th Division between 13th May and 28th June 1915 at Aubers Ridge.

                       Commanded by a Major (or Captain) with a Captain as second-in-command, each Battery of the Royal Field Artillery was armed with six guns. There were three sections each with two guns, under a Lieutenant (or 2nd Lieutenant). The Battery consisted of 198 men: A Major, a Captain, 6 Lieutenant (or 2nd Lts), a Battery Sergeant-Major, Battery Quartermaster Sergeant, a Farrier-Sergeant, 4 Shoeing Smiths, 2 Saddlers, 2 Wheelers, 2 Trumpeters, 7 Sergeants, 7 Corporals, 11 Bombardiers, 75 Gunners, 70 Drivers and 10 Gunners acting as Batmen for the officers. There was also a small contingent of men trained as signalers and telephonists responsible for the upkeep of telephone lines open between Forward Observation Officers and the Battery, so that fire accuracy or target locations could be reported. The task was extremely hazardous as the lines were repeatedly severed by shellfire, and signallers were responsible for making repairs whilst the Batteries were in action and under enemy fire.

                       LXV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, consisting of 205, 206 and 207 (Howitzer) Batteries and 65th Brigade Ammunition Column served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground.

                    In February 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were renamed A, B, C and D. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. On the 18th of June C Battery left the brigade and would join 129 Brigade, 27th Division in September.

                    The Brigade underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded. By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916.

                    The Brigade Artillery was reorganised on the 25th of May 1916. A an B Batteries transferred to 62 and 63 Brigades respectively. D Batteries of 62, 63 and 64 Brigades joined and were renamed A, B and C Batteries, 65th brigade. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. LXV (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 30th of August 1916, HQ and one section of A Battery along with B & D Batteries joined 63 Brigade. The guns of B were divided to bring all the brigade batteries up to six guns each. The remaining section of A Battery along with C Battery, moved to 62 Brigade.

                       67th or LXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 39th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma), Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. In October 1915 they transferred to 10th (Irish) Division who were concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

                       LXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 214, 215 and 216 Batteries RFA and 68th Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 39th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. In February 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were renamed A, B, C and D.

                    The division joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force to reinforce the troops at Gallipoli and 68 Brigade RFA rmbarked from Avonmouth on the 18th of June 1915, landing at Alexandria (Egypt) on the 4th of July. Orders were received for 68 Brigade RFA to proceed to Salonika to join the 10th (Irish) Division. They landed at Salonika between 13th and 15th October 1915. On 7th and 8 December 1915 they were in action at Kosturino and later in the retreat from Serbia. Brigades of the Division were in action at the Karajakois between 30th of September and 2 October 1915 then at Yenikoi on the 3rd and 4th of October 1915.

                    On the 31st of July 1916 D Battery transferred and became C Battery, 57 Brigade RFA. B (Howitzer) Battery, 57 Brigade joined and was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 68 Brigade RFA. A Battery was divided on the 27th of December 1916, with one section of two guns each joining B and C Batteries, to bring them up to six guns each, and the former C Battery was renamed A Battery.

                    On the 18th of August 1917, the Division was ordered to concentrate at the port of Salonika for embarkation. Early in September it moved to Egypt and assembled near Rafa. 68 Brigade Ammunition Column merged with 10th Divisional Ammunition Column on the 25th of September 1917. D (Howitzer) Battery was renamed C (Howitzer) Battery before the 3rd of October 1917.

                    The Division was involved in the Palestine campaign thereafter. Between April and June 1918, a major reorganisation took place as many British units were replaced by Indian ones. On 12 November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, ready for moving back to Egypt. By the 1st of December it was at Cairo.

                       LXX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 220, 221 and 222 Batteries RFA and the 71 Brigade Ammunition Column served with 15th (Scottish) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. In February 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and renamed A, B, C and D. 70 Brigade proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915.

                    In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. On the 22nd of May 1916 71 Brigade Ammunition Column merged with other columms of the divisional artillery to form the 15th Divisional Ammunition Column. On 7th of June 1916 D Battery, 71 Brigade exchanged with B Battery, 73 (Howitzer) Brigade and each adopted the other's name.

                    71 Brigade were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. The brigade was reorganised in early December 1916. C Battery was divided between A and B Battery to bring them up to six guns each, with C Battery, 73 (Howitzer) Brigade joining and being renamed C Battery, 71 Brigade. On the 22nd of January 1917 a section of two howitzers moved from 532 (Howitzer) Battery, 72 Brigade to bring D Battery up to six guns.

                    In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       LXXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 223, 224 and 225 Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column served with 15th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. In February 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were titled as A, B, C and D. 71 Brigade proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915.

                    In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. On the 22nd May 1916 the Brigade Ammunition Column merged with other columns of the divisional artillery to form the 15th Divisional Ammunition Column. On the 7th of June 1916 D Battery exchanged with C Battery, 73 (Howitzer) Brigade of the same division, each adopting the others name. 71 Brigade were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. The brigade was reorganised in early December 1916. C Battery was split between A and B Battery to bring them up to six guns each. B Battery, 73 (Howitzer) Brigade joined and was renamed C Battery, 71 Brigade. On the 22nd of January 1917 a section of two howitzers from 532 (Howitzer) Battery, 72 Brigade joined to make to D (Howitzer) Battery but to six guns.

                    In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       LXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 226, 227 and 228 Batteries RFA and 72 Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 15th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. In February 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were titled as A, B, C and D. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. Their first major action was in the The Battle of Loos in September 1915. The Brigade Ammunition Column left on the 22nd of May 1916 merging with the other columns of the divisional artillery to form the 15th Divisional Ammunition Coumn. On 7 June 1916 D Battery exchanged with D Battery. 73 (Howitzer) Brigade of the same division and each adopted the other's name. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. 532 (Howitzer) Battery, which had just arrived in France, joined on the 16th of November 1916. On the 2nd of December 1916 C Battery was divided between A and B Battery to bring them up to six guns each. A new section of two howitzers joined D Battery.

                    72 Brigade left 15th (Scottish) Division on the 20th of January 1917 to become an Army Brigade RFA. The same day, B Battery 252 Brigade RFA, 50th Division joined on and was renamed C Battery, 72 Brigade RFA. On the 22nd of January 1917, 532 (Howitzer) Battery was split into sections moving to 70 and 71 Brigades RFA.

                       XXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 229, 230 and 231 (Howitzer) Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column, served as Divisional Artillery with 15th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. In February 1915 the three six-howitzer batteries were reorganised to become four four-howitzer batteries and were titled as A, B, C and D. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. On 7th of August 1915 A (Howitzer) Battery left to join 130 (Howitzer) Brigade of 28th Division and was remamed C (Howitzer) Battery 130 Bde. 73rd Howitzer Brigade were in action in the The Battle of Loos in autumn 1915 and in spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. The Brigade Ammunition Column left on 22 May 1916 to merge with others in the divisional artillery to form the 15th Divisional Ammunition Column. On the 7th of June 1916 B, C and D (Howitzer) Batteries moved to 70, 71 and 72 Brigades RFA respectively. The D Batteries of those three brigades arrived to replace them, becoming B, C and D Batteries respectively. In July B, C and D Batteries were renamed as A, B and C respectively.

                    They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. 73 (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up in the first week of December 1916 A Battery was divided between to B and C Battery. B Battery then moved to 71 Brigade and was renamed C Battery, 71 Bde. C moved to 70 Brigade and was renamed C Battery, 70 Bde.

                       LXXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 232, 233 and 234 Batteries RFA and 74 Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 16th (Irish) Division. The 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. Some units were transferred to the 37th and Guards Divisions when they were formed in 1915, including 74 Brigade RFA. On the 23rd of January 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were renamed A, B, C and D. In July 1915 74 Brigade RFA left 16th (Irish) Division for training on Salisbury Plain.

                    They landed at Le Havre on the 29th of August 1915 and joined the Guards Division. In 1915 they were in action in The Battle of Loos. On the 13th of May 1916, 74 Brigade Ammunition Column merged with the other columns of the divisional artillery to form the Guards Divisional Ammunition Column. In 1916 they fought on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs. On the 14th of November 1916 the batteries were reorganised into six-gun units. C Battery being divided between A and B Batteries. A Battery, 61 Brigade RFA joined and was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 74 Brigade. Half of D Battery 76 (Howitzer) Brigade joined D (Howitzer) to make the battery up to six howitzers.

                    In 1917 they were in action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Third Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on The Somme, during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice they were near Maubeuge and were then ordered to the Rhine, crossing the German frontier on the 11th of December. Battalions began to return to England on the 20th of February 1919 and had all returned home by the 29th of April 1919.

                       LXXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 247, 248 and 249 Batteries RFA and 79 Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. In January 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were renamed A, B, C and D Batteries. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area.

                    In the second week of May 1916 79 Brigade Ammunition Column merged with the other columns of the divisional artillery to form 17th Divisional Ammunition Column. On the 20th of May 1916 D Battery, transferred and became B Battery, 81 Brigade. C (Howitzer) Battery, 81 Brigade joined and was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 78 Brigade. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. C Battery and a section of B Battery, 80 Brigade RFA joined on 31st of August 1916 and brought A, B and C Batteries up to six guns each. On the 10th of January 1917 a section of D (Howitzer) Battery, 81 Brigade joined to make D (Howitzer) Battery up to six guns. They moved up to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

                       LXXVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, consisted of 238, 239 and 240 Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column served with 16th (Irish) Division. On 23rd of January 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were titled as A, B, C and D. In July 1915 they left the 16th (Irish) Division and underwent training on Salisbury Plain. They landed at Le Havre on the 3rd of September 1915 and joined the Guards Division. In Autumn 1915 they were in action in The Battle of Loos. The Brigade Ammunition Column left the brigade on the 13th of May 1916 merging with the other columns of the divisional artillery to form the Guards Divisional Ammunition Column. In 1916 they fought on the Somme at the The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, in which the Division captured Lesboeufs. The batteries were reorganised on 14th of November 1916 becoming six-gun units. Two guns of B Battery joined A and C Batteries. B Battery, 61 Brigade RFA joined, merging with half of D Battery 76 (Howitzer) Brigade to become D (Howitzer) Battery, 75 Brigade. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and Third Battle of Ypres including The Battle of Pilkem, The Battle of the Menin Road, The Battle of Poelkapelle and The First Battle of Passchendale. In 1918 They fought on the Somme during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Albert and The Second Battle of Bapaume. Also The 1918 First Battle of Arras, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to The Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre

                       LXXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, initially made up of 235, 236 and 237 Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 16th (Irish) Division. The 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. On 23 January 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were titled as A, B, C and D. In July 1915 they left the 16th (Irish) Division and underwent training on Salisbury Plain. They landed at Le Havre on the 3rd of September 1915 and joined the Guards Division. In Autumn 1915 they were in action in The Battle of Loos.

                    The Brigade Ammunition Column left the brigade on the 13th of May 1916 merging with the other columns of the divisional artillery to form the Guards Divisional Ammunition Column.

                    In 1916 they fought on the Somme at the The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, in which the Division captured Lesboeufs. The batteries were reorganised on 14th of November 1916 becoming six-gun units. Two guns of B Battery joined A and C Batteries. B Battery, 61 Brigade RFA joined, merging with half of D Battery 76 (Howitzer) Brigade to become D (Howitzer) Battery, 75 Brigade.

                    In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and Third Battle of Ypres including The Battle of Pilkem, The Battle of the Menin Road, The Battle of Poelkapelle and The First Battle of Passchendale. In 1918 They fought on the Somme during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Albert and The Second Battle of Bapaume. Also The 1918 First Battle of Arras, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to The Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre

                       The Naval Hospital at Hull Royal Infirmary, was organised by Lady Nunburnholme. She persuaded the Board of Guardians to loan the East and West wings of the hospital located at Argyle Street. Equipped by Lady Nunburnholme and Lord Glenconner, the Naval Hospital was staffed by trained Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurses. With 220 beds available, it was initially used as a military hospital for the Humber Garrisons, but by early 1917 it was receiving a weekly Royal Navy Ambulance Train.

                       C Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of A, B, C and D Batteries RFA and 100 Brigade Ammunition Column served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. On the 21st of July 1916 C Battery transferred to 101 Brigade, and was renamed C Battery, 101 Brigade. D Battery, 100 Brigade was renamed C Battery, 100 Brigade. C (Howitzer) Battery, 101 Brigade joined and was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 100 Brigade.

                    In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. On the 12th of June 1917 D (Howitzer) Battery transferred to 114 Brigade RFA in 26th Division and was not replaced. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder of the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       CL Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 30th Division. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units of Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. CL Brigade left the Division on the 2nd of January 1917.

                       CLV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined 31st Division on the 30th of December 1915 at Fovant on Salisbury Plain.

                       CLI (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 30th Division joining in August 1915. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. CLI (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 26th of August 1916.

                       CLII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 34th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April and the Divisional Artillery joined 5th Division whilst the Infantry was reorganised. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and they returned to action at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                       CLVII (Aberdeen) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

                       CCLV (I Highland) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 51st (Highland) Division. They proceeded to France in early May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December.

                       256 Brigade RA consisted of A (Forfarshire) Bty, B (Fifeshire) Bty, C (City of Dundee) Bty and an Ammunition Column. They served with served with 51st (Highland) Division. They proceeded to France in early May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. Initially they were equipped with 15 Pdr Guns then re-equipped with 18Pdr Guns in August 1915. D Heavy Howitzer Bty was added to 256 Brigade in May 1916 armed with 4.5 inch Howitzers when 1/2nd Highland Brigade RFA was renamed to 256 Bde. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December.

                       CCLVIII (III Highland Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 51st (Highland) Division. The Highland Division was created in 1908 part of the Territorial Force. They had just departed for annual camp when they were recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and concentrated at Bedford. Several units were sent to France as reinforcements for the BEF between November 1914 and March 1915. The rest of the Division proceeded to France in early May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood. 258 (III Highland Howitzer) Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 21st of August 1916.

                       CCLX (I Lowland) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined 51st (Highland) Division on the 10th of November 1915. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. 260 Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 28th of January 1917.

                       CCX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised

                       CCXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       CCXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the first Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. CCXII Brigade was broken up on the 21st of February 1917.

                       CCXL (I South Midland) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                       CCXLI (II South Midland) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

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

                       CCXLV (I West Riding) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 49th (West Riding) Division. The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919

                       CCXLVI (II West Riding) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 49th (West Riding) Division. The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919

                       CCXLVII (II West Riding) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 49th (West Riding) Division. The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. CCXLVII (III West Riding) Brigade was broken up on the 28th of February 1917.

                       CCXLVIII (IV West Riding) (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 49th (West Riding) Division The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. CCXLVIII (IV West Riding) (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 18th of October 1916.

                       CCXV (I Wessex) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional Artillery with the Wessex Division which was part of the Territorial Force. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Bombay on the 9th of November. They left the Division October 1916 and moved to Mesopotamia.

                       CCXVI (Howitzer) (II Wessex) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with the Wessex Division which was part of the Territorial Force. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Bombay on the 9th of November and remaining in India through out the conflict.

                       CCXVII (III Wessex) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional Artillery with the Wessex Division which was part of the Territorial Force. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Bombay on the 9th of November and remaining in India through out the conflict.

                       IV Wessex Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, later renamed CCXVIII Brigade, served as Divisional Artillery with the Wessex Division which was part of the Territorial Force. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Bombay on the 9th of November and remaining in India through out the conflict.

                       4th (North Midlands) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery later renamed CCXXX Brigade served as Divisional artillery with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

                       CCXXXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

                       CCXXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. CCXXXII Brigade left the Division in January 1917.

                       CCXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. CCXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, was broken up in August 1916.

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

                       6th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 47th (2nd London) Division. The 2nd London Division was part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt.

                    On the 17th of May 1916 6th London Brigade RFA were renamed CCXXXVI Brigade, RFA. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                       7th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, later renamed CCXXXVII Brigade, served as Divisional artillery with 47th (2nd London) Division. The 2nd London Division was part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. 237 Brigade, RFA left the Division in November 1916

                       8th London (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, later renamed CCXXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, served as Divisional Artillery with 47th (2nd London) Division The 2nd London Division was part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. 238 (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA was broken up in January 1917.

                       CI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       CII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 23rd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       CIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of A, B, C and D Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 23rd Division. The batteries were each armed with four 18-pounder field guns. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CIII and CIIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. In mid May 1916 the Brigade Ammunition Column merged with the others of the brigade to become 23rd Divisional Ammunition Column. On the 20th of May 1916 D Battery transferred out and was renamed B Battery, 105 Brigade. B (Howitzer) Battery, 105 Brigade joined and was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 103 Brigade. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In the first week of September 1916 the field gun batteries were made up to six guns with B Battery, 105 Brigade joining to provide two guns to B Battery, 105 Brigade and two guns to C Battery, 103 Brigade. Two guns also joined A Battery, 103 Brigade from C Battery, 105 Brigade. On 18 January 1917 the howitzer battery was also made up to six guns when a section of two joined from C (Howitzer) Battery, 104 Brigade. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       CCLIII (III Northumbrian Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Northumbrian Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed in 1908 as one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base. The 50th division was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and took up their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. In April they proceeded to France concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. CCLIII (III Northumbrian Howitzer) Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 16th of November 1916.

                       CCX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       CCLI (II Northumbrian) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was a territorial unit which served with 50th (Northumberland) Division. They saw action on the Western Front from April 1915 until the Armistice of the Great War.

                       CCXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. CCXII Brigade was broken up on the 21st of February 1917.

                       CIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 23rd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CIII and CIIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       LIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. On the 29th of August 1917 they transferred to 28th Division, they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       CIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 23rd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, they moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIVI and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. On the 18th of January 1917 CIV Brigade left 23rd Division.

                       LIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the Artillery training at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       CLVIII (Accrington and Burnley) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. CLVIII Brigade, was broken up on the 28th of February 1917

                       CLVIX (Glasgow) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

                       CLX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 34th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April and the Divisional Artillery joined 5th Division whilst the Infantry was reorganised. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and they returned to action at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                       CLXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined 31st Division on the 30th of December 1915 at Fovant on Salisbury Plain.

                       CLXIII (West Ham Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. CLXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, was broken up on the 9th of September 1916.

                       CLXIV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, joined 31st Division on the 30th of December 1915 at Fovant on Salisbury Plain.

                       CLXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined 31st Division on the 30th of December 1915 at Fovant on Salisbury Plain.

                       CLXXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was raised by the Thames Ironworks Company and served as Divisional artillery with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                        CLXXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was raised by the Thames Ironworks Compan and served as Divisional artillery with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. CLXXIX Brigade was broken up on the 18th of January 1917.

                       CLXXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served wth 34th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. CLXXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 28th August 1916.

                       CLXXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 22nd of February 1916 in France. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 with the Division suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       CLXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served wth 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       CLXXX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 22nd of February 1916 in France. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 with the Division suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       CLXXXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       CLXXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 22nd of February 1916 in France. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. The Brigade was broken up on the 27th of August 1916.

                       CLXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. CLXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up November 1916

                       CLXXXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was raised by the Thames Ironworks Compan and served as Divisional artillery with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubth of November 1916.

                       CLXXXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. CLXXXIX Brigade left the division in January 1917.

                       CLXXXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. CLXXXV Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 31st of August 1916.

                       CLXXXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       CLXXXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       CLXXXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. CLXXXVIII Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 1st of September 1916.

                       CV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 69th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres. CV (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up in early September 1916.

                       CVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       CVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       CVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. CVIII Brigade left 24th Divsion on the 27th of January 1917.

                       CX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June most units of the Division returned to England to reconstitute. The atillery remained in France and between the 26th of May and 4th of June CX Brigade was attached to 8th Division. On the 31st of July the fought with 58th Division, and joined 12th Division on the 4th of August, for the Battles of Amiens and Albert. On the 30th of August they transferred to 47th Division and were in action at the Second Battle of Bapaume. CX Brigade took part in the Battle of Epehy and on the 25th of September transferred to the Australian Corps and was in action in the Battle of the Saint-Quentin Canal. They rejoined the 25th Division on the 4th of October during the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       CXC Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       CXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. CXI Brigade was broken up on the 27th of November 1916.

                        CXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June most units of the Division returned to England to reconstitute. The atillery remained in France and between the between the 26th of May and 21st of June 1918 CXII Brigade was attached to 21st Division. On the 31st of July the fought with 58th Division, and joined 12th Division on the 4th of August, for the Battles of Amiens and Albert. On the 30th of August they transferred to 47th Division and were in action at the Second Battle of Bapaume. On the 25th of September transferred to the Australian Corps and was in action in the Battle of the Saint-Quentin Canal. They rejoined the 25th Division on the 4th of October during the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       XIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. CXIII (Howitzer) Brigade left the division on the 14th of February 1917.

                       CXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 26th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       CXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 38th (Welsh) Division from August 1915. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months and CXIX Brigade left they division on the 14th of January 1917.

                       CXLIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 30th Division. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units of Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       CXLVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 28th Division The Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception CXLVI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and left the divsion in August 1917.

                       CXLVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 30th Division. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units of Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       CXLVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 29th Division. The Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In January 1917 they left 29th Division.

                       CXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 26th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       CXVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 26th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       CXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 26th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill. In 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. On the 9th of August 1917 they transferred to 74th (Yeomanry) Division and were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza, including the Capture of Beersheba, and the capture of the Sheria Position and in December the capture of and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they were in action during The Battle of Tell'Asur until the 9th of March when the moved back to Lydda and the artillery was reorganised. In April they moved to Kantara then sailed from Alexandria on the 29th of April for Marseilles, moving by train to Rue, near Abbeville. Training for trench warfare was undertaken, notably gas defence drills and at the end of May they moved to Doullens. On the 14th of July, the Division took over in the front line near Merville. In September they were in action in The Second Battles of the Somme (Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battles of the Hindenburg Line including the Battle of Epehy and fought in The Final Advance in Artois and Flanders. at the Armistice the division was at Ath. Five days later they moved to the area around Tournai.

                       CXX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 38th (Welsh) Division from August 1915. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months and CXX Brigade was broken up broken up in late August 1916.

                       CXXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 38th (Welsh) Division from August 1915. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       CXXII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional artillery with 38th (Welsh) Division from August 1915. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

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

                       CXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 4th Division. The Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. They left 4th Division in May 1916.

                       CXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       CXXX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined 28th Division in September 1915 as the division assembled near Winchester with regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       CXXXII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 10th (Irish) Division from 26 April 1916. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They were broken up on the 25th of January 1917.

                       CXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 11th (Northern) Division from 26 April 1916. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. CXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up in January 1917.

                       I Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 13, 67 and 69 Batteries, was stationed in Edinburgh when war broke out. In the first few moths, 13 Battery transferred to 17 Brigade and 67 Battery moved to 20 Brigade RFA and 98 Brigade joined from 20 Brigade The brigade was re-formed at Winchester on 23rd of November 1914 and joined 27th Division. 1st Brigade, RFA now comprised of 98, 132 and 133 Batteries.

                    27 Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions.

                    On the 9th of February 1915, 11 Battery arrived from 15 Brigade but one section (two guns) of 11 Battery then transferred to 20 Brigade on the 10th. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived.

                    On the 25th of July 1916, 133 Battery exchanged places with B Battery, 129 Brigade which was renamed D (How) Battery, 1 Bridage. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. On 28th of December 1916 98 Battery was split up, with two sections joining 11 and 132 Batteries respectively. 132 Battery was then renamed 98 Battery, 1 Brigade.

                    In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       In August 1914 II Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was in Ireland and comprised number 21, 42 and 53 Batteries. They were mobilised and joined 6th Division and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. On 12 May 1916, 87 (Howitzer) Battery (less one section) joined from 12 Brigade. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       In August 1914 III Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of of 18, 62 and 75 Batteries was based at at Jullundur, with 75 Bty stationed at Peshawar. They were ordered to return to England and landed on the 16th of November 1914. At Winchester, the batteries were reorganised, 75 Battery left the brigade and 365 Battery was formed from part of 62 Battery.

                    3 Brigade, now made up of 18, 62 and 365 Batteries, joined 28th Division. They proceeded to France in January 1915 and the Division concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. On 20 February 1915, 22 Battery joined from 34 Brigade. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. They were ordered to Salonika in October, 22 Battery left the Brigade before the move. They arrived at Alexandria in Egypt by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. On 10th of August 1917, D Battery joined from 146 Brigade and now became D (Howitzer) Battery, 3 Brigade. The following day, 365 Battery was split with the two sections joining 18 and 62 Batteries respectively. In 1918 they were in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       LII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 9th Scottish Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. They left the Division on the 8th of January 1917.

                       LIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 9th (Scottish) Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval and The Battle of Delville Wood. The formation was broken up on the 11th of September 1916.

                       CIX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on the 4th of September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. CIX (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 3rd of October 1916.

                       LV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. In January 1916 they transferred to 13th Division who had taken part in The last Turkishh attacks at Helles. They were evacuated from Helles to Egypt and concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma), Nahr Kalis,), crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       LVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. In January 1916 they transferred to 13th Division who had taken part in The last Turkishh attacks at Helles. They were evacuated from Helles to Egypt and concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma), Nahr Kalis,), crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       LVII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. In January 1916 they transferred to 13th Division who had taken part in The last Turkishh attacks at Helles. They were evacuated from Helles to Egypt and concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. They left the Division to join XII Corps Artillery on the 28th of August 1917, serving with 26th Brigade from September 1917. They saw action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       LVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the Artillery training at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       LX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the Artillery training at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. LX Brigade was broken up in January 1917.

                       LXI (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       62nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                        LXIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       LXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. LXIV Brigade left the division on the 6th of January 1917

                       LXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 39th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma), Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. In October 1915 they transferred to 10th (Irish) Division who were concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

                       LXV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. LXV (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 30th of August 1916.

                       CXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 26th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill. In 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. On the 9th of August 1917 they transferred to 74th (Yeomanry) Division and were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza, including the Capture of Beersheba, and the capture of the Sheria Position and in December the capture of and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they were in action during The Battle of Tell'Asur until the 9th of March when the moved back to Lydda and the artillery was reorganised. In April they moved to Kantara then sailed from Alexandria on the 29th of April for Marseilles, moving by train to Rue, near Abbeville. Training for trench warfare was undertaken, notably gas defence drills and at the end of May they moved to Doullens. On the 14th of July, the Division took over in the front line near Merville. In September they were in action in The Second Battles of the Somme (Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battles of the Hindenburg Line including the Battle of Epehy and fought in The Final Advance in Artois and Flanders. at the Arnistice the division was at Ath. Five days later they moved to the area around Tournai.

                       LXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 39th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma), Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. In October 1915 they transferred to 10th (Irish) Division who were concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

                       LXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 16th (Irish) Division. The 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. They left the Division in July 1915 but rejoined in France on the 22nd of February 1916 and saw action on the Somme, they left the Division on the 22nd of February 1917.

                       LXXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

                       LXXX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. LXXX Brigade was broken up on the 31st of August 1916.

                       LXXXI (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. LXXXI (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up in January 1917.

                       LXXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       LXXXIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       LXXXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. They left the division on the 25th of January 1917.

                       LXXXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 19th (Western) Divsion. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. The Brigade was broken up on the 9th of September 1916.

                       LXXXV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. LXXXV (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up 3 December 1916

                       LXXXVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. They left the division on the 23rd of January 1917.

                       LXXXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       LXXXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       VIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, comprised 37, 61 and 65 (Howitzer) Batteries, and was in Ireland serving with 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in mid August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. On the 21st of February 1915, 61 (Howitzer) battery transferred to 27th Division. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. VIII (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 21st of May 1916 with 37 (Howitzer) Battery minus one sections transferring to to 27 Brigade RFA and 65 (Howitzer) Battery less one section transferring to 28 Brigade RFA and the two remaining sections became D Battery, 15 Brigade RFA.

                       XL Brigade, Royal Field Artillery comprised of 6,23 and 49 Batteries, served with 3rd Division and proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In May 1916, 130 (Howitzer) battery joined the Brigade. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle.

                       XLI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 2nd Division and proceeded to France with the BEF in August 1914, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre.

                       XCI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       92nd (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served wth 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. XCII (Howitzer) Brigade, left the Division on the 8th of January 1917.

                       XCIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont. XCIII Brigade was broken up on the 9th of September 1916.

                       XLIV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 2nd Division and proceeded to France with the BEF in August 1914, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos.

                       XCIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 21st Division. 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets, with the artillery at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted. In May 1915 they moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       XCIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       XLV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       XLVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       XLVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, XLVII and XLVIII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       XLVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 14th (Light) Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. They left 14th Division on the 7th of January 1917.

                       XCVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       XII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 43, 86 and 87 (Howitzer) Batteries, served with 6th Division and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. On the 18th of May 1915 86 (Howitzer) Battery transferred to 127 Brigade in 4th Division. They left 6th Division and 12 Brigade RFA was broken up on the 12th of May 1916, 43 (Howitzer) Battery less a section moved to 24 Brigade, 87 (Howitzer) Battery less a section moved to 2 Brigade and the remaining two sections became D Battery, 38 Brigade.

                       XIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, comprised 39th, 68th and 88th Batteries and served as Divisional artillery with 4th Division. The Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August. 14th Brigade, RFA were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. 39th Battery transferred to XIX Brigade on the 8th of February 1915. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. In 1916 they moved south and 86 (Howitzer) Battery (less one section) joined in May. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme. They left 4th Division on the 14th January 1917 to become an Army Brigade. B Battery, 188th Brigade RFA joined and became A Battery of the Brigade and 86th (Howitzer) Battery transferred to XXXII Brigade RFA.

                       XIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 95, 96 and 97 Batteries, was in India as part of 6th (Poona) Division, Indian Army when war broke out. they were recalled to England and joined 27th Division at Winchester on the 19 November 1914. 19 Brigade RFA was reorganised, with 95 Battery being divided to form a new 131 Battery. 97 Battery transferred to 167 Brigade. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. On 9th of February 1915 39 Battery arrived from 14 Brigade. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 25th of July 1916, 95 Battery left for 129 Brigade. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       XC Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont. XC Brigade was broken up on the 30th of August 1916.

                       XLIX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 14th (Light) Division 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. They were broken up on the 16th of October 1916

                       XCIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       XCV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 21st Division. 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets, with the artillery at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted. In May 1915 they moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919

                       XCVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 21st Division. 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets, with the artillery at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted. In May 1915 they moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. XCVI Brigade was broken up on the 13th of January 1917.

                       XCVII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served wth 21st Division. 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets, with the artillery at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted. In May 1915 they moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. XCVII (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up at the end of August 1916.

                       XV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, comprised 11, 52 and 80 Batteries and served with 5th Division. They proceeded to France in August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. On the 9th of February 1915, 11 Battery transferred to I Brigade. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. On the 21st of May 1916 a section from 37 (Howitzer) Battery and one from 65 (Howitzer) Battery of VIII Brigade joined and became D Battery. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. On 14 October 1916 526 (How) Battery joined (it was renamed C Battery XV brigade by the 11th of December). On the on 21st of January 1917 C Battery was broken up with sections transferring to D Battery and to XXVIII Brigade, in exchange for A Battery XXVII Brigade, which became A Battery XV Brigade. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       XVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 10, 26 and 92 Batteries, were at Allahabad in India when war broke out in 1914. They returned to England, 10 Battery was replaced by 13 Battery from 1 Brigade RFA. They joined 29th Division which was formed from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria and on to Mudros in April. 460 (Howitzer) Battery joined and was renamed as D (Howitzer) Battery. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. On 16 September 1916, D (Howitzer) Battery transferred to 15 Brigade RHA, being replaced by D (Howitzer) Battery from 132 Brigade. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

                       XX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 98, 99 and 100 Batteries was in India when war brok out. They returned to England and joined 27th Division at Winchester on the 19th of December 1914. 98 Battery transferred to 1 Brigade and 100 Battery to 31 Brigade, one section of each remained behind and became 364 Battery, 20 Brigade. 67 Battery joined from 1 Brigade. They proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. On 10th of February 1915 148 Battery joined 20 Brigade, having been formed by one section each from 11 and 39 Batteries. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war was ordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       XXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery comprised of 104, 105 and 106 Batteries, they joined 7th Division in the New Forest in Hampshire in late September 1914. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert. On the 24th of June 1915 35 (Howitzer) Battery joined from IV Corps. They fought in The Second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       XXIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery comprised of 107, 108 and 109 Batteries and served with 3rd Division and proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 15th of April 1916, 109 Battery left the Brigade, transferring to 238rd Brigade. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. On the 23 November 1916, 534 (Howitzer) Battery joined the brigade being renamed as C (Howitzer) Battery. XXIII Brigade left 3rd Division to become an Army Brigade on the 21st of January 1917. On the 24th of January 1917, A Battery joined from 169 Brigade, A Battery was renamed C Battery, with C (Howitzer) Battery being renamed D (Howitzer) Battery.

                       XXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 110, 111 and 112 Batteries served with 6th Division and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. On 12th of May 1916, 43 (Howitzer) Battery, less one Section, joined from 12 Brigade. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. A Section, C Battery, 38 Brigade joined 43 (Howitzer) Battery on the 14th of January 1917. In 1917 24 Brigade were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       XXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 113, 114 and 115 Batteries, served with 5th Division. They proceeded to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The 2nd Battle of Ypres. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. On the 14th of January 1917, 40 (Howitzer) Battery joined from 26 Brigade. In 1917 they saw action on Vimy Ridge at Oppy Wood and in the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought in the Defence of Nieppe Forest, they were withdrawn for reat in August but after two weeks were back in action in the Second Battles of The Somme, The Battle of the Selle.

                       XXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 125th, 126th and 127th Batteries, served as Divisional Artillery with 4th Division. The Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 21st of May 1916, 128th (Howitzer) Battery transferred to 29th Brigade RFA from 30th (Howitzer) Brigade RFA. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       XXVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 119, 120 and 121 Batteries served with 5th Division. They proceeded to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The 2nd Battle of Ypres. On the 21st of May 1916, two sections of 37 (Howitzer) Battery joined from 8 (Howitzer) Brigade. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. On 21st of January 1917, 37 (Howitzer) Battery was brought up to full strength with a section joining from "C" (Howitzer) Battery, 15 Brigade RFA. In 1917 they saw action on Vimy Ridge at Oppy Wood and in the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought in the Defence of Nieppe Forest, they were withdrawn for reat in August but after two weeks were back in action in the Second Battles of The Somme, The Battle of the Selle.

                       XXX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, comprised of 128, 129 and 130 (Howitzer) Batteries, they served with 3rd Division and proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In May 1915, 128 (Howitzer) Battery left the Brigade. On the 14th of May 1916 XXX (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up.

                       XXXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 131, 132 and 133 Batteries and their Ammunition Column was based in Sheffield when war broke out. They joined 28th Division at Winchester in December 1914, and the Brigade was reorganised with 69 Battery joining from 1 Brigade RFA, 100 Battery joining from 20 Brigade RFA and 103 Battery joining from 21 Brigade. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. On the 17th of February 1915, 118 Battery joined from 26 Brigade RFA. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. On the 25th of July 1916, 118 Battery transferred to 130 Brigade, exchanging with A (Howitzer) Battery, 130 Brigade RFA which was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 31 Brigade. On the 25th of December 1916, 103 Battery was split between 69 Battery and 100 Battery. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts. .

                       XXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 27, 134 and 135 Batteries and their Ammunition Column, served as Divisional Artillery with 4th Division. The Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. D Battery, 32 Brigade RFA, formed by a section joining from each 86 (Howitzer) Battery and 128 (Howitzer) Battery ex 127 Brigade, had joined by June 1916. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. On the 14th of January 1917, D Battery was dissolved and the two sections returned to their original Batteries, being replaced 86 (Howtizer) Battery arriving from 127 Brigade. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       XXXIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 32, 33 and 36 Batteries and their Ammunition Column served as Divisional Artillery with 8th Division. The Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. On the 18th of May 1916, 55 (Howitzer) Battery, transferred from 128 Brigade. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       XXXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 22, 50 and 70 Batteries and their Ammunition Column served with 2nd Division and proceeded to France with the BEF in August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15. On the 4th of February 1915, 22 Battery transferred to 3 Brigade RFA, 28th Division. In 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. On the 26th of May 1916, 56 (Howitzer) Battery, (less one section) joined from 44 Howitzer Brigade. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. On the 16th of November 1916, 521 (Howitzer) Battery arrived to become D Battery, 34 Brigade RFA. On the 25th of January 1917, 34 Brigade RFA left 8th Division to be an Army Field Artillery Brigade. D Battery remained with 8th Division, and was split between 47 Battery, 41 Brigade RFA and D Battery, 36 Brigade RFA. They were replaced by A Battery, 40 Brigade which transferred in from 11th Division to become C Battery, 34 Brigade RFA. 56 (Howitzer) Battery was also increased with a section joining from C Battery, 40 Brigade.

                       XXXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       XXXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 12, 25 and 58 Batteries and their Ammunition Column were based at Woolwich when war was declared. They joined 7th Division in the New Forest in Hampshire in late September 1914. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The Second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On the 17th of May 1916, 31 (Howitzer) Battery, (less one section), joined from 37 (Howitzer) Brigade. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. On the 13th of February 1917, 31 (Howitzer) Battery was brought up to full strength when one section transferred in from 509 (Howitzer) Battery. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       XXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, joined 7th Division in June 1915 and were in action in The Battle of Loos. They left 7th Division in May 1916.

                       XXXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 6th Division and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. They left the Division in January 1917

                       V Brigade, made up on 64, 73 and 81 Batteries, initially served with 7th (Meerut) Division of the Indian Army and were based in India before the war. They travelled to France via Suez, landing at Marseilles on the 26nd of September 1914. They were in action during the Battle of La Bassee then transferred to 3rd (Lahore) Division on the 22nd of November 1914. They were involved in the defence of Givenchy in December and in 1915 they fought in The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Festubert. The Artillery remained in France when the Lahore Division moved to Mesopotamia in December 1915. Between the 20th of March and 13th of July 1916 the brigade came under command of the 3rd Canadian Division and were in action during The Battle of Mount Sorrel and on the Somme. They transferred to 4th Canadian Division in September 1916, seeing action on Vimy Ridge and in the battle of Arras In July 1917 5 Brigade RFA became an Army Brigade and served with Second Army in October 1917, Third Army in December 1917, First Army in February 1918, Fifth Army in July 1918 and Fourth Army in October 1918.

                       VI Brigade RFA was part of 7th (Meerut) Division,Indian Army and only had one Battery, 77 Battery. In 1914 they were based at Jhansi and remained in India when the rest of the Division proceeded to France. In 1915-16 they joined the 1st (Peshawar) Division, part of the Northern Army, or Northern Command and were in India throughout the conflict. They saw action on the North West Frontier and in 1919 took part in operations in Afghanistan.

                       VII Brigade RFA made up of 4th, 38th and 78th Batteries RFA, 84th Company RGA and 104th Battery RGA . It was based at Rawalpindi as part of 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division, Northern Army, Indian Army. It remained in India throughout the war. 104th Battery RGA left for Mesopotamia in March 1915 and in June the 1/4th Sussex Battery joined the brigade, serving with them until June 1916. 77th (How) Battery joined and 78 Battery departed in June 1917. They fought in the Third Afghan War from May 1919.

                       IX Brigade Royal Field Artillery, made up of 19, 20 and 28 Batteries, served with 7th (Meerut) Division. Indian Army. They proceeded to France in September 1914 and moved to Mesopotamia in 1915 then Palestine in 1917. D Battery, 69 Brigade transferred to the Brigade. On the 1st of April 1918 they transferred to 52nd (Lowland) Division at Moascar and returned to France, sailing from Alexandria on 4 April 1918. The transport ship the Kingstonian was torpedoed en route. The guns and equipment were lost but the men were rescued. They landed on the 12th of April at Marseilles onboard Lychnis and Berberis. They were re-equipped on 23-26 April 1918

                       X Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 76, 81 and 82 Batteries served with 6th (Poona) Division, Indian Army. 63 Battery replaced 81 before the Division sailed for Mesopotamia in autumn 1914 and saw service in the Tigris campaigns before being besieged at Kut-al-Amara. On 29 April 1916 the gunners were taken prisoner when the garrison of Kut surrendered.

                       XI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 83, 84 and 85 Batteries, was part of 7th (Meerut) Division, Indian Army. The Brigade transferred to 3rd (Lahore) Division on the 22nd of November 1914.and were based in India before the war. They travelled to France via Suez, landing at Marseilles in September 1914. They were in action during the Battle of La Bassee then transferred to 3rd (Lahore) Division on the 22nd of November 1914. They were involved in the defence of Givenchy in December and in 1915 they fought in The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Festubert. The Artillery remained in France when the Lahore Division moved to Mesopotamia in December 1915. The brigade came under command of the 3rd Canadian Division and were in action during The Battle of Mount Sorrel and on the Somme. They transferred to 4th Canadian Division in October 1916, seeing action on Vimy Ridge and in the battle of Arras In July 1917. 7 Brigade RFA became an Army Brigade and served with Fourth Army in August 1917, Fifth Army in November 1917, Fourth Army again in December 1917, Second Army in February 1918.

                       XIII Brigade Royal Field Artillery, made up of 2, 8 and 44 Batteries, served with 7th (Meerut) Division, Indian Army in France, Mesopotamia and Palestine

                       XVI Brigade Royal Field Artillery, made up of 89, 90 and 91 Batteries served with 1st (Peshawar) Division, Indian Army, was based at Nowshera and remained in India throughout the war. They saw action on the North West Frontier. 91 Battery was detached for duty at Peshawar between January and June 1915. In December 1916 74 (Howitzer) Battery arrived to replace 91 Battery. In June 1918, 74 (Howitzer) Battery was detached for duty at Peshawar. They moved to Rawalpindi in November 1918. In 1919, they took part in operations in Afghanistan.

                       XVIII Brigade, made up of 53, 93 and 94 Batteries, served with 3rd (Lahore) Division in France until the division moved to Mesopotamia in late 1915. On the 20th of March 1916 they joined 3rd Canadian Division, on the 13th of July 1916 they moved to 4th Canadian Division. Former B (Howitzer) Battery, 131 Brigade RFA joined in late January 1917 and was renamed as D Battery, 18 Brigade. In August 1917, 18 brigade were in action in the Third Battle of Ypres, under command of Fifth Army.

                       XXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 101, 102 and 103 Batteries, was based at Hyderabad in India as part of 4th (Quetta) Division, Southern Command, Indian Army. They remained in India throughout the conflict. In December 1914, 103 Battery departed. From June 1917 21 Brigade RFA came under orders of the Karachi Brigade. In April 1917 C (Howitzer) Battery, 228 Brigade joined and was renamed 1107 (Howitzer) Battery. In December 1917 101 Battery was detached for duty at Quetta, they were joined by 1107 (Howitzer) Battery in June 1918 until December. 101 Battery returned to 21 Brigade in November 1918, with 102 Battery taking over duties at Quetta.

                       XXVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 116, 117 and 118 Batteries, served with 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. On the 4th of February 1915, 118 Battery moved to 31 Brigade RFA, 28th Division. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. On 22nd of May 1916 40 (Howitzer) Battery, less one section, joined from 43 (Howitzer) Brigade, 1st Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. On the 14th of January 1917, 26 brigade left 1st Division to become an Army Field Artillery Brigade. 40 Battery transferred to 25 Brigade RFA, 1st Division and was replaced by "A" Battery from 165 Brigade RFA, 33rd Division. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       XV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 11, 52 and 80 Batteries served with 5th Division. They proceeded to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. On the 9th of February 1915, 11 Battery left to join 1 Brigade. In 1915 they were in action during The 2nd Battle of Ypres. In May 1916, A sections of 37 and 65 (Howitzer) Batteries joined to form D Battery, 15 Brigade. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. On the 14th of October 1916, 526 (Howitzer) Battery joined and was renamed C Battery, 15 Brigade sometime before the 11th of December 1916. C Battery was broken up on the 21st of January 1917 with a section joining D Battery and the remainder transferred to 28 Brigade. On the 21st of January 1917, A Battery, 28 Brigade joined and was renamed A Battery, 15 Brigade. In 1917 they saw action on Vimy Ridge at Oppy Wood and in the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought in the Defence of Nieppe Forest, they were withdrawn for reat in August but after two weeks were back in action in the Second Battles of The Somme, The Battle of the Selle.

                       Rimac camp was situated on the east coast near Saltfleetby, Lincolnshire.

                       3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards were a regular unit of the British Army. They were based at Chelsea Barracks, Aldershot when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force and were in action during The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Loos. on the 25th of August they transferred to the 2nd (Guards) Brigade of the same Division. During 1916 they fought at The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they fought at The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Battle of Bethune, The Battle of Drocourt-Queant, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of Beaurevoir, The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre. The 3rd Coldstreams were near Maubeuge in France when the Armistice was declared.

                       Felix Hall Camp was situated at Felix Hall (also known as Fillol's Hall) an extensive country house to the north of Kelvedon in Essex.

                       Bayley Auxiliary Hospital was situated on Clinton Terrace, The Park, Nottingham.

                       XV Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery formed part of 3rd Cavalry Division and consisted of "C" and "K" Batteries, joined by "G" Battery on 25th November 1914. The Brigade was retitled IV Brigade during May 1915.

                       After retreating from Ctesiphon the 6th (Poona) Division under Major General Charles Townshend fell back to the town of Kut. The British troops that arrived there on December 3rd had lost many men in the failed attack on the Turkish positions and were down to around 11,000 men. Townshend decided to stay and defend Kut, instead of retreating downriver to Basra, despite the overextended supply lines from Basra to Kut. On 7th of December 1915 the Ottoman army, commanded by Nurredin Bey, arrived and began to lay siege to the town of Kut. The Ottomans initially numbered 11,000, the same as the British forces, but Townshend ordered his cavalry to escape to the south and German reinforcements bolstered the Ottoman forces. they soon outnumbered the British. Over the last decade, the Ottoman army had been modernized under the direction of German General Baron von der Goltz. Under his direction, the Turks began building siege fortifications and defensive positions further down the river to cut off any relief and guard against a possible attack from the Tigris River.

                    Townshend waited at Kut for reinforcements, from the Suez Canal, reporting that he only had a month's worth of food, but in reality he had four months supply.

                       14th (Severn Valley Pioneer) Battalion Worcestershire Regiment was raised in September 1915 at Norton Barracks by Colonel H Webb MP. They proceeded to France in June 1916 and served with 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.

                       White City Amusement Park on Chester Road, Old Trafford, became the training camp for the 18th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. The site had previously housed the Royal Manchester Botanical Gardens but in 1907 it was sold to Heathcote and Brown, who build the White City Amusement Park. Behind the impressive white colonnade of the gates, the latest mechanical rides, haunted houses and helter skelters entertained visitors alongside a circus, shows, novelties, water chutes, minature railways, cake walks and roller skating rinks. The scenic railway employed the latest in lighting and projection techniques as the trains passed though almost a mile of tunnels. The Grand Restaurant offered lunches, dinners, teas and suppers in elegant surroundings beneath a vast glass roof. The vast ballroom provided space to dance

                    The amusement park closed in 1928 and two years later a greyhound track was built on the site, also used for speedway and later stockcars, until 1982. Today the site is home to the White City Retail Park.

                       Snipe House Aerodrome was a landing ground near Alnwick used by the RFC whilst defending the area against Zeppelin attacks.

                       Ashington Aerodrome served as Defence Flight Station between October 1916 and June 1919 and as a Marine Operations Station from July 1918 until January 1919. It was situated at Ashington in Northumberland. Occupying 105 acres of land, in the south east corner of the aerodrome were two HD pattern aeroplane sheds as a coupled unit, one Bessonneau hangar occupied by 256Sqn aircraft and 1912 RAF pattern canvas hangar for MT.

                    The site was home to BE.2c aircraft of 36(HD) Sqn C Flt who arrived from Cramlington on the 12th of October 1916. On the 12th of August 1917 they were re-designated 36(HD) Sqn, B Flt and remained until they were disbanded on the 13th of June 1919, flying FE.2b, FE.2d, Bristol F.2B and Sopwith Pup aircraft. 525 Flt, 256 Squadron arrived from Rennington on the 28th of June 1918 flying DH.6 aircraft.

                       Backworth Camp was situated at Backworth in Northumberland. Training took place at Castle Farm, with the troops being accommodated in hutments at Castle Farm, Middle Farm and in the grounds of Backworth Hall. The Hall itself was used for Officer's accommodation.

                       Scotts House Camp was situated between West Boldon and Pelaw, near Sunderland. It was home to the 3rd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers who arrived shortly after mobilization when war broke out in 1914. It was later home to the Northumberland Fusiliers Depot Training Companies.

                       Hylton Castle Camp was situated at Hylton Castle in Sunderland, it was home to the 3rd Btn Yorks and Lancacster Regiment and 4th Btn Sherwood Forresters, both training battalions which also manned the Tyne Garrison coastal defences between the Wear and the Tyne. The Castle was built in the 14th Century and has long been in ruins.

                       Spion Kop was a tented camp at Spion Kop, Hartlepool for soldiers manning the coastal defences of the Tees Garrison close to the town.

                       Lydd Camp in Kent was home to the School of Siege Artillery of The Royal Garrison Artillery.

                       Doonfoot Camp was situated in Ayr.

                    The site was used as a POW camp in WW2.

                       Offley Holes POW Camp was a satellite of Pattishall POW Camp in Hertfordshire. It was situated at Offley Holes House, Preston which was taken over on the 28th of January 1918. Around 60 prisoners of war were accommodated in the house and surrounding outbuildings, with the rest of the house being occupied by officers running the camp. The men worked on local farms. On the 12th of February 1919, the house was destroyed in a blaze. Attempts to quell the fire were hampered by the water supply being frozen and the camp guards displayed great heroism in rescuing the Germans from the property.

                       Pattishall POW Camp, which was initially named as Eastcote Camp was situated at Pattishall, near Towcester in Northamptonshire. The camp opened soon after the outbreak of war, to hold members of the National Sailors' and Fireman's Union working on British merchant vessels, who were to be interned as enemy aliens. The camp was run by the NSFU at their retirement home, Eastcote House, with hutments being built in the grounds. By April 1915 the camp housed almost 800 and the relationship between the prisoners and administrators was amiable. The sinking of the Lusitania in May changed attitudes, the NSFU were horrified by the patriotic reaction of the German prisoners and asked for the camp to be placed under the control of teh War Office. In October 1915 the NSFU handed Eastcote Camp over to the British Government and the facilities were expanded to hold military German, Austrian, Bulgarian and Turkish POWs captured during the fighting. Additional huts, a hospital and recreational facilities were built, the camp was also supplied with electricity. In January 1919, 4509 prisoners were held in the camp with a further 14,507 being housed in satellite work camps administrated from Pattishall. The camp closed in 1920 and the huts were sold, one being purchased for use as Pattishall Village Hall.

                       Billericay POW Camp was a satellite of Pattishall Camp, in Northamptonshire prisoners of war captured during the fighting were accommodated in Billericay Union Workhouse and worked in the local area.

                       Marshmoor POW Camp was situated in in North Mymms, Hertfordshire, it was a satellite camp of Pattishall POW Camp.

                       Aldborough POW Camp, Norwich was an agricultural group working camp attached to Kings Lynn Agricultural Depot and was a satellite camp of Pattishall POW Camp.

                       Billingford POW Camp was situated at Billingford Maltings, near Diss, it was a satellite working camp of Pattishall Camp.

                       Burnham Market POW Camp was a satellite working camp administered from Pattishall Camp.

                       East Dereham POW camp was a working camp, a satellite of Pattishall Camp.

                       Kings Lynn POW Camp was situated on Estury Road, Kings Lynn. It was a satellite of Pattishall Camp.

                       St James Hall POW Camp was situated in Kings Lynn, Norfolk and was a working camp under Pattishall Camp.

                       Lakenham Mills POW camp in Norfolk was a working camp satellite of Pattishall Camp.

                       West Tofts POW Camp at Mundford in Norfolk was a working camp satellite of Pattishall Camp.

                       Shouldham POW Camp in Norfolk was a working camp under administration of Patishall Camp.

                       Warren Wood POW Camp was situated at Croxton near Thetford in Norfolk, it was a satellite working camp of Pattishall Camp.

                       Whitwell POW Camp was an agricultural group working camp attached to Kenninghall Agricultural Depot and was a satellite of Pattishall Camp.

                       Brocton POW camp was situated on Cannock Chase just above the village of Brocton in Staffordshire.

                       HMS Lady Ismay was a paddle steamer employed as a Royal Navy auxiliary minesweeper. She had been built in 1911 by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., in Troon, Scotland for the Campbell Bros, White Funnel Line of Bristol Her tonnage was 495grt, her compound diagonal steam engines driving side paddles provided 165 n.h.p. giving a top speed of 17 knots. She was sunk by a mine on the 21st of December 1915

                       Elswick Hopper was cycle factory in Barton, Lincs. During the war years it received a range of government contracts to make field kitchens, saddle arches, rifle clips, machine gun band clips and 3" Stokes Mortar shells.

                       The large private house, Kirkham on South Crescent, Hartlepool was used donated for use as a convalesent hospital during the Great War. The house was built about 1905 for John Roger Butterwick, a wine and spirit merchant, it was later used as a hotel and today has been split into two private houses.

                       Thorpe House in the High Street, Norton was used as a hospital during the Great War.

                       Tunstall Court, a large private house in Hartlepool was used donated for use as a convalesent hospital during the Great War. The house built for Christopher Furness in 1897. It had a swimming pool, a large ballroom and the staircase and windows being decorated with motifs of the various ships built in Hartlepool and trades of the town. After the war it was used as s sports club and later as a school. It was demolished in 2014 having been empty for many years.

                       Caythorpe Court which was an Auxiliary Military Hospital for officers siutated in Caythorpe, Lincolnshire

                       Milton Hill Hospital, situated at Hilton Hill House, Steventon was a section of No3. General Hospital under Southern Command. 220 beds were provided with a staff of 40, the hospital was financed entirely by the Singer brothers. A total of 4560 patients were treated.

                       St Luke's Hospital was situated in Salterhebble near Halifax.

                       Kings Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital was situated at Clifton Park, Blackpool. It was under the orders of Western Command and admitted men whose homes were in Lancashire or who belonged to Lancashire Regiments from any command.

                       Dorset County Hospital was located on Princes Street in Dorchester, founded in 1840, the cottage hospital was funded by sub­scriptions and donations. At the outbreak of war, the Chairman of the Management committee offered to provide 120 military beds. 70 additional beds were added to the main hospital, which also continued in its usual role treating the local community with an annexe in the Masonic Hall and associated auxiliary hospitals at Colliton House and Church Street providing another 50 beds between them. The medical staff also treated prisoners of war held in the nearby Poundbury Camp.

                       Dawdon Camp near Seaham Harbour. According to the sale documents in 1919, the camp was equipped with 7 living huts which were weatherboarded with felt roof, abultions shed, corrugated iron latrines, latrine channels, corrugated iron cook house, portable ranges, three portable boilers.

                       HMS Roxburgh was a cruiser of the Devonshire-class launched on the 19th of January 1904. With a crew of 655 she was armed with 4x7.5in, 6x6in, 2x12pdr, and 2x18in guns. During the Great War she sailed with the Grand Fleet. She was refitted in January 1915 and was hit by torpedo from U39 on the 20th of June 1915 but escaped with serious damage to bow. After repairs completed in April 1916 Roxburgh served in Norwegian waters until September when she transferred to the North America and West Indies Station until the Armistice. Whilst escorting a convoy off Northern Ireland on the 12th of February 1918 she rammed and sank U89. Roxburgh went into reserve at Portsmouth in June 1919 but was recommissioned as W/T trials ship until she was paid off in February 1920 and was sold in 1921.

                    Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906-21


                       The Phoenix Dynamo Munitions Factory was located in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

                       HMS Primula was a minesweeper.

                       The 1/1st Warwickshire Battery, Royal Horse Artillery were the first Territorial Force battery to be deployed to France. Equipped with four Ordnance QF 15 pounder guns, they disembarked at Le Havre on 1st of November 1914 from the S.S. Victorian, but they were delayed in joining the BEF in action as many of their horses became sick shortly after their disembarkation, it was not until the 4th of December that they were able to join 2nd Cavalry Division.

                       Kirby Cane Hall is situated near Bungay in Suffolk. The grounds were home to the Cheshire Yeomanry whilst on defence duties on the coast in autumn 1914.

                       Langley Park Camp was situated in the grounds of Lanley Hall at Loddon, near Norwich and was home to the Cheshire Yeomanry from October 1914 whilst they were engaged in coastal defence duties.

                    Today the site is occupied by Langley School.

                       The Mont Dore Hospital was situated in the Mont Dore Hotel in Bournemouth, which was requisitioned for use as a military hospital on the 20th of November 1914. The hospital closed in 1919 and today the building is Bournemouth Town Hall.

                       Ampthill Park Relief Hospital, was located in the house at Amphill Park, situated about 8 miles south of Bedford, the grounds were used as a training camp. The military hospital was run by Lady Emily Villers and her daughters, 8,369 patients were treated of whom 3,545 were returned to the front.

                       Ampthill Road Schools VAD Hospital was located in Ampthill Road School, Bedford. It was staffed by the six officers and 50 men of the RAMC and members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment No 6 Bedfordshire, commanded by Mrs Thompson, with assistance from No 3 Bedfordshire. The hospital provided 12 beds in 11 wards, four revolving shelters and an open air pavilion. There was a well equipped operating theatre and a busy out-patients department.

                       Biggleswade VAD Hospital was situated in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.

                       Chicksands Priory, was founded in the 12th century as a Gilbertine priory and is situated about two miles west of Shefford in Bedfordshire. It was the home of the Osborn family, who allowed the house to be used as a military convalescent hospital during the Great War. In 1936 the estate was bought by the crown and became an RAF base, the site is still in use my the military today.

                       Convalescent Hospital Old Warden Park House was situated in the Jacobean style 3 storey mansion in Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. Owned by the Shuttleworth family, Dorothy Shuttleworth, who was trustee of the estate following her husband's death, offered the use of the house as a military hospital in 1914 to support the war effort.

                    Today the building is part of Shuttleworth College.

                       Council Cottages Hospital, was situated in Beeston, Sandy, Bedfordshire.

                       HMS Blanche was a Blonde-class scout cruiser, built in 1909. During World War I, she was assigned to battleship squadrons of the Grand Fleet. She was present at, but did not fight in, the Battle of Jutland in mid-1916. The ship was converted into a minelayer in early 1917 and made 16 sorties to lay mines during the war. She was paid off in 1919 and sold for scrap in 1921

                       Hinwick House VAD Hospital, was situated in Hinwick near Podington in north Bedfordshire. Set in 36 acres of magnificent parkland, the hospital opened in the Queen Ann house on 21st of November 1914. It was staffed by Mrs F H Orlebar (Commandant), Doctor S E Baxter (of Wollaston) and a team of nursing staff from Detachment No 4. The hospital provided 26 beds and 552 patients were cared for before it closed in December 1918.

                       Howbury Hall VAD Hospital was situated in in the main house at Howbury Hall, Renhold, which was generously offered to the Red Cross Society as a Relief Hospital by Mr C Polhill in August 1915. The grounds of the Hall were in use as a training camp.

                       Leighton Buzzard VAD Hospital was situated in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

                       Wardown VAD Hospital was situated in a large Victorian mansion in Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road, Luton. It was was affiliated to the the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge. The hospital first opened in October 1914, as a reception for the sick of the North Midland Division billeted in Luton and from the nearby Biscot Camp Artillery Training School, under the care of a trained Sister and a staff of local V.A.D. nurses. Mrs R. H. Durler was Joint Commandant with Mrs J. W. Green. Medical Officers of the RAMC administered the more in depth medical procedures.

                    65 beds were provided with three large wards on the ground floor, three smaller wards the first floor along with an isolation ward with two beds. 20 beds were situated in a newly constructed wooden annexe to the east side of the house, accessed via the fire exit in the regiment gallery. Also on the ground floor was the Operating Theatre equipped with up-to-date fittings, including a folding operating table, high pressure steam sterilizer for dressings and wash-basins with elbow swing taps. Cases requiring major operations were sent to either the Bute Hospital, Luton or the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge. X Ray's were taken at the Bute Hospital. A Pack Store was provided for patients’ belongings and kit, the hospital also had use of the kitchens, pantries, offices. There was also a large Recreation Room furnished with comfortable chairs, tables, indoor games, a small library, and an excellent bagatelle table. A second bagatelle table was placed on the first floor landing which led to bathrooms for staff and patients, rooms for the matron and nurses and offices for the Commandants and Secretary.

                       The 4th Northumberland V A hospital was located at Dilston Hall, On the west side of the B6307, near Corbridge.

                    Today the hall is a further education college for young people with learning difficulties

                       8th Northumberland VAD Hospital opened in 1914 in the Duchess School at Derwentwater House, at the north east end of Bailiffgate in Alnwick. By 1916 the hospitalhad moved to Alnwick Camp, in the grounds of Alnwick Castle.

                       Richard Murray Hospital was built in 1914, paid for by a £60,000 bequest from Richard Murray, brewer and spirit merchant of Benfieldside, Shotley Bridge. The new hospital was used as the 12th Durham V A Hospital for military patients during the Great War, it was located on St Cuthbert's Avenue, Blackhill, Consett.

                    The hospital reverted to being the Richard Murray Hospital in 1922, it closed in 1971 and became a Cheshire Home named Murray House, today the site is occupied by the houses of Murray Court.

                       Monkwearmouth Red Cross Hospital was located at Jeffrey Memorial Hall in Monk Street, Monkwearmouth, which was the Church Hall for the Church of the Venerable Bede on Newcastle Road. The hospital opened in the church hall in 1914. It was run by Dr. Isaac Gibson Modlin, honorary surgeon to the Monkwearmouth and Southwick Hospital in Roker Avenue, the V A hospital was staffed by nursing volunteers of the 4th Durham VAD under the charge of a nursing sister. Pupils from Redby School gave concerts at Jeffrey Hall for the soldiers.

                    In recognition of his work at the Jeffrey Memorial Hall Hospital and at the Monkwearmouth & Southwick Hospital Dr. Modlin was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1920. The Lady Superintendent and Matron of the V.A.D. hospital, Miss Connie Ballinghall, and the Nursing Sister, Miss Margaret Sharpe Cuthbertson were both awarded the Royal Red Cross 2nd Class Award for their services. The building was demolished in the 1960's.

                       Hammerton House Red Cross Hospital was located in Hammerton House, 4 Gray Road, Sunderland, a Edwardian Mansion built by the notable Sunderland architect Clayton Greene. It was staffed by the 3rd Durham V.A.D.

                    The building was later used as part of the School of Education, Sunderland Polytechnic and has now been converted in private apartments.

                       Chester Road Red Cross Hospital was run by 11th Durham V.A.D. was located in the Union Congregational Church Social Centre, Chester Road in Sunderland with nurses quarters next door.

                    Today the building is part of the Royalty Theatre and is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of old soldiers treated at the hospital.

                       Highfield Hospital was situated on Hylton Road in Sunderland, with the grounds stretching between Hylton Road and Chester Road. It provided 500 military beds in temporary wards, single storey wooden huts built in the hospital grounds on the Chester Road side of the site.

                    Many of the huts remained in use until the late 1990's as part of Sunderland District General Hospital, today the site of the huts is occupied by a carpark.

                       Jarrow Red Cross Hospital was run by 10th Durham V.A.D and was located in Mayfield, a semi-detatched villa on Pine Street, Jarrow.

                    The building became St Bede's Senior Girls' School in 1928 and became home to St Bede's infants following an air raid in WW2. Mayfield was demolished in the 1970s.

                       Vane house Red Cross Hospital was run by 13th Durham V.A.D. and was located in Vane House, the home of the Dawdon Colliery manager, near Edith Street, Seaham Harbour. Norah Dillon, daughter of Malcolm Dillon (Lord Londondery's Chief Agent) was Commandant of the 10 bed hospital. It was closed by the war office as it was too small to be economical. Norah Dillon continued her war service, nursing in France, and later became Commandant at Ashburne Hospital in Sunderland.

                    The building was demolished in 1955 following a fire and the site is now an industrial estate.

                       Fencehouses Red Cross Hospital was run by the 14th Durham VAD and was situated in Morton House, a large country house, set in its own grounds near Fencehouses. Owned by shipbuilder Richard Charles Thompson, the hospital was run by his wife.

                    Today Morton House is a private residence.

                       Castle Eden Red Cross Hospital was run by the 15th Durham VAD, the Commandants were Mrs M. A. Burdon and Mrs Nimmo, was located in Parklands, Castle Eden. The house was owned by Rowland Burdon, and had been built for his mother. It had been in military use since the 1860's as a drill hall for the 1st Volunteer Battalion (later renamed 5th Battalion) Durham Light Infantry which Lt Col Burdon commanded, a rifle range was built in the grounds at that time.

                    After the war Parklands was let out for social functions, during WW2 it was taken over by the Civil Defence as a head quarters. In 1953 it was bought by the Castle Eden Village Association as a parish hall. Today Parklands has been split into private residences and a golf course occupies the grounds.

                       Shotley Bridge Red Cross Hospital was run by 16th Durham VAD and was loacted at Shotley House at 2 The Terrace, Shotley Bridge. Built in around 1860 for J. Priestman, and had excellent views over the Derwent Valley. The commandant was Annie Cecilia Walton-Wilson.

                    Today it is a private residence.

                       Mission House Red Cross Hospital was located in Mission House, the colliery manager's home, at the top of Australia Street, New Seaham. The Commandant was Clara Swallow, wife of Wardle Asquith Swallow, the Seaham Colliery Manager and it was staffed by the 22nd Durham V.A.D.

                       Etherley Red Cross Hospital was located in The Red House in Etherley, Bishop Auckland. Home to mineowner Henry Francis Stobart, the hospital was run by his wife, Jessica and staffed by the 17th Durham VAD.

                    The Red House was also used by the military during the second world war to billet troops. It was demolished after the war and the site is now occupied by the houses of Red House Estate.

                       Hebburn Hall Red Cross Hospital was located in Hebburn Hall Infirmary, off Victoria Road Hebburn-on-Tyne. The Commandant was Mrs Isabella Shearer and it was staffed by the 18th Durham VAD. Also known as Ellison Hall, one wing of the 17th-century country mansion had been converted to a hospital in 1897, donated to the community by the Ellison family.

                    Later renamed Ellison Hall Infirmary it remained in use as a hospital specialising in ear, nose and throat surgery until 1976 after which it became a social club. Today the building is private apartments.

                       Mill Dam Red Cross Hospital was located at Mill Dam, South Shields. It was staffed by the 2nd Durham V.A.D. Matron in charge in 1914 was Mrs Muir and the role was later taken on by Mrs Henrietta Stalker.

                       Windlestone Hall Red Cross Hospital was located in Windlestone Hall, Rushyford, a large stately home set in 25 acres owned by the Eden family. It was staffed by the 19th Durham VAD.

                    From 1958 to 1984 Windleston Hall was a residential school for 130 children with chronic health conditions, predominantly asthma, and then for children with behavioural problems until 1998. Today it is in private hands.

                       Low Fell Red Cross Hospital opened in 1915 at Whinney House off Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead and was staffed by the 1st Durham V.A.D. The mansion had been taken over by the Jesuits in 1913 and was and was re-named St. Bede's Catholic Retreat. Built around 1865 it had a glazed walk leading from a large conservatory, a gazebo, and an elaborate fountain with the figure of a girl at its centre.

                    The house was sold in 1921 and became a tuberculosis hospital and later the Gateshead Academy for Torah Studies, recently it has been converted into appartments.

                       Bishopwearmouth Red Cross Hospital was located in St. Gabriel's Institute, the church hall of the Tin-Tabernacle, St. Gabriel's in Kayll Road, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland. The hospital was prepared soon after the war broke out by the Commandant Dr. G. E. Pearcey, Matron Mrs. Cryle and Quartermaster Mrs. Morris. Volunteer nurses of 20th Durham V.A.D. were trained at Ambulance Classes held at the church. The facilities were not needed straight away, so was used as a recreation room by soldiers billeted nearby until May 1915 when the first patients arrived. Mrs. Hildebrand succeeded Mrs. Cryle as Matron and by 1916 Mrs Margaret Shield had taken over. In 1917 the hospital was extended with tin buildings being added between the hall and the church to create an isolation ward, bathrooms and additional lavatories. Musical instruments were gathered and the Blue Boys Band was formed. By the time the hospital closed on the 31st of December 1918 1,044 patients had been treated there.

                       Herrington Hall Red Cross Hospital was in Herrington Hall, West Herrington, Sunderland, a two-storey Georgian mansion, with bow windows and splendid staircase, home to the Vaux family. The Matron was Mary Vaux and it was staffed by the 21st Durham V.A.D.

                    Herrington Hall was demolished in 1958 with the stable block being converted into centre for the Boy Scouts who had a long connection with the hall.

                       Riversdale Red Cross Hospital was located at Riversdale, a victorian residence off Ashville Avenue, Eaglescliffe. It was staffed by the 23rd Durham V.A.D.

                       The North Riding (Fortress) Coy, Royal Engineers was raised at Middlesbrough on 27th of November 1886 as the Tees Division Submarine Miners, detailed to man the fixed mines which were being installed to defend British seaports. They were based at the Submarine miners depot at South Gare with their HQ at the Drill Hall in Bright Street. In 1907 submarine mining duties were handed over to Militia units and the Volunteer submarine miners were converted into electrical engineers and to continue manning the electric searchlights of the harbour defences. The Middlesbrough unit was briefly retitled the Tees Division Electrical Engineers. They were renamed under the Haldane Reforms in 1908 and when the TF companies of the RE were numbered in February 1917, the unit became 595th North Riding Fortress Company.

                    As the war progressed and air raids became more frequent, the RE fortress companies began to operate coastal defence guns in an Anti-Aircraft role in addition to operating the searchlights. By mid-1916, the North Riding and East Riding Fortress Engineers had combined to provide personnel for No 3 (Yorkshire) AA Company, RE. Later a barrage line of lights was organised up the East Coast with the North Riding Fortress Engineers forming No 36 (North Riding) AA Company at Middlesbrough. By May 1918 the Tees AA Defence Control formed part of Northern Air Defences. The men were demobilised in 1919, but the TA units would reform in 1920.

                       HMS Lucia was previously the Hamburg-America liner Spreewal, which had been captured by the in September 1914 by HMS Berwick and converted on the Clyde to be a submarine depot ship. She sailed with the 10th Submarine Flotilla, based at Teesport, South Bank, on the River Tees near Middlesbrough.

                       HMS E39 was built by Palmers Shipbuilding & Engineering at Jarrow and was launched on the 18th of May 1916. She transferred to Armstrong Whitworth to be fitted out and was commissioned in October 1916. She sailed with 10th Flotilla on the Tees.

                    HMS E39 was sold for scrap in on the 13th October 1921. On her way to the breakers under tow on the the 13th September 1922, she foundered in Watick Bay, Milford Haven.

                       E44 was built by Swan Hunter at Wallsend, and was launched on the 21st of February 1916. On the 18th July, she was commissioned to the 10th Flotilla, based on the River Tees at South Bank. She was sold to the South Wales Salvage Company for scrapping on the 13th of October 1922.

                       HMS E49 sailed with the 10th Flotilla based at South Bank on the River Tees.

                       HM Submarine E35 was built by John Brown, Clyde and launched on the 20th of May 1916. She was commissioned in July 1916 and joined 8th Flotilla attached to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Maidstone based at Harwich.

                       HMS Medea was laid down as the Kriti, Yard No 429 by John Brown at Clydebank for the Greek Navy on 6th of April 1914, she was purchased by the Admiralty in August 1914. Medeas was launched on the 30th of January 1915. Powered by 3 shaft Brown-Curtis turbines with 3 Yarrow oil boilers providing 25,000shp giving 32 knots. She was armed with 3 x 4in 45cal QF Mk VII, and 4 x 21in TTs. She had a crew of 80. Commissioned on the 22nd of June 1915 she joined the 10h Destroyer Flotilla at Harwich. Between 1916 and 1918 she served with the 10th Submarine Flotilla, based at Southbank on the Tees. Medea was sold on the 9th of May 1921 to Ward, Milford Haven and was broken up in 1922.

                       G Class Submarine, HMS G13 was built by Vickers, she was laid down on the 9th of April 1915, launched on the 18th of July 1916 and commissioned on the 23rd of September 1916. She served with the 10th Submarine Flotilla based at Southbank on the River Tees. She was sold on the 20th of January 1923.

                       HMS G8 was a Royal Navy G class submarine, a twin-shafted vessel, with two eight-cylinder diesels that together generated 1600 bhp, giving a surface speed of 14 knots. Two single armature motors, each of 420 bhp, gave a submerged speed of 9 knots, 200 cells in two battery tanks gave a submerged endurance of 95 miles at 3 knots. She undertook one patrol out of Harwich from 9th Flotilla in August 1916, before joining the 10th Flotilla based at South Bank on the Tees. She also operated out of Scapa Flow during 1917. Her patrol areas were from North of Shetland to Norway, Skagerrak, Kattegat and the Horns Reef. G8 was commanded by Lt. Charles de Burgh from 30th of June 1916 to 30th of July 1917 and Lt. John F. Tryon until her loss on the 14th of January 1918. Her last patrol was from Tees, leaving with G12 and the destroyer Medea for the Kattgat on the 27th of December 1917. She due to return to Tees on or around 6th of January 1918. She didn't return and was never heard from again, being officially declared missing on 14th of January 1918. The cause remains unknown but it is believed she may have hit a mine. HMS G8 was discovered in 2011, in 47m (154 ft) of water off the Danish coast near Jutland.

                       Woodcote Park Military Convalescent Hospital was situated on the Woodcote Park Estate, Epsom in Surrey. It was built as a training camp in 1914 with over 100 wooded huts, clad in corrugated iron, laid out in the grounds of the estate. The hospital was initially a camp hospital, but in 1915 it was decided that it would become a convalescent hospital for Imperial troops and increased to 500 beds. The Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Woodcote Park opened on 5th of September 1915, staffed by the Canadian Army Medical Corps. Initially the hospital had 500 beds, but these were soon increased to 1000. With the huge numbers of injured arriving from Gallipoli, the hospital was expanded to 1000 beds. It continued to grow and took over the whole camp, by August 1916 there were 3800 beds and all the facilities that went with them. A range of kitchen huts which were manned by women employed as cooks, sports facilities, physiotherapy and a huge recreational hall which could hold an audience of 1500 for a theatre show, film, concert or lecture. Soldiers would usually spend 6 weeks here on a graduated programme of recovery, all under military discipline, which built them back up to full fitness.

                    The hospital closed on the 30th of June 1919 and the site then became Queen Mary's Convalescent Centre for the continuing treatment and training of ex-servicemen.

                       Berrington War Hospital was situated in the Atcham Union Workhouse in the village of Cross Houses, 4 miles south east of the town of Shrewsbury. It opened in May 1916, Berrington railway station, from which it took its name, was situated opposite and patients were taken straight from the ambulance train into the hospital, having boarded the train at Southampton Docks. Patients would be assessed, treated and then transferred to other hospitals depending on their condition. The hospital has around 400 beds and was also the administration centre for all the war hospitals in Shropshire and adjoining counties.

                    After the war it became Cross Houses Hospital and more recently has been converted into apartments.

                       13th General Hospital was located in The Casino, Bolougne.

                       Morant Hall Hospital was located in Morant Hall, also called New Forest Hall, on Lyndhurst Road approximately opposite Greenways Road, Brockenhurst. It was also known as Meerut Indian General Hospital. Offering 120 beds, in the hall, in tents,galvanized roofed buildings and in the commandeered Balmer Lawn and Forest Park Hotels. It was opened in late 1914 to ease overcrowding at the Lady Hardinge Hospital for Wounded Indian Soldiers. In 1916 the hospital was taken over by the No.1 New Zealand General Hospital, as a British Red Cross Auxiliary Convalescent Depot and was renamed the Morant War Hospital. The hospital closed in 1919.

                    Meerut Road, Auckland Avenue and Auckland Place in Brockenhurst are named in commemoration of the hospital and its patients.

                       Pine Hill Hospital was situated in Benslow Lane, Hitchin. Built in 1908 as a German Convalescent Home for patients of the German Hospital in Dulwich, London, the foundation stone laid was by Princess Louise Augusta of Schleswig-Holstein. The hospital was staffed by German surgeons, doctors and nurses. The nurses were known as the Bethel Sisters as they came from an epileptic institution in the Rhine town of Bethel. When war broke out in 1914, the Hospital Committee decided to continue for as long as possible, the surgeons were soon recalled to their homeland and staff shortages reduced the hospital to urgent admissions only. In 1915 the hospital was taken over by the war office for the convalescence of British soldiers and wounded German prisoners of war, with the nurses from Bethel remaining on duty. Zeppelin raids heightened anti German feelings and there were rumours of a nest of spies.

                    In 1920 the hospital was handed back after the Second World War it was taken over by the National Health Service and today is a private hospital.

                       Hitchin Camp, situated off Bedford Road, Hitchin, was a hutted camp, home to the Royal Engineers Signal Draft Depot, where Engineers would gather from the training and be posted on to units at the fronts. The entrance was on Bedford Road with Bearton Lodge, being used as the guard house.

                    Today part of the site is home to a Territorial Army barracks, with housing occupying the rest.

                       Staple Hall in Fenny Stratford was requisitioned by the army on the 16th August 1914 for use as a Territorial training camp. The officers were accomodated in the Hall with other ranks in a tented camp in the grounds or billeted in houses around the town. After the Territorials left, on the 22nd January 1915 Staple Hall became a Royal Engineers Signals Training School, with the Headquarters in the Hall, a dispatch riders school with over 100 horses occupied the stables and they also took over Fenny Stratford Town Hall. The men laid telephone lines around the district and by the end of 1915 52 wooden huts had built, for living accommodation, classrooms and a medical centre. Oliver Road Sports Field was used for football matches with Cricket matches being played at nearby Bletchley Park. A Royal Engineers Band was formed, which played at regimental functions and public events, concerts were frequently held at the Old Picture Palace in the High St and the Spurgeon Memorial Chapel in Aylesbury St. The International Stores on the corner of George Street and Aylesbury Street, was transformed into a soldier’s institute, serving tea and buns and offering a reading and indoor games. In late 1917 the camp became the Royal Engineers (Wireless) Depot with the telecommunications moving out and wireless personnel moving in. The camp was wound down after the Armistice with the huts being sold off in February 1920, one became Simpson village hall. Today the site is occupied by housing.

                       Devonshire Lodge Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was situated on Bath Road, Reading and opened on the 2nd of December 1916 by Mrs Benyon as a replacement for Cliff House. Staffed by Berkshire 52 VAD there were 50 beds available. The hospital closed on the 31st of December 1918

                    Today no trace of the building remains and the site is occupied by housing

                       The SS Duchess of Argyll had been built on the Clyde for the Caledonian Line and was requisitioned in February 1915 by the Admiralty as a troop carrier. Under the command of her existing master Captain John McNaughton with most of her usual crew, she spent the war on the English Channel. During four and a quarter years, she made 655 trips across the Channel, carrying 326,608 men, steaming a total of 71,624 miles.

                       Cliff House Hospital was located in The Warren, Caversham, the house was lent to the Red Cross by Mrs Cotton. The hospital was run by the Berkshire 52nd VAD and opened on the 10th of May 1915 providing 22 beds, capacity was later increased 50. Miss Musson was the matron until in September 1915 when Miss Alice Russell took over. The Medical Officers were Dr Lambert, Dr Hope, Dr Holden and Dr Walters. On the 11th November 1916 the hospital transferred to Devonshire Lodge. A total of 904 patients were treated across the two sites.

                    Cliff House Hospital re-opened on the 30th of May 1917 as a 25 bed country annexe to the Freemason's Hospital, London, offering massage and electrical treatment. The matron was Mrs Mallam and Medical Officer Dr Sidney Gilford. 450 patients were treated between June 1917 and the closure of the hospital.

                       No 1. Reading War Hospital was situated on Oxford Road, Reading, in the buildings of the Reading Union workhouse which was requisitioned by the War Office on the 1st March 1915 and all the inmates were moved out. Commanded by by Lt Col E A Hanley RAMC and and later by Col W J Maurice RAMC, the hospital was staffed by around 200 RAMC personnel and was also a teaching hospital, training medical personnel who would go on to serve overseas. Beds were provided for 440 other ranks but within three years the number of beds had risen to 3000. An officers' section with 110 beds was created in summer 1916 when one of the blocks was converted. 350 men could be accommodated in the adjacent West End Free Library which was used for lightly wounded and convalescents. An orthopaedic section was formed in October 1917. It became one of the largest military hospitals in the country providing a surgical section, dysentery centre, malaria centre, opthalmic branch and the national centre for pathological research.

                    By the closure at the end of July 1919 the hospital had received 493 convoys of wounded from France and had treated 39,312 patients including 2,518 officers. After the war, the hospital became Battle Infirmary

                       Struan House Auxiliary Hospital was located in Reading and was affiliated to the Reading War Hospital, run by the Red Cross, it was staffed by the Berkshire 52 VAD. The hospital opened on the of 25th November 1914 providing 77 beds. The commandant was Lady Berkeley, a role later taken over by Miss Kemble. The medical officers were Dr Rowland, Dr Cane and Dr Fosbery. 1980 patients were treated at Struan House during the war.

                       Number 6 Section Reading War Hospital was located in the West End Free Library, Reading. It was taken over as a hospital in the summer of 1916 and treated convalescent and lightly wounded soldiers and was attached to Reading War Hospital. It closed in Spring 1919 and today the building is in use as Battle Library.

                       Reading No.5 War Hospital was located in the requisitioned Central School on Crescent Road, Reading, it was attached to the Reading War Hospital.

                    The building later became Alfred Sutton Primary School.

                       Inniscarra Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Inniscara, Bath Road, Reading, which was rented from Trustees by the Red Cross. The convalescent hospital opened on the 11th of March 1916 and provided 50 beds. It was staffed by Berks 68 VAD, the Commandant was Mrs Henderson and the Medical Officers were Dr Cane, Dr Hurry, Dr Walters and Dr March. Each ward was named after the person who donated the furniture.

                    The hospital closed on the 28th of March 1919 and had treated 913 patients in total.

                       Redlands, Reading No.4 War Hospital was located on Redlands Road, Reading. It was operated by the RAMC as an annex of Reading War Hospital.

                       St. Annes Hall Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital, was located in Caversham in the home of Mrs Crawshaw OBE who was the Commandant and loaned the property, free of charge to the Red Cross and also met all hospital expenses. The hospital opened on the 13th May 1915 with 23 bed staffed by Berks 60 VAD. By the time the hospital closed on the 31st of May 1919, 772 patients had been treated.

                       St. Lukes Hall Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in the parish hall of St Luke's Church, Reading. It opened on the 27th of November 1914 with 30 beds, and was staffed by the Berkshire 34 VAD, commanded by Mrs Abram MBE. The medical officer was Major Abram. A number of temporary buildings were erected around the parish hall to accommodate the needs of the hospital, funded by donations to the Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                    By the time the hospital closed on the 31st of January 1919, 909 patients had been treated.

                       Sutherlands Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital, Reading was situated in the private house named Sutherlands and an annexe of a neighbouring house belonging to Mr Leonard Sutton, who also gave the use of his garden for the patients. The hospital opened on the 2nd of November 1916 and was staffed by the Berkshire 50 VAD. The commandant was Mrs Childs, the Matron was Miss Lawton and the medical officers were Dr Hastings Gilford and Dr March. The hospital closed on the 14th of February 1919 having treated 1330 patients.

                    On the 1st of March 1919 the hospital re-opened at the request of the Ministry of Pensions and offered 35 regular beds plus four emergency beds for ex-soldiers requiring ongoing treatment. The hospital continued to be run by the Berkshire Red Cross with Mrs Phipps-Hornby as Commandant and Quartermaster. There were two sisters, three VAD nurses, two cooks and a housemaid. Between March and the end of October 1919 the hospital cared for 169 patients and 54 operations were carried out by the surgeon Dr Hastings Gilford with anaesthetist Dr MacFarlane.

                       Reading No.2 Hospital was also known as Wilson Hospital and was located in the buildings of Wilson School on Wilson Road, Reading. It was operated by the RAMC and was an annex of the Reading War Hospital.

                       Neston Red Cross Hospital was situated in Neston Institute, which had been built in 1903. The building, which had been in use as a cinema, was leased from Sir William Lever by the Congregational Church on the 16th of November 1915. The place was cleaned, painted and varnished, a new gas stove and baths were installed to transform it into a hospital.

                    The hospital closed in 1919 and today the Institute is Neston Civic Hall. The War Hospital had a sum of cash remaining along with the hospital equipment, this was used to establish a hospital in Neston as a memorial to those who had fought and fallen in the war. Additional funds were raised and Dee View on Little Neston Green was purchased and eleven bed Neston and District War Memorial Cottage Hospital was opened by the first Lord Leverhulme on 26th June 1920.

                       Hanover Park V.A.D. Hospital was established in two houses belonging to the drapers Jones & Higgins in Hanover Park, Peckham. When war broke out, Mr. Charles Higgins had offered his firm's Male Hostel to the War Office for use as a hospital. Until 18th December 1915, the hostel was used to accommodate Belgian war refugees. The Hanover Park V.A.D. Hospital opened with 35 beds, attached to the First London (T.F.) General Hospital in Camberwell was officially opened on 24th January 1916 by the Marchioness of Ripon. The owners made a generous donation to the Hospital, laid linoleum floor covering throughout and agreed to pay for the electric lighting. The wards were painted a soft shade of green and the curtains and quits were either in a contrasting colour or a harmonising shade of green. The wards were named Gordon, Havelock, White, Roberts, Botha, Kitchener after the Generals with another being named after Dr. Shapter Robinson, founder of the Camberwell Division British Red Cross Society. Another was named after Isla Stewart, Matron of St Bartholomew's Hospital, it had two large windows almost to floor level, the beds were covered with deep pink quilts. Many of the beds were supported by donors, including the Mayoress of Camberwell who requested that the Camberwell coat-of-arms be placed over the bed. Bed No. 12 in the Shapter Robinson ward was the 'Morley College bed', the cost of £26 a year, was raised by the students through concerts and silver paper collections. The convalescent patients were also invited to the College for tea. A well-equipped operating theatre was situated on the top floor and was also used as a salle de pansements, where fresh dressings to wounds were applied.

                    The hospital was staffed by Fourteen members of the London/220 Voluntary Aid Detachment, over seen by the Matron, a Staff Sister, two Day Sisters and a Night Sister. The V.A.D. members not only performed nursing duties, but also worked in the kitchen and performed most of the domestic duties. In May 1917 the hospital expanded to 50 beds and was staffed by 3 trained nurses and 90 part-time V.A.D. members.

                    The Hospital closed on 30th April 1919 and today the site is occupied by a supermarket car park.

                       Cloan Auxiliary Hospital was located in Cloan House, Auchterader, Perthshire, Scotland, in the family home of Viscount Haldane, Secretary of State for War with the Liberal government between 1905 and 1912, and responsible for the army reforms of 1908 which included the formation of the Territorial Army. The country house house is located to the south of the town, at the entrance to Cloan Glen, set in 55 acres of gardens and woodland, it is accessed via a tree lined drive and commands views over the Grampians and Cairngorms. Although the house has the appearance of an ancient castle, the tower and turrets date from a redesign in 1865.

                       Chaloner Hall Hospital was situated in Guisborough, North Yorkshire in a property owned by Lord and Lady Guisborough. The hospital opened on the 13th of December 1915, providing 20 beds and was attached to the Military Hospital in York. The Commandant was Lady Holden of Aston and the hospital was staffed by the Yorks 26 VAD along with trained nurses. By the time it closed on the 31st of March 1917, 220 patients had been treated at Chaloner Hall.

                       Manor House Hospital was located in The Manor House in Stokesley, North Yoprkshire, the family home of Heanage Wynne-Finch, Lord of the Manor of Stoklesley. Providing 60 beds, it was affilitaed to the East Leeds War Hospital and opened on the 28th of October 1914, the first patients to arrive were fourteen injured Belgian soldiers. The Commandant was Mrs Ann Gjers, Vice President of the North Riding branch of the British Red Cross Society and the hospital was staffed by the Yorks No.42 VAD with Dr Yeoman and Sister Grainger. The hospital closed on the 18th of January 1919 and in total 801 patients were treated.

                       Ayton Firs Hospital was run by Mrs Kitching at Ayton Firs Hall, Great Ayton, her family home, a substantial 19th century brick country house between Little Ayton and Stokesley, North Yorkshire. The hospital, which was affiliated to the Military Hospital in York opened on the 10th of December 1914 providing 20 beds at Mr & Mrs Kitching's expense. It was staffed by trained nurses and the household staff of Ayton Firs Hall. The hospital closed on the 11th of November 1915 having provided treatment for 50 patients.

                       Crathorne Hall Hospital provided 24 beds in the beautiful setting of Crathorne Hall, an Edwardian country mansion on the outskirts of Crathorne village near Yarm in North Yorkshire. All expenses were met by the Dugdale family, the owners of the hall and Mrs Dugdale was the commandant. The hospital was staffed by members of the Yorks 24 VAD and trained nurses. By the 9th of July 1917 when the hospital closed, 423 patients had been treated, most having arrived for convalescence and physiotherapy from the War Hospital at Newcastle.

                    Today the hall is a hotel.

                       Rounton Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was situated in the Village Institute at East Rounton and was run by Lady Florence Bell President North Riding of Yorkshire Branch Red Cross Society and the wife of Sir Hugh Bell, Director of the Bell Brother's Middlesbrough Steel Works and the North Eastern railway. The village had been built by Sir Hugh's father on his estate at Rounton Grange. The hospital was staffed by members of the Yorks 44 VAD and trained nurses, opening on the 25th of November 1914 it provided 37 beds and treated a total of 387 patients before it closed on the 3rd of January 1919.

                    Today the building is still in use as the village hall.

                       Red Barns Hospital was situated in Red Barns at 31 Kirkleatham St, Coatham, the home of Sir Hugh Bell, Director of the Bell Brother's Middlesbrough Steel Works and the North Eastern railway. The commandant was Mrs E Pease and the hospital opened on the 9th of January 1915, staffed by Yorks 8 VAD and trained nurses. Offering 90 beds, it was affiliated to the East Leeds War Hospital. Sir Hugh had a private platform on the railway line between Middlesbrough and Redcar at the bottom of the garden where patients would arrive by train from the hospital in Leeds to convalesce.

                    The hospital closed on the 30th of April 1919 having treated 1,345 patients. Red Barns later became part of Sir William Turner's Grammar school, then became a hotel and today has been converted into private apartments.

                       Middlesbrough Red Cross Hospital was located in the Holgate Infirmary at the Middlesbrough Union Workhouse which was situated between Ayresome Park Road and Ayresome Green Lane. Affiliated to the Military Hospital in York, it opened on the 1st of October 1917, providing 51 beds. The commandant was Mrs May Hedley and it was staffed by members of the Yorks 32 VAD working alongside trained nurses. The hospital closed on the 30th of April 1919 having treated 577 patients.

                    The workhouse later became Middlesbrough General Hospital, it was demolished in the 1980's and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Hemlington Auxiliary Hospital was located in the pavilions of Hemlington Isolation Hospital for Infectious Diseases near Middlesbrough and opened on the 17th of September 1914, affiliated to the War Hospital in Newcastle, providing 150 beds. The Matron was Miss Rosina Webb working with Dr Longbotham and Dr Ellis, it was staffed by members of the Yorks 29 VAD working alongside trained nurses. Patients arrived by train at Middlesbrough station and were taken by cars and motorbus in a convoy to the hospital, which was made up of a number of single story corrugated iron buildings. As it had been built for patients confined to their beds, it lacked any sort of communal facilities. The long driveway up to the site was in very poor condition and there were problems with transport to the isolated location, with the bus having difficulty with the narrow gateposts at the entrance and at one point the manager of the Imperial Tramways Company refused to allow their motorbus to drive up to the hospital until the potholes in the track were repaired. The isolated location also caused discipline issues amongst the patients and an army corporal was posted to the hospital to oversee the men. The hospital closed on the 8th of August 1918 having treated 3,345 patients.

                    The Isolation Hospital closed in 1986 and was demolished. One of the pavilions was reputed to be haunted by a great war soldier who had a wooden leg.

                       Clifden Red Cross Hospital in Saltburn by the Sea, North Yorkshire, was established by Miss Robertson and opened on the 23rd of December 1914 providing 50 beds. It was affiliated to the East Leeds War Hospital, the Commandant was A.J.Longley and it was staffed by trained nurses and members of Yorks 76 VAD. The hospital closed on the 16th of August 1919 having treated 1152 patients.

                       Skelton Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was established at Wharton Hall, in Green Road, Skelton-in-Cleveland on the 1st of April 1915. The hall had previously been used as the drill hall of the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment territorials and was loaned by the Wharton family of Skelton Castle. It was affliated to the East Leeds War Hospital and provided 36 beds. The Commandant was E.J. Burnett and was staffed by members of the Yorks 20 VAD. In 1916 the hospital was enlarged by the additional loan of the old soldiers home by Col. Wharton. The hospital closed on the 19th of January 1919 having treated 480 patients.

                       Kirkleatham Hall Red Cross Hospital was established in Kirkleatham Hall near Redcar. The Matron was Miss Kate A Emerson.

                       The Alexandra Hospital on The Broadway, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire is a substantial red brick hospital built in 1890 in the Queen Anne Revival style as a private establishment for treating rheumatism. In 1914 it was taken over by the Red Cross, staffed by the members of Woodhall Spa VAD and adapted to suit the needs of nursing injured soldiers, including the installation of, lighting, heating and hot water. The first patients were fifty five injured Belgian and sick British soldiers.

                    In 1948 the Alexandra Hospital was taken over by the NHS, it closed in 1983 after the well which provided water to the Spa collapsed. Today the building has been converted in private apartments.

                       Coalville and District Auxiliary War Hospital was situated at Broom Leys, Coalville. The Senior Surgeon was Dr R W Jamie

                    Today the building is in use as a primary school.

                       Hazelbank Auxiliary Hospital was situated at Gosforth, near Seascale in Cumbria.

                       Crump Farm Auxiliary Hospital was situated at Crump Farm, Pucklechurch, Gloucestershire.

                       Langstone Towers Red Cross Hospital was located at Langstone Towers, Langstone High Street, Havant, which was loaned by Messrs Sten. The hospital opened on the 8th of December 1914, specialising in Massage and Electrical Treatment and offering 30 beds, which was later increased to 46. The Commandant was Mrs L C Paxton, Dr. Stewart Norman was the Physician, Dr. Burford Norman as Surgeon, Drs. Gedge and Levick as Medical Officers and Mr. C. S. Davies as Pharmacist worked with two trained nurses and the members of Hants 22 VAD. The hospital closed on the 31st of January 1919 having treated 1,430 patients.

                       Huskards Auxiliary Hospital was located at Huskards on Back Lane, Fryerning near Ingatestone in Essex. Loaned by Major and Mrs. Hilder, 55 beds were provided in the house and hutted accommodation in the grounds.

                       126th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed in April 1916. Armed with four 8-inch howitzers pulled by Holt 75 caterpillar-tracked mechanised tractors, they saw action on the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Messines Ridge, the Third Battle of Ypres and The 1918 Battles of the Somme.

                       90th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery arrived in France in mid-June 1916 armed with four 9.2" howitzers. They saw action in the Battle of the Somme and Messines Ridge.

                       Granville Special Hospital opened in Ramsgate, Kent. The hospital was situated in a requisitioned Victorian Spa hotel on the cliff top overlooking the sea. It specialised in treating shell shock, nerve, joint and bone injuries and accommodated 800 patients. It later moved to Derbyshire to escape air raids on the Kent coast.

                       67th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in March 1916 armed with four 8" Howitzers. They joined 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group in October 1917 then transferred to 62 Heavy Artillery Brigade in December.

                       289 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed at Plymouth in November 1916 and was equipped with six-inch howitzers. They proceeded to France in March 1917 and in November were sent to Italy as part of 80 (Mobile) Brigade RGA and remained there for the duration.

                       100th Siege Battery, RGA was formed at Tynemouth Defences. They proceeded to France in May 1916.

                       467th Siege Battery, RGA was formed at Deepcut Barracks in 1917. The battery was broken up and the men sent out to France as reinforcements for other batteries in November 1917.

                       217th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery were formed at Tynemouth on the 31st of July 1916.

                       23rd Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France with 25th Heavy Artillery Brigade on 20th of August 1915, armed with four 6" Howitzers (30 cwt.)

                       151st Siege Battery, RGA was formed in Broughty Ferry in May 1916 from territorials of the North Scottish RGA and men drafted from the Derby Scheme. They were armed with four eight-inch howitzers which was increased to six in 1917.

                       140th Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France on the 1st of August 1916 armed with four 6" Howitzers (26 cwt).

                       520th Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France on the 31st of March 1918.

                       521st Siege Battery, RGA was formed in November 1917 and was based at Borden until they proceeded to France, minus their guns, on the 1st of April 1918. They were equipped in France with six BL 6 inch Mk XIX guns.

                       544th Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France on the 1st of April 1918.

                       143 Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France from Folkestone and arrived Boulogne on the 16th August 1916, equipped with four 9.2-inch howitzers.

                       331 Siege Battery, RGA was formed at Prees Heath on the 12th of December 1916. They proceeded to France, armed with four 6" Howitzers (26cwt) on the 15th of May 1917. They joined 18 Heavy Artillery Group on 24th of May 1917 then transferred to I Corps Heavy Artillery on 29th of July 1917. It joined 89 HAG on 13th of July 1917 then 76 HAG on 7th of September 1917. On 27th of Sep 1917 it joined 69 Brigade, RGA and remained with them until the end of hostilities. The Battery was disbanded in 1919.

                       155 Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France on the 29th of Aug 1916 armed with four 6" Howitzers (26cwt).

                       301st Siege Battery RGA proceeded to France on the 2nd of April 1917 armed with 4 x 6in Howitzers.

                       352nd Siege Battery RGA was formed at Dover on the 6th of January 1917 and proceeded to France on the 18th of May 1917.

                       Elkington Camp was situated near Louth.

                    ??????   

                       

                       

                       

                       

                       

                       

                       

                     Cocken Hall - Main House  From the 25th of September 1914 the Hall and outbuildings were used as billets for C and D Companies.

                    Letters home relate that the men slept on the oak floorboards and at least one room was furnished with a marble fire place.

                     The Kitchens  The Battalion Kitchens were located in the court yard at the western end of the Hall. The open air arrangements were found to be unsanitary and a roof was constructed to cover the cooking facilities.

                    On the 19th of October 1914 it was reported that shed over the kitchens had made some progress, but it was not yet finished.

                    19th Apr 1915 - "The question of the cookhouse was considered. The medical officer having reported that in hot weather, at all events; it was unfit for its purpose, from a sanitary point of view; and it was determined to erect a cook house according to Government plans; and that application should be made to the War Office for permission to carry out this work."

                    23rd Apr 1915- "A new cook house must be provided. I propose to go on with this quite independent of the 18th (Service) Battalion leaving Cocken, as it must be provided for the incoming Battalion; about which I am writing to York."

                    7th May 1915 - "the sanitary conditions at Cocken; which will be further improved by the building of the new Cookhouse, which I have obtained authority to proceed with (on a contract with the Darlington Construction Co.) for £330, including drainage, laying on water, etc."

                    A small part of the court yard was excavated by Steve Litherland's team in June 2015.

                     The Recreation Room & Canteen  

                    The minutes of the 26th of October 1914 note: "The foundations for the Recreation Room had been laid."

                    9th Nov 1914 - "instead of a new building for a Canteen it was decided to add a wing to the Recreation Hut to answer that purpose." (A tent was used as the first canteen)

                    20th Nov 1914 - Recreation Room is approaching completion.

                    23rd Nov 1914 - "Regimental Institute was in a very advanced state, and waiting for the addition of the Canteen."

                    7th Dec 1914 - "Colonel Bowes was instructed to place the stoves in the Regimental Institute in the most convenient place. Instructions with regard to the painting of the wood work of the Regimental Institute had been given, and were satisfactory."

                    22nd Nov 1914 -"The most conspicuous building on the ground is the recreation room, capable of holding the whole battalion. When I was there it was just completed, and it is to be so arranged that whereas it can be divided by curtains into three, with a canteen at one end, it can be quickly thrown into one large hall for concerts and other gatherings. Billiards and all kinds of games will be provided. The recreation room is similar in style to the huts, but is covered externally with corrugated iron." (Newspaper report)

                     Accomodation Huts  

                    At the meeting on the 5th of October 1914: "erection of huts, to hold 700 men..... Sites for the huts - as suggested by the Darlington Construction Co, and laid out by Mr Ventris this morning - were approved. Construction is to be commenced at once."

                    At the meeting of the 19th, it is stated "Fourteen huts, in various stages of completion, were now standing" (It is not clear if these are all accommodation huts).

                    26th Oct 1914 - "It was noted that six huts had been completed and were occupied; three completed, but unoccupied; and the remainder - with one exception, under construction" also "It was decided to carry out the additional lighting of the huts with our own staff, as we had in the ranks men perfectly capable of doing it."

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "It was decided not to line the roofs of the huts."

                    20th Nov 1914 - "Samples for the furnishing of huts were inspected; but were not found to be satisfactory; and the Clerk of the Works was instructed to proceed to Newcastle, and obtain further samples from Messrs Emley & Messrs Walker."

                    23rd Nov 1914 - "Colonel Burdon reported that the electric light for 2 rows of the huts had been completed"

                    7th Dec 1914 - "Satisfactory samples of upholstering, etc, for the huts have been received and selected, and the furnishing was being proceeded with"

                    22nd Dec 1914 - "There are some 28 of these huts, set out in rows. They are uncommonly like streets, and in this work-a-day Durham district almost suggest a new colliery village. ... The huts are well built, roomy and high. They are constructed of cladding outside, asbestos inside, and are roofed with felt, while the heating is by coke stoves. At dinner time the forty men accommodated by each can dine with freedom of movement for all. At bedtime down come the palliasses, out come the blankets, and to peaceful sleep goes "Tommy," his clothing hanging in apple-pie order on the pegs over his head. "Do the men undress?" I innocently asked, having visions of night attacks. "Undress, yes," replied a cheery sergeant. "Most of them sleep in pyjamas. Many of the men came to enlist in cuffs and collars."" (Newspaper Report)

                    4th Jan 1915 - "It was decided to obtain, through the Clerk of the Works, tenders for the erection of shelves in the barrack huts."

                    11 Jan 1914 - "Colonel Bowes stated that tenders for the shelves in the barrack huts had been obtained, but were so much more expensive than was expected that the matter had been again referred to the Clerk of the Works."

                    11th Jan 1914 - "Authority for the erection of four more barrack huts had been applied for to York to accommodate the Depot Company: Colonel Bowes having stated that it was possible to carry on with that amount of accommodation: but on talking the matter over, and in view of the fact that two Depot Companies will eventually have to be provided, and that it would be a great convenience to the Bantam Battalion if the County Battalion resigns the use of Newton Hall in their favour, it was decided that as Colonel Bowes said that he would be able to provide for both Depot Companies, if six new huts were built, and he could rely upon the use of West Rainton Drill Shed, Col. Burdon should write to York, and ask for permission to build six huts; and as the tendency of contracts to rise Col. Burdon accepted a tender from the Darlington Construction Company for six huts at £153 each, lined, and with stove fitted (but not including cost of stove); the first two to be ready in a fortnight; and the remainder within a month; or, if possible five weeks." (The additional 6 huts were authorised)

                    5th Feb 1914 - "The new huts have again been delayed; but must be ready for occupation in a day or two."

                     Bath House and Drying Rooms  

                    Authority was given to proceed with construction of the Bath House as soon as possible was given at the meeting in the 12th of October 1914.

                    26th Oct 1914 - The question of the bath house, combining bath and drying house, was considered; and it was decided that an amended plan was decided upon should be made.

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "It was decided to obtain some oil stoves for the purpose of turning two huts into temporary drying sheds for the men’s clothes." also "Colonel Burdon was instructed to accelerate the carrying out of the drying room as far as possible."

                    9th Nov 1914- "oil stoves had been obtained for the purpose of drying the clothes in one of the huts; but up to the present there had been no necessity to use them."

                    20th Nov 1914 - "The frame of the drying shed is erected"

                    7th Dec 1914 - "The lighting of the bath house will have to be attended to; and it will be necessary to put glass in the upper part of the outside wall, as the opening at present is too much. The bath house was very nearly ready for occupation."

                    22nd Dec 1914 - "The Cocken camp also boasts a complete bathing and washing establishment. In the lavatory are long rows of wash basins, with water laid on, and in the bath house there are 40 cubicles, each with a bath and hot and cold water. There are also several clothing drying houses, where the men’s garments are dried on rows of steam pipes." (Newspaper report)

                    4th Jan 1914 - "It was decided to obtain, through the Clerk of the Works, tenders for wooden grids for the bath-room... Colonel Bowes reported that the bath-room had been taken into use and was satisfactory: that a drying room had been allowed to each Company to be used as required during certain hours"

                     Concrete Pad  

                    19th Oct 1914 - "The Quarter Master was instructed to lay a cement floor (for which he was to borrow men from the Darlington Construction Company) for the purpose of a bin for refuse."

                     Rifle Range  

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "The tender of the Darlington Construction Company for the Range, according to Government plans, was accepted, at the price of £195."

                    9th Nov 1914 - Col Burdon has "ordered 20,000 rounds of short, and 5000 rounds of long .22 miniature Rifle Cartridges; (and a further quantity - 100,000 rounds, was reserved) from the Army & Navy stores."

                    20th Nov 1914 - Range is approaching completion.

                    7th Dec 1914 - "some slight alteration will have to be made at the miniature Rifle Range; and the lighting at the Target end will be provided for by 2 Acetylene Generators kindly lent by Messrs R.E. Hall & Co."

                    22nd Dec 1914 - "An elaborate covered-in range is provided, where the use of the rifle is taught so thoroughly that it will not be the fault of the instructors if the men are not worthy followers of the original British Expeditionary Force, whose shooting so surprised the Germans. Great emphasis is placed on visual training, and in the huts the men are given pictorial targets to study from, and to practise at picking out objects such as a man in khaki, represented in Lilliputian form, at a supposed distance of 300 yards and over. In the rifle range itself, with the miniature rifle, shooting is reduced to an exact science, and the men are practised in long-distance firing. The range is fitted up with the Solano moving and disappearing targets, and with the Hill-Siffken landscape targets." (Newspaper report)

                    15th Feb 1915 - "The Rifles which had been lent to the Battalion by various members of the public were directed to be returned to their owners."

                     Ablutions & Latrines  

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "Major Tristram was instructed to communicate to Mr Gradon our opinion that undoubtedly the drains of the ablution sheds should, as he suggests - be made of proper sanitary pipes, and not let into field drains."

                    7th Dec 1914 - "The new latrines and ablution sheds had been taken into use, and appeared to be working satisfactorily; but the pipes will require protection from the frost."

                    11th Jan 1915 - "Colonel Burdon should write to Messrs. Gradon and call their attention to the fact that the Latrines were not yet finished, in spite of continued notifications."

                    29th Mar 1915 - "Colonel Blackburn, Chief Engineer, Northern Command, York, inspected on the 24th inst: He had given certain directions with regard to the disposal of the drainage, which will be carried out."

                     Orderley Room & Guard House  

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "an attempt should be made to find other premises for the Orderly Room, in order that the present Orderly Room might be turned into the Guard House."

                    9th Nov 1914 - "Major Tristram reported that it had been decided to leave the Orderly Room where it was, but to put the Guard Room and sick room opposite the front door of the Hall."

                     Sentry Boxes  

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "Major Tristram was instructed to obtain 6 Sentry Boxes from the Contractor or elsewhere."

                       "Cocken lies just across the River Wear from the picturesque ruins of Finchale Priory. Its name derives from Cocca's Ea, thought to describe a stretch of river where fishing rights belonged to someone called Cocca. The side of the Wear is densely wooded here and forms a beautiful gorge. At the top of the riverbank, swathes of farmland stretch out between Great Lumley to the north and West Rainton to the east. There is no village called Cocken, but the river forms a rather striking loop that encircles Low Cocken Farm, near Cocken Bridge. This iron bridge dating from 1886 links Cocken to open countryside surrounding Plawsworth and Newton Hall housing estate on the western bank.

                    At the neck of the loop, on a piece of raised land, was once a 17th century mansion called Cocken Hall. It was variously home to a convent of nuns, an MP and a champion fighter. Nothing is known of the Anglo-Saxon owner, Cocca, but in 1133, a priest called Ellafus gave Cocken to the Priory of Durham. In agreement with Roger of Kibblesworth, the priory exchanged it for lands at Wolviston. Roger's daughter and heir, Petronilla, then sold it to Finchale Priory. After the dissolution of the monasteries, Henry VIII gave Cocken to John Hilton, of Newcastle, whose wife, Isabel, had previously been married to Newcastle mayor Ralph Carr. After Hilton's death, she married another Newcastle man, John Frankleyn. Her grandson from her first marriage, also called Ralph Carr, inherited Cocken in the late 16th century. Cocken passed through this line until 1642, when another branch of the Carr family purchased the estate. A later member of this family was yet another Ralph Carr, who was mayor of Newcastle in 1676, 1693 and 1705. He was also an MP. In about 1671, the Carrs of Cocken acquired additional land at High Grange, near Gilesgate, an estate that stretched as far as the north side of what is now Carrville High Street. This 19th century colliery village may well have been named after the family. Although the Carrs remained owners of the property, the hall became a convent for a group of Teresian (Carmelite) nuns in the early 19th Century. The nuns had been expelled from England during the Reformation and took refuge at Lierre, in Belgium. But in 1795, the French Revolution forced them to return to England, by now a country more tolerant of Catholicism. They found accommodation at St Helen's Hall, in St Helen Auckland then, in 1804, the Carrs took the nuns to Cocken Hall. The convent consisted of 16 choir nuns, six lay sisters and a prioress called Dame Jessop. They remained at Cocken until 1830, when the opening of a nearby coal mine forced them to seek a new site. The nuns moved to Field House in what was then open countryside near Darlington, and the convent still exists in the town's Nunnery Lane.

                    Cocken had remained in the Carr family then, in 1812, William Carr inherited some Cheshire land and a title, making him William Standish -Standish of Duxbury Hall. He spent his later years at Cocken, where he died in 1856. Because the churchyard of Houghton parish, which included Cocken, was apparently full after a cholera epidemic in Sunderland, an old hillside quarry had been consecrated in Houghton-le-Spring to allow it to be used as a cemetery. It was here that William was buried. Some local people say he committed suicide by riding his horse off the neighbouring cliff, and his ghost is believed to haunt the site.

                    Some time after the departure of William, although the exact date is uncertain, a champion pugilist turned coal owner, John Gully, went to live at the hall. Gully, who was originally from Bath, once competed - and lost - in a 59-round bare-knuckle boxing bout. Later, however, he would become a champion, investing his winnings in racehorses and mines in Durham, including Thornley, Ludworth and Wingate. From Cocken, Gully moved to North Bailey in Durham City, where he died in 1863, at the age of 80. He left 24 children from two marriages.

                    At the end of the 19th century, Cocken Hall was home to Sunderland shipbuilder Samuel Austin, but in July 1914, The Northern Echo reported that the house had been without a tenant for eight years. Its last occupant was a shipowner called Hudson, but in succeeding years the house, by then a property of the Earl of Durham, remained empty and was looked after by a caretaker called Herdman. On arriving at the house at 7.30am on July 14, 1914, he found literature plastered with the words "Votes for Women" and "This is the work of militants" strewn around its exterior. The caretaker also found a drawing room window open and inside was much evidence of elaborate preparations to start a fire. The staircase had been saturated with oil, but was only smouldering when Herdman arrived on the scene, and he was able to prevent a fire. Among other items found were an alarm clock, which had been fitted with a fuse and had stopped at 12.25, and a bag of oil and resin. Farmers saw a car in the area at about midnight, which then returned half an hour later. The Northern Echo concluded that the hall was singled out because of its uninhabited and isolated situation.

                    Later in 1914, a service battalion of the Durham Light Infantry occupied the house and many photographs still exist showing the soldiers training outside the hall. Sadly, some time after the war, the house was flattened. Nothing has been built in its place. Today, Cocken, although undoubtedly a beautiful spot, exists only as a collection of scattered farmhouses and a nine-hole golf course." - http://www.durhamtimes.co.uk/news/1690313.home_to_saxons_nuns_an_mp_and_champion_boxer/

                    "Sir Ralph Carr (1634-1710), of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumb. and Coken, Houghton-le-Spring, Co. Dur. Carr’s family had been merchants in Newcastle since the 15th century, first representing the town in 1491. Carr’s father, although one of the ruling oligarchy in the town, was probably a parliamentary sympathizer in the Civil War. He served on the common council during the Interregnum, and was appointed to the assessment committee in 1652 and the militia committee in March 1660, shortly before his death. Carr himself bought an estate in Durham from a cousin in 1665, adding the valuable mineral rights six years later" - http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/carr-sir-ralph-1634-1710#family-relations

                    Samuel Peter Austin, of Cocken Hall was High Sherrif of Durham in 1898.

                    The motto for Carr of Cocken is "There is no deceit" - http://www.geni.com/surnames/carr

                    "Ref: D/X 1377/1 Copy will of Ralph Carr of Cocken, esq., in which he devises: all his personal estate (except his chaise and harness, three horses, silver plate, china, pictures, furniture, fixtures and other goods in Cocken Hall and High Farm, Cocken), to his trustees, Sir John Eden of Windlestone, bart., John Drake Bainbridge of Durham, surgeon, and Christopher Bramwell of Darlington, wine merchant, to pay his two old servants, Ralph Woodifield and Ann Hay, £30 each, and then to pay any debts; all his property at Stotfold in Elwick and Crows Houses Farm in Pittington is to be sold and the income used for the payment of any debts; the residue of his personal estate and residual income from the sale of Stotfield and Crows Houses Farm to be held in trust for his nephew, Carr Ibbetson, 3rd son of his sister, Lady Isabella Ibbetson, deceased; High Farm, Cocken, and named fields to be held in trust for his servant, Jane Nicholson of Cocken, for life, providing that she remained unmarried, and after her marriage or death, to be held in trust to the uses declared for the residue of his real property; the Lodge at Cocken, occupied by Ralph Miller, to be held in trust for his servant, Hannah Mitchinson, for life, providing that she remained unmarried, and after her marriage or death, to be held in trust to the uses declared for the residue of his real property; £200 p.a. to Jane Nicholson for life, providing that she remained unmarried, to be charged on Grange Farm in Durham St. Giles; the contents of the trunks and boxes in the Turning Room at Cocken Hall to Jane Nicholson, to be delivered to her unopened; the post-chaise and harness, and the choice of three horses, and all the silver plate, china, linen, pictures, furniture, and books at High Farm, Cocken, to Jane Nicholson; £10 p.a. to Hannah Mitchinson for life, providing that she remained unmarried, to be charged on Grange Farm in Durham St. Giles; Cocken Hall and the residue of his real estate to be held in trust for his nephew, Carr Ibbetson, for life, and on Ibbetson's death, for his cousin, Ralph Carr jun., eldest son of Rev. Ralph Carr of Alderley, Cheshire, clerk; the residue of his personal estate to his nephew, Carr Ibbetson; his body to be buried in the family vault at Houghton-le-Spring, and that 'no pomp, parade or unnecessary ceremony or expence be used or made at my funeral nor that any persons attend the same except my household servants then residing at Cocken', 21 December 1787" -http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/Pages/AdvancedSearchCatalogueDetail.aspx?SearchType=Param&SearchID=168a8f3c-78fc-497a-86df-3ef6a674f75c&Page=1&ItemID=168877

                       COCKEN, a township, in the parish of Houghton-le-Spring, union of Chester-le-Street, N. division of Easington ward and of the county of Durham, 4 miles (N. N. E.) from Durham; containing 65 inhabitants. Cocken was separated from the constablery of West Rainton, and made distinct in 1726. It is situated on the river Wear, and comprises by measurement 380 acres, of which 250 are arable, 120 meadow and pasture, and 10 waste: coal is obtained in the neighbourhood. The whole township is the property of William Standish Standish, Esq., of Duxbury Park, Lancashire. The manor-house, which is surrounded by beautiful scenery, became, at the commencement of the present century, the residence of a convent of nuns of the order of St. Theresa, who were driven by the revolutionists from their former settlement at Lier, in Flanders. After residing here for upwards of twenty years, they removed to Field House, near Darlington. Mrs. Standish has established a dame's school, at her own expense, within the grounds.

                    http://www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-dict/england/pp647-654#h3-0020


                       

                       

                       

                       124th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery trained at Hedon Racecourse Camp, Hull. They proceeded to France in April 1916 and were in action during the Battle of the Somme.

                       Hedon Race Course Camp was situated on the race course at Hedon, six miles from Hull in East Yorkshire. It was an artillery training camp with recruits learning the skills required to operate the guns of the Heavy Batteries, Royal Artillery.

                       237th Siege Battery RGA was formed at Hedon Race Course Camp, near Hull in August 1917. They moved to Codford where they were armed with with four 6 inch Howitzers (26 cwt) pulled by FWDs. They proceeded to France on the 23rd of January 1917 sailing from Portsmouth to Le Havre. Their first action was near Ypres.

                       95th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed at Crosby, near Liverpool in Jan 1916 from personnel of the Lancashire and Cheshire, RGA TF. They trained at Horsham, before proceeding to France in May 1916, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne, armed with four 9.2 inch Howitzers. They joined 35th Heavy Artillery Group on 23rd of May 1916 and transferred to 46 HAG on 5th of July 1916, then to 28 HAG on 25th of July, to 31 HAG on 5th of Oct, then to 6 HAG on the 28th. They joined 18 HAG on 3rd of Dec 1916 then 70 HAG on 6th of Feb 1917 and 50 HAG on the 27th Feb before returning to 70 HAG on 15th of Apr 1917, then joining 87 HAG on 20th of Apr 17. They joined 88 HAG on 30th of May 17 then 57 HAG on 13th of Jun 1917, 90 HAG on the 19th and then 70 HAG on 24th of June 1917. One section joined the battery from 419th Siege Battery, RGA on the 28th of August 1917 to bring the battery up to six guns. They joined 59 HAG on 8th of Sep 1917 transferring to 58 HAG on the 28th then 90 HAG on 24th of Oct 1917, they joined 71 HAG on 17th of Nov 17 then 90 HAG on 26th of Nov and 71 HAG on the 30th. The battery joined 90th Brigade, RGA on 3rd of Dec 1917. On 5th Jan 1918 the batteries four old-pattern 9.2" Howitzers were returned to Base and then was rearmed with six Mark II 9.2" Howitzers, on 12th of Jan 1918.

                    They saw action at the Battle of the Somme, Vimy Ridge, the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of Cambrai. Just prior to Christmas No. 4 gun had a premature that destroyed the gun and killed and wounded the personnel. They were in action during German Spring Offensive in March 1918.

                       48th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed on the 30th of July 1915 in Portsmouth from a nucleus of the Devon RGA Territorial Force. They proceeded to Egypt in January 1916 and later transferred to France armed with four 9.2 inch Howitzers. They were in action during the Battle of Cambrai in 1917 In early 1918, the batteries were reorganised to man six guns.

                       602 Company, Army Service Corps was formed in October 1915 as the Ammunition Column for 36th Brigade RGA. The unit was later absorbed into 48th Siege Battery RGA.

                       34th Siege Battery was armed with four 9.2" howitzers. The Right Section of 34th Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France on 18th of August 1915 and joined 26th Heavy Artillery Brigade, RGA on the 24th. The Left Section followed on the 11th of September 1915 and joined 26th HAB on the 18th. On the 4th of April 1916 the battery joined XIII Corps Heavy Artillery then transferred to XV Corps Heavy Artillery on the 29th. In May they transferred to 21st Heavy Artillery Group then to 3rd HAG on 10th of December 1916. They joined 14th HAG on 5th of February 1917 then 2nd HAG on 24th of June 1917, they moved to 45th HAG on 29th of July 1917 then 60th HAG on 28th of August 1917. On 15th of November 1917 they joined 85th HAG and remained with it until the armistice. One section from 190th Siege Battery joined on the 16th of December 1917 to make 34 Siege Battery up to six guns but on 10th of January 1918 it was again reduced to four guns. On 13 March 1918 it was again made up to six guns when one section from 495th Siege Battery joined. On the 25th January 1919 the Battery was transferred to 83rd Brigade RGA whilst stationed at Scalyn on the Rhine.

                       173rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery trained at Pendennis Castle in Cornwall and were stationed at Yarmouth before moving to Aldershot to prepare to proceed to France, spending some time on the ranges of Salisbury Plain. They sailed from Southampton to Le Havre on the 2nd of October 1916 Armed with four 6 inch Howitzers, they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Arras, Vimy Ridge and the 3rd Battle of Ypres, they were on the Somme and the Hindeburgh Line in 1918.

                       Red Lodge Camp was located in deep tunnel dugouts beneath Hill 63 at the western edge of Ploegsteert Wood. There were two main entrances, one near Red Lodge and one at Hyde Park Corner.

                       St Martins Camp was situated near Ostrohove, Boulogne and was a transit camp for troops crossing the channel.

                       RNAS Dover was situated on Guston Road, Dover in Kent.

                       St Margaret’s Aerodrome was situated on the cliff top to the east of Dover in Kent. Originally named as Swingate Aerodrome it was used for flying from 1910 when Charles Rolls rented the land from the war office to house his aircraft. It was from Swingate that he made the first two way channel crossing by air in June 1910. Two days before the outbreak of war, the first military aircraft landed at St Margaret's aerodrome and No2 Squadron were the first to make the crossing to France. Fourteen hangers were swiftly erected and the airfield became the main departure point for Squadrons proceeding to France. Hutted accommodation for the RFC was erected on Northfall Meadow between Horseshoe Bastion and Hudson's Bastion behind Dover Castle.

                       Connaught Barracks is located about half a mile south of Fort Burgoyne in Dover and opened in July 1913. During the First World War the barracks were used for training and the assembly of large quantities of men and supplies to cross the channel to France. The site remained in military hands until 2006.

                       Furstenfeldbruck Hospital was attached to Lechfeld POW Camp. The prisoners held in the hospital were treated by German Doctors and captured members of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

                       Roomer Camp, also known as Masham South Camp, was situated on Roomer Common between Masham and Grewlthorpe in North Yorkshire, it was an infantry training camp.

                       Marfield Camp, also known as Masham North Camp was situated to the north of Masham in North Yorkshire and was a training camp for the Royal Artillery.

                       Masham Red Cross Hospital was situated in the Town Hall, Masham in North Yorkshire.

                       Orchard Hospital was built on the riverbank at Long Reach near Dartford by the The Metropolitan Asylum Board as a temporary hospital in 1902 to cope with an epidemic of smallpox. The long rows of single storey timber and iron buildings provided 800 beds. The military took possession of the Orchard Hospital in 1915 for the treatment of sick and wounded soldiers. On the 9th October 1916 it became the 3rd (Dartford) Australian Auxiliary Hospital, under the command of Lieutenant-Col. H Arthur Powell. The capacity increased to 1,200 and the hospital provided work for 110 Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps members. In 1919 the hospital reverted to a temporary infectious disease hospital. It was used as a training facility during the Second World War and was hit by a doodlebug just after the last occupants had departed for the D-Day landings, causing a fire which destroyed many of the buildings.

                       Dartford War Hospital on Gore Road, Dartford, Kent was built in 1902 as an extension to Gore Farm Hospital by the The Metropolitan Asylum Board as a small pox hospital. It was renamed Lower Southern Hospital in 1911 and was handed over to the military in May 1915 for the treatment of prisoners of war. The Upper Southern Hospital, which shared the 160 acre site was taken over by the US Army in June 1918 and became U.S. Base Hospital No. 37, treating American wounded soldiers. After the war the hospital reverted to bring a fever hospital and was in military use again during the Second World War.

                       Elveden Explosives Area was located on the Elveden Estate near Thetford in Norfolk, it was home to The Heavy Section, Machine Gun Corps and their tank training school. Use of the estate was acquired by the military in April 1916 and the first tank, Mother, arrived by rail at Barnham station on the 4th of June and was driven by road in darkness to the estate in great secrecy. A further twenty arrived by the end of the month. In July the railway was extended into the estate so that the tanks could travel by rail and unloaded on a siding near Lodge Farm under cover of darkness. Explosions were ignited frequently to maintain the illusion of danger to deter visitors. Screens were erected along the boundary of the estate on the main road to conceal activity from passers by. Brandon Road, which cut across the estate was closed and the boundary was guarded by the Royal Defence Corps and Cavalry, who had no inkling of the activities inside the estate. Tank training took place in the centre of the estate in a cordoned off area, with more usual army training taking place in the rest of the site to give an impression of normality. A full scale trench system was constructed for realist training complete with wire defences.

                       William Foster & Co. of Lincoln designed and manufactured the first tanks during the Great War at the Wellington Foundry, New Boultham. They were a well known agricultural machinery company producing threshing machines, traction engines and steam tractors.

                       Dülmen POW camp was located at Haltern am See in the district of Lembraken/Sythen near Dülmen. Two officers barracks remain near the entrance of the POW camp and have been converted for residential use. The site of the compound has been quarried and is now a lake. The WWI POW camp cemetery is located in Dülmen, it is believed the camp administration may also have been located there.

                       The American Women's War Hospital was located at Oldway House, Paignton, the home of Paris Eugene Singer the son of the inventor of the Singer sewing machine, who loaned the substantial property in August 1914. An operating theatre was built on the first floor and the rooms converted into wards. A wooden chapel was erected for the patients in the grounds of the house, with services of all denominations being held there. Over 7,000 men were treated at the hospital which closed on the 6th of March 1919.

                       XLVIII Brigade comprised of 154, 155 and 156 Batteries RFA, each armed with six-guns, and the Brigade Ammunition Column. They proceeded to France with 14th (Light) Division in May 1915.

                       Fairview Auxiliary Hospital was located in a private house named Fairview in Wilbraham Road, Fallowfield, Manchester. It was run by the Red Cross a initially offering 20 beds and was later expanded to 36 beds. It was affiliated to the 2nd Western General Hospital.

                       Heald Place Hospital was located in the newly constructed Heald Place School, Rusholme, Manchester, which was taken over as a hospital, the opening as a school being delayed until after the war. 172 beds were provided for Other Ranks as a section of the 2nd Western General Hospital.

                       Newbury Auxiliary Hospital was located in a large house named Neuburg on Daisy Bank Road, Victoria Park, Manchester. It was run by the Rusholme Red Cross and was initially set up in June 1914 for training and named after the house, but renamed due to anti German feeling, the property had been built for a wealthy German textile merchant, but had been home. Initially 30 beds were provided with a further 30 being added in a pavilion in the garden.

                       Ford Military Hospital, opened in July 1915 with 435 beds and was part of the 4th Southern General Hospital. It was situated in the three storey brick workhouse on between Wolseley Road and Melville Road, Devonport, Plymouth, which dated from 1854.

                    The buildings were damaged by bombing during the Second World War and were later demolished and a school built on the site. Today the site is occupied by a supermarket.

                       Wharncliffe War Hospital opened in 1915 and was situated in the South Yorkshire Asylum, Wadsley, Sheffield which was loaned to the War Office by the Asylum's Board. A number of improvements and alterations were made before the hospital opened, including the fitting out of three operating theatres. Offering just over 2000 beds, over 37,000 patients would be treated during the Great War.

                       Dumbleton Auxiliary Hospital was situated in the village hall at Dumbleton which was then Gloucestershire. It opened on the 6th of May 1915, staffed by the Gloucester 54 Voluntary Air Detachment, under Commandant Mrs Pyke-Nott. 30 beds were provided and 667 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 30th of November 1918.

                       Graylingwell War Hospital was located in the West Sussex County Asylum, which had been built in the 1890's at Graylingwell Farm, Summersdale on the outskirts of Chichester. The first patients were admitted on the 24th of March 1915 with 29,412 being treated during the Great War. The military hsopital closed in 1919 and the buildings returning to use as a mental health hospital and was closed in 2001. Most of the buildings have since been demolished.

                       Duston War Hospital was located in the Berrywood Asylum, near Northampton and opened in 1916. After WW2 the hospital was renamed St Crispin's, it closed in 1995.

                       Ampthill V.A.D. Hospital was opened in in December 1914 at Wilmington Lodge, Amphill to provide medical care for soldiers training at Ampthill Park. It was staffed by Ampthill No.34 Detachment, The Hon. Constance Russell was commandant and the medical officer Dr Garner. The hospital changed premises in December 1915 and the Duke of Bedford cut the ribbon and later funded a new hut bringing the total number of beds to 17. The hospital closed on the 14th of June 1918 and was replaced by a tented hospital at Amptill Camp. 634 Patients were treated at this hospital.

                       Albion House Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Albion House, Donnington and was staffed by Berkshire 44 Voluntary Aid Detachment and opened in December 1914, with the first patients arriving in January 1915. Specialising in treating paralysis, the hospital later became an Auxiliary to Reading War Hospital and the building was enlarged, the costs being borne by the generosity of Mrs Langford. at it's greatest capacity Albion House offered 50 beds. It closed in 1919 but the specially built annexe was used as the "Lest We Forget Club" for soldiers and sailors.

                       The Club Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital in Mortimer opened in October 1914, the first patients were 15 Belgian soldiers. During 1915 the hospital was attached to the 3rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford, in April 1917 it became an Auxiliary to No. 1 War Hospital, Reading. The building was demolished in 2006 and house now occupy the site.

                       Allerton Beeches was built for Sir Henry Tate, the sugar magnate in 1883, and was located off Allerton Road, Liverpool, facing Calderstones Park. during the Great War it was used as a convalescence home for injured soldiers. The house was demolished in 1939.

                       Ross Red Cross Hospital was located at Caradoc Villas, Ross-on-Wye, the Commandant was Miss Fox.

                       St Albans V.A.D. Hospital was located at Bricket House, Bricket Road, St Albans and opened in March 1915 offering 35 beds, affiliated to the Napsbury (County of Middlesex) War Hospital. The hospital was staffed by the Herts 38 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant was Mrs L. Boycott. By 1917 the Hospital had expanded to 40 beds. 2,298 patients were treated at Bricket house before it closed in 1918. The Herts 38 V.A.D. continued to run orthopaedic clinics providing physiotherapy for war veterans in the stables of Bricket House. The clinics continued until 1948 when the NHS took over. Bricket House became a private nursing home and was later used as a maternity home. The building was destroyed by fire in 1983 and the site is now occupied by an office development.

                       Wallfields VAD Hospital in Hertford was primarily established to care for the Territorials of the Hertford Regiment, but the detachment offered half of the 24 beds to the War Office for wounded soldiers arriving from the front.

                       Lutterworth VAD Hospital was located in the schoolroom of the Methodist Chapel at the corner of Coventry Road and Bitteswell Road, Lutterworth.

                       Ullesthorpe Court VAD Hospital was located on Frolesworth Road, Ullesthorpe, near Lutterworth. It opened in 1915 with the new wing, museum and gallery being used as wards, offering twenty beds. The hospital was run by the owners pf Ullesthorp Court, Mr & Mrs Goodacre, with one nursing sister living on site with members of local Voluntary Aid Detachment assisting. The hospital closed in 1918 and today the building is in use as a hotel.

                       Petwood in Woodhall Spa was built in 1904 for Baroness Grace van Eckhardstein, in 1910 she married politician Sir Archibald Weigall and the house was well known to their many guests. During the Great War the extensive house was used as rehabilitation centre for wounded soldiers. In the 1930's Petwood became a hotel and is perhaps best known as the officers mess of the Dambusters during the Second World War.

                       East Kirkby Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914, offering 12 beds and was staffed by Lincolnshire 22 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The first patients were 12 Belgian soldiers, who remained at the hospital for four months. After a short closure the Hospital reopened in May 1915 as the East Kirkby Annexe to Spilsby Auxiliary Hospital.

                       Spilsby Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Drill Hall, Spilsby the pre war home of C Company, 5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. The hospital opened on the 25th of October 1914 and 1,386 patients were treated by local Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurses before it closed on the 20th of February 1919. From May 1915 the Red Cross Hospital at East Kirkby was used as an annex. after the war the Lincolnshire Regiment returned to the Drill Hall. Today the building is named Franklin Hall and a collection of photos taken at the hospital is kept in the Spilsby History Society archive.

                       Birkett Hospital was located at 7 Mandeville Place, London, an established nursing home run by Miss Birkett. In December 1914 she offered the War Office the use of two beds for wounded soldiers, but by 1917 the whole Nursing Home was in use as the Birkett Hospital offering 40 officer's beds. The Commandant was Miss Annie Birkett and the hospital was affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital, Millbank.

                       The first specially built Ambulance Trains in the Great War were specially built by Great Western and Eastern Railways and paid for by the UK Flour Millers' Association which presented them to the Red Cross. Each train was in effect a full staffed mobile hospital, allowing patients to be treated and emergency operations to be carried out on the move. Each could carry around 400 patients, either lying in three tier beds which lined the carriages or sitting if they were able. The middle bed was designed to fold, allowing the lower bunk to be used as seating when required. These two trains were worked in France during 1915, alongside a third which was converted from ordinary French rolling stock. around thirty ambulance trains were sent to transport patients from the Casualty Clearing Stations of the Western Front to hospitals, with another twenty trains running in Britain to carry patients from the ports to one of the 196 receiving railway stations where they would be transferred directly to hospital.

                       Sir Titus Salt Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Sir Titus Salt Hospital in Saltaire, which was built in 1868 to care for the mill workers of Saltaire, it was located at the junction of Victoria Road with Saltaire Road. The hospital opened in October 1916 and closed in January 1919 reverting to its original purpose until it closed in 1979. The building was the used as a nursing home and was later converted into flats.

                       Bradford War Hospital was located in Little Horton, Bradford in the buildings of the Bradford Union Workhouse, between Packington Street and Little Horton Lane. After the war it became St Luke's Hospital, many of the buildings were demolished in 2010, but the listed buildings remain.

                       Abram Peel Hospital was situated on Leeds Road, Bradford and was run by Bradford Corporation. It opened in July 1917 with 437 beds for the treatment of soldiers suffering nervous shock and neurasthenia. The hospital was staffed by the Royal Army Medical Corps, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service and volunteers. It closed in April 1919.

                       Bowling Park Auxiliary Hospital, Bradford was situated in the Bradford Board of Guardians home for male imbeciles at Bowling Park Colony off Rooley Lane. It opened on the 16th of April 1915, offering 80 beds as an auxiliary to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds. In June 1915 it became an auxiliary of the East Leeds War Hospital. It closed in October 1916 when the Bradford War Hospital opened.

                       Clayton Auxiliary Hospital was located in the North Bierley Union Infirmary on Highgate Road, Clayton Heights. The Auxiliary Hospital opened in spring 1917 and was used until March 1919.

                       Field House Auxiliary Hospital, was located in the convalescent home of Bradford Royal Infirmary, a mansion at Daisy Hill, Bradford. Run by the Bradford Board of Guardians the hospital opened on the 24th of February 1915 with 50 beds. The mansion was situated in parkland and a large conservatory was used as a lounge for patients. The ambulance service to and from the hospital was run by the Bradford Automobile Club. The hospital closed at the end of July 1916 due to the refusal of the treasurer to provide a balance sheet to the Army Council, the patients being transferred to the Bradford War Hospital. The hospital reopened in January 1918 and closed in February 1919.

                       Woodlands Auxiliary Hospital was located in Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Woodlands convalescent home at Rawdon, it opened in October 1914 with 120 beds and treated around 3000 injured soldiers before it closed in February 1919.

                       Mill House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Mill House, Church Lane, South Wingfield, the building was loaned by the Bower family who owned a local mill. The commandant was Mrs Ella Smith and the matron Miss Thompson. Eighty eight patients were treated during the 14 months the 12 bed hospital was open.

                       Ardleigh Red Cross Hospital was located in Ardleigh Church Hall in The Street it provided 18 beds and opened on the 5th of December 1914 with the arrival of eight patients suffering from frostbite. The Commandant was Mrs Rous, Matron was Mrs Ball and Dr Lownds gave his services free.

                       Blake Hall Auxiliary Hospital for Officers at Blake Hall near Ongar opened in July 1915 offering 20 beds for convalescent officers in a building in the grounds of the hall, which had been used as am indoor tennis court. It was loaned by Mr and Mrs William Buckley Gladstone and the building was converted into a first-rate ward with a Dining and Recreation Room at one end. Mr Gladstone also lent a motor car and his chauffeur for the use of the Hospital and paid for the acetylene lighting and other expenses. The hospital was affiliated to Colchester Military Hospital and by 1916 had been expanded to 30 beds. During summer months, an additional six beds were provided in a marquee, lent by Lord and Lady Wolverton. By 1917 the number of beds had increased to 39. The hospital closed in May 1919.

                       Adhurst St Mary Auxiliary Hospital was located in the main house on the Adhurst St Mary estate surrounded by parkland and formal gardens. The hospital was well equipped, massage and electric shock treatment was provided for the patients.

                    Today the building is empty and in a poor state of repair, there is no public access to the site.

                       Royal Naval Hospital Haslar was situated in Gosport, it opened in 1753 and was a military hospital. It closed in 2009 and the site is being redeveloped.

                       Christchurch Red Cross Hospital was situated in Fairmile House, Jumpers Road Christchurch, built as a workhouse in 1886. The property later became Christchurch Hospital, today most of the buildings have been demolished.

                       5th Australian Auxiliary Hospital, also known as Digswell House Relief Hospital, was situated at Digswell House, Welwyn in Hertfordshire. The house was loaned by The Hon. Mrs. Acland, whose husband and son were serving in France. The hospital provided 25 beds for officers and the grounds were used for sporting activities. The facilities were mainly used by Australian Officers but British and Belgians were also treated there. Today the house has been converted into private appartments.

                       St. Ives Red Cross Hospital was located in the Methodist Church, St Ives, Huntingdon, a gothic chapel built in 1905.

                       Crayford Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Parish Hall of of St. Paulinus Church, Crayford in Kent. It was staffed by the Kent 84 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       St. Johns VAD Hospital was located in St John's Hall, Hollybush Lane, Sevenoaks, it was run by Kent 56 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The first patients were wounded Belgian soldiers who arrived in October 1914. The Commandant was Miss Lambarde.

                       Blackley Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Blackley Institute, Blackley near Manchester.

                       Pavilion Auxiliary Hospital, was located in the cricket pavilion at Lancashire County Cricket Club at Old Trafford. The first patients were wounded Belgian Soldiers who arrived in October 1914.

                       New Bridge Street Hospital, was located in the New Bridge Street Workhouse and nearby Boys School in Manchester. It was a specialist venereal disease hospital with 530 beds. The buildings were demolished in the 1920's and the site became a railway goods yard, today it is occupied by the MEN Arena and the NEC car park.

                       Pike Law Military Hospital was situated in the Union Infirmary, Higher Pike Law, Rawtenstall. After the war the buildings later became Rossendale General Hospital which closed in 2010.

                       Tenby Auxiliary Hospital was located in Somerset House, Esplanade, Tenby.

                       5th London General Hospital opened in March 1915, taking over 200 beds of St. Thomas' Hospital in Lambeth Palace Road, London. Most admissions were surgical cases. As the war progressed the need for additional beds grew and hutted wards were erected in the grounds taking the capacity up to 94 beds for officers and 568 for other ranks. 11,396 military patients received treatment at the 5th London General before it closed on the 31st of March 1919, at which point the huts were removed. St Thomas's Hospital is still one of London's main hospitals.

                       Chepstow Red Cross Hospital was located in Gwy House, Chepstow, opened in November 1914 offering 20 beds. The first batch of 18 patients arrived on the 17th of March 1915. Mr W R Lysaght allowed the field opposite to be used for recreation. The hospital closed temporarily on the of 12th February 1916 for cleaning and redecorating. It re-opened on 1st of April 1916.

                       St. Georges Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Varrich Hotel, Church Hill, Morningside, Edinburgh.

                       Aglionby Grange, a substantial house in its own grounds off Holme Lane, Aglionby near Carlisle was in use as a hospital during the Great War. After the second world war it was used for a time as a children's home, today the house is divided into private dwellings.

                       Fusehill Millitary Hospital was located in the buildings of the Fusehill workhouse in Fusehill Street, Carlisle. The hospital opened in April 1917 with 400 beds, the nearby buildings of Brook Street and Newtown Schools were also requisitioned for use as hospital wards, increasing capacity to 680 and later to 861. By the time the hospital closed in June 1919, 9,809 patients had been treated there. The building later became the City General Hospital, then St Martin’s College and today is part of the University of Cumbria.

                       Turriff Hall Red Cross Hospital was located in in the United Free Church Hall, Turriff and provided 20 beds. It was affiliated to the 1st Scottish General Hospital in Aberdeen and was opened on 30th January 1915 by Mrs Ainslie of Delgaty, the first 10 patients arrived the same day. Today the building is now St Andrew's Hall and a a plaque commemorating it's role as a hospital is on display.

                       Ripon Drill Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Somerset Row, Ripon in the drill hall which had been the pre war headquarters of No 3 Troop, C Sqd. Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry and H. Company, 5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. The building is now the Hugh Ripley Hall and is used as a community centre.

                       4th Southern General Hospital was located in Salisbury Road Schools in Plymouth and the adjacent Baptist Church, the school was equipped with an operating theatre and an X-ray machine. The hospital opened on the 20th of August 1914, providing 520 beds. The first patients arrived the following day. At its peak it provided beds for 193 officers and 1029 other ranks. A specialist neurological section was opened, treated men suffering from shell shock and nerve damage.

                       Great Eastern Railway Hotel in Harwich was requisitioned by the Admiralty for use as a hospital, known as The Garrison Military Hospital. It opened on the 6th of August 1914 and provided beds for 6 officers and 121 other ranks. Nursing staff were provided by the all male Essex 33 Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Essex 84 VAD which was an all female unit. The hospital closed in mid 1919 and the building reopened as a hotel, which closed in 1923, it later became the Town Hall and today has been converted in flats.

                       Victoria Hall on Akeman Street, Tring was built in 1886 as a dance hall. In late 1914 it was used as a Military Hospital for the men of 21st Division who were training in the area. In December 1914 a high fence was erected around the playground of the High Street Schools and the hospital moved into the school buildings.

                       The vicarage of St. Peter & St. Paul Parish Church in Shoreham was used as a hospital during the Great War.

                       Chudleigh V. A. Hospital was located at Alpha House, 11 Fore Street, Chudleigh in Devon.

                       Whitworth Auxiliary Hospital was situated in the Whitworth Institute, Darley Dale near Matlock. The Institute, a fine stone building was gifted to the people of the town by Lady Louisa Whitworth, it opened in 1890 and provided an indoor swimming pool, an assembly hall, various reading and committee rooms, a library and billiard room all set in a landscaped park. The hospital at first provided 40 beds, but this was later increased to 55 then to 88. Around 2000 patients were treated at the hospital.

                       In late 1914 an Auxiliary hospital was established at The Hut, Ferndown, Wimborne by the Dorset 48th Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       West Ham House was located off the western side of Worting Road, Basingstoke. During the Great War the property in use as an auxiliary hospital, which may have been in temporary structures in the grounds. The house was demolished in the 1970's and Grafton Way was built on the site.

                       Quarry Hill House in Tonbridge became an auxiliary hospital, the first wounded to arrive were Belgian soldiers in October 1914.

                       Ewell War Hospital was located in Hook Road, Epsom in Surrey in the villas of the Ewell Epileptic Colony, which had opened in 1903. The single storey buildings built in the Queen Anne Revival style, were set in woodland and were named: Holly, Lime, Pine, Elm, Chestnut, Hawthorn, Walnut and Beech. Each had been designed to accommodate 38 patients. An additional two villas were added in 1909. The site was taken over by the Ministry of Pensions in 1918 and became the Ewell War Hospital, treating neurasthenic ex-servicemen until 1927 when it returned to public use as the Ewell Mental Hospital. It was renamed St Ebba's Hospital in 1938 and has recently been redeveloped for housing with most the buildings being demolished.

                       Charlton House Auxiliary Hospital was located in rooms of Charlton House a Jacobean manor house in Old Charlton, which were loaned to the Red Cross by Sir Spencer and Lady Maryon-Wilson in Autumn 1918. The Hospital opened on the 14th of October 1918 with 50 beds, it was affiliated to the Brook War Hospital and was staffed by a Sister-in-charge, a Day Sister and a Night Sister with one full-time and 55 part-time members of Voluntary Aid Detachments from the Greenwich and Woolwich Division. The house was reputed to be haunted and one of the rooms offered was not used as the nurses refused point-blank to enter it. 168 Patients were treated before the hospital closed on 30th April 1919. Today the house is used as a wedding and conference venue, the grounds and a cafe in the foyer are open to the public.

                       Reckitts Convalescent Home was in Holland Road, Clacton-On-Sea and was built in 1908, funded by Mr Francis Reckitt of the household products firm Reckitt & Sons. It provided 30 convalescence beds for patients of the Great Northern Central Hospital in Holloway, London. During the Great War it became The Reckitt’s Home Auxiliary Hospital. The building is no longer standing.

                       1st London General Hospital took over St Gabriel's College in Cormont Road, London in August 1914 and Cormont Secondary School next door being requisitioned and equipped for 300 convalescent cases. A a long covered passage was constructed to link the two buildings and much work had to be carried out to install new plumbing and bathrooms. Medical and nursing staff were seconded from St Bartholomew's Hospital. By 1917 the Hospital provided 231 beds for officers and 1,038 for enlisted men, the capacity being extended by hutted wards being built in Myatt's Fields and a relief hospital at 71 Upper Tulse Hill. A recreation hut was built and workshops encouraged woodwork and handicrafts as part of the patient's rehabilitation. The Hospital closed in 1919, today the college building is now private apartments whilst the school returned to its former use.

                       Manor Red Cross Hospital was located at Chaigley Manor near Longridge Fell which belonged to the Co-operative Wholesale Society and had been used as a home for Belgian Refugees in autumn 1914.

                       Ivybank Auxiliary Hospital was located in Ivybank House in Nairn by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment. the first patients arrived on the 30th of November 1914. The hospital closed in 1918.

                       Hill House Military Hospital was located in the Thanet Union Workhouse and opened in 1915. The hospital closed in 1920 and the buildings later became Hill House Hospital until 1986 and were demolished in 1989.

                       Fairhope Hospital was located in Fairhope a large house in Eccles Old Road, Pendleton which was owned by the Prestwich Family. It opened on the 12th of December 1914. Today the site is occupied by houses.

                       Rosemary Auxiliary Hospital was located at Rosemary, 28 Milton Road, Harpenden which was loaned by Mr H. T. Hodgson. It was affiliated to the County of Middlesex War Hospital Napsbury with 25 beds and opened on the 15th of March 1917, staffed by the local St John's VAD. A recreation hut was erected in the garden and the house was later extended to bring the capacity to 50 beds. Three hundred and two men were treated before the hospital closed in March 1918. Today the house is a private residence.

                       1st Guards Brigade Machine Gun Company served with 1st Guards Brigade, Guards Division, the company was formed in the first week of September 1915 from the Machine Gun Sections of the 2nd Btn, Grenadier Guards, 2nd Btn, Coldstream Guards, 3rd Btn, Coldstream Guards and 1st Btn, Irish Guards. They saw action at the Battle of Loos, the Battles of the Somme, the third Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they amalgamated with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th MG Guards Coys to become 4th Battalion Machine Gun Guards Regiment.

                       Hylton Aerodrome was located near Sunderland and was home to 36 Squadron who were tasked with the defence of the coast between Whitby and Newcastle, this area was later extended up to the Forth. The airfield was renamed Usworth in 1918 and the site was again used as an airfield during the second world war. In the 1960's the site became Sunderland Airport and today is home to the Nissan car plant and the North East Land Sea and Air Museum.

                       No. 15 Hospital was located at East Mudros on the Greek island of Lemnos. The hospital provided staff for the hospital transport ships Aragon, Franconia and Dongola.

                       311th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was formed in February 1915 and served with 62nd Brigade until January 1917 when they became an Army Brigade.

                       The 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were a regular battalion of the British Army. When the Great War broke out in August 1914 they were stationed in Trimulgherrey, India. They were recalled home, their place in the Indian Garrison being taken over by a Territorial Battalion and landed at Avonmouth on the 10th of January 1915. They joined 87th Brigade, 29th Division who were in training at Rugby. In March 1915 the Division sailed for Egypt and then to Lemons, they made a landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, on the 25th of April 1915. They would remain on the peninsular until January 1916 when they were evacuated to Egypt and then ordered to the Western front. On the 18th of March 1916 they landed at Marseilles and entrained for Northern France. They saw action at the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Arras and Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. On the 5th of February 1918 the battalion transferred to 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division and were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders.

                       7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was formed at Chichester on the 12th of August 1914 as part of Kitcheners New Army. They joined 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. After initial training they moved to Shorncliffe Camp in October 1914 and went into winter billets in Folkestone in December 1914. In March they moved to Ramillies Barracks at Aldershot to complete their training. They proceeded to France on the 1st of June 1915, landing at Boulogne. They saw action at the Battle of Loos in 1915, The Battles of the Somme in 1916 and the Battles of Arras and at Cambrai in 1917. They were in action on the Somme, at Arras on the Hindenburgh Line and the Final Advance in Artois in 1918

                       HMS Ferret served with the First Destroyer Flotilla from 1911 and joined the British Grand Fleet upon the outbreak of World War I. She saw action in The Battle of Heligoland Bight. In 1917 the Acheron-class destroyers Ferret, Sandfly and Ariel were converted to minelaying destroyers, with a capacity of 40 mines. HMS Ferret served with the 7th Flotilla on the East Coast of England from July 1917 and transferred to the 20th Flotilla in March 1918 operating out of Immingham. HMS Ferret was sold for scrap in 1921.

                       The Royal Victoria Hospital, Boscombe was situated in Shelly Road, Bournemouth. During the Great War the hospital was expanded by the addition of tented wards in the grounds for the treatment of wounded soldiers. It built as Boscombe Hospital in 1876, a tuberculosis sanatorium. In 1911 it merged with the Royal Victoria Hospital in Poole Road, Westbourne and both sites were together known as the Royal Victoria & West Hants Hospital. The buildings were mostly demolished in 1993 but some of the decorative tile panels depicting fairy tales were incorporated into the buildings of the new hospital at Littledown.

                       The Royal Victoria Military Hospital, also known as Netley Hospital was situated at Netley, near Southampton. Construction started in 1856 and upon competition it became the world's longest building. The hospital was in extensive use during the Great War and was expanded to 2,500 beds, with hutted wards being built in the grounds behind the main block. Most of the regular staff were sent to man hospitals overseas and most of the nursing duties were taken over by Red Cross Volunteers. Around 50,000 patients were treated at Netley during the war. The main building was demolished in 1966 having been damaged by fire, only the chapel survives and is now a visitor centre presenting information on the hospital. Today the site is open to the public and is known as Royal Victoria Country Park.

                       No. 59 Squadron was formed at Narborough in August 1916, with a cadre of experienced pilots, the CO being Lt. A.C. Horsbrugh, already a veteran of the Western Front. The Squadron was equipped with the new RE8 and DH2 aircraft for advanced flying training.

                       Kimnel Camp was located in the grounds of Kinmel Hall near Abergele in North Wales. The camp complex consisted of twenty sub-camps (with their own canteens and messes), a small hospital, Post Office, Bakery, Theatre, Wesleyan, Free Church, Salvation Army and three YMCA buildings. The Railway Station, Kinmel adjacent to the main camp entrance was a small collection of civilian-owned shops, nicknamed 'Tintown'.

                    No physical barriers separated the camp from the surrounding countryside, even the stone wall that marked the extremity of the camp was pierced to allow ready access to the sub-camps. It was protected to its southerly parts by concrete and wire posts. The upper, southerly area off the A55 contained the HQ and the permanent buildings, whilst the area lying northwards, containing the bell tent arrangements was left open. Bodelwyddan village itself showed evidence of the military layout, with street names such as Artillery Row, Fusilier Close (still in use). The Marble Church at Bodelwyddan, apart from containing the Canadian Graves (those who died during the March 1919 Mutiny and the forty or so who died in the Spanish Influenza outbreak of 1919), also contain the graves of other service men and women who died at intermittent times during the war - killed in training, died of wounds etc. The camp layout consisted of fields containing the concrete foundations of admin, guardhouse, buildings, and the level earthworks on which timber huts were laid, basic concrete and metal surface of connecting roads to the main pathways and The cinema, Kinmel Camp connecting routes. The huts were built of weather clad timber on basic concrete bases, bunked to hold about 180 men. Every fourth hut also had cookhouse facilities containing the original brick chimneys. The practice trench area was in the easterly part of the camp and were easily accessible and well cared for. They were replicas of those to be expected in France which companies spent days being 'acclimatised' by living in them.

                       The Grimsby Chums Battalion was raised at Grimsby from the 9th of September 1914 by the Mayor and Town, becoming the 10th (Grimsby) Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. The Grimsby Chums trained in a camp erected on the Brocklesby Estate, 10 miles from their home town. They joined 101st Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon Camp in June 1915 and later moved to to Sutton Veny, Wiltshire for final training before proceeding to France in January 1916. Their first major action would be in the Battle of the Somme where they suffered heavily. In 1917 they saw action in the Battle of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres. In February 1918 they transferred to 103rd Brigade, 34th Division and saw action during the Battle of the Lys. In May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength. In June the unit transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division then in August to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On 6th of July 1919, the colours of the 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment were formally handed over to St. James Church in the town for safe keeping.

                       11th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment was formed in October 1915 as a reserve battalion, from the depot companies of the 10th (Grimsby Chums) Battalion at Lincoln. Their main role was in training new recruits and home defence. They moved to Harrogate to join the 19th Reserve Brigade in January 1916 and then moved to Durham and later to Newcastle upon Tyne. On the 1st of September 1916 they were renamed 82nd Training Reserve Battalion.

                       The 2nd Eastern General Hospital at Brighton occupied a boys' grammar school and several elementary schools. During the war, 233 London, Brighton and South Coast Railway ambulance trains carried 30,070 patients to Brighton. The 2nd Eastern contained 98 Officer beds and 1190 Other Ranks beds.

                       Cecils Red Cross Hospital was located in Chappell Croft, Mile Road in West Worthing having transferred from Clifton Road, Worthing.

                       The 2nd London General Hospital, Chelsea was located at St Mark's College at 552 King's Road, Chelsea and the adjoining LCC secondary school, it provided 66 Officer beds and 995 Other Ranks beds. It opened in September 1914, staffed by a Commanding Officer, Registrar, Quartermaster and six Lieutenants of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Consultancy was provided by staff from the London Hospitals, including Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals.

                    St Marks College building had wards on two floors, with female nurses' accommodation on the third floor and the kitchens in the basement. Male medical personnel were housed in a detached building. A section of wall was removed between the college and the school to link the two parts of the hospital.

                    The school building was converted into wards for surgical cases, the smaller rooms became wards for serious cases or officers with 4 or 5 beds in each. The operating theatre was also installed with in the school. To allow direct access for patients brought in on ambulance trains, a section of wall was demolished to make an entrance onto the platform at Chelsea station. Two hundred additional beds of the 2nd London General Hospital were established at St Thomas' Hospital and a further 40 at the Great Northern Hospital in Holloway, use of a private motor car was donated by a local lady to ease the problem of medical staff traveling between the hospitals.

                    The first patients troops who had been injured during training in England, but by the end of September 1914, men were arriving from from the Western front. The patients mostly arrived in a terrible condition, their clothes stiff with mud and blood from wounds, which were often septic. The wounds were mainly caused by shrapnel to the upper extremities. By January of 1915 the Hospital had received 22 patients who had been blinded and The War Office decided that hospitals should specialize in their treatment of the wounded and in future all patients with eye injuries would be sent to the 2nd London General Hospital or to the 3rd London General, if no beds were available at the 2nd. Staff from St Dunstan's Hostel for Blinded Soldiers and Sailors, visited daily to help the newly blind to cope with the depression that inevitably accompanied the first moments of a lifetime of blindness. In May 1915 all Territorial General Hospitals were required to establish Neurological Sections, for the treatment of patients with shell shock or neurasthenia.

                    The 2nd London General Hospital closed in 1919 and the buildings were returned to their original use.

                       The 3rd London General Hospital started life in Wandsworth, in 1859, as the Victoria Patriotic Asylum for orphan daughters of soldiers, sailors and marines, endowed from the Patriotic Fund of the Crimean War. In 1914 the now renamed Royal Patriotic School was made into a Territorial Force hospital, one of the largest in the Territorial Force Hospital scheme. Hospital staff came from the Middlesex, St Mary's and University College Hospitals. It contained 806 Officer Beds and 224 Other Ranks Beds. Such was its size that it had its own newspaper, The Gazette, run largely by a group of RAMC orderlies drawn from the Chelsea Arts Club. The building still stands, as the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building and has been converted into housing.

                       The 4th London General Hospital was first established in Lincoln's Inn Fields but moved to Denmark Hill in 1904, to a pavilion hospital of 600 beds, opening in 1909 and completely transferred by 1913. In 1914 Kings College Hospital, became the 4th London General Military Hospital, expanding into Ruskin Park which was across the adjacent railway line, with tents and huts providing accommodation. The hospital was turned back to civilian use in 1919. During the war its complement was 300 Officer beds and 1625 Other Ranks beds.

                       The 1st Northern General Hospital was a Territorial General Hospital based at Armstrong College, Durham University in Newcastle (now part of Newcastle University). In 1914 the provision was for 540 beds, but by 1917 this had risen to 2166 and the unit took over the Newcastle Workhouse Infirmary (now Newcastle General Hospital) and a private house to serve as additional hospital accommodation.

                       The 2nd Northern General Hospital was situated at Beckett's Park Hospital in Leeds, Yorkshire. The teacher training college at Beckett's Park, Leeds was built in 1913, during the First World War it was converted to a military hospital. It was officially called the 2nd Northern General Hospital but was more commonly referred to as Beckett's Park Hospital. There were 60 Officer beds, 2039 Other Ranks beds and the hospital treated 57,200 soldiers between 1914 and 1918. The hospital was gradually returned to educational use until WW2 when it was used to treat the Dunkirk wounded.

                       3rd Northern General Hospital had its headquarters at Collegiate Hall, Ecclesall Road in Sheffield, proving 454 beds on site. Numerous buildings across the city came under its command, including: Royal Infirmary (133 beds), Royal Hospital (60 beds), Winter Street Hospital, Carter Knowle School, Greystones School, Shiregreen School, Lydgate Lane School, Ranmoor School, Western Road School, Firshill School, Firvale Hospital, Ecclesall Infirmary, Oakbrook Hall, Longshaw Lodge, Endcliffe Hall, Bramall Lane Cricket Pavilion and a range of auxiliary hospitals in the surrounding area. The capacity of the 3rd Northern General Hospital was 57 Officer beds and 1360 Other Ranks beds.

                       With the threat of war in 1913 the 3rd Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was formed as a territorial unit, alongside the Field Ambulance under the command of Lt Col J Sinclair White. By 1914 the strength of this Unit had grown to 3 officers and 43 other ranks. Both Units drew a number of their officers, on formation, from medical officer appointments in the local volunteer Units. Their HQ was in Leeds.

                       The 4th Northern General Hospital in Lincoln occupied the old buildings and fields of the former Lincoln School (now Lincoln Christ's Hospital School). It held 41 Officer beds and 1126 Other Ranks beds with over 45,000 men being treated there during the war. Lincoln (Newport) Cemetery, near the hospital, contains 139 First World War burials.

                       The 5th Northern General Hospital was located in the buildings which had previously been the Leicestershire Lunatic Asylum. The county asylum had been built in 1837 near the racecourse on what is now University Road but by the late 1880s overcrowding was endemic and a new institution was built at Narborough. The old asylum remained empty until 1914 when, on the outbreak of the first World War, it became an army medical hospital, the 5th Northern General Hospital. The hospital provided 111 Officer beds and 2487 Other Ranks beds. It closed in 1919, and the building became home to The University of Leicester which was founded in 1921 as a memorial to the local men who died in the Great War.

                       The main hall of the University of Birmingham in Selly Oak, was, in 1909, equipped as a 520-bed hospital in the event of future war. The hospital was complete by the arrival of the first 120 casualties on the 1st of September, 1914. By the spring of 1915 more buildings were converted, adding 1000 more beds, and in 1916 another 570 beds were added. Various annexes and converted schools were added, providing in total beds for 2357 other ranks, and 130 officers.

                    Auxiliary hospitals attached to the 1st Southern General were:

                    • Uffculm (200 beds and a limb-fitting centre)
                    • Moor Green Hall Hospital (1914 with 63 beds)
                    • Moor Green House (1917 for officers)
                    • Hill Crest in Edgbaston (1914 operated by VAD and St John's Ambulance with 25 beds.)
                    • The Norlands Hospital (British Red Cross, 1915, 60 beds)
                    • Lordswood Hospital, Harborne (VAD, 1915, 70 beds)
                    • Highbury (May 1915, 140 beds)
                    • Beeches Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital (December 1915, from 1918 concentrated on facial injuries had 46 beds)
                    • Allerton
                    • The Hollies
                    • Stonleigh (VAD 1916, 62 beds)
                    • Stapylton House (an annexe to Harborn Hall 1917, 35 beds.)
                    • Farcroft (VAD 1917, 74 beds)
                    • Mayfield (1918)
                    • Monyhull Section (18-casualty neurological unit.)


                       2nd Southern General Hospital was located in the new wing of the Bristol Royal Infirmary, the hospital soon expanded, taking over other buildings across the city including Southmead Hospital. The former workhouse at Southmead became the very first poor law building accepted by the government for use by the military as a hospital. The 2nd Southern General Hospital became a Specialist Military Surgical Hospital and remained open until 1920.

                       The 3rd Southern General Hospital was a territorial-force hospital based in Oxford and opened at the Examination Schools on 16 August 1914 with a dedication ceremony attended by the Bishop of Oxford. The hospital took over buildings in a number of colleges and local hospitals, including the Oxford Masonic Buildings, New College Shelter, Radcliffe Infirmary, The Durham and Radcliffe Buildings at University College and the Oxford Eye Hospital. The Hospital also commanded around 1,000 beds in Auxiliary Hospitals in the surrounding area.

                       The 1st Scottish General Hospital, Aberdeen was a Territorial Force hospital, with 62 Officer beds and 1297 Other Ranks beds. The hospital was spread across several buildings in Aberdeen, including the music rooms at the High School for Girls, now Harlaw Academy.

                       The 2nd Scottish General Hospital, Edinburgh was located in the former Craigleith Poorhouse, previously known as St. Cuthberts Poorhouse. In 1914 the poorhouse was been taken over by the Territorial Force as a military hospital providing 1032 beds. After WW1 the buildings became Craigleith Hospital.

                       3rd Scottish General Hospital was located at Stobhill Hospital,Glasgow, which was requisitioned in 1914 for use as the 3rd and 4th Scottish General Hospitals under RAMC Territorials. Wounded troops, brought from the continent by train, arrived at a temporary platform on a railway siding which ran into the grounds of the hospital. The 3rd Scottish General Hospital provided 70 Officer Beds and 1629 Other Ranks beds. The military staff left in 1919 and the hospital reverted to civilian use in 1920.

                       4th Scottish General Hospital was located at Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow which had been requisitioned in 1914 as the 3rd and 4th Scottish General Hospitals under RAMC Territorials. 1040 beds were provided for wounded troops brought from the continent by train to the hospital. A temporary platform was erected on the railway siding which ran into the grounds of the hospital to help receive these patients. The military staff left in 1919 and the hospital reverted to civilian use in 1920.

                       1st Western General Hospital was located in Fazakerley Hospital in Liverpool with the wounded arriving by train to Fazakerley Station. Beds for 153 officers and 4204 other ranks were provided, with additional beds under the command of the hospital provided at Auxiliary Hospitals in the surrounding area. Fazakerley became a specialist centre for the surgical treatment of injuries to the jaw and fractures of the thigh. Today the site is the University Hospital Aintree.

                       The 2nd Western General Hospital opened in 1914 at the Central High School for Boys in Whitworth Street Manchester providing 520 beds. The hospital soon expanded and took over at least another 20 buildings, including a number of schools across Manchester and Stockport.

                       The 3rd Western General Hospital was located in Cardiff with its Headquarters at Cardiff Royal Infirmary. The hospital quickly expanded and took over other buildings across the city and beyond, including Woolaston House (part of Newport Workhouse). It was also responsible for overseeing the Auxiliary Hospitals in the surrounding area. The hospital provided over 2500 military beds.

                       Addenbrooke’s Hospital on Trumpington Road, Cambridge admitted war wounded during the Great War. The hospital was affiliated to the 1st Eastern General Hospital and many of the medical staff of Addenbrooke’s Hospital were members of the Territoral Force RAMC which staffed the Eastern General Hospital.

                       Eaton Scoon VAD Hospital was located in the home of Mrs Mary Butler, the wife of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Noel Butler commander of the 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. The hospital opened on the 13th of November 1914. The Matron was Mrs Butler, assisted by the members of the Eaton Socon No.8 Bedfordshire V.A.D. Mrs Thornhill was the Commandant and Mr R. Coates MRCS is gave his services voluntarily as physician and surgeon. The hospital was financed by by Mrs Catherine Alington of Little Barford and many people in the village contributed towards to furnishing the wards.

                       Houghton Regis VAD Hospital opened on the 13th of January 1915 with six beds, which was later increased to nine and was run by Bedford 46 V.A.D. The Commandant was K. M. Baker.

                       Ascot Auxiliary Military Hospital, also called Lady Robert's Hospital, was located in the Racecourse Grandstand buildings at Ascot, it opened in October 1914 and was part of Aldershot Command. On the 26th of April 1917 it moved to Sandridge House on London Road, Ascot.

                       West Woodhay House Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was situated in West Woodhay House near Newbury. On opening, it was affiliated to Albion House at Donnington but later changed affiliation to Reading War Hospital.

                       The Technical Institute Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at 42 High Street, Hungerford and opened in February 1915. It was run by the 42 Berks Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Commander was Miss Wooldridge. Initially equipped with 10 beds in a single ward and kitchen facilities, the capacity was later increased to 40 beds across three wards. The medical officer was Dr Starkey-Smith.

                       Newport Pagnell Auxiliary Hospital was located at Tickford Abbey. It provided 40 beds, was staffed by the Bucks 48 Voluntary Aid Detachment and came under the medical command of No.3 Southern General Hospital, Oxford. Today the building is used as a care home.

                       High Wycombe VAD Hospital was opened in the buildings of the High School in Benjamin Road in Autumn 1914, the school being accomodated in private houses in London Road. During the Great War around 3,500 wounded were treated at the hospital, with some being housed in temporary buildings to erected in the school grounds.

                       1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were stationed at Karachi, India at the outbreak of the Great War. They returned to the UK in January 1915 to join 86th Brigade, 29th Division and embarked for Gallipoli via Egypt in March. They saw action throughout the peninsula conflict and returned to Egypt in January 1916. They were deployed to France and saw action on the Western Front on the Somme, at Arras and in the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought in Flanders ending the war at Moen south east of Courtrai.

                       Ducie Avenue Military Hospital was located in the requisitioned buildings of Ducie Avenue School on the north side of Whitworth Park, Moss Side, Manchester. It was part of the 2nd Western General Hospital and provided 240 beds and 88 specialist beds for jaw cases. The hospital had an an orthopaedic section until 1917 when it moved to Grangethorpe Hospital

                       High Street Military Hospital was located in the red brick buildings of the Elizabeth Gaskell School of Domestic Economy, Victoria Park, which today is the Elizabeth Gaskell Campus of Manchester Metropolitan University. The hospital provided 170 Officer beds.

                       The Firs Military Hospital was a a tented hospital with 1200 beds, set up in the grounds of The Firs off Oak Drive, Fallowfieldwas. Set in 52 acres of grounds The firs had been built for Sir Joseph Whitworth, but was at that time the home of C.P. Scott, the Editor of the Manchester Guardian.

                       Grangethorpe Military Hospital opened in November 1917, with the the orthopaedic department at Ducie Avenue School moving to the larger hsopital, which was located at Grangethorpe on the southerly edge of the Platt Hall estate, Manchester. It was the home of Herbert Smith-Carrington, a director of the Whitworth-Armstrong engineering company, who sold the property to the Red Cross in early 1917, the property was intended for use as a long-term nursing home for badly injured service-men, but the Ministry of War was in need of an orthopaedic hospital in the Manchester area and requested to use the 11 acre grounds. Six wards for Other Ranks, an operating theatre, a gymnasium, accommodation for nursing staff and an administrative block were built, connected by covered walkways. Matron and the senior medical staff had quarters in the mansion, which also accommodated wards for officers. Grangethorpe Hospital lead the way in pioneering work on the reconstruction of damaged limb nerves, tendon transplants and bone grafts, with a team of surgeons lead by Captain Platt, R.A.M.C. The hospital remained opened until 1929 by which time over 15,000 patients had received treatment. Today the site is home to the Manchester High School for Girls.

                       Moreland Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 and was located at Morelands on Tweed Green, Peebles. In total 959 patients were treated at the hospital. In 1922 Morelands and two adjoining houses were handed over to the community as The War Memorial Hospital, which remained in use until 1983.

                       Alexandra Park Military hospital was located in Alexandra Park Junior School in Edgeley, Stockport and provided 216 beds for Other Ranks. It was affiliated to the 2nd Western General Hospital and opened in April 1915 with the pupils moving to share the facilities at Edgeley Council Infants School until the hospital closed in September 1919.

                       Alfred Street Military Hospital was situated in the Alfred Street School, Harpurhey, Manchester a two-storey red brick building overlooking the Irk valley from a hilltop position. Affiliated to the 2nd Western General Hospita, 214 beds were provided for Other Ranks. Today the building is home to Harpur Mount Primary School.

                       Alma Park Military Hospital was located in Alma Park School in Leverhulme, Manchester. 173 Other Rank beds were provided and the hospital was affiliated to the 2nd Western General Hospital.

                       Bank Meadow Military Hospital was located in Bank Meadow School, Manchester and provided 200 beds for Other Ranks.

                       Clyne House Military Hospital was situated in the buildings of the Royal School for the Deaf and Dumb, Royal Botanical Gardens, Old Trafford. It was affiliated to the 2nd Western General Hospital and provided 101 beds for Other Ranks.

                       Grange Street Military Hospital opened in 1916 in the buildings of Grange Street School, Manchester. Providing 156 beds it was a section of the 2nd Western General Hospital.

                       Grecian Street Military Hospital was located in Grecian Street School, Broughton, Manchester. It was a section of the 2nd Western General Hospital and provided 178 beds for Other Ranks.

                       Greek Street Military Hospital was situated in Stockport, in the buildings of Greek Street School. 160 beds were provided for Other Ranks and it was a section of the 2nd Western General Hospital.

                       Hollywood Park Military Hospital was situated in Stockport in the requisitioned buildings of Hollywood Park School. It was a section of the 2nd Western General Hospital and provided 120 beds for Other Ranks.

                       Huddersfield Royal Infirmary provided 100 beds for injured servicemen.

                       Storthes Hall Hospital was situated in the buildings of the Storthes Hall Asylum in Huddersfield and specialised in the treatment of shell shock and gas poisoning.

                       Huddersfield War Hospital was located at Royds Hall, Luck Lane in the Paddock area of Huddersfield. The Royds Wood Estate had been bought by Huddersfield Corporation in 1913 and it was intended to build houses and a school for disabled children on the land. The outbreak of war delayed the plans and the war hospital was officially opened by Mayor Blamires and his wife in 1915 providing 600 beds in wards built in the grounds. In 1917 the capacity was increased to 2000 beds. Huddersfield war hospital treated 22,000 soldiers during the war and had the lowest death rate of any war hospital in the country. The hospital closed in 1919 and Royds Hall became a secondary school.

                       Durker Roods Hospital was located in Meltham, Huddersfield. It opened on the 30th of October 1914 providing 30 beds staffed by three qualified nurses and 18 VAD's. The Commandant was Miss C M Wrigley. After treating 123 injured servicemen, the hospital closed in October 1915 with patients transferring to the new Huddersfield War Hospital.

                       Holmfirth Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on the 12th of November 1914 with six beds. Almost entirely funded through local donations and staffed by unpaid female volunteer VADs. By the closing Ceremony on the 4th of March 1919, nearly 1000 soldiers had been treated. Temporary buildings were re-located to form the first hospital in the valley, which is still open as the Holmfirth Memorial Hospital. The nurses were known locally as the 'Angels of Bottoms' (the location of the Auxiliary Cottage Hospital) The daily history of the war is captured 100 years on through a Twitter feed @angelsofbottoms

                       Honely Auxiliary Hospital in Huddersfield opened on the 11th of November 1914 and provided 60 beds. 754 patients had been treated by the time the hospital closed on the 31st of December 1918.

                       Kirkburton Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Drill Hall, Shelley Lane, Kirkburton near Huddersfield. It opened on the 29th of November 1914 and provided 35 beds, 23 in the Drill hall and the remainder in tented wards erected in the grounds. 765 patients were treated at the hospital before it closed on the 31st of December 1918. The building later became Kirkburton Surgery and was demolished in 2005, the site now being occupied by a car park.

                       Lepton Auxiliary Hospital, Huddersfield opened on the 9th of September 1916 providing 12 beds. It in closed 1917 following the decision to close all hospitals with under 25 beds. It was run by the West Riding 150 and 152 VADs. The Lepton Hospital reopened with 40 beds in July 1918 and remained open until January 1918.

                       Lightridge House Auxiliary Hospital at Fixby, Huddersfield opened on the 13th of November 1914 and provided 12 beds. The Commandant was Nurse Fletcher. The hospital closed in November 1917.

                       Shepley Auxiliary Hospital, Huddersfield opened on the 8th of May 1916 and provided 18 beds. It was later expanded to 30 beds and treated 520 patients during the conflict.

                       Stanwick Park Auxiliary Hospital was situated at Stanwick Hall, Stanwick St John, in North Yorkshire. The house was owned by the Duke of Northumberland and had been let to tennants since the death of Eleanor Percy, Duchess of Northumberland in 1911. The house was demolished in 1923.

                       Sleights Red Cross Hospital was situated in Sleights Institute and was run by Dr. T. H. English and his wife with a staff of Red Cross VADs. Today the building is in use as Sleights Village Hall.

                       Darrington Auxiliary Hospital was in Darrington near Pontefract and was affliated to the 2nd Northern General Hospital at Becketts Park, Leeds.

                       Allerton House Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Thorner in a house lent by T. G. Mylchrest, Esq., of Eltofts, Thorner. It was run by West Riding 78 VAD (St John's) and was affiliated to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds. The Commandant was Mrs. Harding Churton, the Quartermaster was Miss Pflaum, Matron was Miss H Mann and the Medical Officer Capt. Munby. The Hospital opened on the 30th of March 1916, providing 35 beds. later increased to 57. From June 1916 it was reserved for jaw cases and was expanded to 57 beds. By the time it closed on the 17th of April 1919, 1320 patients had been treated.

                       The Duchess of Connaught Red Cross Hospital, was located in 15 acres of the grounds of Cliveden, a stately home set in an 376-acre estate near Taplow. The hospital was built by the wealthy American Astor family and furnished by the Canadian Red Cross for the treatment of mainly Canadian soldiers. The first patients arrived in March 1915. It was later renamed 15th Canadian Hospital. The military hospital closed on the 15th of September 1919.

                       Dorton House Hospital was located in Dorton House in Buckinghamshire. Today the property is home to Ashford School.

                       Bramshott Military Hospital was located at the Canadian Army's Bramshott Camp on the common between Bramshott and Liphook in Hampshire. It became the 12th Canadian General Hospital on the 12th of October 1917.

                       12th Canadian General Hospital opened on the 12th of October 1917 at the renamed Bramshott Military Hospital at the Canadian Army's Bramshott Camp on the common between Bramshott and Liphook in Hampshire. The hospital closed on the 23rd of September 1919.

                       Arnold Auxiliary Hospital, Doncaster was run by the West Riding 76 VAD and was affiliated to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds. It was located in Edenfield House, Thorne Road, the use of which was donated by local building contractor W. S. Arnold. The Commandant was Mrs Pickering. The building now Rutland House used as a conference centre.

                       Askham Grange Auxiliary Hospital in York was run by West Riding 80 VAD, in the home of the Mr and Mrs Wailes Fairbairn, who remained resident with Mrs Wailes Fairburn being the Commandant, with the held of Sister Parry and the Medical Officer Dr. Armytage. The Hospital provided 10 beds and opened briefly for the treatment of 16 Belgian Soldiers on the 23rd of October 1914. It then reopened on the 8th of July 1915 and was later expanded to 30 beds. The hospital closed on the 4th of January 1919, having treated 441 additional patients.

                       Beaulieu Auxiliary Hospital in Harrogate was located in a house lent and fully equipped by Mr. and Mrs. Lund of Becca Hall, Aberford, who bore all expenses not covered by the 2/- Army grant, with the exception of a few gifts for endowed beds. The hospital was staffed by the West Riding 86, 94 and 118 VADs with Mrs Lund acting as Head of the Hospital. The hospital opened on the 9th of October 1914 providing 15 beds, which was later increased to 30. By the time the hospital closed on the 11th of April 1919, 1002 patients had been treated.

                       Castle Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Mytholmroyd in a house lent by Miss E. M. Rigby, who acted as Commandant. The Quartermaster was Mr. E. Howarth and the Medical Officer was Dr. Bradley. Providing 16 beds the hospital opened on 13th of October 1916 and 212 patients were treated before it closed on the 26th of November 1918.

                       Clifford Street Auxiliary Hospital was situated in the Friends' Meeting House in Clifford Street, York, which was lent by the Trustees. It was run by the West Riding 36, 38, 80 and 88 VADs and opened on the 23rd of March 1915, the first patients being a convoy of soldiers who arrived direct from the Front. The hospital provided 40 beds which was later increased to 56. By the time the hospital closed on the 10th of January 1919, 819 patients had been treated.

                       Elland Auxiliary Military Hospital was situated in The Plains, a private house which was lent by the Trustees of the late John Dewhirst. It was run by the West Riding 184 VAD and opened on the 10th of January 1917, providing 30 beds. An additional 30 beds were provided in Brooksbank, a school-building lent by the EIland Branch of the S.J.A.A. which opened on the 23rd of April 1917. The Commandant was Dr. G. Hoyle, the Quartermaster Miss Ainley an the Medical Officers were Dr. G. Hoyle Dr. G. W. Holton. The Hospital closed on the 21st of May 1919, having treated 919 patients.

                       Gledhow Hall Auxiliary Hospital in Leeds was run by the West Riding 82 VAD and opened on the 22nd of May 1915 providing 52 beds. A further 86 beds were later added in hutted accommodation in the grounds of the hall. The Commandant was Miss E. Cliff, the Quartermaster. Miss Sykes and the Medical Officer Dr. Eustace Carter. The house was lent by Lord Airedale and was in perfect condition, the staff and patients made it their pride that it should not suffer from their occupation. The hospital has its own cinema and tea shop and silver cups were presented to be competed for in weekly inter-ward competitions. By the time it closed on the 31st of March 1919, 2,250 patients had been treated at Gledhow Hall.

                       Crow Wood Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Sowerby Bridge in a house lent by W. P. Eglin Ltd., of Raymont, Halifax. The Hospital opened on the 25th of April 1917, providing 50 beds, which was later increased to 59. The Commandant was Miss Gowing, the Quartermaster Miss Gaukroger and the Medical Officers were Dr. J. A. Adams, Dr. P. J. Fry and Dr. J. P. Brown. By the time the hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919, 764 patients had been treated.

                       Knaresborough Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the buildings of the Knaresborough Workhouse on Stockwell Road, lent by the Local Government Board and the Knaresborougb Board of Guardians. The hospital opened on the 9th of November 1916, provided 47 beds and was run by West Riding 32 VAD. The Commandant was Lady Evelyn Collins, succeeded by Miss Collins, who initially acted as Quartermaster and was succeeded by Miss Alexander. The Medical Officer was Dr. Mackay. The Hospital closed on the 13th of February 1919, having treated a total of 573 patients. The site later became Knaresborough Hospital and was demolished in 1996 to make way for new housing.

                       Denby Dale Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Victoria Hall, Denby Dale near Huddersfield. It opened in December 1916 providing 50 beds the official title being the Denby Dale and Cumberworth, Skelmanthorpe and Clayton West Joint Convalescent Hospital.

                       Flounders College Auxiliary Hospital, Ackworth near Pontefract was situated in the Flounders Institute, a former teacher training centre which was lent by the Hunhill Detachment of the Society of Friends. The hospital opened on the 12th of March 1915 providing 40 beds and was run by West Riding 22 VAD. It was equipped by Miss Neilson who bore all expenses not covered by the army grant. The number of beds was later increased to 100. The hospital closed on the 15th of March 15th 1919 having treated 1670 patients.

                       Grove House Auxiliary Military Hospital was situated in Grove House on Skipton Road, Harrogate. Built in 1745-54 as World's End Inn, a square shaped hostelry around an inner quadrangle, it was the first house in Yorkshire to have gas lighting and heating. The hospital opened in November 1914 and provided 64 beds. The Commandant was Evelyn L Lascelles. The hospital remained open until April 1919. Today the buildings is owned by the Royal Antidiluvian Order of Buffaloes.

                       Harewood House, near Leeds was offered by the Earl of Harewood for use as a Convalescent Hospital for wounded Officers. It was affiliated to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds

                       Hooton Pagnall Hall Auxiliary Hospital near Doncaster was run by Julia Warde-Aldam whose husband William owned Hooton Pagnell Hall. She served as the Commandant of the hospital and also as the matron and general administrator of the single ward which was set up in the drawing room.

                       Hopton Grove Auxiliary Hospital was situated on Hopton Lane, Mirfield.

                       Ilkley Auxiliary Military Hospital was run by the West Riding 102 VAD and was affiliated to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds, being designated as No 1. Auxiliary Hospital. It was situated in The Ilkley Convalescent Home in The Grove, the first patents to be admitted were 62 wounded Belgian Soldiers who arrived on the 16th of October 1914. The hospital provided 100 beds. Today the building is used as a care home.

                       Ledston Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Ledston Hall, a statley home in Ledston near Castleford. The medical officer was Capt. G. B. Hillman, RAMC who had previously been in charge of the Spinola and Hamrun military hospitals in Malta. Today the gardens are open to the public.

                       Lotherton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Aberford, Leeds and was run by the Gascoigne family who remained in residence. Laura Gwendolen Gascoigne was the Commandant. The hospital was open from autumn 1914 to 1919 and in total 655 patients were treated. Today the Hall is open to the public.

                       Loversall Hall Auxiliary Hospital, Doncaster was run by Mrs Sophia Skipwith, whose family owned the hall, with assistance from the West Riding 50 VAD. The hospital opened in December 1914 providing 100 beds.

                       Middlewood Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Darfield near Barnsley, loaned by the Taylor family, whose daughter Phyllis worked as a red cross nurse at the hospital. Run by the West Riding 132 VAD, it was affiliated to the Wharncliffe War Hospital in Sheffield and provided 32 beds.

                       Normanby Park Auxiliary Hospital was opened in Normanby Hall near Doncaster which was loaned by by Sir Berkeley Sheffield and his wife, Lady Julia for use as a hospital. Over 1,200 soldiers were treated at the hospital between 1914 and 1919. Today the hall is open to the public during the summer months and includes an exhibition on the WW1 hospital.

                       North Deighton Manor Hospital for Officers was situated in teh 17th century manor house at North Deighton near Wetherby. It was staffed by the West Riding 14 VAD.

                       Nunthorpe Hall Auxiliary Hospital was staffed by West Riding 36, 38 and 88 VADs. Nunthrope Hall was located in York and was lent to the Red Cross by Sir Edward Lycett-Green who bore all hospital expenses not covered by the government grant. The hospital opened on the 1st of October 1915, providing 50 beds across eight wards. This was later increased to 76 beds. By the time it closed on the 14th of April 1919, 915 patients had been treated at the hospital. The Hall was demolished in 1977 and the site is now occupied by the houses of Coggan Close, between Albemarle Road and Philadelphia Terrace.

                       Oakwood Hall Auxiliary Hospital in Rotherham was staffed by the West Riding 144 VAD and provided 100 beds. Today Oakwood Hall is part of Rotherham General Hospital.

                       Oulton Hall Officers Hospital was situated in Oulton Hall, Oulton near Leeds. It was a convalescent home for the wounded officers and also housed some Belgian refugees and Military Hospital offices. Today the Hall is in use as a hotel.

                       Priestley Green Auxiliary Hospital was a Convalescent Hospital near Halifax.

                       Roundhay Auxiliary Military Hospital was situated at Gledhow Hill, Leeds loaned by H.W. Thompson and opened in 1915. It was staffed by the West Riding 122 VAD and was an auxiliary to East Leeds War Hospital.

                       St. Marys Convent Auxiliary Hospital was situated on Micklegate Bar, York and was an auxiliary to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds.

                       Spring Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Spring Hall mansion situated off Huddersfield Road, Halifax. It opened on the 1st of February 1916 when the house, its annexe and the neighbouring Shaw Lodge were requisitioned as a Convalescent and Auxiliary Hospital for injured servicemen, staffed by War and Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses Initially providing 84 beds, the number was later increased to 142. In total 3,619 patients were treated at Spring Hall.

                       Brunner Mond Club Hospital was situated in the Brunner Mond Club at the Company's Middlewich Works with additional beds provided in an annex at Ravenscroft Hall.

                       Newton Abbot Auxiliary Hospital was located in Newton Hall, College Road, Newton Abbot. The building has since been demolished.

                       The Baptist School on Wilbraham Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy was used as an auxiliary hospital during the Great War. Today the site is occupied by sheltered housing.

                       Chorlton-cum-Hardy Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the Baptist School on Wilbraham Road with an annexe in the Wesleyan School.

                       Dane Hall Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Dane Hall, Bishops Stortford.

                       Fernleigh Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Fernleigh House, Larkfield. The house was demolished in 1966 and today the site is occupied by the housing on The Ferns.

                       Aughton Auxiliary Hospital was located in Aughton near Ormskirk. The Matron was Miss Mary Jane Bailey.

                       Druids Cross Military Hospital was situated in a Victorian mansion, Druid’s Cross in Liverpool which was loaned by Sir Alexander Brown and had previously been used as a girls school. 150 beds were provided in five wards on the ground floor, along with operating theatre, accommodation for the nurses was on the first floor. The hospital opened on the 29th of June 1918 and over 700 patients were treated. The building was later used as St Catharine’s Orphanage for Roman Catholic Girls.

                       Acton Hospital was situated on Gunnersbury Lane, London, it opened in May 1898 as The Passmore Edward Cottage Hospital, in 1915 one ward of the civilian hospital was given over to military patients and the Committee Room was converted into a second military ward. After the war a new wing was built by public donation as a War Memorial and the hospital was renamed the Acton War Memorial Hospital. The hospital closed in 2001.

                       Braeside V.A.D. Hospital was situated at 1 Connaught Avenue, Loughton in Essex and was staffed by Essex 36 Voluntary Aid Detachment. Providing 15 beds the hospital opened in January 1915 and was affiliated to the Colchester Military Hospital. The number of beds was increased to 25 in 1917 and later to 33. It closed in 1919.

                       Blake Hall Auxiliary Hospital for Officers was situated in the covered tennis court at Blake Hall, Stony Lane, Bobbingsworth near Ongar in Essex. It was lent by Mr and Mrs William Buckley Gladstone who also lent his chauffeur and a motorcar for hospital use. It opened in July 1915 with 20 beds which was later increased to 39 with the erection of a marquee in the grounds. The hospital closed in May 1919 and today Blake Hall is used as a wedding venue.

                       Bleakdown Auxiliary Military Hospital was situated in the dining room of the Clubhouse of Bleakdown Golf Club on Sheerwater Road in West Byfleet, Surrey. The hospital opened in October 1916 with 38 beds which was later increased to 46. The hospital closed in October 1919 and today the club is known as the West Byfleet Golf Club.

                       Blythswood Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Blythswood, a house loaned by Mr John H. Robinson on Elmstead Road in West Byfleet, Kent. The Hospital opened in November 1915, providing 45 beds, it was affiliated to the South African Military Hospital in Richmond and was staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Hospital closed on 31st December 1918 and today the building is a private residence.

                       Binefield Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Binefield on Woodhurst Lane in Oxted, Surrey. It opened in October 1914 providing 20 beds staffed by the Surrey 46 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In June 1915 the hospital became an annexe to Charing Cross Hospital. The Hospital closed on 29th November 1917 as the Governors of Charing Cross Hospital decided to give up two auxiliary hospitals. After being and was thoroughly cleaned the hospital reopened on the 21st of December 1917, now affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Millbank. The hospital closed on the 30th of June 1918, 550 patients had been treated at the Hospital, most of them being cot cases spending a long stretch at the hospital. Today the house is a private residence.

                       Bexley Military Hospital was located in the buildings of the The Seventh London County Asylum on Old Bexley Lane, Bexley, Kent which continued in used as a mental asylum during the Great War.

                       Brondesbury Park Military Hospital was situated in The Mission House on the corner of Christchurch Avenue and Brondesbury Park which was loaned by Revd Dr Herbert Vaughan. It opened in March 1915 and was affiliated to the 1st London General Hospital. Initially providing 22 beds, this gradually increased to 60, taking over all the large rooms as wards. The Commandant was Miss Maude T. Thomas, the Quartermaster was her sister, Miss F.T. Thomas who was a qualified dispenser. It was staffed by the London 144 VAD. In 1917 the large neighbouring property, Beversbrook was lent by Mr Stanley Gibbs as an annexe, with an additional 50 beds bringing the total to 120 beds. The Hospitals closed in March 1919. The house was later demolished and the site has been rebuilt, only the gate posts and boundary wall remain.

                       Brook War Hospital was located in the buildings of the Brook Fever Hospital on Shooters Hill Road, Woolwich. It opened on the 2nd of September 1915 providing 1000 beds. By the time it closed on the 5th of November 1919, 414 Officers and 30,080 Other Ranks.

                       Brooklyn V.A.D. Hospital was situated at Brooklyn, 12 Crystal Palace Park Road in Sydenham. It was staffed by the Kent 132 Voluntary Aid Detachment and opened in May 1915 with 20 beds, affiliated to the Royal Herbert Hospital. The number of beds was increased to 29. In 1918 the Hospital transferred to the Edgehill Auxiliary Hospital. The house was demolished in the 1930's and Park Court was built on the site.

                       Battersea Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at 9 Cedars Road, Clapham. It opened in October 1914 and the first patients were Belgian Soldiers. From March 1915 it was affiliated to the 1st London General Hospital and provided 40 beds. The hospital closed in 1919.

                       Beckett Hospital for Officers was situated at 34 Grosvenor Street in London and was run by Hon. Mrs Beckett, wife of the banker, Major the Hon. Rupert Evelyn Beckett. The hospital opened in December 1914 it was occupied providing 25 beds, affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Millbank. The Hospital closed in 1917.

                       Beech House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Nos 16 and 18 The Avenue in Brondesbury. It opened on 12th of March 1915 in No. 16 The Avenue and was affiliated to the 1st London General Hospital, providing 50 beds. This was later expanded to 81 beds taking over the house next door at No. 18 The hospital closed on 31st May 1919 with 1,560 patients having been treated.

                       Bolingbroke Hospital was located in Five Houses Lane (now Bolingbroke Grove) on the edge of Wandsworth Common in London. It opened in 1878 as a voluntary hospital and was rebuilt and expanded in the early 1900's. During the Great War the hospital provided 25 beds for Military patients transferred from the 3rd London General Hospital. The Hospital closed in 2007.

                       Dobson War Relief Hospital was located at 22 Charlton Road in Blackheath and provided 50 beds. It opened in Autumn 1914 and was affiliated to the Royal Herbert Hospital in Shooters Hill. It closed in May 1919.

                       Dollis Hill House Auxiliary Hospital was located in Dollis Hill House tearooms in Gladstone Park, on Dollis Hill Lane, Willesden. The hospital opened in 1916 providing 23 beds. The Commandant was Mrs Aubrey Richardson and the hospital was staffed by the Middlesex 3rd Voluntary Aid Detachment. In early 1917 open-air huts were erected in the grounds expanding the Hospital to 52 beds, this was increased to 71 by the end of the year. In May 1919 the Hospital was taken over by the Ministry of Pensions and remained open until 1923. The building was demolished in 2011.

                       Festungs Lazaret was a hospital which treated injured allied Prisoners of War and was situated in Cologne.

                       Hollingworth Camp was located on the shore of Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough in the area now occupied by the visitor centre.

                       4th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment had just returned to Warwick and were due to be disbanded when war broke out in August 1914, the disbandment was cancelled and they were sent to the Isle of Wight. The Battalion was engaged in training new recruits. They moved to Dover around the end of September 1917.

                       Tesdale House Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at 22 Marcham Road, Abingdon-on-Thames, with two adjacent houses also being rented to provide hospital accommodation totalling 60 beds. A nissen hut was erected in the garden as a recreation room. Run by the Berkshire Branch of the British Red Cross Society. Tesdale House was noted to be the most economically run hospital in the county. Opening in March 1915, over 1000 soldiers were treated before the hospital closed in March 1919.

                       Cintra Terrace Auxiliary Hospital was located in the five storey Cintra Terrace on Hills Road in Cambridge was staffed by the Cambridge 28 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The building was later renamed Cintra House and became home to The Open University.

                       Cottenham Red Cross Hospital opened in the Baptist School with 40 beds and later transferred to Rectory and Schools. The Commandant was Florence Cox, wife of the local doctor.

                       Ingestre Auxiliary Military Hospital was located on Moss Lane, Ashton upon Mersey in Cheshire. The Matron was Miss Elizabeth Fisher.

                       The Vicarage Auxiliary Hospital was situated on Highlands Road, Runcorn.

                       Chadwick Auxiliary Hospital was opened in Chadwick Memorial Industrial School, Etterby Scaur, Carlisle on 25 March 1915, providing 23 beds for Other Ranks, this was later increased to 45. The hospital was under the control of No.1 Western General Hospital, Fazakerley, the Commandant was Mrs Cecil Donald. Chadwick Hospital closed on the 7th of March 1919 having treated 627 patients. Today the building is in use by the Austin Friars School.

                       Bulstrode Park Hospital was a convalescent military hospital situated in the mansion owned by Sir John and Lady Ramsden on Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire. It opened on the 11th of November 1914, when the first patients arrived from the Third Southern General Hospital in Oxford. In February 1915 it became affiliated to the Second London General Hospital, accepting patients who had been treated there. 266 patients were treated before the hospital closed on 1st of December 1915.

                    Bulstrode was in military used again during WW2 when it became the Royal Air Force College in 1942 and a Canadian Red Cross Hospital occupied the grounds.

                       Cockermouth Castle Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Cockermouth Castle, it was staffed by members of the Cumberland 32 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital opened in March 1917 and provided 20 beds.

                       Osmaston Manor Red Cross Hospital was situated in Osmaston Manor, a stately home in the Derbyshire Dales. It was also used as a hospital during WW2.

                       Morley Manor Red Cross Hospital was situated in Smalley near Derby and opened in autumn 1914. The Matron was Anna Lister-Kaye. The building was later used as a children's home.

                       Hamilton Convalescent Hospital was situated at Thorpe Bay, Southend on Sea, it opened in autumn 1914.

                       Eastleigh Military Hospital was situated in Chamberlayne School, Eastleigh. The hospital handled 72,000 wounded during the war. It was first called the Eastleigh Clearing Hospital, then the Eastleigh Military Hospital and then the Eastleigh Casualty Clearing Station. It opened in Spring 1915 as a Clearing Hospital taking men directly from the transports arriving at Southampton, who were sick or had minor wounds. Providing 1250 beds, the majority of patients had a short stay before being transferred to Auxiliary Hospitals or to Convalescent Camps.

                       Kington Red Cross Hospital was situated in Kingswood Hall, the infirmary of the Kington Union Workhouse. Providing 40 beds, the hospital opened on the 18th of March 1915 and was staffed by members of the Hereford No.10 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It closed on 4th of February 1919.

                       3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards were was stationed in London in 1914. They proceeded to France on the 27th of July 1915, landing at Le Havre and joined 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. They saw action in the The Battle of Loos, The Battles of the Somme, German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Third Battles of Ypres, The Battle of Cambrai and in 1918 on the Somme, the Hindenburg Line. After the armistice they moved to the Rhine and returned to England in 1919.

                       70th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force was raised in September 1915 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel I. R. Towers in London, Ontario. The Battalion recruited in Essex, Kent, Lambton and Middlesex counties. They embarked overseas from Halifax on the 24th of April 1916 aboard the SS Lapland, arriving in England on the 5th of May 1916. On the 7th of July 1916 the Battalion was absorbed by 39th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

                       201st (County Palatine) Field Company, Royal Engineers was raised in January 1915 and joined 30th Division when it was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November.

                       Camberley Auxiliary Military Hospital was situated in Firlands House, Firlands Avenue, Camberley and was affiliated to Aldershot Command. It was also used as a hospital during WW2. In the 1930's the building became the Camberley Court Hotel, it was demolished in the 1970's and the site is now occupied by Court Gardens.

                       No.7 Depot, Royal Field Artillery was based at Frome and Romsey.

                       Henham Hall Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Henham Hall, Henham Park near Blythburgh in Suffolk. The Georgian Mansion was loaned by the 3rd Earl of Stradbroke and the hospital was run by the Red Cross. The house was demolished in 1952 but the park remains and hosts many events throughout the year.

                       Gippeswyk Red Cross (Isolation) Hospital was located in Gippeswyk Hall, on the corner of Gippeswyk Avenue & Birkfield Drive in Ipswich. It opened in March 1915, with Miss Mary Caroline Coulcher, secretary of the local St John's Ambulance as Commandant. Today the building is home to the Red Rose Chain Film & Theatre Company, who have restored the building and added a community drama space at the rear.

                       Fairfield Red Cross Hospital was located on London Road, Lowestoft.

                       Finborough Red Cross Hospital was located in Finborough Hall, Stowmarket

                       Foxborough Hall Red Cross Hospital was situated in Foxborough Hall, Melton, Woodbridge.

                       Northgate Red Cross Hospital was located on Northgate Street, Bury St. Edmunds.

                       Sussex Lodge Red Cross Hospital was located in Sussex Lodge, Newmarket.

                       Woolverstone Red Cross Hospital was situated in Woolverstone Hall on the banks of the River Orwell near Ipswich, loaned by Mr. Charles Hugh Berners. The hall was used as a Naval training establishment in WW2 and today the building is in use as a school.

                       Third Battle of Ypres was launched by the allies on the 31st July 1917 and raged until the 10th November 1917, the weather was notoriously wet, turning the difficult Flanders clay into an impossible quagmire. Due to conditions on the battlefield, it was difficult to recover the remains of those who lost their lives and many remain where they fell, their names recorded on the panels of the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.

                    The Battle was made up of a number of actions:

                    • Battle of Pilckem, 31st July to 2nd August.
                    • Battle of Langemarck, 16th to 18th August.
                    • Battle Of The Menin Road, 20th to 25th September.
                    • Battle of Polygon Wood, 26th September to 3rd October.
                    • Battle of Broodseinde, 4th October.
                    • Battle of Poelcapelle, 9th October.
                    • First Battle of Passchendaele, 12th October.
                    • Second Battle of Passchendaele, 26th October to 10th November.


                       The Women's Auxiliary Army Corps was formed in July 1917, allowing women to contribute to the war effort, taking over some roles from their male counterparts, freeing up more men for active service. The WAAC was renamed the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps in April 1918 and was disbanded in September 1921.

                       Leigh POW Camp, was situated close to Liford Street in Leigh, Lancashire in buildings belonging to the Lilford Weaving Company. The first group of German prisoners arrived on the 29th of January 1915. Some of the men held were engaged in work at the Partington Steel Works in Irlam.

                       36th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps was formed as part of 36th Division and went overseas with them in October 1915 but was disbanded on the 31st of May 1916, with the men being allocated to other units.

                       Raikeswood POW Camp near Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales was built as a training camp for the Bradford Pals and used for holding Officers late in the war.

                       Raikeswood Camp near Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales was built in late 1914 as a training camp for the Bradford Pals.

                       Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service was formed in 1902 under the patronage of Queen Alexandra to provide nursing care to those who served in the Royal Navy.

                       Gadebridge Camp was situated in the grounds of Gadebridge House near Hemel Hempstead.

                       13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers was raised at Hounslow on the 13th of September 1914, a battalion of Kitchener's 3rd New Army. They joined 24th Division as Army Troops until March 1915 when they joined 111th Brigade, 37th Division. They proceeded to France on the 30th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne.

                       Scoveston Fort is located on the northern shore of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire and was built in the 1860's as part of the harbour defence. At the outbreak of the Great War a trench system was built either side of the fort from Waterston to Llangwm. Today the fort is not accessible by the public.

                       Garendon Camp was located in the grounds of Garendon Hall near Loughborough in Leicestershire and was home to the Royal Horse Artillery.

                       The Battle of the Lys began on the 9th of April 1918 when the German army launched an attack on Allied lines near Armentieres. It was a carefully planned attack, in the aftermath of Operation Michael, the German offensive on the Somme which had begun on the 21st of March. Many of the Allied units who had been exhausted by the fighting withdrawal had been moved north to the quieter sectors of Flanders. The German troops first targeted a section of the line held by inexperienced Portuguese troops and broke through rapidly, this was followed by a sustained attack which pushed the Allied lines back all along the Ypres Salient, south of the city of Ypres, which held firm against the onslaught.

                       The Hundred Days Offensive was the Allied advance to victory, made up of a series of operations on the Western Front which began on the 8th of August 1918 and led to the Armistice on the 11th of November 1918.

                       The Princess Club Hospital was located in the buildings of the Princess Club at 100 to 108 Jamaica Road, Bermondsey in London, which had been established by Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein, one of Queen Victoria's grandaughters for the workers of Rotherhithe and Bermondsey. It was a Red Cross convalescent home with 85 beds and 25 members of staff, it also boasted a rooftop garden which was used by the patients.

                       Chilwell National Filling Factory No. 6. opened in late 1915 and was located near the village of Chilwell, Nottinghamshire beside the railway on the main road from Nottingham to Ashby de la Zouch. The site is now occupied by the Chetwynd Barracks.

                       HMS Tara was a converted passenger steamer, previously named SS Hibernia owned by the London and North Western Railway she had been sailing their service between Holyhead and Dublin before the war. Her crew was mostly made up of Welshmen and the majority remained with her as Tara took on her wartime role as an anti-submarine patrol vessel.

                       Longshawe Lodge Red Cross Hospital, situated on the Longshawe Estate near Grindleford in Derbyshire, the building was a shooting lodge loaned by the Duke of Rutland. It provided convalescent 62 beds and was affiliated the 3rd Northern General Hospital. Today the building is owned by the National Trust.

                       Bishops Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bishops Hall, Lambourne End in Romford, loaned by the Lockwood family.

                       Knebworth Golf House in Hertfordshire was used as hospital during the Great War.

                       Abbots Ripton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Abbots Ripton Hall, Abbots Ripton in Huntingdonshire, loaned for use as a hospital by Lord De Ramsey.

                       Whitstable Auxiliary Hospital was located at Barn House in Whitstable, a large timbered building with an attractive garden which had been Queen Mary's Coronation Holiday Home. Thirty beds were provided for soldiers recovering from wounds.

                       Tankerton Military Hospital was located in the Marine Hotel, Marine Parade on the seafront at Tankerton near Whitstable. The hotel was closed at the outbreak of war and preparations for the hospital began.

                       Crofton Auxiliary Hospital was located on North Sudley Road, Liverpool and opened in January 1917 offtering 55 beds and staffed by No. 27 Voluntary Aid Detachment. 657 patients were treated at the hospital before it closed in 1919.

                       Bracondale Auxiliary Hospital, Norwich was staffed by the members of No. 66 Voluntary Aid Detachment

                       The Platanes at 10 Champion Hill, Camberwell was the officers section of the Maudsley Military Hospital, the neurological section of the the 4th London General Hospital. Fourty Four beds were provided for officers suffering from shell shock, from 1915 to 1920. Today the building is in use as student accommodation for King's College Hall.

                       No. 26 General Hospital was at Etaples in France. It opened in June 1915.

                       No. 2 General Hospital was located at Quai De Escales, Le Havre in France.

                       Highfield Military Hospital, was located at Knotty Ash, Liverpool and opened in May 1915 in the buildings previously used as Highfield Sanatorium, a treatments centre for tuberculosis. It was made up of eight pavilions, over a 33 acre site, each having two wards with 30 beds. The hospital was equipped with operating theatres and an x-ray department. Highfield had a specialist section for facial disfigurement and 1917 became a centre for orthopaedic treatment. The site later became Broadgreen Hospital.

                       Horton (County of London) War Hospital was located on Long Grove Road, Epsom in Surrey in the Horton Asylum and opened in May 1915. It was a specialist centre for ear, nose and throat injuries and later for seriously injured officers. Over 44,600 patients were treated before the hospital was handed back to London County Council.

                       Schiff Hospital for the Wounded was located in the Schiff Home for Recovery, set in 48 acres of Knowle Hill Park on Fairmile Lane, Cobham in Surrey. The convalescent home offered 21 beds to the war office and on the 28th of September 1915 it became affiliated to the Horton War Hospital. A further 40 military beds were provided in 1918. The wards were handed back on the 2nd of October 1919.

                       Heywood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Heywood House, Cobham, the home of cigarette manufacturer Walter Butler of Lambert & Butler. Offering 21 beds, the hospital opened in August 1915 and was affiliated to Horton War Hospital. Mildred Butler, Walter's wife, was the Commandant. The hospital closed at the end of 1918, today the property is home to the ACS Cobham International School.

                       The Epsom and Ewell War Hospital (Grandstand) was located in the newly built a new four storey luncheon annexe behind the Epsom Racecourse Grandstand and opened in October 1914. 672 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 29th of February 1916. The building was demolished in 2007.

                       Clandon Park War Hospital was located at Clandon Park, the stately home of the Earl and Countess of Onslow. Lady Onslow was commandant. Clandon offered 100 beds, later increased to 132, and received men directly from the front. 5059 patients were treated before the hospital closed.

                       Mount Stuart Naval Hospital was located at Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute, the house was offered as a Naval Hospital at the outbreak of war by the Marchioness of Bute Augusta Crichton Stuart, wife of the 4th Marquess. Lady Bute oversaw the transformation of the house which in addition to wards, offered x-ray facilities and an operating theatre. 2,120 patients were treated before the hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Kingston House was a neurasthenia hospital for Officers, overlooking Liberton Brae in Edinburgh. It was a grand turreted mansion built for a wealthy businessman in the 1860's, it was purchased by Edinburgh council in March 1918 for use as a hospital. The hospital closed in 1925 and today the building has been converted into apartments.

                       South Wingfield VAD Hospital was located in Mill House, opposite the school on Church Lane,South Wingfield, Derbyshire. The house was loaned by the Bower family and the hospital opened on the 5th of November 1914 initially providing 12 beds.

                       Belper Red Cross VAD Hospital was located at Green Hall, King Street, Belper which was previously a boys' school. The hospital opened in December 1914 providing 40 beds and an up-to-date operating theatre, at the expense of George Herbert Strutt, whose wife Emily became the Commandant. Over 3,000 patients were treated before the hospital closed.

                       Willersley Red Cross Hospital was located at Willersley Castle, Cromford near Matlock. The majority of the Castle was loaned as a hospital at the outbreak of war with Mr F.C. Arkwright, Deputy Lieutenant for Derbyshire reserving only two rooms for his family.

                       The Ontario Military Hospital was located on Sevenoaks Road, Orpington in Kent. It opened on the 19th February 1916, providing over 1000 beds, with all equipment and staff being from Canada. In 1917 the hospital was renamed No. 16 Canadian General Hospital and the number of beds was doubled. The hospital closed in May 1919, having treated over 30,000 patients. Today the site is home to Orpington Hospital.

                       Corsham Red Cross Hospital was located in the Town Hall and opened on the 26th October 1914 providing 30 beds.It was staffed by the members of Wiltshire 30 Voluntary Aid Detachment. A nurses home was established in Pickwick Road and an electrotherapy room in Church Street. The hospital closed in August 1919 having treated 875 patients. The names of those who staffed the hospital are recorded on a memorial in a first floor room at the Town Hall.

                       Brighton Pavilion Hospital was opened as a convalescence hospital for Indian soldiers. In April 1916 it became a rehabilitation centre for limbless soldiers. 526 beds were available and the patients received vocational training as well as medical care. The Queen Mary’s Workshops were opened in the Pavilion grounds and patients were taught practical skills to help them find employment, courses included vehicle mechanics, electrical engineering, carpentry and woodwork, boot and shoe-mending, book-keeping, shorthand, typewriting, English and grammar. The hospital closed in 1920 having treated over 6000 patients.

                       Bishops Palace VAD Hospital opened in the Bishop of Gloucester's Palace in 1916, moving from Hillfield House, Wotton as additional beds were required to meet the demands of casualties arriving from the Somme. Today The Palace is part of King's School.

                       Hillfield House VAD Hospital opened at Hillfield House, Wotton Gloucester and moved to the Bishop of Gloucester's Palace in 1916, Hillfield House is now used as government offices.

                       Great Western Road Hospital was run by the Red Cross and was located in the newly built Union Infirmary on the south side of Great Western Road, Gloucester. The site later became the City General Hospital.

                       

                    HMS Epsom taken in 1915

                    HMS Epsom was a Racecourse Class minesweeper built by George Brown and Company in Greenock and launched on the 4th of May 1916. She had a crew compliment of 50 and was commissioned on the 17th of July 1916.

                       Lindrick Camp was located a couple of miles west of Ripon in North Yorkshire.

                       St Edward's Church Vicarage, Racecommon Road, Barnsley became the Lancaster Convalescent Home for wounded soldiers in November 1914. St Edward's Church and Vicarage had been built in 1902 by Edward George Lancaster of Keresforth Hall, Barnsley in memory of his father Edward Lancaster. Edward George Lancaster was a local landowner, valuer and auctioneer who allowed the Vicar to live there rent-free. However, the Vicar found the Vicarage too large and expensive to live in and left to live in smaller premises. When war broke out in 1914 the Vicarage had been empty for a number of years and Mr Lancaster offered the Vicarage to the War Office to be used as a convalescent home for wounded soldiers for the duration of the war and to be run entirely at Mr Lancaster's expense. 562 men received treatment there during the Great War but no official records exist to tell us about the men who received treatment there.

                    The wounded men held fundraising concerts to raise money for tobacco and 'health-giving' drives in the countryside. Local newspapers regularly reported events at the Lancaster Home, and from these we are able to name some of the men who stayed there. A local photographer, Mr Lamb took photographs of groups of men and these can be found in the book 'Kingstone Remembers the Great War' produced by the Kingstone Heritage Group in Barnsley that meets in St Edward's Church. The Lancaster Convalescent Home was closed in March 1919 and once again became St Edward's Church Vicarage.

                       5th Southern General Hospital was based at the Priory School in Fawcett Road, Fratton, Portmouth with additional wards at Portsea Island Union Infirmary in Milton Street and in private homes nearby.

                       3rd West Lancashire Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was a territorial unit made up of the 12th, 13th and 14th Lancashire Batteries. They proceeded to France in October 1915 and served with 2nd Canadian Division. They rejoined 55th West Lancashire Division in January 1916 and the formation was renamed 277th (3rd West Lancashire) Brigade in May 1916.

                       205th (1st Dundee) Field Company, Royal Engineers was raised in Dundee as part of Kitchener's 5th New Army in March 1915. They served with 35th Division.

                       23rd Company, Royal Engineers served with 1st Division, proceeding to France in 1914.

                       26th Field Company, Royal Engineers served with 1st Division and proceeded to France in 1914.

                       1/1st Lowland Field Company, Royal Engineers served with 1st Division in France from December 1914 onwards. They were later renamed 409th (1/1st Lowland) Field Company.

                       1st Divisional Signals Company, Royal Engineers served in France with 1st Division from August 1914.

                       5th Field Company, Royal Engineers served with 2nd Division. They proceeded to France in August 1914.

                       11th Field Company, Royal Engineers served with 2nd Division, proceeding to France in August 1914. They transferred to 33rd Division in December 1915.

                       226th (Tottenham) Field Company, Royal Engineers proceeded to France in July 1915 with 33rd Division. They transferred to 2nd Division in December 1915.

                       Ampthill House Convalescent Hospital was located at Ampthill House, Ampthill and provided 18 beds for patients transferring from Wrest Hospital. Between autumn 1914 and the summer of 1915, 60 patients were treated.

                       Tingrith Hospital provided 10 beds.

                       Wrest Park Military Hospital was located in the main house at Wrest Park, Silsoe and provided 100 beds. The house was the residence of Lord Lucas and he stood the expense of equipping the hospital, his sister Hon. Miss Herbert acted as Matron. The hospital closed in September 1916 after a large fire devastated part of the building.

                       Woburn Abbey Military Hospital was located on Duke of Bedford's Estate at Woburn, organised by the Duchess Mary and provided 102 beds. In 1917 the hospital became a special surgical military hospital, with convoys of the wounded being received direct from France. In total 2453 NCOs and men were treated the hospital. A marble Memorial Tablet listing those who died at the hospital is located inside the Church of St Mary the Virgin on the estate.

                       Dallow Road VAD Hospital was located in the Recreation Room in Dallow Road, Luton, possibly connected to the Diamond Foundry?

                       Bute Hospital on Dunstable Road, Luton opened in 1882, it provided beds for military cases as well as continuing to treat civilians during the Great War.

                       Town Hall VAD Hospital was located in Bedford Road, Sandy.

                       Victoria Road VAD Hospital was located in St Leonard's Church Centre, Victoria Road, Bedford.

                       Kintbury Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in Barton Court, a manor house in in Kintbury near Newbury in Berkshire. Today the house is in private ownership.

                       Benham Valence Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Benham Park House on Bath Road, Speen, Newbury, a large manor house overlooking a lake in parkland landscaped by Lancelot Brown.

                       Bisham Abbey Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in the manor house at Bisham, Berkshire. Today the property is used by Sport England as a National Sports Centre.

                       Buckhurst Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Buckhurst Manor, Buckhurst Lane, Wokingham.

                       Church House Auxiliary Hospital was located in All Saints Church Hall on Easthampstead Road, Wokingham and provided 17 beds. It opened on the 31st of January 1915, treating over 500 patients before it closed on 12th of March 1919.

                       Englefield House Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in Englefield House a stately home near Reading. The hospital opened in August 1914 in the Long Gallery, organised and funded by the Benyon family with their housekeeper Miss Dobbie as Quartermaster and staffed by the Berkshire 8th VAD. The first patients arrived on the 29th of October 1914. Today the house remains in the ownership of the Benyon family but the gardens are open to the public.

                       Fernhill Auxiliary Hospital, as an officers convalescent hospital providing 20 beds. It was located at Fernhill Park, Cranbourne in Windsor Forest, a large country house set in parkland with a lake.

                       Heatherside Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in Heatherside House, Crowthorne, organised by Miss E Monck of Aldworth, Crowthorne.

                       Kitemore Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Kitemore House, Faringdon.

                       Oaklea Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in Bracknell, organised by Mrs L A Berwick of Sunny Rise, Bracknell.

                       Park House Auxiliary St. Johns Hospital was located in Park House, Newbury.

                       Popeswood Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Binfield.

                       Rectory Cottage Hospital was located at Rectory Cottages near All Saints Church in Didcot.

                       Ridgelands Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Ridgeland House, Finchampstead.

                       Silwood Park Auxiliary Hospital was located in the house at Silwood Park, near Sunninghill. An officers convalescent hospital providing 20 beds. Today it is a rural campus of Imperial College London.

                       Maidenhead Technical Institute Red Cross Hospital was located in Maidenhead Technical School on Marlow Road. Initially providing 43 beds, the number was increased to 50 in 1916 and to 80 in April 1917, then to 100 in Jan 1918. In May 1918 the number was increased to 200 when the adjacent drill hall was converted for use as wards. Out patients were also treated at the premises.

                       Woodclyffe Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in the The Woodclyffe Hall, a community hall in Wargrave, and had an annexe known as Gladdy House.

                       Bracknell Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Saunders Lodge, Bracknell. It later moved to Oaklea.

                       Basildon Park Hospital was located in the main house at Basildon Park near Goring on Thames, was a convalescent hospital. 50 beds were provided for Officers of the Guards Brigade, in which the owner was serving. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       White House Auxiliary Hospital was located in the White House in the grounds of Basildon Park near Goring on Thames. 14 Other Ranks beds were provided. Today the property is owned by the National Trust, the main house on the estate was in use as an officers hospital.

                       Newbury District Hospital provided 196 military beds as well as continuing to serve the local community. An annexe was built to accommodate soldiers, the hospital staff being assisted by Berkshire 54 Red Cross Detachment.

                       Highclere Castle, near Newbury provided 20 beds and was organised by the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, Lady Almina who acted as Matron. The hospital,funded by her father, Alfred Rothschild, was staffed by 30 nurses, and provided an operating theatre in the Arundel bedroom. The first patients arrived in September 1914. The hospital became a centre for orthopaedic excellence.

                       Ardington House Hospital at Sandhurst was a convalescent home for VAD Nurses.

                       Chalfont and Gerrards Cross Hospital was located in Chalfont St. Peters and provided militray beds during the Great War. The buildings have been demolished to make way for a new hospital.

                       Chequers Court Hospital was located at Chequers near Ellesborough. It was loaned by Lord Lee for use as a military hospital during the Great War. In 1921 the house became the country residence of the Prime Minister.

                       Langley Park Hospital was located in Langley Park a country house built by the Duke of Marlborough near Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire.

                       Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital in Aylesbury was built in 1863 and provided military beds during the Great War.

                       Slough Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located a large private house on Middle Green Road, George Green and had an annexe at St Bernard's School Hall, Langley.

                       Stoke Court Officers Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stoke Court near Stoke Poges in Buckinghamshire.

                       Winslow VAD Hospital was located at The Elms on the High Street, Winslow. The building has since been demolished.

                       Alexandra Theatre Wisbech was used as a Military Hospital during the Great war. The building was demolished in the 1930's.

                       Fulbourn Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Assembly Room Institute and Infant School in Fulbourn. 27 beds were provided. Today the building is used as a library.

                       Old House Auxiliary Hospital was located on Blackhorse Lane, Swavesey.

                       Huntly Auxiliary Hospital was located on Herschel Road, Cambridge.

                       Linton Auxiliary Hospital was located at the Linton Workhouse and later moved to Manor House in Linton.

                       Mountblow Auxiliary Hospital was located at Mountblow, now renamed Middlefield off Hinton Way and later moved to the Chestnuts now named Browning House in Tunwells Lane, Great Shelford.

                       Whittlesford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Orient House and Institute, later moving to The Lodge in North Road, Whittlesford.

                       Balsham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Park House, Balsham.

                       Ely Auxiliary Hospital was opened in Silver Street and later moved to the Theological College, Ely.

                       St Chads Auxiliary Hospital was located at 48 Grange Road, Cambridge.

                       Histon Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Firs, Histon and later transferred to the Old Schools in Histon.

                       Balsham Auxiliary Hospital, was located in the house next to the old school on the Green at Balsham.

                       Fordham Auxiliary Hospital opened at The Manse, Fordham and later transferred to Victoria Hall.

                       Willingham Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall and the Rectory, Willingham House at 50 Church Street, Willingham.

                       Shepreth Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall, Shepreth.

                       Newham Auxiliary Hospital was located in Wordsworth Grove, Newnham, Cambridge.

                       Kings Buildings Hospital was located at No4. Kings Buildings in Chester.

                       Abbeyfield Hospital was located at Abbeyfield, Middlewich Road, Sandbach. Today the building has been converted into apartments.

                       Abbotsford Auxiliary Hospital was located at 26 Stanley Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead.

                       Rockferry Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in Ionic Street School in 1914. It closed for a time as the building was used as a billet for the Cheshire Bantams during training.

                       Acton Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Parish Hall at Acton and provided 20 beds.

                       Alderley Park Hospital was located in the the Tenants Hall, Alderley Park, opening in November 1914 run by Lord and Lady Stanley. The number of beds was later increased with additional wards being opened in other rooms of the stalely home. The hospital closed in closed in February 1919.

                       Brookdale Hospital was located at Brookdale, Alderley Edge and opened in Autumn 1914. The Commandant was Emily Fenton Armitage Hutton OBE. 1817 patients were treated before the hospital closed in February 1919, at its peak, 73 beds were provided, including some in open air pavilions. Today Brookdale is home to Alderley Edge School for Girls.

                       Altrincham General Hospital offered one ward of 16 beds for military cases at the outbreak of the Great War. Red Cross nurses were also trained at the hospital.

                       Ancoats Convalescent Hospital was located in Warford and opened in 1903. During the Great War it was offered for the use of convalescing soldiers and remained in this role until April 1919 when it reverted to civilian use.

                       Ashton Hayes Auxiliary Hospital was located in Aston Hayes, possibly in the village hall.

                       Frodsham Auxiliary Military Hospital was opened in the Roller Skating Rink at Forest Hills, Frodsham Hill. Today the site is occupied by Forest Hills Hotel.

                       Barlow Fold Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Barlow Fold a large house just outside Poynton.

                       Maplas Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Bolling, a large Georgian house in Church Street, Malpas.

                       Higginsfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Higginsfield House south of Croxton Green.

                       Brabyn Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Brabyns Hall, Marple Bridge with an annexe at Rose Hill. Miss Fanny Hudson, the owner was Commandant of the hospital. The hall was demolished in the 1950's but the extensive gardens remain and are open to the public.

                       Brine Baths Hotel, off Shrewbridge Road, Nantwich was used as a military hospital, utilising the spa facilities as part of the recovery process for patients.

                       Lymm Auxiliary Hospital was located at Brookfields, Lymm with an annexe at Beech House.

                       Calveley Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Calveley Hall near Milton Green.

                       Cheadle House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cheadle House in the High Street, Cheadle. After the war the property became a school, today the property is occupied by shops and flats, the front gardens have been built on.

                       Cheerbrook Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cheer Brook Farm House, Butt Green near Stapeley.

                       Colshaw Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Colshaw Hall, Over Peover. Today the property is used as a wedding venue.

                       Hale Red Cross Hospital was located in the Congregational Church and St Peter's School rooms in Cecil Road, Hale. The hospital opened in November 1914.

                       Knutsford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Danebury, 8 Tabley Road, Knutsford and later transferred to Kilrie, Knutsford.

                       Dowery House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Dowery House, Barker Street in Nantwich.

                       Haigh Lawn Auxiliary Hospital was located at Haigh Lawn in St. Margaret’s Road, Altricham with an annexe in the Assembly Rooms, Altricham. The Commandant was Mary Johnson, wife of Rev. Hewlett Johnson, vicar of St. Margaret's church. Nurses were accommodated in the club house of the nearby Croquet Club off St Mary's Road, the patients had access to one of the croquet lawns, the other being used to graze goats, which provided milk for the hospital.

                       Disley Auxiliary Hospital was located at Harewood in Red Lane, Disley.

                       Heathfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Whitby Heath, Cheshire.

                       Bredbury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Highfield Hall, Bredbury.

                       Hoole Bank House Auxiliary Hospital near Upton opened in October 1914, the house, which had been for sale at the outbreak of war, being loaned by the owner George Hayes who met the expenses for the conversion. Over 1200 soldiers were treated before the hospital closed in May 1919. The house was then donated to the National Institute of the Blind as a guest house. Today the building is home to an independent school.

                       Mere Hall Officers Hospital was located at Mere Hall, Mere near Knutsford. Today the hall is a hotel.

                       Heyesleigh Red Crosss Hospital was located at Heyesleigh, Timperley with an annex at Pickering Lodge.

                       Hurdsfield House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hurdsfield House set in 30 acres of wooded parkland off Hurdsfield Road in Macclesfield. The hospital opened in 1915. Today the house is named Brocklehurst Manor and has been converted into apartments.

                       Linden Lea Red Cross Hospital was located at Linden Lea, a large house in Brooklands Road, Sale. The house is no longer standing and today the site is occupied by flats.

                       Lord Derby War Hospital opened in May 1915 in the Lancashire County Asylum on Newton Road, Winwick, the inmates having been moved to other hospitals. The military patients arrived by train to a temporary platform built on the railway line which usually delivered supplies. The hospital resume it's original role after the military wards closed in October 1920. Most of the buildings were demolished in the 1990's and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Lyme Hall (Belgian Officers) Hospital was located at Lyme Hall, Disley. The property is now owned by the National Trust.

                       Manor Hill Red Cross Hospital in Birkenhead was initially located at 19 Pal Grove. Mrs Blanche Spence was the matron and the hospital had an annexe at Priory Ward.

                       Moorfield Red Cross Hospital, Glossop opened on 18 March 1915, the house being loaned by Major Hill-Wood, M.P. 102 beds were provided, affiliated to the 2nd Western Hospital, Manchester and 1554 patients were treated before the hospital closed on 24th of February 1919.

                       Partington Home, Glossop was a convalescent home belonging to the Corporation of Glossop. It was opened to military patients on the 31st of October 1914 and provided 40 beds, affiliated to the 2nd Western Hospital in Manchester. A total of 618 patients were treated before the hospital closed for Military use on 28th of February 1919 and reopened as a Maternity Home. Today the building is private apartments.

                       Nunsmere Red Cross Hospital was located at Nunsmere Hall near Sandiway, home of the Brocklebank Shipping Line owner Sir Aubrey Brocklebank and his wife Grace. Today the Hall is a luxury hotel.

                       Oakfields Red Cross Hospital at Upton, transferred from Eaton Hall to Oakfields Manor in 1917 when Eaton became an Officers Hospital. In 1930 Oakfields Manor became home to Chester Zoo.

                       Eaton Hall Military Hospital opened in Autumn 1914 as an All Ranks hospital, the mansion being loaned to the Red Cross by 1st Duke of Westminster. In 1917 the Hall became an Officer's hospital, with the all ranks hospital relocating to Oakfield Manor. Eaton Hall remains a private home.

                       Mottram Old Hall Auxiliary Hospital transferred from Early Bank in Stalybridge.

                       Parkgate Red Cross Hospital was located in Parkgate, on the estuary of the River Dee on the Wirral.

                       Peckforton Castle near Beeston was built in 1844 in the style of a medieval castle. During the Great War the castle was used as a military hospital.

                       Pendlebury Hall Military Hospital was located at Pendlebury Hall, an orphanage on Lancashire Hill, Stockport. The hospital opened in Autumn 1914 and provided 75 beds. 1811 men were treated during the Great War. Today it the building is Hilltop Hall Care Home.

                       Wallasey Auxiliary Hospital was located on Penkett Road, Wallasey.

                       Wallasey Military Hospital opened in 1916 in the newly built Town Hall on Brighton Street, which was requisitioned for use as a hospital. Providing 350 beds, over 3500 soldiers were treated before the building was returned to the council in 1919.

                       Tarporley Red Cross Supply Depot opened at Portal, a country house on Forest Road, Tarporley by Mrs Marshall Brookes. In 1919 when the Military hospital closed the house and grounds war purchased with money collected in Tarporley and surrounding villages as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the war to become Tarporely War Memorial Hospital.

                       95th Brigade was raised during the Great War as part of Lord Kitchener's New Army and served with 32nd Division. It was made up of the 14th, 15th and 16th Battalions, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. They proceeded to France in November 1915. Soon after arrival 95th Brigade transferred to 5th Division as part of a reorganisation to include experienced units alongside the newly trained battalions. The battalions of the Warwickshire Regiment moved to other brigades and the 12th Gloucesters served alongside the 1st Devons, 1st East Surreys and 1st DCLI. 95th MGC and 95th TMB joined on their formation. In late 1917 and early 1918 the Brigade served in Italy and then returned to the Western Front.

                       Raddon Court Red Cross Hospital, was located at Raddon Court, a large house on Knutsford Road opposite the Hollies in Latchford and had an annexe at Stockton Heath. Opening in 1914, the hospital closed in 1919 and the building was demolished in the 1940's.

                       Bowden Red Cross Hospital was located at Brachendene, a large mock-Tudor house on Charcoal Road, Bowdon near Altrincham. It later moved to Raynor Croft, now known as Bowden Croft.

                       Helsby Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Britannia Telegraph Works Recreation Hall on Britannia Road, Helsby.

                       Bromborough Red Cross Hospital was located in the club house of Bromborough Golf Club and opened on the 22nd of May 1915. It was equipped to a high standard by donations from locals and employees of Cammell Laird & Co. Ltd with 160 beds and an operating theatre. The Officer in charge was Lady Carter, the Honorary Commandant of the Cheshire Red Cross and patients arrived directly from France. 1245 patients were treated before the hospital closed and the building handed back to the golf club. The Clubhouse was rebuilt in 1974.

                       Rock Bank House on Clarence Road, Bollington was a convalescence home for wounded soldiers during the Great War. Today the building is appartments and has been renamed Carterbench House.

                       Rode Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Rode Hall, Scholar Green, loaned by the Wilbraham family. Today the property is still owned by the family, the house and gardens are open to the public.

                       Somerford Park Red Cross Hospital was located at Somerford Park, a country estate near Congleton. The house was demolished in the 1920's and today the parkland is known as Somerford Park Farm in use as an equestrian centre.

                       St. John Hospital Dukinfield was run by the local branch of St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Stamford Red Cross Hospital was located at Dunham Massey Hall, opened in April 1917 and was run by Lady Stamford. The main ward was located in the dinning room and 282 soldiers were treated before the hospital closed in February 1919. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport was taken over for use as a military hospital during the Great War.

                       The Cenacle Auxiliary Hospital was located at the Cenacle Convent, a tall gothic style house previously named Sandrock, situated in wooded grounds at the top of Atherton Street in New Brighton. The site is now home to SS Peter & Paul Church which was built in the 1930's.

                       Hoylake Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Chalet on St Margarets Road, Hoylake with an annexe at New Bunnee, Hoylake. It opened in 1915.

                       Willington Red Cross Hospital was located at The Leys, a large house with seven bedrooms and a separate coach house and stables, in extensive gardens on the corner of Moss Road and Winnington Lane. The house was owned by Brunner, Mond and Co. as accommodation for a senior member of staff, and the officer in charge of the hospital was Lady Charlotte Jarmay, the wife of Brunner Mond’s managing director, Gustav Jarmay. The hospital closed in 1919. The house was demolished in the 1950's and Brunner House, a large office block was built for ICI, today the site is occupied by housing.

                       The Oaks Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Oaks on Heald Road, Bowdon

                       The Orchard Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Orchard, Rossmill Lane, Hale Barns.

                       The Quinta Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Quinta, rectory of Swettenham near Congleton.

                       Wimslow Auxiliary Hospital opened at The Rectory, Wimlsow and later transferred to Knutsford Road.

                       Thelwall Heys Auxiliary Hospital was located at Thelwell Heys, a large house on Cliffe Road, Grappenhall near Warrington.

                       Thornaton Manor Auxiliary Hospital was located at Thronton Manor, Thornton Hough the home of home of the Lever family famous for the soap industry in nearby Port Sunlight.

                       Vernon Institute Auxiliary War Hospital was located in the Vernon Institute in Great Saughall French doors were installed to allow easier access for wheeled stretchers. It opened on the 14th of November 1914 and provided 46 beds, later increasing to 54 and in October 1917 another ward and operating threatre were added. Staffed by the 76th Cheshire VAD, the hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919.

                       Chester War Hospital opened in the Chester Union Workhouse on on Hoole Lane, Shester at the end of August 1917, the inmates being transferred to Upton Asylum. In 1919 the site became the City Hospital which closed in the early 1990's, most of the buildings have been demolished though the chapel remains.

                       Bunbury Auxiliary Hospital was opened in the Village Hall, Bunbury in Cheshire. Lady Wynford Tollemache was the Commandant and Mrs Nancy Archer the Matron.

                       Tattenhall Auxiliary Hospital was located in the The Barbour Institute, High Street Tattenhall. It opened in 1915 providing 10 beds in the hall and accommodation for nurses on the upper floor. This was later increased to 28 beds with a further 18 in an annexe at The Rookery, home of the Commandant, Mrs Edith Marguerite Wignall.

                       Cheadle Hulme Military Hospital was located in the Warehouseman and Cherks School, today known as Cheadle Hulme School. Over 1400 wounded men were treated before the hospital closed.

                       Webb Convalescent Home was located in the East Wing of Webb Orphanage on Victoria Avenue, Crewe, which was a home for orphaned children of former London and North Western Railway employees. The building is currently known as Webb House.

                       Willington Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Willington Hall in Cheshire. Today the building is the Willington Hall Hotel.

                       Winsford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Winsford Lodge, Winsford with an annexe at Catsclough. The Commandant was Miss Emily Vardin.

                       Witton House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Witton House, Northwich, Cheshire.

                       Northenden Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Beech House on Yew Tree Lane in Northenden, Cheshire.

                       Bankfield Military Hospital was located at Bankfield Mansion, Workington. The hospital closed on the 22nd of December 1918 and the building was demolished in the 1980's.

                       Castletown Military Hospital was located at Castletown House near Rockliffe in Cumbria.

                       Claremont Auxiliary Hospital was located at Claremont on Moor Street, Longtown.

                       Dalston Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Dalston Hall, Dalston in Cumbria. The property is now a hotel.

                       Dr. Lediards Home on George Street, Carlisle was used as an Auxiliary Hospital during the Great War.

                       Englethwaite Auxiliary Hospital was located at Englethwaite Hall, Armathwaite in the Eden Valley, Cumbria. The property was demolished in 1969 and today the grounds are home to a caravan site.

                       Ennim Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ennim near to Blencow, Penrith in Cumbria.

                       Glinger Bank Auxiliary Hospital was located at Glinger Bank just north of Longtown in Cumbria.

                       Hayton Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hayton House, How Mill in Cumbria.

                       Holmrook Auxiliary Hospital was located at Holmrook Hall, Holmrook in Cumbria.

                       Greystoke Auxiliary Hospital was located at Latterdales House in Greystoke near Penrith, Cumbria.

                       Lingholme Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lingholme, Stair near Keswick in Cumbria.

                       Moresby House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Moresby House, Howgate, Whitehaven. Today the building is the Howgate Hotel.

                       Murrell Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located at Murrell Hill House in Nelson Street, Carlisle. The house was loaned to the Red Cross by James Morton of Alexander Morton & Company. The hospital opened on the 25th of March 1915, with 28 beds, later increasing to 40. Before the hospital closed on the 27 March 1919, a total of 504 patients had been treated including 110 major operations. The building was demolished in 1967.

                       Rockliffe Old Hall Hospital was located at The Old Hall on the banks of the River Eden at Rockcliffe in Cumbria.

                       Scaurbank Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Scaurbank, a large house on the riverside on the outskirts of Longtown in Cumbria.

                       Scotby Auxiliary Hospital was located at Scotby House, Scotby in Cumbria. Today the building is known as Scotby Grange and has been converted into apartments.

                       Skiddaw Grove Auxiliary Hospital was located at Skiddaw Grove in the Lake District.

                       St. Andrews Parish Rooms in Penrith were used as an Auxiliary Hospital during the Great War.

                       During the Great War, 864 patients were treated at St Michael's Rest in extensive grounds off Longtown Road near Brampton, Cumbria. Today the building is the The Oakwood Park Hotel.

                       Warwick Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Warwick Hall near Wetheral in Cumbria.

                       Whitehall Convalescent Hospital was located at Whitehall, near Dalston and was an annexe of Dalston Hall Hospital.

                       Wordsworth Hall Auxiliary Hospital was loacted in the Wordsworth Hall Sunday School of the Methodist Church on Wordsworth Road, Penrith.

                       Aston Hall Red Cross Hospital was located at Aston Hall, Aston-on-Trent, Derbyshire, organised by Mrs Winterbottom, head of the local Red Cross. 33 beds were provided and the hospital was affiliated to the 3rd Northern General Hospital. In the 1920's the estate became a mental hospital with additional buildings in the grounds, these were demolished in 2014 and the hall has been converted into apartments.

                       Blackwell Red Cross Hospital was located in the Boy's Brigade Hall, Primrose Hill, Blackwell near Alfreton. Today the building is the Cottage Inn.

                       Chatsworth Royal Naval Hospital was a convalescent hospital located on the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire, in the building now occupied by the estate office.

                       The Devonshire Royal Hospital on Manchester Road in Buxton provided military beds during the Great War. Today the building is part of Derby University,

                       Haye Leigh Red Cross VAD Hospital was located at Haye Leigh, 174 Duffield Road, Derby. 24 Beds were provided for the treatment of Other Ranks and was affiliated to 5th Northern General Hospital in Leicester. The hospital closed before autumn 1917. The house has now been divided into two properties.

                       Bootle Auxiliary Hospital was located at 17 Breeze Hill, Bootle.

                       Egginton Hall Red Cross Hospital was established by Mrs Arthur Dugdale at Eggington Hall, Eggington in Derbyshire, a country house set in 18 acres of parkland. The hall was demolished in 1954.

                       Elmton Red Cross Hospital was located in Clowne near Bolsover, Derbyshire.

                       St. Johns VAD Hospital Creswell was opened in 1914 in the Boys Brigade, Creswell Drill Hall on Elmton Road, today known as Creswell Social Centre.

                       Foremarke Hall Hospital was located in Foremarke Hall, near Milton in Derbyshire. Today the Hall is home to Repton Preparatory School.

                       Frith Knoll Red Cross Hospital was located on Eccles Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith.

                       Ilkeston Hospital on Heanor Road, Ilkeston in Derbyshire provided military beds for wounded and sick soldiers.

                       Dore Red Cross VAD Hospital was located in the chapel on Abbeydale Road, today used as a Royal Mail Sorting office. An annexe was opened in the nearby Masonic Hall.

                       Normanton Barracks Hospital at Normanton Barracks, the headquarters of the Sherwood Foresters in Derby provided treatment for wounded and sick soldiers during the Great War. The building was demolished in 1981 and the site is now occupied by Foresters Leisure Park.

                       Ashbourne Red Cross VAD Hospital was located in Century Hall on Station Road, Ashbourne.

                       Chesterfield Red Cross Hospital, opened in the Trinity Institute and later transferred to Ashgate House, Chesterfield.

                       Bakewell Red Cross VAD Hospital was located on Baslow Road, Bakewell and provided 60 beds.

                       Duffield Red Cross VAD Hospital was located in the newly built Church Hall on King Street in Duffield. It opened in November 1914 and closed in 1919. Today the property is a private residence.

                       Hathersage Red Cross Hospital in Hathersage provided 37 beds and was affiliated to the 3rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

                       Long Eaton Red Cross Hospital opened in Trent College and later transferred to Christ Church Sunday School on College Street, Long Eaton.

                       Ockbrook Red Cross Hospital was located in the Moravian Lecture Hall, 3 The Settlement, Ockbrook, a building which had been built as a Sunday School and is now a community hall. The Commandant was Miss Nelson.

                       Spondon Red Cross Hospital was located at Spondon House, Spondon.

                       New Mills Red Cross Hospital was located at Albert House, Buxton Road, Newtown, New Mills, with an annexe at The Beeches. 40 Beds were provided.

                       Smalley Hall Red Cross Hospital was at Smalley Hall, Smalley, Derbyshire.

                       St. Johns VAD Hospital Derby opened in 1915 in the County Cricket Pavilion at the Racecourse Ground. In 1917 it moved to Mill Hill Lane, Derby.

                       Grafton House, Buxton in Derbyshire was used by St Johns's Ambulance as a hospital during the Great War.

                       St. Johns VAD Hospital in Buxton opened in the Royal Exchange Buildings in 1914 and moved to Holker House, Hardwick Mount in 1917 then later to The Balmoral. it was run by the 8th Derby Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Barnstaple V.A.D. Hospital was located in The Miller Institute in Barnstaple, today the building is Yeo Vale school.

                       Budleigh Salterton V.A.D Hospital was located at Serai, 11 Sherbrook Hill in Budleigh Salterton, the home of Col. Barton. The hospital provided 20 beds and was run by Mrs Harriet Barton from the outbreak of war until January 1919.

                       Western Lodge Military Hospital was located in Crediton.

                       Crediton V.A.D. hospital was located in the workhouse infirmary at Crediton.

                       Dawlish V.A.D. Hospital provided beds for wounded soldiers during the Great War.

                       Exmouth V.A.D. Hospital was run by the local Red Cross detachment.

                       Honiton V.A.D. Hospital was loacted in Honiton, Devon.

                       Ilfracombe V.A.D. Hospital was located at Westwell Hall a Victorian gothic house in Torrs Park, Ilfracombe. Today the building is a hotel.

                       Instow V.A.D Hospital was in Devon.

                       Ivybridge V.A.D Hospital was located at Stowford Lodge, Ivybridge in Devon, now renamed Stowford Manor. The hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Kingsbridge V.A.D Hospital was located at Collapit Creek House on the edge of the creek near Kingsbridge Estuary in Devon.

                       Northam V.A.D. Hospital was located at Commons, Northam in Devon.

                       Okehampton Artillery Camp Hospital was located within the military camp near Okehampton.

                       Okehampton V.A.D. Hospital was located at Dartmoor House in Okehampton.

                       Plymouth Naval Hospital at Stonehouse, Plymouth opened in 1765 and provided 1,200 beds in sixty wards across ten blocks. The hospital closed in 1995 and has been converted into a residential complex named Millfields.

                       Plymouth V.A.D. Hospital opened in the Drill Hall on Millbay Road, Millbay in Plymouth, which was the HQ of the 2nd Wessex Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.

                       Plympton V.A.D. Hospital was located at Mount Priory, Plympton in Plymouth.

                       Town Hall Hospital, was located in Torquay Town Hall on the corner of Union Street Torquay. staffed by the Red Cross it provided 50 beds, the first convoy of wounded, 40 men, arrived from France on a hospital train on the 21st of October 1914. Additional beds were provided by an annexe at The Mount which later moved to Rockwood House.

                       Stoodley Knowle Hospital for Officers was located at Stoodley Knowle the home of Torquay's MP Colonel Burn and run by his wife and daughter. The first patients, 8 British Officers arrived on the 21st of October 1914 on a hospital-train which pulled into Torre station.

                       Western Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the Western Hospital for Consumptives, Torquay with an annexe at Underwood.

                       Salcombe V.A.D. Hospital was located at Overbecks, Sharpitor, Salcombe, overlooking the Salcombe Estuary. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       Seaton and District V.A.D. Hospital was located at Ryalls Court, Seaton in Devon.

                       Sidmouth Officers Treatment Centre was located at The Baths, Victorian hot and cold Brine Baths situated towards the western end of Regency Esplanade in Sidmouth. Today the building is the Kingswood Hotel.

                       Sidmouth V.A.D. Hospital was located at The Beacon, Sidmouth, a thatched house on the south side of Peak Hill Road which backs onto the beach.

                       Peak House Auxiliary Hospital on Cotmaton Road, Sidmouth provided 100 beds for wounded soldiers. The property was loaned to the Red Cross by Thomas Dewey, President of the Prudential Assurance Company.

                       Tavistock V.A.D. Hospital was run by the local Red Cross Detatchment.

                       Tiverton V.A.D. Hospital was located at Knightshayes Court, a large country house near Tiverton. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       Topsham V.A.D. Hospital was located in Riversmeet Terrace, Topsham, Devon.

                       Torrington V.A.D. Hospital was located in Sydney House, Great Torrington, loaned to the Red Cross by William Vaughan JP. At it's peak 100 beds were provided. The property was demolished following a fire in 1942, today the site is the entrance to South Street Car Park.

                       Totnes V.A.D. Hospital was located at Follaton House, Totnes. Today the property is in use as council offices.

                       Uplyme V.A.D Hospital was located at Rhode House, a Georgian Mansion on Rhode Hill, Uplyme near Lyme Regis in Devon.

                       No.1 V.A.D Hospital, Exeter was located in the West of England Eye Hospital. Today the building is a luxury hotel.

                       No.2 V.A.D Hospital, Exeter was located in the The Episcopal Modern School, later known as Bishop Blackhall School.

                       No.3 V.A.D Hospital, Exeter was located in the newly built Children's Home of Exeter Workhouse on Heavitree Lane, Exeter, later known as the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

                       No.4 V.A.D Hospital, Exeter was located in Topsham Barracks on Topsham Road, Exeter.

                       No.5 V.A.D. Hospital, Exeter was located in Bradninch Hall, a Georgian Building off Castle Street, Exeter.

                       Bigadon V.A.D Hospital for Officers was located at Bigadon House, in a country estate near Buckfastleigh in Devon. The house was demolished in the mid 20th Century.

                       Yealmpton V.A.D Hospital was located at Puslinch House, above the River Yelm near Puslinch Bridge, Yealmpton. It was loaned by the Yonge family.

                       Church Street Military Hospital was opened at 4 Church Street, Dorchester. The commandant was Mrs Nora Acland, wife of Capt John Acland who was the Chairman of the Dorset County Hospital management committee.

                       Colliton House Red Cross Hospital on Glyde Path Road, Dorchester was associated with the Dorset County Hospital. Today the property is in use as a country club.

                       Beaucroft Auxiliary Hospital was situated at Beaucroft House on Beaucroft Lane, Wimborne Minster.

                       Branksome Gate Hospital for Officers opened in June 1916 at Branksome Gate on Western Avenue, Branksome Park, Bournemouth.

                       Buckland Ripers Red Cross Hospital was located in Buckland Ripers in Dorset.

                       Chetnole VAD Hospital opened Hill House in Yetminster on the 31st of October 1914. Staffed by Dorset 64 Voluntary Air Detachment, the Commandant was Mrs Mildred Alexander of The Grange, Chetnole. On the 29th of March 1915 the hospital relocated to The Grange, Chetnole. The hospital closed on the 12th of December 1918 having provided treatment for 573 patients, with only one death.

                       Cluny Auxiliary Hospital was located at 20 Cluny Crescent, Swanage. Today the property is YHA Swanage.

                       Compton House Red Cross Hospital was opened on the 30th of March 1915 at Compton House near Sherbourne in Dorset. The was Commandant Mrs Caroline Goodden MBE of Compton House. Before it closed on the 18th of January 1919 the hospital treated 448 convalescent patients.

                       Crag Head Red Cross Hospital opened in October 1914 at Crag Head on Manor Road, Bournmouth and was a convalescent home for recovering soldiers who had been treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley. 100 beds in 14 wards were provided. The hospital was closed in December 1918. The building was was demolished in 1972, the site is now occupied by a a block of apartments.

                       Fifehead House Auxiliary Hospital was located in Fifehead House at Fifehead Magdalen between Shafsbury and Sherborne in Dorset. The manor house was situated to the east of the church, today only the gate posts and garden walls remain.

                       Grata Quies Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 21st of November 1914 at 29 Western Avenue, Branksome Park, Borunmouth in Dorset. Initially providing 40 beds, increasing to 70 by May 1915. The hospital closed on 18th of March 1919.

                       Greenhill Military Hospital opened in Sherborne School Sanatorium in Acreman Street, Sherborne on the 31st of October 1914, providing 22 beds staffed by the Dorset 70 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant was Mrs Frances McAdam of Greenhill House. In January 1915 to it moved to Greenhill Court, Greenhill and in May 1916 capacity was increased by the addition of open-air treatment revolving huts in the garden of Greenhill House (now known as The Green, Hospital Lane). The hospital closed on the 10th of December 1918, having treated 904 patients with only five deaths.

                       Holnest Military Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 24th of March 1915 at Chantmarle Manor, Cattistock staffed by Dorset 94 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant Lady Lilian Digby of Lewcombe Manor, Dorchester. In November 1915 it moved to Holnest House, Sherbourne. In total 1134 patients were treated with one only death, the hospital closed on the 20th of January 1919.

                       Iwerne Minster Auxiliary Hospital, was located in the village of Iwerne Minster near Blandford in Dorset.

                       Leweston Manor Military Hospital opened on the 14th of September 1914 was run by Commandant Mrs Ada Hamilton Fletcher of Leweston Manor and staffed by Dorset 8 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed on the 1st of April 1915. following the death of the Commandant’s son, 2nd Lt Gareth Hamilton Fletcher, of the Grenadier Guards.

                       Massandra V.A.D. Hospital was located at 16 Greenhill, Weymouth, an imposing five story house on the sea front.

                       Mount Hospital for Officers was located in Parkstone, Dorset.

                       Newton Red Cross Hospital was loacted at Newton Farm, Sturminster-Marshall in Dorset.

                       Plank House Red Cross Hospital was located at Plank House, Wyke Street in Gillingham, Dorset.

                       Wimborne Red Cross Hospital was in Wimborne, Dorset

                       Ryme Red Cross Hospital was located on Old Castle Road, Weymouth in Dorset.

                       Sandacres Hospital for Officers was located on Shore Road, Parkstone. Today the building is in use as a local supermarket.

                       South Lychett Red Cross Hospital opened at South Lychett Manor off Dorchester Road, Lytchett Minster near Poole and provided 40 beds. The estate is currently home to a caravan and camping site.

                       Springfield Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located at Springfield on Castle Hill, Parkstone in Dorset.

                       St Johns V.A.D. Hospital Weymouth was located on Glendinning Avenue in Weymouth.

                       St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles in Dorset, the seat of the Earl of Shaftesbury provided rooms for a Military Hospital during the Great War.

                       Station Road Auxiliary Hospital, at 9 Station Road, Gillingham opened on the 21st of October 1914 and treated 792 patients before the hospital closed on the 6th of March 1919. An annexe was opened in the building which is now The Royal British Legion Club on School Lane.

                       Studland House Hospital for Officers overlooked Studland Bay in Dorset.

                       The Castle Auxiliary Hospital, opened on the 31st of October 1914 at Sherborne Castle, which was built in 1594 by Sir Walter Raleigh, the home of the Wingfield-Digby family. Mrs Gwendoline Wingfield-Digby was the vice president of the Sherbourne Division of the Red Cross. The Commandant Mrs Frances Mary Holford-Hardman and the hospital was staffed by the Dorset 2 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In November 1916 the hospital moved to The Cedars in Long Street, Sherborne. In total 898 patients were treated before the hospital closed on 8th of March 1919.

                       The Convent Auxiliary Hospital was located on Carlton Road North in Weymouth. The building was home to the Convent of the Sacred Heart School until 1992.

                       The Garden Hospital was located in Upwey, Dorset.

                       The Retreat Auxiliary Hospital was in Bell Street, Shaftesbury. Today the building is a guest house.

                       Trent Auxiliary Hospital was located at Flamberts, Trench near Sherborne. It opened on the 24th of March 1915 taking convalescent cases, it was upgraded to a Class A hospital in March 1917 and received patients direct from Cosham Military Hospital, Portsmouth. The hospital closed on the 17th of August 1917.

                       Lulworth V.A.D. Hospital was located at Lulworth near Wareham in Dorset.

                       Sturminster Newton V.A.D. Hospital was located in Sturminster Newton, Dorset.

                       Mere VAD Hospital was located in the The Grove Building, Mere in Dorset.

                       Ropner Red Cross Hospital was located at Ropner Convalescent Home in Middleton St George. It was staffed by the 24th Durham Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Ashburne Red Cross Hospital was located at Ashburne House on Ryhope Road in Sunderland loaned to the Red Cross by William and Arthur Backhouse. The hospital was staffed by the 25th Durham Voluntary Aid Detachment andopened on the 20th of October 1914 with 41 beds. Capacity was increased to 58 and an operating theatre was added over the winter of 1915-1916, the hospital re-opened on 19th of February 1916. Today the building is used by Sunderland University.

                       Shotley Bridge Red Cross Hospital was staffed by the 27th Durham V.A.D. and was was located at Benfieldside House in Shotley Bridge. The property was demolished in the 1960s and houses have been built on the site.

                       Seaham Hall Red Cross Hospital was staffed by the 28th Durham V.A.D. and was located at Seaham Hall, Seaham Harbour. Today the property is a hotel.

                       North Bailey Red Cross Hospital was located at 17 North Bailey in Durham City and staffed by the 5th Durham V.A.D. Today the Georgian building is part of St Chad's College, Durham University.

                       Woodside Red Cross Hospital was located at Woodside, a large house on the high ground between Consicliffe Road and Blackwell Lane in Darlington. The house was loaned to the Red Cross by the Pease family and the hospital was staffed by the 6th Durham V.A.D. The property was demolished in the 1920's and the site is now occupied by housing

                       Brancepeth Castle Red Cross Hospital was located in Brancepeth Castle, the home of Viscount Boyne. 126 beds were provided in one wing of the house and revolving huts built in the grounds. It was staffed by the 7th Durham V.A.D.

                       West Hartlepool Red Cross Hospital was staffed by the 8th Durham V.A.D. and was located at Normanhurst on Wooler Road in West Hartlepool, loaned by the shipbuilder William Cresswell Gray. Today the building is the White House pub.

                       Chilton Moor Red Cross Hospital was staffed by the 9th Durham V.A.D. and was located in The Long Room at Chilton Moor.

                       Saltwell Towers St John's Ambulance Brigade Hospital, was located at Saltwell Towers in Saltwell Park Gateshead. In teh 1930's the property became a museum, today the gothic mansion is a visitor centre and wedding venue.

                       Malton VAD Hospital opened on the 26th of February 1915, at Arncliffe House in York Road, Malton, the family home of William Lupton, wool merchant in Leeds. His daughter Agnes was Commandant of the 23 bed hospital. 500 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 8th of January 1919.

                       Earls Colne Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall on York Road, Earls Colne. The Commandant was Miss Thyra Heyworth and it was staffed by the 9th Essex Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital opened on the 13th of November 1914 and at its peak provided 45 beds, closing on the 22nd of February 1919.

                       Witham Auxiliary Hospital, also known as The Bridge School Hospital, was located in the hospital wing of The Bridge School on Hatfield Road, Witham and opened in October 1914. A Red Cross Depot and Work Party was also run on the site which had previously been the Witham Union Workhouse. At its peak the hospital provided 34 beds, under the Commandant, Miss C. Gimson. The hospital closed in March 1919.

                       Braeside Red Cross Hospital was located at Braeside, 1 Connaught Road in Loughton, today named Godiva House.

                       Brookfield Red Cross Hospital was located in the grounds of Brookfield House, Oak Hill, near Hale End. Thomas Armstrong of Brookfield House, reputedly paid for the brick building which was opened by the Countess of Warwick on the 15th of April 1916, though the hospital seems to have been in use, likely in hutted accommodation from early 1915. 30 beds were provided in the airy new ward, equipment and running costs were funded by the Hale End District Association. The Red Cross Hospital closed in February 1919, but the building remained in medical use for a time as an admissions ward for Walthamstow Isolation Hospital in Chingford and from 1923 until 1939 as the Brookfield Orthopaedic Hospital and School for Crippled Children. The building was demolished in the 1950s and Brookfield House School was built on the site.

                       Budworth Hall Auxiliary Hospital was opened in Budworth Hall on the High Street, Chipping Ongar in 1915, initially providing 35 beds. It was staffed by the Essex 32 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The number of beds was increased to 51 and in 1917 to 60, with the building being extended to accommodate the additional ward. The Hospital closed on 22nd of January 1919, having treated 1,333 soldiers.

                       Colchester Military Hospital was part of Colchester Barracks and was equipped with 221 beds. The hospital closed in 1977.

                       Coombe Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Coombe Lodge, Great Warley in Essex loaned by Mr Evelyn Heseltine, whose daughter Mrs. Muriel De Rougemont was Commandant. Opening in November 1914,the hospital was staffed by the Essex 18 Voluntary Aid Detachment. Today the building is known as The Squirrels and is in use as a nursing home.

                       Down Hall Military Hospital was opened at Down Hall near Harlow, the home of Mrs Louisa Calverley who acted as Persident. Today the mansion is a luxury hotel.

                       Greenstead Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Greenstead Hall, Greenstead Green near Halstead in Essex. The house was loaned by Claude Shoolbred and his wife Eleanor was the commandant, the hospital was sometimes referred to as Mrs. Shoolbred’s convalescent hospital. The hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Guisnes Court V.A.D. hospital was loacted at Guisnes Court off Back Lane, Tolleshunt D’Arcy, loaned to the Red Cross by Thomas Binney and his wife Susan. Opening on the 28th of June 1915, it was staffed by the Essex 24 Voluntary Aid Detachment and provided 20 beds. The hospital closed in December 1918.

                       Hanover House V.A.D. Hospital opened in April 1915 at Hanover House on High Road, Woodford Wells in Essex. It was staffed by Essex 6 Voluntary Aid Detachment and initially provided 15 beds. 120 patients were treated before the hospital closed in January 1918.

                       Hillsborough Red Cross Hospital was located at Hillsborough House, Churchgate Street in Harlow, loaned by Captain Seymour Gosling. The Hospital opened on the 21st of November 1914 and closed in February 1919.

                       Ingatestone Court Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ingatestone Court, the home of Captain and Mrs. Wigan. 20 beds were provided.

                       Ivylands Auxiliary Hospital opened at Ivylands on Bridge Road in Moreton, Essex.

                       Marshalls Park Auxiliary Hospital was located off North Street, Romford, Essex. The property as the home of Mrs McIntosh, the Vice-President of the Romford Division of the British Red Cross Society. Staffed by the Essex 51 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 20 beds. After the war, houses were build in the grounds, the driveway becoming The Avenue. Marshalls house was demolished in 1959, a school being built on the site.

                       Newbury Park Military Hospital was located in Ilford Emergency Hospital on Abbey Road, Newbury Park, which was taken over almost entirely as a military hospital in May 1915. The hospital returned to civilian use in March 1919.

                       Oakwood VAD Hospital was located on High Road, Chigwell and opened in opened in March 1915. It was staffed by the Essex 82 voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed in February 1919.

                       Ormonde House Auxiliary Hospital on High Road, Buckhurst Hill opened in 1914 and provided 31 beds. The site is now occupied by houses in Forest Side and Ormonde Rise.

                       Overcliffe Red Cross Hospital opened in January 1915 in the Overcliff Hotel on the Leas, Westcliff.

                       Rivercourt Red Cross Hospital was located at Rivercourt, 19 Fullbridge Street Maldon and opened in August 1914 providing 30 beds. In 1915 an annexe was opened in the newly built Baptist Sunday School on Butt Lane with a further 24 beds.

                       St Laurence V.A.D. Hospital was located at St Laurence’s Church Hall on Corbets Tey Road, Upminster. It opened in 1914 as a Convalescent Home for the wounded, funded by the local community. It was taken over by the Red Cross as class B hospital for ambulant patients patients from the Colchester Military Hospital.

                       Stanstead Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in the home silk mill owner Samuel Courtauld at Stanstead Hall on Stanstead Hall Road, Greenstead Green near Halstead. Mrs. Elizabeth Courtauld was the commandant and nursing staff were provided from those employed at the owner's Halstead Courtauld factory.

                       Stanway Rectory V.A.D. Hospital was located at Stanway Rectory, Church Lane in Stanway and provided 20 beds. The property was loaned to the Red Cross by Rev. Richard Hartley O’Reilly and his wife Bertha. Today the building is Comrie House, part of St. Mary’s School.

                       The Glen Red Cross Hospital was located in The Glen on the corner of Southchurch Road and Southchurch Avenue in Westcliffe-on-Sea and opened in October 1914 with 50 beds staffed by Essex 34 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It was later taken over by Essex 28 VAD and expanded to 116 beds.

                       Theydon and Grays Retreat Auxiliary Hospital was located at Theydon and Grays Retreats, large tearooms, Greys offered a playground with a helter skelter, situated either side of Coppice Row, near the church in Theydon Bois, Essex. Theydon Retreat was owned by Riggs who operated a number of similar facilities in Epping Forest. Greys Retreat was destroyed by a parachute mine during WW2.

                       Theydon Towers Hospital opened in November 1914 at Theydon Towers off Theydon Road, Theydon Bois, the mansion being loaned by the Soper brothers. Staffed by Essex 48 Voluntary Detachment, 40 beds were initially provided. After the war the property became a convalescence home for children and today has been converted into apartments.

                       Thorpe Le Soken Auxiliary Hospital was located at Thorpe Hall off Frinton Road, Thorpe Le Soken in Essex. The mansion was demolished in the early 2000's and the site is now occupied by a hotel and spa, much of the orignial gardens remain.

                       Town Hall Hospital, Waltham Abbey was situated in the Town Hall on Highbridge Street, opposite Waltham Abbey Church. The hospital opened on the 10th of December 1914 providing 32 beds, staffed by the Essex 16 Voluntary Aid Detachment, the Commandant was Honoria Mary Fisher. In 1917 the number of beds incraesed to 50 and a hut was later added to accommodate a further 14. Today the building is home to Holy Cross Council offices.

                       Braintree VAD Hospital was opened in the Boardroom building of the Braintree Union Workhouse on Rayne Road, Braintree. The commandant was Mrs Maud Gold. It opened on 31st of May 1915 and 587 patients were treated before it closed on 8th of February 1919.

                       Valentine Mansions Auxiliary Hospital was located in Valentine Mansions off Emerson Road, Ilford. It was staffed by the local branch of St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Walden Place Red Cross Hospital at Waldon Place, off the High Street in Saffron Walden opened on the 16th of May 1915. The Commandant was Mrs J Atkinson. The hospital closed in May 1919 having treated 1,101 patients.

                       Wethersfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wethersfield Place, Wethersfield in Essex, the house being loaned to the Red Cross by Mr. Simmons. The hospital opened on the 5th of November 1914. The Red Lion Inn on the Green is reported to have been used as an annexe.

                       South Woodford Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Woodford Memorial Hall on High Road, South Woodford.

                       Woodhouse Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodhouse Farm on Coach Road, Great Horkesley in Essex. It was accommodated in a barn which was loaned by Col. H. J. Lermitte and his wife Susan was Commandant of the hospital which opened on the 22nd of October 1914 providing 15 beds. Capacity later increased to 60 beds and 1,522 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 15th of April 1919.

                       Hylands Military Hospital at Hylands House, Writtle near Chelmsford opened on the 14th of August 1914, the ground floor of the house being converted into a military hospital by the owner Sir Daniel Gooch. 20 beds were initially provided. Over 1500 patients were treated before the hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Abbotswood Red Cross Hospital was located at Abbotswood, near Upper Swell, Stow-on-the-Wold, the house was loaned by business man Mark Fenwick. The hospital was ready for use in October 1914, but was not required until 27th of February 1915. In early 1916 it moved to Kitebrook, Moreton-in-Marsh.

                       Kitebrook Red Cross Hospital, Moreton-in-Marsh opened in early 1916, when the the hospital moved from Abbotswood, Stow-on-the-Wold, lent by Mr Freer. The majority of the staff moved with the hospital. At its closure on the 20th of December 1918 the hospital provided 70 beds and 1037 patients had been treated across both sites. Today Kitebrook House is in use as a prep school.

                       Moorend Park VAD Hospital, Charlton Kings opened on the 5th of November 1914, providing 40 beds. The Commandant was Miss S. H. Smith. In May 1915 it moved to The Abbots in Cheltenham where the number of beds could be increased to 50.

                       The Priory VAD Hospital opened in Cheltenham in October 1916 when the hospital moved from The Abbotts into the larger property The Priory which was the Hostel of St. Paul's Training College on the corner of London Road and Priory Street. The number of beds was increased from 50 to 100 and outpatients were also treated. The Commandant was Miss S. H. Smith it was staffed by the Gloucester 30 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In total the hospital treated 1603 patents between 1914 and 1919 with 20 deaths. The Priory was demolished in 1967, replaced by a concrete office block, but in 2000 was rebuilt to a similar plan to the original building.

                       Winchcombe Red Cross Hospital was located in the The Unionist Workmen's Club on the corner of Abbey Terrace and Vineyard Street in Winchcombe and the old Infant Schoolroom a few hundred yards away. Opening on the 16th of May 1915 with 45 beds, it was staffed by the Gloucestershire 6 Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Commandant was Miss E. Wedgwood. 809 patients were treated before the hospital closed in early 1919.

                       Bitton Red Cross Hospital was located at Beach House, Bitton lent by Mr Walker. The Hospital opened on the 17th of March 1915 and provided 35 beds. The Commandant was Mrs Walker and it was staffed by the Gloucester 100 Voluntary Aid Detachment and a few staff from Glous 44 VAD. It was a class B hospital taking convalescent patients mainly from Cleve Hill and Horton Hospitals.

                       Bingham Hall Red Cross Hospital opened in Bingham Hall on King Street, Cirencester on the 10th of December 1914 providing 85 beds. Patients arrived direct from Southampton and the hospital was staffed by Gloucester 84 Voluntary Aid Detachment, the Commandant was Mrs Swanwick. The hospital closed on the 31st of December 1918 having treated 1852 patients. The hall was built in 1908 as a gift to the town and included an indoor rifle range and a hall used for sports, social events and theatre performances, it remains in this use today.

                       Boddington Red Cross Hospital opened on the 25th of March 1915 in Staverton Vicarage providing 18 Class B beds for convalescent patients mainly from Gloucester Red Cross Hospital. Staffed by Gloucester 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment, the Commandant was Mrs R. E. Grice-Hutchinson. 484 patients were treated before the hospital closed in December 1918.

                       Nailsworth Red Cross Hospital opened on the 20th of March 1915 at Chestnut Hill in Nailsworth loaned by Mr Clissold. The Class B convalescent hospital provided 25 beds for patients were transferred mainly from Cirencester and Stroud Hospitals. The Commandant was Mrs Wilson and it was staffed by the Gloucester 54 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Cleve Hill Red Cross Hospital, was located at Cleve Hill, a large house in Downend near Fishponds to the east of Bristol. The hospital opened on the 27th of October 1914 and provided 100 beds, staffed by members of the Gloucseter 74, 22 and 98 Voluntary Aid Detachments. The house was loaned by Sir Charles Cave and his wife was the Commandant. The hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919 having treated 1343 patients.

                       Copse Hill Red Cross Hospital was located at Copse Hill House, Lower Slaughter near Bourton-on-the-Water, loaned to the Red Cross by Captain Brassey. Opening on the 7th of May 1915, it provided 50 convalescent beds, staffed by Gloucester 54 Voluntary Aid Detachment under the Commandant Miss Agnes Witts.

                       Forthampton Court Hospital for Officers was located at Forthampton Court in Forthampton, near Tewkesbury, it provided 20 beds for convalescent officers and was run by the Yorke family and their staff without assistance from the VAD. 104 patients were treated and the hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919.

                       Gloucester Red Cross Hospital opened on the 21st of October 1914 in the newly built infirmary building of the Gloucester Union Workhouse. Staffed by Gloucester 32 & 60 Voluntary Aid Detachments, the Commandants were Mrs Lee-Williams and later Mrs E. B. Evans. Initially 60 beds were provided in two wards, but the other wards of the building were taken over and a hutted ward built taking the number of beds to 272. The hospital closed on the 26th of March 1919 having treated 4822 patients. The building became part of the Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary.

                       Harley House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Harley House in Chipping Sodbury.

                       Horton Red Cross Hospital was located in the home of Mr Hugh Harford at Horton near Chipping Sodbury, his wife was the Commandant. Opening on the 24th of October 1914 with 28 beds, it was staffed by the Gloucester 24 Voluntary Aid Detachment. 338 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 26th of February 1917 when Mr Harford was taken ill.

                       Leckhampton Red Cross Hospital was located at Leckhampton Court in Leckhampton near Cheltenham, the home of Major Cecil Elwes of the Gloucestershire Yeomanry who was serving overseas. 100 beds were provided, being ready for patients by the 1st November 1914, staffed by the Gloucester 40 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant was Mrs Ward. The first patients arrived on the 27th of February 1915 and 1579 wounded were treated before the hospital closed in March 1919.

                       Tewkesbury Red Cross Hospital opened on the 13th of November 1914, with 35 beds in the Watson Memorial Hall and 15 beds in the Rural Hospital, Tewkesbury. Staffed by the Gloucester 12 Voluntary Aid Detachment, accommodation was cramped and expansion was impossible. In May 1915 the hospital moved to Mitton Farm, a large house on the outskirts of town loaned by Lord Coventry and capacity was increased to 60 beds. The hospital closed on the 2nd of Jan 1919 having treated 1188 patients.

                       Naunton Park Red Cross Hospital opened on the 12th of June 1915 in Naunton Park Council Schools in Cheltenham, staffed by the Gloucester 106 Voluntary Aid Detachment. 2751 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 29th of December 1918. Today the building remain in use as a school.

                       New Court Red Cross Hospital opened on the 21st of October 1914 at New Court, a large house on Lansdown Place, Cheltenham providing 55 beds. The Commandant was Miss A. C. King and it was staffed by the Gloucester 16 Voluntary Aid Detachment. By the time the hospital closed on the 18th of December 1918, the number of beds had increased to 90 and a total of 1697 patients had been treated.

                       Norton Hall Red Cross Hospital opened at Norton Hall, Chipping Campden on the 11th of November 1914. The Commandant was Miss Maye Bruce, daughter of the owner Sam Bruce who was living in London. The hospital provided 50 beds staffed by the Gloucester 64 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The number of beds was been increased to 65, with additional beds provided in tented wards during the summer taking the maximum to 110. By the time the hospital closed on the 26th of March 1919, 2029 patients had been treated.

                       Badminton Red Cross Hospital opened on the 9th of November 1914 at Portcullis House, next to the railway station in Badminton which was loaned by the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. 37 beds were provided, staffed by the Gloucester 4 Voluntary Aid Detachment with and annexe of 13 beds at Hawkesbury from May to September 1917. Between 10th of August 1915 and 15th of December 1915 Badminton became an annexe to Roehampton Hospital caring for limbless patients who were waiting for admission to the specialist centre at Roehampton. The Hospital closed on the 28th of December 1918 having treated 510 patients.

                       Racecourse Red Cross Hospital opened on the 28th of October 1914 in the grandstand of Cheltenham Racecourse at Prestbury Park, Cheltenham. The Commandant was Miss Ratcliff and it was staffed by members of the Gloucester 14, 18 and 50 Voluntary Aid Detachments. 100 beds were provided, increasing to 150 in April 1917 and to 200 1918. Huts and revolving shelters were erected to provide additional accommodation, the viewing balconies of the grandstand were used for open air treatments. The hospital closed on the 26th of March 1919 having treated 3169 patients.

                       Lydney Red Cross Hospital opened on the 28th of October 1914 in the Cottage Hospital and Town Hall with 45 beds across the two sites, staffed by the Gloucester 102 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The number of beds was increased when part of the secondary school next door to the Town hall was taken over by the hospital, in July 1916 another 36 were added at Redhill, loaned by Lord Bledisloe and a further 40 were added in November at the Craft School loaned by the County Education Committee. By the time the hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919, it could offer 236 in various buildings, all under one administration. A total of 3048 patients were treated at this hospital.

                       St. Briavels Red Cross Hospital was a convalencent hospital located at The Ghyll House, St. Briavels in the Forest of Dean, the newly built house was loaned by Mr Lamb. Opening on the 17th of March 1915, it provided 20 beds and was staffed by the Gloucester 104 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       St. Johns VAD Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 in St. John's School on Gloucester Road in Cheltenham. Initially providing 120 beds, later increased to 180, it was staffed by the Gloucester 108 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed on the 31st of January 1919 having treated 2995 patients. The school was demolished in 2003 and houses now occupy the site.

                       St. Martins Red Cross Hospital opened on the 23rd of June 1915 at Eversleigh in Parabola Road, Cheltenham, loaned by Cheltenham Ladies' College, who still use the building today. The hospital provided 40 beds and was staffed by former pupils of the Ladies' College, some of whom were members of the Gloucester 68 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In September 1918 the hospital moved to Lisle House on Clarence Square loaned by Mrs James Winterbotham. The hospital closed on the 26th of March 1919 having treated 690 patients, Lisle house then became a 20 bed hospital for paralysed soldiers. Today the property has been converted into flats.

                       Standish Red Cross Hospital opened on the 13th of May 1915 with 100 beds at Standish House, Stonehouse lent by Lord Sherborne. In 1916 and 17 an additional 30 beds were provided in open air wards and other facilities were provided in hutted accommodation in the grounds. The hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919 having treated 2292 patients. Standish House and the facilities in the grounds were then used as a TB hospital and it continued to be used as a hospital until 2004.

                       Suffolk Hall Red Cross Hospital opened on the 19th of December 1914 at Suffolk Hall on Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham which was at that time in use as a boys school. Providing 65 beds, the Commandant was Miss M. Hattersley-Smith and it was staffed by the Gloucester 26 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed on the 29th of March 1919 having treated 1368 patients.

                       Stroud Red Cross Hospital opened on the October 28th 1914 providing 30 beds in the Trinity Parish Rooms and 10 in the General Hospital nearby. In 1916 a further 60 beds were added at Roxburgh House and a further 5 at the General Hospital. The Commandant was Mrs J. Middleton Martin and it was staffed by the Gloucester 90 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed on the 3rd of January 1919 having treated 1015 patients.

                       1st New Zealand General Hospital opened at Brockenhurst in June 1916, the hospital having previously been used for Indian patients. The main hutted and tented hospital was also known as Lady Hardinge Hospital with sections at Balmerlawn and Forest Park. Over 21,000 patients were treated before the hospital closed at the end of January 1918.

                       U.S.A. Base Hospital No. 33 was located in the Portsmouth Borough Asylum, Portsmouth on the south coast of England from the 3rd of June 1918.

                       4th Canadian General Hospital was located at Park Prewitt, Basingstoke and opened in September 1917. The hospital closed in June 1919.

                       Hayling Island Red Cross Hospital was located at No.s 7 and 8 The Crescent on Hayling Island.

                       Alexandra Military Hospital was built in 1907 on Portsdown Hill near Cosham. In 1926 it was taken over by the Ministry of Pensions for the care of disabled ex-servicemen and transferred to the NHS in 1951. Today it is known as the Queen Alexandra Hospital and has been completely rebuilt.

                       Alresford Place Auxiliary Hospital was located in Alresford Place, a large house built as Alresford Rectory in 1740. Today the property is owned by the Diocese of Winchester and is used as a conference centre.

                       Alton Red Cross Hospital was located in the Assembly Rooms off the High Street in Alton. The hospital opened in November 1914 and closed in January 1919.

                       Alverstoke VAD Hospital was run the the St John's Ambulance Brigade and was located in Stokesmead, the Alverstoke National Children's Home on Clayhall Road.

                       Chewton Lodge Auxiliary Hospital for Officers was located at Chewton Lodge, Highcliffe in Christchurch, with an annexe at Mount Joy.

                       Barnfield Red Cross Hospital was located at Barnfield House in Weston near Southampton. Today the property, now named Barnfield Court, has been converted into flats and the gardens are occupied by a housing estate.

                       Bassett Heath Hospital for Officers was located opposite st Michael's church at Basset Heath off Basset Avenue, Southampton. Today the site is part of the University of Southampton's Glen Eyre Halls.

                       Bere Hill Hospital was located at Berehill House on Newbury Road, Whitchurch. Today the property is Berehill House Care Home.

                       Bighton Wood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bighton Wood House near the village of Bighton in Hampshire.

                       Bishops Court Auxiliary Hospital was in Alresford.

                       Bitterne Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was situated on Westend Road in Bitterne.

                       Blackmoor Red Cross Hospital was located at Blackmoor House, a mansion set in a large deer park near Blackmoor on the western edge of the ancient Woolmer Forest in Hampshire.

                       Branksmere Red Cross Hospital was located at Branksmere on Kent Road, Southsea.

                       Cadland Red Cross Hospital was located at Cadland House, a country house on the Cadland Estate, overlooking the Solent near Fawley in Hampshire. It was loaned by the Drummond Family. The house was demolished in the late 1940s.

                       Cambridge Military Hospital, built in 1879 was located at the Stanhope Lines in Aldershot Garrison. It was the first British hospital to provide plastic surgery, under Captain Harold Gillies and many with facial wounds underwent reconstructive surgery at this hospital.

                       Clayton Court Hospital was located at Clayton Court, Hill Brow near Liss in Hampshire. Today the property is a care home.

                       Coldhayes Red Cross Hospital was located at Coldhayes, Steep in Hampshire, loaned by the Palmer family. The house is on high ground with terraced gardens and is surrounded by a wooded estate. Today the property remains a private family home.

                       Connaught Military Hospital was located at the Marlborough Lines, Aldershot Garrison in Hampshire. Built in the 19th Century, it was a 1100 bed hospital and had a large specialist unit for venereal, mental and prisoner cases as well as general medical beds.

                       Daneshill Red Cross Hospital was located at Daneshill House, Lychpit, built by Edwin Lutyens in 1903 on a ridge overlooking Old Basing, Hampshire. It was loaned to the Red Cross by Mr Walter Hoare. Today it is known as The Manor House, Lychpit and is used as a business centre with office blocks and car parks occupying much of the gardens.

                       Elmsleigh Red Cross Hospital was located in Bassett, Southampton.

                       Fair Mile Red Cross Hospital was located in the Union Workhouse, Christchurch. Today the building is Christchurch Hospital which specialises in rehabilitation.

                       Fareham House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Fareham House in the High Street, Fareham in Hampshire.

                       Farnborough Court Auxiliary Hospital was located at Farnborough Court, a large mansion set in 12 acres near St Michael's Abbey, Farnborough in Hampshire. The property was demolished after the second world war and today the site is occupied by housing.

                       Yateley Auxiliary Hospital was opened with 20 beds on 5th October 1914 at The Vicarage on Vicarage Road, now named Glebe House. A 10 bed annexe was also opened at Fir Grove House, Eversley, now named Firgrove Manor. The hospital was staffed by the Hants 94 Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Commandant was Miss Jubb. On the 25th January 1917, the Hospital moved to Yateley Lodge, Cricket Hill. It closed in December 1917.

                       Fir Grove Auxiliary Hospital was located at Fir Grove, Eversley now named Fir Manor, which was was loaned by Miss Anne Tindal. In October 1914 it opened as an annexe to Yateley Auxiliary Hospital, providing one ward with 10 beds, known as Fir Grove Ward, and staffed by the Hants 94 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In 1915 the number of beds was increased to 21. In 1917 Yatley Auxiliary Hospital was forced to move premises and about this time Fir Grove became a separate hospital, with the number of beds being increased to 41. It closed on the 31st of January 1919.

                       Golden Fields Auxiliary Hospital was located at Golden Fields, a large house with a clock tower in the village of Liphook, Hampshire.

                       No.1 Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Omer in November 1914 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Escaudoeuvres. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.2 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Bailleul in August 1914 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Valencienne and later moving into Germany. The wounded, having already had wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick, referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.3 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in August 1914 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Caudry. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.4 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Poperinghe in October 1914 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Solesmes. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.5 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in August 1914 and made a number of moves before the end of the conflict. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.6 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Merville in September 1914 and made a number of moves ending the war at Bois de Montigny. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.7 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Merville in December 1914 and made a number of moves ending the war at Ligny St Flochel. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.8 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Bailleul in January 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Les Trois Tilleuls. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.9 Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Omer in December 1914 and made a number of moves before the Armistice. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the CCS behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.10 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in April 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Tourcoing. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.11 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Doullens Citadel in June 1916 and made a number of moves ending the war at St Andre. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.12 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in June 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Tincourt. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.13 Casualty Clearing Station opened in Egypt, moved to France in July 1916 and made a number of moves ending the war at Ascq. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.15 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in July 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Don. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.17 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in July 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Les Trois Tilleuls. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.18 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Lapugnoy in August 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Ytres. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.19 (2/1st Northumbrian) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Doullens in September 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Caudry. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.20 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Warlencourt in July 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Bohain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.21 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Corbie in April 1916 and made a number of moves ending the war at Caudry before moving into Germany. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.22 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Aire in September 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Boisleux au Mont. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.23 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Lozinghem in September 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Auberchicourt. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.24 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Aubigny in September 1915 and moved to Italy in 1917. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.28 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Fouilloy in September 1915. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.29 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Gezaincourt in September 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Delsaux Farm. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.30 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Aubigny in December 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Cambrai. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.32 Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Venant in November 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Lozinghem. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.33 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Bethune in September 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Denain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.34 (1st West Lancashire) Casualty Clearing Station arrived in France in November 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Solesmes. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.35 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Doullens in June 1916 and made a number of moves, going into Germany after the Armistice. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.36 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Heilly in April 1916 and made a number of moves, being at Sweveghem at the Armistice. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.37 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Avesnes in April 1916 and made a number of moves, including a spell in Italy, being at Busigny at the Armistice. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.38 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Heilly in May 1916 and made a number of moves, including a spell in Italy, being at Awoingt at the Armistice. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.39 Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Ouen in May 1916 and made a number of moves, including a spell in Italy. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.41 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Wanquetin in March 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Roisel. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.42 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Aubigny in February 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Douai. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.43 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Frevent in April 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Boisleux. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.44 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Puchevillers in May 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Courtrai. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.45 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Edgehill near Dernancourt in September 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Awoingt. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.46 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Proven in June 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Delsaux Farm. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.47 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hesdin in July 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Bihecourt. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.48 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Grovetown in September 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Charleroi. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.49 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Gezaincourt in July 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Caudry. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.50 (Northumbrian) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Bohain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.51 (Highland) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Lillers in June 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Estaires. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.53 (North Midland) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Bailleul in September 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Roisel. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.54 (1/2nd London) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in April 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Cambrin. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.55 (2/2nd London) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Grovetown in September 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Bohain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.56 (South Midland) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in June 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Bohain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.57 Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Venant in March 1917 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Quevant. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.58 (West Riding) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Lillers in October 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Tincourt. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.59 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hesdin in April 1917 and made a number of moves. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.61 (South Midland) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Resmenil Farm in July 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Bohain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.62 (1/2nd London) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Doullens in May 1917 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Remy Siding. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.63 (1/1st London) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Boubers sur Canche in February 1917 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Ascq. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.64 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Mendighem in July 1917 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Dadizeelehoek. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.83 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Bandagehem in June 1917. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       Meerut Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Venant in September 1915. The wounded, having already had wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick, referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No. 1 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed on 13th of May 1912, when No. 1 Company of the Air Battalion was redesignated. It proceeded to France on the 7th of March 1915 in a mainly reconnaissance, becoming a dedicated fighter squadron on 1st of January 1917. It was redesignated No. 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918 and returned to the UK in March 1919.

                       No. 4 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed at Farnborough in 1912. They proceeded to France in August 1914 for reconnaissance duty. It was redesignated No. 4 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No.8 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Brooklands on 1st of January 1915. It proceeded to France on the 15th of April 1915 in a bombing and reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 8 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918 and moved to Germany with the army of occupation after the Armistice.

                       No. 10 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed on 1st of January 1915 at Farnborough and operated in an observation and bombing role on the Western front. It was redesignated No. 10 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918

                       No. 11 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon on 14th of February 1915 as a fighter squadron and proceeded to France in July. It was redesignated No. 11 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918

                       No. 13 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at RAF Gosport on 10th of January 1915 and proceeded to France in October 1915. Initally undertaking Army co-operation duties and subsequently pioneered formation bombing. It was redesignated No. 13 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 15 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed Farnborough on 1st of March 1915 as a training unit. It proceeded to France on 22nd of December 1915, undertaking a reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 16 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at at Saint-Omer in France on 10th of February 1915 from elements of Nos. 2, 6 and 9 Squadrons. It was redesignated No. 16 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 17 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Gosport in February 1915 and served in the Middle East. It was redesignated No. 17 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 18 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Northolt on 11th of May 1915 and proceeded to France on the 19th of November 1915. It was redesignated No. 18 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 19 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed on the 1st of September 1915 and proceeded to France in July 1916. It was redesignated No. 19 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 21 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon on 23rd of July 1915 and proceeded to France in January 1916 in a reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 21 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 23 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Fort Grange, Gosport on 1st of September 1915 with a nucleus from 13 Squadron and proceeded to France on the 1st of April 1916. It was redesignated No. 23 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 24 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Hounslow Heath on 1st of September 1915 and proceeded to France in February 1916. It was redesignated No. 24 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 25 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at at Montrose on 25th of September 1915 and undertook a training role until proceeding to France 20 February 1916 as a long-range reconnaissance and fighter unit. It was redesignated No. 25 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 27 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed Hounslow Heath on the 5th of November 1915 and proceeded to France in early 1916. It was redesignated No. 27 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 28 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed on the 7th of November 1915 and initially operated as a training unit, before proceeding to France as a fighter squadron.

                    In October 1917 it was sent to Italy to support the war against Austria. It was redesignated No. 28 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 29 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed on the 7th of November 1915 proceeding to France on the 25th of March 1916 as a fighter squadron. It was redesignated No. 29 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 30 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Moascar in Egypt on 24th of March 1915. It was redesignated No. 30 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 31 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Farnborough on 11th of October 1915 and was deployed to the North-West Frontier in India. It was redesignated No. 31 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 32 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon on the 12th January 1916 and proceeded to France in May as a fighter squadron. It was redesignated No. 32 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 33 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed from a nucleus from 12 Sqn at Filton on 12th of January 1916 and was deployed as a home defence squadron. It was redesignated No. 33 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 34 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed from a nucleus from 19 Squadronn at at Castle Hooskow on 7th of January 1916. It proceeded to France in July 1916 as a reconnaissance unit and was later deployed to Italy. It was redesignated No. 34 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 36 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Cramlington on the 18th of March 1916. It operated as a Home Defence Squadron protecting the north east of England and later took on a training role. It was redesignated No. 36 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 37 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Orfordness on 15th of April 1916 but was soon disbanded and reformed in September. It operated as a Home Defence Squadron protecting London. It was redesignated No. 37 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 38 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Thetford on the 1st of April 1916 but shortly became No.25 (Reserve) training squadron. A new No.38 Squadron was formed at Castle Bromwich on the 14th July 1916. It operated as a Home Defence Squadron protecting the West Midlands. It was redesignated No. 38 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918. At the end of May 1918 it was sent to Dunkirk as a night bomber force.

                       No. 39 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Hounslow Heath in April 1916. It operated as a Home Defence Squadron protecting the London. It was redesignated No. 39 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 40 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Gosport on the 26th of February 1916. It was redesignated No. 40 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 41 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Fort Rowner, RAF Gosport, in mid April 1916 with a nucleus from 28 Squadron RFC and was renumbered 27 Reserve Squadron on 22nd of May 1916. 41 Squadron was re-formed on 14th of July 1916 with a nucleus its original Squadron. It proceeded to France on 15th of October 1916 as a fighter unit. It was redesignated No. 41 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 42 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Filton on the 1st of April 1916 with a nucleus from 19 Squadron RFC. It proceeded to France in a reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 42 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 43 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Stirling on 15th of April 1916 with a nucleus from 18 Reserve Squadron RFC. It proceeded to France in January 1917 in a reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 43 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 44 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Hainault Farm on 24th of July 1917 as a Home Defence Squadron protecting London. It was redesignated No. 44 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 45 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Gosport on 1st of March 1916 and proceeded to France in October. In October 1917 it was sent to Italy to support the war against Austria. It was redesignated No. 45 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918. In September 1918 it returned from Italy to the Western Front and joined the Independent Air Force.

                       No. 46 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Wyton on 19th of April 1916 from a nucleus trained by No. 2 Reserve Squadron and proceeded to France in October. In July 1917 it returned to defend London for a few weeks before returning to the Western Front. It was redesignated No. 46 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 47 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Beverley on 1st of March 1916 as a home defence squadron protecting East Yorkshire and the port of Hull. In September the Squadron was split, two flights joined 33 Squadron, and the rest deployed to Salonika for the Macedonian Front. It was redesignated No. 47 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918. In April 1919, the Squadron proceeded to Southern Russia.

                       No. 48 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon on 15th of April 1916 and proceeded to France in March 1917 as a fighter unit. It was redesignated No. 48 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No 50 Squadron formed on the 15th of May 1916 at Dover as a home defence squadron and protected the south east from airfields in Kent. It was redesignated No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No 51 Squadron formed on the 15th of May 1916 at Thetford as a home defence squadron. It was redesignated No. 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No 52 Squadron formed on the 15th of May 1916 at Hounslow Heath as a Corps Reconnaissance squadron and proceeded to France in November. It was redesignated No. 52 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 53 Squadron formed on the 15th of May 1916 at Catterick as a training squadron, but proceeded to France in a reconnaissance role in December. It was redesignated No. 53 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 54 Squadron formed on the 5th of May 1916 at Castle Bromwich as a home defence squadron, but proceeded to France in a day fighter role in December. It was redesignated No. 54 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 55 Squadron formed on the 27th of April 1916 at Castle Bromwich as a training squadron, but proceeded to France in a day bomber role in March 1917. It was redesignated No. 55 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 56 Squadron formed on the 8th of June 1916 and proceeded to France in a fighter role in April 1917. It was redesignated No. 56 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 57 Squadron formed on the 8th of June 1916 at Copmanthorpe as a training squadron, with a nucleus from 33 Squadron. It proceeded to France in a fighter-reconnaissance role in December 1916. It was redesignated No. 57 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 58 Squadron formed on the 8th of June 1916 at Cramlington as an advanced training squadron, with a nucleus from 36 Squadron. It proceeded to France in a night bomber role in January 1918. It was redesignated No. 58 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918 and moved to Egypt in 1919.

                       No. 60 Squadron formed on the 30th of April 1916 at Gosport and proceeded to France in late May. It was redesignated No. 60 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 61 Squadron formed on the 24th of July 1917 at Rochford in a Home Defence role to protect London. It was redesignated No. 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 62 Squadron formed on the 8th of July 1916 at Filton with a necleus from 7 Training Squadron. It proceeded to France in January 1918 in a fighter-reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 62 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       

                       

                       

                       No. 66 Squadron formed on the 3rd of June 1916 at Bristol and proceeded to France in March 1917. It returned to England for a spell on Home Defence duties before proceeding to Italy in November 1917. It was redesignated No. 66 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 70 Squadron formed on the 22nd of April 1916 at Farnborough and proceeded to France. It was redesignated No. 70 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 72 Squadron formed on the 28th of June 1917 at Upavon and proceeded to Mesopotamia in late December. It was redesignated No. 72 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 73 Squadron formed on the 2nd of July 1917 at Upavon and proceeded to France in January 1918. It was redesignated No. 73 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 74 Squadron formed on the 1st of July 1917 at London Colney as a training Squadron and proceeded to France in April 1918 having been redesignated No. 74 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 75 Squadron formed on the 1st of October 1916 at Goldington as a Home Defence Squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 75 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 76 Squadron formed on the 15th of September 1916 at Ripon as a Home Defence Squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 77 Squadron formed on the 1st of October 1916 at Edinburgh. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 77 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 78 Squadron formed on the 1st of November 1916 at Harrietsham as a Home Defence Squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 79 Squadron formed on the 1st of August 1916 at Gosport and proceeded to France in February 1918, specialising in low-level ground-attack operations. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 79 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 80 Squadron formed on the 1st of August 1917 at Montrose and proceeded to France in January 1918, initially in a fighter role and from March in ground-attack operations. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 80 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       

                       No. 82 Squadron formed on the 7th of January 1917 at Doncaster as an army co-operation unit. It proceeded to France on 20th of November 1917 to undertake artillery spotting and photo-reconnaissance. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 82 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 83 Squadron formed on the 7th of January 1917 at Montrose as a night bomber squadron. It proceeded to France in March 1918. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 83 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       Melchet Court Red Cross Hospital, proving 60 bed convalescent beds, was located at Melchet Court near Plaitford in Hampshire, a large red brick house set in gardens and a deer park. It was loaned by Alfred Mond of Brunner Mond & Co, chemical works. Today the property is St Edward's School.

                       No. 89 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps formed on the 1st of September 1917 at Netheravon as a training squadron. It was disbanded on 4th of July 1918.

                       No. 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force was formed in France by the redesignation of No. 6 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service, on 1st of April 1918 as photo-reconnaissance unit.

                       No. 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force was formed on the 31st of December 1916 and flew Nieuport 17s and later Sopwith Camels on the Western Front until it was disbanded on the 27th of August 1917. It reformed on 1st of January 1918 as a bomber and reconnaissance unit flying Airco DH9s. On 1st of April 1918 it was redesignated No. 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 209 Squadron, Royal Air Force on the 1st of April 1918 by the redesignation of No. 9 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service at Clairmarais in France. Equipped with Sopwith Camels they flew fighter and ground support operations.

                       Hawkstone Red Cross Hospital was located at Hawkstone House on Osbourne Road in Fareham.

                       Heath Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was at Heath Lodge, Newbury in Hampshire.

                       Heathcote Red Cross Hospital, also called Beechwood Auxiliary Hospital, opened on the 7th of November 1914 at Beechwood House, Bartley in the New Forest, the home of Colonel and Mrs. Heathcote. The 16 bed hospital was run by the Hants 26 Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Commandant was Mrs Heathcote. The hospital closed in Feb 1917, having provided treatment for 102 patients.

                       Heron Court Red Cross Hospital opened on the 4th of November 1914 at Heron Court, Hurn, Christchurch, initially with 20 convalescent beds. From 1952 the property was home to Hurn Court School which closed in the 1980s.

                       Highfield Hall Red Cross Hospital, was located at Highfield Hall, Highfield, Southampton with an annexe at 8 Highfield Lane.

                       Hill House Red Cross Hospital was located at Hill House in the New Forest, loaned by Canon Oldfield and opened on 24th of March 1915, with 23 beds. Until September patients arrived from Netley Hospital and then from the 1st New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst. 1,016 patients were treated before the hospital closed on 31st July 1918.

                       Hollington House Red Cross Hospital was at Hollington House, Woolton Hill in Hampshire.

                       Home Mead Red Cross Hospital was located in Lymington, Hampshire.

                       Osborne Road Red Cross Hospital, was located at 20 Osbourne Road, Southsea.

                       Hursley Park Military Hospital was a 350 bed hutted hospital for Other Ranks at Hursley Park Camp in Hampshire.

                       Lady Cooper's Hospital for Officers opened in October 1914 in the main house at Hursley Park.

                       Idsworth Relief Hospital was Idsworth House near Blendworth in Hampshire.

                       Kingsclere House Red Cross Hospital was located at Kingsclere House, Kingsclere in Hampshire.

                       Laverstoke Red Cross Hospital was located at Laverstoke House in Laverstoke Park in Hampshire.

                       Marcia Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodpath, Southsea in Hampshire.

                       Marsh Court Red Cross Hospital was located at Marsh Court a country house near Stockbridge in Hampshire and provided 60 beds. The Commandant was Violet Johnson, the lady of the house.

                       Mayfield Red Cross Hospital was located at Mayfield House, Mayfield Park Woolston, Southampton loaned by Lord Rostock. It was affiliated to the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley.

                       Minley Red Cross Hospital at Minley Lodge, Farnborough opened on 21st of September 1914 providing 36 beds for patients from Connaught and Cambridge Hospitals. The Commandant was Mrs Currie whose family owned the property and it was staffed the the Hants 186 Voluntary Aid detachment. Minley Lodge was demolished in the early 1940s when the airfield was extended.

                       Meerut Indian General Hospital was located at Morant Hall on Lyndhurst Road almost opposite Greenways Road in Brockenhurst. 120 beds were provided, for Indian soldiers until 1916 when the facility was handed over to the New Zealanders and the hospital was renamed Morant War Hospital, taking patients from the No.1 New Zealand General Hospital.

                       Newtown Red Cross Hospital was located at Newtown House, Newtown in Hampshire.

                       Northbrook Red Cross Hospital was located at Northbrook House in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire.

                       Northlands Red Cross Hospital was located at Northlands on Horndean Road, Emsworth, just to the north of the railway bridge. The hospital opened in 1914. The property became a maternity home and was demolished in the 1980s to make way for the road bridge carrying the A27.

                       Oatlands Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in 1914 at Oatlands, Kingston Crescent in Portsmouth, the property being lent to the local St John Ambulance Association. 30 beds were provided.

                       Paultons Auxiliary Hospital was located at Paultons, a large country house in Paultons Park at Ower near Romsey in Hampshire. The property became a hotel and was demolished in 1963 following a fire, today the park is a theme park.

                       Purbester House Auxiliary Hospital, Fareham was located at Purbester House and was staffed by the local St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Pylewell Park Officers Auxiliary Hospital was located at Pylewell House near Lymington in Hampshire.

                       Hurstbourne Park Red Cross Hospital was located at Hurstbourne Park near St Mary Bourne, Whitchurch in Hampshire. The house was loaned by The Right Honourable Newton Wallop. The property was rebuilt in the 1960's following a fire.

                       Rothesay Red Cross Hospital was located on Weyhill Road, Andover.

                       Rownhams Auxiliary Hospital was located at Rownhams House, Rownhams Southampton. The house was loaned to the St John's Ambulance Brigade by Lord Abinger.

                       West Cliff Auxiliary Hospital was located at West Cliff Hall off West Street in Hythe near Southampton.

                       Rushes Road Billet Hospital was located on Rushes Road in Petersfield.

                       Sheldons Red Cross Hospital was located in Hook, Hampshire.

                       Sherfield Manor Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sherfield Manor, Sherfield on Loddon. Today the property is Sherfield School.

                       Shorne Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located at Shorne Hill, Totton in Hampshire and was staffed by the St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Somerley Auxiliary Hospital was located at Somerley House near Ellingham in Hampshire.

                       Southampton Docks Detention Hospital was located at Southampton Docks which was the main port of arrival for wounded returning to Britain and was the departure point for many embarking for France.

                       Stanswood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stanswood Farmhouse near Fawley in Hampshire.

                       Forest Park Hospital at Lymington was a section of the 1st New Zealand General Hospital.

                       Stourwood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stourwood, 3 Bracken Road, Southbourne. The newly built house was equipped with 10 beds and the first patients arrived on the 1st of December 1914. In May 1915 the number of beds was increased to 30 and later two tented wards were erected in the gardens increasing capacity to 62. The hospital closed on the 31st of December 1918.

                       Sydney House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sydney House off Freemantle Common Road in Bitterne, Southampton. The hospital was staffed by the St John's Ambulance Brigade. The property was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War.

                       Shawford Red Cross Hospital opened in the Parish Hall on Pearsons Lane Shawford, near Winchester in 1915.

                       St. John's Kelston House Hospital was located at Kelston, Regents Park Road in Southampton. Run by the St John's Ambulance Brigade, it opened in 1915 and closed in 1919. The building was later used as a church and was demolished in the early 2000's, the site is now occupied by flats.

                       Thorney Hill Auxiliary Hospital Bransgore was a convalencent hospital taking recovering Officers who had been treated at the 1st New Zealand Hospital. It was located Dial House, Thorney Hill at Bransgore in the New Forest.

                       Thurlston Auxiliary Hospital was located at Thurlston House on Victoria Hill Road in Fleet.

                       Tylney Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Tylney Hall near Hook in Hampshire. Today the property is the Tylney Hall Hotel.

                       Uplands Auxiliary Hospital was located at 19 Romsey Road, Winchester (now no.45 due to renumbering).

                       Bodorgan Road Auxiliary Hospital was run by the St John Ambulance Brigade and was located at 2 Bodorgan Road, Bournemouth. It opened in November 1915 providing 25 beds for troops billeted nearby. On the 28th of April 1916 it took patients from Boscombe Military Hospital and capacity was increased to 57 beds in 1917 with two tented wards being erected. The hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919 having treated 1,414 patients.

                       Wakeswood Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Wakeswood, a large house situated near St Mary Bourne, loaned by Lt Col. Henry Longfellow Cooper.

                       Waterlooville Red Cross Hospital was situated in Waterlooville in Hampshire.

                       Wentworth Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was a convalescent hospital located at Wentworth Lodge in Boscombe, loaned by Lord Portman, whose wife Frances was involved in the running of the hospital.

                       Odiham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Western House, 127 High Street in Odiham.

                       Winchester Red Cross Hospital was located at Chernocke House on St Thomas Street, Winchester.

                       Woodlands Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Woodlands on Manchester Road in Southport. It was run by the St John's Ambulance Brigade and opened in 1915.

                       Beechwood Red Cross Hospital was located in Hereford.

                       Hampton Court Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hampton Court Castle near Hope Under Dinmore in Herefordshire, a 15th Century Medieval castle in 935 acres of grounds. The house was owned by Nancy Burrel who was the commandant.

                       Hampton Grange Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hampton Grange on Hampton Park Road, Hereford. Today the property is a nursing home.

                       Leintwardine Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hightree House in Leintwardine. Today the property is known as Leintwardine Manor.

                       Sarnesfield Court Red Cross Hospital was located at Sarnesfield Court, Weobley, loaned by Isaac Marsall and opened on the 2nd of June 1915. 636 patients were treated before the hospital in 1919, the property was demolished in the 1950s.

                       Upper Hall Military Hospital was located at Upper Hall off Church Street, Ledbury, loaned by Mr Martin. It opened on the 12th of February 1915 providing 12 beds. After the war the property became part of Ledbury Grammar School.

                       Ashridge Auxiliary Hospital opened at Ashridge House, a gothic mansion near Berkhampstead in Hertfordshire.

                       Ashwellbury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ashwell Bury, a large house near Ashwell in Hertfordshire. The Commandant was Phyllis Fordham and it was staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Ayot House Officers’ Hospital was located at Ayot House, Ayot St Lawrence in Hertfordshire.

                       Boxmoor House Auxiliary Hospital opened at Boxmoor House, Boxmoor on the 26th of October 1915 providing 20 beds.

                       Bragbury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bragbury End near Stevenage.

                       Chorley Wood Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Drill Hall on Chorleywood House Estate, loaned by Lady Ela Russell. Today the property is used by the scouts.

                       Bishops Stortford Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Clare House, Bishops Stortford.

                       Codicote Red Cross Hospital was located at Pond House on the High Street in Codicote, Hertfordshire.

                       High Barnet Red Cross Hospital was located at Ewen Hall, Wood Street, Barnet which was the church hall of Barnet United Reformed Church. Providing 25 beds it opened in March 1915, staffed by the Hertford 32 Voluntary Aid Detachment and Miss Winifred Game was the Commandant. By the end of the conflict the number of beds had increased to 70 and the hospital closed in closed in April 1919.

                       Goldings Auxiliary Hospital was located at Goldings, a large country house near Waterford in Hertfordshire, owned by Margaret Alice Smith. After the war the house became the William Baker Technical School and today has been split into apartments.

                       Ken Cottage Auxiliary Hospital opened in March 1915 at 4 Crescent West, Hadley Wood providing 10 beds, staffed by the Hertford 32 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant was Miss Winifred Game. Today the property is no.34 Crescent West.

                       Kings Waldenbury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Kingswalden Bury, a manor house near the church in King's Waldon, Hertfordshire.

                       Ladys Close Red Cross Hospital was located in the Lady’s Close, Grammar School for Girls in Watford.

                       Lamer Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lamer Park, Wheathampstead.

                       Potters Bar Red Cross Hospital opened in autumn 1914 at Little Heath Wood House, Hawkshead Road, Potters Bar proving 18 beds. Today the site is occupied by Gresley Court.

                       Hatfield Red Cross Hospital was located at Northcotts, a large house which had once been a school, just north of Hatfield station on the opposite side of Great North Road, Hatfield. The property was loaned by Lord Salisbury for use as a hospital. Today the site is occupied by a block of flats.

                       Federated Malay States Hospital was located at Blackmore End in Kimpton, owned by the Baxendale family who had strong business connections in Malaysia, it was funded by subscriptions from the ex-pat community.

                       Park House Red Cross Hospital opened at Park House, 8 Totteridge Common, Totteridge near Barnet in autumn 1914.

                       Rose Hill Red Cross Hospital was located at Rose Hill in Hoddesdon, Herts.

                       Rickmansworth Red Cross Hospital was located at St Augustine's Hall, behind the Roman Catholic Church in Park Road, Rickmansworth and provided 20 beds. A further 16 beds were provided in an annexe at The Studio in Rectory Lane. By the end of the war the hospital had 42 beds.

                       New Barnet Red Cross Hospital opened in March 1915 in St James Parish Hall in East Barnet Road, New Barnet. 20 beds were provided, staffed by the Hertfordshire 32 Voluntary Aid Detachment. Today the building is the Barnet Subud Centre.

                       St. Pauls Walden Bury Auxiliary Hospital was located at St Paul's Walden Bury a large country house near the village St. Paul’s Walden in Hertfordshire. It was loaned by the Bowes-Lyon family for use as a hospital.

                       The Beeches Red Cross Hospital,was located at The Beeches in Berkhamsted.

                       Much Hadham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodham House, 54 High Street in Much Hadham.

                       Croxley Green Auxiliary Hospital was located in The Institute, Dickinson Square in Croxley Green loaned by John Dickinson & Co., who ran the nearby paper mill. On opening in May 1916 the hospital provided 30 beds, in 1917 this was increased to 50. The building was badly damaged by a fire in the 1960s and the site is now occupied by The Guildhouse apartment block.

                       Hitchin Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Maples, Bedford Road, Hitchin. The building later became a maternity home.

                       The Mount Auxiliary Hospital provided 30 beds and was located at The Mount on Camlet Way, Hadley Wood, run by Lady Rachel Byng, daughter of the Earl of Strafford. In April 1915 it moved to Hillside in Potters Bar but returned to The Mount in May 1917. Today the property is home to St Martha's School.

                       Ware Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Priory, on the High Street in Ware, Hertfordshire. It was loaned for use as a hospital by Mrs Elizabeth Croft, of Fanhams Hall. Today the building is used as offices of Ware Town Council and offers rooms for events and weddings.

                       Royston Auxiliary Hospital opened in the Infant and County Council Mixed Schools on Queens Road, Royston on the 25th of March 1915, the pupils having moved out at the outbreak of war, taking their lessons at the Town Hall and the British School. 35 beds were provided. The hospital closed in December 1918 and the pupils returned in 1919.

                       Wall Hall V.A.D. Hospital opened on the 23rd March 1915 providing 24 beds for typhoid patients in a large garage at Wall Hall, Aldenham near Watford, loaned by American banker J.P. Morgan, Jr. The accommodation was unsatisfactory for the treatment of typhoid and the hospital was used for convalescent patients. Capacity was increased to 30 beds by June 1916 and then to 48 in 1917. The hospital closed in 1919.

                       Woodhall Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodhall House, a large country house near Watton-at-Stone. Today the property is home to a school.

                       Wormleybury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wormleybury a large house in a landscaped park near Wormley, Hertfordshire.

                       Buckden Towers Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Buckden Towers, one time palace of the Bishop of Lincoln near Buckden.

                       Whitehall Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Whitehall near Sawtry.

                       Brampton and Buckden Red Cross Hospital opened in the Old Rectory in Church Road, Brampton and later relocated to Buckden Towers.

                       Kimbolton Red Cross Hospital was located at The Mandeville Hall in Kimbolton. Today the hall is still used as a village hall

                       St. Neots VAD Hospital was located at 20 Market Place, St. Neots

                       Walden House VAD Hospital opened in December 1914 at Walden House on Market Hill, Huntingdon. It provided 85 beds and over 3900 in-patients and further out-patients were treated before it closed in January 1919.

                       Afton Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Afton Lodge in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight.

                       Hazelwood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hazelwood a large house in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

                       Northwood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Northwood House, East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

                       Quay Street Red Cross Hospital was located on Quay Street in Newport on the Isle of Wight.

                       Seely Red Cross Hospital was located at Gatcombe House, Newport on the Isle of Wight.

                       The Castle Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 at The Castle in Ryde, loaned by Colonel Cradock.

                       Underwath Auxiliary Hospital was located on Woolverton Road, St. Lawrence, Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.

                       Herne Bay Red Cross Hospital was located at 1 Downspark in Herne Bay, Kent.

                       Bromley Red Cross Hospital was staffed by the Kent 52 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It opened in October 1914 and treated patients until the end of December 1918. A number of buildings across the town were used including, Bromley Palace, Church House, Holy Trinity Convent in Plaistow Lane, Langley Wood on Barnfield Wood Road, 21 Holwood Road, 36 Bromley Common, The Rookery on Bromley Common, Quernmore, South Hill Wood, Whitegarth, the Primitive Methodist Schools, St. Mary's Church Hall and the Masonic Hall.

                       Nevill Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at 8 Nevill Park, Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

                       Abbey Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Abbey Lodge, 54 Lubbock Road, Chislehurst in Kent, staffed by the Kent 60 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In September 1915 a 50 bed annexe was added at Lamas, 103 Lubbock Road, previously used as St Hugh's Preparatory School which had moved out due to the war. In 1918 a 40 bed annexe was added at Hillside, next door to Lamas, loaned by Mr Adcock. Abbey Lodge Hospital and its annexes closed on 31st March 1919.

                       Abbots Barton V.A.D. Hospital was located at Abbots Barton on New Dover Road in Canterbury. Today the property is a hotel.

                       All Hallows Auxiliary Hospital was located in the village of All Hallows, Isle of Grain on the Thames estuary, in Kent.

                       Balgowan Road Auxiliary Hospital was located in the newly built Balgowan Road Schools in Beckenham and opened in November 1915 staffed by the Kent 96 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It closed in March 1919 and the buildings reverted to their intended use.

                       Bidborough Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bidborough Court, Bidborough near Tunbridge Wells.

                       Blackhurst Auxiliary Hospital was located at Blackhurst Park, Tunbridge Wells.

                       Brooklyn Auxiliary Hospital opened in autumn 1914 at Brooklyn on Lubbock Road in Chislehurst loaned by John Acton Garle. The hospital closed in spring 1915 when the house was sold. Today the site is occupied by the flats of Ross Court.

                       Christ Church Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Christ Church parish hall on Lubbock Road in Chislehurst. It opened in autumn 1914 providing 25 beds.

                       Christ Church Auxiliary Hospital opened with 50 beds on the 15th of October 1914 in Christ Church Halls in Fairfield Road, Beckenham, with an isolation ward in No. 1 Christ Church Road. In October 1916 the hospital moved to the the recently built Girls Secondary School in Lennard Road, Beckenham. The name Christ Church Hospital was retained and it was still run by the Kent 86 Voluntary Aid Detachment. Affiliated to the Royal Herbert Hospital, it provided 120 beds which was later increased to 130. Out-Patient facilities were established at the Hospital and at the Balgowan Road Schools Hospital. In 1918 Christ Church Hospital was used as an infection hospital during the Spanish flu epidemic in an attempt to avoid infection of patients at the Royal Herbert Hospital. It closed in December 1918.

                       Brooklyn Red Cross Hospital was located at Brooklyn, 12 Crystal Palace Park Road in Sydenham. It opened in May 1915 with 20 beds and was staffed by the Kent 132 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The site was redeveloped in the 1930's and became Park Court.

                       Calverley Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Calverly Lodge, Calverley Park in Tunbridge Wells.

                       Chatham Royal Naval Hospital was part of Chatham Barracks and was built in 1903. It became a civilian hospital in 1965 ad is now known as the Medway Maritime Hospital.

                       Chipstead Place Auxiliary Hospital was located at Chipstead Place, a large country house in Kent. The property was demolished after a fire in the 1930s.

                       Church House Red Cross Hospital was located at Church House in Bromley.

                       Church House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Church House on the High Street in Edenbridge. The property is now the Eden Valley Museum.

                       Church House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Church House on East Street in Shoreham.

                       Clare House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Clare House in East Malling.

                       Kemsing Auxiliary Hospital was located in the village hall, St Edith's Club in Kemsing, Kent.

                       Coed-Bel School Sanatorium on Lubock Road in Chislehurst opened as a hospital for lightly wounded soldiers. It provided only 8 beds but remained open until March 1919.

                       Sidcup Congregational Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Congregational Lecture Hall and Congregational Sunday Schools on Station Road in Sidcup. Staffed by the Kent 62 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 34 beds. Today the property is the New Community Church.

                       Cornwall Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cornwall Hall in Sevenoaks. Today the property is The Drive Methodist Church.

                       Crothers Auxiliary Hospital was located in a large house owned by Robertina Crothers in Southborough.

                       Dane John Auxiliary Hospital was opened at Chantry Hall, Dane John near Canterbury.

                       Cranbrook Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Drill Hall on Causton Road, Cranbrook.

                       Eden Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Eden Hall, St Andrews Convent, Edenbridge in Kent.

                       Edgehill Red Cross Hospital was located at Edgehill House, 25 Peak Hill in Lower Sydenham and provided 58 beds staffed by the Kent 132 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Elstree V.A.D. Hospital opened in 1915 at Elstree, 41 Westmoreland Road in Bromley which was loaned by Frederick Medcalf. Staffed by the Kent 52 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 24 beds and an operating theatre.

                       Fairfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Fairfield House on Fairfield Road in Broadstairs, Kent.

                       Foresters Hall Red Cross Hospital was located at Foresters Hall on the High Street in Lenham. Today the building is known as the Lenham Social Club.

                       Lenham Hospital was a large tuberculosis sanatorium on the North Downs near Lenham, newly built in 1914 it was taken over for the treatment of mainly Canadian soldiers who had been gassed. In 1919 the property returned to its intended use.

                       Stanfield Red Cross Hospital was located at Stanfield House in The Square, Lenham, the home and practice of Dr Temperley Grey who was the Commandant and Medical Officer. It provided 18 beds staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Crayford Red Cross Hospital was located in the Friendly Society Hall on London Road near the junction with Roman Way in Crayford.

                       Gardenhurst Red Cross Hospital was located at Gardenhurst on Parkhill Road in Bexley loaned by Mrs Barrett. It was staffed by the Kent 130 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Granville Road Red Cross Hospital was located in the school hall of the Wesleyan Church in Granville Road, Sidcup. Staffed by the Kent 62 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 16 beds.

                       Bexleyheath VAD Hospital was located on the corner of Crook Log and Clarence Road and was staffed by members of the Kent 158 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Bangor Military Hospital was located in the Poor Law Infirmary off Caernarfon Road, in Bangor, North Wales. It opened in October 1914 initially providing 50 beds. The site later became St. David's Hospital and is now occupied by a retail park.

                       Ty’r Enfys overlooking Trearddur Bay in North Wales opened as a privately run convalescent home for wounded soldiers.

                       Bodlondeb Castle Red Cross Hospital was located at Bodlondeb Castle on Church Walks in Llandudno.

                       Caernarfon Military Hospital opened in the New Poor Law Caernarfon Infirmary in 1916 and treated soldiers until 1919.

                       Great Hermitage Red Cross Hospital was located at Great Hermitage House in Higham. The property was destroyed by fire in the 1930s and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Hayes Grove Red Cross Hospital was located at Hayes Grove, Prestons Road on the edge of West Wickham Common in Hayes. Today the building is in use as Priory Hospital.

                       Hayle Place Red Cross Hospital was located at Hayle Place, a large house off Teasaucer Hill, Maidstone

                       Heath Close Red Cross Hospital was located at Heath Close in Dartford and was staffed by the Kent 116 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       High Beach Red Cross Hospital was located at High Beach on Sea Road in Westgate, Kent.

                       Holbrook Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 14th October 1914 at 45 Holbrook Lane, Chislehurst in Kent, staffed by the Kent 66 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed in July 1916 when the property was required by the owner, Mr Cyril Heywood. The patients were transferred to The Gorse Auxiliary Hospital.

                       Hornbrook Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 17th of October 1914 at Hornbrook House on the High Street in Chislehurst which had previously been used as a prep school by the Roman Catholic Sisters of Mercy. staffed by the Kent 66 Voluntary Aid Detachment it initially provided 50 beds. The hospital closed in August 1918 and the building was demolished in the 1970s, the site is now occupied by a car park.

                       Hollington House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hollington House on High Road, Chislehurst, loaned by Mrs Teichman and staffed by the Kent 66 Voluntary Aid Detachment. Today the site is occupied by the apartments of Hollington Court.

                       Holy Trinity Convent Hospital was in Plaistow Lane, Bromley.

                       Howard-de-Walden Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Howard de Walden Institute for Women, an educational centre on Marsham Street, Maidstone. It was staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Attachment. Part of the building was destroyed by a bomb during WW2, the remainder is today known as the Howard De Walden Community Centre.

                       Ingress Abbey Canadian Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ingress Abbey near Greenhithe in Kent.

                       Leigh Red Cross Hospital was located in the village hall in Leigh, Kent, also known as the institute, Lyghe.

                       Pembury Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the Poor Law Institution in Pembury, Kent. The building was demolished in 2011

                       Kingsbury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Kingsbury in Shortlands near Bromley in Kent. The building has since been demolished.

                       Knock Hall Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Knock Hall Lodge in Swanscombe, Kent. The building was demolished and new houses built on the site in the 1950s.

                       Langley Wood Red Cross Hospital was located at Langley Wood on Barnfield Wood Road in Bromley, Kent.

                       Lees Court Military Hospital was located at Lees Court near the village of Sheldwich in Kent, a stately home owned by the Sondes family.

                       Lidwells Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lidwells House near Goudhurst in Kent.

                       Lodore Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lodore, 22 Masons Hill in Bromley. It opened in October 1914 providing 7 beds staffed by the Kent 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It closed in 1915 and the patients transferred to Oakley House.

                       Macquarie Auxiliary Hospital was located at Macquarie on Pembury Road in Tunbridge Wells. The property later became the Salvation Army's Sunset Lodge and today is a nursing home.

                       Littlestone Red Cross Hospital was located at Madeira House, Littlestone in Kent.

                       West Malling VAD Hospital was located at Malling House on Town Hill, West Malling, loaned by Mr. Percy Nevill. It provided 50 beds, staffed by the Kent 150 Voluntary Aid Detachment and opened on the 16th of November 1914.

                       Folkestone Red Cross Hospital was located at The Manor House on The Lees in Folkestone. It opened in 1914 and was run by the Kent 24 Voluntary Aid Detachment under Commandant The Hon. Miss Florence Daly.

                       Mansford House Red Cross Hospital was located at Mansford House on Spencer Road in Birchington.

                       Manton House Red Cross Hospital was located at Manton House on Burleigh Road in Charing.

                       Marlpit Hill Institute VAD Hospital provided 10 beds in the Marlpit Hill Men's Institute in Edenbridge. It was staffed by the Kent 88 Voluntary Aid Detachment and opened on the 14th of October 1914.

                       Masonic Hall VAD Hospital was located in the Masonic Hall in Bromley and was staffed by the Kent 52 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                    In October 1914 a number of annexes were opened, these all closed in 1915.

                    • Mr and Mrs H.D. Keif opened a 4 bed annexe in their home at 88 Hayes Road, Bromley.
                    • A 12 bed annexe was opened at 21 Holwood Road, Bromley, the home of Mr and Mrs Percival Boyd.
                    • Mr Coles Child and his wife opened an 8 bed annexe at their home, Bromley Palace in Stockwell Close.
                    • Mr and Mrs Herbert M. Rogers opened a 12 bed annexe at their home, Langley Wood on Barnfield Wood Road.



                       Mugswell Red Cross Hospital was located in the Mission Hall on Green Lane, Mugswell near Chipstead.

                       Myrtle Cottage Auxiliary Hospital was located at Myrtle Cottage, between Church Street and Middle Street in Shoreham.

                       Nethercourt Red Cross Hospital was located at Nethercourt in Ramsgate. The property was demolished and new houses built on the site in the 1950s.

                       Hawkhurst Red Cross Hospital was located at Oakfields on the High Street in Hawkhurst.

                       Shortlands Red Cross Hospital was located in the Parish Room on Shortlands Road, Shortlands, Kent.

                       Park House Red Cross Hospital was located at Park House in Southborough. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Park House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Park House, Tunbridge Wells. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Penrhyn Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Penrhyn Lodge on Sea Road, Westgate in Kent.

                       Quex Park Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Quex House near Birchington, Isle of Thanet in Kent, loaned by Major and Mrs Powell Cotton. It opened on the 14th of October 1914 and provided 45 beds staffed by the Kent 178 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In total 1,241 patients were treated at the hospital. Today the property is a museum

                       The Strood and Frindsbury VAD Hospital was located in the Workmen’s Institute on Frindsbury Road, Rochester and the Rochester and Strood Co-operative Society Hall in Gun Lane and the nearby Wesleyan Church Sunday School. Opening on the 3rd of September 1914, a maximum of 130 beds were provided, staffed by the Kent 104, 106 and 126 Voluntary Aid Detachments.

                       Roseneath Red Cross Hospital was located at Roseneath in Broadstairs. The property has been demolished.

                       Rosherville VAD Hospital was located in the disused Rosherville Hotel on Burch Road, Northfleet, Gravesend, loaned by John Russell. The hospital opened in November 1914 with 64 beds, this was later increased to 126 and then to 201. It closed on the 31st of January 1919.

                       Rusthall VAD Hospital was located at Rusthall House in Rusthall and later opened an annexe in the Girl's School. Nurses were accommodated in the Beacon on Teagarden Lane.

                       Ramsgate VAD Hospital opened at the Royal Sailors’ Rest on Harbour Parade, Ramsgate on the 10th of October 1914, with the first ward being located in the chapel, known as the Bethel. The property was loaned by the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society and 72 beds were provided, staffed by the Kent 2 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Sholden Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sholden Lodge in Deal, Kent.

                       Shoreham Place Auxiliary Hospital was located at Shorham Place, Shoreham in Kent.

                       Abbey Wood Red Cross Hospital was located at Shornells on Bostall Hills Road, Abbey Wood.

                       Southwood V.A.D. Hospital was located at Southwood on Oldfield Road in Bickley, loaned for use as a hospital by Mr and Mrs Ernest J Wythes of Copped Hall, Epping. Staffed by the Kent 78 Voluntary Aid Detachment, the hospital opened on 14th October 1914 and 1,418 patients were treated before it closed on the 31st of January 1919. The property was demolished in the 1960's, only the lodge at the gates remains toady.

                       Walmer Auxiliary Hospital was located at St. Anselm’s and Generals Meadow, two large houses on St Clare Road, Walmer in Kent both loaned by Sir Charles Sargant. Lady Millie Sargant was the hospital commandant and 100 beds were provided across the two properties. The hospital opened in October 1914 and closed at the end of March 1919.

                       Swanton House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Swanton House on Elwick Road in Ashford.

                       Technical Institute Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Technical Institute Auxiliary Hospital on the corner of Elwick Road and Station Road in Ashford.

                       Tenterden VAD Hospital was located at Clifton House on Ashford Road in Tenterden.

                       The Bevan Hospital opened in autumn 1914 in the former Alfred Bevan Memorial Convalescent Home in Sandgate near Folkestone.

                       The Elms Auxiliary Hospital was located at the Elms on Rusthall Common, Rusthall in Kent.

                       Glovers VAD Hospital was located at The Glovers in Sittingbourne. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Whitehall Red Cross Hospital was located at Whitehall on Bell Road in Sittingbourne. Today the property is in use as offices.

                       Trinity Hall VAD Hospital opened at Trinity Hall in Sittingbourne in October 1914.

                       The Gorse Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Gorse, Manor Park in Chislehurst.

                       Faversham Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Mount on London Road, Faversham. Today the property has been divided into apartments.

                       The Warren Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Warren on Croydon Road in Hayes. Today the property is home to the Metropolitan Police Sports Club.

                       Charing Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Vestry Hall in Charing, Kent. It opened on the 14th of October 1914 and provided 20 beds staffed by the Kent 20 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Wakeley House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wakeley House, Charing in Kent. It provided 42 beds, staffed by the Kent 20 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Cranbrook Vestry Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Vestry Hall on Stone Street in Cranbrook, Kent.

                       Victoria Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Victoria Hall on London Road in Southborough, Kent.

                       Ash Red Cross Hospital was located in the Village Hall on Queen's Road in Ash near Sandwich in Kent.

                       Biddenden Red Cross Hospital was located in the Village Hall on Tenterden Road, Biddenden in Kent.

                       Orpington Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall in Orpington, Kent.

                       Paddock Wood Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall at Paddock Wood in Kent.

                       Rolvenden Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall, Rolvenden in Kent.

                       Wanstead House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wanstead House in Margate.

                       Farnborough Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Wesleyan Church Hall on Starts Hill Road in Farnborough.

                       Wildernesse Red Cross Hospital was located at Wildernesse off Woodland Drive in Seal. After the war it became a golf club and more recently the property was occupied by Dorton House School.

                       The Firs Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Firs in Seal, Kent.

                       Whitegarth Auxiliary Hospital was located at Whitegarth on Holwood Road in Bromley, Kent.

                       Yacht Club V.A.D. Hospital opened on the 15th of October 1914 in the club house of the Yacht Club, which had formerly been the the Clifton Hotel on Clifton Marine Parade in Gravesend. Staffed by the Kent 92 Voluntary Aid Detachment, 86 beds were provided. The number of beds was soon increased to 106 with the opening of an annexe at Knock Hall Lodge. The hospital closed on the 31st of May 1919 having treated 2,361 patients.

                       Burford Road Auxiliary Hospital was located at numbers 1 and 3 Burford Road in Whalley Range, Manchester.

                       Princes Road Auxiliary Hospital was located at 10 Princes Road in Liverpool.

                       Woodlands No. 1 Hospital was located at The Woodlands off Wigan Lane, Wigan loaned by Lord & Lady Crawford. The hospital opened on the 6th of October 1914.

                       Woodlands No. 2 Hospital opened at The Marie-Bonne off Wigan Lane, Wigan the property being loaned by Lord and Lady Crawford for use as a hospital.

                       Woodlands No.3 Hospital was located at The Beeches off School Lane in Standish.

                       Holt House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Holt House, 54 Ullet Road in Liverpool.

                       Abbeyhills Hospital was located on Abbey Hills Road in Oldham.

                       The Accident Hospital in Widnes provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Chaigeley Red Cross Hospital was located at Chaigeley Manor near Longridge Fell in Lancashire.

                       Albert House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Albert House off Manchester Road in Ashton-under-Lyne.

                       Albert Road Auxiliary Hospital was located at Providence House, 24 Albert Road in Colne, loaned by Henry Hewtt-Dean for use as a hospital. Today the property is occupied by the Britannia Building Society.

                       Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Whitefield Auxiliary Hospital was located in All Saints School in Church Lane, Whitefield. The property was demolished in the 1970s.

                       Ancoats Hospital on Great Ancoat Street in Manchester provided military beds during the Great War.

                       Baxenden Auxiliary Home Hospital was located in the village of Baxenden in Lancashire.

                       Morecambe Auxiliary Military Hospital was in Morcambe, Lancashire.

                       Poulton-le-Fylde Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in The Vicarage at Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire.

                       Avenue Hospital for Officers was in Liverpool.

                       Bank Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital was at Bank Hall, the former home of the Thursely family in Burnley. It was loaned by the Burnley Corporation who had purchased the house in 1913.

                       Baptist Tabernacle Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Baptist Tabernacle in Southport, Lancashire.

                       Barraclough Auxiliary Military Hospital was loacted at Barraclough House off Whalley Road, Pendleton in Lancashire.

                       Basford House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Basford House on Seymour Grove in Old Trafford, Manchester. Today the property is still in use by the NHS.

                       Billinge Military Convalescent Hospital provided 400 beds for those recovering from wounds or illness.

                       Birchfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Birchfield on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme, Manchester. The property was demolished in the 1950's and the site is now occupied by Holling College.

                       Birkdale Officers Hospital was located at Birkdale, Southport in Lancashire.

                       Blair Convalescent Home on Hospital Road, Bromley Cross in Bolton provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Bleasdale Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bleasdale House in Silverdale, Lancashire.

                       Bradstones Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bradstones, a large house in Sandfield Park, West Derby, Liverpool loaned by by Mr and Mrs Walter Beer.

                       Brook House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Brook House in Levenshulme. It opened on the 18th of December 1914 and closed on the 4th of February 1920. The property was used as the Out-Patient department of the Duchess of York Hospital from 1928. The property has been demolished and a nursing home now stands on the site.

                       Camp Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located at Camp Hill, Woolton in Liverpool.

                       Castleton Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Castleton House, Castleton near Rochdale.

                       Centre Vale Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on the 17th January 1914 at Centre Vale off Burnley Road in Todmorden. The house was loaned by the Todmorden Corporation who had purchased the property and parkland in 1910. The hospital closed on 28th February 1919. The building became a museum but was demolished in the 1950s when it became unsafe. The grounds remain in use as a public park.

                       Crompton Fold Auxiliary Hospital was locate at Crompton Fold, a country house set in parkland off Long Lane in Bolton. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Croxteth Hospital for Officers opened on the 9th of June 1916 at Croxteth Hall, West Derby, the property being loaned by Lord and Lady Sefton who also financed the endeavour. Over 1000 patients were treated at the hospital before it closed in July 1919.

                       Cuerden Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on the 1st of May 1915 at Cuerden Hall, Cuerden in Lancashire. The hospital closed on the 8th of June 1917.

                       Didsbury Military Hospital was located in the Wesleyan theological college on Wilmslow Road, Didsbury with an annexe in Didsbury Lodge. The building later became a teacher training college and today has been converted into apartments.

                       Eaves Lane Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Chorley Union Workhouse on Eaves Lane in Chorley.

                       Eccles and Patricoft Hospital in Cromwell Road, Eccles provided military beds during the Great War.

                       Grange-over-Sands Red Cross Hospital was located at Eggerslack House, Grange-over-Sands.

                       Ellerslie Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 28th of October 1914 at Ellerslie on Bury Fold Lane, Darwen. It provided 28 beds on opening which was increased to 41 in August 1915, an annexe was opened to increase the capacity to 50 in April 1916. In July a second annexe opened at Staveleigh, bringing teh total number of beds to 75. In June 1917 the hospital moved to the newly built Public Halls in Northgate, Blackburn allowing capacity to be increased to 120.

                       Elm Bank Auxiliary Hospital was located at Elm Bank on Bindloss Avenue in Eccles.

                       Elmfield Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Elmfield Hall in Gatty Park, Church in Lancashire.

                       Fairview Auxiliary Hospital was located at Fairview on Daltongate, Ulverston.

                       Fern Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located at Fern Hill House at Stacksteads near Bacup in Lancashire.

                       Garswood Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Garswood Hall, Ashton-in-Makerfield, run by Lady Mary Gerard. The property was demolished in the 1920s and the parkland is now home to a golf club.

                       Greenbank Military Hospital was in Bolton, Lancashire.

                       Hartley Military Hospital was located in Hartley College in Alexandra Road, Manchester.

                       Heysham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Heysham Rectory. The property was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Heywood Auxiliary Hospital was located in a church hall in Heywood, Lancashire, it opened in 1916. The Commandant was Mary Duckworth.

                       Huntroyde Auxiliary Hospital was located at Huntroyde near Padiham in Lancashire.

                       The L. and Y. Railway Hospital on Brunel Street in Horwich, Bolton provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Lancaster House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lancaster House in Whalley Range, Manchester.

                       Lawnhurst Auxiliary Hospital was lacated at Lawnhurst in Didsbury, Lancashire.

                       Longford Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Longford Hall, Stretford in Lancashire.

                       Haigh Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Haigh Hall, a stately home in extensive grounds, near Wigan in Lancashire. The property was loaned by the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres for use as a hospital. Today it is home to a gold club and a country park.

                       St John's Ambulance Brigade Hospital was located in the Mechanics Institute on the corner of Church Street and Warrington Street in Ashton-under-Lyne. The building had formerly been an educational facility and was loaned by the local council. Today the property has been divided into apartments.

                       Scott House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Scott House, Memorial Home for Crippled Children on Clay Lane, Norden, near Rochdale in Lancashire. The property later became the Rochdale Children’s Hospital.

                       Meols Hall Convalescent Hospital was located at Meols Hall off Botanic Road in Churchtown, Lancashire.

                       Moor Park Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital was a purpose built hutted hospital on Moor Park in Preston. It opened in January 1915 with a ward for 35 patients in a pavilion provided by the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. As further accomdation was needed, money for build additional wards was raised locally. In early 1918 an annexe with 28 beds was opened in Grove House on the corner of Moor Park Avenue and Garstang Road. After the war the site became a school. Two of the original pavilions survive and are used by the Sea Cadets, their HQ is named TS Galloway after the former President of the Preston VAD, W.W. Galloway J.P.

                       Moorlands Auxiliary Hospital was located at Moorlands in Kersel. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Moss Bridge Auxiliary Military Hospital, Darwen opened in autumn 1914 providing 29 beds. In early 1915 capacity was increased to 55 with a new wing being built.

                       Facit Auxiliary Hospital was located at Mount Pleasant on Studd Brow in Facit, near Whitworth in Lancashire.

                       Myrtle Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Myrtle Street Sheltering Homes building, a children's home at 2A Myrtle Street with an annexe at 1 Sugnall Street in Liverpool. It opened on the 26th of July 1915 and provided 104 beds staffed by the Lancashire 56 Voluntary Aid Detachment under commandant Mrs Connel. Today the building is in use as part of the University.

                       Nell Lane Military Hospital opened in Withington Hospital on Nell Lane, Withington. It was a large pavilion style hospital, having been built in 1855 as a workhouse for the Chorlton Poor Law Union. It later became Withington Community Hospital which closed in 2002 and the buildings have been converted into apartments.

                       New Hall Hey Military Hospital was located at New Hall Hey House in the centre of Rawtenstall. It opened in July 1915 with 18 beds, capacity was increased in October 1916 with a new ward of 25 beds being opened, by the time it closed in 1919 capacity was 66 beds. almost 700 patients were treated at the hospital. The site is now occupied by a roundabout and the Fire Station.

                       Oakdene Auxiliary Hospital opened opened in March 1915 at Oakdene on Lawton Road in Rainhill proving 30 beds, staffed by the West Lancashire 40 Voluntary Aid Detachment. By 1917 the number of beds had increased to 65 and a further 40 beds were added in an annexe at Oaklands on St. James' Road staffed by the West Lancs 10 VAD.

                       Paddock House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Paddock House, Oswaldtwistle with hutted wards in the grounds. The property later became a school.

                       Park House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Park House on the corner of Lower Park Road and Regent Place, Victoria Park in Manchester.

                       Parkfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Parkfield on Middleton Road, Crumpsall near Manchester.

                       Providence Schools Auxiliary Hospital was located in the buildings of the Providence Schools at Middleton in Lancashire.

                       Haslingden Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Public Hall in Haslingden, Lancahire.

                       Pembroke Auxiliary Hospital was located at 16 Clifton Drive, Ansdell in Lytham. Today the property is a Care Home.

                       The Pilkington Special Orthopaedic Hospital opened on Borough Road, St Helens in 1916, established by surgeon James R Kerr with the Pilkington Brothers, glass manufacturers. It provided treatment and rehabilitation for wounded soldiers and sailors.

                       Queen Mary's Military Hospital opened on the 14th April 1915 in the newly built Calderstones Institution for the Mentally Defective on Mitton Road in Whalley, loaned by the Lancashire Asylums Board. The last wards of the Military Hospital on the 5th of November 1920. Today much of the property has been demolished though Calderstones Hospital remains on part of the site.

                       Denton Red Cross Hospital was located in the school buildings on Duke Street, Denton in Lancashire. Today the property is the Tameside Young People's Centre.

                       Reedyford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Reedyford Hall in Nelson, Lancashire. The property became a cottage hospital in 1920. The Reedyford War Memorial Hospital was later built in the grounds as a memorial to those from the town who had lost their lives in the Great War. Both properties were demolished in the 1980s.

                       Heaton Moor Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Heaton Chapel Reform Club on the corner of Heaton Moor Road and Gibsons Road in Heaton Moor, loaned by the Heaton Chapel and District Liberal Club.

                       Richmond House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Richmond House on York Place, Ashton-under-Lyne. The property is no longer standing.

                       Ryecroft Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ryecroft Hall of Manchester Road, Audenshaw loaned by local industrialist Austin Hopkinson. After the hospital closed, the property was was presented to Audenshaw UDC for the use of the community.

                       Saddleworth Red Cross Hospital opened in January 1916 at Ashway Gap House, near Dove Stone Reservoir in Lancashire, providing 60 beds. The property was loaned by the the Ashton, Stalybridge and Dukinfield Joint Waterworks Committee for use as a hospital. The property was demolished in the 1980's and today the site is a picnic area.

                       Seafield Military Hospital was located in the Seafield Hotel on the Promenade in Blackpool. The property was demolished and rebuilt in the 1930s.

                       Sedgley Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sedgley Hall a statley home set in parkland near Prestwich in Lancashire.

                       Toxteth Park Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the buildings of the Toxteth Park Workhouse on Smithdown Road, Liverpool. The site later became Sefton General Hospital.

                       Jubilee School Red Cross Hospital was located in the buildings of Jubilee School on Bury Old Road in Manchester.

                       Shenstone House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Shenstone House, 13 Upper Park Road in Broughton Park, Manchester. Today the property is home to a school.

                       Southbank Road Auxiliary Hospital was located on Southbank Road in Southport, Lancashire. It was staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       The Rochdale St. John Ambulance VAD Hospital was located in the Drill Hall on Summer Street in Rochdale.

                       Radcliffe's St. John Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the Ambulance Drill Hall in Radcliffe.

                       Woodlands St. John VAD Convalescent Home was located at The Woodlands in Atherton, Lancashire.

                       Stanley House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stanley House on Phillips Park Road, Whitefield in Lancashire.

                       Starr Hills Auxiliary Hospital was located at Starr Hills on Ansdell Road in Lytham with an annexe in a nearby property. Today Starr Hills is a care home.

                       Station Road Auxiliary Hospital was located at Centenary House, 38-40 Station Road in South Shore, Blackpool.

                       Stubbins Vale Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stubbins Vale House in Ramsbottom, loaned by Lt Col Austin Townsend Porritt of the 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment. It opened in Autumn 1914 with 10 beds, capacity was later increased to 30 and by the time the hospital closed it provided over 50 beds.

                       Sunnyside Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sunnyside Villa, 52 College Road in Whalley Range. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Mossley VAD Hospital was located on the ground floor the Mechanic's Institute, also called the Technical School on Hanover Street, Mossley in Lancashire. It opened in August 1914, initially providing 10 beds, staffed by the local detachment of the St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Oswaldtwistle School Auxiliary Hospital was located at Oswaldtwistle Technical School on Union Road, Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire.

                       Chaseside Convalescent Hospital opened in May 1916 at Chaseside on the corner of Beach Road and St George's Square, St. Annes-on-the-Sea in Lancashire. 30 beds were provided. Today the property is a care home.

                       The Deanery Auxiliary Military Hospital was in Manchester.

                       Southport St John's Ambulance Brigade Hospital was the largest in the country, located at The Grange on Roe Lane, loaned by Major Fleetwood Hesketh and Woodlands on Lord Street. The hospital opened at The Grange in 1914 and in 1915 £2000 was raised by the local community to vastly expand the hospital. Additional wards were erected in the grounds of The Grange and Woodlands was converted for use as a hospital, the available accommodation across the two properties was around 500 beds. The hospital closed in February 1919.

                       The Grange Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Grange, 72 Stump Lane in Chorley, Lancashire.

                       The Tower Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Tower, off Mill Lane in Rainhill. Today the property is used by a school.

                       Timberhurst Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Timberhurst, a large house in Bury, Lancashire.

                       Trafford Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Trafford Hall, Trafford Park in Manchester.

                       Victoria Auxiliary Hospital was located on Council Street in Stretford.

                       Watermillock Auxiliary Hospital was located at Watermillock House in Bolton. Today the property is a restaurant.

                       Welwyn Military Hospital was located at Welwyn in Grassendale Park, Liverpool

                       Heaton Mersey Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Wesleyan Sunday School building on Didsbury Road in Heaton Mersey, Lancashire.

                       West End Auxiliary Home Hospital was located on Albert Road, Colne in Lancashire.

                       Wharmton Towers Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Wharmton Towers House on Oldham Road, Greenfield in Lancashire.

                       Wibbersley No. 1 Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wibbersley House in Flixton, Lancashire. The property was demolished in the 1920s.

                       Wibbersley No. 2 Auxiliary Hospital was located at 350 Flixton Road, Flixton in Lancashire.

                       Widnes Accident Hospital on West Bank in Widnes provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Willow Bank Auxiliary Hospital was located on Moss Lane East in Manchester.

                       Windy Knowe VAD Hospital opened in early 1915 at Windy Knowe a large Victorian house on Serpentine Road South, Blundellsands in Lancashire. It was staffed by the members of the Civic Service League and provided Acute Medical beds for patients transferred from Seaforth Hospital.

                       Woodfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodfield in Werneth Park, Oldham. The property later became a maternity home.

                       Woodlawn Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodlawn on Mersey Road in West Didsbury.

                       Woolton Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woolton Hall off Speke Road in Woolton.

                       Woolton Convalescent Hospital was located at Woolton Manor, off Allerton Road in Liverpool.

                       Worsley Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Worsley Old Hall, Worsley. Today the property is a restaurant.

                       Wray Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wray House on Hornby Road, Wray in Lancashire.

                       Market Harborough Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Park House on Park Drive in Market Harborough.

                       Cavendish Bridge VAD Hospital was located in Shardlow on the River Trent.

                       Knighton VAD Hospital was located at Evington House in Evington Park, Leicester.

                       Newton House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Newton House in Leicester.

                       Stapleford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stapleford Hall, Stapleford in Leicestershire. Today the property is a hotel.

                       Wicklow Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wicklow Lodge on Burton Road in Melton Mowbray.

                       Alford Auxiliary Hospital was in Alford, Lincolnshire.

                       Allan House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Allan House on Carlton Road in Boston, Lincolnshire. The property became a school in the 1920s.

                       Brocklesby Auxiliary Hospital was located in Brocklesby Park, Lincolnshire.

                       Boultham Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Boultham Park, Lincoln. It was staffed by the St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Mablethorpe Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital was in Maplethorpe, Lincolnshire.

                       Easton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Easton Hall, Easton in Lincolnshire. The property was demolished in the 1920s but the walled gardens remain.

                       Ewerby Auxiliary Hospital was in the village of Ewerby near Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

                       Holden House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Holden House in Boston, Lincolnshire. The Commandant was Margaret Clegg.

                       Rauceby Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Rauceby Hall in South Rauceby, Lincolnshire.

                       Alford Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was in Alford, Lincolnshire.

                       Cleethorpes Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was at St. Aidan's Church on the corner of Grimsby Road and Hart Street and Cleethorpes.

                       Skegness Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Derby Boys Home at 1 Scarborough Avenue, Skegness.

                       Horncastle Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located in the New Drill Hall on Boston Road, Horncastle.

                       Louth Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Methodist Church on Eastgate in Louth.

                       Old Palace Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Old Palace near the cathedral in Lincoln.

                       Wainfleet Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was in Wainfleet, Lincolnshire.

                       Scopwick House Auxiliary Hospital was at Scopwick House at Scopwick in Lincolnshire.

                       Suffolk House Auxiliary Hospital was at Suffolk House on Westgate in Louth.

                       Grantham Barracks Hospital was at Grantham Barracks on the corner of Sandon Road and Beacon Lane in Grantham.

                       Billingborough Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Old Hall on High Street, Billingborough in Lincolnshire.

                       Sleaford Auxiliary Hospital was located in The Old Place on Boston Road, Sleaford in Lincolnshire.

                       Bourne VAD Hospital was located in The Vestry Hall off North Street, Bourne in Lincolnshire which was in use as the local Territorial Drill Hall.

                       Winthorpe Auxiliary Hospital was in Skegness, Lincolnshire.

                       During the Great War, 25 Portland Place in London was used as an Auxiliary Hospital.

                       Mrs F.W. Salisbury-Jones Hospital for Officers was located at 27 Berkeley Square in Mayfair and provided 18 convalescent beds. It opened on the 1st of March 1916 and closed on 1st of May 1919 having treated 496 patients.

                       Acheson Hospital for Officers opened on the 9th of January 1917 at 32 Albert Road, Regent's Park in London, the property being loaned by Dr Acheson. 418 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 21st of January 1919. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the apartments of Kings Court.

                       Alexandra Park Auxiliary Hospital was located on South View, Muswell Hill in London.

                       All Saints Hospital for Wounded Soldiers was located at All Saints specialist urological hospital at 49-51 Vauxhall Bridge Road in London. It provided 22 beds for officers. The building is no longer standing.

                       Amhurst Park Hospital opened in 1918 at Rokesby, 9 Amhurst Park in Stoke Newington it was run by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment and provided 43 beds. 182 patients were treated before the hospital closed on 31st of October 1919.

                       The Anglo-Chilean Hospital for officers of the Royal Air Force opened on the 3rd of December 1918 at 6 Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, the home of the the home of the American ambassador who had returned to the US. The property was destroyed during the blitz in WW2.

                       The Artists Rifles Convalescent Hospital for Officers opened on 28th of April 1915 at 4 Lyndhurst Gardens, Hampstead with 23 beds. It was staffed by the London 104th (Artists' Rifles) Voluntary Aid Detachment, which was made up mainly of relatives and friends of those serving in the Artists Rifles Battalions. 947 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 31st of May 1919.

                       Astley Hospital for Officers, also known Dorchester House Hospital opened in November 1914 at Dorchester House on Park Lane, London, loaned by Lt Col Sir George Holford. 25 convalescent beds were provided. The property was demolished in 1929 and the site is now occupied by the Dorchester Hotel.

                       Atkinson Morley Convalescent Home on Copse Hill, Wimbledon was taken over for the use of military patients during the Great War.

                       Aubrey House Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at Aubrey House on Aubrey Road in Kensington admitting 15 convalescent Belgian soldiers to a ward in the Garden Room. By July the following year, most had returned to active service and those remaining moved to a new ward in the stables. Following the death of the owner,the house was loaned to the war office for use as a Hospital for Officers and was converted for use as a 20 bed hospital, which began to take patients in autumn 1916 and remained open until April 1920.

                       Great Stanhope Street Auxiliary Home Hospital opened in January 1917 at 14 Great Stanhope Street, Mayfair with beds for 8 convalescent officers. The owner of the house, Mrs Holdsworth covered all the costs.

                       Weymouth Street Auxiliary Home Hospital was opened in October 1914 by surgeon Mr Herbert T. Herring and his wife in their home at 40 Weymouth Street in Marylebone. By the end of the war, the hospital had expanded to 55 beds and 7,396 patients had been treated.

                       The Rookery Auxiliary Home Hospital opened in October 1914 at The Rookery, Bromley Common, the home Mr and Mrs Archibald Cameron Norman. Staffed by the Kent 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment, 18 beds were provided in 3 wards. It closed in 1915 and patients transferred to Oakley House.

                       Oakley House Auxiliary Hospital opened at Oakley House, Bromley Common in 1915. It was staffed by the Kent 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment, who had previously run a number of very small hospitals in private homes across the town, these were closed on the opening of Oakley House.

                       Whitegarth Auxiliary Home Hospital was opened in October 1914 by Mr and Mrs Alfred H.K. Squire in their home at Whitegarth on Cumberland Road in Bromley. 14 Convalescent beds were provided under the care of Mrs Squire and her friends. The hospital closed in 1915.

                       An Auxiliary Home Hospital was opened at 338-340 King Street in Hammersmith on 15th of March, 1915 providing 20 convalescent beds for patients from the 2nd London General Hospital. It was staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment. The number of beds had increased to 45 by 1917 and a total of 257 patients were treated before the hospital closed.

                       Harcourt House Auxiliary Hospital for Officers opened at 1 Harcourt House, 19 Cavendish Square in September 1915 with 7 convalescent beds. The hospital was part funded by Mrs Dous, an American lady resident in London. The hospital closed in December 1918.

                       Sussex Square Auxiliary Hospital for Officers opened in April 1916 at 11 Sussex Square, Bayswater loaned by Mrs Waley Cohen. It provided 8 Convalescent beds for officers and closed in August 1916.

                       Hyde Park Gardens Auxiliary Hospital for Officers opened in August 1916 at 19 Hyde Park Gardens, loaned by Mr F. Carbutt. 21 Convalescent beds for officers were provided, additional running costs over the usual War Office contribution were met by Mr Fenwick Harrison and his son Captain Harrison. The hospital closed in May 1919 and today the property has been divided into apartments.

                       Primitive Methodist School Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at the Sunday School on Bloomfield Road, Bromley Common. It provided 25 beds staffed by the Kent 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It closed in 1915 and the patients and staff transferred to Oakley House.

                       Putney Heath Auxiliary Hospital was located at 9 Heathfield Gardens, Putney Heath.

                       Streatham Common Auxiliary Hospital was at Streatham Common. The property was demolished in the 1970s.

                       Balgowan V.A.D. Hospital opened in December 1915 in the newly built Balgowan Road School on Balgowan Road in Beckenham, Kent, loaned by Beckenham Urban District Council. Staffed the the Kent 96 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 100 beds, this was later increased to 200 and then to 240 with two tended wards being added in the grounds. It closed in December 1919, having treated 5,257 patients. The property is still in use as a school.

                       Barham Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Barham Lodge, 149 Oatlands Drive in Weybridge, Surrey, loaned by Mr Clermont Wood. It opened in September 1915 with 35 beds for enlisted men, this later increased to 45 beds. The hospital closed on 19th of March 1919.

                       Barnet Military Hospital was located at The Barracks on High Street, Barnet in Hertfordshire. It provided 10 beds. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by a the car park of the Spires Shopping Centre.

                       Barnet War Hospital opened in June 1916 in the newly built infirmary of the The Barnet Union Workhouse on Wellhouse Lane, Barnet. Over 6000 patients were treated before the building was returned to its owners in October 1919, it then became Wellhouse Hospital.

                       Baroness de Goldsmids Hospital for Officers opened at 35 Chesham Place Belgravia in October 1914 and provided 9 beds. It was funded by the Baroness without Ware Office grants and closed in May 1918.

                       Baroness d'Erlangers Auxiliary Hospital opened in autumn 1914, providing 10 beds in the Baroness d'Erlanger's Convalescent Home for Children on Kent View, Shooters Hill. The property is no longer standing.

                       Bathurst House Hospital for Officers opened in autumn 1914 at 12 Belgrave Square in Belgravia. In 1917 it is recorded as having 29 beds and being affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital at Millbank.

                       Belmont Prisoner of War Hospital was located in the buildings of the Belmont Workhouse in Sutton. German prisoners of war, There were 92 beds for German officers and 1,175 for other ranks. The site also housed an internment camp with 90 beds for civilian enemy aliens awaiting repatriation. The site is now occupied by housing.

                       Bermondsey Military Hospital was on Ladywell Road, Bermondsey.

                       Bethnal Green Military Hospital opened in 1915 when the Bethnal Green Infirmary on Cambridge Heath Road was taken over as a military hospital. It provided 709 beds. The hospital returned to civilian use in 1920 and closed in 1990, today the site is occupied by housing.

                       Bexley & Welling Hospital at 14 Upton Road, Bexleyheath provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Brackley Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Brackley Lodge, Weybridge.

                       Brassey Hospital was run by Lady Violet Brassey at 40 Upper Grosvenor Street in London.

                       Brooklands Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in October 1915 with 75 beds at Brookland on Heath Road, Weybridge in Surrey. The property was loaned by Mr Hugh Locke-King of the North Surrey and Kingston Red Cross Branch. In the summer of 1916 an open air ward with 12 beds was added in the gardens. By 1917 the hospital had a capacity of 140 with an additional 20 open air beds in the summer months. A new hutted ward was under construction at the armistice and opened in January 1919 with an additional 30 beds. The hospital closed in November 1919.

                       Brookshill Convalescent Hospital for Officers opened on 20th of July 1918 at Brookshill, loaned by Frank Blackwell of Cross and Blackwell. It was staffed the the London 6 Voluntary Aid Detachment and the hospital was furnished and funded by the department stores, Debenhams and Marshall & Snelgrove, they also provided a motor ambulance which was used the the London 1 VAD as well as the hospital. The hospital closed on 8th of February 1919, the property was demolished in the 1960s and today the site is occupied by the housing of Harrow Weald Park.

                       Byculla and Crosfield V.A.D. Hospital opened in 1916 at Byculla on Broadlands Road, Highgate loaned by Mr A. Stern. It provided 32 beds, increasing to 42 beds and then to 82 when the adjoining property was loaned by Sir Arthur Crosfield. The Hospital closed in March 1919 having treated 2,493 patients. The properties are no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the apartments of Broadlands Lodge.

                       Campbell Hospital for Officers opened in late 1914 by Mrs Muirhead Campbell at 10 Cambridge Square, Paddington, providing 10 beds. The hospital closed in 1917 and the building was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Canadian Convalescent Hospital was located at 26 Park Lane, London.

                       1 Hyde Park Place in London was home to a Canadian Hospital during the Great War.

                       Carnarvon Hospital was opened by Lady Carnarvon at 48 Bryanston Square in London.

                       Caterham Military Hospital was in Caterham, Surrey.

                       Catherine Gladstone Relief Hospital was at Ravensbury Park House off Seddon Road in Mitcham, set in 7 acres of grounds. During the Great War it was taken over for use by military patients and provided 60 beds. The property was demolished in the 1940s.

                       The Cavalry Hospital at Combermere Barracks in Windsor was used throughout the Great War.

                       Cedar Lawn Military Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 25th of November 1914 at Cedar Lawn on North End Road, Hampstead loaned by Lord Leverhulme. The hospital provided 36 beds and was staffed by the London 60 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In 1917 capacity was increased to 90 beds. The hospital closed on 20th of June 1919 having treated 2,383 patients.

                       Central London Throat Nose and Ear Hospital on Grays Inn Road in London provided beds for military patients during the Great War. In 1916 a 20 bed annexe was added for the treatment of soldiers deafened by explosions and in 1917 the hospital became specialist section of the 2nd London General Hospital.

                       Charing Cross Hospital on Agar Street in London provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Chelsea V.A.D. Hospital opened on 17th of March 1915 at 13 Grosvenor Crescent Belgravia, loaned by Lady Morrison-Bell. Staffed by the Chelsea Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 80 beds and an operating theatre. The hospital closed on 30th of April 1919 having treated 2,010 patients.

                       Chiswick Red Cross Hospital was located on Bolton Road in Chiswick.

                       Chorleywood Pavilion Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Drill Hall at Chorleywood House Estate off Rickmansworth Road in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire.

                       The City of London Hospital for Officers was located in Fishmongers’ Hall.

                       The City of London Military Hospital opened in 1914 in the City of London Union workhouse in Clifden Road, it provided 713 beds for NCO's and Other Ranks and 14 beds for Officers. The hospital returned to civilian use in 1919.

                       City Of London Red Cross Hospital was located at Osnabrook House.

                       Clapham Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at 9 Cedars Road in Clapham.

                       Coney Hill Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at Coney Hill, a large house in Croydon Road, West Wickham loaned by Mrs H.G. Hoskier.

                       The Coulsdon and Purley Patriotic Fund Hospital opened with 30 beds in early 1915 in the Congregational Hall at 906 Brighton Road in Purley, loaned by the Purley Congregational Church. The hospital closed on the 29th of March 1919.

                       Coulter Hospital opened in September at 5 Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, the property being loaned by Sir Walpole Greenwell. It provided 100 beds for officers. The building was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Countess of Dundonalds Hospital opened in January 1916 at 87 Eaton Square in Belgravia, the property being loaned by Winifred Cochrane, Countess of Dundonald who also paid for the hospital to be equipped. It was initally run by Hon. Margaret Amherst and staffed by the Norfolk 110 Voluntary Aid Detachment whop transferred to London. In 1917 the Commandant was Mrs Edith Georges and trained medical staff were assisted by the London 248 St John's V.A.D. The Hospital closed in August 1917 and the building is still standing.

                       County of Middlesex Red Cross Hospital opened in January 1915 at Hanworth Park House off Forest Road, Feltham in Middlesex. It provided 100 beds and was staffed by the Middlesex 62 and 64 Voluntary Aid Detachments. The hospital closed in January 1919. After the war the property became a flying club and later a hotel.

                       Croslands Military Hospital opened in March 1918 at Croslands, 14 Stonebridge Park in Willesden, loaned by Mr & Mrs Lee. The hospital closed in 1919 and the property became The Edgar Lee Home for Invalid Boys, the house was demolished after it was bomb damaged during WW2.

                       No.1 Croydon War Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 at Davidson Road School in Croydon, Surrey. It provided 250 general military beds for the sick and wounded.

                       No.2 Croydon War Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 at Ecclesbourne Road School in Thornton Heath, Surrey. 140 beds were provided and the establishment specialised in joint injuries.

                       No.3 Croydon War Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 at Ingram Road School, Thornton Heath. It provided 165 beds for patients needing massage and exercise.

                       No.4 Croydon War Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 in the newly built Stanford Road School, Norbury with 165 beds. The hospital specialised in the treatment of mandibular fractures and provided special diets for the patients until they were able to chew food normally again.

                       No.5 Croydon War Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 at The Crescent Schools in Croydon. 350 beds were provided and the hospital specialised in treating nerve injuries.

                       Darell Hospital was located at 58 Queen Anne Street in London.

                       Devon Nook Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in December 1914 at the Devon Nook Nursing Home on Dukes Avenue in Chiswick. It was also known as Miss Grace Lloyd's Hospital, as Grace Lloyd was the owner and became the commandant of the military hospital. The property was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Dover House Auxiliary Hospital was at Dover House in Roehampton.

                       Passmore Edwards East Ham Hospital was on Shrewsbury Road, East Ham and provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Eastcote V.A.D. Hospital opened in at Fieldend Lodge, 50 Field End Road in Eastcote loaned by Mr Benjamin James Hall and his wife Annie. Initially it was a 1914 bed annexe of Northwood V.A.D. Hospital, but became an independent hospital in April 1915 and capacity was increased to 28. It was staffed by the Middlesex 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed in November 1918 with the patients transferring to Northwood V.A.D. Hospital.

                       Eccleston Auxiliary Hospital was located at 26 Eccleston Square in London.

                       Edgehill Auxiliary Hospital opened at Edgehill House, 25 Peak Hill in Lower Sydenham.

                       Elm House Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in September 1916 at Elm House, a former school located at 9 Gentleman's Row, Enfield in Middlesex. Initially providing 50 beds, this was later increased to 70 and then to 120 with the addition of an annexe. The hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Elstree V.A.D. Hospital opened in 1915 at Elstree, 41 Westmoreland Road in Bromley, the property was loaned by Mr Frederick Medcalf. The hospital was a replacement for the nearby Whitegarth Auxiliary Hospital which had closed. The move to the larger premises allowed the closure of four very small annexes of the Masonic Hall Hospital in the town.

                       Empire Hospital for Officers (for injuries to the nervous system) opened in early 1916 in a private nursing home at 69 Vincent Square in London. It specialised in care for those who had traumatic paraplegia and brain injuries under neurologist, Henry Head. Along with the enlisted men's spinal unit at King George Hospital, Head and Medical Officer Capt. George Riddoch were able to learn much about spinal injury. Their research was invaluable to the advancement of understanding of the nervous system. The building is now the Grange Rochester Hotel.

                       Endell Street Military Hospital opened in opened in May 1915 in the former St Giles Workhouse off Endell Street, Covent Garden. The disused building required much work to convert it to a hospital, including operating theatres and 17 wards. Providing 520 beds, it was staffed by members of the Women's Hospital Corps, whose medical staff were all graduates from the London School of Medicine for Women, many were also suffragists. The majority had been nursing the wounded in France since the outbreak of war. In August 1917 a 60 bed women's section was opened at the Hospital to provide treatment for women wounded or taken ill on active service. The Hospital closed in December 1919 having treated 24,000 male patients and 2,000 female. Over 7,000 operations had been performed. The building is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by Dudley Court.

                       Endsleigh Palace Hospital for Officers opened in July 1915 at the Endsleigh Palace Hotel, 25 Gordon Street in Endsleigh Gardens. It provided 100 beds and two operating theatres. The hospital closed in 1919 and today the building is occupied by the University College London Union.

                       The Epping Union Workhouse Infirmary in Epping, Essex was used for military patients from 1917 to 1919.

                       Erin Lodge Red Cross Hospital provided 20 beds and opened on the 13th of November 1914 at Erin Lodge, 21 Oatlands Avenue in Weybridge, Surrey, loaned by Mrs Farmer. The hospital closed between August 1916 and March 1917, reopening with 35 beds, increasing to 40. The Hospital closed in July 1918, the property is no longer standing.

                       Fairlawn Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in November 1914 at Fairlawn, Honor Oak Road, Forest Hill loaned by Mr F.C. Yates. Initially providing 35 beds it was staffed by the London 216 and London 35 Voluntary Aid Detachments. In 1916 an bed annexe opened a Border Lodge, loaned by Mr A. Finsler and in 1917 a second annexe opened at Manor Mount bringing capacity to 174 beds. The hospital closed in October 1919 having treated 2,724 patients.

                       First Home of Recovery Highfield opened in 1917 at Highfield, a former girls' boarding school in Golders Green as a Home of Recovery for discharged servicemen who had been treated at the Maida Vale Hospital for Nervous Diseases. Electrical treatment, physiotherapy and psychotherapy were provided as well as gardening and practical craft workshops. The home closed in May 1918 and the site was taken over by the Royal Air Force. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       The Battle of Amiens opened at 4.20am on the 8th of August 1918. British 18th (Eastern) Division and 58th (2/1st London) Division attacked north of the River Somme supported by the 33rd American Division. The Australian 2nd Division and 3rd Division attacked south of the river with the Canadian 2nd and 3rd Divisions on their right, the French First and Third Armies were also in action to the south. German forces were pushed back across the ground they had captured in the Spring Offensive.

                       The Foot Guards Hospital at Victoria Barracks in Windsor provided treatment for the wounded during the Great War.

                       Freemasons No. 1 War Hospital opened in September 1916 at 237 Fulham Road in London, providing 77 beds. The building had formerly been the Chelsea Hospital for Women and although rather old fashioned, the building provided all the facilities needed. After the end of the war it became the Freemasons' Hospital and Nursing Home and the facade was remodelled in 1938. Today the building is home to the Chester Beatty Laboratories, part of the Institute of Cancer Research.

                       Freemasons No. 2 War Hospital opened on the 31st of May 1918 at Fulham Palace on Bishops Avenue in London, providing 100 beds.

                       The French Hospital at 172-176 Shaftesbury Avenue provided 30 beds of its 70 beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Fulham Military Hospital opened in 1915 in the Fulham Union Infirmary on St Dunstans Road, it had provided some beds for military patients from the outbreak of war. The hospital provided 1130 beds, including 318 for German prisoners of war. In 1919 the hospital reverted to civilian use, today the site is occupied by Charring Cross hospital.

                       Furzedown Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at Furzedown on Grubb Street in Limpsfield, Surrey. Staffed by the Surrey 62 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 20 beds.

                       Garden Suburb Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 in extensions to the Club House, a community centre on Willifield Way in Golders Green. It was staffed by the Middlesex 40 Voluntary Aid Detachment of the St John's Ambulance Brigade. The hospital closed in July 1919 having treated 1700 patients. The building was destroyed by bombing during WW2 and today the site is occupied by Fellowship House.

                       The Garland Home opened in 1917 at 4 Norfolk Street in Mayfair, a newly built house loaned by Mr Penryn Vaughan-Morgan. It provided 36 beds for Officers. Norfolk Street was renamed Dunraven Street in the 1930s today and the property is named Warburton House and has been divided into apartments.

                       Garth House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Garth House on Grange Road in Ealing.

                       General Service Hospital for VAD Members was located at Nottingham Place in London.

                       Gerstley-Hoare Hospital for Officers opened in January 1916 at 53 Cadogan Square in Belgravia with 25 beds staffed by the London 58 Westminster Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed in in April 1919 having treated 550 patients.

                       Golders Green Military Convalescent Home opened on 23rd of March 1915 at 24 Woodstock Road in Golders Green loaned by Mr James Gibb, Jnr. Staffed by the Middlesex 36 Voluntary Aid Detachment the hospital provided 24 beds.

                       Golf View Military Hospital was at Walton-On-Thames.

                       Green Gable Auxiliary Hospital opened on 15th of December 1914 with 6 beds in one room of at 23 Middle Road, Harrow loaned by Mr and Mrs M.F. Coventry. It was staffed by the Middlesex 168 Voluntary Aid Detachment. On 30th of May 1915 the hospital moved to Holmleigh, on College Road with 10 beds. The hospital closed on 10th of November 1916.

                       Grosvenor Crescent VAD Hospital was located at 13 Grosvenor Crescent in Chelsea.

                       Grove Lane Hospital was located at Grove Lane Schools in Grove Lane, London.

                       Southgate Auxiliary Military Hospital opened at Grovelands House, The Bourne in Southgate with 60 beds. Capacity was later increased to 78 and then to 160 staffed by the Southgate branch of the Middlesex Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Guards Hospital was in Basildon Park, Pangbourne, London.

                       Guys Hospital in St. Thomas Street, London provided beds for military patients.

                       Hall Hill Auxiliary Hospital opened on 21st of October 1914 at Hall Hill in Beadles Lane, Broadham Green in Oxted loaned by Mrs Michaelis. Staffed by the Surrey 46 and 62 Voluntary Aid Detachments it provided 11 beds.

                       Hall-Walker Hospital for Officers opened with 16 beds in 1914 in Sussex Lodge, 27 Sussex Place in Regents Park, London, loaned by Colonel and Mrs William Hall-Walker. Capacity was later increased to 27 beds. The property was demolished in the 1950s and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology was built on the site.

                       Hamilton Auxiliary Hospital for Officers opened in April 1918 at 75 Harrington Gardens in Kensington by Mrs Hamilton. Staffed by the London 40 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 20 beds. The hospital closed in 1920.

                       Hammersmith Auxiliary Hospital was in Hammersmith, London

                       Harold Fink Memorial Hospital was a private hospital located at 17 Park Lane in Mayfair, London run by surgeon Mr Andrew Shields funded by Mrs Catherine Fink in memory of her son Harold, it opened in 1912. During the Great War Mr Shields served with the Expeditionary Force and the hospital was used as a Hospital for Wounded Officers, providing 20 beds, it continued to be financed by Mrs Fink. The building has been demolished and the site is now occupied by the offices of St Andrew's House.

                       Harrow Cottage Hospital on Roxeth Hill, Harrow provided 20 military beds during the Great War.

                       Hast Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located on Baston Manor Road in Bromley, Kent.

                       Haverstock Hill General Hospital on Haverstock Hill in Hampstead provided military beds for sick and wounded soldiers during the Great War.

                       Hillingdon V.A.D. Hospital opened on the 16th of October 1914 at Westcombe Lodge, Hayes End in Middlesex, the property being loaned by Lady Hillingdon. It was staffed by the Middlesex No.2 Voluntary Aid Detachment and provided 25 beds in five wards. The hospital closed in 1919. Westcombe Lodge Drive was built on the site in the 1990s.

                       Holly Park Auxiliary Hospital opened on 9th of December 1915 at Park House, Crouch Hill in Hornsey, North London. It provided 36 beds for bed ridden cases in 5 wards, later increased to 42 beds. The Hospital closed on 20th of April 1919, having treated 291 patients.

                       Holmleigh Auxiliary Military Hospital on the 30th May 1915 at 8 College Road in Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex, when staff and patients of Green Gable Auxiliary Hospital moved to the property. The house was loaned by Mr. Alfred Bird and his mother, it provided 20 beds in four wards, later expanding to 35 beds in two further wards being opened in the living rooms. The Hospital closed on 23rd of December 1918 having treated 1,006 patients.

                       Homedale Hospital was located at Homedale on The Avenue in Upper Northwood, London.

                       Hon. Mrs Robert Lindsay's Hospital for Officers was located at 7 Charles Street in Mayfair in the home of the Hon. Mrs Robert Lindsay. It opened in August 1914 providing 15 beds, which soon increased to 22. Today the property has been converted into appartments.

                       Hornsey Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on 24th of June 1916 at Durham House School, 102 Crouch Hill in Hornsey. It initially provided 72 beds across 8 wards, later increased to 90 and then to 130. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by Ivor Court.

                       Hospital For Belgian Soldiers was located at 78 Onslow Gardens, London.

                       Hospital for Epilepsy and Paralysis was located at 4 Maida Vale, London. An established civilian hospital, it provided 35 beds for military patients with neurological injuries. The Hospital closed in 1993 and the site has been developed for housing.

                       Park Street Hospital for Officers opened on 19th of November 1914 at 24 Park Street in Mayfair loaned by Mr Granville Farquhar. Staffed by the Westminster Voluntary Aid Detachment, it provided 19 beds, later increased to 28. The Hospital closed on 15th February 1919 having treated 1,004 patients.

                       Portland Place Hospital for Officers opened at 83 Portland Place, London in June 1915. It provided 20 beds for convalescent officers transferred from Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital. The Hospital closed in April 1919.

                       Norfolk Street Hospital for Officers (Facial Injuries) was located at 24 Norfolk Street in London.

                       Imperial Order Of The Daughters Of The Empire Hospital was located at 1 Hyde Park Place, London.

                       Lady Inchcape Hospital was located at 7 Seamore Place, London.

                       Italian Hospital was located in Queen Square, London.

                       Brook Street Hospital for Facial Injuries, also known as the Jaw Hospital was located at 78 Brook Street in London.

                       Kensington And Fulham General Hospital on Earls Court Road in London provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Kensington Palace Auxiliary Hospital opened in the apartment of Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll at Kensington Palace, London in 1916, staffed by members of the London 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Duchess also provided an open house for Officers of her Regiments in her apartment at the Palace.

                       Kingston Surbiton and District Red Cross Hospital opened in August 1915 in buildings at Norbiton Common Farm on Kingston Road, New Malden, part of the Kingston Union workhouse. It provided 198 beds for enlisted servicemen, increasing to 232 in 1916 and to 270 in 1917. The Hospital closed in the first week of June 1919 having treated over 5,000 patients. The buildings later became the the Morris Markowe Unit but were demolished in the 1990s and the site is now occupied by the houses in Springfield Place.

                       King Edward Hall Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 in King Edward Hall at 7 Hendon Lane in Finchley Church End. It provided 60 beds and closed in April 1919.

                       King George Hospital opened at the end of May 1915 in the newly built five storey warehouse of the H.M. Stationery Office in Stamford Street, Waterloo. The building was connected to the London Underground by tunnels from Waterloo Station and the wounded were brought in by train. The hospital provided 1650 beds with the warehouse being partitioned into wards and a garden was created on the roof for the patients. In March 1917 capacity was increased to 1,850 beds. The Hospital closed on 15th of June 1919, having treated some 71,000 patients. Today the building is part of Kings College.

                       Chelsea Red Cross Hospital for Officers, also known as Lady Brassey's Hospital was located at 40 Upper Grosvenor Street in London.

                       Kitchener House opened in February 1917 at 8 Cambridge Gate, Regents Park in London. It provided daytime rehabilitation for enlisted men who were still in hospital, with educational and practical classes as well as recreational facilities.

                       Lady Aberconways Hospital for Officers opened in the drawing room of Lady Aberconway's home at 43 Belgrave Square, London in August 1914. The building is now home to the Turkish Embassy.

                       Lady Carnarvons Hospital for Officers opened at 48 Bryanston Square, London in January 1916, relocating from Highclere Castle. It had 40 beds, many in single rooms. The Hospital closed on 15th of February 1919.

                       Lady Evelyn Masons Hospital for Officers opened in 1914 at 16 Bruton Street in Mayfair. Initially providing 30 beds, capacity was later increased to 50. The Hospital closed in 1918, today the site is occupied by Berkeley Square House.

                       Lady Mary Meynells Hospital for Officers opened in 1915 providing 23 beds in Lady Mary's home at 8 Lennox Gardens in Knightsbridge. Staffed by the by the Chelsea Voluntary Aid Detachment, capacity was later increased to 29 beds. It closed in December 1918, today the building has been converted into apartments.

                       Lady Mountgarrets Hospital for Officers opened in November 1914 at 18 Cadogan Gardens, Sloane Square in London. Staffed by the London 88 St John Voluntary Aid Detachment, it initially provided 8 beds in the house lent by Robinia, Viscountess Mountgarret. Capacity was increased to 12 and then to 14. The hospital closed in 1917.

                       Lady Northcliffes Hospital for Officers opened in 1915 with 20 beds at 14 Grosvenor Crescent, London. The Hospital closed in 1919 and the building became the headquarters of the British Red Cross Society.

                       Lady Ridleys Hospital for Officers opened in autumn 1914 with 25 beds at 10 Carlton House Terrace, St James in London. Staffed by the London 52 Voluntary Aid Detachment, capacity was increased to 60 by 1917. The hospital closed in closed in January 1919.

                       Lambeth Auxiliary Hospital opened in July 1916 with 16 beds at Homedale, 44 The Avenue, Upper Norwood. At the end of November 1917 the Hospital moved to Woodhall, College Road, Dulwich. Homedale has been demolished and redeveloped for housing, Turkey Oak Close, Hamlyn Gardens and Homelands Drive now stand on the site.

                       Lambeth Red Cross Hospital opened in December 1917 with 57 beds at Woodhall, 101 College Road, Sydenham Hill, loaned by the family of James Crossley Eno. The hospital had previous been located at Homedale in Upper Norwood, it was staffed by the Lambeth Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Hospital closed on 31st January 1920 having treated over 2000 patients. Woodhall was destroyed by a V1 rocket in July 1944 during WW2 and the site was redeveloped for housing in the 1960s.

                       Lewisham Military Hospital provided 24 beds for officers and 838 for servicemen including 190 for prisoners of war at the Lewisham Union Workhouse, 390 High Street in Lewisham. In 1929 the building became Lewisham Hospital. The hospital has been largely rebuilt, though some original buildings are still in use.

                       Life Guards Hospital was located at Regents Park in London.

                       Livingstone College Relief Hospital opened in August 1915 with 51 beds, it was on Matlock Road in Walthamstow in the buildings of Livingstone College. The Hospital closed at the end of 1918, the property was demolished in the 1960s and the site is now occupied by is now occupied by Greg Close.

                       London Hospital in Whitechapel provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       London Temperance Hospital on Hampstead Road in London provided military beds during the Great War.

                       Londonderry House at 19 Park Lane in London was used as a military hospital during the Great War.

                       Lonsdale House Hospital opened by the Ministry of Pensions in 1918 at 22 Poynders Road, Clapham Park in London, to accommodate 32 disabled servicemen. From April 1918 it was administrated by the National Hospital for Paralysis and provided physiotherapy and electric treatment. The Hospital closed in 1936. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by Poynders Gardens.

                       Lytton Hospital opened in 1914 at Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street in Mayfair, the family home of Lord Dartmouth Earl of Lytton, his wife Lady Lytton supervised the hospital. Initially 45 beds were provided, later capacity was increased to 75. The Hospital closed in 1918 and today the building is in use as a conference centre.

                       Mackinnon Hospital was opened by Mrs Mackinnon in her home at 46 Queens Gate Terrace, South Kensington in autumn 1914, providing 20 beds. The Hospital closed in early 1919.

                       Manor House Hospital opened in 1917 with 102 beds in hutted wards on the Manor Estate, North End Road in Golders Green. It was run by the Allied Hospital Benevolent Fund. In 1919 the organisation was renamed the Industrial Orthopaedic Society and the hospital continued to treat those injured in industrial accidents. The hospital closed in 1999 and the site has been redeveloped for housing, it is now known as Manor Heights.

                       Marylebone Auxiliary Hospital was located at 40 Weymouth Street, Marylebone, London.

                       Maudsley Military Hospital opened in the newly built Maudsley Hospital at Denmark Hill, Camberwell in London as the Neurological Section of the 4th London General Hospital. It was a clearing hospital and treatment centre for soldiers diagnosed with shell shock and neurasthenia. After the Great War the hospital returned to civilian use and is still open today.

                       Maxillo-Facial Hospital opened on the 1st of October 1916 on Prince's Road, Kennington with 30 beds for discharged servicemen with facial and jaw injuries. The Hospital closed on 31st of December 1918. Today the building is known as William Geoffrey House.

                       McCaul Hospital for Officers opened in autumn 1914 with 15 beds in Miss Ethel McCaul's private nursing home at 51 Welbeck Street, London. The property next door, No. 52 was later taken over and capacity increased to 46 beds. Today the property is used as offices.

                       McKinnon Hospital was located at 46 Queens Gate Terrace in London.

                       Metropolitan Ear Nose And Throat Hospital at 2 Fitzroy Square, London became a Sectional Special Hospital of the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital. It provided 28 beds for military patients suffering from "gunshot injuries of the face and throat, injuries and disorders of the ears caused by explosions of mines, gun-firing and microbic infection inevitable in trench warfare waged in highly cultivated soil".

                       Metropolitan Hospital on Kingsland Road, London provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Meynell Hospital was located at 8 Lennox Gardens, London.

                       Michie Hospital opened on the opened on 13th of March 1916 at 184 Queens Gate, South Kensington, loaned by Mrs Mary Coutts Michie. Staffed by the Westminster 242 Voluntary Aid Detachment, it provided 168 beds under the commandant Mrs Isaacs. In spring 1917 an annex with 108 beds was opened at 193 Queen's Gate loaned by Major Leyland and a second annexe with 45 beds opened at 179 Queen's Gate bringing capacity to 321 beds, with 61 being for officers. In 1918 Mrs Michie became the commandant with Mrs Issacs taking over the newly opened Queen's Gate Hospital at No. 194. 2,859 were treated at the Michie Hospital before it closed in 1919. Only No.183 Queen's Gate survives, the other properties have been redeveloped.

                       Middlesex Hospital on Berners Street, London provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Mile End Military Hospital was located on Bancroft Road in London.

                       Shepherds Bush Military Orthopaedic Hospital was on Du Cane Road, Shepherds Bush.

                       Mill Hill Military Hospital provided 12 beds at Mill Hill Barracks off Bittacy Hill in Mill Hill East, London. The barracks closed in 1961 and teh site has been redeveloped.

                       Miss Icombes Auxiliary Hospital was opened in 1914 by was opened by Miss Grace Icombe at Garth House, 6a Grange Road in Ealing providing 41 beds for convalescent enlisted servicemen. The Hospital closed in 1919, the property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by Balmain Close.

                       Miss Pollacks Hospital for Officers opened in 1914 at 50 Weymouth Street, London, funded by the businessman Sir Robert Hudson Borwick it provided 50 beds for Colonial officers. In September 1918 the Hospital became the Belgravia Nursing Home. Today the property at the corner of Beaumont Mews and Weymouth Street has been converted into apartments.

                       Mrs Mitchison's Hospital for Officers was opened with 30 beds in June 1916 by Mrs Mary E. Mitchison in her home at The Clock House, Chelsea Embankment in London. The Hospital closed in April 1918 having treated 366 patients.

                       Mons Hospital was located at 59 Fitzjohn’s Avenue in London.

                       Montpelier House Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 at 1 Montpelier Road in Ealing. It provided 23 beds for convalescent patients transferred from the Fourth London General Hospital, capacity was increased to 80 by 1917.

                       The Durham Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force. 1st Durham Battery and ammunition column were based in Seaham Harbour, 2nd Durham Battery in Silksworth, 3rd Durham Battery was based in West Hartlepool, together they made up the 3rd (County Durham) Brigade RFA. 4th Durham (Howitzer) Battery was based in South Shields along with the Howitzer Ammunition Column, 5th Durham (Howitzer) Battery was based in Hebburn, together they made up the 4th (County Durham) Howitzer Brigade. They proceeded to France with 50th Division. In 1916 they were reorganised. 3rd (County of Durham) Brigade became 252nd Brigade R.F.A. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Durham Batteries were renamed A, B and C Batteries. 4th (County of Durham) Howitzer Brigade became 253rd (Howitzer) Brigade R.F.A.

                       Princess Christians Hospital for Officers opened in opened in March 1916 at 6 Grosvenor Place, Belgravia, London. It provided 35 beds and remained open until March 1919.

                       Princess Henry of Battenbergs Hospital for Officers opened in August 1914 at 30 Hill Street Square in Mayfair, loaned by Lady Jeanne Coats.

                       Gifford House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Gifford House in Putney Park Lane, Roehampton lent by Mr and Mrs John Douglas Charrington. It opened on 21st of June 1915 providing 80 beds, staffed by members of the London 96 Voluntary Aid Detachment of the Order of St John. Capacity quickly increased to 140 beds, by January 1916 the Hospital had 190 beds, by August 1916, 210 beds and by March 1919, 230 beds. After the war the hospital became Queen Alexandras Hospital Home for Discharged Soldiers and remained at Gifford House until September 1933 when it moved to Worthing. The property was demolished in the 1950s and the site is now occupied by the Ashburton Estate, the house being located at the junction of Tildersley Road and Putney Heath.

                       Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital. Millbank opened on John Islip Street, Milbank, London in 1905. It closed in the 1970s.

                       Queen Marys Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital opened in July 1915 with 20 beds at Dover House, Putney Park in London, was loaned by the American banker Mr John Pierpoint Morgan, Jr. From 1916 onwards the hospital provided a limb-fitting service for limbless officers, working closely with Queen Mary's Hospital at nearby Roehampton House.

                       Queen Mary's Hospital was a a rehabilitation hospital specialising in the fitting of artificial limbs. It opened on the 28th of June 1915, providing 180 beds at Roehampton House on Roehampton Lane, London in 1915, the property being loaned by Mr. Kenneth Wilson of Ellerman's Wilson Line. By the end of WW1 it had expanded to 900 beds and become a a leading limb-fitting and rehabilitation centre. The hospital was renamed Queen Mary's (Roehampton) Hospital in 1925, a new hospital was now been built in the grounds and Roehampton House has been converted into apartments.

                       Red Cross Clinic for the Physical Treatment of Disabled Officers was located at 126 Great Portland Street in London. It opened on the 2nd October 1916 the Red Cross Society taking over the previously private clinic run by Mr King, it provided physiotherapy for wounded Officers who were still serving and those who had been discharged due to wounds.

                       Richmond Military Hospital was located in the workhouse and infirmary of the Richmond Union Workhouse on Grove Road, Richmond, London.

                       Robert Fleming Hospital for Officers opened in 1914 providing 10 beds at 27 Grosvenor Square in Belgravia, the home of investment banker Robert Fleming and his wife.

                       Rochester Row Military Hospital was located on Rochester Row, London.

                       Rockwells Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Rockwells on Fountain Road in Upper Northwood. The property is no longer standing.

                       Roseneath Voluntary Hospital opened on 3rd December 1914 at Roseneath a large house set in 11 acres off Vicars Moor Lane, Winchmore Hill, loaned by William Thomas Paulin, J.P. Staffed by the London 94 Voluntary Aid Detachment, it provided 40 beds. Capacity increased to 50 by October 1915 and then to 74 in 1917 and 90 by 1918. The Hospital closed in April 1919.

                       Rosslyn Lodge Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on 1st July 1916 at Rosslyn Lodge on Lyndhurst Road, Hampstead loaned by Mr Herbert Hill. Initally 36 beds were provided for cot cases, capacity was later increased to 54 beds and then to 63 and finally to 100. The Hospital closed on 31st of October 1919, having treated 2,227 patients. Today only part of the property survives and is in use as the HQ of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

                       The Royal Eye Hospital on St. Georges Circus, London provided treatment for military patients during the Great War.

                       Royal Flying Corps Hospital at 37 Bryanston Square, London opened in May 1916, providing 20 beds. The property was loaned by Lady Tredegar.

                       Royal Flying Corps Hospital opened at 37 Dorset Square, London was established by Dr Charles Atkin Swan in October 1915, the first auxiliary hospital specifically for the RFC. Previously sick and wounded airmen has been treated at Netley Hospital.

                       Royal Flying Corps Hospital opened at 82 Eaton Square, London in 1917, the 3rd RFC auxiliary hospital. In 1918 it was renamed the Royal Air Force Auxiliary Hospital. Today the property has been converted in apartments.

                       The Royal Free Military Hospital for Officers opened in 1915 in the newly built Helena Building of the Royal Free Hospital on Grays Inn Road, London. It provided 150 beds. The building returned to civilian use in 1920.

                       Royal Herbert Hospital at Shooters Hill, Greenwich was a military hospital which opened in 1865.

                       Royal Horse Guards Hospital was a military hospital located at the Royal Horse Guard barracks in Regents Park, London.

                       Royal Hospital For Diseases Of The Chest was located on City Road in London. Treatment was provided for military patients during the Great War.

                       The Royal Hospital on Kew Foot Road in Richmond reserved 50 beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital on City Road in London provided treatment for military patients during the Great War.

                       Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at 234 Great Portland Street in London reserved between 100 and 130 beds for treatment of military patients during the Great War.

                       The Royal National Throat Nose & Ear Hospital at 32-33 Golden Square in London reserved 30 beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Rutland Hospital for Officers opened in 1914 at Rutland House, 16 Arlington Street, St James, London by the Duchess of Rutland. It provided 17 beds.

                       Samuelson Hospital was opened by Mrs. Samuelson at her home at 58 Grosvenor Street in London.

                       Sir John Ellermans Hospital for Disabled Officers opened on the 27th of January 1917 at St Johns Lodge, Regents Park, providing 60 beds.

                       South African Military Hospital opened on the 16th of June 1916 at Richmond Park providing 300 beds in purpose built hutted wards. Capacity was later expanded to 600 beds with further wards being built. On the 1st of July 1918, it joined with the Richmond Park Military Hospital and was renamed the South African Military Hospital, with a total of 1,098 beds. An additional 250 beds were made available by billeting patients in nearby houses. The hospital closed in 1921 and the huts were removed from the park in 1925.

                       Southwark Military Hospital opened on 11th of November 1915 in the Southwark Union Infirmary on East Dulwich Grove, Southwark. The military Hospital closed in April 1919 having treated 12,522 patients, the building was returned to the Guardians of the Union and it was renamed Southwark Hospital in 1921. The hospital closed in 2005 and teh site has been largely redeveloped.

                       Southwark Red Cross Hospital opened on 17th of July 1918 at 119 Kennington Park Road, Southwark, providing 40 convalescent beds for patients with severe head or eye injuries. The Hospital closed on 28th of February 1919 having treated 174 patients.

                       Southwood Hospital opened in July 1915 at Southwood House, 56 Court Road in Eltham, which had been in used as accommodation for the Avery Hill teacher training centre. Providing 60 beds it was staffed by the Greenwich Voluntary Aid Detachment. In 1918 it moved to another large property, Cathay on the same road. The Hospital closed on 13th of June 1919 having treated a total of 1,765 patients.

                       Spalding Hall V.A.D. Hospital opened in 1915 at Spalding Hall in Victoria Road, Hendon, loaned by the Hendon Congregationalist Church. Providing 20 beds and was staffed by the Middlesex 16 Voluntary Aid Detachment Capacity was later increased to 60. Today the property is in use as a gym and offices.

                       Special Hospital for Officers opened in January 1915 at 10 Palace Green, Kensington. It provided 33 beds in single rooms for officers suffering from functional neuroses, traumatic neurasthecia and the milder psychoses. Capacity was later increased with 11 Palace Green being taken over as part of the hospital. Severe psychotic cases were transferred to Latchmere House. It continued to treat patiences well into the 1920's.

                       Special Hospital for Officers opened at Latchmere on Church Road, Ham Common, Richmond in November 1915. It provided 51 beds for psychotic shell-shocked officers. At the end of the war the hospital transferred to the Ministry of Pensions and remained open until 1939. Today the property is in use as a prison.

                       The Poplar and Stepney Sick Asylum on Devons Road, Bromley-by-Bow provided training for RAMC orderlies and reserved one pavilion for Military patients.

                       St Dunstan's Hostel for Blinded Soldiers and Sailors opened on the 26th of March 1915 at The Lodge, Regents Park loaned by American financier Otto Kahn. It provided rehabilitation and training to help the blinded back to their own homes and into a trade. By October 1916 the number of blinded servicemen had increased and a 200 bed annexe opened at Holford House loaned by Regent's Park College. A second annexe opened at 40 Lee Terrace, Blackheath and additional St Dunstan's facilities opened in Brighton, Torquay. In 1920 St Dunstan's moved out of The Lodge to nearly premises.

                       St Georges Hall V.A.D. Hospital opened on the 16th of January 1915 in the church hall of St George's Presbyterian Church on Willesden Lane, Brondesbury. Staffed by the Middlesex 4, St John's Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 16 beds, capacity later increased to 20. The Hospital closed in January 1919 and the building is no longer standing.

                       St Johns Hospital on Morden Hill, Lewisham provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       St Mary's Russian Hospital for British Officers opened on 17th of October 1916 at 8 South Audley Street in Mayfair. Providing 30 beds, later increasing to 40, it was was financed by the former Russian diplomat, Monsieur Mouravieff-Apostol, his wife acted as Commandant. The hospital closed in 1918, today the building is in use as the Nehru Centre.

                       St. Andrews Hospital on Dollis Hill, London was loaned to the Red Cross for the duration of the war. Providing 70 beds it became a section of the 2nd London General Hospital. the Hospital administrator, Monsignor Maurice Carton de Wiart, was from Belgium and the hospital specialised in treating French speaking patients. The hospital returned to civilian use in March 1919 having treated treated 2,430 military patients.

                       During the Great War St. Bartholomews Hospital in West Smithfield, London reserved one wing for military patients. A plaque on the building states that 2,430 military patients received treatment at St Barts during the conflict.

                       St James' Infirmary on Ouseley Road, Balham in London reserved 68 beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       St. Mary’s Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hampton-on-Thames.

                       Stanwell House Auxiliary Hospital was near Staines.

                       Stormont House Red Cross Hospital opened on the 29th January 1916 in the Stormont House Industrial School at 75 Downs Park, Hackney Downs. Providing 42 beds for Convalescent soldiers it remained open until March 1919 and provided treatment for 1,192 patients. After the war the building returned to use as a school. Though the building has been demolished and replaced, the site continues in that role to this day.

                       Streatham Relief Hospital was located in the Queen Alexandra Wing of the British Home and Hospital for Incurables on Crown Lane in Streatham. Staffed by members of the local Voluntary Aid Detachment, 26 beds were provided for military patients referred from the 5th London General Hospital. The wing returned to use as part of the civilian hospital after the war and remains so today.

                       Summerlee V.A.D. Hospital was located at Summerlee on Fortis Green in East Finchley. The hospital opened in 1916 providing 40 beds staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment, by the end of 1917 capacity had increased to 100. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Summerlee Avenue.

                       Sutton Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital opened on 11th of June 1915 at Benfleet Hall, Benhilton, Sutton loaned by Mr W.K. Appleton. Staffed by members of the Surrey 102 and Surrey 104 Voluntary Aid Detachments, it provided 60 beds, capacity increased to 103 in 1917. The hospital closed on 7th of April 1919 having treated 2,186 patients. The property is no longer standing and the site is occupied by the houses of Benfleet Close.

                       Streatham Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital opened on 15th of April 1916 at 3 Christchurch Road in Streatham. Providing 33 beds, the property was loaned by Mrs Hughes. The Hospital closed in July 1919 having treated 930 patients.

                       Swedish War Hospital for British Wounded opened in 1914 in The Central Institute for Swedish Gymnastics at 16 Paddington Street, Marylebone. It was funded by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in London and remained open until late 1918. Today the property is the Hellenic Centre.

                       Syon House Auxiliary Hospital opened in June 1916 in the Riding School of Syon House on Park Road, Brentford in Middlesex. Established by Helen Magdalen, Duchess of Northumberland, it provided 35 beds staffed by the Middlesex 64 Voluntary Air Detachment. The hospital closed in January 1919. and today the building is part of the Syon Park garden centre.

                       Teddington Red Cross Hospital opened in April 1918 at Shaftesbury House on at the corner of Manor and Ferry Roads, Teddington in Middlesex. Providing 49 beds it was run by a committee led by Mr Charles Burge, a successful local builder, his wife was commandant of the local Voluntary Aid Detachment who staffed the hospital. After the war the property became a school.

                       Templeton House Hospital was located at Templeton House on Priory Lane, Roehampton.

                       The Castle Relief Hospital provided 20 beds at Castle Hill House, off Castle Street, Bletchingley.

                       Theodore Hospital was opened in August 1917 at 53 Mount Street, Mayfair by Mrs Zarifi. 20 beds were provided for convalescent officers transferred from Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital. The hospital closed in 1919 andtoday the property is in use as an office block.

                       Tottenhall Auxiliary War Hospital was in Tottenhall Road, London

                       The Grove Military Hospital opened in November 1916 in the requisitioned property of the The Grove Fever Hospital on Tooting Grove London. It provided 550 beds for the sick. It closed in September 1919 having treated 2,499 officers and 13,459 other ranks. The hospital then returned to civilian use, today it is St George's Hospital, most of the site has been rebuilt but two of the original ward blocks remain in the Knightsbridge Wing.

                       Palmer’s Green Auxiliary Hospital was located in the the buildings of Tottenham Road Schools in Palmer’s Green.

                       Tudor House Military Hospital opened in the summer of 1918 at Tudor House, The Grove, Hampstead Heath. The property had previously been the Clara Baroness de Hirsch Convalescent Home. Funded by Mrs Bischoffsheim, the hospital provided 50 beds for Jewish servicemen. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by Summit Lodge.

                       Willesden Military Hospital was also known as St Mary's Road V.A.D. Hospital and St Matthew's Hall V.A.D. Hospital. It opened in December 1914 in St Matthew's Church Hall on St. Marys Road in Willesden. Staffed by the the Middlesex 16 St John's Voluntary Aid Detachment, it provided 30 beds. The property was badly damaged by a bomb in WW2 and was rebuilt in the 1950s.

                       Venetian Road Schools Auxiliary Hospital in Camberwell opened in 1915 in the buildings of Caldicot School situated between between Bessemer Road and Venetian Road. The hospital provided 25 Officer beds and 198 Other Ranks beds for Malaria cases and was a section of 4th London General Hospital. Today the surviving part of the school is the Normanby Building of King's College Hospital.

                       Wallacefield Auxiliary Hospital opened in September 1914 at Wallacefield, Coombe Road in South Croydon loaned by George Goodsir, J.P. It provided 20 beds in 8 wards, affiliated to the 4th London General Hospital, capacity increased to 29 in 1917. The hospital closed in December 1918 having treated 1,152 patients. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Blossom Close.

                       Wardell Auxiliary Hospital opened in the Mary Wardell Convalescent Home for Scarlet Fever at Verulam House, Brockley Hill, Stanmore. It provided 56 beds initally for French and Belgian soldiers. The Hospital closed in 1917, when Miss Wardell died at the age of 84 years. Part of the property remains and is now named Eastgate House, used as the administration offices of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.

                       Weir Military Hospital opened on the 17th of November 1914 in the Weir Maternity Hospital at 12 Weir Road, Balham, loaned by the trustees to the Kensington Division of the British Red Cross Society. Initially 36 beds were provided but this increased to 50 by the end of the year. In autumn 1915 capacity was increased to 100 beds and later to 160 with the addition of hutted wards. The hospital returned to civilian use on 30th of June 1919, having treated 4,535 military patients.

                       West End Hospital for Diseases of the Nervous System at 73 Welbeck Street, London reserved 20 beds for military patients at the outbreak of the Great War. This was later increased to 30 beds. In 1915 the Hospital was renamed the West End Hospital for Nervous Diseases. After the war, the property became the Out-Patients Department with the main hospital moving to larger premises. The property is no longer standing and has been replaced by a multi-storey car park.

                       During the Great War the West London Hospital in Hammersmith reserved 36 beds for military patients referred from the 4th London General Hospital.

                       Westbourne Hospital opened on 28th of April 1915 at 55 Porchester Terrace, Bayswater. It provided 60 beds staffed by the Paddington 2 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed on 31st of May 1919, the building is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by a private house.

                       White City Military Hospital opened on the 21st of October 1914 in the Royal Pavilion of the White City Exhibition site, on White City Road, Hammersmith. The whole site had been requisitioned for use as a military training camp for 12,000 recruits. The hospital was staffed by the London 28 Voluntary Aid Detachment and initially provided 16 beds, far too few for the size of the camp and was quickly doubled with the addition of a second pavilion and then increased again. The Hospital closed on 30th of April 1915 having treated 996 in-patients, over 10,000 out patients and administered inoculations to all the trainees. The site of the Royal Pavilion is now occupied by Canberra Primary School.

                       At the outbreak of the Great War, Wimbledon Hospital on Thurston Road, Wimbledon reserved 32 beds for military patients. In 1917 further military beds were provided in marquees in the grounds. The hospital returned to full civilian use on the 19th of February 1919 having treated over 500 military patients.

                       Wood Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wood Hall, 101 College Road, Dulwich. The building was destroyed by a v1 rocket in 1944.

                       Woodstock Road Auxiliary Hospital was on Woodstock Road in Golders Green.

                       Charnwood Forest VAD Hospital was located in the Charnwood Convalescent Home on Breakback Road, Loughborough.

                       City of London Military Hospital opened on 2nd of October 1915 with 100 beds in the Bueckers Hotel at 26 Finsbury Square, London. Capacity was later increased to 130 beds. The Hospital closed in 1919, the property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the offices of Finwell House.

                       Great Northern Central Hospital on Holloway Road in London provided 206 beds for military patients as a section of the 2nd London General Hospital. It reverted to civilian use in 1919.

                       All Hallows Hospital was run by the nuns of All Hallows Convent in Ditchingham. During the Great War the cottage hospital treated military patients, returning to civllian use in 1919.

                       St. Nicholas Auxiliary Hospital was on St Nicholas Street in Thetford.

                       Bears Farm Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 at Bears Farm on Bears Lane, Hingham. It closed on the 28th of December 1918.

                       Berry Hall Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Berry Hall, a medieval mansion in Walsingham, Norfolk.

                       Buckenham Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Buckenham Hall, Mundford.

                       Carrow Auxiliary Hospital was located in a property belonging to Coleman's the mustard manufacturer at Bracondale Woods, Norwich.

                       Catton Hall Military Hospital was located at Catton Hall off Parkside Drive, Old Catton in Norfolk.

                       Cawston Manor Red Cross Hospital was at Cawston Manor in Cawston near Norwich. The property later became a school.

                       Cliff House Military Hospital was at Cliff House in Hunstanton, Norfolk.

                       Colne House Military Hospital was at Colne House Hotel on Colne Road in Cromer.

                       The Convalescent Hospital on Valentine Road, Hunstanton was used for military patients during the Great War. The property is currently used as a Council Information office.

                       The Convent Hospital on Chapel Field Road in Norwich provided care for military patients during the Great War. The property is no longer standing.

                       Coonoor Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Coonor in Thorpe St Andrew in Norfolk.

                       Thorpe St Andrew Military Hospital was in the Norfolk County Asylum on Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew in Norfolk. The property later became St Andrews Hospital which closed in the 1990s and the site has been redeveloped for housing.

                       Felthorpe Hall Red Cross Hospital opened on 11th November 1914 at Felthorpe Hall, Felthorpe, loaned by the Lawrence family. Staffed by the Norfolk 120 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 23 beds. The hospital closed on 15th of January 1919 having treated 432 patients. There is a memorial plaque in Felthorpe church, stating the hospital flags were deposited in the church when the hospital closed.

                       Garboldisham Military Hospital was located at Garboldisham Manor, Garboldisham near Thetford.

                       Gunthorpe Hall Military Hospital was at Gunthorpe Hall, Gunthorpe in Norfolk.

                       Hardingham Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Hardingham Hall, Hardingham in Norfolk.

                       Hedenham Hall Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 3rd of April 1915 at Hedenham Hall, Hedenham in Norfolk. It provided 35 beds. The hospital closed on 23rd of December 1918 having treated 771 patients.

                       Hillington Hall Military Hospital was located at Hillington Hall, Hillington in Norfolk. The property is no longer standing, having been rebuilt in the 1940s.

                       Holkham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Holkham Farm House near Holkam on the north coast of Norfolk. Today it is named Model Farm, Holkham Park.

                       Hoveton Hall VAD Hospital was located at Hoveton Hall, Hoveton in Norfolk.

                       Ingham Military Hospital was located at Ingham Old Hall, Ingham in Norfolk.

                       Lower House Red Cross Hospital was located at Lower House on Mundesley Road, North Walsham in Norfolk. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Greenway Close.

                       Lower House Red Cross Hospital was located at Lower House on Mundesley Road, North Walsham in Norfolk. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Greenway Close.

                       North Walsham VAD Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Wellingtonia on Mundesley Road, North Walsham in Norfolk.

                       Lynford Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Lynford Hall near Mumford. Today the property is a hotel.

                       Brancaster Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Manor House, Brancaster in Norfolk.

                       Overstrand Military Hospital opened on the 1st of August 1916 at Overstand Hall, Overstrand on the Norfolk coast and provided 15 beds for Officers. The hospital closed on 21st of October 1916 due to the danger of air raids.

                       Prince Edward Home on Kings Lynn Road, Hunstanton was used for military patients during the Great War. Today it is known as Valentine Court.

                       Red House VAD Hospital was located at The Red House on Cromwell Road in Cromer. Today it is named Halsey House and is a British Legion home for ex-service personnel.

                       Saxlingham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Saxlingham Old Hall, Saxlingham Nethergate in Norfolk.

                       Seafield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Seafield on the corner of Kings Road and Nelson South Road in Great Yarmouth.

                       St. Gregorys VAD Hospital was located at 11 Stalham Road, Hoveton

                       Sunny Hill Auxiliary Hospital opened in March 1915 at Sunnyhill in Thorpe St. Andrew, loaned by Mr and Mrs G F Buxton. The hospital moved from Larchwood where it had been since December 1914, but the property had proved too small. It was run by the Norfolk 7 and 16 Voluntary Aid Detachments. The hospital closed on 30th November 1918 having treated 1152 patients.

                       HMS Aphis was built by Ailsa Shipbuilding Company and launched on 15th of September 1915. An Insect class gun boat of 635 tons, 237ft 6" in length with a Beam of 36ft and draught of 4 feet. She had a compliment of 55 and a top speed of 14 knots. Her armament was two 6inch guns and two 12pounders.

                       Swanton House Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Swanton House on Dereham Road in Swanton Novers. Today the property is a care home.

                       The Dales Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Dales in Upper Sheringham. The property is now a hotel.

                       Bishop's Palace Red Cross Hospital was located in the Bishop's Palace, Cathedral Close in Norwich.

                       Town Close Lodge Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 10th of August 1915 at Town Close Lodge on Newmarket Road in Norwich. It provided 46 Officer beds and treated 2087 patients before it closed on the 15th of February 1919.

                       Attleborough Red Cross Hospital was located in the Town Hall in Church Street, Attleborough.

                       Union House Auxiliary Hospital was located in the buildings of the Henstead Union Workhouse at Swainsthorpe in Norfolk. The property later became The Vale Hospital.

                       Brundall House Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1914 at Brundall House in Brundall. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Finch Way.

                       Caltofts VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located at Caltofts on Broad Street, Harleston.

                       Diss VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located at Uplands House, Walcott Road in Diss.

                       Downham Market VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located across two properties, Forester's Hall and The Towers in Downham Market.

                       East Dereham VAD Auxiliary Hospital opened on 16th November 1914 located at The Vicarage in East Dereham and provided up to 70 beds, with the addition of tented wards in the garden. The hospital closed on 5th of April 1919 having treated 2067 patients.

                       Fakenham VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located at Grove House in Tunn Street, Fakenham.

                       Kirstead VAD Auxiliary Hospital was a hutted hospital near the village of Kirstead Green in Norfolk.

                       Letheringsett VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located at Glavenside in Letheringsett near Holt in Lincolnshire.

                       Lodden VAD Auxiliary Hospital opened on the opened on 19th November 1914 in St John's Church Methodist Hall in George Lane, Loddon. It provided 20 beds. At the end of October 1918 the hospital moved to the Vicarage after the hall was destroyed by a fire. The hospital closed on 23rd of November 1918, having treated 474 patients. The hall was rebuilt in the 1920s.

                       Narborough Hall VAD Auxiliary Hospital opened with 40 beds at Narborough Hall in spring 1916 when the hospital moved from West Bilney Manor.

                       Overstrand VAD Auxiliary Hospital opened on 1st August 1916 until at Overstrand Hall loaned by by Lord and Lady Hillingdon. It provided 15 officer beds. The hospital was closed on 21st October 1916 due to air raids.

                       Thornham VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located in the village of Thornham on the north Norfolk coast.

                       Walsingham VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Oddfellows Hall in Little Walsingham.

                       Wymondham VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located at Abbotsford House, 10 Vicar Street in Wymondham.

                       Weasenham Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at the Racquet Court at Weasenham Hall, Weasenham. The property is no longer standing.

                       West Harling Auxiliary Hospital was located at West Harling Hall near Thetford. The property was demolished in the 1930s.

                       White House Auxiliary Hospital was located at the White House in Mendham Lane, Harleston.

                       Woodbastwick Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodbastwick Hall in Woodbastwick, Norfolk. The property later became an Agricultural Training College, it was demolished in 1971 and rebuilt in 2004.

                       Abington Avenue Hospital was located on Abington Avenue in Northampton.

                       Addison Villas Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Addison Villas on the corner of Palmerston Road and Billing Road in Northampton.

                       Blakeseley Auxiliary Hospital was located at Blakeseley Hall near Blakeseley in Northamptonshire. The property is no longer standing.

                       Brackley Auxiliary Hospital was located at Brackley in Northamptonshire.

                       Cottesbrooke Auxiliary Hospital was at Cottesbrooke Hall, Cottesbrooke.

                       Daventry Auxiliary Hospital was located at 36 High Street in Daventry.

                       Guilsborough Auxiliary Hospital was located at Guilsborough Hall, Guilsborough, it was owned by American novelist Irene Osgood who ran the Auxiliary Hospital. The property is no longer standing.

                       Higham Ferres Auxiliary Hospital was located on Midland Road, Higham Ferrers. The property is now used as a library.

                       Lois Weedon Officers Hospital was located at Lois Weedon house in Weedon Lois, Northamptonshire.

                       London Road Auxiliary Hospital was located on London Road in Kettering.

                       Wellingborough Auxiliary Hospital was in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

                       Barnwell Castle Auxiliary Hospital was at Barnwell Castle, Barnwell in Northamptonshire.

                       Barry Road Auxiliary Hospital was located at Barry Road Schools and Baths in Northampton.

                       Burghley House Auxiliary Hospital was at Burghley House near Stamford.

                       Castile House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Castile House Memorial Hall, in Castilian Street, Northampton.

                       Dallington Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Dallington Hall on Dallington Park Road, Dallington. The property has been divided into apartments.

                       Duncote Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Duncote Hall near Greens Norton, Northamptonshire.

                       East Haddon Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at East Haddon Hall, behind the church in East Haddon, Northamptonshire.

                       East Haddon Institute Auxiliary Hospital was loacted in the village hall on Main Street, East Haddon in Northamptonshire.

                       Everdon Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Everdon Hall, Little Everdon in Northamptonshire.

                       Eydon Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Eydon Hall, Eydon in Northamptonshire.

                       Golf House Auxiliary Hospital was located in the club house of the golf club at Church Brampton, Northamptonshire.

                       Hinwick House Auxiliary Hospital was at Hinwick House near Wellingborough.

                       King Street Emergency Hospital in Northampton provided military beds during the Great War.

                       Milton Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Milton Hall in Milton Park and provided convalescent beds for officers. The property was loaned by George and Evelyn Fitzwilliam who moved out of the house into a smaller property on the estate so that the house could be used as a hospital.

                       Rushton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Rushton Hall, Rushton near Kettering. The property is now a hotel.

                       Sulby Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sulby Hall, Sulby in Northamptonshire. The property was demolished in the 1950s.

                       The Palace Auxiliary Hospital was located at the Bishop of Peterborough's Palace.

                       Thornby Grange Auxiliary Hospital was located at Thornby Grange, Thornby.

                       Weston Favell Convalescent Home on Wellingborough Road became a Red Cross Hospital in November 1914. The property is now a care home.

                       Wothorpe Villas Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wothorpe Villas on Second Drift, Wothorpe.

                       Tynemouth V.A. Hospital was located at 48 Percy Gardens in Tynemouth.

                       Ashington Infirmary in Ashington provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       6th Northumberland Hospital was located at the Borough Hall on Wellway, Morpeth. Additional beds were provided at Moore House, Whalton near Morpeth.

                       9th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was at Chesters House in Humshaugh.

                       3rd Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located in a convalescence home on Hextol Terrace, Hexham. additional beds were provided in an annexe which opened at Cotfield House.

                       13th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located at Etal Manor, Cornhill-on-Tweed.

                       12th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located at Fowberry Towers near Chatton and Hetton House in Wooler.

                       2nd Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located at Haggerston Castle. The property was demolished in the 1930's, the site is currently in use as a holiday park.

                       14th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was at Holeyn Hall in Wylam-on-Tyne.

                       1st Northumberland V.A. Hospital was at Howick Hall near Lesbury.

                       7th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located at Oxford House, Oxford Street in Whitley Bay.

                       10th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located at Pendower Hall off West Road, Benwell. The property is currently a business centre.

                       11th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was at Woolsington Hall, Woolsington.

                       Newcastle-on-Tyne St. John Ambulance Brigade Hospital was located at 6 Kensington Terrace in teh city. The property is now used by Newcastle University.

                       Ropewalk Auxiliary Hospital was located at 9 Ropewalk, Nottingham. It provided 60 beds. The property is no longer standing.

                       Albert Hall Military Hospital was located in the Albert Hall, a Wesleyan Methodist mission and concert venue on Wellington Circus, Nottingham.

                       Arnot Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located at Arnot Hill House in Arnold, Nottingham. The grounds were opened as a public park in 1919 and today the building is a civic centre.

                       Babworth Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Babworth Hall, Babworth a large country house near Retford in Nottinghamshire.

                       Bagthorpe Military Hospital opened in the buildings of the Nottingham Bagthorpe Workhouse Infirmary. Today the site is occupied by Nottingham City Hospital, a few of the original buildings survive.

                       Bowden Auxiliary Hospital was located at Elmswood on Mapperley Road Nottingham, the property was loaned by Frank Bowden, the founder of the The Raleigh Cycle Company, Ltd. 55 beds were provided.

                       Brackenhurst Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Brackenhurst Hall near Southwell, Notts. Today the property is home to Brackenhurst College, the Agricultural Department of Nottingham Trent University.

                       Burgage Manor Auxiliary Hospital was located at Burgage Manor on King Street, Southwell in Nottinghamshire.

                       Carrington Military Hospital was in Nottingham.

                       Lamcote Auxiliary Hospital for Officers opened at Lamcote House in Racliffe-on-Trent in 1918, it was staffed by the Nottingham 94 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant was Claire Birkin, the owner of Lamcote House.

                       Mapperley Hall Auxiliary Hospital provided 80 beds at Mapperley Hall, 51 Lucknow Avenue in Nottingham.

                       Musters Road Military Hospital was on Musters Road in West Bridgeford, Nottingham.

                       Newark Red Cross Hospital was on Lombard Street in Newark-on-Trent, Notts.

                       Nottingham General Hospital provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Plaisaunce Military Hospital was located at Plaisaunce on the south banks of the River Trent in Nottingham, the home of Sir Jesse Boot, founder of Boots the Chemist.

                       The Sherwood Rangers Headquarters Hospital was located at 12 Lime Tree Avenue, Retford.

                       Sycamore Road Military Hospital was in Sycamore Road in Nottingham.

                       Batley Red Cross Hospital was on Derby Road in Nottingham.

                       The Cedars Auxiliary Hospital was at The Cedars, off Mansfield Road, Sherwood, Beeston.

                       Thorseby Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Thorseby Hall near Budby, Notts. The property is now a hotel.

                       Trent Bridge Pavillion VAD Hospital was located in the pavilion of the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, West Bridgford. 90 beds were provided.

                       Eastwood VAD Hospital was in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire.

                       Welbeck Abbey Auxiliary Hospital was at Welbeck Abbey near Worksop in Nottinghamshire, the property was loaned by the Duke of Portland.

                       Bruern Abbey VAD Hospital was at Bruern Abbey in Oxfordshire.

                       Burcote House (Orthopaedic) Hospital was at Burcote House, Burcote in Oxfordshire.

                       Clanfield VAD Hospital was located at the Carter Institute in Clanfield, Oxfordshire.

                       Harpsden Court Auxiliary Hospital was at Harpsden Court, Harpsden near Henley on Thames.

                       Hill Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was at Hill Lodge, Spring Street, Chipping Norton. After the war it became the Memorial Hospital.

                       Sywncombe House VAD Hospital was at Sywncombe House, Sywncombe in Oxfordshire.

                       Henley-on-Thames VAD Hospital was located in the Town Hall, Henley-on-Thames.

                       University VAD Hospital was located at Felstead House, 23 Banbury Road in Oxford.

                       Battle House VAD Hospital was at Battle House, Goring-on-Thames.

                       Bicester Hall VAD Hospital was at Bicester Hall in Bicester.

                       Grimsbury VAD Hospital was in West Street, Grimsbury.

                       Officers were treated at Somerville College on Woodstock Road and High Wall on Pullens Lane. Other Ranks were treated at the Examination Schools on High Street, Magdalen College School, Cowley Road, Oxford Masonic Buildings, New College Shelter, Radcliffe Infirmary, Town Hall and Durham Building. Radcliffe Building The Wingfield Convalescent Home

                       Thame VAD Hospital was located in the Old Grammar School in Thame.

                       Ashwell Auxiliary Hospital was at Ashwell Lodge, Ashwell in Oxfordshire.

                       Burley-on-the-Hill Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Burley-on-the-Hill, a large country house at Burley in Oxfordshire.

                       Hambleton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Hambleton Hall, Upper Hambleton in Rutland. The property is now a hotel.

                       Ardmillan Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ardmillan House in Oswestry.

                       Manton Grange Auxiliary Hospital was at Manton Grange, Manton near Oakham.

                       Uppingham Auxiliary Hospital was located on Leicester Road in Uppingham.

                       Aston Hall Auxiliary Hospital, was at Aston Hall in Aston-on-Clun.

                       Attingham Park Military Hospital was at Attingham Park near Atchem in Shropshire. The property is now owned by the National Trust.

                       Broughall Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Broughall Cottage, Broughall near Whitchurch. The property is now named Ashdale House.

                       Cheswardine Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cheswardine Hall, Cheswardine. The property later became a school and is now a residential home.

                       Cloverley Auxiliary Hospital was at Cloverley Hall near Calverhall in Shropshire.

                       Cyngfeld Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cyngfeld, 39 Kennedy Road in Shrewsbury.

                       Earlsdale Auxiliary Hospital was located at Earlsdale in Pontesford, Shropshire.

                       Church Stretton Red Cross Hospital was located at Essex House in Church Stretton.

                       Hatton Grange Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hatton Grange near Ryton in Shropshire.

                       Hawkestone Military Hospital was at Hawkestone Hall near Marchamley in Shropshire.

                       Hildern Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Hildern House on Shrewsbury Road, Shifnal.

                       Hodnet Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hodnet Hall near Hodnet in Shropshire.

                       Longford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Longford Hall, Longford near Newport in Shropshire.

                       Oakley Manor Auxiliary Hospital was located at Oakley Manor, Belle Vue in Shewsbury.

                       Oteley Auxiliary Hospital was located at Oteley, a large country house near Ellesmere in Shropshire. The property was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Overmead Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Overmead off Livesey Road in Ludlow.

                       Pell Wall Hall Military Hospital was located at Pell Wall Hall near Market Drayton in Shropshire.

                       Pentrepant Hall Military Hospital was located at Pentrepant Hall near Oswestry.

                       Peplow Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Peplow Hall, Peplow in Shropshire.

                       Quarry Place Auxiliary Military Hospital was in Shrewsbury.

                       Raven House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Raven House in Station Road, Adderley.

                       Seven Sisters Auxiliary Hospital was located at Seven Sisters near Ellesmere

                       Shavington Military Hospital was at Shavington Park in Shropshire.

                       St. Georges Auxiliary Hospital was located in the church hall at Pontesbury, Shropshire.

                       Stokesay Court Military Hospital was located at Stokesay Court near Ludlow in Shropshire.

                       The Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was near Ludlow. Today the site is Elm Lodge golf course.

                       Walcot Military Hospital was located at Walcot House near Lydbury North in Shropshire.

                       Wellington Auxiliary Hospital was loacted on Sutherland Road, Wellington in Shropshire. The property is now in use as Wrekin College.

                       Westholme Auxiliary Hospital was located at Westholme, Prospect Road in Market Drayton. The property was demolished in the 1990s and a care home now occupies the site.

                       Worfield VAD Hospital was located in the Worfield Recreation Room at Worfield near Bridgenorth in Shropshire.

                       Sydenham Road Auxiliary Hospital was located in Sydenham Road, Smethwick.

                       Churchfields Auxiliary Hospital was at Churchfields, West Bromwich.

                       Ellaston VAD Hospital was located in the parish hall at Ellaston.

                       Leek Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Foxlowe on Stockwell Street in Leek.

                       Lightwood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lightwood House off Hagley Road West in Smethwick.

                       Merridale Auxiliary Hospital was in Smethwick.

                       Ravenhill Red Cross Hospital was located at Ravenhill House in Rugeley, loaned by Lady Zouche. It provided 20 beds. The property was demolished in the 1990s.

                       Eccleshall Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was at Johnson Hall near Eccleshall in Staffordshire.

                       Sandon Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sandon Hall on the River Trent near Salt in Staffordshire.

                       St Josephs Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at St Joseph's Hall on Station Road in Stone, additional beds were provided at Stonefield House.

                       Sunny Bank VAD Hospital was located at Sunny Bank House on Snow Hill, Shelton, Stoke on Trent. The property has previously been named The Hollies and today is in use as the Hanley Masonic Lodge.

                       Tettenhall VAD Hospital was located at The Old Manor House in Tettenhall.

                       Burton-on-Trent Town Hall VAD Hospital was located in the Town Hall on Borough Road, Burton-on-Trent.

                       Trent Vale Red Cross Hospital was in Trench Vale, Stoke on Trent.

                       Stafford VAD Hospital for Local Troops was located at 21 Foregate Street in Stafford. The property is no longer standing.

                       Aldeburgh Red Cross Hospital was located at Belstead House School in Aldeburgh.

                       Ampton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ampton Hall near Bury St Edmunds.

                       Beceles Red Cross Hospital was located at The Manse on Frederick's Road, Beccles.

                       Brettenham Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Brettenham Hall, Brettenham. Today the property is in use as a school.

                       Broadwater Auxiliary Hospital was located at Broadwater on Belstead Road in Ipswich.

                       Campsea Ashe Auxiliary Hospital was located at High House, Campsea Ashe in Suffolk. The property was demolished in the 1950s.

                       Corton Red Cross Hospital was at Corton near Lowestoft, possibly in the village hall.

                       Drinkstone Park Auxiliary Hospital was at Drinkstone Park near Bury St. Edmunds. The property was demolished in the 1950s.

                       East Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital on Anglesea Road, Ipswich provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Easton Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Easton Park Mansion near Framlingham in Suffolk. It was staffed by the Suffolk 76 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The property was demolished in the 1920s.

                       Elvenden Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Elvenden Hall, Elvenden in Suffolk.

                       Gunton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Gunton near Lowestoft. The property was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Hengrave Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hengrave Hall, Hengrave in Suffolk.

                       Ixworth Red Cross Hospital was at Ixworth in Suffolk.

                       Sproughton Auxiliary Hospital was located at Maryland on Burstall Lane, Sproughton in Suffolk. The property has been renamed Cherwell House.

                       Orwell Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Orwell Park near Nacton in Suffolk. Today the property is in use as a school.

                       Plumton House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Plumton House near Whepstead in Suffolk.

                       Rous Auxiliary Hospital was situated on Old Station Road in Newmarket.

                       Severals House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Severals House on Bury Road in Newmarket. Teh property later became the Severals Hotel and today has been divided into apartments.

                       Shrubland Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Shrubland Hall near Coddenham in Suffolk.

                       Sudbourne Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sudbourne Hall, Orford in Suffolk. The property was demolished in 1953.

                       Sudbury Red Cross Hospital was at Belle Vue off Newton Road in Sudbury, Suffolk.

                       Tostock Place Auxiliary Hospital was located at Tostock Place, Tostock near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.

                       Saxmundham VAD Hospital was located at The Gannon Institute on Station Approach, Saxmundham. Today the property is known as The Gannon Rooms.

                       Wherstead Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wherstead Park, Wherstead near Ipswich.

                       Woolpit Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Rectory on Rectory Lane, Woolpit in Suffolk.

                       Addington Park War Hospital opened on the 13th of December 1914 at Addington Palace, Gravel Hill, Addington near Croydon. It provided 200 beds for military patients suffering from acute infectious diseases in hutted accommodation in the grounds, plus 150 beds in the house for convalescents recovering from enteric disease including typhoid and dysentery. The men were tested to determine if they were carriers of the disease, those who were were discharged from the army as they could easily pass the infection to others in the close living quarters of army life. In 1916 hutted accommodation for another 350 patients was added and later accommodation for further 1000 convalescents and Addington Park received convalescent patients from the other twelve dysentery hospitals in Britain.

                       Thurstan Road Auxiliary War Hospital was on Thurstan Road in Wimbledon. The property was demolished in the 1980s.

                       Barham Lodge Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Barham Lodge on Oatlands Drive in Weybridge. The property is no longer standing.

                       Auxiliary Hospital for Officers Clubhouse Shirley Park Golf Course was in the Clubhouse of Shirley Park Golf Course in Surrey.

                       Beechcroft Military Hospital was at Beechcroft on Heathside Road in Woking, Surrey.

                       Binefield Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at Binefield on Woodhurst Lane, Hurst Green in Oxted. It provided 20 beds staffed by the Surrey 46 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In June 1915 it became an annexe to Charing Cross Hospital, it closed on the 29th November 1917. The hospital reopened on 21st December 1917, affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Millbank. It was finally closed on the 30th June 1918 having treated 550 patients, most of them long stay. The property is now named Chartlands.

                       Bleakdown Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Golf Club clubhouse at West Byfleet in Surrey.

                       Blytheswood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Blytheswood on Elmstead Road, West Byfleet.

                       

                    HMHS Galeka was a hospital ship requisitioned from the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, she served as a troop ship in 1915 and was refitted as a hospital ship with accommodation for 366 wounded. She was lost on 28th of October 1916 when she hit a mine laid by the German U-boat UC-26 while entering Le Havre to collect the wounded.

                       Broom House Auxiliary Hospital was at Broom House off Long Reach, East Horseley in Surrey.

                       Burntwood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Burntwood, 106-112 Burntwood Lane, Caterham in Surrey.

                       Caenshill Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on 27th of October 1914 at Caens Hill in Chaucer Avenue, Weybridge. The property was loaned by Mr Hugh Locke-King, whose wife Ethel was the Commandant. 32 beds were provided, staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment. In 1916 capacity was 40 and an operating theatre was added, the hospital became affiliated to the Special Neurological Hospital at Tooting and an additional 4 beds for Officers were added. The hospital closed on 31st of August 1919, today the property has been converted into apartments.

                       Charterhouse Auxiliary Hospital was at Charterhouse School near Godalming in Surrey.

                       Church Hill Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 19th April 1917 at Church Hill House on Church Hill, Haslemere opposite St Bartholomew's church. The property was loaned by Mrs Parsons and the alterations were paid for by Miss Newton. Initially 38 beds were provided, this was later increased to 45 with the addition of a hutted ward and recreation room. The property is now named Peperham House.

                       Cowley House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cowley House, Highclere, Weybridge in Surrey.

                       Warlingham Military Hospital was located in the village hall at Warlingham in Surrey.

                       Esher Red Cross Hospital also called Lammas Auxiliary Hospital, was located at The Lammas, 8 Lammas Lane in Esher, Surrey.

                       Great Roke Auxiliary Hospital was located at Great Roke House, Witley, near Godalming in Surrey, loaned by Charles Dixon, a Governor of Birmingham University. Although of Tudor style, the 20 bedroom house was built in 1909. The house was sold in the 1920's and renamed Barrow Hills, it became a school.

                       Hatchlands Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hatchlands House set in the 430 acre Hatchlands Park in East Clandon, Surrey. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       Henley Park Military Hospital was located at Henley Park near Guilford in Surrey, loaned by the Halsey family. The property has been divided into apartments.

                       High Rough Auxiliary Hospital was located at High Rough on Farnham Lane, Haslemere in Surrey.

                       Hilders Military Hospital was located at Hilders off Hindhead Road, Shottermill near Haslemere, loaned by Lady Aberconway. Today the property is the Branksome Conference & Training Centre.

                       Hill House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hill House on Harvey Road, Guildford.

                       Hillfield Red Cross Hospital opened on the 2nd of November 1914 at Hillfield on Raglan Road, Reigate loaned by Mr Spencer Langston. It provided 50 beds staffed by the Surrey 50 and 58 Voluntary Aid Detachments. The Hospital closed on 31st of December 1918. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Holborn Military Hospital was located in the Holborn Poor Law Union workhouse on Western Road, Mitcham in Surrey. Opening in 1916 it provided 954 beds. The Hospital closed in 1919. The workhouse remained empty until the 1920s when they were used as industrial units until the 1980's when the site was redeveloped as an industrial and shopping park.

                       Kenry House Hospital for Officers opened in January 1917 at Henry House, Kingston Hill in Kingston-upon-Thames loaned by Lord and Lady Dunraven. 22 beds were provided, patients received general treatment, massage, radiant heat and electrical treatments. Kenry House is now owned by Kingston University.

                       Kirkstall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Kirkstall on St Pauls Road, Dorking. The property is no longer standing.

                       Kitto Relief Hospital was located at Mrs Kitto's Free Convalescent Home off Church Road, South Park in Reigate. Today the property is Margaret Laurie House an Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit.

                       Lady Ellenborough's Hospital was in Windlesham, Surrey.

                       Llandaff Auxiliary Military Hospital was at Llandaff on Caenswood Close in Weybridge.

                       Manor (County of London) War Hospital was in Horton Lane, Horton Near Epsom, Surrey.

                       Merstham Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was at Chaldon Rise on Rockshaw Road in Merstham, Surrey.

                       Morden Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Morden Hall Road in Morden, Surrey.

                       No.2 New Zealand General Hospital opened on the 31st of July 1915 at Mount Felix in Walton-on-Thames.

                       Oatlands Park Hospital opened in 1916 at the Oatlands Park Hotel on Oatlands Drive in Weybridge, Surrey. It was affiliated to the No.2 New Zealand General Hospital.

                       Newlands Corner Auxiliary Hospital was at Newlands Corner near Guildford. Today the property is the The Manor House Hotel.

                       Oakenshaw Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 18th of November 1914 at Oakenshaw, Oakhill in Surbiton in the home of Mr F. and Mrs Kathrine Marden-Ranger. 46 beds were provided staffed the local Voluntary Air Detachment. The Hospital closed in April 1919. The site is now occupied by the houses of Oakenshaw Close.

                       Oaklands Red Cross Hospital was at Oaklands off Knowle Lane, Cranleigh.

                       Ottermead Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in December 1914 at Ottermead near Ottershaw in Surrey, loaned by the Countess of Meath. Initially 12 beds were provided, capacity was later was increased to 30 beds, specialising in eye cases and those suffering from shell-shock. The hospital closed in March 1919. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Chaworth Road.

                       Ottershaw Park Auxiliary Hospital in October 1914 at Ottershaw Park near Chertsey in Surrey, loaned by Friedrich Eckstein. The hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Park View Auxiliary Hospital was located at Park View, off Camp Road, Woldingham in Surrey.

                       Piccards Rough Relief Hospital was in Sandy Lane, Guildford.

                       Chandon Rise Red Cross Hospital was at Chandon Rise, Rockshaw Road in Merstham, Surrey.

                       The Freen Red Cross Hospital was located at The Freen in Richmond, Surrey.

                       Red Gables Auxiliary Hospital was located at Red Gables, The Conduit in Bletchingley.

                       Red House Auxiliary Hospital was at Red House, Bull Hill in Leatherhead, Surrey.

                       Redhill War Hospital opened in June 1917 with 80 beds at the requisitioned Redhill General Hospital on Pendleton Road, Earlswood Common, Redhill in Surrey. It closed on 31st of December 1918 but continued to provide care for discharged soldiers still in need of medical treatment. The civilian hospital closed in the 1990s and St John's Park estate now occupies the site.

                       Sawyers Auxiliary Hospital was at Sawyers on Chequers Lane, Walton-on-the-Hill.

                       St Dorothy's Convalescent Home for Soldiers was at 52 Croham Manor Road in South Croydon.

                       St Georges Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located in the clubhouse of St Georges Hill Golf Club in Weybridge, Surrey.

                       The Beeches Auxiliary War Hospital was at The Beeches in Reigate Hill.

                       The Highlands Hospital was on Highlands Close, Shortheath in Farnham.

                       The Hill Auxiliary Hospital was off Latchwood Lane, Farnham.

                       The Princess Christian British Red Cross Hospital was a hutted hospital at Englefield Green.

                       The White House Auxiliary Hospital was in Cheam in Surrey.

                       Thorncombe Military Hospital was located at Thorncombe Park near Bramley.

                       Wallington Red Cross Hospital was in Woodcote Road, Wallington in Surrey.

                       Waverley Abbey Auxiliary Hospital was located at Waverley Abbey House near Farnham, loaned by the Anderson family. Mrs Amy Anderson was the Commandant of the hospital. Over 5000 patients were treated at the country house.

                       Windlesham Moor Auxiliary Hospital was located at Windlesham Moor, a country house near Windlesham in Surrey.

                       Percival Terrace Hospital for Officers was located at Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 10 Percival Terrace in Brighton.

                       Kitchener Indian Hospital was in the buildings of the Brighton workhouse in Elm Grove. On the 10th of September 1917 the 10th Canadian General Hospital moved in. The hospital closed on the 3rd of September 1919.

                       Chichester Terrace Officers Hospital was at no. 5 and No. 11 Chichester Terrace in Brighton.

                       Marine Parade Officers Hospital was at 129 Marine Parade in Brighton.

                       Cantelupe Road Auxiliary Hospital was at 13-15 Cantelupe Road in Bexhill-on-Sea. 36 Beds were provided.

                       Sussex Square Hospital for Officers was at 2 Sussex Square in Brighton.

                       Palmeira Auxiliary Hospital was at 24 Palmeira Square in Hove.

                       Upperton Road Auxiliary Hospital was at 27 Upperton Road in Eastbourne.

                       Clarendon Terrace Hospital for Officers was at 6 Clarendon Terrace, Brighton.

                       Third Avenue Auxiliary Hospital was at 6 Third Avenue in Hove.

                       Portland Place Auxiliary Hospital was at 83 Portland Place, Hove

                       Eastern Terrace Hospital for Officers was at 9 Eastern Terrace in Brighton.

                       Ashdown Park Auxiliary Hospital was at Ashdown Park in the Ashdown Forest near Wych Cross in Surrey. The property is now the Ashdown Park Hotel.

                       Heene Terrace Auxiliary Hospital for Officers was in Heene Terrace, Worthing.

                       Bannow Auxiliary Hospital was at Bannow on Quarry Hill in St. Leonards-on-Sea.

                       Beech Green Hospital was at Beech Green Park near Withyham in Sussex.

                       Beechlands Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1916 at Beechlands, Chailey Lane in Newick, when the hospital moved from Hickwells on Cinder Hill. Staffed by the Sussex 54 Voluntary Aid Detachment, 40 beds were provided.

                       Belgrave House Auxiliary Hospital was at Belgrave House in Littlehampton. The property was demolished in the 1980s.

                       Bellevue Auxiliary Hospital was in Rosemary Lane, Petworth in Sussex.

                       Bignor Park Auxiliary Hospital was at Bignor Park estate near Bignor in Sussex.

                       Broadhill Auxiliary Hospital was at Broadhill near Keymer in Sussex.

                       Brook House Auxiliary Hospital was at Brook House in Chailey. It is now named Chailey Place.

                       Church Hall Auxiliary Hospital was off Upper Lake in Battle, Sussex.

                       Church House Auxiliary Hospital was at Church House in Beckley, Sussex.

                       Claytons Auxiliary Hospital opened at Claytons in Newick Lane, Mayfield. The hospital moved from Greenhill in Rotherfield.

                       Crawley and Ifield Auxiliary Hospital was in Sussex.

                       De Walden Court Auxiliary Hospital was at De Walden Court, 51 Meads Road in Eastbourne Eastbourne, the hospital moved from Wish Rocks Hospital.

                       East Chiltington Auxiliary Hospital was at East Chiltington in Sussex.

                       East Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was at East Lodge, Crawly Down. The property was later named The White House, it is no longer standing.

                       Eastbourne Military Hospital opened in April 1915 in the infirmary of the Eastbourne Workhouse in Eastbourne Sussex. It provided 12 Officers beds and 312 Other Ranks beds. In January 1917 it was taken over by No. 14 Canadian General Hospital. The hospital returned to civilian use in October 1919.

                       No. 14 Canadian General Hospital opened in the the infirmary of the Eastbourne Workhouse, which had previously been the Eastbourne Military Hospital. It provided 12 Officers beds and 312 Other Ranks beds. The hospital returned to civilian use in October 1919.

                       Esperance Auxiliary Hospital for Officers was in Hartington Place, Eastbourne.

                       Fairfield Court Hospital was at Fairfield Court in Eastbourne. The property was demolished in the 1970s.

                       Felbridge Park Auxiliary Hospital was at Felbridge Park in East Grinstead.

                       Filsham Park Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at The Convent of our Lady at the top of Filsham Road in St. Leonards. It was staffed by the Sussex 16 Voluntary Air Detachment. By 1917 the hospital had outgrown the premises and it moved to a larger house in Dane Road in St. Leonards-on-Sea.

                       Goring Hall Hospital for Officers was located at Goring Hall off Aldsworth Avenue in Goring by Sea near Worthing. Today the property is a private hospital.

                       Great Dixter Auxiliary Hospital was located at Great Dixter House off High Park in Northiam. The house and gardens are open to the public in spring and summer.

                       Harecombe Auxiliary Hospital was located at Harecombe Manor, Southview Road in Crowborough. The hospital moved to this property from Walsh Manor, Jarvis Brook. The Commandant was Honourable Beatrix Wickens, Lady Gatacre.

                       Hastings Military Hospital was in Hastings, Sussex, it became the 13th Canadian General Hospital in January 1917.

                       13th Canadian General Hospital moved to Hastings Military Hospital in Hastings, Sussex in January 1917.

                       Heene Terrace Auxiliary Hospital for Officers was located at 8-9 Heene Terrace in Worthing.

                       Herbert Samuelson Hospital was a convalescent home for Officers, located at 2 Sussex Square in Brighton.

                       Herley Baxter Convalecent Home was in Sussex and provided treatment for military patients during the Great War.

                       Hill House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hill House, High Street, Wadhurst in Sussex.

                       Kempston House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Kempston House, 3 Granville Road in Eastbourne.

                       Meeching Auxiliary Hospital was at Meeching Boys School off Bay View Road in Newhaven, Sussex. Today the property is the Hillcrest Community Centre.

                       Normanhurst Auxiliary Hospital was located at Normanhurst Court, Battle in Sussex. The property is no longer standing.

                       Old Hastings House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Old Hastings House on the High Street in Hastings.

                       Princess Patricia’s Canadian Convalescent Hospital was at Ramsgate in Kent from 26th of Jan 1917 to 14th of Jan 1918 and then relocated to Bexhill,On-Sea in Sussex. It provided 2250 beds. The hospital closed on the 18th of Aug 1919.

                       Ditchling Red Cross Hospital was located at Meadowcroft in Ditchling, Sussex.

                       Hailsham Red Cross Hospital was in Hailsham, Sussex.

                       Lindfield Red Cross Hospital was located in the King Edward Hall on the High Street in Lindfield, Sussex.

                       Redburn War Auxiliary Hospital was located at 71 Carlisle Road in Eastbourne.

                       Shernfold Park Auxiliary Hospital was at Shernfold Park near Frant in Sussex.

                       Slindon House Officers Hospital was located at Slindon House, Slindon in Sussex. Today the property is used as a college.

                       St. Annes Auxiliary Hospital was in Lewes, Sussex.

                       St. Johns Auxiliary Hospital, Hastings was at Holmesdale Gardens in the town.

                       St. Marks Auxiliary Hospital was located in Tunbridge Wells.

                       St. Wilfrid’s Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at St. Wilfrid’s Priory in Arundel, Sussex.

                       Staveley Court Auxiliary Hospital opened at Staveley Court in Eastbourne, when the hospital moved from Great Stanhope Street in London and Rosemount in Eastbourne.

                       Stildon House Auxiliary Hospital was at Stildon House in East Grinstead. The property was destroyed by fire in 1918.

                       Summerdown Camp Military Convalescent Hospital opened in April 1915 near Eastbourne in Sussex in a purpose built hutted camp. Over 150,000 soldiers passed through the hospital before returning to duty or being discharged from the army.

                       Sunshine Home Auxiliary Hospital was in the Sunshine Home, a holiday home for the poor and sick women from London, located off the High Street in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. The property is still used as a holiday centre.

                       Tappington Grange Auxiliary Hospital was located at Tappington Grange, off Station Road in Wadhurst, Sussex.

                       The Brewery House Auxiliary Hospital was located in The Brewery House, East Grinstead.

                       The Convent Auxiliary Hospital was at the Convent on East Street in Rye, Sussex.

                       The Hollonds Auxiliary Hospital was located at the The Hollonds off Broom Lane, Langton Green near Tunbridge Wells.

                       The Knowle Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Knowle on Stockcroft Road, Balcombe. The property has also been named Tower House and is now a private home known as Beechcroft.

                       The Monastery VAD Hospital was on Conduit Hill in Rye, Sussex.

                       The Sealand Auxiliary Hospital was in Seaford, Sussex.

                       Upperton Red Cross Hospital was at 27 Upperton Road in Eastbourne, Sussex.

                       Urmston VAD Hospital was in Eastbourne, Sussex.

                       Cooden VAD Hospital was in the club house of the Tennis Club in Clavering Walk, Cooden near Bexhill in Sussex.

                       Haywards Heath VAD Hospital was in Haywards Heath, Sussex.

                       Cuckfield VAD Hospital was at Queens Hall on the High Street in Cuckfield. Today the property is a museum.

                       West Dene Auxiliary Hospital was located at West Dene, 14 Hollington Park Road in St. Leonards on Sea, Sussex.

                       Wych Cross auxiliary Hospital was located at Wych Cross Place, Wych Cross, Forest Row in Sussex.

                       Aldridge V.A.D. Hospital was located at Aldridge Manor House on Little Aston Road, Aldridge.

                       Ashlawn Red Cross Hospital was located at Ashlawn House off Ashlawn Road, Rugby.

                       Wootton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Wootton Hall in Wootton Wawen.

                       Barford Hill Auxiliary Hospital was in Barford, Warwickshire. The property is no longer standing

                       Berkswell Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 26th of May 1915 at The Rectory near the church in Berkswell. Today the property is named The Well House.

                       Bilton Hall Red Cross Hospital was at Bilton Hall off Church Walk in Bilton.

                       Brailes Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Brailes Institute in Lower Brailes, loaned by the the Brailes Mechanical and Craft Society.

                       Olton Red Cross Hospital opened on the 9th of February 1915 in the Congregational Church Room on the corner of Kineton Green and Brookvale Roads in Olton.

                       Farnborough Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Farnborough Hall in Farnborough near Banbury. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       Guys Cliffe Auxiliary Hospital was at Guy's Cliffe House, Warwick.

                       Halford Auxiliary Hospital was at Halford Manor, Halford in Warwickshire.

                       Halloughton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Halloughton Hall near Coleshill in Warwickshire.

                       Heritage Auxiliary Hospital was at Tudor Grange House off Blossomfield Road, Solihull in Warwickshire, loaned by Alfred Bird, the custard manufacturer. Today it is part of Solihull College.

                       Hill House Auxiliary Hospital was in Warwick.

                       Hillcrest Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hillcrest on the west side of Radford Road in Coventry, before the road was moved it stood opposite the junction of Light Lane. The property was demolished in the 1960s and the site is now beneath the ring road.

                       Holmdene Auxiliary Hospital was located at Holmdene, 36 Warwick Place in Leamington Spa. Today the property has been converted into flats.

                       Marston Green Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 6th of September 1915 at Ivy Cottage in Marston Green near Solihull.

                       Kineton Auxiliary Hospital was located at Clarendon House, Bridge Street in Kineton, Warwickshire.

                       Longbridge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Longbridge Manor off Stratford Road, Longbridge in Warwickshire.

                       Longfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Longfield on Park Drive, Little Aston in Warwickshire.

                       The Second Battle of the Sambre was launched by the Allies on the 4th of November 1918, 17 British Divsions and 11 French Divisions made an attack over a 30 mile front. The German defensive line included the Sambre-Oise Canal and the flooded fields surrounding it.

                       Ternhill aerodrome near Market Drayton in Shropshire was first opened by the RFC in 1916. It was used by a number of squadrons for training. It was taken over by Royal Air Force (RAF) on 1 April 1918 when it was designated as No.13 Training Depot Station.

                       Shotwick aerodrome on the Wirral peninsular north of Chester was opened by the RFC in 1917 as a Training station. It was utilised by 90, 95 and 96 squadrons with Sopwith Pups and Camels, and Avro 504s in late 1917. In April 1918 it transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force. In 1924 it was renamed RAF Sealand.

                       162nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was raised at Grove Vale, East Dulwich in early 1915, they joined 33rd Division as Divisional Artillery and proceeded to France in December 1915.

                       No. 2 British Red Cross Hospital was located at Rouen in France.

                       Turweston Aerodrome is near the village of Turweston, near Brackley in Buckinghamshire. It was used as a satellite field during the Great War.

                       Cleveland Shipyard was located on the the southern bank of the River Tees at Middlesbrough a short distance downstream from the Transporter Bridge. During the Great War it was owned by William Harkness.

                       Newport Iron Works on the south bank of the River Tees at Newport, Middlesbrough manufactured shell cases during the Great War, the main contract being for the French army.

                       Richard Hills, Marsh Wire Works was located at Newport near Middlesbrough, close to the Newport Bridge. The works produced barbed and communication wire as well as wire for gun barrels.

                       Gjers Ayresome Works produced iron and steel for war manufacturing during WW2, it was located on the edge of the river Tees in the Iron Masters District of Middlesbrough. The works included four blast furnaces and its own wharf and rail links.

                       The Observer Companies, Royal Defence Corps provided the eyes and ears of the Anti Aircraft Defence system protecting the United Kingdom from enemy attack during the Great War. Staffed initially by the territorial army and later by the Special Constabulary assisted by Boy Scout messengers, they manned Observation Posts, Sound Mirrors and Wireless listening stations which were linked by telephone to the gun control centres and also provided air raid warnings to the police.

                       The Britannia Works was located in the centre of the Iron Masters district of Middlesbrough and produced steel for shipbuilding and shells as well as wire and hawsers.

                       No. 8 Observer Company, Royal Defence Corps manned the observation posts and sound mirrors of the 2nd Sub District Anti Aircraft Defence Control in the Northern Air Defence Area. The HQ was at The Poplars on Woodlands Road, Middlesbrough, from where the guns and searchlights were directed.

                       No. 8 Observer Company, Royal Defence Corps observation posts and sound mirrors linked to the HQ of 2nd Sub District Anti Aircraft Defence Control in Middlesbrough.

                    • Barnard Castle
                    • Boulby A 17 foot Sound Mirror was built by the Royal Engineers in 1916 west of Boulby Barns Cottage on Boulby Bank. The Mirror and traces of associated trenches survive
                    • Bransby
                    • Brotton
                    • Burn Howe Rigg
                    • Coxwold
                    • Eaglescliffe
                    • Guisborough
                    • Great Ayton
                    • Castleton
                    • Glaisdale
                    • Goathland
                    • Hackness
                    • Hedon
                    • Holme on Spalding Moor
                    • Kirklington
                    • Normanby
                    • Redcar

                      A Sound Mirror was built by the Royal Engineers in 1916, it is located at the at the junction of Holyhead Drive and Greenstones Road, Redcar.

                    • Stillington
                    • Strensall
                    • Stockton on Tees

                      A Naval wireless listening Y Station was located in a bungalow, the site is now in Marley Close and the building is a private dwelling. During the Great War the property was on a 3 acre site surrounded by a high fence. The station was manned by four operators and an officer at a time and was linked to the telegraph wires of the nearby railway line, sending coded messages to the Air Defence HQ in Middlesbrough and Admiralty Room 40. The station monitored German U Boat transmissions on 750K/cs and tracked Zeppelins by intercepting their navigation transmissions in compass code, which had been cracked by the Admiralty.

                    • Stokesley
                    • Thirsk


                       Marton Road Red Cross Hospital opened in 1915 at St John's school, located between Marton Road and Bright Street in Middlesbrough. The building is no longer standing and the site is now a car park.

                       Friends Meeting House Hospital was opened by the Middlesbrough branch of the St John's Ambulance in the Friends Meeting House on Dunning Street, Middlesbrough. The building was converted in August 1914 and the hospital closed in May 1919. The building is no longer standing.

                       Southfield Road Red Cross Hospital was located at 12 Southfield Road, Middlesbrough. The building is now part of Teesside University campus.

                       32nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment was formed on the 1st of January 1917, by the redesignation of the 63rd Provisional Battalion. They served in the UK with 225th Mixed Brigade, until the end of the conflict.

                       No.1 Canadian Tunnelling Company was formed in eastern Canada and served on the Western Front from early 1916 onwards.

                       2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment were in India when the Great War broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the Garhwal Brigade, 7th (Meerut) Division in September and saw action on the Western Front until late 1915. They transferred to the Middle East and saw action in Mesopotamia and Palestine.

                       Ostrohove Camp was a rest camp at Boulogne, mainly used to house troops arriving from England over night before they entrained for the front.

                       No. 4 Heavy Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery also known 4th Heavy Artillery Group served with 2nd Army in France and Flanders.

                       271st Company, Machine Gun Corps served in Mesopotamia with 3rd (Lahore) Division from 1st October 1917. They became part of A Battalion MGC, XIX Corps in late May 1918.

                       4th Cavalry Brigade was based at Canterbury when war broke out in August 1914. The formation consisted of the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), 3rd (King's Own) Hussars and 4th Signal Troop, Royal Engineers. The Household Cavalry Composite Regiment and 4th Cavalry Brigade Field Ambulance joined on mobilisation. The Brigade proceeded to France in August 1914 with The Cavalry Division and saw action in the Battle of Mons, the Battle of Le Cateau, the Action at Néry, the Battle of the Marne and the Battle of the Aisne. In October 4th Cavalry Brigade transferred to 2nd Cavalry Division and saw action in First Battle of Ypres, the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and the Second Battle of Ypres. In 1917 they were in action during the Battle of Arras and the Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Advance in Picardy. They moved into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       33rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 8th of August 1915 and served with 1 Corps, initially supporting 9th Division.

                       Bath War Hospital opened at Combe Park in May 1916. 500 Beds were provided in a hutted hospital, rising to 1100 by the following year. Patients were mainly brought in by rail with hospital trains arriving at Midland Road Station. 24,333 men were treated at the hospital between May 1916 and November 1919 when the site became Ministry of Pensions Hospital.

                       5th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force was raised in Victoria and served in Gallipoli and on the Western Front.

                       291st (2/2nd London) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 58th (2nd London) Division from September 1915 and proceeded to France in January 1917.

                       6th Divisional Train, Army Service Corps was made up of 17th, 19th, 23rd and 24th Companies. They were responsible for the supply and transport of all supplies, equipment and food required by 6th Division, with the exception of ammunition.

                       6th Divisional Artillery was serving in Ireland when war broke out in August 1914. They were summoned to England at once and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914. They served on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                    6th Divisional Artillery comprised of,

                    • II Brigade, RFA
                    • XII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA until May 1916
                    • XXIV Brigade, RFA
                    • XXXVIII Brigade, RFA until January 1917
                    • 6th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
                    • 24th Heavy Battery RGA left April 1915
                    • No 2 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 4 October 1914 to 16 December 1914
                    • V.6 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 20 July 1916, left 6 March 1918
                    • X.6, Y.6 and Z.6 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined on 1 April 1916; on 15 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each


                    •    67th Heavy Artillery Group was formed in September 1916 and proceeded to France in October.

                         1st Heavy Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery, also called No.1 Heavy Artillery Group, consisted of 109th and 110th Heavy Batteries and saw action on the Western Front.

                         43rd (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery went to France with the British Expeditionary Force early in the Great War. It was composed of three (Howitzer) Batteries equipped with 4.5-inch howitzers. In May 1916 the RFA was reorganised and the Howitzer Brigades were broken up to create mixed Brigades.

                         42nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 41st, 45th and 29th Batteries, were at Bulford when war broke out in 1914. They proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force.

                         1st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed on the 28th of February 1918 from the MG Companies of 1st Division, No's 1, 2 and 3 Companies.

                         Harrowby Camp was a training camp of the Machine Gun Corps situated to the south of Belton Park, Grantham.

                         9th Heavy Artillery Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery, also called 9th Heavy Artillery Group was in command of a group of Heavy and Siege Batteries.

                         224th Company, Machine Gun Corps was formed in late 1917 and served with 14th Division. In March 1918 it was absorbed into 14th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps along with the other Divisional Machine Gun Companies

                         21st Infantry Brigade served with 7th Division until December 1915 when they transferred to 30th Division. They saw action on the Western Front and in Italy during the Great War.
                        21st Brigade was made up of
                      • 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
                      • 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment
                      • 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers
                      • 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
                      • 4th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (April to December 1915)


                         22nd Infantry Brigade served with 7th Division on the Western Front during the Great War.
                        22nd Brigade was made up of
                      • 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers
                      • 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
                      • 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (until August 1915)
                      • 1/7th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) (from November 1915 to January 1916)
                      • 2nd Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (until December 1915)
                      • 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment (until December 1915)
                      • 20th (Service) Battalion (5th City), Manchester Regiment (from December 1915)
                      • 24th (Service) Battalion (Oldham), Manchester Regiment (from December 1915 to 22nd of May 1916)
                      • 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment (from May 1916 to October 1916)
                      • 2/1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company (from October 1916)


                         99th Brigade served with 33rd Division during training and proceeded to France in November 1915, soon after arriving it transferred to 2nd Division. They saw action on the Western Front during the Great War.
                        99th Brigade was made up of
                      • 17th (Empire) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
                      • 22nd (Kensington) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
                      • 23rd (1st Sportsmen's) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
                      • 24th (2nd Sportsmen's) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (to December 1915)
                      • 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps (from December 1915)

                           156th Brigade served with 52nd (Lowland) Division during the Great War. They saw action in the Middle East, Palestine and on the Western Front.
                          156th Brigade consisted of
                        • 5th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (to November 1914)
                        • 6th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (to March 1915)
                        • 7th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
                        • 8th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (to 28 June 1918)
                        • 4th (Queen's Edinburgh Rifles) Battalion, Royal Scots (from April 1915)
                        • 7th Battalion, Royal Scots (from April 1915)
                        • 156th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps (from 16 March 1916 to 28 April 1918)
                        • 156th Trench Mortar Battery (from 27 June 1917)


                           77th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 27th of March 1916 and were in action on the Western Front until the Armistice.

                           56th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 22nd of February 1916 and served on the Western Front until the end of the conflict.

                           Lorna Camp was located at Hopoutre, near Poperinghe.

                           2nd Battalion, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry served with 80th Brigade, 27th Division. They proceeded to France in in December 1914 and served on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           18th (London) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was formed in September 1915, a second line Territorial Battalion. They served in Rangoon, Burma, arriving in January 1916.

                           19th (Western) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was a second line Territorial battalion, formed in late 1915. They served in Britain and Egypt.

                           20th (Northern) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was a second line Territorial battalion formed in late 1915. They served in Britain and Egypt.

                           21st (Midland) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was a Territorial battalion formed in late 1915. They served in Britain, Egypt and India.

                           22nd (Wessex and Welsh) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was a Territorial battalion formed in late 1915. They served in Britain, Egypt and Salonika with 228th Brigade, 28th Division.

                           23rd (North Western) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was a Territorial battalion formed in late 1915. They served in Britain and India.

                           24th (Home Counties) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was formed in late 1915 and served in Britain and India.

                           25th (Garrison) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was formed in August 1916 and was based in Falmouth.

                           D Company, MGC Heavy Branch proceeded to France in late summer 1916 and saw action on the Western Front. They were renamed 4th Battalion, Tank Corps.

                           The Advance in Flanders, also called the 5th Battle of Ypres took place from 28th of September to 2nd of October 1918. The Allies regained much of the ground lost in the spring from just north of Ypres to the River Lys,

                           2/13th (2nd Kensington) Battalion, London Regiment was a territorial unit formed in August 1914. They served in Ireland in April 1916 and on the Western Front, Salonika and Palestine with 179th Brigade, 60th (2nd London) Division.

                           Lodge Hill Battery was an Anti Aircraft Battery near Cooling, Medway in Kent and was part of the part of the Anti-Aircraft defences of the Thames and Medway.

                           No. 38 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery were based in Plymouth when war broke out in 1914. They served in the UK on home defence duties.

                           No.12 Red Cross Hospital was at Vadelaincourt, near Verdun in France.

                           Roberts Battery was a coastal battery situated at Seaton Sluice in Northumberland. It was built in 1917 for the defence of the Tyne and emplaced a naval gun turret with two 12" guns which had previously been mounted on HMS Illustrious.

                           505th Company, Army Service Corps was formed in in September 1915 as part of 55th Divisional Train. The Company transferred to 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division and proceeded to France in early 1917.

                           506th Company, Army Service Corps was formed in in September 1915 as part of 55th Divisional Train. The Company transferred to 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division and proceeded to France in early 1917.

                           507th Company, Army Service Corps was formed in in September 1915 as part of 55th Divisional Train. The Company transferred to 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division and proceeded to France in early 1917.

                           508th Company, Army Service Corps was formed in in September 1915 as part of 55th Divisional Train. The Company transferred to 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division and proceeded to France in early 1917.

                           248th Divisional Employment Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 and served with 57th Division on the Western front.

                           101st Infantry Brigade served on the Western Front as part of 34th Division.

                           7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers had their HQ in Artillery Place, Finsbury. at the outbreak of war in 1914 they served on home duties. They proceeded to France in late July 1916 and served on the Western Front with 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.

                           122nd Field Company, Royal Engineers served with 36th (Ulster) Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           In January 1915 an Ottoman Force invaded the Sinai Peninsula which was part of the British Protectorate of Egypt, and attempted a raid on the Suez Canal, sparking the Sinai and Palestine Campaign which continued for well over three years.

                           3/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a third line Territorial unit. They served on Home Defence and training duties during the Great War.

                           3/7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a third line Territorial unit. They served on Home Defence and training duties during the Great War.

                           3/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a third line Territorial unit. They served on Home Defence and training duties during the Great War.

                           3/4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a third line Territorial unit. They served on Home Defence and training duties during the Great War.

                           2/7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a 2nd Line Territorial unit formed in Macclesfield in October 1914. The served on Home Defence and training duties through out the Great War.

                           2/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a 2nd Line Territorial unit formed in Stockport in September 1914. The served on Home Defence and training duties through out the Great War.

                           2/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a 2nd Line Territorial unit formed in Chester in November 1914. The served on Home Defence and training duties until disbanded in April 1918.

                           2/4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a 2nd Line Territorial unit formed in Birkenhead in September 1914. The served on Home Defence and training duties until amalgamated with the 2/7th Battalion in December 1915.

                           3/5th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in November 1914. They served in a Training and Home Defence role throughout the Great War.

                           3/6th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in Hamilton in April 1915. They served in a Training role until amalgamated with the other third line battalions of the Regiment in September 1916.

                           3/7th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in March 1915. They served in a Training role until amalgamated with the other third line battalions of the Regiment in September 1916.

                           3/8th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in March 1915. They served in a Training role until amalgamated with the other third line battalions of the Regiment in September 1916.

                           2/5th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Second Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in September 1914. They served in a Home Defence and Training role. They served in Ireland from mid 1917 until disbanded in May 1918.

                           2/6th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Second Line Territorial unit formed in Hamilton in September 1914. They served in a Home Defence and Training role. They served in Ireland from mid 1917 until disbanded in May 1918.

                           2/7th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Second Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in September 1914. They served in a Home Defence and Training role. They were absorbed by the 2/6th Battalion in early 1916.

                           2/8th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Second Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in September 1914. They served in a Home Defence and Training role. They were absorbed by the 2/5th Battalion in early 1916.

                           15th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed by the redesignation of the the 10th Provisional Battalion, Territorial Force in January 1917.

                           1st Garrison Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in Hamilton in February 1916 for service in India.

                           12th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed Nigg in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's 4th New Army. They served in the UK and were redesignated 56th Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916

                           14th (Labour) Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in June 1916 served on the Lines of Communication of the Western Front. In April 1917 the battalion was spilt and became No. 3 and 4 Companies, Labour Corps.

                           16th (Transport Workers) Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in Paisley in December 1916. They served at ports in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           17th (Transport Workers) Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in Paisley in December 1916. They served at ports in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           18th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed at Aldershot in mid 1918 and served on the Western Front with 48th Brigade, 16th Division

                           4th/5th Battalion, Black Watch was formed on the 15th of March 1916 by the amalgamation of the 1/4th and 1/5th Battalions. They served with 15th Scottish Division.

                           1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were based in India when war broke out in 1914. They returned to the UK and joined 81st Brigade, 27th Division. They saw action on the Western Front and in Salonika.

                           2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were based in Scotland when war broke out in 1914. They proceeded to France and served on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           3rd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were based in Scotland when war broke out in 1914. They served in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           4th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were based in Scotland when war broke out in 1914. They served in the UK throughout the Great War in a Training and home Defence role.

                           6th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Territorial unit based at at Paisley. They saw action on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           2/5th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Greenock in September 1914. They remained in the UK during the Great War.

                           2/6th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Paisley in September 1914. They remained in the UK during the Great War.

                           2/7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Stirling in September 1914. They remained in the UK during the Great War.

                           2/8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Dunoon in September 1914. They remained in the UK during the Great War.

                           2/9th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Dumbarton in September 1914. They remained in the UK during the Great War.

                           3/5th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in April 1915. They remained in the UK on training and Home Defence Duties during the Great War and were amalgamated with the other Third Line Battalions, in September 1916.

                           3/6th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in April 1915. They remained in the UK on training and Home Defence Duties during the Great War and were amalgamated with the other Third Line Battalions, in September 1916.

                           3/7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in April 1915. They remained in the UK on training and Home Defence Duties during the Great War and were amalgamated with the other Third Line Battalions, in September 1916.

                           3/8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in April 1915. They remained in the UK on training and Home Defence Duties during the Great War and were amalgamated with the other Third Line Battalions, in September 1916.

                           3/9th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in April 1915. They remained in the UK on training and Home Defence Duties during the Great War and were amalgamated with the other Third Line Battalions, in September 1916.

                           10th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was raised in Stirling in August 1914. They saw action on the Western Front with 9th (Scottish) Division.

                           11th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was raised in Stirling in September 1914. They saw action on the Western Front with 9th (Scottish) Division.

                           12th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was raised in Stirling in September 1914. They saw action on the Western Front and in Salonika.

                           13th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was formed in Blackheath in November 1914. They served in Training and Home Defence and were redesignated 41st Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916.

                           14th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was formed at Stirling in early 1915. They saw action on the Western Front.

                           15th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was formed at Gailes in November 1915. They served in the UK in a Training Role. The battalion was redesignated as a Training Reserve Battalion and joined 9th Reserve Brigade in September 1916.

                           9th Battalion, Border Regiment was raised in Carlisle in September 1914 and joined 66th Brigade 22nd Division and retrained as Pioneers. They saw action on the Western Front and in Salonika.

                           2/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Cambridge in September 1914. They served in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           3/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment was a Third Line Territorial unit formed at Cambridge in February 1915. They served in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           4/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment was a Territorial unit formed at Newmarket in November 1915. They served in the UK until disbanded in late 1917.

                           10th Battalion, Queens Own Cameron Highlanders was formed in Cairo in September 1916 by the redesignation of the 1/1st and 1/2nd Lovat's Scouts. The saw action in Salonika and on the Western Front.

                           2/4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed in Inverness in September 1914. They served in the UK until being disbanded in February 1918.

                           3/4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in Inverness in April 1915. They served in the UK until being disbanded in July 1916.

                           1st Garrison Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was formed at Invergordon in February 1917. They served in the UK and were redesignated 18th Battalion, Royal Defence Corps in August 1917.

                           8th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was raised in Invergordon in November 1914. They served in the UK and were redesignated 40th Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916.

                           9th (Labour) Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was formed in Blairgowrie in August 1916. The served on the Lines of Communication of the Western Front. In April 1917 the battalion was split and redesignated 7th and 8th Companies, Labour Corps.

                           11th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was formed on the 13th of July 1918 by the redesignation of 6th Garrison Guard Battalion.

                           3rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was based in Chester when war broke out in August 1914. They served on Home Defence duties through out the Great War.

                           23rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed in January 1917 by the redesignation of 46th Provisional Battalion. They served on Home Defence duties and on the Western Front as part of 178th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division and later 121st Brigade, 40th Division.

                           14th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Birkenhead in October 1914 and joined 105th Brigade, 35th Division. They served in the UK and were redesignated 50th Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916.

                           18th (Labour) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed at Oldham in March 1916 and served on the Western Front. The Battalion was split and redesignated 56th and 57th Companies of the Labour Corps in April 1917.

                           19th (Labour) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed at Oldham in April 1916 and served on the Western Front. The Battalion was split and redesignated 58th and 58th Companies of the Labour Corps in April 1917.

                           20th (Labour) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed in Chester in July 1916 and served on the Western Front. The Battalion was split and redesignated 60th and 61st Companies of the Labour Corps in April 1917.

                           21st (Labour) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed in Chester in July 1916 and served on the Western Front. The Battalion was split and redesignated 62nd and 63rd Companies of the Labour Corps in May 1917.

                           22nd (Labour) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed in Chester in December 1916 and served on the Western Front. The Battalion was split and redesignated 64th and 65th Companies of the Labour Corps in April 1917.

                           24th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed at Mundesley on in April 1918.

                           2/1st Cheshire Yeomanry was formed in 1914 and served with 2/1st Welsh Border Mounted Brigade, 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division, transferring to 1st Mounted Division in April 1916. They served on Home Defence duties and in Ireland.

                           3/1st Cheshire Yeomanry was formed in 1915 and served in the UK and in Ireland.

                           1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards were based at Aldershot when war broke out in August 1914. The proceeded to France with the 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Division as part of the BEF. They served on the Western Front through out the Great War, transferring to 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division in August 1915.

                           2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards were based in Windsor when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the 4th (Guards) Brigade, 2nd Division as part of the BEF. They served on the Western Front through out the Great War, transferring to 1st Guards Brigade, Guards Division in August 1915.

                           4th Battalion, Coldstream Guards was formed at Windsor in July 1915, as Guards Pioneer Battalion. They proceeded to France in August 1915 and joined Guards Division on the Western Front.

                           5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards was formed by the redesignation of 4th (Reserve) Battalion which had been formed at Windsor in August 1914. They served in the UK through out the Great War.

                           1st Provisional Battalion, Coldstream Guards was formed at Aldershot on 7th of August 1918 and served in the UK in a training role.

                           1st Cavalry Brigade was based in Aldershot when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with 1st Cavalry Division and saw action on the Western Front throughout the conflict.
                          1st Cavalry Brigade was made up of
                        • 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)
                        • 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales') Dragoon Guards
                        • 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars
                        • 1st Signal Troop, Royal Engineers
                        • I Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
                        • 1st Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron, Machine Gun Corps


                           L Battery, Royal Horse Artillery proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force in August 1914 as part of 2nd Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. Their most notable action was at Néry on 1st of September 1914, when three Victoria Crosses were won. They later joined 15th Brigade RHA and served with 29th Division.

                           49th Battalion (Edmonton Regiment), Canadian Expeditionary Force was formed in November 1914 and sailed for England in June 1915. After training it proceeded France on 9th of October 1915, and served with 7th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division on the Western Front until the end of the Great War.

                           2/7th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters was a second line Territorial unit formed in September 1914. They served with 178th (2nd Notts and Derby) Brigade, 59th Division. They served in Ireland from April 1916 and proceeded to France in early 1917. The battalion was absorbed by the 7th Sherwoods in February 1918.

                           2/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters was a second line Territorial unit formed in September 1914. They served with 178th (2nd Notts and Derby) Brigade, 59th Division. They served in Ireland from April 1916 and proceeded to France in early 1917. The battalion was disbanded in July 1918.

                           21st Coy. Labour Corps was formed from the 13th (Labour) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in 1917. They served on the Western Front as part of Third Army.

                           20th Coy. Labour Corps was formed from the 13th (Labour) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in 1917. They served on the Western Front as part of Third Army.

                           35th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed on the 1st of March 1918 by the amalgamation of 35th Division's Machine Gun Companies, 104th Coy, 105th Coy, 106th Coy and 241st Coy, MGC. They served on the Western Front.

                           The Battle of the Boar’s Head occurred on 30 June 1916 in the northern French village of Richbourg-L’Avoue, about one mile southwest of Neuve Chapelle. It involved an attack by the 116th (Southdowns) Brigade, 39th Division, on a defensive position held by elements of the German 6th Army. The attack was planned as a diversionary maneuver in preparation for launching the Somme offensive, which opened the following day.

                        Although considered technically a tactical success, in that it met the objective of clearing the enemy’s position, the battle was very much a Pyrrhic victory due to the horrific (and according to some commanders, unncessary) number of casualties sustained by the three Southdowns battalions (the 11th, 12th, and 13th) of the Royal Sussex Regiment.

                           1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was based in India when war broke out in 1914. They returned to Europe and served on the Western Front. In late 1915 they were sent to Mesopotamia were they spent the remainder of the Great War.

                           59th Heavy Artillery Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery served with 2nd Army on the Western Front.

                           163rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in autumn 1916 and saw action on the Western Front.

                           No.125 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Old Sarum aerodrome on 1st February 1918 as a training squadron. It became No.125 Squadron Royal Airforce on the 1st April. It was planned that it would mobilise as a day bomber unit for deployment to France in September, but then it was disbanded on 17 August 1918 without becoming operational.

                           No 127 Squadron was formed in a day bomber role on the 1 January 1918, at Catterick. It becmae no. 127 Squadron of the Royal Air Force on the 1st April 1918. It never became operational, and was disbanded on 4 July 1918.

                           No. 128 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, was formed as a day bomber unit on 1st February 1918 at Thetford. The Squadron became 128 Squadron Royal Air Force on the 1st April 1918. The Squadron was disbanded on 4 July 1918 without having become operational.

                           271st (1st/2nd East Anglian) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 54th Division, but did not accompany the Division to Gallipoli and remained in the UK until November 1915. After a short spell in France they rejoined 54th Division in Egypt for service on the Suez Canal and later in Palestine.

                           The Second Battle of Ypres began on the 22nd of April 1915 and was made up of series of engagements as the German's attempted to take the town of Ypres from the Allies. It was launched with the first use of poisonous gas by the Imperial German Army. By the 25th of May the front line had been pushed back closer to Ypres, but the town was not taken.

                           102nd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed Egypt as D Battalion, MGC in April 1918 from the Lincolnshire Yeomanry and the East Riding Yeomanry. They proceeded to France from Egypt in mid 1918 and served with First Army on the Western Front.

                           No 129 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, was formed at Duxford aerodrome on 1st March 1918 as a day-bomber training unit. On 1st April 1918 it became no.129 Squadron Royal Air Fporce. It served as a training unit until disbanded at Duxford on 4th July 1918.

                           Oakbank War Hospital was located on Possil Road, between Garscube Road and the Forth and Clyde Canal in Glasgow, Scotland. It was also known as the Western District Hospital and was opened in 1904 as a General Hospital. During the Great War it was used for the treatment the wounded, the Officer in charge was Dr. David Watt Torrance. In 1919 it returned to civilian duties. The hospital closed in the early 1970s and has since been demolished.

                           Carr Garth at the junction of Bailey Lane and Knowlys Road in Heysham was loaned for use as a Convalescent Home for Officers by Miss Smith. It opened in 1915.

                           223rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was formed in June 1916 by the redesignation of the 1/4th Home Counties Brigade RFA. They were equipped with 4.5inch Howitzers and served with 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on the Western Front.

                           59th Siege Battery RGA were based in India when war broke out in 1914. They returned to England in December and proceeded to France in early 1915. They served on the Western Front until the end of the conflict.

                           No 131 Squadron was formed at Shawbury on 1 March 1918 as a bomber unit. On the 1st April 1918 it became No.131 Squadron, Royal Air Force. After functioning as a bomber training unit it was disbanded at Shawbury on 17th August 1918 without becoming operational.

                           54th Reserve Division, Imperial German Army fought on the Western Front from mid October 1914. They saw action during the Race to the Sea and in the Battle of the Yser, the Second Battle of Ypres and the First Battle of Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme. In December 1916 and January 1917 they saw action at Verdun. In May 1917 they took part in the Second Battle of the Aisne and returned to Verdun in August 1917. They saw action the Third Battle of Ypres in October. In March 1918 they moved south for in the German Spring Offensive on the Somme, where it remained seeing action there against the Allied offensive later in 1918.

                           20th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers, was known as A Fortress Company, in 1914 when they were mobilised for war. They proceeded to France in August 1914 and served on the Western Front as part of 2nd Army.

                           3/6th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was formed in 1916 and was based in Purfleet for a short time before being absorbed into the 4th (Reserve) Battalion.

                           10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was formed at Warwick in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They served on the Western front from July 1915 until the end of the Great War as part of 57th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division.

                           18th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was formed in January 1917 at Bath, by the redesignation of the 81st Provisional Battalion. It was allocated to 215th Brigade, 72nd Division and served in Britain in a defence and training role.

                           2/4th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers was a second line Territorial unit formed at Kilmarnock in October 1914. They served in the UK in a home defence and training role as part of 194th Brigade, 65th Division.

                           2/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was a second line Territorial unit formed in Stockton on Tees in September 1914 and joined 189th Brigade, 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division. They served in Salonkia from November 1915 as part of XVI Corps and transferred to 228th Brigade, 28th Division.

                           2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Sunderland on the 16th of September 1914. They served in the UK on home defence and training duties. In October 1918 they proceeded to North Russia.

                           3/4th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and was absorbed by the 3/5th Battalion.

                           3/6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Gateshead in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and was absorbed by the 3/5th Battalion.

                           3/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Sunderland in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and was absorbed by the 3/5th Battalion.

                           3/9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Gateshead in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and was absorbed by the 3/5th Battalion.

                           3/8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Durham in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and was absorbed by the 3/5th Battalion.

                           3/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Stockton on Tees in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and absorbed the other 3rd Line Territorial Battalions of the DLI. They served in the UK on a home defence role for the remainder of the Great War.

                           3/4th Battalion, Black Watch was formed in Dundee in spring 1915 as a third line Territorial unit. They served in the UK throughout the conflict.

                           3/5th Battalion, Black Watch was formed at Forfar in spring 1915 as a third line Territorial unit. They served in the UK and the unit was absorbed by the 3/4th Battalion in September 1916.

                           3/6th Battalion, Black Watch was formed at Perth in spring 1915 as a third line Territorial unit. They served in the UK and the unit was absorbed by the 3/4th Battalion in September 1916.

                           3/7th Battalion, Black Watch was formed at St Andrews in the spring of 1915 as a third line Territorial unit. They served in the UK and the unit was absorbed by the 3/4th Battalion in September 1916.

                           2/5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was a Second Line territorial unit formed at Plymouth in September 1914. They served with 2nd Devon and Cornwall Brigade, 2nd Wessex Division and were in Egypt from September 1915 until disbanded in June 1916.

                           2/6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Barnstaple in September 1914. They served with 2nd Devon and Cornwall Brigade, 2nd Wessex Division in the UK and in December 1914 proceeed to India and served at Bombay as part of the 6th (Poona) Division. In March 1916 they transferred to 7th (Meerut) Division and in August 1916 to Peshawar Brigade, 1st (Peshawar) Division. They served in Mesopotamia, from September 1917 until the end of the Great War as Lines of Communication troops.

                           3/6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was a Territorial unit formed at Barnstable in October 1914. They served in Britain throughout the Great War, including in Ireland in 1918.

                           3/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was a Third Line Territorial unit formed at Exeter in March 1915. They served in the UK until spring 1918 when they proceeded to Ireland.

                           159th (Cheshire) Brigade was part of 53rd (Welsh) Division, during the Great War they saw action at Gallipoli and in Palestine. It was made up of 4th Cheshire Regiment, 7th Regiment, 4th Welsh Regiment and 5th Welsh Regiment.

                           No.133 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed on the 1st March 1918 at Ternhill aerodrome. It was a day bomber training unit equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory FE2. On the 1st April 1918 the Squadron was designated as 133 Squadron RAF. It was re-equipped with the Handley Page O/400 and was expected to move to France, but was instead disbanded on 4th July 1918.

                           No.134 Squadron was formed on the 1st March 1918 at RAF Ternhill to undertake night bomber training. On the 1st April 1918 it became no.134 Squadron RAF. It was disbanded on 4th July 1918 without becoming operational.

                        Proposed were made for the Squadron to reform on 13th September for deployment on 13 November, but on 29th July these plans were suspended and finally cancelled on 17 August without any action being taken.

                           258th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery were equipped with four six inch Howitzers. They served as part of 88th Heavy Artillery Group on the Western from early 1917 until the end of the Great War

                           1st Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division.

                           3rd Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division.

                           4th Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division.

                           5th Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division. It was redesignated Y Battery of 1st Division Medium & Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries in 1916.

                           6th Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division.

                           2nd Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division. It was redesignated X Battery of 1st Division Medium & Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries in 1916.

                           Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps Sick Hostel, was located at 53 Holland Park in London.

                           The Staffordshire Batteries were territorial units of the Royal Field Artillery. The 3rd North Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery had their HQ at Riding School Drill Hall, Park Road East, Wolverhampton. The 4th Staffordshire Battery were based at Wolverhampton, 5th Staffordshire Battery at Drill Hall, Carter's Green, West Bromwich, 6th Staffordshire Battery at Friars' Walk Drill Hall in Stafford and the 3rd North Midland Ammunition Column was based in Wolverhampton.

                           300th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 60th (2nd London) Division and were broken up at the end of August 1916.

                           301st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 60th (2nd London) Division and were equipped with 18 pounders.

                           302nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 60th (2nd London) Division and were equipped with 18 pounders.

                           303rd (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 60th (2nd London) Division.

                           Construction began on National Filling Factory No.13, at White Lund, Morecambe in November 1915, across a 400 acre site. The NFF filled a range of shells with Amatol. Much of the factory was destroyed by an explosion and fire in October 1917.

                           Birmingham War Hospital opened in 1915 in the Birmingham Workhouse Infirmary on Dudley Road, Birmingham. In 1920 it became the Dudley Road Hospital

                           No. 137 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed at Shawbury on 1 April 1918. It trained crew to be a day bomber unit on Airco DH.9s but it never became operational, and was disbanded on 4th July 1918. Reformation was briefly considered in July 1918 but plans were abandoned without any action being taken on 17th August.

                           30th Heavy Artillery Group, Royal Garrison Artillery (also known as 30th Heavy Brigade RGA) served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           2/4th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry was a second line territorial unit formed in September 1914. They served in India from late 1914 to 1918.

                           2/5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry was a second line territorial unit formed in May 1915. They served in the UK and were redesignated 5th (Reserve) Battalion in April 1916.

                           No.69 General Hospital was located in Alexandria, Egypt during the Great War.

                           Queen Mary's Needlework Guild was formed by Queen Mary on the 21st of August 1914, it aimed to assist the production of knitted garments known as Comforts, as the companies producing uniform were overwhelmed by demand as recruitment was stepped up. Standard knitting patterns were issued and wool was distributed through the Red Cross. The volunteers worked in their own homes and in organised community groups.

                           No.140 Squadron was initially planned as a bomber squadron to be formed on 1st April 1918, however this did not take place.

                        The Squadron was formed on 1st May 1918 at RAF Biggin Hill for home defence equipped with Bristol F.2B Fighters. By the time training was underway, German air-raids on south-east England had stopped. The squadron was never operational and was disbanded on 4th July 1918.



                           90th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery served at Gallipoli, on the Western Front and in Italy during the Great War.

                           No 142 Squadron RFC was formed on the 2nd February 1918 at Ismailia, Egypt, as an army co-operation squadron. It undertook tactical reconnaissance and artillery observation duties in Egypt and Palestine until the end of the war. On 1 April 1918, 142 Squadron was at RFC Julis in Palestine, and was designated as No. 142 Squadron Royal Air Force.

                           2/1st Lowland (City of Edinburgh) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was raised in Edinburgh in 1914. Equipped with 60 pounders, they served on the Western Front from May 1916 until the end of the Great War.

                           HM Gunboat Bee was launched on the 8th of December 1915. An Insect class Gunboat built for service on the Danube and had a complement of 53. She survived WWI and was scraped in 1939. Her armament was two 6in guns and two 12 pounder guns.

                           HMS Abercrombie was a Monitor built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast and her guns were fitted on the Clyde, initially named HMS Admiral Farragut after the American General but as the USA was neutral she was renamed soon after her launch, which took place on the 15th April 1915. She saw action in the Dardanelles durind teh Gallipoli campaign.

                           HMS Aberdare was built by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company in Troon, Ayrshire. and was launched on 29th of April 1918.

                           HMS Acacia was built by Swan Hunter at Wallsend on the Tyne and was launched on the 15th of April 1915. She was a Flower class Fleet Minesweeping Sloop of 1200 tons and armed with two 12pounders and two 3pounder Anti Aircraft guns. Her compliment was 90.

                           HMS Acasta was built by John Brown of Clydebank and was launched on the 10th of September 1912. She saw action at Jutland and was badly damaged, after repairs she returned to service.

                           HMS Achates was a destroyer built by John Brown on the Clyde and launched in 1913. She was armed with three 4 inch QF guns and two torpedo tubes and has a crew compliment of 74.

                           HMS Acheron was a Thornicroft Special destroyer built by John I. Thornycroft & Company at Woolston and launched on the 27th of June 1911. She has a displacement of 70 tons and was armed with two BL 4 inch L/40 Mark VIII guns, two QF 12 pounder naval guns and two 21 inch torpedo tubes. He crew compliment was 72.

                           HMS Achilles was built by Armstrong Whitworth at the Elswick Yard and was launched on the 17th of June 1905. She had a displacement of 13,770 tons and was armed with six BL 9.2 inch Mk X guns, four BL 7.5 inchMk II or Mk V guns, twenty six QF 3 pounder guns and three 18 inch torpedo tubes. She had a crew compliment of 712.

                           HMS Acorn was a destroyer, built by John Brown at Clydebank and launched in 1910. She was armed with two 4inch BL Mk VIII guns, two 12 pounder QF guns and two 21 inch torpedo tubes. Her crew compliment was 72.

                           7th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) was raised at Canterbury as part of Kitchener's Second New Army in September 1914. They served with 55th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division and saw action on the Western Front.

                           No 144 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Port Said, Egypt, on 20th March 1918. Intended as an Army Cooperation unit, it twas equipped with BE2's and BE12's. It was redeisgnated as no.144 Squadron RAF on the 1st April 1918. In August 1918 it was re-equipped with Airco DH9 bombers and went into Palestine as part of the Palestine Brigade.

                           23rd Heavy Artillery Group, also known as 23rd Heavy Artillery Brigade served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           No.145 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 15th May 1918 at Aboukir in Egypt as a fighter unit. It was a 'half Squadron', allocated only 8 SE5As. It moved to Palestine in August 1918 where it supported General Allenby's final offensive against the Turks.

                        https://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn141-145.htm


                           B Squadron, South Irish Horse proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force in August 1914. They joined 2nd Division in 1915. They became part of I Corps Cavalry Regiment in May 1916. In September 1917, they converted to infantry and were redesignated 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment.

                           Plans for the formation of No.147 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps were made in January 1918 as a bomber squadron for deployment to Egypt. However deployment was deferred to April, then changed to June and then July but on 31 May 1918 its formation was abandoned. As a result 147 Squadorn was never formed in WW1.



                           148 squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Andover Aerodrome on 10th February 1918. It moved to Ford Junction Aerodrome in March where it was equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory FE2b. the Squadron was designated 148 Squadron Royal Air Force on the 1st April 1918. It moved to France in April as a night bomber unit.



                           Weddington Hall near Nuneaton, also called Weddington Castle was leased for use as a Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital in March 1916 and local industry contributed to the costs of running the hospital. The wards were names after the companies which funded them. It opened in July 1916 with 55 beds, this had increased to over 350 by 1918. The Commandant was Mrs Fowler and the Medical Officers, Dr Wolfendale and Dr Edward Nason. Voluntary Aid Detachment staff were provided by the Nuneaton and Hartshill Red Cross.

                           No.149 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, was formed on 3rd March 1918 at RAF Ford, near Yapton, West Sussex. The Squadron was designated 149 Squadron Royal Air Force onthe 1st April 1918. Equipped without delay with RAE FE2 bombers, and staffed with experienced airmen, they undertook only a short period of night flying training befoe moving to France in April. They undertook night bombing and reconnaissance above occupied France and Belgium.

                        The Squadron was noted for innovation. An officer of the Squadron, Captain CES RusseIl, developed a "flame reducer" which successfully damped all exhaust flame, an important requirement for night-flying aircraft, and teh device was eventually fitted to all the night flying squadrons equipped with the FE2. All 149 Squadron aircraft were also fitted with special racks, designed by one of the squadron's mechanics, which could carry either Michelin flares or bombs without modification. The FEs were thus instantly adaptable for either bombing or reconnaissance duties.

                        After the Armistice No. 149 Squadron in the reconnaissance role was part of the Army of Occupation in Germany.



                           6th (Reserve) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was a training unit based in the UK during the Great War.

                           93rd Brigade part of Kitchener's New Army and served with 31st Division in Egypt and the Western Front.

                          It was made up of:
                        • 15th (1st Leeds) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
                        • 16th (1st Bradford) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
                        • 18th (2nd Bradford) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
                        • 18th (1st County of Durham) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
                        • 93rd Machine Gun Company
                        • 93rd Trench Mortar Battery


                           No. 1 Company, RGA was based in the Eastern District of Malta during the Great War.

                           No. 2 Company, RGA was based in Sheerness on the East Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 3 Company, RGA was based in Bermuda during the Great War.

                           No. 4 Company, RGA was based in the Southern Section of Gibraltar during the Great War.

                           No. 5 Company, RGA was based in the Western District of Malta during the Great War.

                           No. 6 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based in the Northern Section of Gibraltar during the Great War.

                           No. 7 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based in the Southern Section of Gibraltar during the Great War.

                           No. 8 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based in the Southern Section of Gibraltar during the Great War.

                           No. 9 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based in the Northern Section of Gibraltar during the Great War.

                           No. 10 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based in Queenstown Harbour as part of the South Irish Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 11 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Golden Hill, Isle of Wight as part of the Southern Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 12 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Tynemouth, protecting the River Tyne, as part of the North Eastern Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 13 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Landguard Fort part of the Port of Harwich Coastal Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 14 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Shoeburyness on the Eastern Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 15 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Londonderry as part of the North Irish Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 16 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Weymouth on the Southern Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 17 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based on Guernsey and Alderney during the Great War.

                           No. 18 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Sheerness as part of the Eastern Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 20 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based on Jersey during the Great War.

                           No. 21 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Leith as part of the Scottish Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 22 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Lower Twydall Redoubt at Sheerness as part of the East Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 23 Siege Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Fort George as part of the Scottish Coastal Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 28 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Weymouth as part of the Southern Coastal Defences during the Great War.

                           357th Siege Battery was formed on the 21st of January 1917 and served on the Western Front. They were equipped with four 8 inch Howitzers.

                           375th Siege Battery was formed at Prees Heath Camp on the 12th of February 1917 and served on the Western Front from late summer 1917 onwards.

                           32nd Infantry Brigade served with 11th Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           68th Siege Battery, RGA was formed at Dover on the 9th of October 1915 and served on the Western Front.

                           No 1 Depot (Coastal), Royal Garrison Artillery was located at at Newhaven, Sussex in 1914.

                           

                        Accrington Pals "The men are a good deal rattled" by Rory MacColl

                        In January 2021 East Lancashire Concert Band were delighted to be contacted by Rory MacColl, the grandson of Lt. Col. Arthur Rickman. He was working on a documentary film about the Pals and his grandfather's role. His plan was to use some of the Band's music in the sound effects, the band provided an array of music for him to choose from, not least of all, Letters for Home, which was specially commissioned by us to commemorate the Pals and WW1 Centenary. He has made this film as a labour of love for use without any commercial application, a condition of much of the copyright material used, and all the music has been provided by the East Lancashire Concert Band. Founded in 1842 as Accrington Old Band they became the Accrington Pals Band in 1914.

                           28th (North West) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force was formed in 1914 and recruited in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The served on the Western Front as part of 6th Canadian Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division.

                           2/10th Battalion, Manchester Regiment was formed at Oldham in August 1914 as a Second Line Territorial Battalion. They served with 198th Brigade, 66th Division and proceeded to France in March 1917 and served on the Western Front until the end of the Great War.

                           Langholm Auxiliary Hospital was located in Langholm Parish Church Hall and opened in October 1914.

                           The Women's Royal Naval Service was formed in 1917. The majority of roles were land based and supported the work of the Royal Navy, though some Wrens did serve at sea.

                           Ploughman's POW Camp was located at Rushden House, Rushden.

                           No. 1 Stationary Hospital opened at Le Mans in September 1914 and moved to Rouen in October.

                           No. 2 Stationary Hospital was based in France throughout the Great War.

                           No. 3 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France and opened at Rouen in February 1915. In late March 1919 it moved to Rotterdam.

                           No. 4 Stationary Hospital was located at St. Omer.

                           No. 5 Stationary Hospital was located at Le Mans.

                           No. 6 Stationary Hospital was located in France throughout the Great War.

                           No. 7 Stationary Hospital, proceeded to France with the BEF and was situated at Boulogne from October 1914 onwards.

                           No. 8 Stationary Hospital opened at Wimereux in March 1915 and remained there throughout the Great War.

                           No. 9 Stationary Hospital was located in France during the Great War.

                           No. 10 Stationary Hospital was located in France during the Great War.

                           No. 11 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France and opened at Rouen in October 1914.

                           No. 12 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France and opened at Rouen in February 1915 moving to St Pol in mid 1916.

                           No. 13 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in October 1914 and opened at Boulogne.

                           No. 14 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in October 1914 and opened at Wimereux.

                           No. 25 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in March 1915 and opened at Rouen.

                           No. 32 Stationary Hospital opened in Wimereux on the 14th of July 1916, taking over from the Australian Voluntary Hospital.

                           No. 38 Stationary Hospital was based at Calais from July 1917.

                           No. 39 Stationary Hospital was based in France from May 1917 until the end of the Great War.

                           No. 40 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in May 1917 and opened at Harfleur.

                           No. 41 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in May 1917.

                           No. 42 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in October 1917.

                           No. 46 Stationary Hospital was based at Etaples and was also known as the Etaples Isolation Hospital.

                           No. 52 Stationary Hospital was based at Le Havre, opening there in July 1915 and was also known as the Le Havre Isolation Hospital.

                           No.151 Squadron, Royal Air Force, was formed at Hainault in Essex on 12th June 1918. It was equipped with Sopwith Camel aircraft as the RAF's first Night Fighter Squadron. The Squadron saw service in France for the remainder of the war.



                           No. 68 Squadron RFC was for a time the official British military designation for No.2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps. The Squadron was formed on 20 September 1916 at the RFC training school in Kantara, Egypt from elements of 1 Squadron AFC and volunteers serving with local Australian forces there. The title 68 Squadron RFC was not formally recognised by the Australians and the Squadron was officially redesignated as No.2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps in January 1918.

                           The Northern Cyclists Battalion was a territorial unit raised in October 1908 as the 8th (Cyclist) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, and redesignated in 1910 as an independent Battalion. A memorial stained glass window to the battalion was unveiled at their regimental church, St Barnabas in Jesmond on the 10th of April 1920.

                           4th Battalion, British West Indies Regiment served on the Western Front.

                           353rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed in early 1917 served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           13th Heavy Artillery Brigade, or Group, Royal Garrison Artillery served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           No. 152 Squadron, Royal Air Force, was formed at Rochford on 1st October 1918 as a night fighter squadron. It joined the 82nd wing at Carvin on 18th October. By then the German Air Force was in no position to make serious night raids so No. 152 Squadron saw little action before the end of the war.



                           The Leaf Hospital was located at 1-3 Marine Road, Eastbourne and had opened in 1888 as a Homoeopathic Cottage Hospital. In the 1930's the hospital moved to St Annes Road and that property is still known as Leaf Hospital and is in use as a medical facility as part of the university.

                            No. 153 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 1st November 1918 at Hainault Farm, Essex, drawing experianced aircrew from Home Defence Squadrons. It was intended to be a night fighter unit but the war ended as the squadron began to assemble and it did not become operational.



                           At the outbreak of the Great War, 97th Deccan Infantry was stationed at Jubbulpore (Jabalpur) with the Jubbulpore Brigade, 5th (Mhow) Division British Indian Army. They served on the North Western Frontier then moved to Mesopotamia in late 1915 to join 35th Indian Infantry Brigade, 14th Indian Infantry Division.

                           9th Lancers served with 2nd Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division during the Great War and proceeded to France in August 1914.

                           No.166 Squadron was formed on 13 June 1918 at RAF Bircham Newton as the first squadron to be equipped with the Handley Page V/1500 heavy bomber. Designed for the long-range bombing role and particularly for raids on Berlin the squadron worked up with training on long-range navigation. It had three aircraft ready for the first operation by November 1918, but with the Armistice was not flown operationally. The squadron was disbanded on 31st May 1919.



                           HMHS Ardeer Factory was a hospital launch which served in the Dardanelles.

                           No. 156 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed in October 1918 for day-bombing, but disbanded in November 1918 without having become operational.



                           2/4th (City of Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was a second line territorial unit formed in Bristol in September 1914. They proceeded to France in May 1916 as part of 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. The Battalion was disbanded in February 1918.

                           165th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was formed in Lytham St Annes in the spring of 1915 as part of 32nd Division. It was made up of four batteries, each armed with four 18pounder field guns. They transferred to 31st Division in December and proceeded to France from Egypt in March 1916. They served on the Western Front until the Armistice.

                           HMS Vectis was built by J. Samuel White at Cowes, Isle of Wight and launched on 4th of September 1917. She saw active service during the Great War with a crew of 110.

                           13th Hussars served as part of 2nd Indian Cavalry Division and proceeded to France in December 1914, moving to Mesopotamia in July 1916.

                           1st Dragoon Guards (Kings) Were in India when war broke out in 1914. They returned home and saw action on to the Western Front until October 1917, when they returned to India.

                           2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays) saw action on the Western Front during the Great War, serving as part of 1st Cavalry Division.

                           2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) proceeded to France in August 1914 and served on the Western Front through out the Great War as part of 5th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division.

                           3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales) proceeded to France in October 1914 and remained on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           3rd Kings Own Hussars served on the Western Front throughout the Great War as part of 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division.

                           4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish) proceeded to France with the BEF in August 1914 and served as part of 2nd Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division on the Western Front through out the Great War.

                           4th Queens Own Hussars were based in Ireland when war broke out in 1914. The proceeded to France to join the BEF and served as part of 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division.

                           5th Dragoon Guards (Princess of Wales) proceeded to France is August 1914 and served on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           5th Lancers (Royal Irish) were in Ireland when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France and served on the Western Front as part of 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division through out the Great War.

                           6th Dragoon Guards (The Carabiniers) proceeded to France in August 1914 and served on the Western Front throughout the great War as part of 4th Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

                           6th Dragoons (Inniskilling) were in India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned home and proceeded to France to join the BEF. They served on the Western Front through out the Great War.

                           7th Dragoon Guards (Princess Royals) were serving in India when war broke out in 1914. They proceeded to France and served on the Western Front from October 1914 until the end of the Great War.

                           7th Queens Own Hussars were stationed in India when war broke out in 1914. They were sent to Mesopotamia in November 1917 and served as part 11th Indian Cavalry Brigade.

                           8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars were in India when war broke out in 1914. They arrived in France in November 1914 and served with 1st Indian Cavalry Division on the Western Front. In September 1915 they transferred to 2nd Indian Cavalry Division and in In March 1918 to 9th Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

                           10th Hussars (Prince Of Wales Own) were in South Africa when war broke out in 1914. They returned home and served on the Western front as part of 6th Cavalry Brigade,3rd Cavalry Division from October 1914 until the Armistice.

                           11th (Prince Alberts Own) Hussars proceeded to France in August 1914 and served on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           12th Lancers served with 5th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           14th Kings Hussars was in India when war broke out in 1914. They saw action in Mesopotamia and Persia.

                           15th Kings Hussars proceeded to France in August 1914 and served on the Western Front throughout the Great War. They joined 9th Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in 1915.

                           16th Lancers (The Queens) were in Ireland when war broke out in 1914. They proceeded to France and served as part of 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           No. 157 Squadron Royal Air Force was formed on 14th July 1918 at RAF Upper Heyford and was eventually equipped with Sopwith TF.2 Salamander aircraft for ground support duties. However the Squadron saw no service beofre the armisticve and it was disbanded on 1 February 1919 without becoming operational.



                           2/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was formed at Alnwick, on 26th of September 1914 as a second line territorial unit. They served in the UK until January 1917 when they proceeded to Egypt.

                           No. 158 Squadron Royal Air Force was formed on 4 September 1918 at Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire and designated for the ground attack role. The Squadron was scheduled to receive Sopwith Salamander aircraft but may not have received any. The squadron did not see any action before the First World War came to an end and was disbanded in November 1918.

                           N Special Company, Royal Engineers was formed in March 1917 by the re-designation of N Company, No.4 Special Battalion, Royal Engineers. They served on the Western Front.

                           No 159 Squadron formed on 1 June 1918 but disbanded almost immediately on 4 July 1918. The personnel intended for this squadron were diverted to existing units in France as reinforcements.



                           Murton Aerodrome was located in North Yorkshire close to the village of Murton near the A64. It was home to 76 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps from October 1917 onwards. A memorial to those who flew from here is located at the entrance to the industrial estate.

                           Bramham Moor Aerodrome was located near Bramham, 4 miles from Tadcaster, it was renamed RAF Tadcaster in spring of 1918. It was built in 1915 and closed in 1920 and the site became an agricultural college, today one of the hangers still survives.

                           272nd Company, Machine Gun Corps served with 7th Indian Division in Mesopotamia and Egypt.

                           No 162 Squadron formed on 1st June 1918, intended to receive DH9A bombers. No aircraft were delivered and the squadron was disbanded on 4 July 1918.



                           When war broke out in August 1914, 2nd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment were based in Bombay, India as part of 18th (Belagum) Brigade, 6th (Poona) Division. They proceeded to Mesopotamia in November. Most of the Battalion was taken prisoner at Kut-al-Amara in April 1916, and was then reformed in July from the remainder and reinforcements. In February 1917 they transferred to 37th Brigade, 14th Indian Division.

                           13th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was formed in mid 1916 and was based in Plymouth. In April 1917 the unit was renamed 3rd Labour Battalion. They remained in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           No.7 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of 9th (Labour) Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.

                           No.1 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 19th (Labour) Battalion, Royal Scots.

                           No.2 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 19th (Labour) Battalion, Royal Scots.

                           No.3 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 14th (Labour) Battalion, Scottish Rifles.

                           No.4 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 14th (Labour) Battalion, Scottish Rifles.

                           No.5 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 12th (Labour) Battalion, Black Watch.

                           No.6 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 12th (Labour) Battalion, Black Watch.

                           No.8 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 9th (Labour) Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.

                           No.9 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of the 1st Infantry Labour Company, Royal Scots Fusiliers.

                           No.10 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of the 2nd Infantry Labour Company, Royal Scots Fusiliers.

                           No.11 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of the 3rd Infantry Labour Company, Royal Scots Fusiliers.

                           No.4 (Horse Transport) Company, Army Service Corps served as the 2nd Company of 5th Divisional Train on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           No.6 (Horse Transport) Company, Army Service Corps was the HQ Company of 5th Divisional Train. They served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           No.33 (Horse Transport) Company, Army Service Corps served as the 4th Company of 5th Divisional Train on the Western Front During the Great War.

                           No.37 (Horse Transport) Company, Army Service Corps served as the 3rd Company of 5th Divisional Train on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           6th (Royal Bavarian) Infantry Regiment was based in Amberg and served with 12th Infantry Brigade, Bavarian Army. They saw action on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           3rd Light Horse Regiment, AIF was raised in September 1914. They proceeded to Egypt and saw action at Gallipoli in a dismounted role and in the Middle East as part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade.

                           No.102 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery served on Malta during the Great War.

                           15th (Australian) Light Railway Operating Company, Royal Engineers was raised at Bordon in 1918 and served on the Western Front.

                           1st Brigade Tank Corps was formed near Arras on the 1st of February 1917.

                           Red Maids Military Hospital was located in Bristol, it opened in 1916 and provided 200 beds.

                           No.166 Squadron of the RAF was formed on 13th June 1918 at RAF Bircham Newton as the first squadron to be equipped with the Handley Page V/1500 heavy bomber. Designed for the long-range bombing role, and particularly for raids on Berlin, the squadron worked up with training on long-range navigation. It had three aircraft ready for the first operation but, due to the Armistice, they never flew operationally.



                           Dunbarton Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital opened in January 1915 in the United Free High Church Mission Hall providing 25 beds. The hospital also occupied and the extension to the Cottage Hospital. Later it moved to the Parish Church Hall and provided 63 beds. The hospital closed in December 1918.

                           St. Leonards Auxiliary Hospital was located on Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh.

                           Fitzwilliam Officer's Auxilliary Hospital was situated at 33 Upper Fitzwilliams Street in Dublin

                           10th Australian Field Ambulance was raised in Victoria and served with 3rd Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           9th Australian Field Ambulance was raised in New South Wales and served with 3rd Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           1st Australian Field Ambulance was raised in New South Wales and served with 1st Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           2nd Australian Field Ambulance was raised in Victoria and served with 1st Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           3rd Australian Field Ambulance served with 1st Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           5th Australian Field Ambulance was raised in New South Wales and served with 2nd Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           6th Australian Field Ambulance was raised in Victoria and served with 2nd Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           7th Australian Field Ambulance served with 2nd Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           4th Australian Field Ambulance served with 4th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           12th Australian Field Ambulance served with 4th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           13th Australian Field Ambulance served with 4th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           8th Australian Field Ambulance served with 5th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           14th Australian Field Ambulance served with 5th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           15th Australian Field Ambulance served with 5th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           1st Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance served with 1st Anzac Mounted Division in the Gallipoli and Palestine campaigns during the Great War.

                           2nd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance served with 1st ANZAC Mounted Division in the Gallipoli and Palestine campaigns during the Great War.

                           3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance served with 1st ANZAC Mounted Division in the Gallipoli campaign and with the Australian Mounted Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           4th Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance served with the Australian Mounted Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           5th Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance served with the Australian Mounted Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           School Hill House Military Hospital was located on School Hill in Lewes. It opened in October 1914 and close in December 1918 having treated over 800 patients.

                           3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company formed in December 1915 from the Canadian Mining Sections. They worked in the Ypres Sector of the Western Front.

                           11th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was raised in October 1914 at Hull. They joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division at Harrogate as a training unit. In autumn 1916 it was redesignated 8th Training Reserve Battalion.

                           The Electrical Hospital for Officers and Men was situated at 21 Grosvenor Square, London.

                           Hazelwood House Auxiliary Hospital was situated at Haelwood House, Situated on a peninsula jutting into Lough Gill, just east of Sligo Town in County Sligo, Ireland. The house was the home of Murial and Philip Dudley Percival.

                           During the Great War the British Red Cross and St Johns Ambulance Brigade formed a Joint Committee and worked side by side to provide medical services to the wounded, comforts to servicemen and prisoners of war and also provided an enquiry service for relatives of those who had gone missing in action.

                           In Britain the Police service is organised into County Constabularies. During the Great War the Police Force was not a reserved occupation and in the first few months of the war, policemen were actively encouraged to join the armed forced. This left the Force very depleted, to make up the shortfall in officers, those who were too old or unfit to serve were encouraged to join the ranks of the Special Constabulary. From late 1915 women were also accepted and the Women's Police Service came into being, previously women serving with the police did not have any powers of authority and worked mainly within police stations dealing with women and young children who were brought in.

                           7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry was a Kitchener's battalion, raised in September 1914. They served as part of 61st Brigade, 20th (Light) Division and proceeded to France in July 1915.

                           89th Infantry Brigade was part of 30th Division and saw action on the Western front during the Great War.

                           Lady Sykes' Hospital in Hull was located in the Metropole Hall, West Street, Hull.

                           2nd Light Horse Regiment, AIF was raised in September 1914. They proceeded to Egypt and saw action at Gallipoli in a dismounted role and in the Middle East as part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade.

                           1st Light Horse Regiment, AIF was raised, from recruits from New South Wales in Sydney in August 1914. They proceeded to Egypt and saw action at Gallipoli in a dismounted role and in the Middle East.

                           1st Light Horse Brigade was made up of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Light Horse Regiments, Australian Imperial Force. They proceeded to Egypt and saw action at Gallipoli in a dismounted role and in the Middle East.

                           Boothroyd was a large palatial house, now the William Henry Smith School. Dr. Bond was the medical advisor for the Rastrick Local Board, founder member of the Rastrick St. John Ambulance Brigade and helped to convert Boothroyd, into a military hospital for soldiers wounded in the 1st World War. Dr. Bond spent the entire war years dedicating his time to nursing hundreds of wounded soldiers back to full health again. In addition, Boothroyd was used to house Belgian refugees, who had fled their country after the German occupation.

                           During World War I, the hospital was requisitioned by the War Office for the treatment of military casualties, opening in September 1915 as the Brook War Hospital, with 1000 beds. MAB nurses were replaced by nurses from the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service, and the War Hospital was equipped with two new operating theatres and an X-ray room. It ceased to be a War Hospital on 5 November 1919, having provided treatment for 414 officers and 30,080 other ranks during the war.

                           Wingfield House Red Cross Hospital, the seat of Sir Vincent and Lady Caillard. It operated as a military hospital from October 1914, commencing with seventeen beds and increasing to accommodate forty. Lady Caillard acted as commandant and was assisted by her only daughter. Over four hundred patients passed through between it opening and January 1918. Sir Vincent Caillard was formerly in the Sappers and was a director of Vickers Ltd.

                           Osnabruck House at 105 Denmark Hill was owned by Fritz Rommel. During WW1 it was used as part of the the 4th London General Hospital, having being requisitioned by the War Office. It was home to 25 beds for officers suffering from neurological disorders. The Hospital closed in 1919 and was demolished to build the Denmark wing of King’s College Hospital.

                           Jubilee Cottage Hospital, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Jubilee Cottage Hospital first opened in November 1889. It was designed by local architect Robert Duncan, and built at a cost of £1257, and was named in honour of Queen Victoria's Jubilee. On 5 October 1916 the hospital, with the exception of the fever hospital, was handed over to the Red Cross for the treatment of soldiers. It ceased to be a Red Cross Hospital in January 1919.

                        https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/master/detail.aspx?Authority=ASH&refno=NJ53NW0071


                           Hopetoun Auxiliary Hospital, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland. On 12th March 1915, ‘The Scotsman’ reported that Lord Linlithgow had fitted the Ballroom of Hopetoun House as an Auxiliary Hospital with 41 beds. It was staffed by a Matron and 11 voluntary nurses. The only alterations needed were the addition of a kitchen and office. Men were arriving regularly from the first line hospitals, mostly suffering from bullet wounds in the limbs and frostbite. The 'Edinburgh Committee for Providing Concerts for the Wounded Soldiers', arranged concerts to entertain the convalescents, and Hopetoun House was among the hospitals and camps visited. From November 1915 to New Year's Day 1916, 64 concerts were arranged.

                        https://queensferry-at-war.weebly.com/interesting-war-facts/military-hospitals


                           Dalmeny Park Auxiliary Hospital, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland. On 13th November 1914, ‘The Scotsman’, reported: ‘Her Royal Highness Princess Christian visited Dalmeny Hospital. Her Royal Highness was received by Lord Rosebery and after the various members of staff had been presented, she made a tour of the wards. Her Royal Highness spoke to the individual patients of whom there are over 80 at present in the hospital, and expressed at the end of her visit her great apprehension of the comfort of the patients and the general arrangements of the hospital.’ On 21 3 1916, the Scotsman reported that an ambulance train from England had arrived at the Caledonian Station, Edinburgh, with 124 sick and wounded soldiers. 35 men were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 20 to Craiglieth Hospital and 40 to Dalmeny Hospital.

                        https://queensferry-at-war.weebly.com/interesting-war-facts/military-hospitals


                           Kinmel Park Military Hospital, Abergele, Denbighshire, Wales. The Kinmel camp was built in 1914 on the grounds of Kinmel Hall near Abergele. The large basic training facility took over a substantial area of parkland, and had its own branch railway line connecting to the main line at Foryd Station in Rhyl. In addition to the medical facility, the camp also contained a number of stores, a Post Office, a bakery, a theatre/cinema, and a number of churches. The camp included areas set aside for bayonet practice and trench fighting, a series of trenches being built both at Kinmel and in nearby Bodelwyddan Park. Kinmel Camp gained notoriety for riots which took place on March 4th and 5th, 1919. The riots are believed to have been caused by delays in repatriation and by the Canadian soldier's resentment at being used by their British officers as forced labour. About 15,000 Canadian troops were stationed at Kinmel Camp for a period after the War and were kept in undesirable conditions while their officers received pay and were free to leave the camp. Five men were killed, and 23 were injured.

                        https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/orbis:13661918


                           Castle Auxiliary Hospital, Glamis, Angus, Scotland. During the First World War Glamis Castle was converted to an auxiliary hospital, affiliated to the Dundee War Hospital. The great table was removed from the dining room and replaced by 16 beds. Nurses were employed to care for soldiers and women took over many jobs previously held by male employees who had gone to war. The late queen mother Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon she saw her family home, Glamis Castle, turned into an auxiliary hospital. The Glamis website records: “During the First World War Glamis Castle became a convalescent hospital. Lady Elizabeth’s kindness won her the hearts of many of the soldiers who passed through Glamis. “On September 16, 1916, two soldiers discovered a fire in a room under the castle roof. As they ran to raise the alarm, the first person they came across was Lady Elizabeth, who showed great presence of mind and immediately telephoned both the local and Dundee fire brigades. “She then marshalled everyone to fight the fire, organising a chain to convey buckets of water from the river. Later, with the fire raging above them, she organised the removal of the valuables out onto the lawn.”

                        https://www.weebox.co.uk/women-of-glamis-who-helped-shape-history/


                           Pale Hall, Llanderfel Auxiliary Military Hospital, Corwen, Denbighshire, Wales. In September 1917 Sir Henry Robertson handed over his house for use as a military hospital, run by a matron and staffed by local volunteers who had been trained by the St John’s Ambulance Association. On 20th August 1917, eighteen wounded soldiers came to the hospital at Pale Hall and more were due to arrive. By 2nd October, 17 of the patients were ready to return to their regiments. The hospital presumably closed for a time in 1918 as it is reported as being re-opened in August 1918 with Miss N. R. Lloyd-Williams as commandant. Captain Henry Robertson himself was fighting at the front for some of the time that the hospital was in use, coming home only on leave. He was back at home when in August 1918 he was fined for using his motor vehicle without permission to go salmon fishing, which he defended by saying that he provided the salmon to the wounded soldiers in his private hospital. Miss Kate Jarrett of Faerdref House, who worked at the Hospital was also secretary of the Corwen Ladies Ambulance Class. Pale Hall is now a hotel.

                        http://www.heneb.co.uk/ww1/reports/ww1infrastructureandsupport.pdf


                           Bodlondeb Castle Red Cross Hospital, Llandudno, Carnarvonshire, Wales. The building was owned by Henry Rees Davies, a member of a former shipping family. While he was away on active service during the First World War the house was converted into a Red Cross convalescent home under the command of his sister-in-law, Mrs John Davies of Ceris. The nursing staff were from the Red Cross and from the local Women’s Patriotic Guild and all were unpaid volunteers. Gifts of food were donated to the hospital, some from harvest festivals. The gifts included 10 brace of partridges and 12 brace of pheasants. Patients were entertained by Bangor Choir and had whist drives and billiard tournaments. In early May 1915, 20 wounded soldiers were received at Bodlondeb. They took the train to Menai Bridge station and were met there by the Bangor VAD Men’s Detachment and some cars lent by local residents to take them to the hospital Later in the month 23 soldiers injured in the Dardanelles arrived. Some were Australian and one was “Russian”, actually Polish from Warsaw. (that part of Poland was under Russian control at the time).

                        http://www.heneb.co.uk/ww1/reports/ww1infrastructureandsupport.pdf


                           Caerynwch Military Hospital, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales. The Caerynwch Red Cross auxiliary military hospital opened for two years during the First World War in Caerynwch Hall. The hospital closed on 22 March 1919. The girls and staff of Dr Williams’ School, Dolgellau provided entertainments, eggs and newspapers for the convalescing wounded soldiers. The hospital was run by Mary Richards, a keen botanist, who won the Royal Red Cross Medal for her work in the hospital.

                        http://www.heneb.co.uk/ww1/reports/ww1infrastructureandsupport.pdf


                           Wern Military Hospital, Porthmadog, Carnarvonshire, Wales. The manor was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers during the First World War. The first patients arrived on 13th December 1915. 25 beds were initially intended, but by July 1917 there were 41 patients. The house was lent, rent free, by Mr and Mrs Greaves, who also provided water, electricity, heating, and food such as vegetables and rabbits. Contributions of money, equipment and food were requested from the public. All the staff were volunteers with the exception of the Sister-in-Charge, who, according to Red Cross rules had to be a paid professional. The cook was also paid for by the Greaves, who were still living in the house and paid the hospital for their own board. Mrs Greaves was also the matron of the hospital, for which work she was given an MBE in 1918. Mrs Greaves did make an appeal to the public for funds to cover “smokes”, rail fares, prizes and treats. Patients visited Pwllheli on Wednesdays and made use of a rest room there. Local people made a collection to enable them to supply tea to the patients. Teas were also provided for patients visiting Porthmadog. David Lloyd George’s daughter Olwen spent part of her Christmas holiday nursing at the hospital. In spring 1918 the hospital was renovated and the patients were moved to Aberartro Hospital, Llanbedr The hospital closed in December 1918 and it was proposed that the equipment be reused in a new cottage hospital in Porthmadog.

                        http://www.heneb.co.uk/ww1/reports/ww1infrastructureandsupport.pdf


                           110th Trench Mortar Battery was formed in June 1916 and served with 110th Brigade, 21st Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           111th Trench Mortar Battery formed in July 1916 and served with 111th Brigade, 37th Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           The Village Hall in Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire was built in 1912 and given to the village by Lord Ernest St Maur in memory of his brother Lord Percy. During the First World War it was used as a military hospital.

                        https://sites.google.com/site/maidenbradley/home/wcc-history


                           Mrs Greenway's Hospital was loacted at 27 Ovington Square, London and was established in 1914 by Mrs Maud Greenway as a Hospital for Officers. By 19th December 1914 all 4 beds were occupied.

                           Murthly War Hospital, Perthshire, Scotland was based in the Perth District Asylum which had opened in 1864 it was the second district asylum to open in Scotland. Between January 1917 and March 1919 the hospital was used as a Military Psychiatric Hospital, the civilian patients being moved to other local psychiatric hospitals. A short railway branch line ran from Murthly Station into the hospital grounds. This terminated at a turntable at the north-west of the site. A siding ran east to the north of the site to enable the delivery of coal for the central heating boilers.

                        https://www.railscot.co.uk/locations/M/Murthly_Hospital


                           Mrs Thal's Hospital at 17 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, London opened during WW1 with 10 beds for officers. It was affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Millbank.

                        https://ezitis.myzen.co.uk/mrsthals.html


                           Schaw Convalescent Home, Bearsden, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. Built in 1895, Schaw House was an elegant, three-storied structure approached by a sweeping driveway. Impressive stone steps lead to a castellated tower, flanked on either side by two vast wings. It was a convalescent home for patients, many very poor, discharged from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary During the First World War, the managers placed 30 beds at Schaw Home for the use of wounded sailors and soldiers.

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                           2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), Canadian Expeditionary Force saw action on the Western Front as part of 1st Canadian Brigade, 1st Canadian Division.

                           65th Field Artillery Brigade was part of 40th Division, US Army. They proceeded over seas in August 1918 and returned to the USA in April 1919.
                          It was made up of:
                        • 143d Field Artillery Regiment
                        • 144th Field Artillery Regiment
                        • 145th Field Artillery Regiment
                        • 115th Trench Mortar Battery
                        • 115th Engineer Regiment
                        • 115th Field Signal Battalion
                        • 115th Military Police Battalion
                        • 115th Ammunition Train
                        • 115th Supply Train
                        • 115th Sanitary Train (later 115th Medical Regiment)
                          • 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th California Ambulance Companies
                          • 1st and Second California, 1st Colorado, and 1st Utah Hospital Companies


                           7th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops was formed on the 8th of March 1917 by the redesignation of the 257th Battalion. They proceeded to France in March 1917 and served on the Western Front.

                           21st (Eastern Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force embarked for the UK in May 1915 and proceeded to France in September 1915 as part of the 4th Canadian Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. It served on the Western Front until the end of the Great War.

                           42nd (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion embarked for Great Britain in June 1915 and proceeded to France in October as part of the 7th Canadian Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. They fought on the Western Front until the end of the Great War.

                           13th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force was raised in New South Wales in 1914. The served with 4th Australian Brigade and saw action at Gallipoli and on the Western Front.

                           4th Australian Brigade, consisted of the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th Battalions, AIF and was made up mainly of men from New South Wales. The saw action at Gallipoli and on the Western Front.

                           2/1st Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers were a second line Territorial unit raised in 1914 in Brighton and Eastbourne. They were redesignated 493rd (2/1st Home Counties) Field Coy. RE, they were part of 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division and served in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           3rd Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers was a Territorial unit raised at Newhaven in August 1915 as part of 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division. They were redesignated 492nd (3rd Home Counties) Field Company, Royal Engineers in February 1917 and in October of that year transferred to 71st Division. In September 1918 they proceeded to Murmansk where they remained until mid 1919.

                           2/2nd Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers was a second line Territorial unit which served with 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division in the UK during the Great War. In February 1917 they were resedignated 494th (2/2nd Home Counties) Field Company, Royal Engineers.

                           M Special Company, Royal Engineers was formed in spring 1917 for the purposes of Gas Warfare on the Western Front.

                           102nd Field Company, Royal Engineers served as part of 23rd Division and saw action on the Western Front and in Italy during the Great War.

                           The 1st Renfrew Field Company, Royal Engineers, was formed from men of the Renfrewshire Fortress Engineers, and renamed 406th (Renfrew) Field Company, Royal Engineers in early 1917. They served as part of 4th Division and saw action on the Western Front.

                           1/1st Essex Yeomanry were based in Colchetser when war broke out in 1914. They proceeded to France as part of the 8th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division and remained on the Western Front until the Armistice.

                           1/1st Glamorgan Yeomanry was a territorial unit, they proceeded to Egypt in March 1916. In March 1917 they retrained as infantry and converted to become 24th (Pembroke & Glamorgan) Battalion, Welsh Regiment.

                           10th (Shropshire & Cheshire Yeomanry) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry was formed in March 1917 from the 1/1st Shropshire Yeomanry and 1/1st Cheshire Yeomanry. They saw action on the Western front.

                           1/1st City of London (Rough Riders) Yeomanry was a territorial unit which saw action at Gallipoli, in Salonkia, Palestine and on the Western front during the Great War.

                           16th (2nd Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was raised in Glasgow in September 1914. They served on the Western Front with 97th Brigade, 32nd Division

                           97th Brigade was formed in 1915 as part of 32nd Division and was initially made up of 11th (Lonsdale) Battalion, Border Regiment 15th (1st Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, 16th (2nd Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry and 17th (3rd Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.

                           13th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was formed in Hull in December 1914 as a part of Kitchener's 4th New Army. In September 1916 they converted to become 15th Training Reserve Battalion, 3rd Reserve Brigade.

                           Mesopotamia Stokes Mortar Brigade arrived in the region in May 1916 and was made up of 12 Batteries each armed with 4 guns.

                           The Overseas Training Brigade was a unit of the Australian Imperial Force based in Wiltshire, England. It's role was to train soldiers who had been wounded or ill, to bring their fitness and skills back to that required to enable them to rejoin units at the front or depots in the UK.

                           No.8 British Red Cross Hospital, known at the Baltic and Corn Exchange Hospital opened in autumn 1914 and was located in Calais. It moved to Paris Plage Le Touquet in September 1915 and in December 1917 it moved to Boulogne.

                           Lady Hadfield's Anglo-American Hospital, also called No.5 British Red Cross Hospital opened at at Wimereux in Dcember 1914. It was organised by Lady Frances Hadfield the American wife of Sir Robert Hadfield, owner of Hadfield’s Steel, Sheffield. The hospital provided 100 beds, the cost of which, some £75,000 was met by the Hadfields. It closed on 10th of January 1919 having treated over 16,000 patients.

                           252nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in February 1917 and saw action on the Western Front.

                           187th Division, Imperial German Army was formed in mid 1916 and saw action in Romania and on the Western Front. In 1918 it became part of the 1st Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps, 17th Army.

                           The Women's Royal Air Force was formed in 1918 to support the Royal Air Force in administrative and technical trades. It was disbanded in 1920.

                           2/9th Battalion, Kings Regiment (Liverpool) was formed as a second line Territorial unit in Liverpool in October 1914. They saw action on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           3rd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was based at Winchester when war broke out in August 1914. They were a training and depot unit and remained in the UK throughout the conflict.

                           25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was formed in 1917 by the amalgamation of the 1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry and 1/1st Welsh Horse Yeomanry. They served in the Middle East and on the Western Front.

                           Dunster Force was formed in December 1917 and was deployed in North Persia and the South Caucasus. It was commanded by Major-General Lionel Dunsterville.

                           4th Moroccan Brigade was formed in September 1914 as part of 152nd French Division. They transferred to 38th French Division in 1915.

                           The Ottoman Naval bombardment of Russian ports in the Black Sea on 29th of October 1914, resulted in to Russia declaring war on the Ottoman Empire. Fighting continued until the Russian Revolution of February 1917 when the Russian Forces were replaced by Allied units. Although Persia declared neutrality in August 1914, it's forces were drawn into conflict due to its location.

                           101st Field Company, Royal Engineers was part of 32nd Division then transferred to 23rd Division in early 1915. They served on the Western Front and in Italy.

                           The Battle of Arras began on the 9th of April 1917 following days of artillery bombardment, Allied troops launched an attack on German lines to the east of Arras between Vimy and Bullecourt. There had been a huge build up before the battle and in the British Sector the chalk caves beneath Arras to were utlized conceal their troops, many of whom entered the lines via tunnels dug from the existing network to the trenches. Hard fighting continued until the 16th of May 1917 with the German front line being pushed back significantly.

                           6th/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers was formed in May 1916 by the amalgamation of the 6th and 7th Battalions. They served with 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division on the Western Front then became a pioneer battalion to 59th Division in February 1918. In May they were reduced to a cadres and then transferred to 47th Brigade, 16th Division, in July the remaining personnel were transferred to 18th Battalion, Cameronians.

                           2/10th (2nd Hackney Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment was formed in London in September 1914 as a second line territorial unit of the 10th (Hackney Rifles) Battalion. The saw action as part of 175th Brigade, 58th (2/1st London) Division, on the Western from February 1917 until the Armistice.

                           3rd Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was based in Pontefract. On the outbreak of war in 1914 it moved to its war station in Hull to defend the coast. The battalion remained in the UK throughout the war and trained men who went on to see action with other units.

                           3rd Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was based in Lancaster. They remained in the UK throughout the Great War, engaged in Home Defence and training men who would go on to see action with other units.

                           3rd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was based in Hamilton. They remained in the UK throughout the Great War engaged on Home Defence and training duties.

                           4th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was based in Hamilton. They remained in the UK throughout the Great War engaged on Home Defence and training duties.

                           3rd Battalion, Kings Regiment (Liverpool) was based at Seaforth Barracks in Liverpool. Throughout the Great War they remained in the the UK on Home Defence and training duties.

                           3rd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment was based in Lincoln, they served on Home Defence and training duties between August 1914 and early 1918 when they were sent to Ireland.

                           3rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment were based at Ashton under Lyme. They remained in the UK throughout the Great War engaged in Home Defence duties and training new recruits.

                           4th Battalion, Manchester Regiment were based at Ashton under Lyme. They were engaged in training and Home Defence duties throughout the Great War and did not go overseas.

                           19th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles was formed in Ireland in autumn 1915 as a training and depot unit. They were absorbed by the 3rd Battalion in spring 1918.

                           Camp 12 was at Chipilly near Amiens, France.

                           X Camp was located near Poperinghe in Belgium.

                           Grove Park Camp was a training depot for the Army Service Corps. It was located in the buildings of the old Grove Park Hospital on Marvels Lane, Lee in south east London.

                           Sandbeck Park Camp was located at Sandbeck Park, Maltby, near Rotherham. The estate was loaned to the army by the Earl of Scarbrough as a training facility.

                           Doncaster Racecourse Camp was located on the race course at Doncaster, on the south east side of the town.

                           Newtonards Camp was located to the south of the town of Newtonards in Ireland. It was built in the autumn of 1914 and remained in military use until 1920 when it became a training facility for the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

                           Portobello Barracks, near Rathmines was constructed in the early 1800's and remains in use by the military. Today it is known as Cathal Brugha Barracks.

                           No 185 Squadron was formed in East Lothian in October 1918 as a torpedo-bomber squadron, but did not see any active war service and was disbanded in April 1919.

                           116th Infantry Brigade saw action on the Western Front as part of 39th Division.

                           123rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 37th Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           6th Battalion, Leinster Regiment was raised in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's New Army. They served with 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and saw action at Gallipoli, in Salonika and Palestine. In May 1918 they transferred to 198th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the Western Front and were disbanded in September 1918.

                           Cottonera Hospital, near Zabbar Gate , Malta was built in 1873 as a military hospital. At the outbreak of the Great War it provided 167 Surgical and Medical beds, which was expanded to 314 to meet demand due to the number of casualties arriving from Gallipoli and later from the Salonkia Campaign.

                           St Patricks Hospital, Malta was a tented hospital situated in the centre of the island. It opened on 15th August 1915, providing 1,000 beds and closed in spring 1917.

                           St George's Hospital was located at St George's Barracks on the northern side of St George's bay on the east coast of Malta.

                           No. 188 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 20th December 1917 at Throwley to provide night pilot training.

                           No. 190 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 24th October 1917 at Newmarket to provide night flying pilot training.



                           1st Battalion, 1st Gurkha Rifles can be traced back to the East India Company's Bengal Army in 1815, by the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 were known as 1st/1st King George's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment). They were part of Sirhind Indian Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division and proceeded to France in December 1914. In December 1915 they were sent to Mesopotamia then to Palestine in early 1918.

                           No. 191 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 6th November 1917 at Marham as a training unit for night fighter pilots for both home defence and overseas units.



                           No. 192 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed on 5th September 1917 at Gainsborough as an advanced night fighter training unit.



                           400th (Highland) Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force, originally named 1/1st Highland Field Company, RE. They served with 51st Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           193 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps formed as a training squadron at Amriya in Egypt on 9th August 1917. It disbanded on 21st July 1918 by being redesignated as No 20 Training Depot Station.



                           333rd Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers proceeded to France in spring 1917 and served on the Western Front.

                           194 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps formed as a training squadron at Amriya in Egypt on 9th August 1917. It disbanded on 21st July 1918 by being redesignated as No 16 Training Depot Station.



                           3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was a training unit which remained in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           481st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in late 1917 and saw action on the Western Front.

                           281st (2nd London) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 56th (London) Division during the Great War and saw action on the Western Front.

                           283rd (4th London Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 56th (London) Division during the Great War and saw action on the Western Front.

                           280th (1st London) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 56th (London) Division during the Great War and saw action on the Western Front.

                           G Company, MGC Heavy Branch was formed in November 1916 and first saw action on the Western Front in 1917. They were renamed 7th Battalion, Tank Corps in April 1918.

                           No 196 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was Formed as a training squadron at Heliopolis in Egypt on 9th August 1917. It disbanded on 13th November 1917 by being redesignated as the Aerial Flying School.



                           The Battle of Aubers Ridge on 9th of May 1915 was an attack by British First Army to assist a larger attack by the French the Second Battle of Artois. The attack was a faileur, no ground was gained and British casualties were high. The action exacerbated the shortage of artillery ammunition and led to the political Shell Crisis which caused a change of government in the UK.

                           3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital was located at Orchard Hospital, at Dartford in Kent which had previously been in use as a small pox hospital. It opened on 9th of October 1916 and was able to accommodate 1,400 patients in single storey pavilion type wards.

                           Bevan Military Hospital, Sandgate High Street, Sandgate was previously known as the Alfred Bevan Memorial Home. Run by the Kent VAD, it provided 250 beds. It opened in October 1914 and closed in March 1919.

                           The Grange VAD Hospital opened in 1914 at The Grange, Deal and provided 28 beds. Today the building is in use by Brewood School.

                           Canadian Convalescent Hospital, was located at the Lewis Turkish Bath Hotel on Ingles Road, Folkestone. It was a hospital for Officers and opened in 1916.

                           Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Monks Horton, near Ashford was a 650 bed tented hospital. It opened on 1st of May 1915 and closed 1st of August 1918.

                           The Ear and Eye Hospital, at Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells offered 15 beds for military patients alongside its civilian role. Today the building is known as Fairlawn House.

                           Lympne Castle Auxiliary Hospital was a convalecent hospital for Canadian soldiers. It was located at Lympne Castle, Castle Close, Lympne. It opened in October 1916 with 70 beds and had expanded to 100 beds before closing in February 1917.

                           No. 197 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed as a training squadron at Almaza in Egypt on 9th August 1917. It was redesignated as the Artillery Observation School just 3 months later on 20th November 1917.

                           No 198 (Depot) Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Rochford on 27th June 1917 tasked with night training. It disbanded in September 1919.



                           1/2nd Wessex Field Company, Royal Engineers was a Territorial unit based in Winchester. Later renamed 501st (Wessex) Field Company, Royal Engineers, they proceeded to France in December 1914 as part of 27th Division and served on the Western Front for 12 months before moving to Macedonia.

                           44th (Lincoln & Welland) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                        1st Sep 1915 19 Squadron formed  No. 19 Squadron was formed from a nucleus from No. 5 Reserve Squadron at Castle Bromwich on 1st of September 1915.

                           Zeppelin LZ88 (L40) was an R Class Super Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 3rd of January 1917 It carried out 6 reconnaissance missions and 2 attacks on England dropping a total of 3,105 kilograms (6,845 lb) of bombs. Damaged beyond repair while landing on the 16th of June 1917 in Nordholz.

                        John Doran


                           SM U-80 was a Type UE 1, built at Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 62) Ordered 9 Mar 1915, Llaunched 22 Apr 1916 and commissioned 6 Jun 1916

                        Commanders.
                        6 Jun 1916 - 31 Jul 1917 Alfred von Glasenapp.
                        1 Aug 1917 - 30 Oct 1917 Gustav Amberger.
                        31 Oct 1917 - 22 Dec 1917 Karl Scherb.
                        23 Dec 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 Karl Koopmann

                        Her career spanned 17 patrols from 27th Aug 1916 to 11th Nov 1918 with I Flotilla

                        Successes 25 ships sunk with a total of 48,880 tons. 4 ships damaged with a total of 35,608 tons. 1 ship sunk with a total of 1,025 tons.

                        • 4 Nov 1916 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Skerries 4,278 br
                        • 18 Dec 1916 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Opal 599 br
                        • 19 Dec 1916 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Liverpool 686 br
                        • 25 Jan 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Laurentic 14,892 br
                        • 15 Feb 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Celtic (damaged) 20,904 br
                        • 1 Mar 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Pheasant (hms) 1,025 br
                        • 3 Mar 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Hermes 785 nw
                        • 10 Mar 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp San Eduardo (damaged) 6,225 br
                        • 16 Mar 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Motagua (damaged) 5,977 br
                        • 17 Apr 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Gisella (damaged) 2,502 br
                        • 7 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp H. H. Petersen 192 da
                        • 7 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Sophie 237 da
                        • 9 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Hans Broge 1,432 da
                        • 11 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Anna Alwina 364 ru
                        • 11 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Calchas 6,748 br
                        • 21 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Senator 211 br
                        • 1 Jul 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Don Emilio 3,651 br
                        • 15 Aug 1917 U 80 Gustav Amberger Hylas 4,240 br
                        • 16 Aug 1917 U 80 Gustav Amberger Caroline Kock 316 da
                        • 20 Aug 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Kirkland 224 br
                        • 25 Aug 1917 U 80 Gustav Amberger Junona 3,462 ru
                        • 6 Sep 1917 U 80 Gustav Amberger Tuskar 1,159 br
                        • 17 Dec 1917 U 80 Karl Scherb Neptune 50 br
                        • 19 Dec 1917 U 80 Karl Scherb Arno 1,386 da
                        • 23 Apr 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann Plethos 210 br
                        • 5 Jun 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann Anton 1,036 sw
                        • 29 Jun 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann Midtsjö 185 nw
                        • 3 Jul 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann Gripen 1,191 sw
                        • 3 Jul 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann P. C. Peterson 673 nw
                        • 9 Sep 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann Helvetia 673 nw

                        On the 16th Jan 1919 she was surrendered and was broken up at Swansea in 1922.

                        John Doran


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

                           SS Armenian was a Victorian Class Ocean Liner built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast. The ship was launched on the 25th of November 1895 as the SS Indian for Frederick Leyland & Co. but was renamed as the Armenian, before her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Boston on 28th September 1896. She served as a transport ship during the Boer War. In 1903 she returned to civilian life and was loaned to the White Star line for the cargo service between Liverpool and New York until 1910 when she returned to the Leyland Line.

                        At the outbreak of the Great War she was laid up, but quickly returned to service as a horse transport sailing between Britain and France.

                           The SS. Welshman was built in 1891 for the White Star Line as the SS. Tauric and was renamed after she had been sold to the Dominion Line in 1903. During the Great War she served as a horse transport vessel.

                           1st City of London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territoral Force with it's HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road, Chelsea.

                           3rd City of London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with it's HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road, Chelsea. They were later renamed 85th (3rd London) Field Ambulance.

                           5th London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with it's HQ at 159 Greenwich Road, Greenwich. They served with 47th (2nd London) Division, part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in teh first week of January 1919.

                           1st London Field Company Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Bethnal Green. They were part of the 1st London Divisional Royal Engineers which had its HQ at 10 Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green. They were later renamed 509th (1st London) Field Coy.

                           2nd London Field Company Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Bethnal Green. They were part of the 1st London Divisional Royal Engineers which had its HQ at 10 Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green. They were later renamed 510th (2nd London) Field Coy.

                           1st London Divisional Signal Coy, Royal Engineers a unit of the Territorial Force based in Bethnal Green. It was organised as Headquarters Section, No 1 Section, No 2 (1st London) Section, No 3 (2nd London) Section and No 4 (3rd London) Section. They were part of the 1st London Divisional Royal Engineers which had its HQ at 10 Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green.

                           3rd London Field Company Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Chelsea. They were part of the 2nd London Divisional Royal Engineers which had its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road Chelsea. They were later renamed 517th (3rd London) Field Coy.

                           4th London Field Company Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Chelsea. They were part of the 2nd London Divisional Royal Engineers which had its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road Chelsea. They were later renamed 518th (4th London) Field Coy.

                           1st London General Hospital was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road Chelsea.

                           2nd London General Hospital was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road Chelsea.

                        The Territorials - Ray Westlake


                           3rd London General Hospital was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at 3 Henry Street, Holborn.

                        The Territorials - Ray Westlake


                           4th London General Hospital was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road Chelsea.

                        The Territorials - Ray Westlake


                           London (Heavy) Batteries, Royal Garrison Artillery were units of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Offord Road, London. The 1st London (Heavy) Battery served with the 1st London Division. The 2nd London (Heavy) Battery served with the 2nd London Division.

                           London Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 3 Henry Street, Gray's Inn Road, Holborn.

                           1st (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers), The London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Handel Square, St Pancras. They were part of the 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division when war broke out in august 1914. They were at once mobilised for war, taking up position guarding the London to Newhaven railway line. On the 4th of September 1914 they were dispatched to Malta to relieve a unit of the regular army and 1st London Brigade sailed from Southampton to Malta, arriving in Valetta on the 14th. They were stationed in Malta until the 11th of February 1915 when they sailed for Avonmouth, arriving on the 21st. They proceeded to France, landing at le Havre on the 11th of March and joined the 25th Brigade, 8th Division. They were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 8th of February 1916 they transferred to 167th Brigade in the newly reformed 56th (1st London) Division. in the Hallencourt area in February. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. On the 6th of February 1918 when the army was reorgansised, they absorbed the disbanded 2/1st London Battalion. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           2nd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 9 Tufton Street, Westminster, serving as part of 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division when war broke out in August 1914. The battalion was mobilised and allocated the task of guarding the Amesbury-Southampton docks railway. On the 4th of September 1914 they sailed with the Brigade from Southampton to Malta, arriving at Valetta on the 14th of September. They remained in Malta until the 2nd of January 1915 and arrived at Marseilles on the 6th of January heading for the Western Front by train. They joined the 17th Brigade, 6th Division on the 21st of February 1915 and on the 14th of October they transferred with the Brigade to 24th Division and on the 9th of February 1916 they were assigned to the 169th Brigade in 56th (London) Division, which was being reformed in France. The 56th Division concentrated in the Hallencourt area. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July also seeing action in The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 21 Edward Street, St Pancras. (Edward Street was renamed Varndell Street in 1938, the site is now occupied by a block of flats named Staveley.) They were serving with 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division when war broke out in 1914. They moved on mobilisation to guarding the Basingstoke-Eastleigh railway and soon began to prepare for service overseas. On the 4th of September 1914 they sailed with the Brigade from Southampton to Malta to man the garrison, allowing the regular army unit to return home for service in France. They left Malta on the 2nd of January 1915, sailing to Marseilles for service on the Western Front and joined Gharwal Brigade, 7th (Meerut) Division on the 10th of February. On the 17th they transferred to Dehra Dun Brigade in same Division. In November they transferred to 139th Brigade in 46th (North Midland) Division then moved again to 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. On the 9th of February 1916 they transferred to 167th Brigade, 56th (London) Division. They were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. On the 3rd of January 1918 they transferred to 173rd Brigade, 58th (2/1st London) Division, absorbing the disbanded 2/3rd Battalion and were renamed 3rd Battalion. They were in action on The Somme, during the Second Battles of Arras 1918, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                           4th (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers) The London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 112 Shaftsbury Street, Shoreditch. They were serving with 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division when war broke out in August 1914, they were mobilised at once and took up duties guarding the Basingstoke-Waterloo railway. The battalion soon began preparations for service overseas. On the 4th of September they sailed with the Brigade from Southampton to Malta, arriving at Valetta on the 14th of September to take over the garrison. They left Malta on the 2nd of January 1915 sailing to Marseilles for the Western Front. They joined Ferozepore Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division on the 10th of February 1915. On the 11th of November they transferred to 137th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division and on the 15th transferred again to 140th Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. On the 9th of February 1916 they transferred to 168th Brigade, 56th (London) Division. They were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           5th (London Rifle Brigade) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 130 Bunhill Road, Finsbury. When war broke out in August 1914, they were part of 2nd London Brigade, 1st London Division and were at once mobilised, moving to Bisley. In September they moved to Crowborough for final training and on the 5th of November 1914 the Battalion left the London Division, proceeding to France, landing at Le Havre. On the 17th of November they joined 11th Brigade, 4th Division. They were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and on the 19th of May 1915 the Battalion transferred to GHQ Troops, forming a composite unit with the 1/12th and 1/13th Battalions the London Regiment, whilst they recovered from lossed. The 1/5th resumed their own identity on the 11th of August. On the 25th of October 1915 they transferred to 8th Brigade, 3rd Division and on the 10th of February 1916 they transferred to 169th Brigade, in the newly reformed 56th (London) Division, in the Hallencourt area in February. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           6th (City of London) Battalion (Rifles), London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 57a Farringdon Road, Holborn. They were serving with the 2nd London Brigade, 1st London Division when war broke out. In November 1914 the battalion was transferred to 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division, later transferring to 140th Brigade, 47th Division with which it remained till January 1918. The 6th Battalion landed in France in March 1915 and saw its first major action at Loos in September. The Battalion fought on the Somme, and at Messines, in the Third Battle of Ypres and at Cambrai. At the end of January 1918 the Battalion amalgamated with the 2/6th Battalion and joined the 174th Brigade, 58th Division.

                           7th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 24 Sun Street, Shoreditch.

                           8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 130 Bunhill Road, Finsbury.

                           9th (County of London) Battalion (Queen Victoria's Rifles), London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 56 Davies Street, Westminster.

                           10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney), London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 49 The Grove, Hackney.

                           11th (County of London) Battalion (Finsbury Rifles), London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 17 Penton Street, Finsbury.

                           13th (Kensington) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Iverna Gardens, Kensington. They were serving with 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division when war broke out in August 1914. They were at once mobilised for war and moved to Abbotts Langley. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 4th of November and joining 25th Brigade, 8th Division on the 13th. they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers. On the 20th of May 1915 they transferred to GHQ Troops and formed a composite unit with 1/5th and 1/12th Londons, reuminhg their own identity on the 11th of August. On the 11th of February 1916 they transferred to 168th Brigade in the newly reformed 56th (London) Division in the Hallencourt area. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           14th (1st London Scottish) Battalion, London Regiment, a Territorial unit had thier headquarters at 59 Buckingham Gate when war broke out in August 1914. They were attached to 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division and were quickly mobilised and moved to Abbotts Langley. They proceeded to France, landing at le Harve on the 16th of September 1914. They saw thier first action at Messines on the 31st of October 1914 under the command of the Cavalry Corps. On the 7th of November 1914 the battalion joined 1st Brigade, 1st Division and were in action during the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. On the 8th of February 1916 they transferred to the newly arrived 168th Brigade, 56th (London) Division who were assembling in the Hallencourt area. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           15th (Prince of Wales's Own Civil Service Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment, a Territorial unit and had thier headquarters at Somerset House, Westminster. When war broke out in August 1914, they were serving as part of 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training, with the 15th Battalion at Bedmond, and then moving to billets at Watford in November. They proceeded to France on the 18th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Queen's Hall, 58 Buckingham Gate, Westminster. When war broke out in August 1914, they were part of the 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. They were mobilised and moved to the Hemel Hempstead area, being billetted in Leverstock Green in the late summer and early autumn of 1914, where they are commemorated with a stained glass window in the local church. They proceeded to France on the 3rd of November 1914, landing at Le Havre to join 18th Brigade, 6th Division. On the 10th of February 1916 they transferred to the newly reformed 169th Brigade, 56th (London) Division which concentrated in the Hallencourt area. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, a Territorial unit and had thier headquarters at 66 Tredegar Road, Bow, when war broke out in August 1914, serving as part of 5th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training, with the 17th Battalion at St Albans. They proceeded to France on the 10th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 140th Brigade still with 47th (2nd London) Division. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           18th (London Irish Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, King's Road, Chelsea. When war broke out in August 1914, serving as part of 5th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 141st Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           19th (St Pancras) Battalion, London Regiment, a Territorial unit and had thier headquarters at 76 High Street, Camden Town, serving as part of 5th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 141st Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           20th (Blackheath and Woolwich) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Holly Hedge House, Blackheath. (Holly Hedge House, was bombed in WW2 and most of the 20ths records held there destroyed in the resulting fire.) When war broke out in August 1914, they were serving with the 5th London Brigade, 2nd London Division and had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain, they were recalled home and were mobilised at once, moving to the St Albans area. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre of the 10th of March 1915. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel but rejoined the rest of the Division at the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the 5th London Brigade was redesignated 141st Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           21st (First Surrey Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment, a Territorial unit and had their headquarters at 4 Flodden Road, Camberwell, when war broke out in August 1914, serving as part of 6th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war was declared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 16th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 140th Brigade still with 47th (2nd London) Division. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           22nd (The Queen's) Battalion, The London Regiment, were a Territorial unit with their headquarters at 2 Jamaica Road, Bermondsey, serving as part of 6th London Brigade, 2nd London Division in 1914. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war was declared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 16th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1921 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 140th Brigade still with 47th (2nd London) Division. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           23rd (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 27 St John's Hill, Battersea. They were serving as part of 6th London Brigade, 2nd London Division in 1914. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 16th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1921 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 140th Brigade still with 47th (2nd London) Division. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           24th Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 71 New Street, Lambeth. They were serving as part of 6th London Brigade, 2nd London Division in 1914. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 16th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1921 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 140th Brigade still with 47th (2nd London) Division. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Fulham House, Putney Bridge, Putney.

                           28th (The Artists Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Dukes Road, St Pancras diagonally opposite Euston Station. The Artists Rifles originated in May 1860 as a corps of rifle volunteers, formed by an art student, Edward Sterling, from members of the artistic professions. When the Territorial Force was created in 1908 it became the 28th Battalion, London Regiment. Shortly after the outbreak of the Great War second line and third line battalions were formed, the 2nd/28th an 3rd/28th.

                        The Artists Rifles arrived in France at the end of October 1914 and became an Officers Training Corps (OTC) at Bailleul and in April 1915 it moved to St Omer. In November the 28th and 2nd/28th were merged and the battalion was sent to the front at the end of June 1917, allocated to the 190th Brigade, 63rd (RN) Division.

                           Lothians and Border Horse were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 7 Wemyss Place, Edinburgh. They were made up of A, B, C and D Squadrons and were part of the Lowland Mounted Brigade.

                           1st Lovat Scouts were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Beauly they were part of the Highland Mounted Brigade.

                           2nd Lovat Scouts were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Beauly they were part of the Highland Mounted Brigade.

                           Lowland Clearing Hospital, Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Glasgow.

                           1st Lowland Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Yorkhill Parade, Yorkhill, Glasgow. They served with 51st (Lowland) Division. The Lowland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. They sailed from Liverpool and Devonport between 18 May and 8 June for Gallipoli. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged in clearing Herchies.

                           2nd Lowland Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Yorkhill Parade, Yorkhill, Glasgow. They served with 52nd (Lowland) Division. The Lowland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. They sailed from Liverpool and Devonport between 18 May and 8 June for Gallipoli. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.

                           3rd Lowland Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Easter Road Barracks, Edinburgh. The Lowland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. They sailed from Liverpool and Devonport between 18 May and 8 June for Gallipoli. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 3rd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 53rd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 53rd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 53rd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.

                           1st Lowland Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Rutherglen. It was later renamed 409th (1st Lowland) Field Company.

                           2nd Lowland Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Rutherglen. It was later renamed 410th (2nd Lowland) Field Company.

                           Lowland (City of Edinburgh) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at McDonald Road, Edinburgh and consisted of one Battery and Ammunition Column.

                           Lowland Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Yorkhill Parade, Yorkhill, Glasgow.

                           5th Battalion Manchester Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Bank Chambers, Wigan. They were part of the Manchester Infantry Brigade, East Lancashire Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilized and moved to Rochdale to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to Egypt arriving at Alexandria on the 25th of Sepetmber to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of February 1918 they transferred to 126th Brigade still with 42nd Division. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                           6th Battalion Manchester Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 3 Stretford Road, Hulme. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilized and moved to Rochdale to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to Egypt arriving at Alexandria on the 25th of Sepetmber to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of February 1918 they transferred to 126th Brigade still with 42nd Division. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                           7th Battalion Manchester Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Burlington Street, Manchester (MacDougall Sports Centre, Manchester University). They were part of the Manchester Infantry Brigade, East Lancashire Division. F Coy were based at The Drill Hall, Cromwell Road Eccles, Greater Manchester.

                           8th (Ardwick) Battalion Manchester Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at the Drill Hall, Ardwick Green, Ardwick. They were part of the Manchester Infantry Brigade, East Lancashire Division, which concentrated near Rochdale.

                           9th Battalion Manchester Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. They were part of the east Lancashire Brigade, East Lancashire Division.

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

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

                           7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Priory Road, Hornsey They were part of the Middlesex Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division. A Coy were based at the Drill Hall, Holly Bush Vale, Heath Street, Hampstead (The Everyman Theatre). When war broke out in August 1915 they were at once mobilised for war and moved to the Isle of Grain. In September 1914 they left the Division and moved to Gibraltar, arriving on the 17th. In February 1915 they returned to England, going to Barnet to prepare for deployment. They proceeded to France on the 13th of March 1915 landing at Le Havre and joining 23rd Brigade, 8th Division. They fought at The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. Between the 23rd of June and 2nd of August 1915, they amalgamated with 1/8th Battalion On the 8th of February 1916 they transferred to 167th Brigade in 56th (London) Division who were reforming in the Hallencourt area. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in 202a Hanworth Road, Hounslow They were part of the Middlesex Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilised at once and moved to Sheerness and then to Sittingbourne. In September 1914 they left the Home Counties Division and were dispatched to Gibraltar, to replace a unit of the regular army, arriving on the 17th. They remained in Gibraltar until February 1915 when they returned to England. They proceeded to France, laning at Le Havre on the 9th of March 1915 and joining 85th Brigade, 28th Division. They were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and on the 27th of August 1915 they transferred to 25th Brigade, 8th Division and on the 23rd of October they transferred to 70th Brigade still with 8th Division. On the 9th of February 1916 they transferred to 167th Brigade in the newly reformed 56th (London) Division who were concentrating in the Hallencourt area in February. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           9th Battalion Middlesex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Drill Hall, Pound Lane, Willesden. They were part of the Middlesex Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilized for war and moved to to Chesham Fold Camp (Bury) for training then proceeded overseas leaving from Southampton on the 10th of September 1914, arriving in Egypt on the 25th of September 1914. The Division underwent training around Cairo and defended the Suez Canal against the Turkishh attack in February. In May the Division became 126th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and went on to land at Cape Helles in Gallipoli and took part in the action capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. By August, the division had lost about 2/3rd of it's men through battle casualties, injuries or sickness and reinforcements arrived. The Battalion made a successful withdrawal from the Helles bridgehead and on the 28th of December 1915 landed on Mudros and then returned to Egypt.

                        On the 27th of February 1917 they landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front. They were re-equipped for trench warfare and entered the line at Epehy, as part of III Corps in Fourth Army. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action at the Battle of Passechendaele for a short time before moving to the coast at Nieuport. In November they moved to Givenchy where they undertook the construction of concrete defence works. On the 19th of February 1918 they transferred to 198th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and absorbed the 2/9th Batallion. In July they were reduced to cadre strength and in August transferred to 199th Brigade in same Division. They absorbed the 13th Battalion who had just arrived from Salonika, on 13 August 1918.

                           10th Battalion Middlesex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Stamford Brook Lodge, Ravenscourt Park. They were part of the Middlesex Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division.

                           Midlothian Battery, Royal Field Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 30 Grinslay Street, Edinburgh. It was part of the 1st Lowland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

                           Monmouthshire Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force and made up the 4th Welsh Brigade RFA which had its HQ in Lime Street, Newport. The 1st Monmouthshire Battery was based in Newport, along with the Brigade Ammunition Column. The 2nd Monmouthshire Battery was based in Risca and the 3rd Monmouthshire Battery was based in Griffithstown. They had a Cadet Corps which was based at Newport Post Office.

                           1st Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Stow Hill, Newport, it was part of the Welsh Border Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. When war was declared in August 1914, they were at once mobilised for war and moved at once to defend Pembroke Dock. They moved to Oswestry by the 10th of August and were at Northampton by the end of August. In December they moved to Bury St Edmunds and to Cambridge in January 1915. They proceeded to France on the 13th of February to join 84th Brigade in 28th Division, who were concentrating in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres, suffering very heavy losses and on the 27th of May they amalgamated with the 1/2nd and 1/3rd Bns at Vlamertinghe, resuming their own identity on the 11th of August. On the 3rd of September they transferred as a Pioneer Battalion to 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                           2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Osbourne Road, Pontypool, it was part of the Welsh Border Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. When war was declared in August 1914, they were at once mobilised for war and moved to defend Pembroke Dock. By the 10th of August they moved to Oswestry and by beginning of September they were at Northampton. They proceeded to France on the 7th of November 1914 landing at Le Havre to join 12th Brigade, 4th Division. They fought in The Second Battle of Ypres, then moved South to the somme where they were were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. On the 30th of January 1916 the Battalion left 4th Division and moved to the Lines of Communication. On the 1st of May 1916 they became a Pioneer Battalion, joining 29th Division who had just arrived from Egypt. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918.

                           Montgomeryshire Yeomanry were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Welshpool. They were part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade.

                           5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in East Dereham, they were part of the Norfolk and Suffolk Infantry Brigade, East Anglian Division.

                           4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in St Giles, Norwich, they were part of the Norfolk and Suffolk Infantry Brigade, East Anglian Division. G Coy were based at the Guildhall, Thetford.

                           6th (Cyclist) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Cattle Market Street, Norwich, they were attached to Eastern Command. D Coy were based in Station Road, Thetford.

                           4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 97 Avenham Lane, Preston. They were part of the North Lancashire Infantry Brigade, West Lancashire Division.

                           5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Fletcher Street, Bolton. They were part of the North Lancashire Infantry Brigade, West Lancashire Division. When war broke out in 1914 they were mobilised and moved to Chipping Sodbury for training, then in November they moved to Sevenoaks. In February 1915 the battalion left the West Lancashire Division and proceeded to France, landing at le Havre to join 16th Brigade, 6th Division. On the 11th of June 1915 the 1/5th Battalion transferred to 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division and saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres. On the 21st of December 1915 they transferred to 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division then on the 8th of January 1916 they transferred to the re-formed 166th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division which was concentrating in the Hallencourt area. On the 16th of February 1916 the Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, they moved to The Somme in late July taking over a section of front line near the village of Guillemont. They were in action at the The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval. The Division moved to Flanders in october 1916 and took over the front line between Wieltje and Railway Wood. In 1917 they were in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved south to Cambrai where the 1/5th Loyal North Lancashires suffered very heavily during the German Counter Attacks on the 30th of November 1917. In the Spring of 1918 having been much re-enforced, they were in action in the Battle of the Lys. On the 4th of June 1918 the battalion transferred to 170th Brigade in 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division and absorbed the 4/5th Battalion. They were in action during the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line including assisting in the capture of Cambrai in October, The occupation of Lille and the Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice the Division was at rest in the eastern suburbs of Lille. They moved to Arras on the 21st of November to assist with the clear up and the Division was demobilised between March and July 1919.

                           North Midland Clearing Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Leicester.

                           1st North Midland Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Smethwick. They were part of the North Midland Divisional Royal Engineers, which had its HQ at Norton Hall, Norton Canes. They were later renamed 465th (1st North Midland) Field Company.

                           2nd North Midland Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Norton Canes. They were part of the North Midland Divisional Royal Engineers, which had its HQ at Norton Hall, Norton Canes. They were later renamed 468th (2nd North Midland) Field Company.

                           1st North Midland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 91 Siddals Road, Derby. They served with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

                           2nd North Midland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Deanery, Stafford Street, Wolverhampton. They served with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 2nd of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

                           North Midland Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in in Ninevah Road, Handsworth.

                           North Riding Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force based in Scarborough and Whitby, they were part of the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA. They proceeded to France with 50th Division. In 1916 they were reorganised. 2nd Northumbrian Brigade became 251st Brigade R.F.A. with 1st, 2nd and 3rd East Riding Batteries renamed A, B and C Batteries.

                           North Riding Fortress Engineers were a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Bright Street, Middlesbrough.

                           North Scottish Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Broughty Ferry. It consisted of No 1 Garrison Company based in Fonthill Road Aberdeen, No 2 Garrison Company based in Montrose, No 3 Garrison Company based in Broughty Ferry, No 4 Garrison Company based in Cromarty, Jemimaville, Newhall and Davidson.

                           North Somerset Yeomanry were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Bath, they were part of the South Western Mounted Brigade.

                           5th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Drill Hall, College Rd, Hanley, they were part of the Staffordshire Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August, they moved to Bishops Stortford in November to prepare for service over seas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. They first saw action at Wulverghem in the Ypres Sector in April 1915. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 41/5th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                           6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Burton-on-Trent, they were part of the Staffordshire Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August, they moved to Bishops Stortford in November to prepare for service over seas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. They first saw action at Wulverghem in the Ypres Sector in April 1915. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                           Northamptonshire Battery, Royal Field Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Queens Road, Peterborough. They were part of the 4th East Anglian Brigade which had its HQ at 28 St Andrew's Street, Hertford.

                           4th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Territorial Headquarters, Clare Street, Northampton.

                           Northamptonshire Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Territorial Headquarters, Clare Street, Northampton. They were part of the Eastern Mounted Division. B Squadron were based in Queen street, Northampton.

                           Northern Command Signal Companies were units of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Leeds. They comprised of the Northern Wireless Signal Company, the Northern Cable Signal Company and the Northern Airline Signal Company. Their Cadet Corps was the Leeds Postal Telegraph Messengers Cadet Company.

                           Northern Cyclist Battalion was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Hutton Terrace, Sandyford Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A and B Companies were based at The Drill Hall, Southwick, Sunderland, C Coy at the Drill Hall, Naval Barracks, West Hartlepool, D Coy in Chester-le-Street, E Coy at Cambridge Hall, Newcastle, F Coy in Blyth, G Coy in Whitley bay and H Coy at Cambridge Hall, Newcastle.

                           1st Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Hutton Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The unit took over Armstrong College, part of Newcastle University for the duration of the Great War.

                           2nd Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Harewood Barracks, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds.

                           3rd Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Sheffield.

                           4th Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 6b Guildhall Street, Lincoln.

                           5th Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Leicester.

                           Northumberland Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Drill Hall, Barrack Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. They consisted of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Northumberland Batteries and their Ammunition Column and together made up the 1st Northumbrian Brigade Royal Field Artillery. 1st & 2nd Northumberland Bty's and the Ammunition Column were based at the HQ. 3nd Northumberland Bty was based at The Drill Hall, Dunn St, Newcastle.

                        They proceeded to France with 50th Division. In 1916 they were reorganised. 1st Northumbrian Brigade became 250th Brigade R.F.A. with 1st, 2nd and 3rd Northumberland batteries renamed A, B and C Batteries.

                           Northumberland Fortress Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Clifford's Fort, North Shields, they were part of the Tyne Electrical Engineers.

                           4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Armoury, Battle Hill, Hexham, A and G Coy's were also based there. B Coy was based at The Armoury, Bellingham. C Coy in John Martin St, Haydon Bridge. D and H Coy's at The Armoury, 6 Vane Tce, Prudhoe. E Coy at the Drill Hall, Corbridge and F Coy at The Armoury, Town Hall Crescent, Haltwhistle. When war broke out in August 1914 they took on a defensive role and after additional training they proceeded to France in April 1915, to join the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They took part in the Second Battles of Ypres in 1915 and the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive where they captured Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. In 1918 they again saw action on The Somme and Battles of the Lys and Hindenburg Line.

                           5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at the Drill Hall, Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne where H.Q, A, B and C Coys were all based. D Coy was based at the Drill Hall, Newburn. With E and F Coy's at St.Georges Drill Hall, Wallsend, G and H Coy's were based at the Drill Hall, Gosforth. They proceeded to France in April 1915, to join the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They took part in the Second Battles of Ypres in 1915 and the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive where they captured Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. In 1918 they again saw action on The Somme and Battles of the Lys and Hindenburg Line.

                           6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at St George's Drill Hall, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where Companies A to H were all based. They proceeded to France in April 1915, to join the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They took part in the Second Battles of Ypres in 1915 and the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive where they captured Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. In 1918 they again saw action on The Somme and Battles of the Lys and Hindenburg Line.

                           Northumberland Hussars were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at The Riding School, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. They were part of the Yorkshire Mounted Brigade. H.Q. and A' Squadrons were based at Northumberland Rd. B Squadron was based at Woodside House, South Shields. C Squadron was based at Fenwick Grove, Morpeth and D Squadron at Causey Hill Farm, Hexham.

                           Northumbrian Clearing Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

                           1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Hutton Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. They served with 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Northumbrian Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed in 1908 as one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base. The 50th division was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and took up their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. In April they proceeded to France concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battles of the Ypres. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. The orginal infantry units were withdrawn and others arrived to take their place. The reformed Division went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England

                           3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Wenlock Barracks, Walton Street, Hull. They served with 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Northumbrian Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed in 1908 as one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base. The 50th division was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and took up their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. In April they proceeded to France concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battles of the Ypres. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. The orginal infantry units were withdrawn and others arrived to take their place. The reformed Division went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England

                           1st Northumbrian (Newcastle) Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Barras Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It was later renamed 446th (1st Northumbrian) Field Company.

                           2nd Northumbrian (Newcastle) Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Barras Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It was later renamed 449th (2nd Northumbrian) Field Company.

                           Northumbrian (Newcastle) Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Barras Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It was made up of Headquarters Section, No's 1 and 2 (Northumberland) Sections, No 2 (York and Durham) Section and No 4 (Durham Light Infantry) Section.

                           Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Middlesbrough. It was made up of one Battery and its Ammunition Column.

                           Nottinghamshire Royal Horse Artillery was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Derby Road, Norttingham. It was made up of one Battery and its Ammunition Column and was part of the Notts and Derby Mounted Brigade.

                           Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Retford. They were part of the Notts and Derby Mounted Brigade.

                           South Nottinghamshire Hussars were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Derby Road, Nottingham. They were part of the Notts and Derby Mounted Brigade.

                           Notts & Derby Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Derby Road, Nottingham.

                           4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Oxford. It was part of the South Midland Infantry Brigade, South Midland Division. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5th of August and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August and commenced training. They proceeded to France from Folkestone, landing at Bologne on the 31st of March 1915. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 145th Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                           Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens own Hussars) were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Oxford. They were part of the 2nd Midland Mounted Brigade.

                           Pembroke Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Milford Haven. It was made up of No 1 Garrison Company based at Milford Haven, No 2 Garrison Company based at Saundersfoot and Tenby, and No 3 Garrison Company based at Fishguard and Pembroke Dock.

                           Pembroke Yeomanry (Castlemartin) were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Tenby. They were part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade.

                           4th Battalion, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Croydon. They were part of the Surrey Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division.

                           5th Battalion, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Guildford. They were part of the Surrey Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division.

                           Renfrewshire Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force with their HQ in South Street, Greenock. They consisted of the 1st and 2nd Renfrewshire Batteries and their Ammunition Column, together they made up the 3rd (Howitzer) Highland Brigade, RFA.

                           Renfrewshire Fortress Engineers were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Fort Matilda, Greenock. They were made up on No 1 (Paisley) Works Company and No 2 (Greenock) Electric Lights Company.

                           4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at St Mary's Butts, Reading, part of the South Midland Infantry Brigade, South Midland Division.

                           Royal Devon Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 9 Dix's Field, Exeter. Part of the 2nd South Western Mounted Brigade.

                           Royal East Kent Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Canterbury. Part of the South Eastern Mounted Brigade.

                           Royal North Devon Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Barnstable. Part of the 2nd South Western Mounted Brigade.

                           4th (Queen's Edinburgh Rifles) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Forrest Hil Edinburgh. It was part of the Lothian Infantry Brigade.

                           5th (Queen's Edinburgh Rifles) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Forrest Hill, Edinburgh with the Lothian Brigade, Scottish Coast Defences when war broke out in August 1914. On the 11th of March 1915 they transferred to 88th Brigade, 29th Division at Leamington Spa. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 20th of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles, landing on the 10th of March and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. On the 24th of April the 5th Royal Scots transferred to Lines of Communication and on the 15th of June 1916 they amalgamated with the 1/6th to become the 5/6th Battalion.

                           6th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 33 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh. It was part of the Lothian Infantry Brigade.

                           7th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Dalmeny Street, Leith. It was part of the Lothian Infantry Brigade. They had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. On the 24th of April 1915 they transferred to 156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. On the 22nd of May, A and D Companies were involved in a rail accident at Quintinshill near Gretna, whilst travelling to Liverpool from Larbert in Stirlingshire. It was the worst disaster in British railway history, with 473 casualties, including 210 men of the 7th Royal Scots who lost their lives with a further 224 being injured. The remainder of the battalion sailed from Liverpool on the 24th of May 1915 to Gallipoli, via Egypt. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Division took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.

                           8th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Haddington. It was attached to the Lothian Infantry Brigade. They had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. They proceeded to France on the 5th of November 1914 landing Le Havre and joining 22nd Brigade, 7th Division on the 11th. They were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Festubert. On the 19th of August 1915 the 8th Royal Scots transferred to 51st (Highland) Division as a Pioneer Battalion. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December.

                           9th (Highlanders) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 89 East Claremont Street, Edinburgh. It was attached to the Lothian Infantry Brigade.

                           10th (Cyclist) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Linlithgow. It was attached to Scottish Command.

                           5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Middle Street, Hastings. It was attached to the Home Counties Division.

                           4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Horsham. On the 24th of April 1915 they transferred to 160th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division at Cambridge and in May moved to Bedford. On the 2nd of July orders arrived to re-equip for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and The Division, without their artillery, embarked at Sevonport on the 14th of July, to Lemnos via Alexandria. The Division made a landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses. By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. In May they left the Division and moved to France where they joined the reforming 101st Brigade 34th Division on the 30th June and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. On the 14th of August they absorbed the cadre of 13th Sussex. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                           5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Middle Street, Hastings. They were attached to the Home Counties Division. They proceeded to France in early 1915 and on the 21st of February 1915 became attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division. They were in action during The Battle of Aubers and on the 20th of August 1915 they transferred as a Pioneer Battalion to 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                           6th (Cyclist) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 18 Montpelier Place, Brighton.

                           Brocton Camp and Rugeley Camp were situated on Cannock Chase, Staffordshire. The estate, owned by Lord Lichfield, had been used for Military Training since the 1870's and in 1914 two large hutted camps, Brockton and Rugeley were constructed, mainly by Irish labourers.

                           The City of Chester was used as a troop transport ship sailing between Southampton and Le Harvre in the early months of the war.

                           2/28th (2nd Artists Rifles) Battalion London Regiment trained at Hare Hall Camp in Gidea Park in the London Borough of Havering.

                           The 7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with HQ in Coventry. The Drill hall was situated in Queen Victoria Rd, Coventry. Their cadet Corps was based at Bablake School, Coventry. They served with the Warwickshire Brigade, South Midland Division. The units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France, from Southampton, landing at le Havre on the 22nd of March 1915. The Division concentrated near Cassel. on the 13th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 143rd Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                           The 8th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with HQ at Aston Barracks, Aston Manor, Birmingham. The Drill hall was situated next to Villa Park. They were serving with the Warwickshire Brigade, South Midland Division. The units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5th August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France, from Southampton, landing at le Havre on the 22nd of March 1915. The Division concentrated near Cassel. on the 13th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 143rd Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau. The battalion left the Division and returned to France on the 11th of September and joined 75th Brigade, 25th Division and fought in the Final Advance in Picardy.

                           4th (Denbighshire) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Wrexham, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the North Wales Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. When war broke out in August 1914, they were mobilised and moved at once to Conway and then at the end of August they went to Northampton. They left the Brigade and proceeded to France on the 6th of November 1914 landing at Le Havre. On the 7th of December 1914 they joined 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and on the 1st of September 1915 they transferred to 47th (2nd London) Division as a Pioneer Battalion and saw action at The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           5th (Flintshire) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Flint, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the North Wales Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. A Coy had their Drill Hall in Earl St, Mold. D Coy were based in Holywell, the Drill Hall being in Halkyn Street. C Coy were based at the Drill Hall in John Street, Rhyl. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just set out for their for annual summer camp, they were at once recalled and were mobilised for war, taking up possition at Conway. At the end of August they went to Northampton to join the rest of the Division and to prepare for deployment to overseas. On the 18th of November orders were recieved to prepare for a move to India, but this was withdrawn. They moved to Cambridge in December and to Bedford in May 1915, when the formation was renamed 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On the 2nd of July orders arrived to re-equip for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and they embarked at Devonport on the 19th of July to Imbros. The Division made a landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses. By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. Between the beginning of June and the end of August,many of the units were ordered to France, being replaced by Indian units, the artillery remained with the Division. On the 3rd of August 1918 the battalion amalgamated with 1/6th btn to form the 5/6th Battalion.

                           6th (Carnarvonshire & Anglesey) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Carnarvon, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the North Wales Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. C Coy had their Drill Hall at County Hall, Penygroes. E Coy were based in Llandudno with their Drill Hall being in Argyll Rd. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just set out for their for annual summer camp, they were at once recalled and were mobilised for war. At the end of August they went to Northampton to join the rest of the Diviison and to prepare for deployment to overseas. On the 18th of November orders were recieved to prepare for a move to India, but this was withdrawn. They moved to Cambridge in December and to Bedford in May 1915, when the formation was renamed 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On the 2nd of July orders arrived to re-equip for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and they embarked at Devonport on the 19th of July to Imbros. The Division made a landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses. By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. Between the beginning of June and the end of August,many of the units were ordered to France, being replaced by Indian units, the artillery remained with the Division. On the 3rd of August 1918 the battalion amalgamated with 1/5th btn to form the 5/6th Battalion.

                           7th (Merioneth & Montgomery) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Newtown, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the North Wales Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. F Coy were based at the Drill Hall, Brook St. Towyn. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just set out for their for annual summer camp, they were at once recalled and were mobilised for war. At the end of August they went to Northampton to join the rest of the Diviison and to prepare for deployment to overseas. On the 18th of November orders were recieved to prepare for a move to India, but this was withdrawn. They moved to Cambridge in December and to Bedford in May 1915, when the formation was renamed 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On the 2nd of July orders arrived to re-equip for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and they embarked at Devonport on the 19th of July to Imbros. The Division made a landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses. By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. Between the beginning of June and the end of August,many of the units were ordered to France, being replaced by Indian units, the artillery remained with the Division. On 24 June 1918 the battalion transferred to 160th Brigade still with 53rd (Welsh) Division. In September they were in action at The battle of Nablus before being with drawn for rest on the 26th and moved back to Tell'Asur. They then moved to Ramle where they entrained for Alexandria on the 27th of October. The Armistice with Turkey took effect on 31 October and the Division was demobilised with the first parties leaving for England on the 22nd of December.

                           4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Tonbridge, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the Kent Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division.

                           5th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in East Street, Bromley, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the Kent Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division.

                           The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at The Butts, London Road, Chippenham, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of 1st South Western Mounted Brigade.

                           Craig Taylor & Co Ltd was a ship yard on the River Tees at Thornaby, engaged in building mercantile and war cargo ships.

                           Ropner & Sons Ltd were ship builders on the River Tees at Stockton-on-Tees engaged in building mercantile, war cargo ships and sloops.

                           Richardson Duck & Co Ltd, at Thornaby were shipbuilders on the River Tees engaged in building mercantile, war cargo ships, tankers and sloops.

                           Sir Raylton Dixon & Co Ltd were shipbuilders based at Middlesbrough Dock on the River Tees. They were engaged in the construction of 600t Monitors, war cargo ships, tankers and mercantile shipping.

                           William Harkness & Son Ltd were shipbuilders based at Middlesbrough dock on the River Tees. They were engaged in the construction of minesweepers, partol boats, war coasters and mercantile shipping.

                           Smith's Dock Co Ltd were ship builders based at Southbank, Middlebrough on the River Tees. They were engaged in building trawlers, submarine chasers, minesweepers, patrol boats, trawlers and mercantile shipping as well as repairing damaged vessels.

                           Robert Irvine & Co were shipbuilders based at West Harbour, Hartlepool. They were engaged in the construction of war cargo ships, motorised barges, sloops and mercantile shipping. They were later renamed Irevine's Shipbuilding & Dry Docks Co Ltd.

                           Blyth Shipbuilding & Dry Docks Co Ltd were based in Blyth, Northumberland and were engaged in the construction of war and mercantile ships.

                           Charles Rennoldson & Company were shipbuilders on the River Tyne at South Shields.

                           J P Rennoldson & Sons Ltd built ships on the River Tyne at South Shields.

                           Hepple & Company were ship builders on the River Tyne at South Shields.

                           John Redhead & Sons Ltd were ship builders on the River Tyne at South Shields, they were engaged in the construction of War cargo, mercantile ships and patrol boats.

                           Baird Brothers were shipbuilders on the River Tyne at North Shields.

                           Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd was based at Howdon-on-Tyne.

                           Palmers were shipbuilders based at Howdon-on-Tyne.

                           Palmer's Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd was based at Hebburn and Jarrow-on-Tyne, thwir two yards had fourteen building slips between them, with the docks at Hebburn being big enough for Dreadnoughts. They employed over 9000 and were a private yard which had been engaged in building warships before the war. During the conflict they continued to build warships and war cargo ships.

                           Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. built ships at Willington-Quay-on-Tyne, Howdon, including mercantile, war cargo ships and patrol boats.

                           Wallsend Slipway was a ship building yard on the north bank of the Tyne at Wallsend.It was owned by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd.

                           R & WHawthorn Leslie & Co. Ltd were shipbuilders based at Hebburn, on the south bank of the River Tyne with 3000 employees. The yard consisted of nine slips, the longest being 700ft. Before the war they had been engaged in the construction of destroyers, which continued during the conflict along with war cargo ships, cruisers, mercantile ships and TBD's.

                           Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd were based at Wallsend-on-Tyne, their yard had seventeen building berths, eleven of which were equipped with overhead electric cranes and four were covered. They employed around 7000 and were engaged in the construction of warships before and during the Great War.

                           William Dobson & Co Ltd were shipbuilders at Walker on the north bank of the River Tyne.

                           J D Morris Ltd were shipbuilders at Hebburn on the south bank of the river Tyne.

                           High Walker Naval Yard was owned by Armstrong-Whitworth and had eight building slips, ranging from 500 to 1000 feet in length. The yard was engaged in the construction of warships before and during the Great War.

                           Wood Skinner & Co Ltd were shipbuilders of Gateshead on the south bank of the River Tyne, they were engaged in the construction of war cargo, mercantile ships and river gunboats.

                           Armstrong Whitworth Elswick Yard had three large building slips and six smaller slips, it was situated five miles upstream from the company's Walker yards, by the outbreak of war, the company had transferred most of the shipbuilding work to their new yards at Walker. During the conflict submarines and warships were built at Elswick, with the works mainly being engaged in ordnance work. Armstrong Witworth employed around 25,000 people across their three shipyards on the Tyne.

                           Bartram & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders at South Dock on the River Wear at Sunderland.

                           Sunderland Shipbuilding Co Ltd were based at South Dock on the River Wear at Sunderland.

                           John Bulmer & Co were shipbuilders at North Dock, Sunderland.

                           Joseph L Thompson & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders with a yard at North Sands, Sunderland

                           John Crown & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders at North Sands, Sunderland.

                           S P Austin & Son Ltd were shipbuilders on the River Wear at Wearmouth Bridge, Sunderland.

                           Robert Thompson & Sons Ltd, were shipbuilders at the Wearmouth Bridge & Southwick yards, on the River Wear at Sunderland.

                           Sir James Laing & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders at Deptford, Sunderland.

                           William Doxford & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders on the River Wear at Pallion Sunderland. They were engaged in the construction of destroyers and war cargo ships.

                           William Pickersgill & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders on the north bank of the River Wear at Southwick, Sunderland.

                           Sir John Priestman & Co were shipbuilders with a yard on the north bank of River Wear at Southwick, Sunderland.

                           Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd (of Tyneside) had a shipbuilding yard at Southwick, Sunderland on the River Wear building mercantile ships and war colliers.

                           Short Brothers Ltd were shipbuilders based at Pallion on the south bank of the River Wear near Sunderland.

                           William Grey & Co (of Hartlepool) ran the Ellerman, Gray, Incape, Strick Shipyard on the south bank of the River Wear at Pallion, Sunderland.

                           Graham Osbourne & Co were ship builders engaged in the construction of small naval craft, war colliers and mercantile shipping at their yard on the north bank of the River Wear at North Hylton near Sunderland.

                           William Grey & Co Ltd were shipbuilders based at Jackson Dock, Hartlepool.

                           1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry were a regular unit of the British Army. When war broke out in August 1914 they were in Nowshera in India with the 3rd (Abbottabad) Brigade, part of 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division.

                           Hareshaw Common Camp was an Artillery Camp, situated near Bellingham in Northumberland.

                           Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, London was a Royal Ordnance Factory, founded circa 1695. Its output included the making and repairing of guns and carriages, making, filling and assembling shells and shell components, making small arms and ammunition. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                           Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey, Essex was a Royal Ordnance Factory, founded in 1787. Its output included cordite, gunpowder, tetryl, guncotton and fuse powder. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                           Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, London was a Royal Ordnance Factory, founded in 1804. Its output included rifles, machine guns and small arms. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                           The Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, Hampshire, opened in 1905. Its output included aircraft and aircraft materials and undertook mainly experimental work. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                           HM Explosives Factory Coleford, Gloucestershire opened in 1913 to produce acetate of lime by wood distillation. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                         Abbs Battery  Abbs Battery was located at Sunderland, 140m north of Roker Battery.

                           Canvey Fort, also known as Deadman's Battery, was situated at Deadman’s Point on Canvey Island, to defend the River Thames. Two 6-inch naval guns, breach loaders on barbette carriages, were installed in concrete casements 40 yards apart, with a central magazine and the `usual offices'.

                           Castle Battery was situated at Tynemouth Castle, to defend the river Tyne. The 13th Century castle had first been armed with artillery in 1584, and in 1902 a new gun battery was constructed with two 6" guns and two 12pdr quick firing guns. In 1904 a 9.2" gun was added, with a range of 27km, this was later removed, but was reinstated before war was declared in 1914.

                           Cliffords Fort at North Shields, was built in 1672 and was the principal recruiting centre in North Shields and base of the Royal Marine Submarine Miners.

                           Synthetic Ammonia Works, Billingham, construction of the works began in 1917.

                           Fort Coulson is situated on the coast at Blyth in Northumberland. Named after the Royal Engineer Captain responsible for overseeing the construction in the late 19th century.

                           Fort Fareham was built as one of five forts in the Gosport Advanced Line in the 1860's and is situated immediately to the west of Salterns Creek adjacent to the railway line. In the defence review of 1901 the guns were removed, but the fort continued to be used as a barrak. In 1908 it became home to 1st Heavy Brigade, Royal Garison Artillery.

                           Fort Gilkicker is situated at the eastern end of Stokes Bay, Gosport, Hampshire, built in the 1860's to replace an earlier fort on the site. Semi-circular in design with twenty two guns housed in casemates and five heavier guns in open positions. The fort was disarmed following the review of 1905, but was rearmed in 1916 with a 3-inch Quick Fire Anti-Aircraft gun on a high angle mounting in the eastern 9.2inch B.L. position on top of the fort

                           Fort Grange was constructed in the early 1860's a one of five forts forming the outer defence line for Gosport. By 1910 it was in use as the District Headquarters of the Royal Garrison Artillery and at the outbreak of the great War was manned by No.23 (Siege) Company, Southern Group RGA. In 1916 it was armed with a 1-pounder heavy anti aircraft gun on a travelling carriage

                        Fort Grange became the HQ for the Military Wing RFC and in 1917 the School of Special Flying was formed at the Fort. In 1918 Fort Grange became part of RAF Gosport

                           Fort Matilda is situated on the River Clyde at Whitefarline Point. Construction began in 1814 as an ‘L’ shaped battery for eleven guns on traversing platforms. During the mid 19th century the fort was remodled and it became home to a submarine mining establishment which operated a minefield between Greenock and Kilcreggin from the mid 1880's until 1904, with two 6pdr. Quick Fire guns mounted at the fort. In 1904 the Fort was remodelled for two 4.7-inch Quick Fire guns and two searchlights.

                        In autumn 1914 the battery was manned by 2/1 Company, Clyde Royal Garrison Artillery and a large military camp was established in the ajacent parkland as the training camp for the 3rd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Initally a tented camp, huts were constructed and buildings in the town were taken over with Drumslea beaing used as the officers' mess. The Esplanade on the seafront was used as the parade ground. 480 officers and 15,486 men passed through Fort Matilda during the Great War.

                           Fort Nelson was built in the 1860's one of five defensive forts built on the summit of Portsdown Hill to protect the naval base of Portsmouth. Today it is part of the Royal Armouries and houses their collection of artillery.

                        In 1905 Fort Nelson became home to 35th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

                           Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton was completed in 1829 to protect the port of Liverpool. At the outbreak of the Great War it was manned by the Lancashire and Cheshire Heavy Brigade, Territorial Army.

                           Fort Wallington was built in the 1860's on Portsdown Hill to portect the naval base at Portsmouth. Between 1905 and 1914 it was manned by 26 (H) Company Southern Group R.G.A. (later renamed 26 Heavy Battery R.G.A.)

                           Fort Walney was situated on Walney Island, Barrow in Furness and was first used in 1881. The site was rebuilt in 1911 and manned by the Lancashire and Cheshire Royal Garrison Artillery.

                           Fort Warden on the Isle of Wight was built in the 1860's near Totland, as part of the Needles Passage defences.

                           Fort Widley, situated on Portsdown Hill was built in the 1860's to protect the naval base of Portsmouth, it was disarmed in 1902. During the Great War it was used as a transit depot.

                           Freshwater Redoubt on the Isle of Wight was built in in the late 1850's on the western headland overlooking the beach at Freshwater Bay. During the Great War the fort was manned by detachments of 2 officers and 29 other ranks from the New Needles and Warden Point batteries. Only the Lower Battery was armed and a A battery command post was positioned at the south-east corner of the fort. In 1915 two 6-pounder Quick Firing guns were relocated to Culver Battery, being replaced with two 12-pounder quick firing guns brought from Fort Albert. In February 1916 these were replaced with two 15-pounder quick firing field guns. The fort was disarmed in March 1918 as it was felt that the redoubt was too small to mount the new larger weapons.

                           Garrison Point Fort was built on the Isle of Sheppy at Sheerness in the 1860's on the site of much earlier fortifications to protect the entrance to the Medway and the Chatham Dockyards.

                           Godwin Artillery Battery situated in Kilnsea, Yorkshire (now the site of Sandy Beaches Holiday Village) and was built in 1914 part of the outer defences of the Humber. It was armed with two 9.2" breech loading guns, had two observation posts and a single coastal artillery searchlight. The accomodation included a hospital, which was used for recuperating soldiers later in the war.

                           Golden Hill fort on the Isle of Wight was built in the 1860's to protect the Solent. Between 1888 and 1903 it was home to the School of Gunnery. During the Great War it was used as an infantry training depot. Today the fort is in use as luxury housing.

                           Grain Battery is located on Grain Spit in the middle of the Medway estuary, it was built in 1855 to protect the Medway. In 1912 two 4.7 Quick Firing guns were installed.

                           Grenville Battery was built in the 1780's as part of Plymouth's defences, originally named Maker No. 4 Redoubt. In 1908 it was downgraded to a practise battery. During the Great War it was re-armed with three 4.7-inch guns.

                           Grey Point Fort is situated in Helen's Bay, Northern Ireland, it was built in 1907 to protect the entrance to Belfast Lough and armed with two 6 inch guns. Today the site hosues a military musuem.

                           Haile Sand Fort is located off the Lincolnshire Coast in the Humber Estuary. Construction began in 1915, it opened in 1917 but was not fully completed until 1919. It was armed with two 4 inch quick-firing Mk.V weapons mounted on teh top floor of the structure.

                           Hawkins Battery was built in 1890 as part of Plymouth's coastal defences. It was armed with four 9-inch breech-loading guns on high-angle mountings in late 1914 these were replaced by 9.2-inch guns.

                           Heugh Battery was built on the Headland in 1860 to protect the port of Hartlepool. In 1900 Heugh Battery was rebuilt with two 6-inch Mk VII guns using the standard configuration of two emplacements with an underground magazine in between. Today the site is home to a museum.

                           Hilpsford Fort situated in the south of Walney Island, was built in 1914.

                           Horse Sand Fort is a sea fort in the Solent in the eastern appraoches Portsmouth, it was built in the late 1860's allowing for an armament of 59 guns. During the Great War the fort was armed with three 6-inch Breech Loading guns, nine 12-inch Breech Loading guns and two 12.5-inch guns.

                           Hoxa Battery was situated on on South Ronaldsay, Orkney and was armed with 6-inch and 4-inch guns.

                           Hurst Castle Battery was situated to the East of Hurst Castle, near Milford on Sea. It was built in the 1860's to protect the mouth of the Needles Passage into the Solent. In 1905 it was reduced to a practice battery.

                           Inchgarvie Battery is situated on the island of Inchgarvie in the Firth of Forth. At the outbreak of war in 1914, the battery was armed with two quick firing 12 pounder 12cwt guns and two .303 Maxim machine guns on parapet mountings. In 1915 the 12 pounder guns were replaced by 4-inch calibre guns. Later in the war the 4-inch guns were replaced by four 12 pounder (Naval) 18cwt guns, with the the 4-inch guns being transferred to Inchmickery Battery.

                           Inchkeith Battery is situated on Inchkeith Island in the Firth of Forth. It was built in the 1880's to protect the port of Leith.

                           Inchmickery Battery is situated on on Inchmickery Island in the Firth of Forth. It was built in late 1914 to support of the outer line of the submarine net defence. The Battery opened in 1915, armed with 12 pounder (Naval) Quick Firing guns were mounted on Inchmickery, these were later replaced with four QF 4-inch MkIII guns in 1916, transferred from Inch Garvie.

                           Kinghorn Battery was situated on the East side of Kinghorn Ness in the Firth of Forth. It was constructed in 1903 and armed with 6-inch, 4.7-inch and 9.2-inch guns.

                           Landguard Fort at the mouth of the River Orwell, near Felixstowe, Suffolk was built in 1717. It was extensivly rebuilt in the 1870's. During the Great War the fort was armed with two 6 inch Breech Loading guns mounted on the Right Battery. A Portwar Signal Station was set up on the roof to control the shipping approaching Harwich Harbour, this was under the control of the Royal Navy.

                           Langdon Battery was situated on the cliffs of Dover to protect the harbour. It was built in the early 1900's and armed with with three 9.2" guns and two 6-inch Breech Loader guns with Magazines below. An Observation point on the cliffs was linked by a tunnel.

                        Today the site is occupied by the Coast Guard Station.

                           Lavernock Battery was situated Lavernock Point, Penarth, Wales, built in the 1860's as the most northerly of a chain of defences across the Bristol Channel to protect the approaches to Cardiff and Bristol shipyards. In 1903 the four 7" muzzle loading cannons were replaced with two rapid fire six inch breech-loading former naval guns.

                           Lighthouse Battery, Hartlepool was situated on the Headland beside the lighthouse, built in the 1860's it was armed with two 68pr smoothbore guns. In the 1880's the batter was rebuilt to accomodate a 6-inch Mk VI gun, which was replaced with a 6inch Mk VII in 1907. In 1915 the lighthouse itself was demolished as it had impeded the traverse of the gun during the bombardment in December 1914

                           Lord Howards Battery was built in the early 1900's and was armed with two 6-inch Breech Loader Mk VII guns to cover the merchant ship anchorage in Jennycliff Bay and the approach channel through the Sound to the Plymouth Dockyard.

                           Martello Battery, situated within Sheerness Docks was part of the Sheerness-On-Sea defensive lines and has been armed with guns since the 17th Century. Four Breech-Loading Guns were installed to replace older weapons at the end of the 19th Century.

                           Cemetery Battery was situated at Spion Kop, Hartlepool and was built in 1894. It was disarmed in 1907 but after the bombardment of December 1914, two mobile 4.7" Quick Fire guns were stationed close to the site.

                           The coastal battery at Mumbles Island was built in the 1860's close to the Lighthouse for the protection of Swansea and the Bristol Channel.

                           Nell's Point Battery at Barry, was constructed in the early 1900's to protect the Bristol Channel. It was initally armed with two 4.7" Quick Fire guns and two machine guns. By 1915 the guns had been upgraded to two 6inch MkVII Breech Loaders and two machine guns.

                           Ness Battery at Stromness was one of three batteries protecting the Hoy Sound and the western entrance to Scapa Flow, which was the main fleet base of the Royal Navy. The guns, which were of American manufacture, were manned by Royal Marines and the Orkney Royal Garrison Artillery.

                           Newhaven Fort in Sussex was built in the 1860's. During the Great War it was armed with two 6-inch Mark VII breechloading naval guns, and two modern light QF 12-pounder guns for defence against torpedo boats. Newhaven harbour was the main military supply port for the British Expeditionary Force in France, as well as being a base for naval vessels on escort and defensive duties in the English Channel. A naval examination vessel operated from the the harbour, which challenged and inspected all shipping on approach, the vessel worked closely with the fort and if a ship failed to respond to orders from the examination vessel, the fort would fire a shot across its bows.

                           Newhaven Harbour was the main military supply port for the British Expeditionary Force in France, as well as being a base for naval vessels on escort and defensive duties in the English Channel.

                           New Needles Battery was built in 1895 after surveys suggested that the cliffs at the Old Needles Battery would not take the concussion of the new modern guns. It was armed with three 9.2" breech loading guns with underground magazines between the emplacements. In 1902 a battery Command Post was added on the down above the battery. Today the site is owned by the National Trust.

                           The Needles Battery was built in the 1860's and renamed Old Needles Battery when the New Needles Battery was built in 1895 to accomodate upgraded guns. The fort was disarmed in 1903 but was rearmed in 1913 with Britain's first Anti-aircraft gun, a 1 pounder Pom Pom which was installed in the parade ground.

                           No Man's Land Fort stands in the Solent 2.2 kilometres off the coast of the Isle of Wight, it was built in the 1870's and 1880 designed to protect Portsmouth with 49 guns in two tiers. Lack of recoil space on the gun decks prevented full use of the 12.5-inch guns and in the late 1880's the fort was refitted with hydraulic machinary for lifting shells to the gun decks and for traversing and elevating the guns, the first fort to be equipped in this manner. In 1902 a 4.7-inch QF gun was installed on top of the Fort as an examination gun.

                           Nothe Fort is situated at the entrance to Weymouth Harbour and was built in the 1860's to protect Portland Harbour.

                           North Sutors Battery is situated on the cliffs at North Sutor and formed part of the Cromerty Defences during the Great War. The Battery was armed with four 4-inch Quick Firing guns with sunken magazines cut into the rock, they were manned by the Royal Navy.

                           Padstow Battery was situated at Gun Point on the estuary and was rebuilt in 1868 for the for the Padstow Artillery Volunteers. During the 1890's the site was armed with 1890 two 64pr. guns and during the Great War a 60 pdr. Field gun was manned on site.

                           Pasley Battery was situated near South Gare, north east of the Redcar Steel Works. It was armed with one 9.2 inch gun.

                           Paull Point Battery was built in the 1860's on the site of defences dating back to the reign of Henry VIII to protect the Humber. It was reconstructed at the turn of the century with three 6" Mark VII breech loading guns and two 4.7" Quick firers, added in 1905. The 4.7 inch guns were removed in 1910. Paull Point was in use during the first year of the Great War and with the 6 inch guns being removed in 1915 when the defensive role was taken over by Sunk Island and Stallingborough Batteries closer to the coast. Paull Point Battery then became the headquarters for the Humber Fire Command.

                           Point Battery, Portsmouth, also called Sally Port Battery was built in the 1670's on the site of older armed defences. It was modified in the 1860's to take five 12-pounder quick-firing guns. During the Great War it was armed with three 12pdrs.

                           Portkill Battery was sitated at at Kilcreggan as part of the Clyde Defences and was built in the early 1900's.

                           Carlingnose Battery was situated at North Queensferry, part of the Forth Defences protecting the Rosyth Shipyards and the rail bridge. It was built in the early 1900's, with two 6-inch gun emplacements with magazines below and an observation post. The guns were removed to Pettycur Battery in 1916.

                           Nodes Point Battery is situated at St Helen's Point on the Isle of Wight. It was built in the early 1900's and armed with two 9.2 inch and two six inch guns. The six inch guns were removed in 1909. Today the site is the Nodes Point Holiday Park, the gun emplacements positions are easily recognisable. The guardhouse and drill hall survive as part of the holiday park.

                           Roker Battery, Sunderland dates back to the 18th century. It was disarmed in 1902 and was rebuilt in 1916 with two 4.7" inch naval guns positioned in earth emplacements with two searchlights. Today the site of one of the guns is visible as a circular seating area on the seafront.

                           Sandown Barrack Battery was built in the 1860's about 1,500 yards to the west of Sandown Fort on the Isle of Wight. In 1902 the battery was remodelled to take two 12pdr Quick Firing guns and two 6-inch BL Mk VII guns. These were removed in 1916 and today the battery is a flower garden.

                           Seaforth Battery was built inthe 19th Century as part of the Mersey Defences. During the Great War it was armed with with two 4.7-inch quick-firing guns.

                           Spanish Battery is situated on a low promontory to the south of Tynemouth Castle on the north bank of the entrance to the River Tyne. It is said to be named after Spanish mercenaries who manned the guns during Henry VIII’s Scottish Campaign of the 1540's. In 1902 the Battery was remodelled to accomodate two 6 inch Mk VII and two 12 pdr Quick Firing guns. Today only the aprons of the gun emplacements are visible with most of the site being covered by a car park.

                           Spitsand Fort also known as Spit Fort is one of four seaforts located in the Solent for the defence of Portsmouth Harbour. During the Great War the fort was armed with three 12-inch breechloading guns and two 4.7" guns and searchlights on the roof.

                           Spurn Point Battery was built in 1915 to defend the ports along the Humber, it was armed with four 4.7-inch guns, a standard gauge railway was lain to provide easier access to the site.

                           Green Battery, named after General Sir William Green, is located on Spurn Point and was built in 1916 as part of the Humber Defences. It was armed with two 9.2" BL Mk10 guns on Mk5 mountings in circular concrete pits, with two battery observation posts flanking the emplacements.

                           South Gare Battery is located on the South Gare breakwater at the entrance to the River Tees. The battery was built in 1891 as part of the Palmerston defence programme, itw as armed with two 4.7″ Hotchkiss Quick Firing guns during the Great War.

                           Stallingborough Battery was built in 1915 as part of the Humber Defence system. It was armed with two 6-inch breech-loading Mk. VII guns.

                           The HQ of the 7th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was in Stirling. A Company was based in Stirling, Bannockburn and Bridge of Allan. B Coy in Stenhousemuir and Denny, C Coy at Falkirk and Bonnybridge. D Coy at Lennoxtown and Kilsyth, E Coy at Alloa, F Coy at Alva, Dollar, Tillcoultry and Menstrie. G Cot at Kinross and Kelty. H Coy at Alloa, Sauchie and Clackmannan.

                           The HQ of the 8th (Argyleshire) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was at Dunoon. A Company drew its troops from Inveraray, Lochgoilhead, Auchnagoul, Dalmally, Furnace, Cairndow, Strachur and Kilchrenan. B Coy at Campbeltown, C Coy from Southend, Campbeltown, Glenbarr, Tayinloan, Stewarton and Kilcrenan. D Coy at Dunoon and Sandback. E Coy from Lochgilphead, Kilmartin, Tighnabruaich, Glenaruel, Ardrishaig and Tayvallich. F Coy from Ballaculish, Kinlochleven, Ardgour and Duror. G Coy from Bowmore, Jura, port Ellen, Bridgend and Ballygrant. H Coy from Easdale, Clachan, Oban, Cullipool, Tobernochy, Benderloch and Ardchattan.

                        The 8th Argylls also had a cadet corps at Dunoon Grammar School.

                           The 9th (Dumbartonshore) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders had their HQ at Hartfield, Dumbarton. A Company was drawn from Helensburgh and Cardross, B Coy from Kirkintilloch, Cumbernauld and Lenzie. C Coy from Dumbarton, D Coy from Milngavie, E Coy from Jamestown and Bonhill, F Coy from Alexandria and Renton, G and H Coys from Clydebank.

                           The Argyllshire Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery were a Territorial unit, part of the 4th Highland Mounted Brigade with their HQ in Rusell Street, Rothesay. The troops were recruited from the areas of Campbeltown, Oban and Tobermory.

                           The Ayrshire Royal Horse Artillery had their HQ at Ayr and consisted of the Ayr Battery and the Lowland Mounted Brigade (Ayr) Ammunition Column. They were part of the Lowland Mounted Brigade which had its HQ at 10 Dublin Street, Edinburgh.

                           The Ayrshire Yeomanry (Earl of Carrick's Own) had their HQ in Ayr and were part of the Lowland Mounted Brigade at the outbreak of war in 1914. A Squadron was based in Ayr, B Squadron in Cumnock, C Squadron in Kilmarnock and D Squadron in Beith.

                           The 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment had their HQ in Gwyn Street, Bedford. A Company was based at the HQ in Bedford, B and C Coys in Old Bedford Rd, Luton (now a leisure centre), D Coy was based at the Drill Hall, Biggleswade with drill stations at Arlesey, Sandy and St. Neots. E Coy from Ampthill with a drill station at Olney. F Coy was based in Luton, with drill stations in Church St, Dunstable and at the Town Hall, Leighton Buzzard. G Coy had Drill Halls at Fletton and Yaxley, H Coy at Huntingdon, St Ives and Ramsey. The Cadet Corps was based at Dunstable Grammar School. At the outbreak of War in 1914 they were part of the East Midland Infantry Brigade, East Anglian Division.

                           The HQ of the Bedfordshire Yeomanry was in Ashburnham Road, Bedford, they were part of the Eastern Mounted Brigade when war broke out in 1914. A Squadron were from Bedford, B Squadron from Biggleswade and Shefford. C Squadron from Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Woburn and Ampthill. D Squadron was drawn from Godmanchester, St Neots, Kimbolton, Ramsey, Somersham, Sutton and Charteriss.

                           The HQ of the Berkshire Royal Horse Artillery was at Yeomanry House, Castle Hill, Reading. At the outbreak of war in 1914 they were part of the 2nd Midland Mounted Brigade. The unit consisted of the Battery, from Reading and Ascot and the Ammunition Column from Ascot.

                           The Berkshire Yeomanry had their HQ at Yeomanry House, Castle Hill, Reading when war broke out in 1914, they were part of the 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade. A Squadron were recruited from Windsor, Maidenhead and Wokingham, B Squadron from Reading and Wallingford, C Squadron from Newbury, Hungerford and Lambourn. D Squadron had their Drill Station in Wantage and were recruited from Wantage, Abingdon, Faringdon and Didcot.

                           The 5th (Angus and Dundee) Battalion, Black Watch had their HQ in Arbroath. A Company was from Kirriemuir, Glamis and Newtyle. B Coy was based in Forfar, C coy in Montrose and Crigo, D Coy from Brechin and Edzell, E Coy from Arbroath and Friockheim, F Coy from Arbroath, Carnoustie and Monifleth, G and H Coys were based in Dundee. At the outbreak of War in 1914 they were part of the Black Watch Brigade and their allocated war station was the Scottish Coastal Defences.

                        They proceeded to France on the 2nd of November 1914, landing at Le Havre and joining 24th Brigade, 8th Division on the 13th. They remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 converted to a Pioneer Battalion with 8th Division but on the 6th of January 1916 they converted back to infantry and transferred to 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. On the 29th of February they transferred to 118th Brigade, 39th Division and on the 15th March they amalgamated with the 1/4th Black Watch to form the 4/5th Battalion.

                           The 6th (Perthshire) Battalion Black Watch had their HQ in Tay Street, Perth. At the outbreak of war in 1914 they were part of the Black Watch Infantry Brigade, thier allocated war station being the Scottish Coastal Defences. A and B Companies were based in Perth, C Coy was drawn from Dunblane, Bridge of Allan, Doune and callander. D Coy from Crieff and Cromerty. E Coy was from Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus and Alyth. F Coy was from Auchterarder, Blackford and Dunning, G Coy from Birnam, Pictlochery, Bankfoot, Ballinluig, Stanley, Luncarty, Strathbraun and Blair Atholl. H Coy was from Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Fortingall, Grantully and Killin.

                           The Bolton Artillery, made up of the 18th, 19th and 20th Lancashire Batteries and Ammunition Column, were also known as the 3rd Brigade East Lancashire Royal Field Artillery. They had their HQ in Bolton.

                           The HQ of the 4th Battalion Border Regiment was at Strand Road, Carlisle. When war broke out in 1914 they were part of the East Lancashire Division. A and B Companies were based in Carlise, C Coy from Keswick and Brampton, D Coy in Penrith, E coy was from Kirkby Lonsdale, Sedbergh, Endmoor and Milnthorpe, Kirkby Stephen and Appleby. F Coy was based in Kendle, G Coy from Kendal, Burneside and Staveley. H coy from Windermere, Ambleside adn Elterwater. There was also a cadet company at Kirkby Lonsdale.

                           The 5th (Cumberland) Battalion, Border Regiment had their HQ at Workington. A company was based in Whitehaven, B and C Coys at Workington, D Coy at Cockermouth, E Coy was from Egremeont, St Bees and Cleator, F Coy at Wigton, G Coy at Frizington and H Coy was from Aspatria, Dearham and Bulgill.

                           The HQ of the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry (Royal Bucks Hussars) was in Buckingham, (the building is now the Old Gaol Museum). A Squadron was drawn from Buckingham, Stony Stratford, Blethchley, Newport Pagnall and Akley. B Squadron from Aylesbury,Kimble, Quainton and Wind. C Squadron from High Wycombe, Stokenchurch, Taplow and Beaconsfield. D Squadron from Chesham, Cholesbury, Chalford St peter and Great Missenden. When war broke out in 1914 they were part of teh Territorial Force, 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade.

                           The HQ of the 4th Battalion East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) was in Canterbury. A Company was recruited from Ramsgate, Birchington and Broadstairs. B Coy from Canterbury, Chatham and Ash. C Coy from Canterbury, Littlebourne, Wingham and Nonington. D Coy from Folkestone and Hythe, E Coy from Sittingbourne and Sheerness, F Coy from Herne Bay and Whitstable, G Coy from Margate, St Nicholas at Wade and Westgate-on-Sea. H Coy was in Dover. There were also cadet corps at Chatham House in Ramsgate, Herne Bay College, New College in Herne Bay and Royal Marine Cadets at the RM Deot in Deal.

                           The HQ of the 5th (Weald of Kent) Battalion, East Kent Regiment (the Buffs) was in Ashford. A Company was drawn from Cranbrook and Benenden, B Coy from Hawkhurst and Sandhurst. C Coy from Headcorn, Staplehurst, Marden and Sutten Valence. D Coy from Horsmonden, Goudhurst, Lamberhurts, Brenchley, Yalding and Paddock Wood. E Coy from Ashford, Pluckley, Smarden, Bethersden. Aldington, Broughton Aluph and Ham Street. F and H Coy were in Ashford, G Coy from Tenderdenm Lydd, Woodchurch, New Romney, Appledorem Wittersham and Rolvden.

                           The 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment was raised in August 1914 in Cambridge, a Territorial Battalion with the East Midland Brigade in East Anglian Division. They had their HQ at 14 Corn Exchange Street, Cambridge. A and D Coys were recruited from Cambridge, Great Shelford and Burwell. B Coy from Cambridge and Sawston, C coy from Cambridge and Madingley. E Coy from Wishbech, F Coy from Whittlesea, Coates and Thorney. G Coy from March, Chatteris, Benwick and Doddington, H Coy from Ely and Sutton.The battalion moved to Romford on mobilization and then to Long Melford, to Stowlangtoft in September and then to Bury St Edmunds in November. They proceeded to France on the 15th of February 1915, landing at Le Havre where they joined 82nd Brigade, 27th Division. They saw action at St Eloi and The Second Battle of Ypres. The battalion left 27th Division when the Division was ordered to Salonika, remaining in France and joining 118th Brigade in 39th Division on the 29th of February 1916. They saw action in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, on the Somme and the Battles of the Lys in 1918. 39th Division suffered heavily on the Lys and was reduced to a cadre and subsequently became a training Division supervising courses of instruction for American troops who had just arrived in Flanders. The 1st Cambridgeshires transferred to 35th Brigade, 12th Division on the 9th of May 1918 and absorbed more than 400 men from 7th Suffolk Regiment to bring them back to full strength. They saw action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Artois. After the Armistice 12th Division moved to an area east of Douai and were engaged with battlefield salvage until all the men had been demobilized.

                           The 4th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders had their HQ in Inverness. A Coy was based in Inverness, B Coy recruited from Nairn, Cawdor, Ardersier, Auldern, Croy and Petty. C Coy from Inverness and Moy. D Coy from Broadford, Torrin, Elgoll and Raasay. E Coy from Fort William, Corpach, Fort Augustus and invergarry. F Coy from Kingussie, Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore, Kincraig, Insh, Aviemore and Ardverikie. G Coy from Beauly, Struy, Kilarlity, Inchmore and Drumnadrochit. H Coy from portree, Glenmore, Bernusdale, Edinbane, Sconser, Tarbert, Kilmuir, Dunvegan and Lochmaddy.

                        The 4th Battalion where at Inverness with the Seaforth & Cameron Brigade in the Highland Division. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for annual camp and were at once recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and the Division concentrated at Bedford. They proceeded to France, leaving their Division, on the 20th of February 1915 landing at Le Havre, and joined 24th Brigade, 8th Division on the Western Front on the 23rd. They saw action at Neuve Chapelle and on the 8th of April 1915 they transferred to 21st Brigade, 7th Division. They took part in The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and the The Battle of Loos in 1915. On the 20th of December 1915 the Battalion transferred to 91st Brigade 7th Division, then on the 7th of January 1916 transferred to 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division until the 28th of February when they left the Division, moved to base and the 4th Battalion was disbanded. Some 300 men were sent to join the 1st Entrenching Battalion (a forerunner to the Labour Corps) and in late 1916 the remainder joined the 1st Battalion in the field.

                           The 5th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) had their HQ at 261 West Princes Street in Glasgow, all the companies, A to H were based in the city. They were part of the Scottish Rifle Brigade, Lowland Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 5th of November 1914, attached to 19th Brigade in 6th Division which reinforced the hard-pressed BEF on the Aisne before moving North to Flanders. The 1/5th Cameronians were one of the units to take part in the Christmas truce of 1914.

                        On the 31st of May 1915 19th Brigade transferred to 27th Division and saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres, moving to 2nd Divsion on the 19th of August 1915 and then on the 25th of November 1915 to 33rd Division to strengthen the inexperienced division. On the 29th May 1916 the 5th Cameronians merged with 1/6th Battalion to become 5/6th Battalion. They saw action at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, on the Flanders Coast and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy in 1918.

                           The 6th Battalion Camerionians (Scottish Rifles) had their HQ in Muir Hall Hamilton. A and B Comapnies were from Hamilton, C Coy from Uddingston, D Coy from Larkhall and Stathaven. E Coy from Bothwell and Palace Colliery. F Coy from Blantyre, G and H Coys were from Motherwell. They were part of the Scottish Rifle Brigade, Lowland Division when war was declared in August 1914. After training they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 21st of March 1915, where they joined 23rd Brigade, 8th Division. They saw action at The Battle of Aubers then on the 2nd of June 1915 transferred to 154th Brigade in 51st (Highland) Division and moved to The Somme going into the front line near Hamel. On the 12th of January 1916 the 6th Cameronians became Divisional Troops and commenced training as Pioneers. On the 25th of February 1916 they transferred to 100th Brigade, 33rd Division in May 1916 and then became part of 19th Brigade 33rd Division and merged with 5th Cameronians to become 5/6th Battalion.

                        They saw action in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, on the Hindenburg Line, the Flanders Coast and in the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, the Third Battles of Ypres, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy in 1918.

                           The 7th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) had their HQ in Victoria Road, Glasgow. All the Companies A to H were from the city and there was a cadet corps at Hutcheson's Grammar School in Crown Street.They were part of the Scottish Rifle Brigade, Lowland Division when war was declared in August 1914. They moved to Grangemouth for training and on the 11th of May 1915 the Scottish Rifle Brigade became 156th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 24th of May 1915 for Gallipoli, via Egypt arriving on the 14th of June 1915. They were in action at Gully Ravine in late June and suffered heavy casualties, on the 1st of July 1915 the 7th Battalion temporarily merged with 1/8th Battalion (They resumed thier own identity on the 21st of February 1916.) In mid July 1915 they were in action at Achi Baba Nullah, and in late December at Krithia Nullahs. In January 1916 they moved to Egypt via Mudros and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd March 1916. They were in action in late April at Dueidar and in The Battle of Romani in early August, and during 1917 they were in action in the Palestine campaign. In March 1918 they left Arsuf for France and landed at Marseilles on the 17th of April 1918. The Division concentrated near Abbeville and went into the front line near Vimy on the 6th of May. They saw action in Second Battles of the Somme, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Artois during 1918. At the Armistice they were in the front line north of the Mons canal.

                           The 8th Battalion Cameronians Scottish Rifles were a unit of the Territorial Force and had their HQ at 149 Catherdral Street, Glasgow. All the Companies, A to H were from the city. They were part of the the Scottish Rifle Brigade, Lowland Division when war was declared in August 1914. They moved to Grangemouth for training and on the 11th of May 1915 the Scottish Rifle Brigade became 156th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 24th of May 1915 for Gallipoli, via Egypt arriving on the 14th of June 1915. They were in action at Gully Ravine in late June and suffered heavy casualties, on the 1st of July 1915 the 8th Battalion temporarily merged with 7th Battalion (They resumed thier own identity on the 21st of February 1916) In mid July 1915 they were in action at Achi Baba Nullah, and in late December at Krithia Nullahs. In January 1916 they moved to Egypt via Mudros and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd March 1916. They were in action in late April at Dueidar and in The Battle of Romani in early August, and during 1917 they were in action in the Palestine campaign. In March 1918 they left Arsuf for France and landed at Marseilles on the 17th of April 1918. The Division concentrated near Abbeville and went into the front line near Vimy on the 6th of May. On the 28th of June 1918 the Battalion transferred to 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. They saw action in the Battles of the Marne and the Final Advance in Flanders, at the Armistice they were in the area east of Courtrai and the 34th Division was selected join the Army of Occupation and travelled trhough Belgium to Germany, occuping the Cologne bridgehead in late January. in December a large number of men with mining and industrial skills had been demobilized to resume thier civilian occupations. In March 1919 the 34th Division was reconstituted and renamed the Eastern Division.

                           The Bute Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force, part of the 4th Highland Mountain Brigade whigh had its HQ in Russell Street, Rothesay. The battery recruited from Rothesay, Largs and Kilchatten.

                           The Cardiganshire Battery Royal Field Artillery, based in Aberystwyth, was a Territorial unit of the 2nd Welsh Brigade and had been formed in 1908.

                           The Cheshire Batteries, Royal Field Artillery consisted of the 1st Chester Battery, the 2nd Cheshire Battery, both based in Chester, the 3rd Chester Battery (previously named the Flintshire Battery) with is HQ in Crewe and the Chester and Crewe Ammunition Column. Together they formed the 3rd (Cheshire Brigade) Royal Field Artllery.

                           The Cheshire Brigade Conmpany, Army Service Corps was a Territorial unit, part of the Welsh Divisional Transport and Supply Column. Their HQ as at 79a Harrowby Road, Birkenhead.

                           The Cheshire Field Company, Royal Engineers were a Territorial unit with thier HQ at 79a Harrowby Road, Birkenhead. They were part of the Welsh Divisional Engineers.

                           On the 16th August 1909 the War Office issued a scheme for the Organisation of Voluntary Aid in England and Wales, which set up both male and female Voluntary Aid Detachments to compliment the Territorial medical services. In December 1909 a similar scheme was launched in Scotland. The VAD's were for home service, intended to staff auxiliary hospitals and rest stations should the need arise. Across the country detachments were formed and began training in first aid, basic nursing duties, cookery and hygiene. The male and some of the female detachments also trained in stretcher bearing, transportation and improvisation of caring for the wounded outdoors. There was no pay for any of the duties and the majority of the volunteers were those of the more affluent levels of society.

                        When war broke out in 1914 the VAD's were came under the administration of the Joint War Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John, which was based at Devonshire House, Piccadilly, London. Their role had already been clearly defined and the units at once leapt into action, gathering donated linen, kitchen equipment and medical supplies, borrowing cars and setting up hospitals and rest centres in village halls and country houses.

                         How did World War One break out?   Professor David Stevenson closely examines the three stages that led to war being declared between Austria-Hungary, Serbia, Germany, Russia, France, and Britain.

                        In July-August 1914 an international crisis culminated in the outbreak of the First World War. The crisis had three phases. In the first, one of the six European Great Powers, Austria-Hungary, launched a war against Serbia. In the second, this war escalated into a Continent-wide conflict involving Germany, Russia, and France. In the third, the conflict spread into Western Europe as Germany invaded Luxemburg and Belgium, and Britain intervened. The sixth Great Power, Italy, remained neutral.

                        Phase one: Austria-Hungary declares war against Serbia.

                        In its later stages the crisis ran at breakneck speed, but at first it moved slowly. It began with the assassinations on 28 June of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, at Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. Franz Ferdinand was heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. He fell victim to what would now be called state-sponsored terrorism. Princip was an ethnic Serb from Bosnia, which Austria-Hungary had annexed in 1908. He belonged to a revolutionary nationalist group that wanted to liberate the South Slav peoples (Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes) from foreign rule and unite them in a new state of Yugoslavia. The conspirators had received their weapons from Serbian military intelligence and been trained in Belgrade, although the Serbian civilian government had not been involved. It was therefore unsurprising that Austria-Hungary made drastic demands on Serbia in an ultimatum delivered on 23 July. But the Austro-Hungarian leaders wanted to use the assassinations to provoke a war, and to a British radical such as David Lloyd George their conduct amounted to bullying. When Serbia failed to accept all of the demands, Austria-Hungary declared war on 28 July.

                        The diary of George Riddell, dated 26 July 1914, records a telephone conversation with David Lloyd George: ‘He said that Austria had made demands which no self respecting nation could comply with and that such demands when addressed by a great nation to a small one were in the nature of bullying [ ] threats.’ The diary of George Riddell, dated 26 July 1914, records a telephone conversation with David Lloyd George: ‘He said that Austria had made demands which no self respecting nation could comply with and that such demands when addressed by a great nation to a small one were in the nature of bullying [ ] threats.’

                        Phase two: the conflict widens to Germany, Russia, and France. Austria-Hungary’s leaders ruled a multi-national empire. They felt that Serbian-backed separatism threatened its survival. Already by 1913 they had decided that only force could solve the problem. But they knew a war against Serbia was almost certain to escalate, and before sending the ultimatum they consulted their ally, Germany, whose leaders urged Austria-Hungary to use force and promised backing if Russia intervened (the secret ‘Potsdam blank cheque’, 5-6 July). The Germans’ motives have been intensively debated. From their perspective, Austria-Hungary was their one reliable Great-Power ally, and enemies ringed them. France and Russia had allied in 1891-94, and since 1904 Britain had co-operated with them. Germany had conducted a battleship-building race against Britain and an army race against France and Russia, and since 1905 the two blocs had clashed repeatedly over Morocco and the Balkans. The German leaders were readier to risk war because they believed the current military balance favoured them but would soon deteriorate. But if Germany threw down a challenge, Russia was quick to respond. Once Austria-Hungary sent the ultimatum Russia began military preparations, and after war was declared on Serbia, Russia ordered ‘general mobilisation’ (31 July), placing its forces on a war footing. Russia’s leaders were willing to accept a European conflict rather than abandon Serbia, partly because of Slav solidarity but more to protect their own interests in the Balkans and because they saw Germany as a danger. They had recently strengthened their army, and they correctly expected France to support them.

                        Phase three: Germany invades Luxemburg and Belgium, Britain intervenes. Germany and France had been at odds since the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, after which Germany had annexed the French provinces of Alsace-Lorraine. The French remembered the loss, although they would not have started a war over it. Germany’s strategy for a war against France and Russia envisaged first defeating France quickly, outflanking France’s border fortresses by invading via Luxemburg and Belgium. Once Russia mobilized (which the Germans feared would undermine their war plan) the Germans declared war on both Russia and France (1 and 3 August) and demanded that Belgium allow them to cross its territory. Britain, Germany, and France had all committed themselves to respect Belgian independence by the 1839 Treaty of London, and the issue swung the doubters in the British Cabinet. As Germany failed to comply with a demand to respect Belgium, on 4 August Britain declared war.

                        In 1914 a Balkan crisis coincided with high tension between Europe’s opposing power blocs. For decades the continent had enjoyed relative peace, and many had believed that war was becoming obsolete: some called for a common language such as Esperanto. Now, however, anti-war opposition collapsed, because events moved too quickly and the full facts of the crisis remained hidden, and because each government could present the conflict as a defensive struggle forced on it by the enemy. Partly for this reason, at least until 1917 pro-war consensus generally remained solid.

                        http://www.bl.uk/world-war-one/articles/origins-and-outbreak


                           

                        LZ16

                        Zeppelin LZ16 (Z14) was a Class type H which had its first flight on the 14th March 1913. It Accidentally crossed the French border on the 3rd April 1913 due to a navigational error caused by poor visibility and landed on the cavalry parade ground at Lunéville, allowing the French to perform a detailed examination. It was used for reconnaissance over East Prussia in August 1914 and bombed Warsaw on 24th of September 1914. Later used for training it was decommissioned in the autumn of 1916.

                        John Doran


                           Zeppelin LZ17 Sachsen was a Class type H in Civilian and later Military use. Its first flight was on 3rd May 1913. It transported 9837 passengers in 419 flights, traveling 39,919 km. Taken over by German military upon outbreak of World War I in 1914. This was Captain Lehmann's first command. It had bomb racks and a bomb drop station fitted, together with an improved radio room, machine guns in the cars below and a gunners nest on top of the tail. In its first attack on Antwerp it carried 1,800 pounds (820 kg) of bombs and spent 12 hours in the air. It was Decommissioned in autumn of 1916.

                        John Doran


                           Zeppelin LZ20 (ZV) was a Class type: H whose first flight was on 8th July 1913. It was used in World War I for reconnaissance missions in Western Poland. It had to make a forced landing due to damage from ground fire after an attack on Mlawa during the Battle of Tannenberg with the entire crew being captured.

                        John Doran


                        1st January 1914 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  

                        SL1 Framework under construction.

                        Schütte-Lanz SL1

                        • First Flight: 1st October 1911
                        • Length: 131 metres (430 ft)
                        • Diameter: 18.4 metres (60 ft)
                        • Gas Capacity: 19,000 cubic meters
                        • Performance: 38.3 km/h
                        • Payload: 4.5 tonnes
                        • Engines: 4 Daimler 500 hp/370 kW total kapal laut

                        The Schütte-Lanz airship SL1 was the first of 20 airships built by the company. Construction was carried out in a large hangar at Rheinau near Mannheim. The ship was powered by four 125 horsepower (93 kW) Daimler-Benz engines installed in two ventral gondolas. A distinctive feature of the Schütte-Lanz ships was that the frame was constructed from special plywood which was (supposedly) waterproofed and protected from frost. The SL1 was constructed with a diamond lattice frame and had a highly streamlined shape, allowing it to achieve a record speed of 38.3 km/h. The structure of the SL1 resembles the later "geodesic" structures of Barnes Wallis at Vickers or Buckminster Fuller's domes. It was only matched at the time by the structure of the MacMeecham airship, designed and partially built in England in the first years of World War I.

                        Fifty-three experimental flights were made between October 1911 and December 1912, the longest of over 16 hours. The ship was handed over to the German Army on the 12th December 1912, but destroyed soon afterwards when it broke loose from its temporary mooring during a storm.

                        John Doran


                           

                           1st Battalion Royal Scots (The Lothian Regiment)
                      • August 1914 : in Allahabad.
                      • Returned to England 16 November 1914.
                      • 16 November 1914 : transferred to 81st Brigade, 27th Division.
                      • Landed at Le Havre 20 December 1914.
                      • Moved to Salonika December 1915.

                      The history of 27th Division

                      As regular units from the further garrisons of Empire arrived back in England, having been recalled soon after the declaration of war but many having waited until a Territorial unit had gone out to replace them, they were formed up into three Divisions, numbered 27th to 29th. The 27th was formed at Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 and was soon rushed as a much-needed reinforcement to France. Shortage of some types of units were filled by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. It embarked at Southampton and landed at Le Havre on 20-23 December 1914 and then moved to concentrate in the area between Aire and Arques. The Division subsequently took part in these actions:

                      1915 The action of St Eloi and the Second Battle of Ypres.

                      The Division was ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on 17 November, but it was not until 13 February 1916 that the last of the Division finally arrived.

                         1st Battalion the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment).

                    • August 1914 : in Allahabad.
                    • Returned to England 16 November 1914.
                    • 16 November 1914 : transferred to 81st Brigade, 27th Division.
                    • Landed at Le Havre 20 December 1914.
                    • Moved to Salonika December 1915.

                      The history of 27th Division - 1915 As regular units from the further garrisons of Empire arrived back in England, having been recalled soon after the declaration of war but many having waited until a Territorial unit had gone out to replace them, they were formed up into three Divisions, numbered 27th to 29th. The 27th was formed at Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 and was soon rushed as a much-needed reinforcement to France. Shortage of some types of units were filled by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. It embarked at Southampton and landed at Le Havre on 20-23 December 1914 and then moved to concentrate in the area between Aire and Arques. The Division subsequently took part in these actions:
                    • The action of St Eloi
                    • The Second Battle of Ypres
                    The Division was ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on 17 November, but it was not until 13 February 1916 that the last of the Division finally arrived.

                       

                    15th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

                  • Formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K3 and came under orders of 64th Brigade in 21st Division.
                  • Moved to Halton Park, going on to billets in Maidenhead in December 1914 and then back to Halton Park in April 1915.
                  • Finally moved to Witley in July.
                  • 11 September 1915 : landed at Boulogne.

                       1/4th Battalion, the Essex Regiment.

                    • August 1914 : in Brentwood. Part of Essex Brigade in East Anglian Division.
                    • Moved to Norwich in late 1914 and on to Colchester in April 1915.
                    • May 1915 : formation became 161st Brigade in 54th (East Anglian) Division. Moved late in the month to St Albans.
                    • 21 July 1915 : sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli, going via Lemnos.
                    • Landed at Suvla bay 12 August 1915.
                    • 4 December 1915 : evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Mudros, going on to Alexandria 17 December 1915.
                    • Remained in Egypt/Palestine theatre thereafter.

                         The Cardiganshire Battery RFA (TF) based at Aberystwyth formed part of the 2nd Welsh Brigade with the 3rd and 4th Glamorgans.

                       The debate on the origins of World War One  

                      Satirical map of Europe drawn by German graphic artist Walter Trier in 1914, showing Germany and Austria-Hungary as aggressors.

                      Beginning with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Dr Annika Mombauer explores the opposing debates about the origins of World War One. Is it possible for historians to arrive at a consensus?

                      The hundred-year debate.

                      How could the death of one man, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who was assassinated on 28 June 1914, lead to the deaths of millions in a war of unprecedented scale and ferocity? This is the question at the heart of the debate on the origins of the First World War. How did Europe get from the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife to the situation at the beginning of August when Germany and Austria-Hungary were at war with Serbia, Russia, France, Belgium, and Britain? Finding the answer to this question has exercised historians for 100 years, and arriving at a convincing consensus has proved impossible.

                      The need to fight a defensive war Establishing the responsibility for the escalation of the July Crisis into a European war, and ultimately a world war, was paramount even before fighting had begun. The governments of Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary tried desperately to ensure that they did not appear to be the aggressor in July and August 1914. This was crucial because the vast armies of soldiers that would be needed to fight this war could not be summoned for a war of aggression. Socialists, of whom there were many millions by 1914, would not have supported a belligerent foreign policy, and could only be relied upon to fight in a defensive war. Populations would only rally and make sacrifices willingly if the cause was just and that meant fighting a defensive war.

                      The French and Belgians, Russians, Serbs and British were convinced they were indeed involved in a defensive struggle for just aims. Austrians and Hungarians were fighting to revenge the death of Franz Ferdinand. Germans were assured by their Kaiser, Wilhelm II, and their Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg, that Germany’s neighbours had ‘forced the sword’ into its hands. In 1914, Germans were certain that they had not started the war. But if not they (who had after all invaded Belgium and France in the first few weeks of fighting), then who had caused this war?

                      From the victors’ war guilt ruling to a comfortable interwar consensus For the victors, this was an easy question to answer, and they agreed at the peace conference at Paris in 1919 that Germany and its allies had been responsible for causing the Great War. Based on this decision, which was embodied in Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles, vast reparations would be payable. This so-called ‘war guilt ruling’ set the tone for the long debate that followed on the causes of the war. From 1919 onwards, governments and historians engaged with this question as revisionists (who wanted to revise the verdict of Versailles) clashed with anti-revisionists who agreed with the victors’ assessment. Sponsored by post-war governments and with access to vast amounts of documents, revisionist historians set about proving that the victors at Versailles had been wrong. Countless publications and documents were made available to prove Germany’s innocence and the responsibility of others. Arguments were advanced which highlighted Russia’s and France’s responsibility for the outbreak of the war, for example, or which stressed that Britain could have played a more active role in preventing the escalation of the July Crisis.

                      In the interwar years, such views influenced a newly developing consensus that no longer foregrounded Germany’s war guilt, but instead identified a failure in the alliance system before 1914. The war had not been deliberately unleashed, but Europe had somehow ‘slithered over the brink into the boiling cauldron of war’, as David Lloyd George famously put it. With such a conciliatory accident theory, Germany was off the hook, and instead of remaining a former troublesome enemy could become a potential future ally against the increasingly threatening-looking Soviet Union. And so a comfortable consensus emerged and lasted all through the Second World War and beyond, by which time the Great War (now known as the First World War) had been overshadowed by an even deadlier conflict.

                      The Fischer school challenge to the revisionist consensus. There was little reason to question this comfortable orthodoxy after 1945. The first major challenge to this interpretation was advanced in Germany in the 1960s, where the historian Fritz Fischer published a startling new thesis on the origins of the war which threatened to overthrow the existing consensus. Germany, he argued, bore the main share of responsibility for the outbreak of the war. Moreover, its leaders had deliberately unleashed the war in pursuit of aggressive foreign policy aims which were startlingly similar to those pursued by Hitler in 1939. Backed up by previously unknown primary evidence, this new interpretation exploded the comfortable post-war view of shared responsibility. It made Germany responsible for unleashing not only the Second World War (of this there was no doubt), but also the First, turning Germany’s recent history into one of aggression and conquest. The German establishment, which included leading historians and politicians, reacted with outrage to Fischer’s claims. They attempted to discredit him and his followers. The so-called Fischer school was accused of ‘soiling its own nest’, and in the context of the Cold War of the early 1960s, it is not difficult to see that the question of the origins of the First World War was of serious contemporary political significance. Those willing to question Germany’s recent past and those wanting to hide any potential wrong-doings by Germany’s former leaders clashed in a public dispute of unprecedented ferocity.

                      In time, however, many of Fischer’s ideas became accepted as a new consensus was achieved. Most historians remained unconvinced that war had been decided upon in Germany as early as 1912 (this was one of Fischer’s controversial claims) and then deliberately provoked in 1914. Many did concede, however, that Germany seemed to have made use of the July Crisis to unleash a war. But its government was not the only one to do so. In the wake of the Fischer controversy, historians also focused more closely on the role of Austria-Hungary in the events that led to war, and concluded that in Vienna, at least as much as in Berlin, the crisis precipitated by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was seen as a golden opportunity to try and defeat a ring of enemies that seemed to threaten the Central Powers.

                      New questions but no new consensus In recent years this post-Fischer consensus has in turn been revised. Historians have returned to the arguments of the interwar years, focusing for example on Russia’s and France’s role in the outbreak of war or asking if Britain’s government really did all it could to try and avert war in 1914. Germany’s and Austria-Hungary’s roles are deemphasised, and it is stressed that there were decision-makers in all the major capital cities who considered a general European war in August 1914 to be a risk worth taking. After 100 years of debate, every conceivable interpretation seems to have been advanced. In some of the most recent publications, even seeking to attribute responsibility, as had so confidently been done at Versailles, is now eschewed. Is it really the historian’s role to blame the actors of the past, or merely to understand how the war could have occurred?

                      Such doubts did not trouble those who sought to attribute war guilt in 1919 and during much of this long debate, but this question will need to be asked as the controversy continues past the centenary. The current consensus on why it broke out is ‘that there is no consensus’. After 100 years of arguing about the war’s causes, this long debate is set to continue.

                      http://www.bl.uk/world-war-one/articles/the-debate-on-the-origins-of-world-war-one
                       More info.

                         Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion was a unit of the Territorial Force formed in February 1914, it had its HQ in St Mary's Street Huntingdon.

                      28th February 1914 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  

                      SL2 Bombing Warsaw.

                      Schütte-Lanz SL2

                      • First Flight: 28th February 1914
                      • Length: 144 metres (472 ft) (156 metres (512 ft) after rebuild)
                      • Diameter: 18.2 metres (60 ft) (18.2 metres (60 ft) after rebuild)
                      • Gas Capacity: 25,000 cubic meters (27,500 cubic meters after rebuild)
                      • Performance: 88.2 km/h (89.3 km/h after rebuild)
                      • Payload: 8 tonnes (10.4 tonnes after rebuild)
                      • Engines: 4 Maybach 720 hp/537 kW total (840 hp/626 kW total after rebuild)

                      The Schütte-Lanz airship SL2 surpassed the contemporary Zeppelin airships in performance. It adopted the Zeppelin ring-girder construction method, but retained the streamlined shape and plywood construction of the SL1. The SL2 was also the most significant airship to date in that it laid down two vital design innovations that were copied in almost all subsequent rigid airships. The first was the cruciform tail plane, with a single pair of rudders and elevators. The second was the location of the engines in separate streamlined gondolas or cars. A third innovation, for war service, was the mounting of heavy machine guns for defense against attacking aircraft in each of the engine cars.

                      SL2 was built between January and May 1914 and transferred to Austrian military control. It carried out six missions in the first year of the war over Poland and France. After being enlarged in summer 1915, several more missions were carried out before SL2 was stranded at Luckenwalde on the 10th January 1916 after running out of fuel and was decommissioned.

                      The SL2 was a perfect example why the advanced technology of Schütte-Lanz, and the advantages of wood in compression as opposed to tension allowed the Schütte-Lanz type of airship to be technically superior until a certain size had been reached.

                      John Doran


                         A train carrying some/all of the 1st Battalian from Italy to the western front was rammed in the rear by another train at the Frejus tunnel. A French Railway signalman's error. My Gt Uncle was killed as he was travelling in the rear carriage, I have eye-witness accounts which were sent to my Gt Grandmother via the red cross. He was buried nearby but later re-interred near Lyon as the cemetery began to subside.

                      30th Mar 1916  38th Heavy Battery proceed to France  38th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                      15th Apr 1915 13th KRRC move to Salisbury Plain  13th Battalion KRRC continued training from their billets until the 9th April 1915 when the battalion entrained to Windmill Camp, near Ludgershall Salisbury Plain in two parties. They were there equipped with the new SMLE and joined the 111th Infantry Brigade, 37th Division.

                      18th Sep 1914 Bully Beef for Big Guns  Lt.General Sir Douglas Haig secured the loan of two heavy guns from the French reserves on the right of his First Army Corps, in exchange for 10,000 tins of bully beef.

                      22 Apr 1915 French retreat near Ypres  In the early evening the Germans employed gas against French troops to the North of Ypres, causing a retreat. Two battalions from the 2nd Buffs and 3rd Middlesex were ordered into a stop formation at the cross roads in the centre of Sint Jan was hordes of French Turcos and Zouaves fled towards Ypres, leaving a gap in the Allied lines.

                      23rd Apr 1915 Allies close gap near Ypres  The 2nd Buffs and 3rd Middlesex holding the line at the cross roads in the centre of Sint Jan, were joined by the 5th Kings Own and the 1st York and Lancs, to form the Geddes Detachment under the command of Col Geddes of the Buffs. They joined with the Canadian Division to fill the gap left by the French Colonials who had fled under a gas attack the previous evening. Later in the day the Geddes Detachment was reinforced and the seven battalions counter-attacked as part of a wider effort to stabilise the line.

                      28th June 1914 Assassination  The heir to the Austria-Hungary throne Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated by a Serbian Nationalist in Sarejevo.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Lord Nelson  

                      HMS Lord Nelson - Dardanelles 1915

                      Name: HMS Lord Nelson, Builder: Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow
                      Cost: £1,651,339, Laid down: 18 May 1905, Launched: 4 September 1906, Completed: October 1908
                      Commissioned: 1 December 1908, Decommissioned: May 1919, Fate: Sold for scrapping, 4 June 1920

                      HMS Lord Nelson was a Lord Nelson-class pre-dreadnought battleship launched in 1906 and completed in 1908. She was the Royal Navy's last pre-dreadnought. The ship was flagship of the Channel Fleet when World War I began in 1914. Lord Nelson was transferred to the Mediterranean Sea in early 1915 to participate in the Dardanelles Campaign. She remained there, becoming flagship of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron, which was later redesignated the Aegean Squadron. After the Ottoman surrender in 1918 the ship moved to the Black Sea where she remained as flagship before returning to the United Kingdom in May 1919. Lord Nelson was placed into reserve upon her arrival and sold for scrap in June 1920.

                      Construction and description

                      HMS Lord Nelson was laid down by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company at Jarrow on 18 May 1905 and launched on 4 September 1906. Her completion was greatly delayed by the diversion of her 12-inch (305 mm) guns and turrets to expedite completion of Dreadnought, and she was not fully completed until October 1908. Although she was not the last pre-dreadnought laid down for the Royal Navy, she was the last one commissioned.

                      Lord Nelson displaced 17,820 long tons (18,106 t) at deep load as built, with a length of 443 feet 6 inches (135.2 m), a beam of 79 feet 6 inches (24.2 m), and a draft of 26 feet (7.9 m). She was powered by two four-cylinder inverted vertical triple-expansion steam engines, which developed a total of 16,750 indicated horsepower (12,490 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).[1]

                      She was armed with four 12-inch guns arranged in two twin gun turrets, one turret each fore and aft. Her secondary armament consisted of ten 9.2-inch (234 mm) guns, eight in twin gun turrets on each corner of the superstructure, and a single gun turret between them. For defence against torpedo boats, Lord Nelson carried twenty-four QF 12-pounder 18 cwt guns and two 3-pounder guns. She also mounted five submerged 18-inch (457 mm) torpedo tubes for which 23 torpedoes were stowed aboard.

                      Service Pre-World War I

                      HMS Lord Nelson was first commissioned in reserve on 1 December 1908 at Chatham Dockyard, being attached to the Nore Division of the Home Fleet with a nucleus crew. She first went into full commission on 5 January 1909 to relieve the battleship HMS Magnificent as flagship of the Nore Division, Home Fleet, and in April 1909 became part of the First Division, Home Fleet. She was transferred in January 1911 to the Second Division of the Home Fleet, and in May 1912 to the 2nd Battle Squadron. She was temporarily attached in September 1913 to the 4th Battle Squadron. In April 1914, she relieved the battleship HMS Queen as Flagship, Vice Admiral, Channel Fleet.

                      World War I

                      At the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, Lord Nelson became flagship of the Channel Fleet and was based at Portland. With other ships, she covered the safe transport of the British Expeditionary Force, under the command of Sir John French, to France. On 14 November 1914, she transferred to Sheerness to guard the English coast against the possibility of a German invasion. The ship returned to Portland Harbour on 30 December 1914 and patrolled the English Channel until February 1915.

                      Dardanelles campaign, 1915-1916

                      In February 1915, Lord Nelson was ordered to the Dardanelles to participate in the Dardanelles Campaign. She departed Portland on 18 February 1915 and joined the British Dardanelles Squadron at Mudros on 26 February 1915. She took part in the bombardment of the inner forts and supported the initial landings in early March 1915. The Ottoman Turkish forts engaged her heavily on 7 March 1915 and hit her several times, including by a stone cannon ball which landed on the deck and was kept as a souvenir by the Flag Officer, Arthur Baker, at Longcross Church; she suffered damage to her superstructure and rigging and was holed by one hit below the waterline which flooded two coal bunkers. After repairs at Malta, the ship returned to take part in the main attack on the Narrows forts on 18 March 1915. Later she bombarded Ottoman field batteries on 6 May 1915 prior to the Second Battle of Krithia.

                      Lord Nelson relieved the battleship Queen Elizabeth as flagship of the British Dardanelles Squadron on 12 May 1915, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Rosslyn Erskine-Wemyss. On 20 June 1915, she bombarded docks and shipping at Gallipoli, aided by the spotting of a kite balloon, and inflicted significant damage. Lord Kitchener made his headquarters aboard her in November 1915 and, on 22 December 1915, Lord Nelson hoisted the flag of Vice Admiral John de Roebeck when he succeeded Wemyss.

                      Mediterranean operations, 1916-1918

                      With the end of the Dardanelles Campaign in January 1916, during which Lord Nelson had suffered no casualties, British naval forces in the area were reorganized and Lord Nelson became flagship of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron, which was redesignated the Aegean Squadron in August 1917; under either name, the squadron was dispersed throughout the area to protect Allied-held islands, support the British Army at Salonika, and guard against any attempted breakout from the Dardanelles by the German battlecruiser Goeben and light cruiser Breslau. Lord Nelson spent the remainder of the war based at Salonika and Mudros, alternating between the two bases with her sister ship Agamemnon; the ship was based mostly at Salonika, with Agamemnon at Mudros.

                      According to naval historian Ian Buxton, the most important role of the Royal Navy was to blockade the Dardanelles and thus guard the Eastern Mediterranean against a breakout by Goeben. On 12 January 1918, Rear-Admiral Arthur Hayes-Sadler hoisted his flag aboard Lord Nelson at Mudros as the new commander of the Aegean Squadron. Needing transportation to Salonika for a conference with the British Army commander there, and finding his personal yacht unavailable, Hayes-Sadler opted to have Lord Nelson take him there and thus she was not present when Goeben and Breslau finally made their breakout attempt on 20 January 1918. The ship could not get back to the Dardanelles in time to participate in the resulting Battle of Imbros or intercept Goeben before she gained shelter in the Dardanelles. Lord Nelson was given a short refit at Malta in October 1918.

                      Post-World War I

                      Lord Nelson was part of the British squadron that went to Constantinople in November 1918 following the armistice with the Ottoman Empire, after which she served as flagship in the Black Sea. In April 1919, she conveyed Grand Duke Nicholas and Grand Duke Peter of Russia from the Black Sea to Genoa.

                      Lord Nelson returned to the United Kingdom in May 1919 and was placed in reserve until August, when she was placed on the sale list. On 4 June 1920, she was sold to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company of Dover. She was resold to Slough Trading Company on 8 November 1920, then again to German scrappers. She was towed to Germany for scrapping in January 1922.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Agamemnon  

                      HMS Agamemnon

                      HMS Agamemnon, last of the pre-dreadnought Battleships and sister ship to HMS Lord Nelson was built by Beardmore, laid down May 1905, completed June 1908, cost £1,652,347.
                      Size: Length 435 feet waterline 443 feet 6 inches overall, beam 79 feet 6 inches, draught 30 feet, displacement 15,358 load 17,820 tons deep.
                      Propulsion: 2 shaft Triple Expansion, 16,750 ihp, 18kts.

                      Designed to provide a considerable step forward in British battleship capabilities. The 9.2 inch guns were increased in numbers to replace the 6 inch guns giving the class a very heavy secondary armament although spotting for gunnery control of such a heavy secondary gun was not easy - one of the reasons for the 'all big gun' armament of future battleships. Both the 12 inch and 9.2 inch guns were of new improved types and a much heavier anti-torpedo boat armament was also carried.

                      Protection was also substantially increased and subdivision and pumping arrangements were improved. Crew complement was 752 officers and ratings

                      First World War

                      • Joined 5th Battle Squadron Channel Fleet.
                      • February 1915 transferred to Dardanelles.
                      • 19 February 1915 onwards involved in various attacks on forts and support of landings. Hit by artillery on several occasions but no serious damage.
                      • May-June 1915 refit at Malta.
                      • 2 December 1915 took part in destruction of Kavak Bridge.
                      • January 1916 Eastern Mediterranean Squadron.
                      • 5 May 1917 shot down Zeppelin L85.
                      • 30 October 1918 Ottoman Empire signed Armistice on board.
                      • November 1918 led Allied squadron through the Dardanelles to Constantinople.

                      Sold for scrap in 1927.

                      John Doran


                      1st June 1914 HMS Swiftsure  

                      HMS Swiftsure

                      HMS Swiftsure, Pre-Dreadnought Battleship. Built Armstong, Elswick, laid down February 1902, completed June 1904, cost £957,520.

                      Swiftsure Class. (Two ship class - sister ship HMS Triumph). Designed originally for overseas navy these ships were quite distinctive from the normal British designs with wide spaced funnels and prominent cranes between them, including smaller main gun turrets. The ships were only considered Second Class Battleships in British service.

                      HMS Swiftsure.

                      The two ships had slightly different main guns as they were armed by their respective builders. They were the only British battleships to mount a 7.5 inch gun although that calibre was used in some cruisers. Likewise the 14 pounder anti torpedo boat guns were unique to this class.

                      Size: Length 462 feet 6 inch waterline 475 feet 3 inch overall, beam 71 feet 2 inches, draught 24 feet 8 inches, displacement 11,740 load 13,432 tons deep.
                      Propulsion: 2 shaft Triple Expansion, 12,500 ihp, Speed 19 knots.
                      Armour: 7-3inch belt, 10inch barbettes, 10inch gun houses, 3-1inch decks.
                      Armament: 4 x 10inch 45 cal BL (2 x 2), 14 x 7.5inch BL (14 x 1), 14 x 14 pounder QF (14 x 1), 2 x 12 pounder QF (2 x 1), 4 x 6 pounder (4 x 1), 2 x 18inch TT
                      Crew complement 729 Officers and ratings.

                      Originally designed by Sir Edward Reed for Chile to counter Argentinean armoured cruisers but owing to financial problems the ships were put up for sale before completion. The ships were purchased by the British government in December 1903 mainly to prevent their possible sale to Russia. The design emphasised speed and a heavy secondary armament at the expense of protection and main armament. Crew 729.

                      World War 1 Service:

                      • Flagship East Indies Squadron.
                      • November 1914 escorted Indian Convoy.
                      • December 1914 Detached to Suez.
                      • February 1915 joined Dardanelles Squadron.
                      • 2 March 1915 attack on forts.
                      • 5-9 March 1915 attacks on forts at Smyrna.
                      • 18 March 1915 onwards supported landings at Helles.
                      • 18 September 1915 unsuccessfully attacked by German submarine (U21?).
                      • 18 January 1916 bombardment of Dedeagatch.
                      • February 1916 attached to 9th Cruiser Squadron in the Atlantic.
                      • 11 April 1917 paid off at Chatham to release crews.
                      • Mid 1917-February 1918 accommodation ship.
                      • Autumn 1918 prepared for use as block ship but not used before the Armistice.
                      • 1920 sold for scrap.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Caesar  

                      HMS Caesar

                      HMS Caesar. (1898 - 1921)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      HMS Caesar served in the Channel Fleet in 1898, the Mediterranean Fleet 1898,1903, the Channel and Atlantic Fleets 1904,1907, and the Home Fleet 1907,1914. Her early World War I service was in the Channel Fleet August,December 1914, after which she served as guard ship at Gibraltar December 1914, July 1915, as guard ship at Bermuda 1915,1918, and as a depot ship in the Mediterranean 1918,1919 and in the Black Sea in 1919,1920, where she supported Royal Navy forces operating against Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War. She was the last British pre-dreadnought to serve as a flagship, and the last one to serve overseas. She was sold for scrapping in 1921.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Hannibal  

                      HMS Hannibal

                      HMS Hannibal. (1898 - 1920)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      The Royal Navy began a precautionary mobilisation in July 1914 when war appeared increasingly likely. As part of this, Hannibal and her sister ships HMS Mars, HMS Magnificent, and HMS Victorious formed the 9th Battle Squadron on 27 July 1914, stationed at the Humber to defend the British coast. Hannibal was serving as a guard ship on the Humber when World War I began in August 1914.

                      As battleship.

                      The 9th Battle Squadron was dissolved on 7 August 1914, and Hannibal was transferred to Scapa Flow, where she served as a guard ship until relieved by first-class protected cruiser HMS Royal Arthur on 20 February 1915. Hannibal then paid off at Dalmuir.

                      The Majestic-class ships were by then the oldest and least effective battleships in service in the Royal Navy. While inactive at Dalmuir, Hannibal was disarmed between March and April 1915 except for four 6-inch (152-mm) guns and some lighter guns. Her 12-inch (305-mm) guns were taken for use aboard the new Lord Clive-class monitors HMS Prince Eugene and HMS Sir John Moore. After she was disarmed, she was laid up at Scapa Flow and Loch Goil until September 1915.

                      As troopship and depot ship.

                      Hannibal recommissioned at Greenock on 9 September 1915 to serve as a troopship in the Dardanelles campaign. She arrived at Mudros in this capacity on 7 October 1915.

                      In November 1915, Hannibal became a depot ship for auxiliary patrol craft at Alexandria, Egypt, supporting both forces operating from Egypt and those in the Red Sea until June 1919.

                      Decommissioning and disposal.

                      Hannibal was placed on the disposal list at Alexandria in January 1920, and was sold for scrapping on 28 January 1920. She was scrapped in Italy.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Magnificent  

                      HMS Magnificent

                      HMS Magnificent. (1895 - 1922)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      During a precautionary mobilization of the fleet immediately prior to the outbreak of World War I, Magnificent and her sister ships Hannibal, Mars, and Victorious on 27 July 1914 formed the 9th Battle Squadron, subordinate to the Admiral of Patrols and stationed at the Humber. Magnificent served as guard ship at the Humber. World War I began while she was stationed there. On 7 August 1914, the 9th Battle Squadron was dissolved, and Magnificent and Hannibal transferred to Scapa Flow to reinforce the defences of the anchorage of the Grand Fleet there, becoming a guard ship at Scapa Flow. The Majestic-class ships were by then the oldest and least effective battleships in service in the Royal Navy. The first-class protected cruiser Crescent relieved Magnificent of guard ship duty on 16 February 1915, at which point Magnificent was paid off.

                      Later in February 1915, Magnificent arrived at Belfast to be disarmed. In March and April 1915, all of her 12-inch guns and all except for four of her 6-inch guns were removed. Her 12-inch guns were taken to arm the new Lord Clive-class monitors General Craufurd and Prince Eugene. After she was disarmed, Magnificent was laid up at Loch Goil in April 1915. On 9 September 1915, Magnificent was recommissioned to serve along with her similarly disarmed sister ships Hannibal and Mars as a troopship for the Dardanelles campaign. The three former battleships departed the United Kingdom on this duty on 22 September 1915, arriving at Mudros on 7 October 1915. On 18 December 1915 and 19 December 1915, Magnificent took part in the evacuation of Allied troops from Suvla Bay. She departed the Dardanelles in February 1916 after the conclusion of the campaign and returned to England, where she was paid off at Devonport on 3 March 1916.

                      Magnificent remained at Devonport until August 1917, serving as an overflow ship. In August 1917, she began a refit at Harland & Wolff in Belfast for conversion to an ammunition ship. When her refit was completed in October 1918, she was transferred to Rosyth for service as an ammunition store ship. Magnificent was placed on the disposal list on 4 February 1920, but continued to serve as an ammunition store ship at Rosyth until April 1921. She was sold for scrapping on 9 May 1921. Scrapping began at Inverkeithing the following year.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Mars  

                      HMS Mars

                      HMS Mars. (1897 - 1921)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      As battleship

                      With war appearing to be imminent, the Royal Navy undertook a precautionary mobilization on 27 July 1914. As part of this, Mars and her sister ships HMS Hannibal, HMS Magnificent, and HMS Victorious formed the 9th Battle Squadron, which was based in the Humber under the Admiral of Patrols. Mars was serving as a guard ship at the Humber when World War I began in August 1914, and continued in that duty after the 9th Battle Squadron was dissolved on 7 August 1914.

                      Mars was transferred to the Dover Patrol on 9 December 1914, and was based at Dover briefly before moving to Portland on 11 December 1914. She was based at Portland until February 1915.

                      The Majestic-class ships were by then the oldest and least effective battleships in service in the Royal Navy. In February 1915, Mars transferred to Belfast, where she paid off on 15 February 1915. In March and April 1915 she was disarmed there by Harland and Wolff, retaining only four of her 6-inch (152-mm) guns and some lighter guns; her 12-inch (305-mm) guns were taken to arm the new Lord Clive-class monitors HMS Earl of Peterborough and HMS Sir Thomas Picton.[10] After that, she was laid up in Loch Goil in April 1915.

                      As troopship

                      In September 1915, Mars recommissioned to serve as a troopship in the Dardanelles campaign. Mars and her similarly disarmed sister ships Hannibal and Magnificent, also acting as troopships, arrived at Mudros on 5 October 1915. At the Dardanelles, Mars took part in the evacuation of Allied troops from Anzac Cove on 8 December 1915 and 9 December 1915 and from West Beach at Cape Helles on 8 January 1916 and 9 January 1916. During the West Beach evacuation, Mars was covered by what had once been her 12-inch (305-mm) guns, now mounted on monitor Sir Thomas Picton.

                      Decommissioning and subsidiary duties

                      Mars returned to Devonport in February 1916, then paid off at Chatham, where she underwent a refit for conversion to a harbor depot ship. She recommissioned as a harbor depot ship on 1 September 1916, and served in this capacity at Invergordon until July 1920.

                      Disposal

                      Mars was placed on the sale list at Invergordon on 7 July 1920. She was sold for scrapping on 9 May 1921 and left Invergordon for scrapping at Briton Ferry in November 1921.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Prince George  

                      HMS Prince George

                      HMS Prince George. (1897 - 1921) (Briefly renamed Victorious 2 during ww1 whilst acting as destroyer depot ship alongside her sister ship HMS Victorious)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts, as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      Upon the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, Prince George returned to full commission on 8 August and briefly was the squadron's first flagship, until relieved in this role by the battleship Vengeance on 15 August. On 25 August, Prince George covered the passage of the Plymouth Marine Division to Ostend, Belgium, and in September she covered the movement of the British Expeditionary Force from England to France. Prince George's Channel Fleet service ended in February 1915 when she transferred to the Dardanelles for service in the Dardanelles campaign[4] as a "mine-bumper". She arrived at Tenedos on 1 March 1915, which would be her base until February 1916. She took part in attacks on Ottoman Turkish forts covering the Turkish Straits on 5 and 18 March. On 3 May, while firing on Turkish batteries, she took a 6-inch (152-mm) hit below the waterline, and returned to Malta for repairs.

                      Prince George was back in action on 12 and 13 July, supporting French troops with gunfire support from off of Krithia and Achi Baba. On 18 and 19 December she covered the evacuation of Allied troops from Suvla Bay, and the evacuation from West Beach on 8 and 9 January 1916; she was hit by a torpedo off Cape Helles on 9 January, but it failed to explode and she suffered no damage. She was at Salonika in January and February.[4] Prince George left the Mediterranean at the end of February and paid off at Chatham Dockyard in March to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. She remained at Chatham in a care and maintenance status through February 1918, serving as an auxiliary sickbay and in other subsidiary duties, then served as an accommodation ship there from March 1916 to May 1918.

                      In May 1918, Prince George began a refit a Chatham for conversion to a destroyer depot ship. She was renamed Victorious II in September 1918 and emerged from refit in October 1918. She was then attached to repair ship (her sister ship and former battleship) Victorious at Scapa Flow, where she served as a depot ship to destroyers of the Grand Fleet. She reverted to the name Prince George in February 1919, and in March transferred to Sheerness to serve as depot ship to destroyers based on the Medway. Prince George was placed on the disposal list at Sheerness on 21 February 1920, and was sold for scrapping to a British firm on 22 September 1921. She was resold to a German firm in December 1921, and departed for Germany for scrapping. During the voyage, Prince George was wrecked on 30 December 1921 off Camperduin, the Netherlands. She subsequently was stripped of valuable materials and left as a breakwater, remaining there to this day.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Victorious  

                      HMS Victorious

                      HMS Victorious. (1896 - 1923)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      In July 1914 the Royal Navy began a precautionary mobilization as war began to seem imminent. As part of this, Victorious and her sister ships Hannibal, Mars, and Magnificent, formed the 9th Battle Squadron on 27 July 1914, stationed at the Humber to defend the British coast; Victorious remained there as guard ship after the 9th Battle Squadron was dissolved on 7 August 1914. In December 1914 she transferred to the Tyne to serve as guard ship there. On 4 January 1915 Victorious paid off at Elswick. The Majestic-class ships were by then the oldest and least effective battleships in service in the Royal Navy; Victorious was laid up on the Tyne February until September 1915 and her 12-inch (305-mm) guns were removed for use aboard the new Lord Clive-class monitors Prince Rupert and General Wolfe. Between September 1915 and February 1916, Palmers converted her into a repair ship at Jarrow.

                      The converted Victorious was commissioned as a repair ship on 22 February 1916 and arrived at Scapa Flow to replace the converted merchant ship Caribbean, which had been lost in September 1915, as repair ship for the Grand Fleet. Victorious performed this role there until March 1920 when she was renamed Indus II and transferred to Devonport for a refit to prepare her for service with the Indus Establishment. She arrived at Devonport on 28 March 1920 and paid off into a care and maintenance status while she awaited the beginning of her refit. Plans for the refit, however, were cancelled; work began to convert her into a harbor depot ship but, in April 1922, that conversion was cancelled before it could be completed and she was placed on the disposal list that month. Indus II was sold for scrapping on 19 December 1922, but the sale was cancelled on 1 March 1923. She was again sold on 9 April 1923 and was towed from Devonport to Dover to be scrapped.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Canopus  

                      HMS Canopus

                      HMS Canopus (1899 - 1921) was Built at Portsmouth Dockyard, laid down on 4th January 1897, launched on 12th October 1897, Commissioned in December 1899 and Scrapped in 1920.
                      A ship in the class of the same name of pre dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      The lead ship was HMS Albion, which was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902.

                      The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in the Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained. Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves). The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns[nb 2] in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed. At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      After World War I broke out in August 1914, Canopus was commissioned on 7 August 1914 for service in the 8th Battle Squadron in the Channel Fleet. She was detached from that duty on 21 August 1914 to operate from the Cape Verde-Canary Islands Station to support the cruiser squadron there. On 1 September 1914, her sister ship HMS Albion relieved her, and Canopus transferred to the South America Station, and arrived at the Abrolhos Rocks on 22 September 1914 to become guard ship there and provide support to the cruiser squadron of Rear Admiral Christopher Cradock.

                      The search for Admiral von Spee's squadron

                      Canopus departed the Abrolhos Rocks on 8 October 1914 to assist Cradock's ships in searching for the German squadron of Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee, which was en route the South Atlantic from the Far East. Canopus arrived at Stanley in the Falkland Islands on 18 October 1914, where she took up guard ship and escort duties.

                      Informed by her Captain Heathcoat Grant that Canopus could make no more than 12 knots, Cradock left Canopus behind when he took his cruiser squadron into the South Pacific to find the German squadron. She was 300 nautical miles (556 km) south of Cradock when the German squadron destroyed his force and killed Cradock in the Battle of Coronel on 1 November 1914. Canopus returned to Stanley, arriving there on 12 November 1914.

                      At Stanley, Canopus's crew set up defences against an attack by Graf Spee. Canopus herself was beached in the mudflats in a position that allowed her to cover the entrance to the harbour and have a field of fire landward to the southeast; to reduce her visibility, her topmasts were struck and she was camouflaged. An observation post was established ashore on high ground and connected to the ship by telephone, allowing Canopus to use indirect fire against approaching ships. Some of her 12-pounder guns and a detachment of 70 Royal Marines were put ashore to defend Stanley and its environs.

                      All was quiet until welcome reinforcements arrived at Stanley on 7 December 1914 in the form of the battlecruiser squadron of Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Doveton Sturdee. Early the next morning, 8 December 1914 Canopus's observation post ashore spotted smoke on the horizon and soon identified the approaching ships as von Spee's. Canopus opened indirect fire, firing the first shots of the Battle of the Falklands at the extreme range of 12,000 yards (11 km); although von Spee was beyond the range of her guns she did succeed in hitting the after funnel of the armoured cruiser SMS Gneisenau with a 12-inch (305-mm) shell that ricocheted off the water. Under fire from Canopus and spotting the tophampers of Sturdee's battlecruisers, von Spee called off his force's planned attack on the Falklands' radio and coaling stations and ran, allowing Sturdee's force to raise steam and pursue the German force. Sturdee gave chase and destroyed von Spee's squadron by the end of the day, but Canopus remained behind at Stanley because of her low speed and missed the rest of the battle.

                      Canopus left the Falklands on 18 December 1914 to return to her South American Station duties at the Abrolhos Rocks.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      In February 1915, Canopus transferred to the Mediterranean to take part in the Dardanelles campaign. On 2 March 1915, she took part in the second attack on the Ottoman Turkish entrance forts at the Dardanelles, taking hits that tore off her main topmast and damaged her after funnel and wardroom. During the third landings on 4 March 1915, she demonstrated off the Aegean coast. She covered the bombardment of the forts by the dreadnought HMS Queen Elizabeth on 8 March 1915, and covered minesweepers attempting to sweep in minefields off Kephes between 10 March 1915 and 12 March 1915. She also took part in the major attack on the Narrows forts on 18 March 1915.

                      After that attack, Canopus and light cruiser HMS Talbot escorted the damaged battlecruiser HMS Inflexible from Mudros to Malta, towing Inflexible by the stern when Inflexible became unable to steam ahead during the latter part of the voyage. Canopus then escorted troop convoys from Egypt.

                      Returning to the Dardanelles, Canopus took part in the blockade of Smyrna and covered a diversionary attack on Bulair during the main landings on 25 April 1915. When her sister ship Albion became stranded on a sandbank off Gaba Tepe under heavy fire on 22,23 May 1915, Canopus towed her free. Canopus then underwent a refit at Malta from May to June 1915.

                      Later operations

                      After the Dardanelles campaign ended with the evacuation of Allied forces from Gallipoli in January 1916, Canopus was assigned to the British Eastern Mediterranean Squadron, where she served until she returned to the United Kingdom in April 1916.

                      Decommissioning and subsidiary duties

                      Canopus arrived at Plymouth on 22 April 1916, then paid off at Chatham to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. She remained at Chatham until April 1919, undergoing a refit there later in 1916, having her eight main-deck 6-inch (152-mm) guns replaced by four on the battery deck and her 12-pounder and 3-pounder guns replaced by light anti-aircraft weapons in 1917 and becoming an accommodation ship in February 1918.

                      Disposal

                      Canopus was placed on the disposal list at Chatham in April 1919. She was sold for scrapping on 18 February 1920, and arrived at Dover on 26 February 1920 to be scrapped. Notes[edit]

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Albion  

                      HMS Albion

                      HMS Albion (1901 - 1920) was built at Thames Iron Works, laid down on 3rd December 1896, launched on 21st June 1898 Commissioned in June 1901 and Scrapped in 1920.
                      A member of the Canopus class of pre dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      HMS Albion was the lead ship and was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902. The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained.[nb 1] Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves).[5] The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns[nb 2] in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed.[7] At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      When World War I broke out in August 1914, Albion was assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron, Channel Fleet. On 15 August 1914, she became second flagship of the new 7th Battle Squadron. On 21 August 1914, she was sent to the Saint Vincent-Finisterre Station to provide battleship support to cruiser squadrons operating in the Atlantic in case German Navy heavy ships broke out into the open Atlantic. On 3 September 1914, she transferred her flag, becoming a private ship, and moved to the Cape Verde-Canary Islands station on to relieve her sister ship Canopus there.

                      Albion was transferred to the Cape of Good Hope Station in South Africa in October 1914, where she took up duty as a guard ship at Walvis Bay through November 1914. In December 1914 and January 1915, she participated in Allied operations against German Southwest Africa.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      Albion transferred to the Mediterranean in January 1915 to participate in the Dardanelles campaign. She took part in the bombardment of the Ottoman Turkish forts guarding the outer entrance to the Dardanelles on 18 February 1915 and 19 February 1915. Albion, Majestic, and Triumph became the first Allied battleships to enter the Turkish Straits during the Dardanelles campaign on 26 February 1915 when they made the initial attack on the inner forts. Albion then supported the first Allied landings in late February 1915 and early March 1915.

                      In action against Ottoman forts on 1 March 1915, Albion took repeated hits but sustained no serious damage. She participated in the main attack on the forts on 18 March 1915, and supported the main landings at V Beach at Cape Helles on 25 April 1915. On 28 April 1915 she suffered significant damage from Ottoman shore batteries during an attack on Krithia, forcing her to retire to Mudros for repairs. Back in action on 2 May 1915, she again suffered damage necessitating repairs at Mudros.

                      On the night of 22,23 May 1915, Albion beached on a sandbank off Gaba Tepe and came under heavy fire from Ottoman shore batteries. About 200 fragmentation shells hit her, but they could not penetrate her armor and did no serious damage and Albion suffered fewer than a dozen casualties. After efforts were made to free her by reducing her weight and by using the recoil of firing her main guns simultaneously, her sister ship Canopus towed her to safety on 24 May 1915, Albion still firing at the Ottoman forts while being towed clear. Albion left the area for repairs on 26 May 1915 and underwent a refit at Malta in May,June 1915.

                      Later operations

                      On 4 October 1915, Albion arrived at Salonika to become a unit of the 3rd Detached Squadron, tasked with assisting the French Navy in a blockade of the coasts of Greece and Bulgaria and with reinforcing the Suez Canal Patrol. She embarked the first British Army contingent of 1,500 troops for Salonika and escorted French troopships carrying the French second contingent.

                      Albion served on the Salonika Station until April 1916, then became a guard ship at Queenstown, Ireland, later that month. In May 1916 she moved to Devonport for a refit; that completed, she moved on to the Humber in August 1916 for service as a guard ship there.

                      Subsidiary duties

                      In October 1918, Albion's service as a guard ship came to an end, and she was reduced to service as an accommodation ship.

                      Disposal

                      In August 1919, Albion was placed on the disposal list at Devonport. She was sold for scrapping on 11 December 1919. She left Devonport under her own steam on 3 January 1920, arriving at Morecambe for scrapping on 6 January 1920.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Glory  

                      HMS Glory

                      HMS Glory (1899 - 1921) was built by laird Brothers, Birkenhead, laid down on 1st December 1897, launched on 11th May 1899 Commissioned in October 1900 and Scrapped in 1922.
                      a member of the Canopus class of pre-dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      The lead ship was HMS Albion, which was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902. The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained.[nb 1] Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves). The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns[nb 2] in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed.[7] At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      When World War I broke out in August 1914, Glory was assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron, Channel Fleet, based at Devonport, but she was detached on 5 August 1914 to serve at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, as guard ship and to support the North America and West Indies Station cruiser squadron, serving as flagship of the station. She escorted a Canadian troop convoy in October 1914.

                      Glory transferred to the Mediterranean in May 1915 to participate in Dardanelles campaign, arriving at the Dardanelles in June 1915. At the end of 1915 she left this duty and joined the Suez Canal Patrol in the Mediterranean on 4 January 1916. In April 1916, she returned to the United Kingdom and began a refit at Portsmouth that lasted until July 1916.

                      Glory was recommissioned on 1 August 1916 to serve as Flagship for Rear Admiral Kemp, British North Russia Squadron. In this duty, she was based at Archangel to protect supplies that arrived there for the Russian Army.

                      Decommissioning and disposal

                      In September 1919, Glory returned to the United Kingdom. She was paid off into care and maintenance on 1 November 1919 at Sheerness.[5] She was renamed HMS Crescent in April 1920 and transferred to Rosyth on 1 May 1920 to serve as a harbor depot ship.

                      Crescent was paid off and was placed on the disposal list on 17 September 1921. She was sold for scrapping on 19 December 1922.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Goliath  

                      HMS Goliath

                      HMS Goliath (1900 - 1915) was built at Portsmouth Dockyard, laid down on 4th January 1897, launched on 3rd March 1898, Commissioned in March 1900 and Sunk by torpedo in May 1915.
                      A member of the Canopus class of pre dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      The lead ship was HMS Albion, which was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902. The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained. Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves). The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed.[7] At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      When the First World War broke out in August 1914, Goliath returned to full commission and was assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron, Channel Fleet, operating out of Devonport. She was sent to Loch Ewe as guard ship to defend the Grand Fleet anchorage and then covered the landing of the Plymouth Marine Battalion at Ostend, Belgium on 25 August 1914.

                      Goliath transferred to the East Indies Station on 20 September to support cruisers on convoy duty in the Middle East, escorting an Indian convoy to the Persian Gulf and German East Africa until October. She then took part in the blockade of the German light cruiser SMS Königsberg in the Rufiji River until November, during which crew member Commander Henry Peel Ritchie won the Victoria Cross. She bombarded Dar es Salaam on 28 November and 30 November.

                      Goliath underwent a refit at Simonstown, South Africa, from December 1914, February 1915. When it was completed, she went back into service as flagship for Vice Admiral King Hall and resumed operations against Königsberg at the Rufiji River until March 1915.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      On 25 March 1915, Goliath was ordered to the Çanakkale Strait(Dardanelles) to participate in the campaign there. She transferred her flag to second-class cruiser Hyacinth and departed for the Çanakkale Strait (Dardanelles) on 1 April.

                      Commanded by Captain Thomas Lawrie Shelford, Goliath was part of the Allied fleet supporting the landing at X and Y Beaches. During the landing at Cape Mehmetçik (Cape Helles) on 25 April, she sustained some damage from the gunfire of Ottoman Turkish forts and shore batteries, and supported Allied troops ashore during the First Battle of Alçıtepe that day. She covered the evacuation on 26 April. She was damaged by Turkish guns again on 2 May.

                      Loss.

                      Since the Turkish Army had no long range cannons, battleships with large calibre armament like Goliath were able to remain out of range and had caused excessive casualties on the Turkish side. Though it seemed impossible, the Turkish General Staff decided to sink Goliath. On the night of 12,13 May, Goliath was anchored in Morto Bay off Cape Mehmetçik (Cape Helles), along with Cornwallis and a screen of five destroyers, in foggy conditions. Around 0100 on 13 May, the Turkish torpedo boat destroyer Muâvenet-i Millîye eluded the destroyers Beagle and Bulldog and three others and closed on the battleships. Muâvenet-i Millîye fired two torpedoes which struck Goliath almost simultaneously abreast her fore turret and abeam the fore funnel, causing a massive explosion. Goliath began to capsize almost immediately, and was lying on her beam ends when a third torpedo struck near her after turret. She then rolled over completely and began to sink by the bows, taking 570 of the 700-strong crew to the bottom, including her commanding officer, Captain Thomas Lawrie Shelford.

                      Although sighted and fired on after the first torpedo hit, Muâvenet-i Millîye escaped unscathed. Goliath was the fourth Allied pre-dreadnought battleship to be sunk in the Dardanelles; after her loss the flagship Queen Elizabeth was sent back to England. For sinking Goliath, Turkish Captain of Muâvenet-i Millîye Ahmet Saffet Bey was promoted to rank of Commander (Major) and awarded the Gold Medal and the German consultant, Kapitänleutnant Rudolph Firle was also awarded the Gold Medal by Ottoman Sultan (Rudolph Firle was also awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class by the German General Staff because he was a German national).

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Ocean  

                      HMS Ocean

                      HMS Ocean (1900 - 1915) was built at Devonport Dockyard, laid down on 15th February 1897, launched on 5th July 1898, Commissioned in February 1900 and Mined in March 1915.
                      One of the Canopus class of pre-dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      The lead ship was HMS Albion, which was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902. The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained. Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves). The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed. At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      When the First World War broke out, Ocean was assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron, Channel Fleet, which she joined on 14 August 1914. She was detached to Queenstown, Ireland on 21 August to serve as guard ship there and to support a cruiser squadron operating in that area. In September 1914, she was ordered to relieve her sister ship Albion on the Cape Verde-Canary Islands Station, but while en route was diverted to the East Indies Station to support cruisers on convoy duty in the Middle East. She escorted an Indian troop convoy to Bahrain in October 1914. From October,December 1914, she served as flagship of the squadron in the Persian Gulf supporting operations against Basra.

                      In December 1914, Ocean was stationed at Suez, Egypt, to assist in the defence of the Suez Canal. She anchored in the mouth of the southern end of the canal on 29 December and remained in that area until mid-January 1915, when she proceeded northward up the canal. On 3,4 February, she supported ground troops against an Ottoman Turkish attack on the canal.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      Ocean transferred to the Dardanelles in late February 1915 to participate in the Dardanelles campaign. On 1 March, she was one of the ships that bombarded the entrance forts and took hits from Turkish mobile artillery batteries, but suffered no serious damage. She supported the landings at Sedd el Bahr on 4 March.

                      On 18 March, Ocean took part in the attack on the Narrows forts. When battleship Irresistible was disabled by a mine in Erenkui Bay and all of her surviving crew was taken off by destroyers except for her commanding officer and some volunteers trying to save her, Ocean was sent in to tow her out. Ocean ran aground during the attempt, and, after freeing herself, found it impossible to take Irresistible under tow because of the shallow water, Irresistible's list, and heavy enemy fire. Ocean then took off the remaining members of Irresistible's crew and left the abandoned battleship to her fate; Irresistible sank unobserved by Allied forces, at around 1930.

                      Loss

                      While retiring with Irresistible's survivors aboard, Ocean herself struck a drifting mine at around 1900. Her starboard coal bunkers and passageways flooded, her steering jammed hard to port, and she listed 15° to starboard. She came under fire from shore and began taking hits, which flooded her starboard engine room and prevented steering repairs. The crippled Ocean was abandoned at around 1930 with little loss of life, destroyers taking off most of her crew. She then drifted into Morto Bay, still under fire, and sank there unobserved by Allied forces at about 22:30. When destroyer Jed entered the bay later that evening to sink Ocean and Irresistible with torpedoes so that they could not be captured by the Turks, the two battleships were nowhere to be found.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Vengeance  

                      HMS Vengeance

                      HMS Vengeance (1899 - 1921) was built at Vickers, Barrow, laid down on 23rd August 1898, launched on 25th July 1899, Commissioned in April 1902 and Scrapped in 1921.
                      One of the Canopus class of pre dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      The lead ship was HMS Albion, which was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902. The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained. Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves). The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed. At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      On the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, Vengeance was assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron, Channel Fleet, for patrol duties in the English Channel and Atlantic transferring to the 7th Battle Squadron on 15 August 1914 to relieve battleship Prince George as flagship. She covered the landing of the Plymouth Marine Battalion at Ostend, Belgium, on 25 August 1914.

                      In November 1914 she transferred to West Africa for operations, against German Kamerun, then to Egypt to relieve armored cruisers Black Prince and Warrior as guard ship at Alexandria, then moved on to the Cape Verde-Canary Islands Station to relieve Albion as guard ship at Saint Vincent.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      On 22 January 1915, Vengeance was selected to take part in the Dardanelles campaign. She stopped at Gibraltar that month to embark Admiral John de Robeck and become second flagship of the Dardanelles squadron, and arrived at the Dardanelles in February 1915.

                      Vengeance participated in the opening bombardment of the Ottoman Turkish entrance forts on 18 February and 19 February 1915, suffering some damage to her masts and rigging thanks to gunfire from the forts. She also took part in the main attack on the Narrows forts on 18 March 1915, supporting the main landings at Cape Helles in the Morto Bay area on 25 April 1915, and supported the ground troops during the Turkish attack on Allied positions at Anzac Cove on 19 May 1915. A submarine attacked her on 25 May 1915 without success.

                      By July 1915, Vengeance had boiler defects that prevented her from continuing combat operations, and she returned to the United Kingdom and paid off that month. She was under refit at Devonport until December 1915.

                      Later service

                      Vengeance recommissioned in December 1915 and left Devonport on 30 December 1915 for a deployment to The Cape and East Africa. While there, she supported operations leading to the capture of Dar es Salaam in 1916.

                      In February 1917, Vengeance returned to the United Kingdom and paid off. She was laid up until February 1918, when she recommissioned for use in experiments with anti-flash equipment for the fleet's guns. She completed these in April 1918, and then was partially disarmed, with four 6-inch (152-mm) main-deck casemate guns removed and four 6-inch (152-mm) guns being installed in open shields on the battery deck. She became an ammunition store ship in May 1918.

                      Disposal

                      Vengeance was placed on the sale list at Devonport on 9 July 1920, and was sold for scrapping on 1 December 1921. She had an eventful trip to the scrapyard. After she departed Devonport under tow on 27 December 1921 en route Dover, her tow rope parted in the English Channel on 29 December 1921. French tugs located her and towed her Cherbourg, France. From there she was towed to Dover, where she finally arrived for scrapping on 9 January 1922.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Queen  

                      HMS Queen

                      HMS Queen, member of Formidable Class - Queen subclass of pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Royal Navy's Formidable-class battleships were an eight-ship class of pre-dreadnoughts designed by Sir William White and built in the late 1890s. The class is often further divided into a separate London class, and the London class sometimes is divided further into a separate Queen class.

                      Queen subclass

                      The last two London class ships to be built, Prince of Wales and Queen, were identical to the other Londons except that they had open 12-pounder gun batteries mounted in the open on the upper deck amidships and had a lower displacement. Queen and Prince of Wales were laid down after the Duncan-class battleships that succeeded the Formidables and Londons, and were completed after the Duncans as well. They are generally considered part of the Formidable or London class, but the difference in the mounting of their 12-pounder guns, their lower displacement, and their later construction than the Duncans lead some authors to view them as constituting a Queen class separate from the Formidable and London classes.

                      The last of the ships to commission, Prince of Wales, was the last battleship for which Director of Naval Construction Sir William Henry White had sole design responsibility. She also was the last of the 29 battleships of the Majestic, Canopus, Formidable, London, Duncan, and Queen classes, commissioned between 1895 and 1904, which had all been based on the single, standard Majestic design and reached their final development in Queen and Prince of Wales.

                      Like all pre-dreadnoughts, the Formidables, Londons, and Queens were outclassed by the dreadnought battleships that began to appear in 1906. However, they continued in front-line duties through the early part of World War I.

                      HMS Queen was laid down at Devonport Dockyard on 12 March 1901. Lady Charles Scott (wife of Admiral Lord Charles Scott), Lady Ernestine Edgcumbe, Mrs. Jackson (wife of Rear-Admiral T. S. Jackson), and Mrs. Champness (wife of Chief Constructor of Devonport Dockyard H. B. Champness) took part in the ceremony. She was launched by Queen Alexandra on 8 March 1902. She was completed in March 1904.

                      Pre-World War I

                      HMS Queen was commissioned on 7 April 1904 at Devonport Dockyard for service with the Mediterranean Fleet. She returned to the United Kingdom and paid off in April 1906, then recommissioned on 8 May 1906 to return to the Mediterranean. She refitted at Malta in 1906,1907 for duty as a flagship, and on 20 March 1907 became Fleet Flagship, Vice Admiral. Her second commission for Mediterranean Fleet service ended when she paid off at Devonport on 14 December 1908. On 15 December 1908, Queen recommissioned for service with the Atlantic Fleet. She collided with the Greek merchant steamer SS Dafni at Dover on 1 February 1909, suffering no serious damage, and underwent a refit at Devonport in 1910,1911. On 15 May 1912, Queen transferred to the 3rd Battle Squadron, First Fleet. In April 1914 she became 2nd Flagship, Rear Admiral, in the 5th Battle Squadron, Second Fleet, and was assigned duties as a gunnery training ship at Portsmouth.

                      World War I

                      When World War I broke out in August 1914, the 5th Battle Squadron was based at Portland and assigned to the Channel Fleet. Queen returned to full commission and continued as second flagship of the squadron, which was engaged in patrolling the English Channel. She was attached temporarily to the Dover Patrol on 17 October 1914 for bombardment duties along the coast of Belgium in support of Allied troops fighting at the front, and on 3 November 1914 was detached to support the East Coast Patrol during the Gorleston Raid, then returned to the 5th Battle Squadron. The squadron transferred from Portland to Sheerness on 14 November 1914 to guard against a possible German invasion of the United Kingdom, but transferred back to Portland on 30 December 1914.

                      In March 1915, Queen transferred to the Dardanelles to participate in the Dardanelles Campaign, departing England on 13 March 1915 and arriving at Lemnos to join the British Dardanelles Squadron on 23 March 1915. She served as Flagship, Rear Admiral, 2nd Squadron, and supported the ANZAC landings at Gaba Tepe on 25 April 1915. Along with the battleships Implacable, London, and Prince of Wales, Queen transferred to the Adriatic Sea on 22 May 1915 to reinforce the Italian Navy against the Austro-Hungarian Navy when Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. She arrived at her new base, Taranto, Italy, on 27 May 1915. From December 1916 to February 1917, Queen was refitted for service as a depot ship for the personnel of the Adriatic anti-submarine net barrage patrol in the Strait of Otranto. Most of her crew returned to the United Kingdom, leaving only a care-and-maintenance crew behind, and she was gradually disarmed as her guns were allocated to other duties. Most of her 6-inch (150 mm)) guns had been removed by April 1917, and all of her 12-inch (300 mm) guns had been put ashore by October 1917, where they were turned over to the Italian Army for use in repelling attacks by the Austro-Hungarian Army, although the turrets were left aboard. Queen became flagship of British Naval Forces, Taranto, serving as such until February 1918.

                      Post-World War I

                      Queen left Taranto and returned to the United Kingdom in April 1919 and was placed on the disposal list at Chatham Dockyard in May 1919. She won a temporary reprieve from the scrapper's torch in June 1919 when she was removed from the list and attached to the Pembroke Establishment to serve as an accommodation ship.

                      Disposal

                      Queen was placed on the sale list in March 1920 and sold for scrapping on 4 September 1920. She arrived at Birkenhead on 25 November 1920 to be lightened so that she could reach her scrapping berth at Preston, then arrived at Preston for scrapping on 5 August 1921.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Prince of Wales  

                      HMS Prince of Wales - Malta 1915

                      HMS Prince of Wales, member of Formidable Class - Queen subclass of pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Royal Navy's Formidable-class battleships were an eight-ship class of pre-dreadnoughts designed by Sir William White and built in the late 1890s. The class is often further divided into a separate London class, and the London class sometimes is divided further into a separate Queen class.

                      Queen subclass

                      The last two London class ships to be built, Prince of Wales and Queen, were identical to the other Londons except that they had open 12-pounder gun batteries mounted in the open on the upper deck amidships and had a lower displacement. Queen and Prince of Wales were laid down after the Duncan-class battleships that succeeded the Formidables and Londons, and were completed after the Duncans as well. They are generally considered part of the Formidable or London class, but the difference in the mounting of their 12-pounder guns, their lower displacement, and their later construction than the Duncans lead some authors to view them as constituting a Queen class separate from the Formidable and London classes.

                      The last of the ships to commission, Prince of Wales, was the last battleship for which Director of Naval Construction Sir William Henry White had sole design responsibility. She also was the last of the 29 battleships of the Majestic, Canopus, Formidable, London, Duncan, and Queen classes, commissioned between 1895 and 1904, which had all been based on the single, standard Majestic design and reached their final development in Queen and Prince of Wales.

                      Like all pre-dreadnoughts, the Formidables, Londons, and Queens were outclassed by the dreadnought battleships that began to appear in 1906. However, they continued in front-line duties through the early part of World War I.

                      HMS Prince of Wales was laid down at Chatham Dockyard on 20 March 1901, the first keel plate laid down by Lady Wharton, wife of Rear-Admiral Sir William Wharton, Hydrographer to the Admiralty. She was launched by Mary, Princess of Wales, on 25 March 1902 and completed in March 1904.

                      Upon completion in March 1904, HMS Prince of Wales immediately went into the Fleet Reserve at Chatham Dockyard. She commissioned there on 18 May 1904 for service with the Mediterranean Fleet. While in the Mediterranean, she collided with the merchant steamer SS Enidiven on 29 July 1905, suffering no serious damage. In April 1906 she had a fatal accident when she suffered a machinery explosion during high-speed trials; three men were killed and four injured. On 28 May 1906, she ended the first Mediterranean tour by paying off at Portsmouth Dockyard and went into the commissioned reserve for a refit.

                      On 8 September 1906, Prince of Wales again commissioned for Mediterranean Fleet service. She became Second Flagship, Vice Admiral, in August 1907, and underwent a refit at Malta in 1908.

                      Prince of Wales transferred to the Atlantic Fleet as Flagship, Vice Admiral, in February 1909,[9] and underwent a refit at Gibraltar in 1911.

                      Prince of Wales transferred to the Home Fleet on 13 May 1912, becoming Flagship, Vice Admiral, 3rd Battle Squadron, First Fleet, then later in 1912 Flagship, Rear Admiral, Second Fleet, at Portsmouth, and part of the 5th Battle Squadron. On 2 June 1913, she was rammed by submarine HMS C32 while participating in exercises, but suffered no damage.

                      World War I

                      When World War I broke out in August 1914, Prince of Wales was Flagship, 5th Battle Squadron. The squadron was assigned to the Channel Fleet and based at Portland, from which it patrolled the English Channel. Prince of Wales and other ships of the squadron covered the movement of the Portsmouth Marine Battalion to Ostend, Belgium, on 25 August 1914. On 14 November 1914 the squadron transferred to Sheerness to guard against a possible German invasion of the United Kingdom, but it transferred back to Portland on 30 December 1914.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      On 19 March 1915, Prince of Wales was ordered to the Dardanelles to participate in the Dardanelles Campaign. She departed Portland on 20 March 1915 and joined the British Dardanelles Squadron on 29 March 1915. She supported the landings of the 3rd Brigade, Australian Army, at Gapa Tepe and Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915. During this time her second-in-command was Commander Kenneth Dewar, later a controversial figure in the Royal Navy.

                      Adriatic operations

                      On 22 May 1915, Prince of Wales, along with battleships HMS Implacable, HMS London, and HMS Queen, was transferred to the Adriatic Sea to form the 2nd Detached Squadron, organized to reinforce the Italian Navy against the Austro-Hungarian Navy after Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. Prince of Wales arrived at her new base, Taranto, Italy, on 27 May 1915.

                      Prince of Wales became flagship of the squadron in March 1916. She ended her flagship duties in June 1916, when she went to Gibraltar for a refit. She later returned to the Adriatic.

                      Decommissioning and subsidiary duties

                      In February 1917, Prince of Wales was ordered to return to the United Kingdom. On her voyage home, she called at Gibraltar from 28 February 1917 to 10 March 1917 and arrived at Devonport Dockyard later in March. She was placed in reserve on arrival, and was used as an accommodation ship.

                      Disposal

                      Prince of Wales was placed on the disposal list on 10 November 1919, and was sold for scrapping to T. W. Ward and Company on 12 April 1920. She arrived at Milford Haven for scrapping in June 1920.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Duncan  

                      HMS Duncan

                      HMS Duncan was laid down by Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company, Leamouth, on 10 July 1899, and launched on 21 March 1901 by Mrs. Hills, wife of Mr. Arnold Hills, chairman of the company. She was completed in October 1903. She was scrapped in 1920.

                      Duncan and her five sister battleships of the Duncan class were ordered in response to large French and Russian building programmes, including an emphasis on fast battleships in the Russian programme. They were designed as smaller, more lightly armoured, and faster versions of the preceding Formidable class. As it turned out, the Russian ships were not as heavily armed as initially feared, and the Duncans proved to be quite superior in their balance of speed, firepower, and protection. Armour layout was similar to that of London, with reduced thickness in the barbettes and belt.

                      Pre-World War I

                      HMS Duncan commissioned at Chatham Dockyard on 8 October 1903 for Mediterranean Fleet service. She transferred to the Channel Fleet in February 1905. On 26 September 1905, she collided with battleship HMS Albion at Lerwick, suffering hull damage including a hole in her side below the waterline, rudder damage, and the loss of her sternwalk. She suffered another mishap on 23 July 1906, when she grounded off Lundy Island during unsuccessful operations to salvage battleship HMS Montagu.

                      Duncan transferred to the Atlantic Fleet in February 1907, and underwent a refit at Gibraltar from November 1907 to February 1908. On 1 December 1908, Duncan transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet to serve as Second Flagship. She underwent a refit at Malta in 1909. Under a fleet reirganization on 1 May 1912, the Mediterranean Fleet became the 4th Battle Squadron, Home Fleet, and changed its base from Malta to Gibraltar; Duncan thus became a unit of the squadron at Gibraltar.

                      On 27 May 1913, Duncan recommissioned at Chatham with a nucleus crew and was assigned to the 6th Battle Squadron in the Second Fleet at Portsmouth, where she served as a gunnery training ship in the commissioned reserve. She began a refit at Chatham in May 1914.

                      World War I

                      Duncan was sill undergoing her refit when World War I began in August 1914. Plans originally called for Duncan and battleships Agamemnon, Albemarle, Cornwallis, Exmouth, Russell, and Vengeance to form the 6th Battle Squadron in wartime and serve in the Channel Fleet, where the squadron was to patrol the English Channel and cover the movement of the British Expeditionary Force to France. However, plans also existed for the 6th Battle Squadron to be assigned to the Grand Fleet, and, when the war began, the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, requested that Duncan and her four surviving sister ships of the Duncan class (Albemarle, Cornwallis, Exmouth, and Russell) be assigned to the 3rd Battle Squadron in the Grand Fleet for patrol duties to make up for the Grand Fleet's shortage of cruisers. Accordingly, the 6th Battle Squadron was abolished temporarily, and, upon completion of her refit in September 1914, Duncan joined the 3rd Battle Squadron at Scapa Flow, where she joined the Grand Fleet's cruisers on duty in the Northern Patrol.

                      Duncan and her four Duncan-class sisters, as well as the battleships of the King Edward VII class, temporarily were transferred to the Channel Fleet on 2 November 1914 to reinforce that fleet in the face of Imperial German Navy activity in the Channel Fleet's area. On 13 November 1914, the King Edward VII-class ships returned to the Grand Fleet, but Duncan and her sister ships stayed in the Channel Fleet, where they reconstituted the 6th Battle Squadron on 14 November 1914. This squadron was given a mission of bombarding German submarine bases on the coast of Belgium, and was based at Portland, although it transferred to Dover immediately on 14 November 1914. However, due a lack of antisubmarine defenses at Dover, the squadron returned to Portland on 19 November 1914.

                      The 6th Battle Squadron returned to Dover in December 1914, then transferred to Sheerness on 30 December 1914 to relieve the 5th Battle Squadron there in guarding against a German invasion of the United Kingdom.

                      Between January and May 1915, the 6th Battle Squadron was dispersed. Duncan left the squadron in February 1915 to be reduced to reserve for a refit at Chatham that lasted until July 1915. She recommissioned at Chatham on 19 July 1915 and was attached to the 9th Cruiser Squadron on the Finisterre-Azores-Madeira Station.

                      In August 1915, Duncan transferred to the 2nd Detached Squadron in the Adriatic Sea. The squadron had been organized in May 1915 to reinforce the Italian Navy against the Austro-Hungarian Navy after Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. Duncan was based at Taranto, Italy, during this service.

                      In June 1916, Duncan transferred to the 3rd Detached Squadron in the Aegean Sea, based at Salonika. From October to December 1916, she participated in operations against Greek royalists, and landed Royal Marines at Athens on 1 December 1916. She returned to the Adriatic Squadron in January 1917.

                      Decommissioning and reserve

                      In February 1917, Duncan returned to the United Kingdom and paid off at Sheerness to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. She was in reserve at Sheerness until April 1917, when she moved to Chatham for a refit. Upon completion of her refit in January 1918, she remained in reserve at Chatham, serving as an accommodation ship.

                      Disposal

                      Duncan was placed on the disposal list in March 1919, and was sold for scrapping to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company Limited, Dover, on 18 February 1920. She was towed to Dover for scrapping in June 1920.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Montagu  

                      HMS Montagu - aground Lundy Island 1906

                      HMS Montagu was a Duncan-class pre-dreadnought battleship of the British Royal Navy. In May 1906 in thick fog, she was wrecked on Lundy Island, fortunately without loss of life. Although she would soon have been obsolescent if she had not been wrecked, this loss of one of its newest battleships was a blow to the Royal Navy, then in the early stages of the naval arms race with Germany.

                      HMS Montagu was laid down at Devonport Dockyard on 23 November 1899, and launched on 5 March 1901, when she was christened by Lady Charles Scott, wife of Lord Charles Scott, Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth. She began trials in February 1903.

                      HMS Montagu commissioned on 28 July 1903 at Devonport Dockyard for service in the Mediterranean Fleet. In February 1905, she transferred to the Channel Fleet.

                      Grounding

                      At 0200 hours on 30 May 1906 during radio communication trials carried out in thick fog, Montagu was steaming at high speed in the Bristol Channel when she ran into Shutter Rock on the southwest corner of Lundy Island. The force of impact was so great that her foremast was raked forward. The ship settled hard aground, with many holes in her hull, the worst of which was a 91-foot (28 m) long gash in her starboard side.[11]

                      A pilot cutter cruising in the vicinity of Lundy Island had encountered Montagu a short time earlier. The battleship had stopped engines, come abreast, and hailed from the bridge requesting a distance and bearing for Hartland Point on the mainland of England. Though the cutter supplied these accurately, the voice from the battleship's bridge replied that they must be wrong and that the pilot cutter must have lost her bearings. As Montagu restarted her engines and began to move ahead, the cutter shouted back that on her present course Montagu would be on Shutter Rock within ten minutes, and a short time later the sound of the battleship running aground carried through the fog.

                      The battleship's captain, believing Montagu was aground at Hartland Point, sent a party on a rowing boat to the north, instructing them to contact the Hartland Point Lighthouse. They instead got to the North light on Lundy Island, where officers asked the lighthouse keeper to inform the British Admiralty that they were aground south of Hartland Point. An argument ensued with the keeper over where they were until he pointed out he knew what lighthouse he kept.

                      The court martial convened for the affair blamed the thick fog and faulty navigation for the wreck,[14] and her commanding officer, Thomas B. S. Adair, and navigating officer, Lieutenant J. H. Dathan, were severely reprimanded and "dismissed the ship", Dathan losing two years' seniority.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Africa  

                      HMS Africa

                      HMS Africa was a pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy. She was the penultimate ship of the King Edward VII class. Like all ships of the class (apart from HMS King Edward VII), she was named after an important part of the British Empire, namely Africa.

                      HMS Africa was laid down at Chatham Dockyard on 27 January 1904, launched on 20 May 1905, and completed in November 1906. She was the last battleship constructed at Chatham, later classes of battleships being too large for the yard.

                      Although Africa and her seven sister ships of the King Edward VII class were a direct descendant of the Majestic class, they were also the first class to make a significant departure from the Majestic design, displacing about 1,000 tons more and mounting for the first time an intermediate battery of four 9.2-inch (234 mm) guns in addition to the standard outfit of 6-inch (152 mm) guns. The 9.2-inch was a quick-firing gun like the 6-inch, and its heavier shell made it a formidable weapon by the standards of the day when Africa and her sisters were designed.

                      In January 1912, Africa took part in aircraft experiments at Sheerness. She was fitted for flying off aircraft with a 100-foot (30-metre) downward-sloping runway which was installed on her foredeck, running over her forward 12-inch (305-mm) turret from her forebridge to her bows and equipped with rails to guide the aircraft. Africa's crew tested the strength and stability of the rails by jumping up and down on them, then held the Gnome-engined Short Improved S.27 pusher seaplane in place as Lieutenant Charles Samson entered its cockpit to attempt the first British shipboard aircraft take-off on 10 January 1912 while the ship was at anchor in the River Medway. The aircraft moved quickly down the runway, dipped slightly after leaving it, but then pulled up and climbed easily. Samson circled Africa several times to the cheers of the crew, although on one pass he came uncomfortably close to the ship. After a few minutes, Samson climbed to 800 feet (240 metres) and concluded his historic flight by landing safely at an airfield ashore. Africa transferred her flight equipment to her sister ship Hibernia in May 1912. Based on the 1912 flight experiments on Africa, Hibernia, and battleship London, the Royal Navy concluded that shipboard aircraft were desirable for spotting and other fleet duties, but also that a fixed runway on a battleship interfered too much with the firing of the guns and that recovering seaplanes that had landed in a seaway was too difficult to be practical as a routine operation. But shipborne aviation had begun in the Royal Navy aboard Africa, and by 1917 would become an important part of British fleet operations.

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was re-based at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914.

                      Africa served in the Grand Fleet until April 1916, undergoing a refit at Belfast from December 1915 to January 1916. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness (where Africa arrived on 2 May 1916), and on 3 May 1916 the squadron was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Africa remained there with the squadron until August 1916.

                      Africa began a refit at Portsmouth Dockyard in August 1916. Upon its completion in September 1916, she left the 3rd Battle Squadron and transferred to the Adriatic Sea, where a British squadron had reinforced the Italian Navy against the Austro-Hungarian Navy since Italy's entry into the war in 1915. She left the Adriatic in January 1917 for a refit at Gibraltar, during which the 6-inch (152-mm) guns on her main deck were replaced with four 6-inch (152-mm) guns a deck higher because the original guns were awash in even slightly rough weather.

                      When her refit was completed in March 1917, Africa was attached to the 9th Cruiser Squadron for service in the Atlantic Patrol and for convoy escort duties. She was based mainly at Sierra Leone and escorted convoys between Sierra Leone and Cape Town, South Africa. She underwent a refit at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from December 1917 to January 1918.

                      In October 1918, Africa returned to the United Kingdom; she went into reserve at Portsmouth in November 1918.

                      Influenza Outbreak, 1918

                      In September 1918, while based at Sierra Leone, some of the crew became ill. Their numbers virtually doubled each day from less than a handful at the start of the month, until September 9, when 476 crew were reported ill. On September 9, 1918 a crewman was reported dead of pneumonia, following having influenza. Five more crew died September 12. The next day, another eight perished. On September 14, 10 more ship's crew died. Burial parties were sent ashore daily, and the ship was put into quarantine. By the time the quarantine flag was hauled down on September 30, 52 crew had died of illness, out of a total compliment of less than 800. Source: HMS Africa, ship's log.

                      Post-World War I

                      Following World War I, Africa was briefly the depot ship of the 9th Cruiser Squadron and was employed as an accommodation ship. In December 1919 she was selected to replace protected cruiser Diadem as stokers' training ship at Portsmouth, but this was cancelled.

                      Disposal

                      Africa was placed on the sale list in March 1920, and was sold for scrapping to Ellis & Company of Newcastle upon Tyne, England on 30 June 1920. She was scrapped at Newcastle.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Commonwealth  

                      HMS Commonwealth

                      HMS Commonwealth was built at Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company at Govan. She was laid down on 17 June 1902, launched on 13 May 1903, and completed in March 1905.

                      HMS Commonwealth, was a King Edward VII-class battleship of the British Royal Navy. Like all ships of the class (apart from HMS King Edward VII) she was named after an important part of the British Empire, namely the Commonwealth of Australia. After commissioning in 1905, she served with the Atlantic Fleet until she was involved in a collision with HMS Albemarle in early 1907. While being repaired, she was transferred into what would become known as the Home Fleet. Following a reorganisation of the fleet in 1912, she, along with her King Edward VII-class sister ships formed the 3rd Battle Squadron, which served in the Mediterranean.

                      When World War I broke out, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet, with Commonwealth conducting operations around Scotland and the North Sea as part of the Northern Patrol. In 1916, the squadron was detached to the Nore Command. In 1917, the Commonwealth was updated, the only ship of her class to receive technology equivalent to that of the dreadnoughts. She ended the war as a gunnery training ship, continuing in this role until February 1921, at which time she was decommissioned and disposed of.

                      Upon completion, HMS Commonwealth was delivered to Portsmouth Dockyard on 14 March 1905, where she was placed in reserve. She went into full commission on 9 May 1905 at Devonport Dockyard for service in the Atlantic Fleet. She collided with battleship HMS Albemarle near Lagos on 11 February 1907, sustaining hull and bulkhead damage. She began repairs at Devonport Dockyard later that month.

                      While under repair, Commonwealth transferred to the Channel Fleet in March 1907, recommissioning for actual service with that fleet on 28 May 1907 after completion of her repairs. She suffered another mishap in August 1907 when she ran aground. Under a fleet reorganization on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the 2nd Division, Home Fleet, and Commonwealth became a Home Fleet unit in that division. She underwent a refit at Devonport from October 1910 to June 1911.

                      Under a fleet reorganization in May 1912, Commonwealth and all seven of her sisters of the King Edward VII class (Africa, Britannia, Dominion, Hibernia, Hindustan, King Edward VII, and Zealandia) were assigned to form the 3rd Battle Squadron, assigned to the Home Fleet. The squadron was detached to the Mediterranean in November 1912 because of the First Balkan War (October 1912, May 1913); it arrived at Malta on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a blockade by an international force of Montenegro and an occupation of Scutari. The squadron returned to the United Kingdom in 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914.

                      Commonwealth served in the Grand Fleet until April 1916. She underwent a refit from December 1914 to February 1915. As of 1 July 1915, she was 2nd flagship of the 3rd Battle Squadron for the rest of the year. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness, and on 3 May 1916 it was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Commonwealth remained there with the squadron until August 1917.

                      Gunnery training ship

                      Commonwealth left the 3rd Battle Squadron in August 1917 and paid off to undergo an extensive refit at Portsmouth Dockyard, during which she became the only King Edward VII-class ship fitted with updated features common among dreadnoughts, including torpedo bulges, a tripod foremast, and a director and fire control system; she also had her 6-inch (152-mm) gun batteries removed and four 6-inch (152-mm) guns installed one deck higher. When her refit was completed in April 1918, she was in effect the most advanced predreadnought battleship in the world. She recommissioned on 16 April 1918 for service on the Northern Patrol, then transferred to the Grand Fleet on 21 August 1918, where she made full use of her updated equipment in service as a seagoing gunnery training ship based at Invergordon. The last seagoing British predreadnought still armed with her guns, she continued in this service after World War I ended, training crews in the use of all weapons used on the modern dreadnought battleships.

                      Disposal

                      After three years of this service as a training ship, Commonwealth paid off in February 1921. She was placed on the disposal list at Portsmouth Dockyard in April 1921 and was sold to Slough Trading Company for scrapping on 18 November 1921. She then was resold to German scrappers and towed to Germany to be broken up.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Dominion  

                      HMS Dominion

                      HMS Dominion was ordered under the 1902 Naval Estimates. She was laid down at Vickers' yards at Barrow-in-Furness on 23 May 1902 and launched on 25 August 1903. She began trials in May 1905 and was completed in July 1905.

                      Early career

                      HMS Dominion commissioned on 15 August 1905 at Portsmouth Dockyard for service in the Atlantic Fleet. She ran aground in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on 16 August 1906, suffering severe damage to her hull plating and some flooding. She arrived at Bermuda in September 1906; when these were completed in January 1907, she moved to Chatham Dockyard for completion of her repairs beginning in February 1907. While out of service at Chatham, she transferred to the Channel Fleet in March 1907.

                      Her repairs were completed in May,June 1907, and she recommissioned for her Channel Fleet service. Under a fleet reorganization on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the 2nd Division, Home Fleet, and Dominion became a Home Fleet unit in that division.

                      Under a fleet reorganization in May 1912, Dominion and all seven of her sisters of the King Edward VII class (Africa, Britannia, Commonwealth, Hibernia, Hindustan, King Edward VII, and Zealandia) were assigned to form the 3rd Battle Squadron, assigned to the First Fleet, Home Fleet, although Dominion was initially attached to the 2nd Battle Squadron and did not join the 3rd Battle Squadron until June 1912. The squadron was detached to the Mediterranean in November 1912 because of the First Balkan War (October 1912, May 1913); it arrived at Malta on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a blockade by an international force of Montenegro and in an occupation of Scutari. The squadron returned to the United Kingdom in 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914.

                      Dominion served in the Grand Fleet until April 1916, serving temporarily as flagship, Vice Admiral, 3rd Battle Squadron, in August,September 1915. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness, and on 3 May 1916 it was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Dominion remained there with the squadron until March 1918, being attacked unsuccessfully by a German submarine in May 1916 and undergoing a refit at Portsmouth Dockyard in June 1917.

                      The units of the 3rd Battle Squadron had begun to disperse gradually in 1916, and by 1 March 1918, Dominion and battleship Dreadnought were the only ships left in the squadron. The squadron was finally dissolved in March 1918, and Dominion paid off to serve as a parent ship for the Zeebrugge Raid and the first Ostend Raid. She served in this capacity, stationed in the Swin, until May 1918.

                      On 2 May 1918, Dominion paid off into the Nore Reserve. She was employed as an accommodation ship.

                      Disposal

                      On 29 May 1919, Dominion was placed on the disposal list at Chatham Dockyard. She was sold for scrapping on 9 May 1921 to T. W. Ward & Company Limited. On 30 September 1923 she was towed to Belfast to be stripped, and she arrived at Preston for scrapping on 28 October 1924

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Hibernia  

                      HMS Hibernia

                      HMS Hibernia was laid down at Devonport Dockyard on 6 January 1904, launched on 17 June 1905, and completed in December 1906. She was the last of the eight King Edward VII-class battleships to be completed.

                      HMS Hibernia was a King Edward VII-class pre-dreadnought battleship of Britain's Royal Navy. Like all ships of the class (apart from HMS King Edward VII) she was named after an important part of the British Empire, namely Ireland. Commissioned in early 1907, she served as the flagship of the Rear Admirals of firstly the Atlantic Fleet and then the Channel Fleet. When the latter fleet was reorganised to the Home Fleet, she was based at the Nore.

                      In 1912, Hibernia hosted trials in naval aviation with the temporary addition of a runway to her foredeck, and the first launch of an aircraft from a vessel underway was achieved from her in early May. Later in 1912, after her experiment with aviation was completed, she and her sister ships formed the 3rd Battle Squadron. The squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet at the beginning of World War I, and served on the Northern Patrol. In 1915 she supported the Dardanelles Campaign and provided cover for the evacuation from the Gallipoli Peninsula. On returning to the United Kingdom she was again attached to the Grand Fleet before being transferred to Nore Command in May 1916, finishing the war as an accommodation ship. She was decommissioned in 1919 and scrapped in 1922.

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol, and Hibernia continued her service as Second Flagship of the squadron. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914.

                      Hibernia served in the Grand Fleet until November 1915.[7] During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      In November 1915, a division of the 3rd Battle Squadron consisting of Hibernia (which served as flagship of the division commander, Rear-Admiral Sydney Fremantle) and battleships Zealandia, Russell, and Albemarle was detached for service in the Dardanelles Campaign. The ships departed Scapa Flow on 6 November 1915; Albemarle suffered heavy damage in a storm on the first night of the voyage and had to return for repairs, assisted by Hibernia and accompanied by Zealandia. Hibernia, Zealandia, and Russell then pressed on and arrived at the Dardanelles on 14 December 1915. Hibernia served as stand-by battleship at Kephalo and covered the evacuation of V and W Beaches at Cape Helles on 8 January 1916 and 9 January 1916. Among those serving aboard her during this time was Augustus Agar, later V.C. and famous for exploits against the Bolsheviks and as captain of heavy cruiser Dorsetshire in World War II. Later in January, Hibernia was stationed at Milo in case she was needed to cover an evacuation of the French force at Salonika. Before the end of January, Russell relieved her as divisional flagship, and Hibernia returned to the United Kingdom, being reassigned to the Grand Fleet upon arrival at Devonport Dockyard on 5 February 1916. She underwent a refit there in February and March 1916 before rejoining the Grand Fleet.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness, and on 3 May 1916 it was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Hibernia remained there with the squadron until October 1917.

                      In 1917 Hibernia's ten 6-inch (152-mm) guns were removed from their casemates because they were flooded in heavy seas and replaced with four 6-inch (152-mm) guns on the higher shelter deck.

                      Subsidiary duties

                      In October 1917, Hibernia left the 3rd Battle Squadron and paid off into the Nore Reserve at Chatham Dockyard, where she served as an overflow accommodation ship.

                      In September 1918, the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, Admiral David Beatty, called for a large target to be provided which would allow the battleships of the Grand Fleet, which had seen little action since the Battle of Jutland in 1916, realistic gunnery practice. To meet this requirement, it was suggested that Hibernia be converted to radio control and undergo other modifications so that she could assume duty as a target ship, but ultimately the predreadnought battleship HMS Agamemnon became available and was selected instead.

                      Disposal

                      In July 1919, Hibernia was placed on the disposal list at Chatham, and on 8 November 1921 she was sold for scrapping to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company of Dover. She was resold to Slough Trading Company in 1922, resold yet again to German scrappers, and towed to Germany for scrapping in November 1922.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Hindustan  

                      HMS Hindustan

                      HMS Hindustan was built by John Brown & Company at Clydebank. She was laid down on 25 October 1902 and launched on 19 December 1903. She began trials in January 1905 and was completed in March 1905

                      HMS Hindustan was a King Edward VII-class pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy. Like all ships of the class (apart from HMS King Edward VII) she was named after an important part of the British Empire, namely the Indian Empire. Commissioned in mid 1905, she served with firstly the Atlantic Fleet and then the Channel Fleet. When the latter fleet was reorganised to the Home Fleet, she was attached to that fleet.

                      In 1912, Hindustan and her King Edward VII-class sister ships formed the 3rd Battle Squadron. The squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet at the beginning of World War I, and served on the Northern Patrol. In 1916, she, with the rest of the squadron was transferred to Nore Command until she was detached in February 1918 to serve as a parent ship for the raids on Zeebrugge and Ostend. Decommissioned in May 1918, she finished the war as an accommodation ship, and was disposed of in 1919

                      Upon completion in March 1905, HMS Hindustan was placed in reserve. She went into full commission on 22 August 1905 at Portsmouth Dockyard for service in the Atlantic Fleet. She transferred to the Channel Fleet in March 1907. Under a fleet reorganization on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the 2nd Division, Home Fleet, and Hindustan became a Home Fleet unit in that division. She underwent a refit at Portsmouth in 1909,1910.

                      Under a fleet reorganization in May 1912, Hindustan and all seven of her sisters of the King Edward VII class (Africa, Britannia, Commonwealth, Dominion, Hibernia, King Edward VII and Zealandia) were assigned to form the 3rd Battle Squadron, assigned to the First Fleet, Home Fleet. The squadron was detached to the Mediterranean in November 1912 because of the First Balkan War (October 1912, May 1913); it arrived at Malta on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a blockade by an international force of Montenegro and in an occupation of Scutari. Hindustan and Africa returned to the United Kingdom in February 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet; they were attached to the 4th Battle Squadron, then transferred back to the 3rd Battle Squadron upon that squadron's return to the United Kingdom and the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913.

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914.

                      Hindustan served in the Grand Fleet until April 1916. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness, and on 3 May 1916 it was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Hindustan remained there with the squadron until February 1918.

                      Hindustan left the 3rd Battle Squadron in February 1918 when she selected to serve as a parent ship for preparations for the Zeebrugge Raid and first Ostend Raid and served as depot ship for the raids. She was stationed in the Swin in this capacity until May 1918, and collided with and badly damaged the destroyer HMS Wrestler in May 1918.

                      Postwar

                      On 15 May 1918, Hindustan paid off into reserve at the Nore, and was employed as an accommodation ship for the Royal Naval Barracks at Chatham Dockyard. She was placed on the disposal list at Chatham in June 1919 and on the sale list in August 1919. She was sold for scrapping to T. W. Ward & Company, Limited on 9 May 1921. She was towed to Belfast for stripping in 1923 and arrived at Preston for scrapping on 14 October 1923.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Zealandia  

                      HMS Zealandia formerly New Zealand

                      HMS New Zealand was ordered under the 1902/03 Naval Estimates and built at Portsmouth Dockyard. She was laid down on 9 February 1903, launched on 4 February 1904, and completed in June 1905

                      HMS New Zealand was a King Edward VII-class battleship of the Royal Navy. Like all ships of the class (apart from HMS King Edward VII) she was named after an important part of the British Empire, namely New Zealand. She was renamed HMS Zealandia in 1911, the only Royal Navy ship to have carried this name. This was to allow the later Battle Cruiser HMS New Zealand to carry her own name.

                      Early career

                      HMS New Zealand commissioned on 11 July 1905 at Devonport Dockyard for service in the Atlantic Fleet. She underwent a refit at Gibraltar from October to December 1906, and transferred to the Channel Fleet on 4 March 1907. Under a fleet reorganisation on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the 2nd Division, Home Fleet, and New Zealand became a Home Fleet unit in that division.

                      To release her name for use by the new battlecruiser HMS New Zealand, which had been presented to the Royal Navy by the government of New Zealand, it became necessary to rename New Zealand in 1911. At first the name Caledonia, the Roman name for northern Great Britain, was favoured, but this met opposition in New Zealand. Eventually, the name Zealandia, a personification of New Zealand, was agreed upon, and New Zealand was renamed Zealandia on 1 December 1911.

                      Under a fleet reorganisation in May 1912, Zealandia and all seven of her sisters of the King Edward VII class (Africa, Britannia, Commonwealth, Dominion, Hibernia, Hindustan, and King Edward VII) were assigned to form the 3rd Battle Squadron, assigned to the First Fleet, Home Fleet. The squadron was detached to the Mediterranean in November 1912 because of the First Balkan War (October 1912, May 1913); it arrived at Malta on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a blockade by an international force of Montenegro and in an occupation of Scutari. The squadron returned to the United Kingdom in 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol; during this duty, Zealandia rammed a German submarine on 10 September 1914. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      On 6 November 1915, a division of the 3rd Battle Squadron consisting of battleships Hibernia (the flagship), Russell, Albemarle, and Zealandia was detached from the Grand Fleet to serve in the Dardanelles Campaign. Albemarle had to return for repairs, assisted by Hibernia and accompanied by Zealandia, after suffering severe damage on the first night of the outbound voyage, but the other three ships pressed on and arrived at the Dardanelles on 14 December 1915. In late January 1916, Zealandia and Hibernia left the eastern Mediterranean to return to the United Kingdom, arriving at Portsmouth Dockyard on 6 February 1916. Zealandia underwent a refit there that lasted until March 1916, then rejoined the 3rd Battle Squadron and the Grand Fleet on 26 March 1916.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness, and on 3 May 1916 it was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Zealandia remained there with the squadron until September 1917, undergoing a refit at Chatham Dockyard from December 1916 to June 1917.

                      On 20 September 1917, Zealandia left the 3rd Battle Squadron and paid off into reserve at Portsmouth Dockyard. While in reserve, she was refitted between January and September 1918 for use as a gunnery training ship, receiving much of the upgraded fire control equipment that her sister ship Commonwealth did, although not torpedo bulges. Although she never recommissioned or entered service as a gunnery training ship, she was included in many experiments, including the use of various types of fire control equipment. She was used as an accommodation ship at Portsmouth beginning in 1919.

                      Disposal

                      Zealandia was placed on the disposal list on 2 June 1919, and on 8 November 1921 she was sold for scrapping to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company. She was resold to Slough Trading Company, then resold again to German scrappers, and left Portsmouth on 23 November 1923 for scrapping in Germany

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Marlborough  

                      HMS Marlborough

                      HMS Marlborough was an Iron Duke-class battleship of the Royal Navy, named in honour of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and launched in 1912. In World War I she served in the 1st Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet based at Scapa Flow. She fought at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, where she was hit by a torpedo, killing two and injuring two.

                      Iron Duke Class overview
                      Preceded by: King George V class
                      Succeeded by: Queen Elizabeth class
                      Planned: 4 Completed: 4 : Iron Duke, Benbow, Marlborough and Emperor of India

                      General characteristics

                      • Type: Battleship
                      • Displacement: 25,000 tons / 29,500 full load
                      • Length: 622 ft 9 in (189.8 m), Beam: 90 ft (27.4 m), Draught: 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m)
                      • Propulsion: 4 shaft Parsons steam turbines, direct drive, 18 Babcock & Wilcox or Yarrow boilers delivering 29,000 hp
                      • Speed: 21.25 knots (39.4 km/h)
                      • Range: 14,000 nm at 10 knots (18.5 km/h)
                      • Armament:
                      • 10 × BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns (5 × twin turrets)
                      • 12 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk VII guns (single mounts)
                      • 2 × QF 3 inch 20 cwt AA guns
                      • 4 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
                      • Armour
                      • Belt: 12 in
                      • Bulkheads: 8 in
                      • Barbettes: 10 in
                      • Turrets: 11 in
                      • Decks: 2.5 in

                      Marlborough was ordered under the 1911 Naval Estimates and the contract to build her was awarded to Devonport Dockyard, of Plymouth. She was laid down on 25 January 1912 and launched on 24 October 1912. She was commissioned in June 1914, the second of the Iron Dukes to do so, behind her sister HMS Iron Duke. She cost in region of £2,043,437. The month after commissioning she joined the 1st Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet, then based at Scapa Flow.

                      Service history

                      Along with the remainder of the 1st battle squadron, of which she was its flagship until February 1917, Marlborough saw action at the battle of Jutland. After firing 162 13.5 inch shells, she was hit by a torpedo that killed two and wounded two others. Marlborough had to be towed back to port with a slight list. After repairs were finished on 29 July 1916, she returned to the Grand Fleet.

                      In 1919, in the Russian Civil War, Marlborough was on duty in the Black Sea and, on orders of King George V, rescued his aunt, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, and other members of the Russian Imperial Family, including Grand Duke Nicholas and Prince Felix Yusupov.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Emperor of India  

                      HMS Emperor of India

                      HMS Emperor of India was an Iron Duke-class battleship of the British Royal Navy. She was originally to have been named Delhi but was renamed just a month before launching after King George V, who was also Emperor of India.

                      Emperor of India was laid down on 31 May 1912 at Barrow-in-Furness by Vickers. She was launched on 27 November 1913 and commissioned on 10 November 1914.

                      Iron Duke Class overview
                      Preceded by: King George V class
                      Succeeded by: Queen Elizabeth class
                      Planned: 4 Completed: 4 : Iron Duke, Benbow, Marlborough and Emperor of India

                      General characteristics

                      • Type: Battleship
                      • Displacement: 25,000 tons / 29,500 full load
                      • Length: 622 ft 9 in (189.8 m), Beam: 90 ft (27.4 m), Draught: 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m)
                      • Propulsion: 4 shaft Parsons steam turbines, direct drive, 18 Babcock & Wilcox or Yarrow boilers delivering 29,000 hp
                      • Speed: 21.25 knots (39.4 km/h)
                      • Range: 14,000 nm at 10 knots (18.5 km/h)
                      • Armament:
                      • 10 × BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns (5 × twin turrets)
                      • 12 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk VII guns (single mounts)
                      • 2 × QF 3 inch 20 cwt AA guns
                      • 4 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
                      • Armour
                      • Belt: 12 in
                      • Bulkheads: 8 in
                      • Barbettes: 10 in
                      • Turrets: 11 in
                      • Decks: 2.5 in

                      Upon commissioning, Emperor of India joined the First Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet, based at Scapa Flow. Emperor of India later joined the Fourth Battle Squadron and was flagship of Rear-Admiral A. L. Duff. King George V visited Emperor of India while inspecting the Fleet at Scapa in July 1915.

                      She was in refit at Invergordon at the time of the Battle of Jutland in 1916. During Jutland, Emperor of India was replaced as flagship of Admiral Duff by Superb. In 1917, Emperor of India replaced her sister ship Marlborough as second flagship of the 1st Battle Squadron.

                      Emperor of India was present at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in November 1918. She survived the cuts to the Royal Navy in the post-World War I climate and joined the Mediterranean Fleet in 1919.

                      She was decommissioned in 1929 and was sunk as a target ship on 1 September 1931. She was raised the following year and sold for scrap on 6 February 1932.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Resolution  

                      HMS Resolution

                      HMS Resolution, Revenge Class Battleship, was built by Palmers Shipbuilding and Engineering, Tyneside, laid down 29 November 1913, launched 14 January 1915 and commissioned on 30 December 1916. She was broken up in Faslane 1949.

                      The Revenge-class battleships (listed as Royal Sovereign class in several editions of Jane's Fighting Ships, as with the 1919 and 1931 editions, and sometimes also known as the "R" class) were five battleships of the Royal Navy, ordered as World War I loomed on the horizon, and launched in 1914,1916.

                      There were originally to have been eight of the class, but two were later redesigned, becoming the Renown-class battle cruisers, while the other, which was to have been named HMS Resistance, was cancelled.

                      • Class overview : Revenge class battleships
                      • Operators: Royal Navy and (one ship as "war loan", 1944,45 for Soviet Navy)
                      • Preceded by: Queen Elizabeth class, Succeeded by: N3 class (planned) Nelson class (actual), In commission: 1916,1949.
                      • Planned:8 - HMS Revenge(ex-Renown), Resolution, Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign, Ramilles, Resistance, Renown and Repulse
                      • Completed:5 - Revenge, Resolution, Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign and Ramilles.
                      • Cancelled:3 - (Resistance and 2 re-ordered to different design Renown and Repulse (as Renown type Battle Cruisers))
                      • Displacement: 29,150 tons standard, 33,500 tons full load
                      • Length: 624 ft (190 m), Beam: 88.5 ft (27.0 m), Draught: 28.6 ft (8.7 m)
                      • Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 shafts, 24 boilers, 26,500 shp (20 MW)
                      • Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h), Range: 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
                      • Ships Complement: 997,1,150 officers and ratings
                      • Armament:
                      • 8 × 15 in /42 guns (381 mm)
                      • 14 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk XII guns
                      • 2 × QF 3-inch (76.20 mm) 20 cwt anti-aircraft guns
                      • 4 × 47 mm guns
                      • 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged)
                      • Armour:
                      • Belt: 13 in (330 mm) amidships; 4,6 in (102,152 mm) ends
                      • Deck: up to 5 in (127 mm)
                      • Turrets: 13 in (330 mm) faces; 5 in (127 mm) sides; 5 in (127 mm) roof
                      • Barbettes: up to 10 in (254 mm)
                      • Citadel: 11 in (279 mm)

                      Resolution was laid down at Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow on 29 November 1913, launched on 14 January 1915, and commissioned on 30 December 1916. From 1916 to 1919, she served in the 1st Battle Squadron (United Kingdom) of the Grand Fleet. Between the wars, she served in the Atlantic Fleet and Mediterranean Fleet, with the exception of a short refit in 1930,31.

                      On 10 January 1924 Resolution ran into and sank the British submarine HMS L24 as she was surfacing.

                      World War II service

                      On the outbreak of World War II, Resolution was part of the Home Fleet, and carried out convoy escort duties in the Atlantic. Whilst supporting the Narvik campaign in May 1940, she was struck by a bomb at Tjeldsundet. In June, 1940 she joined 'Force H' at Gibraltar, and took part in the destruction of the French Fleet at Mers-el-Kebir on 3 July 1940.

                      In September 1940, Resolution joined 'Force M' at Freetown, shelling French warships at the Battle of Dakar on 24 September 1940. The next day, she was torpedoed by the French submarine Bévéziers and badly damaged.

                      Following repairs in the United States, Resolution departed in February 1942 for Colombo, and served in the Indian Ocean during 1942 and 1943.

                      Fate

                      She returned to Great Britain in September 1943 and became a stokers' training ship in 1944 as part of the establishment HMS Imperieuse. HMS Resolution was sold for scrap on 5 May 1948 and broken up at Faslane.

                      One of Resolution's 15-inch guns, which was later fitted to the monitor HMS Roberts, is on display at the Imperial War Museum in London.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Ramillies  

                      HMS Ramillies

                      HMS Ramillies, Revenge Class Battleship, built at William Beardmore, laid down on 12th November 1913, launched 12th June 1916 and commissioned on 1st September 1917. She was broken up at Troon in 1949.

                      The Revenge-class battleships (listed as Royal Sovereign class in several editions of Jane's Fighting Ships, as with the 1919 and 1931 editions, and sometimes also known as the "R" class) were five battleships of the Royal Navy, ordered as World War I loomed on the horizon, and launched in 1914,1916.

                      There were originally to have been eight of the class, but two were later redesigned, becoming the Renown-class battle cruisers, while the other, which was to have been named HMS Resistance, was cancelled.

                      • Class overview : Revenge class battleships
                      • Operators: Royal Navy and (one ship as "war loan", 1944,45 for Soviet Navy)
                      • Preceded by: Queen Elizabeth class, Succeeded by: N3 class (planned) Nelson class (actual).
                      • Planned:8 - HMS Revenge(ex-Renown), Resolution, Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign, Ramilles, Resistance, Renown and Repulse
                      • Completed:5 - Revenge, Resolution, Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign and Ramilles.
                      • Cancelled:3 - (Resistance and 2 re-ordered to different design Renown and Repulse (as Renown type Battle Cruisers))
                      • Displacement: 29,150 tons standard, 33,500 tons full load
                      • Length: 624 ft (190 m), Beam: 88.5 ft (27.0 m), Draught: 28.6 ft (8.7 m)
                      • Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 shafts, 24 boilers, 26,500 shp (20 MW)
                      • Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h), Range: 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
                      • Ships Complement: 997,1,150 officers and ratings
                      • Armament:
                      • 8 × 15 in /42 guns (381 mm)
                      • 14 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk XII guns
                      • 2 × QF 3-inch (76.20 mm) 20 cwt anti-aircraft guns
                      • 4 × 47 mm guns
                      • 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged)
                      • Armour:
                      • Belt: 13 in (330 mm) amidships; 4,6 in (102,152 mm) ends
                      • Deck: up to 5 in (127 mm)
                      • Turrets: 13 in (330 mm) faces; 5 in (127 mm) sides; 5 in (127 mm) roof
                      • Barbettes: up to 10 in (254 mm)
                      • Citadel: 11 in (279 mm)

                      HMS Ramillies (pennant number: 07) was one of five Revenge-class battleships built for the Royal Navy during World War I. She was completed after the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and saw no combat during the war. She served with the Grand Fleet for the duration of the war. The ship was active throughout World War II, with service ranging from convoy escort to shore bombardment to engaging enemy battleships.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Illustrious  

                      HMS Illustrious

                      The third HMS Illustrious of the British Royal Navy was a Majestic-class pre-dreadnought battleship. Commissioned in 1898, she was assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet until 1904. Transferred to the Channel Fleet (which was subsequently reorganised to the Atlantic Fleet) she underwent a refit which was duly completed in early 1906. Rendered obsolete by the emergence of the new dreadnoughts, she served with the Home Fleet from 1908.

                      One of the oldest battleships in the Royal Navy when World War I broke out, she served as a guard ship at various regions around Northern England until late 1915. Her main armament removed, she served as a store ship for the remainder of the war.

                      She was decommissioned in 1919 and scrapped the following year.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Irresistible  

                      HMS Irresistible

                      HMS Irresistible—the fourth British Royal Navy ship of the name—was a Formidable-class pre-dreadnought battleship. Commissioned in 1902, she initially served with the Mediterranean Fleet until April 1908, when she was transferred to the Channel Fleet. Now outclassed with the emergence of the dreadnought class of ships, she entered service with the Home Fleet in 1911 following a refit. In 1912, she was assigned to the 5th Battle Squadron.

                      Following the outbreak of World War I, Irresistible, along with the squadron, was assigned to the Channel Fleet. After operations with the Dover Patrol, she served in the Dardanelles Campaign, taking part in the bombardment of the Turkish forts guarding the Dardanelles.

                      On 18 March 1915, she struck a mine, which caused severe damage and killed around 150 of her crew. Without power, she began to drift into the range of Turkish guns. With attempts to tow her having failed, she was abandoned with most of her crew having been successfully evacuated, and eventually sank.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Implacable  

                      HMS Implacable

                      HMS Implacable was a Formidable-class battleship of the British Royal Navy, the second ship of the name. Commissioned in September 1901, she was assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet and served with the fleet until 1908. After a refit, she transferred to the Channel Fleet, then onto the Atlantic Fleet in May 1909. By now rendered obsolete by the emergence of the dreadnought class ships, she was assigned to the 5th Battle Squadron and attached to the Home Fleet in 1912.

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, Implacable, along with the squadron was assigned to the Channel Fleet. After operations with the Dover Patrol, she served in the Dardanelles Campaign, in support of the Allied landings at Gallipoli. Apart from a brief spell in England in March/April 1916 for a refit, she remained in the Mediterranean until June 1917, supporting firstly the Italian Navy and then the French Navy.

                      Returning to England, she was laid up until March 1918, and then served as a depot ship for the Northern Patrol. After the war, she was decommissioned and eventually sold for scrap in 1921.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS Indomitable  

                      HMS Indomitable

                      HMS Indomitable was one of three Invincible-class battlecruisers. She was built by Fairfield, Govan. Laid down on 1 March 1906, Launched on 16 March 1907 and commissioned on 25th June 1908 at a cost of £1,768,995. she had a displacement: 17,250 long tons (17,530 t), 20,420 long tons (20,750 t) at (deep load) Length: 567 ft (173 m) overall, Beam: 78.5 ft (23.9 m), Draught: 30 ft (9.1 m) deep load. Powered by 31 Yarrow boilers, giving 41,000 shp (31,000 kW) she was propelled by four-shaft Parsons direct-drive steam turbines which gave her a top speed 25.5 knots (47.2 km/h; 29.3 mph) and a range of 2,270 nmi (4,200 km; 2,610 mi) at 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph), 3,090 nmi (5,720 km; 3,560 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) Her ships complement was 784 (up to 1000 in wartime) officers and ratings. She was Armed with 4 × 2 - BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk X guns, 16 × 1 - QF 4-in (102mm) Mk III guns, 7 × 1 - Maxim guns and 5 × 1 - submerged 18-inch (450-mm) torpedo tubes

                      Indomitable took the Prince of Wales (later King George V) to the tercentennial celebrations in Canada, before also joining the Home Fleet. Invincible's electrically driven turrets proved to be a failure despite two lengthy refits in 1909 and 1911 and were converted to hydraulic power during her refit in early 1914 at the enormous cost of £151,200. The situation was so bad during her gunnery trials in October 1908 that the captain of HMS Excellent, the Royal Navy's gunnery school described their operation thusly: "When the order was given to train the turret, elevate or run a gun in or out, it was only necessary to push a button, or move a switch, but the result was often a flash of blue flame which seemed to fill the turret." In 1912 Indomitable and Inflexible together with the newer Indefatigable formed the nucleus of the Mediterranean Fleet, with Inflexible serving as flagship.

                      When when war broke out she tried to hunt down the German ships Goeben and Breslau in the Mediterranean and bombarded Turkish fortifications protecting the Dardanelles even before the British declared war on Turkey. She helped to sink the German armoured cruiser Blücher during the Battle of Dogger Bank in 1915 and towed the damaged British battlecruiser HMS Lion to safety after the battle. She damaged the German battlecruisers Seydlitz and Derfflinger during the Battle of Jutland in mid-1916 and watched her sister ship HMS Invincible explode. Deemed obsolete after the war, she was sold for scrap in 1921.

                      John Doran


                      1st July 1914 HMS New Zealand (1905)  HMS New Zealand, King Edward VII Class pre-dreadnought battleship.

                      for details see HMS Zealandia - She was renamed to allow gift of new Battle Cruiser paid by New Zealand government to be named as HMS New Zealand.

                      John Doran


                      7th Jul 1914 An ultimatum to be sent to Serbia  The Austro-Hungarian Council of Ministers discuss action to be taken against Serbia. The consensus is to send an ultimatum to Serbia, strongly worded it will be rejected and provide grounds for military action.

                      9th Jul 1914 Britain doesn't want war  British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey meets with German Ambassador Prince Lichnowsky in London. Grey assures the ambassador that Britain isn't preparing to attack Germany and doesn’t want a European war.

                      10th Jul 1914 Hungarian PM pleads to act like Gentlemen  Kaiser Wilhelm II receives a telegram from the German Ambassador in Vienna telegrams saying the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, Berchtold, is frustrated that the Hungarian PM wants to act 'like gentleman' towards Serbia. The Kaiser annotated the telegram: ‘With assassins! After all that has happened! Stupidity!’

                      14th Jul 1914 War Expected by Austro-Hungarian ministers  It is agreed by Austro-Hungarian ministers that the note to be sent to Serbia will be an ultimatum, to expire after 48 hours. They fully expect it to lead to war.

                      16th Jul 1914 Russia to stand by Serbia  Russia will stand by Serbia with ‘unquestionable resolution’ in the event of Austro-Hungarian military action.

                      29th July 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers ordered back to barracks  1st Royal Fusiliers were engaged in training at Moore Park when an order suddenly arrived at 10.30pm to strike camp and return to the barracks at Kinsale.

                      30th July 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers return to Kinsale  1st Royal Fusiliers left Moore Park to return to the barracks at Kinsale entraining at Fermoy Station. The Band pet "Doody" was tragically killed in a motor accident on the way to the station. an hour after arriving at Kinsale, parties were sent out with three days rations to the coast to stop gunrunning, the largest of which was sent to the Old Head of Kinsale.

                      www.creasey.name


                      31st Jul 1914 German Forces marching on Luxemburg  There was much panic in the money markets across Europe and the London Stock Exchange closed in an effort to protect British assets from a rush on the banks. Many stockbrokers found themselves in ruins and across London offices were closed. The New York Stock Exchange had also been closed indefinitley the previous day.

                      Homefires Burning - Gavin Roynon


                      31st Jul 1914 Great Western Railway shunters strike  The shunters of the Great Western Railway went on strike, causing much travel disruption, Paddington Station was packed with people hoping to depart for the Bank Holiday Weekend.

                      Homefires Burning - Gavin Roynon


                         The 1st Scottish General Hospital was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps, at the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 they were based in Aberdeen.

                         The 2nd Scottish General Hospital was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps, at the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 they were based at 4 Lindsay Place, Edinburgh.

                         The 3rd Scottish General Hospital was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps, at the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 they were based at Yorkhill Parade, Yorkhill, Glasgow.

                         The 4th Scottish General Hospital was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps, at the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 they were based at Yorkhill Parade, Yorkhill, Glasgow.

                         The 4th (Ross Highland) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Seaforth and Cameron Brigade, Highland Division and had their HQ at Dingwall. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for annual camp and were at once recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and the Division concentrated at Bedford. They proceeded to France on the 7th of November, landing at Le Havre, and joined the Dehra Dun Brigade, 7th (Meerut) Division. On the 6th of November 1915 they transferred to 137th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division but on the 13th transferred again to 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. On the 7th of January 1916 they transferred to 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division, they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice. The 4th Seaforth Highlanders, along with the 6th Black Watch and 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

                         The 4th (Sutherland and Caithness Highland) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Seaforth and Cameron Brigade, Highland Division and had their HQ at Glospie.

                         The 6th (Morayshire) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was a unit of the Territorial Force, with their HQ at Garmouth, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Seaforth and Cameron Brigade, Highland Division and had their HQ at Elgin. G Coy's Drill Hall was in Lhanbryde (now The St Andrews Hotel) When war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for annual camp and were at once recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and the Division concentrated at Bedford. They proceeded to France on the 2nd of May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. The brigade was renamed 152nd Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December.

                         The 5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Notts and Derby Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division. Made up of A, B, C D and HQ Coys they had their HQ at The Royal Drill Hall, Becket Street, Derby. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area, with the 5th Sherwoods at Harpenden by mid August. In November they moved to Braintree to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 25th pf February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                         The 6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Notts and Derby Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division and had their HQ at 10 Corporation Street, Chesterfield. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. In November they moved to Braintree to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 25th pf February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                         The 7th (Robin Hood) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Notts and Derby Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division and had their HQ at 168 Derby Road, Nottingham. When war broke out in August 1914, they were mobilised and moved at once to Harpenden, moving to to Braintree in November 1914. They proceeded to France on the 25th of February 1915, landing at Boulogne, being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. On the 31st of January the 1/7th Sherwoods transferred to 178th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division and absorbed the 2/7th Sherwoods. They saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise on the 7th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 29th transferred to 30th Division. On the 19th of June 1918 they transferred to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and on the 15th of August transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division and were based near Etaples until the Armistice.

                         Shropshire Royal Horse Artillery was made up of a single Battery and its Ammunition Column. When war broke out in 1914, they were part of the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade and had their HQ in Shrewsbury.

                         Shropshire Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in 1914, they were part of the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade and had their HQ in Shrewsbury.

                         The 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the South Western Infantry Brigade, Wessex Division and had their HQ in Lower Bristol Road, Bath. They were sent to India to replace regular army units who were returning home to join the BEF in France and on the 9th of October 1914 they sailed from Southampton, landing at Bombay on the 9th of November 1914. On the 23rd of February 1916 they landed at Basra and joined 37th Indian Brigade, 3rd Indian Division and remained in Mesopotamia throughout the war. They transferred to 41st Indian Brigade in May and then to 56th Indian Brigade in March 1918, which became attached to 14th Indian Division in September 1918.

                         5th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the South Western Infantry Brigade, Wessex Division and had their HQ at The County Territorial Hall, Taunton. They were sent to India to replace regular army units who were returning home to join the BEF in France. They sailed from Southampton on the 9th of October 1914, landing at Bombay on the 9th of November 1914. In May 1917 it was sent to Palestine to join the newly formed 75th Division with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and went into action for the first time on the 27th of October 1917 for the Third Battle of Gaza, in Palestine. They saw action at The Capture of Junction Station and in The Battle of Nabi Samweil. In 1918 they took part in The Battle of Tell'Asur, The Battle of Berukin and The Battle of Sharon. The Division was then withdrawn for rest in Late September and went into reserve at Tyre. On the 22nd of October the Division moved to Haifa and was there on the 31st when Turkey signed an Armistice. The troops gradually moved back to Egypt and by March 1919 the Divisional HQ was at Alexandria with the brigades being at Heliopolis and Ismailia, where they were demobbed.

                         Somerset Royal Horse Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force, consisting of one Battery and Ammunition Column. At the outbreak of war they were part of the 2nd South Western Mounted Brigade and had their HQ at The County Territorial Hall, Taunton

                         4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the South Lancashire Infantry Brigade, West Lancashire Division and had their HQ in Warrington.

                         South Midland Clearing Hospital was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps. At the outbreak of war in 1914 they were based in Birmingham.

                         1st South Midland Field Ambulance was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps. When war broke out in 1914 they were based at The Barracks, Great Brook Street, Birmingham. They served with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering heavy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                         2nd South Midland Field Ambulance was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps. When war broke out in 1914 they were based at The Barracks, Great Brook Street, Birmingham with a drill station at Sutton Coldfield. They served with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering heavy casualties on the 2nd of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 22nd of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                         3rd South Midland Field Ambulance was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps. When war broke out in 1914 they were based at Coulson Fort, Montague Place, Kingsdown, Bristol. They served with 48th (South Midland) Division, a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908. The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering heavy casualties on the 3rd of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 23rd of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                         3rd (Reserve) Battalion, East Kent Regiment, The buffs, was a regular unit of the British Army. When war broke out in August 1914 there were based in Canterbury.

                         3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry was a regular unit of the British Army, when war broke out in August 1914 they were based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

                         4th (Reserve) Battalion Durham Light Infantry were a regular unit of the British Army. When war broke out in August 1914 they were based at Barnard Castle, Co Durham.

                       7th Black Watch  The HQ of the 7th (Fife) Battalion, Black Watch was in St Andrews. At the outbreak of war in 1914 they were part of the Black Watch Infantry Brigade and their allocated war station was the Scottish Coastal Defences. A Coy based in Dunfirmline, B Coy in Lochgelly, C Coy in Kirkaldy, D Coy in Cowedendeath, E Coy was from Cupar, Newburgh, Auchtermuchty and Abernethy, F Coy from Leven, Colinsburgh and Largoward, G Coy from St Andrews, Guardbridge, Anstruther and Crail, H Coy was from Leslie, Marckinch and Thornton.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Kashgar

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Kashgar weighed 8,840 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to carry Australian troops.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Karmala

                      The RMS Karmala weighed 8,9479 with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to carry Australian troops.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Malwa

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Malwa weighed 10,883 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to carry Australian troops.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Megantic

                      The RMS Megantic weighed 5,531 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by F.Leyland & Co., Liverpool. It was torpedoed and sunk on 10 June 1917. Contracted at times to transport Australian Troops.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Moldovia

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Moldavia weighed 9,500 tons with an average cruise speed of 18.5 knots or 34.26 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to transport Australian Troops.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Morea

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Morea weighed 10,890 tons with an average cruise speed of 16 knots or 29.63 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to transport Australian Troops. Also served as a hospital ship in WW1.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:14
                      • Nurses:21
                      • Other:63
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:59
                      • Cots:100
                      • Berths:591
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:8th October 1915
                      • Date To:28th March 1916
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Orontes

                      Picture from: AWM 303744.

                      The RMS Orontes weighed 9,028 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to transport Australian troops.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Osterley

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Osterley weighed 12,129 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to transport Australian troops.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Persia

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Persia weighed 7,974 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Torpedoed and sunk on the 30th December 1915. Contracted at times to transport Australian troops.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Balmoral Castle

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Balmoral Castle weighed 13,361 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was owned by the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Canberra

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Canberra weighed 7,707 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was owned by the Australian Steamships Ltd (Howard Smith), Melbourne.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Carpentaria

                      Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr004969.

                      The SS Carpentaria weighed 5,766 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was owned by British India Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., Calcutta.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS City of Karachi

                      The SS City of Karachi weighed 5,766 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was owned by Ellerman & Bucknall Steamship Co., London.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Dorset

                      The SS Dorset weighed 7,630 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was a purpose built refrigeration ship owned by Potter, Trinder & Gwyn, London.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Dunluce Castle

                      SS Dunluce Castle was owned by Royal Mail Line which purchased the former Union Castle line in 1911.used to help transport troops and supplies from Australia during ww1 and also served as a hospital ship at Gallipoli.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Ellenga

                      Pictured at El Mina Wharf, Tripoli, Lebanon, 1919 from: AWM P01122.003.

                      The SS Ellenga weighed 5,196 tons with an average cruise speed of 16 knots or 29.63 kmph. It was owned by the British India Steam Navigation Company Glasgow & London.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Essex

                      SS Essex from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr003102, was used to transport troops and supplies from Australia during WW1.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Field Marshal

                      The RPD (Reichspostdampfer - Imperial Mail Steamer) Feldmarschall was originally commissioned in 1903 with the Deutsche Ost-Afrika-Linie (German East Africa Line), Woermann Konsortium, Hamburg, Germany. In 1916 it was captured by the British at Dar es Salaam. It was then operated by Union-Castle Mail SS Co., who renamed it Field Marshal. It was sold in 1922 to a Chinese consortium and renamed Ling Nam. It assisted in passage of troops and supplies from Australia during latter years of WW1.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Gaika

                      SS Gaika from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr003122, used to transport Troops and Equipment from Australia during WW1.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Gracchus

                      Picture of SS Gracchus Which was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1. (Also spelt as Graechus ).

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Hawkes Bay

                      The Hawkes Bay was built at Sunderland in 1891. It weighed 4,583 tons. It was owned by the Tyser Line (G.D.Tyser & Co.). It was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Indarra

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Indarra weighed 9,735 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was owned by the Australasian United Steam Nav Co., Fremantle and was used to transport troops and equipment during WW1.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Kaiser-i-Hind

                      Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr001405.

                      The SS Kaiser-i-Hind weighed 11,430 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Katoomba

                      Picture of SS Katoomba from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr007142.

                      It was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Mahanada

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Mahanada weighed 7,196 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by Thos & Jno Brocklebank Ltd., Liverpool.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Malta

                      The SS Malta weighed 6,064 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Makarini

                      Picture from: State Library of NSW, picture number a638277.

                      The SS Makarini weighed 10,624 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by G.D.Tyser & Co, London and had accommodation for 750-steerage class passengers. Built by Workman, Clark & Co, Belfast, she was launched on 3rd February 1912. In 1914 Tyser's was taken over by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line (Port Line) and she was renamed SS Port Nicholson. She was mined and sunk 15 miles West of Dunkirk on the 15th January 1917. Great Passenger Ships of the World by Arnold Kludas, vol.1, ISBN 0-85059-174-0, which contains a photo of the ship. Merchant Fleets by Duncan Haws, vol.21, Port Line.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Ormonde

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Ormonde weighed 14,982 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the Orient St Nav Co Ltd, Glasgow.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Oxfordshire

                      SS Oxfordshire was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1. She also served as a Hospital Ship.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:6
                      • Nurses:13
                      • Other:41
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:22
                      • Cots:216
                      • Berths:324
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:15th September 1914
                      • Date To:24th March 1918
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      SS Oxfordshire was built in 1912 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with a tonnage of 8648grt, a length of 474ft 7in, a beam of 55ft 4in and a service speed of 15.5 knots. Launched on 15th June 1912 and completed on 17th September she was the company's last ship built with a counter stern.

                      On 2nd August 1914 she was the first ship to be requisitioned for war service two days prior to the outbreak. En-route from Liverpool to London she was off the Isle of Wight and was ordered into Tilbury where she was converted into Naval Hospital Ship No.1 with 562 beds.

                      Commissioned on 11th August she was sent to Scapa Flow as a base ship on 25th September but proved to be too large for the needs at the time and subsequently moved to the English Channel to undertake army hospital work.

                      In April 1915 she was deployed as the base hospital ship at Mudros and was present during the ANZAC withdrawal at the Dardenelles, bringing off the wounded in her own boats. The victorious Turks respected the red cross and did not fire on them. She served in the Persian Gulf and German East Africa during December 1916 and in 1918 as a shuttle hospital ship in the English Channel.

                      Decommissioned on 24th March 1919 she had made 235 voyages, steamed 172,000 miles without a single breakdown and carried 50,000 wounded, the highest of any hospital ship in the war.

                      She was refurbished and converted to oil burning by her builder in 1920 and resumed commercial services.

                      On 3rd September 1939 she was requisitioned, once again, for war time service and converted into Hospital Ship No. 6 with 500 beds at the Royal Albert Dock in London. Commissioned on 24th September she left London on 11th November bound for Freetown with 98 medical staff and 177 crew where she served as the base hospital ship. In September 1942 she was redeployed in the Mediterranean. After a refit on the Clyde in 1944 she was sent to the Adriatic where the Army's Anglia had been damaged by mines and on 29th October was herself damaged by a bomb near miss during a voyage between Ancona and Bari.

                      In November of that year she was sent to the Far East where she served the Admiralty Islands/Philippines and Australia. At one point she was loaned to the U.S. 7th Fleet for use during the taking of Okinawa. After the defeat of Japan in 1945 she was used to repatriate the wounded from Hong Kong and in May 1946 became an Army hospital ship to bring the sick home from the near and Far East. She also repatriated Indian troops from Basra to Bombay as well as making four North Atlantic crossings with refugees. In 1948 she arrived home with troops from Palestine and, on 19th July, was decommissioned at Southampton after carrying 22,321 casualties during the war, again the highest of any hospital ship. On 8th September of that year she made one one more voyage on charter to Jeddah with pilgrims before she was reconditioned by Harland & Wolff at Liverpool.

                      In April 1949 she made the first sailing for the International Refugee Organisation to Australia with emigrants and in 1950 reverted to trooping duties between Trieste and Port Said. She finished trooping in February 1951 and on 13th April sailed from Liverpool as the Safina-el-Arab having been sold to the Pan-Islamic Steamship Co. of Karachi, their first passenger ship. Deployed on the Karachi - Jeddah Pilgrim service between June and October she spent the remainder of the year operating between Karachi and Chittagong. After 46 years of impeccable service she was broken up at Karachi in 1958.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Pakeha

                      Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number bs004061.

                      The SS Pakeha weighed 4,331 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, London.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Ruahine II

                      Picture from: NZSCo Assn.

                      The SS Ruahine II [sometimes referred to as SS Rushine in Australian sources] weighed 10,832 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the NZ Shipping Coy, Auckland.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Wyreema

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Wyreema weighed 6,926 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the Australasian United Steam Navigation Co, Melbourne.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Zealandic

                      Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number bs004070.

                      The SS Zealandic weighed 8,090 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the White Star Line, London.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Port Darwin

                      Picture of SS Port Darwin from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr006378. She was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Port Denison

                      SS Port Denison used to transport Australian troops and equipment during WW1.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Port Lyttelton

                      The SS Port Lyttelton [sometimes referred to as SS Port Lydelton in Australian sources] was formerly the SS Niwaru but requisitioned in 1916 as a troop ship and renamed to SS Port Lyttelton. The ship weighed 6,444 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line, London.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Port Napier

                      Picture of SS Port Napier from: State Library of NSW, picture number a639252. She was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Carisbrooke Castle

                      The Union Castle Line help mark the transitional benchmarks set by the 1894 Royal Mail Ship Carisbrooke Castle in the steam/sail conversion era. The final single-screw vessel of the line, she was built of steel and carried three masts to supplement her Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company’s own quadruple-expansion four-cylinder steam engine that put out an amazing nominal 1,490 H.P. and 8,500 indicated horse power. The company had decided to divest the last of their sailing ships, including the original Carisbrooke Castle, a three-masted square-rigger, in 1889.

                      There were 12 ship’s boats hanging in davits, with the deck rails wrapping the decks. The superstructure has its open bridge where the appropriate instruments were on display. Rising behind and parallel to the fully rigged masts, the red with black accent funnel is stalwart and centrally located. The hull is painted in the company red and gray.

                      The liner was built in Glasgow by Fairfield’s, and she registered at 7,626 gross tons for her 485 foot length with a 56 foot beam. She had accommodations for 250 First Class Passengers placed amidship rather than at the stern, the first Union Castle Ship so arraigned, and 140 Second Class aft. Her maiden voyage and the subsequent year’s were from London to Cape Town, South Africa. She hit a normal cruising speed of 16 knots, and could reach 17½ knots when pushed. In 1900, with the rest of the line, they became the Union-Castle Line and Carisbrooke Castle moved her home port to Southampton. In 1910 she ran her last Cape Town service, and was relegated to a role as a reserve steamer behind Balmoral Castle.

                      Four years into reserve service, fate brought the World to war, and the Carisbrooke Castle began again in military duty. Commandeered two days before the formal declaration of war in 1914, she started as a hospital ship with 439 beds, and crossed the English Channel to bring wounded troops home from the Western Front. She shifted roles to that of an Army Troop Ship in the Mediterranean for most of the war. She returned to Union-Castle service in 1919, sailing in Cape mail service until the launch of Union-Castle’s Windsor Castle, and was laid up at Netlev and retired from all duties in 1922.

                      Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.

                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:
                      • Nurses:12
                      • Other:38
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:16
                      • Cots:196
                      • Berths:227
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:3rd September 1914
                      • Date To:26th August 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      HMHS Carisbrooke Castle - War Diary Entries for June-December 1917, roughly covering the period that soldiers injured during the Third Battle of Ypres were being shipped home.

                      The diary does little more than list sailing dates and times, plus the number of patients carried. Sometimes it breaks the figures down into officers and other ranks, but not always. It also shows that on each voyage there were a handful of POWs being taken to England. Based on the figures in the diary, between June-December 1917, HMHS Carisbrook Castle made 38 crossings between Le Havre and Southampton and transported nearly 20,000 wounded officers and men home. Broken down by month, the figures show that October and November were the busiest time - the most crossings and the greatest number of injured.

                      • Jun: 1 crossing, 358 carried (this may not be wholly accurate as there is only one entry in the diary for June)
                      • Jul; 4 crossing, 1374 carried
                      • Aug: 5 crossings, 2808 carried
                      • Sep: 6 crossings, 2986 carried
                      • Oct: 8 crossings, 4590 carried
                      • Nov: 9 crossings, 4919 carried
                      • Dec: 5 crossings, 2555 carried

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Ceramic

                      SS Ceramic was an 18,400-ton ocean liner of the White Star Line launched in 1912, and later sold to the Shaw, Savill & Albion Line. In 1942 German submarine U-515 sank the Ceramic, leaving only one survivor from the 656 on board.

                      Ship history ww1.

                      Ceramic was built at the Harland and Wolff yard in Belfast. She had seven decks and eight holds and in her original configuration 38% of her cargo capacity was refrigerated. Her total cost was £436,000 and she entered service on 24 July 1913.

                      She sailed the Liverpool to Australia route after her maiden voyage, then served as a British Hospital and Troopship during World War I, surviving two encounters with enemy submarines. After the war, she returned to her regular run. In 1934, White Star merged with Cunard, and Ceramic was then sold to Shaw, Savill and Albion, but kept the same itinerary. In 1936, Ceramic was given a major reconstruction in Govan, which improved her speed by one knot.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Dongola

                      ss Dongola was built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow, Yard No 455, Engines by Shipbuilders. Port of Registry: Glasgow. Propulsion: Two quadruple expansion four cylinder steam engines, 8000ihp, twin screws, 15.5 knots. Launched: Thursday, 14/09/1905, Built: 1905. Ship Type: Passenger Liner. Ship's Role: UK/India and Far East mail services, and trooping. Tonnage: 8038 gross; 4723 net; 8165 dwt, Length: 470ft 0in, Breadth: 56ft 3in, Draught: 27ft 8in.

                      Owner History: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company Status: Sold for Scrapping - 23/06/1926

                      Early History.

                      • 14/09/1905: Launched for The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, London.
                      • 10/11/1905: Registered.
                      • 15/11/1905: Delivered. She cost £160,167. As built she could carry 150 First Class and 100 Second Class passengers.
                      • 1905: On her maiden voyage she carried Prince Arthur of Connaught and his suite to Colombo en route to conferring the Order of the Garter on the Emperor of Japan.
                      • 1906: Taken up for seasonal trooping charter, which was repeated every year until 1914, apart from 1911.
                      • 1907: Made a record Southampton/Bombay journey in 18 days, 7 hours.
                      • 1911: Present at King George V’s Coronation Navy Review carrying guests of the Admiralty.
                      • 1911: Indian famine relief duties.

                      World War One.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:7
                      • Nurses:12
                      • Other:58
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:31
                      • Cots:271
                      • Berths:204
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:
                      • Date To:
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      1914: On trooping charter when war declared. 1915: Requisitioned. She operated as a makeshift hospital ship at the Dardanelles and later as transport, largely off the coast of East Africa.

                      05/03/1915: Collided at 0017 in the Bristol Channel with the anchored Belgian steamer Espagne, having sailed from Avonmouth at 2247 the previous evening. Holed below the waterline forward on the starboard side and beached west of Barry for the leak to be temporarily stopped. Refloated on a rising tide at 0448 am and winched into Barry Dock 3 hours later. 17/03/1915: Left Barry after repairs.

                      1919: After the Armistice she repatriated deported Russians to Reval, and brought back refugees, before being refitted.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      SS Dunvegan Castle (1896)

                      SS Dunvegan Castle 105854, Year built 1896. Date completed 14/04/1896 Passenger Liner Steel, Screw Steamer built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Govan Fairfield Yard . Tonnage 5958 grt 3428 nrt. Length 450.0 ft. Breadth 50.9 ft. Depth 31.7 ft. Draft 23.7 ft. Engine builder: Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd Engine detail: T3cyl (38, 62.5, 102 x 66in), 1152nhp, 1-screw

                      First owner: Castle Mail Packets Co. Ltd. - D. Currie & Co., London London Subsequent owner and registration history 1900 Union-Castle Mail S.S. Co. Ltd. - same managers 1924 Broken Up at Kiel ... arrived prior to 18/01/1924.

                      During WW1 she served as a troopship and a makeshift hospital ship in the Dardanelles.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:9
                      • Nurses:13
                      • Other:46
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:
                      • Cots:66
                      • Berths:334
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:6th October 1915
                      • Date To:20th April 1916
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Grantully Castle

                      HMHS Grantully Castle was built by Barclay Curle & Company, Glasgow, Scotland. She was Launched: October 11, 1909 and completed: January 1910 Fate: Scrapped at Bowness, Scotland in 1939. Owner: Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, London, England.

                      Dimensions, Length: 450' 7" (PP) Beam: 54' 4" Draft: Gross tons: 7,606 Engines: 2 Quadruple expansion Speed: 13 knots Funnels: 1 Masts: 2

                      World War One>

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:10
                      • Nurses:15
                      • Other:59
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:18
                      • Cots:184
                      • Berths:358
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:22nd June 1915
                      • Date To:11th March 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      Jan 1915: Used as a troopship. May 1915: Converted into a hospital ship with 552 beds. 11th March 1919: Returned to Union-Castle Line.

                      John Doran
                       More info.

                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Jan Breydel

                      SS Jan Breydel was a Belgian Steam Ship which helped evacuate Belgian government and members of it's Royal Family to Britain during WW1. It was then used as a hospital ship to evacuate wounded from france and Belgium.

                      Medical Capacity.

                      • Jan Breydel Medical Staff 2 officers, 1 Warrant Officer 4 Nurses/Sisters and 28 RAMC-Other volunteers
                      • Accommodation 6 Officers 36 cots and 116 berths.
                      • Served as hospital ship from 27th Aug 1915 to 1 Aug 1919.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Neuralia

                      SS Neuralia was built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow, Yard No 497

                      • Last Name: Neuralia
                      • Port of Registry: London
                      • Propulsion: Steam 2 x quadruple expansion
                      • Launched: Thursday, 12/09/1912
                      • Built: 1912
                      • Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel
                      • Tonnage: 9082 grt
                      • Length: 499 feet
                      • Breadth: 58 feet
                      • Owner History:
                      • British India Steam Navigation Company, GB
                      • Status: Sunk - 01/05/1945

                      Capacity: Passengers: 128 First Class, 98 Second Class. Launched 12th September 1912, completed 18th November 1912. The largest ship in the British India Fleet at this time.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:11
                      • Nurses:15
                      • Other:60
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:27
                      • Cots:245
                      • Berths:358
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:12th June 1915
                      • Date To:31st July 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      Sister ship to Nevasa, the pair were most imposing looking ships and were built for the London - Calcutta Service. A difference of opinion follows. Duncan Haws states that she sailed in convoy from Bombay carrying Indian Troops to Marseilles, Laxton and Perry state that she carried British Troops bound for the United Kingdom. She saw action in the Mediterranean in 1915, most notably at Suvla Bay and Salonika as a hospital ship, she then saw service in the Indian Ocean. She returned to the UK in March of 1916 and remained on station with the Home Fleet until September 1918 when she was converted to an ambulance transport and remained as such until July 1919

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Panama

                      SS Panama/HMHS Maine(Panama)

                      Originally owned by Pacific Steam Navigation Company as 'Panama', she was built by Fairfield Co. Govan, in 1902 and eventually she was purchased by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1920, and converted in 1921, to become HM Hospital Ship Maine (Panama).

                      She did not become an official HMHS until after purchase in 1920, but the SS Panama was certainly a Hospital Ship before this as a couple of nurses books printed after WW1 relate to the Panama being present off Gallipoli. She worked in the Mediterranean in 1915.

                      She had a displacement of 10,100 tons, length 401ft 3in (p.p)., beam 58ft 4in., draught 23ft 6in/34ft deep load with 2 shaft reciprocating triple expansion, 2 x double ended boilers, 2 x single ended boilers, I.H.P. 4,000 (13 knots), with a single funnel.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:8
                      • Nurses:10
                      • Other:58
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:19
                      • Cots:217
                      • Berths:248
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:25th July 1915
                      • Date To:23rd November 1919
                      • Ships Crew details

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Ambulance transport  

                      SS Peter de Coninck

                      SS Pieter de Coninck was built at Cockerill Yard, Hoboken, Belgium in 1910. She weighed 1767grt and was owned by the Belgian Government, operating as a cross channel ferry.

                      She was converted to serve as an Ambulance Transport during WW1.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:4
                      • Nurses:
                      • Other:26
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:19
                      • Cots:38
                      • Berths:320
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:16th March 1917
                      • Date To:28th March 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      SS Somali

                      SS Somali was built in 1901 by Caird & Company Greenock, Yard No 298.

                      • Port of Registry: London
                      • Propulsion: Steam triple exp.
                      • Launched: Friday, 17/05/1901
                      • Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel
                      • Tonnage: 6708 grt, Length: 450 feet, Breadth: 52 feet
                      • Owner History: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company
                      • Status: Arrived for Scrapping - 10/12/1923

                      Served at troop carrier and hospital ship for Australians during ww1.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS St. Andrew

                      SS St Andrew was fourth vessel to operate on the Rosslare - Fishguard service for Great Western Railways. This one was supplied in 1908 by John Brown and Company in Scotland, 2495 grt. and was similar to the ships they had built for the same service in 1906.

                      She was used as a hospital ship during World War I and took part in the Dunkirk evacuation.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:4
                      • Nurses :4
                      • Other :26
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:16
                      • Cots :23
                      • Berths :155
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:19th August 1914
                      • Date To :29th May 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      In 1932 she was renamed Fishguard and sold for scrap the following year.

                      In 1914 she was taken over by the Ministry of Defence and commissioned as a Military Hospital (one of five in the first month of the war). The St Patrick and St David were also converted for use as hospital ships (the St George having been sold the previous year to the Canadian Pacific Railway Co.

                      Decommissioned in 1919, she was later renamed the MV Fishguard and withdrawn from service in 1933.

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      Hospital Ship St. David

                      The Great Western Railway’s ships operated in connection with the company's trains to provide services to Ireland, the Channel Islands and France.[1] Powers were granted by Act of Parliament for the Great Western Railway (GWR) to operate ships in 1871. The following year the company took over the ships operated by Ford and Jackson on the route between Wales and Ireland. Services were operated between Weymouth, the Channel Islands and France on the former Weymouth and Channel Islands Steam Packet Company routes. Smaller GWR vessels were also used as tenders at Plymouth and on ferry routes on the River Severn and River Dart. The railway also operated tugs and other craft at their docks in Wales and South West England

                      On 30 August 1906 the GWR’s Welsh terminal was moved to a new harbour at Fishguard. It was hoped that transatlantic liners would also call en route to Liverpool but few did, Liverpool being forsaken for Southampton within a few years but this increased the number of liner calls at Plymouth. A similar change saw Rosslare become the principal railway harbour on the other side of Irish Sea although some services were still provided to Waterford. This work was undertaken in a joint venture with the Great Southern and Western Railway of Ireland known as the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours.

                      One of three ships (St. David, St. Patrick and St. George) that started the new Fishguard to Rosslare service in 1906, St. David was built by John Brown. She was used as a hospital ship during World War I. In 1932 she was renamed Rosslare and was sold for scrap the following year.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:4
                      • Nurses:4
                      • Other:26
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:14
                      • Cots:23
                      • Berths:157
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:19th August 1914
                      • Date To:16th January 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS St Patrick

                      The Great Western Railway’s ships operated in connection with the company's trains to provide services to Ireland, the Channel Islands and France.[1] Powers were granted by Act of Parliament for the Great Western Railway (GWR) to operate ships in 1871. The following year the company took over the ships operated by Ford and Jackson on the route between Wales and Ireland. Services were operated between Weymouth, the Channel Islands and France on the former Weymouth and Channel Islands Steam Packet Company routes. Smaller GWR vessels were also used as tenders at Plymouth and on ferry routes on the River Severn and River Dart. The railway also operated tugs and other craft at their docks in Wales and South West England

                      On 30 August 1906 the GWR’s Welsh terminal was moved to a new harbour at Fishguard. It was hoped that transatlantic liners would also call en route to Liverpool but few did, Liverpool being forsaken for Southampton within a few years but this increased the number of liner calls at Plymouth. A similar change saw Rosslare become the principal railway harbour on the other side of Irish Sea although some services were still provided to Waterford. This work was undertaken in a joint venture with the Great Southern and Western Railway of Ireland known as the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours.

                      One of three ships (St. David, St. George and St. Patrick) that started the new Fishguard to Rosslare service in 1906, St Patrick, 2531 gnt. was built by John Brown. She was used as a hospital ship during World War I.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:4
                      • Nurses:4
                      • Other:28
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:17
                      • Cots:28
                      • Berths:146
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:19th August 1914
                      • Date To:26th January 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      She caught fire while moored at Fishguard on 7 April 1929 and was then sold for scrap the following year after her engines had been transferred to St Andrew (1908).

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital Ship  

                      HMHS St George

                      The Great Western Railway’s ships operated in connection with the company's trains to provide services to Ireland, the Channel Islands and France. Powers were granted by Act of Parliament for the Great Western Railway (GWR) to operate ships in 1871. The following year the company took over the ships operated by Ford and Jackson on the route between Wales and Ireland. Services were operated between Weymouth, the Channel Islands and France on the former Weymouth and Channel Islands Steam Packet Company routes. Smaller GWR vessels were also used as tenders at Plymouth and on ferry routes on the River Severn and River Dart. The railway also operated tugs and other craft at their docks in Wales and South West England.

                      On 30 August 1906 the GWR’s Welsh terminal was moved to a new harbour at Fishguard. It was hoped that transatlantic liners would also call en route to Liverpool but few did, Liverpool being forsaken for Southampton within a few years but this increased the number of liner calls at Plymouth. A similar change saw Rosslare become the principal railway harbour on the other side of Irish Sea although some services were still provided to Waterford. This work was undertaken in a joint venture with the Great Southern and Western Railway of Ireland known as the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours.

                      One of three ships (St. David, St. Patrick and St. George) that started the new Fishguard to Rosslare service in 1906, St George was built by Cammell Laird and Company at Birkenhead.

                      She was sold in May 1913 to the Canadian Pacific Railway but six years later was sold again to the Great Eastern Railway for use on their services from Harwich.

                      According to some records she was not used as a hospital ship in ww1 as she was sold to Canadian Pacific Line in 1913, however there are references to her and it seems she was in service as a hospital ship from 1915 to 1917.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:4
                      • Nurses:4
                      • Other:30
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:17
                      • Cots:115
                      • Berths:146
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:7th May 1915
                      • Date To:4th December 1917
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      John Doran


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HS Ebani

                      HMHS Ebani during World War 1. The HMHS Ebani was used as a hospital ship for troops of World War I from the 13th August 1915 to the 12th October 1919. The ship was manned by the Natal Medical Corps (NMC) of South Africa but also carried a British crew (see below).

                      It was equipped for 300 or 400 patients but could carry 500 patients in an emergency. A table of hospital ships during World War 1 gives the following statistics: 6 British Officers, 13 Nurses and Sisters, 36 RAMC & St Johns Ambulance etc., 508 cots. A plaque at the Merseyside Maritime Museum records that over 5 years it steamed over 200,000 miles and carried 50,000 sick and wounded.

                      At the outbreak of World War I voluntary workers provided a lot of assistance to the medical authorities. A committee was formed, in Cape Town (South Africa), under Sir Thomas Smartt, to raise funds for the provision of certain auxiliary convalescent hospitals in the South African peninsular for both men and officers. A search was undertaken for a vessel that could be used for hospital purposes only (as opposed to a transport of ambulances). The S.S. Ebani, a cargo vessel, was selected by the Senior Naval Transport Officer, Captain R.C.K. Lambert R.N. and by Colonel Stock to fulfill this purpose.

                      The Smartt committee chartered the Ebani and converted it into a hospital ship for service in German South-West Africa. It provided the funds and undertook the alterations and fitting out of the Ebani as a hospital ship in accordance with the general specifications prepared by the director of medical services. The ship was equipped as an hospital ship in Cape Town. A staff was selected for the ship, the belligerent Governments were notified, and Lieutenant-Colonel D. Macaulay took over the duties of officer commanding. As the " Ebani " had been a cargo vessel for the West African trade, the decks were not unduly divided, and large airy wards with single-tier swing cots were prepared.

                      In addition to the fitted accommodation, a reserve of naval swing cots was carried.

                      The Natal Medical Corps.

                      The Natal Medical Corps was mobilized in 1914 and served in the South West African Campaign. During the campaign they formed the 6th Stationary Hospital at Swakupmond and manned the Ebani.

                      The Natal Volunteer Medical Corps (NVMC) was formed on the merger of the Durban Light Infantry, the Natal Mounted Rifles and the Natal Carbineers in 1895. It is now known as the 1 Medical Battalion Group (1 Med).

                      British crew.

                      The HMHS Ebani was intended to be a South African hospital ship to serve during the campaign in Africa. However, there is evidence to suggest that there were insufficient South African volunteers to man the ship and British (and possibly other nationals) were required to man the ship.

                      A protest was lodged in the South African Medical Record on 28 July 1917. It was lodged by Medical Officers serving in German East Africa including Lt Col. D. Macaulay of the HMHS Ebani. The protest was against the number of able bodied and military aged South African men who were stay-at-homers. This meant that the South African units had to be supplemented by men from the R.A.M.C (Royal Army Medical Corp) to make up the numbers.

                      Where was the HMHS Ebani during World War I?

                      Drawing together various sources, including diary entries by those aboard the HMHS Ebani, it is believed that the ship was at the following locations on the following dates:

                      Date Location

                      • 1914 Cape Town - South Africa
                      • 1 December 1914 Inaugurations of S.S. Ebani by Vicountess, Buxton Cape Town
                      • 24 December 1914 Walfish Bay (also written Walvish), Namibia.
                      • 30 October 1915 Alexandria (Egypt) to UK via Gibraltar.
                      • 31 October 1915 As above.
                      • 28 August 1917 Kisiwani Harbour, Tanzania. 29 August 1917 Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. 16 May 1918 Lindi to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

                      People known to have been aboard the HMHS Ebani[edit]

                      Sources have shown that the following people were aboard the HMHS Ebani during its sail as an hospital ship as either crew or patients:

                      • Private John Thomas of the South Wales Borderers - wounded at Gallipoli in September 1915.
                      • Dr Donald Macaulay M.B C.M. (In medical charge of the Ebani until 1917). (Ross-shire).
                      • Nurse A. Hills Hospital in Alexandria and Ebani between November 1915 and February 1916 mentioned in dispatches December 1915 and March 1916 and recipient of the Royal Red Cross for which her attendance was requested at Buckingham Palace.
                      • Nurse Dorah Bernstein from Johannesburg, nursed GSWA, Salonika, Gallipoli, Egypt, France and UK and served on hospital ship Ebani.
                      • Nurse Margaret Blackmore (see anecdotes below) of Tilt Cove, enlisted not long after the outbreak of war and served on the Ebani in the East African Campaign and in the Mediterranean with the ship making one trip to England to refit and repair.
                      • Mr. Alex Stephens treated aboard the HMHS Ebani for wounds suffered whilst serving in the South Africa Army against the Germans in East Africa (see anecdotes below).
                      • Private Hurbett Everett Treated aboard the HMHS Ebani in 1915 (see anecdotes below).
                      • Mr. William Hickman Smith of Dunston, Gateshead, England, served aboard the HMHS Ebani as a nurse (see anecdotes below).
                      • Owen Jones Soldier of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Owen landed at Gallipoli on 9 August 1915 but succumbed to dysentery. He was admitted into the 2 Welsh Field Ambulance on 29 September 1915. On 4 October 1915 he was transferred to the 21st General Hospital at Alexandria until 30 October when he was invalided back to the UK on HMHS Ebani.
                      • Dan Fewster A First World War British Army Battery Sergeant whose journals about his experiences in German East Africa give us some dates and locations for the HMHS Ebani.
                      • Arthur Beagle - of Hull, Yorkshire Mechanical Transport and South African Horse 1st Mounted Brigade. From the diary of Mr. Beagle we know about the whereabouts of the HMHS Ebani in May 1918 and about a small pox outbreak upon the ship.
                      • E. L. De Reeder - was residing in South Africa in 1916. Volunteered for active service in German East Africa as a motor dispatch rider; was rejected, being only sixteen years old. In Sept., 1917, enlisted in the South African Medical Corps, and was transferred for duty to No. 1 General Hospital, Wynberg, Cape Town, where, after one year's service as secretary to the officer commanding, was promoted to corporal. After nearly two and a half year's service ¦was discharged on request and sailed for England as wardmaster on the H. M. Hospital Ship Ebani and transferred for U. S. A.

                        The following crew members of the HMHS Ebani are mentioned in the London Gazette of Tuesday 3 June 1915 (presumably in despatches):

                        • Downs, Chief Offr. A., H.M.H:S. " Ebani."
                        • Faill, Master Mariner A., Master of H.M.H.S, "Ebani."
                        • Lumsden, 'Chief Engr. W., H.M.H.S," Ebani.".

                        Anecdotes mentioning the HMHS Ebani[edit]

                        The following sources have been discovered mentioning the HMHS Ebani:

                        Love on the HMHS Ebani.

                        On 11 May 1918 Nurse Margaret Blackmore married Mr. Alex Stephens (a mining engineer) whom she had met whilst serving on the Ebani where he was treated for wounds he had suffered whilst serving in the South African Army against the Germans in East Africa. They were married in South Africa on 11 May 1918.

                        Encounter with a submarine off Gibraltar.

                        On 31 October 1915 Private Hurbett Everett described in his diary how they saw a submarine (demon of the deep) sink a cargo boat just a few miles from them. The submarine allowed them to take on the sunken ships crew. It also spared them. Private Everett believes that it was the red cross on the Ebani that saved them.

                        Dr. Donald Macaulay erroneously awarded the O.B.E.

                        A record was discovered for a Dr Donald Macaulay (captain) stating that his medals were withheld because he would not return the insignia of the O.B.E (Order of the British Empire) that was erroneously awarded to him it may have been meant for Lt Col. D. Macaulay.

                        A Stamp of defiance?

                        Mr. William Hickman Smith served aboard the HMHS Ebani as a nurse during World War I. After the war he kept a coin with the insignia of the R.A.M.C. (Royal Army Medical Corp) and the HMHS Ebani on one side. On the other side is the picture of Kaiser Wilhem II (Guilelmus II Imperator). It is believed that the original coin was most likely to be a German East Africa (DOA -Deutsch Ostafrika) 1 Rupee featuring German (DR) emperor Wilhelm II (1888-1918) which should weigh 11.6638 grams and would contain .3437 of an ounce of silver. There were 300,000 of these coins minted in Hamburg in 1913. What was German East Africa during World War I was a German colonial territory covering the modern-day countries of Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

                        We know from the records that the Ebani spent time in Tanzania (see above). This is probably where and when the coin originated. How it came to be stamped with the Ebani stamp we can only guess but apparently it is not uncommon for coins of the opposition to be defaced during war.

                        Journal Extracts of Dan Fewster.

                        The Journal extracts of Dan Fewster, a World War I British Army Battery Sergeant give us the following extracts mentioning the HMHS Ebani.

                        August 28. 1917 - The MO will not keep me here, so I am transferred to the HS Ebani for Dar-es-Salaam. During the five weeks that I was in dock at Kilwa, my appetite was very poor and during the four days that I have been on this ship, I have hardly tasted food, although it looked very nice.

                        August 29. 1917 - We arrived at Dar-es-Salaam this morning, and I am removed to No.2 South African General Hospital, formerly the Kaiseroff Hotel. I am now a stretcher case, so I dont improve much. After being examined by the MO, I am marked for the south.

                        Extracts from the Diary of Arthur Beagle Small Pox on the HMHS Ebani.

                        Extracts from the Diary of Arthur Beagle from Hull, Yorkshire, of the South African Horse 1st Mounted Brigade we know a little about the whereabouts of the HMHS Ebani in May 1918 and about an outbreak of small pox on the ship. His diary states:

                        3 May [1918] - I am still in hospital although removed to Lindi by river boat. I am feeling pleased today as the M. O. is evacuating me. It is now a matter of waiting for the hospital ship.

                        May 16 [1918] - Arrived at Dares salaam on the hospital ship Ebani and admitted to hospital. Small pox broke out on the ship and all of us were vaccinated. (450 miles).

                        After World War I.

                        The HMHS Ebani served as an hospital ship until October 1919.

                        Following the end of the German South-West African campaign the H.M.H.S. Ebani was transferred to Imperial authorities. It continued to be used in various locations. Any staff of the South African Medical Corps who remained on board following the transfer were themselves transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps (R.A.M.C.). It was sold in 1938 to Italy and renamed the Maristella. A third boat by the name of Ebani was built in 1952.

                        John Doran


                        1st August 1914 Royal Yacht  

                        HMY Alexandra

                        HM Yacht Alexandra was built by A & J Inglis Pointhouse Glasgow, Yard No 280. Engines by Parsons Marine Steam Turbine. Last Name: PRINS OLAV (1925) Propulsion: Two steam turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers 4500 ihp Speed:18.86 knots Launched: Thursday, 30/05/1907. Built: 1907, Ship Type: Royal Yacht Ship's Role: Royal yacht then cruise ship. Tonnage: 2113 grt. Length: 295.3ft. Breadth: 40.1ft. Draught: 13 ft. Owner History: Admiralty ( H.M. King Edward VII ). 1925: Det Nordenfjeldske DS. 1940: Norwegian authorities. Status: Bombed & Sunk - 09/06/1940

                        Remarks: Sold to Norwegian Shipping Company 1925 for use as cruise ship Prince Olav. Subsequently rebuilt as a Hurtigruten service vessel Sunk by German air attack on the 9th June 1940 in 67.07N 01.00E on passage Kagsund for Thorshavn, Faroes.

                        In her service as a royal yacht, Alexandra was manned by the Royal Navy. The ship often carried Edward VII on holidays to Biarritz and the Mediterranean, or to Germany. During the First World War Alexandra was used as a hospital ship. Following the First World War, Alexandra was rarely used, and was decommissioned in June 1922.

                        John Doran


                        1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                        HS Empress of India

                        RMS Empress of India was an ocean liner built in 1890-1891 by Naval Construction & Armament Co., Barrow, England for Canadian Pacific Steamships. This ship would be the first of two CP vessels to be named Empress of India, and on 28 April 1891, she was the very first of many ships named Empress arriving at Vancouver harbor.

                        The Empress of India regularly traversed the trans-Pacific route between the west coast of Canada and the Far East until she was sold to the Maharajah of Gwalior in 1914 and renamed Loyalty in 1915.

                        In 1891, Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and the British government reached agreement on a contract for subsidized mail service between Britain and Hong Kong via Canada; and the route began to be serviced by three specially designed ocean liners. Each of these three vessels was given an Imperial name.

                        The RMS Empress of India and her two running mates - the RMS Empress of China and the RMS Empress of Japan - created a flexible foundation for the CPR trans-Pacific fleet which would ply this route for the next half century.

                        The Empress of India was built by Naval Construction & Armament Co. (now absorbed into Vickers Armstrongs) at Barrow, England. The keel was laid in 1890. She was launched on 30 August 1890 by Lady Louise Egerton, sister of Lord Harrington. The 5,905-ton vessel had a length of 455.6 feet, and her beam was 51.2 feet. The graceful white-painted, clipper-bowed ship had two buff-colored funnels with a band of black paint at the top, three lightweight schooner-type masts, and an average speed of 16-knots. This Empress and her running mate Empresses were the first vessels in the Pacific to have twin propellers with reciprocating engines. The ship was designed to provide accommodation for 770 passengers (120 first class, 50 second class and 600 steerage).

                        The SS Empress of India left Liverpool on 8 February 1891 on her maiden voyage via Suez to Hong Kong and Vancouver. Thereafter, she regularly sailed back and forth along the Hong Kong - Shanghai - Nagasaki - Kobe - Yokohama - Vancouver route. In the early days of wireless telegraphy, the call sign established for the "Empress of India was "MPI"

                        Much of what would have been construed as ordinary, even unremarkable during this period was an inextricable part of the ship's history. In the conventional course of trans-Pacific traffic, the ship was sometimes held in quarantine, as when it was discovered that a passenger from Hong Kong to Kobe showed signs of smallpox, and the vessel was held in Yokohama port until the incubation period for the disease had passed. The cargo holds of the Empress would have been routinely examined in the normal course of harbor-master's business in Hong Kong, Yokohama or Vancouver.

                        On 17 August 1903, the Empress of India collided with and sank the Chinese cruiser Huang Tai.

                        The vessel was reported sold on 19 December 1914, to the Geakwar of Baroda (also known as the Maharajah of Gwalior). The former Empress was re-fitted as a hospital ship for Indian troops. On 19 January 1915, the ship was renamed Loyalty. In March 1919, she was sold to The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd. Company in Bombay (now Mumbai). In February 1923, the ship was sold for scrapping at Bombay.

                        John Doran


                        1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                        St. Denis (Munich)

                        SS Munich was built by John Brown Clydebank, Yard No 384. Last Name: BARBARA (1940). Previous Names: ST DENIS (1915). Launched: Tuesday, 25/08/1908, Built: 1908, Ship Type: Passenger Ferry Ship's Role: Harwich/Hook of Holland ferry.

                        Tonnage: 2570 grt. Length: 331 ft. Breadth: 43.2 ft.

                        • Owner History:
                        • Great Eastern Railway Company, Harwich
                        • 1923 London & North Eastern Railway Co.
                        • 1940 German Navy
                        • 1945 Allied control at Kiel

                        Status: Arrived for Scrapping - 02/03/1950

                        • Converted to hospital ship 1914 for WW1.
                        • Troop transport 1939, scuttled at Rotterdam 12/5/1940, refloated by Germans 1/11/1940
                        • Intended conversion to minelayer but not done due to state of machinery
                        • Used by Allies as accommodation ship at Kiel to 1949
                        • Broken up at Sunderland. Names: Munich (Great Eastern Raiilways): 1908-1914. St Denis (Great Eastern Railways): 1918-1922. St Denis (LNER: 1923-1940).

                          Munich was built in 1908 for the Harwich-Hook of Holland service. In WW1 she was used as the hospital ship St Denis, retaining the name afterwards. In 1940 she was caught in Amsterdam, and was scuttled. She was raised and used by the Germans, and was scrapped in 1950.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:4
                          • Nurses:6
                          • Other:28
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:14
                          • Cots:108
                          • Berths:109
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:12th October 1914
                          • Date To:18th October 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Brighton

                          Brighton was a 1,384 GRT steamship which was built in 1903 for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway and London and South Western Railway. She passed to the Southern Railway on 1 January 1923. In 1930, she was sold to W E Guinness and converted to a private yacht, Roussalka (named after Slavonic mythologic creature). She was wrecked at Killary Bay on 25 August 1933.

                          The ship was built by W Denny & Bros, Dumbarton. She was yard number 683 and was launched on 13 June 1903 with completion in August 1903. The ship was 273 feet 6 inches (83.36 m) long, with a beam of 34 feet 2 inches (10.41 m) and a depth of 14 feet 1 inch (4.29 m). She was powered by three steam turbines, which were made by Parsons Steam Turbine Co Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. The turbines were rated at 580 horsepower (430 kW) and drove three screws. These could propel her at a speed of 21 knots (39 km/h).

                          In 1931, Roussalka was fitted with two 8-cylinder Atlas diesel engines of 1,750 horsepower (1,300 kW) driving a single screw, giving her a speed of 15.5 knots (28.7 km/h).

                          History.

                          Brighton was built for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. She was used on their Newhaven - Dieppe route. She was to have been the first turbine powered steamship built for the LB & SCR but a fire at the shipbuilders delayed her completion, pushing her into second place. Her port of registry was Newhaven. On 5 November 1910 Brighton was involved in a collision with the windjammer Preußen 8 nautical miles (15 km) south of Newhaven. Brighton returned to Newhaven to summon aid, and the tug Alert was sent to assist Preußen, which was towed towards Dover. It was intended to anchor her off Dover but both anchor chains broke and Preußen was driven onto rocks where she sank as a result of the damage inflicted on her. The Master of the Brighton was found to be responsible for the accident and lost his licence as a result. He later committed suicide by shooting himself in a London pub.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:4
                          • Nurses:4
                          • Other:26
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:6
                          • Cots:20
                          • Berths:114
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:18th March 1915
                          • Date To:15th May 1920
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          In 1914, Brighton was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for use as a troopship. She was later used as a hospital ship. On 19 December 1914, she rescued the survivors of the naval trawler HMT Orianda, which had been sunk by a mine in the North Sea off Scarborough, Yorkshire. Brighton brought the American President Woodrow Wilson back to Dover after the signing on the Treaty of Versailles.

                          Brighton was returned to her owners in 1920. Brighton passed to the Southern Railway at Grouping. In 1930, Brighton was sold to W E Guinness, who converted her to a private yacht named Roussalka. Her steam turbines were replaced by a diesel engine and one of her two funnels was removed. She was renamed Roussalka. On 25 August 1933, in thick fog, Roussalka was wrecked on Blood Slate Rock, Freaklin Island, Killary Bay. All passengers and crew were rescued.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Syria

                          SS Syria was built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow,Yard No 391, Engines by Shipbuilder. Last Name: GIOVANNA (1924)- only for last journey for scrapping. Port of Registry: London

                          Propulsion: Steam triple exp. 2 x 3cyl twin screws 4500ihp. Speed 14 knots. Launched: Tuesday, 07/05/1901, Built: 1901, Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel.

                          Tonnage: 6660 grt. Length: 450 feet. Breadth: 52 feet. Owner History: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company London Status: Sold for Scrapping - 24/06/1924

                          Remarks: Served as a Hospital Ship from 2/10/1914 to 10/2/1920 and was used in Mesopotamia. Scrapped at La Spezia, renamed Giovanna for delivery voyage only.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:16
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:62
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:12
                          • Cots:109
                          • Berths:214
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd October 1914
                          • Date To:10th February 1920
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Varsova

                          SS Varsova, Passenger Cargo Ship, Launched:09/06/1914, Completed: 08/1914. Builder: Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd. Yard: Neptune Yard, Low Walker, Yard Number: 932 Dimensions: 4691grt, 1957nrt, 390.2 x 53.3 x 24.0ft Engines: 2 x T3cyl (20.5, 35 & 60 x 45ins), 987nhp Engines by: Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd Propulsion: 2 x Screws. Construction: Steel. Reg Number: 139312.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:475
                          • Berths:
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:8th October 1914
                          • Date To:8th May 1920
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          History.

                          • 08/1914 British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd, Glasgow.
                          • 09/06/1914: Launched.
                          • 11/08/1914: Delivered as Varsova for British India Steam Navigation Company at a cost of £119,000. She was the second of the V-class to be delivered along with her sisters Varela, Vita and Vasna.
                          • 10/1914: Requisitioned immediately upon her arrival in India and took part in the convoy from Bombay to Mauritius.
                          • 1915: Served as an overflow base hospital at Basra and then as a transport to Gallipoli.
                          • 04/1916: Was made an Indian Expeditionary Force hospital ship with 475 beds for the Mesopotamian campaign.
                          • 09/1917 to 11/1920: Worked as an ambulance transport.
                          • 07/1929: A valve was opened in her No.2 hold outward bound from Basra. It caused considerable damage to her cargo of wool and valuable Persian carpets. Her Commander and Chief Officer were dismissed from the service in light of their negligence.
                          • 1939: Fitted with insulated cargo space 53.8 cubic metres (3,100 cubic feet).
                          • 1939/1945: She served during the war period as a Personnel and Military Store Ship.
                          • 09/1940: Attacked unsuccessfully by an Italian aircraft while she was in the Red Sea.
                          • 1946: Made two Bombay/East Africa voyages.
                          • 1948: Made a pilgrim journey from Mombasa to Jeddah.
                          • 19/04/1949: Sold for £17,500 to the British Iron & Steel Company.
                          • 12/07/1949: Broken up by Metal Industries (Salvage) Ltd.
                          • 1950: Her bell was presented to surviving members of the 85th Field Ambulance, who had served in her in the First World War.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Dieppe

                          Dieppe was a steam passenger ferry that was built in 1905 for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. She was requisitioned during the First World War for use as a troopship and later as a hospital ship HMHS Dieppe, returning to her owners postwar. She passed to the Southern Railway on 1 January 1923. In 1933 she was sold to W E Guinness and converted to a private diesel yacht, Rosaura. She was requisitioned in the Second World War for use as an armed boarding vessel, HMS Rosaura. She struck a mine and sank off Tobruk, Libya on 18 March 1941.

                          SS Dieppe was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Govan. She was yard number 439 and was launched on 6 April 1905 with completion in May 1905. The ship was 273 feet 5 inches (83.34 m) long, with a beam of 34 feet 8 inches (10.57 m) and a depth of 13 feet 8 inches (4.17 m). She was powered by three steam turbines, which were made by Fairfield. The turbines could propel her at a speed of 22 knots (41 km/h). When converted to a private yacht, the turbines were replaced by two 8-cylinder Atlas diesel engines. One of her propellers was removed as was one of her funnels. Her speed was reduced to 15 knots (28 km/h). As built, her GRT was 1,210. This had increased to 1,426 by 1930 and further increased to 1,536 in 1933.

                          History.

                          Dieppe was built for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. She was used on their Newhaven — Dieppe route. She was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in the First World War for use as a troopship and a hospital ship. On 27 February 1916 she took aboard over 100 survivors from the 12,431 GRT P&O passenger liner Maloja, which was sunk by a mine off Dover.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:3
                          • Nurses:4
                          • Other:27
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:33
                          • Berths:134
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:6th May 1915
                          • Date To:7th April 1917
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Dieppe was returned to her owners after the war and passed to the Southern Railway at 1923 grouping. On 27 November 1924 Dieppe had a mishap in which she ended up hitting the breakwater at Newhaven Harbour stern first. The tugs Alert and Richmere were sent to her aid. Richmere became disabled when a cable became entangled around her propellor. The Newhaven Lifeboat Sir Fitzroy Clayton was sent to her aid. Richmere ended up being dashed against the harbour wall and sank. Her crew were rescued by the lifeboat and the tug was later raised and repaired. Dieppe managed to dock some five hours after the drama began.

                          In September 1933, Dieppe was sold to W E Guinness for conversion to a private yacht. She was renamed Rosaura, replacing MY Roussalka which had been lost earlier that year. In August 1934, the Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson took a cruise on Rosaura. According to Wallis, it was on this cruise that she fell in love with the Prince. Also in 1934, Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine cruised on Rosaura in the eastern Mediterranean. On 26 September 1936, Rosaura was in collision with the Dutch coaster Henca at Amsterdam, Netherlands and was severely damaged. She was subsequently repaired.

                          Rosaura was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in the Second World War for use as an armed boarding vessel in the Contraband Control Service. In February 1940, Rosaura was involved in Operation Abstention. On 18 March 1941 Rosaura struck a mine off Tobruk and sank with the loss of 78 lives.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Egypt

                          SS Egypt was a passenger liner that sunk after a collision with the Seine, on 20 May 1922 in the English Channel. 252 people were rescued from the 338 passengers and crew on board at the time. A subsequent salvage operation recovered most of the cargo of gold and silver.

                          Name: SS Egypt, Owner and Operator: P&O Port of registry: London, UK. Route: London-Bombay.

                          Builder: Caird & Co. Launched: 1897. Out of service: 20 May 1922. Fate: Sank after collision.

                          Tonnage: 7,941 grt. Length: 500 ft (150 m). Propulsion: Steam engine Speed: Cruising: 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph). Max: 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) Capacity: 301 first class, 208 second class, Crew: 294

                          The Egypt was built at Greenock on the River Clyde and launched in 1897. She generally worked on the United Kingdom to India route but served as a hospital ship during the First World War.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:12
                          • Nurses:10
                          • Other:58
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:20
                          • Cots:175
                          • Berths:266
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd August 1915
                          • Date To:1st June 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          The Final Voyage.

                          Egypt departed from Tilbury, Essex on 19 May 1922 carrying just 44 passengers as well as a cargo of gold and silver bullion and gold sovereigns worth over £1 million (around £200 million at the 2012 gold price).

                          The voyage proceeded normally until the early morning of the 20 May when fog was encountered. As a safety measure Captain Collyer greatly reduced the speed of the ship. The Egypt remained in fog until the afternoon when the navigator was able to sight landmarks on the French coast and fix the ship's position.

                          After continuing the voyage for several hours a dense fog bank was suddenly encountered at around 7 o'clock. The engines were stopped but almost immediately afterwards a fog whistle was heard. A ship emerged through the fog and within seconds the other ship (the Seine) crashed into the port side of the Egypt. The Seine had a strengthened bow for ice-breaking and this penetrated deeply into the Egypt before the ships drifted apart.

                          An SOS was transmitted and replies were received from the RMS Andes and SS Cahiracon but the Egypt sank in less than 20 minutes before either ship arrived.Most of the passengers and crew were able to abandon ship in the lifeboats which were picked up by the Seine.

                          The Salvage.

                          With such a valuable cargo salvage attempts soon began but the wreck of the Egypt was not located until 1930. She was found to be lying upright in a depth of 170 metres (560 ft) making the recovery extremely difficult with the technology of the time. Giovanni Quaglia (From the Genoese company "Società Ricuperi Marittimi" (So.Ri.Ma.)) was in charge of the operation and decided to use a diver in an armoured suit to direct the placing of explosives to blast through the ship to expose the strong room. The diver was then used to direct a grab which picked up the gold and silver. The salvage continued until 1935 by which 98% of the contents of the strong room had been recovered

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Erinpura

                          SS Erinpura was a passenger liner built for the British-India Steam Navigation Company in 1911. She was the first British India ship built for Eastern service to be fitted with radio. She was sunk in the Mediterranean during World War II.

                          Class & type: Passenger cargo vessel, Tonnage: 5,128 grt. Length: 411 ft (125.27 m), Beam: 52 ft 6 in (16.00 m), Draught: 23 ft 5 in (7.14 m). Installed power: Two sets of triple expansion engines, 6,657 IHP Propulsion: Twin screws. Speed: 16.7 knots (30.9 km/h).

                          Capacity: Passengers: 51 first class, 39 second class, 2,359 deck. Crew: 26 Officers, 84 Ratings.

                          Construction and First World War.

                          Erinpura was built by William Denny and Brothers, of Dumbarton and launched in 1911. She was one of seven sisters built at four different shipyards for the Bay of Bengal/Singapore Straits Service, the group which was one of the most successful, profitable and long lasting groups in the history of British India. She was used as a troopship early in the First World War, carrying troops from Karachi to Marseilles, and then to Sanniya in Iraq. She ran aground while sailing up the river to Abadan on 24 December 1914 and sustained some damage, but was able to return to Bombay. She made several more trooping voyages until becoming a hospital ship in August 1915, supporting the Indian Expeditionary Force with 475 beds and 104 medical staff. She served on the Basra-Bombay Service, and from November 1917 was used as an ambulance transport.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:
                          • Berths:475
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:1st May 1916
                          • Date To:13th June 1919
                          • Ships Crew details: Officers:26 Ratings:84

                          Interwar.

                          She ran aground again on 15 June 1919, this time on the Mushejera Reef in the Red Sea. Her passengers and troops were taken off by HMS Topaze and taken to Aden, but attempts to pull Erinpura off failed. It was eventually decided to cut the bow of the ship off, towing the stern to Aden, and leaving the bow stuck on the reef. A new bow was ordered from the original builders Dennys. The stern was towed to Bombay where the new bow section was fitted, and she returned to service in 1923.

                          Second World War.

                          She was called up during the Munich Crisis in 1938, and was requisitioned for the Liner Division in March 1940. Erinpura was used as a troop transport in the Mediterranean, and in 1943 was the commodore's ship, under the command of Captain P.V. Cotter, in a Malta-bound convoy with three other British India ships, Karoa, Egra and Rohna, and twenty other merchantmen escorted by eleven warships. The convoy was attacked thirty miles north of Benghazi on 1 May 1943 by German bombers, with Erinpura being hit by a bomb in one of her holds. She sank within four minutes of being hit. Two junior engineers, 54 Indian seamen, three gunners, 140 Palestinian Jewish soldiers serving in 462 Transport Company of the British Army, and 600 Basuto pioneer troops were lost with her.

                          Memorial.

                          There is a memorial on Mount Herzl to the 140 Jewish soldiers who drowned aboard the SS Erinpura. The monument is shaped like a ship containing a central pool, on the bottom of which are the names of the fallen. Above the pool is a turret adorned with the Hebrew text of Psalms 68:22: "The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea." A memorial ceremony is held every year on Yom HaShoah

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS France

                          SS France was a French ocean liner which sailed for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, colloquially known as CGT or the "French Line". She was later christened Versailles of the Atlantic, a reference to her décor which reflected the famous palace outside Paris. Ordered in 1908, she was introduced into the Transatlantic route in April 1912, just a week after the sinking of RMS Titanic, and was the only French liner among the famous "four stackers". France quickly became one of the most popular ships in the Atlantic. Serving as a hospital ship during World War I, France would have a career spanning two decades. Her overall success encouraged CGT to create even larger liners in the future.

                          Name: SS France, Owner: Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (CGT). Port of registry: France, Le Havre, Route: Transatlantic. Ordered: 1908 Builder: Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Laid down: February 1909, Launched: 20 September 1910. Commissioned: 1912, Decommissioned: 1936. Maiden voyage: 20 April 1912. Out of service: 1935. Nickname: Versailles of the Atlantic Fate: Broken up in 1936.

                          General characteristics

                          Tonnage: 24,666 grt. Length: 217 m (712 ft), Beam: 23.88 m (78.3 ft). Propulsion: Four direct-action steam turbines; Quadruple propeller; 45,000 ihp (34,000 kW). Speed: 23.50 knots (43.52 km/h; 27.04 mph). Capacity: 2,020 passengers.

                          France was called the most lavish of the Transatlantic liners and its interiors were one of the most consistent of all liners. The revival of the Baroque architecture and interior design occurred in the late 19th century and prevailed into the early decades of the twentieth.

                          Her first class accommodations were graced with various portraits of Louis XIV as well as his relations. France was also credited for bringing the grand staircase to the ocean liner, a fashion which prevails in modern cruise ships. Her First Class entrance hall and dining room demonstrated this. The staircase in the dining room was in fact copied from the Parisian Hôtel de Toulouse. Further unique points included her Cafe Terrasse and the Salon Mauresque, the latter a reference to the French colonial empire in Africa. The ship also had a gymnasium, an elevator as well as a hair salon, all great novelties at the time. Style Louis seize (Louis XVI) was also used within the private apartments of the grand luxe suites on board. According to a 1912 booklet publicising the liner, her second class accommodation was credited as "match[ing] the richness and comfort of first class on the old liners." Passengers in this class could also utilise a hair dressing salon. Third and steerage classes were also praised as being well-appointed.

                          The 1910s.

                          Built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique,[4] she was launched 20 September 1910 into the River Loire. The spectacle was watched by scores of cheering Frenchmen who had gathered for the occasion. In the following months, her machinery was installed and her luxurious interiors were fitted. Finally completed in 1912, her maiden voyage departed from her homeport of Le Havre on 20 April 1912, just five days after the sinking of Titanic. As a result of the disaster, France lost much publicity but quickly established herself on her route. She did much to improve the image of the CGT which, to date, had not had much influence in the North Atlantic. Cuisine onboard was said to have been amongst the finest at sea. Sailing at a service speed of 23.5 knots (43.5 km/h), she was faster than any ship afloat save for Mauretania and Lusitania. Despite this, she attained a speed of 25.09 knots (46.47 km/h) on her trials. At 23,769 tons, France was half the size of the newest British liners, such as the Olympic but what she lacked in size, she made up for in opulence. Her first class interiors were amongst the most lavish seen at sea and were decorated in style Louis quatorze earning the nickname Château or Versailles of the Atlantic.

                          Proud of their great achievement, the new France was not without problems; she suffered from disturbing vibrations, and had a marked tendency to roll, even when the seas were flat calm. She was withdrawn from service after just a handful of crossings to have these two serious issues addressed. She was sent to the Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Northern Ireland, where longer and wider bilge keels were fitted to her hull to reduce rolling and new propellers were fitted to reduce vibrations, making her not only more comfortable to travel aboard, but faster as well.

                          When World War I erupted in 1914, France was immediately requisitioned by the French Navy for use as an armed merchant cruiser and renamed France IV. Her time as a cruiser was short-lived as she was too large, burned too much coal to be of good use, and was consequently reconfigured to carry troops. Later still, in 1916 she was painted white and used as a hospital ship in the Dardanelles, operating in tandem with White Star’s new flagship, Britannic and Cunard's new Aquitania. During her time as a hospital ship she was converted to have 2,500 beds for injured troops. When Britannic was sunk in late 1916, the need for high-capacity hospital ships was even more dire, and she continued in this role until the United States entered the war in 1917, when she was deployed back to the Atlantic to ferry American troops to the continent with space for some 5,000. In 1918, her military service was cut short by an engine room explosion that killed nine crew members and thus required extensive repairs.

                          The 1920s.

                          Returned to the CGT in March 1919, her name was promptly changed back to France, although she was kept busy repatriating American troops until that autumn. She was sent for refurbishment that winter, returning to commercial duty in early 1920. In 1921, she passed flagship status on to the newer and larger Paris, but continued to be a popular means of travel, with a near club-like following among the wealthy. Her affluent passenger loads swayed the CGT in 1924 to convert her to an all first-class ship, save for just 150 third class berths. During the conversion, her boilers were modified to burn fuel oil rather than coal, allowing her engine room staff to be greatly reduced. She sailed without incident, crossing the Atlantic during the peak months and cruising in the winter until 1927. With the advent of the new Ile de France, France was diverted almost totally to cruising.

                          The Great Depression essentially sounded the death knell for the liner. Many of the millionaires she had carried over the years had been financially destroyed and the general downturn in business cut deeply into transatlantic travel. France spent more and more time idle, until she finally was withdrawn from service in 1932. Laid up at Le Havre, she sat unattended until January 1933, when a fire was discovered by a night watchman. Although it was rapidly extinguished, the fire had caused some minor damage, but by now she was outclassed by her newer running-mates. CGT had by then commissioned a new flagship, the great Normandie which was nearing completion. As a result, the company decided it was time to scrap the 21-year-old liner. On 15 April 1935, the old France departed Le Havre under her own steam to the scrappers at Dunkirk, France

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Liberty

                          Names: Liberty (1908-1912), Glencairn (1912-1914), Liberty (1914-1938).

                          Owners and details.

                          • Joseph Pulitzer (1908-1911)
                          • James Ross (1912-1914)
                          • Lord Tredegar (1914-1920)
                          • Sir Robert Houston (1920-1926)
                          • Lady Lucy Houston (1926-1936)
                          • Port of registry: USA (1908-1912) USA
                          • Portsmouth (1912-1924) United Kingdom
                          • Jersey (1924-1938) United Kingdom
                          • Builder: Ramage & Ferguson Ltd, Leith[1]
                          • Cost: US$1.5 million
                          • Launched: 5 December 1907[1]
                          • In service: 1908[1]
                          • Out of service: 1938
                          • Fate: scrapped

                          General characteristics

                          • Type: Steam Yacht
                          • Tonnage: 1,607grt, 887nrt
                          • Length: 268.6 ft (81.9 m),Beam: 35.6 ft (10.9 m), Depth of hold: 17.9 ft (5.5 m).
                          • Propulsion: twin screw

                          SY Liberty was a steam yacht built for Joseph Pulitzer and one of the largest private yachts of its day. She served as a Royal Navy hospital ship during World War I. Strangely, two of her five owners died on board.

                          The steam yacht Liberty was designed by G L Watson & Co and launched by Ramage & Ferguson Ltd at Leith on 5 December 1907. With a tonnage of 1,607grt, length of 268.6 feet (81.9 m) and beam of 35.6 feet (10.9 m), she was a large yacht by the standards of the day. She had twin screws, powered by two triple expansion steam engines made by the shipbuilder.

                          In addition to the expected high level of luxury, Liberty was especially fitted with ramps and soundproofing due to Pulitzer's blindness and extreme sensitivity to noise, and was nicknamed "The Tower of Silence".

                          History

                          Liberty was built in 1908 at a cost of US$1.5 million for newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, who died on board at Charleston, South Carolina on 29 October 1911. She was sold to Scottish-Canadian businessman James Ross, renamed Glencairn and registered in Portsmouth, England. Ross sailed around the world in her in 1912, hoping to improve his health, but died the following year. In 1914 she was purchased by Viscount Tredegar, who reverted her name to the original Liberty.

                          In September 1915 she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for the duration of World War I, initially as an auxiliary patrol yacht Liberty IV, though soon transformed to a hospital ship, No. 10, first operating within the North Sea and for much of the time under the command of her owner. She was returned to Lord Tredegar in January 1919.

                          After refitting Liberty as a yacht, Viscount Tredegar embarked on a world cruise, eventually going around the world twice, during which time he visited every colony in the British Empire, but then sold her to the shipping magnate Sir Robert Houston in 1920. Following his marriage in 1924, Houston moved his residence to Jersey for tax reasons and also re-registered his yacht there. Like Pulitzer, he died on board the yacht, on 14 April 1926.

                          Left in his will to his wife Lucy, Lady Houston, she lived aboard Liberty much of the time. In the 1930s, to express her hatred for former prime minister Ramsay MacDonald, she hung a huge electric sign "Down with MacDonald the Traitor" in the rigging and sailed round the British Isles in her.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital and Troopship WW1  

                          HMHS Mauretania

                          RMS Mauretania was an ocean liner designed by Leonard Peskett and built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson for the British Cunard Line, and launched on 20 September 1907. She was the world's largest ship until the launch of the RMS Olympic in 1911 as well as the fastest until the launch of the Bremen in 1929. Mauretania became a favourite among her passengers. After capturing the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing during her 1909 inaugural season, Mauretania held the speed record for twenty years.

                          The ship's name was taken from Mauretania, an ancient Roman province on the northwest African coast, not the modern Mauritania which is now to the south. Similar nomenclature was also employed by Mauretania's running mate, Lusitania, which was named after the Roman province directly north of Mauretania, across the Strait of Gibraltar, the region that now is Portugal.

                          Ship Statistics.

                          • Tonnage: 31,938 gross register tons (GRT)
                          • Length: 790 ft (240.8 m)
                          • Beam: 88 ft (26.8 m)
                          • Draft: 33 ft (10.1 m)
                          • Installed power: Direct-action Parsons steam turbines (two high pressure, two low pressure)
                          • 68,000 SHP (shaft horsepower) nominal at launch, 76,000 SHP on record run, later increased to 90,000 SHP after conversion to oil burning
                          • Propulsion: Quadruple propeller installation triple bladed design at launch changed soon after to four bladed versions. Astern turbines available on inboard shafts only.
                          • Speed: 24 knots (46 km/h) designed service speed
                          • Capacity: 2165 passengers total: 563 first class, 464 second class, 1138 third class. Crew: 802

                          Mauretania and Lusitania were both designed by Cunard naval architect Leonard Peskett with Swan Hunter and John Brown working from the plans for an ocean greyhound with a stipulated service speed of twenty-four knots in moderate weather for her mail subsidy contract. Peskett's original configuration for the ships in 1903 was a three-funnel design, when reciprocating engines were destined to be the powerplant. A giant model of the ships in this configuration appeared in Shipbuilder's magazine. Cunard in 1904 decided to change power plants to Parson's new turbine technology and Peskett then added a fourth funnel to the ship's profile as the ships design was again modified before construction of the vessel finally began.

                          In 1906, Mauretania was launched by the Duchess of Roxburghe. At the time of her launch, she was the largest moving structure ever built and slightly larger in gross tonnage than Lusitania. The main visual differences between Mauretania and Lusitania was that Mauretania was five feet longer and had different vents (Mauretania had cowl vents and Lusitania had oil drum-shaped vents). Mauretania also had two extra stages of turbine blades in her forward turbines making her slightly faster than the Lusitania. Mauretania and Lusitania were the only ships with direct-drive steam turbines to hold the Blue Riband; in later ships, reduction-geared turbines were mainly used. Mauretania's usage of the steam turbine was the largest yet application of the then-new technology, developed by Charles Algernon Parsons. During speed trials, these engines caused significant vibration at high speeds; in response, Mauretania received strengthening members and redesigned propellers before entering service, which reduced vibration.

                          Mauretania was designed to suit Edwardian tastes. Its interior was designed by Harold Peto, architect, and was fitted out by several London companies, with twenty eight different types of wood used in her public rooms, along with marble, tapestries, and other furnishings. Wood panelling for her first class public rooms was meticulously carved by three hundred craftsmen from Palestine. The multi-level first-class dining saloon was decorated in Francis I style and topped by a large dome skylight. A series of elevators, then a rare new feature for liners, was installed next to Mauretania's grand staircase. A new feature was the Verandah Café on the boat deck, where passengers were served beverages in a weather-protected environment.

                          Early career.

                          Mauretania departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 16 November 1907 under the command of her first captain, John Pritchard and later that month captured the record for the fastest eastbound crossing of the Atlantic with an average speed of 23.69 knots (43.87 km/h). In September 1909, Mauretania captured the Blue Riband for the fastest westbound crossing — a record that was to stand for more than two decades. In December 1910 Mauretania broke loose from her moorings while in the River Mersey and sustained damage that caused the cancellation of her special speedy Christmas voyage to New York. In a quick change of events Cunard rescheduled Mauretania's voyage for Lusitania under the command of captain James Charles which had just returned from New York. Lusitania herself completed Christmas crossings for Mauretania, carrying revellers back to New York. In 1912 both King George and Queen Mary were given a special tour of Mauretania, then Britain's fastest merchant vessel, adding further distinction to the ship's reputation. On 26 January 1914, while Mauretania was in the middle of annual refit in Liverpool, four men were killed and six injured when a gas cylinder exploded while they were working on one of her steam turbines. The damage was minimal and she returned to service two months later.

                          World War I.

                          Shortly after Great Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914, Mauretania and Aquitania were requested by the British government to become armed merchant cruisers, but their huge size and massive fuel consumption made them unsuitable for the duty and they resumed their civilian service on 11 August. Later, due to lack of passengers crossing the Atlantic, Mauretania was laid up in Liverpool until May 1915 at the time that the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat.

                          Mauretania was about to fill the void left by Lusitania, but she was ordered by the British government to serve as a troopship to carry British troops during the Gallipoli Campaign. She avoided becoming prey for German U-boats because of her high speed and the seamanship of her crew. As a troopship, Mauretania received dazzle camouflage, a form of abstract colour scheming, in an effort to confuse enemy ships.

                          HMHS Mauretania.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:22
                          • Nurses:21
                          • Other:177
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:115
                          • Cots:592
                          • Berths:1238
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:22nd October 1915
                          • Date To:1st March 1916
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          When combined forces from the British empire and France began to suffer heavy casualties, Mauretania was ordered to serve as a hospital ship, along with her fellow Cunarder Aquitania and White Star's Britannic, to treat the wounded until 25 January 1916. In medical service the vessel was painted white with large medical cross emblems surrounding the vessel. Seven months later, Mauretania once again became a troop ship when requisitioned by the Canadian government to carry Canadian troops from Halifax to Liverpool. Her war duty was not yet over when the United States declared war on Germany in 1917, and she carried thousands of American troops, the ship was known by the Admiralty as HMS Tuberose until the end of the war, but the vessel's name was never changed by Cunard.

                          Post-war career.

                          Mauretania returned to civilian service on 21 September 1919. Her busy sailing schedule prevented her from having an extensive overhaul scheduled in 1920. However, in 1921 Cunard Line removed her from service when fire broke out on E deck and decided to give her a much needed overhaul. She returned to the Tyne shipyard of her birth, where her boilers were converted to oil firing and returned to service in March 1922. Cunard noticed that Mauretania struggled to maintain her regular Atlantic service speed. Although the ship's service speed had improved and it now burned only 750 short tons (680 t) of oil per 24 hours, compared to 1,000 short tons (910 t) of coal previously, it was not operating at her pre-war service speeds. On one crossing in 1922 the ship managed an average speed of only nineteen knots. Cunard decided that the ship's once revolutionary turbines were in desperate need of an overhaul. In 1923, a major re-fitting was begun in Southampton. Mauretania's turbines were dismantled. Halfway through the overhaul, the shipyard workers went on strike and the work was halted, so Cunard had the ship towed to Cherbourg, France where the work was completed at another shipyard. In May 1924, the ship returned to Atlantic service.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Cambria

                          TSS Cambria was a twin screw steamer passenger vessel operated by the London and North Western Railway from 1897 to 1923.

                          Ship Statistics.

                          • Name: 1897-1919: TSS Cambria, 1919-1925: TSS Arvonia.
                          • Owner: 1897-1923: London and North Western Railway.
                          • 1923-1925: London, Midland and Scottish Railway.
                          • Operator: 1897-1925: London and North Western Railway.
                          • 1923-1925: London, Midland and Scottish Railway.
                          • Port of registry: United Kingdom
                          • Route: 1902-1923: Holyhead, Dublin
                          • 1923-1925: Holyhead to Greenore and Heysham to Douglas
                          • Builder: William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton
                          • Yard number: 574
                          • Launched: 4 August 1897
                          • Out of service: 11 June 1925
                          • Fate: Scrapped
                          • General characteristics
                          • Tonnage: 1,842 gross register tons (GRT)
                          • Length: 329 ft (100 m)
                          • Beam: 39.1 ft (11.9 m)
                          • Speed: 21 knots
                          History.

                          She was built by William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton for the London and North Western Railway in 1897 in response to the competition launched by the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company who had launched a steamer in 1896 capable of 24 knots and a Holyhead to Dublin crossing time of 2¾ hours.

                          She was requisitioned by the Admiralty as an Armed boarding steamer in 1914 and became a hospital ship after August 1915.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:3
                          • Nurses:4
                          • Other:29
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:31
                          • Berths:158
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:8th August 1915
                          • Date To:20th January 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          She was renamed TSS Arvonia in 1919. In August 1922 she was again requisitioned as a troopship, this time by the Irish Free State along with the SS Lady Wicklow.

                          In 1925 she was scrapped.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital and Troopship WW1  

                          HMHS Western Australia

                          SS Western Australia served as a Troopship and Hospital Ship during WW1

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Dunluce Castle

                          See also HMAT Dunluce Castle.

                          A passenger - cargo ship of 8114grt, built in 1904 for the Union Castle line. Served as a troopship and Hospital Ship in WW1.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:10
                          • Nurses:16
                          • Other:74
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:52
                          • Cots:223
                          • Berths:480
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:6th July 1915
                          • Date To:2nd april 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Aberdonian

                          SS Aberdonian was built by DW Henderson Ltd Glasgow,Yard No 466, Engines by shipbuilder. Propulsion: triple expansion 3cy 394nhp Launched: Tuesday, 23/03/1909, Built: 1909, Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel

                          Tonnage: 1648t, Length: 264.3ft, Breadth: 36.2ft, Draught: 18.3ft. Owner History: Aberdeen Steam Navigation Co, Aberdeen. 1946 Shahin Steam Ship Co Ltd - Mohamed Nemazee (mng Wallem & Co, Hong Kong), Panama. Last Name: Parviz (1948), Previous Names: Taishan Peak (1946). Status: Sold for Scrapping - 01/12/1949

                          History

                          Served as a hospital/ambulance ship 1915/1918

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:6
                          • Nurses:4
                          • Other:27
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:6
                          • Cots:25
                          • Berths:214
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:16th October 1915
                          • Date To:16th June 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Served as a depot ship at Fort William and Dartmouth 1940/1945

                          Damaged by typhoon at Hong Kong 7/1948 Broken up at Bombay 2/1950

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Araguaya

                          SS Araguaya (b 1906) was later renamed ss Kraljica Marija (1930) when sold to Jugoslavenski Lloyd a.d., Zagreb, Yugoslavia.

                          The British liner Araguaya was built in 1906 for Royal Mail’s service to South America. Her Yugoslav buyers of 1930, Jugoslavenski Lloyd, were engaged in the same South American trade with cargo ships. Renamed Kraljica Marija, this was Jugoslavenski’s first passenger ship. In 1935 also the Ebro, renamed Princeza Olga, was bought from England. With these ships Jugoslavenski entered the Mediterranean cruise market. When war spread over Europe, the party was over and they were sold. However, there are strong indications that by selling them their owners mainly wanted to prevent them from coming to enemy hands if Germany and Italy would invade Yugoslavia. The Kraljica Marija was sold to France, the Princeza Olga to Portugal, which was neutral. Passenger capacity was 300 1st, 100 2nd and 800 3rd class, but after refit in 1926 365 1st class, then in Yugoslav service 400 1st class.

                          Araguaya (1906-1930)

                          GBR Building of a series of large passenger ships at Harland & Wolff, Belfast marked the rebirth of Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., which was on the brink of collapse in 1903. The palatial outfitting of the 9588 grt Aragon of 1905 prompted her owners to order four more liners. They were built in rapid succession, each ship being an individual reworking of the Aragon design: the 10,036 grt Amazon (1906), the 10,537 grt Araguaya (1906), the 11,073 grt Avon (1907), and the 12,002 grt Asturias (1908). Of this series the Araguaya in fact was built at another Belfast yard, Workman, Clark & Co.

                          5 June 1906 launch of the Araguaya by the Countess of Aberdeen. September 1906 delivered to Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. 12 October 1906 maiden voyage Southampton - Brazil - Montevideo - Buenos Aires.

                          1917 requisitioned and adapted as a military hospital ship to serve with the Canadian forces. Until 1920 15,000 wounded were carried.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:100
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:63
                          • Cots:287
                          • Berths:490
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd May 1917
                          • Date To:8th November 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          October 1920 after a refit resumed Southampton - South America service. Also placed from time to time on the Hamburg - New York service, which Royal Mail Steam Packet started in 1920, when Germany no longer had transatlantic passenger ships of its own. The service did not meet expectations and was discontinued in 1926.

                          1926 refitted as a cruise ship with accommodation for 365 first-class passengers. Advertised together with the 1899-built Arcadian, ex-Ortona for cruises to the Norwegian fjords.

                          The story of the Araguaya ends like it began, with the Royal Mail group on the verge of bankruptcy in 1929. Grown at a reckless speed by costly takeovers to become the largest shipping and shipbuilding group in the world, with a fleet totalling 2,761,969 grt, it was unknown to even its bankers that it was unable to repay an accumulated debt of £30 million and this was before the Wall Street crash and the Great Depression.

                          Kraljica Marija (1930-1940)

                          SHS1930 was bought by Jugoslavenski Lloyd a.d., Zagreb, Kingdom Yugoslavia, ‘taking advantage of the favourable conjuncture’. Renamed Kraljica Marija, port of registry was Dubrovnik.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Assaye

                          SS Assaye was built by Caird & Company Greenock, Yard No 292, Engines by Shipbuilders. Propulsion: Two triple expansion steam engines, twin screws, power 6500ihp, speed 16 knots.

                          Built: 1899. Port of Registry: Greenock. Launched: Saturday, 07/10/1899 Ship Type: Passenger Liner/Troopship.

                          Ship's Role: Designed for the 'intermediate' passenger service, but employed almost exclusively as a troopship. Tonnage: 7396 gross; 4484 net; 6250 dwt. Length: 450ft 0in, Breadth: 54ft 3in, Draught: 26ft 2in.

                          Owner: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company Status: Scrapped - 1928, Stavanger

                          History

                          • 07/10/1899: Launched.
                          • 28/11/1899: Registered.
                          • 17/12/1899: Completed. Advertised for a commercial voyage to Calcutta in January 1900, she was however taken up on completion as a Boer War transport, a notable passenger was General Cronje whom she took to St Helena as a prisoner of war, and for the Boxer Rising in China.
                          • 1903/1905: Taken up for peacetime Indian trooping in the 1903/04 and 1904/05 seasons.
                          • 20/03/1904: In collision in thick fog with the American steamer New York off Hurst Castle in the Solent. Her starboard bow was severely damaged and the bowsprit of New York was carried away. Repaired and returned to service.
                          • 1905/06: Laid up at Southampton. Trooped again 1906/07 and 1907/08 (being laid up in between).
                          • 1908: First commercial sailings between Bombay and the Far East. Draught now 26ft 9½in; deadweight 6,810 tons.
                          • 19/08/1914: Hired by the Admiralty for service as a troopship and later a hospital ship.
                            • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                            • Medical Staff strength.
                            • Officers:8
                            • Nurses:10
                            • Other:45
                            • Accommodation capacity.
                            • Officers:8
                            • Cots:100
                            • Berths:333
                            • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                            • Date From:16th May 1915
                            • Date To:2nd March 1920
                            • Ships Crew details:
                          • 1921: Took troops to the Turkish troubles, and while in Constantinople collided (without much damage) with the Italian steamer UMBRIA.
                          • 1923/27: Indian trooping.
                          • 1927: Carried the Devonshire Regiment to the Shanghai disturbances as part of the Shanghai Defence Force.
                          • Converted into a hospital ship in Hong Kong.
                          • 1928: Reverted to a troopship to bring the Coldstream Guards home from Shanghai.
                          • 09/05/1928: Sold to Stavanger Skibs Ophugnings Co. A/S, Norway for £17,500.
                          • 17/05/1928: Sailed from Southend for Stavanger for demolition.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Braemar Castle

                          SS Braemar Castle was built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow, Yard No 409. Port of Registry: London, Propulsion: Steam quadruple expansion. Launched: Wednesday, 23/02/1898. Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel Tonnage: 6266 grt, Length: 470 ft, Breadth: 52 ft.

                          Owner History:
                          1898-1900 Castle Mail Packets Company Ltd (D Currie & Co), London
                          1900-1924 Union Castle Mail S S Co Ltd (D Currie & Co), London
                          Status: Arrived for Scrapping - 12/10/1924

                          Remarks: Converted to troopship 1909 and then to a hospital ship in 1915 reverting to trooping after the end of WW I.Scrapped in Genoa, Italy.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:10
                          • Nurses:12
                          • Other:50
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:20
                          • Cots:195
                          • Berths:206
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:7th October 1915
                          • Date To:1st August 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Delta

                          SS Delta (1V) 8,024 tons, launched 1905 and built for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co by Workman Clark at Belfast.

                          1914 Naval Hospital ship on the Tsingtau operations. Later an Expedition Force Transport.

                          1915 Used as a Military Hospital ship in the Dardanells. 1918 Supply liner under the requisition Scheme.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:6
                          • Nurses:12
                          • Other:45
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:33
                          • Cots:287
                          • Berths:210
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:14th January 1915
                          • Date To:19th March 1918
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          The Hospital Ship Delta arrived off Cape Helles a couple of days after the first landing and Sister A M Cameron described the horrors of her first encounter with the seriously wounded: "…In the afternoon we began to get more and by 10 p.m. we had taken in 400 horribly wounded men straight from the field. Some were shot further in the boats which took them to us. The gangway ran with blood. Some of the poor fellows hadn’t got one dressing on. One needed all one’s common sense and courage. We 3 sisters had 200 of the wounded and only 6 orderlies at that time, so many were needed for stretcher bearers. We had to recognise the seriousness of a case at once and decide at lightning speed which to leave and which to do first. They came pouring in, and oh the wild rushes stopping haemorrhage, treating shock and collapse. The orderlies were good but untrained, and no good for emergencies. The doctors were operating as hard as they could tear, only 4 of them you see, and many lives were saved. By 3 a.m. all went to bed quite dead beat except one sister and myself. By that time every patient had been fed. The doctor of our block told me to give morphia at my own discretion and to do as I liked. Oh dear that few hours. I had such scares. Some of the men as soon as they dropped asleep woke screaming through shock, none were undressed, at least very few by that time. They were so dead beat we wrapped them in blankets in their filthy clothes poor fellows and let them rest. Faces shot away, arms, legs, lungs, shots everywhere…."

                          In 1919 SS Delta repatriated Australian troops before refitting and returning to Far East service.

                          1929 Sold for demolition.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914   

                          HMHS Devanha

                          SS Devanha was a passenger liner and cargo vessel operated by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.
                          Owner: P&O 1905-1928, Port of registry: Greenock, Scotland United Kingdom Route: UK, India, China
                          Builder: Caird & Co, Greenock, Scotland, Yard number: 308
                          Launched: Saturday, 16 December 1905
                          Maiden voyage: 1 March 1906, from Royal Albert Dock, London
                          Out of service: 21 March 1928, sold for scrap
                          Fate: Demolished by Sakaguchi Sadakichi Shoten K K, at Osaka, Japan

                          General characteristics

                          Tonnage: 8,092 (grt), Length: 470ft 0in, Beam: 56ft 3in, Draught: 27ft 8in
                          Installed power: Two four cylinder quadruple expansion steam engines
                          Propulsion: Twin screws, Speed: 15.5 knots.

                          History

                          SS Devanha was launched in 1905 and entered service for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company in 1906. The ship was built at a cost of £159,249. She made her maiden voyage from the Royal Albert Dock in London on 1 March 1905. In 1914 she was assigned to the Mediterranean where she began service as a troop ship during World War I.

                          In 1915, she took part in the Dardanelles campaign, landing the 12th Battalion of Australian troops at what was later Anzac Beach, then steaming up the coast as a feint to draw enemy fire. She was later converted into a hospital ship.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:12
                          • Other:58
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:33
                          • Cots:287
                          • Berths:240
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:22nd August 1914
                          • Date To:28th February 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:
                          In 1916 she rescued survivors from the SS Chantala, which had been torpedoed in the Mediterranean. She continued to serve as a hospital ship in the Persian Gulf, East Africa, Bombay and Suez, before being converted back into a troopship in 1919.

                          In 1919, Devanha repatriated Australian troops, and in 1920, one of her lifeboats which has been used during the Gallipoli Campaign, was presented to the Australian National War Memorial in Canberra. The following years saw Devanha re-enter service with P&O. She made her final voyage on 22 May 1925, and was ultimately sold for scrap, valued at £20,500.[1]

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Essequibo

                          RMS Essequibo - full details still to source.

                          Served as hospital ship during ww1 (for Canadian government?)

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:16
                          • Other:76
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:42
                          • Cots:249
                          • Berths:298
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd September 1915
                          • Date To:12th September 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Apparently Essequibo was stopped by U-64 in 1917, searched, confirmed a hospital ship, and sent on her way. She was commissioned in 1915 as a Mail Ship, pressed into service as a hospital ship for the duration, then returned to her original role. Eventually sold to the Russians in 1935!

                          Essequibo was a 8489 grt steamer built in 1914/15 for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. she was transferred in 1922 to Pacific Steam Nav. Co. (which the Royal Mail SP Co. owned) and sold to the USSR in 1935 and renamed Neva.

                          The "Essequibo" was stopped and searched by U 54 (Kptlt. Freiherr von Bothmer) off Ireland on 15.03.1917, not by U 64.

                          The Essequibo was a British hospital ship loaned to the Canadian Government in 1917 as one of the five Canadian hospital ships for ww1 for the transatlantic run. She was indeed stopped, inspected and allowed to proceed by a German uboat as previously reported. An English sailor's or merchant marine company history does talk briefly about this.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Formosa

                          The French liner "Formosa" was commissioned as a Hospital Ship on 23rd June, 1915 with accommodation for 417 patients. She served until 7th July 1919, after which she was returned to Société Général de Transports Maritimes and resumed her commercial career.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:10
                          • Nurses:13
                          • Other:40
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:15
                          • Cots:112
                          • Berths:290
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:23rd June 1915
                          • Date To:7th July 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          SS Gascon

                          SS Gascon was built in 1897 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with a tonnage of 6287grt, a length of 430ft, a beam of 52ft 2in and a service speed of 12.5 knots. The first of three ships she was an improved Gaul Class ship with three masts and delivered for the Intermediate service which was, by then, strongly supported with further ships on order.

                          She transferred to the Union-Castle fleet in March 1900 and in June 1905 was the first Union-Castle ship to call at the new port of Lobito in Angola which had a rail link to Elizabethville.

                          In 1910 she was moved to the East Africa service and in August 1914 went on the mail run when the larger ships were requisitioned for war service.

                          On 25th November of that year she was commissioned as a hospital ship with a capacity for 434 patients, her first task being to take the surviving wounded from HMS Pegasus, which had been sunk by the Koenigsburg on 20th September, back to Simonstown in South Africa.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:8
                          • Nurses:10
                          • Other:85
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:15
                          • Cots:120
                          • Berths:266
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:25th November 1914
                          • Date To:15th February 1920
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          During 1915 she served in the German East African campaign and spent the remainder of the war in that area.

                          She returned to Union-Castle on 15th February 1920 and was immediately refurbished and put back into service. In 1928 she was laid up in the East India Dock in London before being sold to Thos. W. Ward for scrapping.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          SS Goorkha

                          SS Goorkha was built in 1897 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with a tonnage of 6287grt, a length of 430ft, a beam of 52ft 2in and a service speed of 12.5 knots. Sister of the Gascon she was built for the Intermediate service and transferred to Union-Castle on 8th March 1900 when the companies merged.

                          In 1910 she was moved to the East Africa service where she remained until 20th October 1914 when she was commissioned as a hospital ship with 408 beds.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:8
                          • Nurses:7
                          • Other:37
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:10
                          • Cots:94
                          • Berths:304
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:20th October 1914
                          • Date To:18th October 1917
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          On 10th October 1917 she was mined off Malta and all 362 patients and medical staff including 17 nurses were evacuated without any casualties in 35 minutes.

                          She was then towed into Malta where on 18th October she was decommissioned and returned to the company for repairs and resumption of commercial services. She was laid up at Netley, Southampton Water in 1926 and eventually broken up by Thos. W. Ward in 1928.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          SS Kildonan Castle

                          SS Kildonan Castle was built in 1899 by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. at Glasgow with a tonnage of 9652grt, a length of 533ft, a beam of 59ft 2in and a service speed of 17 knots. Sister of the Kinfauns Castle she was the last mail ship to be completed for Castle Line before the merger but commenced her career as H. M. Transport 44 for use during the Boer War.

                          On her maiden voyage she carried 3000 troops to Cape Town and in December 1900 was used as a prisoner of war ship at Simonstown. During 1901 she returned to Fairfield's for completion before undertaking her first commercial mail sailing on 7th December.

                          On 31st October 1914 she undertook an emergency sailing to Lisbon where she loaded 10,000 rifles and 1,000,000 rounds of .303 ammunition which she then took to the Cape to replenish South African troops who were quelling secessionist strikes in the Rand and Johannesburg.

                          On 6th October 1915 she was commissioned as a hospital ship with 603 beds.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:18
                          • Other:60
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:18
                          • Cots:55
                          • Berths:530
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:6th October 1915
                          • Date To:10th March 1916
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          In the following March she was de-commissioned and converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser and on 21st August 1916 joined the 10th Cruiser Squadron which was based at Glasgow.

                          In 1917, on 17th January, she embarked the British Military Mission headed by Viscount Milner at Oban and took them to Murmansk where the Mission failed to prevent the Russians from negotiating with the Germans for peace. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, when Russia signed a separate Peace Treaty with the Central Powers, was signed on 2nd March 1917 the day the Mission reached Scapa Flow.

                          On her return she undertook convoy duties in the North Atlantic. In December 1918 she was stood down as an AMC and transferred to the work of repatriating troops and in 1919 carried troops to Archangel to quell internal fighting and was the last ship to leave when the Allies withdrew.

                          She then made a single trooping voyage to Shanghai before sailing to Vladivostock where, in March 1920, she embarked 1800 Yugoslavian refugees and took them to Gravosa in the Adriatic.

                          At the end of that year she was refurbished and returned to the mail run where she remained until replaced by the Carnarvon Castle in 1936 and put in reserve.

                          When the building of the Dunbar Castle was delayed in January 1930 she was deployed on the Intermediate run until the May when she was laid up at Netley pending disposal.

                          She was sold in May 1931 for £11,250 and broken up at Stavanger in Norway.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          SS Kalyan

                          SS Kalyan

                          Kalyan was operated by the P&O Shipping line from 1915.

                          Kalyan was used as a troop ship, transporting troops between England, Egypt and Salonika. She was later refitted as a hospital ship and dispatched to Archangel in Russia in October 1918, treating the sick and wounded throughout that winter. p>

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:88
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:57
                          • Cots:252
                          • Berths:512
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:4th May 1917
                          • Date To:29th November 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  The HMAT A61 Kanowna weighed 6,942 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the AUSN Co Ltd, London, and manned by Australia officers and crew. The Kanowna was leased by the Commonwealth until 18 March 1919.

                          Kanowna served as a troop ship and hospital ship during ww1. p>

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:14
                          • Nurses:21
                          • Other:70
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:32
                          • Cots:204
                          • Berths:188
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:26th August 1915
                          • Date To:8th July 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Karapara

                          The Karapara was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Newcastle in 1914 for the British India Steam Navigation Co. She was a 7,117 gross ton ship, length 425ft x beam 55.6ft, one funnel, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 15.5 knots. Originally ordered as the Karunga, she was registered on 21st August 1915 and entered service as Naval Hospital Ship No. 17, with 341 beds and 200 medical staff. p>

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:9
                          • Nurses:11
                          • Other:40
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:23
                          • Cots:318
                          • Berths:
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:27th August 1915
                          • Date To:20th February 1916
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          On 26 August 1915 she sailed for Gallipoli and operated in the Eastern Mediterranean, based at Alexandria. On 26th May 1917 she rescued 270 survivors from the hospital ship Dover Castle and took them to Gibraltar. In 1919 she provided medical facilities at Istanbul during an exceptionally hot summer.

                          Delivered to British India Steam Navigation Co in 1920, she commenced sailings to East African ports as the Karapara. In the 1930's she transferred to the Straits (Malaya) route and also did some sailings to Port Sudan.

                          Requisitioned for World War 2 duty and reconverted to hospital ship (No. 36) in October 1940 with 338 beds and 123 medical staff in 1940, she served between the Red Sea and India. In April 1941, off Perim Island, Red Sea, en route to India, she was diverted to Aden to offload her patients, and then ordered to Tobruk to replace the hospital ship Vita which had been damaged by dive bombers. On her first voyage out of Tobruk, she was attacked by aircraft but escaped damage. However, on her second journey, 5th May 1941, she was deliberately bombed and damaged by at least nine enemy aircraft at Mersa, Tobruk; she was towed back into port, repaired and successfully sailed to Alexandria.

                          She returned to commercial service in January 1947 on Calcutta/Singapore routes and was eventually sold to the Steel Corporation of Bombay for scrapping on 18th March 1950. [Merchant Fleets, Vol.11, British India Steam Navigation Co by Duncan Haws]

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  The Empress of India was built by Naval Construction & Armament Co. (now absorbed into Vickers Armstrongs) at Barrow, England. The keel was laid in 1890. She was launched on 30 August 1890 by Lady Louise Egerton, sister of Lord Harrington. The 5,905-ton vessel had a length of 455.6 feet, and her beam was 51.2 feet. The graceful white-painted, clipper-bowed ship had two buff-colored funnels with a band of black paint at the top, three lightweight schooner-type masts, and an average speed of 16-knots. This Empress and her running mate Empresses were the first vessels in the Pacific to have twin propellers with reciprocating engines. The ship was designed to provide accommodation for 770 passengers (120 first class, 50 second class and 600 steerage).

                          The SS Empress of India left Liverpool on 8 February 1891 on her maiden voyage via Suez to Hong Kong and Vancouver. Thereafter, she regularly sailed back and forth along the Hong Kong - Shanghai - Nagasaki - Kobe - Yokohama - Vancouver route. In the early days of wireless telegraphy, the call sign established for the "Empress of India was "MPI."

                          Much of what would have been construed as ordinary, even unremarkable during this period was an inextricable part of the ship's history. In the conventional course of trans-Pacific traffic, the ship was sometimes held in quarantine, as when it was discovered that a passenger from Hong Kong to Kobe showed signs of smallpox, and the vessel was held in Yokohama port until the incubation period for the disease had passed. The cargo holds of the Empress would have been routinely examined in the normal course of harbor-master's business in Hong Kong, Yokohama or Vancouver.

                          On 17 August 1903, the Empress of India collided with and sank the Chinese cruiser Huang Tai.

                          The vessel was reported sold on 19 December 1914, to the Geakwar of Baroda (also known as the Maharajah of Gwalior).

                          The former Empress was re-fitted as a hospital ship for Indian troops. On 19 January 1915, the ship was renamed Loyalty.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:9
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:58
                          • Cots:124
                          • Berths:143
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd October 1914
                          • Date To:30th November 1918
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          In March 1919, she was sold to The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd. Company in Bombay (now Mumbai).

                          In February 1923, the ship was sold for scrapping at Bombay.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Princesse Elisabeth

                          This is probably the 'Princesse Elisabeth', owned by the Belgian government,1767 tons, built 1905. She was loaned for use as a 300 berth hospital ship on the cross-Channel service between 8 November 1916 and April 1917 and again between 11 January 1919 and September 1919. Hired by the British government, like most hospital ships, she was not part of the Royal Navy or army.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:4
                          • Nurses:3
                          • Other:27
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:30
                          • Berths:
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:8th November 1916
                          • Date To:3rd September 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Vita

                          Vita, was owned by British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd, and was completed in October 1914 by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend. She was 4691 gross tons, 1955 net tons, and 5160 deadweight tons. Dimensions were 390.1 feet length, 53.3 feet breadth, 24 ft depth. She had twin props and two triple expansion engines giving 4700 ihp and 12.5 knots. Her passenger capacity when new was 32 first class, 24 second class, and 2694 deck.

                          Immediately upon completion she was put into military service as a troopship, and her first voyage was from Bombay to the Persian Gulf with troops, and her next voyage was to France. She carried on trooping duties until 1916 when converted into a hospital ship with 475 patient berths.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:405
                          • Berths:
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:27th October 1915
                          • Date To:24th February 1920
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          She was returned to British India in 1918, and in 1922 was put into regular commercial service on the Bombay-Karachi-Bushire-Basra run.

                          She continued in this service to 1939. Prior to this she had made some voyages to and from the UK. In May 1940 she was converted at Bombay into naval 'Hospital Ship No 8', and by September of that year her base port was Aden. In March 1941 she transferred to the eastern Mediterranean, and on 14 April, during the withdrawal of the British 8th Army, was attacked by German dive-bombers when she was leaving Tobruk for Haifa with over 400 wounded troops. A near miss lifted her stern out of the water and this put her engines and dynamos out of action.

                          The destroyer HMS Moorhen towed the disabled ship back to Tobruk. After the wounded patients had been disembarked, Vita left Tobruk on 21 April for Alexandria in tow, and in the course of this voyage escaped damage in two more bombing attacks. From Alexandria, on one engine and without electricity, she limped back to Bombay for repairs. When repairs were completed she went again to Aden.

                          In 1942 Vita was based at Trincomalee, and on 9 April went out from that port to pick up survivors from the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes and her escort destroyer HMS Vampire, both of which had been sunk by Japanese aircraft. When Vita appeared on the scene, the Japanese ceased attacking and she was able to pick up 595 survivors.

                          In December 1942 Vita acted as a hospital ship for the landings at Diego Suarez, Madagascar. In the following year, and for 1944 she served, apparently without incident in the Mediterranean and in the Indian Ocean. In April 1945 she was at the Burma landings at Kyaukpyu, and the following month at Rangoon. She was now based at Cochin, and operated hospital voyages between Madras and Chittagong. In September 1945 she was again based at Trincomalee.

                          In May 1946, following a refit, she resumed commercial service, and this lasted another seven years. She was sold on 20 May 1953 to Tulsiram Bhagwandas for scrapping at Calcutta.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Madras

                          SS Tanda was built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow, Yard No 458, engines by Shipbuilder.

                          Last Name: Tanda(1920). Previous Names: Madras(1914)
                          Port of Registry: London
                          Propulsion: Twin screw 2 x T.3cyl, power 5200ihp, speed 14 knots.
                          Launched: Thursday, 26/03/1914. Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel.
                          Tonnage: 6956 grt, Length: 430 feet, Breadth: 58 feet

                          Owner History: 1914 British India Steam Navigation Company Glasgow & London
                          1924 Eastern & Australian SS Co.
                          Status: Torpedoed & Sunk - 15/07/1944

                          Remarks: Served as hospital ship and ambulance transport 1914 1919

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:450
                          • Berths:
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd October 1914
                          • Date To:4th November 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Interwar and WW2. Owned and operated by Eastern & Australian SS Co. from 1924. Torpedoed on the 15th July 1944, off Mangalore by U.181, 13.22N 74.09E, on voyage Melbourne via Colombo to Bombay.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Maheno

                          SS Maheno was an ocean liner belonging to the Union Company of New Zealand that operated in the Tasman Sea, crossing between New Zealand and Australia, from 1905 until 1935. She was also used as a hospital ship by the New Zealand Naval Forces during World War I.

                          The 5,000-ton steel-hulled ship was built by William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton, Scotland, and launched on 19 June 1905. At 400 feet in length and 50 feet in the beam, she was powered by three Parsons turbines, giving her a speed of 17.5 knots. She could carry up to 420 passengers: 240 in 1st class, 120 in 2nd and 60 in 3rd, and also had a refrigerated cargo hold. Accommodation for first class passengers included a dining room, smoking room, and music room with a Bechstein grand piano. The ship was lit by electricity, and was fitted with all the latest safely equipment, which included Clayton sulphur dioxide fire extinguishers.

                          Service history.

                          The ship entered service on 18 November 1905, and was employed on routes between Sydney and Melbourne via ports in New Zealand and Hobart, Tasmania. She also made regular voyages between Sydney and Vancouver.

                          World War I.

                          During World War I Maheno was converted into a hospital ship using money raised by an appeal by the Earl of Liverpool, the Governor-General. She was fitted with eight wards and two operating theatres, and had a medical team consisting of five doctors and 61 orderlies from the Army Medical Corps, a matron, thirteen nursing sisters, and chaplains. In accordance with Article 5 of the 1899 Hague Convention she was repainted white overall, with a broad green stripe along her sides, and large red crosses on the sides and funnels.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:6
                          • Other:60
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:15
                          • Cots:93
                          • Berths:407
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:25th May 1915
                          • Date To:2nd June 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Maheno arrived at Moudros, the naval base of the Gallipoli Campaign, on 25 August 1915, and the next day was off Anzac Cove, loading casualties from the Battle of Hill 60. Over the next three months she carried casualties from Gallipoli to either Moudros, Malta or Alexandria. Maheno arrived back at New Zealand on 1 January 1916 to refit, then returned to Egypt in February to collect patients for transport back to New Zealand.

                          She then sailed to the UK, arriving at Southampton on 3 July 1916, just after the start the Battle of the Somme. Until October 1916 she operated in the English Channel, taking large numbers of wounded troops from France to England. The ship returned to New Zealand in December 1916, and then made six more voyages between New Zealand and the UK, bringing back patients, before she was returned to her owners at the end of the war to resume her usual commercial service.

                          Wreck.

                          On 3 July 1935 the Maheno left Sydney under tow by the 1,758 ton ship Oonah, a former Tasmanian Steamers Pty. Ltd. Bass Strait ferry, built in 1888, which along with the Maheno had been sold to an Osaka shipbreaker. The ships were linked by a 900-foot (270 m) 6.75-inch (17.1 cm) wire rope.

                          On the afternoon of 7 July, while about 50 miles from the coast, the towline parted during a severe cyclone. Attempts to reattach the towline failed in the heavy seas, and the Maheno, with eight men aboard, drifted off and disappeared. The Oonah, with her steering gear temporarily disabled, broadcast a radio message requesting assistance for the Maheno, whose propellers had been removed.

                          The ship was finally found on 10 July by an aircraft piloted by Keith Virtue, beached off the coast of Fraser Island. The crew of the Maheno set up camp onshore, waiting for the Oonah to arrive, which it eventually did on 12 July. The ship was subsequently stripped of her fittings, but attempts to refloat her failed, and eventually the wreck was offered for sale, but found no buyers.

                          Since then, much of the ship has either been destroyed or disintegrated, and the visible remainder has become severely rusted. Because of the dangerous condition of the wreck, access is prohibited. The Australian Department of Defence lists the wreck as a site of unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination, even though there are no records of it being used as a live firing target during World War II, nor of any UXO recovered from the site.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Marama

                          The Union Steam Ship Company (USSCo) which started off as Canadian, Australian Line SS Marama was built in 1907 by Caird and Co Greenock, Scotland the same company that built many of the fine P&O ships over the years. The ship that cost some £166,000 (pounds) was initially built for the Trans Tasman service, but she was transferred to the Vancouver and San Francisco mail routes, but due to the "Great War" she was converted to become a hospital ship in 1915 and returned to passenger services again after she completed her duties successfully! It has been said that the SS Marama did not excel the Maheno for speed however, the Maheno was a triple screw ship though not the most reliable and had to be given new engines at a later date.

                          SS Marama was able to accommodate a total of 488 passengers being made up of; 270 Saloon Class, 120 Second Class and 98 fore cabin passengers, and a total of 140 crew members. Her passenger accommodations were arranged over three decks, being Main Deck, Hurricane Deck and Promenade Deck.

                          Hospital Ship SS Marama, 1915 - 1920:

                          Not long thereafter further funds were forthcoming when the larger SS Marama was called to duty, in fact the official announcement was made on September 20 in New Zealand’s Capital Wellington and it appeared in the Newspaper the next day.

                          She headed for the refitting berth and was fitted out as a hospital ship. With the Marama being the larger ship of the two New Zealand ships selected, she was fitted with 600 hospital beds and she was the superior of the two in many ways having other excellent facilities. But what was remarkable the transformation was completed in a record twenty-three days, as hundreds of workmen had been employed to 24/7. The total amount of money donated amounted was £66,000 and remember that was a huge amount for those days!

                          The SS Marama was superbly equipped and that was very much due to the many donations that had been made, such as a vast amount of equipment and other materials and requirements that had been delivered to the ship. In addition, much needed Red Cross medical stores was freely given and the holds were stocked up to the brim! Then came the next surprise when two excellent motor launches were donated, one from Wellington and the second from Auckland and obviously these launches became part of the ships essential fast service, which was vitally needed, especially when she was at places such as Gallipoli, when under fire.

                          The completed SS Marama sailed from New Zealand on 5th December, 1915, under the command of Captain B. M. Aldwell, whilst the Medical and Military Officer in charge was Lieut Colonel P. R Cook, NZMC. She headed for Alexandria, Egypt.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:12
                          • Nurses:24
                          • Other:62
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:21
                          • Cots:72
                          • Berths:507
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:5th December 1915
                          • Date To:1920
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Having completed all her commissions with honour HMNZ-HS Marama was officially decommissioned late in 1919 and the was SS Marama sent to Vancouver, for it would be there where she would be restored to her former USSCo glory.

                          Thus the SS Marama was completely refurbished at Vancouver and there would be a slight change in her tonnage increase to 6,496.67 GRT. In addition work was undertaken to change her for being coal burning steam ship and she was converted to burn oil.

                          She continued in service until the 1930's and was eventually broken up in Japan during 1937.

                          Article on New Zealands Hospital Ships Maheno and Marama.

                          The New Zealand Hospital Ships, By Lieut.-Colonel J. S. Elliott, N.Z.M.C.

                          In a great war waged overseas it is obvious that an important part of the medical service is the sea transport of sick and wounded soldiers. The high importance of hospital ships was not sufficiently recognised in the earlier stages of the Gallipoli campaign, but when the need became generally known there was a magnificent response in New Zealand to the appeal of His Excellency the Earl of Liverpool, Governor-General of the Dominion, for funds to equip the New Zealand hospital ship Maheno; and more was forthcoming when, later. a larger vessel—the Marama—was fitted out as a hospital ship. The money donated amounted altogether to £66,000; and also a vast amount of equipment and material in the nature of Red Cross stores was freely given. In addition, two motor launches were donated, one at Wellington and one at Auckland, and proved of great service, especially at Gallipoli.

                          The Maheno had eight wards and two operating theatres, an anaesthetising, a sterilising, and an X-ray room, a laboratory, a laundry and drying-room, steam disinfector, dispensary, telephone exchange, and two electric lifts each of which took two stretchers at a time. In short, she was complete in every detail. The result was that the New Zealand hospital ships were so well supplied and equipped that they had no superiors in any seas; and patients could be as well cared for aboard as in hospitals ashore. Some of the special dangers and difficulties incidental to hospital ships may be here mentioned. Besides the ordinary perils of the seas, they were endangered during the whole war by floating mines. In March, 1916, the Russian hospital ship Portugal was deliberately torpedoed and sunk; so also was the Britannic, under the pretence that she carried reinforcements, and without the right of search having been exercised; and the Braemar Castle was sunk by mine or torpedo. When the German government announced the unrestricted submarine campaign early in 1917, their submarines made open war on hospital ships and soon added further unspeakable crimes against law and humanity to the long list which disgraces their record. Within a few months, with considerable loss of life in patients and personnel, there were sunk by submarines the hospital ships Asturias, Gloucester Castle, Donegal, and Lanfranc; and the Salta struck a mine in the English Channel and sank. The special difficulties belonging to hospital ship work were cramped space, rough weather, and a staff necessarily restricted in numbers and not easily reinforced.

                          On July 11th 1915, H.M.N.Z. hospital ship Maheno sailed from Wellington. Colonel the Hon. W. E. Collins was in military command, and the personnel included a matron and thirteen nursing sisters, five medical officers, a detachment of sixty-one orderlies of the New Zealand Medical Corps, and chaplains. Captain W. Maclean was captain of the ship. During the voyage preparation of material and the training of the orderlies were continued. Sixty-four nurses travelled from New Zealand on the ship as far as Egypt. At Alexandria, orders were received to proceed to Mudros. The Maheno arrived there on August 25th, and left on the 26th, arriving the same day at Anzac to find a cruiser and a destroyer in action near by; and a few bullets fell on the deck of the Maheno which served to indicate that she was now actually in the war zone.

                          The sight of the ship was an encouragement to our New Zealand soldiers who had wrested from the Turk a precarious footing on the hillsides opposite. During the next afternoon, the battle of Hill 60 was fought, and in the evening the wounded began to arrive at the ship. The severely wounded were sent to the wards at once, and the lightly injured were fed and surgically dressed on deck and sent in lighters to Mudros. The two operating theatres were in constant use from the evening of the 27th to the morning of the 29th.

                          The Maheno left on the 28th with 445 patients for Mudros, where they were discharged into a hospital carrier,—formerly the German ship Derfflinger—and the ship's crew assisted in the arduous work. The wounds were severe, and deaths occurred during the short voyage. The ship was cleaned and refurnished—a heavy task—and she left Mudros for Anzac on the 30th, and there embarked 422 cases on 2nd September, including a large number of cases of dysentery; and all the patients were transferred to the Nile at Mudros. The Maheno departed again on September 7th for Anzac, where about 1,000 patients were attended to including 400 embarked on the ship. The others had wounds dressed and received medical treatment aboard, and returned again to the beach. Several of the personnel of the ship contracted dysentery, and all were more or less exhausted. The ship returned on the 11th to Mudros and was ordered to Malta, arriving at Valetta, where the patients were disembarked. At Anzac again, several days later, the Maheno took on board a large draft of sick and wounded who were disembarked at Malta. She returned twice again to Anzac, disembarking the patients each time at Alexandria.

                          On October 8th, the Maheno sailed for England, and on arrival at Southampton was taken over by the Admiralty and docked. The vessel left again at the end of the month. On November 11th, she was at Anzac for the last time carrying thence wounded and sick to Alexandria. At the time of this visit suitable hospitals had been erected ashore, and a hospital barge was in use which could accommodate from 200 to 300 patients. The Maheno proceeded to Malta, where orders were received to return to New Zealand. Patients were carried from Malta to Port Said and to Suez. New Zealand patients were embarked at Suez, and the ship arrived at Auckland on January 1st, 1916, with 319 patients aboard, most of whom were convalescent.

                          The Maheno was refitted at Port Chalmers, and re-commissioned under Lieut.-Colonel J. S. Elliott, with Captain Maclean again as Commander. She left Wellington on January 26th 1916, and carried, in addition to her usual complement, 53 military nurses for the hospitals in Egypt. After the evacuation of Gallipoli it soon became necessary to clear the Egyptian military hospitals of patients likely to undergo a tedious convalescence, and so the Maheno was sent back from Suez with 321 patients on board for New Zealand. In the Red Sea, the Maheno answered calls for help from the Orissa, a ship carrying military invalids, disabled by the loss of her propeller, and drifting ashore in a heavy sea. She reached her and towed her towards and near Aden. More patients were embarked at Colombo, and the Maheno arrived at New Zealand in the middle of April. She sailed again on April 28th. Naval patients from the Persian Gulf were embarked at Colombo, and on June 9th, the ship reached Suez, there to await orders for eleven days with the thermometer registering 110 degrees day and night. To the great joy of everyone on board, orders to proceed to Southampton via Alexandria were received. About 300 patients were embarked at Alexandria. As showing the Imperial nature of the work of the Maheno, it might be stated that a large proportion of the patients were Australians, and the rest British soldiers from the United Kingdom who had come from fighting in Gallipoli, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. After a very quick passage, the Maheno was at the quayside at Southampton on July the 3rd.

                          The great offensive on the Somme had just begun, and she sailed for Havre where hospital trains were bringing in wounded in immense numbers. The ship was filled 'from stem to stern'; and the decks were converted into wards by hanging up canvas screens all round the ship. Literally no space was left vacant that could be made at all available for a wounded man.

                          Feeding the multitude, dressing the hundreds of wounds, and preparing the necessary statistics was a work of great magnitude. There and then began labours that never ended night or day, with irregular meals and short hours of sleep for the staff. The Maheno sailed with no less than 1141 patients aboard, with nearly every famous regiment of the British line represented, and soldier patients from the four corners of the Empire.

                          After disembarking at Southampton, the Maheno was sent to Boulogne and she loaded, in difficult conditions, 570 severely wounded. In the early days of the cross-channel voyaging, structural alterations had been made in the ship at Southampton, and the cots had been increased to 440. Waterproof mattresses were procured for use on deck. Space will not permit of a detailed description of each journey. Suffice to say that the Maheno was engaged in carrying wounded in the two great phases of the Somme offensive; and from the beginning of July, 1916, to the end of October, 1916, the following patients were on board, excluding 53 New Zealand Sisters, about 500 Australians and 1,000 New Zealanders who were on the Maheno at other periods of the second commission.

                          Frequently, the patients were on board for three days at a time, and the navigation was often difficult and dangerous, except when a destroyer was ahead as a pilot ship.

                          It was curious to observe that many of the German wounded honestly believed that their fleet had command of the Channel and they wondered how the hospital ship could get across. On one occasion, the Maheno lay in an area attacked by a zeppelin.

                          On October 28th, 328 New Zealand sick and wounded were embarked at Southampton, and voyaged home uneventfully except for delay at Albany, due to a coal strike in New Zealand. The ship returned at Christmastide.

                          During the second commission, the Maheno steamed 52,229 sea miles, passed four times through the tropics, and carried almost 16,000 patients. Many operations were performed and surgical dressings innumerable.

                          In September 1915, during the first commission of the Maheno, the War Office accepted an offer from the New Zealand Government to provide a second hospital ship and the Marama, a much larger vessel than the Maheno, was selected, was fitted with 600 beds, and equipped in no way inferior to the Maheno in the wonderfully short period of twenty-three days. Hundreds of workmen were employed night and day during that period. She sailed from New Zealand on 5th December, 1915, under the medical and military charge of Lieut.-Colonel P. R Cook, N.Z.M.C. Captain B. M. Aldwell was the ship's commander.

                          At Alexandria, about 500 patients from Gallipoli and Salonika were embarked for Southampton. She returned to Alexandria, and after some days was sent to Marseilles, coaling at Cette, and then proceeding to Salonika and to Stavros upon which the Eastern flank of the British forces in the Balkans at that time rested. Here the ship was used as a base hospital until she left with patients for Malta. A full complement of sick was taken again to Southampton, and the Marama returned to Alexandria where she was delayed for three weeks until orders were received to embark the New Zealand General Hospital for Southampton, where she arrived in time for the Somme offensive. She then crossed to Boulogne.

                          From this time the Marama and Maheno were part of the White Fleet which carried the wounded from that great battle without delay to the hospitals in England.

                          The Marama on one occasion bore no less than 1,636 patients from Havre. Many of the wounds were of a terrible nature; it was marvellous that men so hurt could survive. Shell-shock was a very frequent trouble, and many patients on board had lost their reason. Patients came on the ship within twelve hours of their being wounded in the trenches. The speed with which the wounded were brought in from the trenches by the bearers, attended to in clearing-stations, sent to hospital trains which ran behind the lines, and brought on board the hospital ship was a remarkable tribute to the organisation of the R.A.M.C., which was one of the wonders of the war. It was found that by the time the patients reached the ship, even after twelve or eighteen hours, their wounds were in most cases septic and often offensive. Sisters and orderlies were engaged all day and all night dressing wounds. Walking patients, of whom there were frequently four or five hundred, went to the dressing room, and there was always a long queue waiting outside this room.

                          It should be explained that walking cases do not necessarily mean the slightly wounded as, owing to the difficulty of transport, cot cases in war are reduced to the absolute minimum. If a man is able to walk at all, no matter how badly he is wounded in the arms, body or head, he is classified as a walking case. Many of the "walkers" were very severely wounded. Some patients fell down asleep from utter exhaustion as soon as they reached the deck—the fact that here was a warm and dry spot was all that mattered. It was a luxury for the wounded even to get away from the terrific din of the battlefields, and merciful Providence had endowed them with the faculty of not looking too far ahead or behind. They were children of the hour, for the immensity of the conflict had dulled the mind, which shut out all considerations except the most pressing and immediate.

                          On August 25th the Marama was recalled to New Zealand, and she sailed with about 500 New Zealand patients. During this commission, the Marama steamed 52,251 sea miles and carried 12,639 patients and 580 hospital passengers.

                          For the soldiers on the Marama and Maheno the glamour of the fighting was over; the wreckage of war was drifting homewards. These men were great in battle; they were equally great in suffering. Not once in all the channel voyagings was heard one word of complaint.

                          The Marama and the Maheno proudly shared with the other hospital ships the thanks conveyed by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and by the Commander-in-Chief.

                          The Marama under Colonel Collins sailed on her second commission on November 12th, 1916, via Bombay, and from that port she carried patients to Suez and proceeded to Southampton, where 540 cases were embarked for New Zealand. A few days out from Southampton, the Marama rescued survivors from a torpedoed ship, and had an unpleasantly close view of a German submarine. After arrival at New Zealand, the Marama sailed again for England on March 22nd, 1917. From Bombay she carried patients invalided from Mesopotamia to Suez, where orders were received that the Mediterranean was unsafe. The nurses were ordered to disembark, and a course was set for Durban. In the absence of the nurses, the orderlies were put to a considerable test in nursing severe cot cases, but they rose to the occasion and succeeded reasonably well. After leaving Durban a fierce storm arose; one large wave swept the decks and a patient and an orderly were washed overboard and drowned, and several others were injured.

                          After calling at Capetown and at Sierra Leone the Marama continued her voyage to Avonmouth and returned with a full complement of patients to New Zealand via the Panama Canal.

                          From the time of this commission dental officers were carried on the hospital ships and did excellent service. In every charter the massage work was exceedingly well done. The masseuses worked very long hours and were rewarded with the results they obtained.

                          The Maheno was re-commissioned for the third charter under Lieut.Colonel R. Anderson, and the Marama for the third charter under Lieut.-Colonel Cook. The Marama was under Colonel Collins for her fourth commission, and the Maheno was re-commissioned a fourth and a fifth time under Colonel Tracy Inglis and Lieut.Colonel Gunn. During each commission, two voyages were made to England for the purpose of clearing the New Zealand Hospitals in the United Kingdom, and patients were carried to various ports en route as necessary. The voyages differed little in detail.

                          The balance of the money remaining at the end of the war to the credit of the Hospital Ship Fund, with the approval of the Government, was expended for the provision of a Medical Students' Hall for the Medical Students' Training-Corps at Dunedin. This hall, equipped with the latest medical appliances, will benefit both the civil and the military training of medical students, and will be of great value to the community at large. It will also be a memorial to the work of the New Zealand hospital ships.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          SS Massilia

                          SS Massilia was built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow, Yard No 398. Port of Registry: Glasgow, Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel. Built: 1902, Launched: Thursday, 21/08/1902. Propulsion: Steam. Tonnage: 5353 grt. Length: 400.6 feet (BP), Breadth: 49.2 feet.

                          Owner History: Anchor Line (Henderson Bros.), Glasgow Built in 1902 with a gross tonnage of 5156, she was a near sister ship to the Olympia. Launched on the 21st of August for the India service, she made her maiden voyage to Bombay. During WWI she was used several times as a hospital ship, sailing between Suez and India.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:5
                          • Nurses:11
                          • Other:44
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:53
                          • Berths:322
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:12th May 1915
                          • Date To:2nd March 1916
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          In June 1919 she made her first trans.,Atlantic crossing from Glasgow to Boston. She made occasional Atlantic crossings between 1921 and 1929, but was otherwise an India ship. Sold on the 13th of March 1930 and broken up. Status: Arrived for Scrapping - 13/03/1930 Remarks: Scrapped at Bo'ness

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Ville de Liege

                          The Ville de Liege build by Cockerill yards with yard number 531. She had a total lenght of 95,40 meter and 11,74 width. Originally she had a 13000 HP engine and reached a speed of 21 knots with her 1365 tonnage.

                          During the first world war this smaller vessel participated in an important role of carrying wounded between Calais and Cherbourg.

                          At the outbreak of the war on the 1st of August 1914 the ship was given the order to lay standby in the local Ostend-Bruges canal and wait for eventual further instructions.

                          On the 20th August the government confiscated the five turbine ships. Amongst them the Ville de Liege. On the 22nd she left for Antwerp where the Belgian government was staying and was given the mission to bring the money reserves from the national bank to Ostend.

                          It was one of the vessels which, due to their speed, had performed an important role in the evacuation of the government, diplomats, civil servants and population.

                          When the Germans arrived in Ostende on the 17th October, the city was empty. On that date the Ville de Liege was handed over to the English Ministry of War.

                          During the battle of the Ijzer the vessel was performing a mission in front of the Belgian and French coast transporting wounded and material to the West corner of Flanders. There was an ammunition factory at Havre where the vessel could load. This until the 31st of March after which the wounded were transported by train.

                          On the 2nd September the vessel left for Dover to be converted to an hospital ship by the Ministry of War.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:4
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:30
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:7
                          • Cots:27
                          • Berths:139
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:13th June 1917
                          • Date To:30th December 1918
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Between the period when the vessel become under the command of the Ministry of War on the 21 Juni 1917 and the 31st December 1918, the vessel had performed 252 trips and transported 77194 wounded and 36356 soldiers.

                          After the war it was renamed London Istanbul and after running aground at Dover in 1929 was given a new lease of life continuing as a cross channel car ferry until eventually being scrapped in 1950.

                          Due to the important share and service given by this vessel and its crew to the population and its country in a period of agression and war, it deserves a special respect and high honour.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Stad Antwerpen

                          SS Stad Antwerpen (sister ship to Ville de Leige) was built in 1913 by NV Cockerill Ougher at Hoboken, Belgium. Yard number 530. Length 91.44m, width 10.97m, power 13000hp, speed 23.62 knots. passenger capacity 900.

                          1913: Antwerp to Plymouth maiden voyage. 1913: Ostend to Dover/Folkestone Ferry Service. 1914 to 1918 Hospital and troop ship service.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:4
                          • Nurses:4
                          • Other:26
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:16
                          • Cots:18
                          • Berths:131
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd October 1915
                          • Date To:12th December 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Returned to Belgium, refitted and back on Ostend to Dover/Folkestone ferry service.

                          1934 sold for break up. 1935 scrapped.

                          John Doran


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Sicilia

                          SS Sicilia was built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow, Yard No 425. Engines by Shipbuilders. Port of Registry: Glasgow
                          Propulsion: Two triple expansion three cylinder steam engines, 4500ihp, twin screws, 14 knots.
                          Launched: Saturday, 22/12/1900, Built 1901.
                          Ship Type: Passenger/Cargo Liner. Ship's Role: 'Intermediate' passenger services, and trooping.
                          Tonnage: 6696 gross; 4174 net; 8462 dwt.
                          Length: 450ft 4in, Breadth: 52ft 4in, Draught: 26ft 8in.

                          Owner History: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company

                          Remarks.

                          • 22/12/1900: Launched for The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, London.
                          • 05/02/1901: Registered.
                          • 09/02/1901: Delivered. The first of 5 sisters delivered in 1901~02, followed by Soudan (Caird), Syria (Stephen), Somali (Caird) and Sardinia (Barclay, Curle). As built, Sicilia could carry 90 First Class and 70 Second Class passengers.
                          • 1901: Maiden voyage trooping to Calcutta.
                          • 1901~03: Boer War trooping.
                          • 1903~04: Indian trooping.
                          • 1904~05: Indian trooping.
                          • 1905: Laid up.
                          • 1906: General trooping.
                          • 1907~08: Indian trooping.
                          • 1907: Rumour aboard that a Sergeant had been murdered by lascars, whereas in reality he had deserted to the Chinese Army.
                          • 1908: UK/India and Chinese services.
                          • 10/09/1914: Hired by the Admiralty for service as a hospital ship (No. E.0261), and served for some time in the Dardanelles.

                            • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                            • Medical Staff strength.
                            • Officers:20
                            • Nurses:
                            • Other:1
                            • Accommodation capacity.
                            • Officers:12
                            • Cots:100
                            • Berths:214
                            • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                            • Date From:10th September 1914
                            • Date To:11th September 1918
                            • Ships Crew details:

                            01/1926: Sold to Kishimoto Kisen K K., Japan for demolition at Osaka.

                            John Doran


                            1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                            HMHS Takada

                            SS Takada was built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow, Yard No 457. Engines by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow. Propulsion: Steam, triple expansion, Power 5200 ihp, Speed 13.5 knots, twin screw.
                            Launched: Saturday, 27/12/1913. Built: 1914
                            Ship Type: Passenger cargo Port of Registry: London
                            Tonnage: 6949 grt, Length: 430 feet, Breadth: 58 feet.
                            Owner History: British India Steam Navigation Company, Glasgow & London Status: Sold for Scrapping - 25/08/1938

                            Remarks: Order Number 136274. 1914: Completed in March. Hospital ship during World War I.

                            • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                            • Medical Staff strength.
                            • Officers:
                            • Nurses:
                            • Other:
                            • Accommodation capacity.
                            • Officers:
                            • Cots:450
                            • Berths:
                            • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                            • Date From:10th August 1915
                            • Date To:29th April 1919
                            • Ships Crew details:

                            Takada plied the trade routes to the far east from the UK in the late 1920's and early 30's.
                            January 1932 in Birkenhead and sailed to Calcutta, Rangoon, Penang, Singapore, Hong Kong, Amoy, Shanghai, Muji, Osaka, Kobe then back to Calcutta.

                            1938: Broken up in Belgium.

                            John Doran


                            1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                            HMHS Vasna

                            HMHS Vasna was built by Alex, Stephen & Sons, Glasgow for the British India Steam Navigation Co. Her gross tonnage was 5,767 with engines that were twin screw, two triple expansion, 4, 700 IHP producing 16.03 Knots in trials, her service speed was 12.5 knots. She was designed to carry 29 First Class Passengers, 27 Second Class Passengers, 1, 605 Deck Passengers and 129 Crew.

                            She was taken over in 1917 while being built and completed as a hospital ship with 613 beds and 125 medical staff.

                            • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                            • Medical Staff strength.
                            • Officers:20
                            • Nurses:7
                            • Other:55
                            • Accommodation capacity.
                            • Officers:41
                            • Cots:57
                            • Berths:460
                            • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                            • Date From:29th May 1917
                            • Date To:1919
                            • Ships Crew details:

                            In 1919 she was released back to British India Steam Navigation Co and used on their Bombay to Basra route until September 1939 when she was again taken over.

                            Converted at Mazagon Dockyard, Bombay to "Naval Hospital Ship No. 4" with 278 beds and 73 medical staff, she was attached to the East Indies Squadron.

                            She was transferred to European waters in 1940 where she was based at Scapa Flow and took part in the evacuation from Norway, and in December 1940 was damaged by air attack while at Liverpool. In Spring 1941 she was based at Freetown with the South Atlantic Squadron for three months and then returned to Scapa and the Home Fleet. She transferred to the Eastern Fleet, based in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in Feb.1942 and was involved with the Madagascar landings. In June 1943 she went to the Mediterranean, then UK and back to the Mediterranean where she was seconded to Army service for the Sicily landings, based at Tripoli. Returned to the Eastern Fleet in 1944 and was at the Burma invasion and in 1945 was attached to the British Pacific Fleet.

                            She also carried Australian ex-prisoners of war from Okinawa to Sydney and in March 1946 was refitted for the BISN Co Persian Gulf service.
                            In February 1951 she was sold for breaking up and was scrapped at Blyth.

                            John Doran


                            1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                            HMHS Varela

                            SS Varela (1914), Base data at 26 June 1914. Type Passenger/cargo liner P&O Group service 1914-1951. P&O Group status Owned by subsidiary company British India Steam Navigation Company Ltd.

                            Builders Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd Newcastle-upon-Tyne Yard number 930. Registry: Official number 136296, Signal letters Call sign JFPT. Classification society Lloyd’s Register.

                            Gross tonnage 4,645 grt, Net tonnage 1,932 nrt, Deadweight 5,160 tons.
                            Length 118.90m (390.1ft), Breadth 16.24m (53.3ft), Depth 8.07m (26.5ft) Draught 6.979m (22.9ft).
                            Engines 2 triple expansion steam engines. Engine builders Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Newcastle-upon-Tyne
                            Power 4,700 ihp, Propulsion Twin screw, Speed 15.75 knots (trials).
                            Passenger capacity 32 first class, 24 second class, 1,292 deck passengers. Cargo capacity 4,875 cubic metres (172,158 cubic metres)

                            Employment* Bombay/Persian Gulf ‘fast’ service

                            History.

                            • 27.03.1914: Launched.
                            • 28.05.1914: Delivered as Varela for British India Steam Navigation Company at a cost of £119,200. She was the first of the V-class to be delivered followed by her sisters Varsova, Vita and Vasna.
                            • 24.06.1914: Takeover of British India Steam Navigation Company by The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company agreed.
                            • 02.08.1914: She was the first British India Steam Navigation Company ship requisitioned by the Government for the war effort (two days before the official declaration of war). She was initially used as a supply and despatch vessel.
                            • Late 1914: Served as an Indian Expeditionary Force transport. She was the headquarters ship for the landings at Fao and Sanniya in the Gulf.
                            • Early 1915: Used intermittently as a base hospital at Basra.

                            10.1915: Converted into an Indian Expeditionary Force hospital ship with 450 beds at the Royal Indian Marine Dockyard at Bombay. She was employed mainly to and from the Gulf for the Mesopotamia campaign.

                            • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                            • Medical Staff strength.
                            • Officers:
                            • Nurses:
                            • Other:
                            • Accommodation capacity.
                            • Officers:450
                            • Cots:
                            • Berths:
                            • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                            • Date From: 2nd October 1915
                            • Date To: 1st October 1920
                            • Ships Crew details:

                            • 11.1917: Transferred to ambulance transport service.
                            • 10.1920: Released back to commercial service.
                            • 14.12.1922: Collided with a tug and the Strick Line tender Raithwaite Hall in the river below Mohammerah. She caused extensive damage to the tender. The Varela required dry-docking at Bombay to be repaired.
                            • 07.1927: One of her firemen fell overboard 32km (20 miles) off land. A search was mounted without success. The fireman was entered as ‘lost at sea’ and his effects returned to his family members. A week later the ‘dead’ man was back on board, having swum for a day and a half before being picked up by fishermen close inshore and making his way back to Varela on the Barpeta.

                            WW2 Service.

                            09.1938: Requisitioned during the Munich crisis.
                            1939: 87.7 cubic metres (3,100 cubic feet) of insulated cargo space installed.
                            1941/1945: Her wartime service was spent serving as a Personnel Ship.

                            1946: Returned to her Persian Gulf service.
                            1947: Transferred to the Calcutta/Madras/Rangoon service.
                            22.03.1951: Sold for £45,000 to the British Iron & Steel Corporation for breaking up.
                            26.04.1951: Demolition carried out by Thomas W Ward Ltd at Briton Ferry.

                            John Doran


                            1st Aug 1914 U-Boat U1 joins training flotilla  SM U-1 joined the training Flotilla on the 1st of August 1914 She had been built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 119) and launched 4 Aug 1906 being commissioned: 14 Dec 1906 On the 19 Feb 1919 she was stricken. The wreck was sold to Germaniawerft foundation at the Deutsches Museum in Munich where she was restored and is now on display.

                            John Doran


                            1st Aug 1914 U-Boat U4 joins training flotilla  SM U-4 was a Type U 3 U-boat built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 3) Ordered 13 Aug 1907, launched 18 May 1909 and commissioned 1 Jul 1909. On the 1 Aug 1914 she joined the training Flotilla On gthe 27 Jan 1919 she was stricken,and broken up at the Imperial Navy Dockyard, Kiel. The hull was sold to Stinnes on 3 Feb 1920.

                            John Doran


                            1st Aug 1914   SM U-15 was a Type U 13 uboat, built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 10). She had been ordered 23 Feb 1909 and was launched 18 Sep 1911, commissioned 7 Jul 1912. On the 1 Aug 1914 she was commanded by Richard Pohle.

                            1st August 1914 Early actions 1914  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army then with 9th and 10th Armies

                            1914-1915

                            Along with the 2nd Division, the 1st Division formed the 1st Army Corps (Koenigsberg).

                            Russia

                            The 1st Army Corps was engaged on the Russian Front at the very beginning of the war.

                            Up until November, the 1st Division participated in the operations of East Prussia and notably in the battle of Tannenberg (Aug. 27-29).

                            In December the two division of the 1st Corps separated. The 2nd Division remained in the north and the 1st Division went to the 9th Army, from December, 1914, to January, 1915 (Bzura-Rawka), then to the Army of the South, operating in the Carpathians and on the Dniester, from February, 1915, to February, 1916.

                            Historical Records


                            1st August 1914 Early actions 1914  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 6th German Army.

                            1914.

                            Lorraine.

                            At the beginning of the war the 1st Bavarian Division, forming, with the 2nd Bavarian Division, the 1st Bavarian Corps, was part of the 6th Army (Bavarian Crown Prince). It detrained at Sarrebruecken (Aug. 8-9), crossed the frontier, sacked Badonviller on the 12th and withdrew to the north of Sarrebruecken on the 17th. It fought at Sarrebruecken on the 20th. In liaison on the left with the Badeners of the 14th Corps, it crossed the frontier and advanced to Nossoncourt and Xaffevillers (Sept. 6th) via Baccarat. On September 12th, the division, having been withdrawn, was reassembled at Peltre (near Metz). It then entrained at Metz on the 14th and 15th, and detrained near Namur, reaching Peronne on the 24th.

                            Historical Records


                            1st August 1914 Early actions 1914  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

                            1914 Lorraine.

                            The Bavarian Reserve Division(1st Bavarian Reserve Corps, with the 5th Bavarian Reserve Division) was at the beginning of the war part of the 6th Army (Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria), and detrained in Lorraine August 13-14. After having helped to check the French offensive in Lorraine, participated in the battle of August 20, entered Luneville, and after having fought at Einville, early in September, it went to rest in the vicinity of the Paris-Avricourt railroad, and later marched to Metz by stages.

                            Arras.

                            On September 27-28 the division entrained at Metz and was carried to Cambrai. Entering the line between Douai and Arras, it fought at Izel, Gavrelle, Rouvroy (Oct.2-3). On the 5th its right wing was at Souchez, the whole 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps being then in line north of Arras. October 23 the two divisions of the corps attacked violently along the Carency-Roclincourt front; they remained in the line until June, 1915, the lst Bavarian Division being between Roclincourt and Ecurie.

                            Historical Records


                            1st August 1914 Actions during 1914  1st Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 6th German Army

                            Lorraine 1914.

                            The origin of the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division dates from the stabilization of the Lorraine front after the check of the Germans before Grand-Couronne in September, 1914. At the beginning of the war the different elements which were to enter into the composition of the division were employed in Lorraine in rear of the combatant troops. The 71st Landwehr Regiment came from the war garrison of Strasburg. These elements grouped in three brigades forming the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division, were brought up to the front early in September and put into line in the Chateau-Salins sector (from Jallaucourt to the Rhine-Marne Canal).

                            1st August 1914 Actions 1914 to 1917  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

                            1914-1917.

                            Belgium. At the beginning of the war the Field Army contained only one naval division. This division entered Belgium on September 4, 1914, detrained at Brussels and on the 6th September took up its position to the left of the corps which was besieging Antwerp. After the taking of the city on October 10 the division marched along the coast, arrived at a point between Ostend and Bruges on October 23rd and on November 2nd relieved the 4th Ersatz Division on the front of Nieuport St. Georges.

                            On the 24th November 1914, the Naval Corps was formed by adding a 2nd Naval Division to the 1st. After this time the Naval Corps occupied the sea front and the sector of the coast in occupied Flanders. The staffs of the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions were permanently in command of this sector - the sea front (from Raversyde to the frontier of Zeeland as far as Maldegem was assigned to the 1st Naval Division; the front on land from the North Sea to Schoorbakke, 4 kilometers southeast Nieuport, to the 2nd Naval Division). The six regiments of Marine Fusiliers alternated between the two sectors, and consequently changed from one division to the other. In April 1917, the three naval infantry regiments were withdrawn from the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions to organize a new Division, the 3rd Naval Division. These regiments had already formed a provisional division, from the end of September 1916 to January 1917, when they were engaged on the Somme. After fighting east of Ypres (August to November, 1917), the 3rd Naval Division came into line at Nieuport (Lombartzyde) to the right of the 2nd Naval Division in December.

                            Allied Intelligence - 1917 Value Estimate.

                            The Marine or Sailor Fusiliers, recruited at the beginning of the war from among the seamen or the population of the ports, had only a mediocre combat value at the time. Since 1917, in consequence of reinforcements taken from the land army and also in consequence of reducing the age of the effectives, the regiments of Naval Fusiliers seem to be of better quality. From a recruiting standpoint, they may be compared with the active divisions of the German Army.

                            Historical Records


                            1st August 1914 Actions during 1914  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

                            1914.

                            France. Entrained August 9 to 11 (notebooks). Detrained at Beutgenbach (12 kilos east of Malmedy). Entered Belgium August 14. Crossed the Meuse at Huy August 18. Crossed the Sambre at Auvelais (Aug. 22) on the right of the 1st Guard Division. Fought at Falisolle and Aisemont the 23rd; at Mettet the 24th. Fought on the 29th at Haution and Vallee-aux-Bleds; on the 30th at St. Pierre (west of Vervins), on the left of the 1st Guard Division. From there via Lugny, Boncourt, La Malmaison, Ville-aux-Bois, Sarcy, Epernay, Avize, Vertus; fought after September 6 at Ecury-le-Repos and Normee.

                            Retreated on the 9th at Vertus; 10th at Tauxieres; 11th at Thuizy. Was before Reims until September 30. In Artois in October (Bucquoy, Ivlonchy-aux-Bois, Adinfer), near the 1st Guard Division. Split up in November like the latter; sent one of its brigades, the 4th, in the region of Ypres (Gheluvelt) and remained there until the end of December.

                            Historical Records


                            1st August 1914 Actions during 1914  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

                            Divisional activity during 1914

                            The first and second divisions formed the 1st Army Corps.

                            Russia. At the beginning of the war the 2nd Division was sent to the Russian front. Up to the month of November it participated in the operations in Oriental Prussia (Tannenberg, Aug. 27-29). In November 1914, the 2nd Division, minus one brigade, which continued to hold its old sector, was withdrawn and included in the group which attacked in the direction of Lodz and operated between the Vistula and the Warta continuing its activities, it attempted to cross the Bzura-Rawka opposite Warsaw in the district of Lowicz.

                            Historical Records


                            1st August 1914 Actions 1914 to 1917  2nd Landwehr Division part of 5th German Army

                            (Thirteenth District-Wurttemberg.) 1914 Argonne. The 2nd Landwehr Division (Franke Division) forms a part of the Argonne group and has continuously occupied sectors of this district since September 1914. At the beginning of the campaign it comprised a Wurttemberg and a Bavarian brigade. Engaged at Etain August 24, 1914, it crossed the Meuse at Stenay on the 31st.

                            Beginning with September it occupied the line in the woods of Cheppy and Malancourt.

                            1915 Argonne.

                            Vauquois-bois de Malancourt sector. At the end of September 1915, portions of the division (one battalion of the 6th and one of the 7th Bavarian Landwehr) were assigned to service in the district of Massiges. They rejoined the Vauquois sector at the end of October.

                            1916 Argonne.

                            Vauquois-bois d'Avocourt and Malancourt sector. At the beginning of 1916 the 2nd Landwehr Division was reconstituted with exclusively Wurttemberg elements, including the 120th Landwehr, withdrawn from the Bavarian Ersatz Division, and the 122nd Landwehr, proceeding from the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division. The 9th Bavarian brigade went over to the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division.

                            1917 Argonne.

                            In the Cheppy-bois d'Avocourt wood sector. At the end of August 1917, the 2nd Landwehr Division changed places with the 2nd Bavarian Division and took the Nord Four sector of Paris-Bolante-Courte-Chausse.

                            Allied Intelligance 1917 Value Estimate.

                            Sector division. Did not leave Argonne from the beginning of the war. On several occasions it furnished young men to active and reserve Wurttemberg regiments, replacing them by older Landsturm men.

                            Historical Records


                            1st August 1914 Actions during 1914  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                            Divisional Actions during 1914

                            (First Bavarian District-Southwest of Bavaria, Bavarian Swabia.) 1914 Lorraine.

                            At the beginning of August the 2nd Bavarian Division which, with the 1st Bavarian Division, formed the 1st Bavarian Corps, was a part of the army of the Crown Prince of Bavaria (6th Army). The 3rd Brigade, covering troops, detrained at Reding near Saarburg, on the 3rd of August. On the 9th the division was at its full strength. It proceeded to the frontier, reached Badonviller and retired as far as Gosselming (west of Saarburg) by the 17th of August, gave battle there on the 20th, and recrossed the frontier. It advanced as far as Xaffevillers (Sep 7th), whence it retired to Itlorhange (Sep 10th). On September 15 the division entrained at Metz. It detrained near Namur, gained Peronne by stages, and was engaged at Foucaucourt by the 24th.

                            Somme.

                            Together with the 1st Bavarian Corps it was attached to the 2nd Army (Von Billow), operating on the Somme in the district of Peronne. It took part in the fiercely contested battles which took place there but a short time after the stabilization of the front and suffered serious losses. At the beginning of the campaign, October 30, the 12th Infantry had 50 officers and 1,910 men who were unable to take part in action.

                            The division was maintained in this district up to the month of October, 1914, first to the south of the Somme, later, at the beginning of November, 1914, between Dompierre and Maricourt.

                            Historical Records


                            2nd Aug 1914 Anti-war Demonstration in Trafalgar Square  Ten Thousand people attended an anti-war demonstration in Trafalgar Square, London. Speakers at this peace rally included James Keir Hardie, the pacifist ex-leader of the Labour Party.

                            We will not go to War - Felicity Goodall


                            3rd Aug 1914 Germany declares War  Germany declares war on France. Belgium refuses Germany permission to cross its territory to reach France, Germany invades Belgium.

                            3rd Aug 1914 5th Durhams recalled from Camp  

                            The 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry were at Deganwy in North Wales for their annual 15 day training camp with the York and Durham Brigade in early August 1914

                            They broke camp on the 3rd of August and returned to County Durham to prepare for the expected declaration of war.

                            They were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at the Drill Hall, Stockton-on-Tees where A, B and C Coys were also based. D, E and H Coys were based at the Drill Hall, Darlington while F and G Coy were based at the Drill Hall, Castle Eden.

                            3rd Aug 1914 3rd Green Howards strike camp  The 3rd Btn. (Green Howards) Yorkshire Regiment were engaged in a day of sports, watched by their families at Deerbolt Camp when a telegram was received at 2.15pm to strike camp and return to their home base. By twenty to six the tents and other equipment had been packed and the men were ready to march out of the camp.

                            Teesdale Mercury


                            3rd Aug 1914 Northumberland Hussars band at Bowes Museum  On Bank Holiday Monday, the band of the Northumberland Hussars played two well attended concerts in the grounds of Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle.

                            Teesdale Mercury


                            3rd Aug 1914 4th Yorks break camp.  4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) were at Deganwy Camp in Wales for the annual Divisional Training at the beginning of August 1914, with rumours of impending War, the Camp broke up on the 3rd of August and Company returned to its own Headquarters. H Coy had their The Drill Hall at the old Baptist Chapel, 4 Bridge Street, Bedale.

                            http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bandl.danby/003aBn1914.html


                            4th August 1914 Shot fired on the Mersey  The first shot by the British in the Great War was fired one of the guns of Fort Perch Rock on the Mersey, as a warning across the bow of a Norwegian vessel which ignored a signal to halt, just 30 minutes after war had been declared.

                            4th Aug 1914 Earthquake in Jamaica  A severe earthquake was felt across the colony of Jamaica, particularly on the north side and the eastern end of the island. Considerable damage reported in Port Antonio, but no lives have been lost.

                               The 4th (City of Dundee) Battalion Black Watch had their HQ at The Drill Hall in Bell Street, Dundee and A to H Companies were all drawn from the city. At the outbreak of war they were part of the Black Watch Infantry Brigade, their allocated war station was the Scottish Coastal Defences.

                            The Black Watch in the Great War - Major General A.G Wauchope


                            4th Aug 1914 British Army Mobilises  Across Britain the trains, towns and cities were filled with soldiers and officers in khaki as they were recalled to their units after the Bank Holiday Weekend. The Territorial Forces, who had set out for their annual summer camps, were ordered home to take up their war stations.

                            Homefires Burning - Gavin Roynon


                             Cadet Force no longer under Territorials  The Cadet Force had been established as a youth organisation of the Territorial Force when it was formed in 1908, with the aim of instilling military discipline and as a means of providing further education for boys as most left school at the age of 14 at that time. Many battalions of the TF had their associated Cadet Corps run under the County Administration, often based at local schools or TF Drill Halls.

                            When war broke out in August 1914 the administration of the Cadets was taken over by the War Office and were renamed the Army Cadet Force. The organisation continued to provide training for boys with the aim of preparing them for service in the military.

                            4th Aug 1914 1st Royal Scots in Gosport  1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were based in Gosport as part of 9th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in 1914.

                            4th Aug 1914 40th Brigade RFA mobilise  40th Brigade Royal Field Artillery were at Bulford Camp and at once began to mobilise for war.

                            4th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers mobilized  1st Royal Fusiliers at the barracks at Kinsale, Ireland received the order to mobilize at 6pm.

                            www.creasey.name


                            4th Aug 1914 Berkshire Regiment at Aldershot  1st Battalion Berkshire Regiment were at Aldershot when war broke out in 1914. At 5.30pm Orders were received to mobilize

                            4th Aug 1914 2nd Royal Irish Regiment at Devonport  2nd Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment were in Devonport, as part of 8th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914.

                            4th Aug 1914 Durham Territorials break camp  At Conway Camp in North Wales, reveille was sounded at 4am. The Territorials of the 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions Durham Light Infantry quickly broke camp and marched to the station to board special trains back to their County Durham bases to mobilize for war.

                            11th DLI Martin Bashforth


                            4th Aug 1914 5th Durhams deployed to Hartlepool and South Gare  The territorials of the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry are deployed to Hartlepool and South Gare to dig coastal trenches to defend the mouth of the River Tees.

                            11th DLI Martin Bashforth


                            4th Aug 1914 2nd West Riding Brigade leave Marske  The 2nd West Riding Brigade are at their annual camp near Marske on the North Yorkshire Coast, they broke camp this morning. 3000 territorials of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment marched to Saltburn station and entrained on specially commissioned rolling stock, for their home bases.

                            11th DLI Martin Bashforth


                            4th Aug 1914 West Yorkshire Territorials march into Scarborough  The Territorials of the West Riding Brigade, 5th, 7th and 8th Battalions West Yorkshire Regiment broke camp near Scarborough and marched to Scarborough railway station to entrain for the journey home.

                            4th Aug 1914 Anti War Meeting in Darlington  A crowd of over 1000 protestors gathered in the Market Place at Darlington to attend a meeting called by Darlington Trades Council to urge the British Government to remain neutral, W.G. Loraine of the National Union of Railwaymen lead the speeches.

                            11th DLI Martin Bashforth


                            4th Aug 1914 Poplar and Stepney Rifles return from Salisbury Plain  17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment. It was a Territorial unit and had its headquarters at 66 Tredegar Road, Bow, when war broke out in August 1914. It was part of 5th London Brigade, 2nd London Division (later the 47th Division). The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war was declared in August 1914 and they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service.

                            Aug 1914 Green Howards break camp  The territorials of the Green Howards break camp and return to their drill halls. The Drill Hall of the Yorkshire Regiment at Redcar was located on the High Street in a building which had been the Globe Hotel before it was closed in 1910 due to a withdrawal of the liquor licence by the local authority in an attempt to reduce the number of licenced premises in the town. The bar was to the right of the entrance, with toilets, a store with an armoury of more than 100 weapons, utility room and an office for the Officer commanding. On the left was a snooker and games room and a door leading into the rear yard and drill hall. Upstairs the rooms were occupied by the sergeant major appointed to train the men. Today Halford's bike shop stands on the site.

                            Remember When


                            4th Aug 1914 5th Welsh return from Portmadoc  The 5th Batalion, Welsh Regiment were at Portmadoc for their annual camp when war was declared, they at once returned to man their war station at Fort Scoveston.

                            4th Aug 1914   2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment were in Malta when war was declared in August 1914.

                            4th Aug 1914 59th Field Coy RE to mobilize  4th Aug. 1914, 5.30pm Ireland. Telegram 'Mobilize' received by 59th Field Company Royal Engineers

                            4th August 1914 On the Move  At the outbreak of war 4 Squadron moved to Eastchurch and undertook naval and anti-Zeppelin patrols. No 4 Squadron had been created from No 2 Flight, No 2 Squadron at Farnborough on 16th Sep 1912 and moved to Netheravon in 1913. A great part of the initial work was experimental, and the specific challenge to No. 4 Squadron was to develop the art of night flying. During this time tentative trials were also carried out with wireless sets for artillery co-operation. The success of these trials led to the creation of a separate Wireless Flight to develop the system further.

                            4th Aug 1914 Mobilise  At 4.00 p.m. on 4th of August 1914, the War Office began the process of mobilising the Regular Army and to recall regular reservists to the colours. A telegram, containing one word "Mobilise" was despatched to all commands and garrisons. At Aldershot, the signal came from the Headquarters of Aldershot Command at Stanhope Lines at 6.30 p.m. A soldier came out from the side entrance of the Headquarters Office and hoisted three large black balls on the flagstaff on the lawn outside the building. Around the country, telegrams and policemen notified regular reservists that they were to report to their old regiments.

                            4th Aug 1914 Gloucestershire Hussars mobilise  The Order to mobilise the Gloucestershire Hussars was given at 7pm on August 4th 1914. They joined the 1st South Midland Brigade with the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry, based Newbury Racecourse. The Brigade then moved to the east coast of England in case of a German invasion. In September a second Regiment of the R.G.H. was raised, and later a third.

                            5th Aug 1914   The Battle of Liege

                            The German Second Army crossed into neutral Belgium aiming to attack France from the north, and soon reached the key city of Liege, where their advance was checked by a relatively small number of Belgian soldiers under the command of Lieutenant General Leman. The city of Liege was defended by a ring of twelve underground forts built on high ground six miles outside the city in the 1880's, with retractable cupolas housing a total of 400 guns ranging in size up to six inch.

                            When the German Army reached the River Meuse a few miles from the city, they found the bridges had already been destroyed. They began to construct pontoons but soon came under fire from the 210mm howitzers, 150 and 120mm canons and 57mm rapid fire guns. The Belgian's had had little time to prepare and the hastily constructed earth works between the forts barely held back the German Forces and on the evening of the 5th the Germans carried out one of the first air raids with a Zeppelin dropping bombs on the city of Liege.

                            5th Aug 1914 First German Naval loss  Königin Luise had been was requisitioned by the Kaiserliche Marine on the 3rd of August 1914 to serve as an auxiliary minelayer, and was pressed in to service when Britain entered the war. On the night of the 4th/5th of August she laid a minefield off the coast but was spotted by a number of fishing vessels. The light cruiser HMS Amphion and a number of destroyers of the 3rd Flotilla sailed early in the morning of 5th of August and sailed towards Heligoland Bight. En-route they encountered a fishing vessel, whose crew informed the British ships that they had seen a ship "throwing things over the side" about 20 miles north of the Outer Gabbard. The taskforce spotted Königin Luise at 10:25, but she fled at top speed, moving into a rain squall, where she proceeded to lay more mines. HMS Lance and HMS Landrail gave chase, and Lance opened fire, the first British Naval shot of the war. HMS Amphion soon closed in and also commenced firing on the Königin Luise which attempted to escape to neutral waters to the south-east, leading the pursuing British vessels through her minefield. Being damaged by heavy fire, Commander Biermann ordered the scuttling of the Königin Luise. The surviving crew abandoned ship, and the vessel rolled over to port and sank at 12:22. 46 of the 100 crew were rescued by the British ships.

                            5th Aug 1914 German vessels held  Numerous German vessels are captured in British ports as they arrive unaware that Britain is now at War with their native land.

                            5th Aug 1914 Export Suspended on Tyne  The export trade on the Tyne is totally suspended with thousands of men being made idle.

                            5th Aug 1914 Rousing send off.  The whole battalion of the 3rd Monmouths gathered outside the Market Hall in Abergavenny at dawn on the 5th August. Later that day they were marched to Bailey Park where they were given tea. The battalion colours were handed over to the custody of the Mayor and the corporation of Abergavenny. They left the market square of the ancient Borough of Abergavenny to a rousing send off by flag waving citizens. Down the road, out of the Town, over the bridge of the Given River and up the rise to The Great Western railway station, still there today. Two troop trams were ready and waiting, the soldiers boarded bound for Pembroke Dock and what was to be for these Welshmen, a lifetime's adventure. But for many Monmouthshire men the surrounding mountains, the Blaring, the Skirred and the Dei, were the to be their last sight of home.

                            5th Aug 1914 7th Black Watch man Kingshorn Battery.  At the outbreak of war in August 1914, Kinghorn Battery was manned by the 7th Fife Territorial Battalion, Royal Highlanders who had been been mobilized 5 days earlier. They spent the first few weeks digging new defences to protect the Rosyth Naval Base against the threat of a German landing in the East of Fife.

                            5th Aug 1914 Railways taken over for troops  The railways were taken over by the Government for the transport of troops. All day the stations were busy with reservists who had been called up.

                            Homefires Burning - Gavin Roynon


                            5th Aug 1914 Military Manoeuvers at Hyde Park  The traffic at Hyde Park was held up as soldiers loaded cases of ammunition from the Powder Magazine into a fleet of commandeered motor buses.

                            Homefires Burning - Gavin Roynon


                            5th Aug 1914 Panic Buying of Groceries  The grocery and provision stores were overwhelmed by a mass of cutomers seeking to stockpile as much food as possible, causing an emourmous rise in prices.

                            5th Aug 1914 4th Scots Fusiliers at Stirling  The 4th Scots Fusiliers, recalled from their summer camp, mobilised for war. They moved from their base at Kilmarnock to take up their allocated position on the Scottish coastal defences at Stirling.

                            5th August 1914 Military Camp to be built  It was revealed that plans had been made to construct a large military camp in the grounds of Lord Brownlow’s country house, Belton Park near Grantham.

                            5th August 1914 44th Brigade RFA mobilize  44th Howitzer Brigade Royal Field Artillery, which consisted of the 47th, 56th amd 60th Batteries, began to mobilise at Bordon. Bordon Camp was first built in 1899 and is situated near Petersfield in Hampshire, the site has been continual in use by the Army since 1903 when the hutted camp was expanded. The Louisburg barracks were built in 1906, adding brick buildings to house two regiments of Artillery, a riding school and a veterinary hospital. The Royal Engineer Lines were added by 1911.

                            5th Aug 1914 Territorials mobilise  At Colchester Camp, which has historically been an important military garrison, territorial units are mobilising for war. The men of 8th (Cyclist) Battalion Essex Regiment, The Essex Yeomanry and Essex Royal Horse Artillery are all ordered to prepare to take up their war stations.

                            Newspaper clipping


                            5th Aug 1914 F Coy 6th DLI leave Barnard Castle  The men of F Coy, 6th Durham Light Infantry were ordered to report to the Drill Hall in Barnard Castle at 8am, to prepare to leave at 4.30pm to rejoin the rest of the Battalion at Bishop Auckland. They had arrived home just after mid-day yesterday.

                            Teesdale Mercury


                            5th Aug 1914 4th Yorks mobilise  4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment receive the order to mobilise and the Companies to assemble at Northallerton.

                            http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bandl.danby/003aBn1914.html


                            5th Aug 1914 2nd Life Guards & 4th Cavalry Brigade mobilise  2nd Life Guards are at Canterbury between the 5th and 8th of August. 4th Cavalry Brigade Mobilisation normal

                            War Diary


                            5th Aug 1914 4th Northumberlands proceed to France  On the 5th of August, 17 officers and 660 men, territorials of the 4th Battalion, Northumbland Fusiliers reported for duty and began intensive training in Newcastle.

                            5th Aug 1914 Reservists receive telegrams  Telegrams were sent to the 300 reservists of the Leicestershire Regiment ordering them to report for duty at Glen Parva Barracks, Saffron Lane, South Wigston. The 500 regulars of the 1st Battalion were at Fermoy, Ireland and returned swiftly to England for duty on the East coast in case of invasion.

                            5th August 1914 Early actions 1914  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

                            The Bavarian Ersatz Division consisted, at the outbreak of the war, of the three mixed Bavarian Ersatz brigades, Nos. 1, 5 and 9 (12 battalions), which detrained on the 17th-18th August 1914 in the region of Schelestadt. But afterwards this designation indicated a composite division (Benzin Division) formed from the 3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade and the 59th Landwehr Brigade (28th Ersatz, Baden) and the 120th Landwehr Regiment (Wurttemberg).

                            Vosges.

                            The Benzin Division was first engaged in the Vosges (St. Marie Ridge, St. Die, Laveline) until September 1914. After a rest in the Valley of the Bruche, it entrained at the end of September for Mars-la-Tour and reinforced the 3rd Bavarian Corps in the St. Mihiel area.

                            historical records


                            5th August 1914 Early actions 1914  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

                            Belgium 1914.

                            At the beginning of the war the 1st Guard Reserve Division together with the 3rd Guard Division forming the Guard Reserve Corps, swept into Belgium as part of the 2nd Army under von Buelow.

                            On the 16th of August it crossed the Meuse at Ardenne and pushed on as far as Namur by the 20th August. On the 29th the two divisions (Guard Reserve Corps) were brought back to Aix-la-Chapelle and left for East Prussia.

                            1st September 1914 Poland.

                            At the beginning of October the Guard Reserve Corps, attached to the Southern Army Group, took part in the invasion of the southern part of Poland. It fought at Opatow (4th Oct) and suffered severe losses at Lodz while retreating from the Russian armies.

                            During the winter of 1914-15 it fought on the Bzura.

                            historical records


                            5th August 1914 Mobilization  Mobilization of the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment took place at Colchester between the 5th and 8th of August 1914.

                            1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1


                            5th Aug 1914 4th Munsters mobilise  The 4th Royal Munster Fusiliers were assembled at Kinsale before proceeding to Queenstown.

                            5th Aug 1914 Warwickshire Territorials Mobilise  At 6am on Wednesday, the Territorial Battalions of the Warwickshire Brigade paraded before leaving their home towns. The 5th and 6th Btn shared Thorp St Barracks, which was not big enough for both battalions to parade together. So Col Parkes and Col Martineau tossed a coin. The Mayor won and whilst the 6th Battalion paraded at the barracks, the 5th Btn held their parade in the railway sheds of the Midland Railway. The 8th paraded as a Battlion in Aston and the 7th at their various drill halls across the county.

                            In the evening the four battalions boarded trains and departed for Weymouth.

                            6th of August 1914 2nd West Surrey's on manoeuvres  In South Africa the Pretoria District Infantry Brigade, including 2nd Battalion The Queen's, are on a trek from Potchefstroom, where it had just carried out manoeuvres. The total distance was about 110 miles. The final march into Roberts' Heights on this date was 27 miles. At 7.30 P.M. The battalion received urgent order to proceed to Cape Town on Aug. 8th.

                            2nd Bn Queens West Surrey Regt War Diary


                            6th August 1914 Zeppelin raids.  On 6 August 1914 the German Zeppelin Z6 (LZ21) bombed the Belgian city of Liège, killing nine civilians. It was dropping artillery shells instead of bombs, but the ship's inadequate lift kept it at low altitude so that the bullets and shrapnel from defending fire penetrated the hull. The ship limped back towards Cologne, but had to be set down near Bonn in a forest, completely wrecking it.

                            John Doran


                            6th Aug 1914 HMS Ampion lost  HMS Amphion hit a mine and sank in North Sea with the loss of 151 lives.

                            7th Aug 1914 Lord Kitchener begins recruiting campaign  Lord Kitchener, the war minister, began his recruiting campaign by calling for men aged between 19 and 30 to form new Battalions to boost the British Army which numbered 247,432 regular troops.

                            7th Aug 1914 1st West Yorks move to Scotland  1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment leave their base at Lichfield and move to Dunfermline to assist in the defence of the River Clyde.

                            7th Aug 1914 3rd West Yorks man the Tyne Garrison  3rd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment moved from their base in York to Whitley Bay as part of the Tyne Garrison.

                            7th of August 1914 2nd West Surrey's move cancelled  10.30 A.M. Order re move to Cape Town cancelled. Orders received for battalion to hold itself in readiness to proceed to England at an early date.

                            2nd Bn Queens West Surrey Regt War Diary


                            7th Aug 1914 Lord Kitchener appeals for 100,000 volunteers  Lord Kitchener publishes his first appeal for 100,00 volunteers to form his First New Army.

                            11th DLI Martin Bashforth


                            8th August 1914 New Laws in Britain  The Defence of the Realm Act came into force, with restrictions designed to keep morale in Britain high and to help prevent invasion and read: "His Majesty in Council has power during the continuance of the present war to issue regulations as to the powers and duties of the Admiralty and Army Council, and of the members of His Majesty's forces, and other persons acting in His behalf, for securing the public safety and the defence of the realm; and may, by such regulations, authorise the trial by courts martial and punishment of persons contravening any of the provisions of such regulations designed

                            (a) To prevent persons communicating with the enemy or obtaining information for that purpose or any purpose calculated to jeopardise the success of the operations of any of His Majesty's forces or to assist the enemy; or

                            (b) To secure the safety of any means of communication, or of railways, docks or harbours; in like manner as if such persons were subject to military law and had on active service committed an offence under section 5 of the Army Act.

                            Restrictions included, the discussion of Military matters in public, a ban on melting down silver or gold, lighting of fireworks, bonfires and the flying of kites. It also gave the government powers to take over land, factories or workshops for the war effort and to censor newspapers and letters from abroad, as well as powers to try civilians caught breaking these laws.

                            8th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers at Kinsale  Sixty men and three Officers of the 1st Royal Fusiliers were detailed to go out Horse-Hunting from the barracks at Kinsale. They returned with about 50 horses and unit was ready to depart.

                            www.creasey.name


                            8th Aug 1914 Shooting match at Tandragee  On Saturday 8th August 1914 the Ulster Volunteer Force held a shooting competition at the rifle range in Tandragee demesne with teams from the Clare, Laurelvale, Tandragee and Scarva Companies participating.

                            8th Aug 1914 HMS Bristol in action  200 miles south of Bermuda HMS Bristol engaged the German Cruiser Karlesruhe, damaging the vessel and forcing her to seek rrefuge in a neutral port in the West Indies. The British cruiser was undamaged.

                            Teesdale Mercury


                            8th Aug 1914 4th West Yorks leave York  4th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment left York in early August 1914 to take up a defensive role at Falmouth.

                            8th August 1914 Reservists to unit  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Saturday, August 8th, 1914 - Devonport

                            Second lot of reservists arrived and we are now practically ready and complete to proceed on active service.

                            war diaries


                            9th Aug 1914 First Light Cruiser Squadron attacked by Submarines  On the Sunday morning, the First Light Cruiser Squadron, cruising about 40 miles off Aberdeen, was attacked by a squadron of German submarines. The submarine U-15, rose only a short distance ahead of HMS Birmingham and was quickly disabled by three rounds and was then rammed by the cruiser, the vessel sank, becoming the first German Submarine lost in the Great War.

                            http://archive.org/stream/odhamsabcofgreat00colb/odhamsabcofgreat00colb_djvu.txt


                            9th Aug 1914 3rd Welsh Fusilers to Wrexham  The 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers moved from Pembroke Dock to their HQ in Wrexham.

                            9th Aug 1914 6th DLI to East Boldon  The Territorials of the 6th Durham Light Infantry left Bishop Auckland for East Boldon.

                            Teesdale Mercury


                            9th August 1914 First U-Boat sunk  

                            The first lost. SM U 15 (Kptlt. Pohle) was rammed and sunk by British light cruiser HMS Birmingham.

                            SM U-15 of II Flotilla was rammed by HMS Birmingham off Fair Isle on the 9th of August 1914. All 25 crew were lost. The engines had apparently failed as she was lying stopped on the surface in heavy fog when HMS Birmingham spotted her and could clearly hear hammering from inside the boat (presumably from attempted repairs). The cruiser fired on her but missed and, as the boat began to dive, she rammed her cutting her in two. This was the first U-boat loss to an enemy warship.

                            John Doran


                            9th Aug 1914 Reorganisation  The 3rd Monthouths joined the Welsh Border Brigade at Oswestry. It rained continuously for days as the Battalion settled under canvas, advanced parties had been sent to Oswestry where the Division was to assemble. The Brigade, including the 3rd Mons, were moved en masse to Oswestry, a prosperous, country town which welcomed the huge body of troops arriving at such short notice. The Battalion had simple fare, rested in local establishments and was in fine spirits. The Battalion's animals and vehicles were moved by road and arrived a few days later, the organisation being made by Lieutenant Martin the Purchasing Officer who had bought the horses in Monmouthshire County.

                            9th August 1914 Reservists to unit  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Sunday, August 9th, 1914 - Devonport

                            The final draft of reservists arrived.

                            Appendix I

                            Mobilization went off without a hitch, except in the following particulars:

                            • 1) No travelling kitchens were available. Their loss was severely felt. They were not issued to the Battalion until 19/11/1914.
                            • 2) Difficulty was experienced in obtaining ordinance stores, more especially boots of usual size required
                            • 3) The reservists were badly fitted with boots at the Depot. In many cases, also, their serge clothing and caps had to be changed.
                            • 4) A mass of correspondence was thrown on Company Officers. Had the Battalion moved on the 8th day, it would have been quite impossible to have completed the documents of the reservists.
                              • A: The details in 75% of army books 64 had not been entered correctly. The men had not signed.
                              • B: Yellow forms for separation allowance had to be filled in with names of wife and children then signed together - men and Company Officer.
                              • C: Almost exactly the same detail had to be taken down in connection with the allotment of pay.
                              • D: Wills had not been made.

                            SE St. Leger, Major - 2/Royal Irish Regiment.

                            war diaries


                            9th August 1914 1st East Lancs in Training  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment are engaged in Field training and route marching at Colchester from the 9th to 17th of August.

                            1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1


                            10th August 1914 Why Britain Went to War by H. G. Wells  The cause of a war and the object of a war are not necessarily the same. The cause of this war is the invasion of Luxemburg and Belgium. We declared war because we were bound by treaty to declare war. We have been pledged to protect the integrity of Belgium since the kingdom of Belgium has existed. If the Germans had not broken the guarantees they shared with us to respect the neutrality of these little States we should certainly not be at war at the present time. The fortified eastern frontier of France could have been held against any attack without any help from us. We had no obligations and no interests there. We were pledged to France simply to protect her from a naval attack by sea, but the Germans had already given us an undertaking not to make such an attack.

                            It was our Belgian treaty and the sudden outrage on Luxemburg that precipitated us into this conflict. No power in the world would have respected our Flag or accepted our national word again if we had not fought.

                            So much for the immediate cause of the war.

                            We had to fight because our honour and our pledge obliged us.

                            But now we come to the object of this war. We began to fight because our honour and our pledge obliged us ; but so soon as we are embarked upon the fighting we have to ask ourselves what is the end at which our fighting aims. We cannot simply put the Germans back over the Belgian border and tell them not to do it again. We find ourselves at war with that huge military empire with which we have been doing our best to keep the peace since first it rose upon the ruins of French Imperialism in 1871. And war is mortal conflict. We have now either to destroy or be destroyed. We have not sought this reckoning, we have done our utmost to avoid it; but now that it has been forced upon us it is imperative that it should be a thorough reckoning. This is a war that touches every man and every home in each of the combatant countries. It is a war, as Mr. Sidney Low has said, not of soldiers but of whole peoples. And it is a war that must be fought to such a finish that every man in each of the nations engaged understands what has happened. There can be no diplomatic settlement that will leave German Imperialism free to explain away its failure to its people and start new preparations. We have to go on until we are absolutely done for, or until the Germans as a people know that they are beaten, and are convinced that they have had enough of war.

                            We are fighting Germany. But we are fighting without any hatred of the German people. We do not intend to destroy either their freedom or their unity. But we have to destroy an evil system of government and the mental and material corruption that has got hold of the German imagination and taken possession of German life. We have to smash the Prussian Imperialism as thoroughly as Germany in 1871 smashed the rotten Imperialism of Napoleon III. And also we have to learn from the failure of that victory to avoid a vindictive triumph.

                            Prussian Imperialism is an intolerable nuisance in the earth.

                            This Prussian Imperialism has been for forty years an intolerable nuisance in the earth. Ever since the crushing of the French in 1871 the evil thing has grown and cast its spreading shadow over Europe. Germany has preached a propaganda of ruthless force and political materialism to the whole uneasy world. "Blood and iron," she boasted, was the cement of her unity, and almost as openly the little, mean, aggressive statesmen and professors who have guided her destinies to this present conflict have professed cynicism and an utter disregard of any ends but nationally selfish ends, as though it were religion. Evil just as much as good may be made into a Cant. Physical and moral brutality has indeed become a cant in the German mind, and spread from Germany throughout the world. I could wish it were possible to say that English and American thought had altogether escaped its corruption. But now at last we shake ourselves free and turn upon this boasting wickedness- to rid the world of it. The whole world is tired of it. And " Gott !" - Gott so perpetually invoked Gott indeed must be very tired of it.

                            A war to exorcise a world-madness and end an age.

                            This is already the vastest war in history. It is war not of nations, but of mankind. It is a war to exorcise a world-madness and end an age. And note how this Cant of public rottenness has had its secret side. The man who preaches cynicism in his own business transactions had better keep a detective and a cash register for his clerks; and it is the most natural thing in the world to find that this system, which is outwardly vile, is also inwardly rotten. Beside the Kaiser stands the firm of Krupp, a second head to the State; on the very steps of the throne is the armament trust, that organised scoundrelism which has, in its relentless propaganda for profit, mined all the security of civilisation, brought up and dominated a Press, ruled a national literature, and corrupted universities.

                            Consider what the Germans have been, and what the Germans can be. Here is a race which has for its chief fault docility and a belief in teachers and rulers. For the rest, as all who know it intimately will testify, it is the most amiable of peoples. It is naturally kindly, comfort-loving, child-loving, musical, artistic, intelligent. In countless respects German homes and towns and countrysides are the most civilised in the world. But these people did a little lose their heads after the victories of the sixties and seventies, and there began a propaganda of national vanity and national ambition. It was organised by a stupidly forceful statesman, it was fostered by folly upon the throne. It was guarded from wholesome criticism by an intolerant censorship. It never gave sanity a chance. A certain patriotic sentimentality lent itself only too readily to the suggestion of the flatterer, and so there grew up this monstrous trade in weapons. German patriotism became an "interest," the greatest of the "interests." It developed a vast advertisement propaganda. It subsidised Navy

                            Leagues and Aerial Leagues, threatening the world. Mankind, we saw too late, had been guilty of an incalculable folly in permitting private men to make a profit out of the dreadful preparations for war. But the evil was started; the German imagination was captured and enslaved. On every other European country that valued its integrity there was thrust the overwhelming necessity to arm and drill and still to arm and drill. Money was withdrawn from education, from social progress, from business enterprise and art and scientific research, and from every kind of happiness; life was drilled and darkened. So that the harvest of this darkness comes now almost as a relief, and it is a grim satisfaction in our discomforts that we can at last look across the roar and torment of battlefields to the possibility of an organised peace. For this is now a war for peace. It aims straight at disarmament. It aims at a settlement that shall stop this sort of thing for ever. Every soldier who fights against Germany now is a crusader against war. This, the greatest of all wars, is not just another war it is the last war! England, France, Italy; Belgium, Spain, and all the little countries of Europe, are heartily sick of .war; the Tsar has expressed a passionate hatred of war; the most of Asia is unwarlike; the United States has no illusions about war. And never was war begun so joylessly, and never was war begun with so grim a resolution. In England, France, Belgium, Russia, there is no thought of glory.

                            We know we face unprecedented slaughter and agonies; we know that for neither side will there be easy triumphs or prancing victories. Already, after a brief fortnight in that warring sea of men, there is famine as well as hideous butchery, and soon there must come disease.

                            Can it be otherwise ? We face perhaps the most awful winter that mankind has ever faced. But we English and our allies, who did not seek this catastrophe, face it with anger and determination rather than despair.

                            Through this war we have to march, through pain, through agonies of the spirit worse than pain, through seas of blood and filth. We English have not had things kept from us. We know what war is; we have no delusions. We have read books that tell us of the stench of battlefields, and the nature of wounds, books that Germany suppressed and hid from her people. And we face these horrors to make an end of them. There shall be no more Kaisers, there shall be no more Krupps, we are resolved. That foolery shall end! And not simply the present belligerents must come into the settlement. All America, Italy, China, the Scandinavian powers, must have a voice in the final readjustment, and set their hands to the ultimate guarantees. I do not mean that they need fire a single shot or load a single gun. But they must come in. And in particular to the United States do we look to play a part in that pacification of the world for which our whole nation is working, and for which, by the thousand, men in Belgium are now laying down their lives.

                            10th Aug 1914 Suffragettes released from prison  The government announced it was releasing all suffragettes from prison, following negotiations with the leadership of the Women's Social & Political Union. In return for their release, the WSPU agreed to end their militant activities and to help the war effort.

                            10th Aug 1914 West Yorks Territorials concentrate at Selby  The territorials of the West Yorkshire Regiment arrive at Selby on the 10th of August, the 5th Battalion arriving from York, the 6th Battalion from Bradford, the 7th and 8th Battalions from their base at Carlton Barracks.

                            10th Aug 1914 4th Yorks move to Newcastle  After 5 days at Northallerton the territorials of the 4th Yorks move Newcastle upon Tyne.

                            http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bandl.danby/003aBn1914.html


                            10th Aug 1914 5th DLI Recruit in Darlington  

                            The front page of the Northern Echo carried a recruitment notice: "An Officer of the 5th Durham Light Infantry will attend at the Drill Hall, Darlington, tonight between seven and nine o'clock to enlist men willing to serve in the above regiment.

                            Only men with four years' service between the ages of 18 and 35 and who are in possession of their discharge certificates can be taken" As part of the recruitment campaign the Darlington Company paraded in the streets of the town this evening.

                            Northern Echo


                            10th Aug 1914 3rd Bedfords to Landguard Fort  The 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment moved from Bedford to Landguard Fort Fort near Felixstowe for duty with the Harwich Garrison.

                            10th Aug 1914   The Territorials of the 5th Battalion Welsh Regiment arrived at Hearson Camp, Hearson Mountain, Houghton, Pembroke in South Wales, in mid August from Fort Scoveston. The book ‘Burton Parish’ by H.J Dickman records : "One of the immediate results of the arrival in the parish of soldiers with their demands for Sunday newspapers and shopping facilities, was to signal the end of Traditional Sunday Observance." One of camp huts still survives as Burton village hall.

                            10th August 1914 Inspections  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Monday, August 10th, 1914 - 1145 Devonport

                            The GOC Brigade - General Beauchamp Doran inspected the battalion.

                            Appendix II

                            The following officers proceeded with the Battalion

                            • Wounded 23/8 Lt. Col. St.J. A. Cox in command
                            • Wounded 23/8 Major S. E. St. Leger 2nd in command
                            • Missing 23/8 Lt. R. E. G. Phillips Adjutant
                            • Captain J. Richings Quartermaster
                            • Lt. P.J. Whitty Machine Gun Officer
                            • Lt. F.H.L. Rushton Transport Officer
                            • Lt. A.M.S. Tandy Signalling Officer
                            • Missing 23/8 Lt. A. D. Fraser Scout Officer
                            • A Company
                            • Killed 8/23 Captain W. Mellor
                            • Missing 23/ Captain I.B. George
                            • Missing 23/8 2nd Lt. J. D. Shine
                            • Missing 23/8 2nd Lt. C. F. T. O’B. Ffrench
                            • Wounded 23/8 2nd Lt. E. C. Guinness
                            • B Company
                            • Major E. H. E. Daniell, D.S.O.
                            • Lt. F.G. Ferguson
                            • Lt. D. P. Laing
                            • 2nd Lt. A. R. Newton-King
                            • C Company
                            • Killed 23/8 Capt. & Battalion Major E. M. Painter-Downes
                            • Missing 23/8 Captain J.S. Fitzgerald
                            • Missing 26/8 Lt. A.E.B. Anderson
                            • Killed 23/8 Lt. C. B. Gibbons
                            • D Company
                            • Missing 26/8 Captain G. A. Elliott
                            • Missing 23/8 Captain the Honorable F. G. A. Forbes
                            • Wounded 26/8 Lt. E. M. Phillips 3/Battalion
                            • Missing 26/8 2nd Lt. C. G. Magrath
                            • Officers of the Battalion who proceeded with special appointments
                            • Battalion Major J. Burke
                            • Captain H. C. MacDonnell with Royal Flying Corps
                            • Lt. H. D. Harvey-Kelly
                            • Captain A.R.G. Gordon Staff Captain 8th Infantry Brigade

                            war diaries


                            11th Aug 1914 1st Middlesex arrive in France  1st Middlesex landed at Le Havre to join the Lines of Communication troops

                            11th August 1914 Opening movements WW1  1st German Guards Division

                            Detrained on 11th and 12th August in Prussian Wallonia at Weimar and neighbouring stations. Entered Belgium on the 13th August via Stavelot and crossed the Meuse on the 18th August 1914.

                            historical records


                            12th Aug 1914 1st Kings Liverpool and 2nd South Staffords embark for France  The 1st Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, embarked onboard the SS. Cawdor Castle at Southampton and set sail for Le Harve at 8:00 pm.

                            12th Aug 1914 1st KRRC proceed to France  1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps cross to France.

                            12th August 1914 U-Boat U-13 sunk  SM U-13 is lost off Heligoland Bight, victim of a mine or accident. 25 dead (all hands lost). A type U 13 she had been built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 8) Ordered 23 Feb 1909 and launched 16 Dec 1910 she was commissioned 25 Apr 1912. She was commanded by Hans Artur Graf von Schweinitz und Krain and sailed with II Flotilla.

                            John Doran


                            13th Aug 1914 Parade  Lieutenant-Colonel D G M Campbell held a dismounted parade and recalled all the great deeds of the Regiment's history, including the Indian Mutiny where the 9th had won more VCs than any other. Also of the Boer War when Lt MacDonald and his men had defended their position to the death. "You are going forth to war," Campbell told them, "with the greatest traditions to uphold."

                            https://www.facebook.com/Mons2Marne2014


                            13th Aug 1914 1st Kings Liverpool and 2nd South Staffords arrive in France  The 1st Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, disembark from the SS. Cawdor Castle at Le Harve to a joyous welcome. They march from Le Harve Docks to their entraining point, boarding the train which arrived at 2:00 pm.

                            13th Aug 1914 Ready to entrain  The 1st Royal Fusiliers were recalled to the barracks at Kinsale in the middle of a route march, but no trains were available to transport them to Cork.

                            www.creasey.name


                            13th Aug 1914 1st South Wales Borderers sail for France  1st Battalion South Wales Borderers, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, departed from Bordon Camp and sailed to Le Harve with the BEF.

                            13th Aug 1914 New recruits at Barnard Castle Barracks  An NCO and 100 new recruits arrive at Barnard Castle Barracks, a number of the men will be billeted in the town during their training.

                            Teesdale Mercury


                            13th Aug 1914 2nd KRRC land in France  2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps proceeded to France on the 13th of August 1914, landing at Le Havre.

                            13th Aug 1914 7th Devons leave Exeter  7th (Cyclist) Battalion Devonshire Regiment arrived at Norton-on-Tees, Durham in the evening.

                            MbroGazette 14Aug14


                            14th Aug 1914 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers arrive in France  The 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers embarked for France as part of the original British Expeditionary Force, landing at Le Havre.

                            14th Aug 1914 Queen's Bays depart for France  The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) depart from Aldershot, marching to Farnborough station to entrain for Southampton.

                            http://www.qdg.org.uk/diaries.php?dy=43


                            14th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers leave Kinsale  Reveille was called at 3am but it wasn't until 1pm that 1st Royal Fusiliers departed from the barracks at Kinsale, arriving in Cork at 3pm. They marched from the station to the Cattle Market where they rested for the night.

                            www.creasey.name


                            14th Aug 1914 1st Black Watch land in France  1st Battalion Black Watch land at Le Havre with the BEF as part of 1st Division.

                            14th Aug 1914 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment proceed to France  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment land at Boulogne as part of 3rd Division

                            14th August 1914 Crossing to France  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Friday, August 14th, 1914 - 0515 Southampton.

                            Left Southampton. As we commenced to cross the Channel at 1500, an escort of cruisers joined us, 3 on the North of our track and 10 on the South. We arrived at Boulogne about 1800 and marched to a rest camp about 3 miles distance.

                            war diaries


                            14th Aug 1914 2nd Ox & Bucks proceed to France  2nd Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry departed Aldershot to sail to Bolougne.

                            15th Aug 1914 The Battle of Liege  The Belgian commander of the Liege Forts, Lt. General Leman was buried under the rubble at Fort Loncin as it was destroyed by the German siege artillery. He was pulled unconscious from the debris by the Germans and was taken prisoner.

                            15th Aug 1914  ready to sail  9th Lancers departed Tidworth Camp, marched to Amesbury station and arrived at Southampton by train, but there was some delay before the transport ships were ready to be loaded for the crossing to Boulogne. 30 officers, 588 other ranks and 613 horses of the 9th Lancers embarked for France aboard the SS Armenian and the SS Welshman.

                            15th Aug 1914 Queen's Bays sail for France  The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) arrived at Southampton Docks and embarked for Le Harve on the SS Minneapolis.

                            http://www.qdg.org.uk/diaries.php?dy=43


                            15th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers embark at Cork  The 1st Royal Fusiliers paraded in the Cattle Market, Cork, receiving reserve rations. Embarcation orders arrived at 5pm and the Battalion paraded at 9.30pm then marched to the docks to board the Empress of Ireland, with crowds watching their departure. They sailed at 2am the following morning.

                            www.creasey.name


                            15th Aug 1914 Tandragee Company hold Shooting Match   On the 15th August 1914 the Tandragee Company held a shooting match at the rifle range in the demesne. Nine teams took part including 1 from Clare, 2 from Laurelvale, 4 from Tandragee and 2 from Scarva, with each team consisting of 8 men. Medals were awarded for the best team score, the runners up and the highest individual score. A team from Tandragee won the event, with the individual scores as follows, Wilson McAdam 60; D McCullough 49; George Jackson 46; W J Meredith 46; A Vennard 41; G Stronge 40; W Gamble 39; and W J Teggart 21. Wilson McAdam (Tandragee) won the highest overall individual score with 60 out of 70; W J Newman (Tandragee) was second on 57; and W Lunn (Scarva) third on 56. Mr T H White, Orangehill, presented the prizes.

                            15th Aug 1914 2nd Scottish Borderers proceed to France  2nd Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers landed at Le Havre on the 15th of August 1914.

                            15th August 1914 Further moves  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Saturday, August 15th, 1914 - Boulogne

                            The Battalion was inspected by the French GOC Line of Command

                            . Left camp at 1845 and entrained at 2200 for unknown destination.

                            war diaries


                            16th Aug 1914 On the Move  At about 3pm the 9th Lancers began to disembark at Boulogne from the SS Welshman and the SS. Armenian, the narrow gangway of the Armenian was hardly suited to horses and the process was slow and tedious. After a period of waiting on the quay, they set off on the three mile march to the camp at Pont de Bricques cheered along by excited locals who festooned them with flowers. Arriving at the camp to find there were no shackles in the horse lines dampened the mood and it was late night before they could finally retire for the night.

                            https://www.facebook.com/Mons2Marne2014


                            16th Aug 1914 12th Lancers entrain for France  The 12th Lancers completed their mobilization at Norwich and entrained for Southampton en-route to France.

                            16th Aug 1914 Queen's Bays arrive France  The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) disembarked at Le Harve from the SS Minneapolis, having spent the night anchored in the bay. The horses were stabled in a large store at the docks until noon, then the regiment moved to a large cotton store near the railway. The men spent most of the morning conversing with French soldiers who were guarding the docks.

                            Lieutenant A. J. R. Lamb recorded in his diary:- "Sailed into Le Harve docks and began disembarking about 5:30 a.m., All the horses of the regiment were put into a large store shed, and stood there from about 6:30 a.m. till noon. A party of French soldiers are guarding the docks, and it does not take our men long to become on speaking terms with them. They seem to quite interest each other in spite of not being at all acquainted with each other’s languages. Left these docks about noon and then moved on to a huge store shed near the railway (the biggest thing of its kind I have ever seen), where the horses were fastened up in lines."

                            http://www.qdg.org.uk/diaries.php?dy=43


                            16th Aug 1914 59 Field Company RE proceed to France  59 Field Company RE left their base at Curragh and arrived at Dublin docks, 4pm were aboard H.T. Bellerophon, which left Dublin 8.15pm for Le Havre.

                            16th Aug 1914 On the Move  The 1st Royal Fusiliers sailed at 2am from Cork aboard the Empress of Ireland. They sailed round the Irish Coast by Waterford then crossed to Holyhead arriving at 5pm where they entrained for an unknown destination.

                            www.creasey.name


                            16th Aug 1914  26th Heavy Battery proceed to France  26th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                            16th August 1914 Battle of Antivari 1914  The Battle of Antivari was a naval engagement between the French, British and Austro-Hungarian navies at the start of World War I. The Austrian light cruiser SMS Zenta and the destroyer SMS Ulan were bombarding the town of Antivari, today known as Bar, when on 16 August 1914 they were cut off by a large Franco-British force that had sortied into the Adriatic. It was an attempt to bring the Austro-Hungarians into a fleet action. The two Austrian vessels at Antivari were cut off and forced to fight an engagement in order to attempt to free themselves. Although Zenta was destroyed, Ulan escaped and the Austrian fleet did not come out of port to meet the Allied fleet. After blockading the Adriatic for a while the French were forced to withdraw due to lack of supplies.

                            Background

                            When war broke out between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Montenegro, the Austro-Hungarians began a blockade of the Montenegrin coast as well as several bombardments of the various towns and cities there. The French Navy had decided to try to force the Austro-Hungarian Navy into a decisive fleet action by making a sortie into the Adriatic and bait the Austrians into engaging them. The Allied force consisted of three dreadnought battleships, 10 pre-dreadnought battleships, four armoured cruisers, one protected cruiser and more than 20 destroyers.

                            Battle

                            The Allied Fleet managed to cut off Zenta and Ulan from escaping back to the main Austro-Hungarian fleet. Hopelessly outnumbered, the commander of Zenta decided to attempt to fight his way out and cover Ulan's escape. Zenta also had serious disadvantage as the range of her 120 mm cannons was too short, so they were not able to reach the enemy ships. The French battleships significantly outranged Zenta and so were able to score large numbers of hits without taking any damage themselves. Eventually, Zenta was sunk with 173 men killed and over 50 wounded, but allowing enough time for Ulan to make good her escape.

                            Aftermath

                            Despite Zenta being cut off, the main body of the Austro-Hungarian fleet did not sortie out to do battle as the French had hoped. The French fleet did not have the logistical support to remain in the Adriatic for very long and so were forced to return to Malta periodically to resupply.

                            Order of Battle

                              French Navy
                            • Courbet, dreadnought battleship, flagship
                            • Jean Bart, dreadnought battleship
                            • 1st Battle squadron Voltaire, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Vergniaud, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Diderot, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Danton, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Condorcet, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Vérité, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Justice, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Démocratie, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Patrie, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • République, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Victor Hugo, armoured cruiser
                            • Jules Ferry, armoured cruiser
                            • Jurien de la Gravière, protected cruiser
                            • 5 destroyer squadrons Royal Navy
                            • HMS Warrior, armoured cruiser
                            • HMS Defence, armoured cruiser
                            • 3 destroyer divisions Austro-Hungarian Navy
                            • SMS Zenta, light cruiser, flagship
                            • SMS Ulan, destroyer

                            John Doran


                            16th Aug 1914 26th Heavy Brigade proceed to France  26th Heavy Brigade RGA arrived in France on the 16th of August 1914

                            16th Aug 1914 Warwickshire Territorials on the March  The Warwickshire Brigade broke camp in Leighton Buzzard and set out on a staged route march to Essex

                            17th Aug 1914 12th Lancers land in France  25 Officers, 543 other ranks and 608 horses of the 12th Lancers land at Le Havre having crossed from Southampton.

                            https://www.facebook.com/Mons2Marne2014


                            17th Aug 1914 Antwerp to be Belgian Capital  The Belgian capital is moved from Brussels to Antwerp.

                            17th Aug 1914 40th Brigade RFA sail for France  40th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, comprising 6th, 23rd and 49th Batteries, marched from Bulford Camp to Amesbury Station and entrained for Southampton. for the crossing to Le Havre, France. They were attached to 3rd Infantry Division with the BEF

                            17th Aug 1914 Queen's Bays at Le Havre  The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) having spent the night in a large cotton store near the railway, underwent exercise and grazed the horses by the coast. That evening Headquarters mess dined aboard the Dieppe of the Newhaven-Dieppe line, which was engaged in bringing ammunition across from Newhaven. A Squadron left at 9pm to entrain for the concentration area.

                            http://www.qdg.org.uk/diaries.php?dy=43


                            17th Aug 1914 On the Move  The 1st Royal Fusiliers arrived at Cambridge by train from Holyhead and marched across town to the camp. Crowds of locals came out to watch.

                            www.creasey.name


                            17th Aug 1914 4th Yorks join Brigade  4th Yorks leave Newcastle upon Tyne to join their Brigade at camp in Hummersknott Park, Darlington.

                            http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bandl.danby/003aBn1914.html


                            17th Aug 1914 108th Heavy Battery proceed to France  108th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                            17th August 1914 Inspections  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Monday, August 17th, 1914 - Taisnieres Route march under Company arrangements. General Doran inspected out billets.

                            war diaries


                            18th Aug 1914 30th Brigade RFA proceed to France  30th Brigade RFA embarked at Southampton on the SS Coleen Bawn destined for the reception camp at Rouen.

                            18th Aug 1914 30th (Howitzer) Brigade RFA proceed to France.  30th (Howitzer) Brigade RFA consisting of Battery’s 128th, 129th and 130th Batteries left Bulford Camp and embarked from Southampton as part of 11 Corps, 3rd Division, BEF.

                            18th Aug 1914 Queen's Bays depart Le Havre  The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) left cotton store near the railway, with Headquarters minus the Machine Gun section departing just after midnight with ‘C’ Squadron and MG section following at 3:30am. They gathered at point ‘S’ entraining place, where there was an hour's wait to entrain then a further three hours before departing. They enjoyed a breakfast of hard boiled eggs, jam and tea and had a good wash in buckets beside the train before leaving at 8:15am for the concentration area. They traveled via Rouen where they stopped to water and feed the horses, and the men had hot coffee made by the French soldiers. The train moved slowly with frequent stops where the locals handed over flowers and cigarettes. They traveled via Amiens and Busigny to Mauberge on the Belgian frontier.

                            http://www.qdg.org.uk/diaries.php?dy=43


                            18th Aug 1914 A long day for 59 Field Company RE  59th Field Company Royal Engineers arrived at Havre France 7am, the whole company had disembarked by 4.30pm.

                            18th Aug 1914 Training  The 1st Royal Fusiliers began Divisional Training at Cambridge with a route march and manoevres, which were hampered by the intense heat.

                            www.creasey.name


                            18th Aug 1914 48th Heavy Battery proceed to France  48th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                            18th August 1914 Inspections  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Tuesday, August 18th, 1914 - Taisnieres

                            Battalion route march of about 7 miles in the morning. Bathing parade and inspection of feet by Companies arrangements in the afternoon. Many men have sore and defective feet. We heard today with great regret of the death of General Grierson, our Army Corps Commander.

                            war diaries


                            18th Aug 1914 Exciting Scenes  Tuesday 18th August: "Entrained Albershot at 5.30am, arrived Southampton and embarked on the "Welshman" . Southampton is packed with troops embarking on different ships. Some exciting scenes getting the horses aboard. There are about 500 horses on our boat." 1914 diary of James McFarlane, No.3 Field Ambulance 1st Division

                            19th Aug 1914 30th Brigade RFA entrain  On the 19th August 30th Brigade RFA entrained to Marley.

                            19th Aug 1914 USA to remain neutral  President Woodrow Wilson announces that the United Stated of America will remain neutral.

                            19th Aug 1914 Canada to provide Expeditionary Force  The raising of an expeditionary force to send overseas is authorised by the Canadian Parliament.

                            19th Aug 1914 RFC make first reconnaissance flight  The first RFC reconnaissance flight over German positions is made by Lt G Mapplebeck of No 4 Squadron in a BE2a, and Captain P Joubert de la Ferté of No 3 Squadron in a Bleriot XI-2.

                            19th Aug 1914 Serbian Forces victorious  At the Battle of Cer also known as Battle of Jadar, the Serbian Forces, led by General Stepa Stepanovic, unexpectedly defeated the Austro-Hungarian 5th army forcing a retreat from Serbian territory. 18,500 Austro-Hungarians were killed or wounded and 6,500 were captured. The Serbians only lost around 5,000 men. This was the first victory of the Allied forces in the Great War and did much to boost morale.

                            19th Aug 1914 Austrailian troops sail from Sydney  1500 men of the Australian Expeditionary Force boarded the Berrima in Sydney to sail to Palm Island for training

                            19th Aug 1914 Kaiser Wilhelm II Gives his famous Order of the Day  The famous "Order of the Day" was given by the Kaiser, Wilhelm II, on the 19th August, 1914:- "It is my Royal and Imperial Command that you concentrate your energies, for the immediate present upon one single purpose, and that is that you address all your skill and all the valour of my soldiers, to exterminate first, the treacherous English, walk over General French’s contemptible little Army."

                            The men of the British Expeditionary Force took it with good humour and embraced being called contemptible, and from that day on they would be forever known as "The Old Contemptibles".

                            http://www.military-research.co.uk/that-contemptible-little-army-%E2%80%93-the-bef-in-589-words/


                            19th Aug 1914 35th Heavy Battery land in France.  35th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery landed at Boulogne.

                            19th of August 1914 2nd West Surreys leave camp  Battalion left Roberts' Heights with all it's heavy baggage. Married Families were left behind.

                            2nd Bn Queens West Surrey Regt War Diary


                            19th August 1914 Practice manouvres  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Wednesday, August 19th, 1914 - Taisnieres

                            Companies at disposal of Company Commanders practice of attack. First payments in the field made to Companies. It takes 2 ½ hours to pay out 5 Francs a man and obtain their signature. The system is an impossible one. The Captain’s signature to the whole payment should suffice.

                            We heard through the ASC that we move to St. Remy and from there do a 24 hour march further forward. Evidently the A.S.C. are as rare a means of giving away information as ever.

                            war diaries


                            19th August 1914 Platoon Training for 1st East Lancs  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment spent the 19th and 20th of August 1914 engaged in Platoon training around Harrow camp.

                            1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1


                            20th Aug 1914 German Forces occupy Brussels  German troops occupy the Belgian capital, Brussels.

                            20th Aug 1914 4th Middlesex en-route to Mons  On the morning of the 20th of August, a scorching hot day, the troops of the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment marched out of the village of Taisenieres, where they had spent the night. For the first kilometer of the cobbled high way, they were accompanied by a farewell party of villagers, who had festooned the men with strings of flowers and bright bouquets. When the civilians finally waved the column out of sight, the troops broke into song "Who were you with last night, out in the pale moonlight?"

                            The jovial departure soon faded as the summer heat increased and the rounded cobbled of the French roads made the route march a painful experience.

                            20th Aug 1914 59th Coy RE depart from Le Havre  59th Field Coy Royal Engineers left Havre by train at 12.20pm. enduring a slow uncomfortable journey via Amiens and Le Cateau to Landrecies.

                            21st Aug 1914 First British Troops enter Mons  In the afternoon heat of the 21st of August 1914, the first British Troops arrived in Mons. Exhausted, sunburnt and footsore from the long route march, they rested breifly in the suburb of Nimy then crossed the railway line and began to dig in, refusing assistance offered by the locals, but gratefully accepting offers of food and drink.

                            21st Aug 1914 4th Middlesex arrive at Mons  In the afternoon heat of the 21st of August 1914, the 4th Middlesex reached their destination, entering their allocated sector in the time honoured fashion with a single man designated as 'Point' marching alone down the centre of the road to draw any enemy fire, his comrades following in single file in small groups spaced fifty yards apart. They reached the line without incident and quickly established lookouts. A bicycle reconnaissance team from the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment encountered a German unit near Obourg, just north of the Mons-Conde Canal. One of the cyclists, Private John Parr, was shot by German Sniper and killed, becoming the first British fatality of the war.

                            21st Aug 1914 8th Battalion, Black Watch raised.  8th Battalion, The Black Watch was raised at Perth, Scotland on the 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, they joined 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. Following inital training in the Perth area they moved to Aldershot.

                            21st Aug 1914 Appeal for Volunteers to join Friends Ambulance Unit  Philip Noel-Baker issued an appeal for Volunteers to join the Friends Ambulance Unit in a letter to the Quaker newspaper the Friend.

                            21st Aug 1914 9th Battalion formed for Rifle Brigade  9th (Service) Battalion, the Rifle Brigade is formed at Winchester on 21 August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and came under command of the 42nd Brigade in the 14th (Light) Division. Initially they moved to Aldershot, then on to Petworth in November and returned to Aldershot in February 1915.

                            21st August 1914 KUK U-12 commissioned  KUK U-12 Austrian Submarine is commissioned on the 21st August 1914 under the command of Egon Lerch. She had been launched on the 14th March 1911.

                            John Doran


                            21st Aug 1914 59th Coy RE on the march  59th Field Coy Royal Engineers marched off from Landrecies to join the rest of the 5th Division at Mons. On arriving the Company was ordered to construct a defense at the bridgeheads over the Mons Canal.

                            21st August 1914 1st East Lancs move  At 2100, 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, less two companies, leaves Harrow and proceeds to Southampton. Remaining two companies follow one hour later.

                            1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1


                            22nd Aug 1914 4th Middlesex engaged at Mons  As the church bells of Nimy called the locals to Mass, a patrol mounted Uhlan's emerged from the wood in full view of L/Cpl Alfred Vivian and his six men of the 4th Middlesex, who were in a forward outpost in an abandoned cottage. The rapid fire of the British rifles cut down eight of the enemy and their horses at a range of eighty yards.

                            In the church, the priest continued to say Mass with barely a pause, but skipped his sermon and sent the congregation home.

                            22nd Aug 1914 30th Brigade RFA march to Front  30th Brigade RFA arrive at Marley in the early hours of the 22nd where it detrained and marched towards the Belgium Frontier via Bavay.

                            22nd Aug 1914 35th Heavy Battery with the BEF  35th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery moved to Wassingny via Oisy, Laundreieces and Leval.

                            22nd of August 1914 2nd West Surreys board ship for England  Battalion arrived at Cape Town, and embarked with 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regt: on board H.M.T "Kenilworth Castle".

                            2nd Bn Queens West Surrey Regt War Diary


                            22nd Aug 1914  31st Heavy Battery proceed to France  31st Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                            22nd August 1914 1st East Lancs Cross to France  At 1205 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, under the command of Lt Col Le Marchant DSO, sailed on the Braemar Castle and arrived at Le Havre, France about 1600, but did not disembark until 2300 and went into camp just outside Le Havre.

                            1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1


                            23rd Aug 1914 German attack at Mons  The Battle of Mons began early in the morning with a German artillery bombardment of the British lines, concentrated near a bend in the canal close to the town of Mons. At 9:00 am the German infantry assault began as they attempted to force their way across the four bridges that crossed the Mons-Conde canal. The demolition charges had been placed beneath the bridges by the Royal Engineers, whilst under fire from enemy snipers.

                            Four German battalions attacked the Nimy bridges, defended by a single company of the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and a machine gun section led by Lieutenant Maurice Dease at the south side of the railway bridge. The 4th Royal Fusiliers were positioned along the canal between the two bridges, the swing bridge having been turned to prevent crossing. The German infantry suffered heavy losses as they advanced in "parade ground" formation, the well-trained British riflemen were making hits at over 1,000 yards So heavy was the British rifle fire throughout the battle that the Germans thought they were facing machine guns.

                            To the right of the Royal Fusiliers, the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders were suffering heavy casualties in facing the German assault. With reinforcements from the Royal Irish Regiment (acting as the divisional reserve) and fire support from the divisional artillery, they managed to hold the bridges. The Germans then widened their attack, to the British defences along the straight section of the Mons-Conde canal to the west of Mons. Aided by the cover of a plantation of fir trees they inflicted heavy casualties with machine gun and rifle fire on the 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, who despite their losses, managed to repulse the Germans throughout the morning.

                            The order to withdraw was given at 3pm, after a German soldier swam out to the swing bridge and activated the mechanism, allowing his comrades to cross easily. To the east the Germans had crossed the canal and were advancing on the British flank. The 3rd Division was ordered to retire to positions a short distance to the south of Mons which necessitated a similar retreat in early evening by the 5th Division, and by nightfall a new defensive line had been established at the villages of MontrÅ"ul, Boussu, Wasmes, Paturages, and Frameries. The Germans had spent the late afternoon building pontoon bridges over the canal, and were approaching in great numbers. News arrived that the French Fifth Army was also retreating, dangerously exposing the British right flank as night fell.

                            23rd Aug 1914 57th Field Coy Royal Engineers at Mons  57th Field Coy Royal Engineers were tasked with destroying the bridges over the Mons-Conde canal during the Battle of Mons on Monday 23rd of August 1914. A company of the Royal Scots Fusiliers was holding a barricade at the north end of the bridge at Jemappes, but the situation was deteriorating and the order was given to withdraw. Demolition charges had already been put in place by the Royal Engineers, a hazardous task, under enemy sniper fire, Corporal Alfred Jarvis RE was allocated the task of detonating the charges. Captain Theodore Wright, who had been wounded in the head, brought up the detonator and leads, but came under sniper fire every time he attempted to reach the leads beneath the bridge to connect them and after many attempts was unsuccessful. Cpl Jarvis eventually managed to connect the leads, he received the Victoria Cross for his actions in blowing up the bridge and checking the enemy advance. Capt Wright was awarded the Victoria Cross for this action and for undertaking repairs to a pontoon bridge under fire at Vailly on 14th September 1914.

                            23rd Aug 1914 40th Brigade RFA go into action  40th Brigade Royal Field Artillery went into action on the Binch to Mons Road. One of the GS wagons received a direct hit near Le Cateau and the original War Diary was lost, it was later reconstructed from officers notes.

                            23rd Aug 1914 1st Rifle Brigade leave Colchester  1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade depart from Colchester bound for Le Harve with the BEF.

                            23rd Aug 1914 Aminal Defence Society to rescue horses  Members of the Animal Defence Society are to rescue wounded horses from the battlefield and will shoot those beyond help. The men will wear uniform displaying a purple cross.

                            Teesdale Mercury


                            23rd Aug 1914 2nd West Surrey's prepare to sail for England  7. A.M. "Kenilworth Castle" put out into Table Bay, where it anchored until Aug. 27th.

                            2nd Bn Queens West Surrey Regt War Diary


                            23rd Aug 1914 30th Brigade RFA in action  On Sunday the 23rd August the unit came into contact with advancing German Forces approximately one and a half miles from the Belgian town of Mons, where at 3.45pm in the afternoon the 130th battery opened fire leading the 30th Howitzer Brigade into action.

                            23rd August 1914 1st East Lancs move to billets  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment entrained for Le Cateau at 2200 arriving about 1800 on 24th and marched to Briastre where they billeted about 2200.

                            1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1


                            23rd Aug 1914 Battle of the Canal  The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment and 2nd KOSB at are at Tertre.


                            24th Aug 1914 The Battle of Mons  At 2 a.m. on 24 August, II Corps was ordered to retreat into France to defensible a position along the Valenciennes to Maubeuge road, requiring a number of sharp rearguard actions against the pursuing Germans. 5th Brigade were ordered to to act as rearguard and fought a holding action at Paturages and Frameries, with Brigade artillery in particular, inflicting heavy casualties on the Germans.

                            At Wasmes, units of the 5th Division faced a heavy assault from German artillery which began bombarding the village at daybreak, followed at 10 a.m. by an infantry assault by German III Corps who advanced in columns and were "mown down like grass" by British Rifle and Machine Gun fire. Soldiers of the 1st West Kents, 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 2nd Duke of Wellington's Regiment, and 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment held off repeated German assaults on the village, despite taking heavy casualties, and then retreated in good order to St. Vaast at mid day.

                            24th Aug 1914 1st Cheshires at Audregnies  The 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment suffered 771 casualties at Audregnies on the Franco-Belgian border, whilst acting as flank guard to the 5th Division. The Battalion alongside three Companies of the 1st Norfolks, engaged four German regiments who were advancing in close formation across open fields between the villages of Audregnies and Elouges. Their actions bought valuable time for the rest of the BEF during the retreat from Mons.

                            The 1st Cheshire's War Diary states: "At roll call in Bivouac at Les Bavay there were 6 Officers, a Warrant Officer and 199 men - The strength marching out at 7.30 a.m. on the morning of 24th inst was 27 Officers, 1 Warrant Officer and 933 men - A loss of 78%, most of which was caused in the withdrawal."

                            24th Aug 1914 The Charge at Audregnies  The 9th Lancers and 4th Dragoon Guards were brought up to assist the 5th Division who were facing an advance of massed German troops and suffering heavily from enemy artillery. The Lancers at first fought dismounted alongside the British Infantry, but as the situation grew more hopeless, the Lancers were ordered to charge. Under heavy fire, the 9th Lancers charged a battery of eleven German guns posted in a Compiegne Wood. The guns had been causing terrible losses to the British infantry

                            Accounts in the British Press at the time put a rosey spin on the action. stating "the 9th made a furious charge, reached the battery, cut down all the gunners and put the guns out of action". It would be over a year before an honest account was printed in The War Illustrated on the 9th of October 1915: "On the 24th our 5th Division was in a very tight place, and the cavalry was sent to its assistance, the 2nd Brigade reaching the scene of the action first. The Germans were advancing in great masses, so near the village of Audregnies, General De Lisle ordered his men to dismount and to open fire on them. They did so, but the enemy still came on in good order. The general then decided on a charge, and for this chose the 9th Lancers who, at the word of command, mounted their horses and rode steadily at the enemy.

                            It was Balaclava over again. The squadrons rode to death, and the colonel, so we were told, said that he never expected a single lancer to return. In face of a torrent of shot and shell from guns and rifles, they dashed on until they found themselves against two lines of barbed wire, where men and horses fell over in all directions. This ended the charge. The survivors were ordered to return into shelter, and out of more than four hundred who had ridden out, only seventy two at first answered their names, Later some two hundred others turned up, but the regiment had lost heavily. Major V. R. Brooke D.S.O. was among the killed. However, the charge was not altogether fruitless. The Lancers had drawn the enemy’s fire and so had done something to help the harassed 5th Division."

                            Forty One members of the 9th Lancers could not be accounted for after their attack, including L/4653 Private Henry Warr, his survival was reported in The Western Gazette on 6th of November 1914: "H. Warr, of the 9th Lancers, who was in the famous charge and had been missing since the end of August, was taken prisoner by the enemy. He has written, saying that he is a prisoner at Munster, Germany, and is being well-treated by the Germans. The letter was written in September, so that it has been a very long time in transit. Warr had many friends here, and there is great satisfaction at the news of his safety." Private Warr remained in captivity for the rest of the war.

                            24th Oct 1914 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment transfer to Lines of Communication  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment are transferred to the lines of communication after suffering heavy losses near Le Pilly during the Battle of La Bassée.

                            24th Aug 1914 Middlesbrough seeks recruits  A full page advertisement seeking recruits for Lord Kitchener's volunteers in the Middlesbrough Recruiting Area is published on page three of this morning's Northern Echo.

                            Northern Echo


                            24th Aug 1914 4th Dragoons at Audregnies  Two days after the encounter at Casteau, on the 24th of August, the 4th Dragoon Guards were heavily involved in the rearguard action at Audregnies after the battle of Mons. Part of B Sqn took part in a charge with the 9th Lancers and other dismounted parts of the regiment defended the village of Audregnies with the infantry. Pte AH Page was killed that day and lies in the graveyard in the nearby village of Elouges. This was the beginning of the Retreat from Mons, and it was not until the 28th of August that the regiment reassembled at Le Plessis Patte d'Oie.

                            24th Aug 1914 1st Cheshires suffer heavily  1st Cheshires took part in the rearguard action fought at Audregnies, Belgium where the battalion suffered 78% losses in one day due to men killed, wounded, missing and those taken as Prisoners of War.

                            25th Aug 1914 BEF HQ moves to St Quentin  GHQ for the British Expeditionary Force moved from Le Cateau to St Quentin as the troops retreated from Mons.

                            Holts Battlefield Guide


                            25th Aug 1914 Fruit and Cigarettes for POW's  Fruit and Cigarettes have been donated by members of the public and given to the 250 German and Austrian Prisoners of War being held at the Seaman's Institute, Cardiff. They have also been entertained by a lantern lecture.

                            Teesdale Mercury


                            25th Aug 1914 5th Battalion, Bershire Regiment raised  5th Battalion, Berkshire Regiment is raised at Reading, a part of Kitchener's first army, they join 35th Brigade in 12th (Eastern) Division.

                            25th Aug 1914 9th Battalion West Yorks raised  9th (Service) Battalion is raised at York on the 25th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, they join 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division.

                            25th Aug 1914 2nd Life Guards form part of VII (Household Cavalry) Brigade  At Windsor. Order to form, remainder of 2nd Life Guards refilled mainly with Lancer Reservists into a War strength Regiment and to form part of the VII (Household Cavalry) Brigade. Also to form 1st Reserve Household Cavalry Regiment of which my Regiment supplies 1/3rd. No more black horses to leave England, so the new Regiment must be horsed with a completely new lot of horses. The Reservists came in batches from August 10th and onwards, and their training and monitoring continued at Windsor until September 1st when the Brigade assembled at Windmill Court, Ludgershall.

                            War Diary


                            25th August 1914 Zeppelin raids  Zeppelin raid took place over Antwerp on the 25th August 1914

                            John Doran


                            26th Aug 1914 Russian army defeated  The Russian army is defeated at the Battle of Tannenburg and the Battle of the Massurian Lakes

                            26th Aug 1914 9th Divisional Heavy Battery formed.  The 9th Divisional Heavy Battery is formed at Fort Brockhurst as a 4-gun 4.7in. Battery under the command of Captain Osborne, who is later succeeded by Major Twiss.

                            26th Aug 1914 32nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery go into action  32nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery have their first taste of action at the Battle of le Cateau.

                            26th August 1914 Battle of Rio de Oro  The Battle of Río de Oro was a single-ship action fought in August 1914 during the First World War. The British protected cruiser HMS Highflyer attacked the German auxiliary cruiser SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse off the small Spanish Saharan territory of Río de Oro.

                            Under the command of Max Reymann, the German ship SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse was originally a passenger liner. Built in 1897 she was part of the German merchant fleet until requisitioned for service at the outbreak of World War I. She was fitted with six 4-inch guns and two 37-millimeter guns. The German vessel set steam for a commerce raiding mission in the Atlantic Ocean. Commanded by Henry T. Buller, the British ship HMS Highflyer was a protected cruiser built in 1898 with eleven 6-inch guns, nine 12-pounder guns, six 3-pounder guns and two torpedo tubes. She had been detached to support the 5th Cruiser Squadron in hunting the German raider.

                            Battle

                            The battle off Rio de Oro on 26 August 1914 began when the German raider Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse was caught by surprise in a harbour, taking on coal from three German and Austrian colliers. Highflyer, badly outgunning the German auxiliary cruiser, first demanded surrender, but the German commander argued that the British had violated Spain's neutrality. The British disregarded this because the Germans had already violated Spain's neutrality by taking over a week to resupply in a neutral port. So a battle began and from 1510 to 1645 the two ships bombarded each other, sometimes dodging the shots. Eventually, Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse exhausted her ammunition and began to flee the battle. Now out of ammunition, running from several larger guns, the crew scuttled their ship and abandoned her to the Atlantic. The German sailors made it to shore and escaped into the Saharan Desert.

                            Aftermath

                            British sources at the time insisted the German auxiliary cruiser was sunk by Highflyer's crew but eventually stories from the surviving German seamen began to circulate, thus ending Britain's claim. Despite whether or not the Germans scuttled their ship or whether the British sank the raider, the British were still responsible for the raider's end. Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse became the first passenger liner to sink during World War I. For years, the wreck of the German commerce raider was identifiable because its starboard side remained above the waterline until the ship was scrapped in 1952. One Briton was killed and six others wounded. German casualties are unknown.

                            John Doran


                            26th Aug 1914 German Cavalry stampede column  At 7.15am the column is stampeded by German cavalry from Le Cateau. 59th Coy RE received the order to withdraw at 2pm.

                            26th Aug 1914 32nd Brigade RFA in action  32nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery are in action at the Battle of Le Cateau.

                            27th Aug 1914 2nd West Surreys set sail for England  HMT Kenilworth Castle left Table Bay at 7 A.M. with the 2nd West Surreys bound for England. The Fleet was formed of HMS Astraea, HMS Hyacinth, HMT Kenilworth Castle, HMT Balmoral Castle, HMT Guildford Castle, HMT Dunluce Castle, HMT Goerka and HMT Briton.

                            2nd Bn Queens West Surrey Regt War Diary


                            27th August 1914 Early Skirmishes  E Battery 3rd Brigade Brigade Royal Horse Artillery are in continuing action from 27th August 1914 with 3rd Cavalry Brigade. The unit came into action and fired some rounds during general retirement.

                            War Diaries


                            28th Aug 1914 BEF HQ moves again  GHQ for the British Expeditionary Force moved from Noyon to Compiegne.

                            Holts Battlefield Guide


                            28th Aug 1914 Lord Kitchener appeals for more volunteers  Lord Kitchener publishes his second appeal for volunteers to join up.

                            28th August 1914 Battle of Heligoland Bight 1914  The First Battle of Heligoland Bight took place on the 28th August 1914 off the northwest German coast. The German High Seas Fleet as a general rule, stayed in safe harbours while the British Grand Fleet remained in the northern North Sea. Both sides undertook long-distance sorties with cruisers and battlecruisers while German destroyers maintained close reconnaissance of the Heligoland Bight. The British planned to ambush some of these destroyers on their regular daily patrols. A fleet of 31 destroyers and two cruisers under Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt and submarines commanded by Commodore Roger Keyes were dispatched. Backup support at longer range was provided by six light cruisers commanded by William Goodenough and five battlecruisers commanded by Vice Admiral David Beatty.Three German light cruisers and one destroyer were sunk. Three more light cruisers were damaged, 712 sailors killed, 530 injured and 336 taken prisoner. The British suffered one light cruiser and three destroyers damaged, 35 killed and 40 wounded. The battle was regarded as a great victory in Britain with the returning ships met by cheering crowds. The effect upon the German government and in particular the Kaiser was to restrict the freedom of action of the German fleet, instructing it to remain in port and avoid any contact with superior forces.

                            The battle took place within a month after Britain's declaration of war against Germany on 5 August 1914. Initially, the war on land went badly for the French and her allies, with an urgent need to get all possible troops to France to resist the German advances. The government had nothing but bad news, and looked to the navy, traditionally the mainstay of British military power, to gain some success. British naval tactics typically involved a close blockade of enemy ports and taking the fight to the enemy as was expected by the nation. However, the advent of submarines armed with torpedoes and mines hidden in open seas placed capital ships near enemy ports in great danger. Powered ships needed to keep moving to avoid becoming sitting targets, continuously using fuel and needed to return to home ports every few days to refuel. The German fleet had prepared to counter British blockades by investing heavily in submarines and coastal defences. The German High Seas Fleet was smaller than the British Grand Fleet and could not expect victory in a head to head fight. Instead a strategy of waiting in defended home ports for opportunities to attack the larger British force was adopted. The British chose to adopt a strategy of patrolling the North Sea rather than waters close to Germany. German ships leaving their home ports had to pass via two routes.

                            Straits of Dover, 20 miles wide defended by British submarines and mines, or the North Sea between Britain and Norway - 200 miles at its narrowest with the British fleet operating from Scapa Flow.

                            This led to a practical standoff, with both fleets holding the other endlessly waiting. The German ships were unable to attack merchant shipping arriving on the west of Britain, which was vital for British survival. Regular patrols with smaller ships and occasional forays by larger units of the Grand Fleet helped encourage the German fleet to stay at home. The bulk of the British Expeditionary Force was transported to France between 12 and 21 August. This operation was protected from German attack by British destroyers and submarines patrolling Heligoland Bight, which German ships would have to cross. The Grand Fleet was positioned in the centre of the North Sea ready to move south should any German attack commence, but none came. Although the German Army had anticipated a rapid transfer of the British army to aid France, German naval planning thought it would take longer for the British to organise. So they were caught by surprise when it commenced and submarines which might have been used to attack the British transports were away on patrols seeking the main British fleet.

                            Two British officers put forward a plan to carry the war to the German fleet. A squadron of submarines under the command of Commodore Roger Keyes regularly patrolled the Heligoland Bight and Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt commanded a destroyer patrol. Both units were operating from Harwich. They observed that German destroyers carried out regular pattern of patrols escorted out to their positions by cruisers each evening and met to escort back to port each morning. Their idea was to send in a superior force during darkness to catch the German destroyers as they returned. Three British submarines would surface in a position to draw the destroyers back out to sea while a larger British force of 31 destroyers accompanied by nine submarines would cut them off from Germany. Other submarines would wait for any larger German ships leaving the Jade estuary to help. Keyes impressed First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill by the daring of his plan, which was adopted with some changes. An attack at 0800 on the German daytime patrol was preferred. Keyes and Tyrwhitt requested support for their operation, both from the Grand Fleet and the squadron of six light cruisers commanded by Commodore William Goodenough. This was turned down by the Chief of Staff — Vice Admiral Doveton Sturdee — who agreed to provide only lighter forces consisting of "Cruiser Force K" under Rear Admiral Gordon Moore (two battlecruisers HMS New Zealand and Invincible) 40 miles to the northwest and "Cruiser Force C" a squadron of five Cressy-class armoured cruisers ( HMS Cressy, Aboukir, Bacchante, Hogue and Euryalus ) 100 miles west. It was decided that the attack would take place on 28 August. The submarines were to leave to take up their positions on 26 August, while Keyes would travel on the destroyer Lurcher. The surface ships would depart at dawn on 27 August. Tyrwhitt — aboard the brand new light cruiser HMS Arethusa — would command the 3rd Flotilla of 16 modern L-class destroyers and his subordinate, Captain Wilfred Blunt — on board the light cruiser HMS Fearless — would command the 1st Flotilla of 16 older destroyers. Arethusa did not arrive until 26 August. Her crew were inexperienced, and it was discovered that her new 4 in (100 mm) Mk V guns jammed when fired. Although the plan had been agreed by the Admiralty, Admiral John Jellicoe commanding the Grand Fleet was not informed until 26 August. Jellicoe immediately requested permission to send reinforcements and to move the fleet closer to the action, but only received permission for the battle cruisers. He sent Vice Admiral David Beatty with the battlecruisers HMS Lion, Queen Mary and Princess Royal, also Goodenough with the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron (HMS Southampton, Birmingham, Falmouth, Liverpool, Lowestoft and Nottingham). He then sailed south from Scapa Flow with the remainder of the fleet. Jellicoe despatched a message advising Tyrwhitt that he should expect reinforcements, but this was delayed at Harwich and never received. Tyrwhitt was unaware of the additional forces until Goodenough's ships appeared out of the mist, almost leading to an attack friend on friend as he was expecting to meet only enemy vessels. Three Groups of British submarines were deployed. E-class submarines HMS E4, E5 and E9 were positioned to attack reinforcing or retreating German vessels. HMS E6, E7 and E8 were positioned on the surface 4 miles further out attempting to entice the German destroyers out to sea. HMS D2 and D8 were stationed off mouth of the river Ems to attack reinforcements from that direction.

                            At around 0700, Arethusa, steaming south towards the anticipated position of the German ships, sighted a German destroyer, G-194. Accompanying Aethusa were 16 destroyers of the 3rd Flotilla with Fearless leading the 1st Flotilla of 16 destroyers 2 miles behind and Goodenough with his six cruisers a further 8 miles back. Visibility was no more than 3 miles. G-194 immediately turned towards Heligoland, radioing Rear Admiral Leberecht Maass, commander of the German destroyer squadron who in turn informed Rear Admiral Franz Hipper commanding the German battlecruiser squadron. Hipper was unaware of the scale of the attack, but ordered the light cruisers SMS Stettin and Frauenlob to defend the destroyers. Six other light cruisers were ordered to raise steam and join the action as soon as they could. SMS Mainz moored on the river Ems; SMS Strassburg, Cöln, Ariadne, Stralsund and Kolberg from the river Jade, Danzig and München from Brunsbüttelkoog on the river Elbe.

                            Tyrwhitt ordered four destroyers to attack G-149. The sound of firing alerted the remaining German destroyers, who turned south towards home. However they were sighted by British destroyers who commenced firing. The trailing destroyer V-1 was hit, followed by the destroyer-minesweepers D-8 and T-33. G-9 called for fire against the attacking ships from coastal artillery, but the mist meant the artillery were unable to distinguish friend from foe. At 0726, Tyrwhitt turned east, attempting to follow the sound of gunfire involving his four destroyers. He sighted 10 German destroyers which he chased through increasing mist for 30 minutes until the ships reached Heligoland and he was forced to turn away. At 0758, Stettin and Frauenlob arrived, reversing the situation so that the British destroyers were obliged to retreat toward their own cruisers Arethusa and Fearless. Stettin withdrew, since the German destroyers had now escaped, but Frauenlob was engaged by Arethusa. While Arethusa was theoretically the better armed ship, two of her four 4 in (100 mm) guns were jammed, while another was damaged by fire. Frauenlob — armed with ten 4 in (100 mm) guns — was able to cause considerable damage before a shell from one of Arethusa's two 6 in (150 mm) guns destroyed her bridge, killing 37 men including the captain, and forcing her to withdraw. Although badly damaged, she returned to Wilhelmshaven. At 0812, Tyrwhitt reverted to his original plan, which was an east to west sweep across the area. Six returning German destroyers were sighted but turned to flee. One of them — V187 — turned back as she had seen two cruisers, Nottingham and Lowestoft ahead of her. She hoped to pass through the British destroyers by surprise, but was surrounded by eight destroyers and sunk. As British ships attempted to rescue survivors from the water, the German light cruiser Stettin approached and opened fire, forcing the British to abandon the rescue, leaving behind some British sailors. The British submarine E4 had observed the action and launched a torpedo at Stettin, but missed. Stettin attempted to ram the submarine, which dived to escape. When she resurfaced all the larger ships had gone and the submarine rescued the British crewmen who were still afloat in small boats together with rescued German sailors. The Germans were left behind with a compass and given directions towards the mainland as the submarine was too small to take them.

                            At 0815, Keyes, with Lurcher and another destroyer, sighted two four-funneled cruisers. He was still unaware of the British reinforcements and assumed they were enemy cruisers. He signalled Invincible that he was chasing two German cruisers. Goodenough received the signal and abandoning his own search for enemy vessels to attack, steamed to assist Keyes against his own ships, Lowestoft and Nottingham. Keyes, seeing he was now being chased by four more enemy cruisers attempted to lead them towards Invincible and New Zealand, reporting them as enemy ships. Eventually, Keyes recognised Southampton, and the ships were able to join Tyrwhitt. However, the danger to Goodenough's ships was not over as the British submarines were still unaware the additional ships were present. At 0930, one of the British submarines attacked Southampton with two torpedoes. Fortunately they missed and in turn escaped when Southampton tried to ram the British submarine. Lowestoft and Nottingham remained out of communication range and, separated from the rest of their squadron, took no further part in the action. Tyrwhitt turned back to assist Keyes on receipt of the signal that he was being chased. He sighted Stettin, but lost her in the mist before coming upon Fearless and her destroyer squadron. Arethusa was badly damaged, so at 1017 Fearless came alongside and both cruisers were stopped for 20 minutes while repairs were made to the boilers.

                            The cruisers Cöln, Strassburg and Ariadne had sailed from Wilhelmshaven and Mainz was approaching from a different direction. Admiral Maass was still unsure of the nature of the attack, so he dispersed his ships in search of the enemy. Strassburg was first to find Arethusa and attacked her, but was driven off by torpedo attacks from the destroyers. As Tyrwhitt turned to the west, Cöln — with Admiral Maass — approached from the southeast and was also chased away by torpedoes. Tyrwhitt signalled Beatty requesting reinforcements and Goodenough with his remaining four cruisers came to assist. The force turned west. Beatty had been following the events by radio 40 miles to the north west. By 1135, the British ships had still not completed their mission and withdrawn. The rising tide would enable larger German ships to leave harbour and join the battle. He decided to intervene and took his five battlecruisers southeast at maximum speed to within an hour of the action. he advantage of closer proximity of his more powerful ships to rescue the others had to be weighed against the possibility of mischance by torpedo or of meeting German dreadnoughts. At 1130, Tyrwhitt's squadron came upon another German cruiser, Mainz. The ships engaged for 20 minutes, before the arrival of Goodenough caused Mainz to attempt escape. Goodenough gave chase, but in attempting to lose him Mainz came back across the path of Arethusa and her destroyers. Her steering was damaged, causing her to turn back into the path of Goodenough's ships and she was hit by shells and torpedo. At 1220, her captain ordered the crew to abandon ship and scuttled Mainz. Keyes brought Lurcher alongside Mainz to take off the crew. Three British destroyers had been seriously damaged in the engagement. Strassburg and Cöln now attacked together, but the battle was interrupted again by the arrival of Beatty and the battlecruisers.

                            Strassburg managed to disengage and escape when the battlecruisers approached, but Cöln was not so fortunate. Cut off from escape she was quickly disabled by the much larger guns of the battlecruisers. She was saved from immediate sinking by the sighting of another German light cruiser, SMS Ariadne, to which Beatty gave chase and again quickly overcame. Ariadne was left to sink, which she eventually did at 1500, attended by the German ships Danzig and Stralsund who took off survivors. At 1310, Beatty turned northwest and ordered all the British ships to withdraw since the tide had now risen sufficiently for larger German ships to pass out through the Jade estuary. Passing Cöln again, he opened fire, sinking her. Attempts to rescue the crew were interrupted by the arrival of a submarine. One survivor was rescued by a German ship two days later out of some 250 who had survived the sinking. Rear Admiral Maass perished with his ship. Four German cruisers survived the engagement, which they would not have done except for the mist. Strassburg nearly approached the battlecruisers, but saw them in time and turned away. She had four funnels, like the Town-class British cruisers, which caused sufficient confusion to allow her time to disappear into the mist. The German battlecruisers Moltke and Von der Tann left the Jade at 1410 and began a cautious search for other ships. Rear Admiral Hipper arrived with Seydlitz at 1510, but by then the battle was over.

                            The battle was a clear British victory. Germany had lost the three light cruisers SMS Mainz, Cöln and Ariadne and the destroyer V-187 sunk; light cruiser Frauenlob had been severely damaged. The light cruisers SMS Strassburg and Stettin had also been damaged. German casualties were 1,242 with 712 men killed, including Rear Admiral Maass, and 336 prisoners of war. The Royal Navy had lost no ships and only 35 men killed, with 40 wounded. The most significant result of the battle was the effect on the attitude of the Kaiser. To preserve his ships the Kaiser determined that the fleet should, "hold itself back and avoid actions which can lead to greater losses".

                            Churchill after the war observed: "All they saw was that the British did not hesitate to hazard their greatest vessels as well as their light craft in the most daring offensive action and had escaped apparently unscathed. They felt as we should have felt had German destroyers broken into the Solent and their battle cruisers penetrated as far as the Nab. The results of this action were far-reaching. Henceforward, the weight of British Naval prestige lay heavy across all German sea enterprise ... The German Navy was indeed "muzzled". Except for furtive movements by individual submarines and minelayers, not a dog stirred from August till November." But he also observed: "The Germans knew nothing of our defective staff work or the risks we had run."

                            One of the officers present on Southampton, Lieutenant Stephen King-Halllater wrote about the battle: "As may be deduced from these extracts the staff work was almost criminally negligent and it was a near miracle that we did not sink one or more of our submarines or that one of them did not sink us. Furthermore if anyone had suggested, say in 1917, that our battle-cruisers should rush about without anti-submarine protection and hundreds of miles away from the battle fleet in a mine infested area a few miles from the German battle fleet, he would have been certified on the spot. It was precisely because on paper the presence of the battle-cruisers (unsupported) was absurd that the logical Germans were sitting in Wilhelmshafen unable to move because the tide was too low on the bar of the Jade river! I should like to be able to write that this important hydrographical circumstance was part of the plan, but it was only discovered long afterwards. Nevertheless the strategical and indeed political consequences of this affair were of great importance. The German Navy was manned by a personnel no less courageous and at least as well trained as our own; their ships were superior type for type; their gunnery was more accurate. Yet in the mind of every German seaman was the reflection that they were challenging the might of a navy which, by and large, had dominated the seas for four centuries. The German seaman had a respect and almost traditional veneration for the British Royal Navy and entered the war with an inferiority complex in striking contrast to the superiority complex which the German Army felt towards all other armies. It was therefore a rude shock to the German Navy ... to learn of this audacious manoeuvre and successful engagement literally within sight of the main German base."

                            Both sides had lessons to learn from the battle. The Germans had assumed that their cruisers, leaving port one by one, would not meet larger ships or major forces. They failed to keep their ships together so they might have better odds in any engagement. Beatty — when faced with the choice of leaving one of his ships to finish off disabled enemies — had elected to keep his squadron together and only later return in force to finish off those ships. Goodenough, on the other hand, had managed to lose track of two cruisers, which therefore played no further part in the battle. German light cruisers armed with larger numbers of faster firing 4 in (100 mm) guns proved inferior to similar British cruisers with fewer but more powerful 6 in (150 mm) guns. However, their ships proved difficult to sink despite severe damage and impressed the British with the quality of their firing. Both British and German sources reported the determination and bravery of the defeated German ships when overwhelmed. No one reported the presence of British cruisers to Admiral Hipper until 1435. Had he known, he could have brought his own battlecruisers to sea faster and consolidated his fleet, possibly preventing the German losses and instead inflicting some on the departing British ships. The British operation had dragged out longer than anticipated so that the large German ships would have had sufficient high water to join the battle. The British side also suffered from poor communications, with ships failing to report engagement with the enemy to each other. The initial failure to include Jellicoe in planning the raid could have led to disaster had he not sent reinforcements, although the subsequent communications failures which meant British ships were unaware of the new arrivals could then have led to British ships attacking each other. There was no way to warn off British submarines which might have targeted their own ships. It had been the decision of Admiral Sturdee — Admiralty chief of staff — not to inform Jellicoe and also not to send additional larger ships which had originally been requested by Keyes. Jellicoe in effect countermanded this decision once he knew of the raid by sending ships which were part of his command. Keyes was disappointed that the opportunity for a greater success had been lost by not including the additional cruisers properly into the plan as he had originally intended. Jellicoe was disturbed by the Admiralty failure to discuss the raid with their commander in chief of the fleet at sea. The Germans appreciated that constant patrols by destroyers was both wasteful of time and resources of those ships, and left them open to attack. Instead, they designed defensive minefields to prevent enemy ships approaching and freed up the destroyers for duties escorting larger ships. In the future, ships were never to be sent out one by one. The British realised it was foolish to have sent Arethusa into battle with inadequate training and jammed guns. British ships were criticised for having fired considerable ammunition and torpedoes with little effect. This criticism later proved counter-productive when at the Battle of Dogger Bank, ships became overly cautious of wasting ammunition and thus missed opportunities to damage enemy vessels.

                            John Doran


                            28th August 1914 Retreat to Frieres  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA moved at 0800 and fell back by Essigny le Grand to Frieres. During retirement engaged Uhlans who were trying to get round our flanks with dispersed section driving them back. Battery retired into bivouac at 2030.

                            War Diaries


                            28th Aug 1914 Volunteers Required  The Warwickshire Brigade received the official request for the Territorials to volunteer for service overseas. For many it would be a difficult decision, many of the men were skilled working-class with young families, a direct result of the drive to get companies to support the TF, often their work pay exceeded the army rate of pay. Those men who felt unable to consent, were subsequently posted to the reserve second line unit of their battalions which were being formed at home, the 2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th and 2/8th Warwicks.

                            29th Aug 1914 Earl of Durham addresses meeting in Darlington  At 6.30pm a mass recruitment meeting was held in the Market Square, Darlington by the Mayor Councillor J.G. Harbottle. The meeting was opened by Rev James Alexander Gordon Birch, chaplain of the 5th DLI and the Cockerton Silver Band accompanied the hymn 'O Lord our help in ages past' The Mayor and the Earl of Durham made speeches calling upon every young man who can to join up now for the period of the war, also warning that the atrocities being experienced by the people of Belgium may one day be committed in the town of Darlington. Local dignitaries including Mr A.F. Pease, Col Sir Mark Sykes and George Beedle addressed the crowd, all speeches were met by loud cheers. It was announced that the council chamber and the recruiting office in Prebend Row would be open to take volunteers. After the meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem, a hundred men volunteered to enlist.

                            11th DLI Martin Bashforth


                            29th Aug 1914 3rd Borders at Pembroke Dock  3rd Battalion Border Regiment are based at Pembroke Dock on defensive duties.

                            29th August 1914 Further retreat  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA fell back again from 0800 to Chaundy while still with 3rd Cavalry Brigade and went back four miles in case wanted, but noting came of it and retired again through Chaundy to Pierremande where unit bivouacked at 1900.

                            War Diaries


                            30th Aug 1914 6th West Yorks leave Selby  6th Battalion West Yorks left Selby at the end of August, moving to Strenshall.

                            30th Aug 1914 3rd Monmouths move to Northampton  The 3rd Monmouths left Oswestry on 30th August when the battalion moved into billets at Northampton. Headquarters were set up at St James's Church Institute with the fields at the rear being used as their training ground. The Battalion stayed in Northampton until the end of October.

                            30th August 1914 Continued withdrawals  At 6am on the 30th August, Major Green's party rejoined 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (they had gone via Peronne) and the battalion marched via Carlepont and Bailly before which a halt of 2 hours was made for food. The march resumed via Tracy-Le-Mont and Bernevil to a railway crossing where another long halt was made. Then marched on via Trolsy, Brevil and Fontenoy, entering the edge of the forest of Compiegne just as it grew dark, a very tiring march. (One or two parties of Uhlans (German Cavalry)were supposed to be in the woods). We reached Pierrefonds at 2300 and, as it was rumoured that there was smallpox in the village, billeted in the streets.

                            1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1


                            31st Aug 1914 Russia defeated at Tannenberg  The Battle of Tannenberg results in a German victory with the loss of 125,000 men from the Russian Army.

                             7th Bat, Berkshire Regiment raised  7th Battalion Berkshire Regiment was raised in Reading in September 1914 as part of Kitchen's Third New Army. They joined 78th Brigade, 26th Division and trained at Codford St Mary.

                               2/5th (Angus and Dundee) Battalion, Black Watch was formed at Forfar in early September 1914 as a second line unit, from men of the Black Watch territorials who had not volunteered for Imperial Service. The new battalion then moved to Hawick.

                             2/6th btn Balck Watch formed  2/6th (Perthshire) Battalion is formed at Perth in September 1914 as a second line unit for men of the Black Watch territorials who had not volunteered for Imperial Service.

                               2/7th (Fife) Battalion, Black Watch is formed at St Andrews in early September 1914 as a second line unit, consisting of Black Watch Territorials who had not volunteered for Imperial Service.

                            Sep 1914 8th Battalion Yorks and Lancs raised  York and Lancaster Regiment 8th Battalion was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitcheners Third Army and joined 70th Brigade, 23rd Division. They moved to Frensham for training.

                            Sep 1914 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers raised  12th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K3, they joined 62nd Brigade, 21st Division.

                            Sep 1914 Manchester City Battalion Recruiting  Signing up for the 1st City Battalion, Manchester Regiment took place at the Artillery HQ on Hyde Road and later at Manchester Town Hall

                            1st Sep 1914 Lever Brother's employees join up  500 men volunteered to join up with what would become the 13th Cheshires at the first meeting at Gladstone Hall, PortSunlight. All being employees at Lever Brothers soap factory. By 7 th September 1914 700 employees had joined ( All original members had W prefixes to their service number)

                             New army camp in Wiltshire  Chiseldon Camp was constructed in September 1914, with 72 barrack huts being built by Chivers of Devizes. Initially named Draycot Camp as it was close to Draycot Foliat in Wiltshire. The name change originated from the Chiseldon postmark on letters send home from the camp.

                            1st September 1914 Recruitment of 16th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles  16th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers). [Second County Down Volunteers]

                            Introduction: This summary of the history of the 16th Battalion from September 1914 to May 1919, is recorded mainly on a monthly basis with events listed on the 1st day of each month except in circumstances requiring further breakdown when details of other dates entered will be listed on the 1st of each month as a guide to the reader. The actual War Diaries did not commence until the move to France in October 1915. Since I do not have direct access to the diaries, I have, by kind permission of the Somme Heritage Centre, used extracts from the book "The Terrors" by Lt.Col SN White (deceased)as the source.

                            Formation: At the outbreak of war in 1914 the Home Rule Issue in Ireland had a considerable effect on volunteer recruitment. The Ulster Volunteer Force had over 80,000 armed volunteers in its ranks, but there was a reluctance to enlist due to the Home Rule concerns which existed at the time. It was thought that resistance to Home Rule would be weakened by reducing the force available should armed opposition prove necessary. The issue was eventually set aside for the duration of the war and it was then agreed between Lord Kitchener and Sir Edward Carson that 10,000 volunteers would be raised in the war effort with uniforms and equipment ordered for that number. Home Rule meant a parliament in Dublin at which Ulster Protestants felt they would be outnumbered and they might eventually finish up as a minority in a Catholic State separate from the United Kingdom.

                            Doran Family


                               

                            6th Battalion Berkshire Regiment is formed at Reading in September 1914 as part of Kitcheners's 2nd New Army, they join 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division

                            1st Sept 1914 2nd Life Guards appointment of Brigadier General Kavanagh  2nd Life Guards war diary records; The Brigade assembled at Windmill Court, Ludgershall. Squadron and Regimental Training then continued.

                            War Diary


                            Sep 1914 Guns to defend the Ardeer Factory  In September 1914 the Ardeer Battery was built on the shoreline to defend the Noble's Explosives Ardeer Factory, against attack from the sea. The a 12-pdr Breech Loading gun, being the property of the Nobel Company, was manned by a detachment of Royal Garrison Artillery. The entire six mile perimeter of the works was protected by barbed wire entanglements and fences.The factory was situated between the sea and the River Garnock near Stevenson, Ayrshire. It had been opened in 1873 by The British Dynamite Company, for the manufacture of dynamite.

                            Sep 1914   21st Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Tring area

                            In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park, the artillery went to Aston Clinton (One brigade staying at Berkhamsted) and the RE to Wendover. Rifles were received in late June 1915 and after firing their first course the infantry moved from 9 August to Witley Camp. Lord Kitchener inspected the Division on the march on 12 August.

                            Advanced parties embarked for France began on 2 September and the main body began to cross the Channel five days later. Units moved to assemble near Tilques, completing concentration on 13 September. The Division's first experience was truly appalling. Having been in France for only a few days, lengthy forced marches brought it into the reserve for the British assault at Loos. GHQ planning left it too far behind to be a useful reinforcement on the first day, but it was sent into action on 26 September, whereupon it suffered over 3,800 casualties for very little gain.

                            1st Sep 1914 2nd Queens in St. Helena  The 2nd Battalion Queens vessel 'HMT Kenilworth Castle' is now anchored in St Helena. Garrison recently supplemented with 300 Royal Garrison Artillery. Volunteer Corps of 150 formed.

                            War Diary


                             12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment in Middlesbrough  The 12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment established their Drill Hall in Lytton Street, Middlesbrough.

                            http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=520&page=2


                            1st September 1914 U-Boat SM2 Joins Training Flotilla  SM U-2 joined the Training Flotilla on the 1st of August 1914. A Type U 2 she was built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 1) Ordered 4 Mar 1906, she was launched 18 Jun 1908 and commissioned a month later. On the 19 Feb 1919 she was stricken and broken up at Stinnes.

                            John Doran


                            1st Sep 1914   SM U-16 was a Type U 16 built at Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 157). Ordered 26 Aug 1909, Laid down 10 May 1910, Launched 29 Aug 1911 and Commissioned 28 Dec 1911.
                            Commanders.
                            1 Aug 1914 - 15 Mar 1915 Claus Hansen.
                            16 Mar 1915 - 21 Oct 1915 Oblt. Leo Hillebrand

                            Career 4 patrols: 1 Aug 1914 - end date unknown II Flotilla

                            Successes 11 ships sunk with a total of 11,730 tons.
                            2 ships damaged with a total of 11,228 tons.
                            1 ship taken as prize with a total of 838 tons.

                            • 15 Feb 1915 U 16 Claus Hansen Dulwich 3,289 British
                            • 15 Feb 1915 U 16 Claus Hansen Ville De Lille 997 French
                            • 18 Feb 1915 U 16 Claus Hansen Dinorah (damaged) 4,208 French
                            • 19 Feb 1915 U 16 Claus Hansen Belridge (damaged) 7,020 Norway
                            • 26 May 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand M. Roosval 309 Sweden
                            • 26 May 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Betty 2,109 Denmark
                            • 28 May 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Mars 251 Russian
                            • 30 May 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Søborg 2,108 Denmark
                            • 20 Sep 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Thorvaldsen 1,220 Denmark
                            • 26 Sep 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Ellen Benzon 143 Denmark
                            • 29 Sep 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Flora 184 Norway
                            • 29 Sep 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Actie 562 Norway
                            • 30 Sep 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Florida 558 Norway
                            • 1 Oct 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Pallas (prize) 838 Sweden

                            Fate 8 Feb 1919 - Sunk in an accident in position 58.59N, 08.29E while on passage to surrender.

                            John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


                            1st September 1914   SM U-19

                            Type U 19 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 13) Ordered 25 Nov 1910 Laid down 20 Oct 1911 Launched 10 Oct 1912 Commissioned 6 Jul 1913.
                            Commanders.

                            • 1 Aug 1914 - 15 Mar 1916 Constantin Kolbe
                            • 16 Mar 1916 - 10 Aug 1916 Raimund Weisbach
                            • 11 Aug 1916 - 4 Jul 1917 Oblt. Johannes Spieß
                            • 5 Jul 1917 - 15 Oct 1917 Heinrich(i.V.) Koch
                            • 25 Oct 1917 - 16 Nov 1917 Oblt. Hans Albrecht Liebeskind
                            • 17 Nov 1917 - 31 May 1918 Johannes Spieß
                            • 1 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Oblt. Hans Albrecht Liebeskind
                            Career 12 patrols 1 Aug 1914 - 19 Sep 1916 III Flotilla.
                            19 Sep 1916 - 1 May 1917 Baltic Flotilla.
                            1 May 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 III Flotilla

                            Successes 57 ships sunk with a total of 97,893 tons.
                            3 ships damaged with a total of 4,224 tons.
                            1 ship taken as prize with a total of 733 tons.
                            1 ship sunk with a total of 1,261 tons.

                            • 21 Jan 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Durward 1,301 br
                            • 2 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Salvador 165 da
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Chrysoprasus 119 br
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Dogberry 214 br
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Ena May 90 br
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Iona 3,344 br
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Kathleen 92 br
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Strathbran 163 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Cortes 174 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Dunnet Head 343 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Ebenezer 113 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Evening Star 120 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Explorer 156 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Petrel 182 br
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Adolf 169 ru
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Bardolph 215 br
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Curlew 134 br
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Gazehound 138 br
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Japonica 145 br
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Persimon 255 br
                            • 6 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Arctic 169 br
                            • 6 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Dromio 208 br
                            • 9 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Svein Jarl 1,135 nw
                            • 11 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Otago 1,410 sw
                            • 11 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Plymouth 165 br
                            • 11 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Waago 154 br
                            • 16 Jul 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Cameo (d.) 172 br
                            • 21 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Feliciana 4,283 br
                            • 22 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Jozsef Agost Foherzeg 2,680 it
                            • 22 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Ross 2,666 br
                            • 23 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Parisiana 4,763 br
                            • 23 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Ribston 3,048 br
                            • 25 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Carmanian 1,840 nw
                            • 12 Sep 1916 U 19 Johannes Spieß Elizabeth 4,444 ru
                            • 12 Sep 1916 U 19 Johannes Spieß Ije (n-18) 1,261 ru
                            • 22 Sep 1916 U 19 Johannes Spieß Kennett 1,679 br
                            • 12 May 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Wirral 4,207 br
                            • 17 May 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Vesterland 3,832 sw
                            • 20 May 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Arnfinn Jarl 1,097 nw
                            • 26 May 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Norway 1,447 nw
                            • 27 May 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Debora 159 da
                            • 20 Jun 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Fido 1,459 nw
                            • 21 Jun 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Black Head 1,898 br
                            • 21 Jun 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Laatefos 1,458 nw
                            • 22 Jun 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Bolette 1,431 nw
                            • 31 Aug 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Miniota 6,422 br
                            • 1 Sep 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Akaroa 1,348 nw
                            • 12 Sep 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Agricola 65 br
                            • 28 Dec 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Maxton 5,094 br
                            • 28 Dec 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Santa Amalia 4,309 br
                            • 2 Jan 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Nadejda 3,849 ru
                            • 25 Feb 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Santa Maria 5,383 am
                            • 25 Feb 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Appalachee (d.) 3,767 br
                            • 26 Feb 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Tiberia 4,880 br
                            • 1 Mar 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Calgarian 12,515 br
                            • 1 Mar 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Thomas Collard 215 br
                            • 1 Mar 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Lord Lister (d.) 285 br
                            • 6 Apr 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Sterne 108 nl
                            • 21 Apr 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Delta A 241 be
                            • 23 Apr 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Peregrine 79 br
                            • 23 Apr 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Tyne Wave 121 br
                            • 25 Apr 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Hollandia I (p.) 733 nl

                              Fate 24 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Blyth in 1919-20.

                              John Doran


                              1st September 1914   SM U-21 was a Type U 19 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 15) Ordered 25 Nov 1910 Laid down 27 Oct 1911 Launched 8 Feb 1913 Commissioned 22 Oct 1913.
                              Commanders.
                              22 Oct 1913 - 31 Aug 1918 Otto Hersing 1 Sep 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Friedrich Klein

                              Career 11 patrols.
                              start date unknown - 4 Mar 1917 Pola Flotilla.
                              1 Aug 1914 - 5 Jun 1915 III Flotilla.
                              5 Jun 1915 - end date unknown Constantinople Flotilla.
                              4 Mar 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 III Flotilla.

                              Successes 36 ships sunk with a total of 79,005 tons.
                              2 ships damaged with a total of 8,918 tons.
                              4 warships sunk with a total of 34,575 tons.

                              • 5 Sep 1914 U 21 Otto Hersing Pathfinder (hms) 2,940 br
                              • 23 Nov 1914 U 21 Otto Hersing Malachite 718 br
                              • 26 Nov 1914 U 21 Otto Hersing Primo 1,366 br
                              • 30 Jan 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Ben Cruachan 3,092 br
                              • 30 Jan 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Kilcoan 456 br
                              • 30 Jan 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Linda Blanche 369 br
                              • 25 May 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Triumph (hms) 11,985 br
                              • 27 May 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Majestic (hms) 14,900 br
                              • 4 Jul 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Carthage 5,601 fr
                              • 1 Feb 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Belle Of France 3,876 br
                              • 8 Feb 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Admiral Charner 4,750 fr
                              • 30 Apr 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing City Of Lucknow 3,669 br
                              • 26 Oct 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Marina G. 154 it
                              • 28 Oct 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Gilda R. 37 it
                              • 28 Oct 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Tre Fratelli D. 190 it
                              • 31 Oct 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Glenlogan 5,838 br
                              • 1 Nov 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Bernardo Canale 1,346 it
                              • 1 Nov 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Torero 767 it
                              • 2 Nov 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing San Antonio O. 113 it
                              • 3 Nov 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing San Giorgio 258 it
                              • 23 Dec 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Benalder (d.) 3,044 br
                              • 16 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Mayola 146 br
                              • 16 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Rose Dorothea 147 br
                              • 17 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Emilia I° 25 pt
                              • 17 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Lima 108 pt
                              • 20 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Cacique 2,917 fr
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Bandoeng 5,851 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Eemland 3,770 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Gaasterland 3,917 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Jacatra 5,373 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Noorderdijk 7,166 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Normanna 2,900 nw
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Zaandijk 4,189 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Menado (d.) 5,874 nl
                              • 22 Apr 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Giskö 1,643 nw
                              • 22 Apr 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Theodore William 3,057 nw
                              • 29 Apr 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Askepot 1,793 nw
                              • 30 Apr 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Borrowdale 1,268 ru
                              • 3 May 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Lindisfarne 1,703 ru
                              • 6 May 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Adansi 2,644 br
                              • 8 May 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Killarney 1,413 br
                              • 27 Jun 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Baltic 1,125 sw

                              Fate 22 Feb 1919 - Sunk in an accident in position 54.19N, 03.42W while on passage to surrender.

                              On 5 September, 1914 the small British cruiser HMS Pathfinder was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by U 21. This was the first warship to be sunk by a German U-boat during the First World War.

                              John Doran


                              1st September 1914   SM U-25

                              Type U 23 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 179) Ordered 18 Mar 1911 Laid down 7 May 1912 Launched 12 Jul 1913 Commissioned 9 May 1914.
                              Commanders.
                              9 May 1914 - 15 Sep 1915 Otto Wünsche

                              Career 3 patrols.
                              start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 training Flotilla
                              1 Aug 1914 - end date unknown IV Flotilla

                              Successes 21 ships sunk with a total of 14,145 tons.
                              1 ship damaged with a total of 163 tons.

                              • 7 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Glittertind 717 nw
                              • 7 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Nottingham 165 br
                              • 7 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Pentland 204 br
                              • 7 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Saturn 183 br
                              • 7 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Velocity 186 br
                              • 9 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Cardiff 163 br
                              • 9 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Castor 182 br
                              • 9 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche J. Leyman 197 br
                              • 9 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Tunisian 211 br
                              • 4 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Sunbeam 132 br
                              • 8 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Anna 2,000 ru
                              • 8 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Guido 2,093 br
                              • 9 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Nordaas 1,111 nw
                              • 11 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Hainton 156 br
                              • 11 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Syrian 176 br
                              • 11 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Fleetwood (damaged) 163 br
                              • 6 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Maj 920 sw
                              • 7 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Norman 1,060 nw
                              • 10 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Aura 396 nw
                              • 14 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Albis 1,381 nw
                              • 17 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Mineral 649 nw
                              • 19 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Bras 1,863 nw

                              Fate 23 Feb 1919 - Surrendered to France. Broken up at Cherburg in 1921-2.

                              There was another U 25 in World War Two.
                              That boat was launched from its shipyard on 14 Feb 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 6 Apr 1936.

                              John Doran


                              1st September 1914   SM U-30

                              Type U 27 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 20) Ordered 19 Feb 1912 Launched 15 Nov 1913 Commissioned 26 Aug 1914.
                              Commanders.
                              25 Sep 1914 - 22 Jun 1915 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski.
                              1 May 1916 - 20 Nov 1917 Franz Grünert

                              Career 6 patrols.
                              start date unknown - 22 Jun 1915 IV Flotilla.
                              15 Oct 1916 - 19 Nov 1917 IV Flotilla.
                              19 Nov 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 training Flotilla.

                              Successes 27 ships sunk with a total of 48,060 tons.
                              1 ship damaged with a total of 5,189 tons.

                              • 20 Feb 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Cambank 3,112 br
                              • 20 Feb 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Downshire 337 br
                              • 28 Apr 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Mobile 1,905 br
                              • 29 Apr 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Cherbury 3,220 br
                              • 30 Apr 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Fulgent 2,008 br
                              • 30 Apr 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Svorono 3,102 ru
                              • 1 May 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Edale 3,110 br
                              • 1 May 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Europe 1,887 fr
                              • 1 May 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Gulflight (damaged) 5,189 am
                              • 3 May 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Minterne 3,018 br
                              • 26 Oct 1916 U 30 Franz Grünert Lysland 1,745 nw
                              • 1 Nov 1916 U 30 Franz Grünert Brierley Hill 1,168 br
                              • 11 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Saxo 711 da
                              • 11 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Nancy 1,325 da
                              • 11 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Star 818 nw
                              • 11 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Sylfiden 796 nw
                              • 12 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Kolaastind 2,368 nw
                              • 13 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Bokn 336 nw
                              • 13 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Frixos 2,471 fi
                              • 13 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Gama 107 nw
                              • 13 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Glenlora 805 nw
                              • 13 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Zara 1,331 br
                              • 14 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Fjeldli 954 nw
                              • 15 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Paris 1,634 nw
                              • 16 May 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Middlesex 7,265 br
                              • 23 May 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Freden 166 da
                              • 16 Jul 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Cyrus 293 ru
                              • 28 Jul 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Atlas 2,068 fr

                              Fate 22 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Blyth in 1919-20.

                              There was another U 30 in World War Two.
                              That boat was launched from its shipyard on 4 Aug 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 8 Oct 1936.

                              John Doran


                              1st Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion to be raised  At the end of a lecture on the war at the Victoria Hall in Sheffield, the University Vice Chancellor Mr H.A.L. Fisher announced that formal War Office approval was expected to be given for the formation of the Sheffield City Battalion and that enrolment of volunteers would begin on the afternoon of the 2nd at the Town Hall.

                              The idea of the battalion had been proposed by two students of Sheffield University and had approached Mr Fisher who had taken up the cause.

                              Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                              1st September 1914   KUK U1 Austrian Submarine WW1.

                              Type U-1 Shipyard Ordered Launched 2nd October 1909 Commissioned 15th April 1911

                              Commanders.
                              15 Apr 1911 - 20 Sep 1911 Egon Marchetti.
                              20 Sep 1911 - 8 Jul 1913 Otto Zeidler.
                              18 Jul 1913 - 2 May 1914 Narciss Blessich.
                              26 Jun 1914 - 17 Dec 1915 Franz Nejebsy.
                              17 Dec 1915 - 27 May 1916 Klemens Ritter von Bezard.
                              27 May 1916 - 18 Jan 1917 Franz Nejebsy.
                              18 Jan 1917 - 13 Sep 1917 Eugen Hornyák.
                              28 Mar 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Othmar Printz

                              Career.
                              No flotilla information available

                              Successes No successes.

                              Fate: Scrapped in 1920

                              John Doran


                              1st September 1914   KUK U-2 Austrian Submarine

                              Type U-1 Shipyard Ordered Launched 3rd April 1909 Commissioned 22nd May 1911

                              Commanders
                              22 Jun 1911 - 10 May 1912 Klemens Ritter von Bezard
                              10 May 1912 - 23 Oct 1914 Karl Edler von Unczowski
                              23 Oct 1914 - 15 Feb 1915 Otto Zeidler
                              15 Feb 1915 - 22 Jun 1915 Karl Edler von Unczowski
                              22 Jun 1915 - 13 Sep 1917 Otto Kasseroller
                              13 Sep 1917 - 15 Mar 1918 Johann Ulmansky von Vracsevgaj
                              28 Mar 1918 - 1 Sep 1918 Othmar Printz
                              1 Sep 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Johann Ulmansky von Vracsevgaj

                              Career
                              No flotilla information available

                              Successes No successes.

                              Fate Scrapped in 1920

                              John Doran


                              1st September 1914   KUK U-3 Austrian Submarine

                              Type U-3 Shipyard Ordered Launched 8th August 1908 Commissioned 12th September 1909

                              Commanders
                              12 Sep 1909 - 18 Sep 1910 Emmerich Graf von Thun und Hohenstein
                              18 Sep 1910 - 29 Apr 1911 Lothar Leschanowsky
                              29 Apr 1911 - 30 Apr 1912 Richard Gstettner
                              30 Apr 1912 - 19 Jun 1915 Eduard Ritter von Hübner
                              19 Jun 1915 - 13 Aug 1915 Karl Strnad

                              Fate Sunk on 13th August 1915

                              John Doran


                              1st Sep 1914 415 Active Service Lodge formed  415 Active Service Lodge, a masonic lodge is formed of about two dozen officers and men 7th Royal Irish Fusiliers. Few records of it survive.

                              1st September 1914   KUK U-6 Austrian Submarine

                              Type U-5 Shipyard Ordered Launched 12th June 1909 Commissioned 1st July 1910

                              Commanders
                              1 Jul 1910 - 24 Jun 1913 Georg Ritter von Trapp
                              24 Jun 1913 - 22 Jul 1915 Nikolaus Halavanja
                              22 Jul 1915 - 5 Aug 1915 Albrecht Graf von Attems
                              5 Aug 1915 - 31 Aug 1915 Urban Passerar
                              31 Aug 1915 - 10 Oct 1915 Lüdwig Eberhardt
                              10 Oct 1915 - 21 Nov 1915 Nikolaus Halavanja
                              12 Nov 1915 - 13 May 1916 Hugo von Falkhausen

                              Career.
                              No flotilla information available

                              Successes 1 warship sunk with a total of 756 tons.

                              • 18 Mar 1916 k.u.k. U6 Hugo von Falkhausen Renaudin 756 fr

                              Fate Scuttled 13th May 1916.

                              John Doran


                              1st September 1914   KUK U-5 Austrian Submarine

                              Type U-5 Shipyard Ordered Launched 10th February 1909 Commissioned 1st April 1910

                              Commanders
                              1 Apr 1910 - 5 Sep 1912 Urban Passerar
                              5 Sep 1912 - 8 Jun 1914 Lüdwig Eberhardt
                              8 Jun 1914 - 22 Apr 1915 Friedrich Schlosser
                              22 Apr 1915 - 10 Oct 1915 Georg Ritter von Trapp
                              10 Oct 1915 - 23 Nov 1915 Lüdwig Eberhardt
                              23 Nov 1915 - 15 Jul 1917 Friedrich Schlosser
                              27 Aug 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Alfons Graf Montecuccoli

                              Career
                              No flotilla information available

                              Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 7,929 tons.
                              1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,034 tons.
                              2 warships sunk with a total of 12,641 tons.

                              • 27 Apr 1915 k.u.k. U5 Georg Ritter von Trapp Leon Gambetta 12,416 fr
                              • 5 Aug 1915 k.u.k. U5 Georg Ritter von Trapp Nereide 225 it
                              • 29 Aug 1915 k.u.k. U5 Georg Ritter von Trapp Cefalonia (prize) 1,034 gr
                              • 8 Jun 1916 k.u.k. U5 Friedrich Schlosser Principe Umberto 7,929 it

                              Fate Scrapped in 1920

                              John Doran


                              1st September 1914 British Battleships  

                              HMS Dreadnought

                              Name: HMS Dreadnought, Dreadnought Class Battleship.
                              Ordered: 1905, Builder: HM Dockyard, Portsmouth
                              Laid down:2 October 1905, Launched:10 February 1906.
                              Commissioned: 2 December 1906, Decommissioned: February 1919.
                              Fate: Scrapped, 1923.

                              Displacement: 18,120 long tons (18,410 t)
                              Length: 527 ft (160.6 m), Beam: 82 ft 1 in (25.0 m), Draught: 29 ft 7.5 in (9.0 m)
                              Installed power: 23,000 shp (17,000 kW), 18 Babcock & Wilcox water-tube boilers. Propulsion: 4 shafts, Parsons direct-drive steam turbines.
                              Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)
                              Range: 6,620 nautical miles (12,260 km; 7,620 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)

                              Crew complement: 700,810 officers and ratings.

                              Arament and Armour.

                              • Armament:
                              • 5 × twin BL 12-inch Mark X guns
                              • 27 × single 12-pdr 18 cwt Mark I guns
                              • 5 × 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes
                              • Armour:
                              • Belt: 4,11 in (102,279 mm)
                              • Deck: 0.75,3 in (19,76 mm)
                              • Barbettes: 4,11 in (102,279 mm)
                              • Turrets: 3,12 in (76,305 mm)
                              • Conning tower: 11 in (279 mm)
                              • Bulkheads: 8 in (203 mm)

                              HMS Dreadnought was a battleship of the Royal Navy that revolutionised naval power. Her entry into service in 1906 represented such a marked advance in naval technology that her name came to be associated with an entire generation of battleships, the "dreadnoughts", as well as the class of ships named after her. The generation of ships she made obsolete became known as "pre-dreadnoughts". She was the sixth ship of that name in the Royal Navy.

                              Admiral Sir John "Jacky" Fisher, First Sea Lord of the Board of Admiralty, is credited as the father of the Dreadnought. Shortly after he assumed office he ordered design studies for a battleship armed solely with 12-inch (305 mm) guns and a speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph). He convened a "Committee on Designs" to evaluate the alternative designs and to assist in the detailed design work. One ancillary benefit of the Committee was that it would shield him and the Admiralty from political charges that they had not consulted leading experts before designing such a radically different battleship.

                              Dreadnought was the first battleship of her era to have a uniform main battery, rather than having a few large guns complemented by a heavy secondary battery of smaller guns. She was also the first capital ship to be powered by steam turbines, making her the fastest battleship in the world at the time of her completion. Her launch helped spark a naval arms race as navies around the world, particularly the German Imperial Navy rushed to match her in the build-up to World War I.

                              Dreadnought did not participate in any of World War I's naval battles as she was being refitted during the Battle of Jutland in 1916. This was the only time that British dreadnought battleships fired on their German counterparts during the war. She became the only battleship to sink a submarine when she rammed the SM U-29 when it unexpectedly broke the surface after firing a torpedo at another dreadnought in 1915. She was relegated to coastal defence duties in the English Channel after Jutland, only rejoining the Grand Fleet in 1918. She was reduced to reserve in 1919 and sold for scrap two years later.

                              Dreadnought became flagship of the 4th Battle Squadron in December 1912 after her transfer from the 1st Battle Squadron, as the 1st Division had been renamed earlier in the year. Between September and December 1913 she was training in the Mediterranean Sea. At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, she was flagship of the 4th Battle Squadron in the North Sea, based at Scapa Flow. She was relieved as flagship on 10 December by HMS Benbow.

                              Ironically for a vessel designed to engage enemy battleships, her only significant action was the ramming and sinking of German submarine SM U-29, skippered by K/Lt Otto Weddigen (of SM U-9 fame), on 18 March 1915. U-29 had broken the surface immediately ahead of Dreadnought after firing a torpedo at HMS Neptune and Dreadnought cut the submarine in two after a short chase. She almost collided with HMS Temeraire who was also attempting to ram. Dreadnought thus became the only battleship ever to sink a submarine.

                              John Doran


                              1st September 1914 Northern Patrol  The Northern Patrol was a Royal Navy unit operating throughout the First World War around Scotland and the North Sea. The Patrol formed part of the British "distant" blockade of Germany. Its aim was to prevent German warships passing from the North Sea into the Atlantic Ocean to attack Allied shipping. It also carried out checks on merchant ships to ensure they were not carrying goods bound for Germany. The initial unit of the Northern Patrol was the 10th Cruiser Squadron, but it was replaced later by armed merchant cruisers which had better sea-keeping capabilities.

                              John Doran


                              1st September 1914 Retire to Antilly  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                              Started out at farm, fell back to Antilly and bivouacked. In action several times but did not get a chance to shoot. In bivouac by 2000.

                              War Diaries


                                 The Queen's Westiminster Rifles trace their origin back to the Royal Westminster Volunteers raised in 1787, but it was not until the outbreak of this War that it consisted of more than one battalion. The second battalion was formed on September 1st, 1914, and consisted of men from all parts of the Metropolis. From September, 1914, to June, 1916, the battalion underwent training in England at Maidstone, Watford, Saffron Walden, Bishop’s Stortford and War- minster, sending out drafts, during the earlier part of the time, to the first battalion already on active service in France.

                              It proceeded to France on June 22nd, 1916, and took over a portion of the line at Neuville St. Vaast, relieving, in conjunction with the rest of the 60th Divi- sion, the famous 51st (Highland) Division. With the exception of a successful raid into the enemy’s trenches in September, it was called upon for no offensive operations during this spell in France.

                              On 24th October, 1916, on relief by a Canadian Division, the 60th marched into the Somme area, from which, however, it was diverted to Salonica, the 2/16th London embarking at Marseilles on 17th November and disembarking on the 30th. The 179th Brigade, of which it formed part, was despatched almost immediately on a special mission to Thessaly to guard the approaches from the South through the Petra and Kokinopolo passes. A landing was made at Skala Vromeris some miles down the Aegean sea and headquarters established at Katerini. . As events turned out, there was no fighting in this part, and all threat to the Salonican forces from this quarter having been removed by the end of February, the Brigade marched 97 miles in seven days and " took over " on the Vardar front on March 18th. Patrol work and various minor operations were carried out by the Brigade on this front, this battalion capturing Goldies Hill on 8th May, 1917, and holding it in spite of many counter attacks. In June, 1917, the 60th Division was transferred to the Egyptian Expedi- tionary Force, this battalion embarking on June 21st, and reaching Alexandria on the 25th. After refitting at Ismailia, it marched to Kantara, and proceeded thence by train to Deir El Belah. From there it marched to Shellal and took over a part of the line in the Wadi Ghuzze. For three months there were no active operations, and advantage was taken of this to give the division a strenuous training in the style of warfare likely to be encountered. Throughout the campaign, which opened at the end of October, 1917, the 60th Division held the right flank of the British line. After being in reserve at the taking of Beersheba, the battalion carried the Turkish position at Kauwaukah on November 6th. It is difficult to detach the doings of a single battalion from those of the Division to which it belonged, and, if for a bit we now talk of the 60th Division’s doings, it must not be assumed that the 2/16th London was invariably in front of the battle . . or invariably out of it. After the successful attack of the 179th Brigade at Kauwaukah, the 181st went through it, and, after a heavy fight, captured Sheria Station, and enabled the advance to be carried across the Wadi Sheria. On the same evening, the 179th drove back enemy rearguards from the ridge at Juathiny, and, continuing their progress on the following day, carried strong positions as far as Tor Dimreh near Huj. In all, between October 30th and November 8th, the infantry covered 60 miles, fighting a considerable part of the way. More marching, but not much fighting carried them on to December 7th, when the whole Brigade advanced in single file during the night over precipitous paths to attack at dawn near Am Karim. All objectives were taken, and, with other divisions equally successful, the enemy was forced to evacuate Jerusalem, which was entered two days later.

                              The Division then held the line to the North of the city, and on December 27th the 2/16th London, with the 2/13th, bore the brunt of the determined Turk- ish counter attack and resisted every effort to break their lines. A gallant counter attack by the 2/ 15th London greatly helped them at a critical moment. The enemy was subsequently forced to retreat seven miles further northward to Bireh, where his position was carried by the 180th Brigade. The new line was held until the middle of February, when the division carried out successful operations against the Turkish positions at El Kuntar, Jebel Ekteif and Talat Ed Dumm, which resulted in our occupying Jericho and the enemy retiring to the Eastern side of the Jordan. Towards the end of Márch the whole division was called upon to make a colossal raid, in order to strike a blow at the Hedjaz railway communication.

                              The Jordan was accordingly forced by the 180th Brigade on March 22nd, and two days later the 179th and 181st attacked the enemy on the foothills of the Eastern side of the plain After successful attacks, the division moved forward, and on the night of March 25th reached Es Salt. While the 181st held up the enemy near Amman, mounted troops carried out the desired destructive work, and on the night of April 1st the entire force was again withdrawn across the Jordan. At the end of the month a second and similar operation was commenced, but by this time the enemy had strongly fortified the hills at the edge of the plain, and the attempt had to be abandoned after repeated attacks spread over the period of four days.

                              The Division was now dissolved from its original composition. The bulk of it, including the 2/16th London, came back to France and became part of the 30th Division. This battalion had its first experience of the front line at Locre on July 31st. Ordinary trench relief took place up to 20th August, when the line was advanced by about a thousand yards, and it was again advanced on the 30th by this battalion, which was afterwards withdrawn to divisional reserve. It took over the line again on September 25th and on the 28th it attacked, cap- tured Messines and advanced the line until it conformed with the Ypres-Commines Canal. The 90th Brigade, of which the battalion was now part, attacked again on October 14th, capturing Wervicq, and on the 17th the battalion forced,the River Lys in the face of hostile machine-gun fire, and on the 18th again met with considerable resistance in the neighbourhood of Aelb eke. The advance was continued, with the 90th Brigade acting as advance guard to the 30th Division, but on the 21st the Brigade was withdrawn into divisional reserve. A short period of trench relief followed, and it had returned to divisional reserve when hostilities ceased.

                              Sep 1914 Formation of the County of Durham Battalion  

                              In the bitter days of early September 1914, under the chairmanship of the Earl of Durham, a committee of gentlemen from the County of Durham, including Colonel R. Burdon, V.D., M.P., Sir William Gray, Bart., and H. Pike Pease, M.P., agreed to raise and equip at their own expense a Battalion from County of Durham, making special appeals to Durham, Darlington, the Hartlepools, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Sunderland and Bishop Auckland.

                              The raising of such a Battalion was actually first mooted by Major F. T. Tristram in a letter to Colonel R. Burdon, and it was brought into being as a direct outcome of their strenuous efforts seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel H. Bowes and cordially supported by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County.

                              The idea, conceived and carried into effect, was to raise and equip a Battalion in the County at the sole expense of subscribers, and it should be observed that this Battalion was the only unit in the country that was so raised, the initial expenses connected with the formation of other Battalions being refunded by the Government.

                              Appeals were at once made for funds for the provision of equipment, etc., and the response amounted to upwards of £10,000. Lord Durham in addition generously offered to place Cocken Hall at the disposal of the Committee: this certainly saved the county a further expenditure of between £6000 and £??? and without its use it would have been impossible to house the recruits who poured in rapidly directly the proposal to form a County Battalion was made public.

                              List of Subscribers:

                              • The Earl of Durham, K.G., etc., Lambton Castle, Fence Houses.
                              • Colonel R. Burdon, V.D., M.P., J.P., Castle Eden.
                              • Mrs. Matthew Gray.
                              • Sir Lindsay Wood, Bart, The Hermitage, Chester-le-Street.
                              • The Executors of the late Sir Stephen Furness, Baltic Chambers, West Hartlepool.
                              • Colonel H. Doughty, J.P., Seaton Carew.
                              • C. E. Hunter, Esq., Wemmergill, Middleton-in-Teesdale.
                              • Colonel Sir Robert Ropner, Bart., Preston Hall, near Stockton-on-Tees.
                              • A. F. Pease, Esq., J.P., Middleton Lodge, Middleton Tyas.
                              • The Right Hon. H. Pike Pease, M.P., House of Commons.
                              • Colonel J. H. Ropner, V.D., J.P., Ragworth, Norton-on-Tees.
                              • Colonel C. W. Darwin, C.B., J.P., Dryburn, Durham.
                              • R. Hutton Wilson, Esq., Egglescliffe S.O.
                              • F. Fenwick, Esq., J. p.. Forester's Lodge, Wolsingham.
                              • W. O. Wood, Esq., J.P., South Hetton.
                              • Colonel Roberts, Hollingside, Durham.
                              • W. Sewell, Esq., Manor House, North Bridge Street, Sunderland.
                              • John Feetham, Esq., Whinfield, Darlington.

                              It is not to be supposed, however, that the formation of the battalion was carried out at the cost of little or no trouble. As a matter of fact, the work was attended with considerable difficulty.

                              At the outset the War Office was totally opposed to Battalions being raised in such a way, and obstacles were thrown in the way of the promoters, but Colonel R. Burdon, by dint of perseverance, eventually succeeded in obtaining official sanction to go ahead with the scheme.

                              Curiously enough, after first strongly opposing the project, the War Office subsequently commended highly the success achieved in Durham, and Lord Kitchener summoned Colonel Burdon to London and expressed the thanks of the country to the county for having presented the nation with so fine a Battalion. Composed, as it was, of picked officers and men, the Battalion was unquestionably a unit of which any county and any country might well have been proud.

                              War history of the 18th (S.) Battalion Durham Light Infantry W.D.Lowe


                              2nd September 1914 The Queens left St. Helena for Southampton  'HMT Kenilworth Castle' left St Helena. 'HMS Astraea' was replaced by 'HMS Leviathan'.

                              War Diary


                              2nd September 1914 Zeppelin raids  A further Zeppelin raid took place on Antwerp, Belgium.

                              John Doran


                              2nd Sep 1914 Crowds gather in Sheffield  A large crowd gathered outside the Town Hall in Sheffield as volunteers entered the Lord Mayor's Chambers to complete their form declaring their willingness to enlist in the new Sheffield City Battalion. A contingent from the University Officer Training Corps marched from the University to the Town Hall in a column of fours to enrol. Once they had done so they marched out of the building and formally disbanded the OTC for the duration of the war. Once dismissed the men took it upon themselves to persuade passers by to enrol.

                              Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                              2nd September 1914 Back to Villenoy  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started out at 0400 and fell back to Villeroy. engaged from near Raperie a regiment of Cavalry moving south near Fosse Martin at long range driving them to west. In bivouac at 2030.

                              War Diaries


                              3rd Sep 1914 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment raised  10th (Service) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment is raised at York on the 3rd of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, they join 50th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division.

                              3rd September 1914   SM U-32 was a Type U 31 uboat built as the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 192). She was ordered 29 Mar 1912, laid down 8 Nov 1912. launched 28 Jan 1914 and was commissioned on 3rd of Sep 1914. Her Commanders were: 3 Sep 1914 to 17 Mar 1916 Freiherr Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim, 18 Mar 1916 to 15 Feb 1918 Kurt Hartwig and 16 Feb 1918 to 8 May 1918, Kurt Albrecht. She undertook 11 patrols sailing with IV Flotilla until 8th of Nov 1916, the with Pola Flotilla until 8th of May 1918

                              Her successes include 37 ships sunk with a total of 106,034 tons, 3 ships damaged with a total of 18,554 tons, 1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,115 tons and 1 warship sunk with a total of 14,000 tons.

                              • 8 Apr 1915 Chateaubriand 2,247 fr
                              • 11 Apr 1915 Wayfarer (damaged) 9,599 br
                              • 22 Jun 1915 Kiew (prize) 1,115 da
                              • 4 Mar 1916 Teutonian 4,824 br
                              • 5 Mar 1916 Rothesay 2,007 br
                              • 6 Mar 1916 Trois Freres 106 fr
                              • 7 Mar 1916 Ville Du Havre 3,109 fr
                              • 18 Oct 1916 Athene 1,847 nw
                              • 30 Oct 1916 Marquis Bacquehem 4,396 br
                              • 30 Oct 1916 Vertunno 3,239 it
                              • 27 Nov 1916 City Of Birmingham 7,498 br
                              • 27 Nov 1916 Karnak 6,816 fr
                              • 30 Nov 1916 S. Antonio 611 it
                              • 1 Dec 1916 Cuore Di Gesu 199 it
                              • 1 Dec 1916 Lampo 59 it
                              • 2 Dec 1916 Angela Madre G. 155 it
                              • 3 Dec 1916 Lucellum (damaged) 5,184 br
                              • 6 Dec 1916 Campania 4,297 it
                              • 8 Dec 1916 Carmelina Dominici 94 it
                              • 12 Dec 1916 Saint Ursula 5,011 br
                              • 7 Jan 1917 Rosalia L. 7,186 it
                              • 9 Jan 1917 Cornwallis 14,000 br
                              • 10 Apr 1917 Porto Di Rodi 2,480 it
                              • 12 Apr 1917 Kildale 3,830 br
                              • 17 Apr 1917 Costante 3,479 it
                              • 18 Apr 1917 Rinaldo 4,321 br
                              • 21 Apr 1917 Giosue 140 it
                              • 12 May 1917 Locksley Hall 3,635 br
                              • 24 May 1917 Biarritz 2,758 fr
                              • 16 Jul 1917 Khephren 2,774 br
                              • 16 Jul 1917 Porto Di Adalia 4,073 it
                              • 17 Jul 1917 Virent (damaged) 3,771 br
                              • 19 Jul 1917 Varvara 1,316 gr
                              • 20 Sep 1917 Kurdistan 3,720 br
                              • 22 Sep 1917 Caroline 107 fr
                              • 24 Sep 1917 Iriston 3,221 br
                              • 29 Sep 1917 Sanwen 3,689 br
                              • 4 Oct 1917 Constantinos Embiricos 2,611 gr
                              • 4 Oct 1917 Nicolaos Roussos 2,421 gr
                              • 10 Oct 1917 Transporteur 1,812 fr
                              • 21 Apr 1918 Bellview 3,567 br
                              • 1 May 1918 Era 2,379 au
                              On the 8th of May 1918 U32 was Shelled then depth charged by HMS Wallflower NW Malta at 3607N 1328E with 41 dead (all hands lost).

                              There was another U 32 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 25 Feb 1937 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 15 Apr 1937.

                              John Doran


                              3rd September 1914 Further withdrawals  Still with 3rd Brigade, E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA started at 0400 and returned through Meaux to Barcy, then fell back to Montebise Chateau where unit went into bivouac at 1900. Always in action but nothing to shoot at.

                              War Diaries


                              4th September 1914 Continued retreat for E Bty 3rd RHA  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0600 and moved to Le Grand Glairet and then fell back to Bois de Done where after halting for some hours went into action near La Fayet about 1600 and engaged two enemy's concealed batteries behind Dove Hill at range of 4,600 yards. the battery was only partly concealed. Fired over 150 rounds and was under very heavy shell fire. When ordered to retire did so under still heavier shell fire. Strange to say not a single casualty though enemy had our range very accurately. Ranged on enemy, searched, our cavalry reported one gun knocked out and heavy casualties to teams. Went into bivouac in Chailly at 2030.

                              War Diaries


                              5th Sep 1914 First trainees for FAU at Jordans  In early September about 60 young men took part in the first training camp for the Friends Ambulance Unit at the Quaker Centre at Jordans, in Buckinghamshire.

                              5th September 1914 Rear guard action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0400. Doing left rear guard action with 4th Hussars to 1st Division. Went into bivouac at 1700 in Vilbert.

                              War Diaries


                              5th Sep 1914 4th Royal Fusiliers depart for Malta  Part of 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers set sail from Southampton on board HMT Galician bound for Malta. Previously they had been in camp at Wareham in training since 2nd August

                              6th Sep 1914 9th Heavy Battery to Woolwich  9th Heavy Battery proceeded to Woolwich on the 6th September, and came under the command of Major Castens at the end of October.

                              6th September 1914 Small Advance  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0830 and to our great relief at last joined in general advance of our 3 armies. Fired only 30 rounds at long range and went into bivouac in Pezarches at 2030.

                              War Diaries


                              7th September 1914 Sections in Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Captain U Clairlu(?) joined the battery today from 3rd Brigade RHA Ammunition Column. The Left Section started out with 16th Lancers at 0430. Remainder of Battery left at 0600. The Left Section fired about 150 rounds with effect from Epieos at stragglers near Mouroux after which they joined battery which engaged retreating guns and cavalry from Chailly firing about another 100 rounds. Went into bivouac in Les Potees at around 2030.

                              War Diaries


                              8th Sept 1914 2nd Life guards training continues  War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards records the appointment of Brigadier General Kavanagh as Brigadier on 8th of September. Training continued.

                              War Diary


                              8th September 1914 Heavy casualties  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0500 and marched to Mauroy near which we came into action, the centre section under Lt. Palmer was detached. It had a bad time losing four men and eight horses, having a direct hit on the gun section in the open during a heavy crossfire from concealed artillery. The remainder of the battery lost 2 men but though heavily fired upon were not so knocked about except when leaving position when did so under very heavy fire but again had not a single casualty. German artillery completely concealed behind much higher ground. We never found them. We were fighting with 3rd Cavalry Brigade as advance guard and German rear guard was holding position from Le Grand Glairel to St Ouen. Six men and six horses joined the battery from the Ammunition Column. We were withdrawn when our main armies came up and the German rear guard retired. Went into bivouac near Le Grand Glairel at 1730.

                              War Diaries


                              9th September 1914 Period in waiting mode  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA started at 0500 and moved to Chateau Perreuse where we waited until 1600 while our armies were attacking the Marne. Moved to Rougeville where we bivouacked at 1800.

                              War Diaries


                              9th Sep 1914 24th Heavy Battery RGA embark  24th Heavy Battery RGA sailed from Southampton, HQ and Right section on board SS Caledonian, Left section and Ammunition Column on SS Rowanmore. Both ships sailed at about 8 pm.

                              10th Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion formed  Official enlistment of men for the Sheffield City Battalion and the recruiting office opened at The Corn Exchange in Sheaf Street. Those who had already volunteered were sent a postcard asking them to report. Forty volunteer clerks filled in the paperwork and each man underwent a medical to check he met the minimum size requirements for the army and was generally in good health.

                              Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                              10th September 1914 Continuing Action in wet conditions  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA started at 0430 and marched to near Germigny, crossing Marne at Nanteuil, where right section under Lt Maxwell did very well engaging convoy rear guards and assisting in capture of both. Rest of battery did little and went into bivouacs in Passy at 1800. Very wet and heavy going very hard on the horses.

                              War Diaries


                                 On 11 September 1914 the War Office issued Army Order No. 382 authorising six new divisions numbered from 15th to 20th. This was the 2nd New Army which included the 16th (Irish) Division. The 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was in the 49 Brigade of the 16th (Irish) Division. Lieutenant-General Sir Lawrence W. Parsons was appointed to command the 16th (Irish) Division on 23 September 1914. Gen. Parsons opened his headquarters in Dublin, but due to the 10th (Irish)Division having priority and first claim on accommodation and training areas, 16th Division was sent south to Munster. Divisional Headquarters moved on 8 October 1914 and established itself at Mallow, Co. Cork. The headquarters of its three infantry brigades were: 47 Brigade at Fermoy 48 Brigade at Buttevant 49 Brigade at Tipperary The 49 Brigade which included the 7 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed on the 1st October 1914. Brig. R. D. Longe was appointed its commander. The local Tipperary Union Workhouse was used as overflow accommodation for the Tipperary Barracks until the new hutment camps were built at Scalaheen a mile west of the town. By the end of October approximately 1,800 men were using the camp which was designed for one infantry battalion of approx 700 personnel. Two hutment camps as an annex to the main barracks at Tipperary were built. The land on which these camps were to be built leased from the Smith-Barry Estate and was situated about a half a mile west of the barracks in Scalaheen. The camps were built next to each other and were called East and West Hutments.

                              Notes C.Murphy


                              11th September 1914 E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Continuing pursuit of enemy   Started at 0500. Moved to Viilemontoire where two sections fired a few rounds in very heavy rain at retreating infantry about 1600. Lt Maxwell's section out in action with 16th Lancers a good deal against stragglers Went into billets at Tigny about 1800. Very wet all day. At Tigny tonight we got no supplies making our 5th day in all without them since we left Hautmont on the 28th August. in addition we rarely averaged more than 6 lbs per issue which is most annoying as most other units got a full 12 lbs.

                              War Diaries


                              12th September 1914 Ongoing Action for E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA  started at 0500 and marched to high ground south of the River Aisne, where Lt. Walwyn's Section, who had been detached with left flank guard with 4th Hussars reformed. This section had engaged dismounted cavalry a good deal.Battery then went on with 3rd Cavalry Brigade to high ground North East of Chassemy. Lt Walwyn's section went on again with 4th Hussars in attempt to seize Vailly which failed - section not in action. The remainder of the Battery in action against a surprise infantry attack. Finished firing at 1000 eventually when infantry were wiped out. Over 100 surrendering with remainder killed, wounded and dispersing in woods. Went into billets at Chassemy at 1830 - very wet all day.

                              War Diaries


                              12th Sep 1914 Tyneside Irish Battalion to be raised  An indication that a new regiment of the north east Irish community was first mentioned in the Newcastle evening chronicle on Saturday the 12th September 1914.

                              newcastle evening chronicle


                              Sep 1914 Training  
                              THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE HOME FRONT, 1914-1918

                              Men of 16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment man a field kitchen during training in Saffron Walden, a group of children look on. IWM (Q 53755)

                              13th Sep 1914 Attack Made  The 1st Hampshires led the attack against the Germans at the 1st Battle of the Aisne.

                              13th Sep 1914 35th Heavy Battery relieved  35th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery are relieved by the 26th Battery, they moved by train from outside Paris through Amiens to Boulogne then Calais to St. Omer and marched to Barracks at Ebblinghem

                              13th Sept 1914 2nd Life Guards Lord Kitchener inspects Brigade  2nd Life Guards War Diary records that Lord Kitchener inspected the 4th Calvary Brigade.

                              War Diary


                              13th Sep 1914 Lord Kitchener makes third appeal for volunteers  Lord Kitchener's third appeal for volunteers is published.

                              11th DLI Martin Bashforth


                              13th September 1914 E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Standby positions  Started at 0600 and waited under cover of high ground all day while infantry attack was developing on the River Aisne. Returned to billets in Chassemy at 1900.

                              War Diaries


                              14th Sep 1914 Casualties for Scots Guards  The war diary of the 1st Scots Guards for this date states 'The Battalion moved at 5.30am via Moulins and Vendresse to a hill between that place and Troyon - 2 companies in Brigade reserve and 2 companies sent as artillery escort to Tour de Passy'. The casualties for this day is recorded as 3 officers and 16 men killed, 3 officers and 86 men wounded and 12 missing.

                              14th Sep 1914 4th Yorks join Division  4th Yorks leave Hummersknott Park, Darlington and move to Newcastle to join with the other battalions of the Northumbrian Division for further training.

                              http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bandl.danby/003aBn1914.html


                              mid Sep 1914 21st Division at Halton Park  At the outbreak of war, Halton Park in Buckinghamshire was offered to the War Office by Alfred de Rothschild for use as a training camp. The first division to arrive was the 21st Yorkshire Division comprising; 8th East Yorkshire, 10th Green Howards, 14th Northumberland Fusiliers, 8th Lincolns, 12th West Yorkshire, 10th York & Lancaster and 9th and 10th KOYLI. They had their Divisional HQ at Aston Clinton House. Halton House was lent to the RFC who also trained in the grounds.

                              14th Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion hold first parade  The first parade of the newly formed Sheffield City Battalion is held at Norfolk Barracks, Edmond Road, the Drill Hall of the West Riding Territorial Force. The men were organised into Companies, platoons and sections. They were inspected by their CO Col Hughes and the Lord Mayor then listened to speeches from the gallery by the Lord Mayor, Mr Fisher of the University and Col Hughes who declared them a wonderful looking crowd. The men were dismissed to return to their own homes or lodgings for the night as there was no accommodation available for the new battalion en-mass.

                              Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                              14th September 1914 Battle of Trindade 1914  The Battle of Trindade was a single-ship action fought during the First World War on 14 September 1914 off the coast of the Brazilian island of Trindade.

                              Battle

                              The German auxiliary cruiser Cap Trafalgar was steaming in South American waters on her commerce raiding mission when she came across several German colliers, trapped in the region by the Allied navies in the Western approaches. Cap Trafalgar, in need of supplies, was led to the Trindade and Martim Vaz islands where the Germans had established a small, hidden supply base. Cap Trafalgar arrived at the base on September 14, giving away her position early that morning by smoke from her steam engines. The British auxiliary cruiser Carmania, a former ocean liner which was designed to fight merchant vessels and small enemy warships, noticed the smoke and moved to engage. Coincidentally, the Cap Trafalgar, also intended for use against enemy merchant fleets, had been altered to resemble the Carmania. Some accounts wrongly claimed that both ships were disguised as each other. Carmania moved into Trindade's only sheltered anchorage, surprising Cap Trafalgar and two enemy colliers. Both the British and German commanders believed that in order to obtain a decisive victory, they would need more space to manoeuver their ships. They steamed several miles into open sea before turning into each other and commencing hostilities. Carmania fired the first shots, which fell short, thus allowing Cap Trafalgar to give out the first hit. For some ninety minutes the two ships fought a gunnery duel. They also used machine guns to target each other's crew. At first the German fire was more effective. Eventually, as the two ships closed to within a few hundred yards of each other, British shots became more accurate and fires began to spread aboard the German raider. Carmania received most of the hits during the fight, 73 hits in total. Her bridge was completely destroyed and she had taken hits below the waterline. However, just when things began to look dire for the British, the Cap Trafalgar turned away and began lowering life rafts, having been holed below the waterline and taking on water. She soon sank. The German colliers were able to rescue 279 German sailors from the sea and rafts. Between 16 and 51 of the crew are cited by different sources as killed in action or drowned. Carmania's crew suffered 9 dead, several wounded and the ship was severely damaged.

                              Aftermath

                              After receiving Cap Trafalgar's distress call, the SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm arrived near the battle scene. Fearing a British attack, assuming the Cap Trafalgar had already been sunk and not knowing the poor condition of Carmania, she turned around and steamed away. The day after the battle, Carmania was rescued and escorted to the port of Pernambuco. The surviving Germans were dropped off by the colliers in Montevideo

                              John Doran


                              14th September 1914 Setback in action   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0500 and after a long wait at the Chateau ready to cross the river at Vailly, had to fall back under very heavy shell fire from big howitzers, could only move up the big spur crest of Chassemy. By great good fortune only one horse was killed while all around us on top of spur III Divisional Artillery were having a bad time this fire coming from behind Condefort. Went into bivouac at Lime at 1900.

                              War Diary


                              9th Sep 1914 24th Heavy Battery proceed to France  24th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                              15th Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion begin training  Training begins for the Sheffield City Battalion, the larger part of the formation marched from Norfolk Barracks to Bramhall Lane Football Ground, with smaller contingents going to areas of waste ground on Edmund Road nad Queens Road to learn the basics of drill from the few men who had previous experience as soldiers. Drill instruction was undertaken for six hours under hot sun, much to the detriment of the turf on the football pitch.

                              Norfolk Park is also used as a training area for field craft and tactical training with trenches being dug. Potential Officers and NCO's were identified and the those with previous military service were appointed to the key positions of Company Serjeant Majors.

                              Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                              15th September 1914 Heavy Action for E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA moved out around 0500 and were in action about 1 mile south of Chassemy all day. Fired over 200 rounds chiefly searching behind Condefort. Returned to bivouac at lime about 1800.

                              War Diaries


                              17th September 1914 E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Relocate   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA joined 5th Cavalry Brigade and leaving bivouac at 0600 were in action 3/4 mile from Chassemy all day. Fired a few rounds at long range. Very wet all day. Went into billets at Cerseuil at 1900.

                              War Diaries


                              18th September 1914 Rest and Recovery Period  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA In billets all day which Battle on the Aisne going on. Our first rest since leaving Le Havre and horses very badly in need of it as getting very done. The incessant marching, mostly across country and latterly in most holding ground having told on them. our total casualties in horses up to date being twenty seven. Nine died from wounds or destroyed on account of them and remainder mostly lame horses, destroyed or returned to Sick Depots.

                              War Diaries


                              19 Sept 1914 2nd Life Guards inspection by Brigadier  2nd Life Guards - War Diary Inspection of Brigade by Brigadier.

                              19th Sep 1914 2nd Btn The Queens arrive in England  'HMT Kenilworth Castle' arrived in Southampton. The 2nd Battalion Queens West Surrey Regiment disembarked & proceeded by route march to Lyndhurst, Hampshire, arriving there about 2030 hours and went under canvas.

                              War Diary


                              19th September 1914 Rest and Recovery Period  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA 19th and 20th September - Rest and recovery in Billets at Cerseuil.

                              War Diaries


                              20th Sep 1914 2nd Btn Rifle Brigade depart India  2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade were stationed at Kuldana in India when war broke out in August 1914. They sailed from Bombay on 20th of September for Liverpool.

                              20th September 1914 Battle of Zanzibar 1914  

                              HMS Pegasus

                              The Battle of Zanzibar was fought between the Kaiserliche Marine and the Royal Navy during the First World War. The German cruiser SMS Königsberg had been taking on coal in the delta of the Rufiji River when her crew were told that a British cruiser—HMS Pegasus, which had been part of the Royal Navy's Cape Squadron sent to counter Köningsberg—had put in at Zanzibar for repairs. Königsberg's captain—Commander Max Looff—decided to attack Pegasus while she was in port. On 20 September 1914, Königsberg sailed past the picket ship HMS Helmuth at the entrance to Zanzibar harbour. Helmuth was unable to warn Pegasus of Königsberg's approach, with the result that when Koningsberg opened fire she took Pegasus entirely by surprise. As a result, Pegasus suffered heavy damage before she was even able to return fire. Königsberg's guns out-ranged those on Pegasus, which was consequently unable to damage her opponent. The one-sided battle ended in a German victory, Pegasus sank later that day, having lost 38 crew dead.

                              Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, on 19 September 1914, Commander Max Looff of the light cruiser SMS Königsberg was coaling in the Rufuji Delta, when he learned from coast watchers that a British warship had entered Zanzibar harbour. Looff assumed the cruiser at Zanzibar was either HMS Astraea or HMS Pegasus and ordered an immediate attack. As Königsberg had been recently resupplied, she was prepared for battle. Königsberg left on the afternoon tide for her run to Zanzibar. The protected cruiser Pegasus, under the command of Captain John Ingles, had just left the company of HMS Astraea and Hyacinth for repairs at Zanzibar to her boilers and engines. Also at Zanzibar, the British had armed the captured German tug HMS Helmuth with a 3-pounder gun and posted her as a picket ship at the entrance of the harbour. Königsberg had been built in 1905 and was armed with ten 10.5 cm guns, ten 37 mm autocannon pieces and two 18 inch torpedo tubes. Pegasus—a Pelorus-class protected cruiser built in 1897—was armed with eight QF 4 inch guns, eight 3-pounders and two 18-inch torpedo tubes. Her complement consisted of 234 officers and men.

                              Battle

                              At dawn on 20 September, Königsberg entered the southern end of the Zanzibar approaches and sailed past the picket ship Helmuth, firing a few warning shots as she passed. Helmuth could neither stop the Königsberg from entering the harbour nor even warn Pegasus of the German cruiser's approach. Once Koningsberg came within 9,000 yd (8,200 m) of Pegasus, she began firing salvos. Pegasus sat at anchor in Zanzibar Harbour, preparing steam and at that moment, was helpless. For about 20 minutes while Königsberg fired, Pegasus remained stationary. Pegasus did raise the White Ensign and began firing, but her shells splashed into the water well short of Koningsberg. The light cruiser slowly continued forward and fired until the range had closed to within 7,000 yd (6,400 m). One of the first British sailors wounded was gunnery officer Lieutenant Richard Turner, who suffered both of his legs being mangled by shrapnel. Despite his injuries, Turner rallied his men, telling them; "Keep it up, lads, we’re outclassed and done for; but damn them, and keep it up!" The British continued their futile fight for around 20 minutes more, taking additional hits from Königsberg, the majority landing on Pegasus' deck. Her ensign was shot away during the fight. Also, because the Germans were always at least 2,000 yd (1,800 m) beyond the range of Pegasus' guns, no British rounds struck Königsberg. Pegasus became holed near her waterline and began taking on water. All hope of defeating the Germans having gone, Ingles struck his colors and gave the order to abandon ship. Pegasus later sank. After Königsberg had finished with Pegasus, she fired a few parting shots at Helmuth, whose crew managed to abandon ship before one of the German cruiser's salvos struck the tug. With a clear German victory, Königsberg turned around and headed back for the Rufiji Delta.

                              Aftermath

                              The Royal Navy's losses were Pegasus sunk and Helmuth damaged. Thirty-eight British sailors on Pegasus had died; another 55 sailors were wounded, most of whom had been top-side when hit. Staff Surgeon Alfred J. Hewitt was on the deck of Pegasus from the beginning to the end of the battle, aiding wounded sailors and marines. Captain Ingles later recognized Hewitt's courageous behavior in a report on the action. Although Helmuth had taken a hit from Königsberg, the damage to the tug was relatively minor and her crew managed to reboard her after Königsberg had sailed off. Only one man on board Helmuth died, a non-enlisted native working in the engine room. The hospital ship HMS Gascon and the Scottish ship SS Clan Macrae rescued the survivors of Pegasus. Twenty-four of the British sailors that died in the battle were buried in a mass grave in the naval cemetery on Grave island, Zanzibar, while 14 others were laid to rest at the town's cemetery before being moved in 1971 to the Dar es Salaam war cemetery. The British salvaged six of Pegasus' guns from the wreck and later used them in the East African land campaign. Although Königsberg had suffered no hits or casualties, Looff's plans to continue the offensive were soon cut short. One of her main engines failed. The British were watching the port of Dar es Salaam so she had to return to the Rufiji River delta to await the overland transport of spare parts. The British soon discovered Koningsberg's location and blockaded her. They damaged her beyond repair in the Battle of Rufiji Delta when they were able to bring up the monitors HMS Mersey and Severn.

                              John Doran


                              21st Sep 1914 2nd Black Watch leave India  2nd Battalion Black Watch leave their base in Bareilly, India and set sail for France to join the BEF.

                              21st September 1914 Rest and Regrouping Period  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA 21st to 29th September 1914 - Continued rest and refitting in billets at Cerseuil.

                              War Diaries


                              22nd Sep 1914 HMS Aboukir HMS Cressy and HMS Hogue sunk  HMS Aboukir was a, armoured cruiser of the Cressy-class. She has been launched in 1900 and was sunk by a torpedo along with HMS Cressy and HMS Hogue on the 22nd of September 1914 by U.9 in the North Sea. The U-9 was responsible for the killing of 1459 British seamen in one single day, sending Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue, a total of 36.000 tons to the bottom in less than an hour. This attack showed for the first time the capabilities of submarines in war.

                              She was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Govan, Scotland and launched 16 May 1900. In March 1901 she arrived at Portsmouth Dockyard to be completed,which she was in early in 1902. The Cressy-class vessels had rapidly become obsolete due to the great advances in naval architecture in the years leading up to the First World War. At the outbreak of the war, these ships were mostly staffed by reserve sailors. Aboukir was one of four ships that made up Rear Admiral Henry H Campbell's 7th Cruiser Squadron. Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, Aboukir and her sister ships — Bacchante, Euryalus, Hogue and Cressy — were assigned to patrol the Broad Fourteens of the North Sea in support of a force of destroyers and submarines based at Harwich which blocked the Eastern end of the English Channel from German warships attempting to attack the supply route between England and France.

                              At around 0600 on 22 September, the three cruisers (the flagship Bacchante with Rear-Admiral Arthur Christian had had to return to harbour to refuel) were steaming at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h) in line ahead and they were spotted by the German submarine U-9, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto Weddigen. Although they were not zigzagging, all of the ships had lookouts posted to search for periscopes and one gun on each side of each ship was manned. Weddigen ordered his submarine to submerge and closed the range to the unsuspecting British ships. At close range, he fired a single torpedo at Aboukir. The torpedo broke her back, and she sank within 20 minutes with the loss of 527 men.

                              The captains of Cressy and Hogue thought Aboukir had struck a floating mine and came forward to assist her. They stood by and began to pick up survivors. At this point, Weddigen fired two torpedoes into Hogue, mortally wounding that ship. As Hogue sank, the captain of Cressy realised that the squadron was being attacked by a submarine, and tried to flee. However, Weddigen fired two more torpedoes into Cressy, and sank her as well.

                              The entire battle had lasted less than two hours, and cost the British three warships, 62 officers and 1,397 ratings. This incident established the U-boat as a major weapon in the conduct of naval warfare.

                              22nd September 1914 Bombardment of Papeete 1914  The Bombardment of Papeete occurred in French Polynesia when German warships attacked on 22 September 1914, during World War I. The German armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and Gneisenau entered the port of Papeete on the island of Tahiti and sank the French gunboat Zélée and freighter Walkure before bombarding the town's fortifications. French shore batteries and a gunboat resisted the German intrusion, but were greatly outgunned. The main German objective was to seize the coal piles stored on the island, but these were destroyed by the French at the start of the action. The German vessels were largely undamaged but the French lost their gunboat. Several of Papeete's buildings were destroyed and the town's economy was severely disrupted. The main strategic consequence of the engagement was the disclosure of the cruisers' positions to the British Admiralty, which led to the Battle of Coronel where the entire German East Asia Squadron defeated a Royal Navy squadron. The depletion of Scharnhorst's and Gneisenau's ammunition at Papeete also contributed to their subsequent destruction at the Battle of the Falklands.

                              Background

                              Word of war reached Admiral Maximilian von Spee—of the German East Asia Squadron—while at Ponape (17 July, 6 August). He concentrated the majority of his squadron at Pagan Island in the nearby Mariana Islands, and then steamed off into the Pacific with the Scharnhorst-class armored cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, the Königsberg-class light cruiser SMS Nürnberg, the auxiliary cruiser SMS Titania, and several colliers at his disposal. Nürnberg and Titania were sent to gather intelligence at Hawaii and raid the cable station at Fanning Island. Von Spee then learned that Australian and New Zealand forces had captured German Samoa and he sailed off in his flagship Scharnhorst—along with her sister ship Gneisenau—to engage what Allied forces they could find there. Failing to catch the Samoa Expeditionary Force at Apia and having seen no action at all since leaving Pagan Island, the men of Admiral von Spee's armored cruisers were eager to meet the enemy in battle. Von Spee decided to raid Papeete in Tahiti on his way to rendezvous with the rest of his squadron at Easter Island. The French held over 5,000 tonnes of high-quality Cardiff coal at the port and von Spee hoped to seize the coal piles to replenish his squadron's supply. Additionally, von Spee aimed at destroying what allied shipping he could find in the harbour and thought the raid might help raise his men's morale. Von Spee intended to coal at Suwarrow Atoll before sailing to Papeete, but was prevented by foul weather. Instead, von Spee decided to take Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and attempt to resupply at Bora Bora while Nürnberg and Titania were dispatched to Nukuhiva to guard the fleet's colliers. The German admiral intended to keep his vessels' identities secret by disguising them as French ships, flying French flags, and only allowing French- and English-speaking members of his crew contact with the Frenchmen present there. Von Spee managed to replenish his food stores using gold seized by Titania and Nürnberg during their raid of Fanning and was able to discover the strength of the French military in the region as well as the exact size and positions of the coal piles at Papeete. The French had no heavy defenses at Papeete but had been warned that von Spee's squadron might raid Tahiti and that a German squadron had been sighted off Samoa. Although Papeete was the capital of the French Settlements in Oceania, by 1914 it had become a colonial backwater, lacking a wireless station and having a garrison of only 25 colonial infantry and 20 gendarmes. In order to bolster the town's defenses, Lieutenant Maxime Destremau—commander of the old wooden gunboat Zélée and the ranking officer at Papeete—had his ship's 100 mm stern gun and all of her 65 mm and 37 mm guns removed from his vessel and placed ashore to be used in place of Papeete's antiquated land batteries. Several Ford trucks were turned into impromptu armored cars by mounting them with Zélée's 37-mm guns and 160 sailors and marines drilled in preparation to repel any German attempt at landing. Zélée retained only her 100-mm bow gun and 10 men under the ship's second in command. In addition to the gunboat and harbor fortifications, the French also had at Papeete the unarmed German freighter Walkure, which had been captured by Zélée at the start of the war. Despite the French preparations, the two German cruisers were more than a match for the forces Destremau commanded at Papeete. Both Scharnhorst and Gneisenau heavily outgunned Zélée, each being armed with eight 210 mm guns, six 150 mm guns, eighteen 88 mm guns and four torpedo tubes. Von Spee's forces also outnumbered the French with over 1,500 sailors aboard their vessels, more than enough to form a landing party and overwhelm the forces Destremau had to oppose them.

                              Battle

                              At 0700 on 22 September 1914, the French sighted two unidentified cruisers approaching the harbour of Papeete. The alarm was raised, the harbor's signal beacons destroyed and three warning shots were fired by the French batteries to signal the approaching cruisers that they must identify themselves. The cruisers replied with a shot of their own and raised the German colors, signaling the town to surrender. The French refused the German demands and von Spee's vessels began to shell the shore batteries and town from a distance of 6,000 m (6,600 yd). The land batteries and the gunboat in the harbor returned fire, but scored no hits on the armored cruisers. Having difficulty in discovering the exact position of the French batteries, the German cruisers soon turned their attention to the French shipping in the harbor. The French commander—Destremau—had ordered the coal piles burned at the start of the action and now smoke began billowing over the town. Zélée and Walkure were sighted and fired upon by the Germans. The French had begun to scuttle their vessels when the action had begun, but both were still afloat when Scharnhorst and Gneisenau began firing upon them and finished the two ships off. By now, most of the Papeete's inhabitants had fled and the town had caught fire from the German shelling, with two blocks of Papeete set alight. With the coal piles destroyed and the threat of mines in the harbor, von Spee saw no meaningful purpose in making a landing. Accordingly, the German admiral withdrew his ships from Papeete's harbor by 1100. After leaving Papeete, the ships steamed out towards Nuku Hiva to meet Nürnberg, Titania and colliers waiting there.

                              Aftermath

                              By the time von Spee withdrew his ships, large portions of the town had been destroyed. Two entire blocks of Papeete had burnt to the ground before the fires were finally put out. A copra store, a market and several other buildings and residences were among those destroyed by the shellfire and resulting inferno. While the majority of Papeete's civilians fled to the interior of the island as soon as the fighting began, a Japanese civilian and a Polynesian boy were both killed by German shellfire. Although the two French vessels in the harbor had been sunk, there were no military casualties on either side and the German vessels took no damage. Overall, the bombardment was estimated in 1915 to have caused over 2 million francs' worth of property damage, some of which was recouped through the seizure of a German store on the island. In addition to the seizure of their property, several local Germans were interned and forced to repair the damage von Spee's squadron had caused. Perhaps the most lasting effect of the bombardment on the French was the dramatic fall of copra prices in the region, as local suppliers had previously sold a majority of their produce to German merchants in the area who were now interned. Further havoc and distress spread throughout the island 18 days after von Spee's squadron had left, when rumors started to spread that a second German bombardment was about to begin. After withdrawing, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau rendezvoused with Nürnberg and Titania at Nuku Hiva, where they resupplied and their crews took shore leave before moving on to meet the rest of the squadron at Easter Island. Although the Germans had destroyed the shipping at Papeete and wreaked havoc in the town, they had been denied their primary objective of seizing the French coal piles and replenishing their own stocks. Von Spee's raid allowed the British Admiralty to receive word on his position and heading, allowing them to inform Rear Admiral Christopher Cradock of the German intentions thus leading to the Battle of Coronel. Another effect was the reduction of ammunition available to the two German cruisers. The hundreds of shells fired by von Spee's ships at Papeete were irreplaceable. The depletion of ammunition as a result of the action at Papeete contributed to the German East Asia Squadron's failure to adequately defend itself at the Battle of the Falkland Islands against British battlecruisers. Lieutenant Destremau was chastised by his misinformed superior officer for his actions during the defense of Papeete and for the loss of the gunboat Zélée. He was summoned back to Toulon under arrest to be court-martialled, but died of illness in 1915 before the trial. In 1918, Destremau was finally recognized for his actions at Papeete and was posthumously awarded the Légion d'honneur.

                              John Doran


                              23 Sept 1914 2nd Life Guards inspection by His Majesty  2nd Life Guards undergo inspection by His Majesty.

                              War Diary


                              24th September 1914 Race to the sea  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

                              Somme 1914.

                              In the last days of September, 1914, at the time of the "race to the sea," the two divisions of the 1st Bavarian Corps were in the 2nd Army (Von Buelow), which operated on the Somme in the Peronne region. They became heavily engaged notably at Combles (Oct. 24th) and at Maricourt (Dec. 17th). By the 4th November, the 1st Bavarian Regiment had had casualties of 63 officers and 2,090 men since the beginning of the war.

                              Historical Records


                              24th Sep 1914   The County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                              Committee: Lord Durham, W. Cresswell Gray; Col. Bowes, Col. Darwin, Lord Southampton, F.T. Tristram, A.F. Pease; Rowland Burdon

                              Minutes of 1st meeting 21st Sept 1914

                              • (1) Col. Burdon reported that some 570 men had joined up to date.
                              • (2) That the names of 16 gentlemen had been sent in as being employed temporarily as officers.
                              • (3) That the clothing of the men in draft had been approved and it had been ordered, delivery of some being hoped for in a fortnight.
                              • (4) That he with Capt. Roberts, Messrs Tristram, Longdon, Lilley, and Col. Bowes had inspected Newton Hall and Cocken Hall yesterday and had found the latter suitable in every way for housing a large proportion Page 2 of, if not the whole Battalion and that he had written to the Earl of Durham asking him on what terms the Comm[ittee] could have the house.
                              • (5) That it was proposed to feed the men and officers by contract and enquiries were being made to that effect, and
                              • (6) That some of the officers and men were to be brought in before the end of this week.
                              On the question of housing Mr Tristram stated that it was proposed that each man should bring his own 2 blankets and certain of the smaller items of the necessary details. It was decided that 2 blankets ought to be in the possession of each man. On the question of palliasses, Mr Pease urged that these should be provided. It was suggested they should be purchased second hand if possible. On Col. Burdon’s asking whether in case of shortage of numbers a company of miners should be substituted it was decided unanimously that the classes intended in the original prospectus should be adhered to.

                              Rowland Burdon

                              http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                              25th Sep 1914 Leeds Pals arrive at Breary Banks  The 15th West Yorks, Leeds Pals travelled by train from Leeds to Masham on Friday 25 September 1914. They marched from Masham station to Breary Banks, in Colsterdale, where they occupied part of the hutted village which had been built for the Leeds Corporation reservoir construction workers, the remainer of the troops were accommodated under canvas.

                              25th Sep 1914 18th DLI advance party to Cocken Hall  The advance party of 20 men from the 18th DLI arrived at Cocken Hall, on the banks of the River Wear near Durham City. The hall, dating from the 17th century was lent by Earl Durham for use as a training camp of the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The hall and outbuildings were used as billets for C and D Companies with A Company billeted at Newton Hall, B Company billeted in the Drill Hall at West Rainton, until huts could be erected in the grounds.

                              25th Sep 1914 2nd West Yorks return from Malta  2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment land at Southampton on 25th of September 1914, having sailed from the garrison on Malta. They join 23rd Brigade, 8th Division, which is forming up at Hursley Park near Winchester.

                              25th Sep 1914 8th Manchesters arrive Egypt  The 8th Battalion Manchester Regiment land at Alexandria in Egypt.

                              25th September 1914 Casualty Notice  The War Diary of E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA records: heard today that Captain HB Bartram who had left the Battery sick on the 30th August had died at Netley Hospital on the 16th September.

                              War Diaries


                              25th Sep 1914   The advance party of 20 men from the 18th DLI arrived at Cocken Hall, on the banks of the River Wear near Durham City. The hall, dating from the 17th century was lent by Earl Durham for use as a training camp of the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The hall and outbuildings were used as billets for C and D Companies with A Company billeted at Newton Hall, B Company billeted in the Drill Hall at West Rainton, until huts could be erected in the grounds.

                              26th Sept 1914 Indian Division lands in France  The Indian Division lands at Marseilles, France.

                              Holts Battlefield Guide


                              27th September 1914 Submarine U33 is commissioned  SM U-33 was a Type U 31 Uboat built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 193) Ordered 29 Mar 1912, laid down 7 Nov 1912 she was launched 19 May 1914 and commissioned 27 Sep 1914 under the command of Konrad Gansser. Later she was commanded by Gustav Sieß from the 1 Apr 1917.

                              U33 undertook 16 patrols. Serving with IV Flotilla until 1 Aug 1915 then 16 Sep 1915 - 11 Mar 1916 Pola Flotilla, 11 Mar 1916 - 27 Nov 1916 Constantinople Flotilla, and 27 Nov 1916 - 11 Nov 1918 Pola/Mittelmeer I Flotilla

                              She totalled 84 ships sunk with a total of 194,131 tons. 8 ships damaged with a total of 36,452 tons. and 1 ship taken as prize with a total of 453 tons.

                              • 2 Apr 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Paquerette 399 fr
                              • 4 Apr 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Hermes 1,019 ru
                              • 4 Apr 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Olivine 634 br
                              • 5 Apr 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Northlands 2,776 br
                              • 10 Jun 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Dania 2,648 ru
                              • 14 Jun 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Davanger 2,256 nw
                              • 21 Jun 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Sigurd Hund (p.) 453 nw
                              • 1 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Whitefield 2,422 br
                              • 4 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Cymbeline 4,505 br
                              • 4 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Glimt 955 nw
                              • 4 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Mimosa 3,466 br
                              • 4 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Storesand 1,639 nw
                              • 6 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser John Hardie 4,372 br
                              • 30 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Tobia 185 it
                              • 1 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Provincia 3,523 fr
                              • 2 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Arabian 2,744 br
                              • 2 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Sainte Marguerite 3,908 fr
                              • 3 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Antonie 2,698 fr
                              • 4 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Craigston 2,617 br
                              • 4 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Yunnan (damaged) 6,474 fr
                              • 5 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Burrsfield 4,037 br
                              • 5 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser X130 160 br
                              • 6 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Dimitrios 2,508 gr
                              • 6 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Scawby 3,658 br
                              • 6 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Silverash 3,753 br
                              • 7 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Admiral Hamelin 5,051 fr
                              • 18 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Enosis 3,409 br
                              • 19 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Senju Maru 4,340 jp
                              • 20 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Merganser 1,905 br
                              • 23 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Tafna (damaged) 1,444 fr
                              • 24 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Liguria 3,199 it
                              • 25 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Algerien 1,767 fr
                              • 26 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Tringa 2,154 br
                              • 27 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Kingsway 3,647 br
                              • 27 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Omara 435 fr
                              • 27 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Tanis 3,655 br
                              • 29 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Malinche 1,868 br
                              • 29 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Zarifis 2,904 gr
                              • 30 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Colenso 3,861 br
                              • 30 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Langton Hall 4,437 br
                              • 1 Dec 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Clan Macleod 4,796 br
                              • 1 Dec 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Umeta 5,312 br
                              • 2 Dec 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Commodore 5,858 br
                              • 30 Mar 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Portugal 5,358 fr
                              • 31 Mar 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Roi Albert (damaged) 2,853 be
                              • 31 Mar 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Unident. Sailing Vessel 7 ru
                              • 3 Apr 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Enrichetta 442 ru
                              • 28 Apr 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Lyusya 50 ru
                              • 28 Apr 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Anzhelika 170 ru
                              • 28 Apr 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Unident. sailing vessel 300 ru
                              • 18 Sep 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Unident. Small Fishing Vessel (1 Of 2) unknown ru
                              • 18 Sep 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Unident. Small Fishing Vessel (2 Of 2) unknown ru
                              • 15 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Cameronia 10,963 br
                              • 16 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Sontay 7,247 fr
                              • 22 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Blaatind 1,641 nw
                              • 22 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Maria S. 133 it
                              • 22 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Unione 207 it
                              • 26 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Monitor 138 br
                              • 27 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Mafalda 162 it
                              • 27 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Margaret B. Rouss 701 am
                              • 28 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Lisetta 40 it
                              • 30 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Chrisomalli Th. Sifneo 2,415 gr
                              • 27 May 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Beatrice 106 it
                              • 27 May 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Michele Costantino 51 it
                              • 3 Jun 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Greenbank 3,881 br
                              • 3 Jun 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Islandmore 3,046 br
                              • 7 Jun 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Il Dionisio 97 it
                              • 7 Jun 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß San Antonio 13 it
                              • 26 Jul 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Blanchette 280 it
                              • 26 Jul 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Gesu E Maria 196 it
                              • 27 Jul 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Frigido 59 it
                              • 27 Jul 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Genova 3,486 it
                              • 28 Jul 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Splendor (d.) 6,507 it
                              • 1 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Llandudno 4,187 br
                              • 4 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Angelina T. 146 it
                              • 8 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Llanishen 3,837 br
                              • 9 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Flora 125 it
                              • 9 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Industria 51 sp
                              • 15 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Bandai Maru 3,227 jp
                              • 23 Jan 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Capri (damaged) 3,899 it
                              • 24 Jan 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Antonios J. Dracoulis 3,301 gr
                              • 25 Jan 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Apostoles Andreas 50 br
                              • 29 Jan 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Taxiarchis 160 br
                              • 31 Jan 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Eggesford (damaged) 4,414 br
                              • 1 Feb 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Glenamoy (damaged) 7,269 br
                              • 4 Feb 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Ravenshoe (damaged) 3,592 br
                              • 4 Feb 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Standish Hall 3,996 br
                              • 20 Mar 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Saint Dimitrios 3,359 br
                              • 20 Mar 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Samoset 5,251 br
                              • 20 Mar 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Yochow 2,127 br
                              • 20 Mar 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Antonios M. Theophilatos 2,282 gr
                              • 31 Mar 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß La Loire 5,343 fr
                              • 5 May 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Aghios Johannis 20 gr

                              On the 16 Jan 1919 U33 was surrendered and was broken up at Blyth in 1919-20.

                              John Doran


                              27th September 1914 Replacement Horses for E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA  41 Remounts joined E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA taking us up to strength and enabling us to transfer to Sick depot 23 worn out horses. Remounts in fair condition.

                              War Diaries


                              28th Sep 1914   Minutes of the Second Meeting 28th Sept 1914

                              Present: Lord Southampton; Col. Darwin; Mr. W. Cresswell Gray; Capt. Tristram; Capt. Roberts; Col. Bowes; Col. R. Burdon

                              The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The list of gentlemen appointed temporarily was corrected. It was decided that an early opportunity should be taken to allot positions to these gentlemen; and to secure that a commission be granted to them. It was decided to accept no more officers for commissions at present (unless some exceptionally valuable officer present himself) in order that vacancies might be retained for the promotion of candidates from the ranks.

                              Colonel Bowes mentioned that a considerable quantity of clothing was expected at a very short delivery.

                              Captain Tristram reported that only 568 officers and men could be accommodated in the house and out buildings at present; and it was decided to at once ascertain how many huts would be required for additional accommodation for the whole Battalion; what the best position for these huts would be; and Colonel Burdon was instructed that tenders should be invited for them; and to obtain the necessary permission to proceed immediately from the G.O.C in C. On the question of the telephone Colonel Burdon was instructed to request the Postal Authorities to at once put a telephone in; and he was further instructed to obtain the leave of the G.O.C in C. that this should be done at public expense.

                              Colonel Burdon was also instructed to press the question of the medical examination of officers being conducted by a local man.

                              On the question of the wet and dry Canteen, it was decided to accept Messrs Speedings’ tender, by telegram, on the 24th inst, subject to such reduction as could be obtained, if any.

                              Colonel Burdon announced that additional subscriptions up to date, including £5 from Col. Darwin, and £50 from Sir Thomas Wrightson, amounted altogether to £5550.

                              http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                              29th Sep 1914 Lord Kitchener inspects 2nd London Division  Lord Kitchener Secretary of State for War inspects the 2nd London Division at Gorhambury, Hertfordshire.

                              30th September 1914 Unit relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA On change of billets left at 0645 and marched 8 miles South West and went into billets at Neuville St Jean at 1000 - a large farm about 1 mile east of Hartennes.

                              War Diaries


                               9th Battalion formed for Berkshire Regiment  9th Battalion Berkshire Regiment is formed at Portsmouth in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Fourth New Army, they joined 96th Brigade, 32nd Division.

                               11th Btn raised in Black Watch  11th (Reserve) Battalion Black Watch was raised in Perth in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Fourth New Army and joined 101st Brigade, 34th Division.

                              late Oct 1914 Anti Aircraft defence added at Adeer  In late October 1914 two Quick Firing 6-pdr Hotchkiss guns for anti-aircraft defence were emplaced on the perimeter of the Ardeer Explosives Factory.

                              1st Oct 1914 Inspection  The trenches held by 1st East Kent Regiment, were inspected by Major General H. Hamilton Commanding 3rd Division at 6.30am

                              Commanding Officer, Adjutant and Captain Raines met General I. Williams at 10am and inspected buildings and walls north of Saint Precord and Vailly with a view of placing them in a state of defence. This work was carried out by D Company.

                              D Company 1st East Kent relieved a Company of 5th Northumberland Fusiliers on the battalion's left at 6.30pm. One man accidentally shot himself in the foot.

                              1East Kent war diary


                              1st October 1914 Recruitment of First County Down Volunteer  16th Bn Royal Irish Rifles. The First County Down Volunteer call was to mobilise existing Militia and Ulster Volunteer Force members into what was to become the 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles which assembled at the Clandeboye Estate in Bangor, County Down for military training alongside other units of the Ulster Division. 1300 men from County Down were recruited in this initial call. However many of the UVF did not respond because of the perceived need to defend Ulster against Home Rule. On the 20th October plans were agreed to raise a unit separate to the Ulster Division, but it was to be a Service Battalion directly at the disposal of the GOC, Ulster Division and not a reserve battalion used merely to supply trained men as reinforcements for regular battalions. The Ulster Division, later called the 36th (Ulster) Division, consisted of three Brigades and other supporting elements including Artillery units, Medical units and 2 Companies of Royal Engineers under the command of a Chief Engineer (CRE), the standard model for divisions in the British Army at the time.

                              Division Formation.

                              107th Brigade.

                              • 15th (Service) Battalion (North Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 8th (Service) Battalion (East Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 9th (Service) Battalion (West Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 10th (Service) Battalion (South Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles (until February 1918).
                              • 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers (from August 1917 until February 1918).
                              • 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from February 1918).
                              • 2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from February 1918).
                              • 107th Brigade Machine Gun Company (from 18 December 1915, moved into 36th Divisional Machine Gun Battalion on 1 March 1918).
                              • 107th Trench Mortar Battery (from 1 April 1916).
                              • In August 1917 the 8th and 9th battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles amalgamated to form the 8/9th Battalion, which disbanded in February 1918. Between November 1915 and February 1916 the brigade swapped with the 12th Brigade from the 4th Division.

                              108th Brigade.

                              • 9th (Service) Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
                              • 12th (Service) Battalion (Central Antrim), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from November 1917 then moved to 107th Brigade. in February 1918).
                              • 11th (Service) Battalion (South Antrim), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 13th (Service) Battalion (County Down), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers (from 107th Bde. February
                              • 1918).
                              • 108th Brigade Machine Gun Company (from 26 January 1916, moved into
                              • 36th Divisional Machine Gun Battalion on 1 March 1918).
                              • 108th Trench Mortar Battery (from 1 April 1916).
                              • In August 1917 the 11th and 13th battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles amalgamated to form the 11/13th Battalion, which disbanded in February 1918.

                              109th Brigade.

                              • 9th (Service) Battalion (County Tyrone), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
                              • 10th (Service) Battalion (Derry), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (disbanded January 1918).
                              • 11th (Service) Battalion (Donegal and Fermanagh), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (disbanded February 1918).
                              • 14th (Service) Battalion (Young Citizens), the Royal Irish Rifles (disbanded February 1918).
                              • 1st Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (from February 1918).
                              • 2nd Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (from February 1918).
                              • 109th Brigade Machine Gun Company (from 23 January 1916, moved into
                              • 36th Divisional Machine Gun Battalion on 1 March 1918).
                              • 109th Trench Mortar Battery (from 1 April 1916).

                                Doran Family


                                1st Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards Brigade Reconnaissance Scheme  2nd Life Guards - War Diary states: Brigade Reconnaissance Scheme and billeted.

                                War Diary


                                Oct 1914 13th Battalion formed in The Rifle Brigade  13th (Service) Battalion The Rifle Brigade was formed at Winchester in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army and attached as Army Troops to 21st Division.

                                Oct 1914 5th Welsh return from Portmadoc  The 5th Battalion, Welsh Regiment left Hearson Camp in Oct 1914 for Haven Fort

                                1st October 1914 Battle of Rufiji Delta  The Battle of the Rufiji Delta took place in German East Africa (modern Tanzania) from October 1914 to July 1915 during the First World War. It was fought between the German light cruiser SMS Königsberg and a powerful group of British warships. The battle was a series of attempts to sink the blockaded German cruiser that eventually resulted in the destruction of Königsberg.

                                In 1914, the most powerful German ship in the Indian Ocean was the light cruiser Königsberg. After an engine failure, Königsberg, along with her supply ship Somali, sought refuge in the delta of the Rufiji River. She planned to hide there while her damaged machinery was transported overland to Dar es Salaam for repair. The British cruiser HMS Chatham discovered Königsberg in the delta towards the end of October. On 5 November, two additional British cruisers, HMS Dartmouth and Weymouth, arrived at the scene and blockaded the German ship in the delta. In early November, Chatham opened fire at long range and set fire to Somali, but she failed to hit Königsberg, which promptly moved further upstream. The British ships were more powerful than Königsberg, but were unable to navigate the delta. The crew of Königsberg disguised their ship so it looked like the forest around the delta.

                                Blockade

                                The British made several attempts to sink Königsberg including one to slip a shallow-draught torpedo boat (with escorts) within range, an operation easily repulsed by the force in the delta. A blockship, the Newbridge, was successfully sunk by the British across one of the delta mouths to prevent her escape. However it was soon realized that Königsberg could still escape through one of the delta's other channels. Dummy mines were laid in some of these alternates, but they were considered a doubtful deterrent. A civilian pilot named Cutler was hired to bring his Curtiss seaplane for reconnaissance. His plane was shot down, although they verified the presence of the elusive cruiser. A pair of Royal Naval Air Service Sopwith seaplanes were brought up with the intention of scouting and even bombing the ship, but they soon fell apart in the tropical conditions. A trio of Short seaplanes fared a little better, managing to take photographs of the ship before they were grounded by the glue-melting tropical heat and German fire. Attempts to use the 12 inch guns of the old battleship HMS Goliath to sink the cruiser were unsuccessful, once again because the shallow waters prevented the battleship getting within range. However, by March 1915 food supplies were low and many of the crew members aboard the Königsberg died from malaria and other tropical diseases. Generally cut off from the outside world, the morale of the sailors fell. However, the situation was marginally improved with a scheme to resupply the ship and give her a fighting chance to return home. A captured British merchant ship, Rubens, was renamed Kronborg and given a Danish flag, papers, and a crew of German sailors specially selected for their ability to speak Danish. She was then loaded with coal, field guns, ammunition, fresh water, and supplies. After successfully infiltrating the waters of East Africa, she was intercepted by the alerted HMS Hyacinth, which chased her to Manza Bay. The trapped ship was set on fire by the crew and left. The Germans later salvaged much of her cargo which went on to be used in the land campaign and some transported to the Königsberg.

                                Sinking

                                Two shallow-draught monitors, HMS Mersey and Severn, were towed to the Rufiji from Malta by the Red Sea making it to the delta in June 1915. With nonessential items removed, added armour bolted on, and covered by a full bombardment from the rest of the fleet, they ran the gauntlet. Aided by a squadron of four land planes—two Caudrons and two Henry Farmans, based at Mafia Island to spot the fall of shells, they engaged in a long-range duel with Königsberg, which was assisted by shore-based spotters. Although Mersey was hit and the monitors were unable to score on the first day, they returned again on 11 July. Finally, their 6 in guns knocked out Königsberg's armament and then reduced her to a wreck. At around 1400, Looff ordered her scuttled with a torpedo. After the battle, the British were unquestionably the strongest naval power in the Indian Ocean.

                                Aftermath

                                The next day, 33 German dead were buried by the 188 remaining crewmen. A plaque reading "Beim Untergang S.M.S. Königsberg am 11.7.15 gefallen..." was placed near the graves, followed by a list of the dead. The Germans recovered Königsberg's ten 105-millimetre quick-firing guns, mounted them on improvised field carriages, and used them with great success as powerful field guns in their guerrilla campaign against the Allies around East Africa. The guns were used as harbor fortifications in Dar es Salaam, with one being remounted onto the passenger ship Graf von Götzen. The last gun was not knocked out until October 1917. The remaining crew from Königsberg went on to serve as ground troops under General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. Three of Königsberg's 105-mm guns survived; one is on display outside Fort Jesus, Mombasa, Kenya, another outside the Union Building in Pretoria, South Africa and a third at Jinja Barracks in Uganda. There are stories of another in the Congo, but no details have been forthcoming.

                                John Doran


                                1st October 1914 More movements  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Marched at 1500 and moved into new billets at St Remy at 1630.

                                War Diaries


                                Oct 1914 2/6th Suffolks in Brighton  The 2/6th (Cyclist) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was based at Brighton in October 1914.

                                2nd October 1914 More movements  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 1600 and marched to Pressy a' Mont, (2 miles north of Ferte-Milon) in billets at 2030.

                                War Diaries


                                Oct 1914 4th Sherwoods in Northumberland  4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters are based at Backworth Camp, engaged in training and manning the coastal defences in the Whitley Bay area.

                                3rd Oct 1914 More Heavy Batteries proceed to France  113th, 114th, 115th and 116th Heavy Battery RGA proceed to France

                                3rd October 1914 More movements  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 1600 and marched 25 miles mostly west to billet in Villeneuve at 2230.

                                War Diaries


                                4th October 1914 More movements  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0900 and marched 27 miles north into billets at St Martin en Bois at 1830. Very blocked on road - crossed the Oise on very good pontoon bridge en route.

                                War Diaries


                                4th Oct 1914 In action  1st Battalion, Coldstream guards were involved in a bayonet charge at Aisne near Vendresse on October 4th 1914.

                                5th Oct 1914 Royal Naval Division defend Dunkirk  Two Brigades of the Royal Naval Division moved to Dunkirk to defend the town against enemy attack.

                                5th Oct 1914 Brigadier Inspects Squadrons of 2nd Life Guards.  Brigadier inspected Squadrons of 2nd Life Guards in Marching Order.

                                War Diary


                                5th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards Brigade entrain to Southampton  2nd Life Guards entrain with Brigade for Southampton.

                                War Diary


                                5th Oct 1914 111th Heavy Battery proceed to France  111th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                                5th Oct 1914 112th Heavy Battery proceed to France  112th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                                5th Oct 1914 2nd Borders embark  2nd Battalion Border regiment embarked on Troopships Turkoman and Minneapolis at Southampton.

                                5th October 1914 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Genouville Farm. Marched about 15 mile to billets at Genouville Farm about 1700. Location about 1 1/2 miles north of La Nouville. Marched through two French Reserve Divisions. Still with 5th Cavalry Division.

                                war diaries


                                5th Oct 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall 5th October 1914

                                Present: Lord Southampton; W. Cresswell Gray, Esq; A.F. Pease, Esq; Colonel Bowes; Capt. Tristram; Captain Roberts; Col. R. Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported there were 711 of all ranks now quartered at Cocken and at West Rainton; and it was stated that about 100 more men were enlisted, and ready to come up. The Adjutant reported that Mr. Hughes Games and Mr Ince had joined; and a telegram offering a commission to Mr Lowe was written to be despatched.

                                Colonel Burdon notified that a subscription had been sent from Mr Henry Salvin for £25.

                                Colonel Burdon was authorised to offer a commission to Dr. Alfred Squire Taylor, M.B. B’ch. [MBChB] Edin.

                                Colonel Burdon was authorised to proceed at once with the erection of huts, to hold 700 men; and also a Recreation Shed, as soon as permission could be obtained for the latter. Colonel Burdon was instructed to write to Colonel Darwin and ask if he would be good enough to undertake the management of the finance of the Battalion, as being so much nearer the spot.

                                The new pattern equipment was fitted for inspection, and it was suggested that the old Webb pattern should be obtained, if possible. Sites for the huts - as suggested by the Darlington Construction Co, and laid out by Mr Ventris this morning - were approved. Construction is to be commenced at once.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                6th Oct 1914 Japanese troops occupy German Pacific islands  The German Pacific islands of Palau, the Marianas, the Marshalls and the Carolines were occupied by Japanese troops.

                                6th Oct 1914 First units of the 7th Division land in Flanders  1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment land at Zebrugge with the 7th Division BEF.

                                6th Oct 1914 NZ infantry field day at Miramar  The Wellington Infantry Battalion took part in a field day at Miramar against the Otago Battalion.

                                http://www.wanganuilibrary.com/ww1/2009/10/06/tuesday-6th-october-1914/


                                6th Oct 1914 German Destroyer suffers Explosion  The German Destroyer S13 was lost in the North Sea following an internal explosion.

                                6th Oct 1914 British Sub sinks German Torpedo Boat  British Submarine E9 fired on T116 a German S90 class Torpedo Boat in the North Sea, 11 of the German crew lost their lives.

                                6th Oct 1914 flying Corps HQ at St Omer  On Monday 6th October, Flying Corps HQ is set up in a chateau on a hill between the aerodrome and the town of St Omer.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                6th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards Brigade embark  2nd Life Guards - War Diary records: Brigade embarked, and great confusion was caused by the separation of [illegible] from Brigades, at Regimental Head Quarters from Regiments and Squadrons from Squadrons.

                                War Diary


                                6th Oct 1914 Men measured for uniforms  The men of the newly formed Sheffield City Battalion are measured for uniforms which will be supplied to them. Officers have to pay for their own uniforms and local tailors are engaged in making them. Lee-Metford Rifles begin to arrive to supplement the 23 rifles and single machine gun on loan from Vickers.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                6th October 1914 Enforced Rest Day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Genouville Farm. Enforced stay in billets as roads blocked by French Reserve Troops.

                                war diaries


                                6th Oct 1914 Loading  
                                THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914       THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914

                                       © IWM (Q 57124)                                                                                       © IWM (Q 57126)

                                Troops of the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards and the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders on board SS Lake Michigan troopship, 6th of October 1914.

                                THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914 THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914

                                © IWM (Q 57125)                                                        © IWM (Q 57123)

                                IWM


                                7th Oct 1914 Fierce Bombardment at Antwerp  Advancing German Forces bombard the City of Antwerp, the Belgian troops and a small number of their British allies, including the Royal Naval Division Collingwood Battalion, struggled to hold the city against the fierce shelling. The Belgian government which had relocated to the city when Brussels fell, was forced to retreat again, this time to Ostend.

                                7th Oct 1914 British attack enemy possitions at Jabassi  In West Africa, British Forces commanded by Col E.H. Georges mount an attack on the enemy entrenchments at Jabassi, they sailed up the Wuri River with four field guns, landing three miles from the German positions, they advanced through the jungle and attacked the enemy. The British were driven back by machine gun fire but regrouped and attempted to flank the German forces but were forced to retreat back along the river to Duala.

                                7th Oct 1914 7th Division land at Zeebrugge  The 1st and 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders and the 2nd Scots Guards land at Zeebrugge as part of the 7th Division BEF.

                                7th Oct 1914 German troops arrive in Ypres  German troops entered the city of Ypres via the Menin Gate and the Lille Gate, scouting parties were seen advancing to the north and west of the city. It is estimated that by that evening ten thousand troops had arrived in the city, the street and market square were packed with soldiers, horses, artillery pieces and field kitchens. The enemy took up billets in the Cloth Hall, the railway station, the schools, the barracks and homes in the city. The Mayor of Ypres advised his people to remain calm and stay indoors. The shops did a roaring trade, but were forced to accept payment in either German currency or coupons. Local bakers were ordered to prepare eight thousand bred rolls for the troops to be ready for following morning. Forage, horses, wagons were requisitioned, some paid for in coupons which would never be redeemed. There were reports of theft from homes and damage to the railway station.

                                http://www.greatwar.co.uk/ypres-salient/battles-ypres-salient.htm


                                7th Oct 1914 1st Grenadier Guards proceed overseas  1st Battalion Grenadier Guards land at Zebrugge, crossing from Southampton.

                                7th Oct 1914 No 6 Squadron RFC arrive Bruges Areodrome  No 6 Squadron Royal Flying Corps arrive at Bruges Areodrome having flown from Dover.

                                7th Oct 1914 12th Field Coy RE at Vouty  12th Field Coy Royal Engineers, 6th Division, move their HQ from Nampteuil to Vouty.

                                7th Oct 1914 2nd Wiltshires proceed overseas  2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment land at Zebrugge with 21st Brigade, 7th Division, BEF with orders to advance to assist in the defence of Antwerp.

                                7th Oct 1914 Blockships sunk in Burra Sound  The Admiralty sank the Steamship Dyle as a blockship in the Burra Sound. The SS Dyle had been built in 1879 by A. Leslie & Co in Newcastle as the SS Widdrington, being renamed in 1902 when she was sold to Hemelryck & Geurts of Antwerp. In 1914 she was in a British shipbreaking yard before being used as a blockship, the wreak remains in place today in about 14 metres of water.

                                7th Oct 1914 Rumours of atrocities circulate  At a meeting of the Manchester Geographical Society, a Manchester Clergiman informed them "You will hear only one-hundredth part of the actual atrocities this war has produced. The civilized world could not stand the truth. There are, up and down England to-day, scores, I am under-stating the number, of Belgian girls who have had their hands cut off. That is nothing to what we could tell you."

                                http://www.worldwar1postcards.com/4-mutilated-children.php
                                 More info.

                                7th Oct 1914 13th KRRC move to Halton Park  13th Battalion KRRC moved to Halton Park Camp, Wendover Bucks on the 7th & 8th Oct in two halves and lived under canvas. The battalion was clothed in emergency blue uniform and was equipped with 400 DP rifles and 600 wooden ones, this was later upgraded to one khaki service dress per man and 1000 DP rifles.

                                7th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards on board Indira  In the War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards for 6th October 1914 the CO records: "On my ship the Indira were my HQ and 1 Squadron, 1 Squadron 1st Life Guards, and the HQ and 2 Squadrons of the Royal Dragoons who belonged to a different Brigade (VIth)."

                                War Diary


                                7th Oct 1914 13th KRRC arrive Halton Park Camp  13th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps arrived at Halton Park Camp, on the 7th & 8th Oct in two halves.

                                7th October 1914 Further moves for 3rd Brigade RHA  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA started out at 0800 and halted until 1400 near Mezieres as a reserve to French Troops but were not wanted and marched through Amiens to billets at Longpre about 1900.

                                war diaries


                                8th Oct 1914 Antwerp Evacuated  The City of Antwerp is evacuated as British and Belgian Forces struggle to hold back the besieging German forces as they closed in on the port:

                                "Private (sic) William Foster, of Old Fallow, Cannock, who has a remarkable record of assisting at the siege of Antwerp six weeks after enlistment, has a good story to tell of the gallant attempt of the Naval Brigade to check the advance of the Germans, after Antwerp had fallen. Foster, who belongs to the 2nd Naval Brigade, was a member of the Howe division (sic), and his trench was situated in the middle of a churchyard. They were in the trenches for two days and two nights, from Tuesday to Thursday. In the course of the fighting Foster says the bombardment was so terrific that some of the Britishers were driven out of their minds by it. The German artillery was very accurate, and deadly for the most part. When the Naval Brigade first took to the trenches, the German shells did not touch them, but soon one of the enemy aeroplanes appeared overhead, and within ten minutes the trenches were raked with a terrible fire. A great deal of difficulty was experiences because the Germans drove the Belgian refugees before them, and the Naval Brigade had to avoid shooting them, although the Germans continued to fire at the men in the trenches. Foster says that lack of artillery was responsible for the retirement of the British force. It was simply a case of rifles against hundreds of German guns. If they had killed two Germans to every one Englishman, there would have been plenty of the enemy left to march to Antwerp, so at last they had to retire. The retreat from Antwerp was full of peril and incident. The Naval Brigade had to pass between blazing tanks of petrol, over a river on a pontoon bridge. Foster says it was certainly not an orderly retreat, because they had to get out as fast as they could."

                                K.X/152 Ordinary Seaman William Foster - 6th (Howe) Battalion, Royal Naval Division published in The Lichfield Mercury on 23rd of October 1914

                                "On the 7th the Marine Brigade was withdrawn to the line of inner forts. The Marines defended this position until the conditions on which we could remain were no longer being fulfilled. A final decision was made on the 8th of October by Mr Winston Churchill (the First Lord) to retreat to the coast." Charles James Black, RMLI.

                                8th Oct 1914 German troops leave Ypres  The day after arriving in Ypres, the ten thousand troops, along with their horses, transports and guns, left the city, the infantry marching towards Dickebusch, the cavalry headed for Vlamertinghe, taking with them sixty two thousand Francs from the city's coffers, a vast amount of forage, horses, wagons, food and clothing belonging to the citizens of Ypres. The majority of the coupon payments were never honoured as the German Army was never to return to the city.

                                http://www.greatwar.co.uk/ypres-salient/battles-ypres-salient.htm


                                8th Oct 1914 6th Cavalry Brigade land Ostend  The 6th Cavalry Brigade, consisting of the 1st (Royal) Dragoon Guards, 10th (Prince Of Wales’s Own Royal) Hussars and C Battery, RHA land at Ostend as part of the 3rd Cavalry Division.

                                8th Oct 1914 BEF HQ moves again  GHQ for the British Expeditionary Force moved from Tardenois to Abbeville.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                8th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards land at Zeebruggen  The Adjutant of the 2nd Life Guards records in the War Diary: "Landed at Zeebruggen and found myself senior officer in the place and in command of 7 Squadrons of H C and 2 of Royal Dragoons. Ordered to billet in the area Uitkerke-Lisseweghe-Zuyenkerke. This was countermanded by an order to march to Clemskerke, and again later by an order to assist outside Zeebruggen, which we did till 5 p.m. when orders came to bivouac which I did in the dark on the sea shore 1 mile west of Blankenberghe. The HQ and 2 Squadrons Royal Dragoons left us to march to Ostend.

                                War Diary


                                8th October 1914 further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0830 and marched to billets at Maison Roland about 1600.

                                war diaries


                                8th Oct 1914 On the March  
                                THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914

                                2nd Battalion, Scots Guards marching out of Bruges along the Bruges - Torhout road. The Battalion was ordered to join the 7th Division on the 8th of October 1914 to cover the landing of the 3rd Cavalry Division at Ostend. © IWM (Q 57141)

                                IWM


                                9th Oct 1914 4th Devons sail from Southampton  4th Battalion Devonshire Regiment sailed on the SS Nevassa from Southampton

                                9th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards march to Bruges  2nd Life Guards marched to Bruges with orders to assist the Brigade and take up a line south of that city. This order was countermanded and after a long delay the Regiment went into billets in Oostkamp, which were very good, and the Burgermaster Baron de Pens was a great help.

                                War Diary


                                9th October 1914 further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Noyelle

                                Started at 0900 and marched to billets at Noyelle about 1600 a distance of 24 miles.

                                war diaries


                                9th Oct 1914 Defence Work  
                                THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914

                                Troops of the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards constructing a machine gun emplacement near Ghent. © IWM (Q 57166)

                                IWM


                                10th Oct 1914 Antwerp Falls  The City of Antwerp is formally surrendered to the German Forced by the military governor Gen. Deguise.

                                "Antwerp did not fall, thanks to British interventions, till October 10th. By that time, Sir Henry Rawlinson was in Ghent with a substantial force, the Belgian Field Army had retreated and rested and the left wing of the British forces was at Bailleul. The result was that the three forces could stand on the line of the Yser, and bar the road to Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk. For this decisive success had been sacrificed the lives of 7 officers and 58 men and 3 officers and 185 men wounded. It is impossible to speak lightly of such losses, but the sacrifice … was certainly not in vain". Charles James Black, (R.M.L.I., PO 17226) aged 16 years and 11 months.

                                10th Oct 1914 11th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment raised  11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment is raised at York on the 10th of October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, they join 69th Brigade, 23rd Division.

                                10th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards take six German prisoners  The 2nd Life Guards War Diary records: 6 German prisoners taken through en route for Bruges. Ordered to march at 12 midday to Beernem, which we did, meeting a long cohort of Belgian Infantry and Artillery, apparently in some disorder and said to be coming from Antwerp. New orders arrived with the Brigadier at Beernem and we marched to billet at Roodevoorde but on arrival found it filled with Belgian troops, so marched on to a chateau one mile north of Evezeple Ingilmunster. Find the hospitable natives are a great hindrance to discipline. The Country seems very ill suited for Country tactics, and recalls the more unhospitable parts of the English Fens. I think that with few exceptions, Reservists of more than 12 years service are useless and have frequently offered a bad example to younger men. Neither men nor young officers seem at first to understand the serious side of War and even with experience of the South African War seems rather harmful than otherwise. My Regiment consists of men of 13 different Cavalry Regiments; 180 of my own and 374 of 12 other Regiments. The rations seem excellent and up till now the transport arrangements are equally so. I would urge the wisdom of the issue of the new small ration biscuit instead of the old large one. It is more palatable, more easily carried and can be eaten by men whose teeth are faulty. I think that the transport is not sufficient for the men's clothes. They can carry practically nothing on their horses and consequently suffer from cold and want of cleanliness. Considerable trouble from severe cold and stranglers has [illegible] away the horses. This began at Ludgershall and continues here. Glorious autumn weather but very cold nights and early mornings.

                                War Diary


                                10th Oct 1914 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment suffer greatly at La Basse  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment is virtually destroyed as a battalion near Le Pilly during the Battle of La Bassée with many men taken as POWs between the 10th and 24th of October when the battalion transferred to the lines of communication.

                                10th October 1914 further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Roquetoire. Started at 0610 and marched into billets at Roquetoire around 1800 as a reserve to French second line troops holding the line of the canal through Aire.

                                war diaries


                                10th Oct 1914 1st East Lancs on the march   At 1400 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment marched to Magny (Compiegne) via La Croix St Ouen arriving at 1900. During this march we passed through St Sauveur and were recognised by the inhabitants. At 2215 Entrained but did not leave until 0145.

                                1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1


                                11th Oct 1914 BEF HQ at Mont Cassel  General Sir John French moved his HQ of the British Expeditionary Force to Mont Cassel, the highest of the Flemish Hills.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                11th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards are 1 mile N of Sweevezeele  O’Neill's B Squadron, 2nd Life Guards are out watching a line from Lichtervede through Sweevezeele to Wynghene and is in touch with VI Cav. Brigade Royal Dragoons at former place. Reports of heavy firing in the direction of Houthulst and that Lichtervede, Thielt and Eeghem are held by Belgians. Transport came at 10 pm which kept most of the Regiment up till midnight and this seemed unnecessary.

                                War Diary


                                11th October 1914   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Wallon Cappel.

                                Started at 0520 and moved into observation position on Mont Dupil. Returned to Quernes and then marched back again through Aire to billets in a chateau one mile south of Wallon Cappel. In billets around 2000.

                                12th Oct 1914 3rd Cavalry Brigade attack  On the 12th of October 3rd Cavalry Brigade were ordered to dislodge the enemy from Mont de Cats which they had recently occupied. The 4th Hussars and 5th Lancers undertook a dismounted attack, assisted by the 16th Lancers and reclaimed the hill. Amongst the German casualties was Prince Maximillian von Hesse, nephew of the Kaiser.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                12th Oct 1914 2nd Black Watch arrive in France  2nd Battalion Black Watch land at Marseilles having sailed from India, and entrain to join the BEF.

                                12th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards on the march  2 Life Guards marched at 8am through Iseghem to take up a line of observation south of that place. We billetted at Ouchene to defend, so they say, the 3rd Cav. Div Staff at Rumbeke. We were last in the column and so had a weary day, and were ordered to take up the line Moorslede exclusive, where the Royal Dragoons VI Brigade are, Vossemblen, Lenderlede with 3 Squadrons. More orders at 2 am to march at 5 am with 2 squadrons as advance guard and one as left flank guard.

                                War Diary


                                12th October 1914 Action at Mont des Cats  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0700 and marched to near Eecke where after halting for some time, advanced to high ground west of Godewaersvelde and fired about 100 rounds to support dismounted cavalry attack on Mont Des Cats which was taken just before dark. Went into billets at a farm about 1 mile east of Eecke at 2000. Prince Max of Hesse and 12 others found dead in a wood shelled (must have been killed by either us or "D").

                                war diaries


                                 Recruitment and Training  

                                12th Oct 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall October 12th 1914

                                Present: - Lord Durham; Lord Southampton; Col. Darwin; W. Cresswell Gray, Esq; Colonel Bowes; Captain F.T. Tristram; Captain Roberts; Col. R. Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported that Mr Lowe had now joined, and that Dr Taylor proposed joining immediately. The list of officers for commissions was produced and inspected. Subscription list now amounted to £5715, including a donation from Mr J.E. Rogerson for £50.

                                Parade state was now 930, rank and file; and 22 officers. Accommodation as follows: - Newton Hall, 230. West Rainton, 212. Cocken Hall, 510. Col. Burdon also reported that recruiting had been stopped in consequence of some very undesirable men having been recruited from Stockton and Durham.

                                Authority was given to proceed with the Bath House as soon as possible. Colonel Bowes stated that clothing for about 900 was now forthcoming; and asked for a cheque for £2000 on account for clothing. Lord Southampton had made enquires with regard to obtaining a suitable Orderly Room Clerk, and the matter was left in his hands. It was noted that no progress, except putting up the side posts, had been made with the shed over the kitchens; and Captain Tilly was requested to accelerate the erection of this.

                                It was decided to indent for sufficient rifles for the purpose of drill for the whole battalion, together with buff waist belts and frogs, until the equipment could be procured. Colonel Burdon was instructed to write a letter to the newspapers, drawing attention to the fact that it was open to anyone to subscribe to the County Battalion, if they so wished, as a record of the Battalion and of the names of the subscribers would be preserved.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                13th Oct 1914 Cavalry take Mount Noir  Mount Noir in the Flanders Hills was taken by the British Cavalry Corps.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                13th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards march to Ypres  2 Life Guards marched via Moorslede straight to Ypres, the VI Cav Brigade more or less parallel to the north, our left flank guard via Klofkapperie, St Pieter, Waterdamhoek, Zillebeke, Voormezeele under Captain O’Neill. He saw a few Germans and a patrol was too excited to hit them at a few yards. Suddenly ordered to Menin to clean up the situation where we arrived at 4 pm. to find Town empty and I think full of spies and German sympathisers. Suddenly 60 Germans were reported to be entering the town from the East and to have turned South. I hurried with 1 Squadron to the south side to intercept them, but could find no trace. However a patrol returning from Halluin reported later that they had had to gallop through Menin to get back and that the 60 Germans were concealed up a side street. To our [illegible] we were then ordered back to our line of last night and finally got into billets at Winkel St Eloi Rolleghem Cappelle And Boschmolens at about 9 pm. and very wet. Orders at 2 am to march at 5 am.

                                War Diary


                                14th Oct 1914 Misty day in Flanders  A wet misty day when flying was not possible until after 5.30pm Troops of the 19th Brigade and 4th Division BEF occupied Bailleul as the German forces withdrew behind the Lys. They left 85 severely wounded men in the town, but according to those left behind, had evacuated at least 500 with less servere injuries. The British troops moved forward to complete a defensive line with the French and Belgian armies, stretching from Belfort, near the Swiss border to the Flanders Coast. A line which would bulge and flex but remain in place during the following four years.

                                14th Oct 1914  Second assualt on Jabassi  In West Africa, British Forces commanded by Col E.H. Georges mount a second attack on the enemy entrenchments at Jabassi, as the Wuri River was once again high enough to sail the barges loaded with field guns. The British made landings on both sides of the river and were successful in capturing the position, forcing the Germans to retreat into the mountains of Kamerun. Ten European enemy were taken prisoner. In holding Jabassi the British are able to better protect their forces at Duala and Victoria from possible counter attack.

                                14th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards meet VI Cav Bde  2 Life Guards are up at 4 and off at 5 am and marched straight off to Ypres meeting up with VI Cav Brigade at or near Moorslede and forming one long column. VII Brigade found up in Market Place with K Batley RHA and we also met the 3rd Cav Div Staff. A pleasant halt with much excitement at the appearance of a German aeroplane, which was brought down at the expense of about 100 rounds. Both airmen were wounded and subsequently captured, their Iron crosses being seized by the populace. My doctor was shot at, and so was our transport column, but Roxburgh of the Blues shot a German and we were unhurt except that the adjutant’s horse was shot in the leg during the firing at the aeroplane in Ypres square. At 12 we marched off towards Kemmel and listened to a tremendous bombardment all the afternoon in absolute ignorance of the situation. We were all pleased to find ourselves in touch with Chetwode’s and De Lisle’s brigades. We got into rough billets at Kruisstraathoek at 6 pm after 2 very long and severe days for our horses. The [illegible] ones begin to collapse and I sent 3 away today to a depot at Ypres. Trouble is rising from the breast harness which is utterly unsuitable for heavy cart horses. I hope to be allowed to requisition collars locally.

                                War Diary


                                15th Oct 1914 The London Hospital takes Wounded.  After the Fall of Antwerp, a large number of wounded Belgian soldiers were evacuated from hospitals as the German Army advanced. On the night of the 15th of October they boarded Hospital Ships at the channel ports and were conveyed to the safety of England. Across the Home Counties, hospitals mobilised to accept them, the Military Hospitals taking the most severe cases, the big civilian hospitals being next in line. With over 15,000 cases, the Auxiliary Hospitals were also mobilised that night.

                                At The London Hospital in Whitechapel, civilian patients were woken moved to other wards, the entire hospital being rearranged, to transform as many wards as possible to accomodate the soldiers. By midnight the new military wards were ready, each with fourty beds made up, the bedclothes turned back, pyjamas, towels and wash things waiting. At the garden entrance, electricians strung up temporary electric lighting and porters brought out every stretcher and wheelchair in readiness for the new arrivals.

                                15th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards stand to all day  2nd Life Guards were Ready to march at 6 am and stood to all day. Gun fire continues. The Warwickshires came to outpost about 300 yards in front of us, but having dug trenches they withdrew, and some Gordon Highlanders came to outpost also. The system of local requisition was started owing to the impossibility of delivery [illegible] and [illegible] at [illegible]

                                War Diary


                                15th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards in billets at Kruisstraathoek  2 Life Guards remained in billets at Kruisstraathoek with 2 squadrons in farms, one in an old moated Chateau and Headquarters in Cafe La Brasserie.

                                War Diary


                                15th Oct 1914 HMS Hawke lost  Submarine U9 sinks HMS Hawke

                                15th Oct 1914 Sheffield City Battalion on route march  The men of the Sheffield City Battalion undertake their first route march, on this wet and misty day. The route was from their training grounds in the city to Redmires, where their hutted camp is under construction. They drilled on the flat ground which will be their parade ground in the camp, were served sandwiches and tea for lunch then marched back to Sheffield.

                                16th Oct 1914 Wounded Belgians arrive in London  A hush had fallen over the London Hospital once the preparations had been completed. All the night staff gathered on the steps in the garden waiting to recieve the wounded. News of their arrival at Charring Cross was conveyed by telephone and shortly afterwards they began to arrive by car, walking wounded first, stretcher cases followed. The men had been evacuated from the Anwerp Hospital under German Bombardment and endured a difficult journey to the coast with little food or water and no one to change their dressings.

                                300 wounded were washed, changed fed and settled into the beds of The London Hospital under the care of the medical staff. Across London, St Thomas's and Guys were in the same situation. With over 15,000 cases abord the Hospital ships, the Auxiliary Hospitals and the VAD's were mobilised to accept their first soldiers.

                                16th Oct 1914 On the Move  On the 16th of October No.6 Squadron moved to Poperinghe Aerodrome. Six Squadron’s work was primarily the observation for the artillery engaged on counter battery work, recording enemy troops movements and the mapping enemy trench positions. It played a large part in the Battle of Ypres despite constant attacks from the German air force and anti-aircraft fire, equipped with a variety of aircraft types, but principally the BE2.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                16th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards march through Ypres  2 Life Guards marched at 7.30 am in a white fog as Advanced Guard to the Brigade through the very slippery streets of Ypres, now full of French troops and scouted round Westroosebeke, ultimately halting there, while ay 3 pm O’Neill and his squadron scouted towards Oostnieuwkerke. Lt. Sir P Brocklehurst and a patrol of 1st Life Guards reported a German Maxim about 2 miles out on the Westroosebeke, Hooglede road. About 4 pm O’Neill reported that a farm about 1/2 miles S W of Oostniewkerke was strongly held by Germans and that in approaching it Lt Sir Robin Duff had been killed. At 4 pm, I sent Belper’s squadron to support O’Neill on the left and myself took Ashton’s squadron to strengthen O’Neill. I found the country quite flat but thickly dotted with cottages, farms and small woods, one being of considerable size. At 5.30 pm I worked up towards the farm whence Duff had been killed, but found it in a clearing with no cover for 500 yards all round. We came under fire from 3 directions, front left flank and rear, and as it was nearly dark I collected my squadrons and retired to Westroosebeke. There was considerable sniping from the cottages, and one cyclist was shot through the hand when catching up his squadron. Belper claims to have killed 12 Germans, and the man who shot Duff was also killed. The Regiment was left to billet in Westroosebeke, while the remainder of the Brigade went to Paschendaele, which is not a pleasant billet, and did not feel at all secure in such a big straggling village with so small a force.

                                War Diary


                                16th October 1914 Further Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA marched at 0730. Lt Maxwell went on with Greys. Again had a little close shooting near Comines. Remaining four guns after a long halt about Garde Dieu came into action. Fired at trenches South West of Bas Warneton and at latter. Were then taken on by General Gough to river bank just west of Warneton when engaged trenches south of river. Snipers in houses at a range of 700 yards so moved back a little as almost impossible to fire at this short range among houses. Fired again at trenches east of town. Sent three guns back to billets after dark. Took one gun with Lt Walwynn into town, running along street in dark by hand fired point blank at a barricade, about 10 rounds enabling 16th Lancers to take it. Then ran gun up to barricade in middle of town where wanted but couldn't get in due to heavy maxim rifle fire from right angle street. Withdrew gun and returned to billets in Wytschete at 2100. No casualties though the 16th Lancers were falling all around us. Soon after we left they were driven out of Warneton by greatly superior forces.

                                war diaries


                                17th Oct 1914 1st KRRC in Ypres Salient  1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps arrive in the Ypres Salint.

                                17th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards mount posts.  2nd Life Guards were ready to march at 5 am but remained in billets with many posts out all day and much firing very near. Constant Belgian and French patrols coming through. We were visited by Commander Sampson RN and his train of guns including a 3 gun used that day for the first time, mounted on a railway truck with a motor engine. He with 2 of my officers went and put a shell or two into the farm held yesterday by the Germans and later reported all clear in and as far as Oostnieuwkerke. They found that the Germans had lightly buried Duff and the man who killed him at the farm, but that the Burgomaster's Secretary had moved Duff into the Cemetery at Oostnieukerke. German Patrols rode [illegible] into our wire barriers at night.

                                War Diary


                                17th October 1914 Battle of Texel  The Battle off Texel on the 17 October 1914 was a naval battle off the coast of the Dutch island of Texel during the First World War. A British squadron consisting of one light cruiser and four destroyers encountered the remnants of the German 7th Half Flotilla of torpedo boats. They were en route to the British coast on a mission to lay minefields. The British forces attacked and sank the entire German flotilla of four torpedo boats. Heavily outgunned, the German force attempted to flee and then fought a desperate action against the British force. The battle resulted in the loss of an entire German torpedo boat squadron and prevented the mining of heavily trafficked shipping lanes at the mouth of the Thames River. The British in exchange took only light casualties and little damage to their vessels. The outcome of the battle greatly influenced the tactics of the remaining German torpedo boat flotillas in the North Sea area. The loss greatly shook the faith of the commanders in the effectiveness of the force.

                                After the opening naval Battle of Heligoland Bight the German High Seas Fleet was ordered to avoid confrontations with larger opposing forces in an effort to avoid costly and demoralizing reverses. Thus outside of occasional German raids, the North Sea became dominated by the Royal Navy which regularly patrolled the area. Despite the lack of action by German capital ships, light forces still operated regularly in North Sea. At 1350 on 17 October 1914 the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla Harwich Force consisting of the light cruiser HMS Undaunted under Captain Cecil Fox and four Laforey-class destroyers, HMS Lennox, Lance, Loyal, and Legion, was cruising off the coast of the island of Texel. They encountered a German squadron of torpedo boats of the 7th Half Flotilla under Georg Thiele (SMS S115, S117, S118, and S119). S119 was the lead ship of the torpedo boat flotilla and was commanded by Korvettenkapitän Thiele himself. The German ships made no attempt to challenge or threaten the approaching British ships nor did they at first attempt to flee the scene. It was assumed by the British that they were waiting for more German vessels to arrive and had mistaken the British ships for friendly vessels. In reality, the German flotilla had been sent out of Ems on a mission to mine the southern coast of Britain including the mouth of the Thames. It had been intercepted before reaching its targeted area of operations. The British squadron heavily outgunned the German 7th Half Flotilla. The British Commander, Captain Cecil Fox's vessel Undaunted, an Arethusa-class light cruiser, was armed with two 6 inch naval guns and seven QF 4 inch naval guns, all in single mounts and nearly all without gun shields. Undaunted at the time of the engagement was also experimentally armed with an additional pair of 2-pounder anti-aircraft guns, something most of her class lacked. In addition to her guns, the cruiser was also armed with eight torpedo tubes and at best speed could make 28.5 knots. The four British Laforey-class destroyers were much less powerful vessels in comparison to the cruiser being only armed with two torpedo tubes, three 4-inch guns and a singe 2-pounder gun. The destroyers were slightly faster than the cruiser and could make about 29 knots at full power. The German vessels were entirely inferior to the British. The four boats were of the aging Großes Torpedoboot 1898 class and had been completed in 1904. In terms of speed, the German boats were nearly equal to the British at 28 knots. Each of the German vessels was armed with three 50 mm guns, significantly fewer than the British destroyers. These weapons were also of shorter range and throwing weight than the British guns. The biggest danger to the British squadron was the torpedo tubes carried by the German boats, as each boat carried three 450 mm torpedo tubes with five torpedoes per boat.

                                Battle

                                Upon closer approach, the German vessels realized the approaching vessels were British and began to scatter and flee. Undaunted, closer to the Germans than the destroyers, opened fire on the nearest torpedo boat. This German vessel managed to dodge the incoming fire from Undaunted by changing course but by doing so lost speed and the British force caught up with them. In an attempt to protect Undaunted from torpedo attack and to destroy the Germans as quickly as possible, the squadron commander Captain Fox. gave orders for the squadron to split into two divisions. Lance and Lennox proceeded to chase S115 and S119 while Legion and Loyal went after S117 and S118. Combined fire from Legion, Loyal, and Undaunted damaged S118 with her entire bridge being blown off sinking her at 1517. Meanwhile HMS Lance and Lennox engaged S115 disabling her steering gear and causing the German vessel to circle. Lennox's fire was so effective at this point that, as had occurred with S118, the bridge of S115 was completely destroyed. Despite the damage the German torpedo-boat still did not strike her colours and vainly continued the action. The two centre-most boats in the German flotilla — S117 and the flotilla leader S119 — then made an attempt at engaging Undaunted with torpedoes. Despite the torpedo attack, Undaunted was able to outmaneuver the German boats and remained unscathed. Legion and Loyal who had been finishing off S118 came to Undaunted's aid and engaged Undaunted's two attackers. Legion assaulted S117, but the torpedo boat fired her last three torpedoes at the destroyer and afterword continued to resist with her guns. This vain attempt failed, and Legion pulverized S117 damaging her steering mechanism which forced her to circle before she was finally sunk at 1530. At the same time Legion was battling S117, Lance and Lennox had damaged S115 to the point where only one of the destroyers was still needed to counter the vessel. Lance soon left the battle with S115 to join Loyal in pummeling S119 with lyddite shells. S119 managed to get off a successful torpedo run against Lance, hitting the destroyer amidships, but the torpedo failed to detonate. S119 was then sunk at 1535 by combined gunfire from Lance and Loyal, taking the German flotilla commander down with it. The last remaining torpedo boat S115 continued to stay afloat despite constant attacks from Lennox. The British destroyer eventually boarded the vessel finding her a complete wreck with only one German onboard who happily surrendered. Thirty other Germans were eventually plucked from the sea and captured by the British vessels. The action finally ended at 1630 with gunfire from Undaunted finishing off the abandoned hulk of S115 with heavy gunfire.

                                Aftermath

                                The German Seventh Half Flotilla was completely annihilated by Harwich force, with all four of its remaining vessels sunk and over two hundred sailors killed including the commanding officer. Despite the odds no German vessel struck her colours and the entire Flotilla went down fighting to the end. The British casualties were extremely light in comparison with only four men wounded and superficial damage to three of the destroyers. Legion took one 4 lb shell hit and had one man wounded by machine gun fire. Loyal took two shell hits and had three or four men wounded as a result. Lance took some superficial machine gun damage and the other two vessels were unscathed. Thirty-one surviving German sailors were taken out of the water and off the sinking hulks and made prisoners, but one captured officer soon after died of the wounds he had received during the action. Two other German sailors were later plucked from the water by a neutral vessel. The battle was seen as a great boost of morale for the British at the time, as two days previous to the action off Texel they had suffered the loss of the cruiser HMS Hawke due to a U-boat attack. The effect on British morale the battle had is reflected in its fictionalized and nationalistic inclusion in the 1915 dime novel The Boy Allies Under Two Flags, by Robert L. Drake. Some controversy arose in Germany from the battle because the German hospital ship Ophelia, which had been sent out to rescue survivors from the sunken boats, was seized by the British for violating the Hague Convention's rules on the use of hospital ships. Although the boats of the sunken flotilla were older and some casualties were expected, the loss of an entire squadron of torpedo boats changed the tactics of the German forces displaced in the English Channel and along the coast of Flanders drastically. As a direct result, there were very few further sorties into the Channel and the torpedo boat force was delegated to coastal patrol and rescuing downed pilots for fear of similar losses. An unexpected boon for the British came as a result of the action, when on 30 November a British fishing trawler working the area pulled up a sealed chest that had been thrown off S119 by Captain Thiele during the action so as to avoid its capture. The chest contained a German codebook used by the German light forces stationed on the coast, allowing the British to decipher intercepted German communications long after the action had ended.

                                John Doran


                                17th October 1914 Routine day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0930 and halted all day about Houthem. Returned to billets at Wytschaete at 1730.

                                war diaries


                                17th Oct 1914 2nd Dublin Fusiliers in action  2nd Btn Dublin Fusiliers are in action at Houplines, France on the 17 October 1914. William McCann is documented as being the hero of Houplines engaging in a fierce fight in the café St Josephs.

                                18th Oct 1914 Lord Kitchener inspects Northern Division  Lord Kitchener inspects the 11th (Northern) Division at Belton Park, near Grantham.

                                18th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards march towards Oostnieuwkerke   2nd Life Guards march at 5 am towards Oostnieuwkerke with the Blues as Advanced Guard. They had some fighting with a small party of German cyclists and a few casualties, while they put 4 cyclists to the sword and 2 more were shot by 2 wounded Corporals of Horse with their revolvers. Took regiment up to support them but needlessly. The town was reported clear and we ultimately billeted in 4 scattered farms S E of the town.

                                War Diary


                                18th October 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0830. Halted near Houthem till 1400 which was shelled by about 90 pieces. Brought Lt Maxwell's section into action to support 12th Lancers stuck on farm near Comines. Attack successful and section also silenced a section of field guns and a section of Howitzers doing very well. Went inti billets at Hollebeke at 1900.

                                war diaries


                                19th Oct 1914 Hampshire Yeormary move from Forest Row  1/1st Hampshire Yeomanry moved from Forest Row Camp, situated adjacent to the A22 London to Eastbourne road, between Forest Row and Wych Cross to Maresfield Camp just outside Uckfield.

                                19th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards on parol  The War Diary Records: One squadron of 2 Life Guards went out early at 5 am to cover concentration of the Brigade. We did the Advance Guard and I used Ashton’s squadron. We marched towards Hooglede. Advance Guard Squadron took a wrong turn, so I sent out Belper’s and re-called Ashton’s. On arrival at the Hooglede, Staden, Roulers X-roads I was ordered to continue the advance. Lt Farquhar soon met a French Patrol with an officer who told him all was clear in front, but within 250 yards a hot fire was opened from the railway and railway level crossing. The Advanced Troop reinforced by the rest of the squadron returned the fire from a cottage enclosure to the left of the road, but it soon became evident that the enemy were a strong force of infantry and the squadron had to retire. In this retirement Captain F. Pemberton was killed. Lieutenant Anstruther tried to get him along but finally had to leave him in a ditch. In the meantime I held the village facing E with my other 2 squadrons and at 9am endeavoured to cover this retirement by rifle and maxim fire. The latter was most effective and the hostile infantry could be seen scattering. Very the soon the enemy brought up some guns and placed at first shot 2 shells on the precise spot which my 2 maxims had just left. Their fire set some houses burning and under cover of the smoke my Regiment withdrew to a line W of the village and south of the road we had come by, the 1st Life Guards continuing our line on the N side of the road. The Germans took time to find out our departure, but finally came into the village, at 12 pm where they were shelled by our K Battery. I was ordered to tell Ashton and his squadron to advance from farm dismounted cutting all wire, while I with my other two squadrons was to make a mounted attack on the village covered by our gun fire as long as possible. I was just starting to do this when a tremendous fire was opened from the village, and my advanced squadron which had got near enough to hear the former words of command, had to retire. My advance became impossible, and instead I took Belper’s squadron up to cover Ashton’s retirement. Belper was seriously injured by his horse falling and rolling on him. The squadron was lucky to get behind a small wood on the right of our line without casualty, but Ashton’s squadron suffered considerably. He and Lt Palmer were missing and we heard a week later were prisoners. Capt Lyon was wounded and several men, notably Corporal Black, who, though shot through the stomach, rode to the Ambulance as though unhurt. We remained under heavy shell fire near this wood until 3.30 pm, when by bringing up 2 or 3 horses at a time we were able to gallop out of fire towards Moorslede. We had held up a strong force, probably the flank guard of an Army Corps from 9 am till 3.30 pm, and I was glad to give the men General Byng’s message that they had done exceedingly well. The Brigade withdrew through Moorslede unmolested and billeted for the night in Zonnebeke. My Adjutant today was twice knocked over by shells, but mercifully unhurt.

                                War Diary


                                19th Oct 1914 1st Dragoons suffer casualties in first advance  'A' Squadron 1st Royal Dragoons reported in their first advance the following casualties: Cpl. Harrison killed. Sgt. Lock wounded, Sgt. Measures, L.Cpl. Murkan, Ptes. Protts, Luck, Petherick, Wide and McCullum missing. Have received orders to move on Rolleghem-Cappelle.

                                War Diary -After-Action report, 19th Oct 1915. 3rd Cavalry Division; 1st Royal Dragoons


                                19th October 1914 Further Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0545 and halted near Houthem until 0800. Advanced to near America and fired 300 rounds at concealed guns and trenhes north of Wervicq. Went into billets at Chateau about 1 mile east of Hollebecke at 1900.

                                war diaries


                                19th Oct 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall Oct 19th 1914

                                Present: - Lord Southampton; W. Cresswell Gray; Colonel Darwin; Colonel Bowes; Captain Roberts; Colonel R. Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The adjutant reported that the parade state was now 991, of all ranks, being 9 [ ] men, and [ ] officers.

                                Colonel Burdon reported that the list of officers had to be revised, so far as the dates of joining were concerned, in order to effect the necessary seniority in rank. The question of the return of 23 men to Stockton was considered; and it was decided that Captain Tristram should proceed to effect, if possible, the transfer of these men to other units, as they were not of the classes originally selected for representation in the County Battalion.

                                Colonel Burdon was instructed to proceed to York if this could not be effected, to obtain the sanction of the G.O.C in C to any suitable arrangement.

                                Lord Southampton said that as the man whom he had in view as a suitable Orderly Room Clerk would have had to be trained for 10 days at Borden it was simpler to have a man trained for the purpose at Cocken Hall, and the matter was left there.

                                The question of the separation of the Finance which had to be dealt with by the Committee, and the Finance which had to be dealt with by the C.O. was gone into; and Mr Gray suggested that Mr Fortune, of West Hartlepool, would probably be good enough to undertake the work, and would be most suitable for it. Colonel Burdon was instructed to meet him, and go into the matter with him.

                                It was noted that the shed over the kitchens had made some progress, but it was not yet finished. It was decided to indent for miniature rifles; and a full supply of service rifles for the use of the battalion. A further supply of rifles for instruction purposes had been received.

                                Colonel Burdon mentioned that it might be necessary to pump water from the river for the purpose of water supply. Fourteen huts, in various stages of completion, were now standing. The Quarter Master was instructed to lay a cement floor (for which he was to borrow men from the Darlington Construction Company) for the purpose of a bin for refuse.

                                The men's rooms were inspected; and were not found to be altogether in a good condition; this being partly due to the fact that the company from West Rainton had been moved, and had not had time to clean their rooms.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                20th Oct 1914 2nd Seaforths in action  The 2nd Seaforth Highlanders are in action on on the banks of the river Lys. At 4 am, B & D Companies moved up to occupy houses on on the outskirts of the village of Frelinghien, to the north east of Armentieres. The men worked on improving their defensive position in the properties until an advance could be organised. A and C Coys were in reserve.

                                Beside them, the Royal Irish Fusiliers, supported by an artillery barrage, made an advance across the open but found it heavily entangled with barbed wire and came under fire from the enemy until their guns were silenced by the artillery. Under partial cover of a low bank and a line of trees the Irish Fusiliers advanced towards the German trenches as the Seaforths prepared to advance towards the enemy trenches on their left. When the men were about 200 yards from the trench line, the Germans opened fire and it was decided that the Seaforths would take the position by assault.

                                At about 11 am C company, 2nd Seaforths, lead by captain D. C. Methuen and 2/Lt J. F. Glass attempted to storm the enemy trench, under heavy fire. The German trench was situated on a high, steep slippery bank which added to crossfire from snipers in the Brewery on the edge of the town, made the task more difficult. But the Seaforths succeeded in capturing and holding the section of trench, taking 20 prisoners and killing about 30 of the enemy.

                                At about 1pm, 15 Germans soldiers surrendered and left their trenches unarmed. Shortly afterwards, others surrendered from houses in the town and after negotiations, three snipers left the Brewery and surrendered. The buildings and cellars were searched and found to be unoccupied. After dark, the Brewery was occupied by two and a half platoons from A coy, with the rest of A coy occupiing houses to the east of road along with 1 platoon from D coy. C & D coys along with with Headquarters occupied the houses taken the previous night, with B coy holding the newly captured trenches with Irish Fusiliers on their right, 2 Coy Rifle Brigade came up during the night as support. Work commended to strengthen defence and re-entrench the captured positions.

                                20th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards near Westroosebeke.  2nd Life Guards marched at 5 am to entrench near Westroosebeke. On arrival at our line found French Infantry partially entrenched already, but they promptly withdrew, so we defended the Westroosebeke to Paschendaele road by trenching to west of it in the order from the right 1st Life Guards, R H Guards, ourselves, Royal Dragoons, 10th Hussars, French troops on the left. My horses were concealed behind a wood but soon they had to be moved further back to avoid shells. This led later to some confusion as the squadrons did not know where their horses had gone. This was the first attempt of the Household Cavalry to dig trenches, and they were very welcome as the shell fire for about 2 hours was severe. German attempts to cross the main road with infantry were easily checked by our rifle fire, but the French on the extreme left retired without any warning to us of their intention. The VI Cavalry Brigade consequently had to go, and we on our turn had to go too in successive Regiments from the left, with my squadrons holding farms to cover the retirement. We were lucky to disengage without losses, as we had to go a long way on foot, and the led horses were in some confusion as stated above. I had orders to hold successive farms on the left of the road by which we retired, and I found myself near Poelcapelle, whence I went via St Julien to rejoin the Brigade and ordered at 2 pm to take up a line facing north to connect with the VIth Cavalry Brigade at St Julien. Here we remained unmolested in heavy rain until 6 pm when we retired to find for ourselves some filthy billets about 3 miles South East of Poelcapelle. Tired of hearing tremendous shelling and musketry all day and apparently in all directions. Arrival of General Haig at Poelcapelle is reported, and we saw outposts of Coldstream Guards going out for the night.

                                War Diary


                                21st Oct 1914 British withdraw from Zonnebeke  After heavy shelling by the enemy, the British were forced to withdraw from Zonnebeke on the night of the 21st of October 1914.

                                21st Oct 1914 2 Life Guards march to Ehrsternst  2nd Life Guards march at 5.30 am to Ehrsternst then remaining idle till midday as rear regiment. We were ordered to support the Infantry at Zonnebeke, the Blues and 1st Life Guards being already there. There was considerable sniping from houses in the village and from outside. Brigadier Lawford pointed out our place and we were very thankful to find a roadside ditch and bank ready-made, as the shell fire was severe for 2 hours. The Staffords were in front of us, so we could not fire in spite of being constantly sniped from intervening ground. Our horses were left in the street and a shell fell among them killing four, a horrible sight, I was told. Captain V Montgomerie got a shrapnel bullet in the back and one man was killed. I sat in a puddle in the ditch and felt grateful. The arrival of some of our Infantry, Cavan’s Brigade I believe, enabled us to be withdrawn about 4 pm. The following order was issued the next day "The Brigadier has much pleasure in telling the Regiments of the Brigade that before he left Zonnebeke today General Lawford command of the 22nd Infantry Brigade asked him to express to the Regiments of the Brigade his thanks for the assistance they gave him and his admiration for the way they behaved in saving what might have been a critical situation." At 4 pm we marched the weary miles to Voormezeele and after a long wait got into billets in the town, they say in orders to link up Haig's force with Gough's Cavalry Division.

                                War Diary


                                21st Oct 1914 1st Leicesters releive 1st West Yorks  The 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment relieved the 1st Battalion, West Yorks close to Rue du Bois, near Bois Grenier to the south west of Armentieres. HQ was established at La Houssoie railway station.

                                Fighting Tigers - Matthew Richardson


                                21st October 1914 All day action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0500 and in action all day near Oosttaverne, four guns on west of village and Lt Walwynn section on east of village. Fired over 500 rounds in checking strong infantry attacks supported by strong artillery fire on line held by 2nd Cavalry Division which with 1st Cavalry Division was holding a gap between our Corps. Back to billets at Wytschaete at 1830.

                                war diaries


                                22nd Oct 1914 2nd Berkshires arrive home  2nd Battalion Berkshire Regiment arrived in England from Jhansi, India. They moved to Hursley Park to join 25th Brigade in 8th Division.

                                22nd Oct 1914 2 Life Guards March to Hooge  The 2nd Life Guards marched at 5.30 am to Hooge on the Ypres to Menin road, to be in support. Sat in the woods of a charming chateau, safe although heard shell fire till 2 pm. We were Advance Guard Regiment. Ordered off to Kleinzillebeke to clear up the situation at Hollebeke and Zandvoorde. Remained there till 4 pm when the rest of the Brigade came, and I was ordered to break up my weak squadron making two strong ones and send every available man into the trenches for the night to reinforce the VI Cavalry Brigade. I sent O’Neill and half of D Squadron on the right and took Vandeleur (Belper sick) and half of D Squadron to General Makins for orders on the left. I and my Regt HQ were told there was no room in the trenches for us, so I bivouacked with it outside Zillebeke. Tremendous musketry fire all night.

                                War Diary


                                22nd Oct 1914 2nd Rifles arrive at Liverpool  2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade land at Liverpool on the 22nd of October 1914 having sailed from Bombay on the 20th of September. They moved to Hursley Park to join 25th Brigade in the 8th Division.

                                22nd Oct 1914 1st Leicesters suffer heavy shelling  At La Houssoie railway station 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment endure heavy enemy shelling with little cover in the muddy fields. Three officers and 20 other ranks were killed and another twenty injured.

                                Fighting Tigers - Matthew Richardson


                                22nd October 1914 Further Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0500 but sent back as heavy infantry attack going in. Too dark to start back in action as before as soon as attack found not to be coming through. Fired again about 450 rounds. Back in billets at 1830 - one man severely wounded.

                                war diaries


                                23rd Oct 1914 2nd Coldstreams near Ypres  2nd Coldstream Guards were at Zonnebeke.

                                23rd Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards relieved by 1st Life Guards  The War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards recored: "Off at 5 am to Brigade HQ at Kleinzillebeke, and was ordered to collect my Regiment out of the trenches and be relieved by the 1st Life Guards. Set off to do this with Colonel Barnes X Hussars, Brassey (command 1st Life Guards) and his squadron leaders when a shell hit me in four places taking a piece out of my leg. I had to retire to Hospital. My lead horses were under shell fire at Zandvoorde and Surgeon Major Power and Vet Lt Walker had just been sent flying by a shell. I afterwards heard that my 2nd in Command had been attached to the Belgian Army Headquarters and that Major Hugh Dawnay came from the Staff to take command till my return."

                                War Diary


                                23rd October 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0500 and in action all day as before. One man wounded and two horses killed. Back in billets at 1800 but left one gun out. Changed our billets to west of town as east under big gun fire during day.

                                war diaries


                                24th Oct 1914 BEF HQ moves again  The HQ of the BEF moved from Mont Cassel to St Omer.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                24th Oct 1914 Territorials in action  During the German push along the Menin Road on the 24th of October 1914, a battalion of the 244th Reserve Infantry Regiment overwhelmed the 2nd Wiltshires in the eastern edge of Polygon Wood, causing heavy casualties. The 2nd Warwickshires and Northumberland Hussars were brought up to reinforce them and the Warwicks were successful clearing the enemy from the wood, an action regarded as the first serious engagement of a Territorial unit in the Great War.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                24th Oct 1914 Enemy launches attack  About 4pm as darkness fell, heavy shelling began and the enemy were observed massing in a distillery yard opposite La Houssoie railway station, which was held by the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Col. Croker pulled his men back 200 yards from their shallow positions in the fields to form a new defensive line at the low railway embankment. The German artillery halted and the infantry attacked, singing "Wacht am Rhine", blowing whistles and making as much racket as they could. The Leicesters responded with Maxim gun and rifle fire, casualties on both sides were heavy, but the line was not broken.

                                Fighting Tigers - Matthew Richardson


                                24th October 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0445 and in action as before. Fired about 150 rounds and back in billets at 1830 leaving a section out.

                                war diaries


                                24th Oct 1914 Irishmen to Arms  On Saturday, 24th October 1914 the first recruiting poster for the Tyneside Irish Battalion appeared in the newspaper. Head line: Irishmen, to Arms. The poster also had an application form where by any would be recruit could cut out, fill in, then forward to recruiting office.

                                25th Oct 1914 Enemy renews attack  As dawn broke the enemy launched another attack on line held by the 1st Leicesters on the railway embankment around La Houssoie station. Around the level crossing to the south, D Coy were overwhelmed and about 100 men were taken prisoner. By 9am the British had regained their lost trenches and a bitter hand to hand fight ensued at the level crossing with the Germans engaging heavy weapons. The line was held throughout a day of fighting.

                                Amongst the casulaties was 6602 Private Albert Swann, his deathw as reported in the Grantham Journal on the 28th of November 1914: "Yesterday week, Mrs Swann, of Seaton, received an official communication that Pte. Albert Swann, 6602, Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action, and the sympathy and regret of the Army Council was expressed with the widow in her loss. Further information also came on Friday to Mrs Swann, who was visited by Mrs J. Faulks, of Langham, a sister of the deceased, and who had been communicating with relatives at Leicester in order to ascertain the facts. A brother of Mr Percy Garner, 115, Freeman-road, North Leicester, had written:- "I saw a shell hit your poor cousin Albert Swann. It either knocked him right into the earth or blew him into fragments, as nothing was ever seen of him again. I was talking to him less than five minutes before he was hit. He had been talking about his baby." The cousin who sent this sad news from the front stated that he was saved himself only by a miracle. They were close friends, and the one spared was very much affected by his cousin’s sad end. Another eye-witness, a wounded Leicester from the same Company, who has returned from France to England, asked if he knew a man named Albert Swann, replied:- "I should think I did. Poor fellow! I saw him killed, a sight I never shall forget the longest day I live. A shell hit him and blew him into thousands of bits." It appears that Pte. A. Swann was killed on Oct. 26th at the battle of Armentieres. Deceased served in India three years, and his nine years in the Reserve virtually expired in October, the month he was slain. He was an agricultural labourer, aged 36, and his aged parents reside at Bisbrooke. The widow, for whom great sympathy is felt, is left with two children, the youngest, a daughter, referred to above, having been born since her father had rejoined his regiment." Albert Swann is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. His surname on the memorial is recorded as "Swan" and his date of death in the register is stated as 25 October 1914. The same spelling of his surname as Swan also appears on his Medal Index Card, but the war memorial inside All Hallows’ Church at Seaton in Rutland states his name as Albert Swann.

                                Fighting Tigers - Matthew Richardson


                                25th October 1914 Further Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Wytschaete.

                                Same as before - one section left out

                                war diaries


                                26th Oct 1914 Major Dawnay takes command of 2nd Life Guards  2nd Life Guards are at Zillebeke. Major Dawnay took command of the regiment, Major Prince Alexander of Teck having been ordered to report to General Headquarters for special duty. A quiet morning in bivouac and billets, received orders at 1 pm then the Brigade was ready to move from Klein Zillebeke at 2 pm when are orders issued for a dismounted attack on Kortewilde, with 2nd Life Guards in reserve. The order was cancelled at 2.30 pm owing to 7th Division, just to the north of 7th Cav Brigade being rather pressed, the regiment was then ordered to [illegible] to occupy a back position in case the 6th Cav Brigade was forced to retire by the falling back of 7th Div. At 5.30 pm after beginning to dig in the back position, the regiment was ordered to return to last night’s billets and to send one squadron to relieve a squadron of the Royal Horse Guards near Zandvoorde.

                                War Diary


                                26th October 1914 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Wytschette with 5th Cavalry Brigade. Same as before except supported counter attack on enemy's position. Lent two guns to D Battery which had only one left. One man killed. Back in billets at 1900 leaving section out. Fired about 200 rounds.

                                war diaries


                                26th Oct 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall October 26th 1914

                                Present: - Lord Durham, Lord Southampton, A.F. Pease, Major Tristram, Capt. Lowe, Colonel Bowes, Colonel Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported that the transfer of the 23 men returned to Stockton had been satisfactorily effected; and they had now been removed from the strength of the County Battalion.

                                It was noted that six huts had been completed and were occupied; three completed, but unoccupied; and the remainder - with one exception, under construction. The foundations for the Recreation Room had been laid.

                                The Parade state today was 1004.

                                • A Company 243
                                • B Company 239
                                • C Company 270
                                • D Company 252
                                Total 1004

                                Major Tristram reported that the War Office Establishment of Officers had been as follows: -

                                • 1 Lieut. Colonel
                                • 3 Majors
                                • 6 Captains
                                • *6 Lieutenants
                                • 12 Second Lieutenants
                                • 1 Adjutant
                                • 1 Quartermaster
                                • *1 Lieutenant for details at base
                                The question of the bath house, combining bath and drying house, was considered; and it was decided that an amended plan was decided upon should be made.

                                It was decided to carry out the additional lighting of the huts with our own staff, as we had in the ranks men perfectly capable of doing it.

                                The name of Mr Griffith Jones was added to the list of Officers with rank as Captain, second in Command of the Company. The names of other members of the Durham U.T.C. were considered; and it was decided to offer commissions to at least two of them, if they were found suitable.

                                Rowland Burdon

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                27th Oct 1914 C Squadron, 2nd Life Guards in trenches  2nd Life Guards are half a mile North West of Zandvoorde. C Squadron took over trenches to the immediate South East of Zandvoorde, this being the extreme left of the line held by the 3rd Cavalry Division. B Squadron, which had been sent forward on the previous evening to relieve a squadron of the Royal Horse Guards last night, remained up in position whilst D squadron was held in Reserve to the immediate North West of Zandvoorde.

                                War Diary


                                27th October 1914 Zeppelin raids on Britain  In the first month of the war Germany formed the "Ostend Carrier Pigeon Detachment", a cover name for an aeroplane unit to be used for the bombing of the English Channel ports. During the opening months of the war a German pilot flying a Taube regularly dropped bombs on Paris. The first raid consisted of five small bombs and a note demanding the immediate surrender of Paris and the French nation. Before the stabilisation of the Western Front, German aircraft made a number of raids on Paris, slightly damaging Notre Dame Cathedral.

                                The first German bombing raids on England were nuisance raids carried out against Channel ports. German press reports mention a raid carried out on 27 October, but there is no British record of any incident on this date.

                                John Doran


                                27th October 1914 HMS Audacious lost  

                                HMS Audacious

                                HMS Audacious was a King George V-class battleship of the Royal Navy, she was lost to an enemy mine on the 27th of October 1914 off the northern coast of Donegal, Ireland.

                                She was built by Cammell Laird being laid down in March 1911, launched on 14 September 1912 and Commissioned in August 1913. She had a displacement of 23,400 tonnes, length: 598 ft (182.3 m) with a beam of 89 ft (27.1 m) and a draught of 28 ft (8.5 m) Her propulsion was 18 boilers, 4 Parsons turbines with direct drive, 4 shafts; 27,000 shp (20,100 kW) giving a speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) Her Armament consisted of 10 × BL 13.5-inch (343 mm) Mk V guns, 16 × BL 4-inch (102 mm) Mk VII guns , 4 × 3-pounder (47-mm) guns , 3 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes She had an armour belt of 8 to 12 in (203 to 305 mm) with decks: 1 to 4 in (25 to 102 mm) and barbettes: 3 to 10 in (76 to 254 mm) her turrets being 11 in (279 mm)

                                Audacious had been ordered under the 1910 naval estimates, Audacious was built by Cammell Laird Limited of Birkenhead, Merseyside, England. She was laid down on 23 March 1911 and launched on 14 September 1912. She commissioned into the 1st Division of the 2nd Battle Squadron on 21 October 1913.

                                At the beginning of the First World War, Audacious was part of the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. On 27 October 1914, the 2nd Battle Squadron, consisting of the 'super-dreadnoughts' King George V, Ajax, Centurion, Audacious, Monarch, Thunderer and Orion, left Lough Swilly to conduct gunnery exercises at Loch na Keal in Ireland. In the middle of a turn, at 08:45, Audacious ran upon a mine laid by the German auxiliary minelayer Berlin off Tory Island. The explosion occurred 16 feet (4.9 m) under the bottom of the ship, approximately 10 feet (3.0 m) forward of the transverse bulkhead at the rear of the port engine room. The port engine room, machine room, X turret shell room and compartments below them flooded immediately, with water spreading more slowly to the central engine room and adjoining spaces.

                                Captain Cecil F. Dampier, thinking that the ship had been attacked by a submarine, hoisted the submarine warning, and the rest of the squadron steamed away from possible danger. The ship rapidly took on a list of 10-15 degrees to port, which was reduced by counter flooding compartments on the starboard side, so that by 09:45, the list ranged from 1-10 degrees as she rolled in rough seas. At this point, the starboard engine was still operational. The ship could make 9 kn (10 mph; 17 km/h) and Dampier believed that he had a chance of making the 25 mi (40 km) to land and beaching the ship. However, water was still entering the central engine room, probably because of damage to the bottom of the longitudinal bulkhead. At 10:00, the decision was taken to abandon the central engine room, but water was also rising in the starboard engine room, so that engine too was stopped. By 11:00, the central turbine was submerged and the port side deck was dipping under water as the ship rolled to that side.

                                The light cruiser Liverpool stood by, while Audacious broadcast distress signals by wireless. The Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, Sir John Jellicoe, ordered every available destroyer and tug out to assist, but did not dare send out battleships to tow Audacious because of the apparent submarine threat. Meanwhile, the White Star liner Olympic, elder sister of the infamous Titanic, arrived on the scene. Dampier brought the bow of the ship round to sea and ordered all non-essential crew off, boats from Liverpool and Olympic assisting, so that only 250 men remained by 14:00. At 13:30, the captain of Olympic, Captain Haddock, suggested that his ship attempt to take Audacious in tow. Dampier agreed, and with the assistance of the destroyer Fury, a tow line was passed within 30 minutes. The ships began moving toward Lough Swilly, but Audacious was so unmanageable that the tow line parted. Liverpool and the collier Thornhill attempted to take the battleship in tow, but to no avail. By 16:00, the forward deck was 4 feet (1.2 m) above water, while the stern had no more than 1 foot (0.30 m) clearance.

                                In the meantime, at 13:08, a message had arrived from the coastguard station at Mulroy that the steamer Manchester Commerce had been mined in the same area the day before. At 16:60, Malin Head reported that the sailing vessel Cardiff had also been mined the previous night. Upon learning this, at 17:00, Jellicoe ordered the pre-dreadnought battleship Exmouth out to attempt to tow Audacious in. In case the ship was saved, he also requested an officer from the Construction Department at the Admiralty, in anticipation of major repairs.

                                Vice-Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly, commander of the 1st Battle Squadron, arrived on the scene in the boarding vessel Cambria and took over the rescue operation. With dark approaching, Bayly, Dampier and the remaining men on Audacious were taken off at 19:15. As the quarterdeck flooded, the ship's whaler broke loose and, slithering across the deck, caused further damage to hatches and ventilators, leading to rapid flooding of the stern. At 20:45, with the decks underwater, the ship heeled sharply, paused, and then capsized. The ship floated upside down with the bow raised until 21:00, when an explosion occurred throwing wreckage 300 feet (91 m) into the air, followed by two more. The explosion appeared to come from the area of B magazine and was possibly caused by high-explosive shells falling from their racks and exploding, then igniting the cordite magazine. A piece of armour plate fell on and killed a petty officer on Liverpool, which was 800 yd (730 m) away. This was the only casualty in connection with the sinking.

                                Aftermath

                                Jellicoe immediately proposed that the sinking be kept a secret, to which the Board of Admiralty and the British Cabinet agreed, an act open to ridicule later on. For the rest of the war, Audacious' name remained on all public lists of ship movements and activities. Many Americans on board Olympic were beyond British jurisdiction and discussed the sinking. Many photos, and even one moving film, had been taken. By 19 November, the loss of the ship was accepted in Germany. Jellicoe's opposite number in Germany, Reinhard Scheer, wrote after the war, "In the case of the Audacious we can but approve the English attitude of not revealing a weakness to the enemy, because accurate information about the other side's strength has a decisive effect on the decisions taken."

                                On 14 November 1918, shortly after the war ended, a notice officially announcing the loss appeared in The Times: H.M.S. Audacious. A Delayed Announcement. "The Secretary of the Admiralty makes the following announcement:— H.M.S. Audacious sank after striking a mine off the North Irish coast on October 27, 1914. This was kept secret at the urgent request of the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, and the Press loyally refrained from giving it any publicity. "

                                A Royal Navy review board judged that a contributory factor in the loss was that Audacious was not at battle stations, with water-tight doors locked and damage control teams ready. Attempts were made to use the engine circulating pumps as additional bilge pumps, but the rapid rise of water prevented this. Although hatches were open at the time of the explosion, it was claimed that all were closed before rising water reached them. Apart from the damage to the bottom of the ship, water was found to have spread through bulkheads because of faulty seals around pipes and valves, broken pipes and hatches which did not close properly. Marlborough, of the subsequent (but fairly similar) Iron Duke class, was torpedoed at Jutland and for a time continued to steam at 17 knots (20 mph; 31 km/h).

                                The wreck of Audacious was found 24 miles (39 km) north of the Irish coast, and filmed for the television show Deep Wreck Mysteries on the History Channel. The programme featured an investigation of the wreck and the circumstances of its loss by nautical archaeologist Innes McCartney and battleship expert Bill Jurens. The wreck lies upside down on the sea bed, with the starboard propeller shafts bent and rudder detached, but in clear water 17 miles (27 km) north east of Tory island

                                John Doran


                                27th October 1914 Quite Period  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Same as before except fired very little. No causlties. 28th October and 29th October - same as before.

                                war diaries


                                28th Oct 1914 C squadron 2nd Life Guards heavily shelled  2nd Life Guards are half a mile North West of Zandvoorde. The left trenches of C squadron were heavily shelled, causing three troops of C squadron to be relieved by D squadron at 6 pm, the remaining troop of C squadron also B squadron remained in their trenches.

                                War Diary


                                28th October 1914 Battle of Penang 1914  The Battle of Penang occurred on 28 October 1914, during World War I. It was a naval action in the Strait of Malacca, in which the German cruiser SMS Emden sank two Allied warships.

                                Background

                                At the time, Penang was part of the Straits Settlement, a British Crown colony. Penang is an island off the west coast of Malaya, now the present day Malaysia. It is only a short distance from the mainland. The main town of Penang, George Town, is on a harbour. In the early months of the war, it was heavily used by Allied naval and merchant vessels. Shortly after the outbreak of the war, the German East Asia Squadron left its base in Tsingtao, China. The squadron headed east for Germany, but one ship, the light cruiser SMS Emden—under Lt. Commander Karl von Müller—was sent on a solitary raiding mission.

                                Battle

                                At about 0430 on 28 October, Emden appeared off the George Town roads and attacked the harbour and vessels lying therein. Captain von Müller had disguised his ship by rigging a false smoke stack, which made Emden resemble the British cruiser HMS Yarmouth. Once he had entered the harbor, however, he ran up the German naval ensign and revealed what ship the newcomer actually was. Before any of the Allied naval vessels could respond, a torpedo was fired at the Russian protected cruiser Zhemchug, followed up with a salvo of shells which riddled the ship. A second torpedo, fired as Emden turned to leave, penetrated the forward magazine, causing an explosion that sank the Russian ship. Returning to the harbour from a patrol was the French destroyer Mousquet, under the command of a Lt. Théroinne, which then set off in pursuit of Emden, but was quickly sunk by the German ship. Casualties amongst Zhemchug's crew of 250 amounted to 89 dead and 143 wounded.

                                Aftermath

                                The Zhemchug was tied up in a state of non-readiness while her captain, Cmdr. Baron Cherkassov, went ashore that night to visit his wife (some sources say mistress). The keys for the ship's magazine had been taken ashore and no lookouts had been posted. Cherkassov could only watch in helpless horror from the Eastern & Oriental Hotel as his ship sank to the bottom of the Straits. He was court martialled for negligence and sentenced to 3½ years in prison, reduction in rank and expelled from the navy. His deputy, Lt. Kulibin, was sentenced to 1½ years in prison. However, the Tsar changed both sentences to sending to the front as ordinary seamen. Both later distinguished themselves in combat and were decorated with the Cross of St. George. Lt. Théroinne was amongst the Frenchmen lost aboard the Mousquet. Thirty-six French survivors out of a crew of 80 from the destroyer were picked up by the Emden, three of whom later died from their injuries. They were buried at sea at the insistence of von Müller. Two days later, the Germans stopped the British steamer Newburn and transferred the remaining Frenchmen so that they could be conveyed to Sabang, Sumatra, then part of the neutral Dutch East Indies. Emden continued its raiding mission for another 10 days, before being severely damaged and run aground at the Battle of Cocos.

                                John Doran


                                late Oct 1914 1/6th West Yorks leave Strenshall  6th Battalion West Yorks left Strenshall in late October, moving to York.

                                28th Oct 1914   On the 28th October 1914, Major-General the Hon Sir Reginald Talbot, K.C.B. the honorary Colonel came down to bid the Regiment Godspeed, and on Friday 30th October it entrained by squadrons for Southampton, where it embarked on the s.s. Victorian. Sailing at 1:00am on the 31st October, 1914, the regiment arrived off Havre at 8:30pm, disembarked at 6:30 next morning, and marched up to the Rest Camp.

                                History of the 3rd (Prince of Wales?s) Dragoon Guards 1914-1918? by Captain H P Holt


                                28th Oct 1914 Fields offered for training  It was stated in the Newcastle Chronicle that Colonel Ritson had offered the use of two fields behind Jesmond Gardens for the use of training. Each morning the Tyneside Irish battalion paraded on Eldon Square at 9am. Major Joseph Prior was always in command. By 28th October 1914 the Tyneside Irish had a strength of 303 men. On this day it was announced Colonel V.M. Stockley, late Indian army had accepted command of The Tyneside Irish Battalion.

                                29th Oct 1914 Turkey enters the war  

                                29th Oct 1914 2nd Grenadier Guards in action  2nd Grenadier Guards are in action in and around Gheluvelt.

                                29th Oct 1914 D Squadron 2nd Life Guards report shelling and sniping  2 Life Guards are half a mile North West of Zandvoorde. A certain amount of shelling and sniping was reported by D squadron on this date. The only change in the situation was the relief of D by C squadron (less 1 Troop) at 11 pm.

                                War Diary


                                30th Oct 1914 Dramatic Rescue at Whitby  

                                SS Rohilla at Port Said - pre WW1

                                In heavy seas the Hospital Ship Rohilla, sailing from Queensferry, bound for Dunkirk, ran aground on rocks at Saltwick Bay, Whitby. The Whitby lifeboat succeeded in rescuing 35 people, including five female nurses, but the lifeboat was badly damaged in the attempt and was rendered useless. Lifeboats from along the coast were brought to assist, including the Upgang boat which was brought overland, lowered down the cliff and a launch attempted from the beach at Saltwick and the Scarborough boat which was towed from its home town by a trawler and spent the might at sea but was unable to reach the Rohilla. The Hartlepool lifeboat was towed to Whitby, the Teesmouth lifeboat set out to assist but was damaged by heavy seas. The Tynemouth boat, the only motorised lifeboat in the area, was summoned and sailed 40 miles to reach the Rohilla and finally succeeding in rescuing the remaining crew from the wreck two days after the ship had run aground. Of the 229 persons onboard the hospital ship, 145 were brought ashore safely.

                                30th Oct 1914 British Cavalry cede at Messines  The British 1st Cavalry are pushed back at Messines, opening a gap in the Allied lines. The newly arrived French XVI Corps were moved up to defend the line.

                                30th Oct 1914 B Squadron, 2nd Life Guards forced to retire  The War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards records them as being 1/2 mile North West of Zandvoorde. The line on the right of B squadron being driven back forced B squadron to retire with losses. C squadron (less 1 Troop) would appear to have been surrounded and from the account of a single survivor of the squadron it is doubtful if any have escaped. Meanwhile the Reserve Trenches had been manned by D squadron on our left of the Royal Horse Guards. Heavy shelling of these trenches ensued and we gradually fell back on to the Zillebeke Ridge where the 5th and 6th Cavalry Brigades had taken up a defensive line. Behind this the Regiment was reformed and held in readiness for action about Zwarteten. This area was heavily shelled but partly owing to the loose formation adopted, with an open column of squadrons at 100 to 15O distance between squadrons and files extended, no casualties occurred here. At about 5 pm the Regiment was ordered to reinforce the Scots Greys and again about 6 pm to move to the assistance of the Royal Horse Guards but in each case the order was rescinded, the situation having improved. The Regiment eventually moved into billets at Verbranden-Molen. Three troops of C squadron were posted on 30th Oct at Zanbe.

                                "Mrs Brandram, of Clifton Road, Henlow, has received a letter from the War Office, informing her that her son, Private William Frank Brandram, 9546, 17th Lancers, 4th Company (sic) Regiment, now attached to the 2nd Life Guards of the British Expeditionary Force, had been killed in action on October 30th. The news was received with profound regret, both at Henlow and at Three Counties Asylum, at which institution Pte. Brandram had for several years been a member of the staff. His punctual and conscientious discharge of his duties there had gained him the esteem of all who knew him. Pte. Brandram was 28 years of age and had served seven years in India with the 17th Lancers prior to settling at Henlow three years ago. He was a fine all round athlete, having excelled in running, swimming, and other sports, for which he held several trophies. He was also the popular captain of the Henlow Football Club last season, for which he did splendid work. Much sympathy is felt for his widowed mother, whose main support and devoted companion he had been since his return from India." Biggleswade Chronicle, 11th December 1914. 9546 Private William Flack Brandram was a reservist, and was posted to the 2nd Life Guards at Ludgershall shortly before the regiment departed for the front. Brandram was killed near Zandvoorde. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and on the war memorial at Henlow.

                                Another of the missing was 3DG/5500 Private Bertie John Jones, a reservist from the 3rd (Prince of Wales’s) Dragoon Guards who was attached to the 2nd Life Guards. Bertie had been reported as missing following the action during which the trenches held by 7th Cavalry Brigade near Zandvoorde were overwhelmed by a German attack on 30 October 1914. His fate was uncertain for over a year, but notification that his death had been presumed was issued by the War Office on 4 March 1916, and a report regarding this news was printed in The Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder on 18 March 1916: "The War Office has now intimated to the family of Trooper Bert J. Jones, of the 3rd Dragoon Guards (attached on outbreak of war to the 2nd Life Guards), of Dynevor-road, Skewen, that he is presumed to have been killed in action on 30th October, 1914. At that time he was reported as missing, but throughout the months no trace of him could be found. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Dan Jones, the father being well-known as the veteran Skewen postman, while the soldier himself was one of the Neath borough postmen. He resided at Skewen with his wife and three children." Bertie had attested for the Corps of Dragoons of the Line at Cardiff on 5 November 1902. Born at Llanwit, near Neath, Bertie was aged 18 years and two months and employed as a shop assistant at the time of his enlistment. Jones was initially posted to the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), but was drafted to the 3rd Dragoon Guards on 1 September 1904. He transferred to the Class B Army Reserve on 2 November 1905 while stationed at Ballincollig and extended his engagement on 7 July 1914. He reported to No. 6 (Scottish) Cavalry Depot on 5 August 1914 on his mobilisation and was posted to the 3rd Reserve Regiment of Cavalry on 16 August, before being sent to join the 2nd Life Guards at Ludgershall on 30 August. Bertie Jones has no known grave, his name recorded with soldiers of the 3rd Dragoon Guards on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres. His medals, memorial plaque and scroll, and the clasp for the 1914 Star were forwarded to his widow, Florence, who lived with her children at Pleasant View Villa, on Penywern Road in Neath. She had been awarded a pension of 20/6d a week with effect from 4th of October 1915, while her husband was still listed as missing.

                                2782 Trooper Frederick Charles Keene, who served with the 2nd Life Guards, was also reported as missing following the fighting at Zandvoorde on 30th October 1914. His death was not finally presumed for over a year, as reported in The Essex County Chronicle on 11th of February 1916: "Mr and Mrs Keene, of 94 Faircross Avenue, Barking, have been officially informed that their son, Trooper Frederick C. Keene, of the 2nd Life Guards, whom they last heard from on October 28, 1914, must be regarded as having been killed in action on October 30, 1914. The deceased, who was only 21, was one of four brothers on active service, one being now in England with seven wounds, while the other two are in France and the Persian Gulf respectively." Frederick Keene, who had been born at Surat in India, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

                                2nd Life Guards War Diary


                                30th Oct 1914 4th Divison under pressure  On the 30th of October 1914 the German forces launched an attack on the line from from le Gheer to the river Douve in the souther Ypres Sector. The British 4th Division extended its line from St. Yves to Messines, now covering a front of 12 miles. At St. Yves, German Infantry broke through, but the advance was halted by a counter attack by the 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry under the command of Major C B Prowse. (Prowse Point Cemetery which was later built on the site, was named after him.)

                                30th October 1914 Retreat and regrouping  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                1 mile north west of Wytschaete with 5th Cavalry Brigade. Started at 0500 in action as before and engaged by very strong attack. Two guns gave out (springs and pistons) leaving only two, eventually fell back to new line from Wytschete to near St Eloi giving up Oosttaverne. Took up position till dark with remaining two guns midway between old and new positions when fell back to near chateau below wind mill ridge at Wytschaete where guns in action all night. Fired a great deal. (One gun repaired so three in action after dark.) Over 700 rounds fired during day.

                                war diaries


                                31st Oct 1914 On the move  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment moved from Northampton to work on the East Coast Defensive System where trenches were dug and when finished they were equipped with shelters, barbed wire and machine-guns. At this time the threat of an invasion was considered to be real enough and the tedium of routine work was relieved by rumours of bombardments and attempted landings. At this time the British Army in France was fighting against heavy odds, the advance of the German Army appeared to be only temporarily checked. This situation gave rise to great anxiety for all. So when orders were received that the Battalion were to return to Northampton to refit for service in India, the prospect of serving in India was not very well received.

                                31st Oct 1914 Germans attack Geluveld  On the 31st October the Germans made an attack from the east along the Menin Road and captured the area around Geluveld Chateau. Just after mid day the Chateau was struck by a shell causing serious causalties. With the British line close to breaking the remaining 500 men of 2nd Worcesters in reserve at the Western edge of Polygon Wood, were ordered to counter attack. With one company guarding the Menin Road to the north of Geluveld village, against German advance towards Ypres, the remainder prepared to attack. At 1400 with bayonets foxed they filed to Black Watch Corner at the south west edge of Polygon Wood. They made a bayonet charge into the Chateau grounds to reinforce the remnants of the 1st South Wales Borderers had earlier recaptured the Chateau.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                31st Oct 1914 Hooge Chateau shelled  Hooge Chateau was shelled killing several staff officers of Major General Monro's Divisional Head Quarters and wounding others, including Gen. Monro

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                31st Oct 1914 Hospital ship grounded  

                                HMHS Rohilla

                                Sailing south through the North Sea, at around 0400 on 30 October 1914 the Rohilla struck Whitby Rock, a reef at Saltwick east of Whitby. At the time there was a fierce gale and due to wartime blackout conditions no landmarks were visible. Although the ship was only 600 metres from shore, the treacherous conditions of the high seas and storm force winds made rescue difficult.

                                Rockets with ropes attached were fired from the cliffs, but all missed. The Rohilla had no rockets of her own. Due to the weather conditions Whitby's lifeboat could not be launched from the harbour, so it was carried by hand over an eight-foot seawall and across rocks so that it could be launched from the foreshore nearest the ship. The five women aboard the ship were the first to be rescued. Seventeen survivors were taken during the lifeboat's first run, and another eighteen were rescued on its second; however, the lifeboat itself was too badly damaged to continue the rescue.

                                Six Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats (Bradford, John Fielden, Queensbury, Robert and Mary Ellis, William Riley of Birmingham and Leamington and the Henry Vernon) carried out a rescue operation lasting fifty hours, saving many of the 229 people on board, but 85 lives were lost in the disaster. Amongst those rescued from Rohilla was Mary Kezia Roberts, who had survived the sinking of RMS Titanic just two years earlier in 1912.

                                The Empire Gallantry Medal (later changed to the George Cross) was awarded to Major Burton of the Tynemouth lifeboat Henry Vernon for his role in the rescue.

                                The Gold Medal of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the highest honour the institute could award, was presented to Coxswain Thomas Langlands and Coxswain Robert Smith. The Silver Medal, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s second highest award, was bestowed on Second Coxswain Richard Eglon, Second Coxswain James’ Brownlee, Lieutenant Bazil Hall RN, and George Peart, who also received £10.

                                Lloyds Agent, Captain John Milburn, received a letter of thanks and a pair of binoculars. Whitby Police received £10 from the R.N.L.I. and £25 from the owners of the Rohilla. The crews of the lifeboat John Fielden and Henry Vernon got additional cash payments. Captain Neilson was awarded the Bronze Medal of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for his efforts in the rescue of the ship's cat.

                                Rescue Attempts - another account.

                                Whitby’s tale of courage and endurance took place on 30 October 1914 as the HMHS Rohilla (a naval hospital ship), travelling to Dunkirk to pick up the wounded, struck Whitby Rock. Although only meters from shore, the high seas and storm force winds made any rescue difficult. Whitby's RNLI lifeboat was carried by hand over a seawall to be launched from the beach. Eventually six lifeboats battled the sea to reach the ship, fill up with desperate passengers and return them to the shore.

                                The unrelenting courage of the volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews and the community of Whitby, who worked for over 50 hours, saved 144 lives.

                                Three Gold* and four Silver RNLI Medals for Gallantry, the Empire Gallantry Medal and the Bronze Medal of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were awarded to Whitby and Tynemouth RNLI volunteers, and to others, involved in the rescue. (*The Gold RNLI medal is often referred to as the lifeboat crew VC).

                                John Doran


                                31st October 1914 Continued withdrawals  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Near Wytschaete with 5th Cavalry Brigade. Very heavy attack all day especially on Brigade Cavalry. Fired about 300 rounds from 3 guns till dark when left guns in action team carriages being about 1 mile in North West. Heavy attacks continued after dark and our lines eventually broken in front of guns which were withdrawn under heavy rifle fire about midnight to Groote Vierstraat where went into action in observation. Guns fired till withdrawn on known points and roads. Enemy's infantry were within 500 yards of guns before they were ordered to retire.

                                war diaries


                                31st Oct 1914 2 Life Guards moved into woods near Verbranden-Molen  At 6.30 am the 2nd Life Guards moved into the woods just south of Verbranden-Molen whence it moved later with the remainder of the Brigade into another position of readiness (in its role as a mobile Reserve) in the woods 1/2 mile North East of the E of Hooge. Thence the Regiment and Brigade moved to St Eloi in readiness to support the situation in this vicinity but not being required the Brigade returned to the woods about Verbranden-Molen and billeted finally in the village.

                                War Diary


                                20th Oct 1914 17th Brigade in action  The 17th Brigade began to march eastward and fought the Germans back almost as far as the city of Lille, the 1st North Staffs leading and going by Strazeele, Merris, and the small village of Nord Helf and fighting the encounter battle at Outtersteene. Still as the advance guard, the North Staffs moved forward on Steenwerke and Nooteboom. From Chapel d' Armentieres the 1st North Staffs moved forward up to Wez-Marquart. Early on October 20th. 1914 the nearby 2nd. Leinsters were heavily attacked and the Germans broke through. Then the North Staffs counter-attacked to hold and repulse the enemy, to the west of Premesques and the road junction at La Bleu. As a result of this battle the North Staffs thereafter would use a marching song: - " we beat you on the Marne, we beat you on the Aisne, we drove you back at Armentears and here we are again " On October 28th.1914 they were ordered to take over the trenches at Rue du Bois.

                                Nov 1914 8th Yorks & Lancs to Aldershot  The 8th Yorks and Lancs leave Frensham and move to Aldershot in November 1914.

                                1st Nov 1914 10th Leicesters formed  The 10th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment was formed at Fort Nelson, near Portsmouth.

                                1st November 1914 Pioneering Work  

                                Typical Trench System Layout (Not to scale)

                                16th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers)'

                                Reader guidance note:There are entries on 2,3,4,5 and 6th November 1914.

                                Trench Warfare in WW1. After the initial assault by Germany was finally halted, the remainder of the war was fought from entrenched positions on both sides. Basically the two Front Line trenches faced each other from varying distances. They were not in straight lines as firing along the trench by the enemy would have had catastrophic consequences, rather in zigzag formations making a continuous line to adjoining defences - either a physical barrier or a neighbouring military unit. So for years the trench positions continuously changed hands as battles were won or lost. In particularly bad weather this led to virtual seas of mud in what was termed "No Man’s Land" from the combination of weather and artillery shells.

                                Behind the Front Line trench were supporting trenches similarly fashioned and linked by communication trenches. Dugouts to provide safe shelter were provided in strategic areas together with strong points such as machine gun and mortar emplacements.

                                Trenches were further protected by Wiring in front. This was basically lines of barbed wire to hold back attacking forces.

                                Trenches were initially dug to existing old military manuals, but from early experience were found to be too shallow and too narrow for the rapid movement of supplies and equipment, so a lot of work would be needed in widening and deepening the earlier trenches.

                                Other trench works included: Revetment, which is lining the sides of a trench with padding materials ( to help protect from back-blast from exploding shells) which could be sandbags, timber or earthworks and in some cases concrete. This also included firing steps and duckboards to facilitate drainage.

                                Dugouts as the name suggest are deep enclosures providing some degree of safety during bombardments.

                                Saps, these were smaller trenches dug from the Front Line towards the enemy’s front lines. They were used as listening posts or for locating a machine gun or mortar and could also provide a jumping off point for an attack.

                                Other Structures: Craters and Camouflet - Another tactic employed was the use of explosives underground to either blow up the enemy trench positions themselves (mines) or disturb ground in no-man’s land exposing craters which could be connected up to their own front line, bringing them closer to the enemy’s front line. Sometimes the explosion would result in an underground cavern (called a Camouflet) which could be worked on under cover from enemy observation and often an initial start to Sapping itself as the surface could be quickly collapsed leaving the Sap ready for use.

                                Screening - This was simply erecting simple screens alongside roads and other locations which needed to be kept out of sight from the enemy, usually when the enemy occupied higher ground overlooking support and communication rear areas. This was to minimise observation opportunities for snipers or artillery observers.

                                Pioneer support work in attack or defence: During an offensive operation the Pioneers would have to turn around the firing positions in captured trenches provided the gains were held. They would also have to join up their former front line with the captured trenches by new communication trenches often using their own saps as starting points closer to the former enemy trenches.

                                The reverse was also true and if their lines were overrun they would have prepared previous positions for troops to fall back on and if given sufficient time try to render the lost trenches virtually useless to the enemy.

                                Road works. Naturally a huge logistic problem was supply of Ammunition, rations and equipment which had to be got to the Front Line troop positions. Roads had to be drained in bad weather, repaired when damaged by explosives, flooding and heavy traffic.

                                Railways. Main line railways were vital to forward movement of bulk material, equipment, men and animals over longer distances. However there were also some light, narrow gauge - systems and trench railways. Equipment would be transported by main line railway to large depots from which it would be forwarded by road or smaller gauge light railways closer to the front. It would then be brought through the communication trenches manually or using the trench tramways to the front itself. The trench railways or tramways involved hauling trolleys through communication trenches to keep the front lines supplied and remove salvage and waste materials on return journeys. They were operated by a party of 6 to 8 men per trolley. It was also used to return casualties to rear areas for treatment. This was the main reason for the extensive programme of trench widening and deepening so that men and trolleys could move freely on tracks out of sight from the enemy though still in danger from enemy artillery if targeted.

                                Doran Family


                                1st Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards South of Hooge  The 2nd Life Guards first moved into the wood 1/2 mile South of Hooge being slightly shelled but no casualties. About 3 pm the Regiment was dispatched to Zwarteten where it was dismounted. D squadron and machine guns were sent forward on left of 2 sqdns of Royal Dragoons in support of the Irish Guards where line had been very severely shelled. Trenches were occupied on the south edge of the wood until about 9.30 pm when these were again taken over by the Irish Guards who had been reformed. Finally the Regiment returned to bivouac in a field to the immediate south of Hooge by 1.30 am. Casualties; 3 men killed, 2 wounded, 2 horses killed, 1 wounded

                                War Diary


                                Nov 1914 4th Northumberlands in Blyth  By November 1914, the territorials of the 4th Battalion, Northumbland Fusiliers had been divided into two, the 1/4th and the 2/4th (Reserve) Battalions, both were billeted in Blyth. The 1/4th training for deployment overseas, the 2/4th engaged in home defence and the training of new recruits who would transfer to the 1/4th for deployment.

                                1st Nov 1914 HMS Monmouth lost with all hands  HMS Monmouth was sunk by gunfire on 1st November 1914 by the German armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and SMS Gneisenau off the Chilean Coast during the Battle of Coronel, the entire crew was lost. In October 1914 Admiral Cradock had learnt that Admiral von Spee, at the head of a squadron of five modern cruisers, was planning to leave the Pacific for the South Atlantic. Cradock decided to move into the Pacific in an attempt to prevent this. At Coronel (1 November 1914) Cradock was effectively ambushed by von Spee’s squadron. The Monmouth’s 6in guns were outranged by the 8.2in guns carried on von Spee’s best ships, the Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau. The Monmouth was lost with all hands without being able to inflict any damage on the German ships.

                                1st November 1914 Battle of Coronel  The naval Battle of Coronel took place on 1 November 1914 off the coast of central Chile near the city of Coronel. German Kaiserliche Marine forces led by Vice-Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee met and defeated a Royal Navy squadron commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock. The engagement probably took place as a result of a series of misunderstandings. Neither admiral expected to meet the other in full force. Once the two met, Cradock understood his orders were to fight to the end, despite the odds being heavily against him. Although Spee had an easy victory, destroying two enemy armoured cruisers for just three men injured, the engagement also cost him half his supply of ammunition, which was impossible to replace. Shock at the British losses led to an immediate reaction and the sending of more ships which in turn destroyed Spee and the majority of his squadron at the Battle of the Falkland Islands.

                                The Royal Navy, along with Allied navies in the far east, had captured the German colonies of Kaiser-Wilhelmsland, Yap, Nauru and Samoa early in the war. Vice-Admiral Maximilian von Spee's German East Asia Squadron had abandoned its base at Tsingtao in China once Japan entered the war on Britain's side. Eventually, the British Admiralty concentrated the search in the western Pacific after Spee's squadron bombarded Papeete. On the 5th October an intercepted radio communication revealed Spee's plan to attack shipping along the west coast of South America. Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock's South Atlantic Squadron (HMS Good Hope (Cradock's flagship), HMS Monmouth, HMS Glasgow, three other light cruisers, a converted liner,HMS Otranto and two other armed merchantmen) were patrolling the area. Cradock's force was also to have been reinforced by the more powerful armoured cruiser HMS Defence, but the old pre-dreadnought battleship HMS Canopus was ordered to join him instead. The last-minute change left the British squadron with either obsolete or under-armed vessels, all crewed by inexperienced naval reservists. Monmouth and the Good Hope had a large number of 6-inch guns but only the Good Hope was equipped with two heavier 9.2-inch guns mounted in single turrets. In contrast, von Spee had five modern vessels (the armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the light cruisers SMS Dresden, Leipzig and Nürnberg), all led by officers handpicked by Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz himself. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were armed with eight 8.2 in guns each, which gave them an overwhelming advantage in range and firepower. This advantage was further compounded as the crews of both ships had earned accolades for their gunnery skill prior to the war. Cradock's orders were to "be prepared to meet them " with no effort made to clarify what action Cradock was expected to take, should he find von Spee. On receiving his orders, Cradock asked the Admiralty for permission to split his fleet into two forces to operate on the east and west coasts of South America. This was to stop von Spee slipping past Cradock and moving into the Atlantic. The Admiralty agreed and the east coast squadron, consisting of three cruisers and two armed merchantmen, was formed under Rear-Admiral A. P. Stoddart. The remaining vessels formed Cradock’s west coast squadron which was reinforced by HMS Canopus which finally arrived on 18 October. She was only able to manage a top speed of 14 mph which was just over half that of the remainder of the squadron. The Admiralty recognised that her slow speed meant the fleet would not be fast enough to force an engagement and also that without the Canopus the fleet stood no chance against von Spee. Cradock was told to use Canopus as security for the cruisers and maintain contact with von Spee while avoiding any risky engagements.The Chief of the Admiralty War Staff, Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee,requested additional ships be sent to reinforce Cradock, but this was vetoed (by First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill and First Sea Lord of the Admiralty, Prince Louis of Battenberg) on the grounds that Canopus was "sufficient reinforcement".

                                Opening gambit

                                On 22 October, Cradock cabled the Admiralty of his intentions to round Cape Horn leaving Canopus behind to escort his colliers. Admiral John Fisher replaced Battenberg as First Sea Lord on 27 October and Fisher immediately ordered Cradock not to engage von Spee without Canopus. He then ordered HMS Defence to reinforce Cradock. The previous week Cradock had sent Glasgow to Montevideo to pick up any messages from the Admiralty. Von Spee, having learned of the presence of Glasgow sailed south from Valparaíso with all five warships with the intention of destroying her. Glasgow, however, intercepted radio traffic from one of the German cruisers and informed Cradock who turned his fleet north to intercept the cruiser. On 31 October, his squadron adopted an attacking formation. Both sides expected a single ship until they sighted each other at 1640 on 1 November.

                                Battle

                                On 31 October, Glasgow entered Coronel harbour to collect messages and news from the British consul. One of Spee's supply ships, Göttingen, was also in the harbour and immediately radioed with the news of the British ship entering harbour. Glasgow was also listening to radio traffic, which suggested that German warships were close. Further confusion was caused as the German ships were all using the same call sign, that of Leipzig. Spee decided to move his ships to Coronel, to trap Glasgow, while Admiral Cradock turned north to catch Leipzig. Neither side realised the other's main force was nearby. At 0915 on 1 November, Glasgow left port to meet Cradock at noon, 40 miles west of Coronel. The seas were stormy so that it was impossible to send a boat between the ships to deliver the messages, which had to be transferred on a line floated in the sea. At 1350, the ships formed into a line of battle 15 miles apart and started to steam north at 10 knots searching for Leipzig. At 1617, Leipzig, accompanied by the other German ships, spotted smoke from the British ships. Von Spee ordered full speed so that Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Leipzig were approaching the British at 20 knots, with the slower light cruisers Dresden and Nürnberg some way behind. At 1620, Glasgow and Otranto saw smoke to the north, and then three ships at a range of 12 miles. The British changed direction, so that both fleets were heading south. A chase began which lasted 90 minutes. Cradock was faced with a choice, either to take his three cruisers capable of 20 knots, abandon Otranto and run from the Germans, or stay and fight with Otranto which could only manage 16 knots. The German ships slowed at a range of 15,000 yd (13,720 m) to position themselves where the setting sun would outline the British Ships. At 1710, Cradock decided he must fight, and drew his ships closer together. He changed course to the south-east and attempted to close upon the German ships while the sun remained high. Von Spee declined to engage and turned his faster ships away, maintaining the distance between the forces which sailed roughly parallel at a distance of 14,000 yd (12,800 m). At 1818, Cradock again attempted to close, steering directly towards the enemy, which once again turned away to a greater range of 18,000 yd (16,460 m). At 1850, the sun set, so Spee closed to 12,000 yd (10,970 m) and commenced firing.

                                The German ships had sixteen 8.2 in (208 mm) guns of comparable range to the two 9.2 in (234 mm) guns on Good Hope and one of these was hit within five minutes of the engagement starting. Of the remaining 6 in (152 mm) guns on the British ships, most were in casemates along the sides of the ships, which continually flooded if the gun doors were opened to fire in heavy seas. The merchant cruiser Otranto, having only 4 in (100 mm) guns and being a much larger target than the other ships, retired west at full speed. With the British 6-inch guns having insufficient range to match the German 8-inch guns, Cradock attempted to close on the German ships. By 1930, he had reached 6,000 yd (5,490 m), but as he closed the German fire became correspondingly more accurate. Both Good Hope and Monmouth were on fire, presenting easy targets to the German gunners now that darkness had fallen, whereas the German ships had disappeared into the dark. Monmouth was first to be silenced. Good Hope continued firing, still trying to close on the German ships and receiving more and more fire. By 1950, she had also ceased firing; subsequently her forward section exploded, then she broke apart and sank with no one actually witnessing the sinking. Scharnhorst switched her fire towards Monmouth, while Gneisenau joined Leipzig and Dresden which had been engaging Glasgow. The German light cruisers had only 4.1 in (104 mm) guns, which had left Glasgow relatively unscathed, but these were now joined by the 8.2-inch guns of Gneisenau. John Luce, captain of Glasgow, concluded that nothing was to be gained by staying and attempting to fight. It was noticed that each time he fired, the flash of his guns was used by the Germans to aim a new salvo, so he also ceased firing. One compartment of the ship was flooded, but she could still manage 24 knots. He returned first to Monmouth, which was now dark but still afloat. Nothing could be done for the ship, which was sinking slowly but would attempt to beach on the Chilean coast. Glasgow turned south and departed. There was some confusion amongst the German ships as to the fate of the two armoured cruisers, which had disappeared into the dark once they ceased firing and a hunt began. Leipzig saw something burning, but on approaching found only wreckage. Nürnberg, slower than the other German ships, arrived late at the battle and sighted Monmouth, listing and badly damaged but still moving. After pointedly directing his searchlights at the ship's ensign, an invitation to surrender, which was declined, he opened fire, finally sinking the ship. Without firm information, von Spee decided that Good Hope had escaped and called off the search at 2215. Mindful of the reports that a British battleship was around somewhere, he turned north. With no survivors from either Good Hope or Monmouth, 1,600 British officers and men were dead with Cradock among them. Glasgow and Otranto both escaped, (the former suffering five hits and five wounded men). Just two shells had struck Scharnhorst, neither of which exploded: one 6-inch shell hit above the armour belt and penetrated to a storeroom where, in von Spee's words, "the creature just lay there as a kind of greeting." Another struck a funnel. In return, Scharnhorst had managed at least 35 hits on Good Hope, but at the expense of 422 8.2-inch shells, leaving her with 350. Four shells had struck Gneisenau, one of which nearly flooded the officers' wardroom. A shell from Glasgow struck her after turret and temporarily knocked it out. Three of Gneisenau's men were wounded; she expended 244 of her shells and had 528 left.

                                Aftermath

                                Von Spee commented afterward on the British tactics. He had been misinformed that the battleship Canopus sighted in the area was a relatively modern Queen-class ship, whereas it was a similar looking, old and barely seaworthy Canopus-class battleship, but nonetheless had four 12-inch guns and ten 6-inch guns. Von Spee believed he would have lost the engagement had all the British ships been together. Despite his victory he was pessimistic of the real harm done to the British navy and also of his own chances of survival. Cradock had been less convinced of the value of Canopus, being too slow at 12 knots to allow his other ships freedom of movement and manned only by inexperienced reservists. The official explanation of the defeat as presented to the House of Commons by Winston Churchill stated: "feeling he could not bring the enemy immediately to action as long as he kept with Canopus, he decided to attack them with his fast ships alone, in the belief that even if he himself were destroyed... he would inflict damage on them which ...would lead to their certain subsequent destruction." On 3 November, Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Nürnberg entered Valparaiso harbour and were welcomed as heroes by the German population. Von Spee refused to join in the celebrations: presented with a bunch of flowers he commented, "these will do nicely for my grave". He was to die with most of the men on his ships approximately one month later at the Battle of the Falkland Islands, on 8 December 1914.

                                John Doran


                                1st November 1914 Relief by French forces  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade about 1 mile southwest of Dickebusch. At 0530 Lt Maxwell's section (1 gun) went back to assist in retaking the Wind Mill Ridge at Wytschaete which was brilliantly done by the 12th Lancers. Section in action in firing line. French reinforcements coming up, the 5th Cavalry Brigade was withdrawn to Kemmel. Bivouaced at 1830 one mile SW of Dickebusch - the French taking over our part of the line.

                                war diaries


                                Nov 1914 3rd Monmouths to defend East Coast  The 3rd Monmouths left Northampton in November moved to work on the East Coast Defensive System where trenches were dug and when finished they were equipped with shelters, barbed wire and machine -guns. At this time the threat of an invasion was considered to be real enough and the tedium of routine work was relieved by rumours of bombardments and attempted landings. At this time the British Army in France was fighting against heavy odds, the advance of the German Army appeared to be only temporarily checked. This situation gave rise to great anxiety for all. So when orders were received that the Battalion were to return to Northampton to refit for service in India, the prospect of serving in India was not very well received. The Indian equipment soon arrived for the Battalion but to everyone's relief the orders for India were countermanded. As the arrangements were not completed for sending the Battalion anywhere overseas they were to return to the East Coast and continue working on the defence line in Suffolk . The Battalion stayed here until January 1915.

                                A vast amount of work was achieved while on the East Coast, miles of trenches dug, wire entanglements and shelters put in place and all in unfavourable weather conditions. The G.O.C.-in C. Central Force giving much praise to the Battalion for the accomplishment it had achieved issued a special order.

                                November 1914 New Unit  The origin of No. 26 Squadron was a group of South African officers who had learnt to fly before World War I and, following South Africa's decision to join the war against Germany, came in November 1914 to Farnborough to establish the South African Aviation Corps. They served in the brief German South-West African campaign, which was concluded in July 1915 when German South-West Africa surrendered to the South African forces. The South African Aviation Corps went to Capetown where it was disbanded.

                                2nd November 1914 Recruitment of 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles   

                                Brownlow House

                                A second call to arms was published in all County Down Newspapers on Saturday the 7th November 1914, exhorting all able bodied men wishing to enlist to go to their local railway stations on Monday 9th November, where they would be issued by local UVF Company Commanders with free rail tickets to Lurgan. On arrival in Lurgan, they should then report to Brownlow House for enlistment in the new volunteer Service Battalion. Initially called the Second County Down Battalion, it later took on its official title of the 16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers). The Battalion adopted the renowned "South Down Militia" as their marching song changing the words as follows:

                                • "You may talk about th’Irish Guards and Fusiliers of course
                                • You may talk of Inniskillings and the gallant Irish Horse
                                • Or of any other regiment under the King’s command
                                • But the 16th Irish Rifles are the Terrors of the Land."
                                From which derived their nickname as "The Terrors".

                                The Battalion strength was to be 1139 all ranks and it was to be a separate unit to support the three brigades in the 36th Ulster Division. This was indeed an early clue as to its specialist role as Pioneers. They were commanded by Major Leader who was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel prior to the move to France. He proved to be a very able leader of his battalion. It was to be organised on the lines of 4 companies of 230 all ranks each, a Headquarters unit of 79 all ranks and a Machine gun section of 35 all ranks. Headquarters could be split into three sections namely Operational Headquarters, Quartermasters and the Transport Section. An additional 50 was later added to Battalion establishment to bring overall strength target to about 1200.

                                Other key appointments were Sir William Allen, well known in Lurgan as a local Justice of the Peace and a highly placed member of the Orange Order, who was initially appointed as Adjutant and Second- in-Command of the Battalion. The Quartermaster was Honorary Lieutenant A. Forsyth, who had been a sergeant-major with the Antrim Artillery in Carrickfergus and was promoted for this position. Other Officers and senior NCOs were appointed as they became available including the author’s father - 2/Lt. WR White. With accommodation and equipment being prepared and assembled at Brownlow House, these and other early appointees were ready to equip and train the awaited recruits.

                                Recruitment., November 1914 to June 1915. Recruitment was slow and 250 men were transferred in December from Clandeboye Camp. A series of public meetings were held at which pressure was applied by speakers to encourage or indeed shame men into enlisting to help their compatriots at the Front. Uptake was still quite slow and by the end of January 1915, numbers were about 350 below strength. A series of marches throughout the county by a contingent of 150 officers and men during February helped boost the intake. Other measures were regular inspections by well-known public figures, to which the public were invited as spectators. Despite all these measures the battalion was still short of their 1200 all ranks target in mid-June, so 200 members of the Belfast Young Citizen Volunteers were transferred leaving a full strength of about 1200 prior to the move to England.

                                Training objectives/ The rigorous task of physical training began in Lurgan and the surrounding areas. A lot of this was in the form of route marches and competitive sports. It then progressed to tactical manoeuvres and mock assaults and defences. This brought the unit to battle readiness as fighting troops with the exception of musketry and machine gun training which because of the lack of live ammunition was to be carried out in England.

                                Doran Family


                                2nd Nov 1914 2 Life Guards move into wood just south of Hooge  At 5 am on the 2nd of Novemeber the 2nd Life Guards moved into south edge of wood just south of Hooge and remained there till about 3 pm when it was hurriedly sent for to be ready in support against a strong attack on Westhoek c/on 15 Menin-Ypres road about 2 miles from Ypres. From there Regt moved to a farm halfway between Zillebeke and Hooge.

                                War Diary


                                2nd Nov 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A7 Medic White Star Liner HMAT A7 Medic leaving Fremantle on the 2nd November 1914. From: The Western Mail, 20th November 1914, p. 25.

                                The HMAT A7 Medic weighed 12,032 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 26th October 1917. The Medic was well known by the Australian forces as it was a key troopship for Australia during the Boer War, some 14 years before this re-engagement.

                                John Doran


                                2nd Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons leave camp  On the 2nd of November squadrons left the Rest Camp at intervals of an hour and entrained at the dock station, Headquarters and ‘C’ Squadron being the first away at 8:00pm. The regiment reached Cassell about midnight on the 3rd.

                                History of the 3rd (Prince of Wales?s) Dragoon Guards 1914-1918? by Captain H P Holt


                                2nd Nov 1914   Minutes of the Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 2nd 1914

                                Present: Lord Durham, Lord Southampton, Major Tristram, Captain Lowe, Colonel R. Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, as amended. Parade state was given as 1065, and 24 officers.

                                It was decided to obtain some oil stoves for the purpose of turning two huts into temporary drying sheds for the men's clothes.

                                The tender of the Darlington Construction Company for the Range, according to Government plans, was accepted, at the price of £195.

                                Major Tristram was instructed to communicate to Mr Gradon our opinion that undoubtedly the drains of the ablution sheds should, as he suggests - be made of proper sanitary pipes, and not let into field drains.

                                Colonel Burdon was instructed to accelerate the carrying out of the drying room as far as possible.

                                It was decided not to line the roofs of the huts; and that an attempt should be made to find other premises for the Orderly Room, in order that the present Orderly Room might be turned into the Guard House.

                                Major Tristram was instructed to obtain 6 Sentry Boxes from the Contractor or elsewhere.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                3rd November 1914 Pioneering work - trenches  

                                Cross-section of trenches

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers Trenches were typically constructed to provide shelter for forward troops and fell into two general categories. Fire Trenches as the name suggests were trenches from which the enemy could be engaged in offensive or defensive actions (see cross section in diagram). Communication Trenches were the means by which men and equipment could move in relative safety to and from the Forward (Fire) Trenches.(see cross section in diagram).

                                Doran Family


                                3rd Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards endure shelling  At a farm halfway between Zillebeke and Hooge the 2nd Life Guards were heavily shelled about 1 am. Two horses were killed and two wounded. Men led the horses away to a flank on to a soft plough. At 6 am the Regt was moved again into the wood south of Hooge in a position of readiness. Nothing of incident occurred on this day. At dusk the Regiment moved into billet in a farm half a mile north west of Verbranden-Molen.

                                3rd November 1914 Yarmouth Raid - 3rd Nov 1914   The Raid on Yarmouth, which took place on 3 November 1914, was an attack by the German Navy on the British North Sea port and town of Great Yarmouth. Little damage was done to the town since shells only landed on the beach after German ships laying mines offshore were interrupted by British destroyers. One British submarine was sunk by a mine as it attempted to leave harbour and attack the German ships. One German armoured cruiser was sunk after striking two German mines outside its own home port.

                                Prelude

                                In October 1914, the German Navy was seeking ways to attack the British fleet. The Royal Navy had more ships than Germany, so it was felt inadvisable to enter into any direct fleet to fleet engagement. Instead, the Germans sought ways to attack British ships individually or in small groups. The Kaiser had given orders that no major fleet action was to take place, but small groups of ships might still take part in raids. The raids had several objectives. One was to lay mines which later might sink passing British ships. Another was to pick off any small ships encountered, or to entice larger groups into giving chase and lead them back to where the German High Seas Fleet would be waiting in relatively safe waters near to Germany. A further consideration was that raiding British coastal towns might force the British to alter the disposition of its ships to protect those towns. The British had resolved to keep the greater part of the Grand Fleet together, so it would always have superiority in numbers whenever it engaged the enemy. Germany hoped to make Britain split more ships from the main fleet for coastal defence thus giving Germany more opportunities to catch isolated ships. The Yarmouth raid was carried out by a German battlecruiser squadron commanded by Admiral Franz von Hipper with three battlecruisers (SMS Seydlitz, Von der Tann and Moltke), the slightly smaller armoured cruiser SMS Blücher and the light cruisers SMS Strassburg, Graudenz, Kolberg and Stralsund. On this occasion, mines were to be laid off the coast of Yarmouth and Lowestoft, but the ships were also to shell Yarmouth.

                                Raid

                                At 1630 on 2 November 1914, the battlecruiser squadron left its home base on the Jade River. Two squadrons of German battleships followed them from harbour slightly later, to lie in wait for any ships which the battlecruisers might be able to entice to chase them back. By midnight, the squadron was sufficiently north to be passing fishing trawlers from various countries. By 0630 on 3 November, the patrol sighted a marker buoy at "Smith's Knoll Watch", allowing them to determine their exact position and close in to Yarmouth. Yarmouth coast was patrolled by the minesweeper HMS Halcyon and the old destroyers HMS Lively and Leopard. Halcyon spotted two cruisers, which she challenged. The response came in the form of shellfire, first small, then from larger calibre guns. Lively, some 2 miles behind, started to make smoke to hide the ships. German shooting was less accurate than it might have been because all the battlecruisers fired upon her at once, making it harder for each ship to tell where their own shells were landing and correct their aim. At 0740, Hipper ceased firing at Lively and instead directed some shells toward Yarmouth, which hit the beach. Once Stralsund had finished laying mines, the ships departed. Halcyon, out of immediate danger, radioed a warning of the presence of German ships. The destroyer HMS Success moved to join Halcyon while three more destroyers in harbour started to raise steam. The submarines HMS E10, D5 and D3, inside the harbour, moved out to join the chase, but D5 struck a newly laid mine and sank. At 0830, Halcyon returned to harbour and provided a report of what had happened. At 0955, Admiral Beatty was ordered south with a British battlecruiser squadron, with squadrons of the Grand Fleet following from Ireland. By then, Hipper was 50 miles away, heading home. German ships returning home waited overnight in Schillig Roads for fog to clear before returning to harbour. In the fog, the armoured cruiser SMS Yorck, which was traveling from the Jade Bay to Wilhelmshaven, went off course and hit two mines. A number of the crew survived by sitting on the wreck of the ship, which had sunk in shallow water, but at least 235 men were killed.

                                Aftermath

                                Admiral Hipper was awarded an Iron Cross for the success of the raid, but refused to wear it, feeling little had been accomplished. Although the results were not spectacular, German commanders were heartened by the ease with which Hipper had arrived and departed, with little resistance and were encouraged to try again. In part, the lack of reaction from the British had been due to news received that morning of a much more serious loss at the Battle of Coronel and the fact that Admiral Jellicoe, commander of the Grand Fleet, was on a train returning to his ships at the time of the raid Also, according to First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, the British could not believe there was nothing more to the raid than briefly shelling Yarmouth and were waiting for something else to happen.

                                Order of Battle

                                • Royal Navy
                                • HMS Halcyon, minesweeper, flagship
                                • HMS Lively, destroyer
                                • HMS Leopard, destroyer
                                • HMS Success, destroyer
                                • HMS E10, submarine
                                • HMS D5, submarine
                                • HMS D3, submarine
                                • German Navy
                                • SMS Seydlitz, battlecruiser, flagship
                                • SMS Von der Tann, battlecruiser
                                • SMS Moltke, battlecruiser
                                • SMS Blücher, armoured cruiser
                                • SMS Strassburg, light cruiser
                                • SMS Graudenz, light cruiser
                                • SMS Kolberg, light cruiser
                                • SMS Stralsund, light cruiser

                                John Doran


                                3rd November 1914 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 1000 and halted in reserve most of the day near Dranoutre when we were lent to 3rd Cavalry Brigade and went into action at 1930 near Lindenhoek but did not fire.

                                war diaries


                                4th November 1914 Pioneering work - trenches  

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneering Work in the Trenches. Trench Revetment or Revetting is basically the fitting out of the basic trench. The construction depends largely on the geology of the region and the type of ground encountered. Much depends on the surrounding water table levels. Where water is encountered close to the surface trenches can only be dug to a shallow depth and protection is enabled by building up earthworks, sandbags or even concrete parapets above ground level. This was the problem in Flanders (The Low Country Regions). In other areas trenches were mainly below ground level up to about 8 feet deep to allow men to walk about out of view from enemy snipers and artillery observers.

                                Communication trenches mainly required lining with sandbags, timber or concrete to protect against the back-blast from exploding shells.

                                Fire trenches were more complicated with fire steps needed to get men into firing positions in the event of an enemy attack or help get them out of the trench if they are attacking. The back of the trench was lined to minimise damage from explosives. In areas where water ingress was a problem upright timber inverted A-frames were used at intervals to lay duck-boarding leaving a void below the walkway to maintain relatively dry underfoot conditions for movement through the trenches. (see diagram for cross-sections of revetment work.)

                                Doran Family


                                4th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards encounter sprint bullets  The 2nd Life Guards War Diary for the 4th & 5th of November 1914 records: The same procedure occurred on the 4th and 5th, the only point to be noticed were the casualties from ‘sprint’ bullets in the wood by day from the direction of Klein-Zillebeke and in the farm above by night from the direction of a point S W of Verbranden-Molen. 1 man wounded 3 horses killed 2 wounded

                                War Diary


                                4th November 1914 Further standby  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 3rd Cavalry Brigade at Lindenhoek. In action all day near Lindenhoek but didn't fire. Guns of 5th Divisional Artillery in action and firing all day near battery so were not required. Guns in action again at night.

                                war diaries


                                4th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons march to Wittepoort Farm  After bivouacking near the station at Cassell, the 3rd Dragoons marched at 10am on the 4th by way of Poperinghe and Ypres to Wittepoort Farm, which was reached about 8:00pm.

                                History of the 3rd (Prince of Wales) Dragoon Guards 1914-1918 by Captain H P Holt


                                4th Nov 1914 Tyneside Irish at full strength  Recruiting Offices for the Tyneside Irish were being opened all across districts of the North East. When volunteers arrived at the office they were given a blue card signed by the recruiting officer to prove they had joined. Headquarters of the Tyneside Irish Battalion was at 10 Osborne Villas, Jesmond. Accomodation for the men of the 24th was Dunn's Buildings in Lower Friar Street, Newcastle and in The Town Hall, Newcastle. Later those in the Town Hall were moved to Raby Street School. By 2nd of November over 900 men had been recruited and by the 4th the Battalion was at full strength. The average age of these men were in their thirties. The first Regimental Sergeant Major was RSM P O'Toole. Drill practice was carried out on the Town Moore. They practiced for hours. At this time the men were still in civvies, looking like a ragamuffin bunch as most of recruits were from mining communities and the mines were virtualy at a standstill, miner's were only working a two to three day fortnight their boots and clothing were well worn and patched.

                                5th Nov 1914 VAD Hospital opens in Charlton Kings  The Abbotts VAD hospital, Cheltenham, opened in Moorend Park, Charlton Kings on the 5th of November 1914.

                                5th November 1914 Pioneering work - trenches  

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) - Trench Wiring Work. A vital tactic to deter enemy attacks was the positioning of rows of Barbed Wire around the top of the trenches. It was merely a small deterrent as it was vulnerable to artillery fire with batteries engaging in "Wire Cutting" either to disrupt enemy work or to clear a way through for assault purposes.

                                The amount of equipment needed presented many a challenge to the Pioneers particularly during attacks and modifications needed if the infantry managed to hold new forward positions, involving a thousand or more yards of wiring overnight in areas targeted by enemy artillery.

                                A typical 1000 yards of fencing needed:

                                • 400 long pickets
                                • 800 short pickets
                                • 180 coils of barbed wire (65 yards each)
                                • 40 coils of barbed wire (130 yards each)

                                This could be erected by a company of men in about an hour, but the time and effort to get it to the new position and laid out for installation is enormous. Pickets were screwed into the ground as the work had to be carried out in near silence at night so as not to alert the enemy.

                                Doran Family


                                5th Nov 1914 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers raised  22nd Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers is formed at Newcastle on the 5th of November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City.

                                5th Nov 1914 2nd West Yorks proceed to France  2nd West Yorks landed at Le Havre on the 5th of November 1914 as part of 23rd Brigade, 8th Division, forming up at Hursley Park near Winchester.

                                5th November 1914 Return to 5th Cavalry Brigade  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Same as before but fired a little and at 1730 were relieved and withdrawn to billets at St Jans Cappel which we reached at 2000.

                                war diaries


                                5th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons go into trenches  The weather was very cold and wet and the camp was shelled during the afternoon of the 5th, when three men were wounded. The 6th Cavalary Brigade which the 3rd Dragoon Guards had now joined, had been almost continuously in action since they landed in Belgium. They had suffered severely, the reinforcement therefore being very welcome. The regiment had not long to wait for their first action, as every man was needed in the line. At 5:30pm on the 5th they paraded dismounted, and marching through Hooge, took over the trenches on the eastern front of Herenthage Woods, south of Ypres-Menin road, at 10:00pm. ‘A’ Squadron was in the centre with a machine gun, ‘B’ squadron on the right and ‘C’ on the left with another machine gun. The trenches were very inadequate. Men had to climb over the top from one trench to another. Several were killed whilst so doing by snipers and shell fire.

                                History of the 3rd (Prince of Wales) Dragoon Guards 1914-1918 by Captain H P Holt


                                6th November 1914 Pioneering work - screening  

                                Pioneering - Screening Work

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) - Screening Work. As the title suggests the object of this work was to disrupt the enemy's line of vision if they occupied higher ground. This was very much the case in Flanders near Mount Kemmel and in preparation for the Battle of Messines Ridge.

                                From the Ridge the Germans had a commanding view of both Front and Rear Allied positions and it was essential to hide the meticulous build up for the Allied attack. So all roads and important locations had to have screens installed on the enemy side to conceal troop and equipment movements. Screens were made from light equipment, wooden poles and mainly hessian materials to a height sufficient to obscure the enemy's view of traffic on roads, movement in and out of buildings and movement of men and equipment in the assembly, communication and assault trenches.

                                Doran Family


                                6th Nov 1914 2/4th Berkshire Regiment raised.  The 2/4th Berkshire Regiment is formed at Reading.

                                6th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards placed in Reserve.  The 2nd Life Guards are placed in Reserve in the woods near the 4th Guards Brigade HQ. At about 3.30 pm the Brigade was urgently sent for and hurried towards Zillebeke to support the French on the right of the Guards Brigade who had been driven out of their trenches by a most determined attack. The Regiment was dismounted under fire close to the above mentioned village and was ordered to establish itself on the Klein Zillebeke ridge keeping touch with the 1st Life Guards on the right who were to hold the line on the right of the Guards Brigade. Maj. the Hon. H. Dawnay ordered the ‘B’ squadron to advance across the open and take the high ground in front. [Illegible] the ‘D’ squadron was sent across the Zillebeke to Zwarteten road to [illegible] the right flank by moving parallel to the railway. C troop and machine guns were kept in reserve ready to support B squadron. This latter squadron succeeded in reaching the edge of the wood on the ridge after [illegible] fighting owing to the [illegible] bring in [illegible] of [illegible] horses. Almost at once the right flank of the Squadron B became exposed to an enfilade fire which caused Maj. Dawnay to order the squadron to fall back slowly by troops. This order was shortly afterwards countermanded owing to French reinforcements appearing. The squadron was then ordered to fix bayonets and charge the wood which the C troop was taken by the CO to fill the gap which had occurred in between the two squadrons. This troop attacked the village of Zwarteten using the bayonet with great effect and taking a certain number of prisoners. B Squadron meanwhile drove back the enemy several hundred yards and occupied a ditch 200 yards from their position. Owing to the trench infantry again falling back B Sqdn and the Blues were ordered by the Brigadier to move across the Zwarteten to Verbranden-Molen road and support the C troop which was occupying a single ridge South East of the hamlet. The fighting in this vicinity became very involved owing to the somewhat precipitate retreat of the French and in consequence severe casualties were incurred. Part of the ground gained including a portion of Zwarteten was lost. The situation which was becoming somewhat critical was restored by the action of 22nd Infantry Brigade which took over the trenches held by the Bde. During these operations D Squadron did not fall back but retained their ground till relieved by the 60th Rifles. The confusion that occurred at one period apart from the aforementioned reason may be attributed to the very severe casualties amongst the officers, 17 in the Bde, Lord Cavan commanding 4th Guards Brigade reported that the Brigade had behaved in a most gallant manner, and that its prompt and vigorous action had saved what threatened to be a most critical situation.

                                War Diary


                                6th Nov 1914 2nd Rifles proceed to France  2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade land at Le Havre as part of 25th Brigade, 8th Division.

                                16th Nov 1914 First uniforms arrived for men of Sheffield City Battalion  The first uniforms arrive for the men of the Sheffield City Battalion, not the expected field service khaki but a shade of blue-grey accompanied by a glengarry hat with red piping. A shortage of khaki dye, which pre-war had been supplied from Germany, is the reason for the issue of temporary blue uniforms for new recruits.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                6th November 1914 Rest day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                St. Jans Cappel. In billets all day - a much needed rest. Captain the Honourable HR Scarleti joined instead of Captain Craven wounded and sent home.

                                war diaries


                                6th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons under fire  At dawn on the 6th November there were several outbursts of rifle fire and the position was shelled at 9:10am. There was no protecting wire, the country was open with some woods and a few farms dotted about here and there. The Germans were entrenched about 150 yards from their front. Between 9 and 10:00am and again from noon to 2:00pm, there were heavy bombardments with renewed rifle fire. Enemy attacks were expected, so the right of the line was strengthened by two troops of the 1st Royal Dragoons with two machine guns at about 4:00pm. When one gun crew was wiped out by a shell Private Sharkey carried on till another shell hit him, refusing to have his wounds attended as every man was wanted at his post.

                                History of the 3rd (Prince of Wales?s) Dragoon Guards 1914-1918? by Captain H P Holt


                                7th November 1914 Poor conditions  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at Dranoutre. Started out at 1500 and went into reserve at 1630. Very crowded and dirty billets.

                                war diaries


                                7th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons relieved by 5th Fusiliers  At 2:00am on the 7th November the Regiment was relieved by the 5th Fusiliers, reaching it’s bivouac at 6:00am. The losses had been heavy in the first fight. This was largely due to the inadequate protection against shell fire. Captain Hodginson had been mortally wounded, dying the next day, and 20 NCOs and men were killed. Captain Kevill-Davies, Lieut. Talbot and 34 NCOs and men were wounded. The same evening the Brigade moved up to support Lord Cavan’s Brigade, bivouacking near Zillebeke. Lieut-Colonel Smith-Bingham took over temporary command of the brigade, as General Mackins had proceeded to Boulougne owing to illness.

                                History of the 3rd (Prince of Wales?s) Dragoon Guards 1914-1918? by Captain H P Holt


                                7th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards near Zillebeke.   2nd Life Guards are 1 mile west by south of Zillebeke. At 6 am The Brigade moved to a Position of Readiness under cover of a wood 1/2 mile north of Zwarteten to support the attack of the 3rd and 22nd Infantry Brigades if required. At 9 am the Brigade returned to billets 1 mile west by south of Zillebeke. At 3 pm the Brigade being transferred to other billets in an area 3 miles east by north of ypres astride the Ypres to Roulers Railway. 1 horse killed, 3 horses wounded

                                War Diary


                                8th Nov 1914 2nd Gloucesters arrive in England  2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment landed at Southampton at 9am on the 8th of November 1914 aboard HMT Arcadia having sailed from their pre war station of Ching-Wang-Tao in Northern China. Orignially bound for Sialkot in India, they had been diverted home to join the 81st Brigade, 27th Division. They entrained for Winchester then marched to Hursley Park.

                                8th Nov 1914 Quiet day for 2nd Life Guards   2nd Life Guards remained in billets, 8 miles east by north of Ypres. A very quiet day. A Divine Service was held in the afternoon. 4 R & F returned to hospital sick

                                War Diary


                                8th Nov 1914 First Church parade for Sheffield City Battalion  Sheffield City Battalion hold their first Church Parade in the city. Six hundred and fifty men marched from Edmound Road to St Mary's church accompanied by the Dannemora Steel Works Band who played a selection of military tunes including 'Boys of the Old Brigade'. The battalion marched back to the Drill hall in Edmund road via St Mary's Road, Hereford Street, The Moor, High Street and Commercial Street. At the drill hall, a union flag which had been draped over the altar in the church was presented to the Battalion by the MP Mr Samuel Roberts.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                8th November 1914 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at La Creche. Started at 1630 and marched to billets at La Creche to clear our area for French Troops. In billets at 1900

                                9th and 10th November in billets at La Creche all day.

                                war diaries


                                8th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons in support  At 5:00pm on the 8th November 250 men under Major Mason took over the support and reserve trenches about a mile south east of Zillebeke, but as their services were not necessary, they returned to camp at dawn next day.

                                History of the 3rd (Prince of Wales?s) Dragoon Guards 1914-1918? by Captain H P Holt


                                9th Nov 1914 Trench Raid by 39th Garhwal Rifles  A silent trench raid was undertaken in the front line in the sector of Givinchy to Fromelles, by the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 39th Garhwal Rifles, this was possibly the first trench raid of the war. Fifty men from each battalion were led by Major G H Taylor 2nd Btn. The objective was to destroy a German trench which was very close to the British line and considered a threat. The 2nd Btn took six prisoners and captured the trench, which was strongly built and deeper than expected. The 1st Btn came under heavy fire and suffered casualties with six were killed and seven wounded. The 2nd Btn suffered four casualties and suceeded in bringing their prisoners back, but were unable to put the enemy trench out of action.

                                9th Nov 1914 Gen Plumer inspects Sheffield City Battalion  General H. Plumer, GOC Northern Command inspected the Sheffield City Battalion and remarked on the rapid progress being made in training.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                9th November 1914 Battle of Cocos 1914  The Battle of Cocos was a single-ship action that occurred on 9 November 1914. The Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney responded to an attack on a communications station at Direction Island by the German light cruiser SMS Emden. After the retreat of the German East Asia Squadron from south-east Asia, Emden remained behind to function as a commerce raider. During a two-month period, the German cruiser captured or sank 25 civilian vessels, shelled Madras, and destroyed two Allied warships at Penang. In early November, Emden's commanding officer, Karl von Müller, decided to attack the communications station at Direction Island, in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, to hamper Allied communications and frustrate the search for his ship. Around the same time, the first convoy of Australian and New Zealand soldiers bound for Europe sailed from Albany, Western Australia, with Sydney, under the command of John Glossop, and three other warships escorting. During the night of 8,9 November, Emden reached the islands, and sent a shore party to disable the wireless and cable transmission station on Direction Island. The station was able to transmit a distress call before it was shut down; this was received by the nearby convoy, and Sydney was ordered to investigate. Sydney spotted the island and Emden at 0915, with both ships preparing for combat. The longer range of Emden's guns meant she was able to fire first, but the German ship was unable to inflict disabling damage to the Australian cruiser before Sydney closed into range and opened up with her more powerful main guns. At 1120, the heavily damaged Emden beached herself on North Keeling Island. The Australian warship broke to pursue Emden's supporting collier, which scuttled herself, then returned to North Keeling Island at 1600. At this point, Emden's battle ensign was still flying, usually a sign that a ship intends to continue fighting. After no response to instructions to lower the ensign, Glossop ordered two salvoes shot into the beached cruiser, after which the Germans lowered the flag and raised a white sheet. Sydney had orders to ascertain the status of the transmission station, but returned the next day to provide medical assistance to the Germans. Of the Emden's crew, 134 were killed and 69 wounded, compared to only 4 killed and 16 wounded aboard Sydney. The German survivors were taken aboard the Australian cruiser, which caught up to the troop convoy in Colombo on 15 November, then transported the prisoners to Malta and handed them over to the British Army. An additional 50 German personnel from the shore party, unable to be recovered before Sydney arrived, commandeered a schooner and escaped from Direction Island, eventually arriving in Constantinople.

                                Sydney was a Town class light cruiser, of the Chatham subclass. She had a standard displacement of 5,400 long tons. The cruiser was 456 feet 9.75 inches long overall and 430 feet long between perpendiculars, with a beam of 49 feet 10 inches and a draught of 19 feet 8 inches. A combined coal- and oil-fuelled boiler system allowed the ship to reach speeds over 25 knots. The cruiser's main armament consisted of eight BL 6-inch Mark XI guns in single mountings, firing 100-pound (45 kg) shells. Secondary and anti-aircraft armament consisted of a single 3-inch quick-firing high-angle anti-aircraft gun and ten 0.303-inch machine guns (eight Lewis guns and two Maxim guns). Two 21-inch torpedo tubes were fitted, with a payload of seven torpedoes carried.Two hydraulic-release depth charge chutes were carried for anti-submarine warfare. A single 12-pounder 8-cwt field gun and four 3-pounder Hotchkiss saluting guns rounded out the armament. Sydney was laid down by the London and Glasgow Engineering and Iron Shipbuilding Company at Glasgow, Scotland, on 11 February 1911. The ship was launched on 29 August 1912 by the wife of Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson. Sydney was completed on 26 June 1913, and commissioned into the RAN that day. At the time of the battle, Captain John Glossop was in charge of the ship.

                                SMS Emden (1906)

                                Emden was a Dresden-class cruiser. The ship had a displacement of 3,364 tons at normal load, was 118 metres long, had a beam of 13.4 metres and a draught of 5.3 metres. The light cruiser had a maximum speed of 24.5 knots. The ship was armed with ten 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK L/40 guns in single mountings and carried two torpedo tubes. Emden was built in Danzig by Kaiserliche Werft Danzig. The ship was laid down on 6 April 1906, launched on 26 May 1908 and commissioned on 10 July 1909. At the time of the battle, the cruiser was under the command of Karl von Müller.

                                Background and leadup

                                Prior to World War I, Emden was operating as part of the German East Asia Squadron. Shortly after the war began, the threat of the Australian battlecruiser HMAS Australia, plus the likelihood that Japan would join the Allies, prompted the German squadron to head into the Pacific Ocean as the first stage of a retreat to Germany. Unlike the rest of the force, Emden was ordered to head into the Indian Ocean and commence a raiding campaign, as she was the most modern vessel in the East Asia Squadron. Over the next two months, the German ship captured or sank 25 civilian vessels, shelled Madras, and destroyed the Russian protected cruiser Zhemchug and French destroyer Mousquet at Penang. During these two months, none of Emden's personnel were killed. At some point during the deployment, a fake fourth funnel was erected to disguise Emden as a British cruiser, specifically HMS Yarmouth. Military historian George Odgers described Emden's activities as "one of the most daring careers of maritime destruction in naval history". Aware of the increasing efforts to find his ship, von Müller selected the wireless station at Direction Island as his next target, with the hope that, in addition to hampering communications between Australia and the United Kingdom, disabling it would frustrate efforts to coordinate the search for Emden (which by this point included sixteen warships from five Allied nations), and direct them away from the Aden-India shipping route, which was where he intended Emden to operate next. In October 1914, Sydney and sister ship HMAS Melbourne were assigned to escort the first convoy of Australian and New Zealand soldiers heading for Egypt. Originally, the Japanese armoured cruiser Nisshin was to be part of the convoy force, but she ran aground on 12 October, and Sydney was assigned instead. The two cruisers sailed to Albany, Western Australia, where they met the 36-ship convoy and the other two escorts, British armoured cruiser HMS Minotaur and Japanese battlecruiser Ibuki. Sydney, Melbourne, Minotaur, and the 36 merchant ships departed from Albany on 1 November, heading for Colombo. Ibuki had diverted to Fremantle to collect another two transports, and caught up two days later. On 8 November, Minotaur left the convoy with orders to support operations against German South-West Africa, as the destruction of the South Atlantic Squadron at the Battle of Coronel left both the expedition and the Union of South Africa exposed to naval attack. After the cruiser's departure, Melbourne was assigned as lead ship of the convoy.

                                Wireless station capture

                                During the night of 8 November, Emden sailed to Direction Island. At 0530 on 9 November, lookouts at the Direction Island cable and wireless station spotted Emden sitting offshore. The station's director observed that the extra funnel was false, and when a steam pinnace was deployed to tow two boats (carrying a 50-strong landing party led by Emden's first officer, Hellmuth von Mücke) towards shore, he ordered the station to begin transmitting distress calls. Both wireless and cable transmissions were made. Emden was able to jam the wireless signal shortly after it began, while the cable distress call continued until an armed party burst into the transmission room. After taking control of the station and its 34 staff, German personnel smashed the transmitting equipment and severed two of the station's three undersea cables, plus a dummy cable. They also felled the main wireless mast; although taking care at the request of the staff to avoid damaging the station's tennis court, the mast landed on a cache of Scotch whisky. The station was placed under German martial law. The distress signal had been received by Melbourne around 0630, and although the cruiser initially turned to investigate, her commanding officer remembered his responsibility to the convoy, and instead ordered Sydney to detach. Emden heard Melbourne's wireless signal, and began to prepare for combat. A smoke signal was sent up by the ship to recall the landing party.

                                Combat

                                At 0915, Sydney spotted Direction Island and the attacking ship, although at the initial glance, those aboard the Australian cruiser could not determine if she was Emden or Königsberg, which was also believed to be at large. Confident of being faster than either ship, Sydney slowed and began preparing for combat. Emden sighted Sydney around the same time, but von Müller assumed that the Australian convoy was further south, and that the approaching warship was HMS Newcastle or another vessel of similar vintage. The appearance of an Allied cruiser forced Emden to make for open waters, abandoning the attack party despite their best efforts to catch up. Emden was the first to fire at 0940; the 30-degree elevation of her main guns allowed her to out-range Sydney. The Germans' third salvo struck Sydney from a range of 10,000 yards with one shell exploding in the Australian ship's gunnery control room. Von Müller recognised that his success in the battle required Emden to do as much damage as possible before the other ship retaliated, but despite the heavy rate of fire from the Germans over the next ten minutes (at points reaching a salvo every six seconds), the high angle of the guns and the narrow profile presented as Sydney closed meant that only fifteen shells hit the Australian warship; only five of these exploded. Damage was sustained to the Australian cruiser's forward range-finder and a mess deck inside the forecastle, while other shells ignited cordite charges stored ready next to one of the guns. Four sailors were killed, and another sixteen wounded; the only casualties aboard Sydney during the entire engagement. As Sydney closed to 9,500 yards, she commenced firing. This was hampered with the loss of the gunnery control room, with each mounting being targeted and fired locally. The first two salvoes missed, but two shells from the third struck. Having found the range, the RAN cruiser began firing for effect. While firing, Sydney closed to 5,500 yards and launched torpedoes, which missed. Heavy and accurate fire damaged or destroyed Emden's wireless equipment, steering gear, both rangefinders, and voicepipes to the turrets. The forward funnel collapsed overboard, then the foremast fell and crushed the fore-bridge. A shell from Sydney landed in the aft ammunition room of Emden, and the Germans had to flood it or risk a massive explosion. By this point, smoke from battle damage had begun to obstruct the ships' views of each other. The damage to Emden had severely compromised her ability to fire effectively and Glossop brought Sydney to about 5,500 yards. At this range a torpedo was fired at the German cruiser, then the Australian ship sped up and turned to starboard so one of the guns that had yet to fire could engage. Emden matched Sydney's turn, but by this point, the second funnel had been blasted off, and there was a fire in the engine room. In addition, about half of the cruiser's personnel had been killed or wounded and the abandoning of the attack party on Direction Island meant there were no reserves to replace them. By 1100, only one of Emden's guns was still firing. As the third funnel went overboard, Emden found herself closer to North Keeling Island, and von Müller ordered the ship to beach herself on North Keeling Island to hopefully prevent further loss of life. Emden ran aground at around 1120, at which point, Sydney ceased fire.

                                After Emden's beaching

                                Sydney then turned to pursue and capture Emden's supporting collier, Buresk. The cruiser caught up shortly after 1200 and fired a warning shot, but on closing with Buresk, Sydney found the collier had already commenced scuttling. Sydney recovered the boarding party and the crew from Buresk, fired four shells to hasten the collier's sinking, then once she had submerged, turned back towards North Keeling Island. The Australian cruiser reached Emden around 1600. The Germans' battle ensign was still flying, generally a sign that a ship intends to continue fighting. Sydney signalled "Do you surrender?" in international code by both lights and flag-hoist. The signal was not understood and Emden responded with "What signal? No signal books". The instruction to surrender was repeated by Sydney in plain morse code, then after there was no reply, the message "Have you received my signal?" was sent. With no response forthcoming and operating under the assumption that Emden could still potentially fire, launch torpedoes, or use small arms against any boarding parties, Glossop ordered Sydney to fire two salvoes into the wrecked ship. This attack killed 20 German personnel. The ensign was pulled down and a white sheet was raised over the quarter-deck as a flag of surrender. Glossop had orders to ascertain the status of the transmission station and left with Sydney to do so, after sending a boat with Buresk's crew to Emden with a message that they would return the next day. In addition to checking on Direction Island, there was also the potential that Emden and Königsberg had been operating together and that the second ship would approach to recover the attack party from the island, or go after the troop convoy. Consequently, Sydney could not render assistance to Emden's survivors until such threats had passed. It was too late to make a landing on Direction Island, so the cruiser spent the night patrolling the islands, and approached the wireless station the next morning. On arrival, the Australians learned that the Germans had escaped the previous evening in a commandeered schooner. Sydney embarked the island's doctor and two assistants, then headed for North Keeling Island.

                                Aftermath

                                After Sydney contacted the convoy to report her success against Emden, the soldiers aboard the troopships were granted a half-day holiday from duties and training to celebrate. Von Muller surrendered to Glossop on the quarterdeck. Although accepting the surrender, Glossop allowed von Muller to keep his sword. During the battle, 130 personnel aboard Emden were killed, and 69 were wounded. Four of the latter died from wounds. Transferring the German survivors aboard Sydney took about five hours, with the difficulty of transferring so many wounded, rough seas, and overcrowding aboard the Australian cruiser. The two Australian medical officers aboard Sydney and the medical staff from Direction Island worked from 1800 on 10 November to 0430 the next morning to clear the most pressing needs for medical attention, with Emden survivors prioritised. Most of 11 November was spent treating less pressing cases; the Direction Island staff left the ship around midday, and Emden's ship's surgeon, who had previously been unable to assist because of the shock and stress of caring for so many wounded from the battle's end until Sydney returned, had recovered enough by this point to assist as an anaesthetist. On 12 November, the auxiliary cruiser Empress of Russia arrived, and all except the most seriously wounded prisoners were transferred over. Sydney caught up to the convoy at Colombo on 15 November. There were no celebrations of Sydney's success as the cruiser entered harbour. Glossop had requested that the sailors and soldiers aboard the warships and transports refrain from cheering, out of respect for the German wounded being carried aboard. The survivors from Emden were later transported to Malta and placed in the custody of the British Army.

                                Strategic situation

                                After Emden's defeat, the only German warship in the Indian Ocean basin was SMS Königsberg; the cruiser had been blockaded in the Rufiji River in October, and remained there until her destruction in July 1915. Australia was no longer under direct threat from the Central Powers, and many of the RAN ships which had been designated for the nation's defence could be safely deployed to other theatres. Over the next two years, troop convoys from Australia and New Zealand to the Middle East could sail without naval escort, further freeing Allied resources. The state of affairs persisted until the raider SMS Wolf began operations in the region in 1917.

                                Sydney

                                After completing escort duties, the Australian ship was deployed to the North America and West Indies Station for eighteen months, then spent the rest of the war attached to the British Grand Fleet. Sydney remained in service until 1928, and was broken up for scrap in 1929. For the battle, Sydney was awarded the battle honour "Emden 1914". This was the first honour for a single ship action awarded to a RAN vessel, and one of only three awarded to any British Commonwealth ship during the 20th century. Glossop was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.

                                Emden

                                Von Muller was awarded the Iron Cross, First Class. The Kaiser announced the construction of a new Emden which would bear an Iron Cross on her bow. A Königsberg class cruiser laid down in 1914 was named SMS Emden on completion in 1916 and built with an Iron Cross mounted on her stem-head. Shortly after the battle, the auxiliary cruiser Empress of Japan visited the wreck to recover the signal logs. In 1915, a Japanese company proposed that the ship be repaired and refloated, but an inspection by HMAS Protector concluded that surf damage to Emden made such an operation unfeasible. By 1919, there were reports that the wreck had disappeared. Emden had broken up from the battle damage, and was pulled out by water currents before sinking in shallow waters.

                                Landing party

                                After being abandoned, the German shore party commandeered the 97-ton schooner Ayesha and roughly half Direction Island's food supply. They left Direction Island on the evening of 9 November. The schooner initially sailed to Padang, where they were escorted into port on 27 December by the Dutch destroyer Lynx and only allowed to remain under strict terms, so the Netherlands could maintain their stance of neutrality. With the threat that Ayesha would be seized by Dutch authorities, von Mücke took the schooner out during the night of 28 December, and headed for a rendezvous point he had announced to the German merchant vessels sheltering at Padang. On 14 December, the freighter Choising arrived at the rendezvous, and the Germans were welcomed aboard. Choising delivered them to Hodeida on 8 January 1915. Unable to travel overland, the Germans acquired several dhows and sailed up the Red Sea to Jiddah, then crossed overland to Mecca. From here, von Mücke and his sailors used the Hejaz Railway to travel to Constantinople, reported to the German admiral stationed there, then continued on to Germany itself. In 2010, German director Berengar Pfahl began work on Die Manner der Emden (The Emden Men), a film based on the story of the 50 German sailors left behind on Direction Island and their voyage home. Much of the filming occurred in Sri Lanka, with the luxury yacht Raja Laut used to represent the schooner Ayesha. Die Manner der Emden was originally to be released in February 2012,but was delayed until June 2012.

                                John Doran


                                9th Nov 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 9th 1914

                                Present: - Lord Southampton, W. Cresswell Gray, Colonel Bowes, Major Tristram, Colonel Rowland Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported that the subscription list now amounted to £6615.

                                The parade state was given as 1073 and 24 officers. This being 2 over strength of the men, and 5 under strength of officers.

                                  Colonel Burdon reported
                                • (1) that oil stoves had been obtained for the purpose of drying the clothes in one of the huts; but up to the present there had been no necessity to use them.
                                • (2) That he thought that it was almost necessary that a car should be obtained for the use of the battalion and he was authorised to take any steps he thought necessary in the matter.
                                • (3) That he had ordered 20,000 rounds of short, and 5000 rounds of long .22 miniature Rifle Cartridges; (and a further quantity - 100,000 rounds, was reserved) from the Army & Navy stores.
                                Major Tristram reported that it had been decided to leave the Orderly Room where it was, but to put the Guard Room and sick room opposite the front door of the Hall.

                                The huts were inspected. It was decided to let the latrines and ablution sheds remain as at present designed for cleaning purposes; and instead of a new building for a Canteen it was decided to add a wing to the Recreation Hut to answer that purpose.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                10th Nov 1914 2 Life Guards in Mobile Reserve near Ypres  From the 10th of 16th of November, the 2 Life Guards were constantly employed as a Mobile Reserve in readiness to relieve situations occurring between the area of the Ypres, Hooge and Ypres, Kleinzillebeke roads and in trenches in the same area. Nothing of great incident occurred except that the Regiment was reinforced by the squadron of the Regiment from the Household Cavalry Composite Regiment. Strength of squadron stands at 5 officers, 186 R & F, 220 horses.

                                War Diary


                                10th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons stand to.  On the 10th the regiment "stood to" at 5:30am, moved up dismounted at 1:00pm, to trenches at Zillebeke, and in the evening to a wood in rear of Lord Cavan’s headquarters, returning to camp at 10:00pm. 2nd-Lieut Horn was wounded by shrapnel in the afternoon.

                                History of the 3rd (Prince of Wales?s) Dragoon Guards 1914-1918? by Captain H P Holt


                                11th Nov 1914 Sappers help check enemy advance  Sappers of the 5th Field Company, Royal Engineers were working on defences in Polygon Wood when a German advance threatened to break through, along with men of the Oxford Light Infantry, Highland Light Infantry and Blackwatch held back the advance during the Battle of Nonne Boschen. 7 DCMs were awarded to men of the 5th Field Coy, RE.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                11th Nov 1914 9th, 16th & 17th Batteries RFA in action  17th Battery, XL1 Brigade, RFA, 1st Corps, 2nd Div. are in action in the Battle of Nonnes Boschen (Nun's Wood) near Westhoek. When the final charge of the Prussian Guards regiments broke through the British trenches, only the guns of the 9th, 16th and 17th Batteries stood between the German advance and the City of Ypres. The line held, with the gunners aided by cooks, batmen, HQ office staff with rifles, succeeding in stopping the enemy's advance to the sea and the Channel Ports.

                                11th November 1914 Relief action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 1st Cavalry Division at La Hutte Marched at 1430 to relieve 1st Cavalry Division and went into action about 1900 near P 63 - La Hutte - very wet night but no attack.

                                war diaries


                                11th Nov 1914 Prussian Guards attempt a break through.  Wednesday 11th November will be remembered as the day when, after terrific artillery fire, the 1st and 4th brigades of the Prussian Guard made an attempt to break through to Ypres. Fifteen battalions, specially brought from Arras, managed to penetrate our line at three points, getting into some woods behind it. In spite of their numbers and fine tradition, the attack failed, however, with great slaughter to the enemy. On that date the 3rd Dragoon Guards "stood to" at 5:30am and moved up to support Lord Cavan at Zillebeke, returning at 9 o’clock in the evening.

                                The following Army Order issued the next day to the 1st Division, 2nd Division, 3rd Division and 1st and 3rd cavalary Divisions is worthy of reproduction:

                                "G 983 12th November 1914. The Commander-in Chief has asked me to convey to the troops under my command his congratulations and thanks for the splendid resistance to the German attack yesterday. This attack was delivered by some fifteen fresh battalions of the German Guard Corps which had been specially brought up in which to carry out the task of which so many other corps had failed-viz, to crush the British and force a way through to Ypres. Since it’s arrival in this neighbourhood the 1st Corps, assisted by the 3rd Cavalry Division, 7th Division, and troops from the 2nd Corps, had met and defeated the 23rd, 26th and 27th German Reserve Corps, the 13th Active Corps, and finally, a strong force of the Guard Corps. It is doubtful whether the annals of the British Army contain any finer record than this.

                                Douglas Haig (Lieut-General commanding the 1st Army Corps)

                                History of the 3rd (Prince of Wales) Dragoon Guards 1914-1918 by Captain H P Holt


                                12th Nov 1914 Lord Roberts inspects Indian Division  Field Marshall Lord Roberts inspects the Indian Division Staff at Hinges then drove to visit the HQ's of the Meerut Division, the Indian Cavalry and the Lahore Division.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                12th November 1914 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 1st Cavalry Division - La Hutte. In action all day and night but our area very quiet. A good deal of fighting on both flanks.

                                war diaries


                                12th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoon Guars at Zillebeke  On the 12th November the 3rd Dragoons moved up again from the bivouac near Halte in support of Lord Cavan’s trenches about a mile due east of Zillebeke, and at 5:00pm went into other trenches about a mile south-east of the village. That night passed quietly. Although an attack was expected at 4:30am, nothing happened till 8:20, when the regiment was subjected to some very heavy shrapnel and rifle fire. When relieved by the Blues at 6:30pm the Regiment had sustained the following casualties: Lieut Talbot, 5 NCOs and men killed and 15 NCOs and men wounded. Lieut Talbot had been previously wounded, when, sitting with his back to the parapet with four men, all five were killed by concussion from a shell which landed nearby.

                                History of the 3rd (Prince of Wales) Dragoon Guards 1914-1918 by Captain H P Holt


                                13th November 1914 Routine day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at La Creche. Relieved at 1600 and returned to billets at La Creche. Very wet wild day into billets at 1730. Our area very quiet though searched a good deal by big howitzers who never got our line.

                                war diaries


                                14th Nov 1914 On the move  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment returned to Northampton to refit for service in India.

                                14th Nov 1914 Sanctuary Wood shelled  Sanctuary Wood south of Hooge was shelled, destroying the trees which had provided sanctuary for British troops.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                14th Nov 1914 13th KRRC leave Halton Park Camp  13th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps leave the tented camp at Halton Park on the 14th November moving into billets at Amersham (A & B Coys) and Great Missenden (C & D Coys) for the winter

                                14th November 1914 Rest Day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at La Creche. In billets at La Creche all day.

                                war diaries


                                15th November 1914 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Marched at 1300 and went into billets at Dranoutre at 1530 in support - very wet.

                                war diaries


                                15th Nov 1914 21st Division move to billets for winter  In November 1914, 21st Division left Halton Park and moved into billets for the winter. The 10th Green Howards departed for Aylesbury on the 15th of November.

                                16th Nov 1914 Two Companies of 18th DLI detatched to Hartlepool.  

                                In mid November 1916 units across the north of England were put on alert to defend the coast.

                                Two companies were formed in the 18th Durham Light Infantry consisting of NCO's and men who had undergone range training, under the command of Major Tristam and Captain Neville to be deployed to Hartlepool.

                                They travelled by rail and were billeted in Hart Road being engaged in improving and manning trenches along the coast as well as training and sentry duties. One company soon moved to Old Hartlepool to provide sentries at the Docks.

                                16th Nov 1914 Quiet day for 2nd Life Guards  Another quiet day. At 5.30 pm the 2nd Life Guards supplied 150 Rifles to man Reserve Trenches on the slope of the Zillebeke Ridge. Nothing of incident occurred. 1 R & F accidentally wounded, 2 R & F returned to hospital sick.

                                War Diary


                                16th November 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Divisional Artillery at Dranoutre. In support all day. Lent to 5th Divisional Artillery at 1800. Attached to 28th Brigade RFA. Back to billets at Dranoutre

                                war diaries


                                17th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards Regt move to Brielen  The 2nd Life Guards moved at midday on the 17th to Brielen, 2 miles North West of Ypres, where horses of the Regiment were left and a further move was made with the Brigade to man the trenches on Zillebeke Ridge. It was our turn to hold the forward and supporting trenches which we did for 48 hours.

                                War Diary


                                17th November 1914 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                At Lindenhoek with 5th Divisional Artillery. Started at 1800 and went into action near Lindenhoek. Fired about 100 rounds with battery in action all night when fired during two attacks

                                war diaries


                                18th Nov 1914 Equipment  The Indian equipment arrived in Northampton for the The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment but a few days later, to everyone's relief the orders for India were then countermanded and they were ordered back to the Suffolk Coast.

                                18th Nov 1914 Composite Cavalry Squadron shelled  The War diary of the 2nd Life Guards records: The trenches occupied by the Composite Squadron were somewhat heavily shelled and damaged on the 18th, the casualties at this point amounting to 20 Rank & File (3 killed, 17 wounded). Horses (9 killed, 4 wounded).

                                18th November 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Divisional Artillery at Dranoutre. In action all day and fired about 190 rounds. Withdrawn from Lindenhoek at 1700 and went into billets at Dranoutre at 1800.

                                war diaries


                                19th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards have a quiet day.  2nd Life Guards are on Zillebeke Ridge in Dug outs half a mile from Ypres on Ypres to Roulers Railway Line. This was a comparatively quiet day, practically no shelling or any kind of attack by the enemy after 11 am. At 7 pm the Regiment on relief by the 1st Life Guards and moved into the dug outs in Reserve.

                                War Diary


                                19th November 1914 Bad weather - snow and ice.  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Divisional Artillery at Lindenhoek. Started at 0600. In action all day and night. Fired about 50 rounds. Hard frost and started snowing at noon. Had to get battery along frozen roads.

                                war diaries


                                20th Nov 1914 Construction work begins at Clipstone Camp  W. Hodson & Sons of Nottingham begin construction work for the army camp at Clipstone near Mansfield, on land belonging to the Duke of Portland, with over 400 men being engaged.

                                20th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards at Brielen  2 Life Guards spent a quiet day in Dug outs at Brielen. At 5 pm the Regiment moved to billets at Brielen.

                                War Diary


                                20th Nov 1914 2nd Sportsmans Battalion raised  24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman's), better known as the Sportsmen's Battalions, were among the Pals battalions formed in the Great War. Rather than be taken from a small geographical area, these particular battalions were largely made up of men who had made their name in sports such as cricket, boxing and football or the media.

                                24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman's) Formed in London on 20 November 1914 by Mrs E.Cunliffe-Owen. March 1915: moved to Hornchurch. June 1915 : came under command of 99th Brigade, 33rd Division. Landed at Boulogne in November 1915. 13 December 1915 : transferred to 5th Brigade in 2nd Division.

                                20th Nov 1914 3rd West Lancs Engineers leave St Helens  The St Helens Reporter published: "On Friday morning the local detachment of the 3rd West Lancashire Divisional Engineers and Field Ambulance left headquarters at Cropper's Hill for their winter training quarters at Blackpool. The weather was very inclement at the time of departure and beyond a few people who assembled at headquarters, the few who lined the streets gave the men a hearty send-off. The members of the 3rd W.L.F.A. left at 9.45, being under the command of Captain Dick. They are 220 strong. The officers will be billeted at the Imperial Hydro and the men in boarding houses in Clifford-road. The Engineers left at 10.30. There are about 350 rank and file under the command of Major Taberner. The officers will be billeted at the Imperial Hydro and the men in Adelaide-street."

                                The St Helens Reporter (Nov 20, 1914 p.5)


                                20th November 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                In action all day at Lindenhoek - very hard frost - fired about 120 rounds. back to billets in Dranoutre at 1800. Changed two disabled guns for new ones. Sent a section back for overhaul and only four guns in action.

                                war diaries


                                20th Nov 1914   

                                Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 20th 1914

                                Present: - Lord Southampton, Colonel Hugh Bowes, Col Rowland Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The parade state was presented as under. Colonel Burdon reported that - as was seen by parade state, none of the men had yet been sent back from West Hartlepool.

                                The frame of the drying shed was erected and the Recreation Room and Rifle Range were both approaching completion.

                                Arrangements had been made whereby Mr C. Fortune (Messrs Accountant, 36 Church St, West Hartlepool) has taken Mr Roberts place for financial purposes; and the signature of cheques, both with regard to the regimental account and the Committee's account. It is hoped that the payment of bills will now proceed somewhat more regularly. Payment on a/c to the Darlington Construction Company to the amount of £4000 had already been made by the Paymaster, York.

                                The question of appeals for clothing for the regiment was mentioned; and it was felt rather strongly that there was no occasion for this at the time; as much of the underclothing provided by the Committee had not been applied for by men for whom it was intended. It was decided that the Colonel should write a letter conveying this to the writers of any appeals to the newspapers.

                                Colonel Bowes mentioned that instruments for a band had been presented to the regiment by Col. McKenzie of Seaham Harbour; and he hoped to be able to get together from the battalion itself a band of 16 performers.

                                Samples for the furnishing of huts were inspected; but were not found to be satisfactory; and the Clerk of the Works was instructed to proceed to Newcastle, and obtain further samples from Messrs Emley & Messrs Walker.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                21st Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards move to Eecke  2nd Life Guards War Diary: "Frost had set in, and on our move to Eecke it was found necessary to lead horses nearly all the way. Billets were found at Eecke to house the men but not all the horses."

                                War Diary


                                21st Nov 1914 Manchester Bantam Battalion raised  The 23rd (8th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 21st of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City as a Bantam Battalion made up of men under the regulation height.

                                21st November 1914 Rest days  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Near Steenwerck Started at 0600 in very hard frost. Frozen snow very hard to get along. Fired 115 rounds. Relieved at 1800 by I Battery RHA. moved into billets near Steenwerck at 2000. Still freezing hard - a difficult march without frost nails. 22nd to 24th November in billets all day near Steenwerck

                                war diaries


                                22nd Nov 1914 Flanders winter weather suspends fighting  The onset of harsh winter weather suspended the fighting in Flanders, ending the First Battle of Ypres which had begun with the German attack on the 19th of October.

                                22nd Nov 1914 3rd Division at rest  3rd Division arrive in Westouter for four days rest.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                22nd Nov 1914 Squadrons of 2nd Life Guards move into separate billets   The Squadrons of the 2nd Life Guards moved into separate billets in the vicinity of Eecke, by this means all men and horses were comfortably housed.

                                War Diary


                                23rd Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards horse and arms inspections  War Diary: For the 2nd Life Guards these days between the 23rd and 25th of November have been employed in horse and arms inspections, also short route marches. Nothing of incident to mention with the exception that from 7 pm on the 25th the Regiment is to be held in readiness to saddle up for a period of 48 hours, as being portion of the Duty Division of the Cavalry Corps, which latter is in General Reserve. 14 officers proceeded to England on 72 hours leave.

                                War Diary


                                23rd November 1914 U18 sunk  SM U-18 was a type U 17 uboat built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 12). Ordered 6 May 1910, she was laid down 27 Oct 1910, launched 25 Apr 1912 and commissioned 17 Nov 1912.
                                Commanded by Heinrich von Henning she sailed with II Flotilla until the 23 Nov 1914 when she was rammed by HMS Garry and trawler Dorothy Grey in Pentland Firth, Scapa Flow (58.41N, 02.55W). Of her crew there was 1 dead and 22 survivors.

                                John Doran


                                23rd Nov 1914   

                                Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 23rd 1914

                                Present: - Lord Durham, Messrs A.F. Pease, W. Cresswell Gray, Colonel Bowes, Colonel R Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported that the electric light for 2 rows of the huts had been completed. The Range and the drying house were in the process of erection; and the Regimental Institute was in a very advanced state, and waiting for the addition of the Canteen.

                                Colonel Burdon also reported that he had found it necessary to appoint a Clerk of the Works, who would act for him, and overlook in his absence. Also that Mr Gray had most kindly lent a car for the use of the battalion.

                                Five hundred men and officers (as by Parade State given below) had been ordered to Hartlepool on the Tuesday previous to assist in the defence of the Port if necessary. These had been armed with the rifles provided for the use of the detachment, and had had 100 rounds of ammunition issued. Owing to having no equipment they had had to have mess tins issued separate. Colonel Burdon mentioned also that he had, himself, seen the Military Secretary, Northern Command, and asked him to represent to the G.O.C-in-Chief that this detachment work at present was most detrimental to the training of the men; and to earnestly request that they may be restored to Cocken at the earliest possible opportunity, which he had promised should be done.

                                Col. Burdon asked leave, which was granted- to request from York that he should be allowed to recruit up to 400 over strength for the present battalion, to fill vacancies, and to form nucleus for the reserve battalion, should that be eventually authorised by the war office.

                                Col. Burdon was instructed to write a very grateful letter of thanks to Lord Southampton for his patriotic and unselfish action in taking command of the battalion, and for all the most efficient help he had given.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                25th November 1914 Rest days  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Marched at 1430. Changed our billets into a very good farm about 1 1/4 miles South West of Bailleul. 26th to 30th November - in billets as above

                                war diaries


                                26th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards in Billets at Eecke   From the 26th to 30th of November 1914, the usual routine in Billets at Eecke continued for the 2nd Life Guards, during this period small drafts of 21 and 17 men joined the Regt. Leave for 72 hours continued to be granted to officers and 2 COs. The Regiment was busy refitting and reorganizing.

                                War Diary


                                26th Nov 1914 Mr Samuel Roberts Mp hosts Battalion supper  At the Drill Hall in Edmund Road, Mr Samuel Roberts MP hosted a supper for the Sheffield City Battalion who are due to leave the city for their new training camp.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                26th Nov 1914 HMS Bulwark lost  

                                HMS Bulwark

                                A powerful internal explosion ripped HMS Bulwark apart at 0750 on 26 November 1914 while she was moored at Number 17 buoy in Kethole Reach, 4 nmi (4.6 mi; 7.4 km) west of Sheerness in the estuary of the River Medway. Out of her complement of 750, no officers and only 14 sailors survived, two of whom subsequently died of their injuries in hospital. Most of the survivors were seriously injured.

                                The only men to survive the explosion comparatively unscathed were those who had been in Number 1 mess-deck amidships, who were blown out of an open hatch. One of these men, Able Seaman Stephen Marshall, described feeling the sensation of "a colossal draught", being drawn "irresistibly upwards", and, as he rose in the air, clearly seeing the ship's masts shaking violently.

                                Witnesses on the battleship Implacable, the next ship in line at the mooring, reported that "a huge pillar of black cloud belched upwards. From the depths of this writhing column flames appeared running down to sea level. The appearance of this dreadful phenomenon was followed by a thunderous roar. Then came a series of lesser detonations, and finally one vast explosion that shook the Implacable from mastheads to keel."

                                The destruction of Bulwark was also witnessed on board battleship Formidable, where "when the dust and wreckage had finally settled a limp object was seen hanging from the wireless aerials upon which it had fallen. With difficulty the object was retrieved and found to be an officer's uniform jacket with three gold bands on the sleeves and between them the purple cloth of an engineer officer. The garment's former owner had been blasted into fragments."

                                Perhaps the most detailed descriptions of the disaster came from witnesses on board battleships Prince of Wales and Agamemnon, both of whom stated that smoke issued from the stern of the ship prior to the explosion and that the first explosion appeared to take place in an after magazine.

                                On 29 November 1914 divers sent to find the wreck reported that the ship's port bow as far aft as the sick bay had been blown off by the explosion and lay 50 ft (15 m) east of the mooring. The starboard bow lay 30 ft (9.1 m) further away. The remainder of the ship had been torn apart so violently that no other large portions of the wreck could be found.

                                In terms of loss of life, the incident remains the second most catastrophic accidental explosion in the history of the United Kingdom, exceeded only by the explosion of the dreadnought battleship Vanguard, caused by a stokehold fire detonating a magazine, at Scapa Flow in 1917.

                                Inquiry into loss

                                A naval court of enquiry into the causes of the explosion held on 28 November 1914 established that it had been the practice to store ammunition for Bulwark's 6 in (150 mm) guns in cross-passageways connecting her total of 11 magazines. It suggested that, contrary to regulations, 275 six-inch shells had been placed close together, most touching each other, and some touching the walls of the magazine, on the morning of the explosion.

                                The most likely cause of the disaster appears to have been overheating of cordite charges stored alongside a boiler room bulkhead, and this was the explanation accepted by the court of enquiry. It has also been suggested that damage caused to one of the shells stored in the battleship's cross-passageways may have weakened the fusing mechanism and caused the shell to become 'live'. A blow to the shell, caused by it being dropped point down, could then have set off a chain reaction of explosions among the shells stored in Bulwark's cross-passageways sufficient to detonate the ship's magazines.

                                Memorials

                                A memorial to those lost on Bulwark and Princess Irene was erected at the Dockyard Church, Sheerness in 1921. It was dedicated by Archdeacon Ingles, the Chaplain of the Fleet. It was unveiled by Hugh Evan-Thomas, Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Victims of both ships are also commemorated on the Naval War Memorial at Southsea. Another memorial was placed in Woodlands Road Cemetery, Gillingham, as part of the Naval Burial Ground.

                                John Doran


                                28th Nov 1914 Rainham Chemical Works taken over by War Dept.  HMEF Rainham, Essex was situated at the Rainham Chemical Works, on the bank of the Thames opposite Woolwich. The factory was taken over from the Synthetic Products Company on the 28th of November 1914 by the War Department under the Defence of the Realm Act, the day after the Act became law. To purify under control of Chance & Hunt. The factory's first output was in January 1915.

                                Dec 1914 23rd Manchesters move to Morcombe  23rd Manchesters leave the city to continue their training in Morcambe.

                                1st December 1914 Recruitment and Training  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles. Recruitment efforts continued and helped raise Battalion strength from 230 at the end of November to 500 by the 19th December 1914. Training began to bring recruits up to the physical requirements for battle fitness with physical exercise and route marches of increasing intensity. A large batch of service rifles arrived on the 19th December which meant that military weaponry drill could be incorporated within the training timetable. Route marches got longer and, on the 7th December, the men marched to Banbridge and back (16 miles) in 3 ½ Hours. Initially training would have concentrated on infantry skills including drill, musketry, bayonet fighting and training in the Lewis and machine guns. Route marches and PT (Physical Training) would also have featured. Selected Officers and NCOs on appointment were sent to infantry training schools to become instructors in these fields. A rifle range was constructed at the rear of Brownlow House. The pioneers were basically riflemen and in the Royal Irish Rifles had to learn to drill at "rifles pace" which was 160 paces to the minute as opposed to the normal infantry rate of 120 paces to the minute. Field-craft with elementary infantry tactics at section, platoon and company level were gradually introduced as potential section leaders were identified, trained and gained in confidence and experience.

                                Doran Family


                                1st Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards refit at Eecke.   The 2nd Life Guards War Diary records: The Regiment continued to refit at Eecke.

                                War Diary


                                1st Dec 1914   Stratford Camp for German nationals was opened in December 1914 and was located at the old William Ritchie & Sons Jute Spinners Factory on Carpenters Road, Stratford which had been empty for ten years.

                                1st December 1914 Rest day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Near Bailleul with 5th Cavalry in reserve. In billets 1 1/4 miles South West of Bailleul.

                                war diaries


                                1st Dec 1914 Royal Visit  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment enjoy a quiet time from the 1st to 18th of December, with occasional shelling.

                                On the 2nd December, B coy under Lieutenants Wade and Parker was inspected by H.M the King at Pont De Nieppe. Lt Col Lawrence as acting Brigadier was in command of the 11th Infantry Brigade parade.

                                Capt C. Fletcher was wounded on the 3rd and Lt Col Lawrence rejoined the battalion on the 10th. On the 11th December the war diary records: D. Bent was awarded the Victoria Cross. (Drummer Spencer John Bent - see below). Capt G.M. Smith was wounded on the 15th.

                                Spencer John Bent VC, MM (18 March 1891, 3 May 1977) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was 23 years old and a drummer in the 1st Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

                                On the night of 1/2 November 1914 near Le Gheer, Belgium, when his officer, the platoon sergeant and a number of men had been struck down, Drummer Bent took command of the platoon and with great presence of mind and coolness succeeded in holding the position. He had previously distinguished himself on two occasions, on 22 and 24 October by bringing up ammunition under heavy shell and rifle fire. Again, on 3 November, he brought into cover some wounded men who were lying, exposed to enemy fire, in the open.

                                He later achieved the rank of Regimental Sergeant-Major. He survived the war and died on 3 May 1977. Bent was cremated at West Norwood Cemetery, London. Bent's VC, along with his Military Medal and Russian Cross of St. George was sold at auction in June 2000 for £80,000. His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

                                1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1


                                2nd Dec 1914 Wounded Soldiers.  Heroes of Ypres Accommodated at Castleton House. - Rochdale Times, 2nd December 1914.

                                Castleton House, which has recently been equipped to accommodate soldiers returning wounded or sick from the war, is now the temporary home of ten British soldiers who arrived there on Sunday.

                                All the men were wounded, and went through the recent fierce fighting at Ypres, which Field Marshall Sir John French described in his despatch published on Monday. When a representative of the "Rochdale Times" visited the hospital yesterday the men were comfortably settled in a spacious front room, and as one of them remarked, "It’s a lot nicer than where we have come from."

                                The wounds of the men, though painful, are not dangerous, and several of them yesterday enjoyed an outing in a motorcar. The soldiers are drawn from different regiments, and in spite of their bandages look a body of stalwart men.

                                Another soldier was removed to the Crippled Children’s Home at Norden during the week-end and there are now at this institution about a dozen Army invalids.

                                The Belgian soldiers who are at the Ambulance Drill Hall continue to improve. On Saturday afternoon many of them attended the matinee at the Theatre Royal and, and on Sunday some of the members of the nursing staff gave a sacred concert which was much appreciated. Colonel Trimble, C.M.G., inspected the premises on Sunday.

                                2nd Dec 1914 Review of troops by HM the King  A review of troops was held by H M the King in which the 2nd Life Guards took part at Eecke. His Majesty presented the DSO to Lieut. and Adjt Stewart Menzies and the DCM to Corporal Watt of the 2nd Life Guards.

                                War Diary


                                2nd December 1914 Royal Inspection Parade  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Near Bailleul with 5th Cavalry Brigade. The 5th Cavalry Brigade was visited by HM the King. The brigade was drawn up near the road. Battery guns detachments only. Half a mile south of our billets at 12 noon. At 1030 Major Forman was presented his DSO by HM the King at Chateau La Motte (Cavalry Corps HQ.)

                                war diaries


                                3rd Dec 1914 9th Heavy Battery leave Woolwich  9th Heavy Battery left Woolwich and moved to Charlton Park on December 3rd, 1914.

                                3rd Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards carry out Squadron Drills  Troop and Squadron Drills were carried out by the Squadrons of the 2nd Life Guards at Eecke.

                                War Diary


                                4th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards Inspected by the Brigadier  An inspection of men and horses of the 2nd Life Guards was held by the Brigadier at Eecke. In the afternoon an R A Officer attended to advise on the siting of trenches and to discuss the question of Artillery Positions.

                                War Diary


                                4th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry preparations  Troop/squadron drill. Transport teams re-organised, light horses being put in echelon 'A' wagons. Instruction in use of bayonet.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, St Sylvestre


                                5th Dec 1914 2 Life Guards on route march.   The 2nd Life Guards' War Diary, states they are at Eecke. A route march took place. Tactical schemes are being arranged in preparation for further active operations.

                                War Diary


                                5th Dec 1914 Sheffield City Battalion march to Redmires camp  In heavy rain and strong winds, Sheffield City Battalion march from the city to take up residence in the barely completed Redmires Camp. They left the Drill Hall in Edmund Road, with CO on horse back and the battalion band at the head of the column. They marched via Glossop Road to Broomhall and to the camp via Crosshall. The rain turned to sleet and snow as they climbed the hills. The camp was already a familiar place as the battalion had provided nightly work parties for the last weeks of November to assist with completing the huts and bad weather had delayed their arrival from the intended move date of the 1st of December. Some of the huts were still lacking windows when the men moved in and the first night was stormy, icy cold and few men got much sleep.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                5th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry inspection  Squadrons paraded for inspection by General Officer Commanding 7th Cavalry Brigade, parade cancelled owing to wet weather.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, St Sylvestre


                                6th Dec 1914 Divine service parade at Ecke   Divine service parade and communion were held by the Brigade Chaplain at Eecke, in which the 2nd Life Guards participated.

                                War Diary


                                6th Dec 1914 Sheffield City Battalion at Redmires Camp  The men of the Sheffield City Battalion are engaged in making their new camp habitable, completing the work to be done on the huts and quarrying stone to create paths and roadways.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                6th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry washing arrangements  Arrangements made for bathing of men and washing of clothes

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, St Sylvestre


                                7th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards move into billets at Staple  The 2nd Life Guards moved in the afternoon into billets in and about Staple, 3 miles west of Hondeghem.

                                War Diary


                                7th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry moved billets to Oxelaere  Regiment ordered to parade for inspection by General Officer Commanding 7th Cavalry Brigade but Parade cancelled owing to wet weather.

                                Regiment moved billets to Oxelaere. Regiment came on duty at 6pm as part of the general reserve with orders to 'stand to' until December 9th.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, St Sylvestre and Oxelaere


                                7th Dec 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall December 7th 1914

                                Present: - Colonel Bowes, and Col Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as read. Colonel Bowes asked how the question of the equipment for the officers should be dealt with; and it was decided that as a sum of £10 had been very generously offered to pay for the equipment of each officer of the battalion who required it, the matter should be left there.

                                Colonel Bowes asked whether it would be acceptable to the Committee that a commission should be offered to Sergt. Robinson, for which permission was given.

                                A good many motor bicycles, etc. having been used for regimental purposes belonging to private individuals of the Battalion it was agreed that the cost of the petrol should be reimbursed to those to whom bicycles belonged.

                                Colonel Bowes was instructed to purchase a Sam Browne belt for the Sergt. Major; it being very desirable that he should be dressed in conformity to the dress of the Commissioned Officers.

                                Colonel Bowes was instructed to tell the Clerk of the Works to go into the question of the officers latrines, in order to do away as far as possible with the hiring at present going on.

                                It was notified that the County Battalion would be entered in the Army List as the 18th Service Battalion.

                                The band instruments had been ordered, second quality; which would leave a small sum for music etc. It was decided that practice for the band was to be in the spare time of the musicians; and there was no pay to be attached to the appointment.

                                Satisfactory samples of upholstering, etc, for the huts have been received and selected, and the furnishing was being proceeded with.

                                It was notified that the first 200 sets of equipment had been received. With regard to the huts, some slight alteration will have to be made at the miniature Rifle Range; and the lighting at the Target end will be provided for by 2 Acetylene Generators kindly lent by Messrs R.E. Hall & Co.

                                The lighting of the bath house will have to be attended to; and it will be necessary to put glass in the upper part of the outside wall, as the opening at present is too much. The bath house was very nearly ready for occupation.

                                Colonel Bowes was instructed to place the stoves in the Regimental Institute in the most convenient place. Instructions with regard to the painting of the wood work of the Regimental Institute had been given, and were satisfactory.

                                The new latrines and ablution sheds had been taken into use, and appeared to be working satisfactorily; but the pipes will require protection from the frost.

                                The Clerk of the Works had made arrangements for laying down cinder paths under contract with Mr Gradon.

                                Colonel Burdon notified the result of his interviews at the war office on Friday last (the 4th inst) which included the appointment of the Medical Officer; and the permission to ask for another Company as soon as ever the first Depot Company had been formed; the War Office, of course, paying for everything outside the 1100 men of the present Battalion.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                8th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards settle in to new billets  The 2nd Life Guards' War Diary records for the 8th of December; This day was occupied in settling the horses and men into their new billets at Staple. A draft arrived Lieut. Beamount. 20 R & File.

                                War Diary


                                8th December 1914 Battle of the Falklands  

                                German East Asia Squadron leaving Valparaiso, Chile. (4 Nov 1914)

                                The Battle of the Falkland Islands took place on the 8th December 1914 during the First World War in the South Atlantic. The British, suffering a defeat at the Battle of Coronel on 1 November, had sent a large force to track down and destroy the victorious German cruiser squadron. Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee commanded the German squadron which consisted of two armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, three light cruisers SMS Nürnberg, Dresden and Leipzig together with three auxiliarie. They attempted to raid the British supply base at Stanley in the Falkland Islands.

                                A larger British squadron, consisting of two battlecruisers HMS Invincible and Inflexible, three armoured cruisers HMS Carnarvon, Cornwall and Kent and two light cruisers HMS Bristol and Glasgow had arrived in the port only the day before. Visibility was at its maximum, the sea was calm with a light northwesterly breeze and a bright sunny day. The German squadron had been detected early on and by nine o'clock that morning the British were in hot pursuit of the five German vessels who had taken flight to the southeast.

                                The only ships to escape were the light cruiser Dresden and the auxiliary Seydlitz- all the others were sunk. The British battlecruisers each mounted eight 12 inch guns, whereas Spee's heaviest ships (Scharnhorst and Gneisenau), were only equipped with eight 8.3 inch guns. Additionally, the British battlecruisers could make 29.3 mph against Spee's 25.9 mph. So the British battlecruisers could not only outrun their opponents but significantly outgun them too. The old pre-dreadnought battleship, HMS Canopus, had been grounded at Stanley to act as a makeshift defence battery for the area.

                                At the outbreak of hostilities in World War One, the German East Asian squadron, which Admiral Spee commanded, was heavily outnumbered by the Royal Navy and the Japanese Navy. The German High Command realised that the Asian possessions could not be defended and that the squadron might not survive. Spee therefore tried to get his ships home via the Pacific and Cape Horn, but was pessimistic of their chances. Following von Spee's success at Coronel off the coast of Valparaíso, Chile, where his squadron sank the cruisers HMS Good Hope and Monmouth, von Spee's force put into Valparaíso. As required under international law for belligerent ships in neutral countries, the ships left within 24 hours, moving to Mas Afuera, 400 miles off the Chilean coast. There they received news of the loss of the cruiser SMS Emden, which had previously detached from the squadron and had been raiding in the Indian Ocean. They also learned of the fall of the German colony at Tsingtao in China, which had been their home port. On 15 November, the squadron moved to Bahia San Quintin on the Chilean coast, where 300 Iron Crosses second class were awarded to the crew, and an Iron Cross first class to Admiral Spee. Spee was advised by his officers to return to Germany if he could. His ships had used half their ammunition at Coronel, and had difficulties obtaining coal. Intelligence reported the British ships HMS Defence, Cornwall and Carnarvon were stationed in the River Plate and that there were no British warships at Stanley. Spee had been concerned about reports of a British battleship, Canopus, but its location was unknown.

                                On 26 November, the squadron set sail and reached Cape Horn on the 1st December, anchoring at Picton Island for 3 days coaling from acaptured British collier, the Drummuir. On 6 December, the British vessel was scuttled and the crew transferred to the auxiliary Seydlitz. Spee proposed to raid the Falkland Islands before turning north to sail up the Atlantic back to Germany even though it was unnecessary and opposed by three of his captains.

                                On the 30th October, retired Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher was reappointed First Sea Lord to replace Admiral Prince Louis of Battenberg. On the 3rd November, Fisher was advised that Spee had been sighted off Valparaíso and acted to reinforce Cradock by ordering Defence,to join his squadron. On the 4th November, news of the defeat at Coronel arrived. As a result, the battlecruisers Invincible and Inflexible were detached from the Grand Fleet and sailed for Plymouth to prepare for overseas service. Chief of Staff at the Admiralty was Vice-Admiral Doveton Sturdee with whom Fisher had a long-standing disagreement, so he took the opportunity to appoint Sturdee as Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic and Pacific, to command the new squadron from Invincible. On 11 November, Invincible and Inflexible left Devonport. Repairs to Invincible were incomplete and she sailed with workmen still on board. The ships travelled at a reduced 12 mph as running at high speed used significantly more coal, so to complete the long journey it was necessary to travel at the most economic speed. The two ships were also heavily loaded with supplies. Sturdee arrived at the Abrolhos Rocks on the 26th November, where Rear Admiral Stoddart awaited him with the remainder of the squadron. Sturdee announced his intention to depart for the Falkland Islands on 29 November. From there, the fast light cruisers Glasgow and Bristol would patrol seeking Spee, summoning reinforcements if they found him. Captain Luce of Glasgow, who had been at the battle of Coronel persuaded Sturdee to depart a day early. The squadron was delayed during the journey for 12 hours when a cable towing targets became wrapped around one of Invincible's propellers, but the ships arrived on the morning of 7 December. The two light cruisers moored in to the inner part of Stanley Harbour, while the larger ships remained in the deeper outer harbour of Port William. Divers set about removing the offending cable from Invincible, Cornwall's boiler fires were extinguished to make repairs, and Bristol had one of her engines dismantled. The famous ship SS Great Britain, reduced to a coal bunker, supplied coal to Invincible and Inflexible. The armed merchant cruiser Macedonia was ordered to patrol the harbour, while Kent maintained steam ready to replace Macedonia the next day, 8th December. Spee's fleet arrived in the morning of the same day.

                                Two of Spee's cruisers—Gneisenau and Nürnberg—approached Stanley first and, at that time, the entire British fleet was still coaling. Some believe that, had Spee pressed the attack, Sturdee's ships would have been easy targets. Any British ship trying to leave would have faced the full firepower of the German ships and having a vessel sunk might also have blocked the rest of the British squadron inside the harbour. Fortunately for the British, the Germans were surprised by gunfire from an unexpected source as Canopus, which had been grounded as a guardship and was hidden behind a hill, opened fire. This was enough to check the Germans' advance. The sight of the distinctive tripod masts of the British battlecruisers confirmed that they were facing a better-equipped enemy. Kent was already making her way out of the harbour and had been ordered to pursue Spee's ships. Made aware of the German ships, Sturdee had ordered the crews to breakfast, knowing that Canopus had bought them time while steam was raised. To Spee, with his crew battle-weary and his ships outgunned, the outcome seemed inevitable. Realising his danger too late, and having lost any chance to attack the British ships while they were at anchor, Spee and his squadron dashed for the open sea. The British left port around 1000. Spee was ahead by 15 miles but there was a lot of daylight left for the faster battlecruisers to catch them.

                                It was 1300 when the British battlecruisers opened fire, but it took them half an hour to get the range of Leipzig. Realising that he could not outrun the British ships, Spee decided to engage them with his armoured cruisers to give the light cruisers a chance to escape. They turned to fight just after 1320. The German armoured cruisers had the advantage of a freshening north-west breeze which caused the funnel smoke of the British ships to obscure their targets practically throughout the action. Despite initial success by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in striking Invincible, the British capital ships suffered little damage. Spee then turned to escape, but the battlecruisers came within extreme firing range 40 minutes later. Invincible and Inflexible engaged Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, while Sturdee detached his cruisers to chase Leipzig and Nürnberg. Inflexible and Invincible turned to fire broadsides at the armoured cruisers and Spee responded by trying to close the range. His flagship Scharnhorst suffered extensive damage with funnels flattened, fires and developed a list. The list became worse at 1604, and she sank by 1617. Gneisenau continued to fire and evade until 1715, by which time her ammunition had been exhausted, and her crew allowed her to sink at 1802. During her death throes, Admiral Sturdee continued to engage Gneisenau with his two battlecruisers and the cruiser Carnarvon seemingly ignoring the escaping Dresden. 190 of Gneisenau's crew were rescued from the water. The battlecruisers had received about 40 hits, with one man killed and four injured. Meanwhile, Nürnberg and Leipzig had run from the British cruisers. Nürnberg was running at full speed while the crew of the pursuing Kent were pushing her boilers and engines to the limit. Nürnberg finally turned for battle at 1730. Kent had the advantage in shell weight and armour. Nürnberg suffered two boiler explosions around 1830, giving further advantage in speed and manoeuvrability to Kent. The German ship then rolled over at 1927 after a long chase. The cruisers Glasgow and Cornwall had chased down Leipzig. Glasgow closed to finish Leipzig which had run out of ammunition but was still flying her battle ensign. Leipzig fired two flares, so Glasgow ceased fire. At 2123, more than 80 miles southeast of the Falklands, she also rolled over, leaving only 18 survivors.

                                The British suffered only very light casualties and damage whereas Admiral Spee and his two sons were among the German dead. There were 215 rescued German survivors who became prisoners on the British ships. Most were from the Gneisenau, nine were from Nürnberg and 18 were from Leipzig. There were no survivors from Scharnhorst. Of the known German force of eight ships, two escaped, the auxiliary Seydlitz and the light cruiser Dresden, which roamed at large for a further three months before she was cornered by a British squadron off the Juan Fernández Islands on 14 March 1915. After fighting a short battle, Dresden's captain evacuated his ship and scuttled her by detonating the main ammunition magazine. As a consequence of the battle, German commerce raiding on the high seas by regular warships of the Kaiserliche Marine was brought to an end. However, Germany put several armed merchant vessels into service as commerce raiders until the end of the war.

                                John Doran


                                8th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry 'standing to'  Regiment 'standing to' in billets

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Oxelaere


                                9th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards Training at Staple  From the 9th to the 12th of December 1914, the 2nd Life Guards are at Staple. The Regiment continued its training for further operations, including a Route March in Brigade on the 10th instant.

                                War Diary


                                9th December 1914 U11 sunk  SM U-11 a Type U 9 uboat built at shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 6) was mined off the Belgian coast on 9th December 1914 at position 51.20N, 02.52E. (all 26 hands lost). The vessel had been ordered 15 Jul 1908 was launched 2 Apr 1910 and commissioned 21 Sep 1910. She was commanded by Ferdinand von Suchodoletz and sailed with I Flotilla

                                John Doran


                                9th December 1914 U37 sunk  SM U-37 a Type U 31 uboat built by Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 197) was mined while homeward bound near the Sandettie Bank in the Straits of Dover area. All 32 hands were lost. The vessel had been ordered 12 Jun 1912, laid down 2 Jan 1913, launched 25 Aug 1914 and commissioned 9 Dec 1914. She was commanded by Erich Wilcke and sailed with II Flotilla. U37 recorded two ships sunk, the Emma on the 31st of March 1915 and the Seven Seas the following day. On the 25 Mar 1915 U 37 also damaged the Delmira.

                                John Doran


                                9th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry in full marching order  Regiment paraded in full marching order. All men, horses and vehicles without exception, all wagons packed, for inspection by General Officer Commanding, 7th Cavalry Brigade.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Oxelaere


                                9th Dec 1914 Social Dangers  "The social problems which have suddenly arisen in the diocese of Southwell, as in other parts of the country, owing to the establishment of military camps, was the subject of a crowded meeting of citizens held at the Albert Hall. Nottingham this afternoon (9th December 1914). The Bishop of Southwell presided, and addresses were given by Capt. Fitzgerald, who was Provost Marshal of the camp at Belton Park, Grantham, the Rev. H. J. Hoare, senior chaplain of the 11th Division at Belton Park: Mr. R. Yapp, the general secretary of the Y M.C.A.; Canon Field, and Captain Raynor.

                                The Chairman said that much had to be done if the new army was to be made strong in character as well as in arms. The citizens must share in that burden. The places in this diocese where camps were bring formed or men billeted included Nottingham, Derby, Buxton (3,000), Swanwick (1,000), Chesterfield. Newark, Chatsworth, Bawtry, and Mansfield, where there was to be a divisional of 16,000 men. We could not have these large bodies of men situated in perfectly new centres without considerable difficulty, and the citizens must assist as far as possible to create a clean army.

                                Captain Fitzgerald, who was responsible for the conduct of the troops at Belton, said that when they first went to Grantham there was an appalling amount of drunkenness, and much difficulty was experienced in dealing with it, as the military police were new, but the drunkenness had now considerably decreased. This was largely due to the fact that the troops had become more disciplined. A large number of very "bad hats" were enlisted in the hurry and scurry, but these had been dismissed, and a lot of amusements had been got up for the men in camp, to draw them away from the temptations of the towns. The publicans at Grantham, too, began to realise that it was not worth their while to serve men with too much drink and were now running their houses much better. At Grantham there was some difficulty at first about the arrangements for closing public-houses, but now they were forbidden to serve intoxicating liquors after eight o'clock in the evening. Further, no soldier was to be served before 1 p.m., or between two and four o'clock. At lot of drunkenness was still going on, but Grantham compared favourably with divisions in other parts of England. Mr. Yapp gave a description of the immense work which the Y.M.C.A. is doing in the new camps. He especially appealed to citizens to sign the pledge for the duration of the war as an inducement to the soldiers to do the same." Nottingham Evening Post of the 9th December 1914.

                                10th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards train with Brigade  As part of the training programme the 2nd Life Guards took part in a Route March with the Brigade.

                                10th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry in brigade route march  The Regiment took part in a brigade route march.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Oxelaere


                                11th Dec 1914 Steamer Chased by Enemy Submarine  The Steamer Colchester, sailing to Harwich was chased by an enemy submarine, the crew consider themselves lucky to have escaped.

                                11th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry drills  Troop/squadron drill. Surplus horses and saddlery evacuated (horses to mobile veterinary section, and 1st and 2nd Life Guards)

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Oxelaere


                                12th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry practises entrenching  Troop/squadron drill. Entrenching practices in accordance with the practical notes on the subject.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Oxelaere


                                13th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry storage arrangements  Arrangements made for storing surplus kit.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Oxelaere


                                14th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards near Scherpenberg  The 2nd Life Guards moved up in Brigade in Cavalry Support into a position of readiness just west of the south of Scherpenberg. Nothing of incident occurred and the Regiment moved back into billets 3/4 of a mile East of Berthen. Divine Services were held at Staple.

                                14th December 1914   Zeppelin LZ26 (Z12) an N Class craft had its first flight on the 14th December 1914. It went on to carry out 11 attacks in Northern France and at the Eastern Front, dropping a total of 20,000 kilograms (44,000 lb) of bombs. By the summer of 1915 the Z12 had dropped around 9 tons of bombs on the trunk railway line between Warsaw and Saint Petersburg (then Petrograd) including the stations at Malkina and Bialystok. On one flight it carried a load of 3 tons. It was decommissioned on 8 August 1917.

                                John Doran


                                14th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry at Berthen  Regiment as part of Brigade marched to Berthen and took up position as part of reserve in rear of high ground 4 miles NE of Berthen. Billeted at Berthen for the night.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Oxelaere & Berthen


                                15th Dec 1914 Garrisons stationed in North East England put on alert.  The Admiralty issued an alert to all garrisons defending the North East coast of England to expect raids by enemy ships. The two companies of the 18th DLI based in Hartlepool manned the trenches along the coast.

                                15th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards in billets  The 2nd Life Guards remained in billets at Berthen and was occupied in making shelter for horses.

                                15th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry prepares to move  Regiment stood to ready to move. Built shelter for horses.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Berthen


                                15 December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF State as at noon 15th December 1916  No 11A
                                Third Australian Division
                                State as at noon 15th December 1916
                                33rd Batallion, AIF

                                (First figure = no. of Officers; figure in brackets = no. of other ranks

                                Present 33 (836)
                                Absent with leave
                                Absent without leave
                                On command 2 (86)
                                Temporary sick (25)
                                Total strength 35 (947)
                                Establishment 34 (969)
                                Wanting to complete (22)
                                Attached 1 (2)

                                Animals
                                Riding horses 9
                                L.D. Horses 6
                                L.D. mules 8
                                Pack horses H.D. 6
                                Pack mules 2
                                Attached

                                Remarks

                                "Attached" is comprised of
                                1 chaplain, 1 batman,
                                1 interpreter

                                R.C. Jones S/Lieut

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                16th Dec 1914 Hartlepools Bombarded by Enemy ships  

                                The Bombardment of the Hartlepools by the German Navy was intended to damage ship building and engineering works in Hartlepool.

                                German ships, the Seydlitz, Moltke and Blucher were 3 miles off shore flying British Flags, they then changed to German flags and fired on the town just after 8 o'clock in the morning.

                                Private Theophilus Jones was the first soldier to be killed on British soil during World War One.

                                The Lighthouse Battery gun hit the Blucher killing nine sailors and damaging the ship and two of its guns. The Captains at the Heugh were awarded the very first pair of Military Medals.

                                In Victoria dock, a submarine and two light cruisers, tried to attack the German ships but the submarine was hit as soon as it came out of the harbour, blocking the other ships. The cruiser HMS Patrol, based at Hartlepool, put to sea but was holed and just managed to reach safety in the Tees. 4 of the crew died and 7 were injured.

                                That night 3 trawlers sank with heavy loss of life after striking mines laid by the attacking cruisers.

                                The first civilian to be killed on British soil in the First World War was Hilda Horsley, she was seventeen and worked as a tailoress. She was on her way to work when she was killed by a shell. Thirty four children under the age of sixteen were killed in the attack. The Dixon family lost three children.

                                As more shells were fired on Hartlepool, the people gathered in Ward Jackson Park and the villages of Hart, Elwick & Dalton Piercy. The attack took only forty minutes, but four hundred people were wounded and one hundred and twenty seven people were killed including nine soldiers of 18th DLI who were manning the trenches on the sea front and guarding the docks, engineers works and railway lines.

                                After the bombardment the men of the 18th DLI were sent to the Borough Hall and detailed into rescue parties, stretcher bearers and guards.

                                16th Dec 1914 HMS Test attacks German Raiders  HMS Test was one of the destroyers which attacked German raiding cruisers off Hartlepool after the Bombardment on the morning of the 16th of December 1914

                                16th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards return to Staple  The 2nd Life Guards returned to original billets at Staple.

                                16th December 1914 Bombartment of Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool  On the 16th December 1914 an attack by the German Navy on the British seaport towns of Scarborough, Hartlepool, West Hartlepool, and Whitby took place. The attack resulted in 137 fatalities and 592 casualties, many of whom were civilians. The attack resulted in public outrage towards the German navy for an attack against civilians and against the Royal Navy for its failure to prevent the raid.

                                German Objectives

                                The German Navy had been seeking opportunities to draw out small sections of the British fleet which it could trap and destroy. Shortly before, a raid on Yarmouth had produced few results but demonstrated the potential for fast raiding into British waters. On 16 November, Rear Admiral Franz Hipper, commander of the German battlecruiser squadron, persuaded his superior, Admiral Friedrich von Ingenohl, to ask the Kaiser's permission for a raid. U-17 was sent to investigate the area near Scarborough and Hartlepool for coastal defences. The submarine reported little onshore defence, no mines within 12 miles of the shore and a steady stream of shipping. It was also believed that two British battlecruisers, which would be the fast ships sent out first to investigate any attack, had been despatched to South America, where they had taken part in the Battle of the Falkland Islands. Hipper's force included four battlecruisers (SMS Seydlitz, Von der Tann, Moltke and Derfflinger), the armoured cruiser SMS Blücher, four light cruisers (SMS Strassburg, Graudenz, Kolberg and Stralsund) and 18 destroyers. Ingenohl positioned 85 ships of the German High Seas Fleet east of the Dogger Bank, where they could assist if Hipper's ships came under attack from larger forces, but were still safely close to Germany as standing orders from the Kaiser instructed.

                                British intelligence

                                The German fleet avoided any open engagement with the British fleet because it was smaller, but the difference between the two was less at this period in the war than at any other time. Later, Britain improved its position by building more ships, particularly dreadnought battleships which were considered most effective. The British fleet had the disadvantage of maintaining continuous patrols, whereas the German one remained mainly in their home port. This meant the German navy could choose a time to attack when all its ships were ready for sea, whereas some parts of the British fleet would always be in port receiving repairs or supplies, or on detached duty elsewhere. After several months of war, British ships were reaching the point where urgent repairs were needed and several had to be withdrawn from the Grand Fleet. Three battlecruisers had been sent to South America, and the brand new dreadnought HMS Audacious had been lost to a mine. HMS Thunderer, another super-dreadnought battleship, was also undergoing repairs. The British had one important advantage: German ships used three main codes for which codebooks were issued to their ships. Copies of these books had been obtained from sunk or captured vessels without the Germans' knowledge. British codebreakers had now reached the point where they could read German messages within a few hours of receiving them. Sufficient information had been gathered on the evening of 14 December to tell that the German battlecruiser squadron would shortly be leaving port. However, the information did not suggest that the whole German fleet might be involved. Admiral John Jellicoe, commanding the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow, was ordered to despatch Vice Admiral David Beatty with his battlecruiser squadron (HMS Lion, Queen Mary, Tiger and New Zealand). They were to join together with the Second Battle Squadron, commanded by Vice Admiral Sir George Warrender containing six modern dreadnoughts (HMS King George V, Ajax, Centurion, Orion, Monarch and Conqueror). Commodore William Goodenough was in command of the First Light Cruiser Squadron (HMS Southampton, Birmingham, Falmouth and Nottingham). Commodore Tyrwhitt at Harwich was ordered to take to sea with his two light cruisers (HMS Aurora and Undaunted) and 42 destroyers. Commodore Keyes was ordered to send eight submarines and his two command destroyers (HMS Lurcher and Firedrake) to take up station off the island of Terschelling to catch the German ships should they turn west into the English Channel. Jellicoe protested that although such a force should be sufficient to deal with Hipper, it would not be able to face the main German fleet. The four armoured cruisers of the Third Cruiser Squadron from Rosyth were added to the force (HMS Devonshire, Antrim, Argyll and Roxburgh) commanded by Rear Admiral William Pakenham. Jellicoe chose the point for this fleet to assemble, 25 miles south east of the Dogger Bank. The intention was to allow the raid to take place, then catch the German ships returning.

                                Raid

                                In Hartlepool near Heugh Battery, a plaque in Redheugh Gardens War Memorial "marks the place where the first German shell struck and the first soldier was killed on British soil by enemy action in the Great War 1914,1918." British recruiting poster picturing damage from German naval artillery to a civilian house: "No 2 Wykeham Street, Scarborough. Four people were killed in this house including the wife and two children, the youngest aged 5."

                                Admiral Hipper left the Jade River at 0300 on 15 December. During the following night, one of the accompanying destroyers, SMS S33, became separated from the rest and radioed for direction. This risked giving away the presence of the ships and the destroyer was ordered to be silent. Still lost, it headed for home but, on the way, sighted four British destroyers which it reported by radio. Hipper also noted radio traffic from British ships which caused concern that the British might be aware something was happening. He attributed this to possible spying by trawlers which were encountered during the day. The deteriorating weather was also causing problems. At 0635 on 16 December, the destroyers and three light cruisers were ordered to return to Germany. Kolberg remained, as she had 100 mines on board to lay. The remaining ships now also divided. Seydlitz, Blücher and Moltke proceeded toward Hartlepool, while Derfflinger, Von der Tann and Kolberg approached Scarborough. At 0815, Kolberg started laying mines off Flamborough Head in a line extending 10 miles out to sea. At 0800, Derfflinger and Von der Tann began shelling the town. Scarborough Castle, the prominent Grand Hotel, three churches and various other properties were hit. People crowded to the railway station and the roads leading out of the town. At 0930, the bombardment stopped and the two battlecruisers moved on to nearby Whitby, where a coastguard station was shelled, incidentally hitting Whitby Abbey and other buildings in the town. Hartlepool was a more significant target than the resort town of Scarborough. It had extensive civilian docks and factories and was defended by three BL 6 inch Mk VII naval guns on the seafront: two at Heugh Battery and one at Lighthouse Battery. The garrison of 166 Durham Light Infantrymen was warned at 0430 of the possibility of an attack and issued live ammunition. At 0746, they received word that large ships had been sighted and, at 0810, a bombardment of the town began. No warning had been given to naval patrols in the area, which were meant to be always on duty. However, the poor weather just before the raid meant that only four destroyers were on patrol, while two light cruisers and a submarine which might otherwise have been out, remained in Hartlepool harbour. The destroyers HMS Doon, Test, Waveney and HMS Moy were on patrol when, at 0745, Doon saw three large vessels approaching, shortly before they opened fire. The only weapons the destroyers had capable of damaging a large vessel were torpedoes. They were out of torpedo range, so they turned away. Doon closed to 5,000 yards and fired one torpedo, which missed, and retreated. On shore, the batteries remained confused by the approaching ships until shells began to fall. Shells from the ships were fired at such short range that their fuses did not have time to set, so many failed to explode on impact, or skittered away into the town because they were running horizontally rather than falling downwards. Two shore guns fired at the leading ship, while the third fired at the last, smaller vessel. The gunners were hampered by a rising cloud of smoke and dust around them, affecting visibility. They found their shells had no effect on the armoured sides of the ships, so instead aimed at masts and rigging. The accuracy of the third gun was sufficient to oblige Blücher to move behind the lighthouse to prevent further hits. Two of her 6-inch guns were disabled, while the ship's bridge and another 8 inch gun had been damaged. In the harbour, Captain Bruce of the light cruiser HMS Patrol attempted to get his ship to sea. The ship was struck by two 8-inch shells, forcing the captain to run her aground. The second cruiser HMS Forward had no steam in her boilers, so could not move. The submarine HMS C9 followed Patrol to sea and was forced to dive when shells started falling on them. By the time she got clear of the harbour, the enemy had gone. Commodore Roger Keyes commented afterward that a target of three stationary cruisers was exactly what the submarine had been intended to attack. The Hartlepool attack killed 86 civilians and injured 424. Seven soldiers were killed and 14 injured. 1,150 shells were fired at the town, striking targets including the steelworks, gasworks, railways, seven churches and 300 houses. Once again people fled the town by road and attempted to do so by train. Eight German sailors were killed and 12 wounded. At 0850, the German ships departed.

                                Encounter with the High Seas Fleet.

                                The battleships and cruisers commanded by Warrender set out from Scapa Flow at 0530 on 15 December. The bad weather meant that he could not take destroyers with him, but Beatty brought seven when he departed from Cromarty at 0600, together with the battlecruiser squadron. The two forces combined at 1100 near Moray Firth. As the senior admiral, Warrender had overall command of the force, which sailed toward its assigned interception point at Dogger Bank. At 0515 on 16 December, the destroyer HMS Lynx sighted an enemy ship (SMS V155). The destroyer squadron went to investigate, and a battle ensued with a force of German destroyers and cruisers. Lynx was hit, damaging a propeller. HMS Ambuscade was taking on water and had to drop out of the engagement. HMS Hardy came under heavy fire from cruiser SMS Hamburg, taking heavy damage and catching fire, but managed to fire a torpedo. News of a torpedo attack was passed to Admiral Ingenohl commanding the High Seas Fleet, whose outlying destroyers were the ones involved in the fighting. The engagement broke off after a couple of hours in the dark, but at 0603 the following morning one of the four destroyers still able to fight, HMS Shark, again came in contact with five enemy destroyers and the four attacked. The German ships withdrew, reporting another contact with an enemy force to the admiral. Ingenohl had already exceeded the strict limit of his standing orders from the Kaiser by involving the main German fleet in the operation without informing the Kaiser that he intended to do so. At 0530, mindful of the orders not to place the fleet in jeopardy and fearing he had encountered the advance guard of the British Grand Fleet, he reversed course back towards Germany. Had he continued, he would shortly have engaged the four British battlecruisers and six battleships with his much larger force including 22 battleships. This was precisely the sort of opportunity which German strategy had been seeking to even the odds in the war. The ten British capital ships would have been heavily outnumbered and outgunned with likely significant losses. Their loss would have equalised the power of the two navies. Churchill later defended the situation, arguing the British ships were faster and could simply have turned about and run. Others, such as Jellicoe, felt there was a real risk an admiral such as Beatty would have insisted upon engaging the enemy once contact was established. Admiral Tirpitz commented Ingenohl had the fate of Germany in his hand. At 0650, Shark and the destroyers again sighted an enemy ship, the cruiser SMS Roon, defended by destroyers. Captain Jones reported his sightings at 0725, the signal being received by Warrender and also New Zealand in Beatty's squadron, but the information was not passed to Beatty. At 0740, Jones attempting to close on Roon to fire torpedoes, discovered she was accompanied by two other cruisers, and was obliged to withdraw at full speed. The German ships gave chase but could not keep up and shortly returned to their fleet. Warrender changed course towards the position given by Shark, expecting Beatty to do the same. At 0736, he attempted to confirm that Beatty had changed course but did not get a reply. At 0755, he managed to make contact, and Beatty belatedly sent his nearest ship—New Zealand—to intercept, followed by the three light cruisers spaced 2 miles apart to maximise their chance of spotting the enemy, followed by the remaining battlecruisers. At 0842, both Warrender and Beatty intercepted a message from Patrol at Scarborough advising that she was under attack by two battlecruisers. The chase of Roon, which might have led to an encounter with the main German fleet, was abandoned, and the British squadron turned north to attempt to intercept Hipper.

                                Hipper's return

                                At 0930 on 16 December, Hipper's ships regrouped and headed for home at maximum speed. His destroyers were now some 50 miles ahead, still moving slowly through bad weather. On inquiring where the High Seas Fleet was now stationed, he discovered that it had returned home, and that his destroyers had sighted enemy ships. Jellicoe was now requested to move south with the Grand Fleet, which was waiting at Scapa Flow. Tyrwhitt was ordered to join Warrender with his destroyer flotilla, but bad weather prevented this. Instead he joined the chase with just his four light cruisers. Keyes's submarines were to move into Heligoland Bight to intercept ships returning to Germany. Warrender and Beatty remained separated, first to avoid shallow water over the Dogger Bank, but then to cut off different routes which Hipper might take escaping minefields laid off the Yorkshire coast. Beatty's light cruisers entered the minefield channels to search. At 1125, the light cruiser Southampton sighted enemy ships ahead. The weather, which had started clear with good visibility, had now deteriorated. Southampton reported that she was engaging a German cruiser accompanied by destroyers, and Birmingham went to assist. Goodenough now sighted two more cruisers, Strassburg and Graudenz, but failed to report the additional ships. The two remaining British light cruisers moved off to assist, but Beatty, not having been informed of the larger force, called one of them back. Due to confusion in the signalling, the first cruiser misunderstood the message flashed by searchlight and passed it on to the others. The result was that all four disengaged the enemy and turned back to Beatty. Had Beatty appreciated the number of German ships it is likely he would have moved forward with all his ships instead of recalling the one cruiser to screen his battlecruisers. The larger force suggested that major German ships would be following behind. The ships had now disappeared, but were heading toward the opposite end of the minefield, where Warrender was waiting. At 1215, the German cruisers and destroyers exited the southern edge of the minefield and saw battleships ahead. Stralsund flashed the recognition signal which had been sent to her shortly before when she encountered Southampton, gaining a little time. Visibility was now poor through rain and not all the battleships had seen the enemy. Orion's captain, Frederic Charles Dreyer, trained his guns on Stralsund and requested permission of his superior, Rear Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, to open fire. Arbuthnot refused until Warrender granted permission. Warrender also saw the ships and ordered Packenham to give chase with the four armoured cruisers. These were too slow, and the Germans disappeared again into the mist. Beatty received the news that Warrender had sighted the ships, and assumed that the battlecruisers would be following on behind the lighter vessels. He consequently abandoned the northern exit of the minefield and moved east and then south, attempting to position his ships to catch the German battlecruisers should they slip past the slower British battleships. Hipper initially attempted to catch up with his cruisers and come to their aid, but once they reported the presence of British battleships to the south and that they had slipped past, he turned north to avoid them. Warrender, realising no battlecruisers had appeared in his direction, moved north, but saw nothing. Kolberg, damaged in the raid and thus lagging behind the others, saw the smoke from his ships, but was not herself seen so Hipper escaped. Belatedly, the Admiralty intercepted signals from the High Seas Fleet at Heligoland as it returned to port, and now warned the British ships that the German fleet was coming out. Jellicoe with the Grand Fleet continued to search on 17 December, attempting to engage the High Seas Fleet, but failed to find it since it was now safely in harbour. Keyes's submarines had been despatched to attempt to find returning German ships. They also failed, although one torpedo was fired at SMS Posen by HMS E11, which missed. As a last-ditch attempt to catch Hipper, the admiralty ordered Keyes to take his two destroyers and attempt to torpedo Hipper as he returned home around 0200. Keyes himself had considered this and wanted to try. Unfortunately, the message was delayed and failed to reach him until too late.

                                Aftermath

                                The raid had an enormous effect upon British public opinion, both as a rallying cry against Germany for an attack upon civilians, and in generating criticism of the Royal Navy for being unable to prevent it. The attack became part of a British propaganda campaign, 'Remember Scarborough', used on army recruitment posters. Editorials in neutral America condemned it. Blame for Beatty's light cruisers' having disengaged from the enemy initially fell upon their commander, Goodenough, but the action was contrary to his past good record. Blame eventually settled on the confused signals, which had been drafted by Lieutenant Commander Ralph Seymour. Seymour remained flag officer to Beatty and continued in the same vein, making costly mistakes at both the Battle of Dogger Bank and at Jutland. A new order was drafted to captains to double check any orders to disengage if involved in a winnable battle. There were lucky escapes all round. The German High Seas Fleet failed to take its opportunity to engage the inferior British squadrons at Dogger Bank. The British nearly led a chase into this fleet even after it had turned away from an encounter, but by chance drew back. Hipper escaped both forces set to trap him although, when his battlecruisers later met Beatty's at Jutland, it was Beatty who suffered the greater harm. Jellicoe resolved that in future the entire Grand Fleet would be involved from the start in similar operations, but the battlecruisers were moved to Rosyth to be nearer in the event of future raids. The Kaiser reprimanded his admirals for the fleet's failure to capitalise upon an opportunity, but made no changes to the orders restricting the fleet's use, which were largely responsible for Ingenohl's decisions. Recently (2010) archaeologist Bob Clarke, a local to Scarborough, offered an alternative reason for the town being shelled. He notes that at the time Scarborough was noted in maritime literature as a 'defended town' due primarily to the castle site. Furthermore, the town had three radio stations, at the time cutting edge technology in the organisation of the Royal Naval Fleet. The shell patterns suggest that these were the key targets for the raid on 16th December 1914, not the towns folk as was widely reported at the time and perpetuated since.

                                John Doran


                                16th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry back at Oxelaere  Regiment moved back to old billets at Oxelaere.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Berthen & Oxelaere


                                16th Dec 1914 Raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby  The German Navy had decided on a strategy of bombarding British towns on the North Sea coast in an attempt to draw out the Royal Navy and destroy elements of it in detail. An earlier raid on Yarmouth on 3 November 1914 had been partially successful, but a larger-scale operation was later devised by Admiral Franz von Hipper. The fast battlecruisers would conduct the bombardment, while the rest of the High Seas Fleet stationed itself east of Dogger Bank, so they could cover the battlecruisers' return and destroy any pursuing British vessels. Having broken the German naval codes, the British were planning to catch the raiding force on its return journey, although they were not aware of the High Seas Fleet's presence. Admiral Beatty's 1st BCS (now reduced to four ships, including New Zealand) and the 2nd Battle Squadron (consisting of six dreadnoughts) were detached from the Grand Fleet in an attempt to intercept the Germans near Dogger Bank. Admiral Hipper's raiders set sail on 15 December 1914, and successfully bombarded several English towns. British destroyers escorting the 1st BCS had already encountered German destroyers of the High Seas Fleet at 0515 and fought an inconclusive action with them. Vice Admiral Sir George Warrender, commanding the 2nd Battle Squadron, had received a signal at 0540 that the destroyer HMS Lynx was engaging enemy destroyers, although Beatty had not. The destroyer HMS Shark spotted the German armoured cruiser SMS Roon and her escorts at about 0700, but could not transmit the message until 0725. Admiral Warrender received the signal, as did New Zealand, but Beatty, aboard Lion, did not, even though New Zealand had been specifically tasked to relay messages between the destroyers and the flagship. Warrender attempted to pass on Shark's message to Beatty at 0736, but did not manage to make contact until 0755. On receiving the message, Beatty reversed course, and dispatched New Zealand to search for Roon. She was being overhauled by New Zealand when Beatty received messages that Scarborough was being shelled at 0900. Beatty ordered New Zealand to rejoin the squadron and turned west for Scarborough. The British forces, heading west to cover the main route through the minefields protecting the coast of England, split up while passing the shallow Southwest Patch of Dogger Bank. Beatty's ships headed to the north, while Warrender passed to the south. This left a 15-nautical-mile gap between them, through which the German light forces began to move. At 1225, the light cruisers of the II Scouting Group began to pass the British forces searching for Hipper. The light cruiser HMS Southampton spotted the light cruiser SMS Stralsund and signalled a report to Beatty. At 1230, Beatty turned his battlecruisers towards the German ships, which he presumed were the advance screen for Hipper's ships. However, those were some 31 miles behind. The 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron, which had been screening for Beatty's ships, detached to pursue the German cruisers, but a misinterpreted signal from the British battlecruisers sent them back to their screening positions. This confusion allowed the German light cruisers to escape, and alerted Hipper to the location of the British battlecruisers. The German battlecruisers wheeled to the north-east of the British forces and also made good their escape.

                                16th Dec 1914   At Heugh Battery during the bombardment, five members of 18th Battalion were killed:
                                • Private Theophilus Jones, thought to be the first.
                                • Private C.S. Clarke
                                • Private Alex Liddle
                                • Private Walter Rogers
                                • Private C.D. Turner.
                                Private Thomas Minks - died of his wounds the following day.

                                17th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards Training  The War Diary of the 2 Life Guards records: Continuation of training for active operations.

                                War Diary


                                18th Dec 1914 2nd Gloucesters proceed to France  2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment marched from Hursley Park and entrained for Southampton where they boarded the City of Chester bound for Le Harve.

                                18th Dec 1914 2 Life Guards at Staple  At Staple the 2nd Life Guards war diary records: Orders received to be ready to concentrate

                                War Diary


                                18th December 1914 U-% sunk off Belgian coast  SM U-5 a Type U 5 Uboat was sunk on 18 Dec 1914 by a mine or accident off Belgian coast about 18-12. All 29 hands were lost. The ubaot had been built at Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 147) Ordered 8 Apr 1908, laid down 24 Aug 1908, launched 8 Jan 1910 and commissioned 2 Jul 1910. She was commanded by Johannes Lemmer and sailed with I Flotilla.

                                John Doran


                                19th December 1914 1st Battalion Royal Scots proceed to France  1st Battalion Royal Scots boarded a Troopship at Southampton and embarked for France.

                                20th December 1914 1st Battalion Royal Scots arrive France  1st Battalion Royal Scots disembarked at Le Havre in France.

                                21st Dec 1914 Jean Bart damaged by submarine  French vessel Jean Bart is damaged by Submarine k.u.k. U12.

                                21st December 1914 First bombing raid on Britain  21st December 1914 The first confirmed raid occurred on 21 December, when a Friedrichshafen FF29 dropped two bombs into the sea near the Admiralty Pier in Dover. These raids, usually carried out by one or two aircraft during daytime, continued throughout the war, with little effect.

                                John Doran


                                22nd Dec 1914 2nd Northumberlands return from India  When war broke out, the 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers were in Sabathu in India. They returned to England on the 22nd of December 1914 to join 84th Brigade, 28th Division.

                                22nd Dec 1914 First Under Fire  "It has fallen to the lot of the County Battalion to be the first unit of Lord Kitchener's Army to be under fire. It is an old saying that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." The dead heroes of last Wednesday's defence force will be mourned as is their just due, but Britons would not be Britons if the German raid does not give a fillip to recruiting more than all the speeches ever made.

                                At the invitation of one of the officers I paid a visit the other day to the training headquarters at Cocken Hall of the 18th (Service) Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (County). The words quoted, and the parentheses, constitute the full and proper title, but as they are too long to repeat, may I fall back upon a legal phrase and say, hereinafter termed the "County Battalion," and also known as "Lord Durham's Battalion," the "Pals' Battalion," etc.

                                What Lord Durham has done for the battalion it would be difficult to estimate, for besides lending his personal and financial support it is he who has placed Cocken Hall and its grounds, and the fields around, at the disposal of the commanding officer, the estate being the property of the noble earl. The battalion consists of nearly 1,100 men, and is up to strength, but the day I was there 500 of them were at West Hartlepool, where they had been sent a few weeks ago to man the trenches, when a raid such as took place on Wednesday last was first feared. Therefore there were only about 600 of the establishment was increased [sic], and permission given to recruit more men, and reserve companies are now being raised, newcomers being enrolled every day.

                                When I arrived on the scene most of the men were out of doors. Here let me say that only the officers and the Durham Company, which company was the first to enlist, occupy the house, and that the rest of the men are quartered in wooden huts, each of which holds 40. There are some 28 of these huts, set out in rows. They are uncommonly like streets, and in this work-a-day Durham district almost suggest a new colliery village. The first thing that struck me was that every man, down to the latest recruit, is fully clothed in brand new khaki. Recruits are uniformed and equipped the day they join. There is no going about for weeks in nondescript clothing, as falls to the lot of some units of the new army. While I was at Cocken a likely-looking young man was enrolled. When I left Leamside at night I saw that same young man clad from head to foot in the cloth which distinguishes the British soldier the world over. And he had a great coat too, and a kit bag.

                                It was interesting to see how the new recruits were at once taken in charge by older members, and made to feel at home in their new surroundings, but next to the main idea of training, the chief point which struck me was the way the men's comfort and convenience was studied. I need not describe Cocken Hall. It agrees in the main with the descriptions of country houses in novels. The officers and men have made the most of it. It is comfortable, but there are no luxurious adjuncts. But it is outside where the most interest lies. The huts are well built, roomy and high. They are constructed of cladding outside, asbestos inside, and are roofed with felt, while the heating is by coke stoves. At dinner time the forty men accommodated by each can dine with freedom of movement for all. At bedtime down come the palliasses, out come the blankets, and to peaceful sleep goes "Tommy," his clothing hanging in apple-pie order on the pegs over his head. "Do the men undress?" I innocently asked, having visions of night attacks. "Undress, yes," replied a cheery sergeant. "Most of them sleep in pyjamas. Many of the men came to enlist in cuffs and collars."

                                Which brings me to the class of Britishers who have enrolled in the "Counties." The battalion, as has often been given out, is recruited from the commercial classes, including artisans. But I was told that every conceivable occupation was represented in the attestation papers, professional, business and commercial. There are in the ranks parsons, hairdressers, medicos, engineers, dentists, solicitors, students, tradesmen, and electricians. The huts are lighted by electricity, the current being generated on the ground, and the whole of the installation was fitted up by recruits. Out of curiosity I asked several men I met what they were in civil life, and these were only a few I dropped upon casually. They were a seagoing engineer, a tobacconist who had a business of his own, a Cartwright, and a clerk, and a well set-up young miner.

                                The most conspicuous building on the ground is the recreation room, capable of holding the whole battalion. When I was there it was just completed, and it is to be so arranged that whereas it can be divided by curtains into three, with a canteen at one end, it can be quickly thrown into one large hall for concerts and other gatherings. Billiards and all kinds of games will be provided. The recreation room is similar in style to the huts, but is covered externally with corrugated iron.

                                The Cocken camp also boasts a complete bathing and washing establishment. In the lavatory are long rows of wash basins, with water laid on, and in the bath house there are 40 cubicles, each with a bath and hot and cold water. There are also several clothing drying houses, where the men's garments are dried on rows of steam pipes. The value of the latter adjunct can easily be imagined when one remembers the miserable weather we have been having of late.

                                The food is excellent and plentiful. The men are not fed on "stew" every day. At seven o'clock early coffee is served. At eight o'clock breakfast consists of meat or fish and tea or coffee, and butter and jam. For dinner soup, meat, two vegetables, puddings and sweets form the constituents. Five o'clock tea is composed of tea and bread and butter and jam. The officers get the same fare as the men. I had a private interview with the caterer, Mr. G.E. Barton, army contractor, of York, who told me that the 600 odd men eat in a week, of potatoes three tons; peas, 2cwt.; beans, 2cwt.; carrots, 2cwt.; turnips, 3cwt.; beef, 37â…Ÿ2 cwt.; rabbits, 16 dozen; sheep, 4; pork, 400 lbs; rice, 2cwt.; tapioca, 1cwt.; bread, 4,000 lbs.; plum cake, 4cwt.; jam, 10 cwt.; butter, 3cwt.; tea, 230 lbs; coffee, 1cwt.; and milk, 280 gallons. In addition there are varying but plentiful quantities consumed of bacon, potted meat, fish, pork pies, polonies, sausage, brawn, apples, prunes, figs, plum pudding, etc. This is enough to show that the commissariat is in capable hands, and that it is substantial. No tinned goods whatever are used.

                                As is well known, the battalion has been raised and clothed by a committee composed of many of the most influential gentlemen in the County of Durham, including the Lord Lieutenant (Lord Durham) and Col. R. Burdon, who have taken the greatest possible interest in it from the beginning. This committee by their patriotic action has saved the county about £11,000. The battalion, of which Lord Southampton, of the 10th Hussars, kindly assumed the temporary command, was afterwards taken over by Col. Hugh Bowes, late secretary to the Durham County Territorial Force Association, as commanding officer. His unique experience in organisation and administration is of the greatest value to the new unit.

                                I had also intended to give a resume of a day's work in the life of the soldier, but again space forbids. Suffice it to say that reveille is at 6.45 and after a very busy day, divided by enjoyable meals, eaten with splendid appetites, the ordinary work finishes at 5 p.m. and lights out is at 10. After 5 o'clock the officers and non-commissioned officers have lectures. Occasionally, after 5, the men are given two hours exercise at "companies in the attack," or "outposts," in the dark. I might remark here that the athletic side of the training is not lost sight of. Sports are held every Wednesday, and in the ordinary way every day there is running and high jumping, and physical drill.

                                Every phase of military operation is practised, including that most necessary art of trenching, so that the "Counties" will be able, when at the front, to "dig themselves in" as comfortably as any of General French's army. The battalion was fortunate in obtaining as instructors a number of very good non-commissioned officers. It goes without saying that a very important part of the training of the battalion is in rifle shooting. An elaborate covered-in range is provided, where the use of the rifle is taught so thoroughly that it will not be the fault of the instructors if the men are not worthy followers of the original British Expeditionary Force, whose shooting so surprised the Germans. Great emphasis is placed on visual training, and in the huts the men are given pictorial targets to study from, and to practise at picking out objects such as a man in khaki, represented in Lilliputian form, at a supposed distance of 300 yards and over. In the rifle range itself, with the miniature rifle, shooting is reduced to an exact science, and the men are practised in long-distance firing. The range is fitted up with the Solano moving and disappearing targets, and with the Hill-Siffken landscape targets.

                                The men who show themselves most intelligent and smart are quickly promoted and the great bulk of the non-commissioned officers have been advanced in this way. A certain number of commissions have been reserved for promotions from the ranks. A Church of England curate from the immediate district, who joined as a private, is now a sergeant. Talking about parsons, I ought to add that the officers and the men have church parades at different places of worship in the locality on Sundays. A full brass band is being raised, the battalion being rich in instrumentalists. The instruments are being provided by Col. T.C. McKenzie, of Sunderland, and other friends. The camp has been wonderfully free from sickness. Every provision is made for attending to sick cases, but so far there has been nothing worse experienced than ordinary colds. Of the armoury, the clothing store, the cook-house, and the numerous other adjuncts, I must content myself by saying that they were all on the same well found scale as the features already mentioned.

                                The men are drawn from the whole of the county of Durham, and there are large contingents from Darlington, Durham City, Sunderland, West Hartlepool, and the other large towns. The general conduct both at Cocken and at West Hartlepool has been excellent. The men at West Hartlepool were complimented, before last Wednesday's bombardment, on the efficient way in which they performed their duties, and since the bombardment all will have read the splendid tribute which was paid to their bearing under fire.

                                It was at first intended to send the new recruits to Newton Hall, kindly placed at the disposal of the battalion by Lord Boyne, but it is now probable that more huts will be built at Cocken, which will be much jollier for the men. Recruiting is proceeding rapidly, and no time should be lost in joining on the part of those who are thinking about doing so. Owing to the rapidity with which recruits drawn form business and scholastic circles train, the County Battalion is expected to be ready for the front before most of the new Army. That this hope is justifiable is proved by the remarkable steadiness of the men of the Battalion during the attack upon the trenches at West Hartlepool last Wednesday. Although the height standard is 5ft. 6in., any recruit who is otherwise specially suitable will be taken at 5ft. 4in. and upwards." Northern Daily Mail, 22st of December 1914.

                                Northern Daily Mail, 22 December 1914


                                23rd Dec 1914 2nd Buffs return to England  2nd Battalion, East Kent Regiment, The Buffs were a regular army unit and were based in Madras, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrision, the 2nd Buffs returned to England, arriving on the 23rd of December. They joined 85th Brigade, 28th Division who were assembling near Winchester.

                                23rd Dec 1914 Training continued for 2nd Life Guards   Training for active operations were continued from the 19th of December and included a Route March in Brigade for the 2nd Life Guards on the 23rd instant. Leave is now being granted to the United Kingdom for 25% of officers, 4 NCOs and 12 men per Unit at a time.

                                War Diary


                                23rd Dec 1914 Padre for Tyneside Irish.  Reverend Father Hartley of Blaydon volunteered to serve as padre to the battalion due to the large number of roman catholic volunteers. Although these volunteers were recruited from the Irish communities most were born in England. It was their parents and grandparents who were Irish. Some were English and just wanted to enlist with their friends. Contracts for uniforms and equipment were placed with local companies. The colour Khaki was said to be the true colour for the Irish uniforms. Although many of Kitchener, Armies wore blue,known as Kitchener blue. It was decided by the Tyneside Irish committee that Khaki uniforms would be issued at much delight to the men. On 23rd December 1914 a Christmas dinner, with beer, for those in Dunn's buildings was given, a grand concert took place in the Town Hall on the 28th. Recruiting continued.

                                research


                                25th December 1914 The Cuxhaven Raid  Aircraft of the Royal Naval Air Service were carried to within striking distance by seaplane tenders of the Royal Navy, HMS Engadine, HMA Riviera and HMS Empress, supported by the Harwich Force, a group of cruisers, destroyers and submarines commanded by Commodore Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, to launch three seaplanes each from their station near Helgoland in the German Bight. The objective was to reconnoitre military installations in the area and, if possible, bomb the Zeppelin sheds at Cuxhaven. This was the first combined sea and air strike was executed by the Royal Navy. The air temperature was just above freezing when nine seaplanes were lowered to the water, only seven of the Short Folders, were able to start their engines and take off, each carrying three 20-pound bomb. Those unable to take part were winched back on board. Fog, low cloud and anti-aircraft fire prevented the raid from being a complete success, although several sites were attacked.

                                The crews of all seven aircraft were airbourne for over three hours and all survived the raid. Three aircraft landed on the sea and were winched abord their tenders, a 100 hp Short 'Improved Type 74' RNAS serial no. 811 flown by Flt. Lt. C. H. K. Edmonds, a 160 hp Short Admiralty Type 81 RNAS serial no. 119 flown by Flt. Cdr. R. P. Ross and a Short Admiralty Type 135 RNAS serial no. 136 flown by Flt. Cdr. C. F. Kilner with Lt. Erskine Childers as his observer. Three others, 'Admiralty Type 81' RNAS serial no. 120 flown by Flt. Lt. A. J. Miley, and two 100 hp Short 'Improved Type 74' folders, RNAS serial nos. 814 flown by Flt. Sub-Lt. V. Gaskell-Blackburn and 815 flown by Flt. Cdr. D. A. Oliver, landed off the East Friesian island of Norderney and their crews were taken on board the submarine E11, the aircraft being scuttled to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. The last aircraft, a Short Admiralty Type 135 RNAS serial no. 135 flown by Flt. Lt. Francis and E.T. Hewlett, suffered engine faileur and was seen to ditch into the sea 8 miles off Helgoland. Hewlett was posted as missing, but he was found by the Dutch trawler Marta van Hattem, which took him on board and returned him to the port of Ymuiden in Holland, where he disembarked on the 2nd of January 1915 and made his way back to England.

                                It was the first-ever bombing raid by ship-borne aircraft, three channel steamers that had been hastily converted to carry seaplanes, which had to be launched and recovered from the sea by winch alongside their vessels. The Engadine, Riviera and Empress had been requisitioned from the South East & Chatham Railway Company on 11th of August 1914. In the first days of WWI HMS Empress carried the equipment of Cdr Charles Samson’s Eastchurch Squadron when they deployed across the Channel to Ostend, then she joined the other two vessels which were being converted in Chatham Dockyard. The work involved fitting derricks and handling gear so they could carry three seaplanes, which were stored under canvas hangars. The conversion work was completed on 30th of September and all three were assigned to The Harwich Force comprising the three seaplane tenders and a number of cruisers, destroyers and submarines, had been assmebled under the command of Commodore Reginald Yorke Tyrwitt for a raid on German homeland. The plan, code name ‘Plan Y’, had been dreamt up by Robert Erskine Childers RNVR, a yachtsman who had sailed much in the Baltic and German Bight before the war, was the ships would steam to a flying-off position within range of Cuxhaven, where the nine aircraft would be launched. The objective being to reconnoitre military installations in the area, and carry out a pre-emptive strike on the zeppelin sheds, located near the Nordholz airfield.

                                On Christmas Eve thirty-four ships moved out from Harwich, and from Scottish waters then sailed south overnight to rendezvous in the North Sea 12 miles north of Heligoland just before dawn on Christmas morning. CPO James William Bell, age 21, was a mechanic onboard HMS Empress. Before sailing he had helped embark sixteen 20lbs bombs onboard, and had been instructed to ‘drill holes them so that they could be slung under the seaplanes’. The rest of the crew were told to move aft in case Bell ‘blew them all to pieces’. His task complete, Bell prepared to join Flt Sub Lt Vivian Gaskell-Blackburn, and act as his Observer.

                                Tyrwitt’s log records, "weather conditions perfect for flying, light airs from the eastward, sea calm, but bitterly cold" In fact the launch site was shrouded with low cloud and fog, and the temperature barely above freezing when the aircraft were lowered into the water at 0630. The aircraft engines coughed a spluttered as crew struggled to get them to start. Two maintainers, realising one crew were in difficulty, jumped into the sea and swam over to the aircraft and helped persuade the Gnome engine into life. Despite this attention, two of the aircraft simply would not start, but the other seven took off and headed towards their objective. They were each armed with three 20lb bombs. The only other weapons carried were the pilot’s revolvers, with six packets of ammunition, and the three aircraft that had an Observer carried a rifle.

                                From HMS Engadine: No.119 a Short Type 81 ‘Folder’ Flt Cdr Robert P Ross, No.120 Short Type 81 Flt Lt Arnold J Miley and No.122 Short Type 81 Flt Cdr A.B Gaskell

                                From HMS Riviera: No.135 Short Admiralty Type 135 Flt Lt Francis E.T Hewlett, No.136 Short Admiralty Type 135 Capt Cecil F Kilner RMLI with Erskine Childers and No.811 Short ‘Improved’ Type 74 Lt Charles H.K Esmonds RN.

                                From HMS Empress: No.812 Short ‘Improved’ Type 74 Flt Lt R.J Bone with Air Mechanic Waters, No.814 Short ‘Improved’ Type 74 Flt Sub Lt V Gaskell-Blackburn with CPO James Ball and No.815 Short ‘Improved’ Type 74 Flt Cdr Douglas A Oliver with CPO Gilbert H W Budd.

                                Two unserviceable aircraft, No.122 and No.812, were recovered onto HMS Empress and Engadine by the deck crew. One hour later the airborne aircraft encountered some enemy fire from ships as they approached the German coast one hour. Inland the fog was thicker, so the pilots descended to low level, hoping to spot landmarks that would guide them towards their destination. The first indication to Gaskell-Blackburn and Bell that they had coasted in was when Blackburn spotted a railway line beneath him. Initially they turned south, then turned around and headed north and arrived at Wilhelmshaven, where they once again came under fire and one of the floats on their Type 74 was damaged by a small calibre shell. Bell retaliated by dropping two bombs on the gun position before they turned away to return to the ships.

                                Admiralty Memorandum on the Combined Operations by HM Ships and Naval Seaplanes on 25 December 1914 states:- "On 25th December 1914, an air reconnaissance of the Heligoland Bight, including Cuxhaven, Heligoland and Wilhelmshaven, was made by naval seaplanes, and the opportunity was taken at the same time of attacking with bombs, points of military importance. The reconnaissance involved combined operations by light cruisers, destroyers and seaplane carriers under Commodore Reginald Y Tyrwhitt CB and submarines acting under the orders of Commodore Roger Keyes CB MVO. The vessels detailed for the operations arrived at their rendezvous before daylight and as soon as the light was sufficient the seaplanes were hoisted out and dispatched. At the beginning of the flight the weather was clear but on nearing the land the seaplanes met with thick weather, and were compelled to fly low, thus becoming exposed to a heavy fire at short range from ships and shore batteries. Several machines were hit, but all remained in the air for over three hours, and succeeded in obtaining valuable information regarding the disposition of the enemy's ships and defences. ‘Bombs were dropped on military points. In the meanwhile German submarines, seaplanes and Zeppelins delivered a combined attack upon the light cruisers, destroyers and seaplane carriers but were driven off.’ Flt Cdrs Kilner and Ross and Flt Lt Edmonds regained their ships. Flt Cdr Oliver, Flt Lt Miley and Flt Sub-Lt Gaskell-Blackburn became short of fuel and were compelled to descend near submarine E11.

                                Submarine E11 was commanded by Lt Cdr Martin E Nasmith RN who, along with others, had been detached by Keyes closer inshore to assist any seaplane that might be in difficulties. Gaskell-Blackburn and Bell running low on fuel when they spotted E11, which already had Miley’s Type 81 in tow. Despite the presence of Zeppelin LZ5 in the vicinity they decided to land nearby, but the damaged float on their seaplane collapsed as soon as they touched the water and the aircraft tipped nose up. Shortly afterwards Oliver and Budds in their Type 74 landed alongside them. Naismith manoeuvred the submarine alongside, so close that Oliver and Budd could step aboard; whilst Blackburn and Bell jumped into the sea and swam towards E11. As soon as they airmen were a safe distance the crew on E11 opened fore with machine guns and shot away the floats and No.814 sank. Blackburn climbed onboard with ease, however Bell was struggling in the swirling seas. With the Zeppelin now closing in, a Leading Seaman jumped down from the conning tower, waded along the gun-platform, threw Bell a line and hauled him onboard, and he was bundled down the hatchway just as E11 submerged. Bell later recalls feeling, "a slight bump as the sub reached the seabed, before an appalling crash reverberated through the hull when the first of two bombs from the airship burst in the water above them". E11 escaped undamaged and the airmen joined the crew for Christmas dinner on the seabed, 20 fathoms below the surface, before heading back to Harwich.

                                The seventh aircraft, flown by Hewlett, had engine problems whilst returning to the ships, and was seen to ditch into the sea and Hewlett was thought lost. However, he was later picked up by the Dutch trawler Marta van Hattem and taken to Ijmuiden, where he disembarked on 2nd of January 1915 whence he made his way back to England.

                                At 10.00, three and half hours after launch the Captain of HMS Empress, Lt F W Bowhill RN, was waiting at the agreed rendezvous for his aircraft to return. His subsequent report states: "Whilst making for rendezvouz No.4, I dropped astern not being able to steam so fast as the other two ships and I was then subjected to a systematic attack by two German seaplanes and one Zeppelin. The first seaplane attacked from the starboard bow, at a height of about 2,000ft and dropped a star bomb. This signal, I presume, meaning "am about to attack". The crew dropped three pairs of bombs (six in all), but made very bad shooting, the bombs dropped from 200 to 300 yards away on our starboard bow; smoke black and yellowish; size of bombs about 10lbs each. Then the second seaplane attacked from the port bow at a height of about 1,000ft, dropping two fairly large bombs. This attack was nearly successful, one bomb dropping 20ft away on the port beam and shaking the ship severely, and the other 40ft off the starboard beam. The smoke was black and yellowish. The method of defence of defence adopted was to arm the gun's crews with rifles, and volleys were fired at the seaplanes, a few picked shots keeping up independent firing. As far as could be judged, the seaplanes were undamaged. I continuously kept on altering my course throughout the attacks. The Zeppelin attacked by rising to about 5,000ft on the starboard beam and coming over towards me. When nearly overhead she dived to about 2,000ft, and then manoeuvred to get directly above me, slowing down, and heading in the same direction as myself. She dropped two tracer bombs in order to obtain range, and these were followed by three bombs of apparently 100lbs each. The first one struck the water about 50yds off the port quarter, and gave out a greenish smoke; the second fell 50yds and the third 100yds astern. Fortunately both failed to detonate. She then opened fire with a ‘mitrailleuse’, and apparently fired three belts. The shooting, however, was indifferent. My method of defence was to watch her position carefully as she manoeuvred into position directly overhead. I then went hard over. I could see her rudders put over to follow me, and directly her head started to turn I put my helm over the other way. I continually repeated this manoeuvre, which seemed to worry her, for she was never on a steady course, and I think it put her off her aim; otherwise I feel to see how she could have missed us. A continual rifle fire was kept up at her, and though, of course, no damage could be seen, I think that she must have been hit in several places, for she sheered off and went on the port quarter. As soon as my after 12 pounders would bear, I fired eight shots at her, and one, I think, went very close, as she sheered right off and did not worry me again."

                                Bowhill was unaware, and probably quite lucky that the Zeppelin had suffered a generator failure, and was unable to transmit the ship’s position to other aircraft and ships that undoubtedly were in the area. The Cuxhaven Raid was unsuccessful in that the aircraft failed to locate and attack their primary targets, and two aircraft were lost. However the Admiralty memorandum stated, "An expression of their Lordships appreciation has been conveyed to Cdre Keyes, Cdre Tyrwhitt and to Capt Sueter (Director of the Air Department) for their share in the combined operations which resulted in this successful reconnaissance". It was also a milestone in the development of aircraft ship-borne operations and tested the German reaction to an attack on home soil. For their part in the Cuxhaven Raid, CPO Mechanic Bell No. M489 and CPO Mechanic Budds No. 271764 were awarded the DSM. Capt Kilner RMLI and Lt Edmonds RN were awarded the DSO More info.

                                25th Dec 1914 On the Move  Having sailed from Southampton on Christmas Eve at 6.30 PM 483rd Field Company, Royal Engineers arrived in Harve at 8 am Christmas Day and disembarked in very frosty weather. Being sent to No 2 camp they stayed there until the 29th December. The weather was very wet from the 26th.

                                25th Dec 1914 Gifts from Royal family distributed  On Xmas day, Xmas cards from H M the King and Queen and also H R H Princess Mary’s Gift were received and have been distributed to all Ranks.

                                25th Dec 1914 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards War Diary  Very cold and freezing hard, snipers cause a few casualties, otherwise quiet. Defence arranged, 2 companies in trenches, 1 coy in support, 1 coy in billet, relief taking place nightly.

                                26th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry preparations  Horses exercised and men route marched. Dismounted inspection of SAA (Small Arms Ammunition) wagons by CO.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Labrearde


                                26th Dec 1914   December 26th 1914 to The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                                The only important matter to report since the date of the last meeting of the Committee is the Bombardment of Hartlepool, and the loss sustained by the County Battalion. Almost the whole of the Guard at the Battery were either killed or wounded by the first Broadside from the German vessels. Neither the battery, nor any of the other troops realised that they were German ships. I very much regret that we have already lost six men killed - five on the spot, and one dying afterwards from wounds, and ten wounded, but none dangerously; and it is hoped that most of them will be fit for duty again within a comparatively short time. How any of them escaped is rather wonderful.

                                No damage was done in the trenches at all, with the exception of a few sandbags, etc, knocked on to Major Roberts, and one or two of the men, without serious damage. One of the Officers had to leave the trenches while still under fire to re-call two Sentries posted on the cliff, who were discovered marching up and down with fixed bayonets on their beat as usual. Generally speaking, the men behaved excellently; and I think the Officers must have kept their heads under very trying circumstances. The Raid has, unfortunately, made it impossible for the G.O.C. in C. to allow the half Battalion to return to Cocken; and it is still under consideration whether we shall not take temporarily, at all events, the half battalion from Cocken to West Hartlepool; the G.O.C. in C. not having signified his approbation of that course if Colonel Bowes chooses to adopt it. There are reasons which appear to be good for this course; which will not, however, be adopted for at least ten days.

                                The whole of the lighting has been finished, and the engine seems to take the load quite satisfactorily.

                                The Miniature Rifle Range is in use, though the targets were not in a finished condition three days ago.

                                The drying-house, and bath-house, are finished, and in use.

                                The new Canteen works exceedingly well, far better and more comfortable than the old tent.

                                The roads still present considerable difficulty; but cinders are being brought in and a more permanent covering will be given to the main road, under the direction of the Highway Surveyor to the Chester-le-Street RDC. I felt rather strongly that after our use of the building we could not leave the carriage drive in the abominable state it has been reduced to. The cost of this will probably be about £60 or 370, which will be chargeable against Government.

                                The four Miniature Rifles presented by Mr Henry Clark, of Whitburn, have arrived, and are of the greatest use.

                                The men's huts are leaking in one or two unimportant places, but are generally most comfortable; and the men have no fault to find, even in this cold weather. The tables and furniture, etc, authorised by the war Office are being provided, sufficiently to meet requirements.

                                A proportion of men and officers have been granted leave for Christmas and the New Year. Leave has, of course, to be made subject to the requirements of safety.

                                The management of the finances has been handed over to Mr. J.C. Fortune of West Hartlepool, in conjunction with myself.

                                I ought to add that I had, myself, an interview with the G.O.C in-Chief on the 21st inst. with regard to the stations of the battalion.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                27th December 1914 Hot bath for Leicestershire Yeomanry  Exercise and regimental hot bath at Brewery Hazelbrouck

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Labrearde


                                28th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry exchange saddles  Regimental route march of Transport Squadron Training. 160 colonial patterned saddles are exchanged for cavalry patterns.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Labrearde


                                29th December 1914 At Rest  2nd Queens are at Rue de Delpierre as No.2 Reserve. Resting and cleaning.

                                2nd Queens War Diary


                                29th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry exchange cavalry cloaks  A and C and part of 'B' Squadron. RHA (Royal Horse artillery?) requiring their billet changed billets from E to W side of Labrearde to Hazelbroucke Road. Cavalry cloaks exchanged for British warm ?

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Labrearde


                                30th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry Squadron training  Squadron training

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Labrearde


                                31st December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry in full marching order  Regimental route March in full marching order with wagons packed, special attention being paid to march discipline and packing of wagons.

                                War diary of Leicestershire Yeomanry, Labrearde


                                31st December 1914 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve near Bailleul.

                                In billets 1 1/4 miles South West of Bailleul from 3rd to 31st December 1914.

                                war diaries


                                1915 Armoured train stationed at Adeer  No. 1 Armoured Train, from Craigentinny Sidings in Edinburgh, armed with two 12-pdr guns was stationed at the Ardeer to defend the works until additional guns could be installed in the Battery.

                                1915   12th KOYLI left Farley Camp and moved to Burton Leonard where they were engaged in the construction of a new army camp.

                                http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=60025


                                1st Jan 1915 HMEF Oldbury begins work.  HMEF Oldbury in Worcestershire started in January 1915, for the production of TNT. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions. The first output was in May 1915,

                                1st Nov 1915 HMEF Langwith opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Langwith, nr Mansfield, Nottinghamshire started production of Ammonium perchlorate in November 1915. First output was June 1917. Under Direct Control of Ministry of Munitions.

                                 Construction begins on Humber Forts.  Construction of Bull Sand Fort began in 1915 to defend the River Humber from German naval attack and possible invasion. However construction difficulties resulted in it and the Haile Sand Fort not being completed until 1919.

                                1st Jan 1915 Aircraft built in Glasgow  Coplawhill Tramcar Works and Depot was situated at 25 Albert Drive, Glasgow and was used as an aircraft factory.

                                1st Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards on duty  The War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards records: At Staple. The Regiment as part of the 3rd Cav Division came on duty from 1st to 3rd Jan, but nothing occurred.

                                War Diary


                                1915 Explosives Factory on Cligga Head reopens  Nobel's Explosives Factory covered 110 acres on the cliff top at St George's Common, Cligga Head near Perranporth, Cornwall. The factory had been bought by the Nobels in 1892 from the British & Colonial Explosives Company which manufactured dynamite for the mining industry. The factory buildings were surrounded by earth banks designed to contain a blast in the event of an explosion. The factory closed in 1909 but opened again at the outbreak of the Great War and was engaged in the filling of Mills Bombs, employing around 1000.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A1 Hymettus at the Gulf of Suez - Picture from: AWM C02548.

                                The HMAT A1 Hymettus weighed 4,606 tons with an average cruise speed of 11.5 knots or 21.3 kmph. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 15 May 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A10 Karoo Pictured at Port Melbourne, Victoria, 18 September 1916. [From: AWM PB0504]

                                The HMAT A10 Karroo weighed 6,127 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 3 January 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A11 Ascanius Pictured at Port Melbourne, Victoria, 27 May 1916. [From: AWM PB0127]

                                HMAT A11 Ascanius weighed 10,048 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Ocean SS Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 30 July 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A13 Katuna Pictured at Gallipoli unloading troops, 1915. From: AWM P00437.001]

                                The HMAT A13 Katuna weighed 4,641 tons with an average cruise speed of 11 knots or 20.37 kmph. It was owned by the Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 10 February 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A14 Euripides in 1919. From: AWM P03987.001

                                The HMAT A14 Euripides weighed 15,050 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the G Thompson & Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 2 June 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A15 Star of England Pictured at Pinkenbar, Queensland, September 1914 From: AWM C02483

                                The HMAT A15 Star of England, later renamed Port Sydney, weighed 9,136 tons with an average cruise speed of 13.5 knots or 25.00 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 22 September 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A16 Star of Victoria

                                The HMAT A16 Star of Victoria, later renamed Port Melbourne, weighed 9,152 tons with an average cruise speed of 13.5 knots or 25.00 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd London and leased by the Commonwealth until 2 October 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A17 Port Lincoln

                                The HMAT A17 Port Lincoln weighed 7,243 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 26 September 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A18 Wiltshire From: AWM A04186

                                The HMAT A18 Wiltshire weighed 10,390 tons with an average cruise speed of 13.5 knots or 25.00 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 2 October 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A19 Afric

                                The HMAT A19 Afric weighed 11,999 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Federal SN Co Ltd, London. The Afric was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel on the 12th February 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A20 Hororata Pictured at Port Melbourne, 23rd November 1916.

                                The HMAT A20 Hororata weighed 9,400 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the New Zealand Shipping Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 11 September 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A22 Rangatira about to leave Pinkenba Wharf Brisbane, Queensland, 24th September 1914

                                The HMAT A22 Rangatira weighed 8948 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the Shaw, Savill and Albion Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 15 February 1915. The Rangatira was stranded off Cape of Good Hope, 31 March 1916.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A23 Suffolk Pictured sailing through the Suez Canal in 1916.

                                The HMAT A23 Suffolk weighed 7573 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Potter, Trinder and Gwyn, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 14 June 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A24 Benalla Pictured at Port Melbourne on the 19th October 1914.

                                The HMAT A24 Benalla weighed 11,118 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 6 August 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A25 Anglo-Egyptian Pictured at Port Melbourne in 1916 from: AWM PB0112.

                                The HMAT A25 Anglo-Egyptian weighed 7,379 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the Nitrate Producers SS Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 16 April 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A27 Southern Pictured as part of the 1st Convoy in 1914, from: AWM H15740.

                                HMAT A27 Southern weighed 4,769 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. It was owned by the Central Shipping Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 3 February 1915.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A28 Miltiades Pictured in King George's Sound, Albany during October 1914.

                                The HMAT A28 Miltiades weighed 7,814 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the G Thompson & Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 15 September 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A29 Suevic Pictured in 1919, from: AWM P04754.001

                                The HMAT A29 Suevic weighed 12,531 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 9 September 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A3 Orvieto Pictured embarking from Melbourne on the 21st July 1914. From: The Australasian, 21 November 1914, Picture Supplement, p. I.

                                HMAT A3 Orvieto weighed 12,130 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Orient SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 29 December 1914. It formed part of the first convoy of the AIF to Egypt. The Orvieto became well known for its work during this convoy as it transported the prisoners captured from the beached German raider Emden. The German prisoners were taken to Egypt by the Orvieto for imprisonment.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A30 Borda Picture from: State Library of Victoria a17530.

                                The HMAT A30 Borda weighed 11,136 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 10 September 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A31 Ajana

                                The HMAT A31 Ajana weighed 7,759 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Australind SS Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 12 May 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A32 Themistocles

                                The HMAT A32 Themistocles weighed 11,231 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the G Thompson & Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 20 October 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A33 Ayrshire Pictured departing from Port Melbourne on the 3rd July 1916. From: AWM PB0179.

                                HMAT A33 Ayrshire weighed 7,763 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the The Scottish Shire Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 9 January 1918.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A34 Persic departing from Port Melbourne on the 3rd June 1916. From: AWM P00997.013

                                HMAT A34 Persic weighed 12,042 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 8 November 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A35 Berrima From: Clydesite 11748

                                HMAT A35 Berrima weighed 11,137 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 10 October 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A36 Boonah Picture from: State Library of NSW, PXE 722/526-527.

                                HMAT A36 Boonah weighed 5,926 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. The Boonah was previously a captured German vessel called Melbourne. It was manned by Australia officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 28 March 1918.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A37 Barambah Pictured at Port Melbourne on the 5th June 1916.

                                HMAT A37 Barambah weighed 5,923 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. The Barambah was previously a captured German vessel called Hobart. It was manned by Australia officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 23 May 1918.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A38 Ulysses Pictured at Port Said in December 1914.

                                HMAT A38 Ulysses weighed 14,499 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the China Mutual SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 15 August 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A39 Port MacQuarie

                                HMAT A39 Port MacQuarie weighed 7,236 tons with an average cruise speed of 12.5 knots or 23.15 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 13 January 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A40 Ceramic Pictured at Port Melbourne in 1915.

                                HMAT A40 Ceramic weighed 18,481 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 9 July 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A41 Bakara Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr001322.

                                HMAT A41 Bakara weighed 5,930 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. The Bakara was previously a captured German vessel called Constaff. It was manned by Australia officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 1 May 1918.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A42 Boorara Pictured at Port Melbourne on the 10th May 1917.

                                HMAT A42 Boorara weighed 5,923 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. The Boorara was previously a captured German vessel called Pfalz. It was manned by Australia officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 24 June 1919.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A44 Vestalia Pictured at Port Melbourne on the 6th December 1916. From: AWM PB0776.

                                The HMAT A44 Vestalia weighed 5,528 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Gow, Harrison & Co, Glasgow, and leased by the Commonwealth until 10 March 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A45 Bulla Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr006216.

                                The HMAT A45 Bulla weighed 5,099 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. The Bulla was previously a captured German vessel called Hessen. It was manned by Australian officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 15 April 1918.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr006195.

                                The HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray weighed 5,023 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the Cayser, Irvin and Co, Glasgow, and leased by the Commonwealth until 16 August 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A48 Seang Bee Pictured departing from Brisbane on the 21st October 1915. From: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, Picture Number 82596.

                                The HMAT A48 Seang Bee weighed 5,849 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Lim Chin Tsong, Rangoon, and leased by the Commonwealth until 12 May 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A51 Chilka

                                The HMAT A51 Chilka weighed 3,952 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 4 August 1915.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A53 Itria

                                The HMAT A53 Itria weighed 5,318 tons with an average cruise speed of 10 knots or 18.52 kmph. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 17th June 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A54 Runic Picture from: State Library of NSW, PXE 722/3502-3506.

                                The HMAT A54 Runic weighed 12,490 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 27 November 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A56 Palermo Picture from: State Library of NSW, picture number a639050.

                                The HMAT A56 Palermo weighed 7,597 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 10th January 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A57 Malakuta Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                                The HMAT A57 Malakuta weighed 7,430 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the T & J Brocklebank Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 24 January 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A58 Kabinga Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number pc000664.

                                The HMAT A58 Kabinga weighed 4,657 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co Ltd, London. The Kabinga was captured by Emden in the Bay of Bengal on 12 September 1914 and released with the Emden’s beaching at the Cocos Islands. The Kabinga was leased by the Commonwealth until the 19th June 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A59 Botanist

                                The HMAT A59 Botanist weighed 7,688 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Charente SS Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 6th December 1916.

                                John Doran


                                22md Aug 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A61 Kanowna Pictured embarking from Townsville Harbour in August 1914 From: The Queenslander, 22 August 1914, p. 30

                                The HMAT A61 Kanowna weighed 6,942 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the AUSN Co Ltd, London, and manned by Australia officers and crew. The Kanowna was leased by the Commonwealth until 18 March 1919.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A62 Wandilla

                                The HMAT A62 Wandilla weighed 7,785 tons with an average cruise speed of 16 knots or 29.63 kmph. It was owned by the Adelaide SS Co Ltd, Adelaide, and manned by Australian officers and during her service by mainly Australian crews. The Wandilla was leased by the Commonwealth until the 24th January 1917. She also served as a Hospital Ship during WW1

                                • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                • Medical Staff strength.
                                • Officers:10
                                • Nurses:17
                                • Other:63
                                • Accommodation capacity.
                                • Officers:2
                                • Cots:349
                                • Berths:188
                                • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                • Date From:5th August 1916
                                • Date To:15th March 1918

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A63 Karoola Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr005940.

                                The HMAT A63 Karoola weighed 7,391 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the McIlwraith, McEacharn's Line Pty Ltd, Melbourne, and manned by Australian officers and crews. The Karoola was leased by the Commonwealth until June 1919.

                                She also served as a Hospital Ship during WW1.

                                • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                • Medical Staff strength.
                                • Officers:16
                                • Nurses:21
                                • Other:92
                                • Accommodation capacity.
                                • Officers:50
                                • Cots:288
                                • Berths:185
                                • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                • Date From:11th August 1915
                                • Date To:6th November 1918

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A64 Demosthenes

                                The HMAT A64 Demosthenes weighed 11,223 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the G Thompson & Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 16th March 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A65 Clan MacEwen Picture from: Old Ship Picture Gallery.

                                The HMAT A65 Clan McEwen weighed 5,140 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Cayser, Irvin and Co, Glasgow, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 14th April 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A67 Orsova Pictured embarking from Port Melbourne on the 17th July 1915.

                                The HMAT A67 Orsova weighed 12,036 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the Orient SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 28th February 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A71 Nestor

                                The HMAT A71 Nestor weighed 14,501 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the Ocean SS Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 26th June 1917.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A72 Beltana

                                The HMAT A72 Beltana weighed 11,120 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 14th September 1917.

                                John Doran


                                 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A73 Commonwealth Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                                The HMAT A73 Commonwealth weighed 6,616 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 23rd June 1917.

                                John Doran


                                Jan 1915 27th Battlaion Northumberland Fusiliers raised  27th (Service) Battalion (4th Tyneside Irish), Northumberland Fusiliers was raised in Newcastle, January 1915, by the Lord Mayor and City.

                                Jan 1915 4th Northumberlands reorganised  In Jan 1915, the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was reorganised into four companies. A Company joining with E Coy, B with G, C with F and D with H.

                                1st Jan 1915 Sheffield City Battalion abandon route march  The first route march of the new year for the Sheffield City Battalion is cut short by a violent storm. The men returned swiftly to Redmires Camp and later an illustrated a lecture was given by Capt. Hoette on his experiences during the South African War.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                1st January 1915 HMS Formidable lost  

                                HMS Formidable

                                Under the command of Vice-Admiral Commanding, Channel Fleet, Sir Lewis Bayly, the 5th Battle Squadron spent 31 December participating in gunnery exercises off the Isle of Portland, supported by the light cruisers Topaze and Diamond. After the exercises, that night the fleet remained at sea on patrol even though submarine activity had been reported in the area. With rough sea conditions and the wind increasing, submarine attacks would have been difficult to carry out and so were not thought to be a significant threat. Formidable was steaming at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h) at the rear of the squadron off Portland Bill just 20 nmi (23 mi; 37 km) from Start Point, when at 0220 on 1 January 1915 a torpedo from U-24 struck the number one boiler port side. It was thought that she might be saved by reaching the coast but by about 0240 she had taken a list of 20° to starboard and the Captain Noel Loxley gave the order to abandon ship. Darkness and worsening weather made it difficult to get the men and boats over the side; some small boats being thrown into the water upside down.

                                At about 0305, Formidable was struck by a second torpedo on the starboard side. Amidst a 30 ft (9.1 m) swell the pinnaces and launch along with other boats (one of which capsized soon after) were launched and the two light cruisers came alongside and managed to pick up 80 men in the deteriorating weather. By 0445, she seemed in imminent danger of capsizing and a few minutes later she rolled over onto many of the men in the water and sank quickly. Captain Loxley remained on the bridge along with his Fox terrier Bruce, calmly overseeing the evacuation of the ship.

                                In rough seas near Berry Head, a Brixham trawler Provident, under the command of Captain W. Piller picked up the men from one pinnace before it sank, saving 71 members of the crew. The second pinnace took off another 70 men, of which 48 were brought ashore alive after it was eventually spotted from the shore the following night, 22 hours after the sinking. The loss of life of Formidable was 35 officers (including Captain Loxley) and 512 men from a complement of 780. The body of Captain Loxley's dog Bruce, a war dog washed ashore and was buried in a marked grave in Abbotsbury Gardens in Dorset.

                                Formidable was the third British battleship to be sunk and the second to be sunk by enemy action, during the First World War.

                                The Royal Navy's Formidable-class battleships were an eight-ship class of pre-dreadnoughts designed by Sir William White and built in the late 1890s. The class is often further divided into a separate London class, and the London class sometimes is divided further into a separate Queen class.

                                HMS Formidable, the third of four ships of that name to serve in the Royal Navy, was the lead ship of her class of pre-dreadnought battleships. Commissioned in 1904, she served initially with the Mediterranean Fleet, transferring to the Channel Fleet in 1908. In 1912, she was assigned to the 5th Battle Squadron, which was stationed at Nore.

                                Following the outbreak of World War I, the squadron conducted operations in the English Channel, and was based at Sheerness to guard against a possible German invasion. Despite reports of submarine activity, early in the morning of 1 January 1915, whilst on exercise in the English Channel, Formidable sank after being hit by two torpedoes. She was the second British battleship to be sunk by enemy action during the First World War.

                                World War I

                                At the beginning of the First World War, Formidable and the 5th Battle Squadron were based at Portland and assigned to the Channel Fleet to defend the English Channel. After covering the safe transportation of the British Expeditionary Force to France in August 1914, Formidable took part in the transportation of the Portsmouth Marine Battalion to Ostend on 25 August.

                                On 14 November, Formidable and the other ships of the 5th Battle Squadron were rebased at Sheerness because of concern that a German invasion of Great Britain was in the offing. The squadron was relieved by Duncan-class battleships of the 6th Battle Squadron and transferred to Portland on 30 December.

                                Lassie

                                According to writer Nigel Clarke in the Shipwreck Guide to Dorset and South Devon, the original "Lassie" who inspired so many films and television episodes was a rough-haired crossbreed who saved the life of a sailor during World War I.

                                Half collie, Lassie was owned by the landlord of the Pilot Boat, a pub in the port of Lyme Regis. On New Year’s Day in 1915 the Royal Navy battleship Formidable was torpedoed by a German submarine off Start Point in South Devon, with the loss of more than 500 men. In a storm that followed the accident, a life raft containing bodies was blown along the coast to Lyme Regis. In helping to deal with the crisis, the local pub in Lyme Regis, called the Pilot Boat, offered its cellar as a mortuary.

                                When the bodies had been laid out on the stone floor, Lassie, a crossbred collie owned by the pub owner, found her way down amongst the bodies, and she began to lick the face of one of the victims, Able Seaman John Cowan. She stayed beside him for more than half an hour, nuzzling him and keeping him warm with her fur. To everyone’s astonishment, Cowan eventually stirred. He was taken to hospital and went on to make a full recovery. He visited Lassie again when he returned to thank all who saved his life.

                                The sinking of the ship was a severe blow to Britain during these early years of the war. When the officers heard the story of Lassie and what she did to rescue Cowan, they told it again and again to any reporter who would listen as it was inspirational and heart-warming. Hollywood got hold of the story, and so a star was born.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                At Baillieul with 5th Cavalry Brigade.

                                1st to 14th January in billets 1 1/4 miles SW of Bailleul - farm at Steenje. On the 4th January Captain EB Maxwell left on posting to 1st Division. On the 5th January Major Scarlett left on posting to Home establishment. On the 3rd January Lieutenant OM Lund joined from 2nd Division and Lieutenant AG Neville joined from 8th Division.

                                war diaries


                                Jan 1915 Reorganisation  Leaving the East Coast by train for Cambridge the soldiers had very happy memories for the grateful, local residents bestowed much kindness on the Officers and men helping to ease the discomfort of their duties and during the atrocious weather.

                                While the Battalion was in Cambridge it was reorganised into four double Companies, consisting of tried and tested soldiers and all who had volunteered for service. Drafts from the reserve Battalion were arriving to make up the force of the original Battalion, these were fit men who were able to replace those found unsuitable for overseas service, during the final selection.

                                They were issued with new service equipment, rifles and bayonets and their old equipment was passed on. For the rest of their stay in Cambridge they were subjected to rigorous courses of exercises in movements in this formation, and instructions and practice in bayonet fighting, all carried out on the famous area, Parker's Piece. Early in January the Battalion now assembled was in its final form. Along with others, the Battalion was selected for overseas service and the final orders arrived for proceeding overseas to France, this news raised Welsh spirits.

                                1st Jan 1915 Squadron Formed  No. 10 Sqn was formed from elements of No. 1 Reserve Squadron at Farnborough on 1st of January 1915. The Squadron immediately moved to a new base at Brooklands Aerodrome, and then spent 4 months at the training base at Netheravon from April until being posted as operational to St Omer in France on the 27th July 1915, equipped with the RAE BE2 observation machine. No. 10 squadron was used repeatedly for trials of new aircraft designs, or the use of aircraft in new roles, throughout the war.

                                1st Jan 1915 No 8 Squadron formed  At the outbreak of war only 4 of the RFC’s 7 squadrons were fully equipped and staffed, and it was not until October 1914 that all of them reached full operational capability. No. 8 Squadron was the first new squadron to be created after the outbreak of war when it was formed at Brooklands on 1 January 1915.

                                They proceeded to St Omer France in April 1915 as an Army Co-operation unit flying B.E.2Cs. Operating from the RFC HQ airfield at St Omer, the squadron primary role was long-range reconnaissance, carrying out flights of up to 100 miles behind the front lines. The squadron also operated a fighter flight equipped with a variety of aircraft types to provide defensive support to reconnaissance planes.

                                1st January 1915 Events in 1915  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

                                Woevre 1915.

                                The Benzino Division occupied the area east of St. Mihiel (Spada to Apremont) during the entire year 1915. In November it took the name of Bavarian Ersatz Division.

                                The division rested in Lorraine from December, 1915, to the end of February, 1916.

                                historical records


                                1st January 1915 1915 actions  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

                                1915.

                                Artois. The 1st Bavarian Division was kept in line on the Somme (Dompierre-Maricourt) until October, 1915. Its composition was changed - the Body Infantry Regiment went to the Alpine Corps and the 10th Infantry to the 10th Bavarian Division. In return, the 24th Infantry (a new formation) was received.

                                The division was taken to the region north of Arras (Neuville-Souchez sector), where it remained for almost seven months (October 1915 - May 1916).

                                Historical Records


                                4th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards watch Demonstration of trench mortars  2 Life Guards War Diary records: A demonstration of bomb throwing and trench mortars was given to the Officers of the whole Division by 3rd Field Squadron R E.

                                War Diary


                                4th Jan 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall January 4th 1915

                                Present:- Lord Southampton, Col. Bowes, Colonel R. Burdon, Capt. Lowe

                                The minutes of the last meeting were taken as read. Colonel Bowes mentioned the question of the payment of the funeral expenses of members of the battalion killed in action at Hartlepool on the 16th December, and asked if any expenses extra to the sum provided by the War Office would be met by the committee. This was granted.

                                He also asked whether he might consider that the balance of expenses of the Christmas Dinner- if it could not be covered from the Canteen funds- might be met by the Committee. This was agreed to.

                                It was decided to obtain, through the Clerk of the Works, tenders for the erection of shelves in the barrack huts; and also for wooden grids for the bath-room.

                                Colonel Burdon was instructed to obtain tenders from the Army & Navy Stores for 1350 rifle slings; Col. Bowes stating that he had already placed the order for equipment for the Depot Company.

                                It was agreed to ask the Paymaster at York to send down a Clerk for one day to give instruction and advice in the Orderly Room with regard to certain forms which presented some difficulty.

                                Colonel Bowes reported that the bath-room had been taken into use and was satisfactory: that a drying room had been allowed to each Company to be used as required during certain hours; and that the miniature Rifle Range was working satisfactorily. The Canteen was found to be very successful; and the room a very good one for sound for Entertainment. Colonel Burdon was requested to communicate with Mr. Gray with regard to the provision, if possible, of a special train for the conveyance of the Battalion to Sunderland for recruiting purposes.

                                The question of recruiting was also considered, together with a letter from Capt. Longden, and it was decided to let the matter stand over for a week to see how the new arrangement of the extra fee of 1/- [one shilling] per man to the Recruiting Sergeant would work in practice. Col. Bowes was requested to draft a letter, in conjunction with Capt. Longden, to be sent to magistrates and notables, asking their assistance in recruiting.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                5th Jan 1915 Lt.Col. Ferguson resumes command of 2nd Life Guards  Lt.Col. Ferguson returned from England to resume command of the 2nd Life Guards having recovered from his wounds.

                                War Diary


                                6th Jan 1915 Training continues for 2nd Life Guards  Between the 6th and 24th of January 1915, Troop Squadron and Regimental training was continued for the 2nd Life Guards with an occasional scheme set by the Brigadier.

                                War Diary


                                7th January 1915 German Bombing Policy  1915 Proposals to bomb England were first made by Paul Behncke, deputy chief of the German Naval Staff, in August 1914. These were backed by Alfred von Tirpitz, who wrote that "The measure of the success will lie not only in the injury which will be caused to the enemy, but also in the significant effect it will have in diminishing the enemy's determination to prosecute the war". The campaign was approved by the Kaiser on 7 January 1915, who at first forbade attacks on London, fearing that his relatives in the British Royal Family might be injured.

                                John Doran


                                10th Jan 1915 3rd Monmouths on the move  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment had achieved a vast amount of work while on the East Coast, miles of trenches dug, wire entanglements and shelters put in place and all in unfavourable weather conditions. The G.O.C.-in C. Central Force gave much praise to the Battalion for the accomplishment it had achieved issued a special order. Leaving the East Coast by train for Cambridge the soldiers had very happy memories for the grateful, local residents bestowed much kindness on the Officers and men helping to ease the discomfort of their duties and during the atrocious weather.

                                10th Jan 1915 1st Borders return from Burma  1st Battalion Border Regiment land at Avonmouth, returning from Maymyo, Burma to join 87th Brigade in 29th Division at Rugby.

                                11th Jan 1915 3rd Monmouths reorganised  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment, in Cambridge, was reorganised into four double Companies, consisting of tried and tested soldiers and all who had volunteered for service. Drafts from the reserve Battalion began to arrive to make up the force of the original Battalion, these were fit men who were able to replace those found unsuitable for overseas service, during the final selection. They were issued with new service equipment, rifles and bayonets and their old equipment was passed on. For the rest of their stay in Cambridge they were subjected to rigorous courses of exercises in movements in this formation, and instructions and practice in bayonet fighting, all carried out on the famous area, Parker's Piece.

                                11th Jan 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall January 11th 1915

                                Present:- Colonel R. Burdon, Colonel Bowes and Captain Lowe

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Bowes stated that tenders for the shelves in the barrack huts had been obtained, but were so much more expensive than was expected that the matter had been again referred to the Clerk of the Works.

                                The Paymaster at York had written stating that they could not at present spare a Clerk to give instructions with regard to certain difficult War Office forms, but that the Battalion might send a Non-Commissioned Officer to York for instructions.

                                The bath-room, drying house, and Rifle Range, and the canteen, were all now working most satisfactorily. It was agreed that Colonel Burdon should write to Messrs. Gradon and call their attention to the fact that the latrines were not yet finished, in spite of continued notifications.

                                Colonel Bowes reported that recruits were coming in quite fairly. The letter to the Magistrates, etc, has been drafted, and is being sent out.

                                It was further agreed that Col. Burdon should write and urge Messrs. Gradon to proceed with the repairs to the roads. Mr. Kirkup, manager for the Lambton Collieries, has also very kindly arranged for ashes to be delivered at 4/- per load. The number of loads to be checked by the Pioneer Sergeant.

                                It was decided to purchase four more Miniature Rifles; and that a good recruiting notice should be inserted in the "Evening Chronicle", and the "North Star".

                                Authority for the erection of four more barrack huts had been applied for to York to accommodate the Depot Company: Colonel Bowes having stated that it was possible to carry on with that amount of accommodation: but on talking the matter over, and in view of the fact that two Depot Companies will eventually have to be provided, and that it would be a great convenience to the Bantam Battalion if the County Battalion resigns the use of Newton Hall in their favour, it was decided that as Colonel Bowes said that he would be able to provide for both Depot Companies, if six new huts were built, and he could rely upon the use of West Rainton Drill Shed, Col. Burdon should write to York, and ask for permission to build six huts; and as the tendency of contracts to rise Col. Burdon accepted a tender from the Darlington Construction Company for six huts at £153 each, lined, and with stove fitted (but not including cost of stove); the first two to be ready in a fortnight; and the remainder within a month; or, if possible five weeks.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                12th January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royals Scots first fatality in WW1.

                                13th Jan 1915 Two Companies of 18th DLI depart Hartlepool.  

                                The two companies of the 18th DLI detatched to Hartlepool for the coastal alert, rejoined the rest of the Battalion at Cocken Hall.

                                They were given a cheery fair well by the people of the town at Hartlepool railway station and were met by the battalion band at Leamside station who played them back to the camp.

                                13th January 1915   SM U-31

                                Type U 31 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 191) Ordered 29 Mar 1912 Laid down 12 Oct 1912 Launched 7 Jan 1914 Commissioned 18 Sep 1914.
                                Commanders.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 13 Jan 1915 Oblt. Siegfried Wachendorff

                                Career 1 patrols.
                                start date unknown - 13 Jan 1915 IV Flotilla

                                Successes No successes.

                                Fate 13 Jan 1915 - Final fate unknown. Possibly mined off the East coast of the UK. 31 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was a wartime rumour that the British had found this boat on the surface with the all the crew dead (from gas poisoning) and then towed the boat to a British base. This rumour is not true.

                                There was another U 31 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 25 Sep 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 28 Dec 1936.

                                John Doran


                                13th Jan 1915 Brig Gen Bowles visist Redmires Camp  Brigadier General Bowles visits Redmires Camp and observed the men of the Sheffield City Battalion undertaking musketry practice and simulated attacks.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                15th January 1915 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Marched at 0730 by Merville to billet in farms about 1 1/2 miles west of St. Venant - about 15 miles

                                war diaries


                                16th January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                16th January 1915 Further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Marched at 1000 by Estree Blanche and Coyecque to billet at Maisnil. In billets at 0400 - about 18 miles.

                                war diaries


                                16th Jan 1915   January 16th 1915 to The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                                Owing to a press of other important business, and to there not being very much at the moment to consider, I have postponed the meeting of the Committee for - at any rate - a week.

                                The Battalion has at last been united; and I hope great improvement will be noticeable before long. All the best N.C.O's had been sent, of course, to Hartlepool. They will now - as also the men - be restored to their original Companies; and in the end I hope the time at Hartlepool may not be altogether wasted.

                                I have authorized the erection of six new huts. I have received the sanction for this from York.

                                I hear the band is a great success; and will be very welcome on route marches. On Thursday the battalion marched about 22 miles, without any greater inconvenience than a few sore feet. They always manage about 20 miles once a week.

                                Miniature Rifles are still a difficulty, as we want to get them as near as possible the weight and pull of the Government arm. This is being attended to. The range is working excellently.

                                Brigadier General F.G. Hunter inspected the half battalion at Cocken on Thursday the 7th inst: and I think was fairly pleased with what he saw. It was due to his action that the battalion was re-united. He appears to know what he wants, and is likely to get it; and I think we may congratulate ourselves on his appointment.

                                The roads are still a great difficulty; everybody seeming in this wet weather to want ashes at the same time; but Mr. Kirkup, the Manager of the Lambton Collieries, has been good enough to help us; and a few dry days would make a great deal of difference now.

                                There were 100 cases on the sick list yesterday (the 15th) but nothing serious. Colonel Bowes is in communication with the Canteen Contractor with regard to the prices now paid for feeding the men. He is asking and will probably obtain a rebate from the Contractor of five-eighths of a penny per head per day. The Contractor to include biscuit and coffee in the early morning. In view of the large number of men being at present supplied this appears to be quite reasonable; and the sum obtained will be of great assistance, as representing the privy purse of the battalion.

                                The last of the latrines were not left in a very satisfactory state; but owing to the men coming back we have made the best of it, and I think it will answer the purpose for a sufficient length of time. The frosty weather might have had something to do with this. I am glad to say the drainage appears to be working fairly satisfactory.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                17th January 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve at Mesnil.

                                17th to 30th January in billets at Mesnil. Captain HR Palmer left on posting to 2nd Division on the 30th January.

                                war diaries


                                18th January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                18th Jan 1915 2nd Northumberlands proceed to France  2nd Northumberland Fusiliers land at Le Havre with 28th Division on the 18th of January 1915.

                                19th January 1915 First Zeppelin Raid on Britain  Following an attempt on 13th of January 1915 which was abandoned because of the weather, the first successful raid took place on the night of 19th,20th January 1915. Two Zeppelins LZ24(L3) and LZ27(L4) targeted Humberside, but were diverted by strong winds, and dropped 24 50kg H.E.bombs and 3 kg incendiaries on Great Yarmouth, Sheringham, King's Lynn and the surrounding villages. Four people were killed and 16 injured. Monetary damage was estimated at £7,740. There was a third Zeppelin on the raid but it turned back due to engine trouble LZ31(L6).

                                The two craft had left Hamburg only that morning and had run into bad weather- so bad, in fact, that a third zeppelin, L6, was forced to abort its westward mission. L3 and L4, however, continued to force themselves on through driving wind and snow until they finally reached the line of land below. At this point, on the very edge of England, the two Zeppelins split up. L3 made its way south-east along the coast, around and down to the town of Yarmouth. There it dropped its bombs on and around the harbour. L4 drove north-west to the village of Sheringham, swiftly getting lost. In a meandering way it travelled west, dropping incendiaries on the villages it passed below, until it finally found Kings Lynn. The bombs that L4 dropped there, at 10.50pm, like the bombs dropped on Yarmouth by L3 two and a half hours before, caused death and destruction. As the Zeppelins left England behind they also left four people killed and nineteen injured.

                                • 8pm 1915 the zeppelins cross Britain's shore
                                • 8:25 the L3 bombs Great Yarmouth
                                • 8:45 L4 bombs Sheringham
                                • 9:50 L4 bombs Hunstanton
                                • 10:30 L4 Snettisham
                                • 10:50 L4 bombs Kings Lynn, killing the first British civilians of the Great War.
                                • 12:30am L4 bombs Great Yarmouth.

                                The raid prompted alarmist stories about German agents using car headlights to guide Zeppelins to their targets and there was even a rumour that a Zeppelin was operating from a concealed base in the Lake District.

                                Given the large and gruesome expanse of the First World War, the four lives lost in Norfolk that evening might seem insignificant. Yet with the visit of those Zeppelins to England on a dark night in January there also arrived a new age of strategic bombing and modern, total warfare which obscured by the quiet anonymity of the first victims. In Yarmouth a shoemaker named Sam Smith and an elderly lady called Martha Taylor were killed instantly by a bomb that fell in St. Peter’s Plain, a working class district of the town. In Bentinck Street, Kings Lynn, bombs blew open several terraced houses, resulting in the death of a 26 year old woman, Alice Glazely, and a 14 year old boy, Percy Goate. These were no military men. They were an old man, an elderly and young woman, and, most horrifying of all, a child. And they all were dead, killed at home, in Great Britain. From these small, murderous beginnings, greater horrors were to grow in the twentieth century.

                                19th January 1915 Recruitment and Training 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles  

                                Parade at Brownlow House, Lurgan.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers Recruitment continued making slow progress with numbers reaching 800 all ranks by the 19th January 1915. Training continued in various stages as more recruits joined and had to work hard to catch up with the standard of earlier enlisted ranks. There was little sympathy for newer recruits who had to catch up with the others. The young animal must keep up with the herd in migration or else - so time was not on their side.

                                Early in January it was announced that the 2nd County Down Volunteers were to become the Pioneer Battalion for the Ulster Division. Training in pioneering skills was to commence while maintaining physical fitness and military discipline. There was now more concentration on manoeuvres at both day and night trying to gain experience in mock attacks and defence methods before the real battles ahead. That would have left the battalion ready for normal action but this was not a normal battalion. Alongside this training they now had to learn the skills of the pioneer which involved all aspects of transportation in offensive and defensive positions including river crossings. Afternoon classes taught joinery and other skills for battle planning. Sections were sent by rotation to work on local roads, railways and buildings all of which they would have to service under enemy fire in the front line areas in France and Belgium.

                                In recognition of their additional duties they were to be paid an extra 2 pence a day on top of the infantry rate of one shilling per day. It was later raised in parliament that this compared unfavourably with the Royal Engineers who received 1/10d per day and the Labour Corps which received 3 shillings per day. Even though it was like work the government refused to interfere with what it termed as set army rates of pay.

                                An article entitled trench warfare has been included in November 1914 pages which, with relevant sketches, details the type of construction carried out with some description of offensive and defensive related works. (These appear in the date range 1st to 6th November 1914.)

                                So the 16th were a very special unit indeed as we shall see from their performance up to and after the cessation of hostilities in 1918.

                                On the 12th January 21 horses arrived and the Transport Officer got to work on his teams for transporting equipment necessary to support the men in their work locations. Certain officers were also required to have mounts to fulfil their command roles.

                                Railway Training. On the 21st January 4 Officers (including 2/Lt. White WR, the author's father) and 50 men were sent to Belfast, Carrickfergus and Antrim to receive instruction on Railroad Construction. A similar party of 4 officers and 39 men were sent to Newtownards for pioneer railway work. It seems likely that Antrim had a Royal Engineer Field Unit which would have helped considerably in the training.

                                Doran Family


                                20th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards receive draft of men and horses  A draft of 28 horses and 10 men was received by the 2nd Life Guards. A complaint arose about the quality and the quantity of the hay issued. Any deficiency was supposed to be made up by requisitioning, but the farms are unwilling to part with their stocks of hay.

                                War Diary


                                21st Jan 1915 Good Billets  According to my grandfather, Idris Howells, the 17th Battalion, Welsh Reg were already in Rhos-on-Sea by 21 January 1915. In his letter home from the Cardrona boarding house, Rhos, he says that he has "...sent 8 leters since I have been here..." The men were put up in boarding houses: Cardrona in Everard Road, Rhos and Moorehouse, Colwyn Crescent, Rhos. He says it is "a lovely billet up here. Plenty of food and good food too. We have porridge and fried bacon for breakfast and two or three courses for dinner and sometimes cold meat for either tea or supper and boiled Cocoa. Second helpings of everything if you can eat it."

                                21st January 1915   SM U-7

                                Type U 5 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 149) Ordered 8 Apr 1908 Laid down 6 May 1909 Launched 28 Jul 1910 Commissioned 18 Jul 1911
                                Commanders 1 Aug 1914 - 21 Jan 1915 Georg König

                                Career 3 patrols 1 Aug 1914 - 21 Jan 1915 I Flotilla Successes No successes.

                                Fate 21 Jan 1915 - Misidentified and torpedoed off Dutch coast by U22 (53.43N, 06.02E). One survivor. 24 dead and 1 survivor

                                There was another U 7 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 29 Jun 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 18 Jul 1935.

                                John Doran


                                22nd January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                23rd Jan 1915 Battle of Dogger Bank (1915)  Dogger Bank is an area off the North Sea lying around 62 miles off Britain's East cost. The area used to be inhabited by early man and woolly mammoths, 1000s years later when the sea rose it became an important fishing ground and remains important to this day. Fishing continued during the Great War and the German navy believed that the British fishing fleet was being used to spy on German naval movements. Admiral Franz Hipper decided to put an end to this, unfortunately for him telecommunications relating to his proposed attack has been intercepted and decoded by room 40 of British naval intelligence. Vice Admiral Beatty's battle cruiser squadrons would be lying in wait.

                                On 23rd January 1915, a force of German battlecruisers under the command of Admiral Hipper sortied to clear Dogger Bank of any British fishing boats or small craft that might be there to collect intelligence on German movements. Alerted by decoded German transmissions, a larger force of British battlecruisers, including HMS New Zealand, sailed under the command of Admiral Beatty to intercept. Contact was initiated at 0720 on the 24th, when Arethusa spotted the German light cruiser SMS Kolberg. By 0735, the Germans had spotted Beatty's force and Hipper ordered a turn south at 20 knots, believing that this speed would outdistance any British battleships to the north-west. He planned to increase speed to the armoured cruiser SMS Blücher's maximum of 23 knots if necessary to outrun any battlecruisers.

                                Beatty ordered his battlecruisers to make all practical speed to catch the Germans before they could escape. HMS New Zealand and HMS Indomitable were the slowest of Beatty's ships and gradually fell behind the newer battlecruisers. Despite this, New Zealand was able to open fire on Blücher by 0935 and continued to engage the armoured cruiser after the other British battlecruisers had switched targets to the German battlecruisers. After about an hour, New Zealand had knocked out Blücher's forward turret, and Indomitable began to fire on her as well at 1031. Two 12-inch shells pierced the German ship's armoured deck and exploded in an ammunition room four minutes later. This started a fire amidships that destroyed her two port 8.3 inch turrets, while the concussion damaged her engines so that her speed dropped to 17 knots and jammed her steering gear. At 1048, Beatty ordered Indomitable to attack her, but the combination of a signalling error by Beatty's flag lieutenant and heavy damage to Beatty's flagship Lion, which had knocked out her radio and caused enough smoke to obscure her signal halyards, caused the rest of the British battlecruisers, temporarily under the command of Rear Admiral Sir Gordon Moore in New Zealand, to think that that signal applied to them. In response, they turned away from Hipper's main body and engaged Blücher. New Zealand fired 147 shells at Blücher before the German ship capsized and sank at 1207 after being torpedoed by Arethusa. Captain Halsey had again worn the piupiu over his uniform during the battle, and the lack of damage to New Zealand was once more attributed to its good luck properties.

                                24th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards undergo an Inoculation of all ranks  Squadrons of the 2nd Life Guards take it in turn to bathe in a brewery near the billets every Sunday. Inoculation of all ranks not already treated is carried on with very few men objecting.

                                War Diary


                                24th January 1915 RAMC 19th Field Ambulance   Reporting for duty at Armentières Temp Lieut A D Haydon reported himself for duty and was posted to "B" Section.

                                War Diary


                                24th January 1915 Battle of Dogger Bank 1915  The First Battle of Dogger Bank was fought in the North Sea on 24 January 1915, between squadrons of the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet. The British, through decoded radio messages had received advance information that a German raiding squadron was heading for Dogger Bank and sent naval forces to intercept it.

                                They encountered the Germans at the expected location, surprising the smaller and slower German squadron, who fled homewards. Chasing them for several hours, the British slowly closed with the Germans and engaged them with long-range gunfire. The rearmost German ship, the Blücher was badly damaged, but the Germans also put the British flagship HMS Lion out of action with heavy damage. Due to a signalling error, the remaining British ships broke off pursuit of the fleeing enemy force to sink Blücher, as a result of which the German squadron escaped. All the remaining German vessels returned safely to harbour, though some had heavy damage requiring extended repairs.

                                Lion made it back to port but was out of action for several months. It was hailed as a British victory as no ships were lost and casualties were light, while the Germans lost a ship and most of its crew. Both navies drew lessons from the encounter and both Commanders were replaced on grounds of poor judgement.

                                Order of battle at Dogger Bank (1915)

                                • British Forces:
                                • 1st Battlecruiser Squadron: HMS Lion, Tiger and Princess Royal.
                                • 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron: HMS New Zealand and Indomitable.
                                • 1st Light Cruiser Squadron: HMS Southampton, Birmingham, Lowestoft, and Nottingham.
                                • Harwich Force: three light cruisers (HMS Aurora, Arethusa, Undaunted) and 35 destroyers.
                                • German Forces:
                                • 1st Scouting Group: SMS Seydlitz, Moltke, Derfflinger and Blücher.
                                • 2nd Scouting Group: SMS Kolberg, Stralsund, Rostock, and Graudenz.
                                • Two flotillas of torpedo boats - 18 in total.

                                Background to the action

                                The success at Heligoland Bight had the main German battle fleet effectively bottled up, so the German high command decided a raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby would be made with Admiral Franz Hipper's battlecruiser squadron. This comprised three battlecruisers and one large armoured cruiser—supported by light cruisers and destroyers. Hipper opened fire at 0800 on 16 December 1914, eventually killing 108 civilians and wounding 525. Public and political opinion was outraged that German warships could sail so close to the British coast, shelling coastal towns with apparent impunity. British naval forces had failed to prevent the attacks, and also failed to intercept Hipper's raiding squadron afterwards. Though the British fleet was at sea hunting Hipper after the raid, the Germans escaped in stormy weather, aided by low visibility and British communication problems.

                                Buoyed by the success of the raid, Admiral Hipper resolved to repeat the exercise by attacking the British fishing fleet on the Dogger Bank — midway between Germany and Britain — the following month. Hipper suspected that the British fishing fleet was providing intelligence on German fleet movements.

                                Through intercepted German radio traffic decoded by Room 40 of British Naval Intelligence, the British learned of Hipper's planned sortie on 23 January 1915. Acting Vice Admiral Beatty set sail from Rosyth with five battlecruisers — supported by four light cruisers — to attempt to trap Hipper's force. They were joined by additional cruisers and destroyers from Harwich as Beatty headed south, encountering Hipper's screening vessels at the Dogger Bank at 0705 on 24 January. The day was clear and visibility was unusually good.

                                Sighting the smoke from a large approaching force, Hipper headed southeast by 0735 to escape, but Beatty's ships were faster than the German squadron, which was held back by the slower armoured cruiser SMS Blücher and by Hipper's coal-fired torpedo boats. By 0800, Hipper's battlecruisers were sighted from Beatty's flagship, HMS Lion. The older battlecruisers of the British 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron lagged somewhat behind the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron. Chasing the Germans from a position astern and to starboard of Hipper's force, the British ships gradually caught up — some reaching speeds of 27 kn (31 mph; 50 km/h) — and closed to gun range. Beatty chose to approach from this direction because the prevailing wind then blew the British ships' smoke clear, allowing them a good view of the enemy, while Hipper's gunners were partially blinded by funnel and gun smoke blowing in the direction of their targets. Lion opened fire at 0852 at a range of 20,000 yd (18,000 m). Other British ships opened as they came within range, while the Germans were unable to reply until 0911 because of the shorter range of their guns. No warships had ever before engaged at such long ranges or at such high speeds and gunnery challenges for both sides were therefore unprecedented. Nevertheless, after a few salvos the British shells had straddled Blücher.

                                The British fire was concentrated on two of the German ships, Hipper's flagship battlecruiser SMS Seydlitz at the head of the line and Blücher at the rear. With five British ships to the German four, Beatty intended that his two rear ships, HMS New Zealand and Indomitable, should engage Blücher, while his leading three engaged their opposite numbers. But Captain H.B. Pelly of the newly commissioned battlecruiser HMS Tiger assumed that two ships should concentrate on the leading German ship and engaged Seydlitz, leaving SMS Moltke unmolested to fire at Lion. Worse, Tiger's fire was ineffective, as she mistook Lion's shell splashes for her own (when her shots were actually falling 3,000 yd (2,700 m) beyond Seydlitz).

                                At 0943, Seydlitz was hit by a 13.5 in (340 mm) shell from Lion, which penetrated her after turret barbette and caused an ammunition fire in the working chamber. This fire spread rapidly through one compartment after another, igniting ready propellant charges all the way to the magazines, and knocked out both rear turrets with the loss of 165 men. Only the prompt action of the executive officer in flooding the magazines, saved Seydlitz from a massive magazine explosion that would have destroyed the ship.

                                The British ships were relatively unscathed until 1018, when SMS Derfflinger hit Lion with several 12 inches (305 mm) shells, damaging her engines and causing flooding so that Lion began to lag behind. At 1041, Lion narrowly escaped a disaster similar to what had happened on Seydlitz, when a German shell hit the forward turret and ignited a small ammunition fire which, fortunately for the British, was extinguished before it caused catastrophe. A few minutes later, taking on water and listing to port, Lion had to stop her port engine and reduce speed to 15 kn (17 mph; 28 km/h), and was soon out of action, having been hit 14 times.

                                Meanwhile, at 1030, Blücher was hit by a shell from HMS Princess Royal, which caused an ammunition fire and boiler room damage. As a result, Blücher had to reduce speed to 17 kn (20 mph; 31 km/h), and fell further and further behind the rest of the German force. Beatty ordered Indomitable — his slowest ship — to intercept Blücher.

                                Now Hipper, running low on ammunition, made the difficult decision to leave the disabled Blücher to her fate and steam for home, in order to save his remaining damaged ships. Nevertheless, the annihilation of the German squadron still appeared likely to the pursuing British until 1054, when Beatty — believing he saw a submarine's periscope on Lion's starboard bow — ordered a sharp, 90° turn to port to avoid a submarine trap. (It is possible that the "periscope" was actually a surfacing, run-out torpedo which had been launched 15 minutes earlier by the German destroyer V5). At 1102, realising that so sharp a turn would open the range too much, Beatty ordered "Course NE" to limit the turn to 45°, and then added "Engage the enemy's rear", in an attempt to clarify his intention that his other ships, which had now left Lion far behind, should pursue Hipper's main force. With Lion's electric generators now out of commission, Beatty could only signal using flag hoists, and both these signals were flown at the same time. But the combination of the signal of "Course NE" — which happened to be the direction of Blücher — and the signal to engage the rear was misunderstood by Beatty’s second-in-command — Rear-Admiral Gordon Moore on New Zealand — as an order for all the battlecruisers to finish off the cripple. Therefore, the remaining British battlecruisers broke off the pursuit of the fleeing German squadron and rounded on Blücher. Most of the British light cruisers and destroyers also attacked Blücher. Beatty tried to correct this obvious misunderstanding by using Horatio Nelson's famous order from Trafalgar "Engage the enemy more closely", but this order was not in the signal book, so he chose "Keep nearer to the enemy" as the closest equivalent. But by the time this signal was hoisted, Moore's ships were too far away to read Beatty's flags, and the correction was not received.

                                Despite the overwhelming odds, Blücher fought stubbornly to the end. Blücher managed to put the British destroyer HMS Meteor out of action and scored two hits on the British battlecruisers with her 8.2 in (210 mm) guns, but was pounded into a burning wreck by approximately 50 British shells. Finally, struck by two torpedoes from the light cruiser HMS Arethusa, Blücher capsized and sank at 1313 with the loss of 792 men. British efforts to rescue survivors in the water were interrupted by the arrival of the German Zeppelin L-5 (aka LZ-28), and by a German seaplane which attacked with small bombs. No damage was done, but the British ships — which were sitting targets while stopped in the water for rescue — put on speed and withdrew to avoid further aerial attack.

                                By this time, Hipper had escaped; his ships were now too far away for the British to catch them again. Beatty had lost control of the battle, and he perceived that the opportunity of an overwhelming victory had been lost. The Admiralty — incorrectly believing that Derfflinger had been badly damaged — would soon reach the same conclusion. However, in light of what happened later at Jutland, where the British battlecruisers were shown to be highly vulnerable to ammunition fires and magazine explosions following hits on gun turrets, it is possible that if Moore's three fast battlecruisers had pursued Hipper's remaining three (leaving the slower Indomitable behind as Beatty intended), the British might actually have been at a disadvantage and might have got the worst of it. Blücher demonstrated the ability of the German ships to absorb great punishment. All of Hipper's remaining ships were larger, faster, more modern, more heavily armed, and far better armoured than Blücher and only Seydlitz had suffered any serious damage. Apart from the sinking of Blücher, the Germans out-hit the British by over three to one, with 22 heavy-calibre hits — 16 on Lion and six on Tiger — against the British total of just seven hits.

                                Aftermath of the Battle

                                Lion had to be towed back to port by Indomitable at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h), a long and dangerous voyage in which both battlecruisers were exposed to potential submarine attacks. Therefore, an enormous screen of over fifty ships was assigned to guard Lion and Indomitable as they crept home. Both reached port safely. The disabled Meteor was also towed home. Lion was out of action for four months, Lord Fisher having decreed that her damage be repaired on the Tyne without going into dry dock, making for an extremely difficult and time-consuming job.

                                All the surviving German ships reached port, though Seydlitz was heavily damaged and had to go into drydock for repairs. Although the Germans initially believed that Tiger had been sunk because of a large fire that had been seen on her decks, it was soon clear that the battle was a serious reverse. A furious Kaiser Wilhelm II issued an order that all further risks to surface vessels were to be avoided. Admiral Friedrich von Ingenohl—commander of the High Seas Fleet—was replaced by Admiral Hugo von Pohl. The Germans took the lessons of the battle to heart, particularly the damage to Seydlitz, which revealed flaws in the protection of her magazines and dangerous ammunition-handling procedures.Some of these issues were corrected in Germany's battleships and battlecruisers in time for the Battle of Jutland the following summer. Although the Germans realized that the appearance of the British squadron at dawn was too remarkable to be mere coincidence, they concluded that an enemy agent near their base in the Jade Bay was responsible, and did not suspect that their wireless codes had been compromised.

                                Although the battle was not greatly consequential in itself, it boosted British morale. But while the Germans learned their lessons, the British did not. The unfortunate Rear-Admiral Moore was quietly replaced, but Beatty's flag lieutenant Ralph Seymour — responsible for hoisting Beatty's two commands on one flag hoist, thereby allowing them to be read as one — remained. Signalling on board Lion would again be poor in the first hours of Jutland, with serious consequences for the British. Nor did the battlecruisers learn their lesson about fire distribution, as similar targeting errors were made at Jutland.

                                John Doran


                                25th Jan 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall January 25th 1915

                                Present:- Lord Durham, W. Cresswell Gray, A.F. Pease, Rowland Burdon, Col. Hugh Bowes, and Captain & Adjutant Lowe.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed, as altered. Colonel Burdon reported that in order to provide accommodation for the men up to the strength of the two Depot Companies, in addition to the original Battalion, he had accepted a contract for six new hut shelters at a cost of £150 each, lined; stoves fitted, but to be extra.

                                The case of the Quartermaster was considered; he having had money advanced to him at the same rate as he was previously earning, viz, £2-10-0 per week, until such time as his pay could reach him. It is now a question of whether he was to be asked to refund to the battalion the whole, or a portion of this money advanced; and it was decided that the Committee would be content if he would repay them one half of this sum.

                                It was reported that one or two undesirable men had been received from Durham; but that as a rule recruits were coming in fairly satisfactorily.

                                It was suggested that a statement of accounts should be prepared to show the financial position of the Committee up to date. Colonel Burdon reported that he had had a subscription of £25 from His Honour Judge Greenwell; and Mr Gray also reported that he had been promised £50 for the battalion by Mr. A.B. Horsley.

                                The question of leave was considered informally by the Committee; and Colonel Bowes was requested to lay before the Brigadier their opinion that - especially in the case of the men who had been quartered at Hartlepool, and considering the class of men who formed the Battalion - it was desirable that as much leave should be granted as was in accordance with the discipline.

                                Colonel Burdon also reported that in consequence of a conversation between himself, the Brigadier, and Col. Bowes, which took place at Cocken on the occasion of his meeting the Brigadier there, he had written to York, and had received definite instructions from the G.O.C. in C, Northern Command, that from this time onward neither he nor the Committee were any longer responsible for the discipline and training of the battalion, which now vested in the Colonel Commanding and the Brigadier.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                26th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards are to return to the trenches.  The CO of the 2nd Life Guards made a thorough inspection of D squadron horses. The Brigadier called to tell us we are to return to the trenches.

                                War Diary


                                26th Jan 1915 Gen. Gainsford visits Redmires Camp  General Gainsford and Brigadier General Bowles visit Redmires Camp. They observed the men of the Sheffield City Battalion undertaking drill on the parade ground and physical training. They also visited Quarry Hill a short distance from the camp where two platoons from B Company were engaged in digging trenches.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                26th January 1915 Opening of convalescent ward - Armentières  Lieut. H V Soltau RAMC (SR) reported his arrival and posted to ? medical charge of Sherwood Foresters in relief of Lieut. Perry proceeding on 8 days leave.

                                Capt. Nicholls and Lieut. Haydon placed on sick list today.

                                Convalescent ward opened in the École Professionale today and staff of 1 MO, 1 NCO and 3 men appointed for duty there. Slight cases both medical and surgical will be kept there in future and returned to their units without having to be sent down to the ?

                                War Diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance


                                27th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards Ready to march  The War Diary Records: 2nd Life Guards all ready to march at 7 am, but later orders say 250 strong and without horses. Finally orders to unsaddle and we paraded on foot at 11.30 am for inspection by the FMC in C, who addressed the Regiment speaking highly of its past services, and making special mention of the great loss the army, he himself, and the Regiment had sustained by the loss of Major the Hon. Hugh Dawnay.

                                War Diary


                                28th January 1915 Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders appointment, Armentières  Lieut. Chandler appointed to the medical charge of 21 Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in relief of Lieut. Balfour who is temporarily attached to this Field Ambulance.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC


                                28th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards Inspected by Brigadier  Between 10 am and 12.30 The Brigadier made a close inspection of every horse in the 2nd Life Guards, and at the end expressed himself as 'pleasantly surprised'. A large barn at a billet occupied by C squadron was unfortunately burnt down in the night of 27-28 Jan. I visited the place with a French officer Lt Labouchon, and had a board on the affair, but could obtain no evidence as to the cause of the fire.

                                War Diary


                                29th Jan 1915 Submarine U21 Fires on Cumbrian coast  Just after 14:15 hours on the 29th January 1915 German submarine U21 surfaced off the Cumbrian coast and opened fire on the airship sheds at Airship Shed Road, (West Shore Road) Walney Island, Barrow in Furness. No damage was caused and Walney Battery returned fire, some eye-witnesses reported that U21 had been sunk, but these reports were untrue.

                                29th Jan 1915 2 Life Guards - Capt. Ferrey promoted  2 Life Guards - War Diary, Captain Ferrey of 27th Light Cavalry was gazetted to my Regiment as a Major. I supervised a scheme for all officers set by Major Ferrey.

                                War Diary


                                30th January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.  1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.

                                30th Jan 1915 2 Life Guards - Frost and Snow  Frost and snow. Squadrons of the 2nd Life Guards continued their weekly programme of work. The machine gun detachment moved into a drier billet.

                                War Diary


                                31st January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 10 men to date (that are known)

                                31st Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards report Re-equipment of Regiment almost completed  The 2nd Life Guards War Diary records: Service as usual by the Chaplain, and 1 Squadron bathed. The re-equipment of the Regiment was almost completed.

                                War Diary


                                31st January 1915 Further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade near Merville.

                                Marched at 0900 by Aire to billets in several small farms about 1 mile NE of Merville. About 23 miles. Heavy snow during the march - into billets about 1630.

                                war diaries


                                Feb 1915 8th Yorks & Lancs to Hythe  The 8th Yorks and Lancs leave Aldershot for Hythe in February 1915

                                Feb 1915 Field exercises  

                                In early February 1915 the Durham Division undertook a field exercise in County Durham, with Khaki Force, which included 122nd Brigade, taking a home base at Bishop Auckland pitted against White Force based in Sunderland.

                                Both forces advanced on Durham City, with White Force's advance being blocked at the railway bridge over the road at Belmont Hall. All the bridges over the Wear at Durham were deemed to have been blown, except the bridge at Finchale Abbey, to which the 18th DLI were deployed.

                                By the time the 18th Durhams reached the bridge, two companies of White Force supported by a section of Field Artillery had already crossed the River Wear and were busy entrenching at East Moor Leazes to provide cover for White Force to make a crossing. A mock battle ensued and the advance party of White Force were drive back by the 18th DLI.

                                1st February 1915 Recruitment and Training  

                                16 RIR parade in Lurgan, County Armagh.

                                16th Btn Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers

                                Recruitment tour of County Down. In order to try and boost intake a recruitment tour of County Down was organised, starting on the 15th February and ending on the 27th February, with 150 Officers and men under the command of Major Gardiner and including the newly formed pipe band. It was followed by 2 horse drawn wagons and a horse drawn field ambulance unit. The schedule was as follows:

                                • February 15 Dromore
                                • 16 Ballynahinch
                                • 17 Dromara
                                • 18 Saintfield and Crossgar
                                • 19 Downpatrick
                                • 20 Clough, Seaforde and back to Downpatrick
                                • 21 Downpatrick
                                • 22 Comber via Killyleagh and Killinchy
                                • 23 Donaghadee via Newtownards
                                • 25 Comber via Bangor
                                • 26 Hillsborough
                                • 27 Lurgan via the Maze, Moira and Maralin.

                                In each location a marching display would be followed by meetings and speeches after which the troops would be fed, entertained and accommodation provided by locals. The success of this recruiting march is difficult to assess as the strength figures were reported less frequently. Training.

                                Interspersed with infantry training, the emphasis now switched to pioneering skills in trench, road and railroad construction Trench works. Trenches were constructed in readily available countryside locations and used to replicate known offensive and defensive methods. It was hard manual work as there were no mechanical machines. So, as practice, 5 foot deep by 1 ½ foot wide trenches were literally dug out by pickaxe, shovel and hands, hard labour by any standards in a peaceful country environment. How much more difficult it must have been in hard ground or muddy conditions, good and bad weather, with hostile fire from sniper, machine gun or artillery and with much deeper and wider dimensions.

                                Wiring techniques were also taught in conjunction with the trench layouts. It is doubtful that full fitting out of trenches took place as materials were in short supply. (Revetment or revetting).

                                Road works. On the 8th February 2 officers and 50 other ranks left for Keady where they assisted County Council men in constructing a new roadway at Drumderg nearby. They returned on the 17th and Armagh County Council donated £10 towards comforts for the men in appreciation of their work. Work was also carried out at the rear entrance to Brownlow House, widening the Avenue Road and constructing a new walkway in the park.

                                Railway Training Again 4 officers and 50 other ranks left on the 3rd February for Skerries, Co Dublin for instruction in pioneer railway work.

                                Doran Family


                                1st Feb 1915 9th Heavy Battery leave Charlton Park  9th Heavy Battery left Charlton Park and moved to Odihamon February 1st, 1915

                                1st February 1915 Continued trench clearing at Houplines  This Field Ambulance continues to work from Houplines section of trenches clearing the sick and wounded of the 18th Infantry Brigade. Lt Haydon taken off sick list and returned to duty.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC


                                1st February 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in reserve near Merville

                                1st to 4th February 1915 in bllets near Merville. On the 2nd February Lieutenant Lund sent to 27th Division to help train young subalterns. On the 4th February Second Lieutenant DCM Carberry joined for training from battery to which Lt Lund had been sent.

                                war diaries


                                Early Feb 1915 18th Manchesters move to Heaton Park  18th (3rd City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment moved from White City, Old Trafford where they had been engaged in initial training to Heaton Park Camp to join the 1st, 2nd and 4th City Battalions.

                                1st February 1915 Actions during 1915  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

                                Divisional Activity in 1915

                                At the beginning of February 1915, it reappeared in Oriental Prussia and participated in the offensive which ejected the Russians from this Province. It was engaged in its entirety in the district of Lyck and marched upon Augustowo and Grodno.

                                The Russian counter attack launched in the vicinity of Prasnysz toward the end of March drew the 2nd Division to this sector.

                                In July during the development of the Hindenburg offensive, it emerged from the Ostrolenka-Pultusk line and proceeded in a northerly direction.

                                Upon the stabilization of the front the 2nd Division held a sector between Illukst and Lake Drisviaty (Dwinsk District).

                                Historical Records


                                2nd Feb 1915 Archbishop of York gives speech in Halifax  Victoria Hall, Halifax was the seeting for a well attended meeting to hear a speech by the Archbishop of York on the nation's part in the war.

                                2nd February 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                3rd February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                3rd February 1915 2nd Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers posting (Armentières  Lt Haydon posted to temporary medical charge of the 2/RW Fusiliers in relief of Lt Harbison proceeding to England on 8 days leave.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC


                                3rd February 1915 New Squadron formed  No. 14 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Shoreham on 3rd of February 1915.

                                4th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards in trenches  2nd Life Guards are in trenches. 1 Officer Royal Artillery and some men and 6 trench mortars arrived. All hands were busy all day and night bringing up stores at night and baling trenches and at sanitation all day. The French apparently used only loop holes for fire, so we had to make a step for use to fire over parapet in case of attack.

                                War Diary


                                4th February 1915 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL5

                                • First Flight: 4th February 1915
                                • Length: 153.1 metres (502 ft)
                                • Diameter: 19.75 metres (65 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 32,470 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 83.2 km/h
                                • Payload: 14.3 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Daimler 840 hp/626 kW total

                                SL5 was an army airship, based at Darmstadt. The structure was damaged during the first flight, but repaired after several months work. During its second flight the ship was forced down by bad weather at Gießen and stricken from service on the 5th July 1915.

                                John Doran


                                4th February 1915 Visit of Surgeon General O'Donnell to RAMC Armentières  Lt Soltau returned from Sherwood Foresters on being relieved by Lt Perry from leave of absence. Surg. General O'Donnell visited the Field Ambulance this afternoon.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC


                                5th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards stand to  2nd Life Guards stood to at 6 am and off to end of trenches at 10 am getting back at 12 midday. Up to trenches at 3pm to see suggested alternative positions for machine guns, and these were made. Much more sniping and shelling and many aeroplanes, but no damage. 10 officers of the Brigade which will relieve 8th arrived, which is rather a tax, as we have no room and no food to spare. Message at 1am saying all communication with the Blues on our left is cut off. Can I [illegible] but Adjutant to find out and he got back at 4.30 am to say nothing had occurred. Alarm apparently caused by neglect on the part of signaller.

                                War Diary


                                5th February 1915 1st Middlesex Regt medical posting at Armentières  Lt Soltau posted to medical charge of 1/Middx Regt in relief of Lt Cohen who joined the Field Ambulance for duty.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC


                                5th February 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                5th to 26th February - with 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve positions near Merville.

                                On the 5th February Lt. WHB Mirrleas joined from 5th Division. On the 18th February Captain Walwyn left for duty with 5th Cavalry Brigade which had gone to the trenches at Ypres with the remainder of 2nd Cavalry Division supported by French Guns. On the 25th February Captain Walwyn returned to battery, 2nd Division having finished their time in the trenches.

                                war diaries


                                5th February 1915 General Cappers football cup.  2nd Battalion Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment) played a Football match versus Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Rue du Bataille. Result Welsh Fusiliers won 6-0. 2nd Battalion Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment) are in in billets at La Toulette, transport inspected and a concert was held for the men at Fleurbaix. Officers 28 and men 874, 3 from hospital. 2nd Lieutenants AN Heller and WJ Dew both from the Queens joined the Battalion.

                                war diaries


                                5th Feb 1915   February 5th 1915 To The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                                There seems to be comparatively little new at Cocken at the moment; and therefore I do not propose to have a Committee meeting on Monday, as I cannot be there myself without inconvenience.

                                Colonel Bowes proposes to promote three men from the ranks to be officers in the Battalion; and to bring in one from the Durham O.T.C. I see no reason to interfere in the granting of these commissions, as at this stage the appointment of Officers concerns primarily the Officer Commanding, and the second in Command. In any case, these appear to be suitable appointments.

                                The new huts have again been delayed; but must be ready for occupation in a day or two. The question of stoves for the cook house to be run by the battalion is having attention. These can be obtained at short notice, as I ascertained when at the War Office on Wednesday the 3rd inst. The supply of ashes is now coming in well, and considerable progress is being made with the roads.

                                Colonel Bowes reports to me that the Brigadier has visited the battalion since the last meeting, and has expressed his approval of the progress made; and he is prepared to relax, to some extent, his restrictions with regard to leave.

                                I presented a request at the War Office on Wednesday to be allowed to continue the formation of the second Depot Company uninterruptedly. General Sir Herbert Belfield told me that he could not give permission on account of the precedent which would be followed by other battalions. He suggested that there were some things that are better done first and asked for afterwards, and therefore, the formation of the second Depot Company is being proceeded with; and I have applied in writing.

                                There is a certain amount of sickness, but none of a really serious nature.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                6th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                6th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards in trenches.  2nd Life Guards War Diary records: Off to trenches at 10 am till 12 and again at 10 pm and found a lot of sniping going on, infantry blazing at nothing as usual. Col Smith Bingham 3rd Dragoon Guards and Geoffrey Glyn Somerset Yeomanry arrived.

                                The snipers took the life of 2877 Trooper Langford Wild, 2nd Life Guards, who died at a Dressing Station in Ypres at around 7.30 in the evening of the 6th of February, after having been shot in the head while in trenches at Zillebeke. His death was reported in The Surrey Mirror on 19th of February: "A Hull accountant, Trooper Langford Wild, 2nd Life Guards, has been killed at the front. In communicating the sad news the Rev. A. H. Boyd, Chaplain to the 3rd Cavalry Division, says that Wild was buried with other British soldiers in the small burial ground made on the ramparts of Ypres."

                                2nd Life Guards War Diary


                                6th February 1915 Scarlet Fever case at Armentières  The Scarlet Fever Case admitted on 31st ? Now convalescing and transferred to Infectious Diseases Hospital, Bailleul. No further extensions.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC


                                6th Feb 1915 Training  No. 12 Squadron was formed at Netheravon from a flight of No.1 Squadron on 4th February 1915. Training for France commenced at Netheravon.

                                7th Feb 1915 XXXXXDUPLICATE  2nd Life Guards stood to at 6 am and relieved C Squadron with B. French Battery shelled German trenches, having first asked us to keep our heads down. Went to trenches as usual. 94 rifles in trenches.

                                War Diary


                                7th Feb 1915 2 Life Guards in trenches  2nd Life Guards stood to at 6 am and relieved C Squadron with B. French Battery shelled German trenches, having first asked us to keep our heads down. Went to trenches as usual. 94 rifles in trenches and remainder fatiguing all day. 4 or 5 men have swollen feet. Big guns all day. Party of relieving officers, 40 in all, arrived, more or less as our guests. Kavanagh came at 10 and stayed till midnight.

                                War Diary


                                7th February 1915 Visit to 19th Field Ambulance HQ  Visited 19th Btn HQ to interview the Brigadier General re matters concerning medical change of units of the Brigade.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                8th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                8th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards in Trenches  2nd Life Guards in trenches. Normal day till 9 pm when our relief kept dropping in. Handed over to B General Campbell. We at last got away at 1.30 am.

                                9th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards billeted in Ypres  2nd Life Guards got to billets at Ypres at 4.30 am. Town is in chaos and shells passing over all day to the railway station.

                                War Diary


                                10th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards bathe in Ypres  2nd Life Guards War Diary records: The Regiment bathed at the Ecole de Bienfaisance. A few bombs by day and shells over more or less all night. Troops taken out separately under Leaders to exercise men, and to avoid congregating in the streets.

                                War Diary


                                10th February 1915 19th Field Ambulance inspection  Inspected all horses, harness and wagons of the Field Ambulance at 2 p.m. parade

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                11th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths inspected  His Majesty, King George V, inspected his First Welsh Division on Parker's Piece, Cambridge, before it left for the Flanders' battlefields, it was noted to be 'a fitting and historic conclusion to the period of preparation of gallant volunteers' Khaki-clad soldiers were assembled and as the Division presented arms, after a royal salute, it was a memorable sight of 'of shimmering steel'. 'Three cheers for the King' was called for and caps were raised aloft on bayonet tips, the roar was continually repeated as the Welsh warriors paid tribute to His Majesty. On a specially built low platform, covered in red cloth, the King and high-ranking Officers stood and received the salutes of the Division. Infantry wearing greatcoats, in double columns of four and accompanied by horses and guns marched passed the saluting base to military music. A very impressive spectacle. A general order was issued expressing His Majesty's pleasure when observing the presence and the discipline of the Welsh Division, he sent his compliments on the polished manner in which the march past and movements had been accomplished. A fitting finale prior to leaving the shores for the fateful battlefields of France and Flanders, as there was many men that would not return.

                                11th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                11th February 1915 Temporary posting to 5th Scottish Rifles  Capt T B Nicholls posted to temporary charge of 5/Scottish Rifles in relief of Lt Greaves proceeding to England on 8 days leave. Lt Cohen proceeded on 8 days leave to England.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                11th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards Shelled by Howitzer fire  At 9 pm the billeting area of the 2nd Life Guards in Ypres was severely shelled by Howitzer fire said to have been brought up by rail. The regiment escaped but other troops and civilians were killed close by. My adjutant assisted to carry the remains of 3 women and 5 children, which the terrified Belgian men refused to touch, although urged by their priest. Very lucky to escape with the loss of 1 man after over 10 days.

                                War Diary


                                12th February 1915 German Bombing Policy  An Imperial Order dated 12 February 1915 authorised the bombing of London's docks, which was interpreted by the German General Staff as permitting bombing targets east of Charing Cross. This interpretation was formally accepted by the Kaiser on 5 May 1915.

                                The first Navy attempts to bomb London, made by LZ33(L8), failed owing to poor weather.

                                John Doran


                                12th Feb 1915 Sheffield City Battalion line route to funeral  A Coy, Sheffield City Battalion provided 100 men to line the route to the Cathedral for the funeral of Pte. C.H. Hanforth who had died of pneumonia on the 8th of February. He was laid to rest at Fulwood Church with full military honours.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                12th February 1915 Officer changes at 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers  Lt Haydon rejoined today on return of Lt Harbison, MO 2/RW Fusiliers from leave.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                12th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards move to Staple  2nd Life Guards paraded at 6 pm for buses, in which 6th Brigade will arrive. They did not come till 7.30 pm and at last we got away at 9.20 pm arriving at Staple at 3 am. Much equipment ammunition etc. was handed over to the Brigade which relieved us in the trenches, a very great saving of labour and of risk.

                                War Diary


                                13th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths embark for France  In the cold, grey dawn of 13 February the 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment paraded for the last time in Britain and before the residents of Cambridge had awakened the troop trains had pulled out and left for Southampton, detailed to reinforce Regular Brigades in the field. Having arrived at the port the soldiers, horses, transport and baggage boarded the SS Chyabassa and were ready to leave port for Le Havre. It was evening before SS Chyabassa sailed, throughout the voyage no lights were permitted while crossing the Channel, because of the fear of submarine activity. The waterway was full of ships similarly wending their way across to France, under the cover of darkness and the protection of the Royal Navy. It was a slow stealthy crossing, uneventful except for sudden changes of course, which distressed the horses.

                                13th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards at Staple  War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards records them at Staple: Much to do, and especially with the horses, which have been looked after by the men left behind for 10 days and have suffered from want of grooming etc.

                                War Diary


                                13th February 1915 Enteric Fever Case notified  

                                Lt Haydon admitted to hospital suffering from Acute Bronchitis. Telegraphic orders received for Capt. T B Nicholls to take over No 1 Advanced Depot Medical Stores, Merville.

                                Lt. Hampton took over temporary medical charge of 5/Scottish Rifles from Capt. t B Nicholls. Visited HQ of 2/Durham Light Infantry to enquire into contacts of a Pte Hall notified from the Base as suffering from Enteric Fever. All contacts to be sent to 19 Field Ambulance for examination as to being 'carriers'.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                14th Feb1915  71st Heavy Battery proceed to France  71st Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                14th February 1915 Durham Light Infantry enteric fever testing  

                                Three men of DLI who have been intimately associated with Pte Hall admitted for observation - bottle and tubes sent from Mobile Laboratory for collection of faeces and urine for bacteriological examination and dispatched the next morning.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                14th Feb 1915 Squadron formed  No 11 Squadron formed at Netheravon on 14th of February 1915 from a nucleus of No. 7 Squadron and was equipped as a scout (fighter) unit. The squadron moved to St Omer France on 25th July 1915 flying the Vickers Gunbus. 11 squadron was the first squadron to be a specialist fighter squadron, and was largely deployed to protect the reconnaissance patrols of other Squadrons from attack by enemy aircraft.

                                15th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths arrive in France  When the troopship docked in Le Havre at 8 a.m. on the morning of the 15 th February, thronging crowds lined the quayside waving flags, cheering, singing, welcoming the Welshmen, for these were early days of War, spirits and enthusiasm was high. The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment made camp on the cliffs above Le Havre.

                                15th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards at musketry range practice  2nd Life Guards War Diary, 15 to 18 February 1915: In billets at Staple. Nothing of note took place, and squadrons were busy at musketing and with range practice at short range for bad shots.

                                War Diary


                                15th February 1915 Enteric fever developments  Three more men of DLI admitted for observation as carriers.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                15th Feb 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall 15th February 1915

                                Present:- Colonel Burdon and Major Tristram.

                                Nothing of any importance was reported.

                                The parade state was certified as being 1355 of all ranks. Recruits were only coming in slowly: and constant drains were being made upon the regiment for the provision of Commissioned Officers for other battalions. The total loss from this source up to date would probably reach nearly 50 men. The question of a notice and advertisement issued by Mr. Evan Hayward. M.P, and Mr. Godfrey Palmer, M.P. for the purpose of obtaining 100 or 200 men for the 13th (Pioneers) Gloucester Regiment was considered; and it was agreed that support ought only to be given to this when our own County Battalions had been filled.

                                With the exception of a few of the huts not being water tight (though not to any serious amount, except in one case) the rest of the camp was in good order, and might be considered finished; except the roads, which are still awaiting the action by the Surveyor to the RDC, which has been delayed in consequence of stone and trucks not having been forth-coming.

                                The Rifles which had been lent to the Battalion by various members of the public were directed to be returned to their owners. Colonel Burdon notified that he had applied for cooking stoves and boilers, and also arm racks.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                16th February 1915 Lieutenant Haydon sick  Lt. Haydon transferred sick to Base with acute post influenzal bronchitis.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                16th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths in France  After a cold night under canvas on the cliffs above Havre, the 3rd Monmouth Battalion marched to the railway station where after a leisurely journey they arrived at Bavinchove at 5p.m on February 17 th. They were then marched on to Cassel (then the G H Q of the French Northern Army) and there the soldiers were accommodated in public buildings.

                                16th Feb 1915 In Billets  
                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915
                                1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) HQ billet with its draughts and broken windows, 16th February 1915. Bois Grenier Front. Left to right; Major J. G. Chaplin, Major R. Oakley, Lieutenant Davidson (Medical Officer) and Hill. IWM (Q 51585)

                                IWM


                                17th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths on the march  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment arrived by train at Bavinchove. They then marched on to Cassel, the GHQ of the French Northern Army and there the soldiers were accommodated in public buildings.

                                17th Feb 1915 Mine blown at Hill 60  The first mine of the Great War was blown at Hill 60 near Ypres on the 17th of February 1915 by the Royal Engineers in tunnels which had been started by the French.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                17th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                18th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                18th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths move to Steenvorde  On the morning of the 18th the battalion moved to billets at Steenvorde, about 14 miles west of Ypres . They had their first experience of marching on the Pave, a road surface of uneven stone, which in wet weather became treacherous to the heavily loaded infantryman. Orders were issued during this period assigning the 3 rd Monmouth's to the 83rd Infantry Brigade, which came under the 28th Division, which was commanded at this time by Major General Bulfin.

                                19th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths on the march  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment moved from Cassel to billets at Steenvorde, about 14 miles west of Ypres. They had their first experience of marching on the Pave, a road surface of uneven stone, which in wet weather became treacherous to the heavily loaded infantryman. Orders were issued during this period assigning the 3rd Monmouth's to the 83rd Infantry Brigade, which came under the 28th Division, which was commanded at this time by Major General Bulfin.

                                19th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards engaged in Squadron work  2nd Life Guards - War Diary records: Squadron went out to work 3 separate schemes

                                War Diary


                                19th February 1915 Leave cancelled  All leave cancelled and postponed for present. The relief of Lt. Armstrong MO DLI by Lt. Cohen tomorrow has therefore been cancelled.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                20th Feb 1915 Attack Made  1st East Anglian Engineers report "At 4.40 am an attack made on German trenches in front of Duck's Bill Givenchy to ascertain whether the enemy were mining towards our trenches. After a preliminary bombardment two small columns consisting of parties of Royal Berks, 2nd South Staffs and Glasgow Highlanders and two officers & 32 NCOs & Sappers of our company succeeded in capturing the trench and after investigation it was found that the Enemy were not mining. The trench was evacuated and party returned. Two Sappers Killed, Two Missing, Eight wounded 2nd Lieut C H Humphreys wounded."

                                483rd Field Company RE War Diary


                                20th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                20th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards CO unhappy with schemes  In the War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards, their CO Records: Criticised Squadron Schemes and discussed them. Accused by Div HQ of having 5 officers over strength when as a fact I am 4 under. Replied forcibly at some length.

                                War Diary


                                20th February 1915 Leave re-opened  Leave re-opened.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                20th Feb 1915 Transfers  On 20th of February 1915, 22 Battery moved from 34 Brigade to 3 Brigade.

                                21st February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                21st February 1915 Change in medical charge DLI   Orders received from ADMS Assistant Director of Medical Services 6th Division detailing Lt Cohen of the 19th Field Ambulance RAMC to take over medical charge of DLI during the absence on leave of Lt. Armstrong.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                22nd February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                22nd Feb 1915 Inspection of 2nd Life Guards machine gun teams  The 2nd Life Guards War Diary states: Major General Kavanagh came to inspect machine gun teams. Squadrons out again at schemes set by me.

                                War Diary


                                22nd Feb 1915   

                                Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall February 22nd 1915

                                Present:- The Earl of Durham, W.C. Gray, Colonel R. Burdon, Colonel H. Bowes, Major F. J. Tristram, and Captain Lowe.

                                The minutes of the previous meeting at which no one was present but Colonel Burdon, Major Tristram and Capt. Lowe, were taken as read.

                                The parade state was presented as under and Colonel Burdon mentioned that one of the reasons why such slow progress was being made with the 6th Company was that some forty of the members of the Battalion had been transferred to commissions elsewhere.

                                The samples of necessaries for the men were inspected, and it was decided that those offered by Messrs. Mappin & Webb should be accepted, subject to reasonably quick delivery: or failing those that provided by [blank] Colonel Burdon reported that he had authority from the war office for the 6th Company to be proceeded with at once.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                23rd Feb 1915 Detachment of the 2nd Life Guards to Meteren  3 officers and 100 men of the 2nd Life Guards went away to Meteren, 9th Lancers to assist in grooming their horses while they are in the trenches.

                                War Diary


                                23rd February 1915 Changes in personnel and promotion  Major Templeton and Capt. Vesey departed last night. Capt. W A Burgess 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance joined today for one week's instruction. Temporary Lt. Robertson reported himself from No 6 General Hospital, Rouen for duty. No 11000 Sgt-Major W H Storey promoted Lieut. and Quartermaster and proceeded to the Depot RAMC Aldershot for duty.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                24th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                24th Feb 1915 Horse inspection for 2nd Life Guards   2nd Life Guards War Diary: Every horse inspected by A D V S 3rd Cav Division and by Col Yardley (Remount Officer). They decided to change 10 horses as unsuitable or worn out.

                                War Diary


                                25th Feb 1915 8th Btn Notts & Derby Regt land in France  The 8th Battalion Notts & Derby (Sherwood Forresters) landed in France.

                                25th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards Dig Trenches.  2nd Life Guards War Diary: (Snow) Sent a party of 100 men to dig trenches near La Belle Hotesse. A regrettable fire took place at 3am at the B squadron billet resulting in the loss of a certain amount of equipment and of 19 of the tenant farmers’ cows. Instigated a Court of Enquiry at once, but could find no reasonable explanation or cause of blame. Lt R Fenwick Palmer rejoined after wound with a draft of 12 men from Windsor.

                                War Diary


                                25th Feb 1915 First Territorial units land in France  The 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters was part of 139th (Forester) Brigade in the 46th (North Midland) Division. In February 1915, the 139th (Forester) Brigade had the distinction of being part of the first Territorial division to land in France. By the end of the year they had been engaged in heavy fighting and Captain C. G. Vickers of the 1/7th (Robin Hoods) had been awarded the VC. This Forester Brigade served in France for the remainder of the war and suffered severe casualties. In particular, it gained special recognition for its valour on the opening day of the Somme Battle on 1 July 1916, where it suffered 80 per cent casualties, and its magnificent part in the breaking of the Hindenburg Line and the final defeat of the German Army in the autumn of 1918. Lieutenant Colonel B.W. Vann MC the Commanding Officer of the 1/6th Battalion and Sergeant W.H. Johnson of the 1/5th Battalion being awarded the VC for conspicious bravery in the latter action.

                                26th Feb 1915 Route March  17th Batt, The Welch Reg were on a 12 mile route march in preparation to be sent to the Front. The following is an extract from a letter written by my grandfather, Idris Howells, to his wife & daughter in Rhondda. 'Home' is a boarding house in Rhos-on-Sea. "We started at 9.45 and reached back home about 1pm. We went to Llandudno and around the Great Orne's Head and the wind was blowing something terribly all the way. We are going there again on Monday to see Lloyd George."

                                26th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards - More trench digging  2nd Life Guards War Diary: Party of 100 digging trenches.

                                War Diary


                                26th February 1915 Zeppelin raid on London  26th February 1915. The first attempt was made on 26 February but turned back due to headwinds and a second attempt ended when the airship flew below the cloud base to check its position and found itself over Belgian army positions near Ostend, riddled by rifle fire, it came down near Tirlemont and was destroyed by the wind. [LZ33(L8)]

                                John Doran


                                26th February 1915 Inspection by Brig-General Gordon  Lt. Balfour transferred to medical charge of 6th Divisional RE this day. Inspection of Field Ambulance this afternoon by Brig-General Gordon commanding 19th Infantry Brigade.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                26th Feb 1915 Reconnaissance  No. 16 Squadron flew its first reconnaissance mission on the 26th February. As other Squadron standardised on the BE2, No. 16 Squadron inherited all their non-standard types including the frail pre-war Maurice Farman, Voisins, Bs, and Shorthorns. On the 6th March the Squadron moved to an airfield at La Gorgue.

                                27th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards Dig trenches  2nd Life Guards War Diary: Party of 70 digging trenches.

                                War Diary


                                27th February 1915 Return to Maesnil  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Marched back through Aire to our old billets at Maesnil and remainder of 5th Cavalry Brigade also returned to that district. 28th February in billets at Maeslin in reserve with 5th Ccavalry Brigade.

                                war diaries


                                28th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths on the march  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment left Steenvorde, and after marching a few miles to Caestre they were conveyed to Bailleul on a fleet of old London omnibuses; here they met up with the rest of the division. The battle zone was very close now, the flicker of flares was to be seen and the thunder of heavy guns was incessant. The smell of cordite and freshly turned, wet earth hung heavily in the cold air, so different from the peaceful Monmouthshire countryside they left some weeks ago. The residents of the town provided billets for the troops and this was a time of acclimatising them to their new environment. There were instruction courses for making and using bombs and grenades, and detailed advice for trench digging. All ranks were kept fit by field exercises and arduous route marches and always under the critical eye of the Higher Command of the Expeditionary Forces.

                                28th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 47 men (that are known)

                                28th Feb 1915 Unarmed collier sinks enemy submarine  On 28th February 1915 the unarmed collier SS Thordis is attacked by a German Submarine. Captain John Bell managed to ram the periscope, sinking the U-boat, the captain and his crew were given a reward of £860 for their actions.

                                http://www.hidden-teesside.co.uk


                                28th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards dig trenches  2nd Life Guards War Diary: Party of 125 digging trenches. No leave to be granted after this date.

                                War Diary


                                28th February 1915 New arrival from 1st Scottish Rifles  Lt. Davidson RAMC from medical charge of 1/Cameronians reported his arrival for duty, having been relieved by Lt. Robertson of this Field Ambulance.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentieres


                                March 1915 1/6th West Yorks leave Strenshall  6th Battalion West Yorks left York for Gainsborough in March 1915.

                                1st March 1915 Recruitment and Training  

                                Bridging Training near Lurgan, County Armagh.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers Recruitment figures were not published for March 1915. Recruitment efforts were mainly concentrated on Brownlow House as a showpiece for many inspections by high ranking officers and politicians, the public also in attendance.

                                Training. Much more intensive military manoeuvres took place by night and day increasing the demands on all officers and men to harden them for future demands on active service.

                                Trench works. During the week ending 20th March the Battalion carried out several very interesting operations including day and night outpost schemes with trench digging and sapping by night. Sapping is cutting out trenches from the front line forward towards the enemy trenches, used for listening posts, mortars, machine guns or jump off points for attacks.

                                Road works. Work continued on projects with local councils alongside council workers in County Armagh and County Down.

                                Railway works. A great deal of railway training was undertaken in March. On the 21st March 3 Officers and 7 NCOs were sent to Crumlin, where a railway bridge was being erected. Other works were carried out on the rail lines near Antrim, on the Lurgan to Moira railway line and a course was attended at Stewartstown.

                                Bridging. While it is not recorded what types of bridging works were done, we can assume they had to construct bridges capable of taking Divisional Horse drawn transport including artillery pieces. There were various exercises carried out on lakes in local parks and bridge building on the Lagan near Donacloney and Dynes Bridge. Barrel rafts capable of supporting wagons and artillery pieces were constructed.

                                Demolition. Training in explosive and demolitions was limited from a practical point of safety and shortage of materials. Demonstration of grenades, land mines and the use of gun cotton on rocks and metal were done with reduced charges leaving the observers to imagine the effects of a full charge. They were also introduced to jam pot type grenades and the use of warning flares including methods of firing; trip wire, cut wire and pull by defender. Other examples included explosive traps already experienced in early fighting at the Front.

                                General Field Training. There is no evidence to suggest that any form of formalised field training was available prior to leaving Lurgan and that progress in this area would be based on ad hoc solutions devised in training exercises or live situations. There is evidence of training courses being held at Reading in Berkshire.

                                Doran Family


                                1st March 1915 Changes in personnel  The Field Ambulance continues to work the area occupied by the 18th Infantry Brigade as during last month. Capt. Burgess 2 Canadian Field Ambulance left to rejoin his own unit. Lt. A P Ford reported his arrival from St Omer for duty.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                1st March 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve 1st to 8th March - in billets at Maisnil

                                war diaries


                                1st Mar 1915 3rd Monmouths go into the front line  After spending the night at St Jans Capelle on the outskirts of Bailleul, the Welsh troops were taken by a fleet of old London buses to Bailleul, where they joined the 28th Division, commanded by Major General Bulfin and spent the night on the out-skirts the town, St Jans Capelle. On the 1 st March, St David's day, the first men were sent up to the front for instruction with the 1 st Welsh Regiment. In a letter to his parents Private G Norton of A Company wrote: "The firing line is not as bad as you would think, at least it is not so bad as we expected it to be. The trenches we have been in are dry ones, and the only thing is the cold nights. We were shelled rather heavily last Tuesday; but our guns gave them something after. The men we were in with didn't seem to mind much. They say, "Keep your napper down and you're alright!" " (Dixon, With Rifle and Pick, 1990).

                                1st March 1915 A Royal Visitor  H.R.H. The Prince of Wales walked round the trenches occupied by the 1st Battalion KRRC, with General Horne.

                                Battalion War Diaries 1914-195 WO 95/1358/3


                                1st Mar 1915 Brigade at Country House  The headquarters of the Warwickshire Brigade was stationed at Felix Hall, Kelvedon, Essex. The 6th Btn Royal Warwicks were also stationed at Kelvedon, with the 5th being at Braintree, the 7th at Witham and the 8th Battalion also at Braintree.

                                2nd March 1915 Hemel Hempstead - War preparations  6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery reports that the Laying and Fuse setting Examination arranged for today was cancelled.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd March 1915 19th Field Ambulance Inspection  The General Officer Commanding Jt Division accompanied by the Brig-General 19th Infantry Brigade inspected all the transport of 19th Field Ambulance at Armentières this afternoon.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                4th March 1915 M Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ37

                                • Production Ref: LZ37
                                • Class type : M
                                • Tactical ref: none
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 4th March 1915

                                History.

                                Brought down by Flt Sub-Lt R Warneford, 1 Sqdn RNAS, flying a Morane-Saulnier Type L, during its first raid on Calais on 7 June 1915. Crashed in Sint-Amandsberg, near Ghent. The LZ 37 was based in Gontrode (airport location. Warneford was awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions. (Flight lists LZ 37 as "Destroyed in shed by British aviators" on 7 June 1915 at Evere.)

                                John Doran


                                4th March 1915   SM U-8

                                Type U 5 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 150) Ordered 8 Apr 1908 Laid down 19 May 1909 Launched 14 Mar 1911 Commissioned 18 Jun 1911
                                Commanders.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 31 Aug 1914 Konrad Gansser.
                                1 Sep 1914 - 4 Mar 1915 Alfred Stoß.

                                Career 1 patrol 1 Aug 1914 - 4 Mar 1915 I Flotilla

                                Successes 5 ships sunk with a total of 15,049 tons.

                                • 23 Feb 1915 U 8 Alfred Stoß Branksome Chine 2,026 British
                                • 23 Feb 1915 U 8 Alfred Stoß Oakby 1,976 British
                                • 24 Feb 1915 U 8 Alfred Stoß Harpalion 5,867 British
                                • 24 Feb 1915 U 8 Alfred Stoß Rio Parana 4,015 British
                                • 24 Feb 1915 U 8 Alfred Stoß Western Coast 1,165 British

                                Fate 4 Mar 1915 - Trapped in nets, forced to surface and scuttled under gunfire from HMS Ghurka and Maori at position 50.56N, 01.15E.

                                There was another U 8 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 16 Jul 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 5 Aug 1935.

                                John Doran


                                5th March 1915 Zeppelin raid on London  LZ33 L8 set out to make a second raid on London, as it descended below cloud level to check its position, it found itself above French positions at Tirlemont. It was brought down by AA fire and the crew of 21 were all killed.

                                John Doran


                                5th March 1915 Lt. Cohen sick  Lt. Cohen sent down to Base sick today and struck off the strength.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                5th March 1915 Change of Billets  Remaining two companies of 1st Herts joined up with the battalion at Vendin.

                                War Diary of the 1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment


                                Mar 1915 On the March  
                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                C Company, 1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, marching along the Ballieul -Armentieres Road, in March 1915 © The rights holder (IWM Q 60545)

                                6th March 1915 In Reserve  1st Herts are in Corps Reserve at Vendin.

                                War Diary of the 1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment


                                6th Mar 1915 3rd Monmouths training in the front line  Private James B. Bowes, 3rd Monmouths of Wargrave, writing home, gives some picturesque details of life at the front. The following are extract from his letter, which appeared in the Newton and Earlestown Guardian on 19 th March 1915 :- "We do four days in the trenches, then come back for four days' rest. The firing line is about eight miles away. The other day we had our pay, and we are now spending it. I and two others go down to a small farm. French woman; eight children; husband a captain in the French army. There we have what we can get - café-au-lait, bread and butter, and eggs. As the eggs are 3d. each, there is, of course, more bread than eggs. Everything is very dear; penny chocolate is 2d. bread 8d. a loaf, butter 2s. per lb. At night we are able to get chips. Most of the houses and "pubs" or "estaminets" are wrecked, and so are the churches and farms, but the people are coming back to the places they left. Nearly every farmer here has two or three Belgian refugees employed. Dirty farms, very, compared with English. Sanitation is not considered here, anywhere. Good job it is winter and not summer. I have moved my little bed from the loft with the battered roof down to the cow-shed, and I am sleeping with a long row of cows about three yards from me. It is better, as there was no roof over my head before. The socks will be very welcome, as my feet are always wet. Although my boots are good, they get sodden. For the trenches we have rubber jack boots, so they are alright. The other night some of our chaps in getting to the trenches had to climb over an obstacle. One of them was holding up his hand in the dark to be pulled up by his mate, when he grasped what he found by the touch was the hand of a chap who had been covered up; - one who had "gone on". They are very plentiful, and you see different parts sticking out of the soil. The Germans, if you shoot one of them, will signal a "bull" with a spade and shortly afterwards will throw the body over. It acts as a sandbag, and helps stop bullets. I am longing for the time when we will be coming back. Tell O. to fill the pantry, but she needn't get any jam in, or biscuits, at any rate not "Army No.4" 4 in. by 4 in. by ¾ in. "bullet proof". I am "in the pink", and could eat ten Germans - not to mention killing. Glad to hear Ernie is all right at Pembroke Dock. I expect he will be out here soon." Private No. 2155 James B. Bowes, 3rd. Monmouthshire Regt.

                                The Territorials found themselves side by side with professional soldiers of the most highly trained army in the world. They were given help, encouragement and support and it was never forgotten that they were raw troops.

                                7th Mar 1915 9th North Staffords at Hastings  B Company, 9th Battalion North Staffs Regiment are at Hastings.

                                7th March 1915 Arrival of Lt. Clark  Lt. R Clark reported his arrival at Armentières from St Omer for duty with 19th Field Ambulance RAMC.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                7th March 1915 On the Move  From the outbreak of war No 1 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps had provided aircrew training at Brooklands, but on 7th of March 1915 it crossed over to RFC HQ at St Omer in France. It was equipped with a mixture of Avro 504s and Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.8s, and operated mainly in the reconnaissance role.

                                8th March 1915 Opening of Officers Convalescent Depot in Armentières  Officers Convalescent Depot, 96 Rue Sadi Carnot opened today for reception of officers. QMS Aldhous joined from the 16th Field Ambulance for duty.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                8th Mar 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall March 8th 1915

                                Present:- Wm. Cresswell Gray, Colonel Hugh Bowes, Captain W.D. Lowe, and Colonel R. Burdon.

                                Colonel Bowes action with regard to the appointment of the two officers to the Depot Company was confirmed. The strength of the Battalion remained approximately as at the last meeting, in consequence of transfers to other Battalions, and the men being rejected after medical examination.

                                Colonel Bowes notified that some of the senior officers had been sent to Alnmouth for a course.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                9th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                9th March 1915 Preparations for Houplines  Lt. R Clark posted to medical charge of 5/Scottish Rifles in relief of Lt. Hampton who rejoins the Field Ambulance for duty. 'B' Bearer Subdivision ordered to be held in readiness with wagons by AAMO 6th Division, in the event of being required if a demonstration is made in front of the Houplines section of trenches.

                                *AAMO Assistant Administrative Medical Officer

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                9th March 1915 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade near Merville Started at 0700 and marched 23 miles to billet 2 miles north of Merville at Cavdescure

                                war diaries


                                10th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                10th Mar 1915 Poplar and Stepney Rifles proceed to France  17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment proceeded to France on the 10th of March 1915, landing at le Havre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month.

                                10th March 1915   SM U-12

                                Type U 9 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 7) Ordered 15 Jul 1908 Launched 6 May 1910 Commissioned 13 Aug 1911.
                                Commanders.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 9 Feb 1915 Walter Forstmann 10 Feb 1915 - 10 Mar 1915 Hans Kratzsch

                                Career 4 patrols start date unknown - 10 Mar 1915 I Flotilla 1 Aug 1914 - 10 Mar 1915 II Flotilla Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 1,005 tons. 1 warship sunk with a total of 810 tons.

                                • 11 Nov 1914 U 12 Walter Forstmann Niger (hms) 810 British
                                • 9 Mar 1915 U 12 Hans Kratzsch Aberdon 1,005 British

                                Fate 10 Mar 1915 - Rammed and shelled by destroyer off Fife Ness then scuttled. 20 dead and 10 survivors.

                                The wreck of U 12 was found by a local dive team lead by Martin Sinclair and Jim MacLeod based upon research by Kevni Heath in January 2008. The wreck is some 18 miles from where U 12 was previously listed as being sunk.

                                On 11 November, 1914 the gunboat HMS Niger was sunk near the Deal Light Vessel by U 12 while operating from the harbour of Zeebrugge. This was the first U-boat victim of German operations originating from a Belgian port.

                                There was another U 12 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 11 Sep 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 30 Sep 1935.

                                John Doran


                                10th March 1915 More preparations for Houplines  'C' Bearer subdivision held in readiness for duty.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                Mar 1915 2/6th Suffolks in Brighton  2/6th Suffolks moved from Brighton to Southwold in Suffolk in March 1915. At Southwold it carried out general company training, musketry and entrenching skills, as they were tasked for coastal defence. They appeared to have spent a lot of time digging trenches! In April 1915, the Battalion was warned that it was to move to Norfolk for coastal defence operations, especially as Zeppelins were often attacking and bombing the East Coast. In the meantime they carried on with entrenching and coastal defence exercises.

                                10th March 1915 Further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                with 5th Cavalry Brigade at Pont du Hem. Started at 1100 and moved to Pont du Hem - 2 miles south of Estaires in close support of 1st Army which took Neuve Chapelle. Into billets and bivouacs near there at 1900

                                war diaries


                                10th March 1915 2nd Middlesex in action  At Neuve Chapelle on the 10th March 1915, D company 15 Platoon 2nd Middlesex, under the command of Sergeant Edward George Ryde was the first over the top. It was the only platoon commanded by a sergeant.

                                10th Mar 1915 1st KRRC on the Attack  1st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps are involved in failed assault by the Brigade on German trenches near Givency-lés-la-Bassée after artillery bombardment. "..if gallantry and determination could have commanded success it would have been theirs.." Casualties suffered were: NCOs and other ranks Missing believed killed (119); Killed (32); Wounded (94). In addition Captain E.P. Shakerley (killed); Captain C.A. Grazebrook (wounded and missing); 2nd Lieutenant F.P. Crawhall (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant H. Else (wounded); Lieutenant P.J. Bevan (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant A.R. Heron (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant R. Fellowes (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant K. Ward (wounded and missing. Subsequently unofficially reported prisoner of war)

                                Battalion War Diaries 1914-195 WO 95/1358/3


                                11th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                11th March 1915 action at L'Epinette  'A' Bearer subdivision under Lt. Davidson "standing to" tonight. Went out to Houplines to rendezvous at corner of Rue de l'Egalité. The action of L'Epinette took place in early hours of 12th March, and with the aid of a motor ambulance wagon temporarily attached from 6th Division, HQ some 40 wounded of the North Staffordshire Regiment were collected - the enterprise was successful, and the village occupied.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                11th March 1915 Further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                with 5th Cavalry Brigade near La Gorgue. Saddled up early - at 1600 moved into billet and bivouacs near La Gorgue. Second Lieutenant DHM Carberry rejoined 27th Division and Lieutenant Lund rejoined from 27th Division.

                                war diaries


                                11th Mar 1915 HMS Bayano lost  On March 11th 1915 HMS Byaano, under command of Cdr. H.C. Carr was on her way to Liverpool to coal when she was intercepted ten miles NW by W of Corsewall Point by submarine U-27, commanded by Lt. Cdr. Wegener. The attack took place at 5.15am. The Bayano sank very rapidly and only four officers and 22 ratings were saved. Fourteen officers including Cdr. Carr and 181 ratings were killed The SS Castlereagh (Capt. McGarrick) arrived on the scene shortly after but although she saw much wreckage and many dead bodies she was chased away by the submarine and prevented from making a search.

                                12th March 1915 Many wounded at L'Epinette  Action of L'Epinette took place in the early hours of the morning. Shelling of the new trenches at L'Epinette apparently been proceeding all day. First information received by 19th Field Ambulance RAMC from the 17th Battalion HQ that there were many wounded (5pm) and bearers required - Lt. Hampton and 'B' Bearer Subdivision with motor ambulance wagon and three Horsted wagons went out, supplemented later by the remaining Bearers Subdivisions, and by 7 horsed ambulance wagons. It appears from the telegrams received that wounded were not being satisfactorily evacuated, as I proceeded out to this area myself, but found evacuation proceeding as rapidly as wounded could be brought in. The MO of N. Staffordshire and his stretcher bearers however appeared overcome with the work and the Field Ambulance bearers were therefore used to work up to the trenches which was done most satisfactorily. Some 89 wounded were brought in to 19th Field Ambulance, of which some 35 were sent to the 17th Field Ambulance. Lt. EFW Grellter reported his arrival for duty with 19th Field Ambulance RAMC.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                12th March 1915 Further Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade near La Gorgue. Moved at 1530 to Pont du Hem but Cavalry Brigade coudnn't get through German lines. Back to bivouac and billet near La Gorgue at 2030.

                                war diaries


                                12th Mar 1915 3rd Monmouths in the trenches  The training rotation period came to an end on the 12th March when they were assigned to trenches on the west slope of the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge, just outside the village of Wulverghem 5 miles south of Ypres . They were responsible for about a 1000yds of the trenches known as 10a and 10b. The trenches were on the West slope of Messines-Wytschsete Ridge. The line ran southeast to Pleogsteert and northwest to Kemmel and Wulverghem village lay in a depression behind. The village buildings gave some protection from rifle fire as the Welsh troops marched forward but the air was filled with stray bullets, whistling perilously close, as they approached the trenches. The Battalion's Headquarters were in the village of St Quentin Cabaret, and Companies were posted either side of the Wulverghem - Messines Road . This was the first experience of trench warfare for the 3rd Mons, Officers and men, the sector they were in reputedly was a quiet one but the enemy was continuously active. The lighter calibre guns directed fire against them throughout the day and the occasional trench mortar that was thrown caused effective damage.

                                To undertake repair work was a dangerous task, for enemy marksmen closely watched the breach and repeated rifle fire was non-stop. This persistent firing, disturbed the stability of the trenches, the unrelenting weather conditions and the continual flooding of the trenches made it necessary for constant maintenance in the most dangerous positions. The enemy had better equipment and continually fired from fixed rifles and machine guns at miscellaneous tactical positions and their trenches too were better defended too, with wire entanglement. So the Battalion's guns fell silent because of shortage of ammunition, particularly high explosive shells. The conditions for the Battalion were miserable, great caution was taken when lighting fires for curling smoke received enemy attention very quickly. Although food was satisfying and in good supply it was monotonous, rum and lime juice was dispensed in medicinal doses and cigarettes became the comfort but all this was supplemented by parcels from kind friends and families back home in Wales.

                                Unfortunately in the early days of being in the trenches the Battalion suffered many casualties, including an Officer and it was only by bitter experience that they learned; it was care and alertness in trench warfare that kept them safe. Soon enemy action became much more intense and the number of heavy German guns increased and by the end of March the village and the church of Wulverghem was completely destroyed.

                                The conditions of the line were extremely miserable, the least rainfall flooded the shelters in the trenches, and the close proximity of the enemy severely restricted movement. Fires could only be lit and tended with great care, as any sign of smoke would soon receive some enemy attention.

                                13th March 1915 Continued shelling  Some shelling of the new trenches appears to have been going on during the day at L'Epinette reported by 19th Field Abulance. Lt. Ford and 'C' Bearer Subdivision went out tonight, for the collection of the wounded

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                13th March 1915 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA with 5th Cavalry Brigade are in Reserve near Melville. They moved at 1530 to billet 2 miles north of Merville at Gavdescure. In billets at 1800 and spent 14th to 16th March in billets at Gavdescure.

                                war diaries


                                14th Mar 1915 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment transfer to 4th Division  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment transfer to 12th Brigade, 4th Division.

                                14th March 1915 Shell burst in W Yorks billet  Received information that a shell had burst in one of the billets of the West Yorks at Houplines. Sent out shortly after 1 pm 2 squads of bearers, the Motor Ambulance wagon and brought in 34 wounded (7men were killed). Wired for motor convoy, and at 6 pm all were evacuated to Bailleul. In evening Lt. Davidson, when supervising the collection of wounded of the Leinster Reg (20 cases) was wounded near the cemetery, in left hand and left hip. Lt. Preston was sent out to Advanced Post to take over the duty.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                14th March 1915 Battle of Más a Tierra 1915  The Battle of Más a Tierra was a First World War sea battle fought on 14 March 1915, near the Chilean island of Más a Tierra, between a British squadron and a German light cruiser. The battle saw the last remnant of the German East Asia Squadron destroyed, when SMS Dresden was cornered and sunk in Cumberland Bay.

                                Background

                                After escaping from the Battle of the Falkland Islands, SMS Dresden and several auxiliaries retreated into the Pacific Ocean in an attempt to commence raiding operations against Allied shipping. These operations did little to stop shipping in the area, but still proved troublesome to the British, who had to expend resources to counter the cruiser. On 8 March, his ship low on supplies and in need of repairs, the captain of the Dresden decided to hide his vessel and attempt to coal in Cumberland Bay near the neutral island of Más a Tierra. By coaling in a neutral port rather than at sea, Dresden's Captain Lüdecke gained the advantage of being able to intern the ship if it was discovered by enemy vessels. British naval forces had been actively searching for the German cruiser and had intercepted coded wireless messages between German ships. Although they possessed copies of captured German code books, these also required a "key" which was changed from time to time. However, Charles Stuart, the signals officer, managed to decode a message from Dresden for a collier to meet her at Juan Fernandez on 9 March. A squadron made up of the cruisers HMS Kent and Glasgow along with the auxiliary cruiser Orama cornered the Dresden in the bay on 14 March, challenging it to battle.

                                Battle

                                Glasgow opened fire on Dresden, damaging the vessel and setting it afire. After returning fire for a short period of time, the captain of Dresden decided the situation was hopeless as his vessel was vastly outgunned and outnumbered, while stranded in the bay with empty coal bunkers and worn out engines. Captain Lüdecke gave the order to abandon and scuttle his vessel. The German crew fled the cruiser in open boats to reach the safety of the island, which was neutral territory. The British cruisers kept up their fire on Dresden and the fleeing boats until the light cruiser eventually exploded, but it is unclear whether the explosion was caused by the firing from the British ships or from scuttling charges set off by the Germans. After the ship exploded, the British commander ordered his ships to capture any survivors from Dresden. Three Germans were killed in action and 15 wounded. The British suffered no casualties.

                                Aftermath

                                With the sinking of Dresden, the last remnant of the German East Asian Squadron was destroyed, as all the other ships of the squadron had been sunk or interned. The only German presence left in the Pacific Ocean was a few isolated commerce raiders, such as SMS Seeadler and Wolf. Because the island of Más a Tierra was a possession of Chile, a neutral country, the German Consulate in Chile protested that the British had broken international law by attacking an enemy combatant in neutral waters. The wounded German sailors were taken to Valparaíso, Chile for treatment, where one later died of wounds received during the action. The 315 of Dresden's crew who remained were interned by Chile until the end of the war, when those who did not wish to remain in Chile were repatriated to Germany. One of the crew—Lieutenant Wilhelm Canaris, the future admiral and head of Abwehr — escaped internment in August 1915 and made it back to Germany, where he returned to active duty in the Imperial Navy.

                                John Doran


                                15th March 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Depart for France  6th County of London Brigade RFA left Hemel Hempstead by sections, starting with the 16th Battery at 2045, (15th March 1915). They departed at intervals of about 2 hours and entrained on arrival at Berkhamstead. Each section, on reaching Southampton, embarked forthwith.

                                War Diaries


                                15th March 1915 19th Field Ambulance Move  Received secret orders re move of 19th Field Ambulance to Erquinghem-Lys to take over the billets of 18th Field Ambulance and work line of 19th Infantry Brigade.

                                Lt. Gurney-Dixon reported his arrival for duty. Lt. Davidson, GS wounds, left hand and hip, transferred to Base this morning.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                12th March 1915 Tyneside Irish in training  By March 1915 24th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers had 1737 men, they were now training in Alnwick, Northumberland. They marched proudly from Alnwick railway station through the town to the camp. Recruiting continued across the North East. By the end of spring there were enough volunteers to make four Battalions and a reserve Battalion. Nearly 70% of those were from mining communities in County Durham. Not all men were of Irish ancestry, Some men volunteered for the Tyneside Irish Battalions because their mates did or because it was the nearest recruitment office.

                                research


                                16th March 1915 6th London Brigade RFA proceed to France  6th County of London Brigade RFA embarked on two large troop ships and a small steamer boat. The ships left in total darkness at 2000 (16th March 1915).

                                War Diaries


                                17th March 1915 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  17th March 1915 A four-airship raid by the Army on 17 March 1915 ran into fog and was abandoned, one airship bombing Calais and being damaged on landing.

                                John Doran


                                17th March 1915 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Changed our billets and went into new billets 1/2 mile west of Vieux-Berquin at La Rue du Bois. 18th to 31st March with 5th Cavalry Brigade in reserve near Vieux-Berquin

                                war diaries


                                17th of March 1915 Tyneside Irish on Parade  A Saint Patrick's day parade took place followed by mass at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Bailiffgate for the Tyneside Irish Battalion. At 11 am a parade took place Miss Johnstone Wallace, the daughter of the Honorary Colonel, presented each man on parade with a sprig of shamrock. A few days later sporting events took place with over 2oo men taking part in the quarter mile race. The whole Battalion turned out to speculate. The Battalion pipes and drums played throughout. Shortly after arrival, the camps were given identifying letter,s A camp was occupied by the Irish. At about this time some skilled men were temporarily discharged due to a shortage of skilled men in the munitions and shipbuilding industry.

                                research


                                18th Mar 1915 1st Gordons relieved near Vierstraat  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots and Suffolk’s relieve the 1st Gordon Highlanders in trenches near Vierstraat.

                                18th March 1915   SM U-29

                                Type U 27 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 19) Ordered 19 Feb 1912 Launched 11 Oct 1913 Commissioned 1 Aug 1914.
                                Commanders.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 15 Feb 1915 Wilhelm Plange.
                                16 Feb 1915 - 18 Mar 1915 Otto Weddigen.

                                Career 1 patrols.
                                start date unknown - 18 Mar 1915 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 4 ships sunk with a total of 12,934 tons. 2 ships damaged with a total of 4,317 tons.

                                • 11 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Adenwen (damaged) 3,798 br
                                • 11 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Auguste Conseil 2,952 fr
                                • 12 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Andalusian 2,349 br
                                • 12 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Headlands 2,988 br
                                • 12 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Indian City 4,645 br
                                • 14 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Atalanta (damaged) 519 br

                                Fate 18 Mar 1915 - Rammed by HMS Dreadnought in Pentland Firth. Sank 5820N 0057E. 32 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 29 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 29 Aug 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 16 Nov 1936.

                                John Doran


                                18th March 1915 Preparations for 19th Field Ambulance move  Received orders from AAMO 6 Division for the move noted above to take place on 20th inst. This Field Ambulance will then work the line of the 19th Infantry Brigade, and have an Advanced Dressing Post at Gris Pot. One section will be detailed under Major Ahern to take over the 6th Divisional Bath House.

                                Visited the Advanced Post at Gris Pot and Regimental Posts of line to be worked.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                19th Mar 1915 Life in the trenches  Private James B. Bowes, of Wargrave, writing home, gives some picturesque details of life at the front. The following are extract from his letter, which appeared in the Newton and Earlestown Guardian on 19th March 1915 :-

                                "We do four days in the trenches, then come back for four days' rest. The firing line is about eight miles away. The other day we had our pay, and we are now spending it. I and two others go down to a small farm. French woman; eight children; husband a captain in the French army. There we have what we can get - cafe-au-lait, bread and butter, and eggs. As the eggs are 3d. each, there is, of course, more bread than eggs. Everything is very dear; penny chocolate is 2d. bread 8d. a loaf, butter 2s. per lb. At night we are able to get chips. Most of the houses and "pubs" or "estaminets" are wrecked, and so are the churches and farms, but the people are coming back to the places they left. Nearly every farmer here has two or three Belgian refugees employed. Dirty farms, very, compared with English. Sanitation is not considered here, anywhere. Good job it is winter and not summer. I have moved my little bed from the loft with the battered roof down to the cow-shed, and I am sleeping with a long row of cows about three yards from me. It is better, as there was no roof over my head before. The socks will be very welcome, as my feet are always wet. Although my boots are good, they get sodden. For the trenches we have rubber jack boots, so they are alright. The other night some of our chaps in getting to the trenches had to climb over an obstacle. One of them was holding up his hand in the dark to be pulled up by his mate, when he grasped what he found by the touch was the hand of a chap who had been covered up; - one who had "gone on". They are very plentiful, and you see different parts sticking out of the soil. The Germans, if you shoot one of them, will signal a "bull" with a spade and shortly afterwards will throw the body over. It acts as a sandbag, and helps stop bullets. I am longing for the time when we will be coming back. Tell O. to fill the pantry, but she needn't get any jam in, or biscuits, at any rate not "Army No.4" 4 in. by 4 in. by 3/4in. bullet proof. I am "in the pink", and could eat ten Germans - not to mention killing. Glad to hear Ernie is all right at Pembroke Dock. I expect he will be out here soon." Private No. 2155 James B. Bowes, 3rd. Monmouthshire Regt.

                                19th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                19th Mar 1915 Notice to Deploy  The Warwickshire Brigade received the order from London on the 19th of March, giving them 3 days' notice of their transfer to the front. The men were issued with webbing and had to quickly learn how to use it. There was, still no sign of Lee Enfield rifles or Vickers machine guns to replace their out of date weaponry, Lee Metford rifles and the Maxims.

                                20th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                20th March 1915 Zeppelin raids Western Front  20th March 1915 On 20 March the three remaining Army airships set off to bomb Paris. One was lost on the return journey.

                                John Doran


                                29th March 1915 19th Field Ambulance leaves Armentières  Handed over the billets and hospitals established in the Institution St Jude to a representative of the 18th Field Ambulance; also the Advanced Post at Houplines, and the clearing of the section of trenches held by the 18th Infantry Brigade, and one Regiment of the 17th Infantry Brigade

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières


                                21st March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                22nd March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                22nd Mar 1915 Fiore Di Dulcigno captured by submarine  The Fiore Di Dulcigno was captured by submarine k.u.k. U12.

                                22nd Mar 1915 Hilussie captured by submarine  The Hilussie is captured by submarine k.u.k. U12.

                                31st Mar 1915 Four vessels captured by submarine  The Buona Forte, Fiore I, Hailie and Indaverdi are captured by submarine k.u.k. U12.

                                22nd Mar 1915 Warwickshire Territorials on the Move  The Warwickshire Brigade make their move from Essex, travelling in 9 trains to Southampton docks to board ships. 123 officers and 4065 other ranks made the journey. The 5th Bn, consisted of 30 Officers and 1002 Other Ranks; 6th Bn, 29 and 997; 7th Bn, 30 and 1003 and 8th Bn, 30 and 1005. It was not just the men with their rifles and personal kit which boarded the trains, also travelling were 336 horses, 8 machine guns, 26 general service wagons, 55 general service limbered wagons, 14 other vehicles, 44 bicycles, 612 picks and 1032 shovels.

                                Half of the 6th Btn Royal Warwicks departed from Kelvedon station at 01.50, to arrive at Southampton at 08.00. The other half were to follow at 03.50 arriving at 10.00. Half of the 5th Btn Royal Warwick left Braintree at 04.35, arriving at 11.00. The remainder of the 5th were to leave Braintree at 06.35, arriving at 13.00. The Brigade HQ and the signallers were to leave Kelvedon at 05.50, arriving in Southampton at noon. At Witham station half of the 7th were to depart at 07.35, arriving at 13.30. The remainder of the 7th were to leave Witham at 09.35, arriving at 15.50. At Braintree the first half of the 8th were to depart at 08.35, arriving at 15.00 and the remainder of the 8th were to leave Braintree at 10.35, arriving at 17.00.

                                At Southampton Docks, the men, horses and equipment transferred from the trains to transport ships for the channel crossing. Brigade HQ sailed on the Empress Queen along with the 6th Bn at 18.00. 5th Bn sailed on the Marguerite, 7th Btn were split between the Copenhagen and the City of Lucknow, sailing at 17.30. 8th Bn were split between the Brighton, City of Lucknow, the Marguerite and the City of Dunkirk which sailed at 19.30.

                                23rd March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                23rd Mar 1915 Warwickshire Territorials arrive in France  The ships carrying The Warwickshire Brigade arrive off Le Havre Between 02.00 and 03.00 in the morning. They wait for daylight before docking and the troops disembark beginning at 7am. Interpreters join the battalions and they march through the town to No.6 Rest Camp at Graville. The transport sections being the last to arrive at 21.00.

                                23rd Mar 1915 In the Trenches  

                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                Second Lieutenant Percival Slater of the 1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. Epinette, 20th - 24th March 1915 © The rights holder (IWM Q 60521)

                                IWM


                                24th March 1915 Early Casualty  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that Lt R A Corsan has contracted measles and was taken to a Clearing Hospital.

                                War Diaries


                                24th March 1915 Visit by DGMS   Sir Arthur Sloggett (DGMS)* accompanied by Surg-Gen Porter (DAMO II Army) visited the Field Ambulance today. *Director-General of the Medical Services,

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Erquinghem-Lys


                                25th March 1915 Front Line Experience  6th County of London Brigade RFA report:- Lt Colonel R J Machugh, Major A C Gordon, Major P J Cliton, Capt W Cooper, Lt W J Barnard, 2/Lt J H Van Den Bergh, 2/Lt V C Lucas with NCOs and telephonists proceeded for attachment to Regular Battalions in the firing line for three clear days.

                                War Diaries


                                25th Mar 1915 3/4th Battalion Berkshire Regiment raised.  The 3/4th Battalion, Berkshire Regiment was raised at Chelmsford on 25 March 1915

                                Mar 1915 Holding the Line  
                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915 THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                A front line trench held by the 1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment near Armentieres in March 1915. Note the old Long Lee Enfield No1 Mk.I Rifles with which the battalion was still equipped. © The rights holder (IWM Q 60523)

                                IWM


                                26th March 1915 Promotion  Teh war diary of 6th County of London Brigade RFA records that 2/Lt G Lyon Smith promoted Lieutenant.

                                War Diaries


                                27th March 1915 Brigade Move  6th County of London Brigade RFA moved from Fontes to Lapugnoy.

                                War Diaries


                                27th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                27th March 1915  DCM for CSM Raven 1st Bn Herts  Notification received to the effect that CSM Raven had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal

                                War Diary of the 1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment


                                29th March 1915 Front Line Training Rotation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that the Return took place to War Station of officers who proceeded to Front on Thursday last. Major R R Wansbrough, Lt G Lyon Smith, Lt A F Yencken, Lt R Bruce, 2/Lt A F Blackwell, 2/Lt J A O Petro, proceeded with six NCOs and six telephonists for attachment to Regular Batteries in 1st and 2nd Divisions.

                                War Diaries


                                29th Mar 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall March 29th 1915

                                Present:- Lord Durham, Colonel Bowes, Major Tristram, Capt. Lowe, and Colonel Burdon.

                                The strength of the battalion was stated to be 1362 of all ranks. That some were still being transferred to other battalions, and others who had been dismissed on the ground of health.

                                Colonel Bowes stated that the camp had been inspected by Colonel Blackburn, Chief Engineer, Northern Command, York, on the 24th inst: and that he had expressed himself as satisfied with its condition and arrangements. No objection had been made by him to the rather congested state of the camp. He had given certain directions with regard to the disposal of the drainage, which will be carried out.

                                It was stated that very few recruits were now coming in, in spite of advertisements in the newspapers; the accounts for which were stated to be very large, but were not given.

                                Colonel Bowes undertook to send Colonel Burdon an account of the number of field glasses required for the battalion, in excess of those probably issued by the War Office.

                                Colonel Burdon mentioned the question of leave for men and officers, and expressed a hope on behalf of himself and the Committee that leave to the very fullest possible extent would be granted until the time that the regiment moved into camp elsewhere, as very considerable dissatisfaction existed, owing to other battalions being able to obtain leave very much in excess of that granted in the 18th. Colonel Bowes stated that the difficulty lay with the orders given by the Brigadier.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                30th March 1915 Front Line Training Rotation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report all officers of the Brigade in the Firing Line recalled by wire. On arrival, one (junior) subaltern per unit was left at War Station, and all the remaining officers including the OC. Brigade and the Adjutant, proceeded to Firing Line. Major R R Wansbrough took over command of the Brigade.

                                War Diaries


                                30th March 1915 Brigade Route March  9th Lancers Regiment at Billets in Meteren. They take part in a Brigade Route March via Le Rouklooshille - Godewaersvelde - Steenvoorde - Eecke - Caestre - Thiushouk. 1 man to Hospital No. 98 Sergeant H. Ralph received the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal)

                                War Diary


                                31st March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 61 men (that are known)

                                31st March 1915 A quiet time  Very little work doing in this line. Nothing to record since last entry.

                                War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Erquinghem-Lys


                                April 1915 10th Btn. Rifle Brigade leave Witley  10th Battalion Rifle Brigade moved from Witley to Hamilton Camp near Stonehenge in April 1915

                                 New rail line for Camps  In the spring of 1915 a new railway line was constructed across the Chase to serve Rugeley Camp. It joined the LNWR Cannock to Rugeley line near West Cannock No.5 Colliery and was linked to the second new line serving Brocton Camp, which ran from the LNWR Trent Valley line at Milford. A Locomotive shed was built at Brocton Camp. The new rail links were vital to supply Central Stores Depot at Brocton Camp as well as the two training camps and the POW camp on the Chase. The lines became known as the Tackeroo Railway.

                                1st April 1915 Int. Report for March 1915 Intelligence Report  6th County of London Brigade RFA Intelligence Summary by Lt Colonel R J Machugh for March 1915:

                                From March 1st to March 16th, the Brigade was chiefly occupied in completing preparations for moving from War Station at Hemel Hempstead to join the Expeditionary Force in France. The Brigade moved on 15th to 17th March to Le Havre via Southampton. No casualties occurred to personnel on the journey. Four horses were injured on the train journey and one left behind at the point of embarkation. Two of these, the Adjutant's chargers, are to be sent on to rejoin the Brigade and a Driver was left in charge of the animals for this purpose, with instructions to bring them on to France when recovered.

                                The move to France was carried out without incident and at the end of the month the Brigade was in billets at Lapugnoy. Between March 25th and April 1st all officers, with two exceptions, had experience in the Firing Line, having been attached to RFA Brigades in the 1st and 2nd Division. Much useful information was gained by these officers.

                                The Medical, Veterinary, Supply and Transport Services were satisfactory during the month both during the period in England and in France. Signed R J Machugh Lt Col, 6th London Bde. RFA Thursday April 1st 1915. Lapugnoy, France.

                                War Diaries


                                1st April 1915 GOCRA Conference  6th County of London Brigade RFA report all officers who were attached to the Regular Batteries at the Firing Line were recalled with the exception of the OC. Batteries and their senior subalterns. The OC. Brigade and Adjutant attended a conference at the GOCRA’s Headquarters, Chateau de Monte Evente. Capt C H Welch RAMC, Medical Officer to this Brigade, contracted measles and was removed to a local Field Ambulance Unit.

                                War Diaries


                                1st April 1915 Recruitment and Training  

                                Bridge training work near Lurgan County Armagh

                                16th Btn Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers

                                Major Leader was promoted to Lt.Colonel.

                                Recruitment resulted in Battalion strength of 971 on the 17th April 1915. Other houses in Wellington Street were acquired for accommodation purposes as Brownlow House capacity was reached.

                                Training continued in areas demanding greater stamina in general field-craft exercises involving units in offensive and defensive roles. This included some larger scale exercises with the Ulster Division as a whole. The whole Battalion took part in route march to Portadown on the 3rd April.

                                Road Works. Continuing work in County and District areas including drainage and sewer systems together with building and construction works.

                                Railway Work 2 officers and 20 other ranks helped the Great Northern Railway when a stretch of about a mile of track was re-laid between Dromore and Hillsborough. 3rd April - 2 officers and 5 men went to Stewartstown for a Railway Engineers Course. 10th April - attended railway bridges installations at Adelaide and Windsor. 17th April, 2 officers and 18 men sent to Crumlin for railway bridge building.

                                Doran Family


                                1st April 1915 Continued collection of wounded  The 19th Field Ambulance continues to collect sick and wounded from the line of the 19th Infantry Brigade, in the section of trenches between Rue du Bois and Touquet.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                1st April 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve near Vieux-Berquin. 1st April to 22nd April in billets half a mile west of Vieux-Berquin in the Rue du Bois.

                                war diaries


                                1st April 1915 Actions 1915 to 1916  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                                1915 Artois.

                                In April 1915, the division was reduced to three regiments through the cession of the 3rd Infantry to the 11th Bavarian Division. Between the l0th and 15th of October 1915, the 2nd Bavarian Division was placed on the Artois front in the Neuville-Souchez sector.

                                About the 20th of December it was in the line at Bailleul-Sire-Berthoult between the western part of the Lille road and the Arras road. It remained there until the beginning of May 1916.

                                1916 Verdun.

                                At this date it was relieved and transported to Verdun. It participated in the violent battles which took place there in May and June in the vicinity of Douaumont and suffered serious losses (50 per cent of its personnel). It was reconstituted in June in the district of Merke-Romagne-sur-les-Cotes (reinforcement of from 50 to 100 men per company), and went back to the line near Thiaumont. It suffered serious losses in the attack of June 23 (the companies of the 12th Bavarian Regiment were reduced to about 40 men).

                                Lorraine.

                                The 2nd Bavarian Division was withdrawn from this zone of combat about the 15th of July and was sent to the Apremont-St. Mihiel sector, where it was reconstituted. It received numerous reinforcements(convalescents and class of 16 men). During this period, which extends up to October 15th, it did not take part in any serious operation.

                                Somme.

                                At the end of October it was transported to the Somme (Sailly-Saillisel sector), where it was again put to a severe test. After staying a month in the Somme district it reoccupied the lines in the St. Mihiel sector at the beginning of December.

                                Historical Records


                                1st Apr 1915 Move  8th Lincolnshire Regiment returned to Halton Park.

                                Info from Find my past.


                                2nd Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths relieved by 5th Staffords  Enemy action became much more intense over the last weeks of March and the number of heavy German guns increased and by the end of March the village and the church of Wulverghem was completely destroyed. The conditions of the line were extremely miserable, the least rainfall flooded the shelters in the trenches, and the close proximity of the enemy severely restricted movement. Fires could only be lit and tended with great care, as any sign of smoke would soon receive some enemy attention. After nearly a month of continuous fighting in the trenches the 3rd Mons Battalion's tour of duty was over in this area and on 2nd April, Good Friday, tired and weary Welshmen were relieved by the 5th South Staffords. Later that night they were withdrawn from the Wulvergham sector and moved out to Bailleul. The soldiers now had considerable knowledge of the conditions of war but they left behind many of their buddies, in the little Wulvergham cemeteries. A lot of credit had been gained for the manner in which they had conducted themselves in the trenches and with spirits still undaunted they were ready for rest in new billets.

                                2nd April 1915 Changes in command  Orders having been received, Major D Ahern left today for duty. Lt. Hampton posted to command of 'B' Section and Lt. Gurney-Dixon placed in charge of Divisional Bath House.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                3rd April 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Inspected  An inspection was carried out in the rain, of 17th London Battery by the OC. Brigade. The remainder of the 6th London Brigade Officers returned from the Firing Line.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd April 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ38

                                • Production Ref: LZ38
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: none
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 3rd April 1915

                                History.

                                Achieved first bombing raid on London on 31 May 1915 killing 7 and injuring 35 people (with material damage assessed at £18,596). Carried out five successful raids on Ipswich, Ramsgate, Southend (twice) and London, dropping a total of 8,360 kg (18,430 lb) of bombs. Destroyed by British bombing in its hangar at Evere on 7 June 1915.

                                John Doran


                                4th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots moved to Poperinghe.

                                5th April 1915 Arrival of temporary lieutenant  Temp. Lt. Gibbons reported his arrival from the Base.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                6th April 1915 Visit by new ADMS  Col. B H Scott the new Assistant Director Medical Services of 6th Division visited the Field Ambulance this morning.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                7th Apr 1915 Welsh Border Brigade Inspected  At Bailleul the whole brigade assembled for inspection by General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, their Army Commander.

                                7th April 1915 Fuses received by 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report 648 fuses (Type 65) which had been exposed to the weather were received.

                                War Diaries


                                7th April 1915 Change of signal interpreters  Staff interpreter M H Murhange left for St Omer and succeeded by Interpreter Schopin from the 6th Divisional Signal Coy.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                8th April 1915 Appointments 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA record that bad weather has been experienced daily. Lieut W R Sadler RAMC, attached to this Brigade as Medical Officer, instead of Capt C H Welch. The Adjutant and Brigade Commander's Orderly Officer attended a conference on ‘Telephones’ at Marles. 2/Lt H B Wells (Officer in charge Base Details) reported for duty with the Brigade.

                                War Diaries


                                8th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots took over trenches around Inverness Copse.

                                8th Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths at Polygon Wood  An early Easter came and went and after a few days rest and recreation, equipment was reissued and the Battalion were on the move again, marching to Boeschepe, two and half miles north-west of Westoutre. Once settled the Adjutant, Company Commanders reconnoitred the trenches east of Ypres, held by the French troops. Vigorous enemy action was anticipated and the Division had the responsibility of an important area, the immortal Ypres Salient. This area had a reputation for it was most vulnerable to attack being a salient. It could be likened roughly to a saucer with the German Army in the secure position on the rim. The territory lying behind the line could be clearly observed from Passchendaele and Messines Ridge, both of which lay at the rear of the enemy lines

                                The battalion arrived on the morning of the 8 th April in the Grande Place at Ypres . The famous Cloth Hall and St Martins Cathedral were wrapped in a mysterious gloom. When the warring armies dug in during the winter of 1914-1915, the allied lines developed a large bulge around the ancient Belgian town of Ypres ; this was the infamous Ypres Salient. The lay of the land meant that the German Armies surrounded the British forces on three sides The orders were given to draw rations and go to the trenches. The battalion moved off through the Menin Gate, up the Zonnebeke Road to Frezenberg, on to Polygon Wood in the Southeast of the Ypres Salient. Before the War high pine trees grew in Polygon Wood, in a light soil with sandy patches, but when the Battalion arrived every big tree was down and underfoot was thick undergrowth and shrub.

                                The Battalion's Headquarters were dug-outs in a mound - the Butte de Polygon, the Australian War Memorial now stands on this site, the rest of the battalion took over the trenches from the their previous occupants, 2 nd Battalion of the 146th Regiment of the French Army. The French appear to adopted the "Live and let live" attitude of trench warfare. The men of the Monmouth's were treated to the site of the Germans opposite cooking their breakfasts in braziers on top of the parapet. Action was instigated to stop this but it provoked a reply of rifle grenades and whizz bangs that knocked the trenches about. The dug-outs taken over from the French were not very deep, giving very little protection from rifle fire or the inclement weather, so what protection there was from the smaller pine trees was welcomed. At least they gave cover to the dugouts from the air when enemy aircraft were active. Polygon Wood was exposed to fire from the south and the east, and at the quarter to of every hour, throughout twenty-four hours, a German field-gun fired a shell in the general direction of the Headquarters, fortuitously they all crashed amongst the trees. The trenches were of irregular line and lay east and southeast of the Wood. The parapets were of poor construction and certainly not bullet-proof, the dugouts and traverses were few and in front were a few coils of light wire.

                                The enemy was 200 yards away to the right and within bombing distance to the left. The right trench was called Pall Mall and the left Whitehall, the 3rd Mons Battalion took over these trenches and began to settle in. Private Reg Pritchard wrote home to his sister: "It is much worse fighting where we are now to what it was in the last place. One of the chaps out of the same section as I am got wounded in the leg yesterday morning as we were leaving the trenches. One man got killed in our company by a trench mortar shell, he was in the same platoon as Dad" 'Dad' was Sergeant William Pritchard both he and his son Private Reg Pritchard were killed on 2nd May 1915 .

                                9th April 1915 Abortive Move for 6th London Brigade RFA   Forty two Gunners per Battery of the 6th County of London Brigade RFA under the command of OC. Batteries and Senior Subalterns left Lapugnoy in motor omnibus for Vimy Line, with the object of organisng preparatory gun positions. On arrival at Rue de Leanette, they found the positions which had been assigned to them already occupied by other Batteries.

                                War Diaries


                                9th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                10th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                11th April 1915 Brigade Positions 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report the guns and wagons and all the remainder of the Brigade took up their positions at dusk. Wagon lines for both Batteries are at Gerre Chateau.

                                War Diaries


                                11th Apr 1915 Gloucestershire Hussars embark for Gallipoli  April 1915 the Gloucestershire Hussars were ordered to overseas service, but instead of France they were going to Gallipoli. On April 11th they embarked on the 'Saturnia' and 'Minneapolis' under command of Lieut-Colonel W.H.Playne. The unit strength was:

                                H.Q.: 10 Officers, 107 Other Ranks, 88 horses, 28 mules, and 8 vehicles.

                                'A' squadron: Major A.J.Palmer, 7 Officers, 134 O.R., 133 horses, 14 mules, 3 vehicles.

                                'B' Squadron: Major H.F.Clifford, 6 Officers, 134 O.R., 131 horses, 14 mules, 3 vehicles.

                                'D' Squadron: Major R.M.Yorke, 4 Officers, 135 O.R., 133 horses, 14 mules, 3 vehicles.

                                21st Apr 1915 Gloucestershire Hussars arrive in Egypt  The Gloucestershire Hussars reached Alexandria, Egypt, on April 21st. Guard duties followed, until August 11th.

                                11th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                11th April 1915 Motor ambulance arrives  A motor ambulance wagon sent by ADMS 6th Division arrived for temporary duty with 19th Field Ambulance.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                12th Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths relieved by 5th KOYLI  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment was relieved by the 5th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and went into billets in Ypres. This gave the men a chance to explore this famous old city, although seriously damaged by shelling there was still a thriving café trade and many shops that stock not only wine and cigars but also useful items such as batteries for electric torches and solidified fuel.

                                12th April 1915 First Bombardments 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report that 15th Battery fired twenty four rounds at a cottage in Cantileux to register, range, fuse and line. Range 4150 yards. 16th Battery registered enemy and trenches from A.3, C.1.6 to A.9.a.6.8 Range 3775/4000 yards.

                                Lt R Bruce and 2/Lt A F Blackwell (Both of 6th London Ammunition Column) were attached to 16th and 15th London Batteries respectively.

                                War Diaries


                                12th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots around Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots around Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots relieved and withdrew into close support at Sanctuary Wood.

                                1st Battalion Royal Scots in or around Sanctuary Wood from 12th April 1915 to 23rd May 1915.

                                13th April 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Target Registering  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th London Battery registered on communication trench running from Catileux westward. Range 3725 yards. 16th London Battery registered German trench A.9.a.5.8 to A.9.a.8.5 Range 4025 yards.

                                War Diaries


                                14th April 1915 Zeppelin raids on Britain  Zeppelin L9, crossed the coast just north of Blyth and at Cambois she was attacked with rifle fire from the 1st Battalion Northern Cyclists. Bombs were dropped at West Sleekburn and it then followed a winding course to the south passing over Choppington, Bedlington, Cramlington, Seaton Burn and Forest Hall. 14 bombs were dropped en route, all falling on fields. The L9 then headed for Wallsend, harmlessly dropping 9 bombs on the way. Another 6 Incendiary Bombs were dropped at Wallsend, one hitting a cottage and slightly injuring a woman and a girl. 2 more bombs were dropped before the L9 turned east and crossed the coast at Marsden.

                                14/15th April 1915 Two Navy raids failed due to bad weather on 14 and 15 April, and it was decided to delay further attempts until the more capable P-class Zeppelins were in service.

                                14th April 1915 Batteries Rest Day 6th London Brigade RFA   Neither Battery fired.

                                War Diaries


                                Apr 1915 On the March  
                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                Lieutenant Arthur Cyril Finnis and soldiers of the 1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment © The rights holder (IWM Q 60515)

                                IWM


                                15th Apr 1915 Hand over  In mid April 1915 Kinghorn Battery was handed over to the 2nd/7th Battalion Black Watch, with the 1st/7th Black Watch departing for Bedford to join their Divsion enroute to France.

                                15th April 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Registrations and Inspection  6th County of London Brigade RFA record 15th Battery fired on red cottage in Cantileux. Range 3950 yards. 16th Battery registered three points, including the end of a German breastwork (A.3.c.1.4). Range 3775 yards. 17th Battery were inspected by GOC First Army, General Sir Douglas Haig, at two hours notice. The GOC expressed his satisfaction at the appearance of the men, harnesses and guns.

                                War Diaries


                                15th Apr 1915  HMS Abercrombie launched in Belfast  HMS Abercrombie was a Monitor, she was built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast and was launched on the 15th April 1915. She served in the Eastern Mediterranean until 1918.

                                15th Apr 1915 HMS Acacia launched  HMS Acacia was a fleet sweeping sloop of the Flower-class. She was built by Swan Hunter and launched on the 15th of April 1915.

                                15th Apr 1915 1/6th West Yorks proceed to France  6th Battalion West Yorks proceed to France on the 15th April 1915, sailing from Folkestone and landing at Boulogne with 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.

                                16th April 1915 Further enemy targetting  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th Battery did not fire. 16th Battery changed Observation Station and checked zero lines on German trench with eleven rounds at point A.3.c.1.3. Range 3850 yards. 16th Battery also registered right extremity of ‘R’ breastwork. Range 3625 yards.

                                War Diaries


                                17th Apr 1915 Hill 60 Blown up  On the 17th April the news came to the resting soldiers of the 3rd Monmouths, that Hill 60 had been blown up and captured by the 13th Brigade. Parties from the 1st and 3rd Monmouthshire Battalions had helped in this by virtue of their expertise in mining operations. A detachment of 40 men under Lieutenant Lancaster had been sent to join the new unit, the 171 st Tunnelling Company in February. As expert mineworkers, from the Valleys above Abergavenny, they had distinguished themselves and the Battalion was justly proud. But amongst the rejoicing they had to leave Ypres and return to the trenches. British guns were in action on both sides of the Zonnebeke Road and it was a relief for them all to turn off the cobbled road, go across country and reach Frezenberg before the Germans retaliated. The battalion relieved the 5th King's Own and finding things much as before they carried on with their every day routine. They would remain in the trenches for the next 17 days.

                                17th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   15th Battery, 6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery registered on forward German trench near Railway. Range 3350 yards. 16th Battery opened fire - twelve rounds - on road junction about Chapelle St Roche (A.4.c.1.4). 16th Battery, at request of OC. 3rd Coldstream Guards fired twelve rounds on German second trench (A.9.c.7.7.). Range 4175 yards.

                                War Diaries


                                17th Apr 1915 4th Yorks depart for France  4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment depart from Newcastle at 9am bound for Folkestone and then France.

                                http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bandl.danby/003aBn1914.html


                                17th April 1917 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                17th April 1915 Changes in personnel  Lt. H F Mullan reported his arrival from 13 general Hospital, and posted to 'A' section.

                                Lt. Hampton taken over the duties of Transport Officer in addition to his other duties.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                18th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   17th Battery, 6th County of London Brigade RFA, which until this date had been in Reserve, took over the position of 15th Battery, which proceeded to Liere. 16th Battery fired twelve rounds at ‘S’ Bend. 17th Battery fired at a communication trench at Cantileux for registration. Range 3525/3725 yards. 2/Lt H B Wells (6th London Ammunition Column) was attached to 17th Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                18th Apr 1915 4th Yorks land in Boulogne  4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment land in Boulogne at about 2 am, and make camp on nearby hills. They broke camp at 10pm and marched to Desveen where they entrained for Cassel, the Officers riding in first class carriages, the NCOs and men in cattle wagons.

                                http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bandl.danby/003aBn1914.html


                                18th April 1915 Church Parade  9th Lancers in billets at Meteren. Church of England Parade service at 0915 hours. 2 Officers from England. Captain F.O. Grenfell VC & Captain J.G. Porter rejoin the regiment.

                                War Diary


                                18th April 1915 Transfer to Boulogne  Lt. Preston having been relieved by Lt. Mullen proceeded this day to Boulogne for duty.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                19th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   Today's entry by 6th County of London Brigade RFA in the War Diary is very faint copy - almost unreadable:- 16th Bty ---- to --- (Range 3575 yards), and fired 2 rounds on the enemy at ---- ---- and to the left in the trenches of the enemy at the end of the communication trench in Cantileux. Range 4175 yards.

                                War Diaries


                                19th Apr 1915 Transport and battleships at anchor  The SS Marquette arrived at Mudros bay at 5.30pm. She joined SS Melville and SS Caledonia and other Transports and Battleships at anchor in Mudros Bay, Lemnos. The SS Manitou was attacked on approach to the harbour by the Turkish torpedo boat Demir Hissar. The attacker was driven off by British Destroyers and ran aground. 61 lives were lost on the Manitou when a rope broke as a boat was being lowered.

                                19th Apr 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall April 19th 1915

                                Present- Lord Durham, W.C. Gray, Colonel H. Bowes, Colonel R. Burdon, Major Tristram, and Capt. Lowe.

                                The parade state was handed in, showing 1393 of all ranks. Of these it was expected that 8 artificers would have to be returned to their employment. It was agreed that a payment of £14 should be made to the electricians. Their services as members of the Battalion having been the means of effecting a large saving in the cost of installing electric light. Recruiting expenses incurred by Captain Longden were ordered to be paid, amounting to £74-1-2.

                                The question of the cookhouse was considered. The medical officer having reported that in hot weather, at all events; it was unfit for its purpose, from a sanitary point of view; and it was determined to erect a cook house according to Government plans; and that application should be made to the War Office for permission to carry out this work.

                                Colonel Bowes reported that 8 new officers had been appointed to the Battalion by the war office, but had not yet arrived; also that the Battalion was now probably going to Blagdon, under canvas, early in May. There was considerable discussion as to the probable ultimate destination of the Battalion; and as to the Brigade to which it might eventually be attached; but it was felt that no action could be taken at the moment until it was ascertained what the ideas of the General Officer Commanding, York, might be on the subject.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                20th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA's War Diary entry is a very faint copy - almost unreadable: 16th Bty fired 12 rounds during the night at "K" works (A.3.C.2.9) Range 3575. 17th Bty fired at area behind Cantileux. Range approximately 4475 yards.

                                War Diaries


                                20th April 1915 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                20th Apr 1915 4th Northumberlands proceed to France  4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers sail for France with the 50th (Northumbrian) Division.

                                20th Apr 1915 4th Northumberlands arrive in France  4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers disembark in Boulogne and march to St Martins Rest Camp, to the west of the town, three miles from the dock.

                                20th Apr 1915 7th Northumberlands depart for France.  7th Northumberlands depart for France. Embarked on S.S. Invicta, Departing from Folkstone.

                                21st April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   16th London Bty fired 12 rounds at "S" bend (A9.06.8) at request of infantry. 17th London Bty engaged Cantileux communication trench. Range 3525/3625.

                                War Diaries


                                21st April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  The "Second Battle of Ypres"

                                1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots were subjected to almost constant shell-fire.

                                Sanctuary Wood Cemetery (near Hill 62) Zillebeke, Belgium has 1,989 burials of which there are only 636 of them identifiable (1,353 are unidentifiable)
                                Many graves, in all five plots, are identified in groups but not individually.



                                21st Apr 1915 4th Northumberlands entrain for Front  4th Northumberland Fusiliers began their first day in France with inspection and parade. At 11 am they left St Martin's Camp and marched with the Northumbrian Division to the station at Pont de Briques, departing at 2pm for Bavinchove, arriving at 6pm. They marched to billets at nearby farms, the officers being accommodated in farm houses, the NCO's and men in barns and outbuildings. Some men of A Coy spent the night in bivouacs as the allocated barns were not large enough to accommodate them all.

                                21st Apr 1915 Manchester City Battalions Brigade Sports day  A crowd of 20,000 people gathered at Heaton Park to watch Manchester City Battalion's Brigade sport's day. 4th City Battalion won the Brigade steeplechase earning them the nickname Scarlet Runners.

                                21st Apr 1915 The 7th Battalion arive at rest camp.  Disembarked and proceeded to Rest Camp where the Battalion remained for the day.

                                The War Diary of the 1/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers


                                21st April 1915 Family day and a scare  On the 21st of April a family day was held at Cocken Hall, the band entertained the visitors on the lawn and the men demonstrated their new skills. A dance was planned for the evening but there was a coastaldefence scare and orders were received by dispatch rider to send 'A' 'B' 'C' Companies and HQ Coy, 18th Durham Light Infantry to Middlesbrough to strengthen the defence of the town. They entrained at Leemside and travelled to Middlesbrough to establish an outpost line around the east and south of the town, bivouacking in open fields. 'A' Company were based at Cargo Fleet Iron Works, 'B' Company at and around Marton Hall and 'C' Company at Marton Bungalow.

                                21st April 1915 On the Move  At 11.40 a.m. H.Q. 149th Brigade left Bologne by train and arrived at Winnezeele at 4.15 p.m and went into billets.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                22nd Apr 1915 German Embassy issues warning against Atlantic travel  

                                Warning in the press, adjacent to an advertisement for Lusitania's return voyage.

                                Notice!

                                "Travellers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that, in accordance with formal notice given by the Imperial German Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travellers sailing in the war zone on the ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk."

                                Imperial German Embassy, Washington, D.C. 22 April 1915

                                22nd April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   16th London Battery moved into a new position and did not fire.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd Apr 1915 2nd Camerons at Hill 60  2nd Queens Own Cameron Highlanders are in the trenches at Hill 60

                                22nd April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                22nd Apr 1915 Sheffield City Battalion vs 15th Sherwoods  Sheffield City Battalion's soccer eleven played a match against the 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and won the game by six goals to nil.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                22nd April 1915 Motor ambulances replace horsed wagons  Seven motor ambulance wagons from St Omer arrived for duty with 14 MT* drivers in place of seven horsed wagons to be withdrawn.

                                * Mechanical transport

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                22nd Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths in the line  The 3rd Monmouth Battalion relieved the 5th King's Own and finding things much as before they carried on with their every day routine. But there they stayed without relief, for 17 days, the 5th Kings Own never came again and the Welshmen waited patiently for relief, amid rumour after rumour as to the war activities. They knew that heavy bombardment had started a few miles north of the 3rd Mons position and during the following days rumour after rumour began to circulated about what had happened on the fateful day of 22nd of April. They heard that 18,000 Canadians withstood the first Western Front poison gas attack and could scarcely believe the news. On the 22 April an event occurred that was a major event in the war, the first use of gas as a weapon of war. This attack caused widespread panic among French troops and German forces swept through the gaps, which opened up in the front line. Canadian and British troops struggled to hold back the attack but, after suffering constant shelling and very high casualties, they were forced to retreat to a new defensive line.

                                23rd April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report 16th london Bty began to register a new zone, but the Observing Officer was shelled out of his observation station. Later 16th Bty registered trenches from S.27A.0.3 to A.3.A.0.5, 23 rounds fired. Ranges 3375-3575 yards. 17th London Bty did not fire. 15th London Bty came into position again from reserve, at daybreak 23rd April 1915.

                                The 15th & 16th Batteries are now under the tactical command of Colonel Hall RA (36th Brigade RFA), the 17th Bty remains under the tactical command of Colonel Parry (34th Brigade RFA). Brigade Headquarters moved from the banks of the La Bassee to Loisne.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd April 1915 In Action  1st Battalion, Royal Scots are fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium in the Second Battle of Ypres.

                                22nd Apr 1915 4th Northumberlandson the march  The Companies of the 4th Northumberlands assembled at Bavinchove station and marched through Cassel to Oudezeele arriving at 3pm, they are divided into platoons and march to their billets at small farms.

                                At 10.40pm news arrived of the German gas attack near Langemarck, some 20 miles to the east just over 5 hours earlier, which had resulted in an advance by the enemy of around a mile. At 10.50pm orders arrived for six Companies of the York and Durham Brigade to be ready to move by motor bus in full battle order. Forty minutes later the order was countermanded to stand by, ready to leave fully equipped.

                                23rd April 1915 Transfer of horsed wagons  Orders received by 19th Field Ambulance at Erquinghem-Lys for the seven horsed ambulance wagons to be sent to No. 1 Co. 6th Divisional Train this morning, with drivers and horses. The motor ambulance wagon sent by the ADMS 6th Division has been sent to the 16th Field Ambulance.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                23rd April 1915   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in reserve. Started at 1130 and marched to Boeschepe where went into bivouac at 2000 - very cold.

                                23rd Apr 1915   April 23rd 1915 To The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                                There will be no meeting of the Committee at Cocken Hall on Monday the 26th inst. There is little that requires immediate attention; and probably only half the Battalion will be there.

                                Orders were received by telephone on the morning of the 21st that the Battalion was to proceed to camp near Blagdon immediately - I believe the same evening. Colonel Bowes very wisely decided that the Garden Party which had been decided to be held that afternoon - together with a show parade - should not be interfered with; and it was the means of collecting together something like 2000 people, friends and relatives of the members of the Battalion. After consultation with him I decided to try and postpone the departure of the Battalion for a few days, if possible; and therefore, at about 5 p.m. I telephoned to York, only to find that all the arrangements had been counterordered an hour previously; and that 400 men and officers were to entrain, at two hours notice, for Middlesbrough, for what York described as "an emergency." The entraining was carried out without a hitch; and 710 men and 23 officers, horses, etc., are at present in Middlesbrough. Colonel Bowes has, however, applied that the Battalion shall be allowed to reassemble at Cocken before they finally go into camp elsewhere. Major Tristram - who unfortunately has had rather a serious fall - is meanwhile in Command at Cocken. If the Battalion is to move at this short notice there is sure to be trouble in future with the Contractor; which, however, will, of course, lie upon the shoulders of York.

                                The second Depot Company grows very slowly. At present there are about 1400 of all ranks, of whom we shall lose 8 special artificers, who go back to their firms for the manufacturing of armaments.

                                A new cook house must be provided. I propose to go on with this quite independent of the 18th (Service) Battalion leaving Cocken, as it must be provided for the incoming Battalion; about which I am writing to York.

                                About half of the men have been vaccinated; which, of course, would not have been done had we known of the move.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                23 April 1915 Ordered to Move  Operation Order No24 by Brigadier General J.F. Riddell Commanding Northumberland Brigade Winnezeele 23rd of April 1915

                                1. The Brigade will move off at once by march route to Brandhoek via Watou and Poperinghe.

                                2. Troops will move as per margin, the head of the 5th Bn will pass the cross roads at Droglandt at 1.15 pm

                                • H.Q. Northumberland Brigade
                                • 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
                                • 6th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
                                • 7th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
                                • 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
                                • 1st Northumberland Field Coy R.E
                                • 1st Northumberland Field Ambulance
                                • No 2 Coy A.S.C. Train

                                3. First line transport will be brigaded under the Senior transport Officer and will follow the Field Coy RE in the order of march of their respective units.

                                4. Baggage and Supply wagons will join the train.

                                5. Reports to head of 5th Northumberland Fusiliers.

                                Issued at 12.45 pm to representatives of units

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                24th Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths in the line  On the 24 April authentic news was brought to the 3rd Monmouth Battalion's trenches about what had being happening elsewhere in the battle zone; the first gas attack had indeed taken place. The French had retreated on the north point of the Salient; the enemy had broken the Allied Line along Pilckem Ridge; the 1st Division Canadians had won honour and fame by filling the vital gap in the Line and helped to save the town of Ypres . The British had repeated counter attacks and stemmed the advance of the enemy towards Ypres . History would record that day as the start of the bloody Battle of St Julien, when the Germans took the village of St Juliaan and it would continue until 24th May.

                                24th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA's 15th Battery registered K works (3600 yards), R2 works (3500 yds) and R1 (3600 yds), firing thirty six rounds. Their Wagon Line was shelled with one man being wounded, two horses killed and four horses injured. 16th Battery completed the registration which was interrupted yesterday. Zone registered - A.3.a.0.2 to S.26.b.9.6. Range 3359/3550 yards. 17th Battery fired at the end of the communication trench in Cantileux. Range 4125 yards.

                                War Diaries


                                24th Apr 1915 Forced to retreat  Under heavy Germam shelling at Poperinghe, No 6 Squadron RFC were forced to move further back to join No.4 Squadron at Abeele Aerodrome. At around this time a scout flight comprising Martinsyde S1 and Bristol scout aircraft was added to the squadron to protect their reconnaissance planes.

                                24th Apr 1915 Germans use gas in Flanders  At 4 in the morning the Germans released a cloud of gas as a prelude to an attack on the Allied lines near Ypres. Despite international laws against the uses of gas in warfare, some German officials noted that only gas projectiles appeared to be specifically banned, and that no prohibition could be found against simply releasing deadly chemical weapons and allowing the wind to carry it to the enemy.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                24th April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                24th April 1915 O Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ39

                                • Production Ref: LZ39
                                • Class type : O
                                • Tactical ref: none
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 24th April 1915

                                History.

                                Three raids on the Western, later two on the Eastern Front, dropping a total of 4,184 kg (9,224 lb) of bombs. On the 17th December 1915, captained by Dr. Lempertz, LZ 39 was hit several times by shrapnel during an attack on Rovno. All rear gas cells were punctured and the front engine car was hit and later fell off. The crew abandoned the now over stressed control cabin, dropped ballast and shifted loads to rebalance the ship and used an emergency control station in the rear to limp back to Germany. Upon forced landing the ship collapsed because material for repair and the supply of gas needed to refill the cells were not available.

                                John Doran


                                24th April 1915 Further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0430 and moved to 17 miles north of Vlamertinghe where went into bivouac at 2130. Wet night and cold.

                                war diaries


                                24th Apr 1915 Manchester City Battalions move camp  The four Manchester City Battalions left Heaton Park Camp for Belton Park near Grantham, Lincolnshire. 18th Battalion left Heaton park in the early morning, marching through Manchester to London Road station to entrain for Grantham. On arrival they marched 3 miles to Belton park.

                                24th Apr 1915 Brigade Ordered to Move   Operation Order No.2 issued by Brig Gen. Sewerel J. Riddell 149th Bde at Brandhoek. 24/4/15 4:35

                                1. The Brigade is to move off at once via Vlamertinghe and Ypres to a point about 2 miles east of Ypres.

                                2. Troops will move as per margin the head of the 4th Btn passing the cross roads just north of the ---- E in Poperinghe at 6 p.m.

                                • H.Q.
                                • 4th Btn N.F.
                                • 6th Btn N.F.
                                • 7th Btn N.F.
                                • 5th Btn N.F.

                                3. Machine guns only will accompany units. All other first line transport and blanket wagons will be brigaded under the brigade transport officer and will follow in near the Brigade.

                                4. Balance of rations in hand should be taken on the man or in Cook's wagon.

                                5. Reports to head of 4th Btn N.F.

                                Diary


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

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                25th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th Battery did not fire. 16th Battery fired thirty six rounds in registering German trenches from A.3.d.2.2 to A.3.a.0.2. Range 3425-3600 yards. 17th Battery registered four points - a snipers post (3050 yds), Canal trench (3100 yds), German forward trench (3425 yds), and German Communication trench (3700 yds). The 16th and 17th Batteries, as the result of Chateau Gorre being shelled yesterday moved the Wagon Lines to La Motte Farm and the banks of the La Bassee canal respectively.

                                Today the Brigade came under the tactical command of General Wray (Through Colonel Hall) instead of General Onslow, 2nd Division.

                                War Diaries


                                25th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium in the Second Battle of Ypres.

                                25th April 1915 Arrangements for collection of sick and wounded  19th Field Ambulance, RAMC at Erquinghem-Lys. The night party for advanced post now leaves at 8 pm, and the motor ambulance wagon at 8.30 pm, for the collection of the sick and wounded from Regimental Aid Posts of the trenches.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                25th Apr 1915 CO of 4th East Yorks killed  Commanding officer of the 4th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, Lieutenant Col George Herbert Shaw was killed.

                                25th April 1915 Action with French Troops  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Lent to support French Forces 3 miles NW of Ypres. Went into action one mile north of Brielen at 1530 on being attached to French Troops and registered on ridge to east of canal about Pilkem and to south of Lattu (???)

                                26th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   During the night of April 25th/26th, the 15th London Battery fired six rounds at the K works. After the second round shouting was heard from the enemy. Later the sound of hammering of posts was heard, and the sound ceased after the last two rounds were fired. 16th London Battery registered zone from A.3.d.2.2. to A.3.a.0.2. 36 rounds fired. 17th London Battery registered a communication trench leading along the north bank of the La Bassee canal. Range 3925-4200 yards.

                                H A Barker and Pte P L G Winter (15th Battalion, London Regiment) gazetted as 2nd Lieutenants.

                                War Diaries


                                26th April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                26th April 2015 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Attached to French Troops 3 miles NW of Ypres. (26th to 30th April) Supported French attacks on Pilkem Ridge at 0330 and at 1400 on 26th April, ranges about 3700 yards buildings and trenches - fired about 200 rounds

                                war diaries


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

                                Reference Belgium sheet 28 1/40,000

                                1. On the morning of the 26th April 1915 the Northumberland Brigade (4th, 5th, 6th & 7th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers) were concentrated at Wieltje and placed under the orders of the 1st Canadian Division as Reserve. At 10.15 am General Riddell commanding the Northumberland Brigade received orders from the G.O.C 10th Sub Brigade to verify a report received from the 28th Division that the enemy were breaking through the first line trucks in D 13 c & d and to counter attack with whatever force he considered necessary. The 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers was directed at 10.45 AM to send forward an officers patrol to verify the report & to proceed with his Battalion to Fortuin with a view to counter attacking if the enemy were discovered breaking through. By 12 noon the officer commanding this Battalion was satisfied that no attempt was being made by the enemy to break through at the place indicated and so his battalion has being heavily shelled to proceed to dig in and remained in the position he had reached and consequently took no part in the subsequent operations.

                                2 At 1.30 pm operation orders from the 1st Canadian division were received. It will be seen from these orders that the Brigade was to attack St Julien in cooperation with the Lahore Division and one battalion of the 10th Infantry Brigade and that the assault was to take place at 2.5 pm.

                                The distance from Wieltje to St Julien is approximately 1 3/4 miles and the ground had not previously been reconnoitered by the staff or any of the officers of the Brigade. No information was received or could be obtained as to the actual position of either our own or the enemys trenches nor was it known that the G.H.Q line was strongly wired and that there were only certain places through which the troops would be able to pass.

                                No communication was ever made with the artillery and no artillery officer got in any way into touch with the Brigade. The time was short, the order to attack being received at 1.30 pm. Nevertheless considering that any failure to attack on the part of the Brigade might seriously hamper the operations General Riddell decided to carry out the orders he had received impossible as they seemed.

                                By 1.50 pm the Battalions were on the move the 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers attacking with the right Wieltje - St Julien road and the 4th battalion Northumberland Fusiliers with their left on the road. The 7th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers was ordered to follow the 4th bn in the second line.

                                At 2.5 pm the leading battalions reached the G.H.Q in C22b and C23c and came under very heavy shell and rifle fire. The Battalions deployed on both sides of the Wieltje - St Julien and lost very heavily by not having reconnoitered the openings to the wire entanglements in front of the line of trenches.

                                However they found places and the advance towards St Julien continued steadily both battalions in the front line suffering heavily from machine gun fire apparently coming from the wood in C17 A on their left flank.

                                By 2.45 pm both of the leading Battalions had reached the front line of our trenches in C17b and the 7th Battalion had been absorbed in the attack.

                                At 3.10pm isolated parties of the 6th Northumberlands on the left of the road pushed forward about 250 yards in front of our first line trench and occupied some small trenches from which the enemy had apparently retreated. The 4th and 7th Northumberlands were unable to make any advance. During the whole of this period no signs of the Lahore Division or the battalion of the 10th Brigade had been observed and it was subsequently ascertained that the movement of this battalion had been cancelled although no verification has been sent to the Northumberland Brigade. The culminating point in the advance of the 6th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers was reached at about 3.45pm when unsupported on their left flank and heavily shelled with high explosive shells they were compelled to dig themselves in and remained in possession of the ground they had gained until dusk when they returned to the first line trenches.

                                At 3.30pm Bigadier general Riddell accompanied by his Brigade Officer left his HQ in C23a and proceeded towards Farm Vanchule in C17d for the purpose of getting into closer touch with his battalion Commanders and was shot through the head 150yards to the south of the farm at 3.45pm. The command devolved to Colonel Foster 4th Northumberland Fusiliers, the senior officer present with the battalions and a message was sent to Col Coles CMS DSO commanding t he 5th Northumberlands informing him of General Riddell's death and that the command of the Brigade had devolved to him.

                                The position of Colonel Cole's HQ was not actually known and it was not until about 7pm that he arrived at Brigade HQ. Orders had however been issued by Colonel Foster for the battalion to remain where they were until dusk and at 7.30pm Col Coles having ascertained that the services of the Brigade in the first line trench were not required, ordered the troops to return to bivouac at Wieltje.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                27th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   15th and 16th London Batteries reported a series of explosions in the direction of Givenchy and the fact that searchlights were played on enemy Trenches from the direction of La Bassee. The 15th Battery did not fire. The 16th Battery fired five rounds at the gap in the south end of the J Breastwork. 17th London Battery registered a communication trench. Later 16th Battery shelled to the left of 17th Battery firing thirty six rounds. There was an inspection of 6th London Ammunition Column by the OC. Brigade.

                                War Diaries


                                27th April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                27th April 1915 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Attached to French Troops 3 miles NW of Ypres. (26th to 30th April) 27th April - Supported French Attacks from 1315 to 1900 - fired about 200 rounds

                                war diaries


                                28th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   15th London Battery fired six rounds at a working party reported near J2. Four rounds struck the parapet. 16th London Battery verified registration of ‘K’ works. 17th London Battery fired on Canal Trench and the Communication trench leading to it, verifying the range and line already registered.

                                War Diaries


                                28th April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium

                                28th April 1915 Preparations for enemy gas attack  Lt. Grellier proceeded by Motor Ambulance wagon to St Omer today with two other officers to be interviewed by the DGMS* in the Field. Owing to the attack in the North, the enemy employing poisonous gas, masks made of gauze, and saturated withSoda Bicarbonate solution (2oz to a wine bottle) are being prepared for the men of the Field Ambulance. * Director General Medical Services

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                28th April 1915 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With Drench Troops about 3 miles NW of Ypres. 28th April - Supported French Attacks from 1330 to 1800 - fired about 200 rounds.

                                29th April - Registering.

                                war diaries


                                28th April 1915 Recce  149 Brigade Hq reports from Wieltje:

                                "11.30am. Orders received from 1st Canadian Division for the Brigade to take over the GHQ line in C29 and C23.

                                11.45am. Cap't North 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers ordered to reconnoitre the extent of the line allotted to the Brigade and to report as to the numbers required to hold it.

                                1.30pm. Cap't North reported that the line was about 700 yards long and would require 3 companies to hold it. It extended from about the second 'E' in Wieltje C29(a) to the 'E' in Route C23c. The 4th Cavalry Bde. occupied the line south of the 'E' in WieltjE, but there appeared to be no troops occupying the trenches to the north of the 'E' in Route C23c.

                                2.15pm Colonel Feildy went to the HQ 10th Infantry Bde. and was informed that troops would occupy the trenches during the night of 28th/29th.

                                ? pm. Orders issued to 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to occupy the section of the GHQ line allotted to the Brigade & for the other Bde's to remain in their present positions.

                                7.5pm. Aeroplane Taube passed over the lines occupied by the Brigade & was brought down by rifle fire just outside the GHQ line. Pilot and observer both wounded and captured by the 2nd Cav. Brigade.

                                7.30pm. Orders Received form Canadian Div. that the portion of the Brigade not required in the GHQ line may be placed in the dug-outs previously occupied by the Brigade. Day and night both fine."

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                29th Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths in the line  The 3rd Monmouth Battalion's war diary records that they had only to stand by in the Polygon Line and '29 April, was, a very quiet day'. But even 'very quiet days' brought casualties, 2nd Lieutenant Onions, the son of the Welsh Miner's Leader, was killed as he marched his men back to the dug-outs behind the Wood. He was the first fatal casualty of the 3rd Mons Officers. The general situation was worse than anyone knew. The gas attack had broken the line in the north of the Salient and the German guns were brought up to Pilckem Ridge. Polygon Wood was the most easterly position of the area and now it was developing into a bottle shaped zone, untenable for the 3rd Mons.

                                29th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   Between 0035 and 0045 15th London Battery fired six rounds at J2. 16th London Battery registered J6, J7 and ‘S’ Bend - twenty six rounds - and verified registration of J1. 17th London Battery fired at rear extension of communication trench, and verified registration of other points.

                                War Diaries


                                29th Apr 1915 Sports Day at Redmires  A sports day held at Redmires Camp was a huge success with over ten thousand spectators watching as over 1000 men took part in a range of sporting events. Men from the Sheffield City Battalion, the Barnsley Battalion and 15th Sherwood Foresters took part in heats throughout the mornings, with the finals being held in the afternoon. A Five mile steeple chase was run on a route around the Redmires reservoirs finishing on the parade ground. Most of the events were won by men from the Sheffield Battalion, their superior fitness being attributed to the harsh hilly environment in which they are training. A Company won the tug of war, the football competition and 16 Platoon were victorious in the Inter-Platoon Mile, winning in a time of Seven minutes 45 seconds, each man in full fighting order carrying 50lbs including their rifles.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                29th April 1915 Working Parties  Operation Order No 5 by D.S.Brigadier General G.P. Falding D.S.O Commding Northumberland Inf Brigade

                                1. The Brigade will proceed tonight to dig a line of trench South of the Ypres-Zonnebeck road in I56, I6 a and c and I12.

                                2. The Brigade will be divided into two reliefs of 900 men each the 4th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (500 men) and the 6th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (400) forming the first relief. The 5th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (600) and the 7th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (300) will form the second relief. The first relief will parade at 8p.m and will be guided to their position by a guide of the 2nd RE Field Squadron Colonel Foster 4th Northumberland Fusliers will be in charge of this relief. The 2nd relief will be ready to move at 11.31 pm under Col Coles 5th Bn Northumberland Fusliers.

                                3. The 5th Btn Northumberland Fusliers will be relieved in the GHQ line at 8.30 pm by the 2nd Cav: division and will return to bivouac

                                4. Units will parade for digging in marching order.

                                5. Surplus men not required for digging will remain in bivouac in charge of an officer to guard kits left behind.

                                6. Tools will be obtained outside Brigade Headquarters.

                                7. Battalions after digging will return to bivouac at Wieltje.

                                8. Brigade H.Q will remain at Wieltje.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                30th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA's 15th Battery registered on K4 and K1 - 20 rounds - and at 2320 fired four rounds at J1. Later 15th Battery fired five rounds at K1.

                                War Diaries


                                30th Apr 1915 18th Kings Liverpool move to Belton Park  The 18th (2nd Pals) Kings Liverpool did their basic training at Hooton Park Racecourse and on the 30th April 1915 moved to Belton Park. They went on to other parts of the UK for more advanced training.

                                30th April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 95 men (that are known)

                                30th April 1915   SM U-43

                                Type U 43 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 21) Ordered 10 Jul 1913 Launched 26 Sep 1914 Commissioned 30 Apr 1915.
                                Commanders.
                                30 Apr 1915 - 16 May 1917 Hellmuth Jürst.
                                17 May 1917 - 17 Apr 1918 Waldemar Bender.
                                18 Apr 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Johannes Kirchner

                                Career 11 patrols.
                                start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 III Flotilla

                                Successes 45 ships sunk with a total of 114,323 tons.
                                2 ships taken as prize with a total of 356 tons.

                                • 21 Mar 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Aranmore 1,050 br
                                • 24 Mar 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Englishman 5,257 br
                                • 26 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Dania 862 nw
                                • 26 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Knut Hilde 1,632 nw
                                • 28 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Rolf Jarl 1,265 nw
                                • 29 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Knut Jarl 1,070 nw
                                • 29 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Nesjar 1,609 nw
                                • 30 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Fancy 1,612 nw
                                • 3 Oct 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst J. Y. Short 2,193 br
                                • 3 Oct 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Tourgai 4,281 ru
                                • 10 Oct 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Gardepee 1,633 br
                                • 11 Oct 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Bistritza 3,688 ro
                                • 17 Oct 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Edam 2,381 nw
                                • 22 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Duc D’aumale 2,189 fr
                                • 23 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Jevington 2,747 br
                                • 23 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Donstad 699 nw
                                • 28 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Foz Do Douro 1,677 pt
                                • 28 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Fulton 1,034 nw
                                • 31 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Rigel 2,671 nw
                                • 3 Feb 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Hollinside 2,862 br
                                • 3 Feb 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Songelv 2,064 nw
                                • 3 Feb 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Wasdale 1,856 nw
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Turino 4,241 br
                                • 9 Feb 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Famiglia 2,942 it
                                • 16 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Anne 240 da
                                • 16 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Endymion 1,345 ru
                                • 16 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Towergate 3,697 br
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst August 1,596 ru
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst San Hilario 10,157 br
                                • 22 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Woodward Abrahams 744 am
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Cordelia 613 sw
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Abosso 7,782 br
                                • 26 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Ehrglis 238 ru
                                • 26 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Hektoria 5,002 nw
                                • 3 May 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Emma (prize) 183 nl
                                • 3 May 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Concordia (prize) 173 nl
                                • 4 Jun 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Juno 1,169 nw
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Haulwen 4,032 br
                                • 11 Jun 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Teviotdale 3,847 br
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Tunisie 3,246 fr
                                • 18 Sep 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Glenfoyle 1,680 br
                                • 28 Dec 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Magellan 6,265 fr
                                • 27 Jul 1918 U 43 Johannes Kirchner Subadar 4,911 br
                                • 3 Aug 1918 U 43 Johannes Kirchner Maceio 3,739 bz
                                • 3 Aug 1918 U 43 Johannes Kirchner Vouga 96 pt
                                • 15 Oct 1918 U 43 Johannes Kirchner Bretagne 316 fr
                                • 19 Oct 1918 U 43 Johannes Kirchner Aida 93 pt

                                Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Swansea in 1922.

                                There was another U 43 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 23 May 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 26 Aug 1939.

                                John Doran


                                30th April 1915 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Supported French attacks, fired about 150 rounds on 30th as well as 28th and 29th. Battery and observation point both under a good deal of shell fire from heavy guns with some very lucky escapes as no casualties during these attacks. French took some trenches and about 50 prisoners but German position very strong and difficult to attack.

                                war diaries


                                30th April 1915 Logistical Issues  At 5pm Orders were received by 149th Brigade from Canadian Division for working party of 1500 men to report at Verlorenhoek at 19:30. 5.30 pm Orders issued in accordance with above.

                                At 8pm Message received from Canadian Division ordering another 300 men to be sent to Bellewaare Farm and 200 to Bellewaarde Chateau (not on the map) This order it was obviously impossible to carry out owing to the time the message was received. The 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were still at Wieltje and a message was sent to them through the Canadian Brigade to send out these parties at once. Neither of these parties arrived before 23:00 as the road by which they had to proceed was entirely strange to them, and no guides had been provided.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                 7th Berkshires at Fovant  7th Btn, Berkshire Regiment moved to Fovant Camp from billets in Reading in early May 1915 near Salisbury to join 78th Brigade, where they at last swapped their blue post office uniforms for army khaki uniforms.

                                http://www.purley.eu/H1417.htm


                                 6th Royal Irish Rifles cross to England  In May 1915 the 6th Royal Irish Rifles left Curragh and crossed to England, being to continue training at Hackwood Park, Basingstoke.

                                May 1915 Move  8th Yorks and Lancs depart from Hythe in May for Bordon Camp. Bordon had expensive ranges and was used for final weaponry preparation for active service using live ammunition using rifles, machine and Lewis Guns, Mortars, bombs and explosives.

                                1st May 1915 HMEF Queens Ferry opens.  HMEF Queen's Ferry, near Chester, began in May 1915. The first output of guncotton, TNT and tetryl was in December 1915. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions

                                1st May 1915 HMEF Bideford opens  HMEF Bideford in Devonshire opened in May 1915 to produce acetate of lime by wood distillation. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st May 1915 HMEF opens in Graham Street, Dundee  HMEF Graham Street, Dundee, Angus, started in May 1915 to produce acetate of lime by wood distillation, which was then used in the manufacture of cordite. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st May 1915 National Shell Factory opens in Armley Road, Leeds  Leeds Forge Company, in Armly Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire opened a National Shell Factory, in May 1915. It was under control of the Board of Management of the Leeds Munitions Committee.

                                1st May 1915 Keighley No 1 National Shell Factory opens.  Keighley No 1 National Shell Factory was situated in Dalton Lane, Keighley, West Yorkshire and opened in May of 1915 with first output in the autumn of 1915. It produced 18-pdr, 3.7-in. and 6-pdr. shells. It was under control of the Board of Management of the Leeds Munitions Committee.

                                1st May 1915 NPF Armley Road, Leeds opens  National Projectile Factory Armly Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire started production in May 1915 of 4.5-in. and 6-in. shells. In 1917-18 it repaired and inspected guns. It was under control of the Board of Management. There was also a a National Shell Factory, a National Ordnance Factory and a National Filing Factory in Armley Road.

                                1st May 1915 NOF Armley Road, Leeds opens  National Ordnance Factory Armly Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire started production in May 1915 of 4.5-in. and 6-in. shells. In 1917-18 it repaired and inspected guns. It was under control of the Board of Management. There was also a a National Shell Factory, a National Projectile Factory and a National Filing Factory in Armley Road.

                                1st May 1915 NOF Armley Road, Leeds opens  National Ordnance Factory Armly Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire started production in May 1915 of 4.5-in. and 6-in. shells. In 1917-18 it repaired and inspected guns. It was under control of the Board of Management. There was also a a National Shell Factory, a National Projectile Factory and a National Filing Factory in Armley Road.

                                1st May 1915 Abbotts VAD Hospital moves  The Abbotts VAD hospital, Cheltenham, moved from Moorend Park, Charlton Kings to The Abbotts, 49 All Saints Road with 50 beds available.

                                1st May 1915 3rd Monmouths withdraw  To avoid the danger of being cut off at the neck of the zone and shorten the Line, the order was given to withdraw and the The 3rd Monmouth Battalion began to move back. The Line now ran just east of Hooge Chateau and Frezenberg, south of St Julien and converged onto the Yser Canal near Boesinghe and the trenches of the GHQ line crossed the main road just east of the Potizje Chateau. The front Line was now shortened by 5,000 yards and the Wood evacuated. The movement was started on the night of 1 May evacuating dumps and bringing back the guns. All ammunition and trench stores were removed as well. The whole operation was under the control of Welsh Officers, posted at the north west corner of the Wood and in telephone communication with the Brigade Headquarters.

                                1st May 1915 3rd Welsh Fusilers move to Litherland  In May 1915 the 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers moved from Wrexham to Litherland Camp to join the the Mersey Defence Force supplying troops to guard the docks.

                                1st May 1915 7th Dublin Fusiliers departure reported in Irish Times  The Irish Times reported on the 7th Dublin Fusiliers departure from Ireland, the Battalion marched from the Royal Barracks, Dublin across Essex Bridge, through the commercial centre of Dame Street, then College Green and crossed O'Connell Bridge to the Liffy Quays. They crossed to England to join 10th Division at Hackwood Park.

                                1st May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   At 0630 a heavy bombardment was heard in a northerly direction. No batteries of the 6th London Brigade fired, except in a test as follows - A test was held to see how soon after the receipt of a message from the infantry, the batteries could open fire. The 15th battery took two minutes, 16th Battery one minute. They appear to be quicker than the time taken by the Regular Batteries.

                                War Diaries


                                1st May 1915 Recruitment and Training  

                                Belfast Parade 36th Ulster Division - 8th May 1915

                                16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers)

                                Recruitment figures not published and Training continued to improve both infantry and trade efficiency.

                                150 men took part in preparation of the ground for the Grand Parade by the Ulster Division in Belfast on the 8th May 1915.

                                The 36th (Ulster) Division was drawn up at noon on the 8th May in review order at Belfast, between the Lagan and Malone, for inspection by Major General Sir Hugh McCalmont and then marched into Belfast where the salute was taken again by Sir Hugh, The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Sir Edward and Lady Carson, Sir George and Lady Richardson and the City High Sheriff with his wife at the City Hall. The 16th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) brought up at the rear of the column. They travelled to and from Belfast by special train from Lurgan.

                                Doran Family


                                1st May 1915 Gas mask instructions  The 19th Field Ambulance continues to work the line of the 19th Infantry Brigade in the trenches between Rue du Bois and Touquet. Certain orders received as to the making of masks to combat poisonous gases received from ADMS 6th Division, to consist of 10 to 12 layers of gauze.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                1st May 1915 Battle off Noorhinder Bank  The Battle off Noordhinder Bank on 1 May 1915 was a naval action between a squadron of four British naval trawlers supported by a flotilla of four British destroyers and two German torpedo boats from the Flanders Flotilla. The battle began when the two torpedo boats were sent on a search and rescue mission and ran into a British patrol. The Germans fought with the patrolling trawlers until a heavier force of British destroyers from Harwich Force arrived and sank the German vessels. The battle greatly demoralized the German flotilla at Flanders as the boats that were sunk had just been launched shortly before the battle. The action off Noordhinder Bank highlighted that the Flanders Flotilla was too inadequately armed to protect the coast it was assigned to defend let alone harass British shipping in the channel. Eventually, after other similar defeats, the small torpedo boats such as those used off Noordhinder Bank were relegated to coastal patrol. Heavier units were finally transferred to even the balance of power in the English Channel.

                                After the 7th Torpedo Boat Half Flotilla was lost during the Battle off Texel, German naval authorities were reluctant to commit any further forces for offensive operations off the coast of Flanders. Despite this, the commander of Marine Corps Flanders, Admiral Ludwig von Schroeder, continued to press for a transfer of a force of submarines and torpedo boats to his command. After several months of resisting Schroeder's demands, the Kaiserliche Marine finally relented and sent him a force of light torpedo boats and submarines. Although these forces were greatly inferior in armament and displacement to those he had requested, Admiral Schroeder put his newly acquired forces to use immediately. He formed the Flanders Torpedo Boat Flotilla made up of 15 "A"-class torpedo boats under the command of Korvettenkapitän Hermann Schoemann. Three days later, on 1 May 1915, two German seaplanes reported a squadron of four trawlers off Noordhinder Bank. One of these seaplanes was forced to make an emergency landing and Schoeman was dispatched with boats SMS A2 and A6 to rescue the seaplane's crew and destroy the trawlers. Meanwhile, while patrolling off the Galloper lightship near Goodwin Sands, HMS Recruit was sunk by the German submarine UB-6. Recruit's consort, Brazen, as well as the four trawlers the German seaplanes had spotted began searching for Recruit's attacker. A2 and A6 caught the trawlers off the Noordhinder Bank at 1500. The trawlers Columbia, Barbados, Chirsit, and Miura were under the command of Lieutenant Sir James Domville onboard Barbados. Armed with a single 3-pounder gun each, the trawlers were outgunned by the German torpedo boats, which were both armed with two torpedo tubes as well as a four-pound gun.

                                Battle

                                As soon as the trawlers were spotted by Schoeman's boats they were engaged. Rather than attempt to flee, the commander of the squadron of trawlers, Lieutenant Domville, decided to try to fight his way out. A2 and A6 both made torpedo runs against the trawlers, but of the four torpedoes launched, only one hit its target, sinking Columbia and killing the British commander. Outgunned, the trawler Barbados resorted to ramming A6, damaging it enough that the Germans decided to withdraw from the action. Before withdrawing, the Germans managed to rescue a lieutenant and two deckhands from Columbia making them prisoners of war. Upon being attacked, the trawlers had alerted Harwich Force of the situation and as a result a squadron of four "L"-class destroyers were dispatched to rescue the trawlers. The dispatched squadron, consisting of HMS Laforey, Lawford, Leonidas, and Lark from Harwich Force, managed to gain sight of the German boats soon after arriving on the scene. Heavily outgunned, the German boats attempted to make for the safety of the Flanders coast, but were pursued by the British destroyers. Once the British managed to catch up with the torpedo boats, they were engaged in a running fight that lasted nearly an hour. By the end of the action, both torpedo boats were destroyed with many of the Germans, including the new commander of the Flanders Flotilla, going down with their ships. The British destroyers suffered no casualties.

                                Aftermath

                                When the battle ended, British losses included Columbia sunk and Barbados damaged. Columbia suffered 16 dead with only one surviving deckhand being recovered after the action. The Germans suffered much worse losing both A2 and A6 along with 13 killed and 46 captured. Among the German dead was the commander of the German forces, Hermann Schoemann. Controversy erupted after it was discovered from the captured Germans that the three men taken from the sinking Columbia had been locked away below decks on one of the torpedoboats. They were left to die when the German vessel started to sink. The Germans reported that they did not have enough time to get to the British prisoners and were barely able to escape the sinking hulk themselves. The battle showed Admiral Schroeder the severe limitations of the "A"-class torpedo boats. Too poorly armed for raiding, the boats were delegated to coastal patro duties. Defeat at Noordhinder allowed Schroeder's pleas for reinforcements to be finally heard by the German Admiralty. He was sent heavier vessels to complement the forces he already possessed. The next engagement involving an "A"-class torpedo boat would also reinforce the perception that the class was too weak for service. Several of the newly constructed boats were put in reserve as soon as larger and more capable boats were transferred to the Flanders Flotilla.

                                John Doran


                                1st May 1915 Otranto Barrage  The Otranto Barrage was an Allied naval blockade of the Otranto Straits between Brindisi in Italy and Corfu on the Greek side of the Adriatic Sea in the First World War. The blockade was intended to prevent the Austro-Hungarian Navy from escaping into the Mediterranean and threatening Allied operations there. The blockade, or rather the fleet capital ships in support of it, was effective in preventing surface ships from escaping the Adriatic, but it had little or no effect on the submarines based at Cattaro.

                                Blockade attempt

                                The Adriatic is 72 km wide at the Otranto Straits. The blockade consisted mainly of a fleet of drifters, most of them British and usually armed with a 6-pounder gun and depth charges. In 1915 when the blockade was begun, two divisions of 20 would be on patrol at a time, equipped with steel indicator nets intended to trap submarines or at least alert the surface vessels to their presence. A third division would be at Brindisi. The drifters were supported by destroyers and aircraft. However, the demands of the Gallipoli Campaign and other naval operations left the Otranto Barrage with insufficient resources to deter the U-boats, and only the Austro-Hungarian U-6was caught by the indicator nets during the course of the war. It was later considered that the straits had simply been too wide to be netted, mined or patrolled effectively. The ease with which German and Austrian submarines continued out of the Austro-Hungarian ports in spite of the barrage (and the success they had in disrupting shipping in the whole of the Mediterranean) strongly embarrassed the Allies, the system being called "a large sieve through which U-boats could pass with impunity". In 1917,1918, reinforcements from the Australian and American navies brought the blockading force up to 35 destroyers, 52 drifters and more than 100 other vessels. But submarines continued to slip through until the end of the war, while only the introduction of the convoy system and better coordination amongst the Allies helped to cut the losses they were causing.

                                Raids and battles

                                The Austrians mounted a number of nighttime raids against the barrage, five in 1915, nine in 1916 and ten in 1917. After a raid by four Huszar-class destroyers in December 1916, a conference in London concluded that the drifters were insufficiently defended. The barrage was placed under the command of a single British officer, Commodore Algernon Heneage, who was able to call upon all Allied ships not in use elsewhere. The largest raid was on the night of 14/15 May 1917 when the cruisers SMS Novara, Helgoland, and Saida supported by the destroyers SMS Csepel and Balaton and Austro-Hungarian U-boats U-4 and U-27, along with German U-boat UC-25 (operating as Austro-Hungarian U-boat U-89). The fleet, commanded by Commodore Miklós Horthy, sank 14 drifters out of 47 on duty, and damaged a further three seriously. Skipper Joseph Watt was later awarded the Victoria Cross for defending his drifter Gowanlea under heavy attack from Novara. The British light cruisers HMS Dartmouth and Bristol—together with Italian and French destroyers, under command of Italian Rear Admiral Alfredo Acton—steamed from Brindisi to engage the Austrians, resulting in the Battle of the Otranto Straits. The British damaged Saida and disabled Novara, severely injuring Horthy. However, the British cruisers broke off the engagement when the Italian flag officer had notice of heavy Austrian forces coming out of Cattaro and Saida towed Novara back to port. Dartmouth was damaged by UC-25 as it returned to Brindisi. The night before, the same U-boat had laid a minefield at the mouth of Brindisi harbour; the French destroyer Boutefeu struck one of these mines exiting the harbour the very same day and exploded, sinking with all hands. In June 1918, Horthy—by now commander-in-chief of the Austro-Hungarian Navy—determined to launch an attack on the barrage employing the four Tegetthoff-class battleships based at Pola, the most modern in the fleet. While en route down the Adriatic, the battleship SMS Szent István was torpedoed and sunk by an Italian torpedo boat at dawn on 10 June, resulting in the attack being cancelled.

                                John Doran


                                1st May 1915 Gulflight Incident 1915  The American 5,189 ton tanker Gulflight, was built by the New York Shipbuilding Co. of Camden, New Jersey for the Gulf Refining Company (a predecessor of Gulf Oil). It was launched on 8 August 1914. The ship became famous when it was torpedoed early in World War I and became the center of a diplomatic incident which moved the United States closer to war with Germany. The ship survived the attack but was eventually sunk in 1942 by torpedo attack in World War II.

                                World War I controversy

                                The ship was torpedoed by the German U-boat U-30 commanded by Captain von Rosenberg-Gruszczynski on 1 May 1915 despite America being a neutral party in the war at that time. The ship left Port Arthur on 10 April carrying a cargo of gasoline in the ship's tanks and barrels of lubricating oil to Rouen, France. During the latter half of the voyage the ships radio operator had heard messages from a British cruiser which judging from the transmission strength had been keeping station with Gulflight. At a point 22 miles west of the Bishop Rock lighthouse, Scilly Isles, at 1100 am on 1 May, Gulflight was challenged by two British patrol vessels, Iago and Filey which queried her destination. The patrol ships had been searching for a submarine which had been sinking ships in the area over the last couple of days. The patrol vessels were not satisfied with Gulflight's papers and suspected her of refuelling the U-boat, so ordered the tanker to accompany them into port. The patrol ships took up station one either side of Gulflight, Iago close on the starboard side and Filey further ahead on the port. While under escort, Gulflight's second officer Paul Bowers reported sighting a submarine ahead some 28 minutes before the ship was hit. He reported this to the captain who decided that the submarine must be British as the escorts had not reacted to its presence. The submarine was visible for 5 minutes and then disappeared. Shortly before 1300 a submarine surfaced ahead of the ships and ordered them to stop. Filey attempted to ram the submarine which submerged but fired a torpedo at the tanker. Von Rosenberg reported that he had seen a tanker under escort by ships flying the white ensign and had seen no flag on the escorted ship. After firing the torpedo he spotted a US flag on the tanker, so broke off the attack. At 1250 an explosion took place sending a column of water into the air alongside Gulflight's starboard bow. The ship immediately started to sink and shortly the forward deck was awash. The crew abandoned ship and were taken onboard by the patrol ship Iago which turned towards St Mary island. At about 0230 Captain Gunter from the Gulflight was taken ill and died around 0340 from a heart attack. The remainder of the crew arrived at St. Mary by 1000 on Sunday 2 May. The Gulflight did not sink but instead was towed to Crow Bay by the patrol vessels. Ralph Smith previously first officer was now invited to inspect the ship which was examined by divers and had a large hole in the starboard bow. Smith and the first engineer remained with Gulflight while the remainder of the crew were evacuated to Penzance. Of the 38 crew there were three fatalities. The captain had suffered a heart attack and two crew members were reported lost when they jumped overboard after the torpedo hit. She was the first American ship to be torpedoed during World War I although another ship, the Cushing, had been bombed shortly before again by mistake because no American markings could be seen from what was then a somewhat novel air attack. The German government apologized for attacking Gulflight but refused to change its strategy of unrestricted submarine warfare. A report by the British admiralty into the attack concluded that the German commander had behaved properly according to "Cruiser rules" defined in international law. A merchant ship under escort by military vessels forfeited any right to be warned before being attacked so the patrol ships had made Gulflight a legitimate target by taking her under escort. As an American ship, the submarine would not have attacked had he seen her nationality, but apart from an ordinary flag Gulflight was not carrying any additional markings painted on the hull to make clear her nationality, which other ships were then doing. The report also suggested that the tanker being stopped and then slowed down by the accompanying patrol had made her an accessible target. The admiralty report was not published at the time and official comment did not explain the circumstances. The three deaths were the only Americans killed as a result of attacks on American ships by German submarine until 16 March 1917, when diplomatic relations had irreparably broken down just before the declaration of war. American official reaction to the incident was determined by President Woodrow Wilson under the advice of United States Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan and Counselor to the State Department Robert Lansing. Bryan favoured reconciliation with Germany and avoidance of war, but this policy was becoming increasingly unpopular and was opposed by his subordinate Lansing. Lansing submitted a memorandum proposing immediate and vigorous protest and coupled with the Cushing incident and the sinking of RMS Lusitania on 7 May, a British ship but carrying American passengers who drowned, president Wilson made a forceful response to Germany. In June Bryan resigned and was replaced by Lansing. Despite his belligerent formal advice, Lansing's private papers suggest that he considered the rights and wrongs of the situation much more finely balanced and the logical outcome ought to have been impartial military trade sanctions against both belligerents. However, the US economy was already heavily committed to producing military supplies for the British, while American support for one side or the other was likely to prove decisive in choosing the eventual victor. The incident, along with the sinking of RMS Lusitania, caused the American government to increase spending on the US Navy.

                                Later career and sinking in World War II

                                In 1937 the vessel was sold to the Nantucket Chief SS Co Inc of Port Arthur, Texas and renamed the SS Nantucket Chief. In 1938 it was sold again, this time to Harris & Dixon Ltd, London and was renamed the SS Refast. On 26 January 1942 the Refast was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-boat U-582 south of St Johns, Newfoundland.

                                1st May 1915 Withdrawn from French Support  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at St. Jans-Ter-Biesen As French Artillery up, battery withdrawn at 12 noon, two men wounded during morning as battery again under a good deal of shell fire. Moved to bivouac near St Jans Ter Biesen, 2 1/2 miles west of Poperinghe. In bivouac at 1800.

                                war diaries


                                1st May 1915 British in retreat  The general situation was worse than anyone knew. The gas attack had broken the line in the north of the Salient and the German guns were brought up to Pilckem Ridge. Polygon Wood was the most easterly position of the area and now it was developing into a bottle shaped zone, untenable for the 3rd Mons. To avoid the danger of being cut off at the neck of the zone and shorten the Line, the order was given to withdraw. The Line now ran just east of Hooge Chateau and Frezenberg, south of St Julien and converged onto the Yser Canal near Boesinghe and the trenches of the GHQ line crossed the main road just east of the Potizje Chateau. The front Line was now shortened by 5,000 yards and the Wood evacuated. The movement was started on the night of 1 May evacuating dumps and bringing back the guns. All ammunition and trench stores were removed as well. The whole operation was under the control of Welsh Officers, posted at the north west corner of the Wood and in telephone communication with the Brigade Headquarters.

                                May 1915 3rd Tyneside Scottish at Alnwick  The 3rd Tyneside Scottish Battalion moved to Alnwick Camp in May 1915.

                                1st May 1915 Formation and history  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

                                The Alpine Corps was formed in May, 1915.

                                Italy 1915.

                                At the end of May 1915, it was sent by way of Innsbruck to the Trentino area, where it remained until the 16th October in the vicinity of Campitello. It took part in several smaller actions particularly on the 24th September.

                                historical records


                                May 1915   By May, it was decided the time had come to bring all four battalions of the Tyneside Irish together It was now the Brigade was renumbered 103 brigade of the 34th Division. Command was given to Major-General E.C. Ingouville-Williams. A new location was found for the brigade at Woolsington Hall, three mile outside of Newcastle. The men were housed in tents.

                                research


                                May 1915 19th DLI arrive at Cocken Hall  19th (Bantam) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry arrive at Cocken Hall for training

                                1915 Improvised Bath  
                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                Troops of the 1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, having a bath in an old cart, the water having had to be heated in biscuit tins. © The rights holder (IWM Q 60509)

                                IWM


                                2nd May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   Firing heard in the direction of Neuve Chapelle. 15th London Battery fired two rounds at J3 (A.2.d.8.3). 16th London Battery opened fire at 1530 to verify registration of that part of zone invisible from last observing station i.e. the Orchard. Fourteen rounds fired. At 2237 it fired two rounds into the Orchard at request of 18th London Battalion. One direct hit. 17th London Battery did not fire.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd May 1915 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL4

                                • First Flight: 2nd May 1915
                                • Length: 153.1 metres (502 ft)
                                • Diameter: 19.75 metres (65 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 32,470 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 85 km/h
                                • Payload: 13.4 tonnes

                                Naval airship based at Seddin. SL4 flew 21 reconnaissance missions and two bombing raids again enemy harbours on the Eastern front. It was destroyed on the 14th December 1915 after its hangar collapsed due to snow accumulation on the roof.

                                John Doran


                                2nd May 1915 Reports on continued use of gas   Alteration of time of duty of Orderly Officer to the hours 7 pm-7 pm following on with duty at Advanced Post at Gris Pot from 8 pm to 8 am. Heavy cannonading taking place in the North today, and reports that gas is being used again by the enemy.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                2nd May 1915 Rest day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at St.Jans-Ter-Biesen. In bivouac at St.Jans-Ter-Biesen all day.

                                war diaries


                                2nd May 1915 3rd Monmouths under Bombardment  On the 2nd May the 83 rd Brigade (29th Division) area was very heavily shelled by the Germans that many of the troops believed it impossible to get any worse. There were of course inevitable casualties after trenches and dugouts were hit. Sergeant A. Davies (3rd Monmouths) writing home to friends gave the following details of the days bombardment: "Our worst time started on May 2nd, when they gave it to us a bit hot. It was on that day that L/Cpls Reg Rumsey and Taylor got buried by a shell bursting on top of their dugout. We managed to get them out after a bit of a struggle, and I think Rumsey acted splendidly. If it had not been for him Taylor would have been dead. After getting his head and arms clear he would not think of anything else but getting Taylor out; in fact he set to at releasing him, and it was rather a good job, for when we got Taylor out he was at his last gasp"

                                2nd May 1915 On Stand by  149th Brigade HQ reports from Menin Rd.

                                11.30am. Message from Canadian Division saying that working party ordered to Bellewaard Chateau last night had not arrived & asking for explanation.

                                1.5pm. Explanation sent to Canadian Div.

                                2.30pm. Orders received for the Brigade to move to Poperinghe via railway line to I14c thence along road to level crossing I20a - Kruisstraat thence by H16a & H14b & main road to Poperinghe.

                                3.30pm. Orders issued. 7.30pm. Orders received from Gen. Kavanagh commanding 3rd Cav. Division that the Brigade was to stand by until further order. The Germans have made use of asphyxiating gas & driven out some of our troops from the front line of trenches at St Julien. Information also received that the O.C. 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers had been ordered at Weiltje to send forward his Batt. in support of the 3rd Cav. Brigade who had been sent to the front line to replace the troops driven out by poisonous gas.

                                7.45pm. Units ordered to stand by.

                                10.50pm. The Germans not apparently advancing, the Brigade was ordered to carry out the movement ordered at 2.30pm.

                                11pm. Orders issued for the movement. 11.45pm. March to Poperinghe commenced and staff Captain was sent to Weiltje to conduct 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers to Poperinghe via St Jean and Ypres.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                3rd May 1915 Gas Warnings  6th County of London Brigade RFA report information received from 1st Army of use by enemy of asphyxiating gas east and north of Ypres. Brigade conflagration just behind La Bassee Church. One of the guns of the 15th London battery was placed in a forward position at 2100 but was withdrawn by order at 2130. 16th London Battery fired two rounds at Cross Roads by P.4, at request of OC. B Company, 18th London Regiment. Two Germans seen doubling from M.22 wearing light blue uniforms and flat round caps. All the men received masks and bicarbonate of soda for use against gases. At the suggestion of the OC. Brigade a certain portion of the enemy's breastworks were bombarded by heavy guns. 17th London Battery fired four rounds to verify points on registered lines.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                3rd May 1915 U-9 sinks seven British Vessels  SM U-9 a Type U 9 U-boat of I Flotilla, commanded by Johannes Spieß sank the British Merchant vessels Bob White, Coquet, Hector, Hero, Iolanthe, Northward Ho and Progress. The submarine had been built in 1908 at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 4) and was launched 22 Feb 1910 and commissioned 18 Apr 1910. On 16 July, 1914 U9 performed for the first time in history the difficult job of reloading torpedoes while submerged.

                                John Doran


                                3rd May 1915 3rd Monmouths at Potizje  The 3rd Mons evacuated Polygon Wood on the night of May 2nd/3rd and reformed on the new GHQ line at Potizje. A Company under Captain Baker, C Company under Captain Steel, B Company under Captain Gattie was stationed in the front line while D Company under Major Lewis stayed in reserve at Potizje. The evacuation of Polygon Wood and the occupation of the new front line was completed during the night of 3rd of May and the success of the movement was proved when at 5 am the following morning the enemy still fired onto the empty trenches. Then the Officers controlling the operation left and declared that in spite of a very laborious task the evacuation had been a complete success. Once here the troops had very little to do, the weather was foul, there was very little to eat and heavy shells were flying overhead into the city of Ypres.

                                3rd May 1915 Wagon Lost  149 Brigade HQ reports:

                                5am. Brigade less 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers arrived Poperinghe. An uneventful march. A few shells fired at column just at starting, one of which wounded 5 men of the 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Night fine & cool. Transport proceeding through Ypres came under heavy fire & suffered some loss the limbered wagon belonging to GHQ with Brigade Majors Confidential dispatch box having had to be abandoned. The box contained B.M's war diary & other confidential papers & censor stamp.

                                6am. A search party was immediately sent back to Ypres to look for the box and its loss was reported personally to a staff officer 2nd Army. A telegram was also sent to GHQ regarding loss of censor stamp No. 1540.

                                7am. 4th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers arrived and reported 2 casualties coming through Ypres.

                                11.30am. Search party sent to Ypres to look for confidential box reported that the wagon had been discovered but that it had evidently been looted of everything it contained.

                                2pm. Orders received from Northumberland Division for the Brigade to march via Watou to this new area west of and exclusive of that village.

                                4pm. Orders issued for the Brigade to move at 8pm.

                                11.30pm. Watou. Brigade arrived and went into billets. HQ in farm house in K---

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                4th May 1915 20th Manchesters arrive at Belton Park  20th Battalion Manchester Regiment arrived at Belton Park Camp Grantham in Lincolnshire.

                                4th May 1915 5th Connaughts depart for England  5th Battalion Connaught Rangers left the Curragh in two trains and sailed from the North Wall, Dublin on a Harwich and Hook of Holland liner for Liverpool.

                                http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=146396


                                4th May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   15th London Battery fired eight rounds at 1115 on enemy's communication trench S.27.d.11 and subsequently fired eight rounds on enemy's breastwork at 2350. Thirty nine rounds were fired at A.2.d.77 and A.2.b.95. 16th London Battery fired eight rounds in direction of trenches north of the ‘S’ Bend. Both Batteries also fired twelve special 65a fuses. Report received that the 1st Herts. in front line trenches, had been overcome by gas. This was untrue.

                                War Diaries


                                4th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium
                                At 8 pm the trenches were relieved by the 2nd Camerons and the Battalion withdrew from the small salient near Sanctuary Wood (by devious and unhealthy routes) to bivouac in the neighbourhood of Vlammertinghe, avoiding Ypres by a narrow margin.

                                4th May 1915 Ruby sunk by U9  British Merchant vessel Ruby is sunk by submarine U-9.

                                4th May 1915 Visit to Bailleul hospital  Proceeded to Casualty Clearing Hospital in Bailleul with Capt. Browne and Lt. Chandler, MO/A&SH* to see gas poisoning cases - and to find out the best means of treating such cases in the initial stage.

                                * Medical Officer Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                4th May 1915 Tough fight on Frezenberg Ridge  The evening of May 4 th saw the beginning of the battalion's hardest trial and greatest achievement. The strain and stress was all over within a week, but during that period the 3rd Monmouth's were involved in some of the hardest fighting of the war. Suffering heavy casualties and though outnumbered by the enemy and without adequate artillery support held up the German attack at a crucial point of the line.

                                On this evening A company (Captain Baker) and C Company (Captain Steel) moved up into support trenches and dug-outs north of the road at the western foot of the Frezenberg Ridge. B Company (Captain Gattie) went up to reinforce the 1st York and Lancs in the front line on the right of the Brigade; and D Company (Major Lewis) remained in reserve at Potizje. The new front line, which had been hastily and poorly constructed, suffered severely from the bombardment. So bad did conditions become that both the 2nd East Yorks and the 5th KOYLI were compelled that night to dig a new line just behind the original one. Casualties had been heavy and the wounded were removed with great difficulty during the night, whilst the dead had to be buried where they fell.

                                4th May 1915 Parade  149th Bridage HQ report from Watou:

                                7am. Message form Northumberland Division. The C in C will speak to the Brigade at 11.30am.

                                11.30am. Battalions assembled just west of Brigade HQ and was addressed by C in C in complimentary terms on work they have done during the period they were attached to the Canadian Division.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                5th May 1915 Hard Fighting  May 5th opened with a still more severe bombardment and the front line troops were reported as being in a very exhausted condition. Early in the morning C Company was called upon to reinforce the 2nd East Yorks on the south of the road. Captain Steel led half of C Company up to reinforce the front line. As they topped the ridge they were caught by German machine gun fire and suffered terrible casualties. Captain Steel was a doctor in civilian life and he set about attending the wounded as well as leading the advance. For this action he was awarded the Military Cross. One of the men in his company, Private AM Mitchell, wrote home: "Words utterly fail me to say what a hero Captain O.W.D. Steel was during that fearful struggle. From every person I meet they tell me the same tale. Under heavy shell and maxim fire he went out and fetched in wounded, bandaging them and if he doesn't deserve the VC no man on earth ought to get it." An hour later A company (under Captain R.A. Lewis) also tried to reinforce the front line and again suffered terrible casualties. Private I. Skidmore was awarded the DCM for attending to the casualties until he was so badly wounded himself that he could not carry on.

                                5th May 1915 5th Connaughts march into Hackworth Park  At noon the 5th Battalion Connaught Rangers marched into Hackworth Park to continue their training.

                                http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=146396


                                5th May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA state that during the misty weather firing in the early morning was impossible. 15th London Battery did not fire therefore, but 16th London Battery fired twelve rounds at 0900 to register wire in front of J1. Range 3375 yards. Observation very difficult. 17th London Battery did not fire.

                                War Diaries


                                5th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion at Vlammertinghe, Belgium
                                Battalion enjoyed a much needed rest.
                                Draft of 90 men arrived and 15 men rejoined from hospital.

                                5th May 1915 Straton sunk by U9  British Merchant vessel Straton is sunk by submarine U-9.

                                May 1915 Training  
                                THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE HOME FRONT, 1914-1918

                                16th (2nd Birkenhead) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment digging trenches during training at Neols in Cheshire, May 1915. © IWM (Q 53723)

                                5th May 1915 Reorganisation  149 Brigade HQ report from near Watou: "2.30pm. 5th Bn Border Regt reported their arrival and were taken on the strength of the Brigade."

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                6th May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   15th London Battery fired in the early morning (0415 - 0645). At 0640 16th London Battery fired thirteen rounds between J7 and ‘S’ Bend. Attack by Germans expected. Fifty rounds per gun sent to Batteries to be dumped.

                                War Diaries


                                6th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion at Vlammertinghe, Belgium
                                Bathing arranged for in pond adjoining a farm.
                                As the men had been without a bath for at least 28 days, and lacking a change of underclothes for six weeks, this was greatly appreciated.
                                By night 100 men employed as carrying party.

                                6th May 1915 Merrie Islington sunk by U9  British Merchant vessel Merrie Islington is sunk by submarine U-9.

                                6th May 1915 8th Manchesters land on Gallipoli  The 8th Battalion Manchester Regiment land on Gallipoli.

                                6th May 1915 Inspections  Some shelling of L'Armée and Armentières early this morning, two wounded admitted to 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys GOC 6th Division inspected the buildings used as hospitals and billets by 19th Field Ambulance and also the transport lines and expressed himself as most pleased with the conditions. 1st weekly inspection of Motor Vehicles by Lt. Tyler 19th Brigade Supply Column. All repairs to motor vehicles of 19th FA will be undertaken by that Supply Column.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                6th May 1915 Shelling on Frezenberg Ridge  On May 6th, there was shelling, but less severe than on the 5th, and no attempt at an attack by the enemy.

                                7th May 1915 RMS Lusitania sunk  The Cunard liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by the German U-boat, U-20, 11 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, and sank in 18 minutes with the loss of 1,198 lives. 761 people were rescued. The sinking of the liner turned public opinion in many countries against Germany and contributed to the American entry into the Great War, despite the argument that the ship was a legitimate military target as she was carrying a large quantity of rifle ammunition and other supplies necessary for a war economy, as well as over 1,200 civilian passengers.

                                Her Captain, Walter Schwitzer, made the following entry in his log: "The ship stops immediately and heals over to starboard quickly, immersing simultaneously at the bow. It appears as if the ship were going to capsize very shortly. Great confusion is rife on board; the boats are made ready and some of them lowered into the water. In connection therewith great panic must have reigned; some boats, full to capacity are rushed from above, touch the water with either stem or stern first and founder immediately."

                                7th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA fues shells  6th County of London Brigade RFA: With a view to an attack by the British, the fifty shells were fused. Action expected at dawn tomorrow, but was delayed twenty four hours. Weather very misty. 15th London Battery fired 12 rounds at wire between J1 and J3. 16th London Battery verified registration on M2 and M3. Observation very difficult.

                                War Diaries


                                7th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots found party 300 strong (two relief's of 150 each) to dig and improve a line of defence through Ypres.
                                The party returned without casualties.

                                7th May 1915   SM U-44 was a Type U 43 u-boat, built at Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 22), ordered 10 Jul 1913, launched 15 Oct 1914 and commissioned on 7 May 1915.
                                Commanded by Paul Wagenführ she undertook 6 patrols with III Flotilla claiming 22 ships sunk with a total of 72,542 tons, 1 ship damaged with a total of 4,154 tons, 3 ships taken as prize with a total of 430 tons, 1 ship damaged with a total of 1,250 tons.
                                • 25 Mar 1916 Ottomar 327 ru
                                • 27 Mar 1916 Manchester Engineer 4,302 br
                                • 29 Mar 1916 Begonia (damaged) 1,250 br
                                • 30 Mar 1916 Bell 3,765 nw
                                • 31 Mar 1916 Achilles 7,043 br
                                • 31 Mar 1916 Goldmouth 7,446 br
                                • 31 Mar 1916 Hans Gude 1,110 nw
                                • 1 Apr 1916 Ashburton 4,445 br
                                • 27 Sep 1916 Thurso 1,244 br
                                • 16 Jan 1917 Baron Sempill 1,607 br
                                • 23 Jan 1917 Agnes (prize) 125 br
                                • 23 Jan 1917 George E. Benson (prize) 155 br
                                • 23 Jan 1917 Vera (prize) 150 br
                                • 6 Mar 1917 Caldergrove 4,327 br
                                • 6 Mar 1917 Fenay Lodge 3,223 br
                                • 7 Mar 1917 Ohio 8,719 fr
                                • 8 Mar 1917 Dunbarmoor 3,651 br
                                • 8 Mar 1917 Silas 750 nw
                                • 10 Mar 1917 Aracataca (damaged) 4,154 br
                                • 14 Mar 1917 Bray Head 3,077 br
                                • 16 Mar 1917 Narragansett 9,196 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 Vacuum 2,551 am
                                • 2 May 1917 Natuna 1,121 nw
                                • 21 Jul 1917 Robert Smith 211 br
                                • 24 Jul 1917 Thorsdal 2,200 nw
                                • 27 Jul 1917 John Hays Hammond 132 am
                                • 5 Aug 1917 Bracondale 2,095 br

                                On the 12th of Aug 1917 U44 was rammed by HMS Oracle off southern Norway at 58.51N 04.20E. and sank with the loss of all hands, 44 dead.

                                There was another U 44 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 5 Aug 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 4 Nov 1939.

                                John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


                                7th May 1915 Investigation of nephritis cases  19th Field Ambulance report "Several cases have recently occurred showing albuminuria and other symptoms of a nephritis - there is a question of them being of an infective nature, but steps are being taken to elicit some more definite information. Lt. Chandler, Medical Officer Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, has sent in a report on 8 cases which he considers to be of the nature of post-influenzal. This report was sent to Assistant Director of Medical Services 6th Division. A similar case was admitted yesterday and another one today - from records so far obtained there seems to be an interval of 8 days between admissions from respective billets."

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                7th May 1915 Heavier Bombardment on Frezenberg Ridge  May 7th opened with a heavier bombardment, which caused many casualties. There was nothing but the 27th and 28th Divisions between the enemy and Ypres but the British soldier proverbially does not know when he is beaten.

                                7th May 1915 Relief Planned  With a view to the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment relieving the Monmouth Regt in the front line the HQ officers, company commanders and machine gun officers visited this regiments lines in the trenches at about 2300.

                                1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1


                                7th May 1915   May 7th 1915 To The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                                There seems to be at present no necessity for meetings of the Committee. The discipline having been taken out of our hands two months ago, and the administrative duties having been withdrawn a week ago, there seems now very little for the Committee to do. We are nominally responsible for the two Depot Companies; but even there, requisitions for clothing, etc., will be more or less automatic from the Depot, which we are still retaining at Cocken, where there will always be stationed, probably, an Officer, two N.C.O.s, and two or three Privates; where we have reserved two huts, and quarters in the Hall. This plan does not entirely recommend itself to me; but I see no alternative to it at present.

                                The Battalion are drawing their own pay on an imprest account; all rations, etc.; are now coming from the A.O. department; and clothing has long been out of our hands. Rifle slings are on the way: if not already received: and I think that - except for occasional small items - our account can be concluded by the end of this month; anyhow, I shall try and send out a draft account by that time.

                                The Battalion, itself, marched out on Monday, to proceed by two trains to Cramlington, to the 122nd Brigade Camp; and the remaining 280 men yesterday; they having been detained in consequence of arms inflamed by the really hard time they had at Middlesbrough; where all the night duty had to be done in marching order; and many of the officers got practically no sleep for three days. There are, however, wonderfully few cases of sickness. I think 10 was the number that went yesterday by train; and I hope it speaks well for the sanitary conditions at Cocken; which will be further improved by the building of the new Cookhouse, which I have obtained authority to proceed with (on a contract with the Darlington Construction Co.) for £330, including drainage, laying on water, etc.

                                It is now definitely settled that the Bantams succeed us. An advance party with about 30 men came in last Monday; and the remainder, I believe, are to follow shortly. I should like to record to the Committee that the whole place has been left in first rate order. I have not been over the house; but I can answer that the whole of the grounds are perfectly clean. They were, in fact, left in a state which was entirely a credit to the men, as well as the Commanding Officer.

                                It is recognised by York that Lord Durham’s sanction is required for any change, or any new departure, at Cocken; but it would appear that I must still be in some sense responsible while our Depot is there.

                                http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf


                                7th May 1915 Ready to Move  At 8.30am Orders received from the Northumbrian Division that 149th Brigade is to hold itself in readiness to move at two hours notice. At 9am Units informed and instructions issued to the points that the several Battalions are to assemble on receipt of order to move.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                8th May 1915 Lecture on Trench Warfare  All the officers of the 4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers attended a lecture on Trench Warfare given by the Brigadier at Brigade HQ.

                                8th May 1915 Heavy Fighting in Ypres Salient  On the morning of 8th May, the 3rd Monmouths had three companies in the front line and one in support. Half a mile to the north the 1st Monmouth's were fighting with the 83rd Brigade. The German bombardment began at 5.30 am followed by the first infantry attack at 8.30. In the words of Pte W.H. Badham: "They started bombarding at the same time in the morning and….afterwards we could hear a long blast of a whistle, and the attack started. We were only a handful of men, and they came on in thousands, but we kept them at bay"

                                Private A.L. Devereux carried this story forward in a letter he wrote to his family a day or two after the battle: "Hundreds of them were put of action with shells and it left very few men to man the trenches. After, the Huns shelled all the country for a couple of miles…stoping any reinforcements from being brought up and thousands of the rabble charged our trenches in their favourite massed formation. The few boys that were left in our trenches showed then the kind of stuff Britain can turn out and thousands of the Germans were put out of action"

                                Almost immediately, the shelling started again and at 09.00am the Germans attacked again and were again driven back. The Germans realised that their attack was making no progress, and they fell back so that the artillery could return to its task on the front line trenches. By 9.10 am the bombardment was as intense as at any time that morning and there was little that the soldiers could do except find what little cover they could.

                                Orders reached the 3rd Monmouth's and 2nd King's Own from Brigade HQ about 10am to evacuate the front line trenches. Captain Baker began withdrawing his Company, but immediately the enemy opened up an intense machine gun fire, followed by shrapnel, which practically swept away the few survivors of A and D Companies. Captain Baker was killed a few yards behind the front line. The order apparently never reached Lt Reed and he and few men of A Company, with some machine gunners held on gallantly and resisted to the last. Lt Reed was finally killed and no officer of A Company was left, and only 13 survivors amongst the men could be mustered. D Company stuck it gallantly. They lost their only officer Captain J Lancaster. Every Sergeant in the company was killed and only 16 men answered the roll call next morning. Of the 500 men in A and D Companies only 29 were left. B Company (under Captain Gattie) throughout the battle was separated from the rest of the Battalion. They were in the front line in a wood near Red Lodge. Rations and letters came up regularly and one fortunate officer even received a tin of cooked sausages! What the war diary does not record is that the new trenches had been hastily prepared and it was not as deep or as wide as had been hoped for by those men retiring to it. One member of the 3rd Monmouths noted: "….when we occupied this new line of trenches we found them very badly made and up to our knees in water, and the poor men had no chance of getting any sleep unless they wished to i.e. down in the water".

                                So dawned the most critical day of the great battle, the 8th May, The 3rd Monmouth's lay astride the Zonnebeke road, the apex of the Salient, two companies in the front line with one in support and the fourth company not far away to the south. Half a mile to the north was their sister battalion the 1st Monmouthshire's in the 84th Brigade. Holding the position with them were their comrades of the 83rd Brigade, the nd Kings Own to the north and to the south the 1st KOYLI who relieved the 1st York and Lancs and B Coy. 3rd Monmouth's on the night of the 7th May. The Brigade had been in the line without relief since April 17th . Its numbers were greatly reduced, and the artillery behind were few in numbers and woefully short of ammunition. As indicating the desperate position of the British troops in respect to artillery support, it is now authoritatively stated that the heavy British guns during this period of the 2nd Battle of Ypres were limited to:- One 9.2 inch howitzer, Eight 60 pdrs, Four old six inch howitzers, Twelve obsolete 4.7 inch guns.

                                Against them the Germans brought up at least 260 heavy guns and howitzers. There was nothing except the Division between the enemy and Ypres on that day and they got as far as Verlorenhoek, but the British soldier proverbially does not know when he is beaten and the Germans were kept back somehow till fresh troops were brought up in the evening to fill the many gaps. The enemy on their side were all out to push through. They had guns on the high ground enfilading the British position and smothering our artillery, they had field guns well forward, and they had innumerable machine guns, and six divisions of their best and freshest troops, against the depleted ranks of the war-worn and weary 27 th and 28 th Divisions. Their bombardment opened up at 5.30.a.m. and the trenches lying on the forward slope were badly damaged and almost untenable.

                                The wood came under heavy shelling and Lt Groves and Lt Palmer were killed by a direct hit on their dug out. After two German attacks on the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the front trenches, B Company charged across open ground to reinforce them. A dip in the ground favoured the advance and casualties were few, but Capt. Gardner was shot through the heart as he entered the trench, a great loss. He was one of the finest looking and best soldiers in the Battalion. 2/Lt. Paul was wounded at about the same time.

                                The first enemy infantry attack took place at 8.30.a.m. and was driven off. The bombardment re-opened and at 9.a.m. the enemy again attacked and were driven back. After a further hours intense shelling the front line was practically obliterated and the enemy found few survivors to hold up the attack. In A Coy 3rd Monmouths, Capt Baker and C.S.M. were killed and Lt Reed with a few survivors of his company held gallantly on and resisted to the last. This party and the machine gun section took heavy toll of the advancing enemy, but were finally overwhelmed by numbers. Lt. Reed was killed and no officer of A Coy was left and only 13 survivors amongst the men could be mustered. D Coy stuck it gallantly. They lost their only officer, Captain James Lancaster, beloved of all who knew him, and that fine type of Territorial soldier C.S.M. Lippiatt, who did such wonderful work training recruits almost single-handed at Abergavenny in August and September 1914. Every Sergeant in the company was killed and only 16 men answered the roll next morning. The machine-gun section were involved in this slaughter, and had one gun destroyed but one of the few survivors brought back the lock of the other.

                                Early in the day C Coy came into action in support, but little by little was forced back to Battalion HQ owing to the exposure of their flank from the north. Stragglers were coming down the road, so Col. Gough ordered Sergeant Jenkins to collect them in a trench in the rear, and for his fine services on this occasion coupled with the good work on the telephone; this old soldier received the DCM. This party and other remnants of the Battalion was led by Col. Gough in counter attack, but could only advance as far as the eastern edge of Frezenberg. In this advance R.S.M. Hatton was seriously wounded. He had accompanied the adjutant Capt. Ramsden, in many visits to the front line during the last terrible days and with him had often helped to stiffen the defence by cheery encouragement. He now refused to be carried back and was taken prisoner. His wounds were of such a nature that he was one of the first prisoners of war to be exchanged, but unhappily he died much regretted before the end of the war. He was a fine type of regular soldier from whom all ranks learnt much. After hanging onto this position for some time and holding up the advance, orders came at about 11.a.m. from the Brigade to retire on the GHQ line near Potijze.

                                Lt. McLean, M.O., 3rd Monmouth's and Lt.Marriott, M.O., 1st Monmouth's had established a dressing station just east of Verlorenhoek; at 11.a.m. they received orders to retire their detachments, but after sending back the stretcher bearers they found a number of wounded still coming back and so decided to carry on, till the enemy were practically in the village and Lt. McLean was wounded.

                                Just before mid-day the 2nd East Yorks were ordered to counter attack and after reaching Verlorenhoek with heavy casualties had to fall back on the G.H.Q. line. At 2.30.p.m. 1st York and Lancaster and 3rd Middlesex counter-attacked north and south of the railway, remnants of the 2nd East Yorks, 1st KOYLI, 2nd Kings Own, 3rd Monmouth's, 5th Kings Own going up into support. At 3.30.p.m. 2nd East Surreys, 3rd Royal Fusiliers arrived and were sent up in support. The counter attack, practically unsupported by artillery, made slow progress and by 5.30.p.m. was held up at a line running from Verlorenhoek south over the railway. This line was consolidated with fresh troops during the night and eventually became the approximate position of the front line until the British advance in 1917.

                                In the meantime the 3rd Monmouth Battalion with the exception of B Coy was withdrawn and marched back to huts at Vlamertinghe. B Coy throughout the battle was separated from the rest of the battalion. It reinforced 1st York and Lancs, coming under orders of the CO of that Battalion, and took over a trench on the extreme right of the Brigade and Division from a company of K.R.R.C. 27 th Division. The next unit on the right was the "Princess Pats". The position was in front of the wood near Red Lodge, about 300 yards south of the Roulers railway. The trench was newly dug like the rest of the line and not deep. It was also on a forward slope and the only communication trench was full of mud and impassable. Further, it lay along a lane with a hedge on one side and a line of poplars on the other, so that it was an admirable mark for the enemy's artillery observing on Westhoek Ridge. On May 5 th and in a smaller degree on May 6 th and 7 th the enemy bombarded the trench, but it was so narrow and well traversed that the damage was comparatively slight and casualties not as heavy as might be expected from such a bombardment. Sgt. Nash, a Territorial with much service, was killed on the 6th .

                                The attack in front was beaten off and the afternoon in the immediate neighbourhood proved quiet, but there was a great danger of the company being surrounded.. The P.P.C.L.I on the right were forced back to their support trench and on the left to the north of the wood there was a large gap and both flanks were more or less in the air. Accordingly Capt. Gattie went to the HQ of the Rifle Brigade, near Bellewaarde Lake, for reinforcements to protect the exposed flanks, especially to the north, and was able to guide them as far as the P.P.C.L.I. support trench, but machine gun fire prevented them from advancing further until dark. Meanwhile a party of the Monmouth's and KOYLI were in fact in advance of all other British troops with both flanks exposed. Towards the evening the bullets of our troops counter-attacking up the railway were beginning to take them in the rear, so that it was clearly impossible to hold on.

                                The party was now completely cut off from its own HQ, so Capt. Gattie proceeded to Brigade HQ for orders, leaving the remains of B Company under 2/Lt. Somerset. Under cover of darkness the men of both units filed out of the right end of the trench and were sorted out, and the men in the wood were ordered to re-join. This party had received no orders to advance in the morning and had been left behind. The senior soldier, Cpl. Sketchley, had kept them together during the day and now led 30 men out to join the Company. The enemy attack up the railway on his left had come so near that his party had taken a prisoner and they now brought him with them. Cpl. Sketchley received the D.C.M. for his great initiative and pluck at this period. Capt. Mallinson was awarded the D.S.O., for his fine leadership in maintaining this position and finally in extracting his party from a very difficult position. The enemy did not attempt to harass the withdrawal and the whole mixed party got safely back to Rifle Brigade HQ. After a halt there they proceeded across the railway to the Potijze road intending to rejoin the Brigade at Vlamertinghe.

                                8th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA register ranges  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th London Battery fired nine rounds on enemy's breastwork J1 and two rounds on J3. Range 3450 and 3500. 16th London Battery fired eleven rounds to register wire at K3 (3425), later fired ten rounds at wire at K3 (3425’) and four rounds at a point on the Rue D’ Ouvert.

                                War Diaries


                                8th May 1915   A Coy, 2nd Bn Kings Own are involved in Battle of Frezenberg.

                                8th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  

                                The 1st Battalion Royal Scots position on 8th May 1915 shown on map (1/R. Scots)

                                1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots ordered to form part of Composite Brigade with 2 Companies each. 2nd Brigade Royal Irish Fusiliers and 2nd Brigade Leinster Regiment.
                                Lt. Col. Callender to command composite Brigade with Captain H. E. Stanley-Murray as Staff Officer - Command of the battalion devolved upon Major H.F. Wingate with Cap. J. Burke as Acting Adjutant.
                                Composite dissolved at 6pm and the battalion proceeded with all speed to the Zouave Wood (Hooge) under command of Lt. Col. Callender.
                                The Germans attacked the area of woods south of the Menin Road after a horrendous artillery bombardment all day.
                                Heavy fighting near Hooge and North of Menin Road.
                                The 1st Battalion Royal Scots were sent up the line in support of 81st Brigade. The 81st were in a small salient and the northern side was ' sagging '. When the 1st Royal Scots arrived they found the unit to their left had been forced from their trenches and the Germans were in the process of occupying them. The 1st RS fixed bayonets and charged, evicting them in disarray.
                                The 1st Royal Scots and their territorial companions in the 9th Royal Scots held these trenches, without losing a sap, until relieved on the night of 22nd/23rd May.
                                About 6pm orders were received to proceed to Sanctuary Wood.
                                The battalion arrived soon after dusk and were halted at Zouave Wood.
                                Officers went ahead and inspected trenches held by 2nd Gloucester's, and the battalion took over these trenches before dawn the following day.
                                Disposition of battalion - A & D Coys fire trenches, B & C Coys support trenches.

                                8th May 1915 Two merchant ships sunk by U9  British Merchant vessels Don and Queen Wilhelmina are sunk by submarine U-9.

                                8th May 1915 Bearers reinforcement preparations  19th Field Ambulance received orders from Assistant Director of Medical Services 6th Division, to reinforce Advanced Post at Gris Pot by 1/2 A Bearer subdivision tonight and the Bearer subdivisions of other two sections to be held in readiness at a moment's notice.

                                Lt. Mullan i/c Advanced Post tonight, but sent down Capt. Browne with Sgt. Carter and 12 men as additional stretcher bearers - in addition they took surgical haversacks, shell dressings and water bottles and respirators and bottles of saturated soda bicarbonate solution - B and C Bearers standing to. Sgt. Matthews, Army Service Corps arrived last night for duty as motor cyclist with 19th Field Ambulance.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                8th May 1915 In Bivouac  149th Brigade remained in bivouac in Near Watou.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                9th May 1915 Zeppelin Raid  Zeppelin LZ38 commanded by Erich Linnarz attacked Southend and Ipswich on the 9th/10th May 1915.

                                9th May 1915 Heavy Fighting in Ypres Salient  At the GHQ line a Staff Officer ordered the party from the 3rd Monmouths to the trenches again, so just as dawn was breaking on the 9th they turned off the road, near the trench occupied on May 4th and advanced across open fields to the front line. There was only room on their immediate front for the KOYLI so the Monmouthshire party occupied some little dugouts a hundred yards in rear. Here the remains of B Coy spent the day, among them two N.C.O.s who later in the war made the supreme sacrifice, Sgt. Lewis and Sgt. T.Howells, that fine old soldier who won the D.C.M. in the South African War and a bar to it in the Great War. Sgt. Owen of C Coy joined the party during the day, also two men, who were shelled out of buildings on the left. The enemy paid no attention to B Coy., probably did not know of their existence, but fired heavy stuff overhead into YPRES all day. It was a day of inaction that tried the nerves far more than a day of hard fighting. Luckily it was not a day of starvation too, for early in the morning some foragers found a broken down water-cart and bread and tinned honey dumped in the road.

                                The casualties had been enormous and the Brigade diary records these as being 128 Officers and 4379 men killed, wounded and missing.

                                9th May 1915 Battle of Aubers Ridge  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force.

                                The 6th London Brigade RFA took part in the first organised attack since its arrival in the frontline. The 15th London Battery opened fire at 0445 and fired sixty rounds lasting until 0530 at the enemy’s lines. Several direct hits were obtained, but the actual result was difficult to estimate owing to bad light and mist. Between 0535 and 0615, seven rounds were fired with excellent effect at Dogwheel House and the attack having been held up on our immediate front, fire eased for the morning at 0655, after five rounds had been fired at the enemy's earthworks. The attack was renewed, without much success, in the afternoon (1530) when the 15th London Battery fired six rounds at the communication trench near K5, and fired again at the same objective at 1650 with eight rounds. At 1720 and 2345 four rounds and five rounds respectively were fired at the communication trench.

                                The programme carried out by the 16th London Battery was the same as the one outlined above, exactly the same targets being engaged at approximately the same time, but whereas the 15th London Battery had only fired eighty two rounds up to 0655, by 0645 the 16th London Battery had accounted for one hundred and thirty three rounds. The 16th Battery also fired between 0700 and 1000, a further six rounds at Germans advancing, sixteen rounds at 0830, and thirty five rounds at M3. M2. P4. N6 earthworks from 0835 to 0900. At 1605 the 16th London Battery fired six rounds at the Rue D’Ouvert, and four rounds at 2330.

                                The sphere of operations did not extend as far as the zone of the 17th London Battery, who took no part in the operations. Casualties as the result of today’s operations were NIL. A letter was received this morning from GOC 47th Division expressing the hope that the Division, now fighting as a complete unit for the first time, would maintain the traditions of the Territorial Force.

                                War Diaries


                                9th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                Very heavy artillery bombardment.
                                By 2am the battalion was moved up to Sanctuary Wood.
                                They had heavy fighting in Sanctuary Wood and got badly cut up.
                                At dawn the order came to fall back and occupy the GHQ line some 2 miles West. This was done. The enemy's guns had the range of this line to a nicety, and put in a number of shells. Line maintained.
                                Two hundred men out digging at night.
                                Casualties this day: Killed 4 men. Wounded Lt. G. M. V. Bidie 25 other ranks.

                                Remembering William Monaghan. Private 9918. 1st Battalion Royal Scots Regiment. Age 27 who was one of the four that died this day at Sanctuary Wood and has no grave (his name is on the Menin Gate)

                                9th May 1915 Orders are changed  Very heavy gunfire by the guns this morning between 4.39 and 5.30 behind the 19th Infantry Brigade. The 8th Division in action today. Received orders 12 noon to bring in reinforcements from Advanced Post, and cancel the Bearer subdivisions being held in readiness.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                9th May 1915 The Battle of Aubers Ridge: The Northern pincer  2.30am: all units in the North report that they are in position, having assembled at night. 4.06am: sunrise and all very quiet on this front.

                                5.00am: British bombardment opens with field guns firing shrapnel at the German wire and howitzers firing High Explosive shells onto front line. Many reports are received that British 4.7-inch shells are falling short, and even on and behind the British front line (Later it is agreed that this is due to faulty ammunition, as well as excessive wear to gun barrels). 5.30am: British bombardment intensifies, field guns switch to HE and also fire at breastworks. Two guns of 104th Battery, XXII Brigade RFA had been brought up into the 24th Brigade front and they now opened fire at point blank range against the enemy breastworks; they blow several gaps, although one of the guns is inaccurate due to the unstable ground on which it is located. The lead battalions of the two assaulting Brigades of 8th Division (24th Brigade has 2/Northants and 2/East Lancashire in front; 25th Brigade has 2/Rifle Brigade, 1/Royal Irish Rifles and 1/13 London Regiment (Kensingtons)) move out into the narrow No Man's Land (in this area it is only 100-200 yards across). German bayonets can be seen behind their parapet.

                                5.40am: On the further advance the 2nd East Lancs are hit by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire by the time they had progressed thirty yards from their own trench; the 2nd Northants, coming up ten minutes later, were similarly hit, but a party got through one of the gaps blown by the field guns, and into the German front trench. The attack of 25th Brigade is much more successful: the wire on the left had been well-cut and the infantry poured through, crossing the almost-undamaged breastworks and into the German fire trenches. They moved onto the first objective (a bend in the Fromelles road), and the Rifle Brigade bombers extended the trench system they occupied to 250 yards broad. On the blowing of the two mines at 5.40am, the lead companies of the Kensingtons rushed to occupy the craters, moved forward to capture Delangre Farm, and then formed a defensive flank as ordered.

                                6.10am: Brig.Gen. Oxley (24th Brigade) orders the support battalion, 1st Notts & Derbys, to support the attack of the Lancashires, but they are also held up with high losses, at almost unbroken wire. The front and communication trenches are by now very crowded and chaotic; German shelling adds to confusion. By now, the fire across No Man's Land was so intense that forward movement was all but impossible. The support battalion of the 25th Brigade, the 2nd Lincolns, was ordered forward, to cross by the craters; they did so, despite losing many men on the way. Men of the Brigade were at this time seen to be retiring to their front line, having apparently received a shouted order. German prisoners, making their way to the British lines, were mistaken for a counterattack and there was a great deal of confusion. Brig.Gen Lowry Cole, CO 25th Brigade, was mortally wounded when standing on the British parapet in an attempt to restore order.

                                8.30am: the attack had established three small lodgements in the enemy positions, but they were not in contact with each other and were under tremendous pressure. Otherwise the attack had come to a standstill and all movement into or out of the trench system had become impossible. The men in the German positions were cut off.

                                8.45am and again at 11.45am: Haig orders Rawlinson (CO, IV Corps) to vigorously press home the attack.

                                1.30pm: A renewed attack with 2nd Queens of 22nd Brigade in support, did not take place as the troops were heavily shelled in the assembly areas and many casualties were suffered even before the original support lines had been reached. Major-General Gough (CO, 7th Division, whose 21st Brigade had now also been ordered forward by Haig) reported that after a personal reconnaissance he was certain that forward movement was at the present time impossible.

                                5.00pm: General Haig, hearing of the continued failure of the Southern attack and the hold-up after initial success of the Northern attack, orders a bayonet attack at dusk, 8.00pm.

                                2nd Battalion Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment)


                                9th May 1915 The Battle of Aubers Ridge: Evening and Night  2nd Battalion Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

                                6.00pm: such chaos in the trench system and on the roads and tracks leading to it that it becomes clear that fresh units will not be ready for the 8pm attack. Haig cancels the attack and rides to Indian Corps HQ at Lestrem, to meet with all Corps commanders to consider the next moves. 7.30pm: the meeting breaks up having decided to renew the attack next day, taking advantage of night to reorganise. Efforts were made throughout the evening to reinforce the small garrisons of the lodgements in the enemy trenches. 26 men of the 2/Northants, of which 10 were wounded, returned to the British front. 2.30am 10 May: the 200 or so surviving Rifle Brigade and Royal Irish Rifles were withdrawn from their position, all efforts to reinforce them having been repulsed. 3.00am 10 May: the last few Kensingtons also returned from their position; all British troops were now out of the German lines. Around this time, First Army HQ, having by now got a good picture of the losses, failures and general conditions, called a Commanders conference for 9.00am, to take place at I Corps HQ on the Locon road, some 1.5 miles from Bethune. 9.00am 10 May: the Army and Corps commanders and staffs in attendance learned that there was insufficient artillery ammunition to continue two attacks. (The Secretary of State for War, Kitchener, had also just ordered a considerable portion of existing stocks to be sent to the Dardanelles); for example there were only some 3,000 18-lbr rounds left, and some of that was way behind the firing positions. They also heard that the 4.7-inch ammunition that had caused problems on IV Corps front was too defective for further use and that the fuzes on 15-inch heavy rounds were also defective and the shells simply did not burst on hitting the wet ground. All further orders for renewing the attack were cancelled at 1.20pm; the views of the conference were transmitted to GHQ. 7th Division was ordered to move from it's position north of Neuve Chapelle to the south of it, with a view to strengthening a future offensive there. British casualties from the 9 May attacks continued to move through the Field Ambulances for at least three days after the attack.

                                More than 11,000 British casualties were sustained on 9 May 1915, the vast majority within yards of their own front-line trench. Mile for mile, Division for Division, this was one of the highest rates of loss during the entire war. There is no memorial to the attack at Aubers Ridge.

                                9th May 1915 The Battle of Aubers Ridge: The French Attack  The French Attacking at 10.00am, by which time the British effort was a palpable failure, the centre Corps (XXXIII under General Petain) completely overran the German trench system on a 4-mile wide front and pushed more than two miles onto the heights of Vimy Ridge. Joffre's reserves were too far away to exploit this success, and the infantry began to out-reach the range of its supporting artillery, giving time for a German recovery. The battle soon returned once more to close combat and entrenched positions. Intense fighting continued for a week, with particularly bitter actions on the Notre Dame de Lorette heights that resulted in the French capture of Carency and Ablain St Nazaire. The French advance did not quite achieve the capture of the crest of Vimy Ridge.

                                9th May 1915 The Battle of Aubers Ridge: The Souther pincer  Richebourg L’Avoue. At 4.06am: sunrise and all very quiet on this front.

                                5.00am: British bombardment opens with field guns firing shrapnel at the German wire and howitzers firing High Explosive shells onto front line. German troops are seen peering above their parapet even while this shelling was going on.

                                5.30am: British bombardment intensifies, field guns switch to HE and also fire at breastworks. The lead battalions of the two assaulting Brigades of 1st Division go over the top to take up a position only 80 yards from German front. (2nd Brigade has 1/Northants and 2/Royal Sussex in front and 2/KRRC and 1/5th Royal Sussex in immediate support; 3rd Brigade has 2/Royal Munster Fusiliers and 2/Welsh in front, with 1/4th Royal Welsh Fusiliers in support). Heavy machine-gun fire cuts the attackers down even on their own ladders and parapet steps, but men continue to press forward as ordered. In the area of the Indian Corps, the lead battalions of the Dehra Dun Brigade of the Meerut Division (2/2nd Ghurkas, 1/4th and 1st Seaforth Highlanders) were so badly hit by enemy fire that no men got beyond their own parapet and the front-line and communications trenches were soon filled with dead and wounded men.

                                5.40am: British bombardment lifts off front lines and advances 600 yards; infantry assault begins. Despite the early losses and enemy fire the three Brigades attempted to advance across No Man's Land. They were met by intense crossfire from the German machine-guns, which could not be seen in their ground-level and strongly protected emplacements. Whole lines of men were seen to be hit. Few lanes had been cut in the wire and even where men reached it they were forced to bunch, forming good targets for the enemy gunners. The leading battalions suffered very significant losses, particularly among officers and junior leaders. Around 100 men on the Northants and Munsters got into the German front, but all were killed or captured. The advance of the supporting battalions suffered similarly, and by 6.00am the advance had halted, with hundreds of men pinned down in No Man's Land, unable to advance or fall back.

                                6.15am: A repeat of the initial bombardment is ordered, with the added difficulty of uncertain locations of the most advanced troops. 7.20am: Major-General Haking (CO, 1st Division) reports failure and asks if he should bring in his last Brigade (1st (Guards)). He offered his opinion that it would not be successful. 7.45am: A further one hour bombardment starts, ordered by Lieut-General Anderson (CO, Meerut Division). Its only impact is to encourage German artillery to reply, bringing heavy shelling down onto British front and support trenches. German fire continued until about 10.30am.

                                8.00am: First reports reach Haig, but they underestimate losses and problems. Haig also hears of early French successes in Vimy attack; he resolves to renew the effort in the Southern attack, with noon being the new zero hour. This was subsequently moved when it was learned from I Corps how long it would take to bring supporting units up to replace those that had suffered in the initial attacks. The new attack at 2.40pm would again be preceded by a 40 minute bombardment. The various movements of relief forces were achieved only with much confusion and further losses under renewed enemy shellfire. The time was again moved, to 4.00pm. In the meantime, the German infantry in the Bois de Biez area was reinforced.

                                3.20pm: Bombardment repeated and seen to be a little more successful, blowing gaps in the wire and in the enemy front-line. 3.45pm: Bareilly Brigade, moving up to relieve the Dehra Dun, loses more than 200 men due to enemy shelling. 3.57pm: The leading companies of the 1/Black Watch of 1st (Guards) Brigade, brought in to replace the shattered 2nd Brigade, went over the top despite the 1/Cameron Highlanders being late to arrive and moved at the double across No Man's Land. Some reached the German breastwork just as the bombardment lifted; most were however killed or captured in the German firing trench although a small party reached the second position. The two lead companies of the Camerons, coming up on the left of the Black Watch a few minutes later, suffered heavy machine-gun casualties in crossing between the front lines. At approximately the same time, the two fresh battalions of the 3rd Brigade, the 1/Gloucestershire and 1/South Wales Borderers began to advance but were cut down without reaching the enemy. Meerut Division orders Bareilly Brigade to advance, even though it is clear that conditions are unchanged: few men even reached a small ditch 20 yards in front of their own front line, and the Brigade suffered more than 1000 casualties within minutes.

                                4.35pm: 1st Division orders another 10 minutes shelling but it is seen to have no effect. 4.40pm: Large explosion at German ammunition dump in Herlies, hit by a long-range British heavy shell. Smoke clouds drifting towards British lines caused a gas alarm. Br-Gen. Southey (CO, Bareilly Brigade) reports that further attempts to advance would be useless. 5.00pm: General Haig, hearing of the continued failure of the Southern attack, orders 2nd Division to relieve 1st Division with a view to a bayonet attack at dusk, 8.00pm.

                                9th May 1915 Hard fighting on Frezenberg Ridge  Under cover of darkness, the remnants of B Coy 3rd Monmouths began to withdraw to rejoin the rest of the battalion. Just as they got back to the GHQ line at dawn on May 9th a staff officer ordered them back into the front line.

                                9th May 1915 Ordered to Move  At 10.30pm Orders recieved for 149th Brigade to move by omnibus to the neighbourhood of Brandhoek. At 11pm Orders issued to units in accordance with above.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                10th May 1915 New Scheme  From today a scheme is to be adopted for 'annoying' the enemy, by shelling different spots at irregular intervals. Shelling Battalion Headquarter's roads down which enemy are likely to pass. The French are making continued good progress further south. Today the 15th London Battery are to bombard J1 to J3 and the 16th London Battery to bombard the communication trench in the Rue D’Ouvert. 15th London Battery fired nine rounds between 0345 and 0615, ten rounds at 0710, twenty four rounds at 0930 and fourteen rounds at 1520. Six direct hits. 16th London Battery fired one hundred and thirty two rounds at irregular intervals between 0035 to 1515. 17th London Battery did not fire. Lieut N V Brasnett, detailed for reinforcements 2nd London Division RFA

                                War Diaries


                                10th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                A message came to the effect that all was not well on the left. B Coy was ordered to move out to the left in support and to clear up the situation. On arrival it was found the unit on our left had been driven from its trenches by the combined effect of shells and gas. Seeing the enemy about to occupy the trench in some strength, Captain Farquharson advanced his company at the double and the enemy fled in disorder. B Coy had 1 man wounded. The company occupied the trench and proceeded to make the flank more secure.
                                Casualties this day: Killed 2 men. Wounded 13 men. (1 since died of wounds)

                                10th May 1915 Arrangements for Respirators  OC 19th Field Ambulance proceeded to Nieppe with Assistant Director of Medical Services South Midland Division to see the arrangements made for the use of Mouth Pads and Respirators. Further new orders received from 3rd Corps with regard to Respirators, cancelling all previous orders.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                10th May 1915 3rd Monmouths withdrawn from line  B Coy 3rd Monmouths were finally withdrawn on the morning of May 10th and marched back to Vlamertinghe where they rejoined what was left of the rest of the battalion.

                                10th May 1915 Ongoing defensive adjustments  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

                                10th May 1915

                                Situation as before but not such heavy shelling as on 9th. 3 platoons of B coy, which had occupied a trench in front of our wire, filled in this trench and 2 platoons joined D coy in reserve while the third dug in as immediate support to A coy on the left.

                                11th May

                                D coy and B coy less 1 platoon in the breastworks dug in on a new support line 200 yards in rear of the front line.

                                12th May

                                Steady bombardment of the trenches with Jack Johnsons continued throughout most of the day. A coy suffered severely.

                                Note: Jack Johnsons was a nickname for the impact of German 150mm shells. Jack Johnson (1878-1946) was the name of the popular U.S. (born in Texas) world heavyweight boxing champion who held the title from 1908-15.

                                1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1


                                10th May 1915 On the Move  At 7:30am. 149 Brigade H.Q. 5th and 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers left billets near Watou in 73 omnibuses.

                                At 9am. 149 Brigade H.Q. 5th and 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers arrived at cross roads in G5d and marched to bivouac in wood A30a. Day very hot and dusty. Transport did not all get in until 16:30. Was very bad.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                11th May 1915 1st Devons relieve 5th Cheshires  In the evening 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment left their bivouac and proceeded to relieve the 5th Bn Cheshire Regiment in the trenches near Oosthoek on the Yser canal.

                                11th May 1915 3rd Monmouths in the front line  On May 11th, the 3rd Mons briefly moved back to the front line where the commanding officer Lt Col Gough was wounded. Major Bridge took command and the battalion moved out of the line to bivouacs at Poperinghe. Here they found piles of parcels from home, which it had not been possible to deliver during the battle, most of them were addressed, to men who could no longer receive them.

                                11th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Orders  Order received for the 15th London Battery to bombard the points J1, J3, and the 16th London Battery the entrance to the southern communication trench in the Rue D’Ouvert, at a very slow rate of fire. 15th London Battery also fired nine rounds on K.5 between 0545 and 0615, ten rounds on ‘K’ work between 0710 and 0730 and twenty four rounds between 0930 and 1015 on K.3. At 1520 out of fourteen rounds fired at Dogwheel House, six direct hits were obtained. From this date the Division (2nd London) is known as the 47th Division.

                                War Diaries


                                11th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                Trenches heavily shelled but with little result.
                                Trenches held A Coy on the right, D Coy in the centre, B Coy on the left, and C Coy in support.
                                The left company worked hard to consolidate there position which was overlooked by the enemy from the left.

                                11th May 1915 9th Heavy Battery proceed to France  9th Heavy Battery RGA proceeded to France

                                11th May 1915 Advance party leave Redmires  An advance party of 100 men of the Sheffield City Battalion under Capt. Hoette left Redmires Camp and marched to Sheffield Middle station to entrain for Penkridge Bank Camp on Cannock Chase. They were joined at the station by parties from the 13th and 14th (Barnsley) Battalions and seen off by Brigadier Gen. Bowles.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                11th May 1915 Hypo supplies arrive  Medical Board assembled to examine as to physical fitness of No 17844 Staff Sgt W A Clenshaw for promotion to a commission in the ASC.

                                Received from 19th Infantry Brigade 110 Nip Bottles for solution. Hypo for damping Respirators of Bearers of 19th Field Ambulance.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                11th May 1915 3rd Monmouths at Frezenberg  On May 11th, the 3rd Mons briefly moved back to the front line where the commanding officer Lt Col Gough was wounded. Major Bridge took command and the battalion moved out of the line to bivouacs at Poperinghe. Here they found piles of parcels from home, which it had not been possible to deliver during the battle, most of them were addressed, to men who could no longer receive them. Edmonds in the Official History of the Great War describes the action of B Company 3rd Monmouth'ss and D Company 1st KOYLI in holding the frontline at Frezenberg as one of the greatest feat of arms of the whole war. Casualties between April 22 nd - May 8 th had been horrendous. Of the 1020 soldiers of the 3rd Battalion the Monmouthshire Regiment who had arrived in France in February 1915 only 134 were left alive on the morning of May 10th. Stragglers reported over the next few days and the strength rose to about 250 in total. On May 14th, what was left of the battalion was moved to the village of Winnezeele in France for a period of rest and reorganisation.

                                11th May 1915 18 Squadron formed  No. 18 Squadron. RFC, was formed at Northolt, Middlesex, on 11th May 1915, from No. 4 Reserve Squadron. From experience at the front it had been recognised that reconnaissance aircraft had to be able to defend themselves from attack by enemy aircraft and 18 Squadron was therefore equipped with the Vickers FB5 Gunbus for fighter-reconnaissance duties. On 19th November 1915 the squadron went to France to the aerodrome at Treizennes.

                                12th May 1915 1st Devons suffer casualties from own artillery.  The 1st Devon's record a fairly quiet day, except for the shelling of trench 27. by the enemy, at the cost of several casualties. During the evening our own Artillery, unfortunately placed several shells, in our own trench 28. seriously wounding one man, and killed other ranks 3. wounded other ranks 11. to hospital other ranks 5.

                                12th May 1915 Accrington Pals leave Caernarvon  The 11th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment, the Accrington Pals marched out of Caernarvon.

                                pals.org.uk


                                12th May 1915 2nd Inniskillings on the March  The 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers marched through Richebourg on their way up to the the line to preparr for their part in the Battle of Festubert.

                                12th May 1915 Leicestershire Yeomanry ordered to front line  At 17.00hrs an order arrived for the men of the Leicestershire Yeomanry to march to the front line. They marched through the ruins of Ypres taking the zonnibeke Road to Potijze and relieved the 5th Royal Fusiliers in the front line between Bellawarde Lake and Wieltje.

                                http://www.xrhgb.com/snl11_2204_xrh.html


                                12th May 1915 15th London Battery in action  6th County of London Brigade RFA's 15th London Battery fired nine rounds on working party at ‘K’ works, between 1815 and 1845. 16th London Battery did not fire.

                                War Diaries


                                12th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion had heavy losses this day.

                                12th May 1915 9th Heavy Battery arrive in France  9th Heavy Battery disembark at Le Havre on May 12th, 1915, entraining the same night for Arques.

                                12th May 1915 Another Medical Board  19thField Ambulance report from Erquinghem-Lys "Medical Board on Capt. Cuthbert 3rd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers for commission in Regular Army by order of Brig-Gen commanding 19th Brigade. Procedures forwarded to Assistant Director of Medical Services 6th Division for approval."

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                13th May 1915 Enemy attacks on British Ammunition Dump  The British ammunition dump at Wieltje is attacked by the enemy. L/Sgt Douglas Belcher of the 1/5th City of London Battalion, London Regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in breaking up enemy attacks under continuous fire to protect the supplies: "Early in morning, when in charge of a portion of an advanced breastwork south of the Wieltje-St Julien Road during a very fierce and continuous bombardment by the enemy, which frequently blew in the breastwork, Lance Sergeant Belcher with a mere handful of men elects to remain and endeavor to hold his position after the troops near him have been withdrawn. By his skill and great gallantry he maintains his position during the day, opening rapid fire on the enemy, who are only 150 to 200 yards distant, whenever he sees them collecting for an attack. There is little doubt that the bold front shown by this NCO prevents the enemy breaking through on the Wieltje Road and averts an attack on the flank of one of our divisions".

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                13th May 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  

                                The 1st Battalion Royal Scots position on 13th May 1915 shown on map (1/R. Scots)

                                1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                13th May 1915 9th Heavy Battery on the march  9th Heavy Battery where it detrain at Arque on the night of the 13th then march to Helfaut, resting there until midday the 16th,

                                13th May 1915 Sheffield City Battalion leave Redmires  The Sheffield City Battalion marched out of Redmires Camp at 6.15am, some hours earlier than originally planned, due to railway timetabling, much to the disappointment of the city officials how had planned a huge fairwell for them. Never the less huge numbers turned out to see them off.

                                As they marched into Manchester Road they were joined by the bands of the Sheffield Engineers and the Hallamshires. They were joined by their mothers, wives and girlfriends as they marched through the streets in a relaxed formation. The Battalion formed up outside the Town Hall surrounded by a crowd of over 5000 to hear farewell speeches from the Lord Mayor and his deputy. The CO called for three cheers and the battalion marched along Fargate and High Street to the Midland Station where they departed for Rugeley on board two trains at 8.25 and 9.50 am.

                                On arrival in mid afternoon, they marched from Rugeley up the hill to Penkridge Bank Camp on Cannock Chase, to find their new home 'half finished and very cold'.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                13th May 1915 Lieutenant found unsuited to Field Ambulance work   After a spell of real summer weather- a wet day.

                                Heavy gunfire in the south all day.

                                Sent in report on Temp Lt. Gibbons as being unsuited for a Field Ambulance.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                14th May 1915 3rd Monmouths on the move  What was left of the 3rd battalion Monmouthshire Regiment was moved to the village of Winnezeele in France for a period of rest and reorganisation.

                                14th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA in Action  15th London Battery fired six rounds at ‘K’ works and seven rounds on communication house in Rue D’Ouvert, and at 0615 fired twenty three rounds at electric wire in ‘K’ works, after which at 0730, twenty two rounds were fired at the Rue Du Marais. Later in the evening, from 1730 to 1910, forty five rounds were fired at the Rue Du Marais and Rue D’Ouvert. Finally at 2150, 2230, 2310 and 2355 burst of four rounds were fired at the enemy's second line trenches. The 16th London Battery, fired one hundred and eighteen rounds during the day, of which one hundred and twelve rounds were fired at the north end of the Rue D’Ouvert.

                                War Diaries


                                14th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                14th May 1915 Commission interview  Staff Sgt. Clenshaw 19th Field Ambulance was interviewed by the GOC 6th Division with regard to his application for a commission in the ASC.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                14th May 1915 Divisional Reserve  At 11:30am Orders received from 50th Division placing 149th Brigade under the orders of the 4th Division. Brigade Major to report at 4th Division H.Q. for orders.

                                At 1.30pm In accordance with verbal instruction from 4th Division Battalions of the Brigade were attached as under G.Brigades of the 4th Division. 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers to the 11th Brigade. 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers to the 12th Brigade. 5th Border Reg. to the 10th Brigade. The 6th and 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers had proceeded during the preceding night to join their respective Brigades and orders for the move of the 5th Border Reg. would be issued later in the day also instructions as to the disposal of the remaining two Battalions (4th and 5th Northumberland Fusiliers ) of the Brigade.

                                At 5.40pm Orders received for movement of 5th Border Regt. One company to report at 1900 with machine gun section to R. Warwick Regt. in chateau grounds H2b. One Company to Argyll and Sutherland in Vlamertinghe. One company to Seaforth in B27A. Orders for more of remaining Companies would be sent next day.

                                At 5.50pm Orders issued personally to O.C. 5th Border Reg. as to above moves. Orders issued to 4th and 5th Northumberland Fusiliers to supply the following working parties to report at 8pm at level crossing in H11 centre where they would be met by guides. 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (Party B 200 men with 180 shovels and 20 picks. 5th Battalion N.F. (Party A 150 men with 140 shovels and 10 picks. (Party C 50 men with 45 shovels.) Also at 5.50pm Orders received from 4th Division confirming verbal orders given to Brigade Major at 1.30pm and placing the 4th and 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in Divisional reserve under Brigadier General Feilding D.S.O.

                                At 7pm Orders were issued in accordance with above.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                15th May 1915 Anti-German mob in Nottingham  "The anti-German feeling that has been in existence in Nottingham since the sinking of the Lusitania broke out in earnest on Saturday night 15th of May, when for nearly four hours pandemonium reigned supreme in one part of Sneinton, and a similar disturbance of shorter duration was witnessed in Alfreton Road.

                                The trouble at Sneinton commenced shortly after nine o'clock outside Mr. H. Wagner's pork butcher's shop in Hockley. An epithet was shouted in a woman's voice at the proprietor. Then a male voice was heard, and the customers, evidently alarmed, made a hasty retreat from the shop. Within a few minutes a crowd of about 20 or 30 people gathered and, following a series of threats and accusations, a woman's shoe was thrown against the window.

                                Mr. Wagner promptly closed the shop and closed the blind. The crowd, however, increased in number, and three police officers who had come upon the scene obviously saw they could not deal with the now ever increasing concourse of people. Presently Inspector Cooper and about a dozen more officers arrived. The crowd was separated in front of the shop, one half being dispersed towards Sneinton and the other half towards the city.

                                They returned, however, a few moments later, one section lustily singing, "It's a long way to Tipperary," and the other, "They can't beat the boys of the bulldog breed." Cries from a group of women, "He's a German spy," "Down with the Germans," and "Who threw the gas bombs?" Some horse-play by a number of youths were elements that gradually produced a storm-scene, culminating with a brick being tossed over the heads of people on the footpath on the opposite side of the road. The next missile crashed through the window. From then there was a perfect fusillade of stones, bricks, and bottles which rattled against the window-frame and pavement. Again, there were cheers and singing. The glass panels in the doors received attention in turn, and shivering glass falling on the anti-blind told that the windows on the second floor had met with a similar fate.

                                The police, now slightly reinforced, dealt with an unwieldy crowd of many hundreds of people most tactfully. Good humour took the place of force and eventually the people were moved back a considerable distance. It was nearly midnight, however, before the mass of people began to disperse. In the meantime, Mr. Frederick Hoffman's shop had been damaged. At midnight there were boisterous scenes in Carlton Road, and between twelve and one o'clock another bang was evidence of the fact that Mr. Arthur Wagner's shop window had been broken.

                                Early yesterday morning [Sunday, 16th May] the damaged window of the Wagner's, who are brothers, were boarded up. A canary in a cage, hanging just inside the shattered frame in the apartment above the Hockley shop, survived the bombardment, and it was yesterday the object of pity of many hundreds of people who visited the scene. [How British to sympathise with an animal rather more than a human being!]

                                During Saturday night a woman and a boy were arrested by the police in connection with the affair, but both were subsequently liberated.

                                Mr. George Wagner told a representative of the "News" that the damage at his shop amounted to about £10. "I have lived in Nottingham," he said, "42 years and I never thought that the people would have done this sort of thing. A lot of lies have been told about me, but those who know me know what I think of the Kaiser and Germany. I have been a naturalised Englishman over 14 years.

                                "The demonstrations in Alfreton Road outside Mr. Frederick Farber's shop was speedily ended by the shop being closed.

                                Shortly after one o'clock yesterday morning [16th May] a brick was thrown through the window of Berthold Dorer's furniture shop in Manvers Street. An irresponsible section of the community continued the devastation last night. Another attack was made on Mr. Hoffman's shop in Sneinton Street, just after 10 o'clock. Two bricks were thrown, one of which sufficed to shatter a large window. The mob then marched up Sneinton Road, and reaching Mr. Hoffman's private residence, pelted with stones four windows overlooking the Parish Church. Practically, only the frames remained intact. Returning down Sneinton Road, the crowd, apparently suspicious as to the nationality of a newsagent, and a youth hurled a missile at his window, doing considerable damage. The victim in this instance is declared to be an Englishman.

                                Mr. Frederick Hoffman, it may be mentioned, was born in England, and married an English lady, a native of Nottingham in fact. His father, whom he succeeded in business, came to England when a young child, while his grandfather fought under the British flag at Waterloo. In respect to Mr. G. Wagner it may also be said that his son's wife, an English girl, has two brothers fighting with the British Army in France.

                                An attempt at a late hour last night at demonstration in the vicinity of Mr. F. Denner's shop in Union Road was frustrated by the police" Only a few of those involved were brought before the courts. The story was reported in the local press but the punishment hardly fitted the crime, in monetary terms at least: The so-called "anti-German" agitation of last weekend was recalled at the Nottingham Guildhall today when three persons were fined for their participation in the scenes of Saturday and Sunday evening. In the first before Mr W. B. Baggaley and Mr. A. Eberlin, Muriel Parkinson, aged 30, an embroiderer of St. Ann's Well Road, was charged with throwing stones.

                                The incident occurred near the shop of Mr. G. Wagner in Hockley, where, according to a police officer, a crowd of 1,200 people had assembled. The officer said he saw defendant throw half a brick at Wagner's window, and further damage the glass which had already been broken - a fine of 5s. was imposed.

                                The second case concerned the shop of Mr. F. Hoffman in Sneinton Street, and defendants were Gilbert Norman (16), a rag-gatherer, of Gough Street, and Albert English (18), a porter of Knotted Alley. Defendants were seen throwing stones at Hoffman's window. They were arrested and Norman said, "The window was broken before we threw." On the way to the police station he dropped half a brick out of his pocket. The damage amounted to between £10 and £12.

                                Hoffman said that he was an Englishman and was born in Sneinton. His father was an Englishman and his mother was a Nottingham woman. He had no connection whatever with Germany. Defendants were ordered to pay 10s. each.

                                15th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   6th County of London Brigade RFA report 16th London Battery fired two rounds at southern end of Rue D’Ouvert, thirty nine rounds from J.6 to ‘S’ Bend, twenty nine rounds at north end of Rue D’Ouvert and Rue Du Marais. Further fifty five rounds were fired over the same parts. Major R R Wansbrough (6th London Ammunition Col) appointed to command 47th Division Ammunition Column. Capt P A Love (15th London Battery appointed to command 6th London Column).

                                War Diaries


                                15th May 1915   The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.

                                15th May 1915 New pattern respirators arrive  Received from HQ 19th Infantry Brigade 125 new pattern (cotton waste in gauze) Respirators for 19th Field Ambulance.

                                DDMS* 3rd Corps visited the Field Ambulance this morning re Lt. Gibbons

                                *Deputy Director Medical Services

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                15th May 1915 Orders  At 12.35 pm Orders received by 149th Inf Brigade from 10th Inf Brigade for the remaining company of the 5th Border Regiment to proceed to Royal Irish Fusiliers Transport at B26c and report at 6pm.

                                At 12.45pm Orders issued in accordance with above. The company left their huts at 4.30pm.

                                At 3pm Orders received for the 4th and 5th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers to move from huts they are at present occupying to bivouac in H2g - HQ to Hopital Farm. At 3.45pm Orders issued in accordance with above and 4th Batt. moved off at 4.55 followed by 5th Btn and arrived in bivouac at 6pm.

                                At 3.50pm Orders received for two working parties of 200 men each to be furnished by the brigade to parade at 8pm at the entrance to Vlamertinghe Chateau. At 4pm 4th and 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers were ordered to find these parties.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                16th May 1915 2/6th Manchesters at Crowborough  Then men of the 2/6th Manchesters moved overnight from Southport to Crowborough Camp in Sussex for final training.

                                http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=182100


                                16th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   6th County of London Brigade RFA report: Today an attempt was made, on similar lines to those adopted last Sunday, to break through the enemy's line. Considerable ground was gained and the success achieved today gave the foundation to several more successful attacks carried out during the week. The Brigade formed part of Barter Force.

                                War Diaries


                                16th May 1915 9th Heavy Battery on the march  9th Heavy Battery march out of Helfaut at midday on the 16th of May, and thence march to Pont de Nieppe

                                16th May 1915 Hypos arrive  Received from 6th Divisional Train 16 lbs Hypos for mask solution. Lt.Gibbons detailed to proceed to Bailleul to be interviewed by DDMS* 3 corps

                                *Deputy Director Medical Services

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                16th May 1915 Heavy losses for 4th Black Watch  1/4th Black Watch were moving from Neuve Chapelle towards Festubert, when they suffered many casualties at Rue du Bois, most were buried in mass grave and commemorated at Le Touret.

                                16th May 1915 Working Parties  149th Brigade HQ at Hospital Farm report:

                                At 3pm Orders received for working parties to be found as under: 200 men to work under Lt. Martel on French Switch line. 200 men to work on Divisional Second Line under Lt Bretherton R.E. At 4.25pm Orders issued to 4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to find 1st party and 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to find second party. Tools were supplied from Brigade HQ wagons.

                                Day passed uneventfully fine and warm, night rather chilly.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                17th May 1915 Regimental water duties instruction  Course of instruction for water duties with a Regiment commenced today - three men per section detailed.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                17th May 1915 In Support  1st Hertfords moved up in support of the 1st Irish Guards in trenches three quarters of a mile East of Rue L'Epinette.

                                War Diary of the 1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment


                                17th May 1915 Working Parties  1.15pm Orders received by 149th Brigade HQ at Hospital Farm from 4th Division for working parties to be found from the Brigade same as ordered for yesterday. At 1.45pm Orders issued to 4th and 5th Btn's Northumberland Fusiliers to find these parties.

                                6pm Instruction received from 4th Division that the 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers at present attached to 12th Brigade were to reform 149th Brigade on 19th inst and placing the area immediately surrounding Brigade HQ as bivouac for them. Arrangements for the move to be made between brigades concerned.

                                Day passed quietly with rain at intervals. Night heavy rain.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                18th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   The attack continued. 15th London Battery fired one hundred and forty rounds at ‘K’ works, J4, J2, J3 and Rue D’Ouvert between 1535 and midnight. 16th London Battery fired one hundred and thirty nine rounds at ‘S’ bend.

                                War Diaries


                                18th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                18th May 1915 New Hypo solution  All respirators are now being soaked in a new solution of Hypo (10lbs to the gallon) with soda carb and glycerine - Nip bottles filled with a similar solution.

                                Orders are received by 19th Field Ambulance from ADMS 6th Division, that all cases of Gun Shot wounds are to have a 'T' marked with indelible pencil on either wrist if anti-tetanus has been injected.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                18th May 1915 Orders  At 10am 12th Brigade asked by 149th Brigade to issue instructions to 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to move into bivouac at Hopital Ferme not later than 10am on 19th May. Fourth division informed.

                                2pm Orders received for working parties to be found by the Brigade as under: 200 men to parade at 7pn in their bivouacs to work under Lt Bretherton RE on Divisional Second line. 200 to parade in their bivouacs to work under Lt Martel RE on French switch line.

                                2.5pm Orders issued to 4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to find both these parties.

                                8pm Orders received from 4th Division that 4th or 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers were to be attached to 12th Brigade for a period of trench work. Details of attachment to be made by Brigadiers concerned.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                19th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   Positions gained by Barter Force were consolidated. 15th London Battery fired sixteen rounds at J12, J27, D33 and twenty six rounds on the Rue D’Ouvert, followed later by four rounds on the same objective. 16th London Battery fired one round ranges per hour at ‘S’ Bend. At 1615 thirty four rounds were fired at ‘S’ Bend, and twenty two rounds were fired at a German working party.

                                War Diaries


                                19th May 1915 9th Heavy Battery in action  9th Heavy Battery go into action at Pont de Nieppe, the first round being fired by A Sub-section on the evening of the 19th May.

                                19th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                19th May 1915 Arrival of Lt. Macleod    Lt. Macleod, MO 9th Scottish Rifles arrived from 9th Division for instruction till 22nd inst. He proceeded with Capt. Browne today to see Advanced Post and Regimental Aid Posts, and in evening proceeded with Lt. Hampson to see the procedure of collecting sick and wounded at night.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                19th May 1915 Working Parties and Attachments  At 9.10am 12th Brigade requested 149th Brigade to say when and where the 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers should report.

                                10am 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers arrived Hopital Ferme and bivouacked.

                                Fourth Division informed that 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers had been detailed for a period of attachment to 12th Brigade.

                                Brigadier General Feilding DSO granted four days leave of absence to proceed to England. At 12.30pm Brigadier General Feilding left HQ for England. Command of the Brigade devolved to Col. A.H. Coles CMG DSO 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers.

                                2pm Orders for following working parties received: 200 men to parade at their bivouacs at 7pm to work under Lt Bretherton RE on Divisional second line. 200 men to parade at their bivouacs at 8.30pm to work under Lt Green RE on French Switch line. At 2.15pm Orders issued to 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to furnish first party and to 4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to furnish second party.

                                At 3pm Instructions received from 12th Brigade that 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers were to be attached as under. Companies to report at 11.30am. 20th inst:

                                1 Coy signals MO 2nd Essex Regiment HQ road in A21 a995.

                                1 Coy 1st Kings Own HQ South of road A23 G22

                                1 Coy 1 machine gun 1st/2nd Monmouths HQ Vlamertinghe Church

                                1 company 1 machine gun 2nd Royal Irish HQ A16 Central

                                HQ to 1/2nd Monmouths

                                3.15pm Orders issued to 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers in accordance with above instructions and 4th Division informed.

                                At 5.30pm Instruction received by Fourth Division that a relief of 11th Brigade by 12th Brigade the 6th Northumberland Fusiliers attached to the former should return to the brigade and go to the dugout in B27 or to Hopital Ferme as GOC 149th may direct.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                20th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   6th County of London Brigade RFA report: 15th London Battery fired thirty six rounds at registering gaps on K.5. 16th London Battery did not fire. The attack was continued.

                                War Diaries


                                20th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   Secret 47th Div Artillery Instructions 20th May 1915

                                (1) The following received from 47th Div. The offensive of the First Army is to be continued towards La Bassee. Alderson's force is to secure localities L.11 - L.12 - L.9 and group of houses P.13 - P.14 - P.15 - P.16. Indian Corps is to secure localities Q.15 - Q.16 - R.8. Troops of the 47th Div. holding the line will use every means by day and night to harass the enemy continually. All avenues of approach to the enemy's forward positions are to be kept under shrapnel fire by day and night especially between dusk and 2200.

                                (2) 47th Div. Arty. will deal with communication trench K.13 - J.21 Charelle St Roche and cross roads Charelle St Roche in particular.

                                (3) In continuation of above, the 3rd Canadian Inf. Bde. will tonight secure localities L.12 and L.11 with two companies. The assault will take place at 1945 proceeded by a heavy bombardment of 9.2" guns from 1800 to 1900 and from guns of the Canadian Div. Arty. from 1600 to 1945. At the same hour a small party of the Canadian Inf. Bde. will attack points --.9 and --.12, These points will have been similarly submitted to an Artillery. bombardment

                                (4) All ground gained will be consolidated and joined up.

                                (5) The 2nd Canadian Inf. Bde. with two companies will secure K.5 at 1945. A heavy bombardment of K.5 and surrounding trenches will be carried out by 9.2" guns from 1800 to 1900 and by heavy and field guns of the Canadian Div. Arty. from 1600 to 1945. After 1945 the 9.2" guns will fire at L.8.

                                (6) As soon as K5 is secured the trenches towards J.1 and L.8 will be secured as far as possible by bombing outwards. All ground gained will be consolidated and joined up.

                                (7) 2nd Div. will keep up a slow continuous bombardment throughout the night on P.15 to P.16 and Rue Du Marais.

                                (8) The heavy gun group will bombard through the night K.13 and Charelle St Roche.

                                (9) All avenues of approach to enemy's forward positions are to be kept under shrapnel fire by day and night and particularly between dusk and 2200.

                                (10) 47th Div. Arty. will deal with communication trench K.13 - J.21 Charelle St Roche and cross roads Charelle St Roche in particular

                                (11) No infantry fire will be directed north of the line J.3 - L.13

                                (12) All troops will be in a state of constant readiness except the Div. Reserve, 7th Div., Mounted Troops and 7th London Regiment.

                                (13) Horses will not be saddled.

                                Signed D.S. Sherlock Bde. Major 47th Div. Arty.

                                War Diaries


                                20th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                20th May 1915  14th Heavy Battery proceed to France  14th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                                20th May 1915 Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders arrive  Lt. Macleod proceeds to Gris Pot to be instructed in medical work in the trenches by Lt. Chandler.

                                10 Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders arrived in billets at Blue Blind Factory attached to 19th 1B till 22nd inst.

                                Hyposulphite of soda unobtainable at present. Some 50 Respirators already soaked - awaiting hypo to continue.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                20th May 1915   On this day the Tyneside Irish Brigade, along with many other troops paraded on the Town Moore in Newcastle to be inspected by His Majesty the King, who was accompanied by Lord Kitchener,

                                research


                                21st May 1915 4th Scots Fusiliers embark  The 4th Scots Fusiliers sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli, via Mudros with 155th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division.

                                21st May 1915 Battle of Festubert   6th County of London Brigade RFA report: 15th London Battery fired nineteen rounds on gaps in K.5, six rounds on J.3 and two rounds on Dogwheel House. 16th London Battery did not fire. Lieut G Lyon-Smith was wounded in the arm whilst observing from the British Front Line trenches and proceeded to England.

                                War Diaries


                                21st May 1915 53rd RFA arrives  Lt. Macleod taken around trenches of 1/Cameronians by Lt. Robertson for instruction, also to 5/Scottish Rifles by Lt. Clark.

                                53 Btn Royal Field Artillery (9 Div) arrived in 19 1B area.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                21st May 1915 3rd Monmouths rest at Winnezeele  On the 21st May during the 3rd Monmouth battalions rest period at Winnezeele the GOC in C Sir John French, inspected the brigade and made the following speech, with which this chapter on the 3rd Monmouth's time in Ypres may fittingly close.

                                "I came over to say a few words to you and to tell you how much I, as Commander-in-Chief of this Army, appreciate the splendid work that you have all done during the recent fighting. You have fought the Second Battle of Ypres, which will rank amongst the most desperate and hardest fights of the war. You may have thought because you were not attacking the enemy, that you were not helping to shorten the War. On the contrary, by your splendid endurance and bravery you have done a great deal to shorten it. In this the Second Battle of Ypres, the Germans tried by every means in their power to get possession of that unfortunate town. They concentrated large forces of troops and artillery, and further than this, they had recourse to the mean and dastardly practice, and hitherto unheard of in civilised warfare, namely the use of asphyxiating gases. You have performed the most difficult, arduous, and terrific task of withstanding a stupendous bombardment by heavy artillery, probably the fiercest artillery fire ever directed against troops, and warded off the enemy's attacks with magnificent bravery. By your steadiness and devotion both the German plans were frustrated. He was unable to get possession of Ypres-if he had done this, he would probably have succeeded in preventing neutral powers from intervening-and he was also unable to distract us from delivering our attack in conjunction with the French in the Arras-Armentieres district. Had you failed to repulse his attacks and made it necessary for more troops to be sent to your assistance, our operations in the south might not have been able to take place and would certainly not have been as successful as they have been. Your colours have many famous names emblazoned on them, but none will be more famous or more well deserved than that of the Second Battle of Ypres . I want you one and all to understand how thoroughly I realise and appreciate what you have done. I with to thank you, each officer, non-commissioned officer, and man for the services you have rendered by doing your duty so magnificently, and I am sure that your Country will thank you too".

                                To act as a counterweight to the grandeur of French's speech the content of the following letter should be Ypres on the troops concerned. Captain O.W.D. Steel, then commanding C Company, 3rd Monmouths, who had suffered so badly during the fighting on Frezenberg Ridge, wrote the letter, published on 21st May 1915. It runs: "I would be obliged if you would insert this short note in the next edition of your newspaper. It is almost impossible to write to the relative of every man of my company who have suffered, partly because the losses have been so severe, and partly because it is difficult to trace all cases, but if anyone would care to write to me, I will endeavour to supply all available information. May I express my deepest sympathy with all those who have suffered" .

                                This was the human effect of the war and of the Second Battle of Ypres and it was something that was to be felt well into the summer of 1915 as casualty lists continued to be published. Second Ypres had been a costly and grim battle for all those involved.

                                21st May 1915 Working Parties  At 1.25pm. Instructions received by 149 Brigade Hq at Hospital Ferme for working parties to be found as under:

                                • Party A: 200 men to parade at 8pm in their bivouacs for work on French switch line under Lt Green RE.
                                • Party B: 100 men to parade at 8pm in their bivouacs for work on Divisional second line under Lt Martel RE
                                • Party C: 200 men to parade at 7pm in their bivouacs for work on Divisional second line under Lt Brotherton RE.

                                2.30pm. Orders issued to 4th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers to furnish Parties A & B and to 7th Bn to furnish Party C.

                                Instruction received from 50th Division for the formation of a Brigade Grenadier School. 4th Division asked whether it would be possible to send 1 officer and 2 NCO's to Division support line.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                22nd May 1915 Battle of Festubert   15th London Battery fired eighteen rounds on J.1, J.2, J.3 and eighteen rounds on Dogwheel House. 16th London Battery fired two rounds every hour at J.6, J.7 and ‘S’ Bend. Subsequently one hundred and forty rounds were fired at the ‘S’ Bend. 17th London Battery fired twelve rounds in reply to a small bombardment in the direction of Givenchy.

                                A gunner of the 15th London Battery was killed this day the first man killed in the Brigade.(The Gunner killed was J.A. Whiting number 568 who is buried at Brown Military Cemetery, Festubert. Later mentioned in the New Year's Honours list on 1st January 1916)

                                War Diaries


                                22nd May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                22nd May 1915 Rail disaster at Quintinshill  The worst rail disaster in British history occurred on the 22nd of May 1915 when three trains were involved in a collision outside the Quintinshill signal box near Gretna Green, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Over 200 people died, most being soldiers from the 1/7th Battalion, Royal Scots who were travelling from Larbert to Liverpool to embark for Gallipoli.

                                The first train hit a stationary train waiting on a passing loop, due to several signalmen forgetting the train was there waiting. A minute after the first train hit a second train, a northbound express sleeper train, struck the wreckage on the tracks, igniting gas lighting system in the troop train. The fire engulfed five trains, killing 215 soldiers, nine passengers and three railway employees. There were four other victims, that many thought were children, but they could not be identified due to the burns. The last survivor of the wreck, Michael Simkins, told The Guardian in 2001 that an officer went about the scene shooting men trapped in the burning wreckage. 'That was true. I saw that. He was a Scottish gentleman, eventually a millionaire. But he had to ... And there were one or two other survivors who made themselves scarce'.

                                Many of those injured were taken to Carlisle, and were treated at the Carlisle Infirmary, Murrell Hill House, Fusehill, and Chadwick Hospitals.

                                Of the 500 soldiers of the 7th Battalion, Royal Scots, only 58 men were present for roll call that afternoon, along with seven officers. In total, 226 people died and 246 were injured. The soldiers were buried in a mass grave in Edinburgh's Rosebank cemetery. The surviving men of the Royal Scots went by train to Liverpool, but on arrival there they were medically examined: all the enlisted men and one officer were declared unfit for service overseas and were returned to Edinburgh. It was reported in the Edinburgh Weekly that on their march from the port to the railway station the survivors were mistaken for prisoners of war and children threw rocks at them.

                                "Few Leith Residents are likely soon to forget the anxious whisperings of that Spring afternoon, and the wave of dismay that later swept over the Burgh when it became known that the local Battalion on its way to the Front, had been involved in an appalling railway collision at Quentin's Hill Junction near Gretna. The next morning and afternoon brought further particulars of the disaster to the first train in which 3 Officers, 29 N.C.O's and 182 men lost their lives, and as many more had sustained injuries." Lt.Col. W. Carmichael Peebles, D.S.O in the Battalion History, 1/7th Battalion, the Royal Scots.

                                22nd May 1915 21st Division return to Halton Park  21st Division returned to the huts at Halton Park in April and May 1915 having spent the winter in billets. 10th Battalion Green Howards returned to the camp on the 22nd of May.

                                22nd May 1915 9th Scottish Rifles march in  Lt. Macleod rejoins his Regiment 9/Scottish Rifles, which marched in today to work in 19th Infantry Brigade area. Billeted in Blue Blind Factory.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                22nd May 1915 The Amalgamated Monmouthshire Battalions   After the heavy casualties of the 2nd Battle of Ypres, the three Monmouthshire Battalions barely mustered the strength of one Battalion; on May 22nd orders were received for the remains of the three battalions to amalgamate under the command of Major WS Bridge.

                                23rd May 1915 Italy declares war  Italy declares war on Germany and Austria

                                23rd May 1915 3rd Monmouths on the move  The 3rd Mons left Winnezeele and joined the 1st Mons that night in bivouacs in the Vlamertinghe Woods.

                                23rd May 1915 Battle of Festubert    15th London Battery fired twenty four rounds on J.13 and four rounds on J.12. 16th London Battery fired twenty nine rounds on ‘S’ Bend, J.6 and J.7.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Royal Scots relieved and pulled out of Sanctuary Wood.

                                Between 12th April 1915 to 23rd of May 1915 the 1st Battalion Royal Scots lost 52 men in or around Sanctuary Wood, who have no known grave and are commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

                                23rd May 1915 Lt. Millar arrives for instruction  Lt. G Millar Medical Officer of 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry joined 19th Field Ambulance, at Erquinghem-Lys, today for instruction. He proceeded with me to Advanced Post at Gris Pot to see position and proceeds tonight with Lt. Grellier to see procedure of collecting sick and wounded from Regimental Aid Posts. Visited 19 1B head quarters for conference on operation to take place tonight, which was postponed later for 24 hours.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                24th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   15th London Battery fired eighteen rounds on Rue D’Ouvert and ninety nine rounds on Dogwheel House. 16th London Battery fired eighty three rounds on J.3, and twenty eight rounds later at the same objective. 17th London Battery fired on objectives within their zone at irregular intervals.

                                War Diaries


                                24th May 1915 The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge  At 0245 on 24 May (Whit Monday), a ferocious German artillery bombardment slammed down on British V Corps front. The clamour of shells, machine-guns and rifle fire was accompanied by a simultaneous discharge of chlorine gas on almost the entire length of the Cameronians in reserve dugouts, the Bluff, Ypres, March 1915 British line. German infantry assaulted in its wake. Although the favourable wind had alerted the British trench garrison to the likelihood of a gas attack the proximity of the opposing trenches and speed of the enemy assault meant many defenders failed to don their respirators quickly enough and large numbers were overcome. But the British defence rallied and the attackers were repelled by small arms fire, except in the north, where Mouse Trap Farm was immediately overrun, and in the south where (by 1000) German infantry broke into the British line north and south of Bellewaarde Lake. The centre of the line between these gaps held fast all day.

                                Heroic efforts were made to retrieve the situation at Mouse Trap Farm before it was decided, that evening, to withdraw to a more defensible line. The German break-in around Bellewaarde Lake prompted the commitment of Corps reserve troops, but their arrival took time and the depleted front line battalions had to wait until the early evening before the weakened 84th Brigade was able to attack and turn the enemy out of Witte Poort Farm. Following the belated arrival of 80th Brigade a joint night counter-attack was made after 2300; this assault, in bright moonlight, was a disaster and both 84th and 80th Brigades suffered heavy casualties. In the early hours of the morning the battle quietened. The following day saw a reduction in shelling and no attempts by the Germans to renew the offensive.

                                24th May 1915 Attack on Bridoux Road  Lt. Millar proceeded this morning to the Cameronians Aid Post - Bois Grenier to meet Lt. Robertson to be instructed in medical work in the trenches of that Regiment.

                                Lt. Ford proceeded also this morning to take over temporary medical charge of the Cameronians in relief of Lt. Robertson proceeding to England on leave on urgent affairs.

                                Attack made on the Bridoux Road by 148 Infantry Brigade at 8 p.m. Precautionary measures taken by this Field Ambulance "A" Bearers subdivision under Capt. Browne, Lt. Hampson and Sgt. Carter proceeded to Advanced Post at 7.15 pm. Sgt. Matthews, motor cyclist, proceeds also in order to keep up communication with this headquarters. The whole remained at Advanced Post all night and wounded would have been collected from dug-outs in communication trench.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                24th May 1915 Bombardment of Ancona 1915   The Bombardment of Ancona was a naval engagement of the Adriatic Campaign of World War I between the navies of Italy and Austria-Hungary. Forces of the Imperial and Royal Navy attacked and bombarded military and civilian targets all across Ancona in central Italy and several other nearby islands and communities in response to Italy's declaration of war on Austria-Hungary. When Italy declared war against Austria-Hungary on 23 May 1915, the Austrian fleet was quick to react, the navy launched several attacks on the Marche region of Italy. That day, the destroyer SMS Dinara and torpedo boat TB 53T bombarded the port of Ancona. The destroyer SMS Lika, on a reconnaissance mission between Palagruža and Cape Gargano, shelled the semaphore and radio station at Vieste. Defending those waters at the time was the Italian destroyer Turbine. A small duel commenced with Lika coming out as the victor damaging the enemy destroyer. The next day on May 24, the majority of the Austrian fleet at Pula steamed for the Adriatic coast of Italy. This included the dreadnoughts SMS Viribus Unitis, Tegetthoff, SMS Prinz Eugen and eight pre-dreadnoughts. Other Austro-Hungarian ships were already in enemy waters or proceeding to the Ancona coast themselves. The fleet bombarded several of the Italian coastal cities and other targets in and around the Province of Ancona, especially damaging the city of Ancona. SMS Tegetthoff and the destroyer SMS Velebit shelled the Italian airship Città di Ferrara off Ancona. The pre-dreadnought SMS Radetzky and two torpedo boats bombarded Potenza Picena, then returned to Pula naval base. The pre-dreadnought SMS Zrínyi—along with two more torpedo boats—bombarded Senigallia, destroying a train and damaging a railway station and a bridge, before returning to Pula. The torpedo boat SMS TB 3 was unsuccessfully bombed by an Italian flying boat. Austrian light cruiser SMS Admiral Spaun bombarded the Italian signal station at Cretaccio Island, while SMS Sankt Georg—with two torpedo boats—shelled Rimini, damaging a freight train. The destroyer SMS Streiter attacked the signal station near Torre di Mileto. The light cruiser SMS Novara, a destroyer and two torpedo boats entered Corsini Channel and shelled an Italian torpedo boat station, another semaphore station and few batteries of coastal artillery. The light cruiser SMS Helgoland—supported by four destroyers—ran into the Italian destroyer Turbine, in a pitched battle south of Pelagosa. The destroyer SMS Tatra shelled the railway embankment near Manfredonia while the destroyer SMS Csepel shelled the Manfredonia railway station. Finally Austro-Hungarian flying boats dropped ordnance on Venice and seaplane hangars at Chiaravalle. Heavy damage was inflicted by the Austrian navy and 63 people, both Italian military and civilian personnel, died in Ancona alone. Austrian casualties were minimal if any. The war in the Adriatic Sea continued, culminating in a large British blockade to try stop the attacking Austro-Hungarian fleet. The "Otranto Barrage" would be raided by the Austro-Hungarians, several times throughout the war.

                                John Doran


                                24th May 1915 Germans attack Ypres  On 24th May the Germans launched a fresh bombardment and infantry attack on Ypres and the Monmouths again found themselves in the front line, this time at the infamous "Hellfire Corner". This marked the last serious attempt of the enemy to push through in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. At about 8 p.m. a Highland Battalion relieved the Monmouthshire's.

                                24th May 1915 On the Move  At 3:50am Orders received from 4th Division for the Brigade to be prepared to move at once if ordered. Enemy using gas.

                                03:55 4th 6th and 7th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers, the other two Battalions of the Brigade being detached, were ordered to get ready to march at once.

                                04:10 Orders received from 4th Division to direct the three Battalions of the Brigade to march at once via Reigersburg Sq. H6B to Canal bank at No 2 Bridge. Commanding officers to ride on and report to G.O.C. 10th Brigade for orders.

                                04:15 Orders issued in accordance with above.

                                05:00 7th Battalion moved off via dug outs in B27d to Reigersburg and joined 4th Battalion there. 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers followed 7th Battalion and arrived 06:35.

                                06:35 4th Battalion received orders to move to canal bank.

                                06:45 message sent to 10th Brigade to say that both 6th and 7th Battalions had arrived at Reigersburg. Both Battalions remained in dug outs along the railway line H6B.

                                10:30 O.C. 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers received orders from 10th Brigade to proceed to Canal Bank.

                                13:30 O.C. 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers received orders from 10th Brigade to proceed to Canal Bank.

                                H.Q. remained at Reigersburg Chateau until 21:30 when they returned to Hopital Farm.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                25th May 1915 Leeds Pals leave Breary Banks  The 15th West Yorks, Leeds Pals left the training camp at Breary Banks, Colsterdale, bound for Egypt.

                                25th May 1915 End of Battle of Festuberg  6th County of London Brigade RFA report: So as to prevent the enemy from making a counter attack, the artillery of the Division were ordered to form a barrage of fire. The 15th London Battery fired continuously on J.10 and at 0315 caught enemy infantry coming out of their trench at J.3. At 0600 observation stations at Rue D’Ouvert were bombarded. Enemy working parties were engaged at K.6 and K.7. More enemy in Rue D’Ouvert and enemy at J.8 - J.10 registered. The 16th London Battery were responsible for J.7 - J.10, at which they fired one hundred and sixteen rounds. Eighty one rounds were fired at enemy observation stations at Charelle St Roche, followed by twenty eight rounds. 17th London Battery cut wire in several places and fired on an enemy working party.

                                War Diaries


                                25th May 1915 Instruction at 1st Middlesex Regiment  Operation last night resulted in no casualties occurring in 19 IB. Reinforcements at Advanced Post returned at 8 am. Lt. Millar proceeded to trenches of 1/Middlesex Regiment for instruction by Lt. Soltau MO* of that Regiment.

                                * Medical Officer

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                26th May 1915 Zeppelin Raid  Zeppelin LZ38 commanded by Erich Linnarz bombed Southend and Ipswich.

                                The first four raids by LZ38 killed six people and injured six, causing property damage estimated at £16,898. Twice Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) aircraft tried to intercept LZ 38 but on both occasions it was either able to outclimb the aircraft or was already at too great an altitude for the aircraft to intercept. The British fighter BE2 took about 50 minutes to climb to 10,000 ft (3,000 m).

                                26th May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA with the same objective as yesterday, 15th London Battery fired four hundred and seventy eight rounds on J10, J12, J15, J19. The 16th London Battery fired four hundred and thirty six rounds on J5, J10 and ninety four rounds at J7, J10. The 17th London Battery fired seven rounds on enemy trenches near G8 at the request of infantry.

                                War Diaries


                                26th May 1915 Case of Enteric Fever   Armourer Sgt. Marshall of Agyll & Sutherland Highlanders reported from Bailleul to be suffering from Enteric Fever. Investigations as to contacts and billets - no satisfactory information could be elicited; no trace of probable carriers.

                                Information that the 6th Division leaves this area this week received, being relieved by the 27th Division 19 IB remains in present situation.

                                Lt. Millar rejoined his Regiment this afternoon.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                26th May 1915 19th Seige Bty RGA proceed to France  19th Siege Battery RGA leave Bristol for France.

                                27th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA in action  15th and 16th London Batteries again formed a barrage, the former firing one hundred and seven rounds on J10 - J14. During the day, the observation stations of their Batteries at Le Platin were shelled in retaliation. New observation stations had to be found. A New shell type has been issued except to 17th London Battery and is considered a great improvement.

                                War Diaries


                                27th May 1915 HMS Majestic  

                                HMS Majestic

                                HMS Majestic. (1895 - 1921)

                                Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                                The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                                • Ships in Majestic Class
                                • Caesar
                                • Hannibal
                                • Illustrious
                                • Jupiter
                                • Magnificent
                                • Majestic
                                • Mars
                                • Prince George
                                • Victorious

                                When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                                Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                                Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                                The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                                The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                                More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                                World War 1 Service

                                HMS Majestic served in the Channel Fleet and Atlantic Fleet 1895,1907, then in the Home Fleet 1907,1914. Her early World War I service was in the Channel Fleet August,November 1914, as a guard ship on the British coast November,December 1914, and in the Dover Patrol December 1914, February 1915; during the latter service she bombarded German positions in Belgium. She served in the Dardanelles Campaign February,May 1915, seeing much service in action against Ottoman Turkish forts and shore batteries before being sunk on 27 May 1915 by the German submarine U-21 while stationed off Cape Helles with the loss of 40 of her crew.

                                John Doran


                                27th May 1915 2nd Monmouths amalganate  The 2nd Monmouth's joined the amalgamated Battalion on May 27th and the official amalgamation of the battalions took place on May 28th. Also the amalgamated battalions moved to Herzeele where the Brigadier (General Bols) who stated that the three battalions would be eventually reformed addressed them. It is interesting to note the strength of the three units on July 24th, when they were still far below strength:- 1st Battalion: 7 Officers 193 Other ranks, 2nd Battalion: 12 Officers 476 Other ranks, 3rd Battalion: 8 Officers 273 Other ranks.



                                27th May 1915 19th Seige Bty RGA arrive France  19th Siege Battery RGA arrive at Bologne early on the 27tth of May and went to the rest camp to await the arrival of the traction engines for pulling the guns.

                                28th May 1915 Monmouths Amalgamate  The 2nd Monmouth's joined the 1st and 3rd Battalions on May 27th and the official amalgamation of the battalions took place on May 28th. The amalgamated battalions moved to Herzeele where the Brigadier, General Bols, addressed them and stated that the three battalions would be eventually reformed.

                                28th May 1915 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th & 16th London Batteries did not fire. 17th London Battery shell a machine gun position at H8, 2 rounds, at request of infantry.

                                War Diaries


                                29th May 1915 Monmouthshires re-equip  The period from May 29th to June 10th was busily spent in organising and re-equipping. It was in this period that the first real protection against gas was issued and considerable time was given to training in the use of the new gas helmet. A party from the Monmouth's had taken part in the initial tests which, owing to the shortage of gas, were carried out inside a motor omnibus. Since the surprise use of gas various temporary solutions had been adopted to help protect the troops against the effects. These new gas helmets, quickly produced, were remarkably simple and effective under the circumstances. They remained in service for about 9 months when new forms of protection were required due to the introduction of other forms of gas as a weapon of war.

                                It is interesting to note the strength of the three units forming the amalgamated Battalion was still far below strength: 1st Battalion 7 Officers 193 Other ranks; 2nd Battalion 12 Officers 476 Other ranks; 3rd Battalion 8 Officers 273 Other ranks

                                29th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Reports  15th London Battery moved its position to that occupied in the first place by the 16th London Battery, and proceeded to register on J13 and I12, with 6 rounds. This zone was invisible from the last observation station. 16th London Battery did not fire. The 20th London Battery today came under the command of the OC. 6th London Brigade RFA.

                                War Diaries


                                29th May 1915 Gibbons replaced by Hill   Lt. R C Hill arrived this morning in relief of Temp. Lt.. Gibbons who proceeded to Boulogne this afternoon to report to DDMS* there.

                                * Deputy Director Medical Services

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                30th May 1915 47th Division RFA prepare to Move  Arrangements were made for the 47th Divisional Artillery to move further south, and to be replaced by the Canadian Divisional Artillery. Accordingly one section of each battery were withdrawn to the Battery Wagon Line.

                                War Diaries


                                31st May 1915 47th Divisional RFA Move  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the remaining section in each Battery were replaced and the 17th London Battery was moved south and took up position in the neighbourhood of Vermelles. Signed: J H Van Dan Bergh TA. 6th London Brigade RFA.

                                War Diaries


                                31st May 1915   1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 141 men (that are known)

                                31st May 1915 12th Heavy Battery proceed to France  12th Heavy Battery RGA proceeded to France

                                31st May 1915 Field Artillery takes over  3rd Corps orders state: 19th Infantry Battalion will be attached to 27 Division from this date, 6th Division has officially left this area. 81st Field Artillery takes over Factory and billets of 16th Field Artillery and works Divisional Rest Station at Bac St Maurice. 82nd Field Artillery takes over the Institution St Jude, Armentières and 83rd Field Artillery the École Professionale, Armentières

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                31st May 1915 Relief by O battery  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Attached to 8th Division. Withdrawn from action at 2100 on being relieved by O Battery RHA and marched by La Gorgue, Melville and Hazebrouck to bivouac and billet in a farm one mile east of Chateau le Nieppe on the Cassel - St Omer road. In at 0300 - about 24 miles - on morning of 1st June when rejoined 5th Cavalry Brigade.

                                war diaries


                                Jun 1915 23rd Manchesters move to Masham  23rd Manchesters leave Morcambe to join 104th Brigade in 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire for further training.

                                Jun 1915 Two 12pdrs added at Adeer  In June 1915 two Quick Fire 12-pdr guns with searchlights were added for coastal defence of the Ardeer Explosives Factory.

                                Jan 1916 Six inch quick fire gun added at Adeer  A Quick Fire 6-inch gun was added at Ardeer early in 1916 and around the same time the two Anti-Aircraft guns were removed. It was apparently intended that a 9.2-inch gun would be installed, which would have been capable of engaging the largest German surface ships.

                                Jun 1915 27th Northumberlands join 34th Division  27th (4th Tyneside Irish) Northumberlands join 103rd Brigade, 34th Division.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Midland Works opens  National Shell Factory Midland Works, Birmingham, started in June 1915, with the first output being in February 1916, making and completing 18-pdr and 4.5-in shells. It was under control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Valley Road, Bradford opens.  National Shell Factory Valley Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire opened in started in June 1915. The first output was in November 1915. Production included 4.5-in. shell fuses and gaines, making and completing 4.5-in. shells. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Victoria Road, Bristol  National Shell Factory Victoria Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire started in June 1915. The first output was early in 1916. Output included completing and rectifying 18-pdr shells. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Peel Foundry, Derby  National Shell Factory Peel Foundry, Derby, Derbyshire started in June 1915. First output was in December 1915. Production included 4.5 and 4.7-in. shells, 60-pdr, 6-in. shell heads; aero-engine cylinders. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Fitzwilliam Street, Huddersfield opens.  National Shell Factory Fitzwilliam Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire started in June 1915. First output was in November 1915. Production included 18-pdr shell and shell heads. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Cunard Co.Liverpool opens  National Shell Factory Cunard Co. Rimrose Road, Liverpool, Lancashire opened in June 1915. Production included 8-in. 6-in. and 4.5-in. shells. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF North Haymarket, Liverpool opens.  National Shell Factory North Haymarket, Liverpool, Lancashire, started in June 1915. Production included 18-pdr, 4.5-in. and 6-in. shell. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Tramway Depot, Liverpool opens  National Shell Factory Tramway Depot, Lambeth Road, Liverpool, Lancashire opened in June 1915. First output was in July 1915. Production included 18-pdr shell, completing and rectifying 18-pdr, 15-pdr, 2.75-in. 4.5-in. and 60-pdr. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Spring Close Works, Nottingham  National Shell Factory Spring Close Works, Old Lenton, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire opened in June 1915. First output was in late 1915. Production included 13-pdr, 2.75-in. shell and the production and completion of 18-pdr. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Brinsworth Iron Works, Rotherham  National Shell Factory Brinsworth Iron Works and Rotherham Iron Works, Rotherham, West Yorkshire started in June 1915. First output was in November 1915 producing 4.5-in. shell. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Mains Road, Dundee  National Shell Factory Mains Road, Dundee, Angus was situated at 51-63 Mains Road and opened in June 1915. First output was in September 1915. Production included 18-pdr and 2.75-in. shell, forgings and burster containers. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Ebbw Vale opens  National Shell Factory Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire opened in June 1915. First output was in August 1915. Production included 18-pdr and 60-pdr shell. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 Ferry Road, Cardiff  National Shell Factory Ferry Road, Grangetown, Cardiff, Glamorgan opened in June 1915. First output was in late 1915. Production included 18-pdr shell, 60-pdr shell heads and 6-in. proof shot. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Messrs Baldwin?s Works opened.  National Shell Factory Messrs Baldwin’s Works, Landore, Swansea, Glamorgan started in June 1915. First output was in late 1915. Production included 18-pdr and 4.5-in. shell. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 Lord Kitchener inspects 10th Division  Lord Kitchener inspects 10th Division at Hackwood Park.

                                1st June 1915 Daily Battery Activity  Report from 6th County of London Brigade RFA Reference to the map refer throughout to the continued sheet Bethune 1/4000 unless otherwise stated

                                Last night the 15th & 16th London Battery’s occupied their new positions at Vermelles, as did one section only of the 17th London Battery. Registration was commenced at once. The 15th London Battery fired 13 rounds on A.29.c.10.7, 9 rounds on A.29.c.9.4, 7 rounds on A.28.d.2.8 and 9 rounds on G.11.b.6.8. The 16th London Battery registered cardinal points in its zone. The 17th Lon Battery, being incomplete did not register. Their position however was shelled and one wagon belonging to 17th Bty, RFA was lost, but no one hurt.

                                War Diaries


                                1st June 1915 Recruitment and Training  

                                16 RIR Departing from Lurgan enroute to England.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Recruitment was brought up to the required total by the transfer of 200 members of the Belfast Young Citizen Volunteers.

                                Training was nearly complete and preparations were in hand for the move to England.

                                Officers and men were sent to Belfast and Dublin for courses on Railway Transport and Embarkation obviously with a view to organising the Battalion’s planned movements which would include both rail and ship embarkation and disembarkation.

                                All the men were given 4 days embarkation leave and returned fit and ready for the move to England.

                                A Military Gymkhana was held in Lurgan with over 25 events many of which were novelties giving great amusement to all onlookers.

                                Doran Family


                                1st June 1915 1st Battalion Ypres, Belgium 1915.   In June 1915 the 1st Battalion Royal Scots were pulled out of Ypres and moved into France.

                                Jun 1915 22nd Northumberlands join 34th Division  In June 1915 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers join 102nd Brigade, 34th Division, which concentrated at Ripon for training.

                                1st June 1915 Arrangements with 81st Field Ambulance  The 19th Infantry Brigade occupy the same line of trenches between the Bridoux Road and Railway at Rue du Bois with in addition a section formerly occupied by the 17th Infantry Brigade, owing to one of the Brigades of the 27th Division being considerably under strength.

                                Arrangements have been made for the 81st Field Ambulance at Erquinghem to collect the sick and wounded from the Regiment of 19 1B occupying the section north of the Railway as stated above, from Arrêt in I8a (sheet 36 1/40000) bringing them to this Field Ambulance on passing through to the 81st Field Ambulance headquarters.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                2nd June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Register Targets  Target Registration continued for 6th County of London Brigade RFA. 15th London Battery fired 4 rounds on A.29.c.10.7, 10 rounds on G.4.b.4.4 and 18 rounds on G.8.a.9.0. 16th London Battery fired 20 rounds on registering the right section of various points in its zone. The 17th London Battery did not fire.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd June 1915 13th Heavy Battery proceed to France  13th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                2nd June 1915 Visit by DADMS 27th Div  The DADMS* 27th Division visited this Field Ambulance and discussed working of line of the 19th Infantry Brigade by this Field Ambulance.

                                * Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                3rd June 1915 Registration Continues  6th County of London Brigade RFA report registration continues. 12 rounds were fired at A.30.b.4.8 and later 2 rounds at the same registration. The 16th London Battery fired 24 rounds in completing its registration. During the afternoon the enemy shelled the British front line trenches, when according to orders, this Brigade replied with 2 shells for every one German shell. In this way the 16th London Battery fired 34 rounds at the Bus Carre, a small clump of saps about 100 yards in front of the German front line trenches, probably used as an observation station. The 17th London Battery registered further points in its zone, G.11.d.5.7, G.17.g.2.4 and G.17.e.0.1. Tonight the British attacked Givenchy, when in spite of successful artillery fire they were repulsed from the positions gained by Minenwerfer. Owing to the exposed nature of the country, exercise for horses may only take place in batches of 16 or 17.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd June 1915 Return of Lt. Ford  Lt. Ford rejoined from the 1/ Cameronians on Lt. Robertson returning from leave.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                4th June 1915 Batteries Register  In 6th County of London Brigade RFA 15th London Battery fired 11 rounds on A.30.g.4.8 and later fired 2 rounds on the same target. 16th London Battery fired 10 rounds in registering southern limit 4 extension of zone. 17th London Battery registered extension of the same zone as 16th London Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                4th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France.

                                4th June 1915 Enteric fever and meningitis cases   Reported case of Enteric Fever in Estaminet au Pogrès - a civilian occupant. Armourers of Division removed and put in other billets and place placed "out of bounds".

                                Pte. Dainton 5/Scottish Rifles admitted to Field Ambulance with cerebrospinal meningitis and special wagon sent for, and case sent to Isolation Hospital, Bailleul. The case was apparently a sporadic case, and occurred in billets. All steps were taken with Lt. Clark, MO of Regiment for isolation of contacts and daily inspection. Officer commanding Sanitary Section informed and billet disinfected.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                5th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA in Action  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th London Battery fired 25 rounds on A.30.b.4.8 and later fired 21 rounds on the same target. 16th London Battery, at request of GOC 140 Inf. Bde. fired 3 rounds on working party in G.11.d. 17th London Battery as a consequence of a reconnaissance report by infantry, that extensive entanglements existed between G.23.b.5.7 and G.23.b.6.7, fired on both these points.

                                War Diaries


                                5th June 1915   

                                SM U-14

                                SM U-14

                                Type U 13 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 9) Ordered 23 Feb 1909 Launched 11 Jul 1911 Commissioned 24 Apr 1912.
                                Commanders.

                                • 1 Aug 1914 - 15 Dec 1914 Walther Schwieger
                                • 17 Dec 1914 - 15 Apr 1915 Otto Dröscher
                                • 16 Apr 1915 - 5 Jun 1915 Oblt. Max Hammerle

                                Career 1 patrols start date unknown - 5 Jun 1915 I Flotilla 1 Aug 1914 - end date unknown II Flotilla

                                Successes 2 ships sunk with a total of 3,907 tons.
                                2 Jun 1915 U 14 Max Hammerle Cyrus 1,669 Danish.
                                3 Jun 1915 U 14 Max Hammerle Lappland 2,238 Swedish.

                                Fate 5 Jun 1915 - Disabled by gunfire from armed trawler Oceanic II and sunk off Peterhead. 1 dead and 27 survivors.

                                There was another U 14 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 28 Dec 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 18 Jan 1936.

                                John Doran


                                5th June 1915 Reports of more meningitis cases   Pte. Dainton's case reported positive; several suspected cases were sent up to Field Ambulance and isolated in tents for observation. Visited MO 5/Scottish Rifles in their billets, and owing to a number of other suspicious cases arranged to lend him some bell tents for segregation purposes.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                6th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA in Action  15th London Battery fired 4 rounds at 1630, 4 rounds at 1735, and 4 rounds at 1810 on A.30.b.4.8. 16th London Battery did not fire. 17 London Battery in reply to 2 rounds from the enemy fired 4 rounds on the Bois Carre. At 1730 17th London Battery fired 12 rounds on Bois Carre and German front line trenches, at G.23.a. At 2000 fired 2 rounds on Aulluch Road. A few officers attended a demonstration of the working and affect of gas.

                                War Diaries


                                6th June 1915 Suspicious meningitis cases are negative  Officer in charge of Mobile Laboratory visited the Field Ambulance today and saw all the suspicious cases, and also those segregated in tents of 5/Scottish Rifles, and pronounced the opinion that he considered them negative. General Snow 27th Division visited the Field Ambulance today.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                6th June 1915 Into Billets  1st Hertfords moved at 9.15pm. Nos. 1 & 2 Coys went into billets at Cambrin.

                                War Diary of the 1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment


                                7th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA work with 36th Div  6th County of London Brigade RFA hosted OC Batteries and Officer Commanding of the 36th Bde. RFA, who examined positions and observation stations of the batteries with a view to taking over. 15th & 17th London Batteries did not fire. 16th London Battery fired 5 rounds at a working party.

                                War Diaries


                                7th June 1915 Still no more meningitis cases  No further signs of cerebrospinal meningitis in cases at present under consideration in Field Ambulance.

                                General Gordon visited the Field Ambulance.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                8th June 1915 More meningitis cases  Visited with Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services 27th Division, the Assistant Director of Medical Services (ADMS) XII Division re arrangements for attachment of officers of 12th Division Field Ambulance to this Field Ambulance.

                                Four cases reported suspected cerebrospinal meningitis in 5/Scottish Rifles ordered to be sent to Isolation Hospital, Bailleul by ADMS 27th Division. Transferred 8 am 9th June.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                9th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA relieved by 36th Bde.  The remaining sections of each battery of the 6th London Brigade RFA were relieved by sections of batteries of the 36th Brigade RFA and, together with the Brigade Headquarter Staff, proceeded to Lapugnoy, which was reached in the early hours of Thursday morning. The whole Small Arms Ammunition section of the Brigade Ammunition Column, and one section of gun ammunition, was detached from the Brigade, and was stationed at Drovin under 2/Lt H.B. Wells, to supply the 140 Infantry Brigade and the 19th London Battery (who remained in action) with ammunition.

                                War Diaries


                                9th June 1915 Issue of Respirators  Very hot day. Heavy thunderstorm in late afternoon.

                                Visited 36th Field Ambulance to see Colonel Dunn with reference to attachment of two of his officers.

                                Issued Respirators to the Field Ambulance personnel. Lt. Ford appointed Brigade Respirator Adviser.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                10th June 1915 16th Heavy Battery proceed to France  16th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                                10th June 1915 Training for lieutenants from 36th Fied Ambulance  Lts. Mawe and Bell 36th Field Ambulance arrived for 6 days instruction on practical duties of a Field Ambulance. Taken by Capt. Williamson to Advanced Post in Gris Pot, and to Regimental Aid Posts to see them in daylight. Respirator parade of Field Ambulance this afternoon.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                11th June 1915 Reinforcements 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report 36 men under Lt N.V. Brasnett arrived at Lapugnoy from Base Details to fill up deficiencies caused by death, sickness and the increased establishment of the Brigade Ammunition Column. Lt Brasnett returned to Base Details.

                                War Diaries


                                11th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France.

                                11th June 1915 Training by 2nd Royal Welch MO  Lts. Mawe and Bell proceeded to trenches of 2nd Royal Welch Fusiliers and instruction given by Lt. Harbison Medical Officer of that Regiment.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                12th June 1915 GOC Visit  The GOC 47th (London) Division, Major General C.St.V.L Barter came to Lapugnoy and addressed each Battery of the 6th London Brigade in turn. He expressed his gratitude to the Brigade for the splendid work it had done whilst in action, and his pleasure at the excellent work carried out by each officer and man, especially the Telephonists. He impressed on all ranks the need for keeping themselves in a clean and sanitary condition.

                                War Diaries


                                12th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                12th June 1915 Athletics - sports day  Athletic sports in Erquinghem of the 19th Field Ambulance. General Snow and Brig-General Gordon attended. Lt. Col Brackenridge presented the prizes .

                                Lts. Mawe and Bell proceeded to 1st Middlesex trenches and instruction given by Lt. Soltau, MO of that regiment.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                13th June 1915 Officers rejoining 6th London Brigade RFA   6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery records, Lt R.A. Corsan and Lt C.E.H. Lloyd, both of whom had suffered from measles, arrived at Lapugnoy from England.

                                War Diaries


                                13th Jun 1915 Shetland Companies leave the Isles.  Shetland Companies left Shetland on SS Cambria. They were an individual unit until the Battle of Beaumont Hamel. Thereafter, they were integrated into the Gordon Battalions.

                                13 June 1915 New ADMS 27th Div inspects  Assistant Director of Medical Services (Col. Browne) on taking over the 27th Division inspected the buildings and organisation of the Field Ambulance.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                14th June 1915 19th Infantry Brigade change in command  Brig-Gen Gordon commanding the 19th Infantry Brigade inspected the Field Ambulance on parade this morning to say Goodbye, on his proceeding to England to take over the command of a Division of the new army. Lt. Col. P R Robertson to command the Brigade. Lts. Mawe and Bell 36th Field Ambulance left to rejoin their own Field Ambulance owing to orders for that Field Ambulance having to move early tomorrow.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                15th June 1915 Veterinary Inspection  The horses of the 15th & 16th London Batteries and 6th County of London Brigade Headquarters Staff were inspected by the OC. Brigade.

                                War Diaries


                                15th June 1915 Veterinary Inspection  The horses of the 17th London Battery were inspected by the OC. Brigade.

                                War Diaries


                                15th Jun 1915 Zeppelin bombs Tyneside.  On Tuesday 15th June 1915 Zeppelin LZ40(L10) commanded by Kapitan Leutnant Hirsch crossed the coast north of Blyth and headed directly for Wallsend where bombs were dropped on the Marine Engineering Works causing severe damage. 7 Heavy Explosive and 5 Incendiary Bombs then fell on Palmer's Works at Jarrow where 17 men died and 72 were injured.

                                North of the river again, bombs fell at Willington where they damaged Cookson's Antimony Works and Pochin's Chemical Works and several houses; a policeman died at Willington Quay.

                                The L10 then headed for the sea dropping bombs on Haxton Colliery and South Shields on the way.

                                It flew over Palmer’s Shipyard about 2340, dropped its bombs killing 17 persons and injuring 72.

                                There was a Memorial with 12 names on, at one time in the Stirling Foundry in Jarrow, once part of the Palmer Shipyard.

                                The bombing must have been highly censured at the time having just a few lines in the Shields Gazette on Thursday 17th June 1915. It just stated 16 killed which included a policeman and 40 injured when a Zeppelin bombed Jarrow. On Friday 18th in the Shields Gazette there was another small column regarding the inquest which noted the following 14 had been killed in the yard:

                                • Albert Bramley 54
                                • Matthew Carter 55
                                • Karl Johan W. Kalnin 22
                                • Joseph Lane 67 (Marine Engineer)
                                • Robert Thomas Nixon 32
                                • Frederick Pinnock 31
                                • Lawrence Frazer Sanderson 16
                                • Thomas Henry Smith 23
                                • Ralph Snaith 48
                                • William Stamford 40
                                • Joseph Beckwith Thornicroft 31
                                • William Grieves Turner 20
                                • John George Windle 27
                                • William Ernest Cook Young 16

                                It also added Ann Isabella Laughlin 62 living near to the yard, died from shock. It also stated there was an inquest for a policeman (no name given) who was killed over in Willington Quay.

                                These two died later from their wounds: John Cuthbert Davison 31 (Fitter and Turner) and George Ward 18 (Apprentice Fitter and Turner)

                                The Zeppelin LZ40 (L10) was destroyed by lightning near Cuxhaven off the Neuwerk Island in Germany on 3rd September 1915.

                                There follows some further summary and eye witness accounts.

                                • Zeppelin Specification
                                • Production Number: LZ-40
                                • Tactical Number or Name:L10
                                • Type/Class:P
                                • Usage:military
                                • First Flight:13 May 1915
                                • Summary
                                • LZ-40 flew eight reconnaissance missions around the North Sea.
                                • She participated in five attacks on England, dropping 9,900 kg of bombs.
                                • She flew in the great raid on London of 17-18 August 1915 during which Leyton was bombed causing ten deaths and injuring 48 people.
                                • She was destroyed in a thunderstorm on 3 September 1915 near Cuxhaven.

                                Report on Tyneside Raid: Tuesday 15th June 1915. Censorship forbade newspapers like the Shields Gazette reporting it at the time. Even now, the story of the death and devastation that a Zeppelin visited on Jarrow during the First World War is still coming together like a jigsaw and integral to that, Philip Strong believes, could be eyewitness accounts handed down through the generations.

                                Philip, who lives in New South Wales, Australia, lost his great uncle, Joseph Lane, in the raid on the night of June 15, 1915. Sixteen of the dead were from Palmer’s shipyard, among them Joseph, a 67-year-old engineer, born in Ireland, and whose home was in Bede Burn Road.

                                Philip, who has researched the episode in impressive detail, says: "Some stories must have been passed down through Jarrow families about the bombing. What did the survivors say?"

                                One eyewitness account he has turned up is that of Captain Hugh Tweedie RN. He was supervising the fitting out of two Monitor-class warships at Palmer’s, the Marshal Soult at Hebburn and the Marshal Ney at Jarrow. On the evening of June 15, a Tuesday, Tweedie had returned to his lodgings at the North Eastern Hotel, near Jarrow railway station.

                                Early next morning, Arthur Gowan, managing director of Palmer’s, woke him and told him there had been a Zeppelin raid and he went at once to the shipyard. He found that in the street leading to the yard, every window from every house had been blown out. In the yard itself, "some 50 men" had been killed and injured by a bomb, which had fallen into the main fitting shop where work had been going on in night shifts.

                                The erecting shop was also hit, where considerable damage had been done to a series of destroyers’ engines which were being built. Out in the shipyard, a bomb had fallen near the Marshal Ney and splinters had pierced the side and deck plating.

                                Says Philip: "Captain Tweedie said that the Zeppelin had come quite low down in the absence of any anti-aircraft guns. There was no organisation for putting-out the lights and that, under the circumstances, it was lucky that far more damage had not been done. "Perhaps he was referring to the ships in the yard. Was this due to the glass-sectioned roofs of the engine works shops? The glare from the roofs would make the ships a target, but placed the shipyard in shadow." Life, though, did go on and, the next day, Hugh Tweedie’s wife, Constance, launched the Marshal Ney.

                                Strict censorship was imposed on the Press, which simply reported that there had been a Zeppelin raid in the area at about 2340. No locations were given.

                                However, an inquest report described what probably happened to the night-shift workers in the main fitting shop: "A night manager said at about 2315 he heard a loud report and saw a flash. This was followed by others in rapid succession. A bomb dropped on the roof. Witness was about 25 or 30 feet from it, and he was struck by splinters on the back and head, the latter being cut. As near as he could estimate three or four bombs fell on the roof, two more being more powerful than the others."

                                The newspapers named the victims, and Philip has gleaned information on some of their occupations from the 1911 Census. They were:

                                • Lawrence Fraser Sanderson;
                                • Matthew Carter, ship fitter;
                                • Joseph Beckwith Thorneycroft, sea-going engineer;
                                • John George Windle, screwing machine fitter;
                                • Karl Johan W. Kalnin;
                                • William Erskine Cook Young;
                                • William Grieves Turner, apprentice engineer’s fitter;
                                • Joseph Lane, mechanical engineer;
                                • Robert Thomas Nixon, mechanic turner and fitter;
                                • Frederick Pinnock;
                                • Albert Bramley, colliery above ground labourer;
                                • Thomas Henry Smith, apprentice engineer;
                                • Ralph Snaith, turner in turbine works;
                                • William Stamford, colliery fitter;
                                • George Ward, apprentice fitter and turner;
                                • John Cuthbert Davison, fitter and turner.

                                Raid Sequence of events.

                                The L10 Zeppelin with Commander Hirsch made landfall just north of Blyth near the Wansbeck River, and then turned south towards the Tyne. Hirsch firstly bombed the North Eastern Marine Engineering works at Willington Quay, Wallsend. His observers reported that on the left there were blast furnaces, a winding river and many industrial plants. He relied on his observers since the newly trialled radio navigation was not effective.

                                The Commander perceived he was under fire from shore batteries, and probably immediately crossed the river, bombed the Hebburn Colliery, lined up the lights of the Palmers' blast furnaces and their Engineering Works for a straight bombing run. Perhaps the two reports which an inquest witness later reported, were actually bombs on the blast furnaces? This witness then said that half a minute later there were 14 reports…. perhaps the 7 explosive bombs and 5 incendiaries which were said to have been dropped on Palmers engineering construction department, killing 16 workmen.

                                Hirsch then continued on an arc across the river to bomb the chemical plants at Howdon near Willington Quay (Cookson's Antimony Works and Pochin's Chemical Works).

                                The L10 went out to sea via South Shields, leaving a scenic railway ablaze near the Haxton Colliery Staithes (coal loading piers).

                                5/16th June 1915 After the attack by L 10 on Tyneside on 15,16 June the short summer nights discouraged further raids for some months, and the remaining Army Zeppelins were re-assigned to the Eastern and Balkan fronts. The Navy resumed raids on Britain in August.

                                Vin Mullen www.strong-family.org/lane/chapter_4.html#zeppelin


                                15th June 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ42 (LZ72)

                                • Production Ref: LZ42
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ72
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 15th June 1915

                                History.

                                Only used as a training school ship, because the air-frame metal was of poor quality. It was decommissioned in February 1917.

                                John Doran


                                16th June 1915 Inspections and Regimental Sports  A detailed inspection of the 6th County of London Brigade RFA Headquarters Staff and 15th London Battery was held by the OC. Brigade, after which the horses of the Ammunition Column were inspected. This afternoon Regimental Sports took place in excellent weather. At 2345 a message was received warning the Brigade to get ready to move off at half an hours notice.

                                War Diaries


                                16th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                17th June 1915 GOC 1 Corps Visit  6th County of London Brigade RFA report at 0300 a message was received that no move would take place for the present. A visit was received from the GOC 1st Corps Lt General Sir Charles Munro, who described the work of the Brigade as 'magnificent'. A detailed inspection was held of the 16th London Battery. The Brigade was warned to be ready to move at one hours notice.

                                War Diaries


                                17th Jun 1915 Fierce fighting at Bellewaerde  British troops of the 9th and 7th Infantry Brigades assault enemy trenches on Bellewaerde Ridge between the Menin Road and the Ypres-Roulers railway. Their objective, to remove the enemy from the high ground which gae an observation point over most of the Allied ground to the East of Ypres. The bombardment commenced at 02:30 followed by the assault on the German front line at 04:15, which was captured with little resistance and the troops pushed on to occupy the second German line. The enemy launched a counter attack and the British were pushed back to the First German line, which they managed to hold, but the enemy still commanded the ridge.

                                18th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA More Inspections  6th County of London Brigade RFA records a detailed inspection of the 17th London Battery took place.

                                War Diaries


                                18th June 1915 Attachments with 82nd Field Ambulance  Capt CG Browne and Staff Sgt Clenshaw proceeded to 82nd Field Ambulance. Major GT Willan from 82nd Field Ambulance for temporary duty and attached to the A section.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                19th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA More Inspections  The 6th London Ammunition Column was inspected in detail by the OC. Brigade. Lt H.B. Wells went to hospital suffering from severe neuralgia.

                                War Diaries


                                Mid Jun 1915 9th Heavy Battery move position  9th Heavy Battery move from Pont de Nieppe, in the middle of June, they move into a position north of the Lys at Armentieres.

                                20th June 1915 Back to Action  6th County of London Brigade RFA: This evening the 15th & 16th London Brigades proceeded into action, the former being attached to the 36th Brigade RFA, and occupying its former position at Vermelles, and the latter to the 41st Brigade RFA near Cambrin F.30.c.5.5. The 6th London Ammunition Column was divided, part going with each battery. Brigade Headquarters and the 17th London Brigade remains at rest at Lapugnoy.

                                War Diaries


                                20th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                20th June 1915   KUK U-11 Austrian submarine. (Former German SM UB-15

                                Type U-10 Shipyard Ordered Launched 14th March 1911 Commissioned 20th June 1915

                                Commanders.
                                8 Jun 1915 - 31 Aug 1915 Lüdwig Eberhardt
                                16 Sep 1915 - 28 Oct 1915 Karl Edler von Unczowski
                                28 Oct 1915 - 30 Aug 1916 Robert Teufl von Fernland
                                30 Aug 1916 - 25 May 1917 Johann Krsnjavi
                                25 May 1917 - 16 Jul 1917 Ludwig Müller
                                16 Jul 1917 - 17 Sep 1917 Wladimir Pfeifer
                                17 Sep 1917 - 12 Jan 1918 Eugen Hornyák
                                12 Jan 1918 - 19 Jun 1918 Hugo Pistel
                                19 Jun 1918 - 27 Aug 1918 Alfons Graf Montecuccoli
                                27 Aug 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Alois Sernetz

                                Career.
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 1 ship taken as prize with a total of 10,484 tons.

                                  20 Jan 1916 k.u.k. U11 König Albert (prize) 10,484 it

                                Fate Scrapped 1920

                                John Doran


                                21st June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                21st June 1915  Training for lieutenants from 36 FA  Lts. Forgan and Nash 36th Field Ambulance attached for course of instruction.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                22nd June 1915 Equipment withdrawn  6th County of London Brigade RFA report all blankets were withdrawn and returned to Railhead.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd June 1915 Leave of Absence  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt M.J.K. O’Malley proceeded to England on 7 days leave.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd June 1915 Inspection of trench line held by the 19th Infantry Brigade  During yesterday and today Lts. Forgan and Nash were under instruction in the trenches with Medical Officers of Regiments.

                                Visited with Col. Dunn and the Medical Officers of Regiments all trench line held by the 19th Infantry Brigade.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                24th June 1915 Honours for 19th Field Ambulance  Awards to 19th Field Ambulance. Extracts from London Gazette dated 23rd June 1915:

                                To be DS0, Capt CG Browne

                                Military Cross, Lt. RA Preston (now with 13 General Hospital)

                                DCM, Sgt Bean ASC

                                DCM - Sgt Carter RAMC

                                Mentioned in Despatches - Private J Davis.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                25th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                25th June 1915 Lieutenants rejoin 36th Field Ambulance  War diary records: Lts. Forgan and Nash 36th Field Ambulance ordered to rejoin their Field Ambulance on completion of course of instruction with 19th Field Ambulance at Erquinghem-Lys. Lt. Hampson proceeded on six days leave to England, his transport duties in 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys being undertaken by myself.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                26th June 1915 Medal Award 6th London Brigade RFA   Under authority of his Majesty the King, the Field Marshall Commanding in Chief awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) to the following member of the 6th London Brigade RFA: Number 1699 Gunner A.W. North 16th County of London Battery RFA for coolness and gallantry whilst acting as telephonist in the observation station at Festubert during the heavy bombardment to which it was subjected.

                                War Diaries


                                26th June 1915 Temporary MO appointment - 5th Scottish Rifles  Lt. Grellier took on temporary medical charge of the 5th Scottish Rifles in relief of Lt. Clark proceeded on leave.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                27th June 1915 Leave of Absence  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt W.A Saxer (RAMC) proceeded to England on 5 days leave.

                                War Diaries


                                27th June 1915 Two RAMC Sergeants killed by enemy shell  This afternoon several of the enemy's shells burst in the field behind the Mairie, and resulted in the following casualties:

                                Staff Sgt Allport RAMC killed; Sgt Hale dangerously wounded in head; Sgt Pollock dangerously wounded in arm and leg.

                                Sgt Hale died 11:30 PM without regaining consciousness.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                28th Jun 1915 SS Armenian lost  The transport ship SS Armenian was challenged by the German submarine U-24 off Trevose Head, Cornwall, whilst sailing from Bristol with a cargo of 1,400 mules intended for the British Army in France. The crew were given time to abandon ship before U-24 fired two torpedoes into her stern, sinking the ship. Twenty nine crew members were lost.

                                28th June 1915 Leave of Absence  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt P.A. Love proceeded to England on 7 days leave.

                                War Diaries


                                28th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                28th June 1915  Death of third sergeant  Sgt Pollock died at 2 am from shock and loss of blood. It was hoped that his leg might been amputated, and although transfused with saline, no reaction (?) him before death.

                                Lt. Chapell Quartermaster (?) proceeded on six days leave to England, his duties being undertaken by myself.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                29th June 1915 Formation Changes  Up to this date the 47th (London) Division, in which the 6th London Brigade is included formed part of the 1st Army Corps, commanded by Lt General Sir Charles Munro. From this date the 47th (London) Division, the 1st Division and 48th (South Midland) Division, form the 4th Army Corps, commanded by Lt General Rawlinson. The 4th Corps is still part of the First Army, commanded by General Sir Douglas Haig. 6th London Brigade RFA Report Major P.J. Clifton proceeded to England on 5 days leave. The 15th & 16th Batteries are attached to the 1st Division.

                                War Diaries


                                30th June 1915 Battery Training 6th London Brigade RFA   The Hesdigneul Race Course has been allocated to the 6th County of London Brigade RFA on 3 days per week for Battery Training. A telegram was received stating that the 16th London Battery, being no longer required by the 1st Division would proceed tonight to Lapugnoy. At 2345 a further message was received saying that as the services of this Battery were still required, they would remain in action and would occupy the position F.30.c.4.0.

                                Since going into action on the 21st of June, the 15th London Battery had been occupied principally in registering and retaliating. No work of great importance was carried out. During this period, Machine Gun posts were bombarded by the 15th London Battery and 8 direct hits were obtained. This was done at the request of infantry. Other targets engaged were Fort Hohenzollern (A29), The Haishes Cross Roads and Fosse 8 - at the latter target 37 rounds were fired on June 23rd and 8 rounds on June 25th: on this occasion 2 German observers disappeared. On June 27th, 95 rounds were expended (43 Rounds on B.25.b.6.7 and 54 rounds on A.30.b.3.8.) From Monday June 21st to Saturday June 26th, the 16th London Battery occupied the time in registering the zone A.28.c.2.2-A.21.d.4.1. For every one round fired by the Germans, 6 rounds were fired by the 16th London Battery. From June 26th to the morning of June 29th not a round was fired. During this period (on the night of June 28th) the left section was withdrawn and proceeded to the rest Line. The remaining section fired 40 rounds in 10 minutes on the evening of June 29th, in support of a demonstration and the exploding of 3 mines. On June 30th, the Battery was ordered back to Lapugnoy. This order was cancelled at the eleventh hour and the right section came into its new position (F.30.c.4.0) at 2200. J.H. Van Den Bergh 2/Lt

                                Total Casualties to June 30 1915.

                                • Officer Wounded Lieut G. Lyon Smith 15th Lon Battery.
                                • Other Ranks Killed Gunner Whiting 15th Lon Battery.
                                • Died of wounds Bombardier Farrow 15th Lon Battery.
                                • Died of wounds Gunner Deverell 15th Lon Battery.
                                • Wounded Gunner Miles 17th Lon Battery.
                                • Wounded Gunner Darbyshire 15th Lon Battery.
                                • Died of sickness Dr Rossall 16th Lon Battery.
                                • Injured as a result of Shell fire.
                                • Bdr Maclaren 16th Lon Battery.
                                • Bdr Irons 17th Lon Battery.

                                J.H. Van Den Bergh 2/Lt

                                War Diaries


                                30th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 152 men (that are known)

                                30th June 1915  provide digging party  9th Lancers are in Billets North of Wormhoudt engaged in Squadron Training. A Digging Party of 112 Men & 3 Officers sent to 5th Kilo Stone on Elverdinghe to Poperinghe Road. 1 Other Rank to Hospital. Strength - 25 Officers; 532 Other Ranks; 600 Horses.

                                War Diary


                                30th June 1915 In Reserve   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Le Nieppe. 1st to 30th June, in reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade one mile east of Chateau le Nieppe on the Cassel to St. Omer road.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                Jul 1915 15th BTn Yorks & Lancs Formed  15th (Reserve) Battalion is formed at Silkstone Camp in July 1915 from depot companies of 12th, 13th and 14th Battalions.

                                1st Jul 1915 NSF Corporation Electric Works, Wrexham  National Shell Factory Corporation Electric Works, Wrexham Denbighshire opened in July 1915. First output was in spring 1916. 18-pdr and 13-pdr shells were made and completed. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jul 1915 NSF Uskside National Works opens  National Shell Factory Uskside National Works, Uskside, Newport, Monmouthshire opened in July 1915. Production included 18-pdr, 4.5-in. and 60-pdr shell, proof shot and gun carriage forgings. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jul 1915 HMEF Gadbrook  HMEF Gadbrook, nr Northwich, Cheshire opened in July 1915 to purify crude TNT. First output was in February 1916. It was under the control of Brunner Mond.

                                1st Jul 1915 HMEF Gretna  HMEF Gretna, Dumfriesshire opened in July 1915, the factory covered an area of nine miles by two miles, from Eastriggs in Scotland to Longtown in England and included accommodation for 20,000 workers, its own electricity station, water works telephone exchange, kitchens and laundry. In addition to producing Cordite components, all the ingredients were manufactured onsite including glycerine, nitric acid, alcohol and ether with the areas of the factory being linked by a network of pipes. The first output of Cordite RDB was in June 1916. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions and the build cost was £9.3 million. The site had excellent links to the main rail lines and additional lines and stations were built. Inside the factory fireless and battery powered locomotives were employed on 130 miles of railtrack.

                                1st Jul 1915 HMEF Wallis Road, Hackney Wick opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Wallis Road, Hackney Wick, London started production of TNT in July 1915. First output was in July 1915. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Jul 1915 HMEF Penrhyn Deudraeth opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Penrhyn Deudraeth, Merionethshire (Gwynedd) opened for the production of TNT in July 1915. First output was in January 1916. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Jul 1915 NSF Aintree opens  National Filling Factory Aintree, Liverpool, Lancashire opened in July 1915 Filling shell up to 8-in and assembling componants. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jul 1915 NFF Foleshill opens.  National Filling Factory Foleshill, Coventry, Warwickshire started up in July 1915, filling fuses, gaines and other components. It was under the control of White & Poppe

                                1st July 1915 Relocations  

                                Twelfth July celebrations at Seaford County Sussex.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                The Move to England.

                                This was well reported in the Lurgan Mail issue on the 10th July 1915 which read: "The secret about the move on Sunday night 27th June leaked out that the first contingent was to move off on the following morning and early on Monday everyone was alert. There was much stir and bustle at the barracks, but it was not until half past two o’clock p.m. that a move was made. At that hour preceded by both bands of the battalion, 170 of the riflemen swung round Windsor Avenue corner into Market Street and proceeded to the Railway Station in command of Captain Jewell and several Lieutenants. Soon the streets were crowded, the route to the station being lined by friends and admirers, and many were the leave takings as the men passed by, many were the greetings and good wishes shouted to them. The public were wisely excluded from the station premises, but the footbridge and every vantage point was crowded. The leave taking on the platform over, the men quickly entrained and the train departed southward amid salvos of cheers from the onlookers. The destination was understood to be Dublin but it has since transpired that the party proceeded the same evening to Liverpool en route for the Seaford Camp.

                                The next move was made on Tuesday, when the Transport section with their horses, mules and equipment, and in command of Lieutenants White (TJ) and Johnston proceeded by road to Belfast en route, via Liverpool, for the new camp.

                                Wednesday evening following saw a grand parade of the remaining men of the Battalion with their several officers, through the principal streets of the town, as the farewell march of the regiment in the district, and on Thursday afternoon the entire remaining force moved out in two sections, the first being in command of Colonel Leader and the second of Major Gardiner, two trains being required for their accommodation. The farewell demonstration of Monday was repeated, but on a scale of greater magnitude. All work was temporarily suspended in the town and district, and the line of march from Windsor Avenue to the railway station was crowded with a dense throng. The same arrangements were in force at the station and the entraining was carried out with expedition. Then came the last goodbye of those privileged few who had gained access to the platform and each train was followed by the cheers and kindly wishes of the onlookers"

                                Seaford, County Sussex. Finally they were on their way to the south of England and the small town of Seaford in Sussex (not to be confused with Seaforde, County Down, spelt with an ‘e’ at the end!). Seaford had a population of about 4,000 at that time.

                                For the first time apart from the review and march past in Belfast, the 36th Division was concentrated in one place. It was within walking distance of Brighton with its shops and attractions. Only 20 miles away across the English Channel was the coast of France and, when the wind was blowing in the right direction, the sound of heavy artillery fire could be heard. The Division was accommodated in the North and South Camps with the Pioneers in the latter. To the north of the camps was the Downs whose rolling valleys and hills provided an excellent area for military training. The first priority was musketry training which was carried out at a range close to the camp at Cuckmere Haven.

                                The River Cuckmere provided a good site for bridging practice within a quarter of a mile from its entry to the sea. The Pioneers had to contend with a lack of proper equipment and the ebb and flow of the tide.

                                Despite the urgency for battle readiness they were able to celebrate the 12th July with a parade, entertainment and guests from home. Several inspections took place early in July and on the 20th Lord Kitchener paid a surprise visit. The unit impressed Lord Kitchener who thought them very smart and ready for action, but it was pointed out they had not yet had musketry and machine gun training. He ordered this to be prioritised and it was partially completed at nearby ranges beside Cuckmere Haven.

                                Lurgan Mail


                                1st July 1915   KUK U-14 Austrian Submarine (formerly French Curie Q87)

                                Type U-14 Shipyard Ordered Launched 18th July 1912 Commissioned 1st July 1915

                                Commanders .
                                1 Jun 1915 - 14 Oct 1915 Otto Zeidler.
                                14 Oct 1915 - 13 Jan 1918 Georg Ritter von Trapp.
                                13 Jan 1918 - 8 Jun 1918 Friedrich Schlosser.
                                19 Jun 1918 - 1 Nov 1918 Hugo Pistel

                                Career.
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 11 ships sunk with a total of 47,653 tons.

                                Fate Returned to France 1919 and scrapped in 1929. (It was formerly the French Submarine Curie (Q 87) captured by Austro-Hungarian Forces.)

                                John Doran


                                1st July 1915 Inspection by DG French Medical Service   The 19th Infantry Brigade continued to hold the line as noted last month, with the exception that the section just north of the railway at Rue du Bois has been taken over by the 81st Infantry Brigade. The Director General of the French Medical Service and his secretary inspected the Field Ambulance with Major B Black RAMC, and afterwards proceeded to see the trenches of the brigade. Lt Col Brackenridge accompanied them also, and Lt. Ford was detailed as guide.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                1st Jul 1915 2/6th Suffolks to move to Norfolk  On 30th June 1915 the 2/6th Suffolks prepared to move to Norwich, moving on 1st July. Most of that month was spent settling in, getting to know the area and the routes to the coast, and on general training. The Battalion was deployed with the Headquarters and two companies at Potter Heigham, one company at Winterton, one company at Palling and four companies (C, D, E. and F) at Stalham. The companies at Winterton and Sea Palling were accommodated in hired buildings, while those at Potter Heigham and Stalham were under canvas. Winterton and Sea Palling were occupied as coastal defence positions, with a company in each, and each of the other companies were rotated through them. When not doing so, the companies were employed on general training, musketry and entrenching other potential coastal defence sites. This routine continued until 30th September. The War Diary has "Nil" entries for October and November 1915.

                                2nd July 1915 Two lieutenants resume duties  Lt. Hampson returned from leave this morning, and Lt. Grellier from temporary duty with the 5/Scottish rifles.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                2nd July 1915 Battle of Áland Islands 1915   The Battle of Aland Islands, or the Battle of Gotland, which occurred on the 2nd July 1915, was a naval battle between the German and Russian forces, assisted by a submarine from the British Baltic Flotilla. It took place in the Baltic Sea off the shores of Gotland, Sweden which was neutral in World War I. The German mine-laying cruiser SMS Albatross, screened by the armoured cruiser SMS Roon, the light cruisers SMS Augsburg and Lübeck with seven torpedo boats, under Kommodore Johannes von Karpf, was laying mines off the Åland Islands. On the morning of 2 July, they were intercepted by a Russian squadron consisting of the armored cruisers Admiral Makarov and Bayan with the light cruisers Oleg and Bogatyr, under Rear Admiral Mikhail Bakhirev. In the artillery duel that followed, Albatross was badly damaged and beached on the Swedish coast. In the second phase of the battle, German armoured cruiser Roon and Russian Bayan fought each other at distance without serious damage. Reinforcements on both sides sailed to join the engagement. The Russian armoured cruiser Rurik joined the fight as the German force retreated and met the old light cruiser Lübeck, which took her for the destroyer Novik. Lübeck managed to escape in the short but fierce fighting when Roon intercepted Rurik. Both sides duelled each other at far distance, but again no damage was inflicted by either side. As the German armored cruisers SMS Prinz Adalbert and Prinz Heinrich sailed to reinforce the German squadron, Prinz Adalbert was torpedoed by the British.

                                John Doran


                                3rd Jul 1915 9th West Yorks sail for Gallipoli  9th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) sail from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros.

                                5th July 1915 Demo re damping of smoke helmets.  Lt. Chapell returned from leave this morning.

                                Lt. Grellier proceeded on eight days leave to England this evening.

                                Visited 82nd and 83rd Field Ambulances with Assistant Director of Medical Services to see the transport of these units.

                                Lt. Ford the attended 27th Divisional headquarters to see demonstration re damping of smoke helmets.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                5th Jul 1915 Monmouth Battalions to reform  On July 5th the first steps were taken to reform the three battalions. This lead to the 2nd Monmouth's being detached away on July 24 th and subsequently the final partition between 1st and 3rd Monmouth's on August 11th. The 3rd Monmouth's were reattached to the 83rd Brigade and reorganised into four Companies under Lt JM Jones, Captain HG Tyler, Lt LD Whitehead and Lt HA Hodges.

                                6th July 1915 Attachment order  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                On the 6th July Lieutenant AG Neville went to 36th Trench Howitzer Battery, 8th Division on loan for one month.

                                war diaries


                                7th Jul 1915 U-9 joins Baltic Flotilla  SM U-9 commanded by Johannes Spieß transfers from I Flotilla to the Baltic Flotilla.

                                7th July 1915 82nd Field Ambulance - changes of duty   Capt CG Browne DSO rejoined from temporary duty with 82nd Field Ambulance. Maj. GT Willan left to rejoin 82nd Field Ambulance.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                7th July 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are in Reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Le Nieppe from 1st to 7th July 1915. One mile east of Chateau Le Neippe on the Cassel - St. Omer Road.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                8th July 1915 Damping of smoke helmets   Parade of half the Field Ambulance for damping of smoke helmets. Lt. Ford as the Brigade respirator advisor is completing the damping off all smoke helmets of the Brigade.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                9th July 1915 Completion of damping of smoke helmets  The remainder of this Field Ambulance paraded for damping of their smoke helmets.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                10th Jul 1915 Wearside Pals Battalion formed  20th (Service) Battalion (Wearside) Durham Light Infantry, known as the Wearside Pals was formed in Sunderland on 10 July 1915 by the Mayor and a committee.

                                10th July 1915 Selecting Field Ambulance sites  Accompanied by Capt. Browne DSO and Lt. Hampson, Transport Officer met the Assistant Director of Medical Services 27th Division north of Erquinghem Bridge to select possible sites for the unopened sections of Field Ambulance in Armentières and Erquinghem. Two farms with adjacent fields likely to be suitable were noted one at B20d4.2 and the other at B26d5.5.

                                Sent in written report as to disposition of the section the Field Ambulance, showing strength at each place in men, horses and vehicles.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                11th Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers sail from Dover  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers sailed from Dover for Devonport enroute to the Dardanelles.

                                11th Jul 1915 4th Duke of Wellingtons deposit Colours in Parish Church  The 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment deposit their colours at the parish church of of Saint John the Baptist in Halifax for safe keeping.

                                http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~calderdalecompanion/souv_1915.html


                                11th July 1915 Still planning Move   Accompanied Assstant Director of Medical Services 27th Division again this afternoon. Farm at B20d4.2 now occupied by Artillery, therefore saw Farm at B26b6.8 with good fields for encampment and horse lines, and also farm at B20c2.6 with large field suitable for two sections of two Field Ambulances men, horses and vehicles. Nothing definite settled, but if Divisional Rest Station moves further back to an encampment, this Field Ambulance would possibly move into the factory at Bac St Maur at present in use as Divisional Rest Station.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                12th August 1915 Vacancies to be filled  6th County of London Brigade RFA report their vacancies in non-commissioned ranks, caused by death or sickness are being filled by promotion to temporary-acting-rank.

                                War Diaries


                                12th July 1915   KUK U-10 Austrian Submarine. (The former German SM UB-1)

                                Type U-10 Shipyard Ordered Launched 29th January 1915 Commissioned 12th July 1915

                                Commanders.
                                4 J ul 1915 - 10 Sep 1915 Karl Edler von Unczowski.
                                16 Sep 1915 - 22 Aug 1916 Leo Prásil.
                                22 Aug 1916 - 10 Dec 1916 Otto Molitor.
                                10 Dec 1916 - 11 Jun 1917 Hermann Rigele.
                                15 Jun 1917 - 26 Jul 1917 Albrecht Graf von Attems.
                                26 Jul 1917 - 24 Nov 1917 Robert Dürrigl.
                                25 Nov 1917 - 17 Mar 1918 Andreas Korparic.
                                23 May 1918 - 26 May 1918 Friedrich Sterz.
                                26 May 1918 - 31 Aug 1918 Johann Ulmansky von Vracsevgaj

                                Career.
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes No successes.

                                Fate Mined 9th July 1918 and scrapped in 1918.

                                John Doran


                                12th July 1915 Arrival of Sunbeam and Talbot cars  Assistant Director of Medical Services visited Field Ambulance this morning to interview Lt. Robertson Medical Officer 1/Cameronians, who is applying for a regular commission in the RAMC. Afterwards accompanied by the ADMS to select a suitable site for a divisional rest station camp and in view of this Field Ambulance moving into the factory at Bac St Maur.

                                Lt.-Col. Rattray proceeding nine days leave this evening and hands over the command to Capt. C G Browne DSO.

                                (NB this entry signed M M Rattray)

                                Capt. CG Brown RAMC took over temporary command of the Field Ambulance from Lieutenant-Colonel MM Rattray, who proceeded on leave to England. Seven Sunbeam cars arrived this evening with14 drivers and one NCO and motor bicycle. Five Talbot cars with 10 drivers and one motor bicycle transferred to No.1 MA ( Motor Ambulance) Convoy. The Sunbeam cars are all new 12-16 HP cars and the cycle is a Douglas.

                                (NB this entry signed CG Brown)

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                12th July 1915 Departure from Devonport  42nd Siege Battery RGA

                                42 Siege Battery embarked on board the SS Karoa sailing from Devonport to Alexandria, Egypt, departing on the 12th July 1915. It was to form part of 24th Heavy Artillery Brigade as GHQ Troops for Australia/New Zealand Division in Egypt.

                                extracts from memoirs


                                13th Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers sail from Devonport  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers sailed from Devonport for Malta enroute to the Dardanelles.

                                13th July 1915 Cars sent in error   Instruction received from OC (Officer Commanding) MA (Motor Ambulance) convoys that the Sunbeam cars had been sent to these this unit in error. The five Talbots returned and Sunbeams with personnel etc were returned to OC MA Convoy. Lt. Ford RAMC completed the damping of smoke helmets for the 19th Infantry Brigade.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                14th Jul 1915 10th West Yorks proceed to France  10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment proceed to France, they land at Boulogne on the 14th of July 1915.

                                15th Jul 1915  19th Heavy Battery proceed to France  19th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                15th July 1915 Immediate move to Fort Rompu  Capt. JB Williamson RAMC assumed temporary command of 19th Field Ambulance vice Capt. CG Browne RAMC appointed Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services VII Corps. Capt. CG Browne left the unit for GHQ this day. (Signed CG Browne)

                                Orders received at 2 pm from Assistant Director of Medical Services 27th Division, for 19th Field Ambulance to move at once to brewery at Fort Rompu, square H7d6.4. 19th Field Ambulance Paraded at 3:45 and marched complete at 4 pm. then took over brewery vacated by 26th Field Ambulance. Arranged accommodation for about 40 patients. At 11 pm visited by ADMS who considered accommodation insufficient. Prepared further accommodation allowing for total of about 120 lying down cases. All action posts in area cleared maintained as before. (signed JB Williamson)

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Ly. from 4 pm from Fort Rompu


                                16th July 1915 Batteryies in action 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA reports 15th London Battery fired 10 rounds in retaliation on forward German trenches. 16th London Battery also fired in retaliation and registered in addition G.34.b.7.7, G.35.a.1.6, G.29.c.9.1, G.35.b.7.3. 17th London Battery again fired on several occasions on enemy transport at H.25.d. Senior Officer J. Legrix (Interpreter) proceeded to Elbeuf on 8 days leave of absence.

                                War Diaries


                                16th July 1915 Inspection at Fort Rompu    Visited by Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General and Assistant Director of Medical Services 27th Division, who inspected the whole of the building occupied by the unit. The ADMS considered the arrangements for reception of sick and wounded satisfactory.

                                In the afternoon visited by General Officer Commanding 27th Division.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Fort Rompu


                                17th Jul 1915 Women March for right to work on Munitions  In London 50,000 women marched, led by Mrs Pankhurst, to petition for women to be permitted to work in Munitions Factories.

                                18th July 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Capt. P.A. Love, OC. 6th London Ammunition Column went sick and was removed to field ambulance, his place as OC. the Column being taken by Capt. C.P. Bertie of 16th London Battery. The 15th London Battery fired a total of 28 rounds in retaliation on forward German trenches and 16th London Battery fired 10 rounds. 17th London Battery fired 23 rounds in reply to hostile fire, which ceased. A working party of 30 men was dispersed. At 2345 the 17th London Battery fired 4 rounds on enemy’s trenches at the request of infantry. A Corporal, Bombardier and Gunner of the 15th London Battery were accidentally wounded whilst examining an unexploded German shell.

                                War Diaries


                                18th July 1915 DMS visits  Visited by Director of Medical Services First Army.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Fort Rompu


                                18th Jul 1915   9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment departed from Southampton aboard the H.M.Transport Monas Queen.

                                19th Jul 1915 Mine blown at Hooge  3rd Division blew a mine at Hooge which had been prepared by 175th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. They had constructed a gallery 190 ft long and laid a charge of 3500lbs of ammonal, creating a crater 120ft in diameter and 20ft deep.

                                Holts Battlefield Guide


                                19th July 1915 Move to Steenwerck   Unclear orders from 19th infantry brigade. Headquarters marched at 10:30 am to billets near Steenwerck, square A15C.sheet 36; relieved by one section 82nd Field Ambulance which took over advanced dressing station at Gris Pot. Divisional baton handed over to charge of 83rd Field Ambulance.

                                This day the 19th Infantry Brigade was relieved from the trenches, and moved into billets in the area west and south of Steenwerck.

                                Lt. Hill temporarily attached to Royal Welch Fusiliers, in relief of Lt. Harbison proceeded on nine days leave.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Fort Rompu


                                20th July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Retaliate  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lieut. W.J. Barnard proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence, thereby leaving the 16th Lon Battery with only two Officers. 2/Lt. J.A.W. Petro attached to the 16th London Battery from the 6th London Ammunition Column. 15th London Battery fired 15 rounds in retaliation on forward German trenches and 16th London Battery fired a total of 8 rounds also in retaliation, on the same target. 17th London Battery likewise retaliated.

                                War Diaries


                                20th July 1915 19th Infantry Brigade transfers to 8th Division  Visited by Deputy Director Medical Services 3rd Corps.

                                This day the 19th Infantry Brigade and attached troops were transferred from 27th Division to 8th Division.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance


                                21st Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers arrived in Malta  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers arrived Malta enroute to the Dardanelles.

                                21st Jul 1915 10th Btn. Rifle Brigade proceed to France  10th Battalion, Rifle Brigade having completed their training at Hamilton Camp near Stonehenge, proceeded to France, landing at Bologne.

                                21st July 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   The Adjutant of 6th County of London Brigade RFA, Captain M.J.K. O’Malley, became sick and was evacuated to 6 Field Ambulance. 15th London Battery fired a total of 36 rounds on billets at Loos and 7 rounds on German forward trenches, all in retaliation. 16th London Battery fired 23 rounds in retaliation, of these, 8 rounds were fired at Loos and remainder distributed along the German Front Line trenches. Later 32 rounds were fired at the latter target. At 3 periods during the day 17th London Battery retaliated on G.34.c.6.8. Three NCO’s and one man of the 15th London Battery were wounded as a result of examining a German 'blind' shell. One man of the 17th London Battery was wounded during bombardments of the 17th London Battery Wagon Line at Novelles

                                War Diaries


                                21st July 1915 Unsuccessful search for new sites for Field Ambulance  Visited by Assistant Director of Medical Services and Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services 8th Division. On their instructions, and accompanied by Lt. Hampson, went to inspect possible sites, in neighbourhood of Nouveau Monde, for Field Ambulance to occupy but found none suitable.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance


                                22nd Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers sail from Malta  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers sailed from Malta enroute to the Dardanelles via Alexandria.

                                22nd July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Fire  Retaliating, 15th London Battery fired 12 rounds on Loos billets and a total of 17 rounds on German Front Line trenches. 16th London Battery fired 91 rounds on Loos billets and German Front Line trenches. 17th London Battery fired at Loos billets. The hostile bombardment was particularly severe - using high explosive, on Philosophe, Les Brebris and neighbourhood this afternoon. One man in the 17th London Battery Wagon Line at Noyelles was wounded. 10 rifles per Battery along with the rifles of Brigade Headquarters staff and Ammunition Column were withdrawn. These Units are to be rearmed with carbines.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd July 1915 19th Field Ambulance ordered to move to Estaires   On orders from 19th Infantry Brigade HQ visited Agricultural College, Estaires, with a view to taking over buildings at present occupied by 1st Highland Field Ambulance 51st Division.

                                Orders received from the 19th Infantry Brigade headquarters cancelling arrangements re Agricultural College, and ordering Field Ambulance to move on July 23 to Pensionnat des Jeunes Filles, Estaires.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance


                                23rd July 1915 Retaliation by 6th London Brigade RFA   15th London Battery fired a total of 80 rounds on German Front Line trenches in retaliation for fire on ours. This Battery also fired 11 rounds registering a new point, G.28.b.3.7. The 16th London Battery fired 13 rounds in retaliation for the same reason as the 15th London Battery. The 17th London Battery fired 3 rounds on G.34.c.6.9.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd July 1915   SM U-66

                                Type U 66 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 203) Ordered 2 Feb 1913 Laid down 1 Nov 1913 Launched 22 Apr 1915 Commissioned 23 Jul 1915

                                Commanders.
                                23 Jul 1915 - 16 Jun 1917 Thorwald von Bothmer.
                                17 Jun 1917 - 3 Sep 1917 Gerhard Muhle

                                Career 7 patrols.
                                17 Oct 1915 - 15 Jan 1916 Baltic Flotilla.
                                15 Jan 1916 - 3 Sep 1917 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 24 ships sunk with a total of 69,016 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 6,714 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,005 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 5,250 tons.

                                • 5 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Zent 3,890 br
                                • 6 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Binicaise 151 fr
                                • 7 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Sainte Marie 397 fr
                                • 7 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Rijndijk (damaged) 3,557 nl
                                • 8 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Santanderino 3,346 sp
                                • 9 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Eastern City 4,341 br
                                • 9 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Glenalmond 2,888 br
                                • 9 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Sjolyst 997 nw
                                • 10 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Margam Abbey 4,471 br
                                • 10 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Unione 2,367 it
                                • 11 Aug 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Inverdruie 613 nw
                                • 19 Aug 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Falmouth (damaged) 5,250 br
                                • 11 Dec 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Bjor 1,090 nw
                                • 11 Dec 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Palander 311 sw
                                • 1 Mar 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Gurre 1,733 nw
                                • 1 Mar 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Livingstone (prize) 1,005 nw
                                • 22 Mar 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Stuart Prince 3,597 br
                                • 27 Mar 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Neath 5,548 br
                                • 6 Apr 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Powhatan 6,117 br
                                • 5 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Amor 3,472 it
                                • 5 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Manchester Miller 4,234 br
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Cranmore (damaged) 3,157 br
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Ikalis 4,329 br
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Bay State 6,583 br
                                • 14 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Perfect 1,088 nw
                                • 9 Jul 1917 U 66 Gerhard Muhle Iparraguirre 1,161 sp
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 66 Gerhard Muhle African Prince 4,916 br
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 66 Gerhard Muhle Harold 1,376 br

                                Fate 3 Sep 1917 - Lost on or after September 3, 1917, possibly in the Dogger Bank area to a mine. 40 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 66 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 10 Oct 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 2 Jan 1941.

                                John Doran


                                23rd July 1915 19th Field Ambulance moves to Estaires  Rejoined early this morning and assumed command. Lt. Soltau also returned to 1/Middlesex regiment as Medical Officer and Lt. Mullan who has been acting for him rejoined this unit today.

                                The Field Ambulance moved at 3 pm by march route to Estaires and took over the Pensionnat de Demoiselles from 3rd Highland Field Ambulance. This latter Field Ambulance connects from the trench line and Aid Posts tonight. The 19th Infantry Brigade moves into the section of the trenches (2 battalions) Fauquissart-Picantin, one battalion on Divisional Reserve in billets in Rue de la Lys, two battalions in Brigade Reserve in Laventie and Rue du Bac-Querot.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, near Steenwerck am and Estaires pm


                                24th Jul 1915 2nd Monmouths detached  The 2nd Monmouths were detached from the amalgamated battalions of the Monmouhs, the first to reform as an independent unit.

                                24th July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA in Action  15th London Battery fired a total of 48 rounds on the German Front Line trenches in retaliation. 16th London Battery retaliated similarly with 24 rounds. 17th London Battery fired at G.34.c.6.8 and dispersed a working party. Tonight one gun from the 15th, 16th and 17th London Batteries and one gun of the 13th London Battery (commanded by Major A.C. Scammel) took up forward positions prepared by working parties from the 5th and 7th Brigades, Royal Field Artillery for wire cutting.

                                War Diaries


                                24th July 1915 19th Field Ambulance opens in the Pensionnat de demoiselles  Took over Advanced Post in Laventie (Hospice Toulouse) and established and opened the Field Ambulance in the Pensionnat de demoiselles in Estaires for reception of sick and wounded. All transport had been parked in a field west of the town, and motor ambulance wagons in the courtyard of the school. Collected sick and wounded of Brigade today. General fatigues, cleaning up the buildings, were carried out in the day.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Estaires


                                24th Jul 1915 Advance Party Departs  The Transport and Machine Guns of the 10th Battalion Essex Regt, Lieutenants E.B.P. Davis and W.C. Neild under command of Major C.M. Wheatley entrained at Codford St Marys's, Wiltshire and proceeded to Havre via Southampton for active service.

                                10th Btn. Essex Regiment war diary WO95/2038


                                25th Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers land in Alexandria  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers land in Alexandia enroute to the Dardanelles.

                                25th July 1915 Wire Cutting  15th London Battery with 3 guns only, fired 13 rounds on G.28.c.8.1, 6 rounds on a German working party, 8 rounds on the Loos crossroads and billets in retaliation for German bombardments on Philosophe. 16th London Battery fired two rounds on Loos and the 17th London Battery replied to hostile bombardments of Maroc. Wire cutting took place tonight. Observation was for range rather than effect. The 15th London Battery fired 6 rounds, the 16th London Battery 5 rounds, 17th London Battery 7 rounds and the 13th London Battery 12 rounds. The results were satisfactory. The best results were obtained by the 17th London Battery, range 1750 yards. In all the cases the gun positions were over 3000 yards away. The working parties from the 5th and the 7th London Brigades returned to their units.

                                War Diaries


                                25th July 1915 Arrangements for collection of cases from the 19th Infantry Brigade  General fatigues continued, many of the rooms had to be whitewashed. Repairing incinerators for refuse and ? The following arrangements made for collection of cases from the 19th Infantry Brigade, at 6 am daily two motor ambulance wagons proceed to the advanced dressings post, and then go round the Aid Posts at M6a4.5 and M12c4.6 collecting all sick and wounded, and then evacuate to main Field Ambulance in Estaires, the officer and reinforcement party returning by the same wagon. At 6 pm two ambulance wagons proceeds to the Advanced Dressing Post with the reinforcement party of one officer, one NCO and four men. At this post the reinforcement party remains the night, the officer in the meantime proceeding to all Aid Posts to collect sick and wounded in two wagons. At Advanced Dressing Post those cases the needing attention are seen to, and the wagons then directed to headquarters in Estaires. One motor ambulance wagon is permanently stationed at the Advanced Dressing Post for emergency cases.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Estaires


                                25th Jul 1915 19th Seige Bty RGA in action  Morning was quiet for 9th Siege Battery and in the afternoon our guns opened fire, presumably at La Bassee again, firing about twenty rounds. Airman’s report, Capt Barrett, says several direct hits on gun battery target. Also a large explosion of ammunition was observed. German guns were firing in the morning and were put out of action in the afternoon.

                                diary of Brumfitt Atkinson


                                25th Jul 1915 10th Essex Proceed to France  10th Battalion Essex Regiment entrained at Codford St Mary's for active Service in France, less Transport & Machine Guns, Major Wheatley, Lieuts Davis and Neild. They embarked at Folkstone at about midnight 25th/26th July and arrived at Boulogne camp at 3am 26th July.

                                Before the division set sail for France the King sent a message of farewell. It read: Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Men, You are about to join your comrades at the front in bringing to a successful end this relentless war of nearly twelve months' duration. Your prompt patriotic answer to the Nation's Call to Arms will never be forgotten. The keen exertion of all ranks during the period of training have brought you to a state of efficiency not unworthy of my Regular Army. I am confident that in the field you will nobly uphold the traditions of the fine regiments whose names you bear. Ever since your enrolment I have closely watched the growth and steady progress of all units. I shall continue to follow with interest the fortunes of your division. In bidding you farewell, I pray that God may bless you in all your undertakings.

                                General Maxse replied: I beg you will convey to his Majesty our unalterable devotion to his Person and to His Throne and our fixed determination to uphold the best traditions of the British Army in war.

                                10th Btn. Essex Regiment war diary WO95/2038


                                26th July 1915   On the 26th of July 1915, the minimum required strength for the second line infantry battalions was reduced to 600, with troops in excess of that number being declared available for overseas service.

                                26th July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Fire  15th London Battery retaliated with 22 rounds on German forward trenches. By order of the 47th Division HQ, 16th London Battery fired on chimney seen in German trenches and after firing 16 rounds satisfied themselves that the chimney was not in the first or second line German trenches. 17th London Battery fired 2 rounds on transport on crossroads at H.25.d thereby stopping traffic. Last night the guns were bought back from wire cutting positions.

                                War Diaries


                                26th Jul 1915 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment  move brigade  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment transfer to 11th Brigade, still with 4th Division.

                                27h Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusilierssail from Alexandria  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers sailed from Alexandia for Lemnos enroute to the Dardanelles.

                                27th July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Retaliate  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt J.C. Woollett proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence. 15th London Battery fired 28 rounds in retaliation on German first and second line trenches. On this objective 16th London Battery retaliated with 10 rounds and also fired 3 rounds at Loos pylons. 17th London Battery did not fire.

                                War Diaries


                                27th July 1915 Preparations in Pensionnat de demoiselles   Reorganisation of wards in Pensionnat de demoiselles, and equipping for 100-300 cases.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Estaires


                                28th July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA movements  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major H.D. Sprague (2/6th London Battery RFA) and Captain E.J. Matcham (2/3rd East Anglian Brigade RFA) attached to the 16th and 17th London Batteries respectively. One section of the 15th London Battery was last night relieved by a section of A Battery ( 71st Brigade RFA, Kitchener’s Army) This section of the 15th London Battery proceeded forthwith to Gosnay. 16th London Battery fired 4 rounds on German Front Line trenches and 20 rounds on Loos, all in retaliation. A draft of 4 men received from Base Details.

                                War Diaries


                                28th July 1915 On the March  E Battery, RHA Started at 0830 and marched 11 miles to bivouac one mile SE of Morbecque. In reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Morbecque.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                29th July 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record in their war diary: The remaining section of the 15th London Battery and one section of the 16th London Battery were relieved by sections of Batteries of the 71st Brigade, RFA last night. D Battery of the 70th Brigade, RFA was in position at Vermelles, should have relieved the 17th London Battery, but having lost its way, failed to put in an appearance until 0400. As it was then daylight the relief had to be postponed.

                                War Diaries


                                29th Jul 1915 13th KRRC advance party leaves camp  29th July 1915, an advance party of 108 men of the 13th KRRC left Windmill Camp with all animals and transport, bound for Le Havre.

                                29th July 1915  promotions  

                                London Gazette Extract

                                9th Lancers in billets North of Zeggers Cappel. 'C' Squadron training. 1 Other Rank to Hospital. 2 Lead Draught Horses received.

                                The following are extracts from the London Gazette dated 29th July 1915 9th (Q.R) Lancers. Major (Bt. Lt. Col.) D.J.E. Beale-Browne to be Temporary Lt. Colonel from 8th October 1914 & 10th October 1914, and from 9th December 1914. Lieutenant I.A. Straker to be Temporary Captain 28th June 1915.

                                War Diary


                                29th July 1915 Advanced Dressing Post in Laventie  Visited by Deputy Director Medical Services 3rd Corps and afterwards took him to the Advanced Dressing Post in Laventie, which consists of a long room which can accommodate 30-40 patients with two smaller rooms, and cellar accommodation.

                                Lt. Hill returned from medical charge of Royal Welsh Fusiliers on relief by Capt. Harbison returned from leave.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Estaires


                                30th Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers pass through Lemnos  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers arribed at Lemnos Harbour and transferred to HM Gunboat Newmarket, setting sail for Cape Helles, arriving at midnight.

                                30th Jul 1915 Germans use flamethrower  In an attack at 03:15 in the front line at the Hooge Crater, the Germans employed a flame thrower against troops of the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade and 7th Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

                                30th Jul 1915 13th KRRC proceed to France  The remaining 998 men and 31 officers of the 13th Battalion KRRC marched out of Windmill Camp in two halves. They sailed from Folkestone on the SS Servial to Boulogne escorted by two destroyers.

                                30th Jul 1915 Sheffield City Battalion leave Cannock Chase  The Sheffield City Battalion undertook a 16 mile route march cross country under the blazing sun with full packs, taking six hours to complete the course. 80men suffered exhaustion and failed to complete the route. On return to Penkridge Bank Camp, they had two hours to pack up and have their meal. They then marched four miles to Rugeley station and boarded trains for the 4th Army Training Centre at South Camp, Ripon.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                30th July 1915 Inspection of cases unfit for trenches.   Visited by Deputy Director Medical Service 8th Division who inspected cases unfit for trenches.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Estaires


                                29th July 1915 Training  On 29th and 30th July E Battery, RHA practiced Crossing Canal in sections complete at a time by order of Brigadier General Royal Artillery Cavalry Corps. A piece practice which did not improve either equipment or ammunition.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                31st Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers land on Cape Helles  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers landed at Cape Helles from HM Gunboat Newmarket and went straight into the lines.

                                31st July 1915 13th Rifles proceed to France  13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade land at Boulogne with 111th Brigade, 37th Division.

                                31st Jul 1915 12th York & Lancs arrive at Ripon  The Sheffield City Battalion arrived at Ripon in the early hours and the men marched to South Camp on the Harrogate Road and spent the day unloading stores and settling into the camp. The training at Ripon was mainly in musketry, but before it could begin, the men had to construct a rifle range

                                31st July 1915   Relieved the 2nd Bn Coldstream guards in B1 sector.

                                War Diary of the 1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment


                                31st July 1915 Return to billets  E Battery, 3rd Brigade RHA started at 0830. Marched back to billet and bivouac 3/4 of a mile SE of Noordpeene.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                Aug 1915 23rd Manchesters move to Salisbury Plain  23rd Manchesters move to Salisbury Plain in August 1915 from Masham to prepare for active service.

                                1st Aug 1915 HMEF Watford opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Watford, Hertfordshire started in August 1915 for the production of Ammonal, amatol, smoke powder & experimental work. First output was December 1915. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Aug 1915 NSF Barnsley (no. 1) Dominion Works opens.  National Shell Factory Barnsley (no. 1), Dominion Works, Yorkshire started on August 1915, for teh production of 4.5 inch shell. First output was January 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Aug 1915 NSF Victoria Street, Grimsby opens.  National Shell Factory Victoria Street, Grimbsy, Lincolnshire opened in August 1915, for the production of 4.5-in and 6-in shell. First output was December 1915. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Aug 1915 NSF Tramway Depot, Chester opens  National Shell Factory Tramway Depot, Chester opened in August 1915 for the production of 18-pdr. and 2.75-in. shell. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Birtley opens.  National Projectile Factory Birtley, Durham was started in August 1915. First output was July 1916, producing 4-in. 4.5-in, 60-pdr, 6-in, 8-in shell. It was under the control of the Belgian Government and workers were also Belgian.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Waddam's pool opens.  National Projectile Factory Waddam's Pool, Dudley, Worcestershire started up in August 1915, for the production of 18-pdr., 60-pdr., 6-in., 8-in. shell, and proof shot. First output was early 1916. It was under the control of Bean & Son

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Mossend, Glasgow starts.  National Projectile Factory Mossend, Glasgow, Lanarkshire started up on August 1915 for the forging of Shell. First output was early 1916. It was under the control of Beardmore Ltd.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Grant's Mill, Glasgow starts.  National Projectile Factory Grant's Mill, Mile End, Glasgow, Lanarkshire started up in August 1915. First output was March 1916 of 18-pdr., 60-pdr., and 6-in. shell. It was under the control of Beardmore Ltd.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Cardonald, Paisley starts.  National Projectile Factory Cardonald, Paisley, Glasgow, Lanarkshire started up on August 1915. First output was March 1916 producing 18-pdr., 6-in., and 8-in. shell. The factory undertook gun repair in 1917. It was under the control of Beardmore Ltd.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Lancaster starts.  National Projectile Factory Lancaster started up in August 1915. First output was March 1916, producing 60-pdr., 6-in., 8-in., and 9.3-in. shell, adding gun repair and trench warfare work in 1917. It was under the control of Vickers Ltd.

                                1st Aug 1915 NFF Long Eaton opens.  National Filling Factory Long Eaton, Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, started up in August 1915. First output was January 1916, filling 4.5 in. to 15-in. shell. It was under the control of Direct Control.

                                1st Aug 1915 NFF Willesden Lane, Perivale opens.  National Filling Factory Willesden Lane, Perivale, London started up in August 1915. Engaged in filling shell components and experimental work. First output was December 1915. It was under the control of the Metropolitan Munitions Committee Direct Control.

                                1st Aug 1915 NFF White Lund, Morecambe opens.  National Filling Factory White Lund, Morecambe, Lancashire started up in August 1915, filling 60-pdr., 6-in., 8-in., 9.2-in. and 12-in. shell. First output was Summer 1916. It was under the control of Vickers Ltd.

                                1st Aug 1915 NFF Sumner Street, Southwark opens.  National Filling Factory Sumner Street, Southwark, London started up in August 1915, filling shell components, First output was September 1915. In 1918 he factory was employed inspecting protective clothing. It was under the control of Direct Control.

                                1st Aug 1915 NSF Newlay opens  National Shell Factory Newlay, Leeds, West Yorkshire started up in August 1915. First output of 9.2-in and 15-in shell was April 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management. There was also a National Projectile Factory and a National Ordinance Factory on the site.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Newlay opens.  National Projectile Factory Newlay, Leeds, West Yorkshire started up in August 1915. First output of 9.2-in and 15-in shell was April 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management. There was also a National Shell Factory and a National Ordinance Factory on the site.

                                1st Aug 1915 NOF Newlay opens.  National Ordinance Factory Newlay, Leeds, West Yorkshire started up in August 1915. First output of 9.2-in and 15-in shell was April 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management. There was also a National Shell Factory and a National Projectile Factory on the site.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Kings Meadow Road, Nottingham opens.  National Projectile Factory King's Meadow Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire started up on August 1915. First output was March 1916 of 6-in., and 9.2-in. shell. In 1917 and 18 it was also used for the production of and repairing 18-pdr. guns. It was under the control of Cammell Laud. There was also a National Ordnance Factory on site.

                                1st Aug 1915 NOF King's Meadow Road, Nottingham opens.  National Ordnance Factory King's Meadow Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire started up on August 1915. First output was March 1916 of 6-in., and 9.2-in. shell. In 1917 and 18 it was also used for the production of and repairing 18-pdr. guns. It was under the control of Cammell Laud. There was also a National Projectile Factory on site.

                                1st Aug 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers attack H12  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers attack the Turks at H12 from the 1st to the 5th of August,

                                1st August 1915 Unit Move and Inspection  The 6th London Brigade RFA is now complete at Gosnay (Chateau des Dames). A series of inspections is about to be embarked on - horses, kit, harness wagon are all being inspected by OC. Field Units. The guns of the Brigade were inspected by the Inspector of Munitions. W Corps who made a satisfactory report.

                                War Diaries


                                1st August 1915 Training and recreation  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                The Downs were fully utilised for Divisional training exercises with the Pioneers acting as the enemy in day and night exercises of increasing intensity. Sport and training courses were also intensified in final preparation for the move to the Front.

                                There was a meeting of the Pioneer’s Masonic Lodge No. 420 which had been granted a travelling warrant at its inaugural constitution in Lurgan Masonic Hall.

                                There was also a visit by Sir Edward and Lady Carson on the 3rd August at which everything was declared to be in good order.

                                The Battalion’s stay on the Downs came to an end as an advance party moved to Borden on the 31st August and an advance Divisional Command Group including General Nugent and Colonel Leader paid a short familiarisation visit to France.

                                Lurgan Mail


                                Aug 1915 Wearside Pals train in Wensleydale  20th Battalion DLI are training at a tented camp in Wensleydale from August until October when they moved to Barnard Castle.

                                1st August 1915 HMS Redoubtable formerly Revenge (1894)  HMS Redoubtable (1915 to 1919) formerly HMS Revenge (1894) Royal Sovereign class pre-dreadnought battleship. Only survivor of its class during WW1.

                                It was renamed as a new Revenge (ship and class of dreadnoughts) was about to be commissioned (see Revenge (1915)).

                                Full details are listed under HMS Revenge.(keycode reveng1). The new Revenge is listed as HMS Revenge(1915) (keycode reveng2)

                                John Doran


                                Aug 1915   In early August 1915 the Battalion were issued with steel helmets. this was a new invention at the time and would help prevent many head injuries

                                1st August 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are in reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Noordpeene.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                1st Aug 1915 5th Royal Irish Regiment land Gallipolli  5th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipolli.

                                Aug 1915 In the Trenches  
                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                The Commanding Officer of the 12th Battalion, Manchester Regiment visiting 37 trench, Hill 60, near Ypres in August 1915 © The rights holder (IWM Q 60486)

                                2nd August 1915 Staff changes  The Adjutant, Capt. M.J.K. O’Malley rejoined 6th County of London Brigade from the Base. A supply of Cooks' Carts were received.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd August 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ49 (LZ79)

                                • Production Ref: LZ49
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ79
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 2nd August 1915

                                History.

                                Dropped a total of 4,440 kg (9,790 lb) of bombs in two attacks on Brest-Litovsk and Kovel, also one attack on Paris on the 30th January 1916. It was hit by French fire and damaged beyond repair in a forced landing near Ath.

                                John Doran


                                2nd Aug 1915 1st Cameronians instruct 10th Rifles near Laventie  War Diary of the 1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 2nd Division, records: Location, in trenches near Laventie. 4 platoons 10/RB attached from 8.30 pm for 24 hrs for instruction.

                                3rd August 1915 Staff movements  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major H. Bayley proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd Aug 1915 1st Cameronians instruct 10th Rifles near Laventie  War Diary of the 1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 2nd Division, records: Location, in trenches near Laventie. 6 platoons 10/RB attached for instruction.

                                4th August 1915 Staff Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA report an examination took place of a class of 20 recruit signalers, undergoing a three month course of instruction. This is the end of the first month's examination.

                                War Diaries


                                4th August 1915    Type U 66 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 204) Ordered 2 Feb 1913 Laid down 1 Nov 1913 Launched 15 May 1915 Commissioned 4 Aug 1915

                                Commanders.
                                4 Aug 1915 - 15 Mar 1916 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski.
                                16 Mar 1916 - 14 Dec 1917 Hans Nieland.
                                15 Dec 1917 - 15 Sep 1918 Helmuth von Rabenau

                                Career 13 patrols.
                                28 Oct 1915 - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 17 ships sunk with a total of 39,694 tons.

                                3 ships damaged with a total of 14,766 tons.

                                • 16 Apr 1916 U 67 Hans Nieland Cardonia 2,169 br
                                • 20 Apr 1916 U 67 Hans Nieland Whitgift 4,397 br
                                • 22 Apr 1916 U 67 Hans Nieland Chanaral 2,423 fr
                                • 28 Jan 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Daisy 1,227 da
                                • 29 Jan 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Punta Teno 1,042 sp
                                • 1 Feb 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Butron 2,434 sp
                                • 2 Feb 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Elikon 1,166 gr
                                • 5 Feb 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Lorton 1,419 pe
                                • 19 Feb 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Headley 4,953 br
                                • 17 Apr 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Kish 4,928 br
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Rhydwen 4,799 br
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Portloe 3,187 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Port Jackson 2,309 br
                                • 19 Jul 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Harrildsborg 1,547 da
                                • 24 Jul 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Viking 873 sw
                                • 28 Jul 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Rigmor 798 da
                                • 15 Sep 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Idomeneus (damaged) 6,692 br
                                • 21 Nov 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Breynton (damaged) 4,240 br
                                • 22 Nov 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Redbridge (damaged) 3,834 br
                                • 27 Nov 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Premier 23 br

                                Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Fareham in 1921.

                                There was another U 67 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 30 Oct 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 22 Jan 1941.

                                John Doran


                                4th August 1915   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                In reserve near Noordpeene. Lieutenant OS Lund left on promotion to 3rd Infantry Division.

                                war diaries


                                5th Aug 1915 Germany captures Warsaw  Germany captured Warsaw from the Russian army.

                                5th August 1915 Training  The 6th London Ammunition Column are carrying out Battery Gun Drill with the guns of the batteries. Brigade Headquarters are moved to the Mill House, Gosnay.

                                War Diaries


                                5th August 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are in reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Noordpeene.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                6th Aug 1915 1st Essex and 88th Brigade go over top at Cape Helles  The 1st Essex and 88th Brigade went over the top at Calle Helles, supported by the 86th Brigade including the 2nd Royal Fusilers. They were heavily repulsed and forced to retire.

                                6th August 1915 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major P.J. Clifton, sick, proceeded to hospital. The race course, on Hesdigneul Common, is at the disposal of Batteries of this Brigade for two days per week.

                                War Diaries


                                6th Aug 1915  Serbino sunk by U9  British Merchant vessel Serbino is sunk by submarine U-9.

                                6th Aug 1915 4 Platoons of 10th Rifles attached 1st Cameronians  War Diary of the 1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 2nd Division, records: Location, in trenches near Laventie. 4 platoons 10/RB attached, 1 RB wounded.

                                6th Aug 1915 9th West Yorks at Sulva Bay  9th West Yorks land at Suvla Bay

                                6th Aug 1915 British attack The Vineyard  The Battle of Krithia Vineyard was fought during the Gallipoli Campaign from the 6th to 13th of August 1915. It was originally intended as a minor British action at Helles on the Gallipoli peninsula to divert attention from the imminent launch of the August Offensive, but instead, the British commander, Brigadier General H.E. Street, mounted a futile and bloody series of attacks that in the end gained a small patch of ground known as "The Vineyard".

                                6th August 1915 On the March  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA sStarted at 0730 on change of billets and went into bivouac and billets in a farm 1/2 a mile NW of Blaringhem, in at 1000hrs about 10 miles.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                7th August 1915 Training and recreation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the Assistant Director of Veterinary Services 47 Div. lectured to the class of proposed Shoeing Smiths, undergoing a six weeks course of instruction. The Brigade held an illuminated concert in the woods at which the Regimental Band of the 6th London Field Ambulance played a selection of music. Amongst those present were - the GOCRA and staff of 47th Divisional Artillery, Major Doyle and staff of 1V Corps, the Staff of 142 Infantry Brigade and the Staff of 47th Division.

                                War Diaries


                                7th Aug 1915  20th Heavy Battery proceed to France  20th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                7th Aug 1915   The attack at the Nek was to coincide with an attack by New Zealand soldiers from Chunuk Bair, and was also supposed to be captured in the early morning of August 7th. The Australian 3rd Light Horse Brigade were to take the Nek while New Zealanders took Battleship Hill from the rear. The 3rd Light Horse Brigade were raised in Australia as a combined infantry, artillery and cavalry unit. They were shipped to Egypt, where they had to leave their horses and serve as infantry in Gallipoli.

                                The attack was supposed to begin at 0430 after a naval bombardment. The 8th and 10th Light Horse Regiments were to advance on a front 80 yards wide, in four waves of 150 men each. Each wave was to go over the top ever two minutes. The Ottoman lines were only 29 yards away. Unfortunately the New Zealand advance failed to reach Chunuk Bair. Without capturing that high ground the Ottoman machine guns, with their enfiladed fire, would slaughter anyone crossing the ground around Quinn’s Post and the Nek. Major General Sir Alexander Godley, commander of the ANZAC Division, declared that the attack would proceed anyway.

                                The artillery bombardment also went wrong, with the barrage ending at 0423. The officers in the trenches did not know if the artillery was to continue or not. The artillery officer and the assault officer had not synchronized their watches prior to the attack. The attack did not go at 0430 and this gave the Ottoman defenders plenty of time to return to their trenches and prepare for the assault they now knew was coming.

                                The first wave of 150 men, from the 8th Light Horse Regiment, went over the top, and within 30 seconds they were all gunned down. Incredibly a few men made it to the enemy trenches and marker flags were seen flying, but those men were quickly shot or bayoneted by the Ottoman defenders. The second wave followed the first, without hesistation, two minutes later. They were met by the same wall of murderous machine gun and rifle fire, and were cut down before they got halfway to the trench… only about 15 yards. A supporting attack by the Royal Welch Fusiliers against the "Chessboard" trenches also suffered 65 casualties before it too was called off. A simultaneous attack by the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, from the 1st Light Horse Brigade at Quinn’s Post was abandoned when 49 out of the 50 men in the first wave were killed or wounded. Their regiment commander did not go over in the first wave and was able to stop the slaughter.

                                Unfortunately for the men attacking the Nek, the 8th Light Horse Regiment’s commander, Lieutenant Colonel A.H. White, was in the first wave and lay dead in the the space between the two trenches. No one called off the attack. The commander of the 10th Light Horse Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Noel Brazier, tried to call off the third wave, claiming that "the whole thing was nothing but bloody murder", but he could not persuade the Brigade Major, Colonel John Anthill, to end the attack. Neither could find the Brigade commander Colonel Hughes. Anthill implied that there was success since marker flags were seen in the trenches. Anthill ordered the third wave to go over the top.

                                The third wave "hopped the bags" and was slaughtered. Many of the men just ran out of the trench and immediately dived for cover, using the bodies of those who went before them as a buffer from the bullets. Since their duty was just to get over the trench and they considered it fulfilled. Due to this the 10th Light Horse Regiment had a lower casualty rate than the 8th Regiment. The attack was finally called off, but amazingly, in all the chaos of the morning, about half of the fourth wave went over, and they were cut down too. By 0445 it was over and the ridge was covered with dead and wounded Australians. They would remain there for the duration.

                                Out of the 600 Australians that took part in the attack, 372 fell. The 8th Light Horse Regiment lost 234 men out of the 300 who "hopped the bags" and 154 of them were killed. The 10th Light Horse Regiment lost 138 out of their 300 of which 80 were killed. The Ottoman losses were almost non-exitent, with only eight dead. It is said the Australians were ordered to charge with unloaded rifles, using only the bayonet.

                                8th August 1915 Battle of the Gulf of Riga 1915  The Battle of the Gulf of Riga was a World War I naval operation of the German High Seas Fleet against the Russian Baltic Fleet in the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea in August 1915.The operation's objective was to destroy the Russian naval forces in the Gulf and facilitate the fall of Riga to the German army on the Eastern Front in 1915. The German fleet, however, failed to achieve its objective and was forced to return to its bases. Riga remained in Russian hands until it fell to the German Army on 1st of September 1917.

                                In early August 1915, several powerful units of the German High Seas Fleet were transferred to the Baltic to participate in the foray into the Riga Gulf. The intention was to destroy the Russian naval forces in the area, including the pre-dreadnought battleship Slava, and to use the minelayer Deutschland to block the entrance to the Moon Sound with mines. The German naval forces, under the command of Vice Admiral Hipper, included the four Nassau-class and four Helgoland-class battleships, the battlecruisers SMS Moltke, Von der Tann, and Seydlitz, and a number of smaller craft.

                                Battle

                                On 8th of August, the first attempt to clear the gulf was made. The old battleships SMS Braunschweig and Elsass kept Slava at bay while minesweepers cleared a path through the inner belt of mines. During this period, the rest of the German fleet remained in the Baltic and provided protection against other units of the Russian fleet. However, the approach of nightfall meant that Deutschland would be unable to mine the entrance to the Suur Strait in time and so the operation was broken off. In the meantime, the German armored cruisers SMS Roon and Prinz Heinrich were detached to shell the Russian positions at the Sõrve Peninsula in the Saaremaa island. Several Russian destroyers were anchored at Sõrve and one was slightly damaged during the bombardment. The battlecruiser Von der Tann and the light cruiser SMS Kolberg were sent to shell the island of Utö. On 16th of August, a second attempt was made to enter the gulf. The dreadnoughts SMS Nassau and Posen, four light cruisers and 31 torpedo boats breached the defenses to the gulf. On the first day of the assault, the German minesweeper T46 was sunk, as was the destroyer V99. On 17th of August, Nassau and Posen engaged in an artillery duel with Slava, resulting in three hits on the Russian ship that prompted her withdrawal. After three days, the Russian minefields had been cleared and the flotilla entered the gulf on 19 August, but reports of Allied submarines in the area prompted a German withdrawal from the gulf the following day. Throughout the operation, the German battlecruisers remained in the Baltic and provided cover for the assault into the Gulf of Riga. On the morning of the 19th, Moltke was torpedoed by the British E-class submarine HMS E1. The torpedo was not spotted until it was approximately 200 yd away. Without time to manoeuver, the ship was struck in the bow torpedo room. The explosion damaged several torpedoes in the ship, but they did not detonate themselves. Eight men were killed and 480 short tons of water entered the ship. The ship was repaired at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg between 23 August and 20 September.

                                Order of battle

                                  Russia
                                • Battleship: Slava
                                • Gunboats: Grozyashchiy, Khrabry, Sivuch, Korietz
                                • Minelayer: Amur
                                • Flotilla of 16 destroyers

                                  Germany

                                • Battleships: SMS Nassau, SMS Posen, SMS Braunschweig, SMS Elsass
                                • Battlecruiser: SMS Moltke, SMS Seydlitz, SMS Von der Tann
                                • Cruisers: SMS Augsburg, SMS Bremen, SMS Graudenz, SMS Pillau, SMS Roon, SMS Prinz Heinrich
                                • Flotilla of 56 destroyers

                                John Doran


                                8th Aug 1915 7th Gloucester lead the Attack  7th (service) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment lead the others over the top of Chunuk Bair early on the Sunday morning.

                                9th August 1915 Training and recreation  All 6th County of London Brigade RFA signallers are being re-drilled. The 16th London Battery moved it's Wagon Line and Gun Park to a position higher in the woods of the Bois Des Dames. A working party of 100 men of this Brigade proceeded to Les Brebis to construct gun pits on the second line of defence, under the supervision of 2/Lt C.E.H. Lloyd. All billets are being systematically searched, so that all surplus ordnance and supply stores can be handed to the Salvage Company. Capt M.J.K. O’Malley won 2nd prize in the Open Jumping Competition at 7th London Brigade RFA sports.

                                War Diaries


                                9th August 1915 First flight of Zeppelin LZ46  Zeppelin LZ46 (L14) a P Class craft had its first flight on the 9th August 1915. L14 was the most successful of the German Navy airships. It carried out 42 reconnaissance missions and 17 attacks on Britain dropping a total of 22,045 kg (48,601 lb) of bombs. It was taken out of service during 1917 and 1918 and destroyed by its crew on 23 June 1919.

                                John Doran


                                9th Aug 1915 2nd Sherwoods in action at Ypres  "B" Coy. 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters are in action in the second battle of Ypres

                                9th August 1915 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  On night of the 9,10 August, four Zeppelins were directed against London, none reached it's target and one, LZ43(L12), was damaged by ground fire near Dover and came down in the sea off Zeebrugge. Despite eight attacks by RNAS aircraft the airship was towed into Ostend where it was later dismantled.

                                John Doran


                                9th Aug 1915 10th Green Howards leave Halton Park  10th Green Howards leave Halton Park Camp for Witley Camp

                                10th August 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt Col A.C. Lowe DSO and Major A.C. Gordon proceeded to England on 4 & 7 days leave respectively. A draft of 5 men arrived from Base. 2/Lt J.A.W. Petro attached from 6th London Ammunition Column to 17th London Battery during absence of Lt C.E.H. Lloyd.

                                War Diaries


                                11th Aug 1915 1st and 3rd Monmouths reform  The 1st and 2nd Monmouths separated from the amalgamated battalion to be independent units once more. The 3rd Monmouth's were reattached to the 83rd Brigade and reorganised into four Companies under Lt J.M. Jones, Captain H.G. Tyler, Lt L.D. Whitehead and Lt H.A. Hodges.

                                11th August1915 Sport and Inspections  The 6th London Brigade RFA Boxing Competition was concluded. It was proposed to billet the Brigade at Marles, but as no suitable accommodation could be found, it was decided to let the Brigade remain where it was in bivouacs. 2/Lt W.G. Russell proceeded to Base. The ADVS (47 Div) inspected 9 horses for the purposes of casting.

                                War Diaries


                                12th Aug 1915 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  The four Zeppelin raid was repeated on the night of the 12th/13th August. Two of the Zeppelins again had to turn back, but LZ 40 (L 10) and another Zeppelin continued. LZ 40 was able to bomb Harwich, destroying two houses. One bomb fell in the middle of a street in a crowd staring at the Zeppelin. When it exploded it killed men, eleven women and nine children. Though the anti-aircraft guns fired at them, they were able to get away. The other Zeppelin, found no target and was barely able to make it home due to a violent storm over the North Sea.

                                John Doran


                                13th Aug 1915 10th Green Howards leave Halton Park  10th Green Howards leave Halton Park Camp for Witley Camp

                                14th August 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major P.J. Clifton, 17th London Battery, rejoined the Brigade from the Base. Lt H.B. Wells was struck off the strength of the Brigade from today’s date.

                                War Diaries


                                14th Aug 1915 Gloucestershire Hussars leave Egypt  The Gloucestershire Hussars received orders on August 11th for the Yeomanry to proceed to Gallipoli without their horses. Leaving 4 officers, 100 O.R. and all the horses, the Regiment sailed from Alexandria on August 14th 1915 on the 'Haverford' and 'Ascania'.

                                15th August 1915 Medical  6th County of London Brigade RFA men who have been inoculated with one dose only are to be re-inoculated. 100% of the Brigade have now been inoculated.

                                War Diaries


                                17th August 1915 Appointments  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt. C.P Bertie proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence. A Board was appointed to examine the Class of Shoeing Smiths who had undergone a six week course of instruction.

                                War Diaries


                                17th August 1915 Zeppelin raid on London  A third four Zeppelin raid tried to reach London on the night of the 17th,18th of August; two turned back with mechanical problems, LZ41(L11) bombed Ashford and Faversham in Kent in the belief it was Woolwich, but LZ40(L10) became the first Navy airship to reach London. L 10 was also misnavigated, mistaking the reservoirs of the Lea Valley for the Thames, and consequently dropped its bombs on Walthamstow and Leytonstone. 10 people were killed, 48 injured and property damage to the railway station and housing was estimated at £30,750.

                                Guns were fired at L 10 and a few aircraft took off in pursuit, but the Zeppelin suffered no damage in the raid. L 10 was destroyed a little over two weeks later when it was struck by lightning and caught fire off Cuxhaven, and the entire crew was killed.

                                John Doran


                                17th August 1915   SM U-68

                                Type U 66 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 205) Ordered 2 Feb 1913 Laid down 31 Dec 1913 Launched 1 Jun 1915 Commissioned 17 Aug 1915

                                Commanders.
                                17 Aug 1915 - 22 Mar 1916 Ludwig Güntzel

                                Career 1 patrols.
                                28 Nov 1915 - 22 Mar 1916 IV Flotilla

                                Successes No successes.

                                John Doran


                                18th Aug 1915 Munitions Tribunal meet in Halifax  The Munitions Tribunal for Halifax and Hudderfield held their first meeting in Halifax.

                                http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~calderdalecompanion/souv_1915.html


                                18th August Appointments  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt J.A.W. Petro proceeded to Les Brebis to assist 2/Lt C.E.H. Lloyd in digging gun pits on the defence lines. Two 18 pounder guns fetched from 15th Divisional Artillery to provide practice for the Batteries of this Brigade.

                                War Diaries


                                18th Aug 1915 Gloucestershire Hussars land at Sulva Bay  The Gloucestershire Hussars landed at Suvla Bay, having sailed from Alexandria on the 'Haverford' and 'Ascania'. The Regiment was concentrated near Chocolate Hill. With no cover available the enemy shelled the Regiment, 2nd Lieut. Gething was killed, Lt-Col. Playne, Captain Longworth, Lieut. Howard, and 2nd Lieut. Colledge were severely wounded. With the Yeoman acting as infantry, an advance was made on Hill 112 and the Turkish front-line trench captured. Besides the listed officers, 11 men were killed, 44 wounded and 1 missing.

                                General Sir Ian Hamilton reported: "The advance of these English Yeoman was a sight calculated to send a thrill of pride through anyone with a drop of English blood running through their veins...... there was nothing to conceal a mouse...... despite the critical events in other parts of the field I could hardly take my glasses from the Yeoman; they moved like men marching on parade. Here and there a shell would take a toll of a cluster; there they lay. There was no straggling; the others moved steadily on; not a man was there who hung back or hurried."

                                Days of trench duty followed and more casualties (both war and sickness) were sustained.

                                19th August 1915 Training  Hesdigneul Common is no longer at the disposal of Artillery Brigades of 47th Division for any purpose.

                                War Diaries


                                19th August 1915   SM U-27

                                Type U 27 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 17) Ordered 19 Feb 1912 Launched 14 Jul 1913 Commissioned 8 May 1914.
                                Commanders.
                                8 May 1914 - 19 Aug 1915 Bernd Wegener

                                Career 3 patrols.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 19 Aug 1915 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 10 ships sunk with a total of 31,120 tons.
                                2 warships sunk with a total of 6,325 tons.

                                • 18 Oct 1914 U 27 Bernd Wegener E 3 (hms) 725 br
                                • 31 Oct 1914 U 27 Bernd Wegener Hermes (hms) 5,600 br
                                • 11 Mar 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Bayano 5,948 br
                                • 13 Mar 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Hartdale 3,839 br
                                • 18 May 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Drumcree 4,052 br
                                • 19 May 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Dumfries 4,121 br
                                • 21 May 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Glenholm 1,968 br
                                • 18 Aug 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Ben Vrackie 3,908 br
                                • 18 Aug 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Gladiator 3,359 br
                                • 18 Aug 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Magda 1,063 nw
                                • 18 Aug 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Sverresborg 1,144 nw
                                • 19 Aug 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Pena Castillo 1,718 sp

                                Fate 19 Aug 1915 - Sunk by gunfire from Q-Ship Baralong in Western Approaches 5043N 0722W. 37 dead (all hands lost).

                                On 18 October, 1914 the British U-boat E3 was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by the German U-boat U 27. This was the first decisive fight between U-boats in the First World War.

                                This boat was sunk by the Q-Ship HMS Baralong (Lieutenant Godfrey Herbert RN). Herbert ordered that all German survivors, among them the commander of SM U 27, should be executed on the spot. Although the British Admiralty tried to keep this event a secret, news spread to Germany and the infamous "Baralong incident" - a war crime which was never prosecuted - had its share in promoting cruelty at sea.

                                There was another U 27 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 24 Jun 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 12 Aug 1936.

                                John Doran


                                20th Aug 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers leave Cape Helles for Cape Sulva  The 2nd Royal Fusilers proceeded from Cape Helles to Cape Sulva.

                                21st Aug 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers under heavy fire  The 2nd Royal Fusilers were under heavy fire from the Turks at Cape Sulva, a bombardment which lasted three dats.

                                21st August 1915 Postings and Promotions  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lieut G. Lyon-Smith having rejoined the Brigade from the 3/6th London Brigade RFA was posted to the 15th London Battery. Major R.R. Wansbrough promoted Lieutenant-Colonel.

                                War Diaries


                                21st Aug 1915 Battle of Scimitar Hill  The attack on Scimitar Hill was a last chance effort to break north out of Anzac Cove and northeast out of Suvla Bay, and have the two Allied forces link up. Henry de Beauvoir de Lisle was in charge of the attack and the British 29th Division was given the honors since they were a veteran unit and not one of the new reinforcements. The W Hills and the Scimitar Hill was the primary objective to be captured. At the same time another attack, on Hill 60, would tie down some of the Turkish forces.

                                Like most of the Gallipoli campaign, the artillery barrage looked impressive, but did very little. The 11th Division that attacked the W Hills, lost their bearings… got lost and could not find the hill in the dense fog that crept in. However the 29th Division found the Scimitar Hill and drove the Turks off of it. However Turkish artillery drove the British off the hill, seeking cover from the intense bombardment. The British counter battery fire set the hill on fire, incinerating the wounded. Reinforcements from Suvla Bay were cut down as they tried to charge up the hill. Over 5,000 British were killed and wounded, many from the fires caused by red hot shrapnel. The Turks only lost 2,600 men in the fight. One Victoria Crosses was awarded for Scimitar Hill, to Private Frederick Potts, for crawling through the burning brush with his wounded comrade strapped the shovel on his back. He was wounded in the thigh before he started the 600 yard crawl, and was under fire the entire way.

                                A request was sent to Lord Kitchener to send another 95,000 men, but Kitchner could only offer 40,000. The British government started considering evacuating the Allied forces.

                                22nd Aug 1915 3rd Monmouths return to front line  The 3rd Monmouths returned to the front line at Kemmel for six days.

                                22nd August 1915 Appointments and Inspections  th County of London Brigade RFA reports Liuet C.E.H. Lloyd appointed temporary Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier-General J.C Wray MVO, CRA 47 Division. Each unit inspected by OC. Brigade after Church Parade. Passenger boats and mail steamer service between England and France stopped.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd August 1915 Postings and Sport  The 6th London Brigade RFA Tug O War team, captained by RSM J.T.Hood, and coached by BSM A.V.Davis, having beaten the 8th London (Howitzer) Brigade RFA in the preliminary heats and the 7th London Brigade RFA in the final heat, qualified to represent the 47 Divisional Artillery in the Divisional Sports on Wednesday next. Lt R. Bruce 6th London Ammunition Column transferred to 16th London Battery Lt W.J. Barnard 16th London Battery transferred to 6th London Amm. Col. 2/Lt J.T. Woollett 15th London Battery transferred to 6th London Amm. Col. 2/Lt J.A.W. Petro 6th London Amm. Col. attached to 17th London Battery. All with effect from tomorrow’s date. Service between England and France resumed. Officers and men of this Brigade will in future proceed on leave each Wednesday instead of Tuesday.

                                War Diaries


                                24th August 1915 Inspections  Inspection of 6th County of London Brigade RFA Transport (Cooker Wagon, Cooks Carts, Medical Cart and Water Carts) by Colonel Blythe.

                                War Diaries


                                24th Aug 1915 95th Field Coy RE proceed to France  6:45am 95th Field Coy RE departed Amesbury, Wiltshire in 2 trains for port of embarkation Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France.

                                25th August 1915 Divisional Sports day  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt V.C. Lucas proceeded to England on 7 days leave.

                                A one days holiday was granted by GOCRA so that all ranks could attend the Divisional Sports at Lozinghem. Chief Judge was Lt Col A.C. Lowe DSO (6th London Brigade RFA) and Chief Marshall was Capt M.J.K. O’Malley (6th London Brigade RFA).

                                The following events were won by teams or individuals of the 6th London Brigade RFA

                                • 1. Team Driving.
                                • 2. Relay Race.
                                • 3. Quarter Mile Open.
                                • 4. Light Draught Horse - 3rd prize.
                                • 5. Officers Jumping (open) 3rd prize.

                                War Diaries


                                25th August 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                26th August 1915 Conference and Inspections  The OC. Brigade and Adjutant 6th County of London Brigade RFA attended the Divisional Artillery conference at Lozinghem. The Veterinary Officer Lt W.P.S. Edwards was attached to 1st Division; his duties will be performed by the ADVS, 47th Division, Capt. J. Abson. An inspection of the Technical Stores Wagon of the Ammunition Column was carried out.

                                War Diaries


                                26th Aug 1915 11th West Yorks proceed to France  11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment proceed to France on the 26th of August 1915, landing at Le Havre.

                                27th Aug 1915 Visit  Mr Samuel Roberts MP visits Sheffield City Battalion at Ripon camp.

                                27th August 1915   The Tyneside Irish Brigade was taken over by the War Office and ceased to be the responsibility of the Tyneside Irish Committee. The Tyneside Irish were now in the last stages of training and would shortly be ready to take the field.

                                research


                                28th August 1915 Appointments  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt G. Lyon-Smith appointed Orderly Officer 236 Brigade and transferred from 15th London Battery to Brigade Headquarters Staff. Lt J.C. Woollett transferred from 16th London Ammunition Column to 15th London Battery. 2/Lt J. H Van den Bergh transferred from Brigade Headquarters Staff to 6th London Ammunition Column.

                                War Diaries


                                28th August 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                Late Aug 1915 34th Division move to Salisbury Plain  In late August 1915 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers along with the other units of 34th Division leave Ripon and move for final training and firing practice at Salisbury Plain.

                                Late Aug 1915 34th Division move to Salisbury Plain  In late August 1915 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers along with the other units of 34th Division leave Ripon and move for final training and firing practice at Salisbury Plain.

                                29th August 1915 Diary reports summary  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports war diary summary signed off by 2/Lt J.H. Van den Bergh on relinquishing his post as Orderly Officer at Brigade Headquarters.

                                War Diaries


                                30th August 1915 Appointments  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt O’Malley left Gosnay for Les Brebis with telephonists. A party of 40 men under Lt Bruce left Gosnay to proceed to Novelles Lt Bruce returned to Gosnay after conducting the party to it's destination.

                                War Diaries


                                   The 45th Siege Battery embarked at Southampton on August 31st and disembarked at Boulogne on the 1st September 1915.

                                31st August 1915 Lecture and moves  6th County of London Brigade RFA records an additional party of 20 men under Lt Blackwell, left Gosnay and proceeded to Noyelles. Lecture by Capt McCombis, Chemical Advisor, 1st Army about use of smoke helmets at Houchin. Lt Bruce and 2 NCOs attended.

                                Signed G Lyon Smith Lt in his new post of Orderly Officer at Brigade Headquarters.

                                War Diaries


                                31st August 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 155 men (that are known)

                                31st Aug 1915  22nd Heavy Battery proceed to France  22nd Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                31st August 1915 Reserve position  15th to 31st August E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are in reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade in billets 1/2 mile NW of Blaringhem. High Explosive shell was issued to Battery during the last 6 weeks as obtainable, 76 rounds HE per gun being issued as settled proportion.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                Sep 1915 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers proceed to France  12th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers proceed to France in September 1915.

                                1st Sep 1915 NPF Holm Foundry, Cathcart opens.  National Projectile Factory Holm Foundry, Cathcart, Lancashire started up in September 1915 producing 8-in. shell, with first output being in April 1916. In 1917 and 1918 aeronautical work was undertaken. It was under the control of G&I Weir.

                                1st Sep 1915 NPF Tinsley opens.  National Projectile Factory Tinsley, near Sheffield, West Yorkshire started up in September 1915 producing Shell forgings for 4.5-in. and 60-pdr. shell. First output was January 1916. It was under the control of T. Firth & Sons.

                                1st Sep 1915 NPF Templeborough opens  National Projectile Factory Templeborough, near Rotherham, West Yorkshire started up in September 1915 producing Shell forgings for 4.5-in. and 60-pdr. shell. . First output was January 1916. It was under the control of T. Firth & Sons.

                                1st Sep 1915 NPF East Hecla Works opens  National Projectile Factory East Hecla Works, Sheffield, West Yorkshire started up in September 1915 producting 9.2-in. shell. First output was March 1916. In 1917 and 1918 produced 60-pdr. guns and undertook gun repairs. It was under the control of Hadfield Ltd.

                                1st Sep 1915 NSF Corporation Tramway Department, Bury opens  National Shell Factory Corporation Tramway Department, Bury, Lancashire started in September 1915 producing. 18-pdr. and 4.5-in.shell and rectifying shell. First output was Summer 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management

                                1st Sep 1915 NSF Drill Hall, Strand Road, Carlisle opens  National Shell Factory Drill Hall, Strand Road, Carlisle, Cumbria started in September 1915 producing 18-pdr. shell and rectifying proof shot. First output was early 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NSF Edge Lane, Liverpool opens.  National Shell Factory Edge Lane, Liverpool, Lancashire started in September 1915 producing 4.5-in. and 6-in. shell forgings and 4.5-in. cartridge cases. First output was February 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 Burry Extension Works, Llanelli opens.  National Shell Factory Burry Extension Works, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire started in September 1915 producing 6-in. shell. First output was February 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Abbey Wood, London opens.  National Filling Factory Abbey Wood, London started in September 1915, filling and assembling shell components. First output was January 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Quedgeley opens.  National Filling Factory Quedgeley, Gloucester started in September 1915, Filling 18-pdr., 4.5-in. and 60-pdr shell, cartridges and components. First output was March 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Paisley, Georgetown opens.  National Filling Factory Paisley, Georgetown, Renfrewshire was a which started in September 1915, Filling shell (13-pdr. to 12-in.) cartridges, components, trench mortar bombs. First output was January 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Hayes opens.  National Filling Factory Hayes, Middlesex was started up in September 1915, filling shell (18-pdr. to 12-in.), cartridges, components. First output was October 1915. It was under the control of the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Barnbow opens.  National Filling Factory Barnbow, Leeds, West Yorkshire started in September 1915, filling shell (18-pdr. to 6-in.), cartridges, components. First output was December 1915. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Govan opens.  National Filling Factory Govan, Cardonald, Glasgow started in September 1915, filling minor shell components. First output was January 1916. It was under the control of Nobel's Explosives Co.

                                1st Sep 1915 TWFF Balmoral Road, Watford opens.  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Balmoral Road, Watford, Hertfordshire started in September 1915, filling and assembling trench warfare bombs, filling chemical shell exploders. First output was October 1915. It was under the control of the Watford Manufacturing Company.

                                1st Sep 1915 NGF Great Tindal Street, Birmingham opens.  National Gauge Factory Great Tindal Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire started in September 1915 manufacturing Gauges, small tools etc. It was under the control of Chatwin Ltd.

                                1st Sep 1915 NPF Ypres Factory, Renfrew opens.  Ypres Factory, Renfrew, Renfrewshire was a National Projectile Factory which started in September 1915, producing 9.2-in. and 12-in. forgings and shells. First output was Summer 1916. It was under the control of Babcock & Wilcox.

                                1st Sep 1915 NSF Llanelli opens.  National Shell Factory Llanelli, Carmarthenshire started in September 1915 and was engaged in rectifying 18-pdr and 6-in shell. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st September 1915 Relocations  6th London Brigade RFA moved from Gosnay, with 15th, 16th and 17th London Batteries going to Place a Bruay. 6th London Ammunition Column moved to Haillicourt.

                                War Diaries


                                1st September 1915 Training and move preparations  16th Btn.Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                The comfort and scenic stay near the Downs and Sussex villages came to a close at the end of August when the whole 36th Division moved to Bordon and Bramshott . This was mainly to allow the Division the use of numerous ranges in the area to complete their weapon training with live ammunition including bombing, mortars, Lewis and machine guns.

                                During the month most men got 4 days home leave and all returned to the battalion fit and ready for action. Colonel Leader, back from his visit to France, was pleased to note that the Battalion’s training had covered most of the requirements for active service. Finally most of the "comforts" gathered from friends at home, were distributed to the men for the winter season ahead.

                                So the Battalion consisting of Headquarters and four companies was now ready for the move to France, there to be tested in extreme conditions, in which their training and sense of comradeship would enable them to maintain their discipline and military bearing over a lengthy and arduous campaign.

                                Doran Family


                                1st September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                1st September 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHAare in reserve near Blaringhem with 5th Cavalry Brigade.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                01 Sep 1915 3rd Monmouth on the Yser Canal  During 1915, it had become very clear that the digging of fire trenches and communication trenches and the construction of light railways and bridges required specialist skills and knowledge and that there was a need for specialised units to do this work who were also fully trained infantrymen. It was soon recognised that units raised in mining areas had all the necessary experience and skill to fulfil this role and so the idea of the Pioneer Battalions took shape. All three battalions of the Monmouthshire Regiment become the pioneer battalions for their respective divisions.

                                At the beginning of September 1915 the 3rd Mons were sent to the Yser canal front just north of Ypres. Here they set up their battalion headquarters in Elverdinghe Chateau, which stood among a largely undamaged forest of "splendid oaks". The canal and the front line were below sea level in this are and flooding and mud was a constant problem. The battalion set about the construction of a series of drainage ditches to ease the problem.

                                2nd Sep 1915 3rd Monmouths join 49th Division  Orders were received on September 22nd for the 3rd Monmouth's to join the 49th Division as one of the Pioneer Battalions. General Bulfin on his farewell address spoke as follows: "I wish to say I am exceedingly sorry to lose you from the Division and would wish to thank you individually, one and all, for the help you have always given me whilst in the Division. At the beginning you had a very rough and unhappy time of it, but you came through it splendidly and have done excellent work. Your Colonel and all of you will look back one day with pride on the fine reputation, which the Regiment has made for itself during the time it has served with the 28 th Division. I wish you all the best of luck and a safe return to England at the end of the war, and I feel sure you will continue to make the history which you have begun for your Regiment"

                                During 1915, it had become very clear that the digging of fire trenches and communication trenches and the construction of light railways and bridges required specialist skills and knowledge and that there was a need for specialised units to do this work who were also fully trained infantrymen. It was soon recognised that units raised in mining areas had all the necessary experience and skill to fulfil this role and so the idea of the Pioneer Battalions took shape. All three battalions of the Monmouthshire Regiment become the pioneer battalions for their respective divisions.

                                2nd Sep 1914 Glasgow Tramways Battalion raised in 16hrs.  The 15th Glasgow Tramways Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was raised in Glasgow on the 2nd of September 1914 by Glasgow Corporation employee Jimmy Dalrymple, the manager of the Tramways Department. Prior to finishing his afternoon shift, he phoned around all the Tramcar Depots and asked his colleagues to find out if any of the men would be interested in joining a battalion made up entirely of men from the ‘Caurs’. Sixteen hours later he had a list with the names of 1100 volunteers wanting to enlist.

                                http://www.pollokshieldsheritage.org/History/Pollokshields%20in%20the%20Great%20War.html


                                2nd September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt W.P.S Edwards Army Veterinary Service returned from 1st Division.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd Sep 1915 3rd Monmouths on the move  The 3rd Monmouths were sent to the Yser canal front just north of Ypres. Here they set up their battalion headquarters in Elverdinghe Chateau, which stood among a largely undamaged forest of splendid oaks. The canal and the front line were below sea level in this are and flooding and mud was a constant problem. The battalion set about the construction of a series of drainage ditches to ease the problem.

                                4th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt Col A E Lowe left Bruay to understudy GOCRA. 47th Divisional Artillery at Lesbrebos. 2/Lt V.C. Lucas left Bruay for work under Capt O’Malley at Les Brebis.

                                War Diaries


                                4th September 1915   SM U-69

                                Type U 66 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 206) Ordered 2 Feb 1913 Laid down 7 Feb 1914 Launched 24 Jun 1915 Commissioned 4 Sep 1915

                                Commanders.
                                4 Sep 1915 - 23 Jul 1917 Ernst Wilhelms

                                Career 6 patrols.
                                4 Mar 1916 - 23 Jul 1917 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 31 ships sunk with a total of 102,875 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 1,648 tons.

                                • 15 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Fairport 3,838 br
                                • 15 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Schwanden 844 ru
                                • 16 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Glendoon 1,918 nw
                                • 16 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Harrovian 4,309 br
                                • 16 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Papelera 1,591 nw
                                • 17 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Ernest Reyer 2,708 fr
                                • 18 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Ravenhill 1,826 br
                                • 20 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Cairngowan 4,017 br
                                • 11 Jul 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Era 168 br
                                • 20 Oct 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Cabotia 4,309 br
                                • 24 Oct 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Sola 3,057 nw
                                • 26 Oct 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms North Wales 4,072 br
                                • 26 Oct 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Rappahannock 3,871 br
                                • 2 Nov 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Spero 1,132 br
                                • 3 Nov 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Bertha 591 sw
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Annapolis 4,567 br
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Hesperides 3,393 br
                                • 26 Apr 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Rio Lages 3,591 br
                                • 26 Apr 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Vauxhall 3,629 br
                                • 1 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Rockingham 4,555 am
                                • 2 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Troilus 7,625 br
                                • 29 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Argo 123 sw
                                • 29 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Ines 261 sw
                                • 29 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Consul N. Nielsen 1,395 da
                                • 31 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Esneh 3,247 br
                                • 3 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Luisa (damaged) 1,648 it
                                • 6 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Parthenia 5,160 br
                                • 8 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Enidwen 3,594 br
                                • 8 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Saragossa 3,541 br
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Kelvinbank 4,072 br
                                • 14 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Avenger 13,441 br
                                • 24 Jul 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Mikelis 2,430 gr

                                Fate 11 Jul 1917 - Last contact on July 11, 1917 while en route to patrol station off Ireland. 40 dead (all hands lost).

                                Loss possibly linked to D/C attack on July 12 off Norway. The German official history notes a U-boat was operating through at least July 26 in the Irish Sea at this time that could only have been U 69, though this does not offer a cause for her loss.

                                There was another U 69 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 19 Sep 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 2 Nov 1940.

                                John Doran


                                4th September 1915 On the March  E Battery, RHA marched at 1000 and moved into bivouac near Le Quesnoy, 2 miles east of Bethune on attachment with other two batteries of 2nd Cavalry Division to 2nd Infantry Division. In bivouac at 2030hrs as not allowed through Bethune until after dark, about 23 miles

                                E Battery, RHA war diary


                                5th September 1915 Church Parade  6th County of London Brigade RFA attend Church Parade at 4th Corps H.Q. Labuissiere. 2/Lt J.A.W. Petro assisted by 2/Lt A.F. Yencken took a section from 17th London Battery to be attached to 15th Divisional Artillery.

                                War Diaries


                                7th September 1915 Zeppelin raids on London  Two Army Zeppelins successfully bombed London on the night of the 7th of September. SL 2 dropped bombs on the Isle of Dogs, Deptford, Greenwich and Woolwich, and LZ 74 was forced to drop weight on its approach and scattered 39 bombs over Cheshunt, before heading on to London and dropped devices on Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and New Cross,one lone incendiary bomb dropped onto a shop on Fenchurch Street in London. Eighteen people were killed and 28 injured, property damage totalled £9,616. Fog and mist prevented any aircraft taking off, but anti-aircraft guns fired at LZ 74 with no effect. Although these raids had no significant military impact, the psychological effect was considerable.

                                The Zeppelins attacked between ten and eleven o’clock, when the streets were full of people. An American writer wrote "Traffic is at a standstill. A million quiet cries make a subdued roar. Seven million people of the biggest city in the world stand gazing into the sky from the darkened streets. Among the autumn stars floats a long, gaunt Zeppelin. It is dull yellow—the colour of the harvest moon. The long fingers of searchlights, reaching up from the roofs of the city, are touching all sides of the death messenger with their white tips. Great booming sounds shake the city. They are Zeppelin bombs—falling, killing, burning. Lesser noises—of shooting—are nearer at hand, the noise of aerial guns sending shrapnel into the sky. If the men up there think they are terrifying London, they are wrong. They are only making England white-hot mad."

                                The writer D.H. Lawrence described the raid in a letter to Lady Ottoline Morrell, "Then we saw the Zeppelin above us, just ahead, amid a gleaming of clouds: high up, like a bright golden finger, quite small (...) Then there was flashes near the ground — and the shaking noise. It was like Milton — then there was war in heaven. (...) I cannot get over it, that the moon is not Queen of the sky by night, and the stars the lesser lights. It seems the Zeppelin is in the zenith of the night, golden like a moon, having taken control of the sky; and the bursting shells are the lesser lights." Eighteen people were killed in the raid, and 28 were wounded. Property damage totalled £9,616. The SL-2 suffered engine failure on the return trip home and had to crash land in Germany. Shortly after this raid Admiral Sir Percy Scott was placed in charge of the air defenses around London.

                                John Doran


                                8th September 1915 Court Martial  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Issue of blankets carried out - one per man. Court Martial at Haillicourt. President Major P.J. Clifton.

                                War Diaries


                                8th September 1915 Zeppelin raid on London  8/9th September The Navy attempted to follow up the Army's success the following night. Three Zeppelins were directed against London and one against the benzol plant at Skinningrove.
                                • L 11 turned back early with engine trouble;
                                • L 14 suffered the same problem while over Norfolk: its bombs were dropped on East Dereham and the Zeppelin returned home.
                                • L 13 reached London, approaching over Golders Green, Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Mathy began bombing around 2240.

                                The bomb-load included a 300-kilogram (660 lb) device, the largest yet carried. This exploded on Bartholomew Close near Smithfield Market, destroying several houses and killing two men. Further bombs fell on the textile warehouses north of St Paul's Cathedral, causing a fire which despite the attendance of 22 fire engines caused over half a million pounds damage:

                                Mathey then turned east, dropping his remaining bombs on Liverpool Street station. The Zeppelin was repeatedly caught by searchlights and all 26 anti-aircraft guns in London were active, but every shell exploded too low and the falling shrapnel caused both damage and alarm on the ground. Three aircraft were in the air. None even saw the Zeppelin; one crashed on landing, killing the pilot. The raid killed 22 people and injured 87. The monetary damage was over one sixth of the total damage inflicted by bombing raids during the war.

                                John Doran


                                9th Sep 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers proceed to Imbros   The 2nd Royal Fusilers left Chocolate Hill and proceeded to Imbross aboard HMS Usmanier for a period of rest

                                9th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion at Armentieres, France
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots marched to the billets in Ru Delletree between the villages of Gris Pot and Fleurbaix.
                                They helped by supplying working parties over the next few days.

                                10th September 1915 Court Martial  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Court Martial was held again. President Major P.J. Clifton.

                                War Diaries


                                10th Sep 1915 Sheffield City Battalion hold anniversary concert  On the anniversary of the formation on the Sheffield City Battalion, a concert was held. It was arranged by the Padre, Capt. J.F.Colquhoun with many of the officers and men performing.It ended with a short speech from the CO.

                                11th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                11th Sep 1915 14th DLI proceed to France  Leaving Folkestone, the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry landed in Boulogne on the 11th September, 1915.

                                12th September 1915 Church Parade  6th County of London Brigade RFA attend Church Parade held at 4th Corps HQ. in Labuissiere.

                                War Diaries


                                12th Sep 1915 14th DLI to St Omer  The men of the 14th DLI entrained at Bologne on the 12th September for the St Omer district, near Neilles-lez-Ardres, where most of the new divisions were prepared for services in the line.

                                13th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt Brasneth was struck off the strength of the Brigade and posted to Training School at St Venant for trench mortar battery instruction. 31st August 1915. 15th London Battery sent one section to the Firing Line under Capt Corsan and 2/Lt Woollett. Party returned here.

                                War Diaries


                                13th September 1915 Preparing new positions  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are in bivouac at Le Quesnoy. 5th to 13th September a working party of men went up each day, improving gun pits in area into which were to go.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                14th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFAreport 2/Lt Van den Bergh proceeded to join Massy Group at Les Brebis. Bruay now out of bounds for British troops.

                                War Diaries


                                14th September 1915 Back into Action  E Battery RHA are at Le Quesnoy. Four guns went into action after dark on east edge of wood just north of La Bassee canal about 1 mile east of Gorre and took the place of 4 guns of the 71st Battery RFA which took up new positions for wire cutting. Got into position about 1930hrs. Battery 3200 yards from German trenches observed from a ruin near Givenchy Village a very good observing post.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                15th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA's war diary records Capt. Cooper reported at 47th Divisional Artillery at 0700 for the purpose of bringing up 2 guns from 16th London Battery. The order was cancelled and Capt. Cooper returned to Place a Bruay. 2/Lt J.C. Woollett returned from the Firing Line and became OC. 15th London Battery. Capt. Cooper returned to 17th London Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                15th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion at Armentieres, France
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots marched to Fort Rompu and occupied hut shelters as on last occasion.

                                15th Sep 1915 23rd Heavy Battery proceed to France  23rd Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                15th September 1915   SM U-6

                                Type U 5 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 148) Ordered 8 Apr 1908 Laid down 24 Aug 1908 Launched 18 May 1910 Commissioned 12 Aug 1910 Commanders.
                                5 Aug 1914 - 28 Sep 1914 Oblt. Wilhelm-Friedrich Starke.
                                29 Sep 1914 - 4 Nov 1914 Oblt. Otto Steinbrinck.
                                5 Nov 1914 - 5 Jan 1915 Oblt. Reinhold Lepsius.
                                6 Jan 1915 - 21 Jan 1915 Oblt. Otto Steinbrinck.
                                22 Jan 1915 - 15 Sep 1915 Oblt. Reinhold Lepsius.

                                Career 4 patrols 1 Aug 1914 - 15 Sep 1915 I Flotilla

                                Successes 16 ships sunk with a total of 9,614 tons.
                                3 ships taken as prize with a total of 2,337 tons.

                                • 14 Apr 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Folke 1,352 Swedish
                                • 14 Apr 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Glencarse (Prize) 188 British
                                • 14 Apr 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Vestland 3,392 Danish
                                • 19 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Capella 422 Swedish
                                • 21 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Anvers (Prize) 862 Norway
                                • 21 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Madonna 455 Swedish
                                • 22 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Fortuna 203 Norway
                                • 25 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius G.P. Harbitz 673 Norway
                                • 25 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Harboe 388 Norway
                                • 25 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Sognedalen 644 Norway
                                • 26 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Elna 78 Danish
                                • 26 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Emma 687 Swedish
                                • 26 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Marie 173 Danish
                                • 26 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Neptunus 143 Danish
                                • 10 Sep 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Presto 206 Norway
                                • 11 Sep 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Wansbeck 462 Norway
                                • 11 Sep 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Randulf Hansen (Prize) 1,287 Norway
                                • 12 Sep 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Bien 120 Norway
                                • 13 Sep 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Norte 216 Norway
                                • 19 ships sunk (11,951 tons).

                                Fate 15 Sep 1915 - Torpedoed by HM Sub E16 off Stavanger 5910N 0509E. 24 dead and 5 survivors.

                                There was another U 6 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 21 Aug 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 7 Sep 1935.

                                John Doran


                                15th September 1915 Registering and in Action  E Battery RHA have 4 guns in action near Le Quesnoy. Registered to front from Canteleux to the canal. Fired 60 rounds in all. remaining section came into action at 1930. Remaining two guns of 71st Battery RFA withdrawn at 2030hrs. Battery was withdrawn and went into bivouac at Le Quesnoy at the Wagon Line.

                                war diaries


                                16th September 1915 Personnel changes  Interpreter Chapaux joined 6th County of London Brigade to replace Interpreter Legrix posted to ADMS, ADVS and DADOS.

                                War Diaries


                                17th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt. Blackwell returned and took command of 15th London Battery. 2/Lt. Woollett left Bruay and proceeded to Maroc. Capt. Cooper left Bruay and reported to 47th Divisional Artillery.

                                War Diaries


                                17th September 1915 1st Royal Scots on the march  1st Battalion Royal Scots marched to billets near Vieux-Berquin. 23 men arrived from hospital.

                                17th September 1915 On the March  E Battery, RHA return to 5th Cavalry Brigade from attachment. Marched to Bleringhem on rejoining 5th Cavalry Brigade, 23 miles. Started at 0530hrs into bivouacs at noon.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                17th Sep 1915 18th Manchesters move to Larkhill  18th Battalion Manchester Regiment arrive at Larkhill Camp from Belton Park.

                                18th Sep 1915 Flag Day held in Halifax  A Flag Day in Halifax raised over £800, the funds were to be split between Russia, Italy, Serbia, France and Belgium.

                                http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~calderdalecompanion/souv_1915.html


                                18th September 1915 Postings and Promotions  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Working party returned to 16th London Battery. Lt. W.R. Badlen RAMC promoted to Captain.

                                War Diaries


                                18th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France.
                                G.O.C. 3rd Corps visited the 81st Brigade and bade them farewell.

                                19th September 1915 Church Parade  6th County of London Brigade RFA hold Church Parade at 4th Corps HQ. Labuissiere.

                                War Diaries


                                19th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion at Armentieres, France
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots marched to Hazebrouck and entrained for Gillaucourt.
                                The 81st Brigade now (with other units of 27th Div) transferred to 12th Corps, 3rd Army.
                                Casualties in period 10th -19th Sept. Killed - 2nd Lt R.T. MacIver.

                                19th September 1915 In Reserve  E Battery, RHA are in reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Blaringhem. Major A B Forman left E Battery RHA on promotion to a Field Battery in 20th Division and Captain C T Walwyn given temporary Command of the Battery.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                19th Sep 1915 2/3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance in Sussex  The 2nd/3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance were at Peas Pottage in Sussex during Sept 1915.

                                20th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major Gordon left Bruay and proceeded to 141st Infantry Brigade as liaison officer. One Section from 16th London Battery (under Lt. Bruce) proceeded to the Front Line. Lt Bruce returned.

                                War Diaries


                                20th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France
                                After an uncomfortable journey of 10 and a half hours, the battalion reached its destination at 4:30am and marched a distance of some 6 miles to billets in Warfusee-Abancourt.

                                21st Sep 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers departed from Imbros   The 2nd Royal Fusilers departed from Imbross and returned to the firing line the following day.

                                21st Sep 1915 3rd Monmouths suffer harsh conditions  B and D companies of the 3rd Monmouths moved out from the chateau ground to Dunbarton Dug-outs on the west bank of the canal and started work. A and C companies remained at Elverdinghe and the two groups relieved each other every six days. Work was carried out at night and the conditions were terrible. The Germans occupied Pilckem Ridge to the each and the whole area was constantly shelled and swept by machine gun fire. To cross the canal soldiers had to use small temporary footbridges described by the battalion's historians as "very unhealthy as they were open to enfilading machine gun and shell fire from the German positions". A considerable amount of useful work was carried out on the main communication trenches; one of these was called Barnsley Road. There was a constant stream of casualties. Added to this, the ground was boggy; men often sank up to their waists in mud and had to spend weeks in wet clothing in the bitter cold without hot food.

                                21st September 1915 Unit Move and Inspection  6th London Brigade RFA left Place au Bruay and bivouacked at Haillicourt near the 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column. The six remaining guns of this Brigade and four guns of the 7th London Field Artillery Battery form the 47th Reserve Divisional Artillery (Chambers Group) under the command of Col Chambers. OC. 7th London FAB. Lt Bruce proceeded to 141st Infantry Brigade as Liaison Officer. 1st day of bombardment prior to Battle of Loos.

                                War Diaries


                                21st Sept 1915 Squadron Formed  No 24 Squadron formed at Hounslow on the 21st of September 1915 with some personnel taken from 17 Squadron.

                                https://the24sec.wordpress.com/history-of-no-xxiv-squadron-raf/


                                22nd Sep 1915 Pre Loos Bombardment  6th County of London Brigade RFA report day was spent cleaning up camp and putting up bivouacs. This is the 2nd day of bombardment prior to the Battle of Loos.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France
                                Owing to scarcity of water, it was found necessary to move some of the troops from Abancourt.
                                At 5pm the battalion marched to Morcourt on the River Somme.

                                22nd September 1915   SM U-70

                                Type U 66 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 207) Ordered 2 Feb 1913 Laid down 11 Feb 1914 Launched 20 Jul 1915 Commissioned 22 Sep 1915

                                Commanders.
                                22 Sep 1915 - 15 Sep 1918 Otto Wünsche
                                16 Sep 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Joachim Born

                                Career 12 patrols.
                                9 Feb 1916 - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 53 ships sunk with a total of 137,774 tons.
                                4 ships damaged with a total of 20,369 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 1,290 tons.

                                • 16 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Berwindvale (damaged) 5,242 br
                                • 16 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Willie 185 br
                                • 17 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Lindfield 2,230 nw
                                • 22 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Bougainville 2,248 fr
                                • 24 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Fenay Bridge 3,838 br
                                • 28 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Eagle Point 5,222 br
                                • 2 Apr 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Arena 1,019 nw
                                • 17 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Pascal 5,587 br
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Eugene Gaston 184 fr
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Flimston 5,751 br
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Hirondelle 148 fr
                                • 22 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Avanti 1,673 it
                                • 22 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Thyra (damaged) 749 nw
                                • 24 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Harry W. Adams 127 br
                                • 26 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Spin-away 95 br
                                • 30 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Borre 741 nw
                                • 30 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Edda 1,138 nw
                                • 1 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Tsiropinas 3,015 gr
                                • 2 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Aconcagua 1,313 fr
                                • 2 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Odda 1,101 nw
                                • 2 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche San Leandro 1,616 sp
                                • 4 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Ruby 949 ru
                                • 9 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Excellent 1,944 br
                                • 27 Feb 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche San Patricio (damaged) 9,712 br
                                • 3 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Kincardine 4,108 br
                                • 9 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Inverlogie 2,347 br
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Mediterranean 105 br
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche T. Crowley 97 br
                                • 12 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Winnebago (damaged) 4,666 br
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Alma 335 ru
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Elizabeth Eleanor 169 br
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Pera 1,737 ru
                                • 15 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Balaguier 2,293 fr
                                • 15 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Circe 4,133 fr
                                • 16 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Norma Pratt 4,416 br
                                • 16 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Vigilancia 4,115 am
                                • 18 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Joshua Nicholson 1,853 br
                                • 21 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Sebek 4,601 br
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Clan Galbraith 2,168 nw
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Eos 179 da
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Valkyrian 233 sw
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Vestdal 1,690 nw
                                • 26 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Harflete 4,814 br
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Manchester Citizen 4,251 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Anne Marie 441 nw
                                • 29 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Daleby 3,628 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Delamere 1,525 br
                                • 4 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Southland 11,899 br
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Appledore 3,843 br
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Egyptiana 3,818 br
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Harbury 4,572 br
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Galicia 1,400 br
                                • 11 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche City Of Perth 3,427 br
                                • 18 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Queen Adelaide 4,965 br
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Buffalo 4,106 br
                                • 25 Aug 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Malda 7,896 br
                                • 5 May 1918 U 70 Otto Wünsche Rhododendron 1,290 br
                                • 7 Jul 1918 U 70 Otto Wünsche Carl 2,486 da

                                Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Bo'ness in 1919-20.

                                There was another U 70 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 Oct 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 23 Nov 1940.

                                John Doran


                                22nd September 1915 Standing by  E Battery, RHA are in bivouac at Ham near Blessy. Ready to move at short notice.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                22nd Sep 1915 3rd Monmouth join 49th Division  Orders were received on September 22nd for the 3rd Monmouth's to join the 49 th Division as one of the Pioneer Battalions. General Bulfin on his farewell address spoke as follows: "I wish to say I am exceedingly sorry to lose you from the Division and would wish to thank you individually, one and all, for the help you have always given me whilst in the Division. At the beginning you had a very rough and unhappy time of it, but you came through it splendidly and have done excellent work. Your Colonel and all of you will look back one day with pride on the fine reputation, which the Regiment has made for itself during the time it has served with the 28th Division. I wish you all the best of luck and a safe return to England at the end of the war, and I feel sure you will continue to make the history which you have begun for your Regiment"

                                23rd September 1915 Pre Loos Bombardment  6th County of London Brigade RFA report one gun declared defective from 5th London Field Artillery Battery - one from 17th London Battery was taken up to replace it. 3rd day of bombardment prior to Battle of Loos. Spare stores were stored at 47th Royal Artillery storage at Haillicourt.

                                War Diaries


                                24th September 1915 Pre Loos Bombardment  4th day of bombardment prior to Battle of Loos.

                                War Diaries


                                24th September 1915   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                1630 orders received to move with remainder of 5th Brigade. Marched to new area through Westrehen and Fiefe to Peessy les Pernes. Got in at 2230 - village full of French Cavalry

                                war diaries


                                25th Sep 1915 10th Scottish Rifles suffer at Loos  On this day, 10th Bn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), part of 15 (Scottish) Div, attacked the German lines at Loos in their first major engagement of the Great War. The battalion lost 255 dead this day.

                                   2nd Battalion fought at Loos on this day, attacking Hulluch Quarries.Their advance commenced at 6.30am. Taking the German front line trench & support trench and then onto the Quarries as far as St Elie,capturing 60 prisoners.Other Ranks Killed - 64. Wounded - 171. Missing - 273.

                                25th September 1915 Battle of Loos  6th London Field Artillery Brigade march from Haillicourt to Les Brebis and bivouacked at Les Brebnis. They were part of artillery support for 140,141 and 142 Infantry Brigades in 47th Division which was attached to 4th Corps. Capt. Corsan was wounded in the neck by a bullet whilst fixing in Maroc for detached section of 15th London Battery. Lt Bruce was wounded during the initial attack by the 19th Battalion London Regiment just as he reached the German front line trenches. Detached section (under 2/Lt Petro) fixed on Double Crassier during the infantry attack. The 15th London Battery detached section under Capt. Corsan fired during the attack.

                                War Diaries


                                25th Sep 1915 8th SLI in action at Chalk Pit Wood  The 8th Somerset Light Infantry are in action at Chalk Pit Wood, Loos during the Battle of Loos.

                                25th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France

                                25th Sep 1915 14th DLI enter the trenches  The 14th battalion DLI's first experience of total war took place on the 25th September 1915 when the 14th were moved up into reserve trenches on the Loos battlefield, near Noeux-les-Mines.

                                25th Sep 1915 Sheffield City Battalion depart Ripon  The 12th York and Lancs Battalion leave Ripon Camp late at night, they march through pouring rain to the station and entrain for an eleven hour journey to Salisbury.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                25th Sep 1915   The 7th and 8th Battalions Kings Own Scottish Borderers where at the Battle of Loos on September 25th 1915. The 7th KOSB lost approx 2/3 of their numbers and the 8th KOSB lost approx 1/3 of their numbers that day and over the next 2 days.

                                25th September 1915 On the Move  1400hrs Orders received to concentrate for move. E Battery RHA marched with Brigade to Cauchy, left 1600hrs got in around 2300hrs. Roads very crowded and blocked, raining hard. 3 remounts joined us on the march. Good strong American horses.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                25th Sep 1915 8th East Yorks in action  According to the Battalion War Diary 8th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment took part in the main attack at Loos on the 25th September 2015 and were not in reserve. They were fighting in the SE corner of Loos village and also had two companies on the slack heaps throughout the 25th and 26th September 1915

                                25th Sep 1915 Assualt Launched  At 6.30 on the morning of 25th of September 1915, the four-day artillery bombardment paused, gas and smoke was released and the infantry assault was launched. The gas released on I Corps front hung between the lines or blew back into British positions, notably on the northern flank around the Brickstacks. To the northern edge of the battlefield, advancing infantry emerging from the cloud suffered high losses as they were met with devastating machine gun fire. The second wave advanced once the gas at cleared, only this time to be cut down by a hail of machine gun fire and a shower of bombs. Gas was far more effective on IV Corps front south of the Grenay Ridge, in front of 15 & 47 Division sector the gas drifted towards the German trenches and the advance more successful. On some divisional fronts the gas was supplemented with smoke candles, as gas was not available in sufficient quantity. Even though it would not cause casualties, the smoke looked the same as gas and so forced the defenders to continue taking all the inconvenient anti-gas precautions. It had been estimated that to clear the German positions would require two hours of gas: but there was only enough for forty minutes, which even then, had to be supplemented with smoke.

                                Many of the British units achieved their first objectives, but the reserve troops urgently needed to exploit these initial successes were a long way back and after a long exhausting march did not go into action until the following day. By which time the German reinforcements were counter-attacking and the British were driven back.

                                By the end of the day the Allies had lost 13 Battalion commanders, over 400 officers and 8,500 men of other ranks.

                                26th September 1915 Battle of Loos  6th County of London Brigade RFA report remaining section of the 16th London Battery went up to Maroc to join the section already in the firing line. The 16th London Battery is under the command at present of Capt Cooper. Major Gordon is still with HQ at Thwaite's 141st Infantry Brigade. Detached section of 17th London Battery returned to Les Brebis to the wagon line. 2/Lt Lloyd returned to duty with the 17th London Battery from 47th Divisional Artillery.

                                War Diaries


                                26th Sep 1915 13th Northumberlands in action at Chalk Pit Wood  The 13th Northumberland Fusiliers are in action at Chalk Pit Wood, Loos.

                                26th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France

                                26th Sep 1915 14th Durhams in action  On 26th September 1915 at 4:30 am the 14th Durhams arrived at Loos (Hill 70) the 14th went into action. Here is the entry from the War Dairy: "64 brigade had instructions to go into action, objective Aivnay via Hill 70 in support of 62nd and 63rd Brigades. About 9am the battalion deployed and attacked Hill 70 but the whole brigade was driven back on reaching the crest of the hill. They reformed and again attacked the hill but were again driven back and occupied the original first line English trenches and went into bivouac.Casualties:- 2 Officers killed. 14 Wounded. 8 Men killed 263 wounded."

                                26th Sep 1915 Sheffield City Battalion arrive at Hurcott Camp  The 12th York and Lancs Battalion arrive at Hurcott Camp for their final training before deployment to the front. Col Mainwaring stood down as CO being replaced by Lt.Col. J.A. Crosthwaite.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                26th September 1915 Standing by  E Battery RHA are in billets at Cauchy with 5th Cavalry Brigade. Stood ready to move all day.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                27th September 1915 Battle of Loos  6th County of London Brigade RFA report One gun from 17th London Battery was sent to 13th London Battery to replace a gun badly damaged by an explosion in the trench. 16th London Battery fired three rounds registering.

                                War Diaries


                                27th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France
                                Arrivals: 2/Lt D. D. A. Berry arrived and posted to B Coy.

                                27th September 1915 Orders  E Battery, RHA report orders received at 0315 for Brigade to concentrate for move. Marched to rendezvous only to find that a mistake had been made that we were not wanted. Returned to billet at Cauchy.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                27th Sept 1915   The Army in Mesopotamia advanced upon the town of Kut, a strategic port on the Tigris on the route to Baghdad. Due to the depredations of the climate, sand storms and accidents A Flight of 30 Squadron was soon reduced to only two serviceable aircraft. Nevertheless these two machines provided crucial strategic observations of enemy positions assisting in the capture of the town. Four more modern B.E.2cs arrived at Basra together with four pilots and these were shipped up to Kut by river barge. More info.

                                28th September 1915 Battle of Loos  6th County of London Brigade RFA 's war diary records Lt. R Bruce officially reported killed and buried by Capt. Wood, Chaplain of the 141st Infantry Brigade. 2/Lt Lloyd took five captured German field guns and one captured machine gun to Vaudricourt, where they were inspected by Field Marshall Sir John French.

                                War Diaries


                                28th September 1915 Standing by  E Battery, RHA are in In billets at Cauchy. Harnessed up ready to move from dawn but did not move. Very cold and wet night.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                29th September 1915 Wagon Lines Shelled  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that at 0830 Germans shelled the Wagon Line at Les Brebis. The horses were immediately withdrawn for two hours. 2/Lt J A W Petro took a party of thirty men to get captured field guns in Loos. 16th London Battery fired on enemy's trenches North of Loos.

                                War Diaries


                                29th Sep 1915 14th Durhams entrain  14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry entrain for Berguette.

                                29th September 1915 Standing by  E Battery, RHA report, Brigade moved at 1000hrs back to billets at Nedon all hope of going through the gap seems to have gone. Reached Nedon at 1100hrs joining rest.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                29th Sep 1915 10th West Yorks on the Attack  The 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment carried out an unsuccessful attack at Loos on the 29th of September 1915.

                                30 Sep 1915 Yeoman Rifles begin training at Helmsley  In late September the newly formed 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps arrived at Duncombe Park near Helmsley to begin training.

                                http://www.1914-1918.net/krrc.htm


                                30th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots still at Morcourt.
                                Since arrival training has been carried out by a series of route marches and tactical exercises.
                                Accidentally wounded : 1 man.

                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 159 men (that are known)

                                 New Battalion formed  In October 1915 the 1st Garrison Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers was formed at Gailes Camp near Troon.

                                1st Oct 1915 HMEF Trafford Park opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Trafford Park, Manchester started refining Toluol in October 1915. First output was July 1916. It was under the control of Hardman & Holden.

                                1st Oct 1915 NSF College Park, Willesden opens.  College Park, Willesden, London was both a National Shell Forge and a National Projectile Factory which started in October 1915 producing Shell components under the direct control of the Metropolitan Munitions Committee.

                                1st Oct 1915 HMEF West Gorten opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory West Gorten, Manchester started in October 1915 producing Synthetic phenol and T.N.T. It was under Direct Control.

                                1st Oct 1915 NSF Vulcan Factory, Carnarvon opens.  Vulcan Factory, Carnarvon, Caernarfonshire was a National Shell Forge started in October 1915 producing 13-pdr. and 18-pdr. shell. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Oct 1915 NSF Mellor Street, Rochdale opens.  National Shell Forge Mellor Street, Rochdale, Lancashire started in October 1915 producing 6-in. shells. First output was July 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Oct 1915 NPF Hackney Marshes, London opens.  National Projectile Factory Hackney Marshes, London started in October 1915, producing 6-in. shell and proof shot. First output was February 1916. It was under the direct control of Dick Kerr.

                                1st Oct 1915 NSF Maesglas and Tyne Engine works, Newport opens.  Maesglas and Tyne Engine works, Newport, Monmouthshire was a National Shell Forge which started in October 1916, producing 60-pdr. shell, 4.5-in. and 9.2-in. nose bushes. First output was June 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Oct 1915 NSF Boston Lodge, Porthmadog opens.  National Shell Forge Boston Lodge, Porthmadog, Gwynedd started in October 1915 producing 13-pdr. and 18-pdr. shell. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st October 1915 Relocations  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                The Move to France.

                                On the 1st October at 1900 the Battalion left camp at Bordon for embarkation at Southampton but on arrival no one knew anything about it and there was no transport awaiting them. This proved quite a common problem over the next month or so. They had to eat their rations while further food was sought for them and spend an uncomfortable night sleeping at the docks.

                                Next day the Empress Queen arrived to take them across the channel. The ship was licensed to carry 600 passengers between Greenwich and London Bridge whereas the battalion was over 1000 strong and the vessel was crossing the English Channel not plying between points in the River Thames. Despite a gale blowing they crossed safely and arrived in Le Havre.

                                Once again no one knew anything about the unit but it was eventually sent to tented accommodation and a hot meal organised and the men had to dig trenches around their tents as it was raining. Despite an order to move to entrain for the front Colonel Leader insisted the men had their hot meal first.

                                On arrival at the station it was no surprise that no one was expecting them, but eventually Colonel Leader was informed of an incoming train which would be put at their disposal. Again the CO got his men to a Red Cross canteen and fed before boarding the train. Apparently there was a bit of a commotion at the Red Cross Unit as it was run by Miss Lloyd George, daughter of the Prime Minister (the Home Rule instigator) and the men preferred to go hungry rather than give her any business. So they were directed to the girl serving on the other side of the station "same firm but you needn’t tell them that", was the advice given and the men got their meal.

                                At 1000 on the 4th October the train left on a 130km journey to Longueau on the outskirts of Amiens, arriving at 1900. As usual they were unexpected and there was no information regarding their destination. Fortunately the CO met an officer from the Division who gave him general directions to Villers Bocage on the Amiens-Doullens Road. They marched on, passing through Amiens, and arrived at their destination around midnight. The war diaries do not reveal any more details of the journey but they must have met a divisional advance party and perhaps one of their own battalion representative possibly one for each of the 4 companies, Headquarters and Transport.

                                They spent the next 7 days (4th to 11th October) in this village giving them a chance to settle after their journey. They were assigned light carpentry work and built a road for the Casualty Clearing Station.

                                A Church Service on Sunday 10th October was conducted by Captain A Gibson, appointed by his church in Lurgan as officiating chaplain to the Battalion and who was now billeted with them, but also attended to some other units. The remainder of the time must have been spent sorting out their tools and equipment together with loads for their pack mules and other transport arrangements for their future operations. The sound of gunfire was never far away and indeed the village had already been overrun and occupied by the Germans in the initial onslaught before the establishment of trench warfare brought it back under Allied control.

                                The campaign was soon to start and on 12th October the Battalion marched about 8 miles to be based at Raincheval and camped there to work on an army defence line in that area. This was about 7 miles from the firing line and was in a shocking sanitary state having been taken over from the French.

                                The village was in a low lying hollow and the men were billeted in barns and other surrounding buildings with an ample supply of straw underfoot. Such was the progress of the pioneer’s work that on 1st November the Battalion regimental canteen, library and reading room were opened. The Officers Mess and Battalion Headquarters were seemingly located in Raincheval Chateau.

                                The 20th October marked the first anniversary of the founding of the Battalion and was celebrated by a smoking concert at headquarters and smaller events in other detachments. RSM J Gordon sent a very detailed report on the central event to the Lurgan Mail.

                                On the 21st October the unit was inspected by the Second Army Sanitary Officer and although the war diary does not record his report, again RSM Gordon writing to the Lurgan Mail recorded that "he made a most complimentary report on the sanitation and added that our work should serve as a pattern to the rest of the army". Thus we begin to see evidence of the professionalism and pride in their work by this exceptionally fine Battalion.

                                Third Army Defence Line 14th October 1915 to 28th December 1915

                                The Battalion was now tasked with work on the Third Army Defence Line which initially covered a length of about 3,600 yards extending from a position south east of Toutencourt to Creftel Wood. Half the Battalion under the command of Major Bowen was moved to Toutencourt to cover work in the area of the Raincheval to Vauchelles Road. It was very hard work and an 8 hour day would have exhausted the strongest of men. It must be noted that they had no excavating or levelling machines so everything was done by hand with manual tools.

                                The ground consisted of heavy clay for a few yards then sand, limestone and chalk. Work continued every day in the week except for the odd half day for the very important tasks of washing clothes and bathing.

                                At the same time No 2 Company under the command of Captain SJ Platt was sent to Vignacourt about 5 miles west of Villers Bocage to cut down forest and prepare various timber components for use in the construction of earthwork defences by the rest of the Battalion.

                                Further sites were allocated on the 20th October.

                                Small parties were attached in rota to the 8th Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers who were also a pioneer battalion to give the officers and men experience of operations at the front under enemy fire. This gave them experience in erecting barbed wire defences, Wiring as it was termed.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st October 1915 Standing by  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Nedon on standby. Standing to in billets ready to move.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                Oct 1915 MGC Training depot at Belton Park  Machine Gun Training Depot was established at Belton Park Camp for soldiers of the newly formed Machine Gun Corps to be trained in the use of the Vickers machine gun.

                                October 1915 Detachment  Although still in training, 23 Squadron sent a detachment of 2 aircraft to Sutton's Farm aerodrome in October 1915 to intercept Zeppelin air raids on London.

                                2nd October 1915 Personnel Changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt Col A.C. Lowe DSO rejoined the Brigade from 47th Divisional Artillery.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd Oct 1915 14th Durhams at Fletre  14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry arrive at billets in Fletre.

                                3rd October 1915 Church Parade  Church Parade for 5th, 6th & 7th London Field Artillery Brigades. 6th Brigade completed establishment with new (fuze 80) ammunition. 6th Brigade moved from Hesdigneul race course into billets at Labeuvriere.

                                War Diaries


                                6th October 1915 Personnel Changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt M.J.K. O’Malley returned to the brigade from 47th Divisional Artillery and took up again the duties of Adjutant. Major H. Bayley returned to the Brigade from 47th Divisional Artillery.

                                War Diaries


                                6th October 1915   KUK U-16 Austrian Submarine

                                Type U-10 Shipyard Ordered Launched 26th April 1915 Commissioned 6th October 1915

                                Commanders
                                6 Oct 1915 - 12 Nov 1915 Eugen Hornyák
                                18 Nov 1915 - 16 Oct 1916 Orest Ritter von Zopa

                                Career
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 25 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 62 tons.
                                1 ship sunk with a total of 330 tons.

                                • 23 Nov 1915 k.u.k. U16 Orest Ritter von Zopa Unione 25 it
                                • 7 Dec 1915 k.u.k. U16 Orest Ritter von Zopa Fiore Albania (prize) 62 al
                                • 16 Oct 1916 k.u.k. U16 Orest Ritter von Zopa Nembo 330 it

                                Fate Sunk - date not recorded.

                                John Doran


                                6th October 1915   KUK U-17 Austrian Submarine

                                Type U-10 Shipyard Ordered Launched Commissioned Commanders
                                6 Oct 1915 - 9 Dec 1915 Franz Skopinic
                                9 Dec 1915 - 17 Sep 1916 Zdenko Hudecek
                                17 Sep 1916 - 9 Oct 1916 Franz Rzemenowsky von Trautenegg
                                9 Oct 1916 - 19 Dec 1916 Zdenko Hudecek
                                19 Dec 1916 - 6 Jan 1917 Karl Edler von Unczowski
                                6 Jan 1917 - 26 Feb 1917 Zdenko Hudecek
                                26 Feb 1917 - 12 Jun 1917 Albrecht Graf von Attems
                                12 Jun 1917 - 22 Nov 1917 Hermann Rigele
                                22 Nov 1917 - 26 Aug 1918 Wladimir Pfeifer

                                Career
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 680 tons.

                                  10 Jul 1916 k.u.k. U17 Zdenko Hudecek Impetuoso 680 it

                                Fate Scrapped 1920.

                                John Doran


                                7th October 1915 Inspections  6th County of London Brigade RFA started thorough inspections of horses and equipment.

                                War Diaries


                                7th Oct 1915  17th Heavy Battery proceed to France  17th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                7th October 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ51 (LZ81)

                                • Production Ref: LZ51
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ81
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 7th October 1915

                                History.

                                It was used at the South-Eastern and the Western Front and transported a diplomatic commission over enemy Serbia on 9 November 1915. Carried out one attack on Étaples (France) and two attacks on Bucharest, dropping a total of 4,513 kg (9,949 lb) of bombs. It was brought down by ground fire near Turnovo (Bulgaria) on 27 September 1916.

                                John Doran


                                8th October 1915 Ready to Move  6th County of London Brigade RFA was held in readiness to move at a half hours notice.

                                War Diaries


                                9th October 1915 Conference  General Rawlinson spoke to the Division's representatives (Colonel, Adjutant, Major, Subalterns and thirty Gunners from each battery of the London Brigades Artillery and the 141st Infantry Brigade) at Drouviax.

                                War Diaries


                                9th October 1915 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL6

                                • First Flight: 9th October 1915
                                • Length: 162.1 metres (532 ft)
                                • Diameter: 19.75 metres (65 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 35,130 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 92.9 km/h
                                • Payload: 15.8 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 840 hp/626 kW total

                                Naval airship based at Seddin. Flew six reconnaissance missions, but exploded due to unknown causes with the loss of all hands while taking off on the 10th November 1915.

                                John Doran


                                10th October 1915 Church Parade  Church Parade at 1045 for the whole 6th London Brigade. Order to move at a half hour notice cancelled.

                                War Diaries


                                10th Oct 1915 14th DLI arrive at Armentieres  14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry arrive at Armentieres.

                                10th October 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ56 (LZ86)

                                • Production Ref: LZ56
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ86
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 10th October 1915

                                History.

                                Carried out 7 attacks dropping a total of 14,800 kg (32,600 lb) of bombs along the Eastern and South-Eastern front. It crashed on the 5th September 1916 at Temesvar,(now Timisoara, Romania) killing nine of the crew.

                                John Doran


                                11th Oct 1915   No 31 Squadron was formed at Farnborough on 11 October 1915 as a single flight and was sent to Risalpur on the North west frontier of India via Bombay, arriving on 26th of December.

                                http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafmarham/aboutus/31sqnhistory.cfm


                                12th October 1915 Battle of Loos  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt L W R Moore and 2/Lt O’Malley joined the Brigade from 2/6th London Field Artillery Brigade in Hertfordshire.

                                War Diaries


                                12th Oct 1915 HMS Abdiel launched  HMS Abdiel a four funnel Marksman-class destroyer, built by Cammell Laird, she was to be named Ithuriel when she was ordered in November 1914. HMS Abdiel was launched on the 12th of October 1915 and served with the Grand Fleet.

                                13th October 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                13th October 1915 Zeppelin raid on London  13th October 1915.

                                After three more raids were scattered by the weather a five-Zeppelin raid which became known as the "Theatreland Raid" was launched by the Navy on 13 October. Arriving over the Norfolk coast around 1830 the Zeppelins encountered new ground defences installed since the September raid under the guidance of Sir Percy Scott. These new gun sites proved ineffective, although the airship commanders commented on the improved defences of the city. A 13-pounder near Broxbourne was put out of action by three bombs dropped from L 15, which continued to London and began bombing over Charing Cross, the first bombs striking the Lyceum Theatre and the corner of Exeter and Wellington Streets, killing 17 and injuring 20.

                                Further bombs were dropped on Holborn: as the airship neared Moorgate it was engaged by a new 75 mm gun sited at the Honourable Artillery Company grounds in Finsbury. L 15 quickly recognised this new threat and jettisoned ballast, dropped only three more bombs (one landing on Aldgate High Street causing much damage) before departing, having suffered some engine damage from the shells. L 13 dropped some bombs around Guildford and later others near Woolwich. L 14 dropped bombs on Otterpool Army Camp near Folkestone, killing 14 soldiers and injuring 12, and later bombed Tonbridge and East Croydon. Both the other Zeppelins, L 16 and L 11 were even further off course, L 16 dropped up to 50 bombs on Hertford and L 11 scattered a few bombs over Norfolk before heading home. In total, 71 people were killed and 128 injured.

                                Zeppelin L14, commanded by Alois Bocker, had made its way to the south-west until the airship reached the English Channel. Turning back inland near Hythe, the airship crew spotted Otterpool and Westenhanger Camps, which at that time were occupied mainly by three Brigades of the Canadian 2nd Division. Five bombs were dropped in quick succession, the first exploding harmlessly in a hedge, but three of the others did what was intended, one struck the guard tent and killed the occupants instantly, another fell among the tents of the men's lines, and another struck the stables. Five more bombs were dropped as the Zeppelin moved off towards Westenhanger Camp, but fortunately for the Canadians at this site the bombs all fell within the nearby race-track enclosure. Thirteen Canadian soldiers were killed in the attack or died immediately after, with two of the most seriously wounded dying in the following days, raising the total number of dead to fifteen. Departing from the devastated military camp, Bocker headed further inland and disposed of L14's remaining ordnance over Tunbridge and Croydon, causing further casualties when houses near to a railway junction at Croydon were damaged. The Zeppelin then made its way back to the Continent, having inflicted a severe blow against what was, after all, only a military 'target of opportunity'.

                                This was the last raid of 1915, as bad weather coincided with the new moon in both November and December 1915 and continued into January 1916.

                                There were a total 20 raids in 1915, in which 37 tons of bombs were dropped, killing 181 people and injuring 455.

                                John Doran


                                14th October 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                15th October 1915  hold competitions  9th Lancers at Ligny Les Aire. Competitions for Bombers.

                                War Diary


                                16th Oct 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers  make an attack  The 2nd Royal Fusilers made an unsucessful attack on a sap.

                                16th October 1915 London Batteries Register  13th London Battery registered H31.G.1.4, H31.G.1.6.5, H25.0. 0, H25.G.1.2.5 and Points 14. 15th and 16th London Batteries, all registered approximately, but owing to the very bad mist left accurate registrations to a later date. 6th London BAC (Brigade Ammunition Column) proceeded to Noeux les Mines (L.M.C) from Marles.

                                War Diaries


                                17th Oct 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers take a sap  Ten men and Sergeant of the 2nd Royal Fusilers made another attack on the sap, this time capturing it succesfully.

                                17th October 1915 London guns Register  6th County of London Brigade RFA report though still misty, the batteries of Lowe Group were able to partially complete their registrations. 2/Lt J A W Petro, 6th London Ammunition Column was transferred to 17th London Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                18th October 1915 6th London Brigade in the Battle of Loos  6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery war diary states: Concentration of fire at 1300hrs on Woods No 5 and 4 (H25.d.1.8 to H25.d.5.8 and H25.d.5.3 to H25.c.3.9). Six rounds per gun fired at 1300, followed by four rounds per gun at 1310, fired quickly. Bombardier A J Farquharson (17th London Battery) was wounded. 2/Lt J H Van den Bergh, 16th London Battery was appointed Orderly Officer to OC. Brigade and transferred to Brigade Headquarter Staff.

                                Gallantry Award, Under authority granted by His Majesty the King, the Field Marshall Commanding in Chief appointed the undermentioned officer to be a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order: Major Hadrian Bayley, 15th County of London Battery, RFA, 6th London Brigade RFA, in recognition of services rendered at Le Plantin from the 12th to the 26th May 1915.

                                War Diaries


                                18th Oct 1915 8th Yorks & Lancs join 8th Division  8th Yorks and Lancs transfer with 70th Brigade to 8th Division.

                                18th Oct 1915 28th Division to proceed to Egypt  28th Division are ordered to leave France for Salonkia, they are to sail from Marseilles to Alexandria, Egypt.

                                18th Oct 1915 70th Field Coy RE hold trench neat The Quarries  Near "the Quarries" Sappers Burrows and Whitlaw 70th Field Company RE regained and held a trench by throwing "bomb" all through the night. Both were awarded the DCM.

                                19th Oct 1915 Allies Bazaar raises £700  £700 was raised at the Allies Bazaar held at at Queen's Road Primitive Methodist Church in Calderdale.

                                http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~calderdalecompanion/souv_1915.html


                                19th October 1915 Personnel Changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt Col R R Wandsbrough (6th London Ammunition Column) proceeded to England. Lt W J Barnard appointed to command 6th London Ammunition Column, vice Lt Col R R Wandsbrough. Capt M J K O’Malley (Adjutant, 6th London Brigade RFA) transferred to 17th Division. Lt G Lyon Smith appointed Adjutant of the Brigade, vice Capt M J K O’Malley 13th London Battery moved its position to G33.a.5.9. Batteries retaliated only, for every one German shell, one 18 pounder and one 15 pounder shell is fired in retaliation.

                                War Diary


                                19th Oct 1915 14th Durhams in Ploegsteert Line  14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry are on the Ploegsteert Line.

                                19th Oct 1915 Resigration for Tyneside Scottish progressing  The Evening Chronicle, Newcastle upon Tyne reports on Monday, 19th October 1914: "The registration of men for the Tyneside Scottish Battalion is proceeding with a rapidity entirely gratifying to those responsible for raising the unit. The pipe and drum parade on Saturday followed by the recruiting meeting at the town hall, was very successful and resulted in some 170 names being secured."

                                19th Oct 1915 On the Move  13 Squadron was sent to France, reporting first to RFC HQ at St. Omer on 19th of October, and then deployed to Vert Galand 2 days later. Equipped with BE2c aircraft, the main role of the Squadron was artillery observation and photographic reconnaissance, which remained the unit's main tasks throughout the war.

                                20th October 1915 6th London Bde Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA report At noon all batteries fired 10 rounds of shrapnel on trench H.19.d.4.0 - H.25.b.10.3. as fast as possible. At 1600 Concentration of fire on Puis 14 --- and on Wood 3,4 5, 6. Retaliation as before. Leave for the Division was reopened. Capt R.A Corsan, who had been wounded, rejoined the 15th London Battery from the Base.

                                War Diaries


                                20th Oct 1915 Newcastle United hand St Jame's Park over to Army  Newcastle United football club moved out of st James' Park to a temporary home at Brough Park, Byker as the club ground was handed over to the army for use as a military billet.

                                20th October 1915 On the March  E Battery, RHA marched back with 5th Cavalry Brigade for new orders. Battery to Mileules about 23 miles.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                21st October 1915 6th London Bde RFA Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA report: At 1400 Concentration of fire (5 rounds per gun) on one trench H.19.a.2.0.-H.19.a.7.8. At 1420 the above action was repeated. Retaliation as usual. Horses of the Brigade were inspected by Deputy Director of Remounts: 60 horse were cast as being unsuitable, through age, size or other qualifications.

                                War Diaries


                                21st October 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots last fatality killed in France 1915.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 162 men (that are known)

                                21st October 1915 Lack of billets  9th Lancers at Elnes, getting into billets, not sufficient cover for all men & horses. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital.

                                War Diary


                                21st October 1915 In Billets  E Battery, RHA are with 5th Cavalry Brigade in billets at Mierules

                                E Battery RHA war diaries


                                22nd October 1915 Much Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA fire in retaliation only. There was much shelling by the Germans: Loos, the Chalk Pit (here smoke shells were accidentally ignited), and the Double Crassier were all shelled, we retaliated. Bombardier Rutson and Gunner Wootten (16th London Battery) were wounded. (Note - It appears they both survived as there is no trace of them in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records).

                                War Diaries


                                22nd October 1915 Water in Short Supply  E Battery, RHA moved to new village for want of water. Left at 1530hrs and marched to Huquillier 4 miles from Brigade Headquarters at Perenty. Captain C.T. Walwyn ordered to report himself at war office as soon as possible.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                23rd October 1915 Intermittent Shelling  This afternoon there was intermittent shelling by the Germans and 6th London Brigade RFA retaliated. A Concentration of fire set to take place at 1630 was postponed.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd Oct 1915 SS Ilaro lost  SS Ilaro was a British Merchant steamer built in 1895. On the 23rd October 1915 when on route from Forcados, West Africa for Hull with a cargo of maize and palm kernels she hit a mine, laid by German submarine UC-5, 4 miles East from Dungeness. One life was lost and 29 saved, the crew abandoned ship in two boats.

                                23rd October 1915 Standing by  E Battery, RHA continued on standby with 5th Cavalry Brigade at Huquilliers. Lt Col Olivant visited the Battery.

                                E Battery RHA war diary


                                24th October 1915 Persistent Shelling  This morning and this afternoon there was again persistent shelling by the Germans on the front line trenches, Chalk Pit Wood and Loos being their principle targets. 6th County of London Brigade RFA retaliated, with one round (18 pounder) and one round (15 pounder) for every one of their rounds. At 1600 a Concentration of fire was made by 13th and 15th London Batteries on trench H.19.d.4.0 - H.25.b.2.7 while the 16th and 17th London Batteries similarly concentrated on trench H.19.d.4.0 - H.25.b.4.7. A derelict British 18 pounder Wagon Body and timber were salved. Batteries reported on a large number of misfire, due to the fact that the "T" tubes are not now being received in sealed tins.

                                War Diaries


                                25th October 1915 Underground dugouts to be constructed  Concentration of fire by 6th London Brigade on target-trench H.15.a.9.4 - H.13.g.1.2. At 11:00 2 rounds per gun were fired; 11:10 2 rounds per gun; 11:25 4 rounds per gun. The last to be fired in salvoes. Owing to the extremely bad weather, Battery Commanders were unable to give certain information about the enemy's position required by 47th Division, nor was the OC. Brigade able to inspect harnesses of the 15th, 16th and 17th Batteries as arranged. An order was received to construct large dug outs 15 feet below ground level; each dugout is to be in communication with the next to it by means of an underground passage. Lt R. Bruce RFA of 6th London Brigade officially announced as having Died of wounds.

                                War Diaries


                                26th October 1915 Inspection and Registration  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports 2/Lt A. F Yencken proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence. The OC. Brigade inspected the harness of the 6th London Ammunition Column. Retaliation - In future British guns are to fire 5 time as many rounds as the Germans have fired. There was no concentration of fire today. 13th London Battery registered H.19.b.8.1, H.25.b.2.5 and H.25.b.6.2. In return for the intermittent shelling of our first line trenches all day by the Germans, our batteries retaliated on the German front line. 15th and 16th London Batteries spotted the flash of the German battery at H.10.b.8.7.

                                War Diaries


                                27th October 1915 Shelling and Retaliation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report at 0300 a Concentration of fire on Wood 6 and trenches in squares H.25,26 and 31. 6 rounds per gun were fired as quickly as possible. At 0500 the above action was repeated. There was no reply by the enemy. At 1205 the Germans obtained direct hit on a gun emplacement of 13th London Battery. One man was seriously wounded and three others slightly wounded. The Enemy shelled trenches in front of Puits 14 bis, Chalk Pit, Chalk Pit Wood and Loos. We retaliated.

                                War Diaries


                                28th October 1915 King inspects IV Corps  At 1100 Representatives of all Units of IV Corps were inspected by his Majesty King George V between Labuissiere and Hesdigneul. 30 picked men, in charge of Lt W.J. Barnard represented the 6th County of London Brigade. His majesty was thrown from his horse, but was uninjured. The weather was very unfavourable. Intermittent shelling of trenches, Chalk Pit and Loos as yesterday. We retaliated. The Ammunition Column received 77 light draught horse, in accordance with the new establishment. Heavy draught horses are being returned.

                                War Diaries


                                29th October 1915 Shelling and Retaliation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt W.R. Sadler RAMC (Medical Officer in charge 6th London Brigade RFA) proceeded to England on 10 days leave of absence. Shelling and retaliation continued as before. The 13th London Battery had two men wounded at Gun Position and one man wounded in Wagon Line which was also shelled. 13th London Battery moved gun position to G.33.a.0.9. All units of Lowe Group are supplying men for working parties in the trenches and men are also being supplied for the building of huts in the Wagon Lines.

                                War Diaries


                                29th Oct 1915 13th East Yorks leave Ripon  13th East Yorks leave Ripon on 29th of October 1915 for Hurdcott Camp.

                                grandfather's diary


                                30th October 1915 Heavy Enemy Fire Quietened  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt Col R.W.A. Christie having proceeded on leave, Lt Col A.C.Lowe DSO assumed command of the Christie Group in addition to the Lowe Group. At 1500 there was a Concentration of fire on enemy trenches in H.19.6. This quietened enemy’s fire which had been heavy all day, their targets as before. 8 Bell tents were issued to each battery, for the temporary use (until their huts are ready) of men in the Wagon Lines. 15th London Battery moved their Wagon Lines due to the bad state of the ground caused by continued wet weather.

                                War Diaries


                                31st October 1915 Hostile Shell Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA are situated at Loos, Chalk Pit and our first Front Line trenches were again shelled and we retaliated. At 1435 there was hostile shell fire near the gun positions of the 15th and 17th London Batteries. The officer’s dugout of the 15th London Battery were knocked in. Capt R.A. Corsan had to be dug out, but he was uninjured. Leave of absence was increased to 6 men per Brigade weekly. The 17th London Battery moved their Wagon Line. There will be a concentration of fire at 0230 and 0515 tomorrow morning.

                                War Diaries


                                1st Nov 1915 NGF Gloucester Road, Croyden opens.  National Gauge Factory Gloucester Road, Croyden, Surrey started in November 1915 for production of gauges. It was under the direct control of Vidal Engineering Co.

                                1st Nov 1915 NSF Stanley Street, Workington opens.  National Shell Factory Stanley Street, Workington, started up in November 1915, produing 18-pdr. Shell, base plates. First output was in August 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Nov 1915 NPF Aisne Factory, Renfrew opens.  Aisne Factory, Renfrew, Renfrewshire was a National Projectile Factory which started up in November 1915 for the production of 60-pdr. Shell. First output was May 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Nov 1915 NSF Clyde Street, Bootle opens.  Clyde Street, Bottle, Liverpool, Lanchashire was a National Shell Factory which started up in November 1915. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st November 1915 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that from 0230 to 0515 all Batteries fired 8 rounds per gun, beginning with a salvo on hostile trenches. At 1800 and 1855 all Batteries concentrated fire on trenches Hotel.25.d.1.0, Hotel.31.b.2.4 There was very heavy shelling of our Front Line and communication trenches throughout the day, especially the Chalk Pit. On two occasions, when British and French artillery retaliated, German fire stopped, but on another occasion they continued.

                                Gallantry Award: "Under authority granted by His Majesty the King, the Field Marshall Commanding in Chief, appointed the under mentioned Officer to be a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Major Adrian Charles Gordon, 16th County of London Battery, RFA, 6th London Brigade RFA, in recognition of services rendered at Loos on the 25th and 26th September 1915."

                                War Diaries


                                1st November 1915 Pioneering work  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

                                A Royal Engineers Field Company was placed under the command of No 2 Company, possibly to operate a saw-mill and speed up the supply of timber components for the defence lines. Other work taken on by the Battalion made it necessary to attach a Royal Engineer Signalling Company to No 1 Company under Captain Shepperd to assist with overall communications.

                                An inspection of work on the 22nd November resulted in further work responsibilities over another 8 miles of trenches in the direction of Toutencourt to Authie and reconstruction of rain damaged trenches near Arqueues.

                                It was a bitterly cold winter but the work had to continue and the men were issued with sheepskin and goatskin coats (jerkins) which helped in the biting winds. They also built new stables for the transport animals which had to stand out at night.

                                Snow fell on the 15th November followed by a thaw with melting snow and heavy rain making working conditions much more difficult. Unlike their comrades in the forward trenches the men could return to warm and dry billets at night. There was an inspection by the ADMS on the 18th November as concern mounted regarding the health of the men working in such difficult conditions. (Assistant Director of Medical Services).

                                On Sunday 28th November the Battalion had a whole day off. It was a fine day and the roads were frost bound and easy for walking so visits to local villages took place in pleasant surroundings.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st November 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                1st to 15th November - with 5th Cavalry Brigade in reserve at Huquelliers. The time was spent in training young NCOs in map reading and signalling. Giving instruction to a squad of young gunners in gun drill laying. The horses besides their ordinary exercises did draught parade and a good many fatigues in drawing material for horse standings.

                                12th Nov. - Lt MN Dewing RFA joined the Battery (attached) from the Royal Military Academy Woolwich.

                                war diaries


                                November 1915 On the Move  No 17 Squadron proceeded to Egypt in November.

                                3rd November 1915 Hostile Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA report: Throughout the day there was considerable shelling of our Front Line, particularly in section A2, by light field guns and howitzers. As yesterday, hostile field gun fire was effectively stopped by our field gun fire, but hostile fire from howitzers continued. 2/Lt W.J. O’Malley, 6th London Ammunition Column attached to the 15th London Battery during absence on leave of 2/Lt A.F. Blackwell.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd November 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ52 (L18)

                                • Production Ref: LZ52
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: L18
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 3rd November 1915

                                History.

                                Destroyed in a shed fire at Tondern during refuelling on the 17th November 1915.

                                John Doran


                                4th November 1915 Bad Light  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the light was bad for observation until 1100. In future our Artillery will only retaliate at the request of our Infantry. A.1 was again shelled during the day, but no request was received by the 15th London Battery to fire, nor by the 17th London Battery. The 16th London Battery retaliated at the request of Infantry. There was less shelling than on previous days.

                                War Diaries


                                5th Nov 1915   No 27 Squadron formed at Hounslow on the 5th of November 1915 from a nucleus of staff from No. 24 Squadron.

                                7th November 1915 Gum Boots Issued  6th County of London Brigade RFA report at the following times shelling took place with two salvoes per Battery 2030, 2200, 2300, 0100, 0300 and 0400. 15th Battery fired at H.25.d.2.1, H.25.d.0.3, H.25.d.0.7, H.25.d.5.9 16th Battery fired at H.26.c.0.7, H.26.c.3.9 17th Battery fired at H.25.b.6.4, H.25.b.9.6, H.25.b.5.10, H.19.d.1.7

                                The following message was received from the 47th Divisional Artillery. "The intermittent bombardment which has taken place during the last few days is to cease and short bombardments will take place instead".

                                The weather was again foggy and observation difficult. At 1600 Bombardment of trench H.13.d.2.5, H.13.d.5.5 by all batteries of the 6th London Brigade RFA. Lt. Col. R.W. Christie RFA having returned from leave, resumed command of Christie Group. Gum boots were issued to batteries for use of telephonists and linesmen.

                                War Diaries


                                7th Nov 1915 Squadron Formed  No 28 Squadron formed at Gosport on the 7th of November 1915 from a nucleus from 22 Squadron. It moved shortly afterwards to Fort Rowner aerodrome.

                                8th November 1915 Heavy Enemy Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt Col A.C. Lowe DSO proceeded to England on 10 days leave of absence. At 0630, 0640, 0715 short bombardments took place of crossroads in H.26.c and about 100 yards along each road. At 1430, 2110 and 2200, there were short bombardments of trench H.13.d.2.5, H.13.d.8.5 There was heavy enemy shelling of the battery positions and the observation stations and the ground between them. 16th London Battery sustained 1 casualty and the 17th London Battery sustained 2, all slightly wounded. 16th London Battery spotted the flashes of 2 hostile batteries. The atmosphere was very clear and observation was very good. 2/Lt W.J. O’Malley, attached to the 15th London Battery, returned to the 6th London Ammunition Column.

                                War Diaries


                                8th Nov 1915 18th Manchesters proceed to France  An unseasonably warm day, 18th Battalion Manchester Regiment departed from Larkill Camp, they marched to Amesbury station to entrain for Folkestone and depart for France.

                                10th November 1915 Short Bombardments  6th County of London Brigade RFA in action. 1400 Short bombardment of trenches around Wood VI (H.25.d). 2100 Short bombardment of tracks running from H.20.a.5.1 and H.20.c.4.8 to H.20 central. In retaliation for the latter bombardment, Germans shelled Chalk Pit. The shooting was bad. 16th and 17th London Batteries each observed flashes of hostile batteries.

                                War Diaries


                                11th November 1915 Fortified mound observed  6th County of London Brigade RFA fired at 0555, a Short bombardment of all field guns on their night lines. At 1630 a Short bombardment of H.20.c.6.5, H.26.a.9.9 (suspected light high velocity guns). Railway Alley was again shelled at intervals during the day. 17th London Battery observed flashes of hostile guns, and observed a mound strongly fortified, evidently made of reinforced concrete. The report made about this mound by the OC. 17th Lon Battery was republished in its entirety in IV Corps intelligence summary.

                                War Diaries


                                12th Nov 1915 SS Moorside lost  The SS Moorside was lost whilst sailing from Leith for France loaded with coal. She sank with Breakwater Buoy bearing S by W, 8 lives were lost including the Master. She was owned by T H Catcheside & Co was registered in Newcastle

                                13th November 1915 Slow Bombarment  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from 0900 a slow bombardment took place lasting 1 hour, in conjunction with No 1 Group Heavy Artillery Reserve, of frontline trenches H.25.b.9.5, H.25.d.0.9 and communication trench in H.2A.a. At 1450 and 1500 Woods 3 and 4 were bombarded.

                                War Diaries


                                14th November 1915 6th London Bde RFA prepare for Relief  6th County of London Brigade RFA report: At 0545 and 0605 bombardment of trenches H.19.b.5.4, Puits 13 bis and H.19.b.8.4, H.20.c.4.8 took place. At 1545 bombardment of trench southwest of Hulluch, H.13.d.2.10, H.13.d.2.5 also occurred. The remainder of the 18 pounder equipment, 6 guns and 12 wagons for batteries together with 6 wagons for Brigade Ammunition Column, which was due to arrive by 1400 at Noeux les Mines station arrived at 2100 and having been detrained, were parked in an adjacent field for the night. The first allotment of 18 pounders and equipment which had arrived 10 days ago, were taken today by road to Auchel, there to await the arrival of the Brigade on coming out of action. Then 2nd instalment of 18 pounder guns, which arrived today, were collected by Batteries. 2/Lt M.V. Eddis 2/6 London Brigade RFA, reported for duty from England and was attached to the 15th London Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                14th November 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ58 (LZ88, L25)

                                • Production Ref: LZ58
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ88, L25
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 14th November 1915

                                History.

                                Carried out 14 reconnaissance missions and 3 attacks dropping a total 4,249 kg (9,367 lb) of bombs along the Western Front. In January 1917 it was handed to the German Navy who used it for experimental purposes and it was decommissioned in September 1917.

                                John Doran


                                15th November 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force.

                                All Batteries tested timing switches by actually firing and carried on registering of Division Zone. Day was generally quiet. Bombardment of Snout provoked a little retaliation. At 1430 hostile aeroplanes were unusually daring and nonplussed observers which let one machine fly almost unmolested 1500 feet over I.26, 27 and Valley Cottages. New enemy work at I.19.c.1.4 and I.30.b.8.0 has progressed. Activity round a camouflet near hilly place suggests offensive Sapping operations, ultimate intention probably being to jump our front line and command reverse slope of ridge. (Note: sapping is constructing trenches forward from the front line towards enemy positions,usually as listening posts or, as suggested here, jumping off points for attacking troops, getting them nearer to enemy lines under cover). (Further note: a camouflet is a chamber created by explosives underground without breaking the surface (which would be a crater)).

                                War Diaries


                                16th November 1915 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA sections which arrived at Noeux les Mines last night, parked their 15pdrs near the station, dumped their 15pounderdr ammunition in a selected spot and, having taken over their 18pounders which arrived on Sunday last, proceeded to Auchel to rest. The remaining sections of the 15th, 16th & 17th London Batteries were relieved at 1630 and proceeded to Noeux les Mines, where they remained for the night.

                                War Diaries


                                16th Nov 1915 Sheffield City Battalion move to Larkhill  The 12th York and Lancs Battalion move from Hurcott Camp to Larkhill for parts 3 and 4 of the Musketry course. Each man was issued with his own SMLE Rifle and the course included firing from trenches as well as on the traditional ranges. A few days after arriving at Larkhill an order was received to prepare to proceed to France.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                17th November 1915 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA having parked their 15 pounder guns and ammunition at Noeux les Mines station, the sections relieved last night proceeded to Auchel to rest. Brigade Headquarters moved to Auchel. A small loading party was left at Noeux les Mines. Major H. Bayley DSO proceeded to England on 12 days leave of absence.

                                War Diaries


                                17th November 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                17th to 28th November - with 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve at Ergny. During most of this time with snow, frost and cold winds and there was difficulty in getting the horses exercised.

                                war diaries


                                18th November 1915 New equipment, Rest and Training  The complete 6th County of London Brigade has now relocated to Auchel and steps were immediately take to check the new 18 pounder equipment. The 18 pounder guns which had been parked at Auchel, under guard, since Sunday last, were fetched from the gun park. Thus the whole Brigade is now complete with 18 pounder guns and equipment. The addition of an attached officer per Battery has been sanctioned. 2/Lt M.G. Whitten & 2/Lt H.P. Barrow, 2/6th London Brigade RFA, having arrived from England were taken on the strength of the Brigade. 2/Lt M.G. Whitten was posted to the 16th London Battery and 2/Lt H.P. Barrow was attached to the 16th London Battery. 2/Lt M.V. Eddis was attached to the 15th London Battery and Lt H.L. Burgis attached to the 6th London Ammunition Column. Capt W. Cooper attached to 16th London Battery, rejoined 17th London Battery Capt R.A. Corsan returned from the Base to duty with 15th London Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                19th November 1915 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt J.C. Woollett, 15th London Battery and 4 telephonists per unit proceeded to Marles les Mines on a course of instruction in telephony. Inspections of the 18 pounder equipment and clothing etc, was held by OC. Units. One man per unit sent to Headquarters IV Corps for course of advanced telephony.

                                War Diaries


                                19th Nov 1915 Nurse Appointed Matron  Miss Gertrude Inglis the the Kirkburton Parish Nurse was appointed as the matron of the Kirkburton Hospital, whilst continuing in her paid role. She was assisted by her sister, Miss Alice Inglis, also a fully qualified nurse, who had previously worked at St Agnes’ Hospital London. Both sisters would work at the hospital until its closure in December 1919. A third sister, Georgina, who lived in Inverness, deputised for both her sisters for holidays and sickness and worked approximately 2½ months each year.

                                20th November 1915 Instruction in gunnery  A course of Instruction in gunnery was held at the Headquarters of the 47th Divisional Ammunition Column under the superintendence of Capt F.J. Clarke RFA. The following officers of 6th London Brigade RFA attended Lt M.V. Eddie, 15th London Battery, 2/Lt H. Davis 16th London Battery and 2/Lt H.L. Burgis 6th London Ammunition Column. 4 NCOs per unit also attended the course. A section of guns were loaned for the course by each of the 15th & 16th London Batteries.

                                War Diaries


                                21st November 1915 Inspections and Regimental Sports  An Inspection of clothing was held by the OC. Brigade before the 6th London Brigade RFA took part in the instituted Divisional Service League Football Competition.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd Nov 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers arrived in France  16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers disembark at Boulogne from Folkestone.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                22nd Nov 1915 Fighting at Ctesiphon   The Battle of Ctesiphon began at dawn, with British Forces attacking the Ottoman defences on banks of the Tigris River in Mesopotamia.

                                In just 3 days 4,500 Indian soldiers would be killed or wounded fighting for Britain against the Turks in modern day Iraq. The ancient ruins of the Arabic palace were used as hospital to treat the wounded.

                                22nd Nov 1915 Gloucestershire Hussars return to Egypt  On November 22nd 1915 the Gloucestershire Hussars left Gallipoli sailed back to Alexandria.

                                22nd November 1915 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA report a course of Instruction in Military Correspondence, Indents etc. was instituted with lectures being given by S.M.J.T. Heed. All Subaltern officers are attending. The men are also having instruction in the following: shoeing, chiropody and cooking.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd Nov 1915 Compensation Offered  The German Government offers compensation to the American families of those who lost a family member when the RMS Lusitania was sunk in May. America refuses this offer.

                                23rd November 1915 Inspections and Promotions  6th County of London Brigade RFA, 15th & 16th London Batteries went on a route march, at the end of which their harness was inspected by the OC. Brigade. In the evening these units were invited to a Cinematograph Performance by the OC. Brigade.

                                The following promotions were gazetted

                                • Second Lieutenant to be temporary Lieutenant, dated July 28th
                                • C.E.H. Lloyd
                                • J.A.W. Petro
                                • A.F. Yencken
                                • J.H. Van den Bergh
                                • Dated August 20th
                                • V.C. Lucas
                                • J.C. Woollett
                                • A.F. Blackwell

                                War Diaries


                                24th Nov 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers leave Bologne  16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers entrain at Boulogne for Domqueur (C Coy being at Le Plouy, with 96 Brigade HQ)

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                24th November 1915 Training and recreation  6th County of London Brigade RFA are at Auchel. The Brigade Headquarter Staff, 17th London Battery and 6th London Ammunition Column went on a route march, at the end of which the OC. Brigade inspected their harness. In the evening, by invitation of the OC. Brigade, these units attended a Cinematograph performance in the Auchel Cinematograph Theatre. Major P.J. Clifton, 17th London Battery, proceeded to England on 12 days leave of absence. Capt W. Cooper, 17th London Battery, proceeded to England on 7 days leave. Capt W. Cooper is in command of the 47th Divisional Artillery Leave Party.

                                War Diaries


                                24th November 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royals Scots last fatality of Belgium and France 1915, who died of wounds in the UK.

                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 163 men (that are known)

                                24th November 1915   SM U-74

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 30) Ordered 6 Jan 1915 Launched 10 Aug 1915 Commissioned 24 Nov 1915

                                Commanders.
                                24 Nov 1915 - 17 May 1916 Erwin Weisbach

                                Career 2 patrols.
                                18 Mar 1916 - 17 May 1916 I Flotilla

                                Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 2,802 tons.

                                20 Apr 1916 U 74 Erwin Weisbach Sabbia 2,802 br

                                Fate 17 May 1916 - Sank in a mine handling accident 3.5 miles off Dunbar, Scotland. The wreck of an UEI class submarine located by divers is undoubtedly that of U 74. 34 dead (all hands lost).

                                Previously recorded fate
                                Sunk by gunfire from the Royal Navy trawlers Sea Ranger, Kimberly, Oku, and Rodino off Peterhead at 57.10N, 01.20E on May 27, 1916. U 74 was lost well before this date.

                                There was another U 74 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 31 Aug 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 31 Oct 1940.

                                John Doran


                                24th November 1915   From 24th November 1915 a single independent Home Defence flight of two BE2 aircraft was based at the aerodrome at Cramlington tasked with patrolling the North Sea area seeking any enemy shipping off Tyneside.

                                http://www.nelsam.org.uk/NEAR/Squadrons/Histories/36Sqn.htm


                                25th November 1915 6th London Bde RFA Loos  6th County of London Brigade RFA report one officer from Brigade Headquarters and 6th London Ammunition Column and 2 officers per Battery left Auchel, with a view to taking over from the 5th London Brigade RFA in action near Loos. Officers of the 5th London Brigade RFA arrived at Auchel to take over the guns and billets of the 6th London Brigade RFA. Arrangements have been made for this Brigade to use the guns of the 5th London Brigade RFA, whilst the latter are resting at Auchel.

                                War Diaries


                                Nov 1915 Training  
                                THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE HOME FRONT, 1914-1918

                                © IWM (Q 53714)

                                Signal Section of the 2/8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment practice transmitting and receiving messages during training at Cuckfield, Sussex. The transmitting instrument was invented by Scout J. R. Riordan, sitting in the back row, right.

                                26th November 1915 Relocation  The 6th County of London Brigade moved from Auchel at 0630 for Noyelles. Gunners of the 6th London Brigade RFA took over the guns and positions of the 5th London Brigade RFA at 1300 hrs. The Brigade forms part of the Poole Group, and is engaged in counter battery work, ie. it is employed solely in engaging hostile batteries. Arrangements have been made for aeroplane observation & wireless apparatus has been erected at Brigade Headquarters, which is at Noyelles les Verelles. The 15th & 17th London Batteries occupy the positions they formerly occupied, before being relieved by the 14th & 12th London Batteries respectively viz G.27.b.0.6. and G.27.a.0.9. The 16th Lon Battery is in position due north of Vermelles, G.2.c.6.8. Wagon Line and Ammunition Column are at Noeux les Mines.

                                War Diaries


                                27th Nov 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers on the march  16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers march to Bourdon, via Flixecourt.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                27th November 1915 Hostile Batteries Engaged  6th County of London Brigade RFA report a few rounds were spent in registration, and during the day five hostile batteries were engaged. In all cases except one, the enemy ceased fire. Cites St Pierre and St Leonard were also fired on by order of Poole Group.

                                War Diaries


                                28th Nov 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers on the march  16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers march from Bourdon to Cardonnette.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                28th November 1915 Enemy Batteries Engaged  6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force report Fifteen hostile batteries were engaged. In twelve cases fire ceased and in the other three cases the enemy opened fire with 5.9 shells. It was too misty to form definite observations. The Wagon Lines at Noeux les Mines were shelled but there were no casualties.

                                War Diaries


                                29th November 1915 Hostile Batteries Engaged  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Noyelles report thirty two hostile batteries were engaged. Direct hits were obtained in one case. Enemy ceased fire in seventeen case. Batteries are firing an average of 200 rounds each daily. In the absence of Major H. Bayley DSO (on leave), Capt R.A. Corsan is commanding the 15th London Battery and Lt C.E.H. Lloyd is in command of the 17th London Battery during the absence on leave of Major P.J. Clifton and Capt W. Cooper. The 15th and 17th Lon Battery positions were heavily shelled today. No casualties occurred in the 17th London Battery. In the 15th London Battery, one gunner was wounded, and one gun temporarily put out of action, a piece of shell hitting and damaging the cradle. Within 2 hours the gun concerned was in action again.

                                War Diaries


                                29th November 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royals Scots sailed from Marseilles.

                                70% of soldiers from 1st Battalion Royal Scots who died in Belgium and France in 1914 - 1915 have no known grave and are on the Memorial to the missing at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

                                30th Nov 1915 14th DLI defend Potijze  By the end of the November 1915 the 14th DLI were firmly embedded in the 6th Division, and found themselves defending Potijze. During this time the battalion endured a gas attack near Wieltje. Casualties amongst the ranks amounted to 149 with a number of officers also being gassed and wounded.

                                30th Nov 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers on the march  16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers continue march along Amiens -Bapaume road, via Albert. B & C Coys to Dernancourt, A & D coys to Meaulte, three miles from the front line.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                30th November 1915 Hostile Batteries Engaged  6th County of London Brigade RFA report twenty seven hostile batteries were engaged, of which thirteen ceased firing. An average of 140 rounds per battery were fired today. Capt P.A. Love, having reported from Base Details, was posted to the 6th London Ammunition Column to assume command.

                                30th Nov 1915 14th DLI join 6th Division  Towards the end of November 1915 the 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry transferred to 18th brigade of the 6th Division. The brigade consisted of, 1st Btn, the West Yorkshires. 1st Btn, the East Yorkshires. 11th (Service) Btn, the Essex. 2nd Btn, the Sherwood Foresters. 2nd Btn, the Durham Light Infantry. 14th (Service) Btn, the Durham Light Infantry 1/16th (County of London) Btn, the London Regiment. 18th Brigade Machine Gun Company. 18th Trench Mortar Battery.

                                By the end of the November 1915 the 14th. were firmly embedded in the 6th Division, and found themselves defending Potijze.

                                30th Nov 1915 Half of Sheffield City Battalion complete musketry course  With the musketry course at Larkhill completed, the Sheffield City Battalion marched to Hurcott Camp.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                30th Nov 1915 If Starvation Comes  The special correspondent of the Standard in Switzerland says: "The tenth issue of the German War Essays (Deutsche Kriegs-Schriften), published by Messrs. A. Marcus and E. Weber, of Bonn, is a brochure Dr. Heinz Pothoff, entitled "Volk oder Staat," and it contains a noteworthy chapter, headed "The war of nations requires a more severe method of warfare," from which the following is extracted: "Can anyone doubt that the German General Staff will hesitate to employ extreme measures if Germany is ever on the verge of real starvation? Can it be doubted that our General Staff will do anything rather than allow the victorious German armies called home from France and Russia and Belgium owing to the lack of food? Will it not adopt the most severe measures rather than submit to peace dictated by starvation? Such reprisals are within our reach. If necessary, we must expel all the inhabitants from the territories which our armies have occupied and drive them into the enemies' lines. If necessary, we must kill the hundreds of thousands of prisoners who are now consuming our supplies. That would frightful. But it would be inevitable if there were no other way of holding out." Dr. Heinz Pothoff, the author of this supremely infamous proposal, is the recognised leader of the Progressive People's party in the Rhineland, and he was a prominent Radical member of the Reichstag from 1905 to 1912."

                                Nottingham Evening Post 30th November 1915.


                                December 1915   For identification purposes Divisional Headquarters issued an order for the wearing of battle patches. The 24th Tyneside Irish were to have a red shamrock which was sewn onto their tunic by the men themselves. Brigade Head Quarters personnel wore a green shamrock.

                                research


                                1st Dec 1915 NSF Central Marine Engine Works, Hartlepool opens.  Central Marine Engine Works, Hartlepool, Durham was an National Shell Factory which started up in December 1915 producing 8-in. shell employing a mainly female workforce. The Raglan Hotel nearby was taken over as a Munition Worker's Hostel. First output was Autumn 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management. The Central Marine Engine Works was owned by William Gray and Company Ltd. and had opened in 1883, allowing the ship building company to manufacture their own marine engines.

                                1st Dec 1915 NSF Irwell Mill, Rawtenstall opened.  National Shell Factory Irwell Mill, Rawtenstall & Bacup, Lancashire started up in December 1915 for the production of 4-5-in. shell. First output was Summer 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers go into front line  An advance party of the 16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers went into the front line trenches for instruction by 54 Brigade, 18th Division. Two companies formed a working party under Capt G Nesbit behind the line. The battalion suffered its first casualty, Pte A Wilson of B Coy, was wounded.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                1st December 1915 Hostile Batteries Engaged  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Noyelles report thirty hostile batteries were engaged, and in thirteen cases the enemy ceased fire. A very successful shoot with an aeroplane observer was undertaken today. Corrections were sent by the observer by wireless to Brigade Headquarters and were telephoned thence to the Battery which was firing. Three targets were engaged by the 16th London Battery, a hostile battery and 2 crossroads. In each case the target was hit, after only very few corrections. The 15th London Battery also engaged a target, but owing to the failing light, the service had to be discontinued, nor were the 17th London Battery able to fire by aeroplane, for the same reason. Leave postponed until Saturday. Wagon Lines at Noeux les Mines. Lieut L.W.B. Moore left this station for England.

                                War Diaries


                                1st December 1915 Pioneering work - trenches  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Work continued on various defence areas with 3 Platoon, No 1 Company being sent to Flessells about 3 miles away, to build a large ammunition shed with a concrete base. They also laid 3 metalled roads to and from the site.

                                Whilst the descriptions make it seem like all work and no play, there were a number of sporting activities that took place including rugby, hockey and soccer matches with neighbouring units. Once again reports on these activity were sent to the Lurgan Mail to help foster morale and boost ongoing recruitment at home in Ulster.

                                Christmas Day 1915 started off dull and wet, but soon dried up and the sun put in a short appearance. A party was held for the local village children, which helped Entente Cordiale. In the evening both the Pipe Band and the Fife and Drum band performed to finish off the day with stirring tunes. The local priest was invited and must have been the first priest to meet a mainly Protestant Battalion. A few officers tried to converse with him in their limited French. During after-dinner revelry, he enjoyed listening to "The Protestant Boys" asking to hear it several times as it was a very lively tune. He made the fourth request in perfect English by mistake, everyone having wrongly assumed that he would not have understood the words of the song. Big changes were to follow soon unknown to the festive revellers.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                Dec 1915 4th West Yorks move to Redcar  4th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment leave Falmouth in December 1915 moving to Redcar, on the Yorkshire coast.

                                1st December 1915 Battle of Lake Tanganyika  The Battle for Lake Tanganyika was a series of naval engagements that took placebetween December 1915 and February 1916, during the First World War It involved units of the Royal Navy, Belgian Force Publique and the Kaiserliche Marine. The intention was to secure control of the strategically important Lake Tanganyika, which had been dominated by German naval units since the beginning of the war. The British forces—consisting of two motor boats named HMS Mimi and Toutou—were under the command of the eccentric Lieutenant-Commander Geoffrey Spicer-Simson. The boats were transported to South Africa and from there by railway, by river, and by being dragged through the African jungle, to the lake. In two short engagements, the small motor boats attacked and defeated two of their German opponents. In the first action, on 26 December 1915 the Kingani was damaged and captured, becoming HMS Fifi. In the second, the small flotilla overwhelmed and sank the Hedwig von Wissman. The Germans maintained a third large and heavily armed craft on the lake, the Graf von Götzen. This craft was attacked indecisively by Belgian aircraft and was subsequently scuttled. Developments in the land-based conflict caused the Germans to withdraw from the lake, and control of the surface of Lake Tanganyika passed to the British and Belgians.

                                German control of the lake was significant for the whole campaign in the Central African theatre. While the British could muster troops to the south of the lake and the Belgians had troops to the north, neither could push into German East Africa. The Germans could use their boats to transport troops across the lake and use them to cut their supply and communications lines.

                                Lee's plan

                                On 21 April 1915, John R. Lee, a big game hunter and veteran of the Second Boer War, arrived at the Admiralty to meet Admiral Sir Henry Jackson. Lee had been in Eastern Africa and had personally observed the German ships on Lake Tanganyika. He also brought the news that the Germans were preparing to launch a new ship from their fortified port of Kigoma. Named the Graf von Götzen she had been constructed at the Meyer shipyard at Papenburg, disassembled and packed into 5,000 crates and transported to Dar-es-Salaam. From there, she had been brought by rail to Kigoma and assembled in secret. 220 ft long and displacing 1,575 long tons, she would cement German control of the lake and allow 800-900 troops to be rapidly transported to any point on the lakeshore to raid into allied territory. To counter this threat, Lee proposed that motor gunboats be sent to Africa and transported through the interior to the lake. They would be small and highly manoeuvrable and, if armed with a gun having a range of 7,000 yds, could both outrun and outgun the larger German ships. Using small vessels that could be transported intact meant that they could be launched immediately onto the lake, without the risk of their being discovered by the Germans while they were being assembled, and being destroyed before they could be completed. Sir Henry considered the plan and approved it with the words "It is both the duty and the tradition of the Royal Navy to engage the enemy wherever there is water to float a ship." Jackson passed the task of finalising the details of the operation to his junior, Admiral David Gamble. Gamble appointed Lee second in command of the expedition and placed Lieutenant-Commander Geoffrey Spicer-Simson in charge. Spicer-Simson was a man described by Giles Foden as "a man court-martialled for wrecking his own ships, an inveterate liar and a wearer of skirts." He had reached the rank of lieutenant-commander but had not progressed further owing to a number of mistakes and disasters, which left him in a small office in the Admiralty assigned to helping with the process of transferring merchant seamen into the navy. In 1905, he had come up with the idea of stringing a cable between two destroyers to sweep for periscopes and nearly sank a submarine. He ran another ship aground while testing the defences of Portsmouth Harbour and later collided with and sank a small boat, killing a man. By the outbreak of war, he was in command of HMS Niger and a small flotilla at Ramsgate. He went ashore to entertain guests at a nearby hotel, from whose windows he watched Niger being torpedoed and sunk. He had nevertheless commanded a survey vessel on the Gambia River and, due to a shortage of officers, was selected to take command. Lee went out to prepare the way through Africa, while Spicer-Simson assembled 27 men and two motor boats that had been built by John I. Thornycroft & Company to fulfil an order made by the Greek government before the war.

                                The journey of Mimi and Toutou

                                The British naval force consisted of two 40 ft (12 m)-long motor boats. Spicer-Simson suggested they be named Cat and Dog, but the names were rejected by the Admiralty. Spicer-Simson then suggested Mimi and Toutou as alternatives, which were accepted. As he later explained, these meant "Miaow" and "Bow-wow" in French. Their crews were assembled from acquaintances of Spicer-Simson or from the ranks of the Royal Naval Reserve. Spicer-Simson proposed a number of improvements to the original design. They were cut down to improve their speed, Maxim guns and a 3-pounder Hotchkiss gun were fitted, though the Hotchkiss had to be fired from a kneeling position. Extra steel linings were added to the petrol tanks. The boats were tested on the Thames on 8 June, where arrangements had been made for Mimi to fire a practice shell from her 3-pounder. The shell hit the target, but both gun and gunner flew into the river, as the gun had not been properly bolted to the deck. The boats were loaded aboard the SS Llanstephen Castle on 15 June, along with special trailers and cradles to allow them to be transported by rail or overland. The expedition's equipment and supplies, once they arrived in South Africa, would have to be carried over 3,000 miles inland. This included the traversing of a 5,900 ft high mountain range. Meanwhile, on 8 June the Graf von Götzen was launched on Lake Tanganikya.

                                The first leg of Mimi and Toutou's 10,000 mile journey was completed after 17 days at sea and their arrival at the Cape. From Cape Town, they and the men of the expedition travelled north by railway through Bulawayo to Elisabethville, where they arrived on 26 July. After travelling to the railhead at Fungurume, they were detrained and dragged 146 miles through the bush by teams of oxen and steam tractors to the beginnings of the railway from Sankisia to Bukama. At Bukama, the boats and stores were unloaded and prepared for a voyage down the Lualaba River, where despite running aground several times and being forced to take passage on a Belgian river steamer they completed their journey. After sailing through Lake Kisale they arrived at Kabalo on 22 October. From there, a small railway took them to just short of the Belgian port of Lukuga, on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. Here Spicer-Simson met the Belgian army commander, Commandant Stinghlamber, and the naval commander, Commandant Goor. Preparations were made to launch Mimi and Toutou and to seek out the Germans.

                                Belgian and German preparations

                                The Germans had made use of the loss of the survey ship Möwe by taking some of her crew, and men from the merchant ships of the Deutsche Ost-Afrika Linie, and using them to man their ships. The German position on the lake had been further strengthened with the loss of the SMS Königsberg in the Rufiji River in July. Guns from Königsberg arrived at the German base at Kigoma and the German naval commander on the lake, Captain Gustav Zimmer, had one of Königsberg's 105 mm (4.1 in) autocannon mounted on Götzen. Members of Königsberg's crew also made their way to join his forces and Zimmer placed former crew member Lieutenant Job Rosenthal in command of Kingani. Job Odebrecht commanded Hedwig, while Zimmer himself commanded Götzen. Against this formidable force, the Belgians could only muster a petrol-driven barge armed with two cannon named Dix-Tonne, a motor boat named Netta, and a whaler fitted with an outboard motor. Goor hoped to bring into commission the as-yet unassembled Baron Dhanis and the hulk of Alexandre del Commune, which had been sunk early in the war by Hedwig. Zimmer may have been aware that the British were planning to launch ships on the lake, but he was also concerned that the Baron Dhanis might be assembled and launched. The 1,500 long tons Baron Dhanis was not necessarily a threat to Götzen in port, but he was determined to maintain his freedom of movement on the lake. Lacking concrete information he sent Rosenthal aboard Kingani to reconnoitre Lukuga. The Belgians mounted floatplanes on the lake giving them the ability to observe the German positions and to bomb them.

                                Battle

                                Lieutenant Job Rosenthal, commanding the Kingani, made several passes and observed work underway on a new harbour at Kalemie, south of Lukuga, where Spicer-Simson intended to make his base. Still lacking detailed information on the enemy's movements, Kingani returned early on the morning of 1 December and attempted to approach the harbour. Rosenthal's vessel was spotted by the shore batteries and driven away, but returned the following night and Rosenthal himself swam to Lukuga to examine the slipways under construction. He also discovered the camps, where the British flag revealed the presence of Spicer-Simson and his expedition. Rosenthal travelled down the railway line and discovered both Mimi and Toutou and the disassembled parts of Baron Dhanis. Realising that the threat actually lay in the British vessels, he attempted to return to Kingani, but was unable to locate her in the dark. He attempted to conceal himself and hoped that Kingani would return at nightfall, but was discovered by a Belgian patrol and taken prisoner. While a captive he succeeded in sending a message, with a secret addendum written in urine to Zimmer warning him of what he had seen, but the message did not reach Kigoma for several months.

                                Mimi and Toutou are launched

                                The slipways at Kalemie were ready by mid-December and on 22 December Toutou was launched onto Lake Tanganyika, with Mimi following the next day. Final preparations were made on 24 December, including the fuelling and the fitting of guns, after which brief trials were made. On 26 December, Kingani approached Kalemie. Rosenthal's successor, Sub-Lieutenant Junge, had orders to gather information on naval preparations and at 0600 in the morning, as Spicer-Simson was conducting morning prayers, she was sighted offshore. Mimi and Toutou set out of the harbour after Kingani had passed by. Unexpectedly finding himself pursued by two motor boats flying the white ensign, Junge ordered that the speed be increased. Kingani's six-pounder gun could only fire forward. The faster more nimble motor boats were able to close the range and open fire with their three-pounder guns, while avoiding the German's fire. After a short action lasting 11 minutes, Kingani was hit on her gun, the shell passing through the gunshield and killing Junge and two petty officers. After several more hits, her chief engineer hauled down the colours and the British took possession of her. Junge and four dead crewmembers were buried and after a hole in Kingani's hull had been patched, she was taken into service as HMS Fifi. Spicer-Simson explained that Fifi meant "tweet-tweet" in French and was suggested by the wife of a Belgian officer who had a small caged bird. Her six-pounder gun was moved to her stern, while one of the 12-pounder guns that had been mounted ashore was fixed to the bows. The Admiralty were impressed by the expedition's achievements, Spicer-Simson was specially promoted to commander from the date of the action and a message was sent which read "His Majesty The King desires to express his appreciation of the wonderful work carried out by his most remote expedition". The Colonial Office also expressed its approbation. Zimmer did not immediately send Hedwig to investigate the disappearance of Kingani, possibly being too busy transporting troops and supplies. The storm season in January also made navigation of the lake dangerous for vessels smaller than Götzen and it was not until mid-January that Hedwig came to Lukuga to investigate. By now, Spicer-Simson had been given the repaired Dutch vessel Del Commune—now renamed Vengeur—to add to his flotilla. Odebrecht scouted close to the shore, keeping clear of the shore batteries that were assumed to have sunk Kingani, but could not see anything worth reporting. He was ordered back to Lukuga on 8 February and told to rendezvous with Zimmer on Götzen the following day. Hedwig was spotted early in the morning and the expedition's forces sallied forth to intercept her. The combined Anglo-Belgian flotilla consisted of Mimi, Fifi, Dix-Tonne, and the whaleboat with Toutou having been damaged and still under repair. Odebrecht spotted the approaching vessels, but continued to advance. He initially mistook them for Belgian craft, but the white ensigns revealed that they were British. He continued toward the shore until making a sharp turn to port at 0930, either attempting to lure them toward Götzen, or having been fooled by an optical illusion into thinking the approaching vessels were larger than he had first thought. The pursuing vessels chased Hedwig and Fifi opening fire with her bow-mounted 12-pounder. The recoil stopped her dead in her tracks and Odebrecht used this situation to pull away. Hedwig could do 9 knots to Fifi's 8 knots, but as Fifi fell behind, Mimi sped past, firing on the retreating German vessel with her three-pounder gun. The shots missed, but Hedwig's stern guns did not have the range of Mimi's weapon and Odebrecht was forced to come about and try to hit her with his bow-mounted six-pounder. The two circled for a time, unable to score hits, until Fifi closed. Spicer-Simson, commanding aboard Fifi, was down to three shells on his 12-pounder and risked being outclassed if Hedwig could bring her own six-pounder to bear. At this moment, a shell jammed in Fifi's gun and in the 20 minutes that it took to clear it, Hedwig again pulled away, searching for Götzen. With her second to last shot, Fifi fired again. The shell hit Hedwig's hull, causing flooding, while moments later her last shell hit the engine room, bursting the boiler and killing five African sailors and two Germans. As fires began to spread through the stricken craft Odebrecht gave the order to abandon ship and set explosive charges to destroy the sinking vessel. The British picked up the survivors and captured a large German naval ensign, the first to be taken in the war.

                                Götzen is scuttled

                                The flotilla returned to shore with their prisoners and the following day Götzen appeared offshore, steaming slowly past in search of the missing Hedwig. Alerted, the crews rushed to man their boats, but Spicer-Simson forbade an attack. Shortly afterward, Spicer-Simson left the lake for Stanleyville, in search of a boat to rival Götzen. He found one such vessel—the St George, a steel boat belonging to the British consul at Banana—and had her dismantled, dragged to Lake Tanganyika and reassembled. By the time he returned in May, the German position on the lake had deteriorated further. The Belgians were about to capture Kigoma and a British force was pushing north toward Bismarckburg. The expedition was to support land operations from the lake and the flotilla, consisting of Mimi, Toutou, Fifi and Vengeur arrived off Bismarckburg on 5 June. Finding the harbour defended by a fort, Spicer-Simson decided not to attack, and withdrew to Kituta. This allowed the German forces to escape in a fleet of dhows, an act which provoked the anger of the army commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Murray. The naval expeditionary force remained at Bismarckburg, where Spicer-Simson was chastened to learn that the fort's guns were in fact wooden dummies. Meanwhile, the British had provided the Belgians with four Short Type 827 floatplanes to attack Götzen at Kigoma. Several bombing runs were made, but unbeknown to either the British or the Belgians, Zimmer had been ordered by his commanding officer—Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck—to remove most of Götzen's armament, including the 105 mm autocannon taken from Königsberg, and send them to be used by the army in the field. Wooden dummies were mounted to maintain the illusion of a heavily armed ship. Kigoma fell to General Charles Tombeur's forces on 28 July, but Götzen was already gone. The Germans had sailed the ship to the south of Kigoma Bay and after having her engines thoroughly greased in case there should be need to make use of her again, filled her with concrete and carefully scuttled her on 26 July in a depth of 20 m near the banks of the Katabe Bay (Belgian designation: Baie de l’éléphant; British designation: Bangwe Bay) at the Position 04° 54' 05" S; 029° 36' 12" E.

                                Aftermath

                                Anglo-Belgian control of Lake Tanganyika was secured by mid-1916, though the war in Africa dragged on for another two years. Most of the men of the naval expedition returned to Britain, where Spicer-Simson was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, but was reprimanded for some of his antagonistic behaviour toward his Belgian allies and was not given another command. The Belgians for their part appointed him a Commander of the Order of the Crown and awarded him the Croix de guerre. The exploits on Lake Tanganyika caught the public imagination and were adapted by C. S. Forester for his book The African Queen, later made into the film The African Queen, directed by John Huston. A British naval force features in the book, consisting of two motor boats named HMS Amelia and HMS Matilda. The legacy of the Battle for Lake Tanganyika also continues in the survival of Spicer-Simson's nemesis, the Graf von Götzen. She was raised by the Belgians and towed to Kigoma, but sank at her moorings in a storm. She was raised again by the British in 1921 under their mandate for Tanganyika, where it was found that she was so well preserved by the greasing, that little work needed to be done to repair her. She returned to service on 16 May 1927 under the name Liemba, and still sails Lake Tanganyika.

                                John Doran


                                1st December 1915 Into Action again  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                The guns went into action in the evening, one gun being detached (Mirrlees Section). The other two guns replieving two guns of the 105th Battery RFA, 7th Division. (Rue de Chavaltes)

                                war diaries


                                2nd Dec 1915 Kent Cyclists move to Chisledon  On the 2nd of December 1915 the 1st/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion left the Kent and Sussex coastal defences at Swale, Rye and on the Medway, to move to Chisledon Camp near Swindon and was reorganised as an infantry battalion to prepare for service in East Africa.

                                2nd December 1915 Daily Battery Activity  The 6th County of London Brigade RFA was relieved by the 7th Brigade RFA. The 15th London Battery took over the position and the guns of the 16th London Battery. The 16th London Battery (with the guns of the 14th London Battery, which had been used by the 15th London Battery) and 17th London Battery (with the guns of 12th London Battery), together with Brigade Headquarters, proceeded to Noeux les Mines, where they stayed for the night.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd Dec1915 Queens Parade at Aldershot  7th Inniskilling Fusiliers are amongst troops taking part in the Queens Parade at Aldershot, the inspection was by The Queen.

                                2nd Dec 1915 Half of Sheffield City Battalion on leave  The War Diary of the Sheffield City Battalion records that the order to prepare to proceed to France has been withdrawn and half the battalion was given leave, until late evening on the 3rd. The other half was on leave from the morning of the 4th until late evening on the 5th.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                2nd December 1915 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Brigade Commander to Observation Point with Captain Selby and examined the zone. The three remaining guns came into action in the evening. In the morning registered the left section.

                                war diaries


                                3rd Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers go into front line  Two platoons per company went into the line, later relieved by other two platoons under instruction.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                3rd December 1915 Batteries move  The 6th County of London Brigade RFA, less 15th London Battery and one section of the Brigade Ammunition Column (commanded by Lieut W.J. Barnard), proceeded from Moeux les Mines to Cauchy a la Tour, a village occupied by the 7th London Brigade RFA. The horselines were unsatisfactory and the billets, consisting of barns, were bad.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd December 1915 Inactive  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Did not register as there was no light.

                                war diaries


                                4th December 1915 An Unsatisfactory Location  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Cauchy a la Tour report Major A.C. Gordon and Lieut G. Lyon Smith proceeded to England, each on 10 days leave of absence. Permission was obtained from 47 Div Artillery to move the Brigade to Auchel, owing to the unsatisfactory billets and horselines at this station. Brigade billeting party proceeded to Auchel this afternoon.

                                War Diaries


                                4th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Fired about 20 rounds in retaliation.

                                war diaries


                                5th Dec 1915 British troops under Seige  Turkish and German troops lay siege to the town of Kut al-Amara in the Mesopotamian province of Basra, surrounding Sir Charles Townshend's forces who had been forced to retreat from their advance towards Bagdad.

                                5th December 1915 Relocation  The 6th County of London Brigade RFA less 15th London Battery and one section of Brigade Ammunition Column, moved from this station to Auchel. Units were inspected on the march by the OC. Brigade.

                                War Diaries


                                5th Dec 1915 12th York & Lancs ordered to Egypt  Orders arrive for the Sheffield City Battalion to prepare to move to Egypt and tropical kit was issued.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                5th December 1915 Relief action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Did a lot of registration on the Moulin D'Eau and Point 3.8. Took over from the battery we had relieved. Their zero line was one that could only be seen in certain lights so decided to make a new base line which entailed a good deal of extra trouble and time wasted.

                                war diaries


                                6th December 1915 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt W.J. O’Malley, 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column, transferred to 47th Divisional Artillery Column. 15th London Battery were today relieved by the 20th London Battery, for whom they left their guns. 15th London Battery proceeded to Noeux les Mines where they remained for the night.

                                War Diaries


                                6th December 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ57 (LZ87)

                                • Production Ref: LZ57
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ87
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 6th December 1915

                                History.

                                Carried out 2 attacks on Ramsgate and Margate dropping a total 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) of bombs. In July 1916 it was handed over to the German Navy and carried out 16 reconnaissance missions around the Baltic Sea. It was later used as a training school ship and then decommissioned in July 1917.

                                John Doran


                                6th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Too windy to register, retaliated. The Argylle and Sutherland Highlanders relieved the 1st Middlesex. We have Infantry of 33rd Division in front of us and are attached to the 12th Divisional Artillery.

                                war diaries


                                7th Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers under instruction in front line  The whole of the 16th Battalion, went into the front line, under instruction from troops of 18th Division. They received the message "hallo Northumberlands" from the German lines.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                7th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                7th Dec - Registered right and left points of our zone which consists of two German salients. Colonel Short came to Observation Point to inspect it and considered it unsuitable and not safe. The OP is a very good one consisting of a tree but hardly suitable for sitting in all day in the winter.

                                8th to 9th Dec - nothing to report, everything very quiet.

                                10th to 12th Dec - registered new points.

                                war diaries


                                8th Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers take over front line  18th division withdraw, leaving 16th Northumberlands in position in front line. During this period CSM Saville and L/Cpl R.W. Ellis of C Coy joined rescue sappers working in the tunnels.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                8th December 1915 Lectures and Training  Representatives from 6th County of London Brigade RFA attend a lecture given at 47th Divisional Ammunition Column Officer's Mess by Captain Carthew, Royal Flying Corps, on 'Cooperation between Artillery and Aircraft'. A Course for Artificers was instituted at Rammert. The lectures by RSM Hood on 'Military Correspondence, Indents etc.' were continued.

                                War Diaries


                                8th December 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  Disembarked at Salonika.

                                (data taken from Soldiers who died in the Great War, CWGC, 1st Battalion Royal Scots war diaries and other Battalions diaries)

                                8th Dec 1915 Military football match at St James' Park  At St James' Park, Newcastle a football match is played between 133rd Heavy RGA XI and Northumberland Clearance Station RAMC XI.

                                8th December 1915 Return to Egypt  42nd Siege Battery RGA

                                The Battery returned to Alexandria on board the SS Varsova.

                                extracts from memoirs


                                8th Dec 1915 Christmas Post  "The Postmaster-General has issued a notice regarding the posting of Christmas mails for the British Expeditionary Forces in France and Flanders. To secure delivery on or before Christmas Day, it is stated letters must be posted not later than 17th December, and parcels not later than 13th December. Military exignencies render it necessary to limit the amount of parcel traffic for troops during the Christmas season, and the public are enjoined to limit the use of the parcel post to articles of real utility. Fruit, perishable articles of all descriptions, bottles, pudding basins, and the like are prohibited, and will not be accepted for transmission. The maximum weight for a single parcel will be reduced to 7 lb. as from 1st December. All parcels must be completely and fully addressed with the name and address of the sender on the outside and securely and strongly packed in covers of canvas, linen, or other strong material. Parcels not meeting these requirements are unlikely to reach their destination safely, and if observed in the course of the post will be returned to the sender."

                                Aberdeen Journal 8 December 1915


                                8th Dec 1915 Rush under Lord Derby Scheme  The Nottingham Evening Post reported on the 8th of December 1915: "It was well the local recruiting authorities made ample preparation for the rush of men who delayed coming forward for attestation under Lord Derby’s scheme until practically the last moment, and augmented their accommodation and staffs. Yesterday they came up in hundreds, and from early morn until late at night Captain McGuire and the members of his staff were working at high pressure to get the candidates through as expeditiously as possible. The Stanford-street office was the scene of the greatest activity, but fair numbers also assembled at the various schools which have been opened for attestation only. It would greatly facilitate matters if the latter proceed as soon as possible to Stanford-street for their first day’s pay and armlet. Those who are coming forward represent all classes of the community, and there is a big percentage of married men. In accordance with a suggestion from the Education Committee, a strong contingent of those engaged in the scholastic profession are enlisting under the group system, and the Corporation employees of military age are responding splendidly. It is hardly necessary to remind "eligibles" who have not yet paid a visit to the recruiting office that only four days remain in which they can avail themselves of the opportunity to volunteer their services under Lord Derby’s scheme. After Saturday (11th December 1915) it will be too late. "Large numbers of armlets are waiting for those men resident in the city who were attested before the distribution commenced, and these can be had at the Mechanics’ Institution on production of the white card issued on attestation."

                                Nottingham Evening Post 8th December 1915.


                                10th December 1915 lecture and moves  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lieut V.C. Lucas, 16th London Battery, proceeded to Liettres, to attend at the Gunnery School, First Army. The detached section of the Brigade Ammunition Column, having been relieved by a section of the 7th London Brigade Ammunition Column, proceeded to Auchel, from Noeux les Mines. A Lecture given to Subaltern Officers by RSM Hood on 'The Duties of NCOs in Wagon Lines'

                                War Diaries


                                10th December 1915  Bombers Train  9th Lancers in billets at Enquin. Captain Tylden-Wright to a trench course. Lieutenant Colvin relieves 2nd Lieutenant Harris at the digging. Regimental bombers training. 2nd Lieutenant Durant is now Brigade Bombing Officer. 1 Officer, 2nd Lieutenant J.L. Macalpine to Temporary Hospital. 2 Other Ranks to Base Hospital. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital.

                                War Diary


                                11th December 1915 Inspections  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt R.A. Corsan and Lieut W.J. Barnard proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence. The OC. Brigade proceeded by motor car to the firing line to see proposed gun positions for the Brigade. All the horses of the Brigade inspected by the ADVS 47th Division.

                                War Diaries


                                12th December 1915 Church Parade  The 6th County of London Brigade RFA attended Church Parade, after which clothing and equipment was inspected by the OC. Brigade.

                                The Young Officers Gunnery Course..... (incomplete- possibly a referral to the course taking place at this date in some divisional location.)

                                War Diaries


                                13th December 1915 Inspections and Equipment  6th County of London Brigade RFA Battery Commanders proceeded by motor to the firing line, to see their new gun positions and Wagon Lines. The 18 pounder guns originally allotted to this Brigade, which had been handed over to the 5th London Brigade RFA at Auchel on the relief when this Brigade took over the guns of the 5th London Brigade RFA in action at Noyelles, were received back by this Brigade in exchange for the guns originally allotted to the 5th London Brigade RFA.

                                War Diaries


                                13th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                13th Dec - More points registered and a new base line put out.

                                14th to 17th Dec - everything very quiet.

                                war diaries


                                14th December 1915 Recreation  6th County of London Brigade RFA acknowledge the allotment for leave of absence has been decreased. 10 men per Brigade, instead of 16, now proceed on leave each week. A Brigade Concert was held in the Cinema Theatre, Auchel.

                                War Diaries


                                14th Dec 1915 13th East Yorks leave Hurdcott Camp  13th East Yorks leave Hurdcott Camp at 8am on December 14th for Salisbury then left Salisbury at 1.15pm arriving at Devonport at 9.15pm.

                                grandfather's diary


                                15th Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieved by Royal Fusiliers  16th Northumberlands were relieved from their first stint in the front line, by a Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. The 16th Btn march to Albert, where they were billetted in the hospital. Over the next few days they were to provide working parties for the Royal Engineers.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                17th Dec 1915 6th East Yorks leave Suvla Bay  The 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (Pioneers) embarked from West Beach, Suvla Bay on SS Bawry and disembarked Mudros.

                                18th December 1915 Observation Poor  6th County of London Brigade RFA report observation conditions are very bad. German front line trenches shelled by Lowe Group Batteries in retaliation for hostile fire and bombing on our trenches. 17th London Battery fired several times by request of Infantry, who reported that our shelling last night stopped the German bombing. All horses of the Brigade were inspected in Wagon Lines by the DDR. Lieut J.C. Woollett and 2nd Lieut H. Davis proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence. (Note DDR = Deputy Director of Remounts)

                                18th December 1915 Field Marshall French Relinquishes Command  Special Order of the Day By Field Marshal Sir J.D.P. French, G.C.B., O.M., G.C.V.O., Commander in chief, British Army in the Field.

                                In relinquishing the command of the British Army in France, I wish to express to the officers, non-commissioned officers and men, with whom I have been so closely associated with during the last sixteen months, my heartfelt sorrow in parting with them before the campaign, in which we have been so long engaged together, has been brought to a victorious conclusion. I have however, the firmest conviction that such a glorious ending to their splendid and heroic efforts is not far distant, and I shall watch their progress towards this final goal with intense interest, but in the most confident hope. The success so far attained has been due to the indomitable spirit, dogged tenacity which knows no defeat, and the heroic courage so abundantly displayed by the rank and file of the splendid Army which it will ever remain the pride and glory of my life to have commanded during over sixteen months of incessant fighting. Regulars And Territorials, Old Army and New Army have ever shown these magnificent qualities in equal degree. From my heart I thank them all. At this sad moment of parting my heart goes out to those who have received life-long injury from wounds, and I think with sorrow of that great and glorious host of my beloved comrades who have made the greatest sacrifice of all by laying down their lives for their country. In saying good-bye to the British Army in France I ask them once again to accept this expression of my deepest gratitude and heartfelt devotion towards them, and my earnest good wishes for the glorious future which I to be assured.

                                (Signed) J.D.P. French. Field Marshal, Commanding in Chief, The British Army in France.

                                18th December 1915

                                Special Order of the Day


                                18th December 1915 Enemy Aircraft dangers  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Intended to do a lot of shooting but was unable to do so owing to the number of German aeroplanes that were over during the morning and could only fire 4 rounds.

                                war diaries


                                18th Dec 1915 Units leave Gallipoli  The evacuation from Gallipoli to Imbros took place over the nights of 18th & 19th December 1915.

                                19th Dec 1915 14th DLI endure gas attack  14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry endure a gas attack near Wieltje. Casualties amongst the ranks amounted to 149 with 22 killed and a number of officers also being gassed and wounded.

                                19th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                A fine day and did a good deal of shooting. The Centre Section (Innerlees ??)was shelled in the morning by 5.9 inch Howitzers. One gun pit was hit and fell in onto the wheel of the gun but the gun was not damaged. One telephone pit had a direct hit, 2 men were inside but were not touched though a good deal of kit was damaged. There were no injuries to personnel. The shelling began around 1200 and continued at intervals with single rounds until about 1500.

                                war diaries


                                19th Dec 1915 German Attack on the Yser Canal  On Dec 19th the chateau and canal came under heavy shellfire followed closely by a gas attack. All four companies of teh 3rd Monmouths moved into the trenches to reinforce the front line against the expected German attack. The attack never came but the battalion was shelled all day and all the following night and had 40 men killed or wounded.

                                The battalion War Diary records the following entry for that day: - About 5.30 am, message received that enemy was making gas attack. The Elverdinghe detachment had orders to move to Canal Bank. At 8.30 am the Battalion was in position; the Canal Bank detachment manning the reserve fire trenches, the Elverdinghe detachment at Canal bank dugouts. One machine gun and team in emplacement on Elverdinghe-Boesinghe road, and another at Mill Mound in Elverdinghe. Enemy bombarded heavily all day and night. During the morning 8- 17"shells fell in the grounds of Elverdinghe Chateau, where the QM branch had been left.

                                The following message was received from 49th Division. "The divisional Commander is very pleased with the behaviour of all ranks, and the promptitude with which all necessary steps was taken this morning"

                                There follows a list of casualties suffered by the battalion that day. One name stands out, 1881 Pte Gibson, who was one of a number of men who were gassed. Ironically being gassed could have saved his life as on Dec 27th the battalion was taken out of the front line and received orders to leave the Yser canal.

                                20th Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers second stint in front line  16th Northumberlands return to the trenches in sector e2 to left of their first position.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                20th December 1915 Enemy Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report at 1315, 1352 and 1440 15th London Battery fired on trench A,28,c,2.3. This silenced a trench mortar shelling our front line at A.28.c.2.3. 17th London Battery reported that from 0700 to 0730 digging went on in several places in the Little Willie and Germans were seen passing various points where the parapet had been breached on the previous day. A steel loophole was visible at G.4.b.2.10 through which men could be seen passing. The 17th London Battery fired thirty rounds at a machine gun reported at G.5.6.7. 19th London Battery fired twelve rounds on G.4.b.97 in reply to enemy shelling G.4.a. and the enemy ceased firing.

                                War Diaries


                                20th Dec 1915 A & B Coys 12th York & Lancs leave Hurcott Camp  A & B Coys, Sheffield City Battalion marched out of Hurcott Camp and entrained for Devonport at Salisbury Station, the train left at 5am. C & D Coys marched out of the camp at 2.30am with their train leaving at 6.25am. The Battalion transport left the camp at 5pm.

                                The trains were shunted onto the dockside at Keyham Docks and the majority of the Battalion boarded the SS Nestor. A small party from the Battalion transport boarded HMT Malakoota to travel with the Divisional Artillery.

                                Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


                                20th December 1915   SM U-71

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 55) Ordered 6 Jan 1915 Launched 31 Oct 1915 Commissioned 20 Dec 1915

                                Commanders.
                                20 Dec 1915 - 19 Apr 1917 Hugo Schmidt.
                                20 Apr 1917 - 27 Nov 1917 Walter Gude.
                                28 Nov 1917 - 27 Jan 1918 Otto Dröscher.
                                28 Jan 1918 - 29 Jul 1918 Oblt. Richard Scheurlen.
                                30 Jul 1918 - 14 Oct 1918 Oblt. Kurt Slevogt

                                Career 12 patrols.
                                7 Apr 1916 - 11 Nov 1918 I Flotilla

                                Successes 18 ships sunk with a total of 15,273 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 3,230 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 82 tons.
                                3 warships sunk with a total of 3,481 tons.
                                1 warship damaged with a total of 820 tons.

                                • 18 Oct 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Greta 1,370 sw
                                • 19 Oct 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Mercur 711 sw
                                • 19 Oct 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Normandie 1,342 sw
                                • 21 Oct 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Rönnaug 1,331 nw
                                • 13 Dec 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Solon 137 da
                                • 17 Dec 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Sjofna 528 nw
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Herø 1,106 nw
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Sieka 119 nl
                                • 19 Feb 1917 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Halcyon 190 br
                                • 4 Jun 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Orion 1,870 da
                                • 5 Jun 1917 U 71 Walter Gude C. Thorén 269 sw
                                • 5 Jun 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Götha 232 sw
                                • 20 Jul 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Sirra 223 nl
                                • 26 Jul 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Flore 3,553 fr
                                • 26 Jul 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Ethelwynne (damaged) 3,230 br
                                • 14 Aug 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Majorka 1,684 nw
                                • 31 Aug 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Taurus 128 br
                                • 20 Oct 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Thomas Stratten 309 br
                                • 12 Dec 1917 U 71 Otto Dröscher Amadavat 171 br
                                • 31 Dec 1917 U 71 Otto Dröscher De Hoop (prize) 82 nl
                                • 1 May 1918 U 71 Richard Scheurlen Blackmorevale 750 br
                                • 15 Aug 1918 U 71 Richard Scheurlen Scott 1,801 br
                                • 15 Aug 1918 U 71 Richard Scheurlen Ulleswater 930 br
                                • 20 Aug 1918 U 71 Richard Scheurlen Shirley (damaged) 820 br

                                Fate 23 Feb 1919 - Surrendered to France. Broken up at Cherburg in 1921.

                                There was another U 71 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 31 Oct 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 14 Dec 1940.

                                John Doran


                                20th December 1915 Ammunition problems  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                20th Dec - Tested the shooting of the guns up to date the fuses seem to have been very bad.

                                21st Dec - No shooting today.

                                war diaries


                                21st December 1915 Steady Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA report shelling took place on both sides steadily all day. From 0200 to 0800 15th London Battery fired one hundred and fifty shrapnel and one hundred and thirty six H.E. on the Cross Trench. At 20.55 the 17th London Battery fired sixty two H.E. on G.4.c.3.9 at request front infantry who were being shelled heavily in Sticky and Northampton trenches. The 19th London Battery fired at intervals during the afternoon on G.4.b.9.7 to G.5.a.1.3 in reply to enemy shelling at G.4.a. (Note H.E.= High Explosives Shells).

                                War Diaries


                                21st Dec 1915 18th DLI arrive in Egypt  18th Durham Light Infantry arrive at Port Said, Egypt on 21st December 1915.

                                22nd December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                22nd Dec - Experimented with some old fuses, result not very satisfactory. At 1700 gas attack by 12th Division not a success.

                                23rd - Retaliated and several more points registered

                                war diaries


                                23rd December 1915  Route March & Horses Inspected   9th Lancers in billets at HQ Enquin. Brigadier General Commanding 2nd Cavalry Brigade inspected the horses of the Regiment for casting for non-veterinary reasons. Veterinary Officer inspected all the horses of the Regiment. The 9th Lancers dismounted company and Machine Gun Section went for a short Route march. Major Grenfell & Lieutenant Gisborne returned from trench course. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital.

                                War Diary


                                23rd December 1915  Horses Inspected  9th Lancers in billets at HQ Enquin. Brigadier General Commanding 2nd Cavalry Brigade inspected the horses of the Regiment for casting for non-veterinary reasons. Veterinary Officer inspected all the horses of the Regiment. The 9th Lancers dismounted company and Machine Gun Section went for a short Route march. Major Grenfell & Lieutenant Gisborne returned from trench course. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital.

                                War Diary


                                24th Dec 1915 Christmas in the trenches for 13th Welsh  "Garw Officer, 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment - Christmas Eve, and we are in the trenches. We came in last night, and we will be here for some time. It is ferafully wet here. Last night I got simply soaked from head to foot. And the rats were mighty I am about 100 yards behind the front trenches, and the noise is fearful. Our battallion may be out on Monday, then four days in rest billets,about ----- miles behind, and then in again for 8 days,I think. I nearly got hit as we went out of the trenches on Wednesday night. I was with the Commanding Officer and another Colonel. Going out we had a dip and jump into a dugout,as there was a sniper on. We lost a Captain on our first day, killed by shrapnel. I hope you will have a happy Christmas. I wish I was with you, but this is my place, and I hope we shall be alright,"

                                24th December 1915  Kit Inspection  9th Lancers in billets, HQ Enquin. Inspections of kit, arms, saddlery & horses by all Squadrons & Machine Gun Section. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital.

                                War Diary


                                24th Dec 1915 St James' Park returned to football club  St James' Park is handed back to Newcastle United, the army footing a bill of £590 2s and 9d for rental and damages.

                                24th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                24th Dec - Fired between 1700 and 1800, 1900 and 2000 also 2200 to 2300 on enemy's transport lines and trolley lines.

                                25th Dec - Fired a few rounds in the morning and repeated the firing of Dec 24th evening.

                                war diaries


                                25th December 1915  celebrate Christmas at the front.  9th Lancers in billets, HQ Enquin. Church of England parade service at 0900 hours at Preures. Commanding Officer visited men of all Squadrons & Machine gun Section at their Christmas dinners.

                                War Diary


                                25th Dec 1915 SS Van Stirum torpedoed  At 1.35 p.m. on Christmas Day, 1915, the SS Van Stirum was fired on by two submarines and overhauled about an hour afterwards. At 2.32 p.m. the vessel was stopped, most of the crew embarking in two life-boats. The master, chief officer, chief engineer, and Marconi operator then got into a boat on the port side, leaving the boatswain and a seaman to lower away and follow them into the boat.

                                One of the submarines was on the port quarter 200 yards away, and as these two men were coming down the falls, a torpedo was fired, which passed under the boat and struck the ship's side. The explosion killed both men in the falls. The position was 20 miles from land, and the survivors were picked up an hour later by a trawler.

                                Many attempts were made to tow the ship to land, but due to bad weather each time the rope broke. After a nearly endless struggle with the seas, she capsized and foundered on December 26th. The 4 men on board helping with the ropes, were narrowly saved from drowning with the ship.

                                26th Dec 1915 13th Yorks & Lancs sail for Egypt  13th Btn Yorks and Lancs sail for Egypt aboard the SS Andania.

                                26th December 1915  Digging Party Resume Work  9th Lancers in billets, HQ Enquin. Church of England parade service at 1215 hours at Preures. Digging Party returned to its duties under Captain Taylor-Whitehead. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital.

                                War Diary


                                26th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                26th Dec - Nothing to report

                                27th Dec - At about 1350 the Battery was shelled by 5.9 Howitzers Shelling continued till about 1530 but no gun-pit, dugout or man was hit. One shell burst about 10 yards short of number 3 gun and another 10 yards over, the remainder were scattered everywhere. Some in the orchard where the fuses were, some outside, some on the far side of the road behind the guns.

                                28th Dec - Did no shooting and filled up the holes made yesterday.

                                29th Dec - No shooting.

                                30th Dec - Did a good deal of shooting.

                                war diaries


                                27th Dec 1915 3rd Monmouths out of line  On Dec 27th the 3rd battalion Monmouthshire Regiment was taken out of the front line and received orders to leave the Yser canal.

                                28th Dec 1915 8th Manchesters evacuated from Gallipoli  8th Manchesters are evacuated from Gallipoli to Mudros, they then proceed to Egypt.

                                28th December 1915 Battle of Durazzo 1915  The First Battle of Durazzo was a naval battle of World War I. It was fought off Durazzo, Albania at the end of December 1915 and involved the navies of Austria, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France.

                                Battle

                                In December 1915, the Austro-Hungarian Navy sent another cruiser Squadron into the Adriatic, this time to interfere with the Serbian Campaign. The new light cruiser SMS Helgoland, accompanied by five Tatra-class destroyers left Cattaro and headed for Durazzo late on 28 December 1915, with the submarine U-15 and two destroyers already off Durazzo on patrol. While on passage, the Austro-Hungarians sighted the French submarine Monge on patrol to the south of Cattaro. The destroyer SMS Balaton opened fire before ramming and sinking Monge. Early the next day, the Austrian squadron arrived off Durazzo and opened fire on the town, with Helgoland sinking a Greek steamer and two schooners. The destroyer Lika ran into a minefield and was sunk. Triglav was badly damaged by another mine. SMS Csepel attempted to take Triglav in tow, but fouled a propeller and the job was taken over by Tatra. The crippled Austrian force now returned slowly north. Allied forces in Brindisi were alerted to the Austrian force and the British sent out the Town-class light cruiser HMS Dartmouth. These were quickly followed by the Italian light cruisers Quatro and Nino Bixio, British destroyer HMS Weymouth and five French destroyers. The Austrians also responded and despatched from Cattaro, the armoured cruiser Kaiser Karl VI, and the light cruiser Novara, to support the returning survivors of the raid, but they did not see action. Early in the afternoon of 29 December the forward Allied ships came into action with the Austrian squadron which was still only halfway home. The French destroyers headed for the Austrian destroyer Triglav, still under tow, which was abandoned and scuttled off Cape Rondini, after being fired upon by the French destroyer Casque. Meanwhile, the Allied cruisers attempted to cut off and deal with Helgoland and the three remaining destroyers. In a long-range gunnery duel fought throughout the afternoon, Helgoland skillfully avoided the Allied cruisers and reached Cattaro safely but with the loss of the valuable Lika and Triglav. Tatra suffered a damaged engine from several shell hits

                                John Doran


                                29th Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers relived by 10th Essex  16th Northumberlands were relived in sector e2 by the 10th Essex and marched to Albert then on to Millencourt where they spent the night.

                                Records of the 16th (service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Captain C H Cooke MC, Newcastle upon Tyne 1923


                                29th Dec 1915 3rd Monmouths suffer tragic losses  At 2.30 p.m. on Dec 29th, the 3rd Monmouthshire battalion paraded in the grounds of Elverdinghe Chateau prior to moving out. As the men fell in, "an ominous sound was heard, like an oncoming railway train" and 17-inch shells began to burst among the ranks. In a few seconds 39 men were killed and 30 wounded. Among the dead were many of the men who had survived the slaughter of Ypres The dead were all buried in the adjoining cemetery of Ferme Olivier . It was a ghastly send off from the Salient, which they were not to see again as a Battalion.

                                30th Dec 1915   HMS Natal was an armoured cruiser of the ‘Warrior’ Class. She had an official complement of 704 officers and men. She escorted the royal yacht in 1911,1912 for the newly crowned King George V's trip to India to attend the Delhi Durbar.

                                On Thursday December 30th 1915 she was lying in Cromarty harbour near Invergordon, to the North of Inverness. At 3.20 p.m. fire broke out on board. Within about five minutes the ship was torn apart by the explosion of her after magazines and sank almost immediately.

                                Natal’s crew were all pre-war regulars, reservists or wartime volunteers, conscription wasn’t introduced until two days after she exploded. About half the crew were under 25. Amongst the dead were 33 Royal Naval Reserve Stokers, nearly all from the North East, 14 members of the Royal Naval Volunteer 12 Reserve, 63 Royal Marines, including 15 bandsmen, three nursing sisters of Queen Alexander’s Royal Naval Nursing Service, three canteen staff who worked for the Army & Navy Stores and two Admiralty employed civilian craftsmen.

                                On 30 December 1915, Natal was lying in the Cromarty Firth with her squadron, under the command of Captain Eric Back. The captain was hosting a film party aboard and had invited the wives and children of his officers, one civilian friend and his family, and nurses from the nearby hospital ship Drina to attend. A total of seven women, one civilian male, and three children were in attendance that afternoon.

                                Shortly after 1525, and without warning, a series of violent explosions tore through the rear part of the ship. She capsized five minutes later. Some thought that she'd been torpedoed by a German U-boat or detonated a submarine-laid mine, but examination of the wreckage revealed that the explosions were internal. The divers sent to investigate the ship reported that the explosions began in either the rear 9.2-inch shellroom or the 3-pounder and small arms magazine. The Admiralty court-martial in the causes of her loss concluded that it was caused by an internal ammunition explosion, possibly due to faulty cordite. The Admiralty issued a revised list of the dead and missing that totaled 390 in January 1916, but did not list the women and children on board that day.

                                With her hull still visible at low water, it was Royal Navy practice on entering and leaving Cromarty right up to the Second World War for every warship to sound "Still", and for officers and men to come to attention as they passed the wreck. After numerous attempts, much of the ship was salvaged. The remainder was blown up in the 1970s to level the wreck so that it would not be a hazard to navigation.

                                30th Dec 1915 RMT Persia lost off Crete  The Persia was sunk off Crete, while the passengers were having lunch, on 30 December 1915, by German World War I U-Boat ace Max Valentiner (commanding SM U-38). The Persia sank in five to ten minutes, killing 343 of the 519 aboard. The sinking was highly controversial, since it broke naval international law, or the "Cruiser Rules", which stated that merchant ships could be stopped and searched for contraband, but could only be sunk if the passengers and crew were put in a place of safety (for which, lifeboats on the open sea were not sufficient). Instead, the U-Boat fired a torpedo with no warning, and made no provision for any survivors. This action took place under Germany’s policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, but broke the Imperial German Navy’s own restriction on attacking passenger liners, the Arabic pledge.

                                30th Dec 1914 Mail for the Front  In giving some details of the enormous pressure of work during Christmastide at the General Post Office, a high official of the department says: "One of the most serious items of our Christmas traffic was the transport of mails for the Expeditionary Force. An extraordinarily large number of letters and parcels have been sent abroad to the troops from the earliest days of the war. Our soldiers’ mail grew in bulk with each succeeding week, and increased enormously as Christmas drew near. During the first week in December the number of letters sent home was 1,700,000, in the following week the figures were over 2,000,000, and last week, when we carried the Christmas traffic for our soldiers, we dealt with two and a half million letters. The parcels despatched for the Expeditionary Force grew in the same proportion. In the first week of December they numbered 116,000, in the second week 220,000, and in the third week nearly a quarter of a million."

                                Portsmouth Evening News 30 December 1914


                                31st December 1915 Commence relief handover  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Captain Walsh, Commanding Officer, 63rd Brigade RFA came up to take over position and it was arranged that 2 guns should go out of action this night and on the next morning he registered his 2 guns. The times worked out well but his ranges differed 75 yards from our registrations. His 18 pounders being new and our 13 pounders very old. Whilst we have been in this position a lot of work has been done to the gunpits and the system of telephone communication with the Battalion Headquarters and the Group HQ Royal Artillery much improved

                                war diaries


                                11th May 1915 In Bivouac  149th Brigade are in Bivouac in A.30A.

                                149th Brigade war diary


                                Jan 1916 On the Move  27th Northumberland Fusiliers proceed to France with 103rd Brigade, 34th Division in January 1916.

                                1st Jan 1916 HMEF St. Helens opens  H.M. Explosive Factory St. Helen’s, Sutton Oak started up in January 1916 for the production of Synthetic Phenol. It was under Direct Control of the Ministry of Munitions

                                1st Jan 1916 TWFF Denaby opens  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Denaby, nr Rotherham, Yorkshire started up in January 1916. Filling 3-in. Stokes bombs and in 1917 was engaged in disassembling 3.7-in. bombs. The factory was under the direct control of the British Westfailite Co.

                                1st Jan 1916 TWFF Slade Green opens  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Slade Green, Erith, Crayfordness, Kent in January 1916, filling 2-in. and 6-in. trench mortar bombs. It was under Direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                 Blyth Battery Constructed  Blyth Battery was built in 1916 to defend the port of Blyth and the submarine base.

                                   National Fuse Factory at Armley Road, Wellington Street and Sweet Street, Leeds, Yorkshire opened in early 1916 for the production of Shell components. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management

                                1st Jan 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers play football against 2nd Inniskillins   16th Northumberlands played the 2nd Battalio Royal Inniskillin Fusiliers in the intercopmany football matches. New Year's Day was a holiday and a special dinner took place.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                1st January 1916 Railway Activity  

                                Only Photograph of train crash Candas-Acheux Railway.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Candas to Acheux Railway 28th December 1915 to 31st May 1916.

                                On the 28th December the 16th Rifles were placed under the direct command of the Chief Engineer, Third Army and tasked with building a broad gauge railway joining the main railway line at Candas to Acheux via Beauval, Punchevillers and Raincheval giving rise to a popular couplet by some Battalion wag:

                                "The 16th Rifles had nothing much to do So they had them build a railway from Candas to Acheux."

                                This was to accommodate a new railhead at Acheux to facilitate the supply of equipment to the Front. Although the decisions on the Somme offensive were not made until March, this early work had in mind an awaited British offensive being demanded by the French to relieve pressure on their positions. Because of the contours of the terrain and to minimise gradients for heavily loaded trains, what could have been 13 miles of track in a direct line became almost 17 miles. The railway line supplying this railhead was to be connected to the main Amiens, Doullens line at Candas. Because of the heavy loads to be carried the line was to follow the natural contours in the area rather than crossing them to limit steep gradients. The ground over which it was to be built was mainly rain sodden chalk which greatly added to the difficulty of construction.

                                The Battalion was deployed as follows: HQ and No.2 Company to Beauval; No.3 Company to Fienvillers (just west of Candas); Half of No.4 Company to Candas; No.1 Company left to finish off work in Flechelles; Two platoons of No.4 Company to continue quarrying (ballast for railway).

                                The manpower requirements were enormous and working parties of unskilled labour were supplied by many units. Everyone working on the railways had to be ready at a moment’s notice to offload trains bringing up materials for the work.

                                On the 1st January it was stated in the war diary that track was being laid at the rate of 1100 yards per day. The Chief Engineer reported that on the 11th January the track had advanced 3 miles beyond Candas. This was at odds with the reported daily rate of progress but presumably he was referring to completed and fully ballasted sections. Things were progressing well with a reported 5000 feet laid in a single day, but on the 21st January there was a train crash. The work train was returning when one of the trucks behind the engine jumped the rail at a bad part of the track and two other wagons were smashed. This was a result of having to run heavy trains over un-ballasted sections of track. 2 men were killed and 17 wounded, mostly from other units with only 7 wounded from the 16th Battalion.

                                A cache of Roman Coins were unearthed between 16th and 22nd January. On the 22nd January work had progressed so well, despite the crash, that Battalion HQ and Nos.2 and 4 Companies were able to move back to Raincheval. They were to continue laying track whilst No.3 Company carried on with packing and ballast and finishing the Terminal at Candas, add any necessary sidings and build a large cement tank able to hold 100,000 gallons of water for engines.

                                No.1 Company moved from Flesselles to Acheux where it was to build the Terminus there, a number of sidings and a second 100,000 gallon water tank. There was concern regarding the water supply as the railway needed about 80,000 gallons per day, but only 12,000 was available, but this was solved when a well was found in which the level didn’t fall even when 3,000 gallons per hour were pumped for 32 hours.

                                In the latter part of January heavy snow fell and no work was possible on the 26th January.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st Jan 1916 Lifeboat drill on SS Andania  13th Btn Yorks and Lancs take part in a full scale Lifeboat drill aboard the SS Andania, enroute Egypt.

                                1st January 1916 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ60 (LZ90)

                                • Production Ref: LZ60
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ90
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 1st January 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out 4 attacks on Bar-le-Duc, Norwich, London and Etaples, dropping a total of 8,860 kilograms (19,530 lb) of bombs. On the 7th November 1916 it broke loose in a storm, was blown out to sea and never seen again.

                                John Doran


                                1916 Gas and Grenade School at Farnley  Farnley Camp was situated at Farnely Hall near Otley, West Yorkshire. It was the home of the Northern Command Gas and Grenade school from 1916 to 1918

                                1st January 1916 Zeppelin Developments  Zeppelin news for 1916

                                In December 1915 additional P-class Zeppelins and the first of the new Q-class airships were delivered. The Q-class was an enlargement of the P-class, lengthened to 178 m (585 ft), adding two gasbags, and improving both ceiling and bomb-load. Improved defensive measures made raids more hazardous, and several airships were destroyed. By mid-1916, there were 271 anti-aircraft guns and 258 searchlights across England, and the introduction of an effective combination of explosive and incendiary bullets gave the defending aircraft their first successes.

                                New types of Zeppelin with improved ceilings restored the advantage, but led to further flying and navigation problems. Oxygen was needed to fly at high altitude, the extreme cold led to crew fatigue and technical problems, and the meteorologists of the time did not appreciate the differing wind conditions likely to be met at altitude. Nevertheless, in 1916 23 raids dropped 125 tons of bombs, killing 293 and injuring 691 people.

                                Aerial defences against Zeppelins were haphazard, and divided between the RNAS and the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), with the Navy engaging enemy airships approaching the coast while the RFC took responsibility once the enemy had crossed the coastline. Initially the War Office believed that the Zeppelins used a layer of inert gas to protect themselves from incendiary bullets, and discouraged the use of such ammunition in favour of bombs. The initial trials of incendiary bullets in mid-1915 were unimpressive. Incendiary ammunition also underwent several separate development tracks. The first bullet was designed by John Pomery, but by mid-1916, the RFC also had Brock, Buckingham and "Sparklet" incendiary ammunition.

                                Ten home defence squadrons were organised from February 1916, with London's defences assigned to No. 19 RAS at Sutton's Farm and Hainault Farm (renamed No. 39 (Home Defence) Squadron in April 1916, who were also allocated North Weald Bassett airfield in August 1916). The number of aircraft varied. In February there were only eight squadrons and less than half the number of aircraft expected, and by June the number of squadrons had been cut to six and only No. 39 Squadron was at full strength and equipped with newer aircraft, BE12s with interrupter gear and Lewis guns firing a mix of explosive, incendiary and tracer rounds.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1916 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A2 Geelong

                                Pictured at Hobart, 20 October 1914 From: West Coast Recorder, 19 November 1914, p. 23.

                                HMAT A2 Geelong weighed 7,851 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the P&O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until it collided with SS Bonvilston in the Mediterranean and sunk on the 1st January 1916.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1916 Sectional Relief  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Rue des Chavaties. The right section came out of action in the evening being relieved by a section of C Battery 63rd Brigade 12th Division (Captain Walsh).

                                war diaries


                                1st January 1916 1916 Actions  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

                                1916.

                                Verdun.

                                About May 1916, the division was relieved to the west of Vimy and sent to the Verdun front, where it took part in the battles near Douaumont (May 23) and in those of June 1st and 8th. Re-formed in the Romagne sous les Cotes area, it re-entered line about June 22nd for new attacks. During this offensive the division suffered severely. It was relieved at the beginning of July. After a short rest behind the Verdun front the division reoccupied the Apremout - St. Mihiel sector, remaining there until October 11th, when it was reconstituted, receiving large reinforcements (recuperates and men of the 1916 class).

                                Somme.

                                Taken to the Caudry sector (near Cambrai), it was engaged on the Somme (Sailly-Saillisel, Morval) from October 13th to the end of November, where its losses were once again exceedingly heavy. The division reappeared in the region of St. Mihiel (Bois d'Ailly - Foret d'Apremont sector) at the beginning of December, and remained there until the early days of May, 1917.

                                Historical Records


                                1st January 1916 Actions in 1916  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

                                1916.

                                The division remained in line east of Arras, straddling the Scarpe until August 1916. From May to August, it comprised the 12th Bavarian Reserve Regiment, instead of the 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment, loaned temporarily by the 5th Bavarian Reserve Division.

                                Somme.

                                Withdrawn on August 8th, it went to the Somme. It was engaged on the 12th in the Clery sector, and was relieved as early as the 15th by the 1st Guard Division after having suffered heavily. The second fortnight in August the division was at rest near Cambrai. The end of that month and early in September, some elements of the division were engaged near Clery and Martinpuich in order to facilitate reliefs.

                                Aisne.

                                About the middle of September the 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps was withdrawn from the region of the Somme and sent to the Aisne, where the 1st Bavarian Reserve Division occupied a sector to the west of Craonne until the beginning of December. Brought back north of the Somme, it sent some elements into line in the Beaumont-Hamel sector (north of the Ancre, December 1916 - January 1917).

                                Historical Records


                                2nd January 1916 Sectional Relief  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                In the morning Captain Walsh came up to the Observation Point (a tree) to view the country which is the country opposite Canadian Orchard. He was very pleased with all the arrangements at the guns and at the OP. Consequently handing over to him as very simple. On his registration with his guns I found that they shot exactly the same for line as ours but that the 18 pounders required 50 yards less range than the 13 pounders. In the evenng theleft section came out of action being relieved by another section of C Battery 63rd Brigade RFA. Owing to the muddy state of the ground the 18 pounders found great difficulty in getting their guns into the pits and there was a vast difference between the time taken in getting the 13 pounders out and the 18 pounders in - the extra weight of the 18 pounders making an enormous difference.

                                The detached gun of Centre Section also came out of action and the battery marched to Oblinghem, arriving there about 1900, a good deal of mud but not as bad as the wagon line we had just left.

                                war diaries


                                3rd Jan 1916 34th Division receive embarkation orders  On 3 January 1916 embarkation orders arrived for the 34th Division to prepare to proceed to France.

                                4th Jan 1916 Enemy bombardment near Ploegsteert  In trenches near Ploegsteert, south of Ypres, the enemy opened up an artillery bombardment injuring several soldiers of the 8th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment some of whom later died of their wounds

                                4th January 1916  in Training  9th Lancers in HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise, etc. A Divisional Wood Cutting party formed for for working in Le Dois Ratel under the Command of Lieutenant C.H. Goldsmid 9th lancers, consisting of 3 Other Ranks per regiment of the 1st Cavalry Brigade. 1 Other Rank to Hospital.

                                War Diary


                                4th Jan 1916 Disembarkation  28th Division completes disembarkation in Salonkia

                                5th January 1916 Little Firing  6th County of London Brigade RFA report another quiet day with very little firing by either side owing to the presence of a number of aeroplanes (both British & hostile). It has been observed that the Germans are beginning to adopt our system of concentrating their fire on small localities. Today, for instance, they fired in concentration 3 times, each concentration lasting six minutes. A.28.c. was the target.

                                War Diaries


                                6th Jan 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers back in the line  16th Northumberlands go back into the trenches in sector g2 (left of e2) where the battalion spent several months in and out of the line: "the front line system ran along the top of the east bank of the river ancre, which was thickly wooded. the river turned in a big bend, and crossed the line to the left of (the battalion), the trenches running right down to the water, the river being more of a swamp than a well-defined river at this point. opposite and slightly to the left (...) were the ruins of thiepval just behind the german front line. a part of the château still stood and could be seen from (the battalion’s) line." B Coy suffer casualties from trench mortars; Sgt B.K. Barnes is awarded DCM for action when he and Cpl J Ballantyne rescue four men who are buried in the collapse of a trench.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                6th Jan 1916 SS Andania in Valetta Harbour  The SS Andania anchored in Valetta Harbour, Malta to replenish supplies and fuel. Officers and WO's of the 13th Btn Yorks and Lancs were allowed ashore, the rest of the men were not.

                                7th Jan 1916 SS Andania departs Malta  The SS Andania sails from Valetta Harbour, Malta heading for Egypt, the 13th Battalion Yorks and Lancs Regt are amongst her passengers.

                                7th Jan 1916 Wearside Pals to Aldershot  20th Battalion DLI, move to Aldershot to join 123rd Brigade, 41st Division. They were the only North-country battalion in the 41st Division and with a high proportion of miners, it became well known for its digging abilities.

                                Northern Echo


                                7th January 1916   No. 34 Squadron was formed at Castle Bromwich on the 7th of January 1916 from personnel from No. 19 Squadron. They moved to Beverley in March to complete their training and for conversion to the BE2 aircraft.

                                They proceeded to France in July 1916 and operated in an artillery support role.

                                8th January 1916 Relocations  Lowe Group (6th & 1st London Brigades RFA) is now in position at Les Brebis. The 15th and 16th London Batteries are on the Northern side of Fosse 7 and Batteries of the 1st London Brigade are on the south side of Fosse 7. The 17th London Battery is in Maroc. The 16th & 17th London Batteries each have one gun detached (but near the battery position) in such a position so as to be able to enfilade hostile trenches. Lowe Group covers the front of the 141st Inf Brigade. The day was chiefly spent in registering. The 17th London Battery position was shelled, but no damage was done.

                                War Diaries


                                9th January 1916 6th London Battery Activity  A little registration & principally retaliation at request of Infantry took place. A bombardment by the 5 inch howitzers of 6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery took place. The 3rd London Battery also took part and fired very satisfactorily.

                                War Diaries


                                10th Jan 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieved by 15th HLI  16th Northumberlands were relieved in the trenches in sector g2 by the 15th Btn Highland Light Infantry. The 16th Northumberlands return to Millencourt where they were inspected by the Duke of Northumberland. Lt Col Ritson was taken ill and was replaced by Maj A.W. Little. Maj Archer, from D coy, becomes second in command and D coy is commanded by Lt wake. A coy is commanded by Capt Harvey. C coy commanded by Capt Dunglinson.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                10th January 1916 Enemy Shelling  6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Les Brebis. and report:- During the day the enemy shelled our front line, 2nd line & communication trenches continuously & we retaliated at the request of Infantry. Lieut W.J. Barnard 6th London Ammunition Column was attached to the 15th London Battery. Lieut J.H. Van den Bergh, Orderly Officer to OC. Brigade, transferred to 6th London Ammunition Column. 2/Lt M.V. Eddis, 15th London Battery, transferred to HQ Staff and was appointed Orderly Officer to OC. Brigade. 2/Lt H.L. Burgis, 6th London Ammunition Column was attached to the 16th London Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                10th January 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ61 (L21)

                                • Production Ref: LZ61
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: L21
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 10th January 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out 17 reconnaissance missions and 10 attacks on England dropping a total 14,442 kilograms (31,839 lb) of bombs.

                                • It was intercepted and destroyed by
                                • Flight,Lieutenant Egbert Cadbury, flying BE 2C, No. 8265,
                                • Flight Sub,Lieutenant Gerard William Reginald Fane, flying RAF BE 2C No. 8421
                                • Flight Sub,Lieutenant Edward Laston Pulling, flying BE 2C, No. 8626,
                                • The aircraft were firing phosphor rounds.

                                L 21 fell into the sea about eight miles east of Lowestoft on the 28th November 1916. There were no survivors.

                                John Doran


                                11th January 1916 Retaliation  Enemy shelled our trenches all day 6th London Brigade RFA retaliated and in the majority of cases enemy ceased firing. Enemy shelled Loos from 1400 to 1630 at frequent intervals. OC. 2nd London Battery reports that generally speaking his retaliation did not stop their shelling Loos.

                                War Diaries


                                11th Jan 1916 SS Andania arrives Egypt  The SS Andania berthed at Port Said, Egypt, the 13th Battalion Yorks and Lancs Regt are amongst her passengers.

                                11th January 1916  in Training  9th Lancers in HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise, etc. 7 Drivers Army Service Corps, 14 Horses & 7 Wagons attached to Regiment for duty in connection with the Schme for distribution of Rations instituted by the Division. Lorries now dump at a refilling point, on the main Montraeil to Samer Road, at La Poste Ferme. Information received that 7 Other Ranks had been wounded with the Dismounted Battalion between the 5th & 7th instant. Captain I.A. Straker, having been admitted to a hospital in England, struck off strength. 1 Other Rank to Hospital.

                                War Diary


                                12th January 1916 Daily Battery Activity  There was practically no firing from either side during the morning owing to the amount of balloons up. In the afternoon the light was bad. Firing by Batteries of the 6th London Brigade on trenches M.5.d, M6.d seemed to stop the enemy shelling Loos Sector. The western end of the Double Crassier was shelled from 1300 to 1400.

                                War Diaries


                                12th January 1916 New Squadron formed  No.32 Squadron was formed at Netheravon on the 12th of January 1916 from a nucleus from 21 Squadron. They proceeded to France on the 28th May as a specialist fighter escort squadron equipped with new Airco DH2s.

                                13th January 1916 Firing on Front Line Trenches  During the day there was a certain amount of firing on the front line trenches of the right subsection of Loos Sector. In every case firing ceased on batteries retaliating. 6th London Brigade Batteries continued to register various points. At 1530 all batteries concentrated their fire on Railway as ordered. At intervals during the night Batteries fired on the right lines. The 15th London Battery fired 20 rounds of shrapnel on the Lens Road.

                                War Diaries


                                14th January 1916 Shelling at Intervals  From 0800 to 1030 6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery shelled right Loos subsection at intervals, the 15th London Battery firing on front line and the 17th London Battery enfilading support and communication trenches appeared very successful in causing enemy to cease fire. The 3rd London Battery claim to have hit a suspected machine Gun emplacement at G.36.d.9.2. Apparently there was a German relief taking place from 2245 to 0030 and, at request of Infantry, batteries fired on their right lines.

                                War Diaries


                                15th January 1916 Heavy Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA report there was quite a lot of retaliation during the day for enemy shelling our front and 2nd line trenches. The Germans shelled the Lens-Bethune road intermittently. Fire on the main road at N.7.a.3.0 caused the enemy to cease firing. Concentration of fire from 1400 to 1500 appeared successful and the fire of the field guns was accurate. Loos was heavily shelled from 1000 to 1100. The 140th Infantry Brigade took over from 141st Infantry Brigade on a slightly different front entailing the right outer H2 becoming the centre, the centre becoming the left and a new right. This caused some trouble with the guns but communications were satisfactorily maintained.

                                War Diaries


                                15th Jan 1916 On the Move  By the 15th of January 1916 all units of 34th Division had arrive in France and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer.

                                16th January 1916 Batteries Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the 2nd & 3rd London Batteries registered their new zones. The 2nd London Battery now fired on Observation Point at G.33.b.10.9. At frequent intervals throughout the day, the enemy shelled our front line trenches from M.5.b.8.2. to M.5.a.4.4. The 15th London Battery retaliated on front line trenches causing the enemy to cease firing. From 0800 to 1030 the enemy shelled front line trenches just north of Chalk Pit to half way down the copse. The 16th London Battery fired on front line communication trenches opposite. There were 4 balloons up opposite the Loos sector during the day. They appeared to have been towed along the sector.

                                War Diaries


                                16th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercises etc. Captain H.C. Taylor-Whitehead and 2 Other Ranks proceeded to join the Dismounted Battalion. 1 Other Rank to Hospital. 7 Other Ranks joined as Reinforcements.

                                War Diary


                                16th January 1916 Naval Action  The Action of 16 January 1916 was a single ship action of World War I. It was fought between a German auxiliary cruiser and a British merchant ship off the Portuguese islands of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean.

                                Background

                                The most successful of German commerce raiders during the war, SMS Möwe was commanded by Korventtenkapitän Nikolaus zu Dohna-Schlodien and was assigned to duty in the Atlantic. Möwe was originally a freighter launched in 1914 until converted in 1915. She displaced 9,800 tons and was armed with four 150-milimeter guns, one 105-millimeter gun and two torpedo tubes. Her opponent was the one gun merchant ship, SS Clan Mactavish of Great Britain laden with fur, meat and cotton.

                                Action

                                Möwe was steaming approximately 120 miles south of Madeira on 16 January 1916, with the merchant steamer SS Appam, a vessel previously captured by the Germans. They had installed a prize crew and transferred several dozen prisoners of war. At sunset, lookouts aboard Möwe sighted smoke on the horizon, a sure indication of a ship. Immediately, Kapitän Dohna-Schlodien ordered Appam to remain behind while he went to investigate. Several minutes later, at about 2100, Möwe came within a distance to where her lookouts could make out that the smoke had originated from a large merchant ship, later identified as the 5,816 gross ton Clan Mactavish of the Clan Line company. By the time Möwe came within close range, it was dark, so the Germans approached cautiously. Using a signal lamp, Dohna-Schlodien requested the steamer's name but the British responded by asking that the Germans first identify themselves. Dohna-Schlodien signaled that his ship was the SS Author, sailing from Liverpool to Natal. Möwe reportedly looked very similar to Author, which was sunk by the Germans a few weeks earlier. Clan Mactavish then signaled her name and that they were returning to Britain from Australia. This was the end for the merchantman, now identified as enemy, Kapitän Dohna-Schlodien crossed the steamer's bow and ordered her to halt, a signal which certainly shocked the unsuspecting Britons. Instead of stopping, the British altered course and increased speed, hoping to outrun the raider. Warning shots were fired, but they were ignored so a chase began. The one gun of the British ship, mounted on her stern, was manned and opened fire on the chasing Germans, but the shots were not well directed. Some splashed into the water near the auxiliary cruiser, but ultimately none struck the German vessel and they therefore suffered no damage or casualties in the engagement. The German sailors responded to the British with counter battery fire from their 150-millimeter guns, and for several moments the two vessels fought. Clan Mactavish fired at the pursuing Mowe, and during this she sent distress calls out which were received by the armoured cruiser HMS Essex. However, the telegraphist aboard the cruiser failed to inform his superiors of the action so no help was sent. Eventually, after taking several hits topside, the one gun Clan Mactavish began to burn and her captain signaled Möwe that they were surrendering. Möwe then maneuvered in for boarding. All of the German rounds were hits with the exception of the warning shots. The steamer was quickly seized, prisoners removed and charges set for scuttling. Within moments of boarding, the explosives laid in Clan Mactavish were detonated and she sank to the bottom of the ocean. Eighteen British sailors were killed in battle or just after and five others were wounded. The commander of Clan Mactavish was a Royal Navy captain and her gun was manned by two navy sailors, all three were captured among dozens of civilians. At this point, the Germans now held a total of over 500 Allied prisoners of war on Möwe and SS Appam.

                                Aftermath

                                After destroying the steamer the Germans reunited with Appam and set a westward course, thus avoiding any possibility of encountering the British cruisers in the area. Two of the cruisers were just over 100 miles from the battle area that night and could have been moved to a position of intercepting the Germans had the telegraphist aboard Essex responded. Möwe went on to sink several more Allied ships before returning home. Upon arrival, Kapitän Dohna-Schlodien received an Iron Cross second class. During her second cruise, Möwe defeated another one gun steamer in an action in the mid-Atlantic in March 1917.

                                John Doran


                                17th Jan 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers depart Mundros  The 2nd Royal Fusilers sailed from Mundros aboard the Empress of Britain bound for Alexandria.

                                17th January 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA report this was the quietest day yet in Loos sector. The enemy hardly shelled at all, except a little on our front line trenches. Many aeroplanes were up which may have accounted for this.

                                War Diaries


                                17th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercises etc.

                                War Diary


                                18th January 1916 Enemy Artillery Very Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report German artillery was very active probably owing to the absence of our aeroplanes. The 3rd & 15th London Batteries fired on the front line from M.5.d.7.9. to M.5.d.0.6. which was effective in causing the enemy to cease firing. During the day up to about 1445 each Battery retaliated on the enemy’s support & communication trenches

                                War Diaries


                                18th January 1916 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A21 Marere

                                Picture from: State Library of NSW, picture nujmber a638400.

                                The HMAT A21 Marere weighed 6443 tons with an average cruise speed of 12.5 knots or 23.15 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London. The Marere was sunk by a submarine's gunfire in the Mediterranean, 18 January 1916.

                                John Doran


                                19th Jan 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieve 15th HLI  16th Northumberlands return to the trenches in sector g2 to relieve the 15th Btn Highland Light Infantry. Patrols in no man’s land are conducted, led by Lts Proctor, Mclean and Falconer.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                19th January 1916 Enemy Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the Enemy shelled our trenches in Loos Sector at frequent intervals during the day. Our retaliation was successful in causing hostile fire to cease each time. There was a test concentration on the copse at 12 noon as practice against the mine going up. This was successful and the batteries got off their rounds very quickly.

                                War Diaries


                                20th Jan 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers arrive Mustapha Pasha  The 2nd Royal Fusilers arrived at Mustapha Pasha from Alexandria.

                                20th January 1916 Enemy Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the Enemy firing on our trenches in the Loos sector with Field Guns and 4.2 mortars was fairly active throughout the day. In every case retaliation followed and was successful. The 15th London Battery reported a number of blank H.E. shells. Batteries registered points outside their allotted zones with a view to possible concentration of fire.

                                War Diaries


                                20th January 1916   General Joffe Commander in Chief of the French Army expressed his admiration of the appearance of the 34th Division, he was particularly by the steady behavior of all ranks underarms. Training continued over the next few days with a party of officers and men testing gas helmets, using actual chlorine gas. The Brigade had now moved nearer to the front line receiving instruction in trench warfare.

                                research


                                21st Jan 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers at  Authuille  16th Northumberlands are at Authuille, about one mile behind line as brigade reserve, working for the Royal Engineers, engaged in repairing trenches at night. Two platoons from B coy under Lt Proctor acted as garrison for Gordon Castle which was a strong point in the support line.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                21st January 1916 Shelling and Retaliation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report there was a certain amount of shelling during the day in the Loos Sector, more especially in the centre subsection. Batteries retaliated and were successful in causing enemy to cease fire each time. Quality Street, Fosse 7, and the Lens-Bethune Road were heavily shelled yesterday morning. The 17th London Battery reported that at 12 noon yesterday, a Staff Officer and two other officers put their head and shoulders above the trench in front of Artillery Mansions. The Germans immediately opened fire on Observation Posts near them. Lieut A.F. Yenchen 17th Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd January 1916 Heavy Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that during the day there was only slight intermittent firing on front and support trenches in the Loos Sector more especially in M.5.a and b. The Battery positions near Fosse 7 were heavily shelled all day. Enemy gun types shelling our battery positions were: 4.2s from Lite St Pierre; 5.9s from Douvrin and a 4.2(very high velocity) gun from Hulluch direction. This gun must be very near the German front line trench as the arrival of the shell synchronises with the sound of the discharge. The 16th London Battery reported a single gun 4.2(High Velocity) behind Fosse 8 registering on trenches in enfilade G.34.d. The 17th London Battery reported that the Signal Boxes are no longer possible as an Observation Point. In M.5.b.9.1. we put up a mine to prevent the Germans putting up a mine in the same spot. We consolidated the position on our side of the crater, the artillery support being very effective. The 15th & 16th London Batteries fired on the front line trench crossing the Lens-Bethune Road. The enemy retaliated on Loos with 5.9s from Wingles direction. The Lowe Group suffered 7 casualties today - 1 killed and 6 wounded. (3 men wounded in the 15th London Battery, 1 killed & 2 wounded in the 3rd London Battery and 1 wounded in the 1st London Battery).

                                War Diaries


                                23rd January 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA record a very quiet day. A little hostile shelling on M.5.a and b, otherwise no shelling in Loos Sector or on battery positions near Fosse 7 and Maroc. German aircraft were active in the morning. Flashes were observed on bearing 120.5 from G.34.a.4.6 - a field gun shelling Loos Road.

                                War Diaries


                                24th January 1916 Enemy Artillery very Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report enemy artillery were very active during the day with intermittent firing on our front line and communication trenches. The 16th London Battery reports that from the smell of bromide from shell holes about G.27.a.1.8., it would appear that the Germans have been using Lachrymatory shells. The Colonel, Orderly officer and Battery Commanders of the 3rd London Brigade RFA came up preparatory to taking over from the 1st London Brigade RFA. The Battery commanders went back that night. (Note Lachrymatory refers to Tear Gas probably bromide based)

                                War Diaries


                                25th January 1916 Intense Bombardment  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from 1130 to about 1600 the enemy shelled the Loos Sector and at times the bombardment was intense, especially on Loos Pylons and houses south of Crassier. Enemy aircraft very active all day. Much work has been done on the saps in front of the German lines. The main Loos to Maroc communication trench was shelled with many howitzers at 1500 (between 40 and 50 shells). The 16th London Battery caused a thick column of black smoke to rise from the German front line by a High Explosive shell. The 17th London Battery reported a gun firing from Cite St Laurent Church on north Maroc and Fosse 5. The 17th London Battery report picking up a fuse of this gun marked as follows: H.Z.14 Vorst and ------ -----; safety pins fuse, superior, ----- SWN15 Manufactures by SWN (under the 329 list of unknown makers) in 1915. 329 is the Factory series number. One section of each battery of the 3rd London Brigade RFA (the 7th, 8th & 9th) took over respectively from 1st,2nd & 3rd London Batteries (1st London Brigade RFA).

                                War Diaries


                                25th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise etc. Captain W.R. Tylden-Wright and 1 Other Rank proceeded to join Dismounted Battalion. Captain G. Phipps-Hornby assumes Command of the Mounted Regiment.

                                War Diary


                                26th January 1916 Enemy Artillery Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report hostile artillery was again active during the day. From 1345 to 1430 enemy bombarded very heavily, the Copse, the Chalk Pit and Fosse 7 communication trenches with light high velocity guns, 4.2s, & 5.9s from Lens. The Germans have done a lot of work in their new trenches. Observation Balloon went down as soon as the shelling ceased. During the night new trench and saps were kept under fire. The remaining sections of the 3rd London Brigade RFA took over from the remaining sections of the 1st London Brigade RFA

                                War Diaries


                                26th January 1916   SM U-72

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 56) Ordered 6 Jan 1915 Launched 31 Oct 1915 Commissioned 26 Jan 1916

                                Commanders.
                                28 Jan 1916 - 17 Jul 1917 Ernst Krafft.
                                18 Jul 1917 - 5 Nov 1917 Johannes Feldkirchner.
                                6 Nov 1917 - 31 Dec 1917 Erich Schulze.
                                1 Jan 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Hermann Bohm

                                Career 4 patrols.
                                11 Apr 1916 - 17 Sep 1916 I Flotilla.
                                17 Sep 1916 - 1 Nov 1918 Pola/Mittelmeer II Flotilla

                                Successes 21 ships sunk with a total of 38,596 tons.
                                5 ships damaged with a total of 21,513 tons.

                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Achaia 2,733 br
                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Hiso 1,562 nw
                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Doreen 9 br
                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Allegro 7 br
                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Griffin 10 br
                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Puffin (damaged) unknown br
                                • 19 Nov 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Maria Di Pompei 286 it
                                • 23 Nov 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Margherita F. 44 it
                                • 26 Nov 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Christoforos 3,674 gr
                                • 27 Nov 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Salvatore Ciampa 1,728 it
                                • 2 Dec 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Palermo 9,203 it
                                • 11 Dec 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Jeanne 534 it
                                • 14 Dec 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Caledonia (damaged) 7,572 br
                                • 3 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Manin B. 249 it
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Errington Court (damaged) 4,461 br
                                • 8 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Cheltonian 4,426 br
                                • 8 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Felicina 165 it
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Bravore 1,650 nw
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft General Laurie 238 br
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Montebello 2,603 it
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Santo 622 it
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Biagio 276 it
                                • 25 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Southern (damaged) 5,694 br
                                • 7 Jul 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Shigizan Maru 2,828 jp
                                • 1 Aug 1917 U 72 Johannes Feldkirchner Rokeby (damaged) 3,786 br
                                • 4 Aug 1917 U 72 Johannes Feldkirchner British Monarch 5,749 br

                                Fate 1 Nov 1918 - Scuttled during the evacuation of Cattaro in position 42.30N, 18.41E.

                                There was another U 72 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 22 Nov 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 4 Jan 1941.

                                John Doran


                                27th Jan 1916 Conscription introduced  Conscription is introduced in Britain by the Military Service Act, nicknamed the "Batchelor's Bill" as unmarried men between the ages of 18 and 41 were conscripted. It was an unpopular move even amongst the higher ranks of the army. Lord Roberts, The British Army commander in South Africa stated: "Compulsory service is, I believe, as distasteful to the nation as it is incompatible with the conditions of an Army like ours, which has such a large proportion of its units on foreign service. I hold moreover, that the man who voluntarily serves his country is more to be relied upon as a good fighting soldier than is he who is compelled to bear arms."

                                It was however the only option to maintain the British Army, which had by the end of 1915, lost 528,227 men, killed, wounded or missing presumed dead and volunteers to 'Kitchener's Army' had dried up.

                                The Military Service Act did include a 'conscience clause' which allowed the right for those who had a 'conscientious objection to bearing arms' to argue their case as to why they should not be called up to join the army in a tribunal. The reasons for registering as a 'conscientious objector' included those who were pacifists who disagreed with the war, political objectors who did not consider Germany to be their enemy and religious objectors including the Quakers and Jehovah Witnesses.

                                Many conscientious objectors refused to bare arms, but were willing to take on a non-combat role such as working in a munitions factory or working as a stretcher barer or in the medical services. Others refused to engage in any activities connected with the war and were known as 'absolutists'.

                                27th January 1916 Heavy Bombardment  6th County of London Brigade RFA report an extraordinarily heavy bombardment took place on our trenches during the morning and Lowe Group Batteries spent much ammunition in retaliation. At 1300 the hostile bombardment suddenly ceased and the afternoon was fairly quiet. Maroc Church Tower was knocked down by 5.9 shells. Lowe Group Batteries fired on their right lines during the night. The Germans made a small attack on a battalion frontage near Puits 14 but they achieved nothing. The day passed off without any further trouble.

                                War Diaries


                                27th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise etc. Major R.E. Cecil (21st Lancers) joined from England and assumed Command of the Mounted Regiment. 3 Other Ranks to Hospital.

                                War Diary


                                28th January 1916 Enemy Bombard Trenches  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the enemy violently bombarded our trenches between Loos Crassier and Lens-Bethune Road but not to the extent they did yesterday. Fosse 7 and Maroc was heavily bombarded with all calibres of shell particularly 5.9 gas shells. The 17th London Battery reported that very little work was done on the new German front lines probably owing to our guns firing during the night before. Our guns fired on their right lines during the night at intervals.

                                War Diaries


                                28th Jan 1916 Manchester Bantams proceed to France  23rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment, land at Boulogne

                                28th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise etc.

                                War Diary


                                29th January 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA report a quiet day. Very little hostile shelling except between 1330 and 1430 where enemy shelled trenches with Light High Velocity guns at various points. Bad light all day. During the night we fired on our right lines at irregular intervals. Lt A.F. Blackwell and Lt D A W Petro proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England.

                                War Diaries


                                30th January 1916 Fog  6th County of London Brigade RFA record a very quiet day owing to fog. Enemy shelled Loos Maroc communication trench, Lens-Bethune Road & Maroc Church with bursts of fire during the day. The 9th & 17th London Batteries kept the new enemy saps under fire during the day. During the night the 8th and 17th London Batteries fired on new trench saps and other Batteries on trench junctions. (Note: Saps are small trenches stretching out from the front line trenches towards the enemy's front line usually to get closer for listening posts or to move forward under some cover during an attack.)

                                War Diaries


                                30th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise etc.

                                War Diary


                                31st January 1916 Enemy Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA report a quiet morning. Enemy concentrated fire on the trenches behind the Copse, Lens Road and Hairpin at 1500 probably in retaliation for our shelling the barricades. Enemy shelled our communication trench to Loos with 5.9s and 4.2s at intervals from St Pierre. Liaison officer (Centre Battalion) reported that no direct hits were obtained on Snipers House during fire by Poole Group. Lt J.H. Van Den Bergh & Lt S.C. Woollett proceeded to 47th Divisional Gunnery school at Gosnay. At 1930 Lowe Group in conjunction with other artillery violently bombarded the German front line, then their communication trenches and then right back along their line. This strafing lasted for about half an hour.

                                War Diaries


                                31st Jan 1916 Zeppelin raids in West Midlands  Tipton, Bradley, Wednesbury and Walsall were bombed in one of the heaviest air raids of the war, with the loss of 35 lives. Nine Zeppelins set out from the north west coast of Germany with Liverpool being their primary target. The L21 dropped bombs on the Black country between 2000 and 2030 when Kapitan Leutnant Max Dietrich, lost in the clouds, mistook the Black Country for Liverpool.

                                Three high explosive bombs fell on Waterloo Street and Union Street, Tipton, demolishing two houses and setting the gas main on fire. Three incendiary bombs then fell on Bloomfield Road and Barnfield Road. Fourteen residents of Tipton were killed.

                                Five high explosives fell on Lower Bradley, resulting in the deaths of Maud and William Fellows, on the bank of the Wolverhampton Union Canal, a commemorative plaque still hangs on the wall of the Bradley pumping station nearby. At 2015 the Zeppelin was over Wednesbury, dropping bombs near the Crown Tube works, in the area of King Street and at the back of the Crown and Cushion Inn in High Bullen and Brunswick Park Road. Fourteen lives were lost.

                                The Zeppelin then headed north and bombed Walsall, destroying Wednesbury Road Congregational Church, on the corner of Wednesbury Road and Glebe Street. It went on to bomb the grounds of the General Hospital, Mountrath Street and the town centre, where three lives were lost outside the Science and Art Institute in Bradford Place, including Mary Julia Slater, the Lady Mayoress of Walsall, who was a passenger on the number 16 tram.

                                A second wave of bombs was dropped by L19 at about midnight, causing considerable damage to buildings in Wednesbury, Dudley, Tipton and Walsall.

                                31st Jan - 1st Feb 1916. The first raid of 1916 was carried out by the German Navy. Nine Zeppelins were sent to Liverpool on the night of 31 January, 1 February. A combination of poor weather, difficult navigation and mechanical problems scattered the aircraft across the English Midlands and several towns were bombed. A total of 61 people were reported killed and 101 injured by the raid. Fifteen of these fatalities occurred in the town of Tipton. Despite ground fog, 22 aircraft took off to find the Zeppelins but none succeeded. Six aircraft were damaged beyond repair and two pilots were killed when attempting to land. One airship, L 19, crashed in the North Sea because of engine failure and damage from Dutch ground,fire with all 16 crew being lost.

                                http://www.expressandstar.com/millennium/1900/1900-1924/1916.html
                                 More info.

                                29th Jun 1916   On 29th & 30th June 1916 the 8th East Yorks were training at Saint Martin Au Laert with the 8th Bde. Machine Gun Company.

                                February 1916   Battalions were now ready for the trenches. They were to be attached to other experienced units for instruction. The 24th was attached to 24th Brigade. This was a regular formation that had been transferred to the 23rd Division from the 8th Division. the companies were allotted as follows. A Company of 24th attached to 1/Sherwood Foresters. B Company of 24th attached to 2/East Lancashire Regiment. C Company of 24th attached to 2/Northamptonshire Regiment. D Company of 24th attached to 1/Worcestershire Regiment. C and D Companies were marched off to Rue Marle where they went into billets. A and B Companies went straight into the trenches. After a few days C and D Companies relieved A an B. C Company had it,s first casualty when Lieutenant Short was wounded during a trench mortar barrage.

                                research


                                February 1916   Now in the trenches at Bois-Grenier. The men regularly repaired the parapets which had been blown down. Which had to be undertaken in darkness. At Dawn the men stood to. Rum was issued to everyone. At stand down they were given breakfast. Then began the foot inspection. The men removed their boots and socks, rubbing their feet with grease. The riffles are then cleaned and inspected. About this time the Battalion were visited by The Tyneside Raising Committee. They stayed a couple of days and were shown around the trenches and around the rear areas. The pattern was set. Battalions spent time in the trenches, holding the line for a few days then were relieved to rest. Although those resting did anything but. They took part in extra training, route marching, bomb throwing, fatigues they also took stores and rations to the men at the front. Extra training courses was given in signaling, transport, bombing and machine guns at Divisional and Army schools

                                research


                                1st Feb 1916 TWFF Stevenage Road, Fulham opens.  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Stevenage Road, Fulham, London started up in February 1916. It was engaged in filling grenades, Stokes bombs and components, pyrotechnic work, etc. Under the Direct Control of the Ministry of Munitions

                                1st Feb 1916 TWFF Bushey Mill Lane, Watford (No. 2) opens.  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Bushey Mill Lane, Watford (No. 2), Hertfordshire started up in February 1916. The first output was May 1916. It was engaged in filling bombs, grenades etc., filling and assembling aerial bombs, trench mortar fuses and assembling chemical shell. It was under Direct Control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Feb 1916 HMEF Winsford opens  H.M. Explosive Factory Winsford, Victoria, Norwich, Cheshire started up in February 1916 with first output of Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate being in August 1916. It was under the Direct Control the Salt Union.

                                Feb 1916 21st West Yorks in Training  The 21st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment trained at Skipton's Raikeswood Camp from February 1916 having undertaken initial training in Halifax. The camp had previously been set up for the training of the Bradford Pals in 1915. A photo can be found of a group from the 21 WYR in the Rowley Photograph Collection. More info.

                                1st February 1916 No further work on Saps  6th County of London Brigade RFA move HQ to Les Brebis. Batteries at Fosse 7 and Maroc. Very bad light all day. Hostile artillery quiet. Enemy aeroplane up most of the day. The 16th London Battery report no further work done on saps. All new sap heads were registered by the Batteries. The 8th and 9th London Batteries fired intermittent rounds of H.E. on the new trenches during the night.

                                War Diaries


                                1st February 1916 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Railway Candas to Acheux.

                                Work continued on into February on the same task allotments and on the 18th February the last spike was driven to complete the line to Belle Eglise Farm. On the 22nd February a Third Army meeting in relation to opening the line gave priority to Belle Eglise. No.4 Company then started work on the station and sidings there while No.2 Company continued to ballast and rectify the track.

                                No.1 Company, working at the most forward part of the track in Acheux was shelled several times but suffered no casualties. Subsequently they found a network of underground passages which provided cover if enemy shelling was heavy.

                                The weather continued to deteriorate towards the end of the month and much of the line had to be checked over particularly near Punchevilles where the line had sunk considerably and new sidings were to be built.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st February 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ65 (LZ95)

                                • Production Ref: LZ65
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: LZ95
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 1st February 1916

                                History.

                                Destroyed by French anti-aircraft fire on the 21st February 1916 during an attempted attack on Vitry-le-François.

                                John Doran


                                1st February 1916 Events in 1916  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

                                At the beginning of February, 1916, the 120th Landwehr Regiment was replaced by a Prussian Regiment, the 81st Landwehr.

                                Woevre 1916. 1. On February 28, 1916, the Bavarian Ersatz Division took over the sector of Fresnes-en-Woevre-Ronvaux. It remained there until the end of October, 1916.

                                On the 17th October 1916, the 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment left the division temporarily to go to Galicia, to the 199th Division, and came back in November 1916.

                                Somme 1916.

                                From October 25th to November 15th, the Bavarian Ersatz Division took part in the battle of the Somme east of Gueudecourt, with the exception of the 81st Landwehr, which was definitely detached from the division.

                                Transferred to the Aisne, the Division went into line in the vicinity of Craonne at the end of November.

                                historical records


                                2nd February 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA record a quiet day. Nothing of importance to note. The 8th London Battery fired on new trench in M.5.c during the night at the request of the infantry.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd February 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets at HQ Enquin. The Commanding Officer inspected the horses of 'B' Squadron. 2 Other Ranks to Temporary Hospital. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital

                                War Diary


                                2nd February 1916 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                We exploded a mine near the Hairpin Crater. Artillery support not asked for.

                                war diaries


                                2nd Feb 1916 Shelling  Germans fired few rounds on 7th Buffs 2nd line trenches, our aeroplanes active.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                3rd February 1916 Quiet Day  Another quiet day for 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force due to Bad light. Batteries fired on working parties, trench junctions and suspected Observation Points. The 17th London Battery fired on a minenwerfer (short range German mortar). Movement was seen in Fosse 12. At about 2000 the enemy were reported to have exploded a mine north of Loos Crassier. Heavy shelling by enemy on pylons and south of Loos Crassier. During the night the 9th London Battery fired on a working party in M.5.c. and d with excellent results. A Hun was heard to groan. OC. Brigade (Col Lowe) proceeded on leave of absence. Major Bayley DSO assumed Command of the Lowe Group.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd Feb 1916 3rd Monmouths entrain for The Somme  For most of January 1916 the 49th Division was at rest before proceeding to the Somme, and the battalion after leaving Elverdinghe, marched by stages to Rietveld, a little hamlet on the Cassel-Wormhoudt Road where the companies were billeted in farms within easy walking distance of each other. The battalion historians record this time as "four pleasant weeks, the training was not strenuous, only sufficient being done to keep all ranks fit, and the afternoons were spent in games".

                                On February 3rd the Battalion entrained at Esquelbecq for the south, and the next day detrained at Longueau near Amiens . A march to Ailly-su-Somme from which point they bussed to Saisseval, a small village about 14 kilometres to the west of Amiens.

                                3rd Feb 1916 Some Shelling  Midday enemy fired H.E. shrapnel over Chateau, no damage in 7th Buffs area. very active at night with Machine Guns

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                4th Feb 1916 3rd Monmouths on the march  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment detrained at Longueau near Amiens and marched to Ailly-su-Somme from which point they bussed to Saisseval, a small village about 14 kilometres to the west of Amiens.

                                4th February 1916 Exceptionally Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA report enemy artillery exceptionally quiet. Fosse 12 certainly used as an Observation Point. Fresh work again done on new saps & trenches during the night. The 8th & 15th London Batteries fired during the night on the new saps and down the Lens road.

                                War Diaries


                                4th Feb 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs are relieved by 7th Queens from D 3. they were on our right. 7th Div taking over D s/sectors. Returned to billets in Buire. Billets fairly comfortable but need lot of improvements.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                5th February 1916 Night Firing  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Les Brebis, Fosse 7 and Maroc. A very quiet day with excellent light. Night firing on new saps and trenches undoubtedly hindered the work at these places. Very little additional work has been done. A doubtful aeroplane was reported with only a ring under one wing. Fosse 7 was heavily shelled from Vendin. The 7th & 17th London Batteries fired on the new trenches during the night. At 0500 there was a concentration of fire from all IV Corps guns, with each gun firing 1 round on its right line.

                                War Diaries


                                5th Feb 1916 Training  Major Birch left on leave. Capt. R.T. Monier-Williams in command of 7th Buffs. Training carried on.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                5th Feb 1916 Training   7th Buffs are In billets. Nothing to report. Training continued., commenced to dig copy of German trenches in front of E 1, Pt. 7025 etc.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                6th Feb 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers march to Martinsart  16th Northumberlands march to Martinsart to be divisional reserve, leaving garrisons at Authuille Keep (under Lt Parker), Mcmahon’s Post and Mill Keep.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                6th February 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA report a very quiet day. The 8th London Battery fired at Observation Point Fosse 11. The 9th London Battery fired at an Observation Point and caused observers to withdraw. The 15th London Battery fired at the suspected position of a minenwerfer (mortar) near Snipers House. The 16th London Battery registered new assembly trenches opposite the Copse. The 9th & 16th London Batteries fired during the night on new saps and trenches, also on the road joining into the Lens-Bethune road. No further work on new trenches south of the copse.

                                War Diaries


                                6th February 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets at HQ Enquin. Church of England parade service at Preures at 1100. A draft of 9 men & 15 horses joined the Regiment

                                War Diary


                                6th February 1916 Reliefs carried out  3rd Canadian Tunnelling Coy report Reliefs No4 section carried out as per schedule. Lieut. Spears relieved Lieut. Urie. Boring tackle sent to Petite Douve. Attached Infantry 1st & 2nd Brigades sent to Sappers Farm.

                                3rd Canadian Tunnelling Coy war diary


                                7th February 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA record another very quiet day with good light in the afternoon. Some Batteries registered various points other than those in their zones. The 9th London Battery reported a fortified house just on the crest of the hill. The 16th London Battery reported no further work on saps opposite Chalk Pit, but fresh work about 75 to 125 yards in a north easterly direction possibly the start of new saps. The 17th London Battery report no further work done on saps and trenches south of Copse. During the night the 15th London Battery fired on saps opposite Chalk Pit and down Lens road, while the 8th London Battery fired on new trenches south of the Copse.

                                War Diaries


                                7th February 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets at HQ Enquin. Exercise & Stables under Squadron arrangements. 1 Other Rank to Base Hospital. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital. 1 Riding Horse from No.1 Mobile Veterinary Station.

                                War Diary


                                8th February 1916 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA situated at Les Brebis, Maroc and Fosse 7 reports a very quiet day. Enemy shelled Fosse 7 with gas shells from 1230 to 1500 but no damage done. During the night 7th London Battery fired on new saps opposite Chalk Pit and down Lens road. The 17th London Battery fired on the new trenches & saps south of the Copse. At 1600 we exploded a mine just south of the southern Chalk Pit. The 15 & 16th London Batteries fired on the communication trenches behind, at the request of the infantry. The 8th Battery also opened fire. There was no hostile shelling until 0420 which was then not vigorous. No more work was visible on new trenches south of the Copse.

                                War Diaries


                                8th February 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets at HQ Enquin. Exercise & Stables under Squadron arrangements. 2 Other Ranks to Base Hospital.

                                War Diary


                                9th February 1916 Hostile Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that with the exception of very heavy shelling of the new Crater, and slight retaliation for afternoon bombardment, the hostile artillery was fairly quiet. At 1530 a bombardment by guns enfilading trenches (one of the 9th London Battery guns was taken into Loos during the night) was very successful and round LOOS an enemy gun was observed to fall into the trench. Captive hostile balloons were up most of the day. Wiring of the new trenches by the Germans with Coil Wire and Trip wire at Chevar de Drise. No more work took place on trenches. No more work was done on saps opposite Chalk Pit. Our Batteries did not fire during the night.

                                War Diaries


                                9th February 1916   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                9th Feb - The 15 inch Gun fired on the buildings by Fosse 8 - E Battery co-operated.

                                10th Feb - A quiet day.

                                10th February 1916 Areoplanes Quieten Enemy  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Les Brebis, Maroc and Fosse 7 report enemy artillery was very quiet all day owing to the number of our aeroplanes up. A minenwerfer (mortar) opposite the Copse was active at 1230. At 1300 the 15th London Battery fired on it and successfully caused it to stop. No more work done on trenches south of Copse. The 9th London Battery fired on new trenches south of the Copse during the night and the 16th London Battery fired on saps opposite the Copse and down the Lens road.

                                War Diaries


                                10th February 1916 Battle of Dogger Bank 1916  The Second Battle of Dogger Bank took place on the 10th February 1916 off Dogger Bank in the North Sea. This engagement resulted in a German victory. Ships engaged were 4 sloops and 25 torpedo boats. Casualties and losses were 1 sloop sunk (HMS Arabis) with 56 crew dead and 24 captured

                                Background to the Battle.

                                Admiral Reinhard Scheer took command of the German High Seas Fleet in 1916 due to the illness of Admiral Hugo von Pohl and immediately began to take a more offensive strategy in the North Sea. This resulted in more frequent raids and incursions into British dominated areas. One of these occurred on the 10th February 1916 when the Germans sent the 2nd, 6th, and 9th Torpedo-Boat Flotillas to Dogger Bank in an attempt to intercept Allied shipping. At least 25 torpedo boats were deployed. The only British vessels operating in the area were the British 10th Minesweeping Flotilla, consisting of HMS Arabis, Poppy, Buttercup, and Alyssum.

                                Each of these Arabis-class sloops was armed only with two 4.7 in (120 mm) guns as well as two 3-pounder anti-aircraft guns and were little match to the large numbers of German torpedo boats(also described as destroyers).

                                Battle description.

                                Arabis — along with the other three sloops of her division — had been engaged in sweeping a clear channel east of Dogger Bank when they were sighted by a large number of German torpedo boats. The Germans at first hesitated in attacking them as they were not familiar with the new Arabis-class vessels and thought they were much more powerful cruisers. However with their numerical advantage the Germans decided to launch their attack anyway. The British attempted to flee back to the safety of the coast with Poppy, Buttercup and Alyssum succeeding. Arabis was not so fortunate. She was caught and engaged by three of the German torpdeo boats. After fighting off this attack, Arabis was attacked by six of the German boats and finally went down after being struck by a torpedo. Thirty of Arabis' crew were pulled from the sea by the Germans, but four of them died shortly afterwards due to exposure to the elements.

                                Aftermath of the Action

                                The British caused some minor damage to a few of the German destroyers and the only losses from the action was HMS Arabis along with 56 of her crew killed and another 24 captured by the Germans. For his actions during the battle, Arabis' commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Robert Raymond Hallowell-Carew, received the Distinguished Service Order. He and two other officers were amonst the captives Having only sunk a single minesweeping sloop, the Germans claimed that they had engaged a squadron of four new cruisers and sunk two of them with torpedoes. The British Admiralty quickly responded confirming that no other Allied forces had been engaged besides the 10th Minesweeping Division and that no cruisers had been sunk in the action. Following the action off Dogger Bank, the Battlecruiser Fleet from Rosyth, the 5th Cruiser Division from Harwich, as well as other elements of the Grand Fleet were deployed. These British forces assembled in the North Sea and swept southward. This action was called off on the 11th when it was established that the German forces were solely torpedo boats which had already returned to their bases.

                                Upon returning from the failed intercept operation, the light cruiser HMS Arethusa struck a German mine and sank, losing 12 of her crew.

                                John Doran


                                11th February 1916 Bad Light  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Bad light. The 7th London Battery fired at 2 Machine Gun emplacements. Enemy reported digging a new trench front line. At 1930 Batteries fired a few rounds on roads. During the night the 7th London Battery fired on saps at M.6.d and the 17th London Battery fired on M.5.c & d.

                                War Diaries


                                12th Feb 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers A & D Coys relieved by 5th Yorks  A & D Coys, 16th Northumberlands are relieved by the 5th Yorks and return to Millencourt. B & D Coys remain in the front line.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                12th February 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report, very quiet day. Batteries fired very little during day. During the night the 15th London Battery fired on a new trench and down Lens Road. The 8th London Battery fired on trenches & down road at M.18.a.

                                War Diaries


                                12th Feb 1916 5th Loyals suffer casualties  While waiting in the village of Bellacourt to relieve the French in their trenches a german shell fell among the british troops of the 5th Loyal North Lancashires, killing five men and wounding eleven others.

                                13th Feb 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers A & D Coys relieved by 4th Yorks & Lancs  B & C Coys, 16th Northumberlands are relieved by the 5th Yorks and return to Millencourt. Teh Battalion spends the next month rotating between the front line (six or eight days at a time), support (four days) at Authuille or Black Horse Bridge, and in reserve at Millencourt or Bouzincourt (four days).

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                13th February 1916 German Mine Exploded  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that aAt 0730 the Germans exploded a mine on the South West corner of Harrisons Crater. The 15th & 16th London Batteries fired on communication trenches. No more work was done on the new German trenches. During the night the 16th London Battery fired down roads. A working party on Hants Crater prevented the 15th London Battery from firing on the new trench until midnight.

                                War Diaries


                                13th Feb 1916 3rd Monmouths go into the line at Albert  After a few days spent in training the battalion moved on Feb 13th to the line just north of Albert, with the Battalion Headquarters at Bouzincourt. The various companies set about their new tasks. A company repairing roads near Bouzincourt, B Company building a light railway through Aveluy Wood across the Ancre marshes and on to Theipval Wood and C and D Companies working on " Northumberland Avenue " a new road running from Bouzincourt to Martinsart. Although the 49 th Division was relieved on March 5 th, the 3rd Mons were left to carry on their pioneer work in the "forward area". They were split up to work on various engineering schemes throughout April and May. D Company began construction of new road from Forceville to Englebeimer, which become known as " Monmouth Road ". It was completed on June 20 th . By this time, tension was running high, as the opening for the Battle of the Somme had been set for the July 1st 1916.

                                14th February 1916 Mine Explosion  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Les Brebis, Maroc and Fosse 7 reports the Germans exploded a mine in front of Copse and shelled our communication trenches behind the Copse. Our firing lasted until about 0900, otherwise the day was fairly quiet. When the mine went up the 15th, 16th & 17th London Batteries immediately fired on their right lines. Most of day the 15th and 16th London Batteries fired on Snipers House at the request of Infantry to keep down sniping. The Loos Gun (8th London Battery) bombarded trench M.9.d.8.4. to M.5.c.1.8. with excellent results. During the night the 17th London Battery fired on saps at M.5.c and d.

                                War Diaries


                                14th Feb 1916 Leave  Major Birch returned to 7th Buffs from leave.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                15th February 1916 Very Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA record a very quiet day. Little firing on either side. The Germans have not dug a trench to the new crater as they would be seen working there. The 17th London Battery fired on this point intermittently. The 9th London Battery again drew fire on another enemy Observation Point. During the night the 15th London Battery fired on saps from M.6.d.3.9. to M.6.b.4.3 and the 8th London Battery fired on saps in M.5.c and d.

                                War Diaries


                                15th Feb 1916 Training  Training continued by 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                16th February 1916 Another Quiet Day  A quiet day and the 8th London Battery destroyed the tower of 11a German Observation Point. No more Germans were seen walking towards the new crater. During the night the 16th London Battery fired 25 rounds of shrapnel at saps in M.6.b and d with the 9th London Battery firing at saps in M.15.c and d. One section of each Battery came to its own Wagon Line as its positions are being taken over by the 1st Division.

                                War Diaries


                                16th Feb 1916 Military football match at St James' Park  At St James' Park, Newcastle a football match is played between 133rd Heavy RGA XI and 2nd Battery RFA XI.

                                133rd RGA team were: Archer, Clews, Wright, Horton, Greenhaugh, Hardman, Bradford, Sharp, Medden, Peake & Price.

                                2nd Battery were represented by Surtees, Horne, Hall, Proudfoot, Quinn, Hussey, Porter, Hickinbottom, Rhodes, Gardiner, Jones, McEwan, Barkley, Hopkinson & Johnson.

                                16th Feb 1916 Fifth Battle of the Isonzo  The Fifth Battle of the Isonzo begins between Italy and Austro-Hungaria

                                16th Feb 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs relieved 8th E Surrey Regiment in E 1. quiet day. M.Gs very active during night. Signed F Phillips Capt. Adj. 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                16th Feb 1916 7th Inniskillings entrain for Southampton  On the 16th February 1916, shortly after 1pm the 7th Inniskillings got the train from Bordon station reaching Southampton Docks at 4.30pm and boarded the paddle steamer Mona Queen at 5.30pm.

                                17th February 1916 Relocations  The 6th London Brigade RFA moved into rest area with the remainder of the 47th London Division at Auchel. The 3rd London Brigade departed from the Lowe Group and went back to where it belonged. The Batteries arrived late about midnight or 0100.

                                War Diaries


                                17th Feb 1916 7th Inniskillings proceed to France  The 7th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers set sail to Le Havre, France on the paddle steamer Mona Queen, which they had boarded the previous evening, accompanied by 2 destroyers. The wind was fierce and it rained heavily all night, 70% of of the ship's passengers were sick. The Pipers played "Sprig of Shillelagh" to cheer everyone up.

                                17th Feb 1916 Shelling  Intermittent shelling of 7th Buffs front line trenches; Machine Guns active at night. Extremely bright moonlight preventing patrolling.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                18th Feb 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers leave Mustapha Pasha  The 2nd Royal Fusilers entrain at Mustapha Pasha for Port Jewfick, Suez.

                                18th February 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA are at Auchel Units were at the disposal of unit commanders. A Billeting party went on to Bowry. Units remaining at Auchy were under their own arrangements.

                                War Diaries


                                18th Feb 1916 7th Inniskillings arrive in Le Havre  The paddle steamer Mona Queen, arrived at Le Havre at 2am, The 7th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers disembarked at 6am.

                                18th Feb 1916 Quiet  Very quiet except for a few rifle grenades. 2 O.R. of 7th Buffs wounded. Much rain at night.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                19th February 1916 Relocations  Auchel units of 6th London Brigade RFA went to Bowry for training. The Brigade arrived at 1400. Auchy. Units remaining at Auchy are under their own arrangements. A Billeting party went on to Bowry.

                                War Diaries


                                19th Feb 1916 Very Wet  7th Buffs report, Very wet. enemy registered on Becourt Chateau buildings. Slight damage.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                20th February 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Bowry. Units at disposal of unit commanders. Ordered to move from Bowry by Major General Commanding Division to make room for infantry. Remainder of Brigade moved to Bowry to undergo training and arrived at about 1400.

                                War Diaries


                                20th Feb 1916 Quiet  Very quiet for 7th Buffs, nothing to report.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                21st Feb 1916 The Battle of Verdun  The Battle of Verdun began

                                21st February 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA, some units left Bowry and proceeded to Croceque about 4 miles away and it was a very satisfactory place. Remaining Units in Bowry at disposal of unit commanders. Received news that we must leave Bowry to allow one of infantry Brigades to move in and proceed to Coyecques.

                                War Diaries


                                21st February 1916 Hospital ship  

                                HS Marechiaro

                                SS Marechiaro was an Italian Hospital ship during WW1. It struck a mine laid by UC-12 on the 21st February 1916 off Cape Laghi, Durazzo, Albania with the loss of 33 lives.

                                John Doran


                                21th Feb 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs. Sector on right heavily bombarded during morning presumably on the Tambour.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                22nd February 1916 Relocations  Remainder of 6th London Brigade RFA moved to Coyecques in a snowstorm and arrived at about 1100. It was better than Bowry.

                                War Diaries


                                22th Feb 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs, no activity on enemy’s part on this sector. D3 was heavily shelled from 5.30 pm, 8 pm, enemy left their trenches during bombardment and attempted to enter D 3 but were driven off, Our Machine Guns co-operated with enfilade fire.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                23rd February 1916 Inspections  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Coyecques. All Batteries paraded in drill order under their own arrangements. 2nd Lieut -------- proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd February 1916 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ63 (LZ93)

                                • Production Ref: LZ63
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ93
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 23rd February 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out three attacks on Dunkirk, Mardick and Harwich, dropping 3,240 kilograms (7,140 lb) bombs. It was decommissioned in 1917.

                                John Doran


                                23th Feb 1916 Snow  Quiet day for 7th Buffs, snowing hard, a lot of extra wire put out in front of our trenches. 1 O.R. wounded.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                24th February 1916 Training  The entire 6th County of London Brigade RFA moved to Bowry to undergo training and arrived at about 1400.

                                War Diaries


                                24th February 1916   SM U-51

                                Type U 51 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 233) Ordered 23 Aug 1914 Laid down 19 Dec 1914 Launched 25 Nov 1915 Commissioned 24 Feb 1916

                                Commanders.
                                19 Feb 1916 - 14 Jul 1916 Walter Rumpel

                                Career 1 patrol.
                                start date unknown - 25 May 1916 I Flotilla.
                                25 May 1916 - 14 Jul 1916 II Flotilla

                                Successes No successes.

                                Fate 14 Jul 1916 - Torpedoed by HM Sub H5 while leaving Ems estuary. 34 dead and 4 survivors. The wreck of U 51 was raised and broken up in 1968.

                                There was another U 51 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 11 Jun 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 6 Aug 1938.

                                John Doran


                                24th Feb 1916 Inspection  Divisional General inspected the 7th Buffs Battalion, manning Becourt Redoubt after relief by 7th Queens. A Coy left as Redoubt Coy.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                24th Feb 1916 In Billets  7th Buffs returned to billets in Dernancourt after relief.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                25th February 1916 Inspection, Training and Lectures  6th County of London Brigade RFA spend Friday 25th February to Tuesday 29th February 1916 in training, battery & brigade manoeuvres, officers rides, gun drill and fuze times. Staff training and lectures were given by Officers and NCOs. A.C. Lowe Lt Col Commanding Sixth London Brigade.

                                War Diaries


                                25th Feb 1916 Working Parties  Whole of 7th Battalion Buffs on fatigue, with exception of specialists, weather very bad. Snowing all day.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                26th February 1916   No 40 Squadron formed at Gosport on the 26th of February 1916, the first Squadron to be equipped with F.E.8. The F.E.8 was one of the first single-seat or "scout" aircraft specifically designed as a fighter. In order to overcome the problems of forward facing machine guns not (at that time) being able to fire through the arc of the propeller, it was designed as a "pusher" (i.e., with its propeller behind the cockpit) giving the pilot a clear field of fire ahead.

                                26th Feb 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                27th Feb 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                28th Feb 1916 5th Yorks in trenches  The Battalion Diary records that the 5th Yorks are in the trenches in Sanctuary Wood, East of Ypres. 3 ORs wounded.

                                28th February 1916   SM U-47

                                Type U 43 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 25) Ordered 4 Aug 1914 Launched 16 Aug 1915 Commissioned 28 Feb 1916

                                Commanders>
                                28 Feb 1916 - 27 Aug 1917 Heinrich Metzger
                                28 Aug 1917 - 29 Oct 1917 Johannes Feldkirchner
                                30 Oct 1917 - 10 Mar 1918 Oblt. Otto Gerke
                                14 Jan 1918 - 14 Jun 1918 Wilhelm Canaris
                                11 Mar 1918 - 31 Mar 1918 Adolf Franz
                                15 Jun 1918 - 11 Sep 1918 Erich Gerth
                                12 Sep 1918 - 28 Oct 1918 Carl Bünte

                                Career 2 patrols.
                                8 May 1916 - 27 Dec 1916 III Flotilla.
                                27 Dec 1916 - 28 Oct 1918 Pola Flotilla

                                Successes 14 ships sunk with a total of 23,931 tons.
                                3 ships damaged with a total of 9,500 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,046 tons.

                                • 15 Aug 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Presto (prize) 1,046 sw
                                • 30 Aug 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Wellamo 1,050 fi
                                • 16 Nov 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Dolfijn 140 nl
                                • 16 Nov 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Parnass 646 nw
                                • 1 Dec 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Kediri 3,781 nl
                                • 7 Dec 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Spyros 3,357 gr
                                • 13 Dec 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Salamis 3,638 gr
                                • 19 Dec 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Sno 1,823 nw
                                • 8 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Madeleine III (damaged) 149 fr
                                • 11 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Hindoo (damaged) 4,915 br
                                • 13 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger L’indipendente F. 181 it
                                • 15 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Pancras (damaged) 4,436 br
                                • 17 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Eirini 2,662 gr
                                • 18 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Frances M. 1,228 am
                                • 22 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Lapa 1,366 bz
                                • 24 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Barbara 838 am
                                • 25 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Magnus Manson 1,751 am
                                • 3 Jun 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Vulcanus 1,470 fr

                                Fate 28 Oct 1918 - Scuttled at Pola in position 44.52N, 13.50E during the evacuation from there. No patrols after June 1917 due to serious engine troubles that could not be solved before the war ended

                                There was another U 47 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 29 Oct 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 17 Dec 1938.

                                John Doran


                                28th Feb 1916 Message  7th Buffs received phone message from Brigade Major at 5.30 pm that the Battalion would leave Dernancourt at very short notice, destination not given. Major A. L. Ransome arrived to take over command of the Battalion.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                29th February 1916 Naval Action - 29th February 1916  The Action of 29 February 1916 was a battle between a German commerce raider which broke out into the North Sea and a fleet of Royal Navy warships sent to intercept it by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe. Four British vessels made contact with the German raider and in the ensuing engagement two ships were sunk.

                                Background

                                Just launched, the 5,000 ton auxiliary cruiser SMS Greif was armed with four hidden 15-centimeter guns, one hidden 10.5-centimeter gun and two torpedo tubes. She had a ships complement of approximately 360 officers and crewmen. Greif left Hamburg and headed into the North Sea on February 27, intending to enter the Atlantic by an Icelandic route but a British submarine spotted her and reported her position to the Admiralty the next day. Admiral Jellicoe sortied five cruisers and seven destroyers to sweep the North Sea with the auxiliary cruisers HMS Alcantara and HMS Andes which were already on patrol. The British auxiliary cruisers both weighed about 15,000 tons and carried eight 6-inch and two 3-pounders each. Four Royal Navy warships encountered the Greif, including the two auxiliary cruisers, the light cruiser HMS Comus and the destroyer HMS Munster which arrived at the very end of the action.

                                Action

                                At about 0845 on the 29th February 1916, lookouts aboard the Alcantara spotted smoke off the port beam. Her commander Captain Thomas Erskine Wardle maneuvered closer to identify the source of the smoke. This later proved to be from SMS Greif. A few minutes later HMS Andes reported that her lookouts had sighted a ship with two masts and a black funnel headed northeast. Two Norwegian steamers were also observed flying their large flags. The two British vessels closed on the Greif until within signalling range. First Captain Wardle ordered the German vessel to stop and two blank rounds were fired. The Germans hove to and signaled that they were from Trondheim and were headed for Rio de Janeiro. At about 0940 the British were close enough to lower a few boats with a boarding party to take command of the seemingly harmless steamer. At this moment the raider unmasked her guns and opened fire on the Alcantara at a range of 800 yards. The first discharge struck the Alcantara's bridge causing heavy damage and destroying the communications equipment. Further shots hit and sank some of the boarding party's boats and also knocked out the ship's steering gear. Alcantara increased her speed and began returning fire as the Germans attempted to flee towards the Norwegian coastline. Her first shot struck the Greif's poop gun, killing the crew. For several minutes the two vessels dueled at close range. The Andes which was about five miles from the battle area heard the gunfire. She closed to within three miles of SMS Greif and opened fire. Her first shots struck the bridge of the German raider and destroyed its steering gear. The Greif launched two torpedoes at the Alcantara, the first of which hit her amidships and the second passed under her stern. The British knocked out another German gun and set her fuel tanks on fire. One shot entered the hull of the Greif, exploded and slowed the vessel to a halt. Reports say that both the Greif and Alcantara were struck several times at or below the waterline which left the British vessel in a sinking state as well. German fire ceased at 1018 and a few minutes later the Royal Navy sailors spotted life boats being lowered from the burning Greif, but continued to fire at her. As the German commander climbed down the rope to his life boat, he was struck in the neck and beheaded. Several moments later Captain Wardle ordered his men to abandon ship and at 1102 the Alcantara was underneath the water. Around this time the Comus and Munster arrived and finished off the sinking German raider. Wardle and his surviving crew were in the water for about twenty minutes before being picked up. About 187 Germans perished along with seventy-two Britons. Five officers and 120 Germans were rescued and taken prisoner by the Andes and Munster.

                                Though the British managed to sink the raider, Captain Wardle lost his ship in the process. He was later criticized for maneuvering too close to the German raider without knowing its true identity. Assuming the Greif was a harmless merchant ship cost Wardle his vessel and several men. Despite this he was recognized for bravery and awarded the Distinguished Service Order and eventually became a rear admiral. Officer’s Steward Richard Henry Buckett, who was among the survivors was awarded the D.S.M. for gallantly assisting the wounded.

                                John Doran


                                29th Feb 1916 Orders Received  News received by 7th Buffs at 11. am probable place to which we have to move St Gratien. Received orders 1 pm, moved 2 pm. and arrived St Gratien about 7 pm., very bad weather, raining and cold, billets not good. Signed Frank Phillips Capt. Adj 7. Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                Mar 1916 16th Battalion Yorks & Lancs formed  In March 1916 the 16th (Transport Workers) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment formed at Colsterdale.

                                1st Mar 1916 HMEF Ellesmere Port opens  H.M. Explosive Factory Ellesmere Port, Cheshire started up in March 1916. The first output of Synthetic phenol was in May 1917. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Mar 1916 HMEF Litherland opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Litherland, Liverpool, Lancashire started up in March 1916 to manufacture T.N.T. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Mar 1916 HMEF King?s Lynn opens  H.M. Explosive Factory King’s Lynn, Norfolk started up in March 1916 for the production of Acetone. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Mar 1916 HMEF Parkgate Street, Dublin opens.  National Shell Factory Parkgate Street, Dublin, Ireland started up in March 1916 for the production of 9.2-in. shells. First output was April 1917. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Mar 1916 NSF Hyde Road, Manchester opened  National Shell Factory Hyde Road, Manchester started up in March 1916 for the production of 4.5-in.shell, first output was Summer 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                   National Shell Factory North Main Street, Cork started in early 1916 for the production of 4.5-in shell. First output was Feb 1917. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                   National Cartridge and Box Repair Factory Dagenham Dock, Essex started in early 1916 to repair cartridge cases and ammunition boxes. It was under the direct control of the Board of Munitions.

                                1st March 1916 Training and recreation  6th County of London Brigade RFA spend Wednesday 1st March 1916 to Friday 3rd March 1916. These days were employed in training, officer’s rides, taking up positions etc.

                                War Diaries


                                1st March 1916 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Railway Candas to Acheux.

                                March arrived with the country still in the grip of polar weather during which one of the detachments being sent up the line for experience had to travel in a blinding snow storm. Having arrived, it described conditions as being extremely vile. Many parts of the track, where the ground was soft, needed repairs and additional ballast.

                                Work at Belle Eglise was completed on the 20th March and an RTO (Railway Transport Officer) arrived for whom an office had to be built. The line was then opened and trains with munitions, supplies or troops began to arrive at short intervals.

                                The Battalion was starting to establish a good reputation for itself. The Chief Engineer, Third Army received a letter from the Ulster Division which had been transferred from Third to Fourth Army expressing its regret at the loss of the service of its Pioneer Battalion. There was also on the 11th March, a letter from GHQ to the CRE, appreciating the work of the Battalion and that its services would be represented to higher authorities.

                                Much work was needed to complete the railway line but the Battalion records seem to indicate a period of organised work and recreation for some months ahead.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st March 1916 Instruction  

                                No.1 Section of 1st Canadian Tunnelling Co. attached to 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Coy for instruction reported to our H.Q. about 8 am from Ste. Marie Cappel.

                                3rd Canadian Tunnelling Coy war diary


                                1st Mar 1916 13th East Yorks set Sail  The troopship Simla set sail at 5.30 am March 1st from Port Said to sail to Marseilles.

                                1st March 1916 Further moves  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps 10th and 8th Army

                                1916

                                France.

                                The division went to France in March 1916. The 41st Infantry Regiment detrained on the 13th March near Metz and the 48th Infantry Regiment at Hagondange on the 5th March 1916.

                                Verdun.

                                The division was put into the line near Vaux on the 20th April 1916, fought in the Bois de la Caillette in May, in the Bois de Vaux Chapitre and the Bois Fumin in June and July. It suffered enormous losses there. In the 1st Company of the 41st Infantry Regiment, the numbers on the pay books passed from 1,359 (10th Apr) to 1,674 (19th July), indicating the arrival of at least 316 reinforcements. From the beginning of the war until July, 1916, the regiment had received an average of 1,360 men per company.

                                Russia.

                                At the end of July, 1916, the 1st Division, leaving behind the 41st Infantry Regiment, which fought before Verdun in August, was once more taken to the eastern front, where it formed part of the Carpathian Corps.

                                Historical Records


                                Mar 1916 138th MGC in action.  In March 1916, 138 Machine Gun Coy are in action on Vimy Ridge at Doullet, Jericourt and Camblain L'Abbe, Villers au Bois: "Much shelling and mining. In action with machine gun covering craters blown up by our troops. Trenches in rear of us blown up by enemy. This happened in almost tropical rain: we were soaked through, but had a hot ration of tea and rum when we got back to our dug-out. Wall of another dug-out collapsed by rush of water. We had to fish out gun and ammunition; as much as possible before being engulfed."

                                1st Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                2nd Mar 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers leave Suez  The 2nd Royal Fusilers embarked from Port Jewfick aboard the Alaunia, sailing through the Canel to Port Said.

                                2nd Mar 1916 7th Inniskillings under instruction in the line  7th Inniskillings are at Philosophe West, on the line under instruction from more experienced Scottish soldiers.

                                2nd Mar 1916 12th Btn KOYLI sail from Port Said  12th Btn Kings Oown Yorkshire Light Infantry leave Port Said on the 2nd of March 1916 onboard the LLandovery Castle.

                                2nd Mar 1916 On the Move  At 8.20am 18th Battalion DLI departed from Kantara for Port Said.

                                The National Archives Reference WO95/2361/1


                                2nd Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                3rd Mar 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers C Coy in front line  C Coy, 16th Northumberlands take over trenches 144-146 from 4th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                3rd March 1916 Q Class Zeppelin L22 takes to the air.  Zeppelin LZ64 (L22), Production Ref: LZ64 Q Class, has its first flight on the 3rd of March 1916

                                L22 carried out 30 reconnaissance missions and 8 attacks on Britain, dropping a total of 9,215 kilograms (20,316 lb) of bombs. It was destroyed by RNAS Curtis H12 flying boat flown by Flight Commander Robert Leckie (later Air Vice Marshal) near Terschelling on the 14th May 1917 during a reconnaissance mission. (Leckie was also credited with the downing of LZ112 (L70)).

                                John Doran


                                3rd March 1916 225 Field Coy Royal Engineers proceed to France  225 Field Company RE sailed from Southampton on the City of Benares on the 3rd of March 1916, arriving at Le Havre the next day.

                                3rd Mar 1916 8th Manchesters arrive in France  8th Manchesters land at Marseilles having sailed form Egypt and entrain for the Western Front.

                                3rd Mar 1916 14th Hants in action  14th. Hants as part of the 116th Brigade, attacked the German defences at Beaumomt Hamel.

                                3rd Mar 1916 On the Move  In the evening five grooms of 18th DLI proceeded with the horses from Kantara for Alexandria to proceed to France.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                3rd Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                4th March 1916 Re-routing of Units  6th County of London Brigade RFA record an order received late last night to leave billets and proceed to different area as villages were found to be infected with measles. The Brigade started out and had to return to Coyecques where the 15th Battalion London Regiment had billeted itself. After a certain amount of difficulty the Brigade got back into its old billets with certain exceptions. The Brigade Ammunition Column went to Westrehem.

                                War Diaries


                                4th Mar 1916 13th East Yorks enroute to France  The 13th East Yorks sailing to France, passed the Med Fleet at 2am Mar 4th. Passed Malta at 11.30pm.

                                grandfather's diary


                                4th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                5th Mar 1916 3rd Monmouths in forward area  On the 5th of March the 49th Division was relieved but the 3rd Monmouths remained to carry on their pioneer work in the forward area. They were split up to work on various engineering schemes throughout April and May. D Company began construction of new road from Forceville to Englebeimer, which become known as Monmouth Road which was completed on the 20th of June. By this time, tension was running high, as the opening for the Battle of the Somme had been set for the 1st of July.

                                5th March 1916 Church Parade and Sport  A church parade was held by Batteries of 6th London Brigade RFA in the Girls School during the morning. A football match took place in afternoon between 16th London Battery RFA and Headquarters Staff 6th London Field Ammunition Battery. The 16th London Battery won 10-2.

                                War Diaries


                                5th March 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  5/6th March 1916.

                                Further raids were delayed by an extended period of poor weather and also by the withdrawal of the majority of Naval Zeppelins in an attempt to identify and resolve the recurrent mechanical failures. Three Zeppelins set off to bomb Rosyth, the Tyne and Tees shipyards on 5,6 March but were forced by high winds to divert to Hull, killing 18, injuring 52 and causing £25,005 damage.

                                L14 makes landfall north of Flamborough Head at 22:30 and after dropping six bombs near Beverley bombs Hull shortly after midnight. L11 crosses the coast near Withernsea at 21:45 and gets lost in heavy snowstorms until it finds clear weather over Hull which is bombed at 01:00. L13 crosses the Humber at 21:15 and finds flying blind through the snowstorms and strong causing navigational issues. It drops bombs southeasterly until 01:10. Most of the night’s casualties are in Hull where the continued absence of anti-aircraft guns causes bitter indignation. Those who died in Hull were.

                                • Edward Cook, general labourer (shock)
                                • John Longstaff, 71, of Williams Place, Upper Union Street, retired locomotive driver (shock).
                                • Lottie Ingamells, 28, Martha Rebecca Ingamells, 35, and Ethel Mary Ingamells, 33, of The Avenue, Linnaeus Street.
                                • Edward Slip, 45, refreshment house keeper at Queen Street.
                                • Edward Ledner, 89, retired merchant seaman of Almshouse, Carr Lane.
                                • Frank Cattle, eight, and Robert Cattle, fish fryer of Little Humber Street.
                                • James William Collinson, 63, dock labourer, lace checker at John's, Regent Street.
                                • George Henry Youell, 40, Post Office Entry, High Street, dry dock labourer.
                                • Charlotte Naylor, 36, Ruby Naylor, eight, Annie Naylor, six, Edward Naylor, four, and Jeffrey Naylor, two, Collier Street.
                                • John Smith, 30, dock labourer, of Queen's Alley, Blackfriargate.
                                • James Pattison, 68, chimney sweep of Regent Street.
                                • Edward Cook, general labourer (shock)

                                John Doran


                                5th Mar 1916 13th East Yorks enroute to France  The 13th East Yorks sailing to France, passed Island of Pantellaria, an Italian convict settlement, at 2pm on March 5th.

                                grandfather's diary


                                5th Mar 1916 At the Docks  At 11am, 18th Battalion DLI embarked on the H.T. Ivernia at Port Said.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                5th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                6th March 1916 Training  On Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th March 1916 all Units of 6th London Brigades RFA trained under the unit Commanders. Coyecques. The 15th London Battery gave a concert to celebrate one year's service in France.

                                War Diaries


                                6th Mar 1916 Under Way  18th DLI report "At 5am H.T. Ivernia sailed for Marseilles from Port Said."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                6th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                7th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Training under Squadron arrangements. Equitation and Troop Training in the morning. Musketry and Bombing Training in the afternoon. Temporary 2nd Lieutenant P.H. Corbett (Sick) Struck off strength. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital 13 Riding Horses to Mobile Veterinary Section

                                War Diary


                                7th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                8th March 1916 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA units at disposal of unit commanders.

                                War Diaries


                                8th Mar 1916 12th KOYLI arrive at Marseille  12th KOYLI arrive at Marseille at 10 am on the 8th of March onboard the LLandovery Castle from Port Said.

                                8th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Squadrons paraded 8 horses each, suitable for Machine Gun use at Preures at 12 noon, for inspection by the Commanding Officer and Captain Haslam, Commanding 2nd Machine Gun Squadron. 8 horse were selected from these 24 for transfer to 2nd machine Gun Squadron. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital 2 Light Draught Horses transferred to 19th Hussars

                                War Diary


                                8th Mar 1916 13th East Yorks arrive France  The 13th East Yorks arrived Marseilles 7pm on 8th March. The place is full of ships.

                                grandfather's diary


                                8th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                9th March 1916 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA units at disposal of unit commanders. Lt Col AC. Lowe gave a lecture to Officers and NCOs on the struggle at Verdun.

                                War Diaries


                                9th Mar 1916 12th KOYLI leave Marseille  12th KOYLI leave Marseille by train and travel north through France.

                                9th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin The Staff ride for Subaltern Officers had to be postponed owing to the Commanding Officer having to attend a conference at Brigade HQ. Training was greatly impeded by the snow. 2 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital

                                War Diary


                                9th Mar 1916 13th East Yorks disembark  13th East Yorks disembarked from SS Simla in Marsailles at 2pm 9th of March.

                                grandfather's diary


                                9th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                10th March 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA hold Brigade Field Day. Two positions taken up. General Spoulding, GOCRA. 47th Division was present.

                                War Diaries


                                10th March 1916   SM U-77

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 59) Ordered 9 Mar 1915 Launched 9 Jan 1916 Commissioned 10 Mar 1916

                                Commanders.
                                10 Mar 1916 - 7 Jul 1916 Erich Günzel

                                Career 2 patrols.
                                29 Jun 1916 - 7 Jul 1916 I Flotilla

                                Successes No successes.

                                Fate 7 Jul 1916 - Lost after this date while on a mission to lay mines off Kinnaird Head, Scotland. 33 dead (all hands lost). U 77 got at least some of her mines out before her loss.

                                Previously recorded fate.
                                Lost in a minehandling accident off Dunbar, Scotland. The wreck at that location is undoubtedly that of U 74.

                                There was another U 77 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 23 Nov 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 18 Jan 1941.

                                John Doran


                                10th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin The Commanding Officer delivered a lecture to subaltern officers at 'A' Squadron HQ. At 1400 hours the Commanding Officer inspected a new form of pack at 'B' Squadron HQ at Preures 1 Other Rank to Base (Time expired)

                                War Diary


                                10th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                11th March 1916 Relocations  6th London Brigade RFA units at disposal of unit commanders. Billeting party proceeded to Dieval.

                                War Diaries


                                11th Mar 1916 18th DLI move to France  18th Durham Light Infantry arrive in France from Egypt.

                                11th Mar 1916 12th KOYLI at Hallancourt  12th KOYLI are billeted in Hallancourt

                                11th March 1916   SM U-63

                                Type U 63 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 247) Ordered 17 May 1915 Laid down 30 Apr 1915 Launched 8 Feb 1916 Commissioned 11 Mar 1916.

                                Commanders.
                                11 Mar 1916 - 27 Aug 1917 Otto Schultze.
                                28 Aug 1917 - 14 Oct 1917 Heinrich Metzger.
                                15 Oct 1917 - 24 Dec 1917 Otto Schultze.
                                25 Dec 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 Kurt Hartwig

                                Career 12 patrols.
                                2 May 1916 - 6 Nov 1916 IV Flotilla.
                                6 Nov 1916 - 11 Nov 1918 Pola/Mittelmeer I Flotilla

                                Successes 72 ships sunk with a total of 198,168 tons.
                                11 ships damaged with a total of 47,700 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 5,250 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 2,540 tons.

                                • 4 Jul 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Rosemary (damaged) 1,250 br
                                • 20 Aug 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Falmouth 5,250 br
                                • 23 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Bayreaulx 3,009 br
                                • 28 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Lanao 692 am
                                • 28 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Rio Pirahy 3,561 br
                                • 28 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Selene 3,955 it
                                • 28 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Torsdal 3,621 nw
                                • 29 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Massalia 2,186 gr
                                • 29 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Meroë 3,552 br
                                • 29 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Torino 1,850 br
                                • 31 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Delto 3,193 nw
                                • 31 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Fedelta 1,906 it
                                • 27 Nov 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Maude Larssen 1,222 br
                                • 28 Nov 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Sigurd 2,119 da
                                • 30 Nov 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Roma 125 br
                                • 2 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Luigi C. 71 it
                                • 2 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Roma 643 it
                                • 3 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Perugia 4,348 br
                                • 5 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Grigorios Anghelatos 3,635 gr
                                • 11 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Magellan 6,027 fr
                                • 11 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Sinai 4,624 fr
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Vellore 4,926 br
                                • 26 Mar 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze L. Rahmanich 79 ag
                                • 1 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Zambesi 3,759 br
                                • 4 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Margit 2,490 br
                                • 5 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Solstad 4,147 nw
                                • 5 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Kangaroo (damaged) 4,348 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Carmelo Padre 74 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Giuseppe Padre I 102 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Giuseppina G. 100 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze I Due Fratelli P. 100 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Karonga 4,665 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Natale B. 55 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze San Francesco Di Paola 41 it
                                • 3 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Washington 5,080 br
                                • 4 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Transylvania 14,348 br
                                • 5 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Talawa (damaged) 3,834 br
                                • 7 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Crown Of Leon (damaged) 3,391 br
                                • 14 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Francesco Raiola 181 it
                                • 14 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Volga (damaged) 4,404 br
                                • 15 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Ferrara (damaged) 5,660 it
                                • 22 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Himalaya 5,620 fr
                                • 23 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Craonne 777 fr
                                • 23 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Kalypso Vergotti 2,819 gr
                                • 26 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Birdoswald 4,013 br
                                • 27 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Tong Hong 2,184 br
                                • 30 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Alkelda 98 it
                                • 30 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Enrichetta 3,638 it
                                • 1 Jul 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Marie 118 fr
                                • 2 Jul 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Argentario 739 it
                                • 3 Jul 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Immacolatina 54 it
                                • 5 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Proletaire 101 fr
                                • 11 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Embleton 5,377 br
                                • 12 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Reim 1,126 nw
                                • 15 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Platuria 3,445 am
                                • 18 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Arendal 1,387 br
                                • 26 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Heraklios 2,878 gr
                                • 5 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Hilda R. 136 br
                                • 5 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Kai 1,391 da
                                • 6 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Peveril 1,459 br
                                • 8 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Candytuft (damaged) 1,290 br
                                • 8 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Benledi (damaged) 3,931 br
                                • 9 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Ardglamis 4,540 br
                                • 14 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Trowbridge 3,712 br
                                • 16 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Gasconia 3,801 br
                                • 16 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Kyno 3,034 br 8 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Huntsgulf (damaged) 3,185 br
                                • 20 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Commendatore Carlo Bruno 813 it
                                • 21 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Mossoul 3,135 fr
                                • 5 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Rio Claro 3,687 br
                                • 8 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig San Guglielmo 8,145 it
                                • 15 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Bonanova 933 sp
                                • 18 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Maria P. 263 br
                                • 18 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Ville De Bordeaux 4,857 fr
                                • 22 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Anglo-canadian 4,239 br
                                • 22 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Manchester Spinner 4,247 br
                                • 19 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Saxilby (damaged) 3,630 br
                                • 19 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Snowdon 3,189 br
                                • 24 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Elysia (damaged) 6,397 br
                                • 30 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Antinous (damaged) 3,682 br
                                • 30 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Asiatic Prince 2,887 br
                                • 30 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Aymeric 4,363 br
                                • 11 Aug 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig City Of Adelaide 8,389 br
                                • 12 Aug 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig G6 213 it
                                • 24 Aug 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Delphinula (damaged) 5,238 br
                                • 16 Oct 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig War Council 5,875 br

                                Fate 16 Jan 1919 - Surrendered. Broken up at Blyth in 1919-20.

                                There was another U 63 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 6 Dec 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 18 Jan 1940.

                                John Doran


                                11th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Divisional Route March. Regimental Parade Enquin at 0830 hours. Brigade rendezvous was the crossroads ¼ mile North of Point 102 Camp Raquet. Route followed, Enquinehault, Rolet, Crossroads ½ mile East of T in Hubersent, Point 134 (whwere the Division filed past the divisional Commander Major General Mullens), Sequires, Rolet, from where units marched home independently. The Order of March was 9th Brigade, 2nd Brigade, 1st Brigade. 2 Other Rank to Base Hospital

                                War Diary


                                11th Mar 1916 A Shocking Accident  The Wrexham Advertiser of the 11th of March 1916, reported: "A shocking accident occurred at Moss on Thursday resulting in a child being killed outright and in six other persons being terribly injured, three of whom subsequently died. It appears that Pte Bagnall, 4th RWF, 2 Red Lion Cottages, Moss, who returned home from the front on Monday after 18 months' service, was cleaning an unexploded German fuse shell, which he had brought with him as a souvenir. In the small cottage at the time of the explosion were Pte Bagnall's wife, Mary; daughter Sarah, age two; a niece, Violet, age seven; and sister-in-law Sarah Roberts along with her two children, Mary and Ethel, aged five and 15 months. Ethel, the youngest child, was killed instantly. The other three girls died later in hospital. Others sustained terrible injuries, including Pte Bagnall himself, who lost a leg, while Ms Roberts lost both legs. Pte Bagnall had thought the shell was safe as it had been "chucked around in the barracks and trenches" for six months without any ill-effects before he returned to North Wales."

                                A community fundraising event was held to pay for the funeral of the children which saw one of the largest ever funeral processions in the area. But the four little girls have no headstone, members of Broughton and District History Group are hoping to erect a memorial to them on the centenary of their death and are trying to trace family members.

                                http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-34996881


                                11th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                12th March 1916 Relocations  6th London Brigade RFA proceeded to its new reserve area and arrived at Dieval at 1800.

                                War Diaries


                                21st  Mar 1916 7th Inniskillings at Cauchy a la Tour  7th Inniskillings move to Rest area at Cauchy-a-La-Tour

                                12th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Church of England Parade Service at Le Fayel for 'A' Squadron at 1230 hours. 2nd Lieutenants Busk & Durnford proceeded to 1st Field Squadron, Royal Engineers for a demolition course. 1 Riding horse from HQ 4 Riding horses for Officers received from Base

                                War Diary


                                12th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                13th March 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Dieval. Units at disposal of unit commanders. Most of the day was spent in cleaning up.

                                War Diaries


                                13th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Regimental Route March. Regimental Parade at 0930 hours at preures. Route followed was Sehen, Bourthes, Campagne, Lez Boulonnais, Ergny, Wicquinghem. 1 Riding Horse to Veterinary Section 5 Other Ranks joined from Base 1 Riding Horse died

                                War Diary


                                13th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                14th March 1916 Inspections and moves  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the day was spent in preparing for tomorrow's marching order inspection by GOCRA. 47th Division. 2/Lt M.V. Eddis transferred form Headquarters Staff to 15th London Battery 2/Lt H.L. Burgis transferred from 15th London Battery to Headquarters Staff to take up the duties of Orderly Officer to OC. Brigade. Major Bayley DSO left for England. Captain Cooper assumed command of 15th London Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                14th Mar 1916 HMAT A68 Anchises at Port Melbourne  

                                HMAT A68 Anchises Pictured at Port Melbourne on the 14th March 1916.

                                The HMAT A68 Anchises weighed 10,046 tons with an average cruise speed of 10 knots or 18.52 kmph. It was owned by the Ocean SS Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 12th October 1917.

                                John Doran


                                14th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin RMounted Training under Squadron arrangements 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital

                                War Diary


                                14th Mar 1916 Into Billets  18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry detrained at 9am and proceeded to Citerne where they were allocated billets.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                14th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                15th March 1916 Inspections  6th County of London Brigade RFA was inspected by GOC 47th Division. Afterwards the GOCRA. 47th Division inspected the Officers' Ride. For the rest of the day units were at the disposal of unit commanders.

                                War Diaries


                                15th Mar 1916 7th Inniskillings relieved  7th Inniskillings are relieved by troops of the 46th. Company Cemetery behind the bakery at Philosophe East is to be resting place for 1st casualties.

                                15th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Regimental Officers Staff Ride. 'B' Squadron was employed for demonstration purposes. The Brigadier and Brigade Major attended. Advance guards and flank guards were subjects dealt with. 1 Other Rank to Base

                                War Diary


                                15th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                16th Mar 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers depart Port Suez  The 2nd Royal Fusilers embarked from Port Suez for Marseilles via Malta.

                                16th March 1916 Training and move preparations  6th County of London Brigade RFA units were at the disposal of unit commanders. OC. Brigade with Battery Commanders went to inspect new positions.

                                War Diaries


                                16th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Conference of Commanding Officers of the Regiments comprising the 2nd Cavalry Brigade at 12 noon at Beussent, in order to discuss new forms of squadron packs which had been experimented with. Special Order of the Day published by General Sir D. Haig, GCB. KCIE. General in Command of British Army in the Field. see Appendix 1 (note: Not attached)

                                War Diary


                                16th March 1916 RFC designation   No 67 Squadron was the formal RFC title given to No.1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps between 16th March 1916 and February 1918. The Squadron never carried that designation and was known by its officers and men only by its Australian title.  More info.

                                16th March 1916   Meanwhile back home in England the raising committee was busy collecting, and supplying comforts for the troops. It was proposed to hold a flag day. The events took place in Newcastle, South Shields and Durham City. In Durham speakers expressed the fact that many men were serving in the Tyneside Irish. Durham event was held on the 18th of March as it was felt this would be a better day to collect money rather than on the Friday. The other events were held on the 17th. The principal speaker at Newcastle and South Shields was Second - Lieutenant Michael O,Leary V C who had won the Victoria Cross while serving as a Corporal in the Irish Guards. The local police had to form body guard around him as so many people wanted to meet him and shake his hand. The band of the Royal Artillery played Irish melodies, at which point the Lord Mayor, Alderman Fitzgerald, addressed an emotionally stirred crowd and explained the purpose of the event. A considerable sum was collected in all three towns.

                                research


                                16th Mar 1916 On the Move  7th Battalion Buffs left St Gratien for Corbie at 11 am arrived Corbie 2 pm all men in billets 2.30 pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                17th March 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA units were at the disposal of unit commanders. A section of each of the 15th, 16th and 17th London Batteries went up to their new positions at Carency, taking over from 103rd Brigade.

                                War Diaries


                                17th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Regimental route March combined with tactical operations. Regimental Parade at 0930 hours in Enquin. Practice in the handling of advance guards and flank guards in difficult country. The Regiment returned to billets at 1415 hours. Conference of Commanding Officer and Officers commanding Squadrons and their second in commands at 1600 hours at 'B' Squadron in Preures. 1 Other Rank from Base Hospital

                                War Diary


                                18th March 1916 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Dieval. Units at the disposal of unit commanders.

                                War Diaries


                                18th Mar 1916 Aerodrome opens at Bramham Moor  The aerodrome at Bramham Moor, Headley Bar, Yorkshire opened on the 18th March 1916. Initially home to "B" and "C" flights, 33 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, with "A" flight being detached to York Racecourse.

                                18th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Inspections of Kit, Arms, Saddlery and Horses by Squadrons. The Commanding Officer inspected the horses of 'B' Squadron. 22 Other Ranks joined from Base

                                War Diary


                                18th Mar 1916 1st KOSB Dock  1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borders docked at Marseille and boarded a train at 10pm which departed at 10.45 pm

                                18th Mar 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs Commenced relief of 18th Manchester Regiment in Y 3 s/sector at 7 pm relief complete at 9.45 pm. Enemy shelled our transport. Lt F.M. Stoop and 3 O.R. wounded whilst off loading, the force of the explosion knocked Lt Whitefield off the bank, he is suffering from shock. 2 O.R. wounded by shell fire in 13 trench. Frank Phillips Capt Adj 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                19th March 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA move to Carency. HQ. Staff left Dieval for Bois de la Haie and other sections of the Batteries went up to their new positions.

                                War Diaries


                                19th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Church of England Parade Service at 1230 hours at Preures. Lieutenants Potts and Kelly proceeded to Samer on a Hotchkiss Machine Gun Course.

                                War Diary


                                19thMarch 1916   In France, Sniping and patrolling were activities that had to be undertaken and the snipers of the 24th Battalion claimed two Germans. Awards for gallant conduct in the trenches started to be made.

                                research


                                19th Mar 1916 Poor Conditions  Trenches very bad condition, work of cleaning taken in hand by 7th Buffs. Enemy shelled transport on arrival at Battalion HQ.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                20th March 1916 Relocations  6th London Brigade RFA took over from 103rd Brigade RFA (23rd Division) at 1000. Brigade Headquarters is at Bois de la Hair (A.8.d.3.2.). Attached to the 6th Lon Field Artillery Batteries is the 176th Battery RFA, which forms the Centre Group (Lt Col Lowe). The Northern Group is on the left (Lt Col Peel)and the Southern Group on right (Lt Col Massey). During the day, chiefly between 0900 and 0930, also about 1730, the enemy shelled Ablain St Nagiare with 5.9’s(150mm guns). Carency was also shelled about mid-day. The enemy were also active with aerial torpedoes and heavy trench mortars, but were silenced by our Howitzers. Otherwise all was quiet on this front. The OC. Brigade reconnoitred the front by aeroplane.

                                War Diaries


                                20th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Training under Squadron arrangements. 'A' and 'B' Squadrons, advance guard scheme. 'C' Squadron musketry & bombing

                                War Diary


                                20th Mar 1916 Quiet  7th Buffs have Nothing to report. 1 O.R. wounded.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                21st March 1916 Bad Light   6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency: There was very little artillery fire owing to bad light. Batteries fired a few rounds for registration. Otherwise all quiet. Hostile artillery also quiet.

                                War Diaries


                                21st March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin The Commanding Offficer inspected the Regimental and Squadron transport at Enquin at 0930 hours. 1 Oter Rank to Temporary Hospital

                                War Diary


                                21st Mar 1916 Trench Instruction  10 officers and 39 NCOs of 18th DLI proceed to front line trenches at 10am for instruction. It would be the first time they had been in the front line.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                21st Mar 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report, heavy rifle and artillery fire heard on right, of 7th Buffs, presumably Y. 1. (This has since been confirmed as the enemy attack on the Duck Post. New trench connecting 14 and 15 saps commenced Lt Whitfield sent away suffering from shell shock.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                22nd Mar 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers arrive in France  The 2nd Royal Fusilers arrived at Marseilles from Port Suez and entrained for Port Remy.

                                22nd March 1916 Observation Impossible  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report very misty weather. Observation impossible. Very little enemy shelling all day. Capt Causland of the 2nd Household Division is attached to the 17th London Battery for instruction.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin The Adjutant proceeded to Merlimont to recconnoitre the area where the Regiment intended to bivouac. Owing to the weather the condition of the ground was found to be unsuitable.

                                War Diary


                                22nd Mar 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs Inter-Coy relief took place, Nothing to report

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                23rd March 1916 Enemy Guns More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt Bennett 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column is attached to the 16th London Battery. The day on the whole was quiet. Enemy field guns were more active today than yesterday firing about 75 rounds into Carency. The shells seemed to come from the direction of Bois de Givenchy. The 15th London Battery made a satisfactory shoot on the Pimple which has been reported as an observation station. Other batteries of the Centre Group did not fire. Lt Barnard (16th London Battery) proceeded to Licths on a course of instruction.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Regimental tour of Merlimont postponed owing to the weather. Training under Squadron arrangements. 1 Other Rank to Base.

                                War Diary


                                23rd Mar 1916 On the Move  18th DLI left Citerne and moved into billets at Longpre.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                23th Mar 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                24th Mar 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers arrive Port Remy  The 2nd Royal Fusilers arrived Port Remy by train from Marseilles and marched 15 miles to Coulon Villiers.

                                24th March 1916 Bad Weather  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency. Leave of absence again opened for the 47th Divisional Artillery. During the day there was very little shelling from the enemy as the light and weather were very bad. Our batteries were quiet all day. During the evening the enemy fired on the road to the east of Carency which is used by our infantry for transport. B176 Battery replied firing on the cross roads in Carency. The reply was effective.

                                War Diaries


                                24th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. The Commanding Officer conducted a Staff ride for Subaltern Officers who had joined within the last 6 months. 1 Other Rank to Base, (Time Expired).

                                War Diary


                                24th Mar 1916 Shelling  7th Buffs report Enemy shelled our front line very lightly, we retaliated

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                25th March 1916 Enemy More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency. 2nd Lt Gordon Tombe arrived from England (3/6 London Brigade RFA) attached to the 6th London Ammunition Column. Capt. Cooper 15th London Battery and Lt Lyon Smith (Adjutant) proceeded to England on ten days leave of absence. Lt Burke 47th Divisional Ammunition Column was attached to the 16th London Battery for instruction. Light for observation very good and enemy artillery was more active, again shelling the cross roads in Souchez. We retaliated again with 4.5s (4 1/2 inch shells), otherwise all quiet.

                                War Diaries


                                25th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Inspection of kit, arms, saddlery etc. under Squadron arrangements. Lecture on map reading for Subaltern Officers who joined within the last 6 months by Major R.E. Cecil 1 Other Rank from 2nd Cavalry Brigade HQ

                                War Diary


                                25th Mar 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report, by 7th Buffs except 1 sniper slightly wounded.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                26th March 1916 Registration  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Enemy showed little activity all day. Batteries fired a few rounds for registration, otherwise all quiet.

                                War Diaries


                                26th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Lieutenants Potts & Kelly rejoined on completion of their Hotchkiss Gun Course. Church of England Parade Service at Preures at 1215 hours. Lieutenants E.C.E. Smith & M. Hunter proceeded to Samer on Hotchkiss Gun course. 4 Other Ranks to Temporary Hospital 5 Other Ranks joined from Base

                                War Diary


                                26th Mar 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs are Relieved by 7th Queens relief started at 2 pm., all men in billets 8.30pm

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                27th March 1916 Minewerfer Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency. Enemy more active today. A minenwerfer (mortar) fired on our support and communication trenches to which our Batteries replied and in each case kept on until the minenwerfer fire discontinued. A house in Lieviu was observed by the 17th London Battery to be in constant use and is possibly a Headquarters of some kind. All firing done by the Battery today was at the request of infantry.

                                War Diaries


                                27th Mar 1916 7th Inniskillings go into the line  7th Inniskillings return to the Front line at Noeux-les-Mines.

                                27th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. General Officer Commanding 2nd Cavalry Brigade conducted a Staff Ride for Subaltern Officers having joined within the last 6 months at 0930 hours. Officer Commanding attended a Conference of Officers Commanding Regiments of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade at the Brigade Headquarters to discuss Training programme for April 1916. Training under Squadron arrangements. 2 Other Ranks to Base Hospital 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital

                                War Diary


                                27th Mar 1916 On the March  18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry proceed to Bequesne and were billeted.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                27th Mar 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                28th March 1916 Enemy Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency. 2nd Lt Corsan attached to the 15th London Battery from the Brigade Ammunition Column. GOC. Winison visited the 17th London Battery position. Enemy artillery throughout the day was quiet. Enemy movements again noticed in the house at Lieviu. Nothing else on this front to report.

                                War Diaries


                                28th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Regimental parade at Enquin at 0930 hours for route march combined with tactical exercise in handling of advance and rear guards. Returned to billets at 1315 hours Conference at Regimental HQ on the days operations and to discuss possibility of reducing the weight at present carried on horses. Regimental Course of 2 classes (6 each) in Hotchkiss Gun under direction of Lieutenant pott. 1 Other Rank to Base Hospital 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital

                                War Diary


                                28th Mar 1916 On the March  At 1520 18th Battalion DLI arrived at billets in Beussart.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                28th Mar 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                29th March 1916 Horses Inspected  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. The ADVS inspected the horses of the Brigade at 1015. Intermittent shelling of Souchez Valley and Carency with Light High Velocity 77mm field guns. In the afternoon at 1700 Notre Dame de Lorette was shelled with 5.9 and 4.2 guns, otherwise the day was quiet. 2/Lt Davis, 16th London Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England. (ADVS = Assistant Director of Veterinary Services)

                                War Diaries


                                29th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Training under Squadron arrangements. Regimental courses in Hotchkiss Gun under Lieutenant Pott. Regimental Pioneer course under direction of 2nd Lieutenants Busk and Durnford commenced at Preures. 1 Riding Horse destroyed

                                War Diary


                                29th Mar 1916 Into the Line  At 6.15pm 18th DLI proceeded to front line trenches to relieve 9th Royal Irish Rifles.

                                The National Archives 18th DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1


                                29th Mar 1916 Working Parties  1 Coy from 7th Buffs are employed making tramway from Bray

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                30th March 1916 Some Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Ablain and the slopes of Lorette shelled with 5.9s and Howitzers between 1245 and 1500. About 68 shells were fired intermittently. This shelling was most active about 1500 and then died down. Three miniature balloons floated over 16th London Battery in a north easterly direction at about 1800, no doubt testing wind levels and direction. Except for some slight shelling the rest of the day was quiet. Aeroplanes were very active all day. A Flamenwerfer (flame thrower) demonstration was held at Gowry School which 28 officers & other ranks attended.

                                War Diaries


                                30th March 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  

                                Schütte-Lanz Airship type silhouettes

                                Schütte-Lanz SL8

                                • First Flight: 30th March 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,780 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 96.8 km/h
                                • Payload: 18.7 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Naval airship based at Seddin. Carried out 34 reconnaissance missions and three bombing raids, carrying 4,000 kg of bombs each mission. Held the record for the greatest number of combat missions of any Schütte-Lanz airship. Decommissioned due to age on the 20th November 1917.

                                John Doran


                                30th March 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL9

                                • First Flight: 30th March 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,780 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 92.9 km/h
                                • Payload: 19.8 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Naval airship based at Seddin. Carried out 13 reconnaissance missions and four bombing raids carrying 4,230 kg of bombs each mission. Crashed in the Baltic, possibly after lightning strike on the 30th March 1917.

                                John Doran


                                30th March 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL10

                                • First Flight: 30th March 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,800 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 90 km/h
                                • Payload: 21.5 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Army airship based at Yambol, Bulgaria.Carried out a 16 hour reconnaissance mission. Disappeared during a subsequent attack on Sevastopol, possibly due to bad weather on the 28th July 1916.

                                John Doran


                                30th March 1916 Russian Hospital Ship  

                                HS Portugal - Russian Hospital Ship in the Black Sea

                                Russian hospital ship Portugal (Russian: госпитальное судно "Португаль") was a steam ship originally built by a French shipping company, but requisitioned for use as a Russian hospital ship during the First World War. On the 30th March 1916 she was sunk by a torpedo from the German U-boat U-33.

                                History[edit]

                                She was originally built in 1886 for the Brazil and River Plate Line of the Messageries Maritimes Company. She was chartered or purchased by the Russians for use as a hospital ship in the Black Sea.

                                Sinking.

                                Georgian princess Aneta Andronnikova was one of the Red Cross nurses who died in the Portugal incident. On the 30th March 1916, the Portugal was towing a string of small flat-bottomed boats to ferry wounded from the shore to the ship. Off Rizeh, on the Turkish coast of the Black Sea, she had stopped as one of the small boats was sinking and repairs were being made. The ship was not carrying wounded at the time, but had a staff of Red Cross physicians and nurses on board, as well as her usual crew.

                                The ship's crew saw a periscope approaching the vessel but as the ship was a hospital ship and protected by the Hague conventions no evasive actions were taken. Without warning the submarine fired a torpedo which missed. The U-boat, U-33, came around again fired a torpedo from a distance of 30 feet, which hit near the engine room, breaking the ship into two pieces.

                                The Vperiod.

                                On the 8th July 1916, another Russian hospital ship, named Vperiod (Вперёд; also transcribed, French-style, as Vperiode) was sunk between Rizeh and Batum, allegedly by German U-boat U-38. The boat was not carrying wounded, as it was on its trip to the frontline. Seven people died, the rest were saved.

                                The Russian government claimed that Turkish forces sank the Portugal and the Vperiod. The Turkish government replied that both ships were sunk by mines.

                                Account of Sinking of SS Portugal.

                                The submarine approached the "Portugal" quietly and discharged a torpedo, which missed its aim. Then it circled round and discharged a second at the other side of the vessel, from some 30 or 40 feet away. This second torpedo struck the Portugal amidships, in the engine-room. There was a violent explosion; the hull broke in two, and most of those on board were precipitated into the whirlpool between the two halves. With a still more violent explosion the boilers blew up, and the bow and stern fragments of the "Portugal" went down simultaneously. Forty-five of the Red Cross staff were lost, twenty-one of whom were nurses. Twenty-one men were lost out of the Russian crew, and nineteen out of the French. Thus eighty-five of those on board perished altogether.

                                Here is an account of the outrage by one of the survivors—Nikolai Nikolaevitch Sabaev, secretary to the Russian Red Cross Society's Third Ambulance Detachment with the Army of the Caucasus:—

                                " At about 8 o'clock in the morning, somebody on board shouted out, 'submarine boat.' At first, this news did not produce any panic; on the contrary, everybody rushed on deck to be the first to see the submarine. It never entered anybody's head to suppose that a submarine would attack a hospital ship, sailing under the flag of the Red Cross. I went on to the upper deck, and noticed the periscope of a submarine, moving parallel with the steamer at a distance of about 170 or 200 feet. Having reached a point opposite to the middle of the 'Portugal,' the periscope disappeared for a short time, then reappeared, and the submarine discharged a torpedo. I descended from the upper deck, and ran to the stern, with the intention of jumping into the sea. When, however, I noticed that most of the people on deck had life-belts, I ran into saloon No. 5, seized a life-belt, and put it on, but then I fell down, as the 'Portugal' was sinking at the place where she was broken in two, while her stem and stern were going up higher all the time. All round me unfortunate sisters of mercy were screaming for help. They fell down, like myself, and some of them fainted. The deck became more down-sloping every minute, and I rolled off into the water between the two halves of the sinking steamer. I was drawn down deep into the whirlpool, and began to be whirled round and thrown about in every direction. While under the water, I heard a dull, rumbling noise, which was evidently the bursting of the boilers, for it threw me out of the vortex about a sazhen, or 7 feet, away from the engulfment of the wreck. The stem and stern of the steamer had gone up until they were almost at right angles with the water, and the divided steamer was settling down. At this moment I was again sucked under, but I exerted myself afresh, and once more rose to the surface. I then saw both portions of the 'Portugal' go down rapidly, and disappear beneath the flood. A terrible commotion of the water ensued, and I was dragged under, together with the 'Portugal.' I felt that I was going down deep, and for the first time I realized that I was drowning.

                                . . . My strength failed me, but I kept my mouth firmly shut, and tried not to take in the water. I knew that the moment of death from heart failure was near. It so happened, however, that the disturbance of the water somewhat abated, and I succeeded in swimming up again. I glanced round. The ' Portugal ' was no more. Nothing but broken pieces of wreck, boxes which had contained our medicaments, materials for dressing wounds, and provisions were floating about. Everywhere I could see the heads and arms of people battling with the waves, and their shrieks for help were frightful. . . . 8 or 9 sazhens (56 or 63 feet) away from where I was, I saw a life-saving raft, and I swam towards it. Although my soddened clothes greatly impeded my movements, I nevertheless reached the raft, and was taken on to it. About 20 persons were on it already, exclusively men. Amongst them was* the French mate, who assisted the captain of the ' Portugal, ' and he and I at once set about making a rudder out of two of the oars which were on the raft, and we placed an oarsman on each side of it. We had been going about 8 minutes when we saw the body of a woman floating motionless, and dressed in the garb of a sister of mercy. . . . We then raised her on to the raft. She was unconscious, quite blue, and with only feeble signs of life. . . . She at last opened her eyes and enquired where she was. I told her that she was saved. Soon, however, she turned pale, said she was dying, and gave me the address of her relatives, to inform them of her death. She began to spit blood, and was delirious, but gradually a better feeling returned, and she was soon out of danger. We went on rowing towards the shore for a considerable time. . . . At last a launch, towing a boat full of the rescued, took us also in tow, and we reached the shore in safety. The hospital ship 'Portugal' was painted white, with a red border, all around. The funnels were white with red crosses, and a Red Cross flag was on the mast. These distinguishing signs were plainly visible and there can be no doubt whatever that they could be perfectly well seen, by the men in the submarine. The conduct of the submarine itself proves that the men in it knew that they had to do with a hospital ship. The fact of the submarine having moved so slowly shows that the enemy was conscious of being quite out of danger."

                                John Doran


                                30th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Training under Squadron arrangements. Commanding Officer witnessed grouping practice by 'B' Squadron at 'C' Squadrons range. Regimental courses in Hotchkiss Gun & Pioneering continued under respective Officers as previous. Commanding Officer attending Conferences of Officers Commanding units in 2nd Cavalry Brigade at Brigade HQ on training. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital 1 Other Rank from Base 1 Riding Horse to Veterinary Section

                                War Diary


                                30th Mar 1916 Leeds Pals suffer first casualty in action  (Acting Sgt)Corporal Frank Bygott was the first Leeds Pal to be killed in Action. The battalion had arrived near Serre on 29th March. That evening he took part in a raid on German lines 250 yards to their front. During the return he received a fatal wound - from 'friendly MG fire.

                                30th Mar 1916 Working Parties  1 Coy from 7th Buffs are employed making tramway from Bray

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                31st March 1916 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency, Enemy artillery was very active today. Souchez, Carency and the slopes of Notre Dame de Lorette being shelled on and off throughout the day by 77mm, 4.2 & 5.9 guns. The 15th London Battery successfully experimented with visual signalling between the gun position and Battery Headquarters. The Group Observation Point on Notre Dame de Lorette is now ready for use. The ADVS inspected the horses of the 17th London Battery and the Brigade Ammunition Column.

                                War Diaries


                                31st March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Squadron Ride with simple tactical scheme for all Squadrons on high ground immediately North of Enquin. Lecture on shoeing of horses by Captain Townsend Army Veterinary Corps to Officers, NCO's at Preures. Major R.E. Cecil left for Hesdigneul to take up duties of instructor at a course for Divisional Cavalry, 1st Army, under direction of General Officer Commanding 1st Cavalry Division.

                                War Diary


                                31st Mar 1916 Working Parties  1 Coy from 7th Buffs are employed making tramway from Bray. Signed. Frank Phillips Capt. Adj 7 Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                1st Apr 1916 Zeppelin Raid  Zeppelin L11 crossed the coast at Seaham, Co. Durham at 11.00 pm, dropping bombs on Eppleton Colliery, Hetton Downs, Philadelphia and Sunderland. Twenty one bombs were dropped at Sunderland causing severe damage to shops and houses and a tram at the Wheatsheaf Depot. 22 people were killed, with a further 25 seriously injured and over 100 suffered slight injuries. The Zeppelin L11 then headed south flying just off the coast and dropped further bombs on Port Clarence and Middlesborough, where 2 men were injured, and then on Brotton before heading out to sea after midnight.

                                1st Apr 1916 GRM Woolston opened  Government Rolling Mill Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire started in April 1916 for the Production of brass and cupro-nickel strips and cups. First output was Feb 1917. It was under the direct control of Mr. G.H. Robinson.

                                1st Apr 1916 GCF Blackheath opens.  Government Cartridge Factory Blackheath in Staffordshire was started in April 1916 for the production of small arms ammunition. First output was December 1916. It was under the direct control of the Birmingham Metal & Munitions Co.

                                1st Apr 1916 GCF Blackpole opens.  Government Cartridge Factory Blackpole, Worcester started in April 1916 for the production of small arms ammunition. First output was early 1917. It was under the direct control of the King's Norton Metal Co.

                                1st Apr 1916 HMEF Craigleith opens  H.M. Explosive Factory Craigleith, Edinburgh, started in April 1916 for the production of T.N.T. First output was Feb 1917. It was under the direct control of the Lothian Chemical Co.

                                1st April 1916 Transport Fired Upon  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. The 16th London Battery registered points behind the German front line from Lorette Observation Point. The Germans are still working hard on the Pimple. A British aeroplane was brought down by enemy anti aircraft guns at 1545 today. From 1900 onwards the enemy fired on our transport in Carency and east of Carency main roads.

                                War Diaries


                                1st April 1916 Railway Activity  

                                Water Tank Building on Candas-Acheux Railway.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Railway Candas to Acheux.

                                In addition to the ongoing work, evening entertainment was organised from 1900 to 2030. Cinematograph put in an appearance with a new programme of films each day. The Division was able to see itself on parade when it was reviewed by King George V on Hankley Common prior to its departure from England. Charlie Chaplin went down as a great favourite with the French children as well as the troops. Captain Paton, now the Battalion’s Chaplain, had been sent a Pathescope from friends in Londonderry, so cinema shows became more accessible than ever. The Battalion had with it for 3 days the Ulster Divisional Troupe, The Follies (later called The Merry Mauves) and thoroughly enjoyed its performance. There was also a Battalion smoking concert and a regimental minstrel group was formed.

                                Railway work continued with some changes in the location of companies and responsibilities of officers.

                                Captain Jewell (4 Company) was responsible for the terminus at Candas, for a new diamond crossing, for maintenance of the track and for all infantry working parties in the section.

                                Captain Shepperd (1 Company) which now moved out of Acheux, was responsible for the section from Rosel to Punchvillers and for infantry work parties.

                                Captain Platt (2 Company) which moved to Acheux was responsible for all buildings, signal boxes and platforms on the line.

                                No.3 Company (Captain Chase) which had been on detachment moved back to Battalion Headquarters.

                                Lt Dolling was in charge of all petrol pumps along the line and 2/Lt Slater after completion of a survey, was responsible for all steel tanks along the line.

                                With the Somme decision now official, as work continued on the railway, up to two companies at a time were sent off for battle indoctrination in the trenches to prepare them for their support role in the coming offensive.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                April 1916 4th West Yorks man Tees Garrison  4th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment leave Redcar, moving a few miles north to West Hartlepool as part of the Tees Garrison in April 1916.

                                1st April 1916   No 42 Squadron formed at Filton on the 1st of April 1916. They proceeded to France in August 1916 for duties as a Corps reconnaissance unit equipped with BE2 aircraft.

                                1st April 1916 Inspection and recreation  9th Lancers

                                1st April 1916 - Billets Enquin - The CO inspected the Regimental Scouts at 0930 in work in the field. The 1st Cavalry Division Divisional Marathon Race was run. 2 Other ranks to temp hospital, 1 other rank from base hospital. Strength: Officers 29 ORs 603 Horses 510.

                                war diaries


                                1st Apr 1916 In Reserve  7th Buffs are in Brigade Reserve at Suzanne

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                2nd April 1916 Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency: Major Gordon DSO proceeded on a course of instruction at the First Army School at Aire. Lt Lucas takes over command of the 16th London Battery. Very little artillery activity from either side through out the day. At 1730 and 1900 one or two batteries to the south of Carency were very active. The DWR and DDVS 1st Army are to inspect the horses of this Brigade on the 3rd April.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd Apr 1916 In Reserve  7th Buffs are in Brigade Reserve at Suzanne

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                3rd Apr 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieved   16th Battalion Northumberland Fusilers relieved in front line. They spend the night at Bouzincourt then march to Pierregot for a perios of rest.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                3rd April 1916 German Aeroplane Shot Down  6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force at Carency. Capt. Causland 2nd Household Division attached to the 17th London Battery returned to England. Lt. Woollett 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column was attached to the 15th London Battery. A quiet day with a hostile minenwerfer (mortar) active at about 0900. We retaliated apparently with effect. A German aeroplane was shot down in our lines about 1000. The 15th London Battery registered by aeroplane in the afternoon.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd Apr 1916   TRENCHES EAST OF AUCHONVILLIERS.

                                2000. 18th DLI vacated trenches, relieved by 12th Yorks & Lancs and moved into billets at BEAUSSART.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                3rd Apr 1916 Reliefs  At 8pm 18th DLI vacated trenches east of Auchonvilliers being relieved by 12th Yorks & Lancs and returned to billets at Beaussart.

                                The National Archives 18DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1


                                3rd Apr 1916 Reliefs  3pm. 7th Buffs commenced to relieve 7th Queens in Y 3 Subsector (S.E. of Maricourt) Relief delayed by presence of hostile observation balloon which overlooked Suzanne, Maricourt Valley. Relief completed by dark. Distribution of Battalion A and B. trenches. C, ‘R’ and ‘S’ works. D. Battalion Reserve

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                4th Apr 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers march to Beauval  The 2nd Royal Fusilers left Coulon Villiers and marched to Beauval, then to Englebelmer.

                                4th April 1916 A Lot of Ammunition  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report the 15th London Battery used a lot of ammunition today as arranged with infantry. It is reported that whenever we shell the Pimple, the Germans retaliate on Souchez. The light was again bad for observation. At about 1900 and 2000, the 16th Battery shelled the cross road next to Givenchy. Souchez was heavily shelled in the afternoon with 4.2 and 5.9 inch guns. At headquarters, the CORPS Commander (General Wilson) gave a lecture to officers.

                                War Diaries


                                4th Apr 1916 70th Infrantry Brigade prepare for battle  On the 4th April 1916, in preparation for the coming battle, the 8th Division moved up to the Le Boisselle-Thiepval sector, the 8th Battalion York & Lancaster occupying trenches to the left of the sector in front of Authuile Wood, periodically withdrawing to reserve at Albert. The ground occupied by the 8th Division was the most difficult of the whole front, no-man’s land being exceptionally wide and the attack of the 70th Brigade would have to be made beneath the southern spur of the Thiepval salient which was commanded in enfilade by the Germans.

                                4th April 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ67 (LZ97)

                                • Production Ref: LZ67
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: LZ97
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 4th April 1916

                                History.

                                Completed 4 attacks on London (twice), Boulogne and, later, Bucharest, dropping a total of 5,760 kilograms (12,700 lb) of bombs, plus several unsuccessful flights due to bad weather. Decommissioned on the 5th July 1917.

                                John Doran


                                4th Apr 1916   18th DLI marched from Beaussart to Bus Les Artois.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                4th Apr 1916 Quiet  Quiet day for 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                5th April 1916 More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFAat Carency report 2/Lt Mason, 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column, proceeded on a course at the mortar school at St Vincent. The day was more active and the enemy fired 5.9 inch guns this morning, evidently searching for R. Battery. The enemy stopped shelling immediately a British aeroplane approached their lines. Minenwerfer (small range mortars) and trench mortars were unusually active.

                                War Diaries


                                5th Apr 1916 Quiet  Very quiet day for 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                6th April 1916 Hostile Artillery Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Hostile artillery much more active today, at 1145 the enemy shelled our front line with light & heavy trench mortars and 4.2 inch guns. This lasted for about a quarter of an hour. At 1415 the enemy put about 30 4.2 inch shells on the Carency - Souchez road at a very quick rate. Our artillery again carried out an organised strafe in conjunction with the grenade & trench mortars fire of our own infantry. Nothing else reported today.

                                War Diaries


                                6th Apr 1916 7th Inniskillings to rest area  7th Inniskillings move to Rest area at Philosophe East.

                                6th April 1916 Squadron training  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                6th April 1916 - Billets Enquin - Lt LCP Smith admitted to hospital. Training under squadron arrangements - completion of NCOs Hotchkiss rifle course and examination. 1 OR to temp hospital and 1 OR from temp hospital.

                                war diaries


                                6th Apr 1916 Quiet  Very quiet day for 7th Buffs. Enemy shelled ‘S’ works slightly but did no damage

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                7th April 1916 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Lyon Smith returned today after 10 days leave, 2/Lt Davies 16th London Battery returned to duty after seven days leave. The whole day was very quiet, there being thankfully no hostile shelling. In the morning between 0800 and 0900 hostile trench mortars bombarded our support line. Between 1715 and 1800 Light High Velocity guns bombarded Souchez. Later bombardment with 5.9s on A.18.d and S.13.b at all support roads or communication trenches. All together about 220 rounds were fired. The battery 8th Jan tested their guns today. [comment: last sentence unclear as the only additional battery apart from 15,16 and 17 in brigade is 176 battery attached as part of Lowe Group. Subsequent entry on 21st April 1916 possibly identifies this as R8 London Battery)

                                War Diaries


                                7th April 1916   Three Germans approached the front line of the 24th Battalion. Two escaped,But the other, a 21 year old Prussian,of the 230th Regiment, was captured by 24/1151 Private John Connolly from Millburngate Durham, assisted by other Durham men of D Company. He was the first prisoner taken by the Battalion and the Brigade. Word of this spread quickly through the ranks.

                                research


                                7th Apr 1916 Reliefs  Very quiet day, C Coy relieved A Coy, 7th Buffs and D Coy relieved B Coy, A Coy to R and S Works, B Coy, Battalion Reserve

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                8th April 1916 Hostile Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Barnard returned from a course at Litres. Hostile artillery quiet owing to the activity of our aeroplanes. The Group Observation Point had some 5.9s fall near it in the afternoon. 17th London Battery registered in the afternoon and while this registration lasted, the enemy retaliated on Notre Dame with 5.9s.

                                War Diaries


                                8th Apr 1916   126th Siege Battery, R.G.A. were formed at Sheerness on the 8th April 1916.

                                8th Apr 1916 Quiet  Quiet day for 7th Buffs Slight shelling of ‘S’ works, Our guns active against enemy trenches about ‘Y’ wood and Peronne Road

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                9th April 1916 Artillery More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Lucas 16th London Battery wounded by a premature shell from R.8 -----. Major Gordon proceeded on 10 days leave of absence to England. Major Clifton 17th London Battery proceeded to Aire for a course at the First Army School. Our own and hostile artillery were more active today. Our front line trenches were shelled with 4.2s and a heavy minenwerfer (mortar). Our batteries fired many rounds in retaliation at the request of the infantry. They seem satisfied with the result.

                                War Diaries


                                9th Apr 1916 Some Shelling  7th Buffs report, 9.30 pm To 10.30 pm Slight hostile shelling of left of Subsector Enemy shelled Suzanne, Maricourt Road

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                10th April 1916 Bombardment and Retailiation  6th County of London Brigade RFA by Carency report The Pimple was bombarded with heavy & light guns. At first the affect did not seem good, but later on many good hits were obtained. This was in conjunction with a bombardment by the 23rd Division which seemed very effective. The enemy retaliated for the bombardment of the Pimple by shelling the Souchez valley with 4.2s. (4.2 inch guns).

                                War Diaries


                                10th April 1916 Ongoing training and inspections  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                10th April 1916 - Billets Enquin - Training under squadron arrangements in the morning. Musketry, Hotchkiss rifle and bombing courses in the afternoon. 2/Lt HA Porter returned from hospital. 2 ORs to temp hospital.

                                war diaries


                                10th April 1916   The Tyneside Irish Brigade was to be withdrawn from the line to begin preparing for the coming Summer offensive. They began handing over the line to battalions from 2nd Australian Division arriving in France from Gallipoli via Egypt. Home leave to England had now started and some lucky Officers and men managed to get home for a few days leave.

                                research


                                10th Apr 1916 Quiet  Weather misty, quiet day for 7th Buffs.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                11th April 1916 Trench Mortars Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency: Capt Corsan 15th London Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England. Lt Corsan 6th Lon Brigade Ammunition Column is attached to 17th London Battery. Hostile artillery very quiet except for trench mortars which were very active between 1815 and 1850. We replied with some rounds of shrapnel and High Explosive.

                                War Diaries


                                11th Apr 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs relieved by 7th Queens Commencing 7 am. Weather turned very cold and wet

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                12th April 1916 Trenches Heavily Shelled in Evening  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report hostile artillery very quiet until about 1730 in the evening when our trenches were rather heavily shelled with 4.2s and trench mortars. Our batteries fired in retaliation. Nothing else to report.

                                War Diaries


                                12th Apr 1916 In Reserve  7th Buffs remained in billets as Brigade Reserve at Suzanne and was employed finding working parties, practically 3 Companies being detailed daily, At 2 am on 13th enemy shelled Suzanne with lachrymatory shells for one hour doing no damage

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                13th April 1916 Observation Light Good  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Light for observation very good all day. Very little shelling all day except from 1800 to 1845, when the division on our right were heavily bombarded by the enemy. All leave for 1st Army stopped, all officers and men on leave to return to this country by 17th of this month. 2/Lt Masson returned from the Trench Mortar Course.

                                War Diaries


                                14th April 1916 Loos Pylon Collapses  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Very little hostile shelling all day. Between 1130 and 1200, the northern of the Loos Pylons together with the bridge connecting it to the Southern Pylon collapsed. Nothing else to report.

                                War Diaries


                                14th April 1916 Entrainment to Heilly  42nd Siege Battery RGA

                                The battery moved by train to Heilly in the Somme area.

                                extracts from memoirs


                                15th April 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major Clifton returned from First Army Artillery course at Aire. All day was very quiet nothing to report.

                                War Diaries


                                15th April 1916   SM U-64

                                Type U 63 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 248) Ordered 17 May 1915 Laid down 19 May 1915 Launched 29 Feb 1916 Commissioned 15 Apr 1916

                                Commanders.
                                15 Apr 1916 - 17 Jun 1918 Robert Moraht.

                                Career 10 patrols 31 May 1916 - 19 Nov 1916 IV Flotilla 19 Nov 1916 - 17 Jun 1918 Pola/Mittelmeer I Flotilla

                                Successes 45 ships sunk with a total of 129,569 tons.
                                3 ships damaged with a total of 9,420 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 186 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 18,300 tons.

                                • 25 Sep 1916 U 64 Robert Moraht Bella 11 br
                                • 26 Sep 1916 U 64 Robert Moraht Loch Ryan (prize) 186 br
                                • 10 Nov 1916 U 64 Robert Moraht Freja 2,168 da
                                • 10 Nov 1916 U 64 Robert Moraht Tripel 4,633 nw
                                • 15 Nov 1916 U 64 Robert Moraht F. Matarazzo 2,823 br
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Hawk 243 br
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Okement 4,349 br
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Asturian (damaged) 3,193 br
                                • 19 Feb 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Corso 3,242 br
                                • 12 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Nina M. 117 it
                                • 16 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Catania 3,188 it
                                • 17 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Tripoli 658 it
                                • 19 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Danton 18,300 fr
                                • 23 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Eptalofos 4,413 br
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Berbera 4,352 br
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Immacolata 137 it
                                • 5 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Kallundborg 1,590 br
                                • 6 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Oriana 1,015 ar
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Mama Filomena 148 it
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Fert 5,567 it
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Gratangen 2,484 nw
                                • 12 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Moreni 4,045 am
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht La Giuseppina 28 it
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Nuovo Mondo Carmelo 25 it
                                • 12 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Gisla 2,118 nw
                                • 12 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Urd 3,049 br
                                • 12 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Wilmore 5,395 am
                                • 14 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Amiral De Kersaint 5,570 fr
                                • 14 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Ausonia 1,438 it
                                • 14 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Chulmleigh 4,911 br
                                • 19 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht War Clover 5,174 br
                                • 25 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Erviken 2,134 nw
                                • 25 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Ness 3,050 br
                                • 25 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Sheaf Blade 2,378 br
                                • 26 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Le Tarn 1,658 fr
                                • 28 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Ferrona 4,591 br
                                • 9 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Adour 1,940 nw
                                • 10 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Crathorne 2,619 nw
                                • 10 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Owasco 4,630 am
                                • 11 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht D. A. Gordon 2,301 br
                                • 11 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Minorca 1,145 br
                                • 14 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Coila 4,135 br
                                • 30 Jan 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Minnetonka 13,528 br
                                • 4 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Participation 2,438 it
                                • 5 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Caprera 1,875 it
                                • 6 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Duca Di Genova 7,893 it
                                • 7 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Montenegro (damaged) 1,306 fr
                                • 8 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Agnese Madre 235 it
                                • 8 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Emma Felice 128 it
                                • 17 Jun 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Kandy (damaged) 4,921 br

                                Fate 17 Jun 1918 - Damaged by Depth Charges from HMS Lychnis, she surfaced and received a hail of fire until sinking at 38.07N 10.27E. 38 dead and 5 survivors.

                                There was another U 64 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 20 Sep 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 16 Dec 1939.

                                John Doran


                                15th April 1916   No 37 Squadron formed as an experimental unit at the Experimental Station Orfordness on the 15th of April 1916 but it was absorbed by the station in May and lost its squadron status.

                                15th April 1916   No.43 Squadron was formed at Stirling on 15 April 1916 and began training in a variety of obsolete aircraft. In August the Squadron was considered ready for operations and moved to Netheravon to await delivery of their operational aircraft - the Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter reconnaissance aircraft. Squadron Commander Sholto Douglas was sent to France for flying experience in the Sopwith with 63 Squadron. However on his return he found his pilots had all been drafted into other Squadrons and his new aircraft had not yet arrived. Consequently he had to begin recruitment and training again.

                                The Fighting Cocks: 43 (Fighter) Squadron By Jimmy Beedle


                                16th April 1916 Shelling and Retaliation  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Brigade headquarters moved from Moulin Topaz to Bois de la Haie. Hostile artillery very active between 1630 and 1700 when the trenches between Souchez village and the front line were heavily shelled with Light High Velocity and 4.2 inch guns. We retaliated.

                                War Diaries


                                17th April 1916 Motor and Rifle Grenade Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA. at Carency. Major Gordon DSO OC. 15th London Battery returned from leave to England. The front line trenches were subjected to one and a half hours of trench mortar & rifle grenade shelling. It was noticeable today that whenever we fired on the Pimple, the enemy retaliated with mortars & rifle grenades. A fire was seen to break out in a house in Lens at about 1830.

                                War Diaries


                                18th April 1916 Enemy Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA report enemy artillery was very quiet all day as observation conditions were not good.

                                War Diaries


                                18th April 1916 Ongoing training  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                18th April 1916 - Billets Enquin - Exercise, musketry and bombing under squadron arrangements. The second Hotchkiss gun class commenced under the Adjutant. 1 OR to Base hospital and 4 horses to MVS.

                                war diaries


                                19th April 1916 Trench Mortars Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Enemy Trench Mortar active at about 1520. We retaliated with 18 pounders and 4.5 inch Howitzers, the enemy stopped at once. At 1825 our trench mortars bombarded the enemy front line and the effect appeared to be very satisfactory.

                                War Diaries


                                19th April 1916 Return to billets  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                19th Apr - The Battery returned to Ergny.

                                28th Apr - Second Lieutenant W Wright RFA joined the battery on this day vice Second Lieutenant Dewing posted to the Ammunition Column 2nd Cavalry Division

                                war diaries


                                19th Apr 1916 Reliefs  Commencing 6 am 7th Buffs relieved 7th Queens in Y 3 Subsector Relief complete, Distribution A and B trenches, C Coy Bn Reserve, D Coy ‘S’ works, Weather very wet and trenches very muddy. Note- ‘R’ works Has now been taken over by Battalion holding Y 2 subsector

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                20th April 1916 Intermittent Enemy Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report 2nd Lt Tomb, 6th London Ammunition Column is attached to the 17th London Battery and 2nd Lt Corsan 6th London Ammunition Column who was attached to the 15th London Battery returned to his unit. The enemy shelled the Zouave Valley and Notre Dame de Lorette slopes intermittently all day. At 1825 the enemy exploded a mine on the left front of the Division on our right.

                                War Diaries


                                20th Apr 1916 U-9 joins Training Flotilla  SM U-9 commanded by Johannes Spieß transfers from the Baltic Flotilla to the Training Flotilla.

                                20th April 1916   SM U-78

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 60) Ordered 9 Mar 1915 Launched 27 Feb 1916 Commissioned 20 Apr 1916

                                Commanders.
                                20 Apr 1916 - 15 Jan 1918 Otto Dröscher.
                                16 Jan 1918 - 31 Jan 1918 Karl Thouret.
                                1 Feb 1918 - 27 Feb 1918 Oblt. Johann Vollbrecht.
                                1 Mar 1918 - 26 Apr 1918 Karl Vesper.
                                27 Apr 1918 - 24 May 1918 Wilhelm Meyer.
                                25 May 1918 - 27 Oct 1918 Oblt. Johann Vollbrecht

                                Career 12 patrols.
                                9 Jul 1916 - 27 Oct 1918 I Flotilla

                                Successes 17 ships sunk with a total of 27,488 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 11,332 tons.
                                2 ships taken as prize with a total of 3,427 tons.

                                • 16 Jul 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Vidar (prize) 2,178 sw
                                • 5 Aug 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Aranda 1,838 nw
                                • 2 Sep 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Kelvinia 5,039 br
                                • 26 Sep 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Loch Shiel 216 br
                                • 21 Oct 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Atle Jarl (prize) 1,249 nw
                                • 16 Nov 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Vega 1,204 nw
                                • 13 Dec 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Kursk (damaged) 7,869 ru
                                • 7 Feb 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Väring 2,107 sw
                                • 13 Feb 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Barnsley 144 br
                                • 15 Feb 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Stralsund 510 nw
                                • 3 Mar 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Meldon 2,514 br
                                • 2 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Sagitta 1,981 nw
                                • 2 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Tithonus (damaged) 3,463 br
                                • 4 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Vladimir Reitz 2,128 da
                                • 5 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Bris 101 da
                                • 7 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Jason 810 br
                                • 13 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Strathcona 1,881 ca
                                • 14 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Andromache 313 br
                                • 19 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Lobelia 184 br
                                • 17 Jun 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Fornebo 4,259 br
                                • 13 Dec 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Arnewood 2,259 br

                                Fate 27 Oct 1918 - Torpedoed by HM Sub G2 N of North Sea at 5602N 0508E. 40 dead (all hands lost). The commonly listed sinking date of October 28, 1918 is in error.

                                There was another U 78 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 7 Dec 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 15 Feb 1941.

                                John Doran


                                20th Apr 1916   At 5.45pm 18th DLI proceeded from Bus Les Artois to front line trenches where they took over from 11th East Yorks.

                                The National Archives 18DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1


                                20th Apr 1916 Rain  Wet weather continued. 7th Buffs report trenches in bad state Enemy bombarded centre of subsector intensely for 2 minutes with 77 mm and 10.5 cm, not much damage done and no casualties

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                21st Apr 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers at Auchonvillers  The 2nd Royal Fusilers arrived at Auchonvillers and were engaged in trench work at Beaumont Hamel.

                                21st April 1916 Enemy Artillery Very Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. The enemy artillery were very active today. 16th London Battery and R 8th London Battery were heavily shelled with 5.9 inch guns. One man in R Battery was killed otherwise no damage was done, though the shells dropped all around the batteries. At about 1450 5.9 and 4.2 inch guns were fired on these two positions.

                                War Diaries


                                21st Apr 1916 Bombardment  12 noon Another intense bombardment lasting about 3 minutes with 77 mm and 10.5 cm Enemy again bombarded subsector as yesterday, Damage done to New Street and King Street. 4.30 pm Two killed and two wounded in B Coy, 7th Buffs by second bombardment, Enemy appeared nervous at night, firing more than usual and sending up flares, This may be accounted for by our registration of ‘Y’ wood and vicinity, weather still very wet

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                22nd April 1916 Mist and Rain  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Observation was very bad owing to mist and rain. After the 15th London Battery had fired from 2100 to 2200, the infantry reported much noise in the enemy trenches which had been blown in. Evidently some casualties had been caused.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd April 1916 New Squadron formed  No 70 Squadron formed at Farnborough on the 22nd of April 1916 as a fighter squadron. However an urgent search at all Home Establishment aerodromes produced only twelve aircraft suitable for service at the front. The situation was so bad for the RFC that the Commander of the RFC, Hugh Trenchard, then sent an urgent appeal to the Admiralty for aircraft. The Admiralty responded by releasing a number of the new Sopwith 1 ½ Strutters to the RFC and these were used to provide 70 Squadron with a first flight of aircraft.

                                Most of the airmen selected had previous operational experience and, such was the urgency to get more aircraft onto the front line, each flight proceeded to Fienvillers in France as soon as there were sufficient machines and men available. ‘A’ Flight flew to France on 24 May 1916, with ‘B’ Flight following them on the 23rd June and ‘C’ Flight in July.

                                When introduced into service with the Navy in February 1916, the Strutter had been the most capable aircraft in service, the first British aircraft with a machine gun synchronised to fire through the propellor. This forward firing gun combined with a rear mounted Lewis gun provided it with reasonable protection for its long range work particularly when operating in formation. However by the time 70 Squadron arrived on the Western Front the German Albatros had appeared with markedly superior performance. The Strutter was simply too slow and the stable design was not agile enough for dogfighting. Consequently, although intended as a fighter squadron, No.70 was more commonly used for reconnaissance.

                                 More info.

                                22nd Apr 1916 Artillery in Action  7th Buffs report, Our supporting batteries fired on “Y” wood for 2 minutes at 4.30pm there was no retaliation otherwise quiet day, except for one short hostile bombardment

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                23rd Apr 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers leave Pierregot  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusilers leave Pierregot for Senlis, via Rubempre, Herissart, Contay and Warloy.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                23rd April 1916 Enemy Guns More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report a wagon parade was held at 1010 in the 16th Battery Wagon Line which the BGRA attended. The enemy guns were more active today bombarding our front line with Trench Mortars at 1000 and 1120. All our batteries retaliated. There were at least seven German observation balloons up today. The BGRA visited the 15th London Battery RFA while the battery was firing on Puist. The Carency-Souchez road was shelled from 1215 to 1300, with a burst of 12 shells. (Note: BGRA = Brigadier General Royal Artillery).

                                War Diaries


                                23rd Apr 1916 German deserter questioned  A German deserter was questioned by the 29th Division about numbers of men, machine guns & gas bombs. He said that there were gas bombs and canisters with the 4th Bavarians in the Hulluch and that he heard officers talking about an attack in this sector.

                                23rd Apr 1916 Quiet  Easter Sunday. Quiet day for 7th Buffs no artillery activity on either side, We shelled enemy wiring party in front of Y Wood about 9 pm.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                24th Apr 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieve 2nd KOYLI at Black Horse Bridge  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusilers march from Senlis to Black Horse Bridge wehere they relieve the 2nd Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in support, with C Coy taking over garrsion at The Keeps.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                24th April 1916 Enemy Busy  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Capt Cooper OC. 15th London Battery was promoted to Major dating from the 15th March 1916. Enemy again busy this morning with 5.9 inch guns - observation being very clear. 15th London Battery was heavily shelled with 5.9s, in salvoes of three, with nearly all the shells falling just in front of its position. Enemy were again active with heavy trench mortars and our 18 pounders and Howitzers retaliated.

                                War Diaries


                                24th Apr 1916 7th Inniskillings go into the line  7th Inniskillings move into the Front line at Hulluch.

                                24th April 1916 Lowestoft and Yarmouth Raid  The Bombardment of Yarmouth and Lowestoft, often referred to as the Lowestoft Raid, was a naval battle fought on the 24th April 1916. The German fleet sent a battlecruiser squadron with accompanying cruisers and destroyers, commanded by Rear Admiral Friedrich Bödicker, to bombard the coastal ports of Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Although the ports had some military importance, the main aim of the raid was to entice out defending ships to be attacked by the battlecruiser squadron or by the full High Seas Fleet. The result was inconclusive. Nearby British forces were too small to intervene and kept clear of the German battlecruisers. The German ships withdrew before the British fast response battlecruiser squadron or the Grand Fleet arrived. The raid was timed to coincide with the expected Easter Rising by Irish Nationalists who had requested German aid. The German Navy believed that the British had a strong force off Norway, another at Hoofden and further a force off the southeast coast of England. The Germans would sneak out between the two forces to bombard the English coast and then attack whichever British force showed first. With luck, the German battlecruisers could engage the southeast force and after defeating it meet the northern group in the area around Terschelling Bank. Here the battlecruisers would attack the second British group from the south and the main body of the High Seas Fleet would attack from the north. This could help to destroy significant elements of the British fleet before the main body of the British Grand Fleet could assist, thereby reducing or eliminating the Royal Navy's numerical superiority. If the British did not take the bait, then merchant ships could be captured and British units off the coast of Belgium destroyed. The forces sighted by Germany in the North Sea had been part of a raid launched on 22 April in an attempt to draw out the German fleet. The battlecruisers HMAS Australia and HMS New Zealand had collided off Denmark in fog, causing serious damage to both ships. Later, the battleship HMS Neptune collided with a merchant steamer and three destroyers were also damaged in collisions. The mission had been abandoned and the ships returned to port, so that on 24 April the main body of the Grand Fleet was, as usual, near its home bases. Rosyth for the battlecruiser squadron and Scapa Flow for the Grand Fleet.

                                Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth were selected as the targets of the German bombardment. Lowestoft was a base of operations for minelaying and sweeping, while Yarmouth was a base for the submarines that disrupted German movements in the Heligoland Bight. The destruction of the harbours and other military establishments of both these coastal towns would assist the German war effort. Eight Zeppelin airships would, after dropping their bombs, provide reconnaissance for the battlecruisers, which would in turn provide rescue operations should an airship be lost over the water. Two U-boats were sent out ahead of time to Lowestoft, while others were stationed off, or laid mines in, the Firth of Forth, Scotland. The 1st Scouting Group, consisting of five battlecruisers (SMS Seydlitz, Lützow, Derfflinger, Moltke and Von der Tann), commanded by Rear-Admiral Bödicker, would be supported by the four light cruisers of the 2nd Scouting Group and two fast torpedo boat flotillas (VI and IX), together with their two command light cruisers. The Main Fleet, consisting of Squadrons I, II and III, Scouting Division IV and the remainder of the torpedo flotillas, was to accompany the battlecruisers to the Hoofden until the bombardment was over, in order to protect them against superior enemy forces.

                                Raid

                                At noon on the 24th April 1916 German forces were in place and the operation began. The route led around British minefields to the English coast, and was intended to put the bombardment group off Lowestoft and Yarmouth at daybreak, where they would bombard the towns for 30 minutes. But at 1600, the battlecruiser Seydlitz struck a mine just north-west of Nordeney, in an area swept the night before. She was forced to turn back with a flooded torpedo compartment from a 50 ft hole on the starboard side, being only able to make 15 knots and 11 men were killed. While the rest of the squadron was stopped for Bödicker to transfer to Lützow and for Seydlitz to extract herself from the minefield, the German ships sighted, and avoided, torpedoes from one or more British submarines. Seydlitz returned to the river Jade, accompanied by two destroyers and Zeppelin L-7. To avoid other possible mines and submarines, the battlecruiser force altered course to a route along the coast of East Friesland. This had previously been avoided because the clear weather risked the ships being sighted from the islands of Rottum and Schiermonnikoog and their movements being reported to the British. It was assumed that the British would now be alerted to the movements of the German ships. The British had already been aware that the German fleet had sailed at midday. More information arrived at 2015, when an intercepted wireless message gave the information that they were headed for Yarmouth. At 1550, the British fleet had been placed on two hours notice of action and at 1905 were ordered to sail south from Scapa Flow. Around midnight, the Harwich squadron of three light cruisers and 18 destroyers was ordered to move north. Around 2000, German ships received a message confirming that a large British fleet was operating off the Belgian coast and that another large force had been sighted off Norway on the 23rd. This suggested that the British Fleet was still divided into two sections, giving rise to optimism that the operation would go off as planned, despite the mining of Seydlitz. At 2130, another message indicated that British patrol boats off the Belgian coast were heading back to harbour, which was interpreted as confirmation that British submarines had reported the German movements. In fact, by 24 April the northern British ships had returned to harbour for coaling. The ships at Flanders included 12 additional destroyers from the Harwich Force, which had been sent to assist with a barrage of the coast. The German airships, having dropped their bombs, reported back to the bombardment force. Visibility over land was poor, the winds were unfavourable and the towns were better defended than had been thought. The Zeppelins that had bombed Norwich, Lincoln, Harwich and Ipswich had been under fire by British ships, but none had been damaged. At about 0350, the light cruiser SMS Rostock, one of Bödicker's screen ships, sighted British ships in a west-southwest direction. Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt, commanding the Harwich ships, reported the sighting of four battlecruisers and six cruisers to the Grand Fleet. He turned away south, attempting to draw the German ships after him away from Lowestoft, but they did not follow. The four battlecruisers opened fire upon Lowestoft at 0410 for 10 minutes, destroying 200 houses and two defensive gun batteries, injuring 12 people and killing three. The ships then moved off to Yarmouth, but fog made it difficult to see the target. Only a few shells were fired before reports arrived that a British force had engaged the remainder of the German ships, and the battlecruisers broke off to rejoin them. When he found he could not draw the German ships away, Tyrwhitt had returned to them. Initially, he engaged the six light cruisers and escorts, but broke off the action when seriously outgunned after the battlecruisers returned. The light cruisers Rostock and Elbing had tried to lead the British ships into the waiting guns of the battlecruisers, but upon sighting the German capital ships, the British cruisers turned south. The German battlecruisers opened fire, causing severe damage to the cruiser HMS Conquest and the destroyer HMS Laertes and slightly damaging one other light cruiser. Conquest was hit by a shell, which reduced her speed and produced 40 casualties. Bödicker failed to follow the retreating ships, assuming they were faster and probably concerned whether other, larger vessels might be about. The Germans then ceased fire and turned northwest towards the rendezvous point off Terschelling Bank, hoping the British cruisers would follow, but they did not. During the bombardment of the two coastal towns, the light cruiser SMS Frankfurt sank an armed patrol steamer, while the leader of Torpedo-boat Flotilla VI, SMS G41 sank a second. The crews were rescued and taken prisoner. Around 0730, the German Naval Staff passed on reports from Flanders of intercepted wireless transmissions instructing British ships to coal and then proceed to Dunkirk. Tyrwhitt attempted to follow the German squadron at a distance. At 0830, he had located smoke from the ships, but was ordered to abandon the chase and return home. The Grand fleet had been fighting heavy seas and making slow progress coming south, also being forced to leave its destroyers behind because of the weather. At 1100, the Admiralty ordered the chase to be abandoned, at which point the main part of the fleet was 150 miles behind the British battlecruiser squadron, which started out from further south. The two battlecruiser squadrons came within 50 miles of each other, but did not meet.

                                Aftermath

                                As the German ships headed for home, they avoided submarine attacks, encountering only two neutral steamers and some fishing vessels. The operation had been almost a complete failure merely sinking two patrol craft and damaging one cruiser and one destroyer, in exchange for serious damage to a battlecruiser. The damage done to the naval establishments at Yarmouth and Lowestoft was also light. The German battlecruiser squadron had failed to take advantage of its superior numbers to engage the British light cruisers and destroyers present at Lowestoft. The German U-boats sent out to intercept British ships leaving harbour had not found any targets. Nor had six British submarines stationed off Yarmouth and six more off Harwich. One German submarine was destroyed and another captured when it became beached at Harwich. One British submarine was sunk, torpedoed by a German submarine. The raid infuriated the British. It cost the Germans heavily in the court of world opinion, as the operation brought back memories of the 'baby killer' raids earlier in the war. British casualties were 21 British servicemen killed at sea. One serviceman and three civilians were killed and 19 were wounded at Lowestoft. The British felt obliged to take steps to react more quickly to future raids. The 3rd Battle Squadron, consisting of seven King Edward VII-class battleships, was moved from Rosyth to the Thames, together with HMS Dreadnought. The presence of these ships on the Thames was given later as one reason the Harwich destroyers were not permitted to join the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland. They were held back to escort the battleships should they be called upon to take part.

                                John Doran


                                24th Apr 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI are relieved by 18th West Yorks at 8.20pm. Durhams marched to billets at Colincamps.

                                The National Archives 18th DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1


                                24th Apr 1916 Artillery Active  Enemy’s artillery very active against 7th Buffs Subsector.Two intense bombardments lasting 3 to 5 minutes, 77 mm and 10.5 and 15 cm Howitzer being used, 15 cm howitzer battery also fired24 rounds in registration of our communication trench, also damaging our wire opposite junction of A 23/2 and A 23/3 trenches, Much damage was done to our trenches, H.Q. of left Coy (D Coy) hit directly by 15 mm shell, and damaged, Captain Neame slightly wounded

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                25th Apr 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers provide working parties for RE  From the 25th to 27th of April the 16th Northumberlands provided working parties for Royal Engineers in the line.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                25th April 1916 Hostile Trenches Bombarded  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report leave again opened. Very little shelling. We bombarded the hostile trenches with usual 18 pounders, Howitzers and 15 pounders doing considerable damage. The enemy retaliated with a few 4.2 inch and Light High Velocity guns.

                                War Diaries


                                25th Apr 1916 Artillery in Action  12 noon 7th Buffs report, Our artillery bombarded ‘Y’ wood for 2 minutes, 12.8 pm Enemy retaliated by intensely bombarding left of Subsector. 5 pm Enemy again bombarded intensely this time more to right of Subsector. There was also hostile registration of Dalton St. during morning, Much damage again done

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                26th Apr 1916   "A year ago the National Committee for Relief in Begium was formed and issued its first appeal to the British Empire. The total of donations received from April 27th 1915 to April 26th 1916, amounted to £1,637,714 2s 3d. The only expenses deducted from this amount are £27 3s 1d. These are Bank charges on out-of-town cheques. £1,600,00 has already been paid to the neutral Commission and has been or is being expended in food for the destitute Belgians in that part of Belgium occupied by Germany.

                                The Exceutive Council have adpoted the method of transferring to the Commission by means of cheques for £100,00. These cheques having been handed in about every three weeks, the Committee's income having averaged over £31,000 per week throughout the year.

                                Of the total received to April 26th, only £415,511 was received from the United Kingdom, the balence being subscribed by the British Dominions and Colonies overseas. The Government and people of New South Wales, Australia, have alone contributed £419,469 and are continuing to contribute over £30,000 every month. The largest amounts recived from the Counties during the year are £92,317 from the County of London, including the City of London; £59,731 from the West Riding of Yorkshire....

                                The Executive Committee are glad to be able to report that during the year not one case of illegal or irregular collecting has been reported to the fund. Thus unusual immunity from an abuse suffered by almost all charitable organisations is attributed to a rigourous adherence to the system of authorising no public collections unless they are conducted or approved by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, or by the Lord Mayor, Mayor or Chairman of Urban or Rural District Councils. The self-imposed restrictions involved by this method of collection has probably prevented the Fund from reaching larger proportions, buy the Executive venture to thing that their policy is justified by the elimination of irregularities and by the creation of a sense of local responsibility.

                                For the purpose of assisting the efforts throughout the Empire, the Exectutive have distributed over four and half million pamphlets and leaflets; nearly a million Belgian Flags, 185,000 posters; 200,00 medialions of King Albert, besides thousands of collecting books and cards.... Special collectiosn were organised throughout the Emopire for King Albert's Fete Day on November, 15th with an impressive service at St Paul's Cathedral. Small subscription envelopes were placed on 1,700,000 British dinner tables last Christmas Day and were not returned empty. Public meetings have been held throughout the country .... The hands at hundreds of factories have been addressed and practically every minister of religion has been asked to make a collection on behalf of the Fund, while a large number of Flag Days have been arranged in towns and villages....

                                In closing this report it must be pointed out that although the need in Belgium is greater than ever the income of our Committee is decreasing. At the risk of seeing ungrateful your Exceutive must urge those who have already worked so well, to work even harder. There is overwhelming evidence to prove that of the benevolence of the British Empire slackens, the suffering of the three million who are destitute and oppressed in Belgium will be tragically intensified. Your Exectutive Council earnestly trust that strenuous efforts will be made to avert this misery."

                                First Annual Report of th


                                26th April 1916 Enemy Mine Explodes  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Barnard proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England. During the afternoon the enemy trench mortars were very active. They appeared to be using a new very heavy bomb. At 1906 the enemy sprang a mine. The explosion was a large one and big columns of flame leapt into the air. Immediately after the explosion the enemy opened a heavy bombardment of our trenches and our artillery formed an effective barrage. The bombardment lasted about half an hour, died down, then opened again for a short time and then died down again.

                                War Diaries


                                26th Apr 1916 Inniskillings warned of gas attack  On 26 April 1916 the 7th Inniskillings were holding the line near Hulluch when word was given of a possible gas attack by the Germans. According to reports, a German deserter had come across to the British lines and informed them of the impending attack. Everything was done to strengthen the lines of defence. Dug-outs were provided with blanket curtains as protection against the gas.

                                26th Apr 1916 Bombing  7th Buffs report less artillery activity, weather much improved and trenches quite dry, ‘S.O.S’ signals received from A Sector, but signals soon withdrawn. 1.30 pm Two bombing parties from 7th Buffs sent out to bomb Enemy saps at S. end of Y wood as soon as our bombardment in connection with raid at Carnoy A Sector commenced Left hand party all wounded, right hand party under 2/Lt McColl returned safely after throwing bombs. L/Cpl Stewart A Coy and Pte Manning C Coy distinguished themselves in bringing in wounded men.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                27th April 1916 Evening Bombardment  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report the day was very quiet. At about 1830 to 1930 the enemy bombarded our lines with very heavy trench mortars. The concussion of the bombs shook the observation stations. Our Howitzers and field guns replied to this bombardment.

                                War Diaries


                                27th Apr 1916 7th Inniskillings under attack  In the early hours of the morning of 27th April 1916 enemy action began with bursts of rifle and machine gun fire, followed by a heavy artillery bombardment. About 04.45 hours gas was released, the wind carrying it in the direction of the 7th and 8th Inniskilling's front lines. The Germans left their trenches, suffering some casualties as they crossed the open ground, but they succeeded in penetrating the trench lines of B and C companies. Hand to hand fighting ensued, and the Germans retreated with a few prisoners. At 08.00 hours the Germans released more gas and advanced again, but their attack broke down under very heavy fire when Lieutenant H.B.O. Mitchell with his Lewis-gun team stopped their advance. By 11.00 hours the crisis had passed and the Inniskillings set about re-building their defences and counting their casualties. Of the 24 officers and 603 other ranks who came into the line, 10 officers and 253 other ranks were listed as casualties. 8 men were missing, 52 wounded, 137 gassed, and 66 dead, including Private John O’Neill. Private William Wilson of Cookstown died of his wounds on 28 April. Subsequent actions over the next few days brought the total to 71 dead of the 7th Inniskillings and 57 dead of the 8th Inniskillings.

                                27th April 1916   No 55 squadron formed at Castle Bromwich on the of 27th April 1916 as a training squadron and moved to RFC Lilbourne on 10 June 1916.

                                27th Apr 1916 Irish men under attack  8th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers along with the 9th Royal Dublin Fusiliers came under heavy artillery and chlorine gas attack at Hulluch (Loos)on the 27th to 29th of April 1916, suffering heavy casualties.

                                27th Apr 1916 Battery Embarks  79th Siege Battery RGA embarked from Avonmouth on 27th April 1916 and arrived in Boulogne the next day.

                                27th Apr 1916 Bombardment  2am Enemy opened two short bombardments, first with 77mm and 10.5 howitzers and later with 15 cm howitzers, It had been intended to commence relief of Battalion by 7th Queens, but as hostile observation balloon was up, relief had to be postponed. 10.20am Conference of Battalion Commanders at Bde H Q, Very hot day, Enemy artillery inactive.

                                Relief of 7th Buffs by 7th Queens commenced and was completed by 10.55 pm, Battalion to billets at Suzanne.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                27th Apr 1916   Early in the morning of the 27th April 1916 enemy action started with intensive fire from rifles and machine guns: this was followed about 4.45am with a heavy artillery bombardment and the release of great clouds of gas. The wind was particularly favourable to the enemy and at this stage of the War the means of defence against gas were hardly perfect. Opposite the Inniskilling front the Germans left their trenches to attack. The Germans suffered some casualties crossing no mans land but penetrated into the 7th’s trench between B and C companies under cover of thick clouds of gas and smoke. Hand to hand fighting ensued and Germans were able to get away with a few prisoners including Capt. R.N. Murray who died the next day in a German field hospital from gas poisoning. D company also suffered severely. Very quickly Major Ross White came up from Battalion HQ and took the situation in hand. Within a few minutes the enemy were driven out of the trench a lot of them being shot as they retreated.

                                Later about 8am more gas was released by the Germans and a second advance attempted but it broke down under fire. Lt. H.B.O. Mitchell with the Lewis gun teams being specially notable for rapid and well-directed fire. By 11am the crises had passed, the 7th Battalion held its wrecked and gas poisoned trenches. The night passed quietly and the Battalion sent out parties into no mans land which brought in several men who had been wounded or gassed.

                                28th Apr 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers take over front line trenches  The 16th Northumberland Fusiliers takes over front line trenches from the Inniskillings

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                28th April 1916 Allies explode small Mine  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report 2nd Lt Corsan and 2nd Lt Tombs posted to the 6th London Ammunition Column. Intermittent shelling of Ablain and Souchez Valley today by 5.9s & 4.2s. At 0420 we exploded a small mine just in front of our front line opposite Gobinaux trench. This is called the Broadridge crater.

                                War Diaries


                                28th Apr 1916 125 Heavy Bty proceed to France  125th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery leave England for France.

                                28th Apr 1916 Praise for 7th Inniskillings.  "Special orders" By Lieutenant Colonel H N Young, Commanding 7th Service Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

                                The following telegram was sent to all companies on the 28th April 1916: "The Army Commander, General Sir Charles Monro has telephoned to congratulate the 49th Infantry Brigade on their gallant conduct on the morning of the 27th April 1916" The Divisional Commander, Major General Hickie also telephoned to say how proud he is of their behaviour.

                                The above messages apply chiefly to the two battalions of the brigade in the firing line. The brunt of this attack appears to have fallen on the 7th Inniskillings.

                                The CO received the following personal letter from Major General W B Hickie CB Commanding the 16th Irish Division on the 28th April 1916: "I am directed by Sir Charles Monro, Commanding the 1st Army, to convey to you and to the officers, NCO’s and men of the battalion under your command his appreciation of the conduct of the battalion on the occasion of the German attack on the 27th April 1916. To these congratulations I would also like to add my own thanks"

                                "The CO desires on his own behalf to express to all ranks his high appreciation of their conduct and bearing on the 27th & 28th April 1916when they displayed a high standard of courage and endurance and showed themselves worthy upholders of the traditions of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers"

                                (Signed) A C Taggart, Captain and Adjutant, 7th Service Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

                                28th Apr 1916 Into Camp  18th DLI marched out of Colincamps at 8.50am and entered hutments at Bertrancourt.

                                The National Archives WO95/2361/1


                                28th Apr 1916 In Billets  7th Buffs remained in billets at Suzanne. Note. During tours of duty the Battalion occupied the following trenches, A 29/6, A 23/1, A 23/2, A 23/3 and A23/4, reference Trench Maps Maricourt 1/10,000, During these tours of duty, Battalion on right was 7th R West Kent Regiment 55th Brigade Battalion on left was either 8th Norfolk Regiment or 8th Suffolk Regiment) of 53rd Brigade.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                29th Apr 1916 British Forces surrender at Kut  After withstanding nearly five months under siege by Turkish and German forces at the town of Kut-al-Amara, on the Tigris River in the Basra province of Mesopotamia (Iraq), British forces under the command of Sir Charles Townshend surrender to Turkish forces. 13,000 men were taken prisoner by the Turks.

                                The British had occupied the Mesopotamian province of Basra, including the town of Kut al-Amara, by late September 1915 and the had attempted to advance up the Rivers Tigris Euphrates to Baghdad, but had been rebuffed by Turkish troops at Ctesiphon (Selman Pak) in late November. Townshend's troop were forced to retreat to Kut, and on the 5th of December they were put under siege by Turkish and German forces. During the winter the British made four attempts to overcome Turkish forces, suffering 23,000 casualties. They were also plagued by illness, dwindling supplies and heavy winter rain.

                                29th April 1916 Evening Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report a few trench mortars were fired on the support lines and communication trenches at about 1400. Otherwise all was quiet. At 1910 there was great activity on the left of the Division on our right, with heavy firing taking place.

                                War Diaries


                                29th Apr 1916 In Billets  7th Buffs remained in billets at Suzanne.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                30th April 1916 Large Mine Exploded  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report 2/Lt Eddis 15th London Battery, 2/Lt Gordon Tombe and Lt Corsan 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column, proceeded to the 47th Division Artillery Course at Malincourt. During the day our trench mortars were active and did some good shooting. There was intermittent shelling of Zouave Valley near Centre Battery. At 1900 the enemy exploded a large mine in front of the Centre Company of the Centre Battalion. Heavy firing took place but the enemy did not attack. All was quiet again by 2100. 2nd Lt Green 3/6 London Brigade RFA reported from England and was attached to the 17th London Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                30th April 1916 New Squadron formed  No 60 Squadron formed at Gosport on the 30th of April 1916 (curiously out of sequence as 50-59 Squadrons had not yet been formed at that time). They were staffed by experienced airmen, many of whom had already seen action, and proceeded to France after only one month of preparation equipped with Morane Bullet fighter aircraft.

                                30th Apr 1916 In Billets   7th Buffs remained in billets at Suzanne. Signed. A N Ransome Lt Colonel Comdg 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                4th May 1916 Inspections  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                4th May - 11 Remounts joined.

                                19th May - Parade for GOC 2nd Cavalry Division in the training area.

                                20th May - 2nd Lt R Gough (attached) left the battery on appointment as temp. ADC to General Gough (Reserve Corps).

                                war diaries


                                May 1916   Arriving at the Somme was a huge tonic for the men. It was not nearly so wet and a very pleasing area with quite a few civilians around. The 24th Battalion were billeted at Dernancourt. On the 20th of May, Brigadier Cameron attended a conference at Divisional Headquarters and was warned to prepare for 103 Brigade to carry out a series of trench raids on the enemy in opposite trenches. This taking place near the village of La Boisselle. This village is near the soon to be famous Tara and Usna Redoubs astride the Albert-Bapaume road. The battalions were warned to put together and start training raiding parties. The parties from 24th and 26th Battalions were selected to carry out the operation.

                                research


                                1st May 1916 10th Loyals return to the front.  The 10th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashires, left the billets at Warluzel marching three hours to Pommier.

                                1st May 1916 NTF Coulthards Lane, Gateshead opens.  National Tool Factory Coulthard's Lane, Gateshead started in May 1916 for the Production of spade-cutters. First output was August 1916. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st May 1916 NFRF Phoenix Factory opens.  National Fuse Rectification Factory at Phoenix Factory, Gray's Inn Road, London stared in May 1916 tasked with rectifying and repairing fuses. It was under the direct control of William Cubitt Ltd.

                                1st May 1916 NFF Parkgate Street, Dublin opens.  National Fuse Factory Parkgate Street, Dublin started in May 1916 for the production of fuses. First output was Mar 1917. In 1918 they also produced aeroplane bolts. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st May 1916 124th Heavy Battery join XIII Corps  124th Heavy Battery, RGA was originally trained on 4.7inch QF guns but prior to being sent to the France they were equipped with the 60 pounder heavy field gun. Armed with four of these guns they went out to the Western Front in April 1916 where they joined XIII Corps Heavy Artillery on 1 May 1916.

                                1st May 1916 Enemy Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report The enemy was very active between 1730 and 1830 with a very large minenwerfer (mortar) firing about 20 rounds into the Centre Battalian Zone. At 1400 the enemy fired 10 rounds of 5.9s on the light railway between 15th London Battery and the Carency station getting 5 direct hits. Everything else was all quiet.

                                War Diaries


                                1st May 1916 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Railway Candas to Acheux.

                                The arrival of May still saw elements of the Battalion involved in railway work. New sidings and crossings were being constructed and the track was being raised and packed in marshy areas near Rosel. Steel tanks and platforms along the route were still under construction. No.1 company from Candas to Punchevillers and No.3 Company from Punchevillers to Acheux. Other Companies were presumably in the trenches The work was completed on the 31st May 1916 and the Battalion was then ordered to Aveluy Wood.

                                Summary: Candas to Acheux Line.

                                • The work completed in the 5 month period is listed as follows.
                                • Survey and construction of 19 miles of broad gauge railway over terrain
                                • which included large sections of swampy ground.
                                • Construction of 13 ½ miles of sidings.
                                • Construction of two terminals at Candas (including junction with
                                • existing main line) and Acheux.
                                • Built all necessary platforms, offices, station buildings and signal
                                • boxes at the two main terminals and four intermediate stations.
                                • Built engine inspection and repair facilities.
                                • Built a number of steel tanks for petrol along the route.
                                • Constructed two cement 100,000 gallon water tanks.
                                • Installed numerous points and crossings throughout the system.

                                Starting on the 29th December 1915, the last spike was driven on the 18th February 1916. (Candas to Belle Eglise) Opened the line to traffic on the 20th March 1916 (Candas to Belle Eglise) and completed the entire system on 31st May 1916.

                                This was a remarkable achievement since some of the work at Acheux was just within enemy heavy artillery range. It was reckoned at the time to be the best section of railway in the whole of France and continued in use long after the war and the decommissioning of the Battalion.

                                It provided an excellent tribute to the Battalion’s expertise and determination in fulfilling their task on time.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st May 1915 Actions during 1915  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

                                1915.

                                Neuville - St. Vaast.

                                In May, 1915, the 1st Bavarian Reserve Division was engaged at Neuville-St. Vaast, when it was reinforced by two battalions of the 99th Reserve Infantry Regiment. The 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment suffered casualties of 14 officers and 1,413 men.

                                Le Labyrinthe.

                                In June the division fought at the Labyrinth. It continued to hold the sector north of the Scarpe, but moved toward the south in December, the front of the 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps extending as far as Blaireville.

                                Historical Records


                                2nd May 1916 10th Loyals return to action  The 10th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashires, took up position in reserve at Bienvillers, with two companies of men moving forward in support of the the 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment who were man strong-points on the Hannescamps-Mochy road and in the support line behind the Monchy salient.

                                2nd May 1916 Report of a Mine  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Col Lowe DSO Commanding the 6th London Field Artillery Brigade, Capt Edwards Veterinary Officer and Lt Woollett 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England, the former on ten days leave. At 1945 all artillery opened fire after the Centre Battalion reported a mine going up. This report proved to be false and the Batteries stopped firing. Major Gordon DSO 16th London Battery assumed command of the Right Group.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd May 1916 Airfield at York Racecourse bombed  On 2 May 1916 Zeppelin airships raided York, bombing the airfield at York racecourse. As a result the Aerodrome was closed and A Flight, 33 Squadron moved thier BE 2c and BE 2d aircraft to RFC Bramham Moor to join B & C Flights, flying from there in the air defence of Leeds, Sheffield and York.

                                3rd May 1916 189th RFA proceed to France  The 189th Royal Field Artillery embarked at Southampton for Le Havre

                                3rd May 1916 Three Mines Exploded  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency: Everything quiet all day until 1645, at which time we exploded 3 mines in front of the right & centre gun section. Three deep craters were formed now known as the Northern, Middle & Southern Craters. Our heavy and light artillery bombarded the enemy front and support lines after the explosion for three hours to enable the infantry to occupy and consolidate the craters. The enemy retaliation was steady and their fire was by no means excessive. After 2200 the night was very quiet. Our 15" gun took part in this event, firing 12 rounds. (Note: if description correct a very large modified naval 15 inch gun)

                                War Diaries


                                3rd May 1916 Praise for 7th Inniskillings  On the 3rd May 1916 Brigadier-General R Leveson-Gower commanding the 49th Infantry Brigade, came over to the billets and inspected the 7th battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers on parade. The General having been received with the general salute addressed a few words to the 7th battalion: "Officers WO’s NCO’s and men of the 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, I admire your bravery and the courage you have shown since you have taken your place in the line, and especially on the 27th and 29th of April 1916. When defending a position under a storm of shrapnel, high explosives, etc and at the same time being subjected to 3 gas attacks, as you were on the 27th April 1916, it is easy to get excited and cause a panic. You however stood firm, counter attacked and absolutely defeated the enemy’s attack. You have seen the worst of it and have shown your steadiness, coolness and courage that you were good soldiers. Our time will come when we shall advance and you will then have a chance, no doubt of inflicting punishment on the enemy. By the fighting you have gone through, you have found out one thing, namely the officers you have are good men whom you can trust and with them you will get along all right and at the same time, officers, have found your men true and resolute. The other battalions of the brigade feel confident when they have you beside them. You have proved yourselves good men of your country. Ireland can be proud of you and in the future, when asked what battalion did you belong to, you can answer with pride that you were in the 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, a real fighting battalion and you need say nothing further. I thank you very much, knowing I can rely on you wherever you go." Three of the heartiest cheers were then given for the General and the parade dismissed.

                                3rd May 1916 HMS Queen Mary lost  HMS Queen Mary was a Queen Mary class Battle Cruiser built at the Palmer Shipyard in Jarrow and was lost at the battle of Jutland. At 16.25 Queen Mary exploded and went down in only 90 seconds after receiving hits from the German battle cruisers Derfflinger and Seydlitz. The HMS Queen Mary lost 1,266 crew, and only 20 survived.

                                4th May 1916 Enemy artillery concentrated on the Monchy salient  On the morning, May 4th 1916, the enemy started a heavy artillery bombardment concentrated on the Monchy salient and then lifted as the infantry attacked.

                                4th May 1916 124th Heavy Battery to 29th HAG  124th Heavy Battery, RGA transfer to 29th Heavy Artillery Group on 4 May 1916

                                4th May 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report the day passed off fairly quietly with very little shelling taking place. In the evening the infantry had a little difficulty with the enemy in the middle crater. 2nd Lt Van Auger 2/6th Lon Field Artillery Brigade reported and was attached to 16th London Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                4th May 1916 Wearside Pals embark for France  The 20th DLI entrain at Farnborough and embark on SS Arundal at Southampton

                                4th May 1916 7th Inniskillings into the line  The 7th Btn Inniskilling Fusiliers relieved 8th KOSB in 10th Avenue over the night of the 4-5th May 1916. Moved to Noeux-les-Mines for 8 days rest

                                5th May 1916 Evening Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt. Barnard returned from leave and took command of 16th London Battery. Lt Bennett returned from trench mortar course. All day it was very quiet. At 1945 we bombarded the enemy front line & communication trenches behind the craters to enable infantry to work on farther lip of the craters. At 1940 a message came through to defend the 17th Corps on our right. Three batteries switched target and started a barrage. It appears that the attack was only a small bombing one and all was quiet again by 2115.

                                War Diaries


                                5th May 1916 Wearside Pals proceed to France  20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry land at Le Havre aboard the SS Arundal, as part of 123rd Brigade, 41st Division.

                                6th May 1916 7th Royal Irish Rifles go into the line  7th Inniskillings are relieved by 7th Royal Irish Rifles on the night of the 6-7th May 1916

                                6th May 1916 Change of Camp  18th DLI vacated hutments at Bertrancourt and entered hutments at Bus Les Artois at 5pm.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                7th May 1916 7th Inniskillings west of Loos  On the front West of Loos village, the 7th Inniskillings took up thier positions with A company from Gordon Alley to Scotts Alley, B company in Reserve in cellars north of Scotts Alley, C company from Scotts Alley to English Alley and D company holding North St to Gordon Alley.

                                9th May 1916 Scheme of Attack is practised  The scheme of attack is practised between Baizieux and Bavelincourt for several days.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                9th May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt Love OC. 6th London Brigade Artillery Column and Lt Yenchen 17th London Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England.

                                War Diaries


                                10th May 1916 Lecture by ADVS  Members of 6th County of London Brigade RFA attend lecture by ADVS at 2/6 Battery Wagon Line.(Assistant Director of Veterinary Services)

                                War Diaries


                                11th May 1916   SM U-76

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 58) Ordered 9 Mar 1915 Launched 12 Mar 1916 Commissioned 11 May 1916

                                Commanders.
                                11 May 1916 - 22 Jan 1917 Waldemar Bender

                                Career 3 patrols.
                                29 Jun 1916 - 22 Jan 1917 I Flotilla

                                Successes 2 ships sunk with a total of 1,149 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 6,254 tons.

                                • 17 Oct 1916 U 76 Waldemar Bender Botnia 1,149 nw
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 76 Waldemar Bender Anna I unknown ru
                                • 15 Nov 1916 U 76 Waldemar Bender Koursk (damaged) 6,254 ru

                                Fate 22 Jan 1917 - Foundered in bad weather off North Cape (71N, 23E) after damage by collision with a Russian trawler. 1 dead, unknown number of survivors. The wreck of U 76 was raised and broken up in the early 1970s.

                                There was another U 76 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 3 Oct 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 3 Dec 1940.

                                John Doran


                                11th May 1916   SM U-65

                                Type U 63 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 249) Ordered 17 May 1915 Laid down 4 Jun 1915 Launched 21 Mar 1916 Commissioned 11 May 1916

                                Commanders.
                                11 May 1916 - 18 Jul 1918 Hermann von Fischel.
                                19 Aug 1918 - 29 Sep 1918 Gustav Sieß.
                                30 Sep 1918 - 28 Oct 1918 Clemens Wickel

                                Career 11 patrols.
                                2 Jul 1916 - 18 Nov 1916 IV Flotilla.
                                18 Nov 1916 - 28 Oct 1918 Pola/Mittelmeer I Flotilla

                                Successes 48 ships sunk with a total of 76,774 tons.
                                3 ships damaged with a total of 8,402 tons.

                                • 4 Dec 1916 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Caledonia 9,223 br
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Athos 12,644 fr
                                • 24 Feb 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Venere 290 it
                                • 28 Feb 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Emanciato 30 it
                                • 1 Mar 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Nicolaos 1,215 gr
                                • 1 Mar 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Teresina 212 it
                                • 2 Mar 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel San Vincenza F. 52 it
                                • 6 Mar 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Porto Di Smirne 2,576 it
                                • 1 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Maria T. 45 it
                                • 1 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Maria Santissima D. Grazie 35 it
                                • 2 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Britannia 3,129 br
                                • 3 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Maria Ferrara 106 it
                                • 5 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Calliope 3,829 br
                                • 7 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Trefusis 2,642 br
                                • 8 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Lucia 138 it
                                • 8 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Papa Gian Battista 138 it
                                • 11 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Tremorvah 3,654 br
                                • 12 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Angela M. 187 it
                                • 21 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Ampleforth 3,873 br
                                • 21 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Don Diego 3,632 br
                                • 23 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel England 3,798 br
                                • 23 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Maria Febronia Antonina 55 it
                                • 24 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Sant Antonio Di Padova 184 it
                                • 25 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Diego Russo 113 it
                                • 25 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Natale Monaco 57 it
                                • 25 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Rosina R. 54 it
                                • 25 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Vincenzino C. 54 it
                                • 26 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Angelo Padre 50 it
                                • 26 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Umaria 5,317 br
                                • 27 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Luigi 137 it
                                • 27 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Maria Giuseppe 26 it
                                • 4 Jun 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Manchester Trader 3,938 br
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Rosa M 64 it
                                • 5 Jul 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Ciboure 2,388 fr
                                • 6 Jul 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Roma 52 it
                                • 8 Jul 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel L'immortale Leone 133 it
                                • 24 Nov 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Enna 1,814 it
                                • 1 Dec 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Citta Di Sassari 2,167 it
                                • 2 Dec 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Carlino 94 it
                                • 2 Dec 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel La Margherita 41 it
                                • 2 Dec 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel San Antonio Il Vittorioso 45 it
                                • 3 Dec 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Angelo (damaged) 542 it
                                • 25 Jan 1918 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Giuseppe O. 74 it
                                • 27 Jun 1918 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Sotolongo 3,009 sp
                                • 1 Jul 1918 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Monte Cristo 622 fr
                                • 4 Jul 1918 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Merida (damaged) 5,951 br
                                • 2 Sep 1918 U 65 Gustav Sieß San Andres 3,314 br
                                • 12 Sep 1918 U 65 Gustav Sieß Chao Chow Fu (damaged) 1,909 br
                                • 12 Sep 1918 U 65 Gustav Sieß Sarnia 1,498 br
                                • 14 Sep 1918 U 65 Gustav Sieß Ioanna No. 45 9 br
                                • 15 Sep 1918 U 65 Gustav Sieß Ioanna No. 37 17 br

                                Fate 28 Oct 1918 - Scuttled at Pola in position 44.52N, 13.50E during the evacuation from there.

                                There was another U 65 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 6 Nov 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 15 Feb 1940.

                                John Doran


                                11th May 1916 On the March   7th Buffs Marched from Corbie to Etinehem Camp less ‘B’ Co y who were doing piquet duty in Amiens

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                12th May 1916 Return from Leave  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt. Edwards, Veterinary Officer, 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column, returned from England after 7 days leave of absence.

                                War Diaries


                                12th May 1916 Transfers  On 12th of May 1916, 87 (Howitzer) Battery (less one section) transferred from 12 (Howitzer) Brigade to 2 Brigade, RFA.

                                12th May 1916 Working Parties   7th Buffs are Digging cable trench for heavy artillery Bronfay Farm Billon Wood.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                12th May 1916 In Camp  “B’ Coy rejoined 7th Buffs at Etineham Camp

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                14th May 1916 Officers Return  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt Blackwell 15th London Battery & Capt ------ 176 London Battery proceeded on seven days leave of absence to England. 2/Lt Tomb is attached to 15th London Battery. Col Lowe returned from leave.

                                War Diaries


                                14th May 1916 527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.  Arras 14th May 1916.

                                527th (2nd Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers. 5th Division.

                                Activity: One driver transferred from the 1st/6th Battalion, the Black Watch reported for duty. Kit and marching order inspection of the Company carried out.

                                War Diaries


                                14th May 1916 Into the Line  At 3pm 18th DLI proceeded from Bus Les Artois to front line trenches and took over from 11th East Yorks Regt. Battalion on left flank was 16th West Yorks Regt and on right 1st Lancashire Fusiliers up to 18th May 1916 and then afterwards the 16th Middlesex Regt.

                                The National Archives 18DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1


                                15th May 1916   No 51 Squadron was formed on the 15th of May 1916 at Mousehold Heath aerodrome, Norwich from a nucleus drawn from 9 Reserve Squadron. The Squadron moved to Thetford aerodrome on the 1st June for home defence duties in East Anglia flying BE2s. More info.

                                15th May 1916 New Home Defence Squadron formed  No 52 Squadron formed at Hounslow from a nucleus of 39 Squadron on the 15th of May 1916 as a Corps reconnaissance squadron flying BE2Cs.

                                No.39 Squadron then relocated to Suttons Farm, already in use as a outstation of the Squadron.

                                http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?/topic/117679-52-squadron-royal-flying-corps/
                                 More info.

                                15th May 1916   No. 53 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Catterick on 15 May 1916 equipped with the Avro 504 trainer and FK8 reconnaissance aircraft. Originally it served as a training squadron, preparing pilots for other operational Squadrons.

                                15th May 1916   Formed at Castle Bromwich on 15th May 1916, No 54 Squadron, like many others formed at the same time, was tasked with Home Defence duties flying BE2Cs. As well as Home Defence, the Squadron provided advanced flying training for other squadrons.  More info.

                                16th May 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL14

                                • First Flight: 16th May 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,800 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 93.6 km/h
                                • Payload: 20.5 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Navy airship based at Seerapen and Wainoden. It carried out two reconnaissance missions and two bombing raids. A later attack on Riga was abandoned because of engine failure. Rebuilt in February 1917 but later damaged before finally being struck off on the 18th May 1917.

                                John Doran


                                16th May 1916 Aircraft Active  "I expect you will be wondering what has happened to me. I am quite fit and well. We have now another spell of delightful weather and I am walking around with just a shirt and trousers on and that seems too much. Your letters and parcels have come safely to hand. They come sometimes two together but are none the less appreciated for that. It was a glorious morning early today and aircraft of both sides were very active, a grand sight it was to see a Taube [aircraft] being chased by one of our ships with the shrapnel bursting all round them. The Taube passed over here and one of ours came up and waited for it to come back and when he did come back and saw ours he hurried towards home. The artillery has been most active for the last day or two, especially at night time. I think I told you in my last letter not to send me any cigarettes at present. Yes some cakes occasionally would be acceptable. Your parcel containing biscuits, socks etc just to hand. Thanks awfully. The biscuits are a treat. The tins after use are in great demand among my pals. The food out here taken all round is better than in England, plenty of tinned stuff of course and not much bread. I should think some of the tin packing firms must be making their fortune." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter home to his wife Olive.

                                17th May 1916 Reorganisation  At Frevilliers 6th County of London Brigade RFA are renamed 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery.

                                Battery title changes

                                • 15th Battery = A236
                                • 16th Battery = B236
                                • 17th Battery = C236
                                • 22nd Battery = D236
                                6th London Field Artillery Brigade is now called 15th-A236, 16th-B236, 17th-C236. the 22nd London Battery now in this Brigade is called D236 Battery.

                                Lt Woollett 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column is transferred to 17th London Battery. Brigade Ammunition Column is split up between the Batteries and the Divisional Ammunition Column.

                                War Diaries


                                18th May 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers into Trenches  The 2nd Royal Fusilers went into the trenches near Mally-Maillet.

                                19th May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force report from Frevillers. Capt. Love OC. 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column is transferred to C236 Battery 2Lt J.C Carter, 6th London B.A.C. is transferred to A236 Battery. 2Lt Green is transferred from C236 Battery to 6th London B.A.C.

                                War Diaries


                                19th May 1916 Relief  18th DLI vacated trenches on being relieved by 18th Btn. West Yorks Regiment at 2pm and moved into billets at Colincamps.

                                The National Archives 18DLI WO95/2361/1


                                2nd May 1916 Training   7th Buffs are Training at Corbie

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                20th May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Frevillers: 2/Lt Mason is transferred from 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column to B236 Battery but is attached to C236 Battery for one week.

                                War Diaries


                                20th May 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ69 (L24)

                                • Production Ref: LZ69
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: L24
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 20th May 1916

                                History.

                                Flew 19 reconnaissance missions around the North Sea and 4 raids on England dropping a total of 8,510 kilograms (18,760 lb) of bombs. It crashed into a wall while being taken into its hangar on 28 December 1916 and burned out together with LZ53 (L17).

                                John Doran


                                21st May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Carency. Col. Lowe took over command of Right Group at 1300. Right Group now consists of A/236 B/236 C/236 D/236 and D/113 Batteries.

                                German Attack on Vimy Ridge. From 0530 to 1230 hostile artillery were very active on our front and support lines. A balloon was reporting on the Cabaret communication trench and main roads in Carency and Ablain. At 1730 the enemy started a heavy barrage of the Zouave Valley, shelling communication trenches, front and support lines of the Right Battalion of Left Brigade and also the Right Brigade. At about 2000 the enemy used Lachrymatory shells(see note below) on our Batteries as well as 5.9 inch shells. The 16th London Battery had a direct hit on it's No.1 gun wounding five men. At about 2130 the enemy attacked taking the front line and support lines of the Right Brigade (140th ) and the front line of the Right Company of the Right Battalion of the Left Brigade. A bombing attack was organised. Looz, Momber Crater and part of the front lines of the Right Battalion were retaken. Fire slackened off at about 0330. Lt Barnard B236 Battery was promoted Captain. (Note-Lachrymatory shells were filled with tear gas)

                                (Lt James Henry Van den Bergh from Commonwealth War Graves Commission died aged 23 on 21/05/1916 and is buried at Arras Memorial. He was the son of Henry and Henriette Van Den Bergh of 8 Kensington Palace Gardens.) He was reported as missing on 22nd May 1916.

                                War Diaries


                                21st May 1916 Enemy push expected  At Vimy Ridge, 160th Coy Royal Engineers are digging new parts to trenches, expecting Germans over. When the big push came they were thwarted by the Royal Irish Rifles and the Royal Engineers.

                                22nd May 1916 Enemy Barrage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Carency report Lt Van den Bergh C236 Battery liaison officer to the Left Battalion of the Right Brigade was reported as missing. Activity not great on front support line trenches till 2350 when the enemy sent up green flares and their artillery laid a heavy barrage on Zouave Valley. Ablain, Carency and Lorette heights were heavily shelled with 4.9 and 8 inch guns during the whole of the day. Our artillery kept up a steady fire on enemy front and support line trenches. The 34th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 2nd Division is attached to Right Group.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd May 1916 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment  join 7th Division  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment transfer from 11th Brigade, 4th Division to 22nd Brigade, 7th Division.

                                22nd May 1916   The Brigade moved back to Bresle and became the Divisional reserve, supplying working parties for the front line. Meanwhile two groups of men chosen for the raiding parties started practicing. Left raiding party dug a practice trench, while Right raiding party found an old trench to use. The objectives of the raiders were, Right raiding party, The German Salient in x.20.a. Left raiding party, The Triangle in the German trenches points x.14.c01,x.13.b.9.0., x20.a.1/2.2. The Right raiding party was found by the 24th Battalion and the Left raiding party by the 26th Battalion. Meanwhile the Officers and NCOs of both 24th and 26th visited the front line several times to reconnoiter the objective where exact points of departure from the British Line, and point of entry in the German Line were fixed. Right party would enter at x.20.a.4.5.Left party at x.19.b.9.9.

                                research


                                23rd May 1916 Intermittent shelling   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Carency: Intermittent shelling during the day of the Batteries in Carency, Ablain and Lorette. At 1900 our artillery opened a slow bombardment of the enemy new front line which gradually increased until about 2025, when they lifted onto the old German front line. The enemy replied by barraging Zouave Valley. Artillery was very active all night and only stopped at about 0330 24th May 1916.

                                War Diaries


                                24th May 1916 Artillery Very Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Carency: Our artillery was very active throughout the day carrying out a slow bombardment of the enemy front and support lines. Enemy artillery replied with 5.9 inch rounds about battery positions. There was no infantry attack at all. The C236 Battery received a direct hit on the Sergeants Dug out, killing three Sergeants and wounding 2/Lt Green and one other Sergeant. Details of the three sergeants killed are unrecorded.

                                War Diaries


                                24th May 1916 527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.  Arras 24th May 1916.

                                527th (2nd Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers. 5th Division.

                                Activity: One NCO admitted to hospital.

                                • Field work in progress.
                                • No.1 Section.
                                • Trench 102 Erecting trench shelter.
                                • No.2 Section.
                                • Bogey Avenue A28d.7.5 Enlarging existing mined shelter.
                                • No.3 Section.
                                • Thursday Avenue G10a.4.6 Mining bomb proof grenade store.
                                • No.4 Section
                                • New Street G6c 4.9 Extending existing mined shelter
                                • St. Catherine G14b.4.4 Erecting tubular steel shelter.
                                • Observatory Redoubt G56.1.1 Repairing damaged shelter.
                                • Work party: Royal Army Medical Corps.
                                • Sunday Avenue G56.3.8 Mining regimental aid post
                                • Friday Avenue A28d.5.7 Mining regimental aid post
                                • Work party: Cyclist Detachment.
                                • Thursday Avenue G4b Cleaning communication trench and improving support line trenches

                                War Diaries


                                24th May 1916 On the March  At 1pm 18th DLI marched out of Colincamps and entered hutments in Warnimont Wood, Bus Les Artois.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                25th May 1916 Shelling Reduced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Carency report shelling on both sides was much reduced. During the afternoon Divisional Headquarters in Chateau de la Haie was shelled by 4.2 inch guns. During the night of 25th-26th May, the 47th Div Infantry was relieved by 2nd Div Infantry.

                                War Diaries


                                25th May 1916   SM U-54

                                Type U 51 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 236) Ordered 23 Aug 1914 Laid down 18 Mar 1915 Launched 22 Feb 1916 Commissioned 25 May 1916

                                Commanders.
                                16 May 1916 - 19 May 1917 Freiherr Volkhard von Bothmer.
                                20 May 1917 - 22 Mar 1918 Kurt Heeseler.
                                23 Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Oblt. Hellmuth von Ruckteschell

                                Career 12 patrols.
                                2 Jul 1916 - 11 Nov 1918 II Flotilla

                                Successes 26 ships sunk with a total of 66,713 tons.
                                4 ships damaged with a total of 17,847 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 1,290 tons.

                                • 3 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Tamara 453 nw
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Floridian 4,777 br
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Palmleaf 5,489 br
                                • 5 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Ainsdale (damaged) 1,825 br
                                • 5 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Azul 3,074 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Wallace (damaged) 3,930 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Saxonian 4,855 br
                                • 15 Mar 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Eugene Pergeline 2,203 fr
                                • 1 Apr 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Consul Persson 1,835 nw
                                • 1 Apr 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Fjelland 387 nw
                                • 2 Apr 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Havlyst 532 nw
                                • 3 Jun 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler San Lorenzo (damaged) 9,607 br
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Jonathan Holt 1,523 br
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Darius 3,426 br
                                • 23 Jul 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Ashleigh 6,985 br
                                • 23 Jul 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Huelva 4,867 br
                                • 25 Jul 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Rustington 3,071 br
                                • 26 Jul 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Somerset 7,163 br
                                • 31 Jul 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Alcides 2,704 nw
                                • 16 Sep 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Arabis 3,928 br
                                • 17 Sep 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Niemen 1,888 fr
                                • 19 Sep 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Marthe Marguerite 588 fr
                                • 24 Sep 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Louis Bossert 605 nw
                                • 25 Sep 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Marceau 292 fr
                                • 30 Apr 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Starmount (damaged) 2,485 br
                                • 8 May 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Dux 1,349 br
                                • 8 May 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Princess Dagmar 913 br
                                • 10 May 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Wileysike 2,501 br
                                • 16 Jul 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Anchusa 1,290 br
                                • 27 Sep 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell En Avant 86 fr
                                • 29 Sep 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Libourne 1,219 br

                                Fate 24 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to Italy. Broken up at Taranto in May 1919.

                                There was another U 54 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 15 Aug 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 23 Sep 1939.

                                John Doran


                                25th May 1916 Second Military Service Act  The Second Military Service Act takes effect in Britain, Married men are deemed to have enlisted under the same circumstances as applied to unmarried men on 27th January of this year, requiring all eligible British men between the ages of 19 and 40 to report, excluding men working in agriculture, mining or the railroads.

                                25th May 1916 Requests  "Don’t worry if you don’t get letters from me. I always will write as often as possible but it’s not always possible to get letters off regularly. The weather has been colder the last few days but fortunately the rain keeps away. I am so glad to hear that you are all keeping well. Things go on much the same out here, very little variety and to tell the truth it’s getting rather boring day after day. Of course we have plenty to keep us busy fortunately or I am afraid we should get tired of each others’ company. The war news doesn’t seem to tell us much does it ? Peace seems to occupy quite an important part of the news each day and shows which way the wind is blowing. In the next parcel you send will you please put one towel and some cocoa, coffee or tea cubes. Some cake would be acceptable too." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                25th May 1916 Working Parties   7th Buffs finish Digging cable trench for heavy artillery Bronfay Farm Billon Wood.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                26th May 1916 236 Brigade HQ Moves  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Carency: Lt Col Lowe DSO commanding Right Group handed over command to Lt Col Parry OC. 34th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 2nd Division. 236th Brigade HQ moved to new billets at Valhuon.

                                War Diaries


                                26th May 1916 On the March   7th Buffs Left Etineham Camp 4 a.m. marched to Mericourt and entrained for Picquigny

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                27th May 1916 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery move to Valhuon. B236 and C236 Batteries were relieved by batteries of 34th Brigade Royal Field Artillery and went into new billets at Hucler and Antin. A236 remained at the Wagon line Maisnil, Bourohe to dig new gun pits at Ablain. D236 Battery remained in action.

                                War Diaries


                                27th May 1916 At Rest   7th Buffs are at Picquigny at rest,  cleaning up

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                28th May 1916 Brigade Sports  Brigade sports held.

                                 



                                BRIGADE SPORTS



                                HELD IN THE FIELD

                                MAY 28. 1916.


                                Event

                                1st Place

                                2nd

                                3rd

                                Time

                                1.

                                1 Mile race

                                Pte. Parkins

                                M.G.C.

                                Pte. Wood.

                                R.W.K.

                                L/c. Edwards

                                E.S.

                                5.46 3/5

                                2.

                                ½ Mile

                                L/c. Wickington.

                                BUFFS

                                L/c. Edwards.

                                E. SURREY.

                                Pte. Wood.

                                BUFFS.

                                2.36 4/5

                                3.

                                ¼ Mile

                                L/c. Edwards

                                E Surrey.

                                L/c. Wickington.

                                Buffs

                                Sgt Whipps.

                                Buffs.

                                1.8 3/5

                                4.

                                220 Yards

                                Pte. Thacker.

                                Buffs

                                L/c Edwards

                                E. S.

                                Pte Jackson.

                                Buffs.

                                31 1/5

                                5.

                                100 Yards.

                                Sgt. Guest

                                M.G.C.

                                Pte. Thacker

                                BUFFS

                                Pte. Smith

                                BUFFS

                                .13

                                6.

                                50 Yards Sack.

                                Tothergill.

                                M.G.C.

                                Pte. Russell

                                R.A.M.C.

                                L/C. Gunner

                                QUEENS.


                                7.

                                Three legged

                                L/C. Browne. F/

                                L/C. Browne. G

                                BUFFS

                                Pts. Southwell/

                                “ Harris.

                                BUFFS

                                Sgt Killick/

                                “ Halliday.

                                BUFFS.


                                8.

                                Obstacle.

                                Cpl. Stubbins.

                                T.M.B.

                                Pte. Moore.

                                Buffs

                                Pte. Barton.

                                Buffs.


                                10.

                                High Jump.

                                L/c. Stewart.

                                Buffs

                                Cpl. Turner.

                                R.W.K.

                                Pte. Jarman.

                                Queens.

                                4’11”

                                11.

                                Band Race

                                Pte Wood.

                                Queens.

                                Pte. Mills.

                                Queens

                                Cpl. Bonner

                                Queens.


                                12.

                                Wheel barrow

                                Pte. Gilbert/

                                “ Seymour

                                Queens

                                Pte. Lewis/

                                “ Curtis

                                R.W.K.



                                13.

                                Jockey Race.

                                Pte Ashford/

                                “ Dalton.

                                E. Surrey

                                Cpl. Thomson/

                                Pte. Preed.

                                M.G.C.



                                14.

                                Sack fight

                                BUFFS

                                SURREYS



                                15.

                                Hurdles

                                L/c. Stewart.

                                Buffs

                                Pte. Smith

                                E.S.

                                Cpl. Turner

                                R.W.K.


                                16.

                                Pillow Fight

                                Pte. Hanton

                                A.S.C.

                                Pte. Dennington

                                E.S.

                                Pte. Marney

                                BUFFS.


                                17.

                                Drilling 25 men

                                All blindfolded


                                BUFFS


                                QUEENS


                                W. KENTS.


                                18.

                                Tug of War.

                                E. SURREYS.

                                QUEENS.

                                W. KENTS.


                                19.

                                Officers 220 yd

                                Handicap

                                Lieut. Tindal.

                                R.W.K.

                                Lieut. Hett.

                                Buffs.

                                Capt. Black.

                                Buffs.

                                .32

                                20.

                                “ 100yds.

                                Lieut. Tindal.

                                R.W.K.

                                Capt. Bowen.

                                E.S.

                                Lieut. Hett

                                Buffs.

                                .13



                                -----------------------

                                ----------------------

                                ------------------------




                                1st Places

                                2nd

                                3rd

                                Total


                                BUFFS.

                                7

                                5

                                8

                                20


                                QUEENS.

                                2

                                3

                                3

                                8


                                SURREYS.

                                3

                                6

                                1

                                10


                                W. KENTS.

                                2

                                3

                                4

                                9


                                T.M.B.

                                1



                                1


                                A.S.C.

                                1



                                1


                                M.G.C.

                                3

                                1


                                4


                                R.A.M.C.


                                1


                                1

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                29th May 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers at Aveluy Wood  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers are in tents in Aveluy Wood

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                29th May 1916 Training   7th Buffs are Training over special trenches.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                30th May 1916 527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.  30th May 1916.

                                527th (2nd Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers. 5th Division.

                                Activity: Two men discharged from hospital.

                                • Field work in progress.
                                • No.1 Section.
                                • Forward Trench 105 Erecting trench shelters
                                • No.3 Section.
                                • Forward Trench 124 Erecting trench shelters
                                • Thursday Avenue G10a.4.5 Mining bomb proof grenade store.
                                • No.4 Section
                                • New Street G6c 4.9 Extending existing dugout
                                • St. Catherine G14b.4.4 Erecting tubular steel shelter.
                                • Observatory Redoubt G56.1.1 Repairing damaged dugout.
                                • Work party: Royal Army Medical Corps.
                                • Sunday Avenue G56.3.8 Mining regimental aid post
                                • Friday Avenue A28d.5.7 Mining regimental aid post
                                • Work party: Cyclist Detachment.
                                • K2 Sub Section Improving support line.

                                War Diaries


                                30th May1916 reinforcements   42nd Siege Battery RGA

                                Captain(?) Burtenshaw arrived from England with two more 9.2 Howitzers and personnel from right half of the battery.

                                extracts from memoirs


                                30th May 1916 Training   7th Buffs are Training over special trenches.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                31st May 1916 Naval battle at Jutland  Fifty-two ships British ships faced a fleet of forty German ships at The Battle of Jutland.

                                31st May 1916 HMS Indefatigable lost  The British battle cruiser HMS Indefatigable was sunk at the Battle of Jutland with the loss of 1000 lives when a magazine exploded.

                                31st May 1916 Queen Mary sunk  HMS Queen Mary was lost at the Battle of Jutland, she sank within 90 seconds.

                                31st May 1916 HMS Invincible lost  HMS Invincible was lost during the Battle of Jutland.

                                   The Bolton Artillery, 3rd Brigade East Lancashire Royal Field Artillery, was renumbered as CCXII Brigade. 18th Lancashire Battery became A Bty, 19th Lancashire Bty became B Bty and 20th Lancashire Bty became C Bty.

                                31st May 1916   CCXII Brigade, (Bolton Artillery, 3rd Brigade East Lancashire.) was renumbered CCXI Brigade.

                                31st May 1916 HMS Petard sinks enemy ship  German destroyer V29 was sunk by torpedo from HMS Petard during the Battle of Jutland.

                                31st May 1916 Ready to Move  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Barlin report B236, C236 & D236 Batteries are in 1st Army reserve ready to move at one hours notice.

                                War Diaries


                                31st May 1916 HMS Acasta in action at Jutland  HMS Acasta was a K-Class destroyer launched in 1912. From 1914 she served with the Grand Fleet and took part in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916.

                                31st May 1916 HMS Broke in action  HMS Broke was a destroyer purchased by the Royal Navy in August 1914 from the Chilean Navy, who had named her Almirante Goni. She saw action during the Battle of Jutland.

                                31st May 1916   SM U-49

                                Type U 43 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 27) Ordered 4 Aug 1914 Launched 26 Nov 1915 Commissioned 31 May 1916

                                Commanders
                                31 May 1916 - 11 Sep 1917 Richard Hartmann

                                Career 6 patrols
                                7 Aug 1916 - 11 Sep 1917 III Flotilla

                                Successes 38 ships sunk with a total of 86,320 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 2,609 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 566 tons.

                                  29 Sep 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Haarfagre (prize) 566 nw
                                • 29 Sep 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Nornen 215 nw
                                • 1 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Seatonia 3,533 br
                                • 2 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Caswell 245 br
                                • 2 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Harfat Castle 274 br
                                • 2 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Kyoto 282 br
                                • 8 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Columbian 8,580 am
                                • 9 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Balto 3,538 nw
                                • 9 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Fordalen 2,835 nw
                                • 10 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Camma 794 nw
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Barbara 2,831 gr
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Ragnar 2,123 da
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Lady Carrington 3,269 br
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Leda (damaged) 1,140 nl
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Therese 1,333 da
                                • 15 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann La Briantais 255 fr
                                • 15 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Lorca 4,129 br
                                • 19 Feb 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Sigrid 2,194 ru
                                • 27 Feb 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Galgorm Castle 1,596 br
                                • 27 Feb 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Luigino B. 1,971 it
                                • 27 Feb 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Tritonia 4,445 br
                                • 3 Mar 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Newstead 2,836 br
                                • 3 Mar 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Sagamore 5,197 br
                                • 5 May 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Snig 2,115 nw
                                • 8 May 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Petunia 1,749 br
                                • 11 May 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Barrister 3,679 br
                                • 14 May 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Carnmoney 1,299 br
                                • 17 May 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann George Pyman 3,859 br
                                • 1 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Stalheim (damaged) 1,469 nw
                                • 3 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Cimbria 234 da
                                • 3 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Mary Boyes 101 da
                                • 3 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Proefneming I 112 nl
                                • 3 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Thor 105 nl
                                • 8 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Obuasi 4,416 br
                                • 10 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann King David 3,680 br
                                • 12 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Muirfield 3,086 br
                                • 15 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Dudhope 2,086 br
                                • 16 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Lamia L. 2,220 it
                                • 11 Sep 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Vienna 4,170 br

                                Fate 11 Sep 1917 - Rammed in Biscay and sunk by gunfire from SS British Transport at 4617N 1442W. 43 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 49 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 24 Jun 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 12 Aug 1939.

                                John Doran


                                31st May 1916 Battle of Jutland  The Battle of Jutland (German: Skagerrakschlacht (Battle of Skaggerak)) was a naval battle fought between units of the German and British Navies also including Canadian and Australian Navy ships. The battle was fought on 31 May and 1 June 1916 in the North Sea near Jutland, Denmark. It turned out to be the largest naval battle and the only full scale clash between the main Fleets during the First World War. The British Grand Fleet was commanded by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe and the German High Seas Fleet by Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer. The German plan was to use Vice-Admiral Franz Hipper's fast scouting group of five modern battlecruisers to lure Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty's battlecruiser squadrons into the path of the main German fleet. Submarines were stationed in advance across the likely routes of the British ships. However, the British learned from signal intercepts that a major fleet operation was likely, so on 30 May Jellicoe set out to meet up with Beatty, passing the intended German submarine ambush before it was in place. The German plan had been seriously delayed and their submarines had reached the limit of their endurance at sea. On the afternoon of 31 May, Beatty encountered Hipper's battlecruiser force much earlier than the Germans had expected. In a running battle, Hipper successfully drew Beatty's force into the path of the High Seas Fleet. By the time Beatty sighted the larger force and turned back,he had lost two of his six battlecruisers against the five ships commanded by Hipper. His other 4 battleships were further behind and ineffective initially. However the battleships, commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Hugh Evan-Thomas, formed a rearguard as Beatty withdrew, helping to draw the German fleet towards the main British positions. Between 1830 and nightfall at about 2030, the two fleets, totaling 250 ships between them, directly engaged twice during which fourteen British and eleven German ships were sunk causing great loss of life. Throughout the night, Jellicoe tried to cut the Germans off from their base, hoping to continue the battle the next morning, but under the cover of darkness Scheer broke through the rearguard of the Grand Fleet and returned to port. Both sides claimed a victory. The British lost more ships with double the number of sailors killed and were severely criticised by the British press for failing to force a decisive outcome. Scheer's plan of destroying a substantial portion of the British fleet also fell short of expectations. The British still needed to keep their battleships concentrated in the North Sea, but the battle reinforced the German policy of avoiding all fleet-to-fleet contact. At the end of the year, after further unsuccessful attempts to reduce the Royal Navy's numerical advantage, the German Navy turned to unrestricted submarine warfare and the destruction of Allied and neutral shipping which led to America's declaration of war on Germany in 1917. Subsequent reviews commissioned by the Royal Navy generated strong disagreement between supporters of Jellicoe and Beatty concerning the two admirals' performance in the battle. The performance of both fleets and their respective commanders along with the significance of the battle are still open to question in the 21st Century.

                                German planning

                                The German High Seas Fleet had 16 dreadnought-class battleships, compared with the Royal Navy's 28 had little chance of winning a head-on encounter, so they adopted a divide-and-conquer strategy. North Sea raids and bombardments of the English coast were undertaken to try to draw out small British squadrons and pickets which could then be destroyed by superior forces or submarines. In January 1916, Admiral von Pohl, commander of the German fleet, fell ill and his place was taken by Scheer, who believed that the fleet had better ships and men than the British and wanted a more agressive approach.On 25 April 1916 a decision was made by the German admiralty to halt indiscriminate attacks by submarine on merchant shipping. This had led to protests from neutral countries, notably the United States, that their nationals had been the victims of attacks. Germany agreed that future attacks would follow international rules requiring warnings and evacuation of crew and passengers before sinking merchant ships and neutral ships would not be attacked at all. Scheer considered these conditions were a danger to the submarines and concentrated instead on enemy warships. He concluded that German submarine attacks would tie down fast British escorts, such as destroyers, on anti-submarine operations. There were thought to be good prospects of at least partially redressing the balance of forces between the fleets. The hope was that Scheer could ambush a section of the British fleet and destroy it.

                                Submarine deployments

                                A plan was devised to station submarines offshore from British naval bases and then stage some action that would draw out the British ships to the waiting submarines. The battlecruiser SMS Seydlitz had been damaged in a previous engagement, but was due to be repaired by mid May, so an operation was scheduled for 17 May 1916. At the start of May the ships of the third battleship squadron encountered further shipboard problems, so the operation was put back to 23 May. Ten submarines, U-24, U-32, U-43, U-44, UC-47, U-51, U-52, U-63, U-66, and U-70, were instructed to patrol in the central North Sea from the 17th to 22nd May after which they were to take up waiting positions. U-43 and U-44 were stationed in the Pentland Firth, a likely crossing point for ships leaving Scapa Flow, while the rest headed for the Firth of Forth, to cover battlecruisers leaving Rosyth. Once at their final positions, the boats were under strict orders to avoid detection that might give away the operation. It was arranged that a coded signal would be transmitted to alert the submarines exactly when the operation commenced: 'Take into account the enemy's forces may be putting to sea'. Additionally, UB-27 was sent out on 20 May with instructions to work its way into the Firth of Forth past May Island. U-47 was ordered to patrol the coast of Sunderland, which had been chosen for a diversionary attack. On 13 May, U-72 was sent to lay mines in the Firth of Forth; on the 23rd, U-74 departed to lay mines in the Moray Firth; and on the 24th, U-75 was dispatched similarly west of the Orkney Islands. UB-21 and UB-22 were sent to patrol the Humber, where (incorrect) reports had suggested the presence of British warships. U-22, U-46 and U-67 were positioned north of Terschelling to protect against intervention by British light forces stationed at Harwich. On 22 May 1916 it was discovered that Seydlitz was still not watertight after repairs and would not now be ready until the 29th. The ambush submarines were now on station and experiencing difficulties of their own. The British had become aware of unusual submarine activity and had commenced patrols that forced the submarines out of position. UB-27 passed Bell Rock on the night of 23 May on its way into the Firth of Forth reaching Largo Bay on 25 May. There the boat became entangled in nets that fouled one of the propellers, forcing it to abandon the operation and return home. U-74 was detected by four armed trawlers on 27 May and sunk 25 miles southeast of Peterhead. U-75 laid its mines off the Orkney Islands, which, although they played no part in the battle, were responsible later for sinking the cruiser Hampshire carrying Lord Kitchener on a mission to Russia on 5 June. U-72 was forced to abandon its mission without laying any mines when an oil leak meant it was laying a visible surface trail astern.

                                Zeppelins

                                The Germans planned a raid on Sunderland by Zeppelins with instructions to watch out for the British fleet approaching from the north, which might otherwise surprise the raiders. By 28 May, strong northeasterly winds meant that it would not be possible to send out the Zeppelins, so the raid again had to be postponed. The submarines could only stay on station until 1 June before their supplies would be exhausted and they would have to return to base, so a decision had to be made quickly about the raid. It was decided to abandon the attack on Sunderland, but instead send a patrol of battlecruisers to the Skagerrak, where they could encounter merchant ships carrying British cargo and British cruiser patrols. It was felt this could be done without air support, because the action would now be much closer to Germany, relying instead on cruiser and torpedo boat patrols for reconnaissance. Orders for the alternative plan were issued on 28 May, though still hoping that last-minute improvements in the weather would allow the original plan to go ahead. The German fleet assembled in the Jade River and at Wilhelmshaven and was instructed to raise steam and be ready for action from midnight on 28 May. By 1400 on 30 May, the wind was still too strong and the final decision was made to use the alternative plan. The coded signal '31 May G.G.2490' was transmitted to the ships of the fleet to inform them the Skagerrak attack would start on 31 May. The pre-arranged signal to the waiting submarines was transmitted throughout the day from the E-Dienst radio station at Brugge, and the U-boat tender Arcona anchored at Emden. However only two of the waiting submarines, U-66 and U-32, received the order.

                                British response

                                Unfortunately for the Germans, the British had obtained a copy of the main German code book from the light cruiser SMS Magdeburg, boarded by the Russian Navy after she ran aground in Russian territorial waters in 1914. German naval radio communications were seriously compromised and the British were usually aware of German activities. The British Admiralty's Room 40 maintained direction finding and interception of German naval signals. It had intercepted and decrypted a German signal on 28 May ordering all ships to be ready for the 30th May. Further signals were intercepted and it was clear that a major operation was likely. At 1100 on the 30th May, Jellicoe was warned that the German fleet seemed prepared to sail the following morning. By 1700, the Admiralty had intercepted the signal from Scheer, '31 May G.G.2490', making it clear something significant was afoot. Not knowing the Germans' exact objective, Jellicoe decided to position the fleet off Norway where they could possibly cut off any German raid into the Atlantic or the Baltic. Areas further west could be patrolled by air using blimps and scouting aircraft. Jellicoe led the 16 dreadnought battleships of the 1st and 4th Battle Squadrons of the Grand Fleet and three battlecruisers of the 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron out of Scapa Flow at 2230 on the 30th May. They were to meet the 2nd Battle Squadron of eight more dreadnought battleships commanded by Vice-Admiral Martyn Jerram coming from Cromarty. Hipper's raiding force did not leave the Outer Jade Roads until 0100 on the 31st May, heading west of Heligoland Island following a cleared channel through the minefields, heading north at 18 mph. The main German fleet of 16 dreadnought battleships of 1st and 3rd Battle Squadrons left the Jade at 0230, being joined off Heligoland at 0400 by the six pre-dreadnoughts of the 2nd Battle Squadron coming from the River Elbe. Beatty's faster force of six ships of the 1st and 2nd Battlecruiser Squadrons plus the 5th Battle Squadron of four fast battleships left the Firth of Forth on the next day. Jellicoe's intention was to rendezvous with him 90 miles west of the Skagerrak off the coast of Jutland and wait for the Germans or for their intentions to become clear. The planned position gave him the optimum range for reaction to likely German intentions.

                                Order of battle at Jutland

                                Ship Type British German Dreadnought Battleships 28 16 Pre-Dreadnoughts 0 6 Battlecruisers 9 5 Armoured Cruisers 8 0 Light Cruisers 26 11 Destroyers 79 61 Seaplane Carrier 1 0

                                Jellicoe's Grand Fleet was split into two sections. The dreadnought Battle Fleet with which he sailed formed the main force and was composed of 24 battleships and three battlecruisers. The battleships were formed into three squadrons of eight ships, further subdivided into divisions of four, each led by a flag officer. Accompanying them were eight armoured cruisers (classified by the Royal Navy since 1913 as "cruisers"), eight light cruisers, four scout cruisers, 51 destroyers, and one destroyer-minelayer. British reconnaissance was provided by the Battlecruiser Fleet under David Beatty: six battlecruisers, four fast Queen Elizabeth-class battleships, 14 light cruisers and 27 destroyers. Air scouting was provided for by the attachment of the seaplane tender HMS Engadine, one of the first aircraft carriers in history to participate in a naval engagement.

                                The German High Seas Fleet under Scheer was also split into a main force and a separate reconnaissance force. Scheer's main battle fleet was composed of 16 battleships and six pre-dreadnought battleships arranged in an identical manner to the British. With them were six light cruisers and 31 torpedo-boats, (the latter being roughly equivalent to a British destroyer). The German scouting force, commanded by Franz Hipper, consisted of five battlecruisers, five light cruisers and 30 torpedo-boats. The Germans had no equivalent to Engadine, and no heavier-than-air aircraft to operate with the fleet, but had German Naval zeppelins available to patrol the North Sea.

                                The British capital ships carried a larger number of guns and a correspondingly larger weight of broadside than their German counterparts: 332,360 lb (150,760 kg) as compared to 134,216 lb (60,879 kg). All of the battleships and battlecruisers on both sides also carried torpedoes of various sizes, as did the lighter craft. The British battleships carried three or four underwater torpedo tubes. The battlecruisers carried from two to five. All were either 18-inch or 21-inch diameter. The German battleships carried five or six underwater torpedo tubes in three sizes from 18 to 21 inch and the battlecruisers carried four or five tubes. The German battle fleet was hampered by the slow speed and relatively poor armament of the six pre-dreadnoughts of II Squadron, which limited maximum fleet speed to 18 kn (21 mph; 33 km/h), compared to maximum British fleet speed of 21 kn (24 mph; 39 km/h). On the British side, the eight armoured cruisers were deficient in both speed and armour protection. Both of these obsolete squadrons were notably vulnerable to attacks by more modern enemy ships.

                                Battlecruiser action

                                The route of the British battlecruiser fleet took it through the patrol sector allocated to U-32. After receiving the order to commence the operation, the U-boat moved to a position 80 miles east of May Island at dawn on 31 May. At 0340, it sighted the cruisers HMS Galatea and Phaeton leaving the Forth at 21 mph. It launched one torpedo at the leading cruiser at a range of 1,000 yd (910 m), but its periscope jammed 'up', giving away the position of the submarine as it manoeuvred to fire a second. The lead cruiser turned away to dodge the torpedo, while the second turned towards the submarine, attempting to ram. U-32 crash dived, and on raising its periscope at 0410 saw two battlecruisers (the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron) heading southeast. They were too far away to attack, but Kapitänleutnant von Spiegel reported the sighting of two battleships and two cruisers to Germany. U-66 was also supposed to be patrolling off the Firth of Forth, but had been forced north to a position 60 miles off Peterhead by patrolling British vessels. This now brought it into contact with the 2nd Battle Squadron, coming from the Moray Firth. At 0500, it had to crash dive when the cruiser Duke of Edinburgh appeared from the mist heading toward it. It was followed by another cruiser, Boadicea, and eight battleships. U-66 got within 350 yd (320 m) of the battleships preparing to fire, but was forced to dive by an approaching destroyer and missed the opportunity. At 0635, it reported eight battleships and cruisers heading north. The courses reported by both submarines were incorrect, because they reflected one leg of a zig-zag being used by British ships to avoid submarines. Taken with a wireless intercept of more ships leaving Scapa Flow earlier in the night, they created the impression in the German High Command that the British fleet, whatever it was doing, was split into separate sections moving apart, which was precisely as the Germans wished to meet it. Jellicoe's ships proceeded to their rendezvous undamaged and undiscovered. However, he was now misled by an Admiralty intelligence report advising that the German main battle fleet was still in port. The Director of Operations Division, Rear Admiral Thomas Jackson, had asked the intelligence division, Room 40, for the current location of German call sign DK, used by Admiral Scheer. They had replied that it was currently transmitting from Wilhelmshaven. It was known to the intelligence staff that Scheer deliberately used a different call sign when at sea, but no one asked for this information or explained the reason behind the query, to locate the German fleet. The German battlecruisers cleared the minefields surrounding the Amrum swept channel by 0900. They then proceeded northwest, passing 35 miles west of the Horn's Reef lightship heading for the Little Fisher Bank at the mouth of the Skagerrak. The High Seas Fleet followed some 50 miles behind. The battlecruisers were in line ahead, with the four cruisers of the II scouting group plus supporting torpedo boats ranged in an arc 8 miles ahead and to either side. The IX torpedo boat flotilla formed close support immediately surrounding the battlecruisers. The High Seas Fleet similarly adopted a line-ahead formation, with close screening by torpedo boats to either side and a further screen of five cruisers surrounding the column 5,8 miles away. The wind had finally moderated so that Zeppelins could be used, and by 1130 five had been sent out: L14 to the Skagerrak, L23 240 miles east of Noss Head in the Pentland Firth, L21 120 miles off Peterhead, L9 100 miles off Sunderland, and L16 80 miles east of Flamborough Head. Visibility, however, was still bad, with clouds down to 1,000 ft (300 m).

                                Contact Summary.

                                By around 1400, Beatty's ships were proceeding eastward at roughly the same latitude as Hipper's squadron, which was heading north. Had the courses remained unchanged, Beatty would have passed between the two German fleets, 40 miles south of the battlecruisers and 20 miles north of the High Seas Fleet at around 1630, possibly trapping his ships just as the German plan envisioned. However, his orders were to stop his scouting patrol when he reached a point 260 miles east of Britain and then turn north to meet Jellicoe, which he did at this time. Beatty's ships were divided into three columns, with the two battlecruiser squadrons leading in parallel lines 3 miles apart. The 5th Battle Squadron was stationed 5 miles to the northwest, on the side furthest away from any expected enemy contact, while a screen of cruisers and destroyers was spread southeast of the battlecruisers. After the turn, the 5th Battle Squadron was now leading the British ships in the westmost column, and Beatty's squadron was centre and rearmost, with the 2nd BCS to the west. At 1420 on 31 May, despite heavy haze and scuds of fog giving poor visibility, scouts from Beatty's force reported enemy ships to the southeast; the British light units, investigating a neutral Danish steamer (N J Fjord), which was stopped between the two fleets, had found two German destroyers engaged on the same mission (B109 and B110). The first shots of the battle were fired at 1428 when HMS Galatea and Phaeton of the British 1st Light Cruiser Squadron opened on the German torpedo boats, which withdrew toward their own approaching light cruisers. At 1436, the Germans scored the first hit of the battle when SMS Elbing, of Rear-Admiral Friedrich Bödicker's Scouting Group II, hit her British counterpart Galatea at extreme range. Meanwhile Beatty began to move his battlecruisers and supporting forces southeastwards and then east to cut the German ships off from their base, and ordered Engadine to launch a seaplane to try to get more information about the size and location of the German forces. This was the first time in history that a carrier-based aeroplane was used for reconnaissance in naval combat. Engadine's plane did locate and report some German light cruisers just before 1530, and came under anti-aircraft gunfire, but attempts to relay the plane's reports failed. Unfortunately for Beatty, his initial course changes at 1432 were not received by Sir Hugh Evan-Thomas's 5th Battle Squadron (the distance being too great to read his flags), because the battlecruiser HMS Tiger, the last ship in his column, was no longer in a position where she could relay signals by searchlight to Evan-Thomas, as she had previously been ordered to do. Whereas before the north turn, Tiger had been the closest ship to Evan-Thomas, she was now further away than Beatty in Lion. Matters were aggravated because Evan-Thomas had not been briefed regarding standing orders within Beatty's squadron, as his squadron normally operated with the Grand Fleet. Fleet ships were expected to obey movement orders precisely and not deviate from them. Beatty's standing instructions expected his officers to use their initiative and keep station with the flagship. As a result, the four Queen Elizabeth-class battleships, which were the fastest and most heavily armed in the world at that time, remained on the previous course for several minutes, ending up 10 miles behind rather than five. Beatty also had the opportunity during the previous hours to concentrate his forces, and no reason not to do so, whereas he steamed ahead at full speed, faster than the battleships could manage. Dividing the force had serious consequences for the British, costing them what would have been an overwhelming advantage in ships and firepower during the first half-hour of the coming battle. With visibility favouring the Germans, Hipper's battlecruisers at 1522, steaming approximately northwest, sighted Beatty's squadron at a range of about 15 miles, while Beatty's forces did not identify Hipper's battlecruisers until 1530. At 1545, Hipper turned southeast to lead Beatty toward Scheer, who was 46 miles southeast with the main force of the High Seas Fleet.

                                The Run to the South

                                Beatty's conduct during the next 15 minutes has received a great deal of criticism, as his ships out-ranged and outnumbered the German squadron, yet he held his fire for over 10 minutes with the German ships in range. He also failed to use the time available to rearrange his battlecruisers into a fighting formation, with the result that they were still manoeuvreing when the battle started. At 1548, with the opposing forces roughly parallel at 15,000 yd (14,000 m), with the British to the southwest of the Germans (i.e., on the right side), Hipper opened fire, followed by the British ships as their guns came to bear upon targets. Thus began the opening phase of the battlecruiser action, known as the "Run to the South", in which the British chased the Germans, and Hipper intentionally led Beatty toward Scheer. During the first minutes of the ensuing battle, all the British ships except Princess Royal fired far over their German opponents, due to adverse visibility conditions, before finally getting the range. Only Lion and Princess Royal had settled into formation, so the other four ships were hampered in aiming by their own turning. Beatty was to windward of Hipper, and therefore funnel and gun smoke from his own ships tended to obscure his targets, while Hipper's smoke blew clear. Also, the eastern sky was overcast and the grey German ships were indistinct and difficult to range. Beatty had ordered his ships to engage in a line, one British ship engaging with one German and his flagship HMS Lion doubling on the German flagship SMS Lützow. However, due to another mistake with signalling by flag, and possibly because the Queen Mary and Tiger were unable to see the German lead ship because of smoke, the second German ship, Derfflinger, was left unengaged and free to fire without disruption. SMS Moltke drew fire from two of Beatty's battlecruisers, but still fired with deadly accuracy during this time, putting nine shells into Tiger in the first 12 minutes. The Germans drew first blood. Aided by superior visibility, Hipper's five battlecruisers quickly registered hits on three of the six British battlecruisers. Seven minutes passed before the British managed to score their first hit. The first near-kill of the Run to the South occurred at 1600, when a 12 in (300 mm) salvo from Lützow wrecked the "Q" turret amidships on Beatty's flagship Lion. Dozens of crewmen were instantly killed, but far larger destruction was averted when the mortally wounded turret commander, Major Francis Harvey of the Royal Marines, promptly ordered the magazine doors shut and the magazine flooded. This prevented a magazine explosion at 1628, when a flash fire ignited ready cordite charges beneath the turret and killed everyone in the chambers outside "Q" magazine. Lion was saved. HMS Indefatigable was not so lucky; at 1602, just 14 minutes into the slugging match, she was smashed aft by three 11 in (280 mm) shells from SMS Von der Tann, causing damage sufficient to knock her out of line and detonating "X" magazine aft. Soon after, despite the near-maximum range, Von der Tann put another 11 in (280 mm) salvo on Indefatigable's "A" turret forward. The plunging shells probably pierced the thin upper armour, and seconds later Indefatigable was ripped apart by another magazine explosion, sinking immediately with her crew of 1,019 officers and men, leaving only two survivors. Hipper's position deteriorated somewhat by 1615 as the 5th Battle Squadron finally came into range, so that he had to contend with gunfire from the four battleships astern as well as Beatty's five remaining battlecruisers to starboard. But he knew his baiting mission was close to completion, as his force was rapidly closing with Scheer's main body. At 1608, the lead battleship of the 5th Battle Squadron, HMS Barham, caught up with Hipper and opened fire at extreme range, scoring a 15 inch (380 mm) hit on Von der Tann within 60 seconds. Still, it was 1615 before all the battleships of the 5th were able to fully engage at long range. At 1625, the battlecruiser action intensified again when HMS Queen Mary was hit by what may have been a combined salvo from Derfflinger and Seydlitz; she disintegrated when both forward magazines exploded, sinking with all but nine of her 1,275 man crew lost. Commander von Hase, the first gunnery officer aboard Derfflingler, noted: The enemy was shooting superbly. Twice the Derfflinger came under their infernal hail and each time she was hit. But the Queen Mary was having a bad time; engaged by the Seydlitz as well as the Derfflinger, she met her doom at 1626. A vivid red flame shot up from her forepart; then came an explosion forward, followed by a much heavier explosion amidships. Immediately afterwards, she blew up with a terrific explosion, the masts collapsing inwards and the smoke hiding everything. —Commander von Hase. During the Run to the South, from 1548 to 1654, the German battlecruisers made an estimated total of forty-two 11 and 12 in (280 and 300 mm) hits on the British battlecruisers (nine on Lion, six on Princess Royal, seven on Queen Mary, 14 on Tiger, one on New Zealand, five on Indefatigable), and two more on the battleship Barham, compared with only eleven 13.5 in (340 mm) hits by the British battlecruisers (four on Lützow, four on Seydlitz, two on Moltke, one on von der Tann), and six 15 in (380 mm) hits by the battleships (one on Seydlitz, four on Moltke, one on von der Tann).

                                "Something wrong with our bloody ships"

                                Shortly after 1626, a salvo struck on or around HMS Princess Royal, which was obscured by spray and smoke from shell bursts. A signalman promptly leapt on to the bridge of Lion and announced "Princess Royal's blown up, Sir." Beatty famously turned to his flag captain, saying "Chatfield, there seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today." (In popular legend, Beatty also immediately ordered his ships to "turn two points to port", i.e., two points nearer the enemy, but there is no official record of any such command or course change.) Princess Royal, as it turned out, was still afloat after the spray cleared. At 1630, Scheer's leading battleships sighted the distant battlecruiser action. Soon after, HMS Southampton of Beatty's 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron led by Commodore William Goodenough sighted the main body of Scheer's High Seas Fleet. Dodging numerous heavy-calibre salvos to report in detail the German strength: 16 dreadnoughts with six older battleships. This was the first news that Beatty and Jellicoe had that Scheer and his battle fleet were even at sea. Simultaneously, an all-out destroyer action raged in the space between the opposing battlecruiser forces, as British and German destroyers fought with each other and attempted to torpedo the larger enemy ships. Each side fired many torpedoes, but both battlecruiser forces turned away from the attacks and all escaped harm except Seydlitz, which was hit forward at 1657 by a torpedo fired by the British destroyer HMS Petard. Though taking on water, Seydlitz maintained speed. The destroyer HMS Nestor, under the command of Captain Barry Bingham, led the British attacks. The British disabled the German torpedo boat V27, which the Germans soon abandoned and sank, and Petard then torpedoed and sank V29, her second score of the day. S35 and V26 rescued the crews of their sunken sister ships. But Nestor and another British destroyer, HMS Nomad, were immobilised by shell hits, and were later sunk by Scheer's passing dreadnoughts. Bingham was rescued, and won the Victoria Cross for his leadership in the destroyer action.

                                The Run to the North

                                As soon as he himself sighted the vanguard of Scheer's distant battleship line 12 miles away, at 1640, Beatty turned his battlecruiser force 180°, heading north to draw the Germans toward Jellicoe. Beatty's withdrawal toward Jellicoe is called the "Run to the North", in which the tables turned and the Germans chased the British. Because Beatty once again failed to signal his intentions adequately, the battleships of the 5th Battle Squadron, which were too far behind to read his flags, found themselves passing the battlecruisers on an opposing course and heading directly toward the approaching main body of the High Seas Fleet. At 1648, at extreme range, Scheer's leading battleships opened fire. Meanwhile, at 1647, having received Goodenough's signal and knowing that Beatty was now leading the German battlefleet north to him, Jellicoe signalled to his own forces that the fleet action they had waited so long for was finally imminent. At 1651, by radio, he informed the Admiralty so in London. The difficulties of the 5th Battle Squadron were compounded when Beatty gave the order to Evan-Thomas to "turn in succession" (rather than "turn together") at 1648 as the battleships passed him. Evan-Thomas acknowledged the signal, but Lieutenant-Commander Ralph Seymour, Beatty's flag lieutenant, aggravated the situation when he did not haul down the flags (to execute the signal) for some minutes. At 1655, when the 5BS had moved within range of the enemy battleships, Evan-Thomas issued his own flag command warning his squadron to expect sudden manoeuvres and to follow his lead, before starting to turn on his own initiative. The order to turn in succession would have resulted in all four ships turning in the same patch of sea as they reached it one by one, giving the High Seas Fleet repeated opportunity with ample time to find the proper range. However, the captain of the trailing ship (HMS Malaya) turned early, mitigating the adverse results. For the next hour, the 5th Battle Squadron acted as Beatty's rearguard, drawing fire from all the German ships within range, while by 1710 Beatty had deliberately eased his own squadron out of range of Hipper's now-superior battlecruiser force to give his damaged ships a respite from the accurate and deadly fire of his foes. Since visibility and firepower now favoured the Germans, there was no incentive for Beatty to risk further battlecruiser losses when his own gunnery could not be effective. Illustrating the imbalance, Beatty's battlecruisers did not score any hits on the Germans in this phase until 1745, but they had rapidly received five more before he opened the range (four on Lion, of which three were by Lützow, and one on Tiger by Seydlitz). Now the only targets the Germans could reach, the ships of the 5th Battle Squadron, received simultaneous fire from Hipper's battlecruisers to the east (which HMS Barham and Valiant engaged) and Scheer's leading battleships to the southeast (which HMS Warspite and Malaya engaged). Three took hits: Barham (four by Derfflinger), Warspite (two by Seydlitz), and Malaya (seven by the German battleships). Only Valiant was unscathed. The four battleships were far better suited to take this sort of pounding than the battlecruisers, and none were lost, though Malaya suffered heavy damage, an ammunition fire, and heavy crew casualties. At the same time, the 15 inch (380 mm) fire of the four British ships was accurate and effective. As the two British squadrons headed north at top speed, eagerly chased by the entire German fleet, the 5th Battle Squadron scored 13 hits on the enemy battlecruisers (four on Lützow, three on Derfflinger, six on Seydlitz) and five on battleships (although only one, on SMS Markgraf, did any serious damage).

                                The fleets converge

                                Jellicoe was now aware that full fleet engagement was nearing, but had insufficient information on the position and course of the Germans. To assist Beatty, early in the battle at about 1605, Jellicoe had ordered Rear-Admiral Horace Hood's 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron to speed ahead to find and support Beatty's force, and Hood was now racing SSE well in advance of Jellicoe's northern force. Rear-Admiral Arbuthnot's 1st Cruiser Squadron patrolled the van of Jellicoe's main battleship force as it advanced steadily to the southeast. At 1733, the armoured cruiser HMS Black Prince of Arbuthnot's squadron, on the far southwest flank of Jellicoe's force, came within view of HMS Falmouth, which was about 5 miles ahead of Beatty with the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron, establishing the first visual link between the converging bodies of the Grand Fleet. At 1738, the scout cruiser HMS Chester, screening Hood's oncoming battlecruisers, was intercepted by the van of the German scouting forces under Rear-Admiral Bödicker. Heavily outnumbered by Bödicker's four light cruisers, Chester was pounded before being relieved by Hood's heavy units, which swung westward for that purpose. Hood's flagship HMS Invincible disabled the light cruiser SMS Wiesbaden shortly after 1756. Wiesbaden became a sitting target for most of the British fleet during the next hour, but remained afloat and fired some torpedoes at the passing enemy battleships from long range. Meanwhile, Bödicker's other ships fled toward Hipper and Scheer in the mistaken belief that Hood was leading a larger force of British capital ships from the north and east. A chaotic destroyer action in mist and smoke ensued as German torpedo boats attempted to blunt the arrival of this new formation, but Hood's battlecruisers dodged all the torpedoes fired at them. In this action, after leading a torpedo counterattack, the British destroyer HMS Shark was disabled, but continued to return fire at numerous passing enemy ships for the next hour.

                                The fleet action - Deployment

                                In the meantime, Beatty and Evan-Thomas had resumed their engagement with Hipper's battlecruisers, this time with the visual conditions to their advantage. With several of his ships damaged, Hipper turned back toward Scheer at around 1800, just as Beatty's flagship Lion was finally sighted from Jellicoe's flagship Iron Duke. Jellicoe twice demanded the latest position of the German battlefleet from Beatty, who could not see the German battleships and failed to respond to the question until 1814. Meanwhile, Jellicoe received confused sighting reports of varying accuracy and limited usefulness from light cruisers and battleships on the starboard (southern) flank of his force. Jellicoe was in a worrying position. He needed to know the location of the German fleet to judge when and how to deploy his battleships from their cruising formation (six columns of four ships each) into a single battle line. The deployment could be on either the westernmost or the easternmost column, and had to be carried out before the Germans arrived; but early deployment could mean losing any chance of a decisive encounter. Deploying to the west would bring his fleet closer to Scheer, gaining valuable time as dusk approached, but the Germans might arrive before the manoeuvre was complete. Deploying to the east would take the force away from Scheer, but Jellicoe's ships might be able to cross the "T", and visibility would strongly favour British gunnery, Scheer's forces would be silhouetted against the setting sun to the west, while the Grand Fleet would be indistinct against the dark skies to the north and east, and would be hidden by reflection of the low sunlight off intervening haze and smoke. Deployment would take twenty irreplaceable minutes, and the fleets were closing at full speed. In one of the most critical and difficult tactical command decisions of the entire war, Jellicoe ordered deployment to the east at 1815.

                                Windy Corner

                                Meanwhile, Hipper had rejoined Scheer, and the combined High Seas Fleet was heading north, directly toward Jellicoe. Scheer had no indication that Jellicoe was at sea, let alone that he was bearing down from the northwest, and was distracted by the intervention of Hood's ships to his north and east. Beatty's four surviving battlecruisers were now crossing the van of the British dreadnoughts to join Hood's three battlecruisers; at this time, Arbuthnot's flagship, the armoured cruiser HMS Defence, and her squadron-mate HMS Warrior both charged across Beatty's bows, and Lion narrowly avoided a collision with Warrior. Nearby, numerous British light cruisers and destroyers on the southwestern flank of the deploying battleships were also crossing each other's courses in attempts to reach their proper stations, often barely escaping collisions, and under fire from some of the approaching German ships. This period of peril and heavy traffic attending the merger and deployment of the British forces later became known as "Windy Corner". Arbuthnot was attracted by the drifting hull of the crippled Wiesbaden. With Warrior, Defence closed in for the kill, only to blunder right into the gun sights of Hipper's and Scheer's oncoming capital ships. Defence was deluged by heavy-calibre gunfire from many German battleships, which detonated her magazines in a spectacular explosion viewed by most of the deploying Grand Fleet; she sank with all hands (903 officers and men). Warrior was also hit badly, but she was spared destruction by a mishap to the nearby battleship Warspite. Warspite had her steering gear overheat and jam under heavy load at high speed as the 5th Battle Squadron made a turn to the north at 1819. Steaming at top speed in wide circles, Warspite appeared as a juicy target to the German dreadnoughts and took 13 hits, inadvertently drawing fire from the hapless Warrior. Warspite was brought back under control and survived the onslaught, but was badly damaged, had to reduce speed, and withdrew northward; later (at 2107), she was ordered back to port by Evan-Thomas. Warspite went on to a long and illustrious career, serving also in World War II. Warrior, on the other hand, was abandoned and sank the next day after her crew was taken off at 0825 on 1 June by Engadine, which towed the sinking armoured cruiser 100 miles during the night. As Defence sank and Warspite circled, at about 1819, Hipper moved within range of Hood's 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron, but was still also within range of Beatty's ships. At first, visibility favoured the British: HMS Indomitable hit Derfflinger three times and Seydlitz once, while Lützow quickly took 10 hits from Lion, Inflexible and Invincible, including two below-waterline hits forward by Invincible that would ultimately doom Hipper's flagship. But at 1830, Invincible abruptly appeared as a clear target before Lützow and Derfflinger. The two German ships then fired three salvoes each at Invincible, and sank her in 90 seconds. A 12 inch (300 mm) shell from the third salvo struck Invincible's Q-turret amidships, detonating the magazines below and causing her to blow up and sink. All but six of her crew of 1,032 officers and men, including Rear-Admiral Hood, were killed. Of the remaining British battlecruisers, only Princess Royal received heavy-calibre hits at this time (two 12 inch (300 mm) by the battleship Markgraf). Lützow, flooding forward and unable to communicate by radio, was now out of action and began to attempt to withdraw; therefore Hipper left his flagship and transferred to the torpedo boat SMS G39, hoping to board one of the other battlecruisers later.

                                Crossing the T

                                By 1830, the main battlefleet action was joined for the first time, with Jellicoe effectively "crossing Scheer's T". The officers on the lead German battleships, and Scheer himself, were taken completely by surprise when they emerged from drifting clouds of smoky mist to suddenly find themselves facing the massed firepower of the entire Grand Fleet main battle line, which they did not know was even at sea. Jellicoe's flagship Iron Duke quickly scored seven hits on the lead German dreadnought, SMS König, but in this brief exchange, which lasted only minutes, as few as 10 of the Grand Fleet's 24 dreadnoughts actually opened fire. The Germans were hampered by poor visibility, in addition to being in an unfavourable tactical position, just as Jellicoe had intended. Realizing he was heading into a death trap, Scheer ordered his fleet to turn and flee at 1833. Under a pall of smoke and mist, Scheer's forces succeeded in disengaging by an expertly executed 180° turn in unison ("battle about turn to starboard"), which was a well-practiced emergency manoeuvre of the High Seas Fleet. It was now obvious that we were confronted by a large portion of the English fleet. The entire arc stretching from north to east was a sea of fire. The flash from the muzzles of the guns was seen distinctly through the mist and smoke on the horizon, although the ships themselves were not distinguishable. —Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer. Conscious of the risks to his capital ships posed by torpedoes, Jellicoe did not chase directly but headed south, determined to keep the High Seas Fleet west of him. Starting at 1840, battleships at the rear of Jellicoe's line were in fact sighting and avoiding torpedoes, and at 1854 HMS Marlborough was hit by a torpedo (probably from the disabled Wiesbaden), which reduced her speed to 18 mph. Meanwhile, Scheer, knowing that it was not yet dark enough to escape and that his fleet would suffer terribly in a stern chase, doubled back to the east at 1855. In his memoirs he wrote, "the manoeuvre would be bound to surprise the enemy, to upset his plans for the rest of the day, and if the blow fell heavily it would facilitate the breaking loose at night." But the turn to the east took his ships, again, directly towards Jellicoe's fully deployed battle line. Simultaneously, the disabled British destroyer HMS Shark fought desperately against a group of four German torpedo boats and disabled V48 with gunfire, but was eventually torpedoed and sunk at 1902 by the German destroyer S54. Shark's Captain Loftus Jones won the Victoria Cross for his heroism in continuing to fight against all odds.

                                Gefechtskehrtwendung ("About Turn!")

                                Commodore Goodenough's 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron dodged the fire of German battleships for a second time to re-establish contact with the High Seas Fleet shortly after 1900. By 1915, Jellicoe had crossed Scheer's "T" again. This time his arc of fire was tighter and deadlier, causing severe damage to the German battleships, particularly Rear-Admiral Behncke's leading 3rd Squadron (SMS Konig, Grosser Kurfürst, Markgraf, and Kaiser all being hit, along with SMS Helgoland of the 1st Squadron), while on the British side, only the battleship HMS Colossus was hit (twice, by SMS Seydlitz, but with little damage done). At 1917, for the second time in less than an hour, Scheer turned his outnumbered and outgunned fleet to the west using the "battle about turn" (German: Gefechtskehrtwendung), but this time it was executed only with difficulty, as the High Seas Fleet's lead squadrons began to lose formation under concentrated gunfire. To deter a British chase, Scheer ordered a major torpedo attack by his destroyers and a potentially sacrificial charge by Scouting Group I's four remaining battlecruisers. Hipper was still aboard the torpedo boat G39 and was unable to command his squadron for this attack. Therefore, SMS Derfflinger, under Captain Hartog, led the already badly damaged German battlecruisers directly into "the greatest concentration of naval gunfire any fleet commander had ever faced", at ranges down to 4 miles, in what became known as the "death ride", all the battlecruisers except SMS Moltke were hit and further damaged, as 18 of the British battleships fired at them simultaneously. Derfflinger had two main gun turrets destroyed. The crews of Scouting Group I suffered heavy casualties, but survived the pounding and veered away with the other battlecruisers once Scheer was out of trouble and the German destroyers were moving in to attack. In this brief but intense portion of the engagement, from about 1905 to about 1930, the Germans sustained a total of 37 heavy hits while inflicting only two; Derfflinger alone received 14. While his battlecruisers drew the fire of the British fleet, Scheer slipped away, laying smoke screens. Meanwhile, from about 1916 to about 1940, the British battleships were also engaging Scheer's torpedo boats, which executed several waves of torpedo attacks to cover his withdrawal. Jellicoe's ships turned away from the attacks and successfully evaded all 31 of the torpedoes launched at them, though, in several cases, only just barely, and sank the German destroyer S35. British light forces also sank V48, which had previously been disabled by HMS Shark. This action, and the turn away, cost the British critical time and range in the last hour of daylight, as Scheer intended, allowing him to get his heavy ships out of immediate danger. The last major exchanges between capital ships in this battle took place just after sunset, from about 2019 to about 2035, as the surviving British battlecruisers caught up with their German counterparts, which were briefly relieved by Rear-Admiral Mauve's obsolete pre-dreadnoughts (the German 2nd Squadron). The British received one heavy hit on Princess Royal but scored five more on Seydlitz and three on other German ships. As twilight faded to night and HMS King George V exchanged a few final shots with SMS Westfalen, neither side could have imagined that the only encounter between British and German dreadnoughts in the entire war was already concluded.

                                Night action and German withdrawal

                                At 2100, Jellicoe, conscious of the Grand Fleet's deficiencies in night fighting, decided to try to avoid a major engagement until early dawn. He placed a screen of cruisers and destroyers 5 miles behind his battle fleet to patrol the rear as he headed south to guard Scheer's expected escape route. In reality, Scheer opted to cross Jellicoe's wake and escape via Horns Reef. Luckily for Scheer, most of the light forces in Jellicoe's rearguard failed to report the seven separate encounters with the German fleet during the night. The very few radio reports that were sent to the British flagship were never received, possibly because the Germans were jamming British frequencies. Many of the destroyers failed to make the most of their opportunities to attack discovered ships, despite Jellicoe's expectations that the destroyer forces would, if necessary, be able to block the path of the German fleet. Jellicoe and his commanders did not understand that the furious gunfire and explosions to the north (seen and heard for hours by all the British battleships) indicated that the German heavy ships were breaking through the screen astern of the British fleet. Instead, it was believed that the fighting was the result of night attacks by German destroyers. The most powerful British ships of all (the 15-inch-gunned 5th Battle Squadron) directly observed German battleships crossing astern of them in action with British light forces, at ranges of 3 miles or less, and gunners on HMS Malaya made ready to fire, but her captain declined, deferring to the authority of Rear-Admiral Evan-Thomas, and neither commander reported the sightings to Jellicoe, assuming that he could see for himself and that revealing the fleet's position by radio signals or gunfire was unwise. While the nature of Scheer's escape, and Jellicoe's inaction, indicate the overall German superiority in night fighting, the results of the night action were no more clear-cut than were those of the battle as a whole. In the first of many surprise encounters by darkened ships at point-blank range, Southampton, Commodore Goodenough's flagship, which had scouted so proficiently, was heavily damaged in action with a German Scouting Group composed of light cruisers, but managed to torpedo SMS Frauenlob, which went down at 2223 with all hands (320 officers and men). From 2320 to approximately 0215, several British destroyer flotillas launched torpedo attacks on the German battle fleet in a series of violent and chaotic engagements at extremely short range (often under 0.5 miles). At the cost of five destroyers sunk and some others damaged, they managed to torpedo the light cruiser SMS Rostock, which sank several hours later, and the pre-dreadnought SMS Pommern, which blew up and sank with all hands (839 officers and men) at 0310 during the last wave of attacks before dawn. Three of the British destroyers collided in the chaos, and the German battleship SMS Nassau rammed the British destroyer HMS Spitfire, blowing away most of the British ship's superstructure merely with the muzzle blast of its big guns, which could not be aimed low enough to hit the ship. Nassau was left with a 11 ft hole in her side, reducing her maximum speed to 17 mph, while the removed plating was left lying on Spitfire's deck. Spitfire survived and made it back to port. Another German cruiser, SMS Elbing, was accidentally rammed by the dreadnought Posen and abandoned, sinking early the next day. Of the British destroyers, HMS Tipperary, Ardent, Fortune, Sparrowhawk and Turbulent were lost during the night fighting. Just after midnight on 1 June, SMS Thüringen and other German battleships sank HMS Black Prince of the ill-fated 1st Cruiser Squadron, which had blundered into the German battle line. Deployed as part of a screening force several miles ahead of the main force of the Grand Fleet, the Black Prince had lost contact in the darkness and took a position near what she thought was the British line. The Germans soon identified the new addition to its line and opened fire. Overwhelmed by point-blank gunfire, the Black Prince blew up, (857 officers and men - all hands - were lost), as her squadron leader Defence had done hours earlier. Lost in the darkness, the battlecruisers SMS Moltke and Seydlitz had similar point-blank encounters with the British battle line and were recognized, but were spared the fate of Black Prince when the captains of the British ships, again, declined to open fire, reluctant to reveal their fleet's position. At 0145, the sinking battlecruiser Lützow, fatally damaged by Invincible during the main action, was torpedoed by the destroyer G38 on orders of Lützow's Captain Viktor von Harder after the surviving crew of 1,150 transferred to destroyers that came alongside. At 0215, the German torpedo boat V4 suddenly had its bow blown off; V2 and V6 came alongside and took off the remaining crew, and the V2 then sank the hulk. Since there was no enemy nearby, it was assumed that she had hit a mine or had been torpedoed by a submarine. At 0215, five British ships of the 13th Destroyer Flotilla under Captain James Uchtred Farie regrouped and headed south. At 0225, they sighted the rear of the German line. HMS Marksman inquired of the leader Champion as to whether he thought they were British or German ships. Answering that he thought they were German, Farie then veered off to the east and away from the German line. All but Moresby in the rear followed, as through the gloom she sighted what she thought were four pre-dreadnought battleships 2 miles away. She hoisted a flag signal indicating that the enemy was to the west and then closed to firing range, letting off a torpedo set for high running at 0237, then veering off to rejoin her flotilla. The four pre-dreadnought battleships were in fact two pre-dreadnoughts, Schleswig-Holstein and Schlesien, and the battlecruisers Von der Tann and Derfflinger. Von der Tann sighted the torpedo and was forced to steer sharply to starboard to avoid it as it passed close to her bows. Moresby rejoined Champion convinced she had scored a hit. Finally, at 0520, as Scheer's fleet was safely on its way home, the battleship SMS Ostfriesland struck a British mine on her starboard side, killing one man and wounding ten, but was able to make port. Seydlitz, critically damaged and very nearly sinking, barely survived the return voyage: after grounding and taking on even more water on the evening of 1 June, she had to be assisted stern first into port, where she dropped anchor at 0730 on the morning of 2 June. The Germans were helped in their escape by the failure of the British Admiralty in London to pass on seven critical radio intercepts obtained by naval intelligence indicating the true position, course and intentions of the High Seas Fleet during the night. One message was transmitted to Jellicoe at 2315 that accurately reported the German fleet's course and speed as of 2114. However, the erroneous signal from earlier in the day that reported the German fleet still in port, and an intelligence signal received at 2245 giving another unlikely position for the German fleet, had reduced his confidence in intelligence reports. Had the other messages been forwarded, which confirmed the information received at 2315, or had British ships reported accurately sightings and engagements with German destroyers, cruisers and battleships, then Jellicoe could have altered course to intercept Scheer at the Horns Reef. The unsent intercepted messages had been duly filed by the junior officer left on duty that night, who failed to appreciate their significance. By the time Jellicoe finally learned of Scheer's whereabouts at 0415, the German was too far away to catch and it was clear that the battle could no longer be resumed.

                                Reporting the Outcome

                                At midday on 2 June German authorities released a press statement claiming a victory, including the destruction of a battleship, two battlecruisers, two armoured cruisers, a light cruiser, a submarine and several destroyers, for the loss of Pommern and Wiesbaden. News that Lutzow, Elbing and Rostock had been scuttled was withheld, on the grounds this information would not be known to the enemy. The victory of the Skagerrak was celebrated in the press, children were given a holiday and the nation celebrated. The Kaiser announced a new chapter in world history. Post-war, the official German history hailed the battle as a victory and it continued to be celebrated until after World War II.

                                In Britain the first official news came from German wireless broadcasts. Ships began to arrive in port, their crews sending messages to friends and relatives both of their survival and the loss of some 6,000 others. Authorities considered suppressing the news, but it had already spread widely.

                                British self-critique

                                The official British Admiralty examination of the Grand Fleet's performance recognised two main problems: British armour-piercing shells exploded outside the German armour rather than penetrating and exploding within. As a result, some German ships with only 8 in (20 cm)-thick armour survived hits from 15-inch (380 mm) projectiles. Had these shells penetrated the armour and then exploded, German losses would probably have been far greater. Communication between ships and the British commander-in-chief were comparatively poor. For most of the battle, Jellicoe had no idea where the German ships were, even though British ships were in contact. They failed to report enemy positions, contrary to the Grand Fleet's Battle Plan. Some of the most important signalling was carried out solely by flag instead of wireless or using redundant methods to ensure communications—a questionable procedure, given the mixture of haze and smoke that obscured the battlefield, and a foreshadowing of similar failures by habit-bound and conservatively minded professional officers of rank to take advantage of new technology in World War II.

                                Shell performance

                                German armour-piercing shells were far more effective than the British ones, which often failed to penetrate heavy armour. The issue particularly concerned shells striking at oblique angles, which became increasingly the case at long range. The issue of poorly performing shells had been known to Jellicoe, who as third sea lord from 1908 to 1910 had ordered new shells to be designed. However, the matter had not been followed through after his posting to sea and new shells had never been thoroughly tested. Hipper later commented, "It was nothing but the poor quality of their bursting charges which saved us from disaster". Efforts to replace the shells were initially resisted by the Admiralty, and action was not taken until Jellicoe became First Sea Lord in December 1916. As an initial response, the worst of the existing shells were withdrawn from ships in early 1917 and replaced from reserve supplies. New shells were designed, but did not arrive until April 1918, and were never used in action.

                                Battlecruiser losses

                                The British battlecruisers were designed to chase and destroy enemy cruisers from a range at which these ships could not reply. They were not designed to be ships of the line and exchange broadsides with the enemy. Although one German and three British battlecruisers were sunk, none of them were destroyed by enemy shells penetrating the belt armour and detonating the magazines. Each of the British battlecruisers was penetrated through a turret roof and her magazines ignited by flash fires passing through the turret and shell-handling rooms. Lützow sustained 24 hits and her flooding could not be contained. She was eventually sunk by her escorts' torpedoes after her crew had been safely removed. Derfflinger and Seydlitz sustained 22 hits each but reached port (although in Seydlitz's case only just). Whether or not thin deck armour was a potential weakness of British ships, the battle provided no evidence that it was the case. At least amongst the surviving ships, no enemy shell was found to have penetrated deck armour anywhere. The design of a new battlecruiser HMS Hood (which had started building at the time of the battle) was altered to give her 5,000 long tons of additional armour.

                                Ammunition handling

                                British and German propellant charges differed in packaging, handling, and chemistry. The British propellant was of two types, MK1 and MD. The Mark 1 cordite had a formula of 37% nitrocellulose, 58% nitroglycerine, and 5% petroleum jelly. It was a good propellant but burned hot and caused an erosion problem in gun barrels. The petroleum jelly served as both a lubricant and a stabilizer. Cordite MD was developed to reduce barrel wear, its formula being 65% nitrocellulose, 30% nitroglycerine, and 5% petroleum jelly. While cordite MD solved the gun-barrel erosion issue, it did nothing to improve its storage properties, which were poor. Cordite was very sensitive to variations of temperature, and acid propagation/cordite deterioration would take place at a very rapid rate. Cordite MD also shed micro-dust particles of nitrocellulose and iron pyrite. While cordite propellant was manageable, it required a vigilant gunnery officer, strict cordite lot control, and frequent testing of the cordite lots in the ships' magazines. British cordite propellant (when uncased and exposed in the silk bag) tended to burn violently, causing uncontrollable "flash fires" when ignited by nearby shell hits.

                                German propellant (RP C/12, handled in brass cartridge cases) was less vulnerable and less volatile in composition. German propellants show that they were not that different in composition from cordite—with one major exception: centralite. This was symmetrical Diethyl Diphenyl Urea, which served as a stabilizer that was superior to the petroleum jelly used in British practice. It stored better and burned but did not explode. Stored and used in brass cases, it proved much less sensitive to flash. RP C/12, 64.13% nitrocellulose, 29.77% nitroglycerine, 5.75% centralite, 0.25% magnesium oxide and 0.10% graphite. The Royal Navy Battle Cruiser Fleet had also emphasized speed in ammunition handling over established safety protocol. In practice drills, cordite could not be supplied to the guns rapidly enough through the hoists and hatches. To bring up the propellant in good time to load for the next broadside, many safety doors were kept open that should have been shut to safeguard against flash fires. Bags of cordite were also stocked and kept locally, creating a total breakdown of safety design features. By staging charges in the chambers between the gun turret and magazine, the Royal Navy enhanced their rate of fire but left their ships vulnerable to chain reaction ammunition fires and magazine explosions. This 'bad safety habit' carried over into real battle practices. Furthermore, the doctrine of a high rate of fire also led to the decision in 1913 to increase the supply of shells and cordite held on the British ships by 50%, for fear of running out of ammunition. When this exceeded the capacity of the ships' magazines, cordite was stored in insecure places. The British cordite charges were stored two silk bags to a metal cylindrical container, with a 16-oz gunpowder igniter charge, which was covered with a thick paper wad, four charges being used on each projectile. The gun crews were removing the charges from their containers and removing the paper covering over the gunpowder igniter charges. The effect of having eight loads at the ready was to have 4 short tons (3,600 kg) of exposed explosive, with each charge leaking small amounts of gunpowder from the igniter bags. In effect, the gun crews had laid an explosive train from the turret to the magazines, and one shell hit to a battlecruiser turret was enough to end a ship. A diving expedition during the summer of 2003 provided corroboration of this practice. It examined the wrecks of Invincible, Queen Mary, Defence, and Lützow to investigate the cause of the British ships' tendency to suffer from internal explosions. From this evidence, a major part of the blame may be laid on lax handling of the cordite propellant for the shells of the main guns. The wreck of the Queen Mary revealed cordite containers stacked in the working chamber of the X turret instead of the magazine.

                                After the battle, the B.C.F. Gunnery Committee issued a report (at the command of Admiral David Beatty) advocating immediate changes in flash protection and charge handling. It reported, among other things, that: Some vent plates in magazines allowed flash into the magazines and should be retro-fitted to a new standard. Bulkheads in HMS Lion's magazine showed buckling from fire under pressure (overpressure), despite being flooded and therefore supported by water pressure, and must be made stronger. Doors opening inward to magazines were an extreme danger. Current designs of turrets could not eliminate flash from shell bursts in the turret from reaching the handling rooms. Ignition pads must not be attached to charges but instead be placed just before ramming. Better methods must be found for safe storage of ready charges than the current method. Some method for rapidly drowning charges already in the handling path must be devised. Handling scuttles (special flash-proof fittings for moving propellant charges through ship's bulkheads), designed to handle overpressure, must be fitted.

                                The United States Navy in 1939 had quantities of Cordite N, a Canadian propellant that was much improved, yet its Bureau of Ordnance objected strongly to its use onboard U.S. warships, considering it unsuitable as a naval propellant due to its inclusion of nitroglycerin.

                                Signalling

                                Throughout the battle, British ships experienced difficulties with communications, whereas the Germans did not suffer such problems. The British preferred signalling using ship-to-ship flag and lamp signals, avoiding wireless, whereas the Germans used wireless successfully. One conclusion drawn was that flag signals were not a satisfactory way to control the fleet. Experience using lamps, particularly at night when issuing challenges to other ships, demonstrated this was an excellent way to advertise your precise location to an enemy, inviting a reply by gunfire. Recognition signals by lamp, once seen, could also easily be copied in future engagements.

                                Controversy

                                At the time, Jellicoe was criticised for his caution and for allowing Scheer to escape. Beatty, in particular, was convinced that Jellicoe had missed a tremendous opportunity to annihilate the High Seas Fleet and win what would amount to another Trafalgar. Jellicoe was promoted away from active command to become First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Royal Navy, while Beatty replaced him as commander of the Grand Fleet. The controversy raged within the navy and in public for about a decade after the war. He was probably also aware of the ammunition vulnerability and other qualitative differences. The criticism of Jellicoe also fails to sufficiently credit Scheer, who was determined to preserve his fleet by avoiding the full British battle line and who showed great skill in effecting his escape.

                                Beatty's actions

                                Although Beatty was undeniably brave, his mismanagement of the initial encounter with Hipper's squadron and the High Seas Fleet lost the advantage in the first hours of the battle. His most glaring failure was in not providing Jellicoe with periodic information on the position, course, and speed of the High Seas Fleet. Beatty, would have had greater options to attack Hippers Battlecruisers had he combined with the four fast battleships of the 5th Battle Squadron given him 10 ships against Hipper's five. Beatty's larger 13.5 inch guns outranged Hipper's 11 and 12 inch guns by thousands of yards, yet he held his fire for 10 minutes and closed with the enemy squadron until within range of the Germans' superior gunnery, under weather conditions that favoured the Germans. Most of the British losses in tonnage occurred in Beatty's force.

                                Status of the survivors and wrecks

                                In the years following the battle the wrecks were slowly discovered. Invincible was found by the Royal Navy minesweeper HMS Oakley in 1919. After the Second World War some of the wrecks seem to have been commercially salvaged. For instance, the Hydrographic Office record for SMS Lützow (No.32344) shows that salvage operations were taking place on the wreck in 1960. In 2000,2001 a series of diving expeditions involving veteran shipwreck historian and archaeologist Innes McCartney located the wrecks of Defence, Indefatigable and Nomad. It was discovered that Indefatigable, too had been ripped apart by salvors at some currently unknown time. On the 90th anniversary of the battle, in 2006, the UK Ministry of Defence belatedly announced that the 14 British vessels lost in the battle were being designated as protected places under the Protection of Military Remains Act. The last surviving veteran of the battle, Henry Allingham, a British RAF (originally RNAS) airman, died on 18 July 2009, aged 113, by which time he was the oldest documented man in the world and one of the last surviving veterans of the whole war. Also among the combatants was the then 20-year-old Prince Albert, second in the line to the British throne, who would serve as King George VI of the United Kingdom from 1936 until his death in 1952. He served as a junior officer in the Royal Navy. In 2014, one ship from the battle survives and is still afloat, the light cruiser HMS Caroline. Decommissioned in 2011, she is docked at the Royal Naval Reserve depot in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

                                Remembrance

                                The Battle of Jutland was celebrated as a great victory in Weimar Germany. This "victory" was used to repress the memory of the German Navy's Revolution in 1918,1919 and the defeat in World War I. (The celebrations of the Battle of Tannenberg played a similar role in the Weimar Republic) This is especially true for Wilhelmshaven, where wreath-laying ceremonies and torch-lit parades were held until the end of the 1960s

                                John Doran


                                31st May 1916 Battle of Jutland  On 31 May 1916, the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron consisted of HMS New Zealand (flagship of Rear Admiral William Christopher Pakenham) and HMS Indefatigable. (Australia was still under repair following her collision with New Zealand.) The squadron was assigned to Admiral Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet, which had put to sea to intercept a sortie by the High Seas Fleet into the North Sea. The British were able to decode the German radio messages and left their bases before the Germans put to sea. Hipper's battlecruisers spotted the Battlecruiser Fleet to their west at 1520, but Beatty's ships didn't spot the Germans to their east until 1530. Two minutes later, he ordered a course change to east-south-east to position himself astride the German's line of retreat and called his ships' crews to action stations. He also ordered the 2nd BCS, which had been leading, to fall in astern of the 1st BCS. Hipper ordered his ships to turn to starboard, away from the British, to assume a south-easterly course, and reduced speed to 18 knots to allow three light cruisers of the 2nd Scouting Group to catch up. With this turn, Hipper was falling back on the High Seas Fleet, then about 60 miles behind him. Around this time, Beatty altered course to the east as it was quickly apparent that he was still too far north to cut off Hipper. Thus began the so-called "Run to the South" as Beatty changed course to steer east-south-east at 1545, paralleling Hipper's course, now that the range closed to under 18,000 yards. The Germans opened fire first at 3:48, followed by the British. The British ships were still in the process of making their turn, and only the two leading ships, HMS Lion and HMS Princess Royal, had steadied on their course when the Germans opened fire. The British formation was echeloned to the right with Indefatigable in the rear and the furthest to the west, and New Zealand ahead of her and slightly further east. The German fire was accurate from the beginning, but the British overestimated the range as the German ships blended into the haze. Indefatigable aimed at SMS Von der Tann, while New Zealand, unengaged herself, targeted SMS Moltke. By 3:54, the range was down to 12,900 yards (11,800 m) and Beatty ordered a course change two points to starboard to open up the range at 3:57. Indefatigable was destroyed at about 4:03, when her magazines exploded. After Indefatigable's loss, New Zealand shifted her fire to Von der Tann in accordance with Beatty's standing instructions. The range had grown too far for accurate shooting, so Beatty altered course four points to port to close the range again between 1612 and 1615. By this time, the 5th Battle Squadron, consisting of four Queen Elizabeth-class battleships, had closed up and was engaging Von der Tann and Moltke. At 1623, a 13.5-inch shell from HMS Tiger struck near Von der Tann's rear turret, starting a fire among the practice targets stowed there that completely obscured the ship and caused New Zealand to shift fire to Moltke. At 1626, the ship was hit by an 11 inch shell, fired by Von der Tann, on 'X' barbette that detonated on contact and knocked loose a piece of armour that briefly jammed 'X' turret and blew a hole in the upper deck. Four minutes later, Southampton, scouting in front of Beatty's ships, spotted the lead elements of the High Seas Fleet charging north at top speed. Three minutes later, she sighted the topmasts of Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer's battleships, but did not transmit a message to Beatty for another five minutes. Beatty continued south for another two minutes to confirm the sighting himself before ordering a sixteen point turn to starboard in succession. New Zealand, the last ship in the line, turned prematurely to stay outside the range of the oncoming battleships. A chunk of armour knocked from New Zealand's 'X' turret during the Battle of Jutland on display at the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum in Auckland New Zealand was straddled several times by the battleship SMS Prinzregent Luitpold but was not hit. Beatty's ships maintained full speed in an attempt to increase the distance between them and the High Seas Fleet and gradually moved out of range. They turned north and then north-east to try to rendezvous with the main body of the Grand Fleet. At 1740, they opened fire again on the German battlecruisers. The setting sun blinded the German gunners and, as they could not make out the British ships, they turned away to the north-east at 1747. Beatty gradually turned more towards the east to allow him to cover the deployment of the Grand Fleet in battle formation and to move ahead of it, but he mistimed his manoeuvre and forced the leading division to fall off towards the east, further away from the Germans. By 1835, Beatty was following Indomitable and HMS Inflexible of the 3rd BCS as they were steering east-south-east, leading the Grand Fleet, and continuing to engage Hipper's battlecruisers to their south-west. A few minutes earlier, Scheer had ordered a simultaneous 180° starboard turn and Beatty lost sight of the High Seas Fleet in the haze. Twenty minutes later, Scheer ordered another 180° turn which put them on a converging course again with the Grand Fleet, which had altered course to the south. This allowed the Grand Fleet to cross Scheer's T, forming a battle line that cut across his battle line and badly damaging his leading ships. Scheer ordered yet another 180° turn at 1913 in an attempt to extricate the High Seas Fleet from the trap into which he had sent them. This was successful and the British lost sight of the Germans until 2005, when HMS Castor spotted smoke bearing west-north-west. Ten minutes later, she had closed the range enough to identify German torpedo boats, and engaged them. Beatty turned west upon hearing gunfire and spotted the German battlecruisers only 8,500 yards away. Inflexible opened fire at 2020, followed by the rest of Beatty's battlecruisers.

                                New Zealand and Indomitable concentrated their fire on SMS Seydlitz, and hit her five times before she turned west to disengage. Shortly after 2030, the pre-dreadnought battleships of Rear Admiral Mauve's II Battle Squadron were spotted and fire switched to them. The Germans had poor visibility and were able to fire only a few rounds at them before turning away to the west. The British battlecruisers hit the German ships several times before they blended into the haze around 2040. After this, Beatty changed course to south-south-east and maintained that course, ahead of both the Grand Fleet and the High Seas Fleet, until 0255 the next morning, when the order was given to reverse course and head home.

                                New Zealand fired 420 twelve-inch shells during the battle, more than any other ship on either side. Despite this, only four successful hits were credited to the battlecruiser. Three on Seydlitz and one on the pre-dreadnought SMS Schleswig-Holstein. She was hit only once during the battle, confirming for the crew the piupiu and tiki worn by her new captain, J.F.E. (Jimmy) Green, brought good luck.

                                31st May 1916 Training   7th Buffs are Training over special trenches. Signed A N Ransome Lt Col.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                31st May 1916 Battlecruiser Sunk  On 31 May 1916, the 2nd BCS consisted of HMS New Zealand (flagship of Rear-Admiral William Pakenham) and HMS Indefatigable. The squadron was assigned to Admiral Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet which had put to sea to intercept a sortie by the High Seas Fleet into the North Sea. A detailed report of the encounter is on the Battle Report Page. Suffice to say that Indefatigable was a casualty of the much criticised actions of the Battle Cruiser Squadron in isolating itself from slower suppoerting Battleships. During the latter stages of that action Indefatigable aimed at Von der Tann and New Zealand targeted Moltke while remaining unengaged herself. By 1554, the range was down to 12,900 yards and Beatty ordered a course change two points to starboard to open up the range at 1557. Around 1600, Indefatigable was hit around the rear turret by two or three shells from Von der Tann. She fell out of formation to starboard and started sinking towards the stern and listing to port. Her magazines exploded at 1603 after more hits, one on the forecastle and another on the forward turret. Smoke and flames gushed from the forward part of the ship and large pieces were thrown 200 feet into the air. The most likely cause of her loss was a deflagration or low-order explosion in 'X' magazine that blew out her bottom and severed the steering control shafts, followed by the explosion of her forward magazines from the second volley. Von der Tann fired only fifty-two 28 cm shells at Indefatigable before she exploded. Of her crew of 1,019, only two survived. While still in the water, two survivors found Indefatigable's captain, C. F. Sowerby, who was badly wounded and died before they could be rescued. The two survivors, Able Seaman Elliott and Leading Signalman Falmer, were rescued by the German torpedo boat S16.

                                Indefatigable, along with the other Jutland wrecks, was belatedly declared a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, to discourage further damage to the resting place of 1,017 men. Mount Indefatigable in the Canadian Rockies was named after the battlecruiser in 1917. The wreck was identified by nautical archaeologist Innes McCartney in 2001, when it was found to have been heavily salvaged sometime in the past.

                                John Doran


                                7th May 1916  Training   7th Buffs Church parade in Market square, Corbie. Lt Gen W. Congreve V.C. was present with his staff.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Parkgate Street, Dublin  National Shell Factory Parkgate Street, Dublin opened in June 1915. First output of 18pdr shells was in March 1915. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1916 TWFF Barlby Road, Selby opens  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Barlby Road, Selby, Yorkshire started in June 1916 for the production was hydrogen and hydrogenerated oils and charging chemical shell. It was under the direct control of Ardol Ltd.

                                1st Jun 1916 HMEF Colnbrook opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Colnbrook, Middlesex started in June 1916 for the production of guncotton. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Jun 1916 TWFF Black Horse Lane, Walthamstow opens.  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Black Horse Lane, Walthamstow, started 1n June 1916. Production was charging lachrymatory grenades, shells etc. and head filling lethal shell. It was under the direct control of Baird & Tetlock.

                                1st Jun 1916 NFF Hereford opens  National Filling Factory Hereford, Herefordshire started in June 1916 with the first output being in November 1916. Production was filling shell (18-pds to 9.2-ins) and later charging gas shell (1918). It was under the direct control of the Board of Munitions.

                                1st June 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ70 Not Built.

                                • Production Ref: LZ70
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: Not Built.
                                • Usage:
                                • First Flight: Not Built.

                                History.

                                This craft was not built. (reason not given).

                                4th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Brigadier General,Royal Artillery, IV Corps, inspected the horses of the B236 and C236 Batteries.

                                War Diaries


                                4th Jun 1916 On the March  At 9.30am. 18th DLI vacated hutments in Warnimont Wood, Bus Les Artois and entered billets at Courcelles at 12.30 pm.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                5th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Barlin. B236 and C236 Batteries were inspected by the Brigadier General RA, 5 Corps. One Section of A236 Battery went into action at Ablain.

                                War Diaries


                                5th June 1916 Trench Raid  The raiding parties from 24th Northumberland Fusiliers left Franvillers in a motor bus at 18.30hrs on the evening of the 5th June, they were driven to Albert, reaching the town at approximately 20.00hrs.They were assembled in the large dug out at the enemy end of Mercer Street. By the same hour the Brigade and Battalion Commanders were in their respective positions, and communications had been tested. There was at the time complete silence over the line.

                                At 23.00hrs (zero hour)the bombardment started according to the programme and during the bombardment the raiders left the dugout and made their way along the trench Sap no. 6. At that the time the barrage was supposed to lift, but it did not. With shells landing all around the head of the Sap, Major Gallwey waited for an opportunity to leave the Sap and cross No-Mans Land, but time had ran out. The party had by now several casualties. Private Joseph Hughes of Spennymoor was killed and Lance Corporals Stockhill and Blades also Privates Brierley, Cain and Brown, along with Major Gallwey were wounded by British shellfire. Sergeant Patrick Butler and four other soldiers were awarded Divisional Cards of Honour for the part they played in the raid. For Private Brown who had severe wounds,it was the end of the war and by the time the lads were going over the top on 1st of July, he was well on the way back to Blighty and home to Usworth.

                                research


                                5th June 1916 Raiding Party  Nominal Roll of 24th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers Raiding Party 5th/6th June 1916.

                                In Command, Major J.P.Gallwey.

                                No.1 Squad

                                • In command: Lieutenant W.A.Brown and 348Sgt.P.Butler.
                                • Bayonetmen 373 Pte.J Reardon. 656 Pte.H. Gilroy 541 Pte.J.W.Crieghton 836 Pte.J. Brierley 1189 Pte.D. Cain 1170 Pte.H. Hughes 544 Pte.H.Bowles
                                • Throwers 1120 Pte. R. Taylor 1133 Pte.J. Connoly 1469 Pte.O. Kehoe 1518 Pte.J.Fennelly
                                • Carriers 220 Cpl.A.Brodie 1577 L/Cpl.Nightingale
                                • Scouts 701 Lcpl.Gray 66 Pte.J. Donnelly
                                • Signallers 1375 Pte.A.T.Smith 101 Cpl. T.Lawler
                                • Stretch Bearers 48 Pte. T.Brown 1027 Pte.W.McGarr
                                • Machine Gun Team 204 L/Cpl.Nolan 420 Pte.Flannigan 1150 Pte. Egan

                                No. 2 Squad

                                • In command 2nd Lieut. J.A.Donnally and 630 Sgt. J.Leighton
                                • Bayonetmen 1448 Pte. Skelton 1635 Pte.Harold 727 Pte. Hubbard Pte.Jones 417 Pte.Traynor 70 Pte. Wilson 764 Pte. Smith
                                • Bombers 1015 Pte. Cairns 983 Pte.Nimmons 1602 Pte.Blades 884 Pte. Charters
                                • Carriers L/Cpl. Stockhill Pte.J.Kelly
                                • Scouts 611 Pte. C.Hughes 448 Cpl.Graham
                                • Signallers 1402 RSM Grailey 1426 Pte. Marron
                                • Stretcher Bearers 234 Pte. Welsh 833 Pte. Rowell

                                WO95/2466


                                6th Jun 1916 Concert  

                                The recreation room of Southmead Hospital was packed on Wednesday, when a splendid concert, arranged by the Inquiry Bureau was given by the following: - Miss Elsie White (soprano), Miss Alice Muir (contralto), Mrs Ooslers (costume songs), Mr Fred Biven (humorous songs) and Mr Lionel Saunders (banjo solos). So well did these ladies and gentlemen acquit themselves that shouts of "encore" followed each item, and everyone had to pay the penalty and "carry on". This, of course, meant hard work for the accompanist, Miss Dorothy Peake, to whom the great success of the evening was largely due. Mr Lionel Saunders was chairman. The party were conveyed in cars kindly lent by Mr Williamson and Mr Essery.

                                Newspaper Clipping


                                6th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Barlin. GOC. 47th Division inspected the Wagon Lines of B236 and C236 Batteries. 2nd Lt Burgis HQ Staff proceeded to England on seven days leave of absence.

                                Extract from London Gazette dated June 5th, Birthday Honours.

                                • Lt Lucas 6th London Brigade RFA - Military Cross.
                                • RSM. Hood - Distingushed Conduct Medal.
                                • Cpl. Noel - Military Medal.
                                • Cpl. Williams A236 London Battery - Military Cross.

                                War Diaries


                                6th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberlands in defence  On 6th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers were involved in the defence of Becourtwood HQ, St Becourt Chateau.

                                6th June 1916 Working Parties  Meanwhile those men of the 24th Northumberlands not involved in the raids were employed on Working Parties with as many as 600 men a day from each battalion employed in Albert, Dernacourt and Franvillers areas. Every sort of stores required for the coming offensive had to be manhandled to dumps in the forward areas rations, ammunition, barbed wire, grenades, sandbags etc., etc. One Private recalled that, the best job of all was being attached to the tunnellers working on Y Sap and Lochnagar mines. For the Durham miners it was regarded as a home from home since they had already spent most of their working lives down the mines and compared to working in the coalmines the work here was not too heavy.

                                7th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report OC. Batteries went to inspect gun positions.

                                War Diaries


                                9th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Barlin. OC. Brigade inspected D236 Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                Jun 1916 Exercise  
                                THE MACEDONIAN CAMPAIGN, 1915-1918

                                12th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on a march to Amberkoi during a five day tactical exercise involving 77th Brigade, A Company are leading the march. The mounted officers are (l to r) Captain J B Ross, Lieutenant Colonel Falconer Stewart and the Battalion Adjutant. © IWM (Q 32013)

                                IWM


                                10th Jun 1916 Bad Weather  "I was delighted to get your letter at 4 am yesterday morning just as I was getting up. We moved yesterday and had a forced march here to another part of the country. It was a rotten day, heavy wind and rain the whole way and so cold. My poor feet were terribly sore long before the journey was ended and I was glad of the small medicine chest. We are now about seven miles behind the firing line and some of our signallers have gone to the trenches this morning. Our address is 26 Royal Fusiliers, B.E.F, France but we must not head our letters. I expect we shall shift on farther before long. We always get a few days’ rest between our long marches. I am feeling very fit except for the feet and last night slept on a farm cart on some straw. Today is warm and the sun is lovely and hot and this life is more like a picnic if it were not for the rumbling of the guns. It is really astonishing how well everyone takes to the life out here because after all every comfort and luxury is gone. I hope you will send the cash for that cheque as I am very short now and we have to make purchases while we have the chance. Bread is the greatest luxury and if we get near a bread shop the shock is soon exhausted at 1 franc per loaf. Cigarettes when you can get them are cheaper than at home. Players 3d for 10. Goodbye for the present." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                11th June 1916 Church Parade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery hold Church Parade at Barlin.

                                War Diaries


                                11th Jun 1918 18th Battalion Yorks & Lancs raised  18th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment was formed at Margate on 11th of June 1918, absorbing the cadre of the 2/7th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

                                12th June 1916 Re-routing of Units  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Barlin. Battery Commanders went to reconnoitre positions of batteries of the 23rd Division. Capt Lindell D236 Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England. Col Lowe DSO appointed OC. Right Group. Right Group consists of the following Batteries, A,B and C,237 Brigade and A,B,C and D,236th Brigade.

                                War Diaries


                                13th Jun 1917 Seventy Two bombs fall on London  In a daylight raid on London, German aeroplanes dropped seventy two bombs within a mile of Liverpool Street Station. 162 people were killed and 432 suffered injuries.

                                Enroute to London, one aircraft detached itself from the group of Gotha planes heading for London and bombed Margate. The Head Mistress at Dane Infants’ School, Margate, wrote in the School Log Book "Bombs are dropped on Margate at 10.45 am. The majority of the children are collected and taken home by parents or elder brothers or sisters. A few children remain in school until 12.15, when they were sent home with a warning to hurry."

                                Homefires Burning - Gavin Roynon


                                13th Jun 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieved  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were relieved from the front line trenches and moves to billets in Warloy-Naillon and for the next week the practice of the attack scheme continues. The Battalion is informed Thiepval is their objective with A & B companies to form leading waves of attackers, a platoon from each forming one wave. C coy to be in support, following on in artillery formation. D to be reserve company and to go over in columns of platoons.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                15th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberlands on the march  22nd Northumberland Fusiliers marched to Albert 15/6/1916.

                                16th June 1916 Batteries Register  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. OC. 236th Brigade took over command of Right Group from OC. 102 Brigade. Batteries commence registering. Except for a few 5.9 & 4.2 rounds into Souchez, all was quiet on our front. At 2230 a laye mine was exploded in the south followed by heavy artillery and machine gun fire.

                                War Diaries


                                16th June 1916 Transfers to 82nd Field Ambulance  Assistant Director of Medical Services of 27th Division visited the Field Ambulance and made arrangements for temporary transfer of Capt. C G Browne and Staff Sgt. Clenshaw to the 82nd Field Ambulance to help with its reorganisation.

                                War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys


                                17th June 1916 Road Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette. Lt Petro C236 Battery to England. Some shelling of road between Aix Noulette and Bully Grenay. A great amount of aerial activity at 1200 as 9 enemy planes passed over Aix Noulette in the direction of Hirsin.

                                War Diaries


                                17th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: Nothing to report all quiet.

                                War Diaries


                                18th June 1916 Poor Light  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette. The light was not good for observation. A236 Battery's roving gun fired 38 rounds.

                                War Diaries


                                Jun 1916 Reading Matter  "Thursday. Another green envelope and therefore an opportunity for a little more confidential letter. You must have all been very upset at the first news of the naval fight [Battle of Jutland, 31st May 1916] and very much relieved when further details came to hand. The first news we had came from the Germans over the trenches and was of course exaggerated. Since then we have had our own official news and after all we were at least victors, but what awful sacrifice of valuable lives. We moved up last Sunday and up to the present have fared more successfully than ever I expected. We hope to got back for a rest about Monday. The rest billets however are to my mind more noisy than this spot. There is a persistent rumour going round that we are to be made into an O.T.C. How true it is I cannot say but jolly well know that I shall be darned glad to get out of this if only for a little peace and quietness which are two things unknown here. One’s whole mind is occupied minute after minute and every particle of reserve energy seems to be required. Do continue to send plenty of reading matter, it’s the only thing one has out here to do." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                19th June 1916 Batteries Retaliate  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. Slight minewerfen (mortar) fire on our front. Our Batteries retaliated and stopped their fire. Enemy aeroplanes were more active. A236 Battery's roving gun fired 36 rounds and A237 Battery changed position.

                                War Diaries


                                20th June 1916 Trench Mortars Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report enemy trench mortars again very active in the morning and our Howitzer Battery shelled the suspected places with good result. Our own trench mortars registered the German wire. Major Cooper A236 and Major Clifton A237 Batteries are Mentioned in Despatches. 1417 Gunner Young A236 Battery is awarded the Military Medal by the Commander in Chief under authority from HM The King (IV GRO 943).

                                War Diaries


                                20th Jun 1916 On the March  At 7am D Company, 18th DLI comprising 3 officers, 197 other ranks proceeded to Gezaincourt.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                20th Jun 1916 Bad Weather  "At last another green envelope [for personal messages, exempt from censorship]. You have no idea how welcome they are as one can always say more and speak more freely when you know your letters are not going to be read by those who come in contact with one every day. The time does seem long out here away from you, and my very soul aches to be back home with you. I am so glad to read your cheery letters, be brave dear girl and keep a stout heart. Lately everything in the papers seems to point to an early peace and personally I think another two months will see us back in dear old England. We expect to go on into the trenches very shortly but have no fear, it’s much safer in the trenches than just outside them. From accounts given by others who have been in our quarters they are fairly secure . . . Oh how I long for the time when we shall settle down in our own little house, we two together. How peace will always reign throughout the home, and happiness only be known. The weather still keeps most gloriously fine. The sun shines all day long and it’s very, very hot. Will you please send me the following books: R H Benson: A Winnowing (Hutchinsons 7d novels). Mrs Baillie Reynolds: Her Point of View. Cosmo Hamilton: The Outpost of Eternity (Hurst & Blacketts 7d novels) We shall have more time for reading them when we get up to the front than we have now. Goodbye for the present. PS. Your letters are not even censored." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                21st June 1916 Trench Mortar Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette report there was much trench mortar activity about 1200. The enemy trench mortars were also very active and scored two hits on our lines wounding 2/Lt Folingsby 237 Brigade, attached to Y236 Trench Mortar Battery, also wounding Lt Kimber 237 Brigade acting as Liason Officer to the Left Battalion. Our Battery did great damage the day before to wire at enemy's front line. Trench Mortars have had this strafe on retaliation. GOC’s Division HQ sent a message to Trench Mortar officers commending their work. There was again a lot of aerial activity. Lt Kimber and 2nd Lieut Folingsby both died of wounds the same night. (Thomas Grueber Folingsby, aged 20, is buried at Aix-Noulette Cemetery Extension and Henry Cyril Dixon Kimber, aged 22, is buried Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension. Both of 7th London Brigade RFA now 237th London Brigade.)

                                War Diaries


                                22nd June 1916 Very Little Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. Very little shelling today. Enemy put 6 rounds of 4.2 inch shells in A237 Battery's new position. The light for aerial observation was good and a party of enemy aeroplanes flew over Aix Noulette this afternoon. They came back about two hours later followed by our planes.

                                The following officers arrived from England. 2/Lt G.N. Gaburn - posted to C236 Battery. 2/Lt Wills - posted to C236 Batttery. 2/Lt E.H. de B West - posted to D236 Battery.

                                Other movements. 2/Lt Gordon Tombe attached to C236 Battery leaves to rejoin his unit 47th Divisional Ammunition Column. Lt Pilditch, Adjutant, 237th Brigade RFA, has left this Group HQ. Lt Tausley, Orderly Officer, 237th Brigade RFA, is attached to this HQ. One of the guns of Y236 Trench Mortar Battery had a premature(shell exploding early) resulting in one man killed and 2 men wounded.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd June 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet. Hostile aeroplanes were very active. B223 Battery commanded by Major T----- joined Right Group and was positioned south of A237 Battery (south of the edge of Noulette Wood)

                                War Diaries


                                24th Jun 1916 3rd Monmouths rejoin 49th Division  The companies of the 3rd Monmouths were re-united as a battalion and ordered to rejoin the 49th Division. They marched back to Bouzincourt and reached their destination at 2 o'clock on the morning.

                                24th June 1916 Wire Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette (War Diary very faint) All batteries of this group shelled wire ---- to ---- zones. Y/47 Trench Mortar Battery (Lt Brown) fired 50 rounds wire registering and retaliation on enemy trench mortars. Much less aerial activity owing to bad weather. Lt Brown attached to Y047 Trench Mortar Battery. A gun of Y047 Trench Mortar Battery blew up killing the Bombardier in charge of the gun.

                                War Diaries


                                24th June 1916 Somme bombardment  U day: 42nd Siege Battery RGA under Major WN Burden OC Battery, had 4 x 9.2 Howitzers in action from the start of the Somme bombardment.

                                extracts from memoirs


                                24th Jun 1916 U Day  On the Somme the count down to the Big Push begins. Allied artillery bombard the enemy trenches and the infantry undertake final preparations.

                                25th Jun 1916 Transfers  118 Brigade RFA transferred from 1 (Canadian) Div to 11 (Northern) Div which had just arrived in France from Egypt. 118 Brigade was then broken up with the 3 x 4.5 how batteries being sent to the existing 3 x 18lb brigades in 11 Div. This now gave the 11 Div 3 field artillery brigades containing 3 batteries of 18 lb field guns and 1 battery of 4.5" howitzers. 461 Battery 118 Brigade therefore became D Battery 58 Brigade RFA. All guns and equipment were left with the Canadians and only the manpower transfered to 11 Div, collecting new guns and equipment on arrival.

                                25th June 1916 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette: Divisional Artillery continued wire cutting in conjunction with the Trench Mortar Batteries. Enemy T.Ms also active at times during the day, but stopped firing when fired on by our Batteries. Aeroplane activity was much less owing to the weather. The sound of heavy bombardment came from just north of the Angres Sector at about 1230.

                                War Diaries


                                25th June Trench Raid  A second raid was set for the night of the 25th/26th June with a few changes from the first, Major J.M.Prior would command the raiding party of the 24th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. This time the Germans were well ready for them. On the right the party under Major Prior reached the enemy parapet but then met with intense rifle and machine gunfire. Forced to retire, they had two men wounded, one managed to walk in under his own power, the other had more serious wounds, he was carried in by Lieutenant Brady and Private E. Hedley.

                                research


                                25th Jun 1916 V Day  Allied Artillery are active, firing shells to cut the belts of wire protecting the enemy trenches and damage the defences. RFC pilots report large explosions at enemy dumps at Longueval, Montauban, Mametz Wood and Pozieres. As the German artillery responds to the bombardment, the positions of 102 hostile batteries are identified. Three enemy observation balloons on Fourth Army front are shot shown by aircraft of the RFC.

                                As darkness falls, the infantry holding the allied front line sent out raiding parties to judge the situation. Reports bring mixed news, in some areas, such as at Montauban, the enemy are lightly manning badly damaged trenches, but in other areas such as La Boisselle and Ovillers, the enemy remains at full strength.

                                25th Jun 1916 On the March  At 0845. D Company, 18th DLI left Gezaincourt and proceeded to Bus Les Artois.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                26th Jun 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers suffer casualties in recce  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers suffer several officer casualties during reconnaissance of attacking start positions near Thiepval.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                26th June 1916 Wire cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. Wire cutting and fire on enemy mortars continued throughout the day. Enemy trench mortars were active on our front, but were silenced by our artillery. At 2330 2nd Division opened a heavy bombardment of enemy trenches on Vimy Ridge. The enemy barrage was fairly heavy for a time but by midnight had practically ceased while our fire carried on until about 0045. At 0445 an exactly similar state of affairs was observed opposite the Loos Salient, very little gun fire was heard and infantry confined themselves chiefly to bombs and machine gun fire.

                                War Diaries


                                26th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberlands at Albert  22nd Northumberland Fusiliers are in the Sunken Garden at Albert.

                                26th Jun 1916 Firing Rate Increased  W Day. At 9 am the Allied artillery begin a destructive shoot with 80 minutes of intense shellfire. Air photographs from the Royal Flying Corps appear to show good destruction of wire, but wire cutting shellfire was increased with batteries firing at rate of 4-500 shells per gun per day. Gas is released by the Royal Engineers at at Beaumont Hamel and smoke in other parts of the line. Ten trench raids are carried out by infantry units, news is mixed and few prisoners captured, but interrogations give cause for optimism as they are expecting only localised attacks.

                                27th Jun 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers prepare for attack  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers moves up to Knight’s Redoubt, near Bouzincourt, to wait in bivouacs, in readiness for the great attack.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                27th June 1916 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette report 18 pounder Batteries and Y047 Trench Mortar Battery were wire cutting all day. At 2345 Divisional Artillery opened a bombardment along the whole of the Divisional Front. Under cover of this, gas was let off at 0120. Artillery fire became intense and at 0125 our infantry raided German lines. At present time ----- --- ----. The enemy retaliated very little with 5.9s and heavy minenwerfer (mortars) on our front line. Also a few shells on roads going up to Aix Noulette. All was quiet by 0230. The gas was discharged from the Angres Sector. The artillery barrage was excellent and very heavy.

                                War Diaries


                                27th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberlands go forwards  22nd Northumberland Fusiliers marched from Albert, forward to the Usna Tara line.

                                27th Jun 1916 Bombardment Continues  X Day dawned with thick mist and heavy rain, making artillery observation impossible, the bombardment was continued. Infantry trench raids bring in mixed reports, with bombardment damage and wire destruction being very varied, and the enemy trenches manned in greater numbers.

                                27th Jun 1916 Raid  Report on German Raid 27.6.16

                                Reported by Capt. W.D. Lowe Adjt. 18 DLI. 1.8.16

                                Approximate disposition of Coys. A Co. S 5/2, S 5/4, B Co. S 5/5, S 5/6, C Co. M 35/1, M 35/2, D Co. On support lines. 18th West Yorks on right flank, 2/5th Gloucesters on left.

                                Bombardment began 9.30pm. Communication between HQ & forward line broke down at one. All reports came through D Co. The bombardment appeared chiefly to be on the front of B Co. & the support line in rear of B. Field Guns & Mortars chiefly used on front line & 5.9 on support line.

                                2225. Enemy was reported in front line at M.35/1, 2 which was being raided. They were ejected in 5 minutes.

                                At 2245. 18th West Yorks reported enemy in his line Hun St, Oxford St,that he was counter attacking at 11.15pm, I undertook to cooperate with my right Co.

                                2300. Battalion Bomb store was on fire at ---- Hall, this was put out, re-fired & again extinguished.

                                28th Jun 0130. Report from B Co. 18th DLI stating Germans had entered his left but were immediately ejected & that C Co. trenches had also been entered. He thought no prisoners had been taken. A dugout between B & C Coys was ---- & prevented B Co. after charging its trenches from coming to assistance of C Co. All communication trenches badly blown in & that right & left flanks of support line are badly damaged.

                                0400. C Co. reported bays blown in & number of men buried, that the enemy came over fifty strong but owing to action of Lewis Guns only about 6 entered & were quickly ejected, number of wounded cannot be estimated, they were considerable.

                                A Co. heavily shelled, parapet seriously damaged, on barrage lifting parapet was manned & Lewis Gun fire opened, enemy did not enter trenches.

                                Action taken. C Co. was reinforced by 1 platoon from Support Co. leaving 3 platoons in support lines.

                                A prisoner, apparently on telephone work was captured by D Co. in front of Church Redoubt.

                                Very few casualties in Support Line Redoubt, right & right centre of front line, heavy on left centre, & very heavy on left of front line.

                                The National Archives 18DLi War Diary WO95/2361/1


                                28th June 1916 Bad Light  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette: Batteries engaged in wire cutting, but light very bad for observation during the morning. At about 2145 artillery was very active in Loos Sector. Capt Gayman C236 Battery reverts to the rank of Lieutenant.

                                War Diaries


                                28th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberlands in the trenches  22nd Northumberland Fusiliers go into the forward trenches from Usna Tara line.

                                28th June Letters Home  The raider did not get much rest for on the 27th and 28th the Battalions of 34th Division began to move forward. This in preparation for the opening of the attack. For the previous four days the British Artillery had been bombarding the German trenches. Every man in the Brigade was aware that the opening of the offensive was very close. Before setting off for the front line men wrote what could be their last letters home. However the date and time of attack was to be delayed by forty eight hours. Heavy summer rain had fallen on the 26th and 27th there was a great possibility of flooding. On the 28th June the decision was taken to postpone the attack. The Divisional and Brigade staff Officers had the job of halting and turning around those battalions on their way to the front line.

                                research


                                28th Jun 1916 Bombardment Continues  Y Day. The thick mist and heavy rain continues as does the bombardment. The last of the allied gas shells are used. The infantry continue their preparations for the battle.

                                28th Jun 1916 Detachment  D Coy. 18 DLI attached to 16th West Yorks for operations left Bus for the front line.

                                The National Archives 18DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1


                                29th Jun 1916 Great attack postponed  The date fixed for great attack is postponed for forty-eight hours. Battalions ordered to "stand fast".

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                29th June 1916 High Winds  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette. A very high wind made wire cutting very difficult especially by the Bois en Hach which, owing to the nature of the ground and undergrowth, is very difficult to see. C236 and B236 Batteries put forward a gun for wire cutting. Lt Yenken C236 Battery arrived from England, but went at once to the Field Ambulance Unit again.

                                At 2130 2nd Division opened a short but very intense bombardment of Vimy Ridge and the enemy replied with a short barrage.

                                War Diaries


                                30th June 1916 Wire Cutting Continues  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette report wire received from GHQ that 3rd & 4th Armies launched attacks at 0730 this morning in conjunction with the French and results so far are satisfactory. Batteries continue wire cutting and aeroplane activity is much greater than yesterday.

                                War Diaries


                                30th June 1916   SM U-10

                                Type U 9 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 5) Ordered 15 Jul 1908 Launched 24 Jan 1911 Commissioned 31 Aug 1911
                                Commanders.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 30 Jun 1916 Fritz Stuhr

                                Career 6 patrols 1 Aug 1914 - 7 Jul 1915 I Flotilla 7 Jul 1915 - 30 Jun 1916 Baltic Flotilla

                                Successes 7 ships sunk with a total of 1,651 tons.

                                • 31 Mar 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Nor 544 Norway
                                • 1 Apr 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Gloxinia 145 British
                                • 1 Apr 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Jason 176 British
                                • 1 Apr 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Nellie 109 British
                                • 5 Apr 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Acantha 322 British
                                • 28 Apr 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr LILYDALE 129 British
                                • 6 Nov 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Birgit 226 Finland

                                Fate 30 Jun 1916 - Probably mined in Gulf of Finland. 29 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 10 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 13 Aug 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 9 Sep 1935.

                                John Doran


                                30th Jun 1916 Into the Line  2215. 18th DLI (less D Coy) left Courcelles for operations for front line.

                                1830. Remainder of Battalion left Courcelles to join 1st line transport Bus Les Artois.

                                Appendix No 1 18th DLI Battle of Serre states:30th Jun 16. 2200 18th Battalion DLI in Brigade Reserve, less D. Co attached 16th West Yorks less reinforcements and details at Bus. 789 strong all ranks left Courcelles for assembly trenches. [Not all Officers and men of a battalion would go into action in an attack, a small number always remained behind the lines to take care of equipment, horses and administration.]

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                30th Jun 1916 Preparations  
                                THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME, JULY-NOVEMBER 1916

                                Soldiers of the 16th (Public Schools) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment of the 29th Division parading at 'White City' opposite Hawthorn Ridge for the attack on Beaumont Hamel. Behind them is a group from the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders of the 4th Division. © IWM (Q 796) The officer in the middle left (with his back to camera, removing his cap) is Second Lieutenant Norman Frank Currall of the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.

                                IWM


                                8th June 1916   No 57 Squadron formed on the 8th of June 1916 at Copmanthorpe York from a nucleus from No 33 Squadron, taking on 33 Squadron's part-time training role to allow 33 Squadron to concentrate on the Home Defence role. B & C Flights were soon established at Bramham Moor, and the Squadron HQ and A Flt joined them at Bramham Moor on the 20th August.

                                In October however No. 57 Squadron began to prepare for its planned role undertaking high altitude reconnaissance, receiving Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2d two-seat pusher biplanes for this task. More info.

                                Jul 1916 17th Battalion Yorks & lancs formed  17th (Labour) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment was formed at Brocklesby in July 1916 and went to France to serve in the Lines of Communication

                                1st July 1916 NPF Darlington opened.  National Projectile Factory Darlington was situated in the North Eastern Railway Company Works and started in July 1916. Production was 18-pdr and 6-in. shell, navel practice shot and repairing primers. It was under the direct control of the N.E.R. Co.

                                1st July 1916 8th Yorks and Lancs at the Battle of The Somme  Plans had long been in place for the great offensive along the line of the River Somme to draw the Germans away from Verdun to the East and so relieve the beleaguered French forces there. Despite what many people have been told about the Somme battle, it was never intended to be a war-winning campaign. It had clearly defined strategic aims, and in many respects was successful, it’s failures are extremely complex and outside the scope of this article. That it has become a by-word for failure and incompetence is, in my opinion, unfair. The huge and terrible loss of life has blinded us to any other interpretation but it is pertinent to remember that a German Staff Officer described the Somme as ‘the muddy grave of the German Field Army’.

                                After the artillery barrage lifted, the battalions began their assault near the village of Ovillers at 7.30am, 1st July 1916. Immediately after leaving their trenches the battalion came under heavy machine gun fire and most of the men were killed or wounded. The remainder carried on and took the enemy front line trenches and about 70 men eventually reached as far as the third line of German trenches, but only one man returned from there! What was left of the battalion remained fighting in the first line of trenches until overwhelmed. Such was the ferocity of the fighting that the Germans were forced to move extra troops in to face the 70th Brigade and this enabled other British units to make significant advances.

                                The 8th York and Lancaster Regiment took 680 men and 23 Officers over the parapet, all the Officers were either killed or wounded and of the battalion only 68 returned. The battalion had effectively ceased to exist as a fighting unit and was withdrawn that evening. The 8th K.O.Y.L.I.’s losses were only marginally less.

                                1st July 1916 1st Somersets in action  Battle of the Somme, bloodiest day in the British army's history - 1st Btn Somerset Light Infantry assaulted Beaumont Hamel

                                1st July 1916 2nd West Yorks in action  The 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment were involved in the Great Push on the Somme on 1st July 1916 and advanced from just North of the Albert Road at La-Boisselle to attack the German positions to the West of Ovilliers La-Boisselle on this morning and suffered heavy casualties

                                1st July 1916 18th Northumberlands in action  The 18th Northumberland Fusiliers were fighting near to La Boiselle on the first day of the Battle of the Somme - near Y Sap

                                1st Jul 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers attack on The Somme.  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers prepare to attack. A coy, led by Capt A.C. Young to attack from Skinner St to Hamilton Avenue, and from Hamilton Avenue to Maison Grise, B Coy, commanded by Capt P.G. Graham. C coy led by Capt E Thompson will be in support in communications trenches, with two platoons in Hamilton Ave and two in Gourock St. D coy led by Lt Proctor to be in reserve in the second line Gemmel trench with Battalion HQ. The battalion stands to for five hours until zero hour at 7.30, then goes over the top. Six officers are killed, thirteen wounded and over 350 other ranks are killed.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                1st Jul 1916 3rd Monmouths in support  The 3rd Monmouths took part in the British attack of the 1st of July, in support of the 36th (Ulster) Division who were attacking the Schwaben Redoubt, a formidable Germany strongpoint, through Thiepval Wood.

                                1st Jul 1916 124th Heavy Battery in action at The Somme  124th Heavy Battery RGA are in action at the Battle of the Somme.

                                1st July 1916 Very Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report a very quiet day. Germans displayed slightly more aeroplane activity. A236 Battery and C236 Battery carried out wire cutting with single gun.

                                War Diaries


                                1st July 1916 Somme Offensive  The major decisions regarding the Somme offensive were made in March 1916 and all units now had new planned objectives. For the Pioneers, 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles it was a return to defensive work reinforcing existing wiring and trenches together with the construction of several lines of additional assembly trenches.

                                Whilst putting the finishing touches to the broad gauge railway, from early April small sections under the command of one officer were attached weekly to the 14th Royal Irish Rifles, 10th Royal Irish Fusiliers and the 9th Enniskillen Fusiliers giving them experience of life and working conditions at the Front Line.

                                Prior to the attack on the 1st July, the 16th were responsible for constructing new assembly trenches, fixing damaged wiring, deepening certain trenches and building bomb-proof dugouts along the whole front line of the 36th Ulster Division.

                                They also repaired and maintained an existing trench tramway and built a new tramway. These tramways operated using trolleys which needed about 6 men to push when fully loaded with ammunition, food or defence building equipment. Return journeys carried waste materials and also any casualties for treatment in rear area medical centres.

                                The Battalion was billeted in defensive positions in Aveluy Wood, which was only about 1500 yards from the front line and well within enemy artillery range. Indeed the battalion settled down for the first night on arrival, only to suffer an enemy bombardment around 0230 so slit trenches had to be dug hurriedly for their own protection.

                                All work was to be completed by the 19th June but the commencement of the bombardment was delayed for various reasons with the attack eventually set for the 1st July 1916, a day to become a source of great sorrow and pride for the people of Ulster when the outcome was eventually disclosed.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st July 1916 Somme Offensive  During the actual attack on the 1st July, the 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles was in active support positions to move supplies forward, cut new connecting forward trenches to the German front line trenches and generally help the advancing troops. In some areas this was successful, but lack of committed fresh troops limited success whilst in other areas enemy troops were still in possession of targets and the men had to hold defensive positions against enemy counter attacks. The Ulster Division, having suffered about 5,500 casualties including killed and wounded, were withdrawn at 1800 that evening, but the 16th Pioneers had to work on supporting the replacement division until their eventual withdrawal on the 8th July 1916.

                                Prior to this month the war diaries had not reported monthly casualties but were now going to have to do so for many months to come. Casualties at the point of relief from the Somme sector were: 2 officers killed, 3 wounded and 5 broke down (later termed shell shocked). Among the men 22 were killed and 159 wounded of which over 100 were invalided.

                                At the close of the first 9 months since arrival in France, the Battalion had fully earned their distinctive emblem of the crossed rifle and pickaxe.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st July 1916 1st Wiltshires in reserve near Albert  1st Wiltshire Regiment are held in reserve at Varennes, NW of Albert.

                                1st Jul 1916 9th West Yorks arrive in France  9th West Yorks land at Marseilles from Alexandria and entrain for the Western Front.

                                1st July 1916 1st Hampshires in action  1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment were fighting in the Beaumont-Hamel area of the conflict on this day, and dead were buried at Redan Ridge No 2 cemetery.

                                1st Jul 1917 Salford pals in action  The 19th Lancashire Fusiliers, the Salford Pals, took part in attacking the village of Thipthate

                                1st Jul 1916 1st East Yorks in action  East Yorkshire Regiment, 1st Battalion are in action at the battle of the Somme.

                                1st July 1916 Brigade on standby for Somme Offensive  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                1st July 1916 - Position of readiness at Bresle - Regimental parade in bivouacs at Querrieu at 0445. Brigade moved off at 0500. Order of march: Brigade HQ and Signal Troop, 4th Dragoon Guards, 9th Lancers, 18th Hussars, 2nd Machine Gun Squadron, H Battery RHA, Gap, and A Echelon Brigaded. Route followed: Querrieu, Franvillers and Bresle. Put down lines in muddy area outside Bresle at 0815. Remained at Bresle while the infantry assault took place. Watering arrangements broke down. Brigade left Bresle at 1700 and moved back to Querrieu arriving in previous bivouac about 2000.

                                war diaries


                                1st July 1916 Actions during 1916  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

                                Divisional Actions during 1916

                                At the end of July 1916, portions of the 2nd Division were assigned to duty in Galicia to oppose the Russian advance.

                                Historical Records


                                1st Jul 1916 12th MGC in action.  On the first of July 1916, 12th Machine Gun Company, 4th Division was in action between Beaumont Hamel and Serre.

                                1st Jul 1916 An Unfortunate Mistake  The 7th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment are assembled in the trenches opposite Fricourt Village. The first zero hour was 7.30am on July 1st when the troops on the left and right attacked, and the 2nd zero hour was at 2.30pm when the 7th Battalion assaulted.

                                Owing to an unfortunate mistake on the part of the officer commanding A Coy, his company assaulted at 7.45am. As soon as they began to climb over the parapet terrific machine gun was opened by the enemy and the company was almost at once wiped out. The survivors lay in crump holes some 25 yards in front of our wire until after dark. As soon as it was discovered that A Company had assaulted by itself, D Coy (the reserve Coy) was brought up into the assembly trenches to take A Coys place.

                                At 2pm 1/7/16 our artillery began the 1/2 hours preliminary bombardment of Fricourt Village. This bombardment was feeble and did little damage to the enemy as the battalion soon learned to its cost. At 2.30pm the Battalion assaulted and were met by a murderous machine gun and rifle fire, officers and men were literally mown down and were finally brought to a standstill about half way across to the enemy’s trenches. 13 Officers and over 300 men became casualties in about three minutes. The survivors lay in crump holes until dark with a few exceptions who managed to crawl back. Many magnificent deeds of courage were performed especially in bringing in wounded and carrying messages under fire.

                                1st July 1916 In Action  Throughout the time No 25 Squadron had been in France, it had been undertaking experimental night flying sorties. At the opening of the Battle of the Somme on 1st of July 1916 No. 2, 10 and 25 Squadrons were formally tasked with night bombing strategic targets, including enemy aerodromes and railway junctions, depots, sidings and dumps radiating from Lillie. One of the largest sorties during the battle involved 12 FEs of No 25 Squadron, 7 BEs of No 16 Squadron and 7 BEs of No 10 Squadron all coordinating to attack Douai Railway station.

                                http://www.25squadron.org.uk/History.htm


                                1st Jul 1916 In Action  Front Line 0700. Beginning of Battle of Somme. The Objective of 18th DLI line running S.E. of Serre.

                                0450. 18th Battalion DLI reached assembly trench Maitland. HQ near Warley, Maitland junction. 11th East Lancs on left, West Riding on right.

                                At 0505. Special bombing parties of 18th DLI proceed to Sap A to report to 15th West Yorks.

                                0600. German guns appear to be inferior to our artillery. Our aircraft patrol lines effectively.

                                0720. Mine sprung at Beaumont Hamel by British.

                                0730. Men begin crossing to German lines carrying artillery discs but smoke prevented good observation.

                                0920 Brigade instruct 18th Battalion DLI to move to line Monk trench to support 18th West Yorks.

                                0947. A Coy. 18th DLI leave Maitland and advance to Monk.

                                1000. B Coy. 18 DLI leave Maitland and advance to Monk with C Coy. 18th DLI in Maitland ready to advance. HQ in Maitland between Bleneau and Grey. 18th West Yorks in Languard east of Maitland, Brigade HQ on Legend.

                                1100. A & B Coys 18th DLI are heavily shelled in the open between Monk and Maitland.

                                1130. German artillery very effective and appearing to predominate. Brigade instructs B Coy 18 DLI to reorganise in Dunmow.

                                1157. Message to Brigade reporting dispositions of 18th DLI. 2 Platoons A Coy. in Monk. 1 Platoon A Coy. in Flag, 1 Platoon A Coy. in Maitland, B Coy. west of Monk, C Coy. in Maitland, Btn HQ as at 10am. Heavy casualties in all Coys.

                                1232. Brigade instructs B Coy. 18th DLI to hold Sackville in conjunction with 4th Div.

                                Brigade instructs ------ to hold New Dunmow.

                                1353. C Coy. 18th DLI with 60 men of 18th West Yorks in New Dunmow, A & B Coys garrison Maitland with bombing parties on right and left of New Dunmow and Languard and Lewis guns north and south of New Dunmow.

                                1511. 1 Coy. 11th East Yorks move to Maitland and are under O.C. 18th Durham LI to cover 159 Bty RFA.

                                1540. O.C. 18 Durham LI moves 11th East Yorks from Maitland to take over defence of Languard.

                                1543. C Coy. 18th DLI reports

                                • (1) Front line trench blown out of existence as fighting trench,
                                • (2) Front line full of East and West Yorks
                                • (3) Recall of bombing parties working with 15th West Yorks.

                                1550. 18th West Yorks are collected by 18th Durham LI in New Dunmow. A & B Coys 18th DLI are being reorganised. Stragglers of 16th West Yorks are being collected.

                                Casualties in 18th DLI approximately (less D Coy.) 5 Officers wounded, 11 OR killed, 126 OR wounded. 4 Officers D Co. wounded, 17 OR D Co. reported Btn HQ.

                                18 Durham LI instructed by Brigade to hold front line for the night and expel counter attack. C Coy. manned front line, A & B in Maitland. 16th West Yorks in Dunmow. C Coy. 18DLI has bombing parties Sap A & Sap B

                                1745. 11th East Yorks reported in position in Languard.

                                1830. Major Tilly reported at 18th DLI HQ.

                                The National Archives 18DLi War Diary WO95/2361/1 Appendix 1


                                1st Jul 1916 In Action  209th Field Company went into action at La Boiselle on 1st of July 1916.

                                2nd Jul 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers return to from attack  Only 8 officers and 279 other ranks of the 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers return to the bluff, north of Black Horse Bridge at 1.30 that morning. At nightfall, they move to C assembly trenches in Aveluy Wood.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                2nd July 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. 2/Lt Gunn C236 Battery moved from post and returned to his battery. A quiet day with enemy retaliation feeble in reply to bombarding their front line and Vimy Ridge.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd Jul 1916 1st Wiltshires move forward to trenches  1st Wiltshires move forwards in an easterly direction via Hedauville and Aveluy Wood into the trenches at Authuille.

                                2nd Jul 1916 Relief  At 3.30am the Cheshires arrive to assist 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers at Usna Tara Redoubts.

                                2nd Jul 1916 In Action  At 0100. B Coy. 18th DLI moved up to the front line. (D Coy. attached to A)

                                0330. 66 reinforcements reported at HQ and joined their Coys.

                                0830. 2 Platoons C Coy. in Monk with 4 MG of MG Co. and 2 MG in Dunmow.

                                1330. Brigade instructions to occupy front line from K.35.a.3.7 to K.29.c.80.95 with 1 Co. 4 L.G. by day, with 2 Coys 8 L.G. by night, remainder & HQ to hold north & south Monk. This completed by 2.40 pm and Brigade informed.

                                1500 - 1530. Special bombardment by our artillery during which 2 off. 9 OR C Coy. were wounded 1 OR C Co. killed.

                                1830 - 1900. Special bombardment by our artillery.

                                2020. Brigade informed that enemy was at ----- ----- shells ---- in North Monk. 40 wounded chiefly of 16th West Yorks were collected by C Coy. in front line.

                                2300. Kings Own on right of 18th DLI and wiring in front.

                                2306. Germans reported to be seen carrying up Gas Cylinders to front line.

                                2330. GOC 93 I.B. instructs 18 Btn DLI to send remainder of D Coy. back to Bus.

                                Late. Brigade warn 18th Btn DLI of possible gas attack, front line to hold on. 18th West Yorks to send 2 Coy’s one to North Monk, one to South Monk and 2 remaining Coy’s to move up later. 16th West Yorks to remain in Dunmow, 15th West Yorks in Maitland. Information also received that 2 Brigades of 48th Division with 3 Battalions of 29 Division will attack hostile line from River Ancre to Pt 29 at 3.30am. Artillery to bombard enemy’s line.

                                The National Archives 18th DLI War Diary Appx.1 WO95/2361/1


                                3rd Jul 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers move to Warloy  16th Northumberland Fusiliers move to Warloy via Bouzincourt.

                                records of the 16th (service) battalion northumberland fusiliers captain ch cooke mc, newcastle upon tyne 1923


                                3rd Jul 1916 3rd Monmouths return to pioneer duties  The 3rd Monmouths returned to their pioneer duties and were engaged in digging the new British front line at the Schwaben Redoubt and Ancre. Here they came across the dead and wounded of the terrible fighting that had taken place over this ground. They also came under heavy shelling and German grenade attacks. The Ulster Memorial Tower now marks the site of these trenches.

                                3rd July 1916 Wire cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report Batteries wire cutting. B237 battery was shelled with 4.2s at about 0900 and one gun was damaged. The enemy shelled battery positions on the Aix-Noulette - Bully Grenay road all morning with 5.9 and 4.2 inch guns. Minewerfen (mortars) were active about 1600. At 2230 the enemy blew up a mine on Vimy Ridge but very little artillery fire followed. Another mine was exploded at 0030. At 0145 our artillery open a strong barrage in support of a raid by the 15th London Regiment on salient in Bois en Hache. The raid lasted twenty minutes with result at present not known. Enemy retaliation was much heavier than in the former raid. All was quiet again by 0230.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd Jul 1916 1st Wiltshire and 3rd Worcesters fight side by side.  1st Wiltshires enter the Leipzig Salient and fought side by side with the 3rd Worcestershire until they were relieved on July 7th.

                                3rd Jul 1916 106th Coy RE search for lost men  At Thiepval 106th Coy Royal Engineers are engaged in clearing trenches in search hoping to find alive some of their best men who were lost trying to take the fort, Germans using Gas at night and shelling continuously. Also working in German Trenches that had been taken

                                3rd Jul 1916 Shelling  0355. 18th DLI Inform Brigade of heavy shelling by enemy at 2.15am was of ---- shells.

                                2035. Brigade instructed 18th Btn DLI to get in touch with Duke of Wellingtons Regiment of 12th Brigade, on their right at Delaunay.

                                The National Archives 18DLI War Diary Appx 1 WO95/2361/1


                                4th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette the enemy was active in the Angres Setor this morning with trench mortars, otherwise all quiet.

                                War Diaries


                                4th July 1916   SM U-50

                                Type U 43 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 28) Ordered 4 Aug 1914 Launched 31 Dec 1915 Commissioned 4 Jul 1916

                                Commanders.
                                4 Jul 1916 - 31 Aug 1917 Gerhard Berger

                                Career 5 patrols.
                                30 Aug 1916 - 31 Aug 1917 III Flotilla

                                Successes 27 ships sunk with a total of 92,924 tons.

                                • 10 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Bogota 4,577 br
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Løkken 1,954 nw
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Morazan 3,486 br
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Sarah Radcliffe 3,333 br
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger San Giovanni 1,315 it
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Stylinai Bebis 3,603 gr
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Ioannis 3,828 gr
                                • 13 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Lela 2,987 it
                                • 14 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Hatsuse 282 br
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Jean Pierre 449 fr
                                • 22 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Blenheim 1,144 nw
                                • 24 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Falcon 2,244 br
                                • 25 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Aries 3,071 br
                                • 25 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Huntsman 7,460 br
                                • 25 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Laconia 18,099 br
                                • 11 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Sarvsfos 1,462 nw
                                • 19 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Avocet 1,219 br
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Emma 2,520 br
                                • 21 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Diadem 4,307 br
                                • 23 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Dykland 4,291 br
                                • 23 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Oswald 5,185 br
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Swanmore 6,373 br
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Yuba 1,458 nw
                                • 11 Jun 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Sigrun 2,538 nw
                                • 16 Jun 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Carrie Hervey 111 br
                                • 21 Jun 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Ortona 5,524 br
                                • 26 Jun 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Vonin 104 da

                                Fate 31 Aug 1917 - Sunk probably from a mine off Terschelling on or after 31st August 1917. Casualties: 44 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 50 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 1 Nov 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 12 Dec 1939.

                                John Doran


                                4th Jul 1916 Under Fire  18th Durhams are in the Front Line .

                                Taken from Appendix 1 18th DLI Battle of Serre.

                                0200. Ration party from Bus and ---- ordered to remain in Monk as reinforcements in view of information above.

                                0400. Red rockets went up & LG & MG opened by a unit on our right.

                                0403.Hostile artillery open with Field Guns & MG chiefly barraging our front line & then lifting quickly to Monk, chiefly shrapnel some HE.

                                0410. 18th Btn DLI asked for retaliation on German trench between Warley and Delaunay. Brigade report Gas on 94th Brigade area on our left.

                                0423. Our guns open retaliation effectively.

                                0430. No signs of gas, hostile fire weakening.

                                0435. Front line reports all correct, two casualties, hostile guns practically ceased fire.

                                0508. All quiet.

                                0530. Stand down. N.B. Enemy before opening artillery fire put up red rockets, on sending up green rockets fire ceased.

                                0630. Lt Tait D Co found wounded in Old Monk & brought back.

                                1100. Brigade Instructions. 31 Div. to go into Corps reserve & move to Bernaville area joining II Corps & coming into GHQ reserve. 93rd Brigade to be relieved by 144th Brigade on night of 4-5th of July 1916 & move to Louvencourt and thence on 6th to Bernaville area.

                                2200. Relief of 18th Btn DLI by Worcesters. HQ moves 10.5pm to Louvencourt.

                                2200. 18th DLI relieved by Worcester Regt and moved to Louvencourt.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                5th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands move  The 16th Northumberlands move to Varennes

                                5th July 1916 Observation Impossible  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report Observation impossible so all quiet on this front.

                                War Diaries


                                5th Jul 1916 13th Cheshires march to La Boiselle  13th Battalion Cheshire Regiment march from Bouzincourt to La Boiselle on Wednesday 5th July.

                                5th Jul 1916 On the March  0445. 18th DLI reported present at Louvencourt.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                6th Jul 1916 3rd Monmouths under attack  A Company, 3rd Monmouths came under attack while digging trenches near the German lines captured by the 49th Division. The pioneers had to become infantrymen again and were ordered to hold the line until the next morning. 14 men were killed or wounded.

                                6th July 1916 Trench Motors Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette. 2/Lt Wildes C236 Battery proceeded on Trench Mortar Course. During the early morning enemy trench mortars were active on Gouchez II to which our own retaliated. Observation was again difficult owing to bad weather.

                                War Diaries


                                6th Jul 1916 13th Cheshires in trenches at La Boiselle  Thursday 6th July the 13th Cheshires occupy trenches at La Boiselle which they consolidated and held. Several personnel injured, non killed.

                                6th Jul 1916 38th Div Artillery in action  Although the infantry of the 38th Division did not return to action after the Battle of Mametz Wood, the Artillery were continually involved in action.

                                6th Jul 1916 On the March  0900 18th DLI vacated billets at Louvencourt and moved to Beauval arriving 12.30pm.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                7th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands move  16th Northumberlands move to Hedauville.

                                7th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. All quiet. 2nd Lt Woollett transferred from D236 Battery to Y047 TM Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                7th Jul 1916 1st Wiltshire and 3rd Worcesters relieved  1st Wiltshires and 3rd Worcesters are relieved in the Leipzig Salient.

                                7th Jul 1916 Huge losses for 12th Manchesters  Sixteen officers and 539 men of the 12th Manchesters were killed in action, listed as missing or wounded at Contalmaison on the Somme.

                                7th Jul 1916 On the March  0730 18th Battalion DLI vacated billets at Beauval and moved to Berneuil arriving 11.45am.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                7th Jul 1916 13th Cheshires attack at La Boiselle  At La Boiselle on 7th of July, 13th Cheshires went over the parapet at 8.05am. After suffering severe casualties they reached their objective and consolidated. A number of prisoners and war material fell into their hands. Casualties on the day are very heavy, 18 officers and 243 other ranks.

                                8th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands to Senlis  16th Northumberlands move to Senlis.

                                8th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: All quiet.

                                War Diaries


                                8th July 1916 Somme to Messines  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                The Move to Belgium, Somme to Messines

                                After being relieved at the Somme on the 8th July 1916, the Battalion remained on the move for some time and was not involved in any pioneering work.

                                • 10th Jul Marched from Harpenville to Beauval and billeted (9½ miles).
                                • 11th Jul Marched from Beauval to Bernaville and billeted (9 miles).
                                • 12th Jul Marched to Conteville (6 miles) then by train to Theinnes (55
                                • miles) and marched to Blaringham and billeted (3 miles).
                                • 13th Jul Marched from Blaringham to Moulles and billeted (14 miles).

                                From the 14th to 20th July, the Battalion stayed at Moulles for interior economy (a military term for general Cleaning of a personal nature, including equipment and accommodation ). The men were exhausted and this period was used to boost morale with exercise, games and parades to present medals awarded during recent campaign actions.

                                Further moves then took places as follows:

                                • 21st Jul Marched to Volkeringshove and billeted (6 miles).
                                • During this march they witnessed the explosion of an ammunition dump at
                                • Audvicq.
                                • 22nd Jul Marched to Winnezeele and billeted (16 miles).
                                • 23rd Jul Marched to Bauvoorde (10 miles) and camped on the Belgian
                                • border.
                                • 24th Jul Marched 3 miles to a hill position.

                                This was about 2 ½ miles from Bailleul where they obtained some dilapidated Armstrong huts and set up camp.

                                The marches were not long by modern standards but the constant moves involved a daily sequence of reveille, packing equipment and transport, having a hot meal, parading in full kit and laden transport before starting out on the march.

                                The full Battalion would occupy about 1000 yards of road and take about 10 minutes to pass any given point in the route. On arrival at the destination, the reverse order would be unloading, setting up camp, feeding men and animals and settling down for the night.

                                Exhausting as that may seem, it was not the full story as rations had to be organised. One day’s rations were carried by each man, though probably on Battalion transport, also fodder for the animals, so each day more rations had to be acquired from collection points.

                                For 1000 men this meant about 1 ½ tons of rations and for animals 1 ¼ tons of fodder to collect and distribute each day. The Quartermaster had quite literally very much on his plate and everyone depended on his skill and organisational ability.

                                Foot inspections were considered to be a very important requirement as was the watering, grooming and feeding of the horses and mules.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                8th July 1916 British troops in action on The Somme  5-45am July 8th 1916, The 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment moved off up the valley by Talus Boisse to a position just west of Bernafay Wood with orders to attack and take the southern portion of Trones Wood. This accomplished the Wiltshires were to attack from Maltz Horn Alley their right joining up with the left of the French who were attacking at the same time. The 19th Manchesters were in trenches behind available for support and the 18th Kings Liverpools were detailed to provide carrying parties, battalion HQ was at the Briqueterie.

                                7-15am, "C" Company 2nd Btn Yorkshire Regiment under Capt Maude entered Bernafay Wood followed in succession by the bombing sections, "D" Company under Capt Belcher, "B" Company under 2nd Lt Hubbard and "A" Company under Capt Colley.

                                8-00am, Under severe shellfire which caused casualties before starting and added to some confusion caused by the passage through the wood. "C" Company 2nd Yorks emerged from the wood and commenced to cross the open space between it and Trones Wood. For about 80 yards rising ground gave some cover but immediately this was topped a very heavy machine gun and rifle fire was opened from the edge of Trones Wood and the front line was practically hit to a man. Some men got into Trones Alley a communication trench between the two woods and Lt Field with the battalion bombers made an attempt to bomb up it and get into the wood, snipers in trees defeated this and seeing that without further and more powerful artillery support a direct attack was hopeless and a withdrawal to Bernafay Wood was ordered at 8-30am The Germans now commenced a heavy and constant bombardment of Bernafay Wood with guns of every calibre. Cover was poor and for the rest of the day the battalion could do nothing but hold on under heavy punishment. Casualties were numerous and the removal of wounded was a matter of the greatest difficulty. Mens nerves were subjected to probably the greatest strain the battalion had yet to bear in this war and it was with great relief that at 7-00pm orders were received to withdraw. Casualties of the 2nd Yorks were: Officers; killed 3, wounded 4, Other ranks; killed 19, wounded 116, missing 17.

                                8th July 1916 Russian Hospital Ship  In the beginning of 1916 the "Vperiod," a vessel of 858 tons, was transformed into a hospital ship, with 120 beds for wounded, to take the place of the "Portugal." On July 8th, 1916, while on her way from Batoum to Rizeh, near Trebizond, to fetch wounded, she was torpedoed without warning and sank, with a loss of 7 lives. The "Vperiod" bore all the usual Red Cross marks ; and the enemy Governments had been duly informed of the vessel's new status when the change was made six months earlier.

                                John Doran


                                8th July 1916 Arrival Marseilles  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                8th July - We enter harbour at Marseilles and stay alongside quay overnight.

                                war diaries


                                8th Jul 1916 On the Move  2100. 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry vacated billetsat Berneuil and moved to Conteville entraining there for Berguette in 1st Army area arriving there 11.30am and proceeded to La Pierreiere by route march arriving 1.30pm.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                9th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands to Bouzincourt  16th Northumberlands move to Bouzincourt.

                                9th Jul 1916 3rd Monmouths hold the line  A and D Companies of the 3rd Monmouths helped hold off another German attack and four men were awarded gallantry cards.

                                9th July 1916 Billets and Roads Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. at Aix-Noulette. Col. Peel took over command of Right Group. Col Lowe and Adjutant along with HQ Staff moved to new billets in Helsin. All quiet on this front. During the night the enemy's billets and ration roads were shelled in conjunction with IV Corps heavy artillery.

                                War Diaries


                                10th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet on this front.

                                War Diaries


                                10th Jul 1916 13th Welsh on Somme  13th Btn Welsh Regiment are in Mametz Wood on The Somme

                                10th Jul 1916 106 Bty RFA in Action  106th Battery, 22nd Brigade, RFA were positioned on the east flank of Mametz Wood above the valley in a strip of woodland called Caterpillar Wood on 10th July 1916 close to a part of Mametz Wood called the Hammerhead. They were shelling towards Flat Iron Copse which is in the north east and just beyond the eastern edge of Mametz Wood.

                                11th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands relieve 2nd Manchesters  16th Northumberlands relieve the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment at Ovillers-la-Boisselle.

                                11th July 1916 Enemy Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report enemy active about 1800 on Left Battalion HQ, our Howitzers retaliated on enemy support line. After a few rounds the enemy stopped firing.

                                War Diaries


                                12th July 1916 Weather Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette. Officers and men of 63rd Division attached to C236 Battery for instruction. Batteries carried out small strafes on enemy billets, field gun positions and dumps. Weather rather bad for aeroplane observation.

                                War Diaries


                                12th Jul 1916 Boy Scouts Inspection Parade  The Boy Scouts hold an Inspection Parade at St James' Park, Newcastle.

                                http://www.nufctheyworethenewcastleshirt.btck.co.uk/StJamesParkWorldWar1Part1


                                12th Jul 1916 Military football match at St James' Park  A military football match is played at St James' Park, Newcastle between Munition Workers XI and Tyne Garrison XI. The match was a fund raising effort for a YMCA hut. It was refereed by Major General R.A.K. Montgomery and was won five goals to nil by the Garrison XI. Their team consisted of: L.Scott (Sunderland), Sgt I.Boocock (Bradford), W.Low (NUFC), Sgt A.Puchan (Bradford), Sgt J.Scott (Bradford), J.Brennan (Man City), S.Bainbridge (Leeds City), H.A.Walden (Bradford), L/Cpl.W.E.Chesser(Lincoln City), Sgt O.Fox (Bradford) & L/Cpl. C.Duffy (Bury). Goals were scored by Chesser, Bainbridge and Fox with a hat trick, Walden also hit the bar in the first half.

                                The Munitions XI were: J.Lawrence, W.McCracken, J.Spink, F.Hudspeth, J.Finlay (NUFC), R.Liddell (Millwall), T.Spink (Grimsby), W Rutherford, T.Browell (Man City), E.Cooper (NUFC) & T.Hill.

                                http://www.nufctheyworethenewcastleshirt.btck.co.uk/StJamesParkWorldWar1Part1


                                13th July 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Aix-Noulette. Batteries carried out strafes on road, dump etc. B236 Battery fired 26 rounds on ---- de HIR---LLE obtaining several hits. Trench Mortars cut wire from 1430 to 1800 covered by fire from 18 pounders.

                                War Diaries


                                13th Jul 1917 8th East Yorks in action  The 8th East Yorks Regt. left Carnoy at 21.20hrs marching past Montauban at 22.10hrs reaching their place of deployment at 02.00hrs (exact location not recorded). Upon cessation of artillery bombardment of the enemy an assault was launched against the enemy. They encountered heavy rifle and machine gun fire from at least 7 machine guns. It was impossible to make ground because of the "very lights" sent up and those untouched by enemy fire took cover in shell holes. Colonel B.I.Way and 2nd Lt.R Longtaff retired for the place of assembly under a bank, the men dug themselves in. Colonel Way had been wounded in the arm and leg, he was subsequently relieved by Major Brewis. at 06.45hrs. By now our machine guns had been mounted and Stokes mortars were in use. At 07.00hrs men from the Royal Scots Fusiliers joined the unit. At 07.40 "Whizz banging" started and at 07.45hrs Lieutenant Hext, Royal Field Artillery, reported that Bezentin was in possession of the 9th Brigade and he was forming his men up in order to bomb inwards. At 07.50 Major Brewis ordered two guns of the machine gun company to take up position behind covering the right flank,and placed lieutenant Newbiggin of the Royal Scots of the extreme right. Intelligence was that Royal Scots Fusiliers were going to attack the right flank of their objective. A patrol was sent out by order of the 8th Bde, from the right flank up to the wire to see if any of our men were in the enemy's trenches, and holding their own.

                                At 08.40hrs. Colonel Forbes, commanding 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers arrived with reinforcements and took over command.09.00hrs. Instructions received from Brigade to send out patrol with the same orders as 08.00hrs. 09.30hrs. both patrols reported having been up to the wire and were certain that the enemy's front line was strongly held. They could hear none of our men in the trench. 09.45 hrs Stokes guns fired several rounds. At 10.15hrs Another patrol reported having been up to the wire and confirmed the previous report that the enemy front line was being strongly held (there is an alteration at this point where the phrase "But they heard no sounds of heavy fighting inside the trenches" to " (and they heard sounds of heavy fighting inside the trenches). This information was passed to Colonel Forbes who was in command.

                                At 10.20hrs Colonel Forbes sent for Major Brewis (E. Yorks. R) and it was decided to send all available bombers supported by two platoons of Royal Scots Fusiliers, guided by the patrol of E. Yorks. Regt., to try and join (the words "Heavy fighting" are crossed out here) on the right flank. 10.30hrs. Message from "Spring" stating "Bombing is to start from Bazentin"

                                14th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands consolidate points.  16th Northumberlands mount an attack to consolidate points 45 and 63 at Ovillers-la-Boisselle. At night they are relieved by the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment, the Northumberlands go into billets at Bouzincourt.

                                14th July 1916 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. Trench Mortars continue wire cutting covered by fire from 18 pounders. At 1600 enemy retaliated for our wire cutting on Straight - Huntrench and Boshwalk. Our artillery retaliated strongly and the enemy ceased firing.

                                War Diaries


                                14th Jul 1916 125th Heavy RGA at Mametz wood.  125th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery are at Mametz Bottom wood

                                14th Jul 1916 30 men of 2nd Northumberland report sick   At 6.30pm on 14th July 1916, 30 other ranks from 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were admitted to 85 Field Ambulance, Bozista, sick.

                                14th July 1916   A new 38 Squadron was reformed at Castle Bromwich on the 14th July 1916.

                                15th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands on the march  16th Northumberlands leave the billets at Bouzincourt and march to Warloy

                                15th July 1916 Wire cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. Wire cutting by Trench Mortars and 18 pounders during the afternoon. The enemy retaliated as yesterday on the Straight & Boshwalk, otherwise all quiet.

                                War Diaries


                                15th July 1916 March to Hooteville  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                15th July 1916 - 1240 - The Battalion marched to Hooteville by following route.

                                • Gouy-teynois, Nagnicourt sur Canche
                                • Says le Bois, Dernier, Blavincourt
                                • Approgrenee, Avesnes la Compte, Houteville

                                Many of the men fell out on the line of march owing to bad boots. Company Commanders and two Sergeants per Company go up to trenches for experience.

                                war diaries


                                15th Jul 1916 On the March  1500. 18th Battalion, DLI vacated billets at La Pierreiere and proceeded by route march to Fosse (Lestrem) arriving 8.30pm.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                16th Jul 1916 1/8th West Yorks in support near Leipzig Redoubt  1/8th Battalion Leeds Rifles are at Theipval on the Somme, with their HQ at Johnsons Post on the 16th July 1916. They were held in reserve but were brought up to the line in support in the area of Leipzig Redoubt.

                                16th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands on the march  16th Northumberlands march north from Warloy to Beauval.

                                16th Jul 1916 3rd Monmouths under fire  B Company of the 3rd Monmouths came under heavy shellfire while repairing an ammunition dump and lost 19 killed and wounded.

                                16th July 1916 Cutting Wire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: Trench Mortars wire cutting in afternoon from 1500 to 1730. At 0100 on the night of 16-17th July, the 20th London Regiment carried out a raid on enemy lines at a small salient north of Bois en Hache. The raid was supported by intense artillery fire with 2" Mortars and Stokes Mortars. Enemy retaliation was slight consisting of a few Light High Velocity shells & trench mortars. Infantry report that German front line trench was entered, dugs outs were bombed and a machine gun was destroyed. Our casualties were light. All was quiet again by 0145.

                                War Diaries


                                17th Jul 1916 Under Shellfire  The 5/6th Cameronians attacked High Wood on the 16th July 1916. They assembled behind village of Bazentin Le Petit on 17th July when they were hit by a very heavy shrapnel bombardment. 76 men and 3 officers wounded, mostly in the legs. They were sheltering in small caves dug out of a high bank. Packed in tightly, could not pull their legs in.

                                18th July 1916 Slight Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: Except for slight shelling of Boche Trench & the Straight everything was all quiet. 141st Infantry Brigade relieved by the 63rd Division.

                                War Diaries


                                19th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet.

                                War Diaries


                                19th Jul 1916 8th Norfolks at Devils Wood  The 8th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment are in action at Delville Eood on the Somme, known as Devil's Wood to the troops.

                                20th July 1916 Enemy Mine Blown  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Quiet all day. Enemy blew up mine by Double Crassier at 2230.

                                War Diaries


                                21st July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: All quiet. Nothing to report.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd July 1916 Batteries Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: The Batteries fired on enemy trenches from 1400 to 1800. Retaliation was slight.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd Jul 1916 30th Howitzer Battery near Caterpillar Wood  30th Howitzer Battery of 39th Brigade RFA ( Special Reserve) were operating close to Caterpillar Wood on 22nd July 1916

                                23rd July 1916 Straffing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette: Our artillery carried out a strafe at 0100 of 20 rounds per battery. The enemy was quick to retaliate on our support line.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd Jul 1916 122 Siege Battery RGA at Grouville Riviere  122 Siege Battery RGA at Grouville Riviere with #1 Group, 6th Corps until Sept. 11th

                                23rd Jul 1916 1st Cornwall light Infantry attack  The 1st DCLI took part in an attack on strong points located in the orchards to the north of Delville Wood. The attack began at 3.40 a.m. and despite early success the battalion was driven back to Pont Road by enemy counter attacks.

                                23rd July 1916 Promotions and Appointments  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                The only entries during July from images provided are for two senior appointments. 23rd July - Lt Col J Olivant DSO RHA left the 2nd Cavalry Division on promotion to Brigadier General Royal Artillery and moved to the 3rd Division.

                                26th July - Lt Col TM Archdale DSO RHA joined the 2nd Cavalry Division.

                                July 1916 diary is signed by Captain AG Neville for OC E RHA

                                war diaries


                                24th July 1916 Personnel  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Hersin report: 2/Lt Wildes returned from Trench Mortar Course. During the course he was sent to the Neuve Chapple front to take command of a Trench Mortar Battery during the operations there.

                                War Diaries


                                26th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands on the march  16th Northumberlands reach La Beuvriere and the battalion provides details for Corps HQ guard at La Buissiere.

                                27th July 1916 236th London Brigade Relocate  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery move to Sains les Pernes. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

                                War Diaries


                                27th Jul 1916 1st KRRC and 23rd Royal Fusiliers advance  At 7.10am after a one hour barrage on Delville Wood the 1st KRRC and 23rd Royal Fusiliers of 99 Brigade and 2nd Division began their advance from the south. By 9am they had occupied a line 50 yards from the northern edge of the wood

                                27th Jul 1916 Reliefs  0800. 18th DLI vacated billets at Fosse and proceeded to front line relieving 14th Btn York and Lancaster Regiment.

                                18th DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1


                                27th Jul 1916 Raids  18th Durhams are in the Trenches. Bombardment by German artillery beginning 9.30 pm followed by raids made by Germans.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                28th Jul 1916 11th Middlesex in action at Poziers  On this day, during the battle for Poziers, the 11th Middlesex were part of Maj-Gen Scott's 12th Division which relieved the 48th division. The 48th had been in the line for twelve days and its casualties amounted to almost 2,800 all ranks. The 11th Middlesex moved over open ground to secure the extension of Western Trench in order to keep in touch with the 23rd Victoria Battalion. The attack was repelled by grenades and rifle fire.

                                28th Jul 1916 Medals for gunners of 125th Heavy Bty.  125th Heavy Bty RGA record in their War diary: Military Medal awarded for Unwin and Tyndall.

                                28th July 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  28/29th July 1916.

                                On 28,29 July the first raid including one of the new R-class Zeppelins, L 31, took place. These were 196.49 m (644 ft 8 in) long, with a capacity of 55,206 cu m (1,949,600 cu ft), powered by six engines and capable of operating at 13,000 ft (4,000 m), and could carry up to four tons of bombs.

                                The 10-Zeppelin raid achieved very little; four turned back early and the rest wandered over a fog-shrouded landscape before giving up.

                                John Doran


                                28th July 1916   No 62 Squadron formed on July 28th 1916 from a nucleus flight of No. 7. Training Squadron at Netheravon, Wilts. The squadron moved to Filton on 8th August, to undertake advanced fighter pilot training.

                                29th Jul 1916 On the Move  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers move to Houchain.

                                30th July 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  30th/31st July and 2/3rd August 1916 Adverse weather dispersed two Zeppelin raids on 30,31 July and 2,3 August.

                                John Doran


                                31st July 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aubrometz. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders. OC. Brigade and Adjutant with representatives of each battery, inspected the guns of the 21st Division which have just withdrawn from action at the S.

                                War Diaries


                                1st Aug 1916 GCF Angel Road, Edmonton opens.  Government Cartridge Factory Angel Road, Edmonton, London started in August 1916 for the production of small arms ammunition. First output was May 1917. In 1918 they also undertook aero-engine repair. It was under the direct control of Eley Bros.

                                1st Aug 1916 CSAS Greenford opens  Chemical Shell Assembling Station Greenford, Middlesex started in August 1916 with first output in Jan 1917. Production was assembling lethal shell. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Aug 1916 NGF Upper Market Street, Woolwich opens.  National Gauge Factory Upper Market Street, Woolwich, London started in August 1916 for the production of gauges. It was under the direct control of Pitter's Ventilating & Engineering Co.

                                   National Shell Factory, Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire started up in early 1916. first output of 9.2-in. and 15-in. shell was in August 1916. In 1917 and 1918 itw as engaged in making and repairing guns. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management. The was also a National Projectile Factory and a National Ordnance Factory on site.

                                   National Projectile Factory, Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire started up in early 1916. first output of 9.2-in. and 15-in. shell was in August 1916. In 1917 and 1918 itw as engaged in making and repairing guns. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management. The was also a National Shell Factory and a National Ordnance Factory on site

                                   National Ordnance Factory, Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire started up in early 1916. first output of 9.2-in. and 15-in. shell was in August 1916. In 1917 and 1918 itw as engaged in making and repairing guns. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management. The was also a National Projectile Factory and a National Shell Factory on site

                                1st Aug 1916 16th Northumberlands receive reinforcements  A draft of 160 other ranks arrive at Houchain to reinforce the much depleated 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.

                                1st August 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                At the end of July the 36th Ulster Division was sent back into the line and all the moves of the 16th Battalion were to bring it into support positions around Neuve Eglise opposite enemy positions on the Messines Ridge.

                                The Battalion had grown accustomed to the terrain in the Picardy region of France. Now they were to encounter the fairly flat low lying terrain of Flanders with its water table problems that made defensive position, road construction and maintenance methods a very different proposition.

                                Flanders, August 1916 to December 1916.

                                During August the entire 36th Division were committed to the Front and pioneering work gathered pace. Everywhere there was water just below the surface and even on the highest ground this was encountered within a few feet. Communication trenches could only be dug down a couple of feet, so construction had to be above ground by piling earthworks or sandbags to the required heights.

                                The war diaries describe August as being routine work but with increased enemy shelling and resultant higher casualties. Summary as follows:

                                • 4th August: Several shells fell near No. 3 Company’s farm and two hit it killing all the mules and wounding the company commander’s charger. Some rifles and equipment were damaged and a fire exploded some ammunition. The men sheltered in the basement of a house until shelling was over.
                                • 6th August: Two companies relocated from Bulford to Le Grande Munque Farm to get closer to work. It could hold about 400 men and was about 2000 yards behind the front line.
                                • 7th August: Battalion HQ moved to a point south of Petit Pont and camped there.
                                • No.4 Coy’s work assignment moved from Subsidiary Line to Gas Trench.
                                • 13th August: Artillery active from both sides.
                                • 14th August: GOC visited trenches and expressed approval of progress.
                                • 19th August: A note of irritation in the war diary entry. "Without previous warning our artillery started a bombardment. The Boche retaliated killing 2 men and wounding 3 of No. 2 Company also wounding 3 men of No.3 Company, one of whom died later from his wounds.
                                • 23rd August: 3 NCOs and 33 men were assigned to construct emplacement for a mortar battery.
                                • 24th August: A sentry from No.3 Company challenged another man of No.2 Company and getting no reply, bayoneted him. The injured man was sent to hospital.
                                • 26/27th August: All available men in Battalion, about 300, were used to carry gas cylinders up to the front line trenches each night.
                                • 30/31st August: Gas attack on enemy took place at 0130 accompanied by a bombardment and a raid.
                                • 31st August: There was general retaliation by the enemy all day and No.1 Company was shelled on its way to the trenches. Another small gas attack on the enemy was carried out that night

                                Also during the month 2 officers and 44 ORs were attached to the 1st Australian Tunneling Company for work on Hill 63. This involved digging two galleries into its steep southern slope capable of holding two battalions completely safe from any form of artillery fire.

                                An amusing incident was reported in Colonel Leader’s Memoirs. After he left one of the billets he had been occupying, his landlady complained to Divisional HQ that a grandfather cuckoo clock was missing. The following correspondence took place:

                                • HQ to Leader: Can you offer any explanation?
                                • Leader to HQ: No.
                                • HQ to Leader: The GOC desires that you answer this question more fully.
                                • Leader to HQ: No I can’t.
                                • HQ to Leader: The GOC considers your answer most impertinent. Kindly send more particulars about this cuckoo clock.
                                • Leader to HQ: Cuckoo; cuckoo; cuckoo.

                                It then transpired that the lady’s son-in-law not trusting the British had removed the clock before the colonel’s occupation. So he sent off a final message:

                                Leader to HQ: Soldiers I am innocent, the cuckoo clock has been found.

                                Later an officer from the Division on leave met a relative of the Colonel who asked him if he knew John Leader, to which he replied: "Oh yes, everyone knows the cuckoo colonel".

                                Colonel Leader was suffering from injuries received when his dugout was blown in and eventually on the 8th August he allowed the Medical Officer to evacuate him to No.12 Casualty Clearing Station and he was returned to the UK.

                                His place as Commanding Officer was taken by Major Meares, who was promoted to Temporary Lt Colonel in September.

                                Casualties for August reported as: Other Ranks 2 killed, 6 wounded and 1 died from wounds.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st August 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  

                                Burial of Crew SL11 at Potter's Bar Cemetery

                                Schütte-Lanz SL11

                                • First Flight: 1st August 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,780 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 91.8 km/h
                                • Payload: 21 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Army airship based at Spich and Commanded by Hauptmann Wilhelm Schramm. The first German airship to be shot down over Britain. It was attacked over Hertfordshire by Lt. W.L. Robinson in a BE 2C with incendiary ammunition on the 3rd September 1916. It crashed at Cuffley, having bombed Saint Albans. The crew were buried at Potters Bar Cemetery and in 1962 they were re-interred at Cannock Chase German war cemetery. The press incorrectly reported it as the L21 Zeppelin which was only corrected much later. It was probably a touch of propaganda as the death of a baby-killer Zeppelin rather than the lesser known SL Airship would create greater public interest.

                                John Doran


                                1st August 1916 New Squadron formed  No 65 Squadron formed on the 1st of August 1916 at Wyton with a nucleus from the Norwich training station.

                                1st Aug 1916 Training  7th Buffs are Training, parades under Coy arrangements, training of specialists continued, weather very fine Received 55th Brigade Operational Order No 32 re relief of 3rd New Sealand Rifle Brigade.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                2nd August 1916 Daily Battery Report  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Beauvoir Riviere. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd August 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  30th/31st July and 2/3rd August 1916 Adverse weather dispersed two Zeppelin raids on 30,31 July and 2,3 August.

                                John Doran


                                2nd August 1916 ongoing trench activity  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                2nd August - Ronville - Casualties 1 killed and 1 wounded.

                                war diaries


                                2nd Aug 1916 Training  Training continued by 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                3rd August 1916 Sport and Concert  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Beauvoir Riviere. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders. In the afternoon a Brigade swimming sports was held with great success and in the evening a camp fire concert was held. Col Kennedy 21st London Battalion sent the Battalion Band which was a great success and the concert ended at 2200.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd Aug 1916 Training  7th Buffs Marched to Erquinghem, Starting point Fletre Church 6.15 am. A halt was made at 9 am at La Creche (S.E. of Bailleul) until 5 pm. Arrived Erquinghem 7 pm. Marching very hot and roads dusty, only 3 men fell out.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                4th August 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Batteries at the disposal of Battery Commanders.

                                War Diaries


                                4th August 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ74 (L32)

                                • Production Ref: LZ74
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L32
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 4th August 1916

                                History.

                                Made three attacks on England dropping a total of 6,860 kilograms (15,120 lb)of bombs. Commanded by Kapitan-Leutnant Werner Petersen, with L31, L33 and L34 part of a Zeppelin raid on the night of 23 September 1916. Intercepted and destroyed by 39 Home Defence Squadron British fighter pilot 2nd Lt Frederick Sowrey in a BE2c on 24 September 1916 near Great Burstead, Essex, all the crew dying. The crew's bodies were buried at Great Burstead, then in 1966 exhumed and reburied at Cannock Chase.

                                John Doran


                                4th Aug 1916   1330. 18th Battalion. relieved by 14 YORKS & LANCS. Moved into billets at LA FOSSE.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                4th Aug 1916 Reliefs  At 1330. 18th Durhams are relieved by 14th York & Lancs and moved into billets at La Fosse.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                4th Aug 1916  Recce  Major Monier-Williams visited huts to be occupied by 7th Buffs at H17.d.2.2 and H23.a.8.6 and found 6 had been destroyed by shell fire on the 3rd. Others were being used as gun emplacements. Weather very fine.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                5th Aug1916 3rd Monmouths to be broken up  On the 5th August after more than a month under battle conditions on the Somme, the 3rd Battalion Monmoutshire Regiment received the disheartening news that it was impossible to reinforce the three active service Battalions of the Regiment, in consequence the 3rd Battalion, being the junior Battalion, would be broken up to provide drafts for the other Battalions

                                5th Aug 1916 On the March  7th Buffs Moved to forward area, leading Coy moving at 7.35 am Battalion disposed as follows: H.Q. La Rolanderie Ref. Map A Coy In farm at H.11.a.5.4 Bois Grenier B and D Coys In huts at H.23.a.8.6 36 N.W 4 C Coy In farm at H.5.c.2.3.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                6th Aug 1916 New commander for 16th Northumberlands  Lt Col Ritson relinquishes command of 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and returns home. Major Little replaces him. The Battalion take part in an open-air service commemorating second anniversary of outbreak of war.

                                6th August 1916 Recce  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Vitz-Villeroy. The Brigade carried out a minor recce in conjunction with 235th Brigade RFA.

                                War Diaries


                                6th Aug 1916 Recce  Day spent in reconnoitring area and finding best approaches to trenches (etc) Visit to the trenches by C.O. and several other officers to look round sub-sector the 7th Buffs Battalion is going to take over. Very hot day. Specialists did training.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                7th August 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

                                War Diaries


                                7th Aug 1916 9th Sherwoods Machine gunners in action on The Somme  The Machine Gun Company of the 9th Sherwood Forresters was attached to the South Staffs Regt prior to the Somme Offensive and went into action in Delville Wood on the 7th August 1916.

                                7th Aug 1916 Reinforcements  18th DLI are at La Fosse. A draft 50 OR reported to HQ. Col R.E. Cheyne 29th Lancers reported & assumed command.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                8th Aug1916 3rd Monmouths withdrawn  The 3rd Monmouth Battalion moved back to Forceville, where Major-General Perceval, GOC 49th Division, gave them a farewell speech.

                                8th August 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

                                8th August 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  8/9th August 1916 On 8,9 August, two Zeppelins were part of a nine airship raid on Hull.

                                John Doran


                                8th August 1916 Brigade staff ride and appointments  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                8th Aug 1916 - Bivouac near Querrieu - 2/Lt GH Harris and M Hunter returned to duty with the Regiment from 1st Cavalry Division working party. Lt LPG Kelly proceeded to 1st Cavalry Division working party for duty. GOC 2nd Cavalry Brigade held a staff ride for COs, Adjutants and Squadron Leaders. 4 ORs to Hospital, 6 Remount Horses to MVS and 4 ORs joined from Base.

                                war diaries


                                8th Aug 1916  Conference  C.O. had a conference of Coy Commanders to explain defence scheme and tell them how the Battalion would be disposed when they took over the line. 11Pm Orders were received from 55th Inf. Brigade that the Battalion would take over the right sub-sector from the East Surrey Regiment. the next day. Arrangements for relief to be made by O.C. units concurred.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                9th Aug1916 3rd Monmouths entrain  The 3rd Monmouth Battalion entrain at Acheux for Hesdin and go into billets at Capelle.

                                9th August 1916 Divisional Field Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery billeted at Vitz-Villeroy took part in Divisional Field Day. The Brigade massed at Divisional Artillery HQ near Roofles and, after going over a pontoon bridge constructed by Divisional Royal Engineers, proceeded to take up positions in the neighbourhood of Caumont. After batteries had been in action until 1430, retirement to billets was ordered.

                                War Diaries


                                9th August 1916   SM U-58

                                Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 213) Ordered 6 Oct 1914 Laid down 8 Jun 1915 Launched 31 May 1916 Commissioned 9 Aug 1916

                                Commanders.
                                9 Aug 1916 - 3 Jun 1917 Kurt Wippern.
                                4 Jun 1917 - 26 Jun 1917 Peter Hermann.
                                27 Jun 1917 - 30 Oct 1917 Karl Scherb.
                                31 Oct 1917 - 17 Nov 1917 Gustav Amberger

                                Career 8 patrols.
                                16 Oct 1916 - 17 Nov 1917 II Flotilla

                                Successes 21 ships sunk with a total of 30,906 tons.

                                • 27 Oct 1916 U 58 Kurt Wippern Ellen 140 sw
                                • 4 Dec 1916 U 58 Kurt Wippern Senta 1,024 sw
                                • 5 Dec 1916 U 58 Kurt Wippern Stettin 412 nw
                                • 1 Mar 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Norma 850 nw
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Havila 1,421 da
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Hawthornbank 1,369 da
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Sokoto 2,259 da
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Dromore 4,398 br
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Langfond 1,097 nw
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Bullmouth 4,018 br
                                • 2 May 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Beeswing 1,462 br
                                • 2 May 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Dione 785 nw
                                • 2 May 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Vanduara 2,079 nw
                                • 5 May 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Asra 1,975 nw
                                • 18 Jun 1917 U 58 Peter Hermann Bega 318 br
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 58 Peter Hermann Ivigtut 456 da
                                • 6 Jul 1917 U 58 Karl Scherb Motor 63 da
                                • 8 Jul 1917 U 58 Karl Scherb Fiorella 1,168 nw
                                • 13 Jul 1917 U 58 Karl Scherb Charilaos Tricoupis 2,475 gr
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 58 Karl Scherb Ramillies 2,935 br
                                • 14 Nov 1917 U 58 Gustav Amberger Dolly Warden 202 br

                                Fate 17 Nov 1917 - Depth charged by destroyer USS Fanning off the south coast of Ireland 51°37’N, 8°12’W . 2 dead, unknown number of survivors. Location incorrectly given as 51°32’N, 05°21’W in many sources.

                                There was another U 58 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 Oct 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 4 Feb 1939.

                                John Doran


                                9th August 1916 Trench raiding party  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                9/10th August - Ronville - A party under the supervision of 2/Lt Clay successfully inflicted 4 casualties on the enemy's wiring party who were inspecting their own wire and brought into our lines two of the bodies and the tunic and cap of a third, enabling the identity of the enemy to be discovered. We suffered no casualties.

                                war diaries


                                9th Aug 1916 Change of Billets  1530. 18th Battalion. Durham Light Infantry vacated billets at La Fosse and moved into billets at Le Hamel (HQ & C Coy) and Essars (A. B. D Coy’s)

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                9th Aug 1916 Reliefs  Major R.T. Monier-Williams and Coy commanders went up to the trenches in the morning and made arrangements as regards relief. 2.15pm Specialists including Lewis Gunners, Snipers, Signallers, Bombers proceeded to the trenches and took over from the 8th East Surrey Regiment. in daylight. 9.15pm The first Coy, D Coy moved off and the remainder followed in the order C, A, B, H.Q. Companies moving by platoons at 5 mins interval. Starting point H17d54 D Coy took over from C Coy 8th East Surrey on the left C Coy took over from A Coy 8th East Surrey on the right. A Coy took over from D Coy 8th East Surrey in support. B Coy took over from B Coy 8th East Surrey in reserve. Relief of all Coys was reported complete at 12.15 a.m. (the 10th inst.) Ref: 36N.W4 Bois Grenier

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                10th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th Durhams HQ moved from Le Hamel to Essars

                                At 20.05. 18th Battalion DLI relieved 2nd Wilts, vacated billets & moved into trenches East of Festubert, B Co. & D Co. in Front Line right & left, C & A Co in Support Lines. Hants Battalion on right 16th West Yorks on left. 15th West Yorks & 1 Co. 11th East Yorks in Brigade Reserve. Wagon line moved into billets at Le Touret.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                10th Aug 1916 Holding the Line  On completion of relief 7th Buffs Battalion was disposed as follows: C Coy on front line from 36.I.31.c5.4 to I.31.b.4.1 D Coy in front line from I.31.b.4.1 to I.32.a.15.90 2 platoons of A Coy at the White City, 1 platoon of A Coy less 1 section at Stanway Post (I.31.b.3.8) 1 section of A Coy at Emma Post (I.31.a.7.7), and 1 platoon of A Coy at Jock’s Joy, I.25.d.7.2. B Coy at Moat Farm (I.25.a.1.9) in Battalion reserve. Bn. H.Q. at the White City I.31.a.4.7. Very quiet day except for a few enemy light trench mortars which fell in the right Coy’s front. Light West wind. Brigadier Gen. Jackson and Brig. Major came up in the morning. Very quiet night, slight rifle and machine gun fire.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                11th Aug 1916 Reliefs  2nd Wiltshires relieved Hamphshires on right of 18th Battalion, DLI in Trenches In Festubert Sector. Misty morning. Clear later & hot.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                11th Aug 1916 Warm Day  Day exceptionally quiet and very warm. Light South wind. Orders were issued for two sections of A Coy 7th Buffs from White City Post and one Lewis gun to go and live in support trench running from I.31.c.5.7 to I.31.c.75.90 to be in close support to C Coy.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                12th August 1915 Reliefs  50th Battalion AIF moved into the front line at Wire Trench near La Boisselle on the Somme. They were quickly ordered forward to relieve the 16th Battalion. Upon reaching Tom's Cut, the movement was spotted by enemy observers and a heavy barrage rained down. They met the men of the 16th in Park Lane with both battalions, crowding into the trench as the exchange took place. The heavy barrage continued until 7.30pm when it eased somewhat. The 50th suffered heavy losses, especially amongst officers and NCOs.

                                12th Aug 1916 Submarine KUK U12 lost  Submarine k.u.k. U12 is sunk on the 12th August 1916.

                                12th Aug 1916 In the Trenches  18th Durhams report from Trenches in Festubert Sector "Misty morning. Clear later & hot. 2 Lt G.H. Lean reported for duty."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                12th Aug 1916 Too Hot  "From all accounts this is the last Sunday we shall spend here. The King is coming down on Wednesday I think to inspect the battalion before they depart. This turn in the trenches is very quiet indeed up to the present, I am pleased to say. The daytime I think has been too hot for either side to show much energy, although both sides let one another repeatedly know they are still there. The best and quietest time has been from about 6 to 10 at night. We generally get our pipes out and sit and chat to our hearts’ content. Gradually the heat of the day gives way to evening cool and calm. About nine the machine guns get busy and the Verey lights start going up. As we are sheltered behind about 40 layers of sandbags the guns do not worry us except for stopping the conversation. Later good nights are said and we retire to our respective dugouts to await another hopeless dawn. Will you tell Dad to buy a copy of Today August 12 as Cope Cornford’s new book Contentious Consolation is reviewed on page 460. You might get me a copy of the book and send it along (Williams and Norgate 2/6). Will you please send me £1 for enclosed; if you can get more than 27.80 please send in French currency." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter on headed notepaper, 26th (S) Battalion The Royal Fusiliers (Bankers) to his wife Olive.

                                12th Aug 1916 Very Hot  Quiet day and very hot. At 11.10a.m. enemy put 12 4.2 cm shells over 7th Buffs apparently ranging on trench 51, the first of these set some hay near Water Farm alight. Between 10 p.m. and 12 midnight enemy artillery and trench mortars were active on subsector on our right. Telephone message received from 55th Brigade. saying gas helmets were to be worn in the alert position as wind was favourable for German Gas. Wind Fresh S.E.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                13th August 1916 Action Positions  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Behencourt. C236 Battery and sections of A236, B236 and D236 Batteries move up to action positions at Bottom Wood. The remainder stay at Behencourt.

                                War Diaries


                                13th August 1916 Change of Commanding Officer  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                13th August - Ronville - Lt Colonel WEW Elkington relinquishes command of the Battalion on being ordered to join the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment.

                                war diaries


                                13th Aug 1916 Shelling  18th Durhams report from Trenches in Festubert Sector "Cooperation of 16 Grenade Rifles with 93rd T.M.B on Popes Nose 7.30am. Stokes guns appeared to be indifferently aimed. Enemy retaliated 1pm with indifferent effect upon front line. Weather cooler. 3 OR wounded."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                13th Aug 1916 Quiet  Quiet day for 7th Buffs except from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. trenches 49 and 50. Queer St and Safety St were shelled with light and heavy trench mortar bombs. At 7 p.m. Water Farm was shelled with 5.9 cms and 4.2 cms, no damage done. Our 18 pounders retaliated and shelling died down. Wind S.W. gentle.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                14th Aug1916 3rd Monmouths split  200 NCO's and men of the 3rd Monmouth Battalion left to join the 2nd Monmouthshire's

                                14th August 1916 Appointments  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                14th August 1916 - Ronville - 2/Lt Constantine W and Smith WH posted for duty from officers base depot to B and C company respectively.

                                war diaries


                                14th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th Durhams are in Trenches in Festubert Sector. Weather cooler with fresh West wind. Some artillery activity against hostile trenches North of us.

                                2130. C Co. relieved B, & A Co. relieved D. New disposition Right Front Line - C Co. Left Front Line - A Co. Right Support B Co. Left Support D Co. 1 OR wounded & died of wounds later.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                14th Aug 1916 Quiet  Quiet day for 7th Buffs. Except at 6.30p.m. when enemy’s T.M. bombs fell near the heads of Queer St and Safety Alley and at the back of the salient. 5.9 shells fell near Safety Alley (behind Support Trench) and also between there and Stanway Alley. Earlier in the afternoon a few shells fell in the front line in Sector 49. A bombardment of the enemy’s lines from I.26.b.8.8 to I.16.d.3.5 took place. The enemy did not retaliate on our front at all. Showery in the middle of the day. Wind S.W. Quiet night.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                15th August 1916 Work Done  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. 46th Infantry Brigade in trenches. Quiet day. Work done on positions. Quiet on the front

                                War Diaries


                                15th Aug 1916 Shelling  18th Durhams hold Trenches in Festubert Sector. Weather cool. Slight artillery activity 10.45 to 11.15am on both sides, some shells fell on our North Old British Line 1 to 2.15 Heavy showers.

                                1445. An arranged bombardment of Field Artillery 4.5 hours. Stokes Guns & machine Guns on Popes Nose opened. Hostile artillery replied quickly at first slightly on Front Line, then more heavily on Cover Trench & George Trench, next with effect on O.B.L. round Battalion HQ two bays & 2 dugouts being blown in. Casualties 3, this small number being due largely to removal of troops from trenches usually occupied to disused trenches in rear of successive lines. Damage was also done to Barnton No 11 Island parapet blown in in parts. Slight artillery both sides at night. 2nd East Yorks relieved 2nd Wilts on right on night of 15th-16th.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                15th Aug 1916 Quiet  Very quiet day indeed for 7th Buffs. Hardly any rifle or shell fire the whole day. 9.30pm A Coy 7th Buffs went up to the right subsector to relieve C Coy B Coy went up to the left subsection to relieve D Coy. 10.30pm C Coy came back to the Support line at White City, Emma Post, Stanway Post and Jock’s Joy. D Coy came back to reserve at Moat Farm. A draft of 191 West Kent Cyclists joined the Battalion in the line.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                16th Aug 1916 Attack Made  13th Kings Liverpool made an attack on the village of Guillmont, attack failed with heavy casualties due to poor preparation. One of the casualties was CSM John Burns, killed whilst leading his men in to the attack.

                                16th August 1916 Light Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Quiet day except for German shelling at intervals of Welsh Alley and 70th Avenue where all our Observation Points are. There was a practice barrage at 1600. Our Batteries shelled Switch Line on right of tramway running to Martinpuich during the night.

                                War Diaries


                                16th Aug 1916 Under Shellfire  18th DLI are in Trenches in the Festubert Sector. Bright & South West wind. 1.45pm enemy artillery actions, some 5.9s dropped between Cover Trench and O.B.L. but majority on Battalion to our left.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                16th Aug 1916 Reliefs  10.15pm 7th Buffs commenced to relieve 7th Queens in Y 3 Subsector (S.E. of Maricourt) Relief delayed by presence of hostile observation balloon which overlooked Suzanne, Maricourt Valley. Relief completed by dark. Distribution of Battalion, A and B. trenches. C, ‘R’ and ‘S’ works. D. Battalion Reserve

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                17th August 1916 Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Bottom Wood. Quiet day until 1500. The morning was spent in registration of targets. Lt Graburn C236 Battery was wounded in the trenches. Batteries formed an intense barrage 220 yards over the Switch Line and infantry made a bombing attack along the Switch Line towards Tramway. The Germans made feeble counter attack near the Tramway which was repulsed. There was no firing during the night by Batteries.

                                17th August 1916 Bad weather  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                17th August - Ronville - Heavy rain during day and thunderstorms.

                                war diaries


                                17th Aug 1916 Bombardment  Trenches in Festubert Sector are held by 18th Durham light Infantry

                                04.37. Fine & calm. Six willow trees, considered to be of value to enemy as range marks near our parapet opposite 12 Islands, blown up at 4.37am.

                                15.55. Combined bombardment by R.A. & L.T.M.B. of German trenches S27d. 4.15pm German guns answered chiefly on our left Islands & Barnton Trench with whizz bangs. Bombardment ended 4.55pm. The front line & O.B.L. was again thinned as on 15.8.16 and troops withdrawn to disused trenches. Casualties Nil. Damage done to our trenches insignificant.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                17th Aug 1916 Shelling  7th Buffs report 10am Enemy shelled White City end of Queer St. with about 5 rounds of 10.5 cm. Our T.M.B. fired a few rounds on trench opposite 50 trench. Enemy replied with 12 T.M. bombs in vicinity of trenches 49 and 50 and Queer Street.

                                7.15pm 12 15cm. shells fell around trenches 50 and 51 and two rifle grenades. 12 midnight about 9 light T.M. bombs and rifle grenades fell behind 50 trench. Otherwise quiet night and day. Fine day and misty night. Wind gentle S.W. 7th Buffs report 9am Our 60 lb. mortars registered with four rounds on enemy’s trenches opposite the salient. Enemy replied with several pineapple bombs and two heavy T.M. bombs. Our Stokes gun very quickly answered with about 50 bombs and Enemy then shelled in front of Tui Road and Support Line 50 with about 16 rounds. All quiet by 9.45 a.m. 5.25pm We exchanged about 9 light trench mortar bombs with the enemy on trenches 48 and 49. Germans sent about four 10.5 cm. shells into 50 trench. Showery all day and night. Wind gentle W.S.W. Very quiet night.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                18th Aug 1916 Air Raid  During the evening, two Zeppelins raided Steetley's Basic works at Coxhoe, where they were producing Doloma for steel furnace linings. Twelve high explosive bombs and fourteen incendiaries were dropped, leaving several craters, slight damage to houses, at Coxhoe, Joint Stocks and Quarrington Hill, with much broken glass. A few yards of the railway track at was destroyed Kelloe Colliery. Extra protection was recommended to be given to site following this raid, including the siting of an anti air craft gun. A concrete air raid shelter was constructed at West Hetton Lodge.

                                18th August 1916 Heavy Barrage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: At 0855 a heavy barrage was put up by our batteries 200 yards over the Switch Line and formed with 47th Division Artillery a double barrage. At 1445 a further heavy barrage at Switch Line on the right of Tramway. Smoke was discharged on our front and the 1st Division attacked the intermediate line on our right. They got in but were driven out. From 2030 fire was kept up at odd intervals on tracks and trenches leading to Martinpuich.

                                War Diaries


                                18th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI are in Trenches in the Festubert sector and report: "04.00. Very misty. Enemy artillery sent over several heavy shells, perhaps 5.9s, but all fell North of right subsector & did not affect us. Our guns retaliated. All was quiet by 4.30am.

                                10.00. Fine. At 4.25pm Enemy artillery bombarded rear of Front Line without effect, our guns retaliated slightly. Wet in evening.

                                21.30. W.Y.R with 75 W.Y.S, 75 H.Y.T relieved 18th DLI less B Co. Relief completed 11.30pm. 18th DLI less B Co. marched to Le Touret and took over billets from 11th East Yorks. B Co. remained as Right Co. in Support in O.B.L. No activity of any kind from guns or rifles during relief."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                18th Aug 1916 Artillery in Action  7th Buffs report About 3.15 p.m. our guns opened rapid firing on enemy’s front and support lines. Enemy replied with about 12 pineapples and 1 heavy mortar afterwards shelling road from White City to salient. About 3 shells fell on 50 Support Trench. About 5.40 p.m. 1 heavy mortar bomb and about 30 “pineapples” fell on Right Coy’s front. Not much damage done. 2/Lt C. Debon was slightly wounded in shoulder. Otherwise quiet day and very quiet night; wet off and on all day. Fresh West wind.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                19th August 1916 Fire Continued  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood From midnight 18/19th August fire was continued until 0730. Quiet morning and quiet afternoon. No firing during the night.

                                War Diaries


                                19th August 1916 Bombardment of Sunderland   The raid on Sunderland, 19th August 1916, was part of a German post-Jutland attempt to draw our units of the British Grand Fleet to ambush them hoping to inflict losses to try to address the numerical superiority of the British Fleet.

                                The Action of 19 August 1916 was one of two further attempts made by the German High Seas Fleet in 1916 to engage elements of the British Royal Navy following the mixed results of the Battle of Jutland in World War I. The lesson of Jutland for Germany had been the vital need for reconnaissance so as to avoid the unexpected arrival of the British Grand Fleet during any raid, so on this occasion four Zeppelins were deployed to scout the North Sea between Scotland and Norway for signs of British ships, while four more scouted immediately ahead of German ships. Twenty four submarines were also deployed off the English coast in the southern North Sea and off the Dogger Bank.

                                Background

                                Although Jutland had been officially hailed as a success, the German commander Admiral Reinhard Scheer felt it important that another raid should be mounted as quickly as possible to maintain morale in his severely battered fleet. It was decided that the raid should follow the pattern of previous ones, with the battlecruisers carrying out a dawn artillery bombardment of an English town, in this case Sunderland. Only two battlecruisers were still serviceable after Jutland, Moltke and Von der Tann, so the force was bolstered by the addition of three battleships, Bayern, Markgraf and Grosser Kurfürst. The remainder of the High Seas Fleet, comprising 16 dreadnought battleships, was to carry out close support 20 miles behind. The fleet set sail at 2100 on 18 August from the Jade river.

                                Intelligence

                                Information about the upcoming raid was obtained by British Intelligence in Room 40 through intercepted and decoded radio messages. Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, commander of the British fleet, was on leave so had to be recalled urgently and boarded the light cruiser Royalist at Dundee to meet his fleet in the early hours of 19 August off the river Tay. In his absence, Admiral Cecil Burney took the fleet to sea on the afternoon of 18 August. Vice-Admiral David Beatty left the Firth of Forth with his squadron of six battlecruisers to meet the main fleet in the Long Forties. The Harwich Force of 20 destroyers and 5 light cruisers commanded by Commodore Tyrwhitt was ordered out, as were 25 British submarines which were stationed in likely areas to intercept German ships. The battlecruisers together with the 5th Battle Squadron of five fast battleships were stationed 30 miles ahead of the main fleet to scout for the enemy. The assembled fleet now moved south seeking the German fleet, but suffered the loss of one of the light cruisers screening the battlecruiser group, HMS Nottingham, which was hit by three torpedoes from submarine U-52 at 0600.

                                Finding the opposition

                                At 0615 Jellicoe received information from the Admiralty that one hour earlier the enemy had been 200 miles to his south east. However, the loss of the cruiser caused him to first head north for fear of endangering his other ships. No torpedo tracks or submarines had been seen, so it was unclear whether the cause had been a submarine or entering an unknown minefield. He did not resume a south-easterly course until 0900 when William Goodenough, commanding the light cruisers, advised that the cause had been a submarine attack. Further information from the admiralty indicated that the battlecruisers would be within 40 miles of the main German fleet by 1400 and Jellicoe increased to maximum speed. Weather conditions were good, with plenty of time for a fleet engagement before dark. The German force had received reassurances about Jellicoe's position, when a zeppelin had spotted the Grand Fleet heading north away from Scheer, at the time it had been avoiding the possible minefield. Unfortunately for the British, the Zeppelin L 13 sighted the Harwich force approximately 75 miles ENE of Cromer, mistakenly identifying the cruisers as battleships. This was precisely the sort of target Scheer was seeking, so he changed course at 1215 also to the south-east and away from the approaching British fleet. No further reports were received from zeppelins about the British fleet, but it was spotted by a U-boat just 65 miles north of Scheer. Scheer turned for home at 1435 abandoning his potential target. By 1600 Jellicoe had been advised that Scheer had abandoned the operation and so turned north himself.

                                The actual attack

                                A second cruiser attached to the battlecruiser squadron, HMS Falmouth, was hit by two torpedoes from U-63 at 1652 and sank the following day while being towed to the Humber, when hit by two more torpedoes fired by U-66. By 1745 the Harwich force had sighted German ships, but was too far behind for any prospect of an attack before nightfall so abandoned the chase. A British submarine HMS E23 commanded by Lieutenant-Commander R.R Turner managed to hit the German battleship SMS Westfalen at 0505 on the 19th, but the ship was able to return home.

                                Outcomes

                                This was the last occasion on which the German fleet travelled so far west into the North Sea. On 6 October a decision was made in Germany to resume attacks against merchant vessels by submarine, which meant the submarine fleet was no longer available for combined attacks against surface vessels. On 13 September a conference took place on Jellicoe's flagship to discuss recent events and it was decided that it was unsafe to conduct fleet operations south of latitude 55.5° North (approximately level with Horns reef and where the battle of Jutland had taken place), except in extreme emergency such as a German invasion force. Scheer was unimpressed by the efficiency of the zeppelin reconnaissance. Only three zeppelins had spotted anything and from seven reports four had been wrong. On 18,19 October Scheer once again led a brief sortie into the North Sea and British intelligence gave warning. However, the Grand Fleet declined to prepare an ambush, staying in port with steam raised ready to sail. The German sortie was abandoned after a few hours when SMS München was hit by a torpedo fired by E38, Lieutenant-Commander J. de B. Jessop, and it was feared other submarines might be in the area. Scheer suffered further difficulties when in November he sailed with Moltke and a division of dreadnoughts to rescue U-20 and U-30 which had become stranded on the Danish coast. British submarine J1, Commander J. Laurence, managed to hit the battleships Grosser Kurfürst and Kronprinz. The failure of these operations reinforced the belief, created at Jutland, that the risks involved in such operations were not justified by the outcomes. Both sides feared the loss of their capital ships to submarines or mines.

                                John Doran


                                19th Aug 1916 Aeroplane  An aeroplane passed over our lines going from South to North. When over 51 trench it shut off its engine and when over German trench in front of 52 trench, it dropped five or six white lights.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                20th August 1916 Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report From 1200 batteries fired on Martinpuich and surroundings. At 2200 and at intervals during the night Batteries switched back from Martinpuich to a line 400 yards over Switch Line and West of Tramway.

                                War Diaries


                                20th August 1916 HMS Falmouth  

                                HMS Falmouth

                                Name HMS Falmouth, Type Light cruiser, Country British.
                                GRT 5,250 tons, Built 1910, Builder W. Beardmore & Co., Ltd., Glasgow.
                                Operator Royal Navy

                                History

                                U-boat attacks on Light cruiser Falmouth 19th August 1916, damaged when torpedoed in the North Sea by U-66 (Thorwald von Bothmer).
                                20 Aug 1916 U 63 (Otto Schultze) Sunk when torpedoed whilst under tow off Flamborough Head. 11 casualties.

                                John Doran


                                20th Aug 1916   LE TOURET

                                Considerable enemy artillery activity gradually increasing throughout the day and not reduced by our artillery fire. B Co. in O.B.L reported extensive damage done by enemy fire to Islands 1, 9, 13, 14, also to BARNTON trench. B Co. sent up 2 platoons reinforcements. No casualties. Under Brigade instructions 18 DLI stood to 8.0pm, 11.30pm, when ordered to stand down. 18 WEST YORKS in village line also stood to and sent up 100 reinforcements to O.B.L

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                20th Aug 1916 Stand To  18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry report from Le Touret "Considerable enemy artillery activity gradually increasing throughout the day and not reduced by our artillery fire. B Co. 18th DLI in O.B.L reported extensive damage done by enemy fire to Islands 1 to 9, 13 to 14, also to Barnton trench. B Co. sent up 2 platoons reinforcements. No casualties. Under Brigade instructions 18th DLI stood to 8.0pm to 11.30pm, when ordered to stand down. 18th West Yorks in village line also stood to and sent up 100 reinforcements to O.B.L.

                                Artillery fire slackened about 8.0pm and all was quiet at 11.30pm & throughout the night 20th/21st of August 1916. 15th West Yorks drove out a raiding party with heavy losses, which attempted about 8.40pm to raid between No 12 Island and No 9 to No 10. Considerable damage was done to No 12 & 11 Islands."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                20th Aug 1916  Shelling  8am About 20 light trench mortar bombs and about six heavy bombs fell along 7th Buffs right Companys front, one of the latter fell on the cook-house, no material damage done. 1 pm Enemy started shelling with 10.5 cm and 15 cm all round White City and Battalion H.Q., one 15cm. landing right in the trench wounding five men. At about 2 p.m. they shortened on to right Coy’s sector being fairly intense from 2.25 p.m. to 3 p.m. Our artillery replied at 3.10 p.m. A good deal of damage around Queer St and Support line 48 and 49 and salient. Shelling stopped about 4 p.m. At 4 p.m. Battalion H.Q. shifted from the White City to Moat Farm. After 4 p.m. quiet for the rest of the day and night. Wind West.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                21st August 1916 Gas Shells  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report during the night 20/21st B236 Battery was shelled with gas shell losing two men killed, two wounded and four gassed. Five German aeroplanes came over at about 0920 and dropped six bombs on the Wagon Lines. During the afternoon Major Pollard went up in a balloon but found the light too bad for clear observation.

                                War Diaries


                                21st Aug 1916  Reliefs  During the morning the C.O. and representatives from the 16th Royal Scots came up to look around the line prior to taking over from 7th Buffs. At 4 p.m. Specialists e.g. Snipers, Signallers, Lewis Gunners (etc.) came up to relieve our specialists. 8.30pm The 16th Royal Scots started to relieve us and the relief was carried out by platoons. Relief being complete by 12.25 a.m. on the 22nd inst. Very quiet day throughout.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                22nd August 1916 Salvoes fired  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: Very quiet day. At 1400, 1710 and 2025, four batteries bombarded new German trench in front of Martinpuich. At 1355, 1705 and 2020 D236 Battery fired salvoes into Martinpuich.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd August 1916   SM U-81

                                Type U 81 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 251) Ordered 23 Jun 1915 Laid down 31 Aug 1915 Launched 24 Jun 1916 Commissioned 22 Aug 1916

                                Commanders.
                                22 Aug 1916 - 1 May 1917 Raimund Weisbach

                                Career 4 patrols.
                                18 Oct 1916 - 1 May 1917 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 30 ships sunk with a total of 88,483 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 3,481 tons.

                                • 1 Dec 1916 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Douglas 1,177 sw
                                • 19 Dec 1916 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Nystrand 1,397 nw
                                • 2 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Songdal 2,090 nw
                                • 3 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Port Adelaide 8,181 br
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Maria 992 it
                                • 5 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Wartenfels 4,511 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Gravina 1,242 br
                                • 8 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Mantola 8,253 br
                                • 10 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Netherlee 4,227 br
                                • 12 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Hugo Hamilton 2,577 sw
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Algol 988 nw
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Skreien 415 nw
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Coronda 2,733 br
                                • 14 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Paignton 2,017 br
                                • 18 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Pola 3,061 br
                                • 18 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Trevose 3,112 br
                                • 19 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Alnwick Castle 5,900 br
                                • 19 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Frinton 4,194 br
                                • 22 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Attika 2,306 nw
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach C. Sundt 1,105 nw
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Garant 735 nw
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Laly 1,880 nw
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Amulree 1,145 br
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Glenesk 1,369 nw
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Heathfield 1,643 br
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Invermay 1,471 br
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Uranus 3,978 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Jose De Larrinaga 5,017 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Terence 4,309 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Elisabeth (damaged) 217 da
                                • 1 May 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Dorie (damaged) 3,264 br
                                • 1 May 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach San Urbano 6,458 br

                                Fate 1 May 1917 - Torpedoed West of Ireland at 51.33N, 13.38W by HM Sub E54. 24 dead, unknown number of survivors.

                                There was another U 81 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 22 Feb 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 26 Apr 1941.

                                John Doran


                                22nd Aug 1916 Relief  At 21.30. B Coy. 18th DLI in O.B.L, Trenches Festubert Sector was relieved by C Coy. 18th DLI. No casualties.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                22nd Aug 1916  On the March  12.25am Coys of 7th Buffs moved from trenches to Divisional Baths for the night H.5.a.4.7 Ref Map sheet 36 NW at Erquinhem. The morning was spent by the whole battalion having baths and generally cleaning up. 1.40pm The 7th Buffs moved from the Divisional Baths to Estaires passing the starting point bridge at H.4.c.1.5 (Ref. Sheet 36 N.W.) at 2.15 p.m. Route Croix du Bac, Estaires. The Battalion was all in billets at Estaires at 5.30 p.m. being billeted in farms round the Steenwerck road area of Estaires. H.Q. were situated at G.19.d.0.5.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                23rd August 1916 Casualties  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Quiet day. Very little firing by batteries. A236 Battery had nine casualties, one very bad and the remainder very slight. C236 Battery had one man wounded.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd August 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ73 (LZ103)

                                • Production Ref: LZ73
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: LZ103
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 23rd August 1916

                                History.

                                Made one successful attack on Calais dropping 1,530 kilograms (3,370 lb) of bombs with several other attacks being cancelled or aborted due to poor weather. Decommissioned in August 1917

                                John Doran


                                23rd Aug 1916 Barrage  C Coy 18th DLI are in Trenches in Festubert Sector

                                01.00. One casualty while out wiring from hostile M.G.

                                21.30. Our guns barraged on our left preparing for raid by 92nd Infantry Brigade. Usual hostile reply. One blind shell 50x from Le Plantin redoubt, the only shell on our Coy. sector. No casualties.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                23rd Aug 1916 Company Inspections  Day spent by 7th Buffs in Company inspections of kit, smoke helmets, (etc.) and generally cleaning up. The Commanding Officer motored over to inspect new area with the Brigadier General. Major Monier-Williams took the billeting party over to allot billets in the new area.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                24th Aug1916 3rd Monmouths transferred  252 NCO's and men of the 3rd Monmouth Battalion left to join the 9th Entrenching Battalion. Of these 252 men 200 were transferred on the 20th of September from the 9th Entrenching Battalion into the 9th Welsh Regiment and the remainder into the 9th Welsh Fusiliers.

                                24th August 1916 Battery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report it was quiet in the morning. B236 Battery went out of action yesterday leaving only sixteen men and one officer with A236 Battery to work their guns. This is in accordance with new system of reliefs. In the late afternoon greater activity prevailed. The Division on our right (E) attacked the intermediate line at 1745. The Germans shelled Welch Alley and localities adjoining very furiously with heavy shells. Later in the evening A236 was targeted with gas shells. The attack was a failure.

                                War Diaries


                                24th August 1916 Zeppelin raid on London  24/25th August 1916.

                                The sixth successful London raid was on 24,25 August when 13 Navy Zeppelins were launched and Heinrich Mathy's L 31 reached London. Flying above low clouds, 36 bombs were dropped in 10 minutes on West Ferry Road, Deptford Dry Dock, the station at Norway Street and homes in Greenwich, Eltham and Plumstead. Nine people were killed, 40 injured and £130,203 of damage was caused.

                                L 31 suffered no damage in the attack but several weeks of repair-work were needed following a hard landing.

                                John Doran


                                24th Aug 1916 Inspection  The Commanding Officer of 7th Buffs inspected the new draft of 191 West Kent Cyclists in the morning. Rest of the morning allotted to Coy. parades. 5pm The Commanding Officer had a conference of the Coy. Commanders to discuss Scheme of training in the New Area.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                25th Aug 1916 16th Northumberlands relieved at Cambrin  The 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were relieved in the left sub-sector of the Cambrin sector, by the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The Northumberlands retired to the village line, B coy leaves the garrison in Arthur’s Keep.

                                25th August 1916 Barrage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery carried out barrage as ordered by Divisional Artillery. Fairly quiet day. Hostile aircraft rather more active. One of our aeroplanes was forced to descend in X29 through engine trouble, but was packed up in crates and carted away about evening. Hostile activity was somewhat below average.

                                War Diaries


                                25th Aug 1916 Reinforcements  18th Durhams report "Two officer reinforcements reported."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                25th Aug 1916 Salvage  "Thursday. The weather has shown a great improvement during the past week and has really been quite hot during the day. I think your last letter to me was forwarded to another part of my company by mistake as they thought I had gone away for a time on other work whereas I was only away for three days helping to get some of the used shells back to England. As a matter of fact I am writing this letter now at the dump as it is raining and I am lying down underneath some railway trucks for shelter. I return with our party each evening to our camp. It seems absolutely years since we parted. I think some leave ought to be coming along soon, before Christmas anyway. It would help one to face the winter, a most unpleasant thing to have to look forward to. There has been some talk of commissions in the battalion. I have put a letter of request to the Colonel along with a lot of the others but have heard nothing further. " Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                25th Aug 1916  Entraining  6.30pm 7th Buffs Battalion transport and D Coy. marched from Estaires to Merville Station where they loaded transport on the train. 8.15pm The Battalion less D Coy and transport marched from Estaires to Merville starting point road junction just West of B in Meteren Becque, reaching Merville at 10.20 p.m. where Battalion entrained. Train left at 11.50 p.m. from Merville.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                26th August 1916 Hostile Artillery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood Hostile artillery displayed greater activity today against our rearward positions, barraging valleys with heavy shells for short periods with no small intensity. The valley south of Mametz Wood, west of Bottom Wood and Shelter Wood were also heavily shelled. Otherwise the day was fairly uneventful, except that the Division on our right (1st Division) took another 200 yards of the Intermediate Line. Hostile aeroplanes to the number of five carried out a small reconnaissance over Death Valley and its environs at about 1700. The Batteries of 236th Brigade carried on a continuous bombardment on German front line.

                                War Diaries


                                26th Aug 1916 Reliefs  Trenches Festubert Sector

                                21.00. 18th Battalion. DLI Less C Co. which remained in O.B.L right relieved 15th West Yorkshire Regiment. B Co. front line Right, D Co. front line Left. A Co. O.B.L Left. 16th West Yorks Battalion on our Left. 2nd Yorks Battalion on our Right. No casualties. Later in night 2 casualties.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                27th August 1916 More Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Moderately quiet day. B236 Battery took over from A236 Battery in accordance with the programme of reliefs instituted by the GOCRA 47th Division. At about 1150 a heavy hostile bombardment was put on Villa Wood and the North West corner of Mametz Wood. At about 1415 the gun positions of B236, A236 Batteries and the 235th Brigade positions were violently shelled with heavy Howitzers. Three men of B236 Battery were buried but were got out again and found to be suffering from slight shell shock. The Brigade fired continuously throughout the day in barrages. Major W Cooper A236 Battery RFA proceeded to the Field Ambulance sick.

                                War Diaries


                                27th Aug 1916 Artillery Active  18th Durhams hold Trenches in Festubert Sector

                                .05.05. German deserter gave himself up coming into B Coy. lines at No 1 Island. Day showery but clear.

                                16.30. German artillery fire H.E. shrapnel over Festubert Road South of Barnton from 4.30pm, 5.30pm. 2nd Bedfords relieved 2nd Yorks. during night.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                27th Aug 1916  Training  7th Buffs report Parades under Coy arrangements in the morning near billets. Dinners were ordered early, and the Battalion marched out afterwards by Coys. to B2 area (Square U 10 a, b, c and d) where they did Coy training; such as wood fighting, musketry, coy drill, coy in attack (etc.) Coys. took teas up to the area and came back to billets at 7 p.m. Raining intermittently the whole day.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                28th August 1916 Continuous Firing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery fired continuously throughout the twenty four hours. Hostile artillery was moderately inactive compared to the previous day. Capt Egerton Warburton came to be attached to B236 Battery; 2/Lt Pearson and 2/Lt Tabor from the 47th Divisional Ammunition Column were yesterday attached to the battery for instruction, while Lt C H De Wael was attached to C236 Battery from 47th Divisional Ammunition Column. Fairly quiet day.

                                War Diaries


                                28th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th Durham Light Infantry report from Trenches in Festubert Sector "Clear. 21.00. C Coy. relieved B Coy. Right Front Line. A Coy. relieved D Coy. Left Front Line. No casualties."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                28th Aug 1916  Training  Companies of 7th Buffs went out to the C2 area for Coy. training leaving billets at 7 a.m. Work done was practice bombing, company in the attack, fire orders, use of covering fire, bombing tactics (etc.) Coys took dinners with them and returned to billets after. Company Commanders and the C.O. reconnoitred Bois de la Carnoye in the afternoon. Lt Gold took a party in live bombing. C.S.M. Parmee gave a demonstration in physical drill (etc.) All Coys went out in the evening to C2 area where they practiced patrols at night and inter-communication.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                29th Aug 1916 16th Northumberlands relieve 2nd Inniskillings at Cambrin  The 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers relieve the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, in the left sub-sector of the Cambrin sector, resuming the routine of holding the line, rest and working parties for the next couple of weeks.

                                29th August 1916 Continuous Barrage   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a continuous barrage kept up all day on the trenches in front of Martinpuich. At midnight our infantry dug round the Intermediate Line.

                                War Diaries


                                29th Aug 1916 Bombarment  18th DLI are in Trenches in Festubert Sector

                                01.30. Bombardment by our guns on our right on the craters lasting till about 2.5am Weak German reply ending with a few rounds on our right sector badly aimed and falling between George Street and right O.B.L. Showery morning. 3pm Mutual bombardment on Givenchy sector. Heavy rains & thunderstorm in late afternoon & evening.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                29th Aug 1916  Training  Coys. Of 7th Buffs Paraded at 8 a.m. and went to the Bois de la Carnoye where they did coy training in the morning 10 a.m., 1 p.m. Attack and defence of wood. In the afternoon B Coy defended Eastern edge of wood while A, C, and D. Coys attacked, the Brigadier General was present and acted as umpire, but only half the scheme took place owing to a very heavy thunderstorm which took place. Coys returned to billets about 6.30 p.m. Very wet especially afternoon and evening. Ref: Sheet 36 B. SW.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                30th August 1916 Heavy Rain  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report heavy rains interfered with work. Our batteries barraged as before. One hundred and thirty six prisoners were obtained from the Intermediate Line. Four officers, two NCOs and one hundred and thirty prisoners. They passed down Welch Alley between the hours of 1500 and 1800. The whole of Intermediate Trench is now occupied. Capt R A Corsan A236 Battery rejoined his unit after a stay in hospital.

                                War Diaries


                                30th Aug 1916 Quiet  18th Durhams hold the Trenches in the Festubert Sector

                                Cold, windy, showery. No action of any description. 11th East Yorks relieved 16th West Yorks on left flank of 18th DLI.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                30th Aug 1916  Training  Coys of 7th Buffs spent morning in billets doing physical drill, kit inspections (etc.) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. It was pouring with rain all day and the targets blew off and only miniature ones could be used and so a practice of 15 rounds rapid in a minute was fired. Conditions very difficult. D Coy. did wiring in the afternoon under an R.E. specialist. C Coy. lecture in billets.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                31st August 1916 Exchange of Shells  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery kept up a continuous barrage all day and Hostile artillery was active, particularly with gas shells. Brigade Headquarters were shelled with gas shell from about 2200 until about 2300. No damage was done. Relatively quiet day. A236 and B236 Batteries were heavily shelled with Lachrymatory (tear gas) and poison shell.

                                War Diaries


                                31st August 1916 New Squadron formed  No 63 Squadron formed on the 31st of August 1916 at Raploch aerodrome, Stirling, as a light bomber unit and began training for operations on the Western Front.

                                31st Aug 1916 Quiet  18th Durhams hold Trenches of Festubert Sector. Fine & windless. Quiet day. 17.00. Fair. Quiet night. Slight bombardment of Givenchy hostile trenches.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                31st Aug 1916  Musketry  C and D Coys. 7th Buffs went down to the range and fired from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Practices were 5 rounds slow and 15 rounds rapid in 1 minute. A Coy. went to Magnicourt for baths from 8, 10.30 a.m. and then did practice in wiring. B Coy. did live bombing and went to the baths from 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the afternoon Coys. practiced Coy. attacks on the A 1 area. Signed R.T. Monier-Williams Major Comm. 7th Buffs

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                1st Sep 1916 HMEF Avonmouth opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Avonmouth, Gloucestershire started in September 1916 for the production of mustard gas. First output was in July 1918. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                   National Filling Factory Chaul End, Luton, Bedfordshire started in Autumn 1916 with first output in Summer 1917. Production was filling and converting fuses. It was under the direct control of George Kent Ltd.

                                1st September 1916 Continuous Barrage   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Continuous barrage kept up by Brigade all day except by B236 and A236 Batteries who dropped out about midday after being violently shelled by 8 inch guns. They had to abandon position. The barrage was taken on by C236 Battery until relieved by the 238th Brigade. One man was wounded and one or two others were rather badly shaken. Enemy artillery very active. It was decided to change position of one section of A236 Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                1st September 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Towards the end of August the 36th Division moved a little further north to take over from the 50th Division with its left boundary south of the Kemmel, Wytschaete Road and its right flank being the River Douve. As a result the 16th moved its HQ and numbers 2 and 4 Companies to Dranoutres.

                                The heat of August turned to the arrival of September and torrential rain. The new trench positions also needed extensive repairs, which were too much for a single Pioneer Battalion, so each Brigade was tasked to form labour squads and carry out repairs to their own sections. To assist in management of the work some experienced members from the 16th were attached to each work group. The Battalion’s own workload still included the full range of Wiring, Trenches, Saps, Dugouts and Screening.

                                When it rained (as it often did for days and weeks on end) water would still gather within the defensive lines so it was necessary to use inverted timber A-frames in upright positions at regular intervals and insert timber planks(duck-boarding)to provide reasonably dry underfoot movement throughout the trenches. Beneath the decking was a void one or two feet in depth through which the excess water could flow to outlet drains. A small stream running through the area caused deep flooding in rainy periods all of which added to the Pioneer’s tasks which were carried out, often in full view of the German Artillery observers.

                                The Divisions positions were also on low lying ground with little or no cover and the enemy had a commanding view from his positions on the Messines Ridge. Another necessary defensive measure was the need for extensive screening along roads and communication routes to protect personnel and traffic from being in full view of enemy artillery and snipers. This also helped to protect work parties after the screens were in place.

                                Improvements to Billets and Quarters together with the construction of Horse standings continued until the end of September.

                                Major Gardiner, Second in Command, was posted to 20th Bn Royal Irish Rifles in Newtownards and his place taken by Captain Allen, promoted to Major with Lt Maxwell appointed as Adjutant.

                                September Casualties - Other Ranks several wounded, numbers not given.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st Sep 1916 Hotchkiss training  9th Queens Royal Lancers are in Billets at Incheville - Regimental Parade at 1300. Hotchkiss field firing was carried out on the Belgian Field Firing Range at Hautebut from 1600 to 1730.

                                war diaries


                                1st Sep 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI hold trenches in the Festubert Sector "Fair. 92nd Brigade on our left bombarded hostile trenches. Very weak reply. Exceptionally quiet day.

                                20.30. 18th Battalion DLI, less D Coy. which remained in Left O.B.L relieved by 15th West Yorks without casualties & proceeded into billets at Le Touret."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                Sep 1916 Howitzers  

                                9.2 inch howitzers of the 148th Siege Battery, RGA at Maricourt, September 1916. © IWM (Q 7819)

                                IWM


                                1st Sept Training  8.50am 7th Buffs marched out to wood in U 10 a to witness a Flame projector demonstration by Capt. Hartley 3rd Army Expert. The whole brigade was present. After the demonstration the Battalion marched to the Bois de la Carnoye where they had dinners. After dinners there was a scheme for an attack on the wood. A and D Coys 7th Royal West Kent Regiment. defended the section edge and B and C Coys 7th Royal West Kent Regiment. and 7th Buffs attacked. The Commanding Officers of both regiments umpired and Maj. Monier-Williams was in command of the attack. After the attack the Battalion marched back reaching billets about 6.15 p.m. 8.45pm The Commanding Officer had a conference of all officers to discuss the afternoon’s attack and the scheme for the next day.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                2nd September 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record in their war diary: One Section of A236 Battery removed and placed alongside C236 Battery. Heavy artillery began their bombardment for the attack of the 3rd, 14th, and 15th Corps.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd September 1916 Zeppelin raid on London  The biggest raid to date was launched on 2,3 September, with 12 German Navy airships and four from the German Army taking part. A combination of rain and snowstorms scattered the airships while they were still over the North Sea. None of the naval airships reached London, and only the army's LZ 98 and the newly commissioned Schütte-Lanz SL 11 achieved their objective.

                                SL 11 came in over Foulness with the intention of attacking the capital from the northwest. It dropped a few bombs over London Colney and South Mimms before it was picked up by a searchlight over Hornsey at about 0150 and subjected to an intense but ineffective barrage. It was lost in cloud over Wood Green but rediscovered by the searchlights at Waltham Abbey as it bombed Ponders End. At around 0215 one of the three aircraft in the sky that night finally came into range, a BE2c piloted by Lt. William Leefe Robinson flying from Suttons Farm. Robinson fired three drums of ammunition from his Lewis gun, one on each of three passes. After he emptied the third drum, the airship began burning from the stern and was quickly enveloped in flames. It fell to the ground near Cuffley, witnessed by the crews of four of the naval Zeppelins. There were no survivors.

                                For bringing down the first rigid airship downed on British soil and the first 'night fighter' victory Leefe Robinson received the Victoria Cross. The pieces of SL 11 were gathered up and sold by the Red Cross to raise money for wounded soldiers.

                                For unknown reasons, when the SL 11 became the first German airship to be shot down over England, it was described officially and in the press as Zeppelin L 21 (LZ 61's tactical number). This mis-identification persisted for decades, even though it is clear that the authorities were always aware of SL 11's correct identity. It has been suggested that the reason for this confusion was a calculation by the authorities that the downing of a hated and feared Zeppelin "baby killer"' would play better with the public than the destruction of an almost unknown Schütte-Lanz type. The loss of SL 11 ended the German Army's interest in raids on Britain.

                                John Doran


                                3rd September 1916  Assault Sucessful  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: In the morning the Australians captured Mouguet Farm also the 1st Division occupied their objectives in High Wood. At 1200 the 14th Corps captured Guillemont and 15th Corps captured Ginchy. The French took Clery and reached within 1000 yards of Combles. Batteries fired intense heavy bombardments prior to the attacks mentioned above.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd Sep 1916 Wounded Treated  On the 3rd of September 1916, the 62nd Field Ambulance RAMC was involved in the Battle of Guillemont retrieving and treating wounded soldiers from the battlefield very close to where the enemy were firing an incessant hail of bullets and shells. This was during the decisive Allied attack on the German-held strong hold of Guillemont. 62nd Field Ambulance were operating under the command of British 20th (Light) Division which operated in unison with the 47 Brigade of the 16th (Irish) Division and together other forces they succeeded in capturing Guillemont on that day. 62nd Field Ambulance had been involved in this battle for many months prior the victory on 3rd September, operating in the so-called 'Valley of Death' which the Germans sprayed with machine-gun fire, bombs and gas-shells from their vantage point with great loss of life to Allied forces.

                                3rd September 1916 Ongoing training  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment are at Lealvillers from 3rd to 5th of September and training continued.

                                war diaries


                                3rd Sep 1916 Reliefs  At 15.00. 18th Battalion. DLI Less D Co. proceeded into billets at La Fosse after being relieved by 17th Manchesters at Le Touret.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                4th Sep 1916 59th MGC at Guillemont  59th Coy Machine Gun Corps are at Guillemont on the 4th of September 1916.

                                4th Sep 1916 111th Field Ambulance in action  111th Field Ambulance RAMC are in action at Guillemont

                                4th Sep 1915 Bravery saves Lives  Lt Albert Nevitt of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers was giving bombing instruction at Bodelwyddan Park, near Rhyl on 4th of September 1916 when a bomb fell into the trench. At the second attempt he found it in the water and threw it over the parapet where it exploded. For his swift actions he was awarded the Albert Medal.

                                4th Sep 1916 In Billets  At 02.00. D Coy. 18th DLI arrived in billets at La Fosse after being relieved in trenches by 17th Manchesters.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                9th Sep 1916 On the March  "Wednesday. After an eight-hour rail journey and a long march we arrived at our present abode and are continuing our rest. I think from your letter that your opinion of a rest hardly coincides with that of the army. We work considerably harder than in the trenches, but the rest is rest from the continual nerve strain of the trenches. On Sunday after securing a new pair of trousers I went over to,, a large town about 5k away. It is the first time I have been into a decent town since landing in France. After having a good tea and inspected the various places of interest we returned in the evening. It made a nice change from the perpetual surroundings of small villages and farms. The harvest is in full swing here. I don’t think I saw more wheat in my life. It runs for miles here without a hedge. Unfortunately it has turned very wet the last three days and yesterday during a thunderstorm the rain was absolutely torrential. You might send along a few pairs of socks in the next parcel and also one or two handkerchiefs. The news in the papers continues good doesn’t it? We may all have our Christmas dinner at home yet. I spent the franc last night on four coffees and rum after returning from a long route march very wet." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                5th September 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery fired on Martinpuich and it's neighbourhood during the day in accordance with the programme. A fairly quiet day. The French break through between Combles and Clery.

                                War Diaries


                                6th September 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a quiet day and the Batteries carried out a programme of special shoots throughout the day. The French are reported to have captured 500 yards of enemy trench line near Combles. The Germans made strong counter attacks which were repulsed. Major Cooper returned to take command of A236 Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                6th September 1916   SM U-83

                                Type U 81 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 253) Ordered 23 Jun 1915 Laid down 23 Oct 1915 Launched 13 Jul 1916 Commissioned 6 Sep 1916

                                Commanders.
                                6 Sep 1916 - 17 Feb 1917 Bruno Hoppe

                                Career 2 patrols.
                                31 Oct 1916 - 17 Feb 1917 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 6 ships sunk with a total of 6,450 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 3,207 tons.

                                • 17 Dec 1916 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Niord 123 sw
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Anna Maria 141 fr
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Coquette 167 fr
                                • 6 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Crown Point 5,218 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Diaz 637 ru
                                • 10 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Paquerette 164 fr
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Farnborough (damaged) 3,207 br

                                Fate 17 Feb 1917 - Sunk by gunfire of Q-Ship Farnborough (Q5) SW of Ireland at 5134N 1123W. 35 dead and 1 survivor (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 83 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 9 Dec 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 8 Feb 1941.

                                John Doran


                                7th September 1916 Special Shoots  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a quiet day. The Batteries carried out a programme of special shoots. C236 Battery began to dig new position near Bazentin Le Petit Wood. The French attacked south of the Somme and took large part of Berny and the western half of Verman Dovillers.

                                War Diaries


                                7th September 1916   SM U-59

                                Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 214) Ordered 6 Oct 1914 Laid down 13 Jul 1915 Launched 20 Jun 1916 Commissioned 7 Sep 1916

                                Commanders.
                                7 Sep 1916 - 14 May 1917 Freiherr Wilhelm von Fircks

                                Career 4 patrols.
                                20 Nov 1916 - 14 May 1917 II Flotilla

                                Successes 14 ships sunk with a total of 28,050 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 6,526 tons.

                                • 7 Dec 1916 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks August 341 sw
                                • 8 Dec 1916 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Harry 81 sw
                                • 13 Jan 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Solvang 2,970 nw
                                • 16 Jan 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Brenn 2,189 fr
                                • 19 Jan 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Gaea 1,002 nw
                                • 23 Jan 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Sardinia 1,500 nw
                                • 19 Mar 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Charlois 2,786 nl
                                • 20 Mar 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Gurre 2,866 da
                                • 21 Mar 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Najade 1,752 nw
                                • 31 Mar 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Valacia (damaged) 6,526 br
                                • 2 Apr 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Snespurven 1,409 nw
                                • 5 Apr 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Canadian 9,309 br
                                • 6 Apr 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Amiral L’hermite 156 fr
                                • 6 Apr 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Roland 135 fr
                                • 9 Apr 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Fremad I 1,554 nw

                                Fate 14 May 1917 - Struck a German mine off Horns Reef at 55.33N 07.15E. 33 dead and 4 survivors. The wreck of U 59 was located in 2002.

                                There was another U 59 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 Oct 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 4 Mar 1939.

                                John Doran


                                8th September 1916 Special Shoots  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. A quiet day and the Batteries carried out a programme of special shoots. At 1745 the 1st Division attacked enemy trenches in High Wood. 47th Divisional Artillery cooperated with an intense bombardment for 15 minutes and then fired on trenches to North West of High Wood. 1st Division at first took their objectives but later dropped back on account of their flanks being exposed. A few prisoners were taken.

                                War Diaries


                                10th September 1916 New Positions  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 235th and 236th Brigades came under the command of CRA 15th Division. B,C and D Batteries moved sections into new positions. B236 Battery in Lower Wood, C236 Battery south of Bazentine le Petit Wood and D236 Battery in Bazentine le Petit. The Group Observation Point in 10th Avenue was heavily shelled by 5.9 inch guns during the afternoon.

                                War Diaries


                                10th Sep 1916 On the March   8am 7th Buffs started from Road Junction South of R in Maizieres at 8.0 a.m., the order of march being B, C, Drums, D, A, Companies. Battalion marched via Magnicourt Sur Canche, Moulin Mouvigneul to cross-roads at East end of Canettemont (the Brigade Starting Point). The Battalion was third in order of march, following the 7th Battalion Queens W. Surrey Regiment. The Brigade and attached Troops marched via Rebreuviette to Le Souich, marching past Gen Maxse at the entrance to Le Souich. The Battalion were reported to have occupied their Billets at 1.15 p.m. Lieut Col Ransome and Lieut Burnside returned from leave.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                11th September 1916 Batteries Move  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Batteries moved the remaining two sections into new positions. All fairly quiet on this front.

                                War Diaries


                                11th Sep 1916 Reliefs  At 09.15. 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, less details moved into front line in Neuve Chapelle Sector. A, B and D Coys in Front Line C in reserve. Battalion on right is 15th West Yorks. Battalion on left 2/1st Bucks Battalion, Ox & Bucks of 184th Brigade, 61st Division. Details moved to Transport Lines South West of Lestrem. 18th DLI relieved 13th York & Lancasters. Very quiet night.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                11th Sep 1916 On the March  6 am 7th Buffs started from Road Junction one quarter mile S.W. of L in Le Souich to march to Puchevillers. Route Halloy, Thievres, Marieux, Raincheval, Puchevillers. The march was carried out by the Brigade as a Brigade march. Very close day: 12 men fell out. We reached huts at Puchevillers at 1.35 p.m.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                12th September 1916 Registration   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Brigade came under the command of Divisional Commander R.A. 47th Division Front, High Wood supporting 47th Divisional Infantry. Batteries registered points in High Wood.

                                War Diaries


                                12th Sep 1916 Quiet  18th DLI are in the Neuve Chapelle Sector, their war diary records "01.25. Salvo’s on German wire. Fine. Quiet all day. 9 for noon some rain. Heavy rain at night."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                13th September 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Batteries carried out barrages behind enemy lines in High Wood. Battle of Flers-Coucelette 15th September 1916 to 22nd September 1916 (sixth phase of the Battle of the Somme).

                                War Diaries


                                13th Sep 1916 Quiet  18th DLI are in the Neuve Chapelle Sector "Fine. Very quiet. Heavy rain in evening."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                13th Sep 1916 Training  Training was carried out by Companies on ground adjoining the camp. Times 7 a.m., 8 a.m. 9 a.m., 12.30 p.m. 2 p.m., 4 p.m. Programme of Work (a) Physical Drill (b) Bombing, tactical use of bombing parties, use of Lewis Guns with bombing parties followed by criticism. (c) Intensive Digging and insertion of frames for Dug outs. (d) Lewis Guns, tactical handling of. (e) Following up a barrage. (f) Exercises for Platoon Commanders in tactical schemes, consolidation of ground gained and map reading. 9.45am The Commanding Officer went up to the trenches to look round the line held by the Reserve Army, with the Brigade Commander. The adjutants of the Brigade. went round training area allocated to the Brigade.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                13th Sep 1916 Training  7th Buffs Training as per programme of the 12th inst.T he Commanding Officer held a conference of Company Commanders at 9.45 a.m. and Platoon Commanders at 12.15 p.m.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                14th Sep 1916 Fire at HMEF Rainham.  A fire broke out at HMEF Rainham, on the banks of the Thames, on the 14th of September 1916, members of the Romford Fire Brigade were nominated for awards for their part in fighting the fire.

                                14th September 1916 Barrages Fired  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Bottom Wood: Fairly quiet day. Batteries fired in barrages all night (13-14th). Registration was carried out during the day. Bombardment was carried for 23 minutes beginning from 1900. There was a certain amount of shelling by the enemy. The heavy artillery bombarded High Wood.

                                War Diaries


                                14th Sep 1916 Quiet  18th DLI hold the Neuve Chapelle Sector "Fine. Very quiet all day & night."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                14th Sep 1916 Posting  Lt. H. A. Dyson took over command of A Coy 7th Buffs from Capt. Wood.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                15th Sep 1916 1st Surrey Rifles at High Wood  The battle for High Wood was over by the time First Surrey Rifles were engaged later that day. The 47th (London) Division book 1922 states that they captured Starfish Redoubt. The entry was made by the then GSO1 Lt Col B L Montgomery. The mystery is that Starfish Redoubt is not recorded in the Official War Diary or the Regiment's book 1927. Starfish Redoubt is clearly marked on Official Trench Maps.

                                15th Sep 1916 Heavy Losses  The 15th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment attacked at Flers, aided by the first appearance of 4 tanks. The objective was reached, but heavy losses caused the battalion to retire. Almost half the battalion was lost in the attack.

                                15th Sep 1916 2nd Sherwoods make attack  2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters attack the Quadrilateral, on the Somme.

                                15th September 1916 Ongoing actions  42nd Siege Battery RGA

                                Ongoing activity in Somme Offensive with the great Allied Tank attack and encounters at Highwood, Longueval, Delville Wood, Switch Trench, Guillemont and Gavinchy.

                                Incessant bombardments by the Germans at Warlencourt/Bapaume and Thilloy.

                                extracts from memoirs


                                15th Sep 1916 Sucess  15th (Portsmounth) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, as part of the 41st Division, attacked and gained Flers on the first day with the assistance for the first time of tanks. The 41st Division Memorial is in Flers.

                                15th Sep 1916 Quiet  In the Neuve Chapelle Sector 18th Durhams report: "Bright & cold. Quiet throughout the day."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                15th Sep 1916  Posting  2/Lt. Clapperton took over command of C Coy 7th Buffs from Lt. Hands. Capt. Wood was transferred to B Coy as Second in Command of Coy.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                16th Sep 1916 Sucess  The 10th Bn Cameronians were on the Somme and had just taken the village of Martinpuich on the 15th Sept, a great success with 300 prisoners captured. Unfortunately due to the attack being held up on both flanks the 10th had to dig in, instead of advancing through unbroken country relatively unopposed. The Germans took a while to discover the new front line, but about mid-day on 16th got there artillery bringing down heavy fire on the 10th's positions, it is likely this was when James Woods was killed. The casualties in this battle were 3 Officers and 47 men killed, 10 Officers and 250 men wounded.

                                16th Sep 1916 150th MCG in action.  150th Machine Gun Corps are in action at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette

                                16th Sep 1916 Reliefs  Fair. Very quiet. 18th DLI are relieved in the Neuve Chapelle Sector by 2/6th Gloucesters on Left from Signpost Lane to Fifteenth St and on the Right by 7th Worcesters. No casualties. 18th Battalion, DLI moved into billets at Vielle Chapelle.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                16th Sep 1916 Posting  Capt. Foxell was transferred to A Coy 7th Buffs as Second in Command of Coy.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                16th Sep 1916 6th Somersets in action  6th Somerset Light Infantry attacked Flers-Courcelette on the Somme at 09:25

                                17th September 1916 Heavy Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. There was a certain amount of heavy shelling along our front line but no Infantry actions. Lt Whitten B236 Battery was wounded while up at the observation chateau. 2/Lt Davies B236 Battery was slightly wounded but is still at duty.

                                War Diaries


                                17th Sep 1916 125th Heavy RGA move position  125th Heavy Battery RGA move into a new position behind Deville Wood

                                17th Sep 1916 Posting  2/Lt. Carman took over duties of Second Captain of D Coy.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                18th Sep 1916 5/6th Royal Scots relieve 16th Northumberlands  The 5/6th Royal Scots of 32 Division, relieve the 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in the left sub-sector of the Cambrin sector. The Northhumberlands move to quarters in Beuvry.

                                18th September 1916 Starfish Line Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood Our Artillery shelled certain parts of the enemy front, especially the strong point in 34.b.1.2 in the Starfish Line. Our Infantry made a small bombing attack about 2030 which partially succeeded. (Note-The Starfish Line was a German trench line to the left of High Wood)

                                War Diaries


                                18th Sep 1916   18th DLI took over Orchard Keep in Givenchy Sector with a garrison found by B Coy. from 16th West Yorks. HQ at Windy Corner.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                18th Sep 1916 Wet Day   Poured with rain all day, morning spent in giving lectures to N.C.O.s and men of 7th Buffs in bombing, Lewis Gun, tactics, and battle of the Somme, (etc.) Afternoon lectures as in morning.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                19th September 1916 Bombardments  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. Our Artillery carried out bombardments according to the programme and at different points at the request of infantry. At about 2000 the enemy made a counter attack against our infantry in Drop Alley and our Artillery opened fire after SOS from our line. At 2100 all was again reported quiet.

                                War Diaries


                                19th Sep 1916 Training  7th Buffs Training in the morning as per programme on the 12th inst., but owing to the rain Companies had to come in and lectures were given in the huts, lectures again in the afternoon and training. Commanding Officer, 2nd in Command and Adjutant went out to make up a tactical scheme for following day.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                2nd Sep 1916  Training  7.10am 7th Buffs marched out to Magnicourt where the rendezvous was at road junction at O35a.0.0. reaching there by 8.30 a.m. The Commanding Officer and Adjutant rode on and met the Brigadier at road junction ¼ mile N.E. of the N in Houvelin where the Brigade scheme was read and orders issued. Coy commanders were then assembled and told the scheme. The Brigade. was detailed to attack and capture the three woods on square U 10, the 7th Buffs on the right, the 8th East Surrey Regiment. on the left and the 7th Queens in support. B and C Coys 7th Buffs were the leading Coys. with D Coy in support and A Coy in reserve. 7th Royal West Kent Regiment. acted as Enemy. Maj. Gen. Maxse held a conference of all officers at the close of operations, the Battalion having had dinners and marched back under Coy. Sergt Majors. 6pm A Coy 7the buffs gave a bombing demonstration in Tactics of Bombing Parties at Rocourt. Lt. Col Ransome went on leave.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                20th September 1916 Batteries Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. Batteries fired on Flers during the day and on fleeing targets. 1st Division Infantry relieved 47th Division Infantry during the night. The weather gradually improving and 7.0.0 continues reconnoitering the front trenches. Howitzers battery fired all night into Eaucourt L’Abbaye. (See note and comment on 7.0.0. from 15th Sep.)

                                War Diaries


                                20th September 1916 Squadron number designated  No 68 Squadron was the formal RFC title given to No.2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps from the date it was formed on 20 September 1916 at the RFC training school in Kantara, Egypt. The Squadron never carried that designation and was known by its officers and men only by its Australian title of No.2 Squadron AFC. In February 1918 it was formally re-designated with its Australian title.  More info.

                                20th September 1916 Ongoing support action  

                                Trench Positions - 23rd Sep 1916

                                6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                20th to 26th September 1916 - Battalion in reserve at Donnets Post. Employed on fatigues in connection with coming operations.

                                25th September - 1 OR killed in Avelyn carrying ammunition.

                                26th September - 1235 - Attack in Thiepval by the 18th and 11th Divisions. Battalion in Brigade reserve moves up at 1235 to old support line Ration Trench. Point 80, Point 39. 1620 - Battalion moves to old firing lines Brimstone and Border Trenches to Constance Trench at 2200.

                                war diaries


                                20th Sep 1916 Heavy Rain   As it poured with rain most of the morning, lectures, musketry (etc) were practiced in the huts. In the afternoon the Adjutant gave a lecture on map reading to all the officers of 7th Buffs in the mess. Section Commanders took all the men in their sections in the huts. Programme of work 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Physical training 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Bombing Tactics, Intensive Digging including siting of trenches and following up barrage. Special training of patrols. Tactical Training including tactical handling of Lewis Guns. 2 p.m. A Coy Tactical exercise for platoon and section commanders under the Commanding Officer. Remaining N.C.O.s and men live bombing under 2/Lt Gold.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                21st September 1916 Continuous Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. At 0325 SOS signal but it was a false alarm. At 0355 Batteries ceased firing. At 1030 D236 fired at the rate of 50 rounds an hour on the Flers Line just South East of Eaucourt L’Abbaye and ceased at 1930. At 1130 and 1330 the 18 pounder Batteries fired 15 four gun salvoes into Eaucourt L’Abbaye. During the night 18 pounder Batteries fired continually on Flers Line at 100 rounds per hour.

                                War Diaries


                                21st Sep 1916 Shelling  18th DLI took over left subsector from 18th West Yorks with 3 Coys. B, C and D, Right, Centre & Left in front line and A Coy. in support at Windy Corner. Very quiet afternoon. 15th West Yorks on right of 18th DLI, 11th East Lancs on left of Battalion. A fair amount of Minenwerfer activity on both sides.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                21st Sep 1916  Route March  7th Buffs B. C. D. Coy Commanders, platoon Commanders and platoon Sergeants attended a demonstration under C.S.M. Parmee. Remaining N.C.O.s and men went out for a route march under their C.S.M.s 2/Lt Scott tore the muscles of his left leg doing physical drill and had to be sent to hospital. L/Cpl Charles James Crame 7th Buffs was awarded the Russian Medal of St. George 3rd Class for gallantry near Trones Wood on 13th July 1916.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                22nd September 1916 No Resistance Met  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. At 1030 Howitzer battery commenced firing 50 rounds an hour on Flers Line M.29.b.12 to M.23.c.70. (ceased firing at 1945). At 1300 transport was seen on Bapaume le Sarg road MEc and MHb heavy Batteries informed. Our Infantry (1st Division) the Welsh Regiment occupied Prue and Starfish trenches. Patrols sent out in front as far as 700 yards without meeting any resistance.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd September 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ78 (L34)

                                • Production Ref: LZ78
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L34
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 22nd September 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out three reconnaissance missions and two attacks on England dropping a total of 3,890 kg (8,580 lb) of bombs. It took part in the Zeppelin raid which also involved the L31, L32 and L33 on the night of the 23rd September 1916 and was the only Zeppelin that survived the raid. On a later mission it was intercepted and destroyed by British fighter pilot 2nd Lt Ian Pyott in BE2c no. 2738 off Hartlepool on the 27th November 1916.

                                John Doran


                                22nd Sep 1916   18th DLI are at Windy Corner in Givenchy Sector. Bright & quiet in morning and throughout the day.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                22nd Sep 1916  Baths  C and D Coys and 2 platoons of B Coy went to baths at Toutencourt in the morning. A Coy and 2 platoons of B Coy did bombing (etc.) as per programme of 21st inst. In the afternoon C and D Coys and 2 platoons of B dug intensively for two hours practice against the other Battalions. Of the Brigade. A Coy, H.Q., Transport, and 2 platoons of B went for baths. B Coy’s Officers and Section Commanders went for a tactical scheme on the ground under Major Monier-Williams.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                23rd September 1916 Little Firing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. Fairly quiet day and Batteries did very little firing. The enemy were singularly quiet throughout the afternoon, their artillery being almost entirely silent. At night Batteries fired a few rounds on a German working party digging a trench.

                                23rd September 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  23/24 September 1916

                                The German Navy remained aggressive and a 12-Zeppelin raid was launched on 23,24 September 1916. Eight older airships bombed targets in the Midlands and Northeast, while four M-class Zeppelins (L 30, L 31, L 32, and L 33) attacked London. L 30 did not even cross the coast, dropping its bombs at sea. L 31 approached London from the south, dropped a few bombs on Kenley and Mitcham and was picked up by searchlights. Forty-one bombs were then dropped in rapid succession over Streatham, killing seven and wounding 27. More bombs were dropped on Brixton before crossing the river and dropping 10 bombs on Leyton, killing another eight people and injuring 30. L 31 then headed home.

                                Also coming in from the south was L 32, delayed by engine problems, it dropped a few bombs on Sevenoaks and Swanley before crossing Purfleet at about 0100. The Zeppelin then came under anti-aircraft fire as it dropped bombs on Aveley and South Ockendon. Shortly thereafter, at 0110, a BE2c piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Frederick Sowrey engaged L 32. He fired three drums of incendiaries and succeeded in starting a fire which quickly spread to the entire airship. The Zeppelin came down at Snail's Hall Farm, Great Burstead. The entire crew was killed, with some, including the commander Oberleutnant-zur-See Werner Peterson, choosing to jump rather than burn to death.

                                L 33 dropped a few incendiaries over Upminster before losing its way and making several turns, heading over London and dropping bombs on Bromley at around midnight. As the bombs began to explode, the Zeppelin was hit by an anti-aircraft shell fired from the guns at either Beckton, Wanstead, or Victoria Park despite being at 13,000 feet (4,000 m). Dropping bombs now to shed weight, a large number fell on homes in Botolph Road and Bow Road. As the airship headed towards Chelmsford it continued to lose height, coming under fire at Kelvedon Hatch and briefly exchanging fire with a BE2c. Despite the efforts of the crew, L 33 was forced to the ground at around 0115 in a field close to New Hall Cottages, Little Wigborough. The airship was set alight and the crew headed south before being arrested at Peldon by the police. Inspection of the wreckage provided the British with much information about the construction of Zeppelins, which was used in the design of the British R33-class airships. One 250 hp (190 kW) engine recovered from the wreck was subsequently substituted for two (of four) 180 hp (130 kW) engines on a Vickers-built machine, the hitherto underpowered R.9.

                                John Doran


                                23rd Sep 1916 Exchange of Fire  18th DLI report from Windy Corner in the Givenchy Sector "Very misty in early morning. Some Minenwerfer activity in morning between 3 and 5 from B & C Coy. & Poppy Redoubt Garrison evacuated their posts during firing of Heavy Trench Mortar Battery. The enemy replied fairly vigorously with TMs & blew in front line held by Left of B Coy. Berkley St & Clarges. Very quiet at night."

                                Teh National Archives Reference WO95/2361/1


                                23rd Sep 1916 Training  Training in morning as per programme of work of 21st inst. In the afternoon all officers and N.C.O.s who had not seen C.S.M. Parmee’s demonstration attended one, remaining N.C.O.s and Officers and Battalion went to a demonstration of Stokes Mortar Battery to watch the demolition of a strong point. Maj. Monier-Williams and Capt. Brice went on a reconnaissance round Reserve Army Area’s trenches. Capt. Allen met with an accident on horseback and sustained severe concussion.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                24th September 1916 Night Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Fairly quiet day and Batteries did very little firing only registration. Hostile shelling very little. B236 Battery relieved A236 Battery who in turn relieved C236 Battery. At night 2020 the 1st Division launched a local attack on the Flers Line which proved abortive. Batteries fired for most of the night.

                                War Diaries


                                24th Sep1916   18th DLI report from Windy Corner in Givenchy Sector "Fine. Our Stokes guns showed considerable activity 8 to 9 am & enemy retaliated with T.M. one minenwerfer killing three men. Quiet afternoon. 22.20 heavy mutual bombardment apparently about two miles to South. On our left 13th Yorks and Lancs relieved 11th East Yorks."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                24th Sep 1916  Tidying up  Morning spent by Coys of 7th Buffs in filling in trenches dug and doing bombing, bayonet- fighting (etc.) and in the afternoon the whole Battalion filled in the Brigade trenches dug by the four battalions of the Brigade.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                25th September 1916 Offensive Resumes  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. At 1430 the Fourth Army resumed the offensive. The 1st Division attacked along the Flers Line and secured their objectives with very little trouble. They joined line with the New Zealanders in Goose Alley. The New Zealand Division on our right secured all its objectives; our troops securing Grid Trench in front of Guedecourt, Les Boeufs to the north of Morval. The French secured Fregicourt and Rancourt. Batteries kept up continuous fire all day on the barrages ordered by 47th Divisional Artillery. At night D236 Battery was shelled with lachrymatory (tear gas) and other shells suffering two casualties.

                                War Diaries


                                25th Sep 1916 Billeting Party  Capt. Wood and billeting party moved off to Hédauville. The following went on a reconnaissance round the Reserve Army trench area. Capt. Brice, 1 Officer per Coy., Lewis Gun Officer, Bombing Officer, Signal Sergeant, and several N.C.O.s and men. The following went to report to the A.P.M. 18th Divn. at Acheux for looking after cages for German prisoners; 2/Lt Watson, 2/Lt Kerr, 8 N.C.O.s and 44 men. 2L/t H. Fine proceeded to the Divn. School at Varennes. Coys. Spent the morning in tidying up huts and ground about huts and filling in trenches and foot slits dug whilst training. The Battalion moved from Puchevillers to Hedauville. Route Arqueves, Varennes. Starting point cross roads in N. 22 c at North end of Puchevillers. Order of march D. A. Drums. B. C. Time of start 1.17 p.m. All packs were carried by lorries. The Battalion were all in billets at Hedauville at 4.50 p.m. 3 men only fell out on the march.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                26th Sep 1916 16th Northumberlands take over support line  The 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers leave Beuvry to occupy the support line in the Cuinchy sector, taking over from 2nd btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Where they manned keeps and provided working parties for the Royal Engineers.

                                26th September 1916 Uneventful Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. More or less uneventful day on our front. The Canadian Corps on our left captured Thiepval and 1500 prisoners. Batteries assisted by an intense bombardment at 1235 for a few minutes on the hostile trenches. At about 1900 D236 Battery was again shelled. 2/Lt Stephenson being wounded with one man killed and five others wounded. Major Pollard was slightly wounded in the hand but remained at duty. At 2330 1st Division assaulted hostile trench in M29 but failed chiefly owing to losing their way.

                                War Diaries


                                26th Sep 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI are at Windy Corner in the Givenchy Sector and report in their war diary: "Quiet fine morning. Some artillery activity to the South in morning beginning about 8.0am. 18 West Yorks relieved 18 DLI in afternoon completing 16.55. No casualties. 18 DLI less A Coy. which remained in village line returned to Brigade Reserve Billets in Gorre."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                26th Sep 1916 Orders Received  Orders received from 55th. Brigade said 7th Battalion Buffs must be ready to move any time within an hour after 1 p.m. Orders received from Brigade at 12.50 p.m. said Battalion to be clear of Hedauville by 1.30 p.m. or as soon after as possible and move to open ground about W 8 central. Battalion moved at 1.35 p.m. and reached ground at 3.30 p.m. where they bivouacked for the night. Major Monier-Williams went to Brigade as Liaison Officer at 12.30 p.m. Verbal orders received from Brigade by Major Monier-Williams that the Battalion was to move to dug outs at Crucifix Corner W.11 d 85 and be there by 7 a.m. 1st line Transport and personnel to remain at W.8 central.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                27th September 1916 Little Firing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: 47th Division relieved 1st Division in High Wood sector. Moderately quiet day. Batteries fired very little except for registration purposes, considerable defensive barrages. There were no infantry operations but artillery was fairly active.

                                War Diaries


                                27th Sep 1916 Bombardment  At 04.00. Artillery & Stokes gun bombardment by 97 Infantry Brigade. is reported by 18th DLI who are at Gore.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                27th Sep 1916  Standing by  7th Buffs paraded at 5.30 a.m. and marched to W.10.c.24 from which point it went by platoons to Crucifix Corner W.11.d.85. Order of march B. C. D. A. The Battalion was all in dug outs at Crucifix Corner at 7.26 a.m. 7th Buffs remained throughout the day in their dug outs standing by.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                28th September 1916 Fairly Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Fairly quiet day. C236 Battery staff relieved A236 Battery staff. It was decided during the afternoon that D236 should change their position to that vacated by D275 Battery RFA. Batteries fired a defensive barrage.

                                War Diaries


                                28th Sep 1916  Standing by  7th Buffs remained throughout the day in their dug outs at Crucifix Corner W.11.d.8.5 standing by. Major Monier-Williams rejoined Battalion from Brigade. All Officers at 1st Line Transport were sent up to join Battalion.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                29th Sep 1916   22.00. 18th DLI moved from Gorre and relieved 18th West Yorks in front line with A, D, C, in Front Line Right to Left and B Co. in reserve at Windy Corner and Poppy Redoubt. Relief completed 14.06, no casualties. 15th West Yorks on Right, 13th Yorks & Lancs on Left. Some mutual trench mortar activity in evening 6-7 pm. Quiet night.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                29th Sep 1916 Dugouts  7th Buffs remained for the morning in dug outs, at 3.50 p.m. message was received from Brigade that Battalion was to go up to Wood Post X1 Central and occupy dug outs vacated by 8th Suffolk Regiment. which would be vacated at 4.30 p.m. Battalion was all in dug outs by 5.30 p.m. A. and C. Coy in dug outs at Wood Post. B and D Coys in dug outs in old German front line in Lemburg Trench R.31.d. 1 platoon of A Coy was ordered to be held in readiness for carrying to Thiepval for 8th East Surrey Regiment, and proceeded on carrying party at 1.30 a.m. on 30th Sept.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                3rd Sep 1916  Inspection  9am Major Monier-Williams O.C. 7th Buffs inspected all Companies and H.Q. Details. 5 pm 2 L/t Gold instructed A and C Coys in practice with live grenades. 6 pmC.O. held a conference of O.C. Coys to discuss the scheme for the following day. Lieut Burnside, Adjutant, went on leave.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                30th Sep 1916 16th Northumberlands into front line at Cuinchy.  The 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers took over the right sub sector of the front line in the Cuinchy sector, from 2nd btn Royal Irish Fusiliers. A, D, and B coys take up position from right to left with C coy in support. Back in the routine of trench duty, trench-mortar activity, reserve and working parties.

                                30th September 1916 Hostile Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Hostile artillery fairly active on our trenches in the morning & afternoon. Hostile anti-aircraft guns very active against our aeroplanes. Major General Sir Charles Barter relinquished command of 47th London Division. Batteries fired in barrages but there was no infantry action on our front.

                                War Diaries


                                30th September 1916 Relief and return to Hauteville  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment are in Schwaben Trench. At 1530 the Battalion is relieved by 8th Loyal North Lancs and marches back to billets Hauteville.

                                Total casualties 25th to 30th September. 2nd Lt Ingersoll - killed Other Ranks - 14 killed, 71 wounded

                                GH Gater Lt Colonel commanding 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment.

                                war diaries


                                30th Sep 1916 In the Trenches  18th Durhams report "Fine throughout the day and after slight TM activity unusually quiet."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                30th Sep 1916 In Action  7am Message received by 7th Buffs from Brigade “S.O.S. on Northern edge of Schwaben redoubt 7th Buffs to ready.” Verbal message from Brigade said “1 Coy to be sent to occupy Northern defences of trench.” D Coy was accordingly ordered up and reported its arrival without any casualties at 10.35 a.m.

                                Casualties up to 12 noon 30th Sept. O.R. killed. 3. O.R. Wounded. 5. 1.25pm Orders received from Brigade. stating “2 platoons 7th Buffs in conjunction with the 8th East Surrey Regiment. were to attack and recapture Schwaben Redoubt. Objectives of the 2 platoons 7th Buffs were points R.19.d.39.80 and R.19.d.1.9.” Zero time was 4 p.m. 2 platoons of D Coy under 2L/t Carman, nos. 15 and 16, were detailed for the attack.

                                3.35pm Orders were issued for A Coy 7th Buffs to stand by ready to move up to Thiepval at a moment’s notice. Major Monier-Williams ordered to report to Brigade H.Q.

                                4pm Verbal orders received from Brigade. “1 Coy to report to O.C. 8th East Surrey Regiment. at Thiepval at once.” A Coy 7th Buffs was ordered to proceed up.

                                8.50pm Verbal orders received from Brigadier who came up to Wood Post were that 1 Coy and H.Q. were to move up to Thiepval and reinforce the 8th East Surrey Regiment. who were to collect and withdraw back to Wood Post.

                                9.15pm H.Q. and B Coy moved up to Thiepval reaching there at 10.45 p.m. B Coy moving into dug outs about R.25.b.6.0. H.Q, going to 8th East Surrey H.Q. at R.25.d.0.4. C Coy ordered to move up to Joseph trench R.32.a.2.6 to 7.7.

                                12 midnight. Message received from A Coy saying nos. 1 and 3 platoons had been sent to reinforce 8th East Surrey Regiment. left near point R.19 d 65. Nos 2 and 4 platoons sent to help 7th R.W. Kent Regiment. Also report attached received from D Coy with reference to the attack at 4 p.m. by nos. 15 and 16 platoons by 2L/t L. G. Carman who was in command of the party.

                                A.W. Monier-Williams Commanding 7th Buffs 10th Oct 1916

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                4th Sep 1916  Training  In the course of the morning all Officers of 7th Buffs visited the training area to examine the ground at U.1.d.74, which was to be used for the afternoon’s Scheme. They also witnessed a Demonstration of Intensive Digging. During the morning B and C Companies were instructed in wiring by an N.C.O. provided by 92nd Field Coy R.E. for the purpose. 1 pm The Battalion marched to the training area at U.I.d.74 and practiced a Brigade Attack on 2 lines of trenches. Cooperation with a Contact Aeroplane was practised and Intensive digging in the Captured positions. At the Conclusion of the Scheme the Battalion returned to billets for tea. Orders were issued for the Battalion to move with the 55th Infantry Bde to Maizieres. This was subsequently cancelled just before midnight.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                5th Sep 1916  Training   The move having been postponed at the last moment, the day was given up to Company Training. A and B Companies 7th Buffs utilized the Bombing Redout at Rocourt during the morning, while the remaining Companies during the morning and the Battalion after dinners include Intensive Digging in their programme. The Southern half of B area was used by the Battalion.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                6th Sep 1916 Training   Companies marched to A Area for training: including Drill, Intensive Digging, Bayonet fighting, etc 9am The C.O. examined the Platoons of A Company. 4Pm All Officers and Company Sgt Majors witnessed a Demonstration of Intensive Digging, and the erection of Cave Shelters and of Low wire entanglements. At the conclusion General Maxse held a Conference of Senior Officers, including Company Commanders. The Demonstration was under arrangements made by the 54th Infantry Brigade.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                7th Sep 1916 Training  9am 7th Battalion Buffs marched to C Area for Training. Dinners were taken out. The Companies in turn practiced the Attack, closely following a Barrage; and consolidation of captured position. The remainder of the day was spent in Physical Training etc. C Coy and Hd Qtrs Details went to the Baths at Magincourt.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                8th Sep 1916  Training  Battalion marched to A Training Area. After an hour’s Physical Training they witnessed a Demonstration of Field Works by 92nd Field Co. R.E. A and B Coys marched back to Billets for dinners while C and D ate theirs on the area. 2.15, 4.30 p.m. C and D Coys practised attacking with Artillery Barrage, and also the throwing of live bombs.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                8th Sep 1916  Musketry  A and B Coys marched to the Rifle Range on A Area. During the day, orders were received Companies from 55th I. Bde., and re-issued to Companies i.e. relative to the march to Maizieres on the following day.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                9th Sep 1916 On the March   The Battalion started from the Road Junction West of Monchy Breton Church at 9.45 a.m., the order of march being A, B, Companies, Drums, C, D, Companies. The Battalion passed the Brigade Starting Point (Cross-roads South of E in Monchy Breton) at 10.15, being rear Battalion in the Brigade. The attached troops of the Brigade and Echelon B of Transport followed. The route was by Bailleul Aux Cornailles, U in Le Haut Barley Fm, Averdoingt to Maiziéres; which was reached at 12.20 p.m. Major General Maxse watched the Brigade march past him just outside this village. Orders were received for the march of the following day.

                                7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049


                                October 1916   No.41 Squadron proceeded to France in October 1916 flying FE8s. Deployment to the front line soon showed that the F.E.8 was at a severe disadvantage compared with the German Fokker Eindekker fighter. The drag created by its tail ensured it was slower than the Fokker, and its light-weight construction made it vulnerable to attack both from other aircraft and from ground fire. It was nick-named Fokker fodder by its pilots and dead meat by the Germans. Pilots also soon learned not to use it for ground attack.

                                Oct 1916   No 45 Squadron proceeded to France in October 1916, equipped with Sopwith 1½ Strutters.

                                   9th battalion the london regiment (queen victorias rifles) were fighting at les plouef thiepval on this date. cant find out much about les plouef but beleive it may have been a trench. my great uncle was in the regiment and got shot here. his body never recovered.information came from a letter from his commander to my great grandmother.

                                1st Oct 1916 Abbotts VAD Hospital moves  The Abbotts VAD hospital, Cheltenham, moved from The Abbotts, 49 All Saints Road to The Priory, a larger house nearby doubling its capacity to 100 beds.

                                1st October 1916 Hostile Trenches Bombarded  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. At 0700 D236 began to bombard hostile trenches --- near Eaucourt L’Abbaye and other Batteries fired a short intense barrage from 1007 until 1015. At 1515 140 Infantry Brigade assaulted and took Eaucourt L’Abbaye in conjunction with the New Zealand Division on our right. They held firm on the left flank with the 20th Battalion holding firm on the right: another Battalion attacked, but the situation still remained obscure.

                                War Diaries


                                1st Oct 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  Pioneer Work started in September for the 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles and continued throughout October with the weather worsening as winter progressed.

                                "The trenches and dugouts to begin with were not such at all in the sense in which the troops had been wont to use the names on the Ancre. The fighting trenches consisted everywhere save on the highest ground, of parapets built of sandbags filled with clay. In places there was a parados similarly constructed, but over long stretches the men in the front line simply stood behind the wall, with no protection against the back-burst of shells. Water in this country appeared everywhere just below the surface and it was useless to dig trenches in the real sense for any other purpose than drainage. Even the communication trenches were sunk not deeper than a foot and piled high on either side with earth which made them satisfactory enough as cover from view, but very vulnerable to shellfire. These communication trenches were longer than those to which the troops had been accustomed, the approaches to the front line being much more exposed than among the folds of the Somme country. As for dugouts, there were none. Little wooden-framed shelves in the parapets, a few "baby elephants", arched steel shelters, which if covered thickly enough with sandbags, afforded protection against the shells of field guns, served for the troops in line, while further back, for battalion HQ and forts, there were ruined farms, which often had good cellars and in the framework of which concrete structures could be hidden. It was hard for troops used to the Somme chalk to accustom their minds to the spongy nature of this soil."

                                "When it rained, which was not seldom, all the low lying ground was flooded. The valley of the Douve (a small stream) above all, from Wulverghem to the front line, became a muddy swamp, in which water lay in sheets. At such times, and indeed during a great part of the winter, many trenches simply could not be occupied. No adequate idea of the impression conveyed upon the mind of a man coming up north from the clean white trenches of the Somme can be obtained of all this area unless it is conceived as dirty, mournful and disconsolate; haunted by the evil stench of blue clay, and brooded over by an atmosphere of decay."

                                "You went into that front line and you never even took --- I don’t think I took my equipment off; and there were no dugouts in this particular part; and the only place I could stretch myself out was where someone had sandbagged a part of the parapet and they’d left a space between sandbags and you could crawl in on hands and knees and stretch yourself out. I remember that was the only place I could get down to have a rest."

                                October Casualties in 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles: Officers 1 wounded, Other Ranks 6 wounded.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st October 1916 Zeppelin raid on London  The next raid came on the 1st of October 1916. Eleven Zeppelins were launched at targets in the Midlands and at London. As usual weather played a major role and only L 31 under the experienced Heinrich Mathy, on his 15th raid, reached London. Approaching from Suffolk, L 31 was picked up by the searchlights at Kelvedon Hatch around 2145, turning away, the airship detoured over Harlow, Stevenage and Hatfield. As the airship neared Cheshunt at about 2320 the airship was quickly picked up by six searchlights. Three aircraft of No. 39 Squadron were in the air and closed in on L 31. A BE2c piloted by 2nd lieutenant Wulstan Tempest engaged the Zeppelin at around 2350. Three bursts were sufficient to set fire to L 31, and it crashed near Potters Bar with all 19 crew dying, Mathy jumping from the burning airship. His body was found near the wreckage, embedded some four inches in the ground. Tempest had had to dive out of the way of the stricken airship and, possibly suffering from anoxia, crashed without injury on landing.

                                "The Zeppelin was now nearly 15,000 feet high and mounting rapidly….[I] dived straight at her, firing a burst straight into her as I came. I let her have another burst as I passed under her and then banking my machine over, sat under her tail, and flying along underneath her, pumped lead into her …As I was firing, I noticed her begin to go red inside like an enormous Chinese lantern and then a flame shot out of the front part of her and I realized she was on fire. She then shot up about 200 feet, paused, and came roaring down straight on to me before I had time to get out of the way. I nose-dived for all I was worth… and just managed to corkscrew out of the way as she shot past me, roaring like a furnace." Second Lieutenant W. Tempest.

                                "The Zeppelin drifted perpendicularly in the darkened sky. A gigantic pyramid of flames, red and orange, like a ruined star falling slowly to earth. Its glare lit up the streets and gave a ruddy tint even to the waters of the Thames. The spectacle lasted two or three minutes. It was so horribly fascinating that I felt spellbound , almost suffocated with emotion, ready hysterically to laugh or dry. When at last the doomed airship vanished from sight there arose a shout the like of which I never heard in London before — a hoarse shout of mingled execration, triumph and joy. It was London’s Te Deum for another crowning deliverance. Four Zeppelins destroyed in a month!" Journalist, Michael MacDonagh, who watched the spectacle from Blackfriars Bridge. The next morning, MacDonagh’s editor sent him to Potters Bar, where in heavy rain, he located the crash site: "One body was found in the field some distance from the wreckage. He must have jumped from the doomed airship from a considerable height. So great was the force with which he struck the ground that I saw the imprint of his body clearly defined in the stubbly grass. There was around hole for the head, then deep impressions of the trunk, with outstretched arms, and finally the widely separated legs. Life was in him when he was picked up, but the spark soon went out. He was, in fact, the Commander, who had been in one of the gondolas hanging from the airship."

                                John Doran


                                1st October 1916 New Squadron formed  No 75 Squadron formed at Goldington as a home defence squadron on the 1st of October 1916 to undertake defence of the Bedfordshire area. It was equipped with the BE2 scout aircraft.

                                1st October 1916 Home Defence Squadron formed  No 77 Squadron formed on the 1st of October 1916 at Edinburgh by redesignating B Flight of No.36 Squadron. It was a home defence squadron equipped with BE2s and BE12s.

                                It was a response to growing concerns that Zeppelin raids were now extending their targets to the north-east of England and into Scotland. Edinburgh itself had been attacked by Zeppelins on 2nd/3rd April 1916 and 13 people had been killed, so the unit’s particular remit was to be the Firth of Forth area.

                                To provide defensive patrolling, whilst its HQ remained in the capital, flights were based at Whiteburn (Grantshouse) and at New Haggerston near Berwick-upon-Tweed. In common with many other units charged with home defence, the squadron also had a remit to train personnel, typically using their night patrolling duties to practice and develop night-flying skills.
                                1st Oct 1916 In the Trenches  18th Durhams are in the trenches of the Givenchy Sector. Weather is fine. Quiet on the whole. 11 East Lancs relieved 13 York & Lancs on their left during the night. Mutual rifle grenade & trench mortar activity in late afternoon. 60 reinforcements reported to 18th DLI, Capt. J. B. Hughes-Game was wounded.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                2nd Oct 1916 125th Heavy RGA fall foul of wet weather  125th Heavy Battery, RGA record in their war diary: Tried to get battery up to behind Flers. Rain set in. Job abandoned. One gun stuck. Wet.

                                2nd Oct 1916   In the Givenchy Sector 18th DLI are in The Trenches. Fair. Quiet. Continuous rain later. 8pm to 9pm considerable rifle & bombing activity South of Canal.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                3rd October 1916 New Positions  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: The position at the front was satisfactorily cleared up. Eaucourt L’Abbaye was definitely captured and all the Germans in the dug out silenced. The wagons that got stuck were cleared and 3 more guns proceeded down to the new positions between dawn and dusk. Otherwise a fairly quiet day.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd Oct 1916   Givenchy Sector. 18th Durhams are in The Trenches "Thick scotch mist in morning and early afternoon. Very quiet."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                4th October 1916 Bad Light  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. Very quiet day on our front with no infantry action at all. C236 Battery has one gun in it's new position and B236 Battery has 4. The light is very bad, but some registration is done by the Batteries. It has rained for most of the day.

                                War Diaries


                                4th Oct 1916   Quiet in morning. 18th Durhams are relieved in The Trenches of the Givenchy Sector by 1st Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry and moved into Village (support) Line. No casualties. D Coy. held Givenchy Keep, Hilders, Herts. A Coy. Pont Fixe South. B Coy. Orchard. Heavy rain at night.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                5th October 1916 236 Bde RFA HQ Moves  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report it was decided to move HQ. to a new position at S.10.c.4.6 on the road running from the Longueval - Contalmaison Road to the East Corner of High Wood. There was hostile artillery activity on the slope North East of High Wood. Nothing of any great importance.

                                War Diaries


                                6th October 1916 Gunners Buried  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bazentin le Grand - High Wood(east)Road (S.10.c.4.6). Brigade HQ. moved to the new position on the road running from the Longueval-Contalmaison Road to the East side of High Wood (S.10.c.4.6). C236 Battery was shelled in their new position with 5.9 and 8 inch guns and had to evacuate it. Gunner Grove E.S.B. was killed and one wounded (Sgt. Irons). Two or three others were buried, but were successfully dug out and remained on duty. The Batteries fired some ordered barrages. A236 Battery relieved C236 Battery in their position while B236 Battery relieved A236 Battery in their position.

                                War Diaries


                                6th Oct 1916   18th DLI with transport moved in conjunction with 15th West Yorks leaving billets at Bethune 9.30am and leaving 15th West Yorks at Busnes, entered billets at La Pierriere 1.0pm.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                7th October 1916 Continuous Barrages  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report at 1345 47th Division attacked with a view to seizing the Grid Line and Butte de Warlencourt. The 15th Battalion on the right obtained their objectives and after several vicissitudes held it with a few parties and dug in behind it. On the left the attack was, as a whole, unsuccessful with very little ground being gained. The Batteries fired continuously on barrages ordered by Divisional Artillery. Lt J.F. Gayner proceeded to the Field Ambulance sick. 2/Lt B.B. Wallace was wounded by a bullet in his hand while reconnoitering the front.

                                War Diaries


                                7th October 1916   SM U-84

                                Type U 81 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 254) Ordered 23 Jun 1915 Laid down 25 Oct 1915 Launched 22 Jul 1916 Commissioned 7 Oct 1916

                                Commanders.
                                17 Oct 1916 - 26 Jan 1918 Walter Roehr

                                Career 8 patrols.
                                3 Dec 1916 - 26 Jan 1918 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 28 ships sunk with a total of 83,127 tons.
                                7 ships damaged with a total of 42,149 tons.
                                2 ships taken as prize with a total of 3,462 tons.

                                • 14 Dec 1916 U 84 Walter Roehr Aamot (prize) 1,362 nw
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 84 Walter Roehr Malcolm (prize) 2,100 sw
                                • 9 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Alexandrian (damaged) 4,467 br
                                • 10 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Bergenhus 3,606 nw
                                • 12 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Auchencrag 3,916 br
                                • 15 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Kinpurney 1,944 br
                                • 15 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Omsk 1,574 da
                                • 20 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Bulgarian 2,515 br
                                • 20 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Neuquen 3,583 br
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Bayonne 2,589 fr
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Romsdalen 2,548 br
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Berrima (damaged) 11,137 br
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Hunsworth (damaged) 2,991 br
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Juno 2,416 nw
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Valdes 2,233 br
                                • 21 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Dukat 1,408 nw
                                • 22 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Invercauld 1,416 br
                                • 13 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Argyll 3,547 br
                                • 13 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Lime Branch (damaged) 5,379 br
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Cragoswald 3,235 br
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Rowena 3,017 br
                                • 19 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Elswick Manor 3,943 br
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Malakand 7,653 br
                                • 1 Jul 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Bachi 2,184 sp
                                • 1 Jul 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Demerara (damaged) 11,484 br
                                • 4 Jul 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Goathland 3,044 br
                                • 7 Jul 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Condesa 8,557 br
                                • 7 Jul 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Oxø 831 nw
                                • 12 Aug 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Ursus Minor 623 nw
                                • 13 Aug 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Bergamot 1,290 br
                                • 24 Nov 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Actaeon 4,999 am
                                • 1 Dec 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Antonios Stathatos 2,743 gr
                                • 2 Dec 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Birchgrove 2,821 br
                                • 9 Jan 1918 U 84 Walter Roehr Bayvoe 2,979 br
                                • 10 Jan 1918 U 84 Walter Roehr Cardiff (damaged) 2,808 br
                                • 12 Jan 1918 U 84 Walter Roehr Chateau Laffite 1,913 fr
                                • 17 Jan 1918 U 84 Walter Roehr Messidor (damaged) 3,883 br

                                Fate 26 Jan 1918 - Possibly rammed and depth charged by PC62 in St George Channel and sunk at 51.53N 05.44W. 40 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 84 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 26 Feb 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 29 Apr 1941.

                                John Doran


                                8th Oct 1916 2nd Irish Fusiliers relieved at Cuinchy  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers moved to up the line to relieve the 2nd Btn Royal Irish Rifles in the Cuinchy sub sector.

                                8th October 1916 Reliefs  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Bazentin le Grand and High Wood Road. 236th Brigade RFA was relieved by 237th Brigade RFA. D236 battery remained in action under 237th Brigade RFA. D235 battery was taken over later by 236th Brigade RFA. All batteries held at their Wagon Lines in Bottom Wood except C236 Battery which took over C237 Battery gun position at Marlboro Wood and kept in charge of the depot guns of 47th Division Artillery. D235 Battery acts as depot Howitzer battery. Brigade Headquarters were moved to 237th Brigade Headquarters near Mametz.

                                War Diaries


                                8th Oct 1916   From La Pierriere 18th DLI moved to Lillers, entrained 4.45pm and arrived Doullens 11.30pm.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                9th October 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz. No events of any importance. Several guns and Howitzers passed through our hands.

                                War Diaries


                                9th Oct 1916   18th Durhams moved by route march from Doullens into billets at Orville reaching billets 2.15am. 18th Battalion DLI entered Reserve Army XIII Corps.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                10th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved at Cuinchy  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers relieved by the 2nd Btn East Surrey Regiment and the 2nd King Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the Cuinchy sub sector. The 16th Northumberlands move to Bethune for training.

                                10th October 1916 Ammunition Moved  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report No events of any importance. C236 Battery finally cleared its dump at it's old position at Bazentin le Petit Windmill and took the ammunition up to 237th Battery positions.

                                War Diaries


                                11th October 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Nothing of any importance.

                                War Diaries


                                11th Oct 1916   18th DLI moved from billets in Orville to shelters in Orville Wood.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                13th Oct 1916 New draft join 16th Northumberland Fusiliers   A further draft of 249 other ranks arrived at Bethune to join the 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers. Company training continued.

                                14th Oct 1916 125th Heavy Brigade move their guns  125th Heavy Battery move up to High Wood on right.

                                14th October 1916 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment join 7th Division  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment transfer 22nd Brigade, 7th Division to to 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division.

                                15th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the march  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers marched south from Bethune to return to The Somme sector. They spent the night at Dieval.

                                16th October 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ77 (LZ107)

                                • Production Ref: LZ77
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: LZ107
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 16th October 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out one attack on Boulogne, France, dropping 1,440 kilograms (3,170 lb) of bombs with several other raids being cancelled or aborted. Decommissioned in July 1917.

                                John Doran


                                17th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march south  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers marched to Gouy-en-Ternois, via Frevillers, enroute to The Somme sector.

                                17th Oct 1916   18th Durhams moved from shelters in Orville Wood to billets in St Leger.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                17th Oct 1916 Hard Days  "Poor old Love is back with us again after a few days in hospital. He had the misfortune to be buried alive under 5ft of earth and needless to say when dug out was not in the very best of health and temper. It has altered him a lot but I expect he will be himself again after a while. At the present moment he is sitting with me in my billet in a French chateau where we are resting for a few days whilst on the march to a fresh position. I am managing to keep in the best of health still. Last week I was ordered two days’ rest as I had had two or three very hard days in the trenches with a very perilous return journey successfully accomplished. I kept up OK until it was all over and then broke down and had to see the doctor. I am alright again now, but don’t want a similar experience again I can assure you. I had two fellows come to me afterwards and thank me for the splendid way I had backed them up during the trip with cheery words and my water bottle. I felt extremely satisfied, although it was done practically in an unconscious way and I cannot remember it. It is a long time since we have seen any of these green envelopes and we were surprised to have them issued today, as a matter of fact we had so few that they had to be raffled, and I was one of the lucky ones." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                18th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march south  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers march from Gouy-en-Ternois to Amplier, enroute to The Somme sector.

                                19th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march south  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers march from Amplier to Terramesnil, enroute to The Somme sector.

                                20th October 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ80 (L35)

                                • Production Ref: LZ80
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L35
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 20th October 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out 13 reconnaissance missions around the North and Baltic Seas also three attacks on England, dropping a total of 4,284 kilograms (9,445 lb) of bombs. It was decommissioned in September 1918.

                                John Doran


                                21st Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march south  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers march to Harponville.

                                21st Oct 1916 Engineers join Infantry near Mouquet Farm  Regina Trench Expected to be the last big battle before 106th Coy Engineers go on leave. All waiting at Mouquet Farm before joining the infantry, 12 Noon the guns started and the men went over taking the Germans by surprise. 12.15 the Germans ran back passed the Engineers. At 6.30pm the Engineers worked up to the infantry and joined them expecting a counter attack, the position was consolidated.

                                21st Oct 1916   18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry moved from billets in St Leger to relieve 12th East Yorks as left Support in Left Sub-sector Hebuterne. Battalion in billets & bivouacs at Sailly Au Bois.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                22nd Oct 1916 SS Cluden lost  SS Cluden, a 3,166grt, defensively-armed merchant ship was sunk on 22 October 1916, 11 miles W from Cape Tenez, Algeria. teh ship was torpedoed without warning and sunk with 4 lives lost. She was sailing from Karachi to Cardiff with a cargo of wheat and sunk by U-39 captained by Walter Forstmann.

                                22nd Oct 1916   Fine and quiet day. Fair amount of artillery activity. Enemy shelled heavy battery near 18th DLI Battalion HQ during the night. A & B Coys, 18th DLI moved from bivouac into billets in Sailly Au Bois.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                23rd Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers return to the Somme  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers march from Harponville to Albert Brickfields, via Vadencourt, Warloy, Henencourt and Millencourt. They spend the night under canvas in heavy rain, some in bivouacs.

                                23rd October 1916 Batteries Register  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Nothing of any importance. Batteries registered. Very little firing.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd October 1916   SM U-85 was built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 255), Ordered 23 Jun 1915 she was laid down on 29th Nov 1915. Launched 22 Aug 1916 she was commissioned 23 Oct 1916 From 23 Oct 1916 to 7 Mar 1917 she was commanded by Willy Petz

                                Her career spanned 2 patrols between 15 Jan 1917 and 12 Mar 1917 with the IV Flotilla. She claimed 4 ships sunk with a total of 20,225 tons and 1 ship damaged with a total of 7,608 tons.

                                • 26 Jan 1917 Dicax 923 nw
                                • 6 Feb 1917 Cliftonian 4,303 br
                                • 6 Feb 1917 Explorer (damaged) 7,608 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 California 8,669 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 Vedamore 6,330 br

                                She was presumed foundered in the North Sea on or after 7th March 1917 with 38 dead (all hands lost). She had been recorded sunk by gunfire from Q-Ship Privet at 50°02’N 4°13’W, but this attack was against UC 68 which was not sunk in the action.

                                There was another U 85 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 10 Apr 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 7 Jun 1941.

                                John Doran


                                23rd Oct 1916   Heavy rain. A & B Co. 18th DLI moved back into bivouac, on account of enemy shelling. Brigade HQ in Quanny was shelled, 93rd Brigade then moved to new HQ near Sailly Church.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                23rd Oct 1916 Ship Sunk  HMS Genista, launched 26 February 1916 was sunk by German submarine U-57 in the Atlantic, whilst minesweeping off the west coast of Ireland. Genista sank rapidly and out of 73 crew, only 12 survived.

                                Oct 1916 Envy  "Tuesday.The weather has turned a little colder but before that the heat was intense and mosquitos etc have been very annoying. My arms are simply one mass of bites, but thanks to my medicine chest the pain has been relieved. I had a long chat yesterday with Love. He seems to be fairly happy and optimistic and we have arranged a little evening together when we go back to rest next time. I am afraid it takes very little to excite one out here and even the prospect of an evening in some shelled village with bacon and eggs and very very mild beer causes as much pleasure as a real bash at home. Streeter was the lucky recipient of the Military Medal and everybody envies him his bit of ribbon. He takes his honour most modestly, I assure you." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                24th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers prepare to attack  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers undertake reconnaissance to prepare for an attack on Pys and on to Achiet-le-Petit. The advance is postponed because of appalling weather conditions.

                                24th October 1916 Battery Zones  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a certain amount of movement in our zone which extends from just south of Clonmel Copse to just north of Zwarteleen. The Battery zones being in order from the north A236, B236, C236 and D238.

                                War Diaries


                                25th October 1916 Minewerfen Activity   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very little activity. C180 Battery is added to Right Brigade. This Battery commanded Major Digby. Left Brigade of 23rd RA consists of remainder of 180 Brigade RFA under the command of Major Stebbing. Right Brigade HQ shifted to Lille Gate. Considerable minewerfen (mortar) activity by the enemy from about 1200 to 1500. Batteries fired in retaliation. Nothing else of much importance.

                                War Diaries


                                25th Oct 1916 First leave for 106th Coy RE   106th Coy Royal Engineers first leave after marching for 12 miles in pouring rain, all wet through. 8 Days Leave

                                25th Oct 1916   18th DLI are at Sailly Au Bois. Rainy, quiet day. Enemy shelled battery positions & road.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                26th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers ordered to Warloy  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are ordered to move to Warloy via Bouzincourt and Senlis.

                                26th October 1916 Retaliation Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very quiet day. Batteries only fired in retaliation.

                                War Diaries


                                26th October 1916 Naval Action in Dover Strait 1916  The First Battle of Dover Strait occurred on 26,27 October 1916. Two and a half flotillas of German torpedo boats launched a raid into the Dover Strait in an attempt to destroy Allied shipping. Upon approaching the barrage, the German torpedo boats were challenged by the British destroyer HMS Flirt. The Germans were able to destroy Flirt and successfully assault the barrage's drifters, but a flotilla of British destroyers was sent to repel them. The Germans were able to fight off the additional British units before successfully withdrawing. The British had lost one destroyer, a transport, and several drifters while the Germans themselves suffered only minor damage to a single torpedo boat.

                                Background

                                In October 1916, the Flanders Flotilla was reinforced by two full torpedo boat flotillas. The transfer of the 3rd and 9th Torpedo Boat Flotillas altered the balance of power in the Dover Strait. The Flanders Flotilla had not attacked the Dover Patrol in several months and as a result British defences were quite lax in the area. With his newly acquired flotillas, the Flanders Flotilla's commander — Ludwig von Schroeder — decided to launch a raid in the Dover Strait. Although the British had prohibited transports from being in the Channel at night in anticipation of a German raid, the Dover Barrage was not prepared to meet such an attack. Facing Schroeder's 23 boats, the Dover Barrage was only guarded by the old destroyer HMS Flirt, the yacht Ombra, and the naval trawler H. E. Straud. The four divisions of drifters manning the barrage's anti-submarine nets were only armed with a single rifle each for defence. In addition to the forces guarding the Barrage, there were six Tribal-class destroyers at Dover that could be called upon in the event of a raid.

                                Battle

                                The German boats split into five groups with each group attacking a different section of the shipping in the channel. The German 5th Half Flotilla sailed into the Dover Barrage. They came into contact with five drifters of the 10th Drifter Division tending the anti-submarine nets and began attacking them. Hearing gunfire, Flirt — the drifters' escort — approached and challenged the vessels. The German boats responded to the British signal with a similar signal. Confused, Flirt's commander thought they were Allied destroyers and that the drifters had been attacked by a submarine. An open boat was launched from Flirt to help rescue survivors from the sinking drifters. The German boats then turned their attention to the destroyer and attacked taking her completely by surprise. Flirt unsuccessfully attempted to ram one of the German boats and was sunk by gunfire and torpedoes. The Germans continued to attack the barrage, sinking two drifters each from the 8th and 16th Drifter Divisions. In all, a total of six drifters were sunk and three others were damaged, as well as the trawler H. E. Straud, before the Fifth Half-Flotilla withdrew. When the British received news of the German raid, they sent six Tribal-class destroyers — HMS Amazon, Mohawk, Viking, Tartar, Cossack and Nubian — to attempt to repel the German raiders. The British Commander Henry Oliphant of the Viking failed to keep his force compact as a single unit. He deployed his destroyers in two loose groups, one consisting of Viking, Mohawk, and Tartar and the other Nubian, Amazon and Cossack. The destroyer Nubian soon steamed far ahead of her group, and was the first of the dispatched vessels to reach the scene of Flirt's sinking. Meanwhile another half flotilla of German boats had caught the empty British transport Queen off Goodwin Sands as it returned from the French coast. The Germans boarded Queen and removed her crew before sinking her.

                                Nubian made the same mistake as Flirt and mistook the German boats for Allied vessels. Surprised with a hail of gunfire, Nubian attempted to ram the last boat in the German line of battle, but was struck by a torpedo that blew off her bow reducing her to a drifting hulk. Amazon and Cossack soon arrived to aid Nubian and began engaging the German boats. The Germans scored several hits on Amazon before withdrawing. The German 18th Half Flotilla was heading back to Zeebrugge when it met with Oliphant's group of destroyers, engaging them as they passed. Although Viking escaped unscathed, Mohawk suffered several hits before the Germans were able to break away. Near the end of the action, Reginald Bacon — the commander of the Dover Patrol — dispatched the Dunkirk Division to intercept the German torpedo boats, but the Germans were able to successfully withdraw before these further reinforcements arrived.

                                Aftermath

                                The British had failed to stop the raiders from destroying the drifters and six of them were sunk in addition to Flirt and the transport Queen. Besides those vessels that were sunk, several British vessels were damaged, including three destroyers, three drifters, and a naval trawler. The loss of life was also heavy with the British suffering 45 men killed, four wounded, and 10 taken prisoner. Of the German torpedo boats, only SMS G91 suffered any damage and no German vessel suffered any casualties. The success of the raid would spur further German sorties into the English Channel and raids continued until the Flanders Flotilla's 3rd and 9th Torpedo Boat Flotillas were redeployed to the High Seas Fleet in November 1916.

                                John Doran


                                26th Oct 1916   18th Durhams vacated billets at Sailly Au Bois and relieved 18th West Yorks in Left Sub Sector Hebuterne. Relief complete 2.0pm. Very wet and trenches in very muddy condition. A & B Coys front line, D & C Coys Right & Left Support. Enemy used gas & tear shells.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                26th Oct 1916 On the Move  "I am afraid some of my letters to you have gone astray; several other fellows seem to have suffered likewise. We have been on the move now for practically three weeks and are now in another part of the line: thank goodness too as our last position was one not to be envied. Of course now we are safely out of it, it has been an experience never wanted again. Love is getting quite himself again. Our trip here has been very interesting through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, and the fact that we were leaving Hell behind us also helped to cheer us up. I am afraid this battalion is ‘Bankers’ only in name now and all the strange faces make one’s surroundings very different from what they were." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                27th October 1916 Interpreter Joins Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a Belgian interpreter was attached to the Brigade. The French interpreter M Chapaur returned after being away for some weeks with a French Corps Headquarters. Very quiet day.

                                War Diaries


                                27th Oct 1916 200th Seige Battery proceed to France.  200th Siege Battery, RGA left Southampton on 27th of Oct 1916 bound for Le Havre.

                                27th Oct 1916   18th DLI are at Hebuterne Heavy rain and Mutual Trench Mortar activity. At 7.30pm a raid was attempted with the co-operation of artillery by 16th West Yorks, through lines of Battalion on our right. 2Lt Turner wounded (shell shock)

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                28th October 1916 Minenwerfers Silenced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very quiet day until about 1400, when the hostile minenwerfers (mortars) showed some activity but were effectively silenced by our Howitzer Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                28th October 1916 Hospital ship  

                                HMHS Galeka alongside Britannic

                                SS Galeka was a steam ship originally built for the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, but requisitioned for use as a British troop transport and then a hospital ship during the First World War. On 28 October 1916 she hit a mine laid by the German U-boat UC-26.

                                Owner: Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company. Builder: Harland and Wolff, Belfast. Yard number: 347. Launched: 21 October 1899. Completed: 23 December 1899. Fate: Hit a mine laid by German U-boat UC-26 on 28 October 1916.

                                General characteristics

                                Tonnage: 6,767 gtn. Length: 440 ft.(130 m), Beam: 53 ft (16 m). Speed: 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h).

                                History.

                                The ship was the last vessel to enter service before the merge between the Union and Castle shipping lines. She served on the South Africa route until the First World War when she was used by the UK as a troop transport, carrying troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps to the Gallipoli Campaign. Galeka was then refitted as a hospital ship with accommodation for 366 wounded passengers.

                                • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                • Medical Staff strength.
                                • Officers:8
                                • Nurses:10
                                • Other:54
                                • Accommodation capacity.
                                • Officers:
                                • Cots:254
                                • Berths:112
                                • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                • Date From:22nd June 1915
                                • Date To:28th October 1916
                                • Ships Crew details:

                                Sinking.

                                On 28 October 1916, while entering Le Havre HMHS Galeka struck a mine. She was not carrying patients at the time, but 19 Royal Army Medical Corps personnel died in the sinking. She was beached at Cap la Hogue, but was a total loss, Union-Castle's first war casualty.

                                John Doran


                                28th Oct 1916   18th Durhams are at Hebuterne "Wet, Quiet day on the whole. Four fighting patrols from 92nd Brigade went out through our lines. None of the enemy were encountered. Enemy shelled Battalion HQ. Medical Aid Post blown in."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                29th October 1916 Some hostile Minewerfens  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery.: Nothing of very great importance. Some hostile minewerfens (mortars).

                                War Diaries


                                29th October 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL13

                                • First Flight: 29th October 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,780 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 90 km/h
                                • Payload: 20.5 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Army airship based at Leipzig. It was considered unfit for combat duty and used for training purposes only. It was badly damaged when it's hangar collapsed because of heavy snow and struck off on the 8th February 1917.

                                John Doran


                                29th Oct 1916   18th Durhams are at Hebuterne. Heavy rain all day. Enemy retaliated to our artillery. Seven men wounded. 2 Fighting Patrols consisting of 1 Officer and 30 OR from B & C Coys went out on our Left and Right to obtain an identification in No Mans Land. No trace of enemy found at all, our artillery having fired on enemy wire and in front of it. No casualties.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                30th October 1916 Considerable Minenwerfer Activity.   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report General Gorringe called at HQ in the morning. Nothing of any importance occurred. Very little activity with artillery, but considerable minenwerfer (mortar) activity.

                                War Diaries


                                30th Oct 1916   Fine in morning and heavy rain in afternoon. 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry are relieved at Hebuterne by 12th Yorks and Lancs. Relief complete about 3.30pm. Moved into billets at Rossignol Farm. Men's feet in fair condition.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                31st Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers join Brigade exercises  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers move from Warloy to Herissart, via Vadencourt and Contay for a period of training and brigade exercises.

                                31st October 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record a Quiet day. Very little firing by Batteries except for a little retaliation by C/180 Battery. GOCRA Corps went round Batteries in afternoon.

                                War Diaries


                                31st Oct 1916   18th DLI are at Rossignol Farm. Dull & showery, day spent cleaning up etc.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                Oct 1916 Artillery  "Saturday. And yet another move. I am now one of those forming a prison guard just behind the lines. The captives are kept here until a sufficient number have arrived to march down to the internment camps. The position is not exactly an enviable one. Our artillery are all around us and Mr Fritz with his artillery keeps trying to find ours. Notwithstanding the noise, however, I managed to get a fair night’s sleep last night in a disused trench. The weather today is very nice and bright but yesterday was very miserable and the mud made the roads very nearly impassable. It was very fortunate that you sent out my spare glasses as a short while ago I lost my other pair in the dark. Perhaps when next time you are sending along a parcel you had better send my third pair. I also had the misfortune to lose my wrist watch, but am waiting until I get into a town again to replace it. I took it off to wash and came away without it; needless to say when I returned it had gone. There is a cheap metal watch in my cash box, does it go? If it does you might send that along too. I expect I have forgotten several birthdays of relatives since out here, I hope they will all forgive me. I shall not forget one date even if I am here for years: i.e. our wedding day. Love wishes to be kindly remembered to you. I have just been over to his dugout to borrow some cigarettes as I came away from camp yesterday and forgot to buy any. England seems to have succeeded at last in solving the Zeppelin problem. Now they have accounted for these perhaps the Zepps will not be such frequent visitors." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                1st Nov 1916 BRF Beddington opens.  Box Repair Factory Beddington, Croyden, Surrey started in November 1916 with first output in early 1917. Production was repairing bomb and grenade boxes. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st November 1916 Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Ypres, Lille Gate. Quiet day on the whole. Considerable trench mortar activity on our left. Batteries fired in registration only.

                                War Diaries


                                1st November 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                November included some terrible weather with torrential rain, bitterly cold east winds and some snow. Mufflers and woollen gloves from home were eagerly sought after and leather lined jerkins were issued. Great efforts were made to equip the men’s huts with stoves and beds. A recreation and reading room was established with two fireplaces so that men returning cold and wet from work in the trenches had a place to get properly dried.

                                The real mud of Flanders was making any movement of equipment extremely difficult and ongoing work from October was now doubly difficult. With the heavy rains, what had until then been a friendly stream helping to drain the surrounding area, now became a deadly foe flooding dugouts and communication trenches. As a result hygiene problems were caused by the lack of natural drainage flow.

                                Casualties recorded: November Nil

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st November 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ82 (L36)

                                • Production Ref: LZ82
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L36
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight:1st November 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out 20 flights around the North Sea and England, including four reconnaissance missions. It was damaged during a landing in fog at Rehben-an-der-Aller on the 7th February 1917 and decommissioned.

                                John Doran


                                1st Nov 1916 7th Btn Royal Irish Fusiliers at Kemmel  7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers is at Kemmel then in December moved to Wyschaete. Jan 1917 saw it in the Kemmel and Hazebrouck sectors, then by July 1917 it was at Steenvorde on the Franco-Belgian border.

                                1st Nov 1916   18th durhams report from Rossignol Farm "Dull & cloudy, slight rain. Practice of raiding parties started. Big working parties for trenches required. Only one case of trench foot. 2Lt Bradford re-joined & posted to C Coy. 30 reinforcements distributed."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                2nd November 1916 Light Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Light bad in the morning for registration. Some trench mortar and artillery activity displayed on our front about 1300. D236 Battery fired in retaliation for this.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd Nov 1916   200th Siege Battery reached Le Havre on 2nd of November having sailed from Southampton and went straight up to the line at Loos.

                                3rd November 1916 Heavy Hostile Trench Mortar Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record a Quiet day until about 1530 when there was heavy hostile trench mortar activity on the right portion of our front (Davison Street, Winnipeg St, Crab Crawl and Sanctuary Wood). Batteries fired in retaliation and ultimately stopped the enemy's fire.

                                War Diaries


                                4th November 1916 Trench Mortars Silenced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report that at about 1620 the enemy fired some trench mortars on Crab Crawl but was stopped by the retaliation of C180 Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                4th November 1916   SM U-20

                                Type U 19 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 14) Ordered 25 Nov 1910 Laid down 7 Nov 1911 Launched 18 Dec 1912 Commissioned 5 Aug 1913.
                                Commanders.
                                5 Aug 1913 - 15 Dec 1914 Otto Dröscher 16 Dec 1914 - 4 Nov 1916 Walther Schwieger

                                Career 7 patrols 1 Aug 1914 - 4 Nov 1916 III Flotilla.
                                Successes 37 ships sunk with a total of 145,830 tons. 2 ships damaged with a total of 2,643 tons. (View ships hit by U 20)

                                • 30 Jan 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Ikaria 4,335 br
                                • 30 Jan 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Oriole 1,489 br
                                • 30 Jan 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Tokomaru 6,084 br
                                • 7 Mar 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Bengrove 3,840 br
                                • 9 Mar 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Princess Victoria 1,108 br
                                • 11 Mar 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Florazan 4,658 br
                                • 5 May 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Earl Of Lathom 132 br
                                • 6 May 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Candidate 5,858 br
                                • 6 May 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Centurion 5,495 br
                                • 7 May 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Lusitania 30,396 br
                                • 8 Jul 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Marion Lightbody 2,176 ru
                                • 9 Jul 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Ellesmere 1,170 br
                                • 9 Jul 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Leo 2,224 ru
                                • 9 Jul 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Meadowfield 2,750 br
                                • 13 Jul 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Lennok 1,142 ru
                                • 2 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Roumanie 2,599 br
                                • 3 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Frode 1,875 da
                                • 4 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Hesperian 10,920 br
                                • 5 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Dictator 4,116 br
                                • 5 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Douro 1,604 br
                                • 5 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Rhea 1,145 ru
                                • 6 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Guatemala 5,913 fr
                                • 7 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Bordeaux 4,604 fr
                                • 7 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Caroni 2,652 br
                                • 8 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Mora 3,047 br
                                • 30 Apr 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Bakio 1,906 sp
                                • 1 May 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Bernadette 486 fr
                                • 2 May 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Ruabon 2,004 br
                                • 3 May 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Marie Molinos 1,946 fr
                                • 6 May 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Galgate 2,356 br
                                • 8 May 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Cymric 13,370 br
                                • 1 Aug 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Aaro 2,603 br
                                • 29 Aug 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Ibo (damaged) 397 pt
                                • 26 Sep 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Thelma 1,002 br
                                • 18 Oct 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Ethel Duncan 2,510 br
                                • 23 Oct 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Arromanches 1,640 fr
                                • 23 Oct 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Chieri 4,400 it
                                • 23 Oct 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Felix Louis 275 fr
                                • 26 Oct 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Fabian(damaged) 2,246 br

                                Fate 4 Nov 1916 - Grounded at 5633N 0808E on the Danish coast and blown up by her crew the next day.

                                On 7 May, 1915 U 20 (Kptlt. Walther Schwieger) torpedoed the British liner RMS Lusitania. She sank in 18 minutes, taking 1195 lives with her, including 123 Americans. This sinking pushed the Americans slightly closer to declaring war on Germany, but that would not take place until April 1917.

                                There was another U 20 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 14 Jan 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 1 Feb 1936.

                                John Doran


                                5th November 1916 Retaliation Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Fairly quiet day. Some minenwerfers (mortars) were fired and the Batteries only fired in retaliation.

                                War Diaries


                                5th November 1916 Naval Action - 5th November 1916  The Naval Action on the 5th November 1916 was fought between a Royal Navy submarine and a dreadnought squadron of the Imperial German Navy. It took place in the months after the Battle of Jutland and is significant as it signalled a major shift in German naval policy.

                                Background

                                On the 2nd November 1916, the German U-boat U-30 suffered a mechanical failure while patrolling off the Norwegian coast. She sent a distress signal which was answered by U-20 returning from patrol around Ireland. They met and both U-boats set off for the Danish coast where they were to be met off the Bovsberg Light. The British meanwhile had intercepted this wireless traffic and dispatched a destroyer force to intercept them, but were unsuccessful. However, on the 4th November, both U-boats went aground during the evening fog. The German Admiralty were concerned that the Danes would intern the two U-boats or that the British would find them. They were also mindful of the reputation of U-20 and her skipper who were responsible for the sinking of the ocean Lusitania. Admiral Scheer dispatched a salvage group, with a cover force comprising destroyers of the 4th Half-Flotilla and the battlecruiser SMS Moltke. These were followed by four dreadnoughts of 3rd Battle Squadron (SMS König, Grosser Kurfürst, Kronprinz and Markgraf). This move was also detected by the British, who alerted the submarine HMS J1, which was on patrol in the area. On the evening of 5 November, J1 encountered the Battle squadron and was in a position to attack.

                                Action

                                On the 5th November, J1 was submerged on patrol in the North Sea, 30 miles south-west of Horns Reef. Her skipper, Commander NF Laurence, had been alerted to the approach of the German forces and, at 1150 in heavy seas, he spotted the four dreadnoughts of 3rd Battle Squadron only 2 miles away. Laurence went deeper to manoeuvre into a firing position, but on returning to periscope depth, he found that the dreadnoughts had altered course and were moving away. Surfacing to take advantage of J1's higher surface speed, but risking detection by the Squadron's destroyer escort, Laurence again moved into a firing position and at 1208 dived to launch four torpedoes. Two of these hit, striking Grosser Kurfurst astern and Kronprinz on the bow. Both were damaged, but were able to return to base under their own steam. J1 had not been detected by any of the screening destroyers during her approach and they were unable to make an effective counterattack. Laurence remained submerged until 1430 and on surfacing found the area was clear. The two damaged dreadnoughts were able to return to base, but both were under repair in drydocks for several months. The other German forces were able to return to base without further incident. U-30 was also able to return to base, but U-20 was unrecoverable and was scuttled to avoid capture. Laurence was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order for this action.

                                Aftermath

                                Following this action, Scheer came under criticism from Pless, the Naval chief of staff, and the Kaiser himself, who felt that risking so many capital ships of the High Seas Fleet and having two dreadnoughts put out of action, for the sake of two U-boats, was inappropriate. However, Scheer defended himself robustly, stating that it was imperative to give the men of the U-boat arm the fullest possible support. He also stated that Germany's naval strategy should be to concentrate all her efforts on the U-boat offensive. Henceforth the main role of the German surface fleet should be to ensure the safety of the U-boat force. It was a major demonstration of the shift in German naval policy to the war on commerce by her U-boat arm.

                                John Doran


                                6th November 1916 Reorganisation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Nothing much in the morning. B236 spotted German's minenwerfer (mortars) in the afternoon. It was decided that 236th Brigade should be reorganised into two six gun batteries and two four gun Howitzer Batteries.

                                War Diaries


                                6th Nov 1916 Winter Clothing  "Ever so many thanks for the parcel to hand yesterday. The socks fit splendidly and are ever so comfortable. The tobacco is very good too: it’s a brand I have never heard of before but is an awfully good smoke. Will you please send a few more hankies. There is absolutely no chance of washing them and one has to last a long time. We are quite equipped for the winter now and you should see me in full war paint. Gum boots up to the waist and heavy leather jacket over tunic with cap comforter under tin hat. We are in a wood just at present. The Hun fortunately doesn’t shell us much and we have some very decent dugouts. Mine in fact is one of the best I have I have had out here as you can stand up in it, the height of luxury I assure you. I won’t say anything about the mud as that is beyond description. One is very seldom able to keep on one’s feet for very long at a spell. The only topic of conversation in the camp is England and our respective prospects of leave. Oh that this fearful war would end soon and let us be together as is our right. The more one sees the more hopeless and complicated things appear, yet everyone out here should be glad to be alive even as we see so many leaving us and all further earthly joys behind them just when they are beginning to enjoy life in early manhood: all for what purpose I cannot comprehend. How often I dream of you would be surprised, but to awake to realities is like a nightmare. Your loving hubby, Harry." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                7th November 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Practically nothing happened all day.

                                War Diaries


                                7th Nov 1916 200 Siege Bty join 31st HAG  200th Siege Battery joined 31st Heavy Artillery Group (HAG) on 7 Nov 16

                                7th Nov 1916   18th DLI, vacated billets at Rossignol Farm and occupied Left Sub Sector Hebuterne. Battalion HQ in the same place in Hebuterne. A & B Coys Right & Left Front. D & C Coys R & L Support. Relieved 14th Yorks & Lancs.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                8th November 1916 Slight Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report A little shelling took place on the German side but very little happened otherwise.

                                War Diaries


                                8th Nov 1916 HMS Zulu disabled  HMS Zulu was a Tribal class Destroyer, built by Hawthorn Leslie and launched 16th September 1909. She served out of Dover throughout the war and was disabled by a mine off Dover on the 8th of November 1916.

                                8th Nov 1916   18th DLI are at Hebuterne. Wet. Trenches in very bad condition. Mud waist deep. Rations etc carried up over the top.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                8th Nov 1916 Trench Waders  "Will you please send for a pair of Anderson’s trench waders as advertised in London Opinion (advert enclosed). The water is very bad indeed here, and I think they look as if they will combat the evil of trench feet. You might also send me two or three blank cheques and two 10/- notes for remainder of enclosed cheque. The mud and rain the last few days have been terrible. PS It’s just possible that the Rubber Co Palmerston Ltd might stock them but I want them to fit inside boots, not over" Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                9th November 1916 Battery Visit  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Major General Gorringe came round the Batteries in the afternoon. Very quiet day and only about five minenwerfers (mortars) were fired by the enemy, all of them coming from Clonmel Copse.

                                War Diaries


                                9th November 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ75 (L37)

                                • Production Ref: LZ75
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L37
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 9th November 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out 17 reconnaissance missions around the North and Baltic Seas,also England. Completed 4 raids dropping a total of 6,450 kilograms (14,220 lb) of bombs. Retired on 24 December 1917 and transferred to Japan in 1920 (disassembled).

                                John Doran


                                9th November 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL12

                                • First Flight: 9th November 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,780 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 86.4 km/h
                                • Payload: 21 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Navy airship based at Ahlhorn. Obsolete in design before completion, this ship only flew reconnaissance missions. It was badly damaged after hitting a gasometer near it's hangar and decommisioned on the 28th December 1916.

                                John Doran


                                9th Nov 1916   18th Durhams are at Hebuterne. Rain. Trenches in Front Line practically impassable. Enemy shelled HQ 7.30pm. No damage done.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                10th Nov 1916   18th DLI report from Hebuterne "Fairer. Artillery on both sides quiet all day."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                11th November 1916 Firing at Intervals  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Morning quiet. At 1500 the enemy opened fire of Crab Crawl with Trench Mortars and rifle grenades. We retaliated but the enemy continued firing at intervals until 1730.

                                War Diaries


                                11th Nov 1916   18th DLI relieved at Hebuterne by 18th West Yorks. Relief complete 3.55pm. Only one casualty entering the town. Battalion moved into huts & shelters in the Dell, Sailly. Men's feet in poor condition.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                12th November 1916 Engineers Advise  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report OC. 128 Field Company went round all positions in the morning to advise on drainage and points in construction. Current Observation Point was also visited re continuation of Observation Point on the roof. The situation was normal until 1500 when Trench Mortar activity spread from the right onto our lines, but as before enemy did not give up until 1725 in spite of sharp retaliation.

                                War Diaries


                                12th Nov 1916   18th DLI are at The Dell. Cloudy day but no rain. Whole Battalion out on carrying parties in Hebuterne. Men's feet much improved during the night. Very few Trench Feet. Battalion in reserve under orders to turn out at 20 minutes notice. 2Lts Hill, Weddell & Bushell and 50 ORs formed Smoke Barrage party proceeded to Front Line Trenches 6.15pm.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                13th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers return to Warloy  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers return to thier old billets at Warloy.

                                13th November 1916 Visibility Good  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Visibility good resulting as usual in comparative inactivity of hostile Trench Mortars. A236 Battery fired on and dispersed several working parties. A236 Battery carried out a registration of the zone sub group. Our aeroplanes were active and one hostile machine came over at 1400 but soon veered off. Major P F Clifton went to B235 Battery on order of Commander RA.

                                War Diaries


                                13th Nov 1916   18th Battalion DLI are still standing to. Smoke Barrage party returned as they were un-needed. 92nd Brigade attacked German positions S.E. of Hebuterne at 5.45am.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                14th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers back in front line  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers go back to the line via Bouzincourt, Aveluy and Crucifix Corner, guided by 16th Rifle Brigade. B coy take up position in Schwaben Redoubt with the remainder of the battalion in the former German front line, in support of 19 Division, while remainder of 32 Division moved north to Beaumont-Hamel for an attack from the wagon road (this was abandoned because of mud). During this period, the Battalion recovered and buried its dead from 1st of July.

                                14th November 1916 Intermittent Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: During the morning intermittent shelling took place at Sanctuary Wood, Maple Copse, Lille Gate and Ypres with 77 mm and 4.2 inch guns. Batteries fired back at Clonmel and continued registration. At 1400 hostile Trench Mortars were active on the Right. Activity spread to our zone at 1605. We retaliated with fifty 4.5 inch and eighty 18 pounder guns in sharp bursts, until the enemy was silenced at 1700. Six men seen J.20.d.7.4 dressed in blue uniform dispersed. Six men in sap Jige 10.55 were Stokes Mortared and strafed with 18 pounders. They ran back along the sap. Considerable movement of men and vehicles on road J.21.a.1.7 to J.27.a.0.5. A squad of men were seen at Tower Hamlets, but disappeared quickly.

                                War Diaries


                                14th Nov 1916   18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry vacated The Dell, HQ, A & B Coys moved into bivouacs on Bus - Courcelles. C & D Coys moved into billets at Rossignol Farm. A & B Coys came under orders of 94th Brigade for reinforcing, again under orders to get ready on alarm, to turn out at 20 minutes notice. Battalion supplying working parties for XIII Corps.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                16th November 1916 Visibility Excellent  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Visibility excellent bringing unusual district shelling. Hostile aeroplanes were again active and more daring. During the afternoon level crossing I.21.d 4.5, Shrapnel Corner, Hell Fire Corner and Zillebeke were shelled with 77 mm and 4.2 inch guns. Enemy artillery generally unusually active. Proposed bombardment of I.30.b.8.0 fell through owing to a failure of communication.

                                War Diaries


                                17th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers rejoin Brigade  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are withdrawn from the Schwaben Redoubt and move to Mailly-Maillet to rejoin the Brigade, now in support of the Division.

                                17th November 1916 A Very Satisfactory Shoot  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Several Trench Mortar emplacements were registered. At 1130 bombardment of I.30.b.8.0 trench was carried out by D236 Battery, our infantry being cleared. There were no duds and it was a very satisfactory shoot. Several hits were obtained with trench boards, pieces of wood and revetment being blown through the air. The enemy's work was wrecked. Fifty eight rounds were fired all being observed from the front line. (Note: Revetment is the general lining of trench floors and walls including fire stepping and duckboards).

                                War Diaries


                                17th Nov 1916   At Courcelles 18th DLI carried out Inter Company relief, C & D Coys came out to bivouacs, A & B Coys moved into billets. Weather very cold, men in better condition after period of rest.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                18th Nov 1916 Enemy attack  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers ordered to stand-to owing to enemy attack. They return to billets.

                                18th November 1916 Poor Visibility  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility was poor generally. 4.2 inch guns were active in the morning on usual spots. Some activity with Trench Mortars on both sides near Hill 60 and The Dump. Bombardment of the Snout at 1630 by 18 pounders provoked no retaliation. 40% of Heavy Artillery shells were duds.

                                War Diaries


                                18th Nov 1916 In action  200th Siege Battery manned their 6" howitzers in gunpits at Mazingarbe.

                                18th Nov 1916 125th Heavy Brigade RGA convert  125th Heavy Battery, RGA convert into a 6 gun battery, gaining 2 guns from 174th Bty.

                                18th Nov 1916 Snow in Ypres Sector  20th Durhams report that it is very cold and snowing. Fighting dimishes but still casualties. They report the Battalion strength as 29 officers and 828 men.

                                18th Nov 1916 Great Battle Ends  After 141 days of fighting the Battle of the Somme came to an end.

                                19th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers become Divisional Reserve  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers become Divisional reserve, at Ellis Square, attached to 14 Brigade. A and D coys go into the line to support 1st Btn Dorset Regiment.

                                19th November 1916 Battery Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. report from Ypres. Registration for a special operation was carried out in the morning. Our Trench Mortars and artillery were active all day. At 2210 enemy Trench Mortars retaliated but stopped at once on our firing salvoes into Clonmel Copse. At 1550 Trench Mortars were active again. Our retaliation at first was ineffective because it was too dispersed. A second retaliation of well grouped Howitzers and 18 pounders effectively silenced the enemy. Enemy Trench Mortars fired from about J.19.c.2.4 and I.30.b.6.0.

                                War Diaries


                                19th November 1916 33rd Battalion Order No 14  33rd Battalion Order No 14 Headquarters, 33 Bn AIF, 19th November, 1916

                                MOVE The 33rd Battalion will entrain at Amesbury station loading dock (down side line ) on Tuesday 21st inst. as per timetable issued with this order.

                                CAMP Attention is directed to R.O. No.116 of 18.11.16. and to circular memorandum No. 24 a copy of which has been issued to all Officers. These instructions must be carried out in every detail.

                                ARRIVAL TIME AT AMESBURY STATION OC (Officer in charge of) trains will arrange that troops and transport will arrive at AMESBURY station at the following times before trains are due to start. Dismounted troops baggage with fatigues, 1 1/2 hours Dismounted troops, 1 hour All animals, 1 1/2 hours.

                                RULE OF ROAD From Amesbury village to the station troops are to keep to the right side of the road in order to leave entrance to station clear for ordinary traffic.

                                FATIGUE PARTIES All fatigue parties to be entrained in rear passenger coaches so they can assist at the docks if necessary. OC trains will detail their own fatigue parties in accordance with "Instructions for entrainment and embarkation, Part 1."

                                ANIMALS All animals will be fed and watered before leaving. They will be entrained saddled and harnessed but before being loaded they must have (a) bits out (b) head ropes down ready for fastening (c) traces hitched up.

                                WAGGONS Wagons to be a properly sheeted and tied before leaving camp. No chaff or hay to be on open trucks, limbers etc.

                                OC TRAINS OC Trains have been appointed as follows: First train - Major RJA Massie Second train - Captain GH Linklater Third train - Major HF White

                                These officers will report to R.T.O. (Railway Transport Officer - later Railway Traffic Officer) before troops are taken on to station.

                                RAIL WARRANTS OC Trains must hand in at Amesbury station a warrant to cover journey from Amesbury to docks. These warrants can be exchanged on application to Battalion headquarters.

                                LATRINE The Pioneer section will dig Latrines which are to be screened. These will be filled in after troops have gone under arrangements which have been made by Superintending Officer, Details. Troops must use these latrines only.

                                OFICERS' BAGGAGE This must not exceed the proper weight (55 lbs) and must be stacked in vehicle shed by 7 AM on Tuesday 21st.

                                ROLL CALL Careful roll call must be made before each trainload leaves Battalion lines, and carefully checked with Company Nominal Rolls. A marching out state will then be handed in to adjutant showing no. of officers, other ranks, animals, four wheel and two wheel vehicles marching out.

                                DRESS Full marching order, two blankets per man rolled in waterproof sheet and secured to pack with ends hanging down on either side. Greatcoats will be worn.

                                MEN FALLING OUT. All officers will carry "falling out permits" and keep a careful record of all men who fall out in the line of march.

                                R.C.Jones, Second Lieut. Adjutant, 33rd Battalion AIF ---------------------------------------------------------- The following is the distribution list to the various trains:-

                                First train No. X103 Troops to reach Amesbury Station at 6.50 am; train leaves Amesbury 7.50 am; train leaves Southampton 9.35 am. 12 officers 334 other ranks

                                Second train No. X105 Troops to reach Amesbury Station at 8.15 am; train leaves Amesbury 9.15 am; train leaves Southampton 11.00 am. 12 officers 331 other ranks

                                Third train No. X107 Troops to reach Amesbury Station at 10.00am; train leaves Amesbury 11.00 am; train leaves Southampton 12.00 am. 10 officers 333 other ranks

                                FIRST TRAIN

                                Major Massie; Lt. Duncan; Capts. Rosenthal, Hinton, Douglas; Lts. Fraser, Cormack, Duesbury, Clarence, Coombs; Capt. Sorenson; Chaplain Richmond; RQMS (Regimental quartermaster sergeant); Sgt. Garrett; 8 drivers 1st line transport; Band (17); AMG Details (7); Pioneers (11); Signallers (17); Band Cos. (10); A Byrne; J Handley; A Cantwell; JF Ellis; HJ Judge; T Mikburn, NS Lloyd; JP McGuire

                                SECOND TRAIN

                                Capt. Linklater; Lts. Fry, Cohen, Stockham, Saunders, Fletcher, Chapman; Capt. Craigio;Lts. Lark, Armstrong; DADMS (Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services); Pte T Cartwright (HQ); Dvrs. T Smith, R Milne, OD Blackadder, J Fairburn; 1 cook from each Co. as brakes men; Dvrs. T Keating, CW McGuire, CR Grood, EB Blackadder, H Lee, 2 drivers 1st line transport HQ.

                                THIRD TRAIN

                                MAJOR HF White; Lts. TW Tollis, McKenzie, King, Smith, Harman; CO; Adjutant; Quartermaster; Lt. Lazer; RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major); Sgt. Cook; S/Sgt ORS (other ranks); Sgt. Shoemaker; Armourer Sgt.; Lewis Gun Sgt; Batmen HQ; AW Keith; H Read; A Kinkado; W Pollock; AF Weiderman; 2 drivers 1st line transport.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                20th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieve 15th HLI and 1st Dorsets  16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers relieve 15th Btn Highland Light Infantry. B Coy under Capt W Lunn take over on the right and C coy under Capt W. Smith on the left. Communication with the 1st Dorsets on right and 2nd KOYLI on the left, is very difficult beacuse of the deplorable state of the trenches. A and D coys take over from 1st Dorsets.

                                20th November 1916 New Works  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report B236 and D236 Batteries carried out a registration on new works. D236 reported new work at two points. Enemy shelled I.27.a.9.8 for first time for about three weeks but except for slight Trench Mortar activity at 1500, the enemy was quiet. D236 Battery report 3/29 blind.

                                War Diaries


                                20th November 1916  33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force Routine Order No.116  33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force Routine Order No.116 Lt-Col LJ Morshead Commanding No. 21 Camp, Larkhill, 20th November 1916.

                                Part I Administration.

                                SCOUTS 163 The following have been accepted for the scout platoon:

                                No. 183 L/Sgt C Sinclair No. 2037 Pte LJ Byrne No. 2153 Pte. RE Harrison

                                STRENGTH 164 The undermentioned having been discharged from VD hospital is taken on strength and posted to "A" company. Pay commenced from 20/11/1916.

                                No.45, Pte JH Coleman

                                The following have been struck off the strength from this date

                                :

                                No. 483 Pte FE Morrissey "B" Co Hospital

                                No. 377 Pte G Butler "B" Co Absentee

                                No. 1462 Pte HMS Long "D" Co Absentee

                                No. 1637 Pte O Stowart "A" Co Absentee

                                No. 5686A Pte E Ryan "D" Co Absentee

                                No. 4271A Pte DC Anderson "A" Co Absentee

                                No.10125 Pte CT Gillan "C" Co Hospital

                                No. 5091A Pte JA Pearce "B" Co Hospital

                                No. 518 Pte AH Potts "B" Co Hospital

                                No. 72 Pte G Goodwin "A" Co Hospital

                                The following have been selected to remain behind as a rear party, and are struck off the strength of the Battalion:

                                No.1450 Sgt J Lawman Pioneers

                                No. 587 Pte OD Clarke

                                No. 586 Dvr FW Smith

                                No. 1614 Pte G Watson

                                No. 1519 Pte PE Anshaw "B" Co

                                No. 5108A Pte L Sherman "B" Co

                                No. 852 Pte EAC Paul. "C" Co

                                No. 5051B Pte WSC Hudson "A" Co

                                The undermentioned who are attached to the battalion awaiting transfer, will report to Lt. layton at 6:30 AM on 21 November 1916. The COs who are rationing these men will see that they report.

                                No. 124 Cpl PM McKillop attached to "A" Co

                                No. 5006A Pte J Curtis attached to "A" Co

                                No. 1930 Pte W Bagshaw attached to "A" Co

                                No. 256 Pte TO Jones attached to "A" Co

                                No. 5100A Pte JH Roberts attached to "B" Co

                                No. 2114 Pte GC McLeod attached to "C" Co

                                No. 2103 Pte HA Moodie attached to "C" Co

                                No. 2119. Pte WC Nagel attached to "C" Co

                                No. 2146 Pte Lance Ward attached to "C" Co

                                No. 5061A Pte HJ Mathieson attached to "D" Co

                                Pte Calloway attached to "C" Co

                                TRANSFER 165 The following transfer has been approved:- No. 1092, Cpl A Burkett from "D" Co. To Pioneers

                                GREATCOATS 166 Reference Battalion Order No.14 - that portion re greatcoats is cancelled. greatcoats will not be worn, but will be placed in packs so that it may readily be withdrawn.

                                PROMOTIONS 166 The following promotions have been approved:- A Company

                                No. 77 L/Cpl EG Gess to be Cpl. vice no. 124

                                Cpl DM McKillop struck off strength

                                No. 126 L/Cpl A Young to be Cpl. vice no. 127

                                Cpl AF Mayne reverted to ranks

                                No. 2148 Pte WP Whithill to be L/Cpl to complete establishment

                                No.2 Pte EP Austin to be L/Cpl to complete establishment

                                D Company

                                No. 1266 L/Sgt GD Thomas to be Sgt to complete establishment

                                No. 1245 Cpl WH Simpson to be L/Sgt vice no. 1266L/Sgt GD Thomas promoted

                                No. 2034 Pte LR Boulton to be Cpl vice no. 1245 Cpl WH Simpson promoted

                                No. 1197 L/Cpl TF McMahon to be Cpl to complete establishment

                                No. 1142 Pte WL Harding to be L/Cpl to complete establishment

                                ROUTE 167 Lt. Cohen will proceed to Amesbury and arrive there 6:20 am 21.11.1916 for the purpose of making all preliminary arrangements with RTO for entraining the first draft from this battalion. He will get a copy of states and full particulars of officers, other ranks, animals and vehicles and after entrainment await arrival of second draft with whom he will entrain after handing state to Lt. King. The latter officer will reach Amesbury station at 7:45 am 21.11.1916 and act similarly for second draft and in turn hand both sets of states to the Adjutant who will travel on third train.

                                PIONEER 168 The Pioneer section will move off Battalion Parade Ground at 5 am 21.11.1916 and proceed to Amesbury station, where they arrive at 6:20 am and receive orders as to digging latrines etc. Provision must be made for in erecting temporary canvas screens which will be dismantled after troops have been entrained.

                                STATES169 OC "B" Co and OC Headquarters Sections will hand parade states for their parties or sections to OC Trains on which they are travelling. This must be done before moving off the Battalion Parade Ground at Camp 21.

                                (signed) RG Jones Second Lieutenant Adjutant,33rd Battalion AIF

                                NOTICES

                                The regimental canteen will be closed at 6 pm today and no further purchases can be made after that hour.

                                Cheque for £30.6.6. being amount subscribed by officers, NCOs and men of 33rd battalion towards Lord Kitchener's National Memorial fund, has been forwarded to the Hon. Sec.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary Appendix


                                21st November 1916 Reorganisation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility bad all day which was quiet. A raid attempted at 1130 from Cross Trench against J.19.c.45.55, failed owing to wire not being completely cut by the Bangalore Tube. Contradictory reports led Battalion Commander to stop Artillery Barrage and almost immediately to start it again. This was done very quickly in each case communications being excellent. A full programme was carried out by Artillery after abandonment of raid owing to call wire from Crab Crawl being broken. The semi circular barrage appeared to be very effective. Enemy retaliated with Trench Mortars only on trenches and 77 mm guns behind. Batteries engaged were A180, B236, D236, C188 and A236. Reorganisation of 18 pounder Batteries took place at noon 21st inst. Right Section C236 to B236. Left Section C236 to A236. BQMS continued to draw rations for C/236 men. GOC 47th Division made formal inspection of Wagon Lines. (Bangalore Torpedo-an explosive tube used to clear a path through a wire entanglement)

                                War Diaries


                                21st November 1916 Hospital Ship Lost  

                                Britannic's survivors on HMS Scourge

                                After completing five successful voyages to the Middle Eastern theatre and back to the United Kingdom transporting the sick and wounded, HMHS Britannic departed Southampton for Lemnos at 1423 on the 12th of November 1916, her sixth voyage to the Mediterranean Sea. The Britannic passed Gibraltar around midnight on 15 November and arrived at Naples on the morning of 17th of November, for her usual coaling and water refuelling stop, completing the first stage of her mission.

                                A storm kept the ship at Naples until Sunday afternoon, when Captain Bartlett decided to take advantage of a brief break in the weather and continue on. The seas rose once again just as Britannic left the port. However, by next morning, the storms died and the ship passed the Strait of Messina without problems. Cape Matapan was rounded in the first hours of Tuesday, 21 November. By the morning, Britannic was steaming at full speed into the Kea Channel, between Cape Sounion (the southernmost point of Attica, the prefecture that includes Athens) and the island of Kea. There were a total of 1,066 people on board, mostly made up of the ships crew, wounded soldiers, and medical staff.

                                At 0812 on 21st of November 1916, a loud explosion shook the ship. It is believed to be either a torpedo or a mile from the German submarine U73. The cause, whether it was a torpedo from an enemy submarine or a mine, was not apparent. The reaction in the dining room was immediate. Doctors and nurses left instantly for their posts. Not everybody reacted the same way, as further aft, the power of the explosion was less felt, and many thought the ship had hit a smaller boat. Captain Bartlett and Chief Officer Hume were on the bridge at the time, and the gravity of the situation was soon evident. The explosion was on the starboard side, between holds two and three. The force of the explosion damaged the watertight bulkhead between hold one and the forepeak. The first four watertight compartments were filling rapidly with water also, the firemen's tunnel connecting the firemen's quarters in the bow with boiler room six was seriously damaged, and water was flowing into that boiler room.

                                Bartlett ordered the watertight doors closed, sent a distress signal and ordered the crew to prepare the lifeboats. Along with the damaged watertight door of the firemen's tunnel, the watertight door between boiler rooms six and five failed to close properly for an unknown reason. Water was flowing further aft into boiler room five. The Britannic had reached her flooding limit. She could stay afloat (motionless) with her first six watertight compartments flooded. There were five watertight bulkheads rising all the way up to B-deck. Those measures had been taken after the Titanic disaster. (Titanic could float with her first four compartments flooded, but the bulkheads rose only as high as E-deck.) The next crucial bulkhead between boiler rooms five and four and its door were undamaged and should have guaranteed the survival of the ship. However, there were open portholes along the lower decks, which tilted underwater within minutes of the explosion. The nurses had opened most of those portholes to ventilate the wards. As the ship's list increased, water reached this level and began to enter aft from the bulkhead between boiler rooms five and four. With more than six compartments flooded, the Britannic could not stay afloat.

                                On the bridge, Captain Bartlett was trying to save his ship. Only two minutes after the blast, boiler rooms five and six had to be evacuated. In about ten minutes, the Britannic was roughly in the same condition the Titanic had been in one hour after the collision with the iceberg. Fifteen minutes after the ship was struck, the open portholes on E-deck were underwater. Water also entered the ship's aft section from the bulkhead between boiler rooms five and four. The Britannic quickly developed a serious list to starboard. To his right Bartlett saw the shores of Kea, about three miles (5 km) away. He decided to make a last desperate effort to beach the ship at the island, where if successful she would have remained for the duration of the war. This was not an easy task because of the combined effect of the list and the weight of the rudder. The steering gear was unable to respond properly. However, by varying the speed of each propeller alone (giving more power to the port shaft), Britannic slowly started to turn to starboard.

                                Simultaneously, on the boat deck the crew members were preparing the lifeboats. Some of the boats were immediately rushed by a group of stewards and some sailors, who had started to panic. An unknown officer kept his nerve and persuaded his sailors to get out and stand by their positions near the boat stations. He decided to leave the stewards on the lifeboats because they were responsible for starting the panic, and he did not want them in his way in the evacuation. However, he left one of the crew with them in order to take charge of the lifeboat after leaving the ship. After this episode, all the sailors under his command remained at their posts until the last moment. As no RAMC personnel were near this boat station at that time, the officer started to lower the boats, but when he saw that the ship's engines were still turning, he stopped them within 2 metres (6 ft) of the water and waited for orders from the bridge. The occupants of the lifeboats did not take this decision very well and started cursing. Shortly after this, orders finally arrived: no lifeboats should be launched, as the Captain had decided to beach the Britannic at the nearby island.

                                Assistant Commander Harry William Dyke was making the arrangements for the lowering of the lifeboats from the aft davits of the starboard boat deck when he spotted a group of firemen who had taken a lifeboat from the poop deck without authorisation and had not filled it to maximum capacity. Dyke ordered them to pick up some of the men who had already jumped into the water.

                                At 0830, two lifeboats from the boat station assigned to Third Officer David Laws were lowered, without his knowledge, through the use of the automatic release gear. Those two lifeboats dropped some 2 metres (6 ft) into the water and hit the water violently. The two lifeboats soon drifted back into the still-turning propellers, which were almost out of the water by now. As they reached the turning blades, both lifeboats, together with their occupants, were torn to pieces. Word of the carnage arrived on the bridge, and Captain Bartlett, seeing that water was entering more rapidly as Britannic was moving and that there was a risk of more victims, gave the order to stop the engines. The propellers stopped turning the moment a third lifeboat was about to be reduced to splinters. RAMC occupants of this boat pushed against the blades and got away from them safely.

                                The Captain officially ordered the crew to lower the boats and at 0835, he gave the order to abandon ship. The forward set of port-side davits soon became useless. The unknown officer had already launched his two lifeboats and managed to launch rapidly one more boat from the aft set of portside davits. He then started to prepare the motor launch when First Officer Oliver came with orders from the Captain. Bartlett had ordered Oliver to get in the motor launch and use its speed to pick up survivors from the smashed lifeboats. Then he was to take charge of the small fleet of lifeboats formed around the sinking Britannic. After launching the motor launch with Oliver, the unknown officer filled another lifeboat with seventy-five men and launched it with great difficulty because the port side was now very high from the surface because of the list to starboard. By 0845, the list to starboard was so great that no davits were operable. The unknown officer with six sailors decided to move to mid-ship on the boat deck to throw overboard collapsible rafts and deck chairs from the starboard side. About thirty RAMC personnel who were still left on the ship followed them. As he was about to order these men to jump then give his final report to the Captain, the unknown officer spotted Sixth Officer Welch and a few sailors near one of the smaller lifeboats on the starboard side. They were trying to lift the boat, but they had not enough men. Quickly, the unknown officer ordered his group of forty men to assist the Sixth officer. Together they managed to lift it, load it with men, then launch it safely.

                                At 09:00, Bartlett sounded one last blast on the whistle, he then was washed overboard, as water had already reached the bridge. He swam to a collapsible boat and began to co-ordinate the rescue operations. The whistle blow was the final signal for the ship's engineers (commanded by Chief Engineer Robert Fleming) who, like their heroic colleagues on the Titanic, had remained at their posts until the last possible moment. They escaped via the staircase into funnel #4, which ventilated the engine room.

                                The Britannic rolled over onto her starboard side, and the funnels began collapsing. Violet Jessop (who was also one of the survivors of Britannic's sister-ship Titanic, and had even been on the third sister, Olympic, when she collided with HMS Hawke) described the last seconds: "She dipped her head a little, then a little lower and still lower. All the deck machinery fell into the sea like a child's toys. Then she took a fearful plunge, her stern rearing hundreds of feet into the air until with a final roar, she disappeared into the depths, the noise of her going resounding through the water with undreamt-of violence...." It was 0907, only fifty-five minutes after the explosion. Britannic was the largest ship lost in the First World War.

                                Compared to the Titanic, the rescue of the Britannic was facilitated by three factors: the temperature was higher (70 °F (21 °C)[14] compared to 28 °F (−2 °C) for the Titanic), more lifeboats were available (35 were launched and stayed afloat compared to Titanic's 20) and help was closer (arrived less than 2 hours after first distress call compared to 3½ hours for the Titanic.

                                The first to arrive on the scene were the Greek fishermen from Kea on their caïque, who picked up many men from the water. One of the fishermen, Francesco Psilas, was later paid £4 by the Admiralty for his services. At 1000, HMS Scourge (destroyer) sighted the first lifeboats and ten minutes later stopped and picked up 339 survivors. HMS Heroic (an armed merchant ship) had arrived some minutes earlier and picked up 494. Some 150 had made it to Korissia (a community on Kea), where surviving doctors and nurses from the Britannic were trying to save the horribly mutilated men, using aprons and pieces of lifebelts to make dressings. A little barren quayside served as their operating room. Although the motor launches were quick to transport the wounded to Korissia, the first lifeboat arrived there some two hours later because of the strong current and their heavy load. It was the lifeboat of Sixth Officer Welch and the unknown Officer. The latter was able to speak some French and managed to talk with one of the local villagers, obtaining some bottles of brandy and some bread for the injured.

                                The inhabitants of Korissia were deeply moved by the suffering of the wounded. They offered all possible assistance to the survivors and hosted many of them in their houses while waiting for the rescue ships. Violet Jessop approached one of the wounded. "An elderly man, in an RAMC uniform with a row of ribbons on his breast, lay motionless on the ground. Part of his thigh was gone and one foot missing; the grey-green hue of his face contrasted with his fine physique. I took his hand and looked at him. After a long time, he opened his eyes and said: 'I'm dying'. There seemed nothing to disprove him yet I involuntarily replied: 'No, you are not going to die, because I've just been praying for you to live'. He gave me a beautiful smile . . . That man lived and sang jolly songs for us on Christmas Day."

                                The Scourge and Heroic had no deck space for more survivors and they left for Piraeus signalling the presence of those left at Korissia. Luckily the destroyer HMS Foxhound arrived at 1145 and, after sweeping the area, anchored in the small port at 1300 to offer medical assistance and take onboard the remaining survivors. At 1400 the light cruiser HMS Foresight arrived. The Foxhound departed for Piraeus at 1415 while the Foresight remained to arrange the burial on Kea of Sergeant W. Sharpe, who had died of his injuries. Another two men died on the Heroic (Armed Merchantman) and one on the French tug Goliath. The three were buried with military honours in the British cemetery at Piraeus. The last fatality was G. Honeycott, who died at the Russian Hospital at Piraeus shortly after the funerals.

                                1,036 people were saved. Thirty men lost their lives in the disaster but only five were buried. The others were left in the water and their memory is honoured in memorials in Thessaloniki and London. Another twenty-four men were injured. The ship carried no patients. Survivors were hosted in the warships that were anchored at the port of Piraeus. However, the nurses and the officers were hosted in separate hotels at Phaleron. Many Greek citizens and officials attended the funerals.

                                For almost nine decades the exact location of the grave of RAMC Sergeant William Sharpe remained unknown. In November 2006 Britannic researcher Michail Michailakis discovered that one of the 45 unidentified graves in the New British Cemetery on the island of Syros contained the remains of a soldier collected from the church of Ag.Trias at Livadi (the old name of Korissia). The information was passed to maritime historian Simon Mills who came in contact with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Further research established that this soldier was a Britannic casualty and that his remains had been registered as belonging to a certain "Corporal Stevens" (October 1919). When the remains were moved to the new cemetery at Syros (June 1921) it was found that there was no record relating this name with the loss of the ship and the grave was registered as unidentified. Simon Mills provided all the necessary evidence in order to prove that this man could be no other than Sergeant William Sharpe and eventually the case arrived to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency. Since the cause of the mistake couldn't be established with certainty—but with the evidence in favour of Sergeant William Sharpe being very strong—it was decided to have the grave marked with a new headstone bearing the inscription "Believed to be Sergeant William Sharpe". The new headstone was placed in 2009 and the CWGC has also updated its database with the new information.

                                John Doran


                                21st November 1916 33 Bn AIF leaves Southampton  Battalion left Larkhill camp for Southampton.

                                Battalion transport and 186 men embarked on 'Hunslet' sailed 7:30 p.m.

                                Battalion less transport and 186 men embarked on 'Mona's Queen'. Sailed 4:30 p.m.

                                War Diary of 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force, Larkhill & Southampton


                                21st Nov 1916   At 09.30. 18th DLI left bivouacs at Courcelles and proceeded to take over left Northern Subsector Hebuterne. Dinner was served on open ground west of Sailly Au Bois. Moved off again 1.0pm Going very bad and large number of men sick owing to exposure. Relief complete 3.20pm. A Coy, B Coy, C Coy from right to left in front line. D Coy in support.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                22nd November 1916 Visibility Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. report from Ypres. Visibility bad and day quiet. At 0530 a party of twelve Germans crawled over opposite Cross Trench and attempted to throw bombs. These all fell short and they retired hastily.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd November 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ84 (L38)

                                • Production Ref: LZ84
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L38
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 22nd November 1916

                                History.

                                It was damaged beyond repair in a forced landing (due to heavy snowfall) during an attempted raid on Reval and Saint Petersburg on the 29th December 1916.

                                John Doran


                                22nd November 1916 33 Bn AIF arrive at Le Havre   'Mona's Queen' arrived Havre 12 midnight disembarked 7:00 AM proceeded to Rest Camp No 1. 'Hunslet' arrived Havre 7:30 AM disembarked 10 AM proceeded to Rest Camp No 1.

                                War Diary of 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force, Le Havre


                                22nd Nov 1916   18th Durham report "Weather very cold, frost during the night, no rain. Trenches in fair condition, 2 OR wounded. Patrols reconnoitred enemy wire and No Man's Land."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                23rd Nov 1916 14 Brigade ordered to advance  An order is received from GOC 14 Brigade to capture point 88 and point 17, but mud and absence of artillery preparation makes the advance near impossible. 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers suffer several casualties, most caused by "shorts" from British artillery.

                                23rd November 1916 Exchange of Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy broke his custom and began Trench Mortar strafe in the morning. From 9am to 10.30am about thirty bombs were fired on our trenches I.21.d.5.3 and I.24.d.5.4. Group were informed and scheme two for bombardment of Trench Mortars was ordered at 1050. Left Brigade and Heavies did not fire but C180 Battery carried out the programme. Enemy became annoyed and at 1120 opened a heavy Trench Mortar fire on our trenches. Retaliation scheme two as ordered again at 1210. This time all batteries fired and at 1230 the enemy was silenced for the day. On Right of Group Zone the enemy's Trench Mortars were very active from 1345 to 1415 from Snout to Dump. This repeated from 1535 to 1615 with the addition of 4.2 inch and 77 mm guns. Reorganisation officially ordered but S.O. ASC still insists that C236 Battery should draw its own rations.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd November 1916 Early start for 33 Bn AIF   Reveille 4:30 AM Battalion less 250 under Captain Linklater entrained at 8 AM. Train pulled out at 10 AM. Train halted Montérolier-Buchy at 8:30 PM for 30 minutes.

                                War Diary of 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force, Le Havre


                                23rd Nov 1916   Wet in the morning and cold. 15th West Yorks took over A Coy, 18th DLI sector. C Coy relieved by D Coy. A Coy moved into billets in Hebuterne. Now D Coy Left Front. B Coy Right Front. C Coy Left Support. A Coy Left Support. Patrols reconnoitred No Man's Land.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                24th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved by 2nd Gordons  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are relieved by 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders ("one of the finest battalions we met in France"). The Northumberlands move to Raincheval via Mailly-Maillet.

                                24th November 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Ypres. Hostile Trench Mortars became active at 1450. Scheme two was ordered and enemy silenced. He appeared to retaliate for scheme two further to the right. At 1550 scheme six was ordered and was effective, but almost immediately a heavy bombardment broke out from Knoll Road to the Dump with the enemy using Trench Mortars, 4.2 inch and 77 mm guns. The Division on our Right retaliated and all was quiet by 1645.

                                War Diaries


                                24th November 1916 33 Bn AIF arrive late at Bailleul  33rd Btn AIF halted at Abbeville at 6 am for 45 minutes. Arrived Bailleul 2 pm. Detrained. Proceeded to billets. Guides took wrong road. Battalion did not arrive at billets till 9 pm. Battalion HQ at La Blanc M****?

                                War Diary of 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force, Abbeville & Bailleul


                                24th Nov 1916 6th Sherwoods in Neuvillette  An inscription carved into the wall of a small gate house on the Rue du Chateau in Neuvillette reads: Pte C Niven, 1/6th Sher. For. Nov 24th 16. They were obviously here just after the battle of the Somme.

                                24th Nov 1916   18th DLI report "Quiet some more rain. Trenches began falling in and got very muddy. 4 OR wounded by grenade. Patrols out reconnoitring No Man's Land."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                25th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers rejoin 32 Division  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers rejoin 32 Division at Amplier.

                                25th November 1916 Infantry Officers Instructed  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Infantry officers attached to A236 and B236 Batteries for instruction. Batteries did not fire with observation being bad.

                                War Diaries


                                25th November 1916 French Battleship Suffren Sinking  

                                French Battleship Suffren

                                Name Suffren, Type Battleship, Country French.
                                GRT 12,750 tons, Built 1899, Builder Arsenal de Brest.
                                Operator French navy

                                History

                                On the 25 Nov 1916, U 52 (Hans Walther) Sank the French Battleship Suffren, 90 miles West of Portugal (39.10N, 10.48W). There were no survivors with crew of 648 lost.

                                John Doran


                                25th November 1916  33 Bn AIF lecture on respirators  Battalion HQ moved to Walters Farm. Captain Pollard 34th Division Gas Officer lectured to all Officers & Sergeants re new Respirators.

                                War Diary of 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force


                                25th November 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Special Order No.1  33rd Battalion AIF Special Order No.1 by Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Horshead Commanding, Waltres Farm near Steenwerke 25.11.1916.

                                1. The following officers and specialists will parade at Battalion Headquarters at 8:45 am on 26.11.1916, and will proceed to the trenches: Officers, Commanding Officer, Intelligence Officer, Adjutant, Quartermaster, Transport Officer, Lewis Gun Officer, Signalling Officer, Scout Officer, Second-in-command Cos.

                                2. The CO, Adjutant, Quartermaster and Transport Officer will return to billets in the afternoon, the others will remain in the trenches and will take their Batmen.

                                3. Headquarters 12 Lewis gunners, 8 signallers.

                                4. COMPANIES 1NCO per platoon, 3 snipers, 1 signaller, 1 Gas NCO, 3 Scouts, 1 Runner, 3 Lewis gunners.

                                5. This party will proceed to Armentières in motor lorries.

                                6. The O's C Co's will be careful in the selection of their specialists for this advance party.

                                7. Officers will take their valises.

                                8. 2 companies of the Battalion will move forward to the trenches on the 27th inst., the remainder on the 28th.

                                (signed) RC Jones, Second Lieutenant Adjutant, 33rd Battalion AIF

                                Copy no.1 to OC A Co. Copy no.2 to OC B Co. Copy no.3 to OC C Co. Copy no.4 to OC D Co. Copy no.5 to Intelligence Officer Copy no.6 to QM Copy no.7 to Transport Officer Copy no.8 to Lewis Gun Officer Copy no.9 to Bombing Officer Copy no.10 to Scout Officer

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force war Diary Appendix


                                25th Nov 1916   Quiet, still raining occasionally. A Coy relieved B Coy 18th DLI in left Coy sector. Patrols reconnoitred enemy wire and No Man's Land.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                26th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers move to Bonneville  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers move to Bonneville, via Beauval and Valheureux, to rest.

                                26th November 1916 Fire on Sound Bearings  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record Morning very quiet until 1100 when five 5.9 inch shells fell near Blaupoort Farm. This was fired repeated at 1030. The Heavy Artillery were given Sound Bearings and fired on the suspected Battery and the Howitzer ceased fire. Visibility sketch was made from I.28.d.5.8, a proposed Observation Point on the back of Verbrandenmolen Hill to the corner of Armagh Wood site and Yeomanry Port and Observatory Ridge. From 1000 to 1300 the Dump was shelled with single 5.9 inch shell at one round per minute.

                                War Diaries


                                26th November 1916 Advanced Party  33rd Battalion, AIF Advanced party as per Battalion special order no.1 proceeded to Right sector trenches at La Chapelle-d'Armentières to arrange to take over from 27th Northumberland Fusiliers.

                                War Diary of 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force, Bailleul


                                26th Nov 1916   18th DLI are in the Trenches. Quiet, raining all day. Enemy shelled Hebuterne.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                Nov 1916 Rabbits  "Sunday. I am sorry you have had no letter from me for several days but it has been impossible to find time for sleep even, let alone letter-writing. Once more we are back at our rest camp for a few days which pass only too quickly. Your parcel came to hand safely and was much appreciated, also the papers. I am quite fit. The weather the whole time we were in the front line was very considerate to us, but the day we came away was wet in the extreme following a heavy thunderstorm the previous day. Our period at the front would I suppose by the authorities be called ‘comparative quiet’. However I am not anxious to be there when it is really noisy. Taken from all points of view however we have been extremely lucky in every way since we have been out here and have far less reason to grumble than many. I think we shall all resemble first-class rabbits when we return as life is perpetually spent in most cramped positions, and we disappear into burrows in the earth just like our furry friends at the least sign of danger." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                27th Nov 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  A Zeppelin raid on the night of the 27th,28th of November 1916 targeted the Midlands and North East England. Nine Navy airships took part. The bombing was largely ineffective, killing 4, injuring 37 and causing £12,482 damage and two airships were shot down by the defending aircraft.

                                L34 crossed the North East coast at 23.30, and dropped thirteen high explosive bombs at the Elwick searchlight battery, which missed, destroying a cow shed and injuring two cows. More seriously the L34 then raided West Hartlepool, sixteen high explosive bombs killing four and injuring eleven more, as well as wrecking houses and demolishing a grandstand at West Hartlepool football stadium. 2nd Lt Ian Pyott of 36 Squadron, took off from Seaton Carew aerodrome in BE2c 2738 and chased Zeppelin L34, which was coned by searchlights, across the skies over Hartlepool and succeeded in shooting it down using incendiary bullets. The airship crashed in flames and fell into the sea about 1,800 yards offshore from the Heugh Lighthouse on the Hartlepool headland, the wreckage burning on the water for some time. 2Lt. Pyott was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for his actions and a plaque on the entrance gates to Seaton Park, commemorates the event. All the Zeppelin crew were killed, two bodies were later washed up, but identification proved impossible, they were buried with military honours in Seaton Carew Cemetery. L34 which had set off from Nordholz in Germany, was captained by Max Dietrich, the uncle of the singer and actress Marlene Dietrich. An another member of the crew was Hermann Pufahl, the father of two small children.

                                L21 was attacked by three aircraft near Yarmouth. Flt Sub-Lt. Edward Pulling was credited with the victory and awarded a DSO, the other pilots receiving the DFC

                                The following day a single LVG CIV made the first German aeroplane raid on London, hoping to hit the Admiralty, six 10 kg (22 lb) fell between Victoria station and the Brompton Road. There were no further raids in 1916.

                                John Doran


                                27th November 1916 Instruction  2 sections per platoon of 33rd Battalion AIF relieved half of 27th Northumberland Fusiliers to learn trench routine.

                                War Diary of 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                27th November 1916 Heavy casualties in trench work areas  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment are in the line - Thick morning mist and weather improved later. Shelling abnormally heavy in whole of battalions area. Post blown in at R2c81 and 7 killed. Shelters in Quarry at R7c73 destroyed with Sergeant-majors Good and Fraser killed. Railway line through Beaumont damaged and entrances to dug-outs in Quarry at R8a20 blown in. Communication trench from R7c68 continued. Trench cut from Quarry at R8a20 to Railway Road. Casualties in all 37.

                                war diaries


                                27th Nov 1916 Reliefs Completed  18th DLI are relieved by 18th West Yorks and moved into billets in Rossignol Farm. Very wet day. Trenches in very muddy condition. Relief complete 5.30pm. Battalion formed part of Divsional Reserve. Men very tired but in fairly good condition.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                28th November 1916 Training  Remaining two sections per platoon of 33rd Battalion, AIF changed with other setions to learn trench routine with 27th Northumberland Fusiliers.

                                War Diary of 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                28th Nov 1916 Working Parties  From their HQ at Rossignol Farm, 18th Durham report "Better day, though cloudy. Battalion finding big working parties. Draft of 60 ORs reported from Base and posted to Coys. Fairly good set of men, though mostly very new."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                29th November 1916 Low Cloud  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C180 Battery dispersed a working party at J.19.b.7.1. between 1126 and 1215. D236 Battery registered by aeroplane. Usual trench mortar, 5.9 and 4.2 inch shelling. A fine day, but low cloud interfered with aeroplane observation.

                                War Diaries


                                29th November 1916 33 Bn AIF in action against the enemy  Relief completed. CO took over command.

                                3 pm Our artillery and light trench mortar bombarded enemy front and support line with apparently good results.

                                2.55 pm Enemy shelled light trench mortar emplacements with minenwerfer*

                                Enemy played on our parapet all night with machine gun and rifle fire. Enemy bombed his own wire during night and fired many verey lights.**

                                10-12 pm Gas masks worn by all troops in front of support lines. Enemy working party in front no.4 locality dispersed with light gun fire.

                                Patrols and listening posts report all quiet. Enemy wearing blue caps observed, moving behind their line.

                                One enemy hit by snipers.

                                * Minenwerfer ("mine launcher") is the German name for a class of short range mortars used extensively during the First World War by the German Army.

                                ** a flare fired into the air from a pistol for signalling or for temporary illumination.

                                War Diary of 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force, La Chapelle-d'Armentières & Right(1) Sector


                                Nov 1916 France  36th Battalion AIF cross to France in late November 1916.

                                30th November 1916 Enemy is Strong  33rd Battalion AIF Report from La Chapelle-d'Armentières "Our artillery quiet all day. Enemy put 4 Minnie's over left CO without damage. At 10pm Our patrol from 3.10.1. reported enemy were strong. Enemy working on parapet repairing damage done by our Light trench mortar on 29th inst. At 8 pm Patrol from Post C report enemy quiet.

                                Right (1) Sector, Enemy used great number of Verey Lights, also 3 search lights all night. 3 of enemy said to have been shot by our snipers. Enemy bombed his own wire during night. Enemy used rifle grenades on our right during day without result. Enemy used M.G. (Machine gun) and Rifle fire along our parapet all night."

                                War Diary of 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force, La Chapelle-d'Armentières & Right(1) Sector


                                30th November 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 120   33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 120 by Lt Col LJ Morshead commanding Chapelle d'Armentières 30.11.1916.

                                BATTALION AREA 1183 No one is allowed in the battalion area without permission of the CO. O's C CO's will question all officers whether they had first reported to battalion headquarters before visiting the trenches. Yesterday a party of officers from another battalion made an inspection without the knowledge of the CO. Officers not belonging to this Brigade or Division Staff must have a pass signed by the CO or Adjutant.

                                SPECIALIST OFFICERS 1185 The following officers will report daily to the CO at times specified Signalling Officer 9:30 am

                                Scout Officer 10:00 am

                                Lewis GunOfficer at 10:30 am

                                Bombing Officer 10:45 am

                                Sniping Officer and 9:00 pm

                                VERY LIGHTS 1185 Apart from intelligence reports the CO must be informed when, where, how many, and why Very Lights are used.

                                DISTRIBUTION OF ORDERS 1186 The Signalling Officer is responsible for seeing that all specialist officers read and sign all copies of orders sent to him.

                                MESSAGES 1187 There is too much delay in replying to messages sent from Battalion Headquarters to Companies. These messages should be sent out to responsible officers by Company runners if necessary as soon as they are received from Headquarters runners. More attention must be paid to promptly detailing any specialists who are asked for.

                                SNIPERS 1188 Battalion snipers will take up their position at Cemetery Post, on the Subsidiary Line. They will report there to Lt. Saunders at 8 am. See RO No. 110 Paragraph 1177, re rations.

                                TELEPHONE MESSAGES 1189 All ranks must be warned of serious results that may follow from telephone messages giving particulars of strength, casualties, dispositions, etc. These matters are invariably to be sent by runners except in cases of extreme urgency when the officers sending same will be held responsible. Instances have already occurred of units using their designations instead of station calls. In future disciplinary action will be taken against the offender.

                                WATER 1190 The water supply of the town may be used for drinking by troops from the fountains in the streets. All water supply is cut off from dark to daylight. Cooks, etc. should therefore be warned to obtain a sufficient supply to last overnight and for breakfast. Water used in houses and obtained from wells should not be drunk by troops unless boiled, i.e. in the form of tea etc.

                                STRENGTH 1191 No. 4971 Pte. DC ? Anderson is taken on strength of this Battalion from ?/11/1916

                                PUNISHMENTS The following punishments were awarded on 25 November 1916

                                No. 4971 Private DC ? Anderson "A" company absent without leave from 6 am 20/11/1916 to 4:30 am 21/11/1916. Forfeit 1 days pay. 20 days at F.F. No 2.

                                No. 4262 Private H Long "D" company absent without leave from 6 am 29/11/1916 to 10 pm 21/11/1916. Forfeit 2 days pay. 20 days at F.F. No 2.

                                No. ? Private E Ryan "D" company absent without leave from 6 am 29/11/1916 to 10 pm 21/11/1916. Forfeit 2 days pay. 21 days at F.F. No 2. (signed) RC Jones, Second Lieutenant Adjutant, 33rd Battalion AIF

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force war Diary Appendix


                                30th Nov 1916   18th DLI are at Rossignol Farm. Frosty morning. Sick parade for past 3 days averaged over 100. Men mostly suffering from sores owing to run down condition.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                Dec 1916 15th Battalion formed for Worcs  The 15th (Transport workers) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was formed in Swindon in December 1916

                                1st December 1916 Covering 23rd Division  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Ypres record: All map references on Zillebeeke Bund.3.E 1/10,000 and sheet 28 1/40,000 236th Brigade RFA still covering the 23rd Division. A236 and B236 Batteries registered for special operations. Heavy mist made general observation impossible enemy artillery and trench mortars were very quiet. At 1230 a raid was attempted by the 11th Sherwood Foresters on sap at I.30.b.15.20, which was not successful.

                                War Diaries


                                1st December 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                December’s work continued as in November with the emphasis now on Mortar Emplacements, Saps and Trench Railways. Again the Division moved slightly southwards creating similar maintenance work in new areas. (Note: Saps are small trenches beyond the front line towards the enemy usually for advance listening posts)

                                As a relief to the heavy ongoing workload, Sundays were set aside for infantry training giving the men some respite whilst brushing up on their combat skills in case an enemy attack might take place though weather condition probably reduced its likelihood.

                                On the 21st December the Battalion received a most complimentary letter from the GOC. 36th (Ulster) Division expressing appreciation for work done during the four month period with special mention of joining up Calgary Avenue with the Front Line under wet and difficult conditions. The 16th Battalion's CO also had his Adjutant issue a statement congratulating the men for their efforts in earning such recognition from the GOC. It is rather unusual that he did not sign the letter himself as most Commanding Officers would normally have done.

                                There is no record of how Christmas 1916 was celebrated. Money was raised in Lurgan to ensure that all the men got their Christmas pudding. One can only hope that the gap in the War Diaries implies a quiet and uneventful period.

                                December Casualties: Other Ranks 2 wounded.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st December 1916 33rd Bn AIF see enemy action during night  Our artillery quiet all day. Enemy trench mortar put over five Minnie's which did no damage.

                                Enemy machine gun active during night. He has a machine gun laid on the end of Central Avenue causing 1 casualty and causing the route be closed for the night. Enemy used more Verey Lights and seemed to be more active than previously. Patrols reported that wire was in good condition around railways salient (reference WEZ Macquart Trench Map). Parapet being repaired but in poor condition. Patrols also reported wire round mushroom in good condition being mostly supported on knife rests (?). Apparently large numbers of the enemy could be heard working behind the parapet. Trains could be heard moving behind enemy lines during the night.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Section


                                2nd December 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force.

                                No firing due to thick mist.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd Dec 1916 125th Heavy Bty leave High Wood  125th Heavy Bty record in their war diary: Left High Wood. Took over 155 at Ginchy. 126 relieved in.

                                2nd December 1916   SM U-61

                                Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 216) Ordered 6 Oct 1914 Laid down 22 Jun 1915 Launched 22 Jul 1916 Commissioned 2 Dec 1916.

                                Commanders.
                                2 Dec 1916 - 26 Mar 1918 Victor Dieckmann.

                                Career 9 patrols.
                                15 Feb 1917 - 26 Mar 1918 II Flotilla

                                Successes 33 ships sunk with a total of 84,564 tons.
                                8 ships damaged with a total of 24,478 tons.
                                1 warship damaged with a total of 1,020 tons.

                                • 2 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Edvard Grieg 989 nw
                                • 3 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Rosborg 1,877 da
                                • 9 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Spartan 2,287 nw
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Angola 4,297 pt
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Luciline (damaged) 3,765 br
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Northwaite 3,626 br
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Warner 1,273 br
                                • 17 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Aburi 3,730 br
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Castilian 1,923 br
                                • 21 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Skjold 1,592 nw
                                • 21 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Telena 4,778 br
                                • 23 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Calluna 1,405 da
                                • 23 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Lena 2,463 br
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Metropolis 1,811 nw
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Thirlby (damaged) 2,009 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Jarstein 198 nw
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Ada 2,370 sw
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Dana 1,590 da
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Betty 2,683 ru
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Ribera 3,511 br
                                • 14 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Widwud (damaged) 299 ru
                                • 16 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Fallodon (damaged) 3,012 br
                                • 17 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Raloo 1,012 br
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Batoum 4,054 br
                                • 20 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Nitonian (damaged) 6,381 br
                                • 28 Jul 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Comanchee (damaged) 5,588 br
                                • 2 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Libia 2,416 fr
                                • 4 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Countess Of Mar 2,234 br
                                • 5 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Sauternes 902 fr
                                • 5 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Campo Libre 50 sp
                                • 6 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Campana 3,675 am
                                • 6 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Jeanne Et Genevieve (damaged) 695 fr
                                • 7 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Trento 3,276 it
                                • 29 Sep 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Elmsgarth 3,503 br
                                • 11 Oct 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Rhodesia 4,313 br
                                • 16 Oct 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Cassin (damaged) 1,020 am
                                • 27 Dec 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Santee (damaged) 2,729 am
                                • 3 Jan 1918 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Birchwood 2,756 br
                                • 5 Jan 1918 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Rose Marie 2,220 br
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Halberdier 1,049 br
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Spenser 4,186 br
                                • 23 Mar 1918 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Etonian 6,515 br

                                Fate 26 Mar 1918 - Missing after March 23, 1918. 36 dead (all hands lost).
                                U 61 sailed on March 14, 1918 and was in contact with U 101 on March 17.
                                U 61 then sank the sank the Etonian on March 23, 1918. There was no known contact after that date.

                                Previously recorded fate.
                                Sunk in a D/C attack by PC51 at 51.48N 05.32W on March 26, 1918. This attack was actually against UC 56, which though shaken was able to continue on patrol. (Reattribution by Oliver Lörscher, December 2012.)

                                There was another U 61 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 15 Jun 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 12 Aug 1939.

                                John Doran


                                2nd December 1916 More action for 33rd Bn AIF  Enemy Artillery quiet all day. 11.30 -11.50 am & 2.15 pm. Our artillery active on sectors to left of our position. At 9:30 pm a salvo was fired at Machine gun in railway salient without results at 10:30 pm machine gun in front No.1 locality was silenced by our artillery.

                                Evening machine gun kept up constant fire along our parapet and also at head of Central Avenue. Patrols again visited railway salient and reported much the same as on previous night. They discovered ? wires and an instantaneous fuse running between the trenches. These cut and samples taken. Our snipers claim having hit three enemy on the 2nd and on 3rd inst. Enemy sniper caused us one casualty killed.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Section


                                2nd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine order No.123  Not to be taken in front line trenches.
                                33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                Routine order No.123.
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Chapelle d'Armentières 2-12-16

                                Patrols 1208
                                Special care must be taken that men going on patrol duty do not carry any letters, diaries, etc. and that identity discs and all identification marks or badges are removed to prevent the enemy obtaining any useful information. Instead of the identification disc the man should carry in his breast pocket a card merely giving his name, rank, and number.

                                Synchronising time 1209
                                In future units will synchronise watches with Brigade Signal Office at 9 am daily.

                                Documents 1210
                                Every officer is responsible for the documents he carries on his person. As soon as an order, circular, etc, has served its purpose it must immediately be destroyed or taken away from the front line trenches. Plans showing our trenches must not be kept in the front line.

                                Rules of the road in France 1211
                                It is republished for the information of all concerned that traffic will be kept to the right of the road and pass traffic in front on the left side. It is most important that all vehicles shall keep close into the side of the road to avoid blocks. Police and Traffic Control Posts have been instructed to report all offenders.

                                Bicycles lost 1212
                                The loss of bicycles is very frequent. Bicycles are to be issued to individual soldiers who will be responsible for their safety.
                                A man on duty by himself who has occasion to leave his bicycle must place it under charge of some responsible person or in a place of security. The Military Police have orders to take charge of all bicycles left unattended and to hand them over to the nearest A.P.M. who will return same to owners only on proof of ownership.

                                Photography 1213
                                G.R.O's No. 464, 1137 and 1348 are republished for information.
                                No officers, soldiers, or other person subject to military law is permitted to be in possession of a camera, to take photographs, or to send photographs or films through the post. This order will be republished in orders issued to all units, and promulgated to all troops now serving in this country in the future.
                                Any officer, soldier, or other person subject to military law who disobeys this order will be placed under arrest and the case reported to Army Headquarters.

                                Dispatch of letters 1214
                                The following Regulation is republished and will be brought to the notice of all ranks.
                                No correspondence to be dispatched by British troops serving abroad except through the Army Postal Service.
                                The posting of letters in civil Post Offices is forbidden within the zone of the British Armies.
                                Letters found in civil post boxes are handed to the British military authorities and will be detained.

                                Ration states 1215
                                Whilst in trenches a platoon parade state must be furnished daily by C.Q.M.S, to facilitate breaking down the Company issue at Quartermaster's store and repacking into sandbags for dispatch to front line. These states should be complied accurately as possible as the issue is based on them.

                                73 Intelligence Reports 1216
                                Intelligence reports to be addressed to intelligence officer H.G.2. marked Intelligence Report. These are to be delivered not later than 6:30 am. These intelligence reports include Scouts, Machine Gun, Officer and Sniper reports.

                                (Signed) R.C. Jones 2/Lt Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                3rd December 1916 Visibility Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery Batteries did not fire as visibility was bad. Our Trench Mortars were active, both heavy and medium. The enemy did not retaliate. At 0300 in the morning the observing officer reported Trench Mortars were active. At 0230 a successful raid was carried out at J.19.c.15.55. Our barrage silenced the enemy's fire.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd December 1916  More action for 33rd Bn AIF   2 pm Our artillery covered fire of medium trench mortars in Railway Salient from the head of Central Avenue. Enemy retaliated with 5.9 and 77 mm. Heavy retaliation by our artillery silenced enemy artillery at 3.5 p.m. Enemy fired about 175 shells causing practically no damage and 2 very slight casualties. Our artillery failed to knock out enemy machine-gunning placements on Railway Salient.

                                Enemy machine gun active along our parapet all night. Machine guns still laid on Central Avenue at night. Enemy snipers active by day. Our snipers inflicted 1 casualty on enemy.

                                Patrol reported enemy working party at work on the wire south of Railway Salient. This was driven by Lewis Gun fire. Patrol also reported enemy working behind his parapet opposite Post C. Parapet here very much knocked about.

                                Enemy bombed his own wire during night and used many Verey Lights.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Section


                                3rd December 1916  33rd Bn AIF Operational Order   33rd BATTALION, AIF

                                OPERATION ORDER NO. I.

                                By Lt. Col. L.J. Morshead, Commanding.

                                La Chapelle-d'Armentières. 3rd December 1916

                                Reference Map Sheet 35 N.W. 1/20,000.

                                1. PARTIAL RELIEF.

                                (i) Two Platoons per Company will be relieved in the Right 1 Sub-Sector by two platoons per Company of the 35th Battalion on Monday, December 4th.

                                (ii) The relief will be carried out by half platoons at 5 minutes interval.

                                2. Each Company will provide 4 guides who will report to Battalion Headquarters as follows -

                                A and C Cos. 7.30 a.m.

                                D and B Cos. 9.30 a.m.

                                These guides will proceed under Lieut. A.H. Fletcher to the Railway Crossing Chapelle-d'Armentières Road at I.i.d.4.9 and meet the relieving Battalion.

                                Each guide will have a slip of paper bearing his exact destination thereon, e.g.

                                33rd Battalion, A.I.F.

                                A Company

                                Firing Line. No.1 Locality

                                3.TABLE OF TIMES AND ROUTES.

                                (1) Incoming Battalion (35th Lin. A.I.F.)

                                COMPANY TIME AT RENDEZVOUS ROUTE

                                "A" (Right Flank) 8 a.m. Lothian Avenue

                                "C" (Left Flank) 8 a.m. Port Egale Avenue

                                "D" (Right Centre) 10.30 a.m. Lothian Avenue

                                "B" (Left Avenue) 10.30 a.m. Port Egale Avenue

                                (ii) 33rd Battalion

                                COMPANY READY TO MOVE AT ROUTE

                                "A" 8.45 a.m. Lothian Avenue.

                                "C" 8.45 a.m. Port Egale Avenue.

                                "D" 11.15 a.m. Lothian Avenue.

                                "B" 11.15 a.ee. Port Egale Avenue.

                                (iii) Specialists.

                                50% of Company Specialists and details will move out with their Companies, i.e. Lewis Gunners, bombers, stretcher bearers, sappers, salvage men, sanitary men, cooks, will be relieved with their respective companies.

                                (iv) Headquarters.

                                50% Headquarters and attached Specialists will be ready to move to billets at 1.30 p.m.

                                4. METHODS OF RELIEF.

                                (i) All ranks will be at their alarm stations during the relief.

                                (ii) Two sections or each relieving platoon will be posted to the firing line, the remaining two sections to the support line.

                                (iii) No move out will take place until the whole of the two platoons of the relieving Companies are actually in position. The men in the firing line being relieved will stand on the fire step, and as soon as the relieving units are in position they will change places, i.e. 35th Battalion will mount the fire steps and 33rd Battalion the trench walks.

                                (iv) Platoon Commanders will report to their Company Commanders when this is done, and orders will then be given to file out.

                                5. MARCH TO BILLETS.

                                (i) "A" and "C" Cos. on relief will proceed to the Subsidiary Line and will remain there until tail of "D" and "B" Cos. 35th Battalion, have passed the Subsidiary Line when they will proceed to billets in Armentières, by half platoons at 5 minutes interval, "A" Co. leading "D" and "B" Cos. will proceed to billets on relief.

                                (ii) Two guides per platoon will report to Battalion Headquarters at 9 a.m. They will be under the control of the Billeting Officer (Lieut.W.J.C. Duncan)

                                8. DISTRIBUTION OF DETAILS

                                Specialists and Headquarters details will be attached as follows:

                                A. Co. Bombing Platoon.

                                B. Co. Signallers, Stretcher Bearers, and AMC

                                C. Co. Pioneers, Sniping Platoon.

                                D. Co. Scouting Platoon.

                                Lewis Gunners will remain with their Companies.

                                7. COMMAND.

                                Company Commanders will remain in command of their sub-section until their units are completely relieved on the 5th inst. Company Second- in-Commands (excepting "A" Co) will proceed to billets on the 4th inst.

                                8. TRANSPORT

                                Trench kits of officers being relieved and a proportion of dixies will be dumped at Square Farm. The Transport Officer will arrange to have these collected at night. This officer will also see that officers kits are left at their billets, that Field Kitchens are placed at the Company billets, that companies are informed of the sites of water carts.

                                9. REPORTS

                                (i) On the completion of the partial relief Company Commanders will wire "Finis".

                                (ii) When settled in billets companies will so inform Battalion HQ by runner.

                                (Signed) RC Jones S/Lt. Adjutant, 33rd Battalion, A.I.F.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                3rd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 124  Not to be taken in the front line trenches
                                33rd Battalion AIF
                                Routine order no. 124
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Chapelle d'Armentières, 3rd December 1916

                                Brigade guard 1217
                                The Brigade Guard will mount daily at 4:45 pm.
                                Tour of duty will be 24 hours.
                                This does not refer to guard over Brigade Stores.

                                Brigade runners 1218 Runners now on duty at Brigade Headquarters will not be relieved weekly but will become a permanent duty. If it is desired to change any man the matter must first be referred to Brigade Headquarters.
                                The above arrangements are necessary in order to maintain an efficient system of communication.

                                Working parties 1219
                                The personnel of all engineers working parties should consist of same men as far as practicable while the company in question is providing the party. This will enable better results to be obtained and loss of time to be avoided.

                                Return of empty sacks, jars, etc 1220
                                All empty sacks, petrol tins, grease, disinfectant, and oil drums and rum jars will be returned without delay by units to their respective Group Supply Officers in the empty supply wagons returning to Divisional Train after delivering supplies.

                                Fuel and fire 1221
                                Open fires will not be used, as much heat and fuel is thereby wasted. A considerable saving could be effected by using a closed in trench on the principle of the field kitchen. Every effort must be made to economises fuel.

                                Rocket signal 1222
                                "S.O.S." rocket signal at all Company Headquarters on the Corps front will be tested at 6 pm on the night of the 4-5th December. No artillery action will follow but all concerned should be warned to note the appearance of the signal.

                                Leaving trenches 1223
                                On no account will any officer leave the trenches to report himself to Battalion Headquarters without orders from the C.O.

                                "Q" Branch 1224
                                The strictest attention and closest supervision must be paid by Companies to the "Q" Branch. The greatest care must be given to the clothing, equipment, and feeding of men.
                                More attention must be paid to the parade states submitted to the Quarter Master.
                                Second in Command of Companies will be responsible for their company commanders for the proper working of this department.

                                Telephone wire 1225
                                In the case of telephone wire of any kind being found in No Man's Land it is not to be cut but to be reported to the Divisional Signal Officer who will communicate with O.C. Wireless before any action is taken.

                                Intelligence summaries 1226
                                Re R.O. 125. para 1216. the daily intelligence summaries must be sent direct to Intelligence Officer. (Major Massey) and not to Battalion Orderly Room. Runners are to be instructed to deliver these reports as above and they must be handed in by 6:30 am daily. The sentry on duty will direct runners to Intelligence Officer's Quarters if necessary.

                                Sick parade 1227
                                Whilst in the trenches a daily sick parade will be held at 9:30 am at Regimental Aid Post near Headquarters. Companies must arrange to have men paraded under an N.C.O. and they should be instructed not to allow the men to wander about whilst waiting to be examined. Owing to the danger of an aerial observation they must be instructed to keep close to walls of buildings about.

                                Promotion 1228
                                The appointment of L/Sgt E.C.P. Thomas to rank of sergeant and to be Platoon Sgt. No. 13 Platoon. vice C.J. Byrne reverted to rank of corporal is approved dated 4-12-16.

                                Reversion 1229
                                No.1077. Sgt C.J. Byrne reverts to rank of corporal at his own request, dated 4-12-16.

                                (Signed) R.C.Jones. 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion. A.I.F.

                                NOTICE.
                                An acknowledgement has been received from the Lord Mayor of London of receipt of the sum of £36-6-3 which was subscribed to the Lord Kitchener National Memorial Fund by the Officers, N.C.Os. and men of the 33rd Battalion.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                3rd Dec 1916   18th Battalion DLI vacated billets at Rossignol Farm and proceeded to take over Left Subsector Hebuterne from 18th W.Y.R. Relief complete 3.20pm. C Coy. Left Front. B Coy. Right Front. D Coy. Left Support. A Coy. Right Support. Raiding party left out at 7.0pm.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                04 Dec 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers inspected  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers inspected by Brigadier-General Ashburner, the new 96 Brigade GOC

                                4th December 1916 Visibility Good   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility was good and all batteries carefully checked map and gun ranges. Considerable enemy movement was seen behind their lines and working parties were dispersed by A236 Battery with two salvoes falling amongst them, after which no further movement was observed. Barrage Z to help 47th Division was ordered at 1501 which was successful.

                                War Diaries


                                4th December 1916  33rd Bn AIF fire howitzers  Half Battalion relieved by half 35th Battalion as per Battalion 0.0 No.1 dated 3/12/1916. 11 am Enemy fired 10 - 77 mm shells from position which exploded left Co fire trench. No casualties.

                                2.15 p.m. Our artillery fired some howitzers at machine gun and emplacement in railway salient but failed to knock it out. 11 pm Our artillery gas attack on left of the Battalion sector.

                                Enemy machine gun as usual active during night.

                                Patrols reported all quiet on 'A' Co front. Snipers claim having inflicted 2 casualties on enemy. Enemy wearing steel helmet similar to ours seen in railway salient. Enemy showed less activity during night.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Section


                                4th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF Operation order No.9  Not to be taken to the front line trenches

                                33rd Battalion AIF

                                Operation order No.9

                                by Lt Col LJ Morshead

                                Commanding

                                La Chapelle-d'Armentières 4th December 1916

                                Left Matt sheet 30 6N.W.one of bleak 20,000

                                1. COMPLETION OF RELIEF

                                (i) The remaining two platoons per Company will be relieved on the 5th inst. by the remaining two platoons per Company of the 35th Battalion.

                                (ii) The times, routes and method of relief, provision of guides, and march to billets will be in Operation Order No.1.

                                2. HANDING OVER

                                Officers commanding Companies will obtain receipts for all trench stores and equipment. Articles belonging to the 27th Battalion NF on charge to Companies will not be handed over, but will be sent to billets and thence to 27th Battalion NF.

                                3. LEWIS GUNS

                                Lewis guns and equipment will be placed in Square Farm by 7 am on the 5th inst.

                                4. TRANSPORT

                                All stores other than trench stores and officers trench kits will be dumped at Square Farm. The transport officer will arrange for the collection of these at 5 pm on 5th inst.

                                5. GUARD

                                The Battalion Police under Corporal Hewitt will guard all stores and Lewis Guns in Square Farm.

                                6. REPORTS

                                (i). On the completion of the relief Co. Commanders will wire "Compliant with" to Battalion HQ.

                                (ii). When their commands are settled in billets Co. Commanders will so inform Battalion HQ by Runner.

                                (signed) RC Jones S/Lt.

                                Adjutant 33rd Battalion AIF

                                DISTRIBUTION

                                COPY no. 1 to ? Inf. Bde; 2 - CO; 3 - 2nd in command; 4 - Adjutant; 5 - 'A' Co; 6 - 'B' Co; 7 - 'C' Co; 8 - 'D' Co; 9 - Lewis Gun Officer; 10 - Signalling Officer; 11 - Scout Officer; 12 - Sniping Officer; 13 - Bombing Officer; 14 - Billeting Officer; 15 - Regimental Medical Officer; 16 - Transport Officer; 17 - Quartermaster; 18 - 35th Battalion; 19 - file; 20 - War Diary

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                4th Dec 1916   18th DLI report "Very wet. Trenches which had been in fair condition, got washed down badly."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                5th December 1916 Batteries in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Visibility was good in the morning. D236 Battery registered a single gun at I.20.b.95.95. Working party in J.19.b fired on and dispersed. A direct hit was obtained on a wheelbarrow they were using. Trench Mortars were active against our trenches from 1315 to 1330 and 1500 to 1555. Scheme four was ordered and silenced the enemy fire at 1540. There was increased hostile artillery activity behind our lines. L’Ecole, Zillebeke Village and Station were shelled with 4.2 inch guns. Ypres Square, Station Crossing and Menem Road were shelled with 4.2 inch guns at 1700. Direct hits by 5.9 inch guns were obtained on Zillebeke Lake duck boards, Hellblast Corner and the Bund.

                                War Diaries


                                5th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF relieved  Relief of Battalion completed as per Battalion 0.0 No. 2 4/12/1916. Working parties supplied to A.E.* composite company reviewed by General Plummer during day.

                                * Corps of Australian Engineers

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Section


                                5th Dec 1916   18th Durhams report "7.0am, very dull & observation impossible. Enemy very quiet, except for Minenwerfer on left Coy sector."

                                Teh National Archives Reference WO95/2361/1


                                Dec 1916 White Frost  "Friday. Love still keeps most cheerful but at the same time he is not the same as before his terrible experiences. It seems to have affected his nerves. We had a very rough passage during our last turn in the trenches. The dear good Hun dropped two or three ‘rum jars’ [mortar bombs] just a few yards behind my dugout and left a few small holes in which a horse and cart could easily be lost. When you are sending a parcel next will you please put in a small pair of folding nail scissors. It’s very cold out here now and heavy white frosts are the order of the day. Half of our evenings are spent trying to get a fire going and the other half trying to get warm in front of it. It seems impossible to imagine Christmas so near. I’m afraid it won’t mean much to us out here this year.. The only topic that keeps one interested now is that of leave. But it does not do to pin any false hopes on getting it. The various restrictions prevailing now in England must be hard. I am afraid there are too many fanatic reformers getting their own way. One thing I am certain they will have to climb down when the boys come home. We have fought the war and I think we shall say what is good for us and not leave it to others who haven’t been out." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                6th December 1916 Hostile Trench Mortars  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility was good and the morning was quiet. Hostile Trench Mortars opened moderate fire on Crab Crawl and Winnipeg Street at 1300. Scheme two fire successfully silenced them.

                                War Diaries


                                6th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF in billets  In billets. Working parties supplied to AE raiding party (Capt. Douglas) billeted at Rue Barnard.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                6th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 127   33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                Routine order No.127
                                By
                                Lt-Col LJ Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Armentières 6-12-16

                                COMPANY LEWIS GUNNERS1239
                                One NCO and six men of the Company Lewis Gun Section and Battalion Headquarters Lewis Gunners are report to Lt Chapman at B Cos. billets at 10 am 6-12-16.

                                INSTRUCTIONS RE DUTIES 1240
                                In future every Officer, N.C.O. or man told off to report at Battalion Headquarters for a school, or any duty, must be given orders in writing saying:-
                                1. To whom he is to report.
                                2. Where he has to report.
                                3. When he has to report.
                                4. The duty for which he has to report.
                                All N.C.O's and men must be inspected by a Company Officer, or C.S.M., who must satisfy himself that the men has his instructions, that he is properly equipped, clean and shaven, and has his rations for the day with him. Men detailed as above must be punctual.

                                BADGES 1241
                                Men who lose their badges must at once be made to pay for them. The certainty that a man will have to pay for a lost badge is the only effective deterrent against carelessness in keeping badges. C.Q.M. Sergeants to be so instructed.

                                CADET SCHOOL TIDWORTH1242
                                The following is the result of Cadet School of Instruction, Kandaher Barracks, Tidworth from 23rd October to 16th November, 1916
                                Cpl. ECP Thomas 90.1%
                                Sgt. IG Dight 87.1%
                                Sgt. HM Buntine 84.6%
                                Lance Cpl. W Mclean 83.4%
                                CQMS HS Mclean 83.1%

                                SNIPING SCHOOL 1245
                                The undermentioned man has been detailed to attend 48th Course at Second Army School of Sniping at Mont des Cats from 9th to 15th December, 1916.
                                No. 973 Pte. WEA Phifer "C" Co.

                                MAIL CENSORSHIP 1246
                                Mail will now be received for dispatch to Field Post Office. All letters are to be read and censored by an officer before being forwarded to Battalion Headquarters to be stamped. The officer censoring letters will sign his name at the bottom left hand corner of the envelope but will not state his rank.
                                Lt. WJC Duncan has been appointed Battalion sensor.
                                Battalion mail matter must be made up and handed into Battalion Headquarters by noon daily.

                                LEAKAGE OF INFORMATION 1247
                                The following extract from G.S. Circular 5A is to be read to all troops on parade.
                                "Company Commanders will ensure that special and repeated instructions are given to those under your command with reference to the discussion of projected operations.
                                It has recently come to notice that the operations with reference to offensive action against the enemy have been freely discussed by the troops in estaminets and elsewhere.
                                It must be clearly pointed out that this action, whether inadvertent or wilful, troops jeopardise our chances of success and are likely to cause us heavy casualties.
                                Recent instances have come to light where soldiers in estaminets in Steenwerck have discussed the emission of gas and a driver of the Royal Field Artillery stated in an estaminet at Nieppe that gas was to be released on a certain night now past. Exemplary punishments will be inflicted on any who wilfully or carelessly neglect to obey the provisions of this circular."

                                LEWIS GUN COURSE 1248
                                The undermentioned NCOs have been detailed to attend a Lewis Gun class at Le Touquet assembling on 11th inst. Companies must arrange for men to hold themselves in readiness to report to Battalion Headquarters on Sunday 10th inst. and afterwards to Brigade Headquarters whence they will be transported by motorbus.

                                No. 30. L/Cpl N Clifton
                                No. 508. Cpl R White

                                WORKING PARTIES 1249
                                Care must be taken that parties detailed for work with 9th Field Company Engineers, are given their breakfast before leaving billets and that they carry their midday ration with them. Particular care must be taken that parties are punctual. Enquiries should be made beforehand to ensure that they can find their way to meeting place.

                                DAILY DUTIES 1250
                                Subaltern of the day: Lt. LCB Smith
                                Next for duty: S/Lt. WT McKenzie
                                Regimental Orderly Sgt: Sgt. SR Nelson
                                Next for duty: Sgt. RN Genge
                                Regimental Orderly Corporal: Cpl. LH Young
                                Next for duty: Cpl. CSL Byrne

                                INLYING PICQUET 1251
                                When the Battalion is for duty - an inlying picquet of one company will be furnished, mounting at 5 pm and remaining on duty till 7 am the following morning. They must sleep with arms and equipment at their sides and be ready to turn out at any moment. This duty will be found by companies in rotation.

                                (Signed) RC Jones 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                6th Dec 1916   Fine & frosty. A Coy. 18th Durhams relieved B Coy. & D Coy. relieved C Coy. in the trenches, relief completed at 5.0pm.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                7th Dec 1916 Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister  David Lloyd George became Prime Minister of the British coalition government. He had previously been the Minister of Munitions.

                                7th December 1916 Hostile Trench Mortars  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the morning was quiet. At 1400 Trench Mortars were active on I.30.a and a scheme four was effective in silencing them. Visibility bad owing to the mist. At 1530 a stationary engine was heard working near Stirling Castle. A bugle was heard at 1600 behind Bodmin Copse.

                                War Diaries


                                7th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF morning conference  In billets. Working parties supplied to AE.

                                10 am Conference of OC,COs and Second in Command.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                7th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.128   33rd BATTALION. A.I.F.
                                ROUTINE ORDER No.128
                                By
                                Lt-Col LJ Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Armentières, 7th December, 1916

                                WASHING OF SOCKS 1252
                                In order that the troops when in trenches will have a clean pair of socks daily, it will be necessary to withdraw one good pair for every man and send them to Q.M. store for despatch to Divisional Baths, to form a stock for re issue. These must be returned to Q.M. by noon on 8th inst.
                                The procedure will be as follows:,
                                Companies and smaller detached sections will arrange that men change their socks daily, the wet ones will be collected and packed in sandbags and taken to Regimental Transport Co. Divisional Baths. An equal number of clean socks will be given in exchange for wet ones handed in and clean ones will come back in waterproof bags issued at Divisional Baths. Clean socks are now available at baths.

                                REGIMENTAL ORDERLY DUTIES 1253
                                Really R.O. No. 126 para 62?.1237 delete 8 am and read "7 am".

                                BOX RESPIRATORS 1254
                                Each Company will submit a return by 10 am on Friday, 8th inst. showing number required to complete the issue of one per man. Allowances thus been made for all H.Q. details attached.

                                GAS HELMETS 1255
                                One Gas Helmet per man - all ranks - must be collected for return to Q.M. by 12 noon on Friday, 8th inst.

                                INLYING PICQUET 1256
                                Re R.O. 127. para 1251., Companies will in future notify Battalion HQ that this picquet has been duly warned whenever the duty has to be found by them.

                                DUTIES 1257
                                Captain of the week: Capt. SF Sorenson (in lieu of Capt. Douglas. special duty)
                                Subaltern of the day: 2/Lt. WD McKenzie
                                Next for duty: 2/Lt. FA Clarence
                                Regimental Orderly Cpl: Cpl. CSL Byrne
                                Next for duty: Cpl. JA Williams
                                Regimental Orderly Sgt: Sgt. RN Genge
                                Next for duty: Sgt. RH Blomfield

                                GUM BOOTS 1258
                                Great care must be exercised to prevent Gum Boots being used unnecessarily, as owing to industrial conditions considerable difficulty will be experienced in obtaining further supplies. Their use in some parts of the line will be seldom necessary and the utmost care will be taken to ensure that they are not worn unless the condition of the trenches render it imperative. The correct procedure for handling Gum Boots is as follows:-
                                Men in Front and Support Lines should have Gum Boots, a spare pair for every man being kept in reserve in the store; where wet boots can be exchanged for dry ones. Reliefs, going into trenches require authority for issue of boots from the Asylum, and those relieved will wash boots in tube provided for that purpose outside the asylum, handing them over to be dried. Great care must be exercised to prevent Gum Boots being used when they are not needed and thus causing undue wear.

                                RIFLE GRENADES 1259.
                                Owing to the risk of accident through the handling of grenades by inexperienced persons, no officer, N.C.O. or man other than Company or Battalion bombers must handle or fire rifle grenades.

                                (Signed) RC Jones 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                7th Dec 1916   18th DLI report "Quiet, raining. Trenches in very bad condition. Patrols from raiding party went out."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                8th Dec 1916 124th Heavy Battery to 24th HAG  124th Heavy Battery, RGA transfer 24th Heavy Artillery Group from 29th HAG on 8th Dec 1916

                                8th December 1916 Visibility again Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Visibility was again bad. At 1320 hostile medium Trench Mortarss opened fire on Winnifred Street and a scheme two was ordered. Enemy ceased fire before the scheme (with Heavy Artillery) was put into force, but the enemy did not retaliate. Enemy artillery remained inactive.

                                War Diaries


                                8th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF raiders patrol  Billets. Working parties supplied to AE. Patrol of Raiders under Lt. King visited railway salient.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                8th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.129   33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                ROUTINE ORDER No.129
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel L J Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Armentières, 8 December 1916

                                FATIGUES 1260
                                Duty Co. will detail a fatigue party of two NCOs and 30 men to report to point where Port Egale Avenue crosses support line at 9 am on Saturday, 9th inst. A guide will meet the party at the above point.

                                DAILY DUTIES 1261
                                Subaltern of the day: 2/Lt. BA Clarence
                                Next for duty: 2/Lt. CP Kirby
                                Regimental Orderly Sgt: Sgt. RH Blomfield
                                Next for duty: Sgt. TGE Rush
                                Regimental Orderly Cpl: Cpl. JA Williams
                                Next for duty: Cpl. EA Turnbull

                                TRENCH FEET 1262
                                Now that arrangements have been made for regular issue of dry socks and provisions made for an adequate supply of whale oil and waders - the existence of Trench Feet only reflects the gravest discredit on the units where cases occur. To ensure that Trench Feet regulations are properly enforced Company commanders will obtain from each Platoon Commander daily, in writing a certificate:,

                                (A) that he has inspected the feet of every man in his platoon.
                                (B) that every man has thoroughly had his feet rubbed with whale oil (preferably by a comrade).
                                (C) that every man has put on a pair of dry socks.
                                (D) that so far as his platoon is concerned all trench feet regulations have been observed.

                                Certificates will be collected by Companies and handed in to Battalion HQ by 3 pm daily. Officers and NCOs in charge of specialist will render their certificates direct to Battalion Headquarters. R.S.M. is responsible for H.Q. details.

                                LOSSES OF KIT 1263
                                In connection with previous orders making the individual soldier financially responsible for losses of kit, arms, etc and in order to emphasise this responsibility as soon as possible each Company Commander and Officer or NCO in charge of Specialists or H.Q. sections will arrange to hold a careful kit inspection on 10th inst. with a view to ascertaining losses by individuals and taking necessary action thereon. In future these inspections will be held as soon as practicable after Battalion comes out of the line.

                                Fraternising With Enemy 1264
                                Under no circumstances must troops in the front line or patrols in No Man's Land be permitted to attempt to fraternise with the enemy during the Christmas season, whether by signs, signals, flags, messages or in any other manner.
                                If the enemy attempts to open intercourse in this way no response whatever is to be made, except only in connection with the display by him of white flags under the regular conditions provided by the usages of war (See HNL 1914, page 263 et seq).
                                Steps are to be taken to ensure that all troops engaged or likely to be engaged in the front line during Christmas are fully instructed in this matter.

                                (Signed) RC Jones 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                8th Dec 1916 Blockade Established  As a response to an attack upon French troops in Athens earlier in the month, the Allies imposed a blockade of Greece on 8th December 1916. The French official Journal published the text of the notice announcing the blockade of Greece the Allies:

                                "The French Republic, being in agreement with its Allies in declaring a blockade of Greece, herewith announces the conditions under which it will take place. The blockade declared to effective from December 8th, 1916, eight o'clock in the morning. The Blockade applies to the coasts of Greece, including the islands Euboea, and Santa Maura, from point situated 39 degrees 20 north latitude, and 20 decrees east of Greenwich, point situated degress north latitude, and 20 degrees east of Greenwich, as well as the islands at present under the dependency occupation by the Greek Royalist authorities. Ships of neutral Powers in the blockaded ports may come out freely until December 12th, eight o'clock in the morning. Orders have been given to the Commander-in-Chief of the naval forces which are taking charge of the blockade to inform the local authorities of the present declaration." Another message states that the blockade will be maintained until Greece has furnished adequate reparation for the recent outrage against the Allies."

                                8th Dec 1916   18th Durhams are in the Trenches. Very quiet. Enemy quiet, nothing to report. 2Lt Armstrong proceeded to take over duties of Town Major at Couin.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                9th December 1916 Considerable Enemy Movement   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report during the morning considerable enemy movement was seen near Stirling Castle at J.13.d.4.5 and at Tower Hamlets. These parties were fired on and dispersed. Engine noise again heard on bearing 134 degrees from I.24.d.7.4.

                                War Diaries


                                9th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF supply working parties  Billets. Working party supplied to AE.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                9th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF OPERATION ORDER No. 3  

                                Timetable re O.O No.3

                                33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                OPERATION ORDER No. 3

                                by

                                Lt.-Col. LJ Morshead

                                Commanding

                                Armentières 9th December 1916

                                ​RELIEF 1. 33rd Battalion, A.I.F. will relieve 35th Battalion, AIF in RIGHT (1) Sub-Sector on 11th inst., starting at 7 am from Railway Crossing I.?.c.4.7. in accordance with relief table attached.

                                (a) Battalion H.Q. and Co. Lewis Gun sections and Battalion Snipers will proceed to the trenches on 10th inst. starting at 12 noon from Railway Crossing and will take over from their opposite numbers during daylight.

                                (b) Transport Officer will arrange to take Lewis Gun magazines to Square Farm as early as possible on 10th. instant. Lewis Gun Officer will arrange to to take the magazines into the front line as early as possible after their arrival.​ Magazines belonging to 35th Battalion will not be removed until the 33rd Battalion have arrived at the gun position.

                                Lewis Gun section will carry gun and spare parts to the trenches.

                                (c) NCO in charge of snipers will arrange to take over from Sniping Officer 35th Battalion.

                                (d) Signalling Officer will arrange to take over from 35th Battalion signallers on 11th inst. at​ 8 am and Co. Signallers will march in with leading platoons and take over at once.

                                BLANKETS 3. 1 blanket per man will be taken into tho line.​ The remainder will be rolled in bundles of 10 and stacked ready for removal by Transport.​ Transport Officer will arrange to collect these rolls from billets at 10 a.m. and return them to the​ QM store.

                                GUM BOOTS 4. Gum boots will be drawn from the Asylum as fotllows:-

                                Each Co: 170 pairs

                                Scout Officer: 24 pairs

                                Snipers Officer: ​12 pairs

                                Bombing Platoon: 24 pairs

                                Lewis Gun Sector: 20 pairs

                                Total: 600 pairs

                                O.C. Cos. and sections will arrange to.draw these boots at such a time as to enable them to be at the starting point at the time ordered.

                                Snipers for this will be attached to the HQ Lewis Gun Section.

                                FORMATION 5. Cos. will move along communication trench by half platoons at 5 minutes intervals according to table attached.

                                MARCHING OUT 6. Firing and Support line units will not commence to march out until all reliefs are in the line ready to take over.

                                BILLETS 7. O.C. Cos. marching out of billets will forward the following to Battalion H.Q. on marching out:

                                (1) Certificate as to cleanliness, etc. of billets.

                                (2) Statement of breakages or damages, if any, occurring since occupation. Nil return if there are none.

                                (3) State showing the number of men who have occupied the billet stating unit to which they belong.

                                TAKING OVER 8. O.C. Cos. will detail an officer to report to their opposite numbers in 35th Battalion at 8 a.m. in order to take over trench stores as per 3rd. Div Trench orders, receipts therein mentioned to be handed over.

                                RATIONS 9. QM will arrange with Transport Officer to deliver Tuesdays rations at Square Farm on Monday night.

                                MESS GEAR 10. All officers mess gear will be at Battalion HQ ??? p.m. 11th inst. to be placed on the Officers Mess Cart. Any not at Battalion HQ at this time will not be taken in the cart.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                9th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.130  33rd BATTALION, A.I.F.
                                ROUTINE ORDER NO.130
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead
                                Commanding.
                                Armentières, 9th December 1916

                                TRENCH ROUTINE 1263
                                The following points must be carefully watched on return to trenches and steps should be taken to see that they are complied with:-

                                1. Loose ammunition must not be left lying about.
                                2. Saluting must be insisted on.
                                3. Men must be kept fully informed as to where their officers are to be found at all times.
                                4. Men must wear equipment and carry rifle when on detailed work.
                                5. Steps must be taken to prevent smoke from fires in front area as much as possible.

                                RATION PARTIES 1264
                                Arrangements have been made for rations to arrive at Fockaber Dump at 5 pm daily when the Battalion goes to trenches.
                                Companies and Headquarters units will make arrangements to have ration parties at the dump punctually at that hour.

                                ACCIDENTS WITH BOMBS 1265
                                The Divisional Commander has noticed that there are a large number of cases of accidental wounds, and the following orders have been drafted to prevent these in the future. The Officer Commanding the company, or similar unit in which a case of accidental wounding takes place, will be held personally responsible, and his name will be submitted to Divisional Headquarters for such action as the Divisional Commander may deem necessary.
                                There appears to be a lack of precaution and neglect of Divisional Standing Orders for War, Page 9.
                                All cases of accidental wounding will, in future, be remanded for trial by Courrt-Martial and the onus will rest with the individual concerned to prove that the wound was accidental, and not wilfully self-inflicted; for the latter, heavy sentences are invariably imposed.
                                Owing to the thorough training that the Division has had, it should be impossible for any rifle bullet wounds to be caused by accident, hence a conviction for an self-maiming will almost always follow.
                                All ranks will be specially warned not to meddle with rifle grenades, bombs, etc. These are to be handled by the personnel specially trained.

                                MEN GOING TO BATHS 1266
                                Men going to baths must be properly dressed and wear gas helmets.

                                DAILY DUTIES 1267
                                Subaltern of the day: 2/Lt. CF Kirby
                                Next for duty: Lt. OR Cormack
                                Regimental Orderly Sgt: Sgt. TGE Rush
                                Next for duty: Sgt. FJ Burke
                                Regimental Orderly Cpl: Cpl. ETA Turnbull
                                Next for duty: Cpl. SJ Barrow

                                DUTY CO 1268
                                10-12-16 "C" Co.
                                11-12-16 "D" Co.

                                CHURCH PARADES 1269
                                The following VOLUNTARY Church Parade will be held on 10th inst.
                                CHURCH OF ENGLAND 8 am Holy Communion, Soldier's Club, 44 Rue Nationale.
                                9 am Parade at the Ecole Professionale cinema.

                                9:30 am Holy Communion
                                  6 pm Evening Service in École Professionale  

                                  ROMAN CATHOLIC:  R.C. service will be held at 9 am at Convent at rear of Bombarded Church in Place de la Republique.

                                  GAS RESPIRATORS 1270
                                  Men evacuated to Dressing Stations must be in possession of their respirators.

                                  SCHOOL OF SIGNALLING ZUYTPEENE 1271
                                  The undermentioned Officer, N.C.O. and men have been detailed to attend Signalling School at Zuytpeene commencing on 12th inst.

                                  Course A.  Linesmen - Cpl. CR Eaton
                                  Course B.  Visual - Pte. R O'Hara
                                  Course C.  Officers- Lt. CAK Cohen

                                  Signalling Officer and O.C. C. Co. will release note and warn candidates to hold themselves in readiness.

                                  LEWIS GUN SCHOOL. LE TOUQUET 1272
                                  The undermentioned have been selected to attend Lewis Gun classes at Le Touquet Assembling on 11th inst.

                                  Cpl. R White
                                  L/Cpl. M Clifton
                                  C.Cs. A and B Cos to note and warn candidates.

                                  BAGS TO BE RETURNED 1273
                                  All available bags will be returned to Quartermaster on 16th inst. and regularly thereafter, as they are required for the issue of chaff.

                                  PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS 1274
                                  The following promotions and appointments have been approved and to date from 2?-12-16.

                                  No. 559 Cpl. EA Turnbull to be Sgt vice Sgt. ES Earle
                                  No. 532 L/Cpl. RC Roach to be Cpl to complete establishment
                                  No. 1299 L/Cpl. WJ Tufrey to be Cpl to complete establishment
                                  No. 547 Pte. HT Spencer to be L/Cpl to complete establishment
                                  No. 426 Pte. G Goudern to be L/Cpl to complete establishment
                                  No. 2112 Pte. J " H" McIlveen to be L/Cpl to complete establishment  

                                  Companies should prepare acquittance rolls for fortnightly pay up to and inclusive of Wednesday, 15th inst.  Requisitions must reach Battalion Headquarters not later than 6 pm on Sunday 10th inst. or they will not be dealt with. Separate acquittance rolls must be used for men temporarily attached but belonging to Headquarters or other Companies (See paragraph 3 page 5 notes re  Pay Duties). The amount of local currency and the English equivalent must be shown on Acquittance Roll and English equivalent only is to appear in Men's Pay Books. Conversion tables have already been issued to simplify this matter.
                                  Pay for men detached for duty will be arranged for by Battalion Headquarters.

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                9th Dec 1916   18th DLI are relieved by 18th W.Y.R. relief complete 4.0pm. Proceeded into billets in Sailly & Keep, A & B Coys in Sailly. B & C Coys in garrison of Hebuterne Keep. Men in good condition, no casualties.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                10th December 1916 Battery Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery A236 Battery carried out careful registration of all guns. Flashes of a 5.9 inch Howitzer battery firing on Dickerbusch seen on bearing 140 degrees 5 minutes (true) from I.24.d.7.3. with time from flash to sound 13.5 seconds. 2/Lt Edds observed large Tower like edifice about forty feet high with construction of seven poles with three hooped bands round them. True bearing 39 degrees from I.24.d.70.35. It has no platform.

                                War Diaries


                                10th Dec 1916 33rd Bn AIF LG and snipers move to trenches  33rd Battalion AIF, less Lewis Gunners and snipers in billets. Lewis Gunners and snipers moved to the trenches as per Battalion 0.0 No. 3 dated 9/12/1916.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                10th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.131  33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                ROUTINE ORDER No. 131
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Armentières, 10th December, 1916

                                TRAFFIC CONTROL 1276
                                Vehicles must not proceed West of the railway line at Nouvel Houplines with more than a pair of animals. Remainder of teams must be unhooked and placed undercover until required on the return journey. (D.R.O.106 para 614.)

                                FROST COGS FOR HORSE-SHOES 1277
                                During the winter months horse-shoes which have been tapped with screw holes for frost cogs will entirely replace the ordinary shoes. Frost cogs will be packed with repaired horse-shoes. Transport Officer will arrange to have this carried out. (D.R.O.106 p.61).

                                PARAFFIN FOR PRIMUS STOVES 1278
                                Quarter Master will submit indents to the Brigade Supply Officer for paraffin required as fuel for Primus stoves. (D.R.O.106 para 612).

                                CLIPPING OF ANIMALS 1279
                                It is very necessary that all animals that require clipping should be done at once so as to avoid skin disease which are so liable to be contracted in the present conditions. Animals which have already been clipped once, in most cases will require to be clipped again during the winter. Units should indent for clipping machines in accordance with G.R.Os.1724 and 1818, paragraph 6 of "Extract s from General Routine Orders, Part II". Quartermaster to note.

                                HOGGED MANES 1280
                                All horses with hogged manes should have them trimmed quite close regularly. A hogged mane left long presents a very untidy appearance.

                                MULES TAILS 1281
                                Mules should have the hair of the tail clipped close except for a tuft 8 inches long. The tail should be cut off square at a level six inches above the points of the hocks.

                                MEN RETURNED TO DUTY 1282
                                Companies should notify Battalion Headquarters when a man returns to duty from hospital. Should notice of his return be received at Battalion Headquarters this will be at once passed on to companies.

                                LOG BOOKS 1283
                                Logbooks must be entered up daily and a careful record kept of the work done. Trench stores taken over on relief should be accurately recorded and have signature of both parties.

                                FATIGUE 1284
                                The Battalion for duty will detail a fatigue party of men to report to Br. Frank Baurepaire at École Professionale, Armentieres at 9 am daily.

                                BATHS 1285
                                Companies will arrange for those men who have not yet bathed to visit Divisional Baths tomorrow to proceed to trenches with one of the later reliefs.

                                REGIMENTAL ORDERLY SERGEANT 1286
                                Regimental Orderly Sergeant for 11th inst. will report to Battalion Headquarters at 7 am and remain on duty there until the building has been vacated. He will be responsible for the cleanliness of HQ billet and must make careful arrangements to see that the place is left thoroughly clean.

                                CANDIDATE FOR SCHOOLS 1287
                                Care must be taken that candidates whose names have appeared in orders and have been warned for schools are ready to report immediately on receipt of notice. See R.O.130 para1271 and 1272.

                                CORRIGENDA 1288
                                R.O. 130 para 1264 for "Fockaber Dump" read SQUARE FARM.

                                GUM BOOT ISSUE 1289
                                Duty Co. will detail reliable NCO to supervise issue of Gum Boots from depot to this Battalion on 11th inst. This NCO will report to depot at I.c.8.2.7. at 6.30 am and remain on duty till last relief has been issued with boots required.

                                RE-NUMBERING OF ORDERS 1290
                                The following amendments of the numbering of Routine Orders is approved. R.Os.105 - 7-11-16 to R.O.118 - 20-11-16 the number of paragraphs should read 1249 to 1169 inclusive.
                                R.O.1 - 29-11-16 to R.O.10 - 8-12-16 these numbers are altered to read consecutively from 119 to 129 includicrous and the paras therein should read 1170 to 1262 inclusive.

                                PROMOTIONS 1291
                                The following promotion has been approved dated 6.11.16.
                                No. 356 Pte. EG Atley to be L/Cpl.

                                TRANSFER 1292
                                The following transfer is approved dated 9-12-16
                                Lt MR Coombs from D to B Co.

                                TAKEN ON STRENGTH 1293
                                Lt. AG Farleigh, 2nd Rfts. 33rd Battalion having reported for duty is taken on strength from 2.12.16. and is posted to B Co.

                                STRUCK OFF STRENGTH 1294
                                The undermentioned having been admitted to hospital are struck off strength. No. 2147 Pte. D. Wells (deceased) No. 752 Pte. W Delaney
                                582 Sgt. ES Earle (deceased) 5124 HS Newcome
                                594 Pte. PT Mooney 512 Pte. DFO O'Brien
                                1127 Cpl. FE McMahon 1196 Pte. EMulhern
                                920 Pte. HL Chapman 2206 Pte. A Brown
                                844 Pte. WM Nicholson 1611 Private CA Wright
                                366 Pte. WH Bracken 5025A Pte. GH Green
                                864 Pte. VM Ryan 1273 Sgt. CE Wheaton
                                2190 Pte. SJ Nesbitt 1304 Pte AS McIntyre
                                1648 Pte. EC Dorrington 871 Cpl. G Sutherland
                                1644 Pte. J Warne 5066 Pte. A McConnell
                                4?? Pte. JE Herman 1273 Pte. AM Wightman
                                1144 Pte AR Ellis 1205 Sgt. WA McLean
                                1?? Pte. R Taggart 1784 Cpl.WP Chapman
                                5152 Pte. HT Ward 765 Pte. HA Eyles
                                407 Pte. WH Edwards
                                4650 Pte. FJ Daly 490 Pte. EJ McManus
                                1443 Pte. HR Cox 2138 Pte. EA Shaw
                                984 Pte. CE Dillon 47 Pte. WE Conway
                                471 Pte. WA Little 777 Pte. BP Gallagher
                                2072? Pte. SM Hefferman

                                DAILY DUTIES 1295
                                11-12-16
                                Subaltern of the day: Lt. TA Armstrong
                                Regimental Orderly Sgt: Sgt. FJ Burke
                                Regimental Orderly Cpl: Cpl. SJ Barrow

                                DUTY CO. 1296
                                11-12-1916 D. Co.

                                (Signed) RC Jones 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                10th Dec 1916   REFERENCE

                                Wet. Draft of 39 ORs reported to HQ. Raiding party continued training.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                10th Dec 1916   18th DLI are at Sailly. Wet. Draft of 39 ORs reported to HQ. Raiding party continued training.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                10th Dec 1916 Mud  "My commission seems to be going along fairly successfully and given a fair amount of luck there is a possibility of my being in England for Christmas or very soon afterwards. Don’t pin any hopes on such glorious prospects. If I do get the commission I shall be in England for at least three months, or even longer if again I am fortunate in getting the job I am after. Home is really beginning to have a most sacred spot in my heart and I long for a sight of you every minute of the day. Things out here are very miserable lately. Rain, nothing but rain. The mud is simply appalling, knee deep in many places. Those waders have proved most useful and are really waterproof." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                11th December 1916 Enemy Working Parties  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Working parties at I.13.d.30.15, were dispersed three times by A236 Battery, with casualties. Hostile balloon up from dawn to 0800. At 0900 a hostile aeroplane came over Blauwe Poort farm. A236 Battery fired but this drew attention and battery was shelled.

                                11th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF relieved 35th Battalion  

                                Remainder of Battalion relieved 35th Battalion in Right (1) Sub Sector as per Battalion O.0 No. 3 dated 9/12/1916.

                                Strength of Co.s very much reduced by outside duties and specialists. cf Intelligence Summary attached dated 12/12/1916.

                                Graph system of organising as ordered by 3rd Australian Division found to be best method. Few modifications to suit conditions necessary.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Sub Sector


                                11th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.132  NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.132
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 11th December, 1916

                                  SIGNALLING 1227
                                  Telephones should only be used when an immediate answer is required, or in matters urgency. Conversations should be brief and to the point and time must not be wasted by endeavouring to make appointments and awaiting results. Enemy listening sets may be picking up conversations, therefore the greatest care must be taken with phrases shoes. Any officer, NCO, or man who discloses information useful to the enemy by means of telephone or buzzer will be tried by F.G.C.M.

                                  SIGNALLING SCHOOL ZUYTPEENE 1228
                                  The undermentioned candidates will parade at "Half past eleven Square" at 6:30 am, 12th inst. when motorbus will be waiting to convey them to destination.
                                  The party under Lt. Cohen will report at Battalion  HQ at 5 am on 12th inst. They should be fully equipped and rationed.

                                  Lieutenant CAE Cohen
                                  Cpl. CE Eaton
                                  Pte. R O'Hara

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                12th December 1916 Army Commader Visits  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility as very poor and none of the batteries fired. Enemy was also very quiet. During the morning the 2nd Army Commander visited all batteries and was pleased with what he saw.

                                War Diaries


                                12th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF suffer casualties  cf Intelligence Report attached dated 13/12/1916. Owing to orders scanned Battalion stood to arms from 10 pm to 12:30 am. Patrol connecting Right of Battalion with the Left of Unit on our Right captured by enemy at 6:30 AM. One 77 mm shell bursting at Top of Lothian Avenue killed two and wounded two more.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Sub Sector


                                12th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF evening action  33rd Battalion AIF

                                Intelligent Report up to 6 am 12/12/1916. No.7.

                                1. Our operations

                                Artillery: Nil.

                                Machine guns: Our machine gun in right rear of the left-centre co was firing indirectly over to right CEOs during night. Apparent object of engaging MG opposite "A" post.

                                Lewis guns: Our Lewis guns during night fired at enemy working party about I.17.a.4.9.at 11.10 pm and at wiring party at about 1.17.a.3.8.5. Results could not be observed.

                                Patrols: No. 1 Patrol -one NCO, 3 men left I.10.1.at 9:30 pm. Found our wire in good condition. Enemy Searchlight burned on them apparently from enemy front line. After searchlights switched off enemy working party got up on parapet. Patrol returned by same route at 11:10 pm by same route and directed Lewis gun onto working party.

                                No. 2 Patrol: 1 NCO and three men left I.10.1. at 12:10 am. Found moon too strong to permit of much movement. Located enemy wiring party at about I-17-a-3,8.5. Returned at 1:30 am and directed Lewis Gun fire on wiring party.

                                No.3 Patrol: 1 NCO and three men left I,10-4 at 9:50 pm. They got to within 25 yards of the enemy wire and found it to be in good condition and very strong. Shell holes in this area will full of water. Four Verey lights were fired from enemy front line. Patrol returned at 10:40 PM by same route.

                                No. 4 Patrol: for men left I,10-4 at 12 midnight. Reports enemy working party between his parapet and wire. Only two Verey lights were fired while this patrol was out and about six rifle shots by the enemy. Patrol returned by same route at 1 am.

                                No. 5 Patrol: 1 NCO and three men left I,10-4 at 9:30 PM. Experienced difficulty on account of the moon and scarcity of cover. They report the ground as being very wet and swampy but comparatively free from shell homes. Returned at 10:15 pm.

                                No. 6 Patrol: 4 men left I-10,6 at 12 midnight and entered ditch returning from our line at 1,11-a -0.0,7 to enemy line at I-11-a-5.5-3.5. They advanced to within 30 yards of enemy wire along South bank of ditch. There they located an enemy sniper at about I-11-a-4-5 apparently in a shell hole about 20 yards in front of his wire. Patrol returned by same route at 1:15 am.

                                No. 7 Patrol: 1 NCO and three men left I-10-2 at 9:30 pm. Advanced straight to enemy wire which they found to be mainly supported by knife rests. Enemy at this time was particularly quiet and only fired three Verey lights. Patrol returned at 11:30 pm.

                                No. 8 Patrol: 4 men left I-10,2 at 12 midnight. Report finding what appeared to be new wire at I,11-c-3,0.0. Searchlight appeared well behind enemy front line and machine gun opened on patrol from their left flank apparently from railway salient. Patrol returned by same route at about 1:20 AM.
                                The moon rendered patrolling difficult.

                                Enemy operations
                                Artillery: nil
                                Machine gun fired intermittently during the night.
                                A great number of Verey lights were fired by enemy during night. Enemy trenches appeared to be badly knocked about at about I-11-C-6,7.5. He has erected some camouflage on his wire apparently in order to hide his working parties. New woodwork can be seen at this point.
                                Rear lines: nil

                                Enemy movements: A considerable noise of transport could be heard moving on rear of enemy lines during night particularly at about 6:30 pm.

                                Communication: Enemy used many Verey lights during the night. He also used a number of searchlights which appeared at different places along his line.
                                Aircraft: An enemy aeroplane (biplane) flew over DCO HQ and C gap from direction of Square Farm at about 300 feet from ground at 2:30 pm. It was moving very fast. Rifle fire was directed on it from frontline without effect. He was flying so low that the fact that it was an enemy machine was not discovered until it was almost over the line. One Lewis gun opened up on it but it jammed after firing two or three shots.
                                Sniping: Our snipers claim having hit 2 enemy.
                                Wind: Northwest 12 noon 6 mph to 5 pm 2 mph.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                12th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.133  Not to be taken in front line trenches
                                33rd BATTALION AIF
                                ROUTINE ORDER NO.133
                                By Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                Commanding
                                Chappelle D'Armentieres, 19th December, 1916

                                RETURNS 1299
                                In submitting the daily casualty returns Units will furnish the following information. Regimental number, rank, full name, age, religion, nature of casualty, and name and address of next of kin.

                                LIGHTING 1300
                                The attention of all ranks is called to the necessity of suppressing all kinds of light which may serve as guiding marks to the pilots of hostile aircraft flying at night. No fires in the open are to be allowed after dark.

                                TRAFFIC CONTROL 1301
                                Vehicles must not proceed East of the railway line at NOUVEL HOUPLINES with more than a pair of animals. Remainder of team must be unhooked and placed undercover until required on the return journey.

                                GUM BOOTS 1302
                                To avoid ill effects it is essential that men should select boots which are full large for them, and that no tight straps should be used.

                                DRESS 1303
                                It has been brought to notice that officers have returned to United Kingdom from France wearing the Dan Browne belt which from which the braces have been removed.
                                In the United Kingdom, Officers, will invariably wear at least one brace with the Dan Browne belt. The frog will only be worn when the sword is worn.

                                STRENGTH 1304
                                The following having been admitted into hospital are struck off the strength:

                                No. 7?4 Sgt. GJ Carter (deceased)
                                No. 510?A Pte. B Wenban
                                No. 11?? Pte. W Crewe
                                No. 1413 Dvr. A Kinkade
                                No. 1100 Dvr. A. Carpenter
                                No. 1417 L/Cpl. J McDonald
                                No. ??91 Pte. CR Lisle
                                No. 5076 Pte. MA Miller
                                No. 5011 Pte. CE Fowler
                                No. 272 Pte. CC Smith
                                No. 212 L/Cpl. W Matley

                                The undermentioned having returned from hospital are taken on the strength:

                                No. 1114 Pte. AR Ellis
                                No. 1?? Pte. R Taggart
                                No. 753 Pte. W Delaney
                                No. 2132 Pte.EA Shaw
                                No. 1724 Cpl WP Chapman

                                (Signed) RC Jones 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                12th Dec 1916 RFC Expansion  The Army Council approves the expansion of the Royal Flying Corps to 106 frontline squadrons.

                                12th Dec 1916   A & D Coys 18th DLI relieved B & C Coys in the Keep, no casualties.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                13th December 1916 Unusual Enemy Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report There was some unusual enemy activity. At 0900 the enemy's Trench Mortars opened fire and a Scheme two was commenced and continued intermittently until 1200. An enemy 77 mm Battery covered the fire. At 1340pm the enemy made a special bombardment of C Sap. At about 1400 hostile Trench Mortars were again active and spread down towards Hedge Street. A Scheme four was at once put into operation after which there was no further activity.

                                War Diaries


                                13th December 1916 Exhausting work for 33rd Bn AIF scouts  cf Intelligence Report attached. Owing to capture of patrol on 12th. Battalion front patrolled continuing all night. Found to be very exhausting on scouts. Should have waterproof overalls for this work.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Sub Sector


                                13th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Summary up to 6 am 13th of December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF
                                Right (1) Sub Sector
                                Intelligence Summary up to 6 am 13th of December 1916

                                Our operations:
                                Artillery: At 11.30 am our Artillery and heavy trench mortar bombarded enemy positions according to orders received with apparently good results. A considerable number of our 4.5 How shells were duds. 3.25 artillery fired 1 round test I-10-2 in 44 seconds. At 9:53 pm salvo of 4-18 lbs shells fired at working party I-10-2 seemed to be well placed.
                                Lewis guns: Our Lewis guns fired on working parties at different times during the night.
                                Patrols: No.1 patrol (A Co):1 NCO and 4 men left No.1 post at 7 pm to search for patrol which had not returned from connecting up with NF regiment on our Right without success. At about 10 pm they located enemy working party at about I-17-a-30-90. Lewis gun fire was directed upon this party.
                                No.2 patrol (B Co): 1 NCO and 4 man left I-10-5 at 8:40 pm advanced to enemy's wire which they found very thick. They moved south along the wire for some distance and returned at about 9.35. Enemy machine gun in railway salient fired intermittently while they were out along our front. Enemy was not encountered.
                                No.3 patrol (C Co): 5 men went out from I-10-7 at 9 pm. This patrol was seen and fired on by machine gun at about 100' in front of our wire. The absence cover and strong light made it impossible to space make further progress as they returned 9:50 pm.
                                No.4 patrol (D Co): 5 men left I-10-2 at 8.30 pm report enemy wire very strong opposite this point. Ground rough giving good cover. Enemy fired five verey lights from his listening posts in front of mushroom. A wiring party was located on this front and artillery fired a salvo on them which appeared to be well directed. Lewis guns opened on them at the same time. The strong moonlight rendered movement in no mans land difficult.
                                Enemy operations: Enemy artillery: Enemy retaliated to our bombardment at 11:30 with minenwerfer and a few shrapnel. He damaged Lothian Avenue with the one and filled in 4 dugouts in A Co support line with another. We sustained one slight casualty. Enemy obtained one direct hit on Heavy trench mortar emplacements wounding the HTM officer and Lt. Caruthers AE and killing HTM Sgt. Most of the minenwerfer appeared to come from behind mushroom salient.
                                Enemy machine gun: Fired intermittently during night transversing one parapet accurately. Machine guns still fires from railway salient.
                                Enemy patrols: At 6:30 pm a patrol of two men left right of No.1 locality to connect with Irish regiment on right. These men have not since returned although search has been made for them and it is presumed that they have been captured by an enemy patrol.
                                Enemy did not use so many Verey lights as usual during night. He again used searchlights. These appear from a different point each night and last night one in front of I-10,2 appeared considerably nearer than ever before.
                                At 10:30 enemy fired two red lights which burst in 2 red balls on reaching its maximum height. This was followed by another about one minute later. They were fired from sector opposite I-10,5. No action followed.
                                Enemy bombed his own wire throughout the night opposite I-10-1 and I-10,4 to I-10,6.
                                Orders received about 9.45 re strengthening garrison of front line carried out.
                                Wind E.S.E about 8 mph all day.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                13th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.134  NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.134
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 13th December, 1916

                                  INFORMATION FROM PRISONERS 1305
                                  When the 5th Bavarian Division first arrived on our front the British patrol activity was far in excess of theirs.  Now the Germans do a fair amount of patrolling and are planning raids at various points; they hope to carry this out successfully and to affect surprise attacks where our wire is weak.
                                  The 5th Bavarian Division is opposite the Division next but one to our right; the 3rd Bavarian Divisions is opposite our front. It is not improbable that the Division opposite our front is acting under similar orders to the 5th Divisions and that similar action by them is anticipated.

                                  SHELL FIRE IN BILLETS 1306
                                  The following incident is published for information, and is to be promulgated to all ranks.
                                  On the 10th inst. 3 men including a sergeant were walking along the street in Armentières.  The two men who had previous experience of shellfire threw themselves flat on the ground when a shell was heard approaching; the Sergeant remained standing.
                                  The men who prostrated themselves were not injured but the sergeant was killed instantly.
                                  Troops should have it impressed upon them that the burst of a shell is outward and upward, and that if they act properly they can very often avoid injury.

                                  SIGNALS 1307
                                  S.O.S. LINES may in future be used to report presence of fleeting targets.
                                  The S.O.S. Signal will not be used for this purpose but will be reserved for its proper use.

                                  DRYING  ROOM 1308
                                  A Drying Room has been established  near Battalion Headquarters for use of Companies. The Details in the Subsidiary Line should now make use of this room.  Fuel can be procured from Battalion Trench Store.

                                  WORKING PARTIES 1309
                                  The work of Engineers Officers attached to the Battalion is principally of an advisory nature, therefore Regimental Officers who are at all times responsible for maintenance and repair of their trenches and wire must act on their own initiative and decide what should be done, but using Engineering Officers as advisers.
                                  The work must be carried out by their own men and their own Officers assisted by Engineering staff and a distinct gain in efficiency will result by making it clear to the working parties that the result of their efforts is primarily for the benefit of their own Company or Battalion.

                                  INVOICE OF STORES 1310
                                  Quartermaster will in future forward invoice with all stores  sent to Battalion Headquarters by Regimental Transport . This will be checked by R.S.M.and handed to Battalion headquarters within one hour of arrival.

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                14th December 1916 Heavy Trench Mortar Silenced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the morning was normal. At 1500 the Division on our right bombarded Hill 60 and the Snout. We cooperated on our front. The enemy retaliated at 1525. D236 Battery silenced a Heavy Trench Mortar. A Scheme five was ordered twice and the second time was effective. Much movement was seen on Tower Hamlets Road.

                                War Diaries


                                14th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF snipers effective  December cf Intelligence Report attached dated (15 /12/1916). Snipers harassing enemy continuously during daylight dealing effectively with the enemy sniping.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Sub Sector


                                14th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Summary up to 6 am 14th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF 7:50 am up to 6 am 14th December 1916
                                Right (1) Sub Sector
                                Intelligence Summary

                                Our Operations: Our artillery: At 2:30 our artillery and heavy trench mortar bombarded enemy parapet and line opposite I-10,7. 18 pounder shells appeared to burst well. At 3:30 pm in reply for call for retaliation they fired on I-16,4 and succeeded in silencing enemy minenwerfer.
                                Machine guns: Lewis guns: working party at I,11,c-50,70 dispersed with Lewis gun fire. Otherwise Lewis gun quiet owing to fact that front was patrolled almost continuously all night.
                                Vickers gun: in support line left centre Co fired indirectly at machine gun in railway salient.
                                Patrols: The battalion front was patrolled continuously from dark to stand to. Patrols report our wire in front of 1,11-4 and I-10-1 to be in good condition except for one gap which has now been filled. Patrols here report that enemy used a great number of verey lights also a searchlight which hindered their movement very much. He also fired on them with machine guns. Patrols in front of I-10,2 and I-10,3 report enemy wire very strong opposite these points, patrols examining wire from I-11,c, 40,50 to I-11,c-40,50. No enemy wire encountered. Patrols covering I-10,6 and I-10,7 report having seen three of enemy in no mans land but could not get in touch with them. They also discovered two wires and an instantaneous fuse remaining from enemy parapet to our own where it was connected with four jam tin bombs. They are apparently all old and have been there for some time. One bomb forwarded herewith. Enemy fired a considerable number of very lights during night on this front. Patrols on frontage I-10-4 - I-10-5 report everything as usual. Enemy not encountered.
                                Wiring: Wire was put out in front of B Post party being out for 4 hours used all material available. Also wire was put out in front of the central Avenue repairs being carried out where damaged by enemy artillery fire.
                                Enemy operations: Artillery: Enemy retaliated to our bombardment at about 2:30 pm with minenwerfer and 77 mm. Nine of the former and 70 of the latter being fired. 77 mm shells appeared to come from the direction of Wez Macquart. Enemy appeared to be shooting at Porte Egale Avenue with his 5.9. No of shells fired not ascertained and a number exploded on south side of Petite Porte Egale Farm. No material damage was done. One 77 shell exploded at head of Lothian Avenue killing two and wounding two. Four what appeared to be large rifle grenades or small strength mortar shells were fired into left Co. sector at about the head of Porte Egale Avenue. One exploded loudly and the others gave a dull report but a great deal of smoke rose from them. There were no duds so the nature of the shell could not be ascertained. He also fired 30 77mm shells which landed in the vicinity of our subsidiary line and Fochards (?) Dump, none of these shells exploded ??? shells have been dug up by R.A.
                                Enemy machine gun: one new machine gun position located in rear of Mushroom firing high apparently at support or rescue lines. It is not possible to give coordinates yet. The machine gun in railway salient also fired. Enemy machine guns active all along battalion front all night but no other guns could be located.
                                Enemy defences: Enemy could be heard at work in his trenches all night. One wiring party was dispersed with Lewis gun fire.
                                Enemy movements: Transport could be heard behind enemy lines during night, appeared to be unloading iron rails.
                                Communications: Enemy used more verey lights than usual during the night. He also used his search lights very frequently.
                                Aircraft: A British aeroplane passed over position at about 7:55 am flying north and returned at 8:45 from south east.
                                Miscellaneous: Enemy bombed his wire very frequently all along this front. Our snipers claim 2 hits on 12/12/1916 and 2 more on 13/12/1916. Wind Southwest about 5 mph all day.
                                Patrols continued: Patrols left each of 4 Cos sectors as follows:
                                Out: 7:00 pm 7:35 pm 8:30 pm 9:00 pm 11:10 pm 1:10 am 2:30 a.m.
                                Returned: 7:50 pm 8:30 pm 9:00 pm 11:10 pm 1:10 am 2:30 a.m. 5:00 am

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                14th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.135  NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.135
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 14th December, 1916

                                  FROST COGS 1311
                                  Quarter Master will submit indents to D.A.D.O.S. for wrenches, taps, etc. on the following scale:
                                  For each farrier and shoeing-smith ... Taps 3/8" - 1
                                                                                              Taps 1/2" - 1
                                                                                              wrenches - 1
                                  In addition to the above for every four horses
                                  1 wrench
                                  1 tap
                                  Of which 25% of the taps will be 3/8"
                                  And 75% of the taps will be 1/2"
                                  For mules all taps will be 3/8"

                                  S.O.S. SIGNALS 1312
                                  Company Commanders must see that every officer in their command and every platoon Sergeant fully understands the instructions for the use of this signal.

                                  REPAIRING WIRE 1313
                                  Repairs to wire should be concentrated in the following order of importance.
                                  Gaps
                                  Posts
                                  Localities
                                  The gaps being weakest should have the strongest wire defences.

                                  STORAGE OF AMMUNITION 1314
                                  It is essential to have ammunition boxes inserted in parapet in trenches for the dry storage of hand grenades and loose S.A.A. These boxes should be so placed as to minimise the weakness to the parapet and at the same time give protection to the bombs from shellfire. The boxes should have a flap of hessian over the face to prevent rain beating in.  Companies will report to Battalion H.Q. when work is completed.

                                  BOUNDS 1315
                                  In order to safeguard the British troops billeted in NIEPPE from mumps contagion buildings in the village of NIEPPE will be out of bounds to all troops of this Battalion until further notice. This must be read to troops by all concerned.

                                  CASUALTIES 1316
                                  Reference R.O.133, para 1299, Companies and HQ sections need only report number, rank and name of casualties.  This must be done by runner immediately such casualties occur.  All other information will be supplied by Battalion Headquarters.  All officers and other ranks reported "Missing" and who eventually return to their Companies, etc should be at once shown in casualty lists.

                                  FOOT TRAFFIC  1317
                                  Men passing backwards and forward from the front must not use the LILLE-ARMENTIERES railway line. There is a good track inside the hedge on north side of the line and this must invariably be used.

                                  REGISTRATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIANS 1318
                                  Any British Columbian soldier serving with this Battalion will register his name at Battalion HQ by 15th inst. for purpose of voting in connection with Referenda on Prohibition and Female Suffrage in British Columbia.

                                  RATIONS 1319
                                  Companies must make provision for men who are kept at Regimental Aid Posts for medical attention. Rations for such men to be promptly despatched to Sgt Cook at the Battalion HQ otherwise patients may have nothing to eat.

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                15th December 1916 An eventful day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record an eventful day. From 0700 to 0940 the enemy bombardment the whole of our trench system, paying especial attention to the part from Hedge Street to Canada Trench. We retaliated vigorously. Considerable damage was done to our trenches. At 1600 the enemy commenced another bombardment this time accompanied by an artillery barrage. All batteries stood to (action stations). About forty Germans advanced against Sap B. An SOS flare was fired and our barrage opened whilst the rocket was still in the air. This barrage come down on the enemy in No Mans Land and inflicted casualties. The enemy at once left our trenches and returned to his own. No more Germans attempted to penetrate the barrage. Several dead Germans were left in our trench and on the parapets. Our casualties were very slight.

                                War Diaries


                                15th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF need waterproofs and revolvers  cf Intelligence Summary attached dated 16 /12/1916. The work of patrolling front continuously proving too exhausting for scouts. Waterproof suits essential. Also revolvers as rifles become unusable in the mud.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Sub Sector


                                15th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Summary up to 6 am 15th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF up to 6 am 15th December 1916
                                Right (1) Sub Sector
                                Intelligence Summary

                                Our operations: Artillery: Artillery active on the front of unit on our right between 1 and 2 o'clock. Enemy retaliated. During the day our artillery fired some shells into the railway salient. Result not observed. Our artillery opened on enemy communication 5 pm. At 11:55 am. Our light trench mortarbombarded enemy lines south of Mushroom salient the shells bursting well. Enemy retaliated with five minnies and some 77 mm which did no damage.

                                Machine guns: Line fairly quiet all night. Our Lewis gun covered our patrols by traversing enemy parapet. An emplacement has been built with a fixed platform covering the gap between our Right Co.and the unit on our right.

                                Patrols: Localities I-16,4 and I-10,1. No.1 from I-16,4 at 5:45 pm returned 7:45 pm by same route. 1 NCO and six men reports having difficulty in getting through our wire moved forward through orchard and then to left in no mans land about 400'. Enemy fired a great number of verey lights and bombed his own wire. Enemy not encountered.
                                No.2 from I-10,1 7:45 to 9:45 pm 1 NCO and six men had no trouble getting through our wire. Report having examined no mans land as far north as Mushroom salient and returned to orchard. No enemy movement observed.
                                No.3 from I-16,4 9:45 to 12 pm. Advanced to within 50' of hostile wire. No enemy encountered but he could be heard working at his own trenches. He bombed his wire frequently and used many verey lights.
                                No. 4 from I-10,1 and12 to 2 am 1&6. Advanced about 200' towards enemy trenches and then patrolled towards mushroom. Report enemy bombing and firing Verey lights.
                                No.5 from I-10-1- 2:15 am to 4:45 am. 1 & 6. Moved to left to about I-11-c-0-3 thence to within 25 yards of enemy parapet. They report enemy at work in his trenches from I-11-c-35-15 to I-11-c-25-00. A machine gun on their right in enemy trench fired a burst from I-?-?-30-75. Enemy was then heard to walk to the left and when about 25' from first position he fired another burst. This was repeated and in all he fired 4 bursts in about 100' last burst from I-17-a-4.5-9.5. No Verey lights were sent up by him here.
                                When a shot from our parapet hit his parapet the scout said heard the enemy say "come on". The working party was heard whistling and singing. The patrol then moved about 100' to right. Work was going on the whole length of the enemy front.

                                At about midnight and officer and an NCO examined the wire where the enemy raiding party entered our trench in a gap two nights ago. At the forward edge of the wire a hand grenade was found and a piece of white tape leading through the gap which had been cut in the wire. A grenade was picked up about every 3 yards along the tape - 15 in all similar to those left inside the trench on night of raid. They appeared to have been put there for a purpose. There is a fairly well worn track here which leads to and follows along a ditch (no.2) on intelligence map sheet 4 which gives good cover as far as enemy trenches.
                                Front I-10,2, I-10,3 Patrols went out as follows:-
                                No. 1 from I-10,2 at 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm reports our wire good from I-10-D-90,25 to I-11-0,05-30. From from there out it is patchy and there are several gaps. Enemy not encountered.

                                No. 2 7:45 pm to 10:35 pm went out to examine our wire to right of mushroom and report it scattered and broken. Enemy not encountered.

                                No. 3 from I-10-2 - 10 35 pm to 11:30 pm to examine enemy wire opposite gap. Reports it impossible to approach it owing to mud and shell holes caused by our Artillery.

                                Patrols also went out at 12 midnight to 2 am, 2 am to 4 am. They report enemy wiring party at 12:15 am enemy wiring party at I-11-c-4,5. They were talking and coughing. They were dispersed with Lewis gun and rifle fire. Enemy sending up verey lights from enemy listening post. Enemy otherwise quiet.

                                Frontage : I-10,4, I-10,5. This frontage was controlled continuously from 5:30 pm to 5 am. They report no enemy working parties heard nor seen enemy exceptionally quiet on this front except for machine gun in railway salient which was firing in both directions and a great number of Verey lights were fired. Enemy still bombing his wire in this sector but not so much as on night before.

                                Patrols: Frontage: I-10,6, I-10,7. This frontage patrolled from 5:30 pm to 5 am. Report enemy quiet on this front no working parties being seen or heard. No mans land opposite I-10,6 very wet and boggy. Enemy bombed his own wire during night almost continuously and threw up many Verey lights. On several occasions as soon as one light went out another was fired on each occasion about 12 lights went up.

                                Enemy operations: Artillery: At different times during day shelled position 150' in rear of Mushroom with 77 mm shells (HE??)

                                Some shells seem to have come from opposite I-11-4 and others from in rear of railway salient. He replied to this bombardment of N.F. on our right with shrapnel and minnies but only feeble in comparison with what was put on him. He fired 4 machines (?) at 6:5 pm across the left of battalion front and again at 9:30 pm. No damage was observed on our front. At 10:45 enemy fired with field guns on Lewis gun emplacements in "C" post and hit the parapet in several places doing no material damage. At 3:45 pm he ranged on No. 3 locality the shells bursting in front of the parapet and doing no damage to our work. At about 5:10 pm 8 medium trench mortar or light trench mortar shells burst in front of parapet and again at 5:55 pm 4 more burst in same place doing no damage etc to our works. They appeared to come from enemy front line opposite I-10-7. At 9:50 am enemy shelled left Co. A few shells fell between front and support lines the remainder to the left of support line. Guns 77 mm. He repeated this at 2:45 pm. A great number of his shells failed to explode. Enemy also fired a number of rifle grenades especially about 5 pm. These seem to be very heavy for rifle grenades and some explode with loud detonation while others give very little report but a great deal of smoke.

                                Machine guns: Enemy machine gun particularly quiet during night. Enemy machine gun fired 2 good burst at about 9:30 pm on the right tramline running up to support line. This was evidently caused by working parties under R.E. showing themselves freely at this place during daylight. Machine gun in railway salient fired 12 bursts, in mushrooms salient six first and later three bursts during night mostly over our front line. During our bombardment of enemy communications enemy machine guns fired long burst at every salvo along our parapet and communication trenches.

                                Communications: Enemy fired very many verey lights all night along his whole front. He fired a new verey light which burnt for some seconds on the ground and then when nearly out burst again throwing another light with the area about half as high as the first shot. He used his searchlights as usual during the night.

                                Miscellaneous: Our snipers claim 4 hits.
                                Enemy bombed his own wire very frequently during night along our whole front.
                                Enemy transport and motor transport heard at 4 am at about I-17-B-3,1.
                                Wind South East 5 mph all day.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                15th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.136   NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.136
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 15th December, 1916

                                    BILLETING PARTIES 1320
                                  Each Company will detail to men to act as Advance Billeting Party.  They will report to Lt. WJC Duncan at Battalion Headquarters at 9:30 am on the 16th inst. The men detailed as above must be detailed on Company guides on day of relief.

                                  CHURCH PARADES 1321
                                  For the future all Church Parades will be voluntary, but all ranks must be given every facility to attend.

                                PASSWORDS 1322
                                  Companies and specialist sections must not issue passwords when in the line. The practice to be adopted in this Battalion will be that when challenged a man will give his own name in reply.

                                  MACHINE GUNS 1323
                                Machine guns are at the disposal of Company Commanders for the purpose of defence.
                                  When necessary Company Commanders may arrange  with the MG Officer to fire from temporary emplacements but the permanent positions must not be changed.
                                  Normal night firing is controlled by the MG Officer.  Any Company Officer on discovering a suitable target may order machine gun fire. Such an order will be written and signed by the Officer and given to the officer in charge or NCO with the gun.  Care must be taken that the target is one for a machine gun. MG Officers will record every such target fired at and will report to Battalion Headquarters if guns are misused.
                                  Machine Guns should not fire regularly from their fixed emplacements, but alternative emplacement should be used as much as possible.
                                It must be remembered that Machine Guns must be laid during daylight for night firing. It is impossible to lay a gun at night.
                                  Company Commanders will confer and cooperate in every possible way with MG Officer.

                                  LIGHT TRENCH MORTARS 1324
                                  Stokes mortars are also at the disposal of Company Commanders and may be used on the following conditions:,
                                  General defensive in case of an attack.
                                On enemy working parties or groups of men. For this, the number of rounds to be fired by any one gun is limited to 12, but 6 rounds should suffice to disperse such a party.  Any Company Officer may order fire on pointing out a suitable target to the officer or NCO in charge of the guns. Again it is essential to have hearty cooperation with the Trench Mortar Battery.

                                  CORRESPONDENCE WITH STRANGERS 1325
                                  Information from an absolutely reliable source shows that the Germans are using the following devices to obtain identification, vis:,
                                  Collecting letters and field service postcards coming from the front and bearing postal marks.
                                  Sending parcels to soldiers with an addressed card to be signed by the recipient and returned as an acknowledgement of the gift.
                                  Copies of all military maps.
                                  Letters from an unknown writers and particularly gifts from unknown donors should at once be brought to the notice of Battalion Headquarters.

                                  STRENGTH 1326
                                  The undermentioned have been stuck of strength.
                                  No 161 Sgt.TGE Rush, killed in action
                                  No 257 Pte. R McRae, killed in action

                                  They undermentioned having been discharged from hospital are taken on the strength
                                  5124B Pte. H Newcomb
                                  1196 Pte E Malheron

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                15th Dec 1916   2Lt Busby & draft of 23 ORs reported to 18th DLI HQ. 130 ORs billeted at Couin. 18 DLI relieved 18th W.Y.R. in L3 relief complete 12.40pm. Raiding party left at Sailly. B & C Coys. right & left front. A & D Coys. support.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                16th December 1916 Enemy Artillery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the enemy artillery was fairly active on our back area. Snipers were busy on both sides. D236 Battery fired one hundred and six rounds at 1530 in cooperation with Scheme of Division on our right (47th). Aeroplanes were active on both sides.

                                War Diaries


                                16th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF use Stokes mortars  cf Intelligence Summary attached dated 16 /12/1916. System of a man when challenged answering by giving his own name instead of his unit or a password adopted throughout the Battalion. Stokes mortars found effective for dispersing working parties at night on enemy wire. Stokes guns placed at disposal of O.C.Co for this purpose to be ordered to fire 12 shots at any time required.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Sub Sector


                                16th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Report No.12   Intelligence Report No.12
                                33rd Battalion AIE, Chapelle d'Armentieres, Right (1) Subsector
                                Period 6 am 16/12/1916 to 6 am 17/12/1916

                                Our operations

                                1. Our Artillery:
                                1:45 PM as arranged our medium trench mortar covered by artillery fire bombarded enemy wire and trenches with apparently good results. A number of our 18 lbs shells were duds. Enemy wire in front of I-10,1 greatly damaged. I-10,2 1 round test three minutes seven seconds. Our Artillery light trench mortar bombarded enemy front line in front of the south of mushroom with 17 shells. Shells on lift appeared to fall short. Two salvos of N.P. rifle grenades fired from I-10,4 into enemy front line during night. Also nine grenades from I, 10,6. Five of the latter landed in anyway front line and two in his wire. Artillery made a large crack in enemy parapet at I-11-C- 6,6.

                                2. Machine guns: our machine guns fired indirectly on enemy communications last night.
                                Lewis guns: in good order fired very little during night.

                                3. Patrols: 1 NCO and six men left A gap at 8 pm returning same way at 10 pm. They went forward along ditch to within 50 feet of enemy wire. At this time D Co. light trench mortars started to bombard mushroom and enemy fired a great number of verey lights. 2 machine guns opened on left and right front of patrol at distance of 150 feet apart. It would appear as if there were a gap between these two guns from I-16,B,7-6 to I-16,B- 9,2 as no movement was heard and no shots fired from this sector while patrol was out.

                                Another patrol went out from same place at 1 am. Our wire here is weak. 10 foot from our wire they struck a track leading right into enemy line which seemed to be well worn. They followed this track to within 70 yards of enemy wire when enemy fired some verey lights. His wire here is very strong. There are about nine shell holes along this track - the largest would hold five men. Track runs from about I-16,B-4,6 to I-16,B-9,2. Patrol returned by this track at 8:10 am.

                                A patrol left work end of mushroom chord to examine enemy wire at 5 pm returning at 7:15 pm reported that the enemy wire has been considerably cut about by shellfire since last examined. Several gaps being noticed. Saw no enemy but heard working party in trench.

                                A patrol from the same point at 10 pm reported seeing an enemy patrol returning towards their gap. Returned 11 pm. The battalion front otherwise was patrolled continuously all night. Patrols report all quiet, no enemy encountered. Enemy was exceptionally quiet during the night.

                                Enemy operations

                                1. Artillery: Enemy retaliated to our bombardment at 1:45 with 5 minenwerfer shells. One landed some distance behind the parapet of I,10-1. Two landed in B post wrecking a firebay and two were duds. All seems to be directed towards the medium trench mortar emplacements. Enemy also fired a few rifle grenades into this locality during the day. No casualties resulted from this retaliation. Enemy fired 6,5.9 shells into our parapet at C Post but did no damage. At 2 pm he put over 11 minenwerfer shells all but two of which fell short of our wire. These two did considerable damage to our wire which has since been repaired. Two shells were duds. This occurred at No.3 locality and the shells appeared to come from opposite I-10-7. Light trench mortar fired four shots between fire trench and support line at I-10-4 doing no damage. Enemy fired three minenwerfer shells into our wire opposite I-10,6 at 1:55 pm. He also fired 12 rifle grenades into this locality at this time all of which landed between our front and support lines doing no damage.

                                Machine guns: enemy machine guns active during the night along the front but on the whole were quieter than usual.

                                2. Enemy defences: our Artillery considerably damaged the parapet of enemy trenches and also his wire. Enemy working parties seen working in his front line opposite No. 3 locality during the day. No new work observed. Enemy wire considerably damaged by our artillery fire at 1:45 pm.

                                Communications: bright light in Armentières referred to yesterday again appeared from 12: 5 pm to 12:10 pm just after the enemy had started to bombard our position. This light appears to come from ???

                                Aircraft: at 8 am enemy plane passed overhead at a great height. At 11 am two of our planes appeared overhead.

                                Miscellaneous: enemy wearing spiked helmets observed opposite I-10,7. Also some wearing steel helmets somewhat resembling ours except that the crown seems to be higher. Some weight-bearing round blue caps. A number were wearing cap comforters. Immediately in front of I-10-7 at about 10:30 am at about 1000 feet a number of men were observed working among the timber digging and clearing with what appeared to be a large bell book. The men, who were wearing blue uniform, and round flat topped caps, appeared to be of fine physique. At about 4 pm a man wearing a heavily braided cap looked over the enemy parapet opposite I-10-6. A shot was fired at him but the result could not be observed owing to the bad light. He put his head down and it did not reappear.

                                Sniping: snipers claim five hits today. On 15/12/1916 snipers claim three hits. Men take a great interest in the periscope rifle.

                                Wind: S.SW. all day at less than 4 mph. Enemy opposite A Gap oberved to be ? new sandbag something with a sand bag on the end of the stick.

                                Enemy bombed his own wired during the night. He used many verey lights.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                16th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Operation order number No. 4    Secret.
                                33rd Battalion, A.I.F.
                                Operation order number No. 4
                                By
                                Lt. Col LJ Morshead,
                                Commanding.
                                Reference map. Sheet 36 N.W. 1/20,000.
                                Battalion headquarters, 16th December, 1916.

                                Relief.
                                1. The 33rd Battalion will be relieved by 35th Battalion commencing at 8 am on 17th December, the 33rd Battalion will move into billets and become "D" Battalion.

                                Advance parties.
                                2. In accordance with Third Australian Divisional Trench Standing Orders, para 4, specialists will move into front line on 16th inst.

                                Billeting parties.
                                3. Billeting parties of one officer and one NCO per platoon will proceed to "D" Battalion billets on 16th inst. to arrange billets for their companies.

                                Guides.
                                4. Four guides per Company (billeting party) will report to Lieut. WJC Duncan at Square Farm at 9 am to guide companies from trenches to billets.

                                Handing over.
                                5. Officers commanding Companies will hand over and obtain duplicate receipts for all trench stores, defence schemes, logbooks, aeroplane photos, maps, plans and other useful information, and forward these to Battalion headquarters immediately they have handed over. Code books are now a regimental issue and will not be handed over. RSM will obtain duplicate receipt for Battalion stores and hand it to Adjutant.

                                Tables of times and routes.
                                6. (1) In coming Battalion (35th Battalion AIF).
                                COMPANY TIME AT Bn HQ DESTINATION ROUTE
                                C (left flank) 7.37 am Fire Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                A (right flank) 7.51 am Fire Trench Lothian Avenue
                                C 8.5 am Support Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                A 8.10 am Support Trench Lothian Avenue
                                B (Left centre) 8.33 am Fire Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                D (Right centre) 8.47 am Fire Trench Lothian Avenue
                                B 9.1 am Support Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                D 9.45 am Support Trench Lothian Avenue
                                C 12.30 pm Subsidiary Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                A 12.44 pm Subsidiary Trench Lothian Avenue
                                C 12.52 pm Subsidiary Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                A 1.12pm Subsidary Trench Lothian Avenue
                                B 1.26 pm Subsidiary Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                D 1.40 pm Subsidiary Trench Lothian Avenue
                                B 1.54 pm Subsidiary Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                D 2.6 pm Subsidiary Trench Lothian Avenue
                                Bn Bombers 5.30 pm Subsidiary Trench Lothian Avenue
                                Bn Scouts 5.44 pm Subsidiary Trench Lothian Avenue

                                (2) 33rd Battalion, A.I.F. The platoons it firing line and support trenches will be ready to move outat 10:15 am and clear Railway Crossing at 1.2.c.4.7. near gum boots store by 12 noon. Platoons in subsidiary line will be moved out as soon as relieved.

                                (3) Company specialists. Company specialists, including Lewis gunners, bombers, stretcher bearers, sappers, salvage men, sanitary men and cooks will be relieved their respective companies.

                                (4) Headquarters Specialist. The relief of headquarters and attached specialists, i.e. Lewis gunners, bombers, scouts and snipers will commence on 16th inst. and be completed on 17th inst. They will remain in subsidiary line until they are completely relieved when they will move to billets, on 17th inst.

                                Method of relief
                                7 (1) All ranks will be at their alarm stations during the relief.
                                (2) One platoon of each relieving Company will be posted to the firing line, one to support line and 2 to Subsidiary line.
                                (3) No platoon will move out until the whole of the relieving platoon is actually in position. The men in the firing line being relieved will stand on the fire step and as soon as relieving units are in position they will change places, i.e. 35th Battalion will mount fire steps and 33rd Battalion the trench walks.
                                (4) Platoon commanders will report to their Company commanders when this is done, and orders will then be given to file out.

                                Movement
                                8. Every precaution must be taken against hostile observation both aerial and from ground level. Troops will move in parties not larger than sections at two minute intervals south-east of the Armentières-Nouvel Houplines railway line.

                                March to billets
                                9 (1) Platoons on relief will proceed as in sub-section 2, para 6, moving in parties not larger than sections at 2 minutes intervals, C. Co. Leading. D and B Co.s will proceed to billets on relief.
                                (2) Guides detailed in para 4 will meet outgoing parties at Chapelle Armentières Railway Crossing (I.1.d.45.90) and conduct them to billets in Armentières.

                                Distribution of details
                                10 Specialists and headquarters details will be attached as follows:

                                A Co. Bombing platoon and HQ Lewis gunners
                                B Co. Signallers,
                                C Co. Pioneers and sniping platoon, Scouts.
                                D Co. AMC (Australian Medical Corps) and band.

                                Command
                                (11) Company commanders will remain in command of their sub-sections until their units are completely relieved on 17th inst.

                                Lewis guns
                                (12). Lewis guns and equipment will be placed in Square Farm by 3 pm. The transport officer will arrange to collect these at 5 pm on 17th inst.

                                Transport
                                (13) Trench kits, mess gear and all stores other than trench stores will be dumped at Square Farm by 3:30 pm. The transport officer will arrange to collect these at 5 pm on 17th inst. This officer will also see that officers kits are left at their billets and that Companies are informed of sites of water carts.

                                Gum Boots
                                (14) These must not be taken beyond the Gum Boot store at I.2.a. If handed over to incoming Battalion, receipt must be taken and this should also be obtained for boots returned to store. "A" Co. will detail a reliable NCO to check boots handed into store. He will report to Battalion HQ for instructions at 9 am on 17th inst.

                                Guard
                                (15) The Battalion police under Cpl Hewitt will guard all stores and Lewis guns in Square Farm and will assist in loading these on to transport after which they will report to Battalion HQ in Armentières.

                                Reports
                                17 (1) On completion of relief and before they leave front line Company commanders will wire "complied with" to Battalion headquarters.
                                (2) When their commands are settled in billets, Company commanders will so inform Battalion HQ in Armentières by runner.

                                (Signed) RC Jones S/Lieut.
                                Adjutant, 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                Distribution
                                Copy No. 1 to 9th Inf.Brigade
                                2 - CO
                                3 - Second in command
                                4 - Adjutant
                                5 - A Co.
                                6 - B. Co.
                                7 - C. Co.
                                8 - D. Co.
                                9 - Lewis gun officer
                                10 - Signalling officer
                                11 - Scout Officer
                                12 - Sniping officer
                                13 - Bombing officer
                                14 - Billeting officer
                                15 - Regimental Medical Officer
                                16 - Transport officer
                                17 - Quarter Master
                                18 - 35th Battalion AIF
                                19 - Office in charge Light trench mortar battery
                                20 - Officer in charge night Machine Gun Co.
                                21 - File
                                22 - War Diary

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                16th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.137  NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.137
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 16th December, 1916

                                  INSPECTION 1327
                                  Lieut-General Birdwood will visit Armentieres on Sunday 17th inst. and may visit Subsidiary Line.  Platoons when relieved must be moved to billets as expeditiously as possible and all ranks are warned to be smart and orderly during the whole of relief operations.  Special stress must be laid on saluting.  

                                STATE OF WIRE 1328
                                  Company Commanders will prepare and submit to Battalion Headquarters by 10 am on 17th inst. a report on the amount of work done on the wire on their front during the present tour of duty, giving as much detail as possible.

                                  DIET SHEETS 1329
                                  Diet sheets must be kept in all cook houses and it is important that close attention should be given to these by Company Commanders and the Senior Major.

                                  SALVAGE DUMP 1330
                                  A salvage dump has been established at Square Farm near Fockaber's Dump.  All salved articles should be placed there.  

                                  DUTY CO 1331
                                  17-12-16 A. Co.
                                  18-12-16 B. Co.

                                DAILY DUTIES 1332
                                  Captain of the week: Capt. CH Linklater
                                Subaltern of the day: 2/Lt. CF Kirby
                                  Next for duty: Lt AG Farleigh
                                  Regimental Orderly Sergeant:  Sgt AE Walker
                                  Next for duty:  Sgt TW Rourke
                                  Regimental Orderly Corporal: Cpl. GA Cawkwell
                                  Next for duty: Cpl. G Richardson

                                  GUARDS 1333
                                  On return to billets each Company will mount a guard consisting of 1 NCO and 3 men over Company Headquarters and duty Co. will mount similar guard over Battalion Headquarters. These guards will be changed daily at 5 pm.

                                  PRIMUS STOVES 1334
                                  A and B Co. will return one Primus stove to Battalion Headquarters by 8 am on 17th inst.

                                  PROMOTIONS 1335
                                  The following promotions have been approved:

                                No.715, L/Sgt. BWA Budden to be Sgt vice Carter (killed in action)
                                No. 769, Cpl.F Flick to be L/Sgt. vice Budden promoted
                                  No. 2043, L/Cpl. W Casey to be Cpl. vice Flick promoted
                                  No. 240, Pte.J Reid to be L/Cpl. vice Casey promoted

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                16th Dec 1916   Wet & dull. Enemy fairly quiet. Shell hit left front of 18th DLI Coy HQ, Capt. Phorson & 2Lt Busby killed, 2Lt Lean wounded. 2Lt Waggott took temporary command of Coy.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                17th December 1916 Poor visibility.  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record a very quiet day and poor visibility.

                                War Diaries


                                17th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF prefers pea soup  cf Intelligence Summary dated 18 /12/1916. Night firing positions 2 for machine guns selected on front line. Enemy machine guns replied with energy to burst fired. Found that men prefer pea soup to Oxo after stand down in morning. Relief of Battalion postponed one day on account of visit of Lieutenant-General Sir WR Birdwood to area. Front particularly quiet all day.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Sub Sector


                                17th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Report No.13  Intelligence summary No. 13
                                33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                Period 6 am 17/12/1916 - 6 am 18/12/1916

                                Operations

                                Our artillery: 12:40 pm three rounds fired, enemy parapet opposite I-10-1 3:30 pm 11 rounds fired in retaliation enemy medium trench mortar.

                                Machine guns: our machine guns fired several times during the night each burst being replied to by enemy with energy.

                                Lewis guns: fired occasional bursts.

                                Patrols: I-16-4 - I-10,1. Patrol went out from I-16,4 proceeded to extreme right. Thence patrolled to the left of I-10,1 then returned by same route as they went out. No enemy encountered. Went out at 5:30 pm returning 8 pm. Second patrol went out from the left of I-10,1 at ??? advanced straight across to enemy wire. Machine gun opened on them and a number of flares were fired. They patrolled to the right along wire which was found to be strong and returned at about ??? by the same route.

                                I-10,2, I-10,3 First patrol at 7 pm from mushroom sap removed 15 foot south thence straight across to enemy wire. No enemy encountered. Moved south heard two enemy working parties on their parapet. Our wire south of mushroom in good order returned 9 pm same way as went out. Second patrol went out 9 pm from north of mushroom cord through mushroom thence 400 foot north. Encountered no Enemy reported all quiet at 11 pm except they that they had been fired on by enemy machine gun.

                                3rd patrol left at 11:30 pm halfway along Mushroom sap. Moved north along No Man's Land for some distance. No enemy encountered. Scouts believe that there is a gap between railway and Mushroom salients in enemy garrison. The wire here is very strong and he shows no activity. Requires confirmation. I-10-4, I-10,5. Patrol of 35th Battalion left I-10-4 11 pm patrolled towards enemy line returning 1 am. Report machine gun on south of railway salient very active on our machine gun position I-11-a-3-3.

                                No.2 patrol 35th Battalion left I-11-a-3-3 at 1:15 am returning the same place 3:15 am report all quiet on the front. About six verey lights were fired by enemy.

                                No. 3 patrol 35th Battalion left I-11-a-3-3 at 3:30 am. No enemy seen. Machine gun on railway salient still active returned 5:30 am.

                                No.4 patrol 35th Battalion left I-11-a-0-6 at 1 am report hearing enemy working party I -11-a-6-6 but could not see them. Verey lights were fired here by enemy showed no activity. Patrol returned at 3 am.

                                No. 5 Patrol 35th Battalion left I-11-a-1-8 at 3:15 am returning at 5:15 am, report all quiet.

                                Our patrols on front I-10-6 from 7 pm to ? pm report all quiet, no enemy encountered.

                                Enemy activity: Artillery nil. He threw 35 bombs from medium trench mortar into A company front without doing any damage at 3:5 pm.

                                Machine guns: enemy machine gun showed great activity during the night and showed even greater accuracy than before. Three guns between the railway and the Mushroom traversed our parapets and played on our wire continuously at one time or three guns were firing at the same time.
                                Our machine gun from left of Mushroom fired on LC said to be in No Man's Land. It did not fire after this again.

                                Enemy defences: nothing new could be observed. Patrols report this wired to be very strong practically all along his front.

                                Communications: enemy still fires a great number of verey lights at night. He also used to searchlights throughout the night.

                                Wiring: about 50 foot of new wire was put out north of Mushroom chord during the night.

                                Sniping: snipers claim three hits for the day.

                                Enemy bombed his wired during the night.

                                Wind: about 3 mph west north west.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                17th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Operations Order No. 5  Appendix No.14
                                Secret
                                33rd Battalion, A.I.F.

                                Operation order No. 5
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead
                                Commanding

                                Reference map Sheet 36 N.W. 1/20,000
                                Battalion headquarters. 17th December, 1916

                                Relief.
                                Owing to the visit of Lieut.- General Sir WR Birdwood, the relief of this Battalion as detailed in 33rd Battalion operation order No. 4 of 16th inst. para 1 is postponed to Monday, 18th December, 1916 commencing at 2 am.
                                Time of relief to be amended and read accordingly.

                                (Signed) RC Jones, S/Lieut.
                                Adjutant, 33rd Battalion, A.I.F.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                17th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.138  NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.138
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 17th December, 1916

                                  RATION PARTIES 1336
                                  Ration parties for Sunday, 17th inst. will report at SQUARE FARM at 8 pm.

                                  DIVISIONAL ARMOURERS SHOP 1337
                                  The undermentioned will report to D.A.D.O.S. Divisional Armourer Shop on Monday, 18th inst.  He  will be attached to D.A.D.O.S. for rations, duty, etc.

                                  No.1064, Pte. HL Cutcher

                                  ACCIDENTS WITH BOMBS 1338
                                  Cases have recently occurred of loaded bombs and grenades having been found in the kits of officers and other ranks proceeding to and from France. This practice must cease.

                                  FIELD CONDUCT SHEETS 1339
                                  Attention is drawn to regulations concerning the disposal of Field Conduct Sheets  (A.F.B. 122).
                                  When a soldier leaves his unit his Field Conduct Sheet will accompany him.
                                  All Field Conduct Sheets of soldiers, killed in action, missing, evacuated to casualty clearing stations, soldiers committed to military prisons, or transferred to other units must be at once sent to Battalion Headquarters for disposition in accordance with above.

                                  S.A.A. SUPPLIES 1340
                                  The establishment of ammunition laid down by Mobilisation Store Table  (220 rounds per rifle) must be maintained intact, all ammunition expended in front line being replaced by daily indent on Battalion reserve.

                                  GERMAN GRENADES 1341
                                  The following points concerning German Cylinder Hand Grenades with handle (percussion) have been brought to notice and all ranks should be warned.
                                  As the grenade is percussion and is similar in general appearance to the ordinary 51/2 secs. time German grenade with which all ranks are now familiar, special care will be taking in handling such grenades if found.

                                All ranks will be warned of possibility of the enemy using this new type of grenade with which to lay traps for our patrols in No Man's Land such as in shell holes, abandoned saps or posts, etc.

                                  POSTAL 1342
                                  Mail matter is not to be retained by Companies longer than is necessary for purposes of identification, etc.  Empty mailbags are to be returned immediately. Every letter, parcel, etc. returned is to be marked "Not 33rd Battalion", "Hospital", "Not in Co." and dated and initialled.
                                  Whilst the Battalion is in the trenches, returned mail is to be handed to the Postal Corporal, who accompanies the ration transport each evening. Whilst Battalion is in billets such mail is to be handed in to Postal Room, Quartermasters' store.
                                  OUTWARDS MAIL.  After being censored, all outwards mail is to be handed in to Battalion Orderly Room for censor's stamp.
                                  All postal matter exceeding 4 ounces in weight must have stamps affixed.  Fee for registration Is 9d.

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                17th Dec 1916   18th DLI are at Sailly. Wet & cold. Enemy quiet, very little reply to our bursts of artillery fire.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                18th December 1916 Batteries Calibrated  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Again a very quiet day and the Batteries calibrated.

                                War Diaries


                                18th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF relieved by 35th  Battalion relieved by 35th Battalion as per Battalion 0.0 No.3 dated 15/12/1916 and postponed by Battalion 0.0 No.4 of 16 /12/1916. Relief completed without a hitch.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Sub Sector


                                18th Dec 1916   18th Durhams carried out Inter Company relief. Everything quiet.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                19th December 1916 Much Work in Progress  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report at 0950 A236 Battery fired on and dispersed a working party. At 1515 A236 fired on a new machine gun emplacement near Observation Point at I.19.c.10.65, but without effect. A lot of work is being done here.

                                War Diaries


                                19th December 1916  Insufficient fuel for 33rd Bn AIF braziers  Battalion in billets. Working parties supplied to AE. Found great difficulty in supplying numbers ordered. It was found that while in the trenches the braziers issued to the Battalion were very satisfactory but that insufficient fuel was allowed to keep them going.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                19th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.140  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.140
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Armentières, 19th December, 1916

                                  VISIT OF C-in-C 1349
                                  The Commander in Chief - Sir Douglas Haig - will be visiting the Army Area tomorrow, 10th inst.  All ranks must be warned to turn out neatly and correctly dressed and shaven. They must be on the alert and pay strict attention to saluting, especially when the C.in C's car approaches. This can be readily recognised by the small Union Jack carried thereon.

                                  WORKING PARTIES 1350
                                  Working parties must parade at the times mentioned. For information of Company Commanders  it may be noted that work will cease in the line as follows:,
                                  7 am shift, Cease at noon
                                  Noon shift - Cease at 1 pm
                                  Care must be taken that men on morning shift have breakfast before leaving billets and that both shifts carry midday ration. Specialists will not be exempt from these parties unless expressly notified.
                                  Men who parade for baths will be included in the working parties for afternoon shift.
                                  Officers who are detailed to take charge of working parties must see that men do not idle.
                                  Companies will submit daily at 1 pm a state showing
                                  (a) men available for working parties.
                                  (b) details of all others (including all temporarily attached) showing distribution
                                  The two totals must show total strength of Company plus section attached in accordance with Operation Order No. 4, para 10.

                                  GUM BOOTS 1351
                                  All receipts obtained for handing over Gum Boots to relieving Battalion or gum boots store must  be forwarded to Battalion Headquarters by 10 am on ?? inst.

                                  GUARD 1352
                                  The guard over Battalion Headquarters is cancelled.  In future the duty Co. will mount a guard of one NCO and 6 men with one post at Co. and one at Battalion Headquarters.

                                  FATIGUE 1353
                                  The Duty Co. details of fatigue party of 4 men to report to Mr FE Bourepaire  at ÉCOLE PROFESSIONALE, Armentières at ? am daily.

                                  DUTY CO 1354
                                  20-12-16 - C Co.
                                  21-12-16 - D Co.

                                  DAILY DUTIES 1355
                                  Subaltern of the day: Lt. AG Farleigh
                                Next for Duty:  Lt. JG Fraser
                                  Regimental Orderly Sgt:  Sgt. TM Rourke
                                  Next for duty;  Sgt. IC Dight
                                  Regimental Orderly Cpl: Cpl. G Richardson
                                  Next for duty: Cpl. F? Mackney
                                  Officers visiting: Lt. JG Fraser
                                  Artillery 20-12-16:  Lt.  CAK Cohen
                                  (Report at Brigade Headquarters  at 9:15 am)

                                  STRENGTH 1356
                                  The undermentioned having been discharged from hospital are taken on strength
                                  No. 765. Pte. HA Eyles.            No. 490, Pte. EJ McManus
                                  No. 1413. Dvr. A Kinkade.        No. 1100. Dvr. A Carpenter
                                  No. 1417. L/Cpl. J McDonald.  No. 1101. Pte. W Grove?
                                  No. 87? Pte. ?? Smith.             No. 5076. Pte. WH Miller
                                  The undermentioned are struck off strength No. 2123. Pte. ?J Pillar (killed in action)
                                  No. 2074. Pte. ME Hockendorf (died of wounds)

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                19th December 1916 Snow and high activity in sector  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                19th December 1916 - In the Field - Weather much better although snow fell. Great activity by our aircraft also our artillery were very active. No casualties.

                                war diaries


                                19th Dec 1916   18th Durhams report from Sailly "Rain turning to snow in evening. After artillery preparation raiding party entered Gommecourt Salient, but finding trenches all blown in and no Germans they returned. No casualties."

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                20th December 1916 Considerable Damage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report From 1000 to 1130 the enemy bombarded our trenches with Trench Mortars and 4.2 inch guns, we retaliated with D236 Battery firing one hundred and forty rounds. Heavy and counter artillery Groups cooperated. GOC. 23rd Division asked for a further bombardment at 1530. This was carried out on the enemy support line opposite Stewart Street and considerable damage was done to the enemy's works.

                                War Diaries


                                20th December 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ81 (LZ111)

                                • Production Ref: LZ81
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: LZ111
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 20th December 1916

                                History.

                                Not used in the German Army and transferred to German Navy in May 1917. It carried out 7 reconnaissance missions around the Baltic Sea and was decommissioned on the 10th August 1917.

                                John Doran


                                20th December 1916 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A50 Itonus

                                Piture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number b38118.

                                The HMAT A50 Itonus weighed 5,340 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London. The Itonus was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean, 20 December 1916.

                                John Doran


                                20th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF supplying working parties to AE  Billets. Working party supplies to AE. Unable to supply numbers ordered.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                21st December 1916 Slight Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Day was normal. Slight artillery activity on usual places. B236 Battery dispersed a working party.

                                War Diaries


                                21st December 1916 33rd Bn AIF visited by General Plumer  Billets. Supplied working parties to A E. General Plumer GOC 2nd Army visited area.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                21st Dec 1916   18th DLI are relieved by 12th East Yorks and proceeded in busses to rest billets in Famechon. 2Lt Lean reported from C.C.S. and 2Lt Hornsby from Base.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                22nd December 1916 Hostile Battery in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report front was very quiet all day. Considerable activity took place on our right. At 1430 a hostile 77 mm battery was seen in action from St Peters Street, 176.5 (true) from I.24.d.6.1. The battery shelled Yeomanry Port and Observatory Ridge.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd December 1916  33rd Bn AIF reviewed   Billets. Supplied working parties for AE Composite CO commanded by Capt Linklater Reviewed by C in C British Army in France at Erquinghem.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                22nd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Operation order number No. 7  33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                Operation order no. 7
                                By
                                Lieut-Col LJ Morshead
                                Commanding

                                Map reference sheet No. 36. N.W. 1/20,000
                                Armentières, 22nd December 1916

                                Relief
                                1. The 33rd Battalion will be relieved in the L'Epinette sector by 44th Battalion and will move back to reserve in the Steenwerck area, becoming "H" Battalion. Relief will commence and be completed on 23rd inst.

                                Route
                                2. Troops will pass starting point at I.1.d.30.65. according to timetable below, and will follow the road along Rue Nationale, Rue de Dunkerque, thence to cross road B.36.a.90, 5 thence south west to Railway Crossing B.28.b.20.65, thence south west to road intersection G.6.d.25.6 thence north west by Le Soquemeau (?) to Steenwerck. Timetable
                                3. Unit: "D" Co., Scouts, Stretcher Bearers pass starting point: 9 am
                                Unit: "C" Co., Signallers, Pioneers pass starting point: 9:6 am
                                Unit: "B" Co., "A" Co., Bombing Platoon pass starting point: 9.17 am
                                Unit: HQ Lewis gun section pass starting point: 9:24 am
                                Unit: Regimental transport pass starting point: 9:30 am

                                Order of March
                                4."D" Co. will pass the starting point at 9 am and will be followed by "C", "A" and "B" Co.s in that order., at intervals at five minutes thereafter. This must be maintained between by using connecting files, which will close up when a rear Company disengages to its billets.

                                Precaution
                                5. Every precaution must be taken against hostile observation, both aerial and from ground line. Companies must give way to parties of the 11th Brigade moving to Armentières.

                                Halts
                                6. There will be no halt for midday meal. A halt of 10 minutes before each hour will be made. When Companies are halted steps must be taken not to impede any other traffic.

                                Watches
                                7. Companies must arrange to have synchronised at Battalion headquarters at 8:15 am on 23rd inst.

                                Officers' Kit
                                8. These must not exceed the regulation weight of 55lbs each, and the kits must be stacked at company billets by 7 am on 23rd inst.

                                Mess kits ATC
                                9. All men's kits and field kitchens to be ready for transport at 8 am. The latter to be placed so that teams can be hooked in without delay.

                                Blankets
                                10. Blankets will be rolled in bundles of 10 and stacked at company billets where they will be collected by regimental transport and dumped at QM store from whence motor transport will remove same to billets.

                                Transport
                                11. Transport officer will arrange to collect Officers kits, mess gear, kitchens and water carts. Kits and officers mess gear will be dumped at QM store, No. 36 Rue de Lille by 9 am on 23rd inst.
                                Kitchens and water carts will move in rear of "B" Co. and pass the starting point at 9:30 am.
                                One kitchen will be left at each company's billet and one water cart left for use of "A" and "B" companies, and the other for "C"and "D" companies.

                                Dress
                                12. Full marching order, greatcoats in pack with waterproof sheet under the flap. Steel helmets will be carried between supporting straps on pack. Mess tins on top of pack.

                                Rations
                                13. A midday ration will be carried in the haversack, but must not be eaten until arrival at new billets. Water bottles must be filled before the march. Tea dixies on the kitchen must be filled and fires kept burning so to provide hot tea for the men on arrival at billets.

                                Billets
                                14. Before marching out company commanders or senior officer in charge will render to billeting officer a certificate as to cleanliness of billets and extent of damage (if any) which has occurred during occupancy of billets.

                                (Signed) RC Jones. 2/Lieut.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion AIF

                                Copy No. 1. 9th infantry brigade
                                2. CO
                                3. "A" Co.
                                4. "B" Co.
                                5. "C" Co.
                                6. "D" Co.
                                7. Lewis gun officer
                                8. Signalling officer
                                9. Regimental medical officer
                                10.Transport officer
                                11.Quartermaster
                                12.File
                                13.War diary

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                22nd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Operation order number No. 6  

                                List of articles to be carried by raiding party

                                Secret
                                Operation order No. 6
                                By
                                Lt.-Col LJ Morshead,
                                Commanding 33rd Battalion, Chapelle d'Armentieres
                                Reference map: Vez Macquart (part of sheet 36) 22nd of December 1916.
                                1/10,000.
                                Aero-photograph: 42 B 365 - 36.I.11.a-9:11:16.

                                Information:
                                1. A silent raid will be made on the part of the enemy's trench known as the Railway Salient at a date and time to be notified later.

                                Objects:
                                2. (i) To take unwounded prisoners.
                                (ii) To inflict casualties.
                                (iii) To destroy machine gun emplacements and dug-outs.
                                (iv) To capture material and equipment.
                                (v) To gain information.

                                Strength of party:
                                3. 4 officers, 50 other ranks. Reserves: 1 officer 20 other ranks, (including eight stretcher bearers.)

                                Organisation:
                                4. (1) Commander: Capt WH Douglas. 2 runners. 2 telephonists. (1 officer, 4 privates)
                                (2) Scouts: 2/Lt. RC King. 1NCO. 4 scouts. 2 telephonists. 1 linesmen. (1 officer, 1 NCO, 7 privates.)
                                (3) Right party: Lt. LCB Smith. Two NCOs. 4 bombers. 4 Bayonet men. 2 demolition men. 1 carrier. 1 intelligence man. (1 officer. 2 NCOs. 12 Privates.)
                                (4) Left party: 2 NCOs. 4 bombers. 2 bayonet men. 1 carrier. 1 intelligence man. 2 NCOs, 8 privates. )
                                (5) Centre party: 1NCO. 3 bombers. 2 bayonet men. (1 NCO, 5 privates).
                                (6) Supports: Lt. WW Stockham (OC (officer in charge) Assault. 2 NCOs. 3 runners. 8 men. 4 stretcher bearers. (1officer, 2 NCOs, 15 privates).
                                Total: 4 officers, 8 NCOs, 51 privates.
                                Reserves: Lt. TW Tollis. 2 NCOs. 10 men. 8 stretcher bearers. (1officer, 2 NCOs, 12 Privates).

                                Preliminary measures:
                                5. (1) Dress
                                (a) All ranks will wear British pattern service dress from which will be removed all badges (except those denoting rank) and distinguishing marks.
                                (b) Faces and hands will be blackened.
                                (c) Balaclava caps will be worn.
                                (d) Body shields will be worn.
                                (e) Gas respirators will be carried.
                                (f) A strip of white cloth 15" x 3" will be worn on the arm 6 inches above each elbow and will be covered by a piece of sandbag loosely tacked on which will be torn off before entering the enemy's trench.
                                (e) identity disc, blotters, maps, documents or anything which could lead to an identification will not be carried. A piece of cardboard giving the regimental number, rank and name only will replace the identity disc.
                                (ii) Arms and equipment.
                                See appendix B.
                                Bayonets will be sharpened and blackened.
                                All marks giving a clue to the unit will be obliterated.
                                (iii) Reconnaisance.
                                All ranks will go over the approach across No Man's Land before the night of the raid.
                                The Scout officer will have No Man's Land specially patrolled on the night of the raid, and will see that the wire is cut.
                                (iv) Communications.
                                Port Egale Avenue will be kept clear of all traffic from two hours before zero until the raiding party is clear of the trench.
                                (v) Watches.
                                All ranks will wear luminous watches.
                                Watches will be synchronised that battalion headquarters at 9 am and 6 pm on the day of the raid, and that two hours before zero on the night of the raid.
                                (vi) Parade.
                                The raiding party will report at Battalion headquarters two hours before zero, when a nominal roll will be handed in by the officer in charge raid. (VII) Countersign.
                                The countersign will be notified when the raiding party reports the battalion headquarters.

                                Artillery cooperation.
                                6. (i)"Box" call. (a) If required the Artillery will form a barrage on the call "Box" being sent and a golden rain rocket being fired from I.10.b.9.4.
                                (b) the inner line of this barrage will extend along the enemy's front line from I.11.c.30.? to junction of the salient and chord (keeping within safe range of the limits set down in para. 9 subpara 4) ad then along the front line and then along the front line to I.5.c.62.10.
                                see appendix A
                                (ii) "Gun" Call. If enemy machine guns north of the salient open heavy fire the Artillery will open fire on the enemy's front line from I.11.c.57.40 to I.5.c.62.10.
                                (iii) OC assault will decide whether the barrage as stated in subparagraph (i) or the bombardment as stated in sub-para (ii) is needed and whether such support is required
                                (a) to enter the hostile trenches.
                                (b) while in their hostile trenches, or
                                (c) to cover the withdrawal.
                                (iv) OC raid will wire "Chase"when artillery support is no longer required.

                                Stokes mortars.
                                7. OC 9th ALTM (Australian Light Trench Mortar) battery will open fire when artillery barrage begins. Two guns will fire on hostile machine guns in front line between salient opposite the mushroom and I.11.a.6.0, and two guns between I.11.a.6.8. and I.5.c.7.0. Fire will cease when artillery barrage ceases.

                                Machine guns.
                                8. OC 9th Machine gun company will have Vickers guns ready to traverse enemy's parapet and engage enemy's machine guns. Two guns will fire between salient opposite mushroom and I.11.a 6.0. and two guns between I.11.a.6.5.and I.5.c.7.0. Fire will not be opened until
                                (a) hostile machine guns opens fire, or
                                (b)when artillery barrage commences
                                Fire will continue until artillery barrage ceases.

                                Position of Raiders.
                                9. (i) OC raid will be stationed near I.10.b.9.4. The artillery liaison officer will be with him.
                                (ii) OC Assault will direct operations from a point near the place of entrance after the enemy's trench has been entered.
                                (iii) A reserve officer and party will be in the vicinity of I.10.b.9.r. ready to take over the duties of OC Raid, should Capt. Douglas become a casualty.

                                Plan of action.
                                10. (i) Scouts will leave our trenches at ?? One hour 30 minutes before zero time and will precede the party to the place of assembly at I.11.A.30.35. The approach will be along the north side of the Armentières-Lille railway line.
                                After the Raiders have entered the hostile trenches at I.11.a.36.30 the scouts will breach the parapet and make a ramp to facilitate exit, and will lay a tape to guide the party back.
                                (Ii) The Raiding Party will leave our trenches at 1 1/4 hours before zero time and will enter the enemy trenches at zero hour.
                                (iii). The order of entrants will be:
                                (a) Right Party.
                                (b) Left Party.
                                (c) Centre Party.
                                (iv) Tasks.
                                Tasks allotted are shown in the attached map (Appendix A)
                                The Right Party will clear the trenches from the point of entry to point "A"and endeavour to capture the machine gun and destroy the emplacement at I.11.a.36.15.
                                The Left Party will clear the trenches from point of entry to point B, a distance of 30 yards, and on no account will they advance further.
                                The Centre Party will advance 25 yards along the communication trench to point C, and no further.
                                (v) Bombing stops will be established at Points A, B, and C in order to prevent the enemy from rushing. Bombs will not be used unless absolutely necessary.
                                (vi) Each demolition man will carry a charge of 10lbs of guncotton and two Lotbiniere bombs to destroy machine gun emplacements and dug outs. Machine guns are to be removed and brought in; if this cannot be done they are to be destroyed.
                                (vii) Intelligence men will search the trenches and enemy dead for documents and information.
                                (viii) Supports will close up to parapet and cover point of entrance. O.C. Assault will be responsible that prisoners are quickly escorted back to our lines.
                                (ix) Previous to the Raiding Party leaving our trenches a telephone line will be laid as far forward as possible. The two telephonists and linesman of the Scout Party will be attached to O.C.Assault.
                                The following codes will be used:
                                In…… Have entered trench.
                                Prisoners…… Prisoners are being escorted back.
                                Box…… Require box barrage immediately.
                                Gun.....Bombard from I.11.a.57.40 to I.5.c.52.10.
                                Empty…… Trench not garrisoned.
                                All clear......We have left enemy's trench.
                                Cease..... Cease barrage.

                                Withdrawal.
                                11.(i) Parties will remain in the trenches not longer than 10 minutes. The signal for withdrawal will be given by the O.C. Assault and will be the passing along of the word "Cut", convoyed by his runners. The withdrawal must be rapid, but congestion must however be avoided.
                                (ii) Supports will cover the withdrawal of the parties and will return on orders of O.C. Assault.
                                (iii) If it is not advisable to return to our trenches immediately, O.C. Assault will call out "Disperse" when men will move quickly to shell holes and return independently. They must report to Lt Duncan immediately on their return.

                                Roll Call.
                                12. A roll call station under the charge of Lt. WJC Duncan will be established at the junction of Support Trench and Port Egale Avenue . After answering their names the party will return to Battalion Headquarters at Square Farm. On dismissal they will return to billets.

                                Prisoners.
                                13. Prisoners will be dealt with as follows:
                                (i) They will be disarmed when captured.
                                (ii) On reaching our trenches they will be under the charge of Lt. TW Tollis who will be responsible that they are at once escorted to Advanced Battle Headquarters.
                                (iii) They will be kept separate from each other and not allowed to converse.
                                (iv) They will be searched immediately on arrival at advanced Battle Headquarters and relieved of all papers, books, badges and shoulder straps.
                                (v) Each prisoner's papers, etc. will be kept separate and marked so that he may be questioned concerning them.
                                (vi) Lt Tollis will arrange for their escort to the A.P. M. who will be at Headquarters, 9th Infantry Brigade, Rue Sadi Carnot, Armentières.
                                (vii) There must be no crowding round the prisoners.

                                Medical.
                                14. Advanced Dressing Station will be established at 5 Dug-Out.

                                Reports.
                                15. Reports to Advanced Battle Headquarters, Headquarters Left Centre Company.

                                (Signed RC Jones, S/Lieut.
                                Adjutant, 33rd Battalion, A.I.F.

                                Distribution.
                                Copies No. 1-2 9th Infantry Brigade AIF.
                                3. C.O.
                                4-8 O.C. RaID.
                                9. "A" Co.
                                10. "B" Co.
                                11. "C" Co.
                                12. "D" Co.
                                13. R.M.O.
                                14. Right Artillery Group
                                15. 9th LTM Battery, AIF
                                16. 9th Machine Gun Co. A.I.F.
                                17-20 11 th Infantry Brigade AIF
                                21. 35th Battalion AIF
                                22. 36th Battalion AIF
                                23. 10th Infantry Brigade AIF
                                24. 103rd Infantry .brigade, AID
                                25. File
                                26. War Diary
                                27-30 Spare

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                23rd December 1916 Slight Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Day was quiet except for slight activity from enemy 77 mm battery on roads. Working parties were seen and dispersed by our fire.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd December 1916 33rd Bn AIF billets unsatisfactory  33rd Battalion relieved by 44th Battalion as per Battalion O.O No. 7 Dated 22/12/1916. Billets unsatisfactory on account of wet and mud no duckboards being provided. All in Billets By 5 pm.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières


                                23rd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF hand written map dated 23/12/1916  

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                23rd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF undated hand written map  

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                24th December 1916 Enemy Artillery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. report Enemy artillery activity on Railway Dugouts and Duckboards. Counter batteries engaged the battery shelling these places and the enemy ceased fire at 1700.

                                War Diaries


                                24th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF raided enemy trenches  Billets settling down. Raided Enemy Trenches as per Battalion O.O no.6 dated 17/12/1916. Found trenches empty and in bad condition. DCo changed from billets to huts.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, Steenwerke


                                24th Dec 1916   Col. R.E. Cheyne proceeded on leave and Maj. W.D. Lowe assumed command of 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                24th Dec 1916 Christmas Hopes  "The commission papers have gone through successfully and I anticipate an early return to Dear Old England. The old colonel signed them practically without a murmur. I should be in England by the end of January if all goes well. It seems impossible to think tomorrow is Christmas Day. The weather, well, ’nuff said. A terrific wind prevails, which fortunately prevents Fritz from getting accurate range, and the rain has been really appalling. The only item of real interest is the menu tomorrow, a few jolly good meals provided our smoke doesn’t attract too much attention. Bacon, tomatoes, and porridge for breakfast. Roast beef, veg and Xmas pudding with nuts, beer etc for dinner and a fair supply of rum all day and cigarettes ad lib. I have not yet received the parcel but today’s post is not yet in. The papers still come regularly to hand. Now darling I must shut up. All the others in the dugout are asleep and its getting cold and my last candle is nearing its end and I must save some for tomorrow morning. My thoughts will be centred around you all day tomorrow. Your devoted hubby, Harry." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                25 Dec 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers enjoy splendid dinner  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers enjoyed a splendid christmas dinner, generously subsidised by the Chamber of Commerce.

                                25th December 1916 Christmas in ypres  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Ypres on Xmas Day. All very quiet during the morning. A236 Battery fired at intervals throughout the day on working parties at J.20.d.7.7 firing eighty six rounds. After firing on two occasions stretcher parties were seen and finally a large horse ambulance drove up. In the afternoon the lines at Zillebeke and Ypres Square were shelled by enemy 77 mm and 4.2 inch batteries respectively.

                                War Diaries


                                25th Dec 1916 33rd Bn AIF presents from Comforts Fund  Billets. Men greatly pleased with presents from Comforts Fund. Working party supplied to AE.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, Steenwerke


                                25th Dec 1916 15th MGC relieve 71st MGC  71st Machine Gun Company billeted at Noeux-les-Mines after being relieved by the 15th MGC on the 20th from the front line at Le Preol (east of Beuvry).

                                25th Dec 1916   Divisional Commander visited men of 18th DLI at their Xmas dinner at Famechon.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                26th December 1916 Misty  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very quiet all day and observation was bad owing to mist. Battery Commanders of relieving Brigade - 103 Brigade RFA - came up early. At 1000 a German fighting aeroplane came over our lines and shot down one of our planes near Gordon House. The first sections of the 103 Brigade will relieve our sections as soon as it will be dark enough.

                                War Diaries


                                26th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF use Divisional bath  Billets. Supplied working party to AE. Divisional bath used by HQ and Cos.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, Steenwerke


                                26th Dec 1916 71st MGC into the line  71st Machine Gun Company relieve 162nd MGC at Vernmelles.

                                26th December 1916 Battalion at rest.   6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                26th December 1916 - Engelbelmer - Battalion resting. Weather fair.

                                war diaries


                                27th December 1916 Relief  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Slight trench mortar activity in the morning. This was silenced by our Trench Mortars and 4.5 inch Howitzers. The remainder of the day was quiet. Completion of relief - the remaining two sections of each Battery moved in. Relief was completed by 2100 when command of Observatory Ridge Sector Artillery Group was handed over to OC. 103 Brigade RFA, 23rd Division Artillery. During the day the remaining section was moved to rest billets at Winnezeeze and Oudezeeze. Lt Col Lowe assumed command of the brigade. Lt G Lyon Smith returned to position of Adjutant after being Brigade Major of Lowe’s Group R.A.

                                War Diaries


                                27th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF supply working parties to AE.  In billets. Supplied working parties to AE.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, Steenwerke


                                28th December 1916 In Billets  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery now in billets at Winnezeeze and Oudezeeze. All horses were put under cover.

                                War Diaries


                                28th December 1916 Zeppelin accidents  There were no further raids in 1916 although the Navy lost three more craft, all on 28 December 1916.

                                SL 12 was destroyed at Ahlhorn by strong winds after sustaining damage in a poor landing and, at Tondern, L 24 crashed into the shed while landing with the resulting fire destroying both L 24 and the adjacent L 17.

                                John Doran


                                28th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF again supply working parties to AE  In billets. Supplied working parties to AE.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, Steenwerke


                                28th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.150  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO. 150
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Steenwerck, 28th December 1916

                                  GRENADES 1419
                                  In consequence of recent accidents which occurred in various Brigades of the Second Army during practice with live grenades the following additional precautions will be taken.
                                  All live grenades will be thrown from behind a safety wall.
                                  Dimensions: Wall of sandbags 6 foot high
                                                                                  15 foot long
                                  with buttress of traverse 6 foot long about the centre of the wall; the front half of the buttress to be 7'6" high and the rear half to be 5 foot high. This affords some protection to the instructor.
                                  A second sandbag wall 6 foot high should be built some 10 to 15 yards immediately in rear; behind which the remainder of the squad will sit until their turn comes to throw.
                                  The only persons at the throwing wall itself will be the officer in charge, the thrower, and next man to throw. The thrower will be by himself on left of buttress, and the officer on right of buttress, with next man to throw sitting in the right-hand corner.
                                  The officer in charge of the throwing practice will give a shot blast on his whistle immediately before each grenade is thrown, to ensure cover being taken by the remainder of the squad in rear.
                                Detonators will be kept at the front wall and will be placed in the grenade under the supervision of the instructor as each man comes up to throw.
                                  Steel helmets always to be worn when throwing.
                                  Each grenade will be carefully examined by an officer before the detonator is inserted.
                                  Any doubtful ones should be returned to rail-head at once.
                                  In the event of a blind grenade, at least one minute should elapse before it is recovered.

                                BOUNDS 1420
                                  Subject to necessary military requirements no Officer or man of the 3rd Australian Division  will leave the Divisional area and no Officer or man of other units in the Corps will enter the 3rd Australian Divional Area until further orders.  Billet No. 399? Rue de l'Hospice, Steenwerck is out of bounds to all troops. Billet No. 3?? Croix du Bac Road is quarantined and placed out of bounds to all troops.

                                  GRENADE STORES 1421
                                  All requisitions for grenades must be made through the Battalion Bombing Officer (Lt. AH Fletcher).

                                  BILLETS 1422
                                  Attention is drawn to para 41 "Standing Orders for War"- Evacuation of  billets.  This party will consist of one Officer detailed by Battalion Headquarters and one NCO and 8 men per company.

                                  FATIGUES 1423
                                  The Fatigue party mentioned in RO 147, para 1414, is cancelled.

                                  DUTIES 1424
                                  Subaltern of the day:  Lt. LCB Smith
                                  Next for duty:  Lt. WW Stockam
                                  Regimental Orderly Corporal:  Cpl. GA Cawkwell
                                  Next for duty:  Cpl. LJ Mathias

                                  WORKING PARTIES 1425
                                  The undermentioned working parties will be furnished daily until further notice.

                                  Party.   No required.       To report.        When.       To whom.         Furnished by.
                                                No.4 D.A.C.
                                    1         20                   B.25.c.3.8.       8 am to     Sapper.             )
                                                                                               12 noon    Chidsey.           )
                                    2.        12                   H.1.b.7.7.         8 am to      Cpl.                 )
                                                                                               12 noon.    Hills                 )
                                    3.        12                   H.1.b.7.8.         8 am          Cpl.                 )
                                                                                               12 noon.    Harrison.         ) B. Co.
                                    4.        12                   B.?6.a.3.7.        8 am          Cpl.                 )
                                                                                               12 noon      Mitchell.         )

                                    1          50                  No. ? Huts        8 am to       Cpl. Fletcher.         )
                                    2         12                   "    "     "          12 noon        Cpl. Derbyshire.    )
                                    3         12                   "    "     "                 "             Cpl. Roberts.        ) (torn, illegible text)
                                    4         12                   "    "     "                 "             Spr. Machin.         )
                                    5         12                   "    "     "                 "             Spr. Wilson.          )
                                    6         12                   "    "     "                 "                                          )
                                    7         12                   "    "     "                 "                                          )
                                    8         12                   "    "     "                 ".                                         )

                                  1           6        Div. Sig. Standings.       8 am and     Rutledge.             )
                                  2           6        Opposite Divisional       12 noon       Chippendale.       )
                                                         Headquarters                                                                 )
                                  3          20       Steenwerck                    "                  Cpl. Baker.           ) C Co.
                                  4          20                                              "                  Cpl. Rayner          )
                                  5            6                                              "                  Williams.               )
                                  6     2 NCOS   Railhead,                                                                        )
                                         & 20 men Steenwerck                9 am               S.S.O.                   )

                                  Complement of Officers and NCOs must be sent with parties requiring same.

                                  The personnel will be changed at each shift but strength of parties must be maintained.
                                Steps must be taken to see that these parties report at the correct time and place and any deviation from these orders must be immediately forwarded to Battalion Headquarters with  full explanation. The numbers detailed will be required for each shift but the men who work from 9 am to 12 noon will not be employed on the shift from 12 noon to 4 pm.

                                STEENWERCK TOWN ORDERS 1426
                                  Soldiers are forbidden to buy or accept spirits or liquors.  All soldiers,except those on duty, must be in billets by 9 pm.  Lights must be out by 9:30 am?
                                  Estaminets are open to troops from 12 noon to 2 pm and from 6 to 6 pm only and soldiers may not enter them except during those hours.

                                  (Signed) RC JONES, 2/Lieut.
                                  Adjutant, 33rd Battalion A.I.F.     

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                28th December 1916 New Squadron formed  No 69 Squadron was the formal RFC title given to No.3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps from the date it was formed on 28th December 1916 at South Carlton. The Squadron never carried that designation and was known by its officers and men only by its Australian title of No.3 Squadron AFC. In February 1918 it was formally re-designated with its Australian title.

                                29th December 1916 Xmas Festivities   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Friday 29th December to 31st December 1916 Refitting and Section Commander's inspections Xmas festivities are held late, owing to the fact that relief was taking place on the 25th and the day after.

                                War Diaries


                                29th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF supply more working parties to AE.  In billets. Supplied working parties to AE.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, Steenwerke


                                30th December 1916   SM U-62

                                Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 217) Ordered 6 Oct 1914 Laid down 22 Jun 1915 Launched 2 Aug 1916 Commissioned 30 Dec 1916.

                                Commanders.
                                30 Dec 1916 - 24 Dec 1917 Ernst Hashagen.
                                25 Dec 1917 - 9 Mar 1918 Otto Wiebalck.
                                10 Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Ernst Hashagen

                                Career 9 patrols.
                                15 Feb 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 II Flotilla

                                Successes 47 ships sunk with a total of 123,294 tons.
                                5 ships damaged with a total of 16,483 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 9,517 tons.

                                • 8 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Storstad 6,028 nw
                                • 8 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Vega 452 ru
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Marie 127 fr
                                • 11 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Thrift 40 br
                                • 12 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Algonquin 1,806 am
                                • 12 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Collingwood 1,042 nw
                                • 12 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Jules Gommes 2,595 fr
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Dag 250 sw
                                • 14 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Rose Lea 2,830 br
                                • 23 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Tres Fratres 297 nl
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Dunmore Head 2,293 br
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Inveramsay 1,438 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Fortunata 3,348 it
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Tulip 1,250 br
                                • 3 May 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Frederick Knight 3,604 br
                                • 4 May 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Jörgen Olsen (damaged) 310 da
                                • 7 May 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Polamhall 4,010 br
                                • 10 May 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Berangere 2,851 fr
                                • 10 May 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Gazelle 288 nw
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Candace 395 nw
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Sylvia 148 nw
                                • 16 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Kornsø 115 da
                                • 20 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Bengore Head 2,490 br
                                • 21 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Lord Roberts 4,166 br
                                • 24 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen South Wales 3,668 br
                                • 25 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Guildhall 2,609 br
                                • 26 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Gorsemore (damaged) 3,079 br
                                • 26 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Cattaro 2,908 br
                                • 26 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Manistee 3,869 br
                                • 10 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Orion I 322 nw
                                • 15 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Albertha 170 da
                                • 24 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Henriette 2,005 fr
                                • 30 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Eastern Prince 2,885 br
                                • 30 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Grelhame 3,740 br
                                • 30 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Noya 4,282 br
                                • 13 Oct 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Woodburn (damaged) 2,360 br
                                • 17 Oct 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Adams 2,223 br
                                • 18 Oct 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Madura 4,484 br
                                • 19 Oct 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen J. L. Luckenbach (damaged) 4,920 am
                                • 19 Oct 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Orama 12,927 br
                                • 11 Dec 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Oldfield Grange 4,653 br
                                • 14 Dec 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Hare 774 br
                                • 15 Dec 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Formby 1,282 br
                                • 17 Dec 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Coningbeg 1,279 br
                                • 16 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Heron Bridge 2,422 br
                                • 16 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Llancarvan 4,749 br
                                • 24 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Ruth Hickman 417 br
                                • 27 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Merionethshire 4,308 br
                                • 28 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Cairnross 4,016 br
                                • 30 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Ausonia 8,153 br
                                • 7 Aug 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Dupetit-thouars 9,517 fr
                                • 7 Aug 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Lorna 3,286 nw
                                • 8 Aug 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Westward Ho(damaged) 5,814 am

                                Fate 22 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Bo'ness in 1919-20.

                                There was another U 62 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 16 Nov 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 21 Dec 1939.

                                John Doran


                                30th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF still supplying working parties to AE.  In billets. Supplied working parties to AE.

                                Brig-Gen CBB White and Brig Caruthers visited billets. Brigadier General Delaboy and Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General inspected billets and stables.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, Steenwerke


                                31st December 1916 33rd Bn AIF inspections  Billets. Working party supplied to AE. Brigadier General Delaboy and Brigadier General Leslie inspected billets at report on shortage of material

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, Steenwerke


                                31st December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF state as at noon 31st December 1916  Third Australian Division
                                State as at noon 31st December 1916. 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                Present..........29 officers ......903 other ranks.....
                                Absent with leave...........
                                Absent with leave...........
                                On command..........6 officers.....28 other ranks
                                Temporary sick..........15 other ranks
                                Total strength..........35 officers .....946.....other ranks
                                Establishment..........34 officers.....976 other ranks
                                Wanting to complete..........30 other ranks
                                Attached..........2 other ranks

                                Animals
                                Riding horses.........12
                                L.D. horses..........10
                                L.D. mules..........19
                                Pack horses..........7
                                H.D...........7
                                Pack mules...........2
                                Attached.................

                                Remarks.
                                "Attached" is comprised 1 chaplain, 1 batman, 1 interpreter

                                RC Jones S/Lieut.
                                Adjutant, 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                31st December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF List of schools candidates  Schools
                                List of candidates

                                Number. Rank. Name. Nature. Place. Date.

                                1233. Cpl. Richardson, G. Grenade. Terdecham. 4.12.16.
                                1540. Sgt. Clark, C.E. Anti-Gas. Oxelaire. 4.12.16.
                                728. Cpl. Calkwell, G. Lewis Gun. Le Touquet. 3.12.16.
                                508. Cpl.White, R. BLewis Gun. Le Touquet. 11.12.16.
                                30. L/Cpl. Clifton, M. Lewis Gun. 11.12.16.
                                1425. Cpl.Eaton, C.R. Sig. linesman. Zuytpeene. 19.12.16.
                                Lt. W.D.Mackenzie. Sniping. Mon des Cats. 23.12.16.
                                1184. Cpl. McKenzie, J. Sniping. Mon des Cats. 23.12.16.
                                1266. Sgt Thomas, G.D. Musketry. Tilques. 26.12.16.
                                Lt. C.P.Kirby. School of Instruction. Wisques. 25.12.16.
                                717 Pte. Butler, R.J. School of Instruction. Wisques. 25.12.16.
                                715. Sgt Budden, B.W.A. School of Instruction. Wisques. 25.12.16.
                                Lt. J.G. Fraser. Training School. Etaples. 26.12.16.
                                973. Pte.Phifer, W.I. Sniping School. Mont des Cats. 3.12.16.
                                1784. Cpl. Chapman, W.P. P.T. and B.F. Morbecque. 24.12.16.
                                1491. L/Cpl. O'Connor, C.P. Lewis Gun. Le Touquet. 27.12.16.
                                1484. L/Cpl. Macdonald, D. Lewis Gun. Le Touquet 27.12.16.
                                Lt. E.A.Clarence. Officers. Morebecque. 30.12.16.
                                534. Pte. Reading, P. Cookery Hazelbrouck. 1.1.17.
                                Lt.Col. L.J. Morshead C.O.'s. Wisques. 31.12.16.
                                374. L/Cpl. Betts, C.H. Signalling. Morebecque. 2.1.17.
                                60. L/Cpl.Easton, T.J. Signalling. Morebecque. 2.1.17.
                                1 officer 44 men. Bde. Sig. Sch. Armentières. 1.1.17.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                31st December, 1916 33-aif1  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 153  33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO. 153
                                  By
                                  Lieut-Col. LJ Morshead
                                  Commanding
                                  STEENWERCK, 31st December, 1916

                                    IRON RATIONS 1451
                                  The iron ration is only to be consumed by the order of an officer.  Such orders are only to be issued when no other rations are available. If consumed under any other circumstances the men will be charged with the offence and on conviction the sentence will include payment for the ration.  Quartermaster will be responsible to C.O. that above instructions are carried out and for inspection of same at frequent intervals (always immediately after relief from trenches). Indents will be forwarded at once to Brigade Supply officer for rations required to replace any found deficient. A statement of the circumstances that should clearly show that orders were issued by an officer, giving his name, rank, et cetera will be attached when it is a case for replacement at Public expense of rations properly consumed by orders. When rations are lost or improperly consumed and replaced at expense of officers or men, a properly signed acquittance roll will be attached. Approval for fresh issue will be obtained from DHQ (through Brigade Headquarters).
                                  In cases where rations have been consumed and proper rations also issued but too late for consumption the SSO will make the necessary under issue to the unit and adjust the matter.

                                  STRAYED ANIMALS 1452
                                  All Government animals found straying are to be handed over at once to Mobile Veterinary Section, map location B.20.b.4.0 - Sheet 36. N.W.

                                  SIGNALLING SCHOOL, ARMENTIÈRES 1453
                                  A Brigade Signalling School will assemble at ÉCOLE ARMENTIÈRES on Monday, 1st January, 1917, and will not disperse until the Brigade again moves into the line.  Signalling Officer will supervise all arrangements and will muster candidates at the following points. (Sheet 36. N.W. 1/20,000.

                                  Section.                                     Place.                        Time.

                                  Battalion Signallers )                 at C Co. HQ               8 am
                                  C Co              "        )                 STEENWERCK 
                                A Co              "        )                 Cross roads                9 am
                                  D Co              "        )                 B.So.d.9.9. 
                                B Co              "                          B.27.d.1.8                   9.30 am

                                  They will proceed in full marching order less bicycles. Felt hats will be worn and steel helmets carried between support straps on back of packs. The unconsumed portion of days rations will be carried. Quartermaster will arrange for two dixies to be sent with the party.  Transport Officer will arrange to detail a GS Limbered wagon to call at Company billets for blankets which must be rolled in Company bundles and ready at 8 am on Monday, 1st January, 1917.  He will also collect dixies as directed by QM and all signal baggage.  This will be delivered to Battalion Signalling Officer at ÉCOLE, ARMENTIÈRES.  B. Co will detail a cook to proceed with signallers.

                                  RETURNS 1454
                                  A considerable amount of trouble and delay is being experienced through returns not arriving at this office at times laid down. Steps must beat once taken to permanently ensure that returns are rendered to time. An explanation will be required in every case of neglect in this matter.    

                                  DIVISIONAL BATHS, STEENWERCK 1455
                                  In addition to the allotment notified in R.O. 151, para 1433 the following additional accommodation has been provided for this Battalion on Wednesday and Thursday of each week.
                                  Time.         Wed.         Thurs.          Allotment
                                  1:30 pm         5               5                  Per Company
                                  In all cases troops must be paraded punctually, and  figures are not to be exceeded.

                                  FUEL 1456
                                  During the shortage of Coke, charcoal, if available, maybe issued at the rate of 1lb per man in the trenches instead of half a pound.

                                  PERSONNEL WITH RAILWAY EXPERIENCE 1457
                                  Re R.O. 152.para 1437, this return is required to reach Battalion Headquarters not later than noon on Wednesday 3rd January, 1917.

                                  OFFICERS CLUB, BAILLEUL 1458
                                  Owing to the 3rd Divisional Area (Australian) being isolated for mumps, Bailleul is out of bounds for all ranks.  The bus arranged for conveying offices to Officers Club, BAILLEUL will not run until further notice.

                                  DUTY BATTALION 1459
                                  1-1-1917 33rd Battalion.

                                  DUTIES 1460
                                  Captain of the week:  Capt. RF Craigie
                                  Subaltern of the day:  Lt. WJC Duncan
                                  Next for duty:  
                                Regimental Orderly Corporal:  Cpl. HE Thomas
                                  Next for duty:  Cpl. T Croft

                                  PROMOTIONS 1461
                                  The following promotions have been approved:-

                                  No. 353, Private JP McGuire to be driver and is transferred to C Co.
                                  1224, Private W Pollock to be driven and is transferred to D Co.

                                  PUNISHMENTS 1462
                                  The following punishment was awarded 30-12-16 

                                  No. 2052, Private WM Grady C Co.

                                  Disobedience or orders,
                                  in that he failed to appear at an appointed time for fatigues when ordered by his superior officer to do so.
                                  when ordered to appear for guard failed to do so.
                                  28 days F.P. No. 2
                                  No. 2211 Private: DA French  C Co.
                                  Disobedience of orders,
                                  in that he failed to appear at unappointed time for fatigue when ordered by his superior officer to do so.
                                  when ordered to appear for guard failed to do so
                                  28 days F.P. no 2

                                  (Signed) RC JONES, 2/Lieut.
                                  Adjutant, 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                  NOTICE

                                  NEW YEARS GREETINGS
                                  The commanding officer sends New Year Greetings to all ranks and wishes them every success in the coming year.    

                                 

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                15th April 1916   No 48 Squadron was formed at Netheravon on the 15th of April 1916. On the 8th June they relocated to Rendcomb aerodrome near Cirencester for training, flying BE12s.

                                   Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd was built on the north bank of the River Tees at Haverton Hill in 1917, one of three War Emergency shipyards created to increase production of ships to replace war losses.

                                1917   In 1917 the Royal Flying Corps School of Technical Training and the Boys Training Depot were established at Halton Park.

                                1st Jan 1917 Breary Banks Camp becomes POW Camp  In 1917 the hutted camp at Breary Banks, Colsterdale, was put into use as a Prisoner of War Camp for German Officers.

                                   Kitchener Battery at Marsden was one of a pair of coastal batteries known as the Tyne Turrets, the other being Robert's Battery. The battery was armed with two 12 inch guns which had previously been removed from the warship HMS Illustrious, mounted in a turret with a reinforced concrete underground complex. Construction began in 1917 and was completed in 1921.

                                1st January 1917 Training and recreation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force are at Winnezeele. Batteries, with exception of C236 Battery in action with Left Group 47th Divisional Artillery, continued training in Reserve Area. 2/Lt A Morton Cole posted to B236 Battery.

                                War Diaries


                                1st January 1917 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles are engaged as pioneers in preparation for the Battle of Messines

                                The British High Command had been wishing to launch an offensive towards the key German railhead at Roulers and so force a very significant withdrawal in the northern sector and from much of the Belgian Coast, but was restricted by lack of support from the French who maintained they were overstretched in their adjoining sector. Permission was finally given and planning for the necessary build up began.

                                Once again the 36th Division was to lose the services of its Pioneer Battalion as, in similar circumstances to the Somme, an improvement in the movement of supplies was paramount. So it was back to the Railways for the 16th Battalion.

                                Having established a reputation for railway construction, they were transferred to the X Corps area for just such work under the ADL RR, Second Army. (Assistant Director of Labour, Roads and Railways) While they were away the pioneering work in the trenches was to be taken on by a labour battalion made up with a company from each Brigade together with 3 officers and 110 men of the 16th Battalion to help oversee the work. They were still exposed to the poor weather and enemy activity. It did not really work well and fell short of the usual standard of the Pioneer’s work.

                                The remainder of the Pioneers were assigned work on the 60cm railway lines from Ouderdom to Kemmel and south-east from Busseboom as well as works on the broadgauge railway lines at Ouderdom involving excavating, levelling and ditching, laying steel, packing and ballasting and making crossings and sidings. On the 19th January 1917 a survey was commenced for a new 60cm line from Busseboom to Dickebusch. Downshire Camp near Ouderdom was a tented area and the accommodation was much inferior to their last billets.

                                January 1917 Casualties: Other ranks 2 killed and 1 wounded.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st January 1917 Zeppelin Developments  Zeppelin Developments for 1917.

                                The airship losses during 1916 caused the Germans to increase the ceiling of their airships. This was first achieved by lightening the existing craft, principally by removing one of the engines. These measures increased the ceiling to over 16,000 ft. In addition new types with a lightened hull framework were developed.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS President Lincoln

                                USS President Lincoln was a troop transport in the United States Navy during World War I.

                                Formerly the German steamer President Lincoln of the Hamburg-American Line, was built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast, in 1907. It was seized in New York harbour in 1917, turned over to the Shipping Board, and transferred to the Navy for operation as a troop transport.

                                Having been damaged severely by her German crew, President Lincoln underwent extensive repairs and conversion at Robin's Dry Dock and Repair Company, Brooklyn, New York. The ship commissioned as a Navy troop transport at Brooklyn on the 25 July 1917, Commander Yates Sterling, Jr., in command.

                                President Lincoln made five voyages from New York to France, transporting approximately 23,000 American troops which she disembarked at Brest, France and St. Nazaire. Four cycles were completed without incident: October-November 1917, December 1917-January 1918, February-March, and March-May. She sailed from New York on her fifth and final trip to Europe on 10th May 1918. Arriving at Brest on the 23rd, she disembarked troops, and — escorted by destroyers — got underway on the 29th with troopships Rijndam, Susquehanna and Antigone for the return voyage to the U.S. At sundown on the 30th May 1918, having passed through the so-called "danger zone" of submarine activity, the destroyers left the convoy to proceed alone. At about 09:00 on the 31st May 1918, President Lincoln was struck by three torpedoes from the German submarine U-90, and sank about 20 minutes later. Of the 715 people aboard, 26 men were lost with the ship, and a Lieutenant Edward Isaacs was taken aboard U,90 as prisoner. Survivors were rescued from lifeboats late that night by destroyers Warrington and Smith. They were taken to France, arriving at Brest on the 2nd June 1918.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Leviathan - (SS Vaterland)

                                USS Leviathan

                                SS Leviathan, originally built as the Vaterland, was an ocean liner which regularly crossed the North Atlantic from 1914 to 1934. The second of three sister ships built by Germany's Hamburg America Line for their transatlantic passenger service, she sailed as the Vaterland for less than a year before her early career was halted by the start of World War I. In 1917, she was seized by the U.S. government and renamed Leviathan. She would become known by this name for the majority of her career, both as a troopship during World War I and later as the flagship of the United States Lines.

                                SS Vaterland, a 54,282 gross ton passenger liner, was built by Blohm & Voss at Hamburg, Germany, as the second of a trio of very large ships of Imperator class for the Hamburg-America Line's trans-Atlantic route. She was launched 13 April 1913 and was the largest passenger ship in the world upon her completion, superseding SS Imperator, but later being superseded in turn by the last ship of this class, SS Bismarck, the later RMS Majestic.

                                Vaterland had made only a few trips when, in late July 1914, she arrived at New York City just as World War I broke out. With a safe return to Germany rendered virtually impossible by British dominance of the seas, she was laid up at her Hoboken, NJ, terminal and remained immobile for nearly three years.

                                World War I

                                She was seized by the United States Shipping Board when the United States entered World War I, 6 April 1917; turned over to the custody of the U.S. Navy in June 1917; and commissioned July 1917 as the USS Vaterland, Captain Joseph Wallace Oman in command. Redesignated SP-1326 and renamed Leviathan by President Woodrow Wilson on 6 September 1917

                                The trial cruise to Cuba on 17 November 1917 prompted Captain Oman to order 241 Marines on board to relieve a detachment of Marines to station themselves conspicuously about the upper decks giving the appearance from shore that the great ship was headed overseas to increase American Expeditionary Forces. Upon her return later that month, she reported for duty with the Cruiser and Transport Force. In December she took troops to Liverpool, England, but repairs delayed her return to the U.S. until mid-February 1918. A second trip to Liverpool in March was followed by more repairs. At that time she was repainted with the British-type "dazzle" camouflage scheme that she carried for the rest of the war. With the completion of that work, Leviathan began regular passages between the U.S. and Brest, France, delivering up to 14,000 persons on each trip, carrying over 119,000 fighting men, before the armistice 11 November 1918. Amongst the ship's US Navy crew during this period was future film star Humphrey Bogart.

                                After that date Leviathan, repainted grey overall by December 1918, reversed the flow of men as she transported the veterans back to the United States with nine westward crossings ending 8 September 1919. On 29 October 1919, USS Leviathan was decommissioned and turned over to the U.S. Shipping Board and again laid up at Hoboken until plans for her future employment could be determined.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Arcadia (SS Arcadia)

                                USS Arcadia.

                                Arcadia was built as the German commercial steamer SS Arcadia in 1896 by Harland and Wolff at Belfast, Ireland. Upon the outbreak of World War I in Europe in early August 1914, Arcadia sought refuge from Allied forces in the United States, where she remained inactive through the period of American neutrality in the war. After the United States entered the war on the side of the Allies on 6 April 1917, the United States Customs Service seized her as enemy property and turned her over to the United States Shipping Board. Armed with two 3-inch (76.2-mm) guns manned by a United States Navy Armed Guard detachment, SS Arcadia operated under Shipping Board auspices for the remainder of World War I. After the war ended, Arcadia's guns were removed at Baltimore, Maryland, on 4 December 1918, and her naval armed guard detachment was transferred off of the ship.

                                On 20 January 1919, Arcadia was transferred to the U.S. Navy for service with the Cruiser and Transport Force. Assigned the naval registry identification number 1605, she was commissioned the same day as USS Arcadia (ID-1605) with Lieutenant Commander Peter F. Johnsen, USNRF, in command.

                                U.S. Navy service

                                Arcadia was fitted out for naval service and filled with cargo before departing the United States for France on 2 February 1919. Reaching French waters on 17 February 1919, Arcadia put into St. Nazaire on 19 February 1919 and discharged her cargo over the days that followed. Taking on ballast and embarking United States Army soldiers returning from World War I service in France, she left St. Nazaire on 1 March 1919 and, after a rough passage, reached Newport News, Virginia, on 17 March 1919.

                                After disembarking her passengers, Arcadia put into the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company at Newport News for voyage repairs and alterations. After their completion, she departed Newport News on 1 April 1919 for another voyage to France. She reached Bordeaux, France, on 20 April 1919, where she embarked more troops and a return cargo of "aeroplane and gun parts" before getting underway on 26 April 1919. She arrived at the Bush Terminal at Brooklyn, New York, on 11 May 1919. She made one more voyage to Bordeaux during late May and early June 1919, returning troops to Newport News for the second time. Later that summer she made a voyage to St. Nazaire and return trip to Hampton Roads, Virginia, followed by a voyage to Brest, France, and return trip to Hoboken, New Jersey. In all, she brought more than 4,700 men home to the United States from Europe on her five westbound U.S. Navy transatlantic voyages.

                                After completing her fifth and final U.S. Navy transatlantic voyage at Hoboken on 11 September 1919, Arcadia headed south on 12 September 1919, proceeding down the United States East Coast to Hampton Roads, where she moored alongside SS West Loquassuck - formerly the U.S. Navy cargo ship USS West Loquassuck (ID-3638) - at the U.S. Army base at Bush Bluff, later that day. A brief trip to the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company then followed. She soon returned to Bush Bluff.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Maui

                                USS Maui.

                                Maui was built as the commercial passenger ship SS Maui in 1917 by Union Iron Works at San Francisco, California, for the Matson Navigation Company of San Francisco. Matson placed her in service between the United States West Coast and Hawaii. The U.S. Navy acquired Maui from Matson on 6 March 1918 for World War I service as a troop transport, assigned her the naval registry Identification Number (Id. No.) 1514, and commissioned her the same day as USS Maui.

                                United States Navy service.

                                Assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force, Maui made transatlantic voyages carrying United States Army troops to Europe on her outbound voyages and bringing passengers and sick and wounded military personnel back to the United States on her return voyages until the end of the war in November 1918. After the war, she conducted voyages to bring American troops back to the United States for demobilization. In September 1919, Maui was decommissioned and returned to Matson.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Mongolia

                                USS Mongolia.

                                SS Mongolia was a 13,369-ton passenger-and-cargo liner originally built for Pacific Mail Steamship Company in 1904. She later sailed as USS Mongolia (ID-1615) for the U.S. Navy, as SS President Fillmore for the Dollar Line and as SS Panamanian for Cia Transatlantica Centroamericano.

                                Ordered by E. H. Harriman's Pacific Mail Steamship Co. for its San Francisco-Far East service, Mongolia was laid down as Minnelora on 7 June 1902 in Shipway J at New York Shipbuilding in Camden, New Jersey. The 615-foot vessel was contract #5 for the young company, and the first passenger-cargo liner built by the firm. A sister ship, SS Manchuria, was ordered at the same time and delivered three months after Mongolia. The accommodations of both ships reflected the importance of emigration to shipping lines of the era: 350 first-class, 68 second-class, and 1,300 steerage.

                                In August 1915 Pacific Mail sold Mongolia to Atlantic Transport Line, for whom she plied the New York-London route. Following the German declaration of a submarine blockade around Britain, Mongolia received a self-defense armament of three 6-inch (150 mm) deck guns manned by U.S. Navy gun crews. One month later, Mongolia became the first American vessel to test the blockade, using those guns to drive off (and possibly sink) a U-boat seven miles southeast of Beachy Head, in the English Channel. That was the first armed encounter for an American vessel after the US's entry to World War I.

                                For the next year, Mongolia ferried American troops and supplies to Europe under a civilian flag. On 27 April 1918, the US Navy requisitioned the vessel, which was commissioned 8 May as USS Mongolia (ID-1615). She served as a troop transport, completing twelve turnarounds at an average duration of 34 days before her decommissioning 11 September 1919. According to an article dated 22 May 1917 in the "Chicago Tribune" 2 American nurses, Edith Ayers and Helen Wood, were accidentally killed during one of these crossings.. The women were on the deck of the Mongolia observing the firing of various weapons when they were struck by fragments of the 6-inch gun's propellant caps which had ricocheted off a stanchion.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Antigone

                                USS Antigone (ID-3007) was a transport for the United States Navy during World War I, and the first ship of that name for the U.S. Navy. She was originally SS Neckar for North German Lloyd from her 1900 launch until seized by the U.S. in 1917. After her war service she was SS Potomac for United States Lines.

                                SS Neckar

                                Neckar was launched on 8 December 1900 at Geestemünde, Germany, by J.C. Tecklenborg and was owned and operated by North German Lloyd. In the North Atlantic at the outbreak of World War I in the summer of 1914, the passenger and freight liner sought sanctuary at the neutral port of Baltimore, Maryland, lest she fall prey to the warships of the Royal Navy, and was interned, ostensibly for the duration of the conflict.

                                World War I

                                When the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, American customs agents seized the ship. She was transferred to the Navy by the United States Shipping Board on 12 July 1917; converted for naval service as a troop transport at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia, renamed Antigone on 1 September 1917 and placed in commission on 5 September 1917, Comdr. Joseph R. Defrees in command.

                                Antigone was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force, Atlantic Fleet, on 14 September, and she departed Norfolk on 29 November. After coaling and completing sea trials, she proceeded to Hoboken, New Jersey, and embarked approximately 2,000 American troops. The transport sailed from New York City en route to France on 14 December and, during the next 11 months, made eight round-trip voyages to France, each of which terminated in either Brest or Saint-Nazaire. The ship also carried medical supplies and general cargo—as well as 16,526 troops—to Europe before hostilities ended.

                                After the armistice was signed on 11 November 1918, the transport continued her transatlantic voyages and returned more than 22,000 veterans to the United States. She completed her last trip from France upon her arrival at New York City on 15 September 1919. She was decommissioned there on 24 September 1919, and her name was simultaneously struck from the Navy list. The ship was then transferred to the War Department for service in the Army Transport Service.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Aeolus

                                USS Aeolus (ID-3005), sometimes also spelled Æolus, was a United States Navy transport ship during World War I. She was formerly the North German Lloyd liner SS Grosser Kurfürst, also spelled Großer Kurfürst, launched in 1899 that sailed regularly between Bremen and New York. At the outset of World War I the ship was interned by the United States and, when that country entered the conflict in 1917, was seized and converted to a troop transport.

                                Originally commissioned as USS Grosser Kurfürst, the ship was renamed Aeolus — after the god of wind in Greek mythology — while undergoing repairs and conversion at a U.S. Navy yard. The ship carried almost 25,000 men to France during the hostilities, and returned over 27,000 healthy and wounded men after the Armistice.

                                After decommissioning by the U.S. Navy, the ship was turned over to the United States Shipping Board and underwent a $3,000,000 refit in Baltimore, Maryland, and was transferred to the Munson Steamship Company for whom she carried passengers and freight to and from South American ports as SS Aeolus.

                                In 1922 the ship was assigned to the Los Angeles Steamship Co. and renamed SS City of Los Angeles and sailed to and from Los Angeles and Honolulu. In 1937, the ship was sold for scrapping in Japan.

                                The United States Navy inspected Grosser Kurfürst and designated her "Id. No. 3005" and earmarked her for service with the Cruiser and Transport Force to carry troops to France. She commissioned as Grosser Kurfürst on 4 August 1917, at the New York Navy Yard, Comdr. Clarence S. Kempff in command. While the ship was undergoing the repairs and alterations necessitated by the German sabotage and in light of her expected role carrying troops across the Atlantic, General Order No. 320 of 1 September 1917 changed her name to Aeolus.

                                On 26 November 1917, the erstwhile luxury steamship, now wearing warpaint, departed the Port of Embarkation at Hoboken, New Jersey, bound for Europe on the first of eight round-trip voyages during World War I, carrying troops to the Old World. She reached St. Nazaire, France, on 10 December and spent Christmas in that French port before she headed home on 28 December, bringing the voyage to a close when mooring at Newport News, Virginia, nine days into 1918. Shifting thence to Hoboken, Aeolus again sailed to France and returned from Brest again to Hoboken

                                Two events highlighted the ship's wartime convoy experiences. The first occurred during the beginning of what was to be the ship's third voyage to France. Aeolus, in convoy, departed Hoboken on 23 April 1918. Two days out, a steering gear casualty in the transport Siboney forced that ship to leave her assigned place in the formation. Aeolus, to avoid collision with Siboney, altered course radically, and in so doing struck the transport Huron at about 21:00 hours, 25 April. Fortunately, no lives were lost; but both transports were damaged which necessitated their turning back. Aeolus reached Hoboken on 28 April.

                                The second event occurred on 1 August 1918, while the ship was returning to the United States from Brest. At 0605, lookouts spotted what looked to be the wake of a submarine periscope, some 6,000 yards (5,500 m) distant. Changing course, Aeolus stood to general quarters and within a minute of the sighting, her number one and three guns commenced firing. For the next few minutes, her gunners fired at the diminishing target until it pulled out of range at 0615.

                                While the signing of the armistice of 11 November 1918 signalled the end of hostilities — an occasion that found the ship en route from St. Nazaire to Newport News — it only meant the beginning of the task of returning American troops from "over there." During the war, Aeolus had transported 24,770 men to the European battlefront in her eight voyages. In the postwar months, Aeolus conducted a further seven turn-around voyages, bringing back some 22,080 healthy veterans, and some 5,018 wounded and sick. Commencing her last voyage from Brest on 26 August 1919, Aeolus reached New York City on 5 September and was immediately detached from the Cruiser and Transport Force.

                                Decommissioned at Newport News on 22 September 1919 and turned over to the United States Shipping Board, Aeolus was presumably struck simultaneously from the Navy list.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Agamemnon

                                The second SS Kaiser Wilhelm II, was a 19,361 gross ton passenger steamer built at Stettin, Germany, completed in the spring of 1903. It was eventually seized by the U.S. Government during World War I, and subsequently served as transport ship. A famous photograph taken by Alfred Stieglitz called The Steerage as well as descriptions of the conditions of travel in the lowest class have conflicted with her otherwise glitzy reputation as a high class, high speed trans-Atlantic liner.

                                German career.

                                Designed for high speed trans-Atlantic service, she won the Blue Riband for the fastest eastbound crossing in 1904. In the years before the outbreak of World War I, she made regular trips between Germany and New York, carrying passengers both prestigious (in first class) and profitable (in the much more austere steerage). Kaiser Wilhelm II was west-bound when war with Britain began on 4 August 1914 and, after evading patrolling British cruisers, arrived at New York two days later.

                                United States military service

                                She was seized by the U.S. Government when it declared war on Germany on 6 April 1917, and work soon began to repair her machinery, sabotaged earlier by a German caretaker crew, and otherwise prepare the ship for use as a transport. While this work progressed, she was employed as a barracks ship at the New York Navy Yard.

                                The U.S. Navy placed the ship in commission as USS Kaiser Wilhelm II (ID-3004) in late August 1917. Her name was changed to Agamemnon at the beginning of September and active war work commenced at the end of October, when she left for her first troopship voyage to France. While at sea on 9 November 1917, she was damaged in a collision with another large ex-German transport, USS Von Steuben (ID-3017), but delivered her passengers to the war zone a few days later. Following return to the U.S. in December and subsequent repair work, Agamemnon again steamed to France in mid-January 1918 and thereafter regularly crossed the Atlantic as part of the massive effort to establish a major American military presence on the Western Front. The routine was occasionally punctuated by encounters with real or suspected U-boats and, during the autumn of 1918, with outbreaks of influenza on board.

                                In mid-December 1918, just over a month after the Armistice ended the fighting, Agamemnon began to bring Americans home from France. She made nine voyages by August 1919, carrying nearly 42,000 service personnel, some four thousand more than she had transported overseas during wartime. USS Agamemnon was decommissioned in late August and turned over to the War Department for further use as a U.S. Army Transport. Laid up after the middle 1920s, she was renamed Monticello in 1927 but had no further active service. Monticello was considered too old for use in the Second World War, and was sold for scrap in 1940.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Calamares

                                USS Calamares (AF-18) was a cargo ship acquired by the U.S. Navy for service in World War I. When World War II occurred, she was again called back into service, providing goods to units in the various oceans of the world.

                                Calamares (No. 3662) was built in 1913 by Workman, Clark and Co., Belfast, Northern Ireland; chartered by the U.S. Army from United Fruit Co.; transferred to the navy 1 April 1918; outfitted at New York; commissioned 10 April 1918, Commander C. L. Arnold in command; and reported to the U.S. Cruiser and Transport Force.

                                World War I North Atlantic operations

                                Between April and October 1918 Calamares made five voyages to France as her part of the Navy's vast responsibility to transport to the American Expeditionary Force reinforcements, munitions, and supplies. On 11 October 1918 she was transferred to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service at New York, and converted to a refrigerator ship.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS De Kalb

                                USS DeKalb (ID-3010) was a German mail ship SS Prinz Eitel Friedrich (1904) that served during the early part of the First World War as an auxiliary cruiser (Hilfkreuzer) in the German Navy and later after the US entry into the war, as US Navy troop ship. Post war she returned to civilian service as the US transatlantic liner SS Mount Clay.

                                Gerrman civilian service.

                                Main article: SS Prinz Eitel Friedrich (1904)

                                The ship was a North German Lloyd (NDL) mail ship and ocean liner built by AG Vulcan, Stettin, Germany, and launched 18 June 1904 as SS Prinz Eitel Friedrich (1904). NDL had ordered her for the German Mail route between Germany and the Far East, for which she began her maiden voyage on 13 October.

                                German auxiliary cruiser.

                                When the First World War broke out on 1 August 1914 she was in Shanghai, China and was ordered to Tsingtao in the then German Kiaochow Bay concession. There she was quickly converted to an auxiliary cruiser for the Imperial German Navy by transferring the guns and crews of the German gunboats SMS Tiger and SMS Luchs to Prinz Eitel Friedrich.

                                For the next seven months she operated on the high seas with Vice Admiral Maximilian von Spee's squadron off South American and then as a detached commerce raider. She sank or captured eleven ships in the Pacific and the South Atlantic. Among these was the schooner William P. Frye, captured on 27 January 1915 and scuttled the next day, the first U.S. flagged vessel sunk in World War I.

                                On 11 March 1915 Prinz Eitel Friedrich, now low on supplies and burdened by over 300 prisoners, arrived at Newport News, Virginia. Allied warships were lying outside US waters and to avoid them she exceeded the time limit under international law for a combatant ship to remain in a neutral port. As a result the US authorities interned her. Later she was moved, still under the German flag, to Philadelphia Navy Yard. On 11 April another NDL liner that had been operating as an auxiliary cruiser, the SS Kronprinz Wilhelm, was interned alongside her.

                                US troop ship.

                                When the United States entered the First World War in April 1917, US Customs officials seized her and she was transferred to the US Navy. She was reconditioned and refitted as a troop transport and renamed USS DeKalb after General Baron Johann de Kalb. She was commissioned 12 May 1917 with Commander W. R. Gherardi in command.

                                DeKalb was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force, Atlantic Fleet, and on 14 June 1917 sailed in the convoy carrying the first troops of the American Expeditionary Forces to France. In the next 18 months DeKalb made 11 such voyages, carrying 11,334 soldiers safely. With the end of the war, she continued her transport duty returning 20,332 troops from Europe in eight voyages. On 6 September 1919 she was turned over to the Commandant, 3rd Naval District.

                                United American Lines.

                                She was decommissioned 22 September 1919 and returned to the United States Shipping Board for disposal the following day. She returned to civilian control, initially as DeKalb and, after 1920, as SS Mount Clay. She was operated by the United American Lines on the transatlantic route making her first eastbound voyage from New York to Hamburg on 26 December 1920 and her last westbound voyage from Hamburg via Queenstown, Ireland to New York on 15 October 1925. She was then laid up until 1934 when she was scrapped.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                SS Duca degli Abruzzi

                                In 1910 the SS Duca degli Abruzzi left Genoa bound for New York City. The crossing took several days to complete and there must have been a huge number of Italians onboard, most of them seeking a new life in America. The Duca degli Abruzzi (not to be confused with the Italian destroyer involved in WWII) belonged to the Navigazione Generale Italiana Line, and covered the transatlantic line between Italy and the Big Apple. During its numerous crossings between 1908 and 1922, the Duca degli Abruzzi transported almost 67,000 passengers to a new life in America. Some prominent Americans travelling to Europe avoided the Lusitania disaster having left a week earlier on this liner.

                                During and after WW1 this liner carried US troops to Europe and also back to the USA after the Armistice.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Rondo - on right.

                                The second USS Rondo (ID-2488) was a United States Navy cargo ship in commission from 1918 to 1919.

                                SS Rondo was built in 1914 at Rotterdam in the Netherlands by Rotterdam Droogdock Maatschappij as a commercial cargo ship for the Dutch steamship company Nederland Stoomvaart Maatschappij. In March 1918, she was among 89 Dutch ships the United States Customs Service seized for World War I use by the United States. The U.S. Navy's 3rd Naval District inspected her for possible naval service on 25 March 1918. She was transferred to the U.S. Navy in late March 1918, and became one of 31 of the formerly Dutch ships to enter U.S. naval service when she was assigned naval registry Identification Number (Id. No.) 2488 and commissioned as USS Rondo on 28 March 1918 at with Lieutenant Commander Paul C. Grening, USNRF, in command.

                                Assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, Rondo departed New York City on 12 April 1918 for Norfolk, Virginia, where she loaded United States Army supplies for U.S. forces in Europe. Rondo subsequently made two round-trip voyages in convoy across the Atlantic Ocean between 7 May 1918 and 5 September 1918, unloading cargo at La Pallice, Le Verdon-sur-Mer, and Bordeaux, France.

                                Rondo was fitted for service as a horse transport during September 1918 under United States Shipping Board account. As an animal transport, she made one voyage to Montevideo, Uruguay, arriving there on 16 February 1919. Returning northward to Boston, Massachusetts, to unload her cargo, Rondo later was assigned duty carrying food to Europe. After engine trouble once forced her back into port, Rondo reached Falmouth, England, on 28 May 1919.

                                Steaming on to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Rondo was decommissioned and returned to Nederland Stoomvaart Maatschappij on 21 June 1919. Once again SS Rondo, she remained in commercial service with Nederland Stoomvaart Maatschappij until scrapped during 1933.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS George Washington

                                SS George Washington was an ocean liner built in 1908 for the Bremen-based North German Lloyd and was named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. The ship was also known as USS George Washington (ID-3018) and USAT George Washington in service of the United States Navy and United States Army, respectively, during World War I. In the interwar period, she reverted to her original name of SS George Washington. During World War II, the ship was known as both USAT George Washington and, briefly, as USS Catlin (AP-19), in a short, second stint in the U.S. Navy.

                                When George Washington was launched in 1908, she was the largest German-built steamship and the third-largest ship in the world. George Washington was built to emphasize comfort over speed and was sumptuously appointed in her first-class passenger areas. The ship could carry a total of 2,900 passengers, and made her maiden voyage in January 1909 to New York. In June 1911, George Washington was the largest ship to participate in the Coronation Fleet Review by the United Kingdom's newly crowned king, George V.

                                On 14 April 1912, George Washington passed a particularly large iceberg south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and radioed a warning to all ships in the area, including White Star Line ocean liner Titanic, which sank near the same location. Throughout her German passenger career, contemporary news accounts often reported on notable persons—typically actors, singers, and politicians—who sailed on George Washington.

                                At the outbreak of World War I, George Washington was interned by the then-neutral United States, until that country entered into the conflict in April 1917. George Washington was seized by the United States and taken over for use as a troop transport by the U.S. Navy. Commissioned as USS George Washington (ID-3018), she sailed with her first load of American troops in December 1917.

                                In total, she carried 48,000 passengers to France, and returned 34,000 to the United States after the Armistice. George Washington also carried U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to France twice for the Paris Peace Conference. George Washington was decommissioned in 1920 and handed over to the United States Shipping Board (USSB), who reconditioned her for passenger service. SS George Washington sailed in transatlantic passenger service for both the United States Mail Steamship Company (one voyage) and United States Lines for ten years, before she was laid up in the Patuxent River in Maryland in 1931.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Great Northern

                                USS Great Northern (AG-9) was a Great Northern-class cargo ship acquired by the United States Navy for use as a general cargo ship.

                                Great Northern was built by William Cramp & Sons in 1915; acquired from her owners, Great Northern Pacific Steamship Co. on 19 September 1917, by the United States Shipping Board; converted to a transport at the Puget Sound Navy Yard; and commissioned there on 1 November 1917, Captain W. W. Phelps in command.

                                World War I service

                                Embarking nearly 1,400 passengers at Puget Sound, including 500 "enemy aliens," women and children as well as men, Great Northern sailed for the U.S. East Coast on 21 January 1918, reaching New York on 9 February via the Panama Canal and Charleston, South Carolina. On 7 March, she sailed from Hoboken, New Jersey, for Brest, France with 1,500 members of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). Great Northern returned to Hoboken on 30 March with wounded veterans. From then until August 1919, she made a total of 18 transatlantic voyages, first carrying troops to the fighting zones and then bringing home the victorious "doughboys". Great Northern decommissioned at New York on 15 August 1919 and was transferred to the U.S. Army Transportation Service the same day.

                                Assigned to the U.S. Army.

                                While in the USATS, Great Northern was based mainly in the Pacific Ocean. In late 1919 and early 1920, she made two long trips from Honolulu to Vladivostok to pick up approximately 3,000 American officers and men returning from the Allies' campaign against the Russian Communists. Great Northern also took a Congressional party on a long Pacific inspection, touching at Hong Kong, Honolulu, Cavite, and then returning to San Francisco, California in the summer of 1920.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Hancock

                                USS Hancock (AP-3) was a transport ship in the United States Navy. Acquired by the Navy in 1902, she participated in World War I and a number of US military and diplomatic ventures prior to that.

                                Hancock - the third US Navy ship to bear the name - was built in 1879 by J. Elder & Co., Glasgow, Scotland. Formerly Arizona, she was purchased by the War Department during the Spanish-American War and transferred to the Navy 8 November 1902. She was commissioned 20 November 1902, Lt. Comdr. F. W. Coffin, USN, in command.

                                Operational service.

                                Hancock sailed from San Francisco for the East Coast 14 December 1902 via Valparaiso, Chile; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Bahia, Brazil. She arrived New York Navy Yard 21 February 1903 and decommissioned 9 March for fitting out. Recommissioned 21 September, she served as receiving ship at the New York Navy Yard until relieved by Washington 6 August 1913.

                                Mexican revolution.

                                Hancock departed New York 15 September and arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard the following day to be fitted out as a Marine transport. She sailed for the Gulf of Mexico on the 4th January 1914 having embarked the 1st Regiment, Advance Base Brigade of Marines. She landed the Marines at Vera Cruz, Mexico, to assist in the occupation of that city resulting from the arrest of the crew of a whaleboat of Dolphin (PG-24) by soldiers of General Huerta, aspirant to the Mexican presidency. During the tense months that followed, Hancock transported refugees uprooted by the Mexican Revolution between the coast of Mexico and Galveston, Texas, as she delivered supplies for the United States Expeditionary Force in Mexico.

                                Caribbean operations.

                                Other trouble spots erupted in the Americas. Both Haiti and the Dominican Republic were going through a series of violent revolutions endangering the lives and property of foreigners and inviting foreign intervention. This situation demanded a buildup of American strength in the area. As a result as the diplomatic crisis with Mexico eased, Hancock embarked a battalion of Marines from Vera Cruz and transported them to Guantanamo, Cuba. She returned to Norfolk 25 July 1914 to embark the 5th Marine Regiment and got underway 30 July to cruise in waters off Haiti and Santo Domingo to be on hand to protect American interests against any eventuality. She returned to Norfolk 23 December for a general overhaul.

                                Hancock resumed duty cruising in the Caribbean. She continued to transport Marines, stores, provisions, mail, and other cargo to forces ashore in Mexico, Haiti, and Santo Domingo. From 12 to 30 September 1916 she assisted in the salvage of material from Memphis (CA-10) after the cruiser was driven ashore by a tidal wave in the harbor of Santo Domingo. Hancock carried the ill-fated ship's crew, stores, fittings, and ammunition to the Norfolk Navy Yard.

                                Takeover of Danish West Indies.

                                Hancock was at Guantanamo Bay 27 March 1917 when ordered to proceed to St. Thomas in the Danish West Indies, where the Danish Government was to transfer the islands to the United States. She sailed the next day, embarking a Marine Detachment at Santo Domingo before arrival at St. Thomas, 30 March 1917. On 31 March, Hancock's captain, Comdr. Edwin T. Pollock, USN, took over the islands in the name of the United States of America at 1600 when the transfer became effective,

                                When the United States declared war on Germany six days later, Hancock took possession of German steamers Wasgenwald and Calabria interned there.

                                Hancock arrived at San Juan, Puerto Rico, 18 May 1917 to take possession of two more interned German steamships, SS Praesident and Odenwald. She embarked 29 German prisoners of war 23 May, and stood out of San Juan harbor that afternoon to tow Odenwald to the Philadelphia Navy Yard where she arrived 1 June.

                                Hancock was assigned to the U.S. Cruiser and Transport Force to embark troops of the 1st American Expeditionary Force 13 June. She got underway 17 June as Flagship of Troop Convoy Number 4 and arrived without mishap at St. Nazaire, France, 2 July. Returning to Philadelphia 22 July, her principal service until September 1919 was transportation of Marine passengers and military stores to ports in the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico. She returned to Philadelphia 3 September and decommissioned 18 October 1919.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Harrisburg

                                USS Harrisburg, USN 1918-1919 (ex-American SS Philadelphia, 1889). 10,232 Gross Tons, Length 527.6', Beam 63.2', Comm. 29 May 18, Decom. 25 Sep 19, ID # 1663. Two tall masts.

                                Worls War I Era Transports with Clipper Bows, Two Smokestacks and Two or Three Masts.

                                A nearly-identical pair of WWI era U.S. Navy transports featured distinctive "clipper" bows (every other ship in this category had a "plumb" bow). These were elderly ships, completed in the late 1880s with three smokestacks, and named City of Paris (later Paris) and City of New York (later New York). Both served in the Navy during the Spanish-American War as (respectively) USS Yale and USS Harvard. They were rebuilt in the early 1900s, with two tall smokestacks replacing the original trio, and Paris was renamed Philadelphia. The two ships operated as civilian-manned troopships during the first part of World War I, but were transferred to the Navy in 1918 and commissioned as USS Harrisburg and USS Plattsburg (existing U.S. Navy ships already bore the names Philadelphia and New York).

                                Though quite similar in appearance, Harrisburg had lost her mainmast prior to entering U.S. Navy service, leaving her with only two masts. Plattsburg still had three, though at some point in late 1917 or early 1918 the middle one was cut down to about half its original height.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Henderson

                                The first USS Henderson (AP-1) was a transport in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II. In 1943, she was converted to a hospital ship and commissioned as USS Bountiful (AH-9).

                                Named after Marine General Archibald Henderson, she was launched by Philadelphia Navy Yard on 17 June 1916; sponsored by Miss Genevieve W. Taylor, great-granddaughter of General Henderson; and commissioned at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 24 May 1917, Lt. C. W. Steel in command.

                                Henderson arrived New York on 12 June 1917 and sailed two days later with Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves' Cruiser and Transport Force, which carried units of the American Expeditionary Force to France. In her holds she had space for 1,500 men and 24 mules. Reaching Saint-Nazaire on 27 June she disembarked troops and returned to Philadelphia on 17 July 1917.

                                Subsequently, Henderson made eight more voyages to France with troops and supplies for the allies in the bitter European fighting. She established two large base hospitals in France during 1917. In constant danger from submarines, the transport was steaming near Army transport Antilles on 17 October 1917 when the latter was torpedoed. Henderson escaped attack by wrapping herself in an envelope of smoke. But torpedoes were not her only danger. She sailed for her seventh voyage on 30 June 1918 to France. A serious fire broke out in a cargo hold on 2 July 1918. Destroyers Mayrant (DD-31) and Paul Jones (DD-10) transferred her troop passengers to nearby transports without loss of life, and determined firefighting crews soon brought the flames under control. She sailed again from Philadelphia Tuesday 13 August 1918 and arrived at the port of Brest, France Monday 25 August 1918.

                                Caribbean, 1918,1923

                                Following the armistice, Henderson made eight more transatlantic voyages bringing home members of the A.E.F. She carried more than 10,000 veterans before returning to Philadelphia on 27 December 1919. She then took up duty as troop rotation ship for Marine units in the Caribbean, carrying Marines, their dependents, and supplies to bases in Cuba, Haiti, and other islands. She also participated in Marine training maneuvers in Florida before returning to Philadelphia on 6 July 1920. After an extended period of repairs, the transport resumed her duties in the Caribbean. This was interrupted from 21 June to 21 July as Henderson carried military and civilian leaders to observe the historic bombing tests off the Virginia Capes.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Huron

                                USS Huron (ID-1408) was a United States Navy transport ship during World War I. She was formerly the Norddeutscher Lloyd liner SS Friedrich der Grosse (or Friedrich der Große) built in 1896, which sailed Atlantic routes from Germany and sometimes Italy to the United States and on the post run to Australia. At the outset of World War I the ship was interned by the U.S. and, when that country entered the conflict in 1917, was seized and converted to a troop transport.

                                Originally commissioned as USS Fredrick Der Grosse, the ship was renamed Huron — after Lake Huron, the center lake of the Great Lakes — while undergoing repairs and conversion at a U.S. Navy yard. The ship carried almost 21,000 men to France during the hostilities, and returned over 22,000 healthy and wounded men after the Armistice.[3][4]

                                After decommissioning by the U.S. Navy, the ship was turned over to the United States Shipping Board and was later transferred to the United States Mail Steamship Company, for whom she sailed in the Atlantic as SS Huron. In May 1922 the ship was allocated to the Los Angeles Steamship Co. and renamed SS City of Honolulu. The ship caught fire on 12 October 1922 during her maiden voyage, and sank with no loss of life.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Koningin der Nederlanden

                                SS Koningin der Nederlanden (Dutch Passenger Liner, 1911). Served as USS Koningin der Nederlanden (ID 2708) in 1918-1919

                                Koningin der Nederlanden, a passenger cargo steamer, was built at Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 1911. She was employed commercially under the Dutch flag until March 1918, when the U.S. Government seized her at San Francisco, California. The ship served in the U.S. Navy as USS Koningin der Nederlanden (ID 2708) from early April 1918 until November 1919. Later returned to her Dutch owners, she resumed mercantile employment, which lasted until she was sold for scrapping in 1932.

                                8225 Gross Tons; Length 455.2'; Breadth 55.2' Long midships superstructure, two levels high (plus a long pilothouse). Paired kingposts close to superstructure face.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Kursk

                                SS Kursk built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow, Yard No 482, Engines by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow. Propulsion: steam - twin screw - 15 knots.

                                Launched: Thursday, 07/07/1910, Built: 1910, Ship Type: Steamship Ship's Role: Transatlantic liner, Tonnage: 7858 grt., Length: 450 feet Breadth: 56.2 feet

                                Owner History: Russian East Asiatic SS Co., Libau 1918 The Shipping Controller, UK (Cunard) 1920 The East Asiatic Company, Copenhagen 1930 Polish Transatlantic Shipping Co (Gdynia-America Line), Gdynia 1935 Gdynia-America Shipping Lines Status: Arrived for Scrapping - 05/03/1939

                                Remarks: Maiden voyage Libau New York 2nd November 1910. Transferred to Glasgow New York service 1914. Managed by Cunard from 1917 until 1921 when sold to Baltic America Line and renamed Polonia making her first Glasgow - New York - Danzig - Libau voyage 23rd January 1921. Went to Polish Gydnia America Line in 1930 on Gydnia to New York runs until 1933 when she transferred to Constanza Haifa services, remaining on this route until scrapping at Savona in 1939

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Louisville

                                SS St. Louis, was a transatlantic passenger liner built by the William Cramp & Sons Building & Engine Company, Philadelphia and was launched on 12 November 1894; sponsored by Mrs. Grover Cleveland, wife of the President of the United States; and entered merchant service in 1895, under United States registry for the International Navigation Co., of New York with her maiden voyage between New York and Southampton, England. She was acquired by the United States Navy during the Spanish,American War and commissioned under the name USS St. Louis in 1898, and again during World War I under the name USS Louisville (ID-1644) from 1918 to 1919. After she reverted to her original name in 1919, she burned in 1920 while undergoing a refit. St. Louis was scrapped in 1924 in Genoa.

                                For many years, SS St. Louis was prominent as a passenger liner between New York and Liverpool. On 17 March 1917, she was furnished an armed guard of 26 United States Navy sailors and armed with three 6-inch guns, to protect her from enemy attack as she continued her New York-to-Liverpool service. On 30 May, while proceeding up the Irish Sea and skirting the coast of England, she responded rapidly to the orders, "Hard Starboard," at the sighting of a periscope, and succeeded in dodging a torpedo while apparently striking the submarine which fired it. Later dry-dock examination revealed that 18 feet of her keel rubbing strake had been torn away. On 25 July, her gunners exchanged fire with a surfaced U-boat, some three miles away, and sighted many near misses.

                                On 17 April 1918, St. Louis was delivered to the Navy at New York to be wholly manned and operated by the Navy as a troop transport. She was renamed Louisville (SP-1644), as a cruiser named St. Louis was already in service in the Navy. Louisville was commissioned on 24 April.

                                Louisville first put to sea on 12 October bound for Portland and Southampton, England, and returned to New York on 7 January 1919. From then until 19 August of that year, she made six voyages from New York to Liverpool or to Brest, France, to return American soldiers from the Great War. On 20 August, she shifted to Norfolk and was decommissioned there on 9 September 1919. She was returned to her owner on the 11th and resumed her original name, St. Louis.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  SS Lutetia was a French liner which was used to transport US Troops during WW1.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Madawaska

                                USS Ullyses S. Grant (AP-29) was a transport ship that saw service with the United States Navy in World War II. Originally a German ocean liner named Konig Wilhelm II, she was seized by the United States during the First World War and renamed USS Madawaska (ID-3011) in 1917 before being renamed USS U. S. Grant (AP-29) in 1922.

                                Konig Wilhelm II was a steel-hulled screw steamer launched on 20 July 1907 at Stettin, Germany, by Vulcan Aktiengesellschaft. Built for the transatlantic passenger trade, Konig Wilhelm II operated between Hamburg, Germany, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, under the house flag of the Hamburg-Amerika Line, until the outset of World War I in 1914. Voluntarily interned at Hoboken, New Jersey, to avoid being captured by the Royal Navy, the passenger liner was seized after the United States entered the war on 6 April 1917, as were all other German vessels in American ports.

                                Before agents of the U.S. federal government took possession of the ship, her German crew unsuccessfully attempted to render her unusable by cracking her main steam cylinders with hydraulic jacks. Following repairs to the damaged machinery, Konig Wilhelm II was assigned the identification number 3011 and commissioned on 27 August 1917, Lt. Charles McCauley in temporary command pending the arrival of Comdr. Edward H. Watson.

                                Renamed Madawaska on 1 September, the ship was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force of the Atlantic Fleet. During World War I, she conducted 10 transatlantic voyages in which she carried nearly 12,000 men to Europe. After the armistice of 11 November 1918, Madawaska made seven more voyages, bringing 17,000 men home from the European theater. She completed the last of these runs upon her arrival at New York on 23 August 1919. She was decommissioned by the Navy on 2 September and simultaneously transferred to the War Department.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Martha Washington

                                USS Martha Washington (ID‑3019) was a transport for the United States Navy during World War I named for Martha Washington, the first First Lady of the United States. She was originally ocean liner SS Martha Washington for the Austro-American Line before the war. Before and after her Navy service she was the United States Army transport USAT Martha Washington. The liner was sold to the Italian Cosulich Line in 1922. In 1932, when Cosulich was absorbed into Italia Flotte Riunite (English: United Fleets Italy), the ship was renamed SS Tel Aviv. The ship was scrapped in 1934.

                                Martha Washington was launched in 1908 by Russell & Co. of Port Glasgow, Scotland for the Austro-American Line (formal name: Unione Austriaca di Navigazione). The liner sailed between Trieste and New York City.

                                On the evening of 20 November 1911, while steaming in the Ionian Sea from Patras and headed for New York, Martha Washington came under fire from an Italian battleship for a period of ten minutes, with shells falling within one ship length (approximately 500 ft or 150 m) of the liner. According to the captain of the liner, the Italians, fighting against Turkey in the Italo-Turkish War, mistook Martha Washington for a Turkish ship. The ship was allowed to pass unharmed after the crew used a signal lamp to communicate her identity to the Italians.

                                At the outbreak of World War I, Martha Washington was interned at Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1914.

                                World War I.

                                After the United States entered the war, Martha Washington was taken over by the U.S. Army Quartermaster Department on 6 April 1917. The former liner was acquired by the Navy in November 1917. She was commissioned on 2 January 1918 with Commander Chauncey Shackford in command.

                                Transporting troops to France.

                                Two months of round‑the‑clock effort restored the ship to seaworthiness and modified her as a troop transport. Martha Washington sailed on eight wartime voyages carrying troops to France, embarking a total of 24,005 passengers. Sailing as a part of the Cruiser and Transport Force, Martha Washington sailed from New York on 10 February on her first voyage carrying troops to France with Navy transports Antigone, President Lincoln, and Von Steuben, and Army transport Finland, under escort of the cruiser Pueblo. Martha Washington arrived back at New York on 14 March. Leaving New York again on 23 March, she convoyed with El Occidente, Powhatan, Finland, and cruiser Pueblo, arriving in France on 4 April. Martha Washington and Powhatan returned to the U.S. on 22 April.

                                Martha Washington next departed Newport News on 30 April 1918 with Powhatan. Rendezvousing with the two transports was a convoy sailing from New York consisting of Kroonland, Matsonia, Manchuria, and Finland (now a Navy transport). South Dakota provided the convoy with protection until its arrival in France on 12 May. Martha Washington returned to Virginia on 1 June. Departing Newport News on 10 June, Martha Washington sailed with Aeolus, Powhatan, Matsonia, and British troopship Czaritza. Meeting up with Manchuria which sailed from New York, the convoy—escorted by cruisers Seattle and Frederick, and destroyer Stevens—reached France on 18 June. Martha Washington returned to the U.S. on 30 June.

                                Departing Newport News once again for France on 10 July, Martha Washington, accompanied by Aeolus, Powhatan, and Matsonia, joined with the New York contingent—Navy transports Sierra and Manchuria, and steamers Narragansett, Lutetia, and Toloa—and arrived in France on 21 July. Cruiser Seattle and destroyers Stringham, Fairfax, Mayrant, and Paul Jones served as escorts on the eastbound crossing. Aeolus and Matsonia joined Martha Washington in arriving in Virginia on 5 August.

                                With Manchuria, Henderson, Aeolus, Koningen der Nederlanden, and steamer Patria, Martha Washington sailed from Newport News for France on 14 August. Louisville and Matsonia, sailing from New York, joined the convoy, which was escorted by cruisers Rochester, Seattle, and Frederick. Records of this convoy are sketchy, but Henderson and Matsonia are known to have arrived in France on 25 August, and the other ships probably arrived around that same time. Upon Martha Washington 's return to the U.S. she shifted to New York.

                                After embarking 3,029 troops, Martha Washington departed again on 15 September sailing with Henderson, Pocahontas, Calamares, Finland, Powhatan, and steamer Ulua. Martha Washington 's New York group met up with a Virginia group of Navy transports Aeolus and Koningen der Nederlanden, and steamers Patria and Kursk. Escorts—consisting of battleship New Hampshire, cruisers St. Louis and Pueblo, and destroyers Stribling, Hopkins, and Stringham—helped to ensure the safe arrival of all ships in France on 28 September. Finland and Pocahontas accompanied Martha Washington on her return journey and arrived at New York on 12 October.

                                Beginning what would be her final wartime crossing, Martha Washington sailed with Aeolus and Italian steamer Duca d'Aosta on 21 October from Newport News. Navy transport Pocahontas and Brazilian steamer Sobral, sailing from New York, and escorts New Hampshire, Charleston, South Dakota, Talbot, and Radford filled out the convoy, which arrived on 4 November. Returning to the U.S. five days after the Armistice, Martha Washington made eight additional voyages—from 26 November 1918 to 11 November 1919—returning 19,687 troops and passengers from foreign ports. During her seventh voyage she also disembarked 945 interned German aliens at Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

                                On her final voyage she arrived at Brest on 14 August and received new orders to transport an American relief mission to Turkey and Russia. Under the leadership of Major General James Harbord, U.S. Army, the mission spent the first two weeks in September at Constantinople and after arriving at Batum, Russia, on 18 September, spent the following three weeks there. In this period of civil turmoil, Martha Washington brought 324 Armenian and Polish refugees to Constantinople. Sailing for the United States on 15 October, she called at Malta, Marseille, and Brest before arriving at New York on the first anniversary of the Armistice signing. She was decommissioned on 18 November 1919 and was turned over to the War Department.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Matsonia

                                USS Matsonia (ID-1589) was a transport for the United States Navy during World War I. Before and after her Navy service she was ocean liner SS Matsonia for the Matson Navigation Company. The liner was sold in 1937 to the Alaska Packers Association and renamed SS Etolin. Shortly before World War II, the ship was chartered by the United States Army as USAT Etolin. Transferred to the War Shipping Administration in 1946, Etolin was placed in the James River Reserve Fleet and ultimately scrapped in 1957.

                                Matsonia, built by the Newport News Ship Building Company of Newport News, Virginia, in 1913, served the Matson Navigation Company until taken over by the U.S. Shipping Board and turned over to the Navy at New York by way of the Panama Canal, 22 January 1918, for use as a troop transport. She was commissioned 1 March 1918, Captain John M. Luby in command.

                                Beginning 14 March, when she sailed for France with troops and Army cargo, Matsonia completed six round trips to Europe prior to the Armistice. The preparation to turn the Matsonia into a troop carrier involved ripping out mahogany staircases "as if they were worth nothing" and utilizing every bit of space by rigging up 3,000 soldier bunks wherever they could be rigged. During her second France-bound trip during World War I the convoy was attacked by a German U-boat that was sunk about 800 meters from the Matsonia. During that time she transferred 13,329 passengers to Europe, and carried back only 10. After the Armistice she continued her transatlantic crossings to return over 23,000 troops in 8 voyages, ending such crossings at New York on 20 August 1919. She was decommissioned on 12 September 1919 and returned to her former owner on 17 September.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Mercury (SS Barbarossa)

                                USS Mercury (ID-3012) was a United States Navy transport ship during World War I. She was formerly the Norddeutscher Lloyd liner SS Barbarossa built by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, Germany, in 1897, and operated by the North German Lloyd Line.

                                At the outset of World War I the ship was interned by the United States and, when that country entered the conflict in 1917, was seized and converted to a troop transport. After decommissioning by the U.S. Navy, the ship was turned over to the Army Transport Service and then to the U.S. Shipping Board. She was sold for scrapping in February 1924

                                SS Barbarossa was built by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, Germany, in 1896, for the North German Lloyd Line. She operated on both North Atlantic crossings and the Bremerhaven-Australia route.

                                With the outbreak of World War I, she took refuge in Hoboken, New Jersey, and was interned by the United States. She was seized when the United States entered the war 6 April 1917.

                                U.S. Navy transport

                                Damage inflicted by her crew prior to seizure was repaired and she was commissioned on 3 August 1917, with Cmdr. H. L. Brinser in command. Shortly after commissioning she was renamed USS Mercury.

                                Mercury got underway for her first transatlantic troop-ferrying mission on 4 January 1918. Before the armistice, she had completed seven voyages to France, carrying over 18,000 passengers. After the armistice, she reversed the flow of troops, making eight crossings to return more than 20,000 to the United States.

                                Postwar service.

                                After completing her last crossing as a U.S. Navy ship on 19 September 1919, she decommissioned and on 27 September 1919 was turned over to the Army Transport Service for use as an Army transport. The Army in turn transferred her to the U.S. Shipping Board in August 1920. Mercury was chartered by the Baltic SS Corp of America for a proposed service between New York and Danzig, however the service never operated and the ship was returned to the Shipping Board in January 1921, when she was laid up. She was sold for scrapping in February 1924.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Orizaba

                                USS Orizaba (ID-1536/AP-24) was a transport ship for the United States Navy in both World War I and World War II. She was the sister ship of Siboney but the two were not part of a ship class. In her varied career, she was also known as USAT Orizaba in service for the United States Army, as SS Orizaba in interwar civilian service for the Ward Line, and as Duque de Caxias (U-11) as an auxiliary in the Brazilian Navy after World War II.

                                Orizaba made 15 transatlantic voyages for the Navy carrying troops to and from Europe in World War I with the second shortest average in-port turnaround time of all Navy transports. The ship was turned over to the War Department in 1919 for use as Army transport USAT Orizaba. After her World War I service ended, Orizaba reverted to the Ward Line, her previous owners. The ship was briefly engaged in transatlantic service to Spain and then engaged in New York,Cuba,Mexico service until 1939, when the ship was chartered to United States Lines. While Orizaba was in her Ward Line service, American poet Hart Crane leapt to his death from the rear deck of the liner off Florida in April 1932.

                                In World War II the ship was requisitioned by the War Shipping Administration and again assigned to the War Department as USAT Orizaba. After completing one voyage as an Army transport, the ship was transferred to the US Navy, where she was re-commissioned as USS Orizaba (AP-24). The ship made several transatlantic runs, was damaged in an air attack in the Allied invasion of Sicily, and made trips to South America. The transport also served in the Pacific Theatre, making several transpacific voyages, and one to the Aleutians.

                                In June 1945, Orizaba was transferred under Lend-Lease to the Brazilian Navy where she served as Duque de Caxias (U-11). In August 1945, Duque de Caxis carried parts of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force from Naples back to Rio de Janeiro. The ship was badly damaged by a fire in 1947, but was repaired and remained in service. Permanently transferred to Brazil in 1953, Duque de Caxias was decommissioned in 1959 and scrapped in 1963.

                                World War 1.

                                Orizaba—named after the town of Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico—was laid down for the Ward Line by William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and launched in February 1917. In mid-1917 the United States Shipping Board (USSB) commandeered and received title to all private shipbuilding projects in progress, including the still-incomplete Orizaba and her sister ship Siboney. Plans for both ships were modified for troop-carrying duties. Upon Orizaba’s completion, the USSB delivered her to the US Navy for transport duty on 11 April 1918, and she was commissioned as USS Orizaba on 27 May.

                                Assigned to the Atlantic Transport Service, Orizaba carried over 15,000 troops in six convoy trips to France before the end of World War I. In one such voyage, Orizaba’s executive officer, ordnance expert William Price Williamson, worked closely with Commander Richard Drace White—Orizaba’s commanding officer, himself an ordnance expert—to develop a workable depth charge launcher which would provide the transport with a measure of protection from enemy submarines. Williamson set about modifying a Lyle gun into a depth charge launcher, and successfully tested it on 16 August 1918. While attempting another test with an increased propellant charge the following day, a defective fuse exploded the depth charge prematurely, killing Williamson and three other sailors. White, four other officers, and twenty-two enlisted men were also wounded in the blast.

                                Four days later on 21 August at 08:30, Orizaba, traveling with Siboney, spotted a submarine in the act of submerging. Orizaba attempted to ram the sub and dropped depth charges, but there was no indication that the attack was successful.

                                In December 1918, she was temporarily assigned to assist the French government in repatriating French, Belgian, and Italian prisoners of war. Detached from that duty on 10 January 1919, she joined the Cruiser and Transport Force at Brest, and in nine voyages returned over 31,700 troops to the United States. After the completion of transport duty service in the summer of 1919, she decommissioned on 4 September and was turned over to the Army for further transport service as USAT Orizaba. The boat served in that capacity until returned to the Ward Line in 1920.

                                According to the Statistical Department of the US Navy, Orizaba had the second-shortest average in-port turnaround time out of 37 US Navy transports used in World War I. The ship completed 15 round trips with an average turn-around time of just over 30 days per trip, while the overall Navy average was 39.8 days.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Pastores

                                USS Pastores (AF-16) was a Pastores class store ship acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War I and re-acquired during World War II. Pastores served as a stores ship, responsible for delivering supplies to military personnel in combat and non-combat areas. She served in both World War I and II, and was awarded one battle star during World War II.

                                World War One.

                                Pastores was built by Workman Clark, Ltd., Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1913; acquired by the U.S. Navy from United Fruit Company on 1 May 1918; and commissioned on 6 May 1918.

                                Pastores was one of the merchant ships chartered by the Navy during World War I to transport U.S. forces to Europe, through submarine-infested waters. Pastores began this service in the closing months of 1917, and she encountered several submarines during her early Naval service.

                                Departing New York in convoy on 20 December 1917, she was 900 miles off the coast of France in January 1918, when a submarine appeared astern. President Grant, one of the ships of the convoy, fired one shot at the submarine, which was not seen again. On 9 January, after the convoy had been joined by destroyer escort in the Bay of Biscay, a submarine attacked; the convoy fired 15 shots at the boat, not seen again. Pastores sighted submarines again during convoy crossings in August and September.

                                After war's end, Pastores transported troops back to the United States. She decommissioned and was returned to the United Fruit Company on 8 October 1919 and served on the West Indies,Central American run until 20 December 1941, when acquired by War Shipping Administration, from whom the Navy again chartered her.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                SS Patria

                                SS Patria was a 11,885 GRT French ocean liner built in 1913 for Compagnie française de Navigation à vapeur Cyprien Fabre & Cie (Fabre Line), for whom she was first a transatlantic liner and then an emigrant ship. From 1932 Fabre Line leased her to Services Contractuels des Messageries Maritimes, who ran her between the south of France and the Levant. After the fall of France in June 1940 the British authorities in Mandatory Palestine seized her in the Port of Haifa and placed her under the management of the British-India Steam Navigation Company. In November 1940 the British placed European Jewish refugees aboard her for deportation to Mauritius but the Haganah planted a bomb aboard which sank her with the loss of between 260 and 300 lives. Patria remained a wreck in Haifa port until she was scrapped in 1952.

                                Fabre Line ordered Patria and her sister ship SS Providence from Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée of La Seyne-sur-Mer, near Toulon. Patria had seven decks and three funnels, but one of the funnels was a dummy. Patria had nine boilers feeding two three-cylinder triple expansion steam engines. The cylinder bores were 30.4" (high pressure), 49.36" (medium pressure) and 70.55" (low pressure), all with a stroke of 51.2". The engines gave Patria a total of 900 NHP and propelled the ship by twin screws. Patria had direction finding equipment and was the first ocean liner to be equipped with a cinema.

                                Patria was launched on 11 November 1913 and entered Fabre Line service on 15th or 16th April 1914.

                                The New York Times reported that a German submarine attacked her on 1 March 1916 off the coast of Tunis. There is no naval record of such an attack, so it is not clear what incident may have taken place.

                                She plied as a transatlantic liner between Marseille and New York from then until 1920, when she and Providence were reassigned to carrying emigrants to New York from Naples, Palermo and Marseille. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929 Messageries Maritimes withdrew Patria from the emigrant trade in 1930, although Providence continued to carry emigrants until 1932.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Plattsburg

                                The first USS Harvard of the United States Navy was an auxiliary cruiser in the Spanish-American War. She was launched as City of New York, and later commissioned as Plattsburg (SP-1645) for service in World War I.

                                Originally a schooner-rigged steamship, she was launched in 1888 as City of New York by John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, for the Inman Line. Sister ship of City of Paris, City of New York was one of the largest and best liners of her day, and one of the first steamships with twin screws. She was transferred to American registry under the American Line in 1893 as New York. These ships brought the United States to the front rank in the Atlantic passenger trade, and New York established the record for the Southampton to New York crossing in September 1893.

                                Reverting to her old name, New York, the ship resumed transatlantic service with the American Line until World War I. During this period she underwent extensive conversion in 1903, when one of her three funnels was removed. When United States joined World War I, again needed in support of American forces abroad, New York was chartered by the Navy 9 May 1918 for use as a troop transport. She commissioned as Plattsburg on 24 May 1918 and was commanded by Claude C. Bloch.

                                Plattsburg made four voyages from New York to Liverpool transporting the American Expeditionary Force to Europe, and after the end of the war made a total of seven voyages, bringing home over 24,000 veterans. She returned to New York after her final crossing on 29 August 1919, and was returned to her owners on 6 October 1919.

                                As New York, the ship once again plied the Atlantic with passengers, but she was no longer a first-class liner and was withdrawn from service in 1920. Sold to the Polish Navigation Company, she made two more voyages, but the company was soon forced to close down and the ship was scrapped in 1923.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Pocahontas

                                USS Pocahontas (SP-3044) was a transport ship for the United States Navy during World War I. She was originally the SS Prinzess Irene, a Barbarossa-class ocean liner built in 1899 by AG Vulcan Stettin of Stettin, Germany, for the North German Lloyd line.

                                She was launched as Prinzess Irene on 19 June 1900 by Aktiengesellschaft Vulkan, Stettin, Germany for North German Lloyd Lines. On 9 September 1900, she started her maiden voyage to New York City. On 30 October 1900, she began the first of seven trips on the German Empire mail run to the Far East to Yokohama, the route she was built for.

                                On 30 April 1903, she went on the Genoa, Naples, New York run and stayed mainly on this service together with her sister ship SS König Albert and sometimes other ships of the Barbarossa class. In 1911 under, Captain Frederic von Letten-Peterssen, she was stranded for eighty-three hours on the Fire Island sandbars.

                                Her last voyage was to New York on 9 July 1914. With the outbreak of World War I in August, she was stranded in New York since the British Royal Navy controlled the North Atlantic. She remained there until seized by the United States by Executive Order 2651 on 30 June 1917, under the authority prescribed in the Enemy Vessel Confiscation Joint Resolution passed on 12 May 1917.

                                At the beginning of World War I the ship was in New York and was interned by the United States. She was seized when that country entered the conflict in 1917 and converted to a troop transport. As the USS Pocohantas, she carried 24,573 servicemen to Europe, and after the war returned 23,296 servicemen to the United States.

                                Although Pocahontas convey all of her passengers safely, she faced numerous dangers. The most serious incident occurred in the forenoon of 2 May 1918 when an Imperial German Navy submarine surfaced in her path and straddled her with 5.9 in (150 mm) shells. Captain Edward C. Kalbfus ordered the crew to battle stations and gave the signal to open fire. However, the U-boat was not in range of her guns. Fragments of enemy shells landed on the ship, but she was not directly hit and suffered no casualties. Captain Kalbus commenced zig-zag courses, and then at full speed drew away from the submarine, probably U,151, about twenty minutes after the attack began. Making a record of 16.2 knots (30.0 km/h; 18.6 mph), he kept the enemy out of range until her lost her. For his successful defense of his ship, Captain Kalfbus was awarded the Navy Cross.

                                Decommissioned by the U.S. Navy, the United States Shipping Board sold her back to the North German Lloyd line, where she saw mercantile service until being broken up in 1932.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Powhatan

                                USS Powhatan (ID,3013) was a transport ship for the United States Navy during World War I. She was originally the SS Hamburg, a Barbarossa-class ocean liner built in 1899 by Aktiengesellschaft Vulkan of Stettin, Germany, for the Hamburg America Line. At the outset of World War I the ship was interned by the United States.

                                She was soon chartered by the American Red Cross to take medical personnel and supplies to Europe. Renamed Red Cross, she left New York in mid-September, 1914.

                                When the U.S. entered World War I in April,1917, she was seized and converted to a troop transport. Originally commissioned as USS Hamburg (ID-3013), the ship was renamed Powhatan on 5 September 1917, During World War I, she carried 15,274 troops to France and after the war she returned 11,803 servicemen to the United States.

                                The ship was commissioned as the troop transport USS Hamburg by the United States Navy on 16 August 1917, with Commander Gatewood Lincoln in command. She was renamed Powhatan on 5 September 1917 and began the first of 12 consecutive Atlantic crossings on 12 November 1917. Powhatan was twice attacked by a submarine in the Bay of Biscay on 4 April 1918 but survived unscathed due to prompt location and depth charging by escorting destroyers. From 12 November 1917 to 9 December 1918, she carried 15,274 troops to France and after the war she returned 11,803 servicemen to the United States.

                                Powhatan was decommissioned on 2 September 1919 and was turned over to the Army Transport Service at New York, and finally to the United States Shipping Board.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS President Grant

                                USS Republic (AP-33) was a troop transport that served with the US Navy during World War II. In World War I she served with the Navy as USS President Grant (ID-3014) before being turned over to the Army and named Republic. The ship was renamed the President Buchanan in 1921 before reverting to Republic in 1924.

                                Originally christened as the SS Servian, she was built in 1903 by Harland and Wolff, Ltd. of Belfast for the Wilson & Furness-Leyland Line, a subsidiary of International Mercantile Marine Co. spearheaded by J.P. Morgan. After plans for a North Atlantic service collapsed, she spent four years at anchor in the Musgrave Channel in Belfast.

                                After being purchased by the Hamburg-American Packet Steamship Company (Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Aktien-Gesellschaft or HAPAG) in 1907, it was renamed the SS President Grant, the third ship named for Ulysses S. Grant. In August 1914, after seven years of trans-Atlantic passenger service, she took refuge at New York City when the outbreak of World War I made the high seas unsafe for German merchant ships. She was interned at Hoboken, New Jersey and remained inactive for nearly three years until the United States entered the war in April 1917. The ship was seized when the United States officially declared war against Germany.

                                World War I.

                                Turned over to the Navy, she was commissioned USS President Grant (SP-3014) on 2 August 1917, Comdr. J. P. Morton in command. During her operations as a troop transport she made sixteen round trips between New York and ports of France, carrying a total of 40,104 servicemen on her eastbound passage, and a total of 37,025 servicemen on her westbound returns to New York.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Princess Matoika

                                USS Princess Matoika (ID-2290) was a transport ship for the United States Navy during World War I. Before the war, she was a Barbarossa-class ocean liner that sailed as SS Kiautschou for the Hamburg America Line and as SS Princess Alice (sometimes spelled Prinzess Alice) for North German Lloyd. After her World War I Navy service ended, she served as the United States Army transport ship USAT Princess Matoika. In post-war civilian service she was SS Princess Matoika until 1922, SS President Arthur until 1927, and SS City of Honolulu until she was scrapped in 1933.

                                On 6 April 1917 the United States declared war and immediately seized interned German ships at U.S. and territorial ports, but unlike most other German ships interned by the United States, Princess Alice had not been sabotaged by her German crew before her seizure. Assigned the Identification Number of 2290, she was soon renamed Princess Matoika. Sources disagree about the identity of the ship's namesake, who is often reported as either a member of the Philippine Royal Family, or a Japanese princess. Putnam, however, provides another answer: one of the given names of Pocahontas was Matoaka, which was sometimes spelled Matoika. The newly renamed ship was taken to Olongapo City, 60 miles (97 km) north of Manila and placed in the drydock Dewey at Subic Bay where temporary repairs were made. She then made her way to San Francisco, and eventually to the east coast. Princess Matoika was the last ex-German ship to be commissioned.

                                Transporting troops to France.

                                Placed under the command of William D. Leahy in April 1918, the ship was readied for her first transatlantic troop run. At Newport News, Virginia, elements of the 4th Infantry Division boarded on 9 May. Sailing at 18:30 the next day, Princess Matoika was accompanied by American transports Pastores, Wilhelmina, Lenape, Antigone, and Susquehanna, the British steamer Kursk, and the Italian Duca d'Aosta. The group rendezvoused with a similar group that left New York the same day, consisting of President Lincoln, Covington, Rijndam, British troopship Dwinsk, and Italian steamers Caserta and Dante Alighieri. American cruiser Frederick served as escort for the assembled ships, which were the 35th U.S. convoy of the war. During the voyage—because of the inability to finish serving three meals for all the men during daylight hours—mess service was curtailed to two daily meals, a practice continued on later voyages. On 20 May, the convoy sighted and fired on a "submarine" that turned out to be a bucket; the next day escort Frederick left the convoy after being relieved by nine destroyers. Three days later the convoy sighted land at 0630 and anchored at Brest that afternoon. Princess Matoika sailed for Newport News and arrived there safely on 6 June with Pastores and Lenape. Fate, however, was not as kind to former convoy mates President Lincoln and Dwinsk. On their return journeys they were sunk by German submarines U-90 and U-151, respectively.

                                After loading officers and men from the 29th Infantry Division on 13 June, Princess Matoika set sail from Newport News the next day with Wilhelmina, Pastores, Lenape, and British troopship Czar. On the morning of 16 June, lookouts on Princess Matoika spotted a submarine and, soon after, a torpedo heading directly for the ship. The torpedo missed her by a few yards and gunners manning the ship's 6-inch (150 mm) guns claimed a hit on the sub with their second shot. Later that morning, the Newport News ships met up with the New York portion of the convoy—which included DeKalb, Finland, Kroonland, George Washington, Covington, Rijndam, Dante Alighieri, and British steamer Vauben—and set out for France. The convoy was escorted by cruisers North Carolina and Frederick, and destroyers Stevens and Fairfax; battleship Texas and several other destroyers joined in escort duties for the group for a time. The convoy had a false alarm when a floating barrel was mistaken for submarine, but otherwise uneventfully arrived at Brest on the afternoon of 27 June. Princess Matoika, Covington, Lenape, Rijndam, George Washington, DeKalb, Wilhelmina, and Dante Alighieri left Brest as a group on 30 June. The following evening at 21:15, Covington was torpedoed by U-86 and sank the next afternoon. Princess Matoika and Wilhelmina arrived back at Newport News on 13 July.

                                Around this time, Commander Leahy left Princess Matoika to serve as Director of Gunnery Exercises and Engineering Performance in Washington. For his service on Princess Matoika, though, Leahy was awarded the Navy Cross. He was cited for distinguished service as commander of the ship while "engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines".

                                In the next months, Princess Matoika successfully completed two additional roundtrips from Newport News. On the first trip, she left Newport News with DeKalb, Dante Alighiere, Wilhelmina, Pastores, and British troopship Czaritza on 18 July. The group joined a New York contingent and arrived in France on 30 July. Departing soon after, the Princess returned to Newport News on 13 August. Nine days later she departed in the company of the same ships from her last convoy—with French steamer Lutetia replacing DeKalb—and arrived in France on 3 September. Princess Matoika returned stateside two weeks later.

                                On 23 September, Princess Matoika departed New York with 3,661 officers and men accompanied by transports President Grant, Mongolia, Rijndam, Wilhelmina, British steamer Ascanius, and was escorted by battleship Georgia, cruisers Montana and North Carolina, and destroyer Rathburne. As with other Navy ships throughout 1918. Princess Matoika was not immune to the worldwide Spanish flu pandemic. On this particular crossing, two of her crewmen were felled by the disease as her convoy reached Saint-Nazaire on 6 October. After her return to the U.S. on 21 October, she departed New York once again on 28 October, arriving in France on 9 November, two days before the Armistice. In all, she carried 21,216 troops to France on her six trips overseas.

                                Returning troops home.

                                With the fighting at an end, the task of bringing home American soldiers began almost immediately. Princess Matoika did her part by carrying home 30,110 healthy and wounded men in eight roundtrips. On 20 December, 3,000 troops boarded her and departed France for Newport News, arriving there on 1 January 1919. Among those carried were Major General Charles T. Menoher, the newly appointed chief of the air service, and elements of the 39th Infantry Division. The Matoika arrived with another 2,000 troops on 11 February.

                                In March 1919, Princess Matoika and Rijndam raced each other from Saint-Nazaire to Newport News in a friendly competition that received national press coverage in the United States. Rijndam, the slower ship, was just able to edge out the Princess—and cut two days from her previous fastest crossing time—by appealing to the honor of the soldiers of the 133rd Field Artillery (returning home aboard the former Holland America liner) and employing them as extra stokers for her boilers.

                                On her next trip, the veteran transport loaded troops at Saint-Nazaire that included nine complete hospital units. After two days delay because of storms in the Bay of Biscay, Princess Matoika departed on 16 April, and arrived at Newport News on 27 April with 3,500 troops. Shifting south to Charleston, South Carolina, the Matoika embarked 2,200 former German prisoners of war (POWs) and hauled them to Rotterdam. This trip was followed up in May with the return of portions of the 79th Infantry Division from Saint-Nazaire to New York.

                                In mid-July, Princess Matoika delivered another load of 1,900 former German POWs from Charleston to Rotterdam; most of these prisoners were officers and men from interned German passenger liners and included Captain Heinler the former commander of Vaterland. One former POW, shortly after debarking in Europe, presciently commented that "this [was] no peace; only a temporary truce". After loading American crews of returned Dutch ships, Princess Matoika called at Antwerp and Brest before returning to New York on 1 August.

                                The ship departed New York on 8 August for her final roundtrip as a Navy transport. She departed Brest 23 August and returned to New York on 10 September. She was decommissioned there on 19 September, and handed over to the War Department for use as a United States Army transport.

                                USAT Princess Matoika.

                                As her career as an Army transport began, Princess Matoika picked up where her Navy career had ended and continued the return of American troops from Europe. After returning to France she loaded 2,965 troops at Brest—including Brigadier General W. P. Richardson and members of the Polar Bear Expedition, part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War—for a return to New York on 15 October. In December, Congressman Charles H. Randall (Prohibitionist-CA) and his wife sailed on the Matoika to Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal.

                                On 5 April, Princess Matoika carried a group of 18 men and three officers of the U.S. Navy who were to attempt a transatlantic flight in the rigid airship R38, being built in England for the Navy. Several of the group that traveled on the Matoika were among the 45 men killed when the airship crashed on 24 August 1921.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Siboney

                                USS Siboney (ID-2999) was a ship transport for the United States Navy during World War I. She was the sister ship of USS Orizaba (ID-1536) but neither was part of a ship class. Launched as SS Oriente, she was soon renamed after Siboney, Cuba, a landing site of United States forces during the Spanish,American War. After her navy service ended, she was SS Siboney for the Ward Line and American Export Lines. During World War II she served the U.S. Army as transport USAT Siboney and as hospital ship USAHS Charles A. Stafford.

                                As a transport during World War I, Siboney made 17 transatlantic voyages for the navy carrying troops to and from Europe, and had the shortest average in-port turnaround time of all navy transports. During her maiden voyage, her steering gear malfunctioned which resulted in a collision between two other troopships in the convoy.

                                World War I naval service.

                                SS Oriente was a combination cargo and passenger vessel built by William Cramp and Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the Ward Line. In mid-1917 the United States Shipping Board (USSB) commandeered and received title to all private shipbuilding projects in progress, including the still-incomplete Oriente and her sister ship Orizaba. Plans for both ships were modified for troop carrying duties. Oriente was launched on 15 August 1917, renamed Siboney on 28 February 1918, delivered to the navy on 8 April, and commissioned the same day, Commander A.T. Graham in command.

                                Siboney sailed from Philadelphia on 16 April as a unit of the Cruiser and Transport Force, and arrived at Newport News two days later to embark her first contingent of troops. She departed Hampton Roads on 23 April and joined her first convoy the following day. On 25 April, her rudder jammed; and, in the ensuing confusion, transports Aeolus and Huron collided and had to return to New York. On 4 May, the convoy was joined by the war zone escort of eight destroyers and, on 6 May, Siboney arrived at Brest. Disembarking her troops, she sailed the following day and arrived at Hoboken, New Jersey, on 15 May.

                                Siboney embarked her second contingent of troops at Lambert's Point, Virginia, on 25 May and sailed the following day. The New York section of the convoy joined two days later and the ships entered the war zone on 6 June. In French waters, they were met by USS Corsair, a squadron of minesweepers, an American dirigible, and two French hydroplanes. Siboney arrived in Bordeaux on 8 June and departed the following day but remained anchored in the mouth of the Gironde until 13 June, awaiting the tanker Woonsocket. On 15 June, the convoy passed six empty lifeboats from the torpedoed transport USS President Lincoln. Siboney entered the American war zone on 20 June, and the next day rescued survivors of the British vessel, SS Dwinsk, which had been torpedoed three days previously. The transport arrived at New York on 22 June and anchored in the North River.

                                Siboney sailed for France on 30 June; after delivering her troops at Brest on 12 July, she returned to New York on 25 July. She sailed again on 31 July. Before arriving at Brest on 12 August, she had to maneuver several times to evade possible submarine contacts. She arrived at New York on 22 August and was given a two-week repair period.

                                On 4 September, Siboney sailed from New York on her fifth crossing and arrived at Saint-Nazaire nine days later. On 15 September, she embarked a number of wounded troops and left Saint-Nazaire the same day, but, due to heavy submarine activity, swung at anchor for several days before her convoy sailed. She arrived on 29 September at New York. On her sixth eastward crossing, between 6 and 15 October, an influenza epidemic broke out among the troops, killing a number of soldiers. Sailing from Brest on 16 October, the transport returned to New York on 24 October.

                                Siboney had already embarked troops for her next voyage when, on 3 November, she was ordered to disembark them. She sailed the following day with an army brigadier general and his staff, and a naval draft of 500 men. She arrived at Saint-Nazaire on the 12 November, shortly after the announcement of the Armistice, and was met by a cheering crowd.

                                Siboney then began her peacetime mission of returning American veterans from Europe to the United States. After embarking 513 wounded men at Saint-Nazaire, she moved to Brest on the 15th and took on 600 more passengers. She sailed the same day under escort and reached New York on 24 November. During the next ten months, Siboney made ten more round trips between the United States and France, returning over 3,000 troops per trip when fully loaded. On one such return trip in August 1919, Siboney carried Admiral Henry T. Mayo and Congressman Thomas S. Butler home from France.

                                Siboney returned to New York on 2 September at the conclusion of her 17th trip, having traveled over 115,000 nautical miles (213,000 km) and transported approximately 55,000 military passengers to and from French ports. According to the Statistical Department of the U.S. Navy, Siboney had the shortest average in-port turnaround time out of 37 U.S. Navy transports used during World War I. The ship completed 17 round trips and had an average turn-around time of just under 30 days per trip, almost ten days shorter than the average of 39.8 days.

                                On 10 September at Hoboken, Siboney was decommissioned and turned over to the War Department, who returned the ship to the Ward Line, her original owners.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Sierra

                                The first USS Sierra (ID-1634) was a troop transport of the United States Navy that served during World War I and its immediate aftermath.

                                SS Sierra was constructed as a commercial passenger ship in 1900 by William Cramp and Sons in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Navy acquired her from the John D. Spreckel Brothers Company in San Francisco, California, on 27 May 1918 for use as a troop transport during World War I and assigned her the identification number 1634. After conversion work was complete, she was commissioned as USS Sierra (ID-1634) on 1 July 1918.

                                US Navy career.

                                Sierra was assigned to transatlantic service upon commissioning, and she transported troops from the United States to France until the end of World War I on 11 November 1918. After the war, she engaged in the reverse process of bringing American troops home from Europe for another eleven months.

                                Decommissioning and disposal.

                                Sierra was decommissioned on 1 October 1919. On the same day, her name was stricken from the Navy list and she was returned to her owners.

                                Later career.

                                As SS Sierra, the ship returned to commercial passenger service. She later was renamed SS Gdansk.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                SS General Metzinger (SS Sobral)

                                SS Sobral was a Brazilian owned Steamer used to transport troops and equipment for the USA during WW1.

                                Built by Blohm and Voss, Hamburg Passenger vessel 9312 tonnes/Launched in 1906 as Cap Vilano, was seized by Brazil in 1917 and renamed Sobral. Later in 1924 owned by Messageries Marine, France and renamed General Metzinger, Converted for was in Liverpool and bombed in port of Le Havre(1940)with 6 crew killed.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Susquehanna

                                USS Susquehanna (ID-3016) was a transport for the United States Navy during World War I. She was the second U.S. Navy ship to be named for the Susquehanna River. Before the war she operated at SS Rhein, an ocean liner for North German Lloyd. She was the lead ship of her class of three ocean liners. After the end of World War I, the ship operated briefly in passenger service as SS Susquehanna. Laid up in 1922, Susquehanna was sold to Japanese ship breakers in 1928 and scrapped.

                                SS Rhein was launched on 20 September 1899 by Blohm & Voss of Hamburg, Germany, for North German Lloyd. The ship was 152.70 metres (501 ft 0 in) long between perpendiculars (158.50 metres (520 ft 0 in) overall) was 58 feet 1 inch (17.70 m) abeam, and had a draft of 8.5 metres (28 ft). The ship's two quadruple-expansion steam engines turned her twin screw propellers that drove her at speeds of 13 to 14 knots (24 to 26 km/h).

                                Rhein sailed from Bremen to New York on 9 December 1899 for her maiden voyage, and began regular Bremen,Baltimore service in May 1900. Later that same year, Rhein served as a transport carrying German Empire troops as part of the Eight-Nation Alliance intended to put down the Boxer Rebellion in China. From September to November 1901, Rhein sailed on a Bremen, Suez Canal, Australia route.

                                Returning to North Atlantic sailings at the end of 1901, Rhein sailed from Bremen variously to New York, Baltimore, or Philadelphia through 1914. She began what would become her last voyage for North German Lloyd on 16 July 1914 when she left Bremen bound for Baltimore, and was in that port when Germany declared war in early August. As a neutral in the war at that time, the United States interned the liner and her sister ship Neckar, which was also in Baltimore. The two sisters would remain idle in Baltimore for almost three years.

                                After the United States declared war on Germany on 6 April 1917, Rhein, along with all other German ships interned in American ports, was seized by U.S. authorities. Initially handed over to the United States Shipping Board (USSB), she was later transferred to the U.S. Navy to effect repairs caused by neglect and sabotage by her German crew. The ship was overhauled, reconditioned, fitted out as a transport, and commissioned as USS Susquehanna at Norfolk, Virginia, on 5 September 1917.

                                USS Susquehanna sailed from New York on her first voyage with troops on 14 December 1917, under the Command of Captain Zachariah H. Madison with Commander Allen B. Reed, Executive Officer. Subsequently, Commander Reed relieved Captain Madison of command on 22 August 1918. Both Commanding Officers were awarded the Navy Cross in 1920 for the hazardous duty of commanding the troop ship through waters that were mined and patrolled by German U-boats.

                                On 29 May 1918, Susquehanna, escorted by three American and one French destroyer, got underway from Brest,, France, with troopships Rijndam, President Lincoln and Antigone for the return voyage to the U.S. At sundown on 30 May 1918, having passed through the so-called "danger zone" of submarine activity, the destroyers left the convoy to proceed alone. At about 0900 on 31 May 1918, President Lincoln, with Commander Percy Foote, in command, was struck by three torpedoes from the German submarine U-90, and sank about 20 minutes later. Of the 715 people aboard, 26 men were lost with the ship, and a Lieutenant Edward Isaacs was taken aboard U,90 as prisoner. Survivors were rescued from lifeboats late that night by destroyers Warrington and Smith. They were taken to France, arriving at Brest on 2 June. The President Lincoln at 33,000 tons, was the largest U.S. Naval vessel to be lost in World War I.

                                Susquehanna was attached to the Cruiser and Transport Force and made eight round trips to Europe before the Armistice, transporting 18,348 troops. After the Armistice, she made seven more voyages to France and returned 15,537 passengers to the United States. Susquehanna was placed out of commission on 27 August 1919 and turned over to the USSB.

                                The ship was chartered to the United States Mail Steamship Company (U.S. Mail Line) and began passenger service from New York to Bremen in August 1920. When the U.S. Mail Line ran into financial difficulties, SS Susquehanna, along with the other six former German vessels the company had chartered, was seized in April 1921 by the USSB, and later placed with the newly formed United States Lines. Beginning in April 1922, Susquehanna sailed on a New York, Plymouth, Cherbourg, Bremen route. Laid up in September 1922 after completing five roundtrips for United States Lines, the ship was sold in November 1928 to Japanese interests for scrapping.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Tenadores

                                USS Tenadores was a transport ship for the United States Navy during World War I. Before the war she was known as SS Tenadores in the service of the United Fruit Company. Before her Navy service, she served as a United States Army transport under the name USAT Tenadores.

                                World War I.

                                Tenadores was built in 1913 by Workman, Clark and Co. of Belfast, Northern Ireland for the United Fruit Company. After being turned over to the U.S. Army on 24 May 1917, the steamer served as Army transport USAT Tenadores. She was hurriedly outfitted for trooping duties, and at daybreak on 14 June, Tenadores — with fellow Army transport ships Saratoga, Havana, and Pastores, accompanied by cruisers Seattle, DeKalb, destroyers Wilkes, Terry, Roe, and converted yacht Corsair — set out from Ambrose Light for Brest, France, in the first group of the first American troop convoy to France during World War I. Corsair was unable to maintain the 15 kn (17 mph; 28 km/h) pace and fell back, being replaced by destroyer Fanning from the second group. At 22:15 on 22 June, some 850 nmi (980 mi; 1,570 km) from its intended destination of Brest, Saratoga's group of the convoy was attacked by submarines. Two torpedoes passed near Havana and two torpedoes straddled DeKalb. No submarines were definitively sighted, and the convoy — scattered by the alarm — reformed the next morning. The group, alerted by reports of submarine activity near Brest diverted to Saint-Nazaire and arrived on 25 June.

                                Tenadores was taken over by the U.S. Navy on 12 April 1918 and commissioned on 17 April 1918, with Commander James B. Gilmer in command. Tenadores served as a troop transport during the remainder of World War I. Shortly after midnight on 28 December, the ship grounded in a heavy fog off the north coast of the Île d'Yeu.

                                During unsuccessful efforts to refloat the ship, some 80 long tons (81 t) of supplies were removed from the stricken vessel and taken to Saint-Nazaire. On 30 December, minesweeper B. H. B. Hubbard rescued the last members of the transport's crew. On 2 January 1919, Hubbard returned to Tenadores for one last attempt to salvage the ship but was thwarted by high seas and the hopeless state of the transport, which was lying on her starboard side and breaking up. The name Tenadores was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 18 February.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                SS Vauban

                                SS Vauban was built by Workman, Clark & Company, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1912. 10,660 gross tons; 511 (bp) feet long; 60 feet wide. Steam quadruple expansion engines, twin screw. Service speed 13.5 knots. 540 passengers (210 first class, 130 second class, 200 third class).Built for Lamport & Holt Line, British flag, in 1912 and named Vauban. New York-South American service service.

                                Transferred to Royal Mail Lines, British flag, in 1913 and renamed Alcala. Returned to Lamport & Holt Line, British flag, in 1913 and reverted to Vauban. New York-South American service. Chartered by Cunard Line, British flag, in 1919. Liverpool-New York service.

                                Chartered by Lamport & Holt Line, British flag, in 1922. South American service. Scrapped Royal Mail Lines, British flag, in 1922. Hamburg-New York service. Scrapped in Scotland in 1932.

                                Vauba was used to transport US troops during WW1.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Wilhelmina

                                USS Wilhelmina (ID-2168) was a transport for the United States Navy during World War I. Built in 1909 for Matson Navigation Company as SS Wilhelmina, she sailed from the West Coast of the United States to Hawaii until 1917. After her war service, she was returned to Matson and resumed Pacific Ocean service. In the late 1930s she was laid up in San Francisco, California, until sold to a British company in 1940. While a part of a convoy sailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Liverpool, she was sunk by U-94 on 2 December 1940.

                                Wilhelmina—a steel-hulled, single-screw, passenger and cargo steamer built at Newport News, Virginia, by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. for the Matson Navigation Company—was launched on 18 September 1909 and departed her builders' yard on 7 December of that year. Under the Matson flag, Wilhelmina conducted regular runs between San Francisco, California, and Honolulu, Hawaii, carrying passengers and cargo between 1910 and 1917.

                                World War I.

                                Inspected by the Navy at the 12th Naval District, San Francisco, on 18 June 1917—two months after the United States entered World War I—the steamship was later taken over by the United States Shipping Board on 1 December. Soon afterwards she sailed for Chile where she obtained a cargo of nitrates. Delivering that cargo at Norfolk, Virginia., Wilhelmina shifted to New York on 23 January 1918. Given Identification Number 2168, the ship was then taken over by the Navy and apparently commissioned on 26 January. Lt. Comdr. Joe W. Jory, USNRF, is listed as being in command in February. Wilhelmina was diverted to "special duty" and made her first voyage to France soon afterwards, departing New York with a general cargo on 1 February and returning on 26 March. Upon her return, she shifted to the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, where she was taken in hand and converted to a troopship for service with the Cruiser and Transport Force. When her extant deck logs begin, her commanding officer is listed as Comdr. William T. Tarrant.

                                On 10 May 1918, Wilhelmina sailed out of New York on the first of six wartime voyages to France and back prior to the November armistice. During these passages, Wilhelmina carried 11,053 troops "over there" to strengthen the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). The transport's half-dozen trips were all made safely, as far as she was concerned, although not totally without incident.

                                While in convoy with six other troopships and four destroyers, Wilhelmina was present when the transport Covington was torpedoed on 1 July. Nearly a month later, on 30 July, one of Wilhelmina's lookouts spotted what he thought to be a submarine periscope at 07:30. Going to general quarters, the transport surged ahead and opened fire to drive the submarine away. A short while later, when the periscope reappeared, Wilhelmina again fired at it, with the shell falling 50 yards (46 m) short.

                                Two weeks later, while Wilhelmina and Pastores were steaming under the protection of destroyer Hull, the erstwhile Matson steamship again went to general quarters to drive away what looked like a submarine. Shortly after 2000 on 14 August, while Wilhelmina's crew and passengers were holding abandon ship drill, a lookout spotted what looked like a submarine periscope 200 yards (180 m) from the ship and just forward of the port beam. The captain of the transport ordered the helm put over to starboard soon after the sighting, as the submarine moved away on an opposite course. The one-pounder on the port wing of the signal bridge barked out two shots, both missing. Three shots from the after port 6-inch (150 mm) gun followed, until their angle was masked by the ship's superstructure. The submarine, however, apparently frustrated, submerged. It may have remained in the area to try again, as on the following day, 15 August, a submarine periscope appeared some 200 yards (180 m) away from the troopship, prompting three salvoes which drove the would-be attacker off.

                                In company with seven other transports—including Wilhelmina—on 23 August, in a convoy escorted by armored cruiser Huntington and destroyers Fairfax and Hull, Pastores spotted what she took to be a submarine periscope at about 09:50. Hull rang up full speed and reversed course; Huntington and Fairfax soon did likewise but found nothing.

                                Later that day, however, the enemy apparently reappeared. Pastores's commander sighted a periscope at 1904; Hull sighted the same object five minutes later. The periscope appeared to be about 500 yards (460 m) distant, three points off Wilhelmina's starboard bow, and running on a course to the right and nearly opposite that of the convoy. Pastores went to battle stations and headed for the periscope. Wilhelmina, too, turned toward the enemy.

                                With the 'scope in sight for about 10 seconds, the time allotted the gun crews of the American ships that spotted the enemy was short. Pastores got off one round of 4-inch (100 mm) at the swirling water where the object had disappeared. Frustrated by the submarine's going deep, Wilhelmina, unable to ram, turned aside to port. Hull, rushing to the scene, soon dropped three depth bombs.

                                Three days later, on 26 August, Wilhelmina noticed a suspicious wake five degrees off her port bow, 2,500 yards (2,300 m) away and passing from port to starboard. Going to general quarters, Wilhelmina fired a shot from one of her forward guns shortly before she loosed three shots in succession from the forward starboard 6-inch (150 mm) battery. Nine rounds came from the after battery on that side; and, as the ship swung, the superstructure masked the forward guns. The wake soon disappeared; both Pastores and the Italian transport Dante Alighieri also fired several rounds at what was possibly a submersible with no apparent success.

                                Wilhelmina emerged from World War I unscathed, although near-missed by a torpedo on 1 September. After the armistice, she continued her troop-carrying activities, bringing back part of the AEF from France. She conducted seven postwar, round-trip voyages, returning 11,577 men home to the United States including 2,610 sick and wounded.

                                These postwar voyages were not made entirely without incident either. A fire broke out in a storeroom where blankets and pillows were kept, a little over six hours after the ship departed Bassens, France, standing down the Gironde River on 25 March 1919. The fire, reported at 2152, was put out by 2210. Slight damage had been caused in the fire.

                                Wilhelmina subsequently entered the Ambrose Channel on 4 April and docked at Pier 1, Hoboken, New Jersey, the following day. There, she disembarked the troops and patients carried back from France. She began her last voyage shortly afterwards, returning to New York on 6 August 1919. There, she was decommissioned, struck from the Navy list, and returned to her owners on 16 August.

                                John Doran


                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Zeelandia

                                USS Zeelandia (ID-2507) was a transport that served in the United States Navy from 1918 to 1919.

                                The passenger ship Zeelandia was constructed in 1910 by A. Stephens and Sons, Ltd., at Glasgow, Scotland, in the United Kingdom. She was operated in transatlantic service by the Royal Dutch Lloyd lines until March 1918, when she was chartered by the U.S. Navy.

                                The ship was given Id. No. 2507 and placed in commission as USS Zeelandia at New York, New York, on 3 April 1918, Commander Robert Henderson in command.

                                Assigned to the Newport News Division of the Transport Force, Zeelandia carried troops across the Atlantic Ocean during the remaining months of World War I. She made five round-trip voyages to French ports between commissioning and the armistice with Germany on 11 November 1918. During those voyages, she carried a total of 8,349 passengers — mostly troops — to Europe.

                                Though Zeelandia claimed to have sighted and engaged German U-boats on several occasions during her wartime service, only one encounter was verified as definitely a submarine. That event occurred at dusk on 31 August 1918, when a submarine surfaced to attack the convoy in which she cruised. The attacker, however, could not press home its attack because of zigzag tactics and a moderately strong escort.

                                Zeelandia remained in U.S. Navy service between 11 November 1918 and 31 July 1919, making seven voyages between Europe and the United States returning American troops home after the war. During those voyages, she repatriated 15,737 American soldiers and carried 3,170 passengers to Europe.

                                On 31 July 1919, Zeelandia was transferred to the custody of the Commandant, 3rd Naval District for disposal. She was finally decommissioned on 6 October 1919, was struck from the Navy List the same day, and was simultaneously returned to her owner.

                                John Doran


                                 HMS Glorious  

                                HMS Glorious was the second of the Courageous-class battlecruisers built for the Royal Navy during the First World War. Designed to support the Baltic Project championed by the First Sea Lord, Lord Fisher, they were very lightly armoured and armed with only a few heavy guns. Glorious was completed in late 1916 and spent the war patrolling the North Sea. She participated in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight in November 1917 and was present when the German High Seas Fleet surrendered a year later. Glorious was paid off after the end of the war, but was rebuilt as an aircraft carrier during the late 1920s. She could carry 30% more aircraft than her half-sister Furious which had approximately the same tonnage. After recommissioning she spent most of her career operating in the Mediterranean Sea. After the start of the Second World War, Glorious spent the rest of 1939 unsuccessfully hunting for the German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee in the Indian Ocean before returning to the Mediterranean. She was recalled in April 1940 to support British operations in Norway. While evacuating British aircraft from Norway in June, the ship was sunk by the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in the North Sea with the loss of over 1,200 lives.

                                • Name: HMS Glorious
                                • Ordered: 14 March 1915
                                • Builder: Harland and Wolff, Belfast
                                • Cost: £1,967,223
                                • Laid down: 1 May 1915
                                • Launched: 20 April 1916
                                • Commissioned: January 1917
                                • Reclassified: Converted to aircraft carrier February 1924 to March 1930
                                • Fate: Sunk by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau 8 June 1940

                                Her keel was laid down on 1 May 1915 by Harland and Wolff at their Belfast shipyard. Glorious was launched on 20 April 1916 and completed on 14 October 1916. Courageous had received stiffening after damages in her sea trials. Glorious did not suffer any similar damage and did not receive her stiffening until 1918. Upon commissioning, Glorious served with the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet. After most of the 1st Cruiser Squadron was sunk at the Battle of Jutland, the squadron was re-formed with Courageous as flagship along with her sister ship Glorious.She cost £1,967,223 to build. Glorious received a half a dozen torpedo mounts, each with two tubes in mid-1917. One mount on each side of the mainmast on the upper deck and two mounts on each side of the rear turret on the quarterdeck. On 16 October 1917 the Admiralty received word of German ship movements, possibly indicating some sort of raid. Admiral Beatty, the commander of the Grand Fleet, ordered most of his light cruisers and destroyers to sea in an effort to locate the enemy ships. Courageous and Glorious were not initially ordered to sea, but were sent to reinforce the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron patrolling the central part of the North Sea later that day. Two German Brummer-class light cruisers managed to slip through the gaps in the British patrols and destroyed a convoy bound for Norway during the morning of 17 October, but no word was received of the engagement until that afternoon. The 1st Cruiser Squadron were ordered to intercept, but were unsuccessful as the German cruisers were faster than expected.

                                Second Battle of Heligoland Bight

                                Throughout 1917 the Admiralty was becoming more concerned about German efforts to sweep paths through the British-laid minefields intended to restrict the actions of the High Seas Fleet and German submarines. A preliminary raid on German minesweeping forces on 31 October by light forces destroyed ten small ships and the Admiralty decided on a larger operation to destroy the minesweepers and their light cruiser escorts. Based on intelligence reports, the Admiralty allocated the 1st Cruiser Squadron on 17 November 1917, with cover provided by the reinforced 1st Battlecruiser Squadron and distant cover by the battleships of the 1st Battle Squadron. The German ships, four light cruisers of II Scouting Force, eight destroyers, three divisions of minesweepers, eight sperrbrecher (cork-filled trawlers) and two trawlers to mark the swept route, were spotted at 0730 am, silhouetted by the rising sun. Courageous and the light cruiser Cardiff opened fire with their forward guns seven minutes later. The Germans responded by laying a smoke screen and this made spotting targets very difficult. The British continued in pursuit, but lost track of most of the smaller ships in the smoke and concentrated fire on the light cruisers as opportunity permitted. One 15-inch hit was made on a gun shield of SMS Pillau, but it did not affect her speed. At 0833 the left-hand gun in Glorious's forward turret was wrecked when a shell detonated inside the gun barrel. At 0930 the 1st Cruiser Squadron broke off their pursuit so they would not enter a minefield marked on their maps and the ships turned south, playing no further role in the battle. Glorious required five days of repairs to right the damage caused from the premature detonation and from her own muzzle blast. She fired 57 15-inch and 213 4-inch shells during the engagement. The ship received flying-off platforms on top of her turrets in 1918. A Sopwith Camel was carried on the rear turret and a Sopwith 1½ Strutter on the forward turret. She was present at the surrender of the German fleet on 21 November 1918. Glorious was reduced to reserve at Rosyth on 1 February 1919 and served as a turret drill ship, but succeeded Courageous as flagship of the Rear-Admiral Commanding the Reserve at Devonport between 1921 and 1922.

                                John Doran


                                1st January 1917 Events in 1917  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

                                Aisne 1917.

                                On the Aisne front, east of Craonne, the Bavarian Ersatz Division received the French offensive of April, and its conduct gained the order "Pour le Merite" for its general. Relieved at the end of April, it occupied a sector in the Apremont Wood from the middle of May to the end of August.

                                Ypres 1917.

                                On the 1st September it was in Belgium, where it was engaged on both sides of the Ypres-Henn road until September 25. The 3rd Battalion of the 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment was almost destroyed on the 20th September 1917.

                                Galicia 1917.

                                At the beginning of October the division was transferred to the eastern front and sent into line southeast of Tarnopol in December. At the end of autumn 1917, the 28th Ersatz Regiment (Baden) was withdrawn from the division and replaced by the 18th Bavarian Reserve. The division was then entirely Bavarian.

                                Recruiting.

                                The Bavarian Ersatz Division is recruited from the 1st and 2nd Bavarian Corps districts.

                                Allied Intelligence Value - 1917 Estimate.

                                The Bavarian Ersatz Division is classed as a very mediocre division.

                                historical records


                                1st January 1917 1917 Actions  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

                                1917.

                                Plateau du Californie.

                                Entrained about May 7th at Vigneulles, it proceeded to the Laon region, where it was in reserve (May 8-12th). The following day it took over the sector west of Hurtebise, where it participated in several attacks (May 20th - June 17th), losing heavily therein. The division was relieved June 21st and went to rest south of Mezieres (La Francheville, etc.), where it was reconstituted.

                                Champagne.

                                On July 25th it went back into the line on the Champagne front. (sector south of Ste. Marie a Py). It did not take part in any important engagements there. The division was withdrawn on the 27th December 1917.

                                Allied Intelligence Value Estimate

                                The division was recruited in the southern part of Bavaria. The presence of contingents from the Bavarian Alps was responsible for the withdrawal of the Body Regiment to form the Alpine Corps. Despite the losses it suffered during May and June in the Hurtebise sector, the 1st Bavarian Division may still be considered a good division. It has had time to reconstitute itself during the long calm period spent in Champagne (July 25th to Dec. 27,1917).

                                Historical Records


                                1st January 1917 Actions in 1917 and 1918  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

                                1917.

                                Artois.

                                After sometime at rest, the division went back into line February 27 to the north of Arras (Roclincourt-Neuville-St. Vaast). On April 9th, it received the full shock of the British attack, lost the villages of Thelus and Bailleul together with 1,500 prisoners.

                                Regrettably the pages for the remainder of 1917 and 1918 are missing from our main source.

                                Summary

                                The 1st Bavarian Reserve Division (1. Bayerische Reserve-Division) was a unit of the Royal Bavarian Army, part of the German Army, in World War I. The division was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 as part of I Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps. The division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I. The division was raised and recruited in Bavaria. As a reserve division, it included a large number of recalled reservists and war volunteers.

                                The 1st Bavarian Reserve Division fought in the opening phases of the war in the Battle of the Frontiers. It then participated in the Race to the Sea, including the Battle of Arras in October 1914. It remained in the trench lines in Flanders until 1916, when it entered the Battle of the Somme in August 1916. In late 1917, it participated in the Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918, the division fought in the Battle of the Lys. The division ended the war still fighting in the Lys region.

                                Allied intelligence rated the division as a good division in 1917, but third class in 1918.

                                Historical Records


                                1st January 1917 Ongoing Action  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                This page from the war diaries covers the period from 1st January 1917 to the 21st January 1917 inclusive. The overall image is very faint and the right hand side of the page totally unreadable. So the extracts are based on a combination of visible fragment and some guesswork.

                                1st Jan. 1917 - Battalion in Thievres.

                                2nd Jan. - Battalion leaves billets and marches to trenches in front of Thiepval to relieve 6th Battalion Border Regiment. No casualties in either Battalion happened during relief.

                                3rd Jan. - Artillery on both sides very active. First post captured 6 Germans -------- unreadable ---- who had taken 2 men of the Gloucesters --- prisoner.

                                4th Jan. - Weather again bad. Artillery very quiet.

                                5th Jan. - Weather still very bad. Situation normal. Great activity by enemy aircraft.

                                6th Jan. - Great activity by our aircraft. 15 minute barrage at night by our artillery.

                                7th Jan. - Our aircraft again very busy ---- unreadable.

                                8th Jan. - ----- No 5 ---- one German stretcher bearer --- unreadable ---- Raining during the night.

                                9th Jan. Very heavy shelling by enemy artillery continuing --- unreadable

                                10th Jan. - Battalion relieved by the 6th Battalion Border Regiment ----- unreadable ---- 1 Officer seriously wounded. 1 Stretcher bearer killed.

                                11th Jan. - In Billets. Fine sharp morning. Marched to ---- unreadable ---

                                12th Jan. - In Billets. Heavy rain during the night. ---- unreadable ---

                                13th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------

                                14th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------

                                15th Jan. - Thiepval ---- unreadable

                                16th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------

                                17th Jan. - In Billets. Very heavy fall of snow during the night --- unreadable.

                                18th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------

                                19th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------

                                war diaries


                                1st January 1917 Actions during 1917  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

                                Divisional Actions during 1917

                                The reconstituted 2nd Division was engaged in the Mitau sector up to the end of January 1917. All its units were identified in the vicinity of Kalnzen. On February 8th it entrained at Mitau for the western front. (Itinerary: Chavli, Kovno, Insterburg, Konigsberg, Stettin, Hamburg, Munster, Aix-la-Chapelle, Liege, Louvain, Bruxelles, Audenarde.)

                                Belgium.

                                Detrained on February 13th and remained at rest up to the end of March. It received reinforcements of various classes of men (wounded, convalescents and class 1917 reservists). The division occupied the Wytschaete sector from the 25th of March to the beginning of June. (On April 15th and May 10th and 15th it received the first reinforcements from the class of 1918, the last having had only three months instruction. In all, 4,460 men between 1st January 1 and 1st June). On the 7th June, it left 2,825 men in the hands of British troops. On June 10th the 2nd Division retired from the Belgian front. It was placed at rest in the district of Audenarde in June and then entrained for the eastern front(end of June).

                                Russia.

                                It arrived in Russia at the beginning of July and was put at rest in the district of Vilna. On July 14th it was identified in the Illukst District.

                                France.

                                It returned to France on the 25th of November. It entrained on this date at Kovno and was transported over the following itinerary: Insterburg, Thorn, Posen, Frankfort-sur-Oder, Berlin, Paderborn, Crefeld, Aix-la-Chapelle, Liege, Namur and Vouziers (Nov. 30).

                                On December 27th it relieved the 1st Bavarian Division in the Souain-Somme-Py sector.

                                Allied Intelligence 1917 Value Estimate.

                                Except during the period March-June 1917, when the 2nd Division was fighting in Belgium, it continuously occupied the Russian front from the beginning of the war till December, 1917.

                                Historical Records


                                1st January 1917 Actions 1917 to 1918  2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 8th Army. Later part of 66th Corps(zbV) and 19th Army (zbV = zur besonderen Vervendung) (for special use)

                                Divisional Actions and review.

                                The 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division was formed in Lorraine at the end of December 1916 and the beginning of January 1917. Two of its regiments, the 5th Bavarian Landwehr and the 10th Bavarian Landwehr, were assigned respectively to the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division and the 33rd Reserve Division at that time on the Lorraine front. The 2nd Bavarian Landwehr was ceded by the 6th Bavarian Landwehr Division, which held a Vosges sector.

                                Russia.

                                As soon as it was constituted the 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division was transported to the Eastern front via Frankfort and Leipzig.

                                Courlande.

                                Directed to Courlande and attached to the 8th Army it entered the line in the vicinity of Friedrichstadt (middle of January, 1917) and remained in this district up till February, 1918. In September it participated in the operations against Riga. In December a number of men were detached in order to reinforce the 10th Bavarian Division.

                                1917 Allied Intelligence Value Estimate.

                                It remained on the Russian front from the time of its formation (January, 1917). It held the calm sector of Courlande in 1917; it occupied Livonia in 1918 (May). Men under 35 years of age were withdrawn from the 5th Bavarian Landwehr in December 1917. It is rated as a 4th class division.

                                The 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division initially served on the Eastern Front, entering the line in the Baltic region near Riga. In September 1917, it participated in the Battle of Riga. The division then remained on the line on the Duna River until the armistice on the Eastern Front in December 1917. For most of 1918, it served in Livonia and Estonia as part of the German occupation forces. In October 1918, it was transferred to the Western Front, and occupied a portion of the trench line in Lorraine until the end of World War I. Allied intelligence rated the division as fourth class.

                                Historical Records


                                2nd January 1917 Training  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery from Tuesday 2nd January 1917 to Sunday 21st January Training continued.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd Jan 1917   FAMECHON

                                18th Battalion vacated billets & moved into Div. Reserve in billets at BAYENCOURT. Men fresh after rest. Roads very heavy for marching.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                3rd January 1917 33rd Battalion AIF list of names for training courses, appendix No. 1  NO.      RANK.         NAME.                NATURE.                            PLACE.                   DATE

                                  818.      Sgt.             Lloyd. CJ           BDE. BOMBING. SCH.       PONT DE PIERRE  3-1-17
                                  1181.    Sgt.             Lyons.  WM                    do.                                  do.                     do.
                                                                         (The above NCOs were detailed as instructors.)
                                        5 men per Company.                   BDE. BOMBING SCH.        PONT DE PIERRE.  3-1-17
                                                Lt.              CAK Cohen        SIGNALLING SCH.            ZUTYPEENE.           15-1-17
                                  884.       L/Cpl.        Tribe. BR.                       do.                                    do.                        do.  
                                1173.     Pte.            Lovejoy  AJ.                  do.                                     do.                       do.
                                  1454.     Sgt.            Penning. RS.      SANITATION SCH.            ARMENTIÈRES.        8-1-17
                                  5157A.   Pte.            Stafford W.                    do.                                     do.                       do.
                                  5037B.   Pte.            Hamilton. GA.     9th A.L.T.M.                                 do.                  5-1-17
                                  5054A.   Pte.            Hutchinson. G.              do. (School                        do.                       do.
                                  5010.      Pte.           Pascoe. LJ.                   do.       of                           do.                       do.  
                                  5099A.   Pte.            Wade. WR.                    do. Instruct-                      do.                       do.
                                  5084A.   Pte.            Ryan. E.                        do.          ion).                    do.                       do.  
                                5115A.                     Wright. TF.                     do.                                     do.                       do.
                                  978?       Pte.            Phifer. OJ.          SNIPING SCHOOL.         MONT DES CATS.      6-1-17.
                                                         Capt. Rosenthal. CP.    SANITATION SCH.           HAZEBROUCK.         8-1-17.
                                                         Lieut.AG Farleigh.         LEWIS GUN SCH.           LE TOUQUET.          12-1-17.
                                ?36.         Pte.           Edwards. RC.                do.                                  do.                      do.
                                  1?80.      Pte.            Walpole. CP.       SNIPING SCHOOL.        MONT DES CATS.    13-1-17.
                                1417.      L/Cpl         McDonald J.       TRANSPORT SCH.         ABBEVILLE.                7-1-17.
                                  1060.      L/Cpl.        Byrne. PJ            GAS. SCHOOL.              OXELAIRE.                17-1-17.
                                  1784A.    Cpl.           Chapman. WP.             do.                               do.                            do.
                                                                                         DIVISIONAL SCHOOL
                                  1142.      L/Cpl.        Hadkins. WL.       P.T. and B.F.                   STEENWERCK.         14-1-17.
                                  547.        L/Cpl.        Spencer. HT.               do.                                     do.                       do.  
                                                    Lieut. WJC Duncan. )         BOMBING and
                                  716.        Sgt.            Burke. FJ  )         TRENCH TACTICS.                   do.                       do.
                                77.          Cpl.            Goss. EG  )                      do.                                do.                       do.
                                  436.        Cpl.            Harris. CA.          ANTI-GAS.                                do.                       do.
                                                         Lieut. Smith. LCB     )
                                  940.        L/Cpl.         Reid. J.          )    MUSKETRY.                              do.                       do.  
                                  174.        L/Cpl.         Shepherd. C. )
                                  379.        Pte.            Capel. RS.           SNIPING SCHOOL.                  do.                      do.
                                  967.        Cpl.            Mathias. LJ.        LEWIS GUN SCHOOL.             do.                      do.  
                                1954.      L/Cpl.         See. GE.             RAPID WIRING.                         do.                     do.
                                                          Lieut. WW Stockham.  TRENCH MORTAR.        TREDEGHEM.           15-1-17.
                                  1245.      Sgt.            Simpson. WH.    P.T. and B.F.                    MOREBECQUE.        14-1-17
                                  1459.      Pte.            Byran. FT.           SANITATION SCH.          ARMENTIÈRES.        15-1-17.
                                  907.        Pte.            Wellington. R.              do.                                   do.                        do.
                                1833.      Cpl.            Richardson. G.   LEWIS GUN SCHOOL.   LE TOUQUET.           20-1-17
                                                                                              DIVISIONAL SCHOOL
                                  ?67.        Cpl.            Mathias. LJ.       P.T. and B.F.                     STEENWERCK.        28-1-17
                                  407.        Cpl.            Grattan. JS.    )  BOMBING and
                                  1?85.      Cpl.            White. AF.        ) TRENCH TACTICS.                   do.                        do.
                                  387.        L/Cpl.         Connolly. VP.   ) MUSKETRY.                              do.                        do.
                                  2034.      Cpl.            Boulton. LR.    )         do.
                                  30.          L/Cpl.         Clifton. M.         SNIPING SCHOOL.                   do.                       do.
                                  2148.      L/Cpl.         Whitehill. WO.   LEWIS GUN SCHOOL.              do.                       do.  
                                  704.        Cpl.             Barrow. SJ.      RAPID WIRING.                         do.                       do.
                                                          Lieut. CR Cormack.    STOKES MORTAR.          TERDEGHEM.               do.
                                  178.        Cpl.            Stone. RE.                      do.                               do.                        do.
                                  389.        Sgt.            Crowley. CS.     P.T. and B.F.                      MOREBECQUE.        28-1-17
                                  444         Pte.            Hogan. P.          SANITATION SCH.            MONT DES CATS.     23-1-17
                                  1464.      Pte.            O'Neill.                           do.                                do.                        do.
                                498.        Pte.            Matthews. J.     SNIPING SCHOOL.          MONT DES CATS      23-1-17
                                511.        Pte.            Nelson. H.         LEWIS GUN SCH.            LE TOUQUET.            28-1-17
                                862.        Pte.            Simpson. FJ.    SANITATION SCH.            ARMENTIÈRES.         29-1-17
                                  1468.      Pte.            Long. HMS.                do.                                     do.                        do.
                                                         Lieut. TA Armstrong.    CORPS SCHOOL.           MOREBECQUE.        28-1-17
                                  896.        Sgt.           Campbell. KJ              do.                                     do.                         do.
                                  4298A.    Pte.           Corby. DE.         SNIPING SCHOOL.          MONT DES CATS.      3-2-17
                                                                                        DIVISIONAL SCHOOL
                                  148. L/Cpl. Paton. AJ. P.T. and B.F.  STEENWERCK. 5-2-17
                                  1297. Cpl. Tufrey.  WJ. ) BOMBING and
                                  1054. L/Cpl. Ahrens.  J. ). TRENCH TACTICS. do. do.
                                  958. L/Cpl. Beat. WJ. LEWIS GUN SCHOOL do. do.
                                  2202. L/Cpl. Sawyer. D. RAPID WIRING. do. do.
                                  747. Cpl. Crapnell. J. ) STOKES MORTAR. do. do.
                                  484. L/Cpl. McIlveen. ) do. do. do. 

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary


                                4th Jan 1917   BAYENCOURT

                                Battalion in Div. Reserve, training and supplying working parties. Weather fair.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                5th Jan 1917   BAYENCOURT

                                Maj. W.D. LOWE awarded Military Cross, also Capt. J.B. HUGHES-GAMES. Draft of 26 ORs reported from base.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                6th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers leave Bonneville  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers leaves Bonneville for Sarton.

                                6th Jan 1917   18th DLI vacated billets and relieved 18th WYR in L3 subsector Hebuterne Relief complete 10.45am. B & C Coys left & right front Coy’s, A & D support. Weather bad. Communication trenches too bad to use. Only six Coy Officers including Coy Cdrs. Bosche very quiet.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                7th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on march  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers continue march, A & C companies to Bus, B & D coys to Couin.

                                7th January 1917 New Squadron formed  No 84 Squadron formed as a fighter squadron on the 7th of January 1917 at East Boldre Airfield, known as RFC Beaulieu.

                                7th Jan 1917   TRENCHES

                                Day began very fair, but turned to heavy rain later. All trenches more or less impassable.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                8th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers provide working parties  B and D coys 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers provide working parties at Colincamps and Beaussart, C coy provides guards for prisoners at Bus whilst the officers reconnoitre the new line in front of Serre.

                                8th Jan 1917   TRENCHES

                                Heavy rain, A & D Coys relieved B & C Coys in front line.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                9th Jan 1917   TRENCHES

                                Dull. Village shelled in usual places.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                9th Jan 1917 In the Dugout  
                                THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918

                                A group of officers of the 12th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment wash, shave and dress in their dugout near Roclincourt, 9 January 1918. © IWM (Q 10623)

                                10th May 1917   The British introduced the convoy system, to combat the German submarine threat. By moving large numbers of merchant ships together under naval protection the threat of vessels being sunk was reduced.

                                10th January 1917 33rd Battalion AIF test anti-gas equipment  In billets. Supplied working parties to A.E. Battalion put through gas cloud to test helmets and box respirators.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, STEENWERCK, January 1917


                                10th Jan 1917   TRENCHES

                                18th DLI relieved by 10th WORCESTERS 57th Inf. Bde. Relief complete 4.30pm. Proceeded to BAYENCOURT to rendezvous until time to embus.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                11th Jan 1917   BAYENCOURT

                                Proceeded in busses, 3 Coy’s 15 billets in OUTREBOIS. B Coy to FROHEN-LE-PETIT. Arrived destination 6.30am.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                12th Jan 1917   OUTREBOIS

                                Maj. C.W. TILLY re-joined from England. 2Lt. NEAL & 2Lt. HITCHIN reported to HQ for duty.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                14th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers into front line  16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers takes over the new line in front of Serre with A and C coys in front line posts, B and D in support.

                                14th Jan 1917 122 Seige Battery Leave Camp  122 Siege Battery RGA leave Noydette Rest Camp on Jan 14th

                                14th Jan 1917   OUTREBOIS

                                Battalion undergoing training. Weather very cold & frosty.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                15th Jan 1917 122 Siege Battery at Arras  122 Siege Battery are in position & billets at Arras with 48 Group 6th Corps until 15th Feb.

                                16th Jan 1917   OUTREBOIS

                                18th DLI vacated billets & moved to THIEVRES. HQ, B & D Coy’s at THIEVRES A & C Coy’s at MARIEUX in huts.

                                The National Archives Reference WO95/2361/


                                17th Jan 1917 Reliefs  16thNorthumberland Fusilers are relieved in line by 16th Lancashire Fusiliers, and move into huts at Courcelles as Brigade reserve.

                                16th Lancashire Fusiliers war diary


                                17th Jan 1917   THIEVRES & MARIEUX

                                Day spent cleaning up. Col. CHEYNE re-joined from leave. Continuation of training.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                19th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers into front line  16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers relieves 5/6 Btn Royal Scots and 2 Btn Manchester Regiment in trenches. B, C andDd coys in line holding posts and A coy in reserve. This trench relief routine continues until the 27th of January.

                                28th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved by 15th Lancs  16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are relieved by 15th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers and move into billets at Mailly-Maillet amid rumours of an impending advance.

                                20th Jan 1917 11th Argylls lewis gun team lost  11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were at Le Sars on the Warlencourt Eucourt line on 20th of January 1917, facing the Butte de Warlencourt. On this day a short shell landed on a Lewis gun team, Andrew McShee s/14075, McNaish R s/3789 and MacFadyen Alexander Donald s/40235 died and the others were wounded. There was an attack a few days later on the Butte, this was not successful but the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg line a few days later.

                                21st January 1917   KUK U-29 Austrian Submarine.

                                Type U-27 Shipyard Ordered Launched 21st October 1916 Commissioned 21st January 1917

                                Commanders
                                21 Jan 1917 - 14 Aug 1918 Leo Prásil
                                4 Sep 1918 - 29 Sep 1918 Friedrich Sterz
                                29 Sep 1918 - 1 Nov 1918 Robert Dürrigl

                                Career
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 3 ships sunk with a total of 14,784 tons.
                                1 warship damaged with a total of 7,350 tons.

                                  15 Apr 1917 k.u.k. U29 Leo Prásil Mashobra 8,173 br
                                • 19 May 1917 k.u.k. U29 Leo Prásil Mordenwood 3,125 br
                                • 4 Apr 1918 k.u.k. U29 Leo Prásil Edgar (hms) (damaged) 7,350 br

                                Fate Scrapped in 1920

                                John Doran


                                22nd January 1917 Registration & Reliefs  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres: The Brigade checked zero lines and registrations. A test SOS. was received by the Batteries of the Brigade and the times averaged two minutes. Lt G Lyon Smith left for England on Jan 21st 1917 to continue his medical studies. 2/Lt M O Haskell RFA(SR) becomes acting Adjutant. On the night of 22/23 January the 6th Battalion (City of London Rifles) relieved 7th Battalion and 15th Battalion (Civil Service Rifles) relieved 8th Battalion, (all units in 47th Division).

                                War Diaries


                                22nd Jan 1917   THIEVRES & MARIEUX

                                Battalion vacated billets & moved into billets at HEUZECOURT. Training commenced in earnest, 18 mile route march.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                23rd Jan 1917 More guns for 124th Heavy Battery  On 23rd Jan 1917, 124th Heavy Battery, RGA was increased to six guns with one section joining from 203rd Heavy Battery.

                                23rd January 1917 Bomardment of Enemy Front Line  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery undertake Bombardment of enemy front line system and communication trenches by the division in conjunction with the Heavy Artillery was carried out. The enemy’s retaliation to this Bombardment was slight. The effect of the Bombardment was good as his front and communication trenches were considerably knocked about.

                                Casualties: Lt Hellier, V47 Ttrench Mortar Battery, wounded and one other rank, Y47 Trench Mortar Battery, wounded.

                                War Diaries


                                23rd Jan 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Continuation of training according to Divisional -------------

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                24th January 1917 Tests Show Improvement  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Two test SOS messages were received by the Brigade. The times achieved showed improvement over the previous test SOS.

                                War Diaries


                                25th January 1917 Hostile Artillery  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Hostile artillery (77mm 4.2 inch and 5.9 inch) bombarded B236 Battery and D236 Battery at Woodcote House and vicinity with about three hundred rounds, causing four casualties (three in D236 and one in B236)- all slight. Three direct hits were obtained on pits but only one gun was put out of action. A four point two fuse( for 4.2 inch shell)was found after this bombardment set to explode at 4 or 75 metres.

                                War Diaries


                                25th Jan 1917 HMS Laurentic lost  On the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the White Star liner RMS Laurentic was requisitioned by the Admiralty as an armed merchant cruiser. On 25th January 1917 she struck a mine off Lough Swilly on the northern coast of County Donegal, Ireland and sank with the loss of 350 persons. HMS Laurentic was travelling to New York and her cargo included a substantial amount of gold bullion that was later recovered.

                                25th January 1917 33rd Battalion AIF relief completed  Relief of 35th Battalion completed as per Bn 0.0 No. 10. Cf Intelligence summary dated 26/1/17 (No. 5)

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, HOUPLINES, January 1917


                                26th Jan 1917 124th Heavy Battery to 60 HAG  124th Heavy Battery, RGA join 60 Heavy Artillery Group on 26 Jan 1917

                                26th January 1917 Registration and Calibration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report registration and calibration continued. Two test SOS messages were received and the average time was about one minute. Casualties one other rank. 2/Lt L B Tausley RFA assumed the Adjutancy and 2/Lt M D Haskell became orderly officer.

                                War Diaries


                                26th Jan 1917 SS Serapis lost  SS Serapis was a British steamer of 1932 tons, on a voyage from the Clyde to Genoa with a cargo of coal, she was sunk by the German submarine U-79 (Otto Rohrbeck), 106 miles NNW1/2W Tory Island. 19 persons were lost.

                                27th January 1917 Bombardment of Enemy Trenches  The four Batteries of 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery in conjunction with the Y and V Batteries of Trench mortar and the Batteries of Right Group and Corps Heavy Artillery carried out bombardment lasting from 1200 to 1330 onto hostile trenches on the Left Group front with special reference to enemy's Observation Points. 2/Lt Payne (Late --- ---- Battery) posted to D236 with effect from 26th Jan.1917. The Batteries of the Group took part in a Test SOS at 2009.

                                War Diaries


                                28th January 1917 Battery Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C236 Battery at Langkhof Farm was shelled during the day.

                                War Diaries


                                28th January 1917 33rd Battalion AIF in trenches   Trench repair and routine.  Cf Intelligence Summary dated 29/1/17. (no. 5)
                                  10th Infantry Brigade carried out raids on Battalion front.  Troops withdrawn from front line as per Battalion Circular dated 28/1/17.  (No. 9) Casualties from enemy retaliation - 2.

                                33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, LEFT (1) SUB SECTOR


                                29th January 1917 Batteries Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 2/Lt P S Ayers was transferred from 235 Brigade RFA to C236 Battery with effect from today’s date. C236 Battery and vicinity was shelled during the afternoon with three hundred to four hundred rounds - no casualties.

                                War Diaries


                                30th January 1917 Test Calls  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Two test SOS calls were fired on by the Group one at 0010 and one at 0312. Y47 Medium Trench Mortar Battery fired and much damaged a machine gun emplacement and surrounds. Working party of thirty eight men are now with the Group working on reserve reinforcement positions.

                                War Diaries


                                31st January 1917 All quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet. Signed A.C. Lowe, Lt Col R.A Commander 236th Brigade RFA.

                                War Diaries


                                31st January 1917 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ90 (LZ1 20)

                                • Production Ref: LZ90
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: LZ1 20
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 31st January 1917

                                History.

                                Carried out 17 reconnaissance missions and 3 attacks dropping 11,250 kilograms (24,800 lb) of bombs around the Eastern Front and the Baltic Sea. It was retired on the 8th October 1917. In 1920 it was ordered to be transferred to Italy as war reparations, where it broke apart one year later while gas was being removed.

                                John Doran


                                31st Jan 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Continuation of training, Weather very frosty. Train service etc disorganised.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                Feb 1917   By 1917 the factory at Gretna was employing 11,576 women and 5,966 men, and producing eight hundred tons of Cordite RDB every week, more than all the total production of all other munitions plants in Britain.

                                1st February 1917 Enemy Artillery very Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Enemy artillery very active indeed on Back areas and Batteries. A test SOS call was received by Group at 2111 and all Batteries had full response within two minutes. 2/Lt D S Culterall was transferred from C236 Battery to the 47th Divisional Ammunition Column with effect from 31st January 1917.

                                War Diaries


                                1st February 1917 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Work continued with the temporary labour battalion in the front line and support trenches throughout February with the rest of the Pioneers still fully occupied on the following Railway lines: Broadgauge Railway - work continued at Ouderdom. 60cm railway line - from point L1 to a point on the Wijverhock/Vierstraat line. 60cm railway line - from Busseboom to Ouderdom. 60cm railway line - Busseboom, Brandhoek, Kemmel branch lines included.

                                Substantial replacements were received in manpower. In total they had an influx of 220 men from 1/5 and 2/15 London Regiments, the Bedfordshire Regiment and 20 from the Reserve Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

                                Infantry training continued to be carried out, presumably on Sundays as a break from the heavy railway work.

                                February 1917 casualties, none recorded.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st February 1917 Ongoing training  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                1st Feb. 1917 - In billets - 2 companies at Hanchy, HQ and 2 companies at Le Festel. Company training. Snow fell during the morning.

                                war diaries


                                1st Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Continuation of training according to Divisional Programme. Frost continued.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                2nd Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers into line  16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are attached to 97 Infantry Brigade. B and C coys and Ballation HQ march to the line in front of Beaumont Hamel and relieve 2nd Btn. KOYLI. HQ is set up in Walker Quarry, Wagon Road. C coy go into in dug-outs in Beaumont Hamel. B coy go into the front line on the ridge, in posts named Axle, Hell, Hub, Wheel and Peach. A and D coys remain in reserve at Mailly-Maillet but are brought up to Beaumont Hamel the next day.

                                2nd February 1917 GOC Visits  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the GOC 47th Division visited B236, C236 and D236 Batteries at 1200.

                                War Diaries


                                2nd Feb 1917 Wearside Pals Football Match  In a welcome break from routine fighting, having been in and out of the trenches for weeks. The Battalion hold a football competition and attend church in Reninghelst.

                                2nd Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Battalion attack (parade)

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                3rd Feb 1917 Heavy Shelling at Beaumont Hamel  Heavy shelling all night as C coy relieve B coy 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers in the front line and locate the enemy in posts in Ten Tree Alley.

                                3rd February 1917 Enemy Front Line Bombarded  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Y47 Trench Mortar Battery bombarded the enemy's front line across the Railway Cutting with sixty rounds and no retaliation of any importance.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Route march.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                4th Feb 1917 Heavy Shelling continues at Beaumont Hamel  Further heavy bombardment forces Peach post to be temporarily evacuated by the 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers, during night B coy relieves C.

                                4th February 1917 Bombardment  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery engaged in Bombardment of a small area of enemy's trenches East of the Snout from 1500 until 1600 by Corps Heavy Artillery and 4.5 Howitzers Batteries included D236 Battery which fired one hundred and eighty rounds. The Medium Trench Mortar Battery(Y47) with thirty six rounds and A236 Battery shelled enemy Observation Points during the bombardment. Much damage was done and the enemy retaliated with light guns only. Relief by X47 Trench Mortar Battery of Y47 Battery in the line took place. 2/Lt E A de B West (D236 Battery) evacuated sick.

                                War Diaries


                                4th Feb 1917 SS Dauntless lost  On 4th of February 1917, SS Dauntless, on a voyage from Newcastle to Bayonne, with a cargo of coal, was sunk by the German submarine UB-39 (Heinrich Küstner), 10 miles off Pointe de la Coubre, Gironde. 15 persons were killed.

                                4th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Church parade. Sports meeting with 18th WYR at LE MEILLARD 3 Officers & 300 ORs went to CANDAS on a working party. 11 ORs to GEZAINCOURT.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                4th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Church parade. Sports meeting with 18th WYR at LE MEILLARD 3 Officers & 300 ORs went to CANDAS on a working party. 11 ORs to GEZAINCOURT.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                5h Feb 1917 16th Northumberlands at Beaumont Hamel  D Coy 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers, take over the line from B coy. A coy moves into the HQ dug-out at Walker Quarry whilst B and C coys are in reserve in cellars at Beaumont Hamel. Orders recieved for 97 brigade to attack and A coy are to guard their left flank, they are sent to Mailly-Maillet for training. C coy take thier position in Walker Quarry.

                                5th February 1917 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 2/Lt H V Ramsey admitted to Field Hospital on 3rd February 1917 while on 47th Divisional Artillery Course

                                War Diaries


                                5th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. 1 Officer & 75 ORs went to BOIS FLEUR woodcutting. 1st round Div. football competition, 18 WYR 1 goal, 18 DLI nil.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                6th February 1917 Batteries in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery D236 Howitzer Battery from 1440 to 1540 fired one hundred rounds in combined bombardment with 23rd Divisional Artillery and Corps Heavy Artillery onto area of trenches immediately South of Stirling Castle on 23rd Division front. C236 Battery fired at intervals during the night onto area of bombardment the 4 lines, East of the Snout.

                                War Diaries


                                6th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. Lt Col CHEYNE proceeded to DOMART on CO’s Course. Severe frost continued.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                7th February 1917 Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet, registration by batteries.

                                War Diaries


                                7th Feb 1917 SS Vedamore lost  SS Vedamore was a British steamer of 6330 tons. On February 7th 1917 Vedamore on a voyage from Baltimore to Liverpool with general cargo, was sunk by the German submarine U-85 (Willy Petz) 20 miles west of Fastnet. 23 persons were lost including 8 members of the Filipino Liverpool community. Her crew was a multinational crew from India, USA, Ireland and Malaysia as well as Philippines.

                                7th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                7,8,9,10 Feb. Training continued. On 8.2.17 Divisional Cross Country Run, first man home, Sgt REAY. Battalion team finished 2nd to 15th WYR.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                8th February 1917 Personnel changes  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery 2nd Lt H V Ramsey evacuated out of Divisional Area - sick.

                                War Diaries


                                9th Feb 1917 16th Northumberlands at Beaumont Hamel  B Coy 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are relieved in the line after suffering several casualties.

                                9th February 1917 Hostile Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Aeroplane registration carried out by D236 Battery for Counter Battery Work. Small crater with suspected enemy mine workings bombarded by X47 Medium Trench Mortar Battery with sixty rounds and many direct hits obtained. At 2030 the enemy opened heavy shrapnel fire on both Battalion fronts. Group Batteries replied as retaliation was asked for increasing to SOS fire at 2050 in answer to SOS call from Right Battalion. The hostile fire soon died down.

                                War Diaries


                                10th Feb 1917 A Coy, 16th Northumberland Fusilers advance  A Coy, 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers arrive at start position and the advance commences.

                                10th Feb 1917 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry at Ten Tree Alley  The 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry are at Ten Tree Alley.

                                10th February 1917 Battery Activity  236th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery report "The Field Marshall, Commander in Chief awarded the French decoration "Medale Militaire" to Corporal W. P Noel HQ Staff. At 1400 D236 4.5 Howitzer Battery took part in one hours bombardment by all 47th and 41st Division Field Howitzers of the area opposite trenches of left Battalion of Right Brigade 47th Division. A registration by aeroplane by D236 Battery was also attempted at 1530. 2/Lt T Ballantyne C236 Battery was evacuated to 2nd Casualty Clearing Station."

                                War Diaries


                                10th February 1917   SM U-93

                                Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 257) Ordered 15 Sep 1915 Laid down 12 Jan 1916 Launched 15 Dec 1916 Commissioned 10 Feb 1917

                                Commanders.
                                10 Feb 1917 - 30 Apr 1917 Freiherr Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim
                                30 Apr 1917 - 22 May 1917 Oblt. Wilhelm Ziegner
                                23 May 1917 - 15 Jan 1918 Helmut Gerlach

                                Career 5 patrols.
                                5 Apr 1917 - 15 Jan 1918 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 34 ships sunk with a total of 87,872 tons.
                                3 ships damaged with a total of 12,628 tons.

                                • 15 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Fram 105 da
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Troldfos 1,459 nw
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim West Lothian 1,887 nw
                                • 22 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Vestelv 1,729 nw
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Diana (damaged) 207 da
                                • 29 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Comedian 4,889 br
                                • 29 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Ikbal 5,434 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Ascaro 3,245 it
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Horsa 2,949 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Parthenon 2,934 gr
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 93 Prize (damaged) 199 br
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Louise 645 nw
                                • 27 Jun 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Baron Ogilvy 4,570 br
                                • 4 Jul 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Kodan 308 da
                                • 12 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Bestum 3,520 nw
                                • 14 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Asti 5,300 it
                                • 20 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Elswick Lodge 3,558 br
                                • 21 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Volodia 5,689 br
                                • 23 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Carl F. Cressy 898 am
                                • 25 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Heatherside 2,767 br
                                • 25 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Ovar 1,650 pt
                                • 26 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Marmion 4,066 br
                                • 26 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Minas Queen 492 ca
                                • 29 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Treloske 3,071 br
                                • 18 Oct 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Macao 3,557 bz
                                • 27 Oct 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach D. N. Luckenbach 2,929 am
                                • 28 Oct 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Finland (damaged) 12,222 am
                                • 29 Oct 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach La Epoca 2,432 ur
                                • 30 Oct 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Liff 2,521 nw
                                • 2 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Veda 25 br
                                • 4 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Goeland I 235 fr
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Kanaris 3,793 gr
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Harry Luckenbach 2,798 am
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Henri Lecour 2,488 fr
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Dagny 1,220 da
                                • 14 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Babin Chevaye 2,174 fr
                                • 15 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach War Song 2,535 br

                                Fate 15 Jan 1918 - Missing after January 15, 1918. 43 dead (all hands lost). U 93 was assigned to operate along the French coast between the Channel Islands and Penmarch. The last contact with her was on January 5th, 1918 though sinkings show she active through at least the 15th.

                                Previously recorded fate.
                                Rammed by SS Braeneil off the Lizard in position 49.59N, 05.12W. U 93 could not have been at spot at the time of the ramming. Lost by unknown cause off Hardelot, France. The wreck in question is U 95.

                                There was another U 93 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 8 Jun 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 30 Jul 1940.

                                John Doran


                                11th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Church Parade at MT RENAULT FM. Working parties from CANDAS & GEZAINCOURT returned. Lt. Col. CHEYNE returned from DOMART.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                12th February 1917 Conference  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record Conference of OC. Group and Battery Commanders. First section of C236 Battery went out of action.

                                War Diaries


                                12th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. Signs of thaw beginning. Pte’s MIDDLETON & CHRISTIE won their events in the Divisional Boxing Competition.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                13th Feb 1917 17th HLI attack Ten Tree Alley  17th Battalion Highland Light Infantry attack a strong point in Ten Tree alley. B Coy, 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers suffers casualties and A coy send reinforcements forward, whilst C coy reinforce A coy in Hub post. the 16th Northumberland Battalion are relieved in the line by the 2/6 Btn West Yorkshire Regt who have just arrived from England. The Northumberlands return to billets at Mailly-Maillet and Bertrancourt.

                                13th February 1917 Batteries in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery D236 Battery fired two hundred rounds in a combined bombardment on 23rd Division front by all available Howitzers. X47 Trench Mortar Battery commenced wire cutting on the Left Battalion's front and fired fifty four rounds. Remainder of C236 Battery went out of action and handed over position to B1014 Battery which is therefore part of Group. C246 took over Wagon Lines of B235 in rest at Winnizeele.

                                War Diaries


                                13th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Bde route march deploying into artillery formation.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                14th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the march  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers leave Mailly-Maillet and Bertrancourt, marching to to Lealvillers.

                                14th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery B236 Battery commenced wire cutting opposite Right Battalion's front. X47 Trench Mortar Battery continued on wire with fifty rounds.

                                War Diaries


                                14th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. Our team 2nd in Brigade Cross Country Run. Sgt REAY first man home. In Divisional bombing competition our platoon team placed first.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                15th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report A236 and B236 Batteries continued on the enemy wire with the usual allotment of two hundred rounds a day. D236 fired on an area Bombardment scheme at 1545 in conjunction with Howitzers of 23rd and 41st Division and Heavy Artillery on Area Hill 60. 2/Lt V Overton and 2/Lt H S Metcalfe attached to A236 and D236 Batteries respectively for 14 days instruction (From the DAC).

                                War Diaries


                                15th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. L/Sgt ALLISON C Co. awarded CROIX-DE-GUERRE for gallantry in the field (NEUVE CHAPELLE) No 8 platoon won Brigade Shooting Competition and represents Brigade in Corps competition.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                16th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march South  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers leave Lealvillers and march south, first to Contay.

                                16th February 1917 Gaps made in Enemy Wire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: All Batteries of the Group (except D236) and including X47 Trench Mortar Battery, which fired fifty rounds, bombarded the enemy's wire today. Many gaps were made.

                                War Diaries


                                16th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Contact aeroplane scheme at LE MEILLARD.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                17th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march South  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers march into 4th army area, to Villers-Bocage.

                                17th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting by A236 and B104 Batteries continued with an average of two hundred rounds a day being fired by each Battery. X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired one hundred rounds on cutting the wire.

                                War Diaries


                                17th Feb 1917 HMS Zubian completed  HMS Zubian was a Tribal type destroyer, constructed from the bow of HMS Zulu and the stern of HMS Nubian, the work was completed on the 17th of February 1917.

                                17th February 1917   KUK U-30 Austrian Submarine.

                                Type U-27 Shipyard Ordered Launched 27th December 1916 Commissioned 17th February 1917

                                Commanders
                                17 Feb 1917 - Friedrich Fähndrich

                                Career
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes No successes.

                                Fate Went missing after 31st March 1917.

                                John Doran


                                17th Feb 1917 Engineers undertake daylight raid.  106th Coy Royal Engineers join with 14RE in a daylight Trench Raid at 12.20pm Bayonets fixed and carrying explosives to blow up the dugout. The writer received a small wound to the arm going over. The 6th Bavarian Regiment had been waiting for them and a desperate fight took place. Three German Prisoners were taken in the Raid. The 7th RE were also involved but the raid was not a complete success.

                                17th Feb 1917 Trench Raid  A trench raid was carried out in conjunction with a party of the 10th Cheshire Regt. (200 in strength) the objective allotted to the Brigade being the enemy's defences N and S of Factory Farm, the farm itself included. Zero hour was 10.40a.m. The enemy seemed to be taken quite by surprise and his trenches were gained with but slight loss. All objectives were seized, with the exception of Factory Farm, where stout resistance was offered. Elsewhere very few of the enemy were found. It is believed that about 20 Germans were killed in this Battalion's objective exclusive of casualties caused by shell fire. Two prisoners were taken, and no identification was secured. 1 died of wounds, 1 missing. The majority of these were caused by hostile machine gun fire, which was brought to bear upon the parties as they returned to our line.

                                Unit history


                                17th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. Thaw set in properly, Battalion sports held in afternoon.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                18th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting continued successfully by all Batteries. D236 took part in an area bombardment with all other Howitzer Batteries at 1430 and one hundred and eighty rounds were fired. X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired sixty rounds at enemy's trenches which were much damaged as a result of last few days bombardment.

                                War Diaries


                                18th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Sunday. Church parade held at MT RENAULT FM.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                19th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march South  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers march from Villers-Bocage to Camon, a suburb of Amiens.

                                19th February 1917 Batteries Cutting Wire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C236 Battery came into action in position immediately south of Left Infantry Brigade HQ as reserve Battery for raid operation. Wire cutting continued by A236, B236, B104 and D236 Battery with the other Howitzers firing again on right area National - one hundred and eighty rounds. X47 Trench Mortar Battery again fired sixty rounds at enemy wire.

                                War Diaries


                                19th February 1917   

                                SM U-155 (Deutschland Merchant Submarine)

                                SM U-155

                                Type U 151 Shipyard Flensburger Schiffbau (Werk 382) Ordered 27 Oct 1915 Launched 28 Mar 1916 Commissioned 19 Feb 1917

                                Commanders.
                                19 Feb 1917 - 5 Sep 1917 Karl Meusel.
                                6 Sep 1917 - 31 May 1918 Erich Eckelmann.
                                1 Jun 1918 - 14 Nov 1918 Ferdinand Studt.

                                Career 3 patrols.
                                19 Feb 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 U-Kreuzer Flotilla

                                Successes 43 ships sunk with a total of 120,434 tons.
                                3 ships damaged with a total of 9,080 tons.

                                • 2 Jun 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Hafursfjord 1,669 nw
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Scottish Hero 2,205 ca
                                • 14 Jun 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Aysgarth 3,118 br
                                • 30 Jun 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Benguela 4,612 nw
                                • 30 Jun 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Siraa 1,938 nw
                                • 7 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Coblenz (damaged) 1,338 br
                                • 8 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Ruelle 3,583 fr
                                • 12 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Calliope 2,883 br
                                • 14 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Chalkydon 2,870 gr
                                • 18 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Ellen 3,877 nw
                                • 20 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Hanseat 3,358 nw
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Doris 1,355 it
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel John Twohy 1,019 am
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Willena Gertrude 317 br
                                • 31 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Madeleine 2,709 fr
                                • 31 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Snowdonian 3,870 br
                                • 1 Aug 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Alexandre 2,671 fr
                                • 2 Aug 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Marthe 3,119 fr
                                • 7 Aug 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Christiane 964 am
                                • 7 Aug 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Iran 6,250 br
                                • 16 Feb 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Tea 5,395 it
                                • 18 Feb 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Cecil L. Shave 102 br
                                • 23 Feb 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Sardinero 2,170 sp
                                • 4 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Antioco Accame 4,439 it
                                • 10 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Wegadesk 4,271 nw
                                • 15 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Joaquina (damaged) 333 sp
                                • 18 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Prometeo 4,455 it
                                • 18 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Reidar 3,574 nw
                                • 24 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Avala 3,834 it
                                • 24 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Jorgina 103 br
                                • 25 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Rio Ave 179 pt
                                • 27 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Watauga 127 br
                                • 1 Apr 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Lusitano 529 pt
                                • 7 Apr 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Sterope 9,500 it
                                • 13 Apr 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Harewood 4,150 br
                                • 16 Apr 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Nirpura 7,640 br
                                • 23 Apr 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Frances 54 br
                                • 31 Aug 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Gamo 343 pt
                                • 2 Sep 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Stortind 2,510 nw
                                • 7 Sep 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Sophia 162 pt
                                • 12 Sep 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Leixoes 3,245 pt
                                • 20 Sep 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Kingfisher 353 am
                                • 3 Oct 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Alberto Treves 3,838 it
                                • 4 Oct 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Industrial 330 br
                                • 12 Oct 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Amphion (damaged) 7,409 am
                                • 17 Oct 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Lucia 6,744 am

                                Fate 24 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Taken to Britain and exhibitied in London and elsewhere. Broken up at Morecambe in 1922.

                                Special note about the commanders for this boat: Kptlt. d.R. Paul König commanded this boat when it was known as the Deutschland commercial submarine. The listing here above only shows the commanders of the boat while under Naval control from 19 Feb, 1917.

                                There was another U 155 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 May 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 23 Aug 1941.

                                John Doran


                                19th Feb 1917   BEAUVAL

                                The Battalion left HEUZECOURT and marched to BEAUVAL.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                20th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the march  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers march from Camon, Amiens towards Beaufort, along the Amiens-Roye road.

                                20th February 1917 Daylight Raid  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 18 pounder Batteries continued rigorous wire cutting in the morning as did Trench Mortar Battery. Much damage has been done and many gaps made in the enemy's defences. At 1700, Zero Time, a large daylight raid was carried out on the Right Brigade front of 47th Division. A dummy raid was made by explosion of mines and bombardment on the Hill 60 sub sector at the same time. All Batteries of Left Group barraged southern boundary of said area and cease fire took place at approx 1925. Raid highly successful with one hundred and thirteen prisoners and four machine guns being gained by 6th Battalion (City of London Rifles). 2/Lt M O Haskell A235 Battery (attached HQ) acted as liaison officer with raiding party. 6600 rounds of 18 pounder ammunition, 1100 rounds of 4.5 inch Howitzer and 450 rounds of 2" Trench Mortar ammunition were used by Left Group in the raid operations from 13th inst. onwards.

                                War Diaries


                                20th Feb 1917   COUIN

                                Marched from BEAUVAL to huts at COUIN very wet heavy and long march.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                21st Feb 1917 No Retaliation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report (A J Roberts due back from leave). All quiet - no immediate retaliation by the enemy for the raid. 2/Lt H Davies rejoined the Brigade from Hospital (B236 Battery).

                                War Diaries


                                21st February 1917 Railway work  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                Billets Authie and St Leger Authie

                                21st to 22th Feb. - Battalion at work on Authie Valley Railway. A company move from Authie to Thievres.

                                war diaries


                                21st Feb 1917   SAILLY

                                Brigade moved into line. 18th DLI B & D Co. in the KEEP HEBUTERNE remainder of Battalion in SAILLY relieving 7th Battalion N. LANCS of 19th Div.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                22nd Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers receive new draft  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers receive a new draft of 100 men at Berteaucourt.

                                22nd February 1917 Enemy Work Prevented  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy was prevented from working on his lines by 18 pounder fire.

                                War Diaries


                                22nd February 1917 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ83 (LZ113)

                                • Production Ref: LZ83
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: LZ113
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 22nd February 1917

                                History.

                                Carried out 15 reconnaissance missions around the Eastern Front and the Baltic Sea including three attacks dropping a total of 6,000 kilograms (13,000 lb) of bombs. In 1920 it was ordered to be transferred to France as part of war reparations.

                                John Doran


                                22nd Feb 1917   SAILLY & HEBUTERNE

                                22,23,24 Feb Quiet days, no working parties.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                23rd Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers into Brigade Reserve  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers arrive at Beaufort via Fresnoy and go into Brigade reserve.

                                23rd February 1917 Railway work  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                Billets at Thievres, Authie and St Leger Authie

                                23rd to 24th Feb. - Battalion at work on Authie Valley Railway. CO and Adjutant attend conference at Brigade Headquarters at 1120 (23rd).

                                war diaries


                                24th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers in dug outs  C and D Coys, 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers move up to dug-outs at Warvillers.

                                24th February 1917 Battery Rests  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: After very successful raid by 41st Division, C236 Battery goes back to rest during night to Winnezeele.

                                War Diaries


                                24th February 1917   KUK SM U-27 Austrian Submarine.

                                Type U-27 Shipyard Ordered Launched 19th October 1916 Commissioned 24th February 1917

                                Commanders
                                24 Feb 1917 - 29 Dec 1917 Robert Teufl von Fernland
                                29 Dec 1917 - 31 Oct 1918 Josef Holub

                                Career
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 33 ships sunk with a total of 14,392 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 0 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 765 tons.
                                1 warship damaged with a total of 665 tons.

                                • 12 Apr 1917 k.u.k. U27 Robert Teufl von Fernland Niritos 3,756 gr
                                • 16 Apr 1917 k.u.k. U27 Robert Teufl von Fernland Zinovia 2,976 gr
                                • 9 Jun 1917 k.u.k. U27 Robert Teufl von Fernland Roland 703 fr
                                • 11 Jun 1917 k.u.k. U27 Robert Teufl von Fernland Sakaki (d.) 665 jp
                                • 22 Jan 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Andrea Costa 3,991 it
                                • 29 Apr 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Maria 40 gr
                                • 1 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub San Nicola unknown it
                                • 3 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Panaghia unknown gr
                                • 6 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Dimitrios 40 gr
                                • 6 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Evangelistria 46 gr
                                • 6 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Taxiarchis 40 gr
                                • 14 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Phoenix (hms) 765 br
                                • 3 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agia Trias 14 gr
                                • 3 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Evangelistria unknown gr
                                • 3 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Panaghia 12 gr
                                • 6 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub San Nicola 29 it
                                • 7 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Giuseppino Padre 67 it
                                • 9 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Tris Adelphi 53 gr
                                • 10 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Georgios 17 gr
                                • 10 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Loukis 11 gr
                                • 11 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Constantinos 14 gr
                                • 11 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Marigo unknown gr
                                • 13 Aug 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Anhui 2,209 br
                                • 11 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Antoinette (prize) unknown fr
                                • 14 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Nicolas 113 br
                                • 17 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Portaritissa 16 it
                                • 17 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Sofia 6 it
                                • 18 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Adelphotis 26 gr
                                • 18 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Amma 16 gr
                                • 19 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Spiridion 58 gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Aghios Nicolaos unknown gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Nicolas 13 gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Spiridion 18 gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Dragonos unknown gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Prof. Elias 5 gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Theologos 103 gr

                                Fate Scrapped in 1920

                                John Doran


                                25th February 1917 On the Move  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                Billets at Thievres and Couin

                                25th Feb. - A company remains at Thievres. HQ,B,C and D companies move from St Leger to Couin and take over camps at that place and go under canvas. A company work all day and B,C and D companies in the afternoons.

                                war diaries


                                25th Feb 1917   SAILLY & HEBUTERNE

                                02.22. Battalion ordered to be ready to move at 5.0am to take part in advance, Germans reported returning along this front.

                                07.40. Battalion moved up to HEBUTERNE but operation cancelled.

                                14.30. Relieved 18th WYR in L4 sector, relief complete 8.30pm (MOUSE TRAP, WOOD ST)

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                26th February 1917   SM U-87

                                Type U 87 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 31) Ordered 23 Jun 1915 Laid down 28 Oct 1915 Launched 22 May 1916 Commissioned 26 Feb 1917

                                Commanders.
                                26 Feb 1917 - 13 Oct 1917 Rudolf Schneider.
                                13 Oct 1917 - 25 Dec 1917 Freiherr Rudolf von Speth-Schülzburg

                                Career 5 patrols.
                                24 Apr 1917 - 25 Dec 1917 III Flotilla

                                Successes 22 ships sunk with a total of 59,828 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 7,638 tons.

                                • 23 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Bernisse (damaged) 951 nl
                                • 23 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Elve 962 nl
                                • 26 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Lucipara 1,943 ru
                                • 26 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Saint Mirren 1,956 br
                                • 30 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Bathurst 2,821 br
                                • 30 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Hanley 3,331 br
                                • 2 Jun 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Eliofilo 3,583 it
                                • 2 Jun 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Mississipi (damaged) 6,687 fr
                                • 4 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Loch Katrine 151 br
                                • 8 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Valetta 5,871 br
                                • 10 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Seang Choon 5,807 br
                                • 11 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Kioto 6,182 br
                                • 12 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Castleton 2,395 br
                                • 16 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Tamele 3,932 br
                                • 19 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Artensis 1,788 nw
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Coniston Water 3,738 br
                                • 19 Aug 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Eika Ii 1,268 nw
                                • 21 Aug 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Oslo 2,296 br
                                • 22 Aug 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Alexander Shukoff 1,652 da
                                • 27 Aug 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Anna 1,211 da
                                • 27 Aug 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Aurora 768 da
                                • 13 Dec 1917 U 87 Rudolf von Speth-Schülzburg Little Gem 114 br
                                • 24 Dec 1917 U 87 Rudolf von Speth-Schülzburg Daybreak 3,238 br
                                • 25 Dec 1917 U 87 Rudolf von Speth-Schülzburg Agberi 4,821 br

                                Fate 25 Dec 1917 - Rammed by HMS Buttercup and depth charged to be finally sunk by PC56 in the Irish Sea. 44 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 87 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 21 Jun 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 19 Aug 1941.

                                26th February 1917 Railway work continues  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                Billets at Thievres and Couin

                                26th to 28th Feb - Battalion at work on Authie Valley Railway. Lieutenants Barratt and Phillips leave the Battalion on the 27th Feb to proceed to England for interview at the India Office on the 3rd March 1917.

                                SG Burnett Major, commanding 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.

                                war diaries


                                26th Feb 1917   L4 SECTOR

                                6 platoons occupy German trenches near NAMELESS FARM linking up with 15th WYR at CRUCIFIX.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                27th Feb 1917 Reliefs  A and B Coys, 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers move up to the dug-outs at Warvillers to join C & D Coys. At night they move to line, taking over from 16 Btn Lancashire Fusiliers. All companies are in the front line over a very extended front.

                                16th Lancashire Fusiliers war diary


                                27th Feb 1917   L4 SECTOR

                                4th Bn LEICESTER REGT relieved 5th Bn in sector on our left.

                                3.0pm. L/Cpl RIGG & Pte LAWER returned from patrol and report GOMMECOURT PARK and village evacuated.

                                6.0pm. GOMMECOURT occupied by two platoons of B Co.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                28th Feb 1917   L4 SECTOR

                                6.0am. GOMMECOURT detachment relieved by 4th LEICESTERS.

                                12 noon. Detachment at NAMELESS FARM push out patrols and gain touch with 4th LEICESTERS at GOMMECOURT CEMETARY.

                                4.15pm. Battalion HQ move to dug out in 1st GERMAN LINE at K11a24.

                                7.30pm. MOLTKE GRABEN occupied by posts. Patrols fail to establish themselves in 1st GARDE STELLUNG which was strongly held.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                Mar 1917 16th Battalion formed for Worcs  The 16th (Transport workers) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was formed in Bristol in March 1917

                                1st Mar 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers return to Beaufort  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers are relieved in the front line and return to Beaufort for a week of drill and training. A further draft of 135 men arrives.

                                1st March 1917 Batteries Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Heavy shelling of A236 and B236 Batteries in the afternoon with direct hits on gunpits etc. but no casualties. Toll Gate and vicinity of Group HQ. were also shelled and one wounded in HQ. Visual signalling operated this morning, while telephones closed down from 1000 to 1400. Batteries fired on SOS message at 2200 but no attack.

                                War Diaries


                                1st March 1917 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Work continues as in February with the temporary labour battalion fully stretched in the forward and support areas. The Pioneers continuing Railway work took place on the following lines. Broadgauge railway continued at Ouderdom. 60cm railway line from point L1 to a point on the Wijverhock/Vierstraat line. 60cm railway line from Busseboom to Ouderdom. 60cm railway line Busseboom, Brandhoek, Kemmel including branch lines. A total length of 16 miles was worked on, but details are not recorded as clearly as the earlier Candas to Acheux operations. However it seems fairly safe to assume that the works were completed around mid-March.

                                The 16th returned to its Parent Division on the 19th March and was now back up to strength having received substantial reinforcements in February 1917, with a further 64 men arriving in March. The March intake included 40 men from the Central Training School via 7 Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur.

                                Casualties in the period January to March had been fairly light. March 1917 Officers 1 wounded. Other ranks 1 wounded.

                                So the unit was fit and ready for its next great endeavour, the Battle of Messines.

                                The Terrors by SN White


                                1st March 1917 Congratulatory Message  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                1st to 4th March 1917 - HQ, B,C and D Companies at Couin, A Company at Thievres. Engaged on Railway Construction work.

                                4th March - Orders received late at night that no more working parties for Railway work required. The OC CORCC sent a message of eulogy which was published in Battalion orders as follows: I wish to would convey to all ranks of your battalion my appreciation of their work while employed on the Railway. They always did their work in a cheerful spirit and the amount of work done speaks for itself as to their energy. The Brigadier 33rd Brigade wishes to express to all ranks his appreciation of the work done by this unit.

                                war diaries


                                1st Mar 1917   1st GERMAN LINE K11 a 12.4

                                The days were spent in trying to push up patrols into 1st GARDE STELLUNG without success. This was kept up all night much information was gained and many Germans seen.

                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                2nd March 1917 Battery Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery, A236 Battery was again heavily shelled. Batteries are on small allotment.

                                War Diaries


                                3rd Mar 1917 11th KRRC Men to be trained as Scouts  Nominal Roll of men to be trained as Scouts, in accordance with 59th Inf Brigade Letter .Z1.251 dated 2/3/17.

                                "A" Company.

                                • R20200. Cpl. Shepherd.J.
                                • R16684. Rfm. Smart.H.
                                • R9323. Rfm. Ward.M.
                                • A200517. Rfm. Daws.P.J.
                                • R6145. Rfm. Walker.R.
                                "B" Company.
                                • A200243. L/C. Allen.W.H.
                                • R15818. Rfm. Withington.L.S.
                                • R11064. Rfm. Berry.J.
                                • A200614. Rfm. Pell.A.
                                • A200246. Rfm. Ambrose.A.
                                "C" Company.
                                • R4937. L/C. Blainey.W.
                                • R11089. Rfm. Jones.G.
                                • R13249. Rfm. Harper.H.
                                • R21121. Rfm. Green.H.
                                • R24014. Rfm. Woodcock.G.W.
                                "D" Company.
                                • R29358. L/C. Lewan.S.P.
                                • R9462. Rfm. Myers.J.
                                • R292. Rfm. Dunning.R.S.
                                • R628. Rfm. Revell.W.P.
                                • R2486. Rfm. Haldenby O.
                                    Signed: H A [B] Evison[?] Lieut & Adj. 11th (s) Batt. Kings Royal Rifles. 3/3/17.

                                    3rd March 1917 Enemy Movements  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Probable enemy relief discovered to be taking place tonight so Batteries fired from 2100 until midnight, about one hundred and twenty rounds each. No retaliation was received.

                                    War Diaries


                                    3rd Mar 1917 2/6th Suffolks in India  On the 3rd March 1917 the 2/6th (Cyclist) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment are in India, where it remained until the end of the war. It is known that the Battalion was also in Ireland before going to India but no dates are given. The only clue is that the Commanding Officer's Summary dated 1st October 1915 says: " . . . the Battalion will be ready for Imperial Service after the supply of about 25 Imperial Service men." This may not be conclusive as the Territorial Force was not liable for service overseas and battalions had to declare when they were able to take on the commitment.

                                    3rd Mar 1917   1ST GERMAN LINE

                                    7.25am. Patrol under Sgt REAY forced entry into 1st GARDE STELLUNG via LEHMANN GRABEN and shortly afterwards another platoon of D Co got into BECKER GRABEN. These joined hands but could make little progress S.E. Attempts were made to enter 1st GARDE STELLUNG by PIONEER and SCHWEICKERT GRABEN both held up by trench blocks and matters were at a standstill until 4.30pm.

                                    4.30 - 5.10pm. Bombardment by heavies and barrage following which 1st GARDE STELLUNG was rushed 25 prisoners, 2 MG’s and 2 LG’s captured and small counter attack resisted.

                                    5.30pm onwards. Consolidation and rearrangement of forces preparatory to relief.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    4th March 1917 Enemy Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy actively shelled our back areas during the evenings.

                                    War Diaries


                                    4th Mar 1917   1ST GERMAN LINE

                                    Relief of Battalion by 12th YORKS & LANCS completed and Battalion returned for well earned rest at ROSSIGNOL FARM.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    5th March 1917 Positions Reinforced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Working parties from 104 Brigade RFA and 47th Divisional Ammunition Column attached to Batteries of the Group to work on the reinforcement positions. 2/Lt T Ballantyne evacuated to England and struck off Brigade strength with effect from 3rd March 1917.

                                    War Diaries


                                    5th March 1917 Hospital ship  

                                    SS Copenhagen

                                    SS Copenhagen, 2570 grt, was built in 1907 by John Brown and Company at Clydebank as a replacement for the lost "Berlin" and was so successful that she was quickly followed by her sisters "Munich" [1908] and "St. Petersburg"[1910] on the Harwich, Hook of Holland service.

                                    The vessel was torpedoed and sunk by UC61 in the North Sea in 1917 en route to the Hook of Holland.

                                    Copenhagen served as a Hospital Ship during WW1.

                                    • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                    • Medical Staff strength.
                                    • Officers:8
                                    • Nurses:6
                                    • Other:28
                                    • Accommodation capacity.
                                    • Officers:
                                    • Cots:122
                                    • Berths:132
                                    • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                    • Date From:1st January 1916
                                    • Date To:5th March 1917
                                    • Ships Crew details:

                                    Wreck survey tour report.

                                    Now well out to sea, the next wreck on our tour is the Copenhagen, a turbine steamer owned by the Great Eastern Railway Co when she was torpedoed and sunk by UC61 in 1917. Passenger accommodation was spread over three decks amidships, with sleeping berths for 320 in First Class, over 200 of which were in double cabins. Public rooms included a smoking room on the awning deck, and below this a ladies' room, while the full-width 62-seat dining saloon was situated on the lower deck.

                                    John Doran


                                    5th Mar 1917   ROSSIGNOL FARM

                                    Resting, total casualties for the week 13 killed, 2 died of wounds, and 28 wounded. 3 missing. Cpl RIGG and L/Cpl LAWER awarded MILITARY MEDAL for Distinguished Conduct in the Field.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    6th Mar 1917   ROSSIGNOL FARM

                                    Cleaning up and refitting at the farm.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    7th Mar 1917   ROSSIGNOL FARM

                                    100 ORs under 2Lt DUGDALE left for EUSTON DUMP for work on tramway.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    8th Mar 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieve 15th HLI  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers relieve the 15th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry in close support at Le Quesnoy. Lt Col A.J. Scully MC, takes command of the 16th Northumberland battalion.

                                    8th Mar 1917   MAGNOLIA CAMP THE DELL

                                    18 DLI moved to EUSTON for work on broad gauge railway. Accommodation there was found unsuitable, so returned to the DELL.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    9th March 1917 Camoflets Blown  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report D236 Battery fired on Counter Battery targets with aeroplane observation. B236 Battery fired one hundred and fifty rounds on enemy wire. Several camouflets blown by the enemy. (note: camouflet is an underground cavity caused by explosives but without breaking surface which would form a crater)

                                    War Diaries


                                    9th Mar 1917   MAGNOLIA CAMP THE DELL

                                    9, 10, 11 March. Whole Battalion working on the broad gauge railway between the SUCRERIE and SERRE.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    10th March 1917 Naval Action -10th March 1917  The Action of 10 March 1917 was fought between the German merchant raider SMS Möwe and the armed New Zealand Shipping Company cargo ship SS Otaki. Although Otaki was sunk, Möwe was also badly damaged.

                                    Background

                                    SMS Möwe was already famous. Her commander, Korvettenkapitän Count Nikolaus zu Dohna-Schlodien, had taken Möwe around the world in 1915 and early 1916, sinking several vessels and fighting one engagement with the British. With a veteran crew and ship, Kapitän Dohna-Schlodien ran the British blockade of Germany in December 1916 and headed for the mid-Atlantic, taking several vessels along the way.

                                    Action

                                    On 10 March 1917, after months at sea and now returning to Germany, Möwe was in open ocean. At about 0200, she encountered the 4,491-ton Pacific Steam Navigation Company vessel SS Esmerelda, which was sailing west to Baltimore. Esmerelda was stopped, her crew was taken off and then she was scuttled with explosives. Just then, a second merchant ship, SS Otaki, appeared on the horizon. She was a 7,420-gross-ton refrigerated cargo ship of the New Zealand Shipping Company sailing from London to New York. Her defence was a single 4.7 inch gun mounted aft with a Royal Navy commander and gun crew of two. Otaki carried a wireless and could have alerted the British to Möwe's position. In heavy seas and squalls Dohna-Schlodien immediately gave chase, and when she drew near, Dohna-Schlodien signalled Otaki to stop. Her master, Archibald Bisset Smith, refused to surrender his ship. The Germans fired warning shots and were answered with heavy fire from Otaki's bow 155-millimeter gun. Shot after shot pounded Möwe at a range of 2,000 yds. The New Zealanders badly damaged the raider before the Germans were capable of firing a shot in return. When Möwe began counter firing, her 150-millimeter shells were accurately directed. Several shells struck Otaki and after a battle that lasted around 20 minutes, she capsized and sank. The British colours were never struck. Lieutenant Smith directed his crew to abandon ship, but he stayed behind. By the end of the action, the German auxiliary cruiser was on fire, so her crew had to extinguish the flames as a matter of priority. Five crewmen and Smith went down with Otaki. The survivors were quickly rescued by the Germans. One of the dead was a 15-year-old midshipman and a plaque in Scotland commemorates his falling in action. Well over 200 prisoners were taken from Esmerelda and Otaki. Möwe suffered heavily as well. Most of Otaki's rounds struck topside and five men were killed, with another ten wounded.

                                    Aftermath

                                    The damage caused by Otaki started fires in Möwe's coal bunkers, which burned for two days and nearly reached the ship's magazine. She had already suffered serious flooding after being holed by Otaki's shells. This had required counter-flooding to correct the list and more was let in to quench the fires. Due to the damage his ship sustained, Dohna-Schlodien was forced to consider returning to Germany. Within a month the raider was back in friendly waters after running the British blockade a fourth and final time. Once again Dohna-Schlodien was rewarded accordingly. The survivors of Otaki and the crew of Esmerelda were taken to Brandenburg, where they remained prisoners for the rest of war. Möwe spent the remainder of the war serving with the German fleet in the Baltic Sea as a minelayer. Archibald Smith's actions were not fully recognized until after the end of the war. For "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty", he was given a posthumous promotion to (temporary) Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve so that he could be awarded the Victoria Cross for which as a civilian he was otherwise ineligible.

                                    John Doran


                                    11th Mar 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieve 2nd Inniskillings  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers relieve 2nd Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, on the extreme right of the divisional sector, the french are on right of battalion with the connecting point at the Amiens-Roye road.

                                    11th March 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report A236 Battery fired about seventy rounds wire cutting. Great air activity with two British machines shot down over Ypres. Major Pollard OC. D236 Battery to Field Ambulance sick.

                                    War Diaries


                                    11th Mar 1917 SS Kwasind lost  SS Kwasind was a British steamer of 2211 tons, built by W. Doxford & Sons Ltd,, Sunderland in 1894 and owned at the time of her loss by Arctic SS. Co. Ltd. (J Ridley, Son and Tully) Newcastle. On the 11th March 1917, Kwasind was on a voyage from Bilbao to Hartlepool with a cargo of iron ore and was sunk after striking a mine laid by UC-4 (Kapitan Georg Reimarus) off Southwold. 12 persons were lost.

                                    12th March 1917 Enemy Working party  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report A236 Battery successfully dispersed a large working party behind enemy lines. Major Pollard evacuated out of Divisional Area, also 2/Lt Davies.

                                    War Diaries


                                    12 Mar 1917   MAGNOLIA CAMP THE DELL

                                    12, 13, 14 March.

                                    Lt DUGDALE’s party rejoined.

                                    Working parties and training. L/Cpls HUTCHINSON LASKEY and FRAZER and Pte VOCKUICH awarded MILITARY MEDAL.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    13th March 1917 New Battery OC  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report T/Lt S Taylor appointed Captain whilst sent to Command D236 Battery.

                                    War Diaries


                                    14th March 1917 Change of Command  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Major A C Gordon DSO OC B236 Battery assumes command of 235th Brigade RFA and is struck off the strength of this Brigade from today’s date.

                                    War Diaries


                                    15th Mar 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved by 2nd Inniskillings  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers are relieved by the 2nd Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, on the extreme right of the divisional sector, up to the Amiens-Roye road, with French troops to their right.

                                    15th March 1917 Enemy Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report The enemy batteries were active today especially their eight inch guns and our Batteries retaliated at the request of infantry.

                                    War Diaries


                                    15th Mar 1917   MAGNOLIA CAMP THE DELL

                                    15, 16, 17 March. Working parties and training. The Battalion was under 4 hours notice to move.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    16th Mar 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers receive orders  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers are in dug-outs at Bouchoir, they are ordered to be ready to support the French attack south of the Amiens-Roye road, forming defensive left flank for them.

                                    16th March 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report B104 Battery fired one hundred and forty rounds in wire cutting and there was much intermittent retaliation by the other Batteries.

                                    War Diaries


                                    16th March 1917 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  The first raid of 1917 took place on night of the 16th,17th of March and the five high altitude Zeppelins encountered very strong winds, and none reached their targets.On the return flight L39 suffered an engine failure and, blown over French-held territory, was brought down in flames by ground fire.

                                    During the night of the 16th and 17th March 1917 five German Navy Zeppelins set course for London. This was the first Zeppelin raid after the loss of L. 21 and L.34 in November 1916. Four of the Zeppelins, L. 35, L. 39, L. 40 and L.41 were "R Class" with their engines removed to allow them to climb to greater heights. The fifth one, L.42, was a "S Class" known as a "Height climber". Strong winds forced them south away from London and across into Kent arriving in two waves, the first during the evening of the 16th and the second during the early hours of the 17th.

                                    L.42, had to return due to engine fault and did not participate in any part of the attack.

                                    L.39, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Robert Koch first appeared over Margate at 22.20 hours but thick cloud made identification of targets impossible. Following a south-westerly course across Kent to the Sussex coast, the first bomb was dropped at 22.50 on Hode Farm near Bekesbourne, where it caused minor damage to two cottages. Ten minutes later five HE and a single incendiary bomb were dropped between Waltham and Sole Street without causing any damage. No further bombs were dropped and passing over Ashford and Tenterden L.39 reached the coast at St. Leonard’s at about 23.40 hours. Flying westward along the coast as far as Pevensey Bay before going out to sea, strong winds forced it south across the English Channel to Dieppe and then to the north of Paris. (see the next day for further details)

                                    L.35, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Herbert Ehrlich followed about 20 minutes behind L.39 travelling over Broadstairs, Kent taking a south-westerly course. At about 22.55 hours an HE bomb was dropped on Britton Farm at Ickham a few miles east of Canterbury, without causing damage. South of Canterbury at Nackington, an HE was dropped on Winter’s Farm and an incendiary on Sextries Farm, neither causing any damage. At Ashford L.35 circled and then headed back eastwards and at 23.25 hours released five HE bombs and an incendiary over the village of Crundale, close to Waltham and Sole Street where L.39 had dropped bombs 35 minutes earlier. These brought down the ceiling of a cottage a quarter of a mile away. Travelling towards Dover, at Swingfield, L.35 dropped five more HE bombs, damaging ceilings and smashing windows at Stockham Farm and St. John’s Farm. Then it released four incendiary bombs over Hougham where the military had a post, these all fell in fields without causing any damage. The last two bombs, an HE and an incendiary, dropped harmlessly on Whinless Down just outside Dover where L.35 then went out to sea at 00.15 hours. (see the next day for further details)

                                    John Doran and iancastlezeppelin.co.uk


                                    16th March 1917 Naval Action - 16th March 1917   In the Naval Action on the 16 March 1917 the German auxiliary cruiser Leopard was engaged and sunk by the British Armed boarding steamer HMS Dundee and the cruiser HMS Achilles.

                                    Action

                                    SMS Leopard left port in March disguised as the Norwegian freighter Rena Norge on its mission to disrupt Allied shipping. On the 17 March it was stopped in the North Sea by the cruiser HMS Achilles and ordered to proceed to the boarding vessel HMS Dundee for inspection. Heavily outgunned Captain Hans von Laffert, the raider's commander, had no option but to proceed as directed. Captain Selwyn Day of the Dundee dispatched a launch containing a boarding party with an officer and five men to investigate the mysterious ship. Hans von Laffert realizing he was about to be discovered detained the party and after about an hour fired two torpedoes at the Dundee. The steamer got out of the way just in time and the torpedoes missed Captain Day's ship by twenty feet. Day ordered his guncrews to open fire and a hail of shells struck the Leopard damaging a gun and setting fires. The Achilles hearing the sound of gunfire returned to the scene and opened fire on the raider as the Dundee withdrew. Shortly after the Achilles's arrival the Leopard sank with all 319 hands. Damage to the British vessels was light and the only Allied casualties were the six boarding party members who were trapped in the Leopard when it sank.

                                    John Doran


                                    17th March 1917 Change of Command  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Capt R A Corsan MC A236 Battery appointed to command B236 Battery with effect from 16th inst in place of Major Gordon DSO.

                                    War Diaries


                                    17th Mar 1917 HMS Mignonette sunk by a mine  HMS Mignonette, was a British sloop of 1250 tons. On 17th March 1917 HMS Mignonette was sunk by a mine from the German submarine UC-66 (Herbert Pustkuchen) off the southwest coast of Ireland.

                                    18th Mar 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers cross the German line  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers cross the German line through Parvillers and move on to the line Sept Fours, pausing at Etalon for the night.

                                    18th March 1917 Batteries Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report D236 Battery fired on Counter Battery target. A236 and B236 Batteries fired at the request of infantry. D236 also fired all night on a German Battery suspected of moving.

                                    War Diaries


                                    18th Mar 1917   MAGNOLIA CAMP THE DELL

                                    The Battalion began its move by route march to 1st Army Area. Marched from SAILLY DELL to BEAUQUENSE.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    19th Mar 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers advance  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers set out from Etalon and enter Nesle they continue to advance to Canal du Nord, with Quiquer on right of the Battalion front. A further advance is ordered to Voyennes and Offoy on the Somme Canal. Here they remain for eight days, engaged in digging bridge-head defences.

                                    19th March 1917 Retaliation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery Batteries retaliated for enemy firings on Left Battalion during the morning. 2/Lt G Jacques posted to B236 Battery from 119th Brigade RFA.

                                    War Diaries


                                    19th Mar 1917   BEAUQUENSE

                                    March continued from BEAUQUENSE to FIENVILLERS.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    20th March 1917 Reliefs  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C236 Battery first section relieved one section of B104 Battery today from Corps Reserve and took over B235 Battery Wagon Line.

                                    War Diaries


                                    20th March 1917 Hospital ship  

                                    HMHS Asturias

                                    HMHS Asturias

                                    The Asturias was built in 1907 for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. and went into service on the Southampton - Buenos Aires run. When war with Germany was declared in 1914 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted into a Hospital Ship. Within a few months she was handed over to the Army and was soon employed making regular crossings to France carrying back the wounded from the Western Front. She had accommodation for 896 patients, but on one occasion due to very heavy casualties at the Front, she transported 2,400 sick and wounded. She served in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Dardanelles Campaign, returning wounded from Gallipoli, Egypt and Salonika to the UK. In March 1917 after landing her wounded at Avonmouth, she was attacked by German submarine and struck by a torpedo which blew off her stern, killing 35 of her crew. She was declared a total loss, but her hulk was put to use as a floating ammunition store at Plymouth for the rest of the war. Remarkably, her hulk was repurchased by Royal Mail Line in 1920 and rebuilt as a Cruise Liner, renamed Arcadian, she operated Mediterranean and West Indies cruises until 1930, and was finally scrapped in 1933.

                                    • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Service during WW1.
                                    • Medical Staff strength.
                                    • Officers:8
                                    • Nurses:24
                                    • Other:65
                                    • Accommodation capacity.
                                    • Officers:
                                    • Cots:413
                                    • Berths:483
                                    • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                    • Date From:22nd August 1914
                                    • Date To:21st March 1917
                                    • Ships Crew details:

                                    Asturias was torpedoed by UC-66 on the 20th March 1917 with the loss of 35 crew members.

                                    John Doran


                                    20th March 1917 Conclusion of Railway Work  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                    20th to 23rd March - HQ, A and C Companies Thievres, B and D Companies St Leger engaged on Railway Construction Work and Specialist Training. Major CH French joined the Battalion on the 22nd March. Railway work ceased on the 23rd March preparatory to move to Orville.

                                    war diaries


                                    20th Mar 1917   FIENVILLERS

                                    March continued from FIENVILLERS to NEUVILLETTE (HQ, A & D Coys) RANSART (B & C Coys)

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    21st March 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Remaining sections of C236 Battery relieved remaining sections of B104 Battery. A236 Battery fired one hundred and ten rounds wire cutting and Other Batteries fired one hundred and twenty rounds in retaliation for enemy shelling.

                                    War Diaries


                                    21st Mar 1917   NEUVILLETTE & RANSART

                                    March continued from NEUVILLETTE to NUNCQ

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    22nd March 1917 New Craters Blown  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired thirty rounds on Hill 60 and into new craters blown by the enemy. Work was heard during the night and X47 Battery again fired into craters.

                                    War Diaries


                                    22nd Mar 1917   NUNCQ

                                    March continued from NUNCQ to BOURS

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    23rd March 1917 Enemy Bombardment  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy actively bombarded in retaliation for Trench Mortars early this morning. Our Batteries replied and X47 Trench Mortar Battery again fired on the crater.

                                    War Diaries


                                    23rd Mar 1917   BOURS

                                    Battalion rested one day in BOURS

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    24th March 1917 Battery Shelled  From 0800 until 1130, C236 Battery 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery was heavily shelled. One gunner was killed and two others wounded. The shelling was repeated at intervals during the day and an ammunition dump was blown up. At 1800 after heavy Trench Mortar activity the SOS signal went up to the right of Group zone and an attack was reported on Group Zone. Batteries opened fire on the SOS, but the situation almost immediately cleared and the cease fire was given. A small mine had been sprung on Left Battalion front.

                                    War Diaries


                                    24th Mar 1917 Wearside Pals on stand by  20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry move out of the line and are on 'stand-by'

                                    Wearside Pals by John Sheen


                                    24th Mar 1917 Wearside Pals on stand by  20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry move out of the line and are on 'stand-by'

                                    24th March 1917 Battalion move to Orville  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                    24th March 1917 - Hq, A and C Companies joined by B and D Companies from Authie and the Battalion marches to Orville. Cleaning up in the afternoon and an inspection held by the CO.

                                    war diaries


                                    24th Mar 1917   WESTREHEM

                                    March continued from BOURS to WESTREHEM.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    25th March 1917 Personnel Changes  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery reports Captain H Carey-Morgan C236 Battery posted to command B236 Battery with effect from this date and Captain R A Corsan MC B236 Battery posted to A236 Battery.

                                    War Diaries


                                    25th Mar 1917 Australian Officers Club opens in London  A new club for Australian Officers is opened at 138 Piccadilly, London and is known as the Australian Officer's Club. Usual club facilities are provided with sleeping accommodation for forty.

                                    33rd AIF War Diary


                                    26th March 1917 Enemy Work Stopped  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery's X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired on the enemy crater to stop work.

                                    War Diaries


                                    27th March 1917 Special Shoot  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 2/Lt H W Stevens and 2/Lt H J Glover attached from 47th Divisional Ammunition Column to A236 and B236 Batteries respectively for a fortnight's instruction. D236 Battery fired one hundred and eighty rounds in conjunction with Heavy Artillery and other 4.5 inch Howitzers Batteries on special area opposite the Right Front.

                                    War Diaries


                                    28th March 1917 Battery Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery's C236 Battery was heavily shelled again during the morning with two direct hits on a gun pit, but no casualties. Major Wood OC. C236 goes on leave of absence (special).

                                    War Diaries


                                    28th Mar 1917 SS Gafsa lost  SS Gafsa was a British steamer.On March 28th 1917 SS Gafsa on a voyage from Port Arthur to UK with a cargo of fuel oil, was sunk by the German submarine U-57 (Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg) 10 miles SE1/2S of Kinsale Head. 7 persons were lost.

                                    29th Mar 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers leave Offoy  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers leave Offoy for Matigny, where they take up billets in cellars.

                                    29th Mar 1917 SS Kathleen Lily lost  SS Kathleen Lily was a British steamer of 527 tons. According to Lloyd's Shipping Register of 1916/17 the captain of the Kathleen Lily is listed as J. M. G. Bury. On 29th March 1917 on a voyage from South Shields to Rouen with a cargo of coke, she was sunk by a mine from the German submarine UC-31 (Otto von Schrader), 2 miles east of North Cheek, Robin Hood Bay. 4 persons were lost.

                                    The Kathleen Lily struck the mine at 2.45 p.m. and began to sink quickly. The chief officer, the senior survivor of the vessel, reported that he was below decks when a violent explosion took place. On reaching the deck he found the Master and crew of 13 struggling to free the boats, but owing to the explosion, the bolts which held the sockets of the davits loosened and the boats and davits fell. The ship was then submerged to the main mast and all hands jumped overboard. Several mine-sweepers were soon on the scene and picked up the survivors along with the bodies of the Master and three of the crew. The Chief Officer and five crew were taken to Whitby, and four other crewmen were landed at Scarborough.

                                    30th March 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery's B236 Battery fired one hundred and thirty rounds in wire cutting and also with A236 Battery fired on German officers inspecting the enemy front line. C236 Battery were again shelled this morning. Major Cooper OC. A236 Battery on special leave of absence.

                                    War Diaries


                                    31st Mar 1917 96th Bridage launch attack  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers man the outpost line, with Battalion HQ at Germaine. A strong enemy rearguard party is located at Savy Wood and 96 brigade are ordered to clear it. The 2nd Inniskillings and 15th Lancashires attack with 16th Northumberlands in support.

                                    31st March 1917 Retaliation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. report 2/Lt E A West rejoined from hospital to D236 Battery. Batteries retaliated during the day and X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired on crater.

                                    War Diaries


                                    1st Apr 1917 Attack captures objectives  96th Brigade attack Savy Wood and capture their objectives, the 16th Northumberlands occupy the quarry for about one week, suffering fairly heavy casualties. 3 Officers wounded, 23 Other Ranks killed, 78 ORs wounded, and 5 ORs missing.

                                    1st April 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting in preparation for raiding operation started by this Group; A236 Battery fired one hundred and fifty rounds, B236 Battery one hundred and ten rounds, C236 Battery one hundred also twenty on the wire and D236 Battery fired one hundred and eighty rounds on area opposite Division on the left in collaboration with other Howitzers and Heavy Batteries. X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired in retaliation and moved guns south to cover more front. New Battery positions for offensive action started upon by Batteries of this Group with twelve positions to be completed.

                                    War Diaries


                                    1st April 1917 Messines Sector - Flanders  

                                    Working Party Battle of Messines Preparation

                                    16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                    The Battle of Messines, Final Preparations April-May 1917.

                                    The 36th Ulster Division was now facing the enemy at Messines Ridge, east of Kemmel and the 16th Pioneers were fully committed in support of them. As at the Somme this involved construction and repair of communication and assembly trenches (through which the men and equipment would move for the assault), Mortar emplacements to defend against enemy attacks and to support the assault, dugouts for headquarters and trench railways for bringing stores and ammunition forward and returning with waste materials and evacuation of casualties.

                                    Screening was also vital, as most of the area was overlooked by the Germans in their higher positions on the Ridge. Much of the work in April was carried out in bad conditions with snow and rain making the work doubly difficult due to drainage problems and the presence of glutinous mud everywhere. Good progress was made towards the end of April as the weather conditions improved.

                                    Battalion strength reports. 1st April 34 Officers. 868 Other ranks. 30th April 39 Officers. 866 Other ranks. April Casualties: Other ranks - 2 killed and 4 wounded.

                                    The Terrors by SN White


                                    2nd April 1917 High Wind  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting was carried out in spite of high wind by 18 pounders and trench mortars. D236 Battery fired on an area bombardment, one hundred and sixty rounds and A236 Battery fired at intervals during the night on this area.

                                    War Diaries


                                    3rd April 1917 Batteries Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C236 Battery fired forty four rounds in wire cutting and X47 Trench Mortar Battery sixty rounds. A236 Battery fired during the night on the same area of bombardment as yesterday.

                                    War Diaries


                                    4th April 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report On wire cutting A236 Battery fired one hundred and seventy rounds, B236 Battery one hundred and four, C236 Battery one hundred and thirty three and X47 Battery twenty five with good results being obtained. D236 Battery fired on area bombardment.

                                    War Diaries


                                    4th April 1917 SS Missourian  

                                    SS Missourian

                                    Name SS Missourian, Type Steamer, Country USA.
                                    GRT 7,924 tons, Built 1903, Builder Maryland Steel Co. Sparrow’s Point, Maryland.
                                    Operator American-Hawaiian Steamship Co., New York.

                                    History

                                    On the 4th April 1917 SS Missourian was sunk off Porto Maurizio (Ita.). 43.33N, 08.15E by U 52 (Hans Walther) en route Genoa to Boston. No casualties.

                                    John Doran


                                    5th April 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report wire cutting was continued today. A236 Battery firing one hundred and nineteen rounds, B236 Battery two hundred and twenty one, X47 Trench Mortar Battery one hundred and seven and C236 Battery one hundred and thirty six. A236 Battery after being registered in the morning was shelled at about 1830 and two gun pits were blown in by 5.9 inch guns. Two other ranks and one Sergeant were wounded.

                                    War Diaries


                                    6th Apr 1917 America enters the war  The United States of America declares war on Germany following Germany's introduction of unrestricted submarine warfare, which put neutral American ships at risk.

                                    6th April 1917 Wire Cutting and support  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery, C189 Battery (Army Field Brigade) came into action in position East of B236 Battery as reinforcement Battery for the Group. Wire cutting again today with A236 Battery firing one hundred rounds, B236 Battery seventy six rounds and C236 Battery one hundred and fifty two rounds. D236 Battery took part in an area bombardment on Group Zone. X47 Trench Mortar Battery also fired fifty four rounds. C189 Battery registered.

                                    War Diaries


                                    7th April 1917 Intense Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Batteries carried out intense wire cutting this morning, A236 Battery firing one hundred and thirty rounds, B236 Battery one hundred and fifty five rounds and C236 Battery two hundred and ten rounds. Zero time for Daylight Raid 2000. 18th Battalion (London Irish Rifles) carried out this raid, in the same place on the right Brigade Front as the raid in February, under a heavy barrage by two and half Divisional Artilleries, accompanied by dummy raid at German line on Hill 60 and St Eloi. Enemy fire was fairly heavy and caused a number of casualties. Nineteen prisoners were taken. OC. Left Group acted as liaison officer with GOC 141st Infantry Brigade, also Major Pollard OC. D236 Battery acted as liaison with OC. Raid. 2/Lt A M Cole B236 Battery posted to 66th Division.

                                    War Diaries


                                    7th April 1917   SM U-88

                                    Type U 87 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 32) Ordered 23 Jun 1915 Laid down 20 Nov 1915 Launched 22 Jun 1916 Commissioned 7 Apr 1917

                                    Commanders.
                                    23 Jul 1916 - 5 Sep 1917 Walther Schwieger

                                    Career 4 patrols.
                                    18 May 1917 - 5 Sep 1917 III Flotilla

                                    Successes 12 ships sunk with a total of 39,382 tons.
                                    2 ships damaged with a total of 845 tons.

                                    • 23 May 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Hector 1,146 nw
                                    • 25 May 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Hilary 6,329 br
                                    • 28 May 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Roma (damaged) 417 ru
                                    • 29 May 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Ashleaf 5,768 br
                                    • 31 May 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Jeanne Cordonnier 2,194 fr
                                    • 31 May 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Miyazaki Maru 7,892 jp
                                    • 1 Jun 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Cavina 6,539 br
                                    • 6 Jun 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Eemdijk 3,048 nl
                                    • 7 Jun 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger John Bakke 1,611 nw
                                    • 29 Jun 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Escondido 1,066 nw
                                    • 3 Jul 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Iceland 1,501 br
                                    • 7 Jul 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Coral Leaf (damaged) 428 br
                                    • 13 Jul 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Ceres 1,166 da
                                    • 16 Jul 1917 U 88 Walther Schwieger Vesta 1,122 da

                                    Fate 5 Sep 1917 - Presumably mined off Terschelling. 43 dead (all hands lost).

                                    There was another U 88 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 16 Aug 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 15 Oct 1941.

                                    John Doran


                                    8th April 1917 Relief Imminent   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report OC. 101 Brigade RFA arrived to take over Group but relief of Batteries not yet begun.

                                    War Diaries


                                    9th April 1917 Heavy Barrage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Left Group now under tactical command of 23rd Divisional Artillery and covering 23rd Division Infantry, but still covering Hill 60 front. After trench mortaring of our lines all day the enemy at 1835 opened a heavy barrage along the Divisional Front particularly on the Centre Battalion. SOS went up at 1844 and the Batteries of 236 Brigade commenced barrage immediately. There was some Shelling of Group on right and Division on left, but both turned a Battery into mutual barrages on this Brigade front after ten minutes. Enemy found to have been completely held up by our barrage fire and dead found in 'no mans land'. Firing continued until about 2000 at a rapid rate with 3960 rounds being fired by the Group despite some Batteries being all shelled with 5.9 inch guns and gas shells. One 4.5 Howitzer was badly damaged, but no other damage or casualties except slight gas poisoning and shock.

                                    War Diaries


                                    9th April 1917 37th Divison move up at Arras  13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade with 37th Division were in reserve initially at the launch of the Battle of Arras. After initial success the 37th moved up through the lines to continue the attack. This was the area of the Brown Line and having reached here, the 37th Division was brought up through the other Divisions in order to carry the attack into Monchy. This was supposed to have happened on the evening of 9 April, but a sudden turn in the weather made advancing much more difficult. It was so cold that men would freeze to death during the night. That evening the 37th continued the attack in the face of snow past Feuchy Chapel reaching an area known as Orange Hill to the south-east of Monchy

                                    9th Apr 1917 V.15 Trench Mortar Bty in action  V.15 Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery are in action in the Second Battle of Arras.

                                    10th April 1917 Quiet day for 6th London Batteries  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record in their war diary: Lt A F Yencken (B236 Battery) struck off the Brigade strength on evacuation to England. All quiet today and all front trenches including Battery Observation Points have been demolished along with one trench mortar pit probably bombed by the enemy. First sections went out of action tonight and withdrew to the wagon lines.

                                    War Diaries


                                    10th April 1917 Attack Made  It was only on the night of 10 April that the 37th Division including 13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade and its six supporting tanks were in a position to consider mounting an attack on Monchy. The attack was delivered with the 11th Brigade on the left facing Monchy and the 112th on their right advancing towards La Bergère crossroads (where you will see the Windmill CWGC Cemetery and turn left towards Monchy). Standing up on this hill by the monument you get an immediate understanding as to why the village was so important and why the Germans had spent such a long time fortifying it (The Newfoundland Caribou is erected on top of a German bunker). The attack got off to a bad start. At 0500 hours on a freezing cold morning the infantry and tanks set off across the snow, but the artillery was late in getting into position and when they did eventually open their bombardment they began by shelling the advancing troops who had not been warned of any postponement. Amongst the numerous casualties of this friendly fire was one of the tanks. By 0900 hours though, Monchy was in British hands. The Germans launched a number of counter-attacks but these were driven off. The village remained in Allied hands until it was abandoned during the German Spring offensive of 1918. Monchy was finally retaken again by the Canadians on 26th of August 1918 over three days and at remarkably little cost in terms of casualties, General Allenby's 3rd Army had made remarkable gains.

                                    10th April 1917 Hospital ship Salta lost  

                                    HMHS Salta

                                    HMHS Salta, Owner: Société Générale de Transport Maritime Steam, Operator: Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company (on behalf of the Admiralty), Builder: Société des Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranée, La Seyne-sur-Mer. Yard number: 1048, Launched: 13 March 1911, Completed: July 1911. In service: 1911,10 April 1917. Fate: Hit a mine laid by German U-boat UC-26 on 10 April 1917.

                                    General characteristics

                                    Tonnage: 7728 tons. Length: 137 m (449 ft), Beam: 16.2 m (53 ft), Propulsion: Steam, twin screws. Speed: 15 knots (28 km/h)

                                    HMHS Salta (His Majesty's Hospital Ship) was a steam ship originally built for Société Générale de Transport Maritime Steam, but requisitioned for use as a British hospital ship during the First World War. On 10 April 1917 she hit a mine laid by the German U-boat UC-26.

                                    History.

                                    Built by the French company, Société des Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranée, at La Seyne-sur-Mer for the Société Générale de Transport Maritime Steam. The Salta was chartered by the British Admiralty in February 1915 and converted into a hospital ship. The former liner was painted white with wide green stripes and the insignia of the Red Cross, according to the terms laid down in the Hague Convention of 1894.

                                    • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                    • Medical Staff strength.
                                    • Officers:6
                                    • Nurses:12
                                    • Other:45
                                    • Accommodation capacity.
                                    • Officers:16
                                    • Cots:213
                                    • Berths:232
                                    • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                    • Date From:3rd December 1914
                                    • Date To:9th April 1917
                                    • Ships Crew details:

                                    Sinking.

                                    While returning to pick up wounded at the port of Le Havre, France, Salta struck a mine at 1143 on the 10th April 1917, one mile (1.6 km) north of the entrance to the dam. A huge explosion smashed the hull near the stern in the engine room and hold number three. Water rushed into the disabled ship which listed to starboard and sank in less than 10 minutes. Of the 205 passengers and crew members, nine nurses, 42 member of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) and 79 crew drowned.

                                    The British patrol boat HMS P-26 attempted to come alongside to assist, but also struck a mine and sank.

                                    John Doran


                                    10th Apr 1917 122 Seige Battery at Arras st Nicholas  122 Siege Battery RGA ate up position & billets at Arras St Nicholas, with 78 Group, 17th Corps until 16th April.

                                    11th Apr 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved  The 16th Northumberlands are relieved at Savy Wood and move to Germaine for two days.

                                    11th Apr 1917 St Quentin attacked  The French attack St Quentin

                                    11th Apr 1917 4th Northumberlands march to Ronville Caves  At Wanquetin C and D Coys 4th Northumberland Fusiliers undertook bayonet training and a short march. Snow began to fall at 3.30pm. At 6pm they paraded at the camp then marched through the snow storm to Ronville Caves via Warlus, Dainville and Arras, at midnight.

                                    11th April 1917   SM U-96 Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 260) Ordered 15 Sep 1915 Laid down 12 Jan 1916 Launched 15 Feb 1917 Commissioned 11 Apr 1917

                                    Commanders.
                                    11 Apr 1917 - 31 Aug 1918 Heinrich Jeß

                                    Career 9 patrols.
                                    24 May 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                    Successes 31 ships sunk with a total of 95,253 tons.
                                    3 ships damaged with a total of 16,220 tons.

                                    • 2 Jun 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Shamrock 170 br
                                    • 2 Jun 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß St. Bernard 186 br
                                    • 8 Jun 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Orator 3,563 br
                                    • 9 Jun 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Baron Cawdor 4,316 br
                                    • 14 Jul 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Emanuel 203 da
                                    • 21 Jul 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Paddington 5,084 br
                                    • 23 Jul 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Radioleine (damaged) 4,029 fr
                                    • 29 Jul 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Anitra 593 nw
                                    • 1 Oct 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Carrabin 2,739 br
                                    • 3 Oct 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Hurst 4,718 br
                                    • 4 Oct 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Rupee 39 br
                                    • 4 Oct 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Young Clifford 47 br
                                    • 6 Oct 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Bedale 2,116 br
                                    • 8 Oct 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Greldon 3,322 br
                                    • 8 Oct 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Memphian 6,305 br
                                    • 9 Oct 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Champagne 5,360 br
                                    • 9 Oct 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Peshawur 7,634 br
                                    • 23 Nov 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß La Blanca 7,479 br
                                    • 24 Nov 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Sabia 2,807 br
                                    • 26 Nov 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Drot 2,923 nw
                                    • 28 Nov 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Agenoria (damaged) 2,977 br
                                    • 28 Nov 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Apapa 7,832 br
                                    • 30 Nov 1917 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Derbent 3,178 br
                                    • 20 Mar 1918 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Custodian (damaged) 9,214 br
                                    • 25 Mar 1918 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Destro 859 br
                                    • 28 Mar 1918 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Inkosi 3,661 br
                                    • 30 Mar 1918 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Geraldine 61 br
                                    • 30 Mar 1918 U 96 Heinrich Jeß St. Michan 43 br
                                    • 31 Mar 1918 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Conargo 4,312 br
                                    • 27 May 1918 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Michiel Taal Johsz 86 nl
                                    • 5 Jun 1918 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Polwell 2,013 br
                                    • 9 Jun 1918 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Vandalia 7,333 br
                                    • 4 Aug 1918 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Reinhard 239 ru
                                    • 7 Aug 1918 U 96 Heinrich Jeß Highland Harris 6,032 br

                                    Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Bo'ness in 1919-20.

                                    There was another U 96 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 1 Aug 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 14 Sep 1940.

                                    John Doran


                                    12th April 917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery A236 and B236 Batteries and HQ. Brigade in Winnezeeze rest billets with C236 and D236 Batteries at Ouderzeele.

                                    War Diaries


                                    13th Apr 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers support attack  The 16th battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers are ordered to Attilly to support the attack on Fayet.

                                    13th Apr 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers hold town  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers take over Fayet from a Battalion of 14 Brigade.

                                    13th April 1917 Rest and inspections  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                    13th April 1917 - Battalion at Louvencourt, resting and cleaning up. Inspection of billets. Specialist training.

                                    war diaries


                                    13th Apr 1917   HAILLICOURT

                                    The day spent training and recreation.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    14th Apr 1917   18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry moved from Haillicourt to billets in Caucourt.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    15th April 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Major W Cooper OC. A236 Battery returned from special leave.

                                    War Diaries


                                    15th April 1917 Australian Troop Transports  

                                    HMAT A47 Mashobra

                                    The HMAT A47 Mashobra weighed 8,174 tons with an average cruise speed of 12.5 knots or 23.15 kmph. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 21 December 1916. The Mashobra was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean, 15 April 1917.

                                    John Doran


                                    15th April 1917 British Troopship  

                                    HMT Arcadian

                                    SS Arcadian was a Barrow-in-Furness built passenger liner constructed in 1899 by Vickers, Sons & Maxim Ltd for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company as SS Ortona. During World War I she served with the Royal Navy and was sunk by a U-boat in 1917.

                                    Pacific Steam Navigation Company service, 1899-1906

                                    SS Ortona was the last ship that Pacific Steam built for the London to Australia route. Launched on 10 July 1899 and registered in Liverpool on 26 October, she left London on her maiden voyage was on 24 November in a joint service with the Orient Steam Navigation Company. She carried 140 first class, 180 second class and 300 third class passengers, a total of 620. In December 1902, Ortona was used to return troops to the UK after the end of the Second Boer War.

                                    Royal Mail Steam Packet Company service, 1906-1915.

                                    On 8 May 1906, Ortona was sold to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, who used her in a joint operation with the Orient line to Australia. In April 1909, she was transferred to the Royal Mail West Indies service.

                                    In 1910, she was sent to the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast for conversion into a 320-capacity cruise ship with a new gross tonnage of 8,939. She was renamed Arcadian on 21 September 1910 and registered at Belfast in September of the following year. She started her first world cruise in January 1912, the largest dedicated cruise ship in the world at that time. It was on the first leg of this voyage that Olave St Claire Soames met Lieutenant General Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout Movement, leading to their marriage in October of that year.

                                    In February 1915, near the start of the First World War, Arcadian was taken-up by the Admiralty and converted to an armed merchant cruiser. On 7 April 1915 at Alexandria, General Sir Ian Hamilton came aboard and used Arcadian, together with the battleship Queen Elizabeth, as his headquarters ship during opening phase of the Gallipoli Campaign. Once Hamilton's staff had transferred to a shore base at Imbros, Arcadian was employed as a troop ship in the Mediterranean.

                                    On 15 April 1917 Arcadian was en route from Salonika to Alexandria with a company of 1,335 troops and crew and escorted by a Japanese Navy destroyer. Shortly after completing a boat drill, while 26 miles north east of the Greek island of Milos, Arcadian was hit by a single torpedo from the German submarine UC-74 and sank within six minutes with the loss of 279 lives. A contemporary newspaper article described how four of Arcadian's overcrowded lifeboats were successfully lowered before it sank. Many of the dead were cooks and stokers who were working below decks. The escorting destroyer had two torpedoes launched at her while she was attempting to rescue men from the water; survivors reported that she had lowered three of her own boats while going "at full speed". More survivors, who had been clinging to a raft, were rescued at midnight by the Q-ship, HMS Redbreast. Among the dead was the eminent bacteriologist, Sir Marc Armand Ruffer, who was returning to Alexandria after advising on the control of an epidemic among troops based at Thessaloniki.

                                    John Doran


                                    15th Apr 1917   CAUCOURT

                                    15 -19 April. Training at CAUCOURT. The weather mostly very wet and cold.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    16th April 1917 Inspections and Training  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery recordL Drill order Inspection of Batteries by BGRA (Brigadier General Royal Artillery). Each Battery inspected separately A236 and B236 at Winnezeeze with C236 and D236 at Ouderzeele. Major Wood OC. C236 Battery returned from leave. Classes in gunnery and signalling in each Battery is now being carried on.

                                    War Diaries


                                       SM U-100

                                    Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 251) Ordered 15 Sep 1915 Laid down 30 Nov 1915 Launched 25 Feb 1917 Commissioned 16 Apr 1917

                                    Commanders
                                    31 May 1917 - 30 Sep 1918 Freiherr Degenhart von Loë.
                                    1 Oct 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Friedrich Götting

                                    Career 8 patrols.
                                    31 May 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 II Flotilla

                                    Successes 10 ships sunk with a total of 34,505 tons.
                                    2 ships damaged with a total of 5,272 tons.

                                    • 14 Jun 1917 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Cedarbank 2,825 nw
                                    • 17 Jun 1917 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Gunhild 996 da
                                    • 22 Jun 1917 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Melford Hall 6,339 br
                                    • 5 Aug 1917 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Kathleen 3,915 br
                                    • 9 Aug 1917 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Blagdon 1,996 br
                                    • 27 Dec 1917 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Adela 685 br
                                    • 15 Feb 1918 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Thalatta I (damaged) 358 nl
                                    • 21 Feb 1918 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Rio Verde 4,025 br
                                    • 16 Apr 1918 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Lake Michigan 9,288 br
                                    • 9 Jun 1918 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Helene 112 nl
                                    • 21 Jun 1918 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Homer City (damaged) 4,914 br
                                    • 21 Jun 1918 U 100 Degenhart von Loë Montebello 4,324 br

                                    Fate 27 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Swansea in 1922.

                                    There was another U 100 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 10 Apr 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 30 May 1940.

                                    John Doran


                                    17th Apr 1917 200 Siege Bty at Vermelles  200th Siege Battery are at Vermelles.

                                    17th April 1917 Hospital ship Lanfranc torpedoed  

                                    HMHS Lanfranc.

                                    SS Lanfranc (1906,15) also HMHS Lanfranc (1915,17) Namesake: Lanfranc of Canterbury Owner: Booth Steamship Co Builder: Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Dundee Launched: 18 October 1906. Maiden voyage: 18 February 1907. Fate: Torpedoed and sunk, 17 April 1917

                                    General characteristics

                                    Tonnage: 6,287 Grt. Length: 418.5 ft(127.6 m), Beam: 52.3 ft (15.9 m), Draught: 27.2 ft (8.3 m). Installed power: 850 NHP. Propulsion: triple expansion engine; twin screw. Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h)

                                    HMHS Lanfranc was an ocean liner requisitioned as a hospital ship in the First World War. On 17 April 1917 she was torpedoed by the German U-boat SM UB-40.

                                    Lanfranc was built by the Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company for the Booth Steamship Company, which ran passenger services between Liverpool and Manaus, 1,000 miles (1,600 km) up the Amazon River. With the outbreak of war she was requisitioned as a hospital ship.

                                    • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                    • Medical Staff strength.
                                    • Officers:5
                                    • Nurses:10
                                    • Other:
                                    • Accommodation capacity.
                                    • Officers:
                                    • Cots:109
                                    • Berths:249
                                    • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                    • Date From:6th October 1915
                                    • Date To:17th April 1917
                                    • Ships Crew details:

                                    Sinking.

                                    On the evening of 17 April the Lanfranc, while transporting wounded from Le Havre to Southampton, was torpedoed without warning. 22 British, including 2 officers, and 18 German other ranks were lost.

                                    John Doran


                                    17th April 1917 Ambulance transport  

                                    SS Donegal

                                    SS Donegal was a Midland Railway passenger ferry that served in the First World War as an ambulance ship.
                                    She was completed in 1904 and sunk by enemy action in April 1917.

                                    Building and peacetime service.

                                    In 1897,1903 the Midland Railway of England had Heysham Port on the coast of Lancashire built as a terminal for ferries to and from Ireland. In 1903 the Midland established its interest in Ireland by buying the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway.

                                    In 1904 the Midland took delivery of a pair of new passenger ferries from Clydeside shipyards in Glasgow to work between Heysham and Belfast. They came from different builders but they were sister ships: Antrim built by John Brown & Company of Clydebank, and Donegal built by Caird & Company of Greenock.

                                    Donegal had a triple-expansion steam engine rated at 386 NHP, giving her a speed of 13 knots (24 km/h). She and Antrim worked between Heysham and Belfast from 1904 until they were requisitioned for UK Government service in the First World War.

                                    War service and loss.

                                    Donegal was one of numerous ferries, many of them requisitioned from railway companies, that were converted into ambulance ships to carry wounded personnel from France back to Great Britain. Ambulance ships were classified as hospital ships under Hague Convention X of 1907 and as such were to be clearly marked and lit to make them easy to identify. Nevertheless in the First World War the Imperial German Navy attacked and sank a number of British hospital ships. The UK Government then announced it would cease marking hospital ships, alleging that German vessels had used their markings and lighting to target them.

                                    • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                    • Medical Staff strength. (Details not yet established)
                                    • Officers:
                                    • Nurses:
                                    • Other:
                                    • Accommodation capacity.
                                    • Officers:
                                    • Cots:
                                    • Berths:
                                    • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                    • Date From:
                                    • Date To:
                                    • Ships Crew details:

                                    On 1 March 1917 a German submarine tried to attack Donegal but the steamer managed to outrun her. Then on 17 April 1917 both Donegal and a larger ship, HMHS Lanfranc, were sunk by U-boats when carrying British wounded across the English Channel.

                                    Donegal had sailed from Le Havre bound for Southampton carrying 610 lightly wounded soldiers and 70 crew. She had a Royal Navy escort. She was about 19 nautical miles (35 km) south of the Dean light vessel when the German Type UC II submarine SM UC-21 torpedoed her. She sank with the loss of 29 wounded British soldiers and 12 of her crew.

                                    A Royal Naval Reserve Lieutenant, H Holehouse, jumped from his ship into the sea to recover one of Donegal's wounded soldiers from the water. The man did not recover, but the Royal Humane Society awarded Lieut. Holehouse its bronze medal.

                                    Titanic connections.

                                    Two of Donegal's crew, Archie Jewell and John Priest, had served on RMS Titanic and survived her sinking in April 1912. Jewell had been one of Titanic's lookouts (although not on watch when she struck the iceberg) and Priest had been one of her stokers. Priest had also been on the liner RMS Asturias when she foundered on her maiden voyage in 1907, and on RMS Olympic when she was damaged in a collision with HMS Hawke in 1911.

                                    Priest then served on the armed merchant cruiser Alcantara when she and the German armed merchant cruiser SMS Greif sank each other in February 1916. Both Jewell and Priest then served on Titanic's White Star Line sister ship HMHS Britannic, and survived when she was sunk in November 1916. When Donegal sank, Priest survived yet again but Jewell was killed. In 1917 Priest was awarded the Mercantile Marine Ribbon for his service in the war.

                                    John Doran


                                    17th Apr 1917 122 Seige Battery leave Anzin st Aubin  122 Siege Battery are in position & billets at Anzin St Aubin with 78 Group 17th Corps until April 17th when they move to forward position at Athies.

                                    18th April 1917 Appointments  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery reports OC. Brigade to HQ 47th Divisional Artillery as acting CRA in absence of CRA on leave. Major Pollard OC. D236 Battery to command Brigade in absence of OC.

                                    War Diaries


                                    19th April 1917 American Liner SS Mongolia attacked by German submarine  En-route to England, off Beachy Head in the English Channel, the American passenger liner SS Mongolia was attacked by a German submarine, which passed from her port bow to starboard quarter. The US Naval Gun Crews on board, returned fire with three 6-inch deck guns, wrecking the submarine's periscope and conning tower, forcing her to submerge and possibly resulting in her loss. This engagement was the first of US Naval personnel against the enemy.

                                    19th April 1917 Court Martial  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery provide summaries of evidence in case of Bombardier Wiseman D236 Battery, remanded for Field General Court Martial on 15th inst., taken.

                                    War Diaries


                                    19th Apr 1917 SS Caithness lost  SS Caithness, defensively-armed was torpedoed without warning and sunk by U-52 submarine on the 19th of April 1917, 130 miles NW by N from Cape Ortegal. 47 lives were lost including Master, only 2 of the crew survived.

                                    20th Apr 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved by 2/6th Ox & Bucks  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers are relieved at Fayet by the 2/6th btn Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry, the Northumberlands withdraw to Germaine.

                                    20th April 1917 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report marching order parades of C236 and D236 Batteries were inspected by acting OC. Brigade (Major C A Pollard DSO).

                                    War Diaries


                                    20th April 1917 Second Battle of Dover Strait 1917  The Second Battle of Dover Strait was a naval battle fought in the Dover Strait in April 1917. Royal Navy destroyers defeated a superior force of Kaiserliche Marine torpedo boats. Two German torpedo boats were sunk and the British suffered damage to two destroyers.

                                    Background to events

                                    On 20 April 1917, two groups of torpedo boats of the German Navy raided the Dover Strait to bombard Allied positions on shore and to engage warships patrolling the Dover Barrage. The Dover Barrage was the field of floating mines that prevented German ships from getting into the English Channel. Six torpedo boats bombarded Calais and another six bombarded Dover just before midnight.

                                    Battle description

                                    Two flotilla leaders destroyers of the Royal Navy — HMS Broke and Swift — were on patrol near Dover and engaged six of the German ships early on 21 April near the Goodwin Sands. In a confusing action, Swift torpedoed SMS G85 and Broke rammed SMS G42. The two ships became locked together and close-quarters fighting took place between the crews, as the German sailors tried to board the British ship before Broke managed to break free and the G42 sank.

                                    Aftermath of the action

                                    HMS Swift was slightly damaged, but Broke was heavily damaged and had to be towed back to port. The other 10 German torpedo boats made it back to port without loss.

                                    John Doran


                                    20th Apr 1917   CAUCOURT

                                    Vacated billets at CAUCOURT and marched to X hutments ECOIVRES.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    21st Apr 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the march  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers march from Germaine to to Athies and take up billets in cellars.

                                    21st Apr 1917 Munitionettes football match at St James' Park  A football match is played at St James' Park, Newcastle in aid of the Joseph and Jane Cowen Training Home in Benwell, between Wallsend Slipway Women Workers and North East Marine. The match was a one all draw.

                                    A second game in aid of the same cause followed between Armstrongs Elswick Works and Wallsend Naval Yard. Armstrongs won the game 4:2.

                                    http://www.nufctheyworethenewcastleshirt.btck.co.uk/StJamesParkWorldWar1Part1


                                    21st Apr 1917   ECOIVRES

                                    Moved from ECOIVRES to camp at G.11.a near ST NICOLAS near ARRAS

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    22nd Apr 1917   ST NICOLAS

                                    22 - 28 April. Working on the light railway between ARRAS and BAILLEUL. Weather fine, the work progressed very well. The weather was fine but cold the whole week. Casualties for the period, 8 ORs.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    23rd Apr 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers celebrate St George's Day  In Athies the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers hold St George’s day celebrations.

                                    23rd April 1917 Training  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Gas demonstration by chemical adviser X Corps held at 1415 near Ouderzeele. Four 18 pounder guns of C236 Battery and two 4.5 inch Howitzers of D236 Battery were bought into action in the gas cloud. Commander Royal Artillery and all available Officers and ORs of the Brigade attended.

                                    War Diaries


                                    24th April 1917   KUK U-31 Austrian Submarine.

                                    Type U-27 Shipyard Ordered Launched 28th March 1917 Commissioned 24th April 1917

                                    Commanders
                                    24 Apr 1917 - 2 Jan 1918 Franz Nejebsy
                                    11 Mar 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Hermann Rigele

                                    Career
                                    No flotilla information available

                                    Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 4,021 tons.
                                    1 warship damaged with a total of 5,250 tons.

                                      10 Aug 1917 k.u.k. U31 Franz Nejebsy Lealta 4,021 it 2 Oct 1918 k.u.k. U31 Hermann Rigele Weymouth (hms) (damaged) 5,250 br

                                    Fate Scrapped in 1920.

                                    John Doran


                                    24th April 1917 Continued spell in the trenches  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                    24th April 1917 - Battalion in the front line. Three companies hold an outpost line about 200 yards in length, each company being divided into pickets with sentry groups in front and support. Right of picket line J.5.c.55, Left of picket line D.22.d.55 Ref 57.c.NE. Remaining Company D in reserve at disposal of CO. Two platoons J.4.a.69 and two platoons J.100.88 Battalion HQ J.4.c.81. A prisoner of the Artillery taken by our picket at D.29.a.82 probably a deserter. Great aerial activity. One of our own and one enemy machine being brought down. Artillery quiet.

                                    war diaries


                                    25th April 1917 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Marching order parade of HQ. Brigade, A236 and B236 Batteries at 0930 with an inspection by the acting Brigade Commander. A good turnout.

                                    War Diaries


                                    25th April 1917 Australian Troop Transports  

                                    HMAT A70 Ballarat

                                    Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr005940.

                                    The HMAT A70 Ballarat weighed 11,120 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. The Ballarat was torpedoed by a submarine in the English Channel on the 25th April 1917 and sank the next day.

                                    John Doran


                                    27th April 1917 SS Dromore  Name SS Dromore, Type Steamer, Country British.
                                    GRT 4,398 tons, Built 1913, Builder Richardson, Duck & Co. Ltd. Stockton.
                                    Operator Johnston Line, Ltd. (Furness, Withy & Co. Ltd.), Liverpool

                                    History

                                    Sunk when torpedoed by U 58(Kurt Wippern) on the 27th April 1917, 140 miles North-west by North of Tory Island (56.30N, 11.40W) en route Liverpool - Baltimore with general cargo. No casualties.

                                    John Doran


                                    28th April 1917 Appointments  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Captain R A Corsan MC A236 Battery went to command C102 Battery in action vice Major Britten killed. (Major Charles Wells Britten aged 30 was killed on the 26th April 1917 and is buried at Bedford House Cemetery).

                                    War Diaries


                                    28th Apr 1917 48th Field Ambulance at Souchez  48th Field Ambulance are at Souchez in France.

                                    28th Apr 1917   B.27a&c.

                                    12.noon. Orders were received that the Battalion was to cease work on the light railway and was attached to 63rd Div. The Battalion to rendezvous as soon as possible in fighting order in trenches at B.27 a&c

                                    3.15pm. Battalion left camp and was in position by 5.15pm. 6 casualties.

                                    11.0pm. A Co with Capt VIBART 63rd Div G. left to take our position on HILL 80 near GARVELLE.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    29th April 1917 appointments and recreation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Lt Colonel A C Lowe resumed command of Brigade on return of BGRA from leave and Major C A Pollard relinquished command. Brigade officers jumping competition held at 1730 and won by 2/Lt G Jacques B236 Battery.

                                    War Diaries


                                    29th April 1917   SM U-95

                                    Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 259) Ordered 15 Sep 1915 Laid down 29 Mar 1916 Launched 20 Jan 1917 Commissioned 29 Apr 1917

                                    Commanders.
                                    15 Apr 1917 - 16 Jan 1918 Athalwin Prinz

                                    Career 6 patrols.
                                    24 May 1917 - 16 Jan 1918 IV Flotilla

                                    Successes 14 ships sunk with a total of 38,014 tons.
                                    3 ships damaged with a total of 5,862 tons.

                                    • 3 Jun 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Hollington 4,221 br
                                    • 12 Jun 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Polyxena 5,737 br
                                    • 24 Jul 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Bellville (damaged) 992 sw
                                    • 27 Jul 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Belle of England 3,877 br
                                    • 29 Jul 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Whitehall 3,158 br
                                    • 30 Jul 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Eolo 1,679 it
                                    • 31 Jul 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Beacon Grange (damaged) 4,237 br
                                    • 3 Sep 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Majoren 2,747 nw
                                    • 2 Nov 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Rochester 2,551 am
                                    • 10 Nov 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Lapwing 110 br
                                    • 11 Nov 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Thuringia 297 br
                                    • 13 Nov 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Ardmore 1,304 br
                                    • 13 Nov 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Carlo 3,040 br
                                    • 31 Dec 1917 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Vigrid 1,617 nw
                                    • 2 Jan 1918 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Kingsley (damaged) 633 br
                                    • 2 Jan 1918 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Christos Markettos 3,084 it
                                    • 2 Jan 1918 U 95 Athalwin Prinz Gallier 4,592 br

                                    Fate 16 Jan 1918 - Sunk by unknown cause off Hardelot, France (identified wreck) in the second half of January, 1918. 36 dead (all hands lost).
                                    U 95 was assigned to operate in western English Channel with sinkings showing she was active through at least January 15th. The wreck of U 95 was recently discovered by divers. The wreck was originally believed to be U 93.

                                    Previously recorded fate.
                                    Rammed by SS Braeneil off the Lizard at 49.59N 05.12W., believed to be U 84 if any boat was the victim of this attack.

                                    There was another U 95 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 18 Jul 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 31 Aug 1940.

                                    John Doran


                                    29th Apr 1917   B.27a&c

                                    Battalion spent day in improving trenches. Heavy shelling but no casualties. At 9.0pm 93rd Brigade took over line from 188th Bde. 15th & 16th WYR in line. 18th WYR in immediate support. 18th DLI in reserve and carrying. B Co 18th WYR relieved A Co 18th DLI on HILL 80.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    30th April 1917 Training and Recreation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery attend Brigade Sergeants jumping competition and rides. During the period in rest, active training has been carried on daily with Battery Staff including, gun drill, range, fuse setting, signalling with flags sited in advance stations, riding schools and competitions in turnout.

                                    War Diaries


                                    30th Apr 1917 200 Siege Bty at Noyelles  200th Siege Battery are at Noyelles.

                                    30th Apr 1917   B27.a&c

                                    A Co back to B.27e by 3.0am. 1 killed 2 wounded. 4 men killed at HQ. Cutting heavily shelled all night.

                                    3.0pm. HQ moved to better position 200 S.W. of former position in cutting.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    May 1917 17th Yorks & Lancs disbanded  17th Battlion York and Lancaster disbanded to form 30th and 31st Labour Companies of the Labour Corps in May 1917.

                                    1st May 1917 Recreation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Winnezeeze and Oudezeeze. The Brigade subsections competition for general turnout was won by B236 Battery with A236 Battery in second place.

                                    War Diaries


                                    1st May 1917 Preparing for Attack  

                                    Work Party - Battle of Messines preparation.

                                    16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers report Work which had started in April continued into May with additional areas being allocated together with more work on trench railways.

                                    Battalion strength reports. 1st May 39 Officers. 866 Other ranks. 31st May 43 Officers. 956 Other ranks.

                                    The Terrors by SN White


                                    1st May 1917 Actions during 1917  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                                    Divisional Actions during 1917

                                    1917. Californie Plateau.

                                    The 2nd Bavarian Division was withdrawn from the St. Mihiel sector between the 2nd and 5th of May 1917 and entrained at Mars-la-Tour on the 6th, whence it was transported via Conflans to Montcornet, where, during the night of the 8th, it gained the sector situated to the east of Hurtebise.

                                    From the 9th onward the 2nd Bavarian Division engaged some of its elements on the salient northeast of Californie Plateau (May 9th and 10th).

                                    The division occupied this sector up to the end of May and participated in serious engagements notably those of the 13th and 22nd of May to the northwest of the plateau. It was put to a very severe test. (The 9th Company of the 20th Battalion was reduced to 45 men.)

                                    Argonne.

                                    The 2nd Bavarian Division was relieved at the beginning of June and sent to rest for 15 days at Camp Sissonne. Later it was transported to the Argonne, where it occupied the Grande Courte-Chausse sector. During this rest it received two reinforcements of 700 to 800 men on the 28th June and 300 men in July.

                                    At the end of August it changed sectors and went into the line toward Bois d'Avocourt (Bois de Cheppy).

                                    Meuse.

                                    The division was withdrawn from this sector at the end of October and remained in repose in the vicinity of Stenay up to the middle of November, whence it was directed to the sector west of the Bois-le-Chaume. The 12th Bavarian Regiment, which had been sent in reserve to the southeast of Altkirch about the 10th of November to ward off an expected French attack in Alsace, rejoined the division on the 6th December.

                                    The 2nd Bavarian Division remained in this sector (southeast of Beaumont) up to January 1918 and then went to rest in the district of Longwy.

                                    Allied Intelligence 1917 Value Estimate.

                                    The 2nd Bavarian Division participated on the 9th and 10th of May 1917 in violent but unsuccessful counterattacks on the salient northeast of the Californie Plateau. It appears that the Bavarians were always placed in the most dangerous positions and that they were sacrificed by the Prussians. In spite of this condition the 2nd Bavarian Division still showed itself as a good division (July, 1917).

                                    Historical Records


                                    1st May 1917   TRENCHES JUST WEST OF BOIS DE LA MAISON BLANCHE

                                    The Battalion moved back from trenches just west of BAILLEUL to position shown in margin arriving about 5.30pm. At night whole Battalion engaged on carrying stores to forward dumps.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    2nd May 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the march  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers leave Athies and march to Rosieres via Omiecourt, to join XIV Corps under Lord Cavan.

                                    2nd May 1917   TRENCHES JUST WEST OF BOIS DE LA MAISON BLANCHE

                                    Resting and preparing for the attack. The Battalion moved up into trenches west of GAVRELLE arriving about 1.30am.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                       At 4.05 a.m. A & B co's 1st S.L.I. go over the top, 3rd Battle of the Scarpe, Arras. Cpl Eli Jenkins of 1st Btn Killed in Action.

                                    3rd May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report first section of each Battery left for it's position in the line. The rest billets are taken over by 104 Brigade RFA.

                                    War Diaries


                                    3rd May 1917   GAVRELLE

                                    The Battalion in trenches immediately west of GAVRELLE in support to 15th, 16th, & 18th WEST YORKS who were attacking on a wide front. (see appendix). 92nd Brigade on left, 9th Div on right.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    4th May 1917 Relocations  The remaining sections of each Battery and Headquarters Staff of 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery await night action on the Bluff and Canal sectors immediately South of Ypres and with three Batteries of 235th Brigade remaining in newly formed Chateau Group, covering the whole of the 47th Divisional front. Lt Colonel W B Grandage OC. 235 Brigade RFA remained in command of the Group with HQ Staff 236th Brigade. Two, two inch Trench Mortars Batteries and one 9.45 Trench Mortar also form part of the Group.

                                    War Diaries


                                    4th May 1917   GAVRELLE

                                    In trenches reorganising and arranging for relief at night by the 94th Bde. 18th DLI was split up under Col’s CROYDON & TAYLOR. Bn HQ relieved by 12th Y & L.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    5th May 1917   CAMP NORTH OF ST CATHERINE

                                    Relief complete 1.35am. Battalion return to camp north of ST CATHERINE.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    6th May 1917 Heavy Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report there was heavy shelling of roads and back areas by the enemy and much counter battery work by him.

                                    War Diaries


                                    6th May 1917   CAMP NORTH OF ST CATHERINE

                                    Resting and reorganising in camp.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    6th May 1917 NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS ROUND GAVRELLE 28th APRIL TO 4th MAY 1917  18th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

                                    NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS ROUND GAVRELLE 28th APRIL TO 4th MAY 1917

                                    28th APRIL.

                                    5.15pm. The Battalion moved into some trenches 1000yds S.W. of BAILLEUL as reserve to 63rd R.N. Division, which was then holding the GAVRELLE and OPPY sectors of the front line and which had been engaged in an attack on the enemy.

                                    11.0pm. A Coy moved out to hold HILL 80 (about 1000 yds E. of BAILLEUL) as reserve to 188th Brigade which was occupying the GAVRELLE sector. 10 Vickers guns were also on this hill.

                                    1st MAY.

                                    5.0pm. The Battalion moved back 1500 yds to near BOIS DE LA MAISON BLANCHE as our casualties had amounted to 5 killed and 18 wounded, mostly owing to the German shelling of the batteries which were now moving into the trenches we occupied.

                                    9.0pm. Every available man and animal was employed the whole night in carrying material up to our forward dumps near GAVRELLE and BAILLEUL.

                                    2nd MAY.

                                    9.0pm. Our Artillery barraged the German lines: the answering German barrage came in 7 minutes. (Our feint barrages had been also carried out at 9.0pm. on May 1st and at 4.0am. May 2nd)

                                    10.30pm. The Battalion moved off for GAVRELLE. Enemy’s artillery actively shelled parts of the road up, but by working round dangerous localities, and by good fortune, we reached the trenches at 1.30am without casualties.

                                    3rd MAY.

                                    1.30am. A & D Coy’s were in trenches South of GAVRELLE, ARRAS Road and C & B Coy’s North of it.

                                    1.45am. Enemy put fairly heavy barrage on our trenches. Company Commanders good organisation had by this time nearly completed settling down their men and our casualties were few. As the German barrage was mostly on the depleted Front Line Trenches and not on the crowded No Man’s Land, our leading Battalions also lost only a few men.

                                    2.10am. The German barrage had ceased and his rifle and MG fire was dying away.

                                    3.45am. Our barrage opened and was answered by the enemy within 2 minutes.

                                    5.15am. Runner from 16th WEST YORKS brought verbal message for help. B Coy 18th DLI at once ordered to report to Col. CROYDON for orders. Our attack evidently failed.

                                    5.40am. News from Brigade that the enemy had captured WINDMILL and that we were to retake it. C Coy 18th DLI (2Lt HITCHIN DSO) ordered to retake it, after due reconnaissance.

                                    5.50am. Brigade reported 1 Company 12th Y&L had moved off as reinforcements towards trenches North of GAVRELLE on South side of ARRAS, GAVRELLE Road.

                                    6.05am. D Coy DLI moved N. to Bn HQ.

                                    6.30am. Left flank of 16th WYR reported to be in air and counter attack by enemy to be advancing from OPPY WOOD. Col. CROYDEN with about a platoon holding a position near railway line and our attackers were retiring in large bodies. Enemy’s Artillery, MG and rifle fire was very lively, and casualties occurring pretty fast. There was naturally no organisation for the time, excepting the Coy’s of the Support Battalion. (18th DLI). B Coy 18th DLI was sent off to the West of our trenches to stop a possible hostile turning movement round our left rear, and to detail a platoon as a strong point in some trenches N of railway and N.W. of HILL 80. D Coy 18th DLI had come up was sent to FLABBY and FLURRY trenches to cover us from the N.E. and N. A Coy 18th DLI was called up to R. H.Q. (½ Coy as support for B Coy and ½ Coy as reserve at Btn HQ.) 3 MG’s were told off to Col. CROYDON to cover the ground to the N.E. N. & N.W. 2 MG’s were told off for reported commanding positions near where sunken road crosses our trenches S. of railway. 3 MG’s were in reserve at DLI HQ (one of these was later sent to the southern of the so-called ditches S. of ARRAS, GAVRELLE Road)

                                    7.0am. The 3 Commanding Officers met at HQ of 18th WYR and decided as follows:- Col. CROYDON to organise a defence to the North with the men he had in hand, and such others as were coming in past him. Col. CARTER to organise any men who passed his HQ and send them under Officers or NCO’s to assist B Coy 18th DLI on the West side of our trenches. Col. CHEYNE to organise some support for Col. TAYLOR of whom the Brigade could give no news. Col. CROYDON reported that the enemy were systematically shelling southwards down the trench from OPPY and that his men could not live under the terrific explosions which blew the trench to pieces while MG’s on a ridge opposite constantly swept that line of trenches. Enemy’s fire was still heavy on our trenches which had no depth of system, and the situation was not very bright.

                                    7.30am. C Coy DLI could be seen approaching the MILL in a very soldierly fashion, advancing with bounds and with protective bodies out; one actual attack was seen to be beaten back, but fresh attempts were made by the Company (a separate report of this operation is attached). 50 men 18 WYR and ½ A Coy DLI were in trench west of GAVRELLE and south of GAVRELLE, ARRAS Road in addition to the Company 12th Y&L.

                                    7.55am. Men of E.YORKS REGTS reported to be retiring W. from OPPY corroborated the fact that our left flank was in the air.

                                    8.20am. All wires to Brigade cut.

                                    8.35am. 3 separate messages sent by runners to the Brigade stating that our plans were purely defensive for the moment, and that we proposed holding a large strong point W of NW of GAVRELLE.

                                    8.50am. Telephone to Brigade open again.

                                    9.0am. Lt FINDLAY (B Coy DLI) reported his Company and some 30 details were strongly posted and concealed. That he could not move as a body now that the dust and smoke had cleared off, and that there were no signs of the Germans turning our flanks, the situation seemed easier to the North, so the second half of A Coy DLI was sent to assist Col. TAYLORs possible retirement. Patrol from B Coy DLI out towards OPPY.

                                    9.20am. 2 Coy’s 12th Y&L reported on HILL 80.

                                    9.55am. Liaison Officer at Brigade informed that our Artillery were shelling the WINDMILL keeping C Coy DLI out of it. Things now looked better and re-organisation of odd details begun so as to get them into proper Units.

                                    10.10am. Col. TAYLORs message to Brigade asking for help passed through the Battalion telephone. A & D Companies at once sent to him (as a matter of fact they could only dribble a few men at a time across to him by daylight as the ground was under enemy observation and very heavily shelled at each attempt to move up)

                                    11.10am. Patrol reports enemy not advancing from OPPY.

                                    1.10pm. Lt HITCHEN DSO (C Coy) reported capture of the MILL.

                                    3.0pm. Col. CROYDON began to push North towards OPPY with the details he had collected and organised.

                                    5.30pm. A & D Coy’s DLI strongly in position E of GAVRELLE under Col. TAYLORs arrangements.

                                    7.0pm. Position now secure as under:- Col. TAYLOR with A & D Coy’s DLI 3 MG’s and 100 men E and SE of GAVRELLE supported by 1 Coy Y&L and 1 MG South of GAVRELLE, ARRAS Road. Lt HITCHEN DSO and C Coy holding the MILL. Lt FINDLAY and B Coy DLI under orders to hold trench just N of GAVRELLE as soon as he could move. Col. CROYDEN with some 200 details and 5 MG’s covering left flank and to NE and reaching to a point well North of Railway. 2 Coy’s Y&L and some Hotchkiss Guns on HILL 80. 1 Coy Y&L in R.C.2 Casualties, 18th DLI 1 Officer, 120 ORs

                                    (Signed) R.E. CHEYNE, Lt Col. Commanding. 18th Battalion Durham L.I.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    6th May 1917 REPORT BY 2nd LIEUT. HITCHIN D.S.O. (18th DLI)  REPORT BY 2nd LIEUT. HITCHIN D.S.O. (18th DLI)

                                    ON CAPTURE OF WINDMILL, GAVRELLE. 3rd MAY 1917

                                    At 5.30am on 3rd May it was reported that the WINDMILL N.E. of GAVRELLE had been taken by the enemy and 4 Vickers Guns and 2 Stokes Mortars had been knocked out.

                                    I was ordered to take my Company along trenches leading to WINDMILL and retake it. I accordingly took Company along trench as far as C.19.c.10 where trench became so shallow that it was impossible to proceed further without loss.

                                    I here went forward with observer to make reconnaissance, but saw no signs of the enemy at WINDMILL; time did not, however, permit a thorough reconnaissance.

                                    I therefore decided upon a frontal attack and issued the following orders to Platoon Commanders:-

                                    Information about enemy same as in forepart of report.

                                    Information regarding our troops. (Very little) garrison at WINDMILL may probably be holding out.

                                    GROUND. No cover whatever.

                                    OBJECT. To be taken at all costs.

                                    Company will attack in 2 waves with right flank resting on right of house S of WINDMILL.

                                    REPORTS. C.19.c.10 C.T.

                                    Front wave to consist of No 9 Platoon (Sgt ELLIOTT) on the right of No 10 Platoon (Sgt CROSS) on the left (these platoons in 2 ripples.

                                    2nd wave, No 11 Platoon. 2Lt G.F.LEAN in charge of attacking platoons.

                                    3rd wave No 12 Platoon (Sgt CORNFORTH) I kept this platoon in reserve at C.19.c.10 which was the position of my Headquarters.

                                    ZERO. 6.45am. Front platoons extend N & S of trench C.19.c.10 rear waves 75 yards behind.

                                    ZERO (plus 2 minutes) Platoons move forward to assault. 1st bound, Road. 2nd bound, Railway, 3rd bound, WINDMILL.

                                    At time stated the Company moved forward to assault, and the Germans sent up S.O.S. flares from W & SW of WINDMILL, and there was immediate retaliation from No Man’s Land with overhead shrapnel.

                                    The 1st bound was reached with no casualties, but on crossing road a hail of machine gun fire was directed from C.19.c.5.2. approx, C.25.a.9.1. approx., and C.25.b.1.7. We reached Railway where 2Lt LEAN and Company retired on to road and reorganised; they again moved forward as far as Railway but had to retire from machine gun fire. I here reached and took charge of 1st wave. A third attempt was made and we succeeded in getting 50 yards from WINDMILL where we had to halt before final assault.

                                    At this period the enemy began to retire which evidently attracted the attention of our observers, for immediately 4.5 Hows were turned on WINDMILL and our casualties were so heavy that I decided to retire on to Railway, and eventually had to withdraw to Road.

                                    I again re-organised and found I had 50% casualties so decided to get WINDMILL by small fighting patrols, and as the enemy were now in front of WINDMILL, these moved forward as best illustrated in diagram.

                                    No1 moved first, creeping from shell hole to shell hole, and finally stopped at a point previously pointed out from road. On reaching destination every other man of the party sniped whilst the second man consolidated, likewise 2,3,4, & 5 at ½ hr. intervals. The map references of the posts are:- C.19.c.35.40, C.19.c.50.45, C.19.c.45.50, C.19.c.72.45, and C.19.c.80.35. with the remainder in trench between C.19.c.42.12 and C.19.c.60.15.

                                    At 11.30am the enemy were still holding house S of WINDMILL but were dislodged with rifle bombs.

                                    Our snipers dealt effectively with enemy reinforcing line E of GAVRELLE also men retiring from trench N of WINDMILL.

                                    During the afternoon I undertook a patrol accompanied by Sgt SPURGEON, our objective being reconnaissance of line 80 yards N of WINDMILL. We, however, found 4 Vickers Guns lying in shell holes, and after we had dismounted them they were dragged into small trench 25 yards N of No3 post. They had been taken from this trench by the enemy who failed to get them into his own line. We also found 2 Stokes Mortars in shell holes close by. Snipers were detailed to guard these taking up their positions from shell holes in front of posts, and when dusk fell, the guns were then removed to safety.

                                    I advanced my Headquarters to C.19.c.42.12 and at dusk I strengthened posts by calling on my reserve platoon. A wire was also run from C.19.c.1.0 where we tapped into KEEL, thus doing away with runners to a great extent.

                                    Relieved by 13th Y&L on night 3rd / 4th.

                                    (Signed) H.E. HITCHIN, 2Lt. O.C. ‘C’ Company.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    7th May 1917 Increased Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report shelling of the whole area by the enemy increased. GOC. Division inspected the Brigade Wagon Louex. One NCO and the horses of D236 Battery were killed. Bombardment of enemy roads, railways and communications carried out by every gun in the Army. An intense fire for two periods of five minutes each at 2045 and 2315 carried out, the Group taking part in and firing an average of three hundred and fifty rounds per 18 pounder Battery and two hundred rounds per 4.5 inch Howitzer. The Enemy were quietened by this retaliation.

                                    War Diaries


                                    7th May 1917   ST CATHERINE

                                    Battalion marched out of camp at 6.30pm to take over line East of GAVRELLE with Bn HQ & C Coy in old German trenches West of GAVRELLE. 15th WYR in support, 16th & 18th in reserve. 94th Brigade on left. South Africans on right. German attack expected.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    8th May 1917 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report GOC. Division inspected the Brigade HQ and Batteries during the morning. Still much artillery activity and bombardment of dumps by the enemy.

                                    War Diaries


                                    8th May 1917   GAVRELLE

                                    Relief complete 4.0am Artillery on both sides very active 4.0am to 6.0am and from 7.30pm to 9.0pm rest of day pretty quiet. The 7.30pm to 9.0pm activity due to reported massing of Germans at various places if an attack was intended it was certainly broken up by artillery. Severe fighting with 5th Div at FRESNOY.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    9th May 1917 Enemy Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy active with trench mortars and artillery on our trenches during the day, much retaliation by our batteries. Firing increased and heavy bombardment opened at 2110. SOS was given and Batteries opened up barrages on our Group front and of the Division on our right to 2200 with little success.

                                    War Diaries


                                    9th May 1917 200 Siege Bty at Cambrin  200th Siege Battery are at Cambrin probably firing over the front which is today the d947 Loos to La Bassee road. Later in May they went up to Bedford House just south of Ypres which was subsequently flattened by counterfire and is now the cemetery.

                                    9th May 1917   GAVRELLE

                                    2.0am to 3.30am barrage by both sides along front no apparent reason, heavies also active, 5.15am D Co on left relieved by C Co who were in support. 3.30am to 7.30pm quiet. 7.35pm barrage to North quickly spreading across front: Gas alarm all quiet again by 9.30pm.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    10th May 1917 Heavy Bombardment  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report another heavy bombardment, chiefly on the Divisional front in the North was opened at 0345 and Batteries barraged for half an hour. Much counter Battery work and many targets of guns in action fired on. 2nd Lt C B Payne struck off strength of the Brigade on transfer to RFC (Royal Flying Corps).

                                    War Diaries


                                    10th May1917   GAVRELLE TRENCHES

                                    Quiet day except for our own artillery up to 8.15pm when barrage opened about 1 mile to South and as usual spread quickly artillery remained active until morning. Relief of Battalion by 16th WYR commenced about 9.30pm under difficult circumstances.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    11th May 1917 Enemy Artillery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery received enemy artillery activity. Vicinity of Group HQ shelled all the morning and the HQ’s Chateau was registered, heavily bombarded from 1130 to 1430 and partly destroyed but no casualties. D236 Battery was also heavily shelled and one gun together with pit and ammunition blown up and completely destroyed. Another gun was buried from 1700 to 1750 but no casualties.

                                    War Diaries


                                    11th May 1917 Australian Troop Transports  

                                    HMAT A9 Shropshire Pictured at Port Melbourne, Victoria on the 11th May 1917. From: AWM P01843.001.

                                    HMAT A9 Shropshire weighed 8,130 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Federal SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 5th August 1917.

                                    John Doran


                                    11th May 1917   WEST OF BOIS DE LA MASION BLANCHE

                                    Relief completed at 4.50am Battalion moved back to area just West of BOIS DE LA MANSION BLANCHE. At 5.0pm Battalion was relieved by 12th EYR and withdrawn to a camp near ECURIE G.4.a.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    12th May 1917 Enemy Artillery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy artillery was active and Howitzer Batteries retaliated on counter-battery targets. C236 Battery was shelled.

                                    War Diaries


                                    12th May 1917 327th Siege Battery RGA sail from Southampton  327th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery left Southampton on the 12th May 1917 and disembarked Le Havre the following day. It first joined 72 Heavy Artillery Group (HAG) on the 18th May 1917.

                                    12th May 1917   NEAR ECURIE G.4.a

                                    Resting refitting and reorganising.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    13th May 1917 327th Siege Battery arrive in France  327th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery disembark at Le Havre.

                                    13th May 1917   NEAR ECURIE G.4.a

                                    Practicing and arranging for the attack.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    14th May 1917 Group Commander Killed  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Lt Colonel W B Grandage commanding the Group died of his wounds this morning and 2nd Lt L J Helliar. Orderly officer 236th Brigade was killed, both at Swan Chateau. Major C A Pollard appointed as temporary Group commander. Large working parties joined from 104 Brigade RFA for work on offensive positions.

                                    War Diaries


                                    14th May 1917 Naval Action - 4th May 1917  The Action on 4 May 1917 was a naval and air engagement of the First World War in the North Sea. It took place between the German Zeppelin LZ 92 (tactical name: L.43) and the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney.

                                    Action

                                    Sydney, on 4 May 1917, was part of a patrol from Rosyth, Scotland and took part in a battle with the German zeppelin, L.43 (LZ92). Commander John Dumaresq attempted to encircle the zeppelin by dispersing the rest of the allied warships, leaving Sydney centrally placed to engage the enemy target. The airship dropped about twelve bombs in Sydney's direction, all of which failed to hit any of the Allied vessels. Sydney returned fire with her anti-aircraft guns. The engagement ended when both sides ran out of ammunition. The zeppelin was forced to remain at high altitude to stay out of range of the flak, which resulted in the bombs being dropped from too great a height for accuracy and effect. There was no damage or casualties on either side

                                    John Doran


                                    14th May 1917 Battle of Straits of Otranto  The 1917 Battle of the Strait of Otranto was the result of an Austro-Hungarian raid on the Otranto Barrage, an Allied naval blockade of the Strait of Otranto. The battle took place on 14,15 May 1917 and was the largest surface action in the Adriatic Sea during World War I. The Otranto Barrage was a fixed barrier, composed of lightly armed drifters with anti-submarine nets coupled with minefields and supported by Allied naval patrols. The Austro-Hungarian navy planned to raid the Otranto Barrage with a force of three light cruisers and two destroyers under the command of Captain Miklós Horthy. It was an attempt to break the barrier to allow U-boats greater access to the Mediterranean and Allied shipping. An Allied force composed of ships from three navies responded to the raid and in the ensuing battle, heavily damaged the Austro-Hungarian cruiser SMS Novara. However, the rapid approach of the Austro-Hungarian relief force persuaded Rear Admiral Acton, the Allied commander, to retreat.

                                    Under the command of Horthy, three Austro-Hungarian cruisers (Novara, Saida, and Helgoland) modified to resemble large British destroyers, were to attack the drifters on the night of 14 May and attempt to destroy as many as possible before daybreak. The destroyers Csepel and Balaton were to mount a diversionary raid off the Albanian coast in order to confuse any Allied counter-attack. Two Austro-Hungarian U-boats, U-4 and U-27 together with the German U-boat UC-25, were to participate in the operation. A supporting force composed of the armored cruiser Sankt Georg, two destroyers, and a number of torpedo boats was on standby if the raiders ran into trouble. The old pre-dreadnought battleship Budapest and a screen of torpedo boats were also available if necessary. An Allied destroyer patrol was in the area on the night of 14 May, to the north of the Barrage. The Italian flotilla leader Mirabello was accompanied by the French destroyers Commandant Rivière, Bisson, and Cimeterre. The Italian destroyer Borea was also in the area, escorting a small convoy to Valona. A support force was based in the port of Brindisi, consisting of the British cruisers Dartmouth and Bristol with several French and Italian destroyers.

                                    Raid on the drifters

                                    The Italian convoy escorted by Borea was attacked by the Austro-Hungarian destroyers Csepel and Balaton at approximately 0324. The Austro-Hungarians sank Borea, a munitions ship and a second was set on fire and abandoned. The three cruisers were able to pass through the line of drifters and at 0330 began attacking the small barrage ships. The Austro-Hungarians frequently gave the drifter crews warning to abandon ship before opening fire. In some instances the drifter crews chose to fight. Gowan Lee returned fire on the Austo-Hungarian ships. The ship was heavily damaged, but remained afloat. Her captain, Joseph Watt, was later awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the battle. There were 47 drifters in Barrage on the night of 14 May. The Austro-Hungarians managed to sink 14 drifters and damage four more. The lack of sufficient Allied escorts forced the withdrawal of the remaining blockading ships, although only for a short time.

                                    Battle

                                    By this time, the Allied naval forces in the area were aware of the raid and were in a position to block the Austro-Hungarian retreat. Rear Admiral Alfredo Acton, the commanding officer of the Italian Scouting Division, ordered Mirabello's group southward at 0435, while he embarked on the British light cruiser HMS Dartmouth. By 0645, the cruisers Dartmouth and Bristol, along with the Italian destroyers Mosto, Pilo, Schiaffino, Acerbi, and Aquila,were sailing north in an attempt to cut off the Austro-Hungarian cruisers. The Italian light cruiser Marsala, the flotilla leader Racchia, and the destroyers Insidioso, Indomito, and Impavido were readying to sail in support as well. The Mirabello group engaged the Austro-Hungarian cruisers at 0700, but were heavily outgunned and instead attempted to shadow the fleeing cruisers. At 0745, Rear Admiral Acton's ships encountered the destroyers Csepel and Balaton. After 20 minutes, the Italian destroyers were able to close the distance to the Austro-Hungarian ships. The two groups engaged in a short artillery duel before a shot from Csepel struck Aquila and disabled the ship's boilers. By this time, the Austro-Hungarian destroyers were under the cover of the coastal batteries at Durazzo and were able to make good their escape. At 0900, Bristol's lookouts spotted the smoke from the Austro-Hungarian cruisers to the south of her position. The Allied ships turned to engage the Austro-Hungarian ships. The British ships had both a superiority in numbers and in firepower. Dartmouth was armed with eight 6 inch guns and Bristol had two 6 inch and ten 4 inch, compared to the nine 3.9 inch guns on each of the Austro-Hungarian ships. Unfortunately for the Allies, their numerical superiority was quickly lost, as their destroyers were either occupied with mechanical problems, or protecting those destroyers suffering from breakdowns. The support forces of both sides—the Sankt Georg group for the Austro-Hungarians, and the Marsala group for the Allies—were quickly dispatched to the battle. Dartmouth, faster than Bristol, closed to effective engagement range with the Austro-Hungarian ships and opened fire. A shell from Dartmouth struck Novara, at which point the Austro-Hungarian ships laid a smoke screen in order to close the distance. Dartmouth was struck several times and by 1100, Acton ordered the ship to reduce speed to allow Bristol to catch up. Novara was hit several more times and her main feed pumps and starboard auxiliary steam pipe had been damaged, which caused the ship to begin losing speed. At 1105, Acton turned away in an attempt to separate Saida from Novara and Helgoland. At this point, Sankt Georg was approaching the scene, which prompted Acton to temporarily withdraw to consolidate his forces. This break in the action was enough time for the Austro-Hungarians to save the crippled Novara. Saida took the ship under tow while Helgoland covered them. Unaware that Novara had been disabled, and fearing that his ships would be drawn too close to the Austrian naval base at Cattaro, Acton broke off the pursuit. The destroyer Acerbi misread the signal, and attempted to launch a torpedo attack, but was driven off by the combined fire of the Novara, Saida, and Helgoland. At 1205, Acton realized the dire situation Novara was in, but by this time, the Sankt Georg group was too close. The Sankt Georg group rendezvoused with Novara, Saida, and Helgoland, and Csepel and Balaton reached the scene as well. The entire group returned to Cattaro together. At 1330, the submarine UC-25 torpedoed Dartmouth, causing serious damage. The escorting destroyers forced UC-25 from the area, but Dartmouth had to be abandoned for a period of time, before it could be towed back to port. The French destroyer Boutefeu attempted to pursue the German submarine, but struck a mine laid by UC-25 that morning and sank rapidly.

                                    Aftermath

                                    As a result of the raid, it was decided by the British naval command that unless sufficient destroyers were available to protect the barrage, the drifters would have to be withdrawn at night. The drifters would only be operating for less than twelve hours a day and would have to leave their positions by 1500 every day. Despite the damage received by the Austro-Hungarian cruisers during the pursuit by Dartmouth and Bristol, the Austro-Hungarian forces inflicted more serious casualties on the Allied blockade. In addition to the sunk and damaged drifters, the cruiser Dartmouth was nearly sunk by the German submarine UC-25, the French destroyer Boutefeu was mined and sunk, and a munitions convoy to Valona was interdicted. However, in a strategic sense, the battle had little impact on the war. The barrage was never particularly effective at preventing the U-boat operations of Germany and Austria-Hungary in the first place. The drifters could cover approximately 5 miles apiece of the 40 miles wide Strait, only slightly more than ½ of which was covered. The raid risked some of the most advanced units of the Austro-Hungarian fleet on an operation that offered minimal strategic returns

                                    John Doran


                                    15th May 1917 Appointments  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Lt Colonel Nicholson 104th Army Field Artillery Brigade arrived to take over command of Group. Battery positions for offensive action definitely allotted to Brigade. Wire cutting started.

                                    War Diaries


                                    15th July 1917   SM U-101

                                    Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 252) Ordered 15 Sep 1915 Laid down 30 Nov 1915 Launched 1 Apr 1917 Commissioned 15 May 1917

                                    Commanders.
                                    15 May 1917 - 19 Dec 1917 Karl Koopmann.
                                    20 Dec 1917 - 17 Jun 1918 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg.
                                    18 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Friedrich Ulrich

                                    Career 8 patrols.
                                    10 Jul 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 II Flotilla

                                    Successes 23 ships sunk with a total of 26,253 tons.
                                    3 ships damaged with a total of 11,217 tons.

                                    • 6 Aug 1917 U 101 Karl Koopmann Rosemount 3,044 br
                                    • 26 Sep 1917 U 101 Karl Koopmann Jacqueline 2,899 fr
                                    • 9 Oct 1917 U 101 Karl Koopmann Nervier 1,759 be
                                    • 26 Nov 1917 U 101 Karl Koopmann Crenella (damaged) 7,035 br
                                    • 27 Nov 1917 U 101 Karl Koopmann Notre Dame De Rostrenen 186 fr
                                    • 19 Jan 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg St. Clair (damaged) 621 br
                                    • 1 Feb 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Kindly Light 116 br
                                    • 2 Feb 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Marie Magdeleine 115 fr
                                    • 2 Feb 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Sofie 354 br
                                    • 3 Feb 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Nikolaos (damaged) 3,561 it
                                    • 5 Feb 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Mexico City 5,078 br
                                    • 20 Mar 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Glenford 494 br
                                    • 22 Mar 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Trinidad 2,592 br
                                    • 23 Mar 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Jane Gray 124 br
                                    • 24 Mar 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg John G. Walter 258 br
                                    • 27 Mar 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Allendale 2,153 br
                                    • 30 Mar 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Lough Fisher 418 br
                                    • 2 Apr 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Solway Queen 307 br
                                    • 14 May 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Embla 157 da
                                    • 26 May 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Princess Royal 1,986 br
                                    • 27 May 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Moliere 1,545 fr
                                    • 28 May 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Flora 209 fr
                                    • 29 May 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Souvenir 549 da
                                    • 30 May 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Waneta 1,683 br
                                    • 31 May 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg Pretty Polly 19 br
                                    • 3 Jun 1918 U 101 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg St. John’s 208 br

                                    Fate 21 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Morecambre beginning in June 1920.

                                    There was another U 101 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 13 Jan 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 11 Mar 1940.

                                    John Doran


                                    16th May 1917 Relocations  Headquarters 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery went out of action to Wagon Louex.

                                    War Diaries


                                    16th May 1917   SM U-97

                                    Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 261) Ordered 15 Sep 1915 Laid down 25 Mar 1916 Launched 4 Apr 1917 Commissioned 16 May 1917

                                    Commanders
                                    15 May 1917 - 13 Oct 1917 Hugo Schmidt
                                    14 Oct 1917 - 12 Jan 1918 Otto Wünsche
                                    13 Jan 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Hans von Mohl

                                    Career 5 patrols.
                                    27 Aug 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                    Successes 4 ships sunk with a total of 2,089 tons.
                                    1 ship damaged with a total of 4,785 tons.

                                    • 22 Nov 1917 U 97 Otto Wünsche Conovium 86 br
                                    • 22 Nov 1917 U 97 Otto Wünsche Elsena 335 br
                                    • 22 Nov 1917 U 97 Otto Wünsche Hartland (damaged) 4,785 br
                                    • 11 Feb 1918 U 97 Hans von Mohl Westphalia 1,467 br
                                    • 2 Jun 1918 U 97 Hans von Mohl Argus 201 da

                                    Fate 21 Nov 1918 - Sank by accident in the North Sea in position 53°28'N, 03°28'E while on passage to surrender..

                                    The wreck has been located and identified in recent years.

                                    There was another U 97 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 15 Aug 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 28 Sep 1940.

                                    John Doran


                                    16th May 1917   NEAR ECURIE G.4.a

                                    The Battalion marched out of camp at 7.30pm and proceeded to the trenches GAVRELLE SECTOR when it relieved 12th EYR. All 4 companies in front line. 15th WYR and ½ Bn 18th WYR in close support. ½ Bn WYR and 16th WYR in reserve. 9th Bn DUKE OF WELLINGTONS is on right. 14th Y&L on left. Relief completed 4.30am. a very wet and dark night. 2Lt’s WELFORD and APPERLEY wounded on way in.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    17th May 1917 Appointments  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Command of Group definitely handed over and all HQ staff now at Wagon Louex.

                                    War Diaries


                                    17th May 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    Fairly quiet day for this sector. Fine and mud drying quickly.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    18th May 1917 327th Siege Battery join 72 HAG  327th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery join 72 Heavy Artillery Group in France.

                                    18th May 1917 Relocations  One section of A236 Battery 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery relieved by one section A104 Bty and went to Wagon Louex.

                                    War Diaries


                                    18th May 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    Attack on GAVRELLE TRENCH commenced but proved a failure: see appendix. Enemy shelling in reply not very heavy or accurate. From 4.0am to 8.0pm day was very quiet. From 8.0pm onwards to 4.0am enemy shelled WIDOW CT and support line very heavily evidently suspecting a relief.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    19th May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report remaining sections of A236 Battery relieved by A104 and one section put onto new offensive position.

                                    War Diaries


                                    19th May 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    Quiet day except for enemy shelling of close support trench aided by aeroplane observation during the afternoon. Relief of Battalion by the HOW Battalion 188th Bde. 63rd RND. This relief went smoothly and was complete by 4.0am.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    20th May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report One section of B236 Battery to Wagon Louex on relief by one section B104 Brigade. Telephone exchange for HQ Brigade established in new Headquarters at Bedford House. Capt C Egerton-Warbutton posted to A236 Battery.

                                    War Diaries


                                    20th May 1917 Q ship Lady Patricia lost  Q ship Lady Patricia was sunk on the 20th May 1917 in the North Atlantic, about 100 miles west of Fastnet Rock, south of Ireland. She was torpedoed by German U-46. She was a cargo ship built in 1916 of 1,370grt, armed with 1-4in and 2-12pdr guns. She was in action earlier that day with a U-boat which submerged and disappeared. Then at 19:15 she was torpedoed by "U.46" and two men killed. Still afloat, a second torpedo fifteen minutes later sank her in four minutes. He Captain, Lt Cdr George Hewett Cdr and one his officers were taken prisoner. Her complement and other casualties are not known.

                                    20th May 1917   CAMP IN OLD NO MAN’S LAND N.E. OF ROCLINCOURT A.30.c.55.

                                    The Battalion moved into camp East of ROCLINCOURT.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    21st May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Remaining sections of B236 Battery relieved and one section went onto new position. Lt Lucas MC with Forward Operations Observation party to 142nd Infantry Brigade for practice in training area.

                                    War Diaries


                                    21st May 1917   CAMP IN OLD NO MAN’S LAND N.E. OF ROCLINCOURT A.30.c.55.

                                    Resting and reorganising.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    22nd May 1917   EAST OF ROCLINCOURT 51.B.NW A.30.c.55

                                    22 - 27 May Work on GREEN LINE every night from 10.0pm to 2.0am 300 O.R’s. Remainder of men employed on Special Course. Weather very fine casualties nil. The Bde. During this period was in XIII Corps reserve and in case of an emergency were to man the GREEN LINE.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    23rd May 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery confirm preliminary instructions for offensive action issued. Batteries all working on positions and wire cutting with Group. Lt Colonel A C Lowe arrived back from leave to England and took over command of the Brigade from Major C A Pollard temporarily holding it.

                                    War Diaries


                                    23rd May 1917 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  23/24th May 1917.

                                    This experience was repeated on 23,24 May, when six Zeppelins set out to bomb London but were frustrated by a combination of high winds and thick cloud. A few bombs were dropped on Suffolk, killing one person and causing £599 damage.

                                    John Doran


                                    24th May 1917 1st US North Atlantic Convoy departs  The first U.S. convoy left Hampton Roads, Virginia to cross the North Atlantic.

                                    24th May 1917 124th Heavy Battery to 9 HAG  124th Heavy Battery, RGA join 9 Heavy Artillery Group from 60 HAG on 24th of May 1917

                                    24th May 1917 Relocations  First section of C236 Battery 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery in action in new position tonight.

                                    War Diaries


                                    25th May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report all Batteries 236 Brigade (less one section C236 Battery) in new positions tonight and completion of large ammunition dumps at guns now taking place.

                                    War Diaries


                                    25th May 1917 Gotha Daylight Raids  Operation Türkenkreuz, In late 1916 Germany began planning a daylight bombing offensive against Britain using aeroplanes, called Operation Türkenkreuz. In anticipation of the campaign, Kagohl (Kampfgeschwader der Obersten Heeresleitung) 3, nicknamed the "England Geschwader", and consisting of six Kastas (Kampfstaffel) under the command of Hauptmann Ernst Brandenburg was formed. Kagohl 3 initially operated from Sint-Denijs-Westrem and Gontrode in the Ghent area of German-occupied Belgium.

                                    Daylight Gotha raids.

                                    The squadron received the first Gotha G.IV aircraft in March, and on 25th of May 1917, Kagohl 3 sent 23 Gothas on its first raid on London. Two were forced to turn back over the North Sea due to mechanical difficulties and cloud over London caused the remaining bombers to divert to secondary targets at the Channel port of Folkestone and the nearby Army camp at Shorncliffe. The raid resulted in 95 deaths and 195 injuries, mostly in the Folkestone area. In Shorncliffe, 18 soldiers (16 Canadian and two British) were killed and 90 were wounded. Nine Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Sopwith Pups engaged the returning bombers near the Belgian coast, shooting one down.

                                    "The worst raid that we in England have experienced yet, took place in broad daylight at 5.30 today, when 16 hostile aircraft hovered over Folkestone, dropping bombs in rapid succession. An awful scene followed. People who were doing their Whitsuntide shopping were killed outright amidst the falling debris of the shops; poor old women, helpless children, babies in arms, all were ruthlessly mutilated, killed and wounded, for a bomb is no respecter of persons. 72 killed and 114 seriously injured." Ethel M Bilbrough of Elmstead Grange, Chislehurst, Kent writing in her diary.

                                    John Doran


                                    26th May 1917   KUK SM U-28 Austrian Submarine.

                                    Type U-27 Shipyard Ordered Launched 8th January 1917 Commissioned 26th May 1917

                                    Commanders
                                    26 Jun 1917 - 31 Oct 1918 Zdenko Hudecek
                                    1 Oct 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Franz Rzemenowsky von Trautenegg

                                    Career
                                    No flotilla information available

                                    Successes 10 ships sunk with a total of 44,743 tons.
                                    1 ship damaged with a total of 5,592 tons.

                                    • 30 Jun 1917 k.u.k. U28 Zdenko Hudecek Haigh Hall 4,809 br
                                    • 3 Jul 1917 k.u.k. U28 Zdenko Hudecek Mongara 8,205 br
                                    • 13 Aug 1917 k.u.k. U28 Zdenko Hudecek Maston 3,881 br
                                    • 16 Aug 1917 k.u.k. U28 Zdenko Hudecek Bradford City 3,683 br
                                    • 5 Oct 1917 k.u.k. U28 Zdenko Hudecek Bontnewydd 3,296 br
                                    • 12 Jan 1918 k.u.k. U28 Zdenko Hudecek Bosforo 2,723 it
                                    • 13 Jan 1918 k.u.k. U28 Zdenko Hudecek Rapallo 3,811 br
                                    • 21 Jan 1918 k.u.k. U28 Zdenko Hudecek West Wales 4,336 br
                                    • 8 Mar 1918 k.u.k. U28 Zdenko Hudecek Mitra (damaged) 5,592 br
                                    • 8 Mar 1918 k.u.k. U28 Zdenko Hudecek Uganda 4,315 br
                                    • 11 Mar 1918 k.u.k. U28 Zdenko Hudecek Stolt Nielsen 5,684 br

                                    Fate Scrapped in 1920.

                                    John Doran


                                    27th May 1917 Heavy Enemy Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report heavy shelling of all roads tonight by the enemy and much gas used. D236 shelled with one Bombardier killed and ten men wounded and ammunition dump blown up. Firing with gas shells continued until morning 28th May.

                                    War Diaries


                                    27th May 1917   MAROEUIL

                                    Bde. Moved back to MT ST ELOY area. Battalion marched from camp at 7.20am to avoid the heat of day.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    28th May 1917 Dumps Complete  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report all 18 pounder Batteries now have completed dumps on gun positions of 7800 rounds. Roads again shelled by the enemy. One driver from A236 Battery was killed, one wounded and two horses killed. Several other men were slightly wounded.

                                    War Diaries


                                    28th May 1917   MAROEUIL

                                    28 - 31 May. Training at MAROEVIL. 6 hours a day training working parties on Corps range near BRAY on alternate days. Weather very fine and hot.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    29th May 1917 Battery Shelled  D236 Battery 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery completed dump of 6600 rounds. HQ. Staff went up into action station. D236 Battery was heavily shelled.

                                    War Diaries


                                    30th May 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers move  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers leave Rosieres for Guillaucourt.

                                    30th May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report ‘C’ Group consisting of A,B,C and D/236 Batteries with D/119 Battery as counter battery formed under command of Lt Colonel A C Lowe DSO. 64th Army Field Artillery Brigade attached as a sub-group (D Group). Both Headquarters, under ruins of Bedford House, on Ypres-St Eloi Road. C Group's offensive zone is immediately North of Ypres-Comines canal. Batteries are all to the East of Headquarters and within close distance in new positions. Night firing commenced by the Group

                                    War Diaries


                                    30th May 1917 200 Siege Bty move again  200th Siege Battery move from Bedford House just south of Ypres to French Farm, Hooge.

                                    31st May 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery Wire cutting by A236 and C236 Batteries. Night firing by B236 Battery and registration by all Batteries for raid, which is to take place immediately South of Canal. One driver C236 Battery was killed.

                                    War Diaries


                                    1st Jun 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers entrain  34 officers and 737 other ranks of the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers entrain for Caestre, arriving at 6.30 in the evening. The take up billets in Bleu, to prepare for GHQ reserve during Battle of Messines, their role being to support II Anzac Corps, if needed.

                                    1st June 1917 Wire Cutting  Batteries of 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery continued wire cutting. Practice barrage from 1530 to 1600 was fired at by all Batteries on Group offensive zone. Smoke shell being used. Night firing and neutralisation of wire by B236 Battery in addition.

                                    War Diaries


                                    1st June 1917 Battle of Messines Ridge  

                                    Road near Spree Farm - Battle of Langemark - Ypres

                                    16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                    Preparations for the attack were well advanced and were to include 5 days of bombardment prior to the advance. As the ground over which the attack would take place was considerably churned up the Pioneers had prepared materials to help open roads and tracks very quickly behind the advancing troops, keeping them well supplied with essential ammunition and supplies. They were able to prepare markers for routes in advance including named signposts. Another major surprise for the enemy was a line of mines which had been tunnelled under the German Front Line along the Messines Ridge, three of which were in front of the Ulster Division. The pioneers carried out additional work around Divisional HQ and communication trenches to the forward lines.

                                    The Battle of Messines, June 1917

                                    After dusk on Y, 6th June, the assault troops moved to their assembly areas and the 16th moved up to their Battle HQ. on Kemmel Hill, all in readiness for Z which was timed for 0310, 7th June. The Pioneers were to move to their forward positions the next morning. At Z every gun on the 10 mile front opened fire and the semi-circle of mines exploded throwing debris half a mile into the air. The Pioneers reached their positions at 0630 and were given orders to proceed with their road and track clearance works at 0820. Most of the roads and tracks were ready for wheeled traffic by dusk that evening.

                                    At 1630 orders were given to start building communication trenches over the top of the ridge. That night over 1300 yards of trenches up to 5 feet deep were finished all signposted with previously prepared names to assist movement of relief forces in further waves of attack. On the 9th June the artillery track was finished to allow forward movement of Supporting Artillery.

                                    The 36th Division was relieved by the 11th Division but once again the work of the Pioneers carried on givng their vital support to the new troops with the building of another 2 miles of new trench railway. The enemy had now recovered and consolidation of the newly gained positions was the order of the day. Work on the new trench railway continued between the 10th and 20th June and progressed well despite being a target for German Artillery particularly in the vicinity of L’Enfer Wood.

                                    From the 21st to the 28th June, the Battalion was back on communication trenches and roads in the following areas. No. 1 Company, communication trench north of Oostaverne running in a south easterly direction. No. 2 Company, repairing and clearing road from Estaminet crossroads to In de Sterkte Cabaret. No. 3 Company, Bob trench between Black Line and Mauve Line. No. 4 Company, Bob trench between Mauve Line and Support Trench. All this work was carried out at night and good progress made despite heavy enemy shelling.

                                    During this period the Battalion was informed that on 30th June it would be transferred to the Fifth Army. Entry in war diary on 29th June was just one word "Rest!" with great emphasis on the exclamation mark.

                                    At 0430 on 30th June the Battalion moved to new areas. Battalion HQ, 3 and 4 Companies to Watou with 1 and 2 Companies to Poperinghe.

                                    All ranks could look back with satisfaction on the successful operations during the battle. There is little doubt that the support work by the Battalion greatly enabled the forward troops to hold on to the gains made, but in turn owed much to the meticulous preparation insisted upon by the Army Commander, General Plumer and to the achievement of tactical surprise. This would sadly not be the case in the next campaign where poor planning had a profound effect on the Battalion’s ability to provide adequate support.

                                    Monthly Reports . Battalion strength. 1st June, 43 Officers, 956 ORs. 30th June, 44 Officers, 930 ORs. June Casualties. Other Ranks, 9 killed, 23 wounded.

                                    The Terrors by SN White


                                    1st June 1917 Training and inspections  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                    Diary page is very faint and difficult to read. Due to this, a report of events during the Battle of Messines, is entered in a separate page on the 30th June 1917, which helps to clarify events.

                                    1st Jun. 1917 - Battalion in training. Demonstration of physical training by Captain Kelso(?) Army Gymnastic Staff on grounds of the Border Regiment.

                                    2nd Jun. - Battalion training. Battalion in attack.

                                    3rd Jun. - Church Parade Service. Clothing inspection by second in command. Sport during afternoon.

                                    4th Jun. - Battalion and Brigade rehearsal of Brigade scheme took place in the afternoon followed by conference.

                                    5th Jun. - Battalion training conference during day. Retiring by sections practiced by company commanders. Front lines reconnoitered by company commanders. Brigade interactions rehearsed by officers as general guide lines for coming attack. (Best interpretation of difficult section)

                                    6th Jun. - Battalion moved to Butterfly Farm for operations in the Brigade area on high ground. At 1130 attack from Messines and Wytschaede Ridge commenced preceded by heavy bombardment. Battalion awaiting orders at Butterfly Farm hadn't moved forward by 1130. (again best interpretation)

                                    7th - 9th Jun. - A restricted report of events during the operations (unreadable) narrative ------ on other operations.

                                    10th Jun. - Battalion ------ by 3rd Brigade

                                    11th Jun. - Battalion ----- (unreadable)

                                    12th-13th Jun. - Battalion ----- (unreadable)

                                    14th Jun. - Battalion employed on ----- work. Kit ----

                                    15th Jun. - Company Commanders ----- (unreadable)

                                    16th Jun. - Battalion road marches.

                                    17th/24th Jun. - Battalion in the reserve. Arrived in Tipgues(?) Area in the afternoon at 1400. -----(unreadable)

                                    25th Jun. - Battalion commenced training. Order for reconnoitering by company commanders.

                                    26th/27th Jun. - Intensive Training

                                    28th Jun. - Intensive training. Battalion in the attack. 1730 demonstration by Infantry school of musketry.

                                    29th Jun. - Marching in open order in the attack. All officers attended training with second in command.

                                    30th Jun. - Disruption to training. Heavy mist all day.

                                    A separate report on the 30th June is very enlightening and confirms that the war diaries were completed in pencil and are almost illegible through the passage of time.

                                    war diaries


                                    1st Jun 1917   MAROEUIL

                                    1st - 2nd June. In rest billets training.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    2nd June 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting continued in cooperation with French Mortars and harassing fire carried out on tracks and communication trenches. D236 Battery bombarded five forward enemy front positions. In reply to all day bombardment by our heavy batteries the enemy retaliated with a few rounds on Batteries and Group HQ. Staff Sergeant Masters and one gunner were killed and two Sergeants wounded all in A236 Battery. Lieut A.F. Blackwell A236 Battery slightly wounded and missing in back area,believed killed. Later found to have been killed. Usual heavy firing on enemy roads and communications and wire.

                                    War Diaries


                                    3rd June 1917 Batteries in action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery Batteries firing all day on roads etc. and counter Battery work with gas shells carried out during the whole night by howitzer batteries. HQ was bombarded by gas shells heavily for two hours during the night.

                                    3rd Jun 1917 On the March  18th Battalion DLI vacated billets at 2.0pm and marched to camp in G.6.a near Roclincourtm vacated by 10th East Yorkshire Regiment 93rd Bde. and takes over work on roads and Red Line from 92nd Bde.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    4th June 1917 Heavy Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report One gun of C236 knocked out and destroyed by a direct hit during heavy shelling of C236. D236 on harassing fire all day. A one round per minute bombardment at 2200 by all Batteries on enemy headquarters and much firing during the night. D236 had two howitzers destroyed.

                                    Conference of BGRA (Brigadier General Royal Artillery) and Group commanders at ‘C’ Group headquarters.

                                    War Diaries


                                    4th Jun 1917   Base in camp near Roclincourt, 18th Battalion DLI took over work on roads 40 men by night 160 by day, remainder training.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    5th June 1917 Patrol Raids  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery fired three searching barrages by 18 pounder Batteries during the day and a practice barrage carried out at 1500. Lt Colonel A.C. Love DSO OC ‘C’ Group went up as Senior Liaison Officer with 142 Infantry Brigade at the Bluff. Patrol raids were carried out during the night and Bedford House was again shelled.

                                    War Diaries


                                    5th June 1917 Gotha Daylight Raids  Gotha daylight raid was diverted to Sheerness, bombs damaged the Criterion Theatre.

                                    John Doran


                                    5th Jun 1917 Working Party  On the 5th and 6th June, 18th DLI continued work as on previous days, weather continued fine.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    6th Jun 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers stand to  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers stand to as GHQ reserve for the launch of Battle of Messines, their role being to support II Anzac Corps. The battle went well and they were not needed.

                                    6th June 1917 Batteries in Action  At 0230 A236 and B236 Batteries, 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery fired on said barrage. Barrage creeping to final objective carried on. Very heavy shelling of all Batteries throughout day by the enemy with 8 inch and 5.9 inch shells. A236 had two guns destroyed, B236 had two badly damaged and ammunition blown up. C236 had also two guns put out of action and 1000 rounds of ammunition blown up. Only two gunners of C236 Battery were wounded. A and C Batteries were both obliged to relocate positions for some hours. Owing to loses in guns B Battery was taken off today’s imtended barrage and placed to reinforce creeping barrage. D236 again carried out counter battery work all night. 2nd Lt M.F. Allen posted to Brigade as signal officer.

                                    War Diaries


                                    7th Jun 1917 Hill 60 retaken by 11th West Yorks  11th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment re-capture hill 60 from the Germans in the Battle of Messines.

                                    7th June 1917 Attack Launched  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Zero time for offensive by the II Army to take Hill 60, Wytschate and Messines Ridges at 0310. At that hour all artillery opened heavy barrage which continued to creep forward as infantry advanced for 10 hours until all objectives were joined and ridge remained in our hands. ‘C’ Group formed the centre of the six groups covering the Divisional front and the barrage crossed the canal south of which the final group protective barrage was placed. A large number of Neutralise Fire calls were received and D236 did resulting neutralisation of Batteries including firing at enemy troops on the march. At about 1800 barrage was carried out on SOS line, but no infantry action by the enemy.

                                    War Diaries


                                    7th Jun 1917 8th Yorks and Lancs in action  8th Yorks and Lancs are in action at the Battle of Messines from 7th to 14th June 1917

                                    7th Jun 1917   G.6.a NEAR ROCLINCOURT

                                    7th - 8th June. Battalion took over work on RED LINE from 16th WYR strength of party each night 450. Fine weather no casualties.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    8th Jun 1917 In Action  War Diary for the 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, 7th June 1917:

                                    The assembly trenches were reached by 13th Middlesex at about 2 a.m.

                                    At 3.10 a.m. several large mines were exploded. The 41st Division went over the top & captured the Red Line (1st Objective). The intense bombardment lasted all the morning & during that time the Blue (Damm Strasse) & Black Lines (2nd & 3rd Objectives) were taken by the 41st Division.

                                    At 11.30am The 13th Middlesex Regiment moved forward to Ecluse Trench & Old French Trench.

                                    At 1.30pm The 13th Middlesex moved forward to the Black Line (present front line & jumping off line for 73rd Bde). Within a few minutes of arrival the Battalion went over the top (3.10 p.m.) under an excellent barrage.

                                    Disposition:-
                                    • Right Front, B Coy under Capt. R.S. Dove
                                    • Left Front, A Coy under Capt. F.J. Stratten
                                    • Right Support, D Coy under 2/Lt Dawkins
                                    • Left Support, C Coy under Lt Roberts
                                    • Moppers-up - commanded by 2/Lt C.W. Wallis (D Coy) & 2/Lt R.W. Phillips (B Coy).

                                    Our objective was known as the Green Line. Battalion front extended from the front edge of Ravine Wood on the right via Olive Trench to the Hollebeke Road on the left. The objective was gained without much difficulty, the Coy on the right consolidating well in front of Ravine Wood & Verhaest Farm. Owing to the Division on our left not coming forward with us, A Coy was left with their flank in the air, & had to perform a difficult movement to protect themselves. They were therefore unable to consolidate the left half of Olive Trench. C Coy (Left Support Coy) had to be called on to assist A Coy (Left Front) to form a defensive flank.

                                    During the first day the enemy’s artillery was erratic & the Battalion suffered more from lack of water than from anything else. During the attack about 100 unwounded & 20 wounded were captured, mostly in the Ravine. Also 5 Machine Guns, 1 Trench Mortar & a large quantity of material. The prisoners included 2 Officers.

                                    war diary


                                    8th June 1917 Reorganisation   Reorganisation of 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery Batteries on new zero lines took place. Otherwise the enemy was very quiet. 2nd Lt H.L. Burgis was reposted to the Brigade and to A236 Battery from England.

                                    War Diaries


                                    8th Jun 1917 106th Coy RE at Messines Ridge.  Messines Ridge Redoubt. The day arrived 3am 106th Engineers were standing to when the Ridge was blown up, Germans caught asleep, Engineers consolidate their positions before the counter attacks

                                    9th Jun 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers stand down  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers stand down from their role as GHQ reserve for the of Battle of Messines as the battle went well and they were not needed.

                                    9th Jun 1917   H.1.c. NEAR BOIS DE LA MANSION BLANCHE

                                    Brigade takes over line from 188th Bde. With 94th Bde. on left and XVII Corps on right. 15th WYR in front line, 16th WYR in support. 18th WYR in reserve North of POINT DU JOUR. 18th DLI at H.1.c

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    10th Jun 1917   H.1.c. NEAR BOIS DE LA MANSION BLANCHE

                                    In trenches as above. Working parties C & D Coys at night.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    11th Jun 1917   H.1.c. NEAR BOIS DE LA MANSION BLANCHE

                                    Very wet morning. 2 ½ Companies carrying and working on TOWY at night.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    12th Jun 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers receive draft  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers receives a large draft of men and leaves Bleu for Steenvoorde.

                                    12th Jun 1917   H.1.c. NEAR BOIS DE LA MANSION BLANCHE

                                    12th - 13th -14th June. Carrying parties of 2 Companies each night otherwise very quiet time.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    12th Jun 1917 Ground Held  
                                    THE BATTLE OF MESSINES, JUNE 1917

                                    Brigadier-General Ambrose Ricardo, the Commander of the 109th Brigade, 36th Division (centre), and his four battalion commanders (9th, 10th, 11th Battalions, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles) after the capture of Wytschaete, 12th of June 1917 © IWM (Q 6163)

                                    13th June 1917 Gotha Daylight Raids  A second attack on 5 June 1917 was diverted to Sheerness in Kent but a third attack on 13 June resulted in the first daylight raid on London, causing 162 deaths and 432 injuries.

                                    Among the dead were 16 children killed by a bomb falling on Upper North Street school, Poplar. The following day, a report of the attack appeared in the press: "Having found that Zeppelins are of no use for summer time, the Germans are now making superhuman efforts with their aeroplanes, having made three visits to this country within a short time. Their last visit was on Wednesday [13th June 1917] just before noon, when the bombs which descended unseen from the sky wrought terrible havoc, as the following figures painfully demonstrate:-

                                    Killed 55 men; 16 women; 26 children. Total 97. Injured 223 men; 122 women; 94 children. Total 439. Grand total 536.

                                    The above is the information issued by the Press Bureau early on Thursday morning [14th June 1917], and may be increased by deaths. Still there was no damage of a military or naval nature. There was, on Wednesday, however, a serious explosion at a munitions work at Ashton-under-Lyne, which, of course, had no connection with the raid.

                                    The London area bombed by the German aircraft was clearly pretty extensive, and the difficulty of immediately getting together anything like a reliable estimate of the loss of life and damage will be recognised as very great. The populous East End of London provides an unequalled field for the horrid operations of the Hun murderers. The raid will cause much heart-searching. The public will right desire to be informed how it occurs that so large a phalanx of enemy aeroplanes could reach their objective though one must not forget that, in spite of all the enemy efforts at the seat of war, Allied raids on an extensive scale are of almost daily occurrence.

                                    The most painful feature of the raid was the dropping of a bomb on a school in the East End under the control of the County Council. It penetrated the roof, and after killing a little girl passed through the top storey floor into the room below, which was occupied by a class of senior boys, several of whom were killed. The missile finally exploded in a class of infants with terrible effects. The 64 children in this room were hurled in all directions, some of the little mites being terribly injured. One five-year old boy was blown from the extreme end of the room into the corridor. Police and medical aid were shortly afterwards on the scene, and the dead and injured, some of the latter minus an arm or leg, were taken to Poplar Hospital. The force of the explosion hurled forms, tables, and desks into a chaotic mass.

                                    Many of the children were terribly mutilated. Soldiers who had seen many painful sights at the front at once began the work of rescue and almost broke down at the spectacle. The teacher, a woman, escaped with slight injury, and at once gathered together the few who could walk and marched them out of the room over the smashed furniture, and the remains of her little school fellows. From the second floor also two little ones were taken out dead, both from near the spot where the bomb went through the floor. A reporter saw the exercise book in which one of these children had done her last sum; it was a little thing in simple addition, and it had just been marked "Correct".

                                    The anguish of the mothers was painful in the extreme. They rushed round regardless of danger to themselves, directly the bomb dropped on the school. Admission was impossible for a time, police and ambulances being already and give first aid. In their desperation the mothers tried to climb the walls. In due course six tiny bodies were taken to the mortuary, where they were identified. Other identifications could be made only from fragments of clothing.

                                    Railway premises were hit by bombs, one of which dropped at the eastern end of Liverpool Street station, and fell on the end of a train standing at the side of the platform. The woodwork of the carriages was smashed up, and the next carriage had the windows blown to atoms. One poor fellow had his clothing torn completely away down to his waist, and his body was spotted like a leopard’s, only the marks were bloody red and sooty black. There were many angry demonstrations after the raid outside the premises and houses of enemy aliens in the East End, the police having to disperse some women. An English shopkeeper in this neighbourhood has to join up in a fortnight, and next door is an alien in his trade, which might go to him. Two policemen had to guard this alien’s premises. A constable named Smith was killed. Three hundred girls rushed from a warehouse and he got them back. No sooner had he barricaded the door from the outside than he was killed. He had been called back from the reserve. Apparently his only injury was in the leg, death being due to shock. A constable who rushed to him when he fell remarked, "The poor chap never said a word."

                                    An incendiary bomb dropped on a printer’s instantly raised a sea of flames, and the building was soon burned out. An elderly man sustained severe cuts. At an adjoining house it was stated that a bomb shook the premises as if it were a toy and swept several people off their feet. Close to the fire next door a church was opened for service, at the close of which the hymn "Passing Souls" was sung by the kneeling congregation, followed by the National Anthem. In a publisher’s building, when a bomb fell outside a cashier was making up the cash in an upper room. A bundle of cheques and postal orders was blown far and wide and came down in a shower on a roof two streets away. A postal order bearing the firm’s name was picked up nearly a quarter of a mile off. The only articles in the shop window, which were not damaged, were two texts in glass frames. One ran: ‘Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ!'

                                    There were numerous incidents which might be recorded, and hereunder are a few of them:-

                                    Three bombs fell 100 yards from a police station.

                                    People fell down in streets from the shock of the explosions.

                                    When the bombing began all the pigeons in London flew westward.

                                    Waitresses in a teashop carrying plates had them thrown form their hands.

                                    One or two mothers rushed to a school to demand their children, but the teacher was firm.

                                    Missiles were dropped at regular intervals almost in a straight line for about three miles.

                                    Outside a bank a dray was destroyed the driver being seriously injured and the horse mangled.

                                    Hearing a bomb a man leaned out of a window and another bomb so startled him that he fell out and was badly injured.

                                    In one street a bomb went through all the five floors of an office building. Pieces of typewriters and furniture could be seen in all directions.

                                    One busy corner that suffered an early raid was again unlucky, but the part that was damaged before escaped, and the part that escaped before was wrecked. "On the opposite side of the streets a bomb exploded," said an employer. "I did not feel a breath of air, yet five people three yards from me were flung on their faces."

                                    Wax dummies dressed in the latest garb lies in a heap in an outfitter’s shop, their arms broken and the trunks lying in grotesque positions, at first glance providing a somewhat terrifying sight."

                                    This was the deadliest air raid of the war. No Gothas were lost. In 1938, Air Commodore Lionel Charlton described the raid as "the beginning of a new epoch in the history of warfare. News of the raid was received enthusiastically in Germany, and Brandenburg was summoned to Berlin to be awarded the Pour le Mérite, Germany's highest military honour. On taking off for the return journey, the engine of his aircraft failed. Brandenburg was severely injured, and his pilot, Oberleutnant Freherr von Totha, was killed.

                                    The reason for the relatively large numbers of casualties seems to have been ignorance as to the threat posed by aerial bombardment of a city in daylight. Lt Charles Chabot, a Royal Flying Corps (RFC) pilot on leave recorded that: ...Raids hadn't become a very serious thing and everybody crowded out into the street to watch. They didn't take cover or dodge.

                                    As there had been little planning, early attempts to intercept the Gothas were ineffective. Large numbers of British aircraft were put into the air but were unable to climb high enough to engage the bombers. Captain James McCudden was part of the engaging force of 92 aircraft but due to the limited performance of his machine had no success in intercepting the bombers.

                                    Amongst the victims was former Nottingham woman, Olive Noakes. Her family published a remembrance notice in the local paper: "Noakes., In loving memory of Olive, the loving daughter of Thos. And Emma Spencer, Count-street, killed June 13th, 1917. Her duty called her, she was there to do her bit, to take her share; her heart was good, her spirit brave, her resting place a heroine's grave., From her sorrowing mother, father, sisters, brothers Albert and Tom (in France)."

                                    John Doran


                                    15th Jun 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers move north  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers arrive at St Malo les Bains, via Wormhoudt.

                                    15th Jun 1917   IN YHE LINE GAVRELLE

                                    Battalion vacated camp at 9.40pm and HQ reached trenches at 11.5pm relief complete at 2.0am 12th Y&L on left 18th WYR on right. Distribution of Battalion: 2 Companies in front, ½ Company in C.H.1.c.O Support and 1 ½ Companies in support line

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    16th Jun 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers move up  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers leave St Malo les Bains and proceeds up the line to the Nieuport Bains sector.

                                    16th Jun1917   IN THE LINE GAVRELLE

                                    Quiet until about 4.0pm after which time enemy artillery was active until morning: very hot day and trenches very smelly.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    16th Jun 1917 Old Front Line  
                                    THE BATTLE OF MESSINES, JUNE 1917

                                    12th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, in the old British front line, 16th June 1917 © IWM (Q 2821)

                                    17th Jun 1917 SS Batoum lost  SS Batoum was a 4.054grt defensively armed British Merchant steamship. On the 19th June 1917 when 6 miles South from the Fastnet, Ireland she was torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine U-61. One life was lost.

                                    17th Jun 1917   IN THE LINE GAVRELLE

                                    Again very hot. Our artillery very active all day enemy retaliation not excessive but fairly accurate.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    18th Jun 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers into the line  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers take over from the French 141st Infantry Regiment in the Nieuport Bains sector.

                                    18th June 1917   S U-102

                                    Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 253) Ordered 15 Sep 1915 Laid down 12 Aug 1916 Launched 12 May 1917 Commissioned 18 Jun 1917

                                    Commanders.
                                    5 Aug 1917 - 25 Nov 1917 Ernst Killmann.
                                    26 Nov 1917 - 30 Sep 1918 Curt Beitzen.

                                    Career 7 patrols.
                                    5 Aug 1917 - 30 Sep 1918 II Flotilla

                                    Successes 5 ships sunk with a total of 9,340 tons.
                                    1 ship damaged with a total of 10,757 tons.

                                    • 21 Aug 1917 U 102 Ernst Killmann Virginian (damaged) 10,757 br
                                    • 8 Dec 1917 U 102 Curt Beitzen Lucien 200 fr
                                    • 13 Dec 1917 U 102 Curt Beitzen Noviembre 3,500 sp
                                    • 21 Feb 1918 U 102 Curt Beitzen Cheviot Range 3,691 br
                                    • 3 Mar 1918 U 102 Curt Beitzen Romeo 1,730 br
                                    • 24 Jun 1918 U 102 Curt Beitzen Caroline 219 da

                                    Fate 30 Sep 1918 - Mined in the Northern Barrage east of the Orkney Islands while homeward bound about September 28 to 30, 1918.. 42 dead (all hands lost).

                                    The wreck of U 102 was located by a sonar sweep in 2006. Information to confirm the identification was obtained by divers in 2007.

                                    There was another U 102 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 21 Mar 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 27 Apr 1940.

                                    John Doran


                                    18th Jun 1917   IN THE LINE GAVRELLE

                                    Weather still very hot. Day uneventful. Our artillery again very active without producing very much enemy retaliation. C & D relieved A & B in front line.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    19th Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    Weather not quite so fine, several thundershowers but still very hot. Day on the whole uneventful. Left front Company extended its front taking over about 150 x of trench near WINDMILL from 12th Y&L, 12th Y&L relieved by 10th EYR.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    20th Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    Fine and hot uneventful day.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    21st Jun 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers under fire  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers endure heavy fire in the Nieuport Bains sector. The enemy attacks at 1.0 am and enters the trench, capturing the battalion post.

                                    21st Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    Day fine. Our artillery active but retaliation slight. At night Battalion was relieved by 16th WYR and came back to trenches in H.3.c near POINT DU JOUR. Relief completed at 1.45am and Battalion got out without casualties. Maj. HEADLAM took over temporary command of Battalion on Col. CHEYNE receiving order to return to INDIA.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    22nd Jun 1917   TRENCHES IN H.3.c NEAR POINT DU JOUR

                                    22nd-23rd-24th-25th-26th-27th June. Fine days with a few showers. Large working parties out each night but no casualties. On 26th Lt Col CHEYNE again took over command for a few days. An inter Battalion relief took place. 18th DLI relieved 16th WYR in left subsector and 18th WYR relieved 15th WYR in right subsector. On left 14th Y&L and whole of 94th Bde. On right of 18th WYR. 50th Bde. 17th Div. Relief complete 3.10am.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    23rd Jun 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved by 8th Berkshires  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers are relieved in the Nieuport Bains sector by 8th Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment and withdraw to Coxyde.

                                    23rd Jun 1917 SS Mongolia lost  The P & O liner Mongolia, with passengers and the mails for India, China and Australia, as well as a full general cargo for Australia, struck a mine and sank on the 23rd of June 1917 some 50 miles S. by W. of Bombay. Three passengers, three engineer officers and 14 native crew and three Europeans were killed by the explosion. The survivors were taken off without further loss, but it was not possible to get at the mail which went down with the vessel. The mine was laid by the German raider SMS Wolf.

                                    25th Jun 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the march  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers march from Coxyde to Ghyvelde, in France. They are billeted here for ten days, practising platoon, company and battalion attacks.

                                    26th June 1917 HMS Furious  

                                    HMS Furious

                                    HMS Furious was a modified Courageous-class battlecruiser built for the Royal Navy during the First World War. Designed to support the Baltic Project championed by the First Sea Lord of the Admiralty, Lord John Fisher, the ship was very lightly armoured with only a few heavy guns. Furious was modified and became an aircraft carrier while under construction. Her forward turret was removed and a flight deck was added in its place, so that aircraft had to manoeuvre around the superstructure to land. Later in the war, the ship had her rear turret removed and a second flight deck installed aft of the superstructure, but this was less than satisfactory due to air turbulence. Furious was briefly laid up after the war before she was reconstructed with a full-length flight deck in the early 1920s.

                                    • Name: HMS Furious
                                    • Builder: Armstrong Whitworth, Low Walker Yard, Wallsend
                                    • Laid down: 8 June 1915
                                    • Launched: 15 August 1916
                                    • Commissioned: 26 June 1917
                                    • Reclassified: As aircraft carrier, September 1925
                                    • As completed, her complement numbered 737 officers and enlisted men.
                                    • Fate: Sold for scrap, 1948

                                    Aircraft landing and the First World War

                                    On 2 August 1917, while performing trials, Squadron Commander Edwin Dunning landed a Sopwith Pup, believed to have been N6453, successfully on board Furious. He became the first person to land an aircraft on a moving ship. On 7 August, he made one more successful landing in the same manner, but on his third attempt, in Pup N6452, the engine choked and the aircraft crashed off the starboard bow, killing him. The deck arrangement was unsatisfactory because aircraft had to manoeuvre around the superstructure in order to land. In the meantime, all three Courageous-class ships were assigned to the 1st Cruiser Squadron (CS) in October 1917. When the Admiralty received word of German ship movements on 16 October, possibly indicating a raid, Admiral Beatty, commander of the Grand Fleet, ordered most of his light cruisers and destroyers to sea in an effort to locate the enemy ships. Furious was detached from the 1st CS and ordered to sweep along the 56th parallel as far as 4° East and to return before dark. Her half-sisters Courageous and Glorious were not initially ordered to sea, but were sent to reinforce the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron patrolling the central part of the North Sea later that day. Two German Brummer-class light cruisers managed to slip through the gaps in the British patrols and destroyed the Scandinavia convoy during the morning of 17 October, but no word was received of the engagement until that afternoon. The 1st CS was ordered to attempt to intercept the German ships, but they proved to be faster than hoped and the British ships were unsuccessful. Furious returned to the dockyard in November to have the aft turret removed and replaced by another deck for landing, giving her both a launching and a recovery deck. Two lifts (elevators) serving the hangars were also installed. Furious was recommissioned on 15 March 1918 and her embarked aircraft were used on anti-Zeppelin patrols in the North Sea. In July 1918, she flew off seven Sopwith Camels which participated in the Tondern raid, attacking the Zeppelin sheds there with moderate success.

                                    John Doran


                                    27th June 1917 Australian Troop Transports  

                                    HMAT A26 Armadale

                                    Pictured at Port Melbourne in February 1915 from: AWM P05194.001.

                                    The HMAT A26 Armadale weighed 6,153 tons with an average cruise speed of 11 knots or 20.37 kmph. It was owned by the Australind SS Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 7 June 1917. The Armadale was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine off coast of Ireland, 27 June 1917.

                                    John Doran


                                    28th Jun 1917 12th Suffolks bring in a prisoner  12th Suffolks bring a German prisoner into the Liaison at Gonnelieu

                                    28th Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    5.0pm. Enemy bombarded trenches of Brigade on left heavily for 15 minutes.

                                    7.10pm. Brigade and Div on left attacked and took enemy front line on a wide front CADORNA TR. WOOD ALLEY. OPPY TR. Very good barrage casualties slight and all objectives gained. Thermite and TM’s and barrage on our front. Enemy retaliated heavily but little damage done. Our casualties 1 killed 5 wounded.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    29th June 1917   KUK U-32 Austrian Submarine.

                                    Type U-27 Shipyard Ordered Launched 11th May 1917 Commissioned 29th June 1917

                                    Commanders
                                    29 Jun 1917 - 24 Apr 1918 Gaston Vio
                                    24 Apr 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Otto Kasseroller

                                    Career
                                    No flotilla information available

                                    Successes 4 ships sunk with a total of 3,728 tons.
                                    1 ship damaged with a total of 3,060 tons.

                                    • 15 Jul 1917 k.u.k. U32 Gaston Vio Incemore (damaged) 3,060 br
                                    • 13 May 1918 k.u.k. U32 Otto Kasseroller Julia 48 gr
                                    • 20 May 1918 k.u.k. U32 Otto Kasseroller Agios Dionysios 58 gr
                                    • 20 May 1918 k.u.k. U32 Otto Kasseroller Angeliki 30 gr
                                    • 21 May 1918 k.u.k. U32 Otto Kasseroller Chatham 3,592 br

                                    Fate Scrapped in 1920.

                                    John Doran


                                    29th Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    Quiet except for heavy bombardment at 5.30pm whizz bangs mostly on our front, heavies on our left.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    30th Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    Maj. HEADLAM EYR again took over command of Battalion. Day cold and damp but quiet and uneventful. Later Lt Col CHEYNE returns to Battalion.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    1st July 1917 New squadron formed  No 73 Squadron formed at Upavon on the 1st of July 1917 out of the Central Flying School. Eight days later the new unit moved to Lilbourne aerodrome, near Rugby.  More info.

                                    1st Jul 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    Fine warm day. Enemy artillery very active all day especially near the WINDMILL, when the trenches were badly blown about. A raid by enemy was thought possible at night but did not materialise.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    2nd July 1917   No 72 Squadron formed at Upavon from a nucleus provided by the Central Flying School on 2 July 1917 and served initially as a Training Squadron at Netheravon.

                                    2nd Jul 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    Enemy artillery continued active chiefly on the Northern flank of the front line near WINDMILL and on both ends of FOXY. No casualties as shooting was poor: our artillery extremely active in retaliation.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    3rd Jul 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR

                                    Artillery activity maintained on both sides up to 5.30pm after which the evening and night was very quiet as both sides were believed to be having relief. Battalion was relieved in the front line by the HOWE Battalion, in the support line by 2nd RMLI. Relief complete at 2.15am. Total casualties 3 killed 6 wounded.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    4th Jul 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers move up  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers march from Ghyvelde to Jeanniot camp, outside Coxyde, catching a fleeting glimpse of HM King George V who is on a visit. The Battalion moves to Nieuport to take over from 15th Btn HLI, less C coy which demonstrates raid on blockhouse for the King.

                                    4th Jul 1917   18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry reached Roclincourt WEst Camp in early morning, the day was spent in sleeping and general clean up.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    5th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP

                                    Fine day, spent in clean up, baths, etc.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    6th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP

                                    Work on ROCLINCOURT, BAILLEUL railway. Battalion 300 strong from 6.0am to 12 noon daily.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    7th Jun 1917 The Battle of Messines  A letter from Captain Horace Lance Flint, Medical Officer for 7th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, written to his wife from a captured German dressing station describing the opening stages of the Battle of Messines Ridge, which began on 7th June 1917 with the explosion of 19 mines and a huge, accurate artillery bombardment.

                                    "I want to give you some idea of the first big "push" that I have taken any active part in. I see that it is described as "Haig’s Earthquake or Hurricane Attack".

                                    "My division was in the front line of the attack, and we marched into the trenches on the evening of June 6th. Major _____, the second in command, spoke a few words to each company before it moved off, and wished them the best of luck, then the chaplain said a prayer, after which all the men joined in the Lord’s Prayer. It was very impressive, and one could not help wondering how many of those brave fellows would ever come back and imagining what most of them must be thinking of. Probably it was of home and of those they loved, for there was a certain quiet solemnity about our departure. I marched at the end of the battalion. It was quite dark when we entered the trenches, and each company took up its allotted position. We had taken about 1½ hours in reaching the trenches, and had lost only two men killed and one wounded, these casualties being due to the explosion of one of our own bombs as it was carried up.

                                    "I went to the headquarters’ dug-out of my battalion. We sat on the floor of the dug-out, but none of us could sleep. This was in the new reserve trenches. At about 3 a.m. the dug-out and the whole earth was violently shaken. The mine in Hill 60 had exploded. Two mines in our own front went off, and our artillery opened fire. The bombardment was 20 per cent heavier than on any previous occasion. A modern battle is the most appalling thing you can attempt to imagine and it is quite impossible to describe the awful shrieking of shell and rattle of machine guns. It was one continuous roar, and the whole air must have been filled with a shield of iron.

                                    "Dawn was just breaking as I look out, and I could see only about 50 yards ahead because of the smoke and dust. Our artillery was magnificent, and had the whole situation well in hand from beginning to end. After the first short bombardment they lifted the barrage slowly forward, and our men keen and impatient, went over the top, some going even too quickly and being hit by our own shells. Our casualties, fortunately, were few at this time, and those we had were chiefly caused by the men’s excessive eagerness, and a few were due to some of our shells bursting prematurely.

                                    "Our artillery was so splendid that very few of the German guns were able to shoot, because some of our own guns were specially took off for counter battery work, i.e., to fire on the position of the German guns. I had to wait until the men had advanced about 600 yards, before I went over with the medical officer of the battalion working in conjunction with ours to establish a medical aid post, our orderlies and some of the stretcher-bearers going with us to carry our equipment. We advanced under a deafening noise of guns and alarming shriek of shells, but these were soon forgotten in the excitement and amazement of our surroundings. The ground was one mass of shell holes, you could not put your foot down except on the rim of one hole or another; it was like walking on an empty honeycomb. I never imagined that such a picture of destruction and desolation could exist, the German trenches having totally disappeared.

                                    "The Huns retreated as fast as possible, and put up no fight at all, and very soon prisoners began to come in. It was quite impossible for any human being to face such artillery fire, and their only course was to run away. I saw a few of our tanks ahead, but I heard afterwards from a man who had been in one of them that they had no chance of doing anything because the enemy retreated faster than they could attack.

                                    "My object was to find shelter for an aid post, but this was very difficult, and it was a long time before I hit upon a dug-out. Then I found one with concrete walls 3 ft. 6in. thick, which had been used as a power-house for generating electricity for lighting the other dug-outs, most of which had disappeared, and it contained an engine and a considerable sized dynamo and switch board. Unfortunately, it was impossible to get the wounded down into the dug-out, so we dressed them all out in the open, and then stretcher-bearers carried them back.

                                    "In view of what really occurred during this attack on what is supposed to be the strongest German position in the West, it is most amusing but utterly ludicrous to read the accounts in the German papers. They say that the British attack was repulsed with heavy loss, and that we were unable to advance any further. As a matter of fact, everything went like clockwork, and the programme was completely fulfilled. On our little bit of front we could have advanced much further than was allowed by our orders, we could, in fact, have gone right through, but it would have made a big salient, and caused disaster later on. Few people at home realise that in modern warfare everything is worked out to the smallest detail beforehand. An advance is planned to time, and there is an exact time at which each company or battalion has to take up a particular position. Should it reach such a position too soon, then it must wait and advance no further beyond that spot until the pre-arranged time for the next bit of advance. Warfare with our present masses of artillery is a very exact science, and so before any advance all enemy positions must be photographed, and their exact locality marked on maps. People should realise that after we have gained the objects of an attack our artillery must move forward and get the range of all further enemy positions, and these positions must first be ascertained by captured enemy trench maps, or by photographs taken by our aeroplanes. This is of course a long business in itself, and it is for this reason that progress on the Western front is slow, and that the war may last a long time should the Hun choose to fight it out to a finish. It is, however, only a matter of time and perseverance, with our masses of artillery. For given time and the necessary preparation of plans beforehand, nothing can stand and face our artillery. It is magnificent. It is amazing that the guns could advance so quickly over the shell-riddled ground, and that by the evening it was so well up that we forestalled an expected counter-attack from the Bosche, and he received instead from us an artillery barrage nearly as intense as the one in the beginning of the day.

                                    "About mid-day, I had to move forward to keep in touch with our wounded, and I found, after a night's search, another aid post. This was in a wood about 2½ miles in advance of our old front line. It was the former German dressing station, and consisted of a very fine 2 ft. concrete-walled dug-out, and here we captured a quantity of medical stores, two German doctors, and 30 Red Cross orderlies. It is from that dug-out that I have written all this, while the Huns are shelling us heavily. Nothing, fortunately, can penetrate the walls of this dug-out, the only danger being that a chance shell may come in at the door, which, of course, faces the German guns, as it was built as a protection against British fire. The Hun makes much more substantial du-outs than we. One of those in the wood here is almost a concrete palace and is fitted with electric light, water laid on, passage looking on the various rooms and comfortable furniture in the rooms.

                                    "We have now been at this business for eight days and have not had our boots off nor our clothes and we dare not even discard the anti-gas box respirators, which hand on our chests from the neck. The atmosphere is decidedly foggy considering the small space, and the incessant smoking, and sleep is practically impossible, as there are four me, i.e., my servant, two orderlies and myself, and there is no room for anyone to stretch his legs. We are, however, very lucky not to be obliged not to spend our time in a shell hole. The men in our division are very tired, and I hope they will soon be relieved. It is rather hard luck on them to have been kept here so long. It was owing to our having done so well and suffered so few casualties that we were not relieved. The division which was to replace us on the second day after our objective was gained has been sent elsewhere instead. The men are under a great strain. The first period of waiting before going into the trenches for an attack is trying to the nerves, and the period of waiting to go into the trenches before going over the top is worst still, and then, even after the attack has been made and the object gained, there is the greatest strain of all in holding the line against counter-attacks. Now that we have gained the ridge, we are holding out against very heavy shell fire from the Germans, and must always be prepared for counter-attacks. The Tommy is a great hero, few people at home realising in the least what he has to put up with through these advances and after them, when he is in the front line. The last two weeks seem like years.

                                    "I was up all last night dressing cases, some of them being very agonising to see. The sight of it all make one sick of the brutality of man to his fellow man; almost sick of life itself, and leaves a feeling of utter misery and loneliness. If only it were possible to live and let live and enjoy life in peace and love for our fellows. I do not know how our men have endured what they have gone through since June 7th, and especially the shelling yesterday. My experience of it has been when I have been out to attend to wounded in the open, that it must be awful to be in the open for long. Fortunately our total casualties have been comparatively small, but we have had as many in holding the ridge against counter-attacks as we had in the whole of the advance.

                                    "I cannot see any end to the war at present, but I suppose there is a limit to the Hun’s endurance, and he must be getting very tired of the war, to judge by what he had to endure here. I expect the poor blighter will be glad to chuck it when this sort of thing happens all along the line.

                                    "No one can appreciate what the British army has accomplished in three years of war, until he sees the things we are now looking at, absolute and complete destruction, and desolation; the whole ground is a mass of shell holes, and yet already roads are beginning to appear, tramways and water pipes are being laid down, artillery pushed up, and hundreds of miles carrying up ammunition and rations. More than ever do I fail to see what the German has to gain by prolonging the war. I am certain he will never beat our armies. One has only to look at the ground here on what was the German side ten days ago and see the devastating effect of our guns, and compare the number of shell holes on his side to those of ours, to be convinced of the terrible things he has to endure, and that we cannot fail to beat him in the end."

                                    7th July 1917 Gotha Daylight Raids  A further Gotha raid of 22 aircraft was made on 7 July 1917, resulting in 57 deaths and 193 injuries. One hundred sorties were flown against the formation, resulting in one Gotha shot down and three damaged. Two fighters were shot down by the Gothas.

                                    John Doran


                                    7th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP

                                    Work as above.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    8th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP

                                    Sunday, no work. Church parade 10.30am. Heavy thunderstorm in early morning weather very unsettled.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    9th Jul 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers prepare for attack  C coy, 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers commanded by Lt Watson, reconnoitres No Man’s Land to select the precise objectives and best approach for the planned attack.

                                    9th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP

                                    Work on railway resumed, wet and cold.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    10th Jul 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers endure bombardment  In Nieuport the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers endure the heavy bombardment of Nieuport, the Battalion stands to in cellars, now under orders of 97 brigade. C coy moved to a road junction 300 yards west of the town to await orders, suffering about 30 casualties. At about 10.00 pm the other three companies moved into inner defences of the town, along west bank of the Yser canal.

                                    10th July 1917 Australian Troop Transports  

                                    HMAT A49 Seang Choon

                                    Picture from: State Library of NSW, picture number a639566.

                                    The HMAT A49 Seang Choon weighed 5,807 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Lim Chin Tsong, Rangoon. The Seang Choon was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Ireland on the 10th July 1917.

                                    John Doran


                                    10th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP

                                    Work on railway.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    11th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP

                                    Ditto

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    12th Jul 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved by 5/6th Royal Scots  On the west bank of the Yser canal, the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers were relieved by the 5/6 Btn Royal Scots. The Northumberlands withdraws to Nieuport under orders to man the defences in case of need. The War Diary records: "C coy moved forward, but came under heavy machine gun and rifle fire from the left which inflicted heavy losses and prevented further advance. As they did not reach the line held by D coy the attack by the latter coy could not be carried out. Both C coy officers advancing with the attack, 2/Lt N.R. Futers and 2/Lt T.V. Wheeldon, were wounded." At night the 1st Dorsets take the Northumberland’s place in Nieuport and they withdraw to Ribaillet camp.

                                    12th Jul 1917 12th Heavy Battery in action  12th Heavy Battery, RGA were in action on the 12th of July 1917 at Ypres.

                                    12th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP

                                    Ditto

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    13th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP

                                    No work today on railway. Draining.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    14th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP

                                    Battalion proceeded by route march to MONT ST ELOY and entered hutments and billets about 11.0am. 31st Div took over sector from 1st CANADIAN Div. 93rd Brigade in Div Reserve.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    14th Jul 1917   MONT ST ELOY

                                    15th - 20th July. Training during these days including Battalion sports.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    15th Jul 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers return to Nieuport  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers return to Nieuport, taking over from 15 Btn Lancashire Fusiliers. The Battalion is later relieved in Nieuport by 1/8 Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (49 division) and marches back to Jeanniot camp, remaining there for eight days engaged in working and carrying parties. Two drafts join, totallying 240 men in all. From there they move to to Bray Dunes, taking over the coast defences.

                                    15th Jul 1917 9th Cheshires in action  9th Cheshires are in action at Oostaverne near Ypres.

                                    15th July 1917   SM U-103

                                    Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 254) Ordered 15 Sep 1915 Laid down 8 Aug 1916 Launched 9 Jun 1917 Commissioned 15 Jul 1917

                                    Commanders>
                                    26 Aug 1917 - 12 May 1918 Claus Rücker

                                    Career 5 patrols 26 Aug 1917 - 12 May 1918 II Flotilla

                                    Successes 8 ships sunk with a total of 15,467 tons.
                                    1 ship damaged with a total of 6,042 tons.

                                    • 12 Sep 1917 U 103 Claus Rücker St. Margaret 943 br
                                    • 12 Nov 1917 U 103 Claus Rücker Depute Pierre Goujon 4,121 fr
                                    • 16 Nov 1917 U 103 Claus Rücker Garron Head 1,933 br
                                    • 26 Jan 1918 U 103 Claus Rücker Cork 1,232 br
                                    • 29 Jan 1918 U 103 Claus Rücker Glenfruin 3,097 br
                                    • 17 Mar 1918 U 103 Claus Rücker Cressida 150 br
                                    • 17 Mar 1918 U 103 Claus Rücker Sea Gull 976 br
                                    • 18 Mar 1918 U 103 Claus Rücker Grainton (damaged) 6,042 br
                                    • 20 Mar 1918 U 103 Claus Rücker Kassanga 3,015 br

                                    Fate 12 May 1918 - Rammed by RMS Olympic and sunk at 4916N 0451W. 10 dead, unknown number of survivors.

                                    There was another U 103 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 Apr 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 5 Jul 1940.

                                    John Doran


                                    16th July 1917 Arrival in France  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    The Company disembarked at Le Havre at 0830 on the 16th July and marched to No.1 Rest Camp, Section A at Sanvic, where 1 ASC Driver joined the Company.

                                    War Diaries


                                    17th July 1917 refitting  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    From the 17th to the 19th July the Company was engaged in making up deficiencies in equipment, clothing, transport and machine guns and generally sorting itself out for action.

                                    War Diaries


                                    17th Jul 1916 8th Yorks & Lancs rejoin 23rd Division  8th Yorks and Lancs return to 23rd Division with 70th Brigade from 8th Division.

                                    20th July 1917 Rest and Refitting  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    The Company was based at the Rest Camp from 20th to 28th July refitting and generally preparing itself for the move to its active service station.

                                    War Diaries


                                    21st July 1917   SM U-151

                                    Type U 151 Shipyard Reiherstiegw., Hamburg Ordered 29 Nov 1916 Launched 4 Apr 1917 Commissioned 21 Jul 1917

                                    Commanders.
                                    ,br> 21 Jul 1917 - 26 Dec 1917 Waldemar Kophamel. 27 Dec 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff

                                    Career 4 patrols.
                                    21 Jul 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 U-Kreuzer Flotilla

                                    Successes 34 ships sunk with a total of 88,395 tons.
                                    6 ships damaged with a total of 13,267 tons.
                                    1 ship damaged with a total of 1,025 tons.

                                    • 19 Sep 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Blanche 3,104 fr
                                    • 1 Oct 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Etna 5,604 it
                                    • 2 Oct 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Viajante 377 pt
                                    • 4 Oct 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Bygdønes 2,849 nw
                                    • 12 Oct 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Parthian (hms) (damaged) 1,025 br
                                    • 13 Oct 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Caprera 5,040 it
                                    • 19 Oct 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Harpon (damaged) 1,484 fr
                                    • 20 Oct 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Moyori Maru 3,746 jp
                                    • 21 Oct 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Gryfevale 4,437 br
                                    • 2 Nov 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Acary 4,275 bz
                                    • 2 Nov 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Guahyba 1,891 bz
                                    • 16 Nov 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Margaret L. Roberts 535 am
                                    • 21 Nov 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Sobral 1,075 nw
                                    • 22 Nov 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Tijuca 2,543 fr
                                    • 23 Nov 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Trombetas 235 pt
                                    • 26 Nov 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Johan Mjelde 2,049 nw
                                    • 4 Dec 1917 U 151 Waldemar Kophamel Claudio (damaged) 2,588 sp
                                    • 24 May 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Edna (damaged) 325 am
                                    • 25 May 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Hattie Dunn 435 am
                                    • 25 May 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Hauppauge (damaged) 1,446 am
                                    • 2 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Carolina 5,093 am
                                    • 2 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Edward H. Cole 1,791 am
                                    • 2 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Edward R. Baird Jr (damaged) 279 am
                                    • 2 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Isabel B. Wiley 776 am
                                    • 2 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Jacob M. Haskell 1,778 am
                                    • 2 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Texel 3,210 am
                                    • 2 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Winneconne 1,869 am
                                    • 3 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Samuel C. Mengel 915 am
                                    • 3 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Herbert L. Pratt (damaged) 7,145 am
                                    • 4 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Eidsvold 1,570 nw
                                    • 5 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Harpathian 4,588 br
                                    • 5 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Vinland 1,143 nw
                                    • 8 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Pinar Del Rio 2,504 am
                                    • 10 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Henrik Lund 4,226 nw
                                    • 10 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Vindeggen 3,179 nw
                                    • 14 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Kringsjaa 1,750 nw
                                    • 14 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Samoa 1,138 nw
                                    • 18 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Dwinsk 8,173 br
                                    • 22 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Chilier 2,966 be
                                    • 23 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Augvald 3,406 nw
                                    • 28 Jun 1918 U 151 Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff Dictator 125 br

                                    Fate - Surrendered to France at Cherburg. Sunk as target ship at Cherburg on 7 June, 1921.

                                    There was another U 151 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 14 Dec 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 15 Jan 1941.

                                    John Doran


                                    21st Jul 1917   MONT ST ELOY

                                    Battalion moved up to trenches in Brigade Reserve to a position near to THELUS 15th & 16th WYR in front line, 18th WYR in support relieving 94th Brigade in right sector.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    22nd July 1917 Daylight Raids  

                                    Sound bombs to alert to public in a raid, showing the rockets (1), inserting the time fuse (2), loading the rocket into the mortar (3), firing the rocket (4) and cleaning out the mortar (5).

                                    Felixstowe and Harwich were bombed on 22 July 1917. Just after 8am a bomb fell into the sea near Bawdsey Manor and about 16 enemy Gothas crossed the British coast at Hollesley Bay, Suffolk, crossing the River Debden as they turned towards Felixstowe. Two further bombs fell in the fields north-east of St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church, the next hit a smithy near Highrow Farm, demolishing the building and injuring a blacksmith at work. Extensive damage was inflicted by two bombs falling in Highrow. 350 yards west of the Town railway station a bomb smashed a conservatory of Uplees House, injuring two female occupants. Another bomb fell near the railway about 200 yards north of Goyfield House but failed to explode. Close to St. John’s Church another destroyed the cook house near the Parish Room. Wanstead Cottage in Garrison Lane was badly damaged by another bomb as were neighbouring homes on either side. Another bomb then struck the rear of the Ordnance Hotel, Garrison Lane, the barman lost his life, a sergeant and private of the 3rd Suffolk Regiment were injured along with two other soldiers who were in the property at the time. Another exploded at the corner of Garfield Road and Victoria Road without causing damage. Three more bombs fell in Langer Road, close to the Army Service Corps headquarters, the blasts shattered windows and brought down telephone wires, two soldiers were injured, one of them fatally. At the junction of Landguard and Manor roads a bomb brought down more telephone wires but the next, falling on the beach 100 yards south of Manor Terrace, killed an officer and seven men of 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, and injured an officer and 15 men of the same battalion. The men were sheltering in a trench but instead of keeping down, those killed had stood up to watch the raid. A cellar of Landguard House was damaged, close to the 3rd Bedfordshire Regiment's camp. Three bombs which exploded as they fell on Landguard Common injured a soldier of the Royal Defence Corps and demolished two huts of the camp. Four bombs fell close by on the A Rifle Range creating craters. Another bomb landed at the RNAS station demolishing an engineers shed and injuring two naval ratings, one of whom later died. Another bomb droped 50 yards west of Landguard lighthouse and destroyed a shed, whilst another three landed Landguard Point, all exploded without damage.

                                    Around 13 bombs fell in the River Stour and Harwich harbour damaging the minesweeper HMT Touchstone and injuring two of her crew. At Parkeston a bomb landed harmlessly in allotments, another two bomb dropped in fields at Ray Farm between Parkeston and Dovercourt without causing damage. A bomb landed in a field on Tollgate Farm, Upper Dovercourt, a second fell in St. Nicholas’ Cemetery and three on New Hall Farm, all without causing damage. Three bombs landed close together in Dovercourt, two lightly damaged houses in Lee Road but fortunately failed to explode, the third damaged a slaughterhouse near Old Vicarage Farm.

                                    Anti-Aircraft guns had opened fire as soon as the aircraft crossed the coast and at 13 minutes past the first aircraft took to the sky to pursue the raiders. By 8.17am the Gothas had turned for home and escaped unscathed. The Harwich AA guns had fired off 273 rounds but the defence aircraft were unable to climb up to operational height before the raiders had headed out over the North Sea. Flying in formation for the first time in action two flights from No.37 Squadron were presumed to be German by the spotters of the Mobile AA Brigade and the 3-inch gun at Canvey opened fire at them when they were 30 miles south-east of Harwich.

                                    The Illustrated London News reported on the 28th: "Our readers will be interested to see from these photographs exactly how the warning by sound-signals was given to London at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday, July 22, when 237 one-pound sound-bombs were fired 300 ft. into the air from 79 London Fire Brigade stations. An official notice that such a warning would be given, in case of an expected raid on London, had been issued by the Home Office only the previous evening. "Take Cover" notices were shown at the same time by the police in the streets, and at 9.45 they displayed the "All Clear" notice. The authorities were satisfied with the results of this system of warning, though the Home Secretary, Sir George Cave, thought that the number of signals might well be reduced, and that the warning might be delayed until enemy aircraft were nearer to London. Later, it was stated that only two, instead of three, rockets would in future be sent up from each station and that signals that could be seen as well as heard were considered."

                                    John Doran


                                    22nd Jul 1917 Working Parties  At Thelus S.5.d.7.8 18th DLi are in Brigade Reserve. Working parties nightly.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    23rd July 1917 Rest and Refitting  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Still at Rest Camp, one NCO sent to hospital, sick.

                                    War Diaries


                                    24th July 1917 Rest and Refitting  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Rest Camp, one OR sent to hospital, sick.

                                    War Diaries


                                    24th July 1917   No 61 Squadron was nominally formed at Rochford out of 198 Depot Squadron on the 24th of July 1917. It acquired aircraft, Sopwith Pups, and pilots on the 2nd August and commenced duties as a Home Defence squadron protecting the Thames Estuary. More info.

                                    25th July 1917 Rest and Refitting  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Rest Camp, one OR sent to hospital, sick.

                                    War Diaries


                                    26th July 1917 Rest and Refitting  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Rest Camp, one NCO returned from hospital and two ORs were struck off previously reported Company strength.

                                    War Diaries


                                    26th July 1917 Australian Troop Transports  

                                    RMS Mooltan

                                    Piture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                                    The RMS Mooltan weighed 9,621 tons with an average cruise speed of 18.5 knots or 34.26 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Torpedoed and sunk by UC27 on the 26th July 1917. Contracted at times to transport Australian troops.

                                    John Doran


                                    27th Jul 1917 Germans evacuate trenches  Aeroplane reconnaissance of Pilckem Ridge on the 27th of July 1917 report that the enemy has evacuated his front line trenches. On the ground patrols were sent forward and reported the second line was still strongly held.

                                    28th Jul 1917 7th Dorsets at Fovant  Dorsetshire Regiment, 7th Battalion were in Fovant, West Farm, Wiltshire from March 1917 and known to still be there at the end of July 1917

                                    29th July 1917 Relocations  245 Machine Gun Company.

                                    The Company entrained and departed Le Havre at 0320

                                    Company Strength: 10 Officers, 176 ORs, 6 rider’s mounts, 2 heavy draft horses and 47 mules.

                                    At 0530 the train arrived in Foucart-Alvimare Station. One Horse Truck was broken during shunting. It contained 6 mounts and 2 heavy draft horses. The Truck was left behind in a siding at Foucart-Alvimare station in charge of a transport sergeant and five men. Arrangements were made with the French authorities to have a replacement truck sent up from Le Havre.

                                    The Company stopped for a meal and exercise in Romescamps at 1400 and continued on at 2145 by train via Amiens and Albert to Boisleux-au-Mont (near Arras).

                                    War Diaries


                                    29th Jul 1917 106th Coy RE in action  Ypres, In and out three times, 14days at a time. Hell Fire Corner was mentioned as a dangerous junction, Bare Bones Road, The Menin Road, Ypres Gates and Corderoy Track, 106th Engineers were continuously under fire on each occasion digging communication trenches and consolidating positions. Here they lost a lot of men from No.3 section

                                    29th Jul 1917   IN L4 SECTOR T.13.6.7.2

                                    29th - 30th July. Battalion moved up into front line trenches in L4 SECTOR, to left sector relieving 11th EYR. With 18th WYR in right front 15th WYR in support & 16th WYR in reserve. Battalion on left 85th CANADIANS 12 Bde. 4th Div.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    30th July 1917 Arrival at Mercatel  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    The Company arrived in Boisleux au Mont at 0430 on the 30th July and was met by the Divisional Machine Gun Officer (DMGO). They marched to a camp NW of Mercatel. Mercatel is south of Arras in the direction of Bapaume.

                                    The OC 245 MG Company Reported to the GOC. 150th Infantry Brigade who informed the him that his Company is to be the Divisional Machine Gun Company of the 50th (Northumberland) Division and will be attached to Divisional Headquarters and not with 150th Brigade.

                                    War Diaries


                                    30th July 1917   KUK U-43 Austrian Submarine (former German UB 43)

                                    Type U-43 Shipyard Ordered Launched 8th April 1916 Commissioned 30th July 1917

                                    Commanders
                                    30 Jul 1917 - 13 Jan 1918 Friedrich Schlosser
                                    7 Feb 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Eugen Hornyák

                                    Career
                                    No flotilla information available

                                    Successes 1 ship damaged with a total of 4,016 tons.
                                    16 Nov 1917 k.u.k. U43 Friedrich Schlosser Orione (damaged) 4,016 it

                                    Fate Scrapped in 1920

                                    John Doran


                                    30th July 1917   KUK U-47 Austrian Submarine (former German SM UB47)

                                    Type U-43 Shipyard Ordered Launched 17th June 1916 Commissioned 30th July 1917

                                    Commanders
                                    30 Jul 1917 - 29 Mar 1918 Otto Molitor
                                    4 Apr 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Freiherr Hugo von Seyffertitz

                                    Career
                                    No flotilla information available

                                    Successes 2 ships sunk with a total of 6,201 tons.
                                    1 warship sunk with a total of 351 tons.

                                    Fate Scrapped in 1920.

                                    John Doran


                                    31st Jul 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers move up  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers move up from the coast defences at Bray Dunes to Coxyde because of very heavy casualties in 49 Division whcih suffered their first experience of mustard gas.

                                    31st Jul 1917 124th Heavy Battery in action at The Somme  124th Heavy Battery RGA are in action at the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)

                                    31st Jul 1917 Liverpool Scottish advance  Early in the morning of the 31st of July 1917 the Liverpool Scottish advanced from Wieltje, supported by two tanks, to take their objective of Capricorn Trench. The Medical Officer of the 10th Btn, Capt Chavasse VC, set up the Regimental Aid Post close the front line in a captured enemy dugout near Setques Farm. He suffered a head injury early in the attack and walked back to the Main Dressing Station at Wieltje but returned to run the RAP after treatment. He was seriously wounded twice more but refused to leave his post, going out several times under heavy fire to bring in wounded.

                                    31st Jul 1917 Drama at Liverpool Scottish Regimental Aid Post  The Medical Officer of the 10th Btn, Liverpool Scottish, Capt Chavasse VC, had been on duty at the Regimental Aid Post close the front line in a captured enemy dugout near Setques Farm since the attack on the 31st of July. He was still on duty when he was mortally wounded on 2nd of August when a shell penetrated the dugout. He was taken to the No.32 Casualty Clearing Station at Brandhoek which specialised in abdominal wounds.

                                    31st July 1917 245 MGC Setting up base camp  245 Machine Gun Company having arrived now at its base near Mercatel, commenced work erecting huts and tents and generally settling in. One man was sent to VII Corps Rest Station, sick.

                                    War Diaries


                                    31st Jul 1917   IN L4 SECTOR T.13.6.7.2

                                    In line. Quiet day.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    1st Aug 1917 Field Ambulances in Action  The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Wessex Field Ambulances (24th,25th,26th) were based at Remy Siding Lissenhoek, nr. Ypres serving with the 8th Division. The 8th Division of the 5th Army who were engaged in the battle of Pilkhem Ridge in the opening stages of the 3rd battle of Ypres which began on 31st July 1917. The Wessex Field Ambulance established an Advanced Dressing Station at Birr Cross Roads on the Menin Road. The weather turned at the beginning of August and the battlefield turned into a quagmire. It was taking up to six stretcher bearers to bring in one casualty. The War Diary of the 3rd (26th) Wessex Field Ambulance records gas attacks as well as aircraft bombing on the ADS at Birr Cross Roads and casualties in August were horrendous. Pte. Regnald James Brookes Butt was one such casualty having his thigh shattered by a German high velocity shell on the night of 4/5th August, after being called out of reserve to assist another Division's (25th possibly) RAMC unit to pick-up Front Line casualties.

                                    1st Aug 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers move back  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers move back from Coxyde to Ribaillet camp.

                                    1st August 1917 Inspections  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel. Received Operations Order No.115 but the Company is not affected by this Operations Order. GSO1 visited the Company and informed me that the Company would not take over trench positions until the 7th inst. (GSO General Staff Officer).

                                    Copy of Operations Order GSO1 5oth Division. No.115 Copy 23. 150th Infantry Brigade to relieve 149th Brigade in the Vis and Guemappe sectors on night 4/5th Aug 17.

                                    War Diaries


                                    1st August 1917  New Squadron formed  No 85 Squadron RFC was formed at Upavon as a fighter squadron on the 1st of August 1917 flying SE5As.

                                    1st Aug 1917 In the Line  From the 1st to 6th of August 18th DLI are in trenches in the Mericourt Sector. Weather rather wet with fine intervals. Very quiet time no casualties during whole period of 16 days except one accidental. On the night of 6th/7th the Battalion was relieved by 13th East Yorkshire Rregiment relief complete at 1.35am.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    2nd Aug 1917 SS Newlyn lost  SS Newlyn was a British steamer of 4019 tons. On August 2nd 1917 SS Newlyn on a voyage from Tyne to Genoa with a cargo of coal & coke was sunk by the German submarine UB-31 (Thomas Bieber) 2 miles south of Prawle Point. 4 persons were lost.

                                    3rd Aug 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the move  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers move from Ribaillet camp to St George’s sector, many casualties are caused by frequent and intense bombardments.

                                    4th August 1917   KUK U-40 Austrian Submarine

                                    Type U-27 Shipyard Ordered Launched 21st April 1917 Commissioned 4th August 1917

                                    Commanders
                                    4 Aug 1917 - 18 Sep 1918 Johann Krsnjavi
                                    19 Sep 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Wladimir Pfeifer

                                    Career
                                    No flotilla information available

                                    Successes 2 ships sunk with a total of 7,556 tons.
                                    3 ships damaged with a total of 14,112 tons.

                                    • 19 Aug 1917 k.u.k. U40 Johann Krsnjavi Gartness 2,422 br
                                    • 29 Aug 1917 k.u.k. U40 Johann Krsnjavi Clifftower (damaged) 3,509 br
                                    • 1 Jan 1918 k.u.k. U40 Johann Krsnjavi Sandon Hall 5,134 br
                                    • 20 Mar 1918 k.u.k. U40 Johann Krsnjavi Lord Ormonde (damaged) 3,914 ca
                                    • 23 Mar 1918 k.u.k. u40 Johann Krsnjavi Demodocus (damaged) 6,689 br

                                    Fate Scrapped in 1920.

                                    John Doran


                                    5th August 1917 Operational Orders  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel and trenches.

                                    Received orders from DMGO that S2,3 and S4 positions are to be taken over on the night of 6/7th August. Gave orders to 2/Lt. GE Barnes to take up remaining 3 guns of No.1 section on the night of 6th inst. (appendix No.5 letter, DMGO 50th Division.)

                                    Copy of Appx No 5. Letter on relief DMGO 50th Division. 245 MG Coy. to take over new positions S2, S3 and S4 on night 6/7th August 1917.

                                    S.O directly responsible to GOC 151 Inf. Brigade (Right Sector) 5th August 1917.

                                    War Diaries


                                    5th Aug 1917 64th Brigade RFA in action near Zillbekke  64th Army Brigade RFA were in action on the 5th August 1917 near Zillebekke near Ypres where they had been from the beginning of August. Albert Phillips was awarded the Military Medal for actions this day.

                                    5th Aug 1917 15th Hampshires at Hollebeke.  15th Hampshires were at Hollebeke.

                                    6th Aug 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers undertake raid  Lt Townsend and sixteen men of the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers raid rat post, killing all Germans found there. The Lt and four men are wounded. That evening B coy relieved C coy, and were ordered to repeat the raid.

                                    7th Aug 1917   WINNEPEG CAMP

                                    Battalion marched to transport lines at AUX RIETZ thence by bus to WINNEPEG CAMP MT ST ELOY.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    8th Aug 1917 Activity in Front Line  

                                    245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel and trenches.

                                    At 1100 a practice barrage was commenced by all arms, during which fire was opened on the right of Lanyard Trench isolating that trench from St Romart’s factory. (see Map 6) The raid was postponed.

                                    War Diaries


                                    8th Aug 1917   WINNEPEG CAMP

                                    8th - 16th August. Training near MT ST ELOY. Weather very showery throughout the period. 15th: Major WHITE M.C. joined Battalion

                                    The National Archives Reference W095/2361/1


                                    9th Aug 1917 16th Lancs relieve 16th Northumberlands  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers relieved by 16 Btn Lancashire Fusiliers. The Northumberlands move to Ribaillet camp for seven unpleasant days.

                                    9th August 1917 Activity in Front Line  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel and trenches.

                                    At 1100, the practice barrage of the previous day was repeated. Zero hour for the raid was at 0745 and rapid fire was maintained for 90 minutes. One NCO was wounded and sent to 20th Casualty Clearing Centre.

                                    A suggestion was forwarded to the DMGO that relief of guns in the Right Sector should take place on the night of 13/14th August and in the Left Sector on the night of the 12/13th August.

                                    One OR was wounded in Egret Trench.

                                    War Diaries


                                    10th Aug 1917 A Flight 36(HD) Squadron RFC redesignated  At RFC Seaton Carew II, A Flight 36(HD) Squadron RFC was redesignated as C Flight.

                                    10th August 1917 Activity in Front Line  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel and trenches.

                                    Received Operations Orde No.117 (50th Div.) warned that all officers in the trenches were considerably handicapped by not being in telephonic communication with Divisional Headquarters also with Right and Left Brigade Headquarters. This was reported to the DMGO.

                                    Organization. The establishment laid down for a Machine Gun Company in the field does not seem sufficient. A Transport Officer is required during trench warfare.

                                    The weather clear but unsettled. There was heavy rain during the week and storms on the 9th and 10th August.

                                    Copy of Operations Order No.117 GSO1 50th Division. Copy No.20. 149th Inf. Brigade to relieve 151st Inf. Brigade in Cherisy sector on night of 12/13th Aug. 1917.

                                    War Diaries


                                    10th Aug 1917 12th and 13th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers amalgamate  12th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers amalgamate with 13th Bn, becoming 12/13th Battalion.

                                    10th Aug 1917 24th and 27th Northumberlands amalgamate  24th and 27th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers are amalgamated to form the 24/27th Battalion.

                                    12th August 1917 Gotha Daylight Raids  Southend and Shoeburyness were bombed on the 12 August, with the loss of one Gotha and four other crashing on landing.

                                    John Doran


                                    14th Aug 1917 Leave  245 Machine Gun Company report from Mercatel "Lt. AJ Barnes proceeded on special leave of absence for 10 days."

                                    War Diaries


                                    15th Aug 1917 61st Bde prepare to attack  61st Brigade, 20th (Light) Division moved up to positions west of the Steenbeek in preparation for their assault on the village of Langemarck on the night of the 15th of August 1917. Engineers built bridges for the crossing.

                                    15th Aug 1917   KUK U-21 was a Type U-20 Austrian Submarine, Launched 15th August 1916 and Commissioned 15th August 1917 Commanders were from 29 Jun 1916 to 24 Feb 1917 Josef Holub, 15 Aug 1917 to 24 Mar 1918 Freiherr Hugo von Seyffertitz, 24 Mar 1918 to 28 Aug 1918 Robert Dürrigl and from 28 Aug 1918 to 31 Oct 1918 Ladislaus Csicsery von Csicser. U-21 was scrapped in 1920.

                                    John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


                                    15th Aug 1917 Naval Action  As part of the Imperial German Navy's U-boat campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare German U-boats had started to attack British trawlers. They had previously been protected by the 1907 Naval Convention in the North Sea. In response, fishermen had requested weapons for self-defence. Some trawlers had been equipped with deck guns and had gunners assigned to man them. These vessels were generally skippered by members of the Royal Navy Reserve and to act on their own initiative if attacked.

                                    On 15th of August 1917, a number of Lowestoft trawlers were fishing in the North Sea, off the Jim Howe bank. Among them were the armed smacks Nelson and "Ethel & Millie". Nelson, skippered by Tom Crisp, was armed with a 3-pounder gun while Ethel & Millie, skippered by William "Johnsey" Manning, carried a 6-pounder. At around 1415, Nelson came under fire from a U-boat, which had surfaced some 3,4 miles north-west of her position. Crisp cast off his nets, leaving them buoyed on the surface, and turned towards the U-boat to close the range. Nelson was hit several times as she returned fire, but her shots fell short of their target. Crisp was also hit and mortally wounded. Nelson began to take on water and sink. At this point, Crisp ordered the crew to abandon ship, which they did, taking to a lifeboat. During this exchange, Ethel & Millie had closed up from the south-east and, passing Nelson and her lifeboat, moved in to engage the U-boat. Manning proposed to stop and take on the survivors, but they refused. The trawler continued to close but she too came under fire from the U-boat and, after several hits, she was also left sinking with her crew also abandoning ship. Nelson's crew observed the men being taken from their boat and lined up on the U-boat's deck, but were unable to see more as their view became obscured by the haze. Nelson's boat pulled away to the southwest and escaped into the approaching dusk.

                                    Nelson's crew were at sea for the next two days being eventually rescued by HMS Dryad, a minesweeper assigned to fishery protection. Crisp’s actions were reported, and he was awarded the VC for the seamanlike and brave manner in which he had conducted himself. The Ethel & Millie's crew were not seen again. They were not reported as prisoners of war and none returned to Britain at the end of hostilities. The suspicion at the time and subsequently, is that they were disposed of by the U-boat crew, possibly being left to drown while the U-boat submerged. The U-boat which attacked the two boats has been identified as UC63 commanded by Karsten von Heydebreck.

                                    John Doran


                                    16th Aug 1917 Langemarck retaken  The village of Langemarck which had been lost the the enemy in April 1915, was retaken on the 16th of August 1917 by 61st Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. They crossed the Steenbeek early in the morning with 7th KOYLI and 7th Somerset Light Infantry leading. The advance was held up by fire from the blockhouses to the west of the village, these were cleared by men of the 7th KOYLI including Pte W. Edwards who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions.

                                    16th August 1917 Orders for Move  245th Machine Gun Company have their HQ at Mercatel and are in the trenches. Received Operations Order No.118 from 50th Division: "151st Inf. Brigade to relieve 150th Brigade in Vis and Guemappe Sectors on the night 20/21st August 1917."

                                    16th Aug 1917 Exercise  A Newcastle Journal article of 16th August 1917 describes 11 Battalion Volunteer Training Corps attacking an entrenched position at Cocken Hall and also going over the bayonet assault course under the supervision of instructors from the Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment. The Volunteer Training Corps are a little known formation which was the forerunner of the much better known Local Defence Volunteers or Home Guard of the Second World War. The Yorks and Lancs had taken over the camp from the DLI, probably in late 1915.

                                    AlastairFraser NML Project Info


                                    16th Aug 1917 On the Move  18th Battalion DLI entrained at Laurel Siding at 4.0pm and went by train to transport lines at Neuville St Vaast. They left Neuville St Vaast at 8.15pm and marched up to take over from 13th Y&L in support in Acheville Sector. Relief complete at 12.30am on the 17th. Order of battle is 15th WYR in L1. 16th WYR in L2. 18th DLI in support. 18th WYR in reserve. 5th Div on right. 92nd Brigade on left. 18th Battalion DLI HQ was established in Beehive Support.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    17th Aug 1917 16th Northumberlands on the move  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers leave Ribaillet camp for Coxyde.

                                    17th August 1917 Activity in Front Line  

                                    Layout of Machine Guns under new Divisional Defence

                                    245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel and trenches.

                                    Conference held at 245 Machine Gun Company Headquarters at 1200, attended by DMGO and OC’s 149, 150 and 151 Brigades together with the OC. 245 MGC. The new Divisional Machine Gun Defence Scheme, part of the VI Corps Defence Scheme, was discussed.

                                    Received a letter from Divisional HQ, showing division of gun positions under the new Defence Scheme and indicating that all guns are to be in position by 0600 21st August.

                                    Copy of Divisional Letter GX4025/34 GSO1 50th Division.

                                    • 1 Attached Map (Appx No.12) substituted for previous M.9 Maps.
                                    • 2 Right Brigade to occupy positions 1 to 7 inclusive and S1 and S2.
                                    • Left Brigade to occupy positions 8 to 15 inclusive and S8.
                                    • 245 MG Coy. to occupy positions S3 to S7 and S9 to S12 inclusive.
                                    • All guns to be in position by 0600 21st Aug 1917.
                                    • Remaining 7 guns per Brigade MG Coy in the line to be at the disposal of GOC Brigade
                                    17th August 1917.

                                    War Diaries


                                    17th Aug 1917   BEEHIVE SUPPORT Battalion HQ ACHEVILLE SECTOR

                                    Fine and quiet days. At night 150 men carried gas bombs to QUEBEC TRENCH for Special R.E. Capt. HUTCHENCE left to take up appointment of 2nd in Command of 1/6 SOUTH STAFFS.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    18th Aug 1917 16th Northumberlands undergo training  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers move from Coxyde to Bray Dunes to undergo twelve days of training and assimilating new drafts.

                                    18th August 1917 Activity in Front Line  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel and trenches.

                                    Attended VI Corps Horse Show at Bihucourt, with one entry in event 18, a pair of mules.

                                    War Diaries


                                    18th August 1917 Gotha Daylight Raids  On 18 August 1917, The largest Gotha raid of the war was attempted, despite a warning of unfavourable weather. 28 aircraft took off and soon encountered the predicted high winds. After nearly two hours in the air they had made so little progress that Zeebrugge was still in sight. After a further hour the English coast came into sight, revealing that the Gothas were some 64 km (40 mi) off course. With barely enough fuel left to return to Belgium, the flight commander called off the attack.

                                    The high wind caused two aircraft to come down in the North Sea: others ran out of fuel before reaching their bases and were lost when making forced landings, two coming down in neutral Holland.

                                    John Doran


                                    18th August 1917   SM U-107

                                    Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 276) Ordered 5 May 1916 Launched 28 Jun 1917 Commissioned 18 Aug 1917

                                    Commanders.
                                    18 Aug 1917 - 31 Dec 1917 Wilhelm-Friedrich Starke.
                                    1 Jan 1918 - 31 Jul 1918 Oblt. Kurt Slevogt.
                                    1 Aug 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Kurt Siewert

                                    Career 5 patrols.
                                    21 Sep 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                    Successes 6 ships sunk with a total of 24,663 tons.
                                    1 ship damaged with a total of 1,084 tons.

                                    • 21 Oct 1917 U 107 Wilhelm-Friedrich Starke Epiros (damaged) 1,084 gr
                                    • 14 Apr 1918 U 107 Kurt Slevogt Marstonmoor 2,744 br
                                    • 29 Jun 1918 U 107 Kurt Slevogt Castor I 117 nw
                                    • 15 Aug 1918 U 107 Kurt Siewert Cubore 7,117 am
                                    • 18 Aug 1918 U 107 Kurt Siewert Idaho 3,023 br
                                    • 21 Aug 1918 U 107 Kurt Siewert Lake Edon 2,371 am
                                    • 24 Aug 1918 U 107 Kurt Siewert Flavia 9,291 br

                                    Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Swansea in 1922.

                                    There was another U 107 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 2 Jul 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 8 Oct 1940.

                                    John Doran


                                    19th August 1917 Activity in Front Line  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel and trenches. Issued with Operations Order No. 1 for reliefs on the nights of the 19th, 20th and 21st August.

                                    War Diaries


                                    19th Aug 1917   BEEHIVE SUPPORT Battalion HQ ACHEVILLE SECTOR

                                    Quiet day.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    20th August 1917 Activity in Front Line  

                                    Divisional Positions of all Machine Guns by Company

                                    245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel and trenches.

                                    Received orders from DMGO that post S3 need not be occupied. Posts occupied by the Company on the night of 20/21st were S4, 5,6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and S12.

                                    All guns were in position by 0600 21st August, according to the Divisional Letter.

                                    A map was issued showing the positions of all machine guns in the Divisional Sector and how they were divided amongst the Companies.

                                    War Diaries


                                    20th Aug 1917   BEEHIVE SUPPORT Battalion HQ ACHEVILLE SECTOR

                                    Gas projected on FRESNOY & ACHEVILLE at 12.30am. Over 1000 bombs each containing 30lbs of gas. Retaliation very light.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    21st August 1917 Activity in Front Line  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel and trenches.

                                    Relief postponed as gas is expected to be released in the 50th Divisional area. Issued orders for reliefs to take place on the night of 22/23rd August.

                                    War Diaries


                                    21st Aug 1917   L4 MERICOURT SECTOR

                                    21st - 24th August. Battalion was relieved in ACHEVILLE SECTOR by 11th E. LANCS. Relief complete at 11.30pm. Battalion then crossed over and relieved 11th E.YORKS in the MERICOURT SECTOR relief complete at 1.0am. Order of battle after relief: 18th WYR L3 Sector. 18th DLI L4 Sector. 15th WYR in support. 16th WYR in reserve. On right 94th Bde. On left 85th CANADIANS, 12th CANADIAN Bde, 3rd Div.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    22nd August 1917 Activity in Front Line  245 Machine Gun Company at Mercatel, sheet 51B France 1/40,000 M.24.c.2.4 and trenches

                                    Section Reliefs.

                                    • 2/Lt. Parsons (No.1 Section) relieved 2/Lt. Derbyshire (No.4 Section) in S4 and S5.
                                    • 2/Lt. G Barnes (No.1 Section) relieved Lt. Houghton (No.2 Section) in S6 and S7.
                                    • 2/Lt. Wheatley (No.3 Section) relieved 2/Lt. Attwater (No.2 Section) in S8, 9, 10, 11 and S12.

                                    Division of Positions:

                                    • S4, S5 and S6, Right Brigade.
                                    • S7, Right of River, Left Brigade.
                                    • S8, 9, 10 and S11, Left of River, Left Brigade.

                                    War Diaries


                                    22nd August 1917 Gotha Daylight Raids  On the 22 August 1917, 15 aircraft set out to attack Margate and Dover. Five turned back over the North Sea. The remaining aircraft were met by heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter aircraft over the Isle of Thanet. Two Gothas were shot down almost immediately, and a third was shot down over Dover.

                                    John Doran


                                    22nd August 1917   SM U-156 a Type U 151 is commissioned. She was built at Shipyard Atlas Werke, Bremen (Werk 382) Ordered 29 Nov 1916, launched 17 Apr 1917 and commissioned 22 Aug 1917 She was commanded from 22 Aug 1917 to 15 Jun 1918 by Konrad Gansser and 16 Jun 1918 to 25 Sep 1918 by Richard Feldt. From 28 Aug 1917 to 25 Sep 1918 she sailed with the U-Kreuzer Flotilla

                                    Successes: 44 ships sunk with a total of 50,471 tons. 2 ships damaged with a total of 638 tons. 1 warship sunk with a total of 13,680 tons.

                                    • 7 Dec 1917 U 156 Konrad Gansser W.c. Mc Kay 147 ca
                                    • 15 Dec 1917 U 156 Konrad Gansser Ioannina 4,567 gr
                                    • 17 Dec 1917 U 156 Konrad Gansser Acoriano 312 pt
                                    • 30 Dec 1917 U 156 Konrad Gansser Joaquin Mumbru 2,703 sp
                                    • 10 Jan 1918 U 156 Konrad Gansser Atlas 1,813 nl
                                    • 8 Feb 1918 U 156 Konrad Gansser Artesia 2,762 br
                                    • 8 Feb 1918 U 156 Konrad Gansser Chariton 3,023 gr
                                    • 8 Feb 1918 U 156 Konrad Gansser Nuzza 1,102 it
                                    • 9 Feb 1918 U 156 Konrad Gansser Atlantide 5,431 it
                                    • 26 Jun 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Tortuguero 4,175 br
                                    • 7 Jul 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Marosa 1,987 nw
                                    • 8 Jul 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Manx King 1,729 nw
                                    • 19 Jul 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt San Diego 13,680 am
                                    • 21 Jul 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt 703 934 am
                                    • 21 Jul 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt 740 680 am
                                    • 21 Jul 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt 766 527 am
                                    • 21 Jul 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Lansford 830 am
                                    • 21 Jul 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Perth Amboy (damaged) 435 am
                                    • 22 Jul 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Robert & Richard 140 am
                                    • 2 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Dornfontein 766 ca
                                    • 3 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Annie Perry 116 am
                                    • 3 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Muriel 120 am
                                    • 3 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Rob Roy 111 am
                                    • 3 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Sydney B. Atwood 100 am
                                    • 4 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Nelson A. 72 br
                                    • 5 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Agnes G. Holland 100 am
                                    • 5 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Gladys M. Hollett (d.) 203 br
                                    • 5 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Luz Blanca 4,868 ca
                                    • 8 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Sydland 3,031 sw
                                    • 11 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Penistone 4,139 br
                                    • 17 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt San Jose 1,586 nw
                                    • 20 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt A. Piatt Andrew 141 am
                                    • 20 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Francis J. O'hara, Jr. 117 am
                                    • 20 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Lucille M. Schnare 121 ca
                                    • 20 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Pasadena 119 ca
                                    • 20 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Triumph 239 ca
                                    • 20 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Uda A. Saunders 125 ca
                                    • 21 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Sylvania 136 am
                                    • 22 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Notre Dame De La Garde 147 fr
                                    • 25 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt C. M. Walters 107 ca
                                    • 25 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt E. B. Walters 126 ca
                                    • 25 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Erik 583 br
                                    • 25 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt J. J. Flaherty 162 am
                                    • 25 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Marion Adams 99 ca
                                    • 25 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Verna D. Adams 132 ca
                                    • 25 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Clayton W. Walters 116 ca
                                    • 26 Aug 1918 U 156 Richard Feldt Gloaming 130 ca

                                    U156 was lost on the 25 Sep 1918, probably mined in Northern Passage as she failed to report when clear of it. 77 dead (all hands lost).

                                    John Doran


                                    22nd Aug 1917 10th DLI in action  10th Durham Light infantry are in action, around Inverness copse & Glencorse wood in the third battle of Ypres.

                                    22nd Aug Attack Made  11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders suffered serious casualties in an unsuccessful attack at the River Steenbeke, between Zonnebeke and St Julien. Their objective at 4.45am was Beck House and Borry Farm to the left of the Menin Road. The ground was taken but not held. Severe machine gun fire stopped progress,as well as bombs and snipers' bullets. The roll of casualties was not made up until 4 days later.

                                    24th Aug 1917   L4 MERICOURT SECTOR

                                    24th - 30th August. Quiet on the whole. Rain on several days and very windy at times. At 2.50am enemy attempted a raid on 18th WYR on our right. This was expected and successfully repulsed. One wounded prisoner taken an officer and several ORs killed. MG and Bangalore Torpedo taken. 2Lt KEITH killed and 3 men slightly wounded.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    25th Aug 1917   Extract from The Times

                                    "Women in the Army

                                    A Statement will be issued shortly by the Ministry of Labour of the position as regards the recruiting of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, telling women where to apply and when and what numbers will be wanted immediately for different sections. Widespread interest is being taken in the drastic substitutions which are to take place in certain units, formations and offices administered by the army Council at home, at the bases and on the lines of communications overseas, in addition to those that have already been made. The approximate basis of substitution is four women for three men. For instance, four women with technical knowledge are regarded as equivalent to three technical soldiers in the Royal Flying Corps and the Army Service Corps. The women cooks, who have introduced many reforms in cooking since they took over the base kitchens, consider that in their case he basis should be reversed.

                                    The women march to their work in the morning and march back again in their dinner hour. They are subject to strict discipline, but they understand this before going to France. The women who are already out in France have lived up to their uniform so well that only three of them have had to be sent back from France for disciplinary reasons, and these not very serious offences. One of the first batches sent out committed a technical offence against discipline out of the fervour of their sense of justice. They found that beds had been provided for them in a hut which had previously been occupied by men who only had mattresses. They took the beds out, folded them up and used only the mattresses. It happened that a number of wounded soldiers had just been brought to a hospital nearby where the beds proved very useful.

                                    Only one fortnight in a year furlough is given, the terms of service are for a year or the duration of the war, which ever is longer. The women have to go through a medical examination as severe as that of the men, as in the hut where six women would be accommodated at close quarters it is advisable to have all fear of contagion removed. No promise is given to be able to send friends out together, but where ever it is possible this is done and it humanizes the not very interesting life lead by the average woman in the Army Auxiliary Corps in France. So far the most difficult kind of worker to get is the charwoman, who is needed for scrubbing and washing up. The women who do this kind of work are usually old and with many home ties, and not likely to be able to leave home.

                                    The pay of the administrative appointments is not munificent, though offering a living wage.... Of the NCO's and rank and file the forewoman telegraphist is the best paid receiving 50s per week. A qualified forewoman motor-driver mechanic received 40s and a shorthand-typist 39s 6d."

                                    26th Aug 1917 Yorkshire Hussars dismount  The Yorkshire Hussars were dismounted on 26th August 1917 and sent to Etaples for training

                                    26th August 1917 Activity in Front Line  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel, sheet 51B France 1/40,000 M.24.c.2.4 and trenches

                                    Received Operations Order No.119 from Divisional HQ regarding Brigade reliefs.

                                    Copy of Operational Order No.119 GSO1 50th Division. Copy 20.

                                    150th Inf. Brigade to relieve 149th Inf. Brigade in Fontaine and Cherisy Sectors on the night 28/29th Aug. 17

                                    Dated 26th Aug. 17

                                    War Diaries


                                    27th Aug 1917   From - The Times "Recruiting for the Women's Army

                                    How to Join the Corps

                                    The transfer of recruiting on behalf of the War Office for the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps from the National Service Department to the Employment Department of the Ministry of Labour has now been completed.... The preliminary enrolment of candidates for the Corps will in future be effected exclusively through the local machinery of the Employment Department, and all applications should be made, either personally or by letter, to the nearest Employment Exchange.

                                    The business of recruiting throughout the country is now in operation. An opportunity of assisting the Army is thus open to women, who are needed both at home and abroad for service with the troops to take the place of men who will be released for other purposes. It is intended that members of the corps shall be employed in various capacities, such as clerical work, motor driving, domestic work, printing and other more technical employment in the engineering and electrical sections. The women's Corps will be an auxiliary service to the British Army, with it's own uniform and serving under a special code of discipline.... The age limit for home service will be 18 years, but no candidates under the age of 20 will be accepted for service abroad. At the moment the urgent demand is for domestic workers, both to replace men and to prepare the arrangements for the other women who are to follow.

                                    All women selected, except those chosen for employment with local units, will in the first instance be posted to receiving depot hostels. These are now being established in London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Warrington, Edinburgh, Bristol, Doncaster, Newcastle and Dublin, and a special hostel has been established for women chosen for foreign service....The candidate will be interviewed and asked to fill in a form giving particulars of her age, experience, references &c., and the capacity in which she wishes to serve, if she appears on the whole suitable, her references will be taken up and if these again prove satisfactory, her name will be sent forward and she will in due course be invited to attend before a Selection and Medical Board. The Selection Board will consist of a local administrator of the Corps, a representative of the Employment Department, an Army officer called in to advise in technical cases where women with special qualifications are required, and such additional members may be necessary, meeting under the chairmanship of the Recruiting Controller, who will be a woman appointed by the Adjutant-General's Department.

                                    Together with her notice of calling up for an interview, any candidate living more than five miles away will receive a free return railway warrant. Applicants who are chosen as suitable will be passed on forth-with for examination by the Medical Board, which in every case will meet on the same day as the Selection Board, so that there will be no uncertainty or delay on this score, and a candidate, having once been passed by the Medical Board, will be asked to fill up the final undertaking to enrol as from the date upon which she is free to take up duty, and will then be recognised and paid as a member of the WAAC. After selection an applicant will, according to circumstances, be posted direct to her hostel, or allowed to return home until she receives her calling up notice. In the interval she will draw pay as a member of the WAAC from the date she is free to take up her duty and the calling up notice, which will direct her how and where to join, will again be accompanied by a free railway warrant. Where necessary, Women will be seen off from the station and met on their arrival.

                                    Women who are already engaged in government or munition work or on hospital work (VAD or otherwise) as well as those working under municipal or education authorities, will not be accepted for the WAAC unless they bring with them written permission from their employer of chief to volunteer; and no woman whose husband is serving overseas will at present be accepted for employment in the same theatre of war as that in which her husband is serving."

                                    27th August 1917 Activity in Front Line  245 Machine Gun Company

                                    Mercatel, sheet 51B France 1/40,000 M.24.c.2.4 and trenches

                                    The OC. 245 MGC, Capt WR Thomson proceeded on leave of absence to UK for 10 days. Lt. LW Rees assumed temporary command of the Company.

                                    Weather during the night, very violent storm, strong wind and rain, several tents were blown down and sheets of (screens?) displaced. (Note: the war diary for last item very faint and difficult to read)

                                    War Diaries


                                    27th August 1917 Move to Lugy  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                    27th Aug - Bivouac Lugy - The regiment paraded at Calonne 0615 and marched to brigade Starting point Robecq Church arriving 0715. Route followed Busnes, Lillers, Auchy au Bois, Febvin Palvert, Laires and Lugy. Regiment went into bivouac about 1300. Very wet day.

                                    war diaries


                                    29th Aug 1917 16th Northumberlands move  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers leave Bray Dunes and return to return to Jeanniot (now Canada) camp.

                                    31st Aug 1917   L4 MERICOURT SECTOR

                                    Quiet day.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    1st Sep 1917 War Flight RNAS/RFC take over new seaplane base.  The first aircraft of the War Flight arrived at RFC Seaton Carew II in County Durham from South Shields. The seaplane base was located on 7 acres of land on the northern bank of the mouth of the River Tees and was equiped with a one Seaplane shed and two Bessonneau hangers, a ramp was constructed to allow easy access to the water.

                                    Sep 1917 200 Siege Bty move again  200th Siege Battery move from French Farm, Hooge at Verbrandenmolen in September.

                                    1st September 1917 Cavalry Corps Horse Show  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                    1st Sep - HQ Bernieulles - Cavalry Corps Horse Show. Captain GM Phipps Hornby's charger won Heavyweight Charger Class and champion riding horse of Corps Class. Lt. Col HM Durand's charger was 2nd in lightweight charger class. C Squadron's GS Wagon was 2nd in GS Wagon Class. 3 ORs to Base Hospital. Strength: Officers 34, Other Ranks 579 and Horses 569

                                    war diaries


                                    Sep 1917 Balloon Apron installed  In September 1917 a Balloon Apron is installed around London and separate zones are established within which anti-aircraft guns and aircraft are to operate. Air fighting schools are also established in Britain.

                                    1st Sep 1917 Pies  18th DLI are in the line in the L4 Mericourt Sector. Quiet day except for the usual shelling of the Railway Embankment and Vimy. Outbreak of diarrhoea in the Battalion, this was traced to the meat pies, many of which were bad. This was further traced to a bad McConachie and to the fact that the pies had no holes in the crusts -- ----. These pies are much appreciated and as the result of further experiments a very reliable and tasty brand has been devised. These pies are sent up to trenches in artillery fuse tins and have all the advantages of Bully Beef meal rations.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    1st September 1917 New Squadron formed  No. 86 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps formed on the 1st of September 1917 at Shoreham Aerodrome.

                                    2nd Sep 1917   SM U-28 was a Type U 27 built at Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 18). Ordered 19 Feb 1912, Launched 30 Aug 1913 and Commissioned 26 Jun 1914.
                                    Commanders:
                                    1 Aug 1914 - 14 Jun 1916 Freiherr Georg-Günther von Forstner.
                                    15 Jun 1916 - 4 Aug 1916 Otto Rohrbeck.
                                    5 Aug 1916 - 14 Jan 1917 Freiherr Degenhart von Loë.
                                    15 Jan 1917 - 2 Sep 1917 Georg Schmidt

                                    Career 5 patrols:
                                    Start date unknown - 10 May 1917 training Flotilla.
                                    1 Aug 1914 - end date unknown IV Flotilla.
                                    10 May 1917 - 2 Sep 1917 IV Flotilla

                                    Successes 40 ships sunk with a total of 90,126 tons, 2 ships damaged with a total of 11,188 tons, 2 ships taken as prize with a total of 3,226 tons.

                                    • 17 Mar 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Leeuwarden 990 br
                                    • 18 Mar 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Zaanstrom (prize) 1,657 nl
                                    • 18 Mar 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Batavier V (prize) 1,569 nl
                                    • 25 Mar 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Medea 1,235 nl
                                    • 27 Mar 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Aguila 2,114 br
                                    • 27 Mar 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner South Point 3,837 br
                                    • 27 Mar 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Vosges 1,295 br
                                    • 28 Mar 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Falaba 4,806 br
                                    • 29 Mar 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Flaminian 3,500 br
                                    • 29 Mar 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Theseus (damaged) 6,723 br
                                    • 30 Mar 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Crown Of Castile 4,505 br
                                    • 30 Jul 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Iberian 5,223 br
                                    • 31 Jul 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Nugget 405 br
                                    • 31 Jul 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Turquoise 486 br
                                    • 1 Aug 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Benvorlich 3,381 br
                                    • 1 Aug 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Clintonia 3,830 br
                                    • 1 Aug 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Koophandel 1,736 be
                                    • 1 Aug 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Ranza 2,320 br
                                    • 2 Aug 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Portia 494 br
                                    • 3 Aug 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Costello 1,591 br
                                    • 4 Aug 1915 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Midland Queen 1,993 ca
                                    • 26 Mar 1916 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Norne 1,224 nw
                                    • 28 Mar 1916 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Rio Tiete 3,042 br
                                    • 30 Mar 1916 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Trewyn 3,084 br
                                    • 30 Mar 1916 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Saint Hubert 232 fr
                                    • 31 Mar 1916 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Vigo 1,137 sp
                                    • 1 Apr 1916 U 28 Georg-Günther von Forstner Bengairn 2,127 br
                                    • 29 May 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Fridtjof Nansen 2,190 nw
                                    • 29 May 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Karna 210 nw
                                    • 29 May 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Kodan 217 nw
                                    • 3 Jun 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Merioneth 3,004 br
                                    • 4 Jun 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Algol 2,088 ru
                                    • 5 Jun 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Alaska 90 nw
                                    • 5 Jun 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Duen 30 nw
                                    • 5 Jun 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Sydkap 40 nw
                                    • 8 Jun 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Manchester Engineer(damaged)4,465 br
                                    • 8 Jun 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Sverre Ii 44 nw
                                    • 10 Jun 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Marie Elsie 2,615 br
                                    • 10 Jun 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Perla 5,355 br
                                    • 28 Aug 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Hidalgo 4,271 br
                                    • 28 Aug 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Whitecourt 3,680 br
                                    • 28 Aug 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Marselieza 3,568 ru
                                    • 1 Sep 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Dront 3,488 ru
                                    • 2 Sep 1917 U 28 Georg Schmidt Olive Branch 4,649 br

                                    On 2nd of Sep 1917 U28 was sunk by explosion of Olive Branch’s cargo following gunfire from the U-Boat at 7234N 2756E, off the North Cape. 39 dead (all hands lost).

                                    There was another U 28 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 14 Jul 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 12 Sep 1936.

                                    John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


                                    2nd Sep 1917   IN THE LINE L4 MERICOURT SECTOR

                                    2nd - 3rd September. Usual shelling of back areas but nothing of interest to report.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    3rd Sep 1917 On the Move  9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers Headquarters and D.C. [Divisional Command?] moved to Ruyaulcourt at 0800 and were accommodated in tents and Nissen huts. Captain J.E Gibson Officer Commanding Details (by remainder of unit) at Havrincourt Wood. Working parties were supplied as before.

                                    War Diaries


                                    3rd September 1917   Night raids.

                                    The improved British air defences forced Kagohl 3 to abandon daylight raids. While night raids provided a measure of protection from interceptors and anti-aircraft fire, they greatly complicated navigation and landing. Many damaged aircraft limped back to their airfields, only to be lost in landing accidents. The first night raid by the Gothas took place on 3 September. Targeting Chatham, this was an experimental raid carried out by only five aircraft. The 152 deaths included 130 naval recruits whose dormitory received a direct hit, the worst single bombing incident of the war.

                                    4th September 1917 Gotha Night raids  Encouraged by the lack of night defences, a raid on London was carried out the following night. Of the eleven aircraft which set out, nine reached England and only five got as far as London. Although 18 defensive sorties were flown, none made contact. Although unsuccessful, these flights are significant in that the aircraft used included Camels, proving that it was practical to fly that type at night. One Gotha failed to return, probably downed by anti-aircraft fire from Fort Borstal near Rochester.

                                    John Doran


                                    4th Sep 1917 7th Staffords in action  This day saw the 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment participating in the Battle of Broodseinde, reaching Poelcappelle. 42 men of the regiment are killed.

                                    4th Sep 1917   IN THE LINE L4 MERICOURT SECTOR

                                    About 4.5pm one of our own NIEUPORTS brought down an enemy plane just behind TEDDIE GERRARD the plane crashed and burst into flame on impact. Pilot and observer were buried on the spot, CSM CURREY wounded whilst burying them. 3rd CANADIAN Div commenced to take over. 2nd & 4th CMR relieved 15th & 16th WYR in support and reserve respectively. This relief was complete by 10.30pm and relieved units were able to get clear before gas bombardment began.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    5th Sep 1917   18th DLi are in the Line L4 Mericourt Sector. From 12 midnight to 12.40am and from 1.30am to 1.50am the enemy bombarded Vimy area very violently with mustard gas shells mixed with shrapnel and HE. A few shells fell on forward areas. One gas shell fell near a Lewis Gun Post in A Coy and all the men, 1 NCO & 7 were gassed and evacuated the following afternoon, no immediate effects were felt. The gas curtains at Bn HQ were quite effective and no one felt any bad effects. The 4th CMR at La Chaudiere brickstacks lost a whole Company gassed owing to the dugouts being insufficiently protected. The same area was shelled intermittently throughout the day with gas shells and as there was very little wind the gas hung about all day. At night the Battalion was relieved by the 4th CMR. Owing to the loss of a Company arrangements were altered at the last minute but even then they were stronger than we were. The relief went smoothly and was complete by 11.30pm. The Battalion marched by Companies to Vancouver Camp. Stores etc went by light railway from Station Dump to Territorial Siding.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    6th Sep 1917   During the Third battle of Ypres, 2/5th Battalion Warwicks made an unsuccessful night attack on Hill 35 on the 6th of September. They were part of the 61st Division, which had attacked several times in the previous week.

                                    6th Sep 1917   VANCOUVER CAMP NEUVILLE ST VAAST

                                    All Companies were in camp at 2.30am and got a meal on arrival. 3 ORs wounded on way out. Battalion paraded at 5.0pm and marched to TERRITORIAL SIDING in a violent thunderstorm, they then entrained and proceeded to BRAY where they were partly in billets and partly in huts.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    7th Sep 1917 124th Heavy Battery to 11 HAG  124th Heavy Battery, RGA join 11 Heavy Artillery Group from 9 HAG on 7th of September 1917

                                    7th Sep 1917 Preparations  At Bray 18th DLI spent the day in cleaning and making out deficiency lists. Training arrangements discussed and ground reconnoitred.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    8th Sep 1917 Temp commander takes over 16th Northumberland Fusiliers  Following a shell burst on Battalion HQ sleeping quarters, which injured the commanding officer, Capt Lindsay (attached Brigade staff) takes over command of the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers temporarily.

                                    8th Sep 1917 Quiet  9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers spend a very quiet day at Havrincourt Wood. There was little trench mortar or machine gun fire during the day. A German called across to our men "Jock, have you been here before"? He got no reply however. 2nd Lieutenant Partridge and four men went out on a patrol. They did not come into contact with enemy. Wire entanglements and deepening of the communication trench on Yorkshire Bank continued.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    8th September 1917 Inspections  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                    8th Sep - HQ Bernieulles - Inspection of kits, arms, saddlery and horses by Squadrons.

                                    war diaries


                                    8th Sep 1917   BRAY

                                    8th - 11th September. Training at BRAY and round about: chief objective of training during this period was the instruction of leaders, this was carried out very largely by means of tactical exercises without troops: bayonet fighting, gas defences & applied musketry training also specially worked at.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    9th Sep 1917 Trench Work  9th Royal Irish Fusiliers spend a quiet day in the trenches. Some enemy trench mortars fired around Yorkshire Bank, and an enemy plane flew very low over the Bank. They carried out work on the Bank, wiring and improving trenches and deepening new trenches at R.3. No casualties.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    9th September 1917 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  

                                    SL20

                                    Schütte-Lanz SL20

                                    • First Flight: 9th September 1917
                                    • Length: 198.3 metres (651 ft)
                                    • Diameter: 22.96 metres (75 ft)
                                    • Gas Capacity: 56,000 cubic meters
                                    • Performance: 102.6 km/h
                                    • Payload: 35.5 tonnes
                                    • Engines: 5 Maybach 1,200 hp/895 kW total

                                    Navy ship based at Ahlhorn. Burnt in huge hangar explosion and fire along with four zeppelin airships on the 5th January 1918 after only two missions.

                                    John Doran


                                    10th Sep 1917 Minewefers  9th Royal Irish Fusiliers are in trenches at Havrincourt Wood. The enemy fired a few light minenwerfers about R.3 and the Cage, also a few pineapples at the junction of the front line and Henley Avenue. We fired with Vesuvius and Wigan Copse also dispersed enemy working party or patrol at Etna. Work on trenches and wiring was carried out. No casualties.

                                    WO 95/2505/2


                                    11th Sep 1917 Enemy Patrol  At 0330 an enemy patrol of seven approached the line held by 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, south of Yorkshire Bank and were driven off, but without casualties. R.3 was shelled late in the evening. Lieutenant J.A.L Johnston (D Company) was severely wounded in jaw, leg and foot, and had to go to hospital. The day generally was somewhat more lively than usual.

                                    War Diaries


                                    12th Sep 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieve 5/6th Royal Scots  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers move into Lombartzyde sector, relieving 5/6th Royal Scots.

                                    12th Sep 1917   BRAY

                                    Training as above: lecture by Capt. G.A.U. GILL RAMC on sanitation at 5.0pm I ECOIVRES.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    13th Sep 1917   BRAY

                                    13th - 14th September. Lectures at 11.45am by Lt Col CARTHEW on RFC followed by visit to RFC on the 14th. Several Officers and a number of NCO’s were taken up. Very interesting useful and enjoyable visit.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    14th Sep 1917 Working Parties  9th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Ruyaulcourt. The morning was spent cleaning up followed by allocation of working parties in the afternoon.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    14th September 1917 SS Peerless sinking  

                                    SS Peerless

                                    On the 14th September 1917 the SS Peerless was sunk when torpedoed by U 52 60 miles south west of Bishop Rock or 40 miles per Captain’s report. (49.11N, 07.16W) in passage from Lisbon to Manchester, carrying iron ore and cork. The SS Peerless was a Steamer of 3,112 tons, built in 1898, by Richardson, Duck & Co., Stockton.She was owned by Hall Bros. SS. Co., Ltd. (Hall Bros.), Newcastle

                                    Report of Captain Arthur Newman, Master of the ship : (some words have been hardly deciphered) To the D. N. I. Admiralty S.W. Dear Sir, Re s/s Peerless The vessel was torpedoed and sunk at 1.30am Sept 4th 1919(1917) approximately 40 miles SxW of Bishop light, my instructions were to pass S of Bishop & N of loof to U52, Commander Walter or Walther. The torpedo struck at stoke hold. Killing the 5 firemen on watch and the 2 starboard boats were wrecked by the explosion and the vessel sank in 4-5 mins. Myself and 2 gunners were taken on board after repeated threats to fire in the boat if I did not give myself up. We three were accommodated on the floor of the after torpedo room and had our food after the greasers who also occupied that room. She carried 13 torpedoes and 1 gun and was fitted with 2 tubes at each end. She seemed to be cruising across the mouth of the Channel and as far south as Belle Isle but she had been further South prior to my going on board as from questions asked me, they had been on the watch for the 2 troop transports from Lisbon. She was not fitted that I could see for mine laying. There were 7 torpedoes remaining after I got on board and these were all used with the exception of 1 which seemed entirely made of brass and I was told it was pre war and they were rather doubtful about it. I cannot give you any particulars about other ships sunk as no other prisoners were taken after me, but I should say no more than 3 although they claimed one for each torpedo but on only 3 occasions I heard the explosions of the torpedoes. The line was I should judge between Lands End and Ushant where they attacked a convoy firing the forward torpedoes and then passing beneath the convoy, but let go on one of the aft ones. The first one certainly got its mark but by the time the second one went there were too may depth charges exploding around us to be certain. She returned to her base via west coast of Ireland attacked and I believe sank a vessel there and then attacked a convoy bound to Norway and I believe sunk one ship there, but as before could not be certain on account of the depth charges. On five occasions after manoeuvring for position to torpedo ships the U 52 went away and I was told that they had been hospital ships and this commander would not sink them. We were on top of the water most of the time I was on board. As soon as smoke was seen we went below. The submarine continued on the surface until they raised the upper works of the ship and then submerged, followed the zig zag until they had got it worked out for themselves and in the case of a slow ship they ran on ahead and waited for the ship coming. Coming down the North Sea the submarine herself zig zaged and I was told that they did this on the belief England had several stationery submarines in various places in the North Sea. On two or three occasions the telefunkan was working presumably with other submarines and on the 16th were calling up Nordeutch for escort through the minefields, but we were kept below and I did not see any. We were submerged all night of the 16th and anchored early morning of the 17th in the mouth of the Emms, from there were taken to Helogland and the following day the Wilhelmshafen. One of my gunners H Payne and myself had only trousers and shirt on when taken and applied for clothing and boots on the submarine and Helogland and Wilhelmshafen but on each occasion was told they had nothing to give prisoners. It was not until we arrived at Brandenburg camp that we were given wooden clogs and some filthy gear which had evidently belonged to dead soldiers. In conversation with the crew of the 52, most whom could speak English, I learnt that she had made cruises in the Mediterranean and to Las Palmas. Amongst other ships sunk were the English cruiser Northampton and submarine of the Empire the French battleship Souffren the English SS Glencly and the SS Wentworth. The latter was sunk before me and the captain and 2 gummers were on the submarine with me in the fore compartment. Yours truly Arthur F Newman Master ex SS Peerless

                                    John Doran


                                    15th Sep 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers raid enemy lines  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers in the Lombartzyde sector, undertake a raid on enemy raid on lines, casualties fairly heavy.

                                    15th Sep 1917 Huts  At Ruyaulcourt, Inspection Parades were held by 9th Irish Fusiliers under Company arrangements. The Brigadier visited the Battalion Transport for whom lines are in course of construction. Hutting work was in progress under 2nd Lieutenant Bennet (Works Officer) and a works party of ten Other Ranks was working after dusk at new Company Headquarters in the line at R.3.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    15th Sep 1917 On the Move  405 Bty 166 Brigade RFA embarked for France on the Archimedes

                                    15th Sep 1917   BRAY

                                    All officers and a number of NCO’s tactical exercise with a view to battalion attack scheme to be carried out Monday following.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    16th Sep 1917   Sunday Church parade was held at 10.45am. at Bray for the 18th Btn Durham Light Infantry.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    17th Sep 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved by 2nd Inniskillings  2nd Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers relieve the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers in the Lombartzyde sector.

                                    17th Sep 1917 Inspection  9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers paraded at 1030 for inspection by the Corps Commander who expressed his satisfaction in generous terms of the appearance of the Battalion and the Transport. The working parties carried on in afternoon and evening.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    17th Sep 1917 1st Siege Battery RGA defend Ypres  The 1st Siege Battery RGA was part of the defence of Ypres, probably sited in or near Zillabeke - Birr crossroads.

                                    17th Sep 1917 405 Bty Entrain  405 Bty, 166 Brigade RFA left Le Havre for Marseilles via Paris and Rouen travelling by forage van.

                                    17th Sep 1917   BRAY

                                    Battalion attack practice over old trench South of NEUVILLE ST VAAST.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    18th Sep 1917 Working Parties  9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Ruyaulcourt engaged in Parades and working parties as usual.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    18th Sep 1917   BRAY

                                    Preparation for moving into the trenches. Boxing and tug-of-war competitions during the afternoon.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    19th Sep 1917 Football  At Ruyaulcourt 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers held Parades, bathing and working parties as usual. The Battalion football team beat the 108th Brigade team by two goals to one after a good tussle.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    19th Sep 1917   BRAY TRENCHES IN SUPPORT BEHIND ARLEUX

                                    Battalion relieved 13th EYR in the ARLEUX SECTOR, Battalion being in support to 16th WYR. Relief was carried out very smoothly and was complete by 3.0pm. Casualties nil. Weather remained very fine.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    20th Sep 1917 Sports  9th Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Ruyaulcourt. Parades as usual and working parties. A cross-country run was held in the afternoon with all available Officers and men taking part.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    20th Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR

                                    Weather continued fine & observation very good. Our aeroplanes very active in early morning. Nothing of any importance to relate. Casualties nil.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    21st Sep 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieve 2nd Inniskillings  2nd Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers are relieved by the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers in the Lombartzyde sector.

                                    21st September 1917 Divisional Dismounted Sports  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                    21st Sep - Billets HQ Bernieulles - 1st Cavalry Division Dismounted Sports. 1 OR to Base Hospital

                                    war diaries


                                    21st Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR

                                    Morning very fine. 6 ‘A’ active in early morning & flying low over our line. Companies on working parties. Wiring parties found by Battalion at night. Artillery quiet on both sides except for a little counter battery work. Nothing of any importance to relate. Casualties nil.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    22nd September 1917   SM U-157

                                    Type U 151 Shipyard Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg Ordered 29 Nov 1916 Launched 23 May 1917 Commissioned 22 Sep 1917

                                    Commanders.
                                    22 Sep 1917 - 20 Jul 1918 Max Valentiner.
                                    21 Jul 1918 - 30 Nov 1918 Ortwin Rave

                                    Career 2 patrols.
                                    22 Sep 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 U-Kreuzer Flotilla

                                    Successes 15 ships sunk with a total of 15,905 tons.

                                    • 26 Dec 1917 U 157 Max Valentiner Lidia 302 pt
                                    • 7 Jan 1918 U 157 Max Valentiner Oued Sebou 1,540 fr
                                    • 10 Jan 1918 U 157 Max Valentiner Hulda Maersk 1,566 da
                                    • 11 Jan 1918 U 157 Max Valentiner Norefos 1,788 nw
                                    • 17 Feb 1918 U 157 Max Valentiner Estrella Da Bissao 129 pt
                                    • 20 Feb 1918 U 157 Max Valentiner Kithira 2,240 gr
                                    • 14 Mar 1918 U 157 Max Valentiner Arpillao 2,768 sp
                                    • 4 Aug 1918 U 157 Ortwin Rave Remonstrant 1,073 nw
                                    • 4 Aug 1918 U 157 Ortwin Rave Don 1,145 nw
                                    • 9 Aug 1918 U 157 Ortwin Rave Orkney 291 da
                                    • 15 Aug 1918 U 157 Ortwin Rave Kalps 284 ru
                                    • 27 Aug 1918 U 157 Ortwin Rave Gloria 120 pt
                                    • 18 Sep 1918 U 157 Ortwin Rave Ledaal 2,257 nw
                                    • 22 Sep 1918 U 157 Ortwin Rave Gaia 278 pt
                                    • 8 Oct 1918 U 157 Ortwin Rave Hawanee 124 br

                                    Fate 11 Nov 1918 - Interned at Trondheim, Norway. Surrendered to France on 8 Feb, 1919. Broken up at Brest during July 1921.

                                    There was another U 157 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 5 Jun 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 15 Sep 1941.

                                    John Doran


                                    22nd Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR

                                    Weather: chilly in early morning, later turning very fine & sunny. One other rank wounded (shell) whilst working on Plane Dump. Artillery on both sides more active in late afternoon. Nothing of any importance to relate.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    23rd Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR

                                    Morning bright & fine. Enemy aeroplane very active in early morning but flying at high altitude. Maj. G.W. TILLY took over temporary command of 15th WYR whilst Col. TAYLOR, A/BRIGADIER (on leave). Sgt J KNAGGS & Pte R LAMB killed & wounded respectively (shell) on track leading from RED LINE to ARLEUX RD. It is supposed that the smoke caused by a cookhouse in charge of R.E. which was on track drew the hostile fire. Both men were HQ signallers. Lamb has since died. Artillery on both sides very active during the whole day.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    24th September 1917 Gotha Night raids  Six raids followed at the end of September. These included the first raids on England by the enormous Zeppelin-Staaken R-planes of Riesenflugzeug-Abteilung 501. On 24 September 16 Gothas set off: 13 reached England, most bombing Dover and othe targets in Kent, with only five reaching London. This coincided with an unsuccessful Zeppelin attack on the Midlands.

                                    John Doran


                                    24th Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR

                                    Weather continued fine & bright, though lot of ground mist in early morning. Our artillery in conjunction with aeroplanes very active. Casualties nil.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    25th Sep 1917 15th Siege Battery suffer casualties  Six members of 15th Siege Battery, RGA, were killed on the 25th of September 1917. There were buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery.

                                    25th Sep 1917 12th Londons move up for attack  12th Battalion London Regiment moved up to assembly positions on the 25th September preparatory to the attack on the ridge North East of St. Julien.

                                    25th September 1917 Gotha Night raids  The following night 15 Gothas set out, with similar results, only three aircraft reaching London. One of the bombers came down in the North Sea, probably the victim of a Sopwith 1½ Strutter flown by Douglas Bell and George Williams of No. 78 Squadron.

                                    John Doran


                                    25th September 1917   SM U-110

                                    Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 279) Ordered 5 May 1916 Launched 28 Jul 1917 Commissioned 25 Sep 1917

                                    Commanders.
                                    22 Nov 1917 - 10 Dec 1917 Otto von Schubert.
                                    12 Dec 1917 - 15 Mar 1918 Carl Albrecht Kroll

                                    Career 3 patrols.
                                    22 Dec 1917 - 15 Mar 1918 IV Flotilla

                                    Successes 10 ships sunk with a total of 26,963 tons.

                                    • 24 Dec 1917 U 110 Carl Albrecht Kroll Penshurst 1,191 br
                                    • 30 Dec 1917 U 110 Carl Albrecht Kroll Zone 3,914 br
                                    • 7 Jan 1918 U 110 Carl Albrecht Kroll Egda 2,527 nw
                                    • 4 Mar 1918 U 110 Carl Albrecht Kroll Castle Eden 1,949 br
                                    • 7 Mar 1918 U 110 Carl Albrecht Kroll Vitol 2,639 br
                                    • 7 Mar 1918 U 110 Carl Albrecht Kroll Tarbetnesse 3,018 br
                                    • 8 Mar 1918 U 110 Carl Albrecht Kroll Erica 167 br
                                    • 9 Mar 1918 U 110 Carl Albrecht Kroll Nanny Wignall 93 br
                                    • 10 Mar 1918 U 110 Carl Albrecht Kroll Germaine 1,428 fr
                                    • 15 Mar 1918 U 110 Carl Albrecht Kroll Amazon 10,037 br

                                    Fate 15 Mar 1918 - Severely damaged in a D/C attack from HMS Michael and Moresby. Surfaced but sank at 55°49’N 08°06’W. 32 dead and 9 survivors.

                                    There was another U 110 in World War Two.
                                    That boat was launched from its shipyard on 25 Aug 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 21 Nov 1940.

                                    John Doran


                                    25th Sep 1917 118th MCG in action  118th Machine Gun Company, 39th Division were in action under heavy shellfire during an operation on the 25th Sept 1917 near Cheluvelt.

                                    25th Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR

                                    Weather continued fine. Relieved 16th WYR in line. - -----. T29 d.2.9. Relief worked out very smoothly & complete by 3.50pm. Casualties nil.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    26th Sep 1917 Football  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Havrincourt Wood. An uneventful day. Ten Other Ranks proceeded to Divisional Signalling School for a course. In a football match in the afternoon at Transport lines, we defeated a team picked from the North Irish Horse draft by 2,1.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    26th Sep 1917 12th Londons in action  Following a heavy artillery barrage on the morning of the 26th September at 0530hrs ‘B’ Company of the 12th London’s advanced with the 2/9th London’s (Queen Victoria Rifles). The 2/9th found it difficult to maintain the correct direction due to heavy fog, boggy ground and taking heavy casualties through fire from a German trench and machine guns in a nearby pillbox. They pressed on, neutralising both positions, however they stopped a quarter of a mile short of their objective. ‘B’ Company of the 12th Londons took their objective but having failed to make contact with the 2/9th Battalion were forced to pull back to secure its flanks.

                                    C Company 12th Londons, led by Captain Hardy went over the top at 0611hrs and were tasked with attacking an enemy pillbox positioned on the ridge. After a sharp fight captured the German pillbox, together with numerous prisoners. The action of Rifleman Ratcliffe was noted as exceptional, having found himself in charge of the remnants of No 10 Platoon, being one of only four survivors, he collected a few men who had strayed from another Battalion (possibly 2/9ths), including a Company Sergeant Major and a Lewis Gun party and took up a position covering the flank of his Company. Together with the remaining No 10 Platoon men this disparate group held the flank with the aid of a captured German machine gun. Rifleman Ratcliffe was awarded the Military Medal for this action.

                                    26th September 1917 Zeppelin LZ102 takes to the air  Zeppelin LZ102 (L57) was a W Class craft which first flew on 26th September 1917. It was not used in combat but was intended for use in Africa. It was damaged beyond repair by a heavy wind on the 8th October 1917.

                                    John Doran


                                    26th Sep 1917 Battle of Polygon Wood Begins  The Battle of Polygon Wood, part of the Third Battle of Ypres began on the 26th of September 1917

                                    26th Sep 1917   IN LINE

                                    Night very quiet. Night patrols reported our wire very strong. A little shelling of our front line in early morning. Situation very quiet. Pte. E G GIBBON wounded machine gun bullets in the arm.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    27th Sep 1917 Shelling  9th Royal Irish Fusiliers report from Havrincourt Wood. "Some desultory shelling indulged in during the day by the enemy and our artillery. Otherwise the situation remains quiet and the weather continues to be fine."

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    27th Sep 1917   IN LINE

                                    Very dull and rain in early morning later turning out very fine and bright. Daylight patrols sent out by us in morning. Two of our observation balloons brought down by E. A. in SOUCHEZ, they in turn supposed to have been brought down by our planes. Enemy TM’s more active than usual on A Coy front. But not hitting the trench.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    28th Sep 1917 Shelling  9th (North Irish Horse) Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers report from "Our aeroplanes were active. Enemy shelling along the Canal Bank and clear of Faugh-A-Ballagh Bridge was more active than usual but he did us [no] damage whatever. A draft of 42 Other Ranks rejoined the Battalion at the Transport lines."

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    28th September 1917 Gotha Night raids  On 28 September 25 Gothas and two R-planes took off, but most turned back due to adverse weather. Three people were wounded and £129 damage was caused, for the cost of three Gothas lost and six damaged on landing.

                                    John Doran


                                    28th Sep 1917   IN LINE

                                    Morning fine & observation excellent. Our planes early active patrolling despite heavy AA MG fire. Our planes early active patrolling despite heavy AA MG fire. L/Cpl VOCKUICH MM & Pte TG WHENCH wounded (since died) whilst on daylight patrol by trench mortar. Enemy put down a light barrage on our R. Front Coy sector & when retaliation shown he immediately ceased. Artillery continued active all day and Enemy aeroplanes showed a marked increase in activity.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    29th Sep 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the move  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers leave the reserve at Nieuport for Coxyde

                                    29th Sep 1917 Relief  9th Royal Irish Fusiliers moved into the Brigade Reserve at Ruyaulcourt P.15.b.9.8, with relief by 12th Royal Irish Rifles being completed at about 8pm. A very quiet day. One Other Rank was slightly wounded during the day and total casualties in 9th Irish Fusiliers for the tour of duty was three killed, one died of wounds and one wounded.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    29th September 1917 Gotha Night raids  The following night seven Gothas and three R-planes took off, killing 40 and injuring 87 for the loss of one aircraft. By this time the population of London was thoroughly alarmed, with up to 300,000 people seeking shelter in Underground stations and others leaving London to sleep in whatever accommodation was available, some even sleeping in open fields.

                                    John Doran


                                    29th Sep 1917   IN LINE

                                    Weather remained fine. Our aeroplanes early active working in conjunction with artillery. Enemy artillery quiet. Nothing of any importance to relate. Casualties nil.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    30th Sep 1917 Church Parade  At Ruyaulcourt Church of England and Presbyterians of 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers, paraded for Divine Services at 12 noon. The Corps Commander attended the former service.

                                    The following Officers reported for duty:

                                    • Major V.G Whitla
                                    • Captain F.G Uprichard
                                    • Captain John Grant
                                    • 2nd Lieutenant R.A Orr
                                    • 2nd Lieutenant John Scott
                                    • 2nd Lieutenant R.L Smith.

                                    A football match was held later in the afternoon, the Battalion team versus the North Irish Horse draft team, which the Battalion team won by 2, 1.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    30th September 1917 Gotha Night raids  On 30 September 11 Gothas set off to raid London.

                                    John Doran


                                    30th Sep 1917   18th DLI's war diary records "After a lot of ground mist in the early morning the day turned out warm & bright. Unusual air activity and very heavy MG fire directed against the planes from both sides. Boche planes very active in the early evening but flying at a high altitude. Nothing of any moment to relate. Casualties the enemy fired a few gas shells over about midnight causing the men to put on respirators, but did not last long."

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    1st Oct 1917 Working Parties  9th North Irish Horse) Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers are in Reserve at Ruyaulcourt P.15.b.9.8. Parades, working parties and sports carried on as normal. Brigadier-General R.J Kentish DSO visited the Battalion.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    1st October 1917 Gotha Night raids  Following on from the 30 September 11 Gothas raid London, on 1 October 18 Gothas took off, eleven reaching England. On both nights over 14,000 rounds were fired by the anti-aircraft guns, without scoring a single hit. By now shells were in short supply, and many of the guns had fired so many rounds that their barrels were worn out.

                                    Alarmed, the Government reallocated new 3 inch guns from their intended use of defending merchant shipping against submarines to the defence of London. The barrage was also proving hazardous to those on the ground as that week eight people had been killed and another 67 injured by falling fragments.

                                    During this period the RNAS and RFC carried out a series of bombing raids on the German bomber's airfields at St. Denis-Westrem and Gontrode, forcing the squadrons to relocate to Mariakerke and Oostakker, with the staff headquarters moving to Ghent.

                                    John Doran


                                    1st Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP

                                    The Battalion was relieved by 11th EYR in L2 (ARLEUX) Sector. Relief complete at 3.15pm. Some slight shelling of TIRED ALLEY on the way out but no casualties. The Battalion entrained at DAYLIGHT RAILHEAD at 6.30pm for ROCLINCOURT and reached ECURIE CAMP about 6.30pm. ECURIE was shelled about mid-day by 24 cm gun 3 shells in camp but no casualties. B Co ( ½ in LONG WOOD and ½ in SUNKEN ROAD ) left behind for working parties.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    2nd Oct 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the move  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers move to La Panne.

                                    2nd Oct 1917 Inspection  9th (North Irish Horse) Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. are at Ruyaulcourt. Brigadier-General R.J Kentish D.S.O again visited the Battalion and lunched at the Headquarters Mess. Training etc. carried on as usual.

                                    2nd Lieutenants W.H Hutchinson, F.J Whalen, H.S Dean and C.B Larter from the North Irish Horse joined the Battalion for duty.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    2nd Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP

                                    Cleaning up, baths etc. 1 NCO &25 ORs sent to CRE ROCLINCOURT as loading party.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    3rd October 1917 Training and Sports  9th (North Irish Horse) Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Ruyaulcourt. Training continued as per the programme and preparation continued for sports. The Battalion football team drew with 108th Field Artillery (1 goal all) after a keen tussle. Major G.J Brew rejoined from a Senior Officers' Course at Aldershot and assumed the post of Second-in-Command of the Battalion.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    3rd Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP

                                    2Lt ASHLEY and 50 ORs proceeded to FARBUS to work under 170 Brigade RFA other working parties, total 1 Officer and 107 ORs.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    4th October 1917 Training  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. are at Ruyaulcourt. Parades, working parties and recreational training as usual.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    4th Oct 1917 Men behave well under first fire  The War Diary for one of the battalions of the Somerset Light Infantry records: A satisfactory feature of the day was the way in which the last draft of 200 behaved. Though for the most part only 19 years of age, and never having been under fire before they showed the greatest keenness and determination and behaved excellently

                                    http://ramblesandrelics.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/operation-war-diary/


                                    4th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP

                                    C Co relieved B Co in LONG WOOD, Other parties as above.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    5th Oct 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers to rest camp  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers move to the Divisional rest camp at Fort des Dunes, near Dunkerque and Malo les Bains.

                                    5th Oct 1917 Sports  9th Royal Irish Fusiliers. are at Ruyaulcourt P.15.b.9.8. Today was a holiday for the Battalion and sports carried on from 10am all day. There were various inter-Regimental, Brigade and Divisional contests. 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (107th Brigade) attended in large numbers and in our competitions with them we secured fifteen 'firsts' and seven 'seconds' to their seven 'firsts' and five 'seconds'.

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    5th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP

                                    Working parties as above.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    6th Oct 1917 Wet Day  9th Royal Irish Fusiliers report from Ruyaulcourt. "Very wet day until late in the afternoon and all parades had to be cancelled. Captain Hulse reported for duty."

                                    9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2


                                    6th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP

                                    2Lt ASHLEY and party return to unit. Weather breaks very wet and stormy.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    7th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP

                                    Sunday. Working parties as above except for party of 1 Officer and 25 ORs on SPRINGVALE CAMP RANGE finished and no longer required.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    8th October 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                    Havrincourt Wood K.31.c.0.0.

                                    Corps have ordered all Battalions to be continually on the offensive while holding the line. Consequently the Battalion will organize patrols nightly (weather permitting) and raids will be carried out at fixed periods. Owing to very bad weather no patrols went out on night of 7/8. Very quiet in the line, afternoon and night very wet and the men got a special issue of rum.

                                    War Diaries


                                    8th Oct 1917 SS Memphian lost  Seven miles East/North-East of the Arklow light vessel, the Memphian was torpedoed by U-boat 96 captained by Kapitanleutenant Heinrich Jeb. Thirty-two crew members were lost. Wreckage and bodies washed up along the Cambrian coast. A few were identified but most lie in graves marked as unknown at the locations where they were found, their names recorded as being lost at sea on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

                                    8th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP

                                    A Co relieved C Co in LONG WOOD.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    9th Oct 1917 2nd Essex & 2nd Lancs in action  2nd Essex & 2nd Lancs are in action at Poelcapple, with 12 Brigade.

                                    9th Oct 1917 1st Norfolks attack Polderhoek Chateau  In the early hours 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment was involved in an attack on Polderhoek Chateau close to the Menin Road during the Third Battle of Ypres.

                                    9th Oct 1917   From Ecurie Camp, 26 ORs 18th DLI relieved similar party from D Co working under CRE Roclincourt.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    10th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP

                                    2Lt AGAR and 32 men wiring TOTAL POST and 1 Officer and 50 ORs carrying went up to RED LINE where they remained for three nights wiring each night.

                                    18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                    11th October 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                    Havrincourt Wood K.31.c.0.0.

                                    Quiet day. Major Ferguson left Headquarters to go to Rouen to check Battalion Records at 3rd Echelon. B Company relieved D Company at R.3 and A Company relieved C Company on Yorkshire Bank.

                                    War Diaries


                                    11th October1917 Operation Albion 1917  Operation Albion was the German land and naval operation in September,October 1917 to invade and occupy the West Estonian Archipelago. This was part of the Autonomous Governorate of Estonia, Russian Republic. The land campaign opened with landings at the Tagalaht, Saaremaa on 11 October 1917, after extensive naval activity to clear mines and subdue coastal artillery batteries. The Germans secured the island by 16 October. The Russian Army evacuated Muhu on 18 October. After two failed attempts, the Germans managed to land on Hiiumaa on the 19th and captured the island on the following day. The Russian Baltic Fleet had to withdraw from the Suur Strait after major losses (see Battle of Moon Sound). The Germans claimed 20,000 prisoners and 100 guns captured during the Operation Albion from 12 October.

                                    Strategic significance

                                    At the beginning of World War I the islands were of little importance to either Imperial Russia or Germany. However after the revolutionary turmoil in Russia during 1917, the German high command believed capturing the islands would outflank Russian defences and lay St. Petersburg vulnerable to attack.

                                    Order of battle

                                    • German units
                                    • 42nd Division
                                    • 2nd Infanterie Cyclist Brigade
                                    • Special Task force: "Vizeadmiral' Ehrhard Schmidt Flagship: Moltke
                                    • Squadron III: Vizeadmiral Paul Behncke in command of dreadnought battleships König, Bayern, Grosser Kurfürst, Markgraf, and Kronprinz
                                    • Squadron IV. Vizeadmiral Wilhelm Souchon in command of dreadnought battleships Kaiser, Friedrich der Grosse, Kaiserin, Prinzregent Luitpold, and König Albert
                                    • II Aufklarungsgruppe: Konteradmiral Ludwig von Reuter in command of cruisers Königsberg, Karlsruhe, Danzig, Frankfurt, and Nürnberg
                                    • VI Aufklarungsgruppe: Konteradmiral Albert Hopman in command of cruisers Kolberg, Strassburg, Augsburg, Nautilus, and Blitz
                                    • Torpedoboats Flagship: Emden
                                    • II Flottille (10 boats)
                                    • VIII Flottille (11 boats)
                                    • VI Flottille (11 boats)
                                    • X Flottille (11 boats)
                                    • 7th Half-Flottille (7 boats)
                                    • U-Flottille Kurland (6 boats)
                                    • Sperrbrechergruppe.
                                    • II Minesweeper Flottille
                                    • 3rd Half-Flottille
                                    • 4th Half-Flottille
                                    • 8th Half-Flottille
                                    • 3rd S-Half-Flottille
                                    • S-Flottille of the Baltic
                                    • Netbarrier Unit of the Baltic
                                    • Russian units
                                    • Battleships: Tsesarevich, Slava
                                    • Armored cruiser: Admiral Makarov
                                    • Destroyers: Desna, Novik, Pobeditel, Zabijaka, Grom, Konstantin
                                    • Gunboats: Chivinetz, Grozyashchi
                                    • Blockship: Lavwija
                                    • Minelayer: Pripyat
                                    • British units
                                    • Submarines: HMS C26, HMS C27, HMS C32

                                      John Doran


                                      11th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP

                                      11th - 12th October. Working parties as before: weather extremely wet.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      13th Oct 1917   IN SUPPORT (ARLEUX)

                                      Battalion under Maj. INCE left ECURIE CAMP and relieved 11th EYR in L2 Sector Supports. Relief complete 2.15pm.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      14th Oct 1917   IN SUPPORT (ARLEUX)

                                      Weather fine. Quiet day. Little Battery exchanges.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      15th October 1917 Naval Action -15th October 1917  The Action of 15 October 1917 was a naval engagement of World War I between Imperial Germany and the United States off the coast of Mind Head, Ireland.

                                      Action

                                      The American destroyer USS Cassin, under Lieutenant Commander W. N. Vernon, was operating off the coast of Ireland in October 1917. It was on anti-submarine patrols and rescue missions, as well as convoy duty. Operating out of Queenstown, Ireland, she was armed with four 4 inch guns and eight 18 inch torpedo tubes. The German submarine U-61, on a typical unrestricted U-boat mission, was cruising in British waters, attacking Allied shipping. She was armed with a deck gun and torpedoes. On 15 October 1917, Cassin sighted U-61 at about 23 miles south of Mind Head at 1330 and 5 miles from the ship. The German submarine sighted Cassin as well, she immediately submerged and began to flee. The pursuit ensued for an hour and at about 14:30, U-61's commander, Victor Dieckmann, decided to engage the tailing American warship. The Germans then turned about and surfaced to line up for a shot and fired their last torpedo. Gunner's Mate First Class Osmond Ingram noticed the incoming projectile, he quickly ran over to the depth charge gunners and ordered them to shoot charges in U-61's direction. The torpedo struck the destroyer aft on the port side before the depth charge attack could be launched and Ingram was killed in the explosion. The torpedo hit Cassin's portside stern, nearly blowing off her rudder. The American destroyer began to steam in circles, but returned a barrage of 4 inch shells which forced the U-boat to dive. Four hits damaged U-61's conning tower which discouraged her commander from continuing to attack. Besides the American sailor killed, nine others were wounded in the action. The dead sailor, Osmond Ingram, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service on 15 October. Eventually, another American destroyer USS Porter and the British sloops HMS Jessamine and Tamarisk arrived on the scene and protected Cassin throughout the night. However, no further U-boat contacts were made. The next morning, Cassin was towed back to Queenstown by Captain Ronald Niel Stuart in HMS Snowdrop. The damaged USS Cassin was repaired and returned to active duty in July 1918. U-61 was sunk by the submarine chaser HMS PC-51 a few months later.

                                      John Doran


                                      15th Oct 1917   IN SUPPORT (ARLEUX)

                                      Lt THORMAN left to report to DAG on 17th October. 2Lt FREER took over duties of Adjutant.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      16th October 1917   The Battle of Moon Sound was a naval battle fought between the forces of Germany and the then Russian Republic alomg with three British submarines in the Baltic Sea from 16 October 1917 until 3 November 1917. The German intention was to destroy the Russian forces and occupy the West Estonian Archipelago. The German Navy had 1 battlecruiser, 10 battleships, 9 light cruisers, 1 mine cruiser, 50 destroyers and 6 submarines while the Russians had only 2 pre-dreadnoughts, 3 cruisers, 3 gunboats, 21 destroyers and 3 submarines.

                                      Background

                                      It was the Germans' intention to destroy the Russian Army and occupy the West Estonian Archipelago (Moonsund Archipelago). The Germans captured the archipelago, with its main islands of Saaremaa (Ösel), Hiiumaa (Dagö), and Muhu (Moon) during the Operation Albion in September 1917. This left a Russian squadron consisting of the old Russo-Japanese War-era pre-dreadnought battleships Grazhdanin (Tsesarevich), and Slava, together with cruisers and destroyers, stranded in the Gulf of Riga. The Russian fleet escaped on 17 October 1917 by way of the Suur Strait separating the island of Muhu from the Estonian mainland.

                                      Battle

                                      At the start of the Battle of Moon Sound, there were two submarines in the Gulf of Riga. They were C 27 (Lt. Sealy) and C 32 (Lt. Satow). When the Germans got there, Captain Francis Cromie sent out another submarine called C 26 (Lt. Downie). On the night of the 16th of October, Lt. Sealy fired two torpedoes at two German ships but missed. Two further torpedoes struck their targets. C 27 returned to Hanko when it was no longer needed. C 32 attempted to attack a German ship but was spotted and bombed. In the afternoon of 16 October, Gruppe Behncke travelled to the south exit of the Suur Strait and dropped anchor around 8:30 pm. All German ships were anchored in a close line with a torpedo boat at each end. The Germans made significant progress on shore on 16 October, taking 120 officers and 400 men prisoner and capturing 49 guns. By the end of the day, German forces were prepared to capture the West Estonian Archipelago and the navy was ready to attack in the Matsalu Bay and the Suur Strait. The Russian battle strategy was changed at 0430 on October 17 due to a mistake made in the transfer of an order. That morning, ships were on the move by 0700. The 3rd M.S.H.F was heading east while the 8th H.f.F.l. was heading north under command of Erich Koellner. At 0720, Russian battleships opened fire on the 8th H.f.F.l, the 3rd M.S. Dive and the Sperrbrecher. The 8th advanced but were under constant Russian fire. It was the 3rd M.S.H.F's duty to clear mines. At 0800 Admiral Behncke ordered that the cruisers stay put and not advance any farther. At this point, König and Kronprinz proceeded east by the 3rd M.S.H.F, both under the command of Georg von der Marwitz. Slava was advancing so that she came between Paternoster and Werder and started firing upon any east-bound German ship. While this was going on, the 3rd M.S.H.F. had reached Laura Bank and turned north, König and Kronprinz continued east and Slava was now heading north. Admiral Hopman was at the same time heading west towards the Väike Strait. At 0910, two Russian ships that had returned south opened fire on the 3rd M.S.H.F. The Russians now understood that if they could stop the minesweepers, they could stop the entire German attack. At 0940, 3rd Ms. Dive was brought over to the east side of Russian minefields to assist the 3rd H.f.F.l. By 1000, the minesweepers were on the northern edge of the rectangular minefield. König and Kronprinz now went forward. Around 1013, König opened fire on Slava. By 1017, Kronprinz followed König`s lead and opened fire on the battleship Grazhdanin. Bayan was also attacked by König. Slava took many underwater hits, causing extensive damage. Grazhdanin only got hit twice in all of the chaos. At 1040 the Germans ceased fire. The Russians continued to fire on the 3rd M.S.H.F. Around 1030, Admiral Bachirev ordered all sea forces to withdraw to the northern Suur Strait. Slava was now fatally wounded, destroyed by Turkmerec Strauropolski. The Russians were determined to make the channel impossible to pass through so they laid out more mines and used damaged ships to their advantage. At 1046, the Werder Battery opened fire on the German battleships. At approximately 1109, two German battleships anchored while under fire at Võilaid. At 1128 there was a false submarine alarm followed by a legitimate one at 1208. Around 1335, Kolberg attacked Võilaid for approximately ten minutes but met no reply. At 1545, Admiral Hopman`s flagleutnant Obltz Keln led a landing party to take over Woi. At 1730, white star shell could be seen which meant that the battery had successfully been taken but the guns were unserviceable. By 1500, Kommodore Heinrich took V100 toward the channel that would lead them to the Suur Strait but were immediately under fire by gunboats under the control of Admiral Makarov. At 2200, Kptlt Zander began to go forward to the Suur Strait. The destroyer S 50 took up position to mark the passage. At the end of the day, Germans were in control over the southern Suur Strait, the Väike Strait and the Matsalu Bay. On the night of October 17, Russians gave up trying to capture the Suur Strait. Just after midnight on October 18, S 64 was shaken by a mine detonation and was rendered unmanoeuvrable. By 0100, S 64 had sunk. At dawn, German torpedo boats assumed patrol stations in the Matsalu Bay. The landing operations on Hiiumaa gained momentum between 0715 and 0800 as the area around Emmaste was secured. By 0830, German minesweepers had worked forward to a mile south of the Viirelaid lighthouse. At 0800, Behncke's group started east and went behind the 3rd M.S.H.F. Just after 1000, Behncke ordered Admiral Hopman to dispatch Strassburg and the 8th M.S.H.F. to the 3rd squadron while Kolberg, the torpedo-boats and Sperrbrecher would remain to the west. At 1240 the 3rd M.S.H.F. and two boats of the half flotilla confirmed that Slava was sunk along with two freight steamers. The Germans could see Russian destroyers laying mines, the Russians had not yet detected the Germans, so the Germans opened fire, which was met with a reply. Two German torpedo boats opened fire as the Germans continued northward, two Russian gunboats and several destroyers took them under fire. They then turned south at high speed under the cover of a smoke screen. By the evening of the 18th, Kuressaare had been made a supply base, the southern part of Hiiumaa under control of the second Cyclist Battalion and the S-Flotilla landing section. Saaremaa and Muhu were now firmly in German hands. On October 19 the forces of the Gulf of Riga and numerous transport steamers and auxiliaries left the northern Suur Strait under the protection of minesweepers and destroyers. By mid-afternoon, the German forces had penetrated the strait. The German losses were seven minesweepers, nine trawlers and small boats as well as one torpedo-boat. The Imperial Navy had a total of 156 dead and 60 wounded. The Russian Navy had 54 dead and 141 wounded. The German Army captured 20,130 prisoners, 141 Russian guns including 47 heavy pieces and 130 machine guns.

                                      Aftermath

                                      Casualties of the Battle were far more extensive for the Germans than the Russians. 300 German soldiers were killed, and 200 were wounded while the Russians suffered fewer than 100 deaths and around the same number of wounded. German destroyers S 46, S 64 and the Russian destroyer Grom were sunk. All the four ships, Slava, Citizen, König and Kronprinz were damaged but Slava was in a bad condition. The German battleships Bayern and Grosser Kurfürst were badly damaged. Destroyer B 98 was damaged, A 32 ran aground and the auxiliary ship Corsika was damaged. 7 minesweepers and the destroyers S 65 and S 66 were sunk.

                                      16th Oct 1917   IN SUPPORT (ARLEUX)

                                      Enemy put up a hurricane bombardment of gas & HE on Battalion front and Batteries in rear about the RED LINE at 12.1am which lasted until 1.50am with varying intensity. 2 Sgt’s wounded (slightly), 1 L/Cpl & 2 men gassed (slightly)

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      17th October 1917 Lerwick Action 1917  The Action off Lerwick was a small naval battle on the 17th October 1917 fought in the North Sea. Two German light cruisers attacked a convoy of coal-carrying ships and their escort. In the course of the battle the two escorting destroyers and nine neutral Scandinavian ships were sunk off Shetland.

                                      Background

                                      The British regularly shipped coal across the North Sea from Norway in 1917. These convoys were lightly defended so the Kaiserliche Marine took advantage of the situation. At first submarines were deployed to sink the merchantmen, but after these attacks failed the German Admiral Reinhard Scheer ordered an attack with surface vessels. U-boats informed Admiral Scheer that a fleet of nine Scandinavian, one Belgian and two British steamers laden with coal were headed west from Lerwick. The two light cruisers Brummer and Bremse, each armed with four 5.9 inch naval guns and two 3.5 inch anti-aircraft guns, were sent to ambush to convoy on 17 October, 65 miles off Lerwick. Escorting the convoy were two British destroyers, Mary Rose and Strongbow with two naval trawlers, HMS Elise and P. Fannon. The destroyers had complements of about 80 men and armament of three 4 inch guns, three 2-pounders and two 21 inch torpedo tubes. Lieutenant Commander Charles Fox led the Allies convoy in his flagship Mary Rose and Lieutenant Commander Edward Brooke skippered Strongbow.

                                      Action

                                      At about 0600, lookouts on Strongbow spotted the two German light cruisers approaching their ship at a distance of over 4,000 yards. They were mistaken for British cruisers and signaled to identify themselves but no response was received. The Germans mistook the destroyers for cruisers themselves and they began signaling the British to come out and fight. Eventually the range closed to within 3,000 yds, so the German ships opened fire with their 5.9-inch guns. The two destroyers turned to attack and opened up with their 4-inch guns. They were followed by Elise while P. Fannon was ordered to continue west with the convoy. HMS Strongbow was struck first, shells damaged her main steam pipe and others knocked out her radio communications. After a few more minutes of firing, Strongbow was heavily damaged so the Germans turned their attention to Mary Rose and quickly sank her. The Germans then opened fire on Strongbow again and damaged her further while Elise was maneuvering to rescue her crew. Elise opened fire and her shots missed but she drew German fire which was now being concentrated on the merchant ships. Both of the light cruisers fired on Elise and forced her to flee out of range. The convoy was then attacked again and all nine of the Scandinavian vessels were sunk. All together, about 250 Allies and Scandinavians were killed, at least 50 others were wounded. Lieutenant Commander Fox was killed along with about 70 others from Mary Rose with only two officers and eight enlisted men surviving. Strongbow lost half of her complement and four officers and 44 men were rescued. She sank hours later at around 0930. The German forces were accused of shelling survivors in the water but they later denied the accusation.

                                      Aftermath

                                      When the action was over the German ships returned to base without damage or loss of life. Other British naval forces in the area were unaware of the engagement until almost 1600, so Brummer and Bremse could not be intercepted. The event was regarded as an outrage by the Allies who protested that the attack on neutral ships was illegal and that the Germans gave the crews of the merchant vessels no time to evacuate. This resulted in a large loss of civilian lives. Both of the British destroyer commanders received credit for bravery though some members of the Admiralty felt that by leaving the convoy to engage a superior enemy force, they left the merchant steamers open for attack.

                                      Order of Battle

                                      Royal Navy HMS Mary Rose, destroyer, flagship HMS Strongbow, destroyer HMS Elise, naval trawler HMS P. Fannon, naval trawler Kaiserliche Marine SMS Bremse, light cruiser, flagship SMS Brummer, light cruiser

                                      John Doran


                                      17th Oct 1917 In Support  18th DLI are at Arleux. Lt Col Cheyne returned from leave and took over from Major Ince. Enemy shelled Battalion front and back area. 1 man wounded (slightly). Weather fine.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      18th Oct 1917   IN SUPPORT (ARLEUX)

                                      Quiet day: weather bright and fine.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                         

                                      HMAT A4 Pera, at Hobart, Tasmania (AWM A03211)

                                      HMAT A4 Pera weighed 7,635 tons with an average cruise speed of 11 knots or 20.37 kmph. It was owned by the P&O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 6 January 1917. The Pera was torpedoed and sunk in Mediterranean on 19th of October 1917

                                      John Doran


                                      19th Oct 1917 Reliefs  18th Battalion DLI relieved 16th WYR in L2 (Arleux) Sector. Relief complete 4.23pm. Major Ince returned to Details.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      20th October 1917   KUK U-20 Austrian Submarine

                                      Type U-20 Shipyard Ordered Launched 18th September 1916 Commissioned 20th October 1917

                                      Commanders
                                      28 May 1916 - 14 Apr 1917 Klemens Ritter von Bezard
                                      28 Jul 1917 - 29 Nov 1917 Franz Rzemenowsky von Trautenegg
                                      29 Nov 1917 - 11 Mar 1918 Hermann Rigele
                                      11 Mar 1918 - 4 Jul 1918 Ludwig Müller

                                      Career
                                      No flotilla information available

                                      Successes No successes.

                                      Fate Sunk (date not recorded)
                                      Wreck was raised in 1962 and conning tower is on display in Vienna.

                                      John Doran


                                      20th Oct 1917   FRONT LINE

                                      Weather fine. During night enemy TM’s were active on South end of our front and behind our front line.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      21st October 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Church Parades were held in the morning and Rugby football in the afternoon (first practice). A very fine day.

                                      The following decorations have been awarded for gallantry in the field at Ypres on 16th August 1917:

                                      • Military Cross.
                                      • Captain T.F Given
                                      • Captain R.S Flood
                                      • Captain O.V Burrows Royal Army Medical Corps
                                      • Regimental Sergeant Major C.H Turner

                                      • Distinguished Conduct Medal.
                                      • 17545 Sergeant S Carvell;

                                      • Military Medal.
                                      • 13971 Sergeant J Adams, 14555 Sergeant J McCullough
                                      • 14720 Sergeant A Jurkington, 16117 Acting Corporal R.W Knaggs
                                      • 14748 Lance Corporal Whiteside S, 23926 Private Shanks C
                                      • 20353 Private Rogers J, 24174 Lance Corporal Jackson E
                                      • 22562 Private Steele G, 14154 Private Elliott J
                                      • 14566 Private McCormick R.J, 15864 Private Lynn W.J, 14447 Private Morton J.

                                      These awards were announced on 4th October 1917.

                                      War Diaries


                                      21st Oct 1917   FRONT LINE

                                      Enemy TM’s quiet during day. At 10.50pm enemy sent over poison TM’s on South end of our frontage. During night enemy MG’s fired occasional bursts.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      22nd October 1917   SM U-92

                                      Type U 87 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 36) Ordered 23 Jun 1915 Laid down 20 Aug 1916 Launched 12 May 1917 Commissioned 22 Oct 1917

                                      Commanders.
                                      22 Oct 1917 - 31 May 1918 Max Bieler.
                                      1 Jun 1918 - 9 Sep 1918 Günther Ehrlich.

                                      Career 5 patrols.
                                      27 Dec 1917 - 9 Sep 1918 III Flotilla

                                      Successes 5 ships sunk with a total of 15,961 tons.
                                      2 ships damaged with a total of 7,373 tons.

                                      • 4 Mar 1918 U 92 Max Bieler British Princess (damaged) 7,034 br
                                      • 8 Jul 1918 U 92 Günther Ehrlich Ben Lomond 2,814 br
                                      • 8 Jul 1918 U 92 Günther Ehrlich Mars 3,550 br
                                      • 10 Jul 1918 U 92 Günther Ehrlich Charles Theriault (damaged) 339 br
                                      • 11 Jul 1918 U 92 Günther Ehrlich Westover 5,769 am
                                      • 13 Jul 1918 U 92 Günther Ehrlich Ramon De Larrinaga 3,058 sp
                                      • 16 Jul 1918 U 92 Günther Ehrlich Vanlock 770 sw

                                      Fate 9 Sep 1918 - Mined in the Northern Barrage east of the Orkney Islands. 42 dead (all hands lost).
                                      The wreck of U 92 was located by a sonar sweep in 2006. Information to confirm the identification was obtained by divers in 2007.

                                      There was another U 92 in World War Two.
                                      That boat was launched from its shipyard on 10 Jan 1942 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 3 Mar 1942.

                                      John Doran


                                      22nd Oct 1917   FRONT LINE

                                      Our artillery more active during the period from Noon till 4.15pm. Our heavier cutting wire on enemy front line. Our 18 pounders shelled FRESNOY PARK, and in rear with shrapnel & incendiary shells. Inter Company relief took place at 2.0pm. 8.15 to 9.30pm light artillery sent about 50 HE shells in vicinity of CHEZ BONTEMPS and heavy shelling well in the rear of enemy’s line. Enemy shelled our right Coy very heavily at 12.20pm HE & shrapnel, & at our request our heavies retaliated. Enemy TM’s active with gas shells against our Right Coy front at 11.0 to 11.5pm, at 12 and again at 1.20am. About 50 shells being fired in all.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      23rd Oct 1918 Fire at Lemington Munitions Works  A fire at Lemmington Munitions Works was sucessfully extinquished.

                                      http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74798


                                      23rd Oct 1917   FRONT LINE

                                      Our 18 pounders were active during the afternoon firing in the vicinity of CHEZ BONTEMPS & BOIS VILIAN with shrapnel and registering with HE and smoke shells. Occasional firing at night on roads and tracks in rear. Enemy artillery quiet during the period. At 6.0pm an enemy battery was observed firing from behind FRESNOY PARK but shells did not fall on our sector. One shell fell about 5 yards from Battalion HQ about 7.50am.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      24th Oct 1917 Italian defeat at Caporetto  The Italian army suffers a heavy defeat at the Battle of Caporetto. The Germans brought forces up to aid the Austro-Hungarian army in the Isonzo area and made a mass attack on the weakest point of the Italian front line near Caporetto. Aided by mist, on the 24th of October the German attack completely surprised the Italians. The Italian Cadorna ordered the commander at Caporetto to man a defensive line. However, the commander, Capello, ignored an order to man a defensive line and adopted a costly policy of aggression. By the end of the day, the Germans forces near Caporetto had advanced 25 kilometres.

                                      24th Oct 1917   FRONT LINE

                                      Quiet until 2.0pm when enemy artillery fired a few shots 77mm & 4.2s on BRANDY & BRITANNIA and later put down barrage on our lines travelling from South to North, evidently in retaliation for our wire cutting. Battalion trench strength during this was varied between 340 & 350.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      25th October 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Havrincourt Wood.

                                      a quiet day in the line. On the night of 25/26 Oct., our fighting patrols dislodged the enemy from Wigan Copse and the rifle pits to north of it at 0200.

                                      War Diaries


                                      25th Oct 1917   FRONT LINE

                                      Relieved by 11EYR and proceeded to railhead for entraining to ECOIVRES. Left railhead at 7.0pm reaching ECOIVRES at 8.30pm. Very wet & stormy.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      26th Oct 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the move  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers leave the Divisional rest camp at Fort des Dunes, they move to Zeggers Cappel for training and rest.

                                      26th Oct 1917 HMS Nubian lost  HMS Nubian was a Royal Navy Tribal class destroyer. Her bows were destroyed by a torpedo from a German destroyer on the night of 26th,27th October 1916 off Folkestone during the Battle of Dover Strait

                                      26th Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES

                                      Cleaning up, baths etc. 2 working parties sent to the Town Majors ACQ & ECOIVRES.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      27th Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES

                                      Tactical scheme without troops on trenches N.E. of the MONT ST ELOY, BRUNEHAUT FARM ROAD. Kit inspection and Coy trench stores inspection. Weather wet & cold.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      28th October 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Havrincourt Wood.

                                      A quiet day in the line. Our artillery was active during both day and night. Some Bosche seen in Dean Copse were dispersed by our Lewis Gun fire.

                                      Weather good with bright moonlight nights.

                                      War Diaries


                                      28th Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES

                                      Church parade. Weather cold.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      29th October 1917 V Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ105 (L58)

                                      • Production Ref: LZ105
                                      • Class type : V
                                      • Tactical ref: L58
                                      • Usage: Military
                                      • First Flight: 29th October 1917

                                      History.

                                      It flew two reconnaissance missions and was destroyed in the Ahlhorn explosion (see LZ87 (L47)).

                                      John Doran


                                      29th October 1917 Gotha Night raids  The next raid against England was carried out on 29 October, when three aircraft set out, two diverting to Calais because of the weather and the third dropping its bombs on the Essex coast.

                                      John Doran


                                      29th Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES

                                      Organisation of Companies. Platoon attack formations. Company drill. Instruction in bombing on bombing ground. Bayonet fighting. Working parties for Town Majors ACQ & ECOIVRES & for 213th Coy RE’s. Raining all day. Battalion is now organised so that each Company consists of Coy HQ including 2 L.G. sections and one platoon consisting of 2 L.G. sections, 1 rifle section, 1 bombing section and 1 R.G. section.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      30th Oct 1917 Italians pushed back to the Tagliamento  The Italian army was pushed back to the River Tagliamento by the advancing Germans, however the stretched supply lines meant that the German and Austro-Hungarian Forces were unable to continue the attack. In a lull in the fighting the Italians were able to withdraw to the River Piave north of Venice. The battle had cost them 300,000 men, 270,000 of these being taken prisoner, and the loss of almost all their artillery pieces. Prompting the Allies to send five British and Six French divisions to Italy to prevent further advances by the enemy. The defeat brought a wave of patriotism to the Italian people, quashing previously popular anti-war sentiments.

                                      30th October 1917 Gotha Night raids  The following night a major raid was mounted, the bomb load including large numbers of a newly developed 4.5 kg (10 lb) incendiary bomb. 22 Gothas took off, of which over half released their bombs over Kent with little effect other than the destruction of a gasometer in Ramsgate. Bombs were dropped on the eastern suburbs, but many of the incendiaries failed to ignite, and five aircraft crashed when attempting to land.

                                      John Doran


                                      30th Oct 1917 Australian Troop Transports  

                                      HMAT A60 Aeneas Pictured embarking from Port Melbourne on the 30th October 1917.

                                      The HMAT A60 Aeneas weighed 10,049 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the Ocean SS Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 22nd June 1917.

                                      John Doran


                                      30th Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES

                                      Firing on BRAY range. Gas lecture before breakfast. Weather continues cold and wet. Bayonet fighting. Coy drill, organisation & tactical exercises.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      31st Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES

                                      Before breakfast inspection of men in fighting order. 10.0am practice Battalion attack on trenches N.E. of MONT ST ELOY, BRUNEHAUT FARM ROAD. Attended by GOC’s Division and Brigade. A fine day.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      31st Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES

                                      Before breakfast inspection of men in fighting order. 10.0am practice Battalion attack on trenches N.E. of MONT ST ELOY, BRUNEHAUT FARM ROAD. Attended by GOC’s Division and Brigade. A fine day.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      Nov 1917 Wearside Pals proceed to Italy  20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry leave France for Italy with 41 Division.

                                      Nov 1917 23rd Division to Italy  8th Yorks and Lancs with 23rd Division move to Italy.

                                      1st Nov 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Platoons in tactical exercise under Company Commanders instruction. Gas drill. Bayonet fighting. Rugby in the afternoon. Usual fatigues.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      2nd Nov 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Inoculation of Battalion commenced. B Coy did an attack on a strong point by a Platoon. Weather fine.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      3rd November 1917 9th Irish Fusilers form working parties  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Ruyaulcourt. With A & B Companies on working parties today.

                                      At 1630 C Company left Ruyaulcourt and marched up to the line to carry out a raid. The enemy's front line was successfully penetrated from the Canal (K.26.d.05.95) to about 150 yards east of it. The fighting was very severe as the enemy refused to surrender. Our men stayed in the enemy trenches for twenty minutes and bayoneted and shot at least forty Germans.

                                      We suffered some casualties, mostly from bombs: one Officer severely wounded, one Officer slightly wounded; one NCO killed, three Other Ranks missing believed killed, thirteen Other Ranks wounded, one R.E [Royal Engineer] (NCO) severely wounded.

                                      War Diaries


                                      3rd Nov 1917 122 Seige Battery in billets  122 Siege Battery, RGA are in Billets at RT of Ypres

                                      3rd Nov 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Church parades. Usual fatigues. Inoculation continued.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      4th Nov 1917 124th Heavy Battery to 50 HAG  124th Heavy Battery, RGA transfer 50 Heavy Artillery Group from 11 HAG on the 4th of Nov 1917

                                      4th Nov 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Lewis gunners paraded under Lewis Gun Officer. Tactical scheme for all officers and NCO’s who were not suffering from the effects of inoculations. Remainder of Battalion inoculated.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      4th Nov 1917 Advance  Armoured cars of 75th Division occupy Junction Station.

                                      75th Division HQ war diary


                                      5th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Ruyaulcourt.

                                      The new ante-room at Battalion Headquarters was lined with canvas and made more comfortable. The whole Battalion with exception of C Company were on working parties.

                                      War Diaries


                                      5th Nov 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Baths. A platoon of A Coy took part (drawn by CO) in an inter Battalion Platoon Competition. The Platoon was under the command of Lt PATTISON A Coy and won easily. Very heavy rainfall.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      6th Nov 1917 124th Heavy Battery to 16 HAG  124th Heavy Battery, RGA transfer to 16th Heavy Artillery Group from 50 HAG on the 6th of Nov 1917.

                                      6th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Ruyaulcourt.

                                      The 'Officers' played 'the Rest' of the Battalion at Rugby in the afternoon. Match took place on the Battalion football ground. Result 'Officers' 10 points, 'Rest' 9 points.

                                      War Diaries


                                      6th Nov 1917 Passchendaele captured by Allies  On 6th November 1917 Passchendaele was captured by Allied Forces but the battle for the high ground to the north of Passchendaele was still raging.

                                      6th Nov 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Preparation for going into the trenches. Tactical exercises & usual fatigues.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      7th November 1917 Departure for France  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Ruyaulcourt.

                                      A and B Companies carried out scale of parades. C and D Companies were on working parties.

                                      War Diaries


                                      7th November 1917   SM U-109

                                      Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 278) Ordered 5 May 1916 Launched 25 Sep 1917 Commissioned 7 Nov 1917

                                      Commanders.
                                      7 Nov 1917 - 26 Jan 1918 Otto Ney

                                      Career 1 patrols.
                                      start date unknown - 26 Jan 1918 IV Flotilla

                                      Fate 26 Jan 1918 - Possible mined in the Strait of Dover on January 26, 1918 at position 50.53N, 01.31E. 43 dead (all hands lost).

                                      There was another U 109 in World War Two.
                                      That boat was launched from its shipyard on 14 Sep 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 5 Dec 1940.

                                      John Doran


                                      7th Nov 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Should have gone into the trenches on the 8th but owing to raid by E YORKS date was changed to the 9th. Platoon training and inspections. Gas drills.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      8th Nov 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Tactical training of platoons. Fatigues as usual.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      9th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Relieved 16th W Y R in the RED LINE the same time taking over from the 94th BRIGADE. An extra part of the RED LINE up to WILLERVAL NORTH. In command Maj. INCE. Relief complete 2.30am. Wet at first but fine later. Trenches falling in in all parts.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                         The Allied forces including: The 1st South Wales Borderers & The Canadian 8th Army had established a defensive line on the ‘Goudberg Spur’. This spur was situated near ‘Goudberg Copse’ and was populated with small farm houses & buildings that were occupied by the German forces. A British attack was planned for the 10th November 1917. This was to be the last offensive of the Ypres/Passchendaele battles and the 1st Battalion of the South Wales Borderers where to play a pivotal role in the attack.

                                      At 5.00am A company from the 1st South Wales Borderers would head north from Valour Farm after the British Rolling Barrage had pummelled the German positions. The trenches were partially flooded and surrounded by shell craters. The wooden duck boards, on which the soldiers walked, were submerged. The mud was like glue and should a man slip off the duck boards, while carrying his full pack which included 3 days rations, rifle & steel helmet, extra ammunition & 2 bombs per man he would almost certainly slide into one of the many deep shell holes with no chance of rescue or escape.

                                      When the barrage started the terrain was so unrecognisable that it became difficult for the artillery to locate the German positions. To make matters worse, as A Company went over the top they ran into their own barrage causing several casualties and resulted in the battalion edging off to the right. The soldiers had trouble locating its objectives and gradually as German counter attacks became stronger the offensive stalled.

                                      10th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Provided working parties on BRITANNIA trench & SAPPER dump. Strength 5 Officers 205 ORs. At 9.0am took over extra portion of RED LINE up to TOMMY CT. 2 minutes nuisance bombardment on ULSTER trench.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      11th Nov 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the move  The 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers leave Zeggers Cappel and march to Ledringhem, en route for Ypres.

                                      11th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Havrincourt Wood.

                                      Battalion in the line. Quiet day. No enemy activity.

                                      War Diaries


                                      11th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Fine day. Good visibility. Two hurricane bombardments of ULSTER trench and PILL BOX at U.25.a.8.2. Working parties as for the 10th. Col. CHEYNE took over command of the Battalion at 5.0pm. From 5.30pm to 7.0pm SAPPER DUMP & neighbourhood was shelled intermittently with 5.9 shells.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      12th Nov 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the move  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers march to Oudzeele and on to Turco Farm. For the next week they are engaged in supplying shells to batteries.

                                      12th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Havrincourt Wood.

                                      Battalion in the line.

                                      War Diaries


                                      12th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Fine day. Good deal of our own & enemy aeroplanes activity. Gas shells (77mm & 4.2) on L2 & L3 Sectors.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      13th Nov 1917 Yorkshire Hussars Disband  400 men of the Yorkshire Hussars were absorbed into the 9th (Service) Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment which now adopted the title 9th (Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion, following the disbanding of the Yorkshire Hussars.

                                      13th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Havrincourt Wood.

                                      Battalion in the line. Yorkshire Bank shelled by 5.9 inch guns and trench mortars.

                                      War Diaries


                                      13th Nov 1917 9th West Yorks absorb 1st Yorks Hussars  All 400 men of the 1/1st Yorkshire Hussars join the 9th West Yorks, the battalion being renamed, 9th (Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry) Btn.

                                      13th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Some mist in the morning but otherwise a fine day. Working parties as for the 10th with the exception of 60 men carrying mortars for NEWTON TM.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      14th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Havrincourt Wood.

                                      Battalion in the line. Enemy trench mortar fire on Yorkshire Bank in reply to our pigs who were firing on front line and Havringcourt.

                                      Casualties: Three Other Ranks killed, one Other Rank severely wounded.

                                      War Diaries


                                      14th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Slightly misty. Sgt BREWIS of C Coy killed.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      15th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Havrincourt Wood.

                                      Battalion in the line. Several heavy machine gun Officers reconnoitering the Battalion left sub-sector otherwise a quiet day.

                                      War Diaries


                                      15th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      WILLERVAL shelled a good deal between 3 & 4pm with HE & Gas. Few men slightly gassed while drawing water from the tanks in TIRED ALLEY, a few shells thrown about ----- --------- around WILLERVAL & ARLEUX from 8pm to 10am.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      16th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Havrincourt Wood K.31.c.0.0.

                                      Battalion in the line. No enemy activity. Several heavy machine gun Officers reconnoitering round the line. Our heavy trench mortars very active firing on enemy front line and west of Havrincourt.

                                      War Diaries


                                      16th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Relieved 16th W.YORKS. REGT. in L1 Sector. A Coy Left Front, B Coy Right Front, C Coy Left Support, D Coy Right Support. Relief complete 1.30pm. During the afternoon considerable shelling of WILLERVAL, ARLEUX and SUGAR FACTORY, ARLEUX Road. Railway line broken in three places near ARLEUX, SUGAR FACTORY Road.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      17th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Relieved by 2/5th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at 2200.

                                      Battalion marched to Bertincourt less one Platoon of C Company who were left behind to form an outpost for 2/5 King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on Yorkshire Bank.

                                      War Diaries


                                      17th November 1917 Australian Troop Transports  

                                      HMAT A6 Clan MacCorquodale

                                      Picture from: AWM P01122.003.

                                      The HMAT A6 Clan MacCorquodale weighed 5121 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Cayser, Irvin and Co., Glasgow, and leased by the Commonwealth until 14 April 1915. The Clan MacCorquodale was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean on the 17th November 1917.

                                      John Doran


                                      17th November 1917   SM U-153

                                      Type U 151 Shipyard Reiherstiegw., Hamburg Ordered 29 Nov 1916 Launched 19 Jul 1917 Commissioned 17 Nov 1917

                                      Commanders.
                                      17 Nov 1917 - 31 Jul 1918 Gernot Goetting.
                                      1 Aug 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Paul Pastuszyk.

                                      Career 1 patrols.
                                      start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 U-Kreuzer Flotilla

                                      Successes 4 ships sunk with a total of 12,742 tons.

                                      • 15 Mar 1918 U 153 Gernot Goetting Alessandra 2,394 it
                                      • 14 Apr 1918 U 153 Gernot Goetting Santa Isabel 2,023 br
                                      • 25 Apr 1918 U 153 Gernot Goetting Willow Branch 3,314 br
                                      • 9 May 1918 U 153 Gernot Goetting Enrichetta 5,011 it

                                      Fate 24 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Scuttled off the Isle of Wight on June 30, 1921.

                                      There was another U 153 in World War Two.
                                      That boat was launched from its shipyard on 5 Apr 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 19 Jul 1941.

                                      John Doran


                                      17th November 1917 USS Fanning  

                                      USS Fanning

                                      Name: USS Fanning Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Newport News, Virginia Laid down: 29 April 1911 Launched: 11 January 1912 Commissioned: 21 June 1912 Decommissioned: 24 November 1919 Fate: Transferred to the United States Coast Guard, 7 June 1924 The first USS Fanning (DD-37) was a modified Paulding-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I and later in the United States Coast Guard, designated as CG-11. She was named for Nathaniel Fanning.

                                      Fanning was launched on 11 January 1912 by Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Newport News, Virginia; sponsored by Mrs. Kenneth McAlpine; and commissioned on 21 June 1912, Lieutenant W. N. Jeffers in command. She was classified DD-37 on 17 July 1920.

                                      In the years that preceded World War I, Fanning took part in the training schedule of the Atlantic Fleet, sailing to the Caribbean for winter maneuvers, and exercising off the coast of New England in the summers. Based at Norfolk, Virginia during the major portion of each year, she joined in gunnery practice in this area. ,p> As war raged in Europe, Fanning intensified her preparations for any eventuality. When two German auxiliary cruisers visited Norfolk in September 1916, Fanning acted as part of their escort while they sailed in United States territorial waters. On 8 October, Fanning put out of Newport, Rhode Island, to search for the crews of ships sunk not far from Nantucket Light Ship by the German submarine U-58. The destroyer recovered six survivors and landed them at Newport, Rhode Island the next day. The presence of U-58 led to the speculation that a secret German submarine base might exist in the Long Island Sound—Block Island Sound area; Fanning searched from 12 October to 14 October for evidence of such a base but found nothing, and returned to her regular operating schedule.

                                      During the latter half of October 1916, Fanning and the fuel ship Jason conducted experiments to develop methods of oiling at sea, a technique which has since given the United States Navy unbounded mobility and sea-keeping qualities. Torpedo and gunnery practices, and fleet maneuvers during the next eight months sharpened Fanning's war-readiness, so that she was able to sail for distant service when called on in June 1917.

                                      World War I

                                      Main article: Action of 17 November 1917

                                      Based at Queenstown, Ireland, Fanning and her sister destroyers patrolled the eastern Atlantic, escorting convoys and rescuing survivors of sunken merchantmen. At 1615 on 17 November 1917, Coxswain Daniel David Loomis sighted the periscope of U-58, and the Officer of the Deck Lieutenant Walter Owen Henry ordered the destroyer to attack. Fanning's first depth charge pattern scored, and as destroyer Nicholson joined the action, the submarine broke surface, her crew pouring out on deck, hands raised in surrender. The depth charge had hit near the submarines diving planes, forcing the submarine to surface, and also knocked out the main generator aboard Fanning. Fanning maneuvered to pick up the prisoners as the damaged submarine sank, the first of two U-boats to fall victim to US Navy destroyers in World War I. Coxswain Daniel David Loomis and Lieutenant Walter Owen Henry both received the Navy Cross for this action.

                                      Fanning continued escort and patrol duty for the duration of the war. Though she made numerous submarine contacts, all of her attacks were inconclusive. On many occasions, she went to the aid of torpedoed ships, rescuing survivors and carrying them into port. On 8 October 1918, she picked up a total of 103 survivors, 25 from a merchantman and 78 from the Dupetit-Thouars.

                                      Fanning passed in review before President Woodrow Wilson on board the transport George Washington in Brest Harbor on 13 December, then remained at Brest until March of the following year. After a quick voyage to Plymouth, England, Fanning departed Brest for the States, by way of Lisbon, Portugal, and Ponta Delgada, Azores, in company with several other destroyers, and escorting a large group of submarine chasers. Fanning was placed out of commission at Philadelphia on 24 November 1919.

                                      Inter-war period

                                      On 7 June 1924, Fanning was transferred to the Coast Guard with whom she served until 24 November 1930. She was sold for scrap on 2 May 1934.

                                      John Doran


                                      17th November 1917 Heligoland Bight 1917  The Second Battle of Heligoland Bight, also called the Action in the Helgoland Bight was an inconclusive naval engagement fought between British and German squadrons on 17 November 1917 during the First World War.

                                      Background to events

                                      Following the German Navy's successful raid on the Scandinavian convoy on 17 October 1917, Admiral Sir David Beatty, Commander-in-Chief of the British Grand Fleet, determined to retaliate. On 17 November 1917 a strong force of cruisers under Vice Admiral Trevylyan Napier was sent to attack German minesweepers, which were clearing a channel through British minefields in the Heligoland Bight. The intentions of the German force had been revealed by British Naval Intelligence, allowing the British to mount an ambush. The German sweepers were escorted by a group of cruisers and torpedo-boats under Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter.

                                      The Battle

                                      The action began at 0730 roughly 65 nautical miles west of Sylt, when HMS Courageous sighted the enemy. She opened fire at 0737. Admiral Reuter, the German commander, with four light cruisers and eight destroyers, courageously advanced to engage his more powerful enemy in order to cover the withdrawal of his minesweepers, all of which escaped except for the trawler Kehdingen(GE), which was sunk. The battle thereafter developed into a stern chase as the German forces, skilfully using smoke-screens, withdrew south-east at their best speed, under fire from the pursuing British ships of the 1st Cruiser Squadron, the 1st and 6th Light Cruiser Squadrons, and, later, HMS Repulse (which had been detached from the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron and came up at high speed to join the battle). Both sides were hampered in their maneuvers by the presence of naval minefields. The British ships gave up the chase some two hours later, as they reached the edge of known minefields. At about the same time, the light cruisers came under fire of two German battleships, SMS Kaiser and SMS Kaiserin which had come up in support of von Reuter's ships. HMS Caledon was struck by one 12-in shell which did minimal damage and shortly thereafter, the British forces withdrew.

                                      All personnel on the bridge of the light cruiser HMS Calypso, including her captain, Herbert Edwards, were killed by a 6-in shell. The battle cruiser HMS Repulse, briefly engaged the German ships at about 1000, scoring a single hit on the light cruiser SMS Königsberg that ignited a major fire on board. It was during this battle that Able Seaman John Henry Carless of HMS Caledon won a posthumous Victoria Cross for his bravery in manning a gun despite mortal wounds.

                                      Order of Battle

                                      • Royal Navy Ensign British forces - The following British vessels were engaged
                                      • 1st Cruiser Squadron: Vice Admiral Trevylyan D. W. Napier CB, MVO
                                      • HMS Courageous (flag; Capt Arthur Bromley)
                                      • HMS Glorious (Capt Charles B. Miller CB)
                                      • 13th Destroyer Flotilla
                                      • HMS Ursa (Cdr John C. Tovey)
                                      • HMS Nerissa (Lt. Cdr. Montague G. B. Legge DSO)
                                      • HMS Urchin (Lt Cdr Guy P. Bowles)
                                      • HMS Umpire (Lt Cdr Roger V. Alison DSO)
                                      • 6th Light Cruiser Squadron: Rear Admiral Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair CB MVO
                                      • HMS Cardiff (flag; Capt. Claud H. Sinclair)
                                      • HMS Ceres (Capt. the Hon. Herbert Meade DSO)
                                      • HMS Calypso (Capt. Herbert L. Edwards)
                                      • HMS Caradoc (Capt. William M. Kerr)
                                      • 13th Destroyer Flotilla
                                      • HMS Valentine - flotilla leader (Cdr. Charles A. Fremantle)
                                      • HMS Vimiera (Cdr. Dashwood F. Moir)
                                      • HMS Vanquisher (Lt Cdr. Kenneth A. Beattie)
                                      • HMS Vehement (Lt. Vernon Hammersley-Heenan)
                                      • 1st Light Cruiser Squadron: Commodore Walter H. Cowan CB, MVO, DSO
                                      • HMS Caledon (Cdre Cowan)
                                      • HMS Galatea (Capt. Charles M. Forbes DSO)
                                      • HMS Royalist (Capt. the Hon. Mathew R. Best MVO, DSO)
                                      • HMS Inconstant (Capt. Francis A. Marten)
                                      • 13th Destroyer Flotilla
                                      • HMS Vendetta (Cdr. Charles G. Ramsey)
                                      • HMS Medway (Lt. Cdr. Charles H. Neill James)
                                      • 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron Detahment Rear Admiral Richard F. Phillimore CB, MVO
                                      • HMS Repulse (flag; Capt. William H. D. Boyle)

                                      KLM Ensign German forces

                                      • The following German vessels were engaged
                                      • 2nd Scouting Group (Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter) light cruisers
                                      • SMS Königsberg (FKpt Karl Feldmann)
                                      • SMS Pillau (FKpt Gerhard von Gaudecker)
                                      • SMS Frankfurt (FKpt Otto Seidensticker)
                                      • SMS Nürnberg (KptzS Walther Hildebrand)
                                      • 7th Torpedo-Boat Flotilla (KKpt Cordes)
                                      • S62 (KptLt Fink; lead boat, flotilla)
                                      • G87 (OLtzS Komorowski)
                                      • 14th half-flotilla (KptLt Richard Beitzen)
                                      • G92 (KptLt Arthur von Killinger; lead boat, half-flotilla)
                                      • G93 (KptLt Reimer)
                                      • V83 (Kpt Lt Wedig von Keyserlingk)
                                      • 12th half-flotilla (KKpt Lahs)
                                      • V43 (OLtzS Narjes; lead boat, half-flotilla)
                                      • V44 (OLtzS Kautter)
                                      • V45 (KptLt Laßmann)
                                      • Minesweepers
                                      • 6th Minesweeper Half-Flotilla (6.Minensuchhalbflottille) (KptLt d'Ottilié):
                                      • M66, M7, A36, T74, M53, M4, M3,
                                      • M14th Auxiliary Minesweeper Half-Flotilla (4.Hilfsminensuchhalbflottille) (KptLt d R Joachim Löwe)
                                      • A63, A68, A69, A74, A41, A52
                                      • 2nd Auxiliary Minesweeper Half-Flotilla (KptLt d R Klose): fishing vessels
                                      • 6th Auxiliary Minesweeper Half-Flotilla (KptLt d R Wilke): fishing vessels
                                      • 4th Barrier-Breaker Group (IV. Sperrbrechergruppe) (KptLt d R Hillebrand): two vessels Group S
                                      • North Sea Outpost Half-Flotilla (LtzS Woldag): armed trawlers Fritz Reuter and Kehdingen(GE)
                                      • 4th Battle Squadron (Vice Admiral Wilhelm Souchon) detachment (KptzS Kurt Graßhoff)
                                      • SMS Kaiserin (KptzS Kurt Graßhoff)
                                      • SMS Kaiser (KptzS Max Loesch)
                                      • attached torpedo-boats (anti-submarine escort)
                                      • S18 (KptLt Wildemann)
                                      • S24 (KptLt Paschen)

                                      John Doran


                                      17th November 1917 Naval Action - 17th November 1917  The Action of 17 November 1917 was a naval battle of the First World War. The action was fought between a German U-boat and two United States Navy destroyers in the North Atlantic Ocean.

                                      Action

                                      Based in Queenstown, Ireland, USS Fanning and her sister destroyer USS Nicholson patrolled the eastern waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Their mission was to escort convoys and rescue survivors of sunken merchant ships as well as to seek out and destroy German U-boats. While escorting the eight vessel convoy OQ-20 eastbound, the two destroyers made contact with an enemy submarine. With Arthur S. Carpender commanding, at 0350 on 17 November 1917, Coxswain Daniel David Loomis of the Fanning sighted U-58, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Gustav Amberger. The U-boat had surfaced to extend her periscope. The German submarine lined up for a shot at the British merchant steamer SS Welshman and almost immediately Officer of the Deck Lieutenant William O. Henry ordered the destroyer to make circles and engage. At 0400 Fanning dropped three depth charges, scoring a hit which badly shook up the U-boat. Then USS Nicholson joined in the fighting, commanded by Frank Berrien, and dropped another depth charge herself. U-58 surfaced again and the Americans spotted her conning tower with officers on deck and a crew manning the deck gun. Fanning engaged with her stern gun and fired three shots then Nicholson began firing with her bow gun and at least one shot struck the U-boat. The Germans fired back but none of the rounds met their target. By 0430 the Germans sailors surrendered and came out on deck with hands raised in the air. American fire had hit the submarine near its diving planes making the ship unmanueverable. Kapitänleutnant Amberger ordered the ballast tanks blown and the submarine surfaced. Charges also knocked out the main generator aboard the Fanning. If U-58 had surfaced in a battle ready position, Fanning would have surely been attacked and possibly sunk. The German submariners surrendered and Fanning maneuvered to take prisoners. That ended the action with an American victory. The Fanning and Nicholson's sinking of U-58 was one of only a few engagements of World War I in which U.S. Navy warships sank an enemy submarine. Also the first time U.S. ships sank a submarine in combat. Lieutenant William O. Henry and Coxswain Daniel Lommis both received a Navy Cross for their actions during their encounter with U-58. Fanning and Nicholson continued the war escorting and patrolling the North Atlantic, making several more inconclusive contacts with German submarines. Thirty-eight of the 40 crew members of the U-58 survived to become prisoners of war in the United States.

                                      John Doran


                                      17th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Visibility poor. A quiet day. At night a good deal of machine gun fire on to our tracks from midnight till dawn.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      18th Nov 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the move  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers march from Turco Farm to Brake Camp, near Poperinghe where they receive orders for an attack. The battalion is to be attached to 97 Brigade as counter-attack troops.

                                      18th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Barastre O.16 (centre).

                                      Battalion moved from Bertincourt and is comfortably encamped in Adrian and Nissen Huts and tents.

                                      War Diaries


                                      18th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Suspected relief of enemy Division in front of us. Our artillery intermittently shelled the enemy back areas during the night. At 2pm Battalion HQ & neighbourhood shelled with about 10 4.2 shells no damage done.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      19th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Velu Wood J.31.c (centre).

                                      Battalion inspected in the morning by the Commanding Officer at Barastre. Moved at 1630 to Headquarters in Velu Wood (on eve of push).

                                      The following 'immediate awards' have been notified by Brigade as result of our Havrincourt raid on 3rd inst.

                                      • Military Medal
                                      • 18869 Corporal Mackinson, Henry.
                                      • 41327 Private Morrison, John.
                                      • 41256 Private Chambers, Thomas.
                                      • 41534 Private Averell, Robert.
                                      • 23438 Corporal Craig, George.

                                      War Diaries


                                      19th Nov 1917 122 Seige Battery at Havrincourt Wood  122 Siege Battery, RGA move to Havrincourt Wood.

                                      19th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Parties of Boche in marching order dispersed by our artillery during the morning.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      20th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Maxwell Avenue K.25.d.9.9.

                                      The Division (109th Brigade) moved to the attack at 0620 with 107th and 108th Brigades in support. Battalion 'details' remain in Velu Wood under command of Major J.G Brew and Transport at Hermies Slag Heap.

                                      2nd Lieutenant E.J.L Turner, Transport Officer, returned from leave.

                                      The Battalion moved to a position 500 yards north-east of Velu Wood at 0820. At 1400 the Battalion moved from this position to Broken Bridge for dinner. At 1530 moved to R.3. The Battalion went into dugouts at 2040 for the night.

                                      War Diaries


                                      20th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Inter company relief. D Coy relieved B Coy. C Coy relieved A Coy. Some shelling on BRITANNIA & BRANDY during the evening.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      20th Nov 1917 Ditched  
                                      THE BATTLE OF CAMBRAI, NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1917

                                      A Mark IV (Male) tank of H Battalion ditched in a German trench while supporting the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, one mile west of Ribecourt. Some men of the battalion are resting in the trench © IWM (Q 6433)

                                      21st November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      The Battalion moved from R.3 at 1500 to enemies old lines near Lock 7 where it slept for the night in dugouts.

                                      War Diaries


                                      21st Nov 1917 Mosquito-proof Ambulance Train on Show  "It has been said that the new ambulance train recently built by the Midland Railway Company for use with the British forces overseas, which is on public view at No. 5 platform of the Nottingham Midland Station to-day and to-morrow, is the last word in creations of this sort. And it would be difficult to find a more fitting description of this very latest addition to the army's Red Cross resources.

                                      This morning the Mayor and Mayoress of Nottingham Coun. and Mrs. J. G. Small, the Sheriff Coun. H. Offiler and Mrs. Offiler, the Town Clerk and Mrs. W. J. Board, formed a party who were conducted over the train by Major G. H. Follows, R.E., acting general superintendent, and Mr. Reid the carriage and waggon superintendent, on behalf of the Midland, and they were as vividly impressed by the perfection of design and completeness of equipment, as visitors at Derby and Leicester have been before them.

                                      The train is specially constructed for service in hot climates, being provided with a double roof, insulated against heat by an asbestos mattress with an air chamber between the double roofs. Each car is mosquito-proof, and the windows throughout are double, one of plate glass and the other of a lowered frame, covered on the inside with brass wire gauze. Each window can be manipulated independently, according to climatic conditions. Composed of 16 cars, each 54 feet long, and of a total length (excluding engine and tender) of 913 feet, and a weight, unloaded of 430 tons, the train is effectively picked out, externally in khaki, and the interior, in the main, is painted in glossy white enamel. It is vestibuled throughout, and fitted with electric light and fans, all the roofs covered with linoleum or lead, and have rounded corners. Nine of the cars are ward cars, containing 36 folding cots each; the brake and lying in infectious car possesses four wards, six beds in each, and a staff car, two kitchen cars, a pharmacy car, a personnel car, and a stores car are also provided, together with dining rooms and sleeping compartments for medical officers, sisters, and staff. The whole train was designed and completed under the supervision of Mr. Reid in the record time of 14 weeks. Large numbers of people viewed the train to-day and the proceeds are to be devoted to providing comforts for railwaymen on active service and for assisting the Red Cross Society."

                                      Nottingham Evening Post 21st November 1917


                                      21st Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Neighbourhood of B Coy HQ shelled during the afternoon. Fine day.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      22nd November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Moeuvres.

                                      The Battalion moved up at 0630 to a position north of Bapaume and Cambrai Road arriving at 0830. Here the Battalion waited for an order to attack Inchi when Moeuvres was taken by the 12th Royal Irish Rifles. At 1145 the 12th Royal Irish Rifles captured village of Moeuvres. It was unable to clear trenches east of village.

                                      At 1730 the Battalion moved up to support the 12th Royal Irish Rifles in the village of Moeuvres. At 1745 the 12th Royal Irish Rifles were reported to have been driven out of the village. At 2030 the Battalion less D Company counter attacked the village of Moeuvres, but was driven back to trenches immediately south of the village, where it took up a defensive position for the night.

                                      War Diaries


                                      22nd Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      During this tour of duty we have been working on the new scheme of Defended Localities by which only certain parts of the line are to be held, the other trenches being wired on the bottom of the trench & constant night patrols sent out across their fronts. OAK POST is practically complete.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      23rd November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Moeuvres.

                                      The Battalion attacked Moeuvres at 1030. At 1100 the Battalion reported to be in the village. At 1145 the enemy counter attacked from trenches west of village and by 1315pm the counter attack was driven off.

                                      At 1630 the village was evacuated by the Battalion on account of supports not coming up.

                                      At 1700 C and D Companies took up position on Sunken Road, south of the village while A and B companies went back to the trenches north of Bapaume and Cambrai Road.

                                      Casualties for 22nd and 23rd: Officers killed one; Officers wounded six; Other Ranks 82 casualties.

                                      War Diaries


                                      23rd November 1917   KUK U-22 Austrian Submarine.

                                      Type U-20 Shipyard Ordered Launched 27th January 1917 Commissioned 23rd November 1917

                                      Commanders
                                      25 Feb 1917 - 29 Dec 1917 Josef Holub
                                      29 Dec 1917 - 31 Oct 1918 Friedrich Sterz

                                      Career
                                      No flotilla information available

                                      Successes No successes.

                                      Fate Scrapped in 1920.

                                      John Doran


                                      23rd Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      The 18th W YORKS REGT came in and took over from us. We went to the RED LINE again. The 18th W YORKS REGT took over the new Defended Localities. Relief complete by 11am. Heavy shelling of WILLERVAL at about 3pm. From 5pm till 8pm very heavy shelling (with gas & HE) of WILLERVAL, SUGAR FACTORY & SUGAR POST and neighbourhood.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      24th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Battalion relieved in the trenches by the 11th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at dawn.

                                      Proceeded to Hermies for rest and reorganisation.

                                      War Diaries


                                      24th Nov 1917 SS Dunrobin lost  SS Dunrobin was a 3,617grt defensively-armed British Merchant ship. On the 24th November 1917 when on route from Almeria for the Tyne with a cargo of iron ore and grapes she was torpedoed by German submarine U-53 and sunk, 49 miles SW of the Lizard, Cornwall. 31 lives were lost including the Master.

                                      24th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Enemy artillery active against our batteries in WILLERVAL, and also active on RED LINE and vicinity of SAPPER DUMP. During the afternoon our trenches round ARLEUX EN GOHELLE were heavily shelled, especially the AA Lewis Gun posts in ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH. One of our men was killed & 1 wounded by shell fire near the junction of BLACKBURN Rd and ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      25th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Battalion resting at Hermies.

                                      War Diaries


                                      25th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Enemy artillery again active, ARLEUX & WILLERVAL both receiving attention. At 5pm gas shells were fired into the direction of the SUGAR FACTORY but owing to the very strong wind, soon blew away. Our artillery did two hurricane shoots during the day.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      26th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Hermies.

                                      At 1830 the Battalion moved from Hermies to Beaumetz. At 2030 the Battalion arrived at Beaumetz and was put into tents for the night.

                                      War Diaries


                                      26th November 1917 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  

                                      SL21

                                      SL21 Airship

                                      • First Flight: November 26, 1917
                                      • Length: 198.3 metres (651 ft)
                                      • Diameter: 22.96 metres (75 ft)
                                      • Gas Capacity: 56,350 cubic meters
                                      • Performance: 102.6 km/h
                                      • Payload: 36 tonnes
                                      • Engines: 5 Maybach 1,200 hp/895 kW total

                                      Sl21 Intended for Army but never officially commissioned. Based at Zeesen and used for static testing. Decommissioned in February 1918.

                                      John Doran


                                      26th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Enemy artillery less active, a few shells on the ARLEUX, SUGAR FACTORY Rd. Enemy aeroplanes active, also our RE 8’s were active. Two hurricane bombardments by our artillery.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      27th November 1917 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers On the Move  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers left Beaumetz and moved to Rocquigny, arriving at 2030.

                                      War Diaries


                                      27th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      A very windy day. Our artillery active during the day, one minute hurricane bombardment took place. No E.A. seen. One of our RE 8’s up during afternoon.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      28th November 1917 At Rest  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are resting in Rocquigny. 'A' Company was bathed and had a clean change.

                                      War Diaries


                                      28th Nov 1917 17th Londons in action  War Diary of 17th London Regiment records: "Bourlon Wood Sector Relief of 186th Infantry and 2nd Dismounts Cavalry Div. Hostile Artillery and Machine Gun Fire."

                                      28th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Enemy artillery active on WILLERVAL and our trenches round ARLEUX. At 2pm a Chinese attack was carried out by division on our right. Our divisional artillery co-operating. Enemy retaliated very heavily on our trenches round ARLEUX and vicinity until 4.30pm. WILLERVAL also received considerable attention. Evening very quiet.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      29th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Rocquigny.

                                      Battalion entrained at Ytres at 2030 for Beaumetz south of Arras.

                                      Battalion detrained at Beaumetz at 0245 on November 30th and marched to billets at Simencourt, arriving at 0320.

                                      War Diaries


                                      29th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Relieved 18th W.Y.R. in front line, relief being completed at 10.50am. We being relieved in close support by 15th W.Y.R. Enemy artillery very active all day shelling our trenches round ARLEUX and ARLEUX VILLAGE heavily, also battery positions received considerable attention. During the evening about 200 gas shells fell in B.11.a.& b. During the day we had 1 Cpl Wounded by shell fire. E.A. very active. About 2pm 3 Sopwith Dolphin machines attacked 2 E.A. and 1 E.A. was seen to crash well behind enemy lines. The result of the other fight could not be ascertained.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      30th Nov 1917 Enemy Attack  The German plan was simply to cut of the neck of the salient by attacking on each side, with the strongest blow to come on the southern side. The blow fell at 7.30am on the 30th November, and was devastatingly fast and effective. By 9am, the Germans had penetrated almost 3 miles towards Havrincourt Wood. Byng's Third Army faced disaster, with the real prospect of several divisions being cut off in the trap. The first attack fell on the 55th (West Lancashire) and 12th (Eastern) Division on the south-eastern side of the salient. The Germans climbed the slope to re-take Lateau Wood, pushed up the complex of shallow ravines south of Banteux, moved through Villers Guislain and past Gouzeaucourt. Amongst the troops defending the artillery positions at Gouzeaucourt were the 11th United States Engineer Company. The direction of the assault was across British divisional boundaries, and the command structure rapidly broke down as the troops became mixed up.

                                      Three German divisions attacked to the north, supported by an intense Phosgene barrage, intending to cut the Bapaume-Cambrai road near Anneux Chapel. They were repulsed by the machine gun barrage of the 47th (London), 2nd and 56th (London) Divisions, who had relieved the 36th and 40th. No Germans reached the road. Fierce fighting continued in the southern area for Gonnelieu, Les Rues Vertes and Masnieres

                                      30th Nov 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers into the Line.  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers goe into line, two days before the attack, taking over from the 2nd Inniskilling Fusiliers.

                                      30th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Simencourt.

                                      The Battalion left Simencourt at 1400 for Gomincourt, arriving at 1930.

                                      War Diaries


                                      30th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      A much quitter day than the previous 24 hours. Enemy artillery through the day was rather quiet, only occasional shells on our trenches. During the night enemy artillery opened out sending a large number of gas shells and HE into B.10. a number were also put into the vicinity of our Batt. H.Q. Our artillery retaliated on enemy with gas shells.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      1st Dec 1917 327th Siege Battery, RGA join 23 HAG.  327th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was resubordinated to 23 Heavy Artillery Group (HAG) from 14 HAG on 01 December 1917.

                                      1st Dec 1917 Reliefs  At 9.30 a.m. Orders received for 21st London Regiment to be ready to move at once to reinforce either 140th or 141st Infantry Brigade. Reconnaissance made of possible supporting positions W & E of Anneux.

                                      3 p.m. Warning received of probable relief of 15th London Regt in Bourlon Wood.

                                      5 p.m. Orders received to reinforce 141 Infantry Brigade East of Anneux. Battalion prepares to move. C.O. reports to 140th and 141st Brigade Hqrs for orders.

                                      6 p.m. Orders cancelled & new orders received to proceed with the relief of 15th London Regiment already prepared for.

                                      War Diary


                                      Dec 1917 200 Siege Bty on The Somme  200th Siege Battery move from Verbrandenmolen down to the Somme in December 1917, where they served in a further 20 locations ending up in Pont a Pierre shorty before Armistice day.

                                      1st December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Gomincourt.

                                      The Battalion left Gomincourt at 1200 for Rocquigny and arrived at 1930.

                                      War Diaries


                                      1st Dec 1917 SS Euphorbia lost  SS Euphorbia, Gross Tonnage 3,109, defensively-armed merchant ship, travelling from Bassein to London with cargo of rice on the 1st of December 1917, when she was torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine U75 (Johannes Lohs) 14 miles E by S from Royal Sovereign Lighthouse Vessel, with 14 lives lost.

                                      December 1917   In December 1917 No 58 Squadron moved to Dover and converted to FE2bs before proceeding to France in January 1918 to undertake night bombing operations.

                                      http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn056-60.htm


                                      1st Dec 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Enemy artillery very active in the early morning until 2.45am with gas shells & HE on WILLERVAL, RED LINE and vicinity of ARLEUX, SUGAR FACTORY ROAD. Several HE falling near SEVERN ALLEY, TOMMY ALLEY ad ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH near Battalion HQ. During the day ARLEUX LOOP NORTH, OAK ALLEY & NOVASCOTIA TR also received considerable attention, especially in the vicinity of the AA Vickers Guns at the junction of OAK ALLEY, ARLEUX LOOP NORTH. Our artillery fairly active against FRESNOY, FRESNOY PARK, FRESNOY WOOD, NEUVIREUIL and BOIS VILAIN.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      2nd Dec 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers attack  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers launch attack

                                      2nd Dec 1917 21st Londons at Bourlon Wood  At 1 a.m. Relief of 15th Lon Regt by 21st Londons is complete. Dispositions. D& A Coys in Front line, opposite Bourlon. C Coy in immediate support. B Coy in reserve near Battalion Hqrs at SW corner of Bourlon Wood.

                                      8.10 p.m. 7th & 8th Lon Regt attack to straighten out Front Line immediately W. of Bourlon Wood. Our L.G. cooperate on R. flank of the attack. Capt. A.L. Strickland sends one platoon from D Coy to assist in the consolidation of captured line. 8th Lon Regt wounded & prisoners wounded & unwounded, passed through Battalion Hqrs & R.A.P.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      2nd December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Rocquigny.

                                      The Battalion left Rocquigny for Metz-le-Coutre, arrived at Metz 1430 and billeted for the night.

                                      War Diaries


                                      2nd Dec1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Enemy artillery again very active against OAK ALLEY, HART STREET & ARLEUX LOOP N doing considerable damage to these trenches. At our request our artillery retaliated with good effect.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      3rd Dec 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers withdraw  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers are withdrawn to Irish Farm.

                                      3rd Dec 1917 21st Londons assist 8th Londons  1 a.m. on the 3rd December 21st London regiment supply Stretcher-bearers, SAA & tools to 8th London Battalion to help in evacuation of wounded & consolidation. 21st Londons C.O. issues orders for new dispositions to strengthen the left flank, at the request of O.C. 8th Battalion.

                                      1.45 a.m. These orders cancelled on receipt of orders from 142 Inf Brigade to take over more Front Line on the Right flank in relief of a Company of 22nd Battalion.

                                      Heavy enemy shelling, Gas & H.E. around Battalion Hqrs in the evening. Rations obtained by limber during barrage fire.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      3rd December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Metz-le-Coutre.

                                      The Battalion left Metz at 2000 and moved up to the line to support the 88th Brigade south of Marcoing. They arrived in the support trenches at 0530 the 4th December.

                                      War Diaries


                                      3rd Dec1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Enemy artillery very active all day, again shelling OAK ALLEY, HART STREET, ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH and junction of ARLEUX LOOP S and SEVERN ALLEY. Considerable damage being done to OAK ALLEY, HART STREET and ARLEUX LOOPS. Battery position near ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH also received considerable attention. At night a few gas shells fell on OAK ALLEY. Our artillery fairly active retaliating to enemy’s shelling. One man was wounded by shell fire.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      4th Dec 1917 21st Londons under fire  At 3 p.m. Orders received by 21st Londons from Brigade for C.O. to go to Battalion Hqrs. He returns at 5.30 p.m. with orders for withdrawal from the Bourlon Salient.

                                      6. p.m. Operation Orders issued to O/C Coys in Conference at Battalion Hqrs.

                                      4-10 p.m. Vicinity of Battalion Hqrs intermittently and heavily bombarded with Gas shells & H.E. SAA.& tools removed by limber about 9 p.m.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      4th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Trenches south of Marcoing.

                                      The Battalion is in the trenches south of Marcoing in support of 88th Brigade. They relieved the Essex and Hants Battalions in the front line at 0430.

                                      War Diaries


                                      4th Dec1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Enemy very much quieter. At 8am he again commenced to shell OAK ALLEY, but we immediately got into touch with our artillery, who retaliated at once. Enemy stopped shelling very quickly. It was reported to us during the evening that an enemy working party had been digging at B.12.d.8.7. the previous evening. A patrol was sent out from our right company who again saw a party of about 20 men at work near point indicated. Our patrol immediately returned to our lines and fired 1 red & 1 white Very light, upon which two of our Vickers guns opened fire. These lights had been arranged as a signal between the MG Officer and ourselves. As these two MG’s were firing on their S.O.S. lines it is thought good effect would be obtained, especially as these guns had been tested only a day previous.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      5th Dec 1917 21st Londons withdraw from Bourlon Wood   At just after 12 midnight on the morning of the 5th December, 21st Battalion, London Regiment withdraws from Bourlon Wood according to plan to Hindenburg Support Line, casualties Lieut. Hunt killed, 2 o.r. wounded.

                                      4 a.m. Outpost line (2 platoons from C Coy 21st Londons) under Lieut J Edmunds withdrew without casualty from Bourlon Wood.

                                      6.30 a.m. Outpost line reported back with the 21st London Battalion. The Battalion extended in accordance with 142 Infantry Brigade: Operational Order 240. Dispositions being 4 Companies, each disposed in depth, 2 platoons in main line of resistance, 1 platoon in outpost line. Major R.H. Tolerton came forward to relieve Lt Col Dawes, & temporarily assumed command of the Battalion. Battalion HQ in 5.9’ gunpits in forward trench system.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      5th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Trenches south of Marcoing.

                                      Battalion in the line. Captain Flood was killed at 0900 by shrapnel.

                                      War Diaries


                                      5th December 1917 Gotha Night raids  Poor weather prevented raids in November, and the Gotha crews occupied themselves with training flights. To lessen the chance of a raid meeting adverse weather, in December the Germans began to send out a radio-equipped Rumpler C.IV to make weather observations off the English coast. The weather cleared on 5 December, when 19 Gothas and two Giants attacked in several waves. Casualties were light but over £100,000 of damage was caused, most of this in London. Two Gothas were brought down by anti-aircraft fire: one, with one engine disabled, attempted a landing at Rochford aerodrome, but struck a tree on approach and crashed, and the second came down near Canterbury. In both cases all the crew survived, but a third aircraft and crew was reported as missing.

                                      John Doran


                                      5th December 1917   SM U-108

                                      Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 277) Ordered 5 May 1916 Launched 11 Oct 1917 Commissioned 5 Dec 1917

                                      Commanders.
                                      5 Dec 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 Martin Nitzsche

                                      Career 3 patrols.
                                      start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla.

                                      Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 7,484 tons.
                                      15 Jul 1918 U 108 Martin Nitzsche Barunga 7,484 br.

                                      Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to France. Became the french submarine Léon Mignot until 24 July 1935. Broken up.

                                      There was another U 108 in World War Two.

                                      That boat was launched from its shipyard on 15 Jul 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 22 Oct 1940.

                                      John Doran


                                      5th Dec 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      Enemy artillery active during the morning. He shelled TIRED ALLEY (from its junction with RED LINE) to ARLEUX LOOP NORTH. ARLEUX LOOP NORTH near the ARLEUX SUGAR FACTORY ROAD also received attention. This shelling was rather heavy, 5.9 being principally used, and considerable damage was done to the trenches. At 10pm he opened a very heavy gas shell bombardment on the SUGAR FACTORY, WILLERVAL and in B.5.a. which continued until midnight, however, as we had previous warning that gas was expected, our men were fully alert. Our artillery were active during the day. 6 enemy balloons were seen up during the day & E.A. were also active.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      6th Dec 1917 21st Londons at Graincourt  11 a.m. Divisional Commander visited the line.

                                      4 p.m. Fighting patrol from the 21st Londons under 2/Lt J.O.B Hitch is sent Northwards along Hindenburg Support Line obtains touch with outposts of 2nd Divn, no signs of enemy patrols.

                                      5.30 p.m. The forward outpost line through Graincourt held by 140 Inf Brigade is withdrawn.

                                      6 p.m. Post in K.11.A (Sheet 57c) held by RWF relieved by 2 platoons from D Coy, 21st Londons under Lieut C.H. Edmunds. Patrols & forward picquets are maintained during this & successive nights.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      6th December 1917 In the Line  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers are in Trenches south of Marcoing. Battalion in the line with two Companies in front line, one in support and one in reserve for use as Battalion counter-attack Company. Enemy shelling position very heavily. Five casualties, four Other Ranks.

                                      9th Royal Irish Fusiliers War Diaries


                                      6th Dec 1917 Patrols  18th Durhams report from Arleux en Gohelle. "Light shelling of Arleux, Sugar Factory and Oak Alley during the day. At night we again had patrols out looking for enemy working party at B.12.d.8.7. The second time patrol was out the enemy party was seen & our patrol came back some distance & fired 1 green & 1 white Very light, this being a pre-arranged signal with the MG Coy. Owing to the haze the signal was not seen by them, but our patrol returned, a telephone message was sent to them, and they at once opened fire with 2 Vickers guns, 1 ½ belts being fired. On the North part of our sector, we had one man wounded by a machine gun bullet, which seemed to be fired from our left rear (Canadian) part of the line."

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      7th Dec 1917 21st Londons at Graincourt  Work of consolidation of line continued for the 21st Londons. Enemy M.G. & snipers being active for Graincourt & neighbourhood. Much desultory shelling around Battalion Hqrs. Patrols etc. maintained. 9 p.m. 21st London Battalion Hqrs moved from forward system into George Str near Brigade Hqrs. An advanced Hqrs is left in the old position under Capt Strickland. Lieut Col Dawes resumed command of the 21st Battalion, London Regiment.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      7th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Trenches south of Marcoing.

                                      Battalion in line with Enemy artillery very active, particularly at 1430 when he attacked on our right. Eight casualties to Other Ranks.

                                      War Diaries


                                      7th Dec 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE

                                      A quiet morning, except for slight shelling (4.2s) of OAK ALLEY, which soon ceased on our artillery retaliating. 3 E.A. over our line in the morning. We were relieved by 1 Coy of 1st LONDON REGT. Relief complete at 1.5pm. Battalion moved out to YORK CAMP ECOIVRES, which was reached about 5.30pm. D & B Coy’s travelling by light railway, and A & C + HQ Coy’s by bus from ROCLINCOURT to MONT ST ELOY & marching the remainder of the way.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      8th Dec 1917 Quieter day for 21st Londons  21st Battalion London Regiment are engaged in work of consolidation & improvement of wire and communications. Day quieter and enemy in general less active.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      8th Dec 1917 Aeroplanes Active  9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers are in trenches south of Marcoing, with heavy shelling by enemy. Enemy aeroplanes very active over our lines, flying very low. Relieved by 12th Royal Irish Rifles at 10.30pm. Fine day.

                                      While in front line 9th Battalion Irish Fusiliers improved trenches, made latrines, wired in front of trenches, and salved several articles of war. The suffered five casualties to Other Ranks. The Battalion goes into Brigade support on being relieved, less D Company who relieved the Buffs and King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in communication trench running north and south from front line.

                                      War Diaries


                                      8th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Baths and general cleaning up.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      9th Dec 1917 Londons Regiments in action  The War diary of the 21st London Regiment records: Considerable hostile shelling against our posts resulting in the evacuation of a post on our right garrisoned by the 23rd London Regt.

                                      1 p.m. A counter attack is made by the 21st Londons, consisting of 20 O.R’s with a platoon in support was conducted by 2nd/Lt Stoke. This operation resulted in driving the enemy to the N side of the sunken road in K.10.b but further progress was impossible owing to heavy machine gun fire down the road. Lt Richmond and 2 O.R’s killed. Sgt Alexander who had been shot through the thigh early in the morning, slipped away from the regimental aid post and returned to the line when the enemy were attacking. He left the trench and charged and dispersed a party of the enemy with the bayonet but was killed whilst performing this act of gallantry.

                                      About 12 midnight the Advance Post under Lt C H Edmunds withdraws.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      9th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      South of Marcoing. Battalion in Brigade support.

                                      War Diaries


                                      9th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Church parades, no work.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      10th Dec 1917 Quieter day for 21st Londons  21st Battalion London Regiment record in their War Diary: Day considerably quieter. At dusk Lt H.A. Gilkes MC and 3 O.Rs went out to the old advanced post at K.11.a, evacuated previous night. A number of ‘P’ bombs were thrown into the dugouts and the entrances to the tunnels.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      10th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      South of Marcoing.

                                      One-hundred and sixty Other Ranks and four Officers for a working party, carrying up wire to front line. This work in assisting 16th Bn Royal Irish Rifles the Divisions Pioneer Battalion.

                                      War Diaries


                                      10th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Inspection of Coy’s in marching order, and route marches under Coy arrangements.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      11th Dec 1917 21st Londons consolidate  Consolidation work continued for 21st Londons continued. Situation fairly quiet except for some sniping from Graincourt.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      11th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      South of Marcoing.

                                      Battalion in Brigade support.

                                      There were four Officers and 100 Other Ranks on a carrying party from 1630 to 0200(12th December 1917).

                                      War Diaries


                                      11th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Companies firing on BRAY RANGES. When not firing Lewis Gunners received instruction on mechanism of L.G. Bombers mechanism of bombs, Riflemen did bayonet fighting.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      12th Dec 1917 21st Londons relieved  Consolidation continued for the 21st Londons, situation fairly quiet except for some sniping from Graincourt. At 6 p.m. Two companies are relieved by 23rd Bn Royal Fusiliers. Remaining Companies relieved about midnight by the 22nd Bn London Regiment.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      12th December 1917 Daily Activity  South of Marcoing 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. are in Brigade support on being relieved by 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in the line at dusk. C Company on right. B Company on outpost line. A Company on left. D Company in support.

                                      War Diaries


                                      12th Dec 1917 Exercise  All Officers of 18th DLI and 6 NCO’s per Company, with a syndicate from M.G & T.M. Companies took part in a tactical exercise without troops. Coy training consisted of Lewis Gunners working on mechanism of guns. Bombers construction, throwing and tactics of bombs. Riflemen working at rifle grenade practice, construction and tactics.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      13th Dec 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers return to the line  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers return to the line, taking over the front between Paddebeek and Lekker Botterbeek, with battalion HQ at Hubner Farm.

                                      13th Dec 1917 21st Londons in reserve  By 4 a.m. on the 13th of December the 21st Londons report, relief complete. The Battalion bivouacked on a hill side.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      13th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      South of Marcoing.

                                      Captured a prisoner at 0430 of the 6th (Reserve Infantry Regiment). Battalion stood to at 0530 to meet a rumoured attack at 0630.

                                      Word received from Division Headquarters at 0330 that the enemy was to attack in great force at 0630. No attack however took place.

                                      War Diaries


                                      13th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Inspection of arms by Staff Sgt Armourer. Coy training. Lewis Gunners … mechanism. Bombing sections … throwing, tactics and mechanism of bombs. Rifle sections … rifle grenade practice with dummies, tactics and mechanism of grenades.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      14th Dec 1917 21st Londons in reserve  The area occupied by the 21st Londons is cleaned up generally. Blankets are sent up and all efforts made to make things as comfortable as possible.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      14th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      South of Marcoing.

                                      Battalion in the line. Two Other Ranks casualties.

                                      War Diaries


                                      14th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Tactical exercise by composite Company. All NCO’s & Officers not taking part watched the proceedings.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      15th Dec 1917 21st Londons return to billets  At 6 p.m. on the 15th December the 21st Londons are relieved by 7th Bn London Regt and withdraw to Bertincourt. By 9 p.m. the men of the 21st Battalion are in billets at Bertincourt.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      15th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. are South of Marcoing. Battalion is in the line. D Company relieved B Company in the outpost line. One Officer 2nd Lieutenant Bray and three Other Ranks casualties.

                                      War Diaries


                                      15th Dec 1917 Training  Section training for all Companies of 18th DLI. Sections also to be combined into one platoon for a small tactical scheme to bring out the co-operation of all weapons of a platoon. Exercise to be supervised by Coy Commanders.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      16th Dec 1917 21st Londons on the move  At 8 a.m. on the 16th December the 21st Battalion London Regiment paraded and then marched to Velu. They entrained there at 9 a.m. and proceeded to Aveluym detraining there about midday. They ate dinner in half an hour and the Battalion then marched to Lavieville which was reached at 4.30 p.m.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      16th Dec 1917 Post Stormed  9th (North Irish Horse) Btn., Royal Irish Fusiliers. report from South of Marcoing: German post stormed by our patrol at 1700 with Gunner bayoneted and machine gun captured. His identification secured (6th Division Reserve Infantry Regiment). Lieutenant Caulfield, 7th Somersets, buried by our Battalion. Trench very much improved and more wire put out. Relieved by 7th Royal Fusiliers at 2100 and marched to Metz. Fifty rifles salved and several thousand rounds of small arms ammunition, also boxes of grenades salved, cleaned and put under cover.

                                      War Diaries


                                      16th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Church parades, no other work.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      17th Dec 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers are relieved, and move to Siege Camp for six days. Casualties while in the line are recorded as 1 officer 2/Lt Collings missing, 4 officers wounded, 23 ORs killed, 83 ORs wounded and 10 ORs missing.

                                      17th Dec 1917 21st Londons at Lavieville  The 21st Londons record in their war diary: Day spent in cleaning up generally and in intensive economy at Lavieville where the Battalion are to remain in billets resting until the end of the month. Light training is carried out according to the daily programme, tactical scheme by Brigades under supervision of the Divisional Commander. Work is done as material available, an improvement of accommodation in billets.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      17th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Metz-le-Coutre. Left Metz at 1200 for Etricourt. Billeted in tents at Etricourt.

                                      War Diaries


                                      17th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Coy Commanders to carry out sectional training as done on the 14th. Coy Commanders attended lecture in the afternoon at the Theatre ECOIVRES. Subject, Corps flank defences.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      18th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Etricourt.

                                      Entrained at Etricourt for Mondicourt. Detrained at Mondicourt and marched through deep snow to our billets in the village of Coullemont. The heavy snow delayed our transport, which did not arrive till midnight.

                                      War Diaries


                                      18th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Training under Coy arrangements. Coy’s proceeding on route marches on account of snow.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      19th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Coullemont.

                                      Working parties out with Forty Other Ranks and one Officer from each Company clearing the road from Coullemont to Couterelle of snow. This work continued to 1630.

                                      War Diaries


                                      19th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Baths at ECOIVRES and scabies inspection by M.O.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      20th December 1917 Cleaning Up  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Coullemont. Men working under Company arrangements. Cleaning up.

                                      War Diaries


                                      20th Dec 1917 On the Range  18th DLI are Firing on Bray Range, and Companies when not on the range to do Company drill and a tactical scheme to be set by Coy Commanders.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      21st December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Coullemont.

                                      Under Company arrangements. Inspection of arms and equipment.

                                      War Diaries


                                      21st Dec 1917   ECOIVRES

                                      Handling of arms & Coy drill by all Companies, and afterwards tactical scheme.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      22nd December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Coullemont.

                                      Battalion Parade by Companies. Scale of parades from 0915 to 1230.

                                      'A' Company bathed in the afternoon.

                                      War Diaries


                                      22nd Dec 1917   ECURIE

                                      Left ECOIVRES at 9.30am & proceeded to ECURIE WOOD CAMP, becoming Brigade Reserve. Took over ECURIE WOOD CAMP from L.R.B. arriving at noon.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      23rd Dec 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers move  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers exchange quarters with 2nd Manchesters, in the Ypres-Comines canal bank.

                                      23rd December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Coullemont.

                                      Battalion paraded at 10.30am for Divine Service at Humbercourt.

                                      War Diaries


                                      23rd Dec 1917   ECURIE

                                      Training 9am to 10am. Coy drill & bayonet fighting 10am to noon. Tactical scheme figuring a quickly organised counter attack. Scheme set by Coy Commanders. 4.30pm to 5pm lecture by Company Officers on use of the gas projector by the Germans. 2 NCO’s and 20 men on a working party at CHELSEA DUMP ROCLINCOURT.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      24th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Coullemont.

                                      Battalion Parade by Companies. Scale of parades as on the 22nd. B Company bathed during the afternoon.

                                      War Diaries


                                      24th Dec 1917   ECURIE

                                      Working party of 160 men making concertinas at ROCLINCOURT DUMP, also 2 NCO’s and 20 men working at CHELSEA DUMP under R.E. Voluntary church parades for remainder of Battalion.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      24th Dec 1917   ECURIE

                                      Working party of 160 men making concertinas at ROCLINCOURT DUMP, also 2 NCO’s and 20 men working at CHELSEA DUMP under R.E. Voluntary church parades for remainder of Battalion.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      25th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Coullemont.

                                      Battalion paraded for Divine Services at 1000.

                                      Christmas dinners by Companies between 1300 and 1500. The Commanding Officer was present at each Company dinner.

                                      Snowed heavily during the evening.

                                      War Diaries


                                      25th Dec 1917 Deepdale hosts Ladies Match  A Ladies XI from Dick, Kerr & Co muntions factory in Preston, took part in a charty football match against the ladies team from the Arundel Coulthard Factory. The match was plated at Deepdale, the home of Preston North End and was watched by a crowd of 10,000. £600 was raised (£38,000 in todays money) for the Moor Park hospital. Dick Kerr's ladies won the game 4-0.

                                      25th Dec 1917   ECURIE

                                      Working parties as on the 24th. Men received a special Xmas dinner, and concert by the OWLS in the afternoon.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      26th Dec 1917   ECURIE

                                      Working parties provided as same as on 24th

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      27th Dec 1917 Snow  

                                      THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918

                                      Artillery limbers passing through the snow-covered ruins of Ypres, 27 December 1917. © IWM (Q 9806)

                                      27th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Coullemont.

                                      Each Company furnished a working party of forty Other Ranks and one Officer from A and D Companies to sandbag the aerodrome near Mondicourt.

                                      War Diaries


                                      27th Dec 1917   ECURIE

                                      Working parties provided as same as on 24th Cleaning up for going into the line.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      28th Dec 1917 21st Londons prepare to depart Lavieville  The 21st Londons record in their war diary for the 28th of December 1917: Brigade put under orders to move at 4 hours notice.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      28th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Coullemont.

                                      The Battalion leaves Coullemont, march off at 0530 and Entrained at Mondicourt 0900. They arrived in Boves at 1330 and march to billets in the village.

                                      Snow fell during the evening.

                                      War Diaries


                                      28th Dec 1917   ECURIE

                                      Reveille 5.30am. Battalion relieved 18TH W YORKS REGT. 2 Coys in BRIERLY HILL. 1 Coy WILLERVAL NORTH, 1 Coy SUGAR POST. Relief complete 10.30pm. It is thought relief was seen by enemy aircraft as TOMMY was heavily shelled by 15cm especially in the neighbourhood of TUNNEL DUMP (Batt HQ) Remainder of night quiet. Heavy frost.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      29th Dec 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the move  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers march from the Ypres-Comines canal bank to Irish arm and entrains for Audruicq. They then march to Sanghem and Alembon, near Calais.

                                      29th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Boves.

                                      Working party in afternoon clearing snow off road from Boves station to cross roads at St Nicholas.

                                      The Train loaded with Battalion transport snowed up and did not arrive till midnight. The unloading party consisting of A Company did not arrive in billets till 2am 30/12/17.

                                      Captain Despard and an NCO proceed to 5th Army Infantry School at Toutencourt.

                                      War Diaries


                                      29th Dec 1917   NEAR WILLERVAL

                                      Day very quiet. Weather remains very cold. Working party (2 platoons) carrying Stokes shells.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      30th Dec 1917 21st Londons depart Lavieville  At 4 p.m. Orders received for the 21st Londons to be ready to move about 6 p.m.

                                      At 6.15 p.m. a Brigade Operational Order is received to march to Albert & entrain for Étricourt.

                                      At 9 p.m. 21st London Battalion entrained at Albert.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      30th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Boves.

                                      Battalion paraded at 1145 for Divine Service in the 4th Corps School Cinema hall.

                                      War Diaries


                                      30th December 1917   SM U-111

                                      Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 280) Ordered 5 May 1916 Launched 5 Sep 1917 Commissioned 30 Dec 1917

                                      Commanders.
                                      30 Dec 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 Hans Beyersdorff

                                      Career 4 patrols.
                                      start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                      Successes 3 ships sunk with a total of 3,011 tons.

                                      • 7 Apr 1918 U 111 Hans Beyersdorff Boscastle 2,346 br
                                      • 28 May 1918 U 111 Hans Beyersdorff Dronning Margrethe 393 da
                                      • 22 Jun 1918 U 111 Hans Beyersdorff Rana 272 nw

                                      Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to the USA. The boat was used for exhibitions (to sell war bonds among other things) on the New England coastline. Later used for research and finally sunk by explosives in deep water off Cape Charles, Virginia.

                                      There was another U 111 in World War Two.
                                      That boat was launched from its shipyard on 15 Sep 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 19 Dec 1940.

                                      John Doran


                                      30th Dec 1917   NEAR WILLERVAL

                                      Exceptionally quiet. Major TWIST relinquishes command, Major IBSON takes over command of Battalion.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      31st Dec 1917 21st Londons under canvas  By 6.30 a.m. on the 31st of December 1916 the 21st Battalion, London Regiment are under canvas in camp near Étricourt. But at 12 midnight an Operational Order is received for the Brigade to move into Camp in the Lechelle area.

                                      War Diary 21 Londons


                                      31st Dec 1917 Parades and demonstration.  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Boves. Battalion paraded under Company arrangements at 0930, principally for kit inspections. Demonstration by 4th Corps School of the improved musketry instruction at 1000. One Officer and one NCO per Company attended also the Intelligence Officer. Route march in the afternoon, parade ready to move off at 1400.

                                      War Diaries


                                      31st Dec 1917   NEAR WILLERVAL

                                      Very quiet. Rather warmer. Three shells 15cm dropped near TUNNEL DUMP.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      1st January 1918 Events in 1918  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

                                      Verdun 1918.

                                      The division held the quiet Verdun sector until July 12, when it was relieved by the 231st Division.

                                      Vesle 1918.

                                      It was moved to the Vesle front and on July 25 relieved the 40th Division near Oulchy-le-Chateau. It remained in this sector until the 12th August, when it was withdrawn and sent to rest in the vicinity of Meubeuge.

                                      Champagne 1918.

                                      On the 1st September it proceeded to Mauchault and during the first days of September relieved the 88th Division in the line near Perthes. It was in the fighting between September 23 and October 3 in Champagne, losing about 2,000 men in that engagement.

                                      The division was so reduced in strength that it was dissolved shortly after its retirement from line in October.

                                      The 13th Bavarian Reserve Regiment was dissolved and the men drafted to the 15th Bavarian Division.

                                      The 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment was also dissolved.

                                      Allied Intelligence Value - 1918 Estimate.

                                      The division was rated as third class. It was used only in defensive sectors during 1918.

                                      historical records


                                      1st January 1918 Mezieres and Grand Seracourt - defensive preparations  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                      The Battalion left its billets at 0330 on the 29th December and entrained at 0900 in Monticourt. It detrained in Moreuil (44 miles) and marched to Mezieres (2 miles). The 30th December was a rest day and on the 31st December the Transport section, which had travelled by road, arrived.

                                      Whilst resting from pioneering work, infantry training took place from 1st to 5th January with 100 men leaving as replacements to other Royal Irish Rifles Battalions. (50 to 15th RIR, and 25 each to 14th and 10th RIR). 99 men of B1 Status arrived as replacements, B1 meaning fit for manual work but not for front line combat.

                                      On the 7th January the Battalion moved to Caix (5 miles) for infantry training from 8th to 11th January and then on 12th Jan. to Campion (7 miles) with rest on 13th Jan. On 14th January they moved to dugouts north of Grand Seracourt (19 miles) followed by two days bathing. All these moves were in conjunction with the gradual takeover of French positions by the 36th Division.

                                      Naturally the tasks that followed were to strengthen and improve defensive positions for the 6000 yards front which the Division had to control in a southwards direction to St. Quentin. The first task was road repairs in St Simon which took from 17th to 18th Jan. for 1 and 2 companies. On the 19th Jan. HQ moved to Grand Seracourt and work commenced on widening and deepening trenches which had been poorly constructed by the French.

                                      The companies were employed from the 19th to the 31st Jan. on the following work: 1 and 2 Companies at L’Epine de Dallon. 3 Company at Boyeau de Station. 4 Company at Boyeau de Contescourt.

                                      Battalion Strength - January 1918 Jan 1st Officers 43 Other ranks 903 Jan 31st Officers 43 Other ranks 879 Casualties Other rank 1 died from wounds.

                                      The Terrors by SN White


                                         Australian Corps Heavy Artillery, X Group formed at an unspecified time in 1918 the British 23rd Garrison Artillery Brigade armed with 14 x 6" howitzers and 6 x 9.2" howitzers. The Brigade consisted of the 41st, 94th, 327th and 355th Siege Artillery Batteries.

                                      1st January 1918 9th Irish Fusiliers at Boves  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers in rest billets, at Boves, carrying out training programme.

                                      War Diaries


                                      1st January 1918 Training and relocation  1st German Guards Division

                                      France.

                                      The division remained in line at the Marquise sector in Champagne from the end of October until the 21st of January 1918

                                      It was withdrawn at that date and put through a course of training in open warfare until the 1st March, when it entered the line east of Reims (relieving the 203rd Division), remaining there until the 15th in order to become familiar with the terrain.

                                      historical records


                                      1st January 1918 1918 Actions  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

                                      1918.

                                      Argonne.

                                      Withdrawn from the line, the Division was put through a course of training. It relieved the 80th Reserve Division north of Vauquois on February 17th. It was relieved by the 80th Reserve Division about the 1st of March.

                                      St. Quentin.

                                      On the opening day of the March offensive the division reinforced the front south of St. Quentin. It was withdrawn the next day. On March 23rd it came back into line north of Chauny. It was withdrawn about the 30th.

                                      Lassigny.

                                      On April 6th, it relieved the 3rd Bavarian Division west of Lassigny. It was in turn relieved by the 3rd Bavarian Division on the 12th.

                                      Champagne.

                                      Having suffered a great deal in the fighting on the Somme, the division was taken to a quiet sector in Champagne, relieving the 52nd Reserve Division on May 1st, north of Souain. About June 30th, it was relieved by the 30th Division. It reinforced the front near Souain on July 15th. It was withdrawn about the 31st.

                                      Soissons.

                                      The division entered the line northeast of Soissons on August 11th.

                                      Noyon.

                                      It was relieved by the Jaeger Division about August 19th and moved to the west, taking over the Cuts sector, southeast of Noyon on August 20th and was withdrawn on the 22nd.

                                      Coucy le Chateau.

                                      On the 31st August the division was identified at Folembray, northwest of Coucy-le-Chateau and was withdrawn about September 12th.

                                      Champagne.

                                      On about the 27th September it took of over the Maure sector, southeast of Vouziers, where it remained, fighting, until the signing of the armistice.

                                      Allied Intelligence 1918 Value Estimate.

                                      The 1st Bavarian is rated as a first-class assault division and it was utilized as such throughout 1918. It fought well and its losses were severe.

                                      Historical Records


                                      1st January 1918 Actions during 1918  2nd German Cavalry Division part of 2nd Cavalry Corps which preceded 1st and 2nd German Armies.

                                      Divisional Actions during 1918 (Report pages from 1914 to 1917 missing)

                                      The division was in the Stochod sector until February 28, when it advanced through Kiev and Kharkov to Rostov, where it was on August 4. At this date the division occupied the area between Kharkov and Rostov. The troops were frequently attacked by armed bands or by mobs. In this way they suffered some heavy losses. The German cruiser Goeben, which had been supporting them, was damaged by fire and had to put into Constantinople. Nothing was known of the divisions movements after August, 1918.

                                      Allied Intelligence 1918 Value Estimate.

                                      The division was considered as 4th class.

                                      Historical Records


                                      1st January 1918 Actions during 1918  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

                                      Divisional Actions during 1918.

                                      Champagne.

                                      The 2nd Division remained in line in the Souaine-Somme-Py region until relieved by the 87th Division about April 2nd. It went back to the Army depot at Semide, where it stayed about a week drilling and maneuvering. On April 10th, it entrained at Machault and went via Rethel, Liart, Marle, then detrained at La Ferte-Chevresis, encamping in the vicinity. It traveled by St. Simon (Apr. 11), Ham, Solente (5 km. east of Roye), and Laboissiere, where it stayed until April 30th.

                                      Montdidier.

                                      On May 1st the division relieved the 51st Reserve Division at Monchel, south of Montdidier until relieved on the 31st August.

                                      St. Quentin.

                                      The division was identified in line near Essigny-le-Grand, south of St. Quentin on September 5th. It was relieved about the 15th by the extension of the fronts of the neighboring divisions. During the night of September 20-21 it went back into line north of St. Quentin, in the Bellenglise sector. It was withdrawn about the 10th. The division rested for a fortnight in the Avesnes area, then came into the line on October 24th, relieving the 19th Reserve Division east of Ribeinont (southeast of St. Quentin). It was withdrawn from line early in November and did not return.

                                      1918 Allied Intelligence Value Estimate.

                                      The 2nd is rated as a third-class division. It was used in a great deal of heavy fighting and suffered severe losses (July 23 it lost 54 officers and 1,800 men in prisoners alone) west of the Avre; the 9th and 10th of August it lost 443 prisoners; in its engagements between August and October it lost over 1,500 prisoners). Nevertheless, it was never used as an attacking division, but confined itself to holding the sectors allotted it; on account of its weakened condition and lowered morale (there are several cases of insubordination on record), it did not acquit itself any too well.

                                      Historical Records


                                      1st January 1918 Actions during 1918  2nd Landwehr Division part of 5th German Army

                                      1918 Argonne.

                                      The division remained in line in the Apremont sector, engaging in but little activity until the American attack of September 26th. From that time on until it was withdrawn, October 25th, it fought a great deal.

                                      Allied Intelligence 1918 Value Estimate.

                                      Most of the young men of the division were taken from it to be sent to other organizations early in the year. On October 12th the corps commander telegraphed the King of Wurttemberg (the 2nd Landwehr Division comes from Wurttemberg): The 2nd Landwehr Division has particularly distinguished itself by its bravery and intrepidity during the last combats in the Argonne and has thus contributed toward the failure of the enemy's attempt to break through. It was badly used on the opening day of the American attack, but it fought hard. It loaned companies to various other divisions, including the 1st and 5th Guard Divisions and for days at a time these Landwehr troops were making the greatest resistance in the Aire Valley. While the division lost only 795 prisoners during the offensive, its total losses undoubtedly are above 5,000, there being evidence to show that many companies did not have more than 25 men, there being only three companies per battalion and, in at least one case, only two battalions in the regiment. It is rated as a fourth-class division.

                                      Historical Records


                                      1st January 1918 Actions during 1918  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                                      Divisional Actions during 1918.

                                      1918 Meuse.

                                      The division remained in line north of the Bois des Fosses until relieved by the 19th Reserve Division on January 14th. It went then to the Longwy region, where it was put through a stiff course of training in open warfare.

                                      Amiens.

                                      On the 23rd March it entrained at Audun-le-Roman, and traveled via Longwy-Sedan-Charleville-Hirson-Anor-Avesnes-Le Cateau-Bertry-Caudry to Cambrai, where it detrained March 24-25. At first the division marched in the direction of Bapaumes, but was diverted in a southerly direction on the way and passed through Le Transloy-Sailly-Saillisel-Peronne-Villers-Carbonnel-Estrees-Foucaucourt and billeted at Beaucourt-en-Santerre on the night of March 30-31. On April 2nd it attacked at Morisel and two days later to the southwest of Morisel. It fought then until the 15th, when it side-slipped to the north, relieving the 54th Division, its place being taken by the 15th Division. It was relieved about May 4th by the 21st Division.

                                      It moved to the area southeast of Ghent, and there was reconstituted and trained. On June 2nd, it relieved the 14th Bavarian Division in the Morisel sector. It was relieved in the middle of the month by the extension of fronts of the neighboring divisions.

                                      Champagne.

                                      It rested in the rear of the front in Champagne for about a month and then entered line in the Navarin sector (north of Souain), being identified by prisoners on the 15th July. It was withdrawn on the 20th July.

                                      Vesle.

                                      On the 4th August the division relieved the 22nd Division at Jonchery (on the Vesle, east of Fismes). It remained in line, taking part in the general retirement, until the armistice.

                                      Allied Intelligence 1918 Value Estimate.

                                      The 2nd Bavarian is one of the very best German shock divisions. It was called upon to do a great deal of heavy fighting, and always acquitted itself well. It suffered severe losses in consequence, but these were made good as long as the German High Command had replacements at its disposal.

                                      Historical Records


                                      Jan 1918 Night work  During January 1918 the Squadron carried out experimental night artillery observation with useful results and night reconnaissance became regular part of their operations.

                                      1st Jan 1918   NEAR WILLERVAL

                                      Very quiet. Ground still too hard to carry out the wiring on TIRED and TOMMY CT’s. Working party of 200 converting Sump holes into fire bays with a view to using TIRED and TOMMY as defensive fire trenches. A few heavy shells fell near TUNNEL DUMP at about 10pm. SOS sent up on the left sector. Battalion stood to for about an hour and then carried on work.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      2nd Jan 1918   NEAR WILLERVAL

                                      Quiet. Same working party as last night. Ground so hard that very little progress made.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      3rd Jan 1918   NEAR WILLERVAL

                                      Battalion relieved by 12th E. YORKS REGT. It is probable that relief was seen as enemy heavily shelled TOMMY and OUSE CT’s. Took over YORK CAMP at ECOIVRES. Battalion arrived in at about 6pm.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      4th Jan 1918 Food Shortages  Lord Rhondda made a speech at the opening of a new communal kitchen at Silvertown - "The value and need of such kitchens will grow as the food supplies of this country become less. I have great faith in them and feel that they will meet more and more real want that is coming on us in the next few months. So anxious are we to establish kitchens throughout the country where they are needed that grants will be made by the Ministry of Food towards starting all kitchens. Part will be repaid and local authorities will be empowered to advance the money. These kitchens must be run on business lines and there must be no taint of charity."

                                      "Compulsory rationing, I am afraid has got to come. I say 'afraid' because I would rather that it did not. Do not think that when compulsory rationing has come, that queues are going to be done away with. Rationing in some article, at any rate is on its way. We are engaged, at the present time in completing a scheme for compulsory rationing. It will have to be submitted to the Cabinet and when the Cabinet has sanctioned it, we shall put that scheme into operation as quickly as we can. Do not thing that there is going to be an absolutely fair distribution. What we are aiming at is equality of sacrifice and a fair and equal share for every person in the Kingdom. In Germany there are queues and in Germany we know today that there is a tremendous outcry against the fact that, not withstanding a rationing system and tickets, the rich are getting a good deal more than their share, with the result that the poor are not getting what they ought to receive." The speech also highlighted the situation for important foodstuffs:

                                      Butter and Margarine - "I hope that the position is going to steadily improve. If things go fairly well I hope there will be as large a supply of margarine and butter in this country in another six months as there was before the war."

                                      Tea - "The position will improve. Before February the Government will have taken over the whole of he supplied of teas coming into this country. They will make purchases in Ceylon and India and fix the price, which I hope will be still further reduced."

                                      Meat - "I ask you to exercise every patience. It is no use getting panicky. I am not going to be moved in any way from what I consider the right course to take. There is going to be a great shortage in the supply of meat during the next couple of weeks, and after that I hope the position will improve considerably. We have our scheme laid. I am not going to threaten the farmers. I don not want to commandeer cattle, but machinery will be ready for the purpose of obtaining cattle if they do not come into the market when they are required."

                                      The scale of prices at the Silvertown Communal Kitchen are:

                                      • Pint of soup .............. 2d
                                      • Lentil savoury with gravy ..2d
                                      • Baked rice pudding .........2d
                                      • Boiled currant roly ........1d
                                      • vegitables ............1d & 2d


                                      4th January 1918 Hospital ship  

                                      HS Rewa

                                      HMHS Rewa (His Majesty's Hospital ship) was a steamship originally built for the British-India Steam Navigation Company, but requisitioned for use as a British hospital ship during the First World War. On 4 January 1918, she was hit and sunk by a torpedo from the German U-boat U-55.

                                      In 1908, she joined her sister ship Rohilla as a permanent troopship, being designated No.5.

                                      Sinking.

                                      On 4 January 1918, Rewa was returning to Britain from Malta with 279 wounded officers aboard. Neutral inspectors from Spain had boarded the ship in Gibraltar to confirm that she had no military function. At 1115, she was hit by a torpedo 19 mi (31 km) off Hartland Point. The ship took around two hours to sink, allowing all wounded and ship's crew to board lifeboats except for the four engine men who died in the initial explosion.

                                      Aftermath.

                                      The sinking of the ship caused outrage in Britain. The German high command denied sinking the ship, instead blaming the explosion on a loose British mine. However, German naval command had entered "total war" in a desperate effort to win the war. In implementing total war, the naval command secretly ordered U-boat captains to sink any Allied ship, including hospital ships, even though it violated Hague Convention X. However, the captain of U-55 — perhaps fearing the consequences of his actions — wrote in the ship's log that he sank a cargo vessel and not a brightly lit and painted hospital ship. After the war, Wilhelm Werner was hunted by Allied command in an effort to charge him for war crimes, but he disappeared, thus avoiding a trial.

                                      Wreckage.

                                      The wreckage lies at 50.55°N 04.49°W, which is located off the west UK coast. It lies in about 200 ft (61 m) of water which makes it difficult for all but the most experienced diver to explore. During the Second World War, the wreckage was often mistaken by British sonar for a German U-boat. To confirm that a U-Boat was not just hiding on the sea bed, Allied ships would drop depth charges, called opening the "tin can". If oil or German bodies floated to the surface then they knew they had destroyed a U-Boat. If nothing floated up then they would move to the next sonar target. This process totally destroyed the wreck of Rewa.

                                      John Doran


                                      4th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                      Cleaning up. Reorganisation. Baths at ECOIVRES.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      5th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                      Tactical scheme without troops for all officers & NCO’s. Company training on manoeuvre area at F.17.18.22.23. etc.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      6th Jan 1918 Hospital Ship loads  HMHS Neuralia loaded at Dar es Salaam, transfering sick and injured to South Africa. Amongst them was Private William John Milton (M2/229182) of the Army Service Corps, who was suffering from malaria and unfit for active service.

                                      6th Jan 1918   Sunday. 18th DLI hold Church parades at Ecoivres.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      7th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Marcelcave.

                                      Moved from Boves to Marcelcave, 14 kilometres, over ground thickly covered with snow.

                                      The following decorations have been awarded by the Field Marshal, Commander-in-Chief, under authority delegated him by the King:

                                      • The Military Cross
                                      • Temporary Captain C.B Despard, D Company,
                                      • 2nd Lieutenant J.H Partridge B Company (Intelligence Officer);[17]
                                      • Distinguished Conduct Medal
                                      • Corporal H Roe, A Company,
                                      • Company Quartermaster Sergeant G Robinson, D Company,
                                      • Company Sergeant Major T Vennard, B Company.[18]

                                      War Diaries


                                      7th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                      Coy training in bombing & Lewis gun. Section & platoon tactical training. Considerable snow fell.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      8th January 1918   SM U-137

                                      Type Large Ms. Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig Ordered 27 May 1916 Launched 16 Dec 1916 Commissioned 8 Jan 1918

                                      Commanders Career No patrols. No flotilla information available Successes No successes. Fate - unknown

                                      There was another U 137 in World War Two.
                                      That boat was launched from its shipyard on 18 May 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 15 Jun 1940.

                                      John Doran


                                      8th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                      Battalion tactical scheme figuring a counter attack, somewhat spoilt by snow storm.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      9th Jan 1918 124th Heavy Battery to 42 HAB  124th Heavy Battery, RGA transfer to 42nd Heavy Artillery Brigade from 16 HAG on the 9th of Jan 1918

                                      9th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                      Coy training in Lewis gun & bombing. Owing to the extreme cold C.O. took the Battalion for a route march.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      10th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Marcelcave.

                                      Moved to Rosieres, 11 kilometres.

                                      War Diaries


                                      10th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                      Firing on BRAY RANGE. Training on Bullet & Bayonet course. Lewis gun range & bombing ground. Capt. KILLICK rejoined the Battalion.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      11th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Rosieres.

                                      Moved to Carrèpuits, 15 kilometres, through shell-shattered country.

                                      War Diaries


                                      11th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                      Firing on BRAY RANGE. Left half of Battalion Coy training by sections.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      12th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Strength: 39 Officers, 868 Other Ranks, 39 horses, 16 mules.

                                      Increase: Lieutenant R.I McCrum, 2nd Lieutenant Pollock, 2nd Lieutenant Leahy, 2nd Lieutenant Donaldson.

                                      War Diaries


                                      12th Jan 1918 SS Whorlton lost  SS Whorlton registered in West Harlepool, was on passage from Dunkirk to Southampton when on the 12th January 1918 (according to records) she was torpedoed and sunk by the UB-30, in the English Channel, near the Owers Lightvessel, with the loss of all hands.

                                      12th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                      Battalion tactical scheme figuring a counter attack on ARLEUX POST. Weather still very cold.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      13th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Moved to Villeselve, 20 kilometres.

                                      • Lieutenant G.W Vesey, A Company, awarded Military Cross
                                      • 2nd Lieutenant A.A Andrews struck off strength;
                                      • Sergeant J.A Henry, C Company, and Lance Corporal A.G.H Clarke, C Company, both awarded Military Medal.

                                      36th Division relieved 6th French Division, 108th Brigade in reserve.

                                      War Diaries


                                      13th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                      Church parades. Still freezing.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      14th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                      Cleaning up. Inspections and preparation for going into the line. Brigade Platoon competition. Frost holds.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      15th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR

                                      Relieve 13th E YORKS REGT. 2 Coy’s in the RED LINE between WILLERVAL SOUTH (inclusive) and WILLERVAL NORTH (exclusive). 2 Coy’s ARLEUX LOOP. Relief complete after very quiet journey up, at 12 noon. Rained during night and continued on and off all day.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      16th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR

                                      Thaw set in. Heavy rain. Trenches falling in everywhere. Working parties of 2 platoons & 40 men were detailed by Brigade. 1 platoon cleaning out ARLEUX POST and one OAK ALLEY. 40 men carrying 6’’ TM’s to B.6 Central.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      17th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Villeselve.

                                      0800 Moved to Grand Seraucourt, 13 kilometres, to reserve billets, 4 kilometres behind line.

                                      Carrying out wiring and intensive digging training.

                                      War Diaries


                                      17th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR

                                      Still raining. Froze a little during the night but thawed again in the morning. Trenches in a very bad state. The same working parties detailed as yesterday less carrying party. Men working hard all day on our own trenches.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      18th Jan 1918 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the move  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers begins return to front line with two days march, via Landrethun, to Audruicq to entrain. The battalion detrains at Elverdinghe, occupying Dirty Bucket Camp.

                                      18th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR

                                      Major GIBSON 15TH W YORKS REGT relinquishes command of the Battalion and takes over command of 15TH W YORKS REGT. Major ANDERSON 12TH E YORKS REGT assumes command of the Battalion. Carrying parties same as yesterday. Still raining on and off.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      19th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Grand Seraucourt. Sheet 66cNW 1/20,000.

                                      Strength: 39 Officers, 866 Other Ranks, 39 horses, 16 mules. Decrease: Two Other Ranks.

                                      War Diaries


                                      19th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR

                                      Trenches forward of HENIN LIEVIN Line practically impassable. Battalion relieves 18th W YORKS REGT in the front line over the top, commencing 5pm relief complete 8pm. Daylight relief impossible. Disposition of Coy’s, ARLEUX POST A & B Coy’s. OC Post Lt McCONNELL. OAK POST C Coy. OC 2Lt OLDFIELD. TOMMY POST D Coy. Lt ARMSTRONG OC post.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      20th January 1918 Battle of Imbros 1918  The Battle of Imbros was a naval action that took place during the First World War. The battle occurred on 20 January 1918 when an Ottoman squadron engaged a flotilla of the British Royal Navy off the island of Imbros in the Aegean Sea. A lack of heavy Allied warships in the area allowed the Ottoman battlecruiser Yavûz Sultân Selîm and light cruiser Midilli to sortie into the Mediterranean and attack the British monitors and destroyers at Imbros before assaulting the naval base at Mudros. Although the Ottoman forces managed to complete their objective of destroying the British monitors at Imbros, the battle turned sour for them as they sailed through a minefield while withdrawing. Midilli was sunk and Yavûz Sultân Selîm heavily damaged. Although Yavûz Sultân Selîm managed to beach herself within the Dardanelles, she was subjected to days of air attacks until she was towed to safety. With the most modern cruiser of the Ottoman Navy sunk and her only battlecruiser out of action, the battle effectively curtailed the Ottoman Navy's offensive capability until the end of the war.

                                      Prelude

                                      By January 1918, the situation for the Ottoman Army in Palestine had begun to falter. The new German commander of the Ottoman Black Sea fleet, Rebeur Paschwitz, decided to try to relieve Allied naval pressure on Palestine by making a sortie out of the Dardanelles. Several British naval elements of the Aegean Squadron had been taking refuge in Kusu Bay off the islands of Imbros and they were a prime target for an Ottoman raid. After raiding what shipping could be found at Imbros, Rebeur-Paschwitz would then turn to Mudros and attack the British naval base there. The Allied force guarding the Dardanelles consisted of a few heavy British and French units as well as several monitors tasked with coastal bombardment. Escorting the monitors were several British destroyers. The pre-dreadnought battleships HMS Agamemnon and HMS Lord Nelson were also tasked with guarding the area, but the Lord Nelson had been tasked with ferrying the squadron's admiral to a conference at Salonika. Taking advantage of the absence of the British battleship, the Germans and Ottomans decided to dispatch the battlecruiser Yavûz Sultân Selîm (ex-SMS Goeben) and the light cruiser Midilli (ex-SMS Breslau) to attack the area. The Allied forces at Imbros on 20 January consisted of the monitors HMS Raglan and HMS M28 as well as the Acheron-class destroyers HMS Tigress and HMS Lizard. Agamemnon was nearby at Mudros, but she was much too slow to chase down the Ottoman ships if they wanted to avoid engaging her. Without the Agamemnon and Lord Nelson the British were severely undergunned in comparison to the Ottoman ships. The Tigress and Lizard both were armed with two 4-inch guns, two 12 pounders and two 21-inch torpedo tubes. They were swift ships capable of making 27 knots at best speed. The two monitors present at Imbros were better suited for coastal bombardment than naval combat, though their heavy guns gave them an element of firepower the destroyers lacked. Raglan, an Abercrombie-class monitor, was armed with two 14-inch guns, two 6-inch guns and two 3-inch guns. M28 was a smaller vessel than Raglan and as such carried a lighter armament sporting a single 9.2-inch cannon, one 12 pounder, as well as a six pounder anti-aircraft gun. The biggest weak point of both Raglan and M28 were their low top speeds of 7 and 11 knots respectively, giving them little capability to escape an Ottoman raid. In contrast to the British force, the Ottoman vessels were both fast and heavily armed. Midilli sported eight 150 mm cannons, 120 mines, two torpedo tubes, and a top speed of 25 knots. Yavûz Sultân Selîm was the most powerful ship in the Ottoman fleet with a top speed of 25.5 knots, ten 283 mm guns, twelve 150 mm guns, a dozen 8.8-centimetre guns and four torpedo tubes. Thus, with no heavy units available to repel them, there was little in the means of effective Allied opposition when the Ottomans set out on their mission.

                                      Battle

                                      Setting out towards Imbros, the Yavûz Sultân Selîm struck a mine on transit to the island, but the damage was insignificant and the two Ottoman vessels were able to continue their mission. Yavûz Sultân Selîm then proceeded to bombard the British signal station at Kephalo Point while the Midilli was sent ahead to guard the entrance of Kusu Bay. As the Yavûz Sultân Selîm and Midilli approached Kusu Bay, they were sighted by the destroyer HMS Lizard at 0530. The Lizard attempted to engage the Ottoman ships, but could not close to torpedo range due to heavy fire from her opponents. The Yavûz Sultân Selîm soon sighted the two British monitors taking refuge in the bay and broke off from Lizard to engage them. As Yavûz Sultân Selîm attacked the monitors, Midilli continued to duel with Lizard who was then joined by the destroyer HMS Tigress. Lizard and Tigress attempted to shield the monitors from Yavûz Sultân Selîm by laying a smoke screen, but this was ineffective. The monitors were both much too slow to evade Yavûz Sultân Selîm and she was able to score numerous hits on the Raglan, hitting her foretop and killing her gunnery and direction officers. The Raglan attempted to return fire with its 6 and 14 inch guns, but scored no hits on the German vessels before her main armament was knocked out when a shell pierced its casemate and ignited the ammunition within it. Shortly after she was disarmed, the Raglan was hit in her magazine by one of Goeben's 11 inch shells causing the monitor to sink. After Raglan was sunk, the Ottoman battlecruiser began turned her attention to HMS M28, striking her amidships and setting her alight before she was sunk when her magazine exploded at 0600. With the two monitors sunk, the Ottomans decided to break off the engagement and head south in an attempt to raid the allied naval base at Mudros. Upon withdrawing from Kusu Bay, the Ottoman force accidentally sailed into a minefield and were shadowed by the two British destroyers they had previously engaged. In addition to the destroyers, several British and Greek aircraft were launched from Mudros to engage the Germans. In the meantime, Greek ace Aristeidis Moraitinis, managed to shoot down three enemy seaplanes with his Sopwith Camel. With the approach of enemy aircraft the Midilli, which had been following the Yavûz Sultân Selîm, took the lead so as to take advantage of her heavier anti-aircraft armament. Midilli then struck a mine near her aft funnel and shortly afterwards Yavûz Sultân Selîm hit one as well. Within half an hour the Midilli had struck four more mines and began to sink. The Yavûz Sultân Selîm attempted to rescue the Midilli but also struck a mine and was forced to withdraw. Fleeing towards the safety of the Dardanelles, Yavûz Sultân Selîm was pursued by Lizard and Tigress. In order to cover the Yavûz Sultân Selîm four Ottoman destroyers and an old cruiser rushed out to engage the British destroyers. After the lead Ottoman destroyer began to take hits, the Ottoman squadron was forced to withdraw back up the Dardanelles. As the British destroyers approached Cape Helles, they were fired upon by Ottoman shore batteries and withdrew. In addition to the Lizard and Tigress, a dozen British seaplanes from Ark Royal were launched to finish off the Yavûz Sultân Selîm. Although they managed to score two hits against the battlecruiser, the Ottoman ship was by this time near the coast. The combined efforts from ten Ottoman seaplanes as well as heavy anti-aircraft fire were able to drive off the air attacks, downing one Sopwith Baby and damaging another aircraft. The four Ottoman destroyers returned and guarded the Yavûz Sultân Selîm as she sailed up the Dardnelles. Severely damaged, the Ottoman battlecruiser ran aground on a sandbar off Nagara Point and became stranded. The next six days saw further air attacks by Allied seaplanes against the Ottoman battlecruiser, with six hits being scored against her. Ottoman seaplanes and heavy shore batteries responded to the raids and were able to guard the Yavûz Sultân Selîm and beat back the air attacks. Despite the air raids, the Yavûz Sultân Selîm suffered only superficial damage from them as the 65-pound bombs used by the British were too small to be effective. Allied commanders proposed plans for a submarine raid against the battlecruiser, but the only submarine attached to the Aegean squadron, HMS E12, had mechanical problems and was inoperative. A raid into the Dardanelles was therefore postponed until a working submarine could be dispatched to the area.

                                      Aftermath

                                      With no way to free herself, the Yavûz Sultân Selîm remained stranded on the sandbar until 26 January when the Turgut Reis finally arrived and towed her back into the Black Sea. In one last effort to destroy the battlecruiser, the British sent the submarine HMS E14 into the Dardnelles on 27 January. The Yavûz Sultân Selîm had already left the area and so E14 began sailing back to Allied waters after discovering the battlecruiser's absence. Sighting an Ottoman freighter, the British submarine attempted to engage her with torpedoes. The second torpedo fired exploded prematurely. In the resulting explosion the submarine was damaged and was forced to try to flee the straits. She came under heavy fire from the nearby Ottoman shore batteries and was eventually beached with her commander, Geoffrey Saxton White, and another sailor killed and seven captured. White was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his efforts to beach the submarine and save its crew. Although the Ottoman force was able to destroy the British monitors they set out to engage, their losses traversing the minefield after the engagement in Kusu Bay negated any impact the British losses had in their favour. With the Midilli sunk and Yavûz Sultân Selîm severely damaged, the threat of the Ottoman Navy to the Allies was greatly reduced for the remainder of the war. Despite the removal of these two vessels from the Ottoman battle line, the commanders of the British Aegean Squadron were still criticized for having dispatched both of their heavy units too far from the Dardanelles to engage the Ottomans. If the Agamemnon or Lord Nelson had been at their posts during the Ottoman raid, the Yavûz Sultân Selîm might have been destroyed, eliminating her threat once and for all rather than having her escape.

                                      John Doran


                                      20th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR

                                      Still raining. Patrol of 1 Officer and 25 ORs went out in the direction of LONE TREE to discover whether consolidated shell holes and posts in German front line were occupied. Patrol reports them unoccupied. Wiring party of 1 NCO & 6 men wire in front of BRITANNIA between OAK & ARLEUX POSTS.

                                      18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                      21st January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                      Grand Seraucourt.

                                      • Major A Ferguson awarded Military Cross.
                                      • No.14040 Sergeant Barton, H, C Company, awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal.

                                        War Diaries


                                        21st Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR

                                        Very quiet during the day. Rain & drizzle. Patrol of 1 Officer & 25 ORs left TOMMY POST to examine enemy wire & see whether CHUMP trench was occupied, found a consolidated shell hole unoccupied but was unable to get near wire owing to brightness of moon.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        22nd Jan 1918 16th Northumberland Fusiliers work on army line  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers moves across the canal to Irish Farm, for work on defensive system "army line".

                                        22nd January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        Grand Seraucourt. 22nd to 24th Jan.

                                        Four-hundred men digging cable trench between Artemps and Grand Seraucourt.

                                        War Diaries


                                        22nd Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR

                                        Quiet. Patrol of 1 officer & 25 ORs left ARLEUX POST with the object of again examining CHUMP trench but were heavily fired upon and were unable to proceed owing to -------- of the night full moon.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        23rd Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR

                                        Quiet during whole day. Raining. Battalion relieved by 15th W YORKS REGT (at night) Proceeded by rail to ECURIE WOOD CAMP.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        24th Jan 1918   ECURIE

                                        Major D.E. INCE MC assumes command of the Battalion. Major ANDERSON returns to 12th E YORKS REGT. Working parties 70 men for AREA Comdt ECURIE.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        25th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        [25-28 January] Grand Seraucourt.

                                        Battalion digging reserve trench between Contescourt and Essigny le Grand.

                                        War Diaries


                                        25th Jan 1918   ECURIE

                                        Weather improving. Working party of 3 Officers & 150 ORs leaving TIRED ALLEY forward of LONG WOOD. 93ORs working around ECURIE.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        26th January 1916 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        Strength: Forty Officers, 849 Other Ranks, 39 horses, 16 mules. Decrease: Seventeen Other Ranks.

                                        Chaplain H.S Bally, Church of England (vice Chaplain S Mayes, Church of England, returned to England).

                                        War Diaries


                                        26th Jan 1918   ECURIE

                                        Same working parties as yesterday.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        27th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        At 1000 the Divisional Commander presented ribbons of decoration awarded from the recent operations at Moeuvres.

                                        At 1400. Beat 16 Royal Irish Rifles at football, 5 goals to 1.

                                        War Diaries


                                        27th Jan 1918   ECURIE

                                        Moved out of ECURIE WOOD CAMP into YORK CAMP ECOIVRES, taking over from 11th E YORKS REGT who took over ECURIE WOOD CAMP from this Battalion.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        28th Jan 1918 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the move  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers marches to Baboon Camp.

                                        28th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        At 1700 the 108th Infantry Brigade relieves 109th Infantry Brigade in the right sector on January 28-30th.

                                        • Boundaries of Right Brigade Sector:
                                        • Right B.17.c.6.7, B.22.a.5.0 to Essigny Station.
                                        • Left, Boyau de Moulins (inclusive to Left Brigade)
                                        • Boyau de Contescourt (inclusive to Left Brigade).
                                        • Boundary between Battalions B.9.c.9.5 to B.15.a.7.5.

                                        Brigade on right flank, 41st Infantry Brigade;left, 107th Infantry Brigade.

                                        B.25.a/26.a. Battalion moves to Brigade support in relief of 9 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

                                        Transport to Artemps.

                                        War Diaries


                                        28th January 1918 Gotha Night raids  On 28 January 1918, 13 Gothas and two Giants set off, six of the Gothas turning back because of poor visibility. Over a hundred defensive sorties were flown, resulting in one Gotha being shot down after being attacked by two Camels from 40 Squadron flown by 2nd Lts Charles Banks and George Hackwill, the first victory for night fighters over Britain. Both pilots were awarded the DFC. 67 people were killed and 166 injured: the casualties included 14 dead and 14 injured in stampedes when people queuing for admission to shelters were alarmed by maroons set off as a warning that a raid was expected: another 11 were injured by shrapnel from antiaircraft fire. Many of the other casualties were caused by a single 300 kg bomb which fell on the Odhams printing works in Long Acre, which was being used as a shelter.

                                        28th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                        Kit & mobilization stores inspection. Reorganisation of Coy’s into 3 Platoons. Box respirator drill.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        29th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        B.22.a Centre. 1700hrs.

                                        Battalion moves to line in relief of 14th Royal Irish Rifles (Young Citizens) in Right Battalion Sector. Boundaries: Right B.16.d.5.4, left B.9.c.8.1.

                                        • Dispositions:
                                        • A and C Companies in line. Boundary between Companies B.10.c.6.3;
                                        • B Company Counter attack in dugouts,
                                        • Headquarters, B.16.d.1.4;
                                        • D Company Passive defence in dugouts,
                                        • Headquarters, B.22.a Central.

                                        Relief carried out successfully, notwithstanding condition of trenches very bad, having fallen in partly owing to weather and partly to want of attention. Wiring plentiful. Distance between enemy and our front line averages 1,000 yards.

                                        War Diaries


                                        29th January 1918 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  On the 29th January, the first raid undertaken by Giants unaccompanied by Gothas took place. Four aircraft from Rfa 501 took off, one turning back before reaching England. Casualties and damage were light. 80 defence sorties were flown, and one Giant was attacked by no less than five aircraft, one attack succeeding in disabling one of its engines. British fighter pilots' efforts against the Giants were handicapped by poor intelligence work, although the existence of these aircraft was known, the information had not been passed on, and many pilots must have underestimated the range from which they were firing.

                                        John Doran


                                        29th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                        Tactical scheme without troops for all Officers and NCO’s except CSM’s. Scabies inspection for the men after which they do a small tactical scheme by Coy’s under the direction of the Orderly Officer and CSM’s.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        30th Jan 1918 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieve 2nd Inniskillings  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers relieve 2nd Inniskillings in the front line, near Poelcappelle Station. Major Thompson is severely wounded while visiting front line posts during the night.

                                        30th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        Situation quiet, apart from enemy aircraft, during the night bombing.

                                        War Diaries


                                        30th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                        Coy training in bombing, Lewis gun, short tactical scheme.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        31st Jan 1918 Enemy takes Prisoners  During heavy mist, the enemy raids a post held by elements of D coy, 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and take ten prisoners. Determined attempts are made on each of the two succeeding nights to retaliate but the enemy are very much on the alert.

                                        31st Jan 1918 124th Heavy Battery to 44 HAB  124th Heavy Battery, RGA transfer to 44th Heavy Artillery Brigade from 42 HAB on the 31st of Jan 1918

                                        31st January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        B.9.d.9.1. 5.30am.

                                        German shot about fifty yards in front of A Company. He belonged to 5th Grenadier Regiment, 36th Division.

                                        From 1400 to 1600 the Battalion and Company Headquarters were fired on with 105mm shells.

                                        War Diaries


                                        31st Jan 1918   ECOIVRES

                                        Tactical scheme for Battalion figuring counter attack on ARLEUX POST.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        1st Feb 1918 16th Northumberland Fusiliers in the line  The war diary of the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers states: "Battalion holding the line on right sector, from approximately v 7 b 15 40 across the Staden railway to u 6 d 90 60. In the evening, an inter-company relief was carried out, A coy relieving B on the right, and C relieving D on the left. During the night a battle patrol under 2/Lt Brownrigg made a determined attack on an enemy post near Turenne Crossing and succeeded in entering the post. But the germans had withdrawn to two pill-boxes close at hand from which a heavy fire was opened on the patrol. A further attack on the pill-boxes was attempted but the fire was too close and accurate, and the patrol withdrew with the loss of two killed and one wounded. All the casualties were successfully brought back."

                                        1st February 1918 Grand Seracourt - defensive work  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                        From the 1st to 22nd February work was allocated as follows: 1 Company Contescourt Alley Communication trench, deepening and widening to 8 feet deep, 6feet wide at top and 3feet wide at bottom with trench boards laid and dugouts constructed.

                                        2 and 4 Companies, the construction of a strong point at L’Epine de Dallon.

                                        3 Company Station Alley Communication trench to be deepened and widened to same dimensions as Contescourt and trench boards laid. There were some moves during this period for similar work at Jeanne d’Arc strong point.

                                        On the 23rd February work commenced on a series of strong points in the forward zone at Jeanne d’Arc, Grugies and Boadicea.

                                        On the 24th February Battalions were reduced from 4 to 3 companies and Brigades from 4 Battalions to 3. This change of establishment worked well for the Pioneers as 4 company personnel were distributed between the other 3 companies, but the Infantry Brigades were less fortunate as the surplus battalions were removed from their brigades and formed into Entrenchment Units and thus separated from those they had fought alongside.

                                        Battalion Strength February 1918 1st Feb. Officers 43 Other ranks 890 28th Feb. Officers 43 Other ranks 898 Casualties No casualties reported.

                                        The Terrors by SN White


                                        1st February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        Sheet 66cNW 1/20,000 App.101. Line.

                                        At 2230 Patrol left our line at B.17.a.3.2. No enemy encountered. Another one left at B.8.c.91.25 and found old front line filled in in many places.

                                        War Diaries


                                        1st Feb 1918 17th Royal Fusiliers at Metz  17th Royal Fusiliers are at Metz.

                                        1st February 1918 Completion of move to Rest Area  59th Heavy Artillery Brigade

                                        The remaining sections of the 37th, 335th & 350th SB pulled out to rest. Stripped guns only were left in position for the relieving batteries.

                                        War Diaries


                                        1st Feb 1918   ECOIVRES

                                        Coy training & training of all specialists. Platoon & Coy tactical training. Working parties for Town Major.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        2nd Feb 1918 16th Northumberland Fusiliers in the line  The war diary of the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers states: "At night a battle patrol under Lt Watts attacked an enemy post in front of the left company but were met with heavy machine gun fire, and forced to withdraw with a loss of one or killed, one missing believed killed, and three wounded. Other patrols under 2/Lt Brown were out on the nights of 1st/2nd of February and 2nd/3rd February, but did not succeed in getting in close touch with the enemy, who was very alert and kept his machine guns active."

                                        2nd February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        Strength: Forty Officers, 846 Other Ranks, 38 horses, 16 mules. Increase: Three Other Ranks. Decrease: One horse.

                                        War Diaries


                                        2nd Feb 1918   ECOIVRES

                                        Same as yesterday.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        3rd February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        Our heavies fired on the enemy reserve lines during afternoon. Enemy, Fourteen 105mm high explosives fired on B14c and d, wounding two men, one man wounded by Lewis Gun fire in B16a, during night.

                                        War Diaries


                                        3rd Feb 1918   ECOIVRES

                                        Church parades.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        4th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        1030. Six enemy 105mm high explosives fired on B13d. We made a reconnaissance of our wire from B.17.a.1.2 to B.17.a.4.2 and found it in good order. Emplacement at B.17.a.8.7 destroyed by our shelling.

                                        1730. Relieved by 12 Royal Irish Rifles and moved to Brigade support B.20.c with one Company at B.15.c.

                                        War Diaries


                                        4th Feb 1918   ECOIVRES

                                        Preparations for going into line (ARLEUX SECTOR L1)

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        5th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        Awards:

                                        • Croix de Guerre (Belgian) to Corporal E.A Godeon (MC) and Acting Corporal W Knaggs (MM), D Company.
                                        • Decoration Militaire to 14388 Private Stewart, T, B Company.

                                        War Diaries


                                        5th Feb 1918   ECOIVRES + CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1

                                        Entrained ECOIVRES 8am. Detrained DAYLIGHT RAILHEAD 9.30AM & relieved 10th E.Y. Regt in close support (RED LINE & ARLEUX LOOP N & S) Relief complete at 12.30pm. Shortly after relief enemy shelled heavily ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH with 4.2 & 5.9 getting about 12 direct hits on trench. At about 9pm & 2am gas shells were dropped in the vicinity of RED LINE.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        6th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        6-8 February 1918

                                        Occasional enemy shelling. Casualties, two wounded.

                                        War Diaries


                                        6th Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1

                                        Clear day & great aerial activity on both sides. Enemy aeroplane believed to be brought down in enemy lines. Enemy shelled SAPPER DUMP from 1pm to 4pm at the rate of 1 shell every 3 minutes. Remainder of front quiet

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        7th Feb 1918 16th Northumberland Fusiliers disbanded  16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was disbanded.

                                        7th Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1

                                        Weather changed to a little rain & very mild. 7 Officers & 143 ORs joined from 14th DLI. Enemy very quiet all day owing to poor visibility.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        8th Feb 1918 17th Royal Fusiliers at Lavacquerie  17th Royal Fusiliers are at Lavacquerie (on left)

                                        8th Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1

                                        Draft of 44 ORs joined Battalion. Enemy shelled ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH with HE & Gas shells.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        9th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        Strength: 37 Officers, 853 Other Ranks, 36 horses, 16 mules.

                                        Increase: Seven Other Ranks.

                                        Decrease: 2nd Lieutenant Galloway (Medical Board, England), 2nd Lieutenant J.I McCausland (6 months duty, England), 2nd Lieutenant E.V Crothers (transferred Indian Army) and two horses.

                                        Support B.20.c line, left sub-sector. 1730. Relieved by 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        After relief, proceeded to relieve 11/13 Royal Irish Rifles in left sub-sector.

                                        • Dispositions:
                                        • B Company in right sector,
                                        • D Company in left sector,
                                        • A and C Companies, ½ each counter attack and passive resistance.

                                        War Diaries


                                        9th Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1

                                        Weather mild & fine. Morning very quiet but in the afternoon enemy shelled BALLEUL heavily with 5.9. TUNNEL DUMP was also shelled.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        10th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        Front quiet except for occasional shelling. One man wounded by enemy sniper.

                                        War Diaries


                                        10th February 1918 The Bakar Mockery 1918  The Bakar mockery (Italian Beffa di Buccari) was an escapade of the Italian Navy (Regia Marina) in the last year of World War I. Whilst it had little material effect on the war at sea, it was a particularly bold venture which had a welcome effect on Italian morale. This was at a low ebb following the defeat at Caporetto a few months previously.

                                        Background

                                        In World War I, Italy was allied to France and Britain against the Central Powers, Austria-Hungary and Germany. Italy’s campaign on land against the Austrian army had been stalemated for two and a half years, with little movement, though at the cost of huge casualties. At sea an equality with the Austro-Hungarian Navy in capital ships had led to a deadlock, with neither side wishing to risk their loss. The war in the Adriatic Sea was a contest between small ships with night raids and patrols leading to losses from mines and submarines. In this arena, the Italian Navy had developed a commando force of fast torpedo boats, the MAS, which attracted men with a buccaneering spirit. In November 1917 the deadlock was upset by an Austrian offensive supported by German forces made available by the collapse of the Russian front. In the battle of Caporetto the Italian army was defeated and in a period of three weeks the front was pushed back 50 miles to within striking distance of Venice.

                                        Action

                                        The Bakar raid was conceived by the Italians as an attack on Austrian shipping in the harbour at Buccari (now Bakar, in Croatia). As it lay 80 km inside a sheltered waterway, it was thought to be beyond attack, so the raid was intended as a psychological, as well as a physical, assault. The operation was led by Capitano di Fregata Costanzo Ciano and comprised three MAS boats, with a total crew of 30 men. One of the boats, MAS 96, was commanded by Lt Luigi Rizzo, who later led the assault on the battleship SMS Szent István off Premuda. Also on board was Gabriele D’Annunzio, the poet. On 10 February 1918 the three MAS boats, under tow by torpedo boats to conserve fuel, escorted by two destroyers and a scout, set out from their base. After 14 hours sailing, at 2200, they entered the Farasina channel, a waterway between Istria and the island of Cherso (now Cres). Several hours later, having evaded Austrian patrols and the shore batteries at Porto Re (now Kraljevica), the flotilla arrived outside the Bay. The MAS boats slipped their tows and entered as their escort withdrew. At about a mile from the target, the MAS switched from petrol engines to silenced electrical engines for the final approach. Closing with their targets the three fired their torpedoes, launching a total of six. However their boldness was not rewarded and the torpedoes scored no hits. Five of them became entangled in nets or otherwise failed to explode, while the sixth exploded harmlessly, slightly damaging a freighter and raising the alarm. Despite the alert, however the MAS boats were able to escape and, making a dash down the channel, regained the open sea where they were re-united with their escort.

                                        Aftermath <> Despite the lack of material success, the raid was a considerable fillip to Italian morale, as well as a psychological blow to the Austrians. In this it resembled the Doolittle raid on Tokyo in the Second World War and was a prelude to the Flight over Vienna, D’Annunzio’s air raid on the Austrian capital. The Bakar Mockery was celebrated in several booklets at the time and was heavily publicized by D’Annunzio, who realised its propaganda value.

                                        John Doran


                                        10th Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1

                                        Weather fine, visibility rather poor owing to ground mist. No aerial activity. Enemy shelled back areas special attention being paid to TUNNEL DUMP.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        11th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        1730. Major Brew, Commanding, Padre and Orderly Room Staff moved to B.20.c.1.1. Captain M Henehan MC remaining as acting second-in-command.

                                        War Diaries


                                        11 Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1

                                        Relief of 16th WYR in L1 Sector Front Line commenced at 3am. Relief complete at 12 noon. Enemy artillery very quiet throughout day & night. Aerial activity nil.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        12th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR

                                        At about 3.15am a strong enemy patrol came through our wire & lay in ambush on our parapet just North of junction BEER CT & BRANDY. Carrying party of 3 men passed along trench & the leading man saw enemy & went along BEER CT & reported to OC ARLEUX POST. Meanwhile the remaining 2 men who were a little distance behind owing to being burdened with a food container came along & seeing the enemy dashed along the trench past the enemy & delivered their container to the next post. OC ARLEUX POST sent out a patrol of 1 NCO & 6 men & a sharp firth ensued in a position just South of BEER CT. Enemy retired & our casualties were 1 man killed & NCO i/c patrol wounded in the arm. Daylight patrols went out at 9.30am & returned with a hat left behind in No Man’s Land by the enemy. Enemy also left a rifle & some bombs.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        13th Feb 1918 Fire at HMEF Rainham.  A fire broke out at HMEF Rainham, on the banks of the Thames, on the 13th of February 1918, causing a massive explosion which resulted in many deaths. Members of the Romford Fire Brigade were nominated for awards for their part in tackling the blaze.

                                        13th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        13-15 February 1918

                                        Activity mostly in artillery, air and sniping. Occasional bursts of 5.9 inch shells on rear Battalion Headquarters at B.20.c.1.1. Large numbers of enemy aircraft passed over during nights and bombed back areas. Four men wounded by enemy snipers.

                                        War Diaries


                                        13th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR

                                        Enemy TM’s active on GATESHEAD ROAD & NOVA SCOTIA. Our TM’s were active during the early part of the night. Snipers fired at man who appeared at SW corner of FRESNOY PARK. Aircraft nil owing evidently to ground mist. Daylight patrol left our lines in search of bodies left by German patrol but found none, he brought back a Bosche cap. Pte CRAWFORD’s tunic found by one of our patrols.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        14th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR

                                        Fairly quiet all day until about 8pm when a heavy bombardment S of GAVRELLE took place. Our snipers claimed a hit near the wire in front of FRESNOY.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        15th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR

                                        Enemy shelled ARLEUX, OAK POST & HART STREET for about 1 hour. Our TM’s were very active from 9.30am to 4pm. Movement seen at junction of CONNIE & CRADDOCK. Much movement & noise like the dropping of beams of wood heard in enemy front line. Wind favourable for Gas Attack.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        16th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        Effective strength: 46 Officers, 1,066 Other Ranks, 36 horses, 16 mules.

                                        • Increase: Draft from 7/8th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers on disbandment.
                                        • A Company, 2nd Lieutenant W.G Greenaway, 2nd Lieutenant A Wilding MC, 2nd Lieutenant T Bremner;
                                        • B Company, 2nd Lieutenant W.F Reid, 2nd Lieutenant D Miller;
                                        • C Company, 2nd Lieutenant G Hardy, 2nd Lieutenant J Darling, 2nd Lieutenant J Benson;
                                        • D Company, 2nd Lieutenant W.H Roche; Other Ranks, 213.

                                        War Diaries


                                        16th February 1918 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  Rfa 501 attacked by itself again on 16 February. Four Giant aircraft reached England, one carrying a single 1,000 kg (2205 lb) bomb which, aimed at Victoria station, fell half a mile away on the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

                                        John Doran


                                        16th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR

                                        Enemy shelled TUNNEL DUMPS & SUCRERIE ROAD from about 11am until 4pm with 5.9 & 8’’. Later in the day he shelled the same places with gas shells. ARLEUX LOOP also received attention.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        17th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        17-18 February 1918

                                        Patrols nightly in No man's land but no enemy encountered and wire found good. Officers in enemy front line seen observing our lines through glasses.

                                        War Diaries


                                        17th February 1918 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  A single aircraft attacked the following night, hitting St. Pancras station. 21 people were killed and 32 injured.

                                        John Doran


                                        17th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR

                                        Visibility good. Relieved by 4th GRENADIER GUARDS. 3 Coy’s less 1 platoon relieved in daylight. Train leaving DAYLIGHT RAILHEAD 3.30pm. Remainder of Battalion relieved at night leaving DAYLIGHT RAILHEAD ay 9.30pm. Arriving at BRAY CAMP at about 11pm.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        18th Feb 1918   BRAY

                                        Cleaning up & reorganisation of platoons & reconnaissance of training area.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        19th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly returned from leave and resumed command. Major Brew at three days conference with President Corps Commander Sir Ivor H Maxse.

                                        One man killed and one wounded.

                                        War Diaries


                                        19th February 1918   KUK U-41 Austrian Submarine.

                                        Type U-27 Shipyard Ordered Launched 11th November 1917 Commissioned 19th February 1918

                                        Commanders
                                        19 Feb 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Edgar Wolf

                                        Career
                                        No flotilla information available

                                        Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 4,604 tons.
                                        13 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U41 Edgar Wolf Amiral Charner 4,604 fr

                                        Fate Scrapped in 1920

                                        John Doran


                                        19th Feb 1918   BRAY

                                        Cleaning up & reorganisation of platoons, baths, conference re training.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        20th Feb 1918   BRAY

                                        Intensive training 2 platoons per coy on training area, the remainder including HQ staff firing on BRAY RANGE. Conference of Officers re Brigade Counter Attack scheme.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        21st February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        2nd Lieutenant G.E Scott wounded with small splinter and remained at duty.

                                        War Diaries


                                        21st Feb 1918   BRAY

                                        Intensive training on training area. Signallers firing on BRAY RANGE.

                                        18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                        22nd February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                        On night 22/23rd the Division Front was reorganised, with one Battalion of each Brigade in the line.

                                        Brigade boundaries as follows:

                                        • (a)Right as at present,
                                        • (b) between left and centre Brigades: junction of Cabal Trench and old front line (B.8.c.90.60), B.14.a.15.77, A.18.c.10.00, A.16.c.05.70.
                                        • (c) between right and centre Brigades: Junction of Borellier Trench and St Quentin, Vendeuil Road (B.10.c.60.40), B.15.a.70.00, A.29.a.9.6, G.4 Central.
                                        • (d) left boundary: Canal.

                                        Dispositions: The disposition of Brigades from right to left: 108, 107, 109th. 108 Brigade Garrisons 'C' Subsector of the Battle Zone.

                                        • Left sub-sector: at 1730 the Battalion was relieved as follows:
                                        • All posts west of boundary between centre and left Brigades, by 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
                                        • Remainder of Battalion (including) C Company (passive resistance) by 15th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles about 1900.

                                          The Battalion on relief moved to Brigade Reserve at Grand Seraucourt.

                                          War Diaries


                                          22nd Feb 1916 In the Line  17th Royal Fusiliers are in the Front Line at Lavacquerie (centre)

                                          22nd Feb 1918   BRAY

                                          Intensive training. Signallers under Signalling Officer, working parties road cleaning, BBB Range MOUNT ST ELOY & under Div ------------ Officer. Weather very windy & showery.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          23rd February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          23rd to 28th Feb 1918

                                          Grand Seraucourt. Training and working on cable and other trenches in Battle Zone.

                                          • February Effective strength: 47 Officers, 1,071 Other Ranks, 36 horses, 16 mules.
                                          • Increase: Captain C.J Brennan (from 10th Reserve Battalion), 2nd Lieutenant Slatter, T (from 7/8th Battalion), 5 Other Ranks.
                                          • Decrease: Major A Ferguson MC (ordered Medical Board, England).

                                          War Diaries


                                          23rd February 1918   SM U-113

                                          Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 282) Ordered 5 May 1916 Launched 29 Sep 1917 Commissioned 23 Feb 1918

                                          Commanders.
                                          23 Feb 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Philipp Recke

                                          Career 3 patrols.
                                          start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                          Successes 4 ships sunk with a total of 6,648 tons.

                                          • 20 Jul 1918 U 113 Philipp Recke Hermes 298 da
                                          • 21 Jul 1918 U 113 Philipp Recke Anna 212 da
                                          • 2 Aug 1918 U 113 Philipp Recke Portugal 1,463 be
                                          • 4 Aug 1918 U 113 Philipp Recke Clan Macnab 4,675 br

                                          Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to France. Broken up at Brest during July 1921.

                                          John Doran


                                          23rd Feb 1918   BRAY

                                          Same as yesterday except that Companies change over.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          24th Feb 1918   BRAY

                                          Church parades.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          24th Feb 1918 Y Company  
                                          photograph

                                          Y" Company, 6th K. O. Y. L. I. at Crissoles, 24th of February 1918 © IWM (Q 27374)

                                          24th Feb 1918 Y Company  

                                          photograph

                                          Y Company, 6th Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at Crissoles, 24th of February 1918 © IWM (Q 27374)

                                          25th Feb 1918 124th Heavy Battery to 42 HAB  124th Heavy Battery, RGA rejoin 42nd Heavy Artillery Brigade on 25th of Feb 1918 and remain with it for the rest of the war.

                                          25th Feb 1918   BRAY

                                          Battalion paraded for Brigade Field Day, but as this was cancelled we did a battle scheme.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          26th Feb 1918 27th Northumberlands disband  27th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers disband in France.

                                          26th February 1918 Hospital ship  

                                          HMHS Glenart Castle

                                          HMHS Glenart Castle (His Majesty's Hospital Ship) was a steamship originally built as Galacian in 1900 for the Union-Castle Line. She was renamed Glenart Castle in 1914, but was requisitioned for use as a British hospital ship during the First World War. On 26 February 1918, she was hit and sunk by a torpedo from the German U-boat UC-56.

                                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                          • Medical Staff strength.
                                          • Officers:8
                                          • Nurses:14
                                          • Other:59
                                          • Accommodation capacity.
                                          • Officers:28
                                          • Cots:109
                                          • Berths:316
                                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                          • Date From:30th September 1914
                                          • Date To:26th February 1918
                                          • Ships Crew details:

                                          On 26 February 1918, Glenart Castle was leaving Newport, South Wales heading towards Brest, France. Fishermen in the Bristol Channel saw her clearly lit up as a hospital ship. John Hill — a fisherman on Swansea Castle — remembered "I saw the Hospital Ship with green lights all around her - around the saloon. She had her red side lights showing and mast-head light, and also another red light which I suppose was the Red Cross light. "At 0400, Glenart Castle was hit by a torpedo in the No. 3 hold. The blast destroyed most of the lifeboats, while the subsequent pitch of the vessel hindered attempts to launch the remaining boats. In the eight minutes the ship took to sink, only seven lifeboats were launched. Rough seas and inexperienced rowers swamped most of the boats.

                                          Only a few survivors were reported. 162 people were killed including the Captain — Bernard Burt, eight nurses, seven Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) medical officers and 47 medical orderlies. The matron of Glenart Castle — Miss Kate Beaufoy — was a veteran of the South African War. Her family kept her diary and her writings describe life on the ship.

                                          Evidence was found suggesting that the submarine may have shot at initial survivors of the sinking in an effort to cover up the sinking of Glenart Castle. The body of a junior officer of Glenart Castle was recovered from the water close to the position of the sinking. It was marked with two gunshot wounds, one in the neck and the other in the thigh. The body also had a life vest indicating he was shot while in the water.

                                          Aftermath.

                                          After the war, the British Admiralty sought the captains of U-Boats who sank hospital ships, in order to charge them with war crimes. Kapitanleutnant Wilhelm Kiesewetter — the commander of UC-56 — was arrested after the war on his voyage back to Germany and interned in the Tower of London. He was released on the grounds that Britain had no right to hold a detainee during the Armistice.

                                          John Doran


                                          26th Feb 1918   BRAY

                                          Intensive platoon training & working parties. 250 ORs work on Corps wiring scheme.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          27th Feb 1918 17th Royal Fusiliers at Metz  17th Royal Fusiliers are at Metz in the Tent Camp

                                          27th Feb 1918   BRAY

                                          250 men working on Corps wiring scheme. Intensive platoon training.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          28th Feb 1918   BRAY

                                          Battalion moves into GHQ reserve at MAGNICOURT moving via ACQ, FREVIN CAPELLE, AUBIGNY, MINGOVAL, BETHONSART, FREVILLERS. Some rain very muddy.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          Mar 1918 Wearside Pals return to France  20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry leave Italy with 41 Division and return to France in March 1918.

                                          1st March 1918 Grand Seracourt - defensive work  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. (Guidance note next page is on 21st March 1918.)

                                          March 1st to 20th. Work continued on defensive dugouts and strong points as follows: 1 Company - dugouts at Gaugies and Boadicea. 2 Company - wiring and construction of elephant shelters at Boadicea. 3 Company - wiring and construction of elephant shelters at Jeanne d’Arc and wiring at Giffecourt.

                                          The Allied High Command had knowledge of an imminent German offensive but no idea of when and where it might take place hence the concentrated efforts to improve defences to counter any such action.

                                          The Terrors by SN White


                                          1st March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Grand Seraucourt.

                                          1730. Battalion moved to support at Essigny Station in relief of 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          War Diaries


                                          1st Mar 1918 In Camp  17th Royal Fusiliers are in the tent camp at Metz

                                          1st Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          General cleaning up. CO’s inspections. Lt Col CHEYNE to England, relinquishes command of Battalion. Lt Col CARTER MC from the 18th W YORKSHIRE REGIMENT assumes command of Battalion.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          1st Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          General cleaning up. CO’s inspections. Lt Col CHEYNE to England, relinquishes command of Battalion. Lt Col CARTER MC from the 18th W YORKSHIRE REGIMENT assumes command of Battalion.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          2nd March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          2 March Essigny Station.

                                          Working on defences of Battle Zone daily until 7th March

                                          • Effective strength: Officers 46, Other Ranks 1083, horses 36, mules 16.
                                          • Decrease: Captain J Grant (Medical Board, England).
                                          • Increase: Twelve Other Ranks.

                                          War Diaries


                                          2nd Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          C.O. inspected Battalion I marching order. Close order drill, overhauling of Lewis guns and equipment, baths.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          3rd Aug 1918 9th Rifle Brigade disband  9th Battalion Rifle Brigade Cadre is disbanded at Desvres on 3 August 1918.

                                          3rd Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Church parades.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          4th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Coy training, PT, BF, Musketry, Close & extended order drill, kit inspections.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          5th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Morning A & C Coy’s firing on rifle range. B & D Coy’s intensive platoon training. Afternoon recreational training. Weather improving.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          6th Mar 1918 17th Royal Fusiliers go into the line  17th Royal Fusiliers go into the Front Line Lavacquerie to relieve 1st Kings Regt.

                                          6th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Coy training, 2 Coy’s A & B intensive platoon training in the morning. Recreational training in the afternoon. C & D Coy’s recreational training in the morning. Musketry, PT & BF, close & extended order drill in the afternoon.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          7th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          1800. Relieved 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers in line, with 2nd Royal Irish Rifles on left and 8 King's Royal Rifles on right.

                                          War Diaries


                                          7th March 1918 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  Another all-Giant raid took place on 7 March: five aircraft reached England and again one was carrying a 1,000 kg bomb. This fell on Warrington Crescent near Paddington station: among the dead was Lena Ford, who had written the lyrics of the popular wartime song Keep the Home Fires Burning.

                                          John Doran


                                          7th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Same as yesterday but Coy’s change over.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          8th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          The following parties leave the Battalion to work under RE Tunnelling Coy’s relieving working parties of the 13th Y&L Regt. A & B Coy’s find 2 officers & 160 ORs to work with 176 T Coy RE. C Coy find 1 officer & 80 ORs to work with 185 Coy RE. D Coy find 1 officer & 80 ORs to work with 250 Coy RE.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          9th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          9 March - Patrolling and wiring nightly until 14th March.

                                          Our artillery lively cutting enemy wire and sweeping likely places of assembly for enemy attack. Enemy artillery unusually quiet. Great aerial activity owing to fine weather and visibility. One enemy aircraft brought down on enemy line opposite left Battalion front.

                                          1500 9th March Enemy machine gun captured without opposition by 2nd Lieutenant W.G Greenaway and three Other Ranks from position at B.17.a.9.8.

                                          Effective strength: Officers 46, Other Ranks 1076, horses 36, mules 16. Decrease: Seven Other Ranks.

                                          War Diaries


                                          9th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Thorough clean up & reallotment of billets. L gun training.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          10th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Church parades and baths.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          11th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Battalion took over the billets of the 13th York & Lancashire Regt (who took over ours) at BAJUS & FREVILLERS. A & B Coy & HQ BAJUS. C & D Coy’s at FREVILLERS.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          12th March 1918 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  On 12 March five Zeppelins attempted a raid on the Midlands: headwinds caused them to mistake their position, and two dropped their bombs in the sea, the rest bombing the Hull area with little effect, although their commanders thought that they were over Leeds.

                                          John Doran


                                          12th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Coy training of Lewis gunners. SBR inspection by Div Gas & C.O.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          12th March 1918 Fortress  
                                          THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE SINAI AND PALESTINE CAMPAIGN, 1915-1918

                                          The British Army In The Sinai and Palestine Campaign, 1915-1918 IWM (Q 12317)

                                          The River Auja at El Mirr became part of the front line of the 6th Battalion, Essex Regiment on 12th March 1918. The foundation walls of an old fortress still remain. It was on the 54th Division front from the Battle of Jaffa till the Battle of Sharon.

                                          IWM


                                          13th March 1918 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  Another raid was attempted, but only one of the three airships reached England, bombing Hartlepool. The bombs people killed eight people and an RFC pilot was killed when he flew into Pontop Pike near Dipton, County Durham.

                                          2Lt E C Morris and 2Lt R D Lindford, 36 Squadron flying FE2d A6422 took off in pursuit of Zeppelin L42 as it flew over Hartlepool and chased the airship for 40 miles out to sea, but were unable to get close enough to fire at it.

                                          John Doran


                                          13th Mar 1918 Range Practice  18th DLI report from Magnicourt "Firing on Bajus range. Coy training."

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          14th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          2000. Relieved by 12th Royal Irish Rifles and moved to Grand Seraucourt in reserve.

                                          War Diaries


                                          14th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          As for yesterday.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          15th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Brigade tactical scheme figuring an attack on HERNIN LE VERT 18th DLI a skeleton Battalion in Brigade Reserve.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          16th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          • Effective strength: Officers 45, Other Ranks 1058, horses 37, mules 18.
                                          • Increase: Horses 1, mules 2.
                                          • Decrease: Officer 1, 2nd Lieutenant W.G Greenaway transferred to Royal Flying Corps, England; Other Ranks 18.

                                          War Diaries


                                          16th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          C.O.’s inspection of Lewis guns & gunners. Close order drill, saluting parade & gas drill.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          17th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Grand Seraucourt.

                                          St Patrick's Day. Sunday. Church Parade in morning and sports in evening.

                                          War Diaries


                                          17th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Church parades & Div cross country run.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          18th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          18-20 March 1918 Intensive training, by Platoons, in morning. Specialist training in evening.

                                          War Diaries


                                          18th March 1918 Australian Troop Transports  

                                          HMAT A12 Saldanha

                                          Picture from: State Library of NSW, picture number a639516.

                                          The HMAT A12 Saldanha weighed 4,594 tons with an average cruise speed of 11 knots or 20.37 kmph. It was owned by the Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 14 June 1917. The Saldanha was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean on the 18th March 1918.

                                          John Doran


                                          18th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Ceremonial parade practice. L gun training. Range finding.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          19th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          As for yesterday.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          20th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT

                                          Same parade as for yesterday.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          21st Mar 1918   The 21st Machine Gun Btn was in Epehy at the time of the Kaiserschlact. My Grandfather (originally in the 62nd Machine Gun company) was captured there on that date

                                          21st Mar 1918 Leicesters in action at Ephy  The 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment was famously involved, with the 7th and 8th Battalions, in the Battle of Epehy, as part of the 110th Brigade, 21st Division. Between 21st March (the first day of the German offensive) to 30th March, the Battalion lost 18 officers and 445 other ranks.

                                          21st March 1918 German Offensive 1918  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                          All the recent work of the Pioneers was to no avail as the decisive enemy attack launched on the 21st March overran the flanks of the 36th Division leaving the continued defence of their positions both untenable and pointless. A disorganised retreat to the old 1916 defensive lines took place over a ten day period. The 36th division retained its cohesion in the retreat which was very difficult over open and exposed areas in full view of the enemy. The recent infantry training which the pioneers had received now came to their assistance as they were attached to the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and fought beside them in defensive positions during the retreat. They eventually reached safety and were evacuated to Gamaches on the Normandy coast.

                                          The severity of battalion losses are shown by the end of March statistics Battalion strength, March 1918.

                                          1st Mar Officers 43 Other ranks 819 31st Mar Officers 20 Other ranks 449 Showing a loss of 23 officers and 370 other ranks. These figures include a total of 9 officers and 150 men missing at the Jeanne d’Arc Redoubts with, presumably many captured. It is also known that a further 9 officers and 28 men were killed leaving a total of 5 officers and 192 men who fell during the retreat.

                                          • March Casualties.
                                          • Killed Officers 1 Other ranks 25
                                          • Died from wounds Officers 1 Other ranks 2
                                          • Wounded Officers 7 Other ranks (not reported)
                                          • Missing Officers 10 Other ranks 150
                                          • Balance unaccounted Officers 4 Other ranks 193
                                          • Overall Officers 23 Other ranks 370

                                          Summary of Battalion Activity from 21st to 31st March 1918.

                                          The Battalion was divided into two groups during the fighting retreat. Group A under the command of Major WJ Allen. Group B under the command of Captain J maxwell. In 10 days, a total of 240 hours the men in A Group had been involved for at least 112 hours in activities demanding intense physical effort and emotional stress. The figure for B Group was 114 hours.

                                          The following is an account of the daily activities during the retreat from 21, 31 March showing how intense the activity was at times. Over 10 days in a total of 240 hrs:

                                          Group A 112 hours actively involved. Group B 114 hours actively involved.

                                          16 Bn Royal Irish Rifles(P) in 1918 Retreat - Details as follows:

                                          Date HoursLocation Function
                                          Mar21 3NW Gd Seracourt Move to RV
                                          1RV Move St Simon
                                          4 Working there
                                          21/22 1St Simon Move Ollezy(night)
                                          Mar22 1Ollezy Move to Estouilly
                                          9Move to EaucourtSommette and Work
                                          Mar23 12Eau-Sommette Fighting with 9RIrF
                                          23/24 6Sommette to VilleselveFighting withdrawal
                                          Mar24 22Villeselve Fighting
                                          24/25 4Villeselve via Guiscard Move by night to Bealieu
                                          Mar25 5Beaulieu via Avricourt Move to Warsy
                                          Mar26 1Warsy
                                          9Erches-Bouchoir Move into trenches
                                          Mar27 8Erches-Bouchoir Fighting in trenches
                                          4Arvillers A Group position
                                          15Arvillers B Group position
                                          4Arvillers, Sourdon Move A Group
                                          28Mar 1Arvillers Fighting B Group
                                          4Arvillers, Sourdon Move B Group
                                          10Coullemelle Move and work A Group
                                          Mar29 1Sourdon, Chaussoy Move B Group
                                          Mar30 8Saleux via Velennes Move A Group
                                          8 Move B Group

                                          The Battalion arrived in Gamaches on the Normandy coast by the 31st March and were in a very sorry state after all their constructive efforts followed by the devastating German attack and the hardship endured physically in the subsequent retreat together with the emotional stress of witnessing the loss of so many friends and colleagues.

                                          Yet more reverses were to be encountered further testing the resolve of the 16th (Service) Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) before the long path to peace in late 1918.

                                          The Terrors by SN White


                                          21st March 1918 Start of German Offensive.  At 2am. 9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Intensive enemy barrage opened on our positions, for a depth of from 4 to 6 kilometres."

                                          At 0600 enemy attacked and Battalion moved to Brigade Headquarters just east of village.

                                          • 2nd Lieutenant Prenter and four Other Ranks killed.
                                          • 2nd Lieutenant Perkins and 16 Platoon missing.
                                          • Part of 2 Platoons of A Company missing.

                                          War Diaries


                                          21st Mar 1918 German attack expected.  106th Coy RE at Vaux Headquarters where Sappers sleep, make dugouts and repair trenches while waiting for the Germans to attack, this was to be the last German Offensive involving the sappers, each man had 100 rounds of ammunition. At 6am the Germans attacked for 4 hours without much success and were chased off by the Sappers

                                          21st Mar 1918 9th Divisional Train ASC at Nurlu  9th Divisional Train ASC is at Nurlu

                                          21st March 1918 German Spring Offensive  The start of the German Spring Offensive and a continuous series of defensive retreat movements are made by 42nd Siege Battery RGA in the face of German Advances:
                                          • Templeux la Fosse
                                          • Bussu
                                          • Peronne
                                          • Mount St Quentin
                                          • Bouchavesnes
                                          • Clery
                                          • Maricourt
                                          • Bray
                                          • Corbie
                                          • Lavieville

                                          Candas, west of Amiens, saw the end of the retreat and the Battery managed to make it into Abbeyville to get kitted out.

                                          Querrieu - Dispatch rider Bombardier Law's Triumph motor cycle was reported missing (taken by the Australians?)

                                          The Germans broke through to advance on Corbie but were repelled by the Australians.

                                          21st Mar 1918 12th Field Coy RE at Monchy  12th Field Company Royal Engineers are at Monchy.

                                          21st Mar 1918 34th Division over run  On 21st March 1918, the great German spring offensive overran the positions of 34th Division at Croisilles on the River Sensee, causing many losses.

                                          21st Mar 1918   18th DLI Brigade ceremonial parade us held on the ground at Tinques.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          21st March 1918 18th Field Ambulance overrun by enemy  The 18th Field Ambulance was based at the ADS in Lagnicourt Marcel where it was overrun by the German Spring offensive shortly after 9.00 am

                                          22nd Mar 1918   4th Bedfords were at Bouzincourt Ridge, Albert on the Somme.

                                          22nd March 1918   9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers fell back on Halpincourt, where we remained during the day, falling back on Ollizey in the evening.

                                          War Diaries


                                          22nd Mar 1918 Men Captured  104th Field Company RE were stationed at St Quentin. On this day elements of the 104th were captured

                                          22nd Mar 1918   82 Brigade RFA was in position to the rear of Villequier Aumont, with D Bty lines being in village. A, B and C Batteries were situated to the rear of the Saint Quentin canal.

                                          22nd Mar 1918   18th DLI leave Magnicourt: "Orders received to move under scheme B (by bus) Moved out of Bajus at 7.15am and marched to embussing point between Berles and Tingues. Proceeded by bus via St POL, Frevent, Doullens and the Doullens to Arras Road. Orders received in the morning to billet at Pommier but busses went straight on turning off at Beaumont les Loges and on to Blairville arriving at about 9.pm. Orders given to dump packs, assume battle order and leave out personnel in accordance with SS 135 para 30. Orders received to proceed up to line and take over trenches immediately. Embussed again and marched via Boisleux St Marc to the Army Line near Boyelles. Took over part of the Army Line with HQ in railway cutting. Everything quiet. 13th Y&L in front line on left, W Yorks on right.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          23rd Mar 1918   The 10th Battalion was fighting in direct contact with the 9th Cuirassiers (French Army) in Frières-Faillouël. People who were present said that because of the thick fog, smoke from the guns and mustard gas used by the germans, sun never rose for two days. The Britsh, French and Germans were fighting like mad in the forest. Major Tween commanding the 10th Battalion was badly wounded by machine gun fire and died after being taken to a near by hospital. (A few years ago the town decided to give to the road that goes through the forest the name "route du 9e cuirassiers et du 10e Essex" and we put a plaque outside of the townhall "En souvenir des hommes du 10e Essex qui se réunirent sur cette place avant de livrer combat". Every two years the town organises a commemoration of the event in front of a old keeper's cottage on the site of the battle. Then go to the British, French and German graveyards. Various documents on the subject are help in the town archives)

                                          009rif1 036div1 108bdeinf1 012irishrifl1 016irishrifl1 plugS1 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          At Ollizey all day, fell back on farm house in front of Fleuesele.

                                          War Diaries


                                          23rd Mar 1918   BOYELLES

                                          Quiet during day. Two men slightly wounded by shell fire. Received orders during the evening to side slip South and occupy another part of the ARMY LINE. WELSH GUARDS relieved us. Moved along ARRAS, BAPAUME Road to new position. Two Coy’s each side of the ARRAS, BAPAUME Road. Moved the Coy’s again and eventually settled the whole Battalion on the East side of the ARRAS Road.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          24th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Remained at Fleuesle for the day, and fell back on Guiscard, remaining there for the night.

                                          Captain Partridge MC killed and Captain Vesey MC wounded during night.

                                          War Diaries


                                          24th Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER

                                          Certain amount of indiscriminate shelling around our trenches, no harm done. At night relieved 2nd IRISH GUARDS who side slip for their south. Battalion HQ just W side of the ARRAS, BAPAUME Rd in a sunken road. Two Coy’s each side of the road (ARRAS, BAPAUME) Information came in during the night that enemy had broken through. Made slightly different dispositions to meet the new situation.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          25th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          25-26 March 1918 Fell back through Busse to Avrilcourt and then marched via Tilloloy, Popincourt, Grivillers, Marquivillers, Guerbigny to Erches, arriving at 1100 on morning of 26th. Lewis Guns were sent by lorry previous night.

                                          Major Brew and details went into line in front of Erches.

                                          Remainder of Battalion under Captain Despard MC formed reserves west of Erches.

                                          War Diaries


                                          25th Mar 1918   18th DLI are near St Leger. Orders received to relieve the Y&L in the front line. This order cancelled and we were ordered to take up a position E of COURCELLES along the railway line A.22.b.20 to A.16.d.5.8 to prevent advance of the enemy who had broken through GGOMIECOURT and to get into touch with 92nd Brigade on our left. Proceeded leaving HAMELINCOURT on our right to railway cutting, put out outposts, dug in and settled down for the night. 1 prisoner taken by D Coy and a German officer with whom he was, was shot.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          26th March 1918   SM U-138

                                          Type Large Ms. Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig Ordered 27 May 1916 Launched 12 Jan 1917 Commissioned 26 Mar 1918

                                          Commanders Career No patrols. No flotilla information available Successes No successes.

                                          Fate - unknown

                                          There was another U 138 in World War Two.
                                          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 18 May 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 27 Jun 1940.

                                          John Doran


                                          26th Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER

                                          Received orders to move back to support of Y&L who were to dig a line from A.3.d.9.8. to S.28 Central. In support, our position was A.3.b.5.5. We should have received these orders at midnight to get into position before daylight but they did not arrive until about 8.30am which resulted in our having to move in daylight. The Battalion moved safely into position under fairly heavy shelling near MOYENVILLE and commenced digging in when Lt Col H F G CARTER and Capt G B STAFFORD were wounded. Capt L A DICK took over command of the Battalion. Received orders that a general retirement had been ordered on to a line running from ADINFER to FICHEUX to fight a rear guard action conforming to movements of the units on our flanks. Could find no trace of 15th WYR but were in touch with Y&L and in agreement with them commenced retiring leaving half of C Coy to fight a rear guard action. Cane to GUARDS DIV who held a line 500x (approx) from where we had commenced to dig in and retire through them eventually arriving about 1000x from ADINFER to VALLEY WOOD. Capt DICK and Adjt went to Brigade HQ saw the Brigadier who seemed to think the orders to retire should not have been issued. Y&L and ourselves received orders to return to our original line at MOYENVILLE. OC Y&L wounded and a Capt took over command of his Battalion. Moved forward again both Battalions to about 500x behind GUARDS DIV & Capt LA DICK & the Adjt OC Y&L & Brigade IO went forward of the line held by the GUARDS DIV to reconnoitre. Found right of GUARDS DIV front line but were heavily fired upon by enemy MG’s & rifles upon attempting to approach MOYENVILLE. Brigade IO went back to Brigadier to ask for further instructions as it was obviously impossible to take the two Battalions over the ridge in daylight with enemy holding positions not 1000x away.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          27th March 1918 Enemy Attack  The enemy attacked and the Royal Irish Rifles fell back on 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers in reserve, who fell back with same to a position south of Arvillers, and then south of the village, where they remained the night.

                                          War Diaries


                                          27th Mar 1918   18th DLI Hq is situated near St Leger

                                          Orders came at about 2.0am that the Y&L and ourselves were to go forward and dig two lines W of Moyenville 120x between lines the front one not to be more than 200x outside of Moyneville. Capt LA Dick having been taken away by the Brigade Major. Capt FG Stone, the Adjt received a message from the Brigadier saying that next officer in seniority was to take over command of the Battalion. Capt FG Stone therefore took over command, ordered Company Commanders conference and explained the work to be done. He then went to 13th Y&L and arranged details of the party. The party was not able to move off until 3.0am (approx.) and by the time they arrived at point to be dug dawn was breaking and the O.C. both parties (Capt Braithwaite Y&L) ordered the whole party to return. Col Gurney took over command of the Brigade. Capt Williams took over Brigade Major. W.D.Lowe M.C. assumed command of the 18th Battalion DLI.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          28th Mar 1918 No 3 Casualty Clearing Station  No 3 Casualty Clearing Station arrived at Gezaincourt.

                                          28th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          This party under Captains Despard, Crosbie and Dean, and 2nd Lieutenant Davison, fell back, by orders, through Hangesy-en-Santerre, Plessier, Rosainvillers, Moreuil, Mailly-Raineval, Sourdon, remaining there the night.

                                          War Diaries


                                          28th March 1918   SM U-140

                                          Type U 139 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 301) Ordered 1 Aug 1916 Launched 4 Nov 1917 Commissioned 28 Mar 1918

                                          Commanders.
                                          28 Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Waldemar Kophamel

                                          Career 1 patrols
                                          start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 U-Kreuzer Flotilla

                                          Successes 7 ships sunk with a total of 30,594 tons.

                                          • 27 Jul 1918 U 140 Waldemar Kophamel Porto 1,079 pt
                                          • 2 Aug 1918 U 140 Waldemar Kophamel Tokuyama Maru 7,029 jp
                                          • 4 Aug 1918 U 140 Waldemar Kophamel O. B. Jennings 10,289 am
                                          • 5 Aug 1918 U 140 Waldemar Kophamel Stanley M. Seaman 1,060 am
                                          • 6 Aug 1918 U 140 Waldemar Kophamel Diamond Shoals LV71 590 am
                                          • 6 Aug 1918 U 140 Waldemar Kophamel Merak 3,024 am
                                          • 21 Aug 1918 U 140 Waldemar Kophamel Diomed 7,523 br

                                          Fate 23 Feb 1919 - Surrendered to the USA. Used for testing, sunk by US destroyer Dickerson at Cape Charles on 22 July 1921..

                                          There was another U 140 in World War Two.
                                          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 28 Jun 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 7 Aug 1940.

                                          John Doran


                                          28th March 1918   SM U-117

                                          Type UE 2 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 91) Ordered 27 May 1916 Launched 10 Dec 1917 Commissioned 28 Mar 1918

                                          Commanders.
                                          28 Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Otto Dröscher

                                          Career 1 patrols

                                          Successes 20 ships sunk with a total of 27,459 tons. 3 ships damaged with a total of 12,845 tons. 1 warship damaged with a total of 18,000 tons.

                                          • 10 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Aleda May 31 am
                                          • 10 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Cruiser 28 am
                                          • 10 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Earl and Nettie 24 am
                                          • 10 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Katie L. Palmer 31 am
                                          • 10 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Mary E. Sennett 26 am
                                          • 10 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Progress 34 am
                                          • 10 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Reliance 19 am
                                          • 10 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher William H. Starbuck 53 am
                                          • 12 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Sommerstad 3,875 nw
                                          • 13 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Frederic R. Kellogg (damaged) 7,127 am
                                          • 14 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Dorothy B. Barrett 2,088 am
                                          • 15 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Madrugada 1,613 am
                                          • 16 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Mirlo 6,978 br
                                          • 17 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Nordhav 2,846 nw
                                          • 20 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Ansaldo Iii° (damaged) 5,310 it
                                          • 24 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Bianca (damaged) 408 br
                                          • 26 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Rush 145 am
                                          • 27 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Bergsdalen 2,555 nw
                                          • 30 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Elsie Porter 136 br
                                          • 30 Aug 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Potentate 136 br
                                          • 29 Sep 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Minnesota (damaged) 18,000 am
                                          • 4 Oct 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher San Saba 2,458 am
                                          • 27 Oct 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Chaparra 1,510 cu
                                          • 9 Nov 1918 U 117 Otto Dröscher Saetia 2,873 am

                                          Fate 21 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to the USA. Used for exhibitions along the Atlantic coast. Sunk on 21 June, 1921 near Cape Charles, Virginia during tests.

                                          There was another U 117 in World War Two.
                                          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 22 Jul 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 25 Oct 1941.

                                          John Doran


                                          28th Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER

                                          Battalion now dug in either side of the BOIRY RICTRUDE, AYETTE Rd approx. X30 & S25. Bn HQ on BOIRY, DOUCHY Rd 500x S of SUGAR FACTORY. 13th Y&L moved up into the line with the GUARDS DIV. A Coy 18th DLI moved up 2 ½ platoons in the line with them 1 ½ platoons in reserve with Y&L HQ. 2 attacks during the morning on GUARDS & Y&L, one succeeded in entering but was immediately ejected by counter attack. D Coy went up in support Y&L. At midday we were ordered by Brigade to move 3 companies B C & D to a position from which we should be able to deliver a counter attack in event of enemy breaking through 2nd IRISH GUARDS who held position left flank F.6.a.7.9. right flank F.5.d.7.7. Moved into position Bn HQ & BC & D Coy’s behind bank at approx. F.5.a. central. IRISH GUARDS reported Y&L retiring, advised Brigade it was only D Coy taking up new position. C.O. went to see about reported gap between Y&L & IRISH GUARDS. Found there was no gap but the line was being somewhat thinly held by IRISH GUARDS. C Coy sent up & IRISH GUARDS closed up to make room for them. 1 Coy E YORKS sent up to be used by Maj WD LOWE MC with our remaining Coy’s. B & D Coy’s for counter attack purposes. They dug themselves in 200x in our rear in the dried up bed of R COSEUL running behind BOIRY, DOUCHY Rd.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          29th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Marched from Sourdon, via Ailly-sur-Noye, Jumel to Taisnil.

                                          War Diaries


                                          29th Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER

                                          Comparatively quiet all day. Received orders at night that wiring was to be carried out along whole of Brigade front, but this was cancelled by visit of Col TEMPLE now commanding Bde, who directed us to take up a position much as it had been when we first left VALLEY WOOD & moved forward again on the night 26th. Bn HQ in old position in DOUCHY, BOIRY Rd 500x S of SUGAR FACTORY Rd. C Coy was left in its original position between IRISH GUARDS & Y&L. The idea of this move was in order to get the Brigade into a good position for purpose of relief.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          29th Mar 1918 Inspection  
                                          THE GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE, MARCH-JULY 1918

                                          King George V inspecting the 6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders of 51st Division, 29th of March 1918. The Battalion had just come out of the line having lost 16 officers and 300 men. The Battalion was at Frevent and about to entrain. © IWM (Q 11465)

                                          IWM


                                          30th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Marched from Taisnil to Sauleul [Salouël] and remained the night.

                                          War Diaries


                                          30th Mar 1918 Counter-attack at Hangard Wood  36th Btn AIF take part in a counter-attack at Hangard Wood on 30th March 1918

                                          30th Mar 1918 Munitionettes' Cup Final at St James's Park  The Munitionettes' Cup Final is played at St James's Park, resulting in a 0-0 draw between Blyth Spartans' Munition Girls and Bolckow Vaughan's Ladies. Teh match rasied £691 for charity.

                                          30th Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER

                                          Relief completed 3.40am. GOC 97TH Brigade & OC’s 2nd KOYLI & BORDER REGT visited HQ at 7am to arrange details for relief. 2nd KOYLI to relieve our one Coy (C) in the line & Y&L in the line. A B & D Coy’s to move on orders from Bn HQ. Relief orders issued. Heavy artillery activity some distance N&S of us, very little on our own front. Received orders to work digging on the old German line. Were not relieved in time to do this work although B Coy & HQ were sent, being required first as orders were that Battalion had to be through MONCHY AU BOIS by 5.30am.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          31st March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Entrained from Sauleux [Saleux] to Eu and marched to St Quentain-le-Mott.

                                          War Diaries


                                          31st Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER

                                          Battalion billeted in BIENVILLERS. Some light shelling of outskirts of village. Received orders to parade at 3pm to move to SOUASTRE. This was cancelled and received orders to be clear of village by 4am & to march to IVERGNY.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          1st April 1918 Relocations  

                                          German positions in April 1918

                                          16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                          Ypres and St Jans Capel. On the 1st April the Battalion arrived by train at Gamaches about 7 ½ miles from the Normandy coast and marched about 5 miles towards the coast to billets at Oust Marest. The transport moved by road. The next 2 days were spent on rest and bathing. The 36th Ulster Division were needed back in the Ypres area and on the 4th April the Pioneers moved to Eu (2 miles) and entrained for an overnight journey to Rexpoede, close to the Belgian frontier about 13 miles north west of Poperinghe. Arriving at 0500 they then moved by lorry to Brake Camp and then on 7th April to Turco Camp with transport moving to Murat Camp. The next two days were spent on refitting and infantry training. Refitting was a term covering reissue of equipment lost in the retreat and some reinforcements, though only about 49 at this stage, who would need training in pioneering skills. A larger draft of some 300 men arrived on the 12/13 April keeping Officers and Senior NCOs busy allocating them to companies and absorbing them into Battalion training on the 14th April.

                                          The German offensive still continued to make progress and several more divisional moves took place to defend remaining areas still in Allied hands. The divisional withdrawals continued to more defensive positions on 15th April and the next week was fairly quiet. The Germans had recaptured Mount Kemmel and some surrounding areas but had not threatened Ypres and other high ground around Mount Kemmel were still held providing some advantage.

                                          A plan showing the limit of the German advance at this stage of the war is available from this page.

                                          Battalion strength 1 April Officers 20 ORs 449 30 April Officers 33 ORs 943

                                          Casualties April 1918 Killed/Died of Wounds Officers nil ORs 12 Wounded Officers nil ORs 7

                                          The Terrors by SN White


                                          1st April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          St Quentain-Le-Mott. Marched to Ault and had general clean up, some bathing.

                                          War Diaries


                                          1st Apr 1918   18th DLI moved from Bienvillers to Ivergny remaining the night.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          Apr 1918 Football  
                                          THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE ITALIAN FRONT, 1917-1918   THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE ITALIAN FRONT, 1917-1918

                                          © IWM (Q 26359)                                                 © IWM (Q 26361)

                                          Final of the 48th Divisional (Fanshawe) Cup. 7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment versus 7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Trissino, April 1918.

                                          THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE ITALIAN FRONT, 1917-1918 THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE ITALIAN FRONT, 1917-1918

                                          © IWM (Q 26362)                                                         © IWM (Q 26358)



                                          2nd April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          2-3 April 1918 Training parades

                                          War Diaries


                                          2nd Apr 1918   IVERGNY

                                          Moved from IVERGNY by march and thus to FREVILLERS.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          3rd Apr 1918   At Frevillers, 18th DLI undertake Baths & reorganisation.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          4th April 1918 On the Move.  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers entrained at Eu for Rexpoede at 2am travelling by motor lorries to Herzeele.

                                          War Diaries


                                          4th April 1918 Naval Action  The armed transports Henry R. Mallory, Tenadores and Mercury were steaming back to the United States in convoy after having completed a troop transportation voyage to France. At 11.45 in the morning, a German U-boat surfaced and fired torpedoes at Mallory. Lookouts aboard the transport spotted the torpedoes allowing the ship to successfully evade them. The submarine was sighted by the other American transports. All three ships opened fire with their main guns and appeared to hit the U-boat as she submerged. The vessels then manoeuvred in close and depth charged the last-known location of the Germans. The three American vessels were credited with sinking the attacking submarine. The convoy reached the United States on or about the 13th of April 1918.

                                          John Doran


                                          4th Apr 1918   At Frevillers 18th DLI engaged in Kit inspection and Coy training.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          5th April 1918 Parades  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Training parades; two Companies at baths in morning and two in afternoon. Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly returned from Hospital to Battalion."

                                          War Diaries


                                          5th Apr 1918   At Frevillers 18th DLI are enagaged in Musketry, Lewis gun firing and Coy training.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          6th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Inspection of Brigade by II Corps Commander.

                                          War Diaries


                                          6th Apr 1918 106th Coy RE on the move  106th Field Company moved from Hebuterne back to Ypres by train after a march to the station. Arrived at Armentieres where rested. After two days 106th took over part of the line to let fresh troops to go up to the Somme. Writer was on Gas Guard over night. Germans sent 6000 gas shells into the town the night before the attack Sappers in behind the second line with fixed bayonets.

                                          6th Apr 1918   FREVILLERS

                                          Same as yesterday. Draft of 50 arrived.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          7th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Church Parade.

                                          War Diaries


                                          7th Apr 1918   FREVILLERS

                                          Sunday. Church parades.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          8th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Training parades.

                                          • Effective strength: 22 Officers, 728 Other Ranks, 37 horses, 22 mules.
                                          • Ration strength: 16 Officers, 547 Other Ranks, 41 horses, 22 mules.

                                          War Diaries


                                          8th Apr 1918 4th South Staffords under fire  Taken from the 4th battalion South Staffords diary: At Ploegstreet Wood. - During the afternoon and evening the enemy artillery registered over the whole of the Battalion Area and back area.

                                          8th Apr 1918 Training  6th Btn West Riding Regiment are at Otago Camp, engaged in training.

                                          8th Apr 1918   FREVILLERS

                                          Coy training. Musketry. Party of 400 sent to work on trenches near HAUTEAVESNES.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          9th April 1918 9th Irish Fusiliers to Siege Camp No.4  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers entrained at Herzeele 0900 for Poperinghe. On arrival marched to Siege Camp No.IV

                                          War Diaries


                                          9th Apr 1918 On the March  6th Battalion, West Riding Rgt moved to the Busseboom area, with H. Q. in Busseboom and companies in Horseshoe Camp & No. 6 Camp. The men marched well and everyone was settled by 4pm.

                                          9th Apr 1918 Training  At Frevillers 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry are engaged in Lewis gun firing and musketry.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          10th April 1918 Defense  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers travel by motor lorries to Kemmel and set up to man Kemmel defenses at Lindenhoek Corner.

                                          War Diaries


                                          10th Apr 1918 Company overrun  In Ploegseert Wood, 2nd Lt Preston's company of the 8th Battalion Border Regiment are overrun by the enemy and taken as prisoners of war. 2nd Lt Preston had been killed by sniper fire in the morning whilst going amongst his men instructing them what to do in case of an attack.

                                          10th Apr 1918 Orders to Move  Orders were received by the 6th West Ridings at 12.15am to move off from Reninghelct in buses; the buses moved off about 3am. and we arrived at Le Creche at about 5am. We then proceeded to march to the vicinity of Le Veau (map reference B14a, Sheet 36) where the battalion halted and their packs were stacked. Tea was made for the men and the orders for the next moved were issued. Our transport proceeded by road from the Busseboom area to vicinity of Neuve Eglise (map reference T14b, sheet 18).

                                          The battalion moved off a little after 9am by platoons at 100 yard intervals and took up an assembly position about L'Epinette cross roads (map reference B27b, sheet 36. 'A' and 'B' companies were to the south and 'C' and 'D' companies to the north. The 1/4th. D. of W. were on our right and the 1/7th. D. of W. were on our left. From 10.30am onwards, Erquinghem-Lys was heavily shelled. Orders were received at about 1pm. and the battalion moved across to the Nieppe defences, which consisted of a strong line well wired. Our left rested on Armentieres Road (map reference B16b, sheet Croix du Bac) after readjustement with 1/7th. Battalion. 'B' Company were on the right with the right part of the railway (map reference B28a)and 'D' Company was on the left with the left part on the Armentieres road. 'C' Company was at first in support but later was pushed in to assist 'B' Company.

                                          'A' Company remained in reserve but sent one platoon to be in close support to 'B' and 'C' Companies. Our trenches filled up all day with stragglers from the 22nd. and 25th. Northumberland Fusiliers and the 15th. and 16th. Royal Scots. One complete company of the 23rd. N. F.'s crowded into the left of our line and came under our C. O.'s orders. A fairly quiet night passed with some shelling on Nieppe and Pont du Nieppe. Gas shells were prevalent.

                                          Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were 10964 Private H. Kilburn (Killed in Action), 19550 Private W. Marsden (Wounded), 24765 Lance Corporal H. Spink (Wounded), 267843 Private C. Sprigg (Wounded) and 267555 Private A Stocks. (Wounded accidentally)

                                          10th Apr 1918   At Frevillers 18th DLi engaged in usual training. At 12.30pm they were warned to move to embussing point near Tinques to proceed to area of Lillers and Busnes. Busses did not stop here however but went on to Vieux Berquin.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          10th Apr 1918 4th South Staffords withdraw to The Catacombes  Taken form the 4th Battlion South Staffords diary: at Ploegstreet wood. Enemy Attack opened at about 3.30am by heavy shelling of the back area with Gas shells. At 5:30am opened his barrage on the front and support lines, lasted about an hour, then lengthened to the reserve on about the line of grey farm. C. company in the front Line wiped out. Withdrew to Watchful Post owing to severity of shelling. Ordered to reoccupy position but was unable to do so. Battalion withdrew to the catacombs at 2pm. Ordered to reoccupy old positions and re-occupied at 5pm. Bosche attached at 7pm. Grey Farm garrision held, remainder of the battalion withdrew to hill 63 - position isolated - battalion withdrew to Neuve Eglise.

                                          11th April 1918 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers endure shelling  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers defend Kemmel to Messines Ridge. Headquarters at Stinking Farm. Heavy enemy shelling.

                                          War Diaries


                                          11th Apr 1918 5th South Wales Borderers in action  On this date B Coy of the 5th South Wales Borderers were fighting in the area of the Wytschaete- Messines Road in the Ypres sector. During the action they lost 13 men killed. On this very day Haig issued his " backs to the wall" special order.

                                          11th Apr 1918 Minnenwerfers in Action  During the early morning, the Bosche established his machine guns in the outskirts of Pont du Nieppe and became very active. Also his Minnenwerfer trench mortars opened up on us about 11am., assisted by field guns at close range.

                                          At about 1pm., a party of enemy approached the trench of 6th West Riding Regt 'B' company, working up an old trench and sunken road. Owing to disgraceful behaviour on the part of some N.F.s, who ran out to meet him with their hands up, the enemy entered our trench. Captain Clough was wounded through the face and 2nd. Lieutenant Shaw was killed in attempting to turn out the Bosche. Two platoons of 'C' Company were despatched along the trench from left to right but, having no bench, were not able to dislodge the enemy, as it was impossible to get out of the trench owing to incessant machine gun fire. A block was established and a refused(?) right flank was made by a platoon of 'C' Company, who kept in touch with the 2nd. East Lancs. on the railway, some ground being given by them. Shelling and trench mortar on our line continued to be very intensive, especially in support and back areas. During morning and early afternoon, 2nd. Lieutenant Stewart was killed by rifle fire and Lieutenant Bain was wounded by a machine gun bullet.

                                          At about 4pm., some No. 5 Grenades were secured and plans were made to drive the Bosche out of our trenches. While these plans were being, the enemy commenced to work his way further down our trench. He was therefore attacked across the open from the rear and finally ejected, leaving about 20 dead and 1 prisoner in our hands. 2nd. Lieutenant Baker was seriously wounded and Sergeant Burrows was killed in this enterprise. A machine gun team of the 34th. Division rendered valuable assistance and 71064 Private Womersley, 'B' Company, 34th. Machine Gun Battalion, behaved particularly well and, although wounded severely in the arm, remained at his gun and tried to continue firing. The C. O. rallied the men and went forward at the head of the attacking party. Captain Ogston, 2nd. Lieutenant Baker and 2nd. Lieutenant Whitehead led their men splendidly.

                                          At 7pm., orders were received to withdraw platoons down the Bailleul road. By 11.30pm., the battalion was successfully withdrawn and bivouacked at crossroads just south of Bailleul (map reference S27 centre, sheet 28.) Groups(?) were pushed out.

                                          Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were Captain S. H. Clough (Wounded), Lieutenant P. H. Bain (wounded), 2nd. Lt. H. F. Baker (Wounded), 2nd. Lt. C. R. Shaw (Killed in Action), 2nd. Lt. G. Stewart (Killed in Action), 2nd. Lt. A. M. Whitehead (Wounded at Duty), 300189 Sergeant J. W. Booth (Wounded), 266723 Sergeant G. W. Burrows (Killed in Action), 266083 Sergeant H. Smith (Killed in Action), 265298 Sergeant A. Stott (Killed in Action), 265924 Lance Sergeant H. Lowcock (Missing), 268049 Lance Sergeant L. Swallow (Wounded), 267558 Corporal J. Goldsborough (Wounded), 265092 Corporal H. Leach (Wounded), 242534 Corporal W. Nicholson (Missing), 265195 Corporal H. Swinden (Wounded), 267793 Corporal H. H. Whitehead (Wounded), 8673 Lance Corporal C. Bailey (Wounded), 265502 Lance Corporal D. Bamforth (Wounded), 24878 Lance Corporal G. Falconer (Wounded), 268276 Lance Corporal L. Hartley (Wounded), 268475 Lance Corporal W. Keeley (Wounded), 24408 Lance Corporal F. Metcalfe (Killed in Action), 267495 Lance Corporal E. Sayer (Killed in Action), 14911 Lance Corporal H. Whittaker (Missing), 16695 Private J. Adamthwaite (Killed in Action), 26487 Private G. F. Alfred (Missing), 18896 Private J. A. Bailey (Wounded), 266677 Private H. A. Barker (Wounded), 16986 Private H. Barraclough (Killed in Action), 11333 Private N. Bates (Wounded), 267901 Private J. F. Batley (Wounded), 268430 Private F. Battye (Wounded), 26502 Private S. H. Bell (Wounded), 267917 Private C. Bennett (Missing), 202424 Private J. H. Berry (Wounded), 23867 Private H. Bolton (Wounded), 242578 Private H. Booth (Missing), 306412 Private W. Boyle (Wounded), 266129 Private F. Bracewell (Wounded), 265680 Private W. G. Briggs (Killed in Action), 26677 Private W. Brittle (Killed in Action), 241458 Private N. Broadbent (Missing), 265143 Private A. W. Brooke (Wounded), 265977 Private J. W. Brown (Wounded),26666 Private P. Brown (Wounded), 200365 Private W. Bussey (Wounded),240023 Private F. Cartwright (Killed in Action), 267444 Private J. Caunt (Wounded), 242585 Private W. Chambers (Wounded), 23879 Private T. Charles (Wounded), 265299 Private F. Clarke (Wounded), 206325 Private Connelly (Killed in Action), 267899 Private H. Cook (Wounded), 267554 Private W. W. Cooper (Wounded at Duty), 26134 Private F. Cox (Killed in Action), 263012 Private J. Darby (Wounded), 201388 Private G. R. Dillon (Wounded), 267534 Private C. A. Emmott (Killed in Action), 267369 Private F. Evans (Missing), 10924 Private H. Foster (Wounded), 26668 Private E. Gamblen (Wounded), 242618 Private J. C. Garner (Missing), 267506 Private J. Gilfoyle (Wounded), 265775 Private H. Gooding (Killed in Action), 267335 Private E. Grazier (Wounded), 267860 Private W. S. Greasley (Missing), 267861 Private J. W. Greaves (Wounded), 267358 Private E. R. Green (Missing), 25504 Private W. Green (Wounded), 26556 Private J. Haley (Wounded), 26550 Private G. Hardcastle (Missing), 267420 Private S. Hardy (Killed in Action), 17077 Private G. Harper (Killed in Action), 242614 Private G. Harwood (Wounded), 265796 Private W. E. Haxby (Wounded), 306230 Private H. Hill (Killed in Action), 241325 Private F. Hinchliffe (Wounded), 265537 Private F. Hird (Missing), 267867 Private H. Holland (Killed in Action), 242915 Private G. E. Holliday (Killed in Action), 265054 Private J. Hollingdrake (Wounded), 266596 Private W. Horsman (Killed in Action), 242172 Private P. Howe (Killed in Action), 240079 Private P. Ingham (Killed in Action), 267422 Private H. R. Jackson (Wounded), 267469 Private N. Jackson (Missing), 41156 Private R. E. Johnson (Wounded), 41154 Private A. Jeffery (Wounded), 303005 Private A. Jowett (Missing), 41160 Private R. T. Lamb (Killed in Action), 26575 Private R. Lawson (Wounded), 242185 Private H. Lee (Wounded), 242387 Private F. Long (Missing), 26593 Private W. E. Maycock (Killed in Action), 267527 J. R. Merry (Wounded), 265176 Private F. Miller (Wounded), 17050 Private J. Milne (Wounded), 265014 Private J. Moore (Wounded and missing), 41185 Private T. C. Mudd (Wounded & died of wounds 13/04/1918), 241106 Private W. Naylor (Killed in Action), 266967 Private H. Newhouse (Wounded), 41190 Private F. Newton (Wounded), 26717 Private A. Nicholson (Missing), 266498 Private E. Oversby (Wounded),26604 Private J. R. Parker (Killed in Action), 17065 Private J. Patterson (Missing), 41193 Private F. Pemberton (Missing), 265056 Private C. R. Pinder (Missing), 265446 Private D. Powell (Wounded), 242934 Private J. Priestley (Wounded), 265010 Private T. Ralph (Wounded at Duty), 267733 Private H. Rawnsley (Killed in Action), 266409 Private L. Ream (Missing), 26141 Private C. Redshaw (Wounded & Missing), 267579 Private M. Riley (Wounded), 267584 Private H. Roebuck (Missing), 266136 Private M. Rogers (Missing), 41199 Private W. F. Rowe (Killed in Action), 267568 Private W. Rushworth (Killed in Action), 242856 Private J. H. Shields (Wounded), 24433 Private G. W. Simpson (Wounded), 266554 Private R. S. Smith (Wounded), 267723 Private G. Snowden (Wounded), 267834 Private G. Spencer (Wounded), 41208 Private W. R. Spencer (Wounded and missing), 26631 Private B. Steel (Killed in Action), 266669 Private P. Taylor (Wounded), 26665 Private W. Thomson (Killed in Action), 267897 Private F. Tomlinson (Wounded), 22934 Private G. Vowles (Wounded), 24419 Private J. J. Warren (Missing), 268324 Private L. Waterworth (Missing), 266934 Private J. E. Whittaker (Wounded), 267833 Private W. Wilcock (Wounded), 267551 Private I. Wilshaw (Wounded), 202959 Private J. A. Wilson (Wounded), 305454 Private J. W. Wilson (Wounded).

                                          11th Apr 1918 Attack Made  18th Durham Light Infantry report "CO visited Divisional HQ in brewery at Vieux Berquin and received orders to move on to Outtersteene. Arrived Outtersteene about 5.0am. Billeted in East end of village. A Coy put out an outpost in front of E. end of village. The positions were again strengthened at 1.30pm.

                                          1st Phase

                                          The CO went to Brigade HQ at Merris at about 1.0pm. About 4.0pm CO returned from Brigade with orders from GOC to make an attack on La Becque and La Rose Farm in conjunction with 15th York & Lancasters on a Brigade frontage of 1500yards and from there to continue the attack to the road running from Fme Du Bois to A.15.a.3.4. Machine gun barrage to support. By the time Coy Commanders had been gathered together and the scheme explained there was not much time to spare. Coy’s all reported in position by 7.0pm. Message received from Brigade at 7.0pm saying that artillery would support our attack. Barrage to commence at 7.0pm on road from A.20.a.5.0. to A.22.a.2.8. to A.16.c.5.3. lifting at 7.30pm and remaining until 8.0pm on line 500yards in advance of the line A.20.c.0.7. to A.15.a.5.5. This message repeated to Coy’s and Zero put off until 7.30pm but York & Lancasters started moving forwards at 7.10pm. C Coy conformed to York & Lancasters and all Coy’s conformed to C Coy with the exception of D Coy who got 100yards behind C Coy. C Coy found open ground and easy going and upon arriving at A.14.a. awaited other Coy’s for 15 minutes, then went on with York & Lancasters and took La Rose Farm. The other Coy’s, with part of C took La Becque. Both of these places were held by 30 of the enemy. C Coy mistaking 1st objective went right through it, together with the 2nd objective, eventually digging in with A Coy 300yards to South of road to end of orchard meeting slight resistance. Sgt Gillespie mopped up La Rose Farm and 2nd Lt Long of D Coy together with 2nd Lt Freer of C Coy mopped up La Becque. D Coy on the left advanced more slowly. In passing through La Becque a heavy enemy machine gun was seen which Lt Seymour got into action but was unable to get away owing to lack of men. About 30 prisoners were taken of which 17 were passed back through Battalion HQ. D Coy reported in touch with the 74th Brigade on their left, but shortly after reported that the 74th were leaving their trenches saying they were relieved, with the result that a large gap was left on the left of the Battalion. Message sent to Coy’s to reform and extend to cover the gap. C Coy did not extend, but sent in to say that as this would entail such heavy casualties he was awaiting darkness to carry out the order."

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          12th April 1918 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers near Wulverghem  At 0200 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers moved to near Wulverghem with Headquarters at N Midland Farm. Enemy attacked, pressing back our line. Counter attack completely restored position. Casualties heavy, including Medical Officer, Lieutenants Hamilton, Hardy and Miller killed. Captain Dean, Lieutenants Turner and Orr wounded.

                                          War Diaries


                                          12th April 1918 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  A third airship raid took place on 12 April: again the altitude and weather caused navigational problems, and although attacks were claimed on a number of towns in the Midlands most of the bombs fell in open countryside. Seven people were killed, 20 injured and £11,673 damage was caused.

                                          John Doran


                                          12th Apr 1918 Establishing a Line  Breakfast was served at about 8am by two cookies and situation seemed very quiet. At 0945am. orders were received to push out a patrol to AC arc and A2d (map references) to verify presence of enemy in strength at Blanc Maison and to clear up the the situation, which was very obscure, and to report what troops of ours were in the vicinity. 2nd. Lieutenant Thackery and 15 O. R.'s including Corporals Gibson and Green went off and reported that various parties, under officers, were withdrawing. The patrol arrived back near the position of our bivouacs at about 11.45am. and reported that the enemy could be seen at about A14a (map reference) and that we held the cemetery in A7b (map reference) but that our defences and outpost line were practically non-existent.

                                          At about 12.15pm orders were received to establish on the Becque de la Flanche (thought to be a stream). 'B' Company remained in reserve and the other three companies were sent off to establish the above line. 'A' Company was on the right, 'C' Company was in the centre and 'D' Company was on the left. Eventually, some tome later, 'A' Company established their right post just astride the railway on S25c, Sheet 28 (map reference)about 800 yards west of Bailleul Station and got in touch with the troops on their right. 'C' Company, on the left, and 'D' Company were in touch with the 16th. Royal Scots. There was a small party of 11th. Suffolks under an officer between 'C' and 'D' Companies. Our 7th. Battalion (1/7th. D. of W.) were also a little mixed up with 'D' Company. Roughly, the line of the Becque was established and dug in during the night. During the early afternoon of the 12th., Captain Ogston was seriously wounded in the thigh by a machine gun bullet. Throughout the afternoon of the 12th., the line was continually shelled and trench mortar & heavy machine gun fire was put down on it; it was particularly intense on the left.

                                          Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were Major S. C. Brierly (Wounded at Duty), Captain K. Ogston (Wounded & died of wound), 2nd. Lt. H. Armitage (Wounded), 2nd. Lt. J. W. Probyn (Killed in Action), 2nd. Lt. J. H. Sunderland (Wounded)Sergeant T. D. Eagles (Wounded), 265395 Sergeant G. Harding (Killed in Action), 265883 Corporal W. Emmott (Wounded), 265576 Corporal J. Hogan (Wounded), 265267 Corporal G. Page (Killed in Action), 235503 Corporal W. Severs (Killed in Action), 265932 Lance Corporal W. H. Best (Wounded at Duty), 17038 Lance Corporal R. Piggott (Wounded), 267567 Lance Corporal W. E. Robertshaw (Wounded), 242825 Private S. Baker (Wounded), 267437 Private H. Briggs (Killed in Action), 303003 Private J. T. Britt (Wounded), 300159 Private M. Brown (Killed in Action), 17915 Private T. Caine (Wounded), 15580 Private R. H. Coleman (Wounded), 265717 Private J. E. Core (Wounded), 268074 Private N. F. Fletcher (Killed in Action), 267785 Private A. Garnett (Wounded), 17033 Private W. Grant (Wounded), 26566 Private H. Haigh (Wounded), 265746 Private J. Hayhurst (Wounded), 267863 Private G. Hill (Wounded & died of wounds 14/04/1918), 267549 Private F. Holmes (Wounded), 24125 Private J. Kennedy (Wounded), 41165 Private H. Leonard (Wounded), 41161 Private W. R. Lewis (Missing), 242621 Private H. Loyndes (Killed in Action), 242622 Private A. Lund (Killed in Action), 41176 Private T. W. Marriot (Wounded), 41175 Private S. Marsh (Wounded), 41177 Private H. May (Wounded), 14895 Private A. V. Nalson (Wounded at Duty), 41187 Private A. V. Nicholls (Killed in Action), 267474 Private A. Pearson (Wounded), 41191 Private T. Purshouse (Killed in Action), 267883 Private C. Puttergill (Wounded), 267922 Private C. J. Rooney (Wounded), 265483 Private J. Scott (Wounded), 242814 Private G. H. Smith (Killed in Action), 29889 Private H. Stead (Wounded), 26147 Private T. Stordy (Wounded), 242835 Private A. Sugden (Wounded), 41178 Private A. A. Taylor (Wounded and missing), 41151 Private J. Thorneycroft (Wounded), 240786 Private W. H. Thornton (Wounded), 267832 Private C. Threadgale (Killed in Action), 267431 Private N. Thwaites (Wounded), 242751 Private C. R. Weddle (?) (Wounded), 12695 Private L. Whitehead (Wounded).

                                          12th Apr 1918 Withdrawal  At about 7.30am messages received from A,B, & D Coy’s 18th Durhams and a telephone message from C Coy to say that enemy were massing in front of them. 2nd Lt Freer reported to OC C COY that troops of 13th York & Lancasters were retiring. OC C Coy held on for about 15 minutes after left of York & Lancasters had withdrawn. He reported patrol coming through Grand Beaumart. D Coy on the left held on for some time longer than other companies and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. B Coy also inflicted casualties before retiring. The 15th West Yorks retired on the left of D Coy 20 minutes before D Coy moved. Orders were issued to Coy’s to hold on to line of the original first objective in the previous nights attack. 3 officers were wounded (seriously & left behind in the withdrawal) 18th DLI Coy’s retiring had (approx) the following casualties: A Coy 70, B Coy 80, C Coy 60, D Coy 60. Coy’s held for a short time this first objective but again withdrew. The CO and Adjutant attempted to form a line 200yards South East of the Rau Du Leet and all Coy’s were at the same time warned to hold at all costs the road running along the Rau Du Leet. About this time our own artillery shelled us very heavily. The CO and Adjutant were only able to get a certain number of men as the front upon which the withdrawal was taking place was a large one and men had retired too far back, but with what men they could get at they formed a line. CO sent Adjt back to get into communications with Brigade HQ at the Farm (originally Battalion HQ) near Cemetery in F.12.a. Instructed all Coy’s in event of being forced to withdraw from line Rau Du Leetto form a strong point at the Cemetery. All Coy’s did not receive this order in time to do so. D Coy Commander with 15 men held on to the line Rau Du Leet to the North West of Blanche Maison. B Coy Commander with a few of his own men & some of 15th West Yorks held on near the Cemetery holding up the enemy advance after the main body had retired well back from the line Rau Du Leet. Battalion HQ also covered retirement of the main body by holding firm on line at Farm F.12.a.7.4. to F.11.a.9.9. Retirement to line of railway from F.5. central to South of Outtersteene. Whole Brigade collected along railway which was a difficult position owing to necessity of men exposing themselves while watching dead ground in front and owing also to the exact fire of enemy machine guns on the railway line. Strength of Brigade on railway about 400. On right 15th West Yorks, centre 13th York & Lancasters, left 18th DLI. This line was held for over an hour when message was received from 15th West Yorks saying that their flank had been turned and that enemy were across the railway and were enfilading us. 15th West Yorks retired. Major Lowe held right half Battalion while Adjt withdrew with the left half through very close country and thick hedges. After withdrawing about 50yards Adjt took up new position facing East in open ground. On right half Battalion withdrawing, it was seen that they were under fire from farms on high ground to the South 300yards away. Right half Battalion formed defensive flank to the right while left half took up position facing South East on North side of the Bailleul to Outtersteene Road where we held for some time until right half of Battalion joined us. After a conference of Maj Lowe MC, Maj Nutt 13th York & Lancasters and all officers it was decided that we were likely to be completely surrounded in a few minutes and decided to work round North & North West to our Brigade HQ at Merris. Putting out advanced guard, left flank guard, and rear guard we worked up behind hedges & after going about 400yards came into contact with Lt Col Tilley 15th West Yorks. CO’s conferred together & Lt Col Tilley & Maj Nutt voted reporting to 33rd Division which were occupying position defending Metern. Maj Lowe wished to work round and report to our own Brigade. Whole Brigade moved back and took up position with the 18th Middlesex Battalion on 33rd Divisional line facing South & East midway between Bailleul and Metern. Arranged with OC 18th Middlesex to take over a line of a few small rifle posts facing South East. Improved these trenches. Very little shelling.

                                          18th Durham Light Infantry War Diary WO95/2361/1


                                          13th April 1918 9th Irish Fusiilers relieved  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are relieved by Sherwood Foresters at midnight.

                                          War Diaries


                                          13th Apr 1918 Enemy Attacks  The early morning of the 13th. was very quiet. Rations were delivered to the companies of the 6th West Riding Regt by 4.30am. and the C. O. and the Intelligence Officer went round the lines at about 5am. and found everything in good order and the line well s....ted. It was found that in the readjustment of the line during the night of 12th./ 13th. 'B' Company was in support to 'A' Company and a little behind was their left flank. At about 3pm., the enemy commenced shelling the line and also roads and farms in the rear.

                                          The enemy attacked on 7th. D. of W.'s front and also on the 16th. Royal Scots on their left and further to their left again. The enemy was also active on our right about the railway but any contemplated attack was dispersed by rifle and Lewis gun fire, The troops on the battalion's left gave ground and 'D' Company were left with their flank in the air. The Bosche approached to within 100/ 150 yards and suffered very heavy casualties from 'D' Company's rifle and Lewis gun fire. They were held up for some considerable time. Eventually, the enemy worked round both flanks of 'D' Company and forced them to withdraw. It is certain that 'D' Company killed a very large number of the enemy and themselves suffered severe casualties. Sergeant Berry and Sergeant Harding were killed and 2nd. Lieutenant Armitage and 2nd. Lieutenant Sunderland were wounded. [NB. Both these officers, on the casualty list compiled on 21/05/1918 which I have used, are shown as wounded on 12/04/1918).

                                          'B' Company were sent up to reinforce the troops in front and, in spite of heavy machine gun fire, they pushed into a forward position and assisted to hold up the enemy, who had made an advance of about 500 yards. After this, our line remained firm and, at about 9.45pm., orders were received to withdraw in accordance with attached. This withdrawal was carried out without incident and the line was duly established. [NB. No details of where this new line was have survived but the battalion H. Q. was established at Bailleul].

                                          Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were Major G. Tanner (Wounded at Duty), Lieutenant A. C. Stalman (Wounded), 2nd. Lt. F. V. Mellors (Wounded at Duty), 265485 Sergeant J. Bury (Killed in Action), 265069 Sergeant A. Davis (Missing, but since rejoined)266754 Lance Sergeant A. Gregson (Wounded), 266537 Corporal J. W. Tillottson (Killed in Action), 265139 Private J. Appleby (Wounded), 20385 Private J. Armitage (n. Y. D. N.), 241737 Private W. L. Beeson (Wounded), 242760 Private H. Bennett (Missing), 203417 Private F. Burls (Wounded), 24302 Private C. Cahalin (Wounded), 267445 Private R. V. Casson (Killed in Action),23871 Private J. W. Carter (Killed in Action), 242030 Private J. Charlesworth (Wounded), 11883 Private C. Connel (Missing), 267912 Private R. Cooper (Wounded), 25503 Private W. Craig (Wounded), 11299 Private W. Crossland (Wounded), 267396 Private A. Crossley (Wounded), 17017 Private W. Dempsie (Wounded), 267522 Private W. Denby (Wounded), 242604 Private H. Ellison (Wounded), 265238 Private F. Gee (Wounded), 267539 Private A. Gill (Wounded), 23888 Private W. Greenwood (Wounded), 26674 Private A. Griffin (Missing), 242755 Private J. Gunningham (Wounded), 266339 Private T. Hargreaves (Wounded), 268279 Private E. Hawkesby (Killed in Action0, 29375 Private F. Haywood (Wounded & died of wounds 14/04/1918), 267592 Private I. Hillary (Wounded), 12170 Private F. Jowett (Wounded), 242520 Private H. Maddeys (Missing), 24208 Private H. Mounsey (Killed in Action), 14895 Private A. V. Nalson (Missing), 25146 Private H. Roundstein (Missing), 267921 Private J. C. Rymer (Killed in Action), 41204 Private A. L. Shaw (Wounded), 242213 Private J. M. Smith (Missing), 26622 Private W. Stephenson (Missing), 29807 Private J. W. Stringer (Wounded at Duty), 267588 Private A. Thornton (Wounded), 24357 Private F. Wall (Wounded), 11671 Private C. H. Walton (Wounded), 41209 Private T. H. Watkins (Wounded), 265619 Private W. Watson (Wounded), 24165 Private H. Westfield (Wounded), 31742 Private H. Wilkinson (Wounded), 300139 Private A. Wood (Killed in Action).

                                          13th Apr 1918 Holding the Line  18th DLI report "At about 10am enemy commenced very heavy shelling on all trenches in the neighbourhood. This shelling lasted more than an hour. Quiet again until 3.45pm when very heavy shelling again started and continued until about 6.30pm. Sent to 19th Brigade to ask to be rationed by them and to try to get into communication with our own Brigade. 2Lt Pattison sent yesterday to try to find Brigade. Received orders for our relief by 5th Scottish Rifles and to report to Borre. We were unable to be spared however owing to artillery shelling which it was thought portended a heavy attack. D Coy ordered up to connect up right of Scottish Rifles and to search wood in front of them which it was thought was occupied by enemy after the bombardment. Patrol of Sgt Dickenson and 8 men sent to get in touch with Queens Regiment on left of Scottish Rifles who had lost touch. This patrol established touch throughout the front line and the OC 5th Scottish Rifles thanked OC 18th DLI for this help. Quiet night trenches much improved."

                                          18th Durham Light Infantry War Diary WO95/2361/1


                                          14th April 1918 9th Irish Fusiliers on Kemmel defences  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers moved back to Kemmel defences.

                                          War Diaries


                                          14th Apr 1918 Advance Stopped  The early morning was quiet and all the men were in good form, although tired. As the day proceeded, the enemy became rather more active and shelled heavily in the afternoon.

                                          At about (time left blank) it became evident that the enemy was again active on our right and a party of Bosche was seen from 6th Duke of Wellington Battalion's H. Q. to be through our line and only about 400/ 500 yards away from our H. Q. All H. Q. details, under Lieutenant Stewart and Regimental Sergeant Major Richardson were put into position with a view to filling the gap until assistance arrived. They opened rapid fire on the enemy, inflicted casualties and undoubtedly stopped the enemy's advance until a platoon of 'C' Company and a company of the 1/7th. D. of W. and 1/4th. D. of. W. arrived on the scene, when the H. Q. party was withdrawn. Casualties to H. Q. details numbered about 5 wounded by rifle and machine gun fire.

                                          The situation then quietened down and Battalion H. Q. was withdrawn about 300 yards back into a cellar. (NB. This entry in the War Diary is the only one available for 14/04/1918 and it seems unlikely that what the rest of the 1/6th. were doing on this day was ever recorded].

                                          Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were 265626 Sergeant F. Cryer (Wounded), 303011 Sergeant F. Nicholson (Wounded), 266634 Sergeant A. Taylor (Killed in Action), 14703 Lance Sergeant J. W. Russell (Wounded), 203745 Corporal T. Howard (Killed in Action), 31778 Private F. R. Ainley (Wounded), 23866 Private T. Alderson (Wounded), 267634 Private A. V. Austin (Wounded), 266563 Private H. Baldwin (Wounded), 265142 Private P. Baldwin (Wounded), 26715 Private K. Bartlett (Wounded), 241457 Private H. Beaumont (Wounded), 267015 Private H. A. Boocock (Wounded), 17003 Private J. Boyd (Wounded), 300160 Private S. S. Buffett (Wounded), 265647 Private J. T. Cardus (Wounded), 266920 Private M. Chapman (Wounded), 242636 Private W. Charlesworth (Killed in Action), 267554 Private W. W. Cooper (Killed in Action), 267496 Private A. Crook (Wounded), 203239 Private E. Davison (Wounded and missing), 265986 Private J. W. Emmott (Wounded), 267505 Private F. E. Gaukrodger (Wounded), 240648 Private J. Haigh (Wounded), 267512 Private G. Harker (Wounded), 265387 Private A. Higgins (Wounded), 266726 Private J. W. Hilton (Killed in Action), 267868 Private F. Holden (Wounded), 26569 Private A. Jackson (Wounded), 18185 Private D. Kellett (Wounded), 303006 Private G. Lamb (Killed in Action), 266851 Private J. A. Leach (Wounded), 267829 Private J. Littlewood (Wounded), 268156 Private J. Lockwood (Killed in Action), 266803 Private F. W. Major (Wounded), 267962 Private M. Maloney (Wounded), 266562 Private P. McCann (Wounded), 265290 Private D. McFarland (Wounded), 267884 Private H O'Melia (Wounded & died of wounds 23/04/1918), 267426 Private P. Phillips (Wounded), 265009 Private C. W. Ralph (Wounded), 267888 Private A. Rothery (Wounded), 267734 Private W. Smith (Wounded), 267895 Private W. G. Smith (Killed in Action), 267924 Private C. Stenton (Killed in Action), 268426 Private F. G. Sunderland (Wounded), 41179 Private J. Taylor (Killed in Action), 41138 Private O. Taylor (Wounded), 266199 Private H. Waddington (Wounded), 29943 Private H. Wails (Killed in Action), 26657 Private S. R. Walton (Wounded and missing), 300135 Private C. Ward (Wounded), 266536 Private G. R. Watson (Wounded), 26653 Private H. Westridge (Wounded), 29894 Private W. Whitwam (Wounded), 242412 Private F. Wilkinson (Wounded).

                                          14th Apr 1918   LA BECQUE

                                          During the whole day artillery very active with intense fire from 11am to 5pm. Advanced posts about 600x to our front apparently blown out by artillery and occupied by enemy. Letter of appreciation received from GOC 19th Brigade. Lt Col TILLEY killed. Maj. LOWE assumed command. Quiet during the night with m gun fire.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          14th Apr 1918 Prisoners  
                                          THE GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE, MARCH-JULY 1918

                                          A Portuguese prisoner being examined by a German Intelligence Officer at Fourmies prison camp. © IWM (Q 55260)

                                          The Portuguese Divisions suffered terribly in the initial attack on the 9th of April 1918 with almost 2000 men being killed and around 7000 taken prisoner.

                                          15th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          0900. Moved to Regent Street dugouts. C Company manned outpost positions and was attacked. Captain Crosbie wounded and died same day.

                                          War Diaries


                                          15th Apr 1918 100 men receive suspended court-martial  One hundred men of the 7/8 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers received a suspended court-martial on the same day. The battalion was being disbanded and they went on strike to prevent it. The high number of non Irish soldiers striking shows the camaraderie and respect these merged replacements had for a regiment they previously had no attachment to. The unusual event was remarkable in that the sentence normally punishable by death was suspended. They all went back to fight the following day.

                                          15th Apr 1918 Relief  The 6th Battalion West Riding Regt was relieved in the early morning, at 4am., by two companies of the 5th. North Staffs. On relief, the battalion proceeded to the vicinity of a farm near St. Hans Cappel (map reference S1d, sheet 28) where breakfasts were served and the men cleaned their rifles and Lewis guns and rested.

                                          At 6am. orders were received that, in case of emergency, the battalion would hold a reserve line (not yet dug) just in front of the road in map reference S1d. From 11am., the battalion was placed in the 9th. Corps reserve. At about 5pm., it became very evident that it was necessary to dig the aforementioned reserve line with all speed as the enemy was reported to be attacking from Bailleul to Crucifix Corner (map reference S16b). Tools were got up and the line was dug and manned. The situation remained quiet. At about 7.45am, our troops that had relieved us the previous night (and others) were seen withdrawing from south of Bailleul. Much confusion was caused by the bad state of their morale and to the fact that they crowded into our trenches and did not appear to have the slightest organisation. At about 11pm., orders were received to send all the 176th. Brigade men back to Locre and, as soon as the line was cleared, work proceeded again. Patrols were pushed out with a view to gaining early news of the enemy's presence.

                                          Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were 265432 Private P. N. Blenkarn (Missing), 266421 Private J. McBurnie (Missing), 203023 Private S. Ramsden (Killed in Action), 267891 Private S. M. Smith (Wounded).

                                          15th Apr 1918   LA BECQUE

                                          Early morning at about 6.30am relieved by C Coy 5th Battalion TANK CORPS and marched to BORRE.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          16th April 1918 9th Irish Fusiliers move to Clydesdale Camp  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers moved back to Clydesdale Camp at midnight for rest and reorganisation.

                                          War Diaries


                                          16th Apr 1918 Enemy Active  During the morning, the enemy registered our line with trench mortars and field guns and there was considerable machine gun fire from both sides; there was also enemy movement in small parties. Our artillery gave considerable support and, when the enemy were seen collecting, they put down a very satisfactory shoot (i. e. barrage). At about 4pm., the enemy showed great activity with his trench mortars and field guns and, shortly afterwards, attacked opposite the right of 'A' Company, 6th West Riding Regt. The attack was completely repulsed and a certain amount of the success was due to prompt so-operation with the Stokes mortar battery. Patrols were at once sent out to pick up prisoners. These patrols were very successful and brought in two light machine guns and 16 prisoners, several of whom were wounded. The night passed fairly quietly and a good lot of wire was put out.

                                          Casualties on this day were 265273 Sergeant E. Johnson (Wounded), 12932 Private Aldridge (Killed in Action), 265990 Private J. Beckwith (Wounded accidentally),266505 Private J. Bibby (Wounded), 31683 Private W. E. Bilton (Wounded), 240551 Private J. M. Buckley 9Wounded), 240290 Private J. Burns (Wounded), 265625 Private H. R. Craven (Wounded), 267399 Private F. Dunn (Wounded), 25511 Private A. J. Haigh (Killed in Action), 25516 Private W. Leah (Wounded), 266018 Private L. Parker (Wounded), 23932 Private L. Shepherd (Wounded), 266344 Private T. W. Smith (Wounded), 265708 Private J. R. Whittaker (Wounded), 202226 Private W. Woor (Wounded).

                                          16th Apr 1918   18th DLI report from Borre "Reorganisation. Warned to be ready to move at an hours notice. 1. To man the Hazebrouck defences. 2. To exploit any success obtained in an attack by two French divisions to take place at 6pm from Kemmel to the neighbourhood of Strazeele.

                                          The 15th W Yorks amalgamated with us forming the 93rd Composite Battalion with our own HQ commanded by Lt Col Lowe MC."

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          16th Apr 1918 Statue finally falls  Statue of the golden Madonna on the spire of Albert church fell at 3.50pm on 16th Apr 1918. Eye witness Mr Deeson of 50th Battery 34 Bdg RFA.

                                          17th Apr 1918 Considerable Shelling  There was considerable shelling all over the area and in St. Jans Cappell. Congratulatory messages were received from Corps and Divisional Commanders by 6th West Riding Rgt. More wire was put out during the night.

                                          Casualties of 6th West Riding Rgt on this day were 2nd. Lt. J. M. Hick (Killed in Action), 265527 Lance Sergeant J. Calvert (Wounded at Duty), 31811 Private H. Broadbent (Wounded), 242483 Private W. D. Cole (Killed in Action),25515 Private S. Frost (Wounded), 266928 Private M. Hogg (Wounded), 41181 Private C. F. May (Wounded), 200207 Private G. S. Seed (Wounded), 21182 Private H. Smith (Wounded), 203872 Private L. F. Smith (Wounded at Duty), 240827 Private E. B. Timmins (Wounded), 265618 Private H. Walker (Wounded).

                                          17th Apr 1918   18th Durhams report "Very heavy shelling commenced about 9am in the vicinity of Borre. Received orders from Brigade to move to V.9.d. NW of La Kruele in the afternoon moved thence to L’Hoffand, Hazebrouck defences. 92nd Composite Battalion on the left, 94th Battalion on the right, 93rd Battalion in reserve at V.23 & V.29. Draft of 119 ORs arrived at details. Our line ran V.23.d.3.8, V, V.29.d.7.4., V.30.c.3.7., D.6.a.3.3."

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          18th Apr 1918   It is stated by Mr. J. Henry Lang (national general secretary of the Y.M. C.A.) that the-loss to the association in huts and equipment during the present offensive had already reached a total of £110,000.

                                          18th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          0200. Moved to Kemmel as composite Battalion with 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly.

                                          Heavy casualties, while moving into position, from enemy shelling. Captain Despard wounded and died soon after. 2000. Relieved by French troops and marched to Siege Camp.

                                          War Diaries


                                          18th Apr 1918 More Shelling  There was general shelling of the area. At midnight the 6th Battalion, West Riding Regt was relieved by the 18th. Kings Liverpool Regiment, 99th. Brigade, 30th. Division and, on relief, withdrew to the Army line at about map reference R29c & d, sheet 27.

                                          Casualties of 6th West Riding on this day, including those that happened between 11/04/1918 and 18/04/1918 which had not been recorded, were 265113 Sergeant H. Driver (Wounded, between 11th & 18th.), 265552 Private J. Cobrey (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 268239 Private W. Hartley (Killed in Action), 266049 Private J. Ireland (Wounded, between 11th & 18th.), 26691 Private R. Lizerbram (Wounded), 10527 Private L. McDonald (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 266760 Private G. J. Raper (Wounded between 11th. & 18th.), 305335 Private J. Riley (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 41195 Private C. Rigg (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 41194 Private W. H. Robinson (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 268542 Private J. A. Smith (Wounded), 266458 Private J. M. Spencer (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.), 267750 Private J. T. Tate (Wounded, between 11th. & 18th.).

                                          18th Apr 1918   L'HOFFAND

                                          Work carried on in this line joining up trenches already marked out. Received orders that we were to take over front system held by 2nd Australian Bde. 1st Australian Div. 94th Battalion to hold front line on the right, 92nd Battalion on the left, 93rd Battalion in reserve line running through E.14.c. & b & E.8.a. & b. Lt Col LOWE reconnoitred the position but at night received orders that the Battalion would return to its original formation and that further instructions would be issue from 93rd Bde.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          19th Apr 1918 Quiet Day  A quiet day was spent by the 6th West Riding Regt in the Army line. At midnight the battalion withdrew to the vicinity of map reference R24c, sheet 27, just west of Mont Noir. The only casualty on this day was 266657 Private F. Nicholas (Wounded).

                                          19th Apr 1918   LE GD HASARD

                                          Moved from L’HOFFAND round the NW of HAZEBROUCK (to avoid the shelling) to LE GD HASARD and billeted in a camp at D.14.b.2.7. details and last two drafts joining us here. A good deal of bombing (aeroplanes) during the night.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          20th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Colonel Kelly evacuated to Hospital with shrapnel wound.

                                          Reorganisation and training parades.

                                          Ration strength: 11 Officers, 489 Other Ranks, 40 horses, 22 mules

                                          War Diaries


                                          20th Apr 1918 Quiet Day  6th Btn, West Riding Regiment report: A quiet day with everyone resting. There were no casualties.

                                          20th Apr 1918   LE GD HASARD

                                          Reorganisation.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          21st Apr 1918 To Camp  At 4am., the 6th battalion West Riding Regt was withdrawn to N. Z. Reinforcement Camp. On arrival, breakfasts were and afterwards everyone rested. At 4pm., the battalion marched to Poperinghe and were settled in good billets by 6pm. There were no casualties.

                                          21st Apr 1918   LE GD HASARD

                                          Church parades. Orders received that the Battalion was to be lent to 92nd Brigade to help to fill in the portion of the line between the North Divisional Boundary and the HAZEBROUCK, BAILLEUL railway. 40 men of D Coy to hold the front line with B Coy No 4 L Gun Bn Tank Corps. 6th Australian Battalion on the left. 11th E YORKS on the right. The fortified locality between GD SEC BOIS and PETIT SEC BOIS inclusive to the railway (BAILLEUL, HAZEBROUCK) exclusive and the system of posts in E.3.d, E.9.b. & a. HQ at E.2.c.5.1. C Coy near Battalion HQ to be used for counter attack if necessary. Relieved 3rd Australian Battalion. Relief complete 1am. Maj. D.E. INCE in command in the line.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          22nd April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Major G.M Forde MC assumed command

                                          War Diaries


                                          22nd Apr 1918   The morning was spent in cleaning up and all the men of the 6th West Riding Resgt were bathed during the morning and afternoon. There were no casualties.

                                          22nd Apr 1918   BETWEEN VIEUX BERQUIN & GD SEC BOIS

                                          Whole of D Coy moved up to hold the front line with the TANK CORPS. B & A Coy’s working joining up posts and making PETIT SEC BOIS into a strong point. C Coy carrying wire. D Coy joining up front line system of posts. Considerable amount of indiscriminate gas shelling.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          23rd April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Four Officers and about thirty Other Ranks reinforce.

                                          War Diaries


                                          23rd Apr 1918 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment join 63rd Division  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment transfer from 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division to 188th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.

                                          23rd April 1918 First Ostend Raid 1918  The First Ostend Raid (part of Operation ZO) was the first of two attacks by the Royal Navy on the German-held port of Ostend during the late spring of 1918. Ostend was attacked in conjunction with the neighbouring harbour of Zeebrugge on 23 April in order to block the vital strategic port of Bruges, situated 6 miles inland. Bruges was ideally sited to conduct raiding operations on the British coastline and shipping lanes. Bruges and its satellite ports were a vital part of the German plans in their war on Allied commerce (Handelskrieg) because Bruges was close to the troopship lanes across the English Channel. It allowed much quicker access to the Western Approaches for the U-boat fleet than their bases in Germany. The plan of attack was for the British raiding force to sink two obsolete cruisers in the canal mouth at Ostend and three at Zeebrugge, thus preventing raiding ships leaving Bruges. The Ostend canal was the smaller and narrower of the two channels giving access to Bruges and so was considered a secondary target behind the Zeebrugge Raid. Consequently, fewer resources were provided to the force assaulting Ostend. While the attack at Zeebrugge gained some limited success, the assault on Ostend was a complete failure. The German marines who defended the port had taken careful preparations and drove the British assault ships away, forcing the abortion of the operation at the final stage. Three weeks after the failure of the operation, a second attack was launched which proved more successful in sinking a blockship at the entrance to the canal. Ultimately did not close off Bruges completely. Further plans to attack Ostend came to nothing during the summer of 1918. The threat from Bruges was not stopped until the last days of the war, when the town was liberated by Allied land forces.

                                          Background

                                          Bruges had been captured by the advancing German divisions during the Race for the Sea and had been rapidly identified as an important strategic asset by the German Navy. Bruges was situated 6 miles inland at the centre of a network of canals which emptied into the sea at the small coastal towns of Zeebrugge and Ostend. This land barrier protected Bruges from bombardment by land or sea by all but the very largest calibre artillery. This also secured it against raiding parties from the Royal Navy. Capitalising on the natural advantages of the port, the German Navy constructed extensive training and repair facilities at Bruges to provide support for several flotillas of destroyers, torpedo boats and U-boats. By 1916, these raiding forces were causing serious concern in the Admiralty due to the proximity of Bruges to the British coast and to the troopship lanes across the English Channel. For the U-boats it provided good access to the Western Approaches which were the heaviest shipping lanes in the World at the time. In the late spring of 1915, Admiral Reginald Bacon had attempted without success to destroy the lock gates at Ostend with monitors. That effort failed, and Bruges became increasingly important in the Atlantic Campaign, which reached its height in 1917. By early 1918, the Admiralty was seeking urgent solutions to the problems raised by unrestricted submarine warfare. They instructed the "Allied Naval and Marine Forces" department to plan attacks on the U-boat bases in Belgium. The "Allied Naval and Marine Forces" was a newly formed department created with the purpose of conducting operations along the coastline of German-held territory. The organisation was able to command extensive resources from both the Royal and French navies and was commanded by Admiral Roger Keyes and his deputy, Commodore Hubert Lynes. Keyes, Lynes and their staff began planning methods of neutralising Bruges in late 1917 and by April 1918 were ready to put their plans into operation.

                                          Planning

                                          To block Bruges, Keyes and Lynes decided to conduct two raids on the ports through which Bruges had access to the sea. Zeebrugge was to be attacked by a large force consisting of three blockships and numerous supporting warships. Ostend was targeted by a similar but smaller force under immediate command of Lynes. The plan was for two obsolete cruisers—HMS Sirius and Brilliant—to be expended in blocking the canal which emptied at Ostend. These ships would be stripped to essential fittings and their lower holds and ballast filled with rubble and concrete. This would make them ideal barriers if sunk in the correct channel at the correct angle. When the weather was right, the force would cross the English Channel in darkness and attack shortly after midnight to coincide with the Zeebrugge Raid a few miles up the coast. By coordinating their operations, the assault forces would stretch the German defenders and hopefully gain the element of surprise. Covering the Inshore Squadron would be heavy bombardment from an offshore squadron of monitors and destroyers as well as artillery support from Royal Marine artillery near Ypres in Allied-held Flanders. Closer support would be offered by several flotillas of motor launches, small torpedo boats and Coastal Motor Boats which would lay smoke screens to obscure the advancing blockships and evacuate the crews of the cruisers.

                                          British order of battle

                                          Offshore Squadron Lord Clive-class monitors with 12 in (300 mm) guns: HMS Marshal Soult, Lord Clive, Prince Eugene and General Crauford. M15 class monitors with 7.5 in (190 mm) guns: HMS M24, M26, M21. Destroyers: HMS Mentor, Lightfoot and Zubian. French Navy Lestin, Roux and Bouclier. Light craft: 4 torpedo boats, 4 French motor launches Inshore Squadron Blockships: HMS Sirius, Brilliant Destroyers: HMS Swift, Faulknor (destroyer leader), Matchless, Mastiff, Afridi, Tempest, Tetrach. Light craft: 18 Motor Launches, 8 Coastal Motor Boats. Artillery support was also provided by Royal Marine heavy artillery in Allied-held Flanders. The force was covered in the English Channel by seven light cruisers and 16 destroyers, none of which saw action.

                                          Attack on Ostend

                                          The assaults on Zeebrugge and Ostend were eventually launched on 23 April, after twice being delayed by poor weather. The Ostend force arrived off the port shortly before midnight and made final preparations; the monitors took up position offshore and the small craft moved forward to begin laying smoke. Covering the approach, the monitors opened fire on German shore defences, including the powerful "Tirpitz" battery, which carried 11 inch guns. The cruisers began their advance towards the harbour mouth, searching for the marker buoys indicating safe passage through the diverse sandbanks which made navigation difficult along the Belgian coast. It was at this stage that the attack began to go seriously wrong. Strong winds blowing off the land swept the smoke screen into the face of the advancing cruisers, blinding their commanders who attempted to navigate by dead reckoning. The same wind disclosed the Inshore Squadron to the German defenders who immediately opened up a withering fire on the blockships. With their volunteer crews suffering heavy casualties, the commanders increased speed despite the poor visibility, searching for the Stroom Bank buoy which directed shipping into the canal. Commander Alfred Godsal led the assault in HMS Brilliant and it was he who stumbled into the most effective German counter-measure first. As Brilliant staggered through the murk, the lookout spotted the buoy ahead and Godsal headed directly for it, coming under even heavier fire as he did so. Passing the navigation marker at speed, the cruiser was suddenly brought to a halt with a juddering lurch, throwing men to the decks and sticking fast in deep mud well outside the harbour mouth. Before warnings could be relayed to the Sirius following up close behind, she too passed the buoy and her captain Lieutenant-Commander Henry Hardy was shocked to see Brilliant dead ahead. With no time to manoeuvre, Sirius ploughed into the port quarter of Brilliant, the blockships settling into the mud in a tangle of wreckage. Artillery and long-range machine gun fire continued to riddle the wrecks and the combined crews were ordered to evacuate as the officers set the scuttling charges which would sink the blockships in their current, useless locations. As men scrambled down the side of the cruisers into Coastal Motor Boats which would relay them to the Offshore Squadron, destroyers moved closer to Ostend to cover the retreat and the monitors continued their heavy fire. Godsal was the last to leave, picked up by launch ML276 commanded by Lieutenant Rowley Bourke. With the main assault a complete failure, the blockading forces returned to Dover and Dunkirk to assess the disaster. "Their Lordships will share our disappointment at the defeat of our plans by the legitimate ruse of the enemy." (Admiral Keyes' report to the Admiralty). When the forces had reassembled and the commanders conferred, the full facts of the failed operation were revealed. The German commander of Ostend had been better prepared than his counterpart at Zeebrugge. He had recognised that without the navigation buoy no night attack on Ostend could be successful without a strong familiarity with the port. None of the British navigators possessed the required knowledge. However, rather than simply remove the buoy, the German commander had ordered it moved 2,400 yd east of the canal mouth into the centre of a wide expanse of sandbanks. This effectively acted as a fatal decoy for any assault force.

                                          Aftermath

                                          The assault at Zeebrugge was more successful and the blocking of the major channel did cause some consternation amongst the German forces in Bruges. The larger raiders could no longer leave the port, but smaller ships, including most submarines, were still able to traverse via Ostend. In addition, within hours a narrow channel had also been carved through Zeebrugge too, although British intelligence did not realise this for several weeks. The defeat at Ostend did not entirely dampen the exuberant British media and public reaction to Zeebrugge. However in the Admiralty and particularly in the Allied Naval and Marine Forces the failure to completely neutralise Bruges rankled. A second operation was planned for 10 May using the cruiser HMS Vindictive and proved more successful, but ultimately it also failed to completely close off Bruges. A third planned operation was never conducted as it rapidly became clear that the new channel carved at Zeebrugge was enough to allow access for U-boats. This would call for an even larger double assault, which would stretch the resources of the "Allied Naval and Marine Forces" too far. British losses in the three futile attempts to close Bruges were over 600 casualties and the loss of several ships but Bruges would remain an active raiding base for the German Navy until October 1918.

                                          John Doran


                                          23rd April 1918   The Zeebrugge Raid (23 April 1918), was an attempt by the Royal Navy to block the Belgian port of Bruges-Zeebrugge. The British intended to sink obsolete ships in the canal entrance to prevent German vessels from leaving port. The port was used by the Imperial German Navy as a base for U-boats and light shipping, which were a threat to Allied shipping, especially in the English Channel. Several attempts to close the Flanders ports by bombardment failed and Operation Hush a plan to advance up the coast in 1917 proved abortive. As shipping losses by U-boats increased, finding a way to close the ports became urgent and a raid was considered. The first attempt on Zeebrugge was made on 2 April 1918 but cancelled at the last moment, after the wind direction changed and made it impossible to lay a smoke-screen. Another attempt was made on 23 April with a concurrent attack on Ostend. Two of three blockships were scuttled in the narrowest part of the Bruges Canal and one of two submarines rammed the viaduct, which linked the shore and the mole, to isolate the German garrison. The blockships were sunk in the wrong place and the canal was open after a few days, to submarines at high tide. British casualties were 583 men and German losses were 24 men; the raid was publicised as a great British victory and many medals were awarded.

                                          Background and Strategic developments

                                          At the end of 1916 a combined operation against Borkum, Ostend and Zeebrugge had been considered by Admiral Lewis Bayly, Senior Officer for the Coast of Ireland. The plan was rejected due to the difficulty of supplying a landing force and the vulnerability of such a force to counter-attack. Subsequent proposals were rejected for the same reasons. A bombardment of the Zeebrugge lock-gates under cover of a smoke-screen, was studied by Vice Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon, Commander of the Dover Patrol and the Admiralty in late 1915 but was also rejected as the risks were considered excessive. In 1916 Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt proposed an attack to block Zeebrugge which was rejected and led him to propose a more ambitious operation to capture the mole and the town. This was to be a prelude to advancing on Antwerp. Bacon was asked to give his opinion and rejected the plan as did the Admiralty. Admiral Roger Keyes was appointed Director of the Plans Division at the Admiralty in October 1917. On 3 December he submitted another plan for the blocking of Zeebrugge and Ostend, using old cruisers in a night attack in the period from 14,19 March. Bacon also proposed an operation on 18 December, which combined Tyrwhitt's landing on the mole with a blocking operation. The monitor, Sir John Moore was to land 1,000 troops on the mole. The monitor General Craufurd was to bombard the lock gates and fortifications from short range and blockships were to enter the harbour in the confusion. The raid was proposed in 1917 by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe but was not authorised until Vice-Admiral Sir Roger Keyes adapted Bacon's plan for a blocking operation, which would make it difficult for German ships and submarines to leave the port. The raid was approved in January 1918 and crews were obtained from the Grand Fleet "to perform a hazardous service".

                                          Tactical developments

                                          The possibility of a landing on the Belgian coast was not abandoned, despite the number of rejected plans and early in 1917 Bacon assisted in the planning of Operation Hush. This was to land three brigades of infantry around Middelkirke, behind the northern extremity of the Western Front. The operation was dependent on the advance of the British armies in the Third Battle of Ypres and would have no influence on events at Zeebrugge and Ostend. If landings at the ports were achieved the forces involved would be doomed unless they were relieved by the advance of the armies in Flanders. Bacon devised a plan to destroy the lock gates at Zeebrugge by bombardment with 15-inch guns in the monitors Erebus, Terror and Marshal Soult. The bombardment would have to be undertaken at long range, because of the danger of return fire from the Kaiser Wilhelm battery at Knocke and meant aiming at a target 90 by 30 feet at a range of 13 miles, using directions from an artillery-observation aircraft. Bacon calculated that 252 shells would be necessary and take at least 84 minutes. If the attempt began with surprise and the bombardment ships were obscured by a smoke-screen the German guns at Knocke might not have time to commence return fire accurately before the bombardment ended. Bacon thought that the destruction of the lock gates was worth the sacrifice of a monitor but that risking all three for no result was impossible to avoid. The plan needed a combination of wind, tide and weather which occurred rarely; to obtain surprise the monitors would need to be in position before dawn, mist and low cloud would make artillery observation from an aircraft impossible and the wind would have to be blowing from a narrow range of bearings or the smoke-screen would be carried over the ships and expose them to view from the shore. Such conditions were unlikely to recur for several days and so a second bombardment on the following day would be most unlikely. The bombardment force sailed for Zeebrugge three times, when changes in the weather forced a return to England but on 11 May Bacon ordered another attempt the next day. A buoy was laid 15 miles (24 km) to the north-west of the mole as a guide and a second buoy was placed in the position selected for the bombardment. A bearing was taken from the buoy to the base of the mole at Zeebrugge by a ship sailing from the buoy to the mole despite a mist which reduced visibility to a mile and meant that the ship would advance dangerously close to German shore batteries. The ship returned to the buoy by 0445 with the bearing and distance. The bombardment ships had taken position, the motor launches had formed a line, ready to generate the smoke-screen and the escorts formed a square round the monitors. Five destroyers zigzagged around the fleet as a screen against U-boats, the minesweepers began operating around the monitors and the covering force cruised in the distance ready to intercept a German destroyer sortie.

                                          Bombardment of Zeebrugge, 12 May 1917

                                          The bombardment opened late because of the need to tow Marshal Soult and haze off the harbour. Two Royal Naval Air Service artillery observation aircraft from Dunkirk, which had taken off at 0200, had to wait from 0300 over Zeebrugge for almost two hours. The aircraft were met by seven Sopwith Pups from 4 Squadron, which patrolled the coast from 0545 and six Sopwith Triplanes of 10 Squadron flew over the fleet. One of the artillery-observation aircraft had engine-trouble and force-landed in the Netherlands and the other began to run short of petrol. Firing from the monitors commenced just after 0500 and at first fell short, many of the shells failing to explode, which left the aircraft unable to signal the fall of shot. The bombardment became very accurate soon after and Marshal Soult hit the target with its twelfth shell and Erebus with its twenty-sixth. Terror was most hampered by the loss of one of the aircraft and dud shells. Only forty-five of the 250 shells fired were reported and the aircraft had to return because of low fuel at 0530, leaving the last half-hour of the bombardment reliant on estimated corrections. Two relieving aircraft had also had engine trouble and failed to arrive. In the first hour of the bombardment, the German response was limited to anti-aircraft fire and attempts to jam the wireless of the artillery-observation aircraft. When the Pups from 4 Squadron arrived, twice the number of German Albatros fighters engaged them and some of the aircraft from over the fleet joined in the dogfight. The British claimed five German aircraft shot down and the fleet was enabled to complete the bombardment. Later, a third patrol shot down a German seaplane into Ostend harbour and lost one fighter. At 0600 the ships weighed anchor just as the Kaiser Wilhelm battery opened fire. Two seaplanes which attempted to approach the fleet were driven off by fighter seaplanes which escorted the fleet home. Bacon returned with the impression that the bombardment had succeeded, but aerial photographs taken the following week, revealed that about fifteen shells had landed within a few yards of the lock gates on the western side and on the eastern side four shells had come just as close. The basin north of the locks had been hit and some damage caused to the docks but Zeebrugge remained open to German destroyers and U-boats. It was concluded that had the monitors been ready to fire as soon as the observer in the artillery-observation aircraft signalled or if the shoot had been reported throughout, the lock gates would have been hit and Bacon prepared to bombard Ostend harbour.

                                          Further Bombardment of Ostend, 5 June 1917

                                          Attempts to bombard Ostend on 26 and 27 May were abandoned because of poor weather but on 4 June the bombardment ships sailed for the Ratel Bank off Ostend. The bombardment force was smaller and the covering force larger, since surprise was less likely. The Harwich Force provided a covering force of four light cruisers, a flotilla leader and eight destroyers off the Thornton Bank. A second wave of four light cruisers and eight destroyers were provided to guard against an attack from the Schouwen Bank. The firing buoy and its bearing and range from the target were established using the same method as at Zeebrugge and the escorting ships formed a square round the bombardment ships. German destroyers were sighted east of the Ratel Bank at 0142 by Lance and Lochinvar, which were steering towards Ostend to establish the range and bearing of the target from the sighting buoy. The German destroyers frustrated two attempts to enter the harbour, which left the fleet without sighting data and reliant on dead reckoning. At about 0230, gunfire was heard from the direction of Tyrwhitt's covering force to the north and at about 0300 the bombardment force motor launches began the smoke-screen. At dawn the coast was visible, Bacon corrected the position by a bearing on Ostend Cathedral and the bombardment commenced at 0320. German coastal guns replied within minutes of the bombardment from the monitors and fired accurately at Erebus and Terror but with no effect. The bombardment ceased at 0400 and the fleet weighed anchor at 0420 and withdrew northwards. Tyrwhitt's covering force guarded the ships from a point 5 miles (8.0 km) distant, having engaged two German destroyers as they tried to reach Zeebrugge and sunk S20. Ostend was a larger target than that at Zeebrugge and could be seen from the sea, which made accurate shooting easier. The dockyard was hit by twenty out of 115 shells and intelligence reports noted the sinking of a lighter, a UC-boat and damage to three destroyers. The reports also noted that the attack had caused anxiety to the German command. Had Bacon been able to repeat the bombardments at short intervals, the damage would have soon severely hampered German naval operations from the Flanders coast. Bacon planned more bombardments but these were all postponed because of essential conditions like adequate weather for the bombardments not being met and after several months the bombardments resumed after the Germans had been able to repair the damage caused by the bombardments. As prolonged methodical bombardments of Ostend and Zeebrugge had proved impractical, Bacon attached a large monitor to the forces which patrolled coastal barrages, to exploit opportunities of favourable wind and weather to bombard Zeebrugge and Ostend. Several bombardments were achieved but had no effect on the working of the ports.

                                          Prelude

                                          German defensive preparations

                                          By 1917 the German defences on the Flanders coast included Kaiser Wilhelm II a heavy artillery battery at Knocke, east of the Bruges canal of four 12 inches (300 mm) guns, with a range of 41,000 yards (37,000 m) and the Tirpitz battery of four 11 inches (280 mm) guns, with a range of 35,000 yards (32,000 m), 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of Ostend. Two more batteries were being built in early 1917 and between the main defences were many mobile guns, entrenchments and machine-gun nests. The only vulnerable part of the German defensive system was the lock gates at Zeebrugge, which if destroyed would make the canal to Bruges tidal and drastically reduce the number of ships and submarines which could pass along it.

                                          British offensive preparations

                                          The cruisers involved in the blockade, including HMS Vindictive were equipped in Chatham, by over 2,000 workers for the special fitting out and stripping out (in the case of the ships to be sunk) of unnecessary equipment, including their masts. Iris, Daffodil and the submarines were fitted out in Portsmouth. The fleet made its rendezvous at Swin Deep, about 8 miles south of Clacton. Almost none of the participants were aware of their target. The first opportunity for the raid was early April 1918 and on 2 April the fleet sailed and Zeebrugge was bombed by 65 Squadron from Dunkirk. The success of the raid depended upon smoke screens, to protect the British ships from the fire of German coastal artillery but the wind direction was unfavourable and the attack was called off. Zeebrugge was visible to the fleet and the fleet to the Germans in Zeebrugge. Seventy-seven ships of all sizes, some with their lights already switched off, had to make a sharp turn to the west to return to their bases.

                                          Zeebrugge raid

                                          The blocking of Zeebrugge On 23 April 1918 a second attempt was made, in conjunction with a raid on the neighbouring harbour of Ostend. The raid began with a diversion against the mile-long Zeebrugge mole. The attack was led by an old cruiser, Vindictive, with two Mersey ferries, Daffodil and Iris II. The three ships were accompanied by two old submarines, which were filled with explosives to blow up the viaduct connecting the mole to the shore. Vindictive was to land a force of 200 Royal Marines at the entrance to the Bruges Canal to destroy German gun positions. At the time of the landing the wind changed and the smoke-screen to cover the ship was blown offshore. The marines immediately came under heavy fire and suffered many casualties. Vindictive was spotted by German gun positions and forced to land in the wrong location, resulting in the loss of the marines' heavy gun support. Eventually the submarine HMS C3 commanded by Lt. R. D. Sandford, destroyed the viaduct by explosion. Sandford was awarded the Victoria Cross for this action. The attempt to sink three old cruisers, to block the flow of traffic in and out of the Port of Bruges-Zeebrugge failed. The failure of the attack on the Zeebrugge mole resulted in heavy German fire on the three blocking ships, HMS Thetis, Intrepid and Iphigenia, which were filled with concrete. Thetis did not make it to the canal entrance, after it hit an obstruction and was scuttled prematurely. The two other ships were sunk at the narrowest point of the canal. The submarines C1 under Lieut. A.C Newbold and C3 under Lieut. R.D. Sandford were old, each with a volunteer crew of one other officer and four ratings. They had five tons of amatol packed into their fore-ends and were to be driven into the viaduct and then blown up, to prevent reinforcement of the German garrison on the mole. The crews were to abandon their submarines shortly before the collision with the viaduct, leaving the submarines to steer themselves automatically but during the passage from Dover, C1 parted with her tow and arrived too late to take part in the operation.

                                          Aftermath Analysis

                                          Henry Newbolt the Official Historian, wrote in 1931 that before the raid two submarines entered or left the Flanders bases each day and continued at that rate during the week after the raid. The block ships were not in the correct position when sunk and only managed to block the canal for a few days. The Germans removed two piers in the western bank of the canal near the block ships and dredged a channel through the silt near the sterns of the block ships. The Germans were then able to move submarines along the channel past the block ships at high tide. The average was maintained until June, when the rate fell to about one submarine per day, to an extent due to a bombardment of Zeebrugge on 9 June. After the damage was repaired, the rate of U-boat traffic did not return to the pre-raid level. Newbolt considered that this was caused by the recall of some U-boats to Germany in June, after reports that operations in the Dover Straits had become too dangerous. The usual remedy of increased destroyer raids was not possible, because of the difficulty in using Zeebrugge as a harbour. Newbolt also wrote that the raid on Zeebrugge was part of an anti-submarine campaign which had lasted for five months, using patrols and minefields to close the Straits and which continued despite the most destructive sortie achieved by the Germans during the war. The campaign inflicted a steady attrition of the Flanders U-boats and the attack on Zeebrugge came when the German blockade of Britain was supposed to have reduced drastically the resources and endurance of the British empire. News of the raid was skllfully exploited to raise Allied morale and to foreshadow victory Possunt quia posse videntur ("They can because they think they can"). Bacon wrote in 1931 that the operational failures were due in part to the recently appointed Keyes (an Admiralty man) changing the plans made by Bacon, a seagoing commander with intimate knowledge of the tidal and navigational conditions in the Ostend and Zeebrugge areas.

                                          Casualties

                                          The Zeebrugge Raid was promoted by Allied propaganda as a British victory and resulted in the awarding of eight Victoria Crosses. Of the 1,700 men involved in the operation, Wise recorded 300 were wounded and more than 200 killed. Kendall gave figures of 227 dead and 356 wounded. One destroyer was sunk. Among the dead was Wing Commander Frank Arthur Brock, the man who devised and commanded the operation of the smoke screen. Some of the casualties were buried in England, either because they died of their wounds en route or because their comrades had recovered their bodies with the intention of repatriating their remains. Two men were buried in the Hamilton Road Cemetery, Deal, Kent. At least nine men were buried in the St. James's Cemetery, Dover. German casualties were eight dead and sixteen wounded.

                                          Commemoration

                                          On 23 April 1964, some of the 46 survivors of the raid, families, the mayor of Deal and a large Royal Marines Honour Guard held a service of commemoration for their fallen comrades at the Royal Marines Barracks in Deal. A tree was planted near the officers' quarters in remembrance. A message from Winston Churchill to the ex-servicemen was read to those assembled and the event was reported in The Deal, Walmer and Sandwich Mercury newspaper on 23 and 30 April 1964. In Dover there are two memorials, the Zeebrugge Bell with memorial plaque in the Town Hall, given to Dover by the King of the Belgians in 1918 and the Zeebrugge Memorial in St James's Cemetery, where a regular memorial service is held.

                                          John Doran


                                          23rd Apr 1918 Cleaning up  Cleaning up continued and general training was carried near the billets by 6th West Riding Regt. The only casualty was 265750 Private F. J. Kaye (Killed accidentally).

                                          23rd Apr 1918   BETWEEN VIEUX BERQUIN & GD SEC BOIS

                                          Indiscriminate shelling. Orders received that the strong point of PETIT SEC BOIS must be held at all costs even if surrounded. Present distribution of Battalion, D Coy with 1 Coy No 4 L. Gun Battalion Tank Corps in front line. A & B Coy’s from E.9.d.1.0. to Brigade northern boundary in support. Reserve C Coy in E.8. A good deal of aeroplane bombing on STRAZEELE STATION and neighbourhood of front line also Gd Pt SEC BOIS and back areas. Patrol of 1 Cpl and 5 men went out to inspect houses in E.11.d were unable to find any enemy there.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          24th Apr 1918 Gas Bombs  6th Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment engaged in Company and Specialist training in the vicinity of the billets. During the night, many bombs were dropped by hostile planes and the enemy shelled the town of Poperinghe, at intervals. One gas bomb fell on the Quartermaster's stores, slightly wounding one man. Several others, however, suffered rather badly from the effects of the gas. The only recorded casualty was 266658 Private R. Holdsworth (Wounded).

                                          24th Apr 1918   BETWEEN VIEUX BERQUIN & GD SEC BOIS

                                          Usual shelling. Patrol of 1 NCO & 5 men went to same house as that visited last night also other houses in the neighbourhood. They saw 4 Germans come from a haystack and go to a house some distance away where they were joined by another two, whole party then moved off. Patrol were unable to get to them.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          25th Apr 1918 Shelling Continues  The enemy continued the shelling of Poperinghe during the morning and, at 9am., a shell fell in the stables, killing two grooms and severely wounding five others. Two horses were hit and had to be destroyed. Orders were received at 10.15am by the 6th West Ridings to move to Ouderdum, where the Brigade would be placed at the disposal ox IX Division. The Battalion embussed on the Poperinghe to Busseboom road and reached Ouderdum at about 12.15pm.

                                          On arrival, orders were received for the 1/7th. D. of W. Battalion and ourselves to form a defensive flank on the line of Milky Way and to establish connection between the left of the French troops at Millekruise crosswords and the right of Cheapsie Line at Beaver Corner. The battalion moved off by platoons to Millekruise crossroads to take up positions but orders were received about 3pm. for our line to run from the French left flank at approximately N7d 4.4 to N8d 4.5 (map references). The 1/7th West Riding Battalion was establishing a line from that point to map reference N15b 0.5. 'A' and 'B' Companies immediately set to work and dug in on this line in support of the Black Watch and the French, with 'C' Company in support at map reference N8a 7.8 'D' Company was kept in battalion reserve at map reference N1b 3.3.

                                          At 6.10pm, further orders were received to take over the line occupied by the 4th. Royal Scots (27th. Brigade) and the 8th. Black Watch (26th. Brigade) from N7d 6.6 to N8b 0.2 (map references). This was carried out by 'A' and 'B' Companies, 'C' and 'D' Companies 6th West Ridings in their original positions.

                                          Word was received at 8.40pm that the Royal Flying Corp had established that French troops were on Kemmel Hill and in Kemmel village. Lieutenant Spencer was sent to get in touch with the French H. Q. at La Clytte but the French authorities could not confirm this report, stating that the nearest French troops were those with whom 'A' Company were in touch on the right.

                                          Casualties of 6th Btn D of W West Riding Regt on this day were 2nd. Lt. G. F. Swaby (Missing), 265234 Acting Lance Sergeant W. Laycock (Wounded), 265236 Private W. Birkby (Wounded), 265480 Private A. Dinsdale (Killed in Action), 265509 Private G. Docksey (Wounded), 265130 Private J. H. Hey (Wounded), 265421 Private H. Leaf (Wounded), 265040 Private W. Moore (Wounded), 265208 Private H. Stansfield (Missing), 265409 Private F. Wardman (Killed in Action).

                                          25th Apr 1918   GD SEC BOIS

                                          Certain amount of shelling. C Coy relieved D Coy. D Coy remained up and with C Coy wired about 150X of front returning to C Coy’s trenches in the morning.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          26th Apr 1918 Counter Attack  At 3am., the 25th. Division and the French on the right of 6th Btn West Riding Regt carried out a counter-attack opposite Kemmell Hill and village and the 1/4th Battalion D of W West Ridings advanced to the forward line in conjunction with this. Owing to the heavy enemy barrage, the French did not get forward and the troops of the 25th. Division and 1/4th. D. of W. Battalion were withdrawn. Some prisoners were taken.

                                          The day passed fairly quietly and wiring was pushed on with during the night. 2nd. Lieutenant Swaby was in charge of a carrying party and inadvertently led his party in front of our line. To ascertain his position, he went forward with his orderly and several shots were heard by the party. Although patrols were sent out, no trace of either 2nd. Lieutenant Swaby or his runner was found (NB. These casualties are actually listed as being on the 25th. by the casualty list printed in May 1918; it is not known which is correct).

                                          Casualties for 6th West Ridings on this day were 265572 Corporal E. Rimmer (Wounded), 242607 Private T. Foster (Wounded), 41152 Private C. Ingram (Killed in Action), 41167 Private J. E. Laing (Wounded), 41203 Private R. Shippey (Wounded at duty).

                                          26th Apr 1918   GD SEC BOIS

                                          Patrol of 1 Officer & 20 OR sent out to try to rush a house which was reported occupied by enemy machine gun at E.11.d.3.4. Barrage was to cooperate but fell too far behind the house which was found to be strongly manned by 3 machine guns and the attack failed. Lt Col LOWE MC relieved Maj INCE MC in the morning. In the evening C Coy dug in and wired a platoon front in the front line between our right and left 11th E YORKS REGT about E.11.c.2.2. and B Coy dug in a platoon post as a northern extension of support line about E.4.c.15.20. C.O. and Coy Commanders of 1st BORDER REGT visited Hd Qtrs to settle relief for night 27/28. A patrol visited house E.11.d.2.4. to secure identification but the enemy was in large numbers.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          27th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          27th to 30th April 1918.

                                          0400. Move to Yellow Line, Headquarters at Border Camp. Working on defences and training till end of month.

                                          Effective strength: 29 Officers, 651 Other Ranks, 35 horses, 22 mules.

                                          Ration strength: 24 Officers, 507 Other Ranks, 35 horses, 22 mules.

                                          War Diaries


                                          27th Apr 1918 Readjustment of the Line  A readjustment of the line was made, with the 7th. Brigade taking over 'A' Company, 6th D. of W. West Riding Regt's front from about map reference N7b 8.5, with 'A' Company, on relief, taking over right company front of the 1/7th. D. of W. Battalion on east of Milky Way with the left post on map reference N8d 9.7. 'B' Company 6th D. of W. West Riding Regt held the front as formerly but were reinforced by a platoon of 'C' Company 6th Btn on the left with three sections in line and two sections in support. 'D' Company 6th D of W was moved forward to support line on right of Milky Way.

                                          Casualties on this day for 6th D. of W. West Riding Regt were 235504 Sergeant R. Durkin (Killed in Action), 267885 Corporal E. Hird (Killed in Action), 263008 Private W. Blundell (Wounded), 267848 Private T. Clarke (Wounded), 266454 Private E. Howarth (Wounded), 265824 Private W. Johnston (Wounded), 26588 Private L. Middleton (Wounded), 17051 Private A. Murray (Wounded), 265376 Private E. Preston (Wounded), 29918 Private S. Rhodes (Killed in Action), 267756 Private W. Smith (Wounded), 241884 Private R. Welsh (Killed in Action), 267841 Private C. W. Wood (Wounded).

                                          27th Apr 1918   GD SEC BOIS

                                          Successful raid of 10th E YORKS REGT on E.23.c. resulting in 24 prisoners and a machine gun. Ground between Regimental Aid Post (GRAND SEC BOIS) and Battalion HQ heavily shelled with 5.9 intermittently between noon and 4.0pm. Inter Coy relief of TANK BATTALION in evening. Relieved by 1st BORDER REGT. Very long and late relief. Relief started 9.30pm. Complete 3.30am.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          28th Apr 1918 Heavy Bomardment  It was quiet all day. At about 7.30pm., the front line was very heavily bombarded from La Clytte to Ypres; the bombardment lasted for about two hours. There was no infantry attack and our casualties were light. 6th D. of W. West Riding Regt Battalion H. Q. was established in a dug-out at map reference N2c 0.3.

                                          Casualties on this day for 6th D. of W. West Riding Regt were 265692 Corporal W. R. Armstrong (Wounded), 265003 Lance Corporal J. Churchman (Wounded), 25498 Private N. Bateson (Wounded), 266925 Private C. Dove (Killed in Action), 266241 Private A. Jones (Wounded), 268523 Private J. Lawson (Killed in Action), 23301 Private J. H. Smith (Wounded), 29905 Private M. Thompson (Killed in Action), 204590 Private A. Wilson (Killed in Action).

                                          28th Apr 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          Sunday. Cleaning up. Coy’s ay disposal of Coy Cmdrs. Battalion at 1 hrs notice to move.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          29th April 1918   HMS Aberdare was launched on the 29th of April 1918, a twin-screw minesweeper of the Hunt class.

                                          29th Apr 1918 Terrific Bombardment  At 3am., the enemy opened a terrific bombardment on the front line and back areas. The bombardment on the front line was continued until 7am., when the enemy attacked in great force along the whole front of the 25th., 49th. and 21st. Divisions. Everywhere he was completely repulsed and enormous casualties inflicted on him. The bombardment of the back areas continued until almost 10am. and was of great intensity, many gas shells being used.

                                          Captain B. G. Buxton MC, 6th D of W West Riding Regt was wounded, but battalion casualties altogether were exceptionally light. The remainder of the day was comparatively quiet.

                                          Casualties on this day for 6th D of W West Riding Regt were: Captain B. G. Buxton (Wounded), 265413 Company Sergeant Major T. W. Limmer (Wounded), 527782 Corporal C. H. Brown R. A. M. C. (Killed in Action), 266239 Corporal C. Horner (Killed in Action), 268056 Corporal E. Joynes (Killed in Action), 267889 Lance Corporal J. Smith (Wounded), 268398 Private S. Archer (Killed in Action), 205267 Private R. H. Armitage (Wounded), 267484 Private N. Birkenshaw (Wounded), 267485 Private A. Brannan (Wounded), 201878 Private H. Briggs (Wounded(, 266160 Private C. Brown (Wounded), 266840 Private J. T. Butterworth (Killed in Action), 267460 Private A. E. Cartwright (Wounded), 13713 Private J. Dinsdale (Wounded), 267981 Private H. French (Wounded), 300129 Private L. Gallon (Killed in Action), 242719 Private S. Garland (Wounded), 267864 Private W. Haigh (Wounded), 26144 Private R. A. Hallett (Wounded), 267516 Private W. R. Hirst (Wounded), 29958 Private M. Hodgson (Wounded), 24039 Private E. W. Hollis (Wounded), 26570 Private H. Jackson (Killed in Action), 267779 Private A. Lancaster (Wounded), 29444 Private J. H. Lunt (Wounded), 201488 Private W. Mitchell (Wounded), 10851 Private W. Pickersgill (Wounded), 265145 Private F. A. Pickles (Wounded), 265528 Private G. Proctor (Killed in Action), 41197 Private R. Riddell (Killed in Action), 242206 Private H. Robinson (Wounded), 29807 Private J. W. Stringer (Wounded), 41143 Private J. Teaster (Wounded), 24356 Private A. Walters (Wounded), 265114 Private W. Watson (Wounded).

                                          29th Apr 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          A & B Coy’s 300 men working on defences in D.21.22. & 23. C & D Coy’s training. 6 reinforcements (Officers) arrived.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          30th Apr 1918 Counter attack  Word was received by 6th Btn D of W West Riding Regt at 2.45am. that the French 89th. Division on our right would counter-attack with a view to reaching Pompier Farm and that the 75th. Brigade would conform by occupying road at map reference N14a 5.0 to N14b 4.7, The 75th. Brigade reached their objective but were withdrawn owing to the French again failing to get forward.

                                          At 7pm., particulars of an operation to be carried out by the 7th. Brigade and French Division were received, with orders for the 6th Battalion D of W to establish a line of posts from map references N14b 6.7 to N9c to connect up with 7th. Brigade on the right and 1/7th. D. of W. Battalion on the left.

                                          Zero Hour was to be at 8pm. and therefore arrangements had to be hurriedly made. 'C' Company 6th D of W was detailed to carry out the operation with the Support platoon. This platoon moved forward with Lieutenant Willink and 2nd. Lieutenant Huffam at about 7.50pm. The barrage on the 7th. Brigade and French front brought considerable retaliation but the objective was reached with few casualties and the line was established. Touch could not, however, be got with the troops on the right and it was found that, although they had also reached their objectives, the French troops had failed to get forward and the troops of the 7th. Brigade had been withdrawn. Orders were therefore issued at about 10.45pm to 'C' Company 6th D of W to withdraw to their original position.

                                          Casualties on this day for 6th D of W West Riding Regt were: 23930 Sergeant E. Stead (Killed in Action), 203848 Lance Sergeant H. Shaw (Killed in Action), 265178 Corporal W. Gibson (Killed in Action), 242252 Corporal J. W. Lewis (Killed in Action), 13120 Corporal L. S. Mitchell (Wounded), 266368 Lance Corporal H. Crossley (Wounded), 265237 Lance Corporal G. E. Hook (Wounded), 265226 Lance Corporal R. S. Long (Wounded), 266616 Private J. Fuller (Wounded), 29472 Private H. Garnett (Wounded), 242861 Private S. Garnett (Wounded), 267507 Private J. E. Glenton (Wounded at Duty), 26547 Private E. T. Grisdale (Killed in Action), 265701 Private T. Hackston (Killed in Action), 267541 Private W. Haigh (Killed in Action), 26555 Private H. Hainsworth (Wounded at Duty), 31739 Private A. Hallsor (Wounded), 41157 Private W. B. Kent (Wounded), 266742 Private J. H. McCarthy (Wounded), 267580 Private H. Pickles (Killed in Action), 13727 Private J. Tuddenham (Killed in Action)267593 Private A. Whiteley (Wounded), 26654 Private H. Wilks (Wounded at Duty).

                                          30th Apr 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          C & D Coy’s 300 men working on defences in D.21.22.& 23. A & B Coy’s training.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          14th May 1918 HMS Phoenix  Name HMS Phoenix, Type Destroyer, Country British
                                          GRT 765 tons, Built 1911, Builder Vickers, Birkenhead
                                          Operator Royal Navy.

                                          History

                                          14 May 1918 Sunk when torpedoed in the Straits of Otranto,(40.22N, 19.08E) by the Austrian Submarine k.u.k. U27 (Josef Holub). 2 casualties.

                                          John Doran


                                          1st May 1918 Ypres and St Jan Capel Sector  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                          On the 1st of May the Battalion was located as follows: HQ and No.3 Company at Caribou Camp. Nos. 1 and 2 Companies at Some Camp.

                                          The whole of May was taken up with preparations to resist further German advances so defence works in considerable depth were commenced. This involved dismantling what were previously rest camps in rear areas but now part of the battle zone, and storing materials for use elsewhere. So No.1 Company continued defence work around Brielen while No.2 Company were dismantling huts at Siege Camp and No. 3 Company was repairing Rum and Allen tracks from Canal Bank to the Vlamintinghe- Elverdinghe Line as well as dismantling huts at Siege Junction. From 16th to 18th May No.3 Company was engaged in wiring near Siege Camp. On the 19th it went back to Rum and Allen tracks to strengthen bridges for artillery to cross also a platoon to dismantle huts near Canal Bank north of Ypres. On the 28th May No. 2 Company started work on a new defence line for Vlamertinghe to Elverdinghe as well as helping No. 3 Company. The month ended with the companies still on these tasks. Training was also carried out on Lewis gun, Signalling and Wiring with some courses attended at Army and Corps Training Schools. Battalion Strength: 1st May Officers 33 ORs 943 31st May Officers 34 ORs 1030 Casualties None Reported.

                                          The Terrors by SN White


                                          1st May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Sheet 28 NW E.6.b, 1/20,000. Yellow Line.

                                          Working on defences and training specialists during day. Line manned by skeleton forces by night.

                                          • Dispositions:
                                          • Two Corps in line, one support and one reserve.
                                          • Right boundary Dirty Bucket Corner,
                                          • left Alexandra Farm.
                                          • Flanking units:
                                          • right 12 Royal Irish Rifles.
                                          • left Belgian Cyclist Battalion.

                                          War Diaries


                                          1st May 1918 Actions during 1918  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

                                          1918.

                                          The division was out of the front line in 1918 until the 1st May. From that date until the 4th November it held the extreme right of the German line.

                                          Allied Intelligence 1918 Value Estimate.

                                          The division was rated as fourth class. Until the last month of the war its front was quiet.

                                          Historical Records


                                          1st May 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          A & B Coy’s provide working parties (300 OR) digging on defences at D.21. D.22. and D.23. C & D Coy’s training.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          2nd May 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          C & D Coy’s working parties as for A & B Coy’s yesterday. A & B Coy’s training.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          3rd May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers team beat Belgian team at football by four goals to nil.

                                          War Diaries


                                          3rd May 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          As for the 1st. Very hot. A & B Coy’s working.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          4th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          1700. Moved to Green Line, in relief of 12 Royal Irish Rifles.

                                          War Diaries


                                          4th May 1918   SM u-122

                                          Type UE 2 Shipyard Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (Werk 299) Ordered 27 May 1916 Launched 9 Dec 1917 Commissioned 4 May 1918

                                          Commanders.
                                          4 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Alfred Korte

                                          Career 1 patrols.
                                          start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 I Flotilla

                                          Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 278 tons.
                                          18 Oct 1918 U 122 Alfred Korte Njordur 278 is

                                          Fate 26 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Ran aground on the English east coast while on passage to surrender. Broken up.

                                          There was another U 122 in World War Two.
                                          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 20 Dec 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 30 Mar 1940.

                                          John Doran


                                          4th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          As for the 2nd. C & D Coy’s working.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          5th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Defences worked on by day and manned by night. Brigade specialist classes commenced at transport lines, International Corner.

                                          • Effective strength: 32 Officers, 673 Other Ranks, 35 horses and 20 mules.
                                          • Ration strength: 27 Officers, 530 Other Ranks, 39 horses and 20 mules.
                                          Dispositions: Four Companies in line, Middlesex Battalion on right Belgian Battalion on left."

                                          War Diaries


                                          5th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          Sunday. Church parades. A & B Coy’s working.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          6th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          C & D Coy’s working. A & B Coy’s training. In the afternoon Maj General BRIDGEFORD gave a farewell speech to the 93rd Brigade saying that we were to be broken up.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          7th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          Working parties cancelled owing to very heavy rain fall. Whole Battalion training in the afternoon.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          8th May 1918   SM U-118

                                          Type UE 2 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 92) Ordered 27 May 1916 Launched 23 Feb 1918 Commissioned 8 May 1918

                                          Commanders.
                                          8 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Herbert Stohwasser

                                          Career 1 patrols.
                                          start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 I Flotilla

                                          Successes 2 ships sunk with a total of 10,439 tons.

                                          • 16 Sep 1918 U 118 Herbert Stohwasser Wellington 5,600 br
                                          • 2 Oct 1918 U 118 Herbert Stohwasser Arca 4,839 br

                                          Fate 23 Feb 1919 - Surrendered. To have been transferred to France, but the tow parted and she went aground off Hastings on April 15, 1919. Broken up .

                                          There was another U 118 in World War Two.
                                          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 23 Sep 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 6 Dec 1941.

                                          John Doran


                                          8th May 1918 Naval Action - 8th May 1918  The Action of 8 May 1918 was a small naval engagement which occurred off Algiers, North Africa during World War I. In the action, an American armed yacht and a British destroyer encountered the German U-boat UB-70. Initially, the engagement was thought to be inconclusive, but later on the allied warships were credited with sinking the German submarine.

                                          On 16 April, the German U-boat UB-70—under Kapitänleutnant Johannes Remy—left her home port in Germany for the Mediterranean Sea at the end of World War I. Her mission was to conduct unrestricted submarine warfare operations against allied supply lanes, primarily against Italian merchantmen. Little is known about the disappearance of UB-70 except that she was in operation against an allied supply convoy somewhere near Algiers, Algeria. At about 1700 on 8 May 1918, the American armed yacht USS Lydonia, under Richard P. McCullough, and the British destroyer HMS Basilisk were protecting a convoy from Bizerte to Gibraltar. They encountered UB-70 lining up for a shot at the British merchant ship SS Ingleside. The Central Powers submarine fired torpedoes and at least one hit the civil vessel. Ingleside burst into flames and immediately began to sink. The merchant ship was manned by an unknown number of crew, some of whom were killed or wounded, and some went down with the ship. The survivors waited for rescue on deck of their sinking ship or in the water. Ingleside went down and by 1735 the protecting allied warships spotted the submarine. According to post-war accounts, either USS Lydonia or HMS Basilisk rammed the U-boat when it began to submerge and flee. A running battle ensued for fifteen minutes. The allied warships were coordinated and together dropped several well placed depth charges on the fleeing enemy submarine until a slight oil slick began to emerge.

                                          Aftermath

                                          After assuming they had sunk the enemy U-boat, Lydonia and Basilisk proceeded hastily to the wreck of Ingleside. The British and American vessels rescued some survivors and took them to a friendly port, probably Algiers. At first the incident was listed as an inconclusive contact, but after the war the authorities realized that UB-70 had not been heard from for months, and the American and British vessels received honours for their victory. The action off Africa became one of the few confirmed sinkings of a German U-boat by an American vessel during their shorter participation in the naval war. UB-70 was also the only vessel known to have been sunk by an American vessel in Mediterranean waters during the conflict.

                                          John Doran


                                          8th May 1918 13th Londons near Arras  The 13th Battalion London Regiment are around Neuville Vitasse, outside Arras.

                                          8th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          A & B Coy’s working. C & D Coy’s training.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          9th May 1918 252 Special Duties Flight RFC formed  252 Special Duties Flight RFC was formed at RFC Seaton Carew II, equipped with the Blackburn Kangaroo.

                                          9th May 1918 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  By the middle of March the Gotha squadron was once again ready to attack England, but was required to support the Spring Offensive which started on 21 March, being used to bomb Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne as well as troop concentrations and railways behind the allied lines. On 9 May Rfa 501 suffered a catastrophic blow when four aircraft attempted to bomb Dover. High winds caused them to be recalled when over the Channel, by which time fog had covered their base. Only one landed safely: the crew of a second survived a crash in which the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and the remaining two both crashed with the loss of all but one member of each crew.

                                          John Doran


                                          9th May 1918 Second Ostend Raid 1918  The Second Ostend Raid (officially known as Operation VS) was launched by the Royal Navy on the 9th May 1918 to block the channels leading to the Belgian port of Ostend during World War I. The German Navy had used the port since 1915 as a base for their U-boat activities during the battle of the Atlantic and the strategic advantages of the Belgian ports were very important. A successful blockade would force German submarines to operate out of more distant ports, such as Wilhelmshaven, on the German coast. This would expose them for longer to Allied countermeasures and reduce the time they could spend raiding. The ports of Ostend and Zeebrugge (partially blocked in the Raid three weeks before) provided access via canals for the major inland port of Bruges, used as a base for small warships and submarines. Situated over 6 miles inland, it was immune to most naval artillery fire and coastal raids, providing a safe harbour for training and repair. The Ostend Raid was largely a failure as a result of heavy German resistance and British navigational difficulties in poor weather. In anticipation of a raid, the Germans had removed the navigation buoys and without them the British had difficulty finding the narrow channel into the harbour. When they did discover the entrance, German resistance proved too strong for the operation to be completed as originally planned. The obsolete cruiser HMS Vindictive was sunk, but only partially blocked the channel. Despite its failure, the raid was presented in Britain as a courageous and daring gamble which came very close to success. Three Victoria Crosses and numerous other gallantry medals were awarded to sailors who participated in the operation. British forces had moderate casualties in the raid, compared to minimal German losses.

                                          Bruges

                                          After the German Army captured much of Belgium following the battle of the Frontiers in 1914, the Allied forces were left holding a thin strip of coastline to the west of the Yser. The remainder of the Belgian coast came under the occupation of German Marine Divisions, including the important strategic ports of Antwerp and Bruges. Whilst Antwerp was a deep water port vulnerable to British attack from the sea, Bruges, sitting 6 miles inland, was comparatively safe from naval bombardment or coastal raids. A network of canals connected Bruges with the coast at Ostend and Zeebrugge, through which small warships could travel and find a safe harbour from which to launch raids into the English Channel. U-boats could also depart from Bruges at night, cutting a day off the journey to the Western Approaches, more easily avoiding the North Sea Mine Barrage and allowing U-boat captains to gain familiarity with the net and mine defences of the English Channel, through which they had to pass to reach the main battlegrounds of the Atlantic. In 1915,1916, the German Navy had developed Bruges into a major naval centre with large concrete bunkers to shelter U-boats, extensive barracks and training facilities for U-boat crews, and similar facilities for other classes of raiding warship. Bruges was therefore a vital asset in the German Navy's increasingly desperate struggle to prevent Britain from receiving food and material from the rest of the world. The significance of Bruges was not lost on British naval planners and two previous attempts to close the exit at Ostend, the smaller and narrower of the Bruges canals, had ended in failure. On 7 September 1915, four Lord Clive-class monitors of the Dover Patrol had bombarded the dockyard, while German coastal artillery returned fire. Only 14 rounds were fired by the British with the result that only part of the dockyard was set on fire. In a bombardment on 22 September 1917, the lock gates were hit causing the basin to drain at low water. Two years passed before the next attempt on the Ostend locks. The First Ostend Raid was conducted in tandem with the similar Zeebrugge Raid led by Acting Vice-Admiral Roger Keyes on 23 April 1918 - a large scale operation to block the wider canal at Zeebrugge. Both attacks largely failed, but while at Zeebrugge the operation came so close to success that it took several months for the British authorities to realise that it had been unsuccessful, at Ostend the attack had ended catastrophically. Both blockships intended to close off the canal had grounded over half a mile from their intended location and been scuttled by their crews under heavy artillery and long-range small arms fire, which caused severe casualties. Thus while Zeebrugge seemed to be blocked entirely, Ostend was open wide, nullifying any success which might have been achieved at the other port.

                                          Planning

                                          As British forces on the southeast coast of Britain regrouped following heavy losses at Zeebrugge, Keyes planned a return to Ostend in the hope of closing the harbour and trapping the 18 U-boats and 25 destroyers present for months to come. Volunteers from amongst the force which had failed in April aided the planning with advice based on bitter experience. Among these volunteers were Lieutenant-Commander Henry Hardy of HMS Sirius, Commander Alfred Godsal, former captain of HMS Brilliant, and Brilliant's first lieutenant Victor Crutchley. These officers approached Commodore Hubert Lynes and Admiral Roger Keyes with a refined plan for a second attempt to block the port. Other officers came forward to participate as well and Keyes and Lynes devised an operational plan to attack the canal mouth at Ostend once more. Two obsolete cruisers—the aged HMS Sappho and the battered veteran of Zeebrugge, HMS Vindictive—were fitted out for the operation. The ships' forward ballast tanks were filled with concrete to both protect their bows during the attack, and act as a more lasting obstacle once sunk. Vindictive was commanded by Godsal. Her six officers and 48 crew were all volunteer veterans of the previous failed attempt by Brilliant. The two sacrificial cruisers were, as with the previous attack, accompanied by four heavy monitors under Keyes' command, eight destroyers under Lynes in HMS Faulknor and five motor launches. Like the blockships, the launches were all crewed by volunteers; mostly veterans of previous operations against the Belgian ports. The plan was similar to the failed operation of three weeks previously. Weather dependent, under cover of a smoke screen, aerial bombardment and offshore artillery, the blockships would steam directly into the channel, turn sideways and scuttle themselves. Their advance would be covered by artillery fire against German shore positions from the heavy monitors at distance and at closer range by gunfire from the destroyers. This cover was vital because Ostend was protected by a very strong 11 inch gun position known as the Tirpitz battery. Once the operation had been concluded, the motor launches would draw along the seaward side of the blockships, remove the surviving crews and take them to the monitors for passage back to Britain. This operation was to thoroughly block the channel and,coupled with the blockage at Zeebrugge (which the British authorities believed to be fully closed), was to prevent use of Bruges.

                                          Attack on Ostend

                                          All preparations for the operation were completed by the first week of May and on 9 May the weather was nearly perfect for the attack. The British armada had collected at Dunkirk in Allied-held France and departed shortly after dark. Two minutes after midnight, the force suffered a setback when Sappho suffered a minor boiler explosion and had to return to Dunkirk. Although this accident halved the ability of the force to block Ostend, Lynes decided to continue the operation and, at 0130, the force closed on the port. Torpedoes fired from motor launches demolished machine gun posts on the ends of the piers marking the canal, beginning the attack. Ten heavy bombers of the newly formed Royal Air Force then dropped incendiary bombs on German positions, but did not cause significant damage. In spite of the fog, air operations continued as planned under the overall direction of Brigadier-General Charles Lambe. Simultaneously the long range artillery of the Royal Marines opened fire on Ostend from Allied positions around the Belgian town of Ypres. "The star-shells paled and were lost as they sank in it; the beams of the searchlights seemed to break off short upon its front. It blinded the observers of the great batteries when suddenly, upon the warning of the explosions, the guns roared into action. It was then that those on the destroyers became aware that a sea-fog had come on." British Admiralty Statement on the Ostend Raid.

                                          In preparation for the attack, Godsal and Lynes had carefully consulted available charts of Ostend following the previous operation's failure caused by German repositioning of navigation buoys. This careful study was, however, rendered worthless by a sudden fog which obliterated all sight of the shore. Steaming back and forth across the harbour entrance in the fog, as the monitors and German shore batteries engaged in a long range artillery duel over the lost cruiser, Godsal looked for the piers marking the entrance to the canal. As he searched, two German torpedo boats sailed from Ostend to intercept the cruiser, but in the heavy fog they collided and, disabled, limped back to shore. During this period, Godsal's motor launches lost track of the cruiser in the murk and it was not until the third pass that Vindictive found the entrance, accompanied by only one of the launches. Heading straight into the mouth of the canal, guided by a flare dropped by the launch, Vindictive became an instant target for the German batteries and was badly damaged. The shellfire exacerbated damage suffered in the earlier Zeebrugge Raid and seriously damaged Vindictive's port propeller. Alfred Godsal intended to swing Vindictive broadside on into the channel mouth, but as he ordered the turn, the right screw broke down completely, preventing the cruiser from fully turning. Before this was realised on the cruiser's bridge, a shell fired from a gun battery on shore struck Commander Godsal directly, killing him instantly and shattering the bridge structure. Most of the bridge crew were killed or wounded by the blast, including First Lieutenant Victor Crutchley, who staggered to the wheel and attempted to force the ship to make the full turn into the channel. The damaged propeller made this manoeuver impossible and the drifting cruiser floated out of the channel and became stuck on a sandbank outside, only partially obscuring the entranceway.

                                          Evacuation of HMS Vindictive

                                          "The engineer, who was the last to leave the engine-room, blew the main charges by the switch installed aft. Those on board felt the old ship shrug as the explosive tore the bottom plates and the bulkheads from her. She sank about six feet and lay upon the bottom of the channel. Her work was done." British Admiralty Statement on the Ostend Raid. Realising that further manoeuvring would be pointless, Crutchley ordered the charges to be blown and the ship evacuated. As Engineer-Lieutenant William Bury prepared to detonate the scuttling charges, Crutchley took a survey of the ship and ordered all survivors to take to the boats on the seaward side of the wreck. As men scrambled down the ship's flank away from the shells and machine-gun bullets spitting from the harbour entrance, Crutchley made a final survey with an electric torch looking for wounded men amongst the dead on the decks. Satisfied that none alive remained aboard, he too leapt onto the deck of a motor launch bobbing below. The rescue mission itself, however, was not going as planned. Of the five motor launches attached to the expedition, only one had remained with the cruiser in the fog - ML254 commanded by Lieutenant Geoffrey Drummond. The launch—like the cruiser—was riddled with bullets; her commander was wounded and her executive officer dead. Despite her sheltered position behind the cruiser, fire from shore continued to enfilade the launch and a number of those aboard, including Lieutenant Bury, suffered broken ankles as they jumped onto the heaving deck. ML254 then began slowly to leave the harbour mouth, carrying 38 survivors of Vindictive's 55 crewmen huddled on deck, where they remained exposed to machine gun fire from the shore. As Drummond turned his boat seawards and proceeded back to the offshore squadron which was still engaged in an artillery duel with the German defenders, one of the missing launches, ML276 passed her, having caught up with the lost cruiser at this late stage. Drummond called to ML276's commander—Lieutenant Rowley Bourke—that he believed there were still men in the water and Bourke immediately entered the harbour to search for them. Drummond's launch proceeded to the rendezvous with the destroyer HMS Warwick, overweighted and sinking, so severe was the damage she had suffered. Hearing cries, Bourke entered the harbour but could not identify the lost men. Despite heavy machine gun and artillery fire, Bourke returned to the scene of the wreck four times before they discovered two sailors and Vindictive's badly wounded navigation officer Sir John Alleyne clinging to an upturned boat. Hauling the men aboard, Bourke turned for the safety of the open sea, but as he did, two 6 in (150 mm) shells struck the launch, smashing the lifeboat and destroying the compressed air tanks. This stalled the engines and caused a wave of highly corrosive acid to wash over the deck, causing severe damage to the launch's hull and almost suffocating the unconscious Alleyne. Under heavy fire, the boat staggered out of the harbour and was taken under tow by another late-arriving motor launch. After the operation, Bourke's launch was discovered to have 55 bullet and shrapnel holes. Offshore, as Warwick's officers, Keyes' staff and the survivors of Vindictive gathered on the destroyer's deck to discuss the operation, an enormous explosion rocked the ship causing her to list severely. Warwick had struck one of the defensive mines off Ostend and was now in danger of sinking herself. The destroyer HMS Velox was lashed alongside and survivors from Warwick, Vindictive and ML254 transferred across to the sound ship. This ragged ensemble did not reach Dover until early the following morning, with Warwick still afloat. British casualties were reported in the immediate aftermath as being eight dead, ten missing and 29 wounded. German losses were three killed and eight wounded.

                                          Aftermath

                                          Despite German claims that the blockage did not impede their operations, the operation to close the Ostend canal seemed to have been at least partially successful. The channel was largely blocked and so Bruges was ostensibly closed off from the open sea, even if the position of the blockship meant that smaller ships could get through. In fact, the entire operation had been rendered moot before it even began, due to events at the wider canal in Zeebrugge. British assessments of that operation had proven optimistic and the channel there had not been properly closed. Small coastal submarines of the UC class had been able to pass through the channel as early as the morning after the Zeebrugge Raid and German naval engineers were able to dredge channels around the blockages at both ports over the coming weeks. At Ostend, Vindictive did prevent larger warships passing through the channel, although smaller craft could still come and go at will. The larger warships in Bruges were trapped there for the remaining months of the war and the town was captured by the Allies in October 1918. The blockages at Ostend and Zeebrugge took several years to clear completely, not being totally removed until 1921. On a strategic scale the effects of the raids at Ostend and Zeebrugge on the battle of the Atlantic were negligible. Despite this, in Britain the Ostend Raid was feted as a success. Three Victoria Crosses and a host of lesser awards were given to the men involved. The Admiralty presented it as a fine example of daring and careful planning from the Royal Navy, providing a valuable morale boost at one of the most critical moments of the war.

                                          John Doran


                                          9th May 1918 SS Baron Ailsa lost  The 279' freighter SS Baron Ailsa of the Kelvin Shipping Company was torpedoed and sunk by SMS UB-72 off the Smalls lighthouse on May 9, 1918. Ten men were killed in the sinking, there were several survivors including the master. Baron Ailsa was the last ship sunk by UB-72, she was sunk three days later by HMS-D-4, most of the crew perished with her.

                                          Baron Ailsa Casualties.

                                          • Black, Daniel Steward
                                          • Hasan, Ali Fireman & Trimmer Indian Merchant Service
                                          • McIntosh, Leonard V. Leading Seaman R.N.V.R.
                                          • Mouat, Thomas Boatswain
                                          • Oliver, Walter H. Wireless Operator
                                          • Osborne, Percy Able Seaman R.N.V.R.
                                          • Robertson, James Mess Room Steward
                                          • Routledge, Colin E. Sailor
                                          • Said, Qaid Fireman & Trimmer Indian Merchant Service
                                          • Somerville, William 3rd Engineer


                                          9th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS

                                          Orders received to relieve 2nd Bn AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY, 1ST AUSTRALIAN Brigade night of 9/10 May. Battalion moved off at 5.45pm to embussing point on WALLON CAPPELL, ST OMER road 1000X W of WALLON CAPPELL. Convoy moved off at about 8.30pm via HAZEBROUK, ST SYLVESTRE CAPPELL to 600X NW of CAESTRE. Brigade debussed. Battalion moved off at 11.30pm via CAESTRE to near FLETRE, met guides and was led into support system lying NW of METEREN relieving 2nd AUSTRALIAN BATTALION.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          10th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          1700. Battalion relieved by 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and moved back to Yellow Line. Billets in (Steentje?) Camp. Headquarters at Fa(?). Work and training continued.

                                          War Diaries


                                          10th May 1918   NEAR METEREN

                                          3.20am. Relief complete. 15th W YORKS right front. 13th YORK & LANCS left front. 18TH DURHAM LI support. On the right of the Brigade a Brigade of AUSTRALIANS, on the left of the Brigade 1st Battalion 160TH INFANTRY REGT. of FRENCH in front, 2nd Battalion of same Regt in support. International posts at junction in front line with the 13th YORK & LANCS, and between 18th DURHAM LI & 1st Bn 160th Regt at X.10.3.5.5. Complete liaison arranged. Disposition of Coy’s D,C,B,A from right to left. HQ at X.2.d.9.4. Quiet relief. Divisional and Brigade Commanders visited the Battalion. Casualties, 2 OR slightly wounded.

                                          9.10pm. Bombardment of French lines, French SOS sent up.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          11th May 1918   NEAR METEREN

                                          Artillery active in the morning otherwise quiet day.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          12th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          • Church Parades in evening.
                                          • Effective strength: 34 Officers, 678 Other Ranks, 33 horses and 21 mules.
                                          • Ration strength: 39 Officers, 609 Other Ranks, 37 horses and 21 mules.
                                          • Increase: Lieutenant E.A Godson (MC), Lieutenant K Morrow (TO).

                                          War Diaries


                                          12th May 1918 Australian Troop Transports  

                                          HMAT A5 Omrah

                                          The HMAT A5 Omrah weighed 8,130 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Orient SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 10 February 1915. The Omrah was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean on the 12th May 1918.

                                          John Doran


                                          12th May 1918   NEAR METEREN

                                          Additional Liaison Post with French established at X.4.c.35.70. Brigade Commander visited the Battalion, also General COLLINGWOOD Commanding 15th Corps Heavy Artillery.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          13th May 1918   NEAR METEREN

                                          Very quiet day.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          14th May 1918   NEAR METEREN

                                          Very quiet, nothing to report.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          15th May 1918   NEAR METEREN

                                          A Coy shelled out of Coy Hd Qtrs billet. Forced to move into trenches.

                                          The National Archives Reference WO05/2361/1


                                          16th May 1918   NEAR FLETRE

                                          Quiet day. War dog practice for Battalion. Hd Qtrs to Bde. Maj DE INCE MC took over command of the Battalion in the trenches from Lt Col LOWE DSO MC. Battalion took over reserve line from 10th E YORKS REGT. Dispositions, D Coy X.1.d.5.2., C Coy X.2.c.0.2., B Coy X.3.c.3.3., A Coy X.3.d.4.9., Hd Qtrs X.1.d.2.2. Battalion to be used solely for counter attack.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          17th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Sheet 28NW E.6.b 1/20,000. Yellow Line.

                                          • 2000. Relieved 2nd Royal Irish Rifles in Brigade Reserve in front
                                          • system Left Brigade Sector.
                                          • Dispositions:
                                          • right front, C Company;
                                          • left front, B Company;
                                          • support, A and D Companies with Headquarters in Canal bank.
                                          • Flanking units:
                                          • right, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers;
                                          • left, Belgian Battalion.

                                          Relief completed about 12 midnight.

                                          Working on defences by night only, to avoid observation. Enemy activity confined to shelling, probably meant for batteries west of canal. One fatal casualty in A Company. Brilliant sunshine and intense heat during six-day tour.

                                          War Diaries


                                          17th May 1918 22nd Northumberlands join 16th Division  On the 17th May 1918 the 22nd Northumberlands were reduced to cadre strength and transferred to the 16th (Irish) Division.

                                          17th May 1918   NEAR FLETER

                                          Order received for relief of 92nd Brigade (to whom we are attached) by 4th GUARD Bde. Order cancelled. At night working parties digging following strong points, A Coy 4 FILS AYMON, B Coy HAUTE PORTE FERME, D Coy PHINC BOOM. C Coy carrying wiring material.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          18th May 1918 Strength  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          • Effective strength: 34 Officers, 935 Other Ranks, 32 horses, 21 mules.
                                          • Ration strength: 27 Officers, 646 Other Ranks, 36 horses, 21 mules.
                                          • Increase: 235 Other Ranks.
                                          • Decrease: 1 horse.

                                          War Diaries


                                          18th May 1918 On the Move  22nd Northumberland Fusiliers return to England.

                                          18th May 1918 Munitionettes' Cup Final replay  The Munitionettes' Cup Final replay between Blyth Spartans' Munition Girls and Bolckow Vaughan's Ladies ended with the Spartans winning 5-0. Bella Reay scored a hat trick with Captain Bella Metcalfe scoring two goals. The team were: Hannah Weir, Lizzie James, Nellie Fairless, Agnes Sample, Martha O'Brien, Bella Metcalfe, Dollie Summers, Annie Allan, Bella Reay, Dollie Allan and Jean Morgan.

                                          The runners up, Bolckow Vaughn were: Emily Milner, Amelia Farrell, Greta Kirk, Violet Sharples, Elizabeth Powell, Mary Mohan, Mercy Page, Winnie McKenna, Gladys Reece, Olive Percival and Anne Wharton

                                          18th May 1918   18th DLI are near Fletre, providing Working parties as for last night. Weather very warm.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          19th May 1918 Gotha Night raids  The last and largest aeroplane raid of the war took place on the night of 19 May 1918, when 38 Gothas and 3 Giants took off against London, but suffered heavy losses. Six Gothas were shot down by interceptors and anti-aircraft fire and a seventh aircraft was lost in a landing accident. The British estimate was that 2,724 lb (1,236 kg) of bombs were dropped, although the German figure was 3,200 pounds (1,500 kg). 49 were killed, 177 injured: damage was £117,317.

                                          After this raid, both Kaghol 3 and Rfa 501 were principally used to support the German Army. Planned raids on London and Paris using a newly developed 1 kg (2.2 lb) magnesium based incendiary bomb were cancelled when the aircraft were at the point of taking off.

                                          John Doran


                                          19th May 1918   NEAR FLETRE

                                          Same working parties. Fairly quiet. Some gas.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          20th May 1918   NEAR FLETRE

                                          Same as yesterday. Quiet. Some shelling around Hd Qtrs.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          21st May 1918 Naval Action - 21st May 1918  The Action of 21 May 1918 was a naval engagement of World War I fought between an American armed yacht and a German submarine in the Atlantic Ocean off Spain.

                                          Background

                                          In May 1918, the Great War had been raging for four years and the Germans were making every attempt possible to sink enemy shipping which fuelled the war in Europe. On 24 May 1918, the fight was still at hand when USS Christabel, under Lieutenant Commander M. B. McCord, sighted a distinctive oil slick while escorting the slow British steamer Danse north from La Pallice to Quiberon Bay. Unknown at the time, a German submarine, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Wilhelm Kisewetter, was nearby. Danse was about 8 miles behind the main convoy of allied merchant ships, making about 7.5 knots with Christabel off her port bow. The North Atlantic was smooth, the weather was clear and there was no wind.

                                          Action

                                          Once the allied convoy was within 2 miles of Île d'Yeu, a well-defined oil slick was sighted between the American warship and the British steamer, off Danse's port bow. Christabel cruised over to the slick for better observation but saw nothing to further indicate a German submarine's presence. The convoy continued for a little while when at 1720 the wake from UC-56 was spotted by the officer-of-the-deck and a lookout, about 600 yds off the port quarter. Christabel was, at this time, about 300 yds from the port bow of Danse. Christabel headed for the wake, making all possible speed, which was around 10.5 knots, whereupon the wake disappeared and a number of oil slicks were seen. The U-boat had apparently submerged. The American commanding officer ordered his ship to follow this oil for as long as possible and at 1724, believing that his ship was just ahead of the submarine, Christabel's crew dropped a depth charge, but nothing resulted although the charge exploded. The action was over for now and the allied vessels continued northward. At 1900, the convoy changed course, following the contour of the Spanish coast, making about 9 knots for almost two hours when Christabel encountered the German U-boat once again. This time at 2052, Christabel was astern, making about 11 knots to catch up with the convoy. The German submarine was sighted by lookouts who witnessed a periscope roughly 200 yds off the starboard beam. Her commander was quickly notified, and Christabel turned toward the U-boat when the periscope disappeared under the water. At 2055, a depth charge was dropped which detonated 10 seconds afterward. A second charge was dropped a few moments later. No secondary explosion was heard after the first charge but after the sound of the second depth charge a third, "very violent", explosion was heard which threw up a large water column close to Christabel's stern. An "enormous" amount of debris from the damaged submarine was seen, mixed in with the water column of the third explosion. Christabel was then ordered to turn and cruised in the vicinity of UC-56's position when she was engaged. The crew of the American armed yacht noticed a quantity of thick, black oil and splintered pieces of wood. There were also very large oil bubbles rising to the surface, no doubt belonging to UC-56. Sometime during the dropping of the depth charges, a number of other charges, which were prepared and live, were shaken lose and Ensign Daniel Augustus Joseph Sullivan reacted quickly by jumping on top of them and securing the charges before they could detonate. Sullivan would later be awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism" in this action.

                                          Aftermath

                                          . Nothing further was heard of this submarine before it surfaced after the engagement. It was not capable of submerging again due to battle damage. On 24 May 1918, the U-boat arrived at Santander, Spain after a dangerous three-day voyage in a severely damaged condition. The crew of UC-56 were interned, the Germans reported to the Spanish authorities that their submarine had been seriously damaged by Christabel and that they had had no choice but to take refuge in a neutral port. It was originally thought that the yacht sank the German submarine so a traditional white star was painted on Christabel's smoke stack which represented a U-boat kill. Although the American ship did not actually sink the German vessel, Christabel was still responsible for protecting her convoy and inflicting serious damage on an enemy submarine which resulted in internment. No Allied vessels were damaged as the German submarine was spotted and attacked before it could line up for an attack. No German casualties were reported.

                                          John Doran


                                          21st May 1918   NEAR METEREN

                                          11pm. Battalion relieved in reserve by 11th E YORKS REGT and took over centre sub sector front line from 10TH E YORKS REGT. Disposition of Coy’s, D Coy right front, C Coy left front, B Coy counter attack Coy, Reserve Coy A Coy, Bn HQ X.2.d.3.4. Lt Col LOWE DSO MC took command of Battalion.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          22nd May 1918   NEAR METEREN

                                          12.30am. Relief complete. Patrols sent out from C & D Coy’s.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          23rd May 1918 Reliefs  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers are in Brigade Reserve, at Canal Bank.

                                          2100. Relieved 12th Royal Irish Rifles, in right sub-sector, front system. Dispositions: right front, A Company; left front, C Company and one Platoon D Company. D Company (three Platoons). Reserve: B Company. Headquarters: Hill Top Farm. Flanking units: Right, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; left, 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Relief passed off satisfactorily. At 2330 the enemy put down a heavy barrage on the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and raided one of their posts. Otherwise the night passed quietly.

                                          War Diaries


                                          23rd May 1918   NEAR METEREN

                                          An officer patrol (fighting) sent out but it was unable to find enemy in trenches raided.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          24th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Ref Special Sheet, St Julien 6B 1/10,000.

                                          Right sector front line. Owing to bad observation the day passed very quietly. During the night our patrols investigated the vicinity of Von Hugel Farm and Cheddar Villa. No signs of enemy were encountered. The night passed unusually quietly, probably owing to a suspected relief.

                                          War Diaries


                                          24th May 1918   NEAR METEREN

                                          The Battalion relieved by 7th SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          25th May 1918 252 Squadron formed  252 Squadron RFC was formed from the War Flight based at RFC Seaton Carew II, consisting of 451 and 452 Flights.

                                          25th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          The day passed quietly. At 0330 and 1630 C.22.e was lightly shelled by 4.5 inch howitzers east sector of our lines at 1115 and were unsuccessfully engaged. Nothing of importance occurred during the day.

                                          War Diaries


                                          25th May 1918   NEAR METEREN

                                          Relief complete 12.20am. Quiet relief. Battalion embussed NW of CAESTRE moving off at about 4am via St SYLVESTRE CAPPELL, CASSELL, ARQUES to HEURINGHEM. Debussed here and marched to CAMPAGNE.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          26th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Our own artillery showed increased activity throughout the day without drawing hostile retaliation. A fighting patrol of two Officers and twelve Other Ranks failed to discover any trace of the enemy between Jasper and Rat Farms.

                                          Enemy machine-guns were lightly active during the night on roads and tracks.

                                          War Diaries


                                          26th May 1918 Australian Troop Transports  

                                          HMAT A55 Kyarra

                                          The HMAT A55 Kyarra weighed 6,953 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the AUSN Co Ltd, London, and manned by Australia officers and crew. The Kyarra was leased by the Commonwealth until 4 January 1918. The Kyarra was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine in the English Channel on the 26th May 1918.

                                          John Doran


                                          26th May 1918   SM U-160

                                          Type U 93 Shipyard Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack Ordered 9 Feb 1917 Launched 27 Feb 1918 Commissioned 26 May 1918

                                          Commanders.
                                          26 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Otto Wiebalck

                                          Career 1 patrols start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                          Successes No successes.

                                          Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to France. Broken up at Cherburg..

                                          There was another U 160 in World War Two.
                                          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 Jul 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 16 Oct 1941.

                                          John Doran


                                          26th May 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                          General cleaning up. Lecture to all Officers, WO’s & NCO’s by Maj General CAMPBELL Commanding 31st Division at RACQUINGHEM.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          27th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          At 0230 hostile bombardment commenced on left of Brigade front and spread north where the enemy attempted to raid the Belgians at 0300 on our left. With the exception of a few shells on Wietje at about 0300, hostile artillery inactive on this front. Our own artillery was active during the day and replied vigorously to enemy bombardment in the morning. A fighting patrol failed to discover traces of the enemy west of Jasper Farm. At 2310 the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers on our left raided an enemy post near C.17.c.45.45, but found the garrison had cleared. Our artillery continued the bombardment till 2340. 6" Stokes Mortar assisted. During the operation a fire was observed in Rat Farm.

                                          Absence of hostile machine-gun fire, artillery retaliation and Verey Lights was marked.

                                          War Diaries


                                          27th May 1918 Australian Troop Transports  

                                          HMAT A66 Uganda

                                          The HMAT A66 Uganda weighed 5,431 tons with an average cruise speed of 10 knots or 18.52 kmph. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 4th December 1916. The Uganda was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine in the Mediterranean on the 27th May 1918.

                                          John Doran


                                          27th May 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                          Cleaning up. Reorganisation.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          28th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Right sub-sector front line Hill Top.

                                          At 0530 hostile artillery shelled the Battalion on our left, apparently in retaliation for the raid. Owing to excellent visibility there was great aerial activity during the morning and many observation balloons were up. The day passed quietly.

                                          War Diaries


                                          28th May 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                          Coy training.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          29th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          The day passed quietly on this front. The Battalion was relieved in the right sub-sector by the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, 107th Infantry Brigade, and on relief moved by light railway to Hospital Farm Camp. In spite of hostile shelling on the entraining point, no casualties were suffered during the relief.

                                          Total casualties during this tour: 3 Other Ranks died of wounds, 2 wounded, 1 self-inflicted, 1 W-(?)-D.

                                          Fighting strength: 34 Officers, 974 Other Ranks.

                                          On relief the 108th Infantry Brigade moved into Divisional Reserve.

                                          War Diaries


                                          29th May 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                          29th 30th 31st May. Ceremonial parades & Coy training.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          30th May 1918 252 Special Duties Flight RFC re-designated  252 Special Duties Flight RFC was re-designated 495 Flight 252 Squadron at RFC Seaton Carew II, flying the Blackburn Kangaroo.

                                          30th May 1918 9th Irish Fusiliers at Hospital Farm  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Hospital Farm. The day was spent in cleaning up etc.

                                          War Diaries


                                          31st May 1918 USS President Lincoln sunk  The USS President Lincoln, the largest U.S. Naval vessel to be lost during the First World War, was torpedoed by the German submarine U-90, at about 9am, twenty minutes later she sank beneath the waves with the loss of twenty-six lives. Once the submarine had left the area, the lifeboats and rafts were lashed together to minimize the chances of further loss of life. During the night the destroyers USS Warrington and USS Smith arrived and took everyone on board, a considerable crowd for two ships of such modest size. Whilst en-route back to France, they encountered U-90 and attacked her with depth charges, but caused no damage. The survivors of USS President Lincoln arrived back at Brest on the 2nd of June.

                                          31st May 1918 Working Parties  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Hospital Farm in Divisional Reserve.

                                          Provided working party of two Companies on Green Line. Two Companies training. The whole Battalion was bathed during the day. Major R.G Kerr MC reported his arrival and assumed duties of Second-in-Command.

                                          War Diaries


                                          June 1918 2nd Northumberlands return to France  2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers return to France to join 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division.

                                          1st June 1918 Recuperation and Training  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                          For the first three days these tasks continued. On the 3rd June 36 Division was placed in II Corps Reserve and the 16th Pioneers moved to the west of Poperinghe. For the Division it was a month of recuperation and training of young replacement soldiers.

                                          The Division had also to provide labour for defensive works consisting of 1/3rd infantry and 2/3rd pioneers. Defence in depth was formidable with 4 lines between Ypres and Poperinghe each six miles apart (Brielen, Green, Yellow and Blue Lines).

                                          The Battalion work and training lists for June 1918.
                                          Date Green Blue Training
                                          5, 8 2 Coy. 1 Coy. 3 Coy.
                                          9 Sunday, no work
                                          10, 12 3 Coy. 3 Coy. 1 and 2 Coys.
                                          13 1 Coy. 2 Coy. 3 Coy.
                                          14, 15 1 and 2 Coys. 3 Coy.
                                          16 Sunday, no work
                                          17, 22 1 and 2 Coys. 3 Coy.
                                          23 Sunday, no work
                                          24, 25 1 and 2 Coys. 3 Coy.
                                          26, 30 1 and 3 Coys. 2 Coy.
                                          1, 2 July 1 and 3 Coys. 2 Coy.

                                          Green line was already well advanced hence little work needed in June. A lot of this was breastwork (sandbags or earthworks) due to the high water table with the nearby waterways.

                                          Blue line needed a lot more work with beehive shelters and clearing a 300 yard field of fire area in front together with wiring. Training carried out was infantry training of all types with emphasis on Lewis gun and musketry. Battalion Statistics 1 June Officers 32 ORs 1034 30 June Officers 32 ORs 1087 Casualties one unexplained OR casualty as no contact with enemy reported.

                                          The Terrors by SN White


                                          1st June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Ref sheet, local sheet, 27 NE 3A 1/20000. Hospital Farm.

                                          Divisional Reserve.

                                          Specialists classes for Lewis Gunners, Signallers and Section leaders with remainder of Battalion working on Green Line from 0600 to 1200 under Royal Engineers. The afternoon and evening spent in recreation.

                                          War Diaries


                                          1st June 1918 North Sea Mine Barrage 1918  The North Sea Mine Barrage, also known as the Northern Barrage, was a large minefield laid easterly from the Orkneys to Norway by the United States Navy (assisted by the Royal Navy) during World War I. The objective was to inhibit the movement of U-boats from bases in Germany to the Atlantic shipping lanes bringing supplies to the British Isles. Rear Admiral Lewis Clinton-Baker, commanding the Royal Navy minelaying force at the time, described the barrage as the "biggest mine planting stunt in the world's history."

                                          The idea of a mine barrage across the North Sea was first proposed in the summer of 1916 by Admiral Reginald Bacon and was agreed at the Allied Naval Conference on 5 September 1917. The Royal Navy and, in particular Admiral Beatty as Commander in Chief of the Grand Fleet, was skeptical about the value of the operation and did not feel it justified the large logistical and manufacturing commitment required. A minefield across the North Sea would require mining water 900 feet deep while no previous minefield had been established in waters more than 300 ft deep. A minefield across the North Sea had been estimated to require 400,000 conventional anchored mines. An "antenna" mine developed in July 1917 was effective at the assumed maximum submarine depth of 200 ft and 100,000 of these new Mk 6 mines would be adequate to form the North Sea mine barrage. The United States was altogether more enthusiastic about the operation as the loss of trans-Atlantic shipping was a major domestic concern. This plan allowed the United States to play an active part in tackling this while playing to their industrial strength and with minimal risk of American casualties. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt appealed directly to President Woodrow Wilson to overcome opposition to the project from Vice Admiral William Sims, who commanded all United States naval forces in Europe. The U.S. Navy tendered an order for the Mk 6 mines in October 1917 with 80,000,000 ft of steel wire rope required to moor the mines to the seabed. Project spending of $40 million was shared among 140 manufacturing contractors and over 400 sub-contractors. All mine components other than wire rope, explosives, and detonating circuitry were manufactured by Detroit automobile firms. Eight civilian steamships were converted to minelayers and another 24 mine carrying freighters, sailing at a rate of two or three per week, were required to transport manufactured mine components to assembly depots in Scotland.

                                          Objectives

                                          The objective was to prevent U-boats from operating in the North Atlantic and preying on trans-Atlantic shipping. A similar barrage had already been placed across the English Channel, which had resulted in U-boats diverting north around Scotland. The North Sea Mine Barrage was intended to close this alternative route and it also made it hard for the U-boats to get supplies.

                                          Success of the barrage

                                          Supply problems and technical difficulties caused some delays but laying got under way in June 1918 and continued over the next five months. Planned additional minelaying excursions to complete the barrage were cancelled when the approaching end of hostilities was recognized upon completion of the thirteenth minelaying excursion on 26 October 1918. The design of the minefield meant there was a theoretical 66% chance of a surfaced U-boat triggering a mine and a 33% chance for a submerged U-boat. On the basis of the number of effective mines observed while sweeping the barrage, the actual odds were assessed at being closer to 20% for a surfaced U-boat and 10% for a submerged one. As the final mines were laid only a matter of days before the end of World War I, it is impossible to assess the success of the plan. Some contend the minefield was a major cause of the declining morale of the Imperial German Navy through the final months of the war, while others suggest Germany easily swept safe channels through the large, unguarded minefield. The official statistics on lost German submarines compiled on 1 March 1919 credited the North Sea mine barrage with the certain destruction of four U-boats, probable destruction of two more, and possible destruction of another two.

                                          • Possible losses in minefields.
                                          • 19 August 1918 SM UB-12 unknown - possibly sunk by the North Sea mine barrage
                                          • 9 September 1918 SM U-92 presumed sunk by the North Sea mine barrage area B (confirmed in 2007)
                                          • 9 September 1918 SM UB-127 sunk by the North Sea mine barrage area B
                                          • 25 September 1918 SM U-156 sunk by the North Sea mine barrage area A
                                          • September 1918 SM U-102 presumed sunk by the North Sea mine barrage area B (confirmed in 2006)
                                          • 19 September 1918 SM UB-104 sunk by the North Sea mine barrage area B
                                          • 20 September 1918 SM UB-113 unknown - possibly sunk by the North Sea mine barrage
                                          • 18 October 1918 SM UB-123 sunk by the North Sea mine barrage area A

                                          Eight more boats were known to have been damaged by the mines and some Admiralty personnel assumed the field might be responsible for five more U-boats which disappeared without explanation.

                                          Cleanup

                                          United States participation in the minesweeping effort was overseen by Rear Admiral Strauss aboard the repair ship Blackhawk from which he had commanded the minelaying operation. Tugs Patapsco and Patuxent towed Admiralty wooden sailing smacks Red Rose and Red Fern out to conduct the first trial sweep in December. Sweeping was accomplished by suspending a serrated wire between two ships on a parallel course. While held underwater by planing devices called "kites", the wire would foul the cables suspending the buoyant mines above their anchors. If the serrated wire parted the mine mooring cable, the mine would bob to the surface to be destroyed by gunfire. The smacks swept and destroyed six mines before winter weather halted further work at sea. The winter was spent testing an electrical protective device to reduce the risk of sweeping the antenna mines with steel-hulled ships. Patapsco and Patuxent tested the protective device by sweeping 39 mines in March. Royal Navy minesweeping efforts involved 421 vessels manned by 600 officers and 15,000 men from 1 April to 30 November 1919. Twelve Lapwing class minesweepers and 18 submarine chasers were available for the first routine sweep of the United States minesweepers on 29 April 1919. After the first sweep took two days to clear 221 mines, Strauss requested more ships in the hope of clearing the mine barrage that summer. Twenty Admiralty trawlers with American crews, 16 more Lapwing class minesweepers, and another repair ship Panther were assigned to his command. Common difficulties with the sweeping procedure involved mine cables becoming entangled in the kites attached to the sweeping wires. Sweeping gear was often lost if the mine detonated and cut the sweeping cables. Approximately one third of the ships were damaged by exploding mines. Strauss was recognized as a Knight Commander of St Michael and St George for his efforts, but doubts about the effectiveness of the minesweeping effort persisted into the 21st century.

                                          Postwar consequences

                                          As 1919 drew to a close, the onset of winter forced the suspension of sweeping for moored buoyant mines, but the Royal Navy resumed minesweeping operations the following spring, continuing to clear sunken mines from fishing grounds and maintaining a destroyer patrol to track down mines that had broken free of their moorings and gone adrift. Losses of civilian ships to North Sea mines continued; the origin of the mine in these cases was often difficult to determine. In 1919, twenty crewmen drowned when the Swedish steamship Hollander sank, minutes after striking a mine in October and the steamer Kerwood struck a mine and sank on 1 December 1919.

                                          John Doran


                                          1st Jun 1918   The 13th Battalion, Border Regiment was formed in Lowestoft on the 1st of June 1918 but was absorbed by 11th Hampshire Regiment only 18 days later.

                                          1st Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                          Training for all Coy’s. Shooting competition. Training in the afternoon.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          2nd June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Hospital Farm. Divisional Reserve.

                                          Church Parades in the morning followed by a cleaning up parade for every man in the Battalion.

                                          War Diaries


                                          2nd Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                          Sunday, church parades.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          3rd June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Proven. F.1.d.1.5.

                                          The Battalion was relieved in Divisional Reserve by a Battalion of a Belgian Division. On relief the Battalion moved to Proven. Battalion Headquarters at F.1.d.1.5.

                                          War Diaries


                                          3rd Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                          Coy training.

                                          18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                          4th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                          Proven. F.1.d.1.5.

                                          Battalion remained at Proven. Company training in the morning. 1400 Commanding Officer's parade.

                                          w


                                          4th June 1918 Hospital ship  

                                          RMS Kenilworth Castle. With acknowledgement to Ships of South Africa, by Marischal Murray, (Oxford University Press and Humphrey Milford, 1933).

                                          RMS Kenilworth Castle. 1904-1936. Builders: Harland & Wolff, Belfast(yard no. 356) Order No.: 118433. Launched: 5th December 1903. Completed: May 1904, arrived Cape Town June 14th May 1904. Tonnage: 12,974 gross, 6,463 net. Dimensions: length 570.2 x beam 64.7 x depth 38.6 feet. Engines: Quadruple expansion by builder, 2,175 h.p., 12,000 i.h.p., speed 16.5 knots. Passengers:255 1st., 269 2nd., 270 3rd., Reefer Space: 17,206 cu.ft., (1921: 45,642 cu.ft. 1928: 140,982 cu.ft.).

                                          World War 1.

                                          • 1914, August 11th., requisitioned as a troop ship and also used as hospital ship.
                                          • 1918, one voyage to Australia repatriating troops.
                                          • 1918, June 4th., 35 miles off Plymouth collided with destroyer HMS Rival while zig-zagging. Depth charges of destroyer exploded under the Kenilworth's bow. (see Captain C.S.G Keen biography Ch.4). The Kenilworth Castle just managed to get to Plymouth where she sank on a mud bank.
                                          • 1919, Returned to mail service.

                                            The Kenilworth Castle Incident 1918.

                                            The writer of this letter (Bracken was her surname, as the nurses were usually addressed by their surnames) addressed to Miss Helen Wrensch (now Mrs Gilfillan) was one of 36 nurses aboard the RMS Kenilworth Castle in June 1918. Homeward bound to England in company with the Durham Castle she was being convoyed up the English Channel with an escort of the cruiser Kent and five destroyers when she met with a mishap of an unusual nature.

                                            Marischal Murray reported the incident in Ships and South Africa (OUP, London, 1933). 'At 0030 am on the morning of June 4th the Kent was due to leave the convoy, Plymouth being some 35 miles distant. In the darkness of the night - all ships, of course, were sailing without lights - the Kent changed her course according to plan, but some misunderstanding arose, and within a few minutes she was bearing down on the Kenilworth Castle. In order to avoid a collision, the helm of the mail steamer was rapidly put over and she swung clear of the Kent only to collide with the destroyer Rival cutting off that vessel's stern. Unfortunately, on the stern of the Rival, were several depth charges which were meant for the discomfort of German submarines. These, however, exploded with terrific force underneath the Kenilworth Castle, causing a gaping hole in the hull. The water rushed in forward, and before long the mail steamer was well down by her bows.

                                            On board there was a certain amount of confusion. Everyone believed that the Kenilworth Castle had been torpedoed. As the bulkheads were holding it was not thought necessary to put the passengers in the boats. Through some misunderstanding, however, a few boats were lowered. Two of these were swamped, and, as a result, 15 persons were drowned, including some of the nurses on board. One of the nurses lost was named Black and is the 'poor little Black' referred to by the writer.

                                            'The Kenilworth Castle, meanwhile, limped towards port, and by 8 am she had reached Plymouth where her passengers were put ashore. She herself was sent to the dockyards for repairs, and it was only after a considerable time had elapsed that she was able once again to put to sea.

                                            Letter.

                                            29th June 1918

                                            Dear old Wrensch,

                                            I just loved you for writing so soon - your letter came on the Kenilworth in a sloppy condition and marked 'Damaged by sea'. The same description applies to myself, I feel very much damaged by sea. Of course you know all about the accident to the Kenilworth and that poor little Black is drowned. I expect you all felt horrid when you read of the affair and I should think girls will not be quite so anxious to go overseas and certainly parents will not consent so readily. Of course we are soldiers in a way and soldiers must take risks. I'm sending you one of our newspaper accounts of the affair because it describes what happened to the lifeboat in which Black, Bolus, a Wynberg girl called Zondendyk, and myself were. When the boat capsized I managed to hang on to the side and hung and hung until the boat righted itself but it was the most ghastly few minutes I ever lived through. I remember a big dark wave washing right over me and something - an oar, I think, pressed against my throat until I thought I should choke and something else crushed my eye against the boat's edge and I saw stars and felt my eyeball must burst. My corsets were torn right off me and my legs were bruised and bleeding. Then the boat righted itself and I found myself inside. There were just two of us left, the other a fellow passenger named Dawson and his pyjamas were simply torn to rags! Our boat was quite full of water and we had lost our oars and rudder. We didn't see or hear anything of the others then and were drifting right away until the Kenilworth turned and her wash brought us rushing back. I really thought that was the very end but we did a surprising turn and instead of crashing into her we rushed along her side and crossed her stern so close that Mr Dawson was struck in the mouth and his teeth knocked out. Then we got out on the other side and that was the last we saw of the Kenilworth. It was horribly dark and we could hear the dreadful calls for help from men and women in the water but could not get near to them. Two women drifted right up to the boat and these were saved. One was the young wife of a Colonel of Marines - the other Nurse Zondendyk. I found a bucket and a scoop tied to the boat and these were used to bale out the water - Mr Dawson and I baled and baled until we were too tired to do any more but the boat felt almost respectable again so we all sat huddled together shivering and taking turns at being sea sick!

                                            When morning dawned we made the ghastly discovery that our barrel of drinking water had been lost when the boat capsized and though there were plenty of ship's biscuits we only ate a few mouthfuls as they were such thirst provoking things. My veil was hoisted as a flag of distress and then there was nothing to do but look at the sea and wonder what fate had in store for us. I don't wonder people go mad in lifeboats, the monotony is terrible but it seemed more terrible still when a seaplane and a destroyer passed without seeing us. We had no idea where we were drifting; far away we heard the sound of guns but we only saw sea and sea and sea. Such a rough sea too, one moment we were down in a valley the next high on a wave. We had to hold on sometimes and waves would keep coming in. Take my advice dear Wrensch, and keep away from lifeboats - they are not pleasant things. There didn't seem much chance of being rescued and we didn't like the idea of dying of thirst so we had a calm discussion on the quickest way to die. I wanted Mr Dawson to promise to choke us when our thirst became unbearable but he refused. My throat was dry then and my tongue felt like a piece of leather but I found a tin of varnish - whitish watery stuff, which I tasted and felt much better. Then we made preparations for the night. We found some red flares, signals of distress, which we decided to use that night. We knew it was risky and might bring a German submarine down upon us but something had got to happen we didn't much care what. Then we sighted 'it'. 'It' was the finest destroyer that ever was built for His Majesty's Navy. It was going away from us but it saw us and it turned and came towards us and we realised we were saved. Oh, the relief, for I really didn't want to be choked by Mr Dawson. We were soon safely on board the destroyer and were simply overwhelmed with kindness. The officers told us we were the first women who had ever been on their ship. We were washed and fed and put to bed in the Officers' beds and I quite enjoyed that part of the venture. They sent a wireless message to Plymouth saying we were alive and coming, for, of course, by this time everyone supposed we were drowned. As soon as we touched Plymouth Colonel Jones rushed on board and kissed us all twice. Perhaps had he seen me hauling his wife into the lifeboat by her legs he might not have been so affectionate! And so ended the great adventure.

                                            Love from Bracken.

                                            John Doran


                                            4th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                            Coy training.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            5th June 1918   9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Proven. F.1.d.1.5.

                                            The whole Battalion with the exception of specialist classes entrained at 0430 for work on the East Poperinghe rail line, returning at 1430. The afternoon was spent in recreation. Lieutenant McCausland reported his arrival.

                                            5th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                            Baths. Inoculations. Coy training.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            6th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Proven. F.1.d.1.5.

                                            Battalion working parties as usual entrained at 0430.

                                            War Diaries


                                            6th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                            Coy training. Shooting competition.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            7th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Proven. F.1.d.1.5.

                                            Battalion working parties as usual entrained at 4.30am.

                                            Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Barbour awarded the Military Cross for good work since the Division came to France.

                                            War Diaries


                                            7th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                            Lewis gun training. Coy training. Inspection of mobilisation stores.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            8th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Proven. F.1.d.1.5. Battalion working parties as usual.

                                            War Diaries


                                            8th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                            Sunday. Church parades. Inspection of billets.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            9th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Proven. F.1.d.1.5.

                                            Church Parades during the morning. At 1130 the General Officer Commanding 36th Division inspected the Battalion in drill order and presented medal ribbons. A portion of the camp was also inspected. A draft of 127 Other Ranks was received during the last two days. The afternoon was spent in recreation.

                                            War Diaries


                                            9th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                            Coy training. Lewis gun training.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            10th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Battalion working parties entrained as usual at 0430.

                                            Strength: 34 Officers, 974 Other Ranks

                                            Ration strength: 23 Officers, 781 Other Ranks.

                                            War Diaries


                                            10th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                            Coy training.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            11th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            11th - 12th Jun. Working parties as usual.

                                            War Diaries


                                            11th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                            Battalion field day figuring an attack through woods.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            12th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                            Musketry on range. Coy training.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            13th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Road Camp. E.25.d.2.5. The Battalion moved to Road Camp.

                                            War Diaries


                                            13th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                            Coy training. Lewis gun training.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            14th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            The Army Commander inspected the 108th Infantry Brigade at 1130. Parade strength of the Battalion was 21 Officers, 568 Other Ranks. The Companies bathed during the afternoon. The Divisional Commander gave a lecture to all Officers in the 108th Infantry Brigade at 1700.

                                            War Diaries


                                            14th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE

                                            Reconnaissance for Divisional field day. Coy training under Orderly Officer & Coy Sgt Majors. Orders received from Brigade to move by road (march) to area South of HONDEGHEM. Nucleus to be formed.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            15th Jun 1918 103rd Brigade, RFA in action  103rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery are in action in Battle of Asiago, Italy

                                            15th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Bois St Acaire.

                                            The Battalion moved to Bois St Acaire training area, each Company working as an advance guard to a Battalion.

                                            War Diaries


                                            15th Jun 1918   HONDEGHEM

                                            Arrived in camp South of HONDEGHEM V.8.d.2.8.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            16th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Church Parade. Details of the Battalion bathed. Afternoon was spent in recreation.

                                            War Diaries


                                            16th Jun 1918 9th Rifle Brigade leave Division  9th Battalion Rifle Brigade leave the the Division.

                                            16th Jun 1918   HONDEGHEM

                                            Church parades.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            17th June 1918 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers train  17-19 June 1918 9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers war diary records: Company training including bayonet fighting and musketry. One Company each morning on the range. Specialists classes in the afternoon for Lewis Gunners, Scouts, Signallers, Section Commanders, etc. The range open for voluntary shooting practice in the the evening.

                                            War Diaries


                                            17th June 1918 8th Ammunition Column RFA leave Le Havre  8th Ammunition Column RFA left Le Havre for the first army on 17th June 1918, arriving at Liercourt on 18th June 1918. Here I saw my first battle in the air, then had a 6 hour march to Trouville.

                                            17th Jun 1918   BOIS DES HUITS RUES

                                            Moved to neighbourhood of BOIS DES HUITS RUES C.16.b.5.5. owing to the reserve Brigade of 9th Division returning to take over our camp.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            18th Jun 1918 SS Dwinsk lost  

                                            SS Dwinsk

                                            SS Dwinsk, 8137grt, was a British-flagged ocean liner sunk by U-151 in World War I. The ship was previously the third Rotterdam for the Holland America Line, C.F. Tietgen for the Scandinavian America Line, and, as Dwinsk, for the Russian American Line. The ship was put under Cunard Line management in 1917, and sailed under the British flag until sunk on 18 June 1918. SS Rotterdam was launched 18 February 1897 by Harland & Wolff in Belfast for the Holland America Line, the third ship by that name for the line. She sailed from Rotterdam, her namesake city, to Boulogne and New York on her maiden voyage 18 August 1897. The ship began its final voyage on this route on 17 February 1906.

                                            Purchased by the Scandinavian America Line on 5 April 1906, the ship was renamed C.F. Tietgen after Carl Frederik Tietgen, a Danish merchant. The ship operated primarily on a Copenhagen-Kristiania-Kristiansand-New York route through 1913. On 28 June 1906 the Tietgen collided with and sank the schooner E. G. Hay without loss of life. In July 1913 the ship was chartered to Nordisk Film A/S for the filming of Atlantis.

                                            Later in 1913, the ship was sold to the Russian American Line and renamed Dwinsk, and operating between Libau and New York from 10 February 1914. On 20 September 1914, Dwinsk began sailing on an Archangel-Hammerfest-New York route.

                                            In 1917, control of the ship passed to Cunard Line who reflagged her under the British flag, and retaining her existing name.

                                            John Doran


                                            18th June 1918 Uboat sinks SS Dwinsk  

                                            SS Dwinsk lifeboat rescue by USS Siboney

                                            SS Dwinsk was a British-flagged ocean liner sunk by U-151 in World War I. The ship was previously the third Rotterdam for the Holland America Line, C.F. Tietgen for the Scandinavian America Line, and, as Dwinsk, for the Russian American Line. The ship was put under Cunard Line management in 1917, and sailed under the British flag until sunk on 18 June 1918. SS Rotterdam was launched 18 February 1897 by Harland & Wolff in Belfast for the Holland America Line, the third ship by that name for the line. She sailed from Rotterdam, her namesake city, to Boulogne and New York on her maiden voyage 18 August 1897. The ship began its final voyage on this route on 17 February 1906.

                                            Purchased by the Scandinavian America Line on 5 April 1906, the ship was renamed C.F. Tietgen after Carl Frederik Tietgen, a Danish merchant. The ship operated primarily on a Copenhagen-Kristiania-Kristiansand-New York route through 1913. On 28 June 1906 the Tietgen collided with and sank the schooner E. G. Hay without loss of life. In July 1913 the ship was chartered to Nordisk Film A/S for the filming of Atlantis.[1] Later in 1913, the ship was sold to the Russian American Line and renamed Dwinsk, and operating between Libau and New York from 10 February 1914. On 20 September 1914, Dwinsk began sailing on an Archangel-Hammerfest-New York route.

                                            In 1917, control of the ship passed to Cunard Line who reflagged her under the British flag, and retaining her existing name. On 18 June 1918, under the command of Captain Henry Nelson, while steaming from France to Newport News, Virginia, Dwinsk was torpedoed by U-151 about 400 miles (640 km) from Bermuda.[2] After the ship sank, U-151 remained in the area, using the survivors in seven lifeboats as a lure to try to sink additional Allied ships.

                                            Later the same day, USS Von Steuben spotted wreckage and the seven lifeboats, and as it approached the survivors, narrowly averted a torpedo strike launched by U-151. Under orders from the Captain, the men lay down in the boats to try to avoid attracting rescue ships as the submarine was waiting in the area, so the crew of the Von Steuben were unaware that the boats held survivors and made off after its narrow escape from a similar fate.

                                            Six of the lifeboats were rescued by other ships; the seventh lifeboat, in the charge of the Second Officer, Joseph William Coppin (born 1881, St Neot, Cornwall), with 22 men aboard was never heard from again. USS Siboney rescued two boats on 21 June, and USS Rondo picked up the final boat on 28 June 1918.

                                            Captain Henry Nelson - In a letter on the report of the sinking of Dwinsk. from the British Admiralty to The Cunard SS Co Ltd,it stated. At 0920 on that date the wake of a torpedo was sighted at a distance of 200 yards, on the Port Quarter. The ship was not zig-zagging at the time and was steaming at 13 knots. The weather was fine and smooth with a slight swell, wind S.E. 3, visibility good. When the torpedo was sighted helm was put over hard aport, but the torpedo struck the ship in No 4 hold making a large hole. The ship listed to port and the Master decided to abandon ship, which was done in 7 boats. The submarine then came to the surface and attacked her by gunfire, one round hit the magazine which exploded. The ship sank at about 111. The submarine interrogated the 2nd Officer's boat, but no prisoners were taken. The 2nd Officers boat containing 22 of the crew is missing (was never found), and one man was drowned out of the Chief Officers boat. The remaining boats were picked up by various ships and landed at New York, Bermuda, Newport News and Nova Scotia. The 1st Officer's boat was adrift for 10 days and a boat in charge of Boatswain's Mate Larbalastier for 8 days, before being picked up and it is considered that the lives of those in these two boats were saved by the good seamanship, management and fortitude displayed by Mr Pritchard and Larbalestier. I am to inform you that First Officer Pritchand and Boatswain's Mate Larbalestier will be "commended" in the London Gazette, in recognition of these services. Signed J.W.S. Anderson

                                            News media


                                            18th Jun 1918 22nd Northumberlands back to strength  The 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers are brought up to strength by absorbing the 38th Btn.

                                            18th June 1918 Naval Action - 18th June 1918  The Action of 18 June 1918 was an attack on two allied ships near Bermuda in the Atlantic Ocean by an Imperial German Navy u-boat during World War I. Sinking an allied merchant vessel, the U-boat failed to destroy an American warship which came to the merchantman's aid.

                                            Action

                                            The SS Dwinsk was a British flagged merchant ship known for her involvement in the War at Sea. On 18 June 1918, while steaming in the Atlantic from France to Newport News, Virginia, Dwinsk encountered the German submarine U-151 around 400 miles from Bermuda. The submarine surfaced and fired a torpedo into the helpless British steamer which caused severe damage. No distress call is known to have been sent by Dwinsk. The deaths of 22 or more British sailors have been confirmed, others were reported to have minor injuries. The dead either went down with Dwinsk when she sank or were in a lifeboat that went missing after their vessel went down. U-151's action was not over though, instead of fleeing after sinking the Dwinsk, she waited in the vicinity for any allied vessels coming to aid the British lifeboats. The lifeboats did not attempt to abandon the wreckage of their transport. The German U-boat remained for a few hours, using the stranded Britons as bait. USS Von Steuben, which just happened to be returning to America from Brest, France—sighted the wreckage of Dwinsk from over five miles away. What the Americans saw were seven lifeboats that appeared to be empty. The boats appeared to be empty due to the actions of the captain of Dwinsk. He had ordered the crew to lie down to prevent allied vessels from approaching and being attacked by the Germans. Von Steuben made her approach anyway and began zig-zagging as a measure against torpedo attack. Sure enough, as Von Steuben closed with the British lifeboats, the wake of one or two torpedoes were spotted coming towards the ship off her bow from abaft the port beam. Quickly the American commander was informed of the situation and ordered his crew to battle stations. Von Steuben fired her first shells in anger at the incoming torpedo, while another turret fired on U-151's periscope which was seen at the other end of the torpedo's trail. The shots fired at the torpedo apparently missed their target but Von Steuben was able to maneuver fast enough to keep out of the torpedo's path which missed by just a few yards. Once over the U-boat's last known position, the Americans dropped over 12 depth charges which shook the submarine severely, according to German accounts, and forced her to flee.

                                            Aftermath

                                            Von Steuben's crew did not rescue any of the Britons that night. It was not until later that the Americans learned that the survivors were lying down in their boats. The American commander did not want to risk his ship by slowing down to investigate the lifeboats. If Von Steuben had stopped to check the lifeboats, she would have been exposed to a torpedo attack. Six of the seven lifeboats were rescued by other allied ships. The seventh boat with about 20 men aboard was never heard from again. USS Siboney rescued two boats on 21 June and USS Rondo picked up the final boat on 28 June. This engagement was Von Steuben's only combat action during World War I.

                                            John Doran


                                            18th Jun 1918   BOIS DES HUITS RUES

                                            The whole Battalion sent as working party on trenches forward (east) of MORBECQUE.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            19th June 1918   SM U-114

                                            Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 283) Ordered 5 May 1916 Launched 27 Nov 1917 Commissioned 19 Jun 1918

                                            Commanders.
                                            19 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Martin Wahn

                                            Career 1 patrols.
                                            start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                            Successes No successes.

                                            Fate 26 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to Italy. Broken up at La Spezia in May 1919.

                                            John Doran


                                            19th Jun 1918   BOIS DES HUITS RUES

                                            Baths & Coy training. Received orders to relieve 2nd HANTS REGT 88th Brigade 29th Division in reserve on SEC BOIS SECTOR. Two Coy’s working as for yesterday. Reconnaissance by Coy Commanders.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            20th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Ref Local Sheet 27 NE 1/10000. Bois St Acaire. Training continued as on previous days.

                                            War Diaries


                                            20th June 1918   

                                            SM U-135

                                            SM U-135

                                            Type Large Ms. Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig Ordered 27 May 1916 Laid down 4 Nov 1916 Launched 8 Sep 1917 Commissioned 20 Jun 1918

                                            Commanders.
                                            20 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Johannes Spieß

                                            Career No patrols. start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 III Flotilla

                                            Successes No successes.

                                            Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Ran aground on the English East coast on the way to be broken up in 1921.

                                            There was another U 135 in World War Two.
                                            That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 Jun 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 16 Aug 1941.

                                            John Doran


                                            20th June 1918   SM U-119

                                            Type UE 2 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 93) Ordered 27 May 1916 Launched 4 Apr 1918 Commissioned 20 Jun 1918

                                            Commanders.
                                            20 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Edmund Pauli

                                            Career 1 patrols.
                                            start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 I Flotilla

                                            Successes No successes.

                                            Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to France. Became the french submarine René Audry until 7 Oct, 1937. Broken up..

                                            There was another U 119 in World War Two.
                                            That boat was launched from its shipyard on 6 Jan 1942 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 2 Apr 1942.

                                            John Doran


                                            20th Jun 1918   GRAND SEC BOIS

                                            Moved up to relieve 1st LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS (changed from 1st HANTS REGT) in reserve line behind GRAND SEC BOIS. A Coy were placed tactically under 13th YORK & LANCASTER REGT to hold SWARTENBROUGH defences. Role of Battalion 1: To man reserve line. 2: To reinforce support line. 3: To counter attack & retake support line. Relief complete 9.40pm. Fairly heavy rain during march up.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            21st June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Training continued as on previous days, each Company carrying out a flag attack. A successful Battalion concert held in the evening.

                                            War Diaries


                                            21st Jun 1918   GRAND SEC BOIS

                                            Fine weather, very quiet. B Coy move up to PETIT SEC BOIS SP (tactically under 1st WEST YORKS REGT) C Coy move to B Coy’s old position leaving 1 officer & 2 platoons in position previously held. Dispositions then were, A Coy SWARTENBROUGH SP. B Coy PETIT SEC BOIS SP. C Coy Headquarters and two platoons at E.7.a.25.95. D Coy at farm A LA PROMENADE D.12.a.3.1.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            22nd June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            During the morning a practice attack was carried out by the Battalion. The Battalion during the afternoon moved to Road Camp.

                                            War Diaries


                                            22nd Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            Orders received for Battalion to relieve 13th YORK & LANCASTER REGT in front line left sub sector. Dispositions, C Coy right front, Headquarters E.22.c.9.1. D Coy left front, Headquarters E.22.b.1.7. A Coy right support, Headquarters E.21.a.8.2. B Coy left support, Headquarters E.14.a.5.3. This alteration necessitated by the withdrawal from the line of 2 Coy’s and 1 Platoon 13th YORK & LANCS to practice for an attack on ANKLE FARM. Right of Battalion 11th EAST LANCS REGT. Left of Battalion 15th WEST YORKS REGT.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            23rd June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Road Camp. Church Parades. Lecture to all Officers on aerial photography. Afternoon was spent in recreation.

                                            War Diaries


                                            23rd Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            Relief complete 1.30am. Very quiet relief.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            24th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            During the morning a practice flagged attack was carried out by the Battalion on Flying Ground at Proven. During the afternoon Battalion bathed.

                                            War Diaries


                                            24th June 1918   SM U-141

                                            Type U 139 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 302) Ordered 1 Aug 1916 Launched 9 Jan 1918 Commissioned 24 Jun 1918

                                            Commanders.
                                            24 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Constantin Kolbe

                                            Career No patrols.
                                            start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 U-Kreuzer Flotilla

                                            Successes No successes.

                                            Fate 26 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Upnor in 1923.

                                            There was another U 141 in World War Two.
                                            That boat was launched from its shipyard on 27 Jul 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 21 Aug 1940.

                                            John Doran


                                            24th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            Certain amount of gas shelling during early morning. Patrol of 1 NCO & 3 men went out to reconnoitre hedge skirting West side of ANKLE FARM. Enemy opened machine gun fire from posts at E.17.c.3.2. and 35.45 also at E.28.a.3.5. Bombs were thrown wounding the NCO. C Coy 13th E Y &L in SWARTENBROUGH Defences was relieved at night by B Coy K.O.Y.L.I. 11th EAST LANCS on our right relieved by 11th EAST YORKS who in turn were to be relieved by 12th ROYAL FUSILIERS 94th Brigade on night of 25th. We provided carrying party of 1 Officer & 50 ORs to form a dump in front of front line near FANTASY FARM.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            25th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            The Battalion moved to the musketry camp, Cormette, by train from Proven to St Omer. Strength 30 Officers, 670 Other Ranks.

                                            War Diaries


                                            25th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            15th WEST YORKS REGT on our left were relieved by 2nd ROYAL FUSILIERS (lent from 29th Div) to go out to train for an attack on LA BECQUE following the attack of the YORK & LANCS on ANKLE FARM. D Coy took over 4 more posts to the left from WEST YORKS REGT. Some gas shelling around Battalion HQ and PETIT SEC BOIS. MG Platoon C Coy dug 2 posts & wired them at E.23.a. central facing SE for their own occupation on night of attack. 1 OR killed while digging them by machine gun.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            26th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Cormette.

                                            Battalion paraded at 0900 for physical drill. Lecture by Commanding Officer to all Officers and Section Commanders from 0910. From 1100 to 1400 on range for firing. Gas lecture by Division Gas Officer in afternoon.

                                            War Diaries


                                            26th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            Quiet during day with some heavy shelling towards evening. At night about 11.0pm D & C two front line Coy’s vacated their trenches and lay up behind the parados to give room for 13th YORK & LANCS REGT Coy’s. D Coy finally inspected footbridges over the dyke from E.17.c.1.3. to E.17.c.00.15. and placed spare footbridge behind the parados in readiness should the bridges be broken. No 9 Platoon & double section Lewis Guns of No 11 Platoon C Coy under command of 2Lt W ALLBEURY who had been ordered to form a defensive right flank linking up with the flank of the YORK & LANCS REGT E.23.a.80.55. & with our front line E.23.c.3.2. left the front line trench & lay forward of our line before ZERO which was timed 12.30am 27.6.18.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            27th June 1918   London, 27th of June - British troops last night took a German strong point west of Vieux Berguin, east of Hezebrouk, and captured prisoners and machine guns, says the official statement from Field Marshall Haig to-day. The statement follows:

                                            "By a sucessful minor operation during the night we gained possession of a hostile strong poibt west of Vieux Berguin and captured a number of prisoners and some machine guns. The hostile artillery has been active at different points between Givenchy and Robeeq and with gas shells againat the north eastern portion of the forest of Nieppe."

                                            27th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            In the morning Battalion carried out a tactical scheme on 'C' training area from 0800 to 1200. Football match at 1400 against 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers. From 1600 - 1900 Battalion on the range.

                                            A successful concert was held in the evening.

                                            War Diaries


                                            27th June 1918 Hospital ship  

                                            HMHS Llandovery Castle

                                            HMHS Llandovery Castle, built in 1914 in Glasgow as RMS Llandovery Castle for the Union-Castle Line, was one of five Canadian hospital ships that served in the First World War. On a voyage from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Liverpool, England, the ship was torpedoed off southern Ireland on 27 June 1918 with the loss of 234 lives, and only 24 survivors. In terms of the number of dead, the sinking was the most significant Canadian naval disaster of the war. (The Royal Canadian Navy had a seven-vessel naval force during the war.) The incident became renowned internationally as one of the war’s worst atrocities. After the war, the case of the Llandovery Castle was one of six British cases presented at the Leipzig trials.

                                            Llandovery Castle was one of pair of ships (her sister ship was SS Llanstephan Castle) built for the Union Castle Line, following the companies acquisition by the Royal Mail Line in 1912. The ship was built by Barclay, Curle & Co. in Glasgow, launched on 3 September 1913, and completed in January 1914. Initially sailing between London and East Africa, from August 1914 she sailed on routes between London and West Africa. She was commissioned as a hospital ship on 26 July 1916, and assigned to the Canadian Forces, equipped with 622 beds and a medical staff of 102.

                                            Sinking of HMHS Llandovery Castle 1918.

                                            Under command of Lt.-Col. Thomas Howard MacDonald of Nova Scotia, the HMHS Llandovery Castle was torpedoed and sunk by SM U-86. Firing at a hospital ship was against international law and standing orders of the Imperial German Navy. The captain of the U-86, Helmut Brümmer-Patzig, sought to destroy the evidence of torpedoing the ship. When the crew took to the lifeboats, U-86, surfaced, ran down all the lifeboats and machine-gunned the survivors remaining in the water and on the lifeboats. Only 24 people in one remaining lifeboat survived.

                                            They were rescued shortly afterwards and testified as to what had happened. Only 6 of the 97 hospital personnel survived. Among those lost were fourteen nursing sisters from Canada, including the Matron Margaret Marjory (Pearl) Fraser from Nova Scotia (daughter of Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Duncan Cameron Fraser).

                                            Sergeant Arthur Knight was on board lifeboat number 5 with the nurses. He reported: "Our boat was quickly loaded and lowered to the surface of the water. Then the crew of eight men and myself faced the difficulty of getting free from the ropes holding us to the ship's side. I broke two axes trying to cut ourselves away, but was unsuccessful. With the forward motion and choppy sea the boat all the time was pounding against the ship's side. To save the boat we tried to keep ourselves away by using the oars, and soon every one of the latter were broken. Finally the ropes became loose at the top and we commenced to drift away. We were carried towards the stern of the ship, when suddenly the Poop deck seemed to break away and sink. The suction drew us quickly into the vacuum, the boat tipped over sideways, and every occupant went under".

                                            "Unflinchingly and calmly, as steady and collected as if on parade, without a complaint or a single sign of emotion, our fourteen devoted nursing sisters faced the terrible ordeal of certain death--only a matter of minutes--as our lifeboat neared that mad whirlpool of waters where all human power was helpless.I estimate we were together in the boat about eight minutes. In that whole time I did not hear a complaint or murmur from one of the sisters. There was not a cry for help or any outward evidence of fear. In the entire time I overheard only one remark when the matron, Nursing Matron Margaret Marjory Fraser, turned to me as we drifted helplessly towards the stern of the ship and asked:"Sergeant, do you think there is any hope for us?""I replied, 'No,' seeing myself our helplessness without oars and the sinking condition of the stern of the ship. A few seconds later we were drawn into the whirlpool of the submerged afterdeck, and the last I saw of the nursing sisters was as they were thrown over the side of the boat. All were wearing lifebelts, and of the fourteen two were in their nightdress, the others in uniform. It was doubtful if any of them came to the surface again, although I myself sank and came up three times, finally clinging to a piece of wreckage and being eventually picked up by the captain's boat."

                                            The 24 remaining in the only surviving lifeboat were rescued by HMS Lysander. Afterward, HMS Morea steamed through the wreckage. Captain Kenneth Cummins recalled the horror of coming across the nurses' floating corpses. "We were in the Bristol Channel, quite well out to sea, and suddenly we began going through corpses. The Germans had sunk a British hospital ship, the Llandovery Castle, and we were sailing through floating bodies. We were not allowed to stop - we just had to go straight through. It was quite horrific, and my reaction was to vomit over the edge. It was something we could never have imagined ... particularly the nurses, seeing these bodies of women and nurses, floating in the ocean, having been there some time. Huge aprons and skirts in billows, which looked almost like sails because they dried in the hot sun."

                                            The trial.

                                            After the war, in 1921, the captain of U-86, Lieutenant Helmut Patzig, and two of his lieutenants, Ludwig Dithmar and John Boldt, were arraigned for trial in Germany on war crimes. The case became famous as one of the "Leipzig trials". Patzig left the country and avoided extradition and though Dithmar and Boldt were convicted and sentenced to four years in prison, they both escaped. At the Court of Appeal, both lieutenants were acquitted on the grounds that the captain was solely responsible.

                                            John Doran


                                            27th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            At ZERO plus 1 minute the party advanced in formation of small columns proceeded by scouts, the left column slightly in rear of the YORK & LANCS REGT second wave, the centre & right column being echeloned back to the rear. D & C Coy’s at once reoccupied the front line trenches. The attacking party reached the pre-arranged alignment by 12.40am the only casualties of this attack occurred during the first 20X of the advance and were due to MG fire at close range. The excellence of our barrage was most noticeable. The party immediately occupied 2 posts dug on previous night & began digging additional posts under MG fire at close range. These opened after the barrage had passed beyond them. Small parties organised by Capt HE HITCHIN DSO MC & by 2Lt W ALLBEURY went forward and tackled these posts. One advanced light MG and three prisoners were captured. This post at first threw hand grenades but did not put up a hand to hand fight. Immediately after another MG opened up at short range & Capt HITCHIN was wounded. By 12.45am the left post was in touch with the right post of YORK & LANCS REGT 40X NE. By 12.55am though the ground was very hard the additional posts had been dug in fairly deep, the disposition being double LG post on the advanced left in slits, rifle section in centre in posts dug on the 26.6.18, double LG post on the right well thrown back in slits at approx. E.23.a.40.35. about 60X East of original front line. At 12.55 & 1.10am two lights signifying objectives captured were seen. This was confirmed by power buzzer at 1.40am. Capt HITCHIN reported personally to YORK & LANCS REGT & later to 18th DURHAM LIGHT INF that both units were in touch, the right defensive flank had been established & posts were digging in deeper. 2Lt ALLBEURY distinguished himself by determination & leadership guiding the columns to their positions on an awkward alignment over entirely unknown ground. The position itself not being either a trench or a ground feature & therefore correspondingly difficult to pick up. Total casualties, 1 Officer wounded, 1 OR killed, 9 OR wounded. 1 light MG & 3 prisoners captured. On late evening No 1 Platoon & double LG section No 2 Platoon A Coy relieved No 9 Platoon & double LG section. No 9 Platoon C Coy under 2Lt A EVERATT on new alignment taken up as a result of operations in early morning. Their objective was to seize the German position along PLATE BECQUE from E.23.a.8.2. to E.23.a.80.55. this prolonging our line Southwards from E.23.a.80.55. on same alignment linking up on Left with B Coy DURHAM LI and on our Right with 15th WEST YORKS at E.23.a.8.2. B Coy & 2 platoons D Coy relieved 13th Y&L REGT from E.23.a.80.55. to E.17.c.6.6.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            28th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Ref Hazebrouck 5A. Special Sheet 27 NE local ed. 5A 1/20000. Cormette.

                                            Battalion tactical exercise in the morning from 0800 to 1300. Three Companies attacked the enemy outpost line on the Zudausques, St Martin-au-Laert Road. One Company represented the enemy. From 2130 to 0100 the Battalion carried out a night outpost scheme, with three Companies holding an outpost line outside Leuline and Etrehem, one Company attacking.

                                            Lieutenants Dobbyn MC and A.S Galloway, 2nd Lieutenant F.S Bale reported for duty.

                                            War Diaries


                                            28th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            ZERO was 6am. Formation of party 5 small columns in single file in echelon with left forward. At ZERO the party waited ¾ of a minute to advance in alignment with left flank of 15th W YORKS and by 6.05am reached the objective with very little opposition except from one post, the attack being a complete surprise. As our men advanced small groups of up to the total of about 12 ran round our right flank unarmed and unequipped & were left for the original front line to deal with. Some enemy were shot or bayonetted in shell hole positions. Four parties then began consolidating while a Lewis Gun team then lead with great dash by Sgt GOLDSBOROUGH crossed the BECQUE and stalked a MG team through a cornfield and rushed and captured the gun killing the team. Two more light MG’s were captured on the left flank of the objective. Immediate touch was gained with DLI on left & with 15th WYR right flank. Only 2 slight casualties occurred up to & during the consolidation. 30 prisoners were captured W & E of the BECQUE. During the consolidation footbridges were destroyed over the BECQUE and the captured MG’s were installed & used against the enemy. About 7.02am power buzzer message was reported as stating that all Brigade objectives had been captured. As no barrage was arranged for to smother our objective B Coy on left of the attack was ordered to barrage the enemy position South of their front line with No 23 bombs for short range & No 36 for long range combined with enfilade LG fire along and in rear of hostile front positions. This proved most effective and the LG fire accounted for a satisfactory number of the enemy as they retired over exposed country EAST of PLATEBECQUE. The energy, dash and initiative of 2Lt EVERATT contributed largely to the initial success of the enterprise: the efficient way in which he organised the consolidation and the excellence of his reports were both marked & stamp him as a really valuable officer.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            29th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Battalion parade from 0830 to 1000 for drill. On the range from 1100 until 1400. All details carried out a snap shooting practice at 1500. At 1425 the Battalion paraded in walking out order and marched into St Omer, where they were dismissed until 2030. Teas were provided and the outing proved a great success. 2nd Lieutenant McFarland reported for duty.

                                            War Diaries


                                            29th June 1918   SM U-161 was a Type U 93 built by Bremer Vulkan at Vegesack. Ordered 9 Feb 1917, Launched 23 Mar 1918 and Commissioned 29 Jun 1918

                                            Commanders.
                                            29 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Waldemar von Münch

                                            Career 1 patrols: start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                            On 20th of Nov 1918 she surrendered. The Submarine ran aground on the English East coast on the way to be broken up in 1921.

                                            There was another U 161 in World War Two.
                                            That boat was launched from its shipyard on 1 Mar 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 8 Jul 1941.

                                            John Doran U-Boat Index - WW1


                                            29th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            During the night relieved 15th WEST YORKS REGT in the right sub-sector. Relief a very difficult one owing to gassing (shell) & heavy shelling.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            30th Jun 1918 402 Flight 252 Squadron formed.  402 Flight 252 Squadron RFC was formed at RFC Seaton Carew II.

                                            30th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            The 108th Infantry Brigade moved back to the Proven area, entraining at St Omer at 9am. Brigade transport moved by road. On arrival the Battalion was billeted in Peterborough Camp. Battalion Headquarters F.1.c.80.30.

                                            • Strength: 30 Officers, 957 Other Ranks
                                            • Ration strength 29 Officers, 800 Other Ranks.
                                            • Awards during the month:
                                            • Distinguished Conduct Medal - 23566 Sergeant R.J McBride.
                                            • Military Medal - 41414 Private B Wasson, 41329 Private B McCarley, 14474 Sergeant W.J Mitchell, 14393 Private W Kelly, 43201 Private G.F Miller.

                                            War Diaries


                                            30th June 1918   SM U-112

                                            Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 281) Ordered 5 May 1916 Launched 26 Oct 1917 Commissioned 30 Jun 1918

                                            Commanders
                                            30 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Friedrich Petersen

                                            Career No patrols.
                                            No flotilla information available
                                            Successes No successes.

                                            Fate 22 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Rochester in 1922

                                            John Doran


                                            30th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            Relief complete at about 3.10am. Counter preparation put down by our artillery at about 3.15am & the enemy put down a heavy barrage which was followed by our SOS being sent up from front line. Artillery opened up & dispersed the counter attack which it is believed was being prepared.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            Jul 1918 22nd Northumberlands return to France  22nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers return to France with 16th (Irish) Division.

                                            1st July 1918 NPF Stand-on-Green opens.  National Projectile Factory Stand-on-Green, Ailsa Craig, Chiswick, London started in Jul 1918 for the production of 4.5-in shell. It was under the direct control of the Metropolitan Munitions Committee. The was also a National Shell Factory on site.

                                            1st July 1918 NSF Stand-on-Green opens.  National Shell Factory Stand-on-Green, Ailsa Craig, Chiswick, London started in Jul 1918 for the production of 4.5-in shell. It was under the direct control of the Metropolitan Munitions Committee. The was also a National Projectile Factory on site.

                                            1st July 1918 St Jans Capel Sector  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                            St Jans Capel Sector.

                                            Having completed a lot of defensive preparation as usual an unexpected move took place for the Division with a move to take over French positions further to the South. The Division was moved into reserve behind the French XVI Corps before taking over from the French 41st Division on the outskirts of Bailleul and the 16th moved into billets in the vicinity of St Sylvestre Cappel.

                                            From the 4th to 6t July was spent in billet inspections, infantry training and specialist training on Lewis gun, signalling and bombing.

                                            On the 7th the Battalion moved to the St Jans Capel sector and half of Companies 2 and 3 were moved into billets south east of Mont des Cals. Work from 8th to 18th July was as follows:

                                            • No.1 Company, Infantry training which it had missed during June.
                                            • No.2 Company Forward Half, Communication tranches and wiring.
                                            • No.2 Company Rear Half, Infantry training.
                                            • No.3 Company Forward Half, also in support area on dugouts, deepening
                                            • and revetting trenches, completing Machine Gun Emplacement and Wiring.
                                            • No.3 Company Rear Half, Infantry training.
                                            Work continued in other locations until the 29th July. On the night of 23/24th July posts at Mont Noir were shelled (gas) resulting in 1 officer and 28 other ranks being wounded. No.1 Company working in the forward area was also shelled.

                                            Battalion strength:

                                            • 1st July Officers 32 ORs 1087
                                            • 31st July Officers 33 ORs 1054
                                            • Officers Killed nil wounded 2
                                            • Other ranks Killed nil Wounded 35

                                            The Terrors by SN White


                                            1st July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Map Ref 27 NE Local 1/20000 L Sheet 27 Sheet 28. Proven.

                                            Divisional Horse Show was held on the ground of the aerodrome at Proven on account of the fine weather and proved a great success. A large percentage of the Battalion attended.

                                            War Diaries


                                            July 1918 School of American Pilots opens near York  In July 1918, a group of American pilots and ground staff were based at RFC Bramham Moor which became a training school. When the USA had entered the war in 1917, American pilots had gone straight into action with a lack of combat experience and consequently suffered heavy losses, additional training schools were established in Britain to increase skills before deployment.

                                            1st July 1918 Heavy Artillery prepares for battle  The Australian corps of heavy artillery move location in preparation for Battle of Hamel planned for the 4th of July. Four 60 pounder guns are at N.24.b.55.95 and two guns located at N.24.b.11.32 with A/Major C W Walker commanding.

                                            1st Jul 1918 7th Dublins at Salhieh   7th Dublin Fusiliers and Division were at Salhieh p/w camp during this time.

                                            July 1918   While it started to receive Bristol Fighters in July 1918, 9 Squadron did not completely discard its R.E.8s bombers until after the end of the war.

                                            http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/9squadron.cfm


                                            1st Jul 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            Heavy artillery shelling, both enemy’s and ours. Some of our heavies and 18 pounders fell short at about 11am near LA BECQUE. 92nd Brigade on our right relieved by 94th Brigade. In front line on our right 24th R WELSH FUSILIERS. SWARTENBROUGH shelled intermittently with 77mm and 5.9 from 10am to 5pm.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            2nd July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Battalion on working parties. Four companies working on East Poperinghe Line. Approximate strength of working parties 430. Working parties on completion of work march to Road Camp E.25.d.20.50.

                                            War Diaries


                                            2nd Jul 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            15th W YORKS REGT relieved 13th YORK & LANCASTER REGT on our left. SWARTENBROUGH shelled with heavies.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            3rd July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Road Camp.

                                            Battalion moves to Le Carreaux area, route St-Jan-Ter-Biezen, K.17, K.16.b.8.6, K.27, Steenvoorde. Area taken over from the French 79th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Nonebosche.

                                            War Diaries


                                            3rd Jul 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            Fairly quiet. Re-adjustment of line. B & C Coy’s in support. A & D Coy’s left & right respectively.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            4th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            NoneBosche Area.

                                            Training continued under Company Commanders from 0900 to 1215. Afternoon recreational.

                                            War Diaries


                                            4th Jul 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                            Relieved by 10th EAST YORKS REGT. Relief complete 3.15am.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            5th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Training as on the 4th inst. Specialist training under instructors.

                                            War Diaries


                                            5th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE

                                            Arrived in camp W of MORBECQUE.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            6th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Battalion parade in morning at 0930. Echelon B in rear of each Company. 2nd Lieutenant Ross C.Q. taken over duty as Battalion Intelligence Officer.

                                            Battalion in the evening relieved the Reserve Battalion of the 42nd Infantry Regiment (French) in the vicinity of Piebrouck. Route Godewaerswelde, Q.18.a.50.7, Piebrouck. Parade 2300 ready to move.

                                            Strength: Officers 19, Other Ranks 592.

                                            Battalion details move to Ecke area, billeted together with details of 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and 12th Royal Irish Rifles. Strength: Officers 6, Other Ranks 97.

                                            War Diaries


                                            6th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE

                                            Baths, cleaning up and reorganisation.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            7th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Piebrouck (Reserve).

                                            Battalion in the evening relieved a Battalion of the 23rd French Regiment in the Hoogenacker sector. Relief was completed without disturbance at about 0200. Remainder of night passed quietly.

                                            War Diaries


                                            7th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE

                                            Sunday. Church parades. Divisional Commander visited the camp.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            8th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Hoogenacker (Left sub-sector).

                                            The day was quiet, except for aircraft activity. At night enemy machine-guns were fairly active firing on reserve positions. Enemy transport heard quite plainly.

                                            War Diaries


                                            8th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE

                                            Firing on range. Rifle grenade firing. Lectures on trench discipline. Brigadier General TAYLOR DSO inspected the new drafts and addressed the Battalion.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            9th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Aircraft very active. A paper gas balloon was dropped over enemy's lines. At night usual machine-gun firing with some trench mortars.

                                            War Diaries


                                            9th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE

                                            Musketry on rifle range and baths.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            10th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Day and night passed off quietly. Nothing else of importance.

                                            War Diaries


                                            10th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            The Battalion moved forward and relieved the 12th NORFOLK REGT in the Right Sub Sector (R1) Battalion HQ E.27.d.6.8.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            11th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Ordinary activity. While reconnoitering front line with Colonel Lowe, Major Kerr was killed at 0100.

                                            War Diaries


                                            11th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            Relief complete 2.30am. Very wet weather. Front line A Coy right B Coy left. C Coy left support D Coy right support. An enemy light machine gun post which had apparently lost its way walked down the road from VIERHOUCK to A Coy right platoon post. The men in the post waited until the party had approached sufficiently close and then opened fire with Lewis Gun. They captured 1 unwounded, 3 wounded prisoners and their light machine gun. The Brig. Gen, visited Battalion HQ. A patrol of 1 officer and 20 OR went out to inspect suspected shell holes but they were unoccupied.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            12th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Slightly more activity from enemy artillery. Battalion was relieved by the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and moved into Brigade Reserve on Mont Noir (M.19.d.65.05). Sheet Kemmel 28 SW 1/10000.

                                            Total casualties: 1 Officer and 8 Other Ranks

                                            War Diaries


                                            12th July 1918   SM U-124

                                            Type UE 2 Shipyard Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (Werk 301) Ordered 27 May 1916 Launched 28 Mar 1918 Commissioned 12 Jul 1918

                                            Commanders.
                                            12 Jul 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Rolf Carls

                                            Career No patrols. No flotilla information available Successes No successes.

                                            Fate 1 Dec 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Swansea in 1922.

                                            There was another U 124 in World War Two.
                                            That boat was launched from its shipyard on 9 Mar 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 11 Jun 1940.

                                            John Doran


                                            12th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            Patrols were sent out by day and night but no new information obtained.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            13th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Mont Noir.

                                            Men engaged on work parties on defence lines, working partly by day and by night.

                                            War Diaries


                                            13th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            A patrol of a Corporal and 2 men volunteered to go out and silence a machine gun which was troubling them. They proceeded direct to the machine gun and killing one of the team captured it, the remainder of the enemy running away.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            14th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Same programme as previous day. Small red balloon with propaganda matter dropped from enemy aeroplane.

                                            War Diaries


                                            14th Jul 1819   CAUDESCURE

                                            The Battalion was relieved by 15th WEST YORKS REGT and moved back to reserve line.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            15th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Enemy guns active. Numerous shells dropping during day especially in Quarry causing two casualties.

                                            War Diaries


                                            15th July 1918 Australian Troop Transports  

                                            HMAT A43 Barunga

                                            Picture from: State Library of NSW, picture number a636443

                                            The HMAT A43 Barunga weighed 7,484 tons with an average cruise speed of 11 knots or 20.37 kmph. The Barunga was previously a captured German vessel called Sumatra. It was manned by Australia officers and crew. The Barunga was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine in the North Atlantic, 15 July 1918.

                                            John Doran


                                            15th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            Quiet, relief finished by 5.0am. Divisional Commander visited Battalion HQ. Battalion provided working parties on the COBLEY COTTAGE, VOLLEY FARM switch and also on the main line of resistance.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            16th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Everything normal. Enemy artillery active at Quarry. At midnight 12th Royal Irish Rifles attempted to raid enemy unsuccessfully. A heavy barrage was laid on enemy lines to which he replied feebly.

                                            War Diaries


                                            16th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            B Coy relieved by A Coy formed part of the surplus personnel left out of the line and a large draft which arrived on the 15th and proceeded to details camp to train for an attack to the transport lines.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            17th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            At 0300 [17 July] enemy raided 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers. The relief intended to take place was cancelled. At midnight everybody stood to in anticipation of enemy attack which, however, did not happen. Our artillery were very active throughout the night.

                                            Major Tamplin joined the Battalion at Mont Noir.

                                            Relief took place at night of 12th Royal Irish Rifles in right sector (Meulehouck).

                                            Strength: 19 Officers, 565 Other Ranks.

                                            War Diaries


                                            17th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            A Coy relieved by the surplus personnel of the 13th YORK & LANCS REGT and also proceeded to the transport lines.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            18th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            Working parties on COBLEY COTTAGE switch and main line of resistance as for previous days. Relieved the 13th YORK & LANCS REGT in the R2 sector. A,B & D Coy’s in the front line. C Coy and Nucleus Coy in main line of resistance.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            19th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Meulehouck (right of left sub-sector).

                                            0800. The 9th Division on our right captured Meteren. Enemy retaliation was slight. One hit with small shell on Battalion Headquarters. The night was fairly quiet with light artillery activity.

                                            War Diaries


                                            19th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            An attempt was made to advance the line on the Brigade front by infiltration of infantry. See appendix A.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            20th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Artillery chiefly engaged on back areas. Day and night passed quietly.

                                            War Diaries


                                            20th July 1918   

                                            SM U-123

                                            SM U-123

                                            Type UE 2 Shipyard Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (Werk 300) Ordered 27 May 1916 Launched 26 Jan 1918 Commissioned 20 Jul 1918

                                            Commanders.
                                            20 Jul 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Karl Thouret

                                            Career No patrols.
                                            No flotilla information available.
                                            Successes No successes.

                                            There was another U 123 in World War Two.
                                            That boat was launched from its shipyard on 2 Mar 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 30 May 1940.

                                            20th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            A quiet day. Raid by 5th Division on our right at 12 midnight night of the 19th. C & D Coy’s took over the front line. A & B Coy’s returned to support.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            21st July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Maps, 28 Bailleul & Berthen 1/10000 (Edition 1 B local). Meulehouck (right of left sub-sector). Day and night normal.

                                            War Diaries


                                            21st July 1918 Australian Troop Transports  

                                            RMS Mongolian

                                            Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                                            The RMS Mongolia weighed 4,892 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Indian & Peninsular St. Nav Co Ltd Glasgow. It was torpedoed and sunk on the 21st July 1918. Contracted at times to transport Australian troops.

                                            John Doran


                                            21st July 1918 Attack on Orleans 1918  The Attack on Orleans was a naval and air action during World War I which took place on 21 July 1918. A German U-boat opened fire on the American town of Orleans, Massachusetts and several merchant vessels nearby. A tugboat was sunk, but shells fired in the direction of the town landed harmlessly in a marsh and on a beach.

                                            Attack

                                            On the morning on 21 July 1918, under the command of Richard Feldt, U-156 was positioned off Nauset Beach, located in Orleans, Massachusetts. U-156 surfaced and opened fire on the town with her deck guns, then with torpedoes and her deck guns on the 140 foot tugboat Perth Amboy, which was surrounded by four wooden barges. Men from the nearby Coast Guard station rushed up to the observation tower to see what the commotion was. One of them called Chatham Naval Air Station to inform them of the ongoing U-boat attack. Reuben Hopkins, a Coast Guard veteran of the engagement, reached the tower rail in time to see an enemy shell explode over the tugboat. The tug was quickly sunk and U-156 then started firing upon the barges. Escaping from the now burning Perth Amboy and barges were 32 merchant sailors and civilians, including the captain's wife and children. Reuben Hopkins stayed behind as other men went to rescue the tugboat survivors who were coming ashore in lifeboats. Soon, Curtiss HS-2L flying boats and R-9 floatplanes arrived to bomb the U-boat, but the ordnance dropped either were duds or failed to hit the target and the warplanes had to fly back to Chatham, Massachusetts to reload.

                                            Aftermath

                                            U-156 got away and headed north, where it continued to attack other allied ships. Back in Orleans, a few shells and craters were found on shore. Some also were found in the nearby marsh. The area sustained minor damage. The psychological effects on the population of Orleans were immediate as people began reporting the hearing of naval battles off the coast. Others talked about the supposed "mother ship" for U-156. Newspapers dubbed the engagement as the "Battle of Orleans" and offered a reward for the discovery of submarine supply bases in the Bay of Fundy. Towns also banned lights for fear that German spies would use them to signal U-boats. The attack on Orleans was the only Central Powers raid mounted against the United States mainland during World War I. It was also the first time the Continental United States was shelled by foreign enemy guns since the Siege of Fort Texas in 1846. There were no fatalities. The Continental U.S. would be shelled again twice in 1942 by Japanese submarines during the Pacific War. These two engagements are known as the Bombardment of Fort Stevens along the northeast Pacific coast of Oregon and the Bombardment of Ellwood near Santa Barbara, California.

                                            John Doran


                                            21st Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            Very quiet day. Some shelling and considerable machine gun fire during the night.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            22nd July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            0045. B Company under Captain Murphy DCM MC and 2nd Lieutenants Reynolds, Leahy, Radcliffe and McFarlane with No.15 Platoon of D Company raided Shoddy Farm. One prisoner was captured and thirty others were estimated to be killed. Our casualties: Two Officers and five Other Ranks missing with eleven slightly wounded. The enemy put down a machine-gun barrage followed by artillery support while the party was in No Man's Land. We also captured two light machine-guns, one of which was lost through the carrier becoming a casualty. During day and following night ordinary activity on either side. A Platoon patrolled at night in search of missing men with no success.

                                            War Diaries


                                            22nd Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            Relieved by the 11th EAST LANCS REGT.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            23rd July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Day was quiet. Same patrol at night but no bodies were found. The Battalion was relieved by the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and moved with the remainder of Brigade into Divisional Reserve at Spotterke (R.15.d.10.70). Total casualties: 2 Officers and 4 Other Ranks missing, 11 wounded.

                                            War Diaries


                                            23rd Jul 1918 1st Herefords in action at Parcy Tigny  1st Battalion Herefordshire Regiment and the other units of 102nd Brigade, 34th Division were in action, in conjunction with the French, at Parcy Tigny.

                                            23rd Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE

                                            Relief complete 3.15am. Moved back to Brigade Reserve into camp near MORBECQUE.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            24th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Ref sheet 28 Berthen 1/10000. Spotterke.

                                            No movement is made in daylight as camp is under observation. Battalion engaged on work at night on Berthen defences.

                                            Company Quartermaster Sergeant Kemp from 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joins the Battalion as 2nd Lieutenant.

                                            War Diaries


                                            24th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE

                                            Cleaning up & baths.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            25th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Normal during day. At night the Battalions go to Baths at Berthen.

                                            War Diaries


                                            25th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE

                                            Firing on rifle range. Training of Lewis Gunners. Rifle grenade firing. Recreational training in the afternoon.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            26th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Enemy guns more active especially at night. Lewis Gunners fire their guns for testing and practice. Between 2300 and midnight the enemy shell our camp, getting a direct hit on the Medical tent.

                                            War Diaries


                                            26th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE

                                            Coy training

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            27th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Mont des Cats.

                                            Battalion shifted camp in small parties to R.13.d.85.75 which is not in view from enemy lines, and billeted in various houses, dugouts and tents so that movement can be made in daylight. No work was done at night.

                                            War Diaries


                                            27th Jul 1918   18th DLI undertake Coy training at Morbecque.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            28th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Church Parade was held in the afternoon and part of Battalion bathed at transport lines. Battalion engaged on usual work party at night.

                                            War Diaries


                                            28th Jul 1918 Croix de Guerre for 8th West Yorks  Croix de Guerre awarded to 8th Battalion West Yorks Regiment following successful campaign at Montage de Bligny. 33 men lost their lives and are buried at the British Cemetery, Chambrecy

                                            28th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE

                                            Sunday. Church parade. Moved forward to relieve the 24th ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS in reserve to the left Brigade. A & B Coy’s in GRAND MARQUETTE FARM. C Coy in trenches GRAND SEC BOIS. D Coy in A LA PROMENADE FARM. Relief complete 10.56pm. In right front 13th YORK & LANCASTER REGT. In left front 15th WEST YORKS REGT. On our right the 92nd Brigade. On our left the 119th Bde. 40th Div.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            29th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Lewis Gun Section from each Company fire at improvised range in the morning. Lecture given by the Commanding Officer in the afternoon. One Company is allowed off usual work party in order to do some training on following day.

                                            War Diaries


                                            29th July 1918 X Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ113 (L71)

                                            • Production Ref: LZ113
                                            • Class type : X
                                            • Tactical ref: L71
                                            • Usage: Military
                                            • First Flight: 29th July 1918

                                            History.

                                            This airship was not used during the war and in 1920 it was ordered to be transferred to Britain in the context of war reparations. It was scrapped at short notice when the hangar was required for the damaged British R36.

                                            John Doran


                                            29th Jul 1918   GRAND SEC BOIS

                                            A quiet day. Working party of 300 all ranks working at night on Z Line.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            30th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Mont des Cats.

                                            Different Lewis Gun Sections fire at range. 'A' Company carries on with training during day. Usual work party at night.

                                            War Diaries


                                            30th Jul 1918   GRAND SEC BOIS

                                            Quiet day. Working party as for yesterday. Last night the Division on our right advanced & took MERRIS with approx. 200 prisoners.

                                            18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                            31st July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                            Usual parades and work parties. Men with revolvers are given instruction in use of same, carrying out firing practice.

                                            • Awards during the month:
                                            • Military Medal, 13658 Sergeant R Johnston, 43447 Private Pye, E;
                                            • Bar to Military Medal, 13971 Sergeant J Adams.

                                            Strength: 35 Officers, 973 Other Ranks.

                                            Total casualties during the month: 1 Officer killed, 2 Officers missing; 3 Other Ranks killed, 40 Other Ranks wounded, 5 Other Ranks missing.

                                            War Diaries


                                            31st July 1918   SM U-162

                                            Type U 93 Shipyard Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack Ordered 9 Feb 1917 Launched 20 Apr 1918 Commissioned 31 Jul 1918

                                            Commanders.
                                            31 Jul 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Karl-Friedrich von Abendroth

                                            Career 1 patrols.
                                            start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                            Successes No successes.

                                            Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to France. Became the french submarine Pierre Marrast until 27 Jan, 1937. Broken up..

                                            There was another U 162 in World War Two.
                                            That boat was launched from its shipyard on 1 Mar 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 9 Sep 1941.

                                            John Doran


                                            31st Jul 1918   GRAND SEC BOIS

                                            Working party as for yesterday. Nothing to report. Total Increase & Decrease during July:

                                              Decrease.
                                                Killed - Officers 0. OR 35.
                                                Wounded - Officers 2. OR 92.
                                                Unaccounted for - Officers 1. OR 12.
                                                - - - Officers 0. OR 55.
                                                Total - Officers 3. OR 194.

                                                Increase.
                                                  Drafts - Officers 6. OR 183.
                                                  - - - Officers 0. OR 32.
                                                  Total - Officers 6. OR 215.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                1st Aug 1918   Remembrance Day

                                                The Lord Mayor of London in a letter to The Daily News, invites his fellow citizens to attend with him the 10.30 am service t St Paul's on Sunday next, when the fourth anniversary of Great Britain's entry into the war will solemnly be observed as a "Day of Remembrance"

                                                "Such an occasion" says the Lord Mayor, "will enable us as a community to recall all that has befallen our Empire in these four fateful years, and especially the services and sacrifices of those who have fought and fallen in the scared cause of freedom, justice and humanity. It will also permit us to reconsecrate ourselves, in the memory of all the high traditions and ideals for which we have been fighting, for the possibly greater demands of the future."

                                                He adds that there will be a simultaneous offering of prayer and thanks giving in every city, town and village throughout the country and throughout the Empire.

                                                The Daily News


                                                1st August 1918 Striking Back at the enemy  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                                St Jans Capel. Work continued in the St Jans Capel sector into August. No.1 Company was detailed with maintenance and repairs of the following roads: Fontaine, Berthen, Berthen, Schaexken, Rossignol, Piebrouk, Piebrouk, Berthen and Staines House roads. No.3 Company was tasked with constructing mined dugouts near Rossignol, for the Medical Dressing Station and Brigade HQ. It was also responsible for deepening, duck-boarding and wiring trenches as part of Blue Line. These tasks continued with a number of variations until 21st August.

                                                By now the German offensive seemed to have ground to a halt and indeed great Allied offensives had been launched further south. Employing tanks and with long sought after Artillery superiority Rawlinsons 4th British Army together with the First French Army commenced an offensive along the Amiens, Roye road with advances being made in the area of Chateau Thierry. The First and Third British Armies were driving across the old Somme battlegrounds and again approaching the Hindenburg Line.

                                                The turning point for the Second Army at the St Jans Capel sector to go on the offensive had now been reached. The 9th Division had captured Meteren and then the Hoegenecker Ridge south east of Meteren which left the Germans facing the 36th Division in a precarious salient which the Division proposed to push in thus shortening their own defensive line. On the night of 21-22 August the 16th Pioneers were to support an action by the 15th Bn Royal Irish Rifles to straighten the line by the capture of Mural and Wirral Farms. They were to erect a single wire fence in front of newly captured ground. During this they were involved in some fighting and captured an enemy machine gun. Only about 2/3rd of the work was completed and casualties were 8 other ranks wounded. The following night the companies were back on their tasks again.

                                                On the 23-24th Nos. 1 and 3 Companies were employed to construct a new front line trench. Casualties were 2 other ranks killed and 3 wounded. Work continued on the night 24/25 August with about 1 mile of trenches completed. The left Brigade attacking with 1st and 9th battalions the Royal Irish Fusiliers advanced the line to the Haegedoorne, Dranontre Road on the 24th August, so on the night of 25, 26th another 500 yards of new trenches were dug and over the next two nights a further 1500 yards were completed.

                                                On the morning of the 30th August the 36th Division were to be relieved by the 35th Division but this did not take place as the Germans withdrew from the salient overnight and lit up the night sky with the burning of their equipment as they withdrew. So the 36th had to stay in touch with the active and aggressive pursuit of the enemy. On the 31st of August the pioneers were unsurprisingly opening and repairing roads to keep up with the advance.

                                                Battalion strength 1st August Officers 33 ORs 1048 31st August Officers 36 ORs 1022

                                                Casualties Officers Killed 1 Wounded 10 Other Ranks Killed nil Wounded 10

                                                The Terrors by SN White


                                                1st August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Map Reference Sheet 28 Berthen 1/10000. Mont des Cats.

                                                One Company carried on with training. Lewis Gun Sections from each Company fired at range and men with revolvers had parade for instruction. At night three Companies were working on Berthen defences. Two men were slightly wounded.

                                                In afternoon the Division Band played for two hours. Captain J Gibson joined the Battalion from transport lines. Two men were wounded on working party.

                                                War Diaries


                                                1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                                                SS Newhaven

                                                With the advantages of the steam turbine having been clearly demonstrated by the LBSCR's Brighton and Dieppe this form of propulsion was specified for the ships built to replace the Tamise, Manche and France. The Newhaven was built by the Forges et Chantiers de la Mediteranee, Le Havre in 1911.

                                                At the outbreak of World War 1 the Newhaven was requisitioned by the French navy for use as an auxiliary cruiser before being transferred to the British flag for use as a hospital ship.

                                                • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                                • Medical Staff strength.
                                                • Officers:3
                                                • Nurses:4
                                                • Other:27
                                                • Accommodation capacity.
                                                • Officers:6
                                                • Cots:19
                                                • Berths:138
                                                • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                                • Date From:7th May 1915
                                                • Date To:5th March 1919
                                                • Ships Crew details:

                                                Recovered by her owners in 1919 she was, along with her sister the Rouen, the mainstay of the French side of the Newhaven-Dieppe service during the 1920's and 30's.

                                                In August 1924 the Newhaven ran aground at night in thick fog under the cliffs at Berneval, about 5 miles east of Dieppe. The following morning, at low tide, the passengers descended to the beach by rope ladder and finished their journey to Dieppe in hastily hired buses! She was re-floated 9 days later, fortunately without serious damage and was quickly put back into service.

                                                Two refits changed her appearance significantly. In the first, during the winter of 1929/30 her internal accommodation was upgraded and her promenade decks plated-in. The second, during the winter of 1931/32 saw her coal fired boilers being changed for oil burners and her twin funnels replaced by a single larger one.

                                                The Newhaven was taken over by the Germans in 1940 and used as a troop transport in the Baltic during World War II. Recovered in 1945, her refitting as a passenger vessel was considered too costly and she was sold for scrap in 1949.

                                                John Doran


                                                1st Aug 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN

                                                The Battalion moved forward and took over the R3 Sub Sector from the 13th YORK & LANCS Regt. A Coy right front, B Coy left front, C Coy in the Y line, D Coy Z line. Relief complete 2.30am,

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                2nd August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Usual firing of Lewis Guns. Day was wet; causing parades took form of lectures. At night work was done by five Platoons (C Company and No.13 of D). Casualties, two killed, four wounded.

                                                War Diaries


                                                2nd Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH

                                                Considerable shelling around Battalion HQ. Orders received to move & take over the R2 Sub Sector from the 11th E YORKS.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                3rd August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Training was carried out in forenoon by those Companies who were not working during night and by the whole Battalion in the afternoon from 1300 to 1500. Companies arranged their own programmes of work. At night the usual work party took place.

                                                War Diaries


                                                3rd August 1918 Australian Troop Transports  

                                                HMAT A69 Warilda

                                                The HMAT A69 Warilda weighed 7,713 tons with an average cruise speed of 16 knots or 29.63 kmph. It was owned by the Adelaide SS Co Ltd, Adelaide, and manned by Australian officers and mainly by Australian crews. The Warilda was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine in the English Channel on the 3rd August 1918. she also served as a Hospital Ship during WW1.

                                                • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                                • Medical Staff strength.
                                                • Officers:10
                                                • Nurses:15
                                                • Other:63
                                                • Accommodation capacity.
                                                • Officers:12
                                                • Cots:346
                                                • Berths:188
                                                • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                                • Date From:25th July 1916
                                                • Date To:3rd August 1918
                                                • Ships Crew details:

                                                John Doran


                                                3rd Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH

                                                Relieved the 2 front Coy’s of the 12th NORFOLK Regt. the 2 rear Coy’s of the 23rd LANCS FUSILIERS, Disposition after completion of relief in the R2 Sub Sector, D Coy right front, C Coy left front, B Coy left support in the COBLEY COTTAGE Switch, A Coy right support in the Z line. On the left 12th NORFOLKS (to be relieved night 4/5th by 23rd R LANCS FUSILIERS) On right 13th YORK & LANCS. On right of Y&L 61st Div. Relief complete R2 Sub Sector 4.20am. During relief heavy shelling in forward area of new sector.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                4th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                The Commanding Officer and Adjutant visited details, Divisional Reception and Reinforcement Camps. Major Tamplin DSO and Lieutenant Richardson with nine Other Ranks attend special Intercessory Service held at Terdeghem in commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the outbreak of war. Usual Lewis Gun firing took place in the morning.

                                                War Diaries


                                                4th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH

                                                Two patrols of 1 Officer 20 ORs and a Lewis Gun sent out, who established the fact that no posts were being held up to a line drawn parallel with & 200X from our front line.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                5th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Mont des Cats.

                                                Wesleyan and Presbyterians paraded at 1430 for Church with 12th Royal Irish Rifles. Church of Ireland service was held at 1800. No work was done at night.

                                                War Diaries


                                                5th August 1918 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  The last Zeppelin raid on Britain took place on 5 August 1918 when four Zeppelins bombed targets in the Midlands and the North of England. The airships reached the British coast before dark, and were sighted by the Leman Tail lightship 30 mi (48 km) northeast of Happisborough at 2010, although defending aircraft were not alerted until 2050. Despite thick cloud two aircraft succeeded in intercepting the recently commissioned LZ112(L70), which was carrying Strasser as an observer, and shot it down in flames. Egbert Cadbury and Robert Leckie flying a DH.4 were credited with the victory. The remaining airships dropped their bombs blind, relying on radio bearings for navigational information: none fell on land. A substantial effort was made to salvage the wreckage of L70 and most of the structure was eventually brought ashore, providing the British a great deal of technical information. The bodies of the crew members were buried at sea.

                                                John Doran


                                                5th August 1918   By the beginning of 1917 the German High Command was losing faith in the extremely costly air ships campaign, which overall had wreaked only limited structural damage on Great Britain. From May 1917 most bombing raids were carried out by the Gotha bombers although, with a more limited range, these operations were largely limited to London and the South East. There were only seven airship-raids in 1917 and four in 1918. The final airship raid on Great Britain took place on the 5th August 1918. The command airship was shot down over the North Sea by the gunner of a British DH4 twin-seater aircraft flying from South Denes aerodrome, Great Yarmouth. The German Leader of Airships, Peter Strasser, and his 23 crew were all killed. The remaining four airships hurriedly and mistakenly dropped their bombs into the English Channel and turned for home.

                                                The total number of airship attacks on Britain between 1915 and 1918 probably numbered only a total of 12 raids on London and 40 more over the rest of the country, but the Zeppelin was very effective in drawing RFC and RNAS resources away from the battle front. By December 1916 at the height of the Zeppelin threat 17,340 officers and men were in the AA service together with 12 RFC squadrons comprised of 200 officers, 2,000 other ranks and 110 aircraft for home defence duties. By 1918, facing the raids by Gotha bombers, there were 55 Home Defence Squadrons. The threat of bombing certainly reduced the numbers of effective squadrons and trained pilots at the front and thus reduced the pressure on the German front line.

                                                The First Air Raid on Lancashire: The Zeppelin Menace By Scott Carter-Clavell


                                                5th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH

                                                Nothing to report.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                6th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Battalion was inspected by the Commanding Officer at 1300. At 1500 a lecture was given by Captain Bless on the war. The lecture was good but the weather bad. Work was done as usual.

                                                War Diaries


                                                6th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH

                                                Projection of 600 gas bombs from behind D Coy HQ. C & D Coy’s withdrawn from danger zone during & for 2 hours after projection (owing to gas lingering) & upon reoccupying positions D Coy found one of the enemy badly gassed who had wandered into our lines. He was without any means of identification & died before he could be got to Brigade.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                7th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Ordinary parades took place. Between 2330 and midnight enemy fired about 50 rounds of 5.9 inch shells on battery positions immediately in rear of Battalion area. Our guns retaliated. The usual work was done at night.

                                                War Diaries


                                                7th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH

                                                Information received that enemy were likely to withdraw South of Brigade Sector. Sent out two snipers on daylight patrol at 3pm to watch enclosure at E.30. A patrol returned and informed OC C Coy Capt NEAL DCM that enclosure did not appear to be held. 2Lt PERRY & 6 ORs sent out to investigate came upon party of Germans holding Western hedge of enclosure. These made signs to our party to surrender but finding 4 of our party had worked round to their flank they themselves surrendered. Result 14 prisoners taken & a light machine gun. At the same time 23rd LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS took 9 prisoners. Further news received that the Division (74th) on the night of the 6th had advanced their line. At 12 midnight the front line Coy’s advanced their posts some 200X & dug in leaving small holding parties. Inter Coy relief. A Coy took over from D Coy. B Coy from C Coy & vice versa.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                8th Aug 1918   A/Major Basil Terah Hooley, 7th Sherwood Foresters then 2nd Tank Corps, 5th Battalion was awarded an M.C. For gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a company of tanks near Domart, 8th August 1918.

                                                In order to reach his position of deployment this officer had to take his tanks across the river Luce by Thennes Bridge and move them for a distance of 1700 yards to a flank within100 yards of the enemy front line. The bridge at Thennes was in a very precarious condition, and the entire approach march had to be carried out through the area in which the enemy’s barrage was known to fall. In carrying out this most difficult operation Major Hooley displayed the greatest coolness and judgement, and succeeded in getting all thirteen tanks to a position of deployment, whence the proceeded into action at zero. Throughout the operation on 8th August Major Hooley kept in close touch with his tanks in spite of heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, and supervised them in their operations with the greatest judgement and decision. His gallantry and capable handling of his command enabled the infantry to reach their objectives at the expense of very few casualties.

                                                THE TANK CORPS BOOK OF HONOUR Book owned by father John Peter Lloyd 460 pages, here is just one entry on page 155 and I quote


                                                8th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers report "No training done. At night Battalion relieved the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in right of left sub-sector (Meulehouck). Relief done satisfactorily by 0130. Only one casualty through enemy shelling. Remainder of night passed quietly."

                                                War Diaries


                                                8th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH

                                                Inter Coy relief complete 1am. Daylight patrol sent out all day to ascertain whether enemy still holding W side of PLATE BECQUE. Patrols on S side of VERTE RUE LA COURONNE road were unable to get far forward owing to heavy machine gun fire. Patrols on the N side of the LA COURONNE road established the fact that the enemy were holding the enclosure at E.30. in strength that there was a ladder up a tree used as an OP.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                8th Aug 1918 Captured Weapons  
                                                THE HUNDRED DAYS OFFENSIVE, AUGUST-NOVEMBER 1918 THE HUNDRED DAYS OFFENSIVE, AUGUST-NOVEMBER 1918

                                                © IWM (Q 6918)                                               © IWM (Q 6919)

                                                Officers of the 8th and 10th Battalions, London Regiment, 58th Division conferring by a captured German mortar near Malard Wood during the Battle of Amiens.



                                                9th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Reference Sheet 28 Bailleul 1/10000. Meulehouck.

                                                Enemy shelled St Jans Cappel with 5.9s throughout day while our guns replied on Bailleul. Our planes very active. Enemy planes seldom crossed our lines. One fired into our trench early in morning. Slight machine gun activity at night. Two patrols were out during night. One was detected at S.2.c.15.20 and fired on. The other under 2nd Lieutenant J Boyd was fired at and bombed from house at S.3.c.10.10, two men being wounded.

                                                War Diaries


                                                9th Aug 1918 106 Field Coy RE visit seaside  106 Field Coy RE rest at Beaurainvelle and visited the seaside but the beach was out of bounds. Good news from the front that the Fresh American troops were doing well although the weather was bad

                                                9th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH

                                                Patrols (night & day) again sent out but enemy more alert. At night the Battalion relieved by the 11th E YORKS.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                10th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                At 0315 enemy detected at our wire at S.2.d.35.60 but disappeared on fire being opened. Three blasts of whistle were heard from enemy trench soon after. Enemy guns were active on front line in morning. Twenty (5.9s) on S.1.d.6.6, our guns active day and night on enemy rear area. Usual aircraft activity.

                                                At 2030 one enemy aircraft was over our line while another was brought down by one of ours. Enemy balloon also brought down in flames south of Bailleul. Patrols were out under Captain J Benson and 2nd Lieutenant Behannah, but did not come into contact with enemy. The latter estimated Shoddy Farm garrison to be forty. At 1830 Lieutenant Dobbyn MC got into enemy trench at S.3.c.8.5 but only found greatcoat and pack. Another patrol under 2nd Lieutenant Burrowes at 1630 got to consolidated shell holes at S.3.c.05.05 where they fired at enemy party.

                                                War Diaries


                                                10th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH

                                                Relief complete at 2am. Quiet relief.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                11th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Usual activity on either side. At 0400 twenty rounds of heavy Trench Mortars were fired on left of sector. At 2300 patrol of 32 Other Ranks under Captain J Benson and 2nd Lieutenant Behannah attempted to raid Shoddy Farm but were attacked in rear and after hand-to-hand fight in which casualties were inflicted on either side, returned. Our casualties, Captain Benson missing, two Other Ranks killed, two wounded.

                                                War Diaries


                                                11th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Baths & general cleaning up.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                12th August 1918 Quiet day for 9th Irish Fusiliers  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers war diary records: Enemy artillery very quiet, ours active. Usual enemy plane at 0500 and 2030. Night passed quietly.

                                                War Diaries


                                                12th Aug 1916 106th Coy RE work on dugouts.  106th Coy RE are at Hesdin St. Pole Combluim Le Abbie behind Vimy Ridge, Sappers working on Dugouts. The Writer was trying to get to see his wounded Comrade, Bert Chance who it is believed was dying in a Casualty Clearing Station.

                                                12th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Musketry on 400X rifle range for all Coy’s. Reorganisation.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                13th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                At 0310 heavy bombardment by our guns in direction of Locre. The day passed as usual. Between 2200 and 2230 enemy put up ten lights bursting into orange rain, but no apparent result or action. Enemy appeared to be working actively in front lines. Our patrols obtained nothing. Our planes very active bombing at night.

                                                War Diaries


                                                13th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Musketry, Rifle grenade firing. P.T.B.F. Patrol schemes. Handling of arms.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                14th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                At 0130 heavy concentrated bombardment on Bailleul. During day enemy artillery slightly more active. Two of his planes crossed our line at 2030. One returned to his own line, the other surrendered to four of ours, putting out a red flare. He was then escorted back to our own aerodrome.

                                                Lieutenant Dobbyn MC with two others got into enemy line at 1715 at S.3.c.9.5, where they killed a German and wounded another. Six others fled. Patrol at night under 2nd Lieutenant C.A Ross was fired on by Machine Guns and bombs. Three Other Ranks were wounded. Remainder of night passed as usual.

                                                2nd Lieutenant H.L Davies joined from transport lines.

                                                War Diaries


                                                14th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                As for yesterday.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                15th Aug 1918 246 Squadron formed.  246 Squadron was formed from 252 Squadron RFC at RFC Seaton Carew II.

                                                15th Aug 1918 403 Flight 246 Squadron move base.  403 Flight of the newly formed 246 Squadron departed from RAF Seaton Carew II for RAF Killingholme

                                                15th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Enemy artillery fairly active, shelling St Jans Cappel with 5.9s from 0240 to 0300 and S.2.c.20.50 from 1015 to 1045 with 43 shells of 77mm high velocity. Our artillery was active. At night they fired eight rockets over Bailleul. These are like ordinary Verey lights but much stronger light. From experience it is found that enemy sometimes put up red flares bursting into rain when our patrols are out, as if he has discovered them and so gives warning to sentries.

                                                update 77 mm shells were called whiz-bangs. They travelled faster than sound so you heard the whiz of the passing (hopefully!) shell before the sound of the gun which fired it.

                                                War Diaries


                                                15th August 1918   SM U-136

                                                Type Large Ms. Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig Ordered 27 May 1916 Laid down 23 Nov 1916 Launched 7 Nov 1917 Commissioned 15 Aug 1918

                                                Commanders.
                                                15 Aug 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Hermann Menzel

                                                Career No patrols.
                                                start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 III Flotilla

                                                Successes No successes.

                                                Fate 23 Feb 1919 - Surrendered to France. Broken up at Cherburg in 1921.

                                                There was another U 136 in World War Two.
                                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 5 Jul 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 30 Aug 1941.

                                                John Doran


                                                15th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Patrolling scheme introducing communication with a contact aeroplane.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                16th Aug 1918 Reliefs  9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Day was ordinary. At night the Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles and on relief moved into Brigade reserve at Mont Noir. Relief was completed by 0130. Disposition of Companies: A & D in wood near Woelfhoek, B in Quarry and C in Blue Line."

                                                War Diary 9th North Irish Horse


                                                16th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Coy training.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                17th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Reference Sheet 28 Kemmel 1/10000. Mont Noir.

                                                Day was spent in cleaning and inspections. At 2200 two Companies bathed at R.26.d. central. Work was done at tunnel at Battalion Headquarters and salvage at Berthen.

                                                War Diaries


                                                17th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Coy training. Patrol demonstration & lecture by R. SCOTS FUSILIERS & R. WELSH FUSILIERS in their recent experience in pushing forward at VIEUX BERQUIN.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                18th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Mont Noir.

                                                About 1100 the 9th Division attacked on our right and appeared to get their objectives from observation at Mont Noir.

                                                Two Companies bathed at night, while one worked. Number of fires were seen behind enemy lines.

                                                War Diaries


                                                18th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Brigade church parade. Presentations, Honours & Awards by Brigadier.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                19th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                At intervals enemy shelled battery positions behind Mont Noir with 5.9 inch calibre guns. At night one and a half Platoons worked from 2100 to midnight on communication trench to left of Battalion Headquarters, two Platoons daily from 0600 to 1200 on Blue Line.

                                                War Diaries


                                                19th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Baths & musketry. New draft inspected by Brigade.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                19th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Baths & musketry. New draft inspected by Brigade.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                20th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Enemy artillery were active, shelling behind Mont Noir with 5.9s and field guns. The usual work was done. At night the two Platoons on left of Blue Line were relieved by two of D Company.

                                                The Brigade on the left made a slight advance, capturing about 70 prisoners.

                                                War Diaries


                                                20th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Preparation for going into line.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                21st August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                The day passed as usual. Our relief of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers was cancelled and orders given for an attack to be made by the Brigade. The 15th Royal Irish Rifles (107th Brigade) captured Mural and Wirral Farms, capturing 17 prisoners, at 0030, with 40 (wounded) casualties.

                                                War Diaries


                                                21st August 1918   SM U-163

                                                Type U 93 Shipyard Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack Ordered 9 Feb 1917 Launched 1 Jun 1918 Commissioned 21 Aug 1918

                                                Commanders.
                                                21 Aug 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Heinrich Metzger

                                                Career.
                                                start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                                Successes No successes.

                                                Fate 22 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to Italy. Broken up at La Spezia in August 1919.

                                                There was another U 163 in World War Two.
                                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 1 May 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 21 Oct 1941.

                                                John Doran


                                                21st Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                The Battalion were to have relieved the 11th E YORKS in the R2 Sub Sector VIEUX BERQUIN but after arrangements had been made for relief these orders were cancelled.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                22nd August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Preparations are made for attack by us on road from S.3.c to S.8.a. At night the Company in Blue Line was relieved by a Company of the 1st Royal Irish Rifles. At 2330 the front line was bombarded with shells of various calibre and gas. Enemy made an unsuccessful counter-attack on Mural Farm.

                                                Working parties at night made dumps of material for consolidating purposes in front line.

                                                War Diaries


                                                22nd Aug 1918 Food shortages for 106th Coy RE  Food was very short which meant that 106th Field Coy RE were feeding many German prisoners. Enemy Aeroplanes caused a lot of problems at night.

                                                22nd Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                The 40th Div relieved the 31st Div in the VIEUX BERQUIN Sector relieving in its turn the 9th Div in the METEREN Sector. At 5pm the Battalion vacated the camp at MORBECQUE (it was taken over by the 12th R WELSH FUSILIERS 94th Brigade) and marched via HAZEBROUCK to camp at V.12.b.9.9. taking over from 2nd R SCOTS FUSILIERS. Reconnoitring patrols sent up to L2 Sub Sector to take over from 12th R SCOTS FUSILIERS.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                22nd Aug 1918 Village taken  
                                                THE HUNDRED DAYS OFFENSIVE, AUGUST-NOVEMBER 1918

                                                Mark V (Female) tanks of the 4th Battalion, Tank Corps, passing through Meaulte on 22nd of August 1918, the day the village was captured by the 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment of 12th Division. © IWM (Q 7301)

                                                IWM


                                                23rd August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Meulehouck.

                                                All NCOs and men instructed in method of attack and final preparations for same were made. At 2030 Battalion moved into the line on right of left sub-sector (Meulehouck) and cut gaps in wire. The night was very quiet on our front but towards Locre the enemy shelled heavily and appeared to attack about 2300. Our artillery opened fire in reply to SOS.

                                                War Diaries


                                                23rd Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Moved up A Coy right front, B Coy left front, C Coy support, D Coy reserve. Battalion HQ - V.12.b.9.9. Relief complete 11.30pm.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                24th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                0230. Enemy re-opened shelling on left for an hour. Our front was very quiet. The morning opened dull and rain fell. Three of our planes flew over the line and one enemy.

                                                At 0700 the Companies were in position, A on left, B in centre and D on right. Our barrage opened with machine gun fire and trench mortars. After one minute the artillery barrage started and the Companies moved forward to the attack. After a few minutes the enemy put up lights which were replied to by artillery fire. This fell first upon the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers front but then worked across our own, the shelling being particularly heavy in S.2.d central. Some of our own 18-pounder shells fell very short at S.2.d.80.50. Our smoke barrage was not very heavy, especially on the right. The enemy seemed to be taken by surprise and were more inclined to run than fight. The objectives were reached without much opposition. A and D overran their objectives and had to retire to conform with the line. 'A' Company put up white Verey light at 0720 to signal objective reached.

                                                At 0800 the whole objective was taken and consolidation was carried on until 1000. C Company followed on behind B and D as second wave and mopped up. They also helped in consolidation, after which three Platoons came back to our old front line trench as support Company while the other Platoon stayed with B Company. At 0930 our shelling ceased but the smoke barrage continued until 1000. The enemy artillery quietened down considerably.

                                                At 1000 contact aeroplane came along while another plane dropped two boxes of Small Arms Ammunition near Soot Farm. There was slight enemy shelling throughout the day on front line area and on the Meulehouck.

                                                The 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers obtained their objective also and liaison was established along our line and with the 1st Royal Irish Rifles on our right.

                                                At 1500 our artillery opened fire on S.8.a where the enemy were reported to be massing. Enemy planes came over the line and threw out signal lights over the front line position, when the enemy shelling got heavier.

                                                At 1830 the enemy put down a smoke barrage behind their front line and in front of Bailleul where they were seen to mass. SOS signalled from front was not seen but one of our planes signalled, upon which our artillery opened fire. The enemy massing had, however, been broken up by Lewis Gun and rifle fire.

                                                There was slight enemy shelling during night but nothing further happened. Our own artillery put down counter-preparation at 2300. At night the Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and moved into Divisional Reserve at Mont des Cats.

                                                Our total casualties in the attack were four Officers wounded, five Other Ranks killed and one believed killed, 53 Other Ranks wounded. We captured 48 prisoners including ten wounded and estimated to have killed at least 70 including one Officer.

                                                War Diaries


                                                24th Aug 1918 Praise for 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers  2nd Battalion , Royal Scots Fusiliers Extract from Battalion Routine Orders by Lt-Colonel J.E. Utterson-Kelso, D.S.O., M.C. dated 24th August 1918.

                                                The Commanding Officer desires to bring to the notice of all ranks his appreciation of the gallant conduct & fine spirit shewn by 'B' Company whilst holding the line on 18th August. During the progress of a minor operation on our right flank, an exceptionally heavy enemy barrage was put down on this Coy. area & was maintained throughout the greater part of the day. The behaviour and steadiness of the Company under the barrage in which they suffered nearly 50% casualties reflect the greatest credit on itself, and also on the Battalion.

                                                Signed: D.M. Nelson, Captain, A/Adjt. 2nd R.S. Fusiliers

                                                24th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Extended Battalion boundary northwards taking over from the 5th CAMERON HIGHLANDERS a part of their front line up to X.22.a.5.2. For this purpose A Coy were brought back five platoons to support & two platoons & Coy HQ to reserve. (being relieved in front line by D Coy 13th Y & L) C Coy went forward and took over the new position from 5th CAMERON HIGHLANDERS becoming left front Coy. B Coy moved its left slightly further North. D Coy moved back to AFRICAN trench. Both Y& L & CAMERONS relief complete by 11pm.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                24th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE

                                                Extended Battalion boundary northwards taking over from the 5th CAMERON HIGHLANDERS a part of their front line up to X.22.a.5.2. For this purpose A Coy were brought back five platoons to support & two platoons & Coy HQ to reserve. (being relieved in front line by D Coy 13th Y & L) C Coy went forward and took over the new position from 5th CAMERON HIGHLANDERS becoming left front Coy. B Coy moved its left slightly further North. D Coy moved back to AFRICAN trench. Both Y& L & CAMERONS relief complete by 11pm.

                                                18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1


                                                25th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Mont des Cats.

                                                The day was spent in cleaning up. Men were paid. Church service was held at 1600. Lieutenant-Colonel P Kelly took over command of Battalion.

                                                War Diaries


                                                26th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Companies did training from 0900 to midday and from 1330 to 1430. The "Merry Mauves" gave a performance at 1430 in the open air but it was curtailed owing to rain. 2330. At night C Company went on work party to Blue Line but there were no tools available. Enemy put 60 gas shells into Godewaersvelde.

                                                The Merry Mauves were the Ulster Divisional Troupe originally called "The Follies" which had been entertaining the troops since early 1916 with very popular concerts.

                                                War Diaries


                                                26th Aug 1918 106th Field Coy Re on the move  In the Champagne District, 106 Field Coy RE were all ready at midnight with full pack and 100 rounds of ammunition. Infantry marching up all night whilst Germans firing over their heads. The 106 then detrained at Fismes far behind the line. The Germans were attacking fast and almost caught the writer at Unchaer whilst he was acting as a messenger for the Company. The fighting continued at Colounge and the Company were attacked by German Fighter planes, they fired at the planes. At Nappis the Sappers were fighting as infantry, they managed to stop the German advance here until the French arrived to take over. Food and Cigarettes short, the writer becomes the runner for Command Royal Engineers for the Company. Bridges at Port Le Binson and Dumery ready to be blown up if Germans attack, sappers in charge and the post is always manned. The Sappers report at Reams for a role call, only 20 men of the original Company of 250 are left. The Company were now able to rest because of the arrival of the Americans. Other places mentioned were Peus, Sinthills and Royin where the 106 were rested for 9 Days.

                                                27th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Companies did usual training from 0900 to 1200 and from 1330 to 1430. Performance was given by the Divisional Concert Party at 2.30pm.

                                                D Company formed the work party at night and were engaged deepening communication trench between Meulehouck and front line. While passing through gas from enemy shells several men were gassed.

                                                War Diaries


                                                28th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                The usual training was done, and concert performance. No work was done at night.

                                                War Diaries


                                                29th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Training under Company arrangements in the forenoon and Colonel Kelly addressed the Battalion, congratulating it on the recent success. In the afternoon he addressed the Officers on the training for the coming fortnight when the Division would be out resting.

                                                At night the Battalion was relieved by the 15th Sherwood Foresters and moved into Corps Reserve at P.20.a.60.27 via Godewaersvelde, Eecke, and crossroads at P.30.a.05.22.

                                                War Diaries


                                                29th Aug 1918 2/4th Loyals assault Dracourt-Quent line  2nd/4th Bn The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment are engaged in the Battle of the Scarpe 29th/30th August and the assault on the Dracourt-Quent line, the northern extension of the Hindenburg Line.

                                                30th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Reference Sheet 27 Belgium and France 1/40000. St Sylvestre Capelle.

                                                Arrival was complete at 0400. Companies were paid and inspections were held. Equipment was cleaned. Battalion standing-to all day. Battalion move at 1900 by light railway to Godewaersvelde, thence by march route to billets at Mont des Cats.

                                                Relieve 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, relief completed by midnight.

                                                War Diaries


                                                31st August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Mont des Cats.

                                                Orders for Battalion to move in support of 109th Infantry Brigade. Position taken up our front line trenches of the 24th inst. in front of Moulhouck with Battalion Headquarters at Sammy Farm S.2.a.80.80.

                                                War Diaries


                                                31st August 1918   SM U-120

                                                Type UE 2 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 94) Ordered 27 May 1916 Launched 20 Jun 1918 Commissioned 31 Aug 1918

                                                Commanders.
                                                31 Aug 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Hans von Mellenthin

                                                Career No patrols.
                                                No flotilla information available
                                                Successes No successes.

                                                Fate 22 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to Italy. Broken up at La Spezia in April 1919.

                                                There was another U 120 in World War Two.
                                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 16 Mar 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 20 Apr 1940.

                                                John Doran


                                                1st September 1918 The Final Advance  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                                Although they did not know it at the time, road work was to be the principle task for the Pioneers from now until the end of the war. The great advances that took place released a flood of vehicles onto badly damaged roads and the heavy rain which followed taxed the effort of the men severely. Continuing the road works started on the 31st August the battalion was assigned the following additional tasks 4th September Bailleul, Ravelsburg road as far as Crucifix Corner 7th September Crucifix Corner to Nueve Eglise 12th September Keersebrom towards Bailleul passing Magilligan Camp. In order to get closer to its work the Battalion moved close to Crucifix Corner and dug itself in on banks and fields with heavy rain creating the need for drains and culverts. The weather improved on the 15th and work progress improved until the 19th when the division was finally relieved and on the night of 19, 20th September the 16th Battalion were moved to billet in empty houses at Godewaersvelde.

                                                The Final Advance.

                                                The plan was for a combined British, Belgian and French force, under the supreme command of the King of the Belgians to ensure coordination, was to launch a massive offensive in Flanders from Voormezeele northwards. The 36th Division was required so the 16th Pioneers found themselves back on familiar ground for the third time but in vastly different circumstances. Secretly and by night the 36th were moved into an area west of Ypres. The 16th having arrived at Godewaeresvelde on the 19/20th September, spent the next two days resting and cleaning equipment for the expected advance. On the 21/22nd they moved to huts and tents at Shrine Camp near Houtquerque about 6 miles northwest of Poperinghe. Once again resting and cleaning. On the 23rd the Battalion moved to nissen huts about a mile from Proven along the road to Poperinghe and Transport moved to a camp about 500 yards away. The day was spent putting up huts from salvaged materials. Next day work started on huts in Courthove and Middlesex Camps, followed by training and removal of screening. Work carried on during 25th and 26th but the men bathed and had clothing fumigated in rotation with the works.

                                                The attack commenced on the 28th September. The 36th Division were in reserve, but the battle went so well that they received orders at about 1100 to move forward overnight to carry the attack to the enemy the next day. The Pioneers received orders to move as well and arrived at about midnight in Ypres where they slept in derelict buildings awakening in the morning covered in a layer of snow.

                                                On the 29th September the Brigades battled forward in driving rain and the roads were in a terrible state so most of the 30th September for the pioneers was back to road repairs in the vicinity of Black Water Corner. September had no casualties but 20 men were transferred to the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

                                                Battalion strength: 1st September Officers 36 ORs 1022 30th September Officers 37 ORs 1002

                                                Private Thomas Neill Martin 16/124 was transferred back to the UK and assigned to the Labour Corps (Service No. 648737) due to either illness or being wounded having served to this point from the first enlisted batch of recruits in November 1914 in Lurgan.

                                                The Terrors by SN White


                                                1st September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Reference Sheet 28 SW 3 Bailleul 1/10000, 28 SW 1/20000. Magilligan Camp, Bailleul. Keersebrom.

                                                The day was spent in making shelters. At dusk the Battalion relieved the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers at Cpyrian Farm (S.11.c.7.3). Battalion Headquarters was formed at S.11.c.75.75 on railway.

                                                War Diaries


                                                1st Sep 1918 106th Field Coy expecting to be withdrawn.  Good news coming from all along the line at Comblin Le Abbie, 106th Field Coy RE were expecting to be pulled out after a month at the front.

                                                2nd September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Noordhoek.

                                                At 0600 a move was made to vicinity of Grampus Cottage. Battalion Headquarters was made at S.18.b.70.10. Various gun pits and shell holes being used as shelters. The Officers reconnoitered forward positions. At night the enemy shelled frequently with light field guns and 5.9s. 'A' Company had to move their quarters.

                                                War Diaries


                                                3rd September 1918 Daily Activity  At 0700 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers moved to Eastwood Camp (T.14.a.90.60). At 1900 we relieved the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and 12th Royal Irish Rifles in the line. Battalion Headquarters was formed at T.9.d.90.60. The line taken over ran through St Quentin Cabaret, T.11.b.60.00, L'Alouette with Comapnies A, B, C and D from right to left, this line being about 500 yards in rear of line expected to be taken over.

                                                War Diaries


                                                4th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Wulverghem.

                                                At 0800 Battle Headquarters was formed at T.10.d.05.80 and under an artillery barrage the Battalion, in conjunction with other Battalions on flanks, attacked. Good progress was made. D Company lost direction and got as far as Stinking Farm (U.7.a). Not being protected on flanks the enemy attempted to cut them off and the Company had to retire. Our line was established from road (T.6.d.35.80) where touch was made with the 30th Division, along hedge running south through T.6.d.4.0 to rise in T.12.b then along breastwork trench from T.12.c.50.35, T.18.a.80.90. With the gap between B and A Companies, D Company was put in support along road running south through T.6.c and T.12.a.

                                                The enemy were not very numerous but their machine gun fire was heavy. The shelling was fairly heavy but was confined to vicinity of St Quentin Cabaret. During the operation Battle Headquarters was moved to T.5.d.80.40.

                                                Six prisoners were taken, four of whom were sent through 29th Division on the right. Some of our men on the right were cut off and are thought to be made prisoners. The 29th Division took Hill 63 but did not come up far enough to cover our right flank. During the day there was an amount of sniping and machine gun fire and the enemy shelled St Quentin Cabaret and T.12.a with 5.9. In the afternoon he attempted a counter-attack by coming up along railway between B and A Companies, but was driven back by machine gun and rifle fire. At dusk our patrols were pushed forward to get the line behind Bristol Castle but were unable to do so owing to machine gun fire.

                                                War Diaries


                                                4th September 1918   SM U-125

                                                Type UE 2 Shipyard Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (Werk 302) Ordered 27 May 1916 Launched 26 May 1918 Commissioned 4 Sep 1918

                                                Commanders 4 Sep 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Hans Scabell

                                                Career No patrols. No flotilla information available Successes No successes.

                                                Fate 26 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to Japan. In japanese service as the O1 1920-21. Dismantled at Yokosuka Navy Yard between January and March 1921. Between March 1924 and January 1925 she was used as a floating jetty at the Kure Submarine School. In 1925 she was rebuilt at Yokosuka as testbed for submarine salvage operations carried out by the tender ASAHI. On 19 Aug 1931 U 125 was re-commissioned as Auxiliary Vessel No. 2900 and used until 1935.

                                                There was another U 125 in World War Two.
                                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 10 Dec 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 3 Mar 1941.

                                                John Doran


                                                4th Sep 1918 Troops Land in Archangel  American troops land in Archangel, northern Russia, as part of the Allied intervention. Following the Bolshevik takeover of the Russian government in October 1917, Russia signed a peace treaty with the Central Powers in March 1918. With Russia no longer fighting with the Allies, the Eastern Front had collapsed, allowing Germany to send troops that had previously been committed in the east to the Western Front, which the Allies were desperate to prevent.

                                                The Allies deployed thousands of troops to Russia. They were tasked with reopening the Eastern Front, which they would try to accomplish by aiding anti-Bolshevik Russian forces and the Czech Legion, which was made up of 60,000 former Czech prisoners of war willing to fight against the Central Powers. The troops were also to prevent stockpiles of unused supplies the Allies had previously sent to Russia from falling into German or Bolshevik hands. American forces were also sent to Murmansk and to Vladivostok.

                                                5th Sep 1918 In Action  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report: "During the night of 4th/5th of August enemy patrols were out and signs of work were heard. A Company of the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers was ordered to fill up gap between B and A Companies. At 0500 under a very light barrage two Platoons of C Company, two of B, and the Company of the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers were to attack the line Hanbury Support down to Irish Farm.

                                                The 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers were not in position, in time for the attack. B Company were held up by barbed wire and had to retire. C Company got into King Edward Trench, but being unsupported on either flank had to retire to jumping-off trench after holding out for an hour. The enemy artillery did not reply but his machine guns were active.

                                                The remainder of the day was quiet; occasional bursts of shelling near St Quentin Cabaret and farm at T.12.a.40.40. The Battalion was relieved at night by the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles on the line from road at T.6.d.40.80 along hedge running south through T.6.d.4.0 to river in T.12.b and from T.12.c.50.95, T.18.a.80.90. The Company of 1st Battalion were holding line T.12.b.35.30, T.12.b.20.10 and part of Plum Duff Street.

                                                Our casualties since coming into line were four Officers wounded Lieutenants Murphy, Bell, Laird and Lyons, twenty Other Ranks killed, twenty Other Ranks missing and 103 Other Ranks wounded. We captured one anti-tank rifle, one light trench mortar, and three machine guns including a Vickers. On relief the Battalion moved to Divisional support at Cyprian Farm. The enemy shelled the roads during relief and the Battalion had to pass through gas shelling."

                                                War Diary North Irish Horse


                                                5th September 1918 Naval Action - 5th September 1918   The Action of 5 September 1918 was a naval battle 200 miles off the coast of France in the North Atlantic during World War I. The action was fought between a German U-boat and American warships.

                                                Background

                                                SS Kronprinzessin Cecilie was a German ocean liner operating between the U.S. and Europe. On the outbreak of the war, she sought refuge in the then-neutral United States to avoid the British Royal Navy and was taken into Bar Harbor, Maine, where she was interned. After America entered World War I in April 1917, the ship was seized and turned over to the United States Navy, who renamed her USS Mount Vernon in honor of Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon was used to transport American troops across the Atlantic to France. U-82, a German submarine, had several successful patrols of the Atlantic to sink any and all Allied shipping.

                                                Action

                                                On the morning of 5 September 1918, Mount Vernon and four destroyers were off France and steaming in convoy toward the U.S. when Mount Vernon was attacked by U-82. The German vessels' periscope was spotted 500 yd off the starboard bow, by a man of Mount Vernon's gun crew; they immediately fired a round from the gun. The shot was a hit. Apparently unaffected by the shot, which reportedly did not harm anyone, U-82 surfaced. The U-boat fired a single torpedo at Mount Vernon and then submerged. The American captain ordered "right full rudder" but the ship could not turn fast enough and was hit. The destroyers USS Winslow, Conner, Nicholson and Wainwright responded immediately and approached the battle area. Once they arrived near Mount Vernon, they observed the damage from a large explosion on Mount Vernon's side. The German commander, seeing the fast-approaching American destroyers, decided not to follow up with a second torpedo, so no further damage to the U.S. auxiliary cruiser was sustained. The four destroyers dropped depth charges for many minutes after Mount Vernon was hit, but they failed to sink the U-boat, which slipped away. Despite this, the American destroyers were credited with saving Mount Vernon from being sunk. Mount Vernon steamed safely back to Brest with the loss of 36 out of the 1,450 people on board. Thirteen others were wounded with all of the American casualties being the result of the single torpedo explosion. The ship suffered considerable damage, but after immediate improvised repairs, she was able to return to Brest under her own steam with an allied warship for additional protection.

                                                Aftermath

                                                Further temporary repairs were made at Brest and from there Mount Vernon proceeded to Boston, Massachusetts for a complete repair. This was Mount Vernon's last battle of the war and one of the bloodier days for the U.S. Navy during the conflict with Germany. U-82 continued to fight, as did the four U.S. destroyers.

                                                John Doran


                                                5th Sep 1918 Bands  
                                                THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918

                                                © IWM (Q 9459)

                                                Massed bands of the 166th Brigade Near Bethune, 5th Battalion, Royal Lancaster Regiment, 10th (Scottish) Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment), 5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment.

                                                6th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Keersebrom.

                                                Arrival at billets was completed at 0200. The Strength of Battalion was not reported.The day was spent in cleaning up and re-organisation. The Billets were made more habitable though the day was cold and wet.

                                                War Diaries


                                                6th September 1918 Attack on enemy lines  22nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers

                                                6th Sep. 1918 - 0630 We attacked with three companies from left to right A, D and C Companies without artillery preparation.The ground was very difficult with wire lying about. The weather was perfect with a slight mist. We gained all our objectives with A Company finding the most resistance however they got beyond their objectives and did very well. After the attack the enemy shelled our new posts very heavily.

                                                Casualties during attack 5th to 7th September.

                                                • 2nd Lt GO Mitchell wounded
                                                • 34 Other Ranks wounded (gas)
                                                • 1 Other Rank died of wounds
                                                • 6 Other Ranks wounded
                                                • 11 Other Ranks missing
                                                • 5 Other Ranks killed
                                                • 24 Other Ranks wounded
                                                • 2nd Lt JF Punsham wounded (gas)
                                                • 27 Other Ranks wounded
                                                • 4 Other Ranks killed

                                                7th September

                                                Enemy continued shelling our new lines.

                                                8th September

                                                The Battalion was relieved by the 18th Gloucester Regiment and moved back to Village Line as Support Battalion, while the 18th Gloucesters continued to push forward.

                                                war diaries


                                                7th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                A complete change of clothing was made by whole Battalion. Inspections of clothing and equipment were held.

                                                War Diaries


                                                8th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Berthen.

                                                At 1400 move was made to Berthen. Battalion Headquarters and A Company at R.16.d.60.50, B and D at Sutton Farm and C Company in Berthen. Route via S.17.c.75.80, Bailleul, St Jans Cappel, Schaexhen.

                                                War Diaries


                                                8th Sep 1918 106th Field Coy on the move  106th Field Coy RE marched back to Beaurainville and a big French Town on 8th September 1918. Here they met Women from the WACS. The 106th were getting ready for the big day, expecting that the war would soon be over

                                                9th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Day was spent in cleaning up equipment and settling billets. Church of Ireland service was held at 1100. The Corps Commander visited the Companies in the afternoon.

                                                War Diaries


                                                10th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Battalion Headquarters moved to Chateau at R.22.d.10.95. Battalion bathed at Piebrouck and trained by Companies.

                                                War Diaries


                                                11th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Companies did ordinary training. Remainder of Battalion bathed.

                                                War Diaries


                                                12th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Berthen.

                                                Companies trained from 0800 to 1300 and in the afternoon Officers and NCOs discussed the day's work also the work for the following day. At 2300 the enemy put a few shells near Chateau.

                                                War Diaries


                                                13th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Ordinary training by Companies. Commanding Officer inspected A and C Companies. Rifles were inspected by Armourer Sergeant.

                                                War Diaries


                                                13th Sep 1918 6th Somersets in action  6th Bn Somerset Light Infantry involved in action in the field at Auchy-Lez-Bassee.

                                                14th Sep 1918 No 3 Casualty Clearing Station  No 3 Casualty Clearing Station left Gezaincourt and moved to Beaulencourt.

                                                14th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Ordinary training. Lieutenant F.W.Vint and 2nd Lieutenants Richey R.A, Hall F.H, Logan S, Humphreys F.D.R, joined the Battalion for duty.

                                                War Diaries


                                                15th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Roman Catholic Church Parade at 1000 and Church of England Parade at 1100.

                                                War Diaries


                                                16th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Battalion moved to Asylum in Bailleul at 1854 and were all in billets by 2200. Route by Schaaxen, St Jans Cappell.

                                                War Diaries


                                                17th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Bailleul.

                                                Companies employed in cleaning up billets. Ordinary training also carried out by Companies. Battalion bathed at St Jans Cappell.

                                                War Diaries


                                                   On 18 September the 7th Battalion, Border Regiment launched an attack at Gauche Wood,near Gouzeaucourt, and sustained heavy casualties. 25 killed, 225 wounded (a lot of them died later in the day) and 33 missing. A number of the dead were buried in the nearby Gauche Wood cemetery

                                                18th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Training by companies.

                                                Sergeant Ferguson (D Company) awarded Military Medal.

                                                Signalling competition (C Company winners) and Lewis Gun competition (D Company winners).

                                                War Diaries


                                                18th Sep 1918 8th East Surrey's in action  8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment moved to the Salcourt area on 16th Sept then proceeded to Villers-Faucon where on 18th Sept a gas attack took place, then fought their way to the outskirts of Ronssoy, Templeux-Le-Guerard which was re-taken on the 18th Sept.

                                                19th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Battalion moved to Berthen at 1930, route by St Jans Cappel, Shaaxen. Platoon competitions (stretcher bearing and drill). Winners of stretcher bearing A Company, winners of Platoon competition (14 Platoon D Company).

                                                War Diaries


                                                20th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Berthen.

                                                Battalion moved to Terdegem. Route by Mont-des-Cats, Godwaersvelde, Steenvorde. The Brigadier 108th Brigade reviewed Battalion marching through Godwaersvelde. Arrived in billets by 2200.

                                                War Diaries


                                                21st September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers left Terdegem. The Battalion moved to Watou at 1916, route by Steenvorde. Arrived in billets at 2130. Joined the Battalion, 2nd Lieutenants Steele J.H, Inglis J.M, Duncan R.S, and Kernaghan J.

                                                War Diaries


                                                21st Sep 1918 Royal Engineer visits graves  The writer, a member of of 160 Field Coy RE visited the Royal Berkshire Graves, 700 to 800 graves in a Military Cemetery near Trones Wood and Delville Wood scene of savage fighting on the Somme. There was a horrific loss of life here.

                                                21st Sep 1918 23rd Field Coy RE near Vermand  23rd Field Coy RE are working near Vermand, 12 kilometres east of St Quentin. Three sappers from this company who all died on the 21st of September are buried at the Vermand Communal Cemetery.

                                                21st Sep 1918 Turks in Retreat  Royal Air Force aeroplanes operating in support of General Allenby's campaign in Palestine attack and destroy the retreating Turkish 7th Army at Wadi el Far'a. T.E. Lawrence wrote of this attack:- "It was the RAF which had converted the Turkish retreat into a rout, which had abolished their telephone and telegraph connections, had blocked their lorry columns, scattered their infantry units".

                                                On the night of 20,21 September the Seventh Army began to evacuate Nablus. By this time it was the last formed Ottoman army west of the Jordan and although there was a chance that Lt Gen Philip Chetwode's XX Corps might cut off their retreat, its advance had been slowed by Ottoman rearguards. On 21 September, the Seventh Army was spotted by aircraft in a defile west of the river. The RAF proceeded to bomb the retreating army and destroyed the entire column. Waves of bombing and strafing aircraft passed over the column every three minutes and although the operation had been intended to last for five hours, the Seventh Army was routed in 60 minutes. The wreckage of the destroyed column stretched over 6 miles (9.7 km). British cavalry later found 87 guns, 55 motor-lorries, 4 motor-cars, 75 carts, 837 four-wheeled wagons, and scores of water-carts and field-kitchens destroyed or abandoned on the road. Many Ottoman soldiers were killed and the survivors were scattered and leaderless. Lawrence later wrote that: "the RAF lost four killed. The Turks lost a corps."

                                                21st Sep 1918 Retreat  

                                                16 WING PHOTOGRAPHIC SECTION (RFC/RAF) IN SALONIKA 1917-1919
                                                Bulgarian forces in full retreat from the Doiran - Vardar sector of the front in Macedonia. 16 Wing Photographic Section (RFC/RAF) in Salonika 1917-1919 © IWM (HU 97456)

                                                22nd September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Watou.

                                                Roman Catholic Church Parade at 1100. Church of England Church Parade with band at 1100. Court Martials of Privates Smith and Crockin promulgated. Football in afternoon.

                                                War Diaries


                                                23rd September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Training. The Commanding Officer inspected the Battalion in the afternoon.

                                                War Diaries


                                                24th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                                Adjutants' parade at 0830. Training by Companies, six men per Company instructed in German machine-gun by Machine Gun Company Sergeant. Football in afternoon, 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers beat 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, A Company beat B Company, C Company beat D Company.

                                                War Diaries


                                                25th September 1918 Route March  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers undertake Company route marches in morning and were given further instructions on German machine gun.

                                                2nd Lieutenants H.C Burrows and Bryson awarded Military Cross and Lance Corporal Gracey (D Company) awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal for operations on 4th of September 1918.

                                                War Diaries


                                                26th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers moved from Watou to Road Camp (St Jan-ter-Beizan) at 2000. Arrived in camp 2130.

                                                War Diaries


                                                27th September 1918 Parade  At Road Camp (St Jan-ter-Beizan). 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers hold a Battalion parade at 1000. All surplus kits stored and preparations made for move to Siege Camp (near Vlamertinge).

                                                War Diaries


                                                28th Sep 1918 On the Move  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers moved from St Jan-ter-Biezen by rail to Vlamertinge thence by road to Salvation Road, Ypres. Accommodation was very poor.

                                                War Diaries


                                                29th Sep 1918 On the Move  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers moved to Rifle Farm on Menin Road at 0400 then to Glen Corse Wood at 0700 and later to Reutel. Position was taken up at J.17.b and d with 12th Royal Irish Rifles on left. At 1900 Battalion moved to west of Becelaere in J.18.a and c. The Commanding Officer received verbal orders at Brigade Headquarters for an advance on Moorseele to begin at dawn. The evening and night were very wet and no rations arrived.

                                                War Diaries


                                                30th Sep 1918 Advance Guard  At Becelaere at 5.30am 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, covered by an advance guard, moved forward through J.18.b, K.13 central to K.16.c. Information was received from Brigade to the effect that the 109th Brigade held Terhand and Dadizeele. 9th North Irish Horse Battalion was to pass through 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at 0700. 12th Royal Irish Rifles to advance on our left, Terhand, Vijfwegen Road the inter-Battalion boundary, the first objective to be a line roughly north and south through Vijfwegen (K.24.a); second objective to be railway running north and south (K.20 and K.26 central); third objective to be Mooreseele. The 29th Division was on our right.

                                                At 0700 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were on a line running south-west through K.21.a and c. The 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were facing south with posts along Terhand, Vinwegen Road. The 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were held up by machine gun fire and had lost touch with the 29th Division.

                                                A patrol from 9th North Irish Horse Battalion discovered the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers holding line running south from K.19.a.9.6 through K.19 central, i.e. 2000 yards in rear. B Company 9NIH were sent to move along line of enemy wire through K.21.b, K.22.c and K.29.c to occupy high ground in K.30.a. C Company to move to right rear of B Company to protect flank, to get and keep in touch with 29th Division. A Company to move through K.22 central, K.23 central to K.24.c and to keep touch with 12th Royal Irish Rifles and D Company to move in support along Terhand, Vijfwegen Road.

                                                B and C Companies 9th North Irish Horse came under machine gun fire almost at once after moving through the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, but A Company met with no opposition until they reached the east side of Methuen Wood, when they came under machine gun fire from houses in K.23.d about 9.30am. About this time the reserve Company came under machine gun fire from a pill box on K.24.b.0.3 and Leadenhall Copse which were cleared in spite of stiff resistance by 1230.

                                                Twelve prisoners and two machine guns were captured in this operation, and an Officer with twenty Other Ranks of the enemy being killed.

                                                All further attempts to advance our line beyond the general line of this pill box and Leadenhall Copse were prevented by very heavy machine gun fire from fortified farms on our right flank which was still hanging back.

                                                At about 1800 when the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles passed through the line to attack, the general line ran K.24.b.0.3, Leadenhall Copse, K.23.d.2.5, K.29.b.2.8.

                                                9th North Irish Horse Battalion casualties during the day were six Officers and 130 Other Ranks.

                                                War Diarie North Irish Horse


                                                30th Sep 1918 33rd Machine Gun Btn at Villers-Guislain  The 33rd M.G.Battalion was under command of Lieutenant Colonel G.S.Hutchinson at Villers-Guislain at the end of September 1918

                                                1st October 1918 Keeping forward momentum  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                                From the initial advance of the Army the roads were jammed with traffic and on the night of 30th September a Captain Walker is quoted as follows regarding the Zonnebeke Road "I had never previously realised the number and variety of vehicles which move in support of three Divisions; indeed I think this road fed only the 9th and 36th Divisions (Note: This supposition is correct). There were limbers by the scores with rations; there were GS wagons with forage for the battalion transports forward; there were R.E. wagons, mess carts, guns and ammunition; there were lorries stuck in shell holes in the road and the cause of most of the trouble. On every bit of ground bordering the road were French cavalrymen. The surface and the language were equally bad and there was mud everywhere. I had to wind my way through these troubles for several miles. During my journey there was practically no movement of traffic"

                                                Little wonder that from the 1st October the Pioneers were tasked with this very road from Zonnebeke to Becleare as the road had been bombed around midnight by a single Gotha aircraft. The Battalion also had to send 60 men to help as stretcher bearers for 108th Field Ambulance Brigade. On the 4th October No.2 Company worked on the road from Beclaere southwards and on the night 4/5th 1 and 3 Companies wired about 1200 yards of front line trenches. They were shelled as they left the work and Lt. Dunwoody was killed with 4 other ranks wounded.

                                                This is an account by one of the participants in the above operation: "We were in bivouacs, a big tarpaulin, and a dozen of us were sleeping in this place. This night we went up to the front line, there were no trenches really, the Germans were retreating and I suppose were where our fellows had dug in, I think, in the dark --- I remember I drew iron stakes (screw pickets) and some fellow had got barbed wire: and we went along to some place in the dark, we didn’t know where we were. And they must have lined us up, and --- I must have screwed my stakes in. It seemed to be quiet and I was standing there and no one was coming near me, I was expecting fellows to come up with barbed wire you know --- and I was all alone there, nobody about, and I started to move sideways to get in touch with someone, quite dark of course, and I saw movement and I stooped down and here was Second Lieutenant Dunwoody down in a hole and I heard him say ‘Who shot Corporal Smith?’ and I discovered there was a lance corporal standing there and he told me that some fellow had got wounded, he’d been shot in the leg and they didn’t think he could carry on ---" "--- Now there was a wee wayside cottage there, facing onto the road, which seemed to be parallel to where we were putting our wire up and I remember finding another hole and getting down into it. I could see the gable end of this cottage and all our fellows standing there and moving about and while I was sitting there this old machine gun opened up and was hitting the side of the roof of this cottage and I could feel the tiles coming down on the top of my head. However I was alright and I was watching these fellows and they moved on to the road: so I got up and followed them and got on to the road, and they were moving away. I don’t remember speaking to anyone but I was moving too: and suddenly the Germans, who must have had the area nicely targeted, shelled it like anything, and, there was no cover, there were no ditches or anything, there was just the stony country road. I remember throwing myself down flat on the field trying to squeeze myself into the earth. Stuff was flying all over, bits of shrapnel whizzing around, and some fellow got hit and he was shouting out and crying like anything. It eventually stopped and we all got up. I remember that --- we decided he (the wounded man) had been wounded in the face, and I was peering in the dark trying to see what his face looked like and some fellow came along and snapped ‘Leave him alone’, must have been all nerves and excited. However we must have pulled ourselves together and moved off so we got back to our bivouac place and got in and settled down, twelve of us like sardines, and somebody stuck their head in under this tarp(aulin) and said ‘Boys, Dunwoody has been killed’. And the poor fellow, a piece of shrapnel had just hit him in the head and we didn’t know. He was a nice big, boy-scout type of fellow. Just two other fellows had been wounded, the one who had been shot in the leg and the other who had been hit in the face."

                                                Transport moved to Potijze that same night to be nearer advancing work areas. No. 2 Company continued on the 5th October while 1 and 2 Companies rested after the overnight work. The next night both companies had to send 50 men to help bringing ammunition forward to the Front. 1 NCO was killed and 2 men wounded. All companies were back on road works from 6th to 12th October with the road from Beclaere to Dadizele becoming very important to maintaining the now rapid advances. The paved road was made good as far as Terhand. On the night of 12/13th parties from each company staked out lines for the next infantry attack and the following night the whole Battalion along with 122 field company R.E. were employed in digging a 3 foot deep by 2 ½ foot wide jumping off trench. Enemy machine gun fire caused two men wounded, one of which died later from his wounds. These trenches were occupied at 0200 on the 14th by 107 Brigade on the right and 109 Brigade on the left ready for the attack which commenced at 0535.

                                                The Division attack was directed towards the town of Heule and the Pioneers were involved in several moves to keep up with them and clear/repair roads. On the 16th and 17th the Battalion had to undertake the gruesome task of burials. It had to work its way from the Ledeghem, Menin railway line through the area which had been fought over, burying British and German dead in temporary graves for later internment in official war cemeteries. On the 17th October two members of the band were wounded at the billets by an aircraft bomb.

                                                On the 19/20th October the 9th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers crossed the river Lys and a bridgehead was formed served by a pontoon bridge, a trellis bridge and a good permanent footbridge. No. 2 company remained on road works while 1and 3 companies moved up to help the Royal Engineers with bridge building operations. This work was so important that they were occupied in this role for the next 4 days. The programme was: 22nd Oct. 1 and 3 Companies Bridging, HQ and 2 Company. Bathed and changed clothes also preparing clothes for the other companies.

                                              • 23rd Oct. 1 and 2 Companies Bridging, 3 Company on roadworks, HQ transport and QM stores relocated.
                                              • 24th Oct. 1 Company Assist RE bridging, 2 and 3 Companies Roads repairs.
                                              • 25th Oct. 1 and 3 Companies Repairing roads, 3 Company Approaches to bridges.
                                              • 26th Oct. work as on 25th continued.

                                              The 27th October was spent in cleaning gear and equipment with no work being done that day as the 36th Division were to be relieved after dusk that evening. Although they did not know it at the time they had fought their last battle in the war. At 1130 on the 28th October the 16th Battalion moved to Landelede outside the operational area and next day to Mouscron, close to Tourcoing but still in Belgium. The following day was devoted to a general clean up.

                                              Although the 36th Division had unknowingly finished its war, the Pioneers were still in great demand for their engineering expertise and were allocated for a third and final time to Railways. On the 31st October No.1 Company was cleaning and repairing damaged track and the other two companies were on similar work in nearby locations. October finished a month of great achievement for all in road maintenance, bridging and forward movement.

                                              Battalion strength: 1st October Officers 37 ORs 1020 31st October Officers 35 ORs 961

                                              October 1918 Casualties: Officers Killed or died from wounds 1 Wounded 3 Other Ranks Killed nil Wounded 12

                                              The Terrors by SN White


                                              1st October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers report "The 2nd Royal Irish Rifles relieved the Battalion in the line south of Hill 41. On relief the Battalion moved into Divisional Reserve in K.14.a. One Officer and fifteen Other Ranks casualties were incurred during relief. Remainder of day spent in checking casualty lists, deficiencies, etc."

                                              War Diaries


                                              1st Oct 1918 Ongoing Action  10th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment left Houthem at 0910 and got to the camp off the cross roads at 1330, Remained here until 1600 and were heavily shelled during this period. The whole Brigade then marched to America Camp (?) through Tenebrielen and were in full view of the Boche who was only 1500 yds away in Comines. Heavy barrage was put down by the enemy, which caused a certain amount of casualties. The Battalion rested at America Camp for the night.

                                              war diaries


                                              Oct 1918 Coastal Defence  In October 1918 49 Coy RGA was stationed at Lonehort Fort, Bere Island, Southern Ireland as part of the coastal defences protecting the entrance to the English Channel from German submarines.

                                              2nd October 1918 Daily Activity  On the 2nd and 3rd of October 1918 9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers. remained in K.14.a.

                                              War Diaries


                                              2nd October 1918 Ship Damaged  Light cruiser HMS Weymouth is damaged during attack by Austrian Submarine KUK U31 commanded by Hermann Rigele off Durazzo, suffering 4 casualties.

                                              John Doran


                                              2nd Oct 1918 Battle of Durazzo 1918  The Second Battle of Durazzo, also known as the Bombardment of Durazzo, was fought on the 2nd October 1918 in the Adriatic Sea. A large Allied fleet led by the Regia Marina attacked the enemy held naval base at Durazzo, Albania. The fleet destroyed the Austro-Hungarian shore defenses and skirmished with a small naval force. Allied forces involved primarily were Italian though British, American and Australian warships also participated. It was the largest naval battle the United States participated in during the war.

                                              Durazzo is located on the coast of Albania, known in Albanian as Durrës From 15,29 September 1918, French General Louis Franchet d'Espèrey in command of a large allied army, campaigned in Macedonia. The offensive was a victory and ended with Bulgaria's surrender. Fearing the remaining enemy would fall back on the Austrian-held port of Durazzo for supplies, Franchet d'Espèrey requested that an allied naval fleet be assembled to attack Durazzo. The aim was to prevent the city from supplying retreating enemy forces. Franchet d'Espèrey's request was approved and the Italian Regia Marina accepted the responsibility of leading the attack. Rear Admiral Osvaldo Paladini aboard the cruiser San Marco was to command the operation. Allied objectives were to bombard Durazzo and attack Austrian ships in the harbour if there were any. The Allies divided their fleet into two forces, one for bombardment and the other to screen the attacking ships from enemy submarines. Allied forces included the Italian battleship Dante Alighieri, which was assigned to the covering force, three Italian armoured cruisers, three Italian light cruisers and eight Italian torpedo boats. The British force included five light cruisers, 14 destroyers and two Australian destroyers. There were also 12 American submarine chasers under Captain Charles P. Nelson and Lieutenant Commander E.H. Bastedo. Allied aircraft were also involved along with several Italian MAS boats. The two Australian destroyers were HMAS Swan and Warrego. Before the battle began, the Austro-Hungarian government decided to withdraw most of their warships from Durazzo. Only two destroyers, one torpedo boat and two U-boats opposed the allied fleet though the Austrian troops on shore manned at least three different shore batteries which duelled with the allied ships. Also in port was a hospital ship. Austrian forces were commanded by Lieutenant Commander Heinrich Pauer.

                                              The Second Battle of Durazzo began on the morning of 2nd of October 1918. British and Italian aircraft attacked first by bombarding enemy troop concentrations and artillery batteries while the fleet was still steaming across the Adriatic. Afterwards, several of the Italian and British cruisers formed a two-echelon line to begin their bombardment from about 8,000 yards off the coast. Meanwhile, the MAS boats and some American and British vessels attacked the three Austro-Hungarian naval ships, SMS Dinara, Scharfschütze and No. 87. The three warships sailed back and forth around Durazzo harbour firing their guns and dodging torpedoes and shell fire. Torpedo boat No. 87 and the two destroyers were chased by the Allied destroyer force as they fled north along the coast, but they managed to escape. Scharfschütze took some minor hits and suffered three dead and five wounded while torpedo boat No. 87 was struck by a torpedo that failed to explode. Dinara managed to escape unscathed. The shelling of the port was carried out by the Italian armored cruisers San Giorgio, San Marco and Template:Pisa-class cruiser. Three merchantmen, Graz, Herzegovina and Stambul, were hit. Stambul sank and the two others were damaged but escaped complete destruction. The Austro-Hungarian hospital ship Baron Call was stopped and searched by British destroyers before being allowed to proceed. Most of the American forces were assigned to the covering force and early in the battle were used to chart a clear path through a mine field off Durazzo. A few of the submarine chasers took fire from shore batteries at this time, but none were damaged. Afterwards they were assigned to screen the other allied ships from submarine attacks. Patrolling to the north and to the south of the battle area, the Americans engaged the two Austro-Hungarian U-boats U-29 and U-31. At 1105, a sailor on the submarine chaser No. 129 spotted U-29, which was then depth-charged for 15 minutes and damaged heavily, but she nevertheless survived the encounter. U-31 was also depth charged and survived as well. At one point, No. 129 was fired on by the enemy shore batteries, the closest shot landed about 50 yards (46 m) from the vessel, but the Americans suffered no casualties in the battle. Later, American forces reported sinking the two submarines but this was not the case. The submarines managed to damage at least one allied light cruiser; HMS Weymouth was struck by a torpedo from U-31 (Lieutenant Rigele), which blew off a large portion of her stern and killed four men. Weymouth was shelling inland facilities along with four other British cruisers when the torpedo struck home. She spent the remainder of the war under repair. The other British light cruisers are known to have been lightly damaged by shore battery fire before they were silenced or disabled. A British destroyer was also hit by a torpedo. The battle ended by 0130 on 2,3 October. From the start of the action civilians fled the city and by 11 October the once busy port was silent. A few days later a Serbian army was landed and took control.

                                              John Doran


                                              4th Oct 1918 Relief  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers relieved the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on Hill 41. Battalion Headquarters at K.18.c.10.60. Strength of 9th Royal Irish: 13 Officers, 390 Other Ranks. The night passed quietly except for harassing fire on roads behind our lines.

                                              War Diaries


                                              5th Oct 1918 Under Fire  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report "The enemy put down harassing fire for one hour before dawn and dusk, but barrage line was well behind our line and no casualties were incurred. Northern boundary of Battalion adjusted to L.13.c.25.00."

                                              War Diaries


                                                 T/2nd Lt William Andrew Stewart HILL ordered to support infantry who were attacking Hollow Corpse, near Frensnes, under heavy machine gun fire 2nd Lt Hill mounted his guns in advantageous positions and gave great support to infantry attack.

                                              6th October 1918 Under Shellfire  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers. report "The day passed quietly except for heavy enemy counter preparation in which only 4.2s and 77mm were used. During the night Mansard Farm and copse K.24.b.5.3 were occupied without opposition. Few casualties suffered during the night from machine-gun fire. 2nd Lieutenant Bryson was killed on patrol whilst reconnoitering Goldflake Farm which was found to be occupied in force by the enemy."

                                              War Diaries


                                              7th Oct 1918 Holding the Line  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Between 7th and 9th of October 1918 Nothing of interest to note. Battalion continued to hold the line. Hostile counter preparation was intense at periods, especially before dawn and at dusk. About twenty casualties suffered. Aerial activity greatly increased on the 9th. Each night all wire behind our line was cut in order to facilitate the advance of attacking troops in the near future.

                                              War Diaries


                                                 SM U-126

                                              Type UE 2 Shipyard Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (Werk 303) Ordered 27 May 1916 Launched 16 Jun 1918 Commissioned 7 Oct 1918.
                                              Commanders.
                                              7 Oct 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Otto Wünsche

                                              Career No patrols.
                                              No flotilla information available

                                              Successes No successes.

                                              Fate 22 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Upnor in 1923..

                                              There was another U 126 in World War Two.
                                              That boat was launched from its shipyard on 31 Dec 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 22 Mar 1941.

                                              John Doran


                                              8th Oct 1918 4th KRRC under fire near Villers Outreaux.  A company of the 4th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, led by T/Lieutenant Horace Sydney Bennett came under under heavy fire near Villers Outreaux.

                                              9th Oct 1918 Final Actions in 1918  Jäger Division part of 54th Corps z.b.V German Second Army. are engaged in fighting in and around the Hermannstellung from 9th to 21st of October.

                                              After the Armistice (1100 on the 11th November 1918) the Division began the clearance of occupied areas and the march home to Berlin where it was disbanded on the 18th December 1918.

                                              historical records


                                              9th Oct 1918 106 Field Coy RE at Busigny  106 Field Coy RE joined the second line of infantry at Busigny and were the first Transport to get through this village. French people were happy to see them, there were many German Dead here.

                                              10th Oct 1918 509 Flight 252 Squadron RFC disbanded.  509 Flight, 252 Squadron was disbanded at RFC Seaton Carew II in County Durham.

                                              10th Oct 1918 Shellfire  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Enemy counter preparation at dusk and dawn became very heavy. Our heavies commenced wire cutting in front of Martell Farm. Enemy E.A. very active during the day. Plans for the capture and consolidation of Goldflake Farm were made. Our post at Mansard Farm had been evacuated during the day owing to wire cutting operations and had been reoccupied by the enemy. At dusk a small party rushed the farm under cover of a smoke barrage, capturing one machine-gun. The garrison ran back to their own lines, leaving identifications. A patrol during the night heard enemy digging in the vicinity of Martell Farm."

                                              War Diaries


                                              11th Oct 1918 In Action  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report from Hill 41. "At dawn a party of thirty Other Ranks under 2nd Lieutenant Darling MC formed up in Twig Farm. At 1000 under cover of a barrage and smoke screen, they rushed Goldflake Farm, capturing fourteen prisoners, three machine-guns, and killing about ten of the enemy. A position about 100 yards south-west of the farm was consolidated.

                                              The hostile barrage was extremely heavy and we retired for the first time. Our casualties were one killed and two wounded. At about 1750 the enemy counter-attacked heavily on Goldflake, Mansard and Twig Farms. The garrison in Goldflake Farm withdrew after inflicting very heavy casualties on the enemy, who were caught in force on the road. The garrison of Mansard Farm was surrounded and fought their way back. The enemy succeeded in reaching Twig Farm but was held up by a small party which still held out in front of the farm. The enemy was finally cleared from Twig Farm by a counter attack. Mansard and Goldflake Farms remained in his hands.

                                              Lieutenant-Colonel P.E Kelly was killed during the day by a shell. Our casualties during the day were two Officers and 25 Other Ranks.

                                              The Battalion was relieved by the 12th Royal Irish Rifles and on relief moved into Brigade reserve in vicinity of Pease Corner."

                                              War Diaries


                                              12th Oct 1918 Reorganisation  At Dadizeele 9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers spent the day in reserve reorganizing and checking, making up deficiencies. Major R.J.A Tamplin DSO took over command of the Battalion.

                                              War Diaries


                                              12th Oct 1918 Further forward moves  59th Heavy Artillery Brigade report on the 12th of October, 37th SB moved one section to a forward position in front of Waterdamhoek. The following day, 350th SB moved one section to a forward position in front of Waterdamhoek

                                              War Diaries


                                              13th Oct 1918 In Reserve  9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers remained in reserve at Dadizeele. At 1700 12th Royal Irish Rifles recaptured Goldflake Farm.

                                              War Diaries


                                              14th Oct 1918 British advance towards Lys.  On the 14th of October 1918, the 29th Division including the 1st Dublins & 2nd Leinsters, 40th division & 36th, began an advance towards Lys. They achieved considerable success on the first day. There was little resistance and it is said that the Germans were standing with their kit, ready to march away as prisoners. However their resistance increased in the afternoon.

                                              14th Oct 1918 Attack Made  At 2am 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers moved to area K.15.a, our position in the line being taken over by the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. At 0535 under a very heavy artillery barrage the whole Army attacked, the 107th and 109th Brigades being in the front line, the 108th in support. At 0900 we followed up the advance and took up position in L.20.c.

                                              War Diaries


                                              14th Oct 1918 Naval Action  A naval engagement took place in which the German submarine SM U-139 attacked the Portuguese civilian steamer São Miguel and the Portuguese Navy naval trawler NRP Augusto de Castilho in the Atlantic Ocean.

                                              On the island of Madeira, the Portuguese patrol boat NRP Augusto de Castilho was under the command of the First Lieutenant Carvalho de Araújo. He received the mission of escorting the Portuguese civilian steamer São Miguel, which was property of the Empresa Insulana de Navegação. It was sailing from the port of Funchal in Madeira to the port of Ponta Delgada on the Azores archipelago, with 206 passengers and several tons of cargo on board. The NRP Augusto de Castilho was originally the fishing trawler Elite and was built in 1909. It had been requisitioned by the Portuguese government and transferred to the service of the Portuguese Navy which adapted it to serve as an escort ship following Portugal's entering into the war in 1916. The ship was equipped with two small Hotchkiss cannons, one of 65 mm on the bow and another of 47mm on the stern.

                                              After leaving Funchal at sunset on 13 October, São Miguel came under fire at 0615 on the 14th October from the German submarine U-139. This was one of the better equipped submarines of the German Navy, armed with two powerful 150 mm cannons and six torpedo launch tubes. It was under the command of the famous Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière. In order to protect the São Miguel and after using all the smoke boxes available for creating a smoke curtain while repeatedly firing the stern cannon, de Araújo gave orders for the NRP Augusto de Castilho to turn to port. Turning through half a circle it advanced towards the German U-139, taking gunfire from the submarine, thus giving São Miguel time to escape at full speed.

                                              After two hours of fierce but one-sided fighting the Portuguese ship surrendered by lowering the national flag and raising a white flag. There were several fatal casualties on deck, its artillery was damaged and ammunition expended. it had also lost its telegraph and the ship's engine. However, the German submarine continued firing, hitting the patrol ship with a direct shot which killed de Araújo and injured Midshipman Armando Ferraz for a second time. After receiving orders by the Midshipman to abandon ship, the Portuguese survivors were able to embark in two life boats. The ship was then boarded and sunk by the Germans, with explosive charges, carrying with it the body of de Araújo and of all the Portuguese sailors who had perished during the battle. One of the life boats arrived at Santa Maria Island after 48 hours with 29 of the survivors, one of the injured sailors having died during their journey. The other life boat, with 12 survivors onboard arrived at the island of São Miguel Island, on the 17th October. This was U-139's last action as a few weeks later the submarine surrendered to France on 24 November 1918.

                                              John Doran


                                              15th Oct 1918 Advance  At Moorseele at 9am 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers report "The advance was resumed and we moved to Copper Corner (L.23.a)."

                                              War Diaries


                                              16th Oct 1918 Attack Made  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. report from Heule, Courtrai. "2 am. Moved to Heule via Moorseele and Gulleghem. Battalion formed up between G.23.d.6.5 and G.24.a.30.00. A and B Companies in front line, A on right, C in support, and D in reserve in readiness for attack. Enemy artillery was very quiet. Patrols of the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers informed us that country was clear of enemy up to River Lys but under artillery barrage we attacked at 0535. The Barrage was poor and short, causing three casualties. No opposition was met with except one machine-gun on railway at H.25.d, which was dealt with. Battalion reached the river, taking up positions commanding the opposite bank. The bridge at H.25.d.3.6 was destroyed and the railway bridge at H.25.a partially so at the opposite bank. C Company formed a defensive flank along railway in G.30.b, and D stayed at G.24.d.

                                              The houses contained numbers of civilians. Touch was kept with 12th Royal Irish Rifles on our left. At 1400 under cover of smoke screen from rifle smoke bombs and artillery supported by trench mortars a section of Royal Engineers bridged the river and 2nd Lieutenants Steele and Logan with party thirty Other Ranks (D Company) crossed and took up positions at H.25.d.30.50 and on the main street and near the bank to cover the bridge.

                                              The smoke screen did not last long enough, however, and the bridge being detected, came under machine-gun fire from railway about H.31.a.80.60 and was partly destroyed. The Royal Engineers section had three Officers and about a dozen casualties and were unable to complete the bridge, leaving our men cut off on the opposite side. This party knocked out two machine-guns and captured six prisoners. At 1800 under cover of night it withdrew, coming across by one of the boats. C Company was moved up and relieved B Company. At 1900 Battalion was relieved by the 23rd Middlesex and on relief moved to area Drie-Masten (L.12.c.05.55).

                                              Total casualties for the day were 2nd Lieutenant Inglis wounded, one Other Ranks killed and 24 Other Ranks wounded."

                                              War Diaries


                                              17th Oct 1918 Reorganisation  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers. are at Drie Masten. The morning was spent in cleaning, reorganization and inspections

                                              War Diaries


                                              18th Oct 1918 Medals Presented  9th (North Irish Horse) Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers paraded at 10am for presentation of medal ribbons by the Divisional Commander at which he gave a short address.

                                              War Diaries


                                              19th Oct 1918 Church Parade  Ordinary inspections and Church Parades in morning for 9th (North Irish Horse) Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              War Diaries


                                              19th Dec 1918 Ammunition  106th Field Cot RE spend two days at Le Chateau replenishing stocks of ammunition.

                                              20th Oct 1918 Baths  9th (North Irish Horse) Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers. moved at 08.00 via Drie Masten, Winkle St Eloi, Lendelede to area B.19.c.25.20. In the afternoon Battalion bathes at Lendelede in German baths. Moved at 2230 via Hulste to area B.24.a.

                                              War Diaries


                                              Oct 1918 In Camp  
                                              THE SERVICE OF THE 9TH BATTALION, ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT IN THE PERSIAN CAMPAIGN, 1918

                                              Men of 9th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment in The Persian Campaign, 1918 © IWM (Q 72928) Enjoying a cup of tea near their camp somewhere in Persia.

                                              IWM


                                              21st Oct 1918 Attack Made  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers. report "At 0730 the 108th Infantry Brigade (1st Royal Irish Fusiliers in front line) attacked in conjunction with 107th Infantry Brigade on right flank and French on left without artillery preparation. 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers advanced to railway line in C.28 and later got to Spitaal due south through C.29.d, I.5.c and d to road at I.6.c.00.70 getting into trench with 107th Infantry Brigade on right. French were held up on left by machine-gun fire from area C.23.a. At 09.00 Battalion moved to C.19.d.92.94 via Step Bridge at C.9.a.20.00. During day pontoon bridge at C.14.c.70.60 was shelled at intervals."

                                              War Diaries


                                              21st Oct 1918 Heavy Howitzers in Action  Heavy Howitzers were being by fired in rotation on the front according to a timetable sent from HQ at Lourdes by the 17th Heavy Artillery.

                                              22nd October 1918 Bombardment  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Enemy bombardment on French at 0845 seemed to be counter-preparation. Attack by 107th Infantry Brigade and 9th Division at 0920. Enemy shelled Desselghem fairly heavily."

                                              War Diaries


                                              23rd Oct 1918 On the Move  9th (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers report "1st Royal Irish Fusiliers reached Heinweg [Heirweg?] but French were held up on railway. At 1330 Battalion moved to Leemput (I.4.b).

                                              Strength of Battalion: 15 Officers, 350 Other Ranks."

                                              War Diaries


                                                 

                                              HMS D1 alongside in 1908

                                              HMS D1 was the first of the D class submarines built by Vickers at barrow. D1 was laid down 14th May 1907, launched 16th May 1908, and commissioned in September 1909.

                                              D1 displaced 483 tonns surfaced and 595 tons when dived, this showed an improved buoyancy of 20.6%. D1 was 163ft long, with a beam of 13ft 7in, and a complement of 25 officers and ratings.

                                              Powered by 1750hp diesel and a 550hp electric motor driving twin screws, D1 had a range of 2500 nm surfaced and 45 nm whilst dived. She was armed with two 18in torpedo tubes forrard, and 1 18in tube aft. D1 carried 6 torpedoes, and also had a 12pdr QF deck gun fitted on the forward casing. The D-class were also the first submarines to be fitted with WT as standard.

                                              d! was sunk as a target 23rd October 1918.

                                              24th Oct 1916 Reliefs  At 6pm 9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers. relieved 12th Royal Irish Rifles in support and moved to area I.4.b.

                                              War Diaries


                                              24th October 1918 German Battle Plan 1918  The Naval Order of 24 October 1918 was a plan by the German Admiralty to provoke a decisive battle between the German High Seas Fleet and the British Grand Fleet in the North Sea. When the order to prepare for the sortie was issued on 29 October, mutiny broke out aboard the German ships. Despite the operation being cancelled, it led to the more serious Kiel mutiny, which was the starting point of the November Revolution and the proclamation of the Weimar Republic. This operation resulted from the exchange of diplomatic notes, beginning on 5 October 1918, between the new German government under Prince Max of Baden and President Woodrow Wilson, in which Germany asked the President to mediate an armistice. One of Wilson's preconditions was the cessation of Germany's submarine war. Despite the objections of Admiral Scheer, the Chief of the German Admiralty Staff, the German Government made this concession on 20 October. The U-boats at sea were recalled on 21 October. In response, on 22 October Scheer ordered Admiral Hipper, commander of the High Seas Fleet, to prepare for an attack on the British fleet, utilizing the main battle fleet, reinforced by the newly available U-boats. Hipper's order was promulgated on 24 October; Scheer approved it on 27 October. The Fleet then began to concentrate at Schillig Roads off Wilhelmshaven to prepare for the battle.

                                              The German plan

                                              State of the German fleet. The High Seas Fleet in October 1918 was built around the core of 18 battleships and 5 battlecruisers, most of which had been completed before the outbreak of war. Since the Battle of Jutland in May 1916, the obsolete pre-Dreadnoughts had been de-commissioned, two new battleships with 15-inch guns (Baden and Bayern) and the new battlecruiser Hindenburg had joined the fleet, but one Dreadnought battleship Rheinland had been damaged beyond repair by running aground in the Baltic. The fleet had undertaken only three sorties into the North Sea at full strength since June 1916. (18,19 August 1916, 18,19 October 1916 and 22,25 April 1918). This prolonged period of relative inactivity, at a time when all other branches of Germany's armed forces were very heavily engaged, did much to undermine the morale of the crews and the self-respect of the officers. Acts tantamount to mutiny took place on various occasions during 1917, the most noteworthy being the arrest of 200 men from the battleship Prinzregent Luitpold in August, resulting in two executions.

                                              Full text of the order

                                              The order of 24 October for the High Seas Fleet's attack is as follows: Commander of the High Seas Fleet Op. 269/A I SMS Kaiser Wilhelm II, 24.10.1918 Very Secret O. Matter O.-Command No.19. A. Information about the enemy It is to be supposed that most of the enemy forces are in Scottish east coast ports, with detachments in the Tyne, the Humber and the Channel. B. Intentions The enemy will be brought to battle under conditions favorable for us. For this purpose, the concentrated High Seas forces will advance by night into the Hoofden to attack combat armed forces and mercantile traffic on the Flanders coast and in the Thames estuary. This strike should induce the enemy to advance immediately with detachments of his fleet toward the line Hoofden/German Bight. Our intention is to engage these detachments on the evening of Day II of the operation or to have them attacked by torpedo-boats during the night of Day II or III. In support of the main task the approach routes of the enemy from east Scottish ports to the sea area of Terschelling will be infested by mines and occupied by submarines. C. Execution i) Departure from the German Bight by day, out of sight of the Dutch coast. ii) Route through the Hoofden so that the attack on the Flanders Coast and the Thames Estuary takes place at dawn on Day II. iii) The Attack: a) against the Flanders coast by the commander of the 2nd Torpedo-Boat Flotilla with Graudenz, Karlsruhe, Nürnberg and the 2nd Torpedo-Boat Flotilla. b) against the Thames estuary by the 2nd Scouting Group with Königsberg, Köln, Dresden, Pillau and the 2nd Torpedo-Boat Half-Flotilla. Covering of a) by the fleet and b) by the C-in-C of the Scouting Forces. iv) Return so as to reach the combat area favorable to us, near Terschelling, one or two hours before nightfall on Day II. v) Protection of the return (Day II) by part of the 8th Flotilla. vi) Mine laying by the leader of 4th Scouting Group with 4th Scouting Group (supported by minelayers by Arkona and Möwe and the 8th Flotilla) on the approaches of the enemy, in accord with plan No. I. vii) Disposition of submarines on the enemy routes in accord with plan No. III viii) Attack by torpedo-boats during the night of Day II to III, in case an encounter has already taken place, from near the Terschelling Light Vessel towards the Firth of Forth, in accordance with the orders of the commander of torpedo-boats. On the meeting of the torpedo-boats with the fleet in the morning of Day III, see the following order; ix) Entrance into the German Bight by departure route or by routes 420, 500 or 750, depending on the situation; x) Air reconnaissance: if possible.

                                              U-boat operations

                                              The plan called for 25 U-boats to be deployed in six lines in the southern North Sea, in the hope of ambushing British ships sailing to counter-attack the German Fleet raiding forces. Other U-boats were to undertake special operations involving British Naval Bases. On 23 October seven U-boats at large in the North Sea (U-108, UB-86, UB-121, UB-125, UB-96, UC-58 and U-60) were diverted by wireless signals to take up positions off Rosyth. This was in order to give the alarm when the British Fleet sailed and hopefully launch attacks In addition,U-43, also at sea, was directed to take up a watching position near the Tyne. Starting on 24 October, the other U-boats began departing from Heligoland to their patrol areas. Two of these U-boats were lost. The first, U-78 (Oblt. Johann Vollbrecht), sailed on 27 October from Heligoland for a minelaying mission off the Scottish East Coast, but she was torpedoed and sunk the same day by the British submarine G2 in the central North Sea, roughly 280 nautical miles east of the Firth of Forth. All 40 crewmen were lost. The other submarine to be sunk was UB-116, which sailed from Heligoland on 25 October with special orders to attack the British fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow. She was commanded by the 26-year-old Oberleutnant zur See Hans Joachim Emsmann who, since first becoming a U-Boat captain in February 1918, had sunk a total of 26 ships She attempted to enter Scapa Flow submerged by the southern passage, Hoxa Sound, on the evening of 28 October. Hydrophones mounted ashore at Stanger Head, Flotta, alerted the British defenses, and the sea-bed magnetometer loops, designed to detect the magnetic signatures of incoming vessels and thus trigger remote-controlled mines, were activated. Emsmann raised his periscope at 1130 pm, presumably to check his position, and was spotted by look-outs on shore; the mines detonated shortly thereafter, leaving the submarine disabled on the sea bed. There are reports that at least some of the crew survived the initial mine detonation and that tapping could be heard from the disabled vessel. She was finished off by depth-charges from defense trawlers shortly thereafter and all 36 crew members were lost. Two other submarines, UB-98 and UB-118 were damaged in collision with each other on 28 October and had to return to port. Two others, UB-87 and UB-130 also aborted their missions due to breakdowns.

                                              British reaction

                                              State of the Grand Fleet

                                              In late October 1918 the British Grand Fleet, based at Rosyth in the Firth of Forth, had some 35 Dreadnought battleships and 11 battlecruisers (including two of the very lightly armored Courageous class). Twenty of these ships had been completed since the outbreak of war, and a third of them were armed with the highly effective 15-inch gun. The oldest capital ship in the fleet was Indomitable (commissioned in June 1908). Five of these ships were from the United States Navy and one from the Royal Australian Navy. The materiel problems which beset the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland and beyond, (i.e. poor flash-protection in ammunition handling, lack of deck armour over magazines, deficient armour-piercing shells, and too few destroyers) had all been remedied to various extents. In particular, the newly designed "Green Boy" shells for the fleet's heavy guns were thought to be such a great improvement in offensive power that they nullified the advantage of the heavier armour protection of German battleships. Moreover, the fleet possessed new weapons (such as ship-borne torpedo aircraft, and fast steam-driven submarines) for which the German fleet had no match.

                                              The Spanish Flu reached its peak in the Grand Fleet in October 1918; for example, sick list of the light cruiser HMS Cardiff peaked at 19 people (6% of her complement) on 23 October 1918. It had returned to its usual level (2 persons) by 31 October. The morale in the British Fleet was high in anticipation of a re-match for Jutland, the personality and leadership of the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir David Beatty, being an important reason for this. Admiral Beatty was anticipating action, and warned the fleet to make preparations as early as 14th October 1918.

                                              Intelligence

                                              In the First World War British Naval Intelligence in general, and code-breaking in particular, was highly efficient. It played a very important role in the battles of Dogger Bank and Jutland, in the American entry into the war on the Allied side, and the defeat of the U-boats in 1917-18. By late 1917 improvements in German communications security had made intelligence gathering more difficult, at least as far as the High Seas Fleet was concerned. Between October 1917 and April 1918, the Germans were able to launch three surprise sorties into Norwegian waters against mercantile traffic. On the last occasion (22,25 April 1918) employing their whole fleet. Each time the British did not receive sufficiently timely warning to mount an effective counter-attack. High-power wireless communications were essential for the control of U-boats at sea; but this also allowed efficient triangulation-based location of the U-boats by the Allies. In addition, U-boats employed a simpler cypher system than that used by the surface fleet, which Room 40, the British Admiralty's code-breaking section, could usually read with few difficulties. In October 1918 these methods allowed the Admiralty to track the U-boats sent to blockade Rosyth. As early as the afternoon of 23 October the Admiralty alerted Admiral Beatty that the situation was abnormal and that they would reinforce him by sending destroyers from the anti-submarine Flotillas based at Plymouth and Buncrana. By late on 28 October the situation was reaching a climax, and Vice Admiral Sydney Fremantle, the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff and Rear Admiral Reginald Hall, the Director of Naval Intelligence sent Beatty a full appreciation which read, in part:

                                              ?Dispositions of enemy submarines combined with positions of their large minefield recently laid and now clear constitutes fairly decisive evidence of his desire to draw the Grand Fleet out. No evidence of how he proposes to achieve this object but evidence that no move of his battlefleet can take place before tomorrow night. No objective of the enemy is apparent that will not involve great risk for him. Therefore he may confine himself to emerging from the Bight and returning after making us aware of his exit by W/T signals. Unlikely the enemy will risk fleet action until the Armistice negotiations are settled one way or another. Press reports of German submarines proceeding home via the Norwegian Coast probably emanate from Germany and are intended to conceal existence of submarine trap.?

                                              Throughout the following 48 hours, Fremantle was able to keep Beatty well informed of developments in a timely manner, correctly describing the concentration of the High Seas Fleet at Schillig Roads on the evening of the 29 October, and its intention to sail on the 30 October. Hipper's unexpected postponement of the operation on 30 October was initially ascribed to fog.

                                              Assessment

                                              Comparison of forces

                                              The detailed orders of battle are summarized in the table below. The disparity in forces was roughly 2-to-1 in favour of the British. Had the battle been joined, it would have involved some 69 capital ships (in comparison with 58 involved at Jutland).

                                              • Ship types Grand Fleet Other British Forces German Fleet
                                              • Dreadnought Battleships 35 0 18
                                              • Battle Cruisers 11 0 5
                                              • Armoured Cruisers 4 0 0
                                              • Light cruisers 36 8 14
                                              • Aircraft Carriers 3 0 0
                                              • flotilla leaders, destroyers and torpedo-boats 146 99 60
                                              • Submarines 14 58 25

                                              A realistic plan or pointless sacrifice

                                              Writing postwar, Admiral Scheer asserted that this plan might have achieved a favorable result for Germany, with any German losses balanced by losses to the British, so that the Germans would retain sufficient surface forces to protect a renewed U-Boat offensive. The High Seas Fleet had undertaken similar diversionary attacks intended to draw British units into a submarine/mine ambush before: the Action of 19 August 1916 was the one occasion when this tactic came closest to succeeding. A surface engagement off Terschelling near dusk on the second day offered some tactical advantages for the Germans and, if surprise were achieved, the Germans would have had a reasonable chance of inflicting more losses than they received before retiring with the bulk of their force intact. On 27 October the German Government had agreed to the surrender of the fleet as part of the armistice, thus in strictly material terms, the German Navy had nothing to lose. Admiral Beatty's specific intentions are not recorded, but there seems no doubt that he would have sailed as soon as the Germans were reported to be at sea, and would have aggressively pursued battle. With the war as good as won, there was no need of the prudence which had characterized Grand Fleet operations until then. Given the distances involved, if the German sortie were reported promptly and the Grand Fleet sailed immediately on receipt of such a report, there was every possibility that they could have cut off the German line of retreat and forced a fight to the finish. Admiral Hipper seemed well aware of the risk in this plan, and expressed a sanguinary attitude about it: "a battle for the honour of the fleet in this war, even if it were a death battle, it would be the foundation for a new German fleet". Henry Newbolt, the official historian of the Royal Navy during the First World War, compared Hipper's planned operation with Michiel de Ruyter's Raid on the Medway in June 1667, when the Dutch Fleet launched a surprise attack on the English naval bases in the Thames estuary, inflicting a serious defeat and in consequence securing a more favorable peace treaty for the Netherlands at the end of the Second Anglo-Dutch War. More recently, it has been argued that the plan was a deliberate act of counter-revolution by the German Naval High Command against Prince Max of Baden and the peace party: regardless of the outcome of the battle, the launching of the attack would have hopelessly compromised the armistice negotiations and the credibility of Prince Max's government.

                                              Cancellation of the plan

                                              The High Seas Fleet had assembled in Schillig Roads on the afternoon of 29 October in preparation for sailing the following day, 30 October. A ruse that operation was a training sortie was employed for security, as was usual practice. The raid on the Thames and the Flanders Coast were thus scheduled for dawn, 31 October, and the battle with the British Fleet in the afternoon and evening of the same day. However the evening of 29 October was marked by unrest and serious acts of indiscipline in the German Fleet, as the men became convinced their commanders were intent on sacrificing them in a deliberate attempt to sabotage the Armistice negotiations. A large number of stokers from Derfflinger and Von der Tann failed to return from liberty ashore and were rounded up by the authorities; insubordination was rampant on board Thüringen, Kaiserin, Helgoland and Regensberg; and mutinous demonstrations took place in König, Kronprinz Wilhelm and Markgraf. Even in the fleet flagship Baden the mood of the crew was dangerous. The mutinous behavior was confined to the crews of the larger ships; the crews of torpedo-boats, submarines and minesweepers remained loyal. Bowing to the inevitable, Admiral Hipper cancelled the operation on 30 October and ordered the fleet dispersed in the hope of quelling the insurrection. However, the damage had been done: ships of the III. Battle Squadron, arrived at Kiel via the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal on 1 November, carrying with it the glowing ember of mutiny which would ignite with full force on 3 November.

                                              Appendix: Orders of battle

                                              Had this operation resulted in a battle between the British and German fleets, it would have been one of the largest Naval Battles in history. The following lists give details of the ships which would potentially have been involved.

                                              KLM Ensign German order of battle

                                              The German fleet was to be organized into three groups, plus supporting submarines and airships, as follows

                                              • High Seas Fleet
                                              • Commander-in-Chief, High Seas Fleet: Admiral Franz Ritter von Hipper in battleship Baden
                                              • Scouting forces
                                              • Commander, Scouting Forces: RAdm Ludwig von Reuter in battle cruiser HindenburgI. SG (RAdm Reuter) battlecruisers: Hindenburg (F), Derfflinger, Moltke, Von der Tann, SeydlitzII. SG (Cdre Viktor Harder) light cruisers: Königsberg (F), Karlsruhe, Pillau, Nürnberg, Köln, Dresden, GraudenzDeputy Leader of Torpedo-Boats FKpt Hans Quaet-Faslem in light cruiser: FrankfurtII. TBF destroyers: (3. hf) G101, G104, V100, G103, G102; (4. hf) destroyers: B97, B111, B109, B110, B112I. TBF (detachment) torpedo boats: (2. hf) V130, S133, S135, S134, S139VII. TBF (detachment) torpedo boats: (13. hf) S138, V83, S65, V78, S56
                                              • Main body (under Commander-in-Chief)
                                              • III. BS (VAdm Hugo Kraft), battleships: König (F), Bayern, Grosser Kurfürst, Kronprinz Wilhelm, MarkgrafFleet Flagship battleship: Baden (F, Adm Hipper)I. BS (VAdm Friedrich Bödicker) battleships: Ostfriesland (F), Thüringen, Posen, Nassau, Oldenburg, Westfalen[r], HelgolandIV. BS (VAdm Hugo Meurer) battleships: Friedrich der Grosse (F), König Albert, Kaiserin, Prinzregent Luitpold, KaiserLeader of Torpedo-Boats Cdre Paul Heinrich(GE) in light cruiser EmdenI. TBF torpedo boats: (1. hf) V129, G39, G86, G40, G38, S32V. TBF torpedo boats: (9. hf) G11, V6, V3, V2; (10. hf) G8, G10, V5VI. TBF torpedo boats: (11. hf) V128, V127, S132, S131, V126, V125; (12. hf) V43, V45, V44, S49, S50, V46IX. TBF (17. hf) torpedo boats: V80, S52, S51, S60, S36
                                              • Minelaying group
                                              • IV. SG (RAdm Johannes von Karpf(GE)) light cruisers: Regensburg (F), Bremse, Brummer, Strassburg, Stralsund; attached minelayers: Arcona, MöweVIII. TBF torpedo boats: (15. hf) T180, T193, T192, T195, T190, T189; (16. hf) torpedo boats: T178, T179, T176, T186
                                              • Airships: L65, L64, L63, L52, L61, L56, SL22
                                              • Submarines: thirty U-boats were assigned to this operation, in six patrol lines:[35] U-43, U-52, U-53, U-60, U-62, U-78, U-86, U-91, U-94, U-96, U-100, U-107, U-108, U-113, U-162, UB-64, UB-67, UB-80, UB-86, UB-87, UB-93, UB-96, UB-98, UB-116, UB-118, UB-121, UB-125, UB-126, UB-130, UB-131, UC-58.

                                              Royal Navy Ensign British order of battle

                                              This is the administrative order of battle of the Grand Fleet and other important commands in Home Waters in late October 1918. We have excluded minesweepers, sloops and older vessels employed on patrol duties, confining ourselves only to forces likely to have been engaged had the German sortie gone ahead. Some of these ships may not in fact have been available to sail on 30 October due to breakdowns or routine maintenance.

                                              • The Grand Fleet was based at Rosyth, with usually one Squadron detached to Scapa Flow for gunnery training.
                                              • Grand Fleet
                                              • Commander-in Chief: Adm Sir David Beatty in battleship Queen Elizabeth (attached light cruiser: Blanche, destroyer: Oak)
                                              • 1st BS (Adm Sir Charles Madden) battleships: Revenge (F), Resolution, Royal Sovereign, Royal Oak, Ramillies, Emperor of India, Benbow, Iron Duke, Marlborough, Canada (attached cruiser: Bellona)2nd BS (VAdm Sir John de Robeck) battleships: King George V (F), Ajax, Centurion, Erin, Orion, Thunderer, Monarch, Conqueror, Agincourt (attached cruiser: Boadicea)4th BS (VAdm Sir Montague Browning) battleships: Hercules (F), Neptune, St. Vincent, Colossus, Bellerophon, Collingwood (attached cruiser: Blonde)5th BS (VAdm A C Leveson) battleships: Barham (F), Malaya, Valiant, Warspite6th BS (RAdm H Rodman) battleships: New York(USN) (F), Texas(USN), Arkansas(USN), Wyoming(USN), Florida(USN) Cruisers (with main body)
                                              • 2nd CS (RAdm E F Bruen) armoured cruisers: Minotaur (F), Achilles, Cochrane, Shannon4th LCS (RAdm A F Everett) light cruisers: Calliope (F), Cambrian, Constance, Comus, Cordelia, Caroline7th LCS (RAdm G H Borrett) light cruisers: Carysfort (F), Cleopatra, Penelope, Aurora, UndauntedFlying Squadron (RAdm R F Phillimore) aircraft carriers: Furious (F), Campania, Argus, Vindictive, Nairana, Pegasus[s]
                                              • Battlecruiser force
                                              • Commander-in-Chief: VAdm Sir William Pakenham in battle cruiser Lion1st BCS (RAdm Sir Henry Oliver) battle cruisers: Repulse (F), Renown, Princess Royal, Tiger2nd BCS (RAdm Sir Lionel Halsey) battle cruisers: Australia(RAN) (F), New Zealand, Indomitable, Inflexible1st CS (VAdm T D W Napier) battle cruisers: Courageous, Glorious1st LCS (RAdm W H Cowan): Caledon (F), Inconstant, Galatea, Phaeton, Royalist2nd LCS (RAdm J A Fergusson): Birmingham (F), Dublin, Melbourne(RAN), Sydney(RAN), Yarmouth3rd LCS (RAdm A T Hunt): Chatham (F), Birkenhead, Chester, Southampton6th LCS (RAdm E S Alexander-Sinclair): Cardiff (F), Calypso, Caradoc, Cassandra, Ceres
                                              • Destroyer flotillas
                                              • Commodore (Destroyers): Cdre H J Tweedie in light cruiser: Castor3rd DF leaders: Nimrod, Talisman; destroyers: Maenad, Mameluke, Marvel, Menace, Michael, Munster, Napier, Noble, Nonsuch, Onslaught, Petard11th DF leaders: Valorous, Seymour, Kempenfelt; destroyers: Romola, Sarpedon, Tenacious, Tormentor, Tancred, Vivacious, Vittoria, Vortigern, Watchman, Versatile, Walker, Vancouver, Viscount, Walrus, Vanessa, Vanity, Voyager12th DF leaders: Valhalla, Saumarez; destroyers: Simoom, Winchester, Wrestler, Scimitar, Torch, Vivien, Wolsey, Scotsman, Scout, Scythe, Tomahawk, Waterhen, Sepoy, Speedy, Seabear, Sirdar, Trinidad, Tryphon13th DF light cruiser: Champion, leaders: Valentine, Valkyrie; destroyers: Vimiera, Vega, Vectis, Violent; Vendetta, Verulam, Wakeful, Westminster; Verdun, Viceroy, Vesper, Venetia; Wolfhound, Ursa, Ursula, Urchin; Umpire, Ulster, Tower, Tristram; Vidette, Winchelsea, Westcott; Windsor, Whitley, Woolston, Walpole, Wessex, Wryneck14th DF leaders: Vampire, Anzac; destroyers: Ophelia, Relentless, Medina, Nonpareil, Observer, Opportune, Orestes, Pellew, Peyton, Plover, Patriot, Offa, Peregrine, Plucky, Norman, Orford, Pylades, Warwick, Velox, Whirlwind, Paladin, Penn, Octavia, Patrician, Tyrant, Splendid, Tobago, Sabre, Seafire, Seraph15th DF leaders: Parker, Grenville; destroyers: Rapid, Sabrina, Radstock, Rowena, Ready, Raider, Restless, Rocket, Rigorous, Sable, Rob Roy, Salmon, Sorceress, Rosalind, Trenchant, Undine, Tirade21st DF leaders: Botha, Douglas, Swift; destroyers: Miranda, Matchless, Milne, Morris, Murray, Mentor, Mansfield, Moorsom Harwich Force 5
                                              • th LCS (RAdm Sir Reginald Tyrwhitt) light cruisers: Curacoa (F), Centaur, Concord, Conquest, Coventry, Curlew, Danae, Dragon10th DF leaders: Montrose, Bruce, Shakespeare, Spenser; destroyers: Starfish, Sybille, Redgauntlet, Satyr, Skate, Stork, Sturgeon, Sylph, Radiant, Redoubt, Skilful, Tempest, Thruster, Retriever, Sharpshooter, Springbok, Truculent, Sceptre, Torrid, Taurus, Tetrarch, Thisbe, Teazer, Sparrowhawk, Swallow, Tactician
                                              • Minelaying destroyers
                                              • 20th DF (Immingham) leaders: Abdiel, Gabriel, destroyers: Ferret, Sandfly, Lawford, Legion, Prince, Tarpon, Telemachus, Vanquisher, Vanoc, Venturous
                                              • Destroyer reinforcements The following are the modern vessels in Buncrana, Devonport and Dover flotillas in October 1918. These flotillas were ordered to provide reinforcements to the Grand Fleet after 23 October. There were 16 L-class/M-class destroyers temporarily attached to the Grand Fleet on 11 November 1918.[36] 2nd DF (Buncrana) destroyers: Mandate, Marne, Martial, Michael, Milbrook, Minos, Moresby, Nicator, Ossory, Pelican, Pigeon, Magic, Manners, Medway, Mindful, Mons, Mounsey, Mystic, Musketeer4th DF (Devonport) leader: Faulknor; destroyers: Nereus, Oberon, Onslow, Oracle, Oriole, Orpheus, Pasley, Laertes, Lance, Laurel, Laverock, Lennox, Leonidas, Liberty, Lochinvar, Loyal, Lysander, Lookout, Minion, Narwhal, Nepean, Nerissa, Morning Star, Nizam, Norseman, Obdurate, Obedient, Oriana, Osiris, Rival6th DF (Dover) leader: Broke; destroyers: Afridi, Amazon, Cossack, Crusader, Saracen, Viking, Zubian, Manly, Myngs, Melpomene, Termagant, Trident, Nugent, Phoebe
                                              • Submarines
                                              • operating with the Battle Fleet
                                              • 12th S/MF: K2, K3, K5, K6, K7, K8, K1513th S/MF: K9, K10, K11, K12, K14, K16, K22
                                              • North Sea patrols
                                              • 8th S/MF (Yarmouth) submarines: H21, H28, H29, H309th S/MF (Harwich) submarines: E29, E31, E41, E43, E45, E51, E52, E53, E56, L9, L15, L14, L17, C23, C2510th S/MF (Tees) submarines: E27, E33, E39, E40, E42, E44, G6, G12, G13, L11, L12, L1611th S/MF (Blyth) submarines: G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G10, J2, J3, J4, J5, J6, J714th S/MF (Blyth) submarines: H8, H11, H12, H14, H15, H22, H23, H24, H25, H26, L8, R1, R2, R9, R12.

                                              John Doran


                                              25th October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Weather fine but dull towards midday. Battalion in support to 12th Royal Irish Rifles in attack on line J.36.c.0.4, J.36.a.3.2 through G in Bergstraat through N in Ansegham to northern boundary at J.24.c.0.0. Heavy machine-gun opposition was encountered and an advance of about 1,000 yards was made.

                                              Strength of Battalion going into action: 12 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Casualties: Lieutenant F.W Vint and 2nd Lieutenant J Darling MC wounded, 7 Other Ranks killed and 37 Other Ranks wounded

                                              War Diaries


                                              26th October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Weather very fine. Positions captured during 25th consolidated. German observation balloon brought down by our aeroplanes near Worteghem.

                                              War Diaries


                                              26th Oct 1918 Kent Heavy Battery endure shelling  Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery, RGA was at Pont-a-Pierre and being heavily shelled

                                              27th October 1918 Reliefs  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers. report "Weather fine in morning but dull towards evening. Battalion was relieved in the line by 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, 34th Division, and proceeded to billets in Hulste."

                                              9th NIH War Diaries


                                              27th Oct 1918 Battery in Action  First day of The Battle of Vittorio Veneto in the Lovadina - Maserada Section of the River Piave. The Brigade opened a creeping barrage in support of the infantry attack made by the Left Brigade, Left Division of the British Corps. The barrage ceased at 12-30 hours. D/103 fired a standing smoke barrage for 11 hours. At 13-00 hours, the FOO reported that the left flank of the British Corps which was in the air owing to the failure of the Corps on our left was being enfiladed by Machine Guns. The 18 pdr batteries searched the area North of the open flank for 2 hours 30 minutes, when the situation was reported as much improved. At 22-00 hours the Brigade fired 450 rounds searching an area on our left front to break up enemy troops assembling for a counter attack. Lt E M Thomas C/103 was wounded in action and struck off the strength of the Brigade.  More info.

                                              28th October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Hulste.

                                              Weather fine. Men in good spirits after night's rest, received kindly attention from civil population who cooked the men's food etc.

                                              War Diaries


                                              28th October 1918 30th SB rejoins Brigade  59th Heavy Artillery Brigade

                                              30th SB moved up from Ypres, where they had remained parked since the beginning of the Flanders battles owing to their lorries not being available. The battery crossed the (river) Lys today and parked in Harlebeke.

                                              War Diaries


                                              28th Oct 1918   The drums of the 24th Btn London Regiment took part in the formal entry into entry into Lille.

                                              Oct 1918   
                                              THE SERVICE OF THE 9TH BATTALION, ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT IN THE PERSIAN CAMPAIGN, 1918
                                              9th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment travelling in open railway carriages towards the front © IWM (Q 73120)

                                              29th October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Weather fine. Battalion moved at 0830 via Bisseghem to Lawe where they were billetted for the night.

                                              War Diaries


                                              30th October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Lawe.

                                              Weather continues fine. Service for Roman Catholics held in Lawe church at 0800. Usual inspections and reorganisation carried out during morning. Company Commanders lectured their Companies on 'The Course of the War'.

                                              War Diaries


                                              Oct 1918   
                                              THE SERVICE OF THE 9TH BATTALION, ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT IN THE PERSIAN CAMPAIGN, 1918
                                              9th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment in The Persian Campaign, 1918 © IWM (Q 72953)

                                              The City of Birjand as seen from the north-east.

                                              31st October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Lawe. Weather fine. Usual parades and inspections carried out in morning. In the evening the civil population were invited to a dance held in the School Room Lawe and a pleasant evening was spent.

                                              During the month the Battalion was engaged in almost continuous fighting. Congratulatory messages etc received.

                                              War Diaries


                                              1st November 1918 Final Days to Armistice  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                              In Mouscron the Battalion was billeted in the town and work continued on the Railway. No.1 Company - Lifting damaged track No.2 Company - Filling craters No.3 Company - Demolishing a bridge. These tasks continued from 1st to 9th November 1918 with a break for bathing and disinfesting blankets on the 5th November. On the 10th November 16th Battalion moved off at 0530 to Outryve for work under the Chief Engineer, X Corps building pontoon bridges across the Scheldt/Escaut.

                                              Armistice Day came and went without a single remark in the war diaries. This was strange to say the least as the Commanding Officer Lt. Col William Allen had started out in 1914 as Adjutant and had experienced all the Battalions worst trials and best accomplishments. This seems to follow a general feeling of disbelief that it was all over.

                                              Working on Pontoons in the Scheldt crossing, Rifleman Thomas Shaw (reflecting in a post war interview in 1992), stated that " they saw a lot of Verey lights in the sky up at the front and assumed it was an SOS call for artillery support. Later some returning troops shouted to them ‘The wars over boys!!’ to which the disbelieving pioneers replied ‘Aye, we know, it’s over there!’"

                                              The work in the Scheldt approaches continued until the 17th November involving filling craters, repairing roads and installing ramps. It must have been a great relief to carry out this work without fear of enemy attack and provided transport kept rolling no longer the need for much haste in their work. As the work here neared its end more time was devoted to inspections and drills with a view to re-establishing discipline in the Battalion.

                                              On Sunday 19th November 1918 the Battalion moved back to its Billets at Mouscron thus ending the last Operational Task of the 16th (Service) Battalion the Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers).

                                              Closing Days and Demobilisation.

                                              On its return to Mouscron cleaning became the order of the day with bathing and fumigation of blankets and service dress followed by a kit inspection in the afternoon. A return to peacetime soldiering standards was necessary but needed to be handled with patience and tolerance by the Officers and senior NCOs as the men simply wanted release and return home as soon as possible after some 4 years of stress and strain. However a peace treaty had not yet been signed (eventually signed in June 1919) merely an Armistice which would have to be observed or enforced.

                                              Control of the Armistice also required extensive restoration of large areas of France and Belgium together with adequate garrison provision. A lot of men would also be returning to civilian life soon therefor it was important to help them prepare for the sudden changes in their lives. A conference was called on the 20th November and a committee set up to organise education, sport and other suggestions for the men’s welfare.

                                              Battalion strength: 1st November Officers 35 ORs 959 30th November Officers 35 ORs 947

                                              The Terrors by SN White


                                              1st November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Lauwe. Reference Sheet 29 Belgium 1/40,000.

                                              Spell of fine weather continues. Usual parades and inspections carried out in morning. Battalion bathed by Companies at M.21 central. In the evening the civilian population entertained the Battalion, at the School, to a dance. A very pleasant evening was spent. At 2000 the Battalion gave a dinner at which Major R.J Tamplin DSO presided. Among the guests were the Officer Commanding, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, Brigade Major and Staff Captain, 108th Infantry Brigade, and representatives from 1st Battalion, 108th Trench Mortar Battery, etc, etc. A very jolly night was spent notwithstanding the fact that a very strenuous day has preceded it, including a Rugby match between 12th Rifles and 9th Battalion team in which 12th Rifles won by two goals to nil

                                              War Diaries


                                              2nd November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Weather fine. Battalion moved at 2100 to billets in Luingne south east of Mouscron. In the afternoon a concert was given by the civil inhabitants to the British soldiers and at 1630 the massed drums of the 1st and 9th Battalions played selections in the Grand Place, Muscron, where a large and interested gathering gave them a rousing reception.

                                              War Diaries


                                              2nd November 1918 Australian Troop Transports  

                                              HMAT A52 Surada

                                              The HMAT A52 Surada weighed 5,324 tons with an average cruise speed of 10 knots or 18.52 kmph. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 4 January 1917. The Surada was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine in Mediterranean on the 2nd November 1918.

                                              John Doran


                                              2nd Nov 1918 Salford Pals in action  Some units of the 2nd Salford Pals, 16th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers took part in the Battle of Sambre and the crossing of the Oise-Sambre Canal at Ors.

                                              3rd November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Luingne. Weather continues fine. Inspection parades carried out and training continued throughout morning

                                              War Diaries


                                              4th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Spell of fine weather broken. Rain fell continuously throughout morning. Usual inspection parades and training carried out during day.

                                              War Diaries


                                              4th Nov 1918 16th Welsh Fusiliers under fire  The 16th Royal Welsh Fusiliers came under fire between 5.30am and 6.15am at Englefontain.

                                              rwf.vol 111.1914-1918 france/flanders.by duley ward.


                                              5th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Little rain in morning. Usual parades and training continued.

                                              War Diaries


                                              6th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Wet in morning. Battalion moved at 1530 to billets in Mouscron.

                                              War Diaries


                                              6th November 1918   SM U-165

                                              Type U 93 Shipyard Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack (Werk 652) Ordered 27 Jun 1917 Launched 21 Aug 1918 Commissioned 6 Nov 1918

                                              Commanders Career start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                              Successes No successes. Fate 18 Nov 1918 - Sank before surrendering in an accident on the Weser river in position 53.10N, 08.53E. Raised and stricken on 21 Feb, 1919. Broken up.

                                              There was another U 165 in World War Two.
                                              That boat was launched from its shipyard on 15 Aug 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 3 Feb 1942.

                                              John Doran


                                              7th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Mouscron. Rain fell throughout the day. Men of the Battalion innoculated.

                                              War Diaries


                                              8th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Dull morning and rain towards midday. Captain R.L Emerson joined for duty from 1st Battalion and assumed the duties of Second-in-Command of the Battalion.

                                              War Diaries


                                              9th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Very bright morning. Usual parades carried out in afternoon. 2nd Lieutenant E.W Reynolds MC proceeded to UK prior to taking up appointment in Indian Army.

                                              War Diaries


                                              9th November 1918 HMS Britannia  

                                              HMS Britannia

                                              HMS Britannia was built at Portsmouth Dockyard. She was laid down on 4 February 1902, launched on 10 December 1904, and completed in September 1906. she was sunk when torpedoed by U- on the 9th November 1918 - two days before the Armistice was signed.

                                              The sixth HMS Britannia of the British Royal Navy was a pre-dreadnought battleship of the King Edward VII class. She was named after Britannia, the Latin name of Great Britain under Roman rule. After commissioning in September 1906, she served briefly with the Atlantic and Channel Fleets before joining the Home Fleet. In 1912, she, along with her sister ships of the King Edward VII class, was assigned to the 3rd Battle Squadron but in June 1913, she returned to duties with the Home Fleet.

                                              When World War I broke out, Britannia was transferred back to the 3rd Battle Squadron, which was part of the Grand Fleet. In 1916, she was attached to the 2nd Detached Squadron, then serving in the Adriatic Sea. After a refit in 1917, she conducted patrol and convoy escort duties in the Atlantic. On 9 November 1918, just two days before the end of the war, she was torpedoed by a German submarine off Cape Trafalgar and sank with the loss of 50 men. She was the last Royal Navy ship to be sunk in the war.

                                              Displacement was 16,350 tons (standard), 17,500 tons (full load)
                                              Length: 453 ft 6 in (138.23 m), Beam: 78 ft (24 m), Draught: 26 ft 9 in (8.15 m)
                                              Installed power: 18,000 ihp (13 MW), Propulsion: 15 coal-fired boilers (with oil sprayers), 12 Babcock and Wilcox[2] water-tube and 3 cylindrical, two 4-cylinder vertical compound expansion steam engines, two screws
                                              Speed: 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h)
                                              Range: 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 km) at 18.5 knots (34 km/h); 5,270 nautical miles (9,760 km) at 10 knots (18.5 km/h)
                                              Crew Complement: 770 officers and ratings.

                                              • Armament:
                                              • 4 x BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk X guns (2 x 2)
                                              • 4 x BL 9.2-inch (233.7 mm) Mark X guns (4 x 1)
                                              • 10 x BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk XI guns 14 x QF 12 pounder 18 cwt guns (replaced by four 6 inch guns installed on the shelter deck in 1917)
                                              • 14 x 3 pounder quick-firing guns
                                              • 5 x 18 inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged), four on the beam and one in the stern

                                              Pre-World War I

                                              HMS Britannia was commissioned into the reserve at Portsmouth Dockyard on 6 September 1906. She went into full commission on 2 October 1906 for service in the Atlantic Fleet. She transferred to the Channel Fleet on 4 March 1907. Under a fleet reorganisation on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the Second Division, Home Fleet, and Britannia became a Home Fleet unit in that division, becoming Flagship, Vice Admiral, Second Division, in April 1909. She underwent a refit at Portsmouth from 1909 to 1910. On 14 July 1910, she collided with the barque Loch Trool, suffering slight damage.

                                              Under a fleet reorganisation in May 1912, Britannia and all seven of her sisters of the King Edward VII class (Africa, Commonwealth, Dominion, Hibernia, Hindustan, King Edward VII, and Zealandia) were assigned to form the 3rd Battle Squadron, assigned to the First Fleet, Home Fleet. The squadron was detached to the Mediterranean in November 1912 because of the First Balkan War (October 1912, May 1913); it arrived at Malta on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a blockade by an international force of Montenegro and in an occupation of Scutari. The squadron returned to the United Kingdom in 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913, after which Britannia left the squadron to return to the Second Division, Home Fleet.

                                              World War I

                                              Upon the outbreak of World War I, Britannia transferred back to the 3rd Battle Squadron, which was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth

                                              The squadron was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914. She ran aground in the Firth of Forth at Inchkeith on 26 January 1915, suffering considerable bottom damage, but was refloated after 36 hours and was repaired and refitted at Devonport Dockyard.

                                              Britannia served in the Grand Fleet until April 1916. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                                              On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness, and on 3 May 1916 it was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Britannia remained there with the squadron until August 1916, when she began a refit at Portsmouth Dockyard.

                                              On completion of her refit in September 1916, Britannia transferred out of the 3rd Battle Squadron for service in the 2nd Detached Squadron, which had been organised in 1915 to reinforce the Italian Navy against the Austro-Hungarian Navy in the Adriatic Sea. She underwent a refit at Gibraltar in February,March 1917, and on its completion was attached to the 9th Cruiser Squadron to serve on the Atlantic Patrol and on convoy escort duty, based mainly at Sierra Leone. She relieved armoured cruiser HMS King Alfred as flagship of the 9th Cruiser Squadron in March 1917 and underwent a refit at Bermuda in May 1917, during which her 6-inch (152-mm) guns were removed and replaced by four 6-inch (152-mm) guns mounted on her shelter deck.

                                              Loss

                                              On the morning of 9 November 1918, captained by Francis F. Caulfield RN, Britannia was on a voyage in the western entrance to Strait of Gibraltar when she was torpedoed off Cape Trafalgar by the German submarine UB-50 (Oblt. Heinrich Kukat). After the first explosion, the ship listed ten degrees to port. A few minutes later, a second explosion started a fire in a 9.2-inch (234-mm) magazine, which in turn caused a cordite explosion in the magazine. Darkness below decks made it virtually impossible to find the flooding valves for the magazines, and those the crew did find were poorly located and therefore hard to turn, and the resulting failure to properly flood the burning magazine probably doomed the ship. Britannia held her 10-degree list for 2½ hours before sinking, allowing most of the crew to be taken off. Most of the men who were lost were killed by toxic smoke from burning cordite; 50 men died and 80 were injured. In total, 39 officers and 673 men were saved.

                                              Sunk only two days before the Armistice ending World War I was signed on 11 November 1918, Britannia was the last Royal Navy vessel to be lost during World War I.

                                              John Doran


                                              9th Nov 1918 Observation  
                                              AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY ON THE WESTERN FRONT DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY ON THE WESTERN FRONT DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR © IWM (BOX 72-491-108FE-22V-1918)

                                              Air photograph taken by 108 Squadron at 9.30am.

                                              IWM


                                              10th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Mouscron. Reference Sheet 29 Belgium 1/40,000 and Tournai 1/100,000.

                                              Fine in morning. Church of England parade service in St Joseph's College Mouscron at 1100 and Roman Catholic parade service in St Charles Convent Mouscron at 1030.

                                              News of signature of Armistice received during night 10/11 and great jubilations ensued. Fife & Drum Bands played in the streets and flares and rockets of all description illuminated the sky.

                                              War Diaries


                                              10th November 1918   SM U-142

                                              Type U 142 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 303) Ordered 29 Nov 1916 Launched 4 Mar 1918 Commissioned 10 Nov 1918

                                              Commanders
                                              10 Nov 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Erich Eckelmann

                                              Career No patrols. No flotilla information available Successes No successes.

                                              Fate 10 Nov 1918 - Taken right back to the dockyard after being commissioned and demilitarized and finally broken up at Oslebshausen in 1919. Engine plants were surrendered to the allies.. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 27 Jul 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 4 Sep 1940.

                                              John Doran


                                              11th Nov 1918   According to the Order of Battle, November 11th 1918, 124th Heavy Battery RGA, was in 42nd Brigade RGA and part of the 5th Army. 42nd Brigade was a Mobile Brigade and 124 Battery had 6 sixty pounder guns.

                                              11th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Fine morning. News of signature of Armistice confirmed. Civilian population of town very enthusiastically applaud us as their deliverers. Usual parades and training carried on throughout day.

                                              War Diaries


                                              12th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Fine morning. Battalion paraded at 0930 and marched to Brigade parade ground for inspection by Divisional Commander who expressed his pleasure at the excellent 'turn out' of the Battalion. Captain A.P Faris joined for duty and posted to D Company.

                                              War Diaries


                                              13th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Fine morning. Training continued throughout the day. Included in day's programme was firing practice on the 30 meter range. Lieutenant A.L Dobbin MC rejoined from [hospital].

                                              War Diaries


                                              14th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Fine morning with touch of frost in the air. Battalion participated in a Brigade exercise in the morning and afternoon was given up to inter-Company football matches etc. Lieutenant K Coomb-Jones joined for duty as Signalling Officer.

                                              War Diaries


                                              15th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Fine morning. Training continued. Inter-Company football matches in afternoon.

                                              War Diaries


                                              16th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Moescron. Bright morning with touch of frost in the air. Battalion route marched in morning. Afternoon was given up to inter-Company football matches.

                                              War Diaries


                                              17th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Bright frosty morning. Special Thanksgiving Service of 2nd Army held in Roubaix attended by four Officers and 65 Other Ranks followed by a march past of troops before Lieutenant-General Sir C Jacob KCB. The usual Church services were held.

                                              War Diaries


                                              18th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Brigade Thanksgiving Service held at 1000 at St Joseph's College Mouscron. No further parades.

                                              War Diaries


                                              19th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary training from 0900 to 1200 when a Battalion parade was held, which included an address from the Commanding Officer and a few exercises with march past. Battalion concert was given at 1800.

                                              War Diaries


                                              20th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Route march took place, Battalions going independently. The school arranged by the Battalion Education Committee was opened at 1200 at the civilian school but nobody turned up. Officers Riding School in the afternoon.

                                              War Diaries


                                              21st November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary training in usual hours. School was held at 1100 when 43 men paraded. The school situated in Convent Schools.

                                              War Diaries


                                              22nd November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Mouscron. Brigade Inspection was held at T.19.d at 1000. Usual riding class in afternoon. Lieutenant G Robinson MC joins the Battalion.

                                              War Diaries


                                              23rd November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Photos of Battalion were taken in Companies but camera was unfortunately broken before Officers group was taken. Remainder of morning was spent in cleaning equipment and billets. Afternoon was devoted to football and riding class.

                                              War Diaries


                                              24th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual services were held at Cinema and Roman Catholic Chapel, Luinge.

                                              War Diaries


                                              25th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion route marched via Luinge, Aelbeke. Preliminary heats of 'V.C.' and Mule Race for Battalion. Sports were run in the afternoon.

                                              War Diaries


                                              26th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion, headed by bands of 1st and 9th, paraded at 0900 and marched to football ground at Tourcoing, where Battalion sports were held. The events included ordinary flat races, tugs-of-war, mule and 'V.C.' races with wrestling on horseback. A most enjoyable day was spent, the proceedings being also enlivened by selections from the Divisional Brass Band and the drolleries of two clowns. A goodly number of the civilian population were in attendance. The Battalion returned to billets by 1700. A concert was held at 1900 when the prizes were distributed. Captain J.E Gibson and Lieutenant F.C Hartness joined Battalion.

                                              War Diaries


                                              26th Nov 1918 U9 Surrenders  Submarine U9 is surrendered. She is broken up at Morecambe in 1919.

                                              27th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Mouscron. Ordinary training by Companies and riding class. Billeting parties went to Luinge.

                                              War Diaries


                                              28th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Luinge.

                                              Battalion route marched at 0910. Day turned out very wet. In the afternoon a move was made to Luinge. Battalion Headquarters was made at Chateau at S.23.b.3.0. Good billets were obtained.

                                              War Diaries


                                              29th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary training was held and settling of billets. Cross country run was held in the afternoon. Association football match with 12th Royal Irish Rifles resulted in a draw of two goals each.

                                              War Diaries


                                              30th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Inspection of billets was held by Commanding Officer. Ordinary parades were held in remainder of forenoon. Rugby match in afternoon against 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers in which we won by six tries to one try.

                                              War Diaries


                                              1st December 1918 Peace at Work  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                              Educational and recreational activities commenced in November continued into December. There were several teachers amongst the Battalions personnel whose services were utilised to assist in providing English, Mathematics and Arithmetic classes. Captain Pearson took over as Education Officer. By the 9th December two elementary and one advanced class in French were introduced. Attendance grew from about 40 initially to 80.

                                              There were two significant ceremonial parades at Divisional level which the Pioneers attended. On the 6th December at Halluin Aerodrome a Divisional ceremonial parade was held and at 1100 on the 16th December a further parade with inspection by the General Officer Commanding XV Corps which was the last recorded divisional event in the war diaries. Unfortunately the weather was at its worst but the men could retire to reasonable comfortable surroundings after the parade.

                                              Sanitary arrangements were improved and an issue of individual German beds was implemented although it took about two weeks to assemble and distribute to all ranks. This was completed on 17th December with all ranks being described as comfortably accommodated.

                                              Christmas was exceptionally well planned, with aid from Divisional sources providing turkeys and all the trimmings which were excellently prepared, while most other units had little but bully beef to celebrate the festive season. Some of the men missed this treat but they were even happier as they had been sent home on demobilization in time for Christmas.

                                              After Christmas the educational classes were moved to a vacant local school where much better teaching aids were available.

                                              Battalion strength 1st December Officers 35 ORs 948 31st December Officers 35 ORs 906

                                              The Terrors by SN White


                                              1st Dec 1918 Royal Irish Fusiliers losses stand at 3572  During the war the whole Royal Irish Fusiliers, suffered 3572 deaths of which over 200 were 7th Battalion and a further 154 from the combined 7/8th Battalion.

                                              1st December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Luingne. Reference Sheet 1/40,000 Belgium and France 28 & 29. 1000. Photos were taken of Officers and Regimental Football (Association) Team. Usual services were held at Cinema and Mass at Roman Catholic Chapel Luinge. Battalion defeated 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers by six goals to nil in afternoon.

                                              War Diaries


                                              1st Dec 1918 U-Boat U3 surrendered  SM U-3 was a Type U 3 built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 2) She was ordered 13 Aug 1907, launched 27 Mar 1909 and was commissioned 29 May 1909. During the Great War she was part of the training Flotilla On the 1 Dec 1918 She was surrendered and sank on the way to be broken up at Preston.

                                              John Doran


                                              2nd December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary Company parades, training and school in morning with a short Battalion route march. Cross country run and practice rugby match in afternoon.

                                              1730. Lecture by Commanding Officer to Officers, Warrant Officers and Sergeants on the inspection by Divisional Commander to be held in the near future.

                                              War Diaries


                                              3rd December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion bathed. Lectures with training indoors owing to wet weather. Association match against 108 Brigade Trench Mortar Battery in which we won by nine goals to one.

                                              War Diaries


                                              4th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary Company parades and training with school in morning. Battalion cross country runners trained in afternoon.

                                              War Diaries


                                              5th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Luingne.

                                              Battalion route marched through Mouscron but orders having been received for a Divisional March Past on the morrow the march was curtailed and we returned to billets, the remainder of morning being spent in cleaning equipment and inspections of same. Football match against 12th Royal Irish Rifles in afternoon which resulted in a scoreless draw.

                                              War Diaries


                                              6th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion paraded at 0740 and marched to aviation ground at Halluin (R.21 a & b) where Divisional Review and March Past was held. The cookers accompanied Battalion and dinners were eaten at Reckem; arrival back in Luingne at 1515.

                                              War Diaries


                                              7th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Commanding Officer inspected billets. Medical and kit inspections were held and men paid. Six Officers and 150 Other Ranks went to Roubaix in afternoon where His Majesty the King paid a visit.

                                              War Diaries


                                              8th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual Church services. In afternoon Rugby team beat the remainder of Brigade by 18 points to 8 points.

                                              War Diaries


                                              9th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary Company training with school

                                              War Diaries


                                              10th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary Company training with school. In afternoon Brigade cross-country run was held in which 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers won, 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers came second and 12th Royal Irish Rifles third.

                                              War Diaries


                                              11th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Day was wet and training was done indoors. Battalion Boxing Tournament was held in Mouscron and was very successful.

                                              War Diaries


                                              12th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ref sheet 29 & 29 1/40000 Belgium, France. Luingne.

                                              Wet day. The Divisional parade for inspection by the Corps Commander to be held today was cancelled. Training was done indoors. The first man, a coalminer, was sent home today for demobilisation.

                                              War Diaries


                                              13th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Lecture was held at Mouscron at 1030 on 'Reconstruction' and was attended by six Officers and 100 Other Ranks. Ordinary training was done by remainder of Battalion. Four more coalminers were sent away.

                                              War Diaries


                                              14th November 1918 495 Flight 252 Squadron RFC move aerodrome  495 Flight, 252 Squadron departed from RFC Seaton Carew II, flying the Blackburn Kangaroo, moving to RFC Seahouses in Northumberland.

                                              14th December 1916 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Commanding Officer inspected billets. Medical and kit inspections were also held and men paid. Brigade Boxing Tournament held at Mouscron but none of our entrants were successful.

                                              War Diaries


                                              15th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual Church parades and services at Cinema and Roman Catholic Chapel at Luingne. We beat 108th Brigade football team by 3 to 1.

                                              War Diaries


                                              16th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              The Battalion paraded at 0800 and marched to aviation ground at Halluin (R.21 a & b) where the Division was inspected by the Corps Commander. It was followed by a march past and an advance in review order. The Battalion lunched on the ground and arrived in billets at 1445.

                                              War Diaries


                                              17th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Wet day. Training was done indoors and consisted of recreational physical exercises with lectures. In the afternoon C beat A Company by 3 to 1 goals in football.

                                              War Diaries


                                              18th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion riding class for Officers formed. It took the form of a lecture on parts of the head and bridle with fitting of same. Ordinary training was done by Battalion. D beat B in football by 5 to nil.

                                              War Diaries


                                              19th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Riding class for Officers with practical work was held in morning. Training of Battalion consisted of physical recreational training, ceremonial drill etc. The NCOs were drilled by the Regimental Sergeant Major.

                                              War Diaries


                                              20th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual riding class and ordinary training were held. The Divisional Commander visited the Battalion and wished us all a Happy Xmas. The Battalion Rugby team beat the 1st Royal Irish Rifles by 8 points to nil.

                                              War Diaries


                                              21st December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual billet inspections were held by the Commanding Officer and also transport were inspected. Riding class was held. In football D Company beat C by 5 goals to 1. C Company held a Whist Drive and B Company a concert.

                                              War Diaries


                                              22nd December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual Church services. Men were paid. In the afternoon a practice Rugby match was held.

                                              War Diaries


                                              23rd December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              First hour of parade was spent in physical training. At 11.00 Battalion paraded for route march but it was curtailed owing to inclement weather. Officers' riding class took place.

                                              War Diaries


                                              24th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary training. There was a Battalion Whist Drive at (1900?).

                                              War Diaries


                                              25th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Church parades were held similar to Sunday. Good dinners were provided for the men, the different messes being tastefully decorated. The Commanding Officer visited the men at meals and drank their health. The Sergeants and NCOs had dinner at 1900 and appeared to enjoy it thoroughly. The Officers had a Battalion dinner at 2000 in C Company's Mess, the proceedings being of a merry nature.

                                              War Diaries


                                              26th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              The day was observed as a holiday, or a day of rest.

                                              War Diaries


                                              27th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ref sheet 29 & 29 1/40000 Belgium, France. Luingne.

                                              The weather was bad. Training was done indoors, physical recreation forming part of the programme. Practical lecture on horseshoeing was given to riding class.

                                              War Diaries


                                              28th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual inspection of billets by Commanding Officer and medical inspection of the men. D Company held a whist drive.

                                              War Diaries


                                              29th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual Church services.

                                              War Diaries


                                              30th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Training consisted of physical recreation, ceremonial drill etc.

                                              War Diaries


                                              31st December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual training in morning. Afternoon observed as a holiday and games were indulged in by Companies.

                                              War Diaries


                                              1st January 1919 Training and demobilization  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                              January 1919.

                                              Daily routine settled into 2 ½ Hours of Military drill and 1 hour of Physical drill each morning with afternoons devoted to sports including rugby, soccer, cross country, tug of war and basketball. Education classes also improved with educated men studying Civics, Mathematics, Shorthand, French and Bookkeeping. Those with little or no education were given basic classes in English (reading, writing and basic composition) and elementary arithmetic. Many men also attended Trade and Technical Classes.

                                              By the 13th January the daily stint of military exercise each morning was reduced to one hours drill together with two hours of physical drill and tactical exercises. No.1 Company had moved to Le Blanc Four employed on repair of the light railway system in the neighbourhood of Linselles and near Tourcoing. It was relieved by No. 2 Company on the 13th January.

                                              Economic conditions at home were dictating that vital trades were bolstered and this included former coal mine employees, so the next batch of 180 demobilized included such men and with them Regimental Sergeant-Major Gordon. It also included those guaranteed employment by their pre-war employers. Battalion strength: 1st January Officers 35 ORs 903 31st January Officers 31 ORs 713

                                              The Terrors by SN White


                                              1st January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ref Sheet 1/40000 28-29 Belgium and France. Luingne.

                                              Service was held for Roman Catholics at 9.00 hours at Convent of St Charles, Luingne. There were no other parades, the day being observed as a holiday.

                                              War Diaries


                                              2nd January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion paraded at 0915 in the square and route marched through Petit-Voisinage, Rolleghem, Torpentoek.

                                              The 107th Infantry Brigade beat the 108th in Rugby by one try to nil.

                                              War Diaries


                                              3rd January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion had ordinary training. Fatigue of 30 Other Ranks sent to Brigade for purpose of drawing huts from Roubaix. A practice fire alarm was tried. Regimental censorship of letters discontinued.

                                              War Diaries


                                              4th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Inspection of billets by Adjutant. Kits were inspected and men paid.

                                              War Diaries


                                              5th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary Church services were held at Mouscron and Luingne.

                                              War Diaries


                                              6th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Roman Catholic service at Luingne at 0900 hours. The remainder of Battalion had a cross-country paper chase through Herseaux district in which the Second-in-Command and padre joined.

                                              War Diaries


                                              7th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion bathed at Mouscron. Remainder of morning spent in Lewis Gun instruction with physical training. The 108th Brigade beat Divisional Engineers Rugby team by ten point. Six men were sent away for demobilisation. All men (about 40) desirous of re-enlisting were examined by the Medical Officer.

                                              War Diaries


                                              8th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Training consisted of physical recreation, ceremonial drill and instruction in the Lewis Gun. Lieutenant T Graves and 2nd Lieutenant C.H Steele MC cross-posted to the 1st Battalion.

                                              War Diaries


                                              9th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Day was spent in ordinary training. Battalion Headquarters held a Whist Drive for the men.

                                              War Diaries


                                              10th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Party of four Officers and 40 Other Ranks were instructed in use of the fire pump at Mouscron Fire Station. Remainder of Battalion had ordinary training. Men had bath today who did not bathe on 7th inst.

                                              War Diaries


                                              11th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary weekly billet inspection held by Commanding Officer and Medical Officer with pay parade. Battalion tug-of-war team defeated team of 1st Royal Irish Rifles in Mouscron Square.

                                              War Diaries


                                              12th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              A special Church service was held at Roubaix by the Archbishop of Canterbury at which a party of Officers and Other Ranks from the Battalion attended. Ordinary Church services were also held at Mouscron and Luingne.

                                              War Diaries


                                              13th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion paraded at 0915 and did a few exercises in ceremonial drill. After an hour's physical training the Battalion witnessed a tug-of-war pull against the 12th Royal Irish Rifles in which our boys were successful. Officers' riding class was held in afternoon.

                                              War Diaries


                                              14th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion bathed. C Company had cross-country run. Usual riding class for the Officers was held. One Platoon of B Company was inspected by the Commanding Officer.

                                              War Diaries


                                              15th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Morning was spent in ceremonial drill and training under Company arrangements. The Battalion concert troupe 'The Sandbags' gave an entertainment in D Company's Mess at 1930 which was very enjoyable.

                                              War Diaries


                                              16th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              The Battalion attended a lecture on 'Venereal Disease' given by the Assistant Director Medical Services at Mouscron. The Battalion tug-of-war team defeated the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers team at the railway station. The concert troupe gave a performance again at 1930.

                                              War Diaries


                                              17th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Lecture by Commanding Officer on Platoon drill. Battalion was drilled by the Regimental Sergeant-Major. Other parades consisted of physical recreation, etc with school.

                                              War Diaries


                                              18th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary weekly inspection of billets by Commanding Officer, inspection of men by Commanding Officer and pay. Lecture by Major Lowe DSO on 'Physical Recreation'. Captain F MacClean appointed Demobilisation Officer. The French interpreter, M Valin, leaves Battalion. The tug-of-war team easily defeated an Artillery team in the Divisional tug-of-war competition at Mouscron Square.

                                              War Diaries


                                              19th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Captain J Morrow left for demobilisation. Church services were held at Luingne except Presbyterian section at Mouscron at 1000. Lieutenant A Carr takes over duty as Battalion Transport Officer.

                                              War Diaries


                                              20th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              First hour of parade was spent in physical drill. At 1100 the Battalion witnessed a game of basket ball between two American teams in Mouscron Square. This was followed by a tug-of-war competition between A and C Companies in which the former was victorious. In the afternoon the same Companies engaged in a Rugby contest in which the same Company won.

                                              War Diaries


                                              21st January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              War Diaries


                                              22nd January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion paraded in morning and had a few exercises in ceremonial drill. Physical training with an hour's compulsory education took up remainder of morning. The Sergeants held a Whist Drive at night to which all Officers were invited. In football the Sergeants were beaten by a team of Officers.

                                              War Diaries


                                              23rd January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary training was done under Company arrangements and school. The tug-of-war and football teams spent the day in Lille, being conveyed there in a lorry. One Officer and six Other Ranks went as train escort.

                                              War Diaries


                                              24th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              First hour was spent in physical training. Battalion paraded afterwards for an hour's practice in ceremonial drill and also had compulsory education. In the afternoon a cross-country competition was held of which A Company were the winner.

                                              War Diaries


                                              25th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion paraded at 0930 and marched to aviation ground at Herseaux where with the other Battalions of the Brigade a practice presentation of colours was gone through. Men were paid in afternoon and D Company beat C in football match.

                                              War Diaries


                                              26th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual Church services were held in Mouscron and Luingne.

                                              War Diaries


                                              27th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              First hour in morning was spent in physical training. Owing to fall of snow the contemplated route march was cancelled and the men cleared the streets instead. They also had an hour's compulsory education. Commanding Officer gave lecture on 'Demobilisation' to Officers.

                                              War Diaries


                                              28th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              The Battalion paraded at 0930 and marched to Herseaux aviation ground with the other Battalions of the Brigade. The colours which consisted of a silk Union Jack were consecrated and presented to the Battalion by the Corps Commander. The Battalion concert party gave a performance at 1930.

                                              War Diaries


                                              29th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              The Battalion was employed chiefly in clearing the streets of snow. Men desirous of going before the Divisional Advisory Board were interviewed by the Commanding Officer. The Battalion concert party 'The Sandbags' gave a performance at 1930.

                                              War Diaries


                                              30th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion Headquarters and the concert party went to Lille on two motor lorries where the day was spent. The remainder of Battalion did suitable training. Those seeking information as to their future calling in life were interviewed by the Divisional Advisory Board.

                                              War Diaries


                                              31st January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Ordinary training was done. During the month schools classes have been conducted under 2nd Lieutenant Kemp on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Subjects taught are reading, writing, arithmetic, history and geography; bookkeeping, shorthand and commercial subjects are also taught by 2nd Lieutenant L Lees. Demobilisation has speeded up during the last few days, the total number now away being one Officer 104 Other Ranks.

                                              War Diaries


                                              1st February 1919 Training and demobilization  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                              February 1919.

                                              February started with the same dispositions and routine as January had ended. On the 4th February it was necessary to reinforce No.2 Company with No.3 as it had been seriously depleted and on the 14th February Nos.2 and 3 Companies were amalgamated into a single company under the command of Captain WR White MC (the author’s father) with responsibility to provide a working party for the light railway.

                                              On the 15th February another 183 men were released and the Battalion Educational Scheme was abandoned from that date.

                                              On the 23rd February 6 Officers and 205 Other ranks were transferred to the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles for service in the Army of Occupation. From that date it was no longer possible to provide a working party for the railway and all remaining members returned to Mouscron.

                                              During the month 6 Officers, 390 Other ranks and 25 Horses had been demobilised.

                                              Battalion strength: 1st February Officers 29 ORs 694 28th February Officers 16 ORs 124

                                              The Terrors by SN White


                                              1st February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Luingne.

                                              His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited the Battalion in their billets. Rifles and Lewis Guns were inspected by an Officer from the Army Ordnance Corps. The men also were inspected by the Medical Officer and were afterwards paid.

                                              War Diaries


                                              2nd February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual Church services were held in Luingne and Mouscron.

                                              War Diaries


                                              3rd February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Training was composed of one hour's physical training, tactical exercise, drill, guard mounting and compulsory education.

                                              War Diaries


                                              4th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              The Battalion bathed. The remainder of time the Companies were at the disposal of Company Commanders. Captain P.E Maclean took over duties of Adjutant temporarily.

                                              War Diaries


                                              5th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Companies carried out ordinary training. Officers and men wishing information re future careers were interviewed by the Civil Advisory Board at Lille.

                                              War Diaries


                                              6th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              First hour was spent in physical training, two hours in cleaning snow from streets and an hour in compulsory education.

                                              War Diaries


                                              7th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Training consisted of physical recreation, compulsory education with ordinary Company training.

                                              War Diaries


                                              8th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Billets were inspected by the Commanding Officer. The usual medical inspection and pay parades were also held.

                                              War Diaries


                                              9th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Luingne. Ordinary Church services were held in Mouscron.

                                              War Diaries


                                              10th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion was inspected by the Brigade Commander who afterwards visited them in the billets for inspection of kit. Battalion bathed in the afternoon.

                                              War Diaries


                                              11th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Battalion was reorganised into two Companies (Nos 1 & 2), No.1 being composed of men for the Post Bellum Army or Army of Occupation, No.2 consisting of all others except those under the control of Transport Officer and Quartermaster.

                                              update note

                                              Jus Post Bellum was an international treatise on the transition from conflict to peace laying out rules to minimise periods of occupation and ensure proper treatment of the occupied by the occupiers.

                                              War Diaries


                                              12th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Reorganisation of Battalion was continued today.

                                              War Diaries


                                              13th February 1919   9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              13th - 14th Feb 1919. Ordinary training was done.

                                              15th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual weekly inspections were held by the Commanding Officer and Medical Officer and men were paid.

                                              War Diaries


                                              16th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual Church services were held.

                                              War Diaries


                                              17th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Training consisted of physical recreation.

                                              War Diaries


                                              18th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Training consisted of physical recreation. At 17.30 hours the Battalion concert party 'The Sandbags' gave a performance in the Convent.

                                              War Diaries


                                              19th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              One hour was spent in physical training after which no men were available for further training.

                                              War Diaries


                                              20th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual hour for physical training. Battalion bathed.

                                              War Diaries


                                              21st February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              A Court of Enquiry was held re deficiency of blankets and oil sheets.

                                              War Diaries


                                              22nd February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual inspections were held by Commanding Officer and Medical Officer and men paid. Surplus horses of transport were sent away for dispersal.

                                              War Diaries


                                              23rd February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Usual Church services.

                                              War Diaries


                                              24th February 1916 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Training was done under Company arrangements. The Officers held a dinner in the Officers' Club in Tourcoing.

                                              w


                                              25th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              25th and 26th Feb 1919. Training under Company arrangements.

                                              War Diaries


                                              27th Feb 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              First hour was spent in physical training followed by a route march.

                                              War Diaries


                                              28th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Luingne.

                                              Training under Company arrangements.

                                              The total number demobilized up to end of month is eight Officers and 402 Other Ranks.

                                              The Battalion school has been closed.

                                              War Diaries


                                              1st March 1919 Training and demobilization  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                              March 1919.

                                              From this point onwards there was no military task of any significance on which the Battalion, now reduced to cadre strength, could be employed. Sport and visits to places of interest were arranged under Divisional auspices with a first party going to Brussels on the 29th March. (Note: book states April but it seems more likely to have been March). During March 5 Officers, 58 Other ranks and 49 Animals were demobilized. Battalion strength: 1st March Officers 16 ORs 111 31st March Officers 8 ORs 45

                                              The Terrors by SN White


                                              1st March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Mouscron. Battalion remained at Mouscron.

                                              War Diaries


                                              8th March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Mouscron.

                                              Remaining men for dispersal (20) sent away. Battalion remained at Mouscron until 18th March.

                                              War Diaries


                                              19th March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              1st Royal Irish Fusiliers cadre proceeded home. Surplus personnel attached to this Battalion.

                                              War Diaries


                                              20th March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Two Officers 27 Other Ranks despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment on the Rhine.

                                              War Diaries


                                              21st March 1919   SM U-166

                                              Type U 93 Shipyard Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack (Werk 653) Ordered 27 Jun 1917 Launched 6 Sep 1918 Commissioned 21 Mar 1919.

                                              Commanders Career No flotilla information available Successes No successes.

                                              Fate 21 Mar 1919 - Surrendered to France. Became the french submarine Jean Roulier until 24 July, 1935. Broken up..

                                              There was another U 166 in World War Two.
                                              That boat was launched from its shipyard on 1 Nov 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 23 Mar 1942.

                                              John Doran


                                              22nd March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Three Officers 60 Other Ranks despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment. One Officer to Concentration Camp for dispersal and 22 Other Ranks.

                                              War Diaries


                                              27th March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Nine Other Ranks to Concentration Camp for dispersal. Two Officers despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment.

                                              War Diaries


                                              31st March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Nineteen Other Ranks despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment.

                                              War Diaries


                                              1st April 1919 Final Closure  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                              April 1919.

                                              The cadre unit was still there in April awaiting embarkation orders to return to the UK bringing the remaining equipment. At some time during the month Lt. Col Allen DSO himself must have left as the April war diary is signed by Captain IC Colquhoun.

                                              There are no war diary entries for May 1919 so it must be assumed that early in that month the remainder of the 16th Battalion must have received its orders and returned to the UK.

                                              Thus ended the official record of the 16th Pioneer Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles and the unit passed into history.

                                              After the war the Royal Irish Rifles were renamed the Royal Ulster Rifles so the old name also became shrouded in history. There was no final parade at home to celebrate their achievements, courage and fortitude, they merely melted away. Their achievements were remarkable and if ever a military unit deserved to wear the collar dogs of the crossed rifle and pickaxe it was them, having lived up to their regimental motto "Quis seperabis", none shall separate us. They are all long passed away and reunited again beyond this mortal life.

                                              The Terrors by SN White


                                              1st April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Twenty-three Other Ranks despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment.

                                              War Diaries


                                              3rd April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              One Officer despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment.

                                              War Diaries


                                              4th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Two Officers to Concentration Camp for dispersal.

                                              War Diaries


                                              7th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Twelve Other Ranks to 5th Royal Irish Regiment.

                                              War Diaries


                                              9th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Mouscron. One Royal Army Medical Corps Officer (attached) to Concentration Camp for dispersal.

                                              War Diaries


                                              11th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              One Officer to 5th Royal Irish Regiment.

                                              War Diaries


                                              14th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Two Other Ranks to Concentration Camp for dispersal.

                                              War Diaries


                                              17th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Eight Other Ranks to 5th Royal Irish Regiment. One Officer Royal Irish Rifles attached to Battalion.

                                              War Diaries


                                              18th April 1919   SM U-167

                                              Type U 93 Shipyard Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack (Werk 654) Ordered 27 Jun 1917 Launched 28 Sep 1918 Commissioned 18 Apr 1919

                                              Commanders Career No flotilla information available Successes No successes.

                                              Fate 18 Apr 1919 - Surrendered. Broken up at Grays in 1921.

                                              There was another U 167 in World War Two That boat was launched from its shipyard on 5 Mar 1942 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 4 Jul 1942.

                                              John Doran


                                              19th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Five Other Ranks to Concentration Camp for dispersal. Two Officers to Concentration Camp for dispersal. Remained at Mouscron pending dispersal.

                                              War Diaries


                                              1st May 1919 End of the Story  16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers).

                                              Epilogue 1914, 1919.

                                              Those returning to civilian life after 4 traumatic years of intense activity were to encounter mixed emotions. There was little or no welfare system to care for the needy both spiritually and physically. Many suffered from illness and war injuries with pathetically low pensions in many cases. Work was scarce and employers had little experience in assessing their military capabilities in a civilian work environment.

                                              Unlike many infantry battalions which usually had a home town background they were drawn from a wide area of County Down and it would have been difficult to gather in either Lurgan or Belfast. An Association was eventually formed in 1937 with the help of the Royal British Legion and met monthly in the ballroom of the Belfast branch of the Legion with the express purpose of forming an old comrades association. The chairman at the first meeting was Sir William Allen, the last Commanding Officer in France. He was killed in a car accident in 1947 and he was replaced by the Author’s father Major WR White who commanded the final reduced unit in France in early 1919, having served throughout from the start in 1914.

                                              The first of the annual meetings was held in Lurgan on the 14th May 1938. Sadly and inevitably with the passage of time numbers dwindled and in 1965 it was decided that the Association Standard should be laid up in Shankill Parish Church, Lurgan.

                                              In 1979 five members attended the last wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial in Lurgan, but the colours are laid up in the Church in lasting memory of the 16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers).

                                              Doran Family


                                              1st May 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Remained at Mouscron pending dispersal.

                                              War Diaries


                                              5th May 1919 SS Hans Jost lost  SS Hans Jost was a German Steamer which was seized at the start of WWI in a British port. It sank after striking a mine outside Newcastle on (or very close to) 51.20N, 01.31E on 5 May 1919. All of the crew were lost.

                                              9th May 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              One Officer and 10 Other Ranks to Concentration Camp for dispersal.

                                              War Diaries


                                              19th May 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              One Other Rank to Concentration Camp for dispersal.

                                              War Diaries


                                              22nd May 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Four Other Ranks to 5th Royal Irish Regiment.

                                              War Diaries


                                              31st May 1919 Dedication and Acknowledgements   

                                              Tommy Martin with his daughter Martha and granddaughter Marie

                                              Dedication and Acknowledgements

                                              This is a brief history of the recruitment, training and operational tasks carried out by the 16th (Service) Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) during the First World War. It was one of the finest military units created during this period and it is unique as it was the only Pioneer Battalion raised in Ulster. There was only one other Pioneer Battalion raised in Ireland namely the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, the pioneer battalion for the 10th Irish Division

                                              Dedication:

                                              My late wife Marie’s grandfather, Thomas Neill Martin, regimental number 16/124 attended assessment at the initial call up on 9th November in Lurgan, joined on the 14th November and served with the Battalion until early September 1918 at which point it must be assumed, through injury or illness, he was transferred back to the UK and finished his time in the Labour Corps (No. 648737). His Labour Corps number indicates the date and location of issue as being September 1918 in the UK. He was discharged on the 27th November 1918 after which he lived for the rest of his lifetime in Dromore, Co Down and died in Banbridge Hospital on the 8th September 1969. I only met Tommy after I met Marie in Lisburn 1961 during a tour of Northern Ireland by the Military Band of the Royal Irish Fusiliers with which I was serving at the time. He never spoke to me about his wartime experiences so I can only guess at where he might have worked or in which company or section he served. Unfortunately very few other ranks are named in the war diary entries even when wounded or killed. Marie was reunited with Tommy when she departed this life in April 1991 and both will never be forgotten by myself, our two sons, Martyn and Richard and the many grandchildren Marie never had the joy of meeting.

                                              Acknowledgements:

                                              I must make several acknowledgements of help and assistance in writing this resume. Since I do not have access to the War Diaries, (a sad omission in Northern Ireland‘s Public Records) I have relied heavily on the publication of a book called "The Terrors" by The Somme Association Ltd. (now based at the Somme Heritage Centre in North Down),www.irishsoldier.org who kindly granted me permission to use material from the book and to its author the late Lt. Col. Stuart N White CD MA (Royal Engineers) whose father served as an Officer in the Battalion throughout the war. His book is an excellent description of events and, with his engineering background, great detail has been given of the enormity of many of the day to day tasks which they were expected to carry out as well as being soldiers in the Front Line fighting when the need arose.

                                              Doran Family


                                              9th June 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

                                              Mouscron. Three Officers and 23 Other Ranks (cadre) to Concentration Camp for dispersal.

                                              Of the party for dispersal on this date, one Officer and five Other Ranks are detailed as Colour Guard, charged with handing over King's Colour to the authorities of Armagh Cathedral.

                                              An Equipment Guard of two Officers and twelve Other Ranks remain pending orders for shipment of Battalion equipment to UK.

                                              This is the final entry in the War Diary for the Battalion.

                                              War Diaries


                                              11th June 1919 Demobilisation moves moves  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                              Demobilisation in 1919

                                              11th Jun. 1919 - Unit transport moved and parked at Lourches Station.

                                              war diaries


                                              9th July 1919 X Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ114 (L72) Dixmude (France)

                                              • Production Ref: LZ114
                                              • Class type : X
                                              • Tactical ref: L72
                                              • Usage: Military then Civilian.
                                              • First Flight: 9th February 1920

                                              History.

                                              LZ114 (L72) was not delivered because the war had ended. In 1920 it was ordered to be transferred to France in the context of war reparations.

                                              It was handed over on the 9th July 1920 and renamed Dixmude. Completed what was then a world record duration flight of 118 hours. Exploded off the coast of Sicily during a thunderstorm in December 1923, killing all on board. [Note: date used 9th July 1919 to keep within WW1 date entry framework for this site, but first official flight was a year later as recorded above.]

                                              John Doran


                                              Dec 1919 RFC Bramham Moor closes  The aerodrome at Bramham Moor closed in December 1919. During the Second World War the airfield was used as a decoy site with dummy aircraft giving the impression that it was operational. Today one of the orignial hangers remains as one of the barns belonging to Headley Hall Farm, part of Askham Bryan College, owned by the University of Leeds

                                               Land at Walkergate Hospital to be Allotments  In the 1920's land adjacent to Walkergate Hospital, belonging to the hospital, was given over to allotments to aid the well being and recovery of soldiers who had fought in the Great War. These allotments are still in use today.

                                              http://www.ncl.ac.uk/guru/documents/EWP47.pdf


                                              30th Dec 1919 Concert  The closing of the Kirkburton Auxiliary Military Hospital was marked by a concert on Monday, and dinner and social on Tuesday evening. The hospital was opened on November 29th, 1915 with 20 beds, which were increased in 1916 to 23, and has since been increased to 30. Seven hundred and sixty- five patients have been admitted during the period, and comprised 552 surgical cases and 213 medical cases. It has been well staffed by willing voluntary workers. Colonel Marshall, on his last visit, said that the hospital had always admirably conducted.

                                              The excellent concert was given by Mr. Herbert Leeming’s concert party. Madame Beaumont, Miss Constance Wilkinson, and Mr. Charles Haigh contributed excellent items. A social evening was held for all the staff and workers on Tuesday evening. It was preceded by dinner. At the after proceedings in the hall Coun. B. H. Moxon (chairman of the Hospital Committee) presided, and was supported by the vicar, the Rev. W. Outram (secretary).

                                              Presentations were made to the matron (Miss Inglis), who received from the V. A. D.’s a silver travelling clock, and a silver candelabra candlestick from the committee. Miss Inglis, who has acted as sister, was the recipient of two candlesticks from the V. A. D.’s, and a silver candelabra candlestick from the committee. Mrs. Outram (commandant), who has been decorated with the M. B. E., for her services, received a silver photo frame with a suitable inscription. Dr. Thorman (medical officer) was presented by the committee with a silver cigarette case, and a fountain pen by the V. A. D.,s. Miss G. Inglis (the third sister) was given a set of fish knifes from the V. A. D.’s and a handsome handbag from the committee. Mrs. Outram presented the V. A. D.’s and staff with a blue enamelled brooch with a suitable centre and inset with the letters "K. H., 1915-1919." Miss Inglis who has given her services as matron gratuitously, was eulogised by the chairman and the doctor for her devoted efforts. Dr. Thorman was also thanked for his work. The "boys" left for Royds Hall on Wednesday morning, and at the railway station fog signals heralded their departure.

                                              The Huddersfield Weekly Examiner 4 Jan 1919


                                              19th Jan 1918 No 4 Squadron Australian Flying Corps formed  On 19 January 1918 No 71 Squadron was redesignated as No 4 Sqn Australian Flying Corps

                                              23rd Jul 1915 21 Squadron formed  No. 21 Squadron RFC was formed at Netheravon Wiltshire on 23rd July 1915. They proceeded to France in January 1916 flying RE7 aircraft.

                                              If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.





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    • *illing Leigh. Col. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Aaron John. Pte South Lancashire
    • Abbey Alfred Francis. Carpenters Crew H.M.S. Hazard
    • Abbey Arthur. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Abbey Charles. Pte. Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)
    • Abbey Jack. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Abbey Reginald Ernest. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Abbinnett Alfred Ernest. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Shark.
    • Abbott . Able Seaman H.M.S. Centaur
    • Abbott Albert Fordham. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Abbott Albert. Able Seaman H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Abbott Arthur John. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Abbott Arthur Randolphus. Signaller H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Abbott Broughton. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Abbott Cecil Charles Henry. Able Sea.
    • Abbott MC.. Charles. 2nd Lt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Abbott Edgar. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Abbott Edward John White. Lt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Abbott Edwin. L/Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Abbott Francis Arthur. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Abbott Frank Maclean. Lieutenant H.M.S. Surprise.
    • Abbott Frederick John. Seaman H.M.S. Laurentic.
    • Abbott Geoffrey Robinson. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Abbott George Moore. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Russell.
    • Abbott Gilfred. Sergeant Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Abbott Harold Campbell. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Abbott Henry William. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Abbott Horace. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Abbott James. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Abbott John. Pte. Gloucestershire Rgt
    • Abbott John Arthur. Private H.M.S. Laurentic
    • Abbott John Napier. Engine Room Artificer 3rd H.M.S. Warrior.
    • Abbott Joseph Johnson. Able Seaman S.S. Poldown.
    • Abbott Lionel Albert. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Laforey.
    • Abbott Maxwell. Deck Hand H.M.S. Laurentic.
    • Abbott Norman. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Abbott Robert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Abbott Robert. Able Seaman H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Abbott Samuel Thomas. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Abbott Samuel Thomas. Able Sea. Howe Battalion
    • Abbott Sydney James. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Defence.
    • Abbott W..
    • Abbott Walter John. Private H.M.S. Humber.
    • Abbott Walter Tom. Able Seaman H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Abbott William Frederick. Pte. London Regiment
    • Abbott William Townsend. Pte. 43rd Btn.
    • Abbott William Charles. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Abbott Mentioned in Despatches. William Henry. Engineman H.M. Trawler Falmouth III.
    • Abbott William Fernley Claude. Deck Hand H.M. Yacht North Star II.
    • Abbott William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Abbs . Deck Hand H.M.S. Vivid
    • Abbs Gilbert Alfred. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Platypus.
    • Abbs Sydney George. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Natal.
    • Abbs Tom William Robert. Sick Berth Attendant H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Abby David. Dnkymn. SS Saint Ninian
    • Abdu Ali . Stoker H.M. Tug Enterprise
    • Abdul Husain. Lascar
    • Abdul Karim. Seacunny
    • Abdul Majid. Lascar
    • Abdulla Sherif Bin. Seedie H.M.S. Talbot.
    • Abdullah bariut . Seedie H.M.S. Britomart
    • Abel Claude Cecil. Private H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Abel William Alexandra. Chief Stoker H.M.S. Defence.
    • Abela Carmelo. Fireman H.M.S. Louvain.
    • Abela E.. L/Cpl. King's Own Malta Regiment
    • Abela Michael. Gnr. No. 3 Heavy Bty.
    • Abell John Lloyd William Howard. Capt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Abell John LLoyd William Howard. Capt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Abell Maurice. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Abelson Edward Gordon. Lieutenant
    • Abercrombie Alexander. Pte. 4th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Abercrombie Cecil Halliday. Lieutenant H.M.S. Defence.
    • Abercrombie MM.. George Malcolm. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Abercrombie Peter. Cameronian (Scottish Rifles)
    • Abernethy William.
    • Abigail . Second Lieutenant Anti-Aircraft Brigade
    • Abigail Edward Arnold. 2Lt. Royal Marine Artillery
    • Abigail John Henry. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Ablett Henry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ablett Joseph Horatio. Sick Berth Steward H.M.S. Undaunted
    • Ablett Montague Stanley. Engineman H.M. Drifter Silver Queen.
    • Abolan R. J. C.. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Abolin M.. Pte. 44th Btn.
    • Abon James William. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Formidable
    • Abraham . Chief Engine Room Artific H.M.S. Victory
    • Abraham Albert. L/Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Abraham Alfred Henry. Steward H.M. Yacht Kethailes.
    • Abraham Charles. Gunner H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Abraham Felix. Fleet Paymaster H.M.S. President,
    • Abraham James Henry. Sgt. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Abraham Sidney. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Abraham Walter Henry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Abrahams Alfred William. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Abrahams George. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Abrahams Isidor. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Abrahamson John Alexander. Able Seaman Machine Gun Corps
    • Abram Charles Edgar. HMS Commonwealth
    • Abram Ernest William. Petty Officer H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Abram Robert. 2nd Lt. Border Regiment
    • Abrames Harry. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Abrams Harold James. Able Seaman H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Abrams John. Skipper H.M. Trawler Arfon.
    • Abrams William Thomas. Rigger H.M.S. Victory
    • Abrathat William. Private H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Abrey Ambrose. Ord.Sea. HMS Invincible
    • Abrey Ambrose. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Abrey David Rowland. Able Seaman H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Abrey John Thomas. Able Seaman H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Absalom George Henry. Private H.M.S. Bayano.
    • Absalom William David. Private H.M.S. Inconstant.
    • Abson Albert. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aburrow Cecil Frederick John. Able Seaman HMS K5.
    • Aburrow John Albert. Officers Cook 1st Class
    • Acheson Joseph. 2nd Lt South Lancashire Regiment
    • Acheson Percival Havelock. Mjr. Army Service Corps
    • Achilles H. M.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ackerman Albert. Pte/Cpl Manchester Rgt.
    • Ackerman Albert Edward. Ordinary Seaman R.N. Depot, (Crystal Palace)
    • Ackerman George. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Ackerman Walter. Second Cook H.M.S. Fauvette.
    • Ackers Thomas Owen. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Ackland William. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Onyx.
    • Ackrill John Joseph. Mechanician H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Ackrill Robert. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Ackroyd Arnold. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Anchusa.
    • Ackroyd Arthur. Pte. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Ackroyd Frederick Charles. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Ackroyd Frederick. Ordinary Seaman H.M. Trawler Dirk.
    • Ackroyd VC, MC.. Harold. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ackroyd Herbert. Pte. Middlesex Regt
    • Ackroyd Irving Proctor. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ackroyd Stephen Edward. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Defence.
    • Acland-hood Charles Alexander. Midshipman H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Acornley Edmund. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Acornley Edmund. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Acott Harry Marriott. Petty Officer H.M.S. Torrent.
    • Acres Samson Henry. Stk. HMS Murray
    • Acres Samson Henry. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Murray.
    • Acton VC. Abraham. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Acton Albert. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Acton Charles Edward. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Surprise.
    • Acton CMG. Fitzmaurice. Cmdr. H.M. Coast Guard
    • Acton C M G. Fitzmaurice. Commander H.M. Coast Guard
    • Acton John Watkin. Seaman H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Acton Joseph. Trimmer H.M. Trawler Vale of Leven.
    • Acton Joseph. Greaser H.M.S. Otranto.
    • Acton Richard. Private H.M.S. Osmanieh
    • Acton Sidney. Ships Steward Assistant H.M.S. Russell.
    • Acworth Gordon William. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Ada Arthur Fletcher. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Phoebe.
    • Adair Frederick Joseph. Able Seaman S.S. Saxon.
    • Adair J. S.. 2Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Adair Rob. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Adair Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Adair William James Creagan. Sgt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Adair William Miller. Able Seaman H.M.S. Watchman.
    • Adam Francis. Signal Boy H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Adam O B E. Herbert Algernon. Captain H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Adam James. Fireman HMS Viknor
    • Adam James. Fireman H.M.S. Viknor
    • Adam Robert William Wyllie. Sgt. 11th Infantry Battalion
    • Adam Robert Black. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adam Samuel Stepney. Trimmer H.M. Trawler Rose II.
    • Adam William. Gunner H.M.S. Hercules.
    • Adames Alfred Henry. Blacksmiths Mate H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Adams . Gunner H.M.S. Cordelia
    • Adams . Private H.M.S. Gibraltar.
    • Adams . Gunner H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Adams . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adams . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adams Adam Brown. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adams Albert Victor. Engine Room Artificer 3rd H.M. Submarine K.17.
    • Adams Albert Henry. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Defence.
    • Adams Albert Archibald Alan. Boy 2nd Class H.M.S. Ganges.
    • Adams Albert Edgar. Acting Engine Room Artifi H.M.S. Hollyhock
    • Adams Albert James Richard. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Victory.
    • Adams Alfred. Able Seaman H.M.S. Viknor.
    • Adams Archibald. Private H.M. Monitor Severn.
    • Adams Arthur James. Drv.
    • Adams Arthur. Army Service Corps
    • Adams Arthur. Lance Corporal Royal Naval Division
    • Adams Arthur Edward Norton. Petty Officer H.M.S. Clan McNaughton.
    • Adams Arthur Vincent .
    • Adams Bertie James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Adams Carl Harry Bowden. Shipwright 2nd Class H.M.S. Amphion.
    • Adams Charles John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Adams Charles George. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Adams Charles Henry. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Adams Charles William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Asphodel
    • Adams R D. Charles Edgar. Lieut-Commander H.M.S. Egmont.
    • Adams Charles Richard. Deck Hand H.M.S. Island Prince.
    • Adams Charles. Chief Writer H.M.S. Natal.
    • Adams Charles Henry. Armourers Crew H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Adams Charles. Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. Tamar.
    • Adams Charles William.
    • Adams Charles Edward. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Adams Charles Edward. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Adams Clare Robert. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Adams Cyril Henwood. Clerk H.M.S. Defence.
    • Adams David. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Adams David. Private H.M.S. Attentive
    • Adams Dickson. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Adams Dickson. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Adams E. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Adams E.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Adams Edmund. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Adams Edward. Pte Royal Medical Service Corps
    • Adams Ernest Hector Alexander. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Adams Frank William. Shipwright H.M.S. Princess Irene
    • Adams Frederick. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Adams MM.. Frederick. L/Cpl. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Adams Frederick Guildford. Pte. Royal Sussex
    • Adams Frederick Thomas. Steward H.M.S. Calgarian
    • Adams Frederick James. Deck Hand H.M.S. Imelda.
    • Adams Frederick William Charles. Boy 2nd Class H.M.S. Impregnable.
    • Adams Frederick William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Roberts
    • Adams Geoffrey Powell. 2lt Hampshire Regiment
    • Adams George . L/Cpl. 33rd Btn.
    • Adams George Charles Thomas. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Adams George Edward. Chief Mate. SS Rhenass
    • Adams George Richard. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adams George. Petty Officer Stoker H.M. T.B.14
    • Adams George Thomas. Able Seaman H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Adams George Henry. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Defence.
    • Adams George William Henry. Clerk H.M.S. Formidable
    • Adams George. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Adams George Alfred. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adams George William. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Adams Harold. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Adams Harry Ernest. Engineman H.M. Trawler Whooper.
    • Adams Harry. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Adams Harry. Chief Stoker HMS E6
    • Adams Harry. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Adams Henry. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Adams Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Adams MM & Bar.. Herbert. L/Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Adams Herbert John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Adams Herbert James. Stoker 1st Class H.M. Submarine L.55.
    • Adams Herbert George. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Adams J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Adams James. Pte. 41st Btn.
    • Adams DCM. James George. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Adams MM.. James. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Adams James. Private H.M.S. Pegasus.
    • Adams James. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Valkyrie.
    • Adams James. Petty Officer Telegraphis H.M.S. Victory
    • Adams James. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adams James. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Adams John Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Adams John Albert. Lance Sjt. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Adams John. Mate. SS Kangaroo
    • Adams MC MID.. John. Lt. 54th Infantry Battalion
    • Adams John. Deck Hand H M. Trawler Diamond II.
    • Adams John Thomas. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Ganges.
    • Adams John Russell. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Nasturtium.
    • Adams John Joseph. Able Seaman H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Adams John Wilson. Carpenters Crew H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Adams Mentioned in Despatches. John Rodway. Leading Seaman HMS. E37.
    • Adams John. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Adams John Craig. Pte Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Adams John. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Adams Leonard. Chief Engine Room Artific HMS K4
    • Adams Leonard. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Adams D S M. Leonard. Chief Engine Room Artific H.M. Submarine K.4.
    • Adams Oliver. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Adams Percy Harold. L/Sgt. Royal Welch Fusliers
    • Adams Percy Richard. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. E4
    • Adams D S M. Percy Walter. Petty Officer Stoker H.M. Submarine K.4.
    • Adams Percy. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Adams Percy Ernest. Cpt. Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
    • Adams Peter. Pte. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment
    • Adams Philip James. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Adams R.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Adams Ralph Stuart. Able Seaman H.M.S. Inflexible.
    • Adams Ralph Stuart. Able Sea. HMS Inflexible
    • Adams Randel James Frederick. Deck Hand H.M.S. Halcyon
    • Adams Richard Winstanley. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Adams Richard. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Adams Richard. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Adams Richard. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Adams Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Adams Robert Henry. Pte. 9th Btn.
    • Adams Roland. Signal Boy H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Adams Rowland Woosley. 2nd.Lt.
    • Adams Roy Manfred. Private H.M.S. Vindictive.
    • Adams Samuel Allen. Lt. HMS Indefatigable
    • Adams Samuel Alan. Engineer Lieutenant H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Adams Therese Suzanne. Forage Corps
    • Adams Thomas. Pte 36th (Ulster) Division
    • Adams Thomas Frederick. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adams Thomas Henry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Adams Thomas. Able Seaman H.M.S. Princess Irene.
    • Adams Thomas Henry. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Adams Vincent. Corporal Royal Naval Division
    • Adams Walter Thomas. Pte. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Adams Walter H. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Adams Walter. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Adams Walter Frederick. Able Seaman H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Adams Walter Frederick. Able Seaman H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Adams Walter Horace. Private
    • Adams William John. Able Seaman H.M.S. Constance.
    • Adams William George Alexander. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Implacable.
    • Adams William. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Tipperary.
    • Adams D S M and Bar, Mentioned in Despatches. William John. Chief Petty Officer H.M.S. Vala.
    • Adams William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adams William Thomas. Lance Serjeant R.M. Depot
    • Adams William.
    • Adams William Thomas. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Adamson . Durham Light Infantry
    • Adamson . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adamson Andrew. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Adamson Archibald. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Adamson Arthur Surtees. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Adamson C. S. D.. 2nd Lt. 33rd Btn.
    • Adamson F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Adamson Ferdinand Evelyn. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Fishgard
    • Adamson Francis George. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Adamson Frederick Varley. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Adamson James Stark. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Adamson James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Adamson John Edward. Coldstream Guards
    • Adamson John Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Adamson MSM.. Joseph Edgar. Cpl Royal Fusiliers
    • Adamson Lance Claude . 33rd Btn.
    • Adamson Magnus. Trimmer H.M. Trawler Bracklyn.
    • Adamson Percy. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Adamson Robert Wilson. 2nd Lt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Adamson Thomas. Cpl. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Adamson Thomas Heslop. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adamson W.. Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Adamson Walter Benjamin. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Adamson William Anthony. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Adamson William Blenkiron. Acting Engine Room Artifi H.M.S. Victory II
    • Adcock Arthur. L/Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Adcock Charles. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adcock Charles Frederick. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Adcock Edgar John. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Tugela.
    • Adcock Edward Arthur. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Adcock George. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adcock Hubert P.. Sapper R.M. Div. Engineers, R.N. Div.
    • Adcock Octavius. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Adcock St.John. Mjr. Leinster Regiment
    • Adcock Sydney Harold. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adderley . Deck Hand H.M. Trawler, Fosdyke
    • Adderley Richard. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Addicott Dick. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Addie William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Addis . Chief Sick Berth Steward H.M.S. Grafton.
    • Addis George.. Warrant Mechanician H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Addis Joseph William. Leading Stoker H.M.S. P.20.
    • Addis Percival Richard. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Addis Phillip. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Carnarvon.
    • Addis William Thomas. Pte. 4th Btn.
    • Addis William Thomas. Pte. Australian Infantry
    • Addison . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Addison . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Addison Alexander. Engineman H.M. Trawler Renarro.
    • Addison MM.. Archibald Walter . 33rd Btn.
    • Addison MM.. Archibald Walter. Cpl. 33rd Infantry Btn.
    • Addison Cecil Frederick. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Addison David. Seaman H.M.S. Clacton.
    • Addison Eddie. Armourers Mate H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Addison James. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Addison John Williams. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Addison Reginald Francis . Pte. The Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Addison Richard. L/Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Addison Richard. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Louvain.
    • Addison Robert. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Addison Thomas Edward. L/Cpl. 33rd Btn.
    • Addison Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Addison Wilfred Emmott . 2nd Lt. 18th Infantry Btn.
    • Addiss Thomas. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Addleson John Henry. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Addley Edward Dickers. Officers Steward 2nd Clas H.M.S. Pathfinder.
    • Addy Fred Walter. Lance Corporal Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Addy Robert. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Addyman William John Thomas. Officers Steward 2nd Clas H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Ades Bernard Henry. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Adey William. Pte South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Adey William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Adkin George. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Adkin Joseph. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Adkin Walter. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Adkin William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Adkins Douglas Cave. Writer 2nd H.M.S. Crescent.
    • Adkins Ernest Gilbert. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Adkins F W. Pte. Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Adkins Horace. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Adkins Thomas Frederick. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Adkinson MH.. Joseph B.. Sgt. 119th Infantry Regiment
    • Adlam L. Edwin. Flight Sub-Lieutenant 1 (Naval) Squadron
    • Adlam Lewis. Able Seaman H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Adlam Victor. Able Seaman H.M.S. Philomel.
    • Adlam William. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Adlam William Milton. Able Seaman H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Adlard Arthur. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Adlard John Evan. Lt. 1st Division Ammunition Column
    • Adlington . Leading Seaman S.S. Princess Dagmar.
    • Adshead Stanley. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Adsley George William. Mechanician H.M.S. Glowworm.
    • Adwick Albert. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Aers Frank Ernest. Leading Boatswain H.M.S. India.
    • Afferey . HMHS Panama
    • Affleck Herbert Alexander. 1st Field Artillery Brigade
    • Affleck MC.. Johnson. Lt. Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Affleck Robert William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Affleck Thomas. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Africa Joshua. Pte.
    • Agar George Atkin. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Agar John William. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Agar Thomas. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Agar Wilfred Charles. Chief Engine Room Artific H.M.S. Comet.
    • Agassiz Harold Romilly Garnault. Pte. 15th Btn.
    • Agassiz Thomas Roland. Commander H.M. Yacht Conqueror II.
    • Agate James William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Ager Allen. L/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Ager James Alfred. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Ager William James. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Defence.
    • Agg James. Able Seaman H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Aggas George Robert. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Aggas Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Aggett Walter. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Goliath
    • Agius Guiseppe. Fireman H.M.S. Louvain.
    • Agius John. Trimmer H.M.S. Louvain.
    • Agius Lorenzo. Seaman H.M.S. Louvain.
    • Agnew Andrew Eric Hamilton. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Agnew Arthur. Rfmn. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Agnew George. Pte. Black Watch Rgt.
    • Agnew J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Agnew James Arthur. Pte. 56th Battalion
    • Agnew James. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Agnew James. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Agnew James. Lsg.Stkr. HMS Indefatigable
    • Agnew John C.. Royal Field Artillery
    • Agnew John C.. Fitter. Royal Field Artillery
    • Agnew Joseph. Rfm Royal Irish Rifles
    • Agnew Nathaniel. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Agnew Nathaniel. Stkr1. HMS Hawke
    • Agnew Thomas Randal. Skipper H.M. Trawler Raven 3
    • Agnew Thomas Rainey. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Agnew Thomas Rainey . Stkr1. HMS Vanguard
    • Agnew William. Able Seaman H.M. Submarine K.17.
    • Agnew William. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Agnew William. Rfmn. 15th (Service) Btn.
    • Agney Thomas. Leading Fireman H.M.S. Calgarian.
    • Aguis Bert. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Agutter . Ordinary Seaman H.M. Brig I
    • Ah nam . Officers Steward 2nd Clas H.M.S. HAWKINS.
    • Ah sim . Stoker H.M.S. Woodlark
    • Ah _Aong Hai . Artisan
    • Ahearn Harold Algernon Joseph. Cpl. 9th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Ahearne Michael James. Seaman H.M.S. Viknor.
    • Ahearne William. Stoker H.M.S. Goliath
    • Aher Thomas. Seaman S.S. Garmoyle.
    • Ahern . Trimmer H.M. Trawler OKU
    • Ahern Andrew. Able Seaman HMS C29
    • Ahern Andrew. Able Sea. H.M.S. C29
    • Ahern Anne Wilhelmina. Nurse
    • Ahern Eugine. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Albatross
    • Ahern Francis. Pte. 3rd Battalion
    • Ahern John. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Ahern John. Seaman H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Ahern Michael. Deck Hand H.M.S. Monsoon.
    • Ahern Michael Harold Victor. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Ahern Patrick. Trimmer H.M.S. Harpenden.
    • Ahern Richard. Shipwright 2nd Class H.M.S. Goliath
    • Ahern Richard. Leading Seaman S.S. Polandia.
    • Ahern Richard. Shpwrgt2. HMS Goliath
    • Ahern William. Blacksmith H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Ahern William. Blksmth. HMS Indefatigable
    • Aherne Jeremiah Francis. Acting Corporal Royal Engineers
    • Aherne Patrick Joseph. Chief Petty Officer Victu H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Aherne Patrick Joseph. CPO. HMS Vivid
    • Ahmad Ali. Seedie H.M.S. Prosperine.
    • Ahmad Ali. Engineer
    • Ah_Chai . Artisan
    • Ah_Kai . Able Seaman H.M.S Tamar
    • Ah_Kee An . Artisan
    • Ah_Kum . Artisan
    • Ah_Pang . Able Seaman H.M.S Tamar
    • Aicken J.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Aiken Henry. AM3. attd. 67th Bde. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Aiken William J.. Chief Petty Officer H.M.S. Albemarle.
    • Aikman Thomas Alexander. Leading Seaman H.M. T.B. No. 12.
    • Aindow John Edward. Trimmer H.M.S. Otranto.
    • Ainger Harold. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Ainley George. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Ainscough M M. . Chief Petty Officer Royal Naval Division
    • Ainscough James. Engine Room Artificer 4th H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Ainscough Robert James. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ainscow George Alfred. Pte. Royal Fusiliers (City Of London Regiment)
    • Ainsley John Arnold. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ainsley Jonathan Arnold. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ainsley Joseph Henry. Private H.M.S. Edinburgh Castle.
    • Ainsley William. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ainsley William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ainslie . Able Seaman H.M.S. Defence.
    • Ainslie Claude John. Machine Gun Corps
    • Ainslie George Allan. Trimmer H.M.M.L. No.9.
    • Ainslie John. Able Seaman H.M.S. President.
    • Ainslie Montague Forwood. Lt. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Ainslie Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ainslie William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ainsworth . Nursing Sister R.N. Hosp. (Peebles)
    • Ainsworth Albert. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Ainsworth Albert. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Ainsworth Gerald. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Ainsworth Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ainsworth Jack. Pte. North Staffs Rgt.
    • Ainsworth Jack. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ainsworth John. L/Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Ainsworth Walter. Pte. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Ainsworth William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ainuddin . Lascar
    • Aird A P.M.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Aird James. Able Seaman H.M.C.S. Galiano
    • Aird John. Seaman H.M. Trawler Taipo.
    • Aird John. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Aird Lachlan McDonald. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Aird Robert Smith. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Formidable
    • Aird William Ross. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Aird William Ferguson. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Aire George. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Aire James Charleson . L/Cpl. Scottish Rifles
    • Airey MM.. Charles Thomas. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Airey M C. George Ryder. Lieutenant Royal Naval Division
    • Airey Harold Ferguson. Flight Sub-Lieutenant
    • Airey Percy Walter. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Airey Richard. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Airey Sam Winn. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Airey Sydney. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Airey W H. Cpl. 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars
    • Airs William Glennie. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Airson Paul. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Airton Robert. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Aish . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aiston Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Aitchison Charles. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Aitchison Henry John. Lance Corporal Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Aitchison John. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aithwaite Matthew James. CSM. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Aitken . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Aitken . Seaman H.M.S. Excellent
    • Aitken Alexander. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aitken MM.. George Taylor. Sqd.Sgt.Mjr. Canadian Light Horse
    • Aitken George Scott. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Stratherrick.
    • Aitken John William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aitken Richard. Private R.M. H.Q. (Plymouth).
    • Aitken Robert William. Shipwright 1st Class H.M.S. Monarch.
    • Aitken Thomas William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Aitken Thomas. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aitken Thomas. Stoker H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Aitken W.. Pte.
    • Aitken William Robertson. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Aitken William Storrie. Officers Cook 3rd Class H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Aitken William James Lightbody. Sub-Lieutenant H.M.S. Colleen
    • Aitken William. Fireman H.M.S. Eaglet
    • Aitken William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aitkin Peter. Able Seaman H.M.C.S. Galiano.
    • Aiton Andrew Alfred. Able Seaman H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Aizlewood John H.. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Akbar Aziz. Lascar
    • Aked George William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Akehurst . Private
    • Akehurst Cyril Kenneth. Air Mechanic 2nd Class H.M.S. President II.
    • Akehurst Edward James. Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. Viknor.
    • Akehurst Fredrick Charles. Boy 2nd Class H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Akenhead Francis. Capt. Manchester Regiment
    • Akerman MM.. John Raymond. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Akers Frederick William. Flight Lieutenant
    • Akers Harold. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Akers Henry Herbert. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Akers Henry Cecil. Petty Officer H.M.S. London.
    • Akhurst Arthur Albert. Hired Skilled Labourer H.M.S. Princess Irene
    • Akid Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Akinson Adam. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Akroyd Charles. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Alabaster . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Alabaster John. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Alabaster MM.. William. P/Sgt. 13th Infantry Battalion
    • Alah hasan . First Tindal H.M.S. Perth.
    • Alaway Cecil Frank . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Alaya Aminullah. Lascar
    • Albany MM.. William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Albert . Able Seaman H.M.S. Victory
    • Albert MM.. Haram Edward. CSgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Albert Henry Neal. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Albert Thomas James. Leading Trimmer H.M. Whaler Blackwhale.
    • Albertson Frank William. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Albery Joseph. Stoker H.M.P.M.S. Lady Ismay.
    • Albinson William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Albiston Luke. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Alborn Walter Cecil. Engine Room Artificer 4th H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Alborough Sidney Arthur. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Victory.
    • Albrighton Arthur. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Albrighton Samuel. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Albrighton Thomas Charles. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Albury . Lieutenant Royal Marines
    • Albury William James. Leading Seaman H.M. Trawler Euripides.
    • Alchin Arthur Ambrose. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Alcock Alexander Francis. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Alcock C. C.. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Alcock Frederick. L/Sgt. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Alcock Guy William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Pelorus.
    • Alcock Harold. Able Seaman R.N. Depot (Crystal Palace).
    • Alcock Henry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Alcock Leonard.
    • Alcock William Coates. Second Hand H.M. Trawler Thuringia.
    • Alcock William. Trimmer H.M.S. Champagne.
    • Alcorn Alexander Menzies Gilchrist. Petty Officer Royal Naval Division
    • Aldcroft William Henry. Engineer Lieutenant H.M.S. Pebble
    • Alden Arthur James. Chief Petty Officer H.M.S. Partridge.
    • Alden Ernest Charles. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Alden James Thomas. Trimmer H.M. Trawler Bracklyn.
    • Alder David. Petty Officer H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Alder M M. James. Petty Officer Royal Naval Division
    • Alder Joseph. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Alder Kenneth. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Alderdice Arthur Gladstone. Cpl. 2nd Infantry Battalion
    • Alderman Albert. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Alderman George Edward. Bombardier S.S. Curaca.
    • Alderman Percy Robert. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Alders Harold Matthew. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Alderson . Stoker H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Alderson . Midshipman H.M.S. Conqueror.
    • Alderson . Fireman H.M.S. Viknor
    • Alderson Benson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Alderson Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Alderson Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Alderson Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Alderson John W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Alderson John George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Alderson John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Alderson Joseph. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Alderson Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infintry
    • Alderson Levi Banner. Engine Room Artificer H.M. Tug Desire.
    • Alderson Robert William. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Alderson Robert. Driver Royal Engineers
    • Alderton Alfred Miller Connovy. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Alderton Arthur. Armourers Mate H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Alderton Arthur. Able Seaman H.M.S. Princess Irene.
    • Alderton Charles. Able Seaman H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Alderton John Henry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps. (Infantry)
    • Alderton Tom. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Aldington . Private Royal Naval Division
    • Aldis . Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Cressy
    • Aldis Harry. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Aldis Stanley Simeon. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Aldons G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Aldous . Able Seaman H.M.S. Botha.
    • Aldous . Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Pembroke.
    • Aldous Cecil James. Able Seaman H.M.S. Pathfinder.
    • Aldous Ernest George. Leading Signalman H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Aldous George Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Aldous George. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Aldous Samuel George. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Natal.
    • Aldous William. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Osiris.
    • Aldred . Engineman H.M. Drifter Dulcie Doris
    • Aldred . Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. Victory
    • Aldred . Able Seaman S.S. Willingtonia.
    • Aldred Albert. Stoker 1st Class HMS E5.
    • Aldred Henry George. Able Seaman H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Aldred John James. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Aldred John William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Aldridge . Officers Steward 2nd Clas H.M.S. Caterham.
    • Aldridge Albert Thomas. Gunner Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Aldridge Albert Victor. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aldridge Archie. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Aldridge Arthur Robert. Cpl. 7th Dragoon Guards
    • Aldridge Charles C.. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Aldridge David. Private H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Aldridge Douglas John. Lieutenant Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Aldridge MM.. Frederick William. L/Cpl. London Regt
    • Aldridge Frederick John. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Aldridge Garribalda. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Aldridge George Walter. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Marmion.
    • Aldridge D S M. Henry William. Petty Officer Stoker HMS G7.
    • Aldridge Jacob. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Aldridge Newman William. Able Seaman HMS E34.
    • Aldridge Richard. Private
    • Aldridge William James. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Begonia.
    • Aldridge William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aldrige Douglas. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Alessandro . Officers Steward 1st Clas H.M.S. Tobago
    • Alexander . Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Sapphire.
    • Alexander . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Alexander A.. Sgt. Tank Corps
    • Alexander Alfred Henry. Able Seaman H.M. T.B. 82.
    • Alexander Alfred. Petty Officer 1st Class HMS. C33.
    • Alexander Andrew A.. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Alexander Arthur John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Alexander Arthur. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Majestic
    • Alexander Charles Henry. Lt 9th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery
    • Alexander Charles Henry. Lt. 9th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery
    • Alexander Charles. Stoker H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Alexander Charles Edward. Private H.M.S. Louvain.
    • Alexander David Gibson. Pte. 13rd Infantry Battalion
    • Alexander David. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Alexander Donald. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Alexander Edward Lyon. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Alexander Edwin James. Able Seaman HMS E36.
    • Alexander Ernest. Officers Steward 3rd Clas H.M.S. Pathfinder.
    • Alexander Frank George. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Alexander Fred. A/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Alexander Frederick Lionel. Pte. 3rd Australian Pioneer Bn.
    • Alexander Frederick James. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Alexander D S O. Frederick. Engineer Commander H.M.S. Cleopatra
    • Alexander Hubert Erasmus. Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Alexander J. G.. Nelson Btn
    • Alexander James William. Manchester Regiment
    • Alexander James. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Alexander James. Engine Room Artificer H.M. Submarine E.37.
    • Alexander James Robert. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Ebro.
    • Alexander James G.. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Alexander James Morrow. Flight Sub-Lieutenant
    • Alexander John William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Alexander John W.. Lieutenant H.M. Tug Dalkeith.
    • Alexander John. Chief Cook H.M.S. Newmarket.
    • Alexander Joseph. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Alexander Kenneth Henry . Durham RGA caa Battery
    • Alexander Kenneth. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Alexander Matthew. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Alexander Michael. Pte Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Alexander Philip. Chaplain H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Alexander Ray. Able Seaman H.M.S. Princess Irene.
    • Alexander D S M. Roy Leslie. Chief Motor Mechanic H.M.S. Hermione.
    • Alexander Stanley William. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Racoon.
    • Alexander Sydney Dawson Moray. Maj. Indian Ordnance Department
    • Alexander Thomas. Pte. Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers)
    • Alexander Thomas Alfred. Blacksmiths Mate H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Alexander W. M.. Flt Sub. Lt. 10 Naval Sqd.
    • Alexander W.. CQMS. 10th Btn.
    • Alexander Walter. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Fandango.
    • Alexander William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Alexander William. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Alexander William Francis. Second Hand H.M. Drifter Ocean Star.
    • Alexander William. Stoker H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Alexander William Rodger. Painter 2nd Class H.M.S. Natal.
    • Alexander William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Sable.
    • Alexander William. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Aley Albert Sydney. Pte. 4th Btn.
    • Alfiero George. Steward 2nd Class H.M.S. M15.
    • Alford . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Alford Alfred. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Glatton
    • Alford Anthony. Officers Steward 3rd Clas H.M.S. Warrior.
    • Alford Charles Henry. Bombdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Alford Frank. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Princess Royal.
    • Alford Henry Robert. Stoker 1st Class HMS H5.
    • Alford James. AB. SS Memphian
    • Alford John Alfred Phillips. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Alford William Henry. Master at Arms H.M.S. Victory.
    • Alfred Benjamin. Fireman H.M.S. Bombala.
    • Algar Edward. Grad Training Reserve Regiment
    • Algar Walter. Act.L/Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Algeo John. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Alger Gilbert William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Alger James Thomas. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Tugela.
    • Alger Joseph. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Algie . Able Seaman S.S. Hunsgate.
    • Algie Robert. Able Seaman H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Algie Robert. Able Sea. HMS Hawke
    • Algie VC. Wallace Lloyd. Lt. 20th Btn. (Central Ontario Regiment),
    • Ali . Donkeyman H.M.S. Crescent,
    • Ali Abdul Bari Hamid. Seacunny
    • Ali Abdul . Lascar
    • Ali Ahmad . Lascar
    • Ali Alauddin Rajab. Stoker
    • Ali Ali Ahmad Irfan . Stoker
    • Ali Amanat. Lascar
    • Ali Amanat. Lascar
    • Ali Amir . Mistri
    • Ali Amjad. Lascar
    • Ali Amjad . Lascar
    • Ali Amrullah Jani. Tindal
    • Ali Anwar. Serang
    • Ali Anwar. Serang
    • Ali Aqil. Bhandary
    • Ali Asghar. Trimmer
    • Ali Ashiq Muhammad. Cassab
    • Ali ahmet . Stoker H.M.S. Hannibal.
    • Ali yusuf . Tindal H.M.S. Odin.
    • Aliba Abur Raham. Lascal H.M.S. Lama
    • Alick Ambrose Richard. Gnr.
    • Alime . Stoker H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Allaby William Walter. Able Seaman H.M.S. Velox.
    • Allabyrne Edward. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Allan . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allan . Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Allan M M. . Leading Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allan . Private Royal Naval Division
    • Allan Alex Deacon. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allan Alexander. Lieutenant H.M. Trawler Morococala.
    • Allan Alfred. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Allan Andrew. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Allan Archibald. Chief Motor Mechanic H.M.M.L. No. 403.
    • Allan Arthur James. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Allan Edward. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Allan Eric Hugh. Sub-Lieutenant H.M.S. Bombala.
    • Allan Ernest. Engine Room Artificer 4th H.M.S. Mignonette.
    • Allan F. C.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Allan George Thomas Cockburn. Black Watch
    • Allan George Forrester Paton. Able Seaman H.M.S. Sentinel.
    • Allan Gordon Stephenson. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Allan Hugh. Flight Sub-Lieutenant No. 3 Sqdn.
    • Allan James. Deck Hand H.M.S. Victory
    • Allan John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Allan John. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allan John. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Allan John. Ordinary Seaman H.M.P.M.S. Erins Isle
    • Allan John Francis. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Allan John. Boy 2nd Class H.M.S. Ganges
    • Allan John. L/Cpl.
    • Allan Martin Henderson. Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allan Norman Dunstan. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Allan MSM.. Percival Robert. Sgt. 18th Btn.
    • Allan Raymond Stuart. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Allan Robert. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Allan Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Allan Robert. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Shark.
    • Allan Ronald. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Allan W.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Allan William. Pte. Black Watch
    • Allan William. Second Engineman H.M. Drifter Great Heart.
    • Allan William. Skipper H.M. Trawler Borneo.
    • Allan William. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Alland Herbert William. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Alland Hurbert William. Rflmn London Regiment
    • Allanton George. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Glatton
    • Allard William. Rflmn Rifle Brigade
    • Allardyce Frank William. AC3.
    • Allardyce George Gilmour. Lt. 4th Btn
    • Allardyce James Walker. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Earn.
    • Allardyce John G.B.. T/Lt.Col. Royal Field Artillery
    • Allardyce William Swirles. Surgeon Prob. HMS Negro
    • Allardyce William Swirles. Surgeon Probationer H.M.S. Negro.
    • Allars William Stanley. Pte. 39th Btn.
    • Allatt Arthur Holgate. Pte. 22nd Btn.
    • Allaway Charles Thomas. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Allaway William. Flight Sub-Lieutenant
    • Allbeury W.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Allbones George William. Engineman H.M. Trawler Corona.
    • Allbrighton MM,. Alfred. CSM. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Allbury Richard (dick). Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allchin Albert George. Able Seaman H.M.S. Laurel
    • Allchin George Henry. Private H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Allcoat Tom John. Private H.M.S. Goliath
    • Allcock Charles William. Chief Stoker H.M.S. Africa.
    • Allcock Henry. Cpl. King's Royal Rifle corps
    • Allcock Herbert. Able Seaman H.M.S. Inflexible.
    • Allcock Horatio William. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Allcock Louis. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Allcock Ralph. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Allcock William Henry. Officers Steward 1st Clas H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Allcorn Herbert. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Allcroft Frank Charles. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Allcroft George William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Allcroft Henry John. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Alldridge Douglas Robert George. Sub-Lieutenant Royal Naval Division
    • Allemby Harold. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Allen . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allen . Stoker 2nd Class H.M. Trawler Glenboyne.
    • Allen . Boy 2nd Class H.M.S. Impregnable.
    • Allen . Able Seaman H.M.S. Pembroke.
    • Allen . Boy 2nd Class H.M.S. Powerful.
    • Allen . Air Mechanic 2nd Class H.M.S. President II.
    • Allen . Private H.M.S. Victory
    • Allen . Able Seaman H.M.S. Vivid
    • Allen . Able Seaman H.M.S. Vulcan.
    • Allen . Able Seaman S.S. Princess Thyra.
    • Allen . Private
    • Allen . Private
    • Allen A.. Private Royal Scots
    • Allen Abraham. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Allen Albert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Allen Albert George. Pte. Welch
    • Allen Albert Ernest. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Allen Albert. Deck Hand H.M. Drifter Violet May.
    • Allen Albert Edward. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Goliath.
    • Allen Albert George. Pte Welch Regiment
    • Allen Albert Edward. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Allen Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Allen Alfred Joseph. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Allen Alphaeus. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Collingwood.
    • Allen Arthur Hewitt. Lt. orth Staffordshire Regiment
    • Allen MM.. Arthur Alfred. Cpl. 28th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
    • Allen Arthur. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Allen Arthur Crawford. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Allen Arthur. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Allen Arthur. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Allen Arthur. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Arethusa.
    • Allen Arthur. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Ariadne
    • Allen Arthur James. Private H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Allen Arthur. Pte. Gloucester Regiment
    • Allen B. H.B.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Allen Bertie Ernest. Deck Hand H.M. Drifter Kent County.
    • Allen Charles S.. HMS Spitfire
    • Allen Charles Samuel. Leading Signalman H.M.S. Spitfire.
    • Allen Charles Edwin. Junior Reserve Attendant H.M.S. Victory.
    • Allen Charles Arthur. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allen Charles. Pte Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Allen Claude. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Allen DCM.. Cyril Sheldon. Pte. Tank Corps
    • Allen Daniel. Able Seaman H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Allen David William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Allen Ed.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Allen Edward. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Allen Edward. Acting Air Mechanic 1st C H.M.S. President II.
    • Allen Ernest. Pte. 49th Infantry Battalion
    • Allen Ernest Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Allen Ernest Alfred. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Allen Evan John. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Recruit.
    • Allen F. G.. Pte. 1st/7th Btn.
    • Allen Frank. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Allen Frank. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Allen Frank. Cooks Mate 2nd Class H.M.S. Malaya.
    • Allen Frank Reginald. Midshipman H.M.S.Ebro
    • Allen Fred. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Allen Fred Henry. Boy 1st Class
    • Allen Frederick Romulus. Deck Hand H.M. Drifter Eyrie
    • Allen Frederick. Deck Hand H.M. Drifter Rooke.
    • Allen Frederick. Petty Officer 1st Class H.M. Yacht Aries
    • Allen Frederick William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Allen George. Sea. HMS Amphitrite
    • Allen George Henry. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. H10
    • Allen George. Seaman H.M.S. Amphitrite.
    • Allen George Greig. Steward H.M.S. Clan McNaughton
    • Allen George Edward. Stoker H.M.S. Natal.
    • Allen George James. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Strongbow.
    • Allen George William. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Turbulent.
    • Allen Harold Victor. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Strongbow.
    • Allen Harry. L/Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Allen Harry. Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Allen Henry Furner. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Allen Henry James Olaf. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Allen Henry Edward. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Allen Henry Walter. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Allen DCM.. Henry James Olaf. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Allen Henry. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Allen Henry. Private H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Allen Henry. Petty Officer H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Allen Henry. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Allen Henry William. Officers Steward 2nd Clas H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Allen Henry. Boy1. HMS Black Prince
    • Allen Herbert. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Allen Horace. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Allen James Edward. Pte. 49th Infantry Battalion
    • Allen James Henry. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Kildorrey.
    • Allen James Shaw. Capt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Allen Job. Corporal Royal Naval Division
    • Allen MC. MID.. John Harcourt. Mjr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Allen John A.C.. S/Lt.Eng. HMS Bergamot
    • Allen MC.. John Stanley. Lt-Col. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Allen John Henry. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Allen John. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Allen John Francis. Able Seaman H.M.S. Angler.
    • Allen John Alexander Cameron. Engineer Sub-Lieutenant H.M.S. Bergamot.
    • Allen John Edmund. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Flirt.
    • Allen John Francis. Engine Room Artificer 4th H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Allen John Henry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Natal.
    • Allen John William. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Natal.
    • Allen John Thomas. Warrant Engineer H.M.S. Repulse
    • Allen John Richard. Carpenter Lieutenant H.M.S. Vivid
    • Allen John. Engine Room Artificer 4th HMS E34.
    • Allen John Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Allen John Walter. Pte London Regiment
    • Allen Joseph Frederick. S/Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Allen Joseph. Lt.
    • Allen Joseph. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Allen Joseph. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Allen Joseph. Gnr, Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Allen Josiah. Pte. 49th Infantry Battalion
    • Allen Leslie. Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Allen Mark Thomas. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Allen Marshall Claude. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Allen Martin. Pte. Household Cavalry
    • Allen Matthew. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Allen Matthew. Chief Boatswain H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Allen Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Allen Michael Joseph. Seaman H.M.S. Goliath
    • Allen Nicholas. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Allen Owen Augustus Ellis. Lt. 81 Squadron
    • Allen Patrick Christopher. Able Seaman H.M.S. Arabis.
    • Allen Patrick. Able Sea. HMS Arabis
    • Allen Paul. Pte, Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Allen Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Allen Peter. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Allen Philip H.. Able.Sea. HMS Bergamot
    • Allen Philip Henry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Bergamot.
    • Allen MM.. Reginald Hercules. Sgt. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Allen Richard Gerrard Ross. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Allen Richard. Seaman H.M.S. Goliath
    • Allen Robert. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Allen Robert. Pte. Gloucester Regiment
    • Allen Robert Beattie. Pte. 13th Infantry Battalion
    • Allen Robert. Lieutenant H.M.S. Actaeon
    • Allen Robert Sydney. Signal Boy H.M.S. Ganges.
    • Allen Ronald Percy. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Allen Samuel Trace. Seaman H.M.S. Clan McNaughton.
    • Allen Samuel Richard Lorne. Engine Room Artificer 3rd H.M.S. Seagull.
    • Allen Sidney Charles. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Allen Stephen Charles. Pte. 13th Infantry Battalion
    • Allen Stephen Dexter. 2Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Allen Stewart Millman. Third Engineer H.M.P.M.S. Nepaulin.
    • Allen Sydney. Able Seaman S.S. Dunrobin.
    • Allen Thomas. Pte. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment
    • Allen Thomas Henry. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Allen Thomas William. QMSgt. 1st County of London Yeomanry
    • Allen Thomas Freeth. Pte. Prince of Wales Own (West Yorks) Regiment
    • Allen Thomas James. Able Seaman H.M.S. Ramsey.
    • Allen Thomas James. Leading Seaman S.S. Abosso.
    • Allen Thomas Martin. Seaman H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Allen Thomas Henry. Trimmer H.M.S. Chepstow
    • Allen Thomas Edward. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Lilac.
    • Allen Thomas. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Allen Thomas Gordon. Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Allen Thpmas. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Allen Tom. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Allen W. L..
    • Allen Walter Leonard. CSM Durham Light Infantry
    • Allen Wellington L. Pte. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
    • Allen William Oswald. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Allen William Henry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Allen William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Allen William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Allen William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Allen William Thompson. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Allen William Henry. Leading Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Repro.
    • Allen William. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Allen William Henry. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Allen William. Private H.M.S. Clan McNaughton.
    • Allen William James. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Fortune.
    • Allen William Brinkley. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Allen William. Fireman H.M.S. Laurentic.
    • Allen William. Air Mechanic 1st Class H.M.S. President III.
    • Allen William. Gunner H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Allen William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Allen William Thomas. Chief Sick Berth Steward H.M.S. Victory I
    • Allen William. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Allen William. Cpl. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Allen William Parkinson. A/Bmbr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Allen William. L/Cpl. 19th Battalion
    • Allenby MID. Edmund Henry Hynman. Field Marshall Inniskillings 6th Dragoons
    • Allenby P. W.. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Allender Frederick. Engineer Sub-Lieutenant H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Allender James. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Allerton Frank Hilton. Lieutenant H.M. Submarine G.7.
    • Allerton Joseph A. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Allerton Joseph. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Alley William Frederick. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Allfree Geoffrey Stephen. Lieutenant H.M.M.L.No. 247.
    • Allgood B.. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Allgood Frank. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Allgood Henry. L/Cpl. Irish Guards
    • Allgood Samuel George. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Allibone . Private H.M.S. Princess Royal.
    • Allibone John. Dmr. London Regiment
    • Allies Alfric Euan. Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Allin . Sub-Lieutenant H.M.S. President.
    • Allinson . Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Allinson Joseph. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Allinson T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Allinson Thomas. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Allison . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allison . Corporal H.M.S. Africa.
    • Allison . Able Seaman H.M.S. Dunedin.
    • Allison Alexander William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Allison Alexander William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Allison Alfred Edward. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Allison Andrew Mitchell. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Allison Arthur Charles. Pte. 29th Infantry Battalion
    • Allison Charles Herbert. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Vengeance.
    • Allison David. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Allison Fred. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Allison Frederick Crichton. Leading Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allison George Frederick. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Allison George Edwin. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Allison George Herbert. Gunner
    • Allison Godfrey Hugh Wallis. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Allison Godfry Hugh Wallis. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Allison Henry William. Leading Cooks Mate H.M.S. Strongbow.
    • Allison James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Allison James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Allison James Steele. Signalman H.M.S.Foyle.
    • Allison John. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Allison John. Cpl Royal Engineers
    • Allison Joseph Leyland. Flight Sub-Lieutenant
    • Allison Robert. Leading Carpenters Crew H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Allison Samuel. Able Seaman H.M.S. Fortune.
    • Allison Thomas. Greaser H.M.S. India
    • Allison William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Allison William. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own)
    • Alliston . Engineman H.M. Yacht Iolaire.
    • Allistone A. B.W.. Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Allix Mentioned in Despatches. John Philip. Lieutenant H.M. Drifter Jean.
    • Allkins Wilfred Samson. Lance Corporal Royal Naval Division
    • Allman . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allman Albert John. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Allman Mentioned in Despatches. Frederick. Serjeant R.M.A. Heavy Bty.
    • Allman Thomas William. Cheshire Regiment
    • Allman William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allnutt . Leading Seaman H.M.S. Victory.
    • Allon William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Allott Charles. Deck Hand H.M.S. Wallington.
    • Alloway Seth S.. Able Seaman H.M.C.S. Niobe.
    • Alloway William Henry. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Allright Ernest William. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Natal.
    • Allsebrook MM.. Percy. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Allso Percival Allen. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Allsop . Signalman H.M.S. Boadicea
    • Allsop . Sub-Lieutenant H.M.S. Pembroke.
    • Allsop Anthony Victor George. Midshipman H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Allsop Arthur E.. Rfln. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Allsop Charles M.. L/Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Allsop Frederick Stanley. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Allsop George Arthur. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Allsop Harry. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Allsop Ivan William. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Allsop John. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Allsop Joseph. Ordinary Telegraphist H.M. Drifter Clover Bank.
    • Allsop Norman John. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Allsop Thomas Hallam. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Allsopp Charles Rhodes. Sgt. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Allsopp Harry Randolph. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Allsopp Matthew. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Allsopp Thomas. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Allsopp William George. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Defence.
    • Allsup Francis William. Wireman 1st Class H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Allsup Percy. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Alltree Ernest Woodbourne. Lieutenant H.M.S. India.
    • Alltree Ernest Woodbourne. Lt. HMS India
    • Allum David. Pte. Royal Fusliers
    • Allum George Adin. Able Seaman H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Allum George. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Allum George. Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. President VI.
    • Allum Henry. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Allum James Lawrence. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Allum Walter Charles. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Allwork Henry William. Leading Signalman H.M.S. Paragon.
    • Allwork Wyndham James. Ordinary Signalman H.M.S. Tipperary.
    • Allwright Alfred Walter. Able Seaman H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Allwright James William Ladson. Electrical Artificer 2nd H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Almond . Air Mechanic 2nd Class H.M.S. President II.
    • Almond . Able Seaman S.S. Lepanto
    • Almond Albert. Pte. King's Royal Rifles
    • Almond John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Almond Joseph Austin. Engine Room Artificer 5th H.M.S. Emperor of India
    • Almond P.. L/Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Almond Mentioned in Despatches. Percy James. Able Seaman H.M.S. Dragon.
    • Almond Wilfrid. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Almond William Wallace. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Alner William Arthur. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Tipperary.
    • Alp Leonard. Seaman H.M.S. Clan McNaughton.
    • Alpine .
    • Alsbury Charles Edward. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Alsbury James. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Alsford John Frances. Stoker 1st Class H.M. Submarine G.12.
    • Alsop William Douglas. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Alston Giles Herbert. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Alston Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Alston William Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Altham Arthur Gilbert. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Altham Richard. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Alton MM.. William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Alton Wingfield Woolley. Fleet Paymaster H.M.S. Defence.
    • Alves Walter. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Alvey George Sampson. Shoeing Smith Sinfin
    • Alvin Ernest Walter. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Natal.
    • Alward . Third Engineer H.M. Yacht, Aries
    • Amberson Robert. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ambler . Air Mechanic 1st Class H.M.S. Egmont
    • Ambler Arthur William. Armourer H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Ambler Edwin Bedford. Private
    • Ambler George. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Ambler John. Mechanician H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Ambler John Lothian. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Amblin MM.. Henry George. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Amblin MM. Henry George. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ambridge Benjamin. Fireman R.F.A. Industry.
    • Ambridge Walter Oliver. Flt/Sgt
    • Ambrose Frank Baldwin. Fireman H.M.S. Clan McNaughton
    • Ambrose John Francis. Rflm. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)
    • Ambrose John. Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Ambrose Kennedy. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Ambrose Leslie. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ambrose Patrick. Pte Connaught Rangers
    • Ambrose S.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ambrose Samuel. WOII. Suffolk Regiment
    • Ambrose William. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Ambrose William Charles John. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Ambury . Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Amers Joseph. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Amery James. Petty Officer H.M. Yacht Kethailes.
    • Ames Ernest Thomas. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Ames Ernest Bernard. Chief Petty Officer Air M H.M. Airship C.8.
    • Ames Henry Richard Thomas. Pte. Gloucester Regiment
    • Ames Henry Richard Thomas. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Ames John. Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Ames William. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Glatton
    • Amess MC.. Albert Bissett. Lt. 33rd Btn.
    • Amey Edmund Victor. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Amey John Edward Herr. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Myrtle.
    • Amey Nelson Percival. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Amey William John. Private H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Amies Stephen John. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Pathfinder.
    • Amin . Hammerman
    • Aminulla . Lascar
    • Aminullah . Lascar
    • Aminullah . Seacunny
    • Amis George Alfred. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Thuringia.
    • Amis James William. Seaman H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Amis John James. Second Hand H.M. Trawler Nadine.
    • Amoore Charles John Newnham. Leading Telegraphist H.M. Submarine E.34.
    • Amor . Petty Officer Telegraphis H.M.S. Britannia.
    • Amor Arthur Stanley. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Amor George. Able Seaman H.M S Vanguard.
    • Amor George Edward Charles. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Amor Henry Giles. Private H.M.S. Tamar.
    • Amos Albert Edward. Officers Steward 2nd Clas H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Amos Andrew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Amos Cyril John. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Amos Frank. Serjeant Royal Naval Division
    • Amos Harry. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Amos Henry Charlton. Lieutenant Royal Marine Engineers
    • Amos Hubert William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Tartar
    • Amos John Wesley. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Amos MM.. Joseph. L/Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Amos Joseph Henry. Telegraphist H.M. Trawler Pitstruan.
    • Amos Joseph James. Ordinary Seaman
    • Amos Owen Alexander Eugene. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Amos Solomon. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Amos Thomas Harry. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Amos William. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Kale.
    • Amour Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ampleford Frederick. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Amsden . Leading Boatman H.M. Coastguard
    • Amy . Warrant Wardmaster H.M.S. Hyacinth.
    • Amy William Monamy. Shipwright 1st Class H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Amyes Basil John. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Ancell Horace. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Ancill Harry Pearce. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Ancrum . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson . Engine Room Artificer 2nd H.M. Submarine D.8.
    • Anderson . Engineman H.M. Trawler Harlech Castle
    • Anderson . Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Agamemnon
    • Anderson . Midshipman H.M.S. Agamemnon
    • Anderson . Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Princess Royal
    • Anderson . Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Anderson . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson . Seaman Shetland Sect
    • Anderson . Seaman Shetland Section.
    • Anderson . Private
    • Anderson . Probationary Flight Offic
    • Anderson A. E.. Capt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Anderson A..
    • Anderson Alan James Ramsay. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Anderson Albert Alexander. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Anderson Albert Barkley. Pte. 3rd Div Signals School
    • Anderson Albert Edwin. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Anderson Albert. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Anderson Albert Mark. Stoker H.M.S. Newmarket.
    • Anderson Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Anderson Alexander. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Bradford.
    • Anderson Alexander. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Defence.
    • Anderson Alexander Bannatyne. Lieutenant H.M.S. Diana.
    • Anderson Alexander. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson Alexander. Leading Seaman S.S. Harrogate.
    • Anderson Alfred George. Officers Steward 3rd Clas H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Anderson Alfred John. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Anderson Alfred Lancelot. Seaman H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Anderson Allan Parkinson. Signalman H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Anderson Andrew. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Anderson Andrew. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Anderson Andrew. Fireman H.M.S. Columbella,
    • Anderson Andrew Thomas. Engine Room Artificer 3rd H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Anderson Archibald. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson Archibald Walter. Petty Officer Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson Arthur. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Anderson B.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson Bernard. Lieutenant H.M.S. Bombala.
    • Anderson C Mcl.. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson Carl Hugo. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Anderson Charles Patrick. London Regiment
    • Anderson Charles Fred. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Anderson Charles Coventry. Lieutenant Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson Charles Gordon. Able Seaman H.M.S. Begonia.
    • Anderson Charles. Stoker H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Anderson Charles Henry. Leading Fireman H.M.S. Eaglet.
    • Anderson Charles Edward. Cpt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Anderson MM.. Christopher. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Anderson D. B.. Sjt. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Anderson D. O.. Cpl. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Anderson David Johannes Gottfried. Pte. 4th Machine Gun Coy.
    • Anderson David. Stoker H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Anderson David. Carpenters Crew H.M.S. Natal.
    • Anderson David. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Anderson David. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Anderson Donald. Pte. London Regiment
    • Anderson Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiilers
    • Anderson Edward James. Signal Boy H.M.S. Defence.
    • Anderson Edward John. CPO. HMS Essex
    • Anderson Ernest. Able Seaman H.M.S. Princess Irene
    • Anderson F.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Anderson Frank Burnett. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson Frederick Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Anderson Frederick Charles. Petty Officer Motor Mecha Armoured Car Division
    • Anderson G. W.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Anderson G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson G.. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Anderson George Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson George Henry. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Anderson George. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Anderson George. Skipper H.M. Drifter Campania II
    • Anderson George. Engineman H.M. Trawler Taipo.
    • Anderson George Patrick. Trimmer H.M. Trawler Thuringia.
    • Anderson George William. Deck Hand H.M.P.M.S. Lady Ismay.
    • Anderson George. Deck Hand H.M.S. Dreel Castle.
    • Anderson George Joseph. Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Anderson George Greig. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson Grace Dolman.
    • Anderson H.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson MC. Henry McDonnell. Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson Henry Campbell. Pte. London Regiment
    • Anderson Henry Roberts. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.P.M.S. Plumpton.
    • Anderson Henry. Seaman H.M.S. Dundee.
    • Anderson Henry James. Seaman H.M.S. Dundee.
    • Anderson Henry Small. Able Seaman H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Anderson Issac. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson James Mackie. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Anderson James A.. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Anderson James. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Anderson James. Seaman H.M.S. Bulwark
    • Anderson James. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Defence.
    • Anderson James. Quartermaster H.M.S. Eagle
    • Anderson James. Seaman H.M.S. Ebro.
    • Anderson James. Seaman H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Anderson James Edgar. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Recruit.
    • Anderson James. Chief Artificer Engineer H.M.S. Viking.
    • Anderson James. Leading Seaman S.S. North Pacific.
    • Anderson James. L/Sgt. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Anderson John Edward. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Anderson John J. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Anderson John Craig. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Anderson John Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson John Charles. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Anderson John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Anderson John. L/Sgt. London Regiment
    • Anderson John. A/WO.Cl.II Durham Light Infantry
    • Anderson John Edward. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Anderson John. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson John Dunlop. Signalman H.M.S. Bittern.
    • Anderson John. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Anderson John. Able Seaman H.M.S. Diligence.
    • Anderson John. Chief Stoker H.M.S. Erin
    • Anderson John Robert. Cooper H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Anderson John Alexander. Carpenters Crew H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Anderson John Coull. Seaman H.M.S. Mantua.
    • Anderson John Alexander. Signalman H.M.S. Odin
    • Anderson John Leander. Petty Officer Telegraphis H.M.S. Vivid
    • Anderson John. Leading Seaman S.S. Calliope.
    • Anderson John Thomas. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Anderson Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Anderson Joseph. Petty Officer Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson Kenneth Angus. Midshipman H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Anderson Leslie James. Able Seaman Naval Guard Section, Royal Australian Naval Brigad
    • Anderson M. J.. S/Sgt. Camp Commandants Staff
    • Anderson Magnus John. Seaman H.M.S. Dundee.
    • Anderson Mervyn Kebble. 2nd.Lt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Anderson Mitchell. Engineman H.M. Trawler Morococala.
    • Anderson P.. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Anderson MID.. Philip Maurice Ramsey. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Anderson Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson Robert.
    • Anderson Robert. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Anderson Robert. Pte. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Anderson Robert. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Anderson Robert Air Smart. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Anderson Robert Samuel. Private H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Anderson Robert John. Seaman H.M.S. Dundee.
    • Anderson Robert Kelso. Trimmer H.M.S. Gunner.
    • Anderson Robert. Able Seaman H.M.S. Newmarket.
    • Anderson Robert. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Anderson Robert Lawson. Able Seaman H.M.S. Tornado.
    • Anderson Robert. Fireman H.M.T. Richard Welford.
    • Anderson Ronald. Pte. Black Watch
    • Anderson Samuel. Deck Hand H.M. Drifter Deliverer.
    • Anderson Samuel. Mate H.M. Submarine C.16.
    • Anderson Samuel. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Anderson Septimus. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson Stanley Orme. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Anderson T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson Theodore Ross. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson Thomas Edward. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Anderson Thomas. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Anderson Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson Thomas Lacey. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Anderson Thomas. Private H.M.H.S. Rohilla
    • Anderson Thomas. Engineman H.M. Trawler Loch Eye.
    • Anderson Thomas. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Othonna.
    • Anderson Thomas. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson Thomas. Seaman Shetland Sect. (Lerwick).
    • Anderson Thomas. Seaman Shetland Sect. H.M.S. Pembroke,
    • Anderson Thomas. Rflmn 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade
    • Anderson Toby. Krooman H.M.S. Afrikander.
    • Anderson Valentine James. Duke of Wellington's Regimet
    • Anderson Walter. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Anderson Walter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson Walter. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Defence.
    • Anderson Walter Lawson. Able Seaman H.M.S. Nigella.
    • Anderson Wilfred Laurier. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Anderson Wilfred Sydney. Petty Officer H.M.S. Warwick.
    • Anderson William Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Anderson William Whitfield. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Anderson William John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Anderson William Edward. Pte. Dorset Regiment
    • Anderson VC. William. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Anderson VC. William Herbert. Lt/Col. Highland Light Infantry
    • Anderson William James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Anderson William. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Anderson William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson William Edward. Senior Reserve Attendant H.M.H.S. Rohilla.
    • Anderson William Arthur. Private H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Anderson William John. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Anderson William James. Able Seaman H.M.S. Liberty
    • Anderson William Oliver. Able Seaman H.M.S. Theseus II.
    • Anderson William Marshall. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anderson William August. Pte. 12th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Anderson William James. Pte. 49th Battalion
    • Anderton MC & 2Bars. Albert. A/Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Anderton Alfred Reuben. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifles Corps
    • Anderton MID.. George. Lt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Anderton John Wainwright. Corporal H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Anderton William James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Andison Henry. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Andre Frederick William. 2nd Lt. Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)
    • Andress W.. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Andrew . Carpenters Crew H.M.S. Duncan.
    • Andrew Baldwin. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Andrew Charles Herbert. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Andrew Edward John. Able Seaman H.M.S. Goliath
    • Andrew George Ernest Thomas. Pte. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Andrew Hardy. Seaman H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Andrew James. Sub-Lieutenant R.F.A. Sokoto
    • Andrew John. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Andrew John Wallace. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Marmion.
    • Andrew John Meirs. Shipwright 2nd Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Andrew John. Ships Cook H.M.S. Viknor
    • Andrew Joseph Arthur Westwood. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Andrew Ronald. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Andrew William. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Andrew William Nesbit. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Andrews . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux
    • Andrews . Captain Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Andrews . Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Eagle.
    • Andrews . Master at Arms H.M.S. Glatton.
    • Andrews . Able Seaman H.M.S. Snakefly
    • Andrews . Armourers Crew H.M.S. Vernon
    • Andrews . Chief Petty Officer H.M.S. Vernon
    • Andrews . Chief Writer H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Andrews . Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Andrews . Captain Royal Naval Division
    • Andrews A E. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Andrews A. J.. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Andrews Albert Henry. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Andrews Albert. Able Seaman H.M.S. Boadicea.
    • Andrews Albert Henry. Petty Officer 2nd Class H.M.S. Laurentic.
    • Andrews Albert Frank. Wireman 2nd Class H.M.S. Magic.
    • Andrews Albert Densham. Private H.M.S. Valiant
    • Andrews Alexander. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Andrews Alfred. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Andrews Alfred Walter. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Wessex.
    • Andrews Arthur Edward. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Defence.
    • Andrews Arthur John. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Natal.
    • Andrews Charles. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Andrews Charles. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Andrews Charles Frederick. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Andrews Charles William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Andrews Claude Arthur Charles. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Andrews Clifford. Lance Corporal Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Andrews David. Pte 7th Battalion
    • Andrews Edwin Stanley. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Andrews Edwin Frank. Able Seaman H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Andrews Eric Osterfield Arliss. Flight Sub-Lieutenant
    • Andrews Ernest William. L/Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Andrews Ernest Percy. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Andrews Ernest George. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Andrews Ernest Lancelot. Captain Royal Marines
    • Andrews Ernest Lancelot. Capt. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Andrews Frank. Lance Corporal Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Andrews Frank. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Andrews Frank. Able Seaman H.M.S. Canada.
    • Andrews Frederick George. Officers Steward 1st Clas H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Andrews Frederick John. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Derwent.
    • Andrews Frederick John. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Andrews Frederick Charles. Gunner H.M.S. Princess Royal.
    • Andrews George Arthur. Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Andrews George. Petty Officer 1st Class H.M. Trawler Remarko.
    • Andrews George Philip. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Andrews George Stanley. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Andrews George John. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Andrews Harold John. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Andrews Harry. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Andrews Harry Thomas. Able Seaman H.M.S. Tipperary.
    • Andrews VC MBE.. Henry John. Capt. Indian Medical Service
    • Andrews VC, MBE.. Henry John. Capt. Indian Medical Service
    • Andrews Henry Godfrey. Lieut-Commander 2nd Reserve Bn. R.N. Div.
    • Andrews Henry Richard. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Arethusa.
    • Andrews Henry Edmund. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Andrews Herbert Edgar. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Resolution
    • Andrews Herbert John. Telegraphist H.M.S. Thunderer.
    • Andrews Herbert Garnham. Petty Officer HMS K5.
    • Andrews Horace Thomas. Signalman H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Andrews Horace Gibson. Capt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Andrews J. H.M.. 2Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Andrews Jack. Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Andrews James Allfrey. Capt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Andrews James Josiah. Petty Officer 2nd Class H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Andrews James. Sergeant H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Andrews James Watt. Whlr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Andrews John W.. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Andrews John. Able Seaman H.M.S. Bittern.
    • Andrews John Mccrindle. Leading Seaman S.S. Nora.
    • Andrews Joseph George Patrick. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Andrews Joseph Charles. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Andrews Joshua John. Stoker 1st Class Royal Naval Division
    • Andrews Leonard Charles. Wireman 2nd Class H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Andrews VC, DSO.. Leslie Wilton. Cpl. Wellington Infantry Regiment
    • Andrews Lionel Frederick. Able Seaman H.M.S. Contest.
    • Andrews Norman. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Andrews Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Andrews Percy George. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Andrews Raymond Gibson. Pte. London Regiment
    • Andrews Robert Henry. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Defence.
    • Andrews Robert James. Leading Cook H.M.S. Dunedin
    • Andrews Robert. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Ettrick.
    • Andrews Sidney Philip. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Malaya.
    • Andrews Stanley William. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Andrews DCM.. Thomas Joseph. Rflmn. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Andrews Thomas William. Sailmaker H.M.S. Victory.
    • Andrews Thomas Edward. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Andrews Wilfred Arthur. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Andrews William Horace. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Andrews William Richard. Engineman H.M. Trawler George Milburn.
    • Andrews William John. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Amphitrite.
    • Anfield John William Wray. Leading Seaman HMS E16.
    • Angel . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Angel A. H.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Angel George Frederick. Private H.M.S. Alcantara.
    • Angel J. H.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Angel MM.. James William. L/Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Angel Richard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Angell . Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. President III.
    • Angell Arthur George. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Angell Ernest. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Angell William Fean. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Angus . Trimmer H.M. Trawler Agnes and Janet.
    • Angus . Stoker 1st Class Royal Naval Division
    • Angus Alexander. Engineman H.M. Trawler Ameer.
    • Angus Donald Meiklejohn. Engine Room Artificer 3rd H.M. Submarine L.55.
    • Angus Henry. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Angus J.E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Angus James John Theodore. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Penrice Castle.
    • Angus John Crosby. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Angus John Collingwood . 28th Infantry Battalion
    • Angus John E.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Angus Matthew. Engineer Lieutenant H.M.S. Ocean.
    • Angus Robert. Lieutenant H.M.C.M.B. No. 33A.
    • Angus T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Angus Thomas James. Leading Seaman S.S. Trinidad.
    • Angwin John Tregear. Pte Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry
    • Ankers Bertram. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Annable Ernest. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Annand Wallace Moir. Lt Cmdr. Royal Naval Division
    • Annand Wallace Moir. Lieut-Commander Royal Naval Division
    • Annesley Francis. Sub-Lieutenant
    • Anness George. Able Seaman H.M.S. Raglan.
    • Annets Bertie George. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Annett William Walter. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Annetts Christopher George. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Annetts Ivy. Private H.M. Yacht Victoria and Albert
    • Anning . Private
    • Annis Albert William Fredrick. Able Seaman H.M.S. Vehement.
    • Annis Francis Edward. Leading Signalman H.M.S. Sarnia.
    • Annis John. Trimmer H.M. Drifter Michaelmas Daisy.
    • Annis Walter. CSM. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Ansboro Michael. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Anscombe Charles Frederick. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Cadmus.
    • Anscombe George. Pte. Middlesex Regt
    • Anscombe Percy. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Ariel.
    • Anscombe William Andrew. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Genista.
    • Ansell . Petty Officer 2nd Class H.M. Coastguard
    • Ansell . Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Cleopatra.
    • Ansell Albert Alfred Nathaniel. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Recruit.
    • Ansell Alfred. Stoker 1st Class Royal Naval Division
    • Ansell Charles Hart. Armourers Mate H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Ansell Charles William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Ansell Charles. Lieutenant
    • Ansell Frederick Lenard. Private
    • Ansell George. Cpl. Royal London Fusiliers
    • Ansell Harry. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Ansell John George. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Ansell Stanley. Corporal
    • Ansell Walter. Able Seaman H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Ansell Walter T.. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Ansell William Christopher. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Ansley . Sapper R.M. Div. Engineers, R.N. Div.
    • Anslow Harold Victor. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Anson Albert Henry. Rifleman London Regiment
    • Anson Alexander. CSM. Durham Light Infantry
    • Anson Harris Hartas. 2nd Lt West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Anson John Henry. Lieutenant HMS H5
    • Anson Percy George. Able Seaman H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Anson Walter Frank Vernon. 2nd Lt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Ansted Alfred T.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Ansted Alfred Charles. Able Seaman H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Anstee . Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Tyrian.
    • Anstee Harold. Able Seaman
    • Anstee Walter John. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Anstey Alfred Richard John. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Anstis George Henry. Petty Officer 2nd Class H.M.S. Laurentic.
    • Anstis William Richard. Cpl. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Anstiss Harry Sidney Augustus. Pte. Queen's Own Royal Kent West Regiment
    • Anstiss Harry Cecil. Private H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Anstiss Percy Frederick Stanhope. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Defence.
    • Anstiss Robert John. L/Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Anstiss MM.. William. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Anstss Harry Sidney Augustus. Pte. oyal Kent Regiment
    • Antcliff James Hartley. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Antcliffe Henry. Lance Corporal H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Antcliffe James. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Antell Arthur. L/Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Antell Edwin James. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Goliath
    • Anthony David. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Turbulent.
    • Anthony D S M. Ernest Frank. Leading Mechanic H.M. Airship P.4.
    • Anthony Fred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Anthony George. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Anthony John Edwin. Trimmer H.M. Trawler Drumtochty.
    • Anthony Thomas Robert. Storekeeper H.M.S. India
    • Anthony William Thomas. Stoker 1st Class Royal Naval Division
    • Antill Robert Edmund. Cpl. 14th Infantry Battalion
    • Antill Thomas. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Antram . Petty Officer H.M.S. Patuca.
    • Antram Frederick Harry. Leading Signalman H.M.S. Ardent.
    • Antram Herbert Wilkins. Lieutenant H.M. Submarine K.17.
    • Antrichan Robert. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Cheerful.
    • Antrobus Harry James. Bugler H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Antrobus William. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Anyon James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Anyon James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Aplin MM.. A. C.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Aplin Noah. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Apperley Arthur John Smith. Able Seaman H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Applebee . Boy 2nd Class H.M.S. Impregnable.
    • Applebee Joseph Harold Alfred. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Appleby . Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Bluebell
    • Appleby Aaron. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Appleby Albert Alexander Augustus. Pte. Surrey Yeomanry Lancers
    • Appleby Alfred Starkey. Signal Boy H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Appleby Francis. Trimmer H.M.P.M.S. Plumpton.
    • Appleby Frank Louis. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Victory
    • Appleby Henry. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Appleby J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Appleby John. Rfn. London Regiment
    • Appleby John R.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Appleby Thomas. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Bayano.
    • Appleby William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Appleford Alfred Charles. Pte. West Surrey Regiment (Queens)
    • Appleford Frances Samuel. Pte. London (City of London) Regiment
    • Appleford MM. John David. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Applegate Frederick William. Mess Room Stwd. SS Trinidad
    • Applegate William John. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Appleton . Boy 2nd Class H.M.S. Impregnable
    • Appleton David Hopkins. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Appleton Frederick William Henry. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Appleton Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Appleton George William. Second Officer H.M. Fleet Messenger Susetta.
    • Appleton Jack K.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Appleton James Arthur. Manchester Regiment
    • Appleton John. Sgt Durham Light Infantry
    • Appleton Thomas Henry. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Appleton Thomas. Leading Telegraphist H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Appleyard Ernest. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Okino.
    • Appleyard George S.. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Appleyard Hilton. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Opal.
    • Appleyard Leonard John. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Natal.
    • Appleyard Walter D.. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Appleyard William John Victor. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Appleyard William John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Appleyard William. Lt Yorkshire Regiment
    • Applin Henry Cecil. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Applin Richard. Lt. 19 Squadron
    • Apps Albert George. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Apps D S M. John Frederick. Engine Room Artificer 1st H.M. Submarine K.4.
    • Apps Robert Edward. Private H.M.S. Louvain.
    • Apps Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Apps Victor George. Pte. Border Rgt.
    • Apsey Clarence Edward. 2nd Steward H.M.S. Princess Alberta.
    • Apsley . Private
    • Apthorp Reginald John. Sub-Lieutenant Royal Naval Division
    • Apthorpe Harold Wakeley. Cpl. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Aquilina . Fireman H.M.S. Egmont
    • Arandale MM.. Victor Maurice. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Arberry Henry. Warrant Telegraphist H.M.S. Defence.
    • Arbery John. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Arbin . Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Dreadnought.
    • Arbuthnot Neil. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Arbuthnot Robert Keith. Rear-Admiral HMS Defence
    • Arbuthnot K C B, M V O. Robert Keith. Rear Admiral H.M.S. Defence.
    • Arbuthnot William Henry. Rifleman Royal Irish Rifles
    • Arch Arthur James. Corporal Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Archard George. Telegraphist H.M.S. Pembroke.
    • Archbold James. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Archbold James. Dvr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Archbold John Edward James. Deck Hand H.M. Drifter Guide Me II.
    • Archbold John. Able Seaman H.M.T.B. No.11.
    • Archbold MM.. Michael. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Archbold William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Archbutt John Henry. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Archdale DSO MID. Theodore Montgomery. Lt.Col. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Archdale-Porter DSO. John Gray. Mjr. 9th Lancers
    • Archdeacon . Petty Officer H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Archer . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Archer . Able Seaman H.M.S. Victory
    • Archer . Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Victory
    • Archer . Private Royal Naval Division
    • Archer Albert John. C.Q.M.S. 33rd Btn.
    • Archer Albert Erskine Carson. 2nd Lt. 242nd Squadron
    • Archer Albert. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Archer Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Archer Alfred. Greaser H.M.S. Speedwell,
    • Archer MM.. Arnold George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Archer Arthur. Private H.M.S. Bayano.
    • Archer Charles William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Archer Charles. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Racoon.
    • Archer Ernest. Petty Officer H.M.S. Foyle
    • Archer Ernest. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Lady Cory Wright.
    • Archer Frank McDonald. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Archer Frederick Arthur. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Primula.
    • Archer George Henry. BSM. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Archer George Walter. Greaser H.M.S. Laurentic
    • Archer George. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Archer Harold Edmund. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Archer Harold Percy. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Narbrough.
    • Archer Herbert Edward Lynes. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Archer James Henry. Leading Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Archer James. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Archer Joseph. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Paragon.
    • Archer P.. Pte. Jamaica Contingent
    • Archer R. W.. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Archer Raymond. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Archer Reginald William. Leading Cooks Mate M.F.A. Eleanor.
    • Archer Richard John. Cpl. Cameronian Scottish Rifles
    • Archer Robert. Pte. Middlesex Regt
    • Archer Robert. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Archer Robert. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Archer Sydney Gordon. Pte. West Surrey Regiment
    • Archer Thomas Henry. Trimmer H.M.P.M.S. Fair Maid.
    • Archer Wallace Lynes. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Archer Walter Dunlop. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Archer William Henry. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Archer William Frederick. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Archer William Henry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Begonia.
    • Archer William Samuel. Petty Officer HMS E37.
    • Archeson J.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Archibald VC.. Adam. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Archibald George. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Archibald Harry. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Laforey.
    • Archibald Henry. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Turbulent.
    • Archibald Hixon. Cpl. 33rd Btn.
    • Archibald James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Archibald James Hamilton. Engine Room Artificer H.M.S. Hope.
    • Archibald John Gibb. L/Cpl. Black Watch
    • Archibald Lambert Pearce. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Archie B. V.. Pte. 40th Btn
    • Arculus Alfred. L/Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Arcus Adam. Deck Hand H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Arcus Andrew. Seaman H.M.S. Dundee.
    • Arda Edward. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Victory.
    • Ardagh Victor Roland. Pte. Canadian Expeditionary Force
    • Arden Humphrey Warwick. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ardern Fred. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Ardis James. Private
    • Ardley . Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Minerva
    • Ardley Henry. Pte. 5th Dragoon Guards
    • Ardrey Ellis. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Argeat Thomas. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Argent Charles. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Argent Charles William. Private H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Argent Frederick. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Argent William John. Officers Steward 2nd Clas H.M.S. Brisk.
    • Argent William Robert. Able Seaman H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Argrave . Able Seaman H.M.S. Botha.
    • Argus Harold Ernest. Sjt. 43rd Btn.
    • Argyle William Frederick. Boy Telegraphist H.M.S. Defence.
    • Aris . Private H.M.S. Exmouth
    • Arkins B.. CSM. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Arkins William Arnold. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Arkle Leslie Charlton. Writer 2nd HMS. Viknor
    • Arkle Leslie C.. Writer 2nd H.M.S. Viknor
    • Arkle William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Arkless F. C.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Arkless John William. 2Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Arkless Wm.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Arkley Thomas Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Arksey Albert. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Arkwright Alfred Stanley. Pte. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
    • Arkwright James. Private R.M. Medical Unit, R.N. Div.
    • Arlett Walter John. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Goliath
    • Arlington James. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Strathrannock.
    • Arm Henry Victor. Boy Telegraphist HMS E49.
    • Arman William Henry. Corporal Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Armand Ernest Worrell Gustave. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Armer William James. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Armes George William. Trimmer H.M. Drifter East Briton
    • Armes John Henry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Armes Thomas. Second Hand H.M. Trawler Malta.
    • Armes Thomas Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Armfield . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Armfield Samuel Percival. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Armin John. Leading Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Armin William. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Clan McNaughton.
    • Armitage Charles William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Armitage David. Trimmer H.M. Trawler Elise.
    • Armitage Emanuel Anthony. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Armitage George. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Armitage George Geoffrey Allen. Flight Sub-Lieutenant
    • Armitage Gilbert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Armitage MID. Harold Edwin. Capt. 10th Infantry Battalion
    • Armitage Harold Chambers.
    • Armitage Harold. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Armitage John William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Armitage Thomas William. Chief Engine Room Artific H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Armitage Thomas William. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Armitage Tom. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Pembroke.
    • Armitage W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Armitage William. Chief Stoker H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Armitstead Jacob Nelson. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Armour James. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Armour John. Pte. 35th Batallion
    • Armour Josiah. Trimmer H.M.T. Altair.
    • Armour William Thomas. Able Seaman H.M.S. Viknor.
    • Armstrong . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Armstrong . Petty Officer Motor Mecha Motor Maxim Sqdn R.N. Armoured Car Div. (Dardanell
    • Armstrong . Lieutenant
    • Armstrong Alfred. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Armstrong Alfred James. Private H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Armstrong Alfred Thomas. L/Cpl 28th Battalion
    • Armstrong Andrew. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Armstrong Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Armstrong Bernard James. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Armstrong Charles Martin. 2nd Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Armstrong Charles. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Armstrong Charles. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Armstrong Charles William. Petty Officer Royal Naval Division
    • Armstrong Christopher. 2nd Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Armstrong Christopher. Pte 11th Battalion
    • Armstrong DSO MC.. Cyril Lionel. Major. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Armstrong David. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Armstrong Edgar Albert. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Armstrong Edmund Robert. Pte. London Regiment
    • Armstrong Ernest Robert. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Armstrong Ernest William. Engine Room Artificer 3rd HMS J6.
    • Armstrong Francis. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Armstrong Francis Charles. Cook H.M.S. Ophir
    • Armstrong D S C. Frederick Carr. Flight Commander 3 (Naval) Squadron
    • Armstrong Frederick. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Armstrong D S M. Frederick. Seaman S.S. Romny.
    • Armstrong G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Armstrong George Eric. Royal Engineers
    • Armstrong George. WO. Royal Engineers
    • Armstrong George O.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Armstrong George. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Armstrong George Kemp. Stoker H.M.S. Humber
    • Armstrong George. Ordinary Seaman R.N. Depot (Crystal Palace).
    • Armstrong George Pierce. Lt. 34th Sikh Pioneers
    • Armstrong Gwin Henry. Lt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Armstrong Harold Edward. Signaller H.M.S. Nepaulin.
    • Armstrong Mentioned in Despatches. Harold Gage Bewes. Major Royal Naval Division
    • Armstrong Henry Wilkinson. Ordinary Signalman H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Armstrong Hugh. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Armstrong Isaac. Petty Officer Regulating H.M.S. Ajax.
    • Armstrong J.E.. A-CSM. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Armstrong James. Able Seaman. HMS K4
    • Armstrong James. Able Seaman H.M. Submarine K.4.
    • Armstrong James. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Pathfinder.
    • Armstrong John. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Armstrong John. L/Cpl. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Armstrong John William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Armstrong John. Petty Officer Royal Naval Division
    • Armstrong John. Fireman H.M.S. Duke of Albany.
    • Armstrong John. Able Seaman H.M.S. Kennet.
    • Armstrong John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Armstrong John R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Armstrong Jos. M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Armstrong Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Armstrong Joseph Sproat or Stuart. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Armstrong Lawson. Stoker H.M.S. Crescent.
    • Armstrong Lionel Eric. Midshipman H.M.S. Marmion.
    • Armstrong Percy Philpot. Able Seaman H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Armstrong Percy Towns. Lieutenant
    • Armstrong Philip Furlong. Sub-Lieutenant HMS G8
    • Armstrong Reginald George. Pte. North Irish Horse
    • Armstrong Reginald. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Armstrong Reginald. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Armstrong Richard. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Armstrong Robert. Leading Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Armstrong Robert. Able Seaman
    • Armstrong Sidney. 2nd Lt. 37 Squadron
    • Armstrong Stanley. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Armstrong Thomas. Royal Artillery
    • Armstrong Thomas Acheson. Lt. 33rd Btn.
    • Armstrong Thomas. Trimmer H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Armstrong Thomas. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Armstrong W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Armstrong Walter James. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Armstrong William Alexander. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Armstrong William. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Armstrong William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Armstrong William. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Armstrong William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Armstrong William James Augustus. Trimmer H.M. Trawler Gambri.
    • Armstrong William. Leading Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Armstrong William. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Armytage MM.. Gerald Mostyn. Gnr. 8th Brigade Field Artillery
    • Arnall Harvey. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Sealark II.
    • Arnall Thomas John. Officers Steward 1st Clas H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Arnaud Guiseppe. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Louvain.
    • Arndell Thomas Albert. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Arnell Bertie Charles. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Arnell Ernest Herbert. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Arnell H.. LPCL. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Arnell John Henry. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Begonia.
    • Arnell William Arthur. Able Seaman H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Arnesen John Arent. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Arney Herbert George. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Arney John. Pte. East Surrey Regt.
    • Arnison Edward Burra. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Arnold . Gunner H.M.S. Minotaur
    • Arnold . Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Russell
    • Arnold . Able Seaman H.M.S. Vienna
    • Arnold . Flight Lieutenant
    • Arnold D S O. . Flight Lieutenant
    • Arnold Alfred. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Clan McNaughton.
    • Arnold Arthur. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Arnold Arthur E.. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Albemarle.
    • Arnold MM. Arthur James. Pte Rifle Brigade
    • Arnold Charles. CQMS Border Regiment
    • Arnold Charles William. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Dublin.
    • Arnold Charles Edgar. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Arnold Charles. Able Seaman H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Arnold Charles Paul. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Arnold Edward Percy. Spr Royal Engineers
    • Arnold Edward. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire
    • Arnold Edward. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Engadine.
    • Arnold Edward Stanley. Wireman 2nd Class H.M.S. Natal.
    • Arnold Frank. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Arnold Frederick S.. L/Bdr. Canadian Field Artillery
    • Arnold MM. Frederick Arthur. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Arnold Frederick Douglas. Leading Telegraphist H.M.S. Vortigern
    • Arnold George Henry William. Trimmer H.M.S. Morea
    • Arnold George Arthur. Gunner H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Arnold George. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Arnold Guy Hartley. Pte. 2nd Infantry Battalion
    • Arnold Harry Clement. Private H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Arnold Henry. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Arnold Henry. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Arnold Henry. Chief Armourer H.M.S. Penelope.
    • Arnold Herbert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Arnold MM.. Horace Walter. Pte. London Regiment
    • Arnold Howard John. Telegraphist H.M. Trawler Resono.
    • Arnold James Ernest. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Arnold James. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Foyle.
    • Arnold John. L/Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Arnold John Samuel. Armourer H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Arnold John. Chief Petty Officer H.M.S. Renown.
    • Arnold John Rudkin. Pte. Leicestershire Regt
    • Arnold Joseph. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Arnold Joshua. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Arnold Lewis Thomas. Private H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Arnold Llewellyn. FMN HMS Derwent
    • Arnold Llewellyn. Fireman H.M.S. Derwent.
    • Arnold Margaret Trevenen. Member Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Arnold Margaret Trevenen. VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Arnold Richard Henry. Private Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Arnold Richard Henry. Pte. 16th Btn.
    • Arnold Robert. Private H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Arnold T.. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Arnold Thomas. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regim,ent
    • Arnold Thomas. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Arnold Thomas Richard. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Arnold W.. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Arnold William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Arnold William James. Petty Officer HMS E5.
    • Arnold William. Stoker 1st Class Royal Naval Division
    • Arnopp . Seaman H.M.S. Satellite.
    • Arnopp Robert. Seaman H.M.S. Goliath
    • Arnot R D. George Henry. Commander
    • Arnot Thomas Hick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Arnott . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Arnott Alexander. Stoker H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Arnott MC.. John. Capt. 15th (The King's) Hussars
    • Arnott MM. John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Arnott Robert John. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Rodney
    • Arnott Sarah Jane. Stdess. SS Hare
    • Arnsby Frank. Chief Petty Officer H.M.S. Princess Irene.
    • Arnsby Robert Alfred. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Arnup Henry Alfred. Srgt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Arokin Charles. Assistant Cook H.M.S. Pebble.
    • Aron . Sub-Lieutenant Machine Gun Corps
    • Aronow Harry. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Arrandale John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Arrowsmith John Albert. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Arrowsmith Richard Gordon. Air Mechanic 1st Class H.M.S. Daedalus
    • Arscott William. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Arsenault . Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Arter Edward George. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Chester.
    • Arthur . Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Arthur Clive. Trpr. Imperial Camel Corps
    • Arthur F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Arthur DCM.. J.. Sgt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Arthur James. Sgt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Arthur John. Fireman H.M.S. Princess Irene
    • Arthur John Ferguson. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Arthur Joseph Henry. Ordinary Telegraphist H.M. Drifter Frigate Bird
    • Arthur Joseph Irvine. Ordinary Telegraphist H.M. Yacht Conqueror II.
    • Arthur Riley. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Arthur Robert. Leading Seaman S.S. Hebburn.
    • Arthur Thomas. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Arthur Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Arthur DCM.. Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Arthur Walter Davison. Blacksmith HMS Viknor
    • Arthur Walter Davison. Blacksmith H.M.S. Viknor.
    • Arthur William Thomas. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Arthur William. Petty Officer H.M.S. Dundee.
    • Arthurs MM, CdeG.. Frederick Charles. Gnr. Machine Gun Corps (Heavy)
    • Arthurs George C.. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Arthurs William. A/Sgt. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Arthy Charles Frederick. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Arthy Charles James. Private HMS Clan McNaughton.
    • Artis Alfred. Stoker 1st Class HMS. D2.
    • Artis George William. Seaman H.M.S. Clan McNaughton
    • Arundel Alwyn. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Arundel Norman Mckay. Leading Telegraphist H.M.S. Amphion.
    • Arundel Robert. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Asbury Charles Percy. Lieutenant Royal Naval Division
    • Asbury Joseph. Pte. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Ascott W. T.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ascott Walter Henry. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ash . Second Hand H.M. Trawler Courtier.
    • Ash . Chief Stoker H.M.S. Marlborough
    • Ash . Corporal Howitzer Brigade
    • Ash . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ash Basil Drummond. Flight Lieutenant
    • Ash Charlie. Private H.M.S. Kent.
    • Ash Edmund. Leading Seaman S.S. Dartmoor.
    • Ash Frederick Robert. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Ash Frederick Arthur. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Ash George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ash George. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Ash George Stanley. Officers Cook 3rd Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Ash John. Cpl.
    • Ash John Fletcher. Signal Boy H.M.S. Ganges.
    • Ash John Buckley. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Ash Joseph. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Ash Millicent Eva.
    • Ash Oswald Charles. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ash Samuel Claude. Leading Seaman H.M.T.B. No. 13.
    • Ash William James. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Ash William Henry. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ash William George. L/Cpl Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Ash William. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Ashbee . Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Ashbee George Walter. Able Seaman H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Ashbridge Thomas. Able Seaman H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Ashburner George. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Ashburner H.. LPCL. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ashby Albert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Ashby Alfred Robert. Fireman H.M.S. Arlanza.
    • Ashby Christopher John. Petty Officer HMS E41.
    • Ashby Edward Love. Sgt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Ashby Ernest Robert. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Derwent.
    • Ashby Ernest Edward. Able Seaman H.M.S. Racoon.
    • Ashby Frederick J.. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Conqueror.
    • Ashby George William. Capt. London Regiment
    • Ashby George. Stoker H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Ashby John. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Ashby Sampson. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ashby Sidney. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Ashby Sydney. Officers Steward 2nd Clas H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Ashby Walter. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ashcroft . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ashcroft Edgar George. Pte Welch Regiment
    • Ashcroft George. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ashcroft Robert. Fireman H.M.S. Laurentic.
    • Ashcroft Samuel. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ashcroft Thomas Chalinor. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Warrior.
    • Ashcroft Walter. Pte. Kings Own Lancashire Regiment
    • Ashcroft Walter. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Ashcroft William Herbert. Tel. HMS Mignonette
    • Ashcroft William Herbert. Telegraphist H.M.S. Mignonette.
    • Ashdown Harry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Lord Nelson
    • Ashdown Henry. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Yarmouth.
    • Ashe Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Ashe Robert. Private H.M.S. Defence.
    • Ashe Thomas. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ashe Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Ashe W. G.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ashen Charles Herbert. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Narbrough.
    • Ashenford Frederick Henry. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Contest.
    • Asher Bertram Gower. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Asher Cecil Frederick. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Asher Edwin. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Asher Herbert. Rfmn. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Ashfield . Stoker H.M.S. Pembroke.
    • Ashford . Able Seaman H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Ashford . Boatswain H.M.S. Repulse
    • Ashford Albert Augustus. Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Ashford Charles. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ashford Ernest. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Ashford H. W.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Ashford Henry George. Pte. 59th Btn.
    • Ashford Leonard John. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Ashforth Frederick Vincent. CQMS West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ashforth Jesse. Sgt. Warwickshire Yeomanry
    • Ashforth Jesse.
    • Ashley . Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. North Star.
    • Ashley Albert Percival. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ashley Alexis William. Midshipman H.M.S. Verulam.
    • Ashley Arthur. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ashley Edgar. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ashley John Henry. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ashley Robert Charles. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Vivid II
    • Ashley Sidney Stephen. Joiner H.M.S. Courageous.
    • Ashley Thomas. Skipper H.M. Trawler Margate.
    • Ashley William Thomas. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Ashley William. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Defence.
    • Ashman . Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Ashman Charles Edward. Sergeant Royal Naval Division
    • Ashman E. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ashman Edward. Act.L/Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Ashman George William. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Ashman Paul. Private H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Ashmead William. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Ashmore Ernest Thomas. Stoker 1st Class HMS H5.
    • Ashmore Harold. Spr. Royal Engineers.
    • Ashrafuddin . Lascar
    • Ashton . Private H.M.S. Bayano.
    • Ashton . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ashton A.. Sgt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ashton Arthur Edward. Royal Artillery
    • Ashton Ernest William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Ashton Frederick. Second Hand H.M. Trawler Ben Holden.
    • Ashton H.. L/Sgt. Cameronians
    • Ashton Harry. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Ashton Henry. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Ashton John James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ashton John Edward. Pte. The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Ashton John. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ashton John. Private R.M. Medical Unit, R.N. Div.
    • Ashton Joseph Houghton. Engineman H.M. Trawler Carew Castle.
    • Ashton Joseph. Chief Engine Room Artific H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Ashton Robert. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Amphion.
    • Ashton Robert John. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Chester.
    • Ashton Rowland Otto. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ashton Sam. Private Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Ashton Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ashton Thomas. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ashton Tom. Private H.M.S. Goliath
    • Ashton William Francis. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ashurst Albert Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ashurst James. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Ashurst Thomas. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ashurst Wilfred. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ashurst Wilfred. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ashwell Charles William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Ashwell Percy Frederick. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ashwin Gilbert. Leading Seaman H.M.C.S. Grise.
    • Ashwin Richard. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Ashwood George Ernest. Able Seaman H.M.S. Formidable.
    • Ashworth . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ashworth CdeG.. Alfred Edward. 2/Lt. Tank Corps
    • Ashworth Arthur. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ashworth Charles. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Evadne.
    • Ashworth Edmund. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Ashworth Frederick. Pte . East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ashworth George. Lance Corporal S.S. Tatarrax.
    • Ashworth Harold. Private R.M. Medical Unit, R.N. Div.
    • Ashworth Harry Clifford. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ashworth John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ashworth John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ashworth Robert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ashworth Thomas. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Ashworth Walter. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Askew Frederick F.. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Askew George William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Askew J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Askew James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Askew John Amos. Able Sea. SS Dalewood
    • Askew John Joseph. Seaman H.M. Drifter Dewey
    • Askew John Henry. Sergeant H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Askew John. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Narbrough.
    • Askew DCM. W. J.. L/Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Askew Wilfred Robert. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Askey John Henry Dobson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Askins Francis Thomas. Wireman 2nd Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Aslett . Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Aslett D S M. . Able Seaman Naval Siege Guns
    • Aslett Herbert John. Pte. Royal Fusilliers
    • Aslin . Lieutenant H.M.S. Hyacinth.
    • Aslin Robert. Lt. HMS Kavirondo
    • Asman Samuel. Stoker 1st Class H.M. T.B. No. 10.
    • Asmusson . Leading Seaman H.M.S. Rosalind
    • Aspden Albert. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Aspeck Harry George. Acting Engine Room Artifi H.M.S. Victory
    • Aspell Michael. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Aspell Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Aspell Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Aspen Lawrence. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Aspey Thomas Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Aspill William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Aspin Edward Anthony Hogarth. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aspinall . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aspinall . Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Victory.
    • Aspinall Arthur. Cheshire Rgt
    • Aspinall Frederick Stewart. Private H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Aspinall George. Private 15th Cheshire
    • Aspinall John Henry. Artificer Electrical 2nd H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Aspinall Paul John. Leading Signalman H.M. Submarine D.3.
    • Aspinall Richard. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Aspinall Samuel. Leading Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Persian Empire.
    • Aspinall Thomas. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Aspinall Wright. L/Cpl Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Aspland William Bertie. Able Seaman H.M.S. Mary Rose.
    • Aspley Charles Joseph. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Aspley Henry. L/Cpl. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Asplin H. C.. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Asquith Philip. Carpenters Crew H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Assiter Alfred. Chief Yeoman of Signals H.M.S. Aboukir.
    • Astbury Frederick. Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Astbury George Edward. Private H.M.S. Irresistible.
    • Astbury Herbert Thomas. Corporal H.M.S. Laurentic
    • Astell Edmund. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Astell Frank. Stkr.1st Cl. HMS Thunderer
    • Astill John. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Astin Arthur. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Warrior.
    • Astin George Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Astin George Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Astle George Enoch. Gnr. Royal Artillery
    • Astle Norman Henry. Able Seaman H.M. Trawler Agamemnon II.
    • Astle Reginald Harry. Private H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Astles Edgar. AB. 6th Howe Btn.
    • Astley George Edward. Boy 2nd Class H.M.S. Powerful.
    • Astley Hugh. Sgt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Astley Reginald Charles. Boy 2nd Class H.M.S. Impregnable.
    • Astley Thomas William. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Astley William. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Aston . Gunner
    • Aston Albert Edward. Able Seaman S.S. Kenmare.
    • Aston Arthur John. Str.Br. 12th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Aston David James. Fireman H.M.S. Marmora.
    • Aston Ernest Reginald. Lieutenant Royal Naval Division
    • Aston Harry. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Aston James. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Aston John Ernest. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Aston Lionel. Stoker 2nd Class Royal Naval Division
    • Aston Robert John. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Aston MID. Walter. S/Mjr South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Aston William. Sjt. London Regiment
    • Astrop . Able Seaman H.M. Fleet Messenger C.65.
    • Atcheson David. Fireman H.M.S. Pembroke,
    • Atcheson James Henry. Steward 2nd Class H.M.S. Bayano.
    • Atcheson James. Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. Pheasant.
    • Atha John. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Atherall Fred. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Atherley Henry. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atherton Francis. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Atherton George. Fireman H.M.S. Duke of Albany.
    • Atherton George. Able Seaman H.M.S. Flirt
    • Atherton James Alexander. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Atherton James. Able Seaman H.M.S. Vala.
    • Atherton John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atherton Joseph Albert Frederick. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Defence.
    • Atherton T.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Atherton Thomas. Shipwright 3rd Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Atherton Walter. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Atherton William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Atherton William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Athroll . Leading Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Athroll A. S.. Ldg. Sea. Royal Naval Div.
    • Athroll Arthur Palmer. Able Seaman H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Atkey Cecil Leonard. Able Seaman H.M.S. Brittannia.
    • Atkin Arthur Edwin. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Atkin Charles Oswal. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Renard.
    • Atkin Charles Taylor. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkin George Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atkin George Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Nottingham and Derbyshire)
    • Atkin Jack Gordon. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkin John Claude. Private H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Atkin Joseph. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Atkin Walter Edward. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Atkin William Herbert. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Atkin William Philip. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atkin-berry Harold Harding. Lieutenant HMS E26
    • Atkins . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkins . Able Seaman H.M.S. Natal
    • Atkins . Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Pembroke.
    • Atkins . Chief Engine Room Artific H.M.S. Victory
    • Atkins . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkins Albert Edward Victor. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Atkins Arthur Russell. Able Seaman H.M.S. Ardent.
    • Atkins Arthur Clare. Sergeant H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Atkins Arthur Leslie. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Atkins Bert. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Atkins Bert. Rifleman Rifle Brigade
    • Atkins Bert. Pte. Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars
    • Atkins Charles Dalrymple. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Bristol
    • Atkins Charles Thomas Frank. Coldstream Guards
    • Atkins Edmund Joseph. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Atkins Ernest Bolton. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Atkins Ernest William. L/Sgt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Atkins George Harry Albert. Ships Corporal 1st Class H.M.S. Cornwallis.
    • Atkins George. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Vega
    • Atkins H. de C.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Atkins Henry Richard. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Simoom.
    • Atkins Herbert Ernest King. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Atkins James. Able Seaman H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Atkins Joe. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Test.
    • Atkins John Charles. 2nd Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Atkins John Charles. Cpl Royal Engineers
    • Atkins John. Able Seaman H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Atkins Leonard Claude. Boy Artificer H.M.S. Indus.
    • Atkins May. Sister Red Gables Hospital, Bletchingly, Surrey.
    • Atkins Moses. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Atkins Percy Thomas. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Atkins Percy Thomas Chater. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Atkins Robert Reginald. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Atkins T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atkins Thomas Edwin. Engineman H.M. Drifter Fair Isle
    • Atkins Tom. Petty Officer H.M.S. Bee.
    • Atkins William Frederick. L/Sgt. 1/23rd London Regiment
    • Atkins William Frederick. L/Sgt. London Regiment
    • Atkins William John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Atkinson . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson . Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Botha.
    • Atkinson . Able Seaman H.M.S. Egmont
    • Atkinson . Officers Cook 1st Class H.M.S. Ramsey.
    • Atkinson . Able Seaman H.M.S. Sprightly.
    • Atkinson . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson . Private
    • Atkinson A.. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Atkinson Albert Wilfred. Able Seaman H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Atkinson Alexander Young. Pte. Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment)
    • Atkinson Alfred George. Able Seaman H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Atkinson Alfred William. Private H.M.S. Laurentic.
    • Atkinson Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atkinson Arthur James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Atkinson Arthur Percy. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Atkinson Arthur. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Defence.
    • Atkinson Arthur. Rfn King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Atkinson Brumfitt. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Atkinson Charles Henry. Petty Officer Stoker H.M. Drifter Iridescence
    • Atkinson O B E. Charles Henry Fairbank. Surgeon Lieutenant
    • Atkinson Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Atkinson Edwin. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Atkinson Edwin. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Atkinson Ernest. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Atkinson Frederick. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Atkinson Frederick Harrison. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Atkinson Frederick Clement. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Atkinson Frederick. 10th Battalion
    • Atkinson Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Atkinson Frederick. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Opal.
    • Atkinson George Henry. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Atkinson George James. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson George. Officers Steward 1st Clas H.M.S. Talbot.
    • Atkinson George. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson D S M. George. Leading Seaman HMS E34.
    • Atkinson George Lloyd. Leading Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson George. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Atkinson MM.. Harold Victor. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Atkinson . Harry . Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Atkinson Harry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Ajax.
    • Atkinson Hector John. Capt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Atkinson Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atkinson Henry Edward. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Atkinson Henry Warkman. Able Seaman HMS E5.
    • Atkinson Horace. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Atkinson Hugh. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atkinson J. J.. Rgmtl Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Atkinson J.T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atkinson James Morgan. Lt. 4 Sqdn.
    • Atkinson James. Able Seaman Machine Gun Corps
    • Atkinson John. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Atkinson John. Field Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Atkinson John. Durham Light Infantry
    • Atkinson John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atkinson John Simeon. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Atkinson MM.. John William . Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Atkinson John. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Atkinson John Charles. Able Seaman H.M.S. Duke of Albany.
    • Atkinson John Ernest. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Stephen Furness.
    • Atkinson John Scott. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson John Henry. L Cpl West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Atkinson Jonas. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson K. P. A.. Major. 11 Squadron
    • Atkinson Lance. Able Seaman H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Atkinson Leonard Hobster. Telegraphist H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Atkinson Peter. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atkinson Samuel. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Atkinson Stanley Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atkinson Thomas. Private H.M.S. Bayano.
    • Atkinson Thomas. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Atkinson Thomas William. Leading Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Atkinson Wallace Stevens. Signalman H.M.P.M.S. Queen of the North.
    • Atkinson Walter. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Atkinson Wilfred. Private R.M. Div. Train, R.N. Div.
    • Atkinson William Watson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Atkinson William George. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Atkinson William Joseph. Seaman H.M.S. Hogue.
    • Atkinson William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Atkinson William. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Atkinson William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson William. Leading Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atkinson William. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Atkinson Willie. Ordinary Seaman S.S. Hockwold.
    • Atlay . Lieut-Commander H.M.S. Revenge
    • Atock MC.. Arthur George. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Attard Battista. Fireman H.M.S. Chesterfield.
    • Attard Francesco. Fireman H.M.S. Louvain.
    • Attard Paolo. Officers Steward 2nd Clas H.M.S. Shark.
    • Attenborough John Haddon. 2nd Lt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Attey James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Attfield Cecil. Sub-Lieutenant Royal Naval Division
    • Attkins Leslie. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Attley George. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Attley William. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Atton Robert. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Attree Ernest Charles.. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Attree Horace. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Attridge A. W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Attridge George Stephen. Pte Grenadier Guards
    • Attrill Harry George. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Attwater Harry. Leading Cooks Mate H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Attwater Richard. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Attwell Arthur. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Attwood D S C. . Lieutenant H.M. Submarine G.5.
    • Attwood Arthur Charles. Gunner H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Attwood Charles Ernest. Able Seaman H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Attwood Edward. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Meteor.
    • Attwood Ernest Edward. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Attwood George. Yeoman of Signals H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Attwood George. Cooks Mate
    • Attwood Walter. Able Seaman H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Attwood William Henry. Petty Officer H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Attwood William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Atwell Leslie Victor. Able Seaman H.M.S. Goliath
    • Atwell Robert Erskine. Lt. Connaught Rangers
    • Atwill Leslie Hyde. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Atwill Richard Harold. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Defence.
    • Aubin Clifford. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Cantatrice.
    • Aubin Melville Hildreth. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Aubrey Stanley. Engine Room Artificer 2nd H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Auburn Herbert George. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Aucourt Charles Octave. Sjt. East Surrey Regt.
    • Audas Ernest Septimus. Stoker 1st Class Royal Naval Division
    • Audley . Able Seaman H.M.S. Otranto.
    • Audley Arthur James .
    • Audsley Edgar. Ordinary Telegraphist Wireless Telegraph Station Scarborough
    • Augarde Albert Edward. Musician H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Auger F. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Auger Fortunat. Pte. 14th Btn.
    • Auger John. Greaser H.M.S. Amsterdam.
    • Aughton Edmund. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Aughton William Henry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Aukland Walter. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Auld George L.. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Auld MM.. James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Auld John Hamilton. Midshipman H.M.S. Clan McNaughton.
    • Auld Robert Mcdonald. Midshipman H.M.S. Calgarian.
    • Ault . Chief Engine Room Artific H.M.S. White Oak.
    • Ault Henry Charles. Gunner Royal Garrison Artilery
    • Ault Joseph William. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Ault Thomas Maurice. Able Seaman H.M.S. Russell.
    • Austen . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Austen James. Able Seaman H.M.S. Negro.
    • Austen Mark. Midshipman H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Austen Thomas Charles Barwick. Boy Telegraphist H.M S Vanguard
    • Austen Thomas. Commander Surgeon H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Austen Walter Henry. Private Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Austen William Arthur. L/Cpl. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Austerfield James Hodgson. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Austin . Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Austin . Leading Seaman H.M.S. Emperor of India
    • Austin . Able Seaman H.M.S. Wear
    • Austin . Petty Officer Motor Mecha R.N. Armoured Car Div.
    • Austin Alan Murray. Paymaster H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Austin Albert Victor. Chief ERA H.M.S Amphion
    • Austin Albert Victor. Chief Engine Room Artific H.M.S. Amphion.
    • Austin Albert Edward. Officers Steward 2nd Clas H.M.S. Turbulent.
    • Austin Albert Edward. Leading Seaman
    • Austin Alfred G.. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Austin Alfred. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Austin Arthur Ernest Clifford. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Austin Arthur Warburton. Clr/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Austin Arthur Frederick. Private H.M.S. Conquest
    • Austin Arthur George. Boy 2nd Class H.M.S. Powerful.
    • Austin Charles Norton. Lance Corporal Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Austin Douglas James. Chief Stoker H.M.S. Partridge.
    • Austin Edward Phillip. Cpl. 33rd Btn.
    • Austin Edwin. Pte. King's Shrops Light Infantry
    • Austin Edwin Walter. Petty Officer Stoker
    • Austin Frank. Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Austin G. E.. Pte. East Surrey Regt.
    • Austin George Harold. Able Seaman H.M.S. Brittania.
    • Austin George. Stoker H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Austin George. Private
    • Austin Harry. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Austin Harry. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Austin Henry Albert. Able Seaman H.M.S. Alert.
    • Austin Herbert George Edwin. Telegraphist H.M.S. Gaillardia.
    • Austin James. Slr. SS Memphian
    • Austin James William. Pte. Kins Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Austin John William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Austin Joseph. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Austin L. J..
    • Austin Percy John. Petty Officer H.M.S. Pembroke
    • Austin Rufus Samuel Mardon. Chief Armourer H.M.S. Laurentic
    • Austin Thomas Oswald. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Austin Thomas. Sapper R.M. Div. Engineers, R.N. Div.
    • Austin Walter Frank. Officers Steward 1st Clas H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Austin Walter William. Petty Officer Stoker HMS C31.
    • Austin William George Herbert. Able Seaman H.M.S. Defence.
    • Austin William Frank. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Pathfinder.
    • Austins . Air Mechanic 1st Class H.M.S. President II
    • Austridge Basil. Yeoman of Signals H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Austridge John. Chief Petty Officer Teleg H.M.S. Tipperary.
    • Authers Albert William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Princess Irene.
    • Authers Archibold John. Ships Steward H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Authors Charles. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Auton Joziah. Cooks Mate H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Auton Reginald Thomas. Ordinary Telegraphist H.M.S. Simoom.
    • Auty Benjamin. Gnr. West Riding Regiment
    • Auty Herbert. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Princess Irene.
    • Aven . Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Test.
    • Aven George. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Averley Henry. Musician H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Avery . Ships Chief Cook H.M.S. Vivid
    • Avery . Serjeant Howitzer Brigade.
    • Avery Frederick. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Avery George Henry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Avery George Gladstone. Flight Sub-Lieutenant
    • Avery Henry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Mary Rose.
    • Avery Herbert Vincent .
    • Avery Sidney James. Able Seaman H.M.S. Warspite.
    • Avery Thomas. Master at Arms H.M.S. Vivid.
    • Avery Wilfred Percival. Capt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Avery William Ernest. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Avery William. Able Seaman H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Aves Thomas. Leading Seaman H.M.S. Turbulent.
    • Avill William. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Avis Alfred William. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Avis Fred. Able Seaman H.M. T.B. No. 96.
    • Avis Frederick Joseph Cutts. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Strymon.
    • Avis Harry. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Good Hope.
    • Avis Joseph Roderick. Deck Hand H.M. Trawler Charles Astie.
    • Avis Joseph Henry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Bulwark.
    • Avis Ralph Cutts. Yeoman of Signals H.M.S. Cressy.
    • Avis William. Sergeant H.M.S. Pathfinder.
    • Avison Arthur Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Awcock Edmund. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Awcock Edward James. Stoker H.M.S. Newmarket.
    • Awdrey . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Awty George William. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Axcell Frederick T.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Axe . Petty Officer H.M.S. Ardent.
    • Axe George Frederick. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Axford Dorothy NMI.
    • Axford Ernest. Trimmer H.M. Trawler Kirkland.
    • Axon James William George. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Lynx.
    • Axon Walter Henry. Ships Corporal 1st Class H.M.S. Hawke.
    • Axson Harry. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Axtell Alfred John. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Axtell George. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Axten Charles Henry. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Natal.
    • Axtens John William. Capt. 30th Infantry Battalion
    • Axup Victor Emanuel. Leading Signalman H.M.S. Pathfinder,
    • Axworthy George Howard. Able Seaman H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Ayers Albert Ernest. Petty Officer HMS H3.
    • Ayers Bertie Walter. Gunner H.M.S. Defence.
    • Ayers George Henry. Deck Hand H.M. Drifter G.S.P.
    • Ayers Harold. Master at Arms H.M.S. Eagle
    • Ayers Herbert John. Sailmaker H.M.S. Natal.
    • Ayers Sidney Richard. Deck Hand H.M. Drifter Launch Out.
    • Ayers Victor Albert. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Ayers William Herbert Valentine. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Ayland . Chief Petty Officer H.M.S. Halcyon
    • Aylard . Officers Steward 1st Clas H.M.S. Russell.
    • Ayles Alexander. Seaman H.M.S. Laurentic.
    • Ayles Frederick Norman. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Ayles Fredrick. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Ayles Keith. Fireman H.M. Yacht Aries.
    • Aylett George Ernest. Sgt.
    • Aylett Percy John. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Aylieff Arthur Edward. Corporal Royal Naval Division
    • Ayling Mentioned in Despatches. . Petty Officer Stoker H.M.S. Glatton
    • Ayling . Leading Stoker H.M.S. Queen Mary.
    • Ayling Alfred John. Private H.M.S. Black Prince.
    • Ayling Cecil Wallace. Pte. London Regiment
    • Ayling Charles George Joseph. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Ayling Edgar Phillip. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ayling Frank Stuart. Able Seaman HMS E10.
    • Ayling DCM.. Frederick Clarence. Sgt. 33rd Btn.
    • Ayling Harry Thomas. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Vampire.
    • Ayling Wilfred George. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Invincible.
    • Aylott Frederick. Boy 1st Class H.M.S. Revenge.
    • Aylott Henry. Able Seaman H.M.S. Vindictive
    • Aylward Albert. Gunner H.Q. Eastney
    • Aylward Edward. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Aylward Thomas Valentine. Musician H.M.S. Monmouth.
    • Aylwin Charles. Chief Petty Officer Cook H.M.S. Caroline.
    • Aynsley Royal Victor. Cpl. 54th Battalion
    • Ayre Abraham. Stoker H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Ayre Albert. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ayre Frederick. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Ayre John. Chief Petty Officer H.M.S. Turbulent.
    • Ayre Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ayre Norman Guthrie. Lance Corporal Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Ayre Richard. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ayre Robert. A/CSM. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ayre Robert. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Torrent.
    • Ayre Ruby. VAD Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Ayre Samuel. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ayres Albert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Ayres Arthur William. Leading Stoker H.M.S. Prince Eugene.
    • Ayres Ernest Alfred. Engineer Sub-Lieutenant H.M.S. Stonecrop.
    • Ayres Ernest Stephen. Able Seaman Royal Naval Division
    • Ayres Frederick. Private Royal Naval Division
    • Ayres George Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Ayres James Frederick. Private H.M.S. St. Vincent.
    • Ayres James George. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ayres Jesse. Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. Vanguard.
    • Ayres Joseph Edward. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Ayres Joseph. Officers Steward 2nd Clas H.M.S. Glowworm.
    • Ayres Quincy Claude. 1st Engineer Battalion
    • Ayres Robert John. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Ayres William Harold Jury. Engine Room Artificer 4th H.M.S. Indefatigable.
    • Ayscough John William. Fireman H.M.S. Killingholme.
    • Ayton . Able Seaman Machine Gun Corps
    • Ayton Charles. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ayton George. Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Hampshire.
    • Ayton James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Ayton W.. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ayton William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ayton William Charles. Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Turbulent.
    • Aziz . Stoker
    • Aziz Abdul. Stoker
    • Aziz Abdul . Lascar
    • Aziz Abdul. Lascar
    • Aziz Abdul. Lascar
    • Aziz Abdul. Coal Runner
    • Azmatullah . Stoker
    • Azzopardi . Officers Cook 2nd Class H.M.S. Wallflower.
    • Azzopardi Eugenio. Officers Cook 2nd Class H.M.S. Europa.
    • Azzopardi Georgio. Trimmer H.M.S. Sarnia.
    • Azzopardi Henry. Sailors Messman H.M.S Osmanieh.
    • Azzopardi Salvatore. Fireman H.M.S. Inflexible.
    • B*** R..
    • Baba Abdul. Lascar
    • Baba Abdul. Lascar
    • Baba Abdul . Stoker
    • Babb Samuel Thomas. Stkr3. HMS Cassandra
    • Babb Victor Henry . Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Baber Ernest Edmund. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Baber George Robert. Pte. 2/2nd Btn.
    • Bache Thomas Henry. Private Sherwood Foresters Notts & Derby Rgt
    • Bache Thomas. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Back George Henry. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Back Harry. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Backhouse Arthur Joseph. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Backhouse Thomas. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Backley Herbert. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Backley James Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Backley James Arthur. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bacon Alfred. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bacon Francis Hugh. Asst.Paymstr. HMY Aries
    • Bacon Harry William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bacon J. J.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bacon John Joseph. Sgt. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Bacon Raymond. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bacon Victor. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bacon William Henry. 33rd Btn.
    • Baddeley William Thomas. Cpl, North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Baddley John James. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Badetscher John Henry. L/Cpl. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Badgley James Chester. 2nd Lt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Badham William H.. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Badnall Cecil Beaumont. Pte. 48th Btn.
    • Badnall Cecil Beaumont. Pte. 48th Btn.
    • Badrick Percy. Rfmn. Prince Consort's Own Rifle Brigade
    • Bagan Peter. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bage Charles. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Baggott Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Baggs Arthur Edwin. Pte. 72nd Bn. Canadian Infantry
    • Bagguley William. Sgt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bagley MC.. Arthur Bracton. Capt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Baglin Arthur. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bagnall Alfred. Sgt. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment
    • Bagot Edward Luke Henry. 2nd Lt Welsh Guards
    • Bagot Maurice John Hervey. Lt. HMS Monmouth
    • Bagshaw Ralph. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bagshaw MID.. Walter John. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bagshaw William Ewart Gladstone. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bagwell Richard Charles. 18th Hussars
    • Baile George Frederick Cecil. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Baile Robert Carlyle. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Bailey Albert Henry. L/Cpl. Auckland Mounted Rifles
    • Bailey Albert Edward. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Bailey Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Bailey Alfred Birkitt. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bailey Arthur Henry. Pte. Gloucester Rgt.
    • Bailey Arthur. Prte Cheshire Regiment
    • Bailey Bernard Michael. Mid. HMS Defence
    • Bailey Bernard Dudley. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bailey Bertram Sydney Harold. Pte 15th Battalion
    • Bailey Cecile. V.A.D. Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley
    • Bailey Charles William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Bailey Charles. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Bailey Charles. Pte. Kings Own (Lancashire) Regiment
    • Bailey Edward. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bailey Edward William. Act.L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Bailey Ernest. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Bailey . Francis William. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bailey Francis Samuel. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bailey Frank. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bailey DCM.. Frank. Mjr. Essex Regiment
    • Bailey George William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bailey George Horace. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bailey George Arthur. Manchester Regiment
    • Bailey Harry. FM S.S. Trefusis
    • Bailey Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bailey Harry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Bailey Herbert. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bailey J. J.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bailey J.. Cattleman. SS Alnwick Castle
    • Bailey James. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bailey James Henry. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Bailey John Robinson. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bailey John Thomas . Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Bailey John Robertson. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bailey John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bailey John. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Bailey John Henry. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Bailey Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bailey L.. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Bailey L. K.H.. AM1. 1st Bde. HQ.
    • Bailey Lewis. Pte Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Bailey Reginald. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bailey Robert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bailey MM. Robert Leslie. Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bailey Ronald Spencer. L/Cpl 37th Btn.
    • Bailey Roy E.. 166th Infantry Regiment
    • Bailey Samuel. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bailey MSM.. Samuel. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Bailey Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bailey Thomas Arthur. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bailey Victor. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Bailey W.. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bailey Walter Percival. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bailey William Bainbridge. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bailey William Robinson. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bailey William Robinson. Pte. Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bailey William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Bailie David. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Baillie George Richard Lancelot. Lt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Baillie R.S.. London Regiment
    • Baillie Richard Patrick. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Baillie Robert. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Baily William Henry. Pte East Kent Regiment
    • Bain Alexander. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bain James. Pte. Black Watch
    • Bain James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Bain Joseph. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Bainbridge F.. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bainbridge Frederick. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bainbridge John George. CQMS Durham Light Infantry
    • Bainbridge John George. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bainbridge Richard. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bainbridge MM.. Thomas Leslie. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bainbridge W. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Baines H. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Baines . H. D.. Capt. London Regiment
    • Baines MM.. Henry. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Baines William Bartle. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bainton Herbert Sidney. 2nd Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bainton Joseph. Pte. Lincolnshire Regt
    • Baird Alexander. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Baird Arthur Stanton. Cpl.
    • Baird D. H.. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Baird David B.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Baird MC & Bar.. Douglas Monro King. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Baird G. H.. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Baird James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Baird James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Baird James Annett. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Baird James Fitzhenry. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Baird James Frederick. Pte. London Regiment
    • Baird James Fitzhenry. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Baird Norman. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Baird Thomas. L/Cpl Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Baird Thomas. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Baker Godfrey Richard. Pte. King's Royal Rifles Corps
    • Baker Albert. Pte. South Staffordhire Regiment
    • Baker Alfred Henry. Gnr. 35th Heavy Battery
    • Baker Alfred J.. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Baker Arthur George. Pte. Notts & Derby Sherwood Foresters
    • Baker Arthur. L/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Baker Arthur. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Baker Bert George. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Baker Bertie. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Baker C.. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Baker MC.. Cecil Avery. Lt. Soy=uth Wales Borderers
    • Baker Charles Reginald. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Baker Christopher. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Baker Clement George. Pnr. Corps of Royal Engineers
    • Baker E. J.. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Baker Edmund W. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Baker Edward Felix. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Baker Edwin Horace. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Baker Ernest William. QMS 20th Infantry Battalion
    • Baker Ernest Audley. Rflmn London Regiment
    • Baker Felix Benjamin. L/Cpl. The Rifle Brigade
    • Baker MM, DSM.. Frank. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Baker Frederick William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Baker MID and Bar.. Frederick. Flt.Lt. 54 Squadron
    • Baker Frederick George. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Baker Frederick A.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Baker George Alexander. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Baker George William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Baker George. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Baker George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Baker H.. Sig. London Regiment
    • Baker H. H.. Lt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Baker . Harry . Pte.
    • Baker Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Baker MSM. Henry Thomas. Rifleman. Rifle Brigade
    • Baker Henry John. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Baker Herbert Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Baker MM. Herbert Fullerton. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Baker Croix de Guerre. Hobart Amory Hare. Capt. Lafayette Escadrille
    • Baker James. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Baker Louis Harley. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Baker Major. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Baker Maurice William Harry. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Baker Nathan Simon. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Baker Percy. Capt. Chaplain. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Baker Percy. Sherwood Foresters
    • Baker Percy Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Baker Reginald. Pte. 13th Battalion
    • Baker Robert Wilfred. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Baker Robert Wilfred. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Baker Rowland James. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt.)
    • Baker Rowland James. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt.)
    • Baker DSC & M d'oro. Samuel. Bosun
    • Baker Thomas Edward. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Baker Thomas. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Baker Thomas Hensen. Rflm. Rifle Brigade
    • Baker W. J.. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Baker William Ingram. Machine Gun Corps
    • Baker William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Baker William Henry. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Baker William. Sgt. 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays)
    • Baker William John. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Baker William Arthur. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Baker-Carr . Mjr. Rifle Brigade
    • Bakhsh Alah . Stoker
    • Bakhsh Anwar. Seacunny
    • Balch Jesse Phillip. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Balch Jesse Philip. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Balcombe William Henry. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Balcon Joseph. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Balderson MM.. Frederick Charles. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Balderstone Henry. Gdmn. Coldstream Guards
    • Balderstone Henry. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Baldock Alfred F.. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Baldock George William. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Baldock William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Baldry Henry William. L/Cpl. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Baldwin Albert Ernest. L/Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Baldwin Arthur James. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Baldwin C. W.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Baldwin MM.. Cecil Charles Harpur. Sgt. 18th Infantry Battalion
    • Baldwin Edward. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Baldwin H. R.. Lt.
    • Baldwin Irwin. Rflmn. NZ Rifle Brigade
    • Baldwin James. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Baldwin Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Baldwin William Benjamin. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Baldwin William. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Baldwin William Lambert. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Baldwin William Ernest. Sjt. Berkshire Yeomanry
    • Bale C. J.. SLt. HMS India
    • Bale R.W.. Coldstream Guards
    • Bale William. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bales Thomas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Balfour Joseph. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Baliey Frank. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Balkwill Albert Thomas James. 2nd Lt. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Ball . Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Ball VC, DSO, MC.. Albert. Cpt. 56 Sqd.
    • Ball Albert Charles. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
    • Ball Alexander Foster. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ball Andrew. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ball Charles Bent. Lt.Col. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ball Charles. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ball Ernest William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Ball Ernest William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Ball Francis Edward. Pte. Welsh Rgt.
    • Ball George. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Ball George. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Ball George William. 2Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ball Henry. Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ball Hugh. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Ball John Buckley. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ball Joseph. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ball Luke. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Ball Percy. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Ball R. G.. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ball Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ball Spencer. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Ball Stephen John. L/Cpl. Manchester
    • Ball T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ball William Henry. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ball William George. Sjt.
    • Ball William Ormsby Wyndham. Lt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ball William A. Pte.
    • Ball William. L/Cpl Cameronians(Scottish Rifles)
    • Ballantine James McGregor. Pte. Black Watch
    • Ballantyne George. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Ballantyne John. Pte. Black Watch
    • Ballantyne Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Ballard Albert Ernest. Pte Somerset Light Infantry
    • Ballard Charles Edward. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Ballard David. Ldg.Tel. HMS Neptune
    • Ballard Eli. PO. HMS Begonia
    • Ballard Frank. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ballard MC. Frederick Leslie. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ballard Henry. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ballard Leonard George. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Ballard Robert. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ballard Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ballentine Adam. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ballentine Samuel. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Balloch Acton. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Balls Daniel Methuen French. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Balls George Alfred. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Balmer Edward. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Balmer Philip. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Balmer Pringle. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Balmforth George. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Balmforth William. Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Balshaw Charles Arthur. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Balson Bertie. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Bamber George. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Bamber John Walton. Lt. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bambury William George. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bamford Clement. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bamford Heber John Walter. Pte. 44th Btn.
    • Bamford Tom. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Bamlett R.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bance MM. Albert Edward. Pte. East Surrey Rgt.
    • Bance George. Pte. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Bane Thomas Gilbert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Banfield Charles. Capt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Banfield Henry Charles. Pte. 10th Battalion
    • Banger John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Banham . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Banham James. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Bankhead Hugh. Lt. Border Regiment
    • Bankhead J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Banks Alfred. Fireman HMS Aegusa
    • Banks Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Banks Charles. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Banks George Edward. Sh.Smth. Royal Field Artillery
    • Banks James Joseph. Cook. SS. Serapis
    • Banks John. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Banks R. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Banks Robert. ERA1 HMAS Encounter
    • Banks MM.. Thomas. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Banks Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Banks William. Marine. HMS Clan McNaughton.
    • Banks William. Pte. HMS Clan McNaughton
    • Banks William. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Banner Lionel Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bannerman George. Canadian Army Medical Corps
    • Bannerman James. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Bannerman Wallace. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Banning Alfred William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bannister Henry Walter. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Bannister James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Bannister John. Act/Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Bannister R. T. A.. Pte. Australian Machine Gun Corps
    • Bannon J. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bannon J.. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bannon John. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Bannon Patrick. Sgt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Bannon Philip. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bannon Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Banville Leo Francis. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Banyard Orlando J.. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Barago Henry. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Baragry William Francis. Pte. Australian Infantry Base Depot
    • Barama D.. Pte. Gold Coast Mounted Infantry
    • Barber Albert. L/Cpl. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Barber Alfred. Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Barber Arthur William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Barber Bertie. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Barber Charles S.. 23rd Engineers
    • Barber Charles. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Barber Charles. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Barber Charles Samuel. L/Cpl. Gloucester Regiment
    • Barber VC. Edward. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Barber Frank Earnest Edward. Machine Gun Corps
    • Barber Frederick. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Barber Frederick. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Barber Fredrick William. Pte Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Barber George. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Barber Henry Albert. Tptr. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Barber Henry William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Barber Hugh. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Barber Isaac George. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Barber Norman. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Barber Victor Albert. L/Cpl Suffolk Regiment
    • Barber Walter James. Lance Cpl. Cheshire Yeomanry
    • Barberel Eugene John Auguste. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Barbier Paul Emile. Interpreter
    • Barbor Robert Christopher. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barbour Alexander Ferguson. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Barbour Andrew Gallacher. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Barbour John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Barbour Robert. Gdsmn. Scots Guards
    • Barclay Andrew. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Barclay DCM.. John. Cpl. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Barclay DCM.. John Findlay. Cpl. Canadian Engineers
    • Barclay DSO and Bar. John Findlay. Sgt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Barcock Harry William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bard Leonard Reynolds. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bardell Louis Harvey. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bardrick John Oram. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bardrick John Alexander. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Bardsley Harry Toplis. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bare J.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Barfield George. Pte. East Surrey Rgt.
    • Barger Norman Healing. 3 Squadron
    • Barham Charles Frederick. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Barham Herbert John. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Barham Stanley. A/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bari Abdul . Lascar
    • Barker Albert. Durham Light Infantry
    • Barker Albert Aspden. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Barker Arthur. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Barker DCM.. Arthur Samuel. RSM Royal Horse Artillery
    • Barker Arthur George. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Barker Arthur. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Barker Charles. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Barker Clendon James Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barker Edward. Pte. Duke of Wellington Regiment
    • Barker Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barker Ernest Peirson. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Barker Francis John. Sgt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Barker G. D.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barker H.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Barker Harold Marshall. Pte. West Yorkshire
    • Barker Harry. Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Barker Herbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Barker J. Royal Engineers
    • Barker J. A.. Pte. 35th Btn.
    • Barker James. Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Barker Jeremiah Jerry. L/Sgt North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Barker John Capel. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barker John. Pte. Northumberland Hussars
    • Barker John. Rfmn. Irish Rifles
    • Barker MC.. John. Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Barker John James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Barker Lionel. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Barker Noah. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Barker Robert Loveless. Rflm. London Regiment (City of London Rifles),
    • Barker Robert. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Barker Thomas George Freeman. Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barker W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barker William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Barker DCM.. William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Barkhouse Robert Clough. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barkley David John. Pte Royal Engineers
    • Barkley Robert. Able Sea S.S. Tudor Prince
    • Barlow C. C. L.. Mjr. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Barlow Cornelius. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Barlow Francis John. Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Barlow George E.. HMS Queen Mary
    • Barlow George Edward. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Barlow George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Barlow H.. CSM. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Barlow John Willie. Pte. Yorks and Lancs Rgt.
    • Barlow Joseph. A/Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Barlow MID.. Knightley Trevor. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Barlow MC and 2 Bars.. Leonard Monteagle. Lt. 56th Sqd.
    • Barlow Thomas. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Barlow MID.. Walter Robertson. A/Capt Essex Regiment
    • Barlow Wilfred Griffith. Lt. 58th Infantry Battalion
    • Barlow William H.. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Barlow Wilson. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Barltrop Felix Reuben. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Barmes David. Gnr. Australian Field Artillery
    • Barnard Bertie. Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Barnard John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Barnard Robert George. Rflmn. London Rifle Brigade
    • Barnard William. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Barnardiston Nathaniel Walter. Maj-Gen.
    • Barnato Isaac Henry Woolf. Captain
    • Barnes Arthur John. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Barnes Charles Albert. Capt. 11th Infantry Battalion
    • Barnes MM.. Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Barnes Charles Edgar. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Barnes David. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Barnes Ernest Fred. L/Cpl. 2nd Otago Btn.
    • Barnes Frank Bertram. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Barnes Frederick. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barnes George William. Pte 4th Hussars
    • Barnes MM.. George Anderson. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Barnes Henry William Robert. Sdlr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barnes Henry William. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Barnes Herbert. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Barnes Herbert. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Barnes Herbert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Barnes James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Barnes James Alfred. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Barnes Jeremiah. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Barnes John. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Barnes John Edwin. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Barnes John Edward. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Barnes John Richard. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Barnes John. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Barnes John. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Barnes Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Barnes Lawrence Fairbank. 2nd.Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Barnes Louis Frederick. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Barnes Mulock Harold. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Barnes Owen. Pte. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment
    • Barnes R.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Barnes Richard Thomas. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Barnes Richard Thomas. Pte. Royal Army Mdical Corps
    • Barnes Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barnes Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barnes Richard Thomas. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Barnes Septimus Willis. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Barnes T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barnes Walter George. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Barnes William Patrick. Pte. 39th Btn.
    • Barnes William Steele. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Barnes William. A/Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Barnes William. C Coy
    • Barnet Charles. Sgt. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Barnett Albert Alfred. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Barnett Harry. Pte. 4th Dragoons Guards
    • Barnett Harry Evelyn. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Barnett Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Barnett Herbert William. 2nd Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Barnett John Ivor Arthur Rossington. Lt.
    • Barnett John W.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Barnett Robert Henry. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Barnett Robert. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Barnett William James. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Barnett William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
    • Barnett DCM, MM.. William Forbes. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Barnfield DCM.. John. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Barnhill J.. Pte. 27th Btn.
    • Barnsley Reuben Daniel. L/Cpl Durham Light Infantry
    • Barnsley William Charles. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barnwell DSO, MC, MID.. John. Mjr. Leinster Regiment
    • Baron Brian Percival. 2nd Lt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Baron Frederick. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Baron Frederick. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Baron John William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Baron William. Royal Fusiliers
    • Barr Angus Mitchell. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Barr David Dewar. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barr MC. David. 2nd Lt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Barr James Hamilton. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Barr John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Barr John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Barr Joseph. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Barr Joseph. Pte. Cameronians
    • Barr Joseph. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Barr R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barraclough Harold. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Barraclough MM.. Ralph. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barras Albert Victor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Barras Alexander Edward. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barrasford Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Barratt Frederick Martin. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Barratt Joseph. Dvr Army Service Corps
    • Barratt Roland Cecil. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Barratt VC.. Thomas. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Barrell Arthur. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Barrell Reginald Percy. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Barrett Albert James. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Barrett Albert James. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Barrett Alfred Edward. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Barrett MM.. Archie James. Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Barrett C. R.. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Barrett Christopher. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Barrett Edward John. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Barrett Frederick Alfred. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Barrett Frederick. Sgt. 18 Squadron
    • Barrett Hebron. Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Barrett Henry Charles. Pte London Rifles
    • Barrett Henry Charles. Pte. Essex Rgt.
    • Barrett J. E. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Barrett John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Barrett John. Pte. Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers)
    • Barrett John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Barrett Joseph. Seaman HMS Briton
    • Barrett Lawrence. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Barrett Patrick. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Barrett Sam. AM. 27 Squadron
    • Barrett Sophia Violet. VAD Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Barrett Thomas. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Barrett William E.. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Barrett William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barrett William. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Barrett William. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regt.
    • Barrington L. S.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Barritt John Richard. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Barron Arthur Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barron James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Barron Louis. Lt. Border Regiment
    • Barron William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Barrow . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux
    • Barrow Alfred E.. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barrow Arthur Walkey. Pte. London Regiment
    • Barrow Charles George. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Barrow OBE.. Geoffrey Selwyn. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barrow John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barrow Thomas William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barrows Morris E.. Sgt. 3rd Machine Gun Battalion
    • Barrs George W. Pte Yorks and Lancs Regiment
    • Barrs William A.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Barry Albert. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Barry DSO. Claud Barrington.
    • Barry DSO. Claud Barrington.
    • Barry Daniel. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Barry Denis. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barry Frank. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Barry Hubert Charles. Private Labour Corps
    • Barry J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barry J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barry J.. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Barry John Joseph. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Barry MM.. Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Barry Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Barry Michael. Pte. 5th Royal Irish Lancers
    • Barry Patrick. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Barry Patrick. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Barry Patrick. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Barry Patrick. Pte. 42nd Btn
    • Barry Peter. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Barry W.. Fmn. SS Lusitania
    • Barry William. Fmn. SS Adela
    • Barry William Francis. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Barry J/1194. William. LS
    • Barry William. Ldg Stok.
    • Barsby Charles W. W.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Barstow M.M.. Leonard. Cpl. Yorks&Lancs
    • Barter VC, MC.. Frederick. Capt. Royal Welch Fusiliers,
    • Barter Joseph. L/Cpl. Irish Guards
    • Barth Frank. Gnr. 24th Field Artillery Brigade
    • Bartholomew Harold Jack. Pte. 32nd Battalion
    • Bartle Albert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bartle Peter Frances. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Bartlem Hugh. Pte. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Bartlet Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bartlett Bertha. Nurse. Newfoundland VAD
    • Bartlett Francis Albert. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bartlett James. Pte. Canadian Mounted Rifles.
    • Bartlett Robert William. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Bartlett Sarah Ann. Nurse.
    • Bartlett Sidney Augustus. Pte. Royal Berkshire
    • Bartley Frank Howard. Pte. 32nd Battalion
    • Bartley George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bartley Harry Nelson. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bartley Owen. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Bartley Reginald. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Bartley Thomas James. 2nd Lt. 42nd Btn.
    • Bartley William. Sgt. 52nd Btn.
    • Barton . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Barton Abraham Dunn. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Barton Arthur. A/Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barton MM. Charles Henry. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Barton Cyril Frederick. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Barton Edward. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Barton Enoch. Able Sea. HMS Vanguard
    • Barton George. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Barton George Henry. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Barton H.. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Barton Herbert John. L/Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Barton James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barton . John Thomas. Sjt. Manchester Regiment
    • Barton John. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Barton Jonathan. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Barton MID. Nathaniel Dunbar. Col. 7th Light Horse Brigade
    • Barton T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barton Thomas Eyre. Lt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Barton Thomas Eyre. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Barton Vivian Alfred. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Barton W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Barton Walter. Rfm. Rifle Brigade
    • Bartram George Leopold. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bartrup Albert. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bartrup Walter. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Barugh Thomas Anthony. Pte. Green Howards
    • Barwise William. Private Sherwood Foresters
    • Barwood Robert Frankish. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bascom C.. Pte.
    • Bashford John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bashford Reuben Giles. Pte. Royal Sussex Rgt.
    • Bashforth Willie. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bashir Ahmad . Lascar
    • Basinger George Lewis. S/Sgt. Royal Army Ordance Corps
    • Basketfield William E.. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Baskeyfield Harold. Pte. London Regiment
    • Basnett Edward Hudson. Rfm. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)
    • Bason Arthur Henry. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Bass Matthew Henry. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corp
    • Bassett Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bassett VC.. Cyril Royston Guyton. Cpl. New Zealand Divisional Signal Company
    • Bassett Raymond. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bastable Sampson Edward. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Bastable Sampson Edward. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Baston William Edwell. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Batchan Arnot Ramsay. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Batchelor Charles Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Batchelor Ernest George. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Batchelor Herbert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Batchelor Isaac. Royal Naval Reserve
    • Batchelor Robert. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Batchford William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Batchford MM.. William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bate Albert Francis. Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bate Leonard. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Bate Richard Brenton. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Bate W. T.. Pte. 5th Btn.
    • Bate William Booth. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Bateman MM.. Arthur Cyril. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Bateman Frank. Pte. Yorks & Lancs Regiment
    • Bateman MM.. Fred. Pte.
    • Bateman Harold. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bateman Henry Ernest. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Bateman Herbert. Bmdr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Bateman Hubert Harry. 2nd.Lt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Bateman J F. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bateman Joseph. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bateman MID. Reginald John Godfrey. Capt. 46th Btn. (Saskatchewan Regiment)
    • Bateman Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bateman Wilfred Joseph. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bater John. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bates . Lt 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Bates . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Bates Edward. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Bates Eustace. Pte. 2nd Dragoon Guards
    • Bates Harold. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bates Hermann Robert Alfred. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Bates James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bates John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bates John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bates Lewis George. 2nd Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bates Martin. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bates Percy. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Bates Richard. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Bates Robert. A/Sgt. Corps Of Royal Engineers
    • Bates Robert James. Pte Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Bates Walter. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bates William Robert. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Bateson Joseph S.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bateson Richard Timperley. Royal Field Artillery
    • Batey J.W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Batey Wilfrid. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bath Albert Walter. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bath W. J.. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Bathard James. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Bathard Samuel. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Bathe George Edward. Sapper Canadian Engineers
    • Bathe John Victor. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bathe Percy. Painter1. HMS Penelope 1915
    • Bathe Stanley Albert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bathe William Harry. Cpl. Canadian Ordnance Corps
    • Bathgate James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Batte Sidney. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Batten MM and bar. Percy. Sgt. Royal West Surrey
    • Battensby Samuel. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Batterbee Charles. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Battersby A. W.. Lt. Connaught Rangers
    • Battersby Albert. Sig. HMS Princess Royal
    • Battersby G. L.. Mjr. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Battersby Jean.
    • Battisson Joseph. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Battley Horace. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Battman Frederick William. Sgt. acting WO The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Battrick George. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Batty Alfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Batty C. F.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Batty Nicholas. C.S.M. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Batty R.W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Batwell George. Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Baugh Harold. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Baulk Harry Percy. Pte. Queen's Royal West Surrey
    • Baum Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Baum William. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Baverstock John. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Brigade
    • Bawdon Ernest. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Baxendale . Matthew . Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Baxter Charles Roland James. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Baxter Christopher Henry. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Baxter David. Sgt. Argyll & Sutherland HIghlanders
    • Baxter Edward Felix. Lt. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Baxter Frederick Alexander. Pte. London Regiment
    • Baxter Harry. LL/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Baxter J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Baxter James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Baxter James Daniel. Private 77th Division
    • Baxter John William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Baxter John. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Baxter Matthew Orr. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Baxter Robert Samuel. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Baxter Robert Stephenson. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Baxter MM.. Samuel. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Baxter Sidney Charles Herbert. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Baxter Thomas. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Baxter W.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Baxter William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Baxter DSC. William. 308th Infantry Regiment
    • Baxter William Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Baxtrem Albert. Cpl Royal Field Artillery
    • Bayard William Henery. East Surrey Regiment
    • Bayes Percy Frederick George. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bayles Michael. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bayley C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bayley Peter Ferguson. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Baylie Edwin. Pte. 19th Hussars
    • Baylis Ernest Augustus . Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Bayliss Barnett. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bayliss Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bayliss Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bayliss Paul William Thomas. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Bayliss William Alexander. Sjt. Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars)
    • Bayly L. M.. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Baynes William Henry. 2nd Lt. Queens Royal West Surrey Rgt.
    • Baynes MM.. William Henry. 2nd Lt. Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Baynham Percy Frank. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Baziere Danile. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Beach James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Beacham Charles Joseph. L/Cpl. The Rifle Brigade
    • Beacham Rupert. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Beadham James. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Beadle Frederick George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Beadle John Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Beadle T. A.. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Beadon Frederick Searth. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Beak Charles Arthur. Pioneer Royal Engineers
    • Beakley . Walter . Lt. Sherwood Forresters
    • Beal Alfred Ernest. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Beal Edgar Joseph. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Beal VC.. Ernest Frederick. 2nd Lt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Beal Joseph Henry. Corporal Durham Light Infantry
    • Beal Percy. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Beal Percy. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Beale E. John. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Beale Harry. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Beale Joseph Daniel. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Bealey Percy. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Beament John Henry Robert. Pte. London Regiment
    • Beamer Ellis. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Beamer Ellis. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Beames Frank Rupert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Beamish H. G.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Beamish Tufton Percy Hamilton . Rear-Adm. HMS Cordelia
    • Beamont Fredrick. Pte. London Regiment
    • Beams E.. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Beamson A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bean Charles Edwin Woodrow. Capt.
    • Bean Edward Roy. Pte. 2nd Battalion
    • Bean Ernest Edward. 2nd Lt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Bearco Quince Noble. Royal Engineers
    • Beard Lewis Digby Mansell. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Beard Lewis Digby Mansell. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
    • Beard Wilfred. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Beard William. Pte. Army Cycle Corps
    • Beard William Grantham. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Beardmore MM.. Sidney. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Beardsmore . Sister No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Bearney Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Bearryman Thomas Edward. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Beary DCM. Daniel. Sgt. Royal Defence Corps
    • Beashel Nicholas. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Beashel Patrick. Able Sea. SS Beacon Light
    • Beashel William. Frmn. SS Beacon Light
    • Beasley . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Beason George. L/Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Beastall William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Beat Ronald Griffiths . Sherwood Foresters
    • Beatham VC. Robert Matthew. Pte 8th Battalion
    • Beatham VC.. Robert Matthew. Pte. 8th Btn.
    • Beatie Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Beaton Kenneth. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Beaton Norman. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Beaton William James. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Beatson Leonard Sydney. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Beatson Sydney Leonard. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Beattie Hugh. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Beattie J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Beattie James. L/Cpl. Black Watch
    • Beattie James. Sto HMS Marguerite
    • Beattie John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Beattie John. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Beattie Robert Kennedy. Sgt Royal Engineers
    • Beattie MM.. Thomas Leonard. Bmdr. 35th Siege Battery
    • Beattie Walter John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Beattie MiD.. William. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Beatty Benjamin George. 2nd Lt. 45th Squadron
    • Beatty Eric Edge. Lt. Connaught Rangers
    • Beatty Joseph. Pnr. Royal Engineers
    • Beatty Thomas. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Beauchamp Henry William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Beauchamp James John. PO. HMS Goliath
    • Beauchamp Patricia. Nurse First Aid Nursing Yeomanry
    • Beauchamp William Fredrick. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Beauchamp-Proctor VC, DSO, MC & Bar, DFC.. Andrew Frederick Weatherby. Capt.
    • Beaudoin Aime Arthur. Pvt. 309th Infantry Regiment
    • Beauffaux Albert Antoine Charles Jean B. G.. Sgt. 5 Linie 2/5 (Koloniale Troepen)
    • Beaumont Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Beaumont Arthur George. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Beaumont Charles. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Beaumont Ernest Alfred. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Beaumont Frank. Pte. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Beaumont Fred. CQMS. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Beaumont Harry. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Beaumont Reginald. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Beaumont Reginald. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Beaumont Robert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Beaumont Willie. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Beaumot-Edmonds William George. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Beaver Albert Richmond. L/Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire
    • Beaver Jacob David . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Beaver Robert. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Beaver Thomas Edward. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Beavers William Victor. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Beazley Robert Ernest. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Beba Harry Clarke. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Bebbington Alfred. Pte, Cheshire Regiment
    • Bebbington John W. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Beck Alfred James. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Beck Edgar. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Beck Frank. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Beck Frederick Charles. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Beck Herbert Charles. 2Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Beck James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Beck Jocelyn. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Beck Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Beckerwick Moses. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Becket E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Beckett Francis Xavier. L/Cpl. Corps of Royal Engineers
    • Beckett George. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Beckett Hubert Edge. 2nd.Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Beckett James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Beckett Pizarro William. Pte York and Lancs Regiment
    • Beckett Stanley. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Beckett Walter Beardshall. Pte. A Company 28th Division
    • Beckett William. Rfn Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Beckingsale John Edgar. 2nd Lt. Duke Of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Beckitt Harry. Pte South Wales Borderers
    • Beckwith Albert. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Beckwith Emmerson. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Beckwith James Moffat. Gnr, Royal Field Artillery
    • Becquet CdeG & 2Palms.. Jacques Jean Charles. Col.Sgt. 1st Line Regiment
    • Beddall Sidney John Arthur. Cpl. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Beddis Alfred Edward. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Beddoe Arthur. Lt.Col Welsh Regiment
    • Beddows John Thomas. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Beddows MM.. Joseph. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bedford Arthur. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bedford Percy William. Pte London Regiment
    • Bedford Walter Edward. Dvr. Corps Of Royal Engineers
    • Bedson Albert Clarence. Rifleman King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bedward Bertram Lonsdale. Pte. South Staffs Regiment
    • Bee Frank Sydney. L/Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bee George William. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Bee George. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Beeby E.. Pioneer. Royal Engineers
    • Beeby R.. 2nd Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Beech Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Beech John Henry. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Beecham Andrew Francis. 1st Australian Tunneling Company
    • Beechey Abel. Dvr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Beechey Albert. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Beechey Albert Ernest. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Beecroft William. L/Bmbdr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Beeden Florence Jane. Newstead Abbey
    • Beedham Arthur Leonard. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Beedham Arthur Leonard. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Beedie Charles Peter. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Beedie Joseph Clark. Pte. East Kent Buffs
    • Beer Alexander James. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Beer Edward Albert. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Beer Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Beer William Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Beers William. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Beesley Edward. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Beeson Francis Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Beeson Francis Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Beestone George. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Beet Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Begbie David Gibson. Spr. Royal Engineers.
    • Begg George M.. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Beggins James Joseph. Fireman. HMS Baralong
    • Beggs Joseph. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Beggs Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Beggs Thomas Alex Thompson. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Beggs Thomas Alexander Thompson. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Beglan Michael Joseph. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Beglan Michael. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Begley Denis Francis. Gnr. HMS Good Hope
    • Begley Henry Frederick. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Begley MM.. Thaddeus Richard. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Begley William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Behan James. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Behan John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Behan John. Sgt. Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars
    • Behan John Joseph. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Behan Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Behan Michael William. CQMS Hampshire Regiment
    • Behan Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Behan Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Behan Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Behan Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Behan Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Beirne Patrick. A/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Beirne William. 2nd Lt. 89th Squadron
    • Belaney Archibald Stansfeld. 13th (Montreal) Battalion
    • Belcher Edward Francis. Sgt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Belcher Walter Rose. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Belford Thomas. Pte.
    • Bell . Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell Thomas. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bell A. W.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell A.W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell Albert. 2nd Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bell Anthony M.. Lt. Tank Corps
    • Bell Arthur Osborne. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell Arthur D.. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Bell Arthur S.. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Bell Austin. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bell Cecil William James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Bell Charles Edwin. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Bell Christopher Brown. Pte Yorkshire Rgt (Green Howards)
    • Bell VC. Donald Simpson. 2nd Lt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bell Douglas George . L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bell Edgar William. Pte. 16th Btn.
    • Bell Edwin Charles. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell VC.. Eric Norman Frankland. Act. Capt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bell VC. Eric Norman Frankland. Capt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bell Ernest Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell Francis Norman. Ord.Sea. HMS Glasgow
    • Bell Fred. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bell G.W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell George. Sgt Middlesex Regiment
    • Bell George W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell MM.. Gilbert Fenwick. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Bell Gordon Thomas. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Bell Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bell Henry. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Bell Horace Creesor. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Bell Isaac. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell J.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell J.. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Bell J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell James. Nelson Btn
    • Bell James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell MM.. James. Border Regiment
    • Bell James. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bell MM. James. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Bell John William Dryden. Pte. 9th Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell DCM.. John Thomas. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bell John Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell John. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Bell John Peter. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Bell John. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bell John. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bell John Joseph. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bell John Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell John Duxfield. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell Joseph. Nelson Btn
    • Bell Joseph. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Bell Joseph Robert. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bell Lee. 2nd Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bell M. C.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell Mark. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell Matthew. Pte. Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell Patrick. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Bell Patrick. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bell Ray Lancaster. 2nd Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bell Reginald Atkinson. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Bell Richard. Cpl. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Bell Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Bell Robert William. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Bell Robert R.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Bell Robert Fleming. Capt. 25th Bn. Canadian Infantry
    • Bell Robert Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell MC.. Samuel Edward. Capt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Bell T.M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell T.W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell Thomas John. Rfn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bell Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell Thomas. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bell M.C. William James Knox. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bell William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bell William John Key. Pte Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Bell William J.. Rfm Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bell William James Alfred. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Bell William Wilson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell William. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bell William. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bell William. Pte Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bellairs E. D.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bellamy Charles Henry. CSM. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Bellamy Charles William. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bellamy Ernest Charles William. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bellamy . Fred . Pte.
    • Bellamy W.. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bellenie Arthur Leolin. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bellerby John Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bellett J. D.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bellew Ronald William. Pte. Royal Montreal Regiment
    • Bellis Alfred. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bellis Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bellis R. R.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bellringer John. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Bellward Victor. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Bellwood Alf.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bellwood Thomas. Pte. West Yorkshire (Prince of Wales Own) Regiment,
    • Belsey Ernest Edwin. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Belsey Walter Ernest. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Belshaw Albert James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Belshaw Frank. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Belson Sidney Victor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Belson Sidney Victor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Belt James Arthur. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Belthle Frank Hermann. Pte 14th Field Ambulance
    • Belton Frank. Pte. Prince of Wale's Own West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Belton John. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Belton Mich.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bemrose MM.. Jane. Nurse
    • Benbow Edwin J.. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Benbow John Francis. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Benbow John Henry. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Benbow Samuel Henry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Bence MM.. Paul Alfred. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Bench John. Sgt Royal Fusiliers
    • Bendle John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Benefer George Edward. L/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Beney Horace. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Benfield MM & Bar.. Joseph. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Benford A T. Rfn. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Benge Cecil John. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Benge Cecil John. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Benge William Edwin. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Benham William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Beniston Frank Percy. Pte. Royal Sussex Rgt.
    • Benjamin Louis. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Benjamin Peter Sirrug John. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Benner Sidney. CSM. Border Regiment
    • Bennet Andrew. Pte. Black Watch
    • Bennet George Thomas. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bennet James. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bennet MC.. James Hampton. 2nd. Lt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Bennett . Durham Light Infantry
    • Bennett Albert James. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Bennett Alex. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Bennett Alma Louisa. Matron HMHS Herefordshire
    • Bennett Arthur James. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Bennett Arthur. L/Cpl Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bennett . Benjamin . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bennett Charles Pinder. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Bennett Charles. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bennett Charles. L/Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Bennett David William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Bennett Edith. Womans Army Auxillary Corps
    • Bennett Edward Augustus Sharpe. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Bennett Edwin Fredrick Martin. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bennett Ernest Harold. Pte. Gloucester Regiment
    • Bennett Francis Evans. 2nd Lt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Bennett Frederick. Pte. 17th Batn.
    • Bennett Frederick R.. Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • Bennett Frederick Christian Richard. Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • Bennett Frederick. Gdsm. Irish Guards
    • Bennett Frederick George. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bennett George. Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Bennett George. Pte.
    • Bennett George. Royal Warwickshire
    • Bennett George. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bennett Harry Dare. Capt. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Bennett Henry Thomas. Stkr/1 HMS Pembroke II
    • Bennett Herbert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bennett James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bennett James. Pte. Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Bennett James. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Bennett James. Pte. Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Bennett James Mather. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bennett James West. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bennett James. Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
    • Bennett James. Pte South Lancashire Regiment
    • Bennett John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bennett John. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Bennett John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bennett John Thomas. Stkr1. HMS Tigress
    • Bennett John. Pte. Worcester Regiment
    • Bennett John Arthur. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Bennett John Thomas. Stkr. HMS Tigress
    • Bennett John L.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bennett Joseph. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bennett Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bennett . Oliver . Cpl.
    • Bennett Owen Hewitt D.. Lt.
    • Bennett Patrick. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bennett Robert William . Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bennett Roy Douglas. London Regiment
    • Bennett Samuel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bennett Samuel. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bennett Thomas Newbon. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Bennett Thomas. Pte
    • Bennett Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bennett Thomas. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Bennett Thomas. 2Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bennett M.M.. Walter Henry. Sergeant Royal Field Artillery
    • Bennett William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bennett William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bennett William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bennett William Edward. Sjt. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Bennett-Pitts MM.. Robert. A/Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bennett-Pitts MM.. Robert. A/Bmbr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bennetton MM. Albert Thomas. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Benneworth DCM, MID.. William Turner. RSM. Durham Light Infantry
    • Benneworth William. CSM Durham Light Infantry
    • Bennie Harold Edwin. Lt. 2nd Royal Marine Battalion
    • Bennison Arthur. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bennison Charles Joseph Henry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Benns MiD.. Herbert Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Benson George Courtney. Lt. 3rd Field Artillery Brigade
    • Benson George Henry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Benson DCM. Harold Stamp. CSM East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Benson Henry Walker. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Benson J. D.. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Benson Jacob. Able Sea. Howe Battalion
    • Benson Joseph. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Benson May. Nurse
    • Benson Richard. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Benson Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Benson Thomas. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Benson W. A.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Benson William Francis. S/Lt. Drake Btn.
    • Benson MM. William. L.Cpl Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bensted Gerald. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bent Frederick George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bent VC, MM. John. CSM. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bent John William. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bent VC DSO.. Philip Eric. Lt.Col. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Bentham James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bentham James. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bentham John. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bentham Robert. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Bentham Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bentinck MID. Henry Duncan. Mjr. Coldstream Guards
    • Bentinck MID.. Rudolf Walter. Admiral.
    • Bentley Alfred. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Bentley Cecil. Sgt. Royal Army Observer Corps
    • Bentley Charles. Cpl. North Staffordshire Regt
    • Bentley F.. L/Cpl. K.O.Y.L.I.
    • Bentley Fred. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Bentley George Albert Alexander. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Bentley George. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Bentley George. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Bentley Harry. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bentley Harry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Bentley Herbert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bentley J. B.. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Bentley James Edward. Pte. South Irish Horse
    • Bentley John. QMS. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bentley Joseph Henry. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Bentley Joseph. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bentley Oscar Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bentley T.E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bentley Thomas Harold. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bentley MID. Thomas Frederick. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Bently Lionel Charles. Sherwood Foresters
    • Benton Reginald. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Benton Thomas Charles. Sgt. Green Howards
    • Benton William. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Benwell Percy. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Benyon William. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Beresford MM. Charles. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Beresford James Gilbert. Pte King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Beresford John M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Beresford Thomas. Pte. Green Howards
    • Beresford William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Berg A. H.. Nelson Btn
    • Berg Wilbert Nugent . Sgt. 18th Battalion
    • Bergin Joseph. SSgt. Irish Guards
    • Bergman Frederick George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bergman Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Berkovitz G.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bermingham John. Pte. 56th Btn.
    • Bermingham Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bermingham William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Bern Hubert Thomas Sidney. Mechn
    • Bernard Robert. Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bernard Thomas. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Berne Patrick William. Sgt. 15th (Central Ontario) Battalion
    • Bernes James. L/Cpl. Kings Rgt. (Liverpool)
    • Bernes James. L/Cpl. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Bernes Michael. L/Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Berney David. L/Sgt. Connaught Rangers
    • Bernstein Myer. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bernstein Simon. Rfm. Rifle Brigade
    • Berridge George. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Berridge Harold Sydney. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Berridge Harry Leonard. Pte Leicestershire Regiment
    • Berry Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Berry Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Berry Daniel. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Berry Dennis Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Berry E.. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Berry George Wilfred. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Berry George William. A/Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Berry Gordon Cedric. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Berry Henry. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Berry Henry Patterson. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Berry John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Berry John. Pte 6th
    • Berry Michael. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Berry Samuel. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Berry Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Berry William Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Berry William Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Berryman Daniel William. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Berryman F. J.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Berryman Paul. HMS Gloucester
    • Bertenshaw Clifford. F/O. 105 Squadron
    • Bertie James Avis. Pte. Black Watch
    • Besant Arthur. Pte. Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry
    • Besford Thomas Dean. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bessant Alex. CSM. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Bessent Thomas Knock. HMS Forward
    • Besserer Theodore. Pte. 49th Battalion
    • Best A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Best Alfred. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Best Arthur Charles. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Best Christopher. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Best Hugh. Fus. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Best John. Pte. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment
    • Best Patrick. Pion. Royal Engineers
    • Best Robert Tennant. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Best William George. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Best-Dunkley VC.. Bertram. Lt/Col. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Bester Arthur Bannard. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Beswick Frederick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bethune Douglas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Bethune MM & Bar.. George Gow. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Bethune Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bethune Thomas. Machine Gun Corps
    • Betson James William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Betteridge Frederick Alfred James. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Bettinson George. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bettles Fredick Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bettles J.. 2nd Lt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Betts Alfred. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Betts Charles Alfred. Sgt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Betts Ferguson Henry. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Betts Frederick. Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Betts George. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire Rgt.
    • Betts Gerald Herbert. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Betts John. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Betts DCM.. Richard Member. Sgt. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Betts Richard Thomas . Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Betts Walter Herbert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bevan Bertram George. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Bevan Isaac. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bevan John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Bevan Rochus Edward. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Bevan Thomas. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Beveley H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Beveridge James O'Shaughnessy. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Beverstein Abraham. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Beville Alfred Geoffrey. 2nd Lt. London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles)
    • Bevins Arthur Edward. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Bevis Frederick G.. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Bewes Reginald Charles Hope. Lt. 7 Squadron
    • Bewick F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bewley John. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Bews William Samuel. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Bexfield Albert Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bexon Arthur. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Beynon Ernest William. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Beynon Walter James. L/Sea HMS India
    • Beynon William Hayden. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Bezant Albert Edward. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bezley William George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bezuidenhout G.. Pte. Graaff-Reinet Commando
    • Bibbins MM.. Henry. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bibby CdeG.. Joseph William. A/Sgt.Mjr. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bibby Samuel. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Bible Geoffrey Roskell. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Bick Albert Charles. Pte. West Surrey Regiment
    • Bick Albert Charles. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Bick Gilbert Walter. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Bicker Claude Thomas. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Bicker Henry Hill. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bickerton . Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bickle John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Bickle John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Bickle Thomas. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Bicknell Arthur John . Gnr. Royal Garrison Artilley
    • Bicknell Harold. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Biddis John Henry. Pte Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Biddle Frederick Leslie. Mjr. 2nd Field Artillery
    • Biddle Samuel Arthur. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Biddulph Robert Assheton. 2nd Lt. Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)
    • Bidewell John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bidwell George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bielby Arthur. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Biffen Stanley George. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bigelow MID.. Braxton. Capt. Royal Engineers
    • Biggadike Riley. Sjt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Biggane Michael Daniel. Pte. Canadian Army Service Corps
    • Biggart Robert. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Biggin Robert Rowland. Pte York & Lancaster Regt.
    • Biggins Patrick John. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Biggs Edward Frank. Cpl. Dorset Regiment
    • Biggs Ernest Alfred. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Biggs Francis Charles. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Biggs George. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Biggs DCM.. H.. Lt. 6th Dragoon Guards
    • Biggs James. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Biggs John Austin. Norfolk Regiment
    • Biggs Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Biggs William Edwin. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Bigley Daniel. Able Sea. HMS. Natal
    • Bignell Lambert Jack. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Bignell William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bihet Marcel George. Driver Royal Field Artillery
    • Bilbrough Arthur Eldon. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Bilclough John. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Bilclough Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bilding Frederick. Pte. London Regiment
    • Biles George Lucas. Pte. 62nd Battalion
    • Bill Douglas Aylmer. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Biller Edward John. Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Billing Frederick. Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Billing Frederick. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Billingham Arthur. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Billings Albert Edward. Pte. 1/19th London
    • Billings R. H.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Billingsley John Alexander. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Billington Frederick James. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Billington Henry Charles. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Bilsdon Thomas Alfred. Pte. 7th Dragoon Guards
    • Bilton George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bilton George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bilton James. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bilton Ralph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Binder MM.. Arthur Robert. Sgt. Middlesex Regimant
    • Bing Harry Leslie. Army Service Corps
    • Bingham Alfred. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bingham C. E.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bingham James. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bingham Robert James. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bingham Victor A.. Pvt.
    • Bingley Joseph. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bingley Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bingley William. A/Bmbdr. SS Umballa
    • Binks Alfred. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Binks Harry Maddison. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Binks James Richard. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Binks Reginald Arthur. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Binks Walter. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Binnell Samuel Thomas. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Binnie Arnold. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Binnington H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Binnion T.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Binns MM.. Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Binns Ernest. Rfm. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Binns John. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Binns Reginald. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Binns Reginald. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Binns Walter. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bin_Saiyid Ali. Seedie H.M.S. Challenger.
    • Birch Albert William. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Birch Arthur. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Birch MM. Frank Ernest. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Birch Henry. CPO HMS Contest
    • Birch Rupert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Birch William. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Birch William Horrocks. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Birch MC.. William Claud Kennedy. Mjr. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Birchall A. H.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Birchall Arthur Percival. Lt.Col. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bird Alfred Thomas. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bird Alfred Allan. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Bird MID.. Edward. A/Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bird Francis Thomas. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Bird Frederick Charles. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Bird H.. Lt. Grenadier Guards
    • Bird Hedley Alfred. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bird Hedley Alfred. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bird Hedley Alfred. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bird Herbert. Ord Sea. SS Braefield
    • Bird Herbert. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Bird James McArther. Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Bird John Henry. Pte. York & Lanccaster Regiment
    • Bird John Henry. Pte. Yorks and Lancs Regiment
    • Bird Leslie William. Boy. HMS Invincible
    • Bird Robert George. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bird Robert James. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Bird Robert William. Stok1. HMS Derwent
    • Bird MC.. William Herbert. Lt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bird William. Able Sea. HMS Challenger
    • Bird William Millar. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Bird William Ernest. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Birkbeck George William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Birkbeck DFC.. Robert Alexander. 2Lt. 1 Sqd.
    • Birkbeck DFC.. Robert Alexander. Capt. 1 Squadron
    • Birkby Henry Alexander. 2nd Lt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Birkby Henry Alexander. 2nd Lt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Birkby Louis Cain. Cpl
    • Birket Victor. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Birkett Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Birkett J.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Birkett J.B.. Lsgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Birkett William Robert. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Birkinshaw MM.. Jesse. L/Cpl. Royal Highlanders
    • Birks Arthur Reginald. L-Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Birks Benson. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Birks VC MM. Frederick. 2nd Lt. 6th Btn
    • Birks VC MM.. Frederick. Lt. Australian Infantry
    • Birks George. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Birks Harold Victor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Birlinson Stanley. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Birlison W.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Birmingham Thomas. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Birmingham William Arthur. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Birney Rod.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Birney William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Birnie George Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Birnie Robert. Rifleman Royal Irish Rifles
    • Birnie Robert. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Birnie Thomas. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Birrell James. Pte Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Birrell Peter. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Birt Daniel Francis. Pte. London Regiment
    • Birthistle George Herbert. Off.Stwd. HMS Kestrel
    • Birtwistle DCM & Bar.. Fred. CSM. Rifle Brigade
    • Bisatt George Noel. A/Capt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bish Harold. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bishop Abel. Pte. Yorkshire Hussars
    • Bishop Arthur. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bishop Charles. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bishop Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bishop Charles. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bishop Charles. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bishop Charles Thomas. A/Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bishop E.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Bishop Frederick Bertram Walter. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bishop Frederick Bertram Walter. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bishop George Ewart. Private Royal Fusiliers
    • Bishop George Ewart. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bishop George. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bishop George. Sgt. 42nd Bn
    • Bishop George Harry. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bishop Harry. Pte Cameron Highlanders
    • Bishop Herbert Doughty. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bishop Herbert Victor. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Bishop John Frederick. Spr. Royal Engineers.
    • Bishop John Charles. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bishop Peter. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bishop T.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bishop Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bishop William James. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Bishop William Charles. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bishopp MM.. Stephen. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bishton Daniel James. L/Bmbdr. Royal Garison Artilery
    • Bispham Richard Thomas. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bissell Samuel Elisha. Bombardier Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bisset Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bissmire Alfred. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Bisson Ralph Aisthorpe.
    • Biswell Harry George. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Biterlich Ernest John. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Bithell Lewis. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bitterlich Ernest John. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Bittleston P.. Sig. HMS Almanzora
    • Bittleston P.. Sig. HMS Almanzora
    • Bixby Charles. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Blabey John Richard. Lt King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Black . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Black A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Black Archibald. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Black David. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Black Edward. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Black MM, DCM.. George Harold . Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Black Harold E.. Pte. 78th Btn.
    • Black James. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Black John Arthur. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Black John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Black Lewis Younie. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Black Myer. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Black Peter. Pte. Black Watch
    • Black R.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Black Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Black William. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Black MM, DCM.. William Crosbie. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Blackadder Gilbert Brown Ritchie. Cpl Highland Light Infantry
    • Blackadder Thomas. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Blackbird George. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blackburn A.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Blackburn Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Blackburn Frederick. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Blackburn Herbert. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Blackburn J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blackburn James. L/Cpl Royal Fusiliers
    • Blackburn John Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Blackburn R. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Blackburne DSO.. Charles Harold. Lt.Col. Dragoon Guards
    • Blackburne DSO MID. Charles Harold. Lt.Col. 5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte of Wales's)
    • Blacker Cecil Francis. Lt. Connaught Rangers
    • Blacker-Douglass MC.. R. St. John. Irish Guards
    • Blackett G. E.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Blackett Patrick Maynard Stuart. Lt. HMS Barham
    • Blackett Thomas. Cpl. Green Howards
    • Blackett W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blackhall George Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blackham Clarence. 2nd Lt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Blackham Victor Charles. Pte Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Blackhurst Frank. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Blacklock John. Pte. The Black Watch
    • Blacklock MM.. Thomas Edward. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Blackman A. Pte. London Regiment
    • Blackman Arthur. L/Cpl. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Blackman George Ebenezer. Pte London Regiment
    • Blackman John. Pte. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
    • Blackman Leslie Crompton. Pte. 5th Battalion
    • Blackman Sidney Jacob. L?Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Blackmore Arthur James Cyril. Pte Glos. Regiment
    • Blackmore Arthur James Cyril. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Blackmore Bernard. Sgt Glos. Regiment
    • Blackmore Charles Henry Claude. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Blackmore Ewart Gladstone. 2nd Lt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Blackmore Frank Wesley. 2nd Lt. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Blackmore Frank Wesley. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Blackmore Handel Richard. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Blackmore James. 2nd Eng. SS Rhineland
    • Blackmore John. 2nd.Hand. Royal Naval Reserve
    • Blackstock Duncan. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Blackwell Albert Christie. Oxfordshire& Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Blackwell Arthur Frederick. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Blackwell MM.. Charles William. Pte Gloucester Regiment
    • Blackwell Charles Edgar. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blackwell Cyril. 2nd. Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Blackwell Francis. Clerk
    • Blackwell Hubert George. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Blackwell Ishmael. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Blackwell Thomas. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Blackwell Walter. Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Blackwood James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blackwood William. Sto.
    • Bladen F. Charles H.. Pte. Yorks and Lancs Regt
    • Blades David. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Blades F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blades Richard Edmund . Eng5. HMAT A48 Seang Bee
    • Blades Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bladon Frederick Charles. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Bladon Harry. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Blagdon George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blaikie Hugh. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Blain Cecil. 2nd Lt.
    • Blair . Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Blair A. G.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Blair John. Skr. Royal Naval Brigade
    • Blair John Cochrane. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Blair M.. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Blair R.. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Blair R.. Rfn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Blair Stephen Robert. Chief Eng. SS Ilaro
    • Blair T.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Blair William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Blair MID.. William. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Blake Alfred Joseph William. T/Lt. Connaught Rangers
    • Blake Bertram George. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Blake Charles George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Blake Charles Albert. Sgt. Royal Marine light Infantry
    • Blake E. A. C.. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Blake MC.. Francis William. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Blake Frederick James. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Blake George W.. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Blake Harry Douglas. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Blake James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Blake James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Blake John. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Blake John. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Blake John Horace. L/Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Blake Reginald. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Blake Thomas. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Blake William Peter. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Blakeborough MM.. George Ivor. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Blakeborough MM.. George Ivor. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Blakeborough Stanley. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blakeley Edward. Stokr. HMS Natal
    • Blakeley Ernest. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Blakelock Thomas William. Pte. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Blakeman George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Blakeman Hubert Harold. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Blakeman DCM.. Richard Leonard. L/Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Blakeman MM. Robert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Blakemore Denis Jetson. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Blakemore Joseph Henry. Gnr. 119th Siege Battery
    • Blakemore Thomas William. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Blakeston Frederick James. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Blakey James Robert. Pte.
    • Blakey James Robert. Pte. 1st Btn.
    • Blakey John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Blakey John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Blakey Percy. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Blakey Thomas Muir. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Blakey William Oliver Richard. 4th Eng.Off. SS Caithness
    • Blampied Charles William. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Blanch Charles. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Blanch George Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blanchard Sidney John. Pte. Cameron Highlanders (Queens Own)
    • Bland . Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Bland DCM.. Charles James. QMS. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bland Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bland Ernest. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Bland Ernest. L/Cpl. York & Lancashire Regiment
    • Bland Herbert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bland Herbert Arthur Edwards. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Bland Roy Maurice. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bland Wilfred Henry. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Bland William Arthur. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Blandford Albert Edward. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Blandy . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Blaney . Ldg.Stk. HMS Indefatigable
    • Blaney H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blankley Christopher. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Blanks Alfred Walter. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Blanksby Harry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Blanshard Albert. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Blashford William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Blaskett William Edward. Pte. 10th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Blay Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bleakledge Herbert Arnold. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Bleakley . 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bleasdale Samuel Mason. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Blease MM.. Emmanuel. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Blenkinsop J. W.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Blenkinsopp John.
    • Blenkinsopp Joseph. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Blenkiron Alfred Victor. 2nd Lt.
    • Blewett John Marrack. Ldg Seaman. SS Alnwick Castle
    • Blewitt Frank. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blewitt Fred. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Blewitt William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bligh John. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Blight Sidney Harry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Blight Thomas Henry. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Blinco DCM.. Charles William. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Bliss A,. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bliss D. G.. London Regiment
    • Blockley Edward. AB. Royal Naval Division
    • Blockley Lionel Edward. Sgt Royal Fusiliers
    • Blomeley Frederick George. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Blood Michael. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Bloom . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Bloom Bertram. 2nd Lt. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Bloom Harold. Lt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Blooman Henry. Pte. 48th Battalion
    • Bloomer James. Pte 2nd Dragoon Guards
    • Bloomfield M.M.. Alfred. L/Corporal Durham Light Infantry
    • Bloomfield Arthur Henry. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bloomfield Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Bloomfield Robert. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bloor William Henry. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bloore Arthur Cyril. Pte South Nottinghamshire Hussars
    • Blore William Elize. Middlesex Regiment
    • Blouin A.. Pte. 163rd Btn.
    • Blow Harry. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Blower Alfred. Pte. East Surrey Rgt.
    • Blower Charles. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Blower Charles. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Blowers William Benjamin. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Blowman Charles Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Blows MID.. E. J.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Bloxham Edwin Charles. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bloxham William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bloy Alfred Isles. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Blue Alexander. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blues Ritchie. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Blumrick W. R.. Pte. 5th Infantry (Kaffrarian Rifles)
    • Blundell Albert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Blundell William Richard. Pte. 47th Btn.
    • Blunden Robert. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Blute Frederick William. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Blyth DCM, MM. George. CSM. Manchester Regiment
    • Blyth Stephen. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Blyth Thomas.
    • Blyth William. Pte. Black Watch
    • Blythe F.. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Blythe John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Blythe Stephen Edward. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Blyton DCM. W. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Boag John. L/Cpl Cameron Highlanders
    • Boag Thomas. Pte Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Boak Thomas William. Drv. Army Service Corps
    • Boak Thomas William. Drvr. Army Service Corps
    • Boal DCM.. William James. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Boam S.. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Boar Albertine Thomas. Pte. Queen's Own Royal West Kent
    • Board A.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Board William Thomas. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Board William John. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Boardman David Patrick. Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Boardman Edward. L/Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Boardman Ephraim. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boardman John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Boardman John. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Boatman Thomas James. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bobby Sidney Fitzgerald. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bochkareva Maria. 1st Russian Women's Battalion of Death
    • Boddington Thomas.
    • Boddy Joseph. Durham Light Infantry
    • Boddy William Edward. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Boddy William. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Boden William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bodger H. W.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bodie Thomas. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Bodill William Henry. Bdn. 10th (Prince of Wales' Own Royal) Hussars
    • Bodimeade Joseph John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bodinner Charles Edgar. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Bodle G.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bodsworth Richard. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Body Bertha. VAD. Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Body Frank. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Body DSO, MID.. John. Col. East Kent Regiment
    • Body Vernon Aubry. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Boe James. L/Cpl. 4th Battalion
    • Boggan Thomas Patrick. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bogha . Sepoy 74th Punjabis
    • Bogie Hugh Stirling. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Bogle George L.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Bohan R.. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Bohannan William George. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Bohill Percy. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Boiling William. Sgt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Boiston John Allan.
    • Bolam Edward Norman. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bolam MM.. John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bolam MM.. John. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bolam Matthew. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Boland Christopher. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boland David. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boland . Harold George. L/Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Boland James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boland James. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Boland John. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boland Patrick. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Boland Peter. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boland Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boland Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bolch Samuel Walter. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Bole James Joseph. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Boler George Henry. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Boley Wilfred. PO. HMS Turbulent
    • Bolger Edward. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bolger John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bolger Michael. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bolger P.. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Bolger Patrick. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Bolger Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bolger Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bolger Peter. Sgt. Labour Corps
    • Bolger William John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bollands Frederick James. Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment
    • Bollands Walter. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bolsom J. H.. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bolsom J. H.. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bolster C. Hawkes. Capt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bolt Ernest John. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bolton Earl. Pte. Canadian Machine Gun Corps.
    • Bolton Edward. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bolton George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bolton Horatio Nelson. A/Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Bolton James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Bolton MID.. James Henry Adolphus Tremayne. CPO. HMS Moorsom
    • Bolton John. Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bolton Reginald John. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bolton MC & Bar. Richard. Captain Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Bolton Stanley Reeves. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Bolton Walter. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Bolton Walter G.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bolton William. Sto. HMS Queen Mary
    • Bolton William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bolton William. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Bolton MM. Willie. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bolus Herbert. Sgt South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bonas A.G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bonas Andrew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bond Alfred. L/Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Bond Andy. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Bond MID. Arthur Howe. CSM. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bond C.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bond Charles Nesbitt. Lt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bond MM.. Francis. WO2. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Bond Frederick Lewis. Gnr. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bond Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bond MID. Frederick Lewis. Pte. Warwicks
    • Bond Frederick Alexander. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Bond George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bond H.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bond DSO.. Henry Hendley. Brevet Col. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bond Joseph. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bond Leonard. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Bond MM and Bar. Michael. CSM Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bond Milton. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Bond R. C.. Col. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bond DSO.. Reginald Copleston. Lt.Col. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bond T. M.. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bond Thomas Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bond Thomas. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bond Thomas Percy. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bond Thomas Richard. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bond Wilfrid Lyon. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Bond MM.. William Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bond William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bonds George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bone Clement John. Welch Regiment
    • Bone George Harry. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bone Henry. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Bone Henry. Pte. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Bone Sydney. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bone William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bonell John. Yorks&Lancs
    • Bonfield MSM.. Jabez Edwin. BSM. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bonham Herbert George. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Boniface Charles Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bonnar John. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Bonner Alexander Ironside. Pte Gordon Highlanders
    • Bonner George Albert. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bonner George William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Bonner J.. Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bonner James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bonner Robert Henderson . Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Bonner DSO. Singleton. Lt/Col. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bonner William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bonnett Frederick William Lovell. Lt. Drake Battalion
    • Bonnett John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Bonnie Joseph. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Bonning Bramwell Harry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bonsall Harold Reevely. L/Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bonynge Stephan. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boocock James. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boodle Donald Edward. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Booker Henry. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Booker John Alexander. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Bookman Myer. Drv. Army Service Corps
    • Booley George. L/Cpl. 5th Infantry Battalion
    • Boomer MC.. Walter Charter. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Boon DCM.. Ernest. Sjt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Boon John Charles. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Boon Samuel. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Boos F.. Pte 1st Cape Btn.
    • Boosey Bertie. Pte. Essex Reigiment
    • Bootes O. E.. Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Booth A.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Booth Alfred George. Suffolk Regiment
    • Booth Angus. Pte. Duke of Wellington 1st
    • Booth Archie. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Booth Arthur. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Booth Cecil Richard. 2nd Lt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Booth Charles. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Booth Daniel. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Booth Edwun F.. L/Cpl. Connaught Rangers
    • Booth George. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Booth H.. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Booth Herbert Gladstone. GQMS. Royal Field Artillery
    • Booth Herbert Gladstone. QMS Royal Field Artillery
    • Booth Hudson. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Booth James Edward. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Booth James. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Booth Job. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Booth John Hamilton. Pte. 7th (British Columbia) Btn
    • Booth John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Booth John Partington. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Booth John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Booth John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Booth John. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Booth John. 155th Bty.
    • Booth MM.. John Thomas . Sgt.Maj. Durham Light Infantry
    • Booth Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Booth Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Booth S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Booth Sydney Crawford. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Booth Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Booth Tom. L/Cpl. Duke of Wellington's West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Boothby William. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Boothman Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boothman Alexander Robertson. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boothman Henry. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boothroyd Sam. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bootle H.. Spr. Royal Engineers.
    • Booyson Jan Benson. Rflmn. 2nd
    • Boraston James Richard. CSM. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Border Harry. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Border Richard Henry. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Boreham MM.. Victor Dennis. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Borland George McPherson. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Borley Edgar. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bornet Jules. Pte. Royal Hampshire Regiment
    • Borrett Adam. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Borrow Arthur. L/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Borrowes Kildare Henry. Midship. HMS Queen Mary
    • Borrows T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Borthistle W. J.. 2nd Lt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Borthwick Chas.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bory Charles Alexander. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Boryer Alfred. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bosley Albert. Pte Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Bosley Edward Charles. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bosley Herbert John. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Bosomworth George Samuel. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bosomworth Roland. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bosonnet Henry Victor. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Boss MM.. John William. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Boss OBE, MC, MID.. Thomas Harry. Capt. London Regiment
    • Bostock Bertie Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bostock Harold Leslie. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Bostock-Smith C.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Boston . Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Boston Hubert Frederick. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Boston John Joseph. Pte 87th Btn
    • Bosustow William James. Pte. 22nd Battalion
    • Boswell Archibald. Sgt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Boswell David. Rfm. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Boswell David. Pte. Kings Royal Rifles Corps
    • Boswell James. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Boswell William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Bosworth Arthur Richard. CPO
    • Botcher Albert Frederick. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Bothamley Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bothamley Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bothick John Richard. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Bothma B. J. E.. Cpl. 5th Regiment
    • Bothwell Alexander Burness. Pte. Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Bothwell MM.. Frank. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Bothwell Gavin Robert. L/Cpl. Cameron Highlanders
    • Bothwell R.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bothwell Thomas Henry. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bott MM.. John William. S/Sgt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Botting S.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Botto Frank. Pte. Machine Gun Corps.
    • Botto William.
    • Bottomley Herbert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Bottomley Herbert. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Bottomley MM.. James. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancasters
    • Bottomley Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bottoms MM.. Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Bottrill Alexander. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bottrill Alexander. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Boucher Alfred Henry. Boy
    • Boucher Charles Leo. 102nd Infantry Regiment
    • Boucher F.. Pte. 9th
    • Boud William Cuthbert. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Boughey VC.. Stanley Henry Parry. 2nd.Lt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Boughey VC.. Stanley Henry Parry. 2nd.Lt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Boughey Thomas. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Boughton Albert. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Boughton Colonel Edward. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Boughton E.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Boughton Robert. Sgt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Bouglas Andrew. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Bould George. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Bould Thomas. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Boulding Edward. Capt. Royal East Kent Regiment
    • Boulding Edward. Capt. East Kent Regiment
    • Boulding Frank Thomas. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Boulger John. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Boulton Charles William. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Boulton Charles Vernon. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Boulton George G.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Boulton James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Boulton Raymond Wright. L/Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Boulton Stephen Philip. Lt. 2nd Field Artillery Brigade
    • Boulton William Ernest. Able.Sea. Drake Battalion
    • Boulton William. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Boumphrey John George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bounds Joseph. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Bourhill Robert. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Bourhill William. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Bourke John Joseph. Lt. 5th Infantry Battalion
    • Bourke Thomas Leslie. 2nd Lt. Royal Air Force
    • Bourne Eleanor. Major
    • Bourne George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bourne James Matthes. 2nd Lt.
    • Bourne Ralph. 2Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bourne Reginald Charles. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Bourne Richard Thomas. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Bourne William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bourner Herbert Frederick. Pte. London Regiment
    • Bourque Eugene Valentine.
    • Bousfield MM. Edward Albany. L/Cpl Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bousfield J. K.. Lt.
    • Bousfield Sydney Hudson. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boutke Joseph P. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bovis Daniel. Pte. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Bowater Frederick. Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Bowater Thomas. Rfn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Bowdary . Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowden Albert Ernest. Pte. 32nd Battalion
    • Bowden Charles. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Bowden Frederick. RSM. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bowden Patrick. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bowden Robert William. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Bowden S.. Pte. 5th Regiment
    • Bowder Albert E.. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment
    • Bowditch John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bowditch John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bowe Albert Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowen Alfred William. Pte. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Bowen Daniel Rufus. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Bowen E.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bowen G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bowen DSO CDG. Hugh Rice. Col.
    • Bowen John. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bowen Thomas Henry. 2nd Lt. Leinster Regiment
    • Bowen MM & Bar.. Vincent. A/Sgt. 18th Battalion
    • Bowen-Colthurst Robert MacGregor. Capt. Leinster Regiment
    • Bower Joseph William. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Bower Samuel Henry. Pte. 115th Trench Mortar Battalion
    • Bowerman James. Pte. Northamptonshire Rgt.
    • Bowerman William. Pte. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Bowers A. H. M.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowers George David. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Bowers Harry.
    • Bowers Robert. Gnr. 36th (Australian) Heavy Artillery Group
    • Bowers Thomas James. Lt. Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment
    • Bowes . Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowes Christopher. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bowes Edward Whittaker. Pte. Lancashire Regiment
    • Bowes Edward Whittaker. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bowes Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowes Hugh. Lt Col Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowes James B.. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Bowes John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Bowes John. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bowes John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bowes John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bowes Leonard. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bowes Matthew. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowes Matthew Elijah. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Bowes Matthew Elijah. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Bowes Michael. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bowes Norman. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Bowes Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bowes Robert. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowes Roper E.. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowes Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bowes William George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowhill Wilfred Thompson . Rifle Brigade
    • Bowick Charles Graham. Young Mens Christian Association
    • Bowick William Robie . 2nd.Lt. 12th Training Squadron
    • Bowie Edward John. Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bowie James. TR. CK. H.M. Drifter Morning Star IV
    • Bowie John. Engineman H.M. Drifter Morning Star IV.
    • Bowker MC.. Archibald Edgar Baron. Capt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bowker Herbert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Bowker Herbert Henry. Gdsmn. Grenadier Guards
    • Bowker John Ryther Steer. Pte. King Edwards Horse (Overseas Dominions Regiment)
    • Bowker Sydney. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Bowland George Henry. Pte Berkshire Regt
    • Bowler Edward. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Bowler Edward St.Kentigern. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Bowler Harold. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bowler Leonard. Sgt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Bowles Augustine. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Bowles Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Bowley Herbert. Cpl. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Bowley Thomas Henry. CSM. Border Regiment
    • Bowling Albert. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Bowling Albert. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Bowman Anthony. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bowman Archibald. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bowman Frederick Brewis. Hood Battalion
    • Bowman Frederick John. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bowman George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowman Henry Frederick. Rifleman Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bowman James. Pte Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bowman L.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bowman Leslie Emanuel. Pte. 4th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Bowman M.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowman Matthew Nielson. Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Bowman R. W.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Bowman Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bowman Walter. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bown Daniel. Pte. Loyal North Lancs
    • Bown Robert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Bown Thomas Harry. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Bownes . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Bowran Harry. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Bowran Thomas Darling. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowry James. Lt 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Bowsher . Thomas Leonard. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Bowsher Thomas Leonard. Royal Berkshire Regimenr
    • Bowtell James. L/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bowyer Ernest. Sgt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bowyer MM.. Ernest. Sjt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bowyer William. Pte. Buckinghamshire Yeomanry (Royal Bucks Hussars)
    • Box . Durham Light Infantry
    • Box F.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Box Frank Charles. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Boxall Frederick James. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Boxall Frederrick James. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Boxall Joseph John. Rflmn Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Boxall Percy John. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Boxwell Francis Jeffares Tilson. Able.Sea. HMS Good Hope
    • Boyce MSM.. Arthur Henry. Sgt. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Boyce Charles Barry. A/QMS Durham Light Infantry
    • Boyce John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Boyce John McMaster. Rfmn. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Boyce John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boyd Alexander Kerr. Cpl. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Boyd Austin Dewitt. Pvt. 166th Infantry Regiment
    • Boyd David. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Boyd Frank. L/Cpl. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Boyd Henry Alfred. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boyd Herbert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Boyd J.P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boyd James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Boyd John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boyd John. Pte. Manchester Regt.
    • Boyd John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Boyd Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boyd Joseph. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Boyd Robert. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Boyd Robert. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Boyd Samuel. Rflmn.
    • Boyd Thomas. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boyd William Sinclair. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boyd William. 2nd Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boyd William Hatchell. 2nd Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boyde MM.. William. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Boyde MM. William. Pte Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Boydell John. Sgt. 72 Squadron
    • Boyden Charles Fred. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Boydon John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Boyer Herbert James. Private London Regiment
    • Boyer Percy. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Boyers Edwin. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Boyes Alfred. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Boyes James. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boylan Edward. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Boylan Joseph. L/Sgt. York and Lancashire Regiment
    • Boylan Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boylan Patrick. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Boylan Robert. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Boyle Allan. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Boyle Connell. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Boyle Edward. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Boyle George Magness. Able.Sea. SS Thracia
    • Boyle Henry. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Boyle J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boyle MC MID.. John Kemmy. Capt, Royal Irish Rifles
    • Boyle John. Fireman. SS Hare
    • Boyle John. L/Cpl. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Boyle MID. John Charters. Major Royal Engineers
    • Boyle John George. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Boyle MID.. John Charters. Major. Royal Engineers
    • Boyle Michael. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Boyle Richard. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boyle T. W.. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Boyle Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps.
    • Boyle Thos.W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boyle William Thomas. Able Sea. HMTB 92
    • Boylett Frederick. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Boyne Edward. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boyne Joseph. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Boyne Michael. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boyne Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Boynes Joshua. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boynes M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Boynton George. Able Sea. HMS Narbrough
    • Boys S.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Boys-Stones R.. Capt. adj. Durham Light Infantry
    • Boyton Arthur Frank. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Boyton MC.. Jack Lyons. Lt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Brabazon MID. Alan. Cpt. Leinster Regiment
    • Brabazon Alan A.. Capt Leinster Regiment
    • Brabazon Anthony Godsell. Gunner Field Artillery Brigade
    • Brabazon Ernest William. Capt. Coldstream Guards
    • Brabazon Francis Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brabazon Frank. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brabazon Frank F.. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brabazon George Bernard. Private Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Brabazon George Bernard. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Brabazon MC.. John Henry. Maj. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brabazon Parker W.. Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Brabazon Ralph Austin. Sgt. 5th Bn.
    • Brabazon Ralph Austin. Sgt. 5th Battalion
    • Brabazon MC. Robert Edward FitzGerald. 2nd Lt Inniskilling Fuliliers
    • Brabazon Sidney Hamilton. 19th Btn.
    • Brabazon Sydney Hamilton. 4th Bn.
    • Brabazon Terence Anthony Chaworth. Cpt. Essex Regiment
    • Brabazon William Richard. Pte 20th Battalion
    • Brabazon William Bovaird . Pte. Auckland Infantry Regiment
    • Brabiner William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brace Andrew. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Brace Arthur Henry. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brace Douglas. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bracegirdle James. Sea. HMS Resolution
    • Bracegirdle John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bracey Spencer Charles. Sgt. 83 Squadron
    • Bracher MM.. Albert Victor. Sgt. 25th Infantry
    • Brack John William. Pte. 43rd Btn.
    • Bracken Hugh Alexander. Corporal Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bracken John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Bracken John Dermott. Pte Leinster Regiment
    • Bracken Jos.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bracken Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Brackenbury Frederick. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Bradburn Anthony. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bradbury Dennis. Cpl. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regt)
    • Bradbury VC. Edward Kinder. Cpt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Bradbury Ernie. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Bradbury Horace Frederick. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Bradbury Lawrence William. Royal Engineers
    • Bradbury Robert John. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Bradbury Sampson. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Braddock Nicholson. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons (West Rding Regiment)
    • Braddy Arthur John. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Bradford VC.. George Nicholson. Lt.Cmdr. HMS Iris II
    • Bradford J. P.. Sjt. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Bradford Jack Colclough. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Bradford James. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bradford James Barker. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bradford James Horace. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Bradford Joseph John. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Bradford Neville Bell. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bradford Percy Charles. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Bradford Roland B.. Lt -Col Durham Light Infantry
    • Bradford T. A.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bradford William Elijah. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bradford William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Brading Henry Thomas. Rifleman King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bradley MM. Alfred. Pte. Machine Gun Corps(Infantry)
    • Bradley Alfred John. Pte. Royal Linconshire Regiment
    • Bradley MM.. Alfred. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Bradley Arthur Edward. Pte. Dorset Regiment
    • Bradley MM.. Arthur. 2Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bradley B.. POS HMS Macedonia
    • Bradley Bruce. Trimmer. HMHS Liandovey Castle
    • Bradley Charles Henry. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bradley David. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Bradley . Ernest . Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bradley Ernest. Pte. Northumerland Fusiliers
    • Bradley DSO.. Frederick Hoysted. L/Col. 15th Field Ambulance
    • Bradley Fredrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Bradley George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bradley George. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bradley Harold. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bradley Isaac. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bradley J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bradley J. H..
    • Bradley James .
    • Bradley James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bradley James. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Bradley Jane.
    • Bradley Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bradley Joseph. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bradley Joseph. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Bradley Joseph. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bradley Martha Mary.
    • Bradley Patrick. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Bradley R.. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Bradley MM. Stanley Victor. Pte London Regiment
    • Bradley T.. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Bradley Thomas. A/L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bradley MM. Thomas. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bradley Wilfrid Leslie. Rfn. London Regiment
    • Bradley William. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Bradley William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bradon John. Grdsm. Grenadier Guards
    • Brads William Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bradshaw Ben. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Bradshaw MM. Claude. Sgt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Bradshaw Edward. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Bradshaw Edward. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Bradshaw Ephraim Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bradshaw Ernest.
    • Bradshaw George Henry. CQMS. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Bradshaw Harold. Sgt. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Bradshaw Harry Eccles William. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)
    • Bradshaw Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bradshaw DCM.. Joe. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bradshaw John. Pte. Royal Munster Fusilliers
    • Bradshaw Lewis. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bradshaw Louis David. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bradshaw Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bradshaw Robert Henry. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bradshaw Roland Latimer. Cadet 8th Cadet Wing.
    • Bradshaw Thomas Henry. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bradshaw William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Bradstreet Gerald Edmund. 2nd Lt. Corps of Royal Engineers
    • Bradwell Fred. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Brady . Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brady Alfred Henry Basil. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brady Charles. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Brady Daniel. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brady Edward. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brady Edward. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brady Edward. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Brady Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brady F.. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Brady George. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Brady George Eric. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Brady Jack. Sjt. Essex Regiment
    • Brady James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brady James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brady James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brady James. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Brady James. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Brady James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brady John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brady John. Rflm. London Regiment
    • Brady John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brady John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Brady John. Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Brady Joseph. Firmn. HMS Princess Irene
    • Brady Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brady Joseph J.. Army Service Corps
    • Brady Lawrence. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brady M. E.. Pte. Manitoba Regiment
    • Brady Maurice. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Brady Michael. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brady Michael. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Brady Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brady Michael. Drv. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Brady Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brady Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brady Thomas. Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Brady Walter. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brady William. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Brady William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brady William. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brady William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brady William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bragg Charles James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bragg Henry Stanley Stainton. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bragg DCM. Henry. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Bragg Horace. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Braham Samuel Nicholson. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brailey MM.. Herbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brailey Sidney Harold. Pte. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Brain Albert. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Brain Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Warwickshire
    • Brain DMC. Arthur. Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Brain David. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Brain George. Cpl. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Brain MM.. George Edward. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brain Henry Edward. Private Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars
    • Brain Thomas Henry. Sgt. Grenadier Guards
    • Brain William George. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Braithwaite . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Braithwaite Cecil James. Pte. Otago Regiment
    • Braithwaite James Henry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Braithwaite John. Otago Regiment
    • Braithwaite R. W.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brake Charles George. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Bramall T. T.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bramley Albert.
    • Bramley George Ernest. 1st Battalion
    • Bramley Herbert. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Bramley Leonard Hunter. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Bramley Robert McFarlane. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Bramley Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Bramley-Moore MC.. Swinfen. Mjr. Army Service Corps
    • Brampton . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Brampton Reginald. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Brampton Thomas Tasman. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Bramwell J.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bramwell P.. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bramwell William Lister. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Branagan Eugene. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Branch MM.. Spencer Osborne. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Brand DSC, DFC, MC.. Christopher Joseph Quintin. Capt. 1 Sqd.
    • Brand DFC.. Christopher Joseph Quintin. Flt Commander 1 Squadron
    • Brand Ernest Stanley. Capt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Brand Harry. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Brand John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Brandon William Henry. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Brandstrom Elsa. Nurse
    • Brandstrom Elsa.
    • Brandwood Albert John. Pnr. Royal Engineers
    • Brangam MM.. John. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Branigan John. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brannan Alfred George. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Brannan Arthur Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brannen Daniel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brannen Frederick William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brannen Mitch.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brannick James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brannick Richard. Pte. Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Brannigan Alphonsus. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Brannigan Ernest Edward. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brannigan Ernest Edward. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brannigan James Desmond. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Brannigan John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brannigan John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Brannon Isaac. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brannon Isaac. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bransom Alfred Samuel. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Branton Joseph. Pte London Regiment (City of London Rifles)
    • Brash Albert Carlisle. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Brass J. R.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brass James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Brass Rata. Pte. Maori (Pioneer) Battalion
    • Brass Sidney G.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brass William. Cpl. Canterbury Regiment
    • Brassett Walter James. Pte. 23rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment
    • Brasted Alfred John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bratt Joseph Henry. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Brawn MM & Bar. Augustus Edwin. Sjt. Bedfordshire Yeomanry
    • Bray Albert. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Bray Edwin. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bray Francis. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Bray Frank Harry. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Bray Henry John. Pte. Berkshire Regiment
    • Bray Herbert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bray James Henry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bray John Henry. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Bray John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Bray John Edwin. HMS Commonwealth
    • Bray Stanley Albert. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bray Thomas Seth. PO. HMS Exeter
    • Bray Thomas Garland. L/Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Bray Victor George Thomas. Private Royal Fusiliers
    • Braybrook MSM. Prior Wormsley. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Braybrook Roland. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Braybrooke Patrick Philip William. Royal Fusiliers
    • Braycotton Samuel. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Brayden Kevin. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Brayne Charles. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Brayne John William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Brayshaw Herbert. Pte. The Rifle Brigade
    • Brayson William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brazendale Frank. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brazier John Elliot. Private King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Brazier Norman. Pte. Canterbury Battalion
    • Brazil James. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Breach MC.. Alfred D.. Lt. Royal Berkshre Regiment
    • Brealey Charles. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment North Staffo
    • Brealey Winifred Florence. Lt. Women's Army Auxiliary Corps
    • Brearley George. Grenadier Guards
    • Breatwaite . Sgt. Mjr. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brecknell Adrian Henry. Lt.
    • Breckon William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Breed Fred. L/Cpl. Scottish Rifles
    • Breeden Henry Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Breen Edward. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Breen James. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Breen John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Breen John. Sgt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Breen Patrick. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Breen Thomas Francis Pennefather. Mjr. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Breen William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Breeze John Stephen. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Bregan Francis. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bregan Francis. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bregan James. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery
    • Bregan Paul. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Brennan Alexander. Able Sea. HMS Pheasant
    • Brennan Benjamin. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Brennan Charles. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennan Christopher. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennan Christopher. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennan Christopher. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennan Christopher. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Brennan Eugene. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brennan Francis A.. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennan Henry Joseph. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Brennan Henry Peter. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Brennan James Patrick. Cpl. 55th Artillery Regiment
    • Brennan James Joseph. Fireman & Trimmer. SS Moeris
    • Brennan James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennan James. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brennan James. Pte. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Brennan James George. BSM. 3rd (Capes) Overseas Battery
    • Brennan Jeremiah. Lt. Lancashire Hussars
    • Brennan John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennan John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Brennan John. L/Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brennan John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Brennan Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Brennan Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennan Joseph. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Brennan Louis J.. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Brennan MSM.. March. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brennan Michael. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Brennan Patrick. Greaser. SS Lusitania
    • Brennan Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennan Patrick. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brennan Patrick Joseph. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brennan Patrick Leslie. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brennan Patrick. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Brennan Thomas Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennan Thomas. CSM. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennan Thomas M.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brennan Thomas Peter. Pvt. 307th Infantry Regiment
    • Brennan Thomas. L/Cpl. Grenadier Guards
    • Brennan William John. Seaman. SS Leinster
    • Brennan DCM.. William Patrick. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Brennock Patrick. Stoker HMS Europa
    • Brennock Thomas. Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brennock William. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Brent Thomas. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Brentnall John George. Stkr1. HMS Invincible
    • Brenton Sidney Russell. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brereton Samuel. L/Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brereton-Barry William Roche. 2nd Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Breslaw Geoffrey Reynell. 2nd Lt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Breslin Robert. A/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brett Edward. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brett Edward. WO11 Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brett Henry. 9th Squadron
    • Brett Peter. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brett R. Harry. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brettell Edwin. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brettle V.. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Brew George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Brewer Arthur George. Bombardier Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brewer Arthur George. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brewer Frederick Knott. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Brewer Frederick. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Brewer Herbert Noton. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Brewer MID. James Angus. Capt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Brewer James Alfred. L/Cpl. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Brewer William Patrick. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brewin Charles. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Brewis Frederick Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brewster Edward Francis. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brewster John C.. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Brewster John. 2Lt. 34 Squadron
    • Brewster Richard Gardiner. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Breytenbach H. J.. Cpl. Middelburg Commando
    • Brian Benjamin. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment North Staffo
    • Brian Reginald. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Brians Thomas Hutchinson. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Briars Frank. Bmdr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Brice James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brice Philip John. Pte. Black Watch
    • Brice Richmond Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Brick DCM. Philip. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brickdale John Bancel. Pte. Auckland Regiment
    • Bricknell MM.. George. CSM. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bricknell Harold. Pte. Welsh Fusiliers
    • Bricknell William Ernest. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Bride Christopher. Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Brideoake John Thomas. Pte. HMS Vanguard
    • Bridge . Durham Light Infantry
    • Bridge Albert. L/Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Bridge Albert. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Bridge Arthur Irwin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bridge Frederick Philip. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Bridge Isaac Holt. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool) King's Regiment (Li
    • Bridge James. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Bridge William James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bridge William James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bridgeman James. Pte. Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers)
    • Bridger Bertie William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Bridger Frank. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bridger Harry Edward. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bridges Arthur Percy. Pte.
    • Bridges Fred William. Pte.
    • Bridges Walter. Lt.Col. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bridges William. Private Rifle Brigade
    • Bridges William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Bridgett Samuel Charles. Pte. West Yorkshire
    • Bridgewater Frank. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Bridgewater Nell.
    • Bridgland Charles. L/Cpl. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Bridgwood Harold. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Brien Andrew. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brien Charles. L/Sgt. Irish Guards
    • Brien Edward. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Brien Frederick George. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brien John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brien John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brien P.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brien Phelim. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brien Thomas. CSM. Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers)
    • Brien Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brien Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridges Own)
    • Brien William. AB. SS Memphian
    • Brien William. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brierley Fred. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Brierley Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brierley Sylvester Douglas. Pte. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Briers Herbert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Briggs Arthur. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Briggs Ellis. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Briggs G.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Briggs George. A/CQMS Durham Light Infantry
    • Briggs Henry Francis. 2nd Lt. 3rd Battalion
    • Briggs Herbert. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Briggs James. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Briggs John James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Briggs Joseph. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Briggs Thomas William. Fireman SS Gafsa
    • Briggs William. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brigham Thomas. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bright Frank. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bright James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Bright Sydney George. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Bright T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brightman Herbert James. Sgt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Brightmore Sydney. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Brightmore Sydney. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Brighton Austin Benjamin John. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Brighton George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Brignull Sidney. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Briley Joseph. Rfn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Brill Walter Arthur. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Brillant VC. MC. John. Lt. Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)
    • Brimacombe Edgar Lewis. 44th Battalion
    • Brimacombe Leslie. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Brimble Thomas James. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Brimblecombe Percival George. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Brincklow G. H.. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Brindle Edmund. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Brindle Frank. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brindle Fred. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Brindley J. G.. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Brindley Martin. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Brindley Thomas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Brinkley MM. Frederick. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Brinkley Robert Franklin Plato. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brinkworth Stelvio Reginald. Pte. Yorkshire and Lancaster
    • Brinn Felix John. Rfm. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Brinsley George. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Brinton William Samuel. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Briscoe MiD.. Alfred Edward. Cpl. 20th Battalion
    • Briscoe Edward. Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Briscoe Henry Whitby. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Briscoe Samuel Henry Niblett. Pte. The Buffs (East Kent) Regiment
    • Briselden Charles George Ernest. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Bristow Henry. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bristow Sidney Marcus. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Britnell Amos Albert. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Brittle William. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Britton Albert. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Britton C.. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Britton Frederick William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Britton Frederick William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Britton Harry George. Pte. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Britton MC.. Thomas Henry. Lt. Australian Infantry
    • Britton Thomas Henry. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Broad D. A.. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Broad Dennis Gurney. Flt.Sub.Lt. Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (Tropical)
    • Broad James. Private Suffolk Regiment
    • Broad Walter James. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Broadbear Sidney Victor. Pte. Lincolnshire Regt.
    • Broadbelt Leonard. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Broadbelt Tom. Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Broadbent Clement Ambler. Pte. Duke of Wellington West riding Regiment
    • Broadbent John Thomas. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Broadhead Frank. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Broadhead Herbert Wilson. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Broadhead Pemberton. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Broadhead Sidney. CQMS. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Broadley . Durham Light Infantry
    • Broadley James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Broadley James William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Broadley John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Broadley John W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Broadley William. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Broadley William. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire
    • Broadrick F.. Pte. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Broadway MID. Hugh Alexander. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Broadwell Joseph. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Brock Earnest James. Pte. Essex Rgt.
    • Brock George Edward. Pte York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Brock William John. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Brockbank Andrew. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Brockhouse Horace. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brockie George. Sgt. Connaught Rangers
    • Brocklehurst Ernest. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brocklehurst Samuel Needham. Sgt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Broderick Alfred. Pte Connaught Rangers
    • Broderick Frank. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Broderick James. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Broderick John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brodie Alexander. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brodie VC, MC.. Walter Lorrain. Lt.Col. Highland Light Infantry
    • Brodie MM.. William Charles. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Brodrick Thomas Charlton. Pte. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Broe Edward. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brogan Henry. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Brogan James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brogan Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brogden Charles. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Brogden Herbert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Brogden Issac Arthur. Sjt. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Brogden Sydney Ernest. Gnr. 47th (2nd London) Division
    • Broghan Patrick. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brohe Camille Alfred.
    • Brolly William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bromage Herbert Thomas. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Bromfield T. A.. Sgt. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Bromiley James. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Bromley VC.. Cuthbert. Maj. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Bromley Frank Darcy. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bromley John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Bromley John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Bromley MM.. William Henry. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Bromwich Harry Edward. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Brook Alfred Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Brook Charles. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Brook Frederick William. Pte West Yorkshire Regt
    • Brook Frederick Richard. PO(Stoker) HMS Goliath.
    • Brooke George. Lt. Irish Guards
    • Brooke George. Lt. Irish Guards
    • Brooke Henry John. 2nd Lt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Brooke Herbert. Pte. West Yorkshire
    • Brooke Horace. L/Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Brooke VC.. James Anson Otho. Capt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Brooke Joseph. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Brooke Leonard Stopford. Lt. 110 Squadron
    • Brooke Ralph. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Brooke Richard Reginald Maude. Capt. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Brooke Rupert Chawner. Sub.Lt. Hood Battalion
    • Brooke Walter. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Brooker Arthur Basil. Chap. Army Chaplains Dept.
    • Brooker Cuthbert Howard. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Brooker Gordon McNeill. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Brooker Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brooker William James . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Brookes A.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Brookes Bernard. Queen's Westminster Rifles
    • Brookes Bert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Brookes George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brookes George Septimus. 13th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Brookes Henry Richard. Lt. 101st Indian Grenadiers
    • Brookes James. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Brookes Joseph. A/Cpl Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brookes MiD.. Julian. Sgt. 26th Battalion
    • Brookes Sidney. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brookes Walter Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brookes William Augustus. Sgt. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Brookes MM & Bar.. William Francis. Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Brooks Amos John Floyd. Sgt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Brooks Benjamin. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brooks Charles Rawson. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brooks David Henry. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Brooks Edwin Henry. Pte Oxfordshire & Bucks Light infantry
    • Brooks Ernest. Capt. Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Brooks Ernest Francis. Pte. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Brooks Ernest Godfrey. A/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Brooks F.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brooks Francis T. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brooks Frederick Francis. Pte. London Regiment
    • Brooks George Henry. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Brooks Henry William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Brooks Hubert. Army Service Corps
    • Brooks Isaac. Royal Medical Corps
    • Brooks John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brooks MM.. John. Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brooks John. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Brooks Martin. Pte. 20th Hussars
    • Brooks Norbert Squire Standish. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Brooks Patrick. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brooks DSM, CDG.. Sidney Frederick. Stk1.
    • Brooks Thomas Charles. Pte Rifle Brigade
    • Brooks Thomas Charles. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Brooks Victor Tom. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brooks W R. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brooks W. S.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brooks Walter Ainger. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Brooks Walter. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Brooks William E. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brooks MSM. William Joseph. Pte Rifle Brigade
    • Brooksbank Gordon. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Broom Alfred George. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Broom George Robert . Pte.
    • Broom John James. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Broom MM.. Richard Edwin. Cpl. Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex) Regiment
    • Broom William John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Broome F. N.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Broome Geoffrey G.. Pte. 15th Btn.
    • Broome Samuel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Broomfield Fred. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Broomfield John Thomas Wesley Harold. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Broomfield Thomas Alfred. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Broomhead John Noel Gordon. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Broomhead William. Cpl. King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment
    • Brophy Bernard. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Brophy Daniel. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Brophy Denis. Drvr. 24th Brigade
    • Brophy Edward. Sto. HMS Juno
    • Brophy George. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Brophy James. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Brophy James. Pte. 1st Bn.
    • Brophy Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Brophy Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Brophy Thomas Joseph. 2nd Lt. Leinster Regiment
    • Brophy William. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Bros Olive Maud.
    • Brotchie Charles W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brotherston R. T.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brotherton W.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Brotherton William David. Pte Leicestershire Regiment
    • Brough H. J.. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Brough Walter. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brough Walter. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Broughall Edward. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Broughton Alfred William Delves. Capt
    • Broughton James William. Dvr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Broughton John Thomas. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Broughton John Thomas. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Broughton Thomas Robert. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Broughton W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brouse Willaim Henry. Cpl East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Browett Albert. Pte. Notts & Derby Regiment
    • Browett Bertie. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Browitt Harold Charles Reginald. 3rd Off. SS Vedamore
    • Brown . Lt 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Brown . L/Cpl. Argyll and Sunderland Highlanders
    • Brown A.. Pte. Black Watch
    • Brown A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown A.. G Royal Field Artillery
    • Brown Albert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Albert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Albert Harry Edwin. WO2. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brown Albert Edward. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Brown Albert David. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brown Alexander Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brown Alfred. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Alfred William. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Brown Alfred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Alfred. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Brown Alva E.. Cpl. 115th Supply Train
    • Brown Andrew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Archibald Duncan . Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Brown Archibold. Hampshire Regiment
    • Brown Archie Maynard. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brown Archie Maynard. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brown Arthur R. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Brown Arthur Benjamin. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Brown Arthur Benjamin. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Brown Arthur Henry. Lt. 1st Regt. Infantry
    • Brown Arthur. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brown Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brown Arthur. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Brown Arthur Charles. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brown Arthur. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Brown Arthur Tillotson. Lt Cmdr. HMS Seal
    • Brown Benjamin. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown C.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Brown Cedric Tyson. Lt 3 Squadron
    • Brown Charles Richard. Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Brown Charles Henry. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brown Christopher. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's)
    • Brown Crone Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown D.. Pte.
    • Brown David Cliff. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brown David. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown David. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Brown David. Sgt. Black Watch
    • Brown Dennis. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Brown VC.. Donald Forrester. Sgt. Otago Infantry Regiment
    • Brown VC. Donald Forrester. Sgt. 2nd Bn. Otago Regiment
    • Brown Donald Morton. Lt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Brown E. 2Lt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Brown E. W.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brown Edgar Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Edward. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brown Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Edward Wilkin. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brown Edward. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Brown Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Edward Allport. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Edward. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Edward Alfred. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Brown Edwin. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Brown Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Ernest. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire
    • Brown Ernest Charles Robert. Pte. Linconshire Regiment
    • Brown Ernest. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifles
    • Brown F.. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Francis Arthur Noel. 2nd.Lt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Brown Frank. L/Cpl. Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Re
    • Brown Frank Charles. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Brown Fred. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Brown Fred. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Brown Fred. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Brown Fred. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Brown Fred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Frederick William. Rfmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Brown Frederick. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Brown Frederick William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Brown Frederick Hallett. Pte. Canterbury Battalion
    • Brown Frederick. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Brown Frederick. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Brown G. E.. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Brown George Thomas. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Brown George Thomas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Brown George John. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Brown George Walford. L/Cpl. British Army
    • Brown George William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Brown George. Saddler. 5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlottte's Own)
    • Brown George Middlemas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Brown George. L/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown George. Sherwood Foresters
    • Brown George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Brown DCM. George Thomas. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Brown George McLachlan . Cpl. 3rd Battalion
    • Brown George. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Brown George Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Brown Harold Vernon. 2nd Lt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Brown Harold Christian Herman. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown VC. Harry W.. Pte. an Infantry (Alberta Regiment),
    • Brown Harry. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Brown Henry. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Brown Henry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Brown Henry Beattie. Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Brown Herbert. 2nd Lt. 30th Punjabi
    • Brown Herbert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Brown Herbert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Brown Horace Frederick. Spr. Royal Engineers.
    • Brown Horace Arthur. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Brown Hubert Cowley. 4th Engineer Officer. SS Dunrobin
    • Brown Isaac. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Brown J. C. D.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown J. W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown J. C.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brown J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown J. R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Brown James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown James Austin. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown James Austin. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brown James. Rifleman Rifle Brigade
    • Brown James Ramsay. Fireman SS Newlyn
    • Brown James Harrison. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Brown James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brown James. Pte. North Staffordshire
    • Brown James. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Brown James. Pte. Canadian Infantry
    • Brown James Edwin. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brown Jarvis Harry. Pte. 50th Battalion
    • Brown John. Lance Sjt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brown John Alfred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown John Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Brown John William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brown John Teasdale. Pte. Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry
    • Brown DCM. John James. Sgt. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Brown John. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Brown John. A/Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brown John. L/Cpl. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Brown John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brown John Thomas. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brown John. L/Sgt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Brown John Arthur. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Brown John Thomas. Pte. 7th Battalion
    • Brown John. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Brown John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Brown John Alexander. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Brown John. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Brown Joseph. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Brown Joseph. CSM. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Joseph. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Brown Joseph. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Brown Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Joseph Stuart. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brown Joseph. L/Cpl Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brown Lawrence. Gnr. HMS Defence
    • Brown Leonard. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Brown Lewis George. 32nd Battalion
    • Brown Lilian Maud.
    • Brown Lionoel William. A/L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Luke. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Brown M. L.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Matthew. Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Brown Morris Gordon. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brown Murdoch Morisson. Gnr. South African Heavy Artillery
    • Brown Nathan. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Nathan. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Norman. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Oliver. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown P. A.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown MM.. Patrick. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Brown Patrick. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brown Patrick Joseph. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Brown Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brown Peter Smith. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown R. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown R. B.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown R.. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brown Reginald Hugo. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brown Reginald Hugo. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brown Reuben Joseph. Rifleman Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Brown Richard. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Brown Richard William. A/Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Brown Richard James. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Brown Richard Thomas Lovet. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Rob. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Brown Robert. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Robert Foster. Able Seaman Drake Battalion
    • Brown . Robert . Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brown Robert Hamilton. Pte. A.O.C
    • Brown Robert. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brown Robert William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Brown Robert Benjamin. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Robert. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Brown Robert Archibald. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Brown Robert. Cpl 34 Squadron
    • Brown Robert. Pte. 8th Bn.
    • Brown Russell Stanley. Lt. 34th Btn.
    • Brown Samuel. Gnr, Royal Field Artillery
    • Brown Sidney. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Stephen. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Brown Sydney Pridmoresy. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Brown Sydney Selwyn. Sgt. Welch Regiment
    • Brown Sylvia Daisy . Sister No 2 Military Hospital, York
    • Brown Sylvia Daisy. Sister. Queen Alexandras Imperial Military Nursing Service
    • Brown T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown T. A.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry.
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Brown Thomas. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brown Thomas. L/Cpl. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Brown Thomas Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brown Thomas. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown MiD.. Thomas Alexander. Capt. S.S. Elba.
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Brown Thomas. Pte. Black Watch
    • Brown Thomas. L/Cpl. Black Watch
    • Brown W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown W.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brown Wallace Earnest. Cpl. 19th Hussars
    • Brown VC, DCM.. Walter Ernest. Sgt. 20th Battalion
    • Brown Walter. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Brown Wilfred. Gem Machine Gun Corps
    • Brown William. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brown . William . Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brown William. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Brown William George Tucker. 74 Squadron
    • Brown William Scott. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brown William. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brown William. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Brown William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown William. A/Cpl. Cameronian Scottish Rifles
    • Brown William Alaxander. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Brown William Fortune. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown William Herbert. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brown William David. A/Sgt. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Brown William. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Brown William. Pte. Cheshire Rgt.
    • Brown William Alfred. Lt. 38 Squadron
    • Brown William Henry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Brown William. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Brown MM.. William Charles. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Brown William Henry. Suffolk Regiment
    • Brown William John. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Brown William Charles. 2Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Brown William John. L/Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Brown William John. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Brown-King John Lesley. HMS Amphion
    • Brownbridge John Charles. Durham Light Infantry
    • Browne Archibald. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Browne Gordon Albert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Browne James. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Browne John Clifford. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Browne Laurence Archibald. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Browne Walter . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Browne William Patrick. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Browning Bernard Manning. Pte. 28th Btn.
    • Browning George Stamer. Capt. General Service Corps
    • Browning DSO. John Cowan. Major Royal Field Artillery
    • Browning DSO.. John Cowan. Major. Royal Field Artillery
    • Browning DSO.. John Cowan. Major Royal Field Artillery
    • Brownlee Joseph. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brownless Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brownlie Leonard Charles. Pte. Liverpool
    • Brownlow C. A.L.. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brownlow William Lionel. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brownrigg MID. Helen Grace.
    • Brownrigg Hilda.
    • Broxup Richard Thomas. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Broxup Richard Thomas. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Bruce . Capt. HMS Patrol
    • Bruce Arthur Robert.
    • Bruce Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bruce Francis. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Bruce Frederick Ernest. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Bruce Frederick William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bruce J.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bruce MC.. J. G.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Bruce James. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bruce John Davidson. Master Mariner SS Hans Jost
    • Bruce John Robert. Capt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Bruce Oliver. 2Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Bruce Peter. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Bruce Richard Wilson. Engine Room Artificer HMS Mignonette
    • Bruce Robert. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bruce Robert Simon. Sgt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Bruce Robert. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Bruce Robert Henry. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Bruce Thomas Fraser. 2ndLt. 36th Btn.
    • Bruce VC. William Arthur McCrae. 59th Scinde Rifles
    • Bruce VC. William Arthur McCrae . Lt. 59th Scinde Rifles
    • Bruce William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bruce William Francis. Pte Highland Light Infantry
    • Bruist David Small. 2nd Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Brumley Douglas Blewett. L/Cpl. 46th Btn.
    • Brumpton Thomas Percival Montager. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brundall Robert William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Brunn Frank William. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Brunner Artus. Air Mechanic 2nd Class.
    • Brunt Francis. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Brunt Thomas. Gnr. 78th Trench Mortar Battery
    • Brunton Edward Benjamin Durnford. 2nd Lt. Middlesex Regt (Duke Cambridge Own)
    • Brunyee Horace Henry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Bryan Albert Harold. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bryan Alfred. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bryan Victor. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bryan William Thomas. Capt. 44th Btn.
    • Bryan William. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bryans A.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bryans Edward Arthur. 3rd Battalion
    • Bryans Frederick. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bryans R.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Bryant DCM.. Absalom. A/CSM Devonshire Regiment
    • Bryant Alfred. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bryant Arthur James. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Bryant Ernest. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Bryant George William Stanley. A/Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Bryant John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bryant . Joseph. Pte.
    • Bryant Percy Lloyd. Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bryant R. E.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bryant Richard Ernest. Tpr. 4th Irish Dragoon Guards
    • Bryant Richard. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bryant Sidney Milburn. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bryant Walter Sydney Hall. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Bryanton Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bryars George Leonard. Lt. 11 Squadron
    • Bryden G. C. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Brydges Ernest Robert. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Brydon G.. Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Brydon John Cummings. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bryne W.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Bryning John William. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bryon J. Cummings. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bryson Elmer Clark. Lt. 13th Bn. Canadian Infantry
    • Bryson Lyle Whidden. Pte. 25th Bn. Canadian Infantry
    • Btandt James Joseph. Pte. 3rd Australian Pioneers
    • Buchan VC. John Crawford. 2nd Lt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Buchan Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Buchanan . Lt 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Buchanan David. Border Regimet
    • Buchanan James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Buchanan John Aloyisus. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Buchanan Thomas Russell. Lt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Buchanan MM.. Walter. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Buck Albert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Buck Bertie. Pte. 96th Brigade
    • Buck Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Buck Edmund Brown. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Buck Frederick William. Cpl. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Buck Harold. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Buck Harold. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Buck James William. Pte. Devon Regiment
    • Buck Louis Arthur. Cpl. Cameron Highlanders
    • Buckam Jas.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Buckfield Charles Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Buckham . Sister No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Buckhurst Bertie William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Buckingham Clement Forester. A/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Buckingham VC. William. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Buckland Albert Frederick. L/Cpl. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Buckland MM. William Charles. Sgt Royal Field Artillery
    • Buckle Ernest. Durham Light Infantry
    • Buckle George Lewis. Pte. Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars)
    • Buckle H.. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Buckle Henry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Buckle Thomas Alfred. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Buckle William. 2/Lt. Green Howards
    • Buckle William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Buckley VC. Alexander Henry. Cpl. 54th Battalion
    • Buckley VC. Alexander Henry. Cpl. 54th Btn.
    • Buckley Fred. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Buckley DCM, MM.. Harry Helmsley. 2nd Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Buckley DCM, MM.. Harry Helmsley. 2nd Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Buckley Harry Francis. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Buckley Reginald. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Buckley DoS MiD. Robert. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Buckley Samuel Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Buckley Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Buckley Tim. Pte London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles)
    • Buckley Timothy. Pte. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
    • Buckly G. C. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bucknall James William. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Bucknall Thomas William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bucknell Wilfred John. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Bucknell Wilfred John. 33rd Battalion
    • Buckner Charles McVea. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Buckthorp Arthur Willie. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Buckton Mary. Carrs Rise Ironworks
    • Bucktrout MM & bar.. Robert. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Budd Arthur Benjamin. L/Cpl Hampshire Regiment
    • Budd MC and Bar.. Edward. 2nd Lt. Army Service Corps
    • Budd Frederick. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Budd James William. Lieut Royal Warwickshire Regt
    • Budd Thomas . Capt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Buddell Wilfrid. 15 Sqdn.
    • Budden George. Sto. HMS Furious
    • Buddle Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Buddle Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Budgen Harry Stanley. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Buffell Mary Ellen.
    • Buffey Wilfred. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Bugden VC. Patrick Joseph. Pte 31st Battalion
    • Bugden VC.. Patrick. Pte. 31st Btn.
    • Bugden Thomas. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Buglass George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Buglass Robert John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bukles Frank Woodruff. Capt.
    • Bulbeck Henry Edmund. Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bulcock Ben. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bulcock Fred. Pte Kings (Liverpool) Rgt
    • Bulger Harry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bull Alfred. Chief.Shipwright. HMS Invincible
    • Bull Basil Walker. Pte. 3rd Labour Btn.
    • Bull CdeG.. Charles. SM. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Bull George Sanders. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bull Samuel. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bull Walter John. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Bull Walter George. Pte. Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Bull William Frederick. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Bullard Albert Edward. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Bullen Earnest John. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Bullen Francis William. Pte. Worcester Regiment
    • Bullen George William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bullen John. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bullen John. Pte. Royal Defence Corps
    • Bullen Thomas Harold Wilson. Stoker. HMS Queen Mary
    • Bulley Elvin Spencer. L/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Bulley Elvin Spencer. L/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Bullick Roland. Private Sherwood Forresters
    • Bullivant Christopher. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bullivant Christopher. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bullivant Christopher. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Bullivant Frank Godfrey. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bullivant MM.. Thomas J.. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Bullman Benjamin. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Bullman Oliver. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bullock Bernard Hurbert. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Bullock Edwin. Sgt. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Bullock Eli. Pte. East Yorks Regiment
    • Bullock MM.. Frank. Tank Corps
    • Bullock MM. Frank. Pte. 2nd Tank Bgde.
    • Bullock Harry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Bullock Harry Herbert. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bullock James Robert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Bullock MM.. Rees Morris. 2nd Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Bullock . Reuben Zinzendorf. Sussex Regiment
    • Bullock Thomas Henry. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Bullock Walter Charles. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bullock William James. L/Cpl. Esex Regiment
    • Bullus Ralph Henry Samuel. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Bullwinkle D. N.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bulman Cyril Ramshaw. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bulmer James William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bulmer Ralph. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bulmer Rob.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Bulwer Frederick William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bunce Edward. C/Stkr. HMS Hogue
    • Bunce Harry Frederick. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Bunch John. Spr. 1st Australian Tunneling Company
    • Bungard Herbert Hamilton.
    • Bunkall James M.. L-Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bunker A. F.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Bunn Arthur James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Bunn Charles. Manchester Regiment
    • Bunn MM.. Clifford Charles. Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Bunt Ezekiel. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bunting A.. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bunting Arthur. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Bunting James Thomas. Able Seaman. Drake Battlion
    • Bunyard Alfred John. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bunyard ARRC MID. Marguerite Eveline. Nurse
    • Burberry Frederick. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Burbidge Louis Ethelbert. Pte. Army Service Corps Ã?  Ã? 
    • Burborough Percy Gaston . Cpl. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Burch Robert Henry. Rifle Brigade
    • Burchell DCM. Ernest. A/Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Burchell Jonathan. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Burchell Percy Dudley. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Burchett Cecil. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Burchett J.. East Kent Regiment
    • Burden Herbert Francis. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burdett Alfred. Rfmn. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Burdett George. Pte. Derbyshire Yeomanry
    • Burdett John Wallace. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Burdis William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burdiss William. Stk. HMS Aboukir
    • Burdock Albert Victor. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Burdon . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burdon Leonard. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burdon Oliver. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burdon Wilkie. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burfield William Thomas Riley. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Burford Ben. Saper Royal Engineers
    • Burford Horace Arthur. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Burger S. W.. Rflmn.
    • Burges W. A.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Burgess Albert Victor. L/Cpl Durham Light Infantry
    • Burgess Alfred Tennyson. Sgt. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Burgess Alfred Victor. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Burgess Arthur. Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Burgess Bennet Leopold. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Burgess Eric. Gnr.
    • Burgess Frank. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Burgess George William. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burgess Harry. Serjeant Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Burgess Henry Philip. Flt/Sgt
    • Burgess James. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Burgess Joseph. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Burgess Joseph James. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Burgess Patrick. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Burgess Robert. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Burgess V.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burgess W. H.. Sto/1 HMS Tipperary
    • Burgess W.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Burgess William Soutter. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burgess MID.. William Henry Langdon. Capt. Cameronions Scottish Rifles
    • Burgess William. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Burgin Alfred Ernest. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Burgin Harvey. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Burgin Walter. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Burgoine G. Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Burgoyne-Johnson V.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burke Alexander. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Burke Alexander. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Burke Alexander. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Burke Arthur Patrick. Private Manchester
    • Burke Arthur Edward. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burke Arthur. Pte. 18th Batttalion
    • Burke Christopher. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Burke Felix. Rev. Dublin Fusiliers
    • Burke George. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Burke George. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Burke J.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Burke James. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Burke DCM.. James. BQMS. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Burke James Francis. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burke James. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Burke Jane. Nurse
    • Burke John. Sjt. 34th Battalion
    • Burke John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Burke John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Burke John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Burke John. Sgt Mjr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Burke Jos.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burke M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burke Patrick Joseph. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Burke Reginald. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Burke Thos.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burke Timothy Edward. Sgt.
    • Burke W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burke William. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burke William Henry Dwerryhouse. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Burkett Edward John. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Burkey George Albert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Burkey John. Labour Corp
    • Burkinshaw Frank. Pte. KOYLI
    • Burleigh William Cecil. Pte. London Regiment
    • Burley Alec James. A/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Burley James. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Burling Edward George. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burling James Frederick. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Burlingham George Edward. Pte Norfolk Regiment
    • Burlingham William Robert. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Burlinson E.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burlison Ebenezer. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burman George. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Burn Arthur Herbert Rosdew. 2nd Lt. 1st Royal Dragoons
    • Burn J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burn James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burn John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burn Joseph Pattison. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burn M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burn Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burn Thomas. Cooper HMS Viknor
    • Burn Thomas Mathew. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Burn Thomas Mathew. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Burn William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burn William Hailes. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Burn William J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burnard Matthew Rosevere Davey. PO. HMS E47
    • Burne DSO. A. H.. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Burnell Edward Owen. L/Cpl 6th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Burnett . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Burnett Charles W.. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Burnett Corry. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Burnett Edward. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Burnett Harold James. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Burnett Harold James. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Burnett Jonathan. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Burnett Robert G.. 2nd Lt. Norfolk
    • Burnett Thomas Ballantyne . Pte. Royal Scots
    • Burnham George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burnham John. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Burnham MM. John Stainforth. L/Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burnip William. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burnley Albert. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Burns Alfred Alexander. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Burns Alfred. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Burns Alfred. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Burns Davidson Ross. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Burns James. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Burns James. Pte.
    • Burns James.
    • Burns James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Burns James. 2nd Lt. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Burns John. CSM. Kings Liverpool
    • Burns John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Burns John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Burns John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burns Joseph. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Burns Michael. Dvr. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Burns Patrick Joseph. Royal Field Artillery
    • Burns Robert. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Burns Ronald M. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Burns Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Burns Samuel. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Burns Spensley. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Burns Thomas. Sto.1 HMS Lancaster
    • Burns Thomas. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Burns W. G.. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burns William. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Burns MM.. William. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Burr Henry Rivers. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Burrell . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Burrell Charles. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Burrell Charles. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Burrell Frederick. Rifle Brigade
    • Burrell William H.. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Burrett Alexander John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Burridge Alfred. Pte. Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment
    • Burridge Frederick. WO 2 Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Burridge George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Burridge George Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burridge William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burris Charles Elva. Sgt Mjr. 20th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Burroughs Albert. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Burrow George Moore. Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Burrows Albert John. L/Cpl. Manchester Regimemt
    • Burrows Alexander. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Burrows Cyril. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Burrows Daniel. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burrows Frederick. Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Burrows Harry. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Burrows Henry William. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Burrows James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Burrows John Thomas. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Burrows John Thomas. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Burrows R.. Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Burrows Thomas. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Burrows Thomas Arthur. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Burrows Walter Harry.
    • Burrows DCM. William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Burrows William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Bursey Edward Henry. Dvr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Burt Francis. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Burt George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Burt John Alexander . Cpl. London Regiment
    • Burt MiD.. Leonard. CSM. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Burt Richard. L/Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Burtenshaw Percy. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Burtmore Blenheim Edward. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Burton A. F.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burton VC. Alexander Stewart. Lance Corporal 7th Battalion
    • Burton VC. Alexander Stewart. Cpl. 7th Btn.
    • Burton Ambrose. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Burton Anthony. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burton Anthony. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burton C J. Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Burton Charles Silvester. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Burton Charles. L/Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Burton Daniel . Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Burton Francis James. 2nd Lt. Australian Light Horse
    • Burton Frank. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Burton DCM. Fred. RSM Durham Light Infantry
    • Burton Frederick Raymond. Capt Worcestershire Regiment
    • Burton George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burton George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burton George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burton George Henry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Burton Harry Stewart. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Burton Herbert James Charleton. Pte. 43rd Battalion
    • Burton Hubert Oscar. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Burton J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burton James Elias. Royal Marines Light Infantry
    • Burton John Henry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Burton John Benjamin. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Burton Matthew. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Burton R.. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Burton Reginald John. 2nd Lt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Burton William Alfred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burton William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Burton William Alfred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Burtt Sidney. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Burvett Alfred Sydney. Sgt. 24th Infantry Battalion
    • Burwood . Alfred William. Pte. 1st Division
    • Bury Edmond William. Captain Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Bury Edward Basil. Lt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Bury DCM MM MID.. James. Sgt. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Busby Robert. Royal Artillery
    • Bush Edward Thomas. Dvr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Bush Henry. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Bush Henry. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Bush Hubert Victor. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Bush Richard. Fus. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Bush Walter George. A/Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bushby Ernest. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bushby John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bushby William Alexander Pattison. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bushe . Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bushe Samuel. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Bushell Charles. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Bushell VC, DSO. Christopher. Lt Col. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Bushell James. Able.Sea. HMS Nubian
    • Bushell William John. Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bushen John Henry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Bushill Herbert Henry. L/Sgt. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Bushnell George Henry. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Busley Sydney Ernest Victor. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Buss Benjamin. Capt. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)
    • Bussey Frank John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Bussey Robert William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Bussy Julian. 2nd Lt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bustard W. E.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Butchart Malcolm Gibson. Pte, Black Watch
    • Butcher Albert Reuben. Able.Sea. HMS Patrol
    • Butcher Alexander Benjamin. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Butcher Bertie John. L/Sgt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Butcher Claude William Hendy. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Butcher Frederick Charles. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Butcher Harold. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Butcher Harry George. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Butcher Henry. Manchester Regiment
    • Butcher Henry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Butcher Henry Richard. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Butcher MM. Norman. L/Cpl. British Army
    • Butcher W.. Pte. Royal West Surrey (Queen's) Rgt.
    • Butchers Ernest. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Butland Henry Charles. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Butland W. H.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Butler Albert. Pte. The King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Butler Alexander. Trpr. Royal Canadian Dragoons
    • Butler Alexander. Sgt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Butler Alexander. Sgt. Cameronion Scottish Rifles
    • Butler Arthur William. Middlesex Regiment
    • Butler Bartholomew F.. PFC. 308th Infantry Regiment
    • Butler Charles Edward. Pte. Canadian Forestry Corps
    • Butler Charles William. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Butler Charles. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Butler DCM.. Edward H.. WO2. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Butler Ernest Victor. HMS Lord Nelson
    • Butler Frank Herbert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Butler George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Butler George Ernest. Gnr. 276th Brigade, B Bty.
    • Butler George. Pte. Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Butler Harold. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Butler Harry William George. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Butler Henry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Butler Herbert Ormonde. Pte. 23rd london regiment east surrey regiment
    • Butler Isaac Frank. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Butler J. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Butler James. Rifleman Kings Royal Rifles
    • Butler John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Butler VC DSO.. John Fitzhardinge Paul. Capt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Butler John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Butler Martin. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Butler Nicholas. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Butler Patrick. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Butler Patrick. Pte. 39th Btn.
    • Butler CdeG.. Robert William. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Butler MM. Stanley Reginald. 2Lt Somerset Light Infantry
    • Butler Thomas. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Butler W.. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Butler Walter Edward. Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Butler-Stoney Thomas. Lt. Irish Guards
    • Butlin Albert John. Pte.
    • Butroid Ernest. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Butt Arthur George. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Butt C. E.. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Butt Frederick Claude. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Butt Frederick. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Butt Harry Alfred. Capt. Gloucestershire Rgt
    • Butt . Lewis John Dalgliesh. 2nd Lieut The Rifle Brigade
    • Buttenshaw Leonard Horace. Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Butterfield . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Butterfield Alex. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Butterfield Jabez. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Butterfield Joseph. Gnr.
    • Butterfield Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Butterill Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Butters Stanley Hylton. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Butterworth Arthur. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Butterworth Enoch. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Butterworth Frank. Pte.. Machine Gun Corps
    • Butterworth Harold Edmund. 2nd Lt. Manchester Regiment
    • Butterworth Thomas. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Butterworth Thomas Albert. Pte. Cameronians (Scotish Rifles)
    • Buttery Edward. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Buttle W.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Button Alec. Able Seaman. HMS Bayano
    • Button Frank. L/Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Button William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Butts William. Pte. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Butzbach Arthur Stanley. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Buxton Arthur. Machine Gun Corps
    • Buxton Jocelyn Murray Victor. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Buxton Richard Percy. Capt. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Buxton Robert. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Buyer W. V.. Cpl.
    • Buzza William Henry. Sgt Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Buzzard Thomas. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Bye VC.. Robert James. Sgt. Welsh Guards
    • Byers J.. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Byers James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Byers John Thackray. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Byfield DCM MID. Arthur Charles Herbert. RSM. Middlesex Regiment
    • Byfield Isiaih. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Byford Harry Charles Robert. Pte. Queens West Surrey Regiment
    • Byford Nellie Elizabeth. Nurse.
    • Bygrave Arthur James. Pte. Berkshire Regiment
    • Bylett John William. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Byott William John. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Byott William John. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Byrd DSC, MC.. Daniel Brian. Capt. 119th Infantry Regiment
    • Byrne MM.. Arthur. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Byrne Dennis Cyril. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Byrne Dennis Cyril. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Byrne Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Byrne Hedley John. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Byrne J. W.. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Byrne James. L/Sjt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Byrne Joseph. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Byrne M.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Byrne Michael. Pte. 29th Btn.
    • Byrne Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Byrne Peter. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Byrne Peter. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Byrne Richard. Sgt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Byrne Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Byron William Henry Rose. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Bytheway Richard. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Bywater John William Arthur. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Bywater Leslie Walford. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cabble Edwin Benjamin. Pte. 8th Battalion
    • Cabble Edwin B.. Pte. 8th Battalion
    • Cable Charles Ernest. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Cable Charles Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cable David Albert. Royal Engineers
    • Cable James Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cable Thomas A.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cabrey Hugh. Sig. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Cadby Samuel Alfred. Pte Queens Own Royal West Kent Regt.
    • Cadden H. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Rgt.
    • Caddle J.. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cades Lawrence. Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Cadman DCM.. Walter. CSM Yorks and Lancaster Regiment
    • Cadreman Willie Earnest. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Cadwallader Charles Henry. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Caffrey Christopher. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Caffrey Thomas Edward. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Cahalane Daniel. Sea.
    • Cahill J.. Army Service Corps
    • Cahill William. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Caiger Walter Joseph. Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cain D.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cain Edwin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cain John Thomas. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Cain MM.. Michael Harry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Cain Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cain Walter Frederick. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cain William Lucas. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Caine David. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Caine E.. Pte. Dorset Regiment
    • Caine Evan Idwal. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Caine Hugh. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Caine Matthew. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Caines John Duffett.
    • Cairnie P.. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Cairns E.. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Cairns George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cairns VC.. Hugh. Sgt. 46th Saskatchewan Regiment
    • Cairns VC.. Hugh. Sgt. 46th Btn. Saskatchewan Regiment.
    • Cairns J.. Bty Sjt Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cairns J.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Cairns DCM. MID.. James Lawson. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Cairns DCM. James C.. 44th Btn.
    • Cairns James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cairns James. Sgt. Argyll & Southern Highlanders
    • Cairns John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cairns Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cairns Michael Mitchell. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Cairns Owen. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cakebread Arthur John. Driver Royal Field Artillery
    • Caldecoat Percy. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Calder George Walter. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Calder John Joseph. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Calder Peter. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Calder William Garvie. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Calderhead Donald. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Calderwood Ebenezer. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Caldicott John Richmond. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Caldwell D.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Caldwell David Wallis. Lt. 27th Infantry Battalion
    • Caldwell James. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Caldwell William. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Caldwell William Honeyford. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Caleno Albert. L/Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Caley Edward. Pte. Royal East Kent Regiment
    • Caley Frederick.
    • Calfe William Richard Charles. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Calinan T. F.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Callaghan Edmund. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Callaghan J.. Pte. Canadian Infantry
    • Callaghan James. CPO.
    • Callaghan Martin. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Callaghan Peter. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Callaghan T.. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Callan Arthur. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Callan Charles. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Callan J.. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Callan Thomas James. Pte 11th Battalion
    • Callander William Ramsey Carson. Lt. Indian Army Reserve of Officers
    • Callard Albert Henry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Callard Alfred J.. Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Callender DCM. Charles. P.O.
    • Callender Frank. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Callerghan Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Callerghan Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Callison F. H.. Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Callister Herbert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Callow Joseph. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Callum Joseph. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Calton Charles Henry. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Calver Joseph Ernest. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Calverley Joseph. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Calverley Joseph. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Calvert George Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Calvert DCM.. George Henry Wilkinson. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Calvert Guy. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Calvert Guy. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Calvert James Summers. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Calvert John Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Calvert Lewis C.. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regt.
    • Calvert Robert William. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Calvert Robert William. Coldstream Guards
    • Calvert Thomas Summers. Hawke Btn.
    • Calvert William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Calvey W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cambridge John. HMS Ramellies
    • Cameron Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cameron Allan. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Cameron Angus. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cameron Arthur. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Cameron Donald Law Patrick . WO. Imperial Camel Corps
    • Cameron Donald Alexander. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cameron Dougald. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Cameron Edward. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Cameron George Stephenson. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Cameron James Hubert. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Cameron John.
    • Cameron John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Cameron John. C/Eng. SS Whorlton
    • Cameron John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cameron Thomas. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Cameron William. 2nd Lt. 9th Light Horse Regiment
    • Cameron William. Pte Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Cameron William. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Camm Phillip Otley. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cammidge Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Camp Alfred Earnest. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Campbell Alexander. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Campbell Alfred. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Campbell Allan William George. Lt. Coldstream Guards
    • Campbell Andrew. Pte Highland Light Infantry
    • Campbell Andrew. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Campbell Archibald. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Campbell Archibald. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Campbell Charles Sybil Adlamn. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Campbell Charles London. Gdsmn. Scots Guards
    • Campbell Charles Ronald. Pte. Black Watch
    • Campbell Colin. Lt. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Campbell David Kenn. Pte. Black Watch
    • Campbell David. Pte Black Watch
    • Campbell Donald. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Campbell Donald Gordon. 2nd Lt.
    • Campbell Donald George. Pte. 1st Light Horse Regiment
    • Campbell . Duncan . Pte. Labour Corps
    • Campbell Duncan. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Campbell Edward Alexander Munroe. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Campbell DCM.. Francis Augustus. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Campbell Francis Buchan Murray. Pte. Royal Scots Regiment
    • Campbell VC.. Frederick William. Capt. 1st Btn.
    • Campbell Frederick William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Campbell George. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Campbell H.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Campbell Henry W. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Campbell Herbert. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Campbell Hugh. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Campbell Hugh. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Campbell Hugh. Cpl. Cameron Highlanders
    • Campbell J. C.. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Campbell James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Campbell James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Campbell James Easton. Lt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Campbell Jesse F.. Pte. Signal Corps
    • Campbell John. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Campbell John. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Campbell John. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Campbell John Keith. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Campbell John William. L/Cpl Middlesex Regiment
    • Campbell Joseph. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Campbell Joseph. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Campbell Kenneth Archibald. Lt. Canadian Royal Highlanders
    • Campbell Lawford Burne. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Campbell Malcolm. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Campbell Niven. Pte. Royal Highlanders
    • Campbell Richard. Sapper 1st Australian Tunneling Company
    • Campbell Robert. Capt East Surrey Regiment
    • Campbell Roy Daniel. Cpl. 10th Brigade Field Artillery
    • Campbell Sydney James. Capt. 8th Light Horse Regiment
    • Campbell Thomas. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Campbell DSO, MC & Bar.. William Charles. 2nd Lt. 1 Sqd.
    • Campbell William John. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Campbell William. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Campbell MC, DSO.. William Charles. Mjr. 1 Sqdn.
    • Campbell William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Campbell William James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Campbell William Mackenzie. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Campbell-Bell John. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Campion MiD.. Walter Ernest. Maj. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Campling Thomas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Camps Thomas William. Sgt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Campsall Wilfred Lawson. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Campsie William. Piper. Royal Scots
    • Camsey J.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Canavan Richard. Pte. Black Watch
    • Canby Ernest. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Canby Ernest. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Candelent Thomas. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Canderton James Thomas. Pte. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment.
    • Candy Charles. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Candy James Lewis. Sapper. Royal Engineers
    • Cane Ernest James. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Cane Maurice. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Canetti Joseph. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Caney George. Sgt Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Caney Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusilliers
    • Caney William. Pte. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Canham Robert Dixon. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cann James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Cann Jerome. Pte. HMS Amphion
    • Cann Jerome. Pte.
    • Cann Jerome. Pte. HMS Amphion
    • Cann William James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cannadine William. Pte. The Labour Corps
    • Cannell MM.. Walter Arthur. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Canning C. C.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Canning Michael. L/Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Cannings Arthur Reginald. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Cannon Albert. Sgt. Royal Fusilliers
    • Cannon Anthony. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cannon Charles Herbert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cannon Dennis. Firemn. HM Tug Flying Buzzard
    • Cannon Francis. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cannon Frederick James. A/Sgt. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Cannon John William. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Cannon John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Cannon Patrick. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cannon Sidney. Essex Regiment
    • Cannon William. Pte. 19th Hussars (Queen Alexandras Own)
    • Cant David. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Cant Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cant Percy Clarence. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Cantell George Ernest. Pte. Kings Royal Rifles Corps
    • Cantin S.. L/Cpl London Regiment
    • Cantlon William Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cantrill Charles Edward. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Canty Daniel. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Cape J.. Stoker
    • Capie Samuel. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Caplin Frank. Ldg.Stoker. HMS Bergamot
    • Capon George William. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Capon Percy. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Capp James Prince. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Capper MC.. Ernest Raphel. Capt. Essex Regiment
    • Capper T.. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Capron Robert James. L/Cpl Australian Machine Gun Corps
    • Capstick James. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Carabine Patrick. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Carberry . William . Pte. London Regiment
    • Carbery Miles Bertie Cunninghame. Capt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Carbis Thomas. L/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Carbutt John Hudson. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Carcary Arthur Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Card Benjamin Oliver. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Card E. A.. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Carden William George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cardiff Michael. Cpt. HMHS. St. George
    • Cardus Thomas Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cardwell John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps.
    • Cardwell Nicholas. Lt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cardy William Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Care Stanley James Neel. L/cpl Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Careless Arthur. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Careswell Ernest Francis. Pte Royal Irish Rifles
    • Carew Robert Thomas. Col. Leinster Regiment
    • Carey . Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Carey Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Carey Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Carey Patrick. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Carey Walter. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Carey William James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Carke . John. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Carl Joseph. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Carless VC. John Henry. OrdSea. HMS Caledon.
    • Carlile Samuel Edgar. 78th Field Coy
    • Carlile Stewart. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Carlin Isaac. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Carlin Isaac. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Carlin Issac. L/Cpl. Yorks and Lancaster Regt.
    • Carlin Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carling George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carling Stanley. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carling Thomas. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)
    • Carling William Christopher. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carlow Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Carman Frank. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Carmichael Alexander. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Carmichael Gabriel Baird. Pte Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Carmichael Gabriel Baird. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Carmichael John. Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Carmichael Malcolm. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Carnegie James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Carney Edmund. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Carney Frederick. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Carney Henry. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Carney DCM.. John. L/Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Carney Jos. D.. Coms. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carney M. J.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Carney MC. DCM. & bar.. Thomas P.. CSM. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Carney William Michael. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Carnley Carl Albert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Carolan J.. Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Caroll Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Carpenter Adolphus Galway J.. General Service Corps
    • Carpenter Albert Frederick. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Carpenter Elijah. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Carpenter Frederick Alfred. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Carpenter Harry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Carpenter John Abraham. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Carpenter Ralph Lawrence Pretoria. Able.Sea. HMS Daffodil IV
    • Carpenter Richard. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Carpenter Sidney. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Carpenter Sydney David. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Carpenter Urban Eclipse. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Carpenter-Garnier John Trefusis. Mjr. Scots Guards
    • Carpentier Jules. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Carr Albert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Carr Charles. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Carr MC, MID. Geoffrey. Major King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Carr George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carr Harry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carr Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carr J. G.. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Carr J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carr J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carr James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Carr John. A/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Carr John. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Carr John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carr John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carr John. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carr John Thomas. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Carr M.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carr Nelson. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carr Robert. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Carr Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carr Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carr Thomas R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carr Thomas. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Carr Wilfred. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carr MM.. William. L/Cpl Northunberland Fusiliers
    • Carr William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Carr-West Herbert St. John. Maj. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carrick J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carrick John. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Carrick John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carrick John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carrick John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carrick MM.. Walter Moffatt. L/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carrick William Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carrier Samuel. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Carrigan M.M.. James. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carrigan Patrick. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Carritt MC. William Harry. Capt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Carroll Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carroll Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carroll Francis John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Carroll Francis. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Carroll G. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carroll H. H.. Lt 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Carroll J.. Pte. 57th Btn.
    • Carroll J.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Carroll James Joseph Thomas Aloysius. Capt.Adj. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Carroll James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Carroll James. Cpt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Carroll John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carroll Kathleen. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps
    • Carroll Mathew. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Carroll Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carroll Matthew Michael. L/Cpl. 34th Btn.
    • Carroll Owen. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Carroll P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carroll Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carroll Patrick. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Carroll Peter. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carroll Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carroll Richard Valentine. SSA. HMS Jonquil
    • Carroll Stanislaus Joseph Mary . Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Carroll Stephen. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Carroll Thomas Richard. Pte. 52nd Btn.
    • Carroll Thomas Joseph. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carroll Thomas Frederick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Carroll W.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Carroll William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Carroll William Leo. L.Tel. HMS Beagle
    • Carse James. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Carson J. C.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Carson Joseph. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Carson Samuel Edward. 2nd Lt. 103 Sqdn.
    • Carson William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Carstairs George Shivas Ross. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Carstang Robert. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Carswell Thomas. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Carswell-Hunt MC.. William David. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carter A. W.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Carter Albert. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Carter Alfred Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Carter Alfred Cecil. Capt. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Carter Arthur William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carter Christopher. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Carter Edgar. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Carter Edmund George. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Carter Edward Blackey. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carter Edwin Righton. Tptr. 1st King Edward's Horse
    • Carter Ernest. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Carter Frank. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Carter George. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Carter George William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Carter George Sidney. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Carter George Leonard. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Carter H. S.. Surg. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Carter Harold George. Pte. 73rd Btn.
    • Carter Harry George. Drvr. Royal Engineers
    • Carter Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Carter Herbert. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Ã?Ã? 
    • Carter MID.. Herbert Gordon. Lt.Col. 1st Infantry Battalion
    • Carter MID.. Herbert Francis George. Lt Col Durham Light Infantry, Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Carter J. E.. Sgt. British West Indies Regiment
    • Carter MM & bar.. James Henry. Royal Field Artillery
    • Carter James. Rflm. Rifle Brigade
    • Carter James. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Carter John. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Carter John Henry. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Carter John T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Carter Matthew.
    • Carter VC. Nelson Victor. CSM Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Carter MC.. Robert Burnside. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Carter Samuel. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Carter Samuel. Pte Worcestershire Regiment
    • Carter Stanley Raymond. Cpl. Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Carter Victor Thomas C.. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Carter Walter H. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Carter William. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Carter William. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Carter William. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Carter William Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Carters Robert J.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cartin Joseph. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cartledge George Henry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cartledge Granville. Lt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Cartmell Frank. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cartmell Robert. Private Kings Own Lancashire Regiment
    • Cartmell William. Pte. Devonshire regiment
    • Cartmell William. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Carton VC, DSO.. Adrian. Lt.Gn. 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish)
    • Carton MM.. Hugh. Irish Guards
    • Cartwright VC.. George. Capt. 33rd Battalion
    • Cartwright J. D.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cartwright J.. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cartwright Richard. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Cartwright Richard. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Cartwright Robert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Cartwright S.. Lt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Cartwright Usher. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cartz Louis. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Cartz Louis. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Carvalho MM. Jacob. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Carvell Stephen Calvin. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Carver Christian Creswell. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Carver Frederick. Tptr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Carver George H.. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Carver Leonard William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Carver Wilford Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Case Jas.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Case Monague Vaughan. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Casement Roger. Lt.Col. Royal Field Artillery
    • Casey Albert Edward. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Casey Arthur Harry Roland. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Casey Charles John. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Casey Francis Frederick. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Casey Hugh. BSM. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Casey James William. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Casey John. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Casey John. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Casey Michael. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Casey O. F.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Casey Peter. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Casey Peter. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Casey Peter. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Casey . Robert. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Casey Robert. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Casey Thomas. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cash Albert Leslie. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Cash Albert Leslie. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Caskey James Thew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cason Herbert Sydney. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Cass John B.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cass Thomas R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Casse Frederick. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Cassell Andrew. Pte. Manchester
    • Cassidy VC.. Bernard Matthew. 2nd Lt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cassidy Edward. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cassidy Felix. Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Cassidy H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cassidy J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Cassidy James Patrick. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cassidy James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusillers
    • Cassidy James Ernest. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Cassidy John. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Cassidy John. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Cassidy John. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cassidy T.. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Cassidy Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cassidy Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cassidy W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cassidy William. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Cassie Omond Stewart. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Cassie William. Pte. 7th Battalion
    • Casson James. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Casson James. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Cast Albert. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Casterton Algernon Alfred. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regt
    • Casterton Percy Thomas Frederick. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Castle Arthur John. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Castle MM. Arthur John. T/Capt Devonshire Regiment
    • Castle MC. Claude Montague. Captain Royal Irish Rifles
    • Castle Howarth Ambrose. Pte. Honourable Artillery Company
    • Castleman Frank. Stok. HMS Newmarket
    • Castleton VC.. Claud Charles. Sgt. 5th Machine Gun Company
    • Castleton VC. Claud Charles. Sgt. Australian Machine Gun Corps
    • Castling Herbert William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Castree William Edgar. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Catanach Charles Edward. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Catani Enrico Ferdinando . 2nd Lt. 21st Btn.
    • Catchpole George Alfred. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Cater Arthur Cecil. CSM. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cater Frederick. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Cater William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cates VC.. George Edward. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Cathcart Herbert. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Cathcart Herbert. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Cather VC.. Geoffrey St George Shillington. T/Lt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Cather VC.. Geoffrey St. George Shillington. Lt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Catherall DSM.. Edwatd. A/Sgt.Mjr. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Cathergood J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Catlin James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Catlin James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Cato Alfred. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Caton J. J.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Caton MC. Richard Bewley. Norfolk Regiment
    • Caton MC. Richard Bewley. Capt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Catterall MM.. Samuel James. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Catterall MM CdeG. Samuel James. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Catton George Frederick. Pte. Black Watch
    • Caudwell Christopher John. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Caughey George. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Caulfield Frederick A.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Caulfield Stephen. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Caulfield Thomas. Rfmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Caunter Ernest Albert Edward. A/Bmbr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Causer Albert Victor. A/Sgt Seaforth Highlanders
    • Cavagin Michael James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cavan . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Cavan George. RSM Highland Light Infantry
    • Cavanagh Charles Clement. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Cavanagh Frederick. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cavanagh Henry. Able Sea. HMS Canada
    • Cavanagh James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cavanagh James. FM. HM Yacht Paulina
    • Cavanagh Joe. CSM Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Cavanagh John Joseph. Pte Labour Corps
    • Cavanagh Joseph Patrick . Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cavanagh Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Cavanagh Michael. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Cavanagh T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cave George. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Cave Guy. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cave Herbert James. Pte. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)
    • Cave James Brigg. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cave Mary. Nurse
    • Cave R.. Dvr. 867 Coy. Army Service Corps
    • Cave Robin Douglas. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cave William Henry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Cavell Edith. Nurse
    • Cavendish G. F.. Mjr. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Caves Frank. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Cavill John Thomas. Rfmn. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Cavin Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corp
    • Cawkwell George Albert. Lance Sgt. 33rd Btn.
    • Cawkwell Thomas. A/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Caws Ronald Ratsey. L/Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Cawtherley John Robert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Cawthorn Nicholas. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cawthorne Albert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cecil MC.. William Amherst . Capt Grenadier Guards
    • Ceiley Charles. Stok1. HMS Bonetta
    • Ceshion James. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Chable Rene. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Chadderton Burton. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Chadderton Leonard. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Chadds MID, MC.. Harry Francis. Maj. Border Regiment
    • Chadwick C. Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Chadwick Frederick George. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Chadwick Harry. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Chadwick Harry. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Chadwick James Henry. L.Col Manchester Regiment
    • Chadwick Joseph. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Chadwick Joseph Stansfield. Machine Gun Corps
    • Chadwick Percy. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Chadwick Ralph Charlton. Pte. 11th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Chadwick Randolph Churchill. HMS Edgar
    • Chadwick Robert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Chadwick Samuel. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Chadwick Thomas. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment Regiment
    • Chadwick Tom. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Chadwick William Ellis.
    • Chafe William Henry. Sea. HMS Clan McNaughton
    • Chafer VC.. William George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Chaffey Clifford William. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Chainey Frederick. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Chainey Wreford. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Chaisty Lawrence. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Chalder Abraham. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chalk Joseph Henry. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Chalker Robert John. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Chalkley William John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Challenger John Richard. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Challenor James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Challies Charles Henry. Pte.
    • Challis Cecil Houston. Pte.
    • Challis Harold. PO HMS Princess Irene
    • Challis Thomas Holt. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Challoner Mercy R.. Nurse.
    • Chalmers Ewan. L/Cpl. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Chalmers George Duff. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Chalmers Henry William. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Chalmers Thomas. Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Chalmers MC & bar.. William. Lt Col. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Chamber . Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Chamberlain . Alfred . L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Chamberlain Edward William. Able Seaman Hawke Btn.
    • Chamberlain Francis. Sgt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Chamberlain Fred. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Chamberlain Gerald Caleb L.. Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Chamberlain MacDonald Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Chamberlain Thomas Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chamberlin Arthur William. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Chamberlin Herbert Victor. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Chamberlin Thomas. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Chambers Albert. Rifle Brigade
    • Chambers Ambrose. L/Cpl. 53rd Battalion
    • Chambers D. M.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Chambers Daniel. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Chambers David Proudlock. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Chambers Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chambers Edwin. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Chambers Frank David. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Chambers Herbert John. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Chambers James. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Chambers John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Chambers John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Chambers MID.. Philip Arthur. Maj. 12th Light Horse Regiment
    • Chambers Reginald Harry. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Chambers Robert. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Chambers Thomas Gregory. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chambers Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Chambers W.. Pte. 14th Btn.
    • Chambers Walter M. P.. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Chambers William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Champ Arthur. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Champ William. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Champion Benjamin William. Lt. 1st Infantry Battalion
    • Champion Harry A.. Pvt. 39th MG Btn.
    • Champion Henry John. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Champley R.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Chance Wilfred George . Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Chance William. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Chandler Alfred James. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Chandler Charles. Pte East Kent Regiment
    • Chandler Charles Henry. L/Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Chandler Fredrick Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Chandler DCM.. George. CSM. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Chandler George Ernest. Pte. Royal Berkshire
    • Chandler Joseph. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Chandler Joseph. Chf Officer
    • Chandler Les. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Chandler Percy Reginald. Rflm. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Chandler Reuben. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Chandler William Stephen. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Chaney George Wesley. Pte. 1st Battalion
    • Chaney Thomas Charles. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Chaney W. Pte. London Regiment
    • Channell Frederick. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Channon Arthur Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Chant Frederick. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Chant William. Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Chantler Henry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Chantler John. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chantler Richard Edward. Cheshire Regiment
    • Chaplin Arthur. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Chaplow H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chapman . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Chapman Albert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chapman Albert Douglas Melvin. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Chapman Alfred Marshall. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Chapman Alfred. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Chapman Alfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Chapman Ambrose. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chapman Arthur. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Chapman Bertie Fredrick John. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Chapman MC.. C. L.. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Chapman Cecil. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Chapman . Charles Frederick. Rifle Brigade
    • Chapman Charles Henry. Rfm. London Regiment (London Irish Rifles)
    • Chapman Charles Pease. Lt. 2nd Btn.
    • Chapman MID, MC. Charles Lancelot. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Chapman Charles Henry Robert. Cpl, Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Chapman Cornelius. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Chapman Ernest George. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Chapman Ernest Edward. Pioneer 11th Hampshire Regiment
    • Chapman F. T.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Chapman MM.. Frank. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Chapman George Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Chapman George James. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Chapman George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Chapman H. R.. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Chapman Henry Claude. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Chapman Horace J. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Chapman Horrace John. Cameron Highlanders
    • Chapman John Ernest. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Chapman John Joseph. Lt. 9th Infantry Battalion
    • Chapman John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Chapman MM.. John Richard. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Chapman Joseph Stafford. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chapman Percy. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Chapman Robert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Chapman MM. Robert. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Chapman Stanley. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Chapman Thomas Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Chapman Thomas Henry. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Chapman DCM.. William Henry. Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Chapman William. Pte. K Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Chapman William Henry. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Chapman, John L. Sjt.Mjr. British West Indies Regiment
    • Chappell Albert Thomas. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Chappell Frank. L/Sgt. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding)
    • Chappell Frank. Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Chappell Henry. Private Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt
    • Chappell Percy. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Chappell W. H.. Able Sea. Hawke Btn.
    • Chappell William. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corp
    • Chappell William. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Chapple Arthur. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Chapples Robert Hey. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Chapples Robert Hey. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Chard Albert. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Charlecraft Harry John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Charles George. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Charles Hilary. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Charles Hilary. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Charles Isaac. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Charlesworth John. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Charlesworth Thomas Alfred. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Charlesworth William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Charley A. T.. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Charlton Edward George. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Charlton F. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Charlton Frederick Thomas. Stkr. HMS Romola
    • Charlton G. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Charlton George. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Charlton George. Lsgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Charlton George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Charlton Jacob. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Charlton James Younger. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Charlton James Joseph. Pte. Australian Infantry
    • Charlton Jn.T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Charlton John. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Charlton Louis. Able Sea. 6th (Howe) Btn.
    • Charlton P. C..
    • Charlton Philip Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Charlton Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Charlton Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Charlton S. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Charlton Thomas William. A/Cpl Border Regiment
    • Charlton William C.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Charlton William Jordan. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Charman George Albert. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Charnock Percy. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Charretie William Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Chart George James Sidney. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Charteris . Ernest. Pte. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
    • Charters Peter. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chase Archibald. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Chase DSO MiD.. Archibald Alderman. Maj. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Chase Herbert H.. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Chase Sidney T. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Chaston Albert V.. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Chater Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chater Thomas William. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chater Tom Watkins. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Chatfield Albert Edward. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chatt J. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chatter Felix Leonard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chatter John Howard. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Chatterley Horace Victor. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Chatterton Alfred Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Chatterton Charles Forman. Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Chatterton Henry. Pte. Kings Royal Rifles
    • Chavasse MC VC.. Noel Godfrey. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Chave KBE.. Benjamin . Captain SS. Alnwick Castle
    • Chaytor Joseph. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Cheeseborough Joseph William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cheeseman Clifford William. L/Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cheeseman F. W.. Rflm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Cheeseman J. H.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cheeseman J. S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cheeseman L.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cheeseman William. Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cheetham Alban. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Cheevers Francis. Rifleman 13th Bn Royal Irish Rifles
    • Chegwin Archibald. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Chell Leonard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chenery William Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Chennells Reuben James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cherrett Hubert. Lance Corporal South Lancashire Regiment
    • Cherrison John Thomas. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Cherry George Alton. Stok. HMS Yarmouth
    • Cherry Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artilley (Burnley Howitzers)
    • Cherry Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artilley
    • Cherry John Giles. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Cherry VC, MC.. Percy Herbert. Capt. 26th Battalion
    • Cherry VC, MC. Percy Herbert. Captain 26th Btn.
    • Chesher Arthur John. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Chesney Joseph. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Chesnutt Robert. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Chessar Andrew Baxter. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Chesser E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chessman Alfred James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Chessman Robert Bernard. Able Sea. HMS Magic
    • Chester Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Chester William John. Royal Field Artillery
    • Chesters . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Chesters George. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Chesterson Harry. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Chetwood Knightley. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Chew Frank. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Chew Frank. Manchester Regiment
    • Chew Harry Leader. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Chichester Robert Charles. Lt. HMS Black Prince
    • Chick Albert Victor. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Chick Eli George. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Chick Francis Frederick. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Chicken Robert. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Chidley Arthur Joseph. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Chidlow William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chidson M. R.. 2/Lt.
    • Chidwick Alfred John. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Chilcot Arthur Frederick. Sapper att 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Child Arthur Leslie Roland. Pte. London Regiment
    • Child DCM.. Frederick John. Sgt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Child Joseph Alfred. 2nd Lt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Child Robert Deacon de Quincy. 2nd.Lt. East Kent Regiment
    • Child Samuel James. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Child MM.. William James. Sgt. Lincolnshire Rregiment
    • Childs Godfrey. Cpl.
    • Childs Leslie. Rfm. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own)
    • Chilmaid MM.. Fred. A/Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery Royal Garrison Artill
    • Chilman Richard Henry. Pte. 13th Machine Gun Company
    • Chilton John. A-Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Chilton Robert. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish)
    • Chilvers Wilfred Westoby. PO.Stkr. HMS Inflexible
    • Chipperfield Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Chisholm Alexander. A/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Chisholm Christopher. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Chisholm Douglas William. Sgt. Hertford Regiment
    • Chisholm Isaac. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Chisholm Roderick. Pte Highland Light Infantry
    • Chisholm Thomas William. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chisholm William. Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Chisnall George Frederick Durmin. Sgt Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Chisolme G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chittock Hubert Arthur. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Chitty Alfred J.. Sgt. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Cholmeley Montague Aubrey Rowley. Capt. Grenadier Guards
    • Cholmondeley C. A. J.. Capt Border Regiment
    • Chopin Mathew. Pvt. 356th Infantry Regiment
    • Chorley William Thomas. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Choules Albert Henry. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Chowler Charles. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Chrisp Charles Bramley. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Chrisp John. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Chrisp T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Christal James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Christelow GSM, DSO.. John Thomas. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Christelow Matthew. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Christer Henry. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Christian Fred Albert. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Christiansen Emil. 163rd Infantry Regiment
    • Christie Herbert. Skr. HMS Opal
    • Christie James Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Christie James Fairley. Cpl. Scottish Rifles
    • Christie James Arthur. Pte. Portsmouth Battalion
    • Christie . John. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Christie MM.. John Edward. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Christie John. Army Service Corps Ã? 
    • Christie John. L/Cpl. Cameron Highlanders
    • Christie Joseph. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Christie k.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Christie Laurance Speedie. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Christie Malcolm Ross. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Christie Myles. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Christie Paul Norman Jones. 2nd Lt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Christie MID. Ralph Lindsay. Lt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Christie W.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Christie Wilfrid Sydney. Ast.M.Eng. HMS Sunhill
    • Christie William Albert. Rfn. NZ Rifle Brigade3
    • Christie William. QMSgt. Army Service Corps
    • Christie William. HMS Pekin
    • Christison J.. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Christison John James. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Christoe John Edward. Major. 41st Btn.
    • Christon Reginald. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Christopher Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Christopher George Thomas Anstey. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Christopher John Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Christopher . Montague William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Christopher Richard. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Christy John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Chu Ah Ching. FF S.S. Brodholme
    • Chubb Frank Harcourt. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Church George. Pte Wiltshire Regiment
    • Church John Edward. 2Lt. Royal Tank Corps
    • Church Leslie Ernest. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Church Llewellyn Victor. Stkr.1st Cl. HMS Noble
    • Church Sidney Charles. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Church Thomas Walter. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Church Thomas Walter. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Church Victor George. Pte East Surrey Regiment
    • Church DCM.. William Henry. Dvr. Royal Artillery
    • Churchhouse Arthur Frederick. Tel. HMS Stephen Furness
    • Churchill Alfred Henry. Machine Gun Corps
    • Churchill Mark. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Churchill Richard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Churchill Thomas. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Chynoweth Joseph Henry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Clabby H. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Clack Phillip. Rifleman London Regiment
    • Clack Richard. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Clack Thomas. Pte. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Clamp George. Pte. Royal Leicestershire Regiment
    • Clamp VC. William. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clancy . Edward . Sjt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Clapperton George. Lt. 58th Btn. (Central Ontario Regiment)
    • Clare Alfred Frederick. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Clare VC.. George William Burdett. Pte. 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers
    • Clare Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Clare Robert. Sapper. Royal Engineers
    • Clarence John. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Clarence Kate Dorothy . Queen Alexandras Royal Naval Nursing Service
    • Clark A.. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Clark Alfred John. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own)
    • Clark Alfred James. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Clark MM.. Andrew. L/Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Clark MM.. Andrew. Segt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Clark MM.. Archibald Ernest. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Clark Arthur. ERA4. HMS Cambrian
    • Clark Bert. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clark Bert. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clark Campbell. Pte. 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Clark Cecil Christian. Capt. 1 Sqd.
    • Clark Charles Alexander. Machine Gun Corps
    • Clark Charles. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Clark DSO MC.. Charles Alfred. Mjr. East Surrey Regiment
    • Clark Charles. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Clark David Watt. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Clark Duncan Alexander. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Clark E. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clark E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clark Ernest Arthur. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Clark MM. Ernest William. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Clark F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clark Frank Rome. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Clark Frank. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Clark Fred. Sjt Machine Gun Corps
    • Clark Frederick Percy. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Clark G. H.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clark G. A.. L/Cpl. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Clark George Thomas. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clark George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clark George Edwin. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Clark Henry Cecil. Pte. London Regiment
    • Clark Herbert Stanley. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Clark J. G.. Able Sea. Royal Naval Div.
    • Clark James. Pte. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Clark James. Pte. 155th Btn
    • Clark John Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clark John Hood. Sjt. Royal Scots
    • Clark John William. Sgt. 22nd London Regiment
    • Clark John Benjamin. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Clark John Rattray. Sgt. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Clark John. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clark Joseph. Pte. 45th Btn.
    • Clark Joseph. Pte Sherwood Foresters
    • Clark N.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clark Osmond. Pte, West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clark Percy. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clark Sidney Charles. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Clark Sydney. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Clark Thomas. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Clark Thomas Henry. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Clark Thomas. Sgt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clark Walter Mark. Pte. Gloucestershire
    • Clark William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusilliers
    • Clark William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clark William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clark William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clark William Davidson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clark William Wallace Edmund Messenger. Pte. London Regiment.
    • Clark William George. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Clark DCM. William. Sgt. Green Howards
    • Clark William Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clark William Pritchard. ERA. HMS P26
    • Clarke . Rgmtl Qtrmstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clarke . Pte. London Regiment
    • Clarke Albert.
    • Clarke MSM.. Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clarke Albert Augustus. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Clarke Alfred. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Clarke Alfred. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Clarke Alfred Arthur. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Clarke Alfred. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Clarke Arthur. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Clarke Charles Stephen. Act L/Cpl Durham Light Infantry
    • Clarke Charles. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Clarke Charles Stephen. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clarke Charles St Aubyn. 2nd Lt. Punjabis
    • Clarke Charles Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Clarke Christopher. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Clarke Daniel. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Clarke Edgar Charles. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Clarke Edward. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Clarke Ernest Edward. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Clarke Francis George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Clarke Frank Herbert. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Clarke . Frederick Boulton. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Clarke Frederick Harold. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Clarke Frederick Harold. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Clarke Fredrick Ambrose. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Clarke Harold Edward. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Clarke Harry. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Clarke Harry. Dvr Royal Engineers
    • Clarke Henry. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Clarke MID. Henry. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Clarke Hubert A.. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Clarke J.. Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Clarke Jack. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Clarke Jackson. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Clarke James Francis. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Clarke James Vincent. Gnr. 5th Field Artillery Brigade
    • Clarke James Henry Fisher. 2nd Lt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clarke James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Clarke MM,DCM.. James. WO. Cheshire Regiment
    • Clarke John Augustine. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Clarke John Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clarke John. Pte. Denbighshire Yeomanry
    • Clarke John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clarke John Alfred William. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Kings Own Yo
    • Clarke John. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Clarke John. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Clarke Joseph. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Clarke VC.. Leo. Sgt. Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment).
    • Clarke Leslie William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Clarke M.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clarke Matthew. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Clarke Montagu Christian. Lt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Clarke Noah. Gdsm. Grenadier Guards
    • Clarke Noah. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Clarke Oliver Joseph. Tpr. 7th Light Horse Regiment
    • Clarke Percy. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Clarke Peter. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clarke Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clarke R.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Clarke Robert Dawson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clarke Robert Barton. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Clarke Samuel James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clarke Samuel. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Clarke Stanley Evelyn. Capt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Clarke Stephen. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Clarke Thomas Henry. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Clarke Tom. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clarke W. Edward. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Clarke Wilfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clarke Wilfred Edward. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Clarke William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clarke William Edwin. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Clarke William James Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Clarke William Edwin. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Clarke William George. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Clarke William. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Clarke William Arthur. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Clarke William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Clarke William. Pte King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Clarke William. Sgt. Connaught Rangers
    • Clarke William A. St. Aubyn. Sub-Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Clarke William Benjamin. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Clarke William. SS Minnetonka
    • Clarke William. Pte North Lancashire Regiment
    • Clarke Wilson. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Clarkson Alfred Oliver. Sgt. Scots Guards
    • Clarkson MC, MID.. Amos. Capt. Prince of Wales's Own West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clarkson Frederick. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Clarkson Harry. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Clarkson James. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clarkson Leonard. Sgt. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Clarkson W. J.. 2nd Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Clarkson Wilford Bamforth. 2nd Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Clarson Alfred. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Clasper Robert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Clasper Thomas Stoker. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Class MC.. Herbert Rudolf. 2nd Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Clatworthy Albert. Royal Field Artillery
    • Claughan Joseph Edgar. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Claughan Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clawson Wiliam James. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Claxton John Robert. Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Claxton Thomas Kilwick. Royal Engineers.
    • Clay Clement Cecil. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Clay George Thomas. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Clay Henry John. Pte. HMS Duncan
    • Clay James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Clay James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Clay John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Clay Reuben. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Claydon George Frederick. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Claydon John. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Claydon John. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Clayson MC, DFC.. Percy Jack. Capt 1 Squadron
    • Clayton Albert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Clayton Alfred. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clayton Arthur. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Clayton Benjamin Chipchase. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clayton Charles. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Clayton Charles Harral. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clayton Edward. Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Clayton Ernest A.. Sgt. 95th Field Ambulance
    • Clayton Frank. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Clayton George Cumbers. Pte. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Clayton Harry Dudley. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Clayton James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clayton James. Pte Cameron Highlanders
    • Clayton MMil.. John Harry. CSM Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Clayton Louis. Spr 152nd Field Coy
    • Clayton Matthew. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Clayton Sydney Ottawa. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Clayton Walter Charles. Sgt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Clayton Walter. Pte London Regiment
    • Clayton William.
    • Clayton William Henry Crane. Labour Corps
    • Clayton-Smith MC.. H. E. H.. Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Cleak Frederick George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cleal Charles Norman. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Clear Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cleary James.
    • Cleary John. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Cleary Peter Flemming. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Cleaver Edward Randolph. Tpr. 4th Light Horse Regiment
    • Cleaver Henry Francis. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cleaver John Vincent Hutchison. Sgt. New Zealand Field Artillery
    • Cleaver Sidney James. Gnr. Tank Corps
    • Clee MSM.. James Thomas. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Cleet Herbert William Frederick. Pte. Infantry
    • Cleeves Vincent. Pte. 7th Battalion
    • Clegg Albert George. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Clegg Ernest Horatio. Sjt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Clegg Frederick. 2nd.Lt. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Clegg Harry Hindle. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Clegg Percy. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Clegg Prince.
    • Clegg R.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Clegg Robert William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Clegg Thomas Henry. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clegg William Thomas. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Clegg William Robert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Cleggett Frank. Gdsmn. Coldstream Guards
    • Cleghorn James. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cleland James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Clement Frank Malcolm Louis. Pte. London Regiment
    • Clements Charles Reuben. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Clements Houston. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Clements Morris Griffiths. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Clements Robert Thompson. Lothian And Border Horse
    • Clements Thomas. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Clements William. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Cleminson Charles Norman. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cleminson William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Clemitson Robert Homer. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clemmet Robert Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clemmet Robert Henry. Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clemmett John Leonard Scott. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Clemo John. Lt. Royal Artillery
    • Clemson Thomas Henry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Clennell James Albert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Clethero Edgar. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Cleveland Joseph John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Cleveland Sydney. Pte. 46th Machine Gun Corps
    • Cleverley Arthur John. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cleverly Stephen G.. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Cleversley William George. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cleverton Robert. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Clevett Herbert George. Act/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Clevett Walter Reuben. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Clewarth Wilfred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clewley Tom. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Cleworth W.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Clews Augustine. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Clews Ernest James. Sgt. Royal Hampshire Regiment
    • Clews Johnson Severn Bennett. L/Cpl. 41st Battalion
    • Cliff Harry. Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Cliff J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cliffe Frank. Rfm. Rifle Regiment
    • Cliffe Kenneth. Pte. London Regiment
    • Clifford MM.. A. E..
    • Clifford MM.. Albert E. A/Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Clifford Frederick. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Clifford John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clifford John James. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Clifford John James. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Clifford Michael. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Clifford P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clifford Thomas. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Clifford Thomas. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Clifford William Ernest. Pte. Royal Inniskillin Fusiliers
    • Clifford William Thomas. L/Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • Clift Charles George. Pte. Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry
    • Clift Dudley Joseph. Pte. 20th Btn.
    • Clift Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Clift William. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Clifton MC.. Hubert Everard. 2nd Lt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Clifton John. Pte. Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Clint John Alexander Spence. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Clinton John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Clinton R.. Capt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Clinton Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Clinton Walter L.. Capt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Clinton Walter. Capt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Clinton-Baker O.. Lt -Col. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Clissett William Frederick. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Clissitt William Cyrus. London Regiment
    • Clist Henry. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Clist Leslie William John. 2nd Lt. Somerset Light infantry
    • Clitheroe Harry. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Clogan Jack McIntyre. Pte. Australian Infantry
    • Cloke Donald Victor. Pte. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
    • Close James. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Close Shepherd. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clough . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Clough Fletcher. Dmr. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Clough Fletcher. Drmr. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Clough John Cecil. Sergeant Durham Light Infantry
    • Clough Samuel Paul. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Clough Stanley James. Pte. Kings Own
    • Clough Stanley James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Clough T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clough William. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Cloughley James. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Cloutman VC.. Brett Mackay. A/Mjr. Royal Engineers
    • Cloutman MID. Wolfred Reeve. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Clow J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Clowes John Hubert. Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Clowrey John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Clowrey John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Cluff C. D. B.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Clutterbuck Alfred Charles. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Clutterham Frederick Ernest. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Clyde MM. John Waddell. 2nd Lt Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Clydesdale John. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Clynch Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Clyne Henry. Seaman Collingwood Battalion
    • Clyne Henry. Sea. Collingwood Battalion
    • Coad Richard Henry. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Coade William Henry. Lt. Leinster Regiment
    • Coady John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Coady John James. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Coakley Joseph Lynch. Capt. Labour Corps
    • Coan Francis. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Coar Edward Roland. 2nd Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Coates Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coates VC. Alfred. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Coates Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coates Alfred. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Coates Anthony. L/Cpl Durham Light Infantry
    • Coates Arnold. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coates Benjamin Beaconsfield. A. Cpl. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Coates Edward. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Coates Ernest. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Coates Ernest William. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Coates John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coates John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coates John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Coates Joseph. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Coates Thomas William. Pte. Lincolnshire
    • Coates W. B.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coates William Bolton. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coates William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coatham James Rawson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cobb Christopher John. Cpl Royal Field Artillery
    • Cobb Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cobb John. L/Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Cobby William Scott. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Cobden William James. Sgt Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Cobourn Philip Martin. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Coc Claude Cyril. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Cochrane J. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cochrane James.
    • Cochrane James.
    • Cochrane Samuel. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Cochrane Samuel Henry. Pte. 15th Battalion
    • Cochrane Samuel Henry. Pte. 48th Highlanders of Canada
    • Cochrane William. Sgt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Cochrane William. Sgt. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Cockayne Richard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cockbill Frederick. Pte. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cockbill Harry Vernon. Qtr.Mstr.Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cockburn Charles R.. 2Mech.
    • Cockburn George. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cockburn John. 2Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cockburn Malcolm Charles. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Cockcroft Thomas. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Cockell Raynard. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Cocker George William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Cocker Harold. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Cocker Harold. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Cocker Joseph. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Cockeram Frank. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Cockerell Harry. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Cockerill Alfred. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Cockerill George William. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Cockerill John. Pte Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Cockerline George Frederick. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cockett Charles. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Cockfield C F. 2Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cockfield C. F.. Lt.
    • Cockfield George. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Cockfield James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Cockhead Thomas. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cockin James. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Cocking Thomas. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Cocking Thomas. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cocking Tom. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cockings William Edward. Ldg.Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Cockle Clarence Tapscott. Lt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Cockle Morris. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Cocklin Jeremiah. Pte. Notts & Derby
    • Cockram Tom. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cocks Arthur Septimus. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cocks Frederick Thomas. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Cocks Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cocksedge George. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cockshott Frank. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cockwill Reginald Darke. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Codd Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Codia J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coe Charles Alfred. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Coe MM.. Edward. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Coe Horace. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Coe Lawrence Gordon. Sgt. Ox and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Coe Lawrence Gordon. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Coffee Albert Charles. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Coffey John.
    • Coffey Samuel. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Coffin VC, DSO.. Clifford. Maj.Gen Corps of Royal Engineers
    • Coggen Frederlick William J. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Coggins MM.. Henry. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Coggins John Bernard. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Coghill John Tait. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coghlan Daniel. Capt. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Cohen Abraham. Pte. Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Cohen Adolf B. Lieutenant West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cohen Henry. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Cohen Sydney. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Cohen-Dixon P.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coit E. D.C.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Coker Edmund Albert. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Coker George David. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Cokley John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Colam Fred. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Colam Joseph James. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Colbenson Samuel. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Colberg Emil. Cpl. 12th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Colborne Reginald Elgar. 2nd Lt.
    • Colbourne Thomas William. WO2 York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Colby Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Colclough John. Act/Cpl. North Staffordshire (Prince of Wales's)
    • Cole . Nurse Brondesbury Park Military Hospital
    • Cole . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cole . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cole Albert Edward. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cole Alfred. Royal Engineers
    • Cole C. F.. A/Sjt. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Cole Cecil. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Cole Claude E.. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Cole Edwin Stuart Travis. Lt. 1 Sqd.
    • Cole Edwin Stuart Travis. Capt. No.1 Sqn
    • Cole Ernest Edward . Cpl Hampshire Regiment
    • Cole Ernest Edward. Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Cole Frank. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Cole George Albert. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cole George Harry. L/Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Cole Herbert Reginald Bruce. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Cole James W.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cole James. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Cole James Stanley. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cole Johnny. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Cole Leonard. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cole Leslie Stewart. 2nd Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Cole DSC. Morris Roseman. S/Lt. H.M.S Carysfort
    • Cole Patrick. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cole MID. Richard Barnes. A/2nd Lt.
    • Cole Thomas Henry. Rfn. Rifle Brigade
    • Cole Walter. Gnr. 36th Siege Bty.
    • Cole Walter John. Pte. Norfolk Battalion
    • Cole William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Cole William James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Cole William Norman. 2Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Colebatch Samuel Arthur Pateshall. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Coleby G.. Csm. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coleman MID. Albert. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Coleman MiD.. Albert John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Coleman Arthur Joseph Ethelbert. Pte. London Regt
    • Coleman Christopher. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Coleman Duncan Reginald. Pioneer Royal Engineers
    • Coleman Ernest James. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Coleman Frederick Philip. Pte. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Coleman Henry. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Coleman James Edward Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Coleman John Stanley. L/Cpl. East Kent Regiment
    • Coleman John Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Coleman Levi. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment.
    • Coleman Richard. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Coleman Robert John. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Coleman Samuel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Coleman Thomas G. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coleman Thomas. Pte South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Coleman Walter. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Coleman Walter Henry. Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Coles Arthur Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coles Cecil Frederick Gottlieb. Sgt. Bandmaster London Regiment
    • Coles Ernest John. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Coles George Edward. Rfn King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Coles Henry. Pte Middlesex Regiment
    • Coles Herbert Thorwald. 2/Lt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Coles John Godfrey. 2/Lt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Coles John. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Coles Leonard. HMS Ramillies
    • Coles MM. William Price Vivian. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Coleshill Leonard. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Coley Alfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Coley Charles Cephas. Pte. 25th Btn.
    • Coley Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Colgrave Colin. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Colgrave DCM, MID.. Joseph. L/Sgt, 5th Royal Irish Lancers
    • Colins . Dalton E.. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Collarbon George Frederick. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Collard Edwin Lewis. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Collard Richard Jordan. 2nd Lt. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Colledge Elijah. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Colledge Herbert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Collen Norman Owen. 2nd Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Collen William Stewart. 2nd Lt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Collett Frank Stephen. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Collett John Francis. Able Sea. HMS Astraea
    • Collett Reginald Jack. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Colley Ernest. Pte. North Staffs Regiment
    • Colley VC MM. Harold John. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Colley DCM.. Harry. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Colley Robert Archibald. Capt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Collie George Rae. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Collier David. CSM Royal Irish Regiment
    • Collier Frederick John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Collier Henry Victor. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Collier John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Collier John Albert. Pte. 5th Brigade Machine Gun Coy.
    • Collier Leonard. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Collier William Edwin. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Collin VC.. Joseph Henry. 2nd Lt. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Collin VC. Joseph Henry. 2nd Lt. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Collind Cornelius. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Colling Joseph. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Collinge Arthur. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Collinge Arthur. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Collingham David A.. Stoker 1st Class. HMS Bergamot
    • Collings . Thomas Bosworth. Able Sea. HMS Contest
    • Collings Wallace. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Collings-Wells VC, DSO.. John Stanhope. Lt.Col. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Collingwood Alexander A.. Palmer's Ship Yard
    • Collingwood Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Collingwood William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Collins A.. Pte. 47th Btn.
    • Collins MM.. Albert James. Cpl. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Collins Alfred. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Collins Alfred. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Collins Alfred. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Collins Arthur Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Collins Bernard. Fmn. S.S. Newlyn
    • Collins Charles Sweeney. Spr. Australian Engineers
    • Collins Charles. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Collins Cornelius. Fmn. S.S. Barrowmore
    • Collins Dennis. Sgt.
    • Collins Edmund. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Collins Edwin. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Collins Frank. Pte Leicestershire Regiment
    • Collins Frederick Lewis. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Collins Frederick. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Collins G. E.. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Collins . George Henry. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Collins . George . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Collins H. Private South Wales Borders
    • Collins H W. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Collins Harry. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Collins Henry Thomas George. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Collins J.P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Collins . James . Pte.
    • Collins James. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Collins James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Collins James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Collins James Francis. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Collins John Joseph. pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Collins John Joseph. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Collins John Thomas. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Collins John Thomas. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Collins Joseph. Pte. Machine Gun Corps.
    • Collins Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Collins Patrick James. Sgt. 3rd Balloon Squadron
    • Collins Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Collins Percy John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Collins Reg. HMS Patrol
    • Collins Robert Hammond. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Collins Thomas John. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Collins Thomas. Rflmn. New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • Collins Thomas. L/Cpl. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Collins W. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Collins Walter. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Collins DCM. William Henry. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Collins William Charles. London Regiment
    • Collins DCM.. William Henry. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Collins William Victor. Pte. 6th Dragoon Guards
    • Collins William Robert. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Collins William Robertson. Royal Fusiliers
    • Collins William. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Collinson MM.. Frederick George. Cpl Yorkshire Regiment
    • Collinson George. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Collinson Thomas Gibson. Pte. Yorkshire Rgt.
    • Collis John. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Collis Paul Benjamin. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Company
    • Collis Walter. Pte. 3rd NZ Machine Gun Coy
    • Collis William Richard. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Collishaw Raymond. Flt Sub. Lt. 10 Naval Sqd.
    • Collister Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Colloby William Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Collyer Arthur Lionel. Lt. London Regiment
    • Colman J. R.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Colman Prospher Charles. Fireman. SS Memphian
    • Colman William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Colmson Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Colpitts Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Colpitts William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Colquitt Joseph Vincent. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Columbine VC. Herbert George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)
    • Colville MID. Charles Alexander. Cmdr.
    • Colvin Robert. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Colwell Mark. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Colyer Edward Thomas Joseph. Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Colyer-Fergusson VC.. Thomas Riversdale. Capt. Northamptonshire Regiment,
    • Colyer-Fergusson VC.. Thomas Riversdale. Capt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Combe David. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Combe VC.. Robert Grierson. Lt. 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion
    • Comber Gerald. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corp
    • Combes Reginald. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Combs Wilfred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Comer Frederick G. Pte. West Kent Regiment
    • Comer James. Pte. 9th Battalion
    • Comerford James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Comerford M. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Comerford Thomas. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Comeskey Corma. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Comollie Horace Peter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Compton Herbert James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Compton Percy. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Comte G.. Pte. Canadian Infantry
    • Conaghy Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Concannon MM.. Arthur W.. L/Cpl Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment
    • Condick J. A.. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Condon James. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Condon John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Coney Cecil Greenfield. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Confrey George. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Congdon Arthur Grenfel. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Congleton . Matron No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Congreve VC, DSO, MC, MID.. William La Touche. Major. Rifle Brigade
    • Conley Andrew. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Conley Henry Alfred James. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Conley Thomas. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Conley William George Waitangi. Pte Otago Infantry Regiment
    • Conlin Bernard Francis. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Conlin J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Conlin MC.. John Francis. T/Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Conlon John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Conlon John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Conn DCM.. John. CSM. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Connell MM. James. L/Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Connell MM. James. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Connell James. Pte. Black Watch
    • Connell John Warden. Cpl. Army Service Corps.
    • Connell Patrick James. L/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Connelly John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Connelly Michael. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Connelly Patrick. Pte Black Watch
    • Connelly Patrick. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Connelly Peter. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Connelly Tom. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Conner MC & bar.. Eric Seymour. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Conner John Henry. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Connolley P.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Connolly Charles. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Connolly George Christopher. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Connolly J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Connolly James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Connolly James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Connolly James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Connolly John.
    • Connolly John Patrick. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Connolly John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Connolly John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Connolly John. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Connolly John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Connolly John Henry. 2/Lt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Connolly John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Connolly Joseph Patrick. Ord.Sea. HM Tug Stobo Castle
    • Connolly Joseph. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Connolly Keith Warrington. Spr. 1st Australian Tunneling Company
    • Connolly Mark Francis. L/Sgt. 44th Battalion
    • Connolly Michael. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Connolly P.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Connolly Patrick. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Connolly Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Connolly William Joseph. Pte. London Regiment
    • Connolly William Joseph. Pte. London Regiment
    • Connor . Durham Light Infantry
    • Connor Edward. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Connor G.. T/Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Connor G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Connor George. Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Connor Hugh. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Connor J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Connor James. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Connor James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Connor John. Able Sea. HMS Vivid
    • Connor Mary Elizabeth.
    • Connor Mathew. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusilliers
    • Connor Pat.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Connor T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Connors James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Connors Patrick. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Conochie Robert Pollock. 2nd Lt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Conran . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Conroy Edward. Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Conroy John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Conroy John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Conroy John. Cpl Leinster Regiment
    • Conroy Joseph. D.H. HMS Vivid
    • Conroy Martin Joseph. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Conroy William Henry. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Constable Charles Havelock . Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Constable MC.. James Milton. A/Capt. Oxfordshire And Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Constable Percy. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Constable Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Constant Arthur. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Constantine Robert. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry.
    • Constantine MC. William. Capt. Border Regiment
    • Conti Florian. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Convery Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Conway Bernard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Conway Ernest John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Conway H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Conway James Albert. Cpl. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Conway James. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Conway Michael. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Conway Patrick. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Conway Peter. Pte. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Conway Thomas. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Conway W. H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cook Adam Cowan. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cook Albert Henry. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Cook Alfred Thomas. DH.
    • Cook Arthur George. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Cook . Augustus Charles. Pte.
    • Cook Augustus Charles. Pte. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Cook 315219. Charles. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cook Donald George. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Cook E.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cook Edmund David. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Cook Edwin. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cook Ernest. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regimen
    • Cook . Frank. Sjt. Royal Engineers
    • Cook Frank. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Cook Frank. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Cook Frank Harold. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Cook Frank. W Telegraphist HMS Stonecrop
    • Cook Fred. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Cook George Arthur. Pte.
    • Cook Harry. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cook Henry. Sjt. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Cook Herbert. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cook Horace William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cook Humphrey Welsh. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cook J. A. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cook MC.. Jack Valentine. Capt. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Cook James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Cook James Edwin. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cook James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cook John. L/Cpl. Yorks & Lancs Regt
    • Cook John Markham. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Cook John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cook John Eaden. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Cook John Francis William . Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cook Joseph Herbert. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Cook Joseph James. Cpl. 21st Btn.
    • Cook Leonard. Pte. 1st Canterbury Btn.
    • Cook Leonard. Pte. Canterbury Infantry Regiment
    • Cook Percy. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cook Robert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Cook Samuel A. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Cook MM.. Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cook Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cook Thomas Oswald. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cook Walter. Pte Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Cook William. Sgt.Mjr. Royal Engineers
    • Cook William Alfred. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Cooke MM. Alexander Hamilton. Pte Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Cooke F.. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Cooke Francis James. CSgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Cooke Frederic Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cooke Frederick William. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Cooke Harry Maltby. Pte. Black Watch
    • Cooke Henry John. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Cooke John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cooke Richard. Sgt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Cooke Rupert Victor. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Cooke S.. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Cooke VC.. Thomas. Pte 8th Battalion
    • Cooke VC. Thomas. Pte. 8th Btn.
    • Cooke Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Cooke William. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Cooke William. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Cooke William Matthew. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Cooksey Albert Victor. Stkr1. HMS Brisk
    • Cookson VC, DSO. Edgar Christopher. Lt.Cmdr. HMS Comet
    • Cookson George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cookson James. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Cookson James. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Cookson James. Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Cooley Albert Richard. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cooling Albert Ernest. 2nd Lt. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Regiment
    • Cooling Ernest. Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Coombe N.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Coomber Raymond Adolphus. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Coombes Herbert Victor. 2nd Lt London Regiment
    • Coombs Harry. Chief Stkr HMS Black Prince
    • Coombs Robert. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Coombs V.. Nelson Btn
    • Coonan John . Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Cooney J.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Cooney John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cooney Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Coope Ernest Arthur. 2nd Lt West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cooper . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Cooper . Sgt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Cooper Albert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cooper B.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cooper Charles Walter. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Cooper Charles Frederick. Cpl. 5th Dragoon Guards
    • Cooper Charles Frederick Leslie. Pte. Royal Irish Dragoon Guards
    • Cooper Charles J. Pte. Royal Hampshire Regiment
    • Cooper David. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Cooper Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Cooper Ernest William. Pte Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Cooper Francis William. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Cooper Fred. Lt.
    • Cooper George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Cooper George Samuel. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Cooper George Walter Stuart. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Cooper Gordon Colin. Pte. 1st Light Horse Regiment
    • Cooper Harold. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Cooper Harry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Cooper Harry. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Cooper Henry Frederick. L-Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cooper Herbert Edward. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Cooper Herbert Wood. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cooper Horace. Lt. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Cooper J.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cooper James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Cooper James. Pte. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Cooper James. Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment
    • Cooper James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Cooper John. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Cooper John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cooper John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cooper John. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Cooper John. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Cooper John Percy. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cooper John William. Pte North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Cooper John Edward. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Cooper MiD,. Joseph. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cooper Joseph. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cooper Joshua. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers
    • Cooper CdeG.. Leonard Wilkinson. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Cooper Myles. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cooper Percy Alfred. Gnr. Motor Machine Gun Corps
    • Cooper Robert Cecil. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Cooper Sam. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cooper Stanley George. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cooper MM.. Thomas William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cooper Thomas. Pte. Yorks and Lancs Regiment
    • Cooper Thomas. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Cooper W.. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cooper William Henry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cooper William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cooper William Arnold. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cooper MM. William. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Cooper MM.. William John. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Cooper William. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Cooper William Henry. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Coote Walter. Pte. 9th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Cope Charles William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Cope Edward. Pte. 5th Dragoon Guards
    • Cope George Alfred. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cope H.. Foreman attd. Depot, Army Ordnance Department
    • Cope James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Cope John Moss. Sgt. 53rd Pioneer Infantry Regiment
    • Cope John Wassell. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Cope Richard Ernest. Pte. Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment
    • Cope William. Pte. Royal Scots Lothian
    • Copeland A. Sjt Mjr. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Copeland David. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Copeland MM. John. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Copeland John Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Copeland John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Copeland William Alan. 2nd Lt. Royal Scots
    • Copinger John Patrick. 2nd. Lt. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Coplestone-Boughey Alfred Fletcher. Cmdr. HMS Defence
    • Copp Maurice Andrew. Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Copper William Robert. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Coppin Frank Ernest Herbert. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Coppinger Sydney. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Coppins Edwin. Pte.
    • Copplestone Alfred Percy. Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Coram Thomas Ebenezer. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Coram MM.. Wilfred Jacob. Pte Somerset Light Infantry
    • Corbett Benjamin Thomas. Pte. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Corbett Charles William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Corbett G.. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Corbett John Lawrence. USS President Lincoln
    • Corbett John Percival . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Corbett Joseph Henry. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Corbett Shadrach. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Corbett T.. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Corbin Louis. L/Cpl. Grenadier Guards
    • Corcoran J.. STO.1 R.F.R. Dev. A.4150 H.M.S. Colleen
    • Corcoran T.. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Cord Robert. Sgt. Welsh Fusiliers
    • Corddell William George Hunsden. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery and Royal Horse Artillery
    • Cordes Franks Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cordingly Willie. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Cordwell Herbert. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regt.)
    • Corfield Henry. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Cork . Harold Wilfred. Rifleman
    • Cork Horace Stanley. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Cork Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cork Samuel Alfred. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Cork Walter. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Cork Walter. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Cork William James Samuel. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Corke James. Pte. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
    • Corker Richard Robson. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Corker Samuel. Pte. 50th (Northumbrian) Division Durham Light Infantry
    • Corkett Francis Albert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Corkill MM.. Thomas Stephen. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Corkin MM.. Elsdon. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Corkin H.. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Corkin Thomas Robert. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Corkish John Henry. Pte. Kings Own Lancaster Regiment
    • Corley William Raymond. 2nd.Lt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Cormack George Lewis. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cormack Kenneth. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Cormier Arsene F.. Spr. 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Coy
    • Cornall Richard Norton. L/Cpl. 4th Dragoon Guards
    • Cornall Sydney Norman. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Cornell . William James. Pte.
    • Corner Arthur Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Corner Leonard William. Rfm. Rifle Brigade
    • Corner Ruben John. A/L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Corner Thomas Henry. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Corner Thomas Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cornes William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Corney James Stewart. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Corney Muriel Dorothy. Nurse
    • Cornford Percy David Frederick. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cornforth Bailey. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cornforth John Robert. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cornforth Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cornick Joseph. Dorset Regiment
    • Cornick Percy James. Lg.Btn. HMS President IV
    • Cornish Albert William. CQMS. Devonshire Regiment
    • Cornish MM. Albert Charles. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Cornish George Henry. Pte. Berkshire Regiment
    • Cornish Gerald Warre. Maj. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Cornish MM.. Harry. L/Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cornish Horace Arthur. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cornish Hubert. Tpr.
    • Cornish John. Gnr. 51st Bty.
    • Cornish John. Bmbr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cornock G. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Cornock Ralph Ernest. Able Sea. HMS Monmouth
    • Cornwall John. Royal Scots
    • Cornwall Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cornwell Albert Edward. Pte Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Cornwell MM & bar.. Alfred Ernest. A/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Cornwell Eli. Pte. Royal Defence Corps
    • Cornwell H. W.. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Cornwell Harry Walter. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Cornwell VC MID.. John Travers. Boy 1st Class. HMS Chester
    • Cornwell VC. John Travis. HMS Chester
    • Cornwell Joseph Tumans. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cornwell Stephen Charles. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Corp MC.. Benjamin. Captain West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Corps Ernest. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Corr Michael. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Corr W J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Corri John. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Corri William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Corrie Ernest. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Corrigan Albert Victor Ernest. 7th Btn.
    • Corrigan MM. Bernard. Pte.. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Corrigan James Joseph. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Corrigan John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Corrigan John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Corrigan M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Corrigan William Henry. Pte. Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers
    • Corsar Robert Spence. Pte. Black Watch
    • Corscadden Francis Theodore. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Corvel . Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cory Ernest Albert. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Cosford Joseph Henry. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Cosgrave Edward. Rfm. 1st NZ Rifle Brigade.
    • Cosgrove George. CSM. Cheshire Regiment
    • Cosgrove John. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Cosgrove Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Cosham Frederick George. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cosson MID DCM.. John George. 2nd Lt. 16th Infantry Batn.
    • Costain William Edward. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Costall MM. George . Cpl Welch Fusiliers
    • Coste Augustus George. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Costello James. Pte Irish Guards
    • Costello John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Costello John. Pte West Riding Regiment
    • Costello John Arthur. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Costello Joseph. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Costello Manus Alexander. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Costello Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Costello Thomas. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Costello Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Costelloe Patrick. Pte.
    • Costen Wesley. Cpl. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Cottam James William. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Cotter Thomas. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Cotter VC. William Richard. Cpl. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
    • Cotterell Leslie Malcolm. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cotterill Eric Roland. 2nd Lt. 13th Infantry Batn.
    • Cotterill Frederick Lambert. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cotterill George Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cotterill John Gleave. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cottingham Edward Albert. Sgt. London (Royal Fusiliers)
    • Cottingham Edward Albert. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Cottingham Herbert. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Cottingham John Albert . Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Cottle Charles. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Cotton Albert Edward. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Cotton Charles William. CSM Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Cotton MM.. Fred. Sgt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Cotton H.. Able Sea. Royal Naval Div.
    • Cotton John William. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Cotton John William. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Cotton Thomas. Pte. Royal Tank Corps
    • Cotton Walter. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Cottrell John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Couch John William. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Couchman Charles Edward. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Coucom Henry H.. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Coughlan David Francis. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Coughlan Henry. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Coulson Albert Victor. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Coulson Andrew W. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coulson Andrew. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coulson MM. Arthur. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coulson Frederick. A/Sgt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Coulson G. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coulson G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coulson Harry. Bmdr. Royal Artillery
    • Coulson James Hutchinson. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Coulson James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coulson James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coulson James Henry. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Coulson John Thomas. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Coulson John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Coulson John. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Coulson John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Coulson Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coulson W. H.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coulter George. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Coulter James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coulter Jason Leslie Boyd. Sgt. 2nd Infantry Battalion
    • Coulter Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Coulter William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coulthaite James. 2nd Lt. Border Regiment
    • Coulthard Roy. Pte. 2nd Auckland Btn.
    • Counsell James. Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Counter James Hugh. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coupe Chadwick. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Coupe James Edward Tattersall. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Coupe John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Coupe Joseph. Pte Border Regiment
    • Coupland-Smith F. V.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Courtis Arthur. Sea. HMS Challenger
    • Courtney MM.. Ernest. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Courtney Frederick John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Courtney Joseph. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Courtney Paul James. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Courtney William Henry. Yeo Sig. HMS Topaze
    • Cousins George. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Cousins James Richard . Pte. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Cousins John. Sgt London Regiment
    • Cousins Maurice Victor. Pte. Sherwood Forresters
    • Cousins Michael. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Couzens Fred. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Couzens Wiliam Walter. Pte. 47th Battalion
    • Cove Harry. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Cove John. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Covel William. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Coveney Arthur Cranley. C/Sgt Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Coverdale Charles. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coverdale Miles. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Covill Edward Emmanuel. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Covill Herbert. Pte. King's Liverpool
    • Covington W. J.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cowan Alexander. Pte, 12th Battalion
    • Cowan Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cowan Douglas. 2nd.Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cowan Edgar. L/Cpl. Nottingham and Derbyshire
    • Cowan Edward. 120th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Cowan James. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Cowan James Matthew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cowan John R.. Dvr 126th Bde.
    • Cowan Peter. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Cowap Donald James. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Coward Duncan Balfour. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Cowburn George Richmond. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Cowel Edward. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cowell Ernest. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cowell John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cowell Robert Stanley. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cowell William Porter. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cowens John Thomas. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Cowie . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Cowie Albert. Pte. Black Watch
    • Cowie Norman. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Cowie Walter James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Cowie MC.. William Anderson. Capt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Cowing Matthew.
    • Cowles Albert Victor. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cowles Walter Edward. Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Cowley VC.. Charles Henry. Lt.Cdr. SS Julnar
    • Cowley VC.. Charles Henry. Lt.Cmdr. SS Julnar
    • Cowley George Samuel. Sgt London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
    • Cowley Marjorie Kathleen. Nurse
    • Cowley Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cowling Bernard William Kingsbury. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Cowling Frederick James. Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Cowlishaw John Varley. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Cowper . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Cox Albert George Harry. Army Service Corps
    • Cox Albert Edward. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Cox Alfred James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cox Arthur Howard. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Cox Charles. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Cox Charles. Sjt.Mjr. Duke of Wellington Regiment
    • Cox Charles Frederick. Pte. West Surrey Regiment (Queens)
    • Cox Charles Winton. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cox Christopher. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Cox Ernest Cecil. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Cox Francis. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Cox Frank William. Private Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt
    • Cox Frank. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cox Frank . Cpl. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Cox Frank Edwin. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Cox Frederick. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Cox George David. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cox George Henry . Cpl. 39th Btn.
    • Cox George Leonard. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Cox George Benjamin. 4 Squadron
    • Cox MC. Griffith Vaughan. Mjr Machine Gun Corps
    • Cox H.. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Cox Henry Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Forresters
    • Cox Herbert Ernest. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Cox J. T.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cox John Benjamin. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Cox DCM.. John Thomas. Sgt. Connaught Rangers
    • Cox Joseph. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Cox Margaret Annie. Nurse 2nd Western Field Hospital, Manchester
    • Cox Percival Elliot. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cox Percy Horace. Leading Cooks Mate. HMS North Star
    • Cox S.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cox Victor Brabazon. Gnr. Australian Field Artillery
    • Cox Walter Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cox Walter Stanley. Cpl. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Rgt.
    • Cox William Henry Edwin. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cox William Ewart. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Cox William James. Able Sea. SS Hazelwood
    • Cox William Thomas. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Coxall Charles. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry Brigade)
    • Coxen Frederick George. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Coxhead A. A.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Coxhead Edward Stuart. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Coxon A.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coxon Ernest Gough. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Coxon George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Coxon George Ernest. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Coxon J.. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coxon J. T.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coxon J.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coxon M.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coxon Michael Anthony Patrock Stackpole. Gnr. Australian Field Artillery
    • Coxon R. C.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coxon W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Coyingham Victor George Henry Francis. Lt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Coyle A.. Pte. South Irish Horse
    • Coyle George. Pte, Yorkshire Regiment
    • Coyle Ian. L/Cpl Cheshire Regiment
    • Coyle DCM. J.. CQMS Royal Irish Rifles
    • Coyle MM and Bar.. James. CSM. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Coyle MM & Bar, Croix De Guerre.. John Francis. Lt. 12th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Coyle John. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coyle Peter. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Coyne Denis. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Coyne John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Coyne Michael. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coyne Michael. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coyne Patrick James. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Coyne Patrick Joseph. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own)
    • Cozens Albert Edward. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Cozens Arthur George. Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Cozens Charles Edward. Rflmn Royal Irish Rifles
    • Cozens Jesse Gerald Clement. London Regiment
    • Cozens William Henry. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cozier Henry John. Pte. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Crabb Francis Frederick. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Crabb Francis Frederick. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Crabb John Wilson. Pte. Black Watch
    • Crabtree MM.. Alfred. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Crabtree Allan. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Crabtree George. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Crabtree James Joshua. Frmn. SS Batoum
    • Crabtree John. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Crabtree Moses. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Crabtree Stephen Mark. Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Crabtree William Nelson. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cracknell Edward. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cracknell George Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cracknell Henry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Cracknell . Percy Walter. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Cracknell William. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Craddock Alfred Henry George. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Craddock MM, DCM.. Harry. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Craddock DCM, MM.. Harry. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Craddock Joseph. CSM. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Craddock Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Craddock William. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cragg Brian. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cragg John. L/Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Craggs Albert. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Craggs George Martin. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Craggs George Martin. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Craggs George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Craggs George. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Craggs Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Craig Archibald. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Craig C. C.. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Craig David Washington. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Craig George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Craig Gordon. Pte. London Regiment
    • Craig J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Craig James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Craig John Arnott Taylor. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Craig John Russell. LAC. 433 Squadron
    • Craig John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Craig Robert. Pte Royal Scots
    • Craig Robert McAndrew Davidson. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Craig Robert James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Craig Thomas. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Craig Thomas. BQMS Royal Field Artillery
    • Craig William James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Craig William Alexander. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Craig William. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Craigie A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Craigmile Francis. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Craigmile James. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Craik MiD. David McLeod. Lt 145th Army Troop Company,
    • Craik Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Craik Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Craik Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Craik William. Pte Gordon Highlanders
    • Craike-Pickering MC.. Maurice Stanley. Lt. Machine Gun Corp
    • Craker James. Pte. 15th Btn
    • Cramp Leonard Albert. Pte London Regiment
    • Cramphorn J. F.T.. Pte. Sussex Yeomanry
    • Crampton Charles John. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Crampton Ezra. A/Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Crane Cecil George. O/Stwd111 HMS Coquette
    • Crane Harvey Lester. TE. 106th Engineer Regiment
    • Crane Henry Ernest. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Crane Percy Maurice Stanley. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Crane Wilfred Frederick. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Crane William. The London Regiment
    • Crang Robert Coyde. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Cranidge Charles. Pte. Yorkshire Dragoons
    • Cranidge John Johnson. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Cranmer Charles Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Cranston Andrew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cranston James Jesse. Pte London Regiment
    • Cranston Norman. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cranton Frank Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Craston MM.. George Vernon. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Crathorn William Oliver. L/Cpl. Coldstream Guards
    • Craven Francis. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Craven Francis Ferguson. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Craven John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Craven John. Pte King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Craven William Allen. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Craven William. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Cravern John Henry. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Crawford A. B.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crawford Charles. Pte. Princess Louise Argyle & Sutherland
    • Crawford David Paul. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Crawford David. Lance Corporal Royal Scots
    • Crawford David Alexander Law . L/Cpl. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Crawford Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crawford Frederick Thomas Edward. Rfm. London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles)
    • Crawford MM.. Hugh. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)
    • Crawford MC.. James Garfield. Capt. Medical Corps
    • Crawford James. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Crawford John James. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Crawford John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crawford John Alfred Eric. S/Sgt.
    • Crawford DCM.. John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Crawford John Hugh. Manchester Regiment
    • Crawford John. WO2. Middlesex Regiment
    • Crawford Kenneth M.. Private 3rd Btn.
    • Crawford Peter. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Crawford Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Crawford Stephen. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Crawford . Thomas Albert. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crawford Thomas. Pte Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Crawford William John. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Crawford William. Cpl. Blackwatch
    • Crawley Albert Edward. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Crawley Arthur Edward. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Crawly John W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Crawshaw John. S/Sgt. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Crawshaw Lewis. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Craymer Douglas Charles. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Craymer Horace Leonard. London Regiment
    • Crayston A.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Creasey William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Cree MID. John Wyse Scott. Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Creedon MM.. Patrick. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Creek George. L/Cpl. East Kent Regiment
    • Creek Stanley Alistair. Act Co. Sjt Mjr. The London Regiment
    • Creighton Edward William. Cpl. 50th Btn.
    • Creighton John W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Crellin William. Pte. 11th Battalion
    • Crellin William. Pte 16th Battalion
    • Cressall Frank . Lance Corporal Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cresswell Albert Joseph. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Cresswell Albert Joseph. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Cresswell Percy. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cresswell William. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Cresswell William. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Cresswell William. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Creswell Andrew. Pte Royal Inniskilling Fusilers
    • Creswell Andrew. Pte. East York Regiment
    • Cretney Alexander. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Crewdson MM ARRC.. Dorothea. VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Crewe Thomas. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Crewe William Leo. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Crews F.. CSgt Witwatersrand Rifles
    • Crews Francis George. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Crews Walter. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Crichton MM.. Daniel. Sgt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Crichton David. L/Cpl. Scottish Rifles
    • Crichton VC. James. Sgt. Auckland Infantry Regiment
    • Crichton VC.. James Bell. Pte. 2nd Auckland Regiment
    • Crichton John Arthur. T/Maj. Hampshire Regiment
    • Crick Albert Henry. Cpl South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Crick Bertie Henry. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Crick George Gregory. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Crick James. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Crickmore John. Machine Gun Corps
    • Criere Adrian. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crilly MM.. John. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Crilly Robert. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Crimmins Herbert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Crinson George William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cripps George Edward. L/Sgt Grenadier Guards
    • Cripps Thomas. Boy 1st Class HMS Malaya
    • Crisp VC DSC. Thomas. Skipper. H.M. Smack Nelson
    • Critchell Frederick. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Critchley Alfred Henry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Critchley William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Crithlow John William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Croak VC. John Bernard. 13th (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion
    • Croak VC.. John Bernard. Pte. 13th Btn. Quebec Regiment
    • Crocker Cecil. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Crocker Herbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crocker William Henry. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Crockett Edgar George. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Crockett Frederick. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Crockford William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Crockson J. W.. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Croft George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Croft John Hector. Pte. 3rd Infantry Battalion
    • Croft Stanley George Gibson. Able Sea.
    • Crofts Ernest. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Crofts Frederick Charles. L/Sgt. Notts and Derbyshire Sherwood Foresters
    • Crofts Harold Robert. Pte. 16th Battalion
    • Croisdale T.. Company Qtrmstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Croke Martin. AC1
    • Crombelholme David. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Crombie Alexander. Pte. Black Watch
    • Crombie Charles Palmer. Pte. Black Watch Regiment (Royal Highlanders)
    • Crompton Harold. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Crompton James. Pte. 44th Btn.
    • Crompton James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Crompton James Issac. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Crompton Thomas. 2nd Lt. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Cron Thomas Robertson. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Crone Herbert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cronin Christopher. Sto/1 HMS Swindon
    • Cronin Samuel. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Crook Clarence George. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Crook DCM.. Ernest. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Crook J.. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Crook James. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Crook William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Crook William Thomas . Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Crooke Cyril Ednott. Lt. 2nd Sqdn.
    • Crookes Arthur. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Crookes Fred. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Crooks Matthew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crooks W.. Pte.
    • Crooks William Phipson. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Croome Archibald William. CQMS Royal Engineers
    • Crosbie William. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Crosby James Arthur. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Crosby James. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Crosby DCM. Jonathon W. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Crosby Thomas. L Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Croser Joseph S.. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Cross . Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cross . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Cross Albert James. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Cross DCM.. Alfred James. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Cross Charles William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cross D. W.. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Cross David James. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Cross Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cross George Oliver. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cross Harry. Pte. The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Cross Croix de Guerre. Henry John. RSM. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cross Henry. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Cross . Horatio Nelson. Pte. Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
    • Cross John. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Cross John. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cross Leslie. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Cross Richard William. L/Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cross Richard Alexander. Pte East Lancashire Regiment
    • Cross Terriss Norman. Sig. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cross Thomas Edward. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Cross W. M.. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Cross William Albert. Sjt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cross William Walter. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Cross William Larkin. Pte Norfolk Regiment
    • Cross William Henry. Pte Wiltshire Regiment
    • Crossan Bernard. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Crosser Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crossland Joe. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Crossland Thomas. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Crossland Wilfred. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Crossley Arthur Nowell. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Crossley Charles Joseph. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Crossley George. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Crossley Harold. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Crossley James Stanley. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Crossley Jesse. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Crossley Sydney. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Crossley Sydney. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Crossman Clifford Albert. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Crossman Clifford Albert. Pte Somerset Light Infantry
    • Crosswell Frederick William. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Crouch Ernest George. Lt. Col. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crouch Herbert Richard. Pte. London Regiment
    • Croucher Hope Reginald. Pte. 1st Btn.
    • Croucher Robert Gort. Pte. London Regiment
    • Croucher MM. William Henry. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Crouden James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Crow F.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crow Frederick. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Crowder John Charles. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Crowe James William. Pte. King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Crowe Lawrence. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Crowe M.. Pte. 8th (Reserve) Bn.
    • Crowe Robert. Pte. 8th Btn.
    • Crowe Thomas Edward. Dvr. Royal Field Artillary
    • Crowe Wildfred. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Crowle Stanley Howard. Rflm. London Regiment
    • Crowley Frederick Augustus. 2nd Lt 37 Squadron
    • Crowley . John Nicholas. 1st King Edward's Horse
    • Crowley DSM. Timothy. STO PO HMS Moorsom
    • Crowson Ambrose Henry Thomas. Lt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Crowson Francis Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Crowther Frank. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Crowther Harry. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Crowther John. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Crowther Joseph Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crowther Milton. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Croxford George. Royal Field Artillery
    • Crozier Ernest. Pte. Yorks & Lancs
    • Crozier J J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Crozier James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Crozier R E. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Crozier Richard Walters. Tpr. 6th Australian Light Horse
    • Cruickshank Alexander. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Cruickshank Arthur Lewis. Pte. King's Liverpool
    • Cruickshank David Waddell. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Cruickshank Raymond Alfred. 2nd Lt. 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Cruickshank Raymond Alfred. 2nd Lt. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Cruickshank S. C.W.. Capt. Royal Tank Corps
    • Cruickshanks Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cruikshank John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Crumbley Philip. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Crummett Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Crummett Eric William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Crummett Eric William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Crump Bertie Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Crumpen George Henry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Crundwell George. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Crundwell Oliver Harold. Sgt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Crush John Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Crush John Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Crusher Joseph Henry. Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Crusher Robert Barker. Royal Engineers
    • Crutchley MM.. Sidney Charles. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Cruzan Benjamin Edgar. 341st Field Artillery Regiment
    • Cryer Clarence. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Cryer Ernest. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cryer James. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Cryer James Albert Greenwood. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Cryer Thomas. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Cubitt MC.. Frederick Salter. Mjr. Suffolk Regiment
    • Cubitt Lawrence. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Cuckson Alfred. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Cuddy Ernest James. L/Cmdr. 4th (Collingwood) Bn
    • Cuddy George. L/Sgt. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Cudmore James Robert. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Cuff Archibald John. Pte. Royal ÃÆ??Ã?Ã? Hampshire ÃÆ??Ã?Ã? Regt
    • Culbert James Edward. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment
    • Culbert John Arnold. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Culbert William. L-Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Culhane David. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Cull Michael Mcull. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Cull Samuel. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Cullen . Pte. West Surrey (Queen's) Rgt.
    • Cullen Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cullen Frederick. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Cullen James Paul. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Cullen James Cocrane Stevenson. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Cullen Tom.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Culley William Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Cullinan Robert Hornidge. Capt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Cullinane Jeremiah. Pte Leinster Regiment
    • Cullingworth George Ernest Victor. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cullis Frank. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Cullis Henry Thoreau. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Cullum Charles William. Pte. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Cullum Robert Henry. Pte Tank Corps
    • Cully William Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Culme-Seymour MID. Michael. Vice Admiral. HMS Centurion
    • Culmer Arthur T.. Sgt East Kent Regiment
    • Culmer George. AB. HMS Sir John Moore
    • Culpin George Frederick. Sgt Black Watch
    • Culpin Reginald Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Culshaw David. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Culver Alfred Edward. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Culverhouse Charles. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Culverhouse Samuel John. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Cumberland CdeG.. Charles Ernest. 2Lt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Cumberland Joseph Hilton. Pte. Australian Infantry
    • Cumberland Joseph Hilton. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Cumeskey Cormac. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cumiskey James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cumming John Douglas Skeoch. L/Cpl London Regiment
    • Cumming Matthew Maughan. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cumming Robert. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
    • Cummingham William Godfrey. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cummings Ernest Charles. Able Seaman. HMS Patrol
    • Cummings Fred. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Cummings J. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cummings John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cummings Matthew Maughan. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cummings Matthew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cummings Samuel. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cummings Thomas. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Cummins . Hedley John. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Cummins J. Pte The Connaught Rangers
    • Cummins James. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Cummins John.
    • Cummins John. Pte 73rd Field Ambulance
    • Cummins John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Cummiskey James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Cummusky John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cumpstey Fred. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Cundliffe C. H.. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Cuninghame MID. Boyd Alexander. Mjr. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Cunliffe George. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Cunliffe Thomas. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Cunningham . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Cunningham MC.. Alexander Jackson. Capt. 1st Divisional Train, Army Service Corps
    • Cunningham Alfred. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cunningham Arthur Francis. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cunningham Charles Albert Glentworth . Cpt. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Cunningham E. M.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cunningham Francis. L/Cpl. 40th Btn.
    • Cunningham J. H.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Cunningham James Henry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Cunningham Jeremiah. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cunningham VC.. John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Cunningham John Colenso. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Cunningham VC.. John. Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Cunningham M.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Cunningham Patrick. Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Cunningham Peter. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cunningham Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cunningham Robert Norval. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Rgt.
    • Cunningham Samuel. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Cunningham William J. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Cunningham William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Cunningham William. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cunningham William. Sapr. Royal Engineers
    • Cunningham William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Cunninghame MiD. Boyd Alexander. Mjr. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Cunnington Edward Charles. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Cunnington Samuel H.. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Curd Charles Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Curd MM. . Esli Jonathan . Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Curd G. Suffolk Regiment
    • Curham P..
    • Curley MM,. Robert. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Curnow Frederick James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Curnow Herbert Franklin. Capt. 22nd Infantry Battalion
    • Curran Francis. A/CSM. Black Watch
    • Curran James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Curran MM.. John. Sgt. Black Watch
    • Curran William. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Currant Daniel. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Curren Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Currey Fred. CSM Durham Light Infantry
    • Currey VC.. William Matthew. Pte 53rd Btn
    • Currie David. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Currie George Francis. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Currie Harold. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Currie Joseph Charles. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Currie Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Curry Arthur Frederick. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Curry F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Curry DCM.. George. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Curry DCM.. George. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Curry Hugh. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Curry James Smith. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Curry Keith Cuthbert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Curry Keith Cuthbert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Curry Newrick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Curry P. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Curry Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Curry Ralph William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Curry Robert Beckett. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Curry Thomas Andrew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Curry Vincent. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Curry William. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Curson Alexander George. L/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Curson James R.. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Curtin Thomas. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Curtis Albert. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Curtis Arthur. Pte. Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Curtis Charles. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Curtis Frederick James. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Curtis George Oliver Stanley. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Curtis George Jams. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Curtis George Albert. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Curtis Gertrude Elizabeth Ann.
    • Curtis Harold David. Pte. 4th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Curtis Harry Edward. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Curtis Jacob Victor. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Curtis John. Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Curtis John James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Curtress Charles Thomas. Fireman
    • Curwen Edward Stanley. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Curwen Thomas. Pte South Wales Borderers
    • Curzon Frederick Barton. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Curzon John Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Cushen Patrick Joseph. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Cushing Charles Edward. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Cushion Alfred Joseph. Cpl. East Kent Regiment
    • Cushion Henry Walter. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Cushnahan Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Cussens Joseph Reginald. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Cutbush Charles. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Cutchey R.. Cpl. 19th Field Ambulance
    • Cutcliffe John. Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Cuthbert B.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Cuthbert Frank Ernest. Pte. 13th Btn.
    • Cuthbert J.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Cuthbert James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Cuthbert Thomas. Ord.Sea. HMS Armadale Castle
    • Cuthbertson Edward Hedley. Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Cutmore G.. Pte. Black Watch
    • Cutmore John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Cutting Ernest. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Cutting Percy William. Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Cuttle Thomas Barnes. Sgt. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Cutts H.. Nelson Btn
    • Cutts Harry. Pte. Royal Leinster Regiment
    • Cutts John Haiden. Pte. London Regiment
    • Cutts John. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Cutts Leonard. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Cutts Leonard Edwin. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • D'alton Edward. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • D'Arcy Hugh. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • D'Hooghe Jack. L/Cpl Suffolk Rgt
    • Dabinett Richard Percival Allen. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • daCosta-Andrade MID.. Edward Neuville. Capt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dacre Brian. Capt. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Dacre Frederick. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dacre Maurice. Armr QMS Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Dady Joseph Alfred. Rfn. London Regiment
    • Daft David Thomas. L/Cpl. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Dagesse Arthur Charles. Pte. 22nd Battalion
    • Dagger Thomas Henry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Dagless Alfred. Essex Regiment
    • Daglish Arthur Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Daglish Robert William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Daglish MM. Robert. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Daglish W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Daglish William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dahabany Albert. Royal Fusilliers
    • Dainty DCM.. Edward Joseph Patten. CSM. London Regiment
    • Dai_Broi Angelo. Pte. 132 Battalion
    • Daking Ernest Albert . Rfle. London Regiment
    • Dalande Hector. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Dale A.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Dale MM. Charles William. Rflmn Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Dale Frank. L/Cpl.
    • Dale George Alfred. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dale George. Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Dale Harry Lister. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dale Joseph John. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dale Richard. CSM Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dale Richard Wiliam. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Dale Robert Addison. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dale Thomas James. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Dales Tom Cheffings. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Daley Daniel. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Daley Edward. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Daley William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Dalgleish John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Dalkin John. L-Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dalrymple . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Dalton MM.. Albert. Sgt. Loyal North Lancashire Regt
    • Dalton Charles Harry. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Dalton Charles. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Dalton Harold. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Dalton Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Dalton William Shorthall. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Daly D.. Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Daly DSC, FMM.. Daniel. Sgt.
    • Daly Donald Lynott. Lt. Nigeria Regiment
    • Daly Eugene. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Daly Florence Maria. Cmdnt.
    • Daly J.. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Daly James Joseph. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Daly James Joseph. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Daly Jeremiah. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Daly John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Daly John Francis. Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Daly John Joseph. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Daly Michael. L/Cpl. Irish Guards
    • Daly Patrick. Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Daly MiD.. Patrick. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)
    • Daly Percy Arthur. 2Lt London Regiment
    • Daly Simeon Thomas. RSM. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Daly William Alfred. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Dalzell Hugh. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Dalziel . Durham Light Infantry
    • Damms Horace. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Dance Charles. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dance Sam. L/Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Dancer Albert. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dancox VC.. Frederick George. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Dand Arthur Anderson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dane Harold Geoffrey. The Hampshire Yeomanry (Carabiniers)
    • Dane Maurice Surrey. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Danes Harry C.. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Daniel David James. Dvr. South Wales Borderers
    • Daniel E.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Daniel Harry Thomas. Pte.
    • Daniell William H. Pte. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Daniells Frank. Capt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Daniells Rupert Joseph. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Daniels Albert. Pte. 2nd Home Counties Field Ambulance
    • Daniels Bertie. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Daniels Charles Arthur. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Daniels Daniel. Guardsman. Grenadier Guards
    • Daniels Francis William. Farr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Daniels Frederick Thomas. Royal Field Artillery
    • Daniels George Arthur. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Daniels James. 2nd Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Daniels Jesse. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Daniels John Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Reg
    • Daniels John. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Daniels Lewis. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Daniels William James. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Daniels William James. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Danks George Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dann James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dann Tom Vincent. 2nd. Lt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Dannatt Walter. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dannatt Walter. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Darby Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Darby W.. L/Cpl. S.S. Calliope
    • Darby William E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Darch Albert. Pte. Dorset Regiment
    • Darcy James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Dargo Star. David. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Dark Hubert Finlay. 36th Battalion
    • Dark James Neate. Pte. 36th Battalion
    • Dark W. A.. Pte. 41st Btn.
    • Darling Bert Harper. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Darling George William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Darling O. R.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Darling Thomas. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Darling W. O. F.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Darlington Albert. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Darlow Arnold Harvey. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Darmody John Parnell. Pte. 26th Btn.
    • Darnbrough James Frederick. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Darran Frederick George. Pte Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Darrell George. L/Cpl The Buffs East Kent Regiment
    • Darrell George. L/Cpl. East Kent Regiment
    • Darrington Alfred. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Darrington Sydney Samuel. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Darroch John. L/Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Dart Emmanuel. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Dart Herbert. Pte. The Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Dartnell George Stamp. L.Sto. HMS Grasshopper
    • Dartnell VC.. Wilbur Taylor. Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Dartnell VC. Wilbur Taylor. Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Darty James. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Darty James. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Darycott Ernest. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Das Anukul. Fitter
    • Dash Edward John. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Dash Herbert. Gunner. HMS Black Prince
    • Dashwood Albert Frank. L/Cpl. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Dast VC.. Mir. Jmdr. 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • Daukes Archibald. Lt Col. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Daultry MM.. Joseph R.. A/Bmbdr. Royal Artillery
    • Dauncey Arthur Edwin. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Davenport Joseph. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Davenport Thomas Walter. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Davenport William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Davey Adolphus. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Davey Augustus. Cpl. Glamorgan Yeomanry
    • Davey Charles. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Davey Charles Gordon. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Davey Edward. HMS Monmouth
    • Davey George Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Davey Gordon Winsland. Fourth Mate SS Alnwick Castle
    • Davey H.. Pte. Suffolk Regt.
    • Davey Jack Ainger. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Davey John Robert. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Davey William Charles. Pte. 50th Battalion
    • Davey William Thomas. Pte. Canadian Army Medical Corps
    • Davids Abraham. Pte. Coloured Labour Regiment
    • Davidson . Lt Colonel 6th Division
    • Davidson Alexander David Black. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Davidson Alfred. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davidson Archibald. Pte. The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Davidson Arthur Alexander K.. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Davidson Charles Lingard. 2nd Lt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Davidson Charles. L/Cpl Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Davidson Edward. L/Cpl. 12th Btn.
    • Davidson Edward Franklin. Pte. 19th Canadian Infantry Battlaiion
    • Davidson Eric Layzell. Tpr. Otago Mounted Rifles
    • Davidson George. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Davidson H. L.. Dvr.
    • Davidson Henry. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Davidson J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Davidson DSO. J. St. C.. Lt.-Col. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Davidson James Blair. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Davidson James Wilson. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davidson James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davidson James. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Davidson James. Pte Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
    • Davidson John. Rfmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Davidson John. Pte. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Davidson John. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Davidson Joseph. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Davidson Robert Percy. 2nd.Eng. SS Dauntless
    • Davidson Samuel. WO2. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Davidson Thomas. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Davidson Thomas. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Davidson W.. Benbow Battalion
    • Davidson Walter. Pte. Blackwatch
    • Davidson-Houston DSO.. Charles Elrington Duncan. Lt-Col. 58th (Vaughan's) Rifles
    • Davidson-Houston DSO.. Charles Elrington Duncan . Lt.Col. 58th (Vaughan's) Rifles
    • Davies . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Davies . Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Davies Alexander Rees. Pte. The Welch Fusiliers
    • Davies Arthur. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Davies Arthur. Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Davies Arthur. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Davies Arthur. L/Cpl King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Davies Arthur Vernon. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Davies Benjamin. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Davies Bertam Nixon. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Davies Cadwaladre. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Davies Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Davies Charles Albert. 2nd Lt. South Wales Borderers
    • Davies Christopher Edgar. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Davies Daniel. Private Prince of Wales Volunteers (South Lancs Regiment)
    • Davies Daniel. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Davies Daniel Lewis. Pte. London Regiment
    • Davies Daniel James. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Davies David Robert. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davies David Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Davies David. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Davies David Morris. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies MM.. Edward. L/Cpl Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies MM.. Edward John. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Davies Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davies Edward. Pte South Wales Borderers
    • Davies Edward. Pte South Wales Borders
    • Davies Edwin. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Davies F. C.. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Davies Francis Herbert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Davies Francis Walter. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies Frank Vivian. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Davies Frank Vivian. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Davies Fred. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Davies Frederick George. Pte 9th Queen's Royal Lancers
    • Davies G. W.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Davies G. W.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Davies George James. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Davies George Frederick. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Davies MM.. George Mathias. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Davies George Price. 2nd Lt. South Wales Borderers
    • Davies Goronwy. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies Granville. Dvr.
    • Davies H.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Davies DCM. H.. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Davies Harry Grenville. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Davies Henry John Herbert. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Davies Hugh Herbert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies J.. Pte. Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies James. Yorks & Lancs Regt
    • Davies VC. James Llewellyn. Cpl. The Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Davies James James Llewellyn. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Davies James Frederick. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Davies John Edward. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Davies John Henry. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Davies John. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Davies John. Pte. Welch Fusiliers
    • Davies John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies John Henry. ASgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Davies John David. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Davies Joseph. Pte. Royal Welch Fusilisers
    • Davies Joseph. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Davies Joseph. Pte. Army Remount Service
    • Davies Lewis James. Pte. Royal Defence Corps
    • Davies DCM.. M.. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Davies Raymond. Pte Rifle Brigade
    • Davies Reginald Charles. 2nd Lt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davies Richard Lewis. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies Richard M.. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Davies Richard Llewellyn. Cpl. Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies Richard Lloyd. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Davies Richard John. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies Robert Edward. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Davies Robert Owen. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies Robert Edward. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies Robert. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Davies MM.. Robert William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Davies Robert Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies Samuel. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillary
    • Davies Samuel. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Davies Sidney Francis. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Davies Simeon. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Davies . Thomas . Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Davies Thomas Diamond. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Davies Thomas Stanley. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Davies Thomas Albert. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies Thomas Pryce. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies MID. Thomas Maurice. Sgt. Welsh Rgt.
    • Davies Thomas Ivor. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Davies Thomas Maurice . Sgt. Welch Regiment
    • Davies MM.. Thomas John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Davies Thomas David. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Davies Thomas. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davies Valentine. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Davies W.. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Davies Walter Pryce. Welch Regiment
    • Davies MM.. Walter Henry. Cpl. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Davies William Robert. Lieut Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davies William. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Davies William George. QMS. Army Service Corps
    • Davies William. Capt. South Wales Borders
    • Davies William John. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Davies William Arthur. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Davies William. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Davies William Ralph. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Davies William Morgan. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Davion MC MM. Henry. WO1 (RSM) Scots Guards
    • Davis . 2/Lt. South Wales Borderers
    • Davis A.. Capt.
    • Davis Albert Victor. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Reg
    • Davis Alexander. Sto1 HMS Foyle
    • Davis Bert. 9th Lancers
    • Davis Charles George. Bandsman. Devonshire Regiment
    • Davis Charles Henry Vincent. Pte. Devon Regiment
    • Davis Edgar. Off.Stew.3. HMS Drake
    • Davis DSO.. Francis. 2nd Lt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Davis George William. Sherwood Foresters
    • Davis George William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Davis George Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davis George Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davis George William. A/Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davis George Leigh Blakeman. 2nd Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Davis Harold Charles. 2nd Lt. RFC/RAF
    • Davis Harold Charles. 2nd Lt. 104 Squadron
    • Davis Harold Charles. 2nd Lt. 104 Squadron
    • Davis Hedley Vickers. Dvr 38th Btn.
    • Davis Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Davis Henry Roland. Tpr. New Zealand Training Unit
    • Davis Henry William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Davis Henry Croft. L/Cpl. Herefordshire Regiment
    • Davis J.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Davis James Richard. Pte. 41st Btn.
    • Davis James. L/Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Davis James. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Davis John George Edgar. Pnr. Royal Engineers
    • Davis MC. Melville Allen Duff. 2nd Lt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Davis MID. Owen Walter. CSM Rifle Brigade
    • Davis Percival James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Davis Percy Charles. Pte. 1st Btn.
    • Davis R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davis Stanley. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davis T.. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Davis T.. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Davis Thomas A.. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Davis Vivian Alfred. Lt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Davis W. H.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Davis William J.. Capt. Kings Royal Rifles Corps
    • Davis William Ernst John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Davis William Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Davis William Alfred. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Davis William Thomas. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Davison Aylmer Allsworth. Pte. London Regiment
    • Davison Ernest. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Davison MM.. Francis Keith. Cpl. 4th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Davison Frank. Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Davison Harry S.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Davison MC, MM.. Henry. WO1. Gordon Highlanders
    • Davison J. H.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Davison James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davison John Cuthbert. Palmers Shipyard
    • Davison John James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Davison John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Davison Michael. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davison Ralph Fenwick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davison Reginald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davison Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davison Robert. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Davison Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Davison Soloman. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Davison Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Davison William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davison William. 4th.Eng.Off. SS Mongolia
    • Davison William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Davy Cyril Crompton. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Davy Percy Raymond. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Daw William Henry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Dawbon George William. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Dawe Leonard Reth. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dawes Alexander. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Dawes Edwin. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Dawes George. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Dawes Ronald Guy. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Dawkins George. 107 Squadron
    • Dawkins Henry George. Lt. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Daws George Richard. Rifleman. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Dawson A. L.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dawson Albert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Dawson Charles Duncan. Scottish Rifles
    • Dawson Edward. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dawson Edward. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dawson Halliwell. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Dawson Harold. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dawson DCM.. Harry Boker. Sjt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dawson J. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dawson J. H.. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Dawson VC.. James Lennox. Royal Engineers
    • Dawson Jarvis. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Dawson John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dawson John. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Dawson Joseph. Drmr. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dawson Justin. Pte. 15th Btn.
    • Dawson MID.. Leonard. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Dawson Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dawson Morris. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dawson Philip John. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Dawson R.. Pte. Royal Army Veterinary Corps
    • Dawson Septimus Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dawson Thomas.
    • Dawson W. S.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dawson William Thomas . Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Dawson William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Dawson-Smith Frank. Lt. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Dawton Arthur Edward. Sgt. Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)
    • Dawtry Thomas. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Day VC.. . Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Day . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Day Albert Frederick George. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Day Albert James. Able Sea. HMAS Melbourne
    • Day Alfred John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Day MC.. Alfred Edward. 2Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Day Charles William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Day Charles. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Day Dennis Bernard. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Day Frank Joseph Leonard. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Day Frederick William. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Day George Albert. 2Lt Royal Irish Rifles
    • Day MID.. George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Day Harry. L/Sgt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Day Harry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Day Harry Montague. Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Day Henry James. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Day Herbert Winfield. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Day Jack. Pte, Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Day John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Day Jonas. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Day Joseph William . Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Day Lionel Henry. Pte Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Day Oscar. Sgt. Worcester Rgt.
    • Day Oscar. Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Day Percy Wilkinson. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Day Stamford Percy. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Day Victor Wallace. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Day William John.
    • Day William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Day William. Pte. Notts and Derbys (Sherwood Foresters)
    • Dayer Frederick Alexander. Pte. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt)
    • Daykin Henry John. London Regiment
    • Daykin Thomas. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Daymond . Frederick Stanley. Pte.
    • Daynes Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Daynes James. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Daynton Harold. Queens Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
    • De Carteret Henry James. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • De Haro Grant. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • De Villiers B. J.. Pte.
    • De Wind VC. Edmund. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Dea Patrick. Pte. South Irish Horse
    • Deacon Arthur Augustus. A/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Deacon George. Drvr. Army Service Corps
    • Deacon . John William . A/Sjt.
    • Deacon John. A/Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Deacon Richard. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Deacon William Archie. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Deadman Alfred Joseph. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Deadman Alfred. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Deadman Archibald Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Deadman Edward Maurice. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Deadman Frank. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Deakin John. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Deakin John. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Deakin William. Pte. North Staffordshire Rgt.
    • Deamer John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Deamer William James . Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Dean Albert H.. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Dean Alfred William. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Dean Arthur. Pte. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Dean Daniel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dean Edward. Pte.
    • Dean Ellis. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Dean Frederick. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Dean Frederick. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dean Frederick George. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corp
    • Dean Frederick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Dean George Pocock Buxton. Sgt. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Dean George. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Dean Harry Michael. Sgt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Dean Harry Thomas. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Dean MM.. Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Dean James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Dean Jesse. Lance Corporal North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Dean John Charles. A/Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Dean John. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Dean John Charles. A/Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Dean John William. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Dean Leonard. Sgt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Dean Louis Phillip. Pte. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Dean N.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dean . William Leonard. Pte. London Regiment
    • Dean William Arthur. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Dean William. Pte South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Dean William John. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Deane R.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Deane MID. Robert L.. Cpt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Dearing Edward. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Dearing Richard. L/Cpl East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Deary Robert R. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Deas Walter. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dease Arthur Joseph. Amb.Dvr. Section Sanitaire Anglais No.3.
    • Dease VC.. Maurice James. Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Dease VC.. Maurice James. Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Debenham Charles John. Royal Field Artillery
    • deBurgh . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Dee Mary. Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Dee Richard George James. Cpl. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Deeble Arthur. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Deeble Arthur. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Deeble William. Pte. Auckland Regiment
    • Deegan Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Deeks Victor Alfred. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Deely John. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Deeming Frank Tetlow. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Deeprose Walter. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Deeprose William. 4th Brigade
    • Deer Ernest. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Dees Herbet Bees . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dees T. W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Deevy Daniel. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • DeFehr Benjamin. Dvr. Canadian Army Service Corps
    • Defty W.. Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Degg Alfred William. AM3.
    • Degg John Henry. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Degnan James. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Delahunt Peter Godfrey. 2nd Lt. Royal Highlanders
    • Delamare Edmund James. Pte. Guernsey Light Infantry
    • Delaney Andrew. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Delaney C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Delaney C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Delaney James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Delaney John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Delaney John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Delaney Patrick. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Delaney Timothy. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Delaney W. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • DeLany Leslie Stephens. Pte 16th Battalion
    • Delap H.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Delap William Alexander. Cdt. SS Brecknockshire
    • Delargy Edward. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Delisle LÃ?opold. Pte. Canadian Infantry
    • Dell Charles. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Dellar Ernest. Pte. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
    • Dellow Richard. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Delmage George Reuben. Pte. 44th Battalion
    • Delplanque Charles. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Delvaux ArsÃÆ?Ã?¨ne Joseph. Pte. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Delves F. G.. Driver Royal Engineers
    • Delves William Henry. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • deMendonca Mariano Benedicto. PO. HMHS Gascon
    • Dempsey William George. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Dempster Ephraim. Dvr. Queens Own Royal West Kent
    • Dempster Harry Skeel Duncan. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Dempster John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dempster Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Dempster William John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Denby MC.. Charles Percival. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Denby John Edwin. Pte Yorkshire Regiment
    • Denby William. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Dench Alfred William. Pte Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Denford Henry. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Denford John Thomas. L/Cpl. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Denford Thomas George. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Denham Harold. Pte. 5th Dragoon Guards
    • Denham Matthew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Denham William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Denham William Malcolm. 2nd. Lt.
    • Denholm W. H.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Denison MC.. John William. Lt. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment
    • Denison MM.. Thomas William. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Denley Howard. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Denman Clarence Benjamin. Pte Royal Montreal Regiment
    • Denman David Robert. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Denman H. F. Pte. London Regiment
    • Dennett Alfred. Cpl. Royal Marine Artillery
    • Dennett Richard Frid. Ord.Sea. HMS Weymouth
    • Denney Edward. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Denning John William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dennis Charles. L/Cpl. Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment
    • Dennis George. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Dennis Gilbert. Tpr. Hampshire Yeomanry
    • Dennis J.. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dennis J. H.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Dennis John J.. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Dennis L.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dennis Richard Thomas. 2nd Lt. 2nd Btn.
    • Dennison Albert Christopher. Pte. Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers
    • Dennison Ernest William. Pte. Army Service Corps.
    • Dennison Ernest William. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Dennison Henry Beckett. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dennison Herbert. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Denny A.. British West Indies Regiment
    • Denny George. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Denny Russell Edward. Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Densham Stephen Hugh. Rifleman The London Regiment
    • Densham Stephen Hugh. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Dent Alan. 2nd Lt.
    • Dent Eric Dixon. Captain Observation Corps
    • Dent Eric Dixon. Capt. 52 Sqd.
    • Dent Frederick.
    • Dent George Nixon. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Dent Henderson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dent Howard. Lt-Col. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Dent Jack. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Dent John Henry Whitehead. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dent Percy W. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dent William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dent William Albert. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dent William Horner. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Denton Albert Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Denton Bertram Holland. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Denton James. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Denton John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Denton Joseph. Pte. Duke of Wellington (West Riding) Regiment
    • Denton Tom. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Denyer Charles. Rfn. Rifle Brigade
    • Denyer Leonard Hardy. Sgt. West Surrey Regiment
    • Denyer William Walter. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Denyer-Radford Henry Albert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • DePass VC, MID.. Frank Alexander. Lt. 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse
    • dePass VC.. Frank Alexander. Lt. Poona Horse (Queen Victoria's Own Cavalry)
    • Depper Charles. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Derbyshire Joseph. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • DeRothschild MID. Evelyn Achille. Maj. Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry
    • Derrick Horace. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Derrick James. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Derrick Patrick. Lpcl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Derrington William George. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Derrington William George. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Derryman Arthur Fredrick . Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Desborough Alfred James. Pte Northamptonshire Regiment
    • DeSilvey Wayne W.. 112th Infantry Regiment
    • Detchon Oswald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dethridge George Fredrick. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Devaney George. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Deveaux Hector. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Devenny Charles C.. Officers Stwd 3/Cl. HMS Tornado
    • Devenny William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusilers
    • Devereaux Thomas James. Pte. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Deverell D. W.. Mjr. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Devers John Joseph. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Devey Harold W.. Lance Corporal Royal Field Artillery
    • Devey Richard William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • DeVine Apcar Leslie. Sgt. 4th Infantry Battalion
    • Devine Francis. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Devine Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Devine J..
    • Devine James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Devine John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Devine Joseph Edgar. Pte. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Devine Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Devine Robert Mckee. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Devitt Robert. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Devlin A. L Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Devlin Errol Cappie Nepean. Pte. Tropical Unit, 1st Battalion
    • Devlin F. J. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Devlin George. Pte. 58th Battalion
    • Devlin Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Devlin Hugh. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Devlin James. L/Cpl. Dublin Fusiliers
    • Devlin James. L/Cpl. Dublin Fusiliers
    • Devlin James. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Devlin Joseph. Cpl. Scottish Rifles
    • Devlin Robert. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Devlin W.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Devlin-Hamilton DFC.. Ernest Alexander. Lt. No. 3 Squadron
    • Dew Henry Thomas. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Dewar MM.. Wiliam Reginald. Sjt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dewett Edmund. Pte. South Lancashire Rgt.
    • Dewhurst Fred. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Dewhurst Fred. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Dewhurst Herbert. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Dewhurst Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dewhurst William James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • DeWind VC. Edmund. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Dewing Bertie. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Dewing William Anthony. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Dewis William. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Dews Fred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dews William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dexter Charles James, William. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dexter Charles. Middlesex Regiment
    • Dey Frederick William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Deykin Harold H.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Deyo Charles. PFC. 316th Infantry Regiment
    • de_Beaurepaire Cecil John. 2nd Lt. East Surrey Regiment
    • de_Carteret Henry James. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • De_Meyer Willem Albertus. Burgher Mounted Commandos,
    • De_Ste._Croix Wilfred Hungerford. 2nd.Lt. Army Service Corps
    • Diamond James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Diamond John. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Diamond Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Diamond V.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Diamond William. Sgt. Scottish Rifles
    • Diamond William. Sgt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Diamond William. Sgt. 9th Btn.
    • Diamond William. Sgt. Cameronians
    • Diamond William. Sgt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Diaper James Charles. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Dibden F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dibsdale Reginald Morden. Pte. 7th Btn.
    • Dick Arthur. Pte. 8th (Canadian Rifles) Btn.
    • Dick D.. Pnr. Royal Engineers
    • Dick E.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dick Edwin Forbes. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dick G.. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Dick J.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dick J.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dick J.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dick James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dick Norman Brabazon. 2nd. Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Dick Richard. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Dick T.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dick W.. Pnr. Royal Engineers
    • Dick William Laird. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Dickens Christopher Westley. Cpl. 4th Hussars (Queens Own)
    • Dickens Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dickens George. Able/Sea. HMS Sefton
    • Dickens John Lewis. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Dickens William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Dickenson E.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dickenson George Ernest. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dickenson William. CSM Durham Light Infantry
    • Dickenson MM.. William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dicker Roland Richard. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Dickers MSM. William. Sgt. 14th Brigade
    • Dickerson Edward. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Dickerson Walter. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Dickie Charles. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Dickie George McCrovie. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Dickins Arthur Herbert . Sgt. 5th Battalion
    • Dickinson Arthur. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dickinson Daniel. L/Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Dickinson David. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dickinson George. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Dickinson Henry. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Dickinson MID.. Herbert Spencer. Capt. 5th Infantry Battalion
    • Dickinson Joseph Riley. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Dickinson Joseph Bradley. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dickinson Joseph Johnson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dickinson Percival Erle. Pte. Medical Corps
    • Dickinson Tom. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Dickinson MM & Bar.. William. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dickinson William James. Sgt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Dickison Joseph. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dickman Harry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Dicks . HMS Observer
    • Dicks Albert George. HMS Bryony
    • Dickson Alfred. Pte 17th Canadian Machine Gun Coy
    • Dickson Andrew. Sgt. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Dickson Archibald. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Dickson Charles. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Dickson J. Percival. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Dickson John Abernethy. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dickson John. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
    • Dickson Robert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dickson William James. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Dickson William James. Cpl. 13th London Regiment
    • Didcock Reuben. CSM. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Didcock Reuben. CSM. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Didsbury Ernest Cordes. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Didymus Edward. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Diggett J. I.. Able Sea. HMS Astraea
    • Dignam Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Dignan Bartholemew. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Dignan William. Gdsman Grenadier Guards
    • Dill Charles Wentworth. Gnr.
    • Dillingham William David . Pte. Scottish Horse Yeomanry
    • Dillon J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dillon J.. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Dillon John. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Dillon Joseph Laurence. Machine Gun Corps
    • Dillon Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dillon Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Dillon Thomas. Spr. Inland Water Transport
    • Dillon Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Dillworth William Cheetham. 2nd Lt.
    • Diment MM.. Albert Joe. Pte Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Dimery George W.. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dimmer VC, MC. John Henry Stephen. Lt.Col. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Dimmock George. Pte. Notts & Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters)
    • Dimmock Robert Buckingham. RSM. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dimock Avard Longley . Pte. Canadian Forestry Corps
    • Dine Robert Henry. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dines Charles George. Rfm Rifle Brigade
    • Dines Hubert Ernest. Dvr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Dinesen VC.. Thomas Fasti. Lt. Black Watch of Canada
    • Dingwall Frederick James. Lt/Col. Infantry
    • Dingwall Hugh. L/Cpl. Black Watch
    • Dinnegan Michael. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Dinnen Campbell Hackworth. Capt. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Dinnin John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dinsdale Thomas. Pte. South Staffordshire
    • Dinsdale MM.. Walter. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Dinsley Francis Hugill . 2nd.Lt. Coldstream Guards
    • Dinsley MM . James William . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Diprose George Patrick. L/Sgt. 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
    • Disberry Matthew James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Discombe MM.. Samuel. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Disley William James. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ditchburn Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Divall Harry Wilfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Diver John James. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Divers Hugh. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Dix Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dix Matthew Hall. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dix MC.. Stephen Hamilton . Lt.Col. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dix Thomas George. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Dix William George. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Dixey R. N.. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dixey William Henry. Private Worcestershire Rgt
    • Dixey William Henry. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Dixon . Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon Albert. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Dixon Allan. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Dixon Arthur Johnson. Sig. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon Charles Greenwood. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon Christopher. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon David. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Dixon Francis Albert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon . Frederick Charles. Sergeant The Rifle Brigade
    • Dixon Frederick William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon G. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon George. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Dixon Harold. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon Harry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon Henry Clarke. L/Sgt. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Dixon Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon J.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon James Nathan. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Dixon MM.. John. L/Cpl Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon John. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Dixon John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon John W.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon M.. Sjt. Connaught Rangers
    • Dixon Matthew Burnett. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon Matthew Burnett. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon Rennie. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dixon Rennie. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dixon Richard Chandler. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Dixon Robert Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon Robert. Pte. Cavalry Machine Gun Squadron
    • Dixon Robert Charles Frederick. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Dixon Roland. Pte.
    • Dixon Sydney Clunas. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon Thomas. Spr. Canadian Engineers
    • Dixon Tom. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Dixon W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon Wallace. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon Wilfred Agar. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dixon William Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dixon William Baldwin. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Dixon William Baldwin. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Dixon William Arthur. Pte. 52nd Btn.
    • Dixon William. L/Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Dixon Willie. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dobbin George Frederick. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Dobbin J.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Dobbins Alexander. Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Dobbs Ernest George. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Dobbs Samuel Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dobbs Thomas Hubbard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dobbyn Robert Newport. 2nd Lt.
    • Dobinson Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dobson . Durham Light Infantry
    • Dobson Alfred. Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Dobson Bramley. Pte. Machine Gun Corps.
    • Dobson C. J.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dobson Henry Sporforth. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Dobson James Willie. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dobson John. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Dobson John William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Dobson John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Dobson John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Dobson Norman Young. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dobson Samuel James. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt)
    • Dobson T. J.. Lt.
    • Dobson Tom. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dobson Vincent. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Dobson William J.. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Docherty Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Docherty Charles Kerr. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Docherty Frank. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Docherty G.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Docherty Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Docherty J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Docherty James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Docherty John. Pte. Black Watch
    • Docherty Thomas. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Docherty William. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Docherty William. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Dockery William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Dockrey William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Dodd Albert Edward. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dodd Charles Frederick. Suffolk Regiment
    • Dodd Emma Louise Daisy. Sister
    • Dodd Ernest. Cpl. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Dodd Frank. Band. Cheshire Regiment
    • Dodd Frederick. L/Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Dodd John Keeling. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Dodd Martin Henry. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Dodd W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dodds Benjamin. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dodds Benjamin. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Dodds Cecil Atkinson. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dodds G. D.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dodds J. T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dodds James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Dodds John George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dodds John. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dodds John McLeod. LSBA. HMS Nelson
    • Dodds Martin William. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dodds T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dodds T.G.. Coms. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dodds Tom. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dodds William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dodgson John Thomas. L/cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dodgson John Humphrey. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dodson Jonas. Pte. Suffolk Rregiment
    • Dodson Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dodsworth Albert. Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Dodsworth Anthony James Innes. 2nd Lt. 4 Squadron
    • Dodsworth Henry E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dodsworth Walter John Joseph. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Doe Robert. Pte. West Surrey Regiment (Queens)
    • Doggett DCM.. Albert Edward Victor. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Doggett George Patrick. 2nd Lt. Royal Artillery
    • Doherty Charles Leonard. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Doherty John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Doherty Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Doidge Samuel James. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Doig James. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Doig MM. John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Doig William. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Dolan John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Dolan Peter. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Dolan T.. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Dolbear George Edwin. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Dolbey Robert. Capt. RAMC
    • Dolley Herbert George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dolman MM.. Richard. 2nd Lt. North Somerset Yeomanry
    • Dolman Richard. Pte South Lancashire Regiment
    • Dolman Stephen. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Domegan Christopher Patrick. Lt.
    • Domegan Christopher Patrick. Lt.
    • Donaghy J.. Lpcl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Donald Alfred. Skr1. HMS Derwent
    • Donald Arthur Liloup. Pte.
    • Donald David. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Donald George Moir. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Donald George Moir. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Donald Lennard. Pte. Light Horse
    • Donald Robert Emslie. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Donald William Alexander. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Donaldson . Sister. No 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux
    • Donaldson Alexander. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Donaldson Alexander Allan. L/Cpl. Queens Own Cameron Highalnders
    • Donaldson Hugh Murray. L/Cpl. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Donaldson James. Capt. Black Watch
    • Donaldson John. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Donaldson John. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Donaldson Robert. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Donaldson . William Bisset. Pte. The King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Donaldson William. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Donavan Corn.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Doncaster Fred. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Doncom Percy Harold. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Donegan Patrick Joseph. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Donegan Thomas. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Donkin Harry Semmons. Private Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Donley Joseph. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Donnan George Albert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Donnan William Joseph. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Donne Edgar George. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Donnellan James Francis Stuart. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Donnellan William. Pte. Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment
    • Donnelly F.. Lpcl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Donnelly J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Donnelly J.E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Donnelly DSO, MM, MC.. James. Staff Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Donnelly John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Donnelly Lawrence P.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Donnelly Michael. Connaught Rangers
    • Donnelly Michael. Pte. Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Donnelly Nicholas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Donnelly Patrick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Donnelly Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Donnelly Robert. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Donnelly William Herbert. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Donnery Francis. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Donnison James William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Donnison William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Donnithorne John Gray. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Donoghue J.. Ord.Sea. HMS Vivid I
    • Donoghue John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Donoghue John. Cpl/Shoeing Smith Royal Field Artillery
    • Donoghue John. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Donohoe David. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Donohue John James. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Donohue Thomas. Rflmn. London Regiment (Post Office Rifles)
    • Donovan MM.. James. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Donovan Jeremiah. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Donovan MM.. Jim. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Donovan Reginald. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Donovan Thomas. Rflm. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Donovan Timothy Ernest. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Donovan Wilfred John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Doody Michael James. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Doole John Hunter. Lt. 13th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Dooley James. L/Cpl. Irish Guards
    • Dooley James. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Dooley John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Dooley Joseph. Pte Grenadier Guards
    • Dooner Patrick. L/Cpl Gordon Highlanders
    • Dooner Stephen Alex. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Door John Charles. Pte. West Yorkshire Rgt.
    • Door John Charles. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Doors . G. . Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Doran Daniel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Doran James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Doran John. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Doran MiD.. John. Pte Somerset Light Infantry
    • Doran P.. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Dorgan James. Cpl Tank Corps
    • Dorian Barnard. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dormer Arthur. L/Cpl East Kent Regiment
    • Dormer John Joseph. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Dornan William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Dornan William James. Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Dornan William James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Dorrell James Henry. Gnr/Bombdr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dorren John. A/Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Dorrian John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dorrity Adrian Kingsley. Pte. Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Dorschell James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dorsey Patrick. Pte. Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire
    • Dossett Walter. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Dossington C.. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Doswell MC. Frank. 2nd Lt. Royal West Surrey Queen's Regt.
    • Doucette MM. James Thomas. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Douch Horace William. Pte, Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Dougall VC MC.. Eric Stuart. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dougan Robert James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Dougan William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Dougherty Anth.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dougherty James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Doughty Alfred John. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Doughty Christopher. L/Cpl London Regiment
    • Doughty Frank. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Doughty George Frederick. Warwickshire Yeomanry
    • Doughty James. Cpl King's Royal Irish Hussars
    • Doughty-Wylie VC, CB, CMG. Charles Hotham Montague. Lt.Col. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Doughty-Wylie V C, C B, C M G, MID. Charles Hotham Montagu. Lt.Col. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Douglas Arthur. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Douglas Cecil Leonard. Pte London Regiment
    • Douglas Dennis H.. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Douglas M.M.. Dugald. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Douglas Frank D.. Skr. HMS Africa
    • Douglas George Dennis. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Douglas Herbert. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Douglas J. W..
    • Douglas James. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Douglas John James Wilton. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Douglas John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Douglas John J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Douglas John Alexander. Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Douglas John Alexander. Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Douglas DCM. John. Sgt. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Douglas Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Douglas M.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Douglas Ogden Samuel. Pte South Lancashire Regiment
    • Douglas MM.. Peter. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Douglas R.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Douglas Richard Jackson. Pvt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Douglas Robert. Pte. Borders Regiment
    • Douglas Samuel John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Douglas Samuel John. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Douglas T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Douglas William James. Stoker 2nd Class. HMS Amphion
    • Douglas William. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Douglas William. Pte. Black Watch
    • Douglas William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Douglas-Hamilton VC.. Angus Falcolner. Lt-Col. Cameron Highlanders
    • Douglas-Hamilton Lesley Reginald Coventry. Mjr. Cameron Highlanders
    • Doull James Mowat. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Dourish James. Lpcl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dourish John W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Douthwaite George Edward John Gough. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Douthwaite Robert Christopher Morris. Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Douthwaite DCM.. T.. Sjt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dove Henry. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Dove Maurice Neville. 2nd Lt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Dover Frank Blackburn. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Dover John Percy Newton . Pte. Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry
    • Dow James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Dowd Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Dowden Henry John. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Dowden Joseph George. Rfmn. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Dowding Frank Alfred. Pte South Wales Borderers
    • Dowding Hugh Caswell Tremenheere. Group Capt.
    • Dowds H.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Dowell Montague. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Dower James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dowey Thomas. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Dowie John McGregor. A/Sgt. Black Watch
    • Dowler Walter. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dowling Alfred William. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Dowling Charles John. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Dowling Henry. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Dowling Joseph Vincent. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Dowling Patrick. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Dowling William Joseph. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Dowling William. Pte. 306th Infantry Regiment
    • Down John. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Downard Charles Henry. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire
    • Downes . Capt. South Staffordshire Rgt.
    • Downes Henry Levi. Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Downey Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Downey Sydney James Livingston. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Downey William. Pte Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Downie George Ure Russell. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Downie John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Downie DCM.. Thomas. Sgt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Downing George Bernard. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Downing Harold Arthur. Stkr1.
    • Downing MM.. James Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Downing Joseph. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Downing Thomas. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Downing William Scott. Pte. 28th Battalion
    • Downs Arthur. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Downs DCM. Harold. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Downs Harry. Pte. Duke of Wellington Regiment
    • Downs Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Downs Thomas William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Downward George. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Dowse Alfred J.. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Dowse John Norman. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dowse VC.. John Hutton. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Dowsett Henry Selwood. Fus. Royal Fusiliers
    • Dowsett William David. L/Sgt. London Regiment
    • Dowsett William Gilbert Bailey. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Dowson MM.. Harry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Doy William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Doyle Alfred. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Doyle Andrew. Gnr. 256th Siege Battery
    • Doyle Anthony. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Doyle Charles. Pte. 8th Bn
    • Doyle Charles. Pte. 8th Btn.
    • Doyle Edward. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Doyle Edward. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Doyle Henry . Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Doyle J. M.. Pte. 17th Battalion
    • Doyle J.. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Doyle J. H.. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Doyle John James. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Doyle Joseph. Pte. 6th Dragoon Guards
    • Doyle Joseph. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Doyle MC, VC.. Martin. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Doyle Michael. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Doyle Richard Henry. Lieutenant 36th Btn.
    • Doyle Thomas Peter. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Doyle Thomas . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Doyle Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Doyle W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Doyle William Joseph Gabriel. Capt. Army Chaplains Department
    • Doyle William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Dracott William Richard. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Dracup Lister. Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Dracup Lister. Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Dracup MID.. Miles. CQMS. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Drage . Matron. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Drage Charles Francis. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Drake VC.. Alfred George. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Drake Arthur John. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Drake Denis Timothy. Sgt. Royal Garrsion Artillery
    • Drake MID. John. Sgt.Maj. 83 Sqd.
    • Drake Peter L.. Pte. 28th Btn. (Saskatchewan Regiment)
    • Drake Robert John . L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Drake MM.. Robert Sidney. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Drakesmith Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Drane James. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Drane R.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dransfield Albert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dransfield John Henry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Draper Alfred. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Draper Charles Frederick. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Draper Charles Gilbert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Draper Frank. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Draper G. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Draper H.. Pte. SS. Kyno
    • Draper Henry. MAA
    • Dray Frederick Charles. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Draycott John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Drayson Charles John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Drayton Percey Horace. Gdsm. Grenadier Guards
    • Dredge Alfred Willie. Pte. Black Watch
    • Drennan David. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Drew Alan Appleby. Lt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Drew Alfred Stephen. Pte. London Regiment
    • Drew B.. L.Stok. HMS Ramillies
    • Drew Frederick Charles. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Drew Henry Thomas. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Drew James Henry. Pte. South Staffs Regiment
    • Drew John William. S/Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Drew William. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Drewery Joseph. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Drewery Thomas. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Drewett William James. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Drewry VC.. George Leslie. Lt. Royal Naval Reserve
    • Dring Percy. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dring Thomas Seagrave. Pte. Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Drinkald MSM. John Oswald. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Driscoll Albert. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Driscoll Denis. Ld.Stkr. H.M.S. Venerable
    • Driscoll Denis. L STO H.M.S. "Venerable."
    • Driscoll Herbert Joseph. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Driscoll James. CPO HMS Vivid I
    • Driscoll Sidney. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Driver Charles William. W.Eng. HMS Monmouth
    • Driver Collis. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Driver Ernest. Artf. HMS Hawke
    • Driver Frederick Charles. Pte. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Dronsfield Alfred. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Drope H.. Pte. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
    • Drought George Thomas Acton. Maj. Royal Field Artillery
    • Drughorn William Frederick. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Drumm William. Sgt Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers
    • Drummond Albert George. A/RQMS Durham Light Infantry
    • Drummond Eric Grey . Maj. Gurkha Rifles
    • Drummond George Augustine. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Drummond James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Drummond James. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Drummond Thomas. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Drummond William Dodd. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Drury Frank Herbert. Rflm. London Regiment
    • Drury Jacobus Henry. Pte. 1st Regiment
    • Drury Lawrence G.. 2Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Drury Noel. Capt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Drury William. Pte. Leicester Regiment
    • Drury William Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dry George Edward. Sgt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Dry James Robert. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifles
    • Dryburgh MM.. Walter Hulton. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Drydale Samuel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dryden Alexander Rae Arthur. L/Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Dryden George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Drysdale H.. Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Duance W.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Dubber Albert Sydney. Pte. London Regiment
    • Ducatel James Charles . Pte Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Duck Arthur. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Duck Edward John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Duck George. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Duck Walter Knaggs. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Duckett Francis John. Pte. 1st Btn. Western Ontario Regiment
    • Duckett Kenneth Lees. 2nd Lt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Duckett Sydney Alfred. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Duckham Robert James. 2Lt. South Wales Borderers
    • Duckhouse Stephen. Pte. 87th Bn.
    • Duckworth Benjamin. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Duckworth Charles. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Duckworth Clarence. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Dudding David George. Sig. Royal Signals
    • Dudleston William James. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dudman Alfred William. AM3.
    • Duerden Isaac Tattersall. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Duff George. Pte. Black Watch
    • Duff Robert George Vivian. Lt. Life Guards
    • Duff Robert George Vivian. Lt. 2nd Life Guards
    • Duff Walter. Able Sea. Collingwood Battalion
    • Duffett Claude Joyce. CSM. London Regiment
    • Duffield Albert Edward. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Duffield Charles. Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Duffield William. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Duffin Charles. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Duffin Thomas. Sgt King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
    • Duffy Arthur A. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy Frank. Cpl Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Duffy George William. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Duffy George. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Duffy J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy J.W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Duffy John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Duffy MM. John. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Duffy John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy Joseph. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Duffy Martin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy Martin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy Mathew. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy MM.. Matthias. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Duffy Owen. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy Owen John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Duffy Patrick. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Duffy Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy Thomas. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Duffy Tom.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duffy Walter. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Duffy . William Joseph. Pte. Dublin Fusiliers
    • Dugdale Thomas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Duggan Arthur. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Duggan Cornelius. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Duggan Maurice. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Duggan Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duguid Peter. L/Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Duguid William Albert Thow. Private Gordon Highlanders
    • Duhig John Francis. Pte. London Regiment
    • Duhig Martin. Pte Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Duighan Philip. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duignan John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Duke Alexander Mark. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Duke George Edward. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Duke John. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Duke MM and bar. Oriel St.Arnaud. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Dukes William Henry. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Duley James. HMS Antrim
    • Duly DSO.. Charles. T/Capt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Dumma James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Dun MC.. Percy Muir. Cpl. 35th Btn.
    • Dunbar David Francis. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Dunbar Fleming.
    • Dunbar James F.. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Dunbobbin John. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Dunbrill Harry. Pte. Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Duncan . Mjr. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Duncan Angus. Lt.
    • Duncan David James White. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Duncan David James White. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Duncan David. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Duncan George. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Duncan J. Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Duncan Peter. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Duncan Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Duncan William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dundas DSM. Alexander Hermann. Lead Sea. HMS Alcantara
    • Dundas MC & Bar. George. Lt. 61st Bde
    • Dundas MID. Richard Charles. Lt.Col. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Dundas Richard Charles. Lt.Col. Royal Scots
    • Dundas Roy Stuart. Drmr. East Kent Regiment
    • Dundon Christopher Joseph. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Dungate Walter John. Cpl. Grenadier Guards
    • Dungey Charles. CPO. HMS Monmouth
    • Dunk Albert Sidney. Sgt. 3rd Light Horse Regiment
    • Dunkerton Frederick John . Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Dunkin Mervyn Arthur. Sgt. 12th Infantry Battalion
    • Dunkley William Christopher. Pte. Welsh Fusiliers
    • Dunkly J. B.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dunleavy Bernard. L/Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Dunleavy James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dunleavy Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Dunleavy Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Dunlin John. Sjt. East Yorkshire Regt.
    • Dunlop David Strachan . L/Cpl. 36th Btn.
    • Dunlop J.. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Dunlop John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Dunlop Robert R.. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Dunlop Samuel. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Dunlop MM.. Stanley Ward. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Dunmill Joseph. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dunmill Joseph. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dunmore James. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Dunmore John Henry. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Dunn Alexander George.
    • Dunn Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dunn Andrew. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Dunn Edgar. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Dunn Francis Joseph. Pte. The King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Dunn Francis James. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Dunn George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dunn Gerald Morton. 2nd Lt Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dunn Herbert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dunn Herbert. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dunn Herbert. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Dunn James. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Dunn James. A/Sgt West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dunn L.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dunn Oliver Edward. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Dunn Sydney. London Regiment
    • Dunn Thomas. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dunn William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dunn William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Dunn William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Dunn William John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Dunn William Alexander. L/Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dunn William Edward. Off Std
    • Dunne Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Dunne Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Dunne Joseph. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Dunne Lawrence. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Dunne Michael. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Dunne Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Dunne Michael. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Dunne Patrick. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Dunne Percy John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dunne-Hannon Desmond. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Dunnet John. Pte. British Army
    • Dunnett Daniel D.. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Dunnett George. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Dunnett James. Rflmn Rifle Brigade
    • Dunnicliffe Harold. Cpl. Notts & Derby Regiment
    • Dunnicliffe William Henry. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Dunning William Edwin. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Dunoon Allan Daniel. Pte. 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Dunphy John. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Dunsire VC. Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Dunsmore MC.. Henry Ephraim. Capt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Dunville VC. John Spencer. 2nd Lt. 1st Royal Dragoons
    • Dunwell Harry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dunwell Harry. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dunwoody Samuel. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Dunworth Edmond. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Dunworth M.C. Military Cross. Patrick Joseph. Cpt. Royal Inniskiling Fusiliers
    • Duprey John A. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Durber Sydney. Pte. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Durber Thomas Richard. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Durbin MM.. William Edward. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Durham John William. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Durham William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Durkan John V.. L/Sgt. Connaught Rangers
    • Durkin Thomas Joseph. SPO. HMS Magnolia
    • Durman C H. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Durn Harry. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Durnford Henry Charles. Pte. Somerset Regiment
    • Durnion Daniel. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Durrand David Lyall. Pte Gordon Highlanders
    • Durrand James. Deck.Hand. HMS Campania
    • Durrand William. Cooper2. HMS Raglan
    • Durrant A. S.. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Durrant Charles Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Durrant James William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Durrant Oliver Torlesse. 2nd Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Durrant Thomas. Pte. Royal Hampshire
    • Durrent . Suffolk Regiment
    • Dutfield George Henry. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Duthie . Lt 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Duthie George William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Duthie Leroy John. Lt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Dutton George. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Dutton George Francis. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Dutton Herbert. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Dutton Hertbert. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Rgt.)
    • Dutton Horace Frederick. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Dutton William France. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Duxberry William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Duxberry William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Duxbury Thomas. Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Duxbury William. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Dwyer Arthur Harry. Able Sea. HMS Indefatigable
    • Dwyer Daniel. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Dwyer Denis William. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Dwyer VC. Edward. Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Dwyer James. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Dwyer VC. John James. Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Dwyer Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Dyball Frank H.. London Regiment
    • Dyble Robert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Dyble Walter. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Dyce William Irvine. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Dyck Valentine Marcel Christian Guillaume Vanden. A/Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Dye Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dyer A. C.V.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Dyer Daniel. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Dyer Frank. Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Dyer Frederick Ewart. Pte. London Regiment
    • Dyer Gilbert. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dyer . James Frederic. East Lancashire Resiment
    • Dyer James. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Dyer James. Pvt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Dyer John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Dyer Richard E.. Stoker 1st Class. HMS Bergamot
    • Dyer DSO. Stewart B.B.. Major Wiltshire Regiment
    • Dyer William Ewart. Pte Rifle Brigade
    • Dyett Edwin L.A.. Sub.Lt. 63rd Royal Naval Division
    • Dyke Christopher Handel. Pte. Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Dyke O. M.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Dykes Thomas Walter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dykes Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dykes Thos.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Dykes William. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Dymock Malachi. Able Sea. HMS Genista
    • Dymott Alfred James. L/Cpl. Coldstream Guards
    • Dymott George Henry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Dyson Frederick. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Dyson Sidney. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Dytor William Thomas. Gnr, Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Eacott Ronald. L/Cpl Leicestershire Regiment
    • Eaddie George. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Eade Alymer. 2nd Lt. The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Eade Cecil Claude Stewart. L/Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Eades Alfred Bailey. Lt. 2nd Field Artillery Brigade
    • Eades Cecil Sydney. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Eades Cyril Edgar. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Eades Robert Alfred. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Eadon Edgar James. Pfc. 56th Infantry Regiment
    • Eady Amos. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Eagan R. C.B.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Eagin MM.. Archibald Edgar. Rflmn. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Eagle Frederick James. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Eagle George Dodson. Dorset Regiment
    • Eagle James. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Eaglefield . Drmr. Grenadier Guards
    • Eaglen James. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Eagles William. CPO HMS Caroline
    • Eaglesham Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Eaglesham MM.. Todd. Sgt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Eakin MM. Wilfred. Pte Sherwood Foresters
    • Eakins Joseph. Rflman. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Eales Sidney Harris. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Eames H.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Eardley John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Earl . Arthur Edward. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Earl MM. Charles. Pte.
    • Earl Edward William. Spr. AustralianTunneling Corps
    • Earl Francis. Pte. 27th Australian Infantry Btn.
    • Earl Robert Henry. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Earl Thomas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Earl Thomas Sydney. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Earl Victor Egbert. Spr Royal Engineers
    • Earl William J.. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Earlam Edwin. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Earlam Edwin. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Earlam John Henry. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire
    • Earle Richard Wells. Sgt, Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Earle William Herbert. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Earles Sidney. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Earley James Lawrence. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Earley Sidney Earnest. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Early Richard. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Earnshaw Clifford. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Earnshaw John William. Sgt. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Earnshaw Lewis. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Earnshaw Wilfred Gilbert. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Earp Arthur G.. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Earp George Howard. Lt. 5th Infantry Battalion
    • Earridge Harold A.. Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Earthrowl Walter Thomas. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Earthy Stanley Harry. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Earwaker Frederick William. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Eary Frank. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Easdale Goudie. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Easey Henry George. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Easey William Reginald. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Easom Arthur Frederick. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Eason MM & Bar. MiD.. Richard. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Eassom Charles Frederick. Royal Highlanders
    • Easson James Hislop. Pte. 31st Battalion
    • East Albert James. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • East Albert James. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    • East Edward William. Border Regiment
    • East Ernest. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • East Frederick James Norman. BSM. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • East George Arthur. Able Seaman.
    • East George Edward. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • East Jack. Sjt. Middlesex
    • Easter Albert. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Easthoe S.. Wheeler Royal Field Artillery
    • Easthope Harry. Pte. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Eastick George. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment.
    • Eastley Edwin. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Eastley Edwin. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Eastman MM.. Frederick William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Eastman George Thomas. Sgt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Eastman MM.. William. Pte. East Surrey Regiemnt
    • Eastoll George. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Easton F.. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Easton John William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Easton R.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Easton S.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Easton Sydney James. Pte. 17th Battalion
    • Easton Thomas James. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Easton William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Eastwood Donald. Capt. Kings Regiment (Liverpool).
    • Eastwood Edward Draper. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Eastwood Frederick Arthur Jervis. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Eastwood . George . Pte.
    • Eastwood John Thomas. Dvr. 107th Bde, B Bty.
    • Eastwood John. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Eaton DSO, Ld'H, Croix de Guerre. Arthur. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Eaton Charles. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Eaton George Albert.
    • Eaton Harry. L/Cpl. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Eaton John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Eaton Samuel J. Manchester Regiment
    • Eaton Thomas. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Eaton Walter Merbyn. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Eaton William Arthur. Pte.
    • Eatwell V. S.R.. Cpl.
    • Ebbrell Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Ebbs George Edward. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Ebdell Thomas. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Ebdy Frederick. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Eborn Arthur. Cpl. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Eccles George. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Eccles Richard. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Eccles Robert. Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Eccleston Thomas Edward. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Eccleston Thomas Edward. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Eccleston William. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Eckersley Daniel. L/Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Eckersley William Mark. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Eddies John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Eddis CdeG.. Christopher John Francis. Lt. Cmdr. HMS Scimitar
    • Eddlestone Richard. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Eddlestone Richard. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Eddolls Ernest James. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Eddolls Francis John. Gnr. SS Joshua Nicholson
    • Eddom John William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Eddon Joseph Edwards. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Eddon Joseph Edwards. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Eddy Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Eddy Richard James. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Ede Charles William. L/Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Ede Richard. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Eden MC.. Robert Anthony. Capt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Eden William Nicolas. Mid. HMS Indefatigable
    • Edgar MM.. Abraham. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Edgar MC. Andrew. CSM King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Edgar Anthony. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Edgar David. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Edgar J. H.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Edgar John William. Pte.
    • Edgcombe Walter. Stkr. HMS Amphion
    • Edge Edward Henry. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Edge Herbert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Edge Leonard Evan. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Edge Thomas. Cpl. 40th Brigade Trench Mortar Battalion
    • Edgecombe Walter. Sto. 2nd Cl. HMS Amphion
    • Edgerton MM DSO MID.. Eric Henry Drummond . Lt. 24th Infantry Battalion
    • Edgeworth Charles Frederick. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Edghill W. H.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Edgington M.M. & Bar.. Alfred. A/Sgt London Regiment
    • Edginton John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Edlington William Henry. 2Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Edmans Harry Ubert. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Edmenson Thomas. Durham Light Infantry
    • Edmenson Thomas. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Edmenson W. A.. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Edmonds Ernest. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Edmonds G.. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Edmonds Harry William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Edmonds Philip Augustus. Dvr. Royal Fusiliers
    • Edmonds Samuel. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Edmondson Allan. Pte. London Regiment
    • Edmondson Charles Edward. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Edmondson George Allen. Pte. London Regiment
    • Edmondson Harold. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Edmondson John. Rfm. The Rifle Brigade.
    • Edmondston Gilbert James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Edmonston R.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Edmunds John. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Fussilers
    • Edmundson James. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Edmundson William John. Pte. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
    • Edson James. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Edward Kiernan. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Edwardes . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Edwards Albert John. Sgt. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Edwards VC. Alexander. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Edwards VC.. Alexander. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Edwards Alfred. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Edwards Alfred Thomas. L/Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Edwards Alfred. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Edwards Arthur David James . L/Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Edwards MM.. Arthur Lord. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Edwards Arthur Lord. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Edwards Charles. Sjt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Edwards Charles. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Edwards David Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Edwards David. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Edwards Edward Owen. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Edwards Edward Weir. Drv Royal Field Artillery
    • Edwards Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Edwards Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Edwards Edward. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Edwards Edward. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Edwards Ellis. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Edwards Emlyn. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Edwards Emrys Aneurin. HMS P18
    • Edwards Enoch. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Edwards Ernest Fred. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Edwards Frank Bartram. Pte. 39th Battalion
    • Edwards George. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Edwards George. Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Edwards George. Sjt. Coldstream Guards
    • Edwards DSO. George Richard Owen. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Edwards George Alexander. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Edwards Godfrey Charles. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Edwards Harold Brinley. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Edwards DSO. Harrington Douty. Lt.Com. HMS E5
    • Edwards Henry Humpherson. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Edwards Henry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Edwards Hugh Owen. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Edwards J. R.. Rfm. The Rifle Brigade
    • Edwards Jabez. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Edwards James. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Edwards James William. Pte. Royal Flying Corps
    • Edwards James. L/Cpl. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Rgt.
    • Edwards James H.. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Edwards James. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Edwards John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Edwards John Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Edwards MM&bar.. John Marshall. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Edwards John Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Edwards John Richard. Gnr Royal Field Artillery
    • Edwards Joseph. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Edwards Joseph. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Edwards Richard Stanley. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Edwards Richard Samuel. AbleSea. HMS Bulwark
    • Edwards Richard Frederick. Pte. King's Liverpool Rgt.
    • Edwards Richard Stanley. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Regiment
    • Edwards Richard. Pte King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Edwards Richard. Pte Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Edwards Robert Richard. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Edwards Samuel John Robert . Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Edwards Samuel. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Edwards Sidney. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Edwards Spenser Ernest. 2nd/Lt. East Kent Regiment
    • Edwards Sydney. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Edwards Thomas. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Edwards MM.. Thomas Henry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Edwards MM. Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Edwards Thomas. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Edwards Thomas Owen. Capt. Royal Engineers
    • Edwards Thomas. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Edwards Thomas William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Edwards Victor Lawrence. Lt. Armoured Car Div. (Russia). H.M.S. "President II."
    • Edwards W. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Edwards MM.. Walter Stannard. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Edwards Walter John. Pte. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Edwards Walter John. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Edwards VC.. Wilfrid. Mjr. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Edwards William. Pte. 39th Btn.
    • Edwards William. Pte. Kings' Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Edwards MM.. William Henry. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Edwards MC. William Ian. Capt and Adjutant Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Edwards William. CSM. Royal Engineers
    • Edwards MM.. William Henry. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Edwards William Henry. Able Sea. HMS Paxton
    • Edwardson Frederick Charles Henry. Lt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Edwin Garside . Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Edwin John Walter William. Pte 5th (London) Field Amb
    • Edworthy Henry. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Eede Alfred. Pte. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Egan Edward Roland. 2nd Lt. 2nd Btn.
    • Egan Gerald Joseph. Pte. Canterbury Infantry
    • Egan James Patrick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Egan Kevin Fergus. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Egan Kevin Fergus. Lt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Egan Michael. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Egan Patrick. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Egan W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Egan W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Egglestone Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Eggleton Henry. Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Eglington Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Eighteen Fredrick Charles. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Eke Joseph. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ekins Albert Walter . AM2. 100 Squadron
    • Elbourne Clarence. Pte. 36th Battalion
    • Elcock Francis Willie. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Elder David. Pte. London Regiment
    • Elder George Russell. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Elder Robert Hamilton. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Eldred Charles. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Eldred James. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Eldridge . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Eldridge Albert John Walter. Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Eldridge Francis Alban Edward. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Eldridge William W.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Eley Charles Henry. Sjt. 16th Battalion
    • Eley Fred.
    • Eley Fred.
    • Eley Walter Robert. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Eley William. Pte Rifle Brigade
    • Elford Lawrence D.. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Elgie John Ernest. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Elkin Patrick. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Elkins Frederick. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Ell Leonard. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Ella Alfred Newsam. 2/Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ellams Herbert John . Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ellen Arthur William. CSM. London Regiment
    • Ellen J. C.. Able Sea. HMS Lapwing
    • Ellery Peter. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Ellett William. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Elliffe Charles. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Elliman Edward Harold. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Elliot MC.. George Augustus. Lt.Col. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Elliot James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elliot John. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Elliot Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Elliot William Herbert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Elliott . Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Elliott Albert. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Elliott Albert Edward. Marine. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Elliott Alfred James. Cpl Royal Fusiliers
    • Elliott Bob. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Elliott Charles. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Elliott Cyril Charles. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Elliott David. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Elliott Doris. Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Elliott Ethelbert Samuel Gerald. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elliott Ethelbert Samuel Gerald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elliott Ethelbert Samuel Gerald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elliott Frank. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Elliott Frederick Robert. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Elliott George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Elliott Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Elliott MID. Herbert Henry. S/Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Elliott J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elliott J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elliott J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elliott MID.. James Dunsmoor. 2nd Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Elliott James Steward. Musician. HMS Shannon
    • Elliott John William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elliott John William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elliott John Stanley. Pte. Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry
    • Elliott Marshall. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Elliott Matthew.
    • Elliott Pierre. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Elliott R.. Sub.Lt. HMS Lagos
    • Elliott Reginald Frederick Edward. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Elliott Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Elliott Robert Cummings. Capt. Royal Army Chaplains Department
    • Elliott . Ronald Cecil. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Elliott MM.. S.. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Elliott Samuel James. Rflm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Elliott T.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Elliott Thomas. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Elliott Timothy Goddard. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Elliott Walter. Pte. Ã?Ã? Ã?Ã? Ã?Ã? West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Elliott William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Elliott William Henry. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Elliott William Thomas. Pte. Worcestershire Yeomanry
    • Elliott-Cooper VC, DSO, MC.. Neville Bowes. Lt/Col. Royal Fusiliers
    • Elliott-Cooper VC, DSO, MC. Neville Bowes. Lt.Col. Royal Fusiliers
    • Ellis . Private
    • Ellis . Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ellis . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Ellis Albert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Ellis Alfred. Pte. Yorkshire Hussars
    • Ellis Alfred. Yorkshire Hussars
    • Ellis Arthur. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ellis Arthur George. L/Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Ellis Arthur Charles. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Ellis Arthur. Pte.
    • Ellis Charles. Pte Sherwood Foresters
    • Ellis Elijah. Border Regiment
    • Ellis Ellis. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ellis Ernest Dennis. Lt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Ellis Ernest John Cameron Douglas. A/Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ellis Evan Thomas. PO. Collingwood Battallion
    • Ellis Evan Thomas. PO. Collingwood Btn.
    • Ellis Evan. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Ellis Ezekiel. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Ellis F. O.. Capt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ellis Fred. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Ellis Frederick. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Ellis Frederick. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ellis Frederick. A/L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Ellis G H. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ellis George Robert. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Ellis George Henry. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ellis Gordon Gerald. Private Machine Gun Corps
    • Ellis Guy S.. 2nd Lt. 57th Squadron
    • Ellis Harold. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ellis Harry. Pte. 10th (The Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars
    • Ellis Harry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ellis James Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ellis James Graves St. John. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Ellis James. Sgt. 39th Battalion, D Coy.
    • Ellis John. Eaton's Machine Gun Battery
    • Ellis John. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Ellis John Brabazon. Pte 9th Battalion
    • Ellis John Brabazon. Pte. 5th Battalion
    • Ellis John. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Ellis John. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Ellis Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ellis Lancelot. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ellis R. M.. Pte. 5th Field Ambulance
    • Ellis Thomas . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ellis Thomas. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Ellis Thomas William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ellis MID. Trevor Edgar. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Ellis Vincent Frederick. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ellis W.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Ellis W.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ellis W.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ellis William Rhead. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Ellis William Henry. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Ellis William Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Ellison Arthur James. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ellison Cecil Harry. Sgt. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Ellison Ernest. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Ellison William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Ellison William. L/Cpl. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Ellix Frank. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ellse Ogden. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Ellson Howard. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Ellsworth Norman Griffiths. Bty.Sgt. 102 Howitzer Battery
    • Ellwood John Townson. Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Ellwood Mark. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Elmer Malcolm Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Elmes Bartlett Cecil. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Elmes King. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Elmes William Francis. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Elms Thomas. The Rifle Brigade "Prince Consort's Own"
    • Elner Edward Harry. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Elphingstone A. P.A.. Lt.Col. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elphingstone A. P.A.. Lt.Col. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elphinstone Robert. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Elsdon William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Else Herbert Harry. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Elshaw James Arthur. L/Bomb. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Elsner MID, DSO.. Otto William Alexander. Lt.Col. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Elson Arthur. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Elson Frank. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Elson Frank. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Elson John. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Elstob James Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Elstob VC, DSO, MC. Wilfrith. Lt Col. Manchester Regiment
    • Elsworth Ernest Edgar. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Elsworth William Claude. Pte. 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Elvidge Laurence. 2nd Lt. Connaught Rangers
    • Elvin Thomas. Pte. Kings Royal Rifles Corps
    • Elvin W.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Elwell Sidney A.. A/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Elwick William Moses. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Elwood Alfred Terah. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Elworthy Charles Ernest. Private Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Elworthy Charles Ernest. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • el_Hashim Adam. Sgt. Kings African Rifles
    • Embery Alfred William. Rfn London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles)
    • Emblen Frederick William. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Embleton Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Embleton Hans Major. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Embleton Hans Major. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Embleton Hans Major. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Embleton John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Embleton John. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Embleton John Joseph. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Emeny Arthur. Rfm. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)
    • Emerson Harold Theodore. 2nd Lt. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Emerson . Harry Bernard. Able Seaman
    • Emerson VC.. James Samuel. 2nd Lt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Emerson Thomas Benjamin . AB. HMS Weymouth
    • Emery Albert E.. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Emery Albert Edward . Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Emery Frank Alfred. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Emery Samuel. Pte. 26th Battalion
    • Emery William David Jubilee . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Emmanuel A.. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Emmens Harold. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Emmerick Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Emmerson . Durham Light Infantry
    • Emmerson Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Emmerson F. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Emmerson J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Emmerson John Bell. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Emmerson John James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Emmerson Robert Gray. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Emmett Joseph. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Emmett Joseph. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Emmett Robert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Emmett Robert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Emmott Harold. Pte. 11th Australian Trench Mortar Battery
    • Emmott James Alfred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Emmott Lawrence. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Empson R. C.. A/Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Emptage Ernest Sidney. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Emptage Frederick Jethro Joseph. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Emslie William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Eneas Alfred. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Eneas Herbert.
    • Eneas . William Joseph Boulter. Able Seaman
    • Enfield Cecil R. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • England Albert Ernest. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • England Alfred. Pte. London Regiment
    • England Bertie Charles Martin. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • England George Hoare. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • England James. Pte. Border Regiment
    • England James. Pte. Border Regiment
    • England William James. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • English A.. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • English Alexander. Lpcl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • English DCM.. Alexander. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • English Bernard. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • English Ernest Godfrey. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • English John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • English Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • English Robert. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • English Thomas Francis Malone. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • English W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • English William Banff. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ensby George Charles. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Entwistle Herbert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Entwistle Herbert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Epps Joseph Sydney. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Epsly MM &2 Bars.. Grigg Francis. Sgt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Epworth DSC.. Henry Jackson. Lt. HMS Petard
    • Epworth DSC. Henry Jackson. Lt.
    • Erasmus A. H.. Burgher Mounted Commandos,
    • Erasmus David. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Erett J.. Csm. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Erkine Adam. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Errington . Durham Light Infantry
    • Errington Arthur. CSM. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Errington John Robson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Errington Joseph. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Erriottis George. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Erskine DSO MID.. Arthur Edward. Lt.Col. Royal Artillery
    • Erskine VC. John. Sgt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Erswell Charles Godfrey. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Erwin Alfred Douglas Black . Pte. 18th Battalion
    • Erwin Alfred James. Pte. 18th Btn.
    • Eskholme Peter G.. Pte. Training Reserve Battalion
    • Esler M.. Capt. RAMC
    • Esmonde John Henry Grattan. Mid.
    • Esquilant Frederick Alfred. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Essen Rolf Van. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Essex Reginald William. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Essig Ernest Albert. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Estill T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Etchells Mary. Nurse.
    • Ethell Frederick. Cpl. 38th Btn.
    • Etheridge Edward Percy. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Etherington Thomas. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ethrington George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Eustace James Henry. Pte. Princess Charlotte of Wales Royal Berkshire Regime
    • Eva Laurie. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Evans A.. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Evans A. J.. Capt.
    • Evans Albert. CSM South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Evans Alfred. Sgt. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Evans Alfred. Pte Welch Regiment
    • Evans Arnold. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Evans Arnold. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Evans Arthur Owen. Pte. 13th Btn.
    • Evans Arthur John. Capt. South Wales Borderers
    • Evans Arthur. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Evans Arthur Ernest. Pte.
    • Evans Arthur. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Evans Daniel. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Evans David John. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Evans David. Sgt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Evans David William. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Evans David Owen. Lt Roayl Welsh Fusiliers
    • Evans David. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Evans David. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Evans Emrys Joshua. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Evans Ernest V.. L/Cpl. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Evans MM.. Evan. CSM. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Evans Evan John. Sto. HMS Vala
    • Evans Evan James. Royal Field Artillery
    • Evans Francis James. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Evans Frank Eber. A/Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Evans Frank Edward. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Evans Frank. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Evans Fred. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Evans Frederick. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Evans Frederick. Cpl. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Evans George. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Evans George. Pte. Royal Munster Rifles
    • Evans Glyndwr David. 2nd Lt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Evans Gwynfryn Daniel. Special Constable. Essex Constabulary
    • Evans H. W.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Evans Harry Neville. L/Sgt. Norfolk Yeomanry
    • Evans Herbert Seymour. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Evans Military Medal . Horatio Ellis. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Evans Hugh George. 2nd Lt. The King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Evans MM.. Idris. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Evans James. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Evans James. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Evans . John Henry. Private Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Evans John Thomas. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Evans John Alexander. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Evans John Francis. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Evans John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Evans John Victor. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Evans John Ernest. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Evans John Thomas. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Evans John Joseph. Pte. 1st Light Horse Regiment
    • Evans Joseph Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Evans Levi Henry. Sgt Machine Gun Corps
    • Evans VC, CB, CMG, DSO & Bar, DL. Lewis Pugh. Brig. Gen. The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Evans Percy James. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Evans Peter. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Evans R. Royal Field Artillery
    • Evans MM.. Reginald Charles. Gunner Royal Field Artillary
    • Evans Reginald Arthur. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Evans MM.. Reginald Charles. Bmdr. 276 Brigade
    • Evans Reginald Ernest Kenneth. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Evans MC.. Richard Bertram. A/Capt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Evans Richard Idris. Fus Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Evans Robert Henry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Evans Robert William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Evans MM.. Robert George. Sgt. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Evans Samuel. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Evans Stanley. Lance Corporal Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Evans Stanley. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Evans Stanley Frank. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Evans Theophilus James. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Evans Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Evans Thomas. CSM Cheshire Regiment
    • Evans MM.. Thomas Young. Pte. London Regiment
    • Evans Thomas. Boilermaker SS Mongolia
    • Evans Thomas Joseph. Sgt. Welch Regiment
    • Evans MM.. Walter Robert. Pte. Herefordshire Reiment
    • Evans Walter Spencer Seymour. Pte. 36th Battalion
    • Evans MID MC.. Wilfred. Mjr. Australian Army Medical Corps
    • Evans William. Spr. Royal Engineers.
    • Evans William. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Evans DCM. William Ernest. Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Evans William. Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Evans William Joseph. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Evans DCM.. William Ernest. Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Evans William. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Evans William. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Evans William. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Evans William Frank. Royal Field Artillery
    • Evans MM.. William Henry. Sgt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Evans William Albert. L/Cpl. Herefordshire Regiment
    • Evans William Prince . Cpl. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Evans William Harold. L/Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Evans William. Rflm. London Regiment
    • Evans William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Evans William George. L/Cpl. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Eve William Francis. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Eveleigh Alfred E.. Pte. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment),
    • Eveleigh Lawrence Horatio Goff. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Eveleigh William. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Evenden Ernest. Pte. The Royal Sussex Rgt.
    • Everall Harold. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Everard Nathaniel Joshua. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Everett Albert Edward Solomon. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Everett Henry Alexander. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Everett Herbert James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Everett MM.. Joseph. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Everitt Cyril James . Sgt. 29th Battalion
    • Everitt Harold Richard . L/Cpl. 29th Battalion
    • Everitt Henry Arthur. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Everitt Percy Reginald. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Everritt Albert Victor. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Evers Michael. L/Cpl. Connaught Rangers
    • Everton Ernest Harry. Pte. Worcester Regiment
    • Eves A.. Armourer Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Eves MM.. Roland. Pte. 20th Battalion
    • Evetts Francis. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Evison George Cooper. Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Ewan Alexander. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Ewan Alexander. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Ewan Joseph. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Ewart C. F. K.. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ewart Samuel. P/O. 57 Squadron
    • Ewell Rueben Peter. 4th Btn.
    • Ewen George Skene Illingworth. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ewen Richard Edmonston. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Ewers Charles Richard. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Ewing James. Rflmn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Ewing John. Lt.
    • Ewing William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ewington Charles Henry. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Excelby Albert Hugill. Pte Border Regiment
    • Excelby George Hugill. Pte. 20th Hussars
    • Exelby Joseph Hugill. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Exelby William Hugill. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Exley Albert. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Exley Alfred. L/Cpl. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Exley Daniel. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Exon John. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Exton Charles. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Exton Charles. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Exton Thomas Richard James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Eyles Thomas Charles. Pte. Royal Berkshire
    • Eyre Harry. 2nd Lt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Eyre Harry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Eyre Horace. Pte Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Eyre Patrick. Lpcl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Eyre Samuel. HMS Ganges
    • Fabian Leonard Arthur. HMS London
    • Face William George. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Facey Albert John. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Fagan MM, MID.. Howard Alexander. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Fagan James Edward. 2nd Lt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Fagan James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Fagan Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Fagan Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Fahey Frederick O'Brien. Pte King Edwards Horse
    • Fail Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fair A. Pte. London Regiment
    • Fairbairn George. Pte. Black Watch
    • Fairbairn John. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Fairbanks Charles Edward. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Fairbridge William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fairbrother S.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Fairbrother William John Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fairburn Edward. Pte. 18th Btn.
    • Fairburn James Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fairburn John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fairburn William. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Fairchild Helen. Nurse
    • Fairchild Helen. Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Fairclough MM.. Horace Chadwick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Fairclough John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Fairey Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fairhurst George Adzhead. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Fairhurst Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fairhurst William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Fairless Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fairley Thomas. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Fairlie Andrew. L/Cpl. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Fairlie Edward. Maj. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Fairman William Manfield. Pte. Gloucester Regiment
    • Fairman William Manfield. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Fairs William. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Fairweather David George. Pte. Black Watch
    • Fairweather David George. Pte. 4/5th Btn.
    • Fairweather Norman Livingstone. Gnr Royal Field Artillery
    • Faithful James Henry. Pte. Suffolk
    • Faithfull Ferdinand Albert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Falcus Joshua. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Falcus Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Falgate Harry. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Falkiner MC.. Frederick Ewen Baldwin. 2nd Lt. Royal Flying Corps
    • Falkiner George Stride. 2nd Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Fall Reginald. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Fall William George. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Fall William George. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Fallon Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fallon J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fallon Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Falloon John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Falls Stephen. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Fane Vere Anthony Francis St. Clair. Lt.Cmdr. HMS Lion
    • Faqir Abdullah. Stoker
    • Faraday Sidney. 2nd Lt. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Farbe Nathan. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Fardell Edwin Hercules. Pte. 2nd Battalion
    • Fardell Thomas Henry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Fardoe Henry. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Farley Frank. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Farley John Cornelius Albert. Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Farman Peter. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Farmar Frederick Seymour Brabazon.
    • Farmer Arthur. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Farmer Charles Rupert. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Farmer Jack. Capt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Farmer John. 1st Stwd. HMS Anchusa
    • Farmer Reginald William Bartlett. Lt. HMAS Torrens
    • Farmer Valentine. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Farmer Walter. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Farmer William Thomas. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Farmer William George . Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Farnell Arthur Charles. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Farnell J. T.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Farnell William . Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Farnes Albert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Farnham Arthur Charles. Cooks Mate H.M.S. Invincible
    • Farnham Charles. Cpl Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Farnworth J.. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Farquhar MM and bar, MID.. Alaexander George. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Farquhar MID DSO.. William Gordon. Maj. 3rd Field Coy Engineers
    • Farquharson Leslie Shaw. Capt. Royal Scots
    • Farr Aaron. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Farr Arthur James. Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment
    • Farr George Edward. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Farr Harry T.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Farr Henry John. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Farr James William. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Farr James William. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Farr Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Farr Tom. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Farr William Charles. Royal Fusiliers
    • Farran Edmond Chomley. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Farran George Francis. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Farrand DCM.. Arthur. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Farrant James. Able Sea. Division (Infantry)
    • Farrar Ernest. South Irish Horse
    • Farrar DSO, MID.. George Herbert. Col. General Staff
    • Farrar J.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Farrar John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Farrar L.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Farrar Matthew. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Farrell . Lance Corporal Manchester Regiment
    • Farrell . Royal Artillery
    • Farrell C.. Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Farrell Edward William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Farrell Edward. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Farrell J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Farrell James. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Farrell John James. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Farrell John James. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Farrell Mark Vincent. Pte Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)
    • Farrell Michael. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Farrell Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Farrell Michael. L/Sgt. Irish Guards
    • Farrell Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Farrell Peter. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Farrell Peter. Piper. Leinster Regiment
    • Farrell Thomas. Sjt. Loyal North Lancashire Regt.
    • Farrelly Peter. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Farrier Thomas Frederic. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Farries Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Farrington Charles. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Farrington Orlando. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Farrington William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Farrow George Marshall. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Farrow Henry John. Stokr. HMS Vivid
    • Farrow Herbert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Farrow MM.. William James. L/Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Fathers Hugh Walton. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fathers Kenneth George. Pte. 21st London Regiment
    • Fatoma A.. Pte. West African Regiment
    • Faulkner CdeG.. Christopher. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Faulkner MM. Frederick Thomas. Sgt Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Faulkner Herbert Charles. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Faulkner W. Pte. London Regiment
    • Faulkner William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Faulks Francis Edward. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Faultless Joseph. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Fausset Charles Reginald. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Favell George Gordon. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Fawbert Edward. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Fawcett Alan Wordsworth. Sub.Lt. HMS Tigress
    • Fawcett Harold. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corp
    • Fawcett Lewis. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fawcett Norman. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fawcus MC. Walter. Cpt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fawkes MM.. Frank. L/Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Fawley Newman D.. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Fawn William Thomas. RQMS. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Fay James. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Fay MM.. Philip. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Fear Arnold Hubert. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Fear Samuel. Pte Devonshire Regiment
    • Fearn Joseph. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Fearnley Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fearnley Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fearns William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Feasey Francis John. Pte. Yorks and Lancs
    • Feather Arthur Broxup. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Featherston MM.. George. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Featherstone George Richard. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Featherstone George Maurice. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Featherstone George Stephen. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Featherstone Wallace. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Featherstone William Charles Thomas. Able Sea. HMS Invincible
    • Featherstonehaugh-Wooster Robert Albert. Pte. 43rd Btn.
    • Featley George Alma. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Feder Emanuel. Pte. London Regiment
    • Fedrick Garland William. Farrier Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fee Robert. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Feeley Roger. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Feeney Patrick. L/Sgt. Royal Scots (Lothian Regt)
    • Feeney Patrick. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Feeney Wilfred Joseph. L/Cpl South Lancashire Regiment
    • Fegan Declan Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Fegen Edward. HMS Amphion
    • Feilding MM.. Dorothie. Driver
    • Feilding Hugh Cecil Robert. Lt.Cmdr.
    • Feinhols H.. Active Citizen Force
    • Felgate Arthur. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Felger Sydney Alfred. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Felix Arthur Edward. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Fell MC.. Alfred James. Lt. 34th Battalion
    • Fell David. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Fell David. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Fell Frank. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Fell Henry. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Fell Reuben. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Fellowes Basil Hamilton Abdy. 2nd Lt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Fellows Benjamin. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fellows Ernest. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Fellows James Edwin. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Fellows John William. Piper. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fellows Mervyn. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fellows Percy James. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Fellows Percy James. Private East Kent Regiment
    • Feltham William James. Pte. HMS Indefatigable
    • Felton John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Felton Joseph. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Felts Percival Claude . 2nd.Lt. 6 Squadron
    • Fenby William. Ac/Sgt East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fender Thomas Edward. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Fenly Percy George. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fenn Charles Fredrick. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Fenn John. Pte. 10th/11th Highland Light Infantry
    • Fenn Percy. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Fennelly John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Fennelly Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fenner Athelstan Alfred Lennox. Lt Cmdr. HMS K4
    • Fennessey William. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Fennick James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Fenny George William. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fensome Leonard. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Fensome William. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Fentem Frederick Samuel. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbyshire) Regiment
    • Fentem Frederick Samuel. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Fentie Robert. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Fentiman Frank. Pte. London Regiment
    • Fenton H. J.. Pte. Mounted Commandos
    • Fenton John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fenton Matthew Thompson. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fenton William Norman. Pte. London Regiment
    • Fenton-Jones John Christian. 2Lt. Essex Regiment
    • Fenwick DCM.. Andrew Lees. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Fenwick Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fenwick Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fenwick George Jameson. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Fenwick George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fenwick James Douglas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Fenwick Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fenwick Lizzie Hall.
    • Fenwick Peter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fenwick Ralph William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fenwick T.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fenwick Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fenwick William. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fergus Alfred Ernest. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fergus Alfred Ernest. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fergus Alfred Ernest. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ferguson . VAD. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Ferguson . 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ferguson Alexander Ogston. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ferguson Alexander. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Ferguson Alexander. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ferguson Alexander. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ferguson Alexander. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ferguson Andrew. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Ferguson Ernest Victor. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Ferguson George. Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Ferguson James. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Ferguson James. Pte Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Ferguson John Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ferguson John. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Ferguson DCM.. John White. Lt. Hood Btn.
    • Ferguson John. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Ferguson John. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Ferguson Joseph. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Ferguson Joseph. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ferguson Joseph. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment.
    • Ferguson Joseph. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Ferguson Joseph Clark . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ferguson Joseph Little. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Ferguson Robert. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Ferguson Simpson Riach. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Ferguson Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ferguson William Gordon Campbell. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Fergusson MM. Arthur Ernest. L/Cpl. Australian Infantry
    • Fergusson Athol Alexander. Pte. Canterbury Regiment
    • Fergusson Aubrey Stafford. Gnr. 4th Seige Battery
    • Fergusson James Adam Hamilton. 2nd Lt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Ferme William. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Fermoyle Patrick. Sto. HMS Roberts
    • Ferndale Herbert Rennie. Gnr. 41st Btn.
    • Fernee Joseph. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Fernley Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ferrell Jack. Pte. London Regiment
    • Ferrett George Ivord. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ferrie Edward. Cpl. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Ferrier A. G.. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ferrier Herbert Victor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ferrier Stewart Kidd. Pte. 10th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • Ferrier William. Black Watch
    • Ferries Adam. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Ferris Ernest Dervereux. Middlesex
    • Ferris Richard. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Ferris Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Ferrissey Cornelius Denis . Pte. Welsh Fusiliers
    • Ferry Ernest Leslie. Capt. Scottish Rifles (Cameronians)
    • Ferry James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Ferry Percival Alexander. Rflm. Rifle Brigade
    • Fetch John Stephen. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Fether Edward. L/Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Fetherstonhaugh A. E.H.. Major 14th (King's) Hussars
    • Few Charles. L/Cpl. Essex Regimenr
    • Fewings Richard Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fewster Joseph Daniel. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fiaschetti Angelo. Pte. 8th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Fickeis George Wilhelm. Pte. 304th Infantry Regiment
    • Fiddes Albert Victor Adam. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fidgett Victor Herbert. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fidler Frank Fletcher. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Fidler Harcourt. Pte.
    • Field . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Field Albert Walter. CSM East Kent Regiment
    • Field Albert Henry. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Field Albert Walter. CSM. East Kent Regiment
    • Field Albert Charles. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Field Charles H.. Gunner. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Field Charles Edmund. L/Cpl West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Field Francis Morgan. Capt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Field Frederick Stanley. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Field George Tilt. L/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Field Harry Ernest. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Field John. Pte. 54th Btn.
    • Field Leslie George. Rflmn London Regiment
    • Field O.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Field Reginald. Pte. Ox and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Field Thomas Walter Henry. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Field Thomas Walter Henry. Gunner Garrison Artillery
    • Field W.. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Field Walter Thomas. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Fielden Samuel. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Fielden Samuel. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Fielder Alfred John. Pte. Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)
    • Fielder J. W.. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Fieldhouse Arthur Frances. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Fielding Arthur Bernard. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fielding Arthur William. 2Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Fielding George. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Fielding John William. Pte. 10th Btn. (Alberta)
    • Fielding Jonathan. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Rgt.)
    • Fielding Joseph. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Fielding DSO.. Rowland. Lt. Col. Connaught Rangers
    • Fielding William Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Fields James. Stkr1. HMS Pintail
    • Fields John William. Drmr. 1st Btn.
    • Fields John William. WO1. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Fields Samuel. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fienbugh Maurice. Pte. 4th Btn.
    • Figg Bertram. Stkr/1st Cl. HMS Begonia
    • Filbey John Francis. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Filby Ernest. Dvr. Royal Fiield Artillery
    • Filer William George. Territorial Force
    • Fillary Francis. Royal Fusiliers
    • Filler William Frederick. Pte. London Regiment
    • Fillis Alexander. Pte. South African Medical Corps
    • Fillis Charlie. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Filsell Albert. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Finan Frank Mark. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Finch Aubrey Cecil Malcolm. Capt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Finch Charles William. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Finch Colin Augustus David. Spr. 2nd Australian Divisions Signals Coy
    • Finch Ernest Wilfred Rupert. Lt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Finch George Walters. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Finch Herbert Herchell. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Finch John. Pte London Regiment
    • Finch MID.. Stanley Francis. ERA. HMS Tiger
    • Finch Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Finch William. Border Regiment
    • Finden Frank. Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Findlay MM.. Angus. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Findlay MM.. Angus. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Findlay Colin Thomas. Cpl. 38th Btn.
    • Findlay Colin Thomas. Pte. 38th Btn.
    • Findlay David Gray. Pte. 47th Battalion
    • Findlay David. L/Cpl. 51st Machine Gun Battalion
    • Findlay George Edward. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Findlay Henry George. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Findlay Malcolm. Pte. London Regiment
    • Findlay Wallace Stanley. T/Sgt. 4th Light Horse
    • Findley John Hutchinson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Findley M. V.. L/Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Finighan Richard. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Finighan Richard. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Finlay Cuthbert Clive. Cpt. 17th Btn.
    • Finlay VC.. David. Sgt. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Finlay MC.. George Lush. Capt. 5th Battalion
    • Finlay Harry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Finlay James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Finlay James. Rflm. Scottish Rifles
    • Finlay William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Finlayson Murdo. Sjt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Finlayson Robert Watson Golan. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Finlayson William Samuel. A/Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Finley F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Finley Frederick William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Finn Albert. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Finn Daniel Patrick. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Finn John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Finn Matthew Michael . Pte.
    • Finn Patrick. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Finn MM, DCM.. Patrick. CSM. Durham Light Infantry
    • Finn Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Finneran T.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Finnerty John. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Finney N.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Finnie MM. John Redican. Cpl Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Finnie Joseph Paterson. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Finnigan James. A/LCpl. Royal Scots
    • Finnigan James. L/Cpl. Royal Scots Regiment
    • Finnigan James. L/Cpl. Royal Scots Regiment
    • Finnigan Patrick Joseph. 2nd Lt. 205th Squadron
    • Finnity George Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Firby Ambrose Binks. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Firkins John. Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Firman Harley. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Firman Harold. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Firman Humphrey Osbaldsyon Brooke. Lt. SS Julnar
    • Firmin George. Sgt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Firmston William. Sgt Royal Fusiliers
    • Firstbrook MM.. Ernest Albert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Firth Alfred Edward. Pte Middlesex Regt.
    • Firth Benjamin. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Firth MID. Harry. A/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Firth Horace Augustus. CSM. Suffolk Regiment
    • Firth Joel. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Firth Joseph. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Firth Wright. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Fish John Brown. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Fish William Walter. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fishburn Samuel. Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fishburn Thomas William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fishburn William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fisher . Durham Light Infantry
    • Fisher Albert Henry. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Fisher Bert. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Fisher Charles. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Fisher Charles. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Fisher Charles Frederick. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Fisher Ernest Edwin. Cpl. Dorset Regiment
    • Fisher Frank Levi. PO/Stoker HMS Amphion
    • Fisher Frank Ernest. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Fisher VC.. Fred. L/Cpl. Canadian Infantry
    • Fisher VC. Frederick. L/Corp 13th (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion
    • Fisher George William. Sgt Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Fisher DCM.. George Humphrey. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Fisher Harry Laureate. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fisher Isaac. Pte. Royal Engineers.
    • Fisher Isaiah. L/Cpl. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Fisher J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fisher John Browitt. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Fisher John Edward. Stoker lst class. HMS Begonia
    • Fisher John Browitt. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Fisher Joseph Frederick. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Fisher Joseph Arthur. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fisher K J. Lt Durham Light Infantry
    • Fisher MM.. Leonard. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Fisher MM. Leslie Henry. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fisher MM.. Leslie Henry. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fisher Oscar.
    • Fisher Robert Charles. S/Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Fisher Robert Lorraine. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fisher Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fisher Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Fisher Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Fishlock William.. L/Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Fishpool CdG.. Charles Henry. 2Lt. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Fishwick George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Fishwick George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Fisk W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fitch Harold. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Fitch MC.. Phillip Henry Burt. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fitsgerald G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fitsgerald James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fitspatrick James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fitt Arthur Leonard. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Fitt Frederick Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fitton Harry. Pte Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Fitton Thomas Edward. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Fitton Walter. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Fitts Sydney Albert. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Fitts Sydney Albert. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • FitzClarence VC, MID.. Charles. Brig.Gen. General Staff
    • Fitzgerald A. E.. Lt -Col Durham Light Infantry
    • Fitzgerald Augustine. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fitzgerald DCM.. Charles. A/Sgt. Northumberland Fusilers
    • Fitzgerald Ernest. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Fitzgerald G. T.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fitzgerald George Bernard. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fitzgerald MM.. Henry . Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Fitzgerald James. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Fitzgerald James. Bugler. 3rd Btn.
    • Fitzgerald Jeremiah. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Fitzgerald John Henry. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Fitzgerald John C.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • FitzGerald Maurice. Irish Guards
    • Fitzgibbon Annie. SRN.
    • FitzGibbon Michael. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Fitzhugh Alfred Hugh. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Fitzjohn Bertram George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Fitzmaurice Francis. L/Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Fitzpatrick Alexander. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Fitzpatrick George. Sgt. Connaught Rangers
    • Fitzpatrick James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fitzpatrick James. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Fitzpatrick James Edward. Pte.
    • Fitzpatrick P.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Fitzpatrick Thomas. Pte. Canadian Infantry
    • Fitzroy Ivonne. Nurse.
    • Fitzsimmons DCM.. James. Sgt. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Fitzsimmons John Vincent. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fitzsimmons Joseph. Cpl. Coldstream Guards
    • Fitzsimons J. F.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Flack Alfred. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Flack George Alfred John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Flack Harry James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Flack Harry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Flack Herbert James. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Flack Hermon. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Flack Jonah. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Flack DCM & bar. CdeG.. William Alfred. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Flaherty Thomas. Irish Guards
    • Flamers . RAF Habbaniya
    • Flanagan Edward. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Flanagan Frank. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Flanagan P. J.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Flanagan Robert. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Flanagan Thomas. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Flanaghan Richard. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Flanders John William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Flannaghan Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Flannigan Patrick. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Flatt Alf.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Flatt George Henry . L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Flattely Richard Carter. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Flavin John. CH. STO. H.M.S. "Seal."
    • Fleet Clifford Century.
    • Fleetwood Cyril Robert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Fleetwood Frank. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Fleetwood John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Fleishman Jack. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Fleming Charles Frederick. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Fleming G.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fleming George. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Fleming Harry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Fleming Harry. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Fleming Harry. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Fleming Henry John. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Fleming J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fleming James Wilkin. Lt USS Pocohantas
    • Fleming John. Rifleman Royal Irish Rifles
    • Fleming Reginald Thomas Joseph. 7th Dragoon Guards (Princess Royals)
    • Fleming Robert. Cpl North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Fleming Robert. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Fleming Robert. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Fleming Samuel. L/Cpl. Cameronian (Scottish Rifles)
    • Fleming Walter. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Fleming William Neil. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Fleming William Mclymont. Sgt. Black Watch
    • Flemming Melville Adams McLeay. Pte. 28th Battalion
    • Flemming Thomas. London Regiment
    • Flemming W.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Fletcher . VAD No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Fletcher Albert Edward. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Fletcher MM. Edward Charles. Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Fletcher Ernest. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Fletcher Ernest. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Fletcher George. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Fletcher Harry. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Fletcher Herbert Horsemond. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fletcher J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fletcher John Michael. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Fletcher Leonard Herbert. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Fletcher Percy Albert. Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Fletcher Samuel Edwards. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Fletcher Samuel E.. Grenadier Guards
    • Fletcher Walter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fletcher William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fletcher William Aubrey . Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Fletcher William Anderson. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Flett Irving Russell. Lt. 23rd Battalion
    • Flett John. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Flett William George. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Flett William. Able Sea. 5th Nelson Battalion
    • Flewellen William George. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Flick P.. Sgt. 33rd Btn.
    • Flicker MM . James. Rfm. Rifle Brigade
    • Flicker Walter Harold. Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Flint Albert Edward. Rfn. 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade
    • Flint Albert. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Flint Charles Edward. Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Flint Ernest Robert. Pte London Regiment
    • Flint Harry. L/Cpl. Coldstream Guards
    • Flint Horace Lance. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Flint Walter James. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Flintham George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Flintoft John William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Flippance George Noah. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Flipping William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Flixon Wallace. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Float John Frederick. Pte. London Regiment
    • Flockart Robert Pearce. Mjr. 5th Battalion
    • Flood Henry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Flood Thomas Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Flood W. J.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Flook Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Florence Adam. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Flower Aaron John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Flower Arthur. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Flowerdew V.C.. Gordon Muriel. Lt. Lord Strathcona's Horse
    • Flowerdew VC. Gordon Muriel. Lt. Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
    • Flowerdew VC. Gordon Muriel. Cpt. Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
    • Flowers John Alfred. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Floyd George Augustus. Rflmn London Regiment
    • Floyd John William . Ord. Seaman HMS Malaya
    • Fluke MM. George William. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Flute Walter Reginald Herbert. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Flutter Frederick James. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Flymm Maurice. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Flynn Charles . Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Flynn Charles. CSM. Connaught Rangers
    • Flynn Daniel. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Flynn Daniel. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Flynn Daniel. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Flynn Francis. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Flynn CdeG.. Frank William. L/Cpl. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment
    • Flynn Hugh. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Flynn J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Flynn J.. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Flynn VC.. James Henry. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Flynn James. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Flynn James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Flynn James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Flynn James. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Flynn James Frances . Able Sea. HMS Indomitable
    • Flynn John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Flynn John. PO. HMS Colleen
    • Flynn John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Flynn Joseph. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Flynn Maurice. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Flynn Patrick. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Flynn Patrick.
    • Flynn Richard. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Flynn T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Flynn Thomas. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Flynn Thomas. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Flynn Thomas. Pte Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Flynn Timothy O. Tpr 5th Royal Irish Lancers
    • Flynn MM.. Wilbur James. Cpl. 8th Btn.
    • Flynn William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Flynn William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Flynn William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Flynn William C.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Foard Sydney. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Foat Victor. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Fogarty Gerald Joseph. Lt. 9th Squadron
    • Fogarty James William. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Fogarty John. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Fogarty Joseph. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fogarty Joseph. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fogarty Thomas. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Fogarty William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fogg Benson. Drvr. Army Service Corp
    • Fogg George William. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Fogg William James. Pte. 54th Battalion
    • Foggerty . Sister Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley
    • Foleder Joseph Albert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Foley Bernard. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Foley Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Foley Jack James. Quarter Master Sjt. Royal Engineers
    • Foley Michael. Drvr. Army Service Corps.
    • Foley Thomas William. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Foley William. L/Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • Foljambe Hubert Francis Fitzwilliam Brabazon. Major. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Follett William Charles. Stkr. HMS Bittern
    • Fonn D.. L/Cpl.
    • Foot Cecil William Arthur. Pte. Gloucestershire
    • Foot MM.. Cecil George. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Foot Frederick John. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Foot Samuel Ashburner. L/Cpl. Middlesex Rgt.
    • Forber William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillary
    • Forbes DCM.. Alexander W.. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Forbes Duff. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Forbes George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forbes George Alexander. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Forbes Gilbert Steel. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Forbes John Sinclair. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Forbes Nina. VAD Yorks 42
    • Forbes Peter Carlton. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Forbes-Sempill Robert Abercromby. Lt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Ford A. E.. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Ford Amos George. Coldstream Guards
    • Ford Andrew. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Ford Benjamin A. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ford Benjamin. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Ford Bernard John William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regigment
    • Ford Charles William. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ford Clyde Albert. Pte. 18th Battalion
    • Ford Douglas McPherson. BSM. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ford Douglas Macpherson . WO1. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ford Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ford Frank Elwood. Seaman USS Mongolia
    • Ford Frederick. Sergeant South Lancashire Regiment
    • Ford Harold. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ford Harry Cecil. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ford Henry Richard. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ford Hubert James. Pte. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Ford Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ford J.. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Ford J. H.. Lt. Essex Regiment
    • Ford Jack. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Ford James. Rflmn.
    • Ford MID.. Joseph William. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Ford Peter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ford R. E.. 2nd.Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ford Samuel. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ford T.. Rfm. The Rifle Brigade
    • Ford Thomas. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ford Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ford W A. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ford Walter. L/Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Ford William. Pte. Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars
    • Ford William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Forde C.. Grdsmn Irish Guards
    • Fordham Eric John. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Fordy John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fordyce Arthur Edwin. Lt. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Foreman James Stephen. Ord.Sea. HMS Clan McNaughton
    • Forester Albert Turner. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forfar James Honney. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Form William. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Forman Alfred. Machine Gun Corps
    • Formby Edward. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Forrest MM.. Andrew Bryson. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Forrest Ernest. Gsr. S.S. Stonecrop
    • Forrest George Scott. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Forrest J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Forrest J.. A/Cpl. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Forrest Leslie Bunbury Lousaine. Gnr. 5th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • Forrest Robert Archibald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forrest Samuel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forrest Samuel. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Forrest Thomas. Pte. 9th Light Horse Regiment
    • Forrest William Henry. Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Forrest Wilson. CSM Durham Light Infantry
    • Forrester Harry. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forrester John George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forrester Thomas. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Forrester William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Forrett Thomas Wallace. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Forsdike Edward George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Forsell Gustav Teodor. Carpenter. SS Calypso
    • Forshaw William. Pte. Loyal North Lancahire Regiment
    • Forshaw William. Pte Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Forshaw DCM.. William Henry. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Forson Andrew Gerard. Pte. London Regiment
    • Forster MM.. Charles Gordon. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Forster Ernest. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forster George Noble Oliver. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Forster George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forster Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forster James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forster John J.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Forster John Helm. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forster John James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Forster Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forster Joseph. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Forster Philip James. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Forster Robert Victor McKinley. Sgt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Forster Samuel. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Forster Samuel. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Forster Thomas Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forster William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Forsyth Ebenezer. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Forsyth Gilbert. L/Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Forsyth John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Forsyth John Livingstone. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Forsyth VC.. Samuel. Sgt. New Zealand Engineers
    • Forsyth VC.. Samuel. Sgt. New Zealand Engineers
    • Forsyth Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Forsyth William. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fort John James Grasshorn. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Fort John James Grasshorn. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Fortey Edgar Albert Ivor. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Fortnam Charles Edward. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Fortune Albert. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Fortune James Patrick. Private Royal Irish Regiment
    • Fortune DSO.. James. AB. HMS Strongbow
    • Fosbrook . Thomas Arthur. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Fosbrook William Thomas. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Fosbrooke J R. Pte. London Regiment
    • Fosbrooke J. R.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Fosbury William Alfred. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Foster . Durham Light Infantry
    • Foster A.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Foster Abraham. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Foster Andrew. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Foster Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Foster Arthur Septimus. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Foster Arthur. Kings Royal Rifles
    • Foster Charles William. Pte. Northhamptonshire Regiment
    • Foster David. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Foster E. B.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Foster E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Foster Edwin. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Foster F.. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Foster DSM.. Frank William. Yeo.Sig. HMS Emperor of India
    • Foster DFC.. Frank William. W/Cdr.
    • Foster Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Foster G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Foster G. Wilfred. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Foster George. Pte.
    • Foster George. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Foster George William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Foster MiD.. George F.W.G.. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Foster Harry. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Foster Henry. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Foster MM. Herbert William. Sgt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Foster J. T.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Foster James. Pte. Leicester Regiment
    • Foster James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Foster James R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Foster James. L/Sgt Royal Scots
    • Foster Jesse Edwin. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Foster John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Foster John. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Foster John William. L/Cpl King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Foster John. Gnr. Royal Artillery
    • Foster John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Foster Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Foster Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Foster L. T. L.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Foster Leonard. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Foster Matthew . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Foster Oswald. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Foster Oswald. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Foster Oswald Henry. Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Foster Oswald Henry. Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Foster Robert McKibben. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Foster Sidney Dent. Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Foster Thomas F.. Pte. Lincolnshire Yeomanry
    • Foster W. R.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Foster Wilfred Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Foster William. CSM. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Foster William Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusliers
    • Foster William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Foster William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Fothergill MID. Reginald Hannay. Capt. 36th Field Ambulance
    • Fothergill William. Pte. Manchester Regiment.
    • Fothergill William. Pte King Edward's Horse
    • Fouchard George Ernest. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Foulds Walter. L/Cpl. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Foulger Alfred. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Foulkes Charles Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Foulkes Thomas. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Foulkes Walter Joseph. Dvr. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Foulsham Arthur Charles. Rfn. London Regiment
    • Foulsham Charles Alexander. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Foulsham Harry Shirley. Sgt 6 Squadron
    • Fountain Harold Ernest. Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Fountain Richard. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Fountain Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Fowell Edward Francis. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Fowell Frederick. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Fowell John Joseph. Pte Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fowler Albert. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Fowler Alfred Charles Garrett. 2Lt. 215 Squadron
    • Fowler MM.. Christopher Edward. L/Cpl. 33rd Btn.
    • Fowler MM.. Christpher Edward. Cpl. 33rd Btn.
    • Fowler David. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Fowler Frederick William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Fowler George Glyn. 2nd Lt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Fowler George Glyn. Lt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Fowler George Michael. Queens Royal West Surrey
    • Fowler John Orr. 2Lt No. 45 Squadron
    • Fowler Richard. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Fowler Robert Wilfrid. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Fowler Walter Ernest. Army Service Corps
    • Fowler William James. Sgt. Bermuda Militia Artillery
    • Fowles . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Fowles Charles Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Fowles Lloyd. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fowles Stephen McDermott. Pte. 44th Btn.
    • Fowley Thomas. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Fowlie Alexander Brownie. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Fox A. H.. Pte. 10 M.G. Coy
    • Fox A.. Sgt. Bermuda Militia Artillery
    • Fox Albert. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Fox Brabazon Hubert. Mjr. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Fox Cecil H. . Capt. HMS Amphion
    • Fox Charles Lewis. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fox Charles William. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Fox Charles Albert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fox DCM. Ernest. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Fox Freddy. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Fox Frederick. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Fox MM.. Frederick William. WO1. Royal Fusiliers
    • Fox J. S.V.. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Fox John Henry Raymond. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fox John. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Fox John E.. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Fox Joseph Walter. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Fox . Louis . Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Fox Percy. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fox Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fox Richard. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Fox Robert.
    • Fox Robert Michael. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fox Stephen Albert. Pte. Argyle & Sutherland
    • Fox William Henry. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Fox William. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Foxall Ernest Bert. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Foxhall Reginald. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Foxob Ernest Edward. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Foy Christopher. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Foy Francis. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Foy Henry Snow. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Foy James. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Foy Owen. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Foye Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Foye Thomas. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Foyster John. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Frafra A.. Pte. Gold Coast Regiment
    • Frain Austin. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Frain Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Frame John Wallace. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Frames Arthur Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Frampton Alfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Frampton Frederick George. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Frampton Frederick George. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • France William Henry. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Francis Albert. Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Francis C. J.. Col.Sgt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Francis . Charles . Pte. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Francis Charles. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Francis George W.. Cook's Mate. HMS Bergamot
    • Francis Harry Herbert. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Francis Harry Herbert. Pte. Royal Sussex
    • Francis Harry. Pte. Royal Sussex
    • Francis MM.. John William Thomas. CSM. Cheshire Regiment
    • Francis RRC2.. Lily Gertrude. Nursing Sister
    • Francis DCM.. Reginald Clement. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Francis W.. Rgmtl Qtrmtr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Francis W.. Pte. Indian Defence Force
    • Francis William James Baden. 7th London Battalion
    • Francis William Joseph. 2nd Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Francis William George. 2nd Lt. 66 Squadron
    • Francis William Norman . Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Francois Luc Rene. Pte. Machine Gun Corps (Heavy)
    • Franey Richard. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Frank Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Frank MM. Facer. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Frank Hatchett W. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Frank John Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Frankish Thomas. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Frankland Evelyn. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Frankland Evelyn. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Franklin Arthur Charles. Rfm. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Franklin Cyril George. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Franklin Ernest Arthur. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Franklin Henry William Joseph. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Franklin Sidney Charles. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Franklin Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Franklin MM.. Thomas. Sjt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Franklin W. L.. Middlesex Regiment
    • Franklin Walter Thomas. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Franklin William. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Franklin William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Franklin William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Franklin-Smith . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Franks Edwin. Rfm. Rifle Brigade
    • Franks Ernest James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Franks Jacob. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Frankton J. B.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Frary Charles. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Fraser . Lt Cmdr. HMS Doon
    • Fraser Albert. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fraser Alexander. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fraser Aubrey. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Fraser Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fraser Evan. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Fraser James. Stoker 1st Class Hms Doon
    • Fraser James Merckle. CST
    • Fraser John William. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Fraser John L. Pte 42nd Battalion
    • Fraser Mackenzie Hamilton. Capt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Fraser Norman. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Fraser Oswald Campbell. 2nd Lt. Black Watch
    • Fraser Robert Henry James. Sherwood Foresters
    • Fraser Stanley Howard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fraser DSO. Thomas. Lt.Col Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Frater MC.. David George. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Frazer Anthony. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Frazer George. Pte Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Frazer George. Pte Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Frazer Hugh. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Frazer James Isaac. Sgt Royal Irish Rifles
    • Frazer John. CQMS Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Frazer Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Freakes Alexander John. 2Lt 161st Brigade
    • Frearson Clyde. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Fredericks MM & Bar.. Charles. Cpl. Royal Artillery
    • Fredericks William. Sgt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Free William Albert. Cpl. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Freear Eric Charles . 2/Lt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Freear Eric Charles . 2nd.Lt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Freebairn George Samuel William. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Freebairn James Logan. Pte. 9th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Freeman Albert Charles. Pte 41st Battalion
    • Freeman Arthur Fredrick. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Freeman Edmund Valentine. Sgt. Essex Yeomanry
    • Freeman Frank George Bausor. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Freeman George Matthew. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Freeman Harry. Boy2. HMS Revenge
    • Freeman Harry. A/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Freeman Henry. L/Cpl. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Freeman Matthew. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Freeman Neils. Bugler. Durham Light Infantry
    • Freeman Thomas Shelton. Sergeant Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Freeman Tom. 2nd Lt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Freeman Victor Frederick. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Freeman Walter. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Freeman Walter Charles. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Freeman William Reginald. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Freemantle Edgar Lionel. L/Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Freemantle Ronald Percy Cowen. Lt. 9 Squadron
    • Freemantle Ronald Percy Cowan. 2Lt. 9 Squadron
    • Freemantle William Raylton. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Freer Arthur Martin. CSM Durham Light Infantry
    • Freeth Stephen Thomas . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Fremson Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • French Arthur William. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • French Benjamin James. P/Off. HMS Paxton
    • French Charles John. Maj. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • French Charles Stockley. Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • French Charles Ernest. Cpl. Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • French MM.. Christopher. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • French Claude Alexander. Capt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • French Frederick Thomas. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • French MC.. John. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • French Patrick William. Rfm. 1st NZ Rifle Brigade.
    • French Robert Douglas. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • French Sidney Harold. L/Cpl Middlesex Regiment
    • French Valentine Douglas. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • French William Henry. L/Sgt. London Regiment
    • French William. Pte. Royal Berkshire Rgt.
    • French William S.. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Fresco Moses. Rfmn. 12th London Regiment
    • Fretwell Fred. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Fretwell John. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Frew Alexander Ramsay. Sgt. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Frew Alexander Ramsay. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Frew Andrew Cunninghame. Cpl. Cameron Highlanders
    • Frew G.. Pte.
    • Frey Emile. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Freyberg VC DSO . Bernard. Lt.Gen. Hood Battalion
    • Frick Oscar. L/Cpl. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Frickleton VC.. Samuel. Capt. New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • Friday John Edward. Pte. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regt.
    • Fridlington George. Pte. East Yorkshire
    • Friedman William T. Dvr Royal Field Artillery
    • Friel Edward. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Friel William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Friell B.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Friend C. P.. Lt Royal Field Artillery
    • Friend Edward Mitchell. Pte. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Friend Percy Alfred. A/Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Friend Percy Alfred. A/Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Frieslaar Albert Alfred. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Friskin William Wallace. 2Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Frith Frederick. Pte. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Frith Harold Elijah. L/Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Frith Jack. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Frith Reginald William. Lt. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Frith CdeG.. William Wesson. Capt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Frith Willis Hirwen. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Froggatt Robert. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Fromant Charles Henry. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Fromant Charles Henry. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Fromm H. L.. L.S. H.M.S. Fortune
    • Froom Ernest Harold. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Frost Alfred Ingo. 2Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Frost Arthur James. Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Frost Charles. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Frost Earnest. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Frost Gilbert Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Frost Herbert Charles. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Frost John Albert William. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Frost Joseph. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Frost Sydney Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Frost MM.. Walter Ernest. Sgt. Royal Warwicks
    • Frow Herbert George. Sgt. 139 Squadron
    • Froy Francis Bede. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Fry . Mjr. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Fry H. J.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Fry J.. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Fry Wilfred Reader. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Fry William. Pte. 53rd Battalion
    • Fryer Bejamin John. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Fryer Charles William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Fryer Charles Wager. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fryer George Mitchell. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Fryer George Mitchell. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Fryer John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fryer William Francis. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Fuffley John Fifield. PO.Stkr. HMS Anchusa
    • Fuhrstrom R. W.. Pte. 58th Btn.
    • Fulbrook Frederick George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Fulford Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Fulford Thomas Percy. Lt Army Service Corps
    • Fullard DSO, MC & Bar.. Philip Fletcher. Capt. 1 Sqd.
    • Fullard DSO, MC, AFC.. Philip Fletcher. Capt. 1 Sqdn.
    • Fuller . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Fuller Charles Edward. Pte. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Fuller Charles. Pte. Norfolk Rgt.
    • Fuller Charles. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Fuller Charles. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Fuller Charles. Pte. Royal Norfolk Regiment
    • Fuller E. C. B.. Pte. 36thBtn.
    • Fuller Ernest. Wagoner. Army Service Corps
    • Fuller Frank Irwin. Pte. London Regiment
    • Fuller Fred.
    • Fuller George William. CPO. HMS Cornwall
    • Fuller Herbert Sydney. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fuller Herbert W.. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Fuller Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fuller William Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Fuller VC. William Charles. Sgt The Welch Regiment
    • Fuller William James. Able Sea. HMS Blanche
    • Fuller-Acland-Hood Charles Alexander John. Mid. HMS Invincible
    • Fullerton . Col. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Fullerton Charles. Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Fullerton John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Fullerton Matthew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Fullerton-Carnegie MID,MC.. George David Howard. Black Watch
    • Fullick Frederick Walter. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Fullwood Joseph. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Fullwood Joseph. Pte. South Staffordshire
    • Fullylove Walter. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Fullylove Walter. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Fulthorpe Joseph. 2nd Eng. S.S. Savan
    • Fulton Adam. Capt. Border Regiment
    • Fulton Andrew. Able.Sea.
    • Fulton David. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Fulton Robert Rodman. Sjt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Fulwell VC. Albert. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Funnell George. 41st Btn.
    • Funnell Robert James. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Furnaess Ernest George. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Furneaux Ernest Charles. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Furness . Arthur . Pte.
    • Furness Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Furness John Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Furness Robert. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Furnevel George William. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Furniss E. C.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Furniss Harold West. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Furniss James E. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Furniss Walter Raymond. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Furnival Richard Edward. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Furnival William. Pte. North Staffordshire Rgt.
    • Furnival William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Furth A. S.. Pte. 10 M.G. Coy
    • Fussell MC.. Leslie George. Maj. 17th Batn.
    • Futcher Thomas Barnes. Lt.Col. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Futter Robert. Pte Norfolk Regiment
    • Fyfe Alexander. Cpl. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Fyfe Joseph Kelsall. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster)
    • Fyfe Joseph Kelsall. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Fyfe Thomas. DH H.M. Trawler "George Milburn"
    • Fyles William Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Fynn VC.. James Henry. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Gabbitas George. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Gabbitas Thomas. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Gable Reuben Harry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Gabriel F.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Gabriel Frederick. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Gaby VC. Alfred Edward. Lt. 28th Battalion
    • Gaby VC.. Alfred Edward. Lt. 28th Btn.
    • Gadd Harold. L/Sgt Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Gadd John Thomas. AM1. No.3 Sqdn.
    • Gadd John. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Gadsby John William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gaffey Patrick. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Gaffikin Robert James. Pte. 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company.
    • Gaffing Daniel. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Gaffing David. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gaffing James Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gaffney Francis. Rflmn. Border Regiment
    • Gaffney John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Gaffney Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gaffney T.W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gage Frank William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Gage Sidney William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Gain Arthur Henry. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Gaines Benjamin. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Gaines Ernest. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Gaines Lawrence. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Gains Tom. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Galbraith Alexander Norman. Capt. Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps
    • Galbraith Gordon. Major. Worchester Regiment
    • Galbraith William Usher. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gale Arthur Daniel. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Gale George H.. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gale Noel William Howard. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn.
    • Gale Philip Alan. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Gale W I. Sto1. HMS P46
    • Gale Wilfred. Pte. 40th Btn.
    • Gall Harry. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Gallacher G. H.. A/Cpl. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Gallacher James. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Gallacher John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Gallacher Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Gallacher Thomas Lee. Pte Highland Light Infantry
    • Gallagher Daniel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gallagher Edmund. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Gallagher George. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Gallagher H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gallagher J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gallagher James. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gallagher James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Gallagher John Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gallagher John. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gallagher Joseph. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gallagher Joseph. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gallagher michael. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Gallagher Michael. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Gallagher Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gallagher Thomas. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gallagher Thomas. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gallerfing William Frederick. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Galley MM.. James. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Galley John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Galley John Charles. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Galliers Charles. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Gallop Harry George. Sto HMS Amethyst
    • Gallop William Frank. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Galloway Alfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Galloway Evans Haire. A/CSM Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Galloway James. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Galloway Victor. L/Cpl. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Gallup Henry. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Galpin Randolph. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Galvin John. Cpl. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Galvin William John. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Galway A.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Galyer Albert John. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gamage Frederick William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Gamble B. W.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gamble Bernard . A.Co.Sgt.Mjr. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Gamble Charles Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Gamble D.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gamble Horace. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Gamble LS, GC.. James Kenneth. Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Gamble Roland Cavendish. Sergeant Machine Gun Corps
    • Gamble MM, MC.. Walter Raynes. Capt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gambles Henry. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Game David James . Sgt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Game Herbert. A/Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Game Sidney James. 40th Battalion.
    • Gameson George Henry. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gammage John Kingsley. Pte. 1st Btn.
    • Gammell William James. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Gammidge Leonard Norton. Pte. London Regiment
    • Gammon DFC.. Richard John. 104 Sqd.
    • Gammon William Stanley Argyle. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Gander Henry John. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ganderton Thomas Henry . Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Gane Francis Edgmont. Capt. 43rd Battalion (Manitoba Regiment)
    • Gann Jefferson. Pte. London Regiment
    • Gannon Joseph Edward. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gant William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Garbett James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Garbett William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Garbutt Charles John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Garbutt Lawrence Mark. 2Lt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Garbutt Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Garcia Juan Tobias. Pvt.
    • Gard Harold George. L/Sgt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Garde Frederick. A/Bombdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Garden J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gardener Aaron. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gardener John. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Gardener Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gardiner Charles George. Pte. Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers
    • Gardiner Ellis Hubert. Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Gardiner Frank Cecil. Cpl. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Gardiner Fred. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Gardiner Frederick. Pte. Veterinary Corps
    • Gardiner George. Highland Light Infantry
    • Gardiner Harry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Gardiner Herbert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Gardiner James Arthur. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Gardiner James. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Gardiner James. Pte. 52nd (New Ontario) Btn.
    • Gardiner John Slater. Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Gardiner Reginald Scott. Lt. 1st Australian Division
    • Gardiner Richard Job. Sgt. 7th Infantry Btn.
    • Gardiner Samuel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gardiner Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gardiner William John. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gardiner William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Gardiner William. HMS India
    • Gardiner William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Gardiner William. L/Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Gardner Albert. L/Cpl Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Gardner Alfred George. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Gardner Charles Lyall. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Gardner Clarence George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Gardner Daniel. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gardner David Milne. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Gardner Edward. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Gardner F. C.. Ldg. Sea. Royal Naval Div.
    • Gardner Frederick Lee. Lt.
    • Gardner Frederick Joseph Lewis. Pte. Royal Newfoundland Regiment
    • Gardner George Arthur. Cpl.
    • Gardner George Frederick. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gardner Hector Cameron. 6 Squadron
    • Gardner James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gardner Luke. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gardner Matthew. Pte Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Gardner Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gardner William Dodds. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Garfin George William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Garfit T. N. C. . Durham Light Infantry
    • Garfoot DCM.. John Richard. A/Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Gargett Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gargini Jack. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Garland Clifford. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Garland Edward. CSM 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
    • Garland Edward. Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Garland MM. George Mcauley. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Garland James Henry Hill. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Garland William Henry. Private Middlesex Regt
    • Garley Richard. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Garlick George Frederick. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Garlick Harry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Garner Albert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Garner Charles William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Garner E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Garner Edward. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment King's Regiment (Li
    • Garner Frederick. Pte. London Regiment
    • Garner Henry. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Garner James. Pte South Wales Borderers
    • Garner William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Garnet Reginald. A/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Garnett . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Garnett Albert Henry. L/Cpl. North Irish Horse
    • Garnett MC CDG. Kenneth Gordon. Lt Royal Field Artillery
    • Garnett William Owen. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Garrah John Patrick. Shipfitter 1st Cl USS President Lincoln USS New Mexico
    • Garrahan E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Garratt Wilfred Horace. 2nd Lt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Garrett . Sister No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Garrett Benjamin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Garrett George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Garrett Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Garrett Thompson. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Garrett W.. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Garrington Frederick. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Garrington Frederick. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Garrison Leonard. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Garrod H. H.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Garry Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Garside Curtis Cuthbert. L/Cpl Cheshire Regiment
    • Garside J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Garside John Samuel. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Garside John William. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Garside Paul Hamilton Douglas. A/Mjr. Intelligence
    • Garside Paul Hamilton Douglas. Berkshire Regiment
    • Garside Robert Taylor. CQMS Manchester Regiment
    • Garside Robert Taylor. Manchester Regiment
    • Garside Wilfred. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Garside William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Garside William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Garstang James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Garstang Robert. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Garstin Christopher. Sgt Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Garthwaite Harry Mills.
    • Garthwaite Percy John.
    • Garthwaite Phillip. Pte. 11th Hussars
    • Garton-Sprenger H. A.. Lt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Gartside W. B.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Garvie James Mitchell. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Garvie William Ernest. Pte. 24th Btn.
    • Gascoyne Samuel Francis. Pte. Kings own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Gaskell Albert. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Gaskell Arthur. Pte. Manchester Rgt.
    • Gaskell William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Gaskin Peter. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gasson Harry. Able Sea. H.M.S. Castor
    • Gast Herbert.
    • Gaston Stafford Church. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gate Albert Hilton . Pte. Westmoreland & Cumberland Yeomanry
    • Gate Edwin. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gateley KSG.. Arthur John. Capt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Gatenby A. L.. 58th Btn.
    • Gatenby Joseph. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Gater Charles. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gater Herbert. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gater Thomas. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Gates Alfred. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Gates Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gates W.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gath Leonard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gatherall . Durham Light Infantry
    • Gatland Edward. Dvr. London Regiment
    • Gatland Robert. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Gauld A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gaule John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
    • Gault Henry Crawford. Pte. 2nd Battalion
    • Gault James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gault Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gaunt Harry. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Gaunt Joseph Edward. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Gaunt Joseph Edward. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Gaunt William. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gavaghan John. Pte. 37th Battalion
    • Gavaghan Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Gavin Edward. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Gawler Robert. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Gawler Sidney Ernest. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Gawthorpe Thomas William. L/Cpl Suffolk Regiment
    • Gawthorpe William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Gay Benjamin Charles. Cpl. Gloucester Regiment
    • Gay Ernest Frederick. Pte London Regiment
    • Gaydon Charles Frederick. Pte. London Regiment
    • Gaydon Edward Alfred. Kings Royal Rifle Corp
    • Gaydon Edward. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Gayes Andrew George. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Gayes Thomas Samuel. Capt. Border Regiment
    • Gayfer F.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gaymer John Thomas. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Gaze George. Machine Gun Corps
    • Geal Percy Oswald. L/Cpl.
    • Geaney Richard. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Gear Arthur. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Gearey Frederick Thomas . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Gearing James Thomas. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Geary . Arthur Thomas. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Geary Donald Desmond. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Geary James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Geary . John. Sjt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Geary MM, MID.. Wilfred. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Geary William George. Pte. 1st Bn. Auckland Regiment
    • Geary DSM.. William George. A/Sgt. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Gebbett Jesse. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gebbie Andrew. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Gebbie Andrew. Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Geddes George. Skipper. HM Drifter Speedwell V
    • Geddes George. Tmr. HM Drifter Speedwell V
    • Geddes James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Geddes R. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Geddes Robert Fyfe. Guardsman Scots Guards
    • Geddes Robert Thompson. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Geddes Robert Thomson. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Gedge J. T.. Staff Paymaster HMS Amphion
    • Gedge Joseph Theodore. Staff Paymaster HMS Amphion
    • Gee Arthur. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Gee C. H. R.. Capt. adj. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gee Frederick Thomas. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gee George William . Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Gee Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gee Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gee Sydney Webster. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gee Thomas. Lpcl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gee Thomas Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gee William Alfred. Rfmn. 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade.
    • Geerts Walter Philibert. CSM. London Regiment
    • Geever James. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Geggie DCM.. Thomas. RSM. Kings Own Scottish Borders
    • Gell Charles. Pte. The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Gellatly David. Pte. Black Watch
    • Gelman Nahum. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Gelsthorpe Wilfred. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Gemmel G.. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Gemmell . Alexander. Pte. Royal Garrison Arillery
    • Gent Albert Edward. Pte. Warwickshire Yeomanry
    • Gentle Bernard. Pte. West Surrey Regiment (Queen's)
    • Gentle George. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Gentle Sidney. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gentleman H. A.. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Geoghegan B. E.. Worker Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps
    • Geoghegan Martin. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Geoghegan William George Richard. Lt. Inniskilling Fusiliers .
    • George Adams. Pte Royal Artillery
    • George Alfred Frank. Dvr. Royal Artillery
    • George Bertie. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • George Claude. Pte. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • George David. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • George Edward. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • George Henry Cornelius. L/Cpl. 31st Battalion
    • George James Wyatt. Royal Engineers
    • George Stephen Penry. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • George Thomas. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • George Walter John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • George William Lionel. Pte. 17th Battalion
    • Geraghty Denis. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Geraghty John. Sgt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Geraghty John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Geraghty Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gerald John William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Germain Joseph Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • German George Frederick. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Gerrard B.. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gerrard Edward Aloysius. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gerrard Harold. L/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Gerrard DSC.. Thomas Francis Netterville. Flt Lt. 1(N) Sqd.
    • Gerrard William. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Gerrard William. Cheshire Regiment
    • Gerrighty Peter. Pte. Cheshire Regt.
    • Gerrish Frederick William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gething William. Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Gettings Archibald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gettings Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gettings John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ghafur Abdul . Lascar
    • Ghalib Ali. Stoker H.M.S. Perth.
    • Ghani Abdul. Seacunny
    • Ghani Abdul. Lascar
    • Ghani Abdul . Lascar
    • Ghani Abdul. Lascar
    • Ghani Abdul. Seacunny
    • Ghani Abdul . Lascar
    • Ghani Abdul . Bhandary
    • Ghani Abdul . Lascar
    • Ghani Abdul . Lascar
    • Ghent John Edgar. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Gibaud James Edward George. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Gibbard William Dan . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Gibbon Evan Griffiths. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibbon Frank. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibbon Oswald Frank. Sgt. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Gibbon R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibbon William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibbons Edwin Ingram. 2nd Lt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Gibbons Ernest Edward. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Gibbons Frederick Charles. 1st County of London Yeomanry Middlesex
    • Gibbons Harold Robert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gibbons Joseph Edwin. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Gibbons Josiah. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gibbons Leonard. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Gibbons P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibbons Reginald Charles. AB. HMS Contest
    • Gibbons Vasey Thompson. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibbons William. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Gibbs A.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibbs George Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Gibbs DCM.. Herbert. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gibbs Leslie Stephen. Pte. London Regiment
    • Gibbs Samuel. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Gibbs MM.. Stanley. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gibbs MC.. Thomas Charles. Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Gibbs Thomas. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Gibbs William. A/Cpl. Worcester Regiment
    • Gibbs William. Act/Corp
    • Gibbs William Walter. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Giblin Daniel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Giblin Daniel. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Giblin William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibney Thomas Matthew. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Gibson . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Gibson MiD. . Alexander Scott. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Gibson Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibson Andrew. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gibson Archibald Rutherford. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Gibson Arthur Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibson Charles. Pte Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Gibson Charles Hugh Langford. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Gibson Charles Samuel. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Gibson D.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Gibson Daniel McAllister. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Gibson E. S.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibson Edward. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibson Edwin. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Gibson Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Gibson George Edward. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Gibson Gordon Henry. Pte. 38th Btn.
    • Gibson Harry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Gibson Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibson Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibson Hugh. Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Gibson J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibson James. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gibson James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibson James. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibson John Walter. Frmn. SS Hazelwood
    • Gibson John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibson John Thomas. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Gibson John Leadbitter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibson John William. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Gibson John Thomas. Pte. 8th Battalion
    • Gibson Lionel Henry. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Gibson Malcolm. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Gibson MC & Bar. Matthew Henry. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gibson P. D.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibson R E. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibson Samuel. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Gibson MM.. Stephen. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibson Thomas J. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibson Thomas. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
    • Gibson Thomas Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibson Thomas. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Gibson Thomas William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gibson Walter Young. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Gibson Walter David. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gibson Walter. EAII. HMS Blake
    • Gibson William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Gibson William Riddel. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Gibson William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gibson William Oliver. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gibson-Craig MID. Archibald Charles. Lt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Gidden Authur Maurice. Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Giddings Leonard Morton Kitchener. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Giddins Harry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Gidney Edwin. Eng.S.Lt. HMS Empress of Russia
    • Gifford Frederick W.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Gilbank John Williamson. Pte Sherwood Foresters
    • Gilbert Alexander Thomas. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Gilbert Charles Thomas. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Gilbert Edgar James. Cpl. Welsh Fusiliers
    • Gilbert Ernest Alfred . Pte. London Regiment
    • Gilbert Fred. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Gilbert Frederick. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Gilbert Frederick. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Gilbert James Albert. Pte South Wales Borderers
    • Gilbert John Thomas. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Gilbert Reginald Herbert. Pte. 4th Pioneer Btn.
    • Gilbert Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Gilbert MM. William. Sgt. Northumberland Fusilliers
    • Gilbert William Peter Northey. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Gilbey Henry. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Gilchrist Edward Thomas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Gilchrist Edward Thomas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Gilchrist MM.. John. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Gilchrist John. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Gilchrist John. Pte Highland Light Infantry
    • Gilchrist William Little. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Gilchrist William Little. Pte Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Gildea T. C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gildersleve Thomas. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
    • Gilding Leonard. Sgt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Giles . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Giles Albert Alexander William Smith. Gsr. MFA Ooma
    • Giles Albert. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Giles Charles Elvin. Rfm. King`s Royal Rifle Corps
    • Giles David. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Giles Ernest William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Giles Ernest William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Giles Frederick George. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Giles Frederick Albert Brownett . Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Giles Lewis Howell. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Giles Oliver Robert. Cpl. East Kent Regiment
    • Giles Oliver Robert. Cpl. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)
    • Giles Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Giles Reginald Stephen. Pte Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Gilham . Frederick George. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Gilhespie Harry White. Capt. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Gilhooley MM.. John. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gilkes Frederick John. Bdmn. Connaught Rangers
    • Gilks Frank. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Gill Albert. Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Gill Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gill Arthur Henry. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Gill Bernard. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Gill Ernest. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gill Frank. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Gill Frederick Wilhelm Bernard. L.S. HMS Queen Mary
    • Gill Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gill Frederick William. Stok. HMS Hogue
    • Gill Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Gill James Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Gill John Edward. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Gill John Armitage. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Gill Michael. Dvr Royal Field Artillery
    • Gill Richard. Drvr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Gill Robert Henry. WO1 Welsh Horse
    • Gill W.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gill W.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gill Walter Henry. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Gill William. Cpl. Manchester Regt
    • Gill William Frederick. Corporal Durham Light Infantry
    • Gill William James. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Gillam Henry. Lt. HMS Egmont
    • Gillan A.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gillan Isaac. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Gillan T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gillan Thomas. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Gillander John. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gillatt Francis Harold. Wag. Army Service Corps
    • Gillbanks George Edward. Pte South Lancashire Regiment
    • Gillborn DCM. Leonard. A/CSM. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gilleeney John. Pte. Kings Liverpool
    • Gilleeney John. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Gilleeney John. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Gillen Daniel. Sjt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gillender R.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gillespie Arthur Neil. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Gillespie George Andrew. Rfmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Gillespie John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gillespie Peter. L/Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Gillespie William. Pte. 2nd Light Horse Regiment
    • Gillett John Robert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Gillett John Alfred. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Gillett Sydney George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Gilliam George Victor. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Gilliam Ransom L.. Sgt. 23rd Engineers
    • Gillies James. Sjt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gillies James Clelland. Sgt. 112th Brigade
    • Gillies MM.. John. Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Gillies MM.. John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Gillies Malcolm. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Gillies Murdoch. Pte Unit 2, Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Gillies Murdoch. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Gillies MM.. Walter N. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Gilligan Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Gilliland MC.. Hodgson Stewart. Lt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Gilliland W. M.M.. Lt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gillin Frederick William. Pte. 5th Dragoon Guards
    • Gillinder James Brown. L/cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gillingham M.. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Gillings William J.. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Gillis A. Sjt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Gilliver Reginald Terence. Dvr, Royal Engineers
    • Gillman Francis William. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Gillman Richard Joseph. Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Gillon MM.. Charles. Able.Sea. Hawke Battalion
    • Gillon William. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Gillooney John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gillott O. C.. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Gilmore James. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gilmore John Owen. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Gilmore Peter. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Gilmour David. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Gilmour David. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Gilmour Herbert James Graham. Lt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Gilmour James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gilmour James. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gilmour MM.. John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Gilmour Samuel. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Gilpatrick J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gilpin James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Gilpin John Thomas. L/Sgt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Gilpin R. H.. Pte. Mounted Commandos
    • Gilroy Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gilroy James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gimson John. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Gingell Clifford George. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Gingell Frederick John. Able Sea. HM Submarine E15
    • Gingell Reginald Ernest. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ginn Alfred James. L/Cpl East Surrey Regiment
    • Ginn Stephen. Sgt Leinster Regiment
    • Girdwood Thomas John. Pte. 17th Battalion
    • Girling Horace Augustus. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Girling Robert Henry. Army Service Corps
    • Girling Thomas William Carter. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Girling William Henry. Pte. West Surrey Regiment
    • Girvin William David. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gisborne Frederick William. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Gissing Walter Leonard. Pte. London Regiment
    • Gissing Walter Leonard. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Gittens Francis Owen. Pte. Middlesex Regt
    • Gittens G.. Pvt.
    • Gittens Jack Henry Hart. A/2Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Gittus Earnest. Gunner Australian Field Artillery
    • Giudie Thomas Walter. Corporal
    • Given Joseph. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Givens W. N.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gjers Ann Gatenby. Commandant.
    • Gjers Lawrence. Capt. Seathforth Highlanders
    • Gjers Olga. VAD Yorks 42
    • Gladden George Henry. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Gladman MM.. Percy G. A. G.. L/Sjt. Welsh Regiment
    • Gladwin Arthur Charles George. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Gladwin Robert Harold. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Gladwin Stephen.
    • Gladwin William. Rifleman Rifle Brigade
    • Gladwin William. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Gladwin William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Gladwyn Frederick William Milroy. 2Lt. Royal Highlanders
    • Glancy MM. Michael John. A/Cpl Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
    • Glasby Charles Samuel. L/Sgt. London Regiment
    • Glasby Edgar. Pte Leicestershire Regiment
    • Glasgow Ralph. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Glasgow Robert. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Glasock VC.. Horace Henry. WO1 (Cdr.) South African Services Corps
    • Glass Cecil Gilbert. Dvr. Service Corps
    • Glass David Kininment. Sto. HMS Pembroke
    • Glass Peter Fowler. Cpl. Cameronians
    • Glass William. 2nd Highland Field Ambulance
    • Glass William. 2nd Lt. Black Watch
    • Glassford David. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Glassman Daniel. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Glasson William E.. Off.Stwd. HMS Bergamot
    • Glaves Thomas Harold. Sgt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Gleaden Joe. Pte. Army Cyclists Corp
    • Gleadow George E.. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gledhill Harold. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gledhill Herbert. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Gledhill John Edward. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Gledhill Joseph Alfred. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gleeson Patrick Joseph. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Glen Albert. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Glen James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Glen James. L/Cpl. Black Watch
    • Glen MID. John Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Glen John William Currie. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Glen Joseph. Sgt. Black Watch
    • Glencross Robert. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Glenister Ernest Alfred. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Glenister Rueben Thomas. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Glenn William. L/Cpl. North Staffordshire Rgt.
    • Glennon James. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Glennon Jeremiah J.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Glenny H. Q.. Lt. Nigeria Regiment Special List
    • Glenton Frederick. London Regiment
    • Glover Ernest. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Glover George James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Glover George. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Glover Humphrey William. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Glover James. Pnr. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Glover John Abraham. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Glover John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Glover Richard Henry. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Glover Roland. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Glover William Stanmore. Ch.Off. SS Mesaba
    • Glover William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Glynn George Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Goater George Henry. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Goater William Charles. Pte Wiltshire Regiment
    • Goatham Reginald. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Goble Herbert. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Godas Matt. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Godber Bernard. Bdr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Goddard DSO MID.. Arthur Henry. Brig.Gen. 25th Battalion
    • Goddard Arthur. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Goddard Arthur Stanley. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Goddard Edward Brett. A/Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Goddard George James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Goddard Percy. Pte. Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment
    • Goddard Robert Norman. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Goddard William. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Godden Frederick George. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Godfrey Albert. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Godfrey MID . Frederick. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Godfrey H. B.. L/Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Godfrey James. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Godfrey Stephen. Pte East Kent Regiment
    • Godfrey Thomas. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Godfrey Wilfred. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Godfrey William. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regt
    • Godfrey William James. C/Sgt East Surrey Regiment
    • Godlee Francis Lister. Sgt. 3rd Light Horse Regiment
    • Godley VC.. Sidney. Royal Fusiliers
    • Godrich Bert. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Godrich E. Victor. Sgt. Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars
    • Godrich Edward V. Sgt. Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars
    • Godsland George Baker. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Godsmark Fred Bell. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Godwin George. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Godwin Louis Vionnet. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Godwin Norman Edwin. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Godwin Thomas Ernest. Lt. 57 Squadron
    • Goff MC.. Charles Edward. Lt.Col. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Goff Charles Thomas. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Goforth Charles Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gogarty Christopher. Pte. Machine Gun Guards
    • Goggins Joseph. Pte Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Goggins Peter. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gold Albert Henry. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gold Frederick Thomas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Gold Thomas Cuthbertson. L/Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Goldborough Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Golder W.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Goldfish Solomon. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Goldie Ernest Jessie. Pnr. Royal Engineers
    • Goldie John William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Goldie Robert. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Goldie Robert. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Goldie Robert Millican. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Golding Alfred Charles. Pte.
    • Golding George. L/Cpl.
    • Golding George Thomas. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Golding Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Golding James. Pte. 1st County of London Yeomanry (Middlesex Yeomanry)
    • Golding Robert William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Golding William Taverner . Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Goldney A. L.Y.. Machine Gun Corps
    • Goldsbrough Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Goldsbrough Harold. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Goldsbrough Harry Hildreth.
    • Goldsmith Charles. Drvr. Army Service Corps
    • Goldsmith Herbert William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Goldsmith Hubert Excel . Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Goldsmith Leslie Ormond. Pte. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Goldsmith M.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Goldsmith Mark. Sgt. Black Watch
    • Goldspink Charles Samuel. L/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Goldstein Leopold Harris. Pte. London Regiment
    • Goldstone John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Goldsworthy Albert Edward . Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Goldsworthy MC.. Graydon William. Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Goldsworthy W.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Goldthorp Robert Holdsaworth. Captain Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Goldthorpe Arthur. Pte. 18th Battalion
    • Goldthorpe Oliver. Pte. Yorks and Lancaster Regiment
    • Goldup Thomas Alfred. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Gollins DCM.. Herbert. Sgt. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Gollop Thomas. Stoker HMS Amphion
    • Golson MM. William Arthur. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Gomes Alvaro Druce. Lt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Gooch Ernest Cecil. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Good Frank. HMS Matchless
    • Good VC. Herman James. Cpl 13th (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion
    • Good John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Goodacre Ernest. Dvr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Goodacre George. Pte. Kings Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)
    • Goodacre William Robert Harry. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Goodall Charles. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Goodall Edward James. L.Sea. HMS Almanzora
    • Goodall James. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Goodall James. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Goodall Stanley Percival. Pte. London Regiment
    • Goodchild Claude Alfred. L/Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Goode E.. Asgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Goode George Horace. Norfolk Regiment
    • Goode James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Goode MM.. Joseph Edward . Sgt. London Regiment
    • Goodenough John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Gooder Harry. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Goodey Charles William . Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Goodey MC. George. CSM Rifle Brigade
    • Goodger Henry. Pte. 11th Hussars
    • Goodhand George. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Goodier C. H.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Goodier MM.. Thomas. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Gooding Albert Edward. A/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Goodinson Albert. Pte East Lancashire Regiment
    • Goodman Amy Louisa. Nurse. Bristol
    • Goodman Arthur. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Goodman John. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Goodman Joseph. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Goodman MM.. Walter Edward. Pion. Hampshire Regiment
    • Goodrick . Durham Light Infantry
    • Goodrick J. R.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Goodsall John Henry. Ldg Stoker HMS K4
    • Goodsell Albert Walter. Private 3 Dragoon Guards
    • Goodwill Dennis. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Goodwill Herbert Paterson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Goodwin Albert. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Goodwin Charles.
    • Goodwin Daniel Benjamin. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Goodwin E. W.. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Goodwin Ernest. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Goodwin Frederick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Goodwin Frederick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Goodwin George. Spr. AustralianTunneling Corps
    • Goodwin George. Pte Middlesex Regiment
    • Goodwin Henry James. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Goodwin Hugh. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Goodwin James. L/Cpl. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Goodwin James. Pte. Black Watch
    • Goodwin Norman Wallace. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Goodwin Richard Fredrik.
    • Goodwin Samuel George. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Goodwin Thomas. Sgt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Goodwin William Alfred. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Goodwin MM.. William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Goodwyn Charles Ivor. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Goody MM, MC.. Walter. RSM Suffolk Regiment
    • Goodyear Joseph. Pte. Royal Warwickshire
    • Goodyer Thomas. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Goosetree James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Gorbey DCM. Thomas Joseph. WO2. Duke of Cambridge own Middlesex Regiment
    • Gordon Albert. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Gordon Alexander. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Gordon Allan. Ldg Sea. HMS Vivid
    • Gordon VC MM. Bernard Sidney. L/Cpl 41st Battalion (Queensland)
    • Gordon Charles.
    • Gordon Charles George. Maj. 2nd Btn.
    • Gordon Duncan. Royal Dublin fusiliers
    • Gordon Belgium Crois de Guerre . George Leslie. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Gordon Horace Edwin. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Gordon John Thompson. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gordon Norman Victor. Pte. 15th Battalion
    • Gordon Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gordon Richard Smith. A/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Gordon Robert. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gordon Robert Smith. C/Sgt Mjr Number 177 "C" Coy 4th Btn.
    • Gordon MM.. Thomas Alexander. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gordon William. CSM East Lancashire Regiment
    • Gordon VC.. William Eagleson. Bt.Col. Gordon Highlanders
    • Gore MC. . Capt.
    • Gore Francis. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Gore George Caleb. L/Cpl Norfolk Regiment
    • Goreham Arthur. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Gorin Walter Charles. Cpm Sgt. Major Manchester Regiment
    • Gorman Bernard. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gorman MID, MSM. Francis John. RSM Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gorman MID, MSM. Francis John. RSM Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gorman George. Cpl. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Gorman Gilbert. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gorman Gilbert. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gorman Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gorman Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Gorman Thomas Henry. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Gorman Timothy. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gorman William Edgar. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Gormley John. Pte. Loyal North Lancs Rgt
    • Gormley William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gorrie John Alexander. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gorry Michael. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Gorst Jim. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gort VC, MC, MID.. John. Gnl. Grenadier Guards
    • Gorton William Thomas . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Gosden Thomas Henry Hermon. L/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Gosling Edward Roy. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Gosney T.. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Goss Arthur Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Goss James. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Goss N H. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gosse MC & Bar. Ernest Marson. Lt. Army Service Corps
    • Gosset Claude Butler. Maj. Cheshire Regiment
    • Gostridge George. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Gothard John Willie. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Gothard Thomas. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Gott John. Pte.
    • Gotts Clarence Augustus. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Goudie John Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gouge C.. Pte. 43rd Btn.
    • Gough Albert Edward. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Gough E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gough George. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Gough George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gough George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gough Herbert Edwin. Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Gough DSO.. Horace Fredrick. 2nd Lt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Gough J.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gough MM.. James. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Gough John Thomas. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Gough John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gough VC.. John Edmund. Brig-Gen. Rifle Brigade
    • Gough VC.. John Edmund. Brig.Gen. General Staff
    • Gough Mark. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Gould Albert. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Gould G. D.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gould George Herbert. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Gould George Penstone. L/Sgt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Gould Henry. Tpr. Middlesex Yeomanry
    • Gould Henry James. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Gould Robert Stephenson. Private Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Gould William Thomas. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Goulden Frederick Charles. Capt. Cdg. Railway Detachment
    • Goulding Archibald. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Goulding Frederick Charles. Royal Engineers
    • Goulty MM.. William Earnest. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Goundry Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Goundry James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gourlay Benjamin. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Gourley . Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gourley Harold. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gourley James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gourley James. Pte. The Royal Scots
    • Gourley Thomas. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Gourley Thomas Chesney. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gout Ernest W.. Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Govan Fred. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Gove Andrew. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Gover John Norman. L/Corporal Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Govier Flossie May.
    • Gow George. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Gow J. S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gow J.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gow MID, DSO. Peter Flemming. Capt. Indian Medical Services
    • Gow William. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Gow William Rodger. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Gowan Arthur Blackwood. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Gowan T. M..
    • Gowans Robert Handyside. Gnr. Tyneside Bty.
    • Gowar Norman Stanley. Pte. 4th Infantry (1st Eastern Rifles)
    • Gowen Robert Edwin. L/Cpl Manchester Regiment
    • Gower . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Gower William John. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Gowers Harry. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Gowling Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gowling Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gowman William. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Grab Arthur L. AB USS Agamemnon
    • Grace A. E.. Nelson Btn
    • Grace Cliff Albert James. Pte Royal Army Service Corps
    • Grace L.. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Grace Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Grace William Sanders. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Gracie . Sister No 46 Stationary Hospital, Etaples
    • Gracie John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Grady Edward. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Grady John. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Graebe Henry Frederick. S/Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Graffham Charles Henry. Mjr. 11th Division
    • Graham Adam. 2nd Cpl. Royal Engineers.
    • Graham Adam. 2nd Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Graham Albert. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Graham Albert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Graham Alexander. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Graham Alexander. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Graham MM.. Andrew. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Graham Archibald. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Graham Archibald Hamilton. Cpl. 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Graham MiiD.. Benjamin. Able Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Graham Charles. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Graham Charles. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Graham Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham Charles Sydney. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Graham Charles Edward Earnest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Graham Desmond. HMS Ganges
    • Graham Dougald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham E.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Graham Francis. Manchester Regiment
    • Graham George. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Graham George Frederick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Graham George Frederick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Graham George Samuel. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Graham George. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Graham H. S.V.. Sgt. British West Indies Regiment
    • Graham Henry Edward. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Graham Irving. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Graham J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham J. T.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham J.. Tr. HMS Almanzora
    • Graham Jack. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham James. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Graham John. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham John. Trimmer. HMS Almanzora
    • Graham John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham John Fowler. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Graham John James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Graham Murdo Matheson. Pte. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Graham N. C.. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Graham Patrick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Graham Richard. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Graham Robert. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusilliers
    • Graham Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Graham Samuel. Pte 5th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Graham Thomas Whittle. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham Thomas. L/Cpl Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Graham Thomas. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Graham Wilfred Norman. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Graham William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Graham William Mitchell. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Graham William. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Graham William. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Graham William. Pte Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Grahame-Betts Walter William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Grailey J.. Rsm. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Grainer J. W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Grainger Albert Henry. Royal Fusiliers
    • Grainger David. Rfn Royal Irish Rifles
    • Grainger MM.. Herbert. Pte. RAMC
    • Grainger Rachel Crosby. Sister.
    • Grainger Thomas. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Grainger Thomas Alfred. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Grainger William Richard. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Grandison F.. L/Cpl.
    • Grange William George. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Grange William George. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Grange MM.. William James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Granger Richard James Shaw. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Granrott Leonard. Pte. 38th Btn.
    • Grant A. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Grant Alexander John. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Grant Alexander. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Grant Charles. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Grant Charles. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Grant Charles Alfred Richard. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Grant Daniel Menzies. 2nd Lt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Grant Francis Morrison. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Grant Furman. 2nd Lt. 18th MG Cavalry
    • Grant George Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Grant MM.. George. Sgt. 32nd Brigade
    • Grant Herbert N.. Pte. Bahamas Contingent
    • Grant MM.. James Alexander. A/Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Grant VC.. John Gildroy. 2nd.Lt. Wellington Infantry Regiment
    • Grant John Brabazon. Capt. 2nd Dragoon Guards
    • Grant John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Grant John. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Grant John. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Grant Joseph Brabazon Theobald. Capt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Grant MID. Malcolm. L/Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Grant Robert William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Grant Robert Alexander. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Grant S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Grant T.. Benbow Battalion
    • Grant MM.. Thomas Joseph. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Grant Victoria Stewart.
    • Grant William Henry. Sergeant Tyneside Scottish Fusilliers
    • Grant William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Grant-Duff Adrian. Lt-Col. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Grantham George R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Grantham George. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Grantham George Henry. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Grantham Walter Brabazon. 5th Battalion
    • Grassick Joseph Belford. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Grattan-Bellew MC,MID. Charles Christopher. Lt.Col. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Grattidge John Edwin. App. S.S. Port Napier
    • Graut Herbert Mallett. L/Cpl. Rifle Bde
    • Graveling William Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gravenor John Edward. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Graves Frank. Pte. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Rgt.
    • Graves Frank. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Graves John. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Graves N. C.P.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Graves Robert. Stkr. HMS Queen Mary
    • Graves William. Pte. Royal Defence Corps
    • Graves-Sawle Richard Charles. Lt. Coldstream Guards
    • Gravestock Albert Edward. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Gray . Rgmtl Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gray A.. Benbow Battalion
    • Gray A.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gray A. C.. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Gray Alexander. Private Highland Light Infantry
    • Gray Alexander Leonard. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Gray Alexander Leonard. Sig. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Gray Alfred. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Gray Charles. Pte. Black Watch
    • Gray David. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gray David. Capt.
    • Gray Edmund Trevennin. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gray MID. Edwin Richard. Cpl. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Gray Francis Martello. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gray Frank Edward. L/Cpl. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment
    • Gray Frederick William James . Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Gray George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gray George Edward. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Gray George Henry. Rflm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Gray Harvey. Cpl. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Gray Henry Charles. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Gray J.. Lpcl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gray James. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gray John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Gray MM.. John Purves. 2nd Lt Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gray John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gray John Arthur. Sgt.Maj. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Gray John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Gray John Stanley. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Gray Leonard. Trm. Armed Trawler 817
    • Gray Leonard John. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Gray Margaret. Matron
    • Gray DCM. Matthew. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Gray DCM.. Matthew. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Gray Ralf. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gray Richard. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Gray Roy Cooper. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Gray MID. Rupert. Sub Lt. Royal Naval Division
    • Gray Samuel Singleton. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gray Sydney Robert. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Gray Theodore Grant. Capt. NZ Medical Corps
    • Gray Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gray Valentine L G W. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Gray W M. 2nd Lieutenant Machine Gun Corps
    • Gray Walter Henry. 2nd Canadian
    • Gray Walter Joseph. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Gray MM.. William George. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gray William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gray William G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gray William. Pte. Royal Scots Fusilliers
    • Gray William Joseph . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Gray William. Pte Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Grayon . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Grayson John Stanislaus. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Grayson Robert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Grealey David. Pte Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Grealey Joseph. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Greatrix Robert. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Greaves J. R.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Greaves James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Greaves Joseph Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Greaves Laurie. Pte.
    • Greaves Maurice. Driver Royal Engineers
    • Greaves Norman. Bmbdr. Royal Horse Artilliary
    • Greaves Thomas. Capt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Greaves Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Green A. J.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Green MMde.. Albert William Charles. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Green Albert Leonard. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Green Albert Edward. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Green Albert William . Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Green Alexander. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Green Alfred. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Green Alfred Bertie. Pte.
    • Green Alfred Bertie. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Green Arthur. Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Green B.. Stkr.1st Cl. HMS Dwarf
    • Green Charles Robert. Rfmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Green Charles Frederick William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Green Clement. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Green Edward Francis. Rflm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Green Elias. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Green Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Green Ernest Thomas. Sgt. Royal Fusilliers
    • Green Ernest Arthur. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Green Fred C.. Duke of Wellington's Regiment.
    • Green DCM.. Fred. CSM. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Green Fred. Pte. 60th Field Ambulance
    • Green Frederick George . CQMS. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Green George R.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Green George W.. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Green George. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Green George S.C.. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Green George Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Green George Alfred. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Green Godfrey Eli. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Green H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Green Haley Elgin. Spr. 2nd Btn. Canadian Engineers
    • Green Harold. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Green Harry. Boy Sea. HMS P54
    • Green Henry. Pte. Sherwood Forresters
    • Green Henry W.. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Green Henry Alfred. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Green Henry John. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Green Horace. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Green J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Green James Edward. Rfm. Rifle Brigade
    • Green James Edward. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Green James. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Green James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Green James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Green Jesse. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Green John. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Green VC. John Leslie. Cpt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Green John Edwin. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Green John Albert. Coldstream Guards
    • Green John Henry. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Green John. L/Cpl Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Green Joseph Riley. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Green Leslie. Royal Fusiliers
    • Green M.. Bandsman. London Regiment
    • Green Malcolm Charles Andrew. Lt.Col. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Green Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Green Montague George. Pte. Berkshire Yeomanry
    • Green Neville Albert Pryke. B.Sig HMS Inflexible
    • Green Percival Hook. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Green Richard James. 2nd Lt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Green MM. Robert. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Green T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Green Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Green Thomas. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Green Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Green Thomas William. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Green Thomas James. L/Sgt. Grenadier Guards
    • Green Thomas Arthur . Stkr. HMS Kendal
    • Green DCM.. Thomas. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Green W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Green William. Cpl. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Green William. Pte King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Green William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Green William. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment
    • Green William John. Pte. Queens West Surrey
    • Green William. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Green William. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Green William Charles. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Green William Wood. Pte Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Green William George. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Greenacre R. E.. Act. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Greenan DCM.. James. Sergeant Border Regiment
    • Greenaway Arthur Leonard. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Greenaway G. H.. Rflmn. London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles)
    • Greenaway Noelle Charles William. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Greenberg Harry. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Greene Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Greene Thomas Henry. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Greener Joseph. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Greener Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Greenfield Albert. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Greenfield Arthur John. Trpr. East Kent Mounted Rifles
    • Greenfield Thomas Alexander. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Greenhalgh David. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Greenhalgh Joseph. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Greenhalgh W.. Pte Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Greenhough Vernon. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Greening Gilbert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Greenough David. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Greenslade Ernest. Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Greensmith Fred. Pte. North Staffordshire
    • Greenstreet Henry. Pte. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Greenway Frank. Pte. 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Greenway Hubert Edward. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Greenway John. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Greenway William Prosser. Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • Greenwell . VAD. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Greenwell Andrew W.T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Greenwell George Hall. Durham Light Infantry
    • Greenwood . Durham Light Infantry
    • Greenwood Albert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Greenwood Ashton. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Greenwood Clifford. Pte. Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment
    • Greenwood Cyril James. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Greenwood Ernest Thompson. Pte. 6th Btn.
    • Greenwood Ernest. Pte Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Greenwood F.. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Greenwood Harold. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Greenwood Harold. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Greenwood James Edward. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Greenwood Joe. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Greenwood . John . Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Greenwood John Wild. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Greenwood DSC. MC.. L. M.. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Greenwood Oliver. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Greenwood MSM.. Thomas. A/W01 Welsh Regiment
    • Greenwood Thomas Henry. AWO. West Riding Regiment
    • Greenwood Walter. L/Col. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Greenwood William Percy. A/Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Greenwood William Percy. A/Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Greer J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Greer Thomas Richard. Stwd.
    • Greer William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Greer William Andrew. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Greg Adam. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gregg Arthur. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Gregg John William. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Gregg John William. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Gregg Samuel Ashe. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Gregory C. E.. 2Lt. 42 Squadron
    • Gregory Charles James. Pte. Black Watch
    • Gregory Charles. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Gregory Charles. LM. HMS President II
    • Gregory George William Victor. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Gregory Haworth. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Gregory Henry. L/Cpl Middlesex Regiment
    • Gregory John William. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gregory John. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Gregory Maurice. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Gregory Robert. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Gregory Walter Stanley. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Gregory Walter Leonard. Pte. 1st Battalion
    • Gregory William J. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Gregory William Edward. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Gregory William Horace. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Gregory William Thomas. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Gregory. William James. Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Greig William George. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Greiveson Robert E. D.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Grenfell VC.. Francis Octavius. Capt. Queens Royal Lancers
    • Grenfell VC.. Francis. Capt. 9th Lancers
    • Gretton J. Kemp. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Greygoose Leo Eric. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Greyling G. J.A.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Gribben Joseph. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Gribbin Richard. Pte. Rifle Brigade Prince Condort's Own Regime
    • Gribble VC.. Julian Royds. Capt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Gribble VC. Julian Roydes. Cpt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Grice Alfred George. Pte. Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment
    • Grider John MacGavock. No. 85 Squadron
    • Gridley Arthur James. PTE Rifleman London Regiment
    • Gridley Charles. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Grierson John. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Grieve MM.. David. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Grieve Peter. ERA. HMS Conquest
    • Grieve VC. Robert Cuthbert. Capt 37th Battalion
    • Grieve T. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Grieve Tom. Lpcl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Grieves Alfred Henry. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Grieves Charles. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Grieves Christopher. L/Cpl. Northumberlad Fusiliers
    • Grieves Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Grieves William. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Grieveson Robert. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Griffin Albert Edward. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Griffin Arthur. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Griffin MM. Arthur. Pte. Auckland Regiment
    • Griffin Horace Fennel. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Griffin MC.. John William. Capt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Griffin John. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Griffin Patrick. POS HMS Colossus
    • Griffin Roland Nicolas. Pte.
    • Griffin Samuel Joseph. Bndmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Griffin William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Griffin William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Griffith F.. Pte.
    • Griffith Geoffrey Foster. Capt. London Regiment
    • Griffith Herbert Burrows. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Griffith William Key. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Griffith-Jones MC.. W. L. P.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Griffiths Arthur. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Griffiths Arthur. Duke of Cambridge Hussars
    • Griffiths Arthur Ivor. 2nd Lt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Griffiths Aubrey Edward. Pte. 33rd Batt. D Company
    • Griffiths Boaz. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Griffiths DCM. David Idwal. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Griffiths David. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Griffiths Ellis. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Griffiths Evans. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Griffiths George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Griffiths George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Griffiths Horace Henry. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Griffiths Horace Henry. PBVT
    • Griffiths Hugh Parry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Griffiths Ivor Wynne. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Griffiths John Edward. Gnr. Australian Field Artillery
    • Griffiths John J.. Pionr. Royal Engineers
    • Griffiths John Daniel. Pte Worcestershire Regiment
    • Griffiths John. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Griffiths CMG.. Joseph . Lt Col Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Griffiths Owen. Stokr. HMS Munlochy
    • Griffiths Rhys. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Griffiths Richard Rowland. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Griffiths Robert Handel Mendelsohn. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Griffiths Robert Owen. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Griffiths Robert Edward Henry. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Griffiths Samuel. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Griffiths Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Griffiths Thomas Henry. L/Cpl. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Griffiths Victor Ernest. Sgt. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Griffiths . William Edwin. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Griffiths William Edward. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Griffiths William Eaton. Sgt.
    • Griffiths William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Griggs A. E. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Griggs Walter. Pte Middlesex Regiment
    • Grills George Moss. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Grime Arthur. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Grimes H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Grimes Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Grimes James Holder. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Grimes Victor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Grimley Albert E.. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Grimley Leonard. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Grimmer Henry. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Grimmett George. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Grimshaw Harry. Pte. Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Grimshaw Harry. Pte. Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Grimshaw . John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Grimshawe C. R. V.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Grinham DCM.. James Edward. Sjt. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Grinter Wilfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Grist Pervical Charles Hugh. 2nd Lt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Gristwood DCM.. Henry. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Grocock Albert Ishmael. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Grocock Frederick. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Grogan Peter. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Grogan William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gromadzki William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Gronow Arthur. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Gronow John Arthur. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Grooby Albert. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Groody William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Groom MM. Ambrose Edward. Sgt Coldstream Guards
    • Groom John. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Groom William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Groombridge Frederick James Charles. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Groombridge William. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Groucutt Alfred. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Grove Alfred Ernest. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Grover James Francis Clifford. 195th (City of Regina) Battalion
    • Grover Walter Ernest. Pte. Sussex Regiment
    • Groves Charles Walter. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Groves George William Charles . Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Groves Robert Henry. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Groves Thomas William. Able Sea. HMS Orvieto
    • Grozier Gerard Irving. Lt. Leinster Regiment
    • Grubb Albert Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Grubb Albert Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Grubb Edward Albert. Pte. 21st London Regiment
    • Grudgings William. Capt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Grummett Samuel Frederick. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Grundy Alfred. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Grundy Charles. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Grundy Harry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Grundy Harry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Grundy Percy John. 2nd Lt. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Grune MID.. Edward Sidney. Col. Middlesex Regiment
    • Grunsell Alexander John. Lt. 34th Btn
    • Gryst Austen E.. 12th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Guest George Herbert. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Guest Henry. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Guest James. Private Machine Gun Corps
    • Guest Joseph. L/Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Guest Joseph. L/Cpl. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Guilfoyle Michael. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Guinan Michael Joseph . Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment)
    • Guinn Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Guinness H. R.G.. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Guinness May.
    • Guise-Moores MC & Bar.. Bruce Kirkland. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Guise-Moores MC & Bar.. Bruce Samuel Kirkland. Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Guise-Moores RRC.. Kate. Matron Farnborough Court Auxiliary Hospital
    • Guiver Thomas. Sgt. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Gummer Frank Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Gummer Stanley. Capt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Gummer Walter John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Gunby Horace. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Gunby Horace. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Gunn Arthur. Gnr. 78th Brigade Headquarters
    • Gunn Charles Percy. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Gunn George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gunn George Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Gunn James McKinley. Batman Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Gunn James Arthur. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gunn John Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Gunn John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Gunning John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Gunning Robert Gray. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Gunshon George Henry. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Gunter Frederick Somerton. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Gunter MID.. William. Stkr. HMS Prince George
    • Gunton Louis. Pte Norfolk Regiment
    • Gunton Louis. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Gurney Albert Frank. Pte. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Gurney MM. Charles Walter. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Gurney Thomas Henry. 2nd Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Gurr Arthur Henry. Rflm. London Regiment
    • Gush MM & Bar.. Archibald Walter. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Gussin F. G.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Gustafson William Henry. 59th Infantry Regiment
    • Gustard Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gutberlet Charles William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Gutberlet John Thomas. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Gutch George. Pte. 60th Battalion
    • Guterman A. W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Gutherless Edward. Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Guthridge J. E.. Pte. 10 M.G. Coy
    • Guthrie Alexander. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Guthrie Norman. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Guthrie MM, MID.. Terence. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Gutteridge Walter Cyril. Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Guy Edmond James. L/Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Guy Henry James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Guy P.. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Guy Sidney George. Capt. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Guy Thomas William. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Guymer Bertie. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Gwatkin DCM.. Gladys Brabazon Stapleton.
    • Gwilliam Charles Henry. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Gwilt Benjamin. Welch Regiment
    • Gwyn-Jones DSO. Alan. Capt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Gwynne-Vaughan Helen Charlotte Isabella. Woman's Army Auxiliary Corps
    • H Joseph.
    • Hacker James. Pte Wiltshire Regiment
    • Hackett Albert Harry. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Hackett Albert Edwin. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Hackett Alonzo. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hackett Anthony. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hackett Arthur. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hackett Cecil. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment)
    • Hackett David. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hackett Eric James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hackett Harold Victor. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hackett James. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hackett MID.. Joseph Richard. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hackett Patrick Joseph. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Hackett Percy. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hackett Percy James. Act/Cpl. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Hackett Venice Clementine Henrietta.
    • Hackett VC.. William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Hackman William Charles. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Haddelsey Henry Hannam. Capt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hadden Andrew Haggie. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hadden Ernest Samuel. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hadden Ernest Crawford. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hadden John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Haddigan Thomas. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Haddock James A.. Pte. Yorks & Lancs Regiment
    • Haddock Wilfred Spence. 2nd.Lt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Hadfield Frank. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Hadfield George. Manchester Regiment
    • Hadfield Mathew Peete. Pte. New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion
    • Hadfield Peter.
    • Hadfield Thomas William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hadfield William. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Hadlames Charles. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hadley Charles Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hadley Edgar William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hadley Thomas. L/Cpl. Worcester Regiment
    • Hadley Walter Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Hadow . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Haffenden Charles Israel . Pte. Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regt.
    • Haffenden Henry George. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hagan Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hagan D.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hagan Michael. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hagan Thomas. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Hagen Alfred George. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hagen John Martin. Pfc 106th Infantry Regiment
    • Haggar Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Haggar Wilfred. Pte. York and Lancaster
    • Haggas Graverra. L/Cpl. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Haggas Traverra. L/Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Haggertay MiD.. Harry Jack. CSM. Royal Engineers
    • Haggerty James. Pte. 17th(1st Rosebery)Btn.
    • Haggett Walter. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Haggis Alfred Samuel. East Kent Regiment
    • Haggith Sidney Herbert. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hagler Luther Napoleon. Pte. 330th Infantry Regiment, Co. K
    • Hagon John. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hague Alfred. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hague Arthur. Pte. Prince of Wales Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment
    • Hague Harold William. 2Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hague Isaac. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hague Kenneth. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hahner Ernest Albert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Haig-Brown DSO.. Alan Roderick. Lt.Col. Middlesex Regiment
    • Haigh Arthur. Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Haigh Arthur. Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Haigh Francis Edward. Pte. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Haigh MM. George. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Haigh Harry Kershaw. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Haigh James. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Haigh Sidney. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Haigh MC.. Victor Louis Bosker. Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hailey Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hails William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Haines Charles Herbert. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hains Thomas Noel. London Regiment
    • Hainsworth Archie. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hainsworth Arthur. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Hairsine MC.. Owen. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hairsine MC.. Owen. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Haisman William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Haizelden Benjamin. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Haker John. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hakim Abdul. Stoker
    • Hakim Abdul . Lascar
    • Hakim Abdul. Lascar
    • Hakim Abdul . Lascar
    • Hakim Abdul. Lascar
    • Hakim Abdul. Stoker
    • Haldane Robert. Stoker. HMS Invincible
    • Hale Gilbert Ewart. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hale Gilbert Ewart. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hale Harold. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hale John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hale MM. Neason Henry. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hale William. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hales Albert Edward. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Hales Cecil. L/Cpl Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Hales Geoffrey Maurice Barnewall. Pte. 13th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Hales George William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hales H. L.. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hales William Joseph. PO. HMS Flinders
    • Haley Arthur. 2nd Lt. 55 Squadron
    • Haley James. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Haley James. Durham Light Infantry
    • Haley Joseph Bertram. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Halford George Edwin. L/Cpl South Wales Borderer
    • Halford James William. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Halfpenny H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Halfpenny John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Halkett Alexander Laing. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hall . Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall Albert Edward. Pte. Ayreshire Yeomanry
    • Hall Albert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hall Albert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hall Albert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hall Albert. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Hall Alfred. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Hall Andrew. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall Arthur Edmund. L/Cpl. Australian Imperial Force
    • Hall VC. Arthur Charles. Lt. 54th Battalion
    • Hall Arthur George. L/Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Hall Arthur. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Hall C.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hall Charles William. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Hall Charles Fredrick. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hall Edmund Pearsall. Capt. Leinster Regiment
    • Hall Edward. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancashire
    • Hall Edwin. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Hall Edwin. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hall Edwin. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hall Ernest James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Hall Fred. 2Lt. 18 Squadron
    • Hall VC.. Frederick William. CSM. 8th Btn.
    • Hall Frederick James. Drvr. Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
    • Hall Frederick George. Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Hall Fredrick Thomas. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Hall Fredrick Granger. Capt Cheshire Regiment
    • Hall G. W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall George Alexander. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hall George. Pte. West Yorkshire Rgt. (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Hall George Henry. Dvr. Royal Field Artilery
    • Hall MiD.. George William. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hall Gordon. Pte The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Hall Henry Arthur. Pte. Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex)
    • Hall Henry. Pte. Kings own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hall Henry. Pte, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hall Herbert. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hall Issac. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall J P, H.. 2nd Lieut Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall J. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall James. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall James Benjamin. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Hall John William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall John James. Pte. Durham Light Infantrry
    • Hall John Willie. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Hall John Herbert Furlong. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall John. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall John Davies. AB. Howe Battalion
    • Hall John. Fus. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall John. Lt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Hall John. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall John James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall John. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hall MID.. John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hall Joseph Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall Joseph. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Hall Joseph William Charles. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Hall Louisa Elizabeth. VAD worker Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Hall Norman. Capt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hall Norman. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Hall Norman. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall Patrick. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall Percy James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hall R. H.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hall Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall Robert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hall Robert Newman. 2nd Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hall Robert. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hall Samuel Joseph. Pte Monmouthshire Regiment.
    • Hall Stanley Leonard. Cpl. Medical Corps
    • Hall Thomas Percy Raine. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall Thomas Newman. Capt. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Hall Thomas. 2Lt. 18th Trench Mortar Battery
    • Hall Tom Harry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Hall Tom Victor. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Hall W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall Walter Sidney. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hall Walter. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hall Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall Walter John. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hall Wilfred. A/RQMS Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall William.
    • Hall William Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall William Frances. Lt. Manchester Regiment
    • Hall William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hall William James Pattinson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hall William. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Hall William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Hall William Creed. Rifle Brigade
    • Hall William Ewart. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hall William Frederick. Pte London Regiment
    • Hall William. Rfn Rifle Brigade
    • Hallam George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hallam Harold. Pte. 21st Field Ambulance
    • Hallam MM.. John. Sgt. East Yorkshire
    • Hallam MM. John. Sgt East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hallam Leonard Octavious. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hallam William Herbert. Sargent North Staffs
    • Hallatt John Walter. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Halleran Joseph. Pte Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Hallett Alfred Samuel. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hallett Francis John. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Hallett George Archibald. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hallett William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Halliday C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Halliday David. Pte 18th (Queen Mary's Own) Hussars
    • Halliday George Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Halliday George. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Halliday H. C.. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Halliday Harry. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Halliday Morrice Frederick John. 2nd Lt 6th Btn.
    • Halliday Rees. HMS Laurentic
    • Halliday Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Halliday William. Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Halliday William Paterson. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Hallmark John. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hallowes MC.. Arthur Collis. Lt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hallowes VC MID.. Rupert Price. 2nd Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hallows George. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Halls Joseph Edwin. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Hallums Cecil Albert. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hally William Whytock. Spr. Canadian Engineers
    • Halms Alfred. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Halsall Henry Edward. L/Cpl. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Halsall James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Halsall Robert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Halsall Robert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Halsall Walter. Machine Gun Corps
    • Halse A. W.. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Halstead Frank Horden. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Halstead Henry Fawcett. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Halton Mathew. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Ham Horace. Pte Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Hambleton Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hamblin MSM, MID.. Ivan Clarence. Sjt. East Kent Regiment, The Buffs
    • Hamblin Walter. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Hambridge Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hamer Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hamer John James. L/Cpl Manchester Regiment
    • Hamer John. Tpr. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Hamer R. B.. Lt. Manchester Regiment
    • Hamer William Evan. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Hamer William Evan. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Hamer William Evan. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Hamid Abdul. Fireman
    • Hamid Abdul. Lascar
    • Hamilton A. S.. Lt -Col Durham Light Infantry
    • Hamilton Adam. 36th Ulster Division
    • Hamilton Alfred Waterworth. L/Cpl Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Hamilton Archibald Lindsay. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hamilton Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hamilton Benjamin Charles. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Hamilton Frank Sherrat. L/Cpl. Grenadier Guards
    • Hamilton Gavin. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Hamilton Geoffrey Cecil Monck. 2nd Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Hamilton Guy Stanley Gerald. Lt. The Queens, The Royal West Surreys
    • Hamilton Harry. Bglr South Lancashire Regiment
    • Hamilton Herbert Otho. Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hamilton J.. Pte.
    • Hamilton J. D.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hamilton James Hendrie. Pte Cameron Highlanders (Queens Own)
    • Hamilton James. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hamilton James Haldane. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Hamilton John. L/Cpl. Imperial Camel Corps
    • Hamilton VC.. John Patrick. Capt. 3rd Battalion
    • Hamilton John Irvine. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hamilton John Peterson. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Hamilton John Renton. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Hamilton Kenneth George. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Hamilton R. J.. Signaller. Ayrshire Yeomanry
    • Hamilton R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hamilton Samual Paterson. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Hamilton Samuel. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Rgt.
    • Hamilton Samuel. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Hamilton Samuel. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hamilton Thomas. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hamilton Thomas G.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hamilton William. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Hamilton William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hamilton William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hamilton William Robertson. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hamilton William Norman. Lt. 19 Squadron
    • Hamlet George Frank. BQMS. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hamlett John James. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Hammell John George. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hammer Edward Walter. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hammersley John. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hammersley Nellie . Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Hammersley T. C.. Cpl. 2nd/7th Btn.
    • Hammick Stephen Frederick. Capt. Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Hammond MC.. Arthur William. Lt. Royal Flying Corps
    • Hammond Arthur Morgan Decon. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Hammond Elsie Emily Sarah. Norfolk
    • Hammond George. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Hammond Herbert Samuel. Sgt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Hammond Herrbert. Pte. Queens Own Royal West Kent
    • Hammond J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hammond James Charles. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Hammond Jesse Roy. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Hammond John George. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hammond John Robert. Sgt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hammond John Rowland. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Hammond Lionel Gooderham. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hammond Robert Henry. L/Cp. Border Regiment
    • Hammond Robert Henry. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Hammond Sidney. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hammond Sutton. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hammond Thomas Daniel. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hammond Thomas James. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hammond Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hammond Vincent Edward. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Hammond MC and Bar.. Walter. A/Capt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hammond William George. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Hammonds Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hampshire William. Rflm Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hampshire William. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Hampton Ernest. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hampton F. J.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hampton Jesse. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Hampton Philip. Sgt. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Hampton Samuel. Army Service Corps
    • Hampton William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hamriding James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hamrouge James. Pte. North Staffs Regiment
    • Hanagan Samuel. Leading Stoker
    • Hance John Lawrence. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hancock A. Pte. Gloucester Regiment
    • Hancock Albert Herbert. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hancock Alfred Phelps. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Hancock Ernest. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hancock Ernest. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Hancock Ernest Howard. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hancock Fred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hancock J.. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Hancock James Henry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Hancock James Henry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Hancock James Henry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Hancock John Hocken. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Hancock Reginald William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Hancock Thomas Richard. Sgt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Hancock Timothy. Pte. 17th Liverpool Regiment
    • Hancock Timothy. Pte. Kings(Liverpool) Regiment
    • Hancock . W. . Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hancock William Carter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hancocks MiD.. Mortimer Nugent. Wing Cmdr.
    • Hancocks William Thomas. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hancox Charles. Pte 7th Trench Mortar Battery
    • Hancox Edward. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Handford James George. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Handley John William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Handley John Dilke. Sgt. 2nd Light Horse Regiment
    • Handley Thomas Frederick. L/Cpl South Lancashire Regiment
    • Hands . Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hands Albert Victor. Pte West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Hands Charles Eugene. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hands Henry. Sgt Royal Warwickshire Regiment Machine Gun Corps
    • Hands MM.. William Henry. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Handy Arthur James. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Handy J.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Handyside John Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hankey Emmanuel. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hankey Emmanuel. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Hankey John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hankin Frederick W.. Cpl. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Hankinson Stephen. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Hanks John Thomas. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Hanley Edward. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hanley Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hanley Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hanley T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hanley William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hanlon Daniel. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Hanlon Henry Wilson. Chief ERA2. HMS Bergamont
    • Hanlon Slyvester Hayward. Spr. New Zealand Engineers
    • Hann J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hanna Alexander. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hanna Alexander. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hanna David Henry. Sgt Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hanna Elmer L.. Pvt. 145 Machine Gun Battalion
    • Hanna Frederick George. L/Cpl. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Hanna George. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hanna John. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hanna VC. Robert Hill. Lt. 29th Battalion (British Columbia Regiment)
    • Hanna Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hanna William. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hannah . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Hannah J. B. Aw02 Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hannan James. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hannan Robert. Ast.Cook. SS Hollington
    • Hannant James Edward. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hannay John Joseph. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hannay MID 1916. Reginald. Lt. 36th Field Ambulance
    • Hanning James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Hanock Harry. L/Cpl. Kings Own Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Hanrahan John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Hanscombe George Edward. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Hansen Axel. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Hansen VC.. Percy Howard. Capt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hansen William Henry. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Hansey W. H.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hansford Frederick Henry John. Pte 5th Btn.
    • Hansford William. Royal Engineers
    • Hanslow W. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Hansom George. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hanson Alton. Sgt. 509th Engineers
    • Hanson C. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Hanson C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hanson Harold Vickerman. CQMS. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hanson J. W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hanson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hanson James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hanson James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Hanson Owen. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hanson Rawdon. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hanson T. H.. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Hanson Thomas William. Sgt. 27th Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Haq Abdul . Seacunny
    • Harbeck Albert Roy. Sgt. 39th Btn.
    • Harber Bertie A.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Harber Emanual Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Harbinson . Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Harbridge MM.. James Thomas. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Harbut Richard. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Harcus Andrew. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Harcus James Logie. Maj. 20th Bn.
    • Harcus Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hardcastle Bernard Alfred . Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hardcastle R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harden Richard Townley. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Harder Howard Keith. Pte. 12th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Hardie George. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Hardie J. C.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hardie John. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Harding Alfred Allen Dewdney. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Harding Charles. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Harding Charles Ernest. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Harding Christopher. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Harding F.. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Harding George. Pte. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Harding Harold Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Harding James. A/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Harding James Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harding James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harding James Edwin. L/Sgt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Harding MID, MSM.. John Albert. WO2 Royal Engineers
    • Harding Joseph William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harding Robert. L/Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Harding Samuel John. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Harding Sidney James. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Harding Thomas. Y.Sig. HMS Lion
    • Harding Thomas Percy. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Harding Wallace. P.O. HMS Bergamot
    • Harding William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harding William. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hardisty William Francis. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hardley William Frederick. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hardman Ernest. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hardman G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hardman Herbert. Pte. 13th (Quebec Regiment)
    • Hardman Herbert. Pte. 13th Btn. (Quebec Regiment)
    • Hardman MID.. Morgan. Capt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hardman Wilfred. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hardstaff Richard. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hardwell Tom. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hardy . VAD. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Hardy Adolphus. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) Rgt.
    • Hardy Archibald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hardy Arthur Andrew. Cpl. York & Lancashire Regiment
    • Hardy Dick. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Hardy Fred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hardy Harold. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hardy Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hardy Jocelyn L.. Lt. Connaught Rangers
    • Hardy John Joseph. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Hardy John George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hardy Norman Arthur Cyril. Sub Lt. HMS Meteor
    • Hardy Robert. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hardy Robert. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hardy VC. DSO. MC. Theodore Bailey. Chaplain. Army Chaplains Dept.
    • Hardy Thomas.
    • Hardy Thomas Bell. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hardy Thomas. Border Regiment
    • Hardy William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hardy William James. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hardy William Albert. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Hardyman Henry Edgar. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hare Aaron. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hare Bertie Edward. Norfolk Regiment
    • Hare H. V.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hare John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hares Wilfred Alexander Eli. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Harfield Wilfred Charles. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Harford A. M.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Harford David Bernard. Pte. 28th Infantry Battalion
    • Harford George Frederick. Pte. Middlesex  Regiment
    • Harford R. E.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hargeaves MID.. Clifford. 2Lt. London Regiment
    • Hargrave Frederick Samuel. Sgt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Hargreave Henry. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Hargreaves Albert. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Hargreaves Alfred Charles Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hargreaves Bell. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hargreaves Frank. Pte South Wales Borderers
    • Hargreaves Fred. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hargreaves Fred. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hargreaves George Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hargreaves Harold. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Hargreaves Harold. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Hargreaves Stuart. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Hargreaves Thomas. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Hargreaves Thomas. 2nd Lt. Manchester Regiment
    • Hargreaves Tom. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hargreaves William. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Harie Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harker George. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harkess Adam. Able Sea. HMS Coquette
    • Harkin Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Harkins James Andrew. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Harkness William Frederick Samuel. 2nd Lt. 42 Bde.
    • Harland Adam. L-Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harland Richard. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Harland Thomas William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harley Cecil. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Harley Herbert William. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Harley DCM.. Thomas Middleton. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Harlock Fredrick. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Harlow Charles. Pte
    • Harlow Ernest . Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Harman Edward Stafford-King. Capt. Irish Guards
    • Harman MM.. Frederick. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Harmer MM.. Charles. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Harmer Ezra Jack. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Harmer Ezra Jack. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Harmer James. Temp/Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Harmer K. B.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harmer DCM.. Oscar. Sgt. Welch Regiment
    • Harmer Oscar. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Harmson Ernest. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Harmston William. 57 Squadron
    • Harney Robert William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Harney MM.. Thomas Joseph. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Harper Carl Horace. Pte. Essex Yeomanry
    • Harper Charles. Royal Engineers
    • Harper Frederick. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Harper Frederick Charles Raymond. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Harper George. Sgt Seaforth Highlanders
    • Harper Harold Sanders. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Harper James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Harper John. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harper John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harper Levi. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Harper MM.. Robert Laughton. Sjt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Harper Sidney Wilfred. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Harper Sydney. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harper Thomas. Sjt. North Staffordshire Regt
    • Harper Thomas Cook. South Wales Borderers
    • Harradine Albert Laity. Sea. HMS amphion
    • Harradine David. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Harradine John Henry. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Harragan . Thomas James. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Harrald C. E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harras Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harrell Albert Reginald. Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Harrell Herbert. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Harries Gwilym. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Harriman William Alfred Foulds. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Harrington DCM. Arthur George. RSM. London Regiment
    • Harrington Arthur Edward William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Harrington Charles Edward. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Harrington Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harrington Robert. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Harrington Stephen Charles. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Harrington Walter. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Harrington William John. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harrington William James. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Harris Albert John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Harris Albert. Pte. Australian Infantry
    • Harris Alfred George. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Harris Alfred. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Harris Alfred George. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Harris Alfred James. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Harris Arnold John.
    • Harris Arthur. Pte. Royal Scots Fusilliers
    • Harris Arthur. Pte. Royal Scots Fusilliers
    • Harris Bertram George. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Harris Charles Archibald. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Harris MM.. Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harris E. W.. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Harris Edward James. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Harris Edward. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Harris Ernest. A/CSM. Royal Engineers
    • Harris Frederick James. Lt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Harris Frederick. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Harris Frederick George. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Harris George William. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Harris George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Harris Godfrey Jubilee. Pte. Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars
    • Harris Henry James. Sub/Lt.(E) HMS Mechanician
    • Harris Henry William. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Harris MM. Henry Percy. Sgt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Harris Henry. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Harris Jack Diamond. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Harris James. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Harris John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Harris John. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Harris John. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Harris John Thomas. Sherwood Foresters
    • Harris OBE. John James Fitzgerald. Maj. South African Infantry
    • Harris DSO. Joseph Orlando. Sub-Lt. Royal Naval Div.
    • Harris Louis. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Harris Percy James. Bbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Harris Philip Claude. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Harris R. A. M.. Capt. Border Regiment
    • Harris Rees Howell. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Harris Richard. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Harris Robert. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harris MC. Roland Hanwell. 2nd/Lt. Prince Of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles
    • Harris MM. Sidney. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Harris Sidney Raymond. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Harris Sydney. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Harris Thomas. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Harris VC. MM.. Thomas James. Sgt. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Harris Thomas. Pte. Royal Defence Corps
    • Harris Thomas. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Harris W. H. J.. Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Harris Walter. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Harris Wilfred Henry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Harris William Henry. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Harris Willie P.. Pte. Coloured Labour Regiment
    • Harrison . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Harrison . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Harrison Abraham. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harrison Albert Edward. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Harrison VC.. Arthur Leyland. Lt/Cmdr. HMS Lion
    • Harrison MM.. Arthur. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Harrison B. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harrison C. E.. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Harrison Edwin. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Harrison F. C. S.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harrison George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Harrison George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Harrison George. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Harrison H.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harrison Harry. Sgt. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Harrison Harry. Sgt. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire L.I.
    • Harrison Herbert C.. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Harrison James. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Harrison John Watts. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harrison VC.. John. 2nd Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Harrison John William Scott. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harrison John. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Harrison John. Cpl King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Harrison John. London Regiment
    • Harrison Johnnie. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Harrison Joseph. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harrison Michael. Capt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Harrison Richard. Private 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Harrison Richard John. Pte. East Surrey
    • Harrison Solomon. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Harrison Stephen. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Harrison Thomas Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harrison Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harrison Thomas Herbert. L/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Harrison Thomas. Gnr. Machine Gun Corps
    • Harrison Tom Marriott. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harrison W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harrison Walter. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Harrison Walter Edward. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Harrison William Curry. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harrison William Herbert. Sgt. Tank Corps
    • Harrison William. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Harriss A. Pte. London Regiment
    • Harriss Frederick George. Pte. 49th Btn.
    • Harriss Frederick James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Harrold John. Lpcl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harrold William. Private 41st Btn.
    • Harrop Frederick James. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Harrott Charles Ernest. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Harrowell James. Pte. 9 Bn
    • Hart Andrew Chichester. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hart Benjamin A.. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Hart Benjamin John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Hart Charles. Sgt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Hart DCM.. David Hynd. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Hart Ernest M.. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hart Frank. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hart Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hart Henry George Rueben. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Hart Henry. Lpcl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hart J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hart Jack. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hart James Robert John. Able Seaman. Benbow Battalion
    • Hart James Edward. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hart James. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hart Richard George. 2nd Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hart Robert. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hart MM.. Sidney George. Cpl. 65 Brigade
    • Hart Sidney Harry. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Hart Sidney Arthur. Rfl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hart Walter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hart Woolf. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Harte MC.. James. Capt. West Riding Regiment
    • Harte James. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hartell George. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Hartells Bert. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hartigan Cornelius. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Hartigan Patrick. Pte. Sherwood Forresters
    • Hartigan Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Forresters
    • Hartill James Edward. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hartland Joseph Thomas. Pte. Royal Worcester Regiment
    • Hartland Joseph Daniel. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hartley Arthur. Carp. HMS Viknor
    • Hartley C A. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hartley Cecil Edward. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Hartley Edwin Henry . Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Hartley Ernest Henry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hartley Ernest. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hartley Hiram. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hartley James Henry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hartley John Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hartley John Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hartley John George. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Hartley Michael. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hartley Richard Rutland. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Hartley Thomas. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Hartley Thomas Harold. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hartley MID.. William. A/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hartley MiD.. William. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hartnett MSM.. Henry John. BSM. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hartney . Harold Evans. 20 Squadron
    • Hartshorn Cornelius John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hartshorne Ezekiel. HMS Morea
    • Hartshorne Richard. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hartwell Joseph Edwin. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Harver Alfred William. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Harvey A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harvey A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harvey E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harvey Edward George. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harvey Edward Henry. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Harvey Edward George. Capt. Royal Flying Corps
    • Harvey F. G.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Harvey VC.. Francis John William. Major. HMS Lion
    • Harvey M.C., V.C.. Frederick Maurice Watson. Lt. Lord Strathcona's Horse
    • Harvey Frederick. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harvey VC MC. Frederick Maurice Watson. Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
    • Harvey Frederick. BSM. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Harvey H.. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Harvey Harold. Pte. London Regiment
    • Harvey Herbert. Suffolk Regiment
    • Harvey Herbert John. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Harvey John Campbell. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Harvey DCM.. John Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Harvey Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harvey Mortimer Hugh. Pte. Royal East Surrey
    • Harvey VC.. Norman. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Harvey . Percy . Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Harvey Richard Henry. Pte.
    • Harvey Thomas Frederick . Rfn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Harvey Victor G. Private North Somerset Yeomanry
    • Harvey William Henry. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Harvey William Henry. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Harvey William. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Harvey William George. Cpl Royal Field Artillery
    • Harvey William S. Pte Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Harvey William Henry. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Harvey-Kelly DSO MID.. Hubert Dunsterville . Maj. 19 Squadron
    • Harvie MM.. James Tait McKinley. CSM. 6th Battalion
    • Harvie . William Robert. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Harwood C. C.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Harwood Hubert. L/Cpl. Welsh Fusiliers
    • Harwood J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Harwood Percy Harold. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Harwood Ralph Edwin Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Harwood Ralph Edwin Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Harwood William. Ordinary Seaman
    • Hasan Ahmad. Stoker H.M.S. Minerva.
    • Haseldean . Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Haseldean Albert Charles George. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Haseley Arthur. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hasemore John W.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Haskayne DSO MiD.. Albert. Sgt. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Haskell Henry John. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Haslam Joseph Edward. L/Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Haslam Thomas Ardill. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Haslam William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Haslam MM.. William. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Haslehurst George Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Haslehurst Henry James. Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Haslem J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hassall John Henry. Cpl. 33rd Btn.
    • Hassan John. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Hassan Shaik Belal. Stewd. H.M.F.M. Trent
    • Hassett Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Hasslacher James Alfred Charles. Lt. London Regiment
    • Hassock William Thomas. Sjt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hastings Adam. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Hastings Samuel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hastings W. Lsgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Haswell E. J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Haswell Edward Bruce. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Haswell James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Haswell Robert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Haswell Robert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hatch Henry. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Hatcher Charles George. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hatcher George. Rfm. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hateley Joseph. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hately William Henry V.. Spr Canadian Engineers
    • Hatfield Ernest Hugh. Sgt. 47th Battalion
    • Hatfield George Hague. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hatfield George. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Hather Fred. L/Cpl. 20th Hussars
    • Hatherell Alfred James. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Hatherley Louis. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hatherley Ralph. Pte Sherwood Foresters
    • Hatson Arthur Frank. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Hatson Arthur Frank. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Hatt MC.. Arthur Beach. Capt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hatten Arthur Horace. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hatter Frank. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Hattle W. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hatton Christopher Geoffrey. Sgt. Grenadier Guards
    • Hatton William. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Hatton William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hatty George Frederick. L/Cpl. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Haughan James. Machine Gun Corps
    • Haughey James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Haughey Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Haughey Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Haughton A. J.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hauxwell James Robert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hauxwell Stanley. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hauxwell W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Havard Frank G. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Havelock MM.. John Allan. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Havelock Joseph. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Havens Oliver. Pte. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
    • Haverfield Evelina.
    • Haviland Harold Sidney. Sgt. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Havinden George Smith. Pte. London Regiment
    • Haw William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hawarth Oldfield. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hawes A. S.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Hawes C. H.. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Hawes Charles Godfrey. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey
    • Hawes George Edward. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Hawke Albert Cross. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hawke Sydney Charles. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Hawke William John. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Hawker Frederick. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hawker VC, DSO.. Lanoe George. Mjr. 24 Sqdn
    • Hawker Robert Harcourt . Pte. Machine Gun Corp
    • Hawker Thomas Henry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hawkes Frederick James . Pte. 1st (Cape of Good Hope) Regiment
    • Hawkesworth Ernest Alfred. Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hawkin Harold. Spr. 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company.
    • Hawkings Fred. Pte. Dorsetshire Rgt.
    • Hawkins Alfred Samuel. Pte. West Somerset Yeomanry
    • Hawkins Cecil Stephen. Pte Duke of Wellington Regiment
    • Hawkins Ernest James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hawkins Frederick Arthur. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hawkins . George Thomas. Dvr.
    • Hawkins George. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Hawkins MM.. George Edward. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hawkins George Henry. WO2 Royal Fusiliers
    • Hawkins George. Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment
    • Hawkins Geroge Benjamin. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Hawkins Harold Mawby. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Hawkins Herbert. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hawkins Herbert Edward Bicheno. Cpl. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Hawkins Joshua. Essex Regiment
    • Hawkins MC. Kenneth Edwards. A/Capt London Regiment
    • Hawkins Leslie William. 2nd Lt. Notts & Derby Regiment
    • Hawkins Lionel Hope. Lt. Kings Dragoon Guards
    • Hawkins Samuel Hedley Hemming. Pte. 15th Infantry Btn.
    • Hawkins T.. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Hawkins Thomas William. Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hawkins MM.. Victor Henry. L/Cpl Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hawkins Walter Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hawkins William Charles. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Hawkins William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hawkins William Francis. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Hawkins William James . Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hawkridge Harold Conniston. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Hawksley DSO, MID.. John Plunkett Verney. Lt.Col. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hawley Alexander Edward. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hawley Arthur George. Rfmn. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hawley Walter. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Hawling Norman. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Haworth Fred. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Haworth Rostron. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hawthorn James Fenwick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hawthorn Robert. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hawthorne Frederick. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hawthorne G. A.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hawthorne W. A. I.. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Hawthornthwaite Wilfrid. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Hawtree Horace Richard . Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Haxton John. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Hay Alexander. Pte. 36th Ulster Division
    • Hay Arthur Sydney Lennox. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Hay E. J. A.. Lt. 41st Dogras
    • Hay J. W.. Colour Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hay James Henry Webster. Capt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Hay Ralph. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Hay Robert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hay Robert. Pte. 13th Btn.
    • Hay William. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Hay MC.. William Hendrie. Major. Royal Field Artillery
    • Haycox Percy. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Hayden Albert Thomas. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Hayden Military Medal. Frederick Henry. Sjt. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
    • Hayden . Percy James. Rfm. Rifle Brigade
    • Hayden Thomas. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hayes A. W.. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Hayes Claude Patrick Julian. Capt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hayes Edward. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hayes Edward. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Hayes Frederick. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Hayes George Arthur. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Hayes MID.. Herbert Henry. Major. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hayes Horace Herbert. Lt. South Wales Borderers
    • Hayes MC. J. Milton. 2nd Lt. Manchester Regiment
    • Hayes James Alfred. L/Cpl. Duke of Cambridge's Own - Middlesex Regiment
    • Hayes James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Hayes John. L/Cpl. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Hayes John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Hayes John. Able Sea. HMS Victory
    • Hayes John Gardner. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hayes P.. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Hayes Robert. Pte. 1st Auckland Btn.
    • Hayes Robert. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hayes Sydney. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hayes William Joseph. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hayes William. Royal Engineers
    • Haygarth William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Haykin Herbert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Haylett MC & Bar. Robert. Captain Durham Light Infantry
    • Hayman Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hayman Joseph. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Hayne Harold Cure. Pte. 12th Light Horse Regiment
    • Hayne Richard. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Haynes Albert Edward . L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Haynes Alfred John. Pte. 36th Battalion
    • Haynes Frederick Harold. Pte. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Haynes John Joseph . Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Haynes Philip Henry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Haynes William George. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Hays James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hays T. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hayward Herbert Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hayward VC, MC. . Reginald Frederick Johnson. Lt.Col. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Hayward MM. Walter John. CSM Rifle Brigade
    • Haywood Ida Rosina. Nurse
    • Haywood Thomas. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Haywood William. Grdsmn. Welsh Guards
    • Hazel Joseph. Pte Green Howards
    • Hazeldine James. Pte. Canterbury Regiment
    • Hazeley E. Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hazell Albert Charles. Cpl. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Hazell Harold Lewin George.
    • Hazell MM.. Oscar Reginald. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Hazell MC, DFC & Bar.. Thomas Falcon. Lt. 1 Sqd.
    • Hazell William Francis. Pte. Nottingham & Derbyshire Regiment
    • Hazeltine Henry. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hazelwood Ernest. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Hazelwood Thomas William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hazzard Thomas George. Cpl. Somerset light infantry
    • Hazzard Thomas George. Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Heacock Joseph. Sgt. Middlesex Rgt.
    • Head Arthur. Sgt. East Surrey Rgt.
    • Head Robert Arthur. L/Cpl. 6th Dragoon Guards (The Carabiniers)
    • Headland William. Pte. City of London Regiment
    • Heads George William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Heague Richard. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Heal Edward. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Heal J.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Heal Walter. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Heald Arthur. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Heald Edwin. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Heald Eli James. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Heald John William. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Field Artillery
    • Heald William Bagshaw. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Healey Harry. Pte. 7th Btn. att. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Healey James. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Healey John Frederick. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Healey William. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Healey William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Healey William F.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Healy Denis. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Healy George Ernest. Lt. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Healy J. M.. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Healy Joseph Gregory. Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Healy Patrick. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Healy Patrick. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Healy Patrick. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Healy Richard. Pte Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Healy William. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Healy William. Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Heanes Arthur. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Heaney Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Fusileers
    • Heaney Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Heap Edgar John. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Heap F.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Heap Robert Robinson. Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Heaps Joseph Moses. Pte. Suffolk Rgt.
    • Heaps Robert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Heard Albert. Sapper. Royal Engineers
    • Hearder Douglas Arthur. Sgt.
    • Hearn Charles Albert. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hearn Frederick Joseph. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hearn John. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Hearnden Cecil. Act Cpl Royal Fusliers
    • Hearne Charles Wilson. Ab.Sea. H.M.S. "P.C.61"
    • Hearne Charles Wilson. Able Sea. HMS PC61
    • Hearne James. L/Cpl. 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars
    • Heasman Albert James. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Heasman Charles. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Heath A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Heath Albert Reginald . Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Heath Albert. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Heath Arthur. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Heath Arthur Robert. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Heath Arthur. Pte. South Staffs Regiment
    • Heath Arthur Robert. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Heath Ernest Frank. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Heath Eustace Nelson. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Heath Frank Jabez. Rifle Brigade
    • Heath George Robert. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifles
    • Heath George. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Heath MM.. George Henry. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Heath John Doulton. Cpl. Black Watch
    • Heath Peter Gabriel. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Heath William James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Heath William. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Heath Willie James.
    • Heathcote Eric Whiteley. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Heathcote MM.. Sidney. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Heathcote Walter Dean. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Heatley Frederick. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Heatley George. Cpl. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Heatley Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Heatly Charles Frederick. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Heaton Charles William. Cpl. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Heaton Harold. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Heaton Jesse. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Heaton John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Heaton John Henry. Rfmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Heaton John Thomas. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Heaton Joseph Copley. Pte. Prince of Wales West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Heaton Lionel James. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Heaton Margaret Mary.
    • Heaton-Ellis Edward Henry FitzHardinge. Vice Admiral. HMS Inflexible
    • Heaver Harry Robert. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Heaver Joseph William. S/Sgt. Artillery
    • Heazelton Percy Charles. Pte. Royal Army Services Corps
    • Hebb Nathan John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hebblethwaite C. J.. Lt. General List
    • Hebron Timothy. L/Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hebson Joseph Wilson. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Hedding James Lawrence. Lt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Heden Alfred Howard. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Hedge B.. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Hedge Wallace. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hedges VC.. Frederick William. 2nd Lt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Hedges John. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Hedley Chales Price. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hedley Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hedley Reginald. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hedley Thomas. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hedley W.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Heeds Edgar. Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Heeley Leonard Stanley. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Heely Joseph H.. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Heenan Lawrence. Pte. Argyll and Sunderland Highlanders
    • Heenan Thomas George Grandon. 2Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Heester George James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Heggadon Joseph. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Hei Chi Mming. Coolie
    • Hele Frederick. Private Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Helliwell George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Helliwell William Henry. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Hellmers A G.A.. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hellmore William. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hellyer Albert J.. Carp. HMS Good Hope
    • Hellyer Alfred A.. HMS Bayano
    • Hellyer Henry. PO.Stkr. HMS Black Prince
    • Helm DCM.. Frederick . Sgt East Lancashire Regiment
    • Helmore William Gladstone Collins. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Helmrich Charles Robertson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Helps Edward. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Helps S. R.. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Hemingway Harold Ernest. Pte Royal Munster Fusiliers King's Own Yorkshire Li
    • Hemingway Willie Marston. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillary
    • Hemmett William Alfred. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hemming George Augustine. CSM. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hemming James Victor. L/Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hemming William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hempsall Oswald. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hems James Alfred. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hemsley John W.. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hemsley John William. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hemus William Henry Ernest. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hender Charles Richard. Able Sea. HMS Amphion
    • Hender William Pascoe. Stkr.1st.Cl. HMS Monmouth
    • Henderson Alan Dudley. Lt. 7th Infantry Battalion
    • Henderson Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Henderson Andrew Crooks. Corporal Highland Light Infantry
    • Henderson Andrew. Pte. Labour Corps.
    • Henderson Archibald. Pte. Black Watch
    • Henderson VC, MC.. Arthur. Capt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Henderson VC.. Edward Elers Delavel. Lt Col. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Henderson MM.. Ernest Henry. Sgt. Labour Corps
    • Henderson Fred. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Henderson VC DSO MC MID.. George Stuart. Capt. Manchester Regiment
    • Henderson George Mckenzie. Gdsmn. Scots Guards
    • Henderson J.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Henderson J.. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Henderson James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Henderson John Harvie. Gnr . Royal Field Artillery
    • Henderson John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Henderson John. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Henderson John. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Henderson John. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Henderson John E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Henderson John William. Tpr. 4th Light Horse Regiment
    • Henderson Joseph. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Henderson MM.. L.. L/Cpl Royal Engineers
    • Henderson Nathan. Able Sea. Howe Battalion
    • Henderson R W. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Henderson Robert. Pte. Black Watch
    • Henderson Robert Angus. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Henderson T.. Sea. HMS Donegal
    • Henderson Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Henderson Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Henderson William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Henderson William. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Henderson William Buntin. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Henderson William. Durham Light Infantry
    • Henderson William Buntin. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Henderson William Atkinson. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hendren Denis. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hendrick Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hendricks Harry. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Hendrie George. L/Sgt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Hendry . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hendry David Douglas. RQMS. Highland Light Infantry
    • Hendry MM.. Henry Oscar. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Hendry Ruth. Welfare Officer.
    • Hendry Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Hendy Arthur. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Heneker Frederick. Mjr. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Heneker Frederick. Mjr. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hennah Walter Ernest. Sjt. Border Regiment
    • Hennessey Charles Frederick. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hennessey James. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Hennessy Garrett. Stoker 1c HMS Arabis
    • Hennessy George. CSM. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Hennessy MM. Herbert William. Sgt City of London Regiment
    • Hennessy John Albert. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Hennessy Michael Joseph. Sgt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hennigan Bernard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Henniker Ernest Edward. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Henniker MM.. George William. L/Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Henretty John. Pte. Black Watch
    • Henry MM.. Alfred. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Henry Charles William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Henry George Carruthers. 2nd Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Henry George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Henry James Douglas. Mjr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Henry James George. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Henry Jeffery. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Henry M.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Henry William James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Henshall MM.. Albert. Sgt. 3rd Light Horse Brigade
    • Henshaw John. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Henshaw William Charles. L/Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hensman Richard Tomkinson. Stkr. HMS Thunderer
    • Henson Albert. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hepburn Andrew Campbell. Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Hepburn Robert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hepburn William Stephen. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hepden William Dinsdale. Able Sea. Drake Battalion
    • Heppell Frederick William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Heppenstal George. Pte. Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry
    • Hepple Ernest. A/Cpl Durham Light Infantry
    • Hepple Frederick Watson. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hepple George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Heppleston Herbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hepworth Albert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hepworth Harry. L/Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hepworth John Richard . Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Herage Edwin Frank. Able Sea. HMS Fortune
    • Herbert Anthony. L/Sgt RN Division
    • Herbert Arthur Wallis. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Herbert MC.. Charles Stanley. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Herbert Charles Henry. PO. HMS Negro
    • Herbert Foster Thompson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Herbert MM.. Frank Harold. Rfmn. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Herbert Frank. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Herbert Frederick Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Herbert Frederick Noel . Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Herbert George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Herbert Harold Jesse. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Herbert Harry. Pte King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Herbert John. Supply Sgt London Regiment
    • Herbert John Charles. Pte. Leicester Regiment
    • Herbert Joseph Samuel. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Herbert Percy Robert. Capt Welsh Guards
    • Herbert-Stepney Herbert Arthur. Maj. Irish Guards
    • Herbertson Andrew Hunter. Lt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Herd William George. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Herepath Frederick J.. OS. HMS Birkenhead
    • Herft A.. Pte. Hyderabad Rifles
    • Heritage George William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Herlingshaw William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hermiston James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Hern Thomas Walter. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Herod Garnet. Dvr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Heron Arthur Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Heron George. CCpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Heron Joseph. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Heron Kenneth Royston. Sgt. 514 Sqdn.
    • Heron Lewis. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Heron M.. Able Sea. HMS Eaglet
    • Heron Robert Oates. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Heron Thomas. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Heron Thomas Allan. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Heron William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Herrett Walter Fergus. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Herries . Mjr. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Herries . Mjr. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Herring . Durham Light Infantry
    • Herring John Ivor. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Herring Thomas Oran. Durham Light Infantry
    • Herring Thomas Oran. Durham Light Infantry
    • Herrington MM, MC, MID.. John. 2nd Lt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Herrington Joseph. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Herrington Wilford George. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Herriott Alan Morton. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Herrmann A. W. F.. Rfm. The Rifle Brigade
    • Herrmann James Thomas. Rifleman 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade
    • Herrod Joseph. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Herron George Timothy. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Herron John. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Herron Michael. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Herschell Allan. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hervey Hamilton. Lt.
    • Herwood J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Heseltine Tom Oldman . Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Heslin John. Pte. Royal Highlanders
    • Heslip H.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Heslop . Durham Light Infantry
    • Heslop F. 2nd Lt West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Heslop John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Heslop Lawrence. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Heslop Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Heslop Thomas Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hesp Thomas Frederick. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hession J.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
    • Hessler Jacob Andrew Norman. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hessler Jacob Andrew Norman. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hester Charles William James. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Hetherington Archibald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hetherington G. N.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hetherington George. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Hetherington John Tench. Ord.Sea. SS Van Stirum
    • Hetherington John Wesley. S/Sgt. 2nd Btn.
    • Hetherington Richard. Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hetherington Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Heward Samuel William. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hewart William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Hewett James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hewett William Walter. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Hewing William Henry. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hewins James Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hewins Jesse. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hewish John. Rfmn Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hewish John. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hewish Thomas William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hewison Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hewitson David. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Hewitt . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hewitt . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Hewitt . Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hewitt Albert Victor. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Hewitt Alfred Edward. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hewitt C. J.. Major Army Service Corps
    • Hewitt Charles Richard. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hewitt VC.. Dennis George Wyldbore. 2nd Lt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hewitt George Samuel. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Hewitt James. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hewitt John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hewitt John William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hewitt John. L/Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hewitt Joshua. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borders
    • Hewitt Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hewitt VC.. William Henry. Maj. 2nd South African Light Infantry
    • Hewkin Walter. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hewlett William. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hewlitt Robert William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hewson Harry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hey George Leonard. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regment
    • Hey Joe. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Heybyrne Arthur. HMS Talbot
    • Heybyrne Eddie.
    • Heybyrne Edward Ernest. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Heybyrne Francis.
    • Heybyrne Harry. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Heybyrne Henry Ivor. Machine Gun Corps
    • Heyes Arthur. 2Lt. 55 Squadron
    • Heygate Leonard William. Pte. Northamptonshire Yeomanry
    • Heys John Holland. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Heys Noel Derbyshire. App. SS Zent
    • Heywood Edwin. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Heywood James Robert . Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Heywood John. Sergeant Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Heywood John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Heywood John. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Heywood John Charles. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Heywood John Chadwick. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Heywood Nicholas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Heywood Stephen. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Heywood Thomas. Sergeant Manchester Regiment
    • Heywood . Thomas . Sjt. Manchester Regiment
    • Heyworth John Richard. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Heyworth William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hibbard Edmund John. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Hibberd James William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hibbert Charles Thomas. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Hibbert Francis Benjamin. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hibbert Samuel Edward. Sgt. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Hibbert Stanley. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hibbett Arthur Hubert. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hibbins Albert. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Hibbitt Herbert. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Hickenbotham Arthur George. Cpl. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Hickey . Denis. L/Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Hickey J. J.. Pte. 60th Btn.
    • Hickey James. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Hickey John F.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Hickey John. L/Cpl Machine Gun Corps
    • Hickey Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Hickey P.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hickey P.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hickey Patrick J.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hickling Samuel. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hickman Bertram John. L/Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hickman Harold. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hickman Herbert Frank. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hickman Joseph. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hickman Sidney George. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Hickman Sidney Ernest. Pte Norfolk Regiment
    • Hickmott Addison George. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Hickmott Walter William. A/Sgt. Royal Defence Corps
    • Hicks Alban Laurence. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hicks Albert Victor. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hicks MM.. Albert. Sgt. 39th Battery
    • Hicks Alfred. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hicks Alfred. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hicks Frederick R. Lt.Col. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hicks George Stephen Cecil. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hicks John E.. Act. Bmbdr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Hicks Walter Gerald. 2nd Lt.
    • Hickson George Edward. Pte. Duke Of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Hickson Joseph. Pte. East Yorkshire Regimant
    • Hickson William Hopwood. Gunner 228th Siege Battery
    • Hidderley Thomas. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hider Francis Silvester. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Higbee Lenah. Nursing Corps
    • Higginbottom Cyril. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Higgins A E. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Higgins Cecil John. CorporalCpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Higgins Edward Bernard. Cpl 11th Battalion
    • Higgins George. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Higgins Harry. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Higgins Henry John. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Higgins J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Higgins James. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Higgins James. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Higgins James. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Higgins John Maurice. Pte. 1st Btn.
    • Higgins John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Higgins Leonard Frederick.
    • Higgins Louis Charles. Sgt. 7th (Queen's Own) Hussars
    • Higgins Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Higgins Robert. Pte Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Higgins Samuel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Higgins T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Higgins Thomas. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Higgins Thomas. Pte
    • Higginson Arthur. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Higginson George. Pte. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
    • Higgs Charles. CPO. HMS Prince George
    • Higgs Earnest Richard. 2Lt Middlesex Regiment
    • Higgs William Joseph. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • High Gordon Alexander. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • High James. Able Sea. Collingwood Battalion
    • Higham David. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Higham Frank. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Higham George Aaron Gilbert. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Higham Jesse. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Highams Thomas William. L/Cpl. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Highbee Lenah. Super.
    • Highcock Elias. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Highcock Peter. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Highgate Thomas J.. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Higton George Thomas. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hilder MM.. Harry Louis. A/Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Hilditch Arthur Jackson. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Hilditch Arthur Jackson. Pte. Liverpool Kings Regiment
    • Hilditch Arthur Jackson. Pte Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Hildred Fredrick Charles. Cpl. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Hiley Frederick. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hiley John Clifford. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hiley William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hill A. Capt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hill A.R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hill Albert Rowland. Capt. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Hill Albert. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Hill Alexander. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hill Arthur. Rfmn. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Hill Arthur. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hill Benjamin. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hill C. L. G. . 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hill Charles William. Cpl. 20 Squadron
    • Hill MID. Cyril John Percy. Lt/Cmdr. HMAS Parramatta
    • Hill Daniel. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Hill Edward Pearson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hill Edward John. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hill Edward Ernerst. Rflmn London Regiment
    • Hill Frank William. Sgt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hill Frederick. Pte RAMC
    • Hill Frederick. L/Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Hill Frederick. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hill George Duncan. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hill George Albert. Maj.
    • Hill George. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Hill George Victor Stanley. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hill George William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hill George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hill George. Rfm King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hill George James Gordon. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hill Harold Charles. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hill Harry Joy. L/Cpl Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Hill Hector. Gunner RFA
    • Hill Hemi. Pte. Pioneer Battalion
    • Hill Henry. Pte. Royal Warwickshires
    • Hill Henry. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hill Henry Harry. L/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Hill Herbert John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hill Hugh Henry. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Hill Hugh. Pte. Argyll and Sutherlands Highlanders
    • Hill J. W.. 2Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hill MM.. James William. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hill James Ormonde. 2nd Lt. Army Service Corps
    • Hill James Lawrie. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Hill James. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hill James Dawson. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Hill MM. John. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hill DCM.. Joseph. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hill Joseph. Pte. Royal Defence Corps
    • Hill Joseph Parker. Act/Sjt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hill Leonard Augustus. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hill Leslie Trevor. L/Cpl Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Hill Percy Henry. Pte. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)
    • Hill Percy Sydney Patrick. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hill Richard Harry. Pte. East Surrey Rgt.
    • Hill Stewart William . Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Hill Sydney Evelyn. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hill MM MID.. Thomas. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Hill Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hill Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hill Victor Leo. Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hill Walter Andrew.
    • Hill Walter. Sgt.
    • Hill Wilfred James. 2Lt 6th Btn.
    • Hill William Henry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hill William Henry. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hill None. William Henry. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Hill William Quintis Ewart. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hill William. Pte Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Hill William. Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hillard James Frederick. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hillary Albert. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Hillary Walter Thomas. Sgt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Hillas Joseph. Rflmn. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hillas Joseph. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hillas Joseph. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hillery Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hilliard Albert Henry. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Hilliard Cecil. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Hilliard Charles. Pte. 1st Btn.
    • Hillidge William. L/Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hillier Thomas Harvey James. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hillier Walter Harold. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hillier William Watson. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Hillington R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hillman John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hillman R.. Sjt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hills Alfred Bertram. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hills Arthur. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hills Eli. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hills George Charles. London Regiment
    • Hills Henry Thomas Ware. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Hills DCM, MID.. Herbert Walter. Sjt. East Kent Regiment
    • Hills Horrace Robert. A/Cpl. 96th Siege Battery
    • Hills MC&bar, CdeG.. John David. Capt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Hills MM and 2 Clasps. Joseph Henry. Lance Corporal Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Hills Lawrence Clifford. 2nd Lt Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hills Leslie Clarence. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hills Reginald Howard. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Hills Thomas. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Hills Walter Edward. 2nd Lt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hillyer James Benjamin. Sgt. 1st NZ Rifle Brigade.
    • Hilton Alfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hilton Ernest. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hilton Peter. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Hilton Peter. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hilton MM. Thomas. A/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Himsworth Charles Edward. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hinch Fred Augustus. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hinch George Edmund. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hinch James North. Pte. King`s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hinchcliffe William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hinchcliffe William John. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hinchliffe Joseph. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hind Thomas. Pte. Royal Defence Corps
    • Hinde Kenneth. 2nd Lt. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Hindle Harold. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hindle . John . Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hindley Charles. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hindley J.. Capt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hindmarsh Hector Pretoria. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Hindmarsh Isabella.
    • Hindmarsh Thomas William. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hindmore Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hindo L.. Cpl. 35th Btn.Corps
    • Hindom Sidney George. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hindom Sydney George. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hinds Harold Manning. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hinds John. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hinds L.. Cpl. 35th Btn.
    • Hine Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hines C. W.. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hines Ernest. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hines MC DCM MM.. John Cecil Newhall. CSM. Gordon Highlanders
    • Hiney John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Hinings Fred W.C.. Capt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hinnells Albert. Private Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hinsley Arthur. CQMS. Royal Defence Corps
    • Hinton Edward Harold. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Hinton Henry Charles. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Hinvest G S. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hinxman Albert William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hinxman Joseph Frank. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Rgt.
    • Hipwell Charles Alfred Edward. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Hirons Frank Henry Joseph. LAC. 73 Squadron
    • Hirsch VC MID.. David Philip. Cpt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hirst Alexander E R. Rifleman London Regiment (City of London Rifles)
    • Hirst Gerald. 2Lt. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Hirst John Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hirst Norman. Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Hirst Walker Sykes. L/Cpl. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Hirst William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hirst William. 2nd Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Hirst William Henry. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hirst William Bertram. 2nd Lt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hirst Willie. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hiscock Sidney F. Pte Devonshire Regiment
    • Hiscock Walter Frank. Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hiscox Arthur. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Hiscox Frederick Herbert. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hiskens George Augustus. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hislop Alexander. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Hislop John. Surg.P. HMS Nessus
    • Hislop William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Hitchcock H. H.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Hitchcock Walter Sydney. Highland Light Infantry
    • Hitchen Ernest John. A/L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Hitchen George Henry. Pte. Prince of Wales' Own West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hitchen George Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hitchen Richard James. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hitchings . Pte.
    • Hitchins Frederick Bennett. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hitchon Herbert. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Hoad Walter. Capt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hoaen George. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hoalaham J.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Hoar William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Hoare Ralph John. Pte. The Rifle Brigade
    • Hoare Sidney George Frederick. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hoare William George. HMS Glory
    • Hoath Harry Gardner. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Hoath Martin. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Hoather Thomas. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Hobart 5685. Fred A.. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Hobbs Arthur Singleton. Capt. Indian Army Reserve of Officers
    • Hobbs Frederick. Pte. West Surrey Regiment
    • Hobbs Herbert John. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Hobbs J. E.. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Hobbs John. 2nd Lt. Royal Scots
    • Hobbs Lionel Arthur. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hobbs Lionel Arthur. L/Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hobbs Richard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hobbs Samuel George. PO. HMS Glasgow
    • Hobbs Thomas William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hobbs MID. Victor. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hobbs William. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hobbs William. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Hobday Henry Edward . Pte. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Hobday Leonard Isaac. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Hobday DCM.. William. 2Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Hobden Albert George. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Hobin M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hobkinson Charles Wilfred. 2nd Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Hobkinson Charles W.. 2nd Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Hobkirk S. A.. Pte. Hyderabad Rifles
    • Hobson Albert. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hobson Charles. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hobson VC. Frederick. Sgt 20th battalion
    • Hobson G. F.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hobson DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medal . Harold. Private Gloucester
    • Hobson James Farewell. Pte. York & Lanccaster Regiment.
    • Hobson Joseph. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hobson Lawrence. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Hobson N. S.. Lt. Graaff-Reinet Commando
    • Hocking Norman. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Hockley John Robert. Pte. Lincolnshire Rgt.
    • Hodd John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hodder MM.. Benjamin Alfred. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hodder MM.. Benjamin Alfred. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hodder Sidney. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Hodder Thomas George. Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hodgart William. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Hodgart William. Pte
    • Hodge Edward Lanyon. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Hodge Geoffrey. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hodge James. Sgt. Cameronians
    • Hodge John. Fus. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Hodge Percy Henry. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hodge Robert Taylor. Able Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Hodge Thomas John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hodgens Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hodges George W.. Cpl Rifle Brigade
    • Hodges James. Sgt. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)
    • Hodges William Henry. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Hodges William Henry. L/Cpl Leicestershire Regiment
    • Hodgetts Oliver W.. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hodgins James Barlow. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hodgkin William. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Hodgkins MM.. Frederick Archibold. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hodgkins MM.. Frederick Archibold. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hodgkinson Alfred J.. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hodgkinson Geoffrey Still. 2nd.Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hodgkinson Lily. VAD
    • Hodgkinson William Henry. LaL/Cpl. Yorks & Lancaster Regt
    • Hodgkiss Richard. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hodgman Harry. Pte. 5th Infantry Battalion
    • Hodgson Amos. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hodgson Arthur Alexander. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hodgson Bert. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hodgson Bert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hodgson C. M.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hodgson Edward. Sjt. Manchester Regiment
    • Hodgson Francis. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hodgson Frederick. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hodgson Henry Alfred. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hodgson James Richard. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hodgson John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hodgson John. Sgt. 101 Sqdn.
    • Hodgson John William. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hodgson Joseph Ward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hodgson Joseph. Royal Engineers
    • Hodgson Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hodgson Ralf. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hodgson Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Hodgson Robery. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hodgson Stanley Percival. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Hodgson William. Drvr. Army Service Corps
    • Hodkin John. CQM Sgt. Duke of Wellington Rgt
    • Hodkin DCM.. Thomas Arthur Peston. Pte. Yorks and Lancashire Regiment
    • Hodkinson . James . Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hodnett James. Pte. Black Watch
    • Hodson George Edward Scholy. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hodson H. C.. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Hodson Joseph. Pte. Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Hodson William. Pte. 52nd Battalion
    • Hodson William. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hodson William Alfred. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hoey James. Stkr. HMS Aquitania
    • Hoey William Robert. Rflmn. 10th Btn., A Coy.
    • Hog Archibald Swinton. Capt. Connaught Rangers
    • Hogan . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Hogan Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hogan Arthur Douglas. Lt. 21st Battalion
    • Hogan James Henry. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Hogan James. Sgt. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Hogan T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hogan Thomas Murphy. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hogan William. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hogg E.. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Hogg E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hogg George. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hogg George. Pte.
    • Hogg George. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Hogg Hugh. Pte Cameron Highlanders (Queens Own)
    • Hogg Joseph. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hogg Martin. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hogg Robert. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Hogg Robert. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Hogg Robert Mortison. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hogg William Bain. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Hoggarth John Charles. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Hogue Oliver. Major 6th Light Horse Regiment
    • Hohls S. J.L.. Pte. 4th Mounted Rifles (Umvoti Mounted Rifles)
    • Holain Stephan. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Holbrook A.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Holbrook George. Pte. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Holburn William. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Hold Edmund. Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Holdaway Harry. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Holdcroft Deggory. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Holden Albert Victor. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Holden Albert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Holden Arthur. CQMS Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Holden Henry. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Holden Henry. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Holden Henry. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Holden Henry. Gnr Royal Field Artillery
    • Holden Herbert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Holden James William. Pte. Field Ambulance
    • Holden Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Holden Thomas. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Holden Thomas. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Holden Wilfrid. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry.
    • Holder A. S.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Holder Arthur Stanley. Pte. London Regiment
    • Holding DCM.. Arthur. Sgt Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Holding Daniel. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Holding Leonard de Wilde. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Holdsworth H. B.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Holdsworth Herbert. Gnr. Royal Artillery
    • Holdsworth Joe Willie. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Holdsworth John Willie. Sig. Royal Field Artillery
    • Holdsworth Tom Brown. Pte Border Regiment
    • Holdsworth Wesley Cope. Probationer Surgeon. HMS Begonia
    • Holdsworth Wesley Cope. Surgeon Probationer HMS Begonia
    • Holdsworth William Henry. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Holdsworth Willie. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hole Charles Edwin. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Hole E. J.. Able Sea. HMS Highflyer
    • Hole Thomas. Dvr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Holeyman Alfred. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Holker H. O.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Holland Charles. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Holland Ernest. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Holland Frederick E.W.. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Holland George Walter. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Holland George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Holland George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Holland H.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Holland Henry William. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Holland James. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Holland John. SN HM Trawler Holdene
    • Holland John Henry. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Holland Joseph. A/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Holland Joseph. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Holland R. Pte. London Regiment
    • Holland William. Pte. East Surrey Regt.
    • Hollands Charles Stephen. Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Hollands Joseph Samual. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Holleran Robert. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Holleran Robert. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Holleran Robert. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Holliday Alfred Powland. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Holliday George. Fus. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Holliday George Lancelot. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Holliday John. Machine Gun Corps
    • Holliday Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Holliday Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Holliday William Henry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hollings Ernest. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hollingsworth Archibald John. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hollingsworth Frank. Pte. Monmouth Regiment
    • Hollingsworth John Albert. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hollingsworth John Albert. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hollingsworth John Albert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hollingsworth John Albert. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hollington Charles Henry. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Hollington Joseph John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hollington Rowland. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hollingworth Ernest.
    • Hollingworth Samuel Edgar. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Hollins Albert. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hollins Albert. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hollins Percy. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hollis Arthur. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Hollis Arthur. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hollister Elijah. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hollocks Frederick. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Holloran Michael James. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Hollow William Dingle. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Holloway Abraham Norman. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Holloway Abraham Norman. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Holloway Charles Alfred. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Holloway Edward Thomas. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Holloway Fenwick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Holloway Henry Francis. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Holloway John E.. Lt. Royal Fusiliers, City of London
    • Holloway Robert Joseph. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Holloway Thomas William. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Holloway William George. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Holloway William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Holloway William George. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hollst Benjamin. Pte. London Regiment
    • Holly Francis Lillian. Nursing Sister
    • Holm John Bennett. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Holman Albert Hector. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Holman Alfred Harold. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Holman Clive Whelpton. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Holman William Victor. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Holman-Brown . Capt. Padre. Durham Light Infantry
    • Holme A.. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Holme Alexander Charles. Lt. Gloucestershire Regiment, 1st Btn.
    • Holme Felix Sayer. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Holmes Albert. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Rgt.)
    • Holmes Albert John. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Holmes Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Holmes Alexander. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Holmes Charles. Pte. York and Lancaster Rgt.
    • Holmes Charles Henry. Sjt. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Holmes David. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Holmes MM.. Edgar Elijah. L/Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Holmes Eli. Suffolk Regiment
    • Holmes Ernest George. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Holmes F. J.. CPO HMS Challenger
    • Holmes Frank. Pte East Lancashire Regiment
    • Holmes VC.. Frederick. Sgt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Holmes Frederick James. PO
    • Holmes George. Spr. 2/1st (Cheshire) Field Company
    • Holmes George. Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Holmes Harry Sidney. Cpl. Royal Berkshire Rgt.
    • Holmes Harry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Holmes Henry William. Sgt. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Holmes Herbert Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Holmes . James Joesph. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Holmes John Wiseman. Pte. Prince of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
    • Holmes John Robert. Royal Field Artillery
    • holmes John Edward. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Holmes John. Drv. 223rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
    • Holmes P. A.. Mjr. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Holmes Peter. Royal Fusiliers
    • Holmes Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Holmes Robert. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Holmes Robert. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Holmes Sydney John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Holmes VC. Thomas William. Sgt 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Holmes Thomas. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Holmes W. E.. Rgmtl Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Holmes Wilfred Ewett. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Holmes William Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Holmes William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Holmes William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Holmes VC.. William Edgar. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Holmes William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Holmes William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Holmes William. L/Cpl. South Lancs Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers)
    • Holmes William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Holmes William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Holmes William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Holms Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Holroyd MM.. Albert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Holroyd Alec Hill. L/Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Holroyd George. CSM. Sherwood Foresters
    • Holroyd . James. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Holsgrove Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Holt Albert Fletcher. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Holt Ellis. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Holt Eustace Addison. L/Cpl. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Holt Frederick William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Holt George. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Holt George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Holt Giles. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Holt James William . Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Holt James Henry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Holt John. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Holt John. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Holt Joseph. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Holtermann Frederick. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Holtham Arthur Thomas. Sjt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Holton DCM, MM.. James Patrick. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Holton John. L/Cpl. Irish Guards
    • Holton Percy. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Holton Philip John. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Holyoake Alan. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Home MM.. Alexander. Sgt. Argyl and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Home William. Cpl. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Homer Arthur. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Homer George Frederick. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hone Nathaniel Frederick. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hone Sidney William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Honey Albert Tom. Sgt. Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry
    • Honey Franklyn George Greenwood Melvyn. Sddlr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Honey VC, DCM, MM. Samuel Lewis. Lt. 78th Battalion
    • Honey VC, DCM, MM. Samuel Lewis. Lt. Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment),
    • Honeyman William Robert. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Honneysett Charles Troughton . Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Honnor Claud Selby. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Honour William Henry. Pte. 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons
    • Hood A.. Sgt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Hood Archibald. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Hood Charles Christopher. L/Cpl. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Hood Harold. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hood Robert. Sapper 1st Australian Tunneling Company
    • Hood Robert. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Company
    • Hood Stirling. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hood William. Cpl. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Hoodlass F G. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hook George Edwin. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hook R. W.. Ldg Seaman. HMS Patrol
    • Hook MM.. Walter Samuel. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hoolahan Joseph. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hooley John William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hooper Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hooper Edward Albert. Pte. Cameronians
    • Hooper Francis Henry. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Hooper Frank. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hooper R.. POS H.M. Submarine P.39.
    • Hooper Richard Gilbert . L/Cpl. Welch Regiment
    • Hooper William Edward Walker. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Hooper William Charles Henry. L/Cpl. 26th Battalion
    • Hooson Joseph. L/Cpl. York and Lancs
    • Hope Bert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hope MC. Ernest Stelling. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hope G. H.. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Hope George Henry. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hope Hamlet. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Hope MiD.. Henry John. 2nd Lt. Scots Guards
    • Hope MM.. J. J.. Acting Bombardier Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hope James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hope James William. Med. Officer. British Red Cross Society
    • Hope John Gilbert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hope John Henry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hope Joseph. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hope Ralph. Pte.
    • Hope Robert. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hope Samuel. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hope Thomas. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Hopewell Henry. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hopkin Robert. Pte
    • Hopkins Arthur Howard. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Hopkins Arthur Martyn. Lt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hopkins Austen. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Hopkins Emsley. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Hopkins Eric Henry. Pte. 10th Battalion
    • Hopkins . Francis John. L/Cpl Machine Gun Corps
    • Hopkins Frank Manaton. Glamorgan Yeomanry
    • Hopkins Herbert Rueben. Sgt Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Hopkins James J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hopkins John Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hopkins John Collier Frederick. F/O. 83 Sqdn.
    • Hopkins John Alfred. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hopkins Lionel Raymond. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hopkins Sidney. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hopkins Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hopkins Thomas Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hopkins William. Pte.
    • Hopkinson Charles Reginald Thompson. Capt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Hopkinson R. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hopkinson William. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hopkinson William. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hopley Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hopper . Durham Light Infantry
    • Hopper George Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hopper J.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hopper John. Pte. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Hopper John. Pte. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) Depot
    • Hopper Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hopper Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hopper Walter. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Hopps Frederick Arthur. Private Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hopps Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hopps Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hopps Wilfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hopson William. Royal Engineers
    • Hopton John. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hopwood Walter. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Horace Eaton. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Horan P.. Sgt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hord Horace. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Horder Kenneth Euen Livingstone. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Hordley Jack. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Horgan David. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Horgan Dennis Edmund. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Horler Ernest. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Horlock VC.. Ernest George. BSM. Royal Field Artillery
    • Horn Arthur Henry Frederick. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Horn Charles. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Horn Harry Thomas. Drmr. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Horn Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Horn Thomas. Durham Light Infantry
    • Horn William James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hornby Gordon. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Horne A. E.. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Horne Allen Ernest. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Horne Arthur Charles Washington. Colonel
    • Horne Arthur. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Horne Edwin Percy Lott. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Horne Elizabeth Lawrence. Sister.
    • Horne Joseph. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)
    • Horner Frederick William. CPO. HMS Carlisle
    • Horner George. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Horner Harry Whewell. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Horner Joseph Richard. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Horner R W. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Horner R W. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hornsby J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hornsby John Arthur. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hornsby John William. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hornsby Samuel. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hornsby T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hornsey Henry Parker. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hornsey Norman. Pte. Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Horrill Edwin John. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Horrocks Jack. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Horrod Edwin. Rflmn City of London Yeomanry
    • Horsburgh J.. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Horseman Frederick. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Horsfall VC.. Basil Arthur. 2nd Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Horsfall VC. Basil Arthur. 2nd Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Horsfall Harry. Pte
    • Horsfield Lewis John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Horsfield William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Horsfield William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Horsford Thomas Edward O'Bryen. Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Horsley Joseph William. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Horsman Samuel Beecher. Sergeant King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Horsman Thomas Albert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Horsman William James. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Horsman William Adam. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Horsnell Ernest. L/Cpl King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Horsnell William Thomas. Cpl. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Horton A. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Horton Alma. Lance Corporal Cyclist Corp
    • Horton Arthur. Rfm. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Horton Cyril Stephen. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Horton . Edwin Raymond.
    • Horton Ernest William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Horton George William. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Horton George. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Horton John Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Horton Paul Frederick. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Horton Samuel. Rfmn. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Horwood A. J.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Horwood Ernest Bentall. London Regiment
    • Horwood T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hosbrough John Ormerod. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hose Albert. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hose Albert. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hosie Alexander. Pte. Black Watch
    • Hosier Ernest. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hoskin George. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hoskins George. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hoskins Jesse. Pte East Surrey Regiment
    • Hosley MID. William James Seymour. Major King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Hossack William Addison. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hoswell William Young. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Hotchkiss O. E.. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Houchin Henry William. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Houelbecq Francis William. 1st Mate SS Dauntless
    • Hough Herbert. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Hough James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hough James. PO. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Hough Topham Becher Dabridgecourt. 2nd Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Houghton . Pte Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Houghton Edmund Tyrer. Pte. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Houghton Ernest. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Houghton Ernest. Able Sea. HMS Zealandia
    • Houghton Frederick James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Houghton Frederick James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Houghton Frederick Charles. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Houghton John Reginald. Cpt. London Regiment
    • Houghton John Thomas. Pte. York and Lanccaster Regiment
    • Houghton MM.. John Henry. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Houghton Joseph Edward. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Houghton Richard. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Houghton Sydney. Notts and Derbyshire Regiment
    • Houldsworth Thomas. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Hoult Edgar. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hoult Frank Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Houlton William Charles. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Hounslow Robert Bruce. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hounsome Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hounsome George. L/Cpl Hampshire Regiment
    • Hourigan William. RSM. 18th Queen Mary's Own Hussars
    • Housby George William. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Housby John Henry. Royal Naval Division
    • House Albert. L/Cpl Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • House Ernest Charles. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • House George Major. Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • House Percy James. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • House Robert Henry. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Housham Thomas Henry. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Houston F. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Houston MM. James. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Houston John. Highland Light Infantry
    • Houston John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Houston Nathaniel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Houston William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hovell Victor William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hover Albert Ernest. L/Cpl. East Kent Regiment
    • Hover Charles Earl. Pte. Machine-Gun Coy.
    • Howard Alfred Heywood. Capt. Welch Regiment
    • Howard Arthur. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Howard Arthur. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Howard Cedric Stewart. 2nd.Lt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Howard MM.. Claude Henry. Cpl. 33rd Battalion
    • Howard Frederick James. L.STO. HMS K13
    • Howard George. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Howard Harold A.. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Howard Harold. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Howard Harry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Howard Henry Augustus. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Howard James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Howard James Stanley. A/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Howard James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Howard James Charles. L/Cpl. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Howard Jesse. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Howard Nathaniel William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Howard Percy. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Howard MM. Percy R. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Howard R. S.. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Howard Reginald Alginon. Army Service Corps
    • Howard Reginald Charles. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Howard Richard Spencer. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Howard Robert Percy. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Howard S. Pte.
    • Howard S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Howard Samuel. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Howard Thomas. Bombadier Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Howard William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Howard William John. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Howare Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Howarth Arthur. Rfn. Rifle Brigade
    • Howarth Arthur. Rflmn Rifle Brigade
    • Howarth Fred. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Howarth Fred. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Howarth George. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Howarth Harry Archibald. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Howarth John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Howarth John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Howarth Thomas James. CSM. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Howden Owen. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Howden Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Howden Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Howden Roland Carmichael. Pte.
    • Howe Abraham Edward. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Howe C A. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Howe Claude Arthur. Capt. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Howe Edgar. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Howe MM.. Edwin Walter. Royal Artilery
    • Howe Edwin A.. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Howe MiD.. Edwin Walter. Sgt. 4th Battalion
    • Howe MM.. Henry Arthur. Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Howe Herbert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Howe James Reynolds. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Howe James Roche. Lt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Howe Joseph T.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Howe Richard Algeo. 2nd. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Howe T. B.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Howe William Frederick. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Howe William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Howell Edwin Thomas. Pte Somerset Light Infantry
    • Howell Frederick James. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Howell John Ezekiel. Army Service Corps
    • Howell Robert. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Howells George. L/ Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Howells Harry. A.Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Howells Harry. Pte. Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Howells Idris. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Howells John Oswald. Pte. South Wales Borders
    • Howells Ralph John. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Howells MM.. William. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Howes Arthur Fredrick. L/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Howes Arthur Harvey. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Howes Arthur Harvey. Pte. 20th Hussars
    • Howes Arthur Harvey. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Howes Arthur Harvey. Pte. 20th Hussars
    • Howes Arthur Harvey. Pte. 20th Hussars
    • Howes F.. Pte.
    • Howes Herbert Ernest. L/Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Howes DCM.. James. CSM. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Howes Joseph Alfred. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Howes Louis Harold George. Pte. West Yorkshire Rgt.
    • Howes R. A.. 2nd Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Howes T.. Pte.
    • Howes Walter Sidney. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Howey Alf. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Howey Charles. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Howey J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Howey John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Howey W.. Lsgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Howie OBE. Alexander Beatson. HMS Osiris
    • Howison Neil Kennedy Mcrae. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Howitt Albert Edward. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Howitt Thomas Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Howkins Francis Edward. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Howl William. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Howlett . Cpl Royal Field Artillery
    • Howlett Alfred. Pte. 11th Btn.
    • Howlett Ernest George. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Howlett George Alfred . Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Howlett Thomas. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Howorth Harry. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Howroyd J. L.. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Howse DCM.. Frank. A/RSM. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Howson George Rowland. Second Lieutenant Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt
    • Howton John Alfred. Bdr. 1st Training Battery
    • Hoy Alfred. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Hoy Frank Cecil. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hoy G. A.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hoy Henry Frederick. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hoy John. Royal Engineers
    • Hoy Samuel. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hoy William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hoye G.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hoyle Charles. Private Yorks & Lancs
    • Hoyle Charles George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hoyle James Allen. Truck Master
    • Hoyle William. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Hubbad Herbert. Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hubbard Albert Edward. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Hubbard Harry Laurence. CSM Norfolk Regiment
    • Hubbard John G. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hubbard Joseph Henry. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hubbard Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hubbard Thomas Richard. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hubble MM.. Thomas Harry. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hubert Joseph William. Pte. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Huddard J. W. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hudson . Sjt Mjr
    • Hudson MC.. Alban John Benedict. Lt. Worcestershire
    • Hudson Charles. Capt. The Sherwood Foresters
    • Hudson Charles Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hudson Ernest. Pte. Otago Regiment
    • Hudson Ernest. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hudson George. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Hudson Henry James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hudson Henry James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hudson James Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hudson James Herbert. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Hudson John. A/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Hudson John Samuel. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Hudson John William. Able Sea. HMS Cochrane
    • Hudson Leonard George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hudson Leonard. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Hudson DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MID.. Noel Baring. Lt.Col Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Hudson Robert Henry. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hudson Samuel Tudor. Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hudspeth Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hudspith MC. Walter Leonard. Lt. Middlesex Regt (duke Cambridge own)
    • Huerdine Joseph Francis. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hufton H.. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Hufton Harry. L/Cpl. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Hufton John Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusliers
    • Huggett Jasper. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Huggett Victor Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Huggins Dorothy. Sister.
    • Huggins MM & bar.. Thomas George. Sgt. Berkshire Regiment
    • Huggon John William. Pte.
    • Huggon MM. Thomas Fredrick. Cpl. King's Own Royal Lancaster
    • Hughes A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hughes Albert Henry. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Hughes MM. Albert. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hughes Arthur Edward. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hughes Ashton Harry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Hughes Charles Aloyious. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hughes Charles Aloyious. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hughes Charles A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hughes Charles Joseph. Pte. 4th Trench Mortar Battery
    • Hughes Daniel. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hughes David William . Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes David. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Hughes Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes Edward Samuel. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Hughes Edward. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Hughes Ernest Percival. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hughes MM.. Ernest Morris. Dvr. 9th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Hughes Ernest. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hughes Eugene John Gough. Suffolk Regiment
    • Hughes Evan. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Hughes Evan John. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Hughes F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hughes Frank. Pte. Canterbury Infantry Regiment
    • Hughes Frank. Pte. Canterbury Regiment
    • Hughes Fred.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hughes Frederick Percy. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hughes George Edward. L/Cpl Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Rgt.)
    • Hughes George E.. L/Cpl. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Hughes George Brookes. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes Griffith Thomas. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hughes Henry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Hughes Herbert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hughes Horatio Clement. Second Lieutenant Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes Howell Tudor. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hughes Hugh Elias. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes Israel. Pte. West Surrey Regiment
    • Hughes J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hughes . James . Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hughes MM.. James Davies. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Hughes James. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Hughes James. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hughes James. Pte. West Yorkshire
    • Hughes Jesse. Pte Welsh Guards
    • Hughes John. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Hughes John. Lanarkshire Yeomanry
    • Hughes John. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Hughes John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hughes John Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hughes John. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes John Richard. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes John. Private 4th Durham Light Infantry
    • Hughes John Hughes. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Hughes DCM. John George. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hughes John Thomas. L/Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusilliers
    • Hughes John Thomas. L/Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes John. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Hughes Joseph James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hughes MM. Joseph Henry. W/O2 Royal Fusiliers
    • Hughes Joseph Henry. CSM. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hughes Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hughes Lewis. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hughes Michael. Able Sea. HMS Anchusa
    • Hughes DCM, MM & Bar.. Morris. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes R.. Able.Sea. SS. Connemara
    • Hughes Robert Thomas. Sarper Royal Engineers
    • Hughes Robert John. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Hughes Robert Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes Robert Ellis. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hughes Robert John. Cpl Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes Robert Maurice. Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hughes Stanley George. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hughes Stephen John Arthur. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Hughes Stewart. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Hughes Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hughes Thomas. Sgt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Hughes Thomas John. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Hughes Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hughes W. G.. Steward. HMS Laurentic
    • Hughes William. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Hughes William Owen. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes William Henry. Rfn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hughes William. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Hughes William Owen. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hughes William Richard. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Hughus Walter. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hugill James Greenwell. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Hugill James Herbert. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hugill Wilfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hugman William Ernest Nicholas. Pte East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hugo Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Huison George Christopher . Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Huison John. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Huison John Frederick. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Huison Walter. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Huitson Arthur. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Huitson Bertram. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Huitson John. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hull F. G.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hull George. Pte Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hull Henry. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hull Horace. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Hull Horace H. Pte Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Hull John Allingham. L/Sgt. London Regiment
    • Hull Reginald Louis. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Hull Robert Davidson. Pte.
    • Hullah Albert. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hullah James. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hullah Joseph Llewellyn. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Hullock John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hully DCM.. John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hulme James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hulme Samuel. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Hulme Tom. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Hulme Tom. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Hulmes Harold. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hulse Percy. Cpl. Rifle Brigade.
    • Hulton-Sams Frederick Edward Barwick. Lt. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Humberger Frederick. Pte.
    • Humberstone Samuel. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Humble Charles Richard. Pte. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Humble John William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hume J J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hume John Garland. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hume John Alexander. L/Cpl. Seaforth Higlanders
    • Hume Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Humfrey William Robert. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Humpherys Thomas Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Humphrey Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Humphrey Ernest. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Humphrey Ernest Graham. 2nd.Lt. 48 Squadron
    • Humphrey Harry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Humphrey Idwal Ben. 2nd Lt King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Humphrey James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Humphrey Joseph Samuel. Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Humphrey Lawrence. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Humphrey DCM.. Thomas. Sjt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Humphrey Thomas William. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Humphrey MC.. William. 2Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Humphrey William Frederick. Pte Devonshire Regiment
    • Humphreys Aled Owain. Royal Flying Corps
    • Humphreys Charles Henry. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Humphreys David Evan. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Humphreys Denis. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Humphreys George. Private Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Humphreys George Ellis Price. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Humphreys MC.. Herbert Phillip Gwynn. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Humphreys MID.. John Theodore Gordon. 2nd.Lt. 40th Pathans
    • Humphreys MC.. Noel Forbes. Capt. Tank Corps
    • Humphreys Thomas Humphreys. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Humphreys William. L/Cpl. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Humphries . Lt. Army Service Corps
    • Humphries Albert. Pte North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Humphries Charles Frederick. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Humphries G. E.. CERA 1st Cl. HMS Amethyst
    • Humphries George Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Humphries Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Humphries Percy. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Humphries Samuel. Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Humphries Stephen Harry. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Humphries William John. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Humphries William Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Humphris MM.. Sebert W. G. . Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Humphris Sidney. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Humphrys C. C.. Capt.
    • Humphrys DSO MC.. H. J.. Lt.Col. Royal Scots
    • Humphrys Leonard George. Lt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Humprys Arthur Easton. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hunkin S.. Sea. HMS Challenger
    • Hunn Albert. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hunnam J. Sto. HMS Pembroke
    • Hunnam William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hunnisett Charles Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Hunt A.. Dmr. Scots Guards
    • Hunt MM.. Albert Victor. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hunt Albert Edward. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Hunt Alfred John. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hunt Arthur. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Hunt MM.. Arthur Elias William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Hunt Ben. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hunt Benjamin Harry. Cpl Hampshire Regiment
    • Hunt C. W.. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Hunt Charles Alfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hunt Edward. Private Wiltshire Regiment
    • Hunt Edward George. Sjt. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Hunt Elijah West. Dvr Army Service Corps
    • Hunt Ernest. Private Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hunt F. J.H.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hunt Frederick George. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Hunt Frederick. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hunt George Henry. Pte. Surrey Yeomanry
    • Hunt George Edwin. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hunt George Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hunt George Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hunt Henry.
    • Hunt Herbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hunt Herbert Clifford. Honourable Artillery Company
    • Hunt James. Pte.
    • Hunt MM. Lionel Frederick. Pte 21st Battalion
    • Hunt MM.. Lionel Frederick. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hunt Percy Henry. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Hunt Robert. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hunt Stanley Brookes. Tpr. King Edward's Horse
    • Hunt T.. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Hunt Thomas Edward. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hunt Thomas Edward. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Hunt MC.. W. D. C.. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hunt W.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hunt Walter. Pte Royal Warwickshire
    • Hunt William Newland . Drummer Scots Guards
    • Hunt William George. Sjt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Hunt William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hunt William G.. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Hunt William. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Hunter Alfred Cornelius. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Hunter Archibald James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hunter Daniel. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Hunter DCM.. Douglas. Sgt. 16th West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hunter G.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hunter G. H. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hunter G. N.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Hunter George Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hunter Harold Hay. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hunter Harry Salvona. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Hunter Isaac. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hunter J G. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hunter J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hunter Joseph Finlayson. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hunter Norman. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hunter Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Hunter Robert. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Hunter MM.. Robert. Gnr. 191st Siege Battery
    • Hunter Sidney Lewis. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hunter Sidney. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Hunter T.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hunter Thomas Edward. Manchester Regiment (Manchester Pals)
    • Hunter Thomas Vicars. Capt. 66 Squadron
    • Hunter William. Private Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hunter William. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Hunter William Henry. Pte Royal Berkshire
    • Hunter William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hunter William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hunter William. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Huntingford Benjamin Mathew. PO
    • Huntington Charles Albert. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Huntley . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Huntley E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Huntley Ernest. Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Huntley James Lancelot. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Huntley Thomas T.. Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Huntley William Thomas. Stoker 1st Class. HMS Natal
    • Huntsman John Martin. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hunwick Frederick. Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Hurdis Thomas. Pte. 59th Battalion
    • Hurdle Arthur. Cpl, Royal Fusilers
    • Hurdley Harold George. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Hurdman MM. John Sanderson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hurford Charles Horace. Pte. London Regiment
    • Hurford Walter. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Hurl William. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Hurley Arthur William. Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hurley Charles Edward. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Hurley James. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Hurley Timothy. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hurley William Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hurley William James.
    • Hurlston George. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Hurmson William. Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Hurneyman James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hurren Edwin. Pte. Royal Fusilliers
    • Hursey William Augustus. Pte. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Hurson Philip. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hurst Charles G. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hurst Louis. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hurst Nicholas Blythe. Pte South Staffs
    • Hurst Percy. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hurt MID. Seymour Frederick Auckland Albert. Capt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Husain Abdul Qadir Sheikh. Stoker H.M.S. Comet.
    • Husain Ahmad . Lascar
    • Husain Ali. Lascar
    • Husain Ali . Lascar
    • Husain Ali . Lascar
    • Husband Robert. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Husband William. L/Cpl. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Husband MM.. William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hushin John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Hussey Alfred John. Cpl. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Hussey George William. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Hussey George. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Hussey MM.. Hector. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Hussey Joseph. Sgt. Queens 9th Royal Lancers
    • Hussey Robert. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hussey Thomas Joseph. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hussey Thomas Joseph. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hussey William Henry. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Hussey William Henry. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Hutcheon William Todd. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hutcheson VC, MC.. Bellenden Seymour. Capt. Canadian Army Medical Corps
    • Hutcheson W B. Lt. 57 Squadron
    • Hutchings Peter Samuel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hutchins Richard. Captain Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Hutchins Wilfred Arthur. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hutchinson . East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hutchinson Albert Isaac. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Hutchinson Alexander. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Hutchinson Alfred. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hutchinson Arthur Whitwell. CSM Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hutchinson David. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson Edward. Cpl Leinster Regiment
    • Hutchinson DSO, AMC & Bars.. Eric Lloyd. Maj. Australian Medical Corps
    • Hutchinson F.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Hutchinson Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson J.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson John. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson John. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson John George Atkinson. 3rdEng. SS Coquet
    • Hutchinson John James. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Hutchinson John Alderson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hutchinson Joseph. Pte East Lancashire Regiment
    • Hutchinson Lewis. Pte. East Lancashire
    • Hutchinson Matthew Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson Matthew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson Matthew. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hutchinson Nicholina Theodora . Matron.
    • Hutchinson Robert Brown. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson Robert. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Hutchinson Sidney Grafton. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hutchinson T. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hutchinson Thomas. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Hutchinson W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Hutchison Alexander. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Hutchison Daniel. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Hutson Thomas Alfred. Acting Bomb. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hutt Robert Edward. Pte. 44th Inf Btn. att. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Hutting William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hutton D. W.. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Hutton MM.. Harold. Royal Tank Regiment
    • Huxford Albert Ernest. Royal Field Artillery
    • Huxford Edward. Lg.Btn. HMS President IV
    • Huxley Alfred. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Huxley MM.& Bar. George. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Huyton Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hyam Clifford Frederick. Stoker1. HMS Inflexible
    • Hyde Archibald Alfred. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Hyde Edgar. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hyde Edwin. Fslr. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Hyde George. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hyde J. J.. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Hyde John Thomas. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Hyde Thomas Evan. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Hyde Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Hyde Vivian Frank. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Hydes Henry. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Hyland John. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Hyland Martin. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Hyland Stephen. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hylton J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Hymas William Arthur. Able.Sea. HMS Ulleswater
    • Hymas William Arthur. AbleSea. HMS Ullswater
    • Hymas William Arthur. Able Sea. HMS Ullswater
    • Hynes . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Hynes Christopher. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Hynes James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Hynes Richard. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Hynes William Joseph David. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Hyslop Irving Bonner. Lt. No. 59 Squadron
    • Hyslop John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Hyslop William Joseph. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • I'Anson Christopher. 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays)
    • I'Anson H.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ibbotson Arthur Samuel. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Ibbotson William Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ibbotson William Henry. Grn. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Icke Ernest William. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Iddon H.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ide Harry. A/Cpl Sussex Regiment
    • Idriess Ion Llewellyn. Tpr. 5th Australian Light Horse Regiment.
    • Ievers Oliver Goldsmith. Lt.Col. Irish Censor Department
    • Igo J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ijeh Boamu Ohegbe. Pte. African Pioneer Corps (West Africa),
    • Ikin William John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ikin William. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Iles Samuel Charles. Stkr PO HMS Arabis
    • Ilett Sidney. Gunner C Corps
    • Iley John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Iliffe J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Illingworth Albert. ACpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Illingworth MM.. William. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Imam Ali. Khalasi
    • Imber William Arthur. 2nd Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Impett Harold Edward. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Impson William. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Imrie Robert. Pte. Black Watch
    • Ince Albert. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Ince Douglas Edward. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ingham Albert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ingham Arthur. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ingham Charles Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Ingham Ernest. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Ingham Evelyn Graham. Pte. Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps
    • Ingham Fred. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Ingham George Leonard. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Ingham Harry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ingham James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ingham Joseph. Pte. Royal Engineers.
    • Ingleby Frederick. Pte. 15th Battalion
    • Ingledew G. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Inglis Elsie.
    • Inglis James Malcolm. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Ingman Aneurin. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Ingoe Herbert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ingram . Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Ingram Charles Frederick . Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Ingram Ernest William. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ingram Fraser. Sgt. 119th Battalion
    • Ingram VC MM. George Morby. Capt Citizens Military Force
    • Ingram Henry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Ingram John Leonard. Pte. West Surrey Regiment (Queens)
    • Ingram Percival St.John. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Ingram Percy St John. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Ingram sydney Gilbert. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Ingram W. H.. Sgt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Ingram William Herbert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Inkson MC. Henry Clayton. Lt. Royal Artillery
    • Inkster MM. John James. Bmdr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Inman Horace. Pte. Coldstream guards
    • Inman J. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Inman Leslie Stoner. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Innes . Durham Light Infantry
    • Innes MM.. Andrew Peel. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Innes MM.. Andrew Gullane. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Innes Mary Ethel Long.
    • Innes William Maitland. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Innes-Hopkins C. H.. Lt.Col. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Insall VC MC. Gilbert S.M.. 2nd Lt.
    • Insley John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Instance Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Inwood VC.. Reginald Roy. Sgt. 10th Battalion
    • Ion John. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ireland Alfred. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Ireland Alfred. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Ireland James. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ireland John Robert. Stok. HMS Tedworth
    • Ireland Thomas William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Irish G. A.. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Irons . Horace Edwin. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Irvine Benjamin Bichan. Colour Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Irvine C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Irvine David George. 30th Battalion
    • Irvine Robert. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Irvine S.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Irvine William John. L/Cpl Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Rgt.)
    • Irvine William.
    • Irvine William J.. L/Cpl. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Irving David. Pte. 12th Btn
    • Irving DSC, MID.. Ernest Kirkbank. Lt Cdr. HMS Bittern
    • Irving Ernest. CSM. Coldsteam Guards
    • Irving Henry Leopold. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Irving James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Irving James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Irving Joseph Steele. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Irving Wilfred. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Irwin A F. Rfn. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Irwin MM.. John William Ferrington . Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Irwin MSM.. Samuel. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Irwin Thomas. L/Sgt. Gloucestershire Regt
    • Irwin DCM.. William Allan. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Irwin William James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Isaac Abraham. Carpenter
    • Isaac Joseph. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Isaac W. F. Csm. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Isaacs William George. Hampshire Regiment
    • Isbister Leonard Stanley. 2nd.Lt. London Regiment
    • Isdell Thomas William. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Iseton Albert Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Isherwood John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Isherwood Leonard. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Isles Joseph McPheat. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Ison Frederick John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ison Frederick John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ison Henry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Ithell Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Ivers John Milne. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ives Frederick. Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Ives Harry Giles. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Ives MM.. J. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ives James. Pte. London Rifles
    • Iveson John Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Iveson John Edward. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Ivison James. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Ivory J.. Stkr.
    • Izac MH.. Edouard. USS President Lincoln
    • Izatt David Watson. Pte. 2nd Australian General Hospital
    • Izatt M.M.. Richard. A/Cpl. Black Watch
    • Izod Thomas Charles. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Jacgung Lindsay Lee. Pte. 38th Btn.
    • Jack Gardner. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Jack John M.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Jacka VC, MC & Bar . Albert. Capt 14th Btn.
    • Jackett Charles Joseph. Pte. Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment
    • Jacklin Walter Brocklesby. Pte. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)
    • Jackman Alfred. Pte. Dorset Regiment
    • Jackman Willis. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Jacks Robert Frater. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Jackson . 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Jackson Albert Daniel. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jackson Albert Victor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jackson Albert. Pte. West Yorks Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own)
    • Jackson Alexander Edward. London Regiment
    • Jackson Archibald Earle. Pte, Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Jackson Arnold. Tpr. 2nd Life Guards
    • Jackson Arthur. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Jackson Arthur. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Jackson Arthur. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Jackson Benjamin. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jackson Bertie Glanville . Sherwood Foresters
    • Jackson C.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jackson Charles. Royal Artillery
    • Jackson Charles William. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Jackson Christopher. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jackson Claud. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Jackson Cyril Robert. Lt. 139 Squadron
    • Jackson David. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Jackson E. J.G.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jackson Edward. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jackson Edward Archer. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jackson Edward. Pte. East Yorkshire Rgt.
    • Jackson Ernest. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Jackson Franklin. L/Cpl South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Jackson Fred. Pte. West Yorks Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own)
    • Jackson Frederick. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Jackson G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jackson . George Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jackson George. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Jackson George Walton. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jackson George William. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Jackson George William. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Jackson Harold Willows. Lt. East Yorkshire
    • Jackson VC.. Harold. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jackson Harold. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Jackson Henry Thomas. Benbow Battalion
    • Jackson Henry Foster. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Jackson Henry. QSM. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jackson Herbert. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Jackson I.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jackson Isaac. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jackson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jackson J. E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jackson MM.. Jack. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Jackson James. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Jackson James W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jackson James Henry. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Jackson John William. Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Jackson John William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jackson John. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Jackson John. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Jackson John Bulmer. Sgt. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Jackson John W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jackson Joseph. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Jackson MM.. Joseph Henry. L/Cpl. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Jackson Lawrence Edward. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Jackson Norman Wilson. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jackson Peter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jackson Randolph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jackson Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jackson Robert. Pte. London Regiment
    • Jackson Robert. L/Cpl Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Jackson Sam. L/Sjt. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Jackson Samuel Albert. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jackson Samuel. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jackson VC. Thomas Norman. L/Cpl. Coldstream Guards
    • Jackson Thomas. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancasters
    • Jackson Thomas. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Jackson Tom. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jackson Varo. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jackson Victor. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Jackson Vincent Machin. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jackson W.. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Jackson Walter. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Jackson William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jackson William Greenfield. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jackson William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jackson William. Stok1. SS Parracombe
    • Jackson William Charles. Able Sea. HMS K14
    • Jackson William. Pte Middlesex Regiment Essex Regiment
    • Jacob A. R.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jacob Anthony. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Jacob Donald McClean. 27th Btn.
    • Jacob Frederick James. Pte Devonshire
    • Jacob George Henry. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jacob Robert. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Jacob Sidney Ralph. Pte Royal Berkshire Regment
    • Jacobs George Richard. Engn. H.M. Trawler "Bradford."
    • Jacobs P. J.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Jacobs Thomas Daniel. Pte. London Regiment
    • Jacobs W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jacobs W. R.. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Jacobs William David Diver. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Jacobs William David Diver. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Jacobson C.. CST
    • Jacobson John Valdama. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Jacobson William. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Jacoby H.. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jacques Frederick James. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Jacques Leonard William. Pte.
    • Jacques Thomas Rueben. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jacques William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jaganath Ishwar. Sepoy 26th Punjabis
    • Jagger George Alfred. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jagger Marshall. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • JAGGERS FRANK. PRIVATE KINGS ROYAL RIFLES
    • Jakens Thomas Charles William. Sgt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Jalil Abdul. Lascar
    • Jameison Joseph. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • James MSM.. Albert Owen. RSM. Army Cyclist Corps
    • James Alexander Fowler. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • James Benjamin. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • James Benjamin. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • James Charles Samuel. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • James D. J.. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • James David John. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • James Emrys Penaur. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • James Ernest Alfred. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • James MC.. Francis Trevor. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • James Frank. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • James MM.. Frederick John. A/Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • James Hugh Parry. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • James John. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • James John David. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • James Matthew Pattison. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding)
    • James Reginald Brand. 4th Field Ambulance
    • James Samuel John. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • James Samuel John. Pte Wiltshire Regiment
    • James Thomas Francis. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • James Thomas Francis. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • James Thomas Francis. L/Cpl. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • James MM & Bar.. W.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • James Walter. Pte. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • James Walter Richard. CSM. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • James William Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • James William Frank Treharne. Lt. 24 Squadron
    • Jameson . Durham Light Infantry
    • Jameson MC.. George Brumwell. Cpl. Northumberland Hussars
    • Jameson Richard. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jameson Thomas. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jameson William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jamieson James Adam. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jamieson James Trezise. Pte. Machine Gun Btn.
    • Jamieson John Robert. Lt. RFA (Aberdeen); later RGA
    • Jamieson Madeline. Scottish Brigade
    • Jamieson Mary. Forewoman 2nd Artists Rifles OTC
    • Jamieson William Watson. Tpr. Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment
    • Jamison John. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Jamison William. W/O Royal Irish Rifles
    • Jamison MM.. William. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers
    • Jamison William. RSM. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Jane Elijah. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Janes MM.. Jack Hawley. Pte. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Janneskowitz Edward J.. Cpl. Mounted Commandos,
    • Japp Bertram Watson. Pte. Black Watch
    • Jaques A H.. Sjt. 34th Btn.
    • Jaques Charles. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Jardine Alfred Herbert. Pte. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Jardine Andrew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jarman Arthur George. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Jarman Charles. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jarman Rees Price. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jarman Richard Alexander. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Jarratt VC.. George. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Jarry Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jarvie James Burns. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Jarvie William. Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Jarvis . Capt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Jarvis Albert Ernest. L/Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Jarvis C E. Pte Somerset Light Infantry
    • Jarvis VC.. Charles. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Jarvis Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Jarvis Frederick Gustave. Pte. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Jarvis George. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Jarvis George. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Jarvis Henry. Sgt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Jarvis Horace. Pte. Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)
    • Jarvis Joseph. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jarvis Ophir Alfred. Pte. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
    • Jarvis Richard. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jasper Henry Lesie. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Jasper Henry Leslie. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jassinowsky Abraham. Capt.
    • Jaundrill William Henry. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jay Albert Charles. Sgt.
    • Jay Frederick A.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Jay John. L/Sgt Suffolk Regiment
    • Jay Thomas Ward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jay William. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Jeal John Walington. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jeanes Henry. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jeater MM.. Henry William. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Jeavons William Henry. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Jebbett E.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Jefferey MM.. Henry Thomas. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Jefferies Alfred L.. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Jeffers Samuel. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Jefferson Algernon Gill. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jefferson Frederick. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Jefferson George Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jefferson George. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Jefferson MM & Bar. John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jefferson DCM, MM and Bar. John Drysdale. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jeffery MID. Arthur Victor. Royal Fusiliers
    • Jeffery MID. Arthur Victor. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Jeffery Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jeffery MID. Harry Geoffrey. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jeffery J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jefferys Charles E. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Jeffree William Herbert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Jeffrey H.. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Jeffrey Horace James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Jeffrey John. Pte. 40th Btn.
    • Jeffrey . John . Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Jeffreys A H. Capt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jeffries Bertie. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Jeffries VC. Clarence Smith. Capt. 34th Btn.
    • Jeffries George Edward. A/CQMS. Suffolk Regiment
    • Jeffries William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Jeffryes William Percy. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Jeffs MSM. George Richard. RSM. Royal Fusiliers
    • Jeffs George Arthur. Pte. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Jeffs William. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Jeftha H.. Pte.
    • Jelf Arthur Sidney. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Jelfs Ernest. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jelfs Raymond Victor John. AB. HMS Cullist
    • Jenkin MC & Bar.. Louis Fleeming. 2nd Lt. 1 Sqd.
    • Jenkin MC.. Louis Fleeming. Lt. 1 Squadron
    • Jenkins A. P.. Mjr. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Jenkins Arthur William. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Jenkins Charles Robert. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Jenkins Charles H. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Jenkins CdG.. Cuthbert Edmond. Capt Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Jenkins Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jenkins Francis Howard. 2Lt Somerset Light Infantry
    • Jenkins MM.. Frank Mason. L/Sjt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jenkins Fred. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Jenkins George Edward. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Jenkins Henry. Pte. Black Watch
    • Jenkins Horace Frederick. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Jenkins James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Jenkins Jenkin Edward. Pte. 22nd Battalion
    • Jenkins John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Jenkins Neily. Pte. 15th Btn.
    • Jenkins Thomas. Private King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Jenkins Walter Cecil. Pte. Scots Fusiliers
    • Jenkins William Henry. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jenkins William John. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Rgt.
    • Jenkins William Owen. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Jenkinson Norman. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Jenks Frederick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Jenner Arthur. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Jenner Ernest Leslie . Pte. London Regiment
    • Jenner F. J.. L/Sto. HMS Fortune
    • Jenner William Farquhar. Pte Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Jennings Albert Charles. Sjt. 2nd Canterbury Btn.
    • Jennings Arnold Simkin. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Jennings Charles. Petty Offcr. HMS Minotaur
    • Jennings Charles Edward. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Jennings Clarence Edward. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Jennings Eric Kingsley Young. Flt. Cadet. 48th Training Depot Station
    • Jennings George William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Jennings Herbert Lowther. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Jennings CIE.. Herbert Alexander Kaye. Brig.Gen. Royal Artillery
    • Jennings MM.. James. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Jennings Martin. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Jennings Stanley. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jennings DCM. Thomas. Sjt. Rifle Brigade
    • Jennings Walter Charles. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Jennis Albert Edward. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Jennison Charles Edward. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Jennison E.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jensen VC. JÃÆ?Ã???rgen Christian. Pte 50th Btn
    • Jephson John H..
    • Jepson George William. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Jepson MM.. James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Jepson Thomas. Bmndr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jermyn Lawrence Henry Ching. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Jervis George Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Jervis Henry Allen. Pte. Hampshire Reginment
    • Jeskins Lucy Ellen.
    • Jess Samuel. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Jessop C. N.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jessop Lawrence. Pte. Non Combatant Corps
    • Jessop Walter G.. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jessop Walter George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jessop William James. Pte King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Jessyman . Durham Light Infantry
    • Jewell James. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Jewitt George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jewitt George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jewitt Matthew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jex Ernest Washington. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jinks Edgar. Pte. Notts & Derby Sherwood Foresters
    • Jinks Herbert. Pte North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Jinks Thomas Edward. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Joaquim Almeida. Serang
    • Jobber Albert Earnest. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Jobbins Thomas Arthur. Stk1. HMS Aboukir
    • Jobin Rudolph Stafford. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jobling . Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jobling R. W. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jobling Robert. L/sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jobling DCM.. Samuel. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Joblins MM.. John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jobson . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Jobson J. C.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jobson Joseph. A/Cpl. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Jobson Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jocke . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Joel Harold Walter. Capt. London Regiment
    • Joel MM.. Joseph Henry. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Johannesson Paul. Pte. 46th Btn. (Sakatchewan Regiment)
    • Johansen John George. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • John Edward Howel. L/Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • John Lyddy. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • John Richard Francis. Lt. Welch Regiment
    • John Shaw. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • John W. Sheardown. Bombadier Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Johns Bernard Digby. Capt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Johns Ernest Thomas. HMS Crescent
    • Johns Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johns MM.. Leonard. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Johns Samuel. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Johns William Walter. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Johns William. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Johnson . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Johnson Albert Bertram. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Johnson MM.. Albert Edward. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Johnson Angus. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Johnson Arthur Anthony. Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Johnson Arthur Leon. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Johnson Arthur. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Johnson Arthur John. 2Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Johnson Benjamin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson C. G.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Johnson Charles Edward. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Johnson Charles Edward. Sgt. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Johnson Charles. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Johnson Charles Edward. Rfn. London Regiment
    • Johnson D.. Pte. H.M.S. Cressy
    • Johnson David. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Johnson David.
    • Johnson Edgar Reginald. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Johnson Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Johnson Eric Ronald. 2Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Johnson Ernest. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Johnson Frederick William . Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Johnson Frederick. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Johnson VC.. Frederick Henry. Maj. Royal Engineers
    • Johnson MM.. Frederick Marshall. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Johnson George H.. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Johnson George H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson George William. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Johnson George Charles. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Johnson George Alfred. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Johnson George. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Johnson George William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Johnson George Charles. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Johnson H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson Harry. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Johnson Harry. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Johnson Henry. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Johnson CDG, DSC, PH.. Henry. 369th Infantry Regiment
    • Johnson Henry. Pte Yorkshire Regiment
    • Johnson Herbert William. South Wales Borders
    • Johnson Herbert Vincent. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Johnson Herbert William . Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Johnson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson James. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Johnson James W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson James Arthur. Pte.
    • Johnson James. Stok1. HMS Black Prince
    • Johnson . John. Mjr. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Johnson DCM.. John William. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Johnson John William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Johnson DCM.. John William. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Johnson John Thomas. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Johnson MM & Bar.. John Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson Joseph William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Johnson MID. Joseph. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Johnson Keith Thomas. Pte. 24th Battalion
    • Johnson L. V. B. . Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Johnson Norris Riddley. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Johnson Percy Richard. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson Percy. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Johnson Percy. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Johnson Percy. Drmr. Manchester Regiment
    • Johnson R. E.. Rgmtl Qtrmtr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Johnson R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson Ramsey Gelling. 2Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Johnson Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson Richard Alfred. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Johnson Robert Ellis. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Johnson S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson Sydney. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Johnson T. W. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson Thomas. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Johnson Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Johnson MC & bar.. Thomas James. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Johnson Thomas. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Johnson Tom. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Johnson W.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Johnson W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson W. F. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson Wallace. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Johnson Walter James.
    • Johnson Walter. Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Johnson William Northcroft. Sjt. Mjr. Essex Regiment
    • Johnson William. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson MM. DCM.. William Foster. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Johnson William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson William. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Johnson William. Act Col Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Johnson William H.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Johnson William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Johnston Alexander Hughson. Able Sea. SS Wiltonhall
    • Johnston Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Johnston Charles Arthur. Pte. Cyclist Corps
    • Johnston David Raymond. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Johnston Earnest George. A.B. HMS Hussar
    • Johnston Edward John Farquharson. Capt. Royal Scots
    • Johnston H. A.. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Johnston Harrison. Col. Cheshire Regiment
    • Johnston Howard Clifford. Pte. 31st Battalion
    • Johnston Isaac Canton. Pte. 46th (Saskatchewan) Battalion
    • Johnston James William. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Johnston John Bruce. PO Royal Naval Div.
    • Johnston Joseph. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Johnston Joseph. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Johnston Peter James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Johnston Reginald. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Johnston Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Johnston William. Pte. Black Watch
    • Johnston VC MID.. William Henry. Mjt. Royal Engineers
    • Johnston William. L/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Johnston William. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Johnstone Barclay. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Johnstone George Elder. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Johnstone James A.H. . Pte. Cameronians
    • Johnstone John Alexander. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Johnstone Robert. Ac2
    • Johnstone Thomas Crichton. Pte.
    • Johnstone William. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Johnys Arthur George. Cpl Middlesex Regiment
    • Johnys Arthur G.. A/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Joice Edward Turnbull. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Joicey Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Joicey J. P.S.. Pte.
    • Joicey Thomas. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Joiner Charles Henry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Joiner Thomas Samuel Carlise. Cpl. Oxfordford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Joinson Thomas. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Jolley Frederick. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jolley William Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Jolly . Durham Light Infantry
    • Jolly Edward Mason. RSM. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jolly Herbert. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jolly John. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Jolly John Sydney Christmas. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Jollyman Herbert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Jollyman Walter Henry. Volunteer Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve
    • Jonas Solomon. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Jonathon George Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Jones . VAD. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Jones . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Jones MC.. A M. Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Jones Albert George. Cpl. Wellington Mounted Rifles
    • Jones Albert Edward. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Jones MM.. Alfred Edward. Sjt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones Alfred Reginald Brabazon. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones MM. Alfred. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Alfred Richard. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Jones Andrew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jones Andrew. L/Cpl. Division (Infantry)
    • Jones Andrew. Pnr. Royal Engineers
    • Jones Archibald Mariner. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones Archibald Mariner. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jones Arthur. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Jones Arthur. Pte. 33rd Battalion
    • Jones Arthur. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Jones MM & Bar.. Arthur Thomas. Sgt. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Jones Arthur Frank. Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Jones Arthur Reginald. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Jones Arthur Ernest. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancasters) Regiment
    • Jones Arthur Rowland. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Jones Arthur Inkerman. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Jones Benjamin. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Bert. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Jones C.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jones Cephas. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Jones Charles Frederick. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Jones Charles Reginald. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones Charles. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Christopher Edward. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Jones Claude Saul. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Jones Cyril Frank Vivian. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Jones Daniel. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Daniel. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Jones Daniel Lewis. Mstr.Mar. SS Rhineland
    • Jones VC.. David. Sgt. King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Jones David Samuel William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jones David. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones David Chambers. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones David D. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones David Willy. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jones MC. David Tudor. Lt/Capt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Jones David. Pte South Wales Borderers
    • Jones David Frederick. Pte 14th Battalion
    • Jones David Picton. Chaplain. Army Chaplains Department
    • Jones David Livingstone. Manchester Regiment
    • Jones David William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Military Medal. Dennis. Cpl. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Jones RRC.. Dorothy. Sister
    • Jones E.. Mjr.
    • Jones Edward Charles. Pte. 6 Sqd.
    • Jones Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Edward Heber. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones Edward Stanley. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Edward. Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Jones Edwin. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Jones Elias. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Elias A.. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Ellis. Manchester Regiment
    • Jones Ernest. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Jones Ernest Walter. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Jones Ernest Frederick. Pte. Royal Warwickshire
    • Jones Ernest Henry. Cpl Warwickshire Regiment
    • Jones Ernest. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Jones Ernest Albert Emmanuel. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Jones Eudora Helen. Sr. Canadian Army Medical Corps
    • Jones Evan. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Evan Maengywn. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Jones Francis Henry . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jones Frederick Thomas. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Jones Frederick George. Rifleman Rifle Brigade
    • Jones Frederick Victor. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jones Frederick George. Pte. The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Jones DCM.. Frederick Vickers. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Frederick. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Jones Frederick William. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Jones G. F.. Benbow Battalion
    • Jones George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jones George William. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Jones George Bordman. Cpl.
    • Jones MM.. George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jones Gilbert Edward. Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Jones Gilbert Edward. Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Jones Griffith Owen. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones H. M.. Sgt. London Regiment (Post Office Rifles)
    • Jones Harold. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Jones Harold Douglas. Private King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Jones MID.. Harold Madoc. Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Harry. Pte Royal Artillery
    • Jones Harry. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Jones Harry Edward. 2nd Lt. 22nd Squadron
    • Jones Henry Thomas. Pte. Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)
    • Jones Henry Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Jones Henry. L/Cpl. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Jones Henry Thomas. Tpr. 6th Inniskilling Dragoons
    • Jones Henry. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Jones Henry. L/Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Jones Henry Redding. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jones Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Jones Herbert Thomas. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Jones Herbert. L/Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Jones Herbert Stanley Joseph. L/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Jones Hugh. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Jones Hunter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jones . J. D.. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Jones Jack. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones James. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Jones James. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Jones James. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Jones James. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jones John Allen. Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Jones John T.. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Jones John Frederick. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones John. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Jones MID. John George. Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Jones John Milton. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones John William. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones John Frederick. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones DCM.. John Richard. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Jones John Joseph. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Jones John Newton. PO. HMS Pigeon
    • Jones John Stanley. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Jones John Jonathan. Sjt Maj Australian Imperial Force
    • Jones John. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Jones John Hudson . Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Jones John Robert. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones Jonah. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Jones Joseph. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifles
    • Jones Joseph. L/Sgt. Connaught Rangers
    • Jones Lenard Lewis. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones Leonard Levi. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Jones Leonard Maelor. Pte. King's Own Liverpool Regiment
    • Jones Lewis Thomas. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Jones Llewelyn. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones VC.. Loftus William. Cmdr. HMS Shark
    • Jones VC.. Loftus William. Cmdr. HMS Shark
    • Jones Millard Fillmore. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Jones Noah Davis. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Jones O.. P.O. HMS Invincible
    • Jones MM, MSM, CdeG.. Owen. Sgt.Mjr. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Jones Owen. Cpl Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Jones Owen. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Jones Owen. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Paul. Lt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Jones Percy Gainham. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones R. M.. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Jones Raymond Arthur. Able Sea.
    • Jones Reginald. Pte. 18th Middlesex Regt. (Pioneers)
    • Jones Reginald William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Jones Reginald Algernon. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Jones VC. Richard Basil Bandram. Lt. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Jones Richard. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Jones Richard. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones Richard. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones Richard. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Richard. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Jones Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Jones Robert. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jones Robert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Robert Langford. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Jones Robert Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Robert. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Jones Samuel S.. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Jones Sidney Walter. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Jones Stanley. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Jones Stephen James. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Jones T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jones Theophilus. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jones Thomas Edward. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jones Thomas Edward. Sgt. Drum Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jones Thomas Arthur. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Thomas Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Thomas Glasfryn. Padre. Army Chaplains Department
    • Jones Thomas Alfred. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Jones Thomas Owen. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Thomas William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones Thomas Hari. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Jones Thomas William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Jones Thomas Lloyd. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Jones Thomas. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Jones W M. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Jones W.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Jones W.. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jones W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jones Wallace John. Pte. 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Jones Wallace. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones Walter William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Jones Wilfred.
    • Jones . William . L/Cpl London Regiment
    • Jones William Ernest. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Jones William James. Signalman HMS Bergamot
    • Jones William Valentine. Stoker HMS Anchusa
    • Jones William Edward. Pte. Black Watch
    • Jones William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Jones William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Jones William Harold. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jones William Henry. Able Sea. SS Royston Grange.
    • Jones William. Sgt Welsh Regiment
    • Jones William Hazzelby. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Jones William Arthur. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Jones William Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jones William. CQMS. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Jones William. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Jones William. CQSM. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Jones William Selwyn. Royal Engineers
    • Jones William. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Jones William. CQSM. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Jones William. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Jones William Henery. L/Cpl. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Jones-Bateman CMO.. Lloyd Newton. Lt.Col. Norfolk Regiment
    • Jones-Williams MiD.. George Francis. Capt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Jonsson Bror Edward Gunna. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Jopling Reginald G. . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Jopling T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jordan Alexander. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Jordan Edward James. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Jordan Edward James. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Jordan Frederick John. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Jordan Herbert Henry. Mechn. HMS Ajax
    • Jordan J. J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jordan MM.. James Henry. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Jordan MM. Joseph. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Jordan Lawrence. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Jordan Leopold John. CQMS. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Jordan Michael. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Jordan Percy Seymour Dobbs. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Jordan Squire. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Jordan Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Jordan Thomas. Pte.
    • Jordan Walter Henry. Pte. The East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)
    • Jordan Walter Stanley. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Jordan William John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Jordan William Brinley. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Jordan William Robert. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Jordan William G. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Jorgensen Norman Arthur. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Joseph Emlyn. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Joseph Gareth Ioan Emlyn. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Josephs Joseph Benjamin. Pte. Cape Corp
    • Josey Benjamen. Pte. Royal Berkshire
    • Jotcham Fred. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Jotcham Herbert. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Jotcham William. L/Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Jotham VC. Eustace. Capt. 51st Sikhs
    • Jotham VC. Eustace. Capt.
    • Joubert J.. Pte. 20th Mounted Rifles
    • Joubert Jan Ludwig Francois. Pte. 17th Mounted Rifles (Western Province Mounted Rifl
    • Jourdain Henry. Lt.Col. Connaught Rangers
    • Jowett Francis Meshack. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Jowett Francis Meshack. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jowett Kathleen Mary. nurse Military Hospital Maitland
    • Jowle Ernest. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Jowsey Walter. Trpr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Joy David H.. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Joy George Henry. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Joy John. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Joy Patrick. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Joyce Alfred. London Regiment
    • Joyce Arthur George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Joyce Benjamin. Col.Sgt.
    • Joyce Edward. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Joyce Edward. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Joyce Edward. Rifle Brigade
    • Joyce F. F.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Joyce Henry Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Joyce Herman Joseph. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Joyce James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Joyce John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Joyce Michael. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Joyce Michael. Royal Engineers
    • Joyce N.. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Joyce Stephen. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Joyce Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Joyce William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Joyce William. L/Cpl Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Joyner D.C.M.. Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Joynes H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Joynson James. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Joynt VC. William Donovan . Lt. 8th Battalion
    • Jubb Arthur C.E.. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Jubb Robert. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Jude Leo Gerald Simon. Capt. Loyal North Lancs
    • Judge . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Judge Edward Hector. Dvr. 33rd Battalion
    • Judge Robert Charles. Pte. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Judge Roy Garfield. 33rd Btn.
    • Judges Frederick William . Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Judson John Reginald. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Judson Joseph E.. 2Lt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Judson VC, DCM, MM. Reginald Stanley. Maj Auckland Infantry Regiment
    • Juggins William Edgar. Sjt. Royal Engineers
    • Jukes Frederick. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Julian A. W.. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Julian Ernest Lawrence. Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Julian William. Stoker HMS Amphion
    • Jump James Stanley. Able Seaman HMS Minotaur
    • Juniper James Samuel. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Jupp Albert. Pte. London Royal Fusiliers
    • Jupp George William. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Justelius S. B.. Pte. 35th Btn.
    • Justice MiD.. Henry Snowden. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Justice James Robert. WOI. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Justice MM.. Thomas John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • K'ung C. H.. Coolie
    • Kable G. P.. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Kadwill William Arthur. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Kaeble VC MM. Joseph Thomas. Cpl 22e Battalion (Canadien Francais)
    • Kaeble VC, MM.. Joseph. Cpl. Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)
    • Kaine Charles Albert Richard. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Kalaher Edward. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kallstrom Arthur. Sgt. 2nd Bn. Otago Regiment
    • Kami Gurung. Rflmn. 1st Btn.
    • Kanara Rapata Wi. Pte. New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion
    • Kane J.. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kane James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Kane James. L/Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Kane John Vincent. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Kane John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kane Joseph. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Kane Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kane P.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Kane Patrick. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Kane Peter. Frmn. SS Kathleen Lily
    • Kane Thomas. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Kane W. H.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kane William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kaneney Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Karasek H.. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Karim Abdul Husain. Serang
    • Karim Abdul . Tindal
    • Karim Abdul . Lascar
    • Karim Abdullah . Lascar
    • Kavanagh Henry. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Kavanagh James Alphonsus. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Kavanagh James. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Kavanagh Jeremiah. Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Kavanagh John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Kavanagh Philip Charles. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Kavanagh William. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Kavanagh William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Kawar Kishn. Dvr. RoyalField Artillery
    • Kay A.. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kay E.. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Kay Elias James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Kay MM.. F.. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Kay George. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Kay Harry. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Kay James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Kay James Lloyd.
    • Kay John Brayshaw. Pte. London Regiment
    • Kay MBE.. John Brayshaw. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Kay John. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Kay Max. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Kay Robert. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Kay Thomas Leslie. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kay Thomas. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Kay Thomas. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Kay W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kay William Henry. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Kay William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kay William. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Kay-Shuttleworth Lawrence Ughtred. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kaye A. E.. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Kaye Charles William Donaldson. ERA3. HMS Juno
    • Kaye Joseph. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Kaye Lister Walter. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Kaye Marcus. 2nd Lt.
    • Keable Henry Batten. Lt. HMS Manxman
    • Keable MM.. James William. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Keal William Ernest. Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Kean George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kean W. W.. Carp. HMS Patuca
    • Keane Patrick. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Keane William. 2ndLt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Kear MiD.. Osman William Henry. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kearney Luke. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kearney Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kearns John Patrick. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Kearns Michael L.. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Kearns Thomas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Kearon Robert Valentine. Master S.S. "Jane Williamson"
    • Kearsley Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Keates Frederick Thomas. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment North Staff
    • Keating Albert James. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Keating Francis. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Keatley Benjamin Walter. Pte. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Keaveney John . Inniskilling Fus
    • Keay . Sister No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Keay Charles. L/Sjt. North Staffs Regiment
    • Keay Ernest Job. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kee John. Cpl. Royal iniskilling Fusiliers
    • Kee Joseph Edwin. Pte. 57th Battalion
    • Keeble MM. Frederick William. CSM Suffolk Regiment
    • Keeble George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Keeble H.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Keeble William Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Keeble William Arthur. London Regiment
    • Keech Edward Thomas . Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Keech George Henry Thomas. Able Seaman H.M.S. Coquette
    • Keech George. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Keegan Albert. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Keegan Corn.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Keegan James Joseph. Pte. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Keegan John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Keegan John Joseph. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Keegan Nicholas. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Keegans John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Keeley John. Pte King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Keeling MC.. Ernest. CSM. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Keeling George Frederick. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Keeling Sidney Fleetwood. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Keelty James. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Keen Frank. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Keen James William. Rifleman Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Keen Percy John. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Keen Samuel. CSM. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Keenan B.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Keenan J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Keenan James. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Keenan John. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Keenan Joseph. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Keenan Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Keenan William. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Keene Garth. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Keene John Limrick. Cpt.
    • Keene OBE.. John Limrick. Capt. SS Melville
    • Keenor Robert. Spp. Royal Engineers
    • Keep Wilfred. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Keepfer William Robert Cyril. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Keepin William Frank. 2nd Lt. 139 Squadron
    • Keers Harold. Pte. 15th Btn.
    • Keetch Austin Job. L/Cpl. Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry
    • Keeton Fred Thomas Bennett. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Kehoe N.. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Kehoe Owen. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Keil John. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Keir William Wallace. RAEM.
    • Keith James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Keith John Wallace. Pte. Black Watch
    • Keith John. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Kell Anthony. ERA. HMS Mons
    • Kell Charles Henry. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Kellam Cyril Claude. Sgt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Kellas Arthur. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Kellaway Albert Alfred. Pte. Dorset Regiment
    • Kelle William. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Kelleher Frank. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Keller Charles Robert. Dvr. J Battery
    • Kellet Samuel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kellett Harry. Cpl
    • Kellett MM.. John. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kellett MM.. John. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelley James. Pte. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Kelley M H. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Kellie James Peter. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kelly . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Kelly . Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Kelly Andrew. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Kelly Aringo Thomas. Pte. 2nd Battalion
    • Kelly Bernard. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Kelly Charles Colville. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Kelly MM.. David Fergus Ferguson. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kelly Edward. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Kelly Edward. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Kelly Edward. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Kelly Edward James. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Kelly Evan John. 33rd Btn.
    • Kelly Francis. Pte. Black Watch
    • Kelly Frank A.. Pte. Canadian Infantry (New Brunswick Regiment)
    • Kelly Henry. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Kelly J. J.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Kelly J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly J.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly J.. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Kelly James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kelly James. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kelly James Henry. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Kelly James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly James. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Kelly James Norman Victor. Bmdr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Kelly VC, DSO, MID.. John Sherwood. A/Lt.Col. Norfolk Regiment
    • Kelly John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Kelly John James. Cpl. Australian Field Artillery
    • Kelly John. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kelly John. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Kelly John McKie. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Kelly John Joseph. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Kelly Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly Joshua William. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Kelly M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly Michael. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Kelly Michael. Able Sea. Drake Battalion
    • Kelly Michael. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Kelly Michael. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Kelly Nathaniel. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Kelly Oscar Ralph. 2nd Lt. 53rd Sqd.
    • Kelly Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly Patrick. Pte. 5th Stores Depot
    • Kelly Patrick Joseph. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Kelly Philip Edward. Lt.Col. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Kelly Robert William. L/Cpl. 36th Btn.
    • Kelly Robert Angus. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Kelly Samuel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly Terence O'Neil William. 2nd Lt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Kelly Terry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly Thomas. L/Cpl. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Kelly Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kelly Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Kelly Thomas. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Kelly Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Kelly William. L/Cpl Argylle & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Kelly William. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Kellyn . Irvine . Pte.
    • Kelsey MM.. Arthur Robert. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kelsey Stanley. 2nd Lt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Kelsey William. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kelshaw Richard. Pte King's Liverpool Regt
    • Kember Arthur. Pte. 111th Field Ambulance
    • Kemmis Harry. Sgt. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Kemp Alexander Burnett. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kemp Alexander Reynolds. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Kemp Charles Henry. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Kemp MC.. Douglas. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Kemp Edward. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Kemp Fred. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Kemp Frederick William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kemp George William. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Kemp George William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kemp James Oliver. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Kemp James B.. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Kemp Norman Parkhurst. Able Sea. HMS Black Prince
    • Kemp William Dunstan. Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Kemsey-Bourne Frank Leonard. 2nd Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Kemsley Alfred. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Kendal Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kendall Charles. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Kendall George William. Pte. 49th Btn.
    • Kendall James Edward. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Kendall James Edward. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Kendall John. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Kendall Robert. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Kendall Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Kendell Edward Clarence. Sig. HMS Amphion
    • Kendrick Ernest. CSM. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kendrick Frank. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Kenealy VC.. William Stephen. L/Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Kenefick James. Pte. 38th Btn.
    • Kenna VC, DSO.. Paul Aloysius. Brig.Gen. 21st Empress of India's Lancers,
    • Kenna Robert Andrew. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Kennard Caspar. 2nd Lt.
    • Kennard Edward Stephen. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Kennaugh Evan Stanley. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kennealy Michel. Pte. 45th Btn.
    • Kennedy Andrew William. Rifleman. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kennedy Caldwell. 2ndLt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Kennedy Charles. Spr. 99th Field Coy
    • Kennedy Daniel. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Kennedy E.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Kennedy Francis. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Kennedy George. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Kennedy Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kennedy J. F.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kennedy James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Kennedy M.. Sgt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Kennedy M.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kennedy Peter. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.
    • Kennedy R. B.C.. Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Kennedy Roderick. Pte. Quen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Kennedy Thomas. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Kennedy William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kennedy William Robert. 2Lt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Kennedy William Joseph Francis. Rflmn. New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • Kennefick Edward Hammerton. Capt. Essex Regiment
    • Kennerley William. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Kennerley William. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Kenney William. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Kennick John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kenny Daniel. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Kenny Horace William . L/Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kenny Horace William. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kenny Horace William. L/Bdr Royal Field Artillery
    • Kenny Hugh. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Kenny James. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Kenny James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Kenny John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kenny John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Kenny John. Seaman HMS Laurentic
    • Kenny MM . Robert. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Kenny VC. Thomas James Bede. Cpl 2nd Battalion
    • Kent Alfred.
    • Kent Charles James. Pte. 44th (Manitoba) Battalion
    • Kent Edward Charles. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Kent Edwin.
    • Kent Frederick William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kent George Edmund. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Kent Harold Leslie. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kent James Cecil. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kent John Walter. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Kent Norman.
    • Kent Richard Leopold. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Kent Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kent William. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Kent William.
    • Kenworth James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kenworthy . Hugh . Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Kenworthy Jesse Howarth. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kenyon Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Kenyon William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Keogh . Michael . Pte. Dublin Fusiliers
    • Keohane Daniel. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Keon William Henry. Cpl. 6th General Service Regiment
    • Keorvers Jacob Hugo. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Keown Albert William. Pte. 5th Infantry Battalion
    • Ker Dixon. CQMS Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Kerby Alfred James. Pte. 195th Btn.
    • Kerby Walter. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Kerins Patrick. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Kerman MM. Frank. Sgt 7th Batt the East Kent the Buffs
    • Kernaghan Thomas James . Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Kerner Walter William Ã?Ã? . Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kerr A G.. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kerr A. E.. Mjr. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kerr Andrew Smith. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Kerr Arthur Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kerr David. HMS Avenger
    • Kerr Finlay. Lt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Kerr VC, MC & Bar, MM. George Francis. Lt. 3rd (Toronto) Battalion
    • Kerr George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Kerr Henri Hesey. Pte. 7th Btn.
    • Kerr J. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Kerr J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Kerr John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kerr VC. John Chipman. Pte 49th (Edmonton) Battalion
    • Kerr John Brodie. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Kerr John V.. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kerr Matthew M.. Pte. 106th Infantry Regiment
    • Kerr Michael.
    • Kerr Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Kerr Robert. Able Sea. HMS Drake
    • Kerr Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Kerr William. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kerr William Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Kerr William Frederick. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Kerrigan John. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Kerrigan William. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Kerry MID.. Arnold John St Legier. Lt. Manchester Regiment
    • Kerry MID.. Fred. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Kerry Joseph Arthur. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Kershaw Christopher. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Kershaw MM.. Frank. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kershaw James. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Rgt.)
    • Kershaw James. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Kershaw William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Kerslake George. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Kerslake MiD.. Reginald Thomas. Pte. 34th Battalion
    • Kessell Walter. Pte. Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry
    • Ketch MM.. Percy. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ketley George Albert. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Kett Robert. Sgt. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Kett William. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Kettle Alf.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kettleband George. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Kettlewell George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kettley . George. Sgt. City of London Yeomanry
    • Kew Arthur. Pte. Border Rgt.
    • Kewley Samuel. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Key E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Key Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Key MM.. Ernest Shadrack. 36th Btn.
    • Key Herbert. Sapper Royal Monmouthshire Engineers.
    • Key Herbert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Key Hugh. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Key Jacob Rita. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Keylock Alfred James. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Keys MM.. Sydney J.. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Keysor VC. Leonard Maurice. Lt. 1st Battalion
    • Keywood DCM.. James. Sgt. Duke of Wellington Regiment
    • Keywood John. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Keyworth VC.. Leonard James. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Khaliq Abdul. Khalasi
    • Khan VC. Khudadad. Subedar 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis
    • Khan VC.. Khudadad. Sepoy. Duke of Connaughts Own Baluchi Regiment
    • Khan Ranjha. Sowar 36th Jacob's Horse
    • Khan VC.. Shahamad. Sbdr. 89th Punjabi Rifles
    • Khan Sher Dil. Sepoy.
    • Kharakbir Thapa. Rflmn. 4th Gurkha Rifles
    • Kidd Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Kidd Dr. Edward William. Lt. Col. Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
    • Kidd Robert Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kidd MID.. Thomas Andrew. Major 10th Light Horse Regiment
    • Kidd Thomas. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Kidd William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kidger Cornelius. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kidger Cornelius. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kidman no. Edward Cogan. Cpl. 3rd Machine Gun Coy
    • Kidney Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Kierl . Durham Light Infantry
    • Kiernan M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kiernan Patrick. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Kiff Henry Arthur . Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Kiff Reginald Frederick. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Kilbride John. Private Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Kilby VC MC. Arthur Forbes Gordon. Capt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Kilcullen Patrick. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Kilduff Michael. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Kilford Richard. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Kilfoy Leo Joseph. Pte. Royal Newfoundland Regiment
    • Kilgour James Chandler. Able Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Killeen James. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Killeen Timothy. Gdsmn. Irish Guards
    • Killerlane Patrick. L/Cpl. Irish Guards
    • Killgallon Edward. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Killgallon John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Killgallon M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Killian Herbert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Killian Herbert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Killian Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Killingley Hastings G.. Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Killoran Patrick. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Kilminster Edward George. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's)
    • Kilmister Harry. Act. Sgt. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Kilner Walmsley Wyville. Manchester Regiment
    • Kilpatrick John James F.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kilpatrick Robert. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Kilpatrick Robert. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Kilvert H.. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Kimber . William . Pte. Royal Welsh Fusliers
    • Kimbley Thomas. Army Service Corps
    • Kimmer Francis John. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kimmer Francis John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kimmins John. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kinchen William Dennis. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Kinchin Ernest James. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Kind Arthur Ernest. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Kind Robert. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kindell Percival Kinghorn. Pte. London Regiment
    • King Albert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • King Alfred John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • King Arthur. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • King Arthur. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • King Austin. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • King Charles. Cpl. London Regiment
    • King Charles Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • King Charles. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • King Charlie. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • King David Ephraim. Pte. Sussex Yeomanry
    • King Francis Elmour. Cpl. 37th Btn.
    • King Francis Baker. Pte. London Regiment
    • King Francis Baker. Pte. London Regiment
    • King Frederick. Sapper Royal Engineers.
    • King Frederick Henry. Pte Wiltshire Regiment
    • King George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • King George. Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • King Hamilton Boyd. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • King Harold Vincent. Cpl. London Regiment
    • King Harold Idris. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • King MM.. Harry. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • King Harry. Capt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • King Haydn. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • King Herbert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • King Horace Edward. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • King J.. Rflm. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • King James William. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • King Joe.
    • King John. Pte. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • King John. Pte. Canterbury Regiment
    • King John. Pte. Canterbury Regiment
    • King John. Pte, East Yorkshire Regiment
    • King John Robert. L/Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • King John. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • King Lucas Henry St. Aubyn. Lt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • King Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • King Oliver George. Sgt Essex Regiment
    • King Percival Frederick. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • King MM.. Percy James Church. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • King Ralph. Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • King Sidney. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • King Thomas William. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • King Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corp
    • King Thomas William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • King Thomas William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • King Thomas. Pte. Yorks & Lancaster Regiment
    • King Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • King Thomas William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • King Thos.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • King Victor Charles. Somerset Light Infantry
    • King W H. Cpl Somerset Light Infantry
    • King W. R.. Durham Light Infantry
    • King William George. Cpl. Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
    • King William. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • King William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • King William George. Royal Fusiliers
    • Kingdon Ernest William Francis. L/Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Kinghorn Gilbert. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Kinghorn Robert. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Kingsford MM & bar.. Walter. Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Kingsland Frederick William. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Kingsland Joseph Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Kingsley MM.. H.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Kingston Paul. Pte. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Kingston William. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Kington-Blair-Oliphant CMG DSO. Philip Laurence. Lt. Col. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kinnard John Pattison. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kinnarney W.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Kinnear William John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kinrade John Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Kinross VC. Cecil John. Pte 49th (Edmonton) Battalion
    • Kinsela William Matthew. Rfn. London Regiment
    • Kinsella Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Kinsella Thomas. Pte. 10th Btn.
    • Kinsey William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Kinsman Frank Victor. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Kirby MM.. Arthur Lesley. Sgt. 7th Dragoon Guards
    • Kirby Cecil Ernest. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Kirby Cecil Ernest. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Kirby John Joseph. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Kirby Patrick. Pvt.2
    • Kirby Robert Arthur. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Kirbyshire Sidney W.. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Kirchner Bernard Joseph. 2nd Lt.
    • Kirk Edmund Wilks. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kirk DCM. Edward Ernest. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kirk Ernest. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kirk Ernest. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifles
    • Kirk George Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Kirk George Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Kirk Gerald. Lt Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Rgt.)
    • Kirk Henry. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kirk VC. James. 2nd Lt. Manchester Regiment
    • Kirk James Edwin. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Kirk . John . Pte.
    • Kirk Thomas. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Kirkbride John W.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kirkbride John William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kirkby Herbert. L/Cpl. Rifles Brigade
    • Kirkby James Serginson. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Kirkby Joseph. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Kirkham . Bernard . Cpl.
    • Kirkham MM. Joseph. Pte. Tank Corps
    • Kirkland Albert. Pte. Royal Marines Light Infantry (Plymouth Div.)
    • Kirkland Frederick. A/Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Kirkland Hugh John. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Kirkland J.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kirkland William Ernest. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Kirkman William Stanley. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kirkpatrick Alexander A. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Kirkpatrick John Simpon. Pte. 3rd Field Ambulance
    • Kirkpatrick Samuel. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Kirkum Bertie. London Regiment
    • Kirkup John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kirkup MC.. P.. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kirkwood Andrew. Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Kirkwood David Cowan. Pte. Black Watch
    • Kirkwood MM.. Frederick James. Lt. 23rd Battalion
    • Kirkwood George Mitchell. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Kirkwood Matthew. Pte. London Regiment
    • Kirman Charles H.. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Kirsten J. F.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Kirton Arthur Edgar. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Kirton James. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Kirton Jas.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kirton Robert Spence. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kirton Robert Spence. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kirton Wainer. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Kirwan John. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Kissick . Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kitchen Aubrey Wilfred. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Kitchen Robert. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kitchener Will. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Kitcher Daniel. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kitcher Henry Ernest. Capt Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Kitching Albert. Pte Middlesex Regiment
    • Kitching J. J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kitchingham Thomas. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Kite William George. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Kitson Arthur. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Kitson Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kitson MM.. Thomas Ralph. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire
    • Kitson William Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kittle William G.. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Kitto John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Klemp Gordon. Stkr. HMS Illustrious
    • Klink Charles Ambrose. L/Cpl. 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade.
    • Klotz Walter. 2nd.Eng. SS War Grange
    • Knagg George. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Knaggs Thomas Aylesbury. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Knapp Victor Harry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Kneebone E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Knight MID.. Alfred James. Lt. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Knight VC. Arthur George. Sgt. 10th Battalion
    • Knight VC.. Arthur George. Sgt. 10th Btn. (Alberta Regiment),
    • Knight Charles.
    • Knight Charles W.. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Knight Charles William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Knight Christopher James. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Knight Con.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Knight Cyril E.. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Knight Edward George James. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Knight Edward. Bkr2. HMS Bayano
    • Knight Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Knight Ernest James. Sjt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Knight George. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Knight Gerald Featherstone. Lt.
    • Knight Harry James. Pte. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Knight Harry John. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regt.
    • Knight James Albert Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Knight James. Pte. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Knight Oscar Albert. Royal Fusiliers
    • Knight Reginald Josiah. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Knight Richard Thomas. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Knight T.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Knight Thomas. Rflmn West Yorks Regiment
    • Knight Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Knight William John. 2nd Class Stoker HMS Amphion
    • Knight William Albert. Pte. South Staffordshire
    • Knight William Ernest. Sgt. Canadian Army Medical Corps
    • Knight William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Knight William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Knightbridge Arthur William James. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Knightly . Horace Charles Ernest. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Knighton W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Knights James Benjamin. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Knights Samuel Albert. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Knipe George Edward. Sgt. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Knock Robert Edwin. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Knocker Elsie.
    • Knoper Ben. Pvt. 12th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Knostmann Hermann Georg Rudolph.
    • Knott H.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Knott Ernest. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Knott George Albert. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Knott DSO.. James Leadbitter. Mjr. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Knott John Henry. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Knott Robert Cecil. Capt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Knott William Henry. Pte. Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry
    • Knowlden Alfred. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Knowles Amos. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Knowles Charles Joshua. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Knowles Eric William. Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Knowles George Douglas. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Knowles Haley. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Knowles John. Pte Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Knowles L. J.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Knowles Samuel. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Knowles Sydney. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Knowles Thomas Smith. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Knowles Thomas Walter. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Knowles Thomas Reginald. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Knowles William Walker. Pte. Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment)
    • Knox Alexander McLean. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Knox Arthur Victor. Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Knox George. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Knox John. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Knox Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Knox Ralph. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Knox . Richard . Capt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Knox Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Knox William Urwin Clifford. Sgt. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
    • Knox William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Knuckey Verner Gladders. Pte. 8th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Royal Flying
    • Koch George Hilfers . Lt. 9th Battalion
    • Kock H. B.J.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Koekemoer John William. Pte. 6th Regt.
    • Kohnke Peter. Australian Field Artillery
    • Konowal Filip. Sgt 77th Canadian Infantry Battalion
    • Konowal VC. Filip. Cpl 47th Battalion
    • Krasse James Alexander. Pte.
    • Kruger Dirk Jacobus. Temp. 2nd Lt. Manchester Regiment
    • Kruger J. C.. Pte. Mounted Commandos,
    • Kuhler MM. Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Kumani . Sgt. Kings African Rifles
    • Kursacoff E..
    • Kurt Richard. Mjr. II/IR 83
    • Kurtin Joseph Michael. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Kurtzman Hyman. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kybird Cecil Frederick. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Kyle G.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Kyle J.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Kyle James. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Kyle James. Pte Royal Irish Regiment
    • Kyle John Robertson. Fireman. SS Craigendoran
    • Kyme Frederick George. Pte.
    • Kyne Albert William. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Kynoch Alexander Bruce. Captain 37 Squadron
    • Kynoch C. S.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Kynoch William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Kyte James Henry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • La Joseph. Pte. Canadian Infantry
    • Laarson A.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Labrom George Richard Henry. Sergeant Canterbury
    • Labrom William John. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Labron Robert Frederick. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Laburn John Small. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Lacey Frank Philip Sleigh. 2Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lacey Frederick Victor. Pte. London Regiment
    • Lacey George W. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lacey Peter. AB. HMS Pheasant
    • Lacey Walter Nicholson. Pte. York and Lancaster
    • Lacey William Thomas. Pte. HMS Hussar
    • Lack Lovell William. Rfmn. London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles)
    • Lackey James. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lackey P.. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Laffan Christopher. Leinster Regiment
    • Lafferty James. Private Lothian and Borders Horse
    • Lafferty James. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Lafferty James. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Laffey J.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Laffoley George Henry. Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Laflin Ernest Alfred. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Lafone VC.. Alexander Malins. Major. Middlesex Hussars
    • Lafone VC. Alexander Malins. Mjr. Middlesex Hussars
    • LaForest George. USS Kansas
    • Laggan J. J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lagogue Yves Auguste.
    • Lahmerd MM.. George Henry. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Laidlaw Arthur. Pte. Royal Scots Lothian Regiment
    • Laidlaw J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Laidler Joseph John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Laing . Durham Light Infantry
    • Laing MM & Bar.. Frederick. L/Cpl. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Laing George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Laing John. Fireman SS Cabotia
    • Laing Robert. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Laing Thomas Laws. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Laing Thomas. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Laird A. C.. Able Sea. Royal Naval Div.
    • Laird Homer Warring. 2nd Lt.
    • Laird W. A.. Pte. 14th Battalion
    • Lake Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lake Arthur James. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Lake Arthur William. Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Lake Charles. P/O. HMS Submarine E16
    • Lake Ernest Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Lake Frederick Charles. Col.Sgt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Lake Isaac. Rfmn. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Lake John Charles. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Lake Thomas. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Lake William John. CQMS. Hampshire Regiment
    • Laken Charles. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Laker Reginald Percy. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Lakey Sydney. Sto. 1st class H.M.S. Defence
    • Lakey William John. Cpl. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Lal Ram. Gnr. Royal Artillery
    • Lala VC.. . Jdr. 41st Dogras
    • Lally A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lally Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lally F.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lally M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lally Michael. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lalonde Maurice Chevrier. Gnr. Saskatchewan Regiment
    • Lalor Eugene. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Lamaison Leonard William Henry. Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lamb . VAD. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Lamb Alexander. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lamb D.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lamb E.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lamb George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lamb George William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Lamb George Christelow. Gnr Royal Field Artillery
    • Lamb Gideon. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment
    • Lamb James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Lamb James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Lamb John Alfred. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Lamb Joseph. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Lamb Lawrence. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lamb Percy. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lamb Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lamb Robert Robson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lamb Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lamb Thomas. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Lamb William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lamb William. Pte. Black Watch
    • Lamb William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lambell Peter James. Ordinary Seaman HMS Amphion
    • Lambert Ernest. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lambert George. Stoker. HMS Defence
    • Lambert George Henry. Rifleman Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Lambert George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lambert Herbert David. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Lambert J.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Lambert James. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Lambert Jerimiah George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lambert John William. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Lambert Peter. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Lambert W. R.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lambert William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lambert William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lambeth George William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Lambie Gavin. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Lambie . James Nicholson. Deck hand
    • Lambie John Major. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Lambie Robert Alexander. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lambie Robert. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Lamble Frederick. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Lambley Clarence William. Cpl. 34th Btn.
    • Lamboll James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Lambourne Walter. L/Sgt. Royal Australian Army Medical Corps
    • Lambourne William Thomas. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Lamerton Thomas Pinch. Able Sea. HMS Monmouth
    • Lamin William Henry Bonser. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Lamond Harold Gordon. Sgt. East Yorkshire
    • Lamont J.. Ord.Sea. HMS Diana
    • Lamont James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Lamont Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Lamont William. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lampard Frederick Charles William . 3/Engr. SS Mongolia
    • Lamprey Charles Edgar. Ord.Sea. HMS Invincible
    • Lanaghan Frank. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lanaghan James. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lanaghan William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lanahan John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lancashire Christopher Owen. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Lancaster Charles Thomas. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Lancaster Charles. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Lancaster Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lancaster John . Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Lancaster Leonard. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lancaster Thomas. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Lancaster William. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lancaster William. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lancastle William. L/Cpl Royal Scots
    • Lancett Joseph William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lanchester Walter G.. Machine Gun Corps
    • Land Ernest. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lander Val Penruddock Oram . L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Landrigan J. T.. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Landy Harold John. Private Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Lane Arthur Mark. Able.Sea. HMS Black Prince
    • Lane Benjamin. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment)
    • Lane Bernard Fred. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Lane D. W.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lane H. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lane Jesse. Sgt.Mjr. Devonshire Rgt.
    • Lane John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lane Joseph.
    • Lane Maurice. Ch.Sto. HMS Colleen
    • Lane Thomas. Dvr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Lane Thomas Joseph. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Lane William James. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Lane MID, C MM CDG. William Henry. CQMS Machine Gun Corps
    • Lanfear Sidney. Sgt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Lang . VAD. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Lang Charles William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lang Harry Edwin Julian. L/Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Lang John. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lang John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Lang John Murphy. Highland Light Infantry
    • Lang Matthew. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Lang Ronald. 2nd Lt.
    • Lang William Arnold. Pte. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Langan William Henry. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Langdale Cecil. Sgt. Scots Guards
    • Langdale Henry. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Langdon Arthur Charles. 2Lt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Langford V G. Machine Gun Corps
    • Langford William Henry. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Langhorn James Samuel. Pte.
    • Langley Alfred. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Langley George. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Langley Henry George. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Langley Hubert John. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Langley R.. L/Sgt. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Langley Ralph Argyle. Lt. 57th Battalion
    • Langley Ralph Argyle. Lt. 57th Battalion
    • Langley Robert. Pte.
    • Langley Samuel. Pte. Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment
    • Langley Samuel Percy Broughton. 2nd Lt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Langley Thomas Frederick. Middlesex Regiment
    • Langrishe DSO MID.. John duPlessis. Major. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Langston Samuel William. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Langston William. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Langtip Henry. S/Sgt. 4th Light Horse Regiment
    • Langton Arthur Edward. Pte London Regiment
    • Langton DSO. John Henry. Major Welsh Fusiliers
    • Langton John Thomas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Langwade John Willy. Pte. Kings Liverpool
    • lanham George. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lanham George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lankshear Frank. 6 Squadron
    • Lannan Nicolas. Dvr. 2/1st South Midland Field Ambulance
    • Lanning C. F.. Pte. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
    • Lannon P.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Lansdale Leonard. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Lapping G. S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lapping Harry. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Lapslie Joseph Henry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Lapthorn Owen Heckford. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lapworth Joseph. Pte Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Larder Francis Emlyn. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Large Arthur James. Pte Gloucester Regiment
    • Large Frank. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Large Frank. Private Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Largue Isaac James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Largue William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Larke Herbert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Larkin James Albert. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Larkin John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Larkin Patrick. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Larkins Charles Horace. 2nd Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Larkins George Broughton. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Larkman Charles. Rfl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Larmour George. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Larmour William. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Larmour William. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Larn MC, MID.. Cyril Francis. Mjr. Machine Gun Corps
    • Larrington Alfred. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Larsen John Louis. L/Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Larwood MM.. Ernest. Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Lascelles VC, MC.. Arthur Moore. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lascelles Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lascelles George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lascelles Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lascelles William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Lashley Charles John William. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lassen H. P.J.. Gnr.
    • Lassetter John James Wilder. 2nd Lt. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Lassetter John James Wilder. 2nd Lt. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Last Herbert John. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Latchford Francis Victor. Pte King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Latham . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Latham Alfred John. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Latham George W.. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Latham J.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Latham Thomas Selby. Lt RFA
    • Latham William. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Lathan Arthur Herbert. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Lathan Leslie. Pte. Black Watch
    • Lathlan William John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Lathlane William John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Latimer Charles Harold. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Latimer W.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Latter Benjamin. Cpl. 91 Squadron
    • Latter George Howard. Pioneer Royal Engineers
    • Lattimer Frederick Havelock. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Laubscher Willem Adriaan. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Lauder . Lt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lauder George Herbert. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Lauder MM. Joseph Beaumont. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Laugher Frank. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Laundy Walter. Pte. West Surrey Regiment (The Queen's)
    • Laurence Harold. Drmr. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Laurence Stuart. 2nd Lt. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Laurens George. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Laurent VC. Harry John. Lieutenant Colonel New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • Laurie Bruce Llewellyn. Sgt. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Laurie William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Lavelie Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lavelle F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lavelle John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Lavelle Joseph. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Lavender Daisy.
    • Lavender Daisy.
    • Lavender John Eliott. 2nd Lt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Lavender Wilfred Harris. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Laver Barner. Private Essex Regiment
    • Laver Bertie. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Laverick DCM. Ernest. Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Laverick Frederick Gordon. 2nd.Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Laverick MM. John George. Sgt. Nothumberland Fusilliers
    • Laverick John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lavers DFC.. Charles Stewart Touzeau. Capt. 1 Sqd.
    • Laverty David James. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Laverty MM.. John. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Laverty MM.. John. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Lavery Arthur William E. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lavery D.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lavery Edward. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Lavery J.. Pte. 3rd Dragoon Guards(Prince of Wales Own)
    • Lavery John. Pte. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Lavery Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lavery Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lavery William. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lavey Patrick. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Law . Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Law Alfred. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Law Alfred. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Law Alfred. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Law Frank Edger. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Law George. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Law Herbert Edgar. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Law James Albert. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster)
    • Law Leonard. Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Law Melvin. Sgt. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Law Richard. L/Cpl. Cameron Highlanders
    • Law Sidney Walker. L/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Law . William Joseph. Pte.
    • Law William. Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lawday Thomas Charles. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lawer MM.. Albert M.. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Lawer W. Harry. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lawler J.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lawler J.. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Lawler William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lawless George. Irish Guards
    • Lawley Fred. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Lawley T.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Lawlor T.. Pte. 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars
    • Lawn Charles Robert. Pte Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Lawns George. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Lawrence A. E.. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Lawrence Alexander John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lawrence Allen. Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Lawrence Charles. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lawrence MM.. Charles Casio. Sjt. Rifle Brigade
    • Lawrence Charles Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Lawrence David. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Lawrence Ernest. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Lawrence Ernest Stacey. Ord.Sea. HM Motor Launch "368"
    • Lawrence Frederick George . Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lawrence Frederick William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Lawrence George Francis. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lawrence MM.. George Edward. CSM. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Lawrence Henry. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lawrence MC.. John George. 2nd Lt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Lawrence John Alfred. Pte. Portsmouth Division
    • Lawrence Joseph Walter. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Lawrence Leonard. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lawrence Reginald Harry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Lawrence Robert W. Pte York & Lancs
    • Lawrence S. G.. Nelson Btn
    • Lawrence Stanley. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Lawrence Thomas. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lawrence William. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Lawrence William John. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Lawrence William H.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Lawrence William. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Lawrenson John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Lawrenson John W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lawrie Alexander. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Lawrie Alexander. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Lawrie James. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Laws Arthur. Sig. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Laws Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Laws Isaac. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Laws Isaac. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Laws John Robert. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Laws MM. Wilfred. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lawson Alfred. Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lawson Cyril. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lawson David Slater. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lawson David Slater. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lawson Edgar. Pte Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Lawson Edward. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lawson Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lawson George Harry. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Lawson George. L/Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lawson George R.. Pte. 3rd Btn. Canadian Pioneers
    • Lawson James William. Sgt. Labour Corps
    • Lawson Richard Neville. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Lawson Robert. A/Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lawson Sidney Rex. Sgt. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Lawson T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lawson Tom. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Lawson W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lawson William Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lawson William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lawton Albert Edward. Private Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Lawton G. H.. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Lawton James. WO2. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Lawton Thomas Frederick. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lawton William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Lawyer D. N.. L/Cpl. 10 M.G. Coy
    • Lax John Willie. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Lax Lorraine. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Lax Theodore Bertram. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Laxon Charles Norman. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Laxton James Montague. Benbow Battalion
    • Lay . George . Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lay George Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lay MM MC DCM.. Percy Edward George. Major 8th Battalion
    • Lay Sydney Edward. OS
    • Laycock MM.. Frederick William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Layfield Thomas Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Layton Philip Humbert. Pte Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Lazarus S. C.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lazarus William F.. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Lazenbury Ernest George. Pte. Worcester Regiment
    • Lazenby Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lazenby DCM.. Frank Spooner. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lazenby John Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lazenby William John. L/Cpl London Regiment
    • Le Doux James. Pte. North Staffordshire Regt
    • Le Doux Leonard. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Le Doux William.
    • Le Grice Arthur Harold. Pte. 29th Btn
    • Le-Poidevin William Stanley. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lea MM.. John. Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Leach Alfred. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Leach Frederick Charles. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Leach Frederick Charles. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Leach MM. Frederick William. Cpl Army Cyclist Corps
    • Leach James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Leach James. PO. HMS Rocket
    • Leach John Norman. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Leach John Norman. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Leach John Chapman. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Leach Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Leach Thomas Gray. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lead Sidney Ford. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Leadbeater DCM. Frederick John. Pte North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Leadbeater John Philip. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Leadbeater Richard York. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Leadbeatter John Victor. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Leadbetter R.. Gnr. Royal Artillery
    • Leafe Annie.
    • Leafhead James Francis. AM1 Royal Flying Corps
    • Leah John Edward. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Leah William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Leahy James. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Leak George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Leak George A.. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Leak VC. John. Pte 9th Battalion
    • Leake Albert Ernest. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Leake Harold George. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lean William. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Leane MID.. Benjamin Bennett. Major 10th Infantry Battalion
    • Learmonth Charles Allen. 2nd Lt.
    • Learmonth MM.. Henry Davidson. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Learmonth John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Learmonth VC MC.. Okill Massey. Major 2nd Btn. (Eastern Ontario Regiment),
    • Leary James William. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Leary William James. Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Leash Harold Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Leask MC.. James Cunliffe. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Leask Thomas. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Leason Thomas Herbert. 2Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Leatham John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Leathem G. A.M.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Leather Charles Henry. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Leather George. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Leatherbarrow . Durham Light Infantry
    • Leatherby Robert. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Leaver Hartley. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Leaver Hartley. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Leavitt John Ronald. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Leavitt John Ronald. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lebish Frank Roland. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Leblanc Cyrille. Cpl. 44th Artillery Regiment
    • Leckie . Walter Alan. Lt.
    • Leckrone Linnie. Nursing Corps
    • Lecky John Rupert Frederick. Capt. 7th Btn.
    • Lecky John Rupert Frederick. Capt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Ledbrook Wilfred Oliver. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Ledger Abraham. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Ledger Harry. Sgt Lancashire Fusilers
    • Ledger Joseph Henry. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ledingham George. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Ledson G. H.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Ledwidge Francis. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Lee MM. Alfred. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Lee Andrew. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Lee Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lee Arthur. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Lee Bertie Harold. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Lee Charles. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Lee Charles Earnest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Lee MC.. Charles Henry. Maj. Manchester Regiment
    • Lee D.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lee Daniel Walter. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lee E. F.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lee Edward. Stoker. HMS Defence
    • Lee F. R.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lee Frank Edward. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lee G. W.. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lee G.. Rflmn. King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Lee George. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Lee Graham. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lee Harry. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifles Corps
    • Lee Isaac. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Lee Jack. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Lee MC.. Jack. Capt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Lee James William John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Lee MM.. John Douglas. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Lee John A.. Pte. 1st Wellington Battalion
    • Lee John Howard. L/Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lee John Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lee John. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lee John Herbert. Pte, Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Lee John M. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Lee Joseph Collis. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Lee Kenneth. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Lee Leslie Edward. private 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Lee Leslie. Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Lee Patrick. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Lee Percy. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Lee S. A. J.. Sjt Mjr. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lee Sidney George. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lee Stephen. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Lee T.. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Lee Thomas. West Yorkshire
    • Lee Thomas. West Yorkshire Regt
    • Lee Thomas James. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Lee Tom Clement. Pte. 13th Field Ambulance
    • Lee Tom. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Lee Wilfred L. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lee William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lee William Henry. L/Cpl Hampshire Regiment
    • Leech Carl Arthur. A/CPO. HMS Scylla
    • Leech James Thomas. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Leech Joseph Archibald. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Leeder George. Pte Norfolk Regiment
    • Leeding Tom. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Leek David. Rfn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Leeks Robert William. Suffolk Regiment
    • Leeman Wilfred George. Pte. York and Lancashire Regiment
    • Leeming Arthur. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Leen Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Lancers
    • Leeper MM.. Frederick Caldwell. Co.Sgt.Mjr. Royal Fusiliers
    • Lees Abraham Law. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Lees Abraham Law. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Lees Ayre George H.. Capt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Lees C. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Lees Clifford Granville. L/Cpl. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Lees MM.. Ernest. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lees James Edward. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lees Kathleen. Forage Corps
    • Lees Vivian Worthington. Tpr. Light Horse
    • Leese Harry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Leese Isaac. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Leeson MM.. William Joel. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Leetch MM.. Ernest A.. 2nd Lt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Leete Joseph Oswald. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lefever Arthur George . Pte. London Regiment
    • Lefevre MM.. Frank W.. L/Cpl. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Legard M.C.. Charles. Capt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Legard Geoffrey Phillip. Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Legard Roger Alexander. Lincolnshire Yeomanry
    • Legg Edward John. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Legg H. G.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Legg Thomas John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Legg William James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Leggat Robert. Sgt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Leggat William. C.E.R.A.1 HMY Alexandra
    • Leggate MM.. Robert. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Leggatt E. W.. Capt.
    • Legge Sidney Jackson. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Legge Sidney Jackson. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Leggott Robert Henry. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Leggott Robert Henry. Cpl. Grenadier Guards
    • Leigh Frederick. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Leighton Abraham. A/Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Leighton James. Lsgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Leighton Joseph. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Leighton William Alexander. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Leinster David A.. Rfm Royal Irish Rifles
    • Leinthall William Charles. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Leitch Mathew Bryce. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Leland Walter Alfred. Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • LeLievre Jean Auguste. Able Sea. 2nd Hawke Btn.
    • LeLievre Jean Auguste. Able Sea. Hawke Btn.
    • Leman Ernest John. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Lemmon Arthur. Suffolk Regiment
    • Lemon A. Greaser. SS Winifredian
    • Lemon Moses. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Lenehan John Cattlin. Sapper 1st Australian Tunneling Company
    • Lennard James Archibald. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Lenney Alfred. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Lennings Cyril John. L/Cpl. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Lennon Joseph Cyril. Cpl. 33rd Btn.
    • Lenox-Conyngham DSO MID. Hubert Maxwell. Maj. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Lenox-Conyngham J. A.M.. Lt.Col. Connaught Rangers
    • Lenthall Charles. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lenthall Frederick William . Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Lenton . Walter . Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Leonard James.
    • Leonard Martin. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Leonard Michael Joseph. Private Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Leonard Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Leonard Percy Harold. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Leonard Peter.
    • Leonard William Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Leonard William John . Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Leonardi MM.. James. L/Cpl. York and Lanccaster Regiment
    • Lepine Richard James. Sgt Mjr. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Lescher MC and two bars. Frank Graham. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Leslie MC.. Cecil George. Mjr. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Leslie George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Leslie Roy John. Cpl. New Zealand Field Artillery
    • LeSouef Ernest Albert. Major 2nd Light Horse
    • Lester MC. Albert Edward. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Lester DCM. Ernest Wyndham Arthur. Sjt. Royal Engineers
    • Lester VC. Frank. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Lester James John . Boy II HMS Diamond
    • Lester Reuben. Pte. London Regiment
    • Lesurf William Frederick. Rfm. Rife Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
    • Letch John. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Letouze Franck C.. CERA. HMS Bergamot
    • Letters Joseph. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Letts Sydney Scott. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Letts Thomas. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Letzky C.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Levack . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • LeVaillant Louis Xavier. Rflmn. New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • Leveridge Bertie. Norfolk Regiment
    • Leverington Walter Clare. L/Cpl. Welch Regiment
    • Leverton Ernest William. Able Sea. HMS Defence
    • Leveson MID. Arthur Cavenagh. Admiral 2nd Battle Squadron
    • Leveson R. M.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Levett Charles Robert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Levett Joseph Richard. Cpl Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Levey William Henry. Pte Middlesex Regiment
    • Levi MiD. Keith Maurice. Capt Army Medical Corps
    • Levick Albert. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Levick Charles William. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Levinge Richard William. Lt. 8th Hussars
    • Levins Andrew William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Levinson A.. Pte. Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
    • Levitt William Elijah. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Levy Charles McKnight. 1st Australian Tunnelling Company
    • Lewarne John Joseph. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Lewington Thomas Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Lewins William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lewis Albert. Pte. Glamorgan Yeomanry
    • Lewis . Albert . Pte. Glamorgan Yeomanry
    • Lewis MM.. Albert H.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lewis Albert William. Royal Fusiliers
    • Lewis Albert Thomas. Stkr1. HMS Vanguard
    • Lewis Albert Edward. Gnr. HMS Challenger
    • Lewis Alfred Llewelyn. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Lewis Alfred. Pte South Lancashire Regiment
    • Lewis VC. Allan Leonard. Cpl. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Lewis Arthur Edward. Pte. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Lewis Arthur Leslie Vernon. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lewis Benjamin Thomas. Welsh Guards
    • Lewis Benjamin Thomas. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Lewis Benjamin Alfred . 2Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Lewis Charles Walter. Spr. South Wales Borderers
    • Lewis Charles. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Lewis Charles Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lewis Charles Herbert. L/Cpl. East Kent Regiment
    • Lewis Charles. L/Cpl. Queen's Royal West Surrey
    • Lewis D. D. R.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lewis MM.. David Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Lewis David. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Lewis David. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Lewis David. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Lewis David Evan. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Lewis David James. Sgt Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Lewis David John. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Lewis Dawson. Sgt. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Lewis Douglas Foxwell. Pte. Gloucester Regiment
    • Lewis Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Lewis Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Lewis Frank. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Lewis Frank Albert. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lewis Frank. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Lewis Frederick Edgar. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Lewis MM.. George. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Lewis George Charles. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Lewis George W.. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Lewis Griffiths. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Lewis Henry. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Lewis Henry George. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Lewis Herbert. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lewis J. W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lewis James Holroyd. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lewis John James. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Lewis John. Pte. Dorset Regiment
    • Lewis John. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Lewis John H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lewis John David. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Lewis Joseph. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Lewis MM. Leonard William. Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Lewis MM.. Leonard William. A/Sjt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Lewis MM. Leonard William. A/Sgt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Lewis Lewis. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Lewis Lewis. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Lewis Nathaniel George. Mona Queen
    • Lewis Reginald. Royal Welsh Fusilers
    • Lewis Robert. London Regiment
    • Lewis Samuel. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lewis VC.. Sydney G.. Ptr. Machine Gun Corps
    • Lewis Thomas William. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Lewis Walter. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Lewis Wilfred Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Lewis Wilfred Henry . Pte. London Regiment
    • Lewis William E.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lewis William. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lewis William Patrick. L/Cpl South Wales Borderers
    • Lewis William Howard. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Lewis William John.
    • Lewis William. Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Lewthwaite William. Pte. Black Watch
    • Leybourne E. A.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Leyland MM.. Charles. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Leys Patrick Collins. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Le_Marchant Spencer Henry. 2nd Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Libby MM.. Frank Thomas. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Lichfield George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lickiss Charles Frederick. Pte. The Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Lickman Cyril Edward. Sgt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Liddel Daniel Mackintosh. Pte. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)
    • Liddell Jeffrey. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Liddell John Aidan. Capt. Royal Flying Corps
    • Liddell MC VC. John Aidan. Captain RFC 7 Squadron
    • Liddell Sidney John. Pte. 29th Btn.
    • Liddell T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Liddell William Stewart. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Liddle Alix Oliffe. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Liddle Robert William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Liddle Samuel. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Liddle T. W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Liddle Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Liddle W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lidgley John Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Light Arthur Edward. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Light Earl Eustace. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Lightbody David. Sgt. Cameronians
    • Lightbody William. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lightburn Robert. L/Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Lightfoot Alfred John. Pte. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Lightfoot N. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lightfoot Richard. Sgt.Maj. Cheshire Regiment
    • Lightfoot William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lightowler H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Liley James. Pte. Sherwood Foresters Notts and Derby Reg.
    • Lillas Patrick. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Lilley Augustus George. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Lilley Ernest. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lilley Frederick. 2nd Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lilley John. Rfn. London Regiment
    • Lilley John. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Lilley William Corless. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Lillico W. L Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lillie Alexander William Hewson. Lt. H.M.S. Pretoria
    • Lillie . James. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Lillington Claude Clement Phinehas. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Lillis John James. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Lillis John James. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Lillywhite Horace Willie. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment, Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Limb MM. Fred. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Limerick John F. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Limouzin George Alfred. 2nd Lt. 26 Squadron
    • Limpus Harry. Cpl. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Linch Henry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Lincoln James. L/Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lincoln W W . L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Linden MID. Samuel McCullagh. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Linder Jack. Lcr. 9th Lancers
    • Lindop Edwin. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Lindop Ernest. Saddler Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lindridge William Herbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lindsay A. J.J.. Pte.
    • Lindsay D. C.. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lindsay Hugh. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lindsay James. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Lindsay James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lindsay DCM, MM. and Bar. John Smith. Sgt. Army Cyclists Corps
    • Lindsay MM.. John Dominic. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lindsay Thomas. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Lindsay William Smith . Cpt.
    • Lindsell Harold Frederick. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Lindsell Walter. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Lindsey James. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Linegar MID. George Harold. Sig. HMS Prince Eugene
    • Lineham Thomas John. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lines DCM, MC.. Thomas. 2nd Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Linfield Walter. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Linfoot Arthur L.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ling John. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ling Wilson Norman. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Lingard George. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Linge Arthur James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Linge Ernest Henry. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Link H. Seaman.
    • Linklater Harry. L/Cpl. 18th Bn.
    • Linklater Robert. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Linkston John. L/Cpl Cameron Highlanders
    • Linley Edmund. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Linley William. Cpl. The Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment)
    • Linn William. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Linney John. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Linskey James Bede. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Linskey John J..
    • Linsley Edward Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Linton Crawford Ebenezer. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Linton George Edward. Pte. Yorks & Lancs Regiment
    • Linton George Frederick. Rifle Brigade
    • Linton Stanley Fox. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Linton William Beeson. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lintott Evelyn. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lintott W.. Lt. Nelson Btn
    • Lippman Simon. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Lipschitz Louis. Cpl. South African Medical Corps
    • Lipscombe John. Sgt. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Lisher Reginald. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Lisle Ralph. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lisseter Charles. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lister Cyril Harry. Pte. Notts & Derby Regiment
    • Lister Edward. Pte. Scottish Rifles (Cameronians)
    • Lister George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lister Hugh Paton. AB. 2nd (Hawke) Battalion
    • Lister John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lister Joseph. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lister MM. Rudolph Beckley. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Lister T. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Litchfield Abraham. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Litford James. Sto. H.M.A.S. Fantome
    • Lithgow Benjamin Jepeth. L/Cpl. Dorset Regiment
    • Little . Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Little . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Little A.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Little Arthur Howard. 3rd Eng. SS Otaki
    • Little MM.. Benjamin. Colour Sgt. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Little Donald Eric. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Little MM.. Edward Rutherford. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Little Fred. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Little George. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Little MC.. John Winter. 2nd Lt.
    • Little John William. Sto. HMS E36
    • Little Michael. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Little Norman. Private Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Little O.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Little Samuel. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Little MM.. Thomas. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Littlechild Frederick. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Littlefair Bertie. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Littleford William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Littleford William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Littlehales MM.. Charles. Pte. Gloucester Regiment
    • Littlemore Charles. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Littler Jim. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Littler Thomas Henry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Littler William. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Littleton J. N.. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Littlewood Horace W.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Littlewood Robert Cecil. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Litton Gervase. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Litton Gervase. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Litton Jack. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Litton M.. Major. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Liunberg John Lemon. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Lively Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Liversidge Raymond Allen. Asst.Pay.M. HMS Invincible
    • Livesey Benson. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Livesey Vincent. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Livie John F.. L/Cpl Highland Light Infantry
    • Livings Davies Walter. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Livingstone Allan. L/Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Livingstone Claude. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Livingstone Joseph. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Livsey Herbert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Llewellyn John Arthur. L/Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Llewellyn Thomas G.. Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • Llewellyn-Jones John Glyn. Lt.
    • LLoyd . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Lloyd MM.. Albert Seymour. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lloyd Alfred W.K.. Major. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Lloyd CdeG.. Bertram Douglas. A/Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lloyd CdeG.. Bertram Douglas. A/Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lloyd MM.. Charles. Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Lloyd Chatto. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lloyd David. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Lloyd Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Lloyd Edwin Robert. Rflm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lloyd Evan. L/Cpl. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Lloyd Evan. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Lloyd Ewan Jack. Capt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Lloyd F. J.T.. QMS Royal Fusiliers
    • Lloyd George Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Lloyd George Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Lloyd Harry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Lloyd Harry. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiiers
    • Lloyd Harry. Pte. Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Lloyd Herbert James. Glamorgan Yeomanry
    • Lloyd Horace. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Lloyd MM.. James Roger. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Lloyd John Ambrose Richard. Pte. Sherwood Forresters
    • Lloyd John Herbert. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Lloyd Norman Lewis. Cpl. Denbighshire Hussars
    • Lloyd Owen. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Lloyd Robert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Lloyd Robert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Lloyd Robert Griffth. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Lloyd Sidney James. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Lloyd Thomas James. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Lloyd Thomas. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Lloyd Thomas Richard Beamish. 2nd Lt. Army Service Corps
    • Lloyd Thomas Richard Beamish. 2nd Lt. Army Service Corps
    • Lloyd Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Lloyd William Ernest. East Surrey Regiment
    • Llywarch Solomon. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Loach John Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Loader Frederick. Pte. London Regiment
    • Loader James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Loader John William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lobb Richard James. L.C.C. HMS Highflyer
    • Lochey Ambrose. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lock Albert. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Lock George William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lock John James Mansfield. Tpr. 1st/1st West Somerset Yeomanry
    • Lock William Frederick Leon. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Locke George Duncan. Pte.
    • Locke William Andrew. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Lockett William Henry. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lockey Francis Derwent. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lockey Frank Derwent. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lockey Frederick Charles. Pte. Berkshire Regiment
    • Lockey Harry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lockey John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lockey William. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lockhart J. F.K.. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lockhart Robert. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lockie Regnald. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Lockie Robert Haig. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lockie William Raymond.
    • Lockley John Bright. CQMS 95th Machine Gun Company
    • Lockley MM.. Tommy. Sgt.
    • Lockwood Allan. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lockwood Louis John. L/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Lockwood Mark. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Lockwood Richard William Mark. 2nd Lt. Coldstream Guards
    • Lockwood William. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Lodge B. G.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lodge Harold Edward James. Pte. 19th Btn.
    • Lodge Harry. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lodge Thomas James. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Loe Bertie. A/CQMS. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Lofthouse John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Lofthouse John Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lofthouse W.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Loftus J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Loftus Joseph. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Loftus Joseph. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Logan . Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Logan Alexander. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancs) Rgt.
    • Logan Arthur. Lt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Logan Charles Walter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Logan DSO.. E. T.. Lt -Col Durham Light Infantry
    • Logan John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Logan Michael Hugh. Fireman & Trimmer. SS Polyxena
    • Logan R.. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Lohse William C. Sgt. 17 Tram Corps
    • Lole Samuel. Pte. Berkshire Regiment
    • Lomas Charles. L/Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Lomas Edgar. Pte Sherwood Foresters
    • Lomas John Thomas. Cpl. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Lomas Wilfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lomas William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Lomax C.. Lt -Col Durham Light Infantry
    • Lomax Horatio Nelson. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Lombard Edward Albert. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • London Benjamin Howard. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • London Frederick William. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • London James S.. Fus. Royal Fusiliers
    • London MM.. Sidney Garfield. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Loney William. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Long Alfred. Dvr Royal Field Artillery
    • Long MM.. Alfred. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Long Charles. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Long E.. L/Cpl. Loyal North Lancs Rgt
    • Long Francis. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Long Frank. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Long Frederick. Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Long G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Long George Edward Arthur. Stkr. HMS Myrtle
    • Long H. W.. Mjr. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Long John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Long John Edward. L/Sgt Border Regiment
    • Long John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Long Richardson. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Long Wilfred Arthur. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Long William Gregory. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Longbottom Albert. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Longbottom Albert. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Longbottom Tom. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Longden Aaron. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Longhurst Stephen George. Rifleman King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Longley Benjamin. Cpl Quieens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Longman James Henry. Royal Field Artillery
    • Longmoor Thomas James Mallinson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Longshaw Alfred. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Longson John Henry. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Longstaff Richard Parker. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Longstaff Richard Parker. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Longstaff Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Longstaff Walter. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Longstreath J.. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Longthorpe Percy. Able Sea HMS Adventure
    • Longworth Cyril. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Longworth Cyril. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Longworth James Albert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Longworth Joseph. Pte Scots Guards
    • Lonsdale Gordon. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Lonsdale John Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lonsdale William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lonsdale Willie. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lonsdale Willie. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Looby Edward. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Loomes John Jack. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Loomes John Jack. Pte London Regiment
    • Looms Reginald Wallinger. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Looney Daniel. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Loop Edward Henry. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Looseley Leonard Edward Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Loosemore VC. DCM.. Arnold. Sgt. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Loosemore VC, DCM.. Arnold. Sgt. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Loots Jozua Johannes Jacobus. Pte. Mounted Commandos
    • Lopez R.. Pte.
    • Lord Abraham Hill. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lord Andrew J.
    • Lord Frank. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lord G. W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lord James. Rfm. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Lord James. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Lord John Wooley.
    • Lord Robert Charles. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Lord Thomas Edward. Private Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lorimer MM.. John. A/Bomdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lorrimer Alfred. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lorrimer Alfred. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Losco Marion Joseph. Pte. 47th Infantry Regiment
    • Lotan . Henry. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Lotan William Desmond Guthrie. 2nd Lt.
    • Louden Leonard Walter. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Loudon Benjamin Howard. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Loudon W. J.. Capt. General List
    • Loudoun-Shand VC. Stewart Walter. Major Yorkshire Regiment
    • Loughran John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Loughron MID RRC. Mary McLean. Matron Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service
    • Lounton George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lourens M. J.. Pte. 1st Regt.
    • Lourie Daniel. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Louw M. H.H.. Lt. Lichtenburg Commando
    • Lovatt John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillary
    • Lovatt MM.. Thomas. Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • Love Alexander. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Love Frank. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Love J.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Love Matthew. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Love Walter Shirley. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Love William. ASto I HMS Vivid II
    • Loveday Albert George. PO HMS Gibraltar
    • Loveday Arthur Edward. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Loveday DSO. Francis William. Mjr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Loveday Frederick George. London Regiment
    • Lovegrove Arthur Stephen Franklin. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Lovejoy Albert James. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Lovejoy Charles Frederick. Cpl. 2/7 Middlesex Regiment
    • Lovejoy CdG. Elizabeth. Dvr.
    • Lovelace-Taylor Arthur George. 2nd Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lovell Charles Thomas. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lovell Francis. L/Sgt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Lovell Herbert Edward. Bedfordshire Yeomanry
    • Lovell William. Sgt. Duke of Cambridgeshires Own Middlesex Regiment
    • Lovelock Frank Harold. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Loveridge Edward. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Loveridge Henry. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Loveridge Joseph C.. Sgt. Royal Hampshire Regiment
    • Lovett George. HMS Amphion
    • Lovett William Charles. A/C.S.M. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Lovis Reginald. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Low Harold Ayling. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Low James. L/Sgt. Black Watch
    • Low James Brown. Pte. Black Watch
    • Low Thomas. Pte. 1/3 3rd Highland Field Ambulance
    • Lowden J. T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lowden Stephen. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Lowe Albert Samuel. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Lowe Albert Edward. Pte Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Lowe Bernard Richard. Pte Coldstream Guards
    • Lowe Charles. Pte. Black Watch
    • Lowe Douglas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Lowe Frederick John. A/Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lowe Henry Arthur. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lowe Henry. A/Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lowe DCM.. Henry Griffith Pagan. 2/Lt. 45 Squadron
    • Lowe James Alfred. Able Sea. HMS Offa
    • Lowe Joseph. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Lowe William Douglas. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lowe William. Pte King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Lower Roy. Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Lowerson VC. Albert David. Sgt
    • Lowery A. Pte.
    • Lowery Michael Joseph. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lowery DCM. Thomas. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lowery William Matthew. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Lowes N.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Lowings W. J.. QMS
    • Lowis Horace Lake. Surgn.Lt. Camberley Military Hospital
    • Lowley Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lowman Walter. L/Cpl 8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion London Regiment
    • Lowrey John. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lowrey T. B.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lowrie Kenneth Campbell. L/Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Lowrie M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lowry Philip Archibald Nicholas. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Lowther Henry. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Loy George. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Lu Hsien T'Ing. Lab. Chinese Labour Corps
    • Lubbock Cecil Charles. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Lucas Alexander. 2Lt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Lucas Bertie. CSM. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lucas Charles William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Lucas Ernest Henry Austin. 2nd Lt The York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Lucas Harold. Sgt. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Lucas Horace Walter. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Lucas John. Pte Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Lucas John Fredrick . Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding
    • Lucas Percy. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Lucas Thomas Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lucas MID.. William Charles. Sgt Maj. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lucas William. Pte. Royal Welsh fusiliers
    • Lucas-Tooth DSO MID. Douglas Keith Lucas. Capt. 9th (Queen's Loyal) Lancers
    • Lucas-Tooth DSO MID. Douglas Keith Lucas. Capt. 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers
    • Luchford MC . Harry George Ernest. Cpt. 20 SQD
    • Lucia H. E.. Sgt. Cameroons Expeditionary Force, Works Dept
    • Lucie James. Pte. Middlesex Regt
    • Lucioni William. Rifle Brigade
    • Luckhurst Daniel James. Pte Middlesex Regiment
    • Luckhurst Frederick W.. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Luckman John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Luckraft Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Luddittt Albert. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Ludik Cornelius Abraham. Pte. 18th Mounted Rifles, Griqualand West Ruiters)
    • Ludlam John Thomas. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Luff John Stannon. 33rd Btn.
    • Luft Charles Henry. Pte Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Lugg James Richard. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Lugg William. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Luke . Durham Light Infantry
    • Luke Endicott Linden. Private 9th Btn.
    • Luke Frank. 27th Aero Squadron
    • Luke John Norman. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Luke W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Luke Military Medal. William Gordon. Royal Naval Division
    • Luke William. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Luke William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Luker David. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Lumb Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Lumley A. R.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Lumley George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Lumley T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lumsden VC, CB, DSO.. Frederick William. Brig.Gen. Royal Marine Artillery
    • Lund Alfred James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lund Geoffrey William. CSM. Hampshire Regiment
    • Lund Walter William. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Lund William Towler. Sgt. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Lund DCM.. William Smith. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Lundy Albert James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lunn James Joseph. 2nd Lt.
    • Lunn Matthew Henry. Pte North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Lunney Bartholomew. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Lunnon Walter Ernest. Pte. Royal Berkshire
    • Lunt Edward. Able Sea. Howe Bn
    • Lupton Jeffrey. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Luscombe Fred. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Luscombe Thomas George. L/Cpl. 42nd Btn.
    • Luscombe Thomas Mansell. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Lush MM.. Allen William. L/Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Lusmore Austin John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Lusty Thomas Henry. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Luther Thomas Simpson. Ldg.Sea. HMS Nelson
    • Lutjen John. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Lutton William Verdi. Gnr. 3rd Btn.
    • Luxford Arthur Ernest. Sergeant 34th Btn.
    • Luxford James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Luxmore Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lyall VC. Graham Thomas. Lt. 102nd (North British Columbians) Btn
    • Lyall John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Lycett William Dalton. L/Cpl. 4th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Lydiate Herbert. Pte.
    • Lydon Frederick.
    • Lydon Joseph Patrick. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Lydon Peter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lydon Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infanty
    • Lydonn William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lyman MM.. James Jesse. Pte. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Lyman MM.. James Jesse. Pte. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Lymer Thomas Aaron. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Lynas Ralph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Lynch Bartholomew Patrick. Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Lynch Charles. Cpl. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Lynch Christopher. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Lynch DSO. Colmer William Donald. Lt.Col. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Lynch Daniel. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Lynch Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lynch James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lynch James. FM
    • Lynch James. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lynch John James. HMHS Asturias
    • Lynch MiD.. Joseph. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lynch Patrick. Pte Highland Light Infantry
    • Lynch Patrick. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lynch Patrick. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Lynch Philip. LdgTrimmer. HM Trawler Shincliffe
    • Lynch Stephen. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Lynch Stephen. Stoker. HMS Queen Mary
    • Lynch Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Lynch Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Lyne W. G.. WO. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Lyne William Joseph. Able Sea. HMS Moresby
    • Lynes Bertie Frederick. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Lynham Ank George. ERA2. HMS C31
    • Lynn Edgar Edward. L/Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Lynn George. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Lynn Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lynn James. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lynn James Joseph. Rflemn. New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • Lynn VC DCM.. John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Lynn John Edgar. Sgt. Army Ordnance Corps
    • Lyon Alexander. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Lyon Arthur Lancelot. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Lyon Samuel Ignatius. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Lyons Eugene. L/Cpl. Connaught Rangers
    • Lyons Francis. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Lyons George Frederick. HMS Greenfly
    • Lyons John. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Lyons John. Cpl. Connaught Rangers
    • Lyons John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Lyons Leo Daniel. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Lyons Leo Daniel. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Lyons Matthew. L/Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Lyons Maurice. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Lyons Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Lyons MC, MID.. Richard Clarke. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Lyons S.. Pte. 8th Btn.
    • Lyons T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lyons W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Lyons William Denis. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Lyons William Henry. Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Lyttle J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Lyttle John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Lyttle John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Lyttle John. Lt. HMS Duke of Albany
    • Lyus Richard Sadler. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Mabbatt MM.. Clarence Walter. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Mabbett Robert John. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Mabbott Sidney Charles. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Mabbott CdeG.. William. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Mabson MM.. Frank Tildesley. Sergeant Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
    • MacAlpine J L. 2nd Lt. 9th Lancers
    • Macarthur David Christie. Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • MacArthur John. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Macartney-Filgate Desmond Maurice. 2nd.Lt.
    • Macaulay James. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Macaulay Samuel. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • MacAuley John. LDH. SS Kenmare
    • Macbeth William. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • MacCallum John A. Pte. 13th (Lanark and Renfrew Scottish) Btn.
    • MacCann Thomas Thomas. L/Cpl Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • MacCormac John Sides Davies. Surgn.-Lt. HMS Black Prince
    • MacDonald . Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • MacDonald . Sister No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • MacDonald . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • MacDonald Albert Edward. Pte. East Surrey Rgt.
    • Macdonald Alexander. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • MacDonald Daniel Stewart. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Macdonald Donald John. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • MacDonald Duncan Alexander. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • MacDonald Frank. Pte. Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Macdonald George Fraser. Lt. 50th Battalion
    • Macdonald Harold Newton. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Macdonald Harold Newton. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • MacDonald Harry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • MacDonald Harry. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Macdonald Ian Pendlebury. Lt. Sherwood Forrest
    • MacDonald James. Sjt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Macdonald John. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • MacDonald Norman. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Macdonald Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • MacDonald Thomas. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • MacDonald Thomas Graham. Pte Northumberland Hussars
    • MacDonald MID.. Walter Gordon. Sjt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Macdonald William. Pte. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Macdonald William John. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • MacDonald William. L/Cpl. Cameron Highlanders
    • MacDougall John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • MacDowell VC, DSO . Thain Wendell. 38th (Ottawa) Canadian Infantry Battalion
    • Mace John William. Sgt Essex Regiment
    • Mace Samuel Charles. Pte Coldstream Guards
    • Macey Belgian Croix de Guerre. Stephen Henry Lawrence. Petty Officer HMS Minotaur
    • Macey Vernon Harold. Pte. London Regiment
    • MacFarlane Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • MacFarlane Charles William. Capt. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Macfarlane Duncan Anne. Pipe Mjr. Black Watch
    • Macfarlane Robert. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Macgarr Walter. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • MacGilvray Donald. Sgt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Macgouran Alfred George. Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Macgregor Gordon. Sgt. Black Watch
    • MacGregor Gregor Alexander. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • MacGregor VC MC & Bar DCM. John. L/Colonel 2nd Regiment
    • Macgregor MM. John Hamilton. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Machin Ernest Arthur. Sjt. London Regiment
    • Machin J.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Machin J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Machin John. Norfolk Regiment
    • Machin Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Machin Raymond. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Machin Reginald. RSM. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Machin Walter Garfield. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Machin Walter Garfield. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Machin William Anthony. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Machon Charles John. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • MacInnes Ian Gorden. L/Sgt. 2nd Btn.
    • MacIntosh Edward Roderick. Royal Edmonton Rifles
    • Macintosh Robert. 2nd Lt.
    • MacIntyre Donald. L/Cpl. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Maciver Donald. Lt. Queen's Own Highlanders
    • MacIver Robert Troutbeck. 2nd Lt. Royal Scots
    • Mack Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mack Robert. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mack T.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mack DCM. William. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Mackay Alexander Nicholson.
    • Mackay Angus. Cpl. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Mackay Angus. Cpl. Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment
    • Mackay Donald Campbell. Carpenter. HMS Viknor
    • Mackay Donald. Tpr. Wellington Mounted Rifles
    • Mackay Donald. Trpr. Wellington Mounted Rifles
    • Mackay Frederick George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • MacKay John. Pte. Royal Scots Regiment
    • MacKay John. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Mackay John Dixon Comrie. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Mackay Magnus. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Mackay William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mackenzie . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Mackenzie Alexander. Pte. Argyll & Southern Highlanders
    • Mackenzie MC.. Arthur Arundel. Capt. Imperial Camel Corps
    • Mackenzie MC.. Charles Roy. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • MacKenzie Colin. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Mackenzie Cyril D.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Mackenzie VC.. James. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Mackenzie James Wesley. Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Mackenzie John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mackenzie Muir. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mackeson MiD.. Christopher. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Mackey Harvey. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mackey William. L/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mackey William. L/Sgt Durham Light Infantry
    • Mackie . Arthur William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Mackie MC.. John Duncan. Capt. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Mackie R.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mackie Robert Gray. Able Sea. Hawke Bn.
    • Mackie William. Cpl. Cameron Highlanders
    • Mackill James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mackin John. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Mackin Laurence. Ld.Sea. SS Highland Glen
    • Mackinder MM.. Joseph Liney. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Mackinder MM. Joseph Liney. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • MacKinnon MC and Bar. James David. T/Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Mackintosh . Mjr. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mackintosh Angus Alexander. Capt. Royal Horse Guards
    • Mackintosh VC.. Donald. Lt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Mackintosh Isabel Marion. Sister.
    • Mackintosh MM.. James Samuel. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • MacKintosh MM.. James Samuel. Pte. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Mackintosh John Lachlan. Lt. Arab Rifles
    • Mackirdy Mactaggart. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Macklin Henry. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Mackmurdo James Harold. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Mackness Ernest. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • MacKrell John George. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • MacLachlan Alexander. Cpl. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • MacLaren Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • MacLauchlan John. Pte Cameron Highlanders (Queens Own)
    • Maclean . Pte. 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company.
    • Maclean Arthur Kirkpatrick. Lt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • MacLean E. A.. Pte. Canadian Infantry
    • MacLean John. Sgt Royal Garrison Artillery
    • MacLean L. Dalzell. 1st Lt.
    • MacLean Robert Alexander. T/Lt. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • MacLennan . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Maclennan John Murdo. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Macleod Alexander. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • MacLeod Malcolm. DH HM Motor Launch "368"
    • MacLeod Malcolm Murray. Cpl. Glasgow Highlanders
    • MacMahon Herbert Henry. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • MacMilian Charles. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • MacMurchie DCM, MM and bar.. John Stuart. Sgt. Black Watch
    • MacNamara Patrick Francis. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Macnamara R. M.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • MacNeil John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Macorkindale J. C.. 2Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • MacPherson . Lt 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Macrae John. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Macrae MC.. Kenneth Duncan Cameron. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Macrae Murdo. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Mactier VC. Robert. Pte. 23rd Btn.
    • Madden Bernard. Boy/2. HMS Albemarle
    • Madden George. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Madden MID. Gerald Hugh Charles. Lt.Col. Irish Guards
    • Madden William Henry. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Maddison . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Maddison Frederick. Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Maddison George Albert. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Maddison Miles William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Maddix John Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Maddock Thomas H.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Maddock Thomas. Devonshire Regiment
    • Maddocks Arthur Burmah. Sgt. 16th Lancers (The Queens)
    • Maddocks Arthur Brenchley. Pte 16th Lancers (The Queens)
    • Maddocks Joe. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Maddocks William. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Maden Harold. Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Madigan . Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Madine William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Maffin Alfred. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Magan Frederick. Pte. (King's Royal Irish) Hussars
    • Magee Croix de la Guerre. David Adam. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Magee John Thomas. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Magee John Gilmor. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Magee Leslie Horace. Pte. London Regiment
    • Magee Richard Edward. Mst.Arms. HMS Pathfinder
    • Magee Robert. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Maggs Bertram. Spr. Machine Gun Corps
    • Magill Charles. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Magnall James. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Magnan S..
    • Magowan Samuel. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Magson John. CQMS. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Maguire Edward. Ch.Skr. HMS Curlew
    • Maguire Francis Patrick. 2nd Lt. Leinster Regiment
    • Maguire Hugh. 2nd Lt Connaught Rangers
    • Maguire James Thomas. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Maguire James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Maguire Joseph Michael. Pte 33rd Btn.
    • Maguire Patrick Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Maguire MM.. Thomas. Sgt/Mjr. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Maguire Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Maguire Thomas. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Maguire William Henry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Maher . James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mahon John Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Mahon Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Mahon R.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mahoney D. J.. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Mahoney J.. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • MaHoney J.. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Mahoney John Joseph. Pte. New Zealand Field Artillery
    • Mahoney Myles. CPO H.M. Coastguard Station, Seafield
    • Mahoney Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Mahony Cornelius. Gnr. Royal Field Artilery
    • Mahony Eugene Patrick. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn.
    • Mahony John. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Mahony-Jones George James. Capt. 20 Sqd.
    • Mahy MM.. Eugene. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mahy William B.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Maiden W.. Pte. King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Maiden Walter.
    • Maiden Walter. Yorks and Lancs Regiment
    • Maidlow Walter Charles. WO1 Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Mail . Durham Light Infantry
    • Mail William James. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Maile Thomas Henry. Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Mailer William.
    • Mailey John Henry. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Main Alexander. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Main Charles. Cmdr(E). HMS Shakespeare
    • Main George William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Main William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Mainprise Cecil. Lt.Col. No.5 Casualty Clearing Station
    • Mainville William. Pte. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Maitland Alec. Gnr Royal Horse Artillery
    • Majid Abdul. Stoker
    • Majid Abdul . Lascar
    • Major Tom Cammish. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Major William John. Pte. Northampton Regiment
    • Makeham Ernest Charles. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Makepeace J.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Makepeace John James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Makepeace Samuel Mallet. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Makin G. S.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Makin George Leslie. Lt. 5th Infantry Battalion
    • Makin Harold. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Makin Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Makin Ralph. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Makin Ralph. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Makin Richard. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Makin Richard. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Makin Richard. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Makin Richard. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Makinson Edward. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Makinson Edward. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Malcolm George John. Mjr. Royal Flying Corps
    • Malcolm MM.. James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Malcolm John Robert. Stoker. HMS Queen Mary
    • Malcolmson Hubert. Lt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Male John. Pte. Notts & Derby
    • Malet . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Maley Joseph Stanislaus. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Malia G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Malia John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Malia Martin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Malia Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Malins Arthur. Cpl, London Regiment
    • Malkin Lawrence. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Mallaby James. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Mallatratt Cyril Cox. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Malledant William. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Mallen John James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Mallender John Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Malley Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mallin MM.. F. W.. Sjt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mallins Claude O'Conor. Lt. Connaught Rangers
    • Mallinson Albert. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mallinson Arthur. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Mallinson Lewis John. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Mallinson Wilfred. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Malloch James. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Mallon Frederick. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mallon Michael. Sjt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Malloy John. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Malloy Michael. Pte. 1st Btn.
    • Malloy P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mally Martin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mallyon Alfred Kingsnorth. Pte. 48th Battalion
    • Malone Brian Wilmot . 2nd Lt. Devonshires
    • Malone John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Malone R.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Maloney Austin Martin. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Maloney J. D.. Pte. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Maloney James Benjamin. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
    • Maloney James Benjamin. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Maloney L.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Maloney Martin. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Maloney Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Maloney Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Maloney Patrick. OS3 HMS Vivid
    • Maloney R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Malpas J.. Lsgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Malpass Claude Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Malpass Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Malpass John Thomas. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Maltby Leonard. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Maltman MM.. John. Fus. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Malton Fred. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Malyon Frederick. Spr. Royal Engineers, att Royal Field Artillery
    • Mamprusi Allassan. L/Cpl. Gold Coast Regiment
    • Managhan Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Manchester Arthur Alonzo. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mandale John James. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mander D. W.. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mander George Devonshire. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Mander John. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Manderson Charles. Cpl. 42nd Btn.
    • Manderson Thomas. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Mandle William Lewis. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Manfield MID.. Stanley Charles. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mangal Anand . Fitter
    • Mangan MiD.. Albert James. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Manley Albert Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Manley Leo. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Manley Thomas Henry . L/Cpl Durham Light Infantry
    • Manly Eric. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Manly R.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mann Alexander James. 2nd Lt. Black Watch
    • Mann Alexander David. 2nd Lt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Mann Elias. Ch.Shpt. HMS Argonaut
    • Mann G.. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Mann George Cyril Stanley. L/Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Mann Herbert Henry. Sgt King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Mann John William Thomas. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Mann John Ivor Castle. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Mann Leslie Rupert. Pte. 16th Battalion
    • Mann Percy Charles. 2nd Lt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Mann Richard. Able.Sea. HMS Africa
    • Mann Theodor John Lewis. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mann William Samuel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers
    • Mann William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Mannell William John. PO Stkr. HMS Glorious
    • Manners Henry Fairholm. 2nd Lt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Manning Alfred Charles Henry. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Manning Douglas W. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Manning Ernest. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Manning Ernest Charles. Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Manning Ernest Arthur. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Manning Francis. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Manning Frank. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Manning Guy Owen. Capt. 1st Btn.
    • Manning Guy Owen. Capt. 1st Btn.
    • Manning J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Manning Michael. Pte. 6th (Perthshire) Battalion
    • Manning Stephen. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Manning Thomas John Charles. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Manning Thomas. Gunner RGA
    • Manning William Alfred . Boy1. HMS Genista
    • Manning William James. Pte Devonshire Regiment
    • Mannion Francis. Pte Irish Guards
    • Mannion Francis. Pte.
    • Mannion John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mannock VC, DSO, MC.. Edward. Mjr. 85 Sqdn
    • Manock Ina. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Mansell Burton Arthur. Pte. Royal Tank Corps
    • Mansell Edwin H.. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Mansell Thomas. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mansfield A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mansfield Arthur. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Mansfield Harry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Mansfield Henry James. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mansfield James Michael. A/Sgt. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Mansfield R. N.. Pte. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mansfield William James. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Manson Horace. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Manson John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Manson Magnus. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Manson Peter. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Mantle Alfred Lewis. Pte. London Regiment
    • Manton Albert Joseph. Pte. Loyal North Lancs
    • Manton Harry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Manton William Frederick. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Mantova John Steven. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Manuel Sidney Harold. Pte Rifle Brigade
    • Manville Henry. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Mapplethorpe William Alfred Gorbutt. Fitter. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mappley William. Pte. Middlesex Regement
    • Mara William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Marais K. C.. Pte. Mounted Commandos
    • March Clement Albert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • March Edward Arthur. L/Cpl Worcestershire Regiment
    • March John Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • March John Edward. Sgt.Mjr. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • March Percy James. Pte Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt)
    • Marchant Ernest William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Marchant F.. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Marchant George R.S.. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Marchant George Frederick. L/Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Marchant George Thomas. CSM. South Wales Borderers
    • Marchant Joseph John. Rfm Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Marchant William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Marchbank Robert Bruce. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Marchbanks Arthur Ernest. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Marcussen Thomas Diedrich. Pte. New Zealand Mounted Machine Gun Squadron
    • Marden Charles. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Marden Edwin James. Stokr1. Drake Battalion
    • Mareburger Frank Joseph. 2AB. USS Lenape
    • Marett Frederick William John. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Margrove Frederick George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Mariner VC. William. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Marino Nicolas. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Mariutto James Edward. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mark MM.. William John. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Marker Joseph. Pte Royal Devon
    • Marker DSO, MID.. Raymond John. Lt.Col. Coldstream Guards
    • Markham Charles Frederick. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Markham W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Markin MM. Frank Augustus. Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Markland Joseph. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Marks George Frederick Handel. Lt.Col. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Marks MC.. H. H.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marks J.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marks James Ganly. Lt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Marks William Lynn . Trpr. 2nd Light Horse
    • Marland Peter. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Marley W.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marling William Robert. L/Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Marlow Archibald. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Marlow Francis John. Sgt Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Marlow George. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Marlow John Joseph Harold. Ord.Sea. HMS Invincible
    • Marlow Percy. Capt.. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Marlow Thomas. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Marlow Thomas. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Marlton W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Marple Herbert William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Marples George Edwin. L/Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Marples MM.. John William. Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Marquis Archibald Scott. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marquis David Cecil. Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Marquis Sid P.. AbleSea. HMS Cyclops
    • Marr A. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Marr Archibald. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Marr George. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Marr Hugh. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Marr William.
    • Marr William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Marram Edward. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Marriage Andrew. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Marriner Henry. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Marriott Arthur. L/Cpl. City of London Regt
    • Marriott Arthur. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Marriott Eve.
    • Marriott Fredeick Ernest. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Marriott Harry. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Marriott Stanley. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Marris Alan Barrington. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Marris John Henry. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Marron Andrew Joseph Patrick . L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Marron Andrew Joseph . L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifles Corps
    • Marrow David. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Marrow J. T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Marsden Arthur. Capt HMS Argent
    • Marsden Edwin. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Marsden James Herbert. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marsden John William. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Marsden John William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Marsden John Taylor. L/Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Marsden Morris James. 2Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Marsden Nathan. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Marsh Edward. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Marsh George William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby) Regiment
    • Marsh Henry. Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Marsh James Henry Alfred. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Marsh Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marsh Joseph Daniel . Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Marsh Thomas Oswald. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Marsh Victor Herbert. Pte. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Marsh Victor Braine. 2Lt. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Marsh W.. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Marsh W. J.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Marsh William Henry. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Marsh William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Marsh MM. William. L/Cpl Essex Regiment
    • Marsh William. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Marshall MM.. . Durham Light Infantry
    • Marshall . 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Marshall A. R.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marshall Albert Athias. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Marshall Alexander. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Marshall C. A.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marshall Charles. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Marshall Charles Dunlop. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Marshall Charles Ware. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Marshall Claude William Taylor. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Marshall E. Pte North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Marshall Edgar Robert. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Marshall Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Marshall Elias. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Marshall Ernest. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Marshall Ernest. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Marshall MiD.. Evelyn Saffrey. Capt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Marshall Frank. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Marshall George William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Marshall George Henry. Pte. Worcestershire Rgt
    • Marshall Harold Sidney. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Marshall Harry. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Marshall Harvey William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Marshall Herbert. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Marshall Herbert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Marshall Hugh. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Marshall J.. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Marshall DCM. James. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Marshall VC MC.. James Neville. Lt.Col. Irish Guards
    • Marshall James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marshall James. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Marshall John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marshall John Edward. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Marshall John. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Marshall MM.. John William. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Marshall Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Marshall Joseph Thomas. Sgt 10th Btn
    • Marshall Leonard Charles. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Marshall Malcolm. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Marshall Maurice. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Marshall Moor. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Marshall Philip Messenger. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Marshall R.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marshall R. H.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marshall Reginald Arthur Owen. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Marshall Sidney Wooler. Pte.
    • Marshall T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marshall Thomas James Webster. Sjt. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Marshall Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marshall Thomas William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Marshall Thomas Leslie. Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Marshall Thomas. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Marshall W.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marshall Wilfred Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Marshall . Wilfred. Gnr. 103rd Siege Battery
    • Marshall MM.. Wilfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Marshall William Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Marson Richard. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Marston Alf. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Marston Alfred. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Mart George Hulbert Victor. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Martel Ernest. Pte. Royal Guernsey Light Infantry
    • Martin . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Martin Abraham. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Martin Alexander Robb.
    • Martin Arthur Willis. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Martin Arthur. Devonshire Regiment
    • Martin Arthur Robert. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Martin B. L.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Martin Benjamin Walter. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Martin MM.. Bertram C.. 2nd Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Martin Charles. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Martin Charles Andrew. Capt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Martin D.. Lt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Martin Darwin D.. 125th Infantry Regiment
    • Martin David. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Martin MM. Edgar. A/WOII Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Martin Edward. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Martin Francis. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Martin Frank William. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Martin Frank Purdy. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Martin Frederick. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment.
    • Martin Frederick Singleton. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Martin Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Martin G. C.. HMS Patrol
    • Martin G. H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Martin G. W. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Martin George. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Martin MM. Guy Stanislaus . A/2nd.Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Martin Harry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Martin Harry Edward. 2nd Lt. 60 Squadron
    • Martin Harry. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Martin Henry. Able Sea. 63rd Royal Naval Division
    • Martin Herbert Ernest. Stoker 1st Class HMS K4
    • Martin Herbert. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Martin J. K. L.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Martin MC.. J. H.. Lt -Col. Durham Light Infantry
    • Martin J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Martin James Richard. Pte. Yorkshire Rgt.
    • Martin James Charles. Pte. 21st Infantry Battalion
    • Martin James. 7th Btn.
    • Martin James. Pte. Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry
    • Martin James. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Martin John E.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Martin John. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Martin John G. Rfmn. Queens Westminster Rifles
    • Martin John Haddon Samuel. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Martin John. Driver Royal Field Artillery
    • Martin John Godfrey. Rflmn London Regiment
    • Martin John Robert. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Martin John Henry. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Martin MM.. John. A/Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Martin John William. AB. HMS Boscawen
    • Martin Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Martin . Lancelot Lucien. Pte. Dorset Yeomanry
    • Martin Leonard. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Martin Leonard Eve. A/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Martin Leslie Henry. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Martin Lewis Edwin . Cpl. East Kent Regiment
    • Martin Nathan Vincent. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Martin Percival John. Sgt. The London Regiment
    • Martin MM.. Rankin. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Martin Richard. A/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Martin Richard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Martin Richard Edward. Pte. Hampshire Rgt.
    • Martin Richard. A/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Martin Richard. A/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Martin Richard. A/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Martin Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Martin Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Martin Thomas Neill. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Martin Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Martin Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Martin Thomas. PO. HMS Albemarle
    • Martin Walter. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Martin Walter Robert . Pte. London Regiment
    • Martin Wilfred Vasil. Sto1. HMS Skirmisher
    • Martin William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Martin William. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Martin DCM.. William Charles. A/CQMS. Welsh Fusiliers
    • Martin William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Martin William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Martin William. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Martin William. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Martin William James. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Martindale Herbert. Pay Sjt. Manchester Regiment
    • Martindale John Bell. Lt. North Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Martino Dominic. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Martins S Alfred. Pte Norfolk Regiment
    • Martyn William Frederick. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Marwick George Wardlaw. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Marwood Frederick Chalres. Cadet No.2 Cadet Wing
    • Marwood Harold. Pte. 6th Btn.
    • Mash Herbert. Pte. 195th (City of Regina) Btn.
    • Mashiter John Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Maskell . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Maskell Frank. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Maskell George Ernest Hampshire. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Maskery Francis. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Maskrey Albert Vincent. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Maskrey Francis. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Maskrey John Henry. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Maslen T.. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Mason MM.. A J. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Mason Albert George. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Mason Alfred. Cpl Rifle Brigade
    • Mason Alfred. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Mason Alfred. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Mason Alfred. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Mason Alfred. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Mason Arthur George. Cpl Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Mason Bert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mason Charles Henry. A/Sgt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Mason Conrad. Cpl Royal Field Artillery
    • Mason E. V.. Able Sea. H.M.S. Q36
    • Mason Ernest. Mstr. SS City of Brisbane
    • Mason Frank. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Mason Frederick Sidney. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Mason MM. George. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Mason George Albert. Pte. Herefordshire Regiment
    • Mason George Henry. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Mason George. HMS Pembroke
    • Mason George Sowersby. 2/Lt York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Mason H. Bugler
    • Mason Hambleton. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mason Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Mason MM.. Henry. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Mason Henry. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mason James. Pte. South Staffordshire
    • Mason John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mason John Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mason John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mason John Edward. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Mason John William. Pte. Yorks and Lancs Regiment
    • Mason John. Pte Connaught Rangers
    • Mason John Edward. Pte Worcestershire Regiment
    • Mason John. PO. SS Araguaya
    • Mason Joseph. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mason MM.. Leonard. Sgt. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Mason Leonard. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Mason Miles Farrar Hemming. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mason R E, A. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mason R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mason MM.. Reginald John. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Mason Samuel. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Mason Samuel. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Mason Stanley James. 2nd Lt. South Wales Borderers
    • Mason Stanley. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Mason Stanley. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mason T.. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mason Thomas. Cpl. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Mason William Sewell. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mason (John Davies) Thomas Milton. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Massarella Alexander. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Massey Benjamin. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Massey George Leigh. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Massey Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Massey William Arthur. Gur. B Battery
    • Massheder Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own)
    • Massingham Horace William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Massiter W.. Csm. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Masson Walter. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Massy Haworth Peel. Capt. Leinster Regiment
    • Masterman George Bernard. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Masters S. D.. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Masters Sid.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Masterson Charles. Pte. Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers
    • Masterson Robert Carruthers. Pte. Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers
    • Matcham William James. Pnr. 330th Road Construction Company
    • Matchett Richard Willey. Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mates Thomas. Pte Northumberland Fusilliers
    • Mather Alan James. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Mather Ernest. Ord.Sea. HMS Bergamot
    • Mather G.. Stkr. HMS Astraea
    • Mather Harold. Officer's Steward 2nd Cla HMS Invincible
    • Mather Harry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment.
    • Mather Harry. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Mather Kay Charles Bertrand. Pte. Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry
    • Mather Samuel.
    • Mathers Daniel Gordon. Pte 6th Battalion
    • Mathers John George. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Mathers DCM.. John. CSM. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Matheson MC.. James Frederick. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Matheson Murdoch. Pte. Cameron Highlanders (Queen's Own)
    • Mathews James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mathewson W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mathias Stanley Mostyn. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mathias Stanley Mostyn. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mathie Archibald. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mathieson MID. David. Cpl King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Mathieson MID. David. Corporal King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Matley Albert. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Matley Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Maton Harold Victor. PO. HMS Rocket
    • Matson Alfred. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Matson Alfred George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Matson Charles. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Matson John. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Matson Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Matson William Jarvis.
    • Matthew William. Gnr. Australian Field Artillery
    • Matthew William Johnston. QMS. Royal Scots
    • Matthews . Capt. Worcester Rgt.
    • Matthews MM.. Abraham. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Matthews Alec James. Pte. Royal Norfolk Regiment
    • Matthews Alfred Rowland. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Matthews Alfred William. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Matthews Arthur Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Matthews Charles. Pte.
    • Matthews MiD.. Cornelius. CSM. South Wales Borderers
    • Matthews Edgar Walter. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Matthews Francis Samuel. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Matthews Frank. Pte. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Matthews Frank Harold. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Matthews Frederick George Gladstone. Spr. Australian Engineers
    • Matthews G.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Matthews G. A.. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Matthews Herbert George. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Matthews Jack. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusilier
    • Matthews John Carlyle. Pte. 50th Btn. Alberta Regiment
    • Matthews Joseph Thomas. Sgt Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Matthews N.. Pte. South African Infantry
    • Matthews Richard Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Matthews Robert George. Boy HMS Invincible
    • Matthews Robert George. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Matthews Sidney Wright. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Matthews Sidney Herbert. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Matthews T.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Matthews Thomas. Rfm Royal Irish Rifles
    • Matthews Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Matthews Thomas Luke. Pte. Royal Berkshire Rgt.
    • Matthews Vernon George. Sgt. 5th Dragoon Guards
    • Matthews William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mattimoe James Francis. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Mattison Thomas. Pte. Yorks and Lancaster Regiment
    • Mattock Thomas William. Pte. East Kent (The Buffs) Regiment
    • Mattocks Henry. Pte North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Mattox Bertie. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Maturin W. K.. Lt
    • Mauchlin . Durham Light Infantry
    • Maude MM.. George W.. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Maudslay . George Cecil. 2nd Lt. The Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment
    • Maugham Thomas. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Maughan Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Maughan Ernest Edward. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Maughan John. Lsgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Maughan Peter. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Maughan Robert. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Maughan Robert. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Maule Robert William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Maulkerson John Thomas. Royal Fusiliers (The London Regiment)
    • Maulkin Sidney John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Maultsaid Wesley. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Maund William Henry. Pte East Lancashire Regiment
    • Maunder Edgar Earnest Cecil. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Maunder Richard. Pte. London Regiment
    • Maunders Leonard. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Maunders Maurice. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Maunsell George Wyndham. Corps of Engineers
    • Mavin Harle.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mavor Eric. 2nd Lt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Mawdsley John Howard. Pte. Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Mawer James Robinson. Rifleman Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Mawhinney James. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mawson James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mawson Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Maxim Harry. Pte Border Regiment
    • Maxted Oscar Dean. Lt. 18 Squadron
    • Maxwell Charles. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Maxwell Charles. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Maxwell VC, CSI, DSO MID.. Francis Aylmer. Brig. 9th (Scottish) Division
    • Maxwell MC.. George Barton. 2Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Maxwell MC.. George Barton. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Maxwell MC, DFC, AFC.. Gerald Constable. 56th Sqd.
    • Maxwell Henry. Capt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Maxwell DSO. Henry Edward. Col. Black Watch
    • Maxwell James. Pte Royal Irish Rifles
    • Maxwell James. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Maxwell James John. Royal Irish Rifles
    • maxwell john. Sig.Boy. HMS Amphion
    • Maxwell Robert. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Maxwell MM. Walter. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Maxwell-Pike Robert. Capt.
    • May MM.. Alfred Edward. Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • May Ernest George. Rfn. London Regiment
    • May F. W.L.. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • May Frederick. Sea. HMS Challenger
    • May George Albert. Sjt. 41st Btn.
    • May Harold Philip. Pte. London Regiment
    • May Henry. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • May Jeffrey. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • May John T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • May John Oliver Knight. A/CQSM Durham Light Infantry
    • May John. Stoker HMS Hibernia
    • May Joseph Stanley. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • May Martin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • May Melville. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • May Patrick. Sapper. Royal Engineers
    • May Peter Brown Clives. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Maycock Charles Ernest. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Mayell James Richard. Spr. 222nd (Tottenham) Field Company
    • Mayer Frederick John. Pte. 3rd Pioneer Battalion
    • Mayer Samuel. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Mayers J.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Mayers Wilfred. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Mayes Ernest. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Maygar VC.. Leslie Cecil. Lt.Col. 4th Light Horse Regiment
    • Maygar VC, DSO, VD.. Leslie Cecil. Lt.Col. Australian Light Horse
    • Maygar VC, DSO, VD,. Leslie Cecil. Lt.Col. Australian Light Horse
    • Mayger Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Mayhew Ernest Edwin. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Mayhew Frank. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Mayhew John Herbert. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mayhew R.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mayman Ernest Arthur. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Maynard Cephas Alexander. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Maynard James Frederick. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Maynard Samuel. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Maynard Thomas Walter. Pte. London Regiment
    • Mayne MM.. Arthur Thomas . Cpl. Lancashire Hussars
    • Mayne David. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mayne MC.. George Rufane Talbot. Lt. Army Service Corps
    • Mayne Joseph M.. Sig. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mayrick Thomas. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regt
    • Mays William Douglas. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Mayzes Walter. Pte. London Regiment
    • McAdam J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McAdam J.. S/Sgt. 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards
    • McAdam Wilson. Sgt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • McAfee Lewis Alexander. Cpt. Rifle Brigade
    • McAleer Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • McAlister James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McAlister James. Pte.
    • McAllister Daniel. Gnr. 277th Brigade
    • McAllister Daniel. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McAllister David Dunn. Pte. 24th Battalion Quebec Regiment
    • McAllister Frank. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McAllister James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McAllister Leo Patrick. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • McAllister Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • McAllister Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • McAllister Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McAllister Thomas. Sjt. King's Own Scottish Borderer
    • McAllister W. W.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McAloon Peter. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McAlpin MiD.. Kenneth Furgus. T/Capt Royal Fusiliers
    • McAlpine Archibald. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McAlpine Donald. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McAlpine Gilbert Clarke. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • McAnanney Mark. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McAndrew Hector. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McAndrew Owen. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mcannally . James. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McAnulty Cecil Anthony. Pte. 3rd Infantry Battalion
    • McAnulty Peter Leslie. Pte. 23rd Battalion
    • McArdle MSM.. . Durham Light Infantry
    • McArdle Charles Edward. Royal Engineers
    • McArdle P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McArdle Peter Paul. 2nd Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • McArdle Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • McArdle W. R.. Capt. Indian Medical Department
    • McArthur Daniel. Asst.Stwd. HMS Bayano
    • McArthur DCM.. Duncan. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • McArthur G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McArthur Marguerite Maude.
    • Mcaskill . Marcus Mcleod. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McAuley Henry. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McAuley John. Rflmn Royal Irish Rifles
    • McAuley Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • McAuley Peter Michael. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • McAuley William John. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • McAuliffe Hugh Paul. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • McAuliffe Patrick Francis. London Regiment
    • McAuliffe MM.. Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • McAvoy Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McBain Peter. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McBain Robert William Smith. Driver Royal Engineers
    • McBarron John. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own)
    • McBeath VC.. Robert. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McBride A.. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • McBride H.. L/Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • McBride James. Pte. 47th Field Amb.
    • McBride John. Pte. Black Watch
    • McBride Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McBrine Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McCabe Bernard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCabe Francis J.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • McCabe J.. Durham Light Infantry
    • McCabe P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCabe . Patrick. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • McCabe Patrick. Pte. The Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCabe Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCabe Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCabe Thomas. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • McCabe Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCabe W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCabe MM.. William. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCaffrey W. R.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McCaig John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McCall . 6 Squadron
    • McCall Archibald Ness. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • McCall Archibald Ness. Pte Wiltshire Regiment
    • McCall James. HMS Topaze
    • McCall John. L/Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McCall John Mitchell. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • McCallister Robert. Pte. Royal Scots Fusilers
    • Mccallum Alexander. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • McCallum Angus Duncan. Pte. 16th Battalion
    • McCallum Archibald. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McCallum Arthur Howard K.. Lt. 25 Squadron
    • McCallum John. Pte. Scots Guards
    • McCallum Walter Keyes. Pte. Black Watch
    • McCandles Adam. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCann David. Serjeant Royal Highlander Regt. (Black Watch)
    • McCann David Ernest. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • McCann David. Sgt. Black Watch
    • McCann Frank. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • McCann James. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McCann James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCann John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • McCann John. Pte. Irish Guards
    • McCann Joseph Davidson. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • McCann Joseph. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • McCann Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • McCann MiD.. Reginald Francis. L/Sgt. Cameron Highlanders
    • McCann Thomas Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McCann Vincent Myles. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • McCann William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • McCann William. Pte Royal Irish Regiment
    • McCardle Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCarfrae Christopher William. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • McCarren David Stewart. L/Sgt. Highland Light Infantry
    • McCarroll James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCarron James. Dvr. Royal Artillery
    • McCarter William Harold Raphael. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • McCarthy Albert Cornelius. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • McCarthy Bartholomew. AM3. Airship Training Wing
    • McCarthy MM. Daniel. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McCarthy Edward Maurice. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • McCarthy Eugene Daniel. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McCarthy Jack. Army Service Corps
    • McCarthy James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McCarthy Jeremiah James. Pte. London Regiment
    • McCarthy John. Highland Light Infantry
    • McCarthy John. CSM Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • McCarthy Justin. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • McCarthy Laurence. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Mccarthy Laurence. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • McCarthy P.. L.Sto. HMS Bellerophon
    • McCarthy Patrick. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • McCarthy Richard. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • McCarthy Samuel. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • McCarthy Thomas. AMech3.
    • McCarthy MM.. William Cuthbert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • McCarthy William Daniel. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • McCarthy William. Army Service Corps
    • McCartney James Horsley. Cpl. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • McCartney John William. Private King's Regiment ÃÆ??Ã?Ã? (Liverpool)
    • McCartney John Browne. Pte. 24th Battalion (Victoria Rifles)
    • McCartney Robert. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCarty Albert Alexander. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • McCarty Bernard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCarty James. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • McCauley John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCauley Robert. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCaw Thomas. Sgt. Highland Light Infantry
    • McCcarthy Eugene. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • McChesney Robert. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McChesney Robert. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McClair H.. Pte. Border Regiment
    • McClaren . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • McClatchey John. Pte Royal Irish Rifles
    • McClay DCM MM.. Thomas. CSM. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McClean William. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCleary R J. Sergeant Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCleery A.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McClelland David. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McClelland James Arthur. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McClelland James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McClelland Robert. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • McClelland Samuel David. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McClelland William John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McClements William James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McClennan Patrick. Pte. Royal Medical Corps
    • McClintock Thomas Andrew. Capt. Army Veterinary Corps
    • McClure James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McClure MM.. Robert Calderwood. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McClure T. A.. 2nd Lt. Connaught Rangers
    • McClure T. James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McClure William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McCluskey MM.. James. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • McCluskey Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCluskey Thomas. Cpl. Irish Guards
    • McClymont DCM.. James. RSM Royal Sussex
    • McClymont James. Pte South Lancashire Regiment
    • McColl Charles Frederick. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • McColl Donald Robert. CSM. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • McComb Francis. Rfm Royal Irish Rifles
    • McComb Francis. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McComb James. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McComb John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCombie Herbert James. Pte. London Regiment
    • McCombie L. H.D.. Lt. Intelligence Corps
    • McConachie William. Major. Machine Gun Corps
    • McConachy John.
    • McConaghy Arthur. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McConaghy George Charles. Seaman HMS Amphion
    • McConaghy Henry. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McConaghy John. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McConaghy John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McConaghy Robert George. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McConaghy Samuel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McConnachie John. Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • McConnel MID.. Merrick Hugh. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McConnell . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • McConnell Charles Edward. Capt. 82nd Heavy Artillery Group
    • McConnell Daniel. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • McConnell Hillis. Lt. 34 Sqdn.
    • McConnell James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McConnell James. Pte. 21st Battalion
    • McConnell John Allan. Pte.
    • McConnell Quentin Edward. 2Lt. 76 Squadron
    • McConnell-Wood Alexander. Lt. 73 Squadron
    • McConville H.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McConville CMBE.. Kezia Esther. Sister.
    • McConway John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • McCord M. F.. Matron. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • McCord William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McCormack MID, MC & 2Bars.. Campbell McNeill. Mjr. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • McCormack Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCormack Edward. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • McCormack J.. Cpl. Labour Corps
    • McCormack John Robert. Sjt. Royal Field Artillery
    • McCormack Michael Austin. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCormack Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • McCormick Edward. 2nd Lt. Gordon Highlanders
    • McCormick Edward John. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • McCormick John. Pte Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • McCormick Mark Huston. 2nd Lt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • McCormick Thomas. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • McCormick William John. Pte. Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McCosh Samuel Osborne. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCoubrey James. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCoy Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCoy J.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCoy James William. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCoy John. Pte. 40th Infantry Btn.
    • McCoy Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCoy William. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McCracken Alexander. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McCracken J. E.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCracken Joseph. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCracken William John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCracken William Louis. Pte. 2nd Pioneer Battalion
    • McCracken Wilson. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McCready James Morrison. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCready W. D.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • McCreanor Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCreery Mona James Nathanial. Capt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • McCrickard James. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • McCricket T. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McCririck George. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers (Ayrshire Yeomanry)
    • McCrohon Henry Louis. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • McCrory Francis. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McCrory Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCubbin Bertie. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • McCudden VC, DSO and Bar, MC and Bar, MM.. James Thomas Byford. Mjr. Royal Air Force
    • McCue C.. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • McCue Charles. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • McCue James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • McCue John Joseph. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • McCullagh James Joseph. Drmr. Royal Engineers
    • McCullagh Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • McCullam James Orrison. Sgt. 105 Field Signal Battalion
    • McCullen G.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • McCulloch James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McCulloch Thomas T.. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McCullough . Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCullough Andrew. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Mccullough David. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCullough Francis. A.M.1 Depot (Halton)
    • McCullough Joseph Craig . Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCullough William Walter. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCullough William. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McCullum Edwin. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • McCully Hugh. Ch.Art. HMS Liffey
    • McCumskay John. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • McCurdie John Farrell. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McCurry T.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McCusker James. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McDermott . Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • McDermott Bernard. Spr Royal Engineers
    • McDermott Daniel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McDermott Daniel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McDermott John Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • McDermott Patrick. AB. HMS Marlborough
    • McDermott Patrick. Able Sea. HMS Marlborough
    • McDermott Thomas. L/Cpl
    • McDermott Thomas. L/Cpl Highland Light Infantry
    • McDermott Thomas. Lieutenant Corporal Highland Light Infantry
    • McDermott Thomas. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)
    • McDill Robert Cecil. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McDonagh Hugh. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • McDonald Alexander. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • McDonald Arthur. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • McDonald C. A.. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McDonald C. A.. RfM. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McDonald D. F.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • McDonald Edward. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McDonald F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McDonald George Dixon. Able Sea. Collingwood Battalion
    • McDonald Harold. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • McDonald J.. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • McDonald James Francis. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • McDonald James. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McDonald James. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • McDonald John Christopher. L/Cpl Labour Corps
    • McDonald John. Pte. Border Regiment
    • McDonald John Richard. Tpr. Imperial Camel Corps
    • McDonald John. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • McDonald John. Hampshire Regiment
    • McDonald John Richard. Tpr. Imperial Camel Corps (Australian)
    • McDonald John. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • McDonald John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Mcdonald John. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • McDonald Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McDonald Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McDonald Neil. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McDonald Patrick. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McDonald Patrick. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • McDonald Roderick. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McDonald Simon. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McDonald T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McDonald Thomas Andrew. Sgt. Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders
    • McDonald Thomas Murray. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • McDonald Walter. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McDonald William Campbell. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McDonald William. Gnr. 368th Battery
    • McDonnel F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McDonnel Johnathan. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mcdonnell John. Pvt. 109th Infantry Regiment
    • McDonnell MID. John. Rifleman Connaught Rangers
    • McDonnell L.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McDonnell Myles. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • McDonough Andrew.
    • McDonough James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McDougal Harold John. 2Eng.
    • McDougall John. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • McDougall John Robert. Pte. 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • McDougall Joseph. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • McDougall Malcolm Colville. L/Cpl. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • McDougall Michael. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • McDougall Robert. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • McDougall MM.. William. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • McDowall James Walter Rodger. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • McDowall Thomas. Able.Sea. HMS PC61
    • McDowell David. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McDowell Edward. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • McDowell Irwin. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McDowell John. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • McDowell Thomas. Able Sea. HMS PC61
    • McDowell W.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McDowell William. Rfm Royal Irish Rifles
    • McEachen Ronald John. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • McEachin William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McElduff MC.. Dan. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McElligott Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • McElphone M.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McElroy J. O.. Capt. Manchester Regiment
    • McElwee Ernest. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • McEnerney John Edward . Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McEntee Henry Daniel. Pte. London Regiment
    • McEvoy Bernard. Pte. 15th (The King's) Hussars
    • Mcevoy Hugh. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • McEvoy John Patrick. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • McEvoy John Stanislaus. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • McEvoy Joseph.
    • McEvoy Robert McEvoy. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • McEvoy . Robert Wright. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McEvoy William John. Pte. Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McEwan Alexander Norman. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McEwan MM.. James. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • McEwan John. Pte. Black Watch
    • McEwan William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McFadden . Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McFadden Clealand George. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • McFadyen Felix. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McFarland A.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McFarland George Beech. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McFarlane Alan. Pte. Black Watch
    • McFarlane Colin. Pte. Royal Highlanders
    • McFarlane Daniel. Sapper Royal Engineers.
    • McFarlane MID. George. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McFarlane John. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • McFarlane Nicholas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McFarlane Robert. Pte Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • McFarlane Thomas. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • McFetridge James. L/Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McFetridge James. L/Cpl Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • McGachie James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McGahan James Richard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McGahan Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McGann Aloysius James. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • McGargle . Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • McGarr William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGarrity James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • McGarrity P. G.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGarry Joseph. Pte King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • McGarry Joseph. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • McGaughery E. S.. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McGavin Charles Abercrombie. 2nd Lt. Hampshire Regiment
    • McGawley Robert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Mcgeachy MM.. Charles. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McGeachy John. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McGearey W. J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGeary Arthur. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • McGeary Reynolds. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • McGee Arthur. South Wales Borderers
    • McGee Bernard. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McGee Eustace J V . 2/Lt.
    • McGee James. Pte Black Watch
    • McGee VC.. Lewis. Sjt. 40th Btn.
    • McGee VC.. Lewis. Sgt. Australian Infantry
    • McGee M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGee Patrick. Pte. 6th Battalion
    • McGee Paul. Pte. 6th Battalion
    • McGee T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGeehan Matthew Patrick. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • McGeeney MM.. Michael. L/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Mcgeown James. Pte Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • McGetrick John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McGhee James. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • McGhee John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McGhie John. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • McGibbon Adam J.. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McGill James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGill John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGill MM.. William George. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • McGimpsey James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McGinley Michael. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • McGinn F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGinn Henry Joseph. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McGinty P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGinty Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mcgirr Hugh. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McGivern Patrick Joseph. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • McGivern William. Pte. 9th Battalion
    • McGlade Daniel. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • McGlasson Ernest. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • McGlasson Ernest. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Mcglinchey Cecil Henry. Norfolk Regiment
    • McGonigal John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McGough Leonard. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • McGovern Peter. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • McGow H.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McGowan George. Pte Highland Light Infantry
    • McGowan John H.. L/Cpl. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • McGowan John. Pte Kings Own Scottish Borders
    • McGowan William. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McGowan DCM.. William. 2nd Lt. Leinster Regiment
    • McGraa William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • McGrady James. Stkr1. HMS Gaillardia
    • McGrane J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGrane Robert J.. Gnr. Royal Marine Artillery
    • McGrath J.. Sto1 H.M.S. Shark
    • McGrath James. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • McGrath John. Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • McGrath Michael Dowling. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • McGrath Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGrath Peter. Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • McGrath Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGrath William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGregor . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • McGregor VC.. David Stuart. Lt. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • McGregor E. G.. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • McGregor James Alexander. Pte.
    • McGregor John Alexander. L/Cpl. Black Watch
    • McGregor Peter Archibald. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McGregor Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McGregor William Henry. Pte. The King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • McGrevy Harry. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGrogan John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McGrorty Hugh. Pte. Australian Machine Gun Corps
    • McGucken William. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • McGuffie VC.. Louis. Sgt. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • McGugan J. M.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McGuigan James. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McGuigan Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McGuigan Stephen. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • McGuiggan Peter. Driver Royal Field Artillery
    • McGuiness John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGuiness MM.. Joseph. A/L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • McGuinness Henry James. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • McGuinness Joseph Tasman. Spr. 1st Australian Tunneling Company
    • McGuinness Lewis. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • McGuinness Patrick. 2Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • McGuire . Pte.
    • McGuire DCM. Edward. Cpl
    • McGuire John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McGuire John. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borders
    • McGuire John. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • McGuire Roy Louis. Pte.
    • McGuire Terence. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McGuirk Edward. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • McGuirk Hector. Col.Sgt. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • McGummers John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGurk Bernard. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • McGurk J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGurk James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McGurk John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGurk Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McGusty George Ross. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McHale John Thomas S.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McHale Joseph. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • McHale Michael. Gdsmn. Irish Guards
    • McHugh Hugh. Drvr. Army Service Corps
    • McHugh Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McHugh Joseph. Pte. Royal Garrision Artillery
    • McHugh Michael. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • McHugh Patrick. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • McHugh Thomas. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • McIlhone John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McIlraith Duncan. L/Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McIlroy Samuel. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McIndoe MC. William. Captain Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McInnes . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • McInnes Allan Edward. Pte. 53rd Battalion
    • McInnes Jane Simpson. Nurse
    • McInnes Jean Simpson. Nurse
    • McInnis Ronald Alison. Lt. 26th Infantry Battalion
    • McIntee Daniel. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McIntosh Colin McKenzie. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • McIntosh Duncan. L/Cpl Seaforth Highlanders
    • McIntosh Hugh. HMS Flint
    • McIntosh John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McIntosh John Durrant. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McIntosh Leonard Victor. Lsg.Sea. SS Baron Ailsa
    • McIntosh MM.. Peter. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • McIntosh MM.. Robert. Rfn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • McIntosh William Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McIntyre . Durham Light Infantry
    • McIntyre Alex. Sgt. Irish Guards
    • McIntyre Alexander McNeil. Colour Sjt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McIntyre Archibald. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • McIntyre Hugh. Pte Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McIntyre James. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • McIntyre James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McIntyre James Ferguson. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • McIntyre Jesse. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • McIntyre MM & Bar.. John. 2nd Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • McIntyre Peter. Tpr 1st Scottish Horse
    • McIntyre Robert. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • McIntyre Sinclair. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • McIntyre William. Pte. Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars
    • McIntyre William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McIsaac Stanley Richard. L/Cpl. 1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment
    • McItterick William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McIver . Able Sea.
    • McIver Andrew Charles. L/sgt Durham Light Infantry
    • McIver VC, MM & Bar.. Hugh. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • McIvor James. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • McKain Thomas. Pte. Canterbury Regiment
    • McKaskie Norman. Pte. Border Regiment
    • McKay Alexander. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Mckay David. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKay MC.. Evans Alexander. Capt. 104 Squadron
    • McKay George William. Pte Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • McKay Henry Donald. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • McKay James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKay James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKay Matthew. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKay Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKay Robert Finlayson. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • McKay Robert. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McKay Watson. Pte. Black Watch
    • McKay William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKeag John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McKean John Sharp. Pte. 9th Battalion
    • McKeating John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKechnie Hugh. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • McKechnie John. L/Cpl. Scots Guards
    • McKechnie Samuel. L/Bdr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McKee Edward. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • McKee MID.. Harry Olphert. A/Capt Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKee J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mckee James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKee James Johnston. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKee John Bernard. Pte. Black Watch
    • McKee MM. Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • McKee MM.. Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Mckee William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKee William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKeever John. Pte Connaught Rangers
    • McKeirnan Michael John. Stoker. HMS Defence
    • McKellar Alexander Bunten. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • McKellar . Quinten. Pte. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • McKellow William Henry . Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Mckelvey William. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKendrick C.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKenna Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKenna Edward. Pte Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • McKenna Harold Charles Henry. Pte. 43rd Battalion
    • McKenna James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKenna James. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • McKenna John. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McKenna MM. John Thomas. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • McKenna John James. Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKenna John. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKenna DCM & Bar, CdeG.. Stephen. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • McKenna Thomas Patrick. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • McKenna W. J.. Stkr.1st Cl. HMS Astraea
    • McKenna William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McKenney John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • McKenzie VC.. Albert Edward. Able Sea. HMS Vindictive
    • McKenzie D.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKenzie Donald. Private Seaforth Highlanders
    • Mckenzie Donald. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McKenzie MM. Henry Norman. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McKenzie Herbert. Pte. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • McKenzie VC DCM. Hugh McDonald. Canadian Machine Gun Corps
    • McKenzie VC, DCM, CdeG.. Hugh McDonald. Lt. Canadian Machine Gun Corps
    • McKenzie James. Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKenzie MM.. James. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • McKenzie John. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKenzie Norman George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKenzie Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McKenzie William. Royal Field Artillery
    • McKenzie William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McKeown Edward. Pte. Labour Corps
    • McKeown J. J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKeown James. Pte. Northumberland Fusilier
    • McKeown John James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKeown John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKeown Robert. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKeown Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKerdle . Cpl. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • McKever Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKibben John Hill. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKibben R.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKibben William James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKibbin Annie Eliza. Sister
    • McKibbin David. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKie A.. Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • McKie G. A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKie William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKiernan James. L/Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • McKilligan Alexander. Pte. York and Lancashire Regiment
    • McKinery William Edward. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • McKinlay H. S.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • McKinley H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKinley James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKinley . Thomas. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • McKinley W.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKinnon J. J.. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • McKinstry . 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKivitt W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McKnight Robert. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McKnight Thomas. 2nd Lt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McKnight William. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • McKone Charles Alfred. Pte. London Regiment
    • McLachlan Fred. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • McLachlan George. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • McLachlan R.. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • McLagan C. W.. Sgt.Mjr. Indian Defence Force
    • McLagan Harold Bruce. Pte. Canadian Machine Gun Corps.
    • McLanaghan Charles F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLane Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLaren George. Pte. Black Watch
    • McLaren James Davie. Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • McLaren Thomas. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • McLaren Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McLaren Thomas. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • McLarney Edmund. ERA. HMS Raglan
    • McLarty John. Sgt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Mclauchlan Charles. Pte Royal Scots
    • McLauchlan James Smith. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • McLauchlan John Hall. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • McLaughlin Alexander. L/Cpl Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McLaughlin D.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLaughlin Daniel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McLaughlin Edward. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McLaughlin James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLaughlin AM.. James William. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Mclaughlin John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • McLaughlin P.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLaughlin Patrick. CSM. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLaughlin Robert William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • McLaughlinn Howard. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLean A.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McLean David Aitken. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Mclean Donald. Cpl. Argyll & Sutherland Highlander Regiment
    • McLean Donald. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McLean J. L.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • McLean Joseph. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • McLean Murdoch. Pte Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
    • McLean Robert. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLean Robert. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLean William James. Pte Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • McLean William Richard James. Lt. Col. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • McLellan Downie. Pte. 4th Australian Pioneers
    • McLellan Downie. Pte. Australian Infantry
    • McLellan William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLelland Herbert Stanley. Cheshire Regiment
    • McLennan . Durham Light Infantry
    • McLennan John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McLennan MM. William Wright. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McLennan MM . William. Pte Royal Scots
    • McLeod . Sjt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • McLeod VC. Alan Arnett. Lt. 2 Squadron
    • McLeod VC.. Alan Arnett. Lt.
    • McLeod VC. Alan Arnott. Lt.
    • McLeod VC.. Alan Arnett. 2nd Lt. 2 Squadron
    • McLeod Daniel. Cpl. Middlesex Rgt.
    • McLeod Ernest. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Mcleod MM.. Frederick William. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • McLeod George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mcleod George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLeod George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mcleod James Goodall. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Mcleod James Goodall. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • McLeod John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McLeod John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McLeod . Malcolm. Pte. 85th Overseas Btn.
    • McLeod Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mcleod William.
    • McLeod William. Pte The Seaforth Highlanders
    • McLintic Francis Thomas. QMS. Cameron Highlanders
    • McLintock Douglas. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McLintock Peter Gordon. Piper Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • McLoughlin Daniel. 1st Engr. SS Cluden
    • McLoughlin James C. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McLoughlin James Osborne. Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McLoughlin John. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • McLoughlin John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Mcloughlin Laurence. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • McLoughlin Patrick. Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • McLoughlin William. Pte.
    • McLoy John Joseph. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • McLucas Adam. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • McMahon . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • McMahon Augusta Mary. Mch/Dvr. att Army Service Corps
    • McMahon MM. . James Joseph. Rfmn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • McMahon John. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • McMahon John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McMahon John. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • McMahon Patrick. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • McMahon Philip Patrick. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • McMahon Thomas. Pte Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry
    • McMahon William Bernard. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • McMands John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McManigan Christopher. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • McManus Charles. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McManus Henry. Pte West Yorkshire
    • McManus Patrick. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • McMartin Alexander Reid. Able.Sea. HMS Marlborough
    • McMaster William Clifford. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • McMeeking Robert. Gordon Highlanders
    • McMenamin F.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • McMicking Gilbert Thomas. 2nd Lt. Cambridgeshire Regiment
    • McMillam Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McMillan Allan. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McMillan Andrew. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McMillan David. CSM. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • McMillan Donald William. Black Watch
    • McMillan Dugald. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • McMillan Gordon. Sgt. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellington)
    • McMillan DCM, MM . James. Sgt Royal Irish Rifles
    • McMillan John. Cpl. Royal Scots
    • McMillen Hamilton. Col.Sjt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Mcmillian Dugald Mcfarlane. Sgt. 31st Battalion
    • McMinn Duncan Munro. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • McMinn Martin. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • McMorris James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McMullen John. Pte. Border Regiment
    • McMullen John. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • McMullen Walter. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McMunigal James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McMurdo Alexander Edminstone. Gnr. Army Service Corps
    • McMurtie G. D. J.. Capt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • McNab Agnes. Nurse
    • McNair Eric Archibald. Capt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • McNair John Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McNally Andrew Francis. Stkr. HMS Fauvette
    • McNally Andrew. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McNally Daniel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McNally Edward Hugh. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McNally F.. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McNally F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McNally Francis. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • McNally MM.. James Joseph. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • McNally John. Pte King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • McNally MM.. Joseph Brunton. Pte. Machine Gun Company
    • McNally Joseph. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McNally Michael. Pte South Staffordshire Regiment
    • McNally Patrick. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Mcnally Rrobert Henry. Royal Field Artillery
    • McNally VC.. William. Sgt Yorkshire Regiment
    • McNamara Harold Allan. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • McNamara VC.. John. Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • McNamara John. Pte Royal Irish Rifles
    • McNamara Martin. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • McNamara Michael. Royal Horse Artillery
    • McNamara Michael John. Seaman/2cl.
    • McNamara Rody. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • McNamara Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McNamee Edward Michael. Pte. 9th Infantry Battalion
    • McNamee James Henry. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McNaney Patrick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McNaught James. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • McNaughton Duncan. Pte 11th Battalion
    • McNaughton Henry. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McNaughton James Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McNee DCM.. James. BSM Royal Field Artillery
    • McNeil . Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • McNeil Frederick Christensen. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • McNeil John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McNeil William McPherson Reid. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • McNeill John. Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • McNeill Peter. Drum Major Black Watch
    • McNeill Robert Boyd. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McNeill Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • McNeill William. Pipe Mjr Royal Garrrison Artillery
    • McNeilly David William. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McNeilly William Hutton. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McNess James Morris. G Royal Field Artillery
    • McNicoll Albert Hendry. Gnr Royal Field Artillery
    • McNiff J.. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • McNulty J.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McNulty James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McNulty John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • McNulty William Henry. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • McNutt William. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • McNutt William. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish) Rifles
    • McOmish James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McParlane James. Sgt. Scottish Rifles
    • McParlin B.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McPartland John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • McPartland Joseph. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • McPartland MM.. William James. Sjt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • McPartlin Michael Joseph. Sgt. London Regiment
    • McPhee Isaac. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McPhee James Archibald. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby) Regiment
    • McPhee James Anderson. A/Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McPhee John Donald. Sgt. 67th Battalion
    • McPherson Andrew. Pte. Black Watch
    • McPherson James Thomas Cameron. 37th Btn
    • Mcpherson John William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • McPherson John B.. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McPhie VC. James. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • McQuade James. Pte. Cameron Highlanders (Queens Own)
    • McQuade John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • McQuade John. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McQuade John. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • McQuaid John C.. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • McQuaid William. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Mcquaker George Wilson. 2nd Lt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McQuarrie . Sjt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • McQuarrie Lachlan. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • McQuarrie Peter. Sgt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • McQue James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McQueen MC & Bar.. Alexander Brown. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • McQueen Ronald. Pte. Royal Scots
    • McQueen Samuel Brown. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • McQuibban Alexander. L/Cpl. Cameron Highlanders (Queens Own)
    • McQuillan J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McQuillan M.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • McQuillan William James. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • McQuillian Peter B.. Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • McQuillian Samuel. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • McQuillin Stephen Alfred. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Mcquirk Richard. Pvte East Lancashire
    • McRae James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • McRae James. Sjt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • McRae John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McRae Kenneth. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • McRae Robert. Pte. West Yorkshire
    • McRae Roderick Donald. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • McRae W. F.. Pte. 38th Btn.
    • McReady-Diarmid VC.. Allastair Malcolm Cluny. A/Capt. Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own)
    • McReady-Diarmid VC.. Allastair Malcolm Cluny. Capt. Middlesex Regiment
    • McRobbie George. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McRobbie MM.. John Stewart. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McRoy George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McRoy James. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • McRoy John George. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • McShane D.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McShane Frederick. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McShane Frederick. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McShane Patrick. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • McShee Andrew. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • McSherry James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McSherry John. L/Cpl. Cameronian Scottish Rifles
    • McSherry Terence. L/Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McSherry Terence. L/Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McSherry Terence. L/Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • McSloy John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McSwain Eric Allen. Pte 10th Light Horse
    • McSweeney Jeremiah. L/Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • McSwiney Eugene John. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • McTaggart A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McTaggart Archibald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McTaggart William Robert. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • McTernan Patrick . L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • McVay MID. Stephen. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McVeigh Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McVeigh Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • McVey Richard. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • McVitie William Johnston. L/Sgt. London Regiment
    • McVittie Thomas William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • McVitty David Moore. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • McWhirter Arthur. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • McWhirter Jean. Nurse.
    • McWhirter William. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • McWilliam Andrew. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • McWilliam Charles Thomas. Lt. Gordon Highlanders
    • McWilliam James. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • McWilliam Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • McWilliams Herbert. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Meaburn James William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mead Frank. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mead Fred. Pte. London Regiment
    • Mead John. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Meade George Henry. Pte. Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Meade John. Pte Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Meade K.. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Meadowcroft MM.. Ernest Foale. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Meadows Albert George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Meadows Benjamin James. Pte. Duke of Wellington (West Riding) Regiment
    • Meadows MM. Ebenezer John. Pte. Suffolk Regiment.
    • Meadows Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Meager Laurence. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Meagher Dominic. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Meakin Bertram. Tpr. Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry
    • Meakin Stanley. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Meanwell Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Meara P.. L/Cpl. Irish Guards
    • Meardon Robert. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Meares Neville Charles Sims. 2Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mearis W. E.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mearman T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mearns MC.. . CSM. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mears MC.. Albert John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Mears George Elsden. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Mears George Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Measey Frank. Cpl. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Measey George. Pte. Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry
    • Measey Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Measures George Henry. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Meath Thomas William. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Medcalf John Hudson. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Medcalf John James. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Meddings James Alexander. Pte. 8th Btn.
    • Medhurst Arthur William. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Medler Sidney Richard. Pte. Royal Norfolk Regiment
    • Medley Tom Ewart. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Medlow David. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Mee Albert Edward. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Mee Charles Arthur. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Mee Harry. L/Cpl. Notts & Derby Regiment
    • Mee T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Meech Edward John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Meecham Frank. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Meegan John T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Meehan C.. Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Meehan James Samuel. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Meehan John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Meehan John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Meehan Pat.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Meehan William Walter. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Meehan William. Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Meehan William. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Meek Francis Reginald. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Meek Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Meek James. 3rdEngr. SS Kwasind
    • Meek Percy Albert. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Meek Robert Edward. Durham Light Infantry
    • Meek William Robert. Durham Light Infantry
    • Meeke John. Pte. Irish Brigade
    • Meeke Samuel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Meen Arthur Porcher. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Meere Mathew Charles. Lt. London Regiment
    • Mees Hugh Macdonald. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Meeson . Bernard . Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Meff Robert. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Megennis Thomas. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mehegan E. D.. Dvr. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Mehew Frederick. Pte.
    • Mehigan Jeremiah. Able Sea. HMS Magic
    • Meigh MiD.. Ernest. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Meikle Gilbert Eliot. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Meikle VC MM.. John. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Meiklejohn John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers ÃÆ??Ã?Ã? 
    • Meiners F.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Melandri MBE. Guiseppe. Lt.
    • Melandri Leonard. Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Melandri Vincent. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Meldrum James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Meldrum James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Meldrum John. Cpl. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Meldrum John. L/Cpl. Scottish Rifles
    • Meldrum John Alexander. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Meldrum John. Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Melhado Owen Stirling. 2nd Lt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Melhuish Thomas. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Mellars John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Meller John Robert. Ord.Sea. HMS Venerable
    • Melling Hugh. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Mellody Adrian. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Mellon C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mellon James. Pte. Black Watch
    • Mellon Patrick. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Mellon Patrick P.. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Mellor Harry. L/Cpl Cheshire Regiment
    • Mellor John Percival. Capt. Dorset Regiment
    • Meloy George. L/Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Melrose Thomas Shaw. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Melsom Harold. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Melton John Robert. Pte. London Regiment
    • Melville Abert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Melville Alexander. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Melville Herbert Stuart. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Melville James. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Melville James. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Melvin Henry Charles John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Melvin Robert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Melvin MiD.. Sidney. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Melvin Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Melvin Walter. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Menarry David. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mendes Maurice. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Mendham Harry Christmas. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Mendham James William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Mengham Frederick Louis. Pioneer Royal Engineers
    • Mennell Roy Walter. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Menniss Ella.
    • Menzies Andrew. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Menzies Charles James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Menzies Sydney James. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Mepham Henry. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mercer . Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mercer Alfred Sidney. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Mercer MID. George. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Mercer George. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Mercer DCM.. John. BSM. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mercer Samuel. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mercer Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Mercer Thomas. Driver Royal Engineers
    • Merchant Edward Arthur. Signal Boy. HM Trawler Evangel
    • Mercurius J. S.. Cpl.
    • Meredith Charles James. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Meredith Ernest. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Meredith Frank. Flintshire and Denbighshire Yeomanry
    • Meredith John Raymond . Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Meredith Stephen. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Meredith Stephen. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Meredith W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Meredith William Harold. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Merifield Frances Richard. Pte. 21st Battalion
    • Merkatz Adolar. Mjr. 6/Fus.Regiment 35
    • Merrett MM. Charles John. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Merrett Ernest Nelson. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Merrick George Arthur. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Merrick Thomas Victor. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Merridan Arthur. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Merrifleld VC MM. William. Pte 4th (Central Ontario) Battalion
    • Merrigan John Francis. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Merrilees Edward George. L/Cpl. Grenadier Guards
    • Merrilees William. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Merrill William. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Merrill William. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Merrington Arthur Price. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Merrit Charles. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Merrit Charles. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Merritt James William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Merritt William. Hampshire Regiment
    • Merry MM.. Thomas. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Merryweather Fred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Merryweather William John Edward. Pte. 21st (Res) London Regiment
    • Mersh Joseph. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Merton Alfred. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Mess John Alexlander Maitland Marr. Pte. 136th Field Ambulance
    • Messenger George Joseph. Pioneer
    • Messenger Herbert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Messerschmidt John Henry. Pte. 1st Depot Battalion
    • Messervy Ernest Dyce. Capt. 56 Sqd.
    • Messitt John. Pte Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Mesure Walter Charles. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Metcalf Albert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Metcalf Alexander John. A/L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Metcalf Leslie John. Pte. 40th Btn.
    • Metcalf Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Metcalf W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Metcalf VC, MM.. William Henry. Cpl. 16th (Canadian Scottish) Btn.
    • Metcalfe . 2nd Cpl. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Metcalfe A.. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Metcalfe Digby. Pte. London Regiment
    • Metcalfe Edgar Seaton. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Metcalfe George. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Metcalfe J. C.. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Metcalfe James Thomas. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Metcalfe Joe. L/Sgt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Metcalfe John Charles. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Metcalfe Joseph. Pte. West Yorks
    • Metcalfe Sam. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Metcalfe Sam. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Metcalfe William. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Metge R. C.. Capt. Leinster Regiment
    • Metters Edward John. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancs)
    • Meulbrouck Alphonse. Sgt. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Mey Jan Adam. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Meyer Jacobus Johannes Phillippus. Condr.
    • Meyler Enoch William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusliers
    • Meyrick Albert Stanley. L/Cpl Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers
    • Michie Joseph. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Mickle Frederick William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Mickleburgh Arthur Theodore. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Middleditch George Edward. Pte. Lancashire Fusillers
    • Middlemass Wilf.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Middlemiss Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Middlemiss Military Medal. Chester Hazen. New Brunswick Regiment
    • Middlemiss R. B.. Cpl. 41st Btn.
    • Middleton Alfred. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Middleton Alfred. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Middleton Bertie George. HMS Salvia
    • Middleton Bertie. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Middleton Billy. Ayrshire Yeomanry
    • Middleton Edward. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Middleton Frank. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Middleton Frederick Henry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Middleton J. L.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Middleton Jack. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Middleton John William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Middleton Luke McQuitty. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Middleton Richard Grant. Gnr Royal Field Artillery
    • Middleton Richard Bertram. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Middleton Robert William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Middleton Thomas Freeman. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Middleton William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Middlewood Charles. CSM. Durham Light Infantry
    • Midghall Alexander. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Midghall Richard. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Midgley Edward Raynor. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Midgley Harry. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Midgley John Thomas. Pte. West Yorkshire
    • Midgley Walter. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Milbanke VC.. John Peniston. Lt.Col. Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers)
    • Milburn Ern.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Milburn J. B.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Milburn MM.. John. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Milburn Robert William Gutteridge. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mildred DSO.. .
    • Miles A. British Army
    • Miles Albert John. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Miles Alfred. Pte. London Regiment
    • Miles Charles. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Miles Charles. Private Cameron Highlanders
    • Miles E.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Miles Francis James. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Miles George Ernest. A/Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Miles George Herbert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Miles George Herbert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Miles John H. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Miles W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Miles Wallace Ernest Ralph. Pte. Gloucester Regiment
    • Miles William George. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Miley Albert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Milford George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mill William Henry. 2nd Lt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Millar Harry. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Millar John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Millar Robert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Millar Robert. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Millar Robert. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Millar S.. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Millar MC.. William. CSM. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Millar William James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Millard Charles Arthur. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Millard Fred. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Millard George. Pte H.M.S.Invincible
    • Millard John Herbert. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Millard Reginald Jeffery. Col. 1st Field Ambulance
    • Millbank David. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Milledge Thomas Albert Noel. L/Cpl. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Millen Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Millen William Granthan. Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Miller A. S. H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Miller Adam Roy. Pte 321 Field Artillery
    • Miller Albert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Miller Alexander. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Miller Alfred Henry. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Miller Arthur. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Miller Arthur J.. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Miller Benjamin Robertson. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Miller Bertie. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Miller Charles Fitzhardinge. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Miller Cuthbert. Lsgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Miller Edward. Pte. South Lancashire
    • Miller Edward. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Miller Edwin John. Middlesex Regt
    • Miller Eli. Rfmn. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Miller Emmit. Pvt. 106th Infantry Regiment
    • Miller Ernest. Sgt. 6th Regiment
    • Miller Frederick Harry.
    • Miller Frederick Harry. Essex Regiment
    • Miller Frederick Thomas. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Miller Frederick. Pte. Black Watch
    • Miller G.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Miller . George William. Gnr.
    • Miller George Raimes. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Miller George Murphy. A/Sjt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Regiment
    • Miller George James. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Miller Godfrey Lyall. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Miller Henry. Sgt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Miller Horace Philip. Middlesex Regt
    • Miller . Horace Philip. Pte.
    • Miller Horace Frederick. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Miller J E. Pte. London Regiment
    • Miller J.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Miller J. W. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Miller Jack Sydney. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Miller James. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Miller VC.. James. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Miller James. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Miller James. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Miller Jampson Young. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Miller John. Durham Light Infantry
    • Miller John Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Miller John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Miller John Lamb. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Miller John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Miller John W. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Miller John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Miller John. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Miller Joseph Alexander. Able Sea. Hood Battalion
    • Miller Joseph. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Miller Joseph. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Miller Leonard Lantaff. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Miller Matthew. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Miller Matthew. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Miller Maurice Epton. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Miller O. G.. PO. HMS Benbow
    • Miller Peter Stalker. Royal Scots Fusliers
    • Miller Reginald William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Miller Reginald William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Miller Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Miller Robert William. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Miller Rudolph A.. Pte. 11th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Miller Russell Elsden. Trimmer. HMS Q25
    • Miller S. F.. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Miller Stanley Bertram. L/Sjt. Cambridgeshire Regiment
    • Miller Thomas. Sgt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Miller Thomas. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Miller Thomas James. Sea. HMS Roxburgh
    • Miller Walter Charles. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Miller William. Manchester Regiment
    • Miller William N.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Miller William. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Millest Edward William John. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Millett George Henry. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Millett William H.. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Millican Reginald Isaac. 2Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Milligan Charles M.. Pte. Cameronian Scottish Rifles
    • Milligan John. Highland Light Infantry
    • Milligan John Donaldson. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Milligan Robert John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Millin Arthur James. Cpl. Royal Horse Guards
    • Millington Arthur Victor. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Millington Herbert. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Millington J.. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Millington James. Rfl. London Regiment
    • Millington John Arthur . Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Millington DCM.. Winston Churchill. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Millman Archibald. L/Cpl. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Millman Arthur. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Millman Henry. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Mills A J. Pte. London Regiment
    • Mills Albert Claude Eugene. Pte. 1st. Divison Ammunition Column
    • Mills Alfred. Fus. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
    • Mills Alfred Leslie. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mills Archibald. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Mills Archibald. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Mills Blair Wilfred. L/Cpl. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Mills Cecil George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Mills Charles Clarence. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Mills Charles James. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Mills Charles Alfred. Tpr. 9th Lancers
    • Mills D.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mills Frederick Jesse Coster. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Mills G.. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Mills H.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mills DCM.. Harry. Sgt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Mills Henry. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Mills Herbert Samuel. Fus. Royal Fusiliers
    • Mills Sgt.. Herbert. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mills J.. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mills Joseph James. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Mills Lees. L/Cpl. Grenadier Guards
    • Mills Robert. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mills Sidney George. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Mills MM. Thomas Alfred. Sgt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Mills Thomas Henry Lewis. Capt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mills W.. Pte. North Irish Horse
    • Mills Walter. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Mills VC.. Walter. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Mills William Charles . Cpl. London Regiment
    • Mills William. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Mills William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Mills William Ernest. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mills William. Black Watch
    • Mills William Henry. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Millsom . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Millsom Albert Victor. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Millson Sidney Charles. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Millsop Samuel. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Millward Arthur. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Millward Arthur Sidney. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Millward Ernest. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Millward G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Millward J. H.. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Millward John. Sherwood Foresters
    • Milne . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Milne MID. Alexander Eaglesham. L/Cpl. Cameron Highlanders (Queen's Own)
    • Milne Charles William. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Milne Frank Gillender. Cpl. DLI
    • Milne John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Milne John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Milne Joseph. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Milne Norman Ernest. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Milne Peter. A/Sgt. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Milne Robert. Maj Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Milne T. H.. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Milne William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Milne VC. William Johnstone. Pte. Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
    • Milne William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Milne William Easson Duthie. Sgt Royal Scots
    • Milner C.. Capt. Padre. Durham Light Infantry
    • Milner Robinson Ridley. Tpr. Northumberland Hussars
    • Milroy J.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Milroy Robert. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Milsom Sidney. Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Milson DCM.. William James Denton. Sgt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Milton Edward Thomas John. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Milton MM.. Edwin. Pte. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Milton John. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Milton Joseph John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Milton William Robert. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Milward James. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Minch Charles Spencer. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Miner VC. Henry Garnet Bedford. Cpl 58th Battalion
    • Miner VC.. Henry Garnet Bedford. Cpl. 58th Btn. Central Ontario Regiment
    • Miners Jack Conway. Sgt Worcester Regiment
    • Miners William Frederick. Stok1. HMS Cassandra
    • Mingham Joseph. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Mingham Joseph. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Mingo Ernest Leonard. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Minks Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Minnis . Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Minnis Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Minnoch David Cassells. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Minns MC, DSO, MID.. Allan Noel. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Minogue Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Minter Edward Burden. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Minter James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mintern John. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Minton William George Pritchard. Pte. Lincolnshire
    • Miranda Cecil Cervantes. Pvt 306th Machine Gun Regiment
    • Mirfield Alfred John. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Mirfin Walter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mirley T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mirtle Harry. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Mison DCM.. Ernest Charles. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Missen Henry. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Missen Henry. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Missen Henry Stanley. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Mitcell Henry Walter. Sgt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Mitchelhill William Brabazon. Dvr.
    • Mitchell . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Mitchell . 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mitchell A.. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Mitchell Albert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Mitchell Albert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Mitchell Benjamin Henry. Pte. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Mitchell Benjamin Henry. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Mitchell Charles Wand. Chap. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mitchell Charles. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Mitchell Charles. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Mitchell MM & Bar.. Charles Napier. L/Sgt. Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Mitchell Charles. Carew. Pnr. Royal Engineers
    • Mitchell MC.. Colin Campbell. Capt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Mitchell VC.. Coulson Norman. Capt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Mitchell VC MC. Coulson Norman. Capt 4th Canadian Engineers
    • Mitchell David. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Mitchell Francis Sydney. Lt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Mitchell Frederick George. L/Cpl Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Mitchell Geoffrey Arthur Nevett. Cpl. 4th Light Horse Regiment
    • Mitchell CdG.. George Balderson. Sgt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Mitchell Herbert Stanley. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mitchell Herbert Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mitchell J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mitchell J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mitchell J. A.. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Mitchell James Henry. Dvr Royal Field Artillery
    • Mitchell James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mitchell James. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Mitchell James Alexander. Pte. 33rd Battalion
    • Mitchell Jesse Reuben. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Mitchell John. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Mitchell John Alexander. POS. HMS Bulwark
    • Mitchell John Clifford. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Mitchell John Thomas. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Mitchell Kenneth Ivan. Princess Patricias Light Infantry
    • Mitchell Leonard. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Mitchell Maurice. Cpl. East Kent Regiment
    • Mitchell Montague Arthur. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Mitchell Owen. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Mitchell P. J. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mitchell Richard James. RSM. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Mitchell Robert Ernest. Sjt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Mitchell Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mitchell Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mitchell Sidney. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mitchell Sidney. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mitchell Sydney. L/Sgt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Mitchell Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mitchell William Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Mitchell William James Maltby. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mitchell William. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mitchell William Hamilton. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mitchell William Boyd. Lt Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Mitchell William. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Mitchener Fred. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Mitcheson Forrest. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mitcheson Forrest. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mitcheson John George. L/Cpl. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster)
    • Mittell Walter John. Sgt. Royal Sussex Rgt.
    • Mitton Arthur. Pte. Prince of Wales Own
    • Mitton Harry Collingwood. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Miyan Ali. Lascar
    • Miydiyo . Sgt. Kings African Rifles
    • Mizon Luke. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • MKean VC MC. George Burdon. Lt. 14th (The Royal Montreal Regiment)Btn
    • Moat Albert Edward. A/Sgt Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Moat F R. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moatt William Charles Henry. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mobbs MM. Alfred Horace. Sgt Norfolk Regiment
    • Mobbs MM.. Alfred Horace. Sgt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Mobbs Arthur. A/Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Mochree P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Modrow Ernst-Wilhelm. Hptm II./NJG 1
    • Moffat . Andrew Bell. Sgt Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Moffat Mervyn Francis. Pte. Army Medical Corps
    • Moffat Thomas. Pte. The King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Moffatt Alfred. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Moffatt Charles Albert. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Moffatt George Galbraith. New York City Irish Fusilers
    • Moffatt John George. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moffatt William James. 2nd Lt.
    • Moffett Alexander. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Moffett H.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Moffett James. HMS Mantua
    • Moffett Samuel. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Moffett William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moffitt Herbert Johnson. L/Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moffitt MC.. James Prior. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mogford Frederick George. L/Sgt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Mogg Samuel Henry Earnest. Pte 51st Machine Gun Corps
    • Mogg Samuel. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby)
    • Moir Robert. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Mole Alex. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mole Alfred. Sgt Royal Horse Artillery
    • Mole F. W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mole Stephen Horace. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Mole Walter John. Dvr Army Service Corps
    • Moles Charles. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Moles Thomas Lionel. Pte. 54th Btn.
    • Molloy John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Molloy John T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Molloy Lawrence. L/Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Molloy William Patrick. Pte.
    • Moloney Peter. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Molteno Leonard Clarke. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Molyneaux James. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Molyneux Ellis. Sgt. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Molyneux George Henry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Molyneux Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Molyneux . John . Pte. Army Cyclists Corps
    • Molyneux Joseph Handford. L/Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Molyneux Samuel. CSM Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Molzahn Albert. Uffz.
    • Monaghan Frank. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Monaghan Frank. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Monaghan J. P.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Monaghan James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Monaghan James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Monaghan L.. Rough Rider. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Monaghan Thomas. WO2. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Monaghan William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Monaghan William. L/Cpl Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Monck Charles Henry Stanley. Capt. Coldstream Guards
    • Monckton Oswald Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Monery Owen Albert. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Money George . A/Sgt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Money MM.. John William. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Money Silver Silvanous. PFC. 12th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Money Thomas John . Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Mongan John James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Mongan John James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Mongan John James. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Monk Alfred George Esau. Pte Wiltshire Regiment
    • Monk Charles. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Monk F. C.. Pte. Lincolnshire Rgt.
    • Monk Thomas. L/Cpl. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Monks Henry Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Monks James. Ldg.Sea. HMS Indefatigable
    • Monks James. L/Cpl. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Monks James. Pte. Welch Fusiliers
    • Monnelly Francis. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Monroe . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Monson MC.. William Herbert. Capt. Royal Dublin Fusilliers
    • Montagu CBE. Edward. Col. Suffolk Regiment
    • Monteith William. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Montgomery Alexander. Cameron Highlanders
    • Montgomery Arthur. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Montgomery George William. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Montgomery John. Maj. Natal Carbineers Regiment
    • Montgomery John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Montgomery R.. Sjt. Royal Engineers
    • Montgomery Robert. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Montgomery Robert T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Montgomery MM & Bar.. Robert Charles. S/Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Montgomery Samuel Bloomfield. Pte. Inniskillen Fusiliers
    • Montgomery Thomas. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Montgomery Wiliam Edwin. L/Cpl. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Montgomery William Longmore. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mood-Ord C. D.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Moodie David Drever. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Moodie Donald. Irish Guards
    • Moodie James King. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Moodie William. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Moodie William Anderson. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Moody Albert. Pte Royal Field Artillary
    • Moody Corbett Lee. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Moody Harry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moody Henry H.. Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Moody Henry William. Pte. 4th Battalion
    • Moody Herbert. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moody Hubert. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Moody Thomas John. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Moody Thomas Charles. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Moody William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moody William Robert. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Moody. Ernest Charles. Pte. 12th Battalion
    • Moon Barrice Beal. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Moon Clifford Abraham. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Moon Frederick. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Moon John William. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Moon Philip Edward. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Moon William Alfred. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Moonan Richard. Pte Scottish Rifles
    • Mooney Christopher. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Mooney John Robert. A.Bmbdr Royal Field Artillery
    • Mooney Michael. Pte Yorks. Regt
    • Mooney Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mooney Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mooney William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moony P.. Driver Royal Field Artillery
    • Moor VC, MC and Bar.. George Raymond Dallas. Lt. Royal Hampshire Regiment
    • Moorcroft Henry Grosvenor. Pion. Royal Engineers
    • Moore A. A.. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Moore Alfred. 12 Squadron
    • Moore Archibald Robert. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Moore Arthur. Pte. East Yorkshire
    • Moore Arthur. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Moore Arthur Doncaster. Rfn London Regiment
    • Moore Bartholomew. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Moore Bertie. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Moore Bertrand. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Moore Charles. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Moore D. B.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Moore Daniel Joseph. L/Cpl. Newfoundland Regiment
    • Moore Edward Thomas. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Moore Edward Charles. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Moore Ernest. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Moore Francis. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Moore Francis Joseph. Cpl East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Moore Frank. Pte. South Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Moore Frank. Pte Grenadier Guards
    • Moore Frank. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Moore Frank. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Moore Frank. Stoker. HMS Defence
    • Moore Frank Joel. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Moore Frederick James.
    • Moore Frederick. P/O.1st.Cl. HMS Hawke
    • Moore George Alfred. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Moore George Edward. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Moore George Alfred. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Moore MC and Bar. Hamilton Stephen. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Moore M.C. and bar. Hamilton Stephen. Capt Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Moore Harold. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Moore Harold. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Moore Harry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Moore Henry. Pte. 1/4th Battalion
    • Moore J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moore James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Moore James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Moore Joe. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Moore John Trid. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Moore John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Moore John Crawford. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Moore Joseph. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Moore Joseph. L/Cpl. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Moore Joseph. Pte. Royal Sussex
    • Moore Leonard James. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Moore Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moore Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Moore Michael. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Moore Percy Frank. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Moore Ralph Edgar. Pte. Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment
    • Moore Reginald Francis. Pte. Artists Rifles
    • Moore Richard. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moore Richard Louis Bertram. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Moore Robert. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Moore Stanley Harding. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Moore Sydney George. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Moore Thomas. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Moore Thomas. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Moore Thomas William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Moore Thomas Henry. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Moore William Richard. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Moore William. Rifleman Royal Irish Rifles
    • Moore William John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Moore William Frederick. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Moorhead James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moorhead James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Moorhouse MM.. Abraham. A/SM. Duke Of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment)
    • Moorhouse J H. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moorhouse Wilfred Roberts. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Moorwood William. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Moralee Andrew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moran Albert Arthur. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moran E. P.. Pte. Connaugt Rangers
    • Moran Edward. Rfn. London Regiment
    • Moran Edward. Rifleman. Rifle Brigade
    • Moran F.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Moran J.. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Moran James Joseph. Pte. Australian Infantry
    • Moran James. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Moran James. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Moran John Michael. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Moran John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Moran John B.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Moran Joseph. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Moran Lawrence. Able Sea. HMS Minotaur
    • Moran Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Morant Frederick Ernest. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Morby MM.. Ernest Charles. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Morden Richard William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Mordle Thomas. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Mordle Thomas. Pte Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Mordue G.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mordue Michael. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mordy DSO MID. Arnott Grier. Major 43rd Battalion
    • Mordy George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • More Albert Edward. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • More Charles John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Morear G.. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Moreby DCM.. Williams Henry. Cpl.
    • Moreland James Loftus. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Moreland Patrick. Pte Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Morgan A. P.. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Morgan Cecil. Stoker. HMS Defence
    • Morgan Edward. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Morgan Edward. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Morgan Forbes. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Morgan Francis. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers
    • Morgan Frank. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Morgan Fred. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Morgan Frederick William. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Morgan Frederick. London Regiment
    • Morgan George Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Morgan George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Morgan Griffith James. Sgt 37th Btn.
    • Morgan H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Morgan Idris Aneurin. Capt. South Wales Borderers
    • Morgan James. L/Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Morgan James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Morgan John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Morgan John Noble. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Morgan John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Morgan John Wilson. Pte Irish Guards
    • Morgan Leonard. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Morgan Leonard. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Morgan Leonard. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Morgan Murray Edward. Sjt.
    • Morgan R.. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Morgan R. W.. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Morgan Sidney Charles. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Morgan Thomas Lawson. DS
    • Morgan Walter Henry. 2nd Lt. Hampshire Rgt.
    • Morgan William. 2nd Lt. 7th Btn.
    • Morgan William. Clr.Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Morgan William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Morgan William. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Morgan MM and bar. William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Moriarty James Henry. Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Moriaty Patrick. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Moring A. E.. Sgt.Mjr. Military Provost Staff Corps
    • Moritz Oscar Frank. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Morland Phyllis.
    • Morley Alfred Richard. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Morley MC. Arthur Victor Donald. Royal West Kent
    • Morley David. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Morley George. L/Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Morley Henry. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Morley Jack Clifford. Sub-Lt. Royal Naval Div.
    • Morley James Percy. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Morley Marmaduke. Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Morley W. H. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Morray John Robinson. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Morrell George Henry. A/WOII. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Morrell Jonathan. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Morrell MM.. Joseph. L/Cpl. Notts & Derby Regiment
    • Morren Robert G.E.S.. Pte Gordon Highlanders
    • Morrice Adam. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Morrice Louis. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Morrice Maxwell Hill. Ord. RNVR
    • Morris . VAD. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Morris Albert E. L/Cpl Royal Engineers
    • Morris MM.. Albert James. A/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Morris Alfred Edwin. Pte. 28th Field Ambulance
    • Morris Alfred Walter. Stker 1st Cl. HMS Larkspur
    • Morris Alfred Walter. Stk1. HMS Skirmisher
    • Morris Arthur Edwin. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Morris Arthur. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Morris Charles. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Morris Charles William. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Morris Daniel. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Morris David Robert. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Morris David. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Morris Donald Alexander Sinclair. Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Morris Eric Salthouse. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Morris Ernest Edward. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Morris George Henry. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Morris Harold. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Morris Henry. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Morris MM.. Herbert William Ellery. Pte. 2nd Otago Btn.
    • Morris DSO.. J. Major Machine Gun Corps
    • Morris James. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Morris James Walter. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Morris James William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Morris James. 2nd Lt. Glamorgan Yeomanry
    • Morris James Bloomfield. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Morris John Marshall. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Morris John. Sgt Manchester Regiment
    • Morris John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Morris John Henry. Sgt Cheshire Regiment
    • Morris John Herbert. 2Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Morris Joseph Brabazon Cavendish . 3rd NSW Mounted Rifles
    • Morris Michael. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Morris Reginald Ernest. Pte. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)
    • Morris Robert. Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Morris Samuel. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Morris Sidney. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Morris Sidney. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Morris Stephen. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Morris Sydney Spencer. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Morris T.. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Morris Thomas William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Morris Thomas G . Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Morris Thomas Charles. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Morris Thomas. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Morris Thomas Edwin. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Morris Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Morris Walter John. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Morris Walter Brabazon. 2nd Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Morris William Henry. Cpl. Leicester Regiment
    • Morris William Paul. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Morris William Edward. 2nd Lt. Leicester Regiment
    • Morris William Humphrey. A/Cpl Royal Engineers
    • Morris William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Morrish Frederick Triggs. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Morrison Alexander. Capt.
    • Morrison Alexander. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Morrison Archibald James Shanks. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Morrison C.. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Morrison . Charles Henry. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Morrison Charles Henry. Rfn. London Regiment
    • Morrison Dan Archie. Pte. South Saskatchewan Regiment
    • Morrison MSM. Francis Alfred. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Morrison George Wright. Lt. HMS Roxburgh
    • Morrison Hugh. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Morrison J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Morrison J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Morrison J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Morrison James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Morrison James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Morrison John George. Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Morrison Margaret Henderson. Nurse.
    • Morrison MC, MID.. Richard Fielding. Maj. Royal Field Artillery
    • Morrison MC, MID.. Richard Fielding. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Morrison Robert James. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery Royal Garris
    • Morrison MM. Robert George. Sgt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Morrison Stuart. Pte. London Regiment
    • Morrison Thomas David. Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Morrison William Elias. Cheshire Regiment
    • Morrison William Harey. Pte. 2nd Pioneer Battalion
    • Morriss Frederick Walter. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Morrissey James. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Morrissey Richard Patrick. Sea. HMS Caesar
    • Morrisson Charles Henry. Rfn. London Regiment
    • Morritt MID. William. Capt. East Surrey Rgt
    • Morrow Arthur Galway. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Morrow Frederick Roulstone. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Morrow R. E.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Morrow VC.. Robert. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Morrow Robert George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Morrow Stewart. C.S.M. Royal Irish Rgt
    • Morrow Thomas. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Morse Daniel Albert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Morse Harry Lawson. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Morson George. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Morss Alfred Albert. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Mortimer Andrew. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Mortimer Arthur. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Mortimer Fred. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mortimer George Henry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Mortimer Gerald James. 2nd Lt. 35 Squadron
    • Mortimer Gerald James. 2nd Lt. 35 Squadron
    • Mortimer Harry. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Mortimer MC & Bar. Hugh James. Cpt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mortimer W. B.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mortimer W. B.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mortimer-Phelan . Lt.
    • Mortlock Herbert Arthur. L/Cpl. City of London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
    • Morton Alexander. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Morton Alfred Edward. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Morton Alfred Edward. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Morton Aubrey. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Morton Charles. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Morton Frederick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Morton George. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Morton MM.. Godfrey Julian. Sgt. Royal Flying Corps
    • Morton Henry. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Morton James Heman. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Morton John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Morton John. Sgt.Mjr. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Morton John. Ashton Munitions Works
    • Morton John. CSM. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Morton Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Morton William. CPO. HMS Bergamot
    • Morton MC. William Cattell. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mosdell MM.. Arthur. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Mosedale Thomas. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Moseley Charles Frances. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Moseley Frederick. A/Sgt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Moses MID. I.. Cpl. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Moses Joseph Priestman. Pte. Black Watch
    • Mosley H.. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mosley Nicholas. Capt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Moss Albert William. Pte. Notts & Derby Regiment
    • Moss Arthur. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Moss Charles Herbert Moss. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Moss Harold Wilfrid. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Moss John Ulrich. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Moss Joseph Benjamin. Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Moss Reginald Stanley. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Moss Samuel. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Moss Sidney James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Moss Thomas Henry. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Moss Thomas James. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Moss William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Moss-Blundell C. B.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mosse MC. Charles Oliver Robins. Lt.Col. 120th Rajputana Infantry
    • Mossman Alexander. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Mossop Bernard Alfred. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Mossop James. Stoker. HMS Indefatigable
    • Mosulin Ali. Sailor
    • Motherwell William. Pte Highland Light Infantry
    • Mottershead VC, DCM.. Thomas. Sgt. 20 Sqd.
    • Mottley M.C.. Herbert William. Capt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Mottram Francis Joseph. Mjr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mottram Herbert Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Mottram Richard. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Motum E. H.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Motum William George. CSM. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mouat MID . John Thomas. Sgt Royal Scots
    • Moul George Herbert. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Mould James Sainsbury. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Mould William Henry. Pte. 33rd Battalion
    • Moulder Frederick Benjamin. Pte. London Regiment
    • Moulding Benjamin. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)
    • Moulding Edward John. Sgt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Moulding DCM.. Frederick W.. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Moulding George. Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Moulds Horace. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Moulson Walter Henry. Gdsm. Grenadier Guards
    • Moulton Charles. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Moulton Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Moulton Ernest. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Moulton Gilbert. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Moulton Harry. Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Mounsey William. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Mount Francis. Capt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Mountford John. Dvr. New Zealand Field Artillery
    • Mountjoy W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mowatt George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Mowbray Alfred Saunders. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Moxon Enoch. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Moy Alfred Charles. Stok1. HMS Adamant
    • Moyer Norman. Pte. Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Moyes Arthur William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Moyes David. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Moyes William B.. Lt 20 Sqd.
    • Moylan Michael. Abe.Sea. HMS Centurion
    • Moylan Michael. Able Sea. HMS Centurion
    • Moynahan Timothy Thomas. Pte. 2nd New Zealand Entrenching Battalion
    • Moyse Alfred James. L/Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mozley MM.. William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Muckell Charles William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Muddell Gladys Maude Marchant . Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Muddiman Reginald. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Mudie Alfred J F. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Muers William. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Muers William. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mugford Jack Herbert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mugford Jack Herbert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Muggleton Dick. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Mugridge Albert. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Muhammad Abdul. Khalasi
    • Muhammad Abdul. Lascar
    • Muhammad Abdur Rahman Din. Lascar
    • Muhammad Ahmad. Serang
    • Muhammad Ali . Seedie R.I.M.S. Dalhousie.
    • Muir Archibald. L/Cpl. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Muir David. Rfm. 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade.
    • Muir David. Rfm.
    • Muir MM. Ernest. Cpl A/Sgt Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Muir Frank. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Muir Frederick Warren. Pte. 1st Infantry Battalion
    • Muir George Andrew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Muir James. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Muir James. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Muir James Craig. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Muir James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Muir Percy. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Muir Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Muir William. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Muirhead Thomas Barrie. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Mulcahy-Morgan Edward Spread. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mulcahy-Morgan Francis Campion. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Muldoon P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mules Arthur George. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Mulgrave Michael. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Mulgrew James. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Mulgrew James. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Mulgrew Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mulhall James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mulhall Joseph Cecil. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Mulhall P.. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Mulhall Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Mulhall T.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Mulholland Alexander. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mulholland Charles Harry. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Mulholland Claude William. Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Mulholland David. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Mulholland William John. Sgt. Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mulkeen W.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mullaly Thomas. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Mullany James. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mullarkey M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mullen Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mullen John W. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mullen Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Mullender J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mullens William Henry. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Mullett M.M.. James. Serjeant Royal Field Artillery
    • Mulligan John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Mulligan P.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Mulligan Patrick. Pte Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Mulligan Samuel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Mullin Cecil Frederick. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Mullin VC, MM.. George. Sgt. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
    • Mullin VC MM. George Harry. Sgt Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
    • Mullinder Vincent. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mullinger Daniel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mulliniex Harry. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Mullins Edward. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Mullins Ernest James. Pte. Dorset Regiment
    • Mullins Ernest James. Pte. Dorsetshire Rgt.
    • Mullins Harry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Mullins J.. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Mullock William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Mulloy Daniel. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Mulroy Martin Andrew. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Mulvaney James. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Mulvaney Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Mulvaney Thomas Kelly . Machine Gun Corps
    • Mulvey James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mulvey William. L/Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Mumford Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mumford Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Mummery William. East Surrey Rgt.
    • Muncaster Robert Wilson. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Muncer Edward F.. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Munday Bert. Lance Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Munday Charles James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Munday John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Munden Arthur Tom. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Munden CdeG.. Marwood Mintern. Lt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Mundy Samuel. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Munkman Frank. Pte Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Munkman Frank. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Munn Henry. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Munn William. Sgt. Scottish Rifles
    • Munning Arthur G. LBdr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Munns Robert Henry. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Munro MM.. Thomas. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Higlanders
    • Munro A.. Ord.Sea. HMS Kent
    • Munro Allan. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Munro Daniel. Pte. 39th Btn.
    • Munro David. Pte Gordon Highlanders
    • Munro MM MID. George. Cpl. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Munro George. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Munro George Robert. Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Munro Hugh. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Munro James William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Munro James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Munro MM. John Alexander. Sgt. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Munro Robert Crawford. Private Alberta Regiment
    • Munro MM.. Thomas. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Munroe James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Munroe John James. Able Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Munroe Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Munster Michael. Pte. 1st Battalion
    • Munton Arthur. Private Leicestershire Regiment
    • Munton Arthur. A/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Munton John Edward. Rifleman London Regiment
    • Murdoch George Meikle. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Murdoch James. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Murdoch Kenneth Cameron. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Murdoch Robert Moir Taylor. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Murdoch Thomas Fleming. Mjr. Black Watch
    • Murdock Arthur. Pte. 41st Btn.
    • Murdy G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murdy T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murfin Harold Herbert. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Murison William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Murphey William. Rflm. Royal Scots
    • Murphy A. M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murphy Allen. Pte. Cameronians
    • Murphy C. R.B.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Murphy Charles. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Murphy D.. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Murphy Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murphy F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murphy F.. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Murphy F.. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Murphy Frank. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Murphy MM.. Harry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Murphy Henry William. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Murphy J. E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murphy James. Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Murphy James. Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • Murphy James Joseph. Cpl.
    • Murphy Jerome Joseph. Pte. Otago Regiment
    • Murphy John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Murphy John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murphy John. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Murphy John. Gdsmn. Irish Guards
    • Murphy John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Murphy John William. Pte. Royal Defence Corps
    • Murphy John. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Murphy John Thomas. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Murphy John. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Murphy John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Murphy John Millington. Pte.
    • Murphy Joseph J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murphy Joseph Pierce. HMS Amphion
    • Murphy Joseph. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Murphy M.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Murphy Matthew. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Murphy MID.. Michael Joseph. Lt Worcestershire
    • Murphy Patrick. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Murphy Patrick James. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Murphy Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murphy Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murphy Richard. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Murphy DCM, MID.. Richard. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Murphy Thomas Patrick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Murphy Thomas. L/Cpl. Welsh Rgt.
    • Murphy Thomas. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Murphy Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Murphy Walter Harper. Pte Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Murphy William. Cpl. Australian Field Artillery
    • Murphy William Riley. USS Plattsburg
    • Murphy William James Joseph. Pte 55th Battalion
    • Murray . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Murray A. D.. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Murray Christopher. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Murray MM.. Colin Macdonald. L/Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Murray Cornelius. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Murray David. L/Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Murray E.. Pte. 10 M.G. Coy
    • Murray E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murray Edward Saunders. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Murray Francis. Pte. Gordon Highlanders att. Royal Engineers
    • Murray George Alexander Hugh . Sgt. 14th Infantry Battalion
    • Murray George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Murray Henry John. Stok1. HMS Britannia
    • Murray J.. Capt. ADSC 3rd Div. Train
    • Murray J.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murray J.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Murray James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Murray John. L/Cpl Gordon Highlanders
    • Murray John Richardson . Cpl. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Murray Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murray Michael Francis. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Murray N.. L Sto HMS Valkyrie
    • Murray O.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murray Peter. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Murray Raymond George. Pte. Australian Imperial Force
    • Murray Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murray Robert Edgar. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murray Robert. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Murray Robert William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murray Ronald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murray Sydney John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Murray T.. Cpl. Army Pay Corps
    • Murray Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Murray Thomas Salton. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Murray W. D.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Murray W. F. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murray Walter. Stkr. HMS Cressy
    • Murray William. Dvr Royal Artillery
    • Murray MM.. William James Richardson. Sgt King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Murray William. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Murray William Bernard Lane. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Murrison William Harry. Pte. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Murry George. 2Lt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Murtagh William. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Murthewaite H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Murty Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Musa Alam. 2nd Seedie H.M.S. Britomart.
    • Muscat Rudolph. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Musgrave Albert Edward. Manchester Regiment
    • Musgrave Ralph. L/Cpl. Scottish Rifles
    • Musgrove Charles Albert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Musgrove George Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Musgrove William. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Muskett Cecil Frederick. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Muskett Charles Thomas. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Mussalli Antonio Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Musselbrook Frank. Pte. Somerset Light infantry
    • Mussen Richard. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Musslewhite William John. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Musson Fredric. Pte.
    • Musson George Porter . L/Cpl Leicestershire Regiment
    • Musson Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Mustard George Douglas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Mustard-Charleton W.. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Mustoe MM. Frederick William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Mutton John. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Mutukishna George Ernest. Pte.
    • Mutum William F.. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Myatt Walter Albert. Rflmn. The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consorts Own)
    • Mycock DCM.. Harry. Rifle Brigade
    • Myddleton William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Myers Charles. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Myers Edward. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Myers Edward. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Myers Frank F. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Myers George. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Myers Gilbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Myers Herman Fieldhouse. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Myers James Thomas. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Myers John Robert. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Myers John James. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Myers Walter James. Pte. 4th Battalion
    • Myerscough H.. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Myhill George William. Pte Coldstream Guards
    • Myhill Harold. Pte Sherwood Foresters
    • Myhill J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Myles Edward James. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Myles Robert Sim. Cpl. 56th Battalion
    • Myles Thomas J.E.B.. 14th Battalion (Royal Montreal Regiment)
    • Mylet Hugh Mcpherson. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland
    • Mytton William. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Nabi Abdun. Seacunny
    • Nairn W.. Bugler. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nairn MID. William John. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Naisbett Joseph. Stkr. HMS Dominion
    • Nanton Lawrence. Fireman. USS Calamares
    • Napier J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Napier J. McC.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Napper Richard William Henry Bennett. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Napthine Clare George. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Narvidge John William. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Nasby F.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Naseby Thomas. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Nash A. E.. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Nash Alfred J,. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Nash Christopher. Pte. 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers
    • Nash MM.. Enoch. Sgt. Kings own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Nash Ernest H. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Nash G. E.. Flt Sub. Lt. 10 Naval Sqd.
    • Nash George Everett. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Nash MM. James. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Nash John. Pte. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)
    • Nash John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Nash Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Nash William David. Pte Border Regiment
    • Nash William Frederick. Act. Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Nason Bertram Francis. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Nathan G.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nation Henry Charles. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Naughton Charles William. Pte. 19th Btn.
    • Naughton James. Rifl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Naulder Walter. Pte Rifle Brigade
    • Nay Robert. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Naylor Abraham Alexander. Royal Engineers
    • Naylor Ezra. Pte Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Naylor Hubert Hepworth. Royal Scots (Lothian Regt)
    • Naylor John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Naylor Milford. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Naylor Tom Close. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Naylor Tom Henry. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Neail MM. Herbert. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Neail MM. Herbert. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Neal Harry.
    • Neal J.. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Neal John Francis. Rfl. London Regiment
    • Neal Josiah. Pte. Machine Gun Corps (Heavy)
    • Neal Noah. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Neal DCM.. William John Thomas. Lt. 13th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Neal William Leonard. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Neale Algernon Hastings Campbell. Lt.Col. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Neale Charlie Henry. Pte. West Surrey Regiment (Queens)
    • Neale Edgar John. Pte. West Surrey Regiment
    • Neale Edgar John. Queens West Surrey Regiment
    • Neale MM & Bar. George. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Neale MM.. Herbert Cecil. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Neale Martin William Henry. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Neale MC.. Philip. Capt. 44th Battalion
    • Neale . Thomas . HMS Minotar
    • Neale William Henry. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Neary Anthony. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Neate Robert. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Neave John. Sto 1 HMS Torrent
    • Neave John. Stoker HMS Torrent
    • Neave Walter. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Nedderman MM. Robert Moses. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Needham Albert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Needham Albert. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Needham Ernest. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment)
    • Needham John. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment)
    • Needham VC.. Samuel. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Needham William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Needleman Maurice. Rfm Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Neeham James William. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire
    • Neely J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Neely VC MM.. Thomas. L/Sgt. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Neen Thomas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Neesam Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Neethling MID. Johannes Henoch. Lt. Transport and Remounts
    • Negi VC.. Darwan Singh. 39th Garhwal Rifles
    • Negi VC.. Gabbar Singh. Rflmn 39th Garhwal Rifles
    • Negi VC.. Gobar Sing. Rflmn. 39th Garhwal Rifles
    • Neil Edward. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Neil William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Neilen John. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Neill Bernard Peter. Pte. 32nd Btn.
    • Neill CdG.. John Kidd. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Neill Joseph. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Neill Reginald H.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Neill Thomas Alexander. BSM. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Neill MM. Thomas Charles. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Neillands Robert. Cpl. Imperial Camel Corps
    • Neilly DCM. William. Act/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Neilon J. T.. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Neilon John Thomas. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nellist George Thornton. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nelms F.. Able Sea. HMS Astraea
    • Nelson Albert. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Nelson Alick.
    • Nelson Arthur Lumley. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Nelson VC MID.. David. Major Royal Field Artillery
    • Nelson Emily. Nurse Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Nelson Frederick Augustus. Spr. Corps of Royal Engineers
    • Nelson Frederick. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Nelson G.. A/Cpl. Australian Field Artillery 40th Bty
    • Nelson George Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Nelson Harry.
    • Nelson James Punton. Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Nelson James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Nelson James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nelson John William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nelson John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nelson John Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nelson John Robert. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Nelson John Stanley. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Nelson Jonathan. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nelson N. H.. Pte. 10 M.G. Coy
    • Nelson Richard. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Nelson Robert. Pte. Tank Corps
    • Nelson Stephen. Sgt. Black Watch
    • Nelson W. B.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nelson William.
    • Nepean Arthur Kenard Nanspene. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Nesbit John W. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nesbitt A. W.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nesbitt DSM.. David. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ness John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Ness Richard. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Ness William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Nettleship Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Nettleton Thomas. Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Netzel William Frank. Pte. Canadian Machine Gun Corps
    • Neucom Isaac Thomas. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Nevens Joseph. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Neville A.. Trumpeter Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Neville James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Neville Thomas V.T. Thacker. Capt. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Neville William Garlick. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Nevin Daniel Patrick. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Nevin Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nevin Martin. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Nevins W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • New Edgar. L/Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • New William James. East Surrey Regiment
    • New William Alfred. PO Sto. HMS Contest
    • Newall Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Newall Thomas. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Newberry Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Newberry Joseph. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Newberry Robert Arthur. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Newberry William Sidney. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Newbery George Alfred. 36th Btn.
    • Newbold Frederick. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Newbold George Henry. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Newbould William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Newbury Ernest Frank. WOII. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Newbury Thomas Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Newby Ernest. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Newby George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Newby Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Newby James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Newby James. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Newby MM & bar.. Richard. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Newby Thomas Arthur. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Newcombe Ernest William. L/Cpl. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Newcombe MM.. Fred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Newcombe J.. Machine Gun Corps
    • Newdick Herbert Edwin. Petty Officer HMS White Head
    • Newham Benjamin. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Newhouse Edward F.G. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Newland VC. James Ernest. Cpt 12th Btn.
    • Newman Alfred Mark. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Newman Alfred Victor. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Newman Arthur James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Newman Arthur James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Newman Bertram Benjamin Corney. Sgt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Newman Charles. Pte. Dorset Regiment
    • Newman Cyril Arnell. Temp 2nd Lt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Newman Frederick. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Newman George. Pte. 131st Bn
    • Newman James. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Newman Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Newman Joseph Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Newman Joseph Henry. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Newman Nathaniel Halford. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Newman William John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Newman William Herbert. Pte. Duke of Cambridge Own (Middlesex) Regiment
    • Newport George Henry. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Newport John William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Newport Richard. Pte.
    • Newsam Harry Brighstone. 2nd Lt. Tank Corps
    • Newstead George Pope. Lt.Col. Suffolk Regiment
    • Newsum Henry George. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Newsum Lionel B.. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Newton Arthur Thomas. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Newton Cecil. 2nd Lt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Newton E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Newton Edward Alexander. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Newton Frank Ernest. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Newton George Bernard. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Newton Henry. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Newton Herbert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Newton Isaac. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Newton J.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Newton Johnson. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Newton Percival Bloomfield. Dvr. 10th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Newton Percival Bloomfield. Dvr. 10th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Newton Percy Holyoake Neller. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Newton Peter. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Newton Phillip Jackson. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Newton Thomas. L/Cpl.
    • Newton Thomas. Able Sea. Hood Battalion
    • Newton W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Newton William Trafford. Lt. North Staffordshire
    • Neylan Augustine Joseph. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Ng Fook. Frmn. S.S. Brodholme
    • Niblett Frank. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Nice Frederick William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Nichol James Patrick. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Nichol P.. Cpl. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Nichol Robert William. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nichol W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nicholas Cecil. Pte. 7th Btn.
    • Nicholas Frederick Hugh. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Nicholas VC, MM.. Hanry James. Sgt. Canterbury Regiment
    • Nicholas VC, MM.. Henry James. Sgt. Canterbury Infantry Regiment
    • Nicholas Joseph. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Nicholas Kenneth. L/Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Nicholas William Edward. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Nicholl Archibald. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Nicholl Samuel. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Nicholl Samuel. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Nicholl Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nicholls Arthur. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Nicholls Bertram Ernest. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Nicholls Ethelbert Bibby. Pte. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Nicholls Frank Thomas. AB. HMS Dolphin
    • Nicholls George. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Nicholls George. Pte. Queens Own West Kent Regiment
    • Nicholls Horace Walter. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Nicholls DCM.. John Thomas. Sergeant Welsh Fusiliers
    • Nicholls John Emmet Thomas. Pte. 18th Battalion
    • Nicholls John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Nicholls Joseph. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Nicholls Percy. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Nicholls Thomas Alfred. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Nicholls William. Stoker 1st Class. HMS Invincible
    • Nicholls William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Nichols George. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Nichols Owen. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Nichols Walter Henry. HMHS Panama
    • Nichols William Joseph . Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Nicholson Alfred Charles. Manchester Regiment
    • Nicholson C R. L Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nicholson Charles B.. Pte. Yorks and Lancs Regiment
    • Nicholson CdG.. Cyril Howard. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Nicholson CdG.. Cyril Howard. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Nicholson David. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Nicholson DCM. Edgar. S/Sjt Mjr. Northumberland Hussars
    • Nicholson Edmund. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nicholson Edward Pearson. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Nicholson Frank Eastman. Stwd. HMS Avoca
    • Nicholson Frederick. Gdsm. Grenadier Guards
    • Nicholson . George . Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Nicholson George Edgar. Rflmn. 5th Regt.
    • Nicholson J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nicholson James William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Nicholson . John . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nicholson John. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Nicholson John Brown. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nicholson John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nicholson John Henry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Nicholson Lancelot. 2nd Lt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Nicholson Matthew. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Nicholson Norman. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nicholson Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nicholson Samuel. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Nicholson Scott. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nicholson T. W.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nicholson T.. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Nicholson Walter George. Cpl. Lincolnshire Rgt.
    • Nicholson Wilfred. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Nicholson William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nicholson William. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Nicholson William Henry. Pte. Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment
    • Nicholson DCM.. William Henry. SSgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Nicholson William. Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Nicklen T. A.. Able Sea. SS Doric
    • Nicks Ernest Anthony. Pte Somerset Light Infantry
    • Nicol Archibald. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Nicol Charles. Pte. The Black Watch
    • Nicol David. L/Sjt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Nicol David. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Nicol John. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Nicoll Alaxander. 3rd Dragoon Guards( Prince of Wales Own)
    • Nicoll David. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Nicoll William. Pte. Black Watch
    • Nicolle Clarence Durell. L/Cpl. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Niddrie Albert. Pte. 17th Battalion
    • Niddrie John Edward. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Nield Allen. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Nielson Niels Peter Henry. Stkr.
    • Nightingale Andrew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nightingale Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Nightingale Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Nightingale Harry. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Nightingale Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Nightingale Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Nightingale Mark. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nightingale Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nightingale William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Niles Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nilsson Geoffrey Burbank. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nilsson Neil. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Nimmo MM.. John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Nimmons W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ninnis Allan Edmund. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Nisbet . Alexander. Cpl. Lothians and Border Horse Yeomanry
    • Nisbet James. L/Cpl. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Nisbet Joseph. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Nisbet Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Nisbet Samuel. Cpl. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Nix Alfred Alaxander . Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nix Henry Richard. Pte. London Regiment
    • Nix J. L.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Nixon Alfred. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Nixon Andrew. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Nixon Arthur W.L.. 2nd Lt.
    • Nixon Edgar Ford. Rfmn. Prince Consorts Own Rifle Brigade
    • Nixon Edward Hethinton. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nixon George William. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Nixon J.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Nixon MM.. James Mckinley. L/Cpl. 47th Btn. (Western Ontario Regiment)
    • Nixon James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nixon Leonard. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Nixon R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nixon Robert Thomas.
    • Nixon Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nixon Ronald Thomas Thompson . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nixon William John. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Nixon-Eckersall MiD. Frederic Eckersall. Mjr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Noall G.. Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nobbs Edward Willie. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Nobbs Harry Alexander. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Nobbs Sidney Henry. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Noble A.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Noble VC. Cecil Reginald. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Noble Charles. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Noble F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Noble Fred. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Noble George Herbert. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Noble Herbert Gibbon. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Noble James Alfred. Rflm. Rifle Brigade
    • Noble James Alfred. L/Cpl. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Noble John Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Noble John Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Noble John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Noble M.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Noble Samuel Fletcher. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Noble Vivian Henry William . Cpl. 3rd Btn.
    • Noble-Campbell C. H.. Lt. 38 Squadron
    • Nocton Thomas. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nodding Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Noe John Thomas. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Nokes Alfred Ernest. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Nokes Harry. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Nolan Edmund. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Nolan James. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nolan John Thomas. Fireman. HMS Princess Royal
    • Nolan John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Nolan Joseph. Manchester Regiment
    • Nolan Laurence. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Nolan Leonard. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Nolan Michael. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Nolan P.. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Nolan Thomas. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Nolan William. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Nolan William H.. London Regiment
    • Noon John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Noon Martin. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Noon P.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Noon Percy Frank. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Noon R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Noonan Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Noonan William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Noonan William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Norbury E. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Norfolk William Arthur. A/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Norgate Percy Douglas. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Norgrove Albert. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Norman Arthur Robert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Norman Beresford Grey. Sgt. 36th Btn.
    • Norman Claude. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Norman George. D.H. HMS Victory
    • Norman Harry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Norman John William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Norman Joseph Thomas . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Norman Malcolm. Ordly.
    • Norman Robert Clarke. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Norman Sidney George. Sgt Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Norman W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Norman William. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Norman William Thomas. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Norman William James. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Norquay Magnus Sinclair. Sgt.Mjr. Highland Light Infantry
    • Norris Charles. L/Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Norris George Charles. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Norris Harold Aubrey Blurton. 2nd.Lt. 57 Squadron
    • Norris Henry John Walter Horace. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Norris James Thomas. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Norris John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Norris John William. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Norris R. W.. 2nd Lt.
    • Norris Tom. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Norris William. Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Norris William Thomas Nobel. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Norrish Alfred. Pte. RMS Osterley
    • North A. Pte. London Regiment
    • North Cecil Edward. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • North Charles. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • North George. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • North Henry. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • North MM.. Herbert. L/Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • North Joseph. Australian Field Artillery
    • Northcote Henry. Pte. 31st Battalion
    • Northcott Elias Herbert. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Northcott Robert Edward. Pte. Wessex field Ambulance
    • Northey W.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Northover John. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Northrop Frederick Victor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Northrop Harold. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Northwood . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Northwood Richard. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Norton MM.. Horace John. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Norton MM.. Horace John. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Norton James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Norton John Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Norton John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Norton John Edward. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Norton John William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Norton John William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Norton Joseph. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Norton Joseph Allen. Sea. HMS Challenger
    • Norton Roland Patrick. Pte. 13th Btn.
    • Norton Sydney. Sjt. North Staffordshire Regt
    • Norton Thomas. HMS Irresistible
    • Norton William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Norwood VC. John. Cpt. 5th Dragoon Guards
    • Notscheid Walter Charles . Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Nott Frank. Pte. Worcester Regiment
    • Noulton George. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Noulton George. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Noulton George. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Noulton Henry James. Pte. Chatham Division
    • Noulton Henry. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Noulton Henry. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Noulton Henry. Pte.
    • Noulton Samuel. SPO. HMS Chatham
    • Noulton Samuel. PO. HMS Chatham
    • Novembrino Prospero. Private Manchester Regiment
    • Novinski S.. Signaller. Durham Light Infantry
    • Noyce Harry George. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Noyes Talbot Ronald Arthur Herbert. Capt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Noyland Ernest. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Nugent Charles O. Roland. L.Tel. HMS Duke
    • Nugent Edward. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Nugent Francis Joseph. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Nugent George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nugent George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nunn Frederick Walter. Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • Nunn John Price. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Nunn Joseph. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Nunn Louis. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Nunn Walter Francis. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Nunney VC DCM MM . Claude Joseph Patrick. Pte. 38th (Ottawa) Canadian Infantry Btn.
    • Nunney VC, DCM, MM.. Claude Joseph Patrick. Pte. 38th Btn. Eastern Ontario Regiment
    • Nunns Norman. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Nurse Fred A.. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Nurse John James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nurse Thomas William. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Nussey Walter. Coldstream Guards
    • Nutbrown George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Nuttall Harold Eccleston Arthur Victor. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Nuttall Robert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Nuttall Tom. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Nuttall Wilson. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Nutter MM with Bar. James Halstead. Sergeant Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Nutter James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Nutter William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Nutter William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Nutton William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Nuttycombe Albert. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Nylands Michael. Pte. Border Regiment
    • O'Beirne Thomas. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • O'Boyle Francis Alexander. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • O'Boyle John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • O'Brian James. Border Regiment
    • O'Brien Alexander. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • O'Brien Arthur. Sgt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O'Brien C.. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O'Brien Christopher. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • O'Brien Daniel. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • O'Brien Daniel. Sto. HMS Drake
    • O'Brien Frank. Leinster Regiment
    • O'Brien Hezekiah Gordon. Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • O'Brien DCM, Belgian MM.. James. London Regiment
    • O'Brien James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • O'Brien James. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • O'Brien James Francis. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • O'Brien James. SM Leinster Regiment
    • O'Brien Jeremiah. Act/L/Sto. H.M.S. "Vivid II."
    • O'Brien John Joseph. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • O'Brien John. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • O'Brien John. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • O'Brien John Joseph. Sea. U.S.S. Leviathan
    • O'Brien Joseph. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • O'Brien Michael. Pte. Irish Guards
    • O'Brien Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • O'Brien Peter. Cpl. Welsh Fusiliers
    • O'Brien Thomas William. Pte. London Regiment
    • O'Brien Thomas. Pe Yorkshire Regiment
    • O'Brien Thomas William. Pte. Border Regiment
    • O'Brien Thomas Augustine. Lt. Army Veterinary Corps
    • O'Brien William. Dublin Fusiliers
    • O'Brien William James. Pte. London Regiment
    • O'Brien William Attrata. AC2. 210 Squadron
    • O'Brien William. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • O'Callaghan Ann. Stwd. SS Formby
    • O'Callaghan MC & Bar.. John Charles. Major. Royal Field Artillery
    • O'Callaghan Michael. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • O'Connell Benjamin. Pte. Irish Guards
    • O'Connell Jeremiah. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • O'Connell Jeremiah. Pte. East Surrey Regiment on detachment to the Royal En
    • O'Connell Michael William. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • O'Connell Patrick Maurice. Lt.
    • O'Connell Thomas Francis. P/O HMS Indus
    • O'Connor Albert Edward. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • O'Connor Christoper. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • O'Connor Edward Brian. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • O'Connor Edward Victor. Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • O'Connor F.. Cpl.
    • O'Connor James Herbert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • O'Connor Jeremiah. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O'Connor John. Pte Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • O'Connor John. AMC2 Recruits Training Wing
    • O'Connor John Daniel. AbleSea. HMS Violent
    • O'Connor John C.. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • O'Connor Michael Joseph. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • O'Connor MM & Bar. Peter. Gnr. 22nd Brigade
    • O'Connor T. J.. S/Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • O'Connor Thomas. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • O'Connor Walter. Drvr. Army Service Corps
    • O'Connor William Joseph. Pte.
    • O'Dea J.. Cpl.
    • O'Dell Albert George. L/Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • O'Dell Sidney Arthur. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • O'Dell Sidney Arthur. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • O'Donnell Edward. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • O'Donnell F.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • O'Donnell Frank. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • O'Donnell James. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • O'Donnell John. Sea. HMS Carmania
    • O'Donoghue . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • O'Donohue John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • O'Donovan Miles Henry. Capt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O'Driscoll Patrick. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O'Farrell Archibald Hugh. 2nd Lt. Irish Guards
    • O'Garr Charles Cyril. Kings Own Hussars
    • O'Gorman James. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • O'Grady B.. Capt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • O'Grady Benjamin. L/Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • O'Grady Henry Joseph. RSM. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O'Grady Henry. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O'Grady James. Sgt. Labour Corps
    • O'Grady John. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • O'Grady Walter Joseph Stanislaus. Lt. 18th Battalion
    • O'Halloran Daniel. Pte. Royal Scots
    • O'Hanrahan Redmond. Pte. Royal Scots
    • O'Hara Frank. Stoker. HMS Indefatigable
    • O'Hara Frank. DH HMS Colleen
    • O'Hara George Thomas. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • O'Hara John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • O'Hara John Willie. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • O'Hara MM.. John William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • O'Hara John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • O'Hara John. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • O'Hara Joseph Sykes. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment)
    • O'Hara Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • O'Hara Patrick.
    • O'Hara Thomas. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • O'Hara W L.B.. Royal Tank Corp
    • O'Hara William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • O'Hare Felix John. Pte South Lancashire Regiment
    • O'Hare John James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • O'Hare John Joseph. Pte. Irish Guards
    • O'Hare John James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • O'Hare John James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • O'Hare John James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • O'Hare John James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • O'Hearne . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • O'Henley Angus. HMS Duchess of Hamilton
    • O'Henley Malcolm. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • O'Keefe DCM.. David Augustus. Sjt. 10th Australian Field Ambulance
    • O'Keefe William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • O'Keefe William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • O'Keeffe Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • O'Keeffe Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • O'Keeffe Patrick. L/Sjt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O'Keeffe Robert. Sgt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O'Kell John Edward. Pte. Black Watch
    • O'Kelly VC MC. Christopher Patrick John. Acting Capt. 52nd Battalion
    • O'Kelly Henry Arundell de Pentheny. Lt. 13th Hussars
    • O'Leary D.. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O'Leary Francis. Sgt. London Regiment
    • O'Leary Henry. RSM Connaught Rangers
    • O'Leary VC. Michael John. Mjr. Irish Guards 1st btn.
    • O'Leary R.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • O'Leary Timothy. WT1. HMS Defiance
    • O'Leary Timothy. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • O'Loughlin Stephen. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O'Mahony Daniel Joseph. Sgt. 1/Gr. Bn. R. Ir. Rifs. G/1085 Sgt.
    • O'Malley William Joseph. 2nd Lt. Royal Artillery
    • O'Mara Stephen. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • O'Mara William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • O'Meara John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • O'Meara VC. Martin. Pte. 16th Battalion
    • O'Neal Ruben Shirley. 1st Lt. No. 34 Casualty Clearing Station
    • O'Neil Albert. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • O'Neil Anthony. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • O'Neil James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • O'Neill Andrew. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • O'Neill Cornelius. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • O'Neill D.. PO.Stkr. HMS Colleen
    • O'Neill Denis. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • O'Neill Enoch. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • O'Neill Francis James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • O'Neill Frank. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • O'Neill Frederick. 2nd Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • O'Neill George. Pte. Royal Scots
    • O'Neill Henry Thomas. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • O'Neill J.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • O'Neill J.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • O'Neill James. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • O'Neill James. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • O'Neill James. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • O'Neill John Arthur. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • O'Neill John Robert. Bdm. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • O'Neill MID.. Joseph. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • O'Neill Martin. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • O'Neill Matthew. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • O'Neill Michael Fursey. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • O'Neill Michael. Pte Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • O'Neill Owen. Pte. Irish Guards
    • O'Neill Patrick. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • O'Neill MID. Patrick Joseph. Sgt Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • O'Neill Patrick. Pte. Irish Guards
    • O'Neill T. Lt. Queens Own Dorset Yeomanry
    • O'Neill Thomas. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • O'Neill Thomas. Drvr. Army Service Corps
    • O'Neill Thomas. Driver Army Service Corps
    • O'Neill WIlliam. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • O'Neill William. A.Sgt Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • O'Reilly Albert James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • O'Reilly William. L/Sgt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • O'Riley . Lt 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • O'Rourke MM. Constantine. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • O'Rourke George Thomas Tracy. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • O'Rourke James. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • O'Rourke VC MM. Michael James. Pte. 7th (1st British Columbia) Battalion
    • O'Shaughnessy Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • O'Shea T.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • O'Sullivan A. M.. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • O'Sullivan A. M.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • O'Sullivan Jeremiah. Royal Engineers
    • O'Sullivan MID.. Jeremiah. Cpt. Royal Engineers
    • O'Sullivan John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • O'Sullivan John. Pte King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • O'Sullivan Michael John. Pte Leinster Regiment
    • O'Sullivan Patrick. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • O'Toole John. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • O?Sullivan VC. Gerald Robert. Capt. Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Oakden Frank. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Oakden Tom. Rfm Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Oakes Abraham. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Oakes Edwin James. Pte. Devonshire
    • Oakes Henry Charles. Sgt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Oakes DCM.. Joseph Henry. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Oakes Samuel. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Oakes Wilfred Cecil. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Oakes William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Oakley A.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Oakley Arthur Edward. L/Cpl. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Oakley Cyril. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Oakley MM.. Frank. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Oakley MM.. Frank. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Oakley John. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Oakley S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Oakley Thomas. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Oakman Alfred Ernest. Australian Engineers
    • Oakman Alfred Ernest. 1st Australian Tunneling Coy.
    • Oastler Albert Edward Walter. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Oates A.. Sgt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Oates Albert. Cpl. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Oates MC.. Christian Edwin. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Oates Joseph.
    • Oates Percy Edmunson. L/Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Oates Robert Storey. Royal Artillery
    • Oates MM.. Sam. Rflmn. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Oatley MM.. John Henry James. RSM. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Oatway William. Sgt. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • OBrien P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • OConnor J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • OConnor P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • OConnor Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Odam MM.. Edmund. Pte. Sherwood Forresters
    • Odell Arthur William. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Odlam T.. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • ODonnell H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Odwell Arthur. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Oelofse J. H.. Pte. 3rd Regt.
    • OFarrell M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Offa Moma. Pte. Nigerian Regiment
    • Offutt William Bernard. Cpl. 306th Infantry Regiment
    • Ogden David. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ogden George. CSM. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Ogden Harry. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ogden Henry Valentine. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Ogden James. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Ogden John William. Pte. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Ogden MM.. Robert. Sgt. Lincolnshire
    • Ogg Robert George. Highland Guards
    • Ogilvie David. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ogilvie W. E.. 2/Lt. Border Regiment
    • Ogilwy William Eyre. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ogle Benjamin. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ogle Benjamin. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Oglesby Albert. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Oglesby Albert. Pte. 9th Battalion
    • Oglesby Charles. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • OHalloran William Henry. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • OHare James. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ohlsen Soren Gottfried Ulrick. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • OKane Patrick. Acpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Oke MC and Bar, MID.. Harris Rendell. Capt. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • OKelly James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Okey John. Pte. Black Watch
    • Old Alfred Edwin. Pte. Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars)
    • Old Thomas. Pte. Cameron Highlanders (Queen's Own)
    • Oldaker George Percival. Boy.Tel. HMS Formidable
    • Oldershaw F.. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Oldershaw Walter. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Oldfield John. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Oldfield John Henry. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Oldfield Percy. Pte. Wellington Regiment
    • Oldfield Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Oldfield Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Oldfield Wilfred. Bglr. Yorks & Lancs
    • Oldham Arthur. Rflm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Oldham William. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Oldridge Campbell James. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Oldridge DCM.. Ernest. T/RSM Durham Light Infantry
    • Oldroyd Edward. Sdlr. Army Service Corps
    • Oley Robert Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Oliphant Ian. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Oliphant K. J. P.. Lt. Wiltshire Rgt.
    • Oliphant Lancelot. RQMS Durham Light Infantry
    • Olive Frank Leslie. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Oliver Albert George. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Oliver Albert Thomas. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Oliver Albert George. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Oliver Albert George. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Oliver Edward. Rflmn West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Oliver Edward C. Rfn Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regimet
    • Oliver Ernest. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Oliver Francis Henry. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Oliver Frank Norman. DeckH. HMT John Abbot
    • Oliver Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Oliver Henry Cecil. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Oliver James. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Oliver John Thomas. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Oliver Mathias. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Oliver Patrick. Sgt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Oliver Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Oliver Robert F.. HMS Botha
    • Oliver Thomas. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Oliver Walter Stanley Victor. 2nd Lt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Oliver Wilfred. L/Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Oliver Wilfred. L/Cpl. Berkshire Regiment
    • Oliver William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Oliver William Percy. Devonshire Regiment
    • Oliveria William Edmund. Royal Air Force
    • Olivier J. W.L.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Olle Frank Jubilee . Sgt. 5th Infantry Battalion
    • Ollerhead Frederick William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Olley MM.. Gordon Percy. Sjt. 1 Sqd.
    • Ollosson C.. Steward. SS Laurentic
    • Olsen Oliver Everick William. L/Cpl. Canterbury Regiment
    • Oman James Williams. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • OMara M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Oneill Enoch. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • ONiele C. F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • ONiell Alf E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • ONiell C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • ONiell Joseph F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • ONiell Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • ONiell Stephen. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • ONiell Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Onslow John Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Oosthuyse J. B.. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Opperman A. S.A.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Oram Davis J.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Oram Sidney Abraham. Pte. London Regiment
    • Oram Walter John Henry. Cpl. Army Service Corps.
    • Orchard Ernest John. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Orchard William Frederick. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Ord George Henry. Pte. Green Howards
    • Ord Henry. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Ord J.G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ord MM.. Josiah. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ord Richard Foster. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ord Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ord W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • OReilly Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Orford Albert George. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Organ Andrew Fuller. Lt.
    • Organ Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ormandy Thomas. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Orme John William. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Orme Robert. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Ormerod Blanche Eliza.
    • Ormerod James. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Ormiston James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ormley Michael. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Ormrod Harry. Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Orr David. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Orr David Edward. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Orr Edward Farquharson B.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Orr Frank James. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Orr George. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Orr J. C.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Orr Matthew. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Orr Matthew. Sgt Royal Irish Rifles
    • Orr Peter. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Orr William. 6th Inniskilling Dragoons
    • Orrells David. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Orrick E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Orsler Arthur Edmond. Pte. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)
    • Orsler Harry James Elijah. L/Cpl. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)
    • Orton MM.. Joseph. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Orton Reginald Greenwell. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Orton Samuel. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Ortweiler F. J.. 2/Lt.
    • Orvis DCM MSM. Henry William. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Orwin Robert. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Osbaldiston Robert. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Osben Henry. L/Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Osborn MID.. Frank Isaac. Sgt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Osborn Oliver James. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Osborne Albert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Osborne Bertram. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Osborne Cecil Austin. Pte. 11th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Osborne Claude Kingston. Sgt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Osborne H S. Cpl Durham Light Infantry
    • Osborne Henry Taylor. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Osborne John Edward. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Osborne Lionel James . L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Osborne Samuel. Stoker HMS Bittern
    • Osborne Thomas Chidley. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Osborne William George. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Osborne William George. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Osborne William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Osbourne Edwin. Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Osbourne William. Signaller Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Oseman Edward George. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Osgood Albert William. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Osgood Irene.
    • Osland William Wesley. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Osman Robert James. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Osman Stanley Victor. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Osment John James. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Osmond H.. Pte. HMS Albion
    • Osmond Richard. L/Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Osterholm Victor Emil Hugo. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Osterholm Victor Emil Hugo. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ostle Wilson. Pte. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ostler Sydney William. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Oswald Alfred. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Oswald Alfred. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Oswald Frederick. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Oswald Montague Leonard. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Oswell MC.. A.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Otley Sydney Woollen. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Otoole J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Otoole J. L.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Otoole P.. Wo1 Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ottaway Clarence G.. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Oughton Andrew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Oughton R.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Oughton Thomas Maddison. Pte Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry  
    • Ouldcarr . Sgt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Ounsworth Leonard Jesse. Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ousbey Joseph. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Ousley Leonard. Pte. Devon Yeomanry
    • Outhwaite Lawrence. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Outram John A.. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Ovenden Thomas William. Pte 42nd Btn.
    • Ovenden William Charles. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Over Charles Herbert. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Over Edward Norman. Westminster Dragoons
    • Overfield Daniel. Durham Light Infantry
    • Overs Michael. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Overton Chestney George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ovington Matthias. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Owen David Rees. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Owen E.. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Owen Edmond. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Owen Enoch. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Owen Frank. Pte. Black Watch
    • Owen George Albert. Able.Sea. HMS Sparrow Hawk
    • Owen Harry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Owen Henry. Royal Engineers
    • Owen Henry. Pte. Devonshire Regimengt
    • Owen MM.. James. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Owen John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Owen Levi Stanley. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Owen Levi Stanley. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Owen Owen Arthur. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Owen Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Owen Robert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Owen Thomas. Rfm. Rifle Brigade
    • Owen Wilfred. Manchester Regiment
    • Owen MC.. Wilfred Edward Salter . Manchester Regiment
    • Owen William Alfred. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Owen William Alfred. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Owen William. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Owen William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Owens Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Owens Charles Arnold. Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Owens Charles Arnold. Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Owens Denis Patrick. 2E S.S. Brodholme
    • Owens George. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Owens James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Owens John. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Owens John William. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Owens Martin. Pte. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Owens Samuel. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Owens Thomas. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Owens Walter. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Owens William Brabazon. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Owens William Brabazon. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Owens William Brabazon. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Ower Hay. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Owers Frank. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps Infantry
    • Owsnett Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Oxby Joseph Henry. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Oxby Joseph Henry. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry ÃÆ??Ã?Ã? 
    • Oxford Harold George. Cpl Hampshire Regiment
    • Oxlade Charles. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Rgt.
    • Oxley E.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Oxley Eric. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Oxley J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Oxnard T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Oxtoby John William. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Oyitch William Henry. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Oyns A. P.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Pace Agostino . Sgt. No. 1 Heavy Bty.
    • Pacey Arthur. Rifleman Kings Royal Rifles Corps
    • Pacey Ernest. L\Cpl. Cheshire Regt
    • Pacey Lancelot. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Pack Edward. Private Royal Fusiliers
    • Packe Edward Alexander. Capt. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Packer Albert Edward Farvis . Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Packer William Job. L/Cpl Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Packer William John Saunders. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Packham E.. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Packham Edward. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Packham Robert James. Ldg Tel HMS Marigold
    • Padden John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Paddison Thomas. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Paddock MM & Bar.. John William. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Paddon Thomas. Pte Devonshire Regiment
    • Padfield Edwin John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Padgett DCM. Herbert. CSM West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Padgett DCM.. Herbert. CSM. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Padgett DCM.. Herbert. CSM. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Padmore Harry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Page Alfred Charles. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Page Arthur. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Page Carey Foster. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regoment
    • Page Charles William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Page Edward Stanley. L Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Page Ernest. Pte. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Page George. CSM. East Lancashire
    • Page George Clarence. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Page George C.. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Page Harold James. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Page Harold James. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Page MBE.. Harold James. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Page Harry Leslie Charles. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Page Harry. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Page James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Page Joshua Joseph. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Page Reginald Howard. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Page Samuel. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Page Thomas Eldred. Rflm. Rifle Brigade
    • Page Thomas. Pte. 8th Btn.
    • Page Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Page DCM. Walter E.. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Page William George. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Page William Henry . Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Paget DFC.. Augustus. 2nd Lt. 66 Squadron
    • Paget Edwin. Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Pagett John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Paginton Tom. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Paice F. J.. SSgt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Paice Nathaniel John. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Pailor Tom. Sjt Mjr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Paimal Julian. Able Sea. SS Pinewood
    • Pain Albert George. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Pain B H. Surgeon Comander
    • Pain Charles Ringwood. Rifleman Rifle Brigade
    • Pain Major William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Painter Charles Richard. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Painter George Harry. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Painter H J. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Painter Herbert George. CSM. Middlesex Regiment
    • Painter Leonard Robert. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Paintin Shayler. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Painting Arthur James. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Paisley George. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Paisley Richardson Jackson. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Paisley S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pakenham H. A.. Lt. Col. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Pales William George. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Palfreman Richard John. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Palfrey Alan Edward. 2nd Lt. Royal Warwickshire
    • Palfreyman George Beresford. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Palin Thomas Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pallan C.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pallett Edgar Richard. L/Sjt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Pallisher George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pallister Roland. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pallister Thomas Russell. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pallister Walter. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Palmer . Durham Light Infantry
    • Palmer Alexander. Pte. Highlight Light Infantry
    • Palmer DSO, MC, PSC.. Alexander Edward Guy. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Palmer Alfred Joseph. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Palmer MM.. Arthur. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Palmer Arthur George. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Palmer Charles William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Palmer Charles Stanley Banks. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Palmer Charles Vivian. Durham Light Infantry
    • Palmer Charles. Capt. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Palmer Dick Dean. 10th Field Artillery, "B" Bty.
    • Palmer Edgar Herbert. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Palmer Edward. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Palmer Frank. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Palmer Fred. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Palmer MSM.. George . Pte. Labour Corps
    • Palmer H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Palmer Henry. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Palmer Henry Adam. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Palmer J.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Palmer J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Palmer John Stanley. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Palmer John Albert. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Palmer M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Palmer Margaret Bessie.
    • Palmer Percy Charles. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Palmer Percy Samuel J.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Palmer Richard. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Palmer Robert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Palmer MM.. Robert. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Palmer Rupert. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Palmer Sydney Albert. Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Palmer Wilfred. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Palmer William. Sgt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Palmer William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Palmer William Edward. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Palmer William. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Palmer William Robert. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Palmer William Charles Frank. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Palmer William George. Kings Royal Rifles Corps
    • Pamphlett Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Pamplin Archibald Stanley. Sgt. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Pankhurst Horace. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pankhurst Horace. RfM. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pankhurst Horace. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pannell George. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Pannell Harry. Pte. West Surrey (Queen's) Regiment
    • Pannell William. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Panter Cyril. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Panter Herbert. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Pantling George. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Parckar Edward William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Pardew Frank Arundel. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Pardoe Walter. Drummer Worcestershire Regiment
    • Parfait Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Parfitt E. G.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Parfitt Frederick. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Parfitt Frederick William. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Parfitt Ronald George. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Parfitt William G.. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Pargeter James Henry. L/Cpl. Oxfordshire And Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Parham John Edwin. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Parish . James Harold. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Park Frederick. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Park Horace. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Park James Down. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Park Richard. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Park Robert Walter. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Park Thomas Arthur. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Parker . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Parker Albert E.. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Parker Albert J. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Parker Albert Richard. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Parker Albert Ebenezer. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Parker MM.. Albert William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Parker Arthur. Sgt. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Parker Charles Frederick. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Parker Daniel Gilbert. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Parker Edmund. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Parker Edward George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Parker Edwin John. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Parker G H. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Parker G. W.. Benbow Battalion
    • Parker George Harold. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Parker MM.. George William. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Parker George Leonard. Cpt. Essex Regiment
    • Parker George. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Parker George Charles. FV Lobelia
    • Parker Henry Edward. Lt.
    • Parker Herbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Parker . James . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Parker James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Parker James Albert Henry. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Parker John. Pte London Regiment
    • Parker John. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Parker John Thomas. Pte. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
    • Parker John George. Rfl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Parker Joseph. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Parker Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Parker Patrick. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Parker Robert Thomas. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Parker Robert Winder. Pte. West Yorkshire
    • Parker Robert John. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Parker Robert Henry. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Parker Sidney. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Parker Stanley John Ernest. Pioneer Royal Engineers
    • Parker Stanley Charles. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Parker Thomas. Pte. Black Watch
    • Parker Thomas Henry. A/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Parker Thomas Bateman. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Parker Thomas Cyril Edward. L/Cpl.
    • Parker Tom Geoffrey Melsome . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Parker Walter Harry. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Parker William Arthur.
    • Parker William Donald. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Parkes Alexander Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Parkes Alexander Henry. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Parkes Alfred. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Parkes Edgar Ernest. Gunner
    • Parkes Edgar Ernest. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Parkes Francis Joseph. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Parkes Herbert Leslie. Pte. 17th Btn.
    • Parkes William. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Parkes William Charles. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Parkes William Isaiah. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Parkes William. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Parkes William. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Parkes William Arthur. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Parkey Jabez. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Parkin Arthur Clifford. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Parkin Charles T. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Parkin J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Parkin J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Parkin James Skelton. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Parkin John Maile. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Parkin S. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Parkin Thomas William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Parkin Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Parkins Alfred. Sjt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Parkins Edmund Lloyd. Cpl Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Parkins Robert Henry. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Parkinson Albert Henry. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Parkinson Albert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Parkinson Edgar. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Parkinson Edward. Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Parkinson DSO. J.. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Parkinson John William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Parkinson Peter. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Parkinson Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Parkinson Walter. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Parks F. J.. Trpr. Queen's Royal Lancers
    • Parks Joseph. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Parnaby Harold Edgar. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Parnell Charles Sidney. Pte Norfolk Regiment
    • Parnell Henry. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Parnell MM.. James Arthur. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Parnham MM. Samuel. Sgt. Sherwood Forresters
    • Parnham Thomas. Sherwood Foresters
    • Parnham Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Parr Albert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Parr Albert. Manchester Regiment
    • Parr Arthur. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Parr Harry William Charles. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Parr Richard George. Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Parr Stanley. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Parr William George. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Parratt Edwin. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Parratt Simon. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Kings Own Yo
    • Parrington Wilfred. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Parrish MM.. Henry. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Parrish MSM.. Stanley. A/S.Sjt.Maj. Army Service Corps
    • Parrott Arthur James. Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Parrott Harry Rands. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Parrott Hector Lionel. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Parrott Thomas. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Parrott Thomas. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Parrott William Henry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Parry A.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Parry Arthur Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Parry Arthur William James. Boy Tel. HMS Ganges
    • Parry Christopher Albert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Parry Edward Ernest. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Parry Evan. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Parry James. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Parry John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Parry John Ernest. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Parry John Clark. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Parry Marie Annie.
    • Parry Robert John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Parry Samuel William. Pte. Northamptoshire Regt.
    • Parry Sidney. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Parry Thomas Oswell. A/L/Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Parry Thomas R.. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Parry Thomas Sydney. Pte. 1st Welsh Horse
    • Parry Vincent Jones. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Parsell Edwin. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Parslow Albert Jack. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Parslow VC. Frederick Daniel. Master. HMT Anglo Californian
    • Parslow VC. Frederick Daniel. Lt. HMT Anglo Californian
    • Parsonage Albert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Parsonage Frederick Montague. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Parsonage John. Sgt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Parsons A. J.. Sgt. Rifle Bgde.
    • Parsons A. G.. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Parsons Archibald Thomas. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Parsons Edgar Vincent Peter. Capt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Parsons George Walter Henry. Gunner 61 Bty.
    • Parsons George William. Sgt. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Parsons VC.. Hardy Falconer. 2nd Lt. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Parsons Harry. L/Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Parsons MSM.. John Ashton. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Parsons John. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Parsons Reginald. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Parsons Robert William. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Parsons MM.. Victor M.. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Parsons William Edward. Mjr. Irish Guards
    • Parsons William George. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Partington William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Partis Daniel. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Partis Robert. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Parton George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Parton MM.. Gordon. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Parton James Arthur. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Partridge Claude Vincent. 70/73/77 Sqds. Wing
    • Partridge Harold Henry. L/Cpl. 33rd Btn.
    • Partridge MM.. Heber William Henry. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Partridge Wilfred Issell. Lt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Partridge William Frederick. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Partridge William. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Party Robert Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Pascoe MID.. John Frederick. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Pascoe Leslie. Pte. 9th Regt.
    • Pascoe Woodman. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Pashley William Stanley. Cpl. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Pasley George Gerald. 2nd Lt.
    • Pass John. Pte.
    • Pass Morris Edward. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Regiment
    • Pass Thomas Francis. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Passell Alfred Mark. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pasterfield Charles A.. Pte. British Army
    • Patchett Albert. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Patchett Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Patching Arthur Sean. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Patching Arthur Albert. Middlesex Regiment
    • Patching William J.. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Pate Henry. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Pate Starkie. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Pate William. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pateman John Harold. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Pateman Richard George. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Paterson MC.. Alexander Leonard. Cpt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Paterson MID MC. Alexander Leonard. A/Capt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Paterson Andrew. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Paterson David Russell. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Paterson Herbert George. East Surrey Rgt.
    • Paterson John Henry. 2nd.Lt. Essex Regiment
    • Paterson John. Pte Gordon Highlanders
    • Paterson William Robertson. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Patey George Edwin. Vice Admiral.
    • Patience Charles Frank. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey
    • Patience George. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Paton Alexander Ramsey. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Paton VC MC.. George Henry Tatham. Cpt. Grenadier Guards
    • Paton George. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Paton Henry John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Paton Richard. L/Cpl. 10th Battalion
    • Patrick Albert. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Patrick Andrew.
    • Patrick Bert . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Patrick Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Patrick Ernest William . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Patrick James. HMS Aboukir
    • Patrick James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Patrick John William. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Patrick Wilfred. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Patrick William Henry. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Patt P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Patten Alan Stewart. Lt. Army Service Corps
    • Patten Bert. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Patten Bert. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Patten MC.. Murray Gladstone. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Patten Thomas. Frmn. SS Memphian
    • Patten William Henry. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Patten William Henry. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Pattenden Thomas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Patterson . Mjr. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Patterson Alfred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Patterson Archibald Frederick. Pte. New Zealand Infantry Brigade
    • Patterson Cecil. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Patterson David. Grenadier Guards
    • Patterson Elizebeth.
    • Patterson George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Patterson George.
    • Patterson James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Patterson John. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Patterson Joshua. Pte. Northumberland Fusilliers
    • Patterson Robert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Patterson William Grant. Pte King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Patterson William Grant. L/Cpl. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Pattinson Henry. PO.(Shipwright) HMS Raglan
    • Pattinson MC.. Reginald Bowman. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Pattinson W.. Pte.
    • Pattison H.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pattison VC. John George. Pte. 50th Btn
    • Pattison John Forster. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pattison John George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pattison VC.. John George. Pte. 50th Btn. Alberta Regiment
    • Pattison Joseph. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Pattison R. G.. Pte. West Surrey Queen's Regiment
    • Pattison Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pattison William. Able.Sea. HMS Viknor
    • Patton John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Patton T. J.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Patton Thomas James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Pattrick. Alfred. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Paul Alexander Charles. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Paul Henry Walter Whetham. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Paul Levi. Pte. Dorsets
    • Paul William Henry. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Paul William. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Paulley . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Paulson . John Joseph. Pte. Sherwood Forresters
    • Paulson Samuel. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Pavey Frederick. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Pavitt Ernest Arthur. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Pawley James William. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Pawley John Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Pawling Reynard. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Pawson Walter. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Paxman Walter William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Paxton H.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Paxton Thomas Edward. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Payne Alfred John. Gnr. 216th Siege Bty.
    • Payne Archibald Mark. Hampshire Regiment
    • Payne Arthur Warnford. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Payne Arthur James Frederick. Pte Somerset Light Infantry
    • Payne Charles Richard. L/Cpl 42nd Battalion
    • Payne Earnest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Payne Edward William. L/Sgt. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Payne Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Payne Edwin Francis. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Payne Ernest. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Payne Ernest Richard . Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Payne Ewart. Gunner 40th Brigade
    • Payne Frederick Henry. Pte Rifle Brigade
    • Payne George Henry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Payne Harry Archibald. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Payne Henry Richard. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Payne MM, CdG.. Jack. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Payne James. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Payne John James. T/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Payne John Henry . Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Payne Percy Edward. East Kent Regiment
    • Payne Reginald Theobald.
    • Payne Thomas William. Ord.Sea. H.M.S. Turbulent
    • Payne Walter. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Payne William Henry . Pte.. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Payne William. Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Payne William Albert. L/Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Paynter . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Pays Leonard Sydney Thomas. Pte. Bedfordshire Yeomanry
    • Payton Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Peace Frederick. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Peace Job. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Peace John Thomas. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Peace Joseph. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Peace Thomas. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Peach Harry Grenfell. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Peach Richard Murray. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Peachey Alfred Pelham. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Peachey Harry Thomas James. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Peachey William Thomas. Pte. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Peachment VC.. George. Rflemn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Peacock Bertie. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Peacock Charles Frederick G.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Peacock Charles. Stk. HMS Godetia
    • Peacock Frederick. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Peacock George Alfred. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Peacock George Alfred. Lt. Northumberland Fusillers
    • Peacock Thomas Greville. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Peacock William Stephens. Pte. Yorks & Lancaster Regiment
    • Peacocke Herbert P.. 2nd Lt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Peak MID . William A. Sgt London Regiment
    • Peake George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Peake Leonard. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Peake MM.. Walter. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Peam Thomas Francis. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pearce MM. Albert Edward. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Pearce Alfred George. L/Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Pearce Alfred Ernest. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Pearce Arthur. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pearce Daniel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pearce Edward. L/Cpl King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Pearce Ernest Edmund. Pte. London Regiment
    • Pearce George Scott. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pearce Henry John. A/Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Pearce J. F.. Nelson Btn
    • Pearce John R. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pearce DCM.. John. RSM. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Pearce MM.. John. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Pearce John. Pte. Canterbury Regiment
    • Pearce John Henry. A/Sgt Somerset Light Infantry
    • Pearce Joseph Charles. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pearce Percy George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Pearce Sidney Richard John. HMS Blake
    • Pearce Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusliliers
    • Pearce Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Pearce Wilfred. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Pearce William. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Pearcy John. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Pearkes VC, PC, CC, CB, DSO, MC, CD. George Randolph. Maj. Gen. 5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Pearman Walter Robert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Pearman William Frederick. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Pears Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pearse Robert William. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Pearse VC MM.. Samuel George. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Pearse VC, MM.. Samuel George. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Pearson . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Pearson Alfred Christopher. Capt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Pearson Angus. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Pearson Athelstan. 2nd Lt. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Pearson C. E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pearson Charles E.. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Pearson Charles Stephen . Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pearson Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pearson Ellis. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pearson Ellis. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pearson Ernest. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pearson Frank. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Pearson Fred. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Pearson MM & Bar.. Fred. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pearson G.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pearson Herbert John. Norfolk Yeomanry
    • Pearson Ignatius Gerald. 2nd Lt.
    • Pearson J. G.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Pearson James. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Pearson MM. James Issacs. Sgt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Pearson R B. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pearson R.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pearson R. C.. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pearson Richard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pearson Robert McQueen. Private Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Pearson Thomas. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Pearson Thomas Petch. 2Lt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Pearson W. A.. Gnr. Royal Marine Artillery
    • Pearson Walter. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pearson William Allan. CSM. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pearson William. Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Pearson William James. 2nd Lt. No. 8 Squadron
    • Peart John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Pearton C.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Peartree Craine. BSM Royal Garrison Artillery Royal Garrison Artill
    • Peat Arthur Robert. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Peatman Thomas. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Peatman Thomas. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Peck Frank. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Pecker Henry Cyril. 2nd Lt. Royal Scots
    • Peckover Ernest Edwin. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Peckover Herbert. Pte Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Pedder Richard Edward Alfred. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Peden Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pedley John Willis. Cpl. King's Regiment Liverpool
    • Pedley Joseph. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Pedley Walter. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Pedley Walter. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Peel Charles William. 2Lt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Peel Robert. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Peel Thomas B.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Peeler VC.. Walter. WOII 3rd Pioneer Battalion
    • Peera Alloo. Trimmer H.M.S. Lama
    • Peerless Albert Burgess. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Peers Irving Aloysius. 2Lt. 98 Squadron
    • Peers Richard. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Peet Peter. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Peet William. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Peet William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Peggy Nixon.
    • Pegram Ernest. Ldg.Sea. Hood Btn
    • Peirson Ernest S.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Peirson Taylor. Sgt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pelan MM.. McIntyre Shields. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Pelham Arthur Albert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pelham Herbert Lyttelton. Lt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Pells . Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Pells Algernon John. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Pelotto H.. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Pemberton Harry. Sjt. Royal Engineers
    • Pemberton Harry. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Penberthy James Wilfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pendall Stanley. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pender Jock. Cpl. Queens own Camerion Highlanders
    • Pendlebury Harold. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Pendlebury W.. Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pendleton Samuel Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Pendlington Robert Armstrong. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Penfold A.. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Penfold George. Pte. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Penfold John Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Penfound George Frederick. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Pengelley T.. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Pengelly Sydney John. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pengilley George. 7th Queens Own Hussars
    • Penman Bernard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Penman Corneilius. Pte. Lanarkshire Yeomanry
    • Penman Richard. Gnr. Royal Field Artillary
    • Penman Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Penn Mark George. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Pennie Wallace. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pennington Davenport. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Penny David Ernest. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Penrose MM.. James. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Penrose Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Penrose-Fitzgerald Maurice. Lt. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Penson Alice. Nurse
    • Penston Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Pentland Hugh. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Penton Herbert Walter. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Pentreath Fredrick Charles. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Peoples George. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Pepler Arthur Ishmael. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Peplow . Charles. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Pepper Frederick George . Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Pepper John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pepper M.M.. John Henry. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Pepper Stanley. Pte. Suffolk Rgt.
    • Pepperd Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Pepperdine Joseph Henry. L/Cpl. Canadian Army Medical Corps
    • Percival David. Cheshire Regiment
    • Percival Frederick. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Percival George William Garnett. CSM. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Percival J C. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Percival William Frederick. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Percy Algernon William. Sub.-Lt. HMS Queen Mary
    • Percy Ernest Walton. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Percy George R.. Royal Engineers
    • Pereira Henry Miles. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Perfect Ernest Duncan. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Perfett Frank William. Private Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Perkins Albert. 2nd.Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Perkins Charles. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Perkins Edward George. Fireman H.M.S. Bostonian
    • Perkins George Francis. Cpl. Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars
    • Perkins George Francis. Cpl. Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars
    • Perkins George Francis. Cpl. Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars
    • Perkins Horace William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Perkins James Reynolds. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Perkins John William. L/Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Perkins William. Sgt. RA The Norfolk Yeomanry
    • Perkins William. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Perks MM. James. Dvr Royal Field Artillery
    • Perks John. Pte 33rd Btn.
    • Perks Joseph John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Perks Joseph John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Perks William Morris. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Perman Albert. HMS Maori
    • Perren Percy. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Perrett John Alfred. Sgt Royal Fusiliers
    • Perrie John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Perrin Alfred C. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Perrin T. F.. Capt. Royal Engineers
    • Perrin Thomas Frederick . Temp/Cpt. Royal Engineers
    • Perris Albert Joseph. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Perris Thomas. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Perriss Charles Henry. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Perry A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Perry Alfred J.. Pte Dorset Regiment
    • Perry C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Perry C. H.. Pte. York and Lancastershire Regiment
    • Perry Eugene. Pte. 22nd Btn.
    • Perry Frederick Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Perry George. HMHS Plassy
    • Perry George Henry. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Perry H.. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Perry Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Perry Henry. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Perry Jabez. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Perry James Francis. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Perry John. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Perry Joseph. Sgt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Perry Joseph. Sgt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Perry Reginald. Sgt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Perry Thomas Cyril. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Perry Thomas Cyril. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Perry Thomas Edward. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Perry Thomas. L/Cpl Coldstream Guards
    • Perryman Alfred George. A/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Perton Frank Giles. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Pescott Albert Henry. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Peskyr James. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Pester Alfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Petch Percival Mutimour . Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Petchell Arthur. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Peterkin William Jefferson. WO1 Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Peters Charles Henry . Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Peters Cyril W.. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Peters D E. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Peters Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Peters DCM. Joe E.. Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Peters Joseph. Sgt South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Peters Nicholas Owen. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Peterson John Christopher. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Peterson Joseph Alexander Wilmerdinge . L/Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Peterson Lawrence. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Petherick Thomas Edwin. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Petiifor Edward Daniel. Rflmn London Regiment
    • Pettecrew Benjamin. Pte. Manchester
    • Petter Ernest James. Pte Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Petter Lewis Norman. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Pettet Thomas Albert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artilery
    • Petticrew Alexander. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Petticrew George. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Pettigrew Donald Stewart. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Pettitt Louis. Cpl. Duke of Cambridge's Own
    • Pettitt Louis. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Petts Arthur Edgar. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Petty Silvester. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Pewtress Frederick Donald. Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Pezaro Jack. A/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Phelan Daniel. Sgt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Phelan James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Phelan James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Phelps Lewis. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Phelps Roy Cecil. Capt. HMHS Grantully Castle
    • Phelps Thomas Edgar. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Phenix Albert Price. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Philbin MM. James. Pte East Lancashire Regiment
    • Philbin William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Philcox Stanley James. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Philips John Henry . Sgt.
    • Philips William James.
    • Philipson George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Philipson Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Phillimore Edward Charles. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Phillips MM.. Albert. Royal Field Artillery
    • Phillips Arthur William. SSgt Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Phillips Arthur Albert. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Phillips Bert Gwinett. Sgt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Phillips Charles Edgar. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Phillips Charles Edgar. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Phillips Dan. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Phillips Daniel. L/Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Phillips Edgar James. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Phillips Edward William March. Lt. 1st Leicestershire Yeomanry
    • Phillips Edward Campbell. Rifle Brigade
    • Phillips Edward George Dunscombe Masters. Capt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Phillips Edwin Matthew. Cpl. 6th Btn.
    • Phillips Evan Lewis. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Phillips Frank. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Phillips Geoffrey William. Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Phillips George A.. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Phillips George Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Phillips George. AbleSea. Hood Battalion
    • Phillips George Henry. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Phillips H. T.W.. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Phillips Harold Richard. Able Sea. HMS Prince George
    • Phillips Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Phillips Harry. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Phillips Ivor Christmas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Phillips James Wilfred. Sgt/Obs.
    • Phillips James Leonard. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Phillips James Harold. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Phillips Louis. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Phillips Major. L/Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Phillips Richard Thomas. L/Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Phillips Sidney Victor. pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Phillips Sidney. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Phillips T..
    • Phillips W.. Ld.Str. HMS Vivid
    • Phillips MM.. Walter Arthur. Rflman. Rifle Brigade
    • Phillips William. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Phillips William Henry. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Phillips William. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Phillips William Henry. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Phillipson Edmund. Stkr. HMS Bittern
    • Phillipson Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Phillpott Edward. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Phillps Wlliam Walter. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Philo John Henry. A/S/Sjt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Philp Hugh. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Philpot C. W.. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Philpott George. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Phippen Francis J.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Phipps A.. Sto.2 HMS Bristol
    • Phipps MM.. Alfred. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Phipps MC, DSO.. Constantine James. Mjr. Royal Engineers
    • Phipps Frank Herbert. L/Cpl Coldstream Guards
    • Phipps Herbert George. Spr Royal Engineers
    • Phipps James. Pte. South Staffordshire
    • Phipps Leonard William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Phipson George. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Phipson William. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Phorson D. S.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Phorson D. S.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pickard Claude. Pte,. Cameron Highlanders
    • Pickard Claude Ernest. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Pickard William Victor. Pte. Queens Own Royal West Kent
    • Picken Richard Nelson. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pickering Arthur. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Pickering Ernest. L/Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pickering Gowan. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pickering Joseph. Driver Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Pickersgill . Durham Light Infantry
    • Pickersgill Herbert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pickett George Charles. Stoker HMS Arbutus
    • Pickett George. Rfln Rifle Brigade
    • Pickett W. R.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pickford Howard Henry. 2nd Lt. North Staffordshire
    • Pickford Joseph Francis. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Pickles James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pickles Joe. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Pickles John Edward. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pickles Margaret. Nurse St. John Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Pickles Thomas. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Pickles Thomas Wilkinson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pickton Henry. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Pickup Ephraim Henry. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Pickup George Territ. 2nd.Lt. 104 Sqd.
    • Pickup James Frederick. Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Picton Albert Edward. L/Cpl. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Picton MC.. James Allanson. Lt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Picton Joseph Albert. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Pidcock MM.. Harold. A/Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Pidd Percy. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pidgeon James William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Pidgeon William Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Pierce Edward. Dvr Royal Field Artillery
    • Pierce John. Rflmn. New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • Pierce Oswald. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Pierce Oswald. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Pierce Reginald. Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Pierce Reginald. Sgt. 24th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Pierce William. Fus Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Piercy George Richard. Pte. Duke Of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Pierrepont Bertram. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Pierson Frederick. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pierson MC, CdG.. W. H.M.. Capt. South Wales Borderers
    • Pierson William Charles. Pte. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
    • Piggin Robert. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Piggott Francis John. Capt. 36th Btn.
    • Piggott Frank. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Piggott Horace. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Piggott John. Capt. 36th Btn.
    • Pike Bernard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pike Clarence Cecil. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pike E. A.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pike James. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Pike James. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Pike John Sidney. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Pike John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry Regiment
    • Pike John Harold. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Pike Leonard Brendan.
    • Pike William Vincent. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pilbin Trenham Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Pilch Thomas. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Pilcher Arthur James. Pte Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Pilditch Philip Henry. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pilkington Bernard. Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Pilkington George William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Pilkington Harry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Pilkington John Oscar. Lt. 20 Squadron
    • Pilkington Peter. Pte. The Loyal North Lancashire
    • Pilkington Robert. Pte. The Loyal North Lancashire
    • Pilkington Samuel. Cpl. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regt
    • Pill Albert. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Pinchen Ernest Jesse. Pte Wiltshire Regiment
    • Pinchen Ernest Jessie. Pte Wiltshire Regiment
    • Pinchen Valentine Harte. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Pindar William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pinder Frank. Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pinder MM. George. Sgt. East Yorks Regiment
    • Pinder Henry Francis. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Pinder John Taylor. Pte.
    • Pinder Rennie M.. Pte, East Lancashire Regiment
    • Pinder Samuel. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pinel MM.. Raymond St.John. Cpl. Dorset Regiment
    • Ping Aubrey Alec. Bedfordshire Yeomanry
    • Pinkett Albert. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Pinkney Mark Richard. A/CSM Durham Light Infantry
    • Pinkney Ralph. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pinkney William.
    • Pinnock Frederick. Palmer's Shipyard
    • Pinson Pleasance Clarissa. Probationer
    • Pipe Arthur F.. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Piper MM.. Ernest Walter. Sjt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Piper Frederick Arthur. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Pipkin . Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pirouet Arthur John Francis. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Pitblado Edward Stevenson. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Pitch James. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Pitch James. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Pitcher Charles Robert. Pte. London Regiment
    • Pitcher John Willie. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Pitcher Joseph Henry. Sig.
    • Pitches Charles John. Rfl. Rifle Brigade
    • Pither Walter James Frank. Cpl Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Pithers Herbert. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Pitman Andrew James. L/Cpl. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Pitman Godfrey Hugh. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Pitman Joseph. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Pitt . Pte. London Regiment
    • Pitt B.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pitt Christian William. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Pitt George. Stoker. HMS Black Prince
    • Pitt George Heriot. Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Pitt John. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Pitt John. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Pitt William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pittaway William Edmund. Sjt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pittman Arthur George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Pitts Albert Henry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Pitts Bertie. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Pitts G. S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pitts George Allen. 2/Lt. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Pitts John Anthony. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Pitts MM.. Thomas Clarence. Sjt. Royal Artillery
    • Pitts Tom L.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pitts William Henry. L/Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Pixton H.. 2nd Cpl. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Pizey Noel Martin. 2nd.Lt. 57 Squadron
    • Plaice H.. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Plaice John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Planck Charles Digby. Pte. London Regiment
    • Planson Charles William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Plant Albert Edward. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Plant MM.. Edward. A/L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Plant John Thomas. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Plant Lawrence. Pte. Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridges Own)
    • Plaskett Rene.
    • Plaskitt Albert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Plastow Harold. Pte. 25th Battalion
    • Platt Brandon. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Platt George Henry. Sgt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Platt George Henry. Sgt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Platt Herbert. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Platt James. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Platt James. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Platt Jesse. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Platt Percy. A/Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Platt Robert William . Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Platt Sidney. Pte
    • Platt Sydney. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Platt Walter Henry. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Platten S.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Platten Samuel. Clr/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Platts James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Playle William S.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers Regiment
    • Plested Herbert James. Cpl. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Plested Tom. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Pletts Frederick L.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Plews Edward. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Plimmer John Charles. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Plom Charles Leonard. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Plows Frank. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Plows Frank. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Plumb Arthur Samuel. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Plumb Arthur. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Plummer . Durham Light Infantry
    • Plummer Charles William Sheppard. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Plumpton George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Plumridge George Frederick. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Plumstead E. S.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Plunkett John William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pobjoy MID.. Bertie Charles. Gnr. Royal Field Artillary
    • Pockley Brian Colden Antill. Cpt. Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force
    • Pocknell John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Pocock Frederick Charles. Sgt. Worcester Rgt.
    • Pocock Frederick William Noble. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Pocock William Henry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Podbury MM.. Albert. Pte. Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars)
    • Podd MM.. Jeremiah. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Podmore Rowland Sydney. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Podmore Samuel. L/Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Podmore Samuel. L/Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Poet James Henry. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Poet James Henry. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment
    • Pogson Stafford. Pte. Green Howards
    • Poisson G.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Poke Jack. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Poke John Henry. L/Cpl. 2nd Battlion East Surrey Regiment
    • Poke John Henry. L/Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Poland Allan. Lt. H.M. Submarine V4
    • Polce . Durham Light Infantry
    • Polden William James. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Polden William James. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Polden William James. Rfn Rifle Brigade
    • Pole Frederick James. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Pollard Albert. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pollard MM.. Albert Edward. RSM. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Pollard Frank. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Pollard Frank. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Pollard Joshua. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Pollard Walter. Bdr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Pollard Walter Sidney. Bombardier Royal Field Artillery
    • Pollard MSM.. William Henry. C.Q.M.S. Sherwood Forresters
    • Pollard William Amos. Pte. Leicestershire Regt.
    • Pollard William. PO. HMS Barham
    • Pollard William Walter George. Boy1. HMS Clan McNaughton
    • Pollard William Samuel. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Pollard-Urquhart W. F. Lt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Pollexfen Phillip Evelyn. Capt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Polley Edward. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Polley Edwin Thomas. Pte Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Pollitt E.. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Pollitt John Wilson. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Pollock L.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pollock Peter. Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Pollock Walter George . Pte. 39th Btn.
    • Polson Duncan. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Polston James. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Polston James. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Pond Alfred. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Pond Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Pond Frederick. Pte. London Regiment and Rifle Brigade
    • Pond Robert. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Ponder Richard. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Ponsonby Arthur Hugh Brabazon Talbot. Capt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Ponsonby Reginald George John. Major. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Pont William Henry. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ponter William Thomas. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Pontin DCM.. Henry. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Pook William Clarence. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Pool Henry James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pool Leonard Rossiter. Pte. London Rgt.
    • Poole Alexander Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Poole Charles Alfred. HMS Invincible
    • Poole Charles Alfred. Boy. HMS Invincible
    • Poole Edward Earnest. Cpl. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Poole Frederick Barron. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Poole Harry. Rfmn. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Poole J.. L/Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Poole Leslie Joseph. CSM. 7th Battalion
    • Poole Reginald William. L/Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Poole Thomas Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Pooley John Edmund Noel. 2nd Lt London Regiment
    • Pooley Thomas. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Poore Walter Thomas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Pope Arthur George. Sgt. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Pope VC.. Charles. Lt. 11th Battalion
    • Pope VC.. Charles. Lt. 11th Btn.
    • Pope Charles. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Pope MM.. Charles. Pte. Queens West Surrey Regiment
    • Pope F. G.. Cpl. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Pope James William. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Pope James William. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Pope James. Cpl. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Poppleton Edwin Knight. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Port Arthur George. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Port John. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Portch Stanley George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Porteous . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Porteous J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Porter Alexander. Pte. 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Porter Alfred Thomas. Royal Fusillers
    • Porter Alfred Gordon. Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Porter Arthur Victor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Porter Charles Thomas. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Porter MM. Edwin. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Porter Ernest. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Porter Fred. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Porter MM.. Fred. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Porter Gavin Alexander. Capt 13 Squadron
    • Porter George Arthur. Act. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Porter Henry Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Porter James. L/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Porter John Gillespie. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Porter John James. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Porter Joseph. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Porter Matthias. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Porter Ralph. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Porter Ralph. Pte. London Regiment
    • Porter C.de.G.. Robert Milne. SubLt. HMS Swiftsure
    • Porter MM.. William. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Porter William James. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Porthouse William. Able.Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Portlock William Alexander McDonald. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Portwine Charles George. Dvr. Royal Artillery
    • Poslet Charles. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Posnett Robert John. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Posting Gerrard. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Postle George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Postles Luther. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Postlewhite James Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Potesta William. Capt. Royal Corps of Signals
    • Potie Gaston. Sgt.
    • Potter Alexander. Cpl. Black Watch
    • Potter E.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Potter Francis George. 2Lt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Potter George. Pte. Queens West Surrey Regiment
    • Potter Harry. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Potter Herbert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Potter Horace. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Potter James Henry Francis. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Potter John George. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Potter John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Potter Stephen John. Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Potter Walter. CSgt Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Potterton Edward. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Pottinger Frank. Pte Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Pottinger Robert Ormond Brabazon. Lt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Pottinger Robert Ormonde Brabazon. Lt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Potts Alfred James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Potts Edward. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Potts Edwin. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Potts G.. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Potts George. L/Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Potts DCM.. George. CSM Durham Light Infantry
    • Potts John William. L/Cpl. 175th Machine Gun Corps
    • Potts DCM, MM & Bar.. John. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Potts Joseph A.. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Potts Luke. Private Royal Engineers
    • Potts William Irwin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Poulain Emile E.. Pfc. 18th Infantry Regiment
    • Poulton Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Poulton James William. Pte. 13th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Pound Albert George. Pte. Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars (Worcester Yeom
    • Pound Frederick William. HMS Amphion
    • Pound Frederick William. Stoker 1st Class HMS Amphion
    • Pountney David Lindsay. Rifleman
    • Povah Thomas. Cpl. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Povey George. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Powell . Sjt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Powell Albert Edward. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Powell Alexander. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Powell Charles Henry. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Powell Charles James. Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Powell Charles Sydney. Lt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Powell Edward. L/Cpl Welsh Fusiliers
    • Powell Ernest John. Fus. Royal Fusiliers
    • Powell Ernest Clifford. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Powell G. H.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Powell Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Powell Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Powell Henry Joseph. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Powell Horace Randolph. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Powell Hugh John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Powell Hugh John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Powell J. T. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Powell James. L/Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Powell James. Stok1. Royal Navy
    • Powell Leonard Thomas. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Powell Noah. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Powell Norman de'Orfe. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Powell Percy. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Powell Philip. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Powell Sidney. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Powell . Stephen. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Powell Walter. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Powell Wifred John Godfrey Mercy. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Powell Wilfred James. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Powell William. Durham Light Infantry
    • Powell . William . Pte. Army Cyclists Corps
    • Powell William John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Powell MM.. William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Powell William John. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Power . Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Power Charles. Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regt
    • Power Jessie. Nurse. Christ Church Auxiliary Hospital, Beckenham
    • Power M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Power William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Powers Gladys.
    • Powers Henry William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Powers Leslie Lodmore. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Powers MM.. Thomas. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Powis A.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Powlesland Harry. Pte Devonshire Regiment
    • Powley Frederick Alfred. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Powney Frederick William. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Powton J. G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pozzi Albert. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Pozzi Frederick William. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Poë Charley Vernon Leslie. Capt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Pracy James. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Prada Dolores. Tappington Grange Auxiliary Hospital
    • Prada Maria. Tappington Grange Auxiliary Hospital
    • Prater Picton. Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Pratley Ernest Walter. Pte. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Pratt Arthur. The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
    • Pratt Daisy. Nurse
    • Pratt MID.. Edward Joseph. RSM. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Pratt Edward Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pratt Edward. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pratt Edward James. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Pratt Ernest David. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Pratt Harry. Pte. Green Howards
    • Pratt J.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pratt James Arthur. Maj. Special List
    • Pratt MID.. Joseph Edward. RSM. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Pratt Ralph Lewis. Capt Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Pratt Sidney Arthur. Stok. HMS Cornwallis
    • Pratt William. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Prattis James. Pipr. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Preddy Frederick William. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Preece Frederick Charles. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Preece Joseph Edward. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Preece Richard. Sgt. Loyal North Lancs Regiment
    • Preen George Herbert. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Prendergast C.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Prentice Ernest W.. Suffolk Regiment
    • Prentice MM.. George Norman. Cpl. 12th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Prentice James Millar. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Prentice MM.. Walter. Sjt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Prescott Charles Henry. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Prescott George Edward. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Prescott George Frederick. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Prescott Henry. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Prescott Joshua. L/Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Prescott Richard. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Prescott MM.. William. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Prest Frank. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Prest Frank. L\Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Prest J. T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Prestidge Arthur. Rfmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Preston E. J.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Preston Frank. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Preston Frank Albert George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Preston George. Pte Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Preston Herbert. L/Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Preston J. F.. Lt. London Regiment
    • Preston James Routledge. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Preston John Thomas. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Preston John. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Preston Joseph Edwin. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Preston Joseph William. Pte. No 1 School of Navigation
    • Preston Percival Howard. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Preston Simon. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Preston T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Preston Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Preston Thomas. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Preston Thomas. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Preston Wallace. Pte. West Yorkshire Regt. (Prince of Wales Own)
    • Preston William Carter. 2nd Lt. 8th Border Regiment
    • Preston William Carter. 2nd Lt. Border Regiment
    • Preston William Henry. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Prestwich Herbert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Pretswell John. Pte Scots Guards
    • Pretty Frederick Luce. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Pretty Howard S.. Pte. Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment
    • Price A A M. Pte. Royal Berkshire Reginment
    • Price Arthur George. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Price Arthur Alision Markham. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Price Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Price Evan Henry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Price Eynon. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Price MM. F. J.. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Price Frank. L/Sgt. 11th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
    • Price Frederick George. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Price George David. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Price George. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Price George Charles. Pte. Leicestershire
    • Price George David. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Price Harold Percy. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Price Harry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Price Harry. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Price Hugh. 2nd Lt West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Price J.. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Price J. F.N.. Mjr. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Price James A.. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Price James. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Price James. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Price John Francis. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Price John Thomas. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Price Leslie. Pte. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Price Llewelyn. Cpl. Welsh Fusiliers
    • Price Llewelyn. Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Price Mathew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Price Matthew. Private Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Price Patrick Joseph. Pte.
    • Price Percy Victor. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Price Reginald. Pte
    • Price Reuben. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Price Richard James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Price Richard Frank. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Price Robert. L/Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Price T. J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Price Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Price Tom A. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Price Trevor. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Price W.. L/Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Price Walter John. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Price Walter Charles. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Price DCM. William. L/Cpl. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Price William. A/Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Price William Henry. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Price William Henry. Stkr.
    • Price William Stephenson. Able Sea. HMS Daffodil
    • Priddice Edward Edwin. Sjt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Priddis William James. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Priddle Percy John. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Pride William Arthur. Spr Royal Engineers
    • Pridham MC.. John Alexander. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Pridie Florence.
    • Priest Edwin Louis. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Priest Fred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Priest George. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Priest J W. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Priest James. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Priest James Wilfred . Pte. 45th Field Ambulance
    • Priest James. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Priestley . Mjr. RAMC
    • Priestley Charles. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Priestley Dyker Stanton. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Priestley CdeG, MID. Leonard. Lt Royal Field Artillery
    • Priestley Tom. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Priestley Walter Clark. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Priestly Robert John. Lt. 137th O. Bn. C.E.F.
    • Priestly Ronald Henry Pinkey. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Priestman George Aloysius. 2nd Lt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Prince G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Prince Henry George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Prince John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Prince Maurice Victor Donald. Lt. Kings Royal Rifles Corps
    • Prince T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Pringle W. H.. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Pringle William Drysdale. Pte. 2nd Tynside Irish
    • Printer . L/Cpl. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Printer DCM. John. Cpl. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Prior Frank Hershel James. Pte. Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
    • Prior H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Prior Philip. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Prior Richard John. Sgt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Prior Samuel William. Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Priske DCM.. Thomas Benjamin. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Pritchard Edgar Joseph. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Pritchard Francis James. 2nd Lt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Pritchard Henry. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Pritchard M Milt.. Issacc Thomas. Private South Lancashire Regiment
    • Pritchard John Harold. Capt. Honourable Artillery Company
    • Pritchard John David. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Pritchard Reginald. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Pritchard Reginald Samuel. Pte. Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Pritchard Robert. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Pritchard Samuel. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Pritchard W. J.. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Pritchard William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Pritchard William. Pte. 4th Btn.
    • Pritchard William. Pte. 4th Btn.
    • Pritchard William Horace. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Pritchett William. Capt. Notts and Derbys Regiment (Sherwood Foresters)
    • Pritchett William. A/Cpt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Pritt Joseph William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Pritty George Edward. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Privett Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Prizeman Frederick Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Probert . Edward Thomas. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Probert James Francis Henry. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Proberts Albert Edward. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Probets William Frederick. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Procter Harold. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Proctor VC.. Arthur Herbert. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Proctor Charles Howard. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Proctor Frank Arthur. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Proctor James Stanley. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Proctor Joseph Thornton. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Proctor William. Pte. 7th Battalion
    • Proctor William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Profeit Leopold. Lt. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Prosser Alfred Sydne. Pte. Royal Berkshire
    • Prosser Jack. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Proud Charles Percival H. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Proud John Henry. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Proudfoot Frederick. L/Sgt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Proudman Ewart Gladstone. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Prout MM.. Lee. Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Prout Richard William Henry. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Provan Alexander. 2nd Lt.
    • Provan Robert. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Provencal A.. Pte. 163rd Btn.
    • Prowse VC. DCM. George. CPO. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
    • Prowse George. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Prudence George. Gnr. 262nd Siege Bty.
    • Prudence George Edwin. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Prudence William Henry. Pte. Queen West Surrey Regiment
    • Prudhoe J.. COMS. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pryce Jack Stanley. Otago Regiment
    • Pryce Richard James. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Pryce VC MC.. Thomas Tannatt. Capt. Grenadier Guards
    • Pryce-Jones Reginald. 2nd Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Pryde James Bryce MacLaren . Pte. Australian Infantry
    • Pryke DCM. Samuel. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pryor MC.. Cyril Arnold. 2nd Lt. 20th Btn.
    • Pryor Wiliam Leemore. Pte, Middlesex Regiment
    • Pude Thomas J.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Pudney William Henry. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Pues Frank. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Pugh Arthur Taylor. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Pugh Edward David. Pte. London Regiment
    • Pugh Joseph. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Pugh-Hughes John. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Pugsley William George. Pte
    • Pulham Joseph Thomas. Able Sea.
    • Pullan Tom. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Pullen Ernest John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Pulleyn Edward Henry. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Pulling William. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment
    • Pulvertaft Grace. Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Pumphrey DSC. . Adolar. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Punchard William John. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Punshon H. F.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Punshon R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Purcell Martin Joseph. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Purcell William Raphael. L/Cpl. 34th Btn.
    • Purchase Frederick Ross. Pte. 22nd Battalion
    • Purchase Matthias William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Purches Harry Charles. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Purdie John. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Purdie M.C. Peter Robertson. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Purdon Herbert. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Purdy Clarence C.C.. Pte. 25th Battalion
    • Purdy G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Purdy Joseph. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Purdy William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Purkiss Albert Edward. CSM Middlesex Regiment
    • Purnell Albert Charles. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Purse Harold. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Purser Joseph. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Purser Joseph. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Purves Stanley. 2/Lt.
    • Purves Thomas Warren. 2nd Lt. Middlesex Rgt.
    • Purvis . Rev. Durham Light Infantry
    • Purvis Alfred. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Purvis Charles Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Purvis G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Purvis John George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Purvis John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Purvis Samuel. ACPL. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Purvis Thomas. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Purvis William James. Pte. Black Watch
    • Purvis William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Putman Richard William . Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Putterill Robert William. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Puxty Charles Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pye John Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pye Lewis Gedge. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Pye William Herbert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Pye-Smith Phillip Howson Guy . Lt. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Pyers Leslie. Pte. 38th Btn.
    • Pyke Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pyle C. T.. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby)
    • Pyle Charles Tonkinson. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pyle Charles Tonkinson. Pte.
    • Pyle Mathew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Pym A. C. M.. Lt. 57 Squadron
    • Pym DSM, DDG, MDH . Frederick Edward. Q7 HMS Penshurst
    • Pym George Edward. Sea. HMS Challenger
    • Pym Ishmael L.B.. Sea. HMS Challenger
    • Pym Thomas William. Seaman HMS Challenger
    • Pynn Fredrick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Pyper D.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Pyrah Joseph. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Qadir Abdul. Lascar
    • Qadir Abdul Qutbuddin. Stoker
    • Qasim Abdul . Lascar
    • Qualtrough Henry James. Pte. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Quarmby James Arthur. Rifleman King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Quartly Alfred. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Quick Albert. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Quick Charles Cornelius. Pte. 21st (Reserve) Btn. A Coy
    • Quick Stuart Henry. Gnr. Royal Canadian Artillery
    • Quicke Henry. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Quickmire James William. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Quigg P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quigley Christopher. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Quigley MM.. George Arthur. 2nd Lt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Quigley Hugh. Driver Royal Field Artillery
    • Quigley John Edward. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quigley Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quigley Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quigley RRC.. Mary Eva. Sister.
    • Quigley W. G.. 2nd Lt. Officers School of Instruction
    • Quigley William James. Pte. 13th Battalion
    • Quilty MID. Fredrick Richard. L/Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Quin H.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Quin John Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quin Reginald Roy. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Quinane John. Pte. 45th Btn. Infantry
    • Quincey George Henry. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Quinn Anthony. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Quinn Bernard Thomas. Rflmn. Rifle Vrigade
    • Quinn Charles. Spr. Royal Engineers.
    • Quinn D.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quinn D.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quinn Isaac. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quinn J.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Quinn . James . Pte.
    • Quinn James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quinn James. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Quinn James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quinn James. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Quinn John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Quinn John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Quinn John. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Quinn Michael. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Quinn Michael. L/Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Quinn Nicholas. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Quinn Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quinn W.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Quinn William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Quinnel Oliver J.. L/Cpl. East Kent Regiment
    • Quinnell Oliver James. L/Cpl. East Kent Buffs
    • Quinsee Ernest Charles. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Quintall Lester Edward. Pte. 1st Auckland Regiment
    • Quinton James. CSM Labour Corps
    • Quintrell Alfred Leslie. Wireman. HMS Black Prince
    • Rabaiotti Luigi. Dvr. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Rabjohn . Willis. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Raby Horace Samuel. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Race Horace Victor. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Rack Frederick. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Rackley Alfred. Pte Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Rackstraw George Stevens. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rackstraw Robert Baxter. Dvr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Radcliffe MM.. Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Radcliffe William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Radford Charles Edward. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Radford MM. George Edward. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Radford George William. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Radford Isaac. PO.(Stkr) HMS Pargust
    • Radford Robert Henry. Asst. Stwd. SS Cape Corso
    • Radford Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Radford Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Radford Thomas. Pte. Leicestershire
    • Radley Charles. Pte. York & Lancaster
    • Radley Edward Kingsford. Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Rae Allan. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Rae Benjamin. Cpl. 19th Battalion
    • Rae John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rae John. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Rae William. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Rae William. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Rae William. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Rae William Lawrie. Sjt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rae William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Raeburn James. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Raffan Thomas Alexander. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Rafferty H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rafferty John. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Raffle R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rafter MC & Bar.. James Patrick. Cpt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Raftery Peter. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Raher William. STO H.M.S. "Vivid."
    • Rahilly M.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Rahim Abdul . Seedie R.I.M.S. Dalhousie.
    • Rahim Abdur. Engine Driver
    • Rahim Abdur . Lascar
    • Rahman Abdur. Serang
    • Rahman Abdur . Stoker
    • Rahman Abdur . Stoker
    • Rahman Abdur . Lascar
    • Rahman Abdur. Lascar
    • Rahman Abdur. Lascar
    • Rahman Abdur . Serang
    • Rahman Abdur . Stoker
    • Railton Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Railton John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Railton William. Pte. 4th Battalion
    • Rainbird Percy. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Rainbow MM. William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Raine Frank. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Raine G. K.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Raine George Cuthbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Raine John Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Raine Robert. Able.Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Raine William E.. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rainer Thomas Francis. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rainey . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Rainey R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rainey Robert Boyd. Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Rainey T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rains W.. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Rainsbury Finn Barr. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Rainsbury John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Rainsforth Ernest. West Riding Regt
    • Rainsforth William. Pte. Lincoln Regt
    • Rainsforth William. 5th Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Rakestrow MID. William Gerald. Pte. Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
    • Ralph A C. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ralphs Ernest. Pte. Imperial Camel Corps
    • Ralphs William Henry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Ramm Herbert Leonard. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Ramsay Bertram . Cmdr. HMS Broke
    • Ramsay David Mitchell. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ramsay George. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlands
    • Ramsay Keith Winton. Lt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Ramsay L. A.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ramsay Norman. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
    • Ramsay DSO MID. Stuart. Cptn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Ramsay William G.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Ramsbottom Ernest. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ramsdale James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ramsden Bertram. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ramsden James. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ramsden Percy Gordon. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Ramsey Alexander. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ramsey Arthur. London Regiment
    • Ramsey G.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Ramsey John Wilfred. Pte. West Yorks Regiment
    • Ramsey John James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ramsey John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ramsey Robert. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ramshaw D.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ramshaw George Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ramshaw John William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ramshaw Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ramshaw Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rana VC.. Karanbahadur. Rfm. 3rd Gurkha Rifles
    • Rance William Charles. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Rance William Charles. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Randall Arthur John. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Randall Bertie Sumner. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Randall Charles Frank. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Randall Charles Deschamps. Cpt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Randall Edward John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Randall G.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Randall Henry Clement. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Randall Henry John. L/Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Randall Hugh. A/Bdr Royal Field Artillery
    • Randall Joseph James. Rfm. Rifle Brigade
    • Randle George Victor. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Randle Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Randle William H.. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Randles Aaron. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Rangecroft John Whalley. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rangley Arthur. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Ranken VC. Harry Sherwood. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Rankin Samuel. Pte Royal Irish Rifles
    • Rankin Thomas Henry. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Rankine Robert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Rann Charles Henry. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Rann Louis Frederick. Pte. Royal Warkwickshire Regiment
    • Rannigan John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ransom George John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Ransom George John. Pte Leinster Regiment
    • Ransom William. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Ranson John Henry . Pte Scottish Rifles
    • Rant Arthur Joseph. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Rantoul George Potts. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Raper S. J.. Pte.
    • Rasche Henry Wellington. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Rashid Abdur. Fireman
    • Rashid Abdur . Seacunny
    • Rashleigh DSO. Philip. Maj Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rason Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rastall Frank. Pte Worcestershire Regiment
    • Ratcliffe A. Victor. Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ratcliffe Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ratcliffe Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ratcliffe Ellis. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ratcliffe DCM, CdeG.. Ellis. Sgt.Maj. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ratcliffe Francis. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps.
    • Ratcliffe James Ellis. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ratcliffe John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Ratcliffe Percy. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ratcliffe Victor. Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Ratcliffe . William . Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Rathbone Charles. Col.
    • Rathbone James. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Ratton Joseph Holroyd. Maj Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ratton Wilfred Holroyd. 2Lt London Regiment
    • Rattray MID.. Arthur Rullion. Lt. Royal Indian Marines
    • Rattray Frank. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Rattray J. N.. Capt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Rattray James Alec Stewwart. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rattray James Alec. 2/Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Raven Gilbert. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Raven Wilfred. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Ravenscroft John Charles. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Rawcliffe Thomas Aloysius. L/Cpl. Military Police Corps
    • Rawes . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Rawliffe William Stephen. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Rawlings Charles William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Rawlinson James Phillips. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Rawson Walter Henry. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Rawstron Joseph. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ray Arthur. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Ray Edward. Private Worcestershire Regiment
    • Ray Frank. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Ray Harry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ray John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ray John. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Raybould Arthur. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Raye William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Raymon M.. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rayne James Alexander. Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Rayner John Henry. BQM Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rayner John Henry. BQM Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rayner John Montford. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Rayner Sydney John. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Rayner Walter J.. 1AM
    • Rayner DSC, MID.. William Frederick. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Raynham G. P.. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Raynor Edward Langley. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Raynor Thomas Oliver. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Rayson Henry. Bmdr. Royal Artillery
    • Rea William. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Read . VAD. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Read Albert Edward. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Read VC.. Anketell Moutray. Capt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Read charles James. Sapper Hampshire Regiment
    • Read Eber. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Read Ezra. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Read George Averil. Capt. Leinster Regiment
    • Read Harold John. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Read Hilda. Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Read Jesse. L/Cpl Sherwood Foresters
    • Read John Richard. L/Cpl Leicestershire Regiment
    • Read Joseph. Pte.
    • Read Joseph. Pte.
    • Read Leonard Francis. AMII.
    • Read DCM.. Robert. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Read Stanford. Mjr. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Read Thomas Walter . Cpl Welsh Regiment
    • Read W.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Read William Thomas. Pte. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Rgt.
    • Reade Herbert Cecil. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Reade Robert. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Reader Albert. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Reader Colin Leonard. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Readhead . Durham Light Infantry
    • Readhead Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Reading Edward. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Readings Albert Allen. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Readman James. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Readyhoof Richard. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Reah John Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Reah Louis. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Reardon Francis. Pte. 6th Machine Gun Company
    • Reardon Henry. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Reardon Jack. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reardon John. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Reardon Michael. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Reardon P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reason Ernest. SSgt. Army Service Corps
    • Reavell Alfred Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reay . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Reay Frank Home . Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Reay George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reay J.. L/Cpl. The Green Howards
    • Reay John. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Reay Raymond. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rechall J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Redall MM. Alfred. Cpl. Military Foot Police Army, attd to 3rd Worcs
    • Redden David. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Redden William. CSM. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Reddick J.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Reddin Michael. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Redding MID.. John Wills. 2Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Redfern A.. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Redford . A . Pte.
    • Redgrave Harry Leslie. Pte. London Regiment
    • Redgrave Henry James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Redman Arthur . Sppr. Royal Engineers
    • Redman Charles E.. Royal Engineers
    • Redmond Michael John. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Redmond Peter. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Redpath William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Redsell Walter Edward. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Redshaw Claude. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Redshaw G.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ree Henry. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Ree Henry. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Reece George John. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Reece James Albert. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Reece MSM.. Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Reece William. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Reed Adrian Leon. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Reed Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Reed Daniel. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Reed Edward George. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Reed Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Reed Edward John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Reed Frank Henry. Able Sea. HMS Agamemnon
    • Reed George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reed Harry. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Reed James. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Reed John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reed John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Reed John William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reed John Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reed Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reed Percy W.. Sussex Regiment
    • Reed Reginald J.. Sussex Regiment
    • Reed Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reed Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reed Thomas James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reed Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Reed W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reed Walter. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Reed William. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Reed William Henry. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Reed William George. L/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Reedman Oliver Victor. Pte. London Regiment.
    • Reeds William Benjamin. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Reeks Frank. Rfn Rifle Brigade
    • Rees Charles Edgar. AE
    • Rees David. STO HMS Roxburgh
    • Rees Edgar Glynn. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Rees Edgar George. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusilliers
    • Rees Edward William. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Rees CMG, DSO.. Hubert Conway. Brig.Gen. Welsh Regiment
    • Rees Lewis Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Rees VC MC MID. Lionel Wilmot Brabazon. Gp Capt. 11 Squadron
    • Rees Maurice. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Rees MID.. Mildred Gertrude. Staff Nurse. Queen Alexandras Imperial Military Nursing Service
    • Rees T.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rees Thomas. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Rees William Nelson. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Reesby Thomas Christopher. L/Cpl Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry
    • Reeve . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Reeve MM.. A. S.. Cpl
    • Reeve Harry William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Reeves Albert. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Reeves Alfred Charles. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Reeves MM.. Edward. Pte. York & Lancaster Regt.
    • Reeves Horace Joseph. Pte Army Service Corps
    • Reeves Jesse. Pte Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt)
    • Reeves Jesse. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Reeves Leonard. Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Reeves Maurice William. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Reeves Richard John. Sgt. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Regan Daniel. CG HMS Dreadnought
    • Regan Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Regan Henry. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Regan John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Regan John. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Regan P.. Sgt. Irish Guards
    • Regan Richard. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Regan Thomas. Pte. Yorks and Lancs Regiment
    • Reick Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Reid . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Reid . Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Reid A. D.. Lt -Col. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Reid Alexander. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Reid Andrew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reid Anthony. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Reid Archibald. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Reid DSO.. C. A.. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Reid D. L.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reid Ebenezer. Sjt. 39th Btn.
    • Reid Ellis V.. Flt Sub. Lt. 10 Naval Sqd.
    • Reid Ernest Robert . Rifleman. London Regiment
    • Reid F. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Reid Frederick Robinson. Pion. Royal Engineers
    • Reid George. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Reid George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Reid Isaac. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Reid J. . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reid James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reid James. CSM. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reid James. Cpl. Cameron Highlanders
    • Reid James. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Reid James. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Reid Jeremiah. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Reid John. Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Reid John Paterick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Reid Jon Patrick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Reid Joseph. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Reid Lestock Henry. 2nd.Lt. New Zealand Pioneer Battalion
    • Reid Martin. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Reid Maurice. P.O. HMS Illustrious
    • Reid VC.. Oswald Austin. Mjr. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Reid Richard Maxwell Fletcher . Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Reid Robert. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Reid Robert. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Reid S.. Pte. 35th Btn.
    • Reid W. E.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Reid Wilfred. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Reid William. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Reidy J.. WO1 Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reilly Frank. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Reilly Henry James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Reilly J.. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Reilly James. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Reilly James. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Reilly John Joseph. Pte. South Irish Horse
    • Reilly Joseph Peter. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Reilly Michael. S/Smth. South Irish Horse
    • Reilly Patrick. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Reilly William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Reilly William John. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Reinecker John Arno. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Relf George Henry. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Relf Lionel B. L/Cpl. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Remmer George Albert. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rendall DCM. Hector. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rendall Kenneth M.. Lt.jg USS Martha Washington
    • Rendall Lesley Hammon. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Rendell Charles H J. A/QMS. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rendell Mary. VAD Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Render Joseph Henry. Bdr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rendle Warwick. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rennells W. J. M.. South Lancashire Rgt.
    • Rennie Charles. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Rennie DSO & Bar MID. George. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Rennie DSO MID. George Arthur. Brig.Gen. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Rennie James. Sgt. 129th Battalion
    • Rennie John Robertson. Pte Black Watch
    • Rennie Thomas. Pte Highland Light Infantry
    • Rennie William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Rennison Frederick. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Renny Gerald Mercer. Lt 92nd Brigade
    • Renshaw MM. William Romaine. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Renton Arthur. L/Sgt West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Renton William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Renwick Alfonso. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Renwick Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Revell Albert. Pte Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Revell MM. Joseph. Pte. East Yorkshire
    • Revell Joseph. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Revell Walter William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Revely Edmund. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Revely Joseph. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Revill James William. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Rew Sidney Thomas. Sgt Royal Scots
    • Rex Henry Leonard. Sea.
    • Rey . Joe George. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Reygate Charles Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Reyner William G.G.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Reynolds A. H.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Reynolds Alfred Henry Price. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Reynolds MC, MSM.. Alfred. Sgt.Mjr. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Reynolds B.. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Reynolds Bernard. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reynolds VC.. Douglas. Maj. Royal Field Artillery
    • Reynolds Edward James. Pte. 3rd Btn.
    • Reynolds Edward William Henry. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Reynolds Edwin George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Reynolds Francis Anthony. Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Reynolds George. L/Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Reynolds Harry H.. Essex Regiment
    • Reynolds Henry. L/Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Reynolds Herbert Vincent. Pte. 1st Australian Field Ambulance
    • Reynolds J..
    • Reynolds John. L/Cpl. Irish Guards
    • Reynolds M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reynolds Michael. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Reynolds Percy John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Reynolds Peter. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Reynolds R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reynolds Robert Henry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Reynolds Robert Henry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Reynolds Sydney George. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Reynolds Thomas A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reynolds W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Reynolds William Benjamin. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Rheeder . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Rhoden Charles Cuthbert. Stokr.
    • Rhodes Arthur. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rhodes Harry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rhodes Horace William. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Rhodes James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Rhodes James Charles. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps Royal Field Artillery
    • Rhodes James Charles. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Rhodes James Charles. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Rhodes James Charles. Rfmn Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Rhodes John Kenneth. 2nd Lt. Border Regiment
    • Rhodes John Edward. Pte. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
    • Rhodes VC. DCM and bar. John Harold. Sgt. Grenadier Guards
    • Rhodes John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Rhodes John. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Rhodes Thomas William. Pte. 4th Stationary Hospital
    • Rhodes Tom. L/Cpl Highland Light Infantry
    • Rhodes-Moorhouse VC.. William Bernard. Lt. 2nd Sqd.
    • Rhys Ivor Towy. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ribton-Cooke MC. Harry. Capt. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Rice Alfred Thomas. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Rice Bernard Joseph. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Rice Henry. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Rice James Roderick. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Rice John. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Rice William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Rich George Henry. Pte. Dorset Regiment
    • Rich Sidney Edward.
    • Richadson George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richards A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richards Alfred James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Richards C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richards Cecil Vyner Gerald. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richards Cyril. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Richards D. H.. Pte South Wales Borderers
    • Richards E. W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richards Edith Mary. Nurse
    • Richards Ernest. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Richards Ernest Samuel. A/Cpl Army Veterinary Corps
    • Richards Ernest Grenville. Cpl. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Richards Frank. Dvr. Royal Field Artilliery
    • Richards Frank. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Richards George Sylvester. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Richards Henry W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richards Henry Wallace. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Richards Jack. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Richards John. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Richards John Alfred. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Richards Lawrence. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Richards Lewis. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Richards Lindsay Gordon Millwood. Pte. Infantry
    • Richards MM.. Percy Charles. Pte. 39th Btn.
    • Richards Richard Alfred. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Richards Sidney William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richards W.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richards Wilfred Henry. HMS Anchusa
    • Richards Wilfred Arthur. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Richards William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Richards William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Richardson A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richardson Albert Edwin James. HMS Clan McNaughton
    • Richardson Albert. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richardson Alexander John. Cpl. Notts & Derby Regiment
    • Richardson Alexander Lester. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richardson Alexander. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Richardson Alfred Reginald. Cpl. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Richardson Car. Voluntary Aid Detchament
    • Richardson Douglas Andrew Liston. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Richardson Ernest. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Richardson Fred. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Richardson Frederick William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Richardson George.
    • Richardson George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richardson George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Richardson H R. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richardson I.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Richardson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richardson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richardson James. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Richardson James Henry. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richardson VC. James Clelland. Piper. Canadian (Manitoba) Regiment
    • Richardson James Baker. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richardson James Andrew. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Richardson John Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richardson John George. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richardson John Elder. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Richardson John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Richardson John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richardson John. Able.Sea. HMS Viknor
    • Richardson John Asshell. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Richardson John Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richardson MID.. John Leis. S/Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Richardson MC. John. RSM 9th Lancers
    • Richardson Joseph. CSM. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Richardson Josiah Sandy. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Richardson Matthew. L/Cpl King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Richardson Robert. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Richardson Samuel Alexander. L/Sgt. Scots Guards
    • Richardson Samuel. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Richardson Samuel. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Richardson Sidney James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richardson T.. Colour Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richardson T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richardson Thomas George. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Richardson Thomas William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richardson Thomas Wilson. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Richardson Thomas Wilson. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Richardson Tom. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Richardson W. G.. Gnr.
    • Richardson . William C.. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Richardson William. Pte.
    • Richens Stephen John. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Richer A.. Cpl. H.M.S. Dwarf
    • Riches Albert Edward. Royal Warwickshire
    • Riches E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Riches Edward Eugene. Pte. 146th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Riches S. C.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Riches Samuel. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Richings David George. Royal Field Artillery
    • Richings George Edward. Pte. 8th Battalion
    • Richman William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Richmond DCM.. Albert. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Richmond Albert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Richmond Alexander. 34th Btn.
    • Richmond Frederick. Sig. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Richmond Harold Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Richmond James Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richmond Joseph. 34th Btn.
    • Richmond Joseph William . Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Richmond Malcolm R.. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Richmond MC.. Matthew Wilson. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Richmond MC.. Matthew Wilson. A/Capt. London Regiment
    • Richmond Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Richmond Sidney William. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Richmond Wilfred Norburn. Pte. East Yorks Regiment
    • Richter J. H.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Rickaby James Alfred William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rickaby T. W.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rickard Edward Samuel. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Rickard Reginald. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Rickards Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rickards MC. G. A.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rickell Herbert. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Rickenbacker MH.. Eddie. Capt. 94th Pursuit Squadron
    • Ricketts Bernard. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Ricketts Ernest. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Ricketts Leonard Frank. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Rickman Albert. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Rickman Henry Robert. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Rickman S. J.. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Rickwood Joseph R.. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Riddagh Robert. Spr. Canadian Engineers
    • Riddell Albert Henry. Private Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Riddell Albert Henry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Riddell James William. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Riddell John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ridden Thomas James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Riddiford Wallis Bristow. Pte. London Regiment
    • Riddle Cecil A.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Riddle Charles William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Riddle MM.. Wilfred Hedley. Pte. London Regiment
    • Riddles John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Ridell William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rider Kenyth Westley. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Ridewood Cecil Maurice. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Ridge Fred. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ridge DCM.. Morris Levi. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ridge Patrick. Pte. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Ridge MM.& MSM.. William Henry. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ridgley Charles Alfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ridgway Benjamin Wilfred. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Ridgway John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Ridgway William Henry. L/Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ridgway William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Riding William. Sgt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Ridings Walter. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ridler Willis. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Ridley . Durham Light Infantry
    • Ridley Abraham. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Ridley MM DSO.. Claude Alward. Sqd.Ldr. 37 Squadron
    • Ridley DCM. George Thomas. Pte Middlesex Regiment
    • Ridley Harold. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Ridley John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ridley Robert R. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Ridley T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ridley William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ridley William Charles Victor. L/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ridout Arthur Frederick. RSM. London Regiment
    • Ridout Arthur Frederick. RSM. London Regiment
    • Ridout Hedley. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Rigby Daniel. L/Cpl. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Rigby Henry Hamilton . Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Rigby Joseph. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Rigby Robert. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Rigby Thomas H.B.. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Rigden Frederick James. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Rigden George James. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Rigg MM.. Tyson. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rigg William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Riggs VC, MM.. Frederick Charles. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Riggs Henry John. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Riggs Joseph Reginald. Pte East Surrey Regiment
    • Rilett Clement Ayres. CSM. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Riley . VAD. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Riley A. B.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Riley Arthur. Pte. East Lancashire Reg
    • Riley C.. Sgt. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Riley Charles Horace. CSM. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Riley Ernest. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Riley Ernest. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Riley F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Riley Frank. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Riley Frank. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Riley George Henry. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Riley Gerald. Pte. 14th Hussars
    • Riley MC.. Harold. Lt. Royal Engineers.
    • Riley Herbert. L/Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Riley J.. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Riley James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Riley James Hodgen. Able.Sea. HMS Viknor
    • Riley Joseph. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Riley Joseph. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Riley Lancelot. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Riley Michael. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Riley P.. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Riley Percy. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Riley Richard. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Riley Richard. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Riley Military Medal. Samuel. Lieutenant Corporal 80th Field Company Royal Engineers
    • Riley T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Riley Thomas. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Riley Thomas William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Riley Thomas. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Riley W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Riley William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Riley William Arthur. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Riley MM.. William. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Rilley James Henry. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Rimell John. Rflmn. London (Irish Rifles) Regiment
    • Rimes Henry. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rimington Tom. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rimmer MM.. George Atkin. Sjt. Royal Engineers
    • Rimmer Samuel Molloy. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Rind . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Rindon . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Ring Alfred. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Ring John. RSM. Highland Light Infantry
    • Ringer Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ringguth Theodore James Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Ringham H.. 2/Lt. Manchester Rgt.
    • Ringham William John. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Ringo William Esco. Pte. Machine Gun Btn.
    • Ringrose Richard Walter. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Riordan Christopher. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Riordan Michael. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Riordan Richard. Cpl. South Irish Horse
    • Ripley VC.. John. Cpl. Black Watch
    • Ripley Percy. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ripley Thomas Martin. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rippeth Joseph. AB HMS Conqueror
    • Rippeth Robert. Able.Sea.
    • Rippin Jim. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Rippon M.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Riseborough Stanley. Able Sea. Nelson Battalion
    • Rishman Percy Charles. Pte. Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Risk Robert. Pte. Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Riste George. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Ritchie Alexander. DH. HMDrifter Barbara Cowie
    • Ritchie Colin. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Ritchie James Battle . L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Ritchie John. Pte. Black Watch
    • Ritchie John. Cpl. Royal Berkshire
    • Ritchie John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Ritchie Kenneth James. 2nd Lt. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Ritchie Thomas Geddes. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
    • Ritchie William James. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ritchings William Thomas Trewin. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Ritson George. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Ritson Isaac James. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Ritson J. A. S. . Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ritson James Bede. Pte. London Regiment
    • Ritson John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ritter George Edward. Dvr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Rivers VC. Jacob. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Rivers Robert Samuel. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Rivers Thomas. Pte. Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Rivett James. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Rix Arthur Albert. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Rix Edward William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rix George. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Rixon Edward James. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Rixon Henry. Pte.
    • Roach Cyrus Owen. FarrierQMS. Royal Field Artillery
    • Roach George H.. Royal Field Artillery
    • Roach George. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Roach James. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Roach John. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Roach Patrick. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Roache Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Roachford D.. Pte.
    • Roads Albert Arthur. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Roads Albert Arthur. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Roat Clifton Harold. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Robathan Allan Keith. Gsr. HMS Otranto
    • Robb . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Robb A. K.. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robb Alexander Leper. L/Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robb James. CSM. Gordon Highlanders
    • Robb John. Capt. S.S. Oxonian
    • Robb Lewis J.. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Robb Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Robb Wiliam Thom. Pte.
    • Robbins George Edmund. Able Sea
    • Robbins J.. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Robers John George. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Roberts Albert Ernest. Pte. Manchester Regimet
    • Roberts Albert Ernest. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Roberts Albert John. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Roberts Albert Edward. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Roberts Alexander Stuart. Pte. Black Watch
    • Roberts Alfred George. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Roberts Arthur. Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts Arthur. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Roberts Ben. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Roberts Charles. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)
    • Roberts Clark. Lt.
    • Roberts Cyril. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Roberts Daniel. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts Edgar. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Roberts Edward. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regt.
    • Roberts MM.. Edward. CSM. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts Edwin Hugh. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Roberts Elias. Drvr. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Roberts Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Rangers
    • Roberts Evan John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Roberts Francis John. Sergeant Devonshire Regiment
    • Roberts Francis J.. Sgt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Roberts Frank. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Roberts Fred. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Roberts Fred. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Roberts Fred. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Roberts MC, DCM. Frederick George . Captain Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Roberts Frederick. HMS Neptune
    • Roberts MM. Frederick Paul. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Roberts George Thomas. Bdr. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Roberts MM.. Goronwy Cuffin. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Roberts Harold Pendleton. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Roberts MID. Harry. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Roberts Henry Wood. Spr. 1st Australian Tunneling Company
    • Roberts Herbert James . Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Roberts Hugh Foulks. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts J. H.. Pte. 10 M.G. Coy
    • Roberts J. W.. Pte. Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Roberts J.S.. Pte 9th South Lancers
    • Roberts James. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Roberts James. Pte.
    • Roberts John Powe. Lt. 9th Btn.
    • Roberts John Stephen. L/Cpl Machine Gun Corps
    • Roberts John Henry. Cpl. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Roberts John Thomas. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Roberts John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Roberts John T.. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Roberts John Owen. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Roberts John Henry. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment
    • Roberts John Henry. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment
    • Roberts Joseph. Pte. London Regiment
    • Roberts Lionel John. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Roberts Norman Leslie. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Roberts Philip Arthur George. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Roberts R.. Pte.
    • Roberts Ralph. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts Robert George Duncan. L Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Roberts Robert Verney. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Roberts Robert Cadwaladr. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Roberts Robert. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Roberts Robert. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Roberts Robert. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts Robert A. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Roberts Samuel. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Roberts Spencer Harry. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Roberts Stanley Victor. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Roberts Thomas. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Roberts Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts Thomas John. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts Thomas John. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts Thomas W.. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Roberts Thomas Kingley. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Roberts Thomas Herbert. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Roberts Tudor Aled. Cpl. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Roberts W Morris. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts W. V.. Fitter Royal Field Artillery
    • Roberts Wallace. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Roberts William. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Roberts William W.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Roberts William Henry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Roberts William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts William Owen. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Roberts William. 2nd Lt. South Wales Borderers
    • Roberts William Owen. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts William John. Pte Welch Regiment
    • Roberts William. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Roberts William Owen. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts William Ivor. Machine Gun Corps
    • Roberts William. Fus. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Roberts William Joseph. Pte King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Roberts William. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Robertshaw Irvene. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Robertshaw James. Pte. Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment
    • Robertshaw Walter. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Robertson . Durham Light Infantry
    • Robertson . Lt 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Robertson . VAD. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Robertson . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Robertson . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Robertson A. C.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Robertson Alexander. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Robertson Archibald Wilson. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robertson Christopher. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Robertson VC.. Clement. Capt. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Robertson David. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Robertson David. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Robertson David Elder. L/Cpl. Black Watch
    • Robertson Douglas Forbes. 2/Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robertson Frederick Charles . 2 Lt Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Robertson George. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Robertson Hugh Lawson. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Robertson J S, T. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robertson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robertson James. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Robertson James Coutts. W.Eng HMS Natal
    • Robertson James Henry F S. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Robertson VC.. James Peter. Pte. 27th (Manitoba) Battalion
    • Robertson James Simpson. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Robertson James. Pte. 14th Field Artillery Brigade
    • Robertson James Dewar. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Robertson James. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Robertson James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Robertson John Dodd. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Robertson John Gilfillan. 2nd Lt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Robertson John Hercules. Pte. 54th Btn.
    • Robertson John Dobbin. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Robertson Mowbray Mitcalfe. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Robertson Peter.
    • Robertson Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robertson Robert. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Robertson Samuel Taylor. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Robertson Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robertson Thomas Paterson. Pte Gordon Highlanders
    • Robertson Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Robertson Whitney Glen. Pte. 18th Battalion
    • Robertson William. Pte. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Robertson William Hamilton. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Robertson William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Robins MM.. Arthur. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Robins John. Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Robins DCM.. Thomas. Sgt. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Robins Victor Clarence. Pte. 10th Battalion
    • Robins W.. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Robinson A. H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robinson Albert. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robinson Albert William. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Robinson OBE MC. Albert Edward. QM Mjr. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Robinson Albert John. Pte Cambridgeshire Regiment
    • Robinson Alfred K. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt
    • Robinson Alfred Sydney. Gdsm. Grenadier Guards
    • Robinson Archdale Saunders. Pte Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Robinson Arthur. Stkr1stClass. HMS Cockatrice
    • Robinson MM & bar.. Arthur. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson Austin. Pte Cheshire regiment
    • Robinson B.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robinson Benjamin.
    • Robinson Benjamin. Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Robinson Bert John. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Robinson Charles. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robinson Charles Henry. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Robinson Cyril. Pte. London Regiment
    • Robinson David. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Robinson Edmond Harry. Stoker 1st Class. Anson Battalion
    • Robinson Edward. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Robinson Frederick. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Robinson Frederick Charles. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Robinson George Ellis. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Robinson George Cecil. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson George. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Robinson George Henry. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Robinson George Ellis. Machine Gun Corps
    • Robinson George. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Robinson Gerald W . Pte. London Regiment
    • Robinson Harold. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Robinson MC. Harry Noel Cornforth. Lt. 17 Sqdn.
    • Robinson Harry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Robinson Heber. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Robinson Henry. Sgt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Robinson Henry Bernard. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Robinson Henry George. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Robinson Herbert. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Robinson Horace Edward. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Robinson J.. Col.Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robinson J. A.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Robinson Jack Alexandra William . L/Sjt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Robinson James Temple. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Robinson MM. James Blythe. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Robinson James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Robinson James. Pte. Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Robinson MM.. James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Robinson Jesse Richard. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Robinson Jimmy. Sgt. 18th Mounted Rifles
    • Robinson DCM, MM.. John C.. CSM. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson John Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Robinson John. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Robinson John Caesar. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Robinson John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson John James. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson John Charles. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Robinson John Robert. HMS Pactalus
    • Robinson John George. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Robinson John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Robinson MM.. John George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Robinson Joseph Best. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Robinson Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson MM.. Joseph. CSM. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson Joseph Henry. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Robinson Joseph. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Robinson L. H.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson Lawrence Hunter. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robinson Percival. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robinson Percy. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Robinson Percy. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Robinson Percy . Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Robinson R.. Pte. Lincolnshire Rgt
    • Robinson Richard. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Robinson Robert. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robinson Robert Beeley. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Robinson Robert. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Robinson Robert D.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robinson Robert Race. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson Samuel. Machine Gun Corps
    • Robinson T.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Robinson Thomas W.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Robinson Thomas. Pte Sherwood Foresters
    • Robinson Thomas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Robinson Thomas W. . Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Robinson Thomas Roland. L/Cpl. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Robinson DCM. Thomas. Sergeant Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson W. H.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson W. A. L.. 2nd Lt. The Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Robinson W. J.. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Robinson Walter. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robinson Walter. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Robinson . William James. Rifleman The Rifle Brigade
    • Robinson William. Rfm. Rifle Brigade
    • Robinson William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Robinson VC. William Leefe. Capt.
    • Robinson VC. William Leefe.
    • Robinson William Edward. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Robinson Wilson. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robison William Alexander. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Robson . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Robson A. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson Albert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson Arthur. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson Frank Monroe. Tptr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Robson George. Kings Own Yorkshire Regiment
    • Robson George. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson Harry. Able.Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Robson Henry T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson James William. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson James Edward. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Robson James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson John.
    • Robson John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Robson John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson Joseph. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Robson DCM.. Joseph Myers. CSM. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Robson DSO.. Lancelot. Lt -Col. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Robson Matthew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson Percy Blackwood. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson Ralph Maddison. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson Robert Ramsey. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson S. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson T.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson T.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson Thomas Rutherford. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson Thomas William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson Thomas Anthony. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Robson Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson Thomas Wilson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson Thomas Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson Tom. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Robson Walter DeFrece. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Robson William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Robson William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson William. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Robson William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Roche Lawrence. LS SS Garmoyle
    • Roche M.. Sgt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Roche Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Roche T.. Pte Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Rochelle George. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Rochelle Thomas. Gdsmn. Coldstream Guards
    • Rochelle Thomas. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Rochford Leonard. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Rock Hugh. Rifleman Royal Irish Rifles
    • Rock Patrick Joseph. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Rock Robert Radcliffe. Pte. King's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Rockley George. Pte. Sherwood Forresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Rockley George. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Rockliffe Albert. S/Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rocks Patrick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Roddan Samuel. Gordon Highlanders
    • Roddick Charles. L/Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Roddick George. Pte. Black Watch
    • Roden George. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Rodger David Purves Campbell. L/Cpl. Cameron Highlanders
    • Rodger MSM.. John Irvine. Sgt.
    • Rodger John Irvine. Sgt.
    • Rodgers A. John. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Rodgers Bernard. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Rodgers Catherine Hedley. Queen Marys Army Auxiliary Corps
    • Rodgers Frank B.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rodgers Frederick T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rodgers Gilbert. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Rodgers Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Rodgers J.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rodgers J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rodgers Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rodgers Richard. L/Cpl Duke of Wellingtons Regiment
    • Rodgers Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Rodgers Samuel Loudon. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Rodney Wilfred David . Pte. Royal Scots
    • Rodocanachi Paul John. 2nd Lt. 53rd Sqd.
    • Rodwell Mary. Nurse
    • Roe George Ernest. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Roe Joseph Victor. Pte. West Kent Regiment
    • Roe William Thomas. pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Roebuck Oliver. Pte Kings Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Roffe Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Rogan Bartholomew. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Rogan J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rogan Martin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rogers . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Rogers MM.. Alfred. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Rogers Bert. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Rogers Blise Herbert. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Rogers Edwin. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Rogers Fredrick Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rogers George. Pte London Regiment
    • Rogers J. N. O.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rogers James J. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Rogers James. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Rogers D.C.M.. John. Lt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Rogers John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Rogers John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rogers John William. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rogers John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rogers Sheffield Digby Kissane. Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Rogers Thomas Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rogers Thomas Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rogers Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Rogers Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rogers MC.. William Wendell. Capt. 1 Sqd.
    • Rogers William James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rogerson Charles. Sgt. Yorks and Lancaster Regiment
    • Rogerson W. E.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rogerson William. Capt. att. 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Rogerson William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Roker Soloman S.. Pte. Bahamas Contingent
    • Roles Albert Edward. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Rolfe Albert Edward. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Rolfe MID. Edward Fredrick. Pte. 7th Btn.
    • Rolfe Frederick William. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Rolfe James Herbert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Rolfe Thomas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Rolingson George Edward. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Rollason Mark Welch. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Rollins Francis Alan. Act.Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rollins Frederick John. Pte East Surrey Regiment
    • Rollo John Seals.
    • Rolls William. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Romain Archibald John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Romanini Louis. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Rome Henry Flockhart. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Rome John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Romer George Edward. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Ronaldson Thomas. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Ronaldson-Lyell James Francis. 2nd Lt. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Ronan W. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ronnie James Wallace. Pte. Cameronians
    • Rook Morton. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Rooke Albert Edward. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rooks Albert. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Rooney D.. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Rooney George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rooney James. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Rooney James E.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rooney John. Pte 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment
    • Rooney Peter. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Rooney T. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rooper William Victor Trevor. Capt. 1 Sqd.
    • Rooth Edwin. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Roots D.C.M.. Lewis Arnold Philip. A/Sgt. Welch Regiment
    • Roper Frederick Arthur. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Roper Joseph Arthur. Dmr. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Roper Trevor Miles. Welsh Regiment
    • Roper William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Roper William Leonard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rorrison John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Roscoe . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Roscoe Albert. L/Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Rose . Sgt. 59 Squadron
    • Rose . Albert Samuel. Private Royal Fusiliers
    • Rose Charles William. L/Cpl. Scots Guards
    • Rose MM. Edward. Pte. 1/4 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Rose M.M.. Edward. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Rose Fred. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Rose Frederick. Drm. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rose George Henry. Pion. Royal Engineers
    • Rose George. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rose Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rose Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infanty
    • Rose Horace L.. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Rose Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rose Reginald. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rose Samuel. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Rose Thomas Henry. A/Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rose William Albert. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rose William Richard. Pte South Wales Borderers
    • Rose William Dennis. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Rose DCM, MM, CdG.. William. L/Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Rosen Frederick George. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Rosenberg Isaac. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Rosenberg L.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rosenberg William Frederick. RSM. London Regiment
    • Rosendale Sydney. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Rosendale William. Sgt. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Rosevear Harold Edwin. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Rosher Charles William. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Rosher John Allbert. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Rosie George. L/Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Rosier Frederick. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Rosling Arthur Edward. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Ross Alexander. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Ross Alexander Scott. Ord.Sig. HMS Indefatigable
    • Ross Alexander William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ross Alfred Walter Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ross Charles. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Ross David. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Ross E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ross Edward. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ross Eward. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ross Francis George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Ross Francis George. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Ross Frank. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ross George Anderson. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ross H.. L/Cpl. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Ross Harold. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ross Henry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ross Herbert George Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ross James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Ross James Milne. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Ross John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ross Joseph Francis. Pte Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Ross Peter. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Ross MM.. Peter Joseph. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Ross R. J.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ross Ralph. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Ross Richard Calo. Pte. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Ross Richard Stephen. Sig. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Ross Robert. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Ross Walter Alexander. Pte. 21st Battalion
    • Ross William Houston. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Ross William Duncan. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Ross-King MM.. Alice. Nurse
    • Ross-King MM.. Alice. Major. Australian Army Nursing Service
    • Rosser MID.. George Archibald. Capt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Rossington Harry. CSM. Cheshire Regiment
    • Rossington John Frederick. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Rossington John W.. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Rossiter Stephen. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Rossiter Stephen. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Rossiter Wilfred James Campbell. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Rossouw M. A.. Pte.
    • Rossouw P. A.A.. Pte. Mounted Commandos
    • Rostron Harold. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Rotheram Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rotheram Joseph. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rothery Norman Bernard Vernon. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Rothery William John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rothwell A. J.. Rfmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Rothwell DSC.. Robert. 10th Field Artillery Regiment
    • Rothwell Sidney. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Rothwell William Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rottenbaugh . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Rough William Wallace. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Roughan James Martin. Pte. 9th (Queens Royal) Lancers
    • Roughley Edward. Col.Sgt. London Regiment
    • Rought George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rougvie Walter. Pte. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Rouhorn Michael. Pte. North Staffordshire Rgt.
    • Roulston John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Roulston Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Round Enoch. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Round George. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Round MM.. Sidney. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rounsevell William. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Rountree Thomas. Pte. 30th Btn.
    • Rourke Andrew. Pion. Royal Engineers
    • Rourke James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rourke Keith. Sgt. 2nd Inf. Btn.
    • Rourke Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Rouse William Henry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rouse William Henry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rousell Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Rout Henry Walter. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Routledge MID & 2Bars. Arthur Richard. Capt. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Routledge Harold. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Routledge John. Border Regiment
    • Routledge Tomas Kirkbride. Dorset Yeomanry
    • Rouxelin Frederick. Pte.
    • Row Thomas Cundy. 1st Mate. SS Tremorvah
    • Rowan .
    • Rowan Edward. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rowan John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rowan Roy Melville. Pte. Middlesex Hussars
    • Rowan William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rowan-Hamilton MID, MC.. Gawain Basil. Brig. Black Watch
    • Rowberry MM. William. L/Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Rowberry MM.. William. L/Sgt. Royal Warwickshire
    • Rowbotham Harold Victor. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Rowbotham Jack Catchpole. Lt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Rowbottom James William. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Rowbottom Tom Prescott. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Rowe Albert Edward. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rowe Charles Philip. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Rowe Emlyn James. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Rowe Frederick William. Bdr. 2nd Field Artillery Brigade
    • Rowe Frederick. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Rowe Hedley Morton. HMS Arrogant
    • Rowe Horace Bartlett. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Rowe John Ormond. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Rowe Joseph Victor. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Rowe Roy. WO. 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital
    • Rowe Samuel John.
    • Rowe William Benjamin. L/Corp North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Rowell MC. Edward Leslie Graham. Lt. 25th Bn.
    • Rowell Frank. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rowell John. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rowell T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rowell Thomas Richmond. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Rowell W.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rowell William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rowen .
    • Rowen . Charles Victor. Pte. London Regiment
    • Rowen . James Edmond. Pte. London Regiment
    • Rowen . John George. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Rowen . Walter . Rfm. London Regiment
    • Rowland DCM.. Charles Augustus. Sqd.Sgt.Maj. 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers
    • Rowland Emmanuel. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rowland George. L/Cpl Sherwood Foresters
    • Rowland John Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Rowland Norman Launcelot. Sig2. London Regiment
    • Rowland Stephen. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Rowland Walter. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rowland . Wilfred Claude. Leading Mechanic
    • Rowlands . Durham Light Infantry
    • Rowlands Benjamin. Pte. Eastern Ontario Regiment
    • Rowlands Edward. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Rowlands MM.. Edward David. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Rowlands Henry. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Rowlands John Francis. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Rowlands John Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rowlands R. F.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rowlands MM. Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Rowles Ernest Albert. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Rowley Allen. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Rowley Charles. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Rowley Charles. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Rowley Joseph William. Cpl. Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Rowley Walter Willie John. Painter 2/Cls. HMS Arbutus
    • Rowlinson James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Rowlinson Peter A.. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Rowntree Frank Armstrong. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rowson Walter William Tombleson. Pte. London Regiment
    • Rowston Arthur. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Roxbourgh . William . Ayrshire Yeomanry
    • Roxby W.. Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Roy Albert Joseph Elzear. Pte. Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)
    • Roy MC and bar.. Hugh StClair. Lt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Roy James Smellie. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Roy DCM, MM. John. Sgt Royal Engineers.
    • Roy L.. Pte.
    • Royal George. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Royall Richard Harold. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Royle John. Lt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Royle . William Thomas. Pte.
    • Royle M.M.. William. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Royles Robert. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Ruane F.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rubery Henry Joseph. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Rucastle I.. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Ruck-Keene Charles Edmund. Capt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Rudd Charles Flower. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rudd John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rudd Lancelot Addison. Pte, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Ruddell George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Rudden Steven. Pte. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt)
    • Ruddle Herbert George. Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Ruddock Bertrand Frederick. Machine Gun Corps
    • Ruddock Harry. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ruddock James. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ruddy A.. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rudge Anthony. Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Rudge Harold. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Rudge Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rudiger . Harry. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Rudiger . John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rudolf Freiherr von Dieklage. Hauptmn. 2/Inf Reg 74
    • Rudolph Herbert Percy. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ruffle Alfred Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ruffler Reuben. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Rufus MC MID.. Thomas. Capt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Ruiters Jan. Drvr.
    • Rule MM.. Andrew H.. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Rule Benjamin. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Rule Harry L.. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Rule John Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rumble James Joseph. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rumbles George James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Rumbol William Joseph. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rumbol William Joseph. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Rumming James Edward. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rumney John. A/Sjt. Border Regiment
    • Rumsey George Henry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Rumsey Stanley Frederick. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Rumsey William. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Rundle Henry. Stk. HMS Ruby
    • Rus Otto Gerrard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rush Alfred. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Rush Arthur Lewis. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Rush B.. Rfmn. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Rush John. Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Rush MC.. Thomas. CSM. Norfolk Regiment
    • Rushby Charles Henry. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Rushforth RRC . Ada. Nurse
    • Rusholme Thomas Albert. Able Sea. HMS Termagant
    • Rushton Hartley. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Rushton Hartley. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Rushton Jack. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Rushton Norman James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Rushton William Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rushton William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Rushworth George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rushworth Tom. HMAS Australia
    • Rusk Robert. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rusling Albert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Russ Charles Henry James. Col/Sgt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Russ William Percy. Rifleman 3rd County of London Brigade
    • Russ William Stoddart. Pte. 2nd Remount Unit
    • Russ William Percy. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Russel W.. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Russell . Lt. 3rd Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Russell Alexander. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Russell Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Russell Alfred Horace. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Russell Christopher. Rfm Royal Irish Rifles
    • Russell Christopher. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Russell Francis Arthur. Pte Royal Warwickshire
    • Russell Francis Morris. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Russell Fred. Stoker. HMS Black Prince
    • Russell George J.E.. Stkr. H.M.S. Proserpine
    • Russell George J.E.. Stkr. HMS Proserpine
    • Russell Henry Friend. Pte. London Regiment
    • Russell VC MC. John Fox. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Russell VC, MC.. John Fox. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Russell VC, MC.. John Fox. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Russell John Lowther. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Russell John Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Russell John William. L/Sgt. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Russell Joseph. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Russell Joseph. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Russell P. R.. L/Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Russell P.. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Russell Patrick Joseph. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Russell DCM. R.. PO Royal Naval Div.
    • Russell Robert. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Russell T. H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Russell Thomas. Pte. Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment
    • Russell Thomas Joseph. Sgt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Russell CdG.. Thomas Jardine. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Russell William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Russell MM.. William. Cpl. 52nd Battalion
    • Russon Benjamin. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Rust Sidney Morris. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Rust Wilfred. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Ruth Ernest Edward. Pte Suffolk Regiment
    • Rutherford MID. Edwin Robert. Pte. 42nd Btn
    • Rutherford Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Rutherford James. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons Regiment (West Riding)
    • Rutherford James. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rutherford T. A.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Rutherford Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rutherford Thomas James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rutherford W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rutherford William Cecil. Lt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rutherford William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ruthven VC. William. Sgt. 22nd Battalion
    • Rutland DSC.. Frederick Joseph. Flt.Lt. HMS Engadine
    • Rutledge MM. William George. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Ruttens Edward. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Rutter Albert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Rutter Cyril. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Rutter D. L.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Rutter Job. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rutter John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Rutter M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rutter T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rutty Ronald Coy Swire. Capt. West Indies Regiment
    • Ryan Edward. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Ryan VC. Edward John Francis. Pte. 55th Battalion
    • Ryan Frank. Pte. King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Ryan Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ryan Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ryan J. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ryan John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ryan John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ryan John Patrick. Pte. Reserve Cavalry Regiment
    • Ryan Leonard. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Ryan Michael. Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Ryan Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ryan Michael. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Ryan P.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ryan Patrick. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Ryan Patrick Joseph. 2nd Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Ryan R.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Ryan Ralph. Pte. (Kings Own) Loyal Lancaster Regiment
    • Ryan Stephen. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ryan Stephen. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Ryan Ted. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Ryan Timothy. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Ryan W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ryan W.. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ryan William Joseph A.. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Ryan William Walter Daniel. Pte. 1st (Cape of Good Hope) Infantry Regiment
    • Ryan William Alphonsus. Pte. South Irish Horse
    • Ryan William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ryde Edward George. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ryde Edward George. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Ryder Herbert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ryder J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ryder Leonard. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Ryder Robert Edward. Middlesex Regt
    • Ryder William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Rye Bertie. Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Rylance Margaret Olive Mary. Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Rylance William Henry. Stoker1. HMS Aboukir
    • Ryles George. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Rymell Stanley. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Rymer James. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Rymer Norman Angus. Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Rymer MM.. Robert. Sjt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Rymer Robert George. Sgt. Grenadier Guards
    • Ryrie David Ross. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • S Joseph H..
    • Saad Robert Douglas. Pte. Honourable Artillery Company
    • Sabongidda Samuel. Pte. Nigerian Regiment
    • Sackville Gilbert George Reginald. Lt. HMS California
    • Sadd Frank. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Saddington Lottie Elizabeth.
    • Saddler Arthur. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Sadler Evan Robert. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Sadler John William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Safhill George. Fireman. Chillwell
    • Sagar Edwin. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Sagar Frank. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Sage Albert William. BSM Royal Field Artillery
    • Sager Richard Riley. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Sain . Sepoy 40th Pathans
    • Saint Clemitt Harrison. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Saint Cuthbert. Pte. Nothumberland Fusiliers
    • Salam Abdus. Fireman
    • Sale James Makin. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Sales Alfred George. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Sales William Percy. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Salih Abdullah Bin. Seedie Boy H.M.S. Clio
    • Salisbury Alfred Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Salisbury MM, DCM. Jabez. BSM Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Salisbury Leonard Ernest. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Salkeld Ernest Lewis. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Salkeld Gerald. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Salkeld Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Salkeld Thomas. A/L/Sgt Durham Light Infantry
    • Salmon John. Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Salmon MM. Percy Claud. L/Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Salmon Thomas. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Salmon William J. Sgt Royal Field Artillery
    • Salt Alfred. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Salt George. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Salt Herbert William. Rifleman 2/16 London Regt (Queen's Westminster Riflles)
    • Salt Stanley Shirley. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Salter Charles Greenhood. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Salter E L. Pte Rifle Brigade
    • Salter H.. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Salter Harry. Pionr. Royal Egineers
    • Salter Henry. Stew. SS Raranga
    • Salter J. W.. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Salter N.. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Salter William Edward. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Saltern G. F.. Nelson Btn
    • Salthouse George. Stoker. HMS Invincible
    • Saltmer Christopher. Army Service Corps
    • Salts John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Salusbury John Evan. CoyQMSgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Salusbury Richard Ernest. L/Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Salzmann Russel Bernhardt. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Sambridge Alexander. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Sambucci Albert. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Sample Alfred James. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sample Frederick. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sample Frederick William. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sampson . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Sampson Charlie George Melrose. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Sampson George. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sampson George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sampson Harold Stanley. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Sampson I. W.. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Sampson J. W.. 34th Btn.
    • Sampson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sampson MM. William. Pte.
    • Sams George William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sams Phillip. West Riding (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Samson VC.. George. Sea. HMS Victory
    • Samson Thomas. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Samuel Charles Lewis. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Samuel John Alexander Munro. L/Cpl. Cameron Highlanders
    • Samuel S. C.. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Samuels Arthur Purefoy Irwin. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Samuels Bernard. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Samuels C. J.H.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Samuels Charles. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Samuels Sidney Gerald. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Samuels Sidney Gerald. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Samwell Frederick James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Sandall D.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sandbach Frederick William. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Sandell Albert Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Sandell . Charles . Pte.
    • Sandell Edward Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Sandercock Leonard. Cpl. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Sandercock Samuel James. Pte Duke of Cornwall Light Infantary
    • Sanders Abner Edwin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sanders Abner Edwin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sanders Alfred. Cpl. North Staffordshire
    • Sanders Alfred. Sgt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Sanders Jesse. PO. HMS Marmion
    • Sanders John. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Sanders John Conrad. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Sanders Reginald Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Sanders Samuel. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Sanders Thomas. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Sanders Walter. A/Sjt Army Service Corps
    • Sanders VC, DSO . William Edward. Lt. HMS Prize
    • Sanders VC DSO.. William Edward. Lt.Cmdr. Royal Naval Reserve
    • Sanderson Anthony. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sanderson Arthur Gilbert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Sanderson Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sanderson Gervase Greenwell. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Sanderson James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sanderson James Johnson. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sanderson James H.. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regt.
    • Sanderson John Stoker. Gnr. Royal field Artillery
    • Sanderson John Albert. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Sanderson Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sanderson Robert. ERA. HMS Bayano
    • Sanderson Sam. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Sanderson William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sandes Flora. Capt.
    • Sandford Alan Gates. Pte. London Regiment
    • Sandford VC.. Richard Douglas. Lt. HMS C3
    • Sandford Sidney George. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Sandilands John. ERA3. HMS Defence
    • Sandilands Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sandison Robert. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Sandison William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Sands MM. James. Sgt Cheshire Regiment
    • Sands MM.. James. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Sands John Edward. Private Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Sands Peter. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Sands Trayton William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sands Walter George. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sands William. Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Sanger Henry Keith. 2nd Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sanglier Joseph Edward. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Sangster Adam Jamieson. Pte. Black Watch
    • Sangster David. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Sansom Ancel Croydon. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Sant Harry. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Santon James William. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Sapsford James Thomas. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Saracouli Samba. C.Sgt.Maj. The West African Frontier Force
    • Saran Ram. Follower 25th Punjabis
    • Sarfaraz Adam . Stoker
    • Sargeant Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sargeant Arthur Huntly. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Sargeant Jack. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sargeant Joseph Arthur. Cpl. Notts & Derby Regiment
    • Sargent George Alfred. Stkr. HMS Ambrose
    • Sargent Thomas Charles. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Sarginson Francis Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sarginson Thomas William. Pte. Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Sargisson Norman Henry. Signalman HMS Invincible
    • Sarsfield Luke. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Sarsfield William Stopford. Mjr. Connaught Rangers
    • Satchwell Arthur. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Saunders VC.. . Sjt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Saunders Archibald Sidney. Rfn. London Regiment
    • Saunders Bert. Pte. East Kent Rgt (The Buffs)
    • Saunders Daniel. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Saunders Edwin John. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Saunders Ernest. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Saunders G. G.. Rgmtl Qtrmtr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Saunders 4053. George Henry. Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Saunders George. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Saunders George. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Saunders George. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Saunders George. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Saunders Harry. Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Saunders Henry William. SPO H.M.S. Earl of Peterborough
    • Saunders Henry William. SPO H.M.S. Earl of Peterborough
    • Saunders Herbert Edward. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Saunders Herbert. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Saunders Horace William. L/Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Saunders James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Saunders John Thomas. A/Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Saunders Patrick Joseph. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Saunders Patrick Joseph. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Saunders Percy James. L/Cpl. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Saunders William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Saunderson Robert Price. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Saurebeck MC.. C. T. W.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Savage Arthur James. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Savage Arthur. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Savage VC, DCM, MM MID.. Dickson Cornelius. Sgt. 2nd Bn. Otago Regiment
    • Savage Edward. Cpl 22nd Battalion
    • Savage Frederick Thomas. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Savage MM & Bar.. Frederick William. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Savage H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Savage H.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Savage Henry. Middlesex Regiment
    • Savage Matthew. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Savage Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Savage William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Savill Stanley Rust. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Savill Stanley Rust. Rfn King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Savill William Robert John. L/Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Savill William Robert John. L/Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Saville Arthur Thomas. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Savory Arnold Kenneth Malcolm Cecil Wordsworth. Maj. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Savory Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Savory James Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Savre Lawrence William. Cpl. Royal Artillery
    • Saward Charles Richard. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Saward Charles Jay. Rflmn Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Sawers William Sime. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Sawyer Ernest Edgar. Pte. Bedfordshire Yeomanry
    • Sawyer Ernest Edgar. Pte. Bedfordshire Yeomanry
    • Sawyer Frederick George. L/Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sawyer Hebert Walter. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Sawyer Horace Parker. L/Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Sawyer James William. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Sawyer MM.. John Alexander. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Sawyer Thomas William. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Sawyer Thomas. L/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Saxby George. L/cpl. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Saxby W. G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Saxon Frederick T.. 2Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Saxon Joe. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Saxon Thomas Whitfield. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Saxton Frederick William. Pte. Herefordshire Regiment
    • Say VC.. Charles Robert. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Sayce CdG.. Roger. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Sayer . Durham Light Infantry
    • Sayer Frank. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Sayer VC. John William. L/Cpl. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Sayer R. W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sayers David. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Sayers John William. Fireman. HMS Viknor
    • Sayers John Alban. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sayers Tom. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sayers MM. William Edwin. London Regiment
    • Scadding Sydney. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Scaife John Thomas. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Scally Edward. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Scanlan John J.. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Scanlan M. J.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Scanlan Patrick. Gnr. 1st Bute Mountain Battery
    • Scanlon Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scannell David. Royal Artillery
    • Scannell John. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Scannell Michael James. Pte. 1st Canterbury Btn.
    • Scantlebury Vera. Lt.
    • Scarborough Joseph. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Scarborough Maurice Joseph Bede . Ab.Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Scarff William. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Scargill Harry. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Scarle Arthur. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Scarlett . Albert Edward. Chief Carpenter HMS Minotaur
    • Scarlett Leonard Thomas. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Scarr James. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Scarr Robert Nicholson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scarsi Joseph. Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Scattergood Tom Victor. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scatterty William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Schaefer Thomas John. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Scheepers F. J.J.. Sgt. Waterberg Commando
    • Schilling E. H.. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Schipper H. . Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Schmader Susan Mary . Nurse Army Nurse Corps (US)
    • Schmidt John Albert. Pte. London Regiment
    • Schneider H. H.. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Schneider . John . Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Schnittker Max. Pte. 329th Infantry
    • Schofield Albert. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Schofield Ben. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Schofield Frank. CSM. 18th Btn.
    • Schofield Frederick William Woods. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Schofield George. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Schofield Harry W.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Schofield James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Schofield VC.. John. 2nd Lt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Schofield Samuel. Cheshire Regiment
    • Schofield Wilfred. Able Sea. HMS Vivid
    • Scholefield CdG.. Cyril Hamilton Reid. A/Maj. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Scholefield CDG. Cyril H.R.. Maj. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Scholes Herbert. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Scholes William. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Schultz George Edward. Capt Cheshire Regiment
    • Schultz Timothy Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Schutte Christian Schalk Willem. Pte. 9th Bechuanaland Mounted Rifles
    • Schwarzott Johan . Sgt.
    • Schwedin R. P.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Scoble Henry. Royal Army Service Corps.
    • Scoles Hubert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Scollen John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scone J.. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Scorer Chas. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scorer George. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott . Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott . 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott . 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott . Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott Alexander. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Scott Alexander. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott Alfred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott Archibald. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott Arthur Edward. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Scott C. A.R.. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Scott Charles Rutherford. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Scott David Cousins. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Scott E. T.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Scott Edgar S.
    • Scott M.M. Edward Butler. L/Cpl West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Scott Eric Farrow. 2Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Scott Ernest Harry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Scott Francis Richard. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Scott Frank Edward. 2Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Scott Frank Ashley P.. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Scott MM.. Frederick. Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • Scott Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott G.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Scott George. Rfm. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Scott George William King. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott George. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Scott George Arthur. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Scott George Borthwick. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Scott Harold James Walter. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott Harold James Walter. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott Henry. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Scott Henry Arthur. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott Henry. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Scott MM. Henry. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Scott MM.. Henry. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Scott MM.. Henry. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Scott Herbert Oscar. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Scott Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott J. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Scott J. T.. L/Cpl. The Green Howards
    • Scott J. T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott J.. Royal Field Artillery
    • Scott James Tees. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Scott James. Rfm Royal Irish Rifles
    • Scott James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Scott James Stanley. Private Prince of Wales Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
    • Scott James William Edward. 2Eng. SS Axwell
    • Scott James Herbert. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Scott James Thomas. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Scott MiD.. James. Lt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Scott James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott James. Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Scott James. A/Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Scott James Ernest. Sgt.
    • Scott John. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Scott John Robert. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Scott John D'Urban. Mid. HMS Invincible
    • Scott John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott John Simpson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott John. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Scott John. Pte. 4th Dragoon Guards
    • Scott Joseph McKnight. Private Gordon Highlanders
    • Scott Joseph Brayton. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Scott Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott Kennedy. Rfl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Scott Mark. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott Mark. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott Milnes. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Scott Percy. Pte. The Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment)
    • Scott Richard Wilson. Pte. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Scott Robert. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Scott Robert Minto. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott Robert D..
    • Scott Thomas Alfred. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Scott Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott Thomas. Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Scott Thomas Wilson. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott Military Medal and bar. Thomas Wightman. Pte King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Scott W. H.. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Scott Walter. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Scott Walter Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott Walter Thomas. Rfm.
    • Scott Walter. LSea. HMS Contest
    • Scott Walter Eustace . Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Scott Wiiliam Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scott William. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scott William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Scott William. Sgt. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Scott William John. Pt.e Leicester Regiment
    • Scott William. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Scotting Frederick William. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Scotton William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Scougal Herbert. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Scovell Wilfred Alban. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Scoyne Bernard Isaac. L/Cpl Durham Light Infantry
    • Scrafton Frederick William. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Scragg James Horn. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Scripps Arthur. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Scripps John. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Scrivener MC.. Arthur William. Capt. London Regiment
    • Scrivener James Henry. L/Cpl East Surrey Regiment
    • Scrivens John. Pte. The Border Regiment
    • Scrivin Albert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Scrowston John Edward Briggs. Pte. East Riding Yeomanry
    • Scrowston John Henry. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Scuddan Alfred. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Sculley John. Pte
    • Scullion James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scullion John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scullion John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Scullion William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Scully Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Scully William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sculthorpe W. V.. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Scurfield Sidney. L/Cpl Durham Light Infantry
    • Scurlock Frederick John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Scutt Arnold Felton. Labour Corps
    • Scutt William George. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Seaborn Robert Francis. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Seaborne Alfred Willoughby. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Seaborne John Stanley. L/Cpl London Regiment
    • Seabrook Harry Spencer. 2nd Lt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Seabrook John William. Ldg.Sgn.
    • Seacy Samuel. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Seager Hubert. Pte Wiltshire Regiment
    • Seager Lewis Richard Turner. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Seagrave J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Seagrove Alfred. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Seal Frederick. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Seal Thomas. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Seal William. L/Cpl. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Seale W. G.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Seales James Larkman. Sh.Sm. Royal Field Artillery
    • Seales William Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment.
    • Seales William Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Sealey John. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Sealey Walter Edwin John. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Sealey Walter Leonard. Pte. London Regiment
    • Sealy . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Sealy Herbert. Staff Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Seaman VC MM.. Ernest. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Sear Albert Walter. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Seare Edmund Josiah Henry . Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Searey James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Searle . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Searle . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Searle Alick. Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Searle Frank. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Searle Harry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Searle Robert.
    • Searle Ronald Spencer. Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Searle Walter. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Searle MM.. William. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sears Richard Roy. L/Cpl. Central Ontario Regiment
    • Seary Sidney George. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Seates Harry Clement. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Seaton Bernard. L/Sgt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Seaton Sydney. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Seaward Richard. Gnr. Royal Marine Artillery
    • Seccombe Henry George. Rifleman Rifle Brigade
    • Seccombe Richard. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Seddon George Edward. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Seddon James Mason. Pte. Northumberland fusilliers
    • Seddon James Robert. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Sedge William Alfred. PO Stkr. HMS Mary Rose
    • Sedgewick J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sedgwick James G.. Pte.   Army Veterinary Corps
    • Sedgwick Joseph. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Sedwell MM. George. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • See Ernest. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • See Robert. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Seed Harry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Seedman William Frederick. CSM. Manchester Regiment
    • Seeger Albert Edward. Rifleman Rifle Brigade
    • Seeley Harry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Seels William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Seely Frank Reginald. 2nd Lt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Seely Frank Reginald. 2nd Lt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Seer Charles Henry. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sefton Joseph. A/Cpl South Lancashire Regiment
    • Seiffert Frederick Francis. L/Cpl. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Sekel Joe.
    • Selby Edward Thomas. Rfm. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own)
    • Selby Frank Henry. 1Eng. SS War Grange
    • Selby George Edwin. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Selby-Lowndes Meyrick Edward. Lt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Selfe Hugh Ronald. Cptn. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Sellars John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Sellek Frederick Abraham. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Sellen Thomas Henry. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Sellens MM.. William Charles Henry. A/Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sellick Percival James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Sells William. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Selous DSO MID. Frederick Courtney. Capt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Selvey Kate Selwood. Staff Nurse
    • Semper Edward. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Semple Samuel James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Sendall John Henry. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Senior George. Pte. Cheshire Regimeny
    • Senior Joseph Fearns. Lance Corpral West Yorkshire Regt (Prince of Wales Own)
    • Senior DSC.. W. E.. Lt. HMS Night Hawk
    • Senior William. Private Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Sephton Edwin. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Sercombe Frederick. CPO. HMS Monmouth
    • Sergeant Charles Raynor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sergeant John. Sgt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Serginson Harold. Captain Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Serginson William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Serjeant Cyril Lawson . Lt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Serjeant Herbert Maurice . Able Sea. HMS Ark Royal
    • Serjeant Joseph. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Sermons Arthur Frank. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Serrels Charles. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Session Fanny.
    • Seston Charles Joseph. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Setchell William Henry. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Severn Harry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Severn Herbert. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Severs Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Seward Samuel George. Pte.
    • Sewell VC. Cecil Howell. Lt. Tank Corps
    • Sewell Edwin Hatchett. Pte. 6th Trench Mortar Battery
    • Sewell George. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Sewell Gilbert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Sewell James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sewell Robert. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Sewell William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sexton Christopher. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Sexton John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Seyffert Willem Jacobus. Burgher Mounted Commandos,
    • Seymour Alfred John. Sgm. Royal Engineers (Signals)
    • Seymour Charles Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Seymour John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Seymour Thomas J. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Shackell Ralph Ronald. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Shakeshaft Arthur. Cpl. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Shakespeare Jerry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Shalders MM.. Victor Reginald. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Shalders William Northam. Pte. 5th Pioneer Battalion
    • Shall Henry Charles. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Shall Joseph James. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Shand John James Fraser. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Shand John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Shand Roderick. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Shand Russell Hardy. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shankie J.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Shanks Alexander. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Shanks Ronald Earnest. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Shanks William Percy. Pte East Surrey Regiment
    • Shannon John. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Shannon John. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Shannon Leonard. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Shannon M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shannon William. L/Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shannon William. Gmr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Sharif Amin . Lascar
    • Sharkey E.. Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Sharkey J.. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Sharman George Anthony. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Sharman Harry. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Sharman John E.. Flt Sub. Lt. 10 Naval Sqd.
    • Sharman John. Cpl. York and Lancashire Regiment
    • Sharp A.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sharp Albert Edward . Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sharp Christopher Maurice. Capt. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt)
    • Sharp David. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Sharp David. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Sharp Edgar Joseph. Drmr. British Army
    • Sharp James. Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Sharp Percival Maurice. Cpt. Royal Fusillers
    • Sharp R. R.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sharp Stephen. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Sharp Thomas Alfred. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sharp Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sharp Thomas Macgregor. L/Cpl. Coldstream Guards
    • Sharp William Gregory. Pte. 8th Btn.
    • Sharp William Arthur. Pte. The Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own)
    • Sharp William Gregory. Pte. 8th Btn.
    • Sharp William John. Dvr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Sharp William Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sharp William. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Sharpe Albert Austin. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sharpe Cyril. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Sharpe Ernest St.Clair. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Sharpe Frank. Lt. 1 Sqd.
    • Sharpe Henry Thompson. Gnr Royal Field Artillery
    • Sharpe James Reuben. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Sharpe Thomas Breedon. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Sharpe . William Henry. Pte.
    • Sharpe William Harrison. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sharpe William. Sgt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Sharples William. Pte. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Sharplin Harold Raymond. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sharr William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sharrock Harold. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Sharrock W P. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Shave DCM.. Albert Henry. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Shave H.. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Shaver MM.. Ceil Haggart. Gnr. Canadian Field Artillery
    • shaw Alan Louis. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Shaw Alfred Fred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Shaw Alfred. L/Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Shaw Alonza. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Shaw Charles Felix. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Shaw Colin McKenzie. Sgt. 4th Reg.
    • Shaw DSO.. Donald Patrick. Mjr. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Shaw Evelyn Fidgeon. Nurse First Aid Nursing Yeomanry
    • Shaw Francis Robinson. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shaw Frank. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Shaw Frank. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Shaw Fred Earlam. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Shaw Frederick. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Shaw MC MID.. George Duncan. Major. 86th Battalion
    • Shaw George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Shaw George Edward. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Shaw George Herbert. L/Cpl West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Shaw George Edgar Horace. Sgt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Shaw George Edward. L/Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Shaw H..
    • Shaw Harold Vincent. Pte. Australian Imperial Force 24th Btn.
    • Shaw Harold. Border Regiment
    • Shaw Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Shaw DCM.. Henry. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Shaw MM.. Herbert Wilson. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Shaw Hubert A. Pte King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Shaw Jacob Spedding. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Shaw James Alexander. 3 Squadron
    • Shaw James. Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Shaw Joe. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shaw John Henry. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Shaw John Herbert. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Shaw John William. Pte. 11th Field Ambulance
    • Shaw DCM.. Percy. CSM.. Rifle Brigade
    • Shaw Robert Wynn. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Shaw Sam. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Shaw Sydney Thomas. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Shaw Thomas. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Shaw Thomas. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Shaw W. H.. Tpr. Ayrshire Yeomanry
    • Shaw William. Pte. Black Watch
    • Shaw DCM.. William Henry. Kings Royal Rifles Corps
    • Shaw William Arnold. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Shaw William. Cheshire Regiment
    • Shaw William Frederick. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Shea Michael Joseph. Able Sea. 63rd (Royal Naval )Division
    • Shea W. L.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shead George. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Shear Arthur. Reg Sgt Mjr. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Shearer Gavin. 2Lt Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Shearer J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shearer Sidney James. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Shearer MC. T. H.. A/Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Shearer Thomas Doig. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shearing Thomas William. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Shearman Edgar. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Shearman Edward Thomas. Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Shearon John. Pte. Worcestershire
    • Shears Albert Henry. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Shears Charles Ralph. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Sheath J. C. W.. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Sheckard Lou. Sgt. 111th Engineer Battalion
    • Shedden John Strachan. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Sheed Herbert. Sig. HMS Cupar
    • Sheehan MM.. Albert Frederick. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Sheehan P.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
    • Sheehan Timothy. PO.
    • Sheehy J.. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Sheehy Michael. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Sheen Daniel Patrick. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Sheers Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sheers William Frederick. Pte London Regiment
    • Sheeve Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sheffield A.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sheffield F.. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Sheffiled Ernest. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Sheikh Ahmad Ghafur Ali . Stoker H.M.S. Britomart.
    • Sheldon Arthur. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Sheldon George. Sgt. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Sheldon Harry. Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Sheldon John Leonard. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Sheldon Thomas. L/Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sheldon Thomas. Pte. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Sheldrake Alfred Oscar. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Shellam Harry. Pte 7th South Lancashire
    • Shelley Ernest Bowen. Lt. Grenadier Guards
    • Shelley Herbert. Pte. Lincolnshire
    • Shelmerdine MM. James. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Shenton Clifford Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Shepardson A.. Lsgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shepardson John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shephard Clifton. Cpl. 33rd Btn.
    • Shephard Ernest William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Shephard George Henry. AM2. 22 Squadron
    • Shephard Herbert W.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Shepherd Albert. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Shepherd Alexander. Pte. Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Shepherd Charles. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Shepherd DCM, MM, MID.. Charles Cornelius. Lt. Duke of Wellingtons Regiment
    • Shepherd Edward Holiburton Symers. Deck Hand. HMS Colleen
    • Shepherd MM.. Enoch. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Shepherd Ernest George. Sgt. Royal Artillery
    • Shepherd George Petrie Ogilvie. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Shepherd MM. George William. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Shepherd George Edward. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Shepherd George T.. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Shepherd Heber. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Shepherd Henry. Pte. The King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Shepherd John. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Shepherd John George Allan. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Shepherd John Cuthbert. Lt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Shepherd Joseph. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Shepherd Richard Bell. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Shepherd Samuel. Pte. Royal Warwickshire
    • Shepherd Thomas Bell. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shepherd Tom. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Shepherd William Alfred. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Shepherdly Albert Edwin. Drvr. Royal Engineers
    • Shepherdson Joe. L/Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sheppard Charles George. Berkshire Regiment
    • Sheppard James. Capt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Sheppard Josiah. L/Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Sheppard Reginald James. L/Cpl Essex Regiment
    • Sheppard William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters - Notts & Derby
    • Sheppard William Jesse. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Sheppherd John J..
    • Shepstone William John. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Sherbrooke DSO, MID.. Henry Graham. Capt. HM Gunboat Tarantula
    • Sheridan Alexander Lindsay. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Sheridan C. J.. AMech. 2
    • Sheridan James John. CQSM. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Sheridan P. James. ERA 1st Class. HMS Patrol
    • Sheridan P.. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Sheridan Terence. Pte Royal Irish Regiment
    • Sheridan Thomas Henry. Pte. Canterbury Regiment
    • Sheridan William Terence. Fireman. SS Dwinsk
    • Sheriden T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sherlock Albert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sherlock Albert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sherlock John. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Sherman Charles David. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Sherman William. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Shern Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sherrington Edward. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Sherritt . Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Sherritt Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sherrott Edward. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Sherrott George. Pte Norfolk Regiment
    • Sherry Mathew. L/Cpl. Irish Guards
    • Sherwin Edwin. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sherwood D.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sherwood . Pte. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
    • Sherwood Charles Edward. 2nd Lt. Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Sherwood Charles Edward. 2nd Lt. Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Sherwood Frederick. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Sherwood John Thomas. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sherwood Joseph Edward . Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Sherwood William Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Shevels Robert Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Shevill Marmaduke Guy. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Shew Francis Arthur. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Shewring Arthur. Rfmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Shield H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shields . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Shields Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shields E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shields James. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Shields MM.. John James. Sgt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Shields Robert. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Shields Robert William. L/Sgt.
    • Shields Thomas. Pte Connaught Rangers
    • Shields William. Pte. 11th Battalion
    • Shiels Alexander. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Shiels Duncan Munro. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Shiels Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Shilcock Harry. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Shillcock William James. CSM. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Shillibeer John William Laurance. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Shillingford Thomas Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Shimeld Percy. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shimmin John Joseph. Pion. Royal Engineers
    • Shine Arthur Dennis. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Shine James. Chaplain. Army Chaplains Dept.
    • Shine John. Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Shiner Ernest Frederick. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Shiner William Albert. Gdsm. Grenadier Guards
    • Shingleton Albert. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Shipley Harry. Pnr. Royal Engineers
    • Shipley John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Shipley Robert. Ord.Sea. Howe Battalion
    • Shipman MM.. Harold. Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Shipstone Leonard Boden. Fitter. Royal Field Artillery
    • Shipway Willis Douglas. LSig.
    • Shipwright A. T.. 2/Lt.
    • Shipwright P.. L/Cpl. Loyal North Lancastershire Regt
    • Shires James. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Shires Richard. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Shirley Clifford Roland. L/Cpl. Cape Town Rifles (Dukes)
    • Shirley Edmund. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Shirley Joseph. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Shirra A. G.. A/Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Shirreff Francis Gordon. 2nd Lt Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Shirtliff Frederick. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Shooter William. CSM Cheshire Regiment
    • Shore J.. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Shore John Denton. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Shore Thomas John. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Shore William Euwart Gladstone . Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Shore William Ewart Gladstone . Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Shores Frederick. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Shores John. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Shorrock Walter. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Shorrocks . John Charles William Cumberland. Pte.
    • Short . Durham Light Infantry
    • Short Albert. London Regiment
    • Short Arthur. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Short Frederick. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Short J. R.. Act.Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Short John James.
    • Short MM.. Patrick Etherington. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Short Raymond Cyril. Able Sea. HMHS Llandovery Castle
    • Short Sidney John. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Short VC.. William Henry. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Short William John. Pte Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Short William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Shortall Edward Patrick. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Shorten William J.. Spr Royal Engineers
    • Shorter Alfred. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Shorter Alfred. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Shorthouse Frances James. QMSgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Shortland Arthur Edwin. Gdsmn. Grenadier Guards
    • Shortt John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shotbolt Percy. Pte. Bedfordshire Yeomanry
    • Shott DSO. Henry Hammond. Capt. Berkshire Regiment
    • Shotton Bernard Louis. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Shotton Bernard Louis. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Shotton Walter Albert. 1/8th South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Shoulder Owen. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Shouler William. Pte. Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Shout VC MC. Alfred John. Capt. 1st Battalion
    • Shout VC, MC.. Alfred John. Cpt. 1st Btn.
    • Shovelan Daniel.
    • Shreeve A. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Shreeve B. C.. Lc.Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Shreeve James William. Capt. 33rd Btn.
    • Shrive Francis. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Shufflebotham Charles. Rflmn Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Shuttle George Pike. Able Sea. HMS Renown
    • Shuttlewood Henry. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sibeon Richard Henry. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Sibley Albert Arthur. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Sibley George. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Sibley William George. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Siddall John William. CSgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Siddalls George Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Siddle DCM.. William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sidebotham Samuel Wilfred. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Sidebotham Samuel Wilfrid. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Sidely Earnest. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Sidwell John Sidney. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Sidwell Sidney John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Sieber John Frederick Louis. 2nd Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Siebert A V. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sieman Percy Henry. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Sifton VC. Ellis Welwood. L/Sgt. 18th Btn. (Western Ontario Regiment).
    • Sighe Edward. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Signals Joshua Margerison. Royal Engineers
    • Sigurdson Sigursteinn Holm. Pte. 8th Battalion
    • Sikiti A.. Dvr.
    • Silcock Percy Bryan. 2nd Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Silk Ronald Gwyn. A/Sgt. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Silk Thomas Edward. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Sillay MM.. Leslie Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Sillem MC.. Thomas George. Capt. Welch Regiment
    • Sillence Alfred Frank. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Sillery R.. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Sillett David Arthur. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Silver Mark. Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Silver William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Silverson John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Silverton MM.. Thomas Septimus. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Silvertop Arthur Edward. Cmdr. HMS Defence
    • Silvester William E.. Stoker 1st Class. HMS Bergamot
    • Sim Alfred Ernest Gilbert. Cpl 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Sim Andrew. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Sim John. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Sim L. H.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Sim Robert. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Simblet William Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simblet William Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simcock MM.. Frederick William. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Simcock John William. Pte Sherwood Foresters
    • Simister James Samuel. Driver Royal Field Artillery
    • Simister John Frederick. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Simm James.
    • Simm John. Pte. 7th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Simm Richard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simm William. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Simmers R. W.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Simmonds Charles. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Simmonds George Henry. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Simmonds Harry. HMHS Neuralia
    • Simmonds Henry Shaun. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Simmonds James Herbert. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simmonds John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Simmonds Leslie Bernard. 2Lt. 57 Squadron
    • Simmonds Maurice. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Simmonds Owen Williams. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simmonds Walter Wallis. Pte. London Regiment
    • Simmonite Herbert Henry. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Simmons Constant Samuel. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Simmons D. S.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simmons Francis George. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Simmons H.. Gnr. Bermuda Militia Artillery
    • Simmons James W.. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Simmons John Westrope. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Simmons Joseph D.. Pte. Gloucester Regiment
    • Simmons Patrick. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Simmons Samuel Frederick. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Simms Edgar. Yorks and Lancs Regiment (Pioneers)
    • Simms Frederick A.. Pte. Royal Gloucesters
    • Simms Herbert. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Simms Joseph. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Simms William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Simon Harry. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Simons Frederick Charles. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Simons Guy. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Simons Harold J. Capt King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Simons John Edward. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Simpkin N. T.. 2nd.Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Simpkins Sanford Lional. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Simpson . Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simpson . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Simpson Alexander Herd. Pte. Black Watch
    • Simpson Arthur. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Simpson Arthur William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Simpson C. R.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Simpson Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simpson David Caldow. 2nd Lt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Simpson Ernest William. Pte. West Yorkshire
    • Simpson Frederick Charles Wilfred. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Simpson George. Spr. AustralianTunneling Corps
    • Simpson George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Simpson George David. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Simpson H. C.S.. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Simpson DSO. H. C.. Lt-Col. Royal Field Artillery
    • Simpson Harry. Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Simpson MID. Hubert Sydney Centennial . Lt. 13th Btn.
    • Simpson Hubert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simpson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Simpson James. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Simpson MC.. James Kirk. Lt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Simpson James. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Simpson James Watson. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Simpson John George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simpson John James. Ord Sea.
    • Simpson Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simpson Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simpson Joseph Marmaduke. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Simpson Joseph Austin. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simpson Josiah. Pte. Grenadiers Guards
    • Simpson Matthew. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Simpson N.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Simpson Reginald. Cpl. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Simpson Reginald Charles. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Simpson Robert. Engn. HMS Colleen
    • Simpson Samuel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Simpson Stanley William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Simpson T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Simpson Thomas. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Simpson Thomas. Sgt. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Simpson W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Simpson William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Simpson MC. William John Sydney. Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Simpson William Bernard. Grenadier Guards
    • Simpson William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Simpson William Edward. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Sims . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Sims MM.. Arthur. Sgt. 180th Tunnelling Coy.
    • Sims Harry. Able Sea. HMS Macedonia
    • Sims Harry. Able Sea. HMS Macedonia
    • Simshauser Wilfred James. Pte. 33rd Battalion
    • Sinclair A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sinclair Albert. Pte. 38th Btn.
    • Sinclair Cyril. Sgt. 33rd Btn.
    • Sinclair David. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Sinclair Frank Hanson. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sinclair George Ebenezer Bertram. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Sinclair John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sinclair John Campbell Anderson. Pte. Black Watch
    • Sinclair W.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Sinclair . William Frederick. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Sines George James.
    • Sines James. Pte. Cheshire Rgt.
    • Siney Maurice Edward. Boy.
    • Sinfield Thomas Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Sing VC.. Badlu. Rldr. 14th Murray's Jat Lancers
    • Sing Kharak. Rflmn. 1st King George's Own Gurkha Rifles
    • Singh Arjan. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Singh VC.. Badlu. Risaldar. 14th Murray's Jat Lancers
    • Singh VC.. Chatta. Hldr. 9th Bhopal Infantry
    • Singh VC.. Gobind. L/Dfdr. 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
    • Singh Keso. Drvr. Royal Horse and Field Artillery
    • Singh Manta. Sub. 2nd Sikh Royal Infantry
    • Singh Panna. Driver Royal Field Artillery
    • Singh Phul. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Singh Raghunath. Sepoy. 9th Bhopal Infantry
    • Singh Sapuran. Sepoy 36th Sikhs
    • Singh Sarn. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Singh Tulsa. Bugler 74th Punjabis
    • Single Keith Stewart Cresswell. Chap. 20th Infantry Battalion
    • Singleton Henry Nathaniel. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Singyard Thomas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Sinizki Dimitro. Pte. 52nd Btn.
    • Sirr Edward. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Sismey George Clifford. Private Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Sissing Arthur Edgar. 2nd Lt. 66 Squadron
    • Sisson . Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sissons William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sistern Arthur. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sixt Charles Joseph. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Skaife Frank. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Skeates Robert. Pte RWK Regt
    • Skeen Alfred Simpson. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Skeen Oswald. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Skeene Andrew. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Skeggs Albert Edward. Pte. Rifle Bgde.
    • Skeldon Robert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Skelhorn Alfred. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Skelton Francis Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Skelton J. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Skelton John. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Skelton Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Skelton William Alfred. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Skelton William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Skidmore C. H.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Skidmore Harry. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Skidmore Sydney William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Skidmore DCM. William Elias. Sjt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Skidmore William.
    • Skillen Joseph. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Skilleter Arthur Andrew. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Skillicorn MM. William. Sgt Cheshire Regiment
    • Skilling William Milton. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Skilton Arthur William. Pte. The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Skilton Charles Walter F.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Skingle Mark Leonard. The London Regiment
    • Skinnan Frank. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Skinner A. H.. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Skinner Alexander Holland. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Skinner Arthur. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Skinner Arthur Winmill. Pte. North Somerset Yeomanry
    • Skinner Horace. Pte
    • Skinner J.. TR H.M. Trawler Comrade
    • Skinner James Arthur. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Skinner John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Skinner VC, DCM, CdeG.. John Kendrick. CSM. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Skinner Joseph Porteous. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Skinner Thomas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Skinner Thomas. Pte King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Skipp Ralph. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Skipper Thomas George. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Skipworth John William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Skirrow Walter. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Skirrow Walter. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Skirth Ronald. Bmbr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Skouse Samuel C. Tptr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Skrine Henry Langton. Capt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Skull Percy John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Skull Sidney William. Pte. Wiltshire Regt.
    • Skye William. Able Sea. HMS Falcon
    • Skyes Thomas. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Skyrme Horace John. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Slack Albert Edward. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Slack C. M.. Capt. Yorkshire Rgt
    • Slack MC.. Cecil M.. Lt East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Slack Cecil Moorhouse. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Slack Ernest. Able Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Slack J.. Dvr.
    • Slack Thomas Elliott. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Slacke Charles Owen. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Slacke Charles Owen. Capt. 36 Ulster Div
    • Sladden Ernest Roy. Pte. 51st Battalion
    • Slade Alfred. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Slade F. N.. Rflm. London Regiment
    • Slade Richard. Pte. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Slade W.. Sjt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Slasor E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Slatcher Lewis. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Slater Aquila Lund. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Slater Benjamin. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Slater Charles Henry. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Slater Frederick John Thomas. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Slater Frederick W. H.. Pte. Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Slater Geoffrey. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Slater George Alfred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Slater Harry. 6th (Howe) Battalion
    • Slater Henry Thomas William. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Slater John W.. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Slater Joseph Howard. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Slater T.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Slater Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Slater Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Slater W. W.W.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Slatford Arthur. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Slator John J. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Slatter Reginald. Gnr. Royal Artillery
    • Slattery Francis James. Capt. Royal Engineers
    • Slattery Joseph. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Slattie David. Royal Scots Greys
    • Slaughter Charles. Gnr. Trench Mortar Bty.
    • Slaughter Herbert Othneil. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Slaven Patrick. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rufles)
    • Slavin James Francis. Pte. Cameronians
    • Sleet John Francis. Sjt. 290th (Howitzer) Brigade
    • Sleet Thomas Edward. Pte. Queens Regiment
    • Sleggs Charles Edward Thomas . CO.
    • Sleigh Francis Brabazon. Capt.
    • Sleight Walter. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Slimmer Louis. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Slinger W. Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Slingsby Arthur. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sloan Duncan. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Sloan Edward. Pte. Black Watch
    • Sloan Edward. Pte. Black Watch
    • Sloan J.. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Rgt.)
    • Sloan John. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Sloan L.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sloan Samuel. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Sloan Samuel. Rifleman Royal Irish Rifles
    • Sloan Samuel. Rifleman Royal Irish Rifles
    • Sloan Thomas. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Sloan Thomas. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Sloane William Henry. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Slocombe MM.. Harry. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Sloggett William. Pte. Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Slorach James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Slough DCM.. William Francis. A/WO. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Slowe Abraham. 2nd Lt. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Slowley William David Frank. Sigmn. HMS Rigorous
    • Slowther J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Slowther S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sludden Thomas. Pte Highland Light Infantry
    • Smailes Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smailes Harold Wilfred. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Smaje Louis Henry. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Smaje Louis Henry. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Smale Mm. Alfred. Army Service Corps
    • Smale MM.. Alfred George. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Smale Frank. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Smale Matthew. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Smale Stanley. Royal Engineers
    • Smales Ben. Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Smales J.. Capt. adj. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smales William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Small MM. A M. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Small Albert R.. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Small Frederick Trouton. Lt. 9th Infantry Battalion
    • Small Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Small MM. John. Sgt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Small John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Small Joseph. Pte. Black Watch
    • Smalley James. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Smalley Percy Harold. L/Cpl. Kings Own (Lancaster) Regiment
    • Smallman George. Pte. Black Watch
    • Smallpage Percy. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smallshaw George. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Smallshaw George. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Smallshaw James. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Smallshaw William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smallwood Rowland. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Smart Carl Earnest. MRC
    • Smart Claude Edward. 2nd.Lt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Smart Colin. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Smart Frederick Harry. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Smart Frederick Gordon. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Smart G.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Smart . George . Pte. Leicester Regiment
    • Smart Lawrence. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Smart Wallace Alexander. 1 Squadron
    • Smart William Henry. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Smart William. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Smeddle TD.. J. H.. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smedley . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Smelt Christopher. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smelt Frank. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Smelt John. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smijth-Windham Arthur Russell.
    • Smiles Edward William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smirthwaite Ernest Richard. Rflmn Rifle Brigade
    • Smith . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Smith A.. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Smith A. C.. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Smith A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith A. T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Adam. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Smith Adam. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Smith Albert. Rflmn. London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
    • Smith Albert Edwin. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Smith Albert Edward. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Smith Albert Edward. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Smith Albert. Act.Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Albert Duncan. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Smith Albert E.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Albert. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Smith Albert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Alexander. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Smith Alexander Bayneham. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Alexander. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Alfred A.. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Smith Alfred Richard George. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Smith VC.. Alfred Victor. 2nd Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Smith Alfred Frank. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Smith MM.. Alfred Wilson. Spr. 82nd Field Coy.
    • Smith Alfred David Crawford. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Smith Alfred Stephen Thomas. Pte East Surrey Regiment
    • Smith Alfred. AB. HMS Agincourt
    • Smith Alvin. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Smith VC.. Archibald Bisset. Master. SS Otaki
    • Smith Arthur George. Pte. London Rifle Brigade
    • Smith Arthur. Cpl. King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Smith Arthur Henry. Pte Suffolk
    • Smith Arthur. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Smith MM.. Arthur. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Smith Arthur. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Smith Arthur. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Smith Arthur Leonard. London Regiment
    • Smith Arthur Robert Lofton. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Smith Arthur Douglas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Smith Arthur Thomas. Pte Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Smith Aubert Charles. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Smith Austin Clifford. Sgt. Royal Marines Light Infantry
    • Smith Benjamin James. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Smith Benjamin J. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Smith Bernard. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Smith Bernard Joseph. Major. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Cecil Springett. Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Smith Charles Henry. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Charles. London Regiment
    • Smith Charles. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Smith Charles Henry. Cpt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Charles. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Smith Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Charles Henry. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Smith Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith Charles Buchanan. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Smith Charles. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment
    • Smith Charles. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith Charles George Attervill. Lt. London Regiment
    • Smith Christopher Frank. Pte. Dorset Regiment
    • Smith Clarence Alfred Sinclair. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Smith Claud Humphrey. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Smith Cornelius George. Grdsmn. Coldstream Guards
    • Smith D.. Sgt. King's Royal Irish Hussars
    • Smith Daniel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith David. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith David. Pte. Black Watch
    • Smith David Benjamin. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith David Dundas. Ships Cook 3rd Class. USS Madawaska
    • Smith E. F.. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Smith MM.. Edgar Robert. Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Smith MM.. Edward Hollock. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Edward Martin. Pte King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Smith Edwin Charles. Pte King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Smith Ellis. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Smith Ernest. CSM King's Royal Riffle Corps
    • Smith Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Ernest Albert. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Ernest William. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Smith Ernest Richard. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Smith Ernest James. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Smith Ernest Arthur. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Smith F.. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Felix Christopher. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Smith Francis Henry. Pte. Leicester Yeomanry
    • Smith MM. Frank Andrews. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Smith Frank James. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Smith Frank Sprot Tait. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith Frank. Sgt. Machine Gun Company
    • Smith Frank. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Smith Frank.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Fred. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Smith Fred. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith Frederick. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Frederick Philip. Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Smith Frederick A.. L/Sgt. Leicester Regiment
    • Smith Frederick. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith Frederick. Pte. West Surrey Regiment
    • Smith Frederick George. Lt. 2nd Btn.
    • Smith Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Frederick Leonard . Sgt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Smith Frederick. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusillers
    • Smith MC CDG OL. Frederick William. Lt West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith Fredrick. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Smith G. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Smith G.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Garnet. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Smith George. Pte. York & Lancs Regt.
    • Smith George Edward. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith George Norman. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith George Brown. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Smith George Crosby. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith George. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Smith George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Smith George Frederick. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Smith George Victor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith George Clifford. L-Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith George. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith George. Pte. Yorks and Lancaster Regiment
    • Smith George. Pte. York and Lancs Regiment
    • Smith George. Pte. Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters)
    • Smith George Whitehouse. BSM. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith George Ernest. L/Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Smith George. Sgt. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Smith George. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Smith George. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Smith Gilbert. RSM. 16th Battalion
    • Smith Guy Wilfred. 2nd Lt. York & Lancs
    • Smith H. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Smith Harold Stephen. Rifleman. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Smith Harold. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Smith Harrison. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Harry. Pte. The Buffs
    • Smith Harry. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Harry Leonard. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Smith Harry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Smith Harry. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Smith Henry Thomas Bayard. 2nd Lt. 4th Queen's Own Hussars
    • Smith Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Henry. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Smith Henry. 2nd Lt. Manchester Regiment
    • Smith Henry Alder. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Henry. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith Henry. Cpl
    • Smith Herbert Edward. A/Cpl Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Herbert J..
    • Smith Herbert Ernest James. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Herbert Maurice. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Smith Herbert. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Smith MM.. Herbert. Pte. Duke of Wellington (West Riding) Regiment
    • Smith Herbert Sydney. Pte. Norfolk
    • Smith Herbert. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Smith Herbert Sydney. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Smith Herbert Edward. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Smith Horace. AB. Royal Naval Division
    • Smith Hubert Francis. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Smith Hugh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Hugh Deane. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Smith J. G.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith J.. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Smith J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith J. R.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith J. T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Jack. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Smith Jack. London Regiment
    • Smith James Aloysuis. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Smith . James Harold. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Smith James Valentine. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith James Amos. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Smith James Robert. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Smith James. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Smith James Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith James Bell. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith MM.. James Dickenson. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith James William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith James William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Smith James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Smith James Hay. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Smith James Alfred.
    • Smith MM, MC, OStG (Russia). James Dickenson. A/Capt. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Smith Jesse Parker. L/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith Jesse Parker. L/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith John Montague. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Smith John. Pte. Black Watch
    • Smith John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Smith John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Smith MM.. John Edward. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Smith MM.. John Edward. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Smith MM.. John Edward. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Smith John. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Smith John William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Smith John William. Pte. Cameronian Highlanders (Scottish Rifles)
    • Smith John Duncan. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Smith John William. Pte. Cameronian Highlanders (Scottish Rifles)
    • Smith John William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Smith MM. John. Pte. Black Watch
    • Smith John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Smith John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith John G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Smith John Edward. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Smith MM. John Henry. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith John Henry. Pte. North Staffordshire Regt
    • Smith John Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith John J.. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Smith John Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith John. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Smith John Edgar. Pte. Royal Defence Corps
    • Smith John Valentine. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Smith MM.. John Taylor. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith John Reder. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith MID. John. Dvr Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Joseph Arthur. Pte. Cambridgeshire Regiment
    • Smith MM.. Joseph. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Smith Joseph. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith Joseph. Sgt. 75th Battalion
    • Smith Joseph Elijah. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Smith MM. Joseph Thomas. Sgt Yorks and Lancaster
    • Smith Joseph Eugene. Sgt. 28th Infantry Regiment
    • Smith Joseph. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Smith Joseph. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Smith MM.. Joseph. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith Joseph John. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Smith Joseph James. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Smith Joseph. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Smith Joseph William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Smith Joseph John. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Smith MC MiD.. Lawder Benjamin Sandys. Capt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Smith Leonard. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Smith Leonard Francis. Gordon Highlanders
    • Smith Leonard P.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Leonard Philip. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Michael. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Smith Michael Basil . Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Smith Miles Arthur. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Smith Norman. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith Norman. Pte. West Yorkshire
    • Smith Oliver. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Smith Patrick. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Patrick. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Smith Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Smith Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Smith Patrick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Smith Percy. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Smith Percy. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Smith Peter. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Smith Peter Alexander. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Smith R. R.. Cpl.
    • Smith Reginald. 2nd Lt. 18 Squadron
    • Smith Reginald Arthur. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Smith Richard Henry. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith Robert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Smith Robert Henry. Pte. 33rd Battalion
    • Smith Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Smith AM.. Robert Sydney Steele. Surg.Prob. HMS Bergamot
    • Smith Robert. Pte. The East Surrey Regiment
    • Smith Robert James. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Robert. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith MM.. Robert. WO2 Royal army Medical Corps
    • Smith Robert. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Smith Robert Cecil. Lt.Col. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Robert Boyd. Pte. Black Watch
    • Smith Robert. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Smith MSM.. Robert. Sgt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Smith MM. Roland Harold. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Smith Ronald William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Smith Rowland Ernest. SS Turcoman
    • Smith Russell Aubrey. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Smith Sam. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Samuel Earnest. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Smith Samuel. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Smith Sidney Charles. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Smith Sidney Ancterbury. Welsh Regiment
    • Smith Stephen. L/Cpl York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Smith Sydney. Royal Engineers
    • Smith Sydney Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Smith T.. Company Sjt Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Thomas Henry. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Smith Thomas Robyn. Tpr. Northamptonshire Yeomanry
    • Smith Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Thomas Nelson. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Smith Thomas Edward. Trimmer. HM Drifter Anchor of Hope
    • Smith Thomas Stoker. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith Thomas. Pte. 16th Btn. (Manitoba Regiment)
    • Smith Thomas Robins . Tpr. Northamptonshire Yeomanry
    • Smith Thomas Edward. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Smith Thomas. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Smith Thomas. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Smith Thomas. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Smith Thomas. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Smith Thomas Yates. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Smith Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith Thomas Patrick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Thomas. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Smith Thomas Lance. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Smith Thomas. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith Tom. Pte Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith W. A.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith W.. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Smith Walter Andrew. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Smith MM & bar.. Walter Ernest. Sjt. Royal Engineers
    • Smith Walter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Walter. Pte
    • Smith Walter Alfred. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Smith Walter George. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Smith Walter. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Smith Walter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smith Wardell. Gnr. Bermuda Militia Artillery
    • Smith Wilfred Gordon. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith Wilfred Alan. 2nd Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Smith Wilfred Jesse. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smith Wilfred. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Smith William H.. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Smith William Henry . Bombadier
    • Smith William Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Smith William John Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Smith William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smith William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Smith William. Pte. Green Howards
    • Smith William Edwin. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Smith MiD.. William Edwin. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Smith William James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Smith William Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith William Dawson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smith William Edwards. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Smith William Adieu. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Smith William. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Smith William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Smith William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith William Spence. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith William George. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Smith William Lowne. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Smith William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Smith William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Smith William Henry. Sgt. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Smith William. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Smith William. Cpl. Black Watch
    • Smith William George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith William George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smith William. Pte. Royal Defence Corps
    • Smith William. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Smith William Alfred. Pte. West Kent Regiment
    • Smither Bryan Sydney. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smitheram William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Smitheringale Joseph Henry. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Smithers Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Smithers Arthur. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Smithers George. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Smithey DCM. George. Cpl. South Wales Borders
    • Smithies Clifford. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Smithson James. Labour Corps
    • Smithson DCM. John Arthur. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Smithson William. L/Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Smithstone William Elisha. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Smole B.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smout Alfred Edward. Tpr. 2nd Life Guards
    • Smurthwaite William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Smy Arthur Robert. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Smy George Alfred. Gnr Royal Field Artillery
    • Smylie W. J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Smyth David John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Smyth MC.. E. F. Mjr. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Smyth George. Rifleman Royal Irish Rifles
    • Smyth George. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Smyth Herbert. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smyth John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Smyth Paul. Manchester Regiment
    • Smyth T. J.. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Smyth Thomas Chester. CSM. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Smyth W.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Smyth W. J.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Smythe Albert. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Smythe Michael. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Smythe Ralph Conran. Mjr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Snaith George. Durham Light Infantry
    • Snaith Harry Craven. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Snaith Harry. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Snaith Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Snape MM. John. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Snape Richard. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Snare Arthur Harold. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Snazel James Edward. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Sneath Richard Earl. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Snedden J. B.. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Snedden W. F.. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Sneddon Archibald McGill. Pte. Cameronians
    • Sneddon William Leslie. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Snedker DSO.. Harold. Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Snee . Edward . Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Snee MC.. Joseph. 2Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Snee P. A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Snelgrove George. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Snell Ernest William. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Snell Frederick. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Snell George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Snell Harry Prentice. Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Snell Henry John. 2nd Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Snell Herbert John. WO2. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infanty
    • Snell James William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Sneller James William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Snelling E.. Cpl.
    • Snelling George Theodore. Able Sea. Hood Btn.
    • Snelus Frederick. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Snook Reginald Frederick. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Snow Frederic William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Snow Philip Arthur. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Snowball Chas Ed. Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Snowball E. E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Snowball J. T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Snowden Harold. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Snowden John. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Snowden Matthew. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Snowden Robert. Pte. Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Snowden Rowley Chaplin. 2nd Lt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Snowdon George Wilkinson. Pte. 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company.
    • Snowdon Gilbert. Pte Tank Corps
    • Snowdon Herbert. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Snowdon Ralph. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Snowdon William Hall Hall. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Snowie Hugh Alexander. Pte. Queen's Own Royal Camerons
    • Snuggs William Augustus Frank . Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Snyder Peter Frank. Firemn2. USS Great Northern
    • Soanes Fredrick. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Sockett Albert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Sofley Stanley. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Solan Michael. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Sole John Cousins. WO. HMS Centurion
    • Sole Soloman. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sole Solomon. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Solomon Cyril George. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Solomon Louis. R.S.M Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Solomons Henry. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Solomons MM.. Moss. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Somerfield George. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Somerfield John Parkes. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Somers . Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Somers Daniel. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Somers VC.. James. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Somers VC.. James. Sgt. Army Service Corps
    • Somers VC.. James. Sgt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Somers William Henry. Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Somers-Smith Richard Willingdon. 2nd Lt. King Royal Rifle Corps
    • Somerset Arthur. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Somerville James Cross. Sap. Royal Engineers
    • Somerville MiD.. John. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Somerville Richard Newman. Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Somme Richard. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Sommerville John Charles. Pte.
    • Somner George William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Songhurst Thomas James. Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Sonntag Frank Herbert. L/Cpl. East Kent Regiment
    • Sontag Hughie James. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Sontag Hughie James. Pte. Queens Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Sontag Hughie James. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Soper Henry. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Sopwith MC.. Gerald. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sorrell WIlliam John. A/Cpl. South Staffordshire
    • Sorrill H.. 2nd Lt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Sossick Hercules. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Souster William Barnett. Pte. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Soutar DCM.. William Taylor. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Souter Alexander. Pte 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy
    • Souter Andrew. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Souter James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Souter William. Pte Scottish Rifles
    • South Frederick John. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • South Harold. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • South John Brindley. Pte. The King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Southall Albert. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Southall Gilbert Harry. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Southam George William. Rfm. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)
    • Southam Henry James. Drvr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Southam Joseph. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Southeran James Joseph. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Southern Charles. CSgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Southern Harold. Pte. 34th Battalion
    • Southern J. G.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Southern Joseph Harle. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Southerton William Rowland. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Southgate Albert Edward. Rflmn. City of London Rifles
    • Southgate DCM.. Hiram Ashford. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Southgate Sidney. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Southren Frederic. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Southren James Edward. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Southwell Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Southwick Harry. Pte. Green Howards
    • Southwick Samuel. Pte. York and Lancaster
    • Southwick Samuel. Pte. York and Lancaster Rgt.
    • Southworth Thomas. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sowden John Richard. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Sowden Samuel Livingstone. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Sowerbutts Nathaniel. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Sowerby Arthur. Liverpool Regiment
    • Sowerby DSO.. H. J.. Lt -Col. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sowler Ernest Nettleship. Drv. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sowman James Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Sowry Hector. Pte. 4th NZ Rifle Brigade.
    • Sowry Leonard Herbert. Pte. 4th NZ Rifle Brigade.
    • Spackman Harry Maurice. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Spain . Durham Light Infantry
    • Spain Charles James Adam. AC1
    • Spain George C. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Spalding Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Spalding John. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Spalding . Sydney Leonard. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Spalding William James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Spall Charles. HMS Clan Macnaughton
    • Spall Frederick William. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spanswick William George. 9th Lancers
    • Sparham William Albert Ward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spark George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Spark Harold. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sparkes Arthur James. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Sparks William John. Pte 28th Battalion
    • Sparling Harry Christopher. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Sparling MID. John. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Sparrow Charles. Pte Norfolk Regiment
    • Sparrow Frederick. Pte. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Sparrow Thomas George. Driver Royal Field Artillery
    • Sparshott William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Spaxman James Henry. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Speak Charles. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Speak Thomas. Pte. Australian Machine Gun Corps
    • Speake John Higgin. CSM. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Speake William Henry. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Speakman Herbert. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Spear William. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Spear William. Pte. 7th Battalion
    • Speed John. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Speer Alfred Henry Templeman Lorraine. Lt. 11 Squadron
    • Speer Henry John. L/Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Speight DCM.. Harry. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Speight DCM.. Harry. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Speight Sam. Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Speight Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Speight Walter. Pte. Kings Own YorkshireLight Infantry
    • Speight Walter. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Speller Herbert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Spence Alexander. Stoker. HMS Invincible
    • Spence Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spence Andrew MacKenzie. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Spence David Stuart. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Spence Frank. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Spence George W.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers
    • Spence James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Spence John. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Spence John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Spence Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Spence MID.. Sydney Smith. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Spence W. J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Spence William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Spencer Aaron. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spencer Albert. AM2. 22 Squadron
    • Spencer Alfred James. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Spencer Edwin. Rifleman Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Spencer Emanuel. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Spencer Francis Patrick. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Spencer Frederick Ambrose. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spencer George William. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Spencer George William. L/Cpl Middlesex Regiment
    • Spencer James Herbert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spencer MM.. James Henry. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Spencer James. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Spencer James William. Pioneer Hampshire Regiment
    • Spencer John Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spencer John Edmund. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Spencer John Alfred. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Spencer John. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Spencer MM.. Percy. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Spencer MID. Randolph Churchill. Sgt. Scots Guards/Tank Corps
    • Spencer Richard. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Spencer Robert. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Spencer Victor Manson. Pte. Otago Regiment
    • Spencer Victor Manson. Pte. Otago Regiment
    • Spencer William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spencer William John. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Spencer William James. Pte. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry
    • Spencer Wilson. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Spender Ernest Harry. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Spender Jesse Digby. T/Sgt Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Spensor Bernard. Sgt. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Sperling Charles Aurio. Lt. HMS Petard
    • Sperring Walter John Thomas. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Sperry John Alexander. 1Lt. 22nd Aero Squadron
    • Sphynda Harry. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Spice Albert. Able Seaman. HMS K4
    • Spice John. Able Seaman. HMS K4
    • Spice Percy Marshall. L/Sgt. The Buffs (East Kent) Regiment
    • Spice William Bernard. 2nd Lt. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Spicer George Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Spiers DSO. Emannuel. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Spiers DSO. Emmanuel. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Spies John McIntosh. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Spiking John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Spillane Edward. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Spiller Cecil. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Spillett Ernest George. L/Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Spilling John Benjamin. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Spilsbury James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Spilsbury James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Spindler Nellie.
    • Spindloe J. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spink Cyril John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Spink Edward Herbert. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Spink Harry Wright. SSgt East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Spinks Alfred. Pte West Yorkshire, Prince of Wales Own
    • Spinks DCM. Alfred Richard. L/Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Spinks Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spinks W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spinks William Fredrick. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Spires MM.. Charles Bertram. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Spires MM. Charles Bertram. Bombardier Royal Field Artillery
    • Spittle George. East Surrey Regiment
    • Spong Alfred Henry. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Spooner Samuel. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Spooner W. J.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Spoors Andrew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spoors T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Spoors William. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Sporle Frederick Barrett. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Spour . Charles E.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Spowart W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Spracklen Margaret. Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Spratt Walter Edward. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Spridgen Thomas. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Sprigge Ralph Abner. G/8779 Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Spriggs Augustus Henry. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Spriggs Daniel. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Sprigings Edmund Herbert. Pte. London Regiment
    • Spring Arthur William. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Spring DSO, MID.. Frederick Gordon. Brib-Gen. Essex Regiment
    • Springate John Edgar. L/Cpl. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Springer Walter Burnett. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Springett William John. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Springford Isaac. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Springford Joseph. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Sprott MC.. Robert. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Sproule James Chambers. Lt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Spruce H. C.. CQMS Royal Army Service Corps
    • Spry Alec. Rifl. London Regiment
    • Spry William T.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Spuffard Joseph Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Spurling Alfred George. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Spurling Frederick Ernest. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Spurr Douglas Bateman. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Squires Harold Charles. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Squires James Albert. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Squires James Arthur. Machine Gun Corps
    • Squires William. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Srodzinsky George E.D.. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • St Clair Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • St John William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • St.Clair . Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • St.George-Yorke MC.. Frederick. 2nd Lt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Stacey Alfred. Pte. West Somerset Yeomanry
    • Stacey Amos. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Stacey Archie. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Stacey Archie. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Stacey Frederick George. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Stacey DSO.. Gerald Arthur. Mjr. London Regiment
    • Stacey Jack A.C.. Cpl. 1st Canadian Divisional H.Q.
    • Stacey Joseph Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Stack Robert. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Staddon Ernest George. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Staff John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Staff W.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Staff Walter William. Sgt. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Stafford Alfred. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stafford Benjamin Milburn. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Stafford Douglas John. Benbow Battalion
    • Stafford George Brabazon. Capt Durham Light Infantry
    • Stafford Percy. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Stafford Reginald. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stainer Sidney Herbert. Able Sea. HMS Black Prince
    • Stainer Victor Gerald. L/Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Staines Hubert. 11th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • Stainthorpe Ernest. Pte. 5th Dragoon Guards
    • Stainthorpe John Albert. Sgt. Durham Light Inantry
    • Stainthorpe John Albert. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stainthorpe Sidney. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Stainton William Edward. Sgt. 1st Battalion
    • Staley MM.. Daniel. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Staley Joseph. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Staley Walter. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Stallard Charles Albert. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Stallard Jack . Gunner Royal Garrison Artilery
    • Stamer Merton E. 2nd Division Headquarters Troop
    • Stamm O. I.. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Stamp Frank Ashley. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Stamp Robert. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Stamp William Elias. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Stanbridge Percy. L/Cpl. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Stanbridge Samuel. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Stanbridge Thomas Edward. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Stanbury George Wyndham . Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Standage Arthur Arnold. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Standcumbe John Frank. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Standen Edith. Staff Nurse.
    • Standford Edgar Roy. Tpr. 1st Light Horse Regiment
    • Standing Albert Henry. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Standing Mabel Ellen. Asst.Cook.
    • Standing Percy. Stwd. SS Duquesa
    • Stanford James Vesey. Lt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Staniforth Thomas Henry. L/Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light infantry
    • Stanley Albert Charles. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Stanley Arthur. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stanley Harold. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stanley Harry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Stanley Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stanley Montague William. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Stanley Richard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stanley Thomas William. Sgt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Stanley William Charles. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Stannard George Walter. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Stansfeld Robert. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stansfield Jack. Pte. London Regiment
    • Stansfield Thomas William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stanton Francis Stanislaus. 2Lt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Stanton James. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Stanton Joseph. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Stanton Martin. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Stanton Martin. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Stanuell C. M.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Staple Edwin George. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stapleford Frank. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Staplehurst George. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Staples Albert Charles. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Staples Isaac James. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Staples John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Staples William John. L/Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stapleton Albert Leonard. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Stapleton Cyril. Pte London Regiment
    • Stapleton Hubert. Capt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Stapleton Maurice. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Stapleton R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stapleton Walter. Pte. 8 Bn
    • Stapleton William Edward . Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Stapleton William. Sgt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Stapley George. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Stappard John Robert. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Starbuck . Sister No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Starbuck Charles. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Stark George. Pte Royal Scots
    • Stark Martin. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Stark Samuel Warburton. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Starkey Edwin. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Starkey Harry Stephen. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Starkey Leonard. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Starkie MC.. James Thomas. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Starkie John. Sgt. Border Regiment
    • Starkie Richard. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Starling Arthur William Bampton. Pte Norfolk Regiment
    • Starling Arthur William Bampton. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Starling F. G.. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Starling Nathan. Pte. London Regiment
    • Starling Walter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Starling William Benjamin. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Starrett James. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Statham James. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Statham James. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Statter William. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Statters George. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Staveley Elijah. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stavert William David. Capt. Royal Engineers
    • Stead Frederick. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Stead George. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Stead Harold. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Stead Joseph. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Stead Thomas Albert. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Stead Thomas Albert. Pte King's Royal Rifle Company
    • Stead William John. Sgt. 36th Btn.
    • Steadman A.. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Steadman Alfred James. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Stearn DSO.. J. H.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stearne William Wall. Spr Royal Engineers
    • Stearns Morris William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Stearns Patrick Chillingworth. 2nd Lt. Kings Royal Rifles
    • Stearns Walter Ryder. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Stearns Walter Ryder. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Steed George S.. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Steedman John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Steedman John. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Steedman Robert. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Steedman William. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Steel Allen. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Steel Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Steel Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Steel Francis Cranston. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Steel George.
    • Steel J. G.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Steel John Noble. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Steel Oswald Leslie Jennings. Capt. 14th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
    • Steel W.. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Steele . Sjt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Steele A. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Steele Arthur Joseph. Lt. East Yorkshire Rgt.
    • Steele David. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Steele David Henry. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Steele George Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Steele Harold. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Steele Helen Selby. Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Steele Isaac Martin. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Steele James. Sapper Royal Engineers
    • Steele James Currie. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Steele John. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Steele N. C.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Steele William John. Ch.Eng. SS Essequibo
    • Steels Royce. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Steenson Robert. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Steer Albert George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Steer Sidney Herbert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Steers Percival William. Cpl. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Stendall Joseph. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Stenhouse J. A.. Lt. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Stenson Bernard. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Stenson Bernard. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Stenson Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Stent William. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Stenton Albert Edward. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Stenton John. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Stephen George Gibson. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Stephen James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Stephens Albert. Private Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Stephens Alexander Leitch. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stephens Alfred Thorn. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Stephens Charles William. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Stephens Edward Samuel. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Stephens Fred Noel. Sgt. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Stephens George. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Stephens George Grant. Pte. Australian Field Artillery
    • Stephens MiD.. Sydney Frank. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Stephens MC. Warren Trestrail. Lt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Stephenson Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stephenson Clarence. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stephenson Daniel Pike. Lt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Stephenson Ernest. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Stephenson Hudson. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stephenson John Mossop. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stephenson John Wilfred. Sgt. 8th Mounted Rifles
    • Stephenson Joseph Henry. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stephenson Marjory.
    • Stephenson Nicholas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Stephenson R. E.. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Stephenson R. W.. Ldg.Stkr. HMS Assistance
    • Stephenson Robert Clark. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stephenson MM.. Robert Harold. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Stephenson Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stephenson Sam. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Stephenson T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stephenson T.. COMS. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stephenson Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stephenson William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Stephenson William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stephenson William. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Sterling Anselan John Buchanan. Admiral
    • Sterndale MC. J. B.. Capt. South Wales Borderers
    • Sterry Oscar. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Steven Thomas. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Steven Thomas. Pte. Black Watch
    • Stevens Bertie. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stevens MM.. Charles. A/Sjt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Stevens Edward Conway. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regt
    • Stevens Frank. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Stevens George Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stevens Josiah James. Sapper. Royal Engineers
    • Stevens Leonard. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Stevens Percy. Cook's Mate. H.M.S. Mohawk
    • Stevens Samuel Edward. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Stevens . Walter Joseph. Dvr.
    • Stevens William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Stevenson . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Stevenson Archibald McNaught . Pte. Royal Scots
    • Stevenson Archibald McNaught . Pte. Royal Scots
    • Stevenson Archibald McNaught . Pte. Royal Scots
    • Stevenson Claude. Pte. Wellington Regiment
    • Stevenson David. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Stevenson Francis. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Stevenson Frank. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Stevenson Harold George. 2nd Lt. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Stevenson J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stevenson James. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Stevenson John William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Stevenson John. Ty.Lt. HMS Bergamot
    • Stevenson John Henry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Stevenson MM.. John Cowan. S/Sgt. 1st Australian Tunneling Company
    • Stevenson John Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Stevenson Peter. Sjt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stevenson Thomas Alderson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stevenson Tom Walker. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stevenson William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Stevenson William. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Stevenson William McQuatter. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Steward Alfred. Pte. Kings Own Lancaster Regiment
    • Steward MM.. Frederick Herbert. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Steward George Henry. L/Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Steward Mark. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Steward Thomas Watson. Pte. The King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Stewart A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stewart Alexander Russell. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Stewart Alexander Phillips. Pte. Camaronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Stewart Alfred. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Stewart Benjamin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stewart MC.. C. E.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stewart C.. Pte. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Stewart Cecil. L/Corporal 12th Rifle Brigade
    • Stewart . Cecil . L/Cpl. The Rifle Brigade
    • Stewart Charles Edward. Pte. Black Watch
    • Stewart Charles. Pte. 5th Battalion
    • Stewart Donald. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Stewart Duncan. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Stewart F. A.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stewart G. E. S.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stewart G.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Stewart George. L/Cpl. Irish Guards
    • Stewart H. H.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Stewart Henry John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Stewart Herbert. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Stewart James. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Stewart James. Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Stewart John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Stewart John Hampton. 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company.
    • Stewart John Armit . Pte. Black Watch
    • Stewart John. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Stewart John Patrick Purcell. Pte. 15th Light Trench Mortar Battery
    • Stewart M. B.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stewart Norman Colin. Sgt. 53rd Btn.
    • Stewart Norman McRea. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Stewart P. M.. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Stewart MM.. Percy Douglas. 2nd Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Stewart Robert. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Stewart Robert Locke. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Stewart Robert Arthur. Highland Light Infantry
    • Stewart Robert . Cpl. 13th Battalion
    • Stewart Samuel. Private Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Stewart Samuel. Pte Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Stewart Samuel. CQMS. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Stewart Sidney Harold. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Stewart Stanely. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Stewart Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Stewart W D. Pte. London Regiment
    • Stewart Walter Forbes Low. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Stewart William Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stewart MID. William. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Stewart William Paul Sandford. Cpl. Royal Scots Lothain
    • Stewart William. Pte. Black Watch
    • Stewart William. Pte. South Lancashire Rgt.
    • Stewart William. Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • StGeorge-Yorke MC.. Frederick. Lt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Stibbards James William. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Stibbles John. Pte Black Watch
    • Stickley Herbert Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Stiddard Sidney George. Pte. Tank Corps
    • Stidolph Sydney Thomas. 2nd Lt. 74 Squadron
    • Stiff Arthur George. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Stiles Arthur James. 2nd.Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Stiling . Keneth . Gnr.
    • Still William Henry. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Stillwell Gordon Ottis. Pte. Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Stilwell William Edmund. Cpl Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Stimpson William George. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stimson Douglas B.. Lt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Stimson Eric Malcolm. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Stimson DSM.. Julia C.. Col. American Army Nurse Corps
    • Stimson Montaque Adolph. 2nd Lt. East Surrey Regt.
    • Stinson Samuel Robert. L/Sgt. Irish Guards
    • Stinton Kennedy. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Stirk Samuel. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Stirland Henry. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stirling Alexander. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Stirling Andrew Logan. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Stirling James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Stirling James Trotter. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Stirman Herbert. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Stirrat George S. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stobbart John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stobbs Henry. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stobie John. Sgt. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Stobie Robert Stewart Richardson. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Stobs Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stock Ivyston Stanley. CSM. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Stockdale William. Major. Australian Army Service Corps
    • Stocker Frank. L/Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Stocker William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Stockhill . Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stockley Harry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Stockley Richard. L/Cpl. Grenadier Guards
    • Stockley V. M.. Col. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stockley William Noah. Pte. Leicester Regiment
    • Stockport George. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stocks DSO. David De Beauvoir. Commander HMS K4
    • Stocks George. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stocks Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stockton Randall Richard. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Stockton Robert. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Stockwell Albert Edgley. Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Stoddart MSM.. Bertie. Sgt. Durham Light Infanty
    • Stoddart David. Corporal Seaforth Highlanders
    • Stoddart Richard Thomas. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Stoddart S.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stofer Eric Francis. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Stoker Robert. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Stoker T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stokes Arthur George. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps Heavy
    • Stokes Ernest. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Stokes Frederick James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Stokes Harry. Private 2nd Battalion
    • Stokes Samuel Frederick Bellwood Douglas. Pte Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Stokes Walter. C.R.E. H.M.S. Hogue
    • Stokes Walter. L/Cpl Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Stokes Walter. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Stokes-Hatte Edward. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Stokoe George. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stokoe William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stokoe William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stollery Arthur Edward. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Stone Alfred J.. Pte Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Stone VC, MM.. Charles Edwin. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stone Ernest Reuben. Army Service Corps
    • Stone H.. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Stone J.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stone John Leslie. Flt.Sgt. 57 Squadron
    • Stone Robert Benjamin. ERA. HMS India
    • Stone MID. Robert Lethbridge. CPO H.M.S. Recruit
    • Stone VC.. Walter Napleton. Capt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Stone William. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Stone Wilmer Franklin. Pfc. 140th Infantry Regiment
    • Stoneham John. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Stones Joseph William. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stones Joseph William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stones R. B.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stones Walter. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Stones William Oswald. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Stoney James. Bty. SM Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Stopford DCM, MM.. Frederick. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stopforth Richard. Pte Loyal North Lancashire
    • Storar Robert Archibald. 2nd Lt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Storer Oliver Charles. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Storey Albert. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Storey Daniel. Labour Corps
    • Storey Geoffrey Leonard. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Storey MM.. George. Sgt. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Storey J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Storey James. Pte.
    • Storey James Brown. A.L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Storey John Thomas. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Storey R.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Storey Ralph Calder. A/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Storey Robert James. Fus. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Storey T. B.. Lt. HMS Otranto
    • Storey William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Storey William. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Storrar David. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Storrs John Bottomley. Midship. HMS Orbita
    • Story Arthur. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment.
    • Story Goronwy. Rflmn. London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
    • Story Thomas. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Story William Harold. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stoten Arthur. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Stothard George Pearson. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Stotheft Thomas Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stoton Henry Barnard. Capt. Interpreter Corps
    • Stott Bert . Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stott Edwin. Pte. Staffordshire Regiment
    • Stott George. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stott George Henry. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Stott John W.. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Stott Miles. Pte Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Stott S. R.. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Stott Walter Goodwin. Lt. Manchester Regiment
    • Stout Fred. Pte. 369th Infantry Regiment
    • Stout George William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Stout George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stout George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stow A A, E.. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Stow Eustace Tregear. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Stoyle Arthur. A/Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Strachan Edward. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Stradling David. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Strahan William. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Strain MID.. Jack Loudon. Capt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Strain William. CSM. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Straker A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Straker Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Straker John Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Straker John Thomas. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Strang MID.. James. Capt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Strange Ernest Alfred. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Strange George Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Strange MC, DSO.. Louis. Lt.Col. 80th Wing
    • Strangeway Joseph. Rflmn. Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment
    • Strathdee George. Sjt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Stratton Arthur. RSM. Middlesex Regiment
    • Stratton W. J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Stratton William Gerald. Rflmn. London Regiment(City of London Rifles)
    • Stratton William Henry. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Straughan James. L/Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Straw Richard. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Straw Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Strawford Harold Frank. CQMS Welch Regiment
    • Strawson Frank Gordon. 2nd Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Streamer Charles. Pte Princess Charlotte of Wales Royal Berkshire Regime
    • Streather Edward Harry Parsons. 2Lt. 70 Squadron
    • Street . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Street A. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Street Albert William. Able Sea. HMS Warrior
    • Street Cecil Edward. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Street MM MID.. Edward George. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Street Frederick. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Street Herbert James. Stroker First Class HMS Amphion
    • Street Samuel William. Lt. Supply and Transport Corps
    • Street Walter. Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Streeting Thomas Oxley. Bdr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Streets George Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Stretch A. H.. 2nd Lt. Loyal North Lancashire Regt.
    • Stretton William James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Arillery
    • Strickley William John. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Strike . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Stringer Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Stringer Herbert. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Stringer John. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Stripling George Charles. Pte. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Strode Ernest. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Stromberg Gustav Adolph. Pte. 31st Bn.
    • Stroner George. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Strong John William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Strong John W.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Strong Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Strong William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Stroud Henry George. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Stroud Henry Clifford. Capt. 61 Squadron
    • Stroud . Thomas . Cpl Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Struck Charles Thomas . Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Strudwick Leonard Spencer. Tpr. 10th Hussars
    • Strutt George Henry. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Strutton Charles. Rflmn. 2nd Battalion
    • Strutton Edward. Pte. 7th Btns.
    • Strydom J. J.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Stuart . Lt. Col 6th Division
    • Stuart Eileen Gertrude. Staff Nurse. South African Military Nursing Service
    • Stuart Herbert Wood. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Stuart Robert. Pte Scottish Rifles (Cameronians)
    • Stuart T. C.. 2nd Lt.
    • Stubbins Joseph Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Stubbs Alfred G.. Dvr. Royal Field Artillary
    • Stubbs Charles. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Stubbs VC.. Frank Edward. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Stubbs Frank Broad. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Stubbs George. Dvr Royal Engineers
    • Stubbs Robert Henry. Drvr. Army Service Corps
    • Stubbs Thomas Henry. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Studd E. G.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Studd Thomas William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Studley Norman Crabtree. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sturdy Charles. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Sturgess Robert Edward. Pte Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Sturman Henry William. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Sturman John Alfred. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Sturman John Alfred. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Sturt John Edward. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Stutchbury George. Eng Storekeeper. SS City of Marseilles
    • Styles Joseph. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Styles Reginald Edward Charles. Asst.Kel. HMS Paxton
    • Styles Sidney John. Gunner. Royal Field Artillery
    • Styles William Charles. Rflmn King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Suart Herbert. Gnr, Royal Field Artillery
    • Subhan Abdus . Coolie
    • Suckling George Joseph. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Sucklng MM.. Arthur. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Sudders Charles.
    • Suddes J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sudlow Thomas Paget. Pte. 11th Btn.
    • Suffling Frederick Charles. L/Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Suffling Frederick Charles. LBDR Royal Field Artillery Royal Field Artillery
    • Suffling Henry George. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Sugden James Henry. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Suggett T. W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Suggitt Benjamin. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Suller Alfred Edward. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Sullivan Arthur Charles. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Sullivan Bernard. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Sullivan David William. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sullivan Edward James. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Sullivan DCM.. Francis H.. CSM. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Sullivan George Robert. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Sullivan Harry. Rifleman King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Sullivan James. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sullivan James. Gdsmn. Irish Guards
    • Sullivan John Arthur . Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Sullivan John. L/Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Sullivan John. ASGT. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sullivan John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Sullivan Michael. L/Cpl. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Sullivan Owen. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sullivan Patrick. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Sullivan Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sullivan Military Medal. Patrick. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Sullivan Stephen. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Sullivan W.. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sullivan William. RMS Aquitania
    • Sultan Joseph. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Suman Anil. Lascar
    • Summai . Bearer 74th Punjabis
    • Summerbell Adolar. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Summerfield Edwin W. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Summerfield Louis Henry. Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Summerill William Ashford. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Summers Albert Edward. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Summers Alma. Private Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Summers Ernest George. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Summers Fredrick Charles. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Summers G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Summers George Albert. Pte. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Summers James Domeric. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Summers John George. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Summers Roland Henry . Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Summers Thomas. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Summers William James. Rifleman
    • Summers William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Summers William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Summerscales Harry. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Summersgill Albert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Summerson Joseph Richardson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Summerville W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sumner Albert. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Sumner Albert Arthur. AB. HMS Theseus
    • Sumner Charles Elkington. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Sumner John Wainwright. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Sumner Thomas A. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sumner Thomas Ignatius. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Sumner William. L/Cpl. King's Own Lancaster Regiment
    • Sumpsion . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Sumpter Colin. L/Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sundell . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Sunderland Nelson. Pte. Yorks & Lancs Regiment
    • Sunderland William. Pte. The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Sundin Hans Laland. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sunley John Maxwell. 2nd Lt. NZ Field Artillery
    • Supple William Joseph. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Surcomb Robert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Surman Ernest Albert. Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Surman James. Pte. Queens (Royal West Surrey)
    • Surman Jesse Charles. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Surrey Arthur William. Pte. Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Surridge DSM.. Victor Vernon. Able Sea. HMS Vindictive
    • Surry Norman Frederic. 2nd Lt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Surtees Harold Roy. Pte. 14th Battalion
    • Surtees William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Sussex William. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Sutch Frederick George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Sutcliffe . Durham Light Infantry
    • Sutcliffe A. A.. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Sutcliffe Charles Elliott. Mjr. 54th Squadron
    • Sutcliffe George Mitchell. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Sutcliffe George Allan. 2nd Lt. Border Regiment
    • Sutcliffe Hugh. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Sutcliffe MM.. James Townsend. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Sutcliffe Thomas Horace. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Sutcliffe Vincent. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Sutcliffe Wilfred. Corporal Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Sutcliffe Willie. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Sutheran George Henry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sutherland Alexander. Cpl. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Sutherland Angus Duncan . Spr. Canadian Engineers
    • Sutherland D.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Sutherland Donald. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Sutherland George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sutherland James Neil. Pte. Black Watch
    • Sutherland James. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Sutherland John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Sutherland John. Sgt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Sutherland John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Sutherland MC.. Norman. 2/Lt. Cheshire Rgt
    • Sutherland William Francis. Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Sutherley Reginald George Albert William. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Suthon John Richard. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Suthon John Richard. Pte. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Suttie Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Suttle Nelson Edward. Suffolk Regiment
    • Sutton Cecil Glendy. Gnr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Sutton Ernest. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sutton Henry Craggs. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Sutton Henry James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Sutton J.. Nelson Btn
    • Sutton John Thomas. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Sutton MC.. John William Wellesley. 2nd Lt Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Sutton Joseph. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Sutton Levi. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sutton Mornington Wisdom. Sgt. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Sutton Richard Latimer. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sutton Walter William. Pte. 37th Btn.
    • Sutton Winifred. Nurse.
    • Swaddle . George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Swaffield Hugh S.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Swain Alfred. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Swain Harold George Selwyn. Pte. 1st Otago Btn.
    • Swain Harold Selwyn george. Private 1st Otago Btn.
    • Swain Harold. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Swain John. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Swain John Thomas. Sgt.
    • Swaine James W.. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Swainston Edward. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Swainston Percy Bousfield. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Swaisland William Henry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Swales George Frederick. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Swales Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Swales William James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Swallow Alfred Bailey. CSM. Royal Engineers
    • Swallow Alfred Bailey. C.S.M Royal Engineers
    • Swallow Alfred Bailey. WO2 (CSM). Royal Engineers
    • Swallow Alfred Bailey. CSM. Royal Engineers
    • Swallow Frederick. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Swallow Haigh. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Swallow Herbert William. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Swalwell MM.. Archibald Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Swalwell James Frederick. Sgt. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Swalwell Joseph. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Swalwell Wilfred. L/Cpl Machine Gun Corps
    • Swami Appala. Sailmaker
    • Swan James. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Swan James F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Swan Sidney Victor . Pte. London Regiment
    • Swan Thomas Edgar. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Swan Thomas Shepherd. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Swanepoel Jan Hendrick. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Swann George Porter. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Swann William. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Swanney William. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment
    • Swanston John. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Swart Paulus Jacabus Johannes. Rflmn. 5th Reg
    • Sweeney David. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Sweeney Edward. Pte. Black Watch
    • Sweeney Frank. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sweeney Hugh. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Sweeney James Joseph Augustus. Tpr. 4th General Service Reinforcements
    • Sweeney John Joseph. Otago Regiment
    • Sweeney John Joseph. Pte. Otago Regiment
    • Sweeney John. A/Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Sweeney John. Sto. HMS Vivid
    • Sweeney John. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Sweeney Patrick. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Sweeney Patrick. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Sweeney W.. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Sweeney William Henry. Canadian Scottish
    • Sweeny James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sweeny William Francis. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Sweet Richard Bartholomew. Gnr Royal Field Artillery
    • Sweeting Charles Robson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sweeting George William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Sweeting George Reginald. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Sweeting George. Engineman. H.M. Trawler Kathleen Burton
    • Sweetingham Percy John. Pte. Durham Light Infrantry
    • Sweetingham Percy John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Sweetland John Thomas. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Swetenham E.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Swift John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Swift Walter. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Swim Hibbert James. Pte Nova Scotia
    • Swinbank John Robert. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Swinburne Hugh Stewart. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Swindells James Henry. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Swindells Joseph. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Swindells Samuel. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Swindlehurst Robert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Swinhoe William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Swinson Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Swithenbank Walter. Pte.
    • Sword David Stevenson. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Syddall Robert Henry. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Sydee Alfred Henry. Rfn. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    • Syed Khadim Shah. Sepoy. 129th Duke of Connought's Own Baluchis
    • Syers MC.. Thomas Scott. Capt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Sykes Arthur. Duke of Wellington Regiment
    • Sykes Arthur. Lance Corporal Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Sykes Arthur. Pte West Riding Regiment
    • Sykes Eli. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light infantry
    • Sykes VC.. Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sykes Ernest Francis . Cpl. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Sykes Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Sykes Joseph. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Sykes L.. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Sykes MC.. Samuel Stanley. Lt-Col. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Syme GC GM.. Hugh Randall. Lt. HMS Vernon
    • Syme John. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Syme MM.. Robert. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Symes MC.. George William. 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Symes DCM.. John Frederick. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Symington Alexander. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Symonds Frederick Charles. Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Symons Cecil Henry. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Synnott Michael. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Synnott Pierce Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Syrett Robert Charles. Rfm. The Rifle Brigade
    • Taaffe John. L/Bmbdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Taberner John Henry. Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Taberner John. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Tabor Alfred James. Pte Tank Corps
    • Tacon Frederick Charles . Stkr1. HMS Invincible
    • Tailyour George Foster Hercules. Maj. Royal Field Artillery
    • Tait Frederick James. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Tait George William. S/Sgt. Australian Army Medical Corps
    • Tait James Edwin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tait VC, MC.. James Edward. Lt. 7th Btn. (Manitoba Regiment),
    • Tait James. Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment
    • Tait John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Tait Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tait Robert Thomas. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tait T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tait-Knight A.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Taitt M L. Pte.
    • Takle Alfred James. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Talbot Alfred Stephen. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Talbot Edmund George. L/Cpl Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Talbot Frederick James. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Talbot George William Harwood. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Talbot George. L/Cpl. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Talbot Henry Waletr. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Talbot James. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Talbot James. Pte Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Talbot John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Talbot Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Talbot Richard. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Talbot 1914 Star. Thomas Alfred. CQMS. Coldstream Guards
    • Talbot William Henry. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Talford Herbert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Talman Archibald Arthur . Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Talman Archibald Arthur . Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Tambling Frederick Gilbert Billings. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Tame Wilf. Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Tame Wilfred. Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Tame William Charles. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Tancred Charles. Company Quarter Master Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Tandy Arthur Elton. Lt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Tandy Cyril Maycie. Pte. 14th Battalion
    • Tanfield William Robinson. Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Tanner Edward. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Tanner Frank. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tanner Frederick Andrew. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Tanner Hubert John. Capt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Tanney Daniel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tansley Henry. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Tansley Walter. Pte. (Cameronians) Scottish Rifles
    • Taplin Harold Lansdowne. Drv. 3rd Division Headquarters
    • Tapper Ernest. L/Sgt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Tapper James John. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Tappin Cecil George. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Tarbotton Hanson. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Tarbuck Matthew. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Tardif Valentine Sullock Aveline. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Target MC.. N. A.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Targett Frederick. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Targett Frederick. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Tarr William Henry. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Tarren William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tarry George Alfred. Cpl. Northampton Regiment
    • Tarry Stanley Lucas. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Tasker Albert John. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Tasker Francis. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tasker John Joseph. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Tasker William. Private
    • Tassart Hedley. Pte. London Regiment
    • Tassie John. L/Cpl Highland Light Infantry
    • Tatam J. W.. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Tate Andrew. Pnr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tate Arthur Lewis. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Tate Charles Denton. Pte Wellington Regiment
    • Tate David. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Tate Frederick. South Wales Borderers
    • Tate George Wilson. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tate James. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Tate Lionel Percy. 2nd Lt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Tate Norman. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tate Norman. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tatham Thomas Septimus. Pte. London Regiment
    • Tattam Charles Alley. Bombardier Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Tattam Charles Alley. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Tatum George. Pte Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Tavener George William. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Taverner William John. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Taylerson Robert. A/L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tayles Charles Frederick. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Taylor . Durham Light Infantry
    • Taylor A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Taylor Alan. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Taylor Albert Edward. Rifle Brigade
    • Taylor MM.. Albert Edward Victor. Sgt. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy.
    • Taylor Albert John . Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Taylor Albert Ernest. Act Bmbr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Taylor Alec. 25th Company
    • Taylor Alexander William. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Taylor Alfred Benjamin. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Taylor Alfred John. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Taylor Alfred. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Taylor Andrew Miller. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Taylor Archibald. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Taylor Arthur William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Taylor Arthur. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Taylor Arthur. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Taylor Arthur Leonard. 2nd Lt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Taylor Arthur Elgar. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Taylor Arthur. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Taylor Arthur Elgar. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Taylor Benjamin. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Taylor Charles. Cpl. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Taylor Charles William Victor. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Taylor Charles Richard . Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Taylor Charles. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Taylor Charles William. Pte Grenadier Guards
    • Taylor Clive Douglas. A/Cpl.
    • Taylor Daniel Martin. Lt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
    • Taylor David Anderson. Pte. Cameronian (Scottish Rifles)
    • Taylor David. Pte. West Surrey Regiment
    • Taylor E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Taylor Earnest .
    • Taylor Edgar. L/Cpl. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Taylor Edward Gardiner. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Taylor MC.. Edward Roy. Capt. South Wales Borderers
    • Taylor Edwin. Pte. Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Taylor Ellis . Private Royal Warwickshire Regt
    • Taylor Elsie May. Nurse
    • Taylor Ernest Victor. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Taylor Francis Cyril. Rflmn. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Taylor Frank George Henry. Pte Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Taylor MM.. Frederick. QMSgt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Taylor Frederick. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Taylor G. T.. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Taylor George Wilfred. Royal Horse Artilery
    • Taylor George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Taylor George Laird. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Taylor George William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Taylor George William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Taylor Gilbert Charles. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Taylor Harold. Sdlr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Taylor Harold Ruth. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Taylor Harold Richard. Lt. Surrey Yeomanry (Queen Mary's Regiment)
    • Taylor Harold George. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Taylor Harry. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Taylor Harry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Taylor Harry. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Taylor Henry Louis. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Taylor Henry Irvine. Pte. York and Lancaster
    • Taylor Henry. Pte Tank Corps
    • Taylor Henry. Sgt. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Taylor Herbert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Taylor Herbert Leslie. CQMS Durham Light Infantry
    • Taylor Herbert. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Taylor Herbert. L/Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Taylor Herbert. Dvr Royal Engineers
    • Taylor J.. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Taylor James Gardner. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Taylor James. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Taylor James Miller. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Taylor James. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Taylor John William. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Taylor John Thomas. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Taylor John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Taylor John William. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Taylor John. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Taylor John Ashton. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Taylor John Richard. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Taylor John M.. A.L/Cpl King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Taylor John Carey Alexander. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Taylor John William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Taylor John Wood. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Taylor John. Pte Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Taylor John. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Taylor John Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Taylor Joseph. Pte.
    • Taylor Joseph. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Taylor Joseph Alfred . Rfn. Rifle Brigade
    • Taylor Joseph Cuthbert. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Taylor Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Taylor K.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Taylor Leonard Haydon. Lt. 16th (Canadian Scottish) Btn.
    • Taylor Leonard Karl. Boy1. HMS Clan McNaughton
    • Taylor Lesley. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Taylor Michael. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Taylor Noah James. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Taylor Percy James. L.Sto HMS Triumph
    • Taylor Peter. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Taylor Peter Arbuckle. Pte. 1st Pioneer Battalion
    • Taylor Peter. Sgt. The Royal Scots
    • Taylor Ralf. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Taylor Ralph. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Taylor Raymond Slee. Pte. 44th (Winnipeg) Btn.
    • Taylor Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Taylor Robert. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Taylor MID.. Robert. Pte. Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Taylor Robert. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Taylor Samuel Verity. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Taylor Samuel. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Taylor Sidney. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Taylor Stephen John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Taylor Stewart. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Taylor T. G.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Taylor Thomas. Rfm. Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
    • Taylor Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Taylor Thomas William. Pte. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Taylor Thomas. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Taylor Thomas Henry. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Taylor Thomas. Pte. West Surrey Regiment (Queens)
    • Taylor Tom. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Taylor Vincent. Private Leicstershire Regiment
    • Taylor Vincent. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Taylor Vincent. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Taylor W. H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Taylor Walter William. L/Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Taylor MM.. Walter Thomas. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Taylor Wellesley. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Taylor William. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Taylor William. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Taylor William. L/Sgt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Taylor William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Taylor William. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Taylor William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Taylor William Andrew. L-Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Taylor William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Taylor William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Taylor William. Pte East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Taylor William Charles. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Taylor William Croft. Pte. Plymouth Divison
    • Taylor William Thomas. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Taylor William. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Taylor William Thomas. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Taylor William Oscar.
    • Taylor William Lanaster. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Taylor William George. Pte. Royal Marines Light Infantry
    • Taylor Wilson James. Machine Gun Corps
    • Taysom CdG.. Thomas George Willis. Sgt. 4th Dragoon Guards
    • Taysum Norman Henry. Pte. Black Watch
    • Teague Edgar Vivers. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tear James. Pte Border Regiment
    • Teare MM.. Wilfred Kneale. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Tearle Herbert John. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Tearle John Henry. L/Sgt Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Tearse William John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Teasdale J. G.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Teasdale James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Teasdale Thomas. Pte. King's Liverpool
    • Teasdale Thomas. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Teasdale DCM.. William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Teaz Joseph. ACSgt Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Tebb George. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Tebbutt Alfred. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Tector Albert David. Pte Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Tedder Timothy Richard. Pte Royal West Kent Regiment (Queen's Own)
    • Tedder William Charles. L/Cpl. Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)
    • Teeson Arthur. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Teevan Thomas. L/Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Telfer Henry Adam. Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Telfer Hodgson Harold. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Telfer J.. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Telfer John. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Telfer MM. Richard Russell. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Telfer Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Telford Alexander. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Telford Alexander. Pte. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Telford Andrew Spoors. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Telford Leonard William. Far. Machine Gun Corps
    • Telford N.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Telford William. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Tellett Thomas. Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Tellett Thomas. Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Temple A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Temple Frederick William. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Temple Harry John. Captain
    • Temple Herbert. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Templeman Albert Ernest. Cpl.Whl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Templeton James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Tench James. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Tennant . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Tennant John Amherst. Capt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Tennant John. L/Cpl. Black Watch
    • Tennant John J.. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Terrey Alfred John. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Terrington Arthur. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Terry Benjamin Norman. Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Terry Donald Kenyon. Pte 28th Battalion
    • Terry Lionel Douglas. Hampshire Regiment
    • Terry Marmaduke Ros. Pte 28th Battalion
    • Terry Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Terry Timothy. L/Cpl Royal Irish Regiment
    • Terry Walter. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Teskey H.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Tetlow George William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Tett S.. Pte. Royal Ordnance Corps
    • Tett S.. Pte. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
    • Tett William. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Tew Joseph. Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    • Tewkesbury Arthur. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Thacker Charles Albert. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Thacker Clarence Owen. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Thacker Frederick Edward. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Thackerey MC.. Frederick Rennell . Lt. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regt.
    • Thackray Robert Greenhow. Royal Engineers
    • Thackray Thomas Henry. Bmdr. Royal Field Artilery
    • Thapa VC.. Kulbir. Rfm. 3rd Gurkha Rifles
    • Thatcher Harry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Thatcher Henry Claude. Pte. London Regiment
    • Thatcher Hubert Archibald. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Thaxter John Henry Lewis. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Thayne James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thellusson DSO.. Hugh Edmund. Lt.Col. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thelwell Harry Rowland. Lt West Yorkshire Regt
    • Theobald Arthur William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Theobald John. Pte. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Theobald O. V.. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Theobald MC. Reginald. Lt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Theobald William David. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Therien James. Pte 2nd Pioneer Battalion
    • Thew DCM, MSM.. Arthur William. RSM. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thew T.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Third George. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Thirkeld . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thirsk MC. Kenneth Alfred. Lt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thoburn Alfred. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Thoburn Alfred. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Thom James. Sjt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Thom James Fraser. Sgt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Thom William Dorian. Sub.Lt. 34 sqd.
    • Thomas Alan S..
    • Thomas Alfred Claude. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Thomas Arthur J.. Pte. The Welsh Regiment
    • Thomas Arthur Crichton. Major Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Thomas Bruce. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Thomas MC.. Byers. Capt. Black Watch
    • Thomas Charles. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Thomas David Edward. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thomas David Thomas. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thomas MM.. Edmund. Welch Regiment
    • Thomas Edward James. Middlesex Regiment
    • Thomas Evan David. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Thomas DSC.. Francis Hastings. Capt. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Thomas Francis Albert. Pte. London Regiment
    • Thomas Frederick William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Thomas George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Thomas George. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Thomas George Henry. DH H.M.S. Eileen
    • Thomas Godfrey Main . F/Lt.
    • Thomas Harold. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Thomas Harry Reid. Capt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Thomas Harry Reid. Cpt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Thomas Henry George. Rfn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Thomas Henry. Pte
    • Thomas Henry Gay. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Thomas Henry. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thomas Herbert Prichard. Capt. 126th Baluchistan Infantry Regiment
    • Thomas Herbert Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thomas Herbert. Pte West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Thomas Ivor Cecil. Cpl. Glamorgan Yeomanry
    • Thomas Ivor. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thomas J.. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Thomas Jacob. L/Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Thomas James Hawkey. Royal Artillery
    • Thomas James William. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thomas James. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Thomas James Charles. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Thomas James Henry. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thomas John Price. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Thomas John Lister. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Thomas John Wendell Rees. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Thomas Joseph. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Thomas Joshua. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Thomas Leslie. Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Thomas Llewelyn. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Thomas Oliver. Pte Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Thomas Oswald Trevor. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Thomas R. V.. L/Sgt. London Regiment
    • Thomas Ralph. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Thomas Ralph. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Thomas Ralph Henry. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Thomas Richard. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Thomas Richard Stanley John. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Thomas Richard. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Thomas Robert Dixon Hardy. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Thomas Samuel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thomas Samuel Z.. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Thomas Samuel Augustus Stewart. Pte. Oxfordfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Thomas Sidney. Pte. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Thomas T.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thomas Taylor. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thomas Thomas Owen. L/Sgt. Welsh Regiment
    • Thomas Thomas William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thomas W J. Pte South Wales Borderers
    • Thomas Walter. Pte. London Regiment
    • Thomas . White. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Thomas William. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Thomas MM.. William Cuthbert. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Thomas William Albert. Pte. 14th Kings Hussars
    • Thomason John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Thomason Stephen. Cpl. No. 20 Squadron
    • Thombs Hubert. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Thomis George Reginald. Pte. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Thompson . Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Thompson A.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson DSO .. Albert George. Col. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Thompson Albert. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Thompson Albert. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Thompson Alfred. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Thompson Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson Alfred. Nottingham & Derbyshire Regiment
    • Thompson Alfred. Pte. Royal Warwickshire
    • Thompson Andrew Christopher. Pte. Australian Army Service Corps
    • Thompson Arthur. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Thompson Arthur Minke. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Thompson Benjamin. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Thompson Bruce. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson Charles Edward. S/Sgt. Kings Own Scotish Borderers
    • Thompson MID.. Charles Arthur. CQMS Royal Engineers
    • Thompson Charles Henry. Pte. Non Combatant Corps
    • Thompson Edgar Wylde. Pte. Royal Hampshire Regiment
    • Thompson Ellis. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson Ernest Samuel. Pte. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Thompson Ernest George. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Thompson Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Thompson Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Thompson AARC. Ethel Elaine. Nursing Sister Canadian Army Medical Corps
    • Thompson F.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Thompson Francis. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Thompson Frank. Pte. Black Watch
    • Thompson Fred. L/Cpl Royal Engineers
    • Thompson Fred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson MM.. George Arthur. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson George. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Thompson George. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thompson George H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson George H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson George. L/Cpl. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Thompson CdG. George Masterman. Lt. Gold Coast Regiment
    • Thompson George Richard. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thompson Harry Abdale. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson Harry Stancer. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Thompson Harry. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Thompson Henry Donnison. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson Herbert William. L-Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson Hugh. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson Isaac. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Thompson Isaac. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Thompson J. C.. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Thompson J.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson James Arthur Uren. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson James. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thompson James Edward. Pte. Yorks and Lancaster Regiment
    • Thompson James. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Thompson James Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson James. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Thompson James B.. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Thompson John Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson John. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Thompson John Thomas. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Thompson John. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thompson John William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thompson John. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Thompson Joseph. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson Joseph. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Thompson Joseph William. Pte. 10th Hussars
    • Thompson Leonard Dobson. First Eng. SS Moorside
    • Thompson Matthew Arnold. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson Milton. Pnr. Royal Engineers
    • Thompson Patrick J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson Percy Laurence. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thompson Richard Norman. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson Richard. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thompson Robert. Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Thompson Robert Albert. L-Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson MC. Robert Lloyd. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thompson Robert Wilks. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson S.. L/Cpl. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Thompson S.. Sjt.
    • Thompson T. A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson Thomas John. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Thompson Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Thompson Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Thompson Thomas L.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thompson Thomas Bateman. Pte. Leicestershire Rgt.
    • Thompson Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Thompson W. H.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Thompson Walter. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Thompson Walter Lincoln. 2nd Lt. Essex Regiment
    • Thompson Walter Lincoln. 2/Lt. Essex Regiment
    • Thompson Wilfred. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Thompson William Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson William. Cpl. 3rd (King's Own) Hussars
    • Thompson William L.. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Thompson William John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Thompson William Thomas.
    • Thompson William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson William Wyllard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thompson William Henry. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Thompson MM.. William. CSM. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Thompson William Cuthbert. Pte Border Regiment
    • Thompson William Thomas. Pte East Lancashire Regiment Tyneside Irish Brigade
    • Thompson William Henry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Thoms Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thomson A. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thomson Alexander Rae. CSM Royal Engineers
    • Thomson Alexander John. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thomson David R. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Thomson David R. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Thomson George William. Sgt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Thomson George. Pte. Black Watch
    • Thomson George Drummond Wilson. 1st Royal Dragoons
    • Thomson George. A/Sgt. 73rd (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Btn.
    • Thomson Harold. Pte. Royal Naval Division
    • Thomson James. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Thomson James. AB. 63rd (Royal Naval) Division
    • Thomson MM.. John Barr. Cpl. Cameronians
    • Thomson John. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Thomson R.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Thomson Richard. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rrifles
    • Thomson Robert Phillip. Sgt Rifle Brigade
    • Thomson Robert. Gnr Royal Field Artillery
    • Thomson Ronald. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Thomson Thomas Norman. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Thomson W.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Thomson William. Stoker HMS Invincible
    • Thomson William Stewart. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Thorburn William. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Thorley William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Thorley William Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thorn Matthew James. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thornber John. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Thornburn John Henry. Pte The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
    • Thorne . Capt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Thorne Edward Albert. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Thorne Ernest Samual. Ldg.Trimmer. HMS Clacton
    • Thorne CDG.. Stuart M.. Mjr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company
    • Thorne Wilfred Kemp. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thorneley F. B.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Thorneloe Albert. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Thornely T. G.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Thornhill Frank. Private The Cheshire Regiment
    • Thornley James William. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Thornley Joseph. Rfn. Rifle Brigade
    • Thornley Percy. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Thornton Albert Clennett. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thornton Arol Edmond. Machine Gun Corps
    • Thornton Arthur Courtney. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Thornton Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thornton Christopher. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thornton MM.. Ernest. Cpl. Tank Corps
    • Thornton John Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Thornton John George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thornton John. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Thornton John. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Thornton Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thornton Lawrence. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Thornton Richard Patrick. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Thornton Thomas. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Thornton Vincent Harry. Lt. 13th Light Horse Regiment
    • Thornton Walter Andrew. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Thornton MID.. Walter. WO2 York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Thornycroft Edward Gerald Mytton . Capt. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Thoroughgood Sidney. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Thorp Edward John. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thorpe Charles. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Thorpe Charles. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Thorpe Ernest. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Thorpe Ernest. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Thorpe F.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thorpe Francis Sidney. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Thorpe John Frederick. Pte. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Thorpe Leonard Alfred. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Thorpe Major. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Thorpe Major. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Thorpe Robert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Thorpe Walter. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Thorpe Walton Albert. Pte. 33rd Battalion
    • Thorpe William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Thorpe-Tracey J. Pte. London Regiment
    • Threader John Thomas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Threadgold Elias. Private Kings Liverpool
    • Threlfall John. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Threlfall William Henry. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Threlkeld Thomas William. Border Regiment
    • Thrift A. J.. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Thripp Herbert. Boy. HMS Invincible
    • Thrower Robert. Pte Seaforth Highlanders
    • Thubron Cecil Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thubron Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thumwood Albert James. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Thundercliffe Henry Francis. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thurgood John . Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thurlaway Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Thurley George William. Pte. Dorsetshire Regt
    • Thurling Victor. CSM. Rifle Brigade
    • Thurlow Harry William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Thurlow Harry William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Thurlow Percy. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Thurlow Percy. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Thurlow Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Thurlow Thomas. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Thurlow William. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Thursby James Randall . Cpl. London Regiment
    • Thursfield Thomas John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Thwaites R.. Lance Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Thynne DSO. Algernon Carteret. Lt.Col. Royal North Devon Hussars
    • Thynne DSO.. Algernon Carteret. Lt.Col. Royal North Devon Hussars
    • Thynne John. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Tibbatts John. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Tibbey Thomas Charles. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Tibbles Edgar. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Tickner M.. Sgt.
    • Tiddy William Isaac Stanley. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Tierney James. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Tierney Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tierney Patrick Michael. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Tierney Peter. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Tierney William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Tierny F.. csgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tierny Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tighe . Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tighe James. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Tighe James. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Tighe John. Sjt. Royal Engineers
    • Tilbury William John. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Till Robert. Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Tillett Reginald. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Tilley John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tilley John Edward. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Tilley Leslie Robert. 2Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Tilling Arthur. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Tilling Samuel C.. L/Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Tillyer Richard Barnett. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Tilney Ernest. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Tilsley John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Tilson B. W.. Able Sea. H.M.S. Malaya
    • Tilson B. W.. Able Sea. H.M.S. Malaya
    • Tiltman William. Shipwright HMS Bayano
    • Tiltman William Edward. L.Stkr. HMS Derwent
    • Timberlake George. Pte. Royal Army Veterinary Corps
    • Timberlake Harry. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Timbury Frederick John. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Timlin John. Pte. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Timlin W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Timmins Bernard. L/Cpl South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Timmins Bernard. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Timmins Charles William. Pte. 2nd Royal Marine Btn.
    • Timmins E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Timmins John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Timmins Joseph John. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Timmons Edward.
    • Timms Dyson. Royal Inniskillin Fusiliers
    • Timms J. W.. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Timms John Henry. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Timms Joseph. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Timms Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artilery
    • Timms William Henry. Pte. York and Lanccaster Regiment
    • Timperley William Ezra. L/Cpl Cheshire Regiment
    • Tindale Thomas William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tindall George. Royal Artillery
    • Tindall MM.. Walter John. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Tindle R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tingey Thomas. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Tinkler Charles Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tinkler William Ivan. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Tinlin MID. John. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Tinsley MM.. Albert Edward. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Tinsley MMil.. Albert William. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Tinsley Cyril. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Tiplady Edmund. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Tipper Stephen Gladstone. Gunner Royal Artillery
    • Tipping MM.. Alfred. Pte. Cameronian Scottish Rifles
    • Tipping MM. Alfred. Pte. Cameronian Scottish Rifles
    • Tipping Fred. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Tipping George. Pte. Cameronian Scottish Rifles
    • Tipping George. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Tipping William James. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Tisdall VC.. Arthur Walderne St.Clair . Sub-Lt. Anson Btn
    • Titcomb Edward John. London Regiment
    • Titcomb Ernest James. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Titcombe Walter Edmond. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Tither Jonathan. Spr. 1st Australian Tunneling Company
    • Titheridge Walter J.. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Titmas Bertie Edmund. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Titmus Alfred. L/Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Tittensor Abraham. Driver Royal Engineers
    • Titterton William Albert. Drummer. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tivey Fredrick Joseph. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Tobin James. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Tobin John Thomas. Pte. Newfoundland Regiment
    • Tobyn William Henry. Lead.Sea. HMS Epsom
    • Todd . Abraham Eden. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Todd Charles Gordon. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Todd Charles. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Todd Dan. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Todd Fred. Pte. 235 Btn.
    • Todd Harold. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Todd Henry. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Todd Herbert William. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Todd J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Todd James Henry Melton. L/Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Todd Oliver. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Todd Percy. Pte. The Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Todd Steven. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Todd Thomas. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Todd William. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Todd William Charles. Dvr. Royal Army Service Corps
    • Todd William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Todd William Emery. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Todd William Hercules. Pte Gordon Highlanders
    • Todhunter Jeremiah. A/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Todman Walter. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Toft James. Rfl. Rifle Brigade
    • Tolhurst Frank Benjamin . Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Tollerton Ross. Sgt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Tolley Bertram Gordon. Cpl. West Somerset Yeomanry
    • Tolley Vernon Stanley. WO2. West Riding Regiment
    • Tolliday John William. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tolmie George. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Tolmie James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Toman H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Toman H.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Toman Patrick. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Tomes Arthur. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Tomkins Ernest Daniel. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Tomkins Leonard. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Tomkinson Arthur. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Tomlinson Albert Charles. Rflmn. Hampshire Regiment
    • Tomlinson Charles Alfredo. Painter 2nd HMS Begonia
    • Tomlinson MiD.. Clifford Gibaud. Capt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Tomlinson Fredrick Anderson. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tomlinson Harold. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Tomlinson John Henry. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Tomlinson John Henry. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Tomlinson V,. Cpl Saddler. Royal Field Artillery
    • Tomlinson Walter. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Tomlinson William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Tomlinson William. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Tompkins Edgar Frederick. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Tompkins George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Tompkins Gerald Joseph. Cpl. Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars
    • Tompkins Gilbert. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Tompkins J.. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Tompkins John Errol. Sjt Mjr Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tompkins . Walter Arthur. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Tompkins MM. Wesley. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Tompkinson MM.. Henry. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Tompofski MM.. Myer. Rflmn. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Tompson . Roland . L/Cpl.
    • Toms Arthur. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Tomsett Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Toner Bertie. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Toner George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tonge Herbert. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Tonge James. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Tonge Reginald Severn. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Tongs DCM.. William. Pte. Scottish Rifles
    • Tongue J.. Pte. King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Tonner Peter. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Toogood Arthur Thomas. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Toogood MM.. Sidney Alfred. L/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Toogood Wilfred Alexander. Lt. Eastern Ontario Regiment
    • Tooher Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Toohey Frederick Thomas. Cpl Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Toohey DCM.. Michael. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Toole Alexander. Durham Light Infantry
    • Toole Francis. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Toole James. Pte. Durham Light infantry
    • Toole Michael Joseph. L/Cpl. Leinster Regiment
    • Tooley Cecil. Pvt. 16th London Regiment, Queen's Westminster Rifles
    • Tooley Clifford William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Tooley Thomas. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Tooley Walter. Royal Marines
    • Toomath David. Pte. North Irish Horse
    • Toomer S. G.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Toomey Jeremiah. Pte. London Regiment
    • Toomey MM.. Jeremiah John. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Toomey William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Toon MM.. Elijah. Cpl. Leicestershire Yeomanry
    • Toon MM.. Elijah. Cpl. Leicestershire Yeomanry
    • Toone Ralph. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Toop DCM. . Thomas William. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Toop DCM.. Thomas William. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Tooza A.. Ch.Sto. HMS Highflyer
    • Topliss Leslie. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Topp William. L/Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Toppin Shirley. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Topping James.
    • Topping Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Topping Samuel. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Topps William John Howard. Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Tormay Thomas. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Torode William Horace. Pte. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Torrance Thomas. Sjt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Torrans Samuel. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Torrens Thomas. Pte 34th Btn.
    • Torvill William Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tose Clinnett Victor. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Toseland William. Cpl. 179th Brigade
    • Tosh David. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Tosh James. Pte Connaught Rangers
    • Tosswill John Speare. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Tothill Harry Richard. 2nd Sick Berth Stwd. HMS Roxburgh
    • Totterdale Alfred. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Totty William. Pte. York & Lancaster Rgt.
    • Tough James. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Tough Victor. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Tougher Robert Alexander Hunter. Capt. Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers
    • Touhy M.. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Toulmin Augustus Delaval. Bugler. Australian Army Medical Corps
    • Tovell John George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tovey Benjamin George. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Tovey William. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Toward George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Towell John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tower Courtney Leigh. Pte. 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • Tower Frederick William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Towey Thomas. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Towle Hezekiah. Pte. Canadian Pioneers
    • Towler Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Towllis J. D.. Petty Offcr. HMS Amphion
    • Town William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Town William Arthur. Pte. Welch Rgt.
    • Townend Fred Blackburn. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Townend MM.. John Alfred. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Townend William. Lt. HMS Azalia
    • Townley Frederick George Richard. Pte. Royal Warwickshire
    • Towns William. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Townsend Cecil Frederick. Pte Royal Irish Regiment
    • Townsend MID. Cyril Samuel. Admiral H.M.S. Constance
    • Townsend Edward James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Townsend F. W.. 1st D.A.C.
    • Townsend George Lowe. Tpr. Machine Gun Corps (Cav)
    • Townsend H.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Townsend John. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Townsend Richard Herbert. Cmdr. HMS Invincible
    • Townsend Richard Stapleton Barry. Lt. Royal Irish Fusiliers.
    • Townsend Samuel. Pte King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Townshend H. R.. L/Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Townsley Isaac. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Townsley Robert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Townson Francis Richard. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Townson Henry. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Toyer William John. Sjt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Toynbee R V. Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Toyne MM, CdeG.. Ernest Shep. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Tozer . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Tozer Francis Oswald. Gnr. 186th Brigade
    • Tracey Christopher Birdwood. 2Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Tracey Geoffrey Eugene. Lt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Tracey George. Recruiting Office
    • Tracey MC.. Leonard Tolcher. 2Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Tracy R. J.. Cpl. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Trafford John. Pioneer. Royal Engineers
    • Trafford Thomas Christen. Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Trainer Charles Hedley. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Trainor Foster James. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Tramby W. T.. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Tranberg Albert Bous. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tranetr Joseph. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Tranter Harry Alexander. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Tranter Henry Isaac. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Tranter Joseph. Pte. 7th Btn.
    • Trathen Alfred Edward. Pte. North Devon Hussars
    • Traveller William. Pte. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Travis VC, DCM, MM. Richard Charles. Sgt Otago Infantry Regiment
    • Travis Tom. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Travis William. Manchester Regiment
    • Traylen Alfred Frank. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Traylen MC.. Norman Algernon. Lt. Army Service Corps
    • Traylor John. Pte. Middlesex Regt.
    • Traynor James Albert. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Traynor Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Treadgold Florence.
    • Treadwell Allan. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Treby Samuel Robert. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Tree Wilfred. Pte. Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Treeves Alfred Edward. Rfmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Tregelles Geoffrey Phillip. Capt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Tregidgo Donald Thomas. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Tregona W. J. R.. Pte. 44th Btn.
    • Treharne Thomas Trevor. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Treherne William Henry. L/Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Treloar . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Trembath Richard. Spr. 1st Tunnelling Company
    • Trembath MM.. William. Gnr. 2nd NZ Rifle Brigade.
    • Trenchmann Oscar. Capt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Trenchmann Richard. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Trendle Sidney. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Trenholme T. W.. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Trevan Thomas Henwood. Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Trevartha Ivor Garfield. L/Cpl. Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry
    • Trevelyan James Victor. Rifle Brigade
    • Trevelyan Sidney John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Treversh Thomas Henry. Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Treversh Thomas Henry. Sgt. 7th Btn.
    • Trevitt Samuel. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Trevorrow John Richard. Cpl Rifle Brigade
    • Trew Albert William. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Trewick Thomas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Trickett John Edward. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Trickett Norman. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Trickey John James. L/Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Trigg William Herbert. Cpl. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Triggs William B.. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Trim Ernest Frank. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Trim Samuel. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Trimble Edward. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Trimby Thomas Henry. Maj. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Trimmer William Edward. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Trinder George. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Tripcony Ernest. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Tripp S. P.. L/Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Tripp Sidney P.. L/Cpl. Suffolk Reigment
    • Trisram . Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tritton Edward Henry. Sgt. East Kent Regiment
    • Trivett Walter Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)
    • Troddan Francis Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Troop E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Trott Frank. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Trotter . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Trotter MC.. Alick Dunbar. Capt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Trotter Christopher. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Trotter George Alexander. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Trotter J.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Trotter J. T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Trotter James Percival. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Troughton E. R.. Capt. adj. Durham Light Infantry
    • Troughton MC . Joseph Ernest. 2nd Lt. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Trout Frederick Joseph. Pte. London Regiment
    • Trow Edward Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Trow Thomas Henry. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Trowell Walter John Albert. Pte East Kent Regiment
    • Truelove Leonard Colin. SBA. HMS Persian
    • Trueman Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Trueman Townley. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Trueman William Ernest. 2nd Lt. attd. 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Sappers and Miners
    • Truesdale William. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Truett Arthur. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Truett Arthur John. Durham Light Infantry
    • Trull Charles Henry. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Trull George Henry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Trull James. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Trull Joseph Charles. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Trull William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Trull William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Truman Albert. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Truman D. G. H.. Lt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Truman MM.. Thomas Ralph. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Trumble Owen. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Trumper Henry Thomas. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Trumpess George William. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Trumpeter William Edward Henry. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Truscott Alfred. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Truscott Leonard Arthur. 2ndBoy. HMS Edgar
    • Trusler Harry James. Pte. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Trusler Harry. Pte. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Trussler Henry George. Sgt. Scottish Rifles
    • Truswell Harry. Pte. Sherwood Forresters
    • Tubb VC. Frederick Harold. Lt. 7th Battalion
    • Tubb VC.. Frederick. Major. 7th Battalion
    • Tubb VC.. Frederick Harold. Mjr. Australian Infantry
    • Tubman Heslop. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Tuck William Frank. L/Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Tucker MID.. Alfred Ivan. Cpl 37 Div. Signal Coy
    • Tucker G. W.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tucker George Wilfred. Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Tucker George Wilfred. Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Tucker Gordon Elijah. 2Lt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Tucker J. R. H.. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Tucker John Edward. Pte. 45th Btn.
    • Tucker Lione Louis Clerici. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tucker Reginald Penhorwood. L/Stoker. HMS Amphion
    • Tucker Sidney.
    • Tucker MM. Sidney. 2nd Lt. London Regiment
    • Tucker Walter John. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Tucker William Huxtable. Pte. South Wales Borders
    • Tuckfield MC.. Henry Charles. A/Capt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Tudge Walter. Pte. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Tuffery MM.. Harold. Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Tuffin Albert Edgar. Rifle Brigade
    • Tuite Charles. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Tulett Montague James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Tulip Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tulk Harry William. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Tull Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Tull Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Tull Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Tull Walter. 2nd Lt. Middlesex Regt
    • Tullet Henry William. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Tullett Henry William. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Tullis J. N.. 2nd Lt.
    • Tulloch Ronald. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Tully James. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tully Maurice. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Tully Maurice. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Tumilson Robert. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Tummey David. Able Sea. Drake Battalion
    • Tunley W.. Lcpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Tunney William. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Tunney William. 2nd Lt. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Tunney William. Pte. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Tunnicliffe Fred Gustavus. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Tunnicliffe Jess. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Tunstall Henry William. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Tuohey Francis Edward. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Tuohy John James. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Tuplin William Parish May. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Tupling Albert Victor. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Tuppen DCM. Walter. Sgt Royal Field Artillery
    • Turberfield Frank William. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Turk William. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Turnbull MC. Alan William. Lt.Col. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Turnbull Andrew. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Turnbull Elizabeth Munro. Nurse. 3rd Scottish General Hospital
    • Turnbull Frederick. Pte King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Turnbull Gilbert Stanley. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Turnbull Gilbert Stanley. Signaller Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Turnbull Henry. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Turnbull J.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Turnbull J.. Lt -Col. Durham Light Infantry
    • Turnbull J. M. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turnbull J. S. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turnbull VC. James Yuill. Sgt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Turnbull MM.. James. Royal Field Artillery
    • Turnbull John. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Turnbull Joseph. Sjt Mjr Durham Light Infantry
    • Turnbull Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Turnbull Matthew. Royal Field Artilery
    • Turnbull Oliver Hugh. Pte. Cameronians
    • Turnbull Richard. A/L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Turnbull Robert Joseph. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Turnbull Thomas. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Turnbull W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turnbull W. J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turnbull W.. 2nd.Lt. 53 Squadron
    • Turnbull William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turnbull William. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turner Albert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Turner VC.. Alexander Buller. 2nd Lt. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Turner Alfred. Pte. The Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment)
    • Turner Alweyne Montague Fisher. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turner Andrew. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Turner Andrew. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Turner Angus. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Turner . Arthur . Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Turner Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Turner Cecil Charles. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Turner Charles. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Turner Cuthbert. 2nd Lt. Border Regiment
    • Turner David Doig. Cpl. 1st Canterbury Btn.
    • Turner E. R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turner Edward Henry. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Turner Edward. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Turner Edward. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Turner Edwin Thomas. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Turner Ernest Alfred. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Turner Frank Edward. Pte. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Turner Frank Edward. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Turner Frederick. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Turner Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turner G. Sgt. Bermuda Militia Artillery
    • Turner George W.. Ty.Paymstr. HMS Bergamot
    • Turner George William. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Turner George. Cpl. Welch Regiment
    • Turner H D. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Turner Harold. Bombdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Turner Harry Eugene. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Turner Hector Stanford Edwin. Pte. London Regiment
    • Turner Henry. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Turner CdeG; Order of the Crown, Belgium. Herbert Ellery. Capt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Turner Hermann. Pte. London Regiment
    • Turner Ira William. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Turner Isaac. L/Cpl. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Turner J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turner MM.. James Percival. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turner Jesse Stanley. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Turner Jesse Stanley. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Turner John. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Turner John Henry Edward. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Turner John James. Pte. Black Watch
    • Turner John. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Turner Joseph William. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Turner Lance A.. Pte. 34th Btn.
    • Turner Leslie Dobson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Turner Mathew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Turner MID.. Norman. Capt No 9 Squadron
    • Turner Reginald Charles. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Turner Richard. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Turner Robert. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Turner S. J.. Pte. King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Turner Samuel. Queens Own Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Turner Thomas Cyril. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Turner Thomas Ernest. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Turner Victor G.. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Turner Walter George. L/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Turner Walter Stephen. L/Cpl. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Turner Walter. L/Cpl. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Turner William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Turner William. Pte. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Turner William. Pte. Chatham Btn.
    • Turner-Thomson M.C.. Wilbert. Capt. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Turney J. B.. Gnr. Royal Artillery
    • Turney John James. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Turnour Arthur William Winterton. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Turpie William J.. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Turpin Lionel Fitzherbert. Rflmn. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Turpin Noah. L/Cpl. Prince of Wales West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Turpin Walter. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Turrell Edward George. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Turrell William Edward. Private London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
    • Turtle Arthur Henry. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Turton Fred. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Turton R. S.. Maj. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Turvey Herbert Charles. Rifle Brigade
    • Turvey Jesse Richard. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Turvey Leonard Lewis. Pte Welch Regiment
    • Turvey R. R.. Sjt. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Turvey Samuel George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Turville Ralph Reginald. London Regiment
    • Tuton George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tutt Harold Sylvester Cecil. Cpl. 33rd Battallion
    • Tutt William. Pte. 13th Infantry Battalion
    • Tuttle Henry. CSM Royal Irish Regiment
    • Twaddle John.
    • Twamley Leonard. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Tweddell William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Tweddle John. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Tweddle Stephen. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Tweed Edward Thomas. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Tweedie Charles. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Tweedy Maurice Willoughby. Lt. Army Pay Corps
    • Tweedy Thomas. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Twemlow DCM MM. John. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Twigg A. R.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Twigg Sidney. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Twigg William Oliver. L/Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Twigger John. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Twiggs Wilfred Sidney. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Twin Albert Stephen. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Twining Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Twining Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Twinn John Edward. Cpl. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Twinning Arthur. Pte. London Regiment
    • Twist William Edward. L/Cpl. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Two Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Twohig Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Twynam J.. S/Sgt. 1st South African Mounted Rifles
    • Tyack MiD. Richard Henry. Capt. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Tyas MM.. Robert William. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Tye Charles William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Tye MM. Robert. Serj. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Tyers MM.. Arthur. Sgt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Tyers Frederick. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Tyers Sidney Charles. Pte. Leicestershire Rgt.
    • Tyler A.. Sgt.Maj. Norfolk Regiment
    • Tyler Alfred David. L/Cpl.
    • Tyler Edward Frederick. Capt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Tyler Henry Mostyn. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Tyler Herbert William. 1st Pharm. Mate. USS Von Steuben
    • Tyler Samuel Alloisous. Pte. 13th Machine Gun Company.
    • Tyler William Bernard. Pte. 5th Light Horse
    • Tynan Edward. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Tynan Thomas. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Tynan William. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Tyndale George Stafford Hilliard . Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Tyndall Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Tynte M. A.. Maj. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Type Charles. Pte, South Wales Borderers
    • Type William. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Tyre Archibald Campbell. Pte Sherwood Foresters
    • Tyrer Albert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Tyrer Ernest Hugh. Cpl. Welch Regiment
    • Tyrer MM.. John Melling. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Tyrer Norman Currie. Pte. 46th (Victoria) Battalion
    • Tyrrell Clifford Henry. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Tyrrell Clifford Henry. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Tyrrell John. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Tysoe George Frederick. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Tysoe Samuel. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Tysoe Samuel Eric. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Tyson Bertram. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Tyson Cecilia Gertrude. Staff Nurse HMHS Syria
    • Tyson Edward. Pte. East Lancashire Rgt.
    • Tyson Harry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Uden Leonard T. Rfn London Regiment
    • Udy . William James. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Uglow Willard Alexander. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Uglow William Ernest Taylor. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Ulbrich George Harold. Private Australian Field Artillery
    • Ullock Joseph Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ulyatt George. Sherwood Foresters
    • Underhill Harry Joseph. Drvr. 60th Divisional Ammunition Column
    • Underwood David. Pte. 4th Btn.
    • Underwood Walter. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Underwood Walter. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Underwood Walter Oliver. Pte Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Underwood Walter Roland. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Underwood William. Rfm Kings Royal Rifles
    • Ungerer MM.. Cristian Arthur. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Unknown . London Regiment
    • Unknown . HMT Lobelia II
    • Unknown . Royal Field Artillery
    • Unknown . Army Service Corps
    • Unsworth Cyril Joseph. 2nd Lt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Unsworth John William. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Unthank William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Unwin James William. Pte. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Unwin William. L/Cpl. Australian Infantry
    • Upex Dick. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Upfold Ernest. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Uphill Sidney Frank. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Uprichard Henry Albert. Maj. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Uprichard Henry Albert. Major Royal Irish Rifles
    • Upshall Stephen. L/Cpl. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Upshall Theophilus. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Upshall William Ralph. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Upson James William. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Upton Alfred James. Pte. West Yorkshire (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Upton Charles Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers City of London Regt.
    • Upton Charles Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Upton Enest William. Army Service Corps
    • Upton John William. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Upton William Thomas . Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Uren George. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Uren George. Royal Field Artillery
    • Uren Richard. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Uren MM.. Wilfred. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Urie Charles Edward. Pvt 1st/ 9th Inf Bn
    • Urquart . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Urquhart MM. Lockhart. Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Urquhart . William James. Lt.(E) HMS Avenger
    • Urwin William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Usher Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Usher William Joseph Edgerton. W.Op. SS Ava
    • Usherwood Frederick. L/Cpl 3rd Dragoon Guards(Prince of Wales Own)
    • Utting Christopher E. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Uttley Edward. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Uwins MM.. William Cecil. WO2. Royal Fusiliers
    • Uys Jacobus Nicolaas. Lt. Mounted Commandos,
    • Vainstein G V. Pte. London Regiment
    • Vale Edward Charles. Pte. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Valentine Alfred Russen. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Valentine Edward. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Valentine Henry. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Valentine Ralph. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Valentine Reginald. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Valentine Robert. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Valentine William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Vallance Harry Alfred William. Ord.Sea. HMS Racoon
    • Vallen George D.. Pvt 1st Class 146th Infantry Rgt
    • Vallentin VC MID.. John Franks. Capt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Valler William Frederick. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Vamplew Samuel. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Van Praag B.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Van-Iderstine Waldron Brewer. Gnr. 98th Canadian Siege Battery
    • Vance Ezekiel. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Vance Thomas Condra. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Vandal Robert. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Vandeleur Crofton Bury. Mjr. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone Leopold Edward. Sub-Lt.
    • Vane David Francis Ellison. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Vane-Tempest C. S.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Vangorph Ernest. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Vann VC, MC.. Bernard William. Lt.Col. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment)
    • Vans-Agnew MC. Frank. Capt. Tank Corps
    • Van_der_Gryp W.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Van_der_Hoven F. H.. SSM. Middelburg Commando
    • van_Heerden H. S.. RQMS 8th Mounted Rifles (Midlandse Ruiters)
    • van_Jaarsveld J. C.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Van_Niekerk H.. Pte. Kenhardt Commando
    • Van_Rooyen Ignatius. Pte. Mounted Commandos
    • Vardy Frederick. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Varley Bartholemew Redhead. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Varney Albany Thomas Frederick. Pte. 12th Light Horse Regiment
    • Varney Alfred John. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Varney MM.. Arthur. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Rgt.
    • Vart Paul. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Varvill Ben. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Vasey M. E.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Vasey T. A.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Vasey William Oswald. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Vass William Henry. L/Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Vaughan Richard. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Vaughan Thomas Llewellyn. Pte. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Vaughan William David. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Vause Albert Earnest. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Vaux E.. Lt -Col Durham Light Infantry
    • Vaux Frederic. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Vayne Roy Clarence. CPO. HMAS Sydney
    • Vayro Thomas. Sgt Durham Light Infantry
    • Veacock Henry. Pte. Royal Defence Corps
    • Veal Arthur Jubb. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Veale Henry Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Veale Michael. POS HMS Vivid
    • Vearer William. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Veitch E. H.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Veitch Irving Dent. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Veitch Irving Dent. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Venning Benjamin J.. Pte. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)
    • Venning MM & Bar. William Edwin. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Ventress A. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Venus Walter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Verey DSM. R. G.. Ch.Sto. HMS Amethyst
    • Vernall Douglas. Pte. Machine Gun Section
    • Vernon Charles Edward Granville . Capt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Vernon Edwin Atherton. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Vernon Francis Edward.
    • Vernon DCM.. Frederick Lewis. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Vernon Frederick George. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Vernon Fredrick Gildart. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Vernon Joseph. Pte South Lancashire Regiment
    • Vernon Walter Whittingham. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Verow J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Verrier Francis Charles. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Verschoyle Francis Stuart. 2nd Lt. Royal Engineers
    • Verschoyle William Arthur. Capt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Verth William David. Connaught Rangers
    • Vesey Charles Alexander. 2nd Lt. British West Indies Regiment
    • Vesey Patrick. Private Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Vesse Herbert George. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Vesty Arthur John. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Viall Albert Edward. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Vicarage Thomas. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Vicary Wiliam Dallin. 2nd Lt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Vick Cecil Percy. Pte Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Vick H.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Vickary Edward Lewis. L/Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Vickers Alexander George. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Vickers Arthur D.L.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Vickers Charles. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Vickers George Fosbery. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Vickers Harry Edward. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Vickers Henry. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Vickers Percival. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Vickers William. Cpl. 32nd Btn
    • Vickery W. E.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Vidal . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Vie Francis George. Pte. Middlesex Regt (Cambridge's Own)
    • Vie Francis George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Vieira Agostinho de Sa. 2Lt. 13th Infantry Battalion
    • Vigus Henry Abraham. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Vince Stanley Gilbert Gordon. Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Vincent Edward Walter. Sergeant Royal Fusiliers
    • Vincent Edwin William Barratt. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Vincent J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Vincent J.. Gnr. HMS Eileen
    • Vincent John Wright. Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Vincent Joshua. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Vincent Percy Alfred. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Vincent Seymour Livingston. Capt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Vincent V.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Vine Richard J.. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Vineall John. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Viner John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Viney Albert. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Viney Sidney Charles. Rifle Brigade
    • Vinnicombe Hubert William. Pte. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Vint T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Vint W. P.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Vinton George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Vipond MM. Joseph. L/Cpl. South African Infantry
    • Vipond Mark. Sgt. Auckland Mounted Rifles
    • Virgin William Charles . Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Virtue Herbert Arthur. L/Cpl. Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps
    • Visser Edward Petrus Johannes. Pte. Mounted Commandos
    • Vitty Fred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Vivian Walter John. Stoker/1st Cl. HMS Eglantine
    • Vivian William John . Stkr1. HMS Eglantine
    • Vivian William John. Sto HMS Eglantine
    • Vizard Thomas. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Vockwich Thomas R.. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Vodden John. Pte Welsh Regiment
    • Voice James Albert . Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Vollans Stanley Arthur James. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Volze Frederick Charles Hedges. Able Sea. HMS E30
    • Vorster William Lennox. Lt. 139 Squadron
    • Vose MID.. Francis Albert. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Voss William Thomas. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Vousden Charles Robert. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Vout S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Voyce Frederick Charles. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Wackett Henry Oscar. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Waddell George Edward. AbleSea. HMS Black Prince
    • Waddilove MM.. Elijah. Cpl. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Waddington Cecil. Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster
    • Waddle John Crow. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Waddle William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Waddlington Ernest. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Wade Frederick. S/Sgt. Army Ordnance Corps
    • Wade H. J.. L/Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wade John Henry. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Wade William. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Wade William. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Wadeley Ernest Benjamin. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Wadey Thomas William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wadey Thomas William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wadge George Ernest. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wadham John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wadhams Joseph. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wadhams Joseph. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wadlow Alfred. Act/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Wageman Harold Victor . Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Wager Henry William. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wagg Amos. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Waggett James Charles. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Waggott David. Durham Light Infantry
    • Waggott David. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Waggott MM. George Shield. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Waghorn Charles Frederick. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Waghorn Jack. Gnr. Royal Artillery
    • Waghorne Sydney James. Sapper 1/1 Kent Field Company
    • Waghorne Sydney St.James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Wagner . 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Wagner Thomas Patrick. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wagstaff Albert Victor. L/Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Wagstaff Andrew. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Wagstaff John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wagstaff John William. Cpl. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Wahid Abdul . Lascar
    • Wahlers James. Pte. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Wahlstrom Albert Edward. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Wahlstrom Albert Edward. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Wahlstrom Albert Edward. Pte. 36th Infantry Battalion
    • Waight MC.. Dennis Edward. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Waight Joseph Henry. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Wailey Francis James. Private Manchester Regiment
    • Wain Charles Panton. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Wain David Noel. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wain John Arthur. Sgnlr. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Wain VC.. Richard William Leslie. Capt. Manchester Regiment
    • Wain VC.. Richard William Leslie. Capt. Manchester Regiment
    • Wain Samuel. RSM. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wain William George. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Wain William. Pte. 3rd Dragoon Guards
    • Wainer Arthur. Pte. The York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Wainhouse Harold. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wainwright Albert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wainwright Arthur. 3rd Dragoon Guards(Prince of Wales Own)
    • Wainwright Harry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Wainwright John. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wainwright Norman. Tpr. 5th Light Horse Brigade
    • Waister John James. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Waistle I. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Waite Cecil Henry John. Cpl. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Waite Fred Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Waite George. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Waite George. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Waite George Henry . Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Waite MM.. John Taylor. Sgt. 20th Hussars
    • Waite William Charles. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Waite William Robert. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Wake James. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Wake M. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wake Mathew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wake Thomas Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wake W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wake Wilfred Hereward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wakefield Albert Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wakefield Edmund. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wakefield F. S.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wakefield George Fredrick . L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wakefield Thomas. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wakeford Henry Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wakelam Joseph. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wakelin Albert Edward. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wakelin Joseph. L/Cpl. Scottish Rifles
    • Walby John Harold. Spr. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Walcot Thomas. Dr.
    • Waldram Walter William. Private Durham Light Infantry
    • Waldron Harry. Pte. Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Waldron John. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Wale MID.. Edgar Henry. 2Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wale Edmund Joseph. L/Cpl. Princess of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment)
    • Wale May. Nurse
    • Wale Robert. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Wale Robert. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Wales . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Wales Edward Ambrose. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wales Francis Joseph. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Wales Francis Joseph. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment
    • Wales George Ross Heron. Stwd. SS Euphorbia
    • Wales Luther. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walford Charles. Pte Royal West Kents
    • Walford William Leonard. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Walkem W. E.. HMS Firedrake
    • Walker . Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker . Cpl. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Walker Abram. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walker Albert. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Walker Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walker Alfred Richard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker DCM, MM & Bar.. Arthur Robert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Walker Charles. L/Cpl. Yorks & Lancs Regt
    • Walker Charles Henry . Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Walker Charles Henry. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Walker Clarence Harcourt. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker David. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Walker Edmund Henry. PO HMS Victory
    • Walker Edward.
    • Walker Edward George. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Walker Ernest. L/Cpl. Yorks & Lancs Regt
    • Walker Ernest Edward. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Walker Frank. Pte. The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Walker Fred. Pte. Yorks & Lancs Regt
    • Walker Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walker Frederick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker Frederick Tillotson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker Frederick William. Suffolk Regiment
    • Walker G. M.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walker George Henry James. Pte. Hampshire Regiment.
    • Walker George. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Walker George. Brig. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Walker George Walter Victor. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Walker Harry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Walker Harry. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Walker Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walker Henry John. Sgt. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Walker Herbert Leslie. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker Herbert Norman. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Walker Herbert. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Walker Horace. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Walker Hugh Rennie. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Walker MM and Bar.. J. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Walker J.. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Walker Jack Ernest. 2nd Lt. 209th Sqdn.
    • Walker Jacob. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Walker Jacob. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Walker James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker James. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Walker James William. Royal Marines
    • Walker James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker James. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Walker James Langlands. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Walker James Fredrick. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walker MiD.. James Fred. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walker Jeffrey. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Walker Joe. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment
    • Walker John. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Walker John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Walker John. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Walker John. Ab.Sea. Hawke Battalion
    • Walker John Reginald. L/Cpl. Worcester Regiment
    • Walker John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker MM. John Joseph. Sgt King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Walker John. Rflmn. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Walker John James. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Walker John William. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Walker John Thomas. Pte Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Walker John. Cheshire Regiment
    • Walker Jonathan. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Walker Joseph William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker Joseph. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Walker Joseph. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Walker Joseph Harold. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Walker Levi. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker Louis. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Walker Richard John. Sgt. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Walker Robert Cooper. Pte. Royal Scots Fusilers
    • Walker Robert. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Walker MM.. Robert Allan. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Walker Robert James. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Walker Robert Nicol. L/Cpl. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Walker Roland Alex. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Walker S. H.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Walker Samuel Howard. 107th Trench Mortar Battery
    • Walker MM.. Saville. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Walker Sydney Charles. Tptr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Walker T. W.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker . T. H.. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Walker Thomas. Pte. 6th Btn.
    • Walker Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Walker Thomas. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Walker Vernon Lee. 2nd Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Walker Walter. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Walker William Henry. BQSM. Royal Field Artillery
    • Walker William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker William Metcalf. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walker William. Cpl. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Walker William. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Wall Ernest. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wall MC, CdeG.. Frederick Lawrence. Lt.Col. Australian Army Medical Corps
    • Wall Frederick. Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Wall George. Cpl. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Wall George Thomas. 48th Btn.
    • Wall George. Pte Border Regiment
    • Wall Herbert John Proudfoot. Pte. Durham Light Infanty
    • Wall Hubert Henry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wall James Victor. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Wall John Benjamin. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Wall John Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wall John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wall Sydney Frith. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Wall Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wall William George. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Wall-Jacobs . VAD. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Wallace . Durham Light Infantry
    • Wallace Alexander. L/Sgt. Black Watch
    • Wallace Andrew. Sgt. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Wallace Andrew. Pte. Connaught Rangers
    • Wallace David. Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Wallace David. Pte. Black Watch
    • Wallace Donald Robert Keys. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wallace George William. L/Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wallace J.. Benbow Battalion
    • Wallace J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wallace James. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Wallace James Gibson. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Wallace James. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wallace DCM MID. John. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wallace John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Wallace Percy James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wallace Robert. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Wallace Robert. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Wallace Robinson. 2/Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wallace T. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wallace Thomas. Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Wallace Thomas. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wallace William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wallace William. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • Wallace William. Pte. Black Watch
    • Wallace William. Pte. Black Watch
    • Wallace MM.. William John. Pte. 18th Battalion
    • Wallace William Berkeley. Lt Col. Suffolk Regiment
    • Wallach MC.. Clarence. Capt. 19th Infantry Battalion
    • Wallbridge Harold James. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Waller Arthur Appleton. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Waller Charles. Pte. Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex ) Regiment
    • Waller Christopher Charles. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Waller George Edward Thomas. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Waller Herbert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Waller VC.. Horace. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Waller Thomas. Pte. Black Watch
    • Wallett . Robert . Shoeing Smith Gunner Royal Field Artillery
    • Wallett Thomas John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Walley J.. Capt. 3rd Salvage Coy.
    • Wallington William Arthur. Pte. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Wallington William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wallis C. E.. Lt. Loyal North Lancastershire Regt
    • Wallis Harry. Gnr. Garrison Royal Artillery
    • Wallis Herbert Francis. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Wallis Issac. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wallis James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wallis John George. Pte. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wallis William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Walls Charles. L/Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Wallworth Thomas Henry. Pte. Kings Liverpool Regiment
    • Walmsley Herbert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Walmsley John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Walmsley John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Walmsley John. Corporal Tank Corps
    • Walmsley MID. William Thomas. Lt. HMS Drake
    • Walpole James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Walpole Lewis Charles. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Walraven William. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Walsh . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Walsh A J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walsh Arthur. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Walsh Bertram. Pte. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Walsh Christopher. Pte. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Walsh MM.. Edmund. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Walsh MM.. Frank. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Walsh Harry Greenwood. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
    • Walsh Hugh. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Walsh J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walsh J. T.. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Walsh James. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Walsh Joseph. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Walsh Michael Joseph. Gnr. HMS Vivid.
    • Walsh MC MID. Nicholas. RSM Canadian Infantry
    • Walsh Patrick. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Walsh Patrick. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Walsh Patrick. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Walsh Patrick. Pte Leinster Regiment
    • Walsh Richard. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Walsh Thomas. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Walsh DCM.. Thomas. Sgt Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Walsh Thomas Joseph. L/Cpl. 10th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Walsh Thomas. OSig. HMS Magic
    • Walsh Thomas Kevin. Pte. London Regiment
    • Walsh MID. Thomas. Sgt Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Walsh William. Capt. Royal Army Veterinary Corps
    • Walsh William. Cpl. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Walsh William. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Walstow MM. William Henry. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Walter MC MID. Joseph S.. Capt. Queen's Royal West Surrey Rgt.
    • Walters Ernest Charles. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Walters Henry Charles. Pioneer Hampshire Regiment
    • Walters Henry James. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Walters Jack Harold. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Walters James. Pte. Notts & Derby Regt (Sherwood Forresters)
    • Walters James. Pte. Sherwood Forresters
    • Walters James Robert. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Walters James George. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Walters James. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Walters John Thomas. Pte. Gloucester Regment
    • Walters John Thomas. Pte. Gloucestershire
    • Walters DCM.. Leonard. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Walters Reginald.
    • Walters Thomas George. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Walters Thomas David. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Walters William Arthur. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Walton Anthony. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walton Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walton Ernest. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Walton Ernest. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Walton Herbert. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Walton Jesse. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Walton John George. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Walton John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walton MM.. John. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Walton Julien Merral. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Walton Lewis. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walton R. S.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walton R. T.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walton Robert. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Walton Roy Cochran. Pte. Company A
    • Walton Sydney. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Walton Thomas Cameron. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Walton William. L/Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Walton MID.. William Robert. AbleSea. HMS Lupin
    • Walton Willie. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Walton Willie. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Walton Willie. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Walton Willie. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wan Fayou Y.. Coolie
    • Wandless G. J.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wang Ch'un Ch'ih. Coolie
    • Wanger Charles. Stkr1. HMS Gaillardia
    • Wanless William. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wanley Arthur. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wannell Charles. Sea. HMS Challenger
    • Wannell George Robert. PO HMS Lavender
    • Want James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Want William Harold James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Warburton Edwin. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Warburton Ernest. 2nd Lt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Warburton Frederick. Pte.
    • Warcup T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ward . Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ward Albert Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ward Alfred Edward. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ward Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ward Alfred John. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Ward Alfred William. Cpl Royal Canadian Engineers
    • Ward Arnold. Pte. York and Lancashire Regiment
    • Ward Arthur Bowsher. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ward Arthur James. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Ward Augustus Simon. Pte East Yorkshire
    • Ward Benjamin. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Ward Bertram Allen. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Ward Billy. Sgt. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Ward Charles Francis. T/WO Notts and Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters)
    • Ward Charles Heber. Pte. London Regiment
    • Ward Charles Edward. Rflmn. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ward Charles Percy. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Ward Dick. Private Gordon Highlanders
    • Ward Donald. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Ward DCM and Bar. . Edward. CSM. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Ward DCM.. Edward James. CSM. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Ward Edward. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Ward Ernest. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Ward Fred. Lg.Btn.
    • Ward Frederick. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Ward George. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Ward George Samuel Frederick. Pte. Worcester Regiment
    • Ward George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ward DCM, MM. Harry. WO Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Ward Henry Robert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ward Homer Randolph. Eng 2 USS Harrisburg
    • Ward J A. Pte Royal Warwick Regiment
    • Ward J. F. L.. 27th Battalion
    • Ward J.. Pte. Loyal North Lancastershire Regt
    • Ward J.. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ward MM.. James Pailing. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Ward James. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ward James. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ward James. Spr. 303 Road Construction Coy.
    • Ward James. Rfmn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Ward Jessie. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Ward John Serley. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Ward John Gilbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ward John Thomas. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ward John Thomas. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ward John. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Ward John. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Ward John. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Ward Joseph. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Ward MID.. Leonard Richard. Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Ward M.. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Ward Mark Witworth. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Ward . Michael . Dublin Fusliers
    • Ward Neville Lascelles. 2Lt. East Surrey Regiment
    • Ward Percy Edwin. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ward Percy Randall. Rfn London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
    • Ward Peter Francis. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Ward MM, DCM.. Philip Henry. Sgt. 3rd Battalion
    • Ward R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Ward Richard. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ward Robert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Ward Samuel. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Ward Thomas. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Ward Thomas Henry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Ward Thomas Baily. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Ward Thomas George. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Ward Thomas Cornelius. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Ward William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Ward William Henry. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Rgt.
    • Wardell John. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Wardell Joseph. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wardhaugh Frank. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Wardlaw Charles. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Wardle Albert Henry. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Wardle Andrew. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Wardle Edward.
    • Wardle G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wardle George Graham. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wardle MM.. Herbert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Wardle MM.. Herbert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Wardle John. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wardle John Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wardle DSO. Thomas Erskine. Captain HMS Alcantara
    • Wardman DCM, MM.. John William. Sjt. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Wardrope John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wards William Reid . Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Ware Alick. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Ware Alick. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Ware VC.. Sidney William. Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Warford William. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Warham Caleb. CSgt. Royal Marines Artillery
    • Warhurst Harold Bown. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Warin John. L/Cpl. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Waring Arthur. 184 Tunnelling Coy.
    • Waring C. G.F.. 2/Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Waring DCM.. Frederick William. Pte. 39th Btn.
    • Waring H.. Mjr. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Waring J.. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Waring James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Waring James Banks. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Waring James. Pte Sherwood Foresters
    • Waring L.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Waring S.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Waring DCM.. Samuel. CSM. Machine Gun Corps
    • Waring VC,MM.. William Herbert. L/Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Waring VC, MM.. William Herbert. Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Wark VC, DSO . Blair Anderson. Maj 32nd Battalion
    • Wark . William S. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Warlow William. London Regiment
    • Warman Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Warman Alfred George. L/Cpl. Berkshire Regiment
    • Warman Francis. Pte. Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Warman John. Pte. 6th Btn.
    • Warminger Herbert Percy. AC1. 70th Squadron
    • Warne Archibald Clarence. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Warne Arthur . Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Warne Harry. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Warne John Percy. Durham Light Infantry
    • Warneford VC. Reginald Alexander John. Flt.Sub.Lt.
    • Warner Albert. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Warner Albert Charles. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Warner Arthur. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Warner Charles Richard. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Warner VC.. Edward. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Warner Ernest Frederick. Private West Riding Regiment
    • Warner Frank. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Warner James George. Pte. West Kent Regiment
    • Warner John Verney. Pte. London Regiment
    • Warner Leslie William Roy. Lt. 34th Btn.
    • Warner Richard Samuel. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Warnes James Henry . Cpl. Norfolk Regiment
    • Warnock John. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Warr Amos. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Warr Richard William. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Warren Alexander. L/Cpl. Highland Light Infantry
    • Warren Alfred George. Sgt. Suffolk Regiment
    • Warren Alfred Arthur. Pte. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Warren Charles A.. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Warren Charles. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Warren Claude Archibald John Henry. L/Cpl. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • Warren Edward Henry. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Warren MM.. Ernest. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Warren MM.. Ernest. Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Warren MC MM. Francis Robson. 2nd Lt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Warren Frank. Sgt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Warren Fred Langford. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Warren George Howden. Capt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Warren John T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Warren John. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Warren John Frederick. HMS Lilac
    • Warren John Dower. Pte Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Warren Joseph Cecil. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Warren Joseph Cecil. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Warren MM.. Percival Discombe. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Warren Temperly. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Warren Walter Sydney. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Warren . William Norrish. Pte.
    • Warrender Francis. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Warrender William Frederick. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Warrener William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Warrilow Elijah. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Warriner Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Warrington Arthur. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Warriss William M.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Warry Fred. Pte. 10th Bn,
    • Warters Sydney Arthur. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Warwick Isaac. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Warwick J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Warwick Jacques William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Warwick James. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Warwick John Robert . Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Warwick Thomas Harry. 2nd Lt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Washington Edward. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Washington George. Sgt. Hampshire Regiment
    • Washington Harry. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Wason Samuel John. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Wasson C.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Wate J. H.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Waterfall J. H.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Waterfield William Edwin. Lt Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Waterhouse Joseph Horace. Blacksmith 3rd Class HMS Antrim
    • Waterhouse Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wateridge William James. Pte. The Black Watch
    • Waterlow DSO. John Beauchamp . Cmdr.
    • Waterman Alfred. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Waterman Archibald. Pte. 1st Wellington Battalion.
    • Waterman Thomas Henry. Pte. London Regiment
    • Waters E.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Waters ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusileers
    • Waters Ernest. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Waters Isaac. Sjt. Flintshire and Denbighshire Yeomanry
    • Waters Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Waters Robert George. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Waters Samuel Wicks. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Waters T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Waters Thomas Robert. Ch.Arm. HMS Hogue
    • Waters William Glyn. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Waterworth Samuel Bunting.
    • Watford William. Sgt. The Queens Regiment
    • Watkin Alfred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watkin Moses Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusilliers
    • Watkin Wilfred. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watkins Arnold. Pte.
    • Watkins Charles. Rfn. Rifle Brigade
    • Watkins Charles. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Watkins Charles. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Watkins G.. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Watkins James. Pte. Tank Corps
    • Watkins John. Pte Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Watkins Lionel Joseph. Sgt. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Watkins Thomas John. A/WO1. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Watkins William John. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Watkinson James. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Watkinson Joseph. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Watkinson Samual. Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Watling J. W.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watmough Edward. Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Watmough Fred. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Watmough Walter. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Watney DSC. Basil Gold. Lt. HML 236
    • Watridge Frederick Henry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Watson . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Watson Albert. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Watson Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watson Arthur M.. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Watson Benjamin Sedgwick. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watson David. Rfm. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Watson Edward. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Watson Edwin Percy. Drmr. Royal Fusillers
    • Watson Emmerson More. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Watson Ernest. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Watson Ernest. Rfn Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Watson Ernest Ludlow. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Watson F J. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watson F. W.. Capt. East Kent Regiment
    • Watson Fenwick. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Watson Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watson VBS. George. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watson George Robert. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Watson George Frederick. Sgt. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
    • Watson George. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Watson George. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Watson George Meers. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Watson George Douglas. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Watson Harold. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Watson Harold. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt)
    • Watson Harold. Pte. Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment
    • Watson MID. Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Watson DFC.. Herbert Gilles. Capt. 2nd Signal Troop
    • Watson Herbert Sanderson. Capt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Watson J.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Watson J. H.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watson J. J.. British West Indies Regiment
    • Watson . James Richard. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Watson James Nutall. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Watson James. Machine Gun Corps
    • Watson James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watson James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Watson James Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watson John. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Watson John. Sgt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Watson John. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watson John Stanley. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watson John. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Watson John Victor. Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Watson John Douglas. Sgt. Gordon Highlanders
    • Watson Joseph. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Watson Joseph. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Watson Leonard. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Watson Lewis Earl. Sea.2nd.Cl. USS Arcadia
    • Watson Nathaniel John. Stoker.
    • Watson VC, DSO.. Oliver Cyril Spencer. Lt Col. Middlesex Hussars
    • Watson Pete. CSM. Black Watch
    • Watson R.. Cpl. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Watson Ralph Wycliffe. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Watson Robert Charles. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Watson DSO, MC and bar, MID.. Robert Albert. Lt.Col Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Watson S.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watson Samuel. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Watson Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watson Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watson Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watson Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watson Thomas. Pte Highland Light Infantry
    • Watson Thomas Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Watson Thomas William. Pte. Northamptonshire Yeomanry
    • Watson Thomas Thompson . Able Sea. SS Caledonian
    • Watson Thomas Brookes. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Watson MM.. Walter Ballantyne. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watson William. Lance Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watson William. Pte. 17th Btn.
    • Watson William Adamson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watson William. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Watson William Albert. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Watson William. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Watson-Armstrong MID. William John Montagu. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watt Alexander. 2nd Lt. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Watt Alfred. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watt Charles Ernest. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Watt H. B. C.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watt James. Pte. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Watt James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watt MC.. James. Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Watt Joseph. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Watt Maddison Horsley. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watt Norman. 2nd Lt. 53rd Sqd.
    • Watt Norman Lindley. 2nd Lt.
    • Watt Robert John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Watt Stephen Adamson. Fus. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watt William Spiers Shanks. L/Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Watters Albert. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Watters William Dunn. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Watterson Robert Stanley. Private Kings Liverpool
    • Watton James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Watton Stanley Victor. Second Lieutenant South Lancashire Regiment
    • Watts . Royal Engineers
    • Watts Charles H.. HMS Fearless
    • Watts Charles. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Watts Ernest. Queen Victoria's Rifles
    • Watts G. H. W.. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Watts George Thomas. Ord.Sea. HMS Anchusa
    • Watts Harold. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Watts Henry. Pte. West Surrey Regiment (Queens)
    • Watts Herbert Clement. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Watts Jack. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Watts James Charles . Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Watts James Howard. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Watts James Albert. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Watts James. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Watts DSO.. John Levi. RQMS. 1st Australian Tunnelling Company
    • Watts Phillip Edward Charles. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Watts Thomas W.. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Watts Thomas Henry. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Watts Victor H. L/Cpl Royal Fusiliers
    • Watts W. L.. Nelson Btn
    • Watts William. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Waugh James. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Waugh R. H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Waugh MC.. Thomas Hall. Capt. Northumberland Fusilliers
    • Wavell MC.. Arthur John Byng. Maj. Welsh Regiment
    • Way Marshall Western Moore. L/Cpl. 16th Infantry Battalion
    • Way William Richard. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Waylen Edwin Bertie. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Weale VC.. Henry. Sgt. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Weale Joseph. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Wealleans Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wear Arthur. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wear G.. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Weare Edward Raymond. L/Cpl Army Service Corps
    • Weare Frank Morton. Pte. London Regiment
    • Weare Frederick John. 2nd Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wearmouth Frederick Watson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wearmouth John Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wearne VC.. Frank Bernard. 2nd Lt. Essex Regiment
    • Wears Robert Stockport. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Weatherall Robert. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Weatherell Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Weatherhead Henry Kenneth. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Weatherhead James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Weatherill William Armstrong. Sgt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Weatherley William James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Weathers VC. Lawrence Carthage. L/Cpl 43rd Battalion
    • Weathers VC. Lawrence Carthage. Cpl. 43rd Btn.
    • Weatherston George Lumsden. Pte. London Regiment
    • Weaver Alfred Henry. L/Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • Weaver Charles Leslie. Dvr. New Zealand Field Artillery
    • Weaver Harold. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Weaver Henry. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Weaver John. Pte. Royal Engineers
    • Weaver T. A.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Weaver Thomas Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Weaver William John. Pte.
    • Weaving Frederick Henry . Colour Sgt. Military Police Corps
    • Weaving Philip James. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Webb . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Webb Albert Charles. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Webb Albert. Pte. Warwickshire Regiment
    • Webb Alfred Augustus. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Webb Andrew. Private Black Watch
    • Webb Benjamin. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Webb Bertie Thomas. Pte. Berkshire Regiment
    • Webb Charles William. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Webb Cyril. Pte. London Regt (Royal Fusiliers)
    • Webb Daniel Charles. L/Cpl. East Surrey Regiment
    • Webb Eustace. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Webb F. R.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Webb Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Webb Frederick. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Webb George Thomas. Pte. Leicestershire
    • Webb Henry W.. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Webb MID.. Herbert Edward. 2nd Lt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Webb Horace Bernard. L/Cpl. Royal Marine Light Infantry
    • Webb MSM.. J.. Sjt. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Webb James. South Wales Borders
    • Webb John Francis. Pte. 1st West Riding Ambulance
    • Webb John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Webb Joseph Walker. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Webb Joseph. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Webb Leonard James. Pte. London Regiment
    • Webb Lionel. East Kent Regiment
    • Webb Musgrave Maitland. Lt. London Regiment
    • Webb O. B.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Webb . Richard Henry. Pte. East Yorks Regiment
    • Webb Stanley. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Webb Thomas Emanuel. Sheephaven Station
    • Webb Thomas John. Pte.
    • Webb William James. L/Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Webb Willliam Edward. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Webber Alfred. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Webber Frederick Robert. Pte 14th Battalion Hampshire
    • Webber Gustavis Lambert. L/Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Webber MM.. Harry. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Webber MID.. Henry. Lt. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Webber Joseph. Sgt Somerset Light Infantry
    • Webber Joseph. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Webber Walter Leslie. Sgt. British Columbia Dragoons
    • Websdale Samuel. Sea. HMS Almanzora
    • Websdell George Anthony. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Websdell Jack Appleby.
    • Webster A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Webster Albert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Webster Alexander. L/Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Webster Bertie William. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Webster Brown. Sgt. Scots Guards
    • Webster Frederick Michael Annesley . Capt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Webster George. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Webster George. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Webster James. Sgt. Motor Machine Gun Corps
    • Webster James Henry. Pte York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Webster John William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Webster John William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Webster John William. Manchester Regiment
    • Webster DCM.. Joseph. Sgt. Black Watch
    • Webster Robert. T/Sgt Durham Light Infantry
    • Webster W.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Webster William. Royal Field Artillery
    • Webster William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Webster William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wedge John Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Weed James Thomas. Pte East Surrey Regiment
    • Weeden Albert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Weeden Arthur Edward. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Weeden John George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Weeden . Kenneth. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Weedon DCM/. William Arthur. A/Sgt. Royal Fusiliers Regiment
    • Weekes Reginald Pentonvil. 2nd Lt. Royal Flying Corps
    • Weekley Cyril Courtnay. Cpl Royal Fusiliers London Regiment
    • Weeks F. M.. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Weeks Frederick George . Pte. Gloucestershire
    • Weighell James William. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Weighill Herbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Weightman H.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Weightman Harry. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Weinberg Henry. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Weir Alfred Robert Harris . Private London Regiment
    • Weir Graham. Lt. Royal Scots
    • weir Robert. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Weir Robert. Lt Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Weir MC.. Thomas Henderson. Mjr. Royal Engineers
    • Weir William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Weir William Findlay. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Welburn Herbert Wilfred. Dvr Royal Field Artillery
    • Welburn William Sawdon. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Welch Francis Harry. Pte. Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry
    • Welch Francis Harry. Pte. Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry
    • Welch Frederick John. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Welch Gilbert George. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Welch Harold James. Royal Engineers
    • Welch Henry Thomas. Rflmn. Rifle Bgde
    • Welch John William. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Welch John William. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Welch Robert. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Welch Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Welch Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Welch William George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Weldon CVO, DSO, MID. Anthony Arthur. Bvt.Col. Leinster Regiment
    • Weldon Edward. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Weldon Edward. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Weldon MM. Foster Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Weldon John Jackson. Rifleman Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Welford Reginald. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Welham Arthur Stanley. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Welham George. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Welham Harry Frederick. Norfolk Regiment
    • Wellard Thomas Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Weller . Charles Henry. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Weller Ernest. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Weller Reginald Henry. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Weller Thomas. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Wellesley MC.. Edward Victor Colley William. Maj. Royal Engineers
    • Wellings Samuel Charles. Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Wells Alfred George. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Wells Alfred George Daniel. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Wells Arthur Douglas. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Wells Charles William. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Wells MM.. Charles Hyron. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Wells Clarence. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Wells Claude Shaw. Pte Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Wells Edward Thomas Raymond. Gnr. 170th Siege Battery
    • Wells Edwin. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wells Ernest. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Wells MM.. Frederick George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wells Frederick Charles. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wells George. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Wells VC.. Harry. Sgt. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Wells MID.. Harty James. Sgt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wells Hurleston Vesey. Capt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wells Isaac. Pte. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
    • Wells James. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Wells John Henry. Pte. West York Regiment
    • Wells John Thomas. Able/Sea HMS India
    • Wells Kenneth Samuel. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wells Reuben John. L/Cpl. Suffolk Regiment
    • Wells Samuel. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Wells Thomas W.. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Wells William James. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Wells MM.. William Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Wells William George Arthur. Boy 1st Cl. HMS Clan McNaughton
    • Wells William. Pte King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Wellstead . Sister. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Welsby Samuel. Cpl. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Welsford Ernest George. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Welsh . Durham Light Infantry
    • Welsh Alfred. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Welsh Charles. Pte. 8th Btn.
    • Welsh Frederick Percy. Royal Garrision Artillery
    • Welsh George. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Welsh James. Pte. 4th Hussars
    • Welsh James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Welsh James. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Welsh James Bell. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Welsh John Joseph. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Welsh John Smith. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Welsh Michael. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Welsh Michael. L/Cpl. Black Watch
    • Welsh Nicholas. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Welsh Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Welsh Patrick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Welsh Peter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Welsh Robert. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Welsh Thomas James. L/Cpl Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    • Welsh Thomas James. L/Cpl Kings Loyal Lancashire Regiment
    • Welsh W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Welsh Walter. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Welsh William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Welsh William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Welson William Taylor. Pte. Montgomeryshire Yeomanry
    • Welsted Charles. Rfm. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wench John George. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Went Clifford C.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wepener S. S.. Sgt.
    • Werrill MM.. Allan Dowey. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wesselhoeft G. H.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wesson Alfred. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wesson George Henry. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • West Albert William. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • West Arthur. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • West Benjamin. Pte. 4th Regiment
    • West Bertram Harry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • West Frederick. CQMS Durham Light Infantry
    • West George Fredrick. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • West George Jesse. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • West H.. Pte. Royal Artillery
    • West Harold Frederick. Cpl. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • West Henry. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • West J.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • West James William. Stok1. HMS Lucia
    • West John Edmund. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • West Joseph. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • West Nicholas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • West VC DSO MC. Richard Annesley. Lt/Col. North Irish Horse
    • West Richard Walter George . Royal Navy
    • West Robert. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • West Robert. Sea. HMS Albemarle
    • West William. Lance Corporal Rifle Brigade
    • West William. Pte. Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • West William Henry. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • West William James. Pte. King's Own Regiment
    • Westall Sidney George. Pte Royal Warwickshire
    • Westall William Herbert. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Westbrook Edward Worsley. Lt. Manchester Regiment
    • Westbrook Patrick. Sergeant Durham Light Infantry
    • Westby W.. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Westcott Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Westcott Leonard George. Pte East Lancashire Regiment
    • Westcott Leonard George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Westcott Mark. Private King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Westerland William Jacob. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Western Lewis. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Westgarth George Hiram. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Westhead Thomas. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Westhorp Robert. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Westlake Frederick. Off.Stwd. HMS Sir John Moore
    • Westle George. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Westley . Edward Harold. Sjt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Westley George William. Essex Regiment
    • Weston Charles. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Weston Edward. Highland Light Infantry
    • Weston G. W.. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Weston George. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Weston Harold Gladstone. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Weston Jonah. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Weston William. Bomdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Weston William Henry. L/Cpl. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Weston William Henry. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Westprey Bernard Robert. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Westrop William George. Pte. Black Watch
    • Westwood A. H.. East Surrey Regiment
    • Westwood Albert Ernest. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Westwood Arthur. Pte. Wiltshire Regment
    • Westwood Edward James. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Westwood William Howell Powell . Cpl. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Wetherall John. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Wetherell John Edward. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Wetherell William. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wetherill MM.. Herbert Edward. L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wethers Samuel James. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Weybourne William Arthur. Pte Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Whale Albert Edward. Cpl King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Whale CdG.. Benjamin. Pte. Tank Corps
    • Whale Frank. Cpl. Army Service Corps
    • Whale Frederick Ernest . L/Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Whalen James. Pte Lancashire Fuseliers
    • Whalen John N.. Royal Engineers
    • Whall C. L. B.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Whalley Cuthbert. Pte. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt
    • Whalley James. L/Cpl. The King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Whalley Ralph. Machine Gun Corps
    • Whappshott John William. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Wharf Walter. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wharmby William. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Wharrier . Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wharry Peter. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wharton David Lynn. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wharton Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wharton Francis. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Wharton George Bertie. Pte. Norfolk Regimengt
    • Whatley Henry A. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifles
    • Whatley William James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whatling Frederick George . L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Whatmough . Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Whayman B.. Pte Royal Scottish Fusiliers
    • Wheadon Charles. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wheals Charles Henry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Wheat James. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wheat James. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wheat William. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wheatcroft Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wheatcroft Hosea. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wheatland Albert Joseph. Pte. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Wheatley F. G.. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wheatley Henry John. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Wheatley Henry Frank Victor . Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Wheatley J. H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wheatley James William. Rflmn. 10th Battalion
    • Wheatley John George. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Wheatley Joseph. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Wheatley Joseph Archibald. Pte The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Wheatley R.. Lt.Col. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wheatley William M.. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Wheaton Percy. Trptr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wheddon William Harold. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Wheeler Albert Edward. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Wheeler Bertram. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Wheeler Charles William. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Wheeler VC.. George Godfrey Massy. Mjr. 7th Hariana Lancers
    • Wheeler George. A/Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wheeler Harry. Rifleman London Regiment
    • Wheeler Henry Thornton Camden. Capt. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • Wheeler Walter. Private Essex Regiment
    • Wheels Sidney Clarence. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wheelwright Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wheildon Edward Douglas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wheildon John James Ainsworth. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Whelan Daniel Joseph. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Whelan . Frank Edward. Pte.
    • Whelan Frank Edward. Pte. London Regiment
    • Whelan MC.. George. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Whelan James William. Pte. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
    • Whelan MM.. Thomas. Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Whelan William Clement. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Whichelow Harry Charles. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whiffen Alfred John. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Whigham James. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Whincup . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Whisby David Thomas. Sgt. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Whisson William Henry. 2nd Lt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Whiston Albert. Lt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Whitaker Albert Edward. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Whitaker George Thomas. Pte. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment
    • Whitaker Robert Thomas. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Whitbread Arthur. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Whitbread Ernest Augustus. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Whitby John Arthur. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Whitby John. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • White VC.. Albert. Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • White Alexander. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • White Alfred Herbert. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • White Alfred James. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • White Allan Gordon Woodbine. London Regiment
    • White Arthur Arnold. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • White Aubrey Cecil. 2Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • White Bertie William John. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • White MM.. Charles Noel. Sjt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • White Charles Gordon. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • White Charles Antony . Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • White Charles Cecil. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • White Charles Wallace. Pte 10th Hussars
    • White Christopher. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • White Christopher. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • White Daniel. Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • White Edmund. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • White MM.. Edwin Spencer. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • White MM. Eric H.. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • White MM.. Eric Hyde. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • White Ernest Thomas. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • White Frederick Keith. Pte. 33rd Battalion
    • White Frederick William. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • White Frederick John. Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • White VC.. Geoffrey Saxton . Lt.Cmdr. HMS E14
    • White George Ernest. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • White George Charles. Pte. Herts Yeomanry
    • White George. Sgt. York & Lancsahire Regiment
    • White George Edward. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • White George W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White George. Capt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • White George Robert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • White George Robert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • White George Alfred. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • White George Henry . Pte. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • White H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White Harry Martin. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment
    • White Hugh. Rfm. Rifle Brigade
    • White J. L.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • White J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White James Walter. Fus. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White James Heslop. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • White James. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • White James Alban Charles. L/Cpl. Hampshire Regiment
    • White Jeremiah. Pte 9th Infantry Division (Old Reliables)
    • White John. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White John Thomas. Pte. 4th Queen's Own Hussars
    • White John James. Sgt. Australian Infantry
    • White John Frederick. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • White John. Pte. Cameronians Scottish Rifles
    • White John. Pte. Black Watch
    • White John Joseph Henry. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • White Jonathan. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White Leonard Gilbert. Fus. Royal Fusiliers
    • White Leonard Gilbert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • White Leonard Gilbert. Fus. Royal Fusiliers
    • White Michael. Cpl. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • White Nathan. 2/Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White Owen. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • White Percival. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • White Percy William. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • White R.. Pte. Indian Defence Force
    • White Reginald Rolt. Pte. Canterbury Regiment
    • White Richard. HMS Newcastle
    • White MC.. Robert William. Capt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • White MM.. Robert Bransby. L/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • White Robert James. Pte. Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry
    • White Robert Masson. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • White Samuel. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • White Samuel Caddis. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • White Sidney. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • White Sidney Albert. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • White Sidney Herbert. Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • White Stewart Alexander. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White . Thomas William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • White Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • White Thomas. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • White Wilfred Percy. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • White William. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • White William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • White William Spencer. A/Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • White William John. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • White William Jarvis. Pte. Dorsetshire Regiment
    • White William Harper. Pte Royal Horse Artillery
    • White William. Pte. East Yorkshire
    • White William. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • White William Joseph. Pte. 34th Battalion
    • White William James. C.S.M Lancashire Fusiliers
    • White MM.. William. Spr. 257th Tunnelling Company
    • White-Robinson Sidney Ralph. Sgt. 7th Dragoon Guards
    • Whitecross Francis James. Gnr. Australian Field Artillery
    • Whitefield J. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whitehead . Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whitehead Arthur Henry. Pte Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Whitehead Ernest. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Whitehead John Thomas. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Whitehead Theodore. Stkr. HMS Minion
    • Whitehill W. P.. Cpl. 33rd Btn.
    • Whitehouse Dennis. L/Cpl King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Whitehouse Dennis. L/Cpl. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Whitehouse Harold. Gdsmn. Coldstream Guards
    • Whitehouse Joseph. Pte King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Whitehouse William. L/Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Rgt.
    • Whitehurst Stephen Harold. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whitelaw A.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Whitelaw Adam. Pte Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Whitelaw Thomas Mitchell. 2nd Lt. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Whiteley Albert Arthur. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Whiteley George Edward. Pte. York and Lancacster Regiment
    • Whiteley John Appleby. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Whiteley Oscar Milton. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Whiteley Oscar Milton. L/Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Whitelock John. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whitelock John. Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whitely Charles Edward. Sgt. West Riding Regiment
    • Whiteman Charles. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Whites C.. 2/Lt. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Whiteside T.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Whiteside William. Pte. Kings Own Lancashire Regiment
    • Whiteway Edward. Pte. Royal Berskire Regiment
    • Whitewright William Alexander. Sergeant 23rd (1st Sportsman's) Battalion Royal Fusilers
    • Whitfield Alfred. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Whitfield Charles W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Whitfield Charles Henry. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Whitfield Charles Henry. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Whitfield Charles William. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Whitfield James. Pte Border Regiment
    • Whitfield Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Whitfield Norman Gregory. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Whitfield Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Whitfield Robert Clark. L/Cpl Durham Light Infantry
    • Whitham Frederick. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Whitham VC.. Thomas. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Whitham William. Pte North Staffordshire
    • Whiting MSM. Albert George. Cpl. Royal Engineers
    • Whiting MM.. John Cyril. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Whiting Richard. L/Sgt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Whiting William Jesse. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Whitlam Joseph. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Whitley Brooke. A/Bmdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Whitley John Grieveson. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whitley John. Pte. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Whitley Johnie Robert. Sea.
    • Whitley Thomas David. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Whitlie Edward. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Whitlie Peter. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Whitlock A. A.. Sjt. Royal Engineers
    • Whitlock Bertram. Pte. London Regiment
    • Whitlock Frank Talbut.
    • Whitlock MM & bar.. George Charles. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Whitlock MM.. Robert. Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Whitlock MM.. Robert. Cpl. Devonshire Regiment
    • Whitlock MM. Robert. Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Whitlow Edward. Private South Lancashire Regiment
    • Whitmore Lewis Ainsworth. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Whitmore William. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Whitmore William Ernest. Pte Essex Regiment
    • Whitney John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Whittaker Albert William. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Whittaker Albert William. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Whittaker Ernest. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Whittaker Ernest. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Whittaker Frank. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Whittaker Frederick. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Whittaker George Franklin. Sherwood Foresters
    • Whittaker George. Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Whittaker Henry. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whittaker MM.. John. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Whittaker John. Pte. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Whittaker MM & Bar.. William Rostron. Pte London Regiment
    • Whittaker MM & Bar.. William Rostron. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Whittaker MM & Bar.. William Rostron. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Whittall Arthur. Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Whittall Harold Henry. Bmbdr. 168 Siege Bty.
    • Whitter Charles Ernest. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Whittington Henry Charles. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Whittle MID. Arthur. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Whittle George Ernest. Ldg.Teg. HMS Crescent
    • Whittle Thomas Henry. Pte. Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
    • Whittle W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whittlesey MH.. Charles. Mjr. 77th Division
    • Whitton MID. William James. CSM Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Whitty Val. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Whitwell James Stanley. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Whitwham Frederick. A/Cpl. 9th Btn.
    • Whitwood Albert James. Sgt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Whitworth Arthur George Richard. 2nd Lt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whitworth Benjamin. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Whitworth Richard. L/Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Wholey H.. Pte. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Whomersley MM.. George William. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Whyatt Tom. Bandsman. East Surrey Regiment
    • Whybrow Robert Edward. Machine Gun Corps
    • Whyte MID.. Arthur Duncan. Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Whyte Bernard William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Whyte H.. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Whyte James Cameron. Major Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whyte James Cameron. Mjr. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Whyte John Stanley. Lt. Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Whyte William. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wick William John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wickenden Arthur Frederick. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wickenden John Henry. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Wickers MM.. Walter Thomas. Pte. 45th Btn.
    • Wickes Albert Edward. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Wickes Arthur. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wickes Charles. Rifleman. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wickham Frederick James. Cpl. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Wickings A.. L/Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Wickings Ernest. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wicks Albert George. Pte. Royal Warwickshire
    • Wicks Charles John. Pte. Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Reg
    • Wicks Edward. Pte. Royal Berkshire
    • Wicks Ernest Theodore. Tpr. Bedfordshire Yeomanry
    • Wicks Frederick Edwin. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Wicks George. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wicks George. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Wicks George William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wicks Harry. L/Cpl Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wicks James William. Pte. Royal Berkshire regiment
    • Wicks Walter Henry. Sgt. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Widdas John Edward. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Widdop Leo. CSM. Sherwood Foresters
    • Widdowson Arthur. Pte. Duke of Wellington (West Riding) Regiment
    • Widdowson Joseph. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Widowson William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wier Albert. Cpl. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Wiese G.. Burgher Mounted Commandos
    • Wiffen Frank John. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wiffen William Henry. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wiggin DCM.. George William. Sgt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wiggin John Hervey. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Wiggins Frederick George. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wiggins John William. Pte. York & Lancs Regiment
    • Wiggins Joseph Thomas. Cpl. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Wiggins William Thomas. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Wigglesworth Cyril Gordon. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Wight Thomas. Cpl Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Wightman Archie. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Wightman Walter Reginald. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wightwick Oswald. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wigley John William. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wigley Joseph Charles. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wigley DCM MID. William Ernest. CSM York & Lancaster
    • Wignall George. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wignall John. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Wigzell Reginald. L/Sgt. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Wilbraham Charlie. Cpl. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wilbur Arthur. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Wilbur Arthur. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Wilbur Samuel. Leicester Regiment
    • Wilbur Samuel. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Wilbur Thomas. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)
    • Wilby Harry. Tpr. Royal Horse Guards
    • Wilby Sydney Charles. 2nd Lt. Northamptonshire Rgt.
    • Wilce George Haigh. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wilcock Frank Ernest. Pte Royal Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wilcock Frank Ernest. Pte. Lancashire Royal Fusiliers
    • Wilcock Herbert. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wilcox H. R.. Capt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wilcox John Thomas. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Wilcox Leslie Alfred. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wild Arthur. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wild Ernest Frederick. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Wild Ernest Sidney. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wild MM.. Gawin. CQSM. Northumberland Fusillers
    • Wild Harry. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wild Harry. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wild Harry. Sgt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wild James Edward. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wild James Dearden Joseph. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Wild John Tucker. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Wild Samuel Edmond. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Wild Thomas William. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Wild DSO.. William. CQMS. Northumberland Fusillers
    • Wild William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wildblood Joseph. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Wilde George Richard. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Wilde James. Pte. 205th Coy. 5th Battalion
    • Wilde William Stanley. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Wilders George J. O/S HMS Hyacinth
    • Wilderspin Frank. Cpl Suffolk Regiment
    • Wilding Mons Star. George. Private, then Lance Corpo South Lancashire
    • Wilding John Edward. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wilding Thomas. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Wildman DCM. Arthur Frank. WO. Tank Corps
    • Wildman Harry. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Wildman James Thomas . Pnr. Royal Engineers
    • Wile Ralph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilerton John Dickinson. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Wiles Cecil. Pte. Kings Royal Rifles Corps
    • Wiles Frederick Walter. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Wiles William George. S/Sjt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Wilinson Harold Whitewood. Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilkes C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilkes George H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilkes Joe. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Wilkes Reginald Samuel. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Wilkes Walter Joseph. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Wilkes MM.. William Ernest. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Wilkie Alex Agnew. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Wilkie Alexander. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Wilkin George. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment (Queen's Own)
    • Wilkin MM.. Thomas. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wilkin William. A/Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Wilkins A. R.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wilkins George Vincent. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilkins George. Cpl. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Wilkins Henry Frank. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Wilkins Herbert Musgrove. Pte Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Wilkins John Charles. L/Cpl Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Wilkins Joseph William. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Wilkins Thomas. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Wilkins William George. Pte. HMS Formidable
    • Wilkins William John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson Alfred Henry. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Wilkinson Alfred. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson Andrew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilkinson Benjamin. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson C.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilkinson Charles. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wilkinson Charles. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson Charles Robert. L/Sgt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilkinson David. Pte Gordon Highlanders
    • Wilkinson MM.. Edward. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilkinson Francis Ernest. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Wilkinson Francis Ernest. Pte. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Wilkinson George. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Wilkinson George Arthur. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson George Jerrard. Sgt. Middlesex Regiment
    • Wilkinson H. . Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilkinson MM.. Harold. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Wilkinson Hedley Vickers. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wilkinson Herbert. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wilkinson Herbert Chadwick. Cpl. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wilkinson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilkinson Jack. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wilkinson James. Pte. East Yorkshire Rgt.
    • Wilkinson John Penman R.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson DCM.. John. A/Bdr. 112 Bde. C Bty.
    • Wilkinson John Joseph. Pte. King's Liverpool Regt
    • Wilkinson John W.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson Joseph. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson Joseph Lewins. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Wilkinson Joseph Hardy. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson Joseph. CERA HMS Lucia
    • Wilkinson Leonard Norman. L/Sgt Border Regiment
    • Wilkinson Leonard. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Wilkinson Mathew. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilkinson N.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson P.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson Philip. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Wilkinson Raymond Howard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson MC.. Robert Morton. Capt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wilkinson Robert Arthur. Pte Royal Field Artillery
    • Wilkinson VC. Thomas Orde Lawder. Lt. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Wilkinson Thomas Moses. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Wilkinson Thomas William. Rflmn. London Regiment
    • Wilkinson Wallace William. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson Walter. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Wilkinson William Hall. A/Sgt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilkinson William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilkinson William Jefferson. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wilks Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • wilks William Redvers George. L/Cpl. Royal Sussex Regiment
    • Willacy MM.. Robert. Sgt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Willaims William. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Willan Walter Edwin. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Willard Richard. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Willard Richard. Pte Royal Fusiliers
    • Willard Richard. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Willcox N.. Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Willett Edwin. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Willett Richard. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Willett William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Willetts Thomas Henry. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Willey Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Willey George. Pte Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • Willey Peter. Pte. London Regiment
    • Willey Peter. Pte. London Regiment
    • Willey Tom. Sjt. Lincolnshire Yeomanry
    • Williams . VAD. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Williams . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Williams A.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Williams MSM. Aaron. Sgt. Welch Regiment
    • Williams Albert. Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Williams MM.. Albert Edward. A/Sgt. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Williams Albert Vincent. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Williams Arthur Denbigh. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Williams Arthur James. Rflmn. The Rifle Brigade
    • Williams Arthur Thomas. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Williams Arthur Owen. Cpl. London Regiment
    • Williams Arthur T.. Pte. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Williams Arthur. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Williams Bertie. Pte. East Yorks Regiment
    • Williams Bertram Thomas. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Williams Brinley J. 2nd Lieut Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Williams Charles Alfred William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Williams Charles Edward. Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Williams Charles. Cpl. York & Lancaster Regiment
    • Williams Charles M.. Sgt. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Williams Charles James. Pte. Army Service Corps
    • Williams Clive. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Williams DCM, MM.. Daniel . Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Williams David Joseph. Stoker 1st class HMS Contest
    • Williams David. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams David Edgar. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams David Huw. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Williams Dorothy. Cook. Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Williams Douglas. 2nd Lt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Williams Edward Vaughan. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Williams Edward Samuel Lloyd. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams Edward Howard. Pte Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Williams Edwyn. Sgt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams Eric John. Pte Leicestershire Regiment
    • Williams Evan David. Able Sea. Hood Battalion
    • Williams Francis. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Williams Frank Lawson. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Williams Frank Sidney. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Williams Fred. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Williams MM . Frederick Bowen. Cpl Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Williams G.. Capt. Welch Regiment
    • Williams G.. Capt. Welsh Regiment
    • Williams MM.. Garfield. L/Cpl Machine Gun Corps (Heavy)
    • Williams George Shaw. L/Cpl. Machine Gun Corps
    • Williams George. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Williams George William. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams George. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Williams Gilbert Henry. L/Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Williams Gilbert Henry. L/Cpl. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Williams Gilbert Charsley. Maj. Artist's Rifles
    • Williams H. Lloyd. Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams Harold John. Sjt. 9th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Williams Harold Hetherington. Sgt. Manchester Regiment
    • Williams Harry. Rfmn. Royal Fusiliers (Queen Victoria's Rifles),
    • Williams Henry Arthur. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Williams Henry John. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Williams Henry Owen. Able Sea. Hawke Battalion
    • Williams MM.. Henry Alexander. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Williams Henry Thomas. Sea. Royal Naval Division
    • Williams Herbert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Williams Herbert. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Williams Horace P.. Rflmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Williams Horace Albert. Essex Regiment
    • Williams Isaac. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Williams Ivor. L/Cpl. Welsh Rifles
    • Williams J.. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Williams MM. J.. A/Sjt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Williams J.. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Williams J.. L/Cpl. Cheshire Regiment
    • Williams James Henry. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Williams DCM, MM. James Norman. Sgt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Williams James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Williams James. Capt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Williams James. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Williams John Arthur. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Williams John William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Williams John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Williams John. WO2. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Williams John Owen. Pte. The King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Williams John. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Williams John D.. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Williams John Henry. Pte. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Williams John. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Williams John. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams John Albert. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Williams Joseph Edwards. RSM. Royal Scots
    • Williams Llewelyn James. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Williams Margaret.
    • Williams Martin Luther. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams Maurice C.. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Williams Maurice Fleetwood. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Williams Nathan. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Williams Norah E.. Nurse. Alexandra Military Hospital
    • Williams Oscar Owen. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams Otto Russel. Dvr. Canadian Ar,y Service Corps att. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Williams MM. Owen. Cpl. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Williams MID.. Percival Absolum. Sgt. Royal Engineers
    • Williams Percy. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams Percy T.. Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams Peter. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams Peter. 2nd Lt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams Ralph Eustace. 2nd Lt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Williams Ralph William. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Williams Ralph Vaughan. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Williams Reginald John. Rifleman Monmouthshire Regiment
    • Williams Reginald Leslie. L/Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Williams Reuben Septimus. Drummer. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Williams Richard. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Williams Richard. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams Richard. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams Robert. Pte. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
    • Williams Robert William. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Williams Robert. Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Williams Samuel. Royal Engineers
    • Williams Shadrach. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Williams Sidney. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Williams Sydney. Pte Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Williams Thomas Valentine. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Williams Thomas Valentine. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Williams Thomas Valentine. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Williams Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Williams Thomas Wynn. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Williams Thomas. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams . Thomas. Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Williams Thomas. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Williams Thomas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Williams Thomas. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Williams Thomas Cecil. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Williams William John. Pte. 35th Btn.
    • Williams William. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers
    • Williams VC, DSM & Bar. William. Seaman Royal Naval Reserve
    • Williams VC MID. William Charles. Able Sea. HMS Hussar
    • Williams William John. Able Sea. HMS Defence
    • Williams William. Sgt. Tank Corps
    • Williams William John. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Williams William John. Sgt. South Wales Borderers
    • Williams William Conway. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Williams William Morris. Pte. Welsh Guards
    • Williams William James. Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Williams William Eric Stephen.
    • Williams MM. William Philip. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Williams William Thomas. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Williams William Henry. Pte. Welch Regiment
    • Williamson . Durham Light Infantry
    • Williamson . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Williamson . Pte. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Williamson Allan. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Williamson . Althol. Sjt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Williamson Edward Alfred. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Williamson Frederick Albert. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Williamson George Edward. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Williamson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Williamson John. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Williamson Percy John. L/Cpl. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Williamson Robert. Pte. Royal Scots
    • Williamson T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Williamson Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Williamson William. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Willis Alfred Frederick. London Regiment
    • Willis Arthur Rhys. 2nd.Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Willis Arthur. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Willis Benjamin. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Willis Charles Richard. Pte Machine Gun Corps
    • Willis Charles F.. Mjr. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Willis Edward Frank. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Willis Ernest Archibald. Pte Worcestershire Regiment
    • Willis Frederick. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Willis Fredrick John. Dvr. Royal Engineers
    • Willis George. Pte. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    • Willis Harry. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Willis Henry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Willis Jack. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Willis James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Willis John Sutton. Able Sea. HMS Shannon
    • Willis Reginald Grant. Pte. London Regiment
    • Willis DCM. MID.. Thomas Henry. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Willis Thomas William.
    • Willis Ubert Victor. Pte 55th Btn.
    • Willis MM, CdeG.. Walter Thomas. Sgt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Willis William John . L/Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Willis William Burnell. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Williscroft Lionel. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Willison Harry Cooper. Pte. 148th Machine Gun Corps
    • Williss James Henry. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Willman George. Pte. Leinster Regiment
    • Willmot MM. Frederick. Gnr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Willmot MM.. Frederick. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Willmott Harry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Willmott Henry George. Sgt. Rifle Brigade
    • Willock D.. Pte. British West Indies Regiment
    • Willocks John Whyte. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Willoughby Henry Ernest Digby Hugh. Cmdr. HMS Indefatigable
    • Willoughby John. Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Willoughby Thomas. Pte. Worcester Regiment
    • Willows Alexander. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Willox Andrew. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wills Albert Ernest. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wills Alfred George. Cpl. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Wills MM.. Allan. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Wills Frank O.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wills James. Pte.
    • Wills John George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wills Mary Elizabeth. Staff Nurse Territorial Force Nursing Service
    • Wills Thomas Percy. Able Sea. HMS Black Prince
    • Wills MM.. William. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps.
    • Wills William Charles. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Willsher James McBain. Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Willson John Bertram. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wilman Charles. AM. 16th Squadron
    • Wilmot Albert Edward. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilmot MC.. Ben. Capt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilmot Cecil Edwin Carter. Ldg Sea. HMS Orvieto
    • Wilson . Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Wilson A. R.. L.Sig. HMS Weymouth
    • Wilson Albert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusilliers
    • Wilson Albert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson Albert Sanderson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson Alexander Kirk. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Wilson Allison Douglas. Pte. East Yorkshire
    • Wilson Annie. Sister.
    • Wilson Arnold. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilson Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson MC.. Arthur Hone. Lt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wilson Arthur W. Pte Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Wilson Bertie. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilson C. E.. 2nd Lt. 7 Squadron
    • Wilson Campbell. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wilson Charles. C.S.M. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Wilson Charles. Pte. Army Veterinary Corps
    • Wilson Charles. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Wilson MC. Charles Robert. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wilson Charles. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Wilson Charles Alfred. Pte. 5th Battalion
    • Wilson Charles. WO2.
    • Wilson Clifford Neville. L/Sgt. Queens (West Surrey) Regiment
    • Wilson David Mills. RQMS
    • Wilson David Mills. Qm Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Wilson David Smart. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Wilson Eatwood. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wilson Edgar William. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wilson Edward. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Wilson Edward Ridley. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson Edward. Cpl. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Wilson Edward. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wilson Edwin Charles. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Wilson F.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson Fenwick T. Cpl Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson Frank Owen Turner. Pte. 3rd Australian Pioneers
    • Wilson Frank Alexandria. Pte. 55th Battalion
    • Wilson Fred. Pte. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wilson Fred Brookfield. 2nd Lt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wilson Fred. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Wilson Frederick W.. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilson G. E.. SS Elwick Hall
    • Wilson G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson G. D.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wilson Gavin Arthur. L/Cpl. London Regiment
    • Wilson George. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wilson George. Pte. 13th Btn.
    • Wilson George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson George. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson MC.. George Henry. Mjr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wilson George Brindle. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wilson Gordon Jacob. 2nd Lt. Northamptonshire Yeomanry
    • Wilson MID. Grace. Nurse
    • Wilson H.. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilson H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson Harold. Pte. 23rd Btn.
    • Wilson Harry. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson Harry. Pte. Duke of Wellington Regiment
    • Wilson Harry. Pte. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment)
    • Wilson Hector A.. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wilson Henry John. Able Sea. HMS Euryalus
    • Wilson Henry James. Pte. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Wilson Henry John. Able.Sea. HMS Euryalus
    • Wilson Henry Dodd. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wilson Henry Charles. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Wilson Herbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson MC & Bar. Hubert Francis. Capt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson Ira Israel. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilson Ivan Francis. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wilson J. A.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson J.. Sgt. 36th Btn.
    • Wilson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson J. W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson James. Pte. The Royal Fusiliers
    • Wilson James. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson James William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson James. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wilson James. Pte. 187th (Central Alberta) Battalion
    • Wilson James William. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wilson Jesse. Sgt. Cheshire Regiment
    • Wilson Job. Pte. Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
    • Wilson John. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson John Bertram. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wilson John Metcalfe. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson John. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wilson John Henry Hector. Pte. Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
    • Wilson John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson John Alpha. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wilson John. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson John Herbert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson John James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson John Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson John. Gnr.
    • Wilson John Cheetham. Pte. Lancaster Fusiliers
    • Wilson John. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Wilson John H.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson John Edward. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wilson MM, MiD.. Jonathan. Sgt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilson Joseph Edgar. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson Joseph Bowes. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Wilson Joseph Harold. A/Sgt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wilson Joseph Edgar . Pte. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment
    • Wilson Joseph. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wilson Joseph. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wilson Leo. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Wilson Leslie. 2nd Lt. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Wilson Lewis Tallman. Cpl. 102nd Ammunition Train
    • Wilson Martin Edward. Sgt. 5th Reg.
    • Wilson Maud Elizabeth. Nurse Womens Army Auxiliary Corps
    • Wilson Michael. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson Noel W. C.. Dvr. 2nd Brigade
    • Wilson Oliver. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson P. P.. Mjr. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson P. A. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson Richard Ralph. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson Richard. Pte. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
    • Wilson Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson Robert Sudbury. Cheshire Regiment
    • Wilson Robert Sharpe. Sgt. Cameron Highlanders
    • Wilson Robert. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Wilson Robert Alexander Thomas. Capt. Royal Australian Navy
    • Wilson Robert Young. Stoker. HMS Invincible
    • Wilson Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson Robert. Private Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)
    • Wilson Robert. Sgt The King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Wilson Samuel. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Wilson Sidney. Rflm Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wilson Thomas.
    • Wilson MM. DCM.. Thomas Albert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilson DCM. MM.. Thomas Albert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilson MM.. Thomas Albert. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilson Thomas. Pte. Royal Marine Labour Corps
    • Wilson Thomas. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wilson Thomas Douglas. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wilson Thomas. Pte. 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales' Own)
    • Wilson Todd. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wilson Tom. RQMS Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson Walter Herbert. Pte. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Wilson Walter. Pte. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
    • Wilson Walter Emerson. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wilson . William . C.S.M.
    • Wilson William. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Wilson William. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Wilson William. Pte. Scots Guards
    • Wilson DCM, MM.. William. Sgt. Essex Regiment
    • Wilson William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wilson William Worthington. L/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson William Arnold. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson William Joseph. Sgt. 14th Field Ambulance
    • Wilson William. Pte Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • Wilson MM.. William. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wilson Willie. AB HMS Uryalus
    • Wilton Jesse. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
    • Wiltshire Frederick John. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Wiltshire Frederick John. Pte. Rifle Brigade
    • Wiltshire Herbert. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Wiltshire William E.. Cpl. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Winch Henry George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Winch Henry George. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Winch James. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Winch William Haffenden. 2nd Lt. East Kent Regiment
    • Winchcombe John Nelson. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Winchcombe Walter George. Lance Corporal Middlesex Regiment
    • Winchester CdG.. James. L/Bdr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Winchester Jesse. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Winckles Alfred Charles. Pte. London Regiment
    • Windle George. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Windle Michael William Maxwell. Lt. Devonshire Regiment
    • Windmill J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Windsor MID.. George. Acting Lt. HMS Collingwood
    • Winfield Albert Edgar. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wingard . 2/Lt. South Wales Borderers
    • Wingate Andrew. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wingate Robert. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wingett T.. Ch.Ck. SS Minnehaha
    • Winkworth Henry Edward Vernon. 2nd Lt. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Winn T.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Winn William John. Dvr. Royal Horse Artillery
    • Winnett William Arthur. Rfm. Prince Consort's Own Rifle Brigade
    • Winney Ernest. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Winskill John. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Winson Jack. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Wint MID. Alfred Edward. Cpl. Sherwood Foresters
    • Winter Albert Norman. Pte Hampshire Regiment
    • Winter Albert Norman. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Winter Christopher James. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Winter George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Winter Hugh O'Brien. Pte 32nd Division
    • Winter Richard. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Winter Wilfred Ewart. Sapper 101st Field Company
    • Winter William. Rfmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Winterbottom Joseph. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Winterburn Fred. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Winterburn Harold. Pte Durham Light Infantry
    • Winters Albert. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Winters George. Cpl. Welsh Regiment
    • Winters Thomas. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Winters Walter John. Cpl. Army Service Corps (Remounts)
    • Wintle T W. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Winton Ernest Walter. 2nd Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Winton John Hubert. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wintour Charles John. Capt HMS Tipperary
    • Wiremu Rupi. Pte. 1st New Zealand Maori Contingent
    • Wise A G. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wise Cecil Sharp. Pte. 9th Australian Machine Gun Corps
    • Wise Ernest Charles. Rflmn London Regiment
    • Wise MM.. F G. Bty.Sjt.Mjr Royal Field Artillery
    • Wise George Frederick. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wise John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wise Stanley. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Wise Sydney. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wise MM.. William Owen. Capt. Royal Marine Artillery
    • Wiseman Charles Richard. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wiseman Frank. Pte. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
    • Wiseman Harold Arthur. Pte. 12th Australian Field Ambulance
    • Wiseman Harry. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Wiseman William Ernest. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Wishard J.. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Wishart George. Pte.
    • Wishart W. G.. Sgt. Royal Scots
    • Wishart William. Pte. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Withall Charles Edward. Pte. 42nd Btn.
    • Withall John. Pte. Royal West Kent Regiment
    • Withall Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Witham Dennis Haworth. L/Cpl. Royal Fusiliers
    • Witham Harold. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Witham Walter. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Witherick Percy John. Sgt. Norfolk Regiment
    • Withers . Sister. No. 16 Stationary Hospital
    • Withers Ernest Charles. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Withers Frank. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Withers Henry Edward. Cpl. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Withers Robert John. Pte. London Regiment
    • Witherstone Albert Henry . Pte. Herefordshire Regiment
    • Witney Henry Harford. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Witt Benjamin. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Witton William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Witts Arthur Thomas. Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Wixey Frederick Thomas. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Wixted James Clarence. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wixted Michael. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusilliers
    • Woffenden Richard Andrew. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Wogan Charles Henry. Sgt. London Regt
    • Wolfenden DCM.. G.. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wolfenden John. Pte Manchester Regiment
    • Wolff Alfred Gustave. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wolff MID.. Gustav Frederick. A/Maj. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Wolffsohn Arthur William. Capt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Wolford James Haliday. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wollaston Herbert Stanley. London Regiment
    • Wollerson Charles Arthur. Rifleman King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wollman A. E.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wolstencroft MM.. Edward. L/Cpl. Manchester Regiment
    • Wolstenholme MM. & Bar. William . Sjt. Royal Scots
    • Wolstenholme MM & Bar.. William. Sgt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Wombwell Harry. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Womersley Harry. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wood . Spr. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Wood . Mjr. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wood Albert Allan. L/Sgt. Grenadier Guards
    • Wood Albert Foster. Pte. 2nd Btn.
    • Wood Alexander. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wood Alexander. Pte. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Wood Alexander. Pte. Gordon Highlanders
    • Wood Alfred A. Rifleman The Rifle Brigade
    • Wood Andrew Robert. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wood Andrew Philip. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Wood Arthur. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wood Bertram. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Wood Cecil. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wood Charles Henry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Wood Charles. Pte Somerset Light Infantry
    • Wood Charles. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Wood Charles Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Wood Creighton Arthur Bell. 2nd Lt. Essex Regiment
    • Wood David. Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Wood E.. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wood Edgar. Pte. Welsh Regiment
    • Wood Edward. Pte. Border Regiment
    • Wood Ernest William. Pte. 41st Btn.
    • Wood Ernest. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wood Frank Arthur. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wood Frank. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Wood Frederick. Pte. Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wood Frederick. Pte Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wood Garn. Stok1. HMS Monmouth
    • Wood George. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wood George Rathie. Pte. The King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Wood George. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Wood George William. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Wood George. 2nd Lt. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wood George Arnold. Pte, East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wood George. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wood Granville Barton. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wood Harold John Thomas. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wood Harry Clifford. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Wood Harry. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Wood DCM.. Isaac George. Pte. York and Lancaster Regimengt
    • Wood J.. Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wood J.. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wood J. R.. Sto1 HMS Racoon
    • Wood James Edward. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wood James Edward. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Wood James. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Wood John Alfred. Pte. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Wood John Norris. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Wood John George. Spr Royal Engineers
    • Wood Joseph Ebenezer. L/Sgt. Highland Light Infantry
    • Wood MM.. Leslie Milford. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Wood Monthem Frank. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wood Monthem Frank. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wood R.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wood Reuben. L/Cpl. Essex Regiment
    • Wood Richard Thomas . 2nd Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wood Robert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wood Robert Richard. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Wood Rupert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wood Sydney Lancelot. Pte. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Wood Thomas. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wood Walter William. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Wood Wilfred. Pte. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Wood William H.. Cpl. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Wood William George. L/Cpl. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Wood William Preston. Pte. West Riding Regiment
    • Wood MM.. William Henry. Sgt. Leinster Regiment
    • Wood William Arthur. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Wood William Harold. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wood DCM, MM, CdeG.. William. CSM. York &and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wood William George. L/Cpl. The Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Woodall Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Woodall Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Woodall Thomas. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Woodbridge Edgar Harry. RSM. Berkshire Regiment
    • Woodbridge Harold George James. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Woodbridge William Ernest. Pte. London Regiment
    • Woodburn Ernest. Cpl. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Woodburn William A.. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Woodcock David Alexander. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Woodcock Frederick G.. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Woodcock Henry. Sgt. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Woodcock Henry. Sgt. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Woodcock Herbert. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Woodcock John George. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Woodcock VC.. Thomas. L/Cpl. Irish Guards
    • Woodcock Walter. Army Cyclist Corps
    • Woodcock Walter Frederick. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Woodey Frank. Act.Ldg.Stkr. HMS Anchusa
    • Woodey George Henry. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Woodfin Joseph William. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Woodfine John Edward. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Woodford John. Pte. Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • Woodhall Charles Herbert . Pte 6th Service Battalion
    • Woodhouse MC. Coventry William. Capt. Special List
    • Woodhouse Cuthbert William. Cpl. Royal Field Artillery
    • Woodhouse John. Rflmn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Woodhouse John. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Woodhouse John William. Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Woodhouse William. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Woodland Albert Edward. Cheshire Regiment
    • Woodley Frank. L/Cpl. Rifle Brigade
    • Woodman Thomas. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Woodnutt Thomas George Jack. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Woodroff George Henry. Sgt. London Regiment
    • Woodroffe VC.. Sidney Clayton. 2nd Lt. Rifle Brigade
    • Woodrow John James. Rfl. London Regiment
    • Woodruff John. Royal Engineers
    • Woodruff Joseph. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Woods Andrew. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
    • Woods Charles. L/Cpl. Border Regiment
    • Woods F.. Sgt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Woods Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Woods George Henry. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Woods Henry A.. L/Cpl. Seaforth Highlanders
    • Woods Herbert. CPO HMS Indefatigable
    • Woods MM.. Horace. Sjt. London Regiment
    • Woods J.. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Woods J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Woods J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Woods Michael. Pte Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Woods MC.. Percy William. Lt.Col. 3rd Infantry Btn.
    • Woods Richard Hartland. 2nd LT Army Cyclist Corps
    • Woods Robert William . Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Woods William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Woodsell William Thomas. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Woodward Albert. L/Cpl. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Woodward Alfred. L/Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Woodward H. G.. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Woodward Herbert. Pte. South Wales Borderers
    • Woodward James. Pte. Black Watch
    • Woodward Oliver Holmes. Capt. 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.
    • Woodward Thomas. Sgt. Labour Corps
    • Woodward Thomas. Able Sea. HMS St. George
    • Woodward Thomas. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Woodward W.. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Woodward Walter. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Woodward Walter. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Woodward Walter. Pte. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
    • Woodward Wilfred John. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Woodward William Eric. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Woodwards Jesse. Pte. Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • Woodwiss Frederick Arthur. L/Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Woodwiss Frederick Arthur. L/Sgt. Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • Woodworth Alfred. Pte. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Woodworth Arthur William. Pte.
    • Woodworth Arthur William.
    • Woodworth William. Pte. Gloucestershire Regiment
    • Woodyatt Thomas Frederick. South Wales Borderers
    • Woof R.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Woof Reginald Henry. Pte Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Woolbard George Henry. Sgt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Woolcock Alfred William Thacker. Pte. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • Woolcott MM.. Israel. Sgt. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Wooldridge Frederick George. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wooldridge . Harold . Pte. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment
    • Wooler . James Cleave Todd. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wooler . James C. T.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wooler James C.T.. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Woolf Fred. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Woolf Hyam. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Woolford Albert. Pte. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Woollard Eric. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Woollen Herbert. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Woollett William Charles. Capt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Woolley Frederick George. Pte. London Regiment
    • Woolley Walter. Pte York and Lancaster
    • Woolley William Vivian. Rflmn. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Woolman MID.. Albert . Sgt.
    • Woolston Leonard. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Woolverton Arthur Wellesley. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Woosnam William George. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Wootten Archibald John. Pte. Auckland Regiment
    • Wootten H. E.. Mjr. Border Regiment
    • Wootton Alfred. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Wootton Charles. Pte. Wiltshire Regiment
    • Wootton Donald Herbert. Cptn. London Regiment
    • Wootton Leonard. L/Cpl. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Woplin Frederick Harvey. Sgt. London Regt
    • Worboys John William. Pte. Queens Royal Surrey Regiment
    • Worden Arthur William. Artf4. HMS Dartmouth
    • Wordsworth George Harry. L/Cpl. Middlesex Regiment
    • Worf George. Pte. Northamptonshire Regiment
    • Worgan John Robert. Pte. 33rd Btn.
    • Worker John Thomas. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Workman Archibald. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Workman DCM. John. Pte. Highland Light Infantry
    • Workman MM.. William. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Worley James Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Worley William Hedley. Pte. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Worley William. Pte. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Wormald Edgar. Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Wormald Frederick George. L/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wormald William Edgar. Pte. Royal Irish Regiment
    • Wormald Willliam Montague. 2nd Lt. 209th Sqdn.
    • Wormall John Edward. Border Regiment
    • Wormley Harry. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Wormley William. Pte. East Kent Regiment
    • Worrall . Sgt. Bedfordshire Regiment
    • Worrall Alfred. Pte. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • Worrall James. Pte. Royal Field Artillery
    • Worrall John Edmund. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Worrall Thomas. L/Bmdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Worrall Thomas. L/Bdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Worrall Waide Reginald. 2nd Lt. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Worrell MM.. Harry. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Worsfold . Pte. Queen's Royal West Surrey Rgt.
    • Worsley Ernest. Pte. Middlesex Regiment
    • Worsnip James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Worsnip Joseph. Pte. Devonshire Regiment
    • Worth Arthur Womersley. Pte. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Worthington Hugh. Pte. Irish Guards
    • Worthington James. Scottish Rifles
    • Worthington Stanley. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Worthington Wilfred. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Worthington William. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Worthy William. L/Cpl. York and Lancaster Regiment
    • Worz Alfred Jacob. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Wragg Albert. Pte Royal Defence Corps
    • Wragg Herbert. Pte
    • Wragg William. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wraight Frank Ernest. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wraight William Frederick. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wrangham Osmond. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wratten James Patrick. Manchester Regiment
    • Wratten John. Manchester Regiment
    • Wray Benjamin Franklin. Capt. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wray Ernly. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Wray Ernly. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Wray George Victor. Cpl. Tank Corps
    • Wray James. Pte. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
    • Wray Leonard. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Wray Robert. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wreford Albert. ALsea. HMS Challenger
    • Wren Charles. Able.Sea. HMS Zealandia
    • Wren R.. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Wrench Thomas Gibson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wright A. O.. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Wright A.. Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Wright Albert Benjamin. A/Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wright Albert. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wright Alfred Frederick. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Wright Alfred. Pte Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Wright Alfred Denner. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wright Andrew. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wright Benjamin. Pte.
    • Wright Benjamin. Pte Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Wright C.. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Wright Charles. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Wright Charles Milbourne. Sgt. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Wright Charles. Pte. Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • Wright Charles Robert. Pte. Royal Hampshire Regiment
    • Wright Charles. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Wright Christopher William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wright Edward. Rfln London Regiment
    • Wright Edwin. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Wright Frank. Cpl. West Riding Regiment
    • Wright Frederick. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Wright Frederick. Pte. Royal West Surrey Regiment
    • Wright Frederick. RQMs. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright G. J.. Nelson Btn
    • Wright G. A.. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Wright G.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright George. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Wright George Hudson. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wright George. Rflmn. Rifle Brigade
    • Wright George. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Wright George William. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Wright H. W.. Mjr. Royal Engineers
    • Wright Harold. L/Cpl. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wright Harold. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Wright Harold. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Wright Harry William. Sgt. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
    • Wright Harry. Pte. Berkshire Regiment
    • Wright Henry. Pte West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wright Henry Thomas Richard Somerset. Captn. Manchester Regiment
    • Wright Herbert Joseph. Pte. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
    • Wright MC.. Howard Caldwell. Capt. London Regiment
    • Wright Ivatt. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright James Arthur. Pte. Cheshire Regiment
    • Wright James. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Wright James. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wright James Frank. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Wright John William Lancelot. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
    • Wright John William. Pte. Notts and Derby Regiment
    • Wright John Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fuiliers
    • Wright John George. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Wright John Henry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Wright John. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright John. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Wright John Hubbard . Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wright Johnathon Raymond. Pte. 36th Btn.
    • Wright Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright Joseph Gordon. Pte. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy
    • Wright Joseph Henry. Pte. Suffolk Regiment
    • Wright Joseph. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright Joseph. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wright Joseph William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wright Lawrence. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Wright Norman. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright Osbert. Cpl. 37th Battalion
    • Wright Percy H.. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Wright Percy Patricia. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Wright Percy Clarence. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Wright R.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Wright Reginald. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Wright Reginald. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Wright British Army. Robert . Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wright Samuel. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wright Samuel. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wright Sydney Paul Johnson. Pte Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Wright VC. Theodore. Cpt. Royal Engineers
    • Wright VC. Theodore. Capt. Royal Engineers
    • Wright Thomas. Pte. Lincolnshire Regiment
    • Wright Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright Thomas. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Wright Thomas. Saskatchewan Regiment
    • Wright Thomas. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright Thomas McMorran. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wright W.. Benbow Battalion
    • Wright Walter Arthur. Pte. Labour Corps
    • Wright Walter. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Wright Walter Arnold. Pte. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada
    • Wright Walter. Cpl.
    • Wright William Albert. Staff Sgt. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wright DCM.. William. 2nd Lt. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Wright William. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright William. Pte. King's Liverpool Regiment
    • Wright William Samuel. L/Cpl Army Veterinary Corps
    • Wright William. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wright William. Pte. King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • Wright William. L/Cpl. Gordon Highlanders
    • Wright William Leslie. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Wright William Wilson. Sgt. King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Wright William Charles . Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Wrightson Frederick Leonard. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wrigley Ezra. Gnr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wrigley George Hallas. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Wroe DCM. Frank. CSM. Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment
    • Wroe William. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Wussow Friedrich von. Gen Mjr. 14th J. Brig
    • Wyatt . VAD. No. 32 Stationary Hospital
    • Wyatt Frederick A. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Wyatt VC.. George. L/Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Wyatt Harold Jackson. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Wyatt Henry Ernest. Cpl. 2nd Infantry Battalion
    • Wyatt Sydney. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Wyatt Sydney. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Wycherley William. Pte. Manchester Regiment
    • Wye George William. Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wyer Herbert. L/Sgt. Coldstream Guards
    • Wykes Albert Arthur. L/Cpl Black Watch
    • Wylie Arthur. Pte. East Yorkshire Regiment
    • Wylie Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wylie James. Pte. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Wyly Edward John. Gnr. Australian Field Artillery
    • Wymer James Emmanuel. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Wymond George Joseph. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Wyncoll Clifford William. Shoeing Smith Royal Field Artillery
    • Wynne DCM . Edward Britton. Sgt Royal Engineers
    • Wynne MM. Robert Albert. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Wyse William. Drvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • Yallop Charles. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Yallop Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Yallop Ronald Robert. Pte. Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch)
    • Yapp James. Grdsmn. Grenadier Guards
    • Yapp Walter Harold. Pte. Northampton Regiment
    • Yard C.. Pioneer
    • Yardley Robert John Henry. Rfm. London Regiment
    • Yardley Samuel Frederick. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Yare Addlebert. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Yarnell . Sister. No. 46 Stationary Hospital
    • Yarranton Arthur. Pte. South Staffordshire Regiment
    • Yarwood Alfred. Pte. London Regiment
    • Yarwood Alfred. Pte. London Regiment
    • Yarwood Harold Henry Lee. Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Yarwood Joseph. Pte Cheshire Regiment
    • Yarworth Edgar Leonard. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Yate VC.. Charles Allix Lavington. Mjr. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Yate VC. Charles Allix Lavington. Major King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Yate VC.. Charles Allix Lavington. Mjr. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • Yates Charles Frederick. L/Cpl. Leicestershire Regiment
    • Yates Edward John Cresswell. Pte. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment
    • Yates DCM.. Edward V.. RSM. Scottish Rifles
    • Yates Fred. Pte. Coldstream Guards
    • Yates DCM. George Edward. Sgt. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Yates Harold. LAC
    • Yates Harry. Pte. Sherwood Foresters
    • Yates Harry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Yates Harry. Gnr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Yates . John William. L/Cpl. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Yates John. Dvr Royal Field Artillery
    • Yates Reuben. Pte. King's (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Yates Richard. Royal Field Artillery
    • Yates Samuel. Pte. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    • Yates Thomas Henry. Cpl. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Yates QM.. Thomas. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment
    • Yates William George Frederick. Essex Regiment
    • Yates William. Rfmn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Yaxley Charles. Dvr. Army Service Corps
    • Yeardley John William. PO HMS Negro
    • Yearwood William Armel. Lt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Yeats Percy H.. Pte. London Regiment
    • Yeld Robert Norman. Capt. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Yellow Tom. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Yendall Arthur Fred. Gnr. Riyal Garrison Artillery
    • Yendole George Henry. Sgt. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Yeoman James Henry. Pte. Loyal (North Lancashire) Regiment
    • Yeoman W.. Rflm. Royal Fusiliers (Rangers),
    • Yeowart William Nixon. Sgt. Border Regiment (Cumberland)
    • Yetton William Valentine. Rflmn. Queen Victoria's Rifles
    • Yetton William Valentine. Rfmn. London Regiment
    • Yeulett DFC. W. A.. Lt.
    • Yeulett DFC.. Walter Albert. Lt.
    • Yewdall David. Sgt. Machine Gun Corps
    • Yewkins Solomon. Bmbdr. Royal Field Artillery
    • York Alvin. Sgt. 82nd Division
    • York Daniel Charles. L/Cpl West Yorkshire Regiment
    • York G.. Benbow Battalion
    • York H. H.. Gnr/Drvr Royal Garrison Artillery
    • York Harry. Pte South Staffordshire Regiment
    • York Herber Henry. gunner RGA
    • York Robert. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • York William Alfred. CSM. Royal Leicestershire Regiment
    • Yorke J.. 2nd Lt. Royal Field Artillery
    • Yorke James Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Yorke Joseph. Dvr. Royal Field Artillery
    • You Gee. FM. SS Calliope
    • Youd John. Spr. Royal Engineers
    • Youell Stanley John. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Youens Frederick. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Youens VC.. Frederick. 2nd Lt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Youll VC. John Scott. 2nd Lt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Young . Able Sea
    • Young A.. Pte. Yorkshire Dragoons
    • Young VC.. Alexander. Lt. South African Infantry
    • Young Allen George. Pte. East Surrey Regiment
    • Young Archie Joseph. Spr 1st Australian Tunnelling Company
    • Young Arthur Stanley. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Young Benjamin George. Pte. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    • Young Cathryn. VAD. Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Young Cecil Bagnall. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Young Charles Bertram. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Young Cyril Rutherford. Mjr. Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Young Edward John. Sjt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • Young Edward. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Young Elsworth. Pte. 25th Btn
    • Young Elwin Graham. Pte. 309th Infantry Regiment
    • Young Ernest Walter. Pte. Hampshire Regiment
    • Young Ernest. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Young VC.. Frank Edward. 2nd Lt. Hertford Regiment
    • Young VC. Frank Edward. 2nd Lt. Hertfordshire Regiment
    • Young Frederick. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Young Frederick George. Pte. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
    • Young Frederick Uriah. Dvr. Royal Artillery
    • Young G. O.. Lt. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Young George. L/Sjt. The Royal Scots
    • Young George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Young George. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Young H. L/Cpl. Royal West Surrey (The Queens)
    • Young J.. Sjt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Young James. Sjt. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Young James. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Young John. L/Cpl. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Young John. L/Cpl. Royal Scots
    • Young John Theobald. L/Sgt. Royal Sussex Regt
    • Young John. Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers
    • Young Joseph. Sergeant King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • Young Joseph. L/Cpl. South Wales Borderers
    • Young Mary Ann. Nurse Voluntary Aid Detachment
    • Young N. M.. Lt. Royal Scots
    • Young R.. Pte. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Young Robert Norman. Lance Sgt. 33rd Btn.
    • Young Robert Norman. L/Sjt. 34th Btn.
    • Young Robert Willian Niven. Cpt. North Staffordshire Regiment
    • Young Robert. Cpl. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
    • Young Robert W.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Young MM.. Robert Thornton. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Young Robert. Pte. Machine Gun Corps
    • Young Ronald George. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Young Sherman. Pte. 2nd Battalion
    • Young Stanley. Fus Royal Fusiliers
    • Young Stella May. Adjt.
    • Young Stephen. Pte. Cameron Highlanders
    • Young Thomas. Durham Light Infantry
    • Young Thomas Lees. Private Coldstream Guards
    • Young Thomas. Gordon Highlanders
    • Young W B. Machine Gun Corps
    • Young W. H.. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Young W. B.. Machine Gun Corps
    • Young Wesley George. Pte. Somerset Light Infantry
    • Young William. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Young MC.. William Lancelot. Capt. 45th Btn.
    • Young William Arthur. Pte. Lancashire Fusiliers
    • Young William Clark. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Young William Clark. Pte. Royal Scots Fusiliers
    • Young William Martin. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Young VC.. William. Pte. East Lancashire Regiment
    • Young DCM, MofH.. William. CSM. Essex Regiment
    • Young DCM.. William. RSM. Essex Regiment
    • Young William. Cpl. Durham Light Infantry
    • Young William. Pte. Durham Light Infantry
    • Young William Ewart. Pte. London Regiment
    • Young William James. South Wales Borderers
    • Young William John. Rflmn. Royal Irish Rifles
    • Young William. Eng. H.M. Drifter Speedwell V
    • Young DCM.. William Ernest. Sgt. Sherwood Foresters
    • Young William Henry. Pte Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
    • Young William Charles. Pte. Royal Army Medical Corps
    • Younger J.. Pte. Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Younger Thomas. Sgt. Durham Light Infantry
    • Youngs Arthur Edward. Norfolk Regiment
    • Youngs Matthew George. Pte. Norfolk Regiment
    • Youngs William James. Pte. Essex Regiment
    • Yoxall Samuel Edward. Sgt. Worcestershire Regiment
    • Yurik Sam. Pte. Royal Fusiliers
    • Zaleski Joseph. Pte. Grenadier Guards
    • Zengel VC, MM.. Raphael Louis. Sgt. 5th (Western Cavalry) Battalion.
    • Zimmer James William. Pte. London Regiment
    • Zorn Charles Jacob. Pte. South Lancashire Regiment

    All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please. Add a Name to this List

    Records from other sources.


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        World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery
        Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.






    2292781

    Spr. Keith Warrington Connolly 1st Australian Tunneling Company

    Keith Connolly was a well known Australian entertainer. He performed with his parents' variety troupe from age seven and while in his teens was a member of the Young Australia League. In 1916 he enlisted with the A.I.F. at the age of 18 (though he declared his age to be 21 on his enlistment papers) and went on to serve with First Australian Tunnellers.

    After returning to Australia in 1919 he and his sister Gladys Shaw toured with such troupes as the Royal Strollers (1919) and Nat Phillips Stiffy and Mo Company (1921- 25) before forming Keith Connolly's Syncopating Jesters (1925-27). His theatrical career continued well into the 1950s, included engagements with George Wallace (1930), Nat Phillip's Whirligigs, Fullers All-American Revue Co, and in companies featuring Roy Rene, Stud Foley, and Keith's wife Elsie Hosking. He had one son, also named Keith. Read more.

    Sharon Connolly




    1208235

    Lieutenant Charles Ansell (d.26 Dec 1917)

    Charles Ansell served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208234

    Leading Seaman Albert Edward Austin (d.5 Jun 1916)

    Albert Austin served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208233

    Cooks Mate George Attwood (d.5 Jun 1916)

    George Attwood served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208232

    Ordinary Seaman Joseph James Amos (d.5 Jun 1916)

    Joseph Amos served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208231

    Boy 1st Class Fred Henry Allen (d.5 Jun 1916)

    Fred Allen served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208230

    Officers Cook 1st Class John Albert Aburrow (d.5 Jun 1916)

    John Aburrow served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208229

    Able Seaman Harold Anstee (d.7 Aug 1919)

    Harold Anstee served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208228

    Surgeon Lieutenant Charles Henry Fairbank Atkinson O B E (d.14 Jan 1920)

    Charles Atkinson served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208227

    Commander George Henry Arnot R D (d.28 Oct 1917)

    George Arnot served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208226

    Flight Lieutenant Basil Drummond Ash (d.30 Sep 1914)

    Basil Ash served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208225

    Lieutenant Percy Towns Armstrong (d.26 May 1917)

    Percy Armstrong served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208224

    Flight Lieutenant Arnold D S O (d.20 Mar 1918)

    Arnold served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208223

    Flight Lieutenant Arnold (d.16 Aug 1917)

    Arnold served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208222

    Flight Sub-Lieutenant George Gladstone Avery (d.14 May 1917)

    George Avery served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208221

    Sub-Lieutenant Francis Annesley (d.5 Nov 1914)

    Francis Annesley served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208220

    Probationary Flight Offic Anderson (d.1 Jan 1918)

    Anderson served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208219

    Flight Sub-Lieutenant Joseph Leyland Allison (d.18 Mar 1918)

    Joseph Allison served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208218

    Flight Sub-Lieutenant Harold Ferguson Airey (d.23 Nov 1917)

    Harold Airey served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208217

    Flight Sub-Lieutenant William Allaway (d.31 Jul 1917)

    William Allaway served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208216

    Flight Lieutenant Frederick William Akers (d.20 Jul 1917)

    Frederick Akers served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208215

    Flight Sub-Lieutenant James Morrow Alexander (d.12 Sep 1915)

    James Alexander served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208214

    Flight Sub-Lieutenant George Geoffrey Allen Armitage (d.11 Dec 1915)

    George Armitage served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208213

    Flight Sub-Lieutenant Eric Osterfield Arliss Andrews (d.8 Nov 1917)

    Eric Andrews served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208212

    Private Atkinson (d.28 Sep 1914)

    Atkinson served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208211

    Corporal Stanley Ansell (d.18 Dec 1919)

    Stanley Ansell served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208210

    Private Anderson (d.9 Feb 1917)

    Anderson served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208209

    Private Frederick Lenard Ansell (d.8 Mar 1919)

    Frederick Ansell served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208208

    Private James Ardis (d.6 Jun 1915)

    James Ardis served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208207

    Private Anning (d.3 Sep 1920)

    Anning served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208206

    Private Allen (d.26 Feb 1919)

    Allen served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208205

    Private Allen (d.25 Nov 1918)

    Allen served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208204

    Private Richard Aldridge (d.4 May 1918)

    Richard Aldridge served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208203

    Private Edwin Bedford Ambler (d.31 Mar 1917)

    Edwin Ambler served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208202

    Lieutenant Edward Gordon Abelson (d.1 Dec 1916)

    Edward Abelson served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208201

    Private Walter Horace Adams (d.5 Jun 1916)

    Walter Adams served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208200

    Private Akehurst (d.23 Sep 1914)

    Akehurst served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208199

    Private Apsley (d.28 Oct 1917)

    Apsley served in Dunkerque Remembered at . WW1





    1208198

    Private George Austin (d.1 Sep 1917)

    George Austin served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208197

    Gunner Aston (d.22 Jun 1917)

    Aston served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208196

    Gunner George Herbert Allison (d.26 Oct 1916)

    George Allison served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208195

    Lascar Ashrafuddin (d.29 Sep 1917)

    Ashrafuddin served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208194

    Lieutenant Armstrong (d.28 Mar 1917)

    Armstrong served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208193

    Bhandary Aqil Ali (d.24 Feb 1918)

    Ali Aqil served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208192

    Serang Anwar Ali (d.23 Aug 1916)

    Ali Anwar served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208191

    Sailmaker Appala Swami (d.21 Jan 1917)

    Swami Appala served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208190

    Cassab Ashiq Muhammad Ali (d.18 Feb 1917)

    Ali Ashiq served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208189

    Stoker Azmatullah (d.12 Sep 1916)

    Azmatullah Azmatullah served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208188

    Serang Anwar Ali (d.10 Jun 1917)

    Ali Anwar served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208187

    Lascar Anil Suman (d.9 Oct 1918)

    Suman Anil served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208186

    Fitter Anukul Das (d.7 Sep 1917)

    Das Anukul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208185

    Trimmer Asghar Ali (d.6 Sep 1917)

    Ali Asghar served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208184

    Lascar Aziz Akbar (d.6 Jul 1916)

    Akbar Aziz served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208183

    Seacunny Anwar Bakhsh (d.2 Sep 1916)

    Bakhsh Anwar served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208182

    Stoker Abdul Qutbuddin Qadir (d.7 Jun 1921)

    Qadir Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208181

    Lascar Abdul Muhammad (d.3 Jan 1920)

    Muhammad Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208180

    Lascar Aminullah Alaya (d.21 Apr 1919)

    Alaya Aminullah served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208179

    Stoker Adam Sarfaraz (d.2 Jan 1919)

    Adam Sarfaraz served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208178

    Lascar Ahmad Husain (d.25 Nov 1918)

    Ahmad Husain served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208177

    Lascar Abdul Karim (d.16 Nov 1918)

    Abdul Karim served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208176

    Lascar Ali Husain (d.4 Nov 1918)

    Ali Husain served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208175

    Seacunny Abdun Nabi (d.24 Oct 1918)

    Nabi Abdun served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208174

    Coal Runner Abdul Aziz (d.24 Oct 1918)

    Aziz Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208173

    Seacunny Aminullah (d.13 Oct 1918)

    Aminullah served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208172

    Lascar Abdul Ghani (d.2 Oct 1918)

    Abdul Ghani served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208171

    Lascar Abdur Rahim (d.30 Jul 1918)

    Abdur Rahim served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208170

    Lascar Abdur Rahman Din Muhammad (d.22 Jul 1918)

    Abdur Muhammad served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208169

    Artisan Hai Ah _Aong (d.18 Jul 1918)

    Hai Ah _Aong served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208168

    Stoker Abdul Baba (d.3 Jul 1918)

    Abdul Baba served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208167

    Seacunny Abdur Rashid (d.7 Apr 1918)

    Abdur Rashid served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208166

    Lascar Abdul Ghani (d.10 Mar 1918)

    Abdul Ghani served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208165

    Lascar Abdul Bari (d.2 Mar 1918)

    Abdul Bari served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208164

    Stoker Abdul Hakim (d.13 Jan 1918)

    Abdul Hakim served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208163

    Lascar Ainuddin (d.7 Jan 1918)

    Ainuddin served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208162

    Tindal Abdul Karim (d.5 Nov 1917)

    Abdul Karim served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208161

    Lascar Amin Sharif (d.29 Oct 1917)

    Amin Sharif served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208160

    Lascar Amjad Ali (d.16 Sep 1917)

    Amjad Ali served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208159

    Lascar Ali Husain (d.7 Sep 1917)

    Ali Husain served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208158

    Stoker Abdur Rahman (d.9 Aug 1917)

    Abdur Rahman served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208157

    Bhandary Abdul Ghani (d.26 Jul 1917)

    Abdul Ghani served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208156

    Stoker Alah Bakhsh (d.5 Jun 1917)

    Alah Bakhsh served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208155

    Lascar Aminullah (d.23 May 1917)

    Aminullah served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208154

    Lascar Abdul Hakim (d.19 May 1917)

    Abdul Hakim served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208153

    Lascar Abdul Hakim (d.20 Apr 1917)

    Abdul Hakim served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208152

    Stoker Alauddin Rajab Ali (d.3 Apr 1917)

    Rajab Alauddin served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208151

    Lascar Abdul Hakim (d.2 Apr 1917)

    Hakim Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208150

    Lascar Abdul Wahid (d.24 Mar 1917)

    Abdul Wahid served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208149

    Lascar Abdul Ghafur (d.12 Mar 1917)

    Abdul Ghafur served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208148

    Lascar Abdul Ali (d.9 Mar 1917)

    Abdul Ali served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208147

    Seacunny Karim Abdul (d.3 Mar 1917)

    Karim Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208146

    Lascar Husain Abdul (d.25 Feb 1917)

    Husain Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208145

    Lascar Majid Abdul (d.21 Feb 1917)

    Majid Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208144

    Coolie Abdus Subhan (d.12 Feb 1917)

    Abdus Subhan served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208143

    Mistri Amir Ali (d.3 Feb 1917)

    Amir Ali served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208142

    Lascar Abdul Ghani (d.24 Jan 1917)

    Abdul Ghani served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208141

    Seacunny Abdul Bari Hamid Ali (d.12 Jan 1917)

    Abdul Ali served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208140

    Serang Abdur Rahman (d.7 Jan 1917)

    Abdur Rahman served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208139

    Lascar Abdullah Karim (d.15 Dec 1916)

    Abdullah Karim served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208138

    Seacunny Abdul Ghani (d.28 Nov 1916)

    Ghani Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208137

    Lascar Abdul Ghani (d.28 Nov 1916)

    Ghani Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208136

    Fireman Abdur Rashid (d.26 Nov 1916)

    Rashid Abdur served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208135

    Artisan Ah_Kum (d.18 Oct 1916)

    Ah_Kum served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208134

    Fitter Anand Mangal (d.17 Oct 1916)

    Anand Mangal served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208133

    Lascar Abdul Aziz (d.12 Oct 1916)

    Abdul Aziz served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208132

    Artisan An Ah_Kee (d.2 Oct 1916)

    An Ah_Kee served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208131

    Stoker Aziz (d.2 Oct 1916)

    Aziz served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208130

    Lascar Abdur Rahman (d.15 Sep 1916)

    Rahman Abdur served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208129

    Khalasi Abdul Muhammad (d.12 Sep 1916)

    Muhammad Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208128

    Lascar Amanat Ali (d.2 Sep 1916)

    Ali Amanat served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208127

    Lascar Abdul Baba (d.2 Sep 1916)

    Baba Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208126

    Lascar Amjad Ali (d.24 Aug 1916)

    Ali Amjad served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208125

    Lascar Aminulla (d.24 Aug 1916)

    Aminulla Aminulla served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208124

    Engine Driver Abdur Rahim (d.15 Aug 1916)

    Rahim Abdur served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208123

    Lascar Ali Husain (d.31 Jul 1916)

    Husain Ali served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208122

    Lascar Abdur Rahman (d.31 Jul 1916)

    Rahman Abdur served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208121

    Lascar Ali Miyan (d.25 Jul 1916)

    Miyan Ali served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208120

    Khalasi Abdul Khaliq (d.25 Jul 1916)

    Khaliq Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208119

    Lascar Abdul Aziz (d.24 Jul 1916)

    Aziz Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208118

    Lascar Abdul Hamid (d.20 Jul 1916)

    Hamid Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208117

    Seacunny Abdul Haq (d.13 Jul 1916)

    Abdul Haq served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208116

    Lascar Abdul Majid (d.10 Jul 1916)

    Abdul Majid served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208115

    Lascar Abdur Rahman (d.5 Jul 1916)

    Abdur Rahman served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208114

    Stoker Abdur Rahman (d.4 Jul 1916)

    Abdur Rahman served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208113

    Khalasi Ali Imam (d.2 Jul 1916)

    Ali Imam served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208112

    Fireman Abdus Salam (d.1 Jul 1916)

    Abdus Salam served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208111

    Lascar Ahmad Ali (d.26 Jun 1916)

    Ahmad Ali served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208110

    Carpenter Abraham Isaac (d.24 Jun 1916)

    Abraham Isaac served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208109

    Stoker Ali Ahmad Irfan Ali (d.20 Jun 1916)

    Ali Ahmad Irfan Ali served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208108

    Lascar Abdul Jalil (d.14 Jun 1916)

    Abdul Jalil served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208107

    Lascar Ahmad Bashir (d.26 May 1916)

    Ahmad Bashir served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208106

    Hammerman Amin (d.19 May 1916)

    Amin served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208105

    Lascar Abdul Hakim (d.3 May 1916)

    Abdul Hakim served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208104

    Lascar Abdul Ghani (d.20 Apr 1916)

    Abdul Ghani served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208103

    Stoker Abdur Rahman (d.19 Apr 1916)

    Abdur Rahman served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208102

    Lascar Abdul Aziz (d.27 Mar 1916)

    Abdul Aziz served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208101

    Lascar Abdul Qasim (d.28 Feb 1916)

    Abdul Qasim served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208100

    Stoker Abdullah Faqir (d.29 Nov 1915)

    Faqir Abdullah served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208099

    Fireman Abdul Hamid (d.14 Jun 1915)

    Hamid Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208098

    Lascar Abdul Qadir (d.8 Mar 1915)

    Qadir Abdul served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208097

    Tindal Amrullah Jani Ali (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Amrullah Ali served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208096

    Lascar Amanat Ali (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Amanat Ali served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208095

    Serang Almeida Joaquim (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Almeida Joaquim served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208094

    Engineer Ali Ahmad (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Ali Ahmad served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208093

    Serang Ahmad Muhammad (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Ahmad Muhammad served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208092

    Serang Abdur Rahman (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Abdur Rahman served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208091

    Stoker Abdul Majid (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Abdul Majid served in Buried in . WW1





    1208090

    Serang Abdul Husain Karim (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Abdul Karim served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208089

    Stoker Abdul Hakim (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Abdul Hakim served in Remembered at . CPWW1





    1208088

    Lascar Abdul Ghani (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Abdul Ghani served in Remembered at . CPWW1





    1208087

    Seacunny Abdul Ghani (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Abdul Ghani served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208086

    Lascar Abdul Baba (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Abdul Baba served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208085

    Stoker Abdul Aziz (d.4 Aug 1914)

    Abdul Aziz served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208084

    Petty Officer Stoker Edwin Walter Austin (d.10 Apr 1918)

    Edwin Austin served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208083

    Able Seaman Robert Armstrong (d.1 Jan 1917)

    Robert Armstrong served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208082

    Artisan Ah_Chai (d.19 May 1918)

    Ah_Chai served in Remembered at . WW1





    1208080

    Ordinary Telegraphist Edgar Audsley Wireless Telegraph Station Scarborough (d.7 Sep 1916)

    Edgar Audsley served in Wireless Telegraph Station Scarborough Remembered at . WW1





    1208078

    Seaman Anderson Shetland Section. (d.30 Aug 1916)

    Anderson served in Shetland Section. Remembered at . WW1





    1208077

    Seaman Thomas Anderson Shetland Sect. H.M.S. Pembroke, (d.15 Mar 1917)

    Thomas Anderson served in Shetland Sect. H.M.S. Pembroke, Remembered at . WW1





    1208076

    Seaman Thomas Anderson Shetland Sect. (Lerwick). (d.19 Mar 1917)

    Thomas Anderson served in Shetland Sect. (Lerwick). Remembered at . WW1





    1208075

    Seaman Anderson Shetland Sect (d.7 Jun 1916)

    Anderson served in Shetland Sect Remembered at . WW1





    1208074

    Able Seaman Aldred S.S. Willingtonia. (d.23 Jul 1918)

    Aldred served in S.S. Willingtonia. Remembered at . WW1





    1208073

    Leading Seaman Thomas James Angus S.S. Trinidad. (d.22 Mar 1918)

    Thomas Angus served in S.S. Trinidad. Remembered at . WW1





    1208072

    Lance Corporal George Ashworth S.S. Tatarrax. (d.10 Aug 1918)

    George Ashworth served in S.S. Tatarrax. Remembered at . WW1





    1208071

    Able Seaman Frederick Joseph Adair S.S. Saxon. (d.7 May 1918)

    Frederick Adair served in S.S. Saxon. Remembered at . WW1





    1208070

    Seaman Frederick Armstrong D S M S.S. Romny. (d.26 Feb 1918)

    Frederick Armstrong served in S.S. Romny. Remembered at . WW1





    1208069

    Able Seaman Allen S.S. Princess Thyra. (d.16 Nov 1918)

    Allen served in S.S. Princess Thyra. Remembered at . WW1





    1208068

    Leading Seaman Adlington S.S. Princess Dagmar. (d.7 May 1918)

    Adlington served in S.S. Princess Dagmar. Remembered at . WW1





    1208067

    Able Seaman Joseph Johnson Abbott S.S. Poldown. (d.9 Oct 1917)

    Joseph Abbott served in S.S. Poldown. Remembered at . WW1





    1208066

    Leading Seaman Richard Ahern S.S. Polandia. (d.11 Mar 1917)

    Richard Ahern served in S.S. Polandia. Remembered at . WW1





    1208065

    Leading Seaman James Anderson S.S. North Pacific. (d.3 Oct 1918)

    James Anderson served in S.S. North Pacific. Remembered at . WW1





    1208064

    Leading Seaman John Mccrindle Andrews S.S. Nora. (d.7 Nov 1918)

    John Andrews served in S.S. Nora. Remembered at . WW1





    1208063

    Able Seaman Almond S.S. Lepanto (d.23 Oct 1917)

    Almond served in S.S. Lepanto Remembered at . WW1





    1208062

    Able Seaman Albert Edward Aston S.S. Kenmare. (d.2 Mar 1918)

    Albert Aston served in S.S. Kenmare. Remembered at . WW1





    1208061

    Able Seaman Algie S.S. Hunsgate. (d.15 Oct 1918)

    Algie served in S.S. Hunsgate. Remembered at . WW1





    1208060

    Ordinary Seaman Willie Atkinson S.S. Hockwold. (d.10 Sep 1917)

    Willie Atkinson served in S.S. Hockwold. Remembered at . WW1





    1208059

    Leading Seaman Robert Arthur S.S. Hebburn. (d.25 Sep 1918)

    Robert Arthur served in S.S. Hebburn. Remembered at . WW1





    1208058

    Leading Seaman Alexander Anderson S.S. Harrogate. (d.20 Feb 1918)

    Alexander Anderson served in S.S. Harrogate. Remembered at . WW1





    1208057

    Seaman Thomas Aher S.S. Garmoyle. (d.10 Jul 1917)

    Thomas Aher served in S.S. Garmoyle. Remembered at . WW1





    1208056

    Able Seaman Sydney Allen S.S. Dunrobin. (d.24 Nov 1917)

    Sydney Allen served in S.S. Dunrobin. Remembered at . WW1





    1208055

    Leading Seaman Edmund Ash S.S. Dartmoor. (d.16 May 1917)

    Edmund Ash served in S.S. Dartmoor. Remembered at . WW1





    1208054

    Bombardier George Edward Alderman S.S. Curaca. (d.6 Dec 1917)

    George Alderman served in S.S. Curaca. Remembered at . WW1





    1208053

    Leading Seaman John Anderson S.S. Calliope. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    John Anderson served in S.S. Calliope. Remembered at . WW1





    1208051

    Nursing Sister Ainsworth R.N. Hosp. (Peebles) (d.29 Oct 1918)

    Ainsworth served in R.N. Hosp. (Peebles) Remembered at . WW1





    1208050

    Ordinary Seaman Albert Edward Ackerman R.N. Depot, (Crystal Palace) (d.3 Nov 1918)

    Albert Ackerman served in R.N. Depot, (Crystal Palace) Remembered at . WW1





    1208049

    Ordinary Seaman George Armstrong R.N. Depot (Crystal Palace). (d.4 May 1918)

    George Armstrong served in R.N. Depot (Crystal Palace). Remembered at . WW1





    1208048

    Able Seaman Harold Alcock R.N. Depot (Crystal Palace). (d.4 Jul 1918)

    Harold Alcock served in R.N. Depot (Crystal Palace). Remembered at . WW1





    1208047

    Petty Officer Motor Mecha Austin R.N. Armoured Car Div. (d.4 Jun 1915)

    Austin served in R.N. Armoured Car Div. Remembered at . WW1





    1208046

    Serjeant Frederick Allman Mentioned in Despatches R.M.A. Heavy Bty. (d.16 Oct 1917)

    Frederick Allman served in R.M.A. Heavy Bty. Remembered at . WW1





    1208045

    Private Harold Ashworth R.M. Medical Unit, R.N. Div. (d.26 Aug 1918)

    Harold Ashworth served in R.M. Medical Unit, R.N. Div. Remembered at . WW1





    1208044

    Private John Ashton R.M. Medical Unit, R.N. Div. (d.23 Aug 1918)

    John Ashton served in R.M. Medical Unit, R.N. Div. Remembered at . WW1





    1208043

    Private James Arkwright R.M. Medical Unit, R.N. Div. (d.13 Nov 1916)

    James Arkwright served in R.M. Medical Unit, R.N. Div. Remembered at . WW1





    1208042

    Private Richard Aitken R.M. H.Q. (Plymouth). (d.24 Aug 1919)

    Richard Aitken served in R.M. H.Q. (Plymouth). Remembered at . WW1





    1208041

    Private Wilfred Atkinson R.M. Div. Train, R.N. Div. (d.19 Dec 1917)

    Wilfred Atkinson served in R.M. Div. Train, R.N. Div. Remembered at . CPWW1





    1208040

    Sapper Ansley R.M. Div. Engineers, R.N. Div. (d.6 Jun 1915)

    Ansley served in R.M. Div. Engineers, R.N. Div. Remembered at . WW1





    1208039

    Sapper Thomas Austin R.M. Div. Engineers, R.N. Div. (d.3 Nov 1915)

    Thomas Austin served in R.M. Div. Engineers, R.N. Div. Remembered at . WW1





    1208038

    Sapper Hubert P. Adcock R.M. Div. Engineers, R.N. Div. (d.15 Jun 1915)

    Hubert Adcock served in R.M. Div. Engineers, R.N. Div. Remembered at . WW1





    1208037

    Lance Serjeant William Thomas Adams R.M. Depot (d.21 Jun 1918)

    William Adams served in R.M. Depot Remembered at . WW1





    1208036

    Seedie Abdul Rahim R.I.M.S. Dalhousie. (d.31 Jan 1918)

    Abdul Rahim served in R.I.M.S. Dalhousie. Remembered at . WW1





    1208035

    Seedie Ali Muhammad R.I.M.S. Dalhousie. (d.18 Jul 1917)

    Ali Muhammad served in R.I.M.S. Dalhousie. Remembered at . WW1





    1208034

    Sub-Lieutenant James Andrew R.F.A. Sokoto (d.9 Nov 1916)

    James Andrew served in R.F.A. Sokoto Remembered at . WW1





    1208033

    Fireman Benjamin Ambridge R.F.A. Industry. (d.18 Oct 1918)

    Benjamin Ambridge served in R.F.A. Industry. Remembered at . WW1





    1208032

    Private William Allen Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.16 Apr 1920)

    William Allen served in Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208031

    Corporal Arthur Edward Aylieff Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.3 Jun 1915)

    Arthur Aylieff served in Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208030

    Private Wilfrid Almond Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.9 Aug 1915)

    Wilfrid Almond served in Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208029

    Private Frederick Ayres Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.24 Jun 1915)

    Frederick Ayres served in Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208028

    Sergeant Charles Edward Ashman Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.6 May 1915)

    Charles Ashman served in Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208027

    Private Raymond Archer Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.6 May 1915)

    Raymond Archer served in Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208026

    Major Harold Gage Bewes Armstrong Mentioned in Despatches Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.5 May 1915)

    Harold Armstrong served in Portsmouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208025

    Private William Allan Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.14 Apr 1917)

    William Allan served in Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208024

    Private Archer Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Archer served in Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208023

    Private Garribalda Aldridge Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.5 Oct 1914)

    Garribalda Aldridge served in Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208022

    Captain Andrews Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.11 May 1915)

    Andrews served in Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208021

    Private Thomas Richard Arnold Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.9 May 1915)

    Thomas Arnold served in Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208020

    Private John Buckley Ash Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.1 Sep 1915)

    John Ash served in Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208019

    Private Allan Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.15 Jun 1915)

    Allan served in Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208018

    Lance Corporal Wilfred Samson Allkins Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Mar 1915)

    Wilfred Allkins served in Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208017

    Private Albert Edward Victor Atkins Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.12 Aug 1915)

    Albert Atkins served in Plymouth Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208016

    Flight Sub-Lieutenant Hugh Allan No. 3 Sqdn. (d.6 Jul 1917)

    Hugh Allan served in No. 3 Sqdn. Remembered at . WW1





    1208015

    Able Seaman Thomas Edward Andrews Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.28 Dec 1917)

    Thomas Andrews served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208014

    Able Seaman Frederick Armstrong Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.23 Apr 1917)

    Frederick Armstrong served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . CPWW1





    1208013

    Able Seaman Alford Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.22 Nov 1917)

    Alford served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208012

    Able Seaman George Frederick Axe Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    George Axe served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208011

    Able Seaman Thomas Anderson Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    Thomas Anderson served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208010

    Able Seaman William Nesbit Andrew Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Jul 1915)

    William Andrew served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208009

    Able Seaman Ash Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.8 Aug 1915)

    Ash served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208008

    Able Seaman William Attwood Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.5 Apr 1917)

    William Attwood served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208007

    Able Seaman Edgar Albert Armstrong Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 May 1915)

    Edgar Armstrong served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208006

    Able Seaman George L. Auld Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.3 May 1915)

    George Auld served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208005

    Able Seaman Joshua Arnold Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.3 May 1915)

    Joshua Arnold served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208004

    Able Seaman Charles William Andrews Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.3 May 1915)

    Charles Andrews served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208003

    Able Seaman Edmund Awcock Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.2 Nov 1917)

    Edmund Awcock served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208002

    Able Seaman Adams Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.31 Dec 1917)

    Adams served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208001

    Able Seaman George Alfred Adams Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.7 Jun 1917)

    George Adams served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1208000

    Petty Officer James Alder M M Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.23 Apr 1917)

    James Alder served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207999

    Able Seaman Richard (dick) Allbury Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.2 Feb 1917)

    Richard Allbury served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207998

    Able Seaman James Lawrence Allum Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.28 Jan 1917)

    James Allum served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207997

    Able Seaman William Ainslie Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.18 Nov 1916)

    William Ainslie served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207996

    Able Seaman James Adams Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    James Adams served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207995

    Able Seaman Addison Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.16 Jul 1915)

    Addison served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207994

    Able Seaman James G. Alexander Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Jul 1915)

    James Alexander served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207993

    Able Seaman William Aitken Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Jul 1915)

    William Aitken served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207992

    Sub-Lieutenant Douglas Robert George Alldridge Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    Douglas Alldridge served in Nelson Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207991

    Able Seaman Aslett D S M Naval Siege Guns (d.27 Aug 1916)

    Aslett served on Naval Siege Guns in France. Remembered at . WW1





    1207990

    Able Seaman Leslie James Anderson Naval Guard Section, Royal Australian Naval Brigad (d.11 Jun 1918)

    Leslie Anderson served in Naval Guard Section, Royal Australian Naval Brigade Remembered at . WW1





    1207989

    Petty Officer Motor Mecha Armstrong Motor Maxim Sqdn R.N. Armoured Car Div. (Dardanell (d.14 May 1915)

    Armstrong served in Motor Maxim Sqdn R.N. Armoured Car Div. (Dardanelles) Remembered at . WW1





    1207987

    Leading Cooks Mate Reginald William Archer M.F.A. Eleanor. (d.12 Feb 1918)

    Reginald Archer served in M.F.A. Eleanor. Remembered at . WW1





    1207985

    Serjeant Avery Howitzer Brigade. (d.6 Oct 1917)

    Avery served in Howitzer Brigade. Remembered at . WW1





    1207984

    Corporal Ash Howitzer Brigade (d.20 Jun 1915)

    Ash served in Howitzer Brigade Remembered at . WW1





    1207983

    Able Seaman Thomas Arthur Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.29 Apr 1917)

    Thomas Arthur served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207982

    Able Seaman C Mcl. Anderson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.26 Jan 1918)

    C Anderson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207981

    Able Seaman Atkinson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.17 Feb 1917)

    Atkinson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207980

    Able Seaman James Archer Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.17 Feb 1917)

    James Archer served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207979

    Leading Seaman George Lloyd Atkinson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.15 Nov 1915)

    George Atkinson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207978

    Able Seaman Atkinson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    Atkinson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207977

    Lieutenant Ernest Reginald Aston Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    Ernest Aston served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207976

    Able Seaman Arnott Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    Arnott served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207975

    Able Seaman George Greig Anderson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.12 Nov 1916)

    George Anderson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207974

    Able Seaman Jack Gordon Atkin Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Jun 1915)

    Jack Atkin served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207973

    Able Seaman Samuel Thomas Abbott Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.7 Nov 1917)

    Samuel Abbott served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207972

    Able Seaman William Aldridge Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.26 Oct 1917)

    William Aldridge served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207971

    Able Seaman Charles Arthur Allen Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.19 Jul 1917)

    Charles Allen served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207970

    Lieutenant George Ryder Airey M C Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.24 Nov 1916)

    George Airey served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207969

    Able Seaman William Adams Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Jun 1915)

    William Adams served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207968

    Able Seaman Adam Brown Adams Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.2 May 1915)

    Adam Adams served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207967

    Leading Seaman Thomas William Atkinson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Jun 1915)

    Thomas Atkinson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207966

    Stoker 1st Class William Thomas Anthony Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Jun 1915)

    William Anthony served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207965

    Able Seaman George Adcock Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.9 May 1915)

    George Adcock served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207964

    Able Seaman John Scott Atkinson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.30 Dec 1917)

    John Atkinson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207963

    Able Seaman Horace Attree Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.29 Apr 1918)

    Horace Attree served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207962

    Able Seaman Anderson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.26 Apr 1917)

    Anderson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207961

    Lieutenant Charles Percy Asbury Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.23 Apr 1917)

    Charles Asbury served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207960

    Able Seaman William Henry Ash Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.14 Nov 1916)

    William Ash served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207959

    Sub-Lieutenant Reginald John Apthorp Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.14 Nov 1916)

    Reginald Apthorp served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207958

    Leading Seaman Robert Armstrong Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    Robert Armstrong served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207957

    Leading Seaman William Armstrong Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    William Armstrong served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207956

    Leading Seaman John Armin Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.11 Jul 1917)

    John Armin served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207955

    Able Seaman Arthur Ashley Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.8 Oct 1918)

    Arthur Ashley served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207954

    Able Seaman Ashton Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.8 Apr 1915)

    Ashton served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207953

    Able Seaman William Avill Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.8 Feb 1917)

    William Avill served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207952

    Leading Seaman James Henry Archer Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.5 Feb 1917)

    James Archer served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207951

    Able Seaman George William Aked Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.5 Dec 1918)

    George Aked served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207950

    Petty Officer Joseph Anderson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.21 Aug 1918)

    Joseph Anderson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207949

    Able Seaman Albert Victor Aldridge Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.21 Aug 1918)

    Albert Aldridge served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207948

    Able Seaman Alexander Aitken Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.21 Aug 1918)

    Alexander Aitken served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207947

    Able Seaman Alexander Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.28 Jun 1918)

    Alexander served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207946

    Able Seaman Adams Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.7 Mar 1918)

    Adams served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207945

    Leading Seaman Allan M M Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.27 Jan 1918)

    Allan served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207944

    Able Seaman Percy Walter Airey Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.30 Dec 1917)

    Percy Airey served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207943

    Able Seaman Adamson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.5 Oct 1917)

    Adamson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207942

    Able Seaman Alexander Anderson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.14 Feb 1917)

    Alexander Anderson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207941

    Able Seaman William Adey Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    William Adey served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207940

    Able Seaman William Marshall Anderson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.10 Jul 1916)

    William Anderson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207939

    Able Seaman Ancrum Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.5 Nov 1915)

    Ancrum served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207938

    Able Seaman Thomas Heslop Adamson Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.1 Jul 1915)

    Thomas Adamson served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207937

    Able Seaman William Allman Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.21 Jun 1915)

    William Allman served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207936

    Stoker 1st Class Angus Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.27 May 1915)

    Angus served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207935

    Stoker 1st Class William Arnold Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.20 May 1915)

    William Arnold served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207934

    Stoker 1st Class Ernest Septimus Audas Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.19 Jul 1915)

    Ernest Audas served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207933

    Stoker 1st Class Alfred Ansell Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.6 May 1915)

    Alfred Ansell served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207932

    Stoker 1st Class Joshua John Andrews Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Jun 1915)

    Joshua Andrews served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207931

    Able Seaman Addison Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.29 Dec 1915)

    Addison served in Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207930

    Leading Seaman John Rodway Adams Mentioned in Despatches HMS. E37. (d.3 Dec 1916)

    John Adams served in HMS. E37. Remembered at . WW1





    1207929

    Stoker 1st Class Alfred Artis HMS. D2. (d.1 Dec 1914)

    Alfred Artis served in HMS. D2. Remembered at . WW1





    1207928

    Petty Officer 1st Class Alfred Alexander HMS. C33. (d.5 Aug 1915)

    Alfred Alexander served in HMS. C33. Remembered at . WW1





    1207927

    Petty Officer Herbert Garnham Andrews HMS K5. (d.20 Jan 1921)

    Herbert Andrews served in HMS K5. Remembered at . WW1





    1207926

    Able Seaman Cecil Frederick John Aburrow HMS K5. (d.20 Jan 1921)

    Cecil Aburrow served in HMS K5. Remembered at . WW1





    1207925

    Engine Room Artificer 3rd Ernest William Armstrong HMS J6. (d.15 Oct 1918)

    Ernest Armstrong served in HMS J6. Remembered at . WW1





    1207924

    Stoker 1st Class Ernest Thomas Ashmore HMS H5. (d.2 Mar 1918)

    Ernest Ashmore served in HMS H5. Remembered at . WW1





    1207923

    Stoker 1st Class Henry Robert Alford HMS H5. (d.2 Mar 1918)

    Henry Alford served in HMS H5. Remembered at . WW1





    1207922

    Lieutenant John Henry Anson HMS H5 (d.2 Mar 1918)

    John Anson served in HMS H5 Remembered at . WW1





    1207921

    Petty Officer Albert Ernest Ayers HMS H3. (d.15 Jul 1916)

    Albert Ayers served in HMS H3. Remembered at . WW1





    1207920

    Sub-Lieutenant Philip Furlong Armstrong HMS G8 (d.3 Jan 1918)

    Philip Armstrong served in HMS G8 Remembered at . WW1





    1207919

    Petty Officer Stoker Henry William Aldridge D S M HMS G7. (d.1 Nov 1918)

    Henry Aldridge served in HMS G7. Remembered at . WW1





    1207918

    Chief Stoker Harry Adams HMS E6 (d.26 Dec 1915)

    Harry Adams served in HMS E6 Remembered at . WW1





    1207917

    Able Seaman Henry Warkman Atkinson HMS E5. (d.11 Mar 1916)

    Henry Atkinson served in HMS E5. Remembered at . WW1





    1207916

    Petty Officer William James Arnold HMS E5. (d.11 Mar 1916)

    William Arnold served in HMS E5. Remembered at . WW1





    1207915

    Stoker 1st Class Albert Aldred HMS E5. (d.11 Mar 1916)

    Albert Aldred served in HMS E5. Remembered at . WW1





    1207914

    Boy Telegraphist Henry Victor Arm HMS E49. (d.12 Mar 1917)

    Henry Arm served in HMS E49. Remembered at . WW1





    1207913

    Petty Officer Christopher John Ashby HMS E41. (d.15 Aug 1916)

    Christopher Ashby served in HMS E41. Remembered at . WW1





    1207912

    Petty Officer William Samuel Archer HMS E37. (d.3 Dec 1916)

    William Archer served in HMS E37. Remembered at . WW1





    1207911

    Able Seaman Edwin James Alexander HMS E36. (d.19 Jan 1917)

    Edwin Alexander served in HMS E36. Remembered at . WW1





    1207910

    Leading Seaman George Atkinson D S M HMS E34. (d.20 Jul 1918)

    George Atkinson served in HMS E34. Remembered at . WW1





    1207909

    Engine Room Artificer 4th John Allen HMS E34. (d.20 Jul 1918)

    John Allen served in HMS E34. Remembered at . WW1





    1207908

    Lieutenant Harold Harding Atkin-berry HMS E26 (d.6 Jul 1916)

    Harold Atkin-berry served in HMS E26 Remembered at . WW1





    1207907

    Leading Seaman John William Wray Anfield HMS E16. (d.22 Aug 1916)

    John Anfield served in HMS E16. Remembered at . WW1





    1207906

    Able Seaman Frank Stuart Ayling HMS E10. (d.21 Jan 1915)

    Frank Ayling served in HMS E10. Remembered at . WW1





    1207905

    Private Charles James Arthy HMS Clan McNaughton. (d.3 Feb 1915)

    Charles Arthy served in HMS Clan McNaughton. Remembered at . WW1





    1207904

    Petty Officer Stoker Walter William Austin HMS C31. (d.7 Jan 1915)

    Walter Austin served in HMS C31. Remembered at . WW1





    1207903

    Able Seaman Andrew Ahern HMS C29 (d.29 Aug 1915)

    Andrew Ahern served in HMS C29 Remembered at . WW1





    1207902

    Able Seaman Newman William Aldridge HMS E34. (d.20 Jul 1918)

    Newman Aldridge served in HMS E34. Remembered at . WW1





    1207900

    Able Seaman Andrew Armstrong Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.31 Dec 1915)

    Andrew Armstrong served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207899

    Able Seaman Thomas Ashurst Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.28 Sep 1918)

    Thomas Ashurst served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207898

    Able Seaman George Atkinson Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.27 Dec 1915)

    George Atkinson served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207897

    Leading Seaman William Atkinson Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.25 Aug 1918)

    William Atkinson served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207896

    Able Seaman Ernest Stephen Ayres Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.21 Oct 1916)

    Ernest Ayres served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207895

    Able Seaman William Atkinson Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.21 Mar 1918)

    William Atkinson served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207894

    Able Seaman Charles Ashford Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.21 Mar 1918)

    Charles Ashford served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207893

    Able Seaman Armfield Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.19 Nov 1916)

    Armfield served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207892

    Able Seaman Jonas Atkinson Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.19 Jun 1915)

    Jonas Atkinson served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207891

    Able Seaman Albert Ayre Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.15 Feb 1917)

    Albert Ayre served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207890

    Leading Seaman Athroll Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.9 Oct 1918)

    Athroll served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207889

    Able Seaman Henry Atherley Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.8 Feb 1917)

    Henry Atherley served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207888

    Able Seaman John Henry Ashley Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.6 Nov 1917)

    John Ashley served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207887

    Able Seaman Charles Taylor Atkin Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.3 Sep 1918)

    Charles Atkin served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207886

    Able Seaman Atkins Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.1 Oct 1917)

    Atkins served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207885

    Able Seaman Anderson Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.8 Oct 1918)

    Anderson served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207884

    Able Seaman Alex Deacon Allan Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.27 Mar 1918)

    Alex Allan served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207883

    Able Seaman Theodore Ross Anderson Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.11 May 1917)

    Theodore Anderson served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207882

    Able Seaman John Lothian Ambler Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.3 Feb 1917)

    John Ambler served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207881

    Able Seaman John Aitchison Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    John Aitchison served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207880

    Able Seaman Percival Richard Addis Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.25 Aug 1915)

    Percival Addis served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207879

    Able Seaman Albert Abson Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.28 Jun 1915)

    Albert Abson served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207878

    Petty Officer Alexander Menzies Gilchrist Alcorn Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.27 Sep 1918)

    Alexander Alcorn served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207877

    Able Seaman Edward Anthony Hogarth Aspin Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    Edward Aspin served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207876

    Seaman Martin Henderson Allan Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Nov 1918)

    Martin Allan served in Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1207875

    Gunner Albert Aylward H.Q. Eastney (d.8 Mar 1919)

    Albert Aylward served in H.Q. Eastney Remembered at . WW1





    1207874

    Able Seaman John Archbold H.M.T.B. No.11. (d.7 Mar 1916)

    John Archbold served in H.M.T.B. No.11. Remembered at . WW1





    1207873

    Leading Seaman Samuel Claude Ash H.M.T.B. No. 13. (d.27 Jan 1916)

    Samuel Ash served in H.M.T.B. No. 13. Remembered at . CPWW1





    1207872

    Fireman Robert Anderson H.M.T. Richard Welford. (d.17 Apr 1916)

    Robert Anderson served in H.M.T. Richard Welford. Remembered at . WW1





    1207871

    Trimmer Josiah Armour H.M.T. Altair. (d.23 Dec 1916)

    Josiah Armour served in H.M.T. Altair. Remembered at . WW1





    1207870

    Signalman James Steele Allison H.M.S.Foyle. (d.15 Mar 1917)

    James Allison served in H.M.S.Foyle. Remembered at . WW1





    1207869

    Midshipman Frank Reginald Allen H.M.S.Ebro (d.19 Oct 1915)

    Frank Allen served in H.M.S.Ebro Remembered at . WW1





    1207868

    Ordinary Seaman Henry Ashdown H.M.S. Yarmouth. (d.23 Aug 1919)

    Henry Ashdown served in H.M.S. Yarmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207867

    Stoker Ah sim H.M.S. Woodlark (d.30 Sep 1919)

    Ah sim served in H.M.S. Woodlark Remembered at . WW1





    1207866

    Chief Engine Room Artific Ault H.M.S. White Oak. (d.3 Apr 1918)

    Ault served in H.M.S. White Oak. Remembered at . WW1





    1207865

    Leading Stoker Alfred Walter Andrews H.M.S. Wessex. (d.26 Jun 1918)

    Alfred Andrews served in H.M.S. Wessex. Remembered at . WW1





    1207864

    Able Seaman Austin H.M.S. Wear (d.1 Oct 1918)

    Austin served in H.M.S. Wear Remembered at . WW1





    1207863

    Able Seaman William Miller Adair H.M.S. Watchman. (d.27 Oct 1918)

    William Adair served in H.M.S. Watchman. Remembered at . WW1





    1207862

    Petty Officer Wilfred Sydney Anderson H.M.S. Warwick. (d.27 Apr 1921)

    Wilfred Anderson served in H.M.S. Warwick. Remembered at . WW1





    1207861

    Able Seaman Sidney James Avery H.M.S. Warspite. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    Sidney Avery served in H.M.S. Warspite. Remembered at . WW1





    1207860

    Stoker 1st Class Arthur Astin H.M.S. Warrior. (d.31 May 1916)

    Arthur Astin served in H.M.S. Warrior. Remembered at . WW1





    1207859

    Stoker 1st Class Thomas Chalinor Ashcroft H.M.S. Warrior. (d.31 May 1916)

    Thomas Ashcroft served in H.M.S. Warrior. Remembered at . WW1





    1207858

    Officers Steward 3rd Clas Anthony Alford H.M.S. Warrior. (d.31 May 1916)

    Anthony Alford served in H.M.S. Warrior. Remembered at . WW1





    1207857

    Engine Room Artificer 3rd John Napier Abbott H.M.S. Warrior. (d.31 May 1916)

    John Abbott served in H.M.S. Warrior. Remembered at . WW1





    1207856

    Deck Hand Charles Allott H.M.S. Wallington. (d.26 Feb 1919)

    Charles Allott served in H.M.S. Wallington. Remembered at . WW1





    1207855

    Officers Cook 2nd Class Azzopardi H.M.S. Wallflower. (d.8 Oct 1918)

    Azzopardi served in H.M.S. Wallflower. Remembered at . WW1





    1207854

    Able Seaman Allen H.M.S. Vulcan. (d.12 Jul 1918)

    Allen served in H.M.S. Vulcan. Remembered at . WW1





    1207853

    Leading Telegraphist Frederick Douglas Arnold H.M.S. Vortigern (d.27 Nov 1918)

    Frederick Arnold served in H.M.S. Vortigern Remembered at . WW1





    1207852

    Officers Steward 1st Clas Walter Frank Austin H.M.S. Vivid. (d.29 Jul 1918)

    Walter Austin served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207851

    Master at Arms Thomas Avery H.M.S. Vivid. (d.27 Dec 1917)

    Thomas Avery served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207850

    Stoker 2nd Class Andrews H.M.S. Vivid. (d.21 Aug 1916)

    Andrews served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207849

    Stoker 2nd Class Arthur H.M.S. Vivid. (d.18 Apr 1917)

    Arthur served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207848

    Chief Writer Andrews H.M.S. Vivid. (d.16 Feb 1915)

    Andrews served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207847

    Able Seaman Charles Arnold H.M.S. Vivid. (d.6 Apr 1921)

    Charles Arnold served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207846

    Petty Officer Stoker Thomas Argeat H.M.S. Vivid. (d.1 Aug 1918)

    Thomas Argeat served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207845

    Petty Officer 1st Class George Joseph Anderson H.M.S. Vivid. (d.1 Dec 1919)

    George Anderson served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207844

    Officers Steward 2nd Clas Henry William Allen H.M.S. Vivid. (d.21 Jan 1919)

    Henry Allen served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207843

    Stoker 1st Class William Wallace Almond H.M.S. Vivid. (d.21 Dec 1918)

    William Almond served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207842

    Armourers Mate Eddie Addison H.M.S. Vivid. (d.14 Oct 1918)

    Eddie Addison served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207841

    Ordinary Seaman David Allison H.M.S. Vivid. (d.13 Sep 1918)

    David Allison served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207840

    Chief Petty Officer Victu Patrick Joseph Aherne H.M.S. Vivid. (d.14 Jul 1918)

    Patrick Aherne served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207839

    Ordinary Seaman Alfred Joseph Allen H.M.S. Vivid. (d.18 Apr 1918)

    Alfred Allen served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207838

    Chief Boatswain Matthew Allen H.M.S. Vivid. (d.18 Jul 1917)

    Matthew Allen served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207837

    Ordinary Seaman Allan H.M.S. Vivid. (d.4 May 1917)

    Allan served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207836

    Petty Officer Stoker Anderson H.M.S. Vivid. (d.20 Apr 1917)

    Anderson served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207835

    Gunner Adams H.M.S. Vivid. (d.1 Nov 1915)

    Adams served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207834

    Boy 2nd Class Fredrick Charles Akehurst H.M.S. Vivid. (d.8 Mar 1915)

    Fredrick Akehurst served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207833

    Ordinary Seaman George Edward Charles Amor H.M.S. Vivid. (d.22 Jul 1917)

    George Amor served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207832

    Able Seaman Walter Henry Abraham H.M.S. Vivid. (d.29 Nov 1920)

    Walter Abraham served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207831

    Ordinary Seaman Neil Arbuthnot H.M.S. Vivid. (d.26 Feb 1917)

    Neil Arbuthnot served in H.M.S. Vivid. Remembered at . WW1





    1207830

    Leading Stoker Robert Charles Ashley H.M.S. Vivid II (d.22 May 1921)

    Robert Ashley served in H.M.S. Vivid II Remembered at . WW1





    1207829

    Petty Officer Telegraphis John Leander Anderson H.M.S. Vivid (d.15 Jul 1919)

    John Anderson served in H.M.S. Vivid Remembered at . WW1





    1207828

    Able Seaman Allen H.M.S. Vivid (d.11 May 1916)

    Allen served in H.M.S. Vivid Remembered at . WW1





    1207827

    Carpenter Lieutenant John Richard Allen H.M.S. Vivid (d.19 Jan 1916)

    John Allen served in H.M.S. Vivid Remembered at . WW1





    1207826

    Deck Hand Abbs H.M.S. Vivid (d.11 Nov 1917)

    Abbs served in H.M.S. Vivid Remembered at . WW1





    1207825

    Private Roy Manfred Adams H.M.S. Vindictive. (d.23 Apr 1918)

    Roy Adams served in H.M.S. Vindictive. Remembered at . WW1





    1207824

    Able Seaman Henry Aylott H.M.S. Vindictive (d.23 Apr 1918)

    Henry Aylott served in H.M.S. Vindictive Remembered at . WW1





    1207823

    Petty Officer 1st Class Edward James Akehurst H.M.S. Viknor. (d.13 Jan 1915)

    Edward Akehurst served in H.M.S. Viknor. Remembered at . WW1





    1207822

    Able Seaman Alfred Adams H.M.S. Viknor. (d.13 Jan 1915)

    Alfred Adams served in H.M.S. Viknor. Remembered at . WW1





    1207821

    Able Seaman William Thomas Armour H.M.S. Viknor. (d.13 Jan 1915)

    William Armour served in H.M.S. Viknor. Remembered at . WW1





    1207820

    Seaman Michael James Ahearne H.M.S. Viknor. (d.13 Jan 1915)

    Michael Ahearne served in H.M.S. Viknor. Remembered at . WW1





    1207819

    Blacksmith Walter Davison Arthur H.M.S. Viknor. (d.13 Jan 1915)

    Walter Arthur served in H.M.S. Viknor. Remembered at . WW1





    1207818

    Writer 2nd Leslie C. Arkle H.M.S. Viknor (d.13 Jan 1915)

    Leslie Arkle served in H.M.S. Viknor Remembered at . WW1





    1207817

    Ships Cook John Andrew H.M.S. Viknor (d.13 Jan 1915)

    John Andrew served in H.M.S. Viknor Remembered at . WW1





    1207816

    Fireman Alderson H.M.S. Viknor (d.13 Jan 1915)

    Alderson served in H.M.S. Viknor Remembered at . WW1





    1207815

    Fireman James Adam H.M.S. Viknor (d.13 Jan 1915)

    James Adam served in H.M.S. Viknor Remembered at . WW1





    1207814

    Chief Artificer Engineer James Anderson H.M.S. Viking. (d.29 Jan 1916)

    James Anderson served in H.M.S. Viking. Remembered at . WW1





    1207813

    Able Seaman Arnold H.M.S. Vienna (d.20 Jun 1917)

    Arnold served in H.M.S. Vienna Remembered at . WW1





    1207812

    Stoker 1st Class Aspinall H.M.S. Victory. (d.8 Jun 1918)

    Aspinall served in H.M.S. Victory. Remembered at . WW1





    1207811

    Sailmaker Thomas William Andrews H.M.S. Victory. (d.4 Jun 1918)

    Thomas Andrews served in H.M.S. Victory. Remembered at . WW1





    1207810

    Ordinary Seaman Edward Arda H.M.S. Victory. (d.3 Jun 1916)

    Edward Arda served in H.M.S. Victory. Remembered at . WW1





    1207809

    Boy 1st Class Sidney Arthur Alborough H.M.S. Victory. (d.23 Apr 1919)

    Sidney Alborough served in H.M.S. Victory. Remembered at . WW1





    1207808

    Master at Arms William Henry Alford H.M.S. Victory. (d.9 Apr 1918)

    William Alford served in H.M.S. Victory. Remembered at . WW1





    1207807

    Leading Seaman Allnutt H.M.S. Victory. (d.25 Jul 1917)

    Allnutt served in H.M.S. Victory. Remembered at . WW1





    1207806

    Ordinary Seaman Albert James Richard Adams H.M.S. Victory. (d.7 Sep 1918)

    Albert Adams served in H.M.S. Victory. Remembered at . WW1





    1207805

    Junior Reserve Attendant Charles Edwin Allen H.M.S. Victory. (d.25 Jan 1918)

    Charles Allen served in H.M.S. Victory. Remembered at . WW1





    1207804

    Acting Engine Room Artifi William Blenkiron Adamson H.M.S. Victory II (d.15 Mar 1918)

    William Adamson served in H.M.S. Victory II Remembered at . WW1





    1207803

    Chief Sick Berth Steward William Thomas Allen H.M.S. Victory I (d.30 Nov 1918)

    William Allen served in H.M.S. Victory I Remembered at . WW1





    1207802

    Ordinary Seaman Frank Louis Appleby H.M.S. Victory (d.22 Dec 1917)

    Frank Appleby served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1207801

    Petty Officer Stoker Archer H.M.S. Victory (d.15 Jan 1917)

    Archer served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1207800

    Chief Engine Room Artific Atkins H.M.S. Victory (d.14 Mar 1915)

    Atkins served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1207799

    Able Seaman Archer H.M.S. Victory (d.12 Aug 1918)

    Archer served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1207798

    Acting Engine Room Artifi Harry George Aspeck H.M.S. Victory (d.6 May 1915)

    Harry Aspeck served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1207797

    Chief Engine Room Artific Abraham H.M.S. Victory (d.2 Sep 1918)

    Abraham served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1207796

    Petty Officer 1st Class Aldred H.M.S. Victory (d.27 Apr 1917)

    Aldred served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1207795

    Petty Officer Telegraphis James Adams H.M.S. Victory (d.30 Sep 1915)

    James Adams served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1207794

    Deck Hand James Allan H.M.S. Victory (d.18 Oct 1918)

    James Allan served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1207793

    Private Allen H.M.S. Victory (d.17 Aug 1915)

    Allen served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1207792

    Rigger William Thomas Abrams H.M.S. Victory (d.8 Aug 1918)

    William Abrams served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1207791

    Midshipman Alexis William Ashley H.M.S. Verulam. (d.3 Sep 1919)

    Alexis Ashley served in H.M.S. Verulam. Remembered at . WW1





    1207790

    Chief Petty Officer Andrews H.M.S. Vernon (d.23 Mar 1917)

    Andrews served in H.M.S. Vernon Remembered at . WW1





    1207789

    Armourers Crew Andrews H.M.S. Vernon (d.16 Mar 1915)

    Andrews served in H.M.S. Vernon Remembered at . WW1





    1207788

    Leading Seaman Charles Herbert Allison H.M.S. Vengeance. (d.25 Apr 1915)

    Charles Allison served in H.M.S. Vengeance. Remembered at . WW1





    1207787

    Able Seaman William Walter Allaby H.M.S. Velox. (d.25 Oct 1915)

    William Allaby served in H.M.S. Velox. Remembered at . WW1





    1207786

    Able Seaman Albert William Fredrick Annis H.M.S. Vehement. (d.2 Aug 1918)

    Albert Annis served in H.M.S. Vehement. Remembered at . WW1





    1207785

    Stoker 1st Class George Atkins H.M.S. Vega (d.14 Aug 1918)

    George Atkins served in H.M.S. Vega Remembered at . WW1





    1207784

    Stoker 2nd Class Jesse Ayres H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Jesse Ayres served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207783

    Stoker 2nd Class Alfred William Avis H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Alfred Avis served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207782

    Able Seaman Walter Attwood H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Walter Attwood served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207781

    Able Seaman Lance Atkinson H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Lance Atkinson served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207780

    Leading Stoker Ernest Bolton Atkins H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Ernest Atkins served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207779

    Able Seaman Arthur Palmer Athroll H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Arthur Athroll served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207778

    Stoker 1st Class Leonard John Ashford H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Leonard Ashford served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207777

    Chief Stoker William Armitage H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    William Armitage served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207776

    Petty Officer Stoker Harold Armitage H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Harold Armitage served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207775

    Stoker 1st Class Wallace Lynes Archer H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Wallace Archer served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207774

    Petty Officer Stoker Albert George Apps H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Albert Apps served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207773

    Mechanician John Ambler H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    John Ambler served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207772

    Engineer Sub-Lieutenant Frederick Allender H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Frederick Allender served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207771

    Ordinary Seaman Frederick John Aldridge H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Frederick Aldridge served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207770

    Petty Officer Stoker Joseph Alder H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Joseph Alder served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207769

    Stoker 1st Class Thomas Rainey Agnew H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Thomas Agnew served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207768

    Able Seaman James Agg H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    James Agg served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207767

    Able Seaman William Milton Adlam H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    William Adlam served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207766

    Carpenters Crew John Wilson Adams H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    John Adams served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207765

    Signal Boy Francis Adam H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Francis Adam served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207764

    Ordinary Seaman Robert Ackrill H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Robert Ackrill served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207763

    Able Seaman David Rowland Abrey H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    David Abrey served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207762

    Stoker 1st Class Henry William Abbott H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Henry Abbott served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207761

    Electrical Artificer 2nd James William Ladson Allwright H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    James Allwright served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207760

    Artificer Electrical 2nd John Henry Aspinall H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    John Aspinall served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207759

    Stoker Abraham Ayre H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Abraham Ayre served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207758

    Stoker Alexander Arnott H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Alexander Arnott served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207757

    Lance Corporal Henry Antcliffe H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Henry Antcliffe served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207756

    Gunner George Arthur Arnold H.M.S. Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    George Arnold served in H.M.S. Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207755

    Leading Stoker Harry Thomas Ayling H.M.S. Vampire. (d.28 Jul 1920)

    Harry Ayling served in H.M.S. Vampire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207754

    Petty Officer Stoker James Adams H.M.S. Valkyrie. (d.22 Dec 1917)

    James Adams served in H.M.S. Valkyrie. Remembered at . WW1





    1207753

    Private Albert Densham Andrews H.M.S. Valiant (d.28 Apr 1921)

    Albert Andrews served in H.M.S. Valiant Remembered at . WW1





    1207752

    Able Seaman James Atherton H.M.S. Vala. (d.21 Aug 1917)

    James Atherton served in H.M.S. Vala. Remembered at . WW1





    1207751

    Chief Petty Officer William John Adams D S M and Bar, Mentioned in Despatches H.M.S. Vala. (d.21 Aug 1917)

    William Adams served in H.M.S. Vala. Remembered at . WW1





    1207750

    Sick Berth Steward Joseph Horatio Ablett H.M.S. Undaunted (d.21 Nov 1918)

    Joseph Ablett served in H.M.S. Undaunted Remembered at . WW1





    1207749

    Stoker 1st Class Anstee H.M.S. Tyrian. (d.23 May 1921)

    Anstee served in H.M.S. Tyrian. Remembered at . WW1





    1207748

    Leading Seaman Thomas Aves H.M.S. Turbulent. (d.28 Feb 1920)

    Thomas Aves served in H.M.S. Turbulent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207747

    Stoker 1st Class William Charles Ayton H.M.S. Turbulent. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    William Ayton served in H.M.S. Turbulent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207746

    Chief Petty Officer John Ayre H.M.S. Turbulent. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    John Ayre served in H.M.S. Turbulent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207745

    Officers Steward 2nd Clas Albert Edward Austin H.M.S. Turbulent. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    Albert Austin served in H.M.S. Turbulent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207744

    Stoker 2nd Class Henry Archibald H.M.S. Turbulent. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    Henry Archibald served in H.M.S. Turbulent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207743

    Petty Officer Stoker David Anthony H.M.S. Turbulent. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    David Anthony served in H.M.S. Turbulent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207742

    Ordinary Seaman George William Allen H.M.S. Turbulent. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    George Allen served in H.M.S. Turbulent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207741

    Stoker 1st Class Robert Ayre H.M.S. Torrent. (d.23 Dec 1917)

    Robert Ayre served in H.M.S. Torrent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207740

    Petty Officer Harry Marriott Acott H.M.S. Torrent. (d.23 Dec 1917)

    Harry Acott served in H.M.S. Torrent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207739

    Able Seaman Robert Lawson Anderson H.M.S. Tornado. (d.23 Dec 1917)

    Robert Anderson served in H.M.S. Tornado. Remembered at . WW1





    1207738

    Officers Steward 1st Clas Alessandro H.M.S. Tobago (d.4 Dec 1920)

    Alessandro served in H.M.S. Tobago Remembered at . WW1





    1207737

    Chief Petty Officer Teleg John Austridge H.M.S. Tipperary. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    John Austridge served in H.M.S. Tipperary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207736

    Able Seaman Harry Thomas Andrews H.M.S. Tipperary. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    Harry Andrews served in H.M.S. Tipperary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207735

    Stoker 1st Class William Arthur Alner H.M.S. Tipperary. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    William Alner served in H.M.S. Tipperary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207734

    Ordinary Signalman Wyndham James Allwork H.M.S. Tipperary. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    Wyndham Allwork served in H.M.S. Tipperary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207733

    Petty Officer Stoker William Adams H.M.S. Tipperary. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    William Adams served in H.M.S. Tipperary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207732

    Telegraphist Herbert John Andrews H.M.S. Thunderer. (d.2 Oct 1918)

    Herbert Andrews served in H.M.S. Thunderer. Remembered at . WW1





    1207731

    Able Seaman William Oliver Anderson H.M.S. Theseus II. (d.28 Aug 1919)

    William Anderson served in H.M.S. Theseus II. Remembered at . WW1





    1207730

    Stoker 1st Class Joe Atkins H.M.S. Test. (d.23 Mar 1918)

    Joe Atkins served in H.M.S. Test. Remembered at . WW1





    1207729

    Stoker 1st Class Aven H.M.S. Test. (d.8 Nov 1918)

    Aven served in H.M.S. Test. Remembered at . WW1





    1207728

    Able Seaman Hubert William Amos H.M.S. Tartar (d.17 Jun 1917)

    Hubert Amos served in H.M.S. Tartar Remembered at . WW1





    1207727

    Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Adams H.M.S. Tamar. (d.1 Jul 1918)

    Charles Adams served in H.M.S. Tamar. Remembered at . WW1





    1207726

    Private Henry Giles Amor H.M.S. Tamar. (d.18 Jul 1917)

    Henry Amor served in H.M.S. Tamar. Remembered at . WW1





    1207725

    Officers Steward 1st Clas George Atkinson H.M.S. Talbot. (d.1 Apr 1919)

    George Atkinson served in H.M.S. Talbot. Remembered at . WW1





    1207724

    Seedie Sherif Bin Abdulla H.M.S. Talbot. (d.8 Oct 1917)

    Sherif Abdulla served in H.M.S. Talbot. Remembered at . WW1





    1207723

    Leading Seaman Charles Edward Acton H.M.S. Surprise. (d.23 Dec 1917)

    Charles Acton served in H.M.S. Surprise. Remembered at . WW1





    1207722

    Lieutenant Frank Maclean Abbott H.M.S. Surprise. (d.23 Dec 1917)

    Frank Abbott served in H.M.S. Surprise. Remembered at . WW1





    1207721

    Leading Cooks Mate Henry William Allison H.M.S. Strongbow. (d.17 Oct 1917)

    Henry Allison served in H.M.S. Strongbow. Remembered at . WW1





    1207720

    Stoker 1st Class Harold Victor Allen H.M.S. Strongbow. (d.17 Oct 1917)

    Harold Allen served in H.M.S. Strongbow. Remembered at . WW1





    1207719

    Ordinary Seaman George James Allen H.M.S. Strongbow. (d.17 Oct 1917)

    George Allen served in H.M.S. Strongbow. Remembered at . WW1





    1207718

    Engineer Sub-Lieutenant Ernest Alfred Ayres H.M.S. Stonecrop. (d.18 Sep 1917)

    Ernest Ayres served in H.M.S. Stonecrop. Remembered at . WW1





    1207717

    Boy 1st Class John Ernest Atkinson H.M.S. Stephen Furness. (d.13 Dec 1917)

    John Atkinson served in H.M.S. Stephen Furness. Remembered at . WW1





    1207716

    Private James Frederick Ayres H.M.S. St. Vincent. (d.31 Jan 1919)

    James Ayres served in H.M.S. St. Vincent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207715

    Able Seaman Atkinson H.M.S. Sprightly. (d.23 Oct 1918)

    Atkinson served in H.M.S. Sprightly. Remembered at . WW1





    1207714

    Leading Signalman Charles Samuel Allen H.M.S. Spitfire. (d.31 May 1916)

    Charles Allen served in H.M.S. Spitfire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207713

    Greaser Alfred Archer H.M.S. Speedwell, (d.4 Dec 1917)

    Alfred Archer served in H.M.S. Speedwell, Remembered at . WW1





    1207712

    Able Seaman Andrews H.M.S. Snakefly (d.8 Nov 1917)

    Andrews served in H.M.S. Snakefly Remembered at . WW1





    1207711

    Ordinary Telegraphist Reginald Thomas Auton H.M.S. Simoom. (d.23 Jan 1917)

    Reginald Auton served in H.M.S. Simoom. Remembered at . WW1





    1207710

    Leading Stoker Henry Richard Atkins H.M.S. Simoom. (d.23 Jan 1917)

    Henry Atkins served in H.M.S. Simoom. Remembered at . WW1





    1207709

    Officers Steward 2nd Clas Paolo Attard H.M.S. Shark. (d.31 May 1916)

    Paolo Attard served in H.M.S. Shark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207708

    Petty Officer Stoker Robert Allan H.M.S. Shark. (d.31 May 1916)

    Robert Allan served in H.M.S. Shark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207707

    Petty Officer Stoker Alfred Ernest Abbinnett H.M.S. Shark. (d.31 May 1916)

    Alfred Abbinnett served in H.M.S. Shark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207706

    Able Seaman George Forrester Paton Allan H.M.S. Sentinel. (d.22 Jan 1918)

    George Allan served in H.M.S. Sentinel. Remembered at . WW1





    1207705

    Engine Room Artificer 3rd Samuel Richard Lorne Allen H.M.S. Seagull. (d.30 Sep 1918)

    Samuel Allen served in H.M.S. Seagull. Remembered at . WW1





    1207704

    Seaman Arnopp H.M.S. Satellite. (d.9 Sep 1919)

    Arnopp served in H.M.S. Satellite. Remembered at . WW1





    1207703

    Leading Signalman Francis Edward Annis H.M.S. Sarnia. (d.12 Sep 1918)

    Francis Annis served in H.M.S. Sarnia. Remembered at . WW1





    1207702

    Trimmer Georgio Azzopardi H.M.S. Sarnia. (d.12 Sep 1918)

    Georgio Azzopardi served in H.M.S. Sarnia. Remembered at . WW1





    1207701

    Stoker 1st Class Alexander H.M.S. Sapphire. (d.18 Dec 1918)

    Alexander served in H.M.S. Sapphire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207700

    Able Seaman William Alexander H.M.S. Sable. (d.2 Jan 1918)

    William Alexander served in H.M.S. Sable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207699

    Able Seaman Thomas Maurice Ault H.M.S. Russell. (d.27 Apr 1916)

    Thomas Ault served in H.M.S. Russell. Remembered at . WW1





    1207698

    Officers Steward 1st Clas Aylard H.M.S. Russell. (d.23 May 1916)

    Aylard served in H.M.S. Russell. Remembered at . WW1





    1207697

    Ships Steward Assistant Sidney Acton H.M.S. Russell. (d.27 Apr 1916)

    Sidney Acton served in H.M.S. Russell. Remembered at . WW1





    1207696

    Stoker 1st Class George Moore Abbott H.M.S. Russell. (d.27 Apr 191)

    George Abbott served in H.M.S. Russell. Remembered at .





    1207695

    Boy 1st Class Arnold H.M.S. Russell (d.29 Apr 1916)

    Arnold served in H.M.S. Russell Remembered at . WW1





    1207694

    Leading Seaman Asmusson H.M.S. Rosalind (d.7 Aug 1919)

    Asmusson served in H.M.S. Rosalind Remembered at . WW1





    1207693

    Able Seaman Frederick William Adams H.M.S. Roberts (d.23 Nov 1916)

    Frederick Adams served in H.M.S. Roberts Remembered at . WW1





    1207692

    Boy 1st Class Frederick Aylott H.M.S. Revenge. (d.12 Oct 1916)

    Frederick Aylott served in H.M.S. Revenge. Remembered at . WW1





    1207691

    Lieut-Commander Atlay H.M.S. Revenge (d.11 Nov 1914)

    Atlay served in H.M.S. Revenge Remembered at . WW1





    1207690

    Leading Stoker Herbert Edgar Andrews H.M.S. Resolution (d.8 Nov 1918)

    Herbert Andrews served in H.M.S. Resolution Remembered at . WW1





    1207689

    Boatswain Ashford H.M.S. Repulse (d.16 Apr 1919)

    Ashford served in H.M.S. Repulse Remembered at . WW1





    1207688

    Warrant Engineer John Thomas Allen H.M.S. Repulse (d.14 May 1921)

    John Allen served in H.M.S. Repulse Remembered at . WW1





    1207687

    Chief Petty Officer John Arnold H.M.S. Renown. (d.1 Feb 1918)

    John Arnold served in H.M.S. Renown. Remembered at . WW1





    1207686

    Leading Seaman Charles Oswal Atkin H.M.S. Renard. (d.6 Oct 1918)

    Charles Atkin served in H.M.S. Renard. Remembered at . WW1





    1207685

    Ordinary Seaman Evan John Allen H.M.S. Recruit. (d.9 Aug 1917)

    Evan Allen served in H.M.S. Recruit. Remembered at . WW1





    1207684

    Stoker 1st Class James Edgar Anderson H.M.S. Recruit. (d.1 May 1915)

    James Anderson served in H.M.S. Recruit. Remembered at . WW1





    1207683

    Stoker 1st Class Albert Alfred Nathaniel Ansell H.M.S. Recruit. (d.9 Aug 1917)

    Albert Ansell served in H.M.S. Recruit. Remembered at . WW1





    1207682

    Officers Cook 1st Class Atkinson H.M.S. Ramsey. (d.8 Aug 1915)

    Atkinson served in H.M.S. Ramsey. Remembered at . WW1





    1207681

    Able Seaman George Anness H.M.S. Raglan. (d.20 Jan 1918)

    George Anness served in H.M.S. Raglan. Remembered at . WW1





    1207680

    Able Seaman Ernest Edward Ashby H.M.S. Racoon. (d.9 Jan 1918)

    Ernest Ashby served in H.M.S. Racoon. Remembered at . WW1





    1207679

    Ordinary Seaman Charles Archer H.M.S. Racoon. (d.9 Jan 1918)

    Charles Archer served in H.M.S. Racoon. Remembered at . WW1





    1207678

    Petty Officer Stoker Stanley William Alexander H.M.S. Racoon. (d.9 Jan 1918)

    Stanley Alexander served in H.M.S. Racoon. Remembered at . WW1





    1207677

    Yeoman of Signals Basil Austridge H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Basil Austridge served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207676

    Stoker 1st Class Alfred Austin H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Alfred Austin served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207675

    Midshipman Mark Austen H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Mark Austen served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207674

    Leading Cooks Mate Harry Attwater H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Harry Attwater served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207673

    Leading Seaman Harry George Attrill H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Harry Attrill served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207672

    Stoker 1st Class William Atkinson H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Atkinson served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207671

    Able Seaman Albert Wilfred Atkinson H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Albert Atkinson served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207670

    Shipwright 3rd Class Thomas Atherton H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Thomas Atherton served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207669

    Carpenters Crew Philip Asquith H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Philip Asquith served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207668

    Wireman 2nd Class Francis Thomas Askins H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Francis Askins served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207667

    Able Seaman Thomas Ashbridge H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Thomas Ashbridge served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207666

    Officers Cook 3rd Class George Stanley Ash H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    George Ash served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207665

    Leading Telegraphist Thomas Appleton H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Thomas Appleton served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207664

    Able Seaman Percy George Anson H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Percy Anson served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207663

    Stoker 1st Class William Fean Angell H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Angell served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207662

    Signalman Horace Thomas Andrews H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Horace Andrews served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207661

    Shipwright 2nd Class John Meirs Andrew H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    John Andrew served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207660

    Leading Stoker Ayling H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.24 Jul 1915)

    Ayling served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207659

    Stoker 1st Class Samuel Anderson H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Samuel Anderson served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207658

    Engine Room Artificer 3rd Andrew Thomas Anderson H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Andrew Anderson served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207657

    Stoker 1st Class Thomas Hallam Allsop H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Thomas Allsop served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207656

    Stoker 1st Class John Allsop H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    John Allsop served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207655

    Able Seaman William Allen H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Allen served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207654

    Stoker 1st Class Thomas Allen H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Thomas Allen served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207653

    Stoker 1st Class Raymond Stuart Allan H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Raymond Allan served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207652

    Stoker 1st Class Joseph Alexander H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Joseph Alexander served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207651

    Able Seaman Henry George Aldred H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Henry Aldred served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207650

    Stoker 1st Class Stanley Adshead H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Stanley Adshead served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207649

    Stoker 1st Class Harry Abrames H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Harry Abrames served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207648

    Stoker 1st Class Claude Arthur Charles Andrews H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Claude Andrews served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207647

    Stoker 1st Class Michael Harold Victor Ahern H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Michael Ahern served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207646

    Signalman Allan Parkinson Anderson H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Allan Anderson served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207645

    Stoker Thomas Aitken H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Thomas Aitken served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207644

    Private Charles William Argent H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    Charles Argent served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207643

    Gunner William Allen H.M.S. Queen Mary. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Allen served in H.M.S. Queen Mary. Remembered at . WW1





    1207642

    Seedie Ali Ahmad H.M.S. Prosperine. (d.30 Oct 1918)

    Ali Ahmad served in H.M.S. Prosperine. Remembered at . WW1





    1207641

    Stoker 1st Class Frank Alford H.M.S. Princess Royal. (d.17 Nov 1915)

    Frank Alford served in H.M.S. Princess Royal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207640

    Private Allibone H.M.S. Princess Royal. (d.17 Oct 1918)

    Allibone served in H.M.S. Princess Royal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207639

    Gunner Frederick Charles Andrews H.M.S. Princess Royal. (d.31 May 1916)

    Frederick Andrews served in H.M.S. Princess Royal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207638

    Petty Officer Stoker Anderson H.M.S. Princess Royal (d.29 Jun 1915)

    Anderson served in H.M.S. Princess Royal Remembered at . WW1





    1207637

    Leading Seaman Herbert Auty H.M.S. Princess Irene. (d.27 May 1915)

    Herbert Auty served in H.M.S. Princess Irene. Remembered at . WW1





    1207636

    Able Seaman Albert William Authers H.M.S. Princess Irene. (d.27 May 1915)

    Albert Authers served in H.M.S. Princess Irene. Remembered at . WW1





    1207635

    Chief Petty Officer Frank Arnsby H.M.S. Princess Irene. (d.27 May 1915)

    Frank Arnsby served in H.M.S. Princess Irene. Remembered at . WW1





    1207634

    Able Seaman Ray Alexander H.M.S. Princess Irene. (d.27 May 1915)

    Ray Alexander served in H.M.S. Princess Irene. Remembered at . WW1





    1207633

    Able Seaman Arthur Alderton H.M.S. Princess Irene. (d.27 May 1915)

    Arthur Alderton served in H.M.S. Princess Irene. Remembered at . WW1





    1207632

    Able Seaman Thomas Adams H.M.S. Princess Irene. (d.27 May 1915)

    Thomas Adams served in H.M.S. Princess Irene. Remembered at . WW1





    1207631

    Able Seaman Ernest Anderson H.M.S. Princess Irene (d.27 May 1915)

    Ernest Anderson served in H.M.S. Princess Irene Remembered at . WW1





    1207630

    Fireman John Arthur H.M.S. Princess Irene (d.27 May 1915)

    John Arthur served in H.M.S. Princess Irene Remembered at . WW1





    1207629

    Hired Skilled Labourer Arthur Albert Akhurst H.M.S. Princess Irene (d.27 May 1915)

    Arthur Akhurst served in H.M.S. Princess Irene Remembered at . WW1





    1207628

    Shipwright Frank William Adams H.M.S. Princess Irene (d.27 May 1915)

    Frank Adams served in H.M.S. Princess Irene Remembered at . WW1





    1207627

    2nd Steward Clarence Edward Apsey H.M.S. Princess Alberta. (d.21 Feb 1917)

    Clarence Apsey served in H.M.S. Princess Alberta. Remembered at . WW1





    1207626

    Leading Stoker Arthur William Ayres H.M.S. Prince Eugene. (d.20 Nov 1918)

    Arthur Ayres served in H.M.S. Prince Eugene. Remembered at . WW1





    1207625

    Boy 1st Class Frederick Arthur Archer H.M.S. Primula. (d.1 Mar 1916)

    Frederick Archer served in H.M.S. Primula. Remembered at . WW1





    1207624

    Able Seaman John Ainslie H.M.S. President. (d.1 Dec 1920)

    John Ainslie served in H.M.S. President. Remembered at . WW1





    1207623

    Fleet Paymaster Felix Abraham H.M.S. President, (d.4 Nov 1917)

    Felix Abraham served in H.M.S. President, Remembered at . WW1





    1207622

    Petty Officer 1st Class George Allum H.M.S. President VI. (d.5 May 1919)

    George Allum served in H.M.S. President VI. Remembered at . WW1





    1207621

    Petty Officer Stoker Angell H.M.S. President III. (d.9 Oct 1917)

    Angell served in H.M.S. President III. Remembered at . WW1





    1207620

    Air Mechanic 1st Class William Allen H.M.S. President III. (d.22 Jul 1917)

    William Allen served in H.M.S. President III. Remembered at . WW1





    1207619

    Air Mechanic 2nd Class Cyril Kenneth Akehurst H.M.S. President II. (d.26 Mar 1918)

    Cyril Akehurst served in H.M.S. President II. Remembered at . WW1





    1207618

    Acting Air Mechanic 1st C Edward Allen H.M.S. President II. (d.26 Nov 1917)

    Edward Allen served in H.M.S. President II. Remembered at . WW1





    1207617

    Air Mechanic 2nd Class Almond H.M.S. President II. (d.12 Apr 1917)

    Almond served in H.M.S. President II. Remembered at . WW1





    1207616

    Air Mechanic 2nd Class Allen H.M.S. President II. (d.12 Sep 1915)

    Allen served in H.M.S. President II. Remembered at . WW1





    1207615

    Air Mechanic 1st Class Austins H.M.S. President II (d.4 Jul 1917)

    Austins served in H.M.S. President II Remembered at . WW1





    1207614

    Boy 2nd Class George Edward Astley H.M.S. Powerful. (d.21 Sep 1918)

    George Astley served in H.M.S. Powerful. Remembered at . WW1





    1207613

    Boy 2nd Class Arthur George Austin H.M.S. Powerful. (d.18 Jan 1919)

    Arthur Austin served in H.M.S. Powerful. Remembered at . WW1





    1207612

    Boy 2nd Class Allen H.M.S. Powerful. (d.26 Sep 1918)

    Allen served in H.M.S. Powerful. Remembered at . WW1





    1207611

    Leading Seaman Gilbert Alfred Abbs H.M.S. Platypus. (d.2 Jul 1918)

    Gilbert Abbs served in H.M.S. Platypus. Remembered at . WW1





    1207610

    Stoker 1st Class Arthur Fletcher Ada H.M.S. Phoebe. (d.23 Apr 1918)

    Arthur Ada served in H.M.S. Phoebe. Remembered at . WW1





    1207609

    Able Seaman Victor Adlam H.M.S. Philomel. (d.3 Jun 1916)

    Victor Adlam served in H.M.S. Philomel. Remembered at . WW1





    1207608

    Petty Officer 1st Class James Atcheson H.M.S. Pheasant. (d.1 Mar 1917)

    James Atcheson served in H.M.S. Pheasant. Remembered at . WW1





    1207607

    Stoker Ali Ghalib H.M.S. Perth. (d.29 Jan 1916)

    Ali Ghalib served in H.M.S. Perth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207606

    First Tindal Alah hasan H.M.S. Perth. (d.17 Dec 1917)

    Alah hasan served in H.M.S. Perth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207605

    Chief Armourer Henry Arnold H.M.S. Penelope. (d.28 Mar 1918)

    Henry Arnold served in H.M.S. Penelope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207604

    Telegraphist George Archard Portpatrick Wireless Station H.M.S. Pembroke. (d.5 Nov 1918)

    George Archard served in Portpatrick Wireless Station H.M.S. Pembroke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207603

    Petty Officer Stoker Atkins H.M.S. Pembroke. (d.21 Feb 1919)

    Atkins served in H.M.S. Pembroke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207602

    Stoker 1st Class Tom Armitage H.M.S. Pembroke. (d.1 May 1917)

    Tom Armitage served in H.M.S. Pembroke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207601

    Ordinary Seaman Aldous H.M.S. Pembroke. (d.5 Apr 1916)

    Aldous served in H.M.S. Pembroke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207600

    Able Seaman Allen H.M.S. Pembroke. (d.23 Dec 1918)

    Allen served in H.M.S. Pembroke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207599

    Stoker Ashfield H.M.S. Pembroke. (d.25 Feb 1915)

    Ashfield served in H.M.S. Pembroke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207598

    Sub-Lieutenant Allsop H.M.S. Pembroke. (d.6 Mar 1919)

    Allsop served in H.M.S. Pembroke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207597

    Fireman David Atcheson H.M.S. Pembroke, (d.26 Mar 1920)

    David Atcheson served in H.M.S. Pembroke, Remembered at . WW1





    1207596

    Commander Surgeon Thomas Austen H.M.S. Pembroke (d.22 Oct 1918)

    Thomas Austen served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207595

    Officers Steward 1st Clas Thomas John Arnall H.M.S. Pembroke (d.21 May 1916)

    Thomas Arnall served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207594

    Boy 1st Class Robert Reginald Atkins H.M.S. Pembroke (d.21 Apr 1918)

    Robert Atkins served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207593

    Able Seaman Ashford H.M.S. Pembroke (d.16 Oct 1915)

    Ashford served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207592

    Petty Officer Percy John Austin H.M.S. Pembroke (d.7 May 1915)

    Percy Austin served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207591

    Engine Room Artificer 2nd Stanley Aubrey H.M.S. Pembroke (d.4 Aug 1917)

    Stanley Aubrey served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207590

    Stoker 1st Class Alfred Andrews H.M.S. Pembroke (d.3 Sep 1917)

    Alfred Andrews served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207589

    Captain Herbert Algernon Adam O B E H.M.S. Pembroke (d.27 Sep 1920)

    Herbert Adam served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207588

    Able Seaman John Joseph Adams H.M.S. Pembroke (d.16 Feb 1920)

    John Adams served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207587

    Leading Seaman Alfred William Abrahams H.M.S. Pembroke (d.18 Nov 1918)

    Alfred Abrahams served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207586

    Officers Steward 1st Clas William Henry Allcock H.M.S. Pembroke (d.20 Oct 1918)

    William Allcock served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207585

    Stoker 1st Class Robert Anderson H.M.S. Pembroke (d.3 Sep 1917)

    Robert Anderson served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207584

    Able Seaman John Thomas Abrey H.M.S. Pembroke (d.3 Sep 1917)

    John Abrey served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207583

    Seaman Alfred Lancelot Anderson H.M.S. Pembroke (d.13 Apr 1915)

    Alfred Anderson served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207582

    Engine Room Artificer 4th James Ainscough H.M.S. Pembroke (d.22 Mar 1915)

    James Ainscough served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207581

    Armourers Crew Charles Henry Adams H.M.S. Pembroke (d.25 Dec 1914)

    Charles Adams served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207580

    Signaller Arthur Randolphus Abbott H.M.S. Pembroke (d.17 Oct 191)

    Arthur Abbott served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207579

    Trimmer Thomas Armstrong H.M.S. Pembroke (d.21 Jul 1915)

    Thomas Armstrong served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207578

    Deck Hand Adam Arcus H.M.S. Pembroke (d.2 Nov 1918)

    Adam Arcus served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207577

    Seaman James Anderson H.M.S. Pembroke (d.3 Sep 1917)

    James Anderson served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207576

    Ordinary Seaman Arsenault H.M.S. Pembroke (d.16 Jun 1916)

    Arsenault served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1207575

    Able Seaman Guy William Alcock H.M.S. Pelorus. (d.25 Dec 1914)

    Guy Alcock served in H.M.S. Pelorus. Remembered at . WW1





    1207574

    Private James Adams H.M.S. Pegasus. (d.20 Sep 1914)

    James Adams served in H.M.S. Pegasus. Buried in . WW1





    1207573

    Assistant Cook Charles Arokin H.M.S. Pebble. (d.30 Jul 1918)

    Charles Arokin served in H.M.S. Pebble. Remembered at . WW1





    1207572

    Engineer Lieutenant William Henry Aldcroft H.M.S. Pebble (d.17 May 1918)

    William Aldcroft served in H.M.S. Pebble Remembered at . WW1





    1207571

    Petty Officer Antram H.M.S. Patuca. (d.24 May 1915)

    Antram served in H.M.S. Patuca. Remembered at . WW1





    1207570

    Ordinary Seaman William Frank Austin H.M.S. Pathfinder. (d.5 Sep 1914)

    William Austin served in H.M.S. Pathfinder. Remembered at . WW1





    1207569

    Petty Officer Stoker James Armstrong H.M.S. Pathfinder. (d.5 Sep 1914)

    James Armstrong served in H.M.S. Pathfinder. Remembered at . WW1





    1207568

    Ordinary Seaman Stephen John Amies H.M.S. Pathfinder. (d.5 Sep 1914)

    Stephen Amies served in H.M.S. Pathfinder. Remembered at . WW1





    1207567

    Officers Steward 3rd Clas Ernest Alexander H.M.S. Pathfinder. (d.5 Sep 1914)

    Ernest Alexander served in H.M.S. Pathfinder. Remembered at . WW1





    1207566

    Able Seaman Cecil James Aldous H.M.S. Pathfinder. (d.5 Sep 1914)

    Cecil Aldous served in H.M.S. Pathfinder. Remembered at . WW1





    1207565

    Officers Steward 2nd Clas Edward Dickers Addley H.M.S. Pathfinder. (d.5 Sep 1914)

    Edward Addley served in H.M.S. Pathfinder. Remembered at . WW1





    1207564

    Sergeant William Avis H.M.S. Pathfinder. (d.5 Sep 1914)

    William Avis served in H.M.S. Pathfinder. Remembered at . WW1





    1207563

    Leading Signalman Victor Emanuel Axup H.M.S. Pathfinder, (d.5 Sep 1914)

    Victor Axup served in H.M.S. Pathfinder, Remembered at . WW1





    1207562

    Chief Stoker Douglas James Austin H.M.S. Partridge. (d.12 Dec 1917)

    Douglas Austin served in H.M.S. Partridge. Remembered at . WW1





    1207561

    Chief Petty Officer Arthur James Alden H.M.S. Partridge. (d.12 Dec 1917)

    Arthur Alden served in H.M.S. Partridge. Remembered at . WW1





    1207560

    Leading Stoker Joseph Archer H.M.S. Paragon. (d.17 Mar 1917)

    Joseph Archer served in H.M.S. Paragon. Remembered at . WW1





    1207559

    Leading Signalman Henry William Allwork H.M.S. Paragon. (d.17 Mar 1917)

    Henry Allwork served in H.M.S. Paragon. Remembered at . WW1





    1207558

    Leading Stoker Joseph William Addis H.M.S. P.20. (d.10 Oct 1918)

    Joseph Addis served in H.M.S. P.20. Remembered at . WW1





    1207557

    Able Seaman Audley H.M.S. Otranto. (d.6 Oct 1918)

    Audley served in H.M.S. Otranto. Remembered at . WW1





    1207556

    Trimmer John Edward Aindow H.M.S. Otranto. (d.6 Oct 1918)

    John Aindow served in H.M.S. Otranto. Remembered at . WW1





    1207555

    Greaser Joseph Acton H.M.S. Otranto. (d.6 Oct 1918)

    Joseph Acton served in H.M.S. Otranto. Remembered at . WW1





    1207554

    Private Richard Acton H.M.S. Osmanieh (d.10 Jul 1917)

    Richard Acton served in H.M.S. Osmanieh Remembered at . WW1





    1207553

    Cook Francis Charles Armstrong H.M.S. Ophir (d.8 Feb 1919)

    Francis Armstrong served in H.M.S. Ophir Remembered at . WW1





    1207552

    Ordinary Seaman Frederick Atkinson H.M.S. Opal. (d.12 Jan 1918)

    Frederick Atkinson served in H.M.S. Opal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207551

    Ordinary Seaman Hilton Appleyard H.M.S. Opal. (d.12 Jan 1918)

    Hilton Appleyard served in H.M.S. Opal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207550

    Ordinary Seaman William Ackland H.M.S. Onyx. (d.29 Oct 1918)

    William Ackland served in H.M.S. Onyx. Remembered at . WW1





    1207549

    Tindal Ali yusuf H.M.S. Odin. (d.16 Nov 1919)

    Ali yusuf served in H.M.S. Odin. Remembered at . WW1





    1207548

    Signalman John Alexander Anderson H.M.S. Odin (d.3 Aug 1920)

    John Anderson served in H.M.S. Odin Remembered at . WW1





    1207547

    Engineer Lieutenant Matthew Angus H.M.S. Ocean. (d.16 Jun 1916)

    Matthew Angus served in H.M.S. Ocean. Remembered at . WW1





    1207546

    Ordinary Seaman Ashley H.M.S. North Star. (d.23 Apr 1918)

    Ashley served in H.M.S. North Star. Remembered at . WW1





    1207545

    Able Seaman Walter Lawson Anderson H.M.S. Nigella. (d.22 Dec 1917)

    Walter Anderson served in H.M.S. Nigella. Remembered at . WW1





    1207544

    Stoker Edward James Awcock H.M.S. Newmarket. (d.17 Jul 1917)

    Edward Awcock served in H.M.S. Newmarket. Remembered at . WW1





    1207543

    Stoker Albert Mark Anderson H.M.S. Newmarket. (d.17 Jul 1917)

    Albert Anderson served in H.M.S. Newmarket. Remembered at . WW1





    1207542

    Able Seaman Robert Anderson H.M.S. Newmarket. (d.17 Jul 1917)

    Robert Anderson served in H.M.S. Newmarket. Remembered at . WW1





    1207541

    Chief Cook John Alexander H.M.S. Newmarket. (d.17 Jul 1917)

    John Alexander served in H.M.S. Newmarket. Remembered at . WW1





    1207540

    Signaller Harold Edward Armstrong H.M.S. Nepaulin. (d.20 Apr 1917)

    Harold Armstrong served in H.M.S. Nepaulin. Remembered at . WW1





    1207539

    Able Seaman James Austen H.M.S. Negro. (d.21 Dec 1916)

    James Austen served in H.M.S. Negro. Remembered at . WW1





    1207538

    Surgeon Probationer William Swirles Allardyce H.M.S. Negro. (d.21 Dec 1916)

    William Allardyce served in H.M.S. Negro. Remembered at . WW1





    1207537

    Sailmaker Herbert John Ayers H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    Herbert Ayers served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207536

    Ordinary Seaman Charles Henry Axten H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    Charles Axten served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207535

    Wireman 2nd Class Edward Stanley Arnold H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    Edward Arnold served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207534

    Leading Stoker Leonard John Appleyard H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    Leonard Appleyard served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207533

    Leading Stoker Arthur John Andrews H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    Arthur Andrews served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207532

    Carpenters Crew David Anderson H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    David Anderson served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207531

    Stoker 1st Class Ernest Walter Alvin H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    Ernest Alvin served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207530

    Leading Seaman Ernest William Allright H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    Ernest Allright served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207529

    Leading Stoker John William Allen H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    John Allen served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207528

    Able Seaman John Henry Allen H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    John Allen served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207527

    Painter 2nd Class William Rodger Alexander H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    William Alexander served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207526

    Ordinary Seaman Samuel George Aldous H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    Samuel Aldous served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207525

    Chief Writer Charles Adams H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    Charles Adams served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207524

    Boy 1st Class Sydney George Abbs H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    Sydney Abbs served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207523

    Stoker George Edward Allen H.M.S. Natal. (d.30 Dec 1915)

    George Allen served in H.M.S. Natal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207522

    Able Seaman Atkins H.M.S. Natal (d.30 Dec 1915)

    Atkins served in H.M.S. Natal Remembered at . WW1





    1207521

    Stoker 1st Class John Russell Adams H.M.S. Nasturtium. (d.27 Apr 1916)

    John Adams served in H.M.S. Nasturtium. Remembered at . WW1





    1207520

    Stoker 2nd Class John Askew H.M.S. Narbrough. (d.12 Jan 1918)

    John Askew served in H.M.S. Narbrough. Remembered at . WW1





    1207519

    Stoker 1st Class Charles Herbert Ashen H.M.S. Narbrough. (d.12 Jan 1918)

    Charles Ashen served in H.M.S. Narbrough. Remembered at . WW1





    1207518

    Ordinary Seaman Harold Percy Archer H.M.S. Narbrough. (d.12 Jan 1918)

    Harold Archer served in H.M.S. Narbrough. Remembered at . WW1





    1207517

    Stoker 1st Class John Edward Herr Amey H.M.S. Myrtle. (d.15 Jul 1919)

    John Amey served in H.M.S. Myrtle. Remembered at . WW1





    1207516

    Trimmer George Henry William Arnold H.M.S. Morea (d.1 Mar 1919)

    George Arnold served in H.M.S. Morea Remembered at . WW1





    1207515

    Deck Hand Michael Ahern H.M.S. Monsoon. (d.6 Apr 1916)

    Michael Ahern served in H.M.S. Monsoon. Remembered at . WW1





    1207514

    Able Seaman George Howard Axworthy H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    George Axworthy served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207513

    Ships Steward Archibold John Authers H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Archibold Authers served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207512

    Stoker 1st Class Francis Atherton H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Francis Atherton served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207511

    Chief Engine Room Artific Joseph Ashton H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Joseph Ashton served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207510

    Boy 1st Class Bernard James Armstrong H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Bernard Armstrong served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207509

    Signal Boy Alfred Starkey Appleby H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Alfred Appleby served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207508

    Stoker 2nd Class Charles Frederick Andrews H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Charles Andrews served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207507

    Boy 1st Class Andrew Allan H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Andrew Allan served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207506

    Boy 1st Class John Alfred Phillips Alford H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    John Alford served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207505

    Stoker 1st Class Sam Winn Airey H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Sam Airey served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207504

    Able Seaman Lewis Adlam H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Lewis Adlam served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207503

    Stoker 1st Class Richard Adams H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Richard Adams served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207502

    Stoker 2nd Class Percy Adams H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Percy Adams served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207501

    Musician Thomas Valentine Aylward H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Thomas Aylward served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207500

    Musician Albert Edward Augarde H.M.S. Monmouth. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Albert Augarde served in H.M.S. Monmouth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207499

    Shipwright 1st Class Robert William Aitken H.M.S. Monarch. (d.1 Aug 1918)

    Robert Aitken served in H.M.S. Monarch. Remembered at . WW1





    1207498

    Gunner Arnold H.M.S. Minotaur (d.9 May 1918)

    Arnold served in H.M.S. Minotaur Remembered at . WW1





    1207497

    Stoker Ahmad Hasan H.M.S. Minerva. (d.15 Aug 1916)

    Hasan Ahmad served in H.M.S. Minerva. Remembered at . WW1





    1207496

    Boy 1st Class Ardley H.M.S. Minerva (d.4 Mar 1917)

    Ardley served in H.M.S. Minerva Remembered at . WW1





    1207495

    Telegraphist William Herbert Ashcroft H.M.S. Mignonette. (d.17 Mar 1917)

    William Ashcroft served in H.M.S. Mignonette. Remembered at . WW1





    1207494

    Engine Room Artificer 4th Ernest Allan H.M.S. Mignonette. (d.17 Mar 1917)

    Ernest Allan served in H.M.S. Mignonette. Remembered at . WW1





    1207493

    Petty Officer Stoker Edward Attwood H.M.S. Meteor. (d.24 Jan 1915)

    Edward Attwood served in H.M.S. Meteor. Remembered at . WW1





    1207492

    Able Seaman Henry Avery H.M.S. Mary Rose. (d.17 Oct 1917)

    Henry Avery served in H.M.S. Mary Rose. Remembered at . WW1





    1207491

    Able Seaman William Bertie Aspland H.M.S. Mary Rose. (d.17 Oct 1917)

    William Aspland served in H.M.S. Mary Rose. Remembered at . WW1





    1207490

    Fireman David James Aston H.M.S. Marmora. (d.23 Jul 1918)

    David Aston served in H.M.S. Marmora. Remembered at . WW1





    1207489

    Ordinary Seaman John Wallace Andrew H.M.S. Marmion. (d.21 Oct 1917)

    John Andrew served in H.M.S. Marmion. Remembered at . WW1





    1207488

    Petty Officer Stoker George Walter Aldridge H.M.S. Marmion. (d.21 Oct 1917)

    George Aldridge served in H.M.S. Marmion. Remembered at . WW1





    1207487

    Midshipman Lionel Eric Armstrong H.M.S. Marmion. (d.21 Oct 1917)

    Lionel Armstrong served in H.M.S. Marmion. Remembered at . WW1





    1207486

    Chief Stoker Ash H.M.S. Marlborough (d.5 Feb 1920)

    Ash served in H.M.S. Marlborough Remembered at . WW1





    1207485

    Seaman John Coull Anderson H.M.S. Mantua. (d.5 Aug 1915)

    John Anderson served in H.M.S. Mantua. Remembered at . WW1





    1207484

    Ordinary Seaman Sidney Philip Andrews H.M.S. Malaya. (d.31 May 1916)

    Sidney Andrews served in H.M.S. Malaya. Remembered at . WW1





    1207483

    Cooks Mate 2nd Class Frank Allen H.M.S. Malaya. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    Frank Allen served in H.M.S. Malaya. Remembered at . WW1





    1207482

    Stoker 1st Class Arthur Alexander H.M.S. Majestic (d.27 May 1915)

    Arthur Alexander served in H.M.S. Majestic Remembered at . WW1





    1207481

    Wireman 2nd Class Albert Frank Andrews H.M.S. Magic. (d.10 Apr 1918)

    Albert Andrews served in H.M.S. Magic. Remembered at . WW1





    1207480

    Steward 2nd Class George Alfiero H.M.S. M15. (d.11 Nov 1917)

    George Alfiero served in H.M.S. M15. Remembered at . WW1





    1207479

    Stoker 1st Class James William George Axon H.M.S. Lynx. (d.9 Aug 1915)

    James Axon served in H.M.S. Lynx. Remembered at . WW1





    1207478

    Leading Stoker Guiseppe Arnaud H.M.S. Louvain. (d.20 Jan 1918)

    Guiseppe Arnaud served in H.M.S. Louvain. Remembered at . WW1





    1207477

    Ordinary Seaman Richard Addison H.M.S. Louvain. (d.20 Jan 1918)

    Richard Addison served in H.M.S. Louvain. Remembered at . WW1





    1207476

    Seaman Lorenzo Agius H.M.S. Louvain. (d.20 Jan 1918)

    Lorenzo Agius served in H.M.S. Louvain. Remembered at . WW1





    1207475

    Fireman Guiseppe Agius H.M.S. Louvain. (d.20 Jan 1918)

    Guiseppe Agius served in H.M.S. Louvain. Remembered at . WW1





    1207474

    Fireman Carmelo Abela H.M.S. Louvain. (d.20 Jan 1918)

    Carmelo Abela served in H.M.S. Louvain. Remembered at . WW1





    1207473

    Private Robert Edward Apps H.M.S. Louvain. (d.20 Jan 1918)

    Robert Apps served in H.M.S. Louvain. Remembered at . WW1





    1207472

    Private Charles Edward Alexander H.M.S. Louvain. (d.9 Mar 1919)

    Charles Alexander served in H.M.S. Louvain. Remembered at . WW1





    1207471

    Fireman Francesco Attard H.M.S. Louvain. (d.20 Jan 1918)

    Francesco Attard served in H.M.S. Louvain. Remembered at . WW1





    1207470

    Trimmer John Agius H.M.S. Louvain. (d.20 Jan 1918)

    John Agius served in H.M.S. Louvain. Remembered at . WW1





    1207469

    Able Seaman Harry Ashdown H.M.S. Lord Nelson (d.12 Jun 1918)

    Harry Ashdown served in H.M.S. Lord Nelson Remembered at . WW1





    1207468

    Petty Officer Henry Cecil Akers H.M.S. London. (d.12 Nov 1918)

    Henry Akers served in H.M.S. London. Remembered at . WW1





    1207467

    Stoker 1st Class Thomas Edward Allen H.M.S. Lilac. (d.18 Aug 1915)

    Thomas Allen served in H.M.S. Lilac. Remembered at . WW1





    1207466

    Able Seaman William James Anderson H.M.S. Liberty (d.8 Oct 1919)

    William Anderson served in H.M.S. Liberty Remembered at . WW1





    1207465

    Petty Officer 2nd Class George Henry Anstis H.M.S. Laurentic. (d.25 Jan 1917)

    George Anstis served in H.M.S. Laurentic. Remembered at . WW1





    1207464

    Petty Officer 2nd Class Albert Henry Andrews H.M.S. Laurentic. (d.25 Jan 1917)

    Albert Andrews served in H.M.S. Laurentic. Remembered at . WW1





    1207463

    Deck Hand Maxwell Abbott H.M.S. Laurentic. (d.25 Jan 1917)

    Maxwell Abbott served in H.M.S. Laurentic. Remembered at . WW1





    1207462

    Seaman Frederick John Abbott H.M.S. Laurentic. (d.25 Jan 1917)

    Frederick Abbott served in H.M.S. Laurentic. Remembered at . WW1





    1207461

    Private Alfred William Atkinson H.M.S. Laurentic. (d.25 Jan 1917)

    Alfred Atkinson served in H.M.S. Laurentic. Remembered at . WW1





    1207460

    Seaman Alexander Ayles H.M.S. Laurentic. (d.25 Jan 1917)

    Alexander Ayles served in H.M.S. Laurentic. Remembered at . WW1





    1207459

    Fireman Robert Ashcroft H.M.S. Laurentic. (d.25 Jan 1917)

    Robert Ashcroft served in H.M.S. Laurentic. Remembered at . WW1





    1207458

    Fireman William Allen H.M.S. Laurentic. (d.25 Jan 1917)

    William Allen served in H.M.S. Laurentic. Remembered at . WW1





    1207457

    Chief Armourer Rufus Samuel Mardon Austin H.M.S. Laurentic (d.25 Jan 1917)

    Rufus Austin served in H.M.S. Laurentic Remembered at . WW1





    1207456

    Corporal Herbert Thomas Astbury H.M.S. Laurentic (d.25 Jan 1917)

    Herbert Astbury served in H.M.S. Laurentic Remembered at . WW1





    1207455

    Private John Arthur Abbott H.M.S. Laurentic (d.25 Jan 1917)

    John Abbott served in H.M.S. Laurentic Remembered at . WW1





    1207454

    Greaser George Walter Archer H.M.S. Laurentic (d.25 Jan 1917)

    George Archer served in H.M.S. Laurentic Remembered at . WW1





    1207453

    Able Seaman Albert George Allchin H.M.S. Laurel (d.28 Aug 1914)

    Albert Allchin served in H.M.S. Laurel Remembered at . WW1





    1207452

    Lascal Abur Raham Aliba H.M.S. Lama (d.6 Dec 1915)

    Raham Abur served in H.M.S. Lama Remembered at . WW1





    1207451

    Trimmer Alloo Peera H.M.S. Lama (d.26 Oct 1916)

    Alloo Peera served in H.M.S. Lama Remembered at . WW1





    1207450

    Stoker 1st Class Harry Archibald H.M.S. Laforey. (d.23 Mar 1917)

    Harry Archibald served in H.M.S. Laforey. Remembered at . WW1





    1207449

    Petty Officer Stoker Lionel Albert Abbott H.M.S. Laforey. (d.23 Mar 1917)

    Lionel Abbott served in H.M.S. Laforey. Remembered at . WW1





    1207448

    Ordinary Seaman Ernest Archer H.M.S. Lady Cory Wright. (d.26 Mar 1918)

    Ernest Archer served in H.M.S. Lady Cory Wright. Remembered at . WW1





    1207447

    Fireman John William Ayscough H.M.S. Killingholme. (d.27 Apr 1916)

    John Ayscough served in H.M.S. Killingholme. Remembered at . WW1





    1207446

    Stoker 1st Class James Henry Allen H.M.S. Kildorrey. (d.6 Dec 1918)

    James Allen served in H.M.S. Kildorrey. Remembered at . WW1





    1207445

    Private Charlie Ash H.M.S. Kent. (d.25 May 1919)

    Charlie Ash served in H.M.S. Kent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207444

    Able Seaman John Armstrong H.M.S. Kennet. (d.22 Aug 1914)

    John Armstrong served in H.M.S. Kennet. Remembered at . WW1





    1207443

    Stoker 1st Class William Amos H.M.S. Kale. (d.27 Mar 1918)

    William Amos served in H.M.S. Kale. Remembered at . WW1





    1207442

    Deck Hand Charles Richard Adams H.M.S. Island Prince. (d.10 Feb 1919)

    Charles Adams served in H.M.S. Island Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207441

    Private George Edward Astbury H.M.S. Irresistible. (d.19 Mar 1915)

    George Astbury served in H.M.S. Irresistible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207440

    Stoker 1st Class Wilfred George Ayling H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Wilfred Ayling served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207439

    Stoker 1st Class Edmund Aughton H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Edmund Aughton served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207438

    Petty Officer William Henry Attwood H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Attwood served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207437

    Armourer John Samuel Arnold H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    John Arnold served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207436

    Stoker 1st Class Henry Arnold H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Henry Arnold served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207435

    Stoker 1st Class Bertie Charles Arnell H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Bertie Arnell served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207434

    Ordinary Signalman Henry Wilkinson Armstrong H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Henry Armstrong served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207433

    Wireman 2nd Class Leonard Charles Andrews H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Leonard Andrews served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207432

    Able Seaman Edwin Frank Andrews H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Edwin Andrews served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207431

    Wireman 1st Class Francis William Allsup H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Francis Allsup served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207430

    Petty Officer 1st Class Harry Allen H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Harry Allen served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207429

    Leading Signalman Ernest George Aldous H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Ernest Aldous served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207428

    Leading Stoker Thomas Agar H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Thomas Agar served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207427

    Ordinary Seaman Ambrose Abrey H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Ambrose Abrey served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207426

    Able Seaman Walter Tom Abbott H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Walter Abbott served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207425

    Midshipman Charles Alexander Acland-hood H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Charles Acland-hood served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207424

    Stoker David Anderson H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    David Anderson served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207423

    Stoker William Alexander H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Alexander served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207422

    Seaman John Watkin Acton H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    John Acton served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207421

    Private Reginald Harry Astle H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    Reginald Astle served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207420

    Private George Henry Allchin H.M.S. Invincible. (d.31 May 1916)

    George Allchin served in H.M.S. Invincible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207419

    Able Seaman Herbert Allcock H.M.S. Inflexible. (d.18 Mar 1915)

    Herbert Allcock served in H.M.S. Inflexible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207418

    Able Seaman Ralph Stuart Adams H.M.S. Inflexible. (d.18 Mar 1915)

    Ralph Adams served in H.M.S. Inflexible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207417

    Fireman Salvatore Azzopardi H.M.S. Inflexible. (d.18 Mar 1915)

    Salvatore Azzopardi served in H.M.S. Inflexible. Remembered at . WW1





    1207416

    Boy Artificer Leonard Claude Atkins H.M.S. Indus. (d.3 Mar 1916)

    Leonard Atkins served in H.M.S. Indus. Remembered at . WW1





    1207415

    Leading Boatswain Frank Ernest Aers H.M.S. India. (d.8 Aug 1915)

    Frank Aers served in H.M.S. India. Remembered at . WW1





    1207414

    Lieutenant Ernest Woodbourne Alltree H.M.S. India. (d.29 Oct 1918)

    Ernest Alltree served in H.M.S. India. Remembered at . WW1





    1207413

    Storekeeper Thomas Robert Anthony H.M.S. India (d.8 Aug 1915)

    Thomas Anthony served in H.M.S. India Remembered at . WW1





    1207412

    Greaser Thomas Allison H.M.S. India (d.8 Aug 1915)

    Thomas Allison served in H.M.S. India Remembered at . WW1





    1207411

    Able Seaman William Avery H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Avery served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207410

    Able Seaman George Henry Avery H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    George Avery served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207409

    Cooks Mate Joziah Auton H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Joziah Auton served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207408

    Able Seaman William Atkinson H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Atkinson served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207407

    Stoker 1st Class James Alexander Atherton H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    James Atherton served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207406

    Leading Stoker Frederick Arthur Ash H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Frederick Ash served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207405

    Leading Stoker Frank Arnold H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Frank Arnold served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207404

    Leading Stoker Walter James Armstrong H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Walter Armstrong served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207403

    Stoker 1st Class William John Applegate H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Applegate served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207402

    Stoker 1st Class Thomas Antill H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Thomas Antill served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207401

    Stoker 2nd Class Joseph Charles Andrews H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Joseph Andrews served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207400

    Carpenters Crew John Alexander Anderson H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    John Anderson served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207399

    Ordinary Seaman Kenneth Alder H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Kenneth Alder served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207398

    Blacksmith William Ahern H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Ahern served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207397

    Leading Stoker James Agnew H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    James Agnew served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207396

    Able Seaman James William Agate H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    James Agate served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207395

    Engineer Lieutenant Samuel Alan Adams H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Samuel Adams served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207394

    Mechanician John Joseph Ackrill H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    John Ackrill served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207393

    Engine Room Artificer 4th William Harold Jury Ayres H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Ayres served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207392

    Able Seaman Percy Philpot Armstrong H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Percy Armstrong served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207391

    Seaman John Ahern H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    John Ahern served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207390

    Bugler Harry James Antrobus H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Harry Antrobus served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207389

    Sergeant Arthur Clare Atkins H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Arthur Atkins served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207388

    Gunner Charles Abraham H.M.S. Indefatigable. (d.31 May 1916)

    Charles Abraham served in H.M.S. Indefatigable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207387

    Private William David Absalom H.M.S. Inconstant. (d.13 Jun 1915)

    William Absalom served in H.M.S. Inconstant. Remembered at . WW1





    1207386

    Boy 2nd Class Applebee H.M.S. Impregnable. (d.29 Oct 1918)

    Applebee served in H.M.S. Impregnable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207385

    Boy 2nd Class Reginald Charles Astley H.M.S. Impregnable. (d.4 Oct 1918)

    Reginald Astley served in H.M.S. Impregnable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207384

    Boy 2nd Class Allen H.M.S. Impregnable. (d.25 Feb 1919)

    Allen served in H.M.S. Impregnable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207383

    Boy 2nd Class Frederick William Charles Adams H.M.S. Impregnable. (d.18 Oct 1916)

    Frederick Adams served in H.M.S. Impregnable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207382

    Boy 2nd Class Appleton H.M.S. Impregnable (d.18 Oct 1918)

    Appleton served in H.M.S. Impregnable Remembered at . WW1





    1207381

    Stoker 1st Class William George Alexander Adams H.M.S. Implacable. (d.25 Mar 1919)

    William Adams served in H.M.S. Implacable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207380

    Deck Hand Frederick James Adams H.M.S. Imelda. (d.13 Sep 1918)

    Frederick Adams served in H.M.S. Imelda. Remembered at . WW1





    1207379

    Warrant Wardmaster Amy H.M.S. Hyacinth. (d.3 Jul 1917)

    Amy served in H.M.S. Hyacinth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207378

    Lieutenant Aslin H.M.S. Hyacinth. (d.6 Dec 1915)

    Aslin served in H.M.S. Hyacinth. Remembered at . WW1





    1207377

    Private Walter John Abbott H.M.S. Humber. (d.3 Nov 1916)

    Walter Abbott served in H.M.S. Humber. Remembered at . WW1





    1207376

    Stoker George Kemp Armstrong H.M.S. Humber (d.27 Oct 1918)

    George Armstrong served in H.M.S. Humber Remembered at . WW1





    1207375

    Engine Room Artificer James Hamilton Archibald H.M.S. Hope. (d.27 Dec 1914)

    James Archibald served in H.M.S. Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207374

    Acting Engine Room Artifi Albert Edgar Adams H.M.S. Hollyhock (d.1 Jun 1921)

    Albert Adams served in H.M.S. Hollyhock Remembered at . WW1





    1207373

    Able Seaman James Atkins H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    James Atkins served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207372

    Stoker 1st Class Henry Arnold H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Henry Arnold served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207371

    Able Seaman William Robert Argent H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    William Argent served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207370

    Able Seaman Charles William Ansell H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Charles Ansell served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207369

    Leading Seaman William John Anderson H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    William Anderson served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207368

    Stoker 1st Class William Charles John Ambrose H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    William Ambrose served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207367

    Engine Room Artificer 4th John Francis Allen H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    John Allen served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207366

    Petty Officer Stoker Henry Allen H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Henry Allen served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207365

    Seaman William Joseph Atkinson H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    William Atkinson served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207364

    Private Harry Cecil Anstiss H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Harry Anstiss served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207363

    Sergeant James Andrews H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    James Andrews served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207362

    Private Arthur James Allen H.M.S. Hogue. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Arthur Allen served in H.M.S. Hogue. Remembered at . WW1





    1207361

    Chief Motor Mechanic Roy Leslie Alexander D S M H.M.S. Hermione. (d.21 Aug 1918)

    Roy Alexander served in H.M.S. Hermione. Remembered at . WW1





    1207360

    Gunner William Adam H.M.S. Hercules. (d.6 May 1920)

    William Adam served in H.M.S. Hercules. Remembered at . WW1





    1207359

    Carpenters Crew Alfred Francis Abbey H.M.S. Hazard (d.28 Jan 1918)

    Alfred Abbey served in H.M.S. Hazard Remembered at . WW1





    1207358

    Officers Steward 2nd Clas Ah nam H.M.S. HAWKINS. (d.10 Feb 1921)

    Ah nam served in H.M.S. HAWKINS. Remembered at . WW1





    1207357

    Ships Corporal 1st Class Walter Henry Axon H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Walter Axon served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207356

    Paymaster Alan Murray Austin H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Alan Austin served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207355

    Boy 1st Class Ernest Charles. Attree H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Ernest Attree served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207354

    Able Seaman Alfred George Atkinson H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Alfred Atkinson served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207353

    Cooper John Robert Anderson H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    John Anderson served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207352

    Stoker 1st Class George Allum H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    George Allum served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207351

    Boy 1st Class William Henry Alloway H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    William Alloway served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207350

    Boy 1st Class Marshall Claude Allen H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Marshall Allen served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207349

    Able Seaman Daniel Allen H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Daniel Allen served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207348

    Able Seaman Robert Algie H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Robert Algie served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207347

    Able Seaman Henry Alcock H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Henry Alcock served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207346

    Boy 1st Class Harold Ainger H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Harold Ainger served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207345

    Stoker 1st Class Nathaniel Agnew H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Nathaniel Agnew served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207344

    Stoker 2nd Class James Alfred Ager H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    James Ager served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207343

    Boy 1st Class Walter Benjamin Adamson H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Walter Adamson served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207342

    Boy 1st Class Clare Robert Adams H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Clare Adams served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207341

    Petty Officer Ernest William Abram H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Ernest Abram served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207340

    Able Seaman Albert Abbott H.M.S. Hawke. (d.15 Oct 1914)

    Albert Abbott served in H.M.S. Hawke. Remembered at . WW1





    1207339

    Trimmer Patrick Ahern H.M.S. Harpenden. (d.4 Nov 1918)

    Patrick Ahern served in H.M.S. Harpenden. Remembered at . WW1





    1207338

    Stoker Ali ahmet H.M.S. Hannibal. (d.19 May 1919)

    Ali ahmet served in H.M.S. Hannibal. Remembered at . WW1





    1207337

    Ordinary Seaman George Ayton H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    George Ayton served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207336

    Able Seaman Charles Ernest Attwood H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    Charles Attwood served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207335

    Shipwright 1st Class William Monamy Amy H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    William Amy served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207334

    Stoker 1st Class Nelson Percival Amey H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    Nelson Amey served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207333

    Able Seaman George Adin Allum H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    George Allum served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207332

    Stoker 1st Class William Brinkley Allen H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    William Allen served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207331

    Leading Stoker Ernest Alfred Allen H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    Ernest Allen served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207330

    Able Seaman Walter Frederick Adams H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    Walter Adams served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207329

    Stoker 1st Class Harold Adams H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    Harold Adams served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207328

    Stoker 1st Class Charles George Joseph Ayling H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    Charles Ayling served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207327

    Chaplain Philip Alexander H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    Philip Alexander served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207326

    Private William John Amey H.M.S. Hampshire. (d.5 Jun 1916)

    William Amey served in H.M.S. Hampshire. Remembered at . WW1





    1207325

    Chief Petty Officer Ayland H.M.S. Halcyon (d.20 Nov 1915)

    Ayland served in H.M.S. Halcyon Remembered at . WW1





    1207324

    Deck Hand Randel James Frederick Adams H.M.S. Halcyon (d.7 Dec 1918)

    Randel Adams served in H.M.S. Halcyon Remembered at . WW1





    1207323

    Trimmer Robert Kelso Anderson H.M.S. Gunner. (d.2 Oct 1916)

    Robert Anderson served in H.M.S. Gunner. Remembered at . WW1





    1207322

    Chief Sick Berth Steward Addis H.M.S. Grafton. (d.18 Dec 1914)

    Addis served in H.M.S. Grafton. Remembered at . WW1





    1207321

    Stoker 1st Class Harry Avis H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Harry Avis served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207320

    Able Seaman John Atkins H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    John Atkins served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207319

    Leading Stoker Edmund Ashworth H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Edmund Ashworth served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207318

    Stoker 1st Class James Ashurst H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    James Ashurst served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207317

    Stoker George Ashby H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    George Ashby served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207316

    Able Seaman John Henry Armes H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    John Armes served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207315

    Stoker 1st Class William Christopher Ansell H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    William Ansell served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207314

    Stoker 1st Class Frederick John Andrews H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Frederick Andrews served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207313

    Able Seaman Henry Small Anderson H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Henry Anderson served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207312

    Stoker 1st Class Harry Pearce Ancill H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Harry Ancill served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207311

    Petty Officer 1st Class John Ames H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    John Ames served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207310

    Leading Seaman James Alsbury H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    James Alsbury served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207309

    Leading Stoker Joseph Allinson H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Joseph Allinson served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207308

    Petty Officer Henry Allen H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Henry Allen served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207307

    Stoker 1st Class Herbert Allcorn H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Herbert Allcorn served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207306

    Stoker Charles Alexander H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Charles Alexander served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207305

    Blacksmiths Mate Thomas Alfred Alexander H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Thomas Alexander served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207304

    Able Seaman John William Aldred H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    John Aldred served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207303

    Armourers Mate Arthur Alderton H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Arthur Alderton served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207302

    Officers Steward 2nd Clas William John Thomas Addyman H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    William Addyman served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207301

    Warrant Mechanician George. Addis H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    George. Addis served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207300

    Signal Boy Roland Adams H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Roland Adams served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207299

    Leading Seaman Ernest Hector Alexander Adams H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Ernest Adams served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . CPWW1





    1207298

    Able Seaman Walter Frederick Adams H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Walter Adams served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . CPWW1





    1207297

    Stoker 1st Class Walter Adams H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Walter Adams served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . CPWW1





    1207296

    Stoker 1st Class George Adams H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    George Adams served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . CPWW1





    1207295

    Able Seaman Harold James Abrams H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Harold Abrams served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . CPWW1





    1207294

    Sergeant John Henry Askew H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    John Askew served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207293

    Corporal John Wainwright Anderton H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    John Anderton served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207292

    Private David Aldridge H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    David Aldridge served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207291

    Gunner Arthur Charles Attwood H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Arthur Attwood served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207290

    Stoker Alime H.M.S. Good Hope. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Alime served in H.M.S. Good Hope. Remembered at . WW1





    1207289

    Boy 1st Class Albert Edward Allen H.M.S. Goliath. (d.13 May 1915)

    Albert Allen served in H.M.S. Goliath. Remembered at . WW1





    1207288

    Able Seaman Leslie Victor Atwell H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 Jun 1918)

    Leslie Atwell served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1207287

    Stoker 1st Class Walter John Arlett H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 May 1915)

    Walter Arlett served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1207286

    Leading Stoker Edwin James Antell H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 May 1915)

    Edwin Antell served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1207285

    Able Seaman Edward John Andrew H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 May 1915)

    Edward Andrew served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1207284

    Shipwright 2nd Class Richard Ahern H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 May 1915)

    Richard Ahern served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1207283

    Seaman Robert Arnopp H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 May 1915)

    Robert Arnopp served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1207282

    Seaman Richard Allen H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 May 1915)

    Richard Allen served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1207281

    Seaman Michael Joseph Allen H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 May 1915)

    Michael Allen served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1207280

    Stoker William Ahearne H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 May 1915)

    William Ahearne served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1207279

    Private Tom Ashton H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 May 1915)

    Tom Ashton served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1207278

    Private Tom John Allcoat H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 May 1915)

    Tom Allcoat served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1207277

    Officers Steward 2nd Clas Joseph Ayres H.M.S. Glowworm. (d.25 Aug 1919)

    Joseph Ayres served in H.M.S. Glowworm. Remembered at . WW1





    1207276

    Master at Arms Andrews H.M.S. Glatton. (d.3 Oct 1918)

    Andrews served in H.M.S. Glatton. Remembered at . WW1





    1207275

    Petty Officer Stoker Ayling Mentioned in Despatches H.M.S. Glatton (d.25 Sep 1918)

    Ayling served in H.M.S. Glatton Remembered at . WW1





    1207274

    Stoker 1st Class William Ames H.M.S. Glatton (d.16 Sep 1918)

    William Ames served in H.M.S. Glatton Remembered at . WW1





    1207273

    Ordinary Seaman George Allanton H.M.S. Glatton (d.16 Sep 1918)

    George Allanton served in H.M.S. Glatton Remembered at . WW1





    1207272

    Petty Officer Stoker Alfred Alford H.M.S. Glatton (d.16 Sep 1918)

    Alfred Alford served in H.M.S. Glatton Remembered at . WW1





    1207271

    Private Adams H.M.S. Gibraltar. (d.26 May 1921)

    Adams served in H.M.S. Gibraltar. Remembered at . WW1





    1207270

    Stoker 1st Class William Andrew Anscombe H.M.S. Genista. (d.23 Oct 1916)

    William Anscombe served in H.M.S. Genista. Remembered at . WW1





    1207269

    Signal Boy John Fletcher Ash H.M.S. Ganges. (d.24 Feb 1917)

    John Ash served in H.M.S. Ganges. Remembered at . WW1





    1207268

    Signal Boy Robert Sydney Allen H.M.S. Ganges. (d.2 Jan 1917)

    Robert Allen served in H.M.S. Ganges. Remembered at . WW1





    1207267

    Boy 2nd Class Albert Archibald Alan Adams H.M.S. Ganges. (d.23 Jul 1920)

    Albert Adams served in H.M.S. Ganges. Remembered at . WW1





    1207266

    Ordinary Seaman John Thomas Adams H.M.S. Ganges. (d.30 Nov 1918)

    John Adams served in H.M.S. Ganges. Remembered at . WW1





    1207265

    Boy 2nd Class John Allan H.M.S. Ganges (d.7 Nov 1918)

    John Allan served in H.M.S. Ganges Remembered at . WW1





    1207264

    Telegraphist Herbert George Edwin Austin H.M.S. Gaillardia. (d.22 Mar 1918)

    Herbert Austin served in H.M.S. Gaillardia. Remembered at . WW1





    1207263

    Stoker 2nd Class James Arnold H.M.S. Foyle. (d.15 Mar 1917)

    James Arnold served in H.M.S. Foyle. Remembered at . WW1





    1207262

    Petty Officer Ernest Archer H.M.S. Foyle (d.15 Mar 1917)

    Ernest Archer served in H.M.S. Foyle Remembered at . WW1





    1207261

    Able Seaman Samuel Allison H.M.S. Fortune. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    Samuel Allison served in H.M.S. Fortune. Remembered at . WW1





    1207260

    Leading Stoker William James Allen H.M.S. Fortune. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    William Allen served in H.M.S. Fortune. Remembered at . WW1





    1207259

    Able Seaman George Ernest Ashwood H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    George Ashwood served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207258

    Ordinary Seaman Sidney Ashby H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    Sidney Ashby served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207257

    Ordinary Seaman John Ashby H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    John Ashby served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207256

    Able Seaman George Walter Ashbee H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    George Ashbee served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207255

    Ordinary Seaman Charles Frederick Arthy H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    Charles Arthy served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207254

    Boy 1st Class Harold John Andrews H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    Harold Andrews served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207253

    Leading Seaman George Stanley Andrews H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    George Andrews served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207252

    Stoker 1st Class Alfred John Anderson H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    Alfred Anderson served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207251

    Able Seaman David William Allen H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    David Allen served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207250

    Petty Officer Stoker John Francis Allan H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    John Allan served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207249

    Leading Seaman Harry Adams H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    Harry Adams served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207248

    Private Lewis Thomas Arnold H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    Lewis Arnold served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207247

    Private Henry Allen H.M.S. Formidable. (d.1 Jan 1915)

    Henry Allen served in H.M.S. Formidable. Remembered at . WW1





    1207246

    Boy 1st Class Robert Smith Aird H.M.S. Formidable (d.1 Jan 1915)

    Robert Aird served in H.M.S. Formidable Remembered at . WW1





    1207245

    Clerk George William Henry Adams H.M.S. Formidable (d.1 Jan 1915)

    George Adams served in H.M.S. Formidable Remembered at . WW1





    1207244

    Ordinary Seaman James William Abon H.M.S. Formidable (d.1 Jan 1915)

    James Abon served in H.M.S. Formidable Remembered at . WW1





    1207243

    Leading Stoker John Edmund Allen H.M.S. Flirt. (d.26 Oct 1916)

    John Allen served in H.M.S. Flirt. Remembered at . WW1





    1207242

    Able Seaman George Atherton H.M.S. Flirt (d.26 Oct 1916)

    George Atherton served in H.M.S. Flirt Remembered at . CPWW1





    1207241

    Stoker 1st Class Ferdinand Evelyn Adamson H.M.S. Fishgard (d.13 Jun 1917)

    Ferdinand Adamson served in H.M.S. Fishgard Remembered at . WW1





    1207240

    Second Cook Walter Ackerman H.M.S. Fauvette. (d.9 Mar 1916)

    Walter Ackerman served in H.M.S. Fauvette. Remembered at . WW1





    1207239

    Stoker 1st Class Walter Alexander H.M.S. Fandango. (d.3 Jul 1919)

    Walter Alexander served in H.M.S. Fandango. Remembered at . WW1





    1207238

    Private Aris H.M.S. Exmouth (d.6 Sep 1915)

    Aris served in H.M.S. Exmouth Remembered at . WW1





    1207237

    Seaman Aitken H.M.S. Excellent (d.12 Jun 1918)

    Aitken served in H.M.S. Excellent Remembered at . WW1





    1207236

    Stoker 2nd Class Robert Andrews H.M.S. Ettrick. (d.7 Jul 1917)

    Robert Andrews served in H.M.S. Ettrick. Remembered at . WW1





    1207235

    Chief Stoker John Anderson H.M.S. Erin (d.25 Apr 1915)

    John Anderson served in H.M.S. Erin Remembered at . WW1





    1207234

    Stoker 1st Class Edward Arnold H.M.S. Engadine. (d.22 Aug 1918)

    Edward Arnold served in H.M.S. Engadine. Remembered at . WW1





    1207233

    Leading Seaman Austin H.M.S. Emperor of India (d.7 Jul 1918)

    Austin served in H.M.S. Emperor of India Remembered at . WW1





    1207232

    Engine Room Artificer 5th Joseph Austin Almond H.M.S. Emperor of India (d.28 Dec 1920)

    Joseph Almond served in H.M.S. Emperor of India Remembered at . WW1





    1207231

    Lieut-Commander Charles Edgar Adams R D H.M.S. Egmont. (d.9 Jun 1918)

    Charles Adams served in H.M.S. Egmont. Remembered at . WW1





    1207230

    Able Seaman Atkinson H.M.S. Egmont (d.8 Aug 1918)

    Atkinson served in H.M.S. Egmont Remembered at . WW1





    1207229

    Fireman Aquilina H.M.S. Egmont (d.16 Jun 1916)

    Aquilina served in H.M.S. Egmont Remembered at . WW1





    1207228

    Air Mechanic 1st Class Ambler H.M.S. Egmont (d.7 Jan 1917)

    Ambler served in H.M.S. Egmont Remembered at . WW1





    1207227

    Private Joseph Henry Ainsley H.M.S. Edinburgh Castle. (d.11 Mar 1916)

    Joseph Ainsley served in H.M.S. Edinburgh Castle. Remembered at . WW1





    1207226

    Ordinary Seaman James Robert Alexander H.M.S. Ebro. (d.21 Mar 1917)

    James Alexander served in H.M.S. Ebro. Remembered at . WW1





    1207225

    Seaman James Anderson H.M.S. Ebro. (d.14 Jan 1916)

    James Anderson served in H.M.S. Ebro. Remembered at . WW1





    1207224

    Leading Seaman James Walker Allardyce H.M.S. Earn. (d.27 Jul 1915)

    James Allardyce served in H.M.S. Earn. Remembered at . WW1





    1207223

    Leading Fireman Charles Henry Anderson H.M.S. Eaglet. (d.28 Feb 1919)

    Charles Anderson served in H.M.S. Eaglet. Remembered at . WW1





    1207222

    Fireman William Aitken H.M.S. Eaglet (d.8 Jan 1920)

    William Aitken served in H.M.S. Eaglet Remembered at . WW1





    1207221

    Master at Arms Harold Ayers H.M.S. Eagle (d.12 Apr 1921)

    Harold Ayers served in H.M.S. Eagle Remembered at . WW1





    1207220

    Quartermaster James Anderson H.M.S. Eagle (d.19 Feb 1919)

    James Anderson served in H.M.S. Eagle Remembered at . WW1





    1207219

    Able Seaman Allison H.M.S. Dunedin. (d.24 Nov 1920)

    Allison served in H.M.S. Dunedin. Remembered at . WW1





    1207218

    Leading Cook Robert James Andrews H.M.S. Dunedin (d.5 Apr 1921)

    Robert Andrews served in H.M.S. Dunedin Remembered at . WW1





    1207217

    Petty Officer William Arthur H.M.S. Dundee. (d.2 Sep 1917)

    William Arthur served in H.M.S. Dundee. Remembered at . WW1





    1207216

    Seaman Andrew Arcus H.M.S. Dundee. (d.1 Mar 1916)

    Andrew Arcus served in H.M.S. Dundee. Remembered at . WW1





    1207215

    Seaman Robert John Anderson H.M.S. Dundee. (d.16 Mar 1917)

    Robert Anderson served in H.M.S. Dundee. Remembered at . WW1





    1207214

    Seaman Magnus John Anderson H.M.S. Dundee. (d.16 Mar 1917)

    Magnus Anderson served in H.M.S. Dundee. Remembered at . WW1





    1207213

    Seaman Henry James Anderson H.M.S. Dundee. (d.16 Mar 1917)

    Henry Anderson served in H.M.S. Dundee. Remembered at . WW1





    1207212

    Seaman Henry Anderson H.M.S. Dundee. (d.16 Mar 1917)

    Henry Anderson served in H.M.S. Dundee. Remembered at . WW1





    1207211

    Carpenters Crew Andrew H.M.S. Duncan. (d.17 Nov 1915)

    Andrew served in H.M.S. Duncan. Remembered at . WW1





    1207210

    Able Seaman John Charles Atkinson H.M.S. Duke of Albany. (d.24 Aug 1916)

    John Atkinson served in H.M.S. Duke of Albany. Remembered at . WW1





    1207209

    Fireman George Atherton H.M.S. Duke of Albany. (d.24 Aug 1916)

    George Atherton served in H.M.S. Duke of Albany. Remembered at . WW1





    1207208

    Fireman John Armstrong H.M.S. Duke of Albany. (d.24 Aug 1916)

    John Armstrong served in H.M.S. Duke of Albany. Remembered at . WW1





    1207207

    Deck Hand George Anderson H.M.S. Dreel Castle. (d.30 May 1916)

    George Anderson served in H.M.S. Dreel Castle. Remembered at . WW1





    1207206

    Stoker 1st Class Arbin H.M.S. Dreadnought. (d.8 Jan 1915)

    Arbin served in H.M.S. Dreadnought. Remembered at . WW1





    1207205

    Able Seaman Percy James Almond Mentioned in Despatches H.M.S. Dragon. (d.17 Oct 1919)

    Percy Almond served in H.M.S. Dragon. Remembered at . WW1





    1207204

    Able Seaman John Anderson H.M.S. Diligence. (d.4 Nov 1917)

    John Anderson served in H.M.S. Diligence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207203

    Lieutenant Alexander Bannatyne Anderson H.M.S. Diana. (d.28 Sep 1918)

    Alexander Anderson served in H.M.S. Diana. Remembered at . WW1





    1207202

    Leading Stoker Ernest Robert Ashby H.M.S. Derwent. (d.2 May 1917)

    Ernest Ashby served in H.M.S. Derwent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207201

    Stoker 1st Class Frederick John Andrews H.M.S. Derwent. (d.2 May 1917)

    Frederick Andrews served in H.M.S. Derwent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207200

    Fireman Llewellyn Arnold H.M.S. Derwent. (d.2 May 1917)

    Llewellyn Arnold served in H.M.S. Derwent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207199

    Stoker 1st Class Richard Harold Atwill H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Richard Atwill served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207198

    Stoker 1st Class Arthur Atkinson H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Arthur Atkinson served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207197

    Stoker 1st Class William Ashley H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Ashley served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207196

    Boy Telegraphist William Frederick Argyle H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Argyle served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207195

    Warrant Telegraphist Henry Arberry H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Henry Arberry served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207194

    Boy 1st Class Robert Henry Andrews H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Robert Andrews served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207193

    Leading Seaman Arthur Edward Andrews H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Arthur Andrews served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207192

    Signal Boy Edward James Anderson H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Edward Anderson served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207191

    Boy 1st Class Walter Anderson H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Walter Anderson served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207190

    Stoker 1st Class James Anderson H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    James Anderson served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207189

    Petty Officer Stoker Alexander Anderson H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Alexander Anderson served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207188

    Fleet Paymaster Wingfield Woolley Alton H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Wingfield Alton served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207187

    Petty Officer Stoker William George Allsopp H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Allsopp served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207186

    Stoker 2nd Class William James Ager H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Ager served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207185

    Stoker 1st Class George Henry Adams H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    George Adams served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207184

    Clerk Cyril Henwood Adams H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Cyril Adams served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207183

    Stoker 1st Class Albert Henry Adams H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Albert Adams served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207182

    Leading Stoker Stephen Edward Ackroyd H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Stephen Ackroyd served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207181

    Lieutenant Cecil Halliday Abercrombie H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Cecil Abercrombie served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207180

    Chief Stoker William Alexandra Abel H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Abel served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207179

    Leading Seaman Sydney James Abbott H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Sydney Abbott served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207178

    Able Seaman Ainslie H.M.S. Defence. (d.23 Feb 1915)

    Ainslie served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207177

    Ordinary Seaman Joseph Albert Frederick Atherton H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Joseph Atherton served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207176

    Able Seaman William George Herbert Austin H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Austin served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207175

    Rear Admiral Robert Keith Arbuthnot K C B, M V O H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Robert Arbuthnot served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207174

    Ordinary Seaman Percy Frederick Stanhope Anstiss H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Percy Anstiss served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207173

    Private Robert Ashe H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Robert Ashe served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207172

    Gunner Bertie Walter Ayers H.M.S. Defence. (d.31 May 1916)

    Bertie Ayers served in H.M.S. Defence. Remembered at . WW1





    1207171

    Air Mechanic 1st Class Richard Gordon Arrowsmith H.M.S. Daedalus (d.23 Feb 1918)

    Richard Arrowsmith served in H.M.S. Daedalus Remembered at . WW1





    1207170

    Yeoman of Signals Ralph Cutts Avis H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Ralph Avis served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207169

    Leading Stoker Richard Attwater H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Richard Attwater served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207168

    Leading Seaman Edmund Joseph Atkins H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Edmund Atkins served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207167

    Stoker 1st Class Charles Edgar Arnold H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Charles Arnold served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207166

    Chief Engine Room Artific Thomas William Armitage H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Thomas Armitage served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207165

    Able Seaman Walter Ansell H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Walter Ansell served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207164

    Stoker 1st Class Frederick Ampleford H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Frederick Ampleford served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207163

    Able Seaman Alfred Walter Allwright H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Alfred Allwright served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207162

    Able Seaman Charles Alderton H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Charles Alderton served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207161

    Petty Officer David Alder H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    David Alder served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207160

    Able Seaman Andrew Alfred Aiton H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Andrew Aiton served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207159

    Able Seaman Robert Abbott H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Robert Abbott served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207158

    Stoker George Austin H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    George Austin served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207157

    Private John Claude Atkin H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    John Atkin served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207156

    Private William Arthur Anderson H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    William Anderson served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207155

    Private Claude Cecil Abel H.M.S. Cressy. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Claude Abel served in H.M.S. Cressy. Remembered at . WW1





    1207154

    Stoker 1st Class Aldis H.M.S. Cressy (d.4 Oct 1914)

    Aldis served in H.M.S. Cressy Remembered at . WW1





    1207153

    Writer 2nd Douglas Cave Adkins H.M.S. Crescent. (d.17 Feb 1919)

    Douglas Adkins served in H.M.S. Crescent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207152

    Donkeyman Ali H.M.S. Crescent, (d.11 Nov 1918)

    Ali served in H.M.S. Crescent, Remembered at . WW1





    1207151

    Joiner Sidney Stephen Ashley H.M.S. Courageous. (d.3 Sep 1918)

    Sidney Ashley served in H.M.S. Courageous. Remembered at . WW1





    1207150

    Ships Corporal 1st Class George Harry Albert Atkins H.M.S. Cornwallis. (d.28 May 1915)

    George Atkins served in H.M.S. Cornwallis. Remembered at . WW1





    1207149

    Gunner Adams H.M.S. Cordelia (d.1 Mar 1920)

    Adams served in H.M.S. Cordelia Remembered at . WW1





    1207148

    Ordinary Seaman Frederick Henry Ashenford H.M.S. Contest. (d.18 Sep 1917)

    Frederick Ashenford served in H.M.S. Contest. Remembered at . WW1





    1207147

    Able Seaman Lionel Frederick Andrews H.M.S. Contest. (d.18 Sep 1917)

    Lionel Andrews served in H.M.S. Contest. Remembered at . WW1





    1207146

    Able Seaman William John Adams H.M.S. Constance. (d.6 May 1917)

    William Adams served in H.M.S. Constance. Remembered at . WW1





    1207145

    Private Arthur Frederick Austin H.M.S. Conquest (d.28 Mar 1916)

    Arthur Austin served in H.M.S. Conquest Remembered at . WW1





    1207144

    Boy 1st Class Frederick J. Ashby H.M.S. Conqueror. (d.16 Feb 1915)

    Frederick Ashby served in H.M.S. Conqueror. Remembered at . WW1





    1207143

    Midshipman Alderson H.M.S. Conqueror. (d.15 Dec 1917)

    Alderson served in H.M.S. Conqueror. Remembered at . WW1





    1207142

    Stoker Abdul Qadir Sheikh Husain H.M.S. Comet. (d.1 Dec 1915)

    Qadir Sheikh Abdul served in H.M.S. Comet. Remembered at . WW1





    1207141

    Chief Engine Room Artific Wilfred Charles Agar H.M.S. Comet. (d.6 Aug 1918)

    Wilfred Agar served in H.M.S. Comet. Remembered at . WW1





    1207140

    Fireman Andrew Anderson H.M.S. Columbella, (d.7 Feb 1916)

    Andrew Anderson served in H.M.S. Columbella, Remembered at . WW1





    1207139

    Stoker 1st Class Alphaeus Allen H.M.S. Collingwood. (d.26 May 1918)

    Alphaeus Allen served in H.M.S. Collingwood. Remembered at . WW1





    1207138

    Sub-Lieutenant William James Lightbody Aitken H.M.S. Colleen (d.16 Apr 1917)

    William Aitken served in H.M.S. Colleen Remembered at . WW1





    1207137

    Seedie Boy Abdullah Bin Salih H.M.S. Clio (d.12 Oct 1915)

    Bin Abdullah served in H.M.S. Clio Remembered at . WW1





    1207136

    Stoker 1st Class Ansell H.M.S. Cleopatra. (d.27 Nov 1919)

    Ansell served in H.M.S. Cleopatra. Remembered at . WW1





    1207135

    Engineer Commander Frederick Alexander D S O H.M.S. Cleopatra (d.2 Jul 1920)

    Frederick Alexander served in H.M.S. Cleopatra Remembered at . WW1





    1207134

    Boy 1st Class Alfred Arnold H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. (d.3 Feb 1915)

    Alfred Arnold served in H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. Remembered at . WW1





    1207133

    Leading Seaman William Armin H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. (d.3 Feb 1915)

    William Armin served in H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. Remembered at . WW1





    1207132

    Petty Officer Arthur Edward Norton Adams H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. (d.3 Feb 1915)

    Arthur Adams served in H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. Remembered at . WW1





    1207131

    Midshipman John Hamilton Auld H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. (d.3 Feb 1915)

    John Auld served in H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. Remembered at . WW1





    1207130

    Seaman Leonard Alp H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. (d.3 Feb 1915)

    Leonard Alp served in H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. Remembered at . WW1





    1207129

    Seaman Samuel Trace Allen H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. (d.3 Feb 1915)

    Samuel Allen served in H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. Remembered at . WW1





    1207128

    Private William Allen H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. (d.3 Feb 1915)

    William Allen served in H.M.S. Clan McNaughton. Remembered at . WW1





    1207127

    Seaman George William Artis H.M.S. Clan McNaughton (d.3 Feb 1915)

    George Artis served in H.M.S. Clan McNaughton Remembered at . WW1





    1207126

    Fireman Frank Baldwin Ambrose H.M.S. Clan McNaughton (d.3 Feb 1915)

    Frank Ambrose served in H.M.S. Clan McNaughton Remembered at . WW1





    1207125

    Steward George Greig Allen H.M.S. Clan McNaughton (d.3 Feb 1915)

    George Allen served in H.M.S. Clan McNaughton Remembered at . WW1





    1207124

    Seaman David Addison H.M.S. Clacton. (d.3 Aug 1916)

    David Addison served in H.M.S. Clacton. Remembered at . WW1





    1207123

    Fireman Battista Attard H.M.S. Chesterfield. (d.18 May 1918)

    Battista Attard served in H.M.S. Chesterfield. Remembered at . WW1





    1207122

    Boy 1st Class Robert John Ashton H.M.S. Chester. (d.31 May 1916)

    Robert Ashton served in H.M.S. Chester. Remembered at . WW1





    1207121

    Leading Seaman Edward George Arter H.M.S. Chester. (d.31 May 1916)

    Edward Arter served in H.M.S. Chester. Remembered at . WW1





    1207120

    Trimmer Thomas Henry Allen H.M.S. Chepstow (d.13 Oct 1918)

    Thomas Allen served in H.M.S. Chepstow Remembered at . WW1





    1207119

    Stoker 1st Class Robert Antrichan H.M.S. Cheerful. (d.30 Jun 1917)

    Robert Antrichan served in H.M.S. Cheerful. Remembered at . WW1





    1207118

    Trimmer William Alcock H.M.S. Champagne. (d.9 Oct 1917)

    William Alcock served in H.M.S. Champagne. Remembered at . WW1





    1207117

    Seedie Ali Bin_Saiyid H.M.S. Challenger. (d.17 Sep 1917)

    Ali Bin_Saiyid served in H.M.S. Challenger. Remembered at . WW1





    1207116

    Able Seaman Abbott H.M.S. Centaur (d.18 Jul 1919)

    Abbott served in H.M.S. Centaur Remembered at . WW1





    1207115

    Officers Steward 2nd Clas Aldridge H.M.S. Caterham. (d.1 Feb 1920)

    Aldridge served in H.M.S. Caterham. Remembered at . WW1





    1207114

    Chief Petty Officer Cook Charles Aylwin H.M.S. Caroline. (d.21 Oct 1919)

    Charles Aylwin served in H.M.S. Caroline. Remembered at . WW1





    1207113

    Ordinary Seaman Phillip Addis H.M.S. Carnarvon. (d.30 Jan 1919)

    Phillip Addis served in H.M.S. Carnarvon. Remembered at . WW1





    1207112

    Able Seaman Frank Andrews H.M.S. Canada. (d.27 Dec 1916)

    Frank Andrews served in H.M.S. Canada. Remembered at . WW1





    1207111

    Midshipman Robert Mcdonald Auld H.M.S. Calgarian. (d.14 Jun 1916)

    Robert Auld served in H.M.S. Calgarian. Remembered at . WW1





    1207110

    Leading Fireman Thomas Agney H.M.S. Calgarian. (d.1 Mar 1918)

    Thomas Agney served in H.M.S. Calgarian. Remembered at . WW1





    1207109

    Steward Frederick Thomas Adams H.M.S. Calgarian (d.1 Mar 1918)

    Frederick Adams served in H.M.S. Calgarian Remembered at . WW1





    1207108

    Stoker 1st Class Charles Frederick Anscombe H.M.S. Cadmus. (d.16 Feb 1915)

    Charles Anscombe served in H.M.S. Cadmus. Remembered at . WW1





    1207107

    Able Seaman Joseph Henry Avis H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Joseph Avis served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207106

    Boy 1st Class William Ernest Avery H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    William Avery served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207105

    Yeoman of Signals George Attwood H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    George Attwood served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207104

    Stoker 1st Class Thomas Atkinson H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Thomas Atkinson served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207103

    Telegraphist Leonard Hobster Atkinson H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Leonard Atkinson served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207102

    Ordinary Seaman John Ernest Aston H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    John Aston served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207101

    Boy 1st Class William Astley H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    William Astley served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207100

    Petty Officer Stoker Ernest Ashford H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Ernest Ashford served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207099

    Officers Steward 2nd Clas Sydney Ashby H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Sydney Ashby served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207098

    Stoker 2nd Class Herbert George Arney H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Herbert Arney served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207097

    Stoker 1st Class Ernest Herbert Arnell H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Ernest Arnell served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207096

    Ordinary Seaman George Armstrong H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    George Armstrong served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207095

    Boy 1st Class Frederick Argent H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Frederick Argent served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207094

    Officers Steward 1st Clas Frederick George Andrews H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Frederick Andrews served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207093

    Ordinary Seaman Stanley William Andrews H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Stanley Andrews served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207092

    Stoker 1st Class George Philip Andrews H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    George Andrews served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207091

    Midshipman Kenneth Angus Anderson H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Kenneth Anderson served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207090

    Boy 1st Class William Henry Allen H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    William Allen served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207089

    Ordinary Seaman Horatio William Allcock H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Horatio Allcock served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207088

    Officers Cook 3rd Class William Storrie Aitken H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    William Aitken served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207087

    Ordinary Seaman Thomas Frederick Adkins H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Thomas Adkins served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207086

    Stoker 1st Class Robert Addy H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Robert Addy served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207085

    Blacksmiths Mate Alfred Henry Adames H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Alfred Adames served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207084

    Able Seaman Arthur John Smith Apperley H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Arthur Apperley served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207083

    Stoker Charles Anderson H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Charles Anderson served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207082

    Seaman James William Amis H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    James Amis served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207081

    Private Paul Ashman H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Paul Ashman served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207080

    Private Harry Clement Arnold H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Harry Arnold served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207079

    Musician Henry Averley H.M.S. Bulwark. (d.26 Nov 1914)

    Henry Averley served in H.M.S. Bulwark. Remembered at . WW1





    1207078

    Seaman James Anderson H.M.S. Bulwark (d.30 Nov 1914)

    James Anderson served in H.M.S. Bulwark Remembered at . WW1





    1207077

    Able Seaman Cecil Leonard Atkey H.M.S. Brittannia. (d.9 Nov 1916)

    Cecil Atkey served in H.M.S. Brittannia. Remembered at . WW1





    1207076

    2nd Seedie Alam Musa H.M.S. Britomart. (d.21 Apr 1919)

    Musa Alam served in H.M.S. Britomart. Remembered at . WW1





    1207075

    Seedie Abdullah bariut H.M.S. Britomart (d.11 Sep 1919)

    Abdullah bariut served in H.M.S. Britomart Remembered at . WW1





    1207074

    Petty Officer Telegraphis Amor H.M.S. Britannia. (d.16 Sep 1918)

    Amor served in H.M.S. Britannia. Remembered at . WW1





    1207073

    Ordinary Seaman Charles Dalrymple Atkins H.M.S. Bristol (d.9 Feb 1918)

    Charles Atkins served in H.M.S. Bristol Remembered at . WW1





    1207072

    Officers Steward 2nd Clas William John Argent H.M.S. Brisk. (d.2 Oct 1917)

    William Argent served in H.M.S. Brisk. Remembered at . WW1





    1207071

    Stoker 2nd Class Atkinson H.M.S. Botha. (d.21 Mar 1918)

    Atkinson served in H.M.S. Botha. Remembered at . WW1





    1207070

    Able Seaman Argrave H.M.S. Botha. (d.21 Mar 1918)

    Argrave served in H.M.S. Botha. Remembered at . WW1





    1207069

    Able Seaman Aldous H.M.S. Botha. (d.8 Nov 1917)

    Aldous served in H.M.S. Botha. Remembered at . WW1





    1207068

    Lieutenant Bernard Anderson H.M.S. Bombala. (d.25 Apr 1918)

    Bernard Anderson served in H.M.S. Bombala. Remembered at . WW1





    1207067

    Sub-Lieutenant Eric Hugh Allan H.M.S. Bombala. (d.25 Apr 1918)

    Eric Allan served in H.M.S. Bombala. Remembered at . WW1





    1207066

    Fireman Benjamin Alfred H.M.S. Bombala. (d.26 Apr 1918)

    Benjamin Alfred served in H.M.S. Bombala. Remembered at . WW1





    1207065

    Able Seaman Albert Andrews H.M.S. Boadicea. (d.20 Feb 1919)

    Albert Andrews served in H.M.S. Boadicea. Remembered at . WW1





    1207064

    Signalman Allsop H.M.S. Boadicea (d.10 Dec 1918)

    Allsop served in H.M.S. Boadicea Remembered at . WW1





    1207063

    Petty Officer Stoker Appleby H.M.S. Bluebell (d.30 Oct 1918)

    Appleby served in H.M.S. Bluebell Remembered at . WW1





    1207062

    Petty Officer Stoker Frank Austin H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Frank Austin served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207061

    Stoker 1st Class William George Atkinson H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Atkinson served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207060

    Stoker 1st Class William Herbert Atkin H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Atkin served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207059

    Boy 1st Class Joseph Ash H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Joseph Ash served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207058

    Able Seaman William Arthur Arnell H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Arnell served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207057

    Stoker 1st Class George Armitage H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    George Armitage served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207056

    Petty Officer Archdeacon H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Archdeacon served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207055

    Stoker 1st Class Henry Cecil Applin H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Henry Applin served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207054

    Able Seaman Alfred Charles Ansted H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Alfred Ansted served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207053

    Stoker 1st Class John Anderson H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    John Anderson served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207052

    Officers Steward 3rd Clas Alfred George Anderson H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Alfred Anderson served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207051

    Armourer Arthur William Ambler H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Arthur Ambler served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207050

    Boy 1st Class Frederick Stanley Allsop H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Frederick Allsop served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207049

    Stoker 1st Class William Allen H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Allen served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207048

    Boy 1st Class Henry Allen H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Henry Allen served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207047

    Stoker 1st Class John Algeo H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    John Algeo served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207046

    Engine Room Artificer 4th Walter Cecil Alborn H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Walter Alborn served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207045

    Able Seaman William Abbott H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    William Abbott served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207044

    Private Alfred John Ayling H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Alfred Ayling served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207043

    Private Frederick Stewart Aspinall H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Frederick Aspinall served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207042

    Private Alfred James Armstrong H.M.S. Black Prince. (d.31 May 1916)

    Alfred Armstrong served in H.M.S. Black Prince. Remembered at . WW1





    1207041

    Able Seaman John Andrews H.M.S. Bittern. (d.4 Apr 1918)

    John Andrews served in H.M.S. Bittern. Remembered at . WW1





    1207040

    Signalman John Dunlop Anderson H.M.S. Bittern. (d.4 Apr 1918)

    John Anderson served in H.M.S. Bittern. Remembered at . WW1





    1207039

    Able Seaman Philip Henry Allen H.M.S. Bergamot. (d.13 Aug 1917)

    Philip Allen served in H.M.S. Bergamot. Remembered at . WW1





    1207038

    Engineer Sub-Lieutenant John Alexander Cameron Allen H.M.S. Bergamot. (d.13 Aug 1917)

    John Allen served in H.M.S. Bergamot. Remembered at . WW1





    1207037

    Petty Officer Stoker John Henry Arnell H.M.S. Begonia. (d.6 Oct 1917)

    John Arnell served in H.M.S. Begonia. Remembered at . WW1





    1207036

    Able Seaman Charles Gordon Anderson H.M.S. Begonia. (d.6 Oct 1917)

    Charles Anderson served in H.M.S. Begonia. Remembered at . WW1





    1207035

    Petty Officer Stoker William James Aldridge H.M.S. Begonia. (d.6 Oct 1917)

    William Aldridge served in H.M.S. Begonia. Remembered at . WW1





    1207034

    Able Seaman William Henry Archer H.M.S. Begonia. (d.6 Oct 1917)

    William Archer served in H.M.S. Begonia. Remembered at . WW1





    1207033

    Petty Officer Tom Atkins H.M.S. Bee. (d.1 Apr 1921)

    Tom Atkins served in H.M.S. Bee. Remembered at . WW1





    1207032

    Ordinary Seaman Thomas Appleby H.M.S. Bayano. (d.11 Mar 1915)

    Thomas Appleby served in H.M.S. Bayano. Remembered at . WW1





    1207031

    Private Thomas Atkinson H.M.S. Bayano. (d.11 Mar 1915)

    Thomas Atkinson served in H.M.S. Bayano. Remembered at . WW1





    1207030

    Private Ashton H.M.S. Bayano. (d.11 Mar 1915)

    Ashton served in H.M.S. Bayano. Remembered at . WW1





    1207029

    Private Arthur Archer H.M.S. Bayano. (d.11 Mar 1915)

    Arthur Archer served in H.M.S. Bayano. Remembered at . WW1





    1207028

    Private George Henry Absalom H.M.S. Bayano. (d.11 Mar 1915)

    George Absalom served in H.M.S. Bayano. Remembered at . WW1





    1207027

    Steward 2nd Class James Henry Atcheson H.M.S. Bayano. (d.11 Mar 1915)

    James Atcheson served in H.M.S. Bayano. Remembered at . WW1





    1207026

    Private David Adams H.M.S. Attentive (d.7 Sep 1915)

    David Adams served in H.M.S. Attentive Remembered at . WW1





    1207025

    Able Seaman Charles William Adams H.M.S. Asphodel (d.2 Apr 1918)

    Charles Adams served in H.M.S. Asphodel Remembered at . WW1





    1207024

    Fireman Alfred Robert Ashby H.M.S. Arlanza. (d.25 Jan 1917)

    Alfred Ashby served in H.M.S. Arlanza. Remembered at . WW1





    1207023

    Stoker 1st Class Percy Anscombe H.M.S. Ariel. (d.2 Aug 1918)

    Percy Anscombe served in H.M.S. Ariel. Remembered at . WW1





    1207022

    Leading Seaman Arthur Allen H.M.S. Ariadne (d.26 Jul 1917)

    Arthur Allen served in H.M.S. Ariadne Remembered at . WW1





    1207021

    Stoker 1st Class Henry Richard Andrews H.M.S. Arethusa. (d.11 Feb 1916)

    Henry Andrews served in H.M.S. Arethusa. Remembered at . WW1





    1207020

    Stoker 1st Class Arthur Allen H.M.S. Arethusa. (d.11 Feb 1916)

    Arthur Allen served in H.M.S. Arethusa. Remembered at . WW1





    1207019

    Petty Officer Axe H.M.S. Ardent. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    Axe served in H.M.S. Ardent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207018

    Able Seaman Arthur Russell Atkins H.M.S. Ardent. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    Arthur Atkins served in H.M.S. Ardent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207017

    Leading Signalman Frederick Harry Antram H.M.S. Ardent. (d.1 Jun 1916)

    Frederick Antram served in H.M.S. Ardent. Remembered at . WW1





    1207016

    Able Seaman Patrick Christopher Allen H.M.S. Arabis. (d.11 Feb 1916)

    Patrick Allen served in H.M.S. Arabis. Remembered at . WW1





    1207015

    Able Seaman John Francis Allen H.M.S. Angler. (d.2 Dec 1914)

    John Allen served in H.M.S. Angler. Remembered at . WW1





    1207014

    Ordinary Seaman Arnold Ackroyd H.M.S. Anchusa. (d.16 Aug 1917)

    Arnold Ackroyd served in H.M.S. Anchusa. Remembered at . WW1





    1207013

    Greaser John Auger H.M.S. Amsterdam. (d.15 Feb 1915)

    John Auger served in H.M.S. Amsterdam. Remembered at . WW1





    1207012

    Stoker 2nd Class William John Andrews H.M.S. Amphitrite. (d.20 Sep 1916)

    William Andrews served in H.M.S. Amphitrite. Remembered at . WW1





    1207011

    Seaman George Allen H.M.S. Amphitrite. (d.25 May 1915)

    George Allen served in H.M.S. Amphitrite. Remembered at . WW1





    1207010

    Chief Engine Room Artific Albert Victor Austin H.M.S. Amphion. (d.6 Aug 1914)

    Albert Austin served in H.M.S. Amphion. Remembered at . WW1





    1207009

    Stoker 1st Class Robert Ashton H.M.S. Amphion. (d.6 Aug 1914)

    Robert Ashton served in H.M.S. Amphion. Remembered at . WW1





    1207008

    Leading Telegraphist Norman Mckay Arundel H.M.S. Amphion. (d.6 Aug 1914)

    Norman Arundel served in H.M.S. Amphion. Remembered at . WW1





    1207007

    Shipwright 2nd Class Carl Harry Bowden Adams H.M.S. Amphion. (d.6 Aug 1914)

    Carl Adams served in H.M.S. Amphion. Remembered at . WW1





    1207006

    Able Seaman Henry Albert Austin H.M.S. Alert. (d.31 Dec 1916)

    Henry Austin served in H.M.S. Alert. Remembered at . WW1





    1207005

    Private George Frederick Angel H.M.S. Alcantara. (d.29 Feb 1916)

    George Angel served in H.M.S. Alcantara. Remembered at . WW1





    1207004

    Ordinary Seaman Arthur E. Arnold H.M.S. Albemarle. (d.7 Nov 1915)

    Arthur Arnold served in H.M.S. Albemarle. Remembered at . WW1





    1207003

    Chief Petty Officer William J. Aiken H.M.S. Albemarle. (d.7 Nov 1915)

    William Aiken served in H.M.S. Albemarle. Remembered at . WW1





    1207002

    Stoker 1st Class Eugine Ahern H.M.S. Albatross (d.16 Nov 1914)

    Eugine Ahern served in H.M.S. Albatross Remembered at . WW1





    1207001

    Able Seaman Harry Atkinson H.M.S. Ajax. (d.30 Jun 1918)

    Harry Atkinson served in H.M.S. Ajax. Remembered at . WW1





    1207000

    Petty Officer Regulating Isaac Armstrong H.M.S. Ajax. (d.15 Jun 1920)

    Isaac Armstrong served in H.M.S. Ajax. Remembered at . WW1





    1206999

    Midshipman Anderson H.M.S. Agamemnon (d.9 May 1918)

    Anderson served in H.M.S. Agamemnon Remembered at . WW1





    1206998

    Boy 1st Class Anderson H.M.S. Agamemnon (d.24 Aug 1915)

    Anderson served in H.M.S. Agamemnon Remembered at . WW1





    1206997

    Krooman Toby Anderson H.M.S. Afrikander. (d.13 Aug 1921)

    Toby Anderson served in H.M.S. Afrikander. Remembered at . WW1





    1206996

    Chief Stoker Charles William Allcock H.M.S. Africa. (d.11 Mar 1916)

    Charles Allcock served in H.M.S. Africa. Remembered at . WW1





    1206995

    Corporal Allison H.M.S. Africa. (d.14 Sep 1918)

    Allison served in H.M.S. Africa. Remembered at . WW1





    1206994

    Lieutenant Robert Allen H.M.S. Actaeon (d.29 Nov 1918)

    Robert Allen served in H.M.S. Actaeon Remembered at . WW1





    1206993

    Chief Yeoman of Signals Alfred Assiter H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Alfred Assiter served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206992

    Armourers Mate Charles Hart Ansell H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Charles Ansell served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206991

    Petty Officer 2nd Class James Josiah Andrews H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    James Andrews served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206990

    Midshipman Anthony Victor George Allsop H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Anthony Allsop served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206989

    Leading Carpenters Crew Robert Allison H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Robert Allison served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206988

    Petty Officer Stoker Harry Aldis H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Harry Aldis served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206987

    Able Seaman George Thomas Adams H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    George Adams served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206986

    Able Seaman Thomas Henry Adams H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Thomas Adams served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206985

    Sick Berth Attendant Tom William Robert Abbs H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Tom Abbs served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206984

    Officers Steward 2nd Clas Albert Edward Amos H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.2 Sep 1914)

    Albert Amos served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206983

    Seaman Hardy Andrew H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Hardy Andrew served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206982

    Seaman Thomas Martin Allen H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Thomas Allen served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206981

    Private Robert Arnold H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Robert Arnold served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206980

    Private Robert Samuel Anderson H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    Robert Anderson served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206979

    Private William Abrathat H.M.S. Aboukir. (d.22 Sep 1914)

    William Abrathat served in H.M.S. Aboukir. Remembered at . WW1





    1206978

    Ships Chief Cook Avery H.M.S. Vivid (d.25 Sep 1917)

    Avery served in H.M.S. Vivid Remembered at . WW1





    1206977

    Able Seaman Albert H.M.S. Victory (d.6 Aug 1919)

    Albert served in H.M.S. Victory Remembered at . WW1





    1206976

    Sub-Lieutenant Allin H.M.S. President. (d.6 Mar 1919)

    Allin served in H.M.S. President. Remembered at . WW1





    1206975

    Stoker Alderson H.M.S. Pembroke (d.22 May 1918)

    Alderson served in H.M.S. Pembroke Remembered at . WW1





    1206974

    Stoker 1st Class Samson Henry Acres H.M.S. Murray. (d.20 Dec 1914)

    Samson Acres served in H.M.S. Murray. Remembered at . WW1





    1206973

    Mechanician George William Adsley H.M.S. Glowworm. (d.25 Jun 1920)

    George Adsley served in H.M.S. Glowworm. Remembered at . WW1





    1206972

    Officers Cook 2nd Class Eugenio Azzopardi H.M.S. Europa. (d.26 Jan 1919)

    Eugenio Azzopardi served in H.M.S. Europa. Remembered at . WW1





    1206971

    Leading Stoker Charles William Arnold H.M.S. Dublin. (d.9 Jun 1915)

    Charles Arnold served in H.M.S. Dublin. Remembered at . WW1





    1206970

    Stoker Lawson Armstrong H.M.S. Crescent. (d.25 Oct 1918)

    Lawson Armstrong served in H.M.S. Crescent. Remembered at . WW1





    1206969

    Able Seaman George Harold Austin H.M.S. Brittania. (d.10 Nov 1918)

    George Austin served in H.M.S. Brittania. Remembered at . WW1





    1206968

    Stoker Ahmad Ghafur Ali Sheikh H.M.S. Britomart. (d.10 Feb 1919)

    Ahmad Sheikh served in H.M.S. Britomart. Remembered at . WW1





    1206967

    Able Seaman Ah_Pang H.M.S Tamar (d.18 May 1917)

    Ah_Pang served in H.M.S Tamar Remembered at . WW1





    1206966

    Able Seaman Ah_Kai H.M.S Tamar (d.22 Jan 1917)

    Ah_Kai served in H.M.S Tamar Remembered at . WW1





    1206965

    Sailors Messman Henry Azzopardi H.M.S Osmanieh. (d.31 Dec 1917)

    Henry Azzopardi served in H.M.S Osmanieh. Remembered at . WW1





    1206964

    Signalman Wallace Stevens Atkinson H.M.P.M.S. Queen of the North. (d.20 Jul 1917)

    Wallace Atkinson served in H.M.P.M.S. Queen of the North. Remembered at . WW1





    1206963

    Stoker 2nd Class Henry Roberts Anderson H.M.P.M.S. Plumpton. (d.19 Oct 1918)

    Henry Anderson served in H.M.P.M.S. Plumpton. Remembered at . WW1





    1206962

    Trimmer Francis Appleby H.M.P.M.S. Plumpton. (d.19 Oct 1918)

    Francis Appleby served in H.M.P.M.S. Plumpton. Remembered at . WW1





    1206961

    Third Engineer Stewart Millman Allen H.M.P.M.S. Nepaulin. (d.20 Apr 1917)

    Stewart Allen served in H.M.P.M.S. Nepaulin. Remembered at . WW1





    1206960

    Deck Hand George William Anderson H.M.P.M.S. Lady Ismay. (d.21 Dec 1915)

    George Anderson served in H.M.P.M.S. Lady Ismay. Remembered at . WW1





    1206959

    Stoker Joseph Albery H.M.P.M.S. Lady Ismay. (d.21 Dec 1915)

    Joseph Albery served in H.M.P.M.S. Lady Ismay. Remembered at . WW1





    1206958

    Trimmer Thomas Henry Archer H.M.P.M.S. Fair Maid. (d.9 Nov 1916)

    Thomas Archer served in H.M.P.M.S. Fair Maid. Remembered at . WW1





    1206957

    Ordinary Seaman John Allan H.M.P.M.S. Erins Isle (d.7 Feb 1919)

    John Allan served in H.M.P.M.S. Erins Isle Remembered at . WW1





    1206956

    Lieutenant Geoffrey Stephen Allfree H.M.M.L.No. 247. (d.29 Sep 1918)

    Geoffrey Allfree served in H.M.M.L.No. 247. Remembered at . WW1





    1206955

    Trimmer George Allan Ainslie H.M.M.L. No.9. (d.18 Sep 1916)

    George Ainslie served in H.M.M.L. No.9. Remembered at . WW1





    1206954

    Chief Motor Mechanic Archibald Allan H.M.M.L. No. 403. (d.22 Aug 1918)

    Archibald Allan served in H.M.M.L. No. 403. Remembered at . WW1





    1206953

    Senior Reserve Attendant William Edward Anderson H.M.H.S. Rohilla. (d.30 Oct 1914)

    William Anderson served in H.M.H.S. Rohilla. Remembered at . WW1





    1206952

    Able Seaman Seth S. Alloway H.M.C.S. Niobe. (d.8 Jun 1918)

    Seth Alloway served in H.M.C.S. Niobe. Remembered at . WW1





    1206951

    Leading Seaman Gilbert Ashwin H.M.C.S. Grise. (d.12 Dec 1916)

    Gilbert Ashwin served in H.M.C.S. Grise. Remembered at . WW1





    1206950

    Able Seaman Peter Aitkin H.M.C.S. Galiano. (d.30 Oct 1918)

    Peter Aitkin served in H.M.C.S. Galiano. Remembered at . WW1





    1206949

    Able Seaman James Aird H.M.C.S. Galiano (d.30 Oct 1918)

    James Aird served in H.M.C.S. Galiano Remembered at . WW1





    1206948

    Lieutenant Robert Angus H.M.C.M.B. No. 33A. (d.12 Apr 1918)

    Robert Angus served in H.M.C.M.B. No. 33A. Remembered at . WW1





    1206947

    Third Engineer Alward H.M. Yacht, Aries (d.31 Oct 1915)

    Alward served in H.M. Yacht, Aries Remembered at . WW1





    1206946

    Private Ivy Annetts H.M. Yacht Victoria and Albert (d.11 Dec 1920)

    Ivy Annetts served in H.M. Yacht Victoria and Albert Remembered at . WW1





    1206945

    Deck Hand William Fernley Claude Abbott H.M. Yacht North Star II. (d.6 Feb 1919)

    William Abbott served in H.M. Yacht North Star II. Remembered at . WW1





    1206944

    Petty Officer James Amery H.M. Yacht Kethailes. (d.11 Oct 1917)

    James Amery served in H.M. Yacht Kethailes. Remembered at . WW1





    1206943

    Steward Alfred Henry Abraham H.M. Yacht Kethailes. (d.11 Oct 1917)

    Alfred Abraham served in H.M. Yacht Kethailes. Remembered at . WW1





    1206942

    Engineman Alliston H.M. Yacht Iolaire. (d.4 May 1916)

    Alliston served in H.M. Yacht Iolaire. Remembered at . WW1





    1206941

    Ordinary Telegraphist Joseph Irvine Arthur H.M. Yacht Conqueror II. (d.26 Sep 1916)

    Joseph Arthur served in H.M. Yacht Conqueror II. Remembered at . WW1





    1206940

    Commander Thomas Roland Agassiz H.M. Yacht Conqueror II. (d.26 Sep 1916)

    Thomas Agassiz served in H.M. Yacht Conqueror II. Remembered at . WW1





    1206939

    Fireman Keith Ayles H.M. Yacht Aries. (d.31 Oct 1915)

    Keith Ayles served in H.M. Yacht Aries. Remembered at . WW1





    1206938

    Petty Officer 1st Class Frederick Allen H.M. Yacht Aries (d.31 Oct 1915)

    Frederick Allen served in H.M. Yacht Aries Remembered at . WW1





    1206937

    Leading Trimmer Thomas James Albert H.M. Whaler Blackwhale. (d.3 Jan 1918)

    Thomas Albert served in H.M. Whaler Blackwhale. Remembered at . WW1





    1206936

    Stoker Ali Abdu H.M. Tug Enterprise (d.4 Aug 1918)

    Ali Abdu served in H.M. Tug Enterprise Remembered at . WW1





    1206935

    Engine Room Artificer Levi Banner Alderson H.M. Tug Desire. (d.24 Jan 1918)

    Levi Alderson served in H.M. Tug Desire. Remembered at . WW1





    1206934

    Lieutenant John W. Alexander H.M. Tug Dalkeith. (d.29 Apr 1918)

    John Alexander served in H.M. Tug Dalkeith. Remembered at . WW1





    1206933

    Deck Hand Adderley H.M. Trawler, Fosdyke (d.3 Aug 1915)

    Adderley served in H.M. Trawler, Fosdyke Remembered at . WW1





    1206932

    Engineman Harry Ernest Adams H.M. Trawler Whooper. (d.30 Jun 1916)

    Harry Adams served in H.M. Trawler Whooper. Remembered at . WW1





    1206931

    Trimmer Joseph Acton H.M. Trawler Vale of Leven. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Joseph Acton served in H.M. Trawler Vale of Leven. Remembered at . WW1





    1206930

    Deck Hand James Thomas Alger H.M. Trawler Tugela. (d.26 Jun 1916)

    James Alger served in H.M. Trawler Tugela. Remembered at . WW1





    1206929

    Deck Hand Edgar John Adcock H.M. Trawler Tugela. (d.29 Feb 1916)

    Edgar Adcock served in H.M. Trawler Tugela. Remembered at . WW1





    1206928

    Trimmer George Patrick Anderson H.M. Trawler Thuringia. (d.11 Nov 1917)

    George Anderson served in H.M. Trawler Thuringia. Remembered at . WW1





    1206927

    Deck Hand George Alfred Amis H.M. Trawler Thuringia. (d.11 Nov 1917)

    George Amis served in H.M. Trawler Thuringia. Remembered at . WW1





    1206926

    Second Hand William Coates Alcock H.M. Trawler Thuringia. (d.11 Nov 1917)

    William Alcock served in H.M. Trawler Thuringia. Remembered at . WW1





    1206925

    Engineman George Anderson H.M. Trawler Taipo. (d.24 Jun 1917)

    George Anderson served in H.M. Trawler Taipo. Remembered at . WW1





    1206924

    Seaman John Aird H.M. Trawler Taipo. (d.24 Jun 1917)

    John Aird served in H.M. Trawler Taipo. Remembered at . WW1





    1206923

    Deck Hand Frederick Joseph Cutts Avis H.M. Trawler Strymon. (d.27 Oct 1917)

    Frederick Avis served in H.M. Trawler Strymon. Remembered at . WW1





    1206922

    Deck Hand James Arlington H.M. Trawler Strathrannock. (d.6 Apr 1917)

    James Arlington served in H.M. Trawler Strathrannock. Remembered at . WW1





    1206921

    Deck Hand George Scott Aitken H.M. Trawler Stratherrick. (d.1 Feb 1917)

    George Aitken served in H.M. Trawler Stratherrick. Remembered at . WW1





    1206920

    Deck Hand Harvey Arnall H.M. Trawler Sealark II. (d.30 Sep 1918)

    Harvey Arnall served in H.M. Trawler Sealark II. Remembered at . WW1





    1206919

    Trimmer Samuel Stepney Adam H.M. Trawler Rose II. (d.23 Apr 1917)

    Samuel Adam served in H.M. Trawler Rose II. Remembered at . WW1





    1206918

    Deck Hand Robert John Arnott H.M. Trawler Rodney (d.4 Oct 1916)

    Robert Arnott served in H.M. Trawler Rodney Remembered at . WW1





    1206917

    Telegraphist Howard John Arnold H.M. Trawler Resono. (d.26 Dec 1915)

    Howard Arnold served in H.M. Trawler Resono. Remembered at . CPWW1





    1206916

    Leading Deck Hand William Henry Allen H.M. Trawler Repro. (d.26 Apr 1917)

    William Allen served in H.M. Trawler Repro. Remembered at . WW1





    1206915

    Engineman Alexander Addison H.M. Trawler Renarro. (d.10 Nov 1918)

    Alexander Addison served in H.M. Trawler Renarro. Remembered at . WW1





    1206914

    Petty Officer 1st Class George Andrews H.M. Trawler Remarko. (d.3 Dec 1916)

    George Andrews served in H.M. Trawler Remarko. Remembered at . WW1





    1206913

    Skipper Thomas Randal Agnew H.M. Trawler Raven 3 (d.20 Jan 1917)

    Thomas Agnew served in H.M. Trawler Raven 3 Remembered at . WW1





    1206912

    Telegraphist Joseph Henry Amos H.M. Trawler Pitstruan. (d.13 Apr 1917)

    Joseph Amos served in H.M. Trawler Pitstruan. Remembered at . WW1





    1206911

    Leading Deck Hand Samuel Aspinall H.M. Trawler Persian Empire. (d.21 Feb 1919)

    Samuel Aspinall served in H.M. Trawler Persian Empire. Remembered at . WW1





    1206910

    Deck Hand James John Theodore Angus H.M. Trawler Penrice Castle.

    James Angus served in H.M. Trawler Penrice Castle. Remembered at . WW1





    1206909

    Deck Hand Thomas Anderson H.M. Trawler Othonna. (d.20 Apr 1917)

    Thomas Anderson served in H.M. Trawler Othonna. Remembered at . WW1





    1206908

    Deck Hand William Aldous H.M. Trawler Osiris. (d.19 Aug 1915)

    William Aldous served in H.M. Trawler Osiris. Remembered at . WW1





    1206907

    Trimmer Ahern H.M. Trawler OKU (d.13 Nov 1917)

    Ahern served in H.M. Trawler OKU Remembered at . WW1





    1206906

    Deck Hand Ernest Appleyard H.M. Trawler Okino. (d.8 Mar 1915)

    Ernest Appleyard served in H.M. Trawler Okino. Remembered at . WW1





    1206905

    Second Hand John James Amis H.M. Trawler Nadine. (d.1 Sep 1915)

    John Amis served in H.M. Trawler Nadine. Remembered at . WW1





    1206904

    Engineman Mitchell Anderson H.M. Trawler Morococala. (d.19 Nov 1917)

    Mitchell Anderson served in H.M. Trawler Morococala. Remembered at . WW1





    1206903

    Lieutenant Alexander Allan H.M. Trawler Morococala. (d.19 Nov 1917)

    Alexander Allan served in H.M. Trawler Morococala. Remembered at . WW1





    1206902

    Skipper Thomas Ashley H.M. Trawler Margate. (d.24 Apr 1917)

    Thomas Ashley served in H.M. Trawler Margate. Remembered at . WW1





    1206901

    Second Hand Thomas Armes H.M. Trawler Malta. (d.1 Sep 1915)

    Thomas Armes served in H.M. Trawler Malta. Remembered at . WW1





    1206900

    Engineman Thomas Anderson H.M. Trawler Loch Eye. (d.20 Apr 1917)

    Thomas Anderson served in H.M. Trawler Loch Eye. Remembered at . WW1





    1206899

    Trimmer Ernest Axford H.M. Trawler Kirkland. (d.20 Aug 1917)

    Ernest Axford served in H.M. Trawler Kirkland. Remembered at . WW1





    1206898

    Engineman Anderson H.M. Trawler Harlech Castle (d.23 Sep 1916)

    Anderson served in H.M. Trawler Harlech Castle Remembered at . WW1





    1206897

    Stoker 2nd Class Allen H.M. Trawler Glenboyne. (d.4 Jan 1919)

    Allen served in H.M. Trawler Glenboyne. Remembered at . WW1





    1206896

    Engineman William Richard Andrews H.M. Trawler George Milburn. (d.12 Jul 1917)

    William Andrews served in H.M. Trawler George Milburn. Remembered at . WW1





    1206895

    Trimmer William James Augustus Armstrong H.M. Trawler Gambri. (d.18 Jan 1918)

    William Armstrong served in H.M. Trawler Gambri. Remembered at . WW1





    1206894

    Engineman William Henry Abbott Mentioned in Despatches H.M. Trawler Falmouth III. (d.19 Nov 1915)

    William Abbott served in H.M. Trawler Falmouth III. Remembered at . WW1





    1206893

    Deck Hand Charles Ashworth H.M. Trawler Evadne. (d.27 Feb 1917)

    Charles Ashworth served in H.M. Trawler Evadne. Remembered at . WW1





    1206892

    Leading Seaman William James Albury H.M. Trawler Euripides. (d.11 Jul 1918)

    William Albury served in H.M. Trawler Euripides. Remembered at . WW1





    1206891

    Trimmer David Armitage H.M. Trawler Elise. (d.22 Sep 1918)

    David Armitage served in H.M. Trawler Elise. Remembered at . WW1





    1206890

    Deck Hand Andrews H.M. Trawler Eagle. (d.13 Jan 1915)

    Andrews served in H.M. Trawler Eagle. Remembered at . WW1





    1206889

    Trimmer John Edwin Anthony H.M. Trawler Drumtochty. (d.5 Mar 1916)

    John Anthony served in H.M. Trawler Drumtochty. Remembered at . WW1





    1206888

    Ordinary Seaman Frederick Ackroyd H.M. Trawler Dirk. (d.28 May 1918)

    Frederick Ackroyd served in H.M. Trawler Dirk. Remembered at . WW1





    1206887

    Second Hand Ash H.M. Trawler Courtier. (d.11 Jan 1916)

    Ash served in H.M. Trawler Courtier. Remembered at . WW1





    1206886

    Engineman George William Allbones H.M. Trawler Corona. (d.23 Mar 1916)

    George Allbones served in H.M. Trawler Corona. Remembered at . WW1





    1206885

    Deck Hand Joseph Roderick Avis H.M. Trawler Charles Astie. (d.26 Jun 1917)

    Joseph Avis served in H.M. Trawler Charles Astie. Remembered at . WW1





    1206884

    Engineman Joseph Houghton Ashton H.M. Trawler Carew Castle. (d.12 Jun 1917)

    Joseph Ashton served in H.M. Trawler Carew Castle. Remembered at . WW1





    1206883

    Deck Hand Clifford Aubin H.M. Trawler Cantatrice. (d.5 Nov 1916)

    Clifford Aubin served in H.M. Trawler Cantatrice. Remembered at . WW1





    1206882

    Deck Hand Alexander Anderson H.M. Trawler Bradford. (d.26 Oct 1916)

    Alexander Anderson served in H.M. Trawler Bradford. Remembered at . WW1





    1206881

    Trimmer James Thomas Alden H.M. Trawler Bracklyn. (d.11 May 1917)

    James Alden served in H.M. Trawler Bracklyn. Remembered at . WW1





    1206880

    Trimmer Magnus Adamson H.M. Trawler Bracklyn. (d.11 May 1917)

    Magnus Adamson served in H.M. Trawler Bracklyn. Remembered at . WW1





    1206879

    Skipper William Allan H.M. Trawler Borneo. (d.18 Jun 1917)

    William Allan served in H.M. Trawler Borneo. Remembered at . WW1





    1206878

    Second Hand Frederick Ashton H.M. Trawler Ben Holden. (d.17 Apr 1917)

    Frederick Ashton served in H.M. Trawler Ben Holden. Remembered at . WW1





    1206877

    Skipper John Abrams H.M. Trawler Arfon. (d.30 Apr 1917)

    John Abrams served in H.M. Trawler Arfon. Remembered at . WW1





    1206876

    Engineman Alexander Angus H.M. Trawler Ameer. (d.18 Mar 1916)

    Alexander Angus served in H.M. Trawler Ameer. Remembered at . WW1





    1206875

    Trimmer Angus H.M. Trawler Agnes and Janet. (d.14 Nov 1916)

    Angus served in H.M. Trawler Agnes and Janet. Remembered at . WW1





    1206874

    Able Seaman Norman Henry Astle H.M. Trawler Agamemnon II. (d.15 Jul 1915)

    Norman Astle served in H.M. Trawler Agamemnon II. Remembered at . WW1





    1206873

    Petty Officer Stoker George Adams H.M. T.B.14 (d.22 Dec 1917)

    George Adams served in H.M. T.B.14 Remembered at . WW1





    1206872

    Able Seaman Fred Avis H.M. T.B. No. 96. (d.1 Nov 1914)

    Fred Avis served in H.M. T.B. No. 96. Remembered at . WW1





    1206871

    Leading Seaman Thomas Alexander Aikman H.M. T.B. No. 12. (d.10 Jun 1915)

    Thomas Aikman served in H.M. T.B. No. 12. Remembered at . WW1





    1206870

    Stoker 1st Class Samuel Asman H.M. T.B. No. 10. (d.10 Jun 1915)

    Samuel Asman served in H.M. T.B. No. 10. Remembered at . WW1





    1206869

    Able Seaman Alfred Henry Alexander H.M. T.B. 82. (d.8 Dec 1918)

    Alfred Alexander served in H.M. T.B. 82. Remembered at . WW1





    1206868

    Engine Room Artificer 3rd Donald Meiklejohn Angus H.M. Submarine L.55. (d.4 Jun 1919)

    Donald Angus served in H.M. Submarine L.55. Remembered at . WW1





    1206867

    Stoker 1st Class Herbert James Adams H.M. Submarine L.55. (d.4 Jun 1919)

    Herbert Adams served in H.M. Submarine L.55. Remembered at . WW1





    1206866

    Able Seaman James Armstrong H.M. Submarine K.4. (d.31 Jan 1918)

    James Armstrong served in H.M. Submarine K.4. Remembered at . WW1





    1206865

    Petty Officer Stoker Percy Walter Adams D S M H.M. Submarine K.4. (d.31 Jan 1918)

    Percy Adams served in H.M. Submarine K.4. Remembered at . WW1





    1206864

    Chief Engine Room Artific Leonard Adams D S M H.M. Submarine K.4. (d.31 Jan 1918)

    Leonard Adams served in H.M. Submarine K.4. Remembered at . WW1





    1206863

    Engine Room Artificer 1st John Frederick Apps D S M H.M. Submarine K.4. (d.31 Jan 1918)

    John Apps served in H.M. Submarine K.4. Remembered at . WW1





    1206862

    Able Seaman William Agnew H.M. Submarine K.17. (d.31 Jan 1918)

    William Agnew served in H.M. Submarine K.17. Remembered at . WW1





    1206861

    Engine Room Artificer 3rd Albert Victor Adams H.M. Submarine K.17. (d.31 Jan 1918)

    Albert Adams served in H.M. Submarine K.17. Remembered at . WW1





    1206860

    Lieutenant Herbert Wilkins Antram H.M. Submarine K.17. (d.31 Jan 1918)

    Herbert Antram served in H.M. Submarine K.17. Remembered at . WW1





    1206859

    Lieutenant Frank Hilton Allerton H.M. Submarine G.7. (d.1 Nov 1918)

    Frank Allerton served in H.M. Submarine G.7. Remembered at . WW1





    1206858

    Lieutenant Attwood D S C H.M. Submarine G.5. (d.24 Nov 1918)

    Attwood served in H.M. Submarine G.5. Remembered at . WW1





    1206857

    Stoker 1st Class John Frances Alsford H.M. Submarine G.12. (d.6 May 1918)

    John Alsford served in H.M. Submarine G.12. Remembered at . WW1





    1206856

    Engine Room Artificer James Alexander H.M. Submarine E.37. (d.3 Dec 1916)

    James Alexander served in H.M. Submarine E.37. Remembered at . WW1





    1206855

    Leading Telegraphist Charles John Newnham Amoore H.M. Submarine E.34. (d.20 Jul 1918)

    Charles Amoore served in H.M. Submarine E.34. Remembered at . WW1





    1206854

    Engine Room Artificer 2nd Anderson H.M. Submarine D.8. (d.8 Aug 1918)

    Anderson served in H.M. Submarine D.8. Remembered at . WW1





    1206853

    Leading Signalman Paul John Aspinall H.M. Submarine D.3. (d.15 Mar 1918)

    Paul Aspinall served in H.M. Submarine D.3. Remembered at . WW1





    1206852

    Mate Samuel Anderson H.M. Submarine C.16. (d.16 Apr 1917)

    Samuel Anderson served in H.M. Submarine C.16. Remembered at . WW1





    1206851

    Stoker 1st Class George Henry Allen H.M.S. H10 (d.19 Jan 1918)

    George Allen served in H.M.S. H10 Remembered at . WW1





    1206850

    Stoker 1st Class Percy Richard Adams H.M.S. E4 (d.28 Jan 1918)

    Percy Adams served in H.M.S. E4 Remembered at . WW1





    1206849

    Private Archibald Adams H.M. Monitor Severn. (d.6 Feb 1915)

    Archibald Adams served in H.M. Monitor Severn. Remembered at . WW1





    1206848

    Private Thomas Anderson H.M.H.S. Rohilla (d.30 Oct 1914)

    Thomas Anderson served in H.M.H.S. Rohilla Remembered at . WW1





    1206847

    Second Officer George William Appleton H.M. Fleet Messenger Susetta. (d.14 Dec 1918)

    George Appleton served in H.M. Fleet Messenger Susetta. Remembered at . WW1





    1206846

    Able Seaman Astrop H.M. Fleet Messenger C.65. (d.21 Feb 1917)

    Astrop served in H.M. Fleet Messenger C.65. Remembered at . WW1





    1206845

    Deck Hand Albert Allen H.M. Drifter Violet May. (d.15 Feb 1918)

    Albert Allen served in H.M. Drifter Violet May. Remembered at . WW1





    1206844

    Engineman Montague Stanley Ablett H.M. Drifter Silver Queen. (d.15 Feb 1918)

    Montague Ablett served in H.M. Drifter Silver Queen. Remembered at . WW1





    1206843

    Deck Hand Frederick Allen H.M. Drifter Rooke. (d.3 Aug 1916)

    Frederick Allen served in H.M. Drifter Rooke. Remembered at . WW1





    1206842

    Second Hand William Francis Alexander H.M. Drifter Ocean Star. (d.26 Sep 1917)

    William Alexander served in H.M. Drifter Ocean Star. Remembered at . WW1





    1206841

    Trimmer John Annis H.M. Drifter Michaelmas Daisy. (d.26 Nov 1916)

    John Annis served in H.M. Drifter Michaelmas Daisy. Remembered at . WW1





    1206840

    Deck Hand Sidney Richard Ayers H.M. Drifter Launch Out. (d.26 Oct 1916)

    Sidney Ayers served in H.M. Drifter Launch Out. Remembered at . WW1





    1206839

    Deck Hand Bertie Ernest Allen H.M. Drifter Kent County. (d.8 Dec 1916)

    Bertie Allen served in H.M. Drifter Kent County. Remembered at . WW1





    1206838

    Lieutenant John Philip Allix Mentioned in Despatches H.M. Drifter Jean. (d.17 Oct 1917)

    John Allix served in H.M. Drifter Jean. Remembered at . WW1





    1206837

    Petty Officer Stoker Charles Henry Atkinson H.M. Drifter Iridescence (d.31 Jan 1921)

    Charles Atkinson served in H.M. Drifter Iridescence Remembered at . WW1





    1206836

    Deck Hand John Edward James Archbold H.M. Drifter Guide Me II. (d.29 Aug 1918)

    John Archbold served in H.M. Drifter Guide Me II. Remembered at . WW1





    1206835

    Second Engineman William Allan H.M. Drifter Great Heart. (d.24 Sep 1915)

    William Allan served in H.M. Drifter Great Heart. Remembered at . WW1





    1206834

    Deck Hand George Henry Ayers H.M. Drifter G.S.P. (d.2 Feb 1917)

    George Ayers served in H.M. Drifter G.S.P. Remembered at . WW1





    1206833

    Ordinary Telegraphist Joseph Henry Arthur H.M. Drifter Frigate Bird (d.11 Mar 1918)

    Joseph Arthur served in H.M. Drifter Frigate Bird Remembered at . WW1





    1206832

    Engineman Thomas Edwin Atkins H.M. Drifter Fair Isle (d.5 Mar 1919)

    Thomas Atkins served in H.M. Drifter Fair Isle Remembered at . WW1





    1206831

    Deck Hand Frederick Romulus Allen H.M. Drifter Eyrie (d.2 Sep 1914)

    Frederick Allen served in H.M. Drifter Eyrie Remembered at . WW1





    1206830

    Trimmer George William Armes H.M. Drifter East Briton (d.10 May 1917)

    George Armes served in H.M. Drifter East Briton Remembered at . WW1





    1206829

    Engineman Aldred H.M. Drifter Dulcie Doris (d.19 Nov 1917)

    Aldred served in H.M. Drifter Dulcie Doris Remembered at . WW1





    1206828

    Seaman John Joseph Askew H.M. Drifter Dewey (d.12 Aug 1917)

    John Askew served in H.M. Drifter Dewey Remembered at . WW1





    1206827

    Deck Hand Samuel Anderson H.M. Drifter Deliverer. (d.3 Nov 1917)

    Samuel Anderson served in H.M. Drifter Deliverer. Remembered at . WW1





    1206826

    Ordinary Telegraphist Joseph Allsop H.M. Drifter Clover Bank. (d.15 Feb 1918)

    Joseph Allsop served in H.M. Drifter Clover Bank. Remembered at . WW1





    1206825

    Skipper George Anderson H.M. Drifter Campania II (d.5 Mar 1917)

    George Anderson served in H.M. Drifter Campania II Remembered at . WW1





    1206824

    Petty Officer 2nd Class Ansell Sutton Station H.M. Coastguard (d.17 May 1919)

    Ansell served in Sutton Station H.M. Coastguard Remembered at . WW1





    1206823

    Commander Fitzmaurice Acton C M G H.M. Coast Guard (d.7 Aug 1920)

    Fitzmaurice Acton served in H.M. Coast Guard Remembered at . WW1





    1206822

    Ordinary Seaman Agutter H.M. Brig I (d.14 Dec 1917)

    Agutter served in H.M. Brig I Remembered at . WW1





    1206821

    Leading Mechanic Ernest Frank Anthony D S M H.M. Airship P.4. (d.21 Dec 1917)

    Ernest Anthony served in H.M. Airship P.4. Remembered at . WW1





    1206820

    Chief Petty Officer Air M Ernest Bernard Ames H.M. Airship C.8. (d.9 Jun 1916)

    Ernest Ames served in H.M. Airship C.8. Remembered at . WW1





    1206819

    Able Seaman George Amor H.M S Vanguard. (d.9 Jul 1917)

    George Amor served in H.M S Vanguard. Remembered at . WW1





    1206818

    Boy Telegraphist Thomas Charles Barwick Austen H.M S Vanguard (d.9 Jul 1917)

    Thomas Austen served in H.M S Vanguard Remembered at . WW1





    1206817

    Deck Hand John Adams H M. Trawler Diamond II. (d.27 Oct 1916)

    John Adams served in H M. Trawler Diamond II. Remembered at . WW1





    1206816

    Leading Boatman Amsden Eastcliff Coastguard Station H.M. Coastguard (d.10 Feb 1918)

    Amsden served in Eastcliff Coastguard Station Eastcliff Coastguard Station Remembered at . WW1





    1206815

    Stoker 2nd Class Lionel Aston Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 May 1915)

    Lionel Aston served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206814

    Able Seaman Edmund Astell Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.31 Dec 1917)

    Edmund Astell served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206813

    Able Seaman Stanley Armstrong Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.30 Dec 1917)

    Stanley Armstrong served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206812

    Sub-Lieutenant Cecil Attfield Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.29 Sep 1918)

    Cecil Attfield served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206811

    Able Seaman Edgar Phillip Ayling Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.25 Mar 1918)

    Edgar Ayling served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206810

    Able Seaman Ashcroft Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.25 Mar 1918)

    Ashcroft served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206809

    Able Seaman William Armstrong Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.24 Apr 1917)

    William Armstrong served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206808

    Able Seaman George James Atkinson Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.23 Apr 1917)

    George Atkinson served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . CPWW1





    1206807

    Able Seaman John Andrew Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13 Nov 1916)

    John Andrew served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206806

    Able Seaman Edwin Asher Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.11 May 1915)

    Edwin Asher served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206805

    Able Seaman Thomas Henry Appleton Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.8 Nov 1918)

    Thomas Appleton served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206804

    Able Seaman Jacob Nelson Armitstead Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.8 Oct 1918)

    Jacob Armitstead served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206803

    Able Seaman Atkinson Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Feb 1917)

    Atkinson served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206802

    Able Seaman Ashworth Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Feb 1917)

    Ashworth served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206801

    Able Seaman George Richard Adams Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.27 Sep 1918)

    George Adams served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206800

    Able Seaman Cyril John Amos Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.23 Aug 1918)

    Cyril Amos served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206799

    Able Seaman Sydney Harold Adcock Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.16 Jul 1918)

    Sydney Adcock served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206798

    Able Seaman Allman Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Jan 1918)

    Allman served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206797

    Chief Petty Officer Ainscough M M Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.24 Dec 1917)

    Ainscough served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206796

    Able Seaman Aish Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.31 Oct 1917)

    Aish served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206795

    Leading Seaman Frederick Crichton Allison Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.12 Oct 1917)

    Frederick Allison served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206794

    Able Seaman Allison Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.1 Sep 1917)

    Allison served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206793

    Able Seaman Thomas Frederick Adams Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.23 Apr 1917)

    Thomas Adams served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206792

    Able Seaman John William Aitken Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.17 Apr 1917)

    John Aitken served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206791

    Able Seaman Joseph Alderson Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Feb 1917)

    Joseph Alderson served in Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206790

    Private John Allan 63rd (R.N.) Cyclist Coy Royal Naval Division (d.27 Jun 1915)

    John Allan served in 63rd (R.N.) Cyclist Coy Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206789

    Petty Officer Charles William Armstrong Collingwood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.11 Jul 1915)

    Charles Armstrong served in Collingwood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206788

    Able Seaman Peter Atkinson Collingwood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Jun 1915)

    Peter Atkinson served in Collingwood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206787

    Able Seaman George William Askew Collingwood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Jun 1915)

    George Askew served in Collingwood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206786

    Lieut-Commander Wallace Moir Annand Collingwood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Jun 1915)

    Wallace Annand served in Collingwood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206785

    Petty Officer Archibald Walter Anderson Collingwood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Jun 1915)

    Archibald Anderson served in Collingwood Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206784

    Private Charles Argent Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.10 Aug 1914)

    Charles Argent served in Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206783

    Corporal Vincent Adams Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.19 Jun 1920)

    Vincent Adams served in Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206782

    Private Aldington Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4 Aug 1915)

    Aldington served in Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206781

    Private William Adlam Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.30 Apr 1915)

    William Adlam served in Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206780

    Lance Corporal Arthur Adams Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.8 Oct 1914)

    Arthur Adams served in Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206779

    Serjeant Frank Amos Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.5 Oct 1914)

    Frank Amos served in Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206778

    Private Joseph William Ault Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.2 Jun 1915)

    Joseph Ault served in Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206777

    Private George Edwin Allison Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.12 Jul 1915)

    George Allison served in Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206776

    Corporal Job Allen Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.12 Jul 1915)

    Job Allen served in Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206775

    Private William Douglas Alsop Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.3 May 1915)

    William Alsop served in Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206774

    Private John Allen Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.29 Apr 1915)

    John Allen served in Chatham Btn. Royal Naval Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206773

    Petty Officer Motor Mecha Frederick Charles Anderson Armoured Car Division (d.16 Apr 1917)

    Frederick Anderson served in Russia. Armoured Car Division Remembered at . WW1





    1206772

    Second Lieutenant Abigail Anti-Aircraft Brigade (d.17 Mar 1916)

    Abigail served in Anti-Aircraft Brigade Remembered at . WW1





    1206742

    Private Arthur Percy Atkinson 4th Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.23 Apr 1918)

    Arthur Atkinson served in 4th Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206741

    Private Ernest Edward Attwood 4th Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.23 Apr 1918)

    Ernest Attwood served in 4th Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206740

    Gunner Albert Thomas Aldridge 4th Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.1 Apr 1918)

    Albert Aldridge served in 4th Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206739

    Private John Arbery 3rd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.17 Dec 1918)

    John Arbery served in 3rd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206738

    Flight Commander Frederick Carr Armstrong D S C 3 (Naval) Squadron (d.25 Mar 1918)

    Frederick Armstrong served in 3 (Naval) Squadron Remembered at . WW1





    1206737

    Lieut-Commander Henry Godfrey Andrews 2nd Btn. 2nd Reserve Bn. R.N. Div. (d.22 Nov 1918)

    Henry Andrews served in 2nd Btn. 2nd Reserve Bn. R.N. Div. Remembered at . WW1





    1206736

    Private Aslett 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.28 Apr 1917)

    Aslett served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206735

    Private George Ash 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.28 Apr 1917)

    George Ash served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206734

    Private Frank Andrews 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.28 Apr 1917)

    Frank Andrews served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206733

    Private Wilfred Robert Askew 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.26 Oct 1917)

    Wilfred Askew served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206732

    Private William James Ash 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.26 Oct 1917)

    William Ash served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206731

    Lance Corporal Norman Guthrie Ayre 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.23 Aug 1916)

    Norman Ayre served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206730

    Private Henry Andison 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.20 Nov 1916)

    Henry Andison served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206729

    Corporal Arthur James Arch 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.18 Feb 1917)

    Arthur Arch served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206728

    Private Richard Aspinall 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.17 Feb 1917)

    Richard Aspinall served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206727

    Private Thomas William Astley 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.6 Nov 1917)

    Thomas Astley served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206726

    Lance Corporal Fred Walter Addy 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.7 Apr 1918)

    Fred Addy served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206725

    Private Henry Adams 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.27 Mar 1918)

    Henry Adams served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206724

    Private Arthur Albrighton 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.25 Mar 1918)

    Arthur Albrighton served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206723

    Private John Edward Anderson 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.26 Oct 1917)

    John Anderson served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206722

    Private Dick Addicott 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.26 Oct 1917)

    Dick Addicott served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206721

    Private George Atkin Agar 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.28 Apr 1917)

    George Agar served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206720

    Private Nicholas Allen 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.26 Apr 1917)

    Nicholas Allen served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206719

    Private Joseph Allerton 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.13 Nov 1916)

    Joseph Allerton served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206718

    Lance Corporal Henry John Aitchison 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.13 Nov 1916)

    Henry Aitchison served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206717

    Private Alfred Richard John Anstey 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.26 Oct 1917)

    Alfred Anstey served in 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206716

    Lieutenant Henry Charlton Amos 2nd Field Coy. Royal Marine Engineers (d.22 Jul 1915)

    Henry Amos served in 2nd Field Coy. Royal Marine Engineers Remembered at . WW1





    1206715

    Captain Ernest Lancelot Andrews 1st Btn. Royal Marines (d.25 Aug 1918)

    Ernest Andrews served in 1st Btn. Royal Marines Remembered at . WW1





    1206714

    Lieutenant Albury 1st Btn. Royal Marines (d.27 Sep 1918)

    Albury served in 1st Btn. Royal Marines Remembered at . WW1





    1206713

    Private William Arscott 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.29 Nov 1916)

    William Arscott served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206712

    Private Ernest George Andrews 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.29 Oct 1917)

    Ernest Andrews served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206711

    Private Ashman 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.28 Sep 1918)

    Ashman served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206710

    Private Christopher George Annetts 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.28 Apr 1917)

    Christopher Annetts served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206709

    Private Ashbee 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.27 Sep 1918)

    Ashbee served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206708

    Captain Andrews 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.22 Aug 1918)

    Andrews served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206707

    Lance Corporal Charles Norton Austin 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.17 Feb 1917)

    Charles Austin served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206706

    Private Edwin Stanley Andrews 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.17 Feb 1917)

    Edwin Andrews served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206705

    Private George Henry Atkinson 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.13 Nov 1916)

    George Atkinson served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206704

    Corporal William Henry Arman 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.13 Nov 1916)

    William Arman served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206703

    Private Albert Henry Andrews 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.10 May 1917)

    Albert Andrews served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206702

    Lance Corporal Frank Andrews 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.7 Apr 1918)

    Frank Andrews served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206701

    Lance Corporal Clifford Andrews 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.6 Apr 1918)

    Clifford Andrews served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206700

    Private Walter Henry Austen 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.3 Oct 1918)

    Walter Austen served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206699

    Private Frederick Robert Ash 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.2 Sep 1918)

    Frederick Ash served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206698

    Private Harold Edmund Archer 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.2 Sep 1918)

    Harold Archer served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206697

    Private Allinson 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.27 Sep 1918)

    Allinson served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206696

    Private Horace Adkins 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.2 Sep 1918)

    Horace Adkins served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206695

    Private Ambury 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.14 Jul 1918)

    Ambury served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206694

    Private George Ackerman 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.24 Mar 1918)

    George Ackerman served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206693

    Private Albert Alderman 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.15 Jan 1918)

    Albert Alderman served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206692

    Private Giles Herbert Alston 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.26 Oct 1917)

    Giles Alston served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206691

    Private Ralph Allcock 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.26 Oct 1917)

    Ralph Allcock served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206690

    Lieutenant Douglas John Aldridge 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.26 Oct 1917)

    Douglas Aldridge served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206689

    Private Kennedy Ambrose 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.13 Nov 1916)

    Kennedy Ambrose served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206688

    Private Albert Ernest Allen 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.26 Oct 1917)

    Albert Allen served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206687

    Private John Atkinson 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.8 Oct 1918)

    John Atkinson served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206686

    Private Harry Aston 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.6 Apr 1918)

    Harry Aston served in 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Remembered at . WW1





    1206685

    Able Seaman James Atkinson 190th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.13th Feb 1917)

    James Atkinson served in 190th Coy. Machine Gun Corps.





    1206684

    Sub-Lieutenant Aron 189th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Sub Lt. Aron served in 189th Coy Machine Gun Corps.





    1206683

    Able Seaman John Alexander Abrahamson 188th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.16th Nov 1916)

    John Abrahamson served in 188th Coy. Machine Gun Corps.





    1206682

    Able Seaman Ayton 188th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.13th Nov 1916)

    AB. Ayton served in 188th Coy. Machine Gun Corps.





    1206679

    Flight Sub-Lieutenant L. Edwin Adlam 1 (Naval) Squadron (d.9 Sep 1917)

    L. Adlam served in 1 (Naval) Squadron Remembered at . WW1





    1206678

    Leading Seaman Thomas James Allen S.S. Abosso. (d.24 Apr 1917)

    Thomas Allen served in S.S. Abosso. Remembered at . WW1





    1206677

    Able Seaman Thomas James Allen H.M.S. Ramsey. (d.8 Aug 1915)

    Thomas Allen served in H.M.S. Ramsey. Remembered at . WW1





    1206676

    Stoker 1st Class Walter Aggett H.M.S. Goliath (d.13 May 1915)

    Walter Aggett served in H.M.S. Goliath Remembered at . WW1





    1206673

    George E. Barlow HMS Queen Mary

    George Barlow's death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on the 5th of June 1916 "Barlow, killed in action on board HMS Queen Mary, in the naval battle in the North Sea, aged 18, the dearly beloved and eldest son of Mr and Mrs Barlow, 69 Blythswood St, Aigburth. Deeply mourned by his father, mother, sister, brother and friends."





    1206671

    Ldg.Sea. James Monks HMS Indefatigable (d.31st May 1916)

    James Monks joined the British Navy in 1909 as a boy of just 16 years. He spent his early days on board the SV Orion before being transferred to the HMS Indefatigable. James had been promoted to the rank of Leading Seaman Gunner by the time he joined his new ship, his role was in helping to fire off shells from the eight 12 inch guns and the sixteen 4 inch guns.

    James was lost when his ship was sunk at the Battle of Jutland. In the tightly knit community, his mother was getting a lot of visitors from neighbours following news of his death and on one occasion a caller got a terrible fright, dashing into the house claiming that she had just seen the ghost of a headless sailor outside the door.





    1206669

    Surg.P. John Hislop HMS Nessus (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    John Hislop was serving as a surgeon probationer when he was killed aged 20 during the Battle of Jutland. He was the son of Mary Shaw Hislop of 211 Main St., Wishaw, Lanarkshire, and the late Peter Hislop.





    1206668

    Gunner. Herbert Dash HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Dash was the second son of Walter and Elizabeth (nee Bester) Dash of Malton, Meldreth. He joined the Royal Navy at the age of 15. He had been serving on HMS Hampshire, the ship which went down with Lord Kitchener, before being transferred to the Black Prince. Herbert was one of those lost when HMS Black Prince was sunk in the naval Battle of Jutland and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. After his death his commanding officer wrote that he was devoted to his work as a gunner and showed great promise in this important branch of the service.





    1206667

    Sig. Albert Battersby HMS Princess Royal

    <p>

    Signalman Albert Battersby survived the Battle of Jutland in 1916. Whilst on shore leave, 17 year old Albert was walking in the Small Heath area of Birmingham in the summer of 1916 when he spotted two young children in difficulties swimming in a pond. He dived into the water and managed to rescue Lily Blake, a young girl. He was unable to save another child, thought to be Lily’s brother, from drowning. But his bravery was recognised with the watch and and a Royal Humane Society Certificate, he was honoured with a special presentation when he returned to duty on board HMS Princess Royal.

    After the war Albert became a publican, and ran the Bell in High Street, Bromsgrove and the Grant Arms in Cotteridge. He was also President of the North Birmingham Royal British Legion





    1206666

    Stoker. Frank Moore HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Moore was the son of Mary Jane and Ralph Thompson Moore. He married Emily McCabe in 1910. They had three children; Emily in 1910, Mary in 1912 and Francis in 1914. Before the war he was employed as a painter and decorator, having served his apprenticeship with Christopher and James Smyth in Hartlepool.

    Frank was lost at sea during the Battle of Jutland.





    1206665

    Stoker. Alexander Spence HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    Alexander Spence was born on the 26th of December 1894, son on Elizabeth and James Irving Spence. He was killed in action during the Battle of Jutland.





    1206664

    Stoker. George Salthouse HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    George Salthouse was born in Hartlepool on the 31st of March 1896, the son of Matthew Salthouse. He was killed in action during the Battle of Jutland.





    1206663

    Stoker. James "Henderson" Mossop HMS Indefatigable (d.31st May 1916)

    James Mossop was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Mossop, he served under the name James Henderson and was lost at the Battle of Jutland.





    1206662

    Stoker. Frank O'Hara HMS Indefatigable (d.31st May 1916)

    Frank O'Hara was the son of Margaret O'Hara, he was lost at sea during the Battle of Jutland, his brother James was also killed serving on the same ship.





    1206661

    Stoker. Thomas Harold Wilson Bullen HMS Queen Mary (d.31st May 1916)

    Thomas Bullen was born Thomas Wilson, in 1897 at Stockton on Tees, son of Thomas Andrew and Jane Ann Wilson. His mother remarried and Thomas took her married name. He was lost during the Battle of Jutland and is remembered on the Chatham Memorial.





    1206660

    Stoker. Edward Lee HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    Edward Lee was the son of Wiliam J. and Elizabeth Lee. He died at sea during the Battle of Jutland.





    1206659

    Stoker. Michael John McKeirnan HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    Michael McKeirnan was lost during the Battle of Jutland, he was the son of Mary McKiernan. He is remembered on the Chatham Memorial.





    1206658

    Stoker. Cecil Morgan HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    Cecil Morgan was lost during the Battle of Jutland. He was the son of Elizabeth Ann Morgan.





    1206657

    Stoker. George Pitt HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    George Pitt was the son of John and Amelia Pitt, he was lost during the Battle of Jutland.





    1206656

    Stoker. Fred Russell HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    Fred Russell was killed in action during the Battle of Jutland.





    1206655

    Stoker. John Robert Malcolm HMS Queen Mary (d.31st May 1916)

    John Malcolm was lost at sea during the Battle of Jutland, he left a 1 year old son John and a wife Delia. He was the son of George and Mary.





    1206654

    Stoker. George Lambert HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    George Lambert was lost at sea during the Battle of Jutland. He was the son of homas and Mary Lambert and husband of Alice.





    1206653

    Chief.Shipwright. Alfred Bull HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    Albert Bull was lost at sea during the Battle of Jutland, he left behind a wife Mabel.





    1206652

    Ord.Sea. Ambrose Abrey HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    Ambrose Abrey was lost at sea during the Battle of Jutland, he was aged 18, the son of Emma Abrey.





    1206650

    Boy. Leslie William Bird HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    Leslie Bird was lost at sea during the Battle of Jutland. Just 17 years old, he was the son of William and Elizabeth Bird. He is remembered on the Chatham Memorial.





    1206649

    Ord.Sea. John Joseph Harold Marlow HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    John Marlow was lost at sea during the Battle of Jutland, he was the son of John and Florence Marlow.





    1206648

    Able Sea. William Charles Thomas Featherstone HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    William Featherstone was lost at sea during the Battle of Jutland.





    1206647

    Boy. Herbert Thripp HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    Herbert Thripp died during the Battle of Jutland.





    1206645

    William Thomas Thompson

    Thomas William Thompson, who fought and survived at the Battle of Jutland, his daughter recounts his stories.





    1206644

    Sgt. William "Willie" Stevenson 1st Btn Gordon Highlanders (d.2nd Mar 1916)

    <p>

    My grandfather, William Stevenson was born in Middlesbrough. He joined the Police Force in 1907. He and my grandmother were married in 1910 and lived in South Hetton, Durham. They had three children, the eldest being my mother. William travelled to Sunderland where he enlisted on 22nd March 1915; he resigned from the Police the following day. His war records, though badly burnt, have provided a few details.

    He embarked at Southampton 29th April that year and joined the Battalion on 1st May. He was promoted to Corporal then Sergeant in September, 1915. He went on leave to the UK from 2nd to 10th January, 1916.

    According to a war diary on the Gordon Highlanders website an assault began in the Reninghelst area at 4.30am on 2nd March, 1916. Witnesses, L/C Hughes and Pte Ledlingham, told of my grandfather being wounded in a Bombing Post which was subsequently blown up. About a week later, while trench clearing, his body was found and reburied.

    My grandmother was awarded a pension of 21/6d per week for herself and the three children with effect from 25th September, 1916. My grandfather's body was found again and reburied in trenches south of Verbrande Molen. However, it wasn't until some time between 1924 and 1928 that his body was discovered once more and identified by a ring he was wearing. He was finally laid to rest in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery. I have visited his grave a number of times and plan to go there once more for the Armistice Centenary in November.

    Patricia Galley




    1206642

    Cpl. William Chant 18th Btn. Welsh Regiment

    <p>

    A WW1 postcard that I found in an old empty house in the 1970s. It's addressed to a Corporal W Chant of the 18th Welsh Regiment and it was sent to a V.A.D. Hospital in Torrington Devon. The postcard is from Tylorstown in the Rhondda and sent by an 'Auntie Anna' from 9 Station Terrace Pontygwaith. I've taken a picture of the front and back of the postcard. I know nothing of the people involved. It was posted on the 31st December 1917 and formerly addressed to a location in Exeter.

    Jeremy Swattridge




    1206641

    L/Cpl. John William Sayer VC 8th Btn. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (d.18th April 1918)

    <p>

    John Sayer died of wounds on the 18th of April 1918 aged 39 and is buried in Le Cateau Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Samuel and Margaret Sayer, of Chadwell Heath, Essex; husband of Edith Louise Sayer, of 35, Old London Rd., Hastings, Sussex.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 6th June, 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, determination and ability displayed on the 21st March, 1918, at Le Verguier, when holding for two hours, in face of incessant attacks, the flank of a small isolated post. Owing to mist the enemy approached the post from both sides to within 30 yards before being discovered. Lance-Corporal Sayer, however, on his own initiative and without assistance, beat off a succession of flank attacks and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Though attacked by rifle and machine-gun fire, bayonet and bombs, he repulsed all attacks, killing many and wounding others. During the whole time he was continuously exposed to rifle and machine-gun fire, but he showed the utmost contempt of danger and his conduct was an inspiration to all. His skilful use of fire of all descriptions enabled the post to hold out till nearly all the garrison had been killed and himself wounded and captured. He subsequently died as a result of wounds at Le Cateau."

    s flynn




    1206639

    Pte. Frederick James Pole 2nd/6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.20th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Pole was killed in action on the 20th of November 1917, aged 31. Buried in the Hermies Hill British Cemetery in France, he was the son of James and Harriett Pole, of Belgrave, Leicester; husband of Susan Pole, of 11 Belgrave Avenue, Leicester.

    s flynn




    1206636

    L/Cpl. Arthur Ernest Fergusson MM 2nd Btn. Australian Infantry (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Fergusson was killed in action at St. Martin's Wood near Proyart, France on 23rd August 1918, aged 22 and is buried in the Heath Cemetery in France. He was the son of James Stevens Fergusson and Mary Jane Fergusson, of 54 Rowntree St., Balmain, New South Wales

    s flynn




    1206635

    2nd Lt. Donald Simpson Bell VC 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th July 1916)

    <p>

    Donald Bell was killed in action on the 10th of July 1916 and is buried in the Gordon Dump Cemetery in France. A former professional football player, he was the son of Smith and Annie Bell, of Western Flats, Queen's Rd., Harrogate; husband of Rhoda Bell, of Wilmslow, Cheshire.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29740, dated 8th Sept., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack a very heavy enfilade fire was opened on the attacking company by a hostile machine gun. 2nd Lt. Bell immediately, and on his own initiative, crept up a communication trench and then, followed by Corpl. Colwill and Pte. Batey, rushed across the open under very heavy fire and attacked the machine gun, shooting the firer with his revolver, and destroying gun and personnel with bombs. This very brave act saved many lives and ensured the success of the attack. Five days later this very gallant officer lost his life performing a very similar act of bravery."

    s flynn




    1206634

    Pte. Henry Brown 1/5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Harry Brown, was a survivor of the Great War. He served from August 1914 til demob in March 1919. He died before I was born, but my parents had a framed photo of him in uniform, taken prior to the war. He was charged with desertion in 1918. His records show that he failed to return after being given a 2 week furlough from hospital. He was being treated for a severe head wound. The charge was dropped when he agreed to rejoin his unit in France. He wasn't back long before being readmitted to hospital with bronchitis. He never talked about his experiences, so I am trying to piece together a history for my children, although my father did recall a large scar on the side of his father's head.

    Gina Morley




    1206633

    Pte. Josiah Simpson 2nd Battalion Grenadiers Guards

    <p>

    Josiah Simpson married my Grandmother in the mid 1950's after the death of my Natural Grandfather. Jo as he was always known to the family (except by me as a 6 year old boy, I called him Uncle Jo), had been a professional soldier who joined the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards in 1909. Jo passed away soon after marrying my maternal Grandmother and whenever I visited with my Mother I would try and draw Uncle Jo out about his Great War experiences, as this was endlessly fascinating to a young boy as you can imagine! Like many old soldiers Jo was very reticent about his experiences and I was not old enough to understand how to ask the right questions, and now of course it is far too late. I actually learnt more about Jo's war experiences from my Grandmother who told me amongst other things of the nightmares he still suffered from. She also told me that he had been wounded in action three times (discharged with a severe head injury involving delicate surgery and the fitting of a stainless steel plate in his skull). She also said that Jo had been mentioned in despatches and had received a letter of thanks from the King of which he was immense proud.

    I have been able to glean quite a bit of his history, but have now reached a blank, and in the hope that anyone might be able to help me I will tell you what I know: Jo was born in sometime in 1888 and enlisted in the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards 25th February 1909 (aged 21) his army Service Number was 14275. At that time the Guards' regiments recruited men for three years with the colours and nine years on the reserve to be recalled at the outbreak of a general war. So I imagine that Jo would have transferred to the reserve around early 1912. In August 1914 he would presumably have been recalled to the colours at the age of 24 and there is a well known photograph taken outside Wellington Barracks in 1914 showing a queuing line of Grenadier Guard reservists reporting for duty with the colours.

    I believe that I can recognise Uncle Jo in that photograph about halfway along the line of queuing Grenadier reservists. Jo was very tall and stood out in any group of which he was part. Even in later life he never lost his soldierly bearing, you would instantly recognise the old soldier from his bearing and dignity. So much for the facts as I know them, what follows now is pure conjecture on my part. Consulting the excellent book 'Fifteen Rounds A Minute' edited from the diaries of Major M A Jeffreys and others by J.M. Craster, I learned that Major Jeffrey’s (acting C/O 2nd Battalion GG) diary entry for Sunday 19th September 1914 records a draft arriving from England comprising the new C/O Colonel Wilfred Smith and several other officers and men during the First Battle of Aisne. This fits rather well with Jo's medal sheet qualifying date of 17th September 1914, allowing for a couple of days to travel from Havre. I also read from the same source that the 2nd Battalion's MG Officer (in command of the battalion's two MGs) Captain William Amherst Cecil M.C. M.I.D had been killed in action 16 September 1914 and other casualties in the MG section had occurred on the same date. I now believe that Jo on arrival in the draft led by his C/O was assigned to one of the two M/G sections to make up the complement and therefore his Company Commander was 'Stag' Cecil's replacement who was 2nd Lieut. Carleton Wyndham Tufnell who had taken over command of the two guns on the death of Cecil.

    Now Jo told me a tale in which his Company Commander was shot in the head and through the eye of the binoculars he was using to reconnoitre the German positions from a forward position, and in the same moment Jo himself was wounded for the first time. Believing the officer to be still alive and whilst under fire Jo dragged his body back to their own positions where he discovered that the officer had been instantly killed. If this officer was Tufnell then this must have been on November 6th 1914 as this is the date he was KIA. I have read that Lieut. Tufnell was shot during a reconnaissance looking for a good position for the M/Gs. I would have expected this officer would have carried and used binoculars whilst so engaged.

    Referring again to 'Fifteen Rounds a Minute' I find the following "Wilfred sent Congleton and his platoon of No 3 and Tufnell with his machine-gun section with orders to act against the flank of the Germans pushing through the gap. Congleton and his platoon went forward with the cavalry, but poor Tufnell was shot through the throat and died soon afterwards. He was a first rate officer and is a great loss. At the first alarm I had posted Tufnell with one machine gun on the Brown Road to guard a ride through the wood, across which the Germans would have had to come to get behind my line of trenches. I also sent Congleton with one platoon to stop the Germans getting through “the gap” on my right rear. For some reason, that I have never been able to get an explanation of, Tufnell took his machine-gun with Congleton's platoon. I believe the machine-gun had one good target, but Tufnell was unfortunately hit at this time and I never did find out exactly what did occur." Note that the account has poor Tufnell shot through the throat and not as Jo describes through the eye, so maybe my conjecture falls down at this point - maybe.

    It does seem clear that Jo served for nearly 3 years from 17th September 1914 when he arrives in France until 6th July 1917 when he was discharged and awarded the silver war badge, which incidentally he wore in his jacket lapel every day until he died in the mid 1950's. I imagine that when the the 1st Gds Bde MG Coy was formed between 1st September and 19th September, 1915, Jo would have transferred to it and served consequently in actions that the 2nd Battalion were engaged in from September 1914 (Battle of the Aisne) until some time after the battle of Messines now with the 4th Battalion Guards Machine Gun Company. If you have borne with this long winded story, for which I apologise, I now come to the mystery....

    01) Did Josiah Simpson get a Mention in Despatches? My Grandmother certainly told me had, together with a letter from the King. Why is this not on his medal sheet if he was in fact awarded a MID. I should have thought nearly 3 years in the front line, wounded in action three times (the latter seriously), recovering an officer's body under fire whilst wounded himself should have merited a bit more that the the three 'gongs' that everyone else received.

    02) What has happened to Jo's medals (he had a daughter Edna and a Grandson Gerald, both long deceased) maybe they were passed down, but do you think we could still trace them? Anything you can help with I will be most grateful.

    David Eades




    1206631

    Pte. Alfred John Bradley 1st Btn. Royal Linconshire Regiment (d.24th Aug 1914)

    <p>

    Alfred Bradley had a tattoo of St George and the dragon on his chest. His hobby was boxing and his sparring partner was Billy Wells (the strong man who hit the gong in Rank film introduction). He was known for being friendly, practical, independent and liking country cottages.

    Alfred ran away from home to join the British Army because he didn't get on with his stepfather Mr Hooper. Served in the Army in India 1898 - 1902; 1903 South Africa (burying the dead after the Boer War); 1904- 1910 India. Returned to England as a reserve and got work as a motor tyre repairer. He was married on 25th of Dec 1912 to Ada Hunt and thier son Alf was born in Sept 1913.

    The 1st Lincolnshire Regiment was part of the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. The Division left by sea on the SS Norman on 13 August 1914, for France, part of the original British Expeditionary Force. They disembarked at Le Havre on 14th August 1914. They marched to Mons where they fought their first action on the 23rd but had to break off their engagement on the 24th and join what was a general retreat. On 24 August in Frameries they acted as a rearguard for the withdrawal of 9th Brigade.

    The 24 August 1914 is believed to be the day that Alf Bradley died further to engaging the German forces. The partial map of Frameries showing burial places of the English soldiers incl Pte Bradley. He died along with about 40 others the same day. The army records his death as taking place at Marne on 8th Sept 1914 but friend and locals say he was killed on the 24th of August. A friend saw him buried in a garden by local peasants then. Local people made a map in 1915 which showed where the British soldiers were buried. In 1918 he was reburied by the army at Bezu-le-Guery communal cemetery near Chateau Thierry in a shared grave with other soldiers killed at around the same time. The date of death on the memorial stone is 8th Sept 1914, but the date of death on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records signed as checked in 1921 (after earlier versions of the document had been variously amended) record that this was a reburial from another place. The confusion about dates reflects the fast pace of action and loss at the time.

    It's known that Alf's regiment fought in Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien's delaying action at Le Cateau and then joined the rest of the British Army as they fell back to the Marne Valley. On the night of the 7th of September 1914 the 1st Lincolns were in billets at the village of La Bretonniere which they left at 6am the following morning. At around 10.30am they had stopped to rest in a field near Bezu when their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Smith, received a message from Brigade informing him that 'a German battery was doing serious damage by shelling our column approaching the Marne.' Captain Drake, along with C and D Companies, worked their way through the woods to the west of Bezu and crept to within 150 yards of the guns before rushing forward and shooting down the German gunners and their escort almost to a man. When they dashed out of the thicket to secure the guns they were spotted by the 65th (Howitzer) Battery Royal Artillery who mistook them for Germans and opened fire on them. They were forced to seek cover and this burst of "friendly fire" cost the Lincolns casualties of one officer killed with three wounded and some thirty other ranks killed or wounded. Robert Drake was one of the officers wounded but he died later the same day. This action tends to explain the choice of cemetery for the deaths in Bezu and those of the members of the regiment who had died in Frameries only days earlier.

    In India

    Lindsey Ambrose




    1206629

    Pte. John Hamilton "Jock" Macgregor MM 6th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    My grandfather John Macgregor joined up in the Rifles and was sent to France in March 1915. He seems to have served throughout the war, and was awarded the Military Medal, recorded in London Gazette August 1917 but I don't know what he did.

    He survived the war, marrying my grandmother in approx 1920. My mum was born in 1922, and my aunt in 1929. He suffered damage to his feet, and later had his leg amputated. He died in 1941.

    Christina Mottram




    1206628

    L/Cpl. Alfred George Pearce 11th Btn. B Coy. South Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    One day in September 1914, three young men went to enlist in the British Army caught up in the fever of war. One of these men was Alfred George Pearce. He, with his wife, managed a public house in Liverpool and had four small children. When he returned home and told his wife, she was furious and said "What did you do a stupid thing like that for!"

    In his going away photograph his cap badge is from the Cheshire's but he is recorded as being transferred to 11th Battalion in December 1916. During his training he had to go down the mines to be toughened up. His time in the mines was cut short as an accident resulted in him having a couple of broken ribs. His daughter Ruby told us how she enjoyed peeling his skin from his back after he had a cast removed.

    Because he was a countryman from Hampshire originally, he was assigned to the section that looked after the regiments horses. They had at one stage a horse shoe on the back of their jacket. The losses were so heavy they turned the horse shoe round in case it improved their luck. In the end the horse shoe was abandoned. On the march to the front line, they saw some awful sights. Bodies lining the sides of the roads and families trying to escape the ravages of war. During the march forward, they stopped overnight at a French village were they were billeted in a barn full of hay and straw. They all settled down for the night. The hay providing a little comfort as they thought. Next morning they were all coming out in scabies. The Germans had sprayed the hay and straw with the infection before they left the area. Consequently all the regiment had to strip off in the village square, their uniforms burnt, and they were painted with Gentian violets. Not a very pleasant experience, but great amusement to the ladies of the village. He told of their instructions not to attempt to pick up anything like pens from the ground, or kick dead rats, as they could all be booby trapped.

    Alfred George Pearce survived the war unscathed and lived to a ripe old age of 98. He always said never go to war even if it means running away to Ireland. Alfred's father, Joshua, was from Ecchingswell in Hampshire. [1901 Census].

    Suzanne Dalewicz-Kitto




    1206627

    Pte. Richard Northwood 6th Service Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    I was invited by my boss to visit France (100th anniversary of WW1) to tour the Western front. He knew of a relative who had served during the Great War, and who had lost his life during the conflict. He asked if I had any relatives who had served at the time, I replied that I was unsure, but had seen a photo of a young man in WW1 battle dress at my Mother's home some years ago.

    And so my investigation began. My first question was did my Mom know any information on the young man? All she knew for sure was that his name was Richard Northwood, he was the elder brother of my maternal grandmother and he had lied about his age on joining up. He had told the army he was 18 when in fact he was 16! As I looked at the photo, under a magnifying glass, I recognised the cap badge to be a Staffordshire knot. This was my starting point, but what division? On line, those who knew the answers wanted to be paid for their services. Not being tight, but still getting back on my feet after being made redundant some 12 months prior, I was reluctant to pay the fees, although they were reasonable. With some perseverance, and a fair amount of luck, I managed to find out that he served in the 6th Battalion of the South Staffs.

    He arrived in France, after being based in Wolverhampton, then Luton, Bishops Stortford, in April 1915. He saw action at Hooge and was involved in the attack on Hohenzollern redoubt in October of that year. On 23rd December he was ordered to Egypt where he spent just a few days before being ordered to return to France. On July 1st 1916 the order came to attack Gommecourt in a diversionary attack. Richard was killed in the assault aged just 18.

    Peter Brackenridge




    1206626

    Pte. Dennis Henry Berry 24th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    My Uncle Harry Berry was a furrier at Debenham & Peabody's store in Wigmore Street London when he enlisted in the 24th London Territorial Army on the 10th of June 1914. He embarked for France on the 15th of March 1915 and fought at Battle of Festubert. His regiment fought with great distinction standing firm when the regular army retreated and winning the day. On the 25th of March 1915 he was wounded in his left arm and left leg. He was hospitalized at Rouen nd afterwards given home leave. He returned to active service on the 9th of October 1915 and fought at the Battle of Loos and the second Battle of the Somme. He was blown up and gassed but he survived the war and was Honorably discharged on the 3rd of January 1919.

    They Were All Heroes and deserve to be remembered.

    Eric Foster




    1206625

    Pte. Albert E. Grimley 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    <p>

    Albert E. Grimley died of wounds on the 7th of July 1916, aged 37 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He had been wounded on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, he had lain in no man's land for 4 days before being found. Husband of Clara Grimley, of I, Cottage Bank View, Charlestown, Hebden Bridge, Yorks.

    s flynn




    1206624

    Cpl. Percival Discombe Warren MM. 1/7th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Sadly Percival Discombe Warren was killed in action on the 7th June 1917 at age 23. After his death, my gran inherited a framed certificate and a military medal which was awarded to Percival for bravery and gallantry on the field. My gran recently passed it on to me and she didn't know a great lot about Percival as she would have been too young to remember much about him. I told my gran I would try to find out as much as I possibly could. Just a couple of days ago I knew nothing about him and today I know what unit he was with and where he was sent. It's been a great experience to learn about all the challenges and the bravery of all who were involved during the First World War. Percival's body was never found. His name is written on a plaque at Ypres memorial

    Ash Woodstock




    1206623

    CSM Frederick William Keeble MM 7th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    CSM Frederick Keeble MM was my Grandfather, the only thing he told me about the trenches was they had to eat candles when food was short. I'm told he was wounded 4 times and I know he had bullet holes in his legs that Dad said you could put your finger in and that on his death bed the doctor took off his shirt to reveal a lump of shrapnel visible under the skin on his chest, my Grandmother had never seen him without his shirt on so had no idea it was there.

    I don't really know how he won the MM but the story is they were pinned down by a German machine gun nest and no-one could move, after a while Grandad said 'well I've had enough of this' he advanced on the nest, under fire, lobbed some grenades in and bayoneted the men who came out.

    After the war Grandads unit were guarding supply trains bound for Germany he was instructed to shoot anyone caught stealing from the trains, an Australian troop train pulled up and the men on board promptly raided the trains which were full of bully beef and all sorts, Grandad is said to have stepped out and on seeing the Australians said 'best we go round the back and have another fag', he wouldn't give the order to open fire, as a result he left the Army without reference which made it hard to get a job.

    Paul Keeble




    1206621

    Pte. Herbert George Auburn 6th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.29th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    My uncle Herbert George Auburn, my fathers eldest brother. My father (aged 3) remembers standing in the kitchen one morning when Herbert, came into the kitchen dressed in full uniform. 'Look at me mum' said Herbert, 'don't I look smart', my grandmother cried and my father never saw him again. So sad.

    Still remembered Herbert, you were never forgotten by your brokenhearted parents, brothers and sisters. RIP.

    Herbert George Auburn served with the 6th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)during WW1 and died on the 29th August 1918. He is buried in the Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, Somme, France.

    Patricia Traveller




    1206619

    Sapper Herbert Key Royal Monmouthshire Engineers.

    <p>

    My Grandfather Herbert Key served as a reservist in both the 2nd campaign of the Boer War in Africa and WW1. I don't know where he was situated in either instance, however I do know that he joined the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers to fight in WW1.

    He was discharged and sent home in June 1916 suffering from TB, he died on 1st December 1918 and is buried in Eclleshall's Holy Trinity Churchyard. However he does not have his name on his grave and to add insult to injury another man was buried on top of him in error. I wrote to the vicar of the church last year asking if we could place a small name plaque in his memory on the grave but I didn't receive a reply. How shameful for a man who served his country and gave his life through disease probably contracted in the trenches to be treated so shabbily, but I don't give up easily.

    Marlene Burdett-May




    1206618

    Pte. Michael Mcull Cull 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.19th Apr 1916)

    Michael Cull was my grandfather. He served with the Highland Light Infantry 2nd Battalion. He died on 19th April 1916 and is buried in Tranchee Mecknes Cemetery Aix- Noulette. Which is small with a mixture of Nationalities.

    Approx. 2months after his death his widow died of consumption. Her two young children, both girls, were placed into the care of nuns. His widow was buried in a pauper's grave. I am not allowed to mark her grave as she is buried with others and the authorities have said that relatives of the others may not want this. I have never had a grandfather and would desperately like to know how Michael died and what action took place.

    Patricia Unwin




    1206616

    Pte. John Norman Leach 11th Btn. Border Regiment (d.31st May 1918)

    <p>

    John Leach died of wounds on the 31st of May 1918, aged 19 and buried in Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Fred and Julia Leach, of 81, Alexandra Rd., Morecambe, Lancs.

    s flynn




    1206615

    Sgt. Alexander Ramsay Frew 13th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>Thomas McGill Frew, who was a driver in the Army Service Corps.

    Alexander Frew was my paternal grandfather's youngest brother. He was born on the 10th of January 1898 in Kinghorn, Fife, and enlisted in the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)in Kirkcaldy, Fife on the 28th of August 1915, aged 17. He was killed on the 28th of March 1918, aged 20, at the battle of Arras. He is commemorated on the Arras memorial, located in the Faubourg d'Amiens British military cemetery. I have no memory of anyone speaking of Alexander, I only found him while researching my family tree, it's sad that a lot of these hero's were never spoken about by those they left behind. I will remember him. I have no photo of Alexander, but I have one of my grandfather, Thomas McGill Frew, who was a driver in the Army Service Corps.

    Sgt. Alexander Ramsay Frew served with the 13th Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) during WW1 and was killed in action on the 28th March 1918 aged 20. He is commemorated on the Arras memorial, located in the Faubourg d'Amiens British military cemetery. He was the was the son of Mrs. Helen Frew, of 64, High St., Kinghorn, Fife.

    Joyce Strachan




    1206614

    Cptn. Stuart Ramsay DSO MID 8th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.2nd June 1917)

    Stuart Ramsay born Bothwell, Lanark on 10th September 1887, son of William & Helen. Educated Glasgow High School, Pre-War he was an Accountant by trade. He went to New Zealand in 1913 and returned to England in 1915.

    Gazetted 2nd Lieut. on 10 May 1915 he joined the Loyal North Lancashire Regt and promoted tp Lieut the following October. Twice MID and awarded DSO 1 August 1916 for 'Conspicuous Gallantry in action". He was promoted to Captain in June 1916 and killed in action on Messines Ridge on the 2nd of June 1917.

    Ralph Bennett




    1206613

    Spr. James Thomas Doucette MM 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company

    "For conspicuous gallantry in the preparation and explosion of a large Camouflet against enemy mine galleries in the Ypres salient. After the explosion of the Camouflet, at great personal risk, he assisted in digging down into enemy galleries from a point in No Man's Land and in the capture of 700 ft of enemy galleries of valuable mining apparatus, and of the bodies of dead enemy sappers from which valuable information was obtained. By this operation our trenches were rendered safe from enemy mines, and during it Sapper Doucett was cut off from our own lines for 12 hours. (A.F.W. 3121)"

    An extract from 10th Corps Routine Orders of 26/12/16. "under authority granted by His Majesty the King, the Army Commander has awarded the Military Medal to the undermentioned N.C.Os. & men for Gallantry in the Field on the dates shown:

    • 5011112/Cpl. Millar, H. 1st Cdn. Tunn. Coy.
    • 11/12/16 501104 A/2/Cpl. Allan, T.S.
    • 67497 Pte. Lynch, A.J.
    • 471083 Spr. Doucette, J.
    From War Diary or Intelligence Summary

    Joanne Doucette




    1206611

    Lt.Col. John Henry Stephen Dimmer VC, MC att. 2nd/4th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    John Dimmer was killed in action on 21st March 1918 aged 35 and is buried in the Vadencourt British Cemetery in France. he was the husband of Dora Garvagh (formerly Dimmer), of Ashby Hall, Lincoln.

    An extract from The London Gazette dated 19th Nov., 1914. records the following:- "This Officer served his machine gun during the attack on the 12th November at Klein Zillebeke until he had been shot five times - three times by shrapnel and twice by bullets, and continued at his post until his gun was destroyed."

    s flynn




    1206610

    Rflmn. William Mariner VC 2nd Btn. B Coy King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    William Mariner died on the 1st July 1916, aged 34 and is commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial in France. he was the son of Mrs. Alice Wignall, of 18, Fletcher St., Lower Broughton, Manchester.

    An extract from The London Gazette dated 23rd June, 1915, records the following:-"During a violent thunderstorm on the night of 22nd May, 1915, he left his trench near Cambrin, and crept out through the German wire entanglements till he reached the emplacement of a German machine gun which had been damaging our parapets and hindering our working parties. After climbing on the top of the German parapet he threw a bomb in under the roof of the gun emplacement and heard some groaning and the enemy running away. After about a quarter of an hour he heard some of them coming back again, and climbed up on the other side of the emplacement and threw another bomb among them left-handed. He then lay still while the Germans opened a heavy fire on the wire entanglement behind him, and it was only after about an hour that he was able to crawl back to his own trench. Before starting out he had requested a serjeant to open fire on the enemy's trenches as soon as he had thrown his bombs. Rifleman Mariner was out alone for one and half hours carrying out this gallant work".

    s flynn




    1206609

    Lt. Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather VC. Adjt. 9th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.2nd July 1916)

    <p>

    Geoffrey Cather was killed in action on the 2nd July 1916, aged 25 and is commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial in France. He was the son of the late Mr. R. G. Cather and of Mrs. M. M. Cather, of Limpsfield, Surrey.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 8th Sept., 1916, records the following: "For most conspicuous bravery. From 7 p.m. till midnight he searched 'No Man's Land', and brought in three wounded men. Next morning at 8 a.m. he continued his search, brought in another wounded man, and gave water to others, arranging for their rescue later. Finally, at 10.30 a.m., he took out water to another man, and was proceeding further on when he was himself killed. All this was carried out in full view of the enemy, and under direct machine gun fire and intermittent artillery fire. He set a splendid example of courage and self sacrifice".

    s flynn




    1206608

    Pte. Charles Eugene Hands 7th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>Charles Eugene Hands

    My father’s brother, Willie, had enlisted in the Army at the outbreak of the First World War in l914, when he was 18. Within a year he would be killed. (he is buried at Bailleul). It is significant that my father, Charles Hands, only once in his life ever mentioned to me his experiences in the war, possibly because, coming as he did from a loving, united and peaceful family, these must have had a devastating effect on him and were too painful to recall.

    The minimum age for joining the armed forces was 18 so that when, at the Cross Lane, Salford Recruiting Agency, the Recruiting Officer learned that he was only 16 he told my father to walk once round his desk. “Now how old are you?”, he asked. “19”, replied my father. “Very good,” said the officer, “sign here”. It was May 1915 and my father joined the 7th Lancashire Fusiliers. He was to remain in England, for at least some of the time on coastal duty in Scarborough, until March 1918 when he embarked for Ypres where his regiment was to meet up with another - the 8th Lancs. Fusiliers?..

    Coming to a fork in the road, my father was sent one way, while a comrade was sent another, to find the Company in question. My father was successful in meeting up with the company and returned to his own with its commanding officer. To his horror he found that his own company had been attacked and wiped out. The scene that met his eyes must have been imprinted on his mind for the rest of his life: men and horses, dead or dying, were strewn everywhere along the road and in the ditches. The noise was hellish. I understood that none had survived.

    Shortly after this, as they were trying to take a hill, the second company was surrounded by Germans. “Tommy”, they shouted, “drop your weapons, you are surrounded”. “I shall always be grateful to those Germans”, said my father, “they could have shot us”. As it was, they probably saved his life because he was transported to Kassel and put into a POW camp where he spent the next seven months, up to the end of the war. Army Form W. 3038A reporting my father missing was sent to his sister Madaleine on 5 July 1918.

    It was in Kassel that my father lost his fussiness over food. Hunger was extreme both inside and outside the camp – the Germans were starving, too, and German children came to the wire fences to beg for food. There were occasional food parcels distributed by the international charities, also containing cigarettes and gloves and socks hand-knitted by wives, mothers and sisters back in England. The prisoners would swap and barter these precious offerings. My father was so hungry on one occasion that he offered to pay a comrade 25 shillings in War Bonds - to be delivered after the war - for eight biscuits! Twenty-five shillings was more than a working-man’s weekly wage in those days. “How do I know I’ll ever see the money?” the chap asked. “You have my promise”, said my father. True to his word and much to his mother’s annoyance, my father sent the War bonds off to his comrade as soon as he got back home after the war. “After all”, he reasoned, “the chap trusted me and those eight biscuits at the time represented a banquet”.

    Reported Missing

    Enlistment

    George V's letter to father

    Pamela Hands de Azevedo




    1206607

    Capt. Eric Norman Frankland Bell VC 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Eric Bell was killed in action 1st July 1916, aged 20 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France. He was the son of Capt. E. H. Bell, of 22 University Rd., Bootle, Liverpool. Native of Enniskillen, Ireland.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 26th Sept. 1916, records the following: "For most conspicuous bravery. He was in command of a Trench Mortar Battery, and advanced with the Infantry in the attack. When our front line was hung up by enfilading machine gun fire Captain Bell crept forward and shot the machine gunner. Later, on no less than three occasions, when our bombing parties, which were clearing the enemy's trenches, were unable to advance, he went forward alone and threw Trench Mortar bombs among the enemy. When he had no more bombs available he stood on the parapet, under intense fire, and used a rifle with great coolness and effect on the enemy advancing to counter-attack. Finally he was killed rallying and reorganising infantry parties which had lost their officers. All this was outside the scope of his normal duties with his battery. He gave his life in his supreme devotion to duty."

    S FLYNN




    1206606

    Rflmn. Albert James East 20th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps. (d.26th July 1916)

    <p>

    Albert East died on the 26th of July 1916, aged 35 and is buried in the Ste. Marie Cemetery in France. He was the husband of Ada East, of 22 Kentish Town Rd., Camden Town, London.

    s flynn




    1206605

    Rfmn. James Flynn 9th (Service) Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.25th Sept 1915)

    <p>

    James Flynn Served with the 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade, known as Jim he was my Nan's brother and was killed in action.

    Steve Sullivan




    1206604

    Sqd.Sgt.Maj. Charles Augustus Rowland DCM. A Sqdn. 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers (d.16th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Rowland was killed in action on 16th August 1918, aged 41 and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France. He was the son of John and Eliza Rowland, of 106, Washwood Heath Rd., Saltley, Birmingham. Native of Gloucester.

    s flynn




    1206603

    L/Cpl. George Herbert Lauder 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.25th Nov 1917)

    <p>George just out of the trenches weeks before he was killed.

    My Dad's Uncle George Lauder was always a favorite topic of his. He has photos of George in France from 1914 to 1917. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. My dad was a Wilks, George was my grans elder brother. George played cricket for the same team as my grandad and possibly this is how my granddad Lance met Beatrice. George will be remembered this year and each year to 2017 with far moire poignancy than ever before.

    George served with the 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry during WW1 and was killed, aged 22, on the 25th November 1917. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, near Ypres, Belgium. He was the Son of John Lauder, of 190 Wales Rd., Sheffield.

    George in France in 1914

    Wounded soldiers 1916. George centre rear

    Glenn Wilks




    1206602

    Pte. Dudley Joseph Clift 20th Btn. (d.28th March 1917)

    <p>

    Dudley Joseph Clift from Maitland, Breeza Station, New South Wales, Australia, enlisted on 30th March 1915 and was assigned to 2nd Division, 5th brigade, 20th Battalion, C Coy. AIF. He was born in 1883, the son of Joseph Henry Clift and Florence Augusta Ransome Clift (nee Maitland),and worked on the family pastoral property and as a Stock and Station Agent before his enlistment.

    Dudley's unit was sent to the Gallipoli Penisula, arriving there in August 1915. In July 1916 he arrived in France and was hospitalised on and off for various illnesses, including mumps, till he rejoined his unit on 6th February 1917.

    The unit was engaged in action near Martinpuich, north of Albert when, on 2nd March 1917, Dudley received 5 gun shot wounds and was treated at the 1/1 SMCCS before being transferred to the 9th General Hospital in Rouen. He died on 28th March 1917 of septicaemia and is buried in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen.

    s flynn




    1206601

    Gnr. Edward James Townsend 298th Bde. A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd April 1918)

    <p>

    In Memory of Gunner Edward James Townsend Much loved Son of Thomas & Charlotte Townsend. He worked for the Railways before volunteering for the Army in 1914, joining the Medical Corps he later transferred to the Royal Artillery as he said he found it difficult recovering parts of his Comrades & would sooner shoot the Enemy. After being gassed in 1917 he was sent to home to recover, he wasn't obliged to go back but insisted he felt it was his duty to to fight for his Family (1 Brother & 8 Sisters) and his Country. He was gassed again in 1918 this was to be the last time. He lay dying of his wounds for six days in St Louis, U.S.A., Hospital, France and spent his 21st birthday there. Edward died on 22nd April 1918, aged 21 and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France. My Grandmother never managed to visit his Grave but I his niece have been lucky enough to have managed to visit several times. We are eternally grateful for the Great Sacrifice he & his comrades made. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for their hard work in keeping the Cemetery immaculate.

    s flynn




    1206600

    Drvr. Michael Foley attd. 7th Dragoon Guards (Princess Royal's) Army Service Corps. (d.13th June 1918)

    <p>

    Michael Foley died of Spanish influenza on 13th June 1918, aged 33. Buried in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France, he was the son of Catherine Foley, of 21 St. Patrick's Cottages, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin

    Michael was obviously very ill judging by this photo as he looks unwell and is surrounded by Medical personnel. This building in background is probably the Hospital and we wonder if the statue with orator and admirer helps you to let me know precise location. We understand that a Spanish influenza was rampant at the time and claimed his life finally. He is mentioned by name in a play about Francis Ledwidge by Irish writer Dermot Bolger "Walking the road" By a strange co-incidence Ledwidge himself,as a youth was a shop boy in Michael's home district of Rathfarnham, South Co.Dublin.

    s flynn




    1206599

    Pte. John Henry Hector Wilson Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (d.9th Sep1917)

    <p>

    John Wilson died on 9th September 1917, aged 20. Buried in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France, he was the son of George Hector and Rosa C. M. Wilson, of 8, Marli St., Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies. He was born 18 Jan 1897. His name appears on the War Memorial in Port-of-Spain.

    s flynn




    1206598

    Benjamin Henry Mitchell 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.13th Aug 1916)

    Benjamin Henry Mitchell was born in 1880 died 1916. This is my children's great granddad and I am currently doing the family tree. I have tried to find a photo of Benjamin but to no avail. I've tried the Birmingham post newspaper as they usually show a photo of the soldiers who had died or were missing but I can't find one.

    Mr. Pargetter




    1206597

    Pte. James Joseph Charlton 3rd Btn. Australian Infantry (d.22nd March 1917)

    <p>

    James Joseph Charlton served with 3rd Battalion (8th Reinforcement is remembered on the Roll of Honour at A.W.M. Thank you Grandfather Charlton, we are all safe and well because of you and your sacrifice. You were the much loved husband of Ethel adoring father of Alma & Leslie, devoted grandchildren Wave William Edward & Lolo. in 2009 you have 15 respectful Great grandchildren , 23 Great, Great grandchildren , 5 Great, Great, Great grandchildren.

    Grandfather while mortally wounded, secured the safety of two fellow wounded soldiers from the battle area. Private J. J. Charlton died in France 22nd March 1917. Receiving the " British War Medal." & "Victory Medal." His adoring sister Mary received the condolences letter from the Empire Which broke her heart and she died the same year. the letter stated how he was a fine example and inspired his fellow men. He was described as having strict soldier qualities and the sterling qualities of a soldier and a man. He is buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France. His grave has been visited by family. James J. Charlton was the Grandson of William Charlton NSW Corps 1790, he sailed to Australia on Neptune 1789. Mentioned in the first "Land Grants Book" 1788-1809. William married Mary, a convict, he was a rum trader. William & Mary forged a life for their family, which his Grandson James had to defend to the death in WW1 . James J. Charlton enlisted and sailed on the SS Runic in 1915 to Suez and the war. James J. Charlton's Great grandson now a soldier wears your medals Anzac day every year. A Kelso born man loved adored respected and always remembered by your family. Lest We Forget

    s flynn




    1206596

    Sgt. William Williams 19th Btn. Tank Corps

    <p>William Williams

    From the age of 12, William Williams went down the mines, leading the pit ponies. Trained as a Male Nurse then enlisted in Royal Welsh Fusilliers. Selected to join the Heavy Machine Gun section which became the Tank Corps ; as mechanic/driver/gunner. Later became Sgt. 5/11/18 and Tank commander. Returned to nursing at The Priory with many famous patients 'Grandad Bill' wrote his memoirs which included a significant amount of detail of his time in the Tank Corps. This is his account of being signed up and trained:

    The army at this time were stopping men at the railway stations and asking for their papers. I had none so thought I would take a chance and wrote for some. The result was, I got my calling up papers to join the army. I reported and was asked if there was a regiment I would like to join. I said the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, there was a London battalion, so I joined that in 1916. I was sent to Kinnock Park, Rhyl. I found some old school pals in other battalions there. I got through my recruits drill after two months. Then one day coming off parade I got the call, '24477 Williams report to the company office'. I reported and was given a pass for four days. Still in the dark of what it was about, on reporting back I was sent with 10 others to be transferred to the Machine Gun Corp (Heavy Section) at Wool in Dorset. The train was full of men going to the same place. When we arrived we were put in huts for the night, all wondering what it was, there were men from every regiment in the British Army there. We found out that it was for what was to be known later as the Tank Corps.

    After a success on the Somme with a few tanks it had been decided to raise four battalions and we were the lot. It was a little while before things were settled down, as there was only one doctor there. No medical examinations were given, instead we were taken to what was an old crater on a hillside, and seven men at a time were put on it to run round, up and down. That was the test, if they pulled a man out he was sent back. I got through it so that was my corp for the rest of the war. I met some very nice men there and formed a friendship with Cliff Baldwin, a Yorkshire lad. We were pals for the whole time.

    We were soon put into a new kind of training with machine guns, six pounder guns for the gunners, and driving and maintenance tests for drivers, also signalling, Morse code and pigeon training. So we were kept busy. We were put into crews of seven men and one officer. It was all interesting. I was first gunner and Cliff was the first driver. The gunners were sent to Whale Island, Portsmouth for a course with the Navy, as the Army had not any schools to try us, we would be firing from a moving tank at a moving object.

    Tank Corps, 11 section

    John Morriss




    1206595

    Cpl. Edward Kingsford Radley 8th Btn. A Coy. Somerset Light Infantry (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>Edward Kingsford Radley

    Edward Radley enlisted on 8th September 1915. Ed was in 'A' company of the 8th Battalion of the Somerset Light infantry engaged in 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). He was killed in action on 31st July 1917 and his body was never found. His name is engraved on Panel 21 of Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium.

    The 8th Battalion of Somerset Light Infantry was under the command of the 63rd Brigade which joined the 37th Division on 8th July 1916 (thought to be part of 2nd Army). The Somersets fought with the 8th Btn. of Lincolnshire and 4th Btn. of Middlesex Regiments in the 63rd Brigade at the Battle for Pilckem Ridge which commenced at 0350 on 31st July 1917. This was the 1st of 6 phases of the 3rd Battle of Ypres. In the terrible conditions of heavy enemy fire and thick Flanders mud Ed never survived the first day.

    CWGC certificate

    John Morriss




    1206594

    L/cpl. George Saxby 1st Btn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.8th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    George Saxby enlisted with the 17th Lancers. He died of wounds 8th November 1916, received 3rd/4th/11/1916 and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France.

    s flynn




    1206593

    Sgt. Joseph Smith 75th Battalion (d.2nd Dec 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Smith died of wounds on 2nd December 1916, age 26 and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France. He was the son of Joseph H. and Marie Louise L'Amy Smith, husband of Laura Dorothy Smith, of 259, Macpherson Avenue, Toronto.

    A Sergeant with the 75th Battalion (Jolly 75th), #163257. He was born January 11th, 1890 in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. He moved to Canada in 1911, Married Laura Smith and had a son (my Grandfather) in 1914. He was severely wounded on November 18th 1916 during an attack on Desire Trench. He was moved to the No. 1 Australian General Hospital in Rouen where he died of his wounds December 2nd, 1916.





    1206591

    Chaplain. Theodore Bailey Hardy VC. DSO. MC Att. 8th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment Army Chaplains Dept. (d.18th October 1918)

    <p>

    Theodore Hardy was appointed Chaplain to His Majesty, on 17th Sept., 1918. He died 18th October 1918 and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery Extension.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 30790, dated 9th July, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on many occasions. Although over 50 years of age, he has, by his fearlessness, devotion to men of his battalion, and quiet unobtrusive manner, won the respect and admiration of the whole division. His marvellous energy and endurance would be remarkable even in a very much younger man, and his valour and devotion are exemplified in the following incidents: An infantry patrol had gone out to attack a previously located enemy post in the ruins of a village, the Reverend Theodore Bailey Hardy (C.F.) being then at company headquarters. Hearing firing, he followed the patrol, and about four hundred yards beyond our front line of posts found an officer of the patrol dangerously wounded. He remained with the officer until he was able to get assistance to bring him in. During this time there was a great deal of firing, and an enemy patrol actually penetrated between the spot at which the officer was lying and our front line and captured three of our men. On a second occasion when an enemy shell exploded in the middle of one of our posts, the Reverend T. B. Hardy at once made his way to the spot, despite the shell and trench mortar fire which was going on at the time, and set to work to extricate the buried men. He succeeded in getting out one man who had been completely buried. He then set to work to extricate a second man, who was found to be dead. During the whole of the time that he was digging out the men this chaplain was in great danger, not only from shell fire, but also because of the dangerous condition of the wall of the building which had been hit by the shell which buried the men. On a third occasion he displayed the greatest devotion to duty when our infantry, after a successful attack, were gradually forced back to their starting trench. After it was believed that all our men had withdrawn from the wood, Chaplain Hardy came out of it, and on reaching an advanced post asked the men to help him to get in a wounded man. Accompanied by a Serjeant he made his way to the spot where the man lay, within ten yards of a pill-box which had been captured in the morning, but was subsequently re-captured and occupied by the enemy. The wounded man was too weak to stand, but between them the chaplain and the Serjeant eventually succeeded in getting him to our lines. Throughout the day the enemy's artillery, machine-gun and trench mortar fire was continuous, and caused many casualties. Notwithstanding, this very gallant chaplain was seen moving quietly amongst the men and tending the wounded, absolutely regardless of his personal safety."

    s flynn




    1206590

    Pte. Harold Melsom 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.5th Jul 1916)

    <p>Harold Melsom

    Harold Melsom was born in Castle Combe, Wiltshire, 18th July 1890 and baptised on 7th September 1890, St. Andrew's Parish Church, Castle Combe, Wiltshire. He was killed in action at Mametz Wood, near Albert, Somme, Northern France, Wednesday 5th July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme which commenced on 1st July 1916. He had formerly served as 14334 Hussars of the Line (probably 10th Royal Hussars (Princess of Wales Own)). He was unmarried and lived in Bybridge Cottages, Castle Combe, Wiltshire. His father George Melsom, born 1851, died 3rd December 1918 was a Plasterer and Tiler. His mother, Elizabeth Sarah Melsom formerly Tylee, born 1853, Market Lavington, died 10th March 1914. Haolds sblings were: Albert born 1882, died 13th March 1942. Frederick born 1883, Died 22nd May 1943, Vancouver, Canada. Ethel Eliza born 1886, died ?

    Harold Melsom is buried at Dantzig Alley C.W.G.C. Cemetery, which is east of Mametz, Somme, Northern France, Dantzig Alley was originally the site of a German trench.

    Harold had a friend, Private Reginald Stanley James, also from Castle Combe, who died of wounds on the Somme on 1st July 1916 aged 22. He was the son of Mr. F. and Mrs. E. James of Castle Combe. Reginald is buried at Dive Copse C.W.G.C. Cemetery, which is north of Sailly-le-Sec, Somme, which is 20km east of Amiens, Plot 2, Row A, Grave 15, once the site of a main dressing station commanded by an officer called Dive. The dressing station was located behind the Cross of Sacrifice. Reg enlisted with Harold at Bristol (then in Gloucestershire), his service number in the 10th Hussars is consecutive to Harold's being 14335, so it is very likely they served together in both regiments.

    They were both members of the 12th Middlesex (Service) Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) known as 'The Diehards'. The regiment was formed at Mill Hill, London in August 1914. Harold enlisted at Bristol, Gloucestershire. In May 1915 the regiment moved to Codford on Salisbury Plain for training with respect to the imminent move to France (Codford St. Mary and Codford St. Peter are situated just off the A36 between Warminster and Salisbury in Wiltshire).

    The 12th Middlesex Regiment subsequently sailed to France landing at Le Havre on 26th July 1915. On the 1st January 1916 under the command of Lt. Col. H. P. Osbourne, the regiment was billeted at Meaulte which is south east of Albert. On the 8th January 1916, the 12th Middlesex Regiment moved forward to the front line taking over the trenches in the D1 sector south of Fricourt (east of Albert). On the 5th March 1916 the battalion moved via Corbie (east of Amiens)and Bray sur Somme (south east of Albert) relieving the 2nd Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment in the A1 sector. Lt. Col. Osbourne had been evacuated sick, and his Second in Command, Major M. C. Scarborough took over temporary command of the Regiment. On the 2nd April 1916, Lt. Col. Osbourne returned to the regiment and re-assumed command.

    On the the 11th June the Regiment entrained at Mericourt (north east of Amiens) for Picquigny (north west of Amiens) where they trained in specially constructed trenches. They returned to Grove Town, Meaulte on the 26th June 1916. On the 28th June at 08:15 p.m. the 12th Middlesex Regiment moved from Bray sur Somme to Carnoy, taking over the front line trenches north of the village from the 7th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. On the night of the 30th June at 10:30 p.m. the Regiment was itself relieved by the 11th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, and the 12th Middlesex returned to dugouts at Carnoy. When the Battle of the Somme commenced on 1st July 1916, the 12th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment was therefore waiting in reserve.

    The Commanding Officer at the time of Harold's death was Lt. Colonel Frank Maxwell V.C., C.S.I., D.S.O. (Victoria Cross, Companion of the Order of the Star of India, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order). He had taken over command of the 12th Middlesex Regiment on the 31st May 1916. Lt. Col. Maxwell had won the Victoria Cross at Sanna's Post during the South African Campaign (Boer War) on the 31st March 1900. When Frank Maxwell was appointed Commanding Officer of the 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, his personality exerted a tonic effect upon the morale and fighting qualities of the Battalion. In temperament, and in every other attribute, physical and mental, Lt. Col. Maxwell was fitted for the task assigned to him. There was a steely quality in his personal bravery that seemed accentuated by the almost studied tranquillity of his speech and general manner.

    Frank Maxwell was killed by snipers whilst reconnoitring in No Man's Land near Ypres, Belgium on 21st September 1917. At the time of his death he was a Brigadier General in command of the 21st Infantry Brigade of the 9th Division. He was aged 46 and is buried at Ypres Reservoir C.W.G.C. Cemetery, north west of Ypres, Belgium, Plot 1, Row A, Grave 37. A memorial to Brigadier General Frank Maxwell can be seen in St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. He was the son of Thomas Maxwell M.D. and Violet Sophia Maxwell and the husband of Charlotte Alice Hamilton Maxwell.

    The 12th Middlesex Regiment was a volunteer regiment and part of Lord Kitchener's 'New Army'. Volunteers such as Harold received one shilling per day. Conscription was introduced in the U.K. in January 1916, but initially only for batchelors.

    The 12th Middlesex Regiment was an infantry regiment and formed part of the 54th Brigade along with the 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, 7th Battalion Bedford, and the 6th Battalion Northampton Regiments. The 12th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment was eventually disbanded on the 13th February 1919.

    The 54th Brigade was part of the 18th (Eastern) Division, New Army, commanded by Major General F. I. (Ivor) Maxse.

    The 18th Division Headquarters was at Carnoy, and the Division formed part of XIII Corps. The Officers commanding the XIII Corps were:

    General Officer Commanding: Lt. General W. N. Congreve V.C. Brigadier-General General Staff: Brigadier-General W. H. Greenly. Brigadier-General Royal Artillery: Brigadier-General R. St. C. Lecky.

    The XIII Corps in turn formed part of the Fourth Army. The Fourth Army Headquarters was at Querrieux Chateau, which is north east of Amiens. The Officers commanding the Fourth Army were;

    General Officer Commanding: General Sir Henry Seymour Rawlinson Bt. K.C.B. K.C.V.O. Major-General General Staff: Major-General A. A. Montgomery. Deputy-Adjutant and Quartermaster-General: Major-General H. C. Holman. Major-General Royal Artillery: Major-General C. E. D. Budworth. Chief Engineer: Major-General R. U. H. Buckland. Deputy-Director Signals: Colonel R. G. Earle.

    The Commander in Chief of the British Army in France was General (later Field Marshall 1st Earl Haig of Bemersyde) Sir Douglas Haig. His Chief of Staff was Lt. General Sir Launcelot E ('Kigg') Kiggell, and the Major General of the Royal Artillery was Major General J. F. N. Birch. The General Headquarters for the British Expeditionary Force in France was at Montreuil near Etaples/Le Touquet. A statue still stands in the Town Hall Square at Montreuil, of General Haig on horseback, commemorating the fact that his General Headquarters were based in the town throughout the war.

    The objective of the 18th Division at the Battle of the Somme which commenced on the 1st July 1916 was to capture a German trench called 'Montauban Alley' which ran to the rear and south of the village of Montauban. The Corps heavy artillery, combined with that of the French Corps on the right, was greatly superior to that of the Germans in this sector, by a ratio of nearly four to one. The course of the artillery barrage laid down that day would practically destroy the German Artillery.

    On the 1st july 1916 the Battalion had a strength of 21 officers and 820 other ranks. The Second in Command to Lt. Col. Maxwell was Major M. C. Scarborough. the four Company Commanders were:

    • A Company Captain L. H. Methuen
    • B Company Captain G. L. Harrisan
    • C Company Lieutenant A. E. West
    • D Company Captain A. C. Davies

    Saturday the 1st July dawned a very hot day. No smoke was laid down to cover the advance of the British Infantry. On the front of the 18th Division, two mines below the enemy's front trench at la Boiselle were fired at 07:27 a.m., while a flame-thrower had been set up to assist the assault on the right. At Zero hour the attacking battalions crossed No Man's Land against some opposition, running up against the main German resistance at their support trench and the castle. Fighting all the way, the infantry of the 18th Division pushed the Germans back trench by trench in a series of battles involving grenades, machine guns and bayonets.

    By 08:30 a.m. most of the division's first objectives had been taken, but the enemy was stubbornly resisting in the centre. Nevertheless, an attack on the Pommiers Redoubt was launched, and this was taken after fierce hand-to-hand fighting.

    The parties of German troops holding up the centre of the 18th Division's assault were by now becoming aware of the situation on their flanks, which had been well turned. Some began to fall back, some to surrender, but some remained to fight. Trench by trench the British advanced, until by late afternoon contact had been established with the 30th Division, and the whole of the 18th Division objective had been captured.

    The day's fighting had cost XIII Corps just over 6000 casualties, but mercifully it was possible to evacuate the wounded speedily. Most of the wounded of the 18th Division were taken back to the village of Carnoy, and the village square was used as a casualty clearing station.

    Throughout the first day of battle, the 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment had been kept in dugouts in Carnoy. At 08:30 p.m. Lt. Col. Maxwell moved up to the Battalion Headquarters at Piccadilly in the old British front line. At 12:45 a.m. the Middlesex Regiment moved up into the forming-up trenches. Shortly afterwards crossing No Man's Land to the old German front line.

    The Companies took up the following positions: A and B Companies each had two platoons in Bund Trench, and A Company two more platoons in Emden Trench on the right of the Triangle, and B Company had two more platoons in the same trench, but on the left of the Triangle; C company was in Austrian Support Trenches, and D Company in Austrian front line.

    The enemy's barrage was still falling, but it was weak and not very accurate. On Companies taking up their positions, they began consolidating. The hostile trenches were much damaged and in places obliterated. Dead Germans were everywhere, and some prisoners taken from dugouts were obviously much shaken and almost incoherent. At this point one officer, 2nd Lieutenant R. H. Hudlestone was killed, two other officers wounded, three other ranks killed, 27 wounded and four missing.

    There was little activity on Sunday 2nd July and the British Divisions were able to reorganize and reinforce as well as pushing forward supplies and ammunition.

    During the daylight hours of the 2nd July, the 12th Middlesex Regiment remained in the same positions. At 08:30 p.m. the Battalion was ordered to relieve the 11th Royal Fusiliers in the advanced trenches. Companies took up the following postions: A Company in White Trench, B and C Companies in Beetle Alley, and D Company in Maple Trench from the junction of Black Alley to Strong Point No. 5 inclusive. Lt. Col. Maxwell's headquarters were in Black Alley. The relief was completed by about 01:30 a.m. on Monday 3rd July. Casualties that day were one officer and four other ranks wounded. The 12th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment was now south of Caterpillar and Mamtez Woods.

    XIII Corps spent Monday 3rd July in consolidation. Patrols discovered Bernafay Wood to be still undefended, and at 09:00 p.m. supported by a 20 minute barrage, two battalions of the 9th Scottish Division, New Army, entered and took possession of the wood. Throughout the 3rd July the 12th Middlesex Regiment remained in the same positions, all Companies consolidating the line. In the evening B and C Companies set to work to dig a communication trench between White Trench and Beetle Alley. The enemy shelled both the latter trenches during the day, but his shell fire was weak and not very effective: 2nd Lieutenant Souster and two other ranks were wounded. At night D Company was withdrawn from Maple Trench and took over Strong Points from the 6th Northamptonshire Regiment.

    The weather, which had been fine apart from the occasional thunderstorms, broke on Tuesday 4th July. Heavy rain filled the trenches and turned tracks into quagmires. The shell torn ground absorbed the downpour, melting tracts of marshland. The 4th of July passed without incident, but during the evening the dispositions on the Companies were again slightly altered: A Company remained in White Trench, B Company was in Montauban Alley, between Caterpillar Trench, and Pommiers Redoubt, with four strong points in the Caterpillar Trench, one at the junction of Loop Trench and Montauban Alley and one at White Trench. These posts were garrisoned with one Vickers gun and section.

    Caterpillar Wood, reported empty by the Royal Flying Corps, was occupied by the 18th Division on the 4th July and the division also recovered five abandoned German field guns while taking possession of a section of enemy trench near the wood. C Company, 12th Middlesex Regiment was in Caterpillar Wood with two sections and one Vickers gun. D Company was in Pommiers Trench with a strong point at the loop. By nightfall troops of the 18th Division had occupied Marlboro Wood, 500 yards beyond Caterpillar Wood. The 12th Middlesex now held part of the 53rd Brigade front as well as the front line of their own Brigade, the 54th.

    According to the official regimental history of the 12th Battalion the Middlesex Regiment, 'Diehards in the Great War', a copy of which is available for reading at the Imperial War Museum, Wednesday 5th July, the day Harold Melsom was killed, was a quiet day with little enemy action. Only the occasional enemy shell bursting overhead, though hostile shelling was at times heavy. Patrol work was carried out each night. It is though at present that Harold was killed by an enemy shell or shrapnel. It may be possible to learn more on our visit to the cemetery in France. Often in a book kept at the cemetery, a description is given of how the person died and also can often be found a personal message from the next of kin. Next of kin were also permitted a single line message on the headstone and again it will be interesting to see if this was done.

    The Middlesex Regimental museum at New Malden in Surrey was closed in 1992 on the death of the curator (information can be obtained on 0181 949 7605). All artifacts were transferred to the National Army Museum in Chelsea where several showcases are dedicated to the Middlesex Regiment. Other items of interest have been spread throughout the museum.

    The Middlesex Regiment was amalgamated in 1966 to form the Queen's Regiment with other home counties regiments. This was also later amalgamated to form The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment based at Howe Barracks, Canterbury, Kent. The Regimental museum is at Dover Castle and a display here includes several items from the Middlesex Regiment. However there are few items of interest.

    Dantzig Alley C.W.G.C. Cemetery

    St. Andrew's Church, Castle Combe

    Soldier's record card

    Peter Melsom




    1206589

    Lt. Alan Appleby Drew 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.10th March 1915)

    <p>

    Alan Drew died 10th March 1915, aged 30 and is buried i in the Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard in France. He was the son of Daniel and Rhoda Drew of Burnley. Alan's father owned the Lowerhouse Print works in Burnley and the family lived in specially built houses within the print works grounds.

    s flynn




    1206588

    CSM Nelson Victor Carter VC 12th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.30th June 1916)

    <p>

    Nelson Carter willed in action 30th June 1916, aged 29 and is buried in the Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard in France.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29740, dated 8th Sept., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack he was in command of the fourth wave of the assault. Under intense shell and machine gun fire he penetrated, with a few men, into the enemy's second line and inflicted heavy casualties with bombs. When forced to retire to the enemy's first line, he captured a machine gun and shot the gunner with his revolver. Finally, after carrying several wounded men into safety, he was himself mortally wounded and died in a few minutes. His conduct throughout the day was magnificent."

    s flynn




    1206587

    Rflmn. John Alexander Evans 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sep1916)

    <p>Alex. Photo taken near Queensbury

    Alex Evans was born on 3rd October 1896, a twin and one of 12 children. On 5th May 1915 he enlisted for the Rifle Brigade at St Paul's church yard and was initially with 6th battalion. He was shipped to France on October 7th 1915 with the 9th battalion Rifle Brigade. On 18th May 1916 he was wounded in action by a gunshot to the thigh and was in hospital in Rouen and transferred to Étaples on 14th June 1916, Two days later on 16th June he rejoined his battalion on the Somme.

    On 14th September the battalion marched overnight from Bécordel-Bécourt to Delville Wood in readiness for the commencement of the battle of Flers-Coucelette. The battalion war diary for 16th September is sadly thin with no details but the 9th battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps diary was well kept by their officer. The extracts from the KRRC diary tells the story and fate of Alex's battalion, the 9th battalion Rifle Brigade, who led the attack on Gird Trench and Bulls Road during the first day of the battle of Flers-Courcelette (15th-22nd September 1916) on the Somme, France. The KRRC were to the rear of the Rifle Brigade.

    Extracts:

    6.20am. Btn moved from Montauban Alley to York Alley behind 9th btn RB.

    8am. The 9th btn RB appeared to be bearing away too far to their right and were only in front of the right half of A company.

    8.15am. Btn passed through Switch Trench without stopping. Machine gun fire from Lesboeufs area passing over their heads (Lesboeufs being the village to their right on Bulls Road being attacked by the Guards division - the 9th btn RB will have gone through just before them.)

    8.30am -8.45am. The btn continued to advance without stopping and passed through Gap Trench on the heels of 9th btn RB still bearing off to their right.

    9am. Two German field guns firing towards Flers (the village to their left on Bulls Road) from a position on Sunken Road near N.32.c.5.2.

    Meanwhile 9th btn RB had stopped advancing and had formed a line more or less parallel with Gird Trench, their left being N.32.c.9.0.

    About 9.30am. I asked Capt Merewether, then commanding 9th btn RB, what were his intentions. He told me 9th Btn RB intended to attack Gird Trench at the appointed time according to the programme. Seeing as his battalion were very weak I told him that the 9th btn KRRC would advance in close support of the 9th btn RB.

    9.30am. The battalion was organised in two lines behind the 9th btn RB ready to advance behind them. Btn HQ established at T.2.c.3.7 from where a good view of the front could be obtained.

    9.30am – 11.20am. Our (artillery) guns did not appear to be shelling Gird Trench (meaning the German machine guns and snipers in the trench were not impeded at all). Although no friendly shelling on Gird Trench the 9th btn RB tried to advance on this trench but as soon as they got on the rising ground in front of them a hostile machine gun situated at about N.32.d.9.2 prevented them advancing. All their remaining officers (approx 16 including Capt. Merewether) were killed bar one junior officer and 315 other ranks, (including Alex), and their attack failed. Seeing this I assumed command of the remainder of the 9th btn RB.

    The officer of the KRRC decided it was too dangerous to continue at that time but their objectives were met later that day.

    Also in the diary was a reference to the tanks, "A new engine of war, a petrol- driven armoured car, termed the tank was used for the first time. Four of these machines were allotted to the division during these operations and are considered to have done splendid work." The tank. D5 Dolphin was in the area with Alex's battalion providing support. Dolphin managed to cover more ground that day than any other tank (more than 4000 yards).

    Alex was buried initially on the battlefield at 57c.T.2.b.35.25 before eventually being move to Combles Communal Cemetery Extension about 3 miles away. He was 19 years old. His twin brother Charlie survived the war and lived until the age of 75.

    Alex and his twin in about 1913

    Alex's grave at Combles

    The battle lines and Alex's grave

    CWGC  - remembered with honour

    Holly Kendrick




    1206585

    Pte. Edmund Revely 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.28th October 1914)

    <p>Pte Edmund Revely 11440

    Edmund Revely 11440 was born on 18 July 1891 in Hartlepool. Before he joined the Army he worked as a hand putter at Trimdon Colliery. He was 21 years of age when he joined up on the 5 September 1912.

    Edmund became part of the 2nd Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. During his time in service he was stationed first at Lichfield, then onto Cambridge which then led to them being sent to St Nazaire. The battles he was involved in included the battle of Armentieres and Aisne. Sadly, on the 28 October he lost his life after being killed in action. He was just 23 years of age.

    He had a young wife at home, plus a two month old daughter who he never met. After his death, he was awarded the 1914 star, The Victory medal and the British War medal. He also received the commemorative plaque and scroll. His name is on the memorial wall at the Ploegsteert Memorial in Hainaut Belgium, St Aidan's church in Hartlepool, St Editha's church and St George's church in Tamworth.

    Statue at the arboretum for the durham light infantry

    Jackie Newman




    1206584

    Lottie Elizabeth Saddington

    <p>Lottie Elizabeth Saddington

    This is a photograph of my grandmother Lottie Elizabeth Saddington taken during the first world war about 1916. She was a Vad nurse during this time. She was born in 1898, Market Deeping Lincolnshire. Her brother William Saddington was killed in France in 1914. I don't know which hospital Lottie served in, maybe Leicester. I am trying to find out more information.

    Ray Northedge




    1206583

    2nd Lt. William Arthur Imber 2/7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.27th Aug 1917)

    <p>William Arthur Imber

    William Imber Served with the 2/7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    William Arthur Imber

    WW1 Medal Rolls Index Card

    Death Penny William Arthur Imber

    Close-up of William Arthur Imber's memorial Penny

    Christine Jones




    1206582

    L/Cpl. Robert McChesney Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th July 1916)

    <p>Robert Mcchesney

    My great uncle, Robert Mcchesney, from Seaham, County Durham, served with the 22nd/3rd Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers during World War One. He was stationed in France from early 1916, this information obtained from the war diaries of the Tyneside Scottish units held at Alnwick Castle.

    The 22nd Tyneside Scottish went into battle on the first day of the Somme at La Bosielle with the 21st forming the 102nd brigade right, and he was wounded on the site of the still existing Lochnagar Crater, which was created by a mine blown minutes prior to the commencement of the battle on the 1st of July 1916. It is here that the body of George Nugent also of the Tyneside Scottish was found in the 1990's.

    Robert was wounded on the 1st of July 1916, and died from wounds on 4th of July 1916. He is buried at Heilly Gate Cemetery, France, which was a casualty clearing station like many of the cemeteries on the Somme. He was 24 years old and his younger sister, my grandmother, never got over the loss of her brother and she named her first born son Robert in honour of him.

    Mareen Gartland




    1206580

    Pte. Frank Belton 1st/8th Battalion Prince of Wale's Own West Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th July 1917)

    <p>Rifleman Frank Belton

    My Grandad, Frank Belton, was married to Mary Markham on the 30th July 1910. He was 18 years old and worked as a glass blower. Mary was 17 years old.

    In August 1914 he volunteered and joined the West Yorkshire Regiment firstly given the service number 1590. He was in the trenches in Nieuport, Belgium on the 21st/22nd July 1917 when the Battalion was subjected to a gas attack. Frank was injured and taken to Le Treport, France, where he died of his wounds, gas, on the 28th July. He is buried in Mon-Huon Cemetery, Le Treport, France. He was 25 years old when he died and left a 7 year old daughter, Mary and a 5 year old son, Ernest.

    Frank Belton

    Frank's Grave, Mont-Huon Cemetery

    Margaret McIntosh




    1206579

    William Henry Holdsworth East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Bill Holdsworth is my Mother's Great Uncle from her Father's side of the family. He was born 8th May 1884 in Bradford West Yorkshire. I am unsure as to what Regiment William served in, I did recall someone saying it was the East Yorkshire Regiment judging by the Military badge on his cap but I am not certain.

    Karen Ridealgh




    1206577

    Cpt. Robert L. Deane MID 28th Brigade Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Captain Robert L. Deane 28th Brigade Machine Gun Company, Mentioned in the Despatches, in March 1918 and later awarded the MBE I'm trying to establish my great uncle's WW1 service record. He served as a Captain with the Machine Gun Corps. He had the final rank of Lt Col. Died in SA around 1969.

    Peter Deane




    1206576

    Pte. George Eastick 1st/7th Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment. (d.30th June 1918)

    <p>

    George Eastick was killed in action 30/06/1918, aged 17. (Age officially given as 19) He was born in Great Yarmouth, the son of James Alfred and Alice Maud Eastick, of 20 Norfolk Place, Boston

    s flynn




    1206575

    Pte. Robert Williams 6th Btn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.12th December 1915)

    <p>

    Robie Williams died of wounds on 12th of October 1915, aged 20 and is buried in the Lillers Communal Cemetery in France. he was the son of Robert Henry and Emma Williams, of 108, Hertford Rd., Enfield Wash, Enfield, Middx.

    According to the family Robbie had been given some R&R leave and was behind the lines when the area was hit by Artillery fire. Robbie was hit in the stomach by shrapnel and died some 10 days later; a few days after his 20th birthday. His mother, Emma, was apparently very distressed for a second time when she received his birthday presents back un-opened.

    s flynn




    1206574

    L/Sgt. Ellis Welwood Sifton VC 18th Btn. (Western Ontario Regiment). (d.9th April 1917)

    <p>

    Ellis Sifton was killed in action on the 9th of April 1917, aged 25 and is commemorated on Panel 3 in the Lichfield Crater Cemetery in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During the attack in enemy trenches Sjt. Sifton's company was held up by machine gun fire which inflicted many casualties. Having located the gun he charged it single-handed, killing all the crew. A small enemy party advanced down the trench, but he succeeded keeping these off till our men had gained the position. In carrying out this gallant act he was killed, but his conspicuous valour undoubtedly saved many lives and contributed largely to the success of the operation."

    s flynn




    1206573

    Pte. Edward John Randall 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.30th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Edward Randall served with the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment during WW1 and died on the 30th September 1915. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. I'm just trying to bring loose ends together and find out where this picture was taken. My Grandfather is top right of picture.

    Alan Randall




    1206572

    David Black Army Cyclist Corps

    <p>

    Going through documents etc from my wife's late grandfather I have come across some photos of past relatives. Two are of a David King of Brinscall Lancashire Station Road Lancs who was in the Cyclist Corps but I can find no trace of him online.

    Editor's Note: For the Cyclist Corps, records are difficult. Started out pre-war with 4 Cycling Battalions then formed Cyclist Companies in most infantry regiments, then grouped into larger battalions all of whom became members of the Cycling Corps but still served in their various units. Regrettably no trace in Ancestry search. Would need to know originating regiment from which became a Cyclist. An educated guess might be one of the originating units - Northern Cyclist Battalion as he was from Accrington, but by no means certain.

    Christopher Fagan




    1206570

    Pte Thomas Pooley 1/8th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Pooley's war lasted a mere 6 days. The battalion landed at Boulogne on April 20th, and he was killed on the 26th, at Gravenstafel, during the 2nd battle of Ypres. His name is recorded on The Menin Gate memorial, and also on the Memorial in Tow Law, County Durham, near his home village of Sunniside, Crook. He enlisted at Tow Law (date unknown)and was probably in H Coy. due to the proximity of its base in Hamsteels to both Tow Law and Sunniside.

    Dennis Pooley




    1206569

    Sgt. Oriel St.Arnaud "Konks" Duke MM and bar 10th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    Oriel St.Arnaud Duke was the second son of Mansergh Pace and Emily Duke. He was known by the family as "Konks". He was born on 22 June 1896 in Montserrat, British West Indies, the second eldest of ten children. The Colonial Directory records that Oriel entered government service in May 1913 when he was still 16 years old in the administration of St.Kitts-Nevis. He may have been inspired to join up by his elder brother Valentine who had joined the navy in 1911. His other brothers were too young to join up. Oriel volunteered (although he was exempt from conscription being domiciled in the Dominions). He enlisted in the British West India Regiment and was a Lance Corporal in 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers when he was awarded the M.M. & bar. He ended the war as a sergeant. About 16,000 enlisted from the West Indies.

    The 10th Battalion’s War Diary gives us some insight to the occasion on which the Military Medal was awarded. On 28th October 1917 the Diary reads: “The Corps Commander awarded the Military Medal to the under mentioned:- B Coy No STK 1857 L/Cpl. O.St.Arnaud Duke ....for courage and devotion to duty Septr. 27th to Octr. 6th 1917, East of Ypres.” This was the Third Battle of Ypres. The 10th Battalion had relieved the 13th Royal Sussex at 2.15am on 27th September. Two days later the Germans attacked the 13th Royal Fusiliers on their right flank near the Menin Road and they were hit by that barrage too. On 1st October the enemy advanced but were repulsed. By the 2nd October the battalion was relieved. This respite was short lived and they were soon back in the thick of it, though not on the front line. “Our barrage opened at Zero, and the enemy immediately put down a light barrage on our support line, and on support position on front line. This gradually intensified and became the heaviest we experienced in the sector. Men were continually being buried but prompt action saved many casualties.”

    This action appears to have taken place at Polygon Wood, adjacent to the Menin Road. The Battalion suffered 11 casualties – not many compared to earlier engagements: 67 in July 1916 at Longueval during the Battle of Bazentin; 72 in April 1917 during the 1st Battle of the Scarpe; or 61 during the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe. Or during later engagements: 21 on 25th August 1918; 21 on 14th September or the 39 lost at Cambrai on 8th October 1918 .Oriel was demobilised in February 1919 and he departed London for Trinidad & Tobago on 27th March 1919 on board SS Quillota giving his occupation as clerk aged 22. He was accompanied by his brother Mansergh Valentine Duke Lt RN aged 24. Alas, they were not to see their father again as he had died that February.

    Oriel returned to the West Indies on demobilisation in 1919. It is not known whether he entered the police service in the Leeward Islands straight away but was established in the service in the early 1920s. The MBE was presented by the Administration of Dominica 1st January 1932 for quelling a riot. By this time Oriel was Inspector of Police, Dominica, Leeward Islands. In 1935, Oriel was awarded the King George V Jubilee medal and indeed he attended the celebrations in London. He was also awarded the King George VI Coronation medal in 1936. Oriel was posted to Barbados in 1939 as Inspector of Police and Commandant of local forces during WWII. In April 1976 he made his final visit to England where he had arranged a hip operation. There he was able to hold his great-great niece before he went to hospital where he sadly died.

    See the Full story.





    1206568

    Pte. Joseph Gatenby South Wales Borderers

    <p>

    I found my Grandfather's service records on line, and discovered he was notified of the death of his one-year old daughter at the end of his service in Salonika (Thessalonica). What a terrible shock for him and the family.

    48246 Private Joseph Gatenby served with the South Wales Borderers during WW1. He also served as a Driver in the Army Service Corps (T/359186) On 21 May 1918, he had been alarmed by a machine gun opening up, ran for cover and in the darkness fell into a trench/drain where he sprained an ankle. He was demobilized in November, 1919 to return to house painting in Middlesbrough, with a 10% disability arising from malaria, and a very sore ankle.

    Ian Black




    1206567

    Pte. Alfred Lee MM 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    My grandfather Alfred Lee served in the 9th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. I believe he originally enlisted in the Leeds Pals but by the time of this citation just days before the end of the war he was in the 9th Battalion. He served as a stretcher bearer and survived the conflict. He would have been 18 at the onset of the war. He was one of 5 brothers. He lost one brother Charlie at sea who I believe was under age when he enlisted. He didn't talk about the war. His mother had the citation framed and on her wall and it mow hangs on my living room wall.

    Susan Johnston




    1206566

    Rfmn. Edwin John Horrill 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.19th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Edwin John Horrill was my mother's half brother. His mother was Annie Snell. When my grandparents died we found the items relating to Edwin which I have photographed. He was born on 13th October 1896 in Menheniot, Cornwall, England and died on the 19th of September 1916 in France. He is buried in Combles Communal Cemetery and Extension, Guards´ Cemetery, in Combles.

    Marilyn Garrity




    1206565

    Pte. George Henry Crumpen 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    George Crumpen was killed in action on the 3rd of October 1918, aged 36 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of James and Sarah Ann Crumpen, of Great Totham, Essex, husband of M. Crumpen, of "Westholm," Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Witham, Essex. Native of Great Totham,.

    s flynn




    1206564

    Spr Edward Percy Arnold Royal Engineers

    <p>

    This story was told by my grandfather Percy Arnold to one of his grandsons who has retold it.

    Grandad Percy was a Sapper in the Royal Engineers this would have been an appropriate role for Grandad Percy as in civilian life he was a employed in heavy manual work. Like many of his generation he didn't talk much of his time in the war but as he was laid up poorly one time his daughter asked her son to talk to Grandad and this is one story he told. "

    Jacqueline Rushton




    1206563

    Pte. Claude Ernest Malpass 16th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    Claude Ernest Malpass enlisted with the Notts & Derby Regiment on 11th May 1915 at the age of 20. Most of his service record appears to be lost including his medical

    Claude was honourably discharged from the British Army on 21st October 1918 as a result of his wounds. As was customary at the time, for his wounds Claude was given the Silver War Badge (SWB) which is often incorrectly described as the Silver Wound Badge. The record for this award has a curious date entry of "att 6/12/15". I wonder whether this means that he should have been awarded the 1915 Star? regrettably we have no idea what this date means and would welcome any information that fills in any of the gaps.

    Editor's Note: The date given as att. is the date he joined the 16th Battalion, presumably having trained with another battalion of teh same regiment. The 16th did not go overseas until March 1916, so he would not be entitled to the 1915 star.

    Kevin Malpass




    1206562

    Pte. Robert Longstaff Durham Light Infantry

    I have inherited my grandfather Bob Longstaff's WW1 service medals and Queen Mary Christmas box. I know very little of him, other than that he survived the war but died when I was young, over 50 years ago. I will try to find out more through the family, but thought it would be good to have him recognised and listed on your site.

    I have "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred", engraved with his name and number, with "B" Longstaff on the 1914 star and "R" Longstaff on the other 2 campaign medals. I know he was a miner, but do not know how he became part of the B.E.F. or how he became involved so early in the war. Would welcome any information that anyone might have.

    Robert Longstaff




    1206561

    Pte. Thomas Mullaly 7th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    My husband's grand uncle, Thomas Mullaly, was killed in action at Passchendaele on 31st July 1917. He was a member of the 7th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate.

    We are going over to Ypres in September to pay our respects as we had no idea that Thomas even existed until we were completing my husband's family tree. My husband has recently been diagnosed with cancer and to pay these respects is on his bucket list. His mother never spoke of her uncle, in fact we don't even know whether she knew him.

    Megan Ratcliffe




    1206560

    George Bennett Royal Warwickshire

    My grandad George Bennett lied about his age and in 1914 joined the Army and at 15 saw some real bad horrors. But, also he told me the stories of singing carols and playing football with the Germans at Christmas. He was a lucky one he came, when just before the end of the war he had is eye shot out and went home and became one of the wounded blues. Life went on and he became a caretaker of City School in Whittinton Oval School in Sheldon.

    We feel really lucky that he was one of the lucky ones he lost a lot of his friends he went out with. Thank you Grandad and to all the other Hero's of the Great War He received a Certificate from the King

    Sue Dixon




    1206559

    Nurse Emily Nelson Voluntary Aid Detachment

    <p>

    A couple of pages of Emily Nelson's autograph book

    Alex Pettitt




    1206557

    George Hall Greenwell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My great grandfather, George Hall Greenwell, was born in Witton Gilbert, County Durham, in 1892 and lived there until 1927. The rest of his life was spent in Langley Park where he worked as Engine Plain Man at the local colliery. His health and memory never failed and he died quite suddenly and peacefully at the age of ninety-two.

    In the great surge of patriotism in the summer of 1914 he joined the newly formed 18th Durham Light Infantry, the 'Pals' Batallion. The men spent 1915 on the Middle East Front in Egypt, 1916 in the lines training for and taking part in the Battle of the Somme, the greatest military disaster in the whole of British history. 1917 and 1918 were spent on numerous other parts of the Western Front. The four years were packed with hardship and tragedy beyond belief. Only the lucky ones survived.

    Jessica Whiting




    1206556

    Gnr. John Miller 177th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.30th Oct 1917)

    Gunner John Miller, 31509 177th Royal Field Artillery was my Great-Grandfather who died whilst serving in Ireland. He is buried in the Curragh Cemetery, just outside Dublin. John was transferred to the 320th Home Service Company Labour Corp at some point and he was serving with them at the time of his death.

    I have always been told that John had visited the doctor a number of times complaining of headaches, only to be sent away without further investigation. Sadly, on 30th October 1917, John died whilst on duty and it was discovered that he had suffered a brain haemorrhage. John's wife Ellen was a strong lady and having just lost her husband and having a young daughter, Kathleen, must have kicked up a bit of a stink as she was taken over to Ireland for John's burial on the Curragh in 1917.

    At the bottom of John's headstone, there is the inscription "Always remembered, never forgotten" and he hasn't been. I visited his grave for my 30th birthday in 2000 and plan to go back soon - hopefully, 2017. I know that the Curragh Barracks were handed back to the Irish in 1922 but feel very sad that the War Graves in the Curragh Cemetery are not tended with the same respect and dedication that I have seen in every other war cemetery (both WWI and WWII) that I have visited. It appears sufficient to chuck a couple of sheep over the wall and leave them to keep the grass under control, but this piece is about John's story.

    Caroline Bonner




    1206555

    Rflmn. John Cove 9th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.25th Sep 1915)

    John Cove served with the 9th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps and died on the 25th of September 1915.

    Andrew Lane




    1206554

    Pte. James Miller VC. 7th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.30th July 1916)

    <p>

    James Miller died of wounds on the 30th of July 1916 and is buried in the Dartmoor Cemetery in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29740, dated 8th Sept., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. His Battalion was consolidating a position after its capture by assault. Private Miller was ordered to take an important message under heavy shell and rifle fire and to bring back a reply at all costs. He was compelled to cross the open, and on leaving the trench was shot almost immediately in the back, the bullet coming out through his abdomen. In spite of this, with heroic courage and self-sacrifice, he compressed with his hand the gaping wound in his abdomen, delivered his message, staggered back with the answer and fell at the feet of the officer to whom he delivered it. He gave his life with a supreme devotion to duty."

    s flynn




    1206552

    2nd Lt. John Eliott Lavender 10th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.28 April 1917)

    <p>

    John Eliott Lavender, known as Jack, was born in Penistone in 1895 whilst the family were living on Sheffield Road. They later moved to Grimesthorpe Road Sheffield. Jack's father John Lavender worked at Atlas works and upon leaving school, Jack followed in his footsteps. In 1915, Jack married Edith.

    Jack was a member of the York and Lancaster regiment serving with the 7th Battalion, the pioneer battalion. He arrived in France on the 13th July 1915 serving first as a Corporal and then as a Sergeant. Jack was commissioned in the Lincolnshire Regiment on 6th February 1917 serving with the 10th battalion the Grimsby Chums. Jack is mentioned in the battalion war diary on the 25th April 1917 ‘Night of 25 – 26 furnished a working party of 200 men under 4 officers, 2nd Lt Lavender found 1 off and 1 Pte of the 4th Seaforths wounded in front of our line near MI Pleasant Wood. They had been lying out since attack of 23rd Casualties hit.’ Whilst on home leave in 1916, Jack and Edith conceived a child. Unfortunately, Jack was killed on 28th April 1917 at the Battle of Arleux, and never met his son John, who was born on 1st June 1917. Jacks body was never recovered.

    In 1924, the Commanding Officer of the Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Vignoles wrote back to Edith , who had written to Mr Cox, the secretary of the 10th Lincolnshire association, asking for information on her husbands death. ”My own view is that your husband, with many others, was killed that day, buried by the subsequent heavy shelling. ” Jack's son grew up intensely proud of his father despite never meeting him. Jacks widow did marry again but grieved for her first husband until the day she died. Jack is remembered on the Arras Memorial. His brother Wilfred was killed on the 1st July 1916, the first day of the Somme Offensive and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Neil Lavender




    1206551

    Pte. William Edgar Gorman 2nd/5th Bn. A Coy. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.18th May 1918)

    <p>

    Edgar Gorman was killed in action on the 18th of May 1918, aged 22 and is buried in the Couin New British Cemetery, France. Son of William and Rosa Jane Gorman, of Rowley House, Burnley and native of Bristol. He worked for Burnley Corporation at Hurstwood reservoir prior to enlisting. He was killed when a shell dropped into his post, killing him and another man and wounding three others.

    s flynn




    1206550

    Pte. Charles Edward Edmondson 42nd Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.2nd June 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Edmondson was killed in action 2th Jun 1918, aged 21 and buried in the Couin New British Cemetery, France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Edmondson, 95 Leyland Rd., Burnley. Formerly 50 Milton Street, Burnley. A weaver at Emmott's, Burnley Lane

    s flynn




    1206549

    Sgt. Dickson Cornelius Savage VC, DCM, MM MID. 2nd Bn. Otago Regiment (d.25th July 1918)

    <p>

    Dick Travis was killed in action 25/07/1918 aged 34 years and buried in Row G. 5 in the Couin New British Cemetery in France. He served as Serjeant Richard Charles Travis, and was the son of the late James and Frances Theresa Savage, of Otara, Opotiki, New Zealand. Known as "Prince of Scouts," and "King of No Man's Land." Also served in Egypt and Gallipoli. Awarded Croix de Guerre (Belgium).

    The Victoria Cross was a posthumous award. An extract from the London Gazette, dated 27th Sep., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During 'surprise' operations it was necessary to destroy an impassable wire block. Serjt. Travis, regardless of personal danger, volunteered for this duty. Before zero hour, in broad daylight and in close proximity to enemy posts he crawled out and successfully destroyed the block with bombs, thus enabling the attacking parties to pass through. A few minutes later a bombing party on the right of the attack was held up by two enemy machine guns, and the success of the whole operation was in danger. Perceiving this Serjt. Travis with great gallantry and utter disregard of danger, rushed the position, killed the crews and captured the guns. An enemy officer and three men immediately rushed at him from a bend in the trench and attempted to retake the guns. These four he killed single handed, thus allowing the bombing party on which much depended to advance. The success of the operation was almost entirely due to the heroic work of this gallant N.C.O. and the vigour with which he made and used opportunities for inflicting casualties on the enemy. He was killed 24 hours later when, in a most intense bombardment prior to an enemy counter-attack, he was going from post to post encouraging the men." The D.C.M. was awarded "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He went out by himself and accounted for several enemy snipers who were firing at a working party. He has on many previous occasions done very fine work."

    s flynn




    1206548

    Pte. Alfred Douglas Black "Tibb" Erwin 18th Battalion (d.5th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    I just wanted to pay this tribute to a very special dear uncle, even though I didn't get to meet him, but after researching his life and times I feel very close to him. Also my grandfather and grandmother what these two dear people went through is just so, so, sad in the lose of their beloved eldest son. My mum's [Alma] eldest brother even she didn't get the chance to meet and love him because he died the year my mum was born on the 17th august 1915. Her brother passed 5th august 1915. Not only was Grandma Erwin [Amy Jane] and Grandpa Erwin [Alfred James] trying to come to terms with their son's death but grandpa was also wounded on Gallipoli beach as he got out of one of the boats shot through the ear the bullet dislodging behind his ear but it's the damage it did coming out behind his ear. He was sent home on a hospital ship which on the same day passed the very ship his son Alfred was on going overseas as these ships passed each other the soldiers cooed to each other. Little did grandpa know he was passing his son on the other ship and of course my mum's second name Ceramic is the ship grandpa came home on.

    Grandma Erwin was nursing grandpa back to some kind of good health and mum told me he was not the same man that went away according to grandma. This dear lady was raising a family of ten nursing a husband and living from hand to mouth how strong was she! And still waiting at this time to find out the fate of her beloved son who had been reported missing. It took right up until 1917 before they were sure of uncle Alfred's demise. Sadly, I didn't get to know these wonderful people either as they had both passed by the time I arrived in 1940.

    Uncle Alfred enlisted at Liverpool, Sydney on the 7th August 1915 he was 21 his army no. 2365. He embarked at Sydney for the Middle East with the 5th Reinforcements 18th Battalion per the ship HMAS a32 Themistocles on the 5th October 1915. Before Uncle Alfred enlisted he had spent three years with the Militia Forces at the age of 18 before he transferred to the AIF.

    Then 'A' Company 18th Battalion at Tel-elkebir on 10th January 1916 reported embarked at Alexandra for service in France on 17th March 1916 disembarked at Marseilles 25th March 1916 reported missing 5th August 1915 killed in action that same day his actual birthday was 7th July 1915 makes one wonder if he got to celebrate in any way with his mates and how did they celebrate?

    Uncle Alfred was killed instantly along side his best mate Roy Erickson [they were neighbours living next door to each other in Thornley Street Drummoyne ] apparently a bomb landed right on top of them in the Black Watch Trench at Pozziers. They were defending their mates, then they mates who weren't too injured picked up what they could of the two bodies and buried them at the back of the trench and put crosses with their names and numbers on the grave top. Four years later after much bombing and fighting they were found by recovery troops looking for bodies. Roys grave was pretty much ok along with his information but uncle Alfred's had the cross knocked down and any info on his cross was hard to read. Roy was interred again at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial Cemetery by the Commonwealth War Graves Commison. I was lucky enough to get in contact with a great gentleman from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and after writing under freedom of information to France, AMR Rod Muir gave me some extra info, I passed it on to this wonderful man and he did further investigation for me finding info somewhere overseas in a cellar basement records of Uncle Alfred. Then he had some good news saying to me, I think we have found your uncle and it goes like this.. when Roy Erickson was found they also dug up [excuse the expression ] Uncle Alfred, they interred Roy in the Viller-Bretonneux Cemetery plot number 111 row p grave 27 and Uncle Alfred is in a grave in same row but his headstone says unknown soldier. This was really great as at least I knew he was buried and not strewn all over the place in bits and pieces. I have visited grandpa and grandma at the field of Marrs Cemetery and told them all about their son, silly me they most likely already knew when they arrived upstairs with dear god.

    Love you all dearly thank you Grandpa and Uncle Alfred for what you did for our family .

    Fay Hill




    1206547

    Pte. Henry Corfield 7th Btn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry (d.22nd Aud 1916)

    <p>

    Herny Corfield was killed in action on the 22nd of August 1916, aged 38 and is buried in Plot 2. B. 102 in the Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of Eunice Griffiths, of 25, Crown Yard, Little Dawley, Dawley, Shropshire.

    s flynn




    1206546

    Sgt. Arthur O'Brien 8th Bn. C Coy. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.4th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur o'Brien died of wounds on the 4th of September 1916, aged 29 and is buried in the Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Arthur left Wexford, Ireland to fight with the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He was wounded during the battle of the Somme and never returned to Ireland. He left behind a loving wife (Martha O'Brien) and three children - Catherine, Patrick & Thomas.

    s flynn




    1206545

    Major. William La Touche Congreve VC, DSO, MC, MID. Rifle Brigade (d.20th July 1916)

    <p>

    Billy Congreve was killed in action on the 20th of July 1916, aged 25 and is buried in the Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of Lt.-Gen. Sir Walter Congreve, V.C., K.C.B., M.V.O., and Lady Congreve, of Chartley Castle, Staffs., husband of Pamela Congreve, of 15, Queen Anne's Gate, London.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 24th October, 1916 records the following: "For most conspicuous bravery during a period of fourteen days preceding his death in action. This officer constantly performed acts of gallantry and showed the greatest devotion to duty, and by his personal example inspired all those around him with confidence at critical periods of the operations. During preliminary preparations for the attack he carried out personal reconnaissance's of the enemy lines, taking out parties of officers and non- commissioned officers for over 1,000 yards in front of our line, in order to acquaint them with the ground. All these preparations were made under fire. Later, by night, Major Congreve conducted a battalion to its position of employment, afterwards returning to it to ascertain the situation after assault. He established himself in an exposed forward position from where he successfully observed the enemy, and gave orders necessary to drive them from their position. Two days later, when Brigade Headquarters was heavily shelled and many casualties resulted, he went out and assisted the medical officer to remove the wounded to places of safety, although he was himself suffering severely from gas and other shell effects. He again on a subsequent occasion showed supreme courage in tending wounded under heavy shell fire. He finally returned to the front line to ascertain the situation after an unsuccessful attack, and whilst in the act of writing his report, was shot and killed instantly."

    s flynn




    1206544

    Pte. Thomas Whittle Graham 20th (1st Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    My paternal grandfather, Thomas Whittle Graham, enlisted on 13/1/15 and was posted to A Coy, 20th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers on 25/2/15. On 3rd June 1916 at Albert, France he was wounded by shell fire (see Bn War Diary extract). As a consequence of his wounds, his right leg was amputated.

    He was subsequently evacuated to the UK and spent time at Wordsley Hospital (noted for its pioneering plastic surgery unit), near Stourbridge, Worcs. It was here that he met a nurse called May Wale, whom he later married. In the family group photo with his wife, parents and brother-in-law, he is wearing his Silver War Badge.

    Alan Graham




    1206543

    Pte. Herbert Thomas Jones 9th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.11th April 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Jones was the first husband of my grandmother, Florrie Lilian Cox of Bristol, and all I have about them as a couple is their marriage certificate. From the certificate we learn that they were married on 3 July 1915 at the Parish Church of Roath, Cardiff. His age was given as 26. (I have not been able to verify this - rather a lot of people of shared his name!). His occupation was given as 'collector'. His father was George William Jones, retired gentleman. Her father was Edwin John Cox, confectioner, and he was also a witness. The other witness was Elsie May Cox, cousin to the bride. Both gave their residence as 6, Tyler Street. I believe the photo was taken shortly after the marriage. I have a companion photo of the couple, where the bride's wedding ring is definitely on display!

    My grandmother never spoke of her first husband. I remember my father saying she regarded the subject as 'too painful'. Herbert is buried in Cojeul British Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1206542

    Pte. Alfred Herbert Jardine 9th Btn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.27th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    The sad loss of my Grandfather’s only son. Like many of his friends and other Liverpool youngsters at that time; they enlisted enthusiastically and like Alfred, many were under age. For Alfred it would result in a life cut so tragically short when he was killed in Action at just 17 years of age.

    Alfred Herbert Jardine was born in Wavertree, Liverpool on the 5th July 1898, the only son of Alfred Jardine & Lucy Emily Jardine nee Herbert. He lived with his parents & three sisters Dorothy, Winifred & Elsie (the second eldest sister being my mother Winifred Lucy Bancroft nee Jardine,) at 77 Alderson Road, Wavertree, Liverpool.

    I have always had an interest in Family History and I have a number of Memorabilia items for my uncle Alfred that relate to his short life. One of these being a copy of an essay written by Alfred at his school- Lawrence Road, Wavertree in 1912 entitled ‘My Life’. A fascinating innocent window of his life, his hobbies and pleasures. I also have several sketches he did, one of these being a picture dated June 1914 of the liner ‘Empress Of Ireland’ that sank in the Saint Lawrence River following a collision with the Norwegian collier SS Storstad in the early hours of 29 May 1914. By a strange coincidence my Wife’s Great Uncle George Oswald Willis was a Smoke Room Steward and one of the fatalities of the accident which claimed the lives of 1,012 (840 passengers, 172 crew)

    It is hard to believe that such a happy childhood would be brutally interrupted in 1914 and have a devastating impact for him and his family the following year in 1915 when he was killed in action. He enlisted in Liverpool with the 9th Battalion, The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) Private 2603 on the 29th September 1914 giving his age as 18 years 2 months. My Mother told me that on hearing from Alfred that he had enlisted, her Father went to the recruiting office to try and get the papers cancelled because his son was under age. This was refused as the official papers had been signed.

    So began Alfred’s short but brave military career. He was stationed at home in the UK 29th September 1914 to 11th March 1915. Embarked at Southampton for France 12th March 1915. From his arrival in France till his death he would be engaged in a number of actions with his battalion. Family story has been passed to the present generation that Alfred was shot by an enemy sniper after leaving his trench to collect firewood. To date I have not found any evidence for this or what action he might have taken part in.

    From his British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920 I do know, that he died on the 27th August 1915 of wounds received in action on 26th August 1915 in Vermelles situated 6 miles south east of Béthune, Pas de Calais, France and he is buried at Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. I still have the dreadful telegram dated 7th September 1915 ..”It is my painful duty to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of…………..” that my Dear Grandfather had to open on that tragic day, like so many other families would have to endure. In fact, two years later in 1917, my paternal Grandfather would receive the same painful telegram to report the death of my second uncle to die in the Great War - Thomas Wright Bancroft.

    They are truly 'not forgotten' and I have had the honour to visit their War Graves on two occasions and pay our family respects for their sacrifice.

    s flynn




    1206541

    Sgt. Arthur Davies 1st/4th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.11th May 1915)

    <p>

    Arthur Davies died of wounds on the 11th of May 1915, aged 24 and is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr. W. Davies, of II, Lodge Lane, Liverpool, husband of E. Conde (formerly Davies), of 2, Chirk Green, Chirk, Denbighshire.

    Wounded at the Battle of Aubers Ridge 9th May 1915 Arthur died of wounds two days later 11th May 1915, his death is mentioned in 'All that we had we gave', by Peter Glynn

    s flynn




    1206539

    Pte. Sidney Charles Smith 15th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>Pte. Sidney Charles Smith

    Sidney Charles Smith was born at Darsham, Suffolk, son of Abraham Smith and Charlotte (Nee Hambling). He married Rose Ann Norman in 1904. He enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment on the 4th May, 1915. Served in France and was wounded three times. He was discharged on the 8th February, 1919. His name is on the Roll of Honour inside All Saints Church, Darsham. After the war Sidney learned the shoe trade under Messrs Ives at Halesworth under the government's rehabilitation scheme. He became a boot repairer. In 1923 he became the village Postman at Darsham. He served as the village Postman for the ext 34 years. He died at Darshamon the 11th May, 1960.

    Mary Felgate




    1206537

    Pte. John Serley Ward 7th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment

    <p>John Serley Ward's grave stone in Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery - Souchez, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France

    My Mum said that my great grandmother received a certificate of death from the Army in 1918 for John Serley Ward her husband, but he returned home after the war and frightened the life out of her, as he was meant to be dead. He went on to have another child, which I am trying to track down.

    certificate of death from war office london

    family tree

    Colin John Ward




    1206536

    2nd Lt. John Spencer Dunville VC 1st Royal Dragoons (d.26th June 1917)

    <p>

    John Dunville sied of wounds on 26th June 1917 aged 21 and is buried in the Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of John and Violet Dunville, of Redburn, Holywood, Co. Down.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30215, dated 31st July, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. When in charge of a party consisting of Scouts and Royal Engineers engaged in the demolition of the enemy's wire, this officer displayed great gallantry and disregard of all personal danger. In order to ensure the absolute success of the work entrusted to him, 2nd Lt. Dunville placed himself between the N.C.O. of the Royal Engineers and the enemy's fire, and thus protected, this N.C.O. was enabled to complete a work of great importance. 2nd Lt. Dunville, although severely wounded, continued to direct his men in the wire-cutting and general operations until the raid was successfully completed, thereby setting a magnificent example of courage, determination and devotion to duty, to all ranks under his command. This gallant officer has since succumbed to his wounds."

    s flynn




    1206535

    Lt. John Brillant VC. MC 22nd Btn. Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment) (d.10th August 1918)

    <p>

    John Brillant was the son of Joseph Brillant, of Rimouski, P.Q., Canada

    An extract from The London Gazette No. 30922, dated 27th Sept., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and outstanding devotion to duty when in charge of a company which he led in attack during two days with absolute fearlessness and extraordinary ability and initiative, the extent of the advance being twelve miles. On the first day of operations shortly after the attack had begun, his company's left flank was held up by an enemy machine gun. Lt. Brillant rushed and captured the machine-gun, personally killing two of the enemy crew. Whilst doing this, he was wounded but refused to leave his command. Later on the same day, his company was held up by heavy machine-gun fire. He reconnoitred the ground personally, organised a party of two platoons and rushed straight for the machine-gun nest. Here 150 enemy and fifteen machine-guns were captured. Lt. Brillant personally killing five of the enemy, and being wounded a second time. He had this wound dressed immediately, and again refused to leave his company. Subsequently this gallant officer detected a field gun firing on his men over open sights. He immediately organised and led a "rushing" party towards the gun. After progressing about 600 yards, he was again seriously wounded. In spite of this third wound, he continued to advance for some 200 yards more, when he fell unconscious from exhaustion and loss of blood. Lt. Brillants wonderful example throughout the day inspired his men with an enthusiasm and dash which largely contributed towards the success of the operations."

    s flynn




    1206533

    2nd Lt. Joseph Henry Collin VC 4th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.9th April 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Collin was killed in action 9th April 1918, aged 24 and buried in the Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 25th June, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice in action. After offering a long and gallant resistance against heavy odds in the Keep held by his platoon, this officer, with only five of his men remaining, slowly withdrew in the face of superior numbers, contesting every inch of the ground. The enemy were pressing him hard with bombs and machine-gun fire from close range. Single-handed 2nd Lt. Collin attacked the machine gun and team. After firing his revolver into the enemy, he seized a Mills grenade and threw it into the hostile team, putting the gun out of action, killing four of the team and wounding two others. Observing a second hostile machine gun firing, he took a Lewis gun, and selecting a high point of vantage on the parapet whence he could engage the gun, he, unaided, kept the enemy at bay until he fell mortally wounded. The heroic self-sacrifice of 2nd Lt. Collin was a magnificent example to all."

    s flynn




    1206531

    L/Cpl William Henry Lee 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.16th Sep 1914)

    I am researching the men of Farnborough, Hampshire who died in the First World War and who are recorded on the memorial in St Peter's Church, William Lee is amongst them.

    Margaret Taylor




    1206529

    Lt Col. Christopher Bushell VC, DSO 7th Btn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.8th August 1918)

    <p>

    Christopher Bushell was killed in action 8th August 1918, aged 30 and buried in the Querrieu British Cemetery in France. He was the younger son of the late Reginald Bushell, of Hinderton Lodge, Neston, Cheshire, and of Mrs. Caroline Bushell, of Hillside, St. Margaret's-at-Cliffe, Dover; husband of Rachel Bushell, of Boughton Aluph, Kent, late of Wye Vicarage, Kent

    An extract from The London Gazette No. 30667, dated 30th April 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion. Lt. Col. Bushell personally led C Company of his battalion, who were co-operating with an Allied regiment in a counter-attack, in face of very heavy machine gun fire. In the course of this attack he was severely wounded in the head, but he continued to carry on, walking about in front of both English and Allied troops encouraging and re-organising them. He refused even to have his wound attended to until he had placed the whole line in a sound position, and formed a defensive flank to meet a turning movement by the enemy. He then went to brigade headquarters and reported the situation, had his wound dressed, and returned to the firing line, which had come back a short distance. He visited every portion of the line, both English and Allied, in the face of terrific machine-gun and rifle fire, exhorting the troops to remain where they were, and to kill the enemy. In spite of his wounds this gallant officer refused to go to the rear, and had eventually to be removed to the dressing station in a fainting condition. To the magnificent example of energy, devotion and courage shown by their Commanding officer is attributed the fine spirit displayed and the keen fight put up by his battalion not only on the day in question but on each succeeding day of the withdrawal."

    s flynn




    1206528

    Pte. Ernest Fox DCM 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    <p>Ernest Fox back row 4th from left

    Ernest Fox DCM joined the Cheshire 17th Reserve Battalion on 20th September 1915 in Bebington, Wirral. He was sent overseas on 23rd June 1916 as part of BEF with 13th Cheshire Battalion (Lord Leverhulmes Wirral Battalion).

    The 13th Cheshire's took part in the first battle of the Somme. The 13th suffered great losses at Ovillers- LaBoisselle on 7th July 1916. Ernest was transferred to 11th Cheshire Battalion on 13th July 1916 for a short time and then to the 15th Battalion (The Cheshire Bantams) on 16th August 1916 where he trained as a Lewis gunner. Ernest remained with the 15th Cheshire's and was awarded his DCM for his bravery and gallantry on 25th March 1918 at Clery Ridge (Maricourt area of the Somme) during the German spring offensive of 1918.

    Ernest was wounded on 16th April 1918 in the town of Hedauville and eventually evacuated home to recover in hospital. He made a full recovery and returned to France in the late October of 1918. I was privileged to have Ernest as a Grandfather with many happy memories of this man who was a modest hero. Ernest sadly passed away in 1974.

    David Crosby




    1206527

    Sgt. John James White 22nd Btn. Australian Infantry (d.3rd March 1917)

    <p>

    Jack White died on 3rd March 1917, aged 29 and is buried in the Queant Road Cemetery in France. He was the son of Arabella Beddoe White and the late Charles White of Durban, Foster St., Aspendale, Victoria. Born at Baringhup, Victoria.

    Listed as missing, presumed killed in action, his name is engraved on the wall at Villers-Bretonneux. In 1994, some 77 years after his death, his remains were found quite close to the Digger Memorial at Bullecourt. A re- internment ceremony with full military honours saw him finally laid to rest at Queant Road on October 11th, 1995. The photograph shows Jack with his wife Lillian Isabella Mildenhall and children, Colin (1913-1983) and baby daughter Myrle who was only 10 months old when Jack enlisted in 1916. Myrle was aged 80 when she attended the re internment service in France.

    s flynn




    1206526

    Lt Col. Wilfrith Elstob VC, DSO, MC 16th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    Wilfrith Elstob died on 21st March 1918, ages 29 and is commemorated on on the Pozieres Memorial in the Pozieres British cemetery in France. He was the son of the Rev. Canon J. G. Elstob and Frances Alice Elstob, of Fanshawe, Chelford, Cheshire.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 6th June, 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice during operations at Manchester Redoubt, near St. Quentin, on the 21st March, 1918. During the preliminary bombardment he encouraged his men in the posts in the Redoubt by frequent visits, and when repeated attacks developed controlled the defence at the points threatened, giving personal support with revolver, rifle and bombs. Single-handed he repulsed one bombing assault driving back the enemy and inflicting severe casualties. Later, when ammunition was required, he made several journeys under severe fire in order to replenish the supply. Throughout the day Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob, although twice wounded, showed the most fearless disregard of his own safety, and by his encouragement and noble example inspired his command to the fullest degree. The Manchester Redoubt was surrounded in the first wave of the enemy attack, but by means of the buried cable Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob was able to assure his Brigade Commander that "The Manchester Regiment will defend Manchester Hill to the last." Sometime after this post was overcome by vastly superior forces, and this very gallant officer was killed in the final assault, having maintained to the end the duty which he had impressed on his men - namely, 'Here we fight, and here we die.' He set throughout the highest example of valour, determination, endurance and fine soldierly bearing."

    s flynn




    1206525

    Sgt. Claud Charles Castleton VC 5th Coy. Australian Machine Gun Corps (d.29th July 1916)

    <p>

    Claud Charles Castleton was killed in action on 29th July 1916 and is buried in the Pozieres British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Thomas Charles and Edith Lucy Castleton, of 18, Wilson Rd., Lowestoft, England.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29765, dated, 26th Sept., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy's trenches the infantry was temporarily driven back by the intense machine gun fire opened by the enemy. Many wounded were left in "No Man's Land" lying in shell holes. Serjt. Castleton went out twice in face of this intense fire and each time brought in a wounded man on his back. He went out a third time and was bringing in another wounded man when he was himself hit in the back and killed instantly. He set a splendid example of courage and self-sacrifice"

    s flynn




    1206524

    Lt/Col. William Herbert Anderson VC 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.25th March 1918)

    <p>

    William Anderson was killed in action on 25th March 1918 aged 36 and is buried in the Peronne Road Cemetery in France. He was the son of W. J. Anderson, C.B.E., of Strathairly, Largo, Fife, husband of Gertrude Campbell Anderson, of 23, Abingdon Court, Kensington, London.

    An extract from the London Gazette,"dated 30th April, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, determination, and gallant leading of his command. The enemy attacked on the right of the battalion frontage and succeeded in penetrating the wood held by our men. Owing to successive lines of the enemy following on closely there was the greatest danger that the flank of the whole position would be turned. Grasping the seriousness of the situation, Colonel Anderson made his way across the open in full view of the enemy now holding the wood on the right, and after much effort succeeded in gathering the remainder of the two right companies. He personally led the counter-attack and drove the enemy from the wood, capturing twelve machine guns and seventy prisoners, and restoring the original line. His conduct in leading the charge was quite fearless and his most splendid example was the means of rallying and inspiring the men during the most critical hour. Later on the same day, in another position, the enemy had penetrated to within three hundred yards of the village and were holding a timber yard in force. Colonel Anderson reorganised his men after they had been driven in and brought them forward to a position of readiness for a counter-attack. He led the attack in person and throughout showed the utmost disregard for his own safety. The counter-attack drove the enemy from his position, but resulted in this very gallant officer losing his life. He died fighting within the enemy's lines, setting a magnificent example to all who were privileged to serve under him."

    s flynn




    1206522

    2nd Lt. Thomas Edward Smith 8th Btn. (Post Office Rifles) London Regiment (d.5th September 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Edward Smith was killed in action on 5th September 1918, aged 21 and is buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of William Henry and Judith Ellen Smith, of 290, Lizzie St., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

    From the Winnipeg Tribune:

    On First Anniversary Brings Details of Son’s Death a Letter from Batman Tells How Winnipeg Officer Met Hero’s End

    While giving one of his boy’s who was badly wounded a drink Lieut. T. E. Smith, son of William Smith 290 Montifiore Str., was killed by a German sniper, at Peronne Sept 5, 1918 - two months before the armistice ended the war. A week ago on the first anniversary of his son’s death. Mr. Smith received a letter from Lieut. F. C. Gozette giving details in connection with his death. Lieut. Gozette was with Lieut. Smith when the latter was shot.

    Lieut. Smith had visited shell hole after shell hole to see that his boy’s were comfortable. While uncorking his bottle to give a wounded man a drink, he was shot through the neck by a sniper.

    "I suppose you had official notice as to how you son died, but I think it would lessen your grief to learn the death of a man, a hero, such as if had he been giving the choice, possibly he would have wished. I was your son’s batman from the time he joined the Imperial unit until his death. He was absolutely loved by his platoon and he was like an older brother to me than a officer. It was during the Somme advance that he was hit. We attacked the last day of August Canal du Nord in front of Moislain near Peronne, and Mr. Smith was in command of our company, all of our other officers having been killed or wounded the day before. While lying in the shell hole after our objective he decided to go around our position to see if all 'his boys' were comfortable. Making our way from shell hole to shell hole cheering the lads as we went, he came across one of his platoon badly wounded. It was while giving the poor lad a drink that a German sniper shot him through the neck. His death was mercifully instantaneous. Two or three of us got the sniper, but unfortunately that did not give us back our officer and pal. His death caused a lot of casualties to the Germans as it made the platoon mad for revenge. I hope you got his bible as he asked me to send it to you if anything happened to him. With the deepest sympathy in your loss of your son by one who regarded as a dear pal." I am sincerely, Lieut. F. C. Gozzet.

    s flynn




    1206521

    Pte. John Keith 14th Btn. (Fife and Forfar Yeomanry) Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.2nd September 1918)

    <p>

    John Wallace Keith b. 5/6/1896 in Ladybank, Fife, Scotland was the son of Robert and Jane Wallace Keith. John was unmarried and working in the ticket office of Kirkcaldy Railway Station at the time he enlisted in the Fife & Forfar Yeomanry (the Black Watch). His first posting was to Egypt, but dysentery caused him to be shipped home to recover. He returned to the war in France and was killed in an action in the fields around the village of Moislain, Somme on 2/9/1918. Those killed in the same action were buried in Moislains but at the end of the war re-interred at the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension.

    John's name is shown on war memorials in Ladybank and Giffardtown, Fife and on the Railworkers National Memorial inside Edinburgh's Waverley Station. The Books of Remembrance at Edinburgh Castle show 'no known grave' but in 2001, thanks to the Commonwealth War Grave website, his burial site at Peronne was finally found. The next Spring our family, including his nephew Robert, travelled to France to honour him, placing a Saltire and British Legion cross on the grave. The cemetery at Peronne is quiet and beautifully maintained - more a tranquil garden than a 'foreign field'.

    s flynn




    1206519

    Wilfred Edward Salter Owen MC. Manchester Regiment (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Wilfred Edward Salter Owen was born 18 March 1893 in Oswestry, Shropshire. After school he became a teaching assistant and in 1913 went to France for two years to work as a language tutor. He began writing poetry as a teenager.

    In 1915 he returned to England to enlist in the army and was commissioned into the Manchester Regiment. After spending the remainder of the year training in England, he left for the western front early in January 1917. After experiencing heavy fighting, he was diagnosed with shellshock. He was evacuated to England and arrived at Craiglockhart War Hospital near Edinburgh in June. There he met the poet Siegfried Sassoon, who already had a reputation as a poet and shared Owen's views. Sassoon agreed to look over Owen's poems, gave him encouragement and introduced him to literary figures such as Robert Graves.

    Reading Sassoon's poems and discussing his work with Sassoon revolutionised Owen's style and his conception of poetry. He returned to France in August 1918 and in October was awarded the Military Cross for bravery. On 4 November 1918 he was killed while attempting to lead his men across the Sambre canal at Ors. The news of his death reached his parents on 11 November, Armistice Day.

    Edited by Sassoon and published in 1920, Owen's single volume of poems contain some of the most poignant English poetry of World War One, including 'Dulce et Decorum Est' and 'Anthem for Doomed Youth'.

    sflynn




    1206518

    Rowland James Baker 8th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt.) (d.28th Sep 1914)

    <p>James Rowland Baker

    The first soldier to be buried in Newark Cemetery was James Rowland Baker, a Drummer with the 8th Bn, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt.) He died at home on 28th September 1914, Aged 22. He was the son of Mr. And Mrs. J. Baker of 49 Albert Street, Newark.

    Thomas Bowers

    Laurence Goff




    1206517

    Major Stewart Walter Loudoun-Shand VC 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Walter Loudoun-Shand was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916, aged 36 and is buried in the Norfolk Cemetery in France. he was the son of Mr. J. L. Loudoun-Shand, of 27 Alleyn Park, Dulwich, London

    An extract from the London Gazette No. 29740 dated 8th Sept. 1916 records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. When his company attempted to climb over the parapet to attack the enemy's trenches, they were met by very fierce machine gun fire, which temporarily stopped their progress. Maj. Loudoun-Shand leapt on the parapet, helped the men over it, and encouraged them in every way until fell mortally wounded. Even then he insisted on being propped up in the trench, and went on encouraging the non-commissioned officers and men until he died"

    s flynn




    1206516

    Pte. William Edwin Clarke 9th Btn Essex Regiment

    <p>Ted Clarke (sitting)

    Uncle Ted Clarke, my father's brother survived the war at age 17/18 with shrapnel embedded in his brain. This caused some paralysis, and later in life, seizures. After being wounded, possibly at the Battle of Epehy. He was transferred to Napesbury Hospital, the County of Middlesex War Hospital, in September 1918. He was kind and gentle, and the one time he became annoyed was when I suggested war was exciting. (I was very young.) I have a series of post cards he sent from the front to his mother and sisters. He could not work very much, but I remember having fun riding in a department store elevator he was operating.

    Diana Clarke




    1206515

    Pte. Charles Ernest Elworthy 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.14th October 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Elworthy died 14th October 1915, aged 23 and is buried in the Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth Elworthy. Native of Claygate, Surrey

    Charles Ernest Elworthy was born (October 9th 1891) in Claygate, a small rural village in Surrey. He was the son of a farm labourer Joseph Elworthy and Elizabeth (nee Mutimer). One of six children, both his parents had died by the time he was 15 and he stayed in the village for a while working at the farm of one of his father's relatives: "Slough Farm" his job was delivering the milk. Two fields north of where he was staying lived a family called Scott, the family were just some of his many, many cousins in the village. He started "walking out" with one of them, Beatrice Alice Scott and eventually she was expecting a baby, sadly her mother would not let them marry because they were second cousins (although the law stated then (1909) that they could legally have done so).

    Her exceedingly strict mother forced her daughter to leave the village and have the baby elsewhere... she also warned all of her other children to have no contact with her! Beatrice went up to London and bore a son Alfred Cecil Scott on Oct 4th 1909. Charles Ernest stayed in the Kingston area working but some time after 1911 he decided to move to Canada and ended up working in agriculture in Ontario, he attended Trinity Anglican Church near Aylmer and from there he came back to England to join up for the war. He joined up in Hammersmith - The Royal Sussex Regiment 2nd Bn. and trained in Woking, Surrey.

    His service number was G/5349 and he was sent out to France on the 29th Sept 1915 and sent up to the front with a group of 392 men to join the battalion on October 4th. They were sent to Noeux-les-Mines. Two days later the battalion left Noeux-les-Mines and moved to Mazingarbe (near Loos) where they moved forward into the old German front line trenches. on October 7th. Between then and the 12th they dug towards the enemy, forming new trench systems as near as they could to the German front. They were under sniper fire from the Germans which caused casualties and deaths each day.

    On the 13th October, 1915 they came under the orders of the G.O.C. 1st Bde. At 1pm the gas and smoke discharge took place and the attack over the top was scheduled for one hour later. The Battalion was ordered to send one company forward as a strong patrol to help the 1st Bde. capture the German front line trenches (Along the line of the road H13-A42 leading into Hulluch) and then a second company would be sent one half hour later to establish themselves in the German trenches immediately west of Hulluch. The remainder of the battalion, minus one company was to closely support this enterprise. A company was sent as strong patrol and C company sent as support, while B company was to support C. The 1st Brigade commenced their assault at 2pm and at 2.19 A company of the Royal Sussex advanced over the open ground. By 2.30 Lieutenant-Colonel E. F. Villiers D.S.O heard that the Camerons' attack had failed so C company was sent forward to try and take the German trenches. The telegraph lines had been cut by shell fire and so orderlies were sent running with messages for B company to advance and support C company.

    In the end the 1st Bde. did not make any inroads on the German trenches and the remains of the B and C companies were brought back to the support line to await their next orders. At 5.30 the following morning they were sent out again to support the Northamptonshire regiment in another attack, but by the time they had started it was already become light and the action was called off. In the right hand column of the war Diary there is the notation for October 13th: Killed 9, OR Wounded 71, OR Missing 36, The Captains and Lieutenants are all named, as either missing or casualties but somewhere among the 116 "Other Ranks" lost that day was Charles Ernest Elworthy. He had turned 23 four days before he died.

    Back in Walthamstow, Beatrice Alice Scott heard from a friend in Claygate that he was missing in action and for a month she searched for him in the military convalescent centres around London until the tragic news of his death came through. Although Beatty had nothing but one faded picture of him as a young man she still had a round faced little boy who one day would start a family of his own.... and one day one of the grandchildren would ask "What did Great Granddaddy do in the War?

    s flynn




    1206514

    Pte. Harry W. Brown VC 10th Btn. an Infantry (Alberta Regiment), (d.17th August 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Brown died of wounds on 17th August 1917, aged 19 and is buried in the Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30338, dated 16th Oct, 1917, records the following: "For most conspicuous bravery, courage and devotion to duty. After the capture of a position, the enemy massed in force and counter-attacked. The situation became very critical, all wires being cut. It was of the utmost importance to get word back to Headquarters. This soldier and one other were given the message with orders to deliver the same at all costs. The other messenger was killed. Private Brown had his arm shattered but continued on through an intense barrage until he arrived at the close support lines and found an officer. He was so spent that he fell down the dug-out steps, but retained consciousness long enough to hand over his message, saying ' Important message.' He then became unconscious and died in the dressing station a few hours later. His devotion to duty was of the highest possible degree imaginable, and his successful delivery of the message undoubtedly saved the loss of the position for the time and prevented many casualties."

    s flynn




    1206513

    Pte. Frank Lester VC 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.12th October 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Lester was killed in action 12th October 1918 aged 22, he was the son of John and Ellen Lester, of Miller's Hay, Irby, Birkenhead. Born at Huyton, Liverpool

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31067, dated 13th Dec., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice during the clearing of the village of Neuvilly, on 12th October, 1918, when, with a party of about seven men under an officer, he was the first to enter a house from the back door, and shot 2 Germans as they attempted to get out by the front door. A minute later a fall of masonry blocked the door by which the party had entered. The only exit into the street was under fire at point-blank range. The street was also swept by fire of machine guns at close range. Observing that an enemy sniper was causing heavy casualties to a party in a house across the street, Pte. Lester exclaimed, " I'll settle him," and, dashing out into the street, shot the sniper at close quarters, falling mortally wounded at the same instant. This gallant man well knew it was certain death to go into the street, and the party opposite was faced with the alternative of crossing the fire-swept street or staying where it was and being shot one by one. To save their lives he sacrificed his own."

    s flynn




    1206512

    Pte. William Brown 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.7th June 1917)

    When William Brown enlisted, on 26 May 1915, he left his job as a printer and was assigned to the Royal Field Artillery and given 5033 as his service number. However, this was a nominal assignment for the purposes of his initial training and, before he went overseas on active service, he was transferred to the Durham Light Infantry, on 9th January 1917 – the day he left for France. Whilst still in training at Rugeley Camp in Staffordshire, he found himself in trouble for overstaying his leave pass and was fined a day’s pay.

    The attack which would take William’s life would later be called the Battle of Messines. He was my Grandmother's brother.

    Roy Bowden




    1206511

    Pte. William Webster 1st Battalion London Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>Private William Webster

    My uncle, Billy Webster, was killed on the first day of the Battle of Passchaendale, we know very little about him other that his name is on the Menin Gate as he has no known grave. He did once joke with his sisters (prior to him enlisting, possibly even before 1914) that after he was dead his name would be inscribed in "letters of gold". Sadly, I'm sure none of them realised how true that would become.

    Hetty Garlick




    1206510

    Lt. William Arthur McCrae Bruce VC 59th Scinde Rifles (d.19th Dec 1914)

    <p>

    William Bruce died on the 19th of December 1914, aged 24, he is commemerated on the Neuve Chapelle Memorial in France. He was the son of Col. Andrew McCrae Bruce, C.B., and Margaret Hay Bruce, of La Fontaine Pontac, Jersey.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 4th Sept., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. On the 19th December, 1914, near Givenchy, during a night attack, Lt. Bruce was in command of a small party which captured one of the enemy's trenches. In spite of being severely wounded in the neck, he walked up and down the trench, encouraging his men to hold on against several counter-attacks for some hours until killed. The fire from rifles and bombs was very heavy all day, and it was due to the skilful disposition made, and the example and encouragement shown by Lt. Bruce that his men were able to hold out until dusk, when the trench was finally captured by the enemy."

    s flynn




    1206509

    Pte. David Ross 7th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.13th October 1918)

    <p>

    David Ross died on 13th October 1918 aged 23 and is buried in the Naves Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Son of James and Annie Ross nee Stevenson, of 19 Nimmo's Rows, New Stevenston, Lanarkshire, prior to enlisting David was a miner in James Nimmo's Collieries, Holytown, Lanarkshire

    s flynn




    1206508

    Cpt. Gordon Muriel Flowerdew VC Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (d.31st March 1918)

    <p>

    Gordon Flowerdew died of wounds on 31st March 1918 aged 32 and is buried in the Namps-au-Val British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Arthur J. B. and Hannah Flowerdew, of Billingford Hall, Scole, Norfolk.

    An extract from the Second Supplement to the London Gazette, No. 30648, of 24th April, 1918, records the following: "For most conspicuous bravery and dash when in command of a squadron detailed for special service of a very important nature. On reaching the first objective, Lt. Flowerdew saw two lines of the enemy, each about sixty strong, with machine guns in the centre and flanks, one line being about two hundred yards behind the other. Realising the critical nature of the operation and how much depended upon it, Lt. Flowerdew ordered a troop under Lt. Harvey, V.C. to dismount and carry out a special movement while he led the remaining three troops to the charge. The squadron (less one troop) passed over both lines, killing many of the enemy with the sword; and wheeling about galloped at them again. Although the squadron had then lost about 70 per cent of its numbers, killed and wounded, from rifle and machine gun fire directed on it from the front and both flanks, the enemy broke and retired. The survivors of the squadron then established themselves in a position where they were joined, after much hand-to-hand fighting, by Lt. Harvey's party. Lt. Flowerdew was dangerously wounded through both thighs during the operation, but continued to cheer on his men. There can be no doubt that this officer's great valour was the prime factor in the capture of the position."

    s flynn




    1206507

    Rflmn. William Hadfield 11th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps. (d.4th April 1917)

    <p>

    William Hadfield died on 4th of April 1917, he was the son of Mr. Thomas W. Hadfield, of 11 St. Stephens Rd., Blackburn, Lancs.

    s flynn




    1206506

    Pte. Robert Dunsire VC 13th Btn. Royal Scots (d.30th Jan 1916)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Robert Dunsire died on the 30th of January 1916, aged 24. An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29371, dated 16th Nov., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on Hill 70 on 26th Sept., 1915. Pte. Dunsire went out under very heavy fire and rescued a wounded man from between the firing lines. Later, when another man considerably nearer the German lines was heard shouting for help, he crawled out again with utter disregard to the enemy's fire and carried him in also. Shortly afterwards the Germans attacked over this ground."

    s flynn




    1206504

    Pte. Joseph Arthur Westwood Andrew Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>

    Joseph Arthur Westwood Andrew enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in Birmingham on 22 August 1915. He was wounded and sent to Folkestone for an operation in early 1918. He lost a hand and a foot and was discharged from the Army & awarded the Silver War Badge on 31st July 1918. He wore badge with pride for the rest of his life. He married and had a son, became a coach painter and lived to the ripe old age of 84. He lived in a purpose built bungalow for wounded soldiers at 8 Haig Place, Birmingham. My husband John Andrew, Joseph's grandson remembers playing as a child with the cardboard box that he kept his artificial leg in!

    Joan Andrew




    1206503

    Pte. Robert Moses Nedderman MM 5th Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.20th July 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Nedderman was killed in action 20th July 1918, aged 24 and buried in the Marfaux British Cemetery in France. He was the husband of the late Sarah Ellen Nedderman (formerly Thorpe), and father of Annie and Robert Nedderman of Oldham, England.

    Lance-Corporal Nedderman was awarded the Military Medal in March 1918. According to the official record, the medal was awarded, "for absolute fearlessness and devotion to duty as stretcher-bearer during an attack on March 28, when he attended to the wounded under the heaviest shell fire, and on one occasion when a man from one of the forward posts had been wounded before reaching our line, brought him in under heavy machine gun and rifle fire". He was also wounded 3 times between March 1915 and July 1918.

    s flynn




    1206502

    Sgt. John Meikle VC MM. 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.20th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    John Meikle was killed in action on 20th July 1918 aged 19 and is buried in the Marfaux (New Zealand) Memorial in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 13th Sept., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and initiative when his company, having been held up by machine-gun fire, he rushed single-handed a machine-gun nest. He emptied his revolver into the crews of the two guns and put the remainder out of action with a heavy stick. Then, standing up, he waved his comrades on. Very shortly afterward another hostile machine-gun checked progress, and threatened also the success of the company on the right. Most of his platoon having become casualties, Serjt. Meikle seized the rifle and bayonet of a fallen comrade, and again rushed forward against the gun crew, but was killed almost on the gun position. His bravery allowed two other men who followed him to put this gun out of action. This gallant non-commissioned officer's valour, devotion to duty, and utter disregard for his personal safety was an inspiring example to all."

    s flynn




    1206501

    Sgt. Harold John Colley VC MM 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.25th August 1918)

    <p>

    Harold Colley died of wounds on 25th August 1918 aged 23 and is buried in the Mailly Wood Cemetery in France. He was the son of John and Hannah Elizabeth Colley, of 74 Cheshire Rd., Smethwick, Staffs.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30967, dated the 18th Oct., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and initiative when in command of a platoon in support of forward platoons which had been ordered to hold on at all costs. When the enemy counter-attacked in force, he rushed forward on his own initiative to help the forward line, rallying and controlling the men holding it. The enemy by this time were advancing quicky, and had already obtained a footing in the trench. Serjt. Colley then formed a defensive flank and held it. Out of the two platoons only three men remained unwounded, and he himself was dangerously wounded. It was entirely due to Serjt. Colley's action that the enemy were prevented from breaking through, and were eventually driven off. His courage and tenacity saved a very critical situation."

    s flynn




    1206500

    Pte. James Lindsay 6th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.1st Nov 1918)

    <p>

    James Lindsay was killed in action 1st November 1918, aged 32. He was the son of James Lindsay, of Stewarton, Ayrshire; husband of Ellen Rafferty Lindsay, of Gateside, Beith, Ayrshire.

    s flynn




    1206499

    Pte. Clarence George Crook 1st/7th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.25th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Clarance Crook was killed in action on the 25th of November 1916, aged 19 and is buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Frederick and Maria Crook, of New St., Wall Heath, Dudley, Staffs. He worked as a gardener before the war

    s flynn




    1206498

    Lt. Hubert Sydney Centennial "Bill" Simpson MID 13th Btn. (d.30th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Hubert Simpson was killed in action on the 30th of March 1918, aged 30 and is buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Frederick Washington Simpson and Emily Simpson, of Trebor, Rawson St., Haberfield, New South Wales.

    Born in Sydney, he was known as Bill in the 13th Battalion, which he joined in September 1914. After seeing service at Gallipoli in 1915, Lt Simpson was mentioned in despatches for gallantry in action at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm in August 1916. He was again recommended for a bravery award in February 1918, but was killed by shellfire at Hebuterne on 30 March 1918. In the Battalion history, Lt. Simpson is remembered as one the unit's heroes, who had risen through the ranks "through sheer battle work". His name is inscribed on the Honour Roll of the old GPO in Sydney.

    s flynn




    1206494

    Pte. Frederick William Bulwer 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.20th July 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Bulwer was my great uncle and my grandfather's only brother. Fred was killed in Deville Wood aged 21. From an early age I was fascinated by a letter (attached)sent from a chap called George Holland that he sent to Fred's Mother in November 1916. Fred was born in Islington in 1884, married in October 1914 to May Scott and his son Colin was born in 1916.

    Michael Levett




    1206493

    Cpt. John Leslie Green VC att. 5th Bn. Sherwood Foresters Royal Army Medical Corps (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    John Leslie Green was killed in action at Gommecourt on 1st July 1916. He is buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France. Born at Buckden, Hunts. Son of John George and Florence May Green, of St. Mark's Lodge, Cambridge. Educated at Felsted School and Downing College, Cambridge, and Bartholomew's Hospital.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29695, dated 4th Aug., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous devotion to duty. Although himself wounded, he went to the assistance of an officer who had been wounded and was hung up on the enemy's wire entanglements, and succeeded in dragging him to a shell hole, where he dressed his wounds, notwithstanding that bombs and rifle grenades were thrown at him the whole time. Captain Green then endeavoured to bring the wounded officer into safe cover, and had nearly succeeded in doing so when he himself was killed."

    s flynn




    1206492

    Lt. Edward Felix Baxter 1st/8th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.18th April 1916)

    <p>

    Edward Baxter was killed on 18/4/1916 aged 30 years and is buried in the Fillievres British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Charles and Beatrice Baxter, of Hartlebury, Worcestershire; husband of Leonora M. Gray (formerly Baxter), of 10 Bungalow, R.A.F., Uxbridge.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 26th Sept., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. Prior to a raid on the hostile line he was engaged during two nights in cutting wire close to the enemy's trenches. The enemy could be heard on the other side of the parapet. Second Lieutenant Baxter, while assisting in the wire cutting, held a bomb in his hand with the pin withdrawn ready to throw. On one occasion the bomb slipped and fell to the ground, but he instantly picked it up, unscrewed the base plug, and took out the detonator, which he smothered in the ground, thereby preventing the alarm being given, and undoubtedly saving many casualties. Later, he led the left storming party with the greatest gallantry, and was the first man into the trench shooting the sentry with his revolver. He then assisted to bomb dug-outs, and finally climbed out of the trench and assisted the last man over the parapet. After this he was not seen again, though search parties went out at once to look for him. There seems no doubt that he lost his life in his great devotion to duty."

    s flynn




    1206491

    Pte Walter Hunt 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire (d.16th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Hunt joined the 2nd Bn Royal Warwicks on the 9th Sept 1914 and landed in France on the 17th May 1915. He made his way forward to join the rest of the 7th Division 22nd Brigade at the front. His first night in the trenches was his 22nd birthday.

    The Battle of Loos started with a British bombardment on the German lines. For five days, the British guns rained shells to weaken defenses and cut wire. On the morning of the 25th, the high explosive shells were exchanged for gas, a tactic to wipe out any German resistance. The way forward was clear... The 2nd Battalion went over the top at 6.30 in the morning. When the battalion was mustered at midnight there were present no officers and only 140 men. Lt.-Colonel Lefroy and 2 of his officers had been mortally wounded, 7 other officers were killed, 7 were wounded and 1 was a prisoner. Of the men 64 were killed, 171 wounded and 273 were missing.

    Pte Walter Hunt was one of the 171 wounded in that attack. He was passed back down the line and eventually returned to No 4 Military Hospital Lincoln, where due to the nature of his wounds he passed on the 16th Oct 1915. His body was returned to his family in West Bromwich, a rare event for the day and he received a full military funeral.

    West Bromwich Free Press 29th Sept 1915:- "Two of our local heroes, Pte W Hunt (22) and Pte J Grosvenor were accorded a military funeral ... The day of the funeral was a day of almost general mourning in the town. In front of long lines of houses in the streets through which the mournful cortege passed, blinds were lowered. The body of Hunt was borne on a gun carriage, and that of Grosvenor in a hearse, both draped with the Union Jack and covered with flowers. The Band of the 8th R. Warwicks headed the funeral procession and the R. Engineers furnished two bearer detachments, whilst the firing party was supplied from the 8th R Warwicks. When the procession passed down the High Street, crowds of sympathetic onlookers lined the footpaths. In the cemetery there was something like 2000 people present. The service over the grave was conducted by th Rev. W Wibby in which he called for.... 'others to show the courage and commitment to their country as these two men lying side-by-side'..... 'I ask you to go forward in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and offer your services for King and Country'. After the firing party had fired three volleys over the grave, the Last Post was sounded, and the band played "Nearer, My God, to Thee."

    Walter was my Great Uncle.

    Dan Allinson




    1206490

    Sgt. Henry Parrish MM. C Coy. 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Parrish is my great grand-father. He served in the Rifle Brigade, 9th Battalion, 'C' Company and died on the 15th September 1916 at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette leaving a wife and three children. He earned the Military Medal for his bravery during this battle. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Corinne Stevens




    1206489

    Pte. George Henry Gladden 15th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    <p>

    George Gladden went into battle in Mametz Wood in May 1916 with the 1st London Welsh. His fellow soldier, Private F. Laydon wrote to George's wife describing how George had been shot in the neck, the leg and the shoulder. He had been left in a hollow in the ground and his companions were unable to return for him, but other men came back later in the day and reported that " the Germans had taken in our wounded with the utmost care and attention....The gentleness was wonderful and we ourselves could not have cared for them more tenderly."

    George returned to England several months later. His wife had eventually discovered that he was in a prisoner of war camp in Nurnberg and had written to him regularly until he came home. George reported that he had been left for dead in the German mortuary, but that a German mortuary attendant had realised he was still alive and had called for assistance. George was attended by a German surgeon, who had trained in London and so spoke good English. The surgeon stitched up all his wounds and George lived to run a very successful engineering parts business and eventually died in 1972.

    Kristin Stott




    1206488

    Pte. John Frederick Thompson 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Freddie Thompson was born in 1893 and baptised St Peter's Monkwearmouth on 14 June that year. His parents were Charles Gabrielson Thompson (1853-1924) and Margaret nee Fox. At the time of the 1911 census Freddie was living at 41 Hendon Valley Road, Sunderland with his parents and three of his siblings; he was a shipwright.

    Freddie enlisted on 13 November 1915 and was appointed to the 17th DLI as a reservist. He is described as being 5ft 6in tall with 'fair' physical development. He was unmarried and his occupation was as a clerk. He was mobilized on 28 Jan 1916 to 17th DLI and posted to the 20th Battalion on 10 March.

    He was sent to France on 5 May that year as part of the British Expeditionary Force, sailing from Southampton to Le Havre. He fought in the Battle of the Somme later that year. He was posted as missing on 12 Aug 1917 and he was later presumed killed on 31 July at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge; the first day of the opening attack of the third battle of Ypres. His name is engraved on the Menin Gate memorial at Ypres, Belgium. He is also commemorated in the DLI Book at Durham Cathedral.

    Katy Gill




    1206487

    Pte. Jack McIntyre Clogan 6th Btn. Australian Infantry (d.26th August 1916)

    <p>

    Jack Clogan was with the Australian Infantry 14th Reinforcements, 6th Battalion; He enlisted on the 15 September 1915 and embarked on 28 January 1916 aboard HMAT Themistocles. On the 26 August 1916 he died in St John's Hospital at Etaples, France as a result of wounds sustained in the battle of Pozieres. He is buried in the Etaoles Military Cemetery in France. Son of John and Elizabeth Clogan, of East St., Daylesford, Victoria, Australia.

    s flynn




    1206485

    Pte. Millard Fillmore Jones 16th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.17th Dec 1916)

    <p>Millard Fillmore & William Selwyn Jones  seated

    I have had for years a postcard sent to my Nana. I have never quite understood the message on the back. It is from her brother William serving in France. He's wishing her good wishes for Xmas and New Year as he feels he has to but knows she will probably not enjoy the festive season because he's just had a wire that his brother Millard Fillmore has died of his wounds on 16th December. He is trying to get home. I have often wondered who Phil was but now can see that it was a nickname short for Fillmore! I assume, but do not have confirmation, that he was injured in or prior to July possibly Mametz Wood? as his battalion took no further part that year. It seems he was taken to hospital in North Wales where his regiment was based. He was buried in Cardiff on the 24th Jan 1917 with his mother and father.

    19014 Private Millard Fillmore Jones served with the 16th Battalion, Welsh Regiment during WW1 and died age 24, in Cardiff on the 17th December 1916. He is buried at Cardiff (Cathays) Cemetery, Grave Ref. 1 CE 471. The family entry above states the 16th Battalion but the Commomwealth War Graves indicates the 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment. However the 3rd Battalion was a depot unit based in the UK and he was probably transferred to that units strength on evacuation to the UK because of his wounds. Phil was one of the sons of William and Maria Jones, of 74, Adeline St., Splott, Cardiff.

    Sue Harding




    1206483

    Cpl. Frederick Wall 8th Div. Train. 4th Coy. Army Service Corps (d.7th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Wall died on 7th of November 1918, aged 40 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery.

    The Western Gazette - 29 November 1918 published the following:- "Mrs F Wall, of 108 Park Street, Yeovil, received the sad news on 11th November, that her husband Corporal Frederick Wall, of the A.S.C., was taken to hospital suffering from Bronchial pneumonia on 5th, and died on the 7th at the 7th Canadian General Hospital, France, and was buried with full military honours in a cemetery at Etaples. Corpl. Wall, who joined up at the outbreak of war had been in France for four years, and in a letter to Mrs Wall his captain says;

    'I should like to tell you what a great loss it has been to us all, as your husband was one of the most popular men in the Company. Since I have had the honour to command this Company, I always found him a good, willing and cheerful worker. On many trying occasions that we have all been through together, he has always set a splendid example to all of us in showing absolute fearlessness in the face of danger, and by doing so has rendered very valuable service in helping the Company out of many tight corners.'

    Mrs Wall has also received two letters from the matron and nurse at the hospital, and a message of sympathy from the King and Queen. The deceased leaves a widow and two children, for whom much sympathy is felt. Mrs Wall wishes to thank the very kind friends who have expressed sympathy with her in her sad bereavement".

    s flynn




    1206482

    Pte. David Erasmus 2/4th Battalion. A Company. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.20th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    My great great uncle, David Erasmus, was killed on 20th November 1917 age 41, on the first day of the battle of Cambrai. He served with A Company, 2/4 battalion of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    The attached postcard was written in February 1918 by 2nd Lieutenant Frank Cocker who was injured on November 27th 1917 unaware that David had been killed. The postcard notes that David was doing "excellent work rescuing men under trying conditions" and that Frank was back in the UK recovering from having his hair "parted by a bullet". Frank Cocker returned to the frontline and was again injured in July 1918, he survived the war and lived to a ripe old age, writing his memoirs in a published book called "Comrades In Arms". I wonder if my great great uncle David Erasmus would've been awarded a medal based on the information on the postcard about him rescuing men and whether he was killed during those rescues.

    The full transcribed text of the postcard is as follows:

    Mrs Erasmus, 58 Rees Street, Gelli Ystrad, S.Wales

    Please reply to Sec Lieut. F. Cocker, 33 Grosvenor Terrace, Brighouse Yorks.

    Feb 11th 1918

    Dear Mrs Erasmus, I write you to make inquiries about your son who was in my platoon in France. When I last saw him he was doing some excellent work, rescuing wounded men under very trying conditions and I have often wondered since whether he came through that day alright. I got my hair parted by a bullet, but am better now & shall soon be going out again. Kindly drop me a line & if he happens to be in hospital I would like his address.

    I am, Yours Faithfully,

    Frank Cocker 2/4b K.O.Y.L.I

    Although he hasn't been officially recognised, having a first hand account of his actions from someone who fought alongside him at the very least tells me that he was a hero who should in some way be remembered.

    Richard Williams




    1206481

    Pte. William Green 1st Btn. King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment (d.25th March 1917)

    <p>

    William Green died on the 25th of April 1917, aged 23 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the husband of Elizabeth Green, of 21, Howsin St., Burnley, Lancs.

    s flynn




    1206479

    Rflmn. William John Thompson 13th Battalion, B Company Royal Irish Rifles (d.30th May 1916)

    <p>

    After conducting some family history research, I came across William John Thompson, he would have been my 1st cousin twice removed. He served in B Coy 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles for the 36th Ulster Division. Prior to the war, he lived with his parents John and Martha Thompson, along with his 4 sisters Agnes, Sarah, Martha and Annie, in High Street, Comber, Co. Down.

    I don't know exactly how he died, as records say he "Died of Wounds." This was on the 30th May 1916. I know around this time the Battalion were either stationed in Rainneville or St Gratien, so how he died exactly and what wounds were inflicted remains a mystery. He is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery and Extension, France.

    If anyone has any further information as to how he died, I would be very grateful to hear from you.

    Emma




    1206478

    Cpl. William Fairburn 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.26th March 1918)

    <p>

    William Fairburn died on the 26th of March 1918, aged 28. Buried 5A in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fairburn. A widower, he lived with his wife's parents and two children at 30 Clifton Street, Burnley.

    s flynn




    1206477

    Gnr. Thomas William Wadey 32nd Trench Howitzer Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas William Wadey died on 3rd December 1915 at the age of 36 whilst serving with the 32nd Trench Howitzer Battery. He was the husband of Catherine Wadey (nee Monaghan) of 46 Lord Street, Jarrow. Son of Thomas William and Charlotte Elizabeth Wadey (nee Dadd) of Willington Quay, Wallsend. On the 1911 census Thomas William Wadey age 32 is recorded as a Farm Labourer with his wife Catherine Wadey and children at 18 Ravensworth Street Willington Quay, Wallsend.

    Thomas William Wadey is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow. Brother in law of William and Frank Monaghan who were also of the fallen and also commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    1206475

    Pte. Joseph Holt 4th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.5th April 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Holt died from wounds on the 5th of April 1918, aged 29 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the husband of Mrs Holt, 15 Lionel Street, Burnley. A weaver at Messrs. Walmsley's Peel Mill, Rosegrove prior to enlisting, he was married with one child. He died from wounds to the "lower part of his body."

    s flynn




    1206474

    Pte. Jesse Higham 8th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.16th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Jesse Higham died on the 16th of February 1917, aged 19 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Higham, of 11, Altham St., Padiham, nr. Burnley, Lancs. Native of Padiham.

    s flynn




    1206473

    Dvr. Robert Stockton 8th Div Train Army Service Corps

    <p>

    I don't really know any of my Granddads story, but I have his demob papers and know he disembarked in France on 5th November 1914. Robert Stockton served with the Army Service Corps during WW1 and was attached to the 8th Division Train, ASC. He was awarded the 1914 Mons Star, British War and Victory Medals with clasp and roses added in 1938 (I have these papers also). The medals were unfortunately lost. Granddad died in December 1969. I believe he was at one point gassed and also had a limp from being ran over by a horse wagon.

    Christine Kemp-Hall




    1206472

    Pte. Arthur James Handy 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur James Handy was actually born in 1885 although, for some reason, his age as recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves and war records states he was 24 when he died (he was actually 33). He was the eldest of the eight children of James and Ellen Handy of 50 Alderminster and is recorded on the War Memorial at Alderminster Church.

    We are also aware that Arthur's cousins Henry (Harry) Handy who was a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps and Henry's brother Percy Gerald Handy a Private in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment also gave their lives in the Great War.

    Andy Warren




    1206471

    Pte. William Gow 13th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.29th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    William Gow was the eldest son of my Great Grandparents William Gow and Marion Holland. He was the eldest of 6 boys. Until the death of my Grandfather, no one knew about William. His mother suffered a stroke on hearing of his death and she died just six months later. His father William, never claimed his medals and they were returned to the War Office under Kings regulations in 1923.

    William was just 16 years old when he enlisted after Kitchener's appeal for volunteers. At 17 years of age he was deployed on the Western Front in July 1915. In the Autumn he fought in the Battle of Loos over Hill 70. Moving deeper into the Somme, he fought in the battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich from the Germans in a surprise attack which rendered very few casualties and little resistance.

    In 1917 his battalion played their part in the Spring Offensive, emerging from Wellington Cave tunnels in Arras heading toward Blangy in a hard fought battle which resulted in many casualties for the 13th Royal Scots. He survived this battle and little more is known except he died on 29/9/1917. Location and offensive unknown. His name is on the Faubourg D'Amiens British Military Memorial in Arras.

    Somme map

    Ellen Hackett




    1206469

    Pte. John Howard Chatter 140th Bde Machine Gun Corps (d.1st May 1916)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, John Howard Chatter, enlisted into the South Wales Borderer's in approximately August 1915 at the age of 17 years along with his brother and my Great uncle Charles E. Chatter aged 19 years. They both went on the end up in the Machine Gun Corps.

    On 1st of May 1916 John Howard was killed at the age of 18 years and his grave stands in Caberet-Rouge British Cemetery in Souchez. Great Uncle Charles survived WW1 and returned to his family and friends back in Shifnal, Shropshire where he finally passed away and is buried in St Andrews church yard. I know John Howard was in 140th Bde., Machine Gun Corps. If anyone might have a picture or knows of any pictures of my Great Uncles during WW1 please could you get in touch with me.

    Rob Chatter




    1206468

    Pte. William Henry Foster 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusliers (d.18th Sep 1918)

    William Henry Foster was my mother's brother. Now it is 100 years since the start of the 1st World War I just want anyone friend or relative to know that he is remembered. No one ever visited his grave at Terlincthun Wimille, France that I know of but he is remembered. I think of him often.

    Jenny




    1206467

    Drvr. Albert Ernest Wills 311th Bde. D Battery. Royal Field Artillery (d.11th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Wills died of wounds received at Ypres on the 5th of November 1917 at 18th Chicago (USA) Gen Hospital, Camiers on the 11th of November 1917. Aged 43, he is buried in in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. Albert was the son of William Urbane Wills (Architect) and Louisa Ann Wills, late of St. John'S, Newfoundland, and 11, Gerald Rd., Bournemouth; husband of Annie Wills, of 217, Whitehorse Lane, South Norwood. Born at Bridlington, Yorks. Was in business for many years at Norwood, London

    s flynn




    1206466

    Sgt. Frank Thomas Libby MM. 5th Btn. London Regiment (d.19th April 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Libby was posted to 1st/28th Bn. Artists' Rifles, he died of wounds on the 19th of April 1918, received at Mailly-Maillet on 2nd of April. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. The Military Medal was awarded for conspicuous Bravery at Passchendaele, on the 20th of September 1917. He was the son of John and Emily Harriet Libby, of Croydon, Surrey.

    s flynn




    1206465

    L/Cpl. Frederick John Welch 6th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    My Dad, Frederick Welch, joined at Mill Hill on the 17/08/14, 2 weeks after the beginning of the War. He was posted to France in May 1915, wounded and sent home 20/11/15. He was then sent out again to France on 14/04/16, wounded on 9/11/16 and sent home, he was later discharged as being unfit for duty. I am unable to find out where he was wounded, perhaps on the Somme. I have the large piece of shrapnel taken out of his left arm, he was left with some limited use in his arm. I was able to put my fingers in the deep wound when I was little.

    He was later to become a skilled welder, carpenter and joiner. He never spoke about the War to us and was sometimes disheartened by the behaviour of If anyone has info about the whereabouts of the 6th Battalion during May 15 and November 16, please let me know. My dad's war records seem to be untraceable.

    Mary Callard




    1206464

    John Thomas Oliver 14th Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

    My grandfather, John Thomas Oliver, was in the 14th DCLI and he must have experienced the introduction of the "Tank". I have a book which was left to me titled "The History Of The Duke Of Cornwall's Light Infantry 1914/ 1919" by Everard Wyrall. In this book my grandfather has highlighted the action he was involved in and makes for an interesting read and seems live even to this day. I have campaign maps and drawings associated with this book.

    Although grandad was gassed and sent back to UK he got posted back to do some more "Damage"! He lived a long life after the Great War and it was a pleasure to know him even though I was young at the time. He was a great man and my Hero!!

    Jonathan Oliver




    1206463

    Pte. William Hutting 2nd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Private William Hutting served as N°9849, 2nd East Yorkshire Regiment, 83rd Brigade in 28th Division He changed units at the end of 1915 and went to the Machine Gun Corps with the n°176806. After he changed another time the unit for going to the South Lancashire with the n°8855.

    It's the only information have find about this solder. I found his toothbrush near Arras Thanks if you have any another information about this soldier.

    michel




    1206462

    L/Cpl. James "Dodger" Higgins 17th (Rosebery's Bantams) Battalion Royal Scots

    My grandad James Higgins volunteered to fight in WW1, I don't know much about my grandfather's time in WW1 (I think he fought at the Somme) other than my mum said he sent all the money he could home to my grandmother who was expecting their first child.

    One Christmas he received a letter from my granny from home in which she said she'd included a postal order for him to treat himself. He delightedly told all his mates that he'd treat them all to a drink only to find she had sent him a postal order for a shilling!! Hahaha!! He said if she'd have been standing in front of him he'd have shot her, she later told him she didn't send more incase he was dead by the time her letter arrived as she didn't want to waste good money.

    During WW2 he dyed his hair (it had turned white after his time in France) forged his d.o.b and volunteered and went off to train for the barrage balloons down south, until they discovered his true age and sent him home, I think he got drunk and spilled the beans. He was a real old soldier and when I was little I loved how he would fold all my clothes and stack them up neatly on the chair every night before I went to bed.

    Jeanette Burns




    1206461

    A/Cpl. William Wilkin 8th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps. (d.29th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Will Wilkin was a regular soldier. He is recorded on the 1911 census as a Private (Clerk) at Delhi Barracks in Tidworth. Unfortunately, his papers form part of the "burnt" records. His unit was operating in the area around Colincamps in the Somme when he was killed. His grave is in Euston Road Cemetery. He was 30 years old when he died, and was unmarried. His mother became National President of the Co-operative Women's Guild in the year following his death, and she made reference to the losses that every family was experiencing in her address to the 1917 Congress in Torquay.

    Ruth Appleby




    1206460

    L/Cpl. Richard Whitworth 2nd Btn Royal Irish Rifles (d.8th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    My brother and I went to Ypres to see grandad's name on the Menin Gate Memorial and honour the fallen at the evening ceremony; the most moving experience of my life

    Phil




    1206459

    Brig-Gen. John Edmund Gough VC. Rifle Brigade (d.22nd Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Brigadier General, Sir John Edmond Gough, General Staff, A. D. C. to H.M The King. Chief of Staff, First Army late Rifle Brigade. VC. KCB. CMG. The award was won in Somaliland in 1903, he died of wounds on 22nd of February 1915 and is buried in the Estaires Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of Gen. Sir Charles Gough, V.C., G.C.B. and the husband of Lady Gough, of 4 Upper Harley St., Regent's Park, London.

    s flynn




    1206458

    2nd Lt. Frank Bernard Wearne VC. 3rd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.28th June 1917)

    <p>

    Frank Wearne served with the 3rd Bn. attached 10th Bn. Essex Regiment. He died of wounds on the 28th of June 1917, aged 23 and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette dated 31st July, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery when in command of a small party on the left of a raid on the enemy's trenches. He gained his objective in the face of much opposition and by his magnificent example and daring was able to maintain this position for a considerable time, according to instructions. During this period 2nd Lt. Wearne and his small party were repeatedly counter-attacked. Grasping the fact that if the left flank was lost his men would have to give way, 2nd Lt. Wearne, at a moment when the enemy's attack was being heavily pressed and when matters were most critical, leapt on the parapet and, followed by his left section, ran along the top of the trench, firing and throwing bombs. This unexpected and daring manoeuvre threw the enemy off his guard and back in disorder. Whilst on the top of the trench 2nd Lt. Wearne was severely wounded, but refused to leave his men. Afterwards he remained in the trench directing operations, consolidating his position and encouraging all ranks. Just before the order to withdraw was given, this gallant officer was again severely hit for the second time, and while being carried away was mortally wounded. By his tenacity in remaining at his post though severely wounded, and his magnificent fighting spirit, he was enabled to hold on to the flank."

    s flynn




    1206457

    Lt-Col. Angus Falcolner Douglas-Hamilton VC. 6th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Whilst commanding 6th Bn. Cameron Highlanders Lt-Col. Angus Douglas-Hamilton was killed in action on the 26th of September 1915 age 52 and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 18th Nov., 1915, recorded the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when commanding his battalion during operations on 25th and 26th September, 1915, on Hill 70. On the 26th, when the battalions on his right and left had retired, he rallied his own battalion again and again, and led his men forward four times. The last time he led all that remained, consisting of about fifty men, in a most gallant manner and was killed at their head. It was mainly due to his bravery, untiring energy and splendid leadership that the line at this point was enabled to check the enemy's advance."

    s flynn




    1206456

    Pte. Harry Trusler 11th Battalion, OCB Company The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.30th Sep 1916)

    I know nothing of Harry Trusler other than my mother (his youngest daughter) said that he was killed by a sniper and he was many of the bodies not found. He is mentioned on the Memorial at Theipval.

    Jennifer Longman




    1206455

    Pte. Samuel Charles Bridgett 15th/17th Btn. West Yorkshire (d.12th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Charles Bridgett was my Grand Uncle, he was the youngest child of my Great Grandmother and Great Grandfather. He joined the Army on 12th May 1917 when he was 18 years old, he was 5'7", and weighed 10st 3lb. His previous occupation was Farming & Horseman.

    He was transferred on 18th May 1917 to the 10th Training Reserve Battalion, and again on 18th Aug 1917 to the 7th Training Reserve Battalion. On 1st April 1918 he was transferred to the West Yorkshire 15/17th Regiment. On 12th April 1918 he was reported missing in Flanders, Belgium, 1 month off his 19th birthday. I have visited the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium, where his name is inscribed. I feel enormous pride, especially as he joined of his own free will at such a young age.

    Brenda Selfridge




    1206453

    Rflemn. George Peachment VC. 2nd Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    George Peachment was killed in action 25th of September 1915 age 18 and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 18th Nov., 1915, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery near Hulluch on 25th Sept., 1915. During very heavy fighting, when our front line was compelled to retire in order to re-organise, Pte. Peachment, seeing his Company Commander, Captain Dubs, lying wounded, crawled to assist him. The enemy's fire was intense, but, though there was a shell hole quite close, in which a few men had taken cover, Pte. Peachment never thought of saving himself. He knelt in the open by his Officer and tried to help him, but while doing this he was first wounded by a bomb and a minute later mortally wounded by a rifle bullet. He was one of the youngest men in his battalion and gave this splendid example of courage and self-sacrifice."

    s flynn




    1206451

    L/Cpl. John Bennett Holm 7th Btn. London Regiment (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    <p>

    John's parents William and Mary Cameron Holm, from Fife, migrated to Ilford where John Bennett Holm was born. He married Theodosia Eliza Radley and had two daughters, Winifred and Doris May.

    John was killed at the 2nd Battle of Cambrai on the 2nd of December 1917, he is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval, France. One of the thousands with no known grave.





    1206450

    Pte. Thomas Smith 16th Btn. (Manitoba Regiment) (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Smith was killed in action on the 2nd of September 1918, aged 23 and is buriedin the Dominion Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mrs Mercy Smith of 4115 Welwyn Street, Vancouver, British Columbia

    Pte. Smith was a direct descendant of one Sgt. Robert Perry, late of Major Jessup's Rangers as a United Empire Loyalist during the American War of Independence. He is therefore entitled to the post-nominal of UE. He was killed during the Second Battle of Arras in the assault on the Drocourt-Queant Line on September 2, 1918.

    s flynn




    1206449

    Pte. Thomas Lloyd 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.17th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Lloyd was my Grandmother's eldest brother and she used to tell me all about him when I was a child. He was killed in the Battle of Somme the day before his 19th Birthday and her mother my, Great Grandmother, refused to believe that her eldest son had been killed and maintained he had met a French girl and run off !!!!

    My Nan always wanted to find where he lay but never did on her lifetime. We as a family believe he was blown up with two other soldiers and his name is now on the Thiepval Wall which my sister has seen and placed We grew up often talking about Uncle Tommy and I make sure his name is passed to new members of the family so he is never forgotten. I have the original scroll sent by King George in its original case with my Grandmother and Grandfather's address on.

    My nanna said he had been injured once before and come back to get better then was sent back. When he was leaving for the second time he turned to my Nan and said "You won't see me again as I won't come back" She said she was horrified at him saying this and told him not to be stupid but he smiled and said "No, I have been there and seen it I won't survive". She used to have a tear in her eye as she was very close to him being just two years apart.

    Very sad but what a brave you man like so many others. Never forgotten and his memory will live on like his special scroll. God bless.

    Denise Marsden




    1206447

    L/Cpl. John Brown 6th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.27th March 1918)

    <p>

    John Brown was killed in action on the night of the 26-27 March 1918, he is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    s flynn




    1206446

    Rflmn Leslie George Field 9th (Queen Victoria's Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Leslie Field was killed in action on the 8th of September 1918 and is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    s flynn




    1206443

    Sgt. Thomas James Harris VC. MM. 6th Btn. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.9th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Harris was killed in action on the 9th of August 1918 and is buried in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30967, dated 18th Oct., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack when the advance was much impeded by hostile machine guns concealed in crops and shell-holes. Serjt. Harris led his section against one of these, capturing it and killing seven of the enemy. Later, on two successive occasions, he attacked single-handed two enemy machine-guns which were causing heavy casualties and holding up the advance. He captured the first gun and killed the crew, but was himself killed when attacking the second one. It was largely due to the great courage and initiative of this gallant N.C.O. that the advance of the battalion was continued without delay and undue casualties. Throughout the operations he showed a total disregard for his own personal safety, and set a magnificent example to all ranks."

    s flynn




    1206442

    Pte. Arthur Douglas Wells 1st/5th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.7th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    I never knew my Granddad and my mother never spoke of him. Arthur Douglas Wells married my Grandma in 1908, whom I did know, Lily Perkins. They had three children all girls. Gertrude Lily 1908, Dora Hilda Annie 1912 (my Mum)and Constance Emily 1915. All that survived was the photo he carried with him of him, his wife and first child which I discovered much later on.

    He re-enlisted for WW1 and was sent to India where he died in 1917. My mother died when I was 14 so when I had the opportunity later in life to look up my family, I uncovered and discovered all about my mother and father's families.

    Susan Donohoe




    1206440

    Lt. Henry Webber MID. 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.21st July 1916)

    <p>

    Herny Webber was killed in action on the 21st of July 1916, aged 67 and is buried in the Dartmoor Cemetery in France.

    Son of William Webber, M.D., and Eliza Webber (nee Preston), he was the husband of the late Emily Webber (nee Morris). Native of Horley, Surrey. For over 40 years a member of the London Stock Exchange. Henry Webber is the oldest known battle death recorded for the First World War.

    The WW1 soldier who went to war in his 60s

    By Jasper Copping With permission of The Daily Telegraph

    In his poem, Wilfred Owen lamented the “doomed youth” who lost their lives in the slaughter of the First World War. But it seems that the ultimate sacrifice was made not just by the young. Almost a century on from the outbreak of the conflict, a tale has emerged of how a 67-year-old soldier became Britain’s oldest known combatant victim. Henry Webber was far older than the maximum age to serve in the army, but had eventually succeeded in lobbying the authorities to allow him to join up. He had been motivated by a desire to serve with his three sons, who were all serving. But in a twist of fate, all three were to survive the conflict, while Webber was to die on the Western Front. His tale has emerged in response to a series of supplements, published by The Sunday Telegraph in advance of this summer’s centenary of the outbreak. His great grandson, Paul Bellinger, also 67, from Woldingham, Surrey, responded to an appeal for readers’ stories. Mr Bellinger, who was raised by his father in South Africa, only discovered the story himself, at the age of 59, when he found his mother had had two more children, in Britain. Along with his newly-found step sister Ann, he has unravelled much of the story of their great grandfather, and has since visited his war grave in France. Mr Bellinger, a producer for the American television show 60 Minutes, said: “What a resourceful individual he was. His is a fantastic story and to find out that I had that sort of history in my family was a great revelation.”

    Webber was born in Tonbridge, Kent, in 1849, and was educated at Tonbridge School and Pembroke College Oxford, graduating in 1870. Two years later, he joined the Stock Exchange - of which he was to remain a member for 42 years. He became a member of the firm of Norman Morris and Co and 1874 he married the eldest daughter of Norman Morris, one of the firm’s senior partners. The couple went on to have four sons and five daughters and settled in Horley. Webber became a very active member of local society, as one of the original members of Surrey County Council and the first chairman of the parish council. He was also involved in the administration of a local hospital, became chairman of directors of the Horley Gas Company and served as a county magistrate, church warden and president of the local Boys Scouts Association. A keen sportsman, he was an accomplished shot, a master of the Old Surrey and Burstow Hunt, a talented cricketer - scoring 200 runs aged 59 - a member of the MCC, and the first captain of Gatwick Golf Club. After the outbreak of war, in August 1914, he tried to join his sons in uniform. He was repeatedly turned down, as he was more than 20 years over the age limit.

    He first volunteered to serve 'in any capacity’ but when rebuffed he recruited a company of 'rough riders’ - fellow-horsemen like himself - and offered the unit complete to the army. Again, he was turned down. But he persevered was eventually given a commission, on 26 July 1915. Whether this was in recognition of his persistence or because he lied about his age, is unclear. After a brief training period at Park Royal, north west London, he was sent to France as a battalion transport officer. He served with the 7th South Lancs battalion and was apparently accepted by its younger officers. It was said that many comrades were unaware of his true age, although his commanding officer apparently found that his own father and Webber had rowed together at Oxford in the same year, over half a century earlier.

    His role involved helping in the build-up for the Somme offensive, which started on July 1st 1916. He and his unit were not involved in the initial attack, but took part in following actions, including the capture of La Boiselle on July 3rd 1916. Two weeks later, on July 17th he wrote a letter to his old school: “Fifty one years ago I got my colours in the XI and last week 51 years ago was bowling against the old boys and looking on some of them as “sitters” and in the “sere and yellow leaf”. “Yet here I am a Lieutenant in HM army having to salute three sons if I meet them out here, a Colonel and two Majors. I am 1st Line Transport Officer to this Battalion and we have been plumb in the centre of the picture during the last ten days and gained no end of “kudos” and also a very severe mauling. “I am so far extraordinarily fit and well, though, when I tell you that for four consecutive days I was either on my feet or in the saddle for twenty one hours, out of twenty four, you will see that there is a bit of work attached to the job.” Four days later, before the letter was received, he was dead. On July 21st the 7th Lancs moved up to relieve a battalion in the front line near Mametz Wood.

    That night Henry Webber took supplies as usual with the battalion transport. Leaving his men to unload the horses, he went over to where the commanding officer was talking to a group of officers. However, at that moment, the area - a mile or so east of Albert - came under attack and a shell landed nearby. Webber was among 12 men - and three horses - which had been hit, suffering a head wound. He, along with the others, was taken to a dressing station, but never regained consciousness and died that night, just over a month after his 67th birthday. Following his death, his family received messages of sympathy from the King and Queen and the Army Council, which was unusual for a lieutenant and apparently a reflection of his age and eagerness to serve. His Commanding Officer wrote “He was so gallant and full of energy. We all had the greatest admiration and respect for him.” He was also mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatches of the 4th of January 1917.

    Within two years, his widow too had died, according to the family having been unable to recover from her husband’s death. The three sons all survived. His eldest, NW (Tommy) Webber CMG DSO (& 9 Mentions in Despatches) rose to become a brigadier general and had a distinguished war career ending up as chief of staff to the commander of the Canadian Corps and was later managing director of the Army & Navy Stores group. The other two were Maj H.H. Webber RGA and Major Leonard Morris Webber RFA.

    s flynn




    1206439

    Cpl. Richard Henry Coad Royal Army Medical Corps (d.22nd May 1915)

    <p>

    Dick Coad was killed in action on the 22nd of May 1915, aged 23. He is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Richard Henry and Ellen Jane Coad. Born at Redruth, Cornwall. Dick lived at 47 March Street, Burnley. He was wounded on May 20th 1915 and handed over to the 4th (London) Field Ambulance for treatment.

    His friend, Harry Greenhalgh, wrote to Dick's parents: "Last Thursday evening the Germans started shelling this place, and a group of us were standing not far from our billet when a shell burst about ten yards away. Dick, Will and another of our chaps were hit, but we soon had them inside, and our officer, who is a doctor and was in the billet at the time, attended to them, and it was not long before they were taken into hospital. I went to see them the following day and found them all right. As I expect Dick will be all right in a few weeks. They have taken him away from this place, I don't know where he has been removed, but I am expecting a letter from him any time now. I received the parcel you sent to him yesterday, and Dick told me to divide it among the section. I am looking after his kit for him and will let you know if I hear something."

    Sadly, Dick succumbed to his wounds and was buried at Chocques Military Cemetery. Harry Greenhalgh, also from Burnley, survived the war and ended up as a Serjeant in the R.A.M.C.

    s flynn




    1206438

    Rflmn. Robert Taylor 1st/9th (Queen Victoria's Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Taylor was killed in action on the 30th of November 1917 and is commemorated on The Cambrai Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    1206437

    Rflmn. Horace Arthur Burford 1st/16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Horace Burford was killed in action on the 30th of November 1917 and is commemorated on The Cambrai Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    1206436

    Capt. Walter Napleton Stone VC. 3rd Btn. att. 17th Btn Royal Fusiliers (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Walter Stone was killed in action on the 30th of November 1917, aged 25 and is commemorated on on The Cambrai Memorial in France. He was the son of Edward and Emily Frances Stone, of Blackheath, London and was educated at Harrow and Pembroke College, Cambridge.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 12th Feb., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery when in command of a company in an isolated position 1,000 yards in front of the main line, and overlooking the enemy's position. He observed the enemy massing for an attack, and afforded invaluable information to battalion headquarters. He was ordered to withdraw his company, leaving a rearguard to cover the withdrawal. The attack developing with unexpected speed, Capt. Stone sent three platoons back and remained with the rearguard himself. He stood on the parapet with the telephone under a tremendous bombardment, observing the enemy and continued to send back valuable information until the wire was cut by his orders. The rearguard was eventually surrounded and cut to pieces, and Capt. Stone was seen fighting to the last till he was shot through the head. The extraordinary coolness of this heroic officer and the accuracy of his information enabled dispositions to be made just in time to save the line and avert disaster."

    s flynn




    1206435

    Capt. Allastair Malcolm Cluny McReady-Diarmid VC. 4th Btn. att. 17th Btn Middlesex Regiment (d.1st Dec 1917)

    <p>

    Allastair McReady-Diarmid was killed in action on the 1st of December 1917, aged 29, he is commemorated on Panel 9 on The Cambrai Memorial in France. Formerly Arthur Malcolm McReady-Drew he was the son of Herbert L. Drew and Fanny A. Drew (nee McReady), of 71 Goldsmith Avenue, Acton and the husband of Hilda McReady-Diarmid, of Springfield, Dursley, Gloucs. Born at New Southgate, Middlesex.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 12th March, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and brilliant leadership. When the enemy penetrated some distance into our position and the situation was extremely critical, Capt. McReady-Diarmid at once led his company forward through a heavy barrage. He immediately engaged the enemy, with such success that he drove them back at least 300 yards, causing numerous casualties and capturing 27 prisoners. The following day the enemy again attacked and drove back another company which had lost all it's officers. This gallant officer at once called for volunteers and attacked. He drove them back again for 300 yards, with heavy casualties. Throughout this attack Capt. McReady-Diarmid led the way himself, and it was absolutely and entirely due to his marvellous throwing of bombs that the ground was regained. His absolute disregard for danger, his cheerfulness and coolness at a most trying time, inspired all who saw him. This most gallant officer was eventually killed by a bomb when the enemy had been driven right back to their original starting point."

    s flynn




    1206434

    Cpl. James Murphy 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.11th April 1917)

    <p>

    James Murphy was Killed in action on the 11th of April 1917, aged 28. He is buried in Brown's Copse Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1206433

    Pte. Albert Burroughs 1st/5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.24th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Albery Burroughs was killed in action on the 24th of September 1918, aged 19 and is buried in Brown's Copse Cemetery, France. He was the son of Mary Ellen Burroughs, of 35, Rockley Street, Walton, Liverpool, and the late William John Burroughs His elder brother William John Burroughs served with the Lancashire Hussars and survived the war. He married and had a son who he named Albert after him.

    s flynn




    1206432

    Lt. Donald Mackintosh VC. 3rd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.11th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Donald Mackintosh was killed in action on the 11th of April 1917 and is buried in Brown's Copse Cemetery, France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and resolution in the face of intense machine gun fire. During the initial advance he was shot through the right leg, but though crippled he continued to lead his men and captured the trench. In the captured trench Lt. Mackintosh collected men of another company who had lost their leader, and drove back a counter-attack. He was again wounded, and although unable to stand, he continued, nevertheless, to control the situation. With only fifteen men left, he ordered his party to be ready to advance to the final objective, and with great difficulty got out of the trench and encouraged his men to advance. He was again wounded and fell. The gallantry and devotion to duty of this officer were beyond all praise."

    s flynn




    1206431

    Pte. James Edmundson 21st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.21st Aug 1918)

    <p>

    James Edmundson was killed in action on the 21st of August 1918, aged 34. Buried in Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, France, he was the son of Mr & Mrs Edmundson, Britannia Inn, Guy Street, Padiham, Lancashire. Lived at Harle Syke, Burnley with his wife and two children.

    James enlisted in June 1916, prior to this he had been working as a weaver at Thornton and Co's. Mill, Harle Syke, Burnley. He initially joined the East Lancashire Regiment but after being invalided home with septic poisoning he went back out with the Cheshire Regiment, whilst with the Cheshires he was injured by shrapnel and sent home, he then was transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    s flynn




    1206426

    Pte. William Henry Threlfall 2nd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.24th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    William Threlfall was killed in action on the 24th of August 1918, aged 29. Buried in Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, France, he was the husband of Minnie Threlfall, of 19, King's Terrace, Burnley.

    William enlisted on May 17th, 1916 having previously worked as a weaver for Messrs. Whitehead and Leaver. He had been overseas since June 13th, 1917. His wife, Minnie received news of his death from one of his friends in the battalion: "He was on a night stunt, and when they called the roll next morning he was not there. I and a lad from Waterfoot could not rest, so we went over the ground to look for him, and found him, to our sorrow, dead."

    s flynn




    1206425

    Sgt. David James Game 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Sgt. David James Game served with the 1st Battalion South Lancs 1904-1913 [7yrs India], 2nd Battalion South Lancs BEF 1914 [Battle of Mons] and 6th Battalion South Lancs BEF 1915-1919 Gallipoli and Mesopatamia

    My grandfather was born 23rd August 1888 in Cambridge, he was one of 9 children, his parents moved to Leamington around 1899, and they lived in Bedford Street. Grandad enlisted with the 1st Battalion South Lancs in 1904 aged 15 years old, he was under age, on his service record he put his DOB as 1886, he served 9 years, 7 of them in India, he left in 1913 to join his brothers in Canada. Unfortunately war broke out and Grandad was back to the UK, he was now with the 2nd Battalion South Lancs as the 1st Battalion served the war in India.

    Being in the regular army he was with the BEF [British Expeditionary Force] who were sent out to France whilst the New Army was being trained. I am able to piece together my grandfather’s experiences from himself, his service records and the War Diaries. Having served in France between 5 August and 22 November 1914, Grandad was truly "An Old Contemptible". He was also entitled to wear the clasp & rose to his 1914 Star Medal, awarded to all those who served under fire with the original British Expeditionary Force. By European standards the peacetime British Army was very small, but what it lacked in numbers it made up for in quality. Its Regular soldiers were long-time service professionals, confident in their marksmanship and discipline, and intensely proud of their Regiments. In comparison with the largely conscript continental armies, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) of 1914 was indeed ‘a rapier among scythes’

    Grandad took part in, the battles of Aisne and La Bassee, From 12th to 29th October 2nd South Lancashires experienced severe fighting and heavy casualties at the Battle of La Bassée, on the 21st October under cover of the mist, the Germans penetrated the front of the South Lancashires, on this day alone they lost seven officers and over two hundred men , but despite determined German attacks the battered line never broke.

    First Battle Ypres: 2nd South Lancashires joined the 1st Loyal North Lancashires in the Ypres fighting, withstanding repeated attacks at Nonne Boschen 11th-13th Nov. The battle swayed back and forth as fresh German divisions were committed and, with ever decreasing numbers, the British Regular Army fought almost literally to the death, constantly attacking , withdrawing and counter attacking. The line held but at a terrible cost, both battalions being reduced to barely company strength. "Although names are given to periods of fighting, it is not possible to describe them as battles. It was a period of continuous, prolonged, ruthless encounter hardly interrupted at night. Our troops had no rest. They were out-numbered, out-gunned and opposed by a determined, skilful and implacable enemy. The fighting was largely individual. The casualties were so heavy that units lost their identity and were roughly grouped under brigades. The troops fought in shallow trenches and shell holes, and in terrible weather conditions. In addition to wound and death casualties, they suffered from frozen feet and knees and from rheumatism. Repulse of German attacks was a daily commonplace. Hourly shelling, to which no reply was possible, owing to shortage of ammunition. Only at night could supplies be brought up and wounded removed. As soon as dusk fell, Ypres was crowded with vehicles passing in and out...

    It was at Nonne Boschen on the 13th Nov my granddad was wounded, he was returned home to England. In July 1915 he was with the BEF attached to the 6th Battalion South Lancs on his way to Gallipoli, they sailed from Avonmouth in June 1915, landed at Cape Helles (Gallipoli) 7-31 July, then moved to Mudros. Landed at Anzac Beach 4 August 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. It was here in Gallipoli he was promoted to Sergeant. They were evacuated from Gallipoli and went to Egypt via Mudros.

    February 1916 he was on his way to Mesopotamia, the 6th Battalions of the East Lancashires, South Lancashires and Loyal North Lancashires, veterans of Gallipoli, were sent to Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) . They landed at Basra in March 1916. They formed part of the 38th (Lancashire) Infantry Brigade of the 13th (Western) Division of Kitchener’s New Army Here they had to acclimatize into the extreme weather conditions. Even so, with temperatures regularly exceeding 50 deg.C, death and illness from heat-stroke were common and dysentery, malaria and other tropical diseases were endemic. Grandad was used to the high temperatures, from his time spent in India, he partook in the battles here, and he finally returned home in March 1919. He was so very lucky to have survived all this, to come home, due probably to his expert pre war training.

    He married Ellen Donald in 1920. On his return home from the Great War to a home fit for heroes, he found 2 1/2 days a fortnight work, digging trenches" for pipes. In 1923 - 1926 he joined the East Lancs as a private. Re-enlistment was encouraged by the short-term offer of a considerable financial incentive, this enabled my grandparents to eventually buy their home in Coventry. I believe he was truly a remarkable man.

    Pat Evans




    1206424

    michael Gallagher Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    <p>

    My great-great uncle on my Father's side. He is Michael Gallagher, uncle to my father's mother, Bridget Gallagher Griffin. He served in the British Army, and died in service year 1919. This picture was taken in 1918.

    Mary Bernadette Griffin Lough




    1206423

    Lt.Col. John Stanhope Collings-Wells VC, DSO. 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.27th March 1918)

    <p>

    John Collings-Wells was killed in action on the 27th of March 1918 and is buried in Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, France. He was the son of Arthur and Caroline Mary Collings-Wells, of Brand's House, Hughenden, High Wycombe, Bucks.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 23rd April, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and handling of his battalion in very critical situations during a withdrawal. When the rearguard was almost surrounded and in great danger of being captured, Lieutenant Colonel Collings-Wells, realising the situation, called for volunteers to remain behind and hold up the enemy whilst the remainder of the rearguard withdrew, and with his small body of volunteers held them up for one and half hours until they had expended every round of ammunition. During this time he moved freely amongst his men guiding and encouraging them, and by his great courage undoubtedly saved the situation. On a subsequent occasion, when his battalion was ordered to carry out a counter-attack, he showed the greatest bravery. Knowing that his men were extremely tired after six days' fighting, he placed himself in front and led the attack, and even when twice wounded refused to leave them but continued to lead and encourage his men until he was killed at the moment of gaining their objective. The successful results of the operations were, without doubt, due to the undaunted courage exhibited by this officer."

    s flynn




    1206422

    Capt. Frederick William Campbell VC. 1st Btn. (d.19th June 1915)

    <p>

    Frederick Campbell died of wounds on the 19th of June 1915 and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29272, dated 20th Aug., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on 15th June, 1915, during the action at Givenchy. Lt. Campbell took two machine-guns over the parapet, arrived at the German first line with one gun, and maintained his position there, under very heavy rifle, machine-gun and bomb fire, notwithstanding the fact that almost the whole of his detachment had then been killed or wounded. When our supply of bombs had become exhausted, this Officer advanced his gun still further to an exposed position, and, by firing about 1,000 rounds, succeeded in holding back the enemy's counter-attack. This very gallant Officer was subsequently wounded, and has since died."

    s flynn




    1206419

    Gnr. Reginald William Miller 190th Brigade H.Q Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd April 1918)

    <p>

    Reginald Miller was killed in action on 2nd of April 1918. The cross which was improvised from fence wood is complete with the deceased's stencilled name and metal strip number tag. At the time of his death Gunner Miller was aged 19. His remains are now buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery

    s flynn




    1206418

    Lt.Col. Walter Lorrain Brodie VC, MC. 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.21st Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Brodie was killed in action on 23rd of August 1918, aged 34 and is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery in France. Son of John Wilson Brodie, of 23, Belgrave Crescent, Edinburgh, he was the husband of Grace Mary Brodie.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29005, dated 12th Dec., 1914, records the following:- "For conspicuous gallantry near Becelaere on the 11th November, in clearing the enemy out of a portion of our trenches which they had succeeded in occupying. Heading the charge, he bayoneted several of the enemy, and thereby relieved a dangerous situation. As a result of Lt. Brodie's promptitude, 80 of the enemy were killed and 51 taken prisoners."

    s flynn




    1206417

    Cpl. Joseph Stanislaus Maley 9th (Glasgow Hds.) Btn. B Coy. Highland Light Infantry (d.17th May 1915)

    <p>

    Josie Maley died of wounds on the 17th May 1915 aged 22 at the battle of Festubert and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France. Son of Thomas E. Maley and Elizabeth Maley of 66, Wilton St. Glasgow, he was known as Josie to his family and friends. Josie's memory was kept alive by his family and he was never forgotten by his three younger sisters. In later years this photograph always had pride of place in the home of one of them.

    s flynn




    1206416

    2nd Lt. Henry Alexander Birkby 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.20th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Alexander Birkby was killed in action on the 20th of April 1916, aged 26 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

    s flynn




    1206415

    Pte. Samuel Mallet Makepeace 4th Batt. Durham Light Infantry (d.6th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Mallet Makepeace was 5’6” tall, weighed 125lbs and had a 35” chest, excellent vision, and the sparkling blue eyes that only appear once or twice in each generation of the Makepeace family. By all accounts, he was quite popular with the ladies but eventually got engaged to Mary Byrne of 45 Northbourne Street, in July 1914. Shortly after this date, he converted to Roman Catholic to the horror of his parents who disowned him and turfed him out of the family home. He moved in with Mary (who was already pregnant with his child) and her family at Northbourne Street. On 26th September, 1914, he married Mary at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Gateshead and they moved to 69 Arthur Street, just off Prince Consort Road. Their daughter, Elizabeth Teresa, was born on 9 April 1915.

    On 3 December 1915, Samuel enlisted at Newcastle and was posted to the Army Reserve as he was in a reserved occupation however on 2 November 1916, he received correspondence releasing him from his work with the railway and ordering him to take his place in the Army. He was posted on 17 November to the 4th Batt. Durham Light Infantry (DLI) as Private 39419 S Makepeace and the following day departed to Seaham Harbour Training Camp.

    During his time there he was reprimanded twice – the first time on 8 December 1916 for being in the canteen during parade hours (for which he was fined 3 days loss of pay) and the second on 2 February 1917 for overstaying his embarkation leave by 11 hours – he had to forfeit two days leave for this. I wonder if he might have overstayed for longer had he known that this would be the last time he would see his wife and daughter?

    The entire Battalion left Seaham Harbour by train on 8th February bound for Folkestone where they arrived the following day and boarded the SS Victoria which took them to Boulogne where they disembarked the following morning. Four days later, Samuel and his comrades were posted to the 14th Batt. DLI, Officer Commanding 35th Infantry Batt. at Etapes. They did see action there but very little is recorded of the minor skirmishes that took place at that time. On 5 March, orders were received that the men were to be re-posted to the 15th Batt. DLI and they undertook a four-day march joining the Battalion on the battlefield immediately they arrived on 9 March.

    Samuel was caught in a gas attack on 13 April 1917, during the Battle of Arras and was moved to the VII Corps Main Dressing Station at Boisieux-au-Mont, two days later. Considering that he was unlikely to recover so near to the battlefront, he was moved to the 43rd Casualty Clearing Station on 29 April. But he did recover and returned to the Officer Commanding 35th Infantry Battalion at Etapes on 26th May, re-joining his regiment on 2nd June and arriving back at the frontline on 10th June.

    On 4th August 1917, he was badly wounded – his legs were blown off in a shell attack by the Huns eager to get back the two or three yards of territory that they had lost. Samuel died from his wounds at the 20th Casualty Clearing Station on 6 August 1917 and was buried in the Bucquouy Road Cemetery near the village of Ficheux. In 1920, following the re-organisation of War Graves, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission erected a headstone to Samuel’s memory marking the spot where his grave now lies. This headstone records the date of his death incorrectly and an appeal has been made for a correction.

    Meanwhile back in England… Samuel’s wife, Mary and daughter Elizabeth Teresa, moved from 69 to 71 Arthur Street in 1917 and a little later that year to 19 Margaret Street, Washington. The War Office, upon receiving a telegram of Samuel’s death, telegraphed the Infantry Battalion HQ at York who duly issued the telegram to Mary. I was initially very surprised to find that this has survived and is in the National Archive but it made sense when I read the next document that advised that the telegram had not been delivered as she had moved away and not provided a forwarding address. It was not until February 1918 that Mary must have realised that Samuel was dead and contacted the War Office. She made a claim for and eventually received his medals (the British War Medal and the Victory Medal) and also made a claim for a widow’s pension for her and Elizabeth. To get the pension, she had to provide proof of family connection and here she became a bit stuck.

    Following Samuel’s conversion to the RC faith, his family had disowned him and Mary was not made welcome in the family home. As the years had elapsed she had probably forgotten Sam’s parents and brothers and sisters and those she could recollect and their addresses, she got confused on the official claim form. Nevertheless, she was granted a pension of 18s 9d per week. She later lost this when custody of their child was passed to her mother-in-law. What became of Mary we do not know. Elizabeth Teresa was sent to a Catholic Childrens' home in 1928 where she remained until her death in 1999 - unknown to any family born after WW1.

    Richard Jennings




    1206413

    Pte. Michael Boyle 2nd/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th June 1917)

    <p>

    Michael Boyle died of wounds on the 9th of June 1917, aged 19. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery in France, he was the sSon of Mr and Mrs Boyle, 27, Master Street, Burnley. Formerly a weaver at Messrs. Browning's Turf Street Shed, Burnley. He was hit by shrapnel and badly wounded in the back and forearm on the 1st of June 17, he died of his wounds 8 days later in hospital.

    s flynn




    1206412

    Pte. James O'Brien 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.23rd March 1917)

    <p>

    James O'Brien was killed in action on the 23rd of March1917 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery in France. He resided at 40 Hargreaves Street, Colne.

    s flynn




    1206411

    Lt. Frank Alexander DePass VC, MID. 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse (d.25th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Frank de Pass was killed in action on the 25th of November 1914 aged 27 and is buried in the Bethune Town Cemetery, France. Frank was born on 26 April 1887 to Eliot and Beatrice de Pass of Kensington, London.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29074, dated 16th Feb., 1915, records the following:- "For conspicuous bravery near Festubert on the 24th November, in entering a German sap and destroying a traverse in the face of the enemy's bombs, and for subsequently rescuing, under heavy fire, a wounded man who was lying exposed in the open."

    s flynn




    1206410

    Pte. Bernard Manning Browning 28th Btn. (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Bernard Browning was killed in action on the 3rd of October 1918, aged 30 and is buried in the Bellicourt British Cemetery in France. He emigrated to Australia with his cousin Charles John (who lost an eye during the Gallipoli campaign) and left behind a wife and two children. On his first day on the front line, being escorted across no man's land he was hit by German Artillery. All 5 of his group were killed instantly.

    s flynn




    1206409

    Gnr. John Edward Griffiths 8th Bde. Australian Field Artillery (d.8th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Jack Griffiths was killed in action on the 8th of October 1918, aged 27. Buried in in the Bellicourt British Cemetery in France, he was the son of Florence Ellen Preedy (formerly Griffiths), of 83 Albert Avenue, Maindee, Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, and the late James Griffiths.

    My Mother's cousin John (Jack) Edward Griffiths enlisted in the A.I.F. in Western Australia although he was from the UK and only there on holiday. He joined A.I.F. 8th Bde. A.F.A. on the 29th of September 1915. That was later crossed out on his papers and changed to 20th Battery on 6th of October 1915. He then became a Gunner in the 30th Battery on 1st of April 1916. My Grandparents live 104 miles out of Kalgoorlie in the bush, Jack became the mail man for the area and travelled long distances. For a man he had beautiful handwriting and although he never married he was engaged to a lady in Melbourne, Victoria, when he died

    s flynn




    1206407

    L/Sgt. Benjamin O'Grady Mechanical Transport Army Service Corps

    <p>

    Benjamin O'Grady was born on the 4th August 1894, in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. He joined the Army Service Corps on 8th December 1915 and was employed as a mechanic at Woolwich and served in Egypt.

    Jackie East




    1206406

    Pte. John Alexander Billingsley 3rd Btn Worcestershire Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    My Great Uncle John Billingsley, lived in Hanley, Stoke on Trent before the war. He died aged only 19 in France and is remembered on the memorial at Arras.

    At the time of his death the third Battalion Worcestershire Regiment were part of the 74th Brigade, 25th Division and on this date they were involved in the 1st battle of Bapaume, which commenced on 21st March 1918 as a result of the German initiative 'Operation Michael'.

    Fiona Whitfield




    1206405

    Herbert Clifford Hunt 2nd Batallion Honourable Artillery Company (d.15th May 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Clifford Hunt, son of Edward William Hunt and Emma Elizabeth Davey was born on the 12th of February 1898 when the family was living at 85, Arran Street, Roath, Cardiff. He was baptized in the Parish of Roath, Cardiff on the 29th of March 1898. Herbert Clifford, son of Edward Hunt, Clerk, of 85 Arran Street, and Emma Elizabeth. Baptized by W T Southern, Curate

    He enlisted in the Honourable Artillery Company in Cardiff on the 12th of December 1916. At that time the family was living at 22, Tydfil Place, Cardiff. He was posted as missing (later killed in action) on the 15th of May 1917 at Bullecourt. He is recorded in the CWGC Debt of Honour Register: In Memory of Herbert Clifford Hunt, Private 9644, 2nd Bn., Honourable Artillery Company, who died on Tuesday 15th May 1917, aged 19. Son of Edward and Emma E. Hunt, of 22, Tydfil Place, Roath Park, Cardiff. He is remembered on the The Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, in the Boulevard du General de Gaulle in the western part of the town of Arras. We visited the memorial when we were on holiday in Le Touquet, and found the panel with his name inscribed. The cemetery was beautifully kept.

    Anthony Dennis Hunt




    1206404

    Sgt. David Jones VC. 12th Btn. King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.7th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    David Jones died on the 7th of October 1916, aged 25 and is buried in the Bancourt British Cemetery, France.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29802, dated 24th Oct., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty, and ability displayed in the handling of his platoon. The platoon to which he belonged was ordered to a forward position, and during the advance came under heavy machine gun fire, the officer being killed and the platoon suffering heavy losses Serjt. Jones led-forward the remainder, occupied the position, and held it for two days and two nights without food or water, until relieved. On the second day he drove back three counter-attacks, inflicting heavy losses. His coolness was most praiseworthy. It was due entirely to his resource and example that his men retained confidence and held their post."

    The action for which David Jones received the Victoria Cross took place at Guillemont in the first week of September 1916, he was killed a month later and buried at Bancourt.

    s flynn




    1206403

    CSM. Walter Annis 6th Btn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.26th July 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Annis died of wounds on the 26th of July 1915, aged 39. Buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Anniss of Isleworth, Middlesex. Born: 26 February, 1876 He Served as a Colour-Sergeant in the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment during the Anglo-Boer War. Married Emily Annie Bolton on 4 August, 1911. They had two children Robert Walter, born 23 May, 1912 and Annie Evelyn, born 7 May, 1914.

    He was entitled to the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, the Queen’s South Africa Medal (4 clasps), The King’s South Africa Medal (2 clasps), the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, the Victory Medal, the 1903 Delhi Durbar Medal.

    s flynn




    1206402

    2nd Lt. Homer Warring Laird (d.8th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Homer Laird died on the 8th of October 1917 and is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension. His father Henry Willoughby Laird, was a lieutenant colonel with the CEF, and at the start of the war was a Major in the Army Service Corps and brother Lieutenant William Clarence Laird, CEF, both survived the war. They will always be remembered and in our family's thoughts and prayers.

    s flynn




    1206401

    Sgt. Thomas Mottershead VC, DCM. 20 Sqd. (d.12th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Mottershead died of wounds on the 12th of January 1917, aged 27. Buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in Bailleul, France, he was the sn of Thomas and Lucy Mottershead, of Widnes; husband of Lilian Medlicott Mottershead, of 31 Lilac Avenue, Widnes, Lancs.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29937, dated 9th Feb., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, endurance and skill, when attacked at an altitude of 9,000 feet; the petrol tank was pierced and the machine set on fire. Enveloped in flames, which his Observer, Lt. Gower was unable to subdue, this very gallant soldier succeeded in bringing his aeroplane back to our lines, and though he made a successful landing, the machine collapsed on touching the ground, pinning him beneath wreckage from which he was subsequently rescued. Though suffering extreme torture from burns, Serjt. Mottershead showed the most conspicuous presence of mind in the careful selection of a landing place, and his wonderful endurance and fortitude undoubtedly saved the life of his Observer. He has since succumbed to his injuries."

    Sergeant Mottershead's Distinguished Conduct Medal citation reveals: One of his first operations was low-level bombing raid on a German anti-aircraft battery which he successfully destroyed. On 22 September, with Second Lieutenant C. Street as observer he bombed the railway station at Samain, destroying one ammunition train and strafing another. While climbing away from the target, their aircraft was attacked by a Fokker scout. Accounts of the engagement indicate that it was Mottershead's skilful manoeuvring which enabled Street to shoot the enemy aircraft down. For this action and other displays of gallantry, Sergeant Mottershead was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant.

    s flynn




    1206400

    Pte. William Gaskell 1st Btn. B Coy. East Lancashire Regiment (d.22nd Sep 1917)

    <p>

    William Gaskell was killed in action on the 22nd of May 1917, aged 21. Buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of Mr. G. H. and Mrs. R. Gaskell, of 53, Evelyn St., Burnley. Born in Inniskilling, he was a tape labourer at H. Walton's Coronation Mill prior to enlisting. His father, Serjeant G. H. Gaskell, was a veteran of the South African wars.

    s flynn




    1206399

    Pte. Thomas Salton Murray 1st Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.14th Sept 1914)

    <p>Pte. Thomas S. Murray, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

    Doing genealogy research of my mother's side of the family, I came across Pte. Thomas Salton Murray. I had already researched his brother, Cpl Andrew Murray MM, killed during the Battle of Cambrai, as my mother's middle name was Andreen to commemorate him. Both had joined the 1st Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders; Thomas in 1914 and his brother a little later.

    The tragic thing is that neither body was found and therefore they did not have a grave; what this did to my great-grandmother is unimaginable. Fortunately, all seven of the other children survived. The family has a picture of each soldier and my cousin has the medals of both men.

    Pte. T. S. Murray and Cpl. A. Murray

    Tony Sheffield




    1206398

    Pte. William Thomas Clegg 9th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.5th March 1917)

    <p>

    William Clegg died on 5th of March 1917, aged 41 and is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension He was the husband of Alice Clegg, of 9 Valley Gardens, Hapton, Burnley. formerly of 12 Woodsley Street, Rosegrove, Burnley. He died of Bronchitis and prior to enlisting was a weaver at Messrs. Spencer's Imperial Mill, Burnley.

    s flynn




    1206397

    Pte. Thomas Dawtry 10th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.29th April 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Dawtry was killed in action on the 29th of April 1917, aged 27 and was Buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France. Thomas died leaving a wife, Sarah Ann nee Bywater and 2 children, my father Thomas b. 1911 and a daughter Sarah Ann, b. 1912, all living in Doncaster, Yorkshire.

    The Additional information on the CWGC site is rather confusing and incorrect. Grandfather was actually born 19 Nov 1889 in Wigston, Leicestershire and his name registered as Edgar Dawtry HALL. He was the recognised but illegitimate son of Arthur Dawtry and Elizabeth HALL. Sadly his mother died just days after his birth and he was given to his father's sister Hannah to raise. Hannah was married to Thomas Bagshaw. Grandfather was known a Thomas Bagshaw until sometime shortly before his marriage when he reverted to his biological father's surname but kept his new forename. Hence the confusion over names which I'm sure originated with Sarah Ann not the CWGC.

    s flynn




    1206395

    Pte. Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney VC, DCM, MM. 38th Btn. Eastern Ontario Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Claude Nunney died of wounds on the 18th of September 1918 and is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    An extract from the London Gazette Supplement (No. 31067, of 13th Dec., 1918) records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery during the operations against the Drocourt-Queant line on Sept. 1st and 2nd, 1918. On Sept. 1st, when his battalion was in the vicinity of Vis-en-Artois, preparatory to the advance, the enemy laid down a heavy barrage and counter-attacked. Pte. Nunney, who was at this time at company headquarters, immediately on his own initiative proceeded through the barrage to the company outpost lines, going from post to post and encouraging the men by his own fearless example. The enemy were repulsed and a critical situation was saved. During the attack on Sept. 2nd, his dash continually placed him in advance of his companions, and his fearless example undoubtedly helped greatly to carry the company forward to its objectives."

    There has been some debate as to Nunney's origins. Whilst Nunney himself stated he was born in Dublin, Ireland, it is claimed he was actually born in Hastings, England as Stephen Sargent Claude Nunney. Also it is claimed that Nunney did not become a Canadian citizen by naturalization process, but by becoming part of a child emigration scheme known as British Home Children.

    Dave Lorente, (Homechildren Canada,) wrote the following article on Claude: "It is interesting to speculate how Claude Nunney would answer, were he alive today and asked to give his first names, DOB and birthplace, because for some unknown reason or reasons he knowingly or unwittingly gave false information when he joined up in World War I. Perhaps it was because, like so many other Home Children, he had lost his baptismal record and/or birth certificate. His birth certificate shows he was actually born in Hastings, England - not in Dublin as his military Attestation papers show. Nor was he Irish and his name was not Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney as he stated but Stephen Sargent Claude Nunney' - 'Sargent' being his mother's maiden name. His birth date was also wrong and he came to Canada as Stephen - not Claude. All that said, none of it detracts in any way from the brave things he did during World War I when he became one of 'Canada's Magnificent Seven' and won the former Empire and Commonwealth's highest award for bravery in the ranks."

    s flynn




    1206394

    Sgt. Hugh Cairns VC. 46th Btn. Saskatchewan Regiment. (d.2nd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    High Cairns died of wounds on the 2nd of November 1918 and is buried in the Auberchicourt British Cemetery in France. He was the son of George H. and Elizabeth D. Cairns, of 832, Avenue G North, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31155, dated 28th Jan., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery before Valenciennes on 1st November, 1918, when a machine gun opened on his platoon. Without a moment's hesitation Serjt. Cairns seized a Lewis gun and single-handed in the face of direct fire, rushed the post, killed the crew of five, and captured the gun. Later, when the line was held up by machine-gun fire, he again rushed forward, killing 12 enemy and capturing 18 and two guns. Subsequently when the advance was held up by machine-guns and field guns, although wounded, he led a small party to outflank them, killing many, forcing about 50 to surrender, and capturing all the guns. After consolidation he went with a battle patrol to exploit Marly and forced 60 enemy to surrender. Whilst disarming this party he was severely wounded. Nevertheless he opened fire and inflicted heavy losses. Finally he was rushed by about 20 enemy and collapsed from weakness and loss of blood. Throughout the operation he showed the highest degree of valour, and his leadership greatly contributed to the success of the attack. He died on the 2nd November from wounds."

    s flynn




    1206393

    Capt. Arthur Forbes Gordon Kilby VC MC 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Arthur Kilby was killed in action on the 25th of September 1915.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 30th March, 1916, records the following :- "For most conspicuous bravery. Captain Kilby was specially selected at his own request, and on account of the gallantry which he had previously displayed on many occasions, to attack with his Company a strong enemy redoubt. The Company charged along the narrow towpath, headed by Captain Kilby, who, though wounded at the outset, continued to lead his men right up to the enemy wire under a devastating machine gun fire and a shower of bombs. Here he was shot down, but, although his foot had been blown off, he continued to cheer on his men and to use a rifle. Captain Kilby has been missing since the date of the performance of this great act of valour, and his death has now to be presumed."

    Captain Kilby's heroism was acknowledged by the German defenders who erected a memorial cross at the location of his death. His body was eventually found on 19 February 1929 and interred at Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt.

    s flynn




    1206392

    Sgt. Albert White VC. 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.19th May 1917)

    <p>

    Albert White was killed in action on the 19th of May 1917, aged 23. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. White, of 58 Lamb St., Liverpool.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 27th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Realising during an attack that one of the enemy's machine guns, which had previously been located, would probably hold up the whole advance of his Company, Serjt. White, without the slightest hesitation and regardless of all personal danger, dashed ahead of his Company to capture the gun. When within a few yards of the gun he fell riddled with bullets, having thus willingly sacrificed his life in order that he might secure the success of the operations and the welfare of his comrades."

    s flynn




    1206391

    Lt Col. Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson VC, DSO. 2nd/5th Btn. Middlesex Hussars (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Oliver Watson also served with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action on the 28th of March 1918, aged 41 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery in Arras, France.

    Son of William Spencer Watson, F.R.C.S., and Georgine Mary Jane Mair Watson, he served in the Tirah Campaign with 19th Bn. Yorkshire Regt., also served in China during the Boxer rebellion.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 18th May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, self-sacrificing devotion to duty, and exceptionally gallant leading during a critical period of operations. His command was at a point where continual attacks were made by the enemy in order to pierce the line, and an intricate system of old trenches in front, coupled with the fact that his position was under constant rifle and machine-gun fire, rendered the situation still more dangerous. A counter-attack had been made against the enemy position, which at first achieved its object, but as they were holding out in two improvised strong points, Lt. Col. Watson saw that immediate action was necessary, and he led his remaining small reserve to the attack, organising bombing parties and leading attacks under intense rifle and machine-gun fire. Outnumbered, he finally ordered his men to retire, remaining himself in a communication trench to cover the retirement, though he faced almost certain death by so doing. The assault he led was at a critical moment, and without doubt saved the line. Both in the assault and in covering his men's retirement, he held his life as nothing, and his splendid bravery inspired all troops in the vicinity to rise. to the occasion and save a breach being made in a hardly tried and attenuated line. Lt. Col. Watson was killed while covering the withdrawal."

    s flynn




    1206390

    Sgt. Thomas Owen Ackers 23rd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.2nd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Owen Ackers served with the 23rd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers during WW1. My grandfather was a patient at 1st Eastern General Hospital between 6/11/17 and 28/12/17 when he was discharged on medical grounds. He had been an asthmatic since childhood but didn't let this stop him being an active and dedicated soldier. After discharge he became a photographer and drill teacher at the local grammar school in Portmadoc. Sadly this was a very short career, he died of Spanish 'flu on Nov 2nd 1918.

    Lynda Shaughnessy




    1206389

    Lt. Richard Basil Bandram Jones VC 8th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.21st May 1916)

    <p>

    Richard Jones was killed in action on the 21st of May 1916, aged 19. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, he was the son of Henry Thomas Brandram Jones and Caroline Emma Jones, of 2, Thicket Rd., Anerley, London.

    An extract from The London Gazette dated 5th August, 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. He was holding with his platoon a crater recently captured from the enemy. About 7.30 P.M. the enemy exploded a mine forty yards to his right, and at the same time put a heavy barrage of fire on our trenches, thus isolating the Platoon. They then attacked in overwhelming numbers. Lt. Jones kept his men together, steadying them by his fine example, and shot no less than fifteen of the enemy as they advanced, counting them aloud as he did so to cheer his men. When his ammunition was expended he took a bomb, but was shot through the head while getting up to throw it. His splendid courage had so encouraged his men that when they had no more ammunition or bombs they threw stones and ammunition boxes at the enemy till only nine of the platoon were left. Finally they were compelled to retire."

    s flynn




    1206388

    Cpl. George Jarratt VC. 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    George Jarratt was killed in action on the 3rd of May 1917, aged 25. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France. George was the husband of G. M. Jarratt, of 28, Stanley Road, Southgate, Middx.

    An extract from The London Gazette dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion in deliberately sacrificing his life to save others. He had, together with some wounded men, been taken prisoner and placed under guard in a dug-out. The same evening the enemy were driven back by our troops, the leading infantrymen of which commenced to bomb the dug-outs. A grenade fell in the dugout, and without hesitation Cpl. Jarratt placed both feet on the grenade, the subsequent explosion blowing off both his legs. The wounded were later safely removed to our lines, but Cpl. Jarratt died before he could be removed. By this supreme act of self-sacrifice the lives of these wounded were saved."

    s flynn




    1206387

    2nd Lt. Basil Arthur Horsfall VC 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.27th March 1918)

    <p>

    Basil Horsfall was killed in action on the 27th of March 1918, aged 30. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France.

    Son of the late Charles William Horsfall, of Darlington, Polwatta, Colombo, and of Maria Henrietta Horsfall (nee Layard), of Florence, Kandy, Ceylon. He was born at Kelvin Gerve, Colombo; educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo and Sir William Borlase School, Great Marlow, England. From Barclay's Bank, London, he took up Rubber planting in Ceylon and was appointed Financial Assistant to the Public Works Department of the Civil Service of Ceylon. Basil qualified in signalling and search light in the Ceylon Engineer Volunteers.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 22nd May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. 2nd Lt. Horsfall was in command of the centre platoon during an attack on our positions. When the enemy first attacked, his three forward sections were driven back and he was wounded in the head. Nevertheless, he immediately organised the remainder of his men and made a counter-attack, which recovered his original positions. On hearing that out of the remaining three officers of his company two were killed and one wounded, he refused to go to the dressing room, although his wound was severe. Later his platoon had to be withdrawn to escape very heavy shell fire, but immediately the shelling lifted he made a second counter-attack and again recovered his positions. When the order to withdraw was given, he was the last to leave his position, and, although exhausted, said he could have held on if it had been necessary. HIs conduct was a splendid example to his men, and he showed throughout the utmost disregard of danger. This very gallant officer was killed when retiring to the positions in rear."

    s flynn




    1206385

    Cpt. David Philip Hirsch VC MID. 4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>

    Philip Hirsch was killed in action on the 23rd of April 1917, aged 20. Commemorated on Bay 5 on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France, he was the son of Harry and Edith Hirsch, of Weetwood Grove, Leeds.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 14th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. Having arrived at the first objective, Capt. Hirsch, although already twice wounded, returned over fire-swept slopes to satisfy himself that the defensive flank was being established. Machine gun fire was so intense that it was necessary for him to be continuously up and down the line encouraging his men to dig and hold the position. He continued to encourage his men by standing on the parapet and steadying them in the face of machine gun fire and counter-attack until he was killed. His conduct throughout was a magnificent example of the greatest devotion to duty."

    s flynn




    1206384

    2nd Lt. John Harrison VC. 11th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    John Harrison was killed in action on the 3rd of May 1917, aged 26. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery in Arras, France, he was the husband of Mrs. J. Harrison, of 75, Wharncliffe St., Spring Bank, Hull and a former Hull Rugby League Player.

    An extract from The London Gazette dated 12th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice in an attack. Owing to darkness and to smoke from the enemy barrage, and from our own, and to the fact that our objective was in a dark wood, it was impossible to see when our barrage had lifted off the enemy front line. Nevertheless, 2nd Lt. Harrison led his company against the enemy trench under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, but was repulsed. Reorganising his command as best he could in No Man's Land, he again attacked in darkness under terrific fire, but with no success. Then, turning round, this gallant officer single-handed made a dash at the machine-gun, hoping to knock out the gun and so save the lives of many of his company. His self-sacrifice and absolute disregard of danger was an inspiring example to all. He is reported missing, believed killed."

    s flynn




    1206383

    Sgt. John Erskine VC 5th/6th Btn. D Coy. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.14th April 1917)

    <p>

    John Erskine was killed in action on the 14th of April 1917, aged 23. Commemorated 6 on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France, he was the son of the late William Erskine, of Dunfermline, and of Mrs. Elizabeth Erskine, of 1 East Savile Rd., Edinburgh.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 4th Aug., 1916, records the following :- "For most conspicuous bravery. Whilst the near lip of a crater, caused by the explosion of a large enemy mine, was being consolidated, Actg. Serjt. Erskine rushed out under continuous fire with utter disregard of danger and rescued a wounded serjeant and a private. Later, seeing his officer, who was believed to be dead, show signs of movement, he ran out to him, bandaged his head, and remained with him for fully an hour, though repeatedly fired at, whilst a shallow trench was being dug to them. He then assisted in bringing in his officer, shielding him with his own body in order to lessen the chance of his being hit again."

    s flynn




    1206382

    Sgt. Alexander Edwards VC. 6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.24th March 1918)

    <p>

    Alexander Edwards was killed in action on the 24th of March 1918, aged 32. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France, he was the son of A. Edwards, of Stotfield, Lossiemouth. Alexander was born at Drainie, Morayshire.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 14th Sept., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery in attack, when, having located a hostile machine gun in a wood, he, with great dash and courage, led some men against it, killed all the team and captured the gun. Later, when a sniper was causing casualties, he crawled out to stalk him, and although badly wounded in the arm, went on and killed him. One officer only was now left with the company, and, realising that the success of the operation depended on the capture of the furthest objective, Serjt. Edwards, regardless of his wound, led his men on till this objective was captured. He subsequently showed great skill in consolidating his position, and very great daring in personal reconnaissance. Although again twice wounded on the following day, this very gallant N.C.O. maintained throughout a complete disregard for personal safety, and his high example of coolness and determination engendered a fine fighting spirit in his men."

    s flynn




    1206381

    2nd Lt. Bernard Matthew Cassidy VC. 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    <p>

    Bernard Cassidy was killed in action on the 28th of March 1918, aged 26. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Fauburg-d'Amiens Cemetery in Arras, France, he was the son of Bernard and Julia Cassidy, of 29 Watford Rd, Victoria Docks, London.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 30th April 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, self-sacrifice, and exceptional devotion to duty during an hostile attack. At a time when the flank of the division was in danger, Lt. Cassidy was in command of the left company of his battalion, which was in close support. He was given orders prior to the attack that he must hold on to his position to the last. He most nobly carried this out to the letter. The enemy came on in overwhelming numbers and endeavoured to turn the flank. He, however, continually rallied his men under a terrific bombardment. The enemy were several times cleared out of the trench by his personal leadership. His company was eventually surrounded, but Lt. Cassidy still fought on, encouraging and exhorting his men until he was eventually killed. By his most gallant conduct the whole attack was held up at this point and the left flank was undoubtedly saved from what might have been a disaster."

    sbflynn




    1206380

    2nd Lt. Ernest Frederick Beal VC. 13th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd March 1918)

    <p>

    Ernest Beal was killed in action on the 22rd of March 1918, aged 35. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery in Arras, France, he was the son of John J. W. and Jane Stillman Beal, of 55 East St., Brighton

    An Extract from the London Gazette, dated 31st May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and determined leading when in command of a company detailed to occupy a certain section of trench. When the company was established, it was found that a considerable gap of about 400 yards existed between the left flank of the company and the neighbouring unit, and that this gap was strongly held by the enemy. It was of vital importance that the gap should be cleared, but no troops were then available. Organising a small party of less than a dozen men, he led them against the enemy. On reaching an enemy machine gun, 2nd Lt. Beal immediately sprang forward, and with his revolver killed the team and captured the gun. Continuing along the trench he encountered and dealt with another machine gun in the same manner, and in all captured four enemy guns, and inflicted severe casualties. Later in the evening, when a wounded man had been left in the open under heavy enemy fire, he, regardless of danger, walked up close to an enemy machine gun and brought in the wounded man on his back. 2nd Lt. Beal was killed by a shell on the following morning."

    s flynn




    1206379

    Mjr. Lanoe George Hawker VC, DSO. 24 Sqdn (d.23rd Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Lanco hawker was killed in action on the 23rd of November 1916, aged 25. Commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in Arras, France, he was the son of Mrs Julia Hawker, of 5 Victoria Terrace, Eastbourne and the late Lieut. Henry Colley Hawker, R.N.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 24th Aug., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and very great ability on 25th July, 1915. When flying alone he attacked three German aeroplanes in succession. The first managed eventually to escape, the second was driven to ground damaged, and the third, which he attacked at a height of about 10,000 feet, was driven to earth in our lines, the pilot and observer being killed. The personal bravery shown by this Officer was of the very highest order, as the enemy's aircraft were armed with machine guns, and all carried a passenger as well as the pilot.

    s flynn




    1206376

    Cpt. Albert Ball VC, DSO, MC. 56 Sqd. (d.7th May 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Ball formerly served with the 7th (Robin Hood) Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), He was killed in action on the 7th of May 1917, aged 20 and buried in the Annoeullin Communal Cemetery and German Extension in France. He had been awarded yhe Legion d'Honneur (France) and Order of St. George, 4th Class (Russia) and was the son of Sir Albert Ball, J.P., of Stansted House, Wollaton Park, Nottingham.

    An extract from the London Gazette dated 8th June 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous and consistent bravery from the 25th of April to the 6th of May, 1917, during which period Capt. Ball took part in twenty-six combats in the air and destroyed eleven hostile aeroplanes, drove down two out of control, and forced several others to land. In these combats Capt. Ball, flying alone, on one occasion fought six hostile machines, twice he fought five and once four. When leading two other British aeroplanes he attacked an enemy formation of eight. On each of these occasions he brought down at least one enemy. Several times his aeroplane was badly damaged, once so seriously that but for the most delicate handling his machine would have collapsed, as nearly all the control wires had been shot away. On returning with a damaged machine he had always to be restrained from immediately going out on another. In all, Capt. Ball has destroyed forty-three German aeroplanes and one balloon, and has always displayed most exceptional courage, determination and skill."

    s flynn




    1206375

    Pte. Walter Thomas "Brickey" Adams 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy (d.24th May 1917)

    Walter Adams was a runner and was killed just before the Messines Battle. I am trying to find out more about Walter, information, photo's etc. if anyone could help me out in any way it would be very appreciated.

    Mick Andruschak




    1206374

    Piper. James Clelland Richardson VC 16th Btn. Canadian (Manitoba) Regiment (d.9th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Jimmy Richardson was killed in action on the 9th of Octover 1916, his remains were discovered in 1920 and buried in the Adanac Military Cemetery in Somme, France.

    An extract from the London Gazette No. 30967 dated 18th Oct. 1918 records the following, "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, prior to attack, he obtained permission from his C.O. to play his company 'over the top'. As the company approached the objective, it was help up by very strong wire and came under intense fire, which caused heavy casualties and demoralised the formation for the moment. Realising the situation, Piper Richardson strode up and down outside the wire, playing his pipes with the greatest coolness. The effect was instantaneous. Inspired by his splendid example, the company rushed the wire with such fury and determination that the obstacle was overcome and the position captured. Later, after participating in bombing operations he was detailed to take back a wounded comrade and prisoners. After proceeding about 200 yards, Piper Richardson, remembered that he had left his pipes behind. Although strongly urged not to do so, he insisted on returning to recover his pipes. He has never been seen since, and death has been presumed accordingly owing to lapse of time."

    The mystery of Jimmy Richardson's Bagpipes

    Richardson's bagpipes were believed to have been lost in the mud of the Somme for almost 90 years until 2002, when the Pipe Major of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) responded to an Internet posting. He discovered that Ardvreck preparatory school in Scotland had possession of a set of bagpipes with the unique Lennox tartan on them, the same tartan used by the pipers of the 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion. A British Army Chaplain, Major Edward Yeld Bate, had found the pipes in 1917 and brought them back home after the war to a school in Scotland where he was a teacher. The pipes were unidentified for several decades, and served as a broken, mud-caked, and blood-stained reminder of an unknown piper from the Great War.

    Andrew Winstanley of The Canadian Club and Pipe Major Roger McGuire were largely responsible for the investigative work into identifying Richardson's pipes. With the support of The Canadian Club and a group of patriotic citizens, Pipe Major McGuire travelled to Scotland in January 2003 to help identify the pipes that had been displayed at Ardvreck School in Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland, for over seven decades. Tomas Christie, a parent of students there and also a piper, initiated the search for the origin of the pipes.

    Their collective effort led to conclusive evidence that identified the pipes as those played by Piper Richardson on that fateful day in 1916. An anonymous donor facilitated the purchase of the pipes on behalf of the citizens of Canada. In October 2006, a party of dignitaries visited Scotland and received the pipes from the Headmaster of Ardvreck School for repatriation to Canada. On 8 November 2006, the bagpipes were officially repatriated when troops from The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) placed them at the British Columbia Legislature as a reminder of a generation's valour. They are currently on public display. There is a statue of him on display at the museum in Chilliwack, BC.

    s flynn




    1206373

    Sgt. Samuel Forsyth VC. No.3 Field Company New Zealand Engineers (d.24th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Forsyth was killed on 24th of August 1918 by a sniper and is buried in the Adanac Military Cemetery in Somme, France.

    An extract from the London Gazette No. 30967 dated 18th Oct. 1918, records the following: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On meeting the objective, his company came under heavy machine-gun fire. Through Sgt. Forsyth's dashing leadership and total disregard of danger, three machine-gun positions were rushed and the crews taken prisoner before they could inflict many casualties on our troops. During subsequent advance his company came under heavy fire from several machine-guns, two of which he located by a daring reconnaissance. In his endeavour to gain support from a Tank, he was wounded, but after having the wound bandaged, he again got in touch with the Tank, which in the face of very heavy fire from machine-guns and anti-Tank guns, he endeavoured to lead with magnificent coolness to a favourable position. The Tank, however, was put out of action. Sgt. Forsyth then organised the Tank crew and several of his men into a section, and led them to a position where the machine-gun could be outflanked. Always under heavy fire, he directed them into positions which brought about a retirement of the enemy machine-guns and enabled the advance to continue. This gallant N.C.O. was at that moment killed by a sniper. From the commencement of the attack until the time of his death Sgt. Forsyth's courage and coolness, combined with great power of initiative, proved an invaluable incentive to all who were with him and he undoubtedly saved many casualties among his comrades."

    s flynn




    1206371

    Sgt. Harold Jackson VC. 7th Btn. C Company East Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Harold Jackson was killed in action on 24th of August 1918, aged 26 and is buried in the A.I.F. Burial Ground, Somme, France. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Ann Jackson, of Allandales, Kirton, Boston.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 7th May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Sjt. Jackson volunteered and went out through the hostile barrage and brought back valuable information regarding the enemy's movements. Later, when the enemy had established themselves in our line, this N.C.O. rushed at them, and single-handed, bombed them out into the open. Shortly afterwards, again single-handed, he stalked an enemy machine-gun, threw Mills bombs at the detachment, and put the gun out of action. On a subsequent occasion when all his officers had become casualties, this very gallant N.C.O. led his company in the attack, and, when ordered to retire, he withdrew the company successfully under heavy fire. He then went out repeatedly under heavy fire and carried in wounded."

    s flynn




    1206370

    Ast.Cook. Robert Hannan SS Hollington (d.2nd June 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Hannan was killed in action during a submarine attack on the 2nd of June 1917, aged 17. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, he was the son of Robert Hannan, of Parker's Arms, Burnley, Lancs. Born at Rawtenstock.

    s flynn




    1206369

    Carpenter. Gustav Teodor Forsell SS Calypso (d.11th July 1916)

    <p>

    Gustav Forsell was killed in action on the 11th of July 1916, aged 62. Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, he was the son of the late Johan Gustaf Forsell and husband of Henrietta Forsell (nee Sshultz), of 29 Edward's Place, Hull. Born at Akesund in Sweden, Gustav was a naturalised British subject.

    s flynn




    1206367

    Wireman. Alfred Leslie Quintrell HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    Alfred Quintrell was killed in action on the 31st of May 1916, aged 23. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval memorial in Portsmouth he was the son of Alfred and Annie Quintrell, of 1 St. Cuthbert's Rd., Newquay, Cornwall.

    s flynn




    1206366

    Pte. Walter Tudge Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    We know very little about Walter Tudge who was born in 1900 in Coalville, Leicestershire. His father was Willis Tudge who joined the Leicester Regiment in 1901 but transferred later in 1901 to the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery and spent many years serving in India. He left the army in 1908 but was recalled to the Royal Artillery on 4th August 1914 and had his final discharge in 1920.

    Walter appears to have joined the Army sometime in 1915, as the family have a shooting medal with his name on it, and is dated July 1915. He was killed on 23rd August 1918 and is buried in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension near Amiens.

    I'm attempting to research the service story of Walter Tudge for one of his relatives. The family would appreciate any information about Walter especially details of his battalion and the battle when he was killed.

    Vince Taylor




    1206364

    2nd Lt. William George Beaumot-Edmonds 1/22nd (County of London) Btn. London Regiment (d.17th Sep 1916)

    <p>The Sphere 18th Nov

    William Beaumont-Edmonds was born at Stockwell, June 2, 1883. He was educated at Merchant Taylors School from 1896-1900 and Gray's Inn, Inns of Court and was admitted to the Bar in 1909. Edmonds served in the 16th London Regiment (Westminster Rifles) as a Lance Corporal for seven years prior to the Great War. He was promoted to 2nd Lt and joined 1/22nd London Regiment in 1915 and served 10 months in France prior to his death.

    2nd Lt. Beaumont-Edmonds was killed in action on the 17th of September 1916 in a trench about 1/4 mile northeast of High Wood by an artillery shell. His identity disc was recovered and he was buried close to the trench. However, due to the fortunes of war his grave location was lost and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

    Ralph Bennett




    1206362

    OrdSea. John Henry Carless VC HMS Caledon. (d.17th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    John Carless was killed in action on the 17th of Novemeber 1917, aged 21. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Portsmouth, he was the son of John Thomas and Elizabeth Carless, of 31, Tasker Street, Walsall, Staffs.

    An extract from The London Gazette No. 30687, dated 17th May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Although mortally wounded in the abdomen, he still went on serving the gun at which he was acting as rammer, lifting a projectile and helping to clear away the other casualties. He collapsed once, but got up, tried again, and cheered on the new gun's crew. He then fell and died. He not only set a very inspiring and memorable example, but he also, whilst mortally wounded, continued to do effective work against the King's enemies." The action during which this incident took place was the second battle of Heligoland Bight.

    S.Flynn




    1206360

    CPO. Charles Dungey HMS Monmouth (d.1st Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Chief Petty Officer Charles Dungey served in the Royal Navy during WW1. He was killed in action on the 1st November 1914, aged 47 and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth. He was the son of the late Edward and Amelia Dungey, of Veryan, Grampound Rd., Cornwall; Husband of Bessie J. Dungey, of 38, Elm Rd., Mannamead, Mutley, Plymouth.

    HMS Monmouth sunk in Battle of Coronel when Admiral Cradock's Force was effectively ambushed by von Spee’s squadron. The Monmouth’s 6in guns were outranged by the 8.2in guns carried on von Spee’s best ships, the Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau. The Monmouth was lost with all hands without being able to inflict any damage on the German ships.

    S Flynn




    1206358

    Able Sea. Enoch Barton HMS Vanguard (d.9th Jul 1917)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Enoch Barton served with the Royal Navy during WW1. He was killed in an explosion aboard HMS Vanguard in Scapa Flow Naval Base on the 9th July 1917, aged 29 and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth. He was the son of William Henry and Eleanor Barton, of 850, Padiham Rd., Burnley, Lancs. Art teacher at the Technical School, Burnley and a Mason of Red Rose of Lancaster Lodge No. 1504, Padiham. Native of Padiham.

    S Flynn




    1206357

    Lt.Cmdr. William Edward Sanders VC DSO. HMS Prize Royal Naval Reserve (d.14th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Lieutenant Commander William Edward Sanders VC DSO served in the Royal Naval Reserve during WW1. He was killed in action on the 14th August 1917, age 34 and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth. He was the son of Edward Helman Cooke Sanders and Emma Jane Sanders, of Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand. William held the Extra Master's Certificate (Mercantile Marine).

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 30147, dated 22nd June, 1917, records the following:- "In recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, consummate coolness, and skill in command of one of HM ships in action."

    S Flynn




    1206356

    Lt. George Leslie Drewry VC. HM Trawler William Jackson. Royal Naval Reserve (d.2nd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Lt George Leslie Drewry served in the Royal Navy during WW1. He was killed in action on the 2nd August 1918, Age: 23 and is buried in in the City of London Cemetery. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Drewry, of 58, Claremont Rd., Forest Gate.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29264, dated 13th Aug., 1915, records the following:- "Assisted Commander Unwin at the work of securing the lighters under heavy rifle and maxim fire. He was wounded in the head, but continued his work and twice subsequently attempted to swim from lighter to lighter with a line."

    George Drewry was born on 3rd November 1894, the son of Thomas and Mary Drewry, at 53 Haslemere (now Kitchener) Road, Forest Gate. The family later moved to 15 Hampton Road, Forest Gate, and then to 58 Claremont Road, Forest Gate. George attended Merchant Taylors' School in the City of London. He was 20 years old and serving as a Midshipman in the Royal Naval Reserve on HMS Hussar when he won his Victoria Cross during the Gallipoli landings on 25 April 1915. Under the guidance of Commander Unwin, the SS River Clyde, an old collier, was prepared for landing thousands of troops on 'V' Beach, Seddul Bahr, Gallipoli. Large holes were cut in the ship's side level with the decks, and sloping gangways suspended by wire hawsers were run out so that the men could rush down them as soon as the ship touched the ground. Barges had been made fast to the sides of the steamer so that a floating bridge could be formed from them if the River Clyde grounded too far from the beach. Alongside were five 'tows' of five boats each, packed with men of the Dublin Fusiliers, who were to land first and cover the disembarkation of the troops.

    The open boats and River Clyde touched ground almost at the same moment and no sooner had the first of them grated on the bottom than a terrific fire was opened from the whole of the surrounding hills that dominated the beach. For a considerable distance to seaward the sea bed had been strewn with barbed wire and as the Dublin Fusiliers leapt into the water they found themselves entangled in the wire and were shot down where they stood. The open boats were held fast and their naval crews were wiped out. As the River Clyde grounded, the barges that were to form the bridge were run out ahead, and the troops began to pour out of the holes in her sides and down the gangways; but the barges failed to reach their proper stations. A gap was left between two of them which made it was impossible for the men to cross, and scores were shot down as they stood helpless on the uncompleted bridge.

    Commander Unwin and Able Seaman Williams made a line fast to one of the drifting barges and, dropping over the side, waded through the water towing the barge towards a spit of rock that gave direct access to the shore. Midshipman Drewry, was already in the water wading ashore to secure the towing rope. In the meantime, Commander Unwin and Williams had nearly reached the rock with the barge in tow when they found the rope they had was not long enough. Drewry at once went back to the ship to get another length, and while the other two were waiting, Williams was shot as he stood breast-deep in the water. Unwin carried him back to the barge but Williams was already dead. When Drewry returned with the rope it did not take long to make the barge fast, and then the troops began at once to cross the bridge which remained under heavy fire.

    A shot then severed the lashing rope, and again the barges went adrift. Midshipman Drewry was aboard the inshore barge, and was struck in the head by a fragment of shell. He hastily bound his wound with a soldier's scarf, and, jumping overboard with a line between his teeth, swam towards the other barge. Once again the rope was too short but Midshipman Malleson threw himself over the side with a longer rope and lashed the barges together. The rope broke a third time, and although Malleson tried twice more to connect the barges he was unsuccessful.

    The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to Midshipman George Leslie Drewry, RNR for the conspicuous acts of bravery mentioned in the foregoing despatch.

    Drewry later achieved the rank of Lieutenant but on 2nd August 1918 he was accidentally killed whilst on active service on HM Trawler William Jackson at Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands. A block fell from a derrick and fractured his skull. His body was carried south and buried in the City of London Cemetery, Manor Park. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum.

    S Flynn




    1206355

    Ch.Arm. Thomas Robert Waters HMS Hogue (d.22nd Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Thomas Waters was the son of Edward and Mary Waters, of Sheerness, Kent; husband of Lily Cora Waters of 239, Queen's Road, Peckham, London. He was killed in action 22/09/1914, aged 39 and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent.

    S. Flynn




    1206354

    Sgt. John Edward Wetherell 2nd Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>L/Cpl. John Wetherell, wounded, Liverpool Hospital

    L/Cpl. John Wetherell was wounded in teh 2nd Battle of Ypres and was treated in Liverpool Hospital.

    On 22nd April, the Germans launched the attack that would become officially known as the Second Battle of Ypres. By 8 May, the situation had become critical for the Allied armies. The Cheshires' Regimental History notes that "behind our gassed and shattered lines, had the Germans only known, lay nothing to prevent their capturing the Channel Ports." The section of the front line to be held by the 28th Division, which included the 2nd Battalion (one of the Regiment's two Regular Army Battalions), Weis about 1.5 miles between Frezenberg and a position known as Mouse Trap Farm. This was 3 miles to the north east of Ypres. The Regimental History notes 'The line to be held was nothing more effective than narrow trenches three feet deep, hastily constructed, with little wire, no communication trenches and little or no overhead cover. It was not a line in which to meet a heavy attack, yet the Allied plan required it to be held." Poison gas had been first used by the Germans on 22 April.They again used gas in this attack. At that time, there was no practical defence against it. All that was done was to issue each Battalion with 200 cloth bands to be worn across the mouth (it should be noted that a Battalion at full strength would exceed 800). 'The positions occupied by Battalion headquarters and No. 1 and No. 4 Companies were surrounded by the enemy and with very few exceptions the whole of the officers and other ranks were killed or taken prisoner." Only small groups managed to escape. The Diary records that, at this time, known casualties included 17 dead, 200 wounded and 190 missing.

    Description of actions involving John Wetherell, 2nd Battle of Ypres

    Kenneth Wetherell




    1206352

    Skipper. Thomas Crisp VC DSC H.M. Smack Nelson (d.15th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Crisp was killed in action on the 15th of August 1917, aged 41. He is Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent. His father was T. W. Crisp, of 41, Stanford St., Lowestoft, Suffolk. The tenor bell at St. Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, is named the "VC Bell" and dedicated to him.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 30363, dated 30th Oct., 1917, records the posthumous award of V.C. "For service in action with enemy submarines."

    s flynn




    1206351

    Able Sea. Albert Edward McKenzie VC. HMS Vindictive (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Albert Edward McKenzie died on the 3rd of Nov 1918, aged 20. He is buried in Camberwell Old Cemetery, London. he was the son of Alexander and Eliza McKenzie, of 1, Shorncliffe Rd., Old Kent Rd., London. Born at Bermondsey.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30807, dated 19th July, 1918, record the following:- "For most conspicuous gallantry. This rating belonged to B Company of seaman storming party. On the night of the operation he landed on the mole with his machine-gun in the face of great difficulties, and did very good work, using his gun to the utmost advantage. He advanced down the mole with Lieut. Comdr. Harrison, who with most of his party was killed, and accounted for several of the enemy running from a shelter to a destroyer alongside the mole. This very gallant seaman was severely wounded whilst working his gun in an exposed position." Able Seaman McKenzie was selected by the men of the 'Vindictive,' 'Iris II.' and 'Daffodil,' and of the naval assaulting force to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant dated the 29th January, 1856.

    s flynn




    1206350

    Risaldar. Badlu Singh VC. attd. 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse), 14th Murray's Jat Lancers (d.23rd Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Badlu Singh died on 23/09/1918. He is commemorated on the Port Tewfik Memorial in the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Egypt. He was the son of Lal Singh, of Dhakla, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Punjab.

    An extract from the Second Supplement to the London Gazette dated 26th Nov., 1918, records the following:- "For the most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the morning ofthe 23rd Sept., 1918, when his squadron charged a strong enemy position on the West bank of the Jordan between the river and Khes Samariveh Village. On nearing the position Ressaidar Badlu Singh realised that the squadron was suffering casualties from a small hill on the left front occupied by machine guns and 200 infantry. Without the slightest hesitation he collected six other ranks and with the greatest dash and an entire disregard of danger charged and captured the position, thereby saving very heavy casualties to the squadron. He was mortally wounded on the very top of the hill when capturing one of the machine guns single-handed, but the guns and infantry had surrendered before he died. His valour and initiative were of the highest order."

    s flynn




    1206349

    Pte. Frank Eary 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.24th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, Frank Eary, born June 1886 was a horse keeper pre-war and, on enlistment in 1914, was a Driver T/25822 with No 2 Company, 1st Division, ASC. He later transferred to the Royal Fusiliers, 8th Battalion but, I am uncertain on the transfer date. His medal card shows a transfer to 5 Battalion but, CWGC states 8th Battalion which I see to be true as, the 5th never left the UK whereas Frank was killed on the 24th November 1917. The 5th Battalion was a training depot and he would have joined the regiment on transfer to that unit before being posted after infantry training and equipment to an active service battalion (8th Btn. as recorded) He appears on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval.

    He died leaving a wife and three children; Alexandria, William (my grandfather) and Frank. It is likely that he never met Frank junior as he was conceived late in 1916, probably on Frank senior's last home leave, and born in July 1917. It would have been great news to him whilst in the trenches though that his wife had born a son in July and, that she had named him Frank. Poignant too as they had first had a son, Frank, in 1912 who sadly died the same year.

    Anthony Rundle




    1206348

    Sgt. James Shields 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>James Shields and family

    My father James Shields fought in WW1, a long time before any of his children were born. We would have said that it was as if our father had two lives. One as a single man who got caught up in the worst conflict that the world had ever seen. A time when he lost the whole of his left arm in a battle far from home. Then quite a while later he met and married my mother, a much younger woman, and went on to have 4 children.

    As we were growing up WW1 was a dim and distant memory and, as far as my father was concerned, it wasn't something he wanted to discuss much with his children. When he eventually died, aged 93, he left us with many happy memories of a great father and medals and papers from his time in the war. More recently my brothers, sister and I have started to piece together his war-time story. We have discovered photographs that we didn't know existed and have just recently discovered what our father looked like as a young man. It was amazing to see him with both arms and looking amazingly like my son, his grandson at the same age 100 years apart.

    We are incredibly proud of him and how he survived the unimaginable conflict that he endured from 1914 until his discharge in 1917.

    Catherine McBride




    1206347

    Sgt. Louis McGuffie VC. 1/5th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.4th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Louis McGuffie was killed in action on 4th of October 1918, aged 24. He is buried in the Zandvoorde British Cemetery in Belgium. Son of Mrs. Catherine McGuffie, of 1, North Main St., Wigtown, Wigtownshire.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 13th Dec., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and resourceful leadership under heavy fire near Wytschaete on 28th September, 1918. During the advance to Piccadilly Farm, he, single-handed, entered several enemy dugouts and took many prisoners, and during subsequent operations dealt similarly with dugout after dugout, forcing one officer and twenty-five other ranks to surrender. During the consolidation of the first objective he pursued and brought back several of the enemy who were slipping away, and he was also instrumental in rescuing some British soldiers who were being led off as prisoners. Later in the day, when in command of a platoon, he led it with the utmost dash and resource, capturing many prisoners. This very gallant soldier was subsequently killed by a shell.

    s flynn




    1206346

    Pte. John Partington Booth 8th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Nov 1915)

    <p>Pte. John P. Booth portrait

    Jack Booth was my grandma's favourite younger brother. He was 20 when he enlisted in May 1915 with the 8th King's Royal Rifles and died of his wounds on 6th November at Ypres, later that same year.

    I'm lucky in that I have a lot of information about him. My great grandmother and the eldest daughter traveled to Ypres to see his grave and brought back postcards and other souvenirs; a brass dogcart, an anvil formed from a shell casing. Probably the one and only time they traveled from their thoroughly working class home. The women of the family had gold pendants with his photo inside, so I grew up knowing what he looked like and the fact 'a trip' had been made.

    His records also survived and I have copies of the correspondence with his mother about his effects - a wristwatch (broken), purse, pipe, knife, gospel, letters and photos, and her grateful reply 'hoping if they get anything else as there is a few more things'. I also have the Btn's war diary and know that the working party he was with was shelled returning from repairing trenches and he was hit by shrapnel. I know where the Field Ambulance Station was where he died, where he was initially buried (an OS reference) and his final resting place in the Hop Store Cemetery just west of Ypres. A silk mourning token also found its way to us through a local newspaper story.

    RIP John Partington Booth. Gone but not forgotten.

    Gill Butterworth




    1206345

    Pte. John Brindley South 11th Btn. The King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.29th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    John South was killed in action on 29 September 1915 and is buried in the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    1206344

    Pte. James Peter Robertson VC. 27th (Manitoba) Battalion (d.6th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    James robertson was killed in action on the 6th of November 1917 aged 35. Buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Alexander and Janet Robertson, of 656, 5th St., South East, Medicine Hat, Alberta.

    An extract from The London Gazette No. 30471, dated 8th Jan., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and outstanding devotion to duty in attack. When his platoon was held up by uncut wire and a machine gun causing many casualties, Pte. Robertson dashed to an opening on the flank, rushed the machine gun and, after a desperate struggle with the crew, killed four and then turned the gun on the remainder, who, overcome by the fierceness of his onslaught, were running towards their own lines. His gallant work enabled the platoon to advance. He inflicted many more casualties among the enemy, and then carrying the captured machine gun, he led his platoon to the final objective. He there selected an excellent position and got the gun into action, firing on the retreating enemy who by this time were quite demoralised by the fire brought to bear on them. During the consolidation Pte. Robertson's most determined use of the machine gun kept down the fire of the enemy snipers; his courage and his coolness cheered his comrades and inspired them to the finest efforts. Later, when two of our snipers were badly wounded in front of our trench, he went out and carried one of them in under very severe fire. He was killed just as he returned with the second man."

    s flynn




    1206343

    Pte. Edmund Adams 2nd Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.15th April 1918)

    <p>

    Edmund Adams formerly served with the Territorial Force, Highland Cyclists Btn. he was killed in action 15/04/1918 and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was born in Perth, Scotland. Husband to Christina Brown Henderson and father to Edna.

    s flynn




    1206342

    Sgt. James Hogan 12th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment

    <p>Sgt. James Hogan: Medal index card

    James Hogan was my paternal grandfather. He never spoke of his time in the First World War. We have a copy of his Certificate of 'Transfer to Reserve' on demobilization, dated 18/4/1919, which is not fully legible. Family members, who have since passed, have said that my grandfather was escaping the Germans by swimming the river Somme and that he was shot 5 times. He was put in the "Dead Shed" and whilst a dead body was brought in afterwards, it was noticed that he was moving and taken out.

    This is the full extent of our knowledge of James Hogan's service in the British Army and we would be obliged if anyone could furnish us with any further information whatsoever. Thank you in advance for anything you may be in a position to let us have.

    Sgt. James Hogan: Certificate of discharge

    Trish Yule




    1206341

    Rfmn. William Lewis 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    William James Lewis was the son of William James Lewis and Ellen Lewis of 58 Rutland Street, South Belfast. He was my Grandfather's brother. William joined the Royal Irish Rifles, 36th Ulster Division and was sent to war in France on 4th of October 1915. As part of the 107th brigade he was attached to the 4th division Nov 1915 until Feb 1916 to receive trench warfare instruction, and on the 7th Feb 1916 he was moved to the front line between the river Ancre and the Mailly - Maillet to Secre Road. In March 1916 he was moved to Thiepval Wood. He was killed in on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme Rifleman William Lewis 15157, 10th Bn, Royal Irish Rifles is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. I believe William was also the company Bugler.

    My grandfather Wilfred Lewis was 6 years younger than William so survived the great war, but we will never forget him or the sacrifice he made for our freedom.





    1206340

    Pte. Ernest Cecil Gooch 17th Battalion, B Company Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    Ernie Gooch was my Dad, he was a railway man and volunteered to join the North Eastern Railway Battalion which was formed in the early days of the war. I understand it was unique in being the only complete battalion raised out of the employees in one Company. Training began at King George's Dock in Hull and Dad embarked for France in 1915.

    In November 1916, the 17th was officially converted to a railway pioneer battalion. Movement of men, arms and munitions was facilitated by the pioneers construction of railways. They were also required to do other work and were referred to as Jack of all Trades and master of all. For instance Dad's company (B)(according to war records) were carrying bombs and water bottles across No Mans Land on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

    One of his story's concerned a French nurse who half carried him out of hospital when it was badly shelled. Regretfully at my age of 82 I can no longer remember the details. Where was the hospital, what were his injuries, what was the name of the brave French nurse and did she survive?

    Dad died at the age of 58, he did suffer with nightmares from time to time and Mum would quietly get out of bed until it was over. Mum and Dad had six children I am number four and the last 'still standing'! I would have liked to see his service record but I think it was in the batch burnt in WW2

    Rosalind Anderson




    1206339

    Sgt. James Arthur 5th Btn. E Coy Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>Sgt. James Arthur: Soldier's Pay Book and Health Memoranda booklet

    I have recently come by this T.A. soldier's pay book, for Sgt. James Arthur of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Date of attestation 1-4-08 at age 36. It was on ebay for sale under the heading: Soldiers Pay Book. Sergt. 5th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 1908/Soldiers Health.

    I thought you might be interested in having pictures for your records before it leaves me, although unfortunately I cannot find the link with all the names of past A&SH soldiers again. I have enclosed pictures of the book as I discovered a few names under 5th A&SH E Company (TA Port Glasgow) and he, an early recruit, is not included. It shows that the company was probably formed about 1908.

    Sgt. James Arthur: Pay Book pages 1 and 2

    Sgt. James Arthur: Pay Book page 2 closeup

    Sgt. James Arthur: Pay Book pages 3 and 4

    Sgt. James Arthur: Pay Book page 5

    Andrew Gray




    1206337

    Lt. Alan Arnott McLeod VC (d.6th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Alan Mcleod died on 06/11/1918, Age: 19 and is buried in grave 238 in the Winnipeg (Old Kildonan) Presbyterian Cemetery in Winnipeg, Canada He was the son of Dr. A. N. McLeod and Margaret Lillian McLeod, of 491, River Avenue, Winnipeg.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 1st May, 1918, records the following:- "Whilst flying with his observer (Lt. A. W. Hammond, M.C.), attacking hostile formations by bombs and machine-gun fire, he was assailed at a height of 5,000 feet by eight enemy triplanes, which dived at him from all directions, firing from their front guns. By skilful manoeuvring he enabled his observer to fire bursts at each machine in turn, shooting three of them down out of control. By this time Lt. McLeod had received five wounds, and whilst continuing the engagement a bullet penetrated his petrol tank and set the machine on fire. He then climbed out on to the left bottom plane, controlling his machine from the side of the fuselage, and by side-slipping steeply kept the flames to one side, thus enabling the observer to continue firing until the ground was reached. The observer had been wounded six times when the machine crashed in " No Man's Land," and 2nd Lt. McLeod, not withstanding his own wounds, dragged him away from the burning wreckage at great personal risk from heavy machine-gun fire from the enemy's lines. This very gailant pilot was again wounded by a bomb whilst engaged in this act of rescue, but he persevered until he had placed Lt. Hammond in comparative safety, before falling himself from exhaustion and loss of blood."

    s flynn




    1206336

    Mjr. Swinfen Bramley-Moore MC. Army Service Corps

    <p>Afternoon Tea

    After a civilian career designing and manufacturing motor-cars and motor-cycles, and writing an educational book "Motors in a Nut-shell", Swin Bramley-Moore worked for General Slumper to get the army motorised. Caught up in the BEF's famous retreat from Mons, with a forceful personality he won the Miltary Cross for taking charge of a bunch of leaderless retreating troops. His photographs tell their own story. At the end of the war he quelled a riot of troops impatient to be sent home, and then had to convalesce at an army hospital in the south of France. Unfortunately all WW1 officers records were destroyed in the blitz so only these first-hand scraps of information as told to me (his grandson) can be recorded.

    Nick McElwaine




    1206335

    Pte. Joshua William Kelly 5th Btn Devonshire Regiment

    <p>

    Joss Kelly enlisted at Douglas on 20th of Feb 1917, aged 18 years 6 months. It was his second attempt at enlistment. He was 5' 3 1/2" and weighed 7 1/2 stone. The recruiting sergeant sent him away the first time, telling him he should come back when he'd grown a bit. He served in Palestine and France, where he was wounded at Rheims on 20th of Jul 1918. His record states: 'While advancing, a shell burst in close proximity and he was wounded in the leg'. Nature of Disability: 'Right foot [blown] off, stump gangrenous and full of maggots'. Treatment of Disability: 'Operation 24 Jul 1918, amputation [of right leg] 6 inches below [the] knee'. He was discharged as an invalid..

    Like a lot of injured ex soldiers, he wasn't able to return to his profession as a Clothier's Assistant - his former employer wouldn't employ a cripple - so he made his living working various menial jobs. He was my great-grandfather. He lived to be 80. I suppose he was one of the lucky one's. He went over-the-top, aged 19, was blown up and left for dead three days in no-mans land. But he did at least survive.





    1206334

    Capt. Ernest Dyce Messervy 56 Sqd. (d.20th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest Messervy of the London Regiment and R.F.C. is one of 30 soldiers commemorated on a Memorial Plaque in the Moray Golf Club, Lossiemouth, Morayshire - To the honoured memory of the members of the Moray Golf Club who gave their lives in the Great War 1914 - 1919.

    Captain Ernest Dyce Messervy served with the 21st Battalion (First Surrey Rifles), the London Regiment and the 56th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps during WW1 and died on the 20th July 1917. He is commemorated at the above Golf Club and at the Arras Flying Services Memorial.

    On the 4th April 1918, Flight & The Aircraft Engineer published the following obituary: Captain Ernest Dyce Messervy, London Regt, attached RFC, who was missing on July 20th 1917, and is now believed to have been killed that day, was the youngest son of the late Ernest and Margaret Dyce Messervy, Telawakelle, Ceylon, and nephew of Mrs Thorne, Highfield Park, Heckfield. His age was 23. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission adds the additional information that he was serving with 56th Squadron at the time of his death. He is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.

    A 28-year-old Major Gerald Messervy MC of the RFA also died during the First World War (8th October 1918). The Commonwealth War Graves Commission adds that he was the "Son of Ernest Francis and Margaret Dyce Messervy" and this being the case it looks likely that he was Captain Ernest Dyce's older brother.

    John Ellwood




    1206329

    Ab.Sea. Maurice Joseph Bede Scarborough Anson Bn. Royal Naval Division (d.21st August 1918)

    <p>

    Maurice Scarborough was killed in action on 21st August 1918 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    1206328

    Cpt. George Leonard Parker 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.1st September 1918)

    <p>

    George Leonard Parker was killed in action 1st September 1918, aged 23 and is buried in the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Parker, of 105 Wellington Rd., Ashton, Preston.

    s flynn




    1206327

    Sgt. Frederick Charles Riggs VC, MM. 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st October 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Riggs was killed in action 1st October 1918, aged 29 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the adopted Son of Elizabeth Burgum, of 39, Capstone Rd., Bournemouth

    An extract form The London Gazette, dated 3rd Jan., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the morning of 1st Oct., 1918, near Epinoy, when, having led his platoon through strong uncut wire under severe fire, he continued straight on, and although losing heavily from flanking fire, succeeded in reaching his objective, where he rushed and captured a machine gun. He later handled two captured guns with great effect, and caused the surrender of fifty enemy. Subsequently, when the enemy again advanced in force, Serjt. Riggs cheerfully encouraged his men to resist, and whilst exhorting his men to fight on to the last, this very gallant soldier was killed."

    s flynn




    1206326

    Sgt. Henry Thomas Trumper 497 Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Sergeant Henry Thomas Trumper served with 497 Field Company Royal Engineers during WW1.

    Phil Trumper




    1206325

    Pte. Ernest Edwin Peckover 1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.14th Dec 1915)

    <p>Private Ernest Edwin Peckover

    Ernest Peckover served with the 1st Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers during WW1 and died on the 14th December 1915. He is buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Helles, Turkey.

    Gordon Clark




    1206324

    L/Cpl. Denis Hickey 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.27th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Denis Hickey served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 27th November 1915. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

    Melissa Hogan




    1206323

    Cpl. Albert John Walter Eldridge 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.22nd Apr 1918)

    <p>AJW Eldridge

    Albert Eldridge was my Grandfather. He enlisted on 22nd September 1914 and apparently was shot and killed by a sniper whilst being stretchered to hospital. He left a wife, 4 daughters and a son, my father. He is buried in Pont du Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, near Le Bassee, France.

    DC Eldridge




    1206322

    CPO. George Prowse VC. DCM Drake Btn. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (d.27th September 1918)

    <p>

    George Prowse was killed in action on 27th September 1918, aged 32 and is commemorated on on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of John Prowse and husband of Sarah Prowse, of 65, Pentre-Treharne Rd., Landore, Swansea.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 29th Oct., 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, during an advance, a portion of his company became disorganised by heavy machine gun fire from an enemy strong point. Collecting what men were available he led them with great coolness and bravery against this strong point, capturing it together with twenty-three prisoners and five machine guns. Later, he took a patrol forward in face of much enemy opposition, and established it on important high ground. On another occasion he displayed great heroism by attacking single-handed an ammunition limber which was trying to recover ammunition, killing three men who accompanied it and capturing the limber. Two days later he rendered valuable services when covering the advance of his company with a Lewis gun section, and located later on two machine gun positions in a concrete emplacement, which were holding up the advance of the battalion on the right. With complete disregard of personal danger he rushed forward with a small party and attacked and captured these posts, killing six enemy and taking thirteen prisoners and two machine guns. He was the only survivor of the gallant party, but by this daring and heroic action he enabled the battalion on the right to push forward without further machine gun fire from the village. Throughout the whole operations his magnificent example and leadership were an inspiration to all, and his courage was superb."

    s flynn




    1206321

    Cpl. Allan Leonard Lewis VC 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.21st September 1918)

    <p>

    Allan Lewis was killed in action on 21st September 1918, aged 23 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Lewis, of Wyeside, Whitney-on-Wye, Herefordshire

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 28th Jan., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery at Ronssoy on the 18th September, 1918, when in command of a section on the right of an attacking line held up by intense machine gun fire. L./Cpl. Lewis observing that two enemy machine guns were enfilading the line, crawled forward singlehanded, and successfully bombed the guns, and by rifle fire later caused the whole team to surrender, thereby enabling the line to advance. On 21st September, 1918, he again displayed great powers of command, and, having rushed his company through the enemy barrage, was killed whilst getting his men under cover from heavy machine gun fire. Throughout he showed a splendid disregard of danger, and his leadership at a critical period was beyond all praise."

    s flynn




    1206320

    Pte. George "Dodger" Green 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    <p>Letter informing his wife Sarah of his injury

    George Green was a private who had previously fought in the Boer war. He was still on the reserve list and received call up papers on the day war was declared. He fought with the BEF and was injured in his right arm during an assault in the Richbourg area.

    He was admitted to the hospital on 15th October 1914. It is not know when he rejoined his company. He died on the 3rd September 1916 on the Somme near Thiepval where his company were trying to take the Liepsig Redoubt. The picture of him was taken on a ward at the hospital and his wife Sarah wore it around her neck in a locket all her life. She never re married.

    Locket Picture

    Paul Green




    1206319

    Pte. Arthur Edwin Baggs 72nd Bn. Canadian Infantry (d.1st March 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Baggs died 1st March 1917, aged 28 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial in France. He was the son of Edwin and Louisa Mary Baggs, of 3605 Knight Rd., Vancouver, B.C.

    s flynn




    1206318

    Pte. Lyle Whidden Bryson 25th Bn. Canadian Infantry (d.9th April 1917)

    <p>Private Lyle Whidden Bryson

    Lyle Bryson died 9th April 1917, aged 19. Commemorated on the Vimy Memorial in France he was the son of McCully and Lilly Bryson, of Hilden, Colchester Co., Nova Scotia. His brother Lieutenant Elmer Bryson was also killed and is buried at Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont

    s flynn




    1206317

    Pte. Frank A. Kelly 26th Btn. Canadian Infantry (New Brunswick Regiment) (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Kelly died on 15th September 1916, aged 24 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial in France. He was the son of William and Ellen Kelly (nee Lyons), of Chatham, New Brunswick.

    s flynn




    1206316

    Pte John W Bebbington 16th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.16th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    John Bebbington was killed on 16th of December 1915 Whilst serving with the Salford Pals.

    Ian Tickle




    1206315

    Capt. Robert Fleming Bell 25th Bn. Canadian Infantry (d.28th April 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Bell died 28th April 1917, aged 31. Commemorated on the Vimy Memorial in France he was the son of George Walter and Emily Bell, of Meadow Creek, Alberta. O. C. 2nd Troop B, 13th Sqn. 25th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, (Nova Scotia Regiment)

    s flynn




    1206314

    Pte. Richard Simm 12th Battalion, A Coy. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>Private Richard Simm

    My Grandfather, Richard Simm, was born on the 10th October 1893 at number 7 Douglas Street, Stanley, County Durham. One of twelve children born to Joseph and Sarah Jane Simm. At the age of 14 years he left school and started work as a coal miner at the local colliery.

    At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 he was the eldest son alive and he felt it was his duty to enlist. He joined the Durham Light Infantry and served with A Coy the 12th Battalion.

    The Battalion arrived in France on the 26th August 1915. It saw action on the Somme at Pozieres in July 1916 and Le Transloy in October. In 1917 During the third Ypres he fought at Messines. In November 1917 they where sent to Italy and fought in the battles at Piave and Vittorio Veneto.

    In 1919 my Grandfather was discharged and he went back to been a Coal Miner. He married his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth Raine on the 28th June 1919. They had three daughters, one of them my mother, Elizabeth Simm. In the Second World War my Grandfather served as a Sergeant in the Home Guard at South Moor, County Durham. He died on the 5th January 1983 at the South Moor Miners Hospital aged 89 years.

    Richard Simm and John Raine

    A Coy 12th Battalion DLI France

    John Richard Cole




    1206313

    Pte. William Johnstone Milne VC 16th Btn. Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) (d.9th April 1917)

    <p>

    William Milne was klled in action on 9th April 1917, aged 24. He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial in France.

    An extract from the Second Supplement to The London Gazette, dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On approaching the first objective, Pte. Milne observed an enemy machine gun firing on our advancing troops. Crawling on hands and knees, he succeeded in reaching the gun, killing the crew with bombs, and capturing the gun. On the line re-forming, he again located a machine gun in the support line, and stalking this second gun as he had done the first, he succeeded in putting the crew out of action and capturing the gun. His wonderful bravery and resource on these two occasions undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades. Pte. Milne was killed shortly after capturing the second gun."

    s flynn




    1206312

    Pte. Gustav Adolph Stromberg 31st Bn. (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Gustav Stromberg died on 15th September 1916, aged 22 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial in France. he was the son of the late Gustav L. and Anna Stromberg

    s flynn




    1206311

    Pte. Campbell Clark 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>

    Campbell Clark died on 23rd April 1917, aged 22 and is commemorated on The Vimy Memorial in France. He was the son of Duncan and Maria Clark, of 615, 8th Street East, Owen Sound, Ontario. Enlisted in 147th Grey Bn. in Nov., 1915.

    s flynn




    1206310

    Pte. Thomas Cooke VC 8th Btn. (d.28th July 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Cooke was killed in action 28th July 1916 aged 35 and is buried in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery in France. Native of New Zealand

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 8th Sept., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. After a Lewis gun had been disabled, he was ordered to take his gun and gun-team to a dangerous part of the line. Here he did fine work, but came under very heavy fire, with the result that finally he was the only man left. He still stuck to his post, and continued to fire his gun. When assistance was sent he was found dead beside his gun. He set a splendid example of determination and devotion to duty."

    s flynn




    1206309

    Sgt. John Vincent Hutchison Cleaver New Zealand Field Artillery (d.26th October 1918)

    <p>

    John Cleaver died of wounds on the 26th October 1918 and is buried in the Vertigneul Churchyard in France.

    s flynn




    1206308

    Sgt. Hanry James Nicholas VC, MM. 12th Nelson Coy. 1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment (d.23rd October 1918)

    <p>

    Henry James Nicholas died on the 23rd October 1918, aged 27 and was buried in the Vertigneul Churchyard in France, by the Bishop of Nelson on 29th Oct. He was the son of Richard and Hannah Nicholas.

    His Citation States: "...to form a defensive flank to the right of the advance which was subsequently checked by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from an enemy strong point. Whereupon, followed by the remainder of his section at an interval of about twenty-five yards, Pte. Nicholas rushed forward alone, shot the officer in command of the strong point, and overcame the remainder of the garrison of sixteen by means of bombs and bayonet, capturing four wounded prisoners and a machine gun. He captured this strong point practically singlehanded, and thereby saved many casualties. Subsequently, when the advance had reached its limit, Pte. Nicholas collected ammunition under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. His exceptional valour and coolness throughout the operations afforded an inspiring example to all."

    s flynn




    1206307

    CSM Thomas Evans 16th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>Attestation for Thomas Evans

    After being discharged from the K.O.Y.L.I. due to ill health (deafness, rheumatism and debility) aged 63 years in November 1914, Thomas Evans joined the Cheshire Regiment in December 1914 stating his age as 45 years and 5 months.

    Don Hargreaves




    1206306

    Pte. Charles Henry Lawrence 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.15th Aug 1917)

    <p>His name will be read out at the tower of London this evening 16 October 2014

    Charles Lawrence is the cousin of my Maternal Grandmother. A young man who left behind a sweetheart and a loving family. He served with the 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment during WW1 and died, age 28, on the 15th August 1917. He is buried in Duisans British Cemerery, Etrun, near Arras, France. He was the son of Charles and Martha Eliza Lawrence, of 14 Bowling Green Lane, Clerkenwell, London.

    Brenda




    1206305

    Pte. Frederick Herbert Hiscox 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>Attestation 1915

    Rifleman Frederick Hiscox of the KRRC would never know that his twin sister, Edith Emily, would emigrate to America, and that he would have many cousins there.

    His was a short war - he enlisted early in 1915 at Romford, Essex, not far from the family home at Vange. By early 1916 his battalion was in France, and they would be engaged in one of the Somme battles. On September 15, 1916, he was posted as missing, and, as far as we are aware, his body was never found. Frederick, therefore, has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Brian A Hill




    1206304

    Pte. William Richards 110th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps.

    <p>William Richards RAMC

    My grandfather, William Richards on rare occasions, would tell me what it was like in the trenches, when he would have to climb over the trenches to bring the injured back, having to comfort them saying they were going to be all right when he new they were dying. His eyes would always mist over when telling me these stories

    william richards field hospital

    Geoffrey Richards




    1206302

    Pte. Robert Henry Evans 2nd/4th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Evans died on 2nd September 1918, aged 18 and is buried in the Vaux Hill Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1206301

    Lt. Cecil Howell Sewell VC 3rd (Light) Tank Bn. Tank Corps (d.29th August 1918)

    <p>

    Cecil Sewell was killed in action on 29th August 1918 aged 23 and is buried in the Vaux Hill Cemetery in France. He was the son of Harry Bolton Sewell and Mary Ann Sewell, of 26 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London. His brothers Harry Kemp Sewell and Herbert Victor Sewell also fell.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30982, dated 29th Oct., 1918, records the following:- "When in command of a section of Whippet Light Tanks in action this officer displayed most conspicuous bravery and initiative in getting out of his own Tank and crossing open ground under heavy shell and machine-gun fire to rescue the crew of another Whippet of his section which had side slipped into a large shell-hole, overturned and taken fire. The door of the Tank having become jammed against the side of the shell-hole, Lt. Sewell, by his own unaided efforts, dug away the entrance to the door and released the crew. In so doing he undoubtedly saved the lives of the officer and men inside the Tank as they could not have got out without his assistance. After having extricated the crew, seeing one of his own crew lying wounded behind his Tank, he again dashed across the open ground to his assistance. He was hit in doing so, but succeeded in reaching the Tank when a few minutes later he was again hit, fatally, in the act of dressing his wounded driver. During the whole of this period he was within full view and short range of the enemy machine guns and rifle-pits, and throughout, by his prompt and heroic action, showed an utter disregard for his own personal safety."

    s flynn




    1206300

    Cpt. Theodore Wright VC Royal Engineers (d.14th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Theodore Wright was killed in action on 14th September 1914 aged 31 and is buried in the Vailly British Cemetery in France. He was the son of the late William Walter and Arabella Wright, of Talgai, Albury, Guildford.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 16th Nov., 1914, records the following :- "Action for which commended :- Gallantry at Mons on 23rd August in attempting to connect up the lead to demolish a bridge under heavy fire; although wounded in the head he made a second attempt. At Vailly, on 14th September he assisted the passage of the 5th Cavalry Brigade over the pontoon bridge and was mortally wounded whilst assisting wounded men into shelter."

    s flynn




    1206299

    Pte. William Albert Ward Sparham 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th Oct 1916)

    <p>William Albert Ward Sparham

    William Albert Ward Sparham served with the 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers during WW1 and died, age 27, reportedly on the 25th August 1915. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium. However the date of death on the Commonwealth War Graves site is the 6th October 1916. He was the husband of Emeline Louise Gray (formerly Sparham), of 3 Britannia Bank, North Shields.

    Stephen Barnett




    1206297

    Rflmn. Thomas Robert Corkin 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st June 1917)

    Thomas R Corkin was the only child of James and Rachel Corkin. I have his 3 medals and his death penny.

    Colin McCusker




    1206295

    L/Cpl. Charles Frederick Yates 1st/5th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.14th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Yates died 14th October 1918 and is buried in the Vadencourt British Cemetery in France. he was the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Yates, of 16 Seagrave Rd., Sileby, Leicester.

    s flynn




    1206294

    Pte. Gordon Henry Gibson 38th Btn. (d.29th September 1918)

    <p>

    GordonGibson died on the 29th September 1918, aged 23 and is buried in the Unicorn Cemetery in France.

    Gordon joined the A.I.F. in January 1917 and sailed from Melbourne, Australia on the ship "Ballarat", arriving in the UK on 26th April 1917. From there his unit proceeded to France. He was the eldest son of Louise and William Gibson of 74 Victoria Street, Footscray, Victoria, Australia. His younger siblings were Arthur, Bert, and Alma

    s flynn




    1206293

    L/Cpl. William Pearce 1st/5th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.26th April 1917)

    <p>

    William Pearce died on the 26th of April 1917 and is buried in the Unicorn Cemetery in France. He was the son of Benjamin Pearce from Winford, Somerset

    s flynn




    1206292

    Pte. Sidney William Richmond 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.28th September 1918)

    <p>

    Sidney Richmond died on 28th September 1918 and is buried in the Unicorn Cemetery in France. He had formerly served with East Surrey Regt.

    s flynn




    1206291

    Cpl. Lawrence Carthage Weathers VC 43rd Btn. (d.29th Sept 1918)

    <p>

    Lawrence Weathers died of wounds on 29th September 1918 and is buried in the Unicorn Cemetery in France. Son of John Joseph and Ellen Frances Johanna Weathers, he was the husband of Annie E. Weathers, of Te Kopuru, Main Avenue, Frewville, South Australia. Native of North Wairo, New Zealand

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31082, dated 24th Dec., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 2nd September, 1918, north of Peronne, when with an advanced bombing party. The attack having been held up by a strongly held enemy trench, Cpl. Weathers went forward alone under heavy fire and attacked the enemy with bombs. Then, returning to our lines for a further supply of bombs, he again went forward with three comrades, and attacked under very heavy fire. Regardless of personal danger, he mounted the enemy parapet and bombed the trench, and, with the support of his comrades, captured 180 prisoners and three machine guns. His valour and determination resulted in the successful capture of the final objective, and saved the lives of many of his comrades."

    s flynn




    1206290

    Lt. Thomas Orde Lawder Wilkinson VC 7th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.5th July 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Wilkinson died 5th July 1916, aged 22 and is commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial in France. He was the son of Charles Orde Wilkinson and Edith Wilkinson, of Ardanoir, Foynes, Co. Limerick.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 26th Sept., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack, when a party of another unit was retiring without their machine-gun, Lieut. Wilkinson rushed forward, and, with two of his men, got the gun into action, and held up the enemy till they were relieved. Later, when the advance was checked during a bombing attack, he forced his way forward and found four or five men of different units stopped by a solid block of earth, over which the enemy was throwing bombs. With great pluck and promptness he mounted a machine-gun on the top of the parapet and dispersed the enemy bombers. Subsequently he made two most gallant attempts to bring in a wounded man, but at the second attempt he was shot through the heart just before reaching the man. Throughout the day he set a magnificent example of courage and self-sacrifice."

    s flynn




    1206289

    Cpl. John Wallace DCM MID 148 Company Machine Gun Corps

    <p>Sheffield newspaper article reporting Cpl. J Wallace DCM award

    My grandfather,John Wallace, served throughout the Great War. He was in 1/4 Battalion The Hallamshires of the Territorial Army before the war and was mobilised at the outbreak of war.

    He sailed, with his battalion, for France on 13th April 1915 and served with his battalion (he was 2251 Pte J Wallace, York and Lancaster Regiment) as a machine gunner until transferred to 148 Company of the newly formed Machine Gun Corps on 31st January 1916. On 7th July 1917, during the Battle of The Somme, he was in a particularly fierce action near the small village of Thiepval, which was on, or near, the extreme left of the line, during which he remained in captured German positions to give covering fire to his retreating comrades during a German counter attack. During this action his cousin, who was part of his gun team, was killed and this left him to operate the gun alone for as long as he could. Eventually, he had to destroy the gun, which had become inoperable, with a grenade and make his way back after his comrades. The war diary for 148 Company records his action in its entry for 17th August 1916.

    For his brave conduct throughout this particular action he was awarded the DCM. He had, previously, been Mentioned in Despatches at least twice. Strangely, his entry in the London Gazette, recording his DCM award, incorrectly identifies him as still belonging to York and Lancs Regiment and with his old number. He was eventually transferred to "Z" class reserve on 28th February 1919.

    After the war, he married and had two children - a son and a daughter - and he died in 1947.

    Cpl. J Wallace medal card

    Lndon Gazette entry for  DCM Award for Pte J Wallace

    Nigel Drake




    1206288

    Pte. William Buckingham VC 1st Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.15th September 1916)

    <p>

    William Buckingham was killed in action on 15th September 1916, aged 29 and is commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial in France. he was the son of Mrs. A. Buckingham, of 35 York St., Bedford.

    An extract from The London Gazette dated 28th April, 1915, records the following:-"For conspicuous acts of bravery and devotion to duty in rescuing and rendering aid to the wounded whilst exposed to heavy fire, especially at Neuve-Chapelle on 10th and 12th March 1915.

    s flynn




    1206287

    Pte. John Field 54th Btn. (d.24th October 1917)

    <p>

    John Field died on 24th October 1917 and is buried in the Ste. Marie Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1206286

    L/Cpl. Thomas Aloysius Rawcliffe Military Foot Police Military Police Corps (d.4th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Rawcliffe died on 4th January 1917 age 26 and is buried in the Ste. Marie Cemetery in France. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Rawcliffe, of Chorley, Lancs.

    s flynn




    1206284

    Pte. Allan Crabtree 62nd Gen. Hosp Royal Army Medical Corps. (d.17th October 1918)

    <p>

    Allan Crabtree died of Broncho-Pneumonia at No.2 General Hospital in Le Havre, France on 17th October 1918, aged 25.

    Burnley born Allan, was the only son of Barker and Elizabeth Ellen Crabtree, his father, a native of Todmorden was a dental mechanic who made and adapted artificial teeth. Allan followed his father into the dental profession and upon enlisting for the army he was shown as an unregistered dental mechanic.

    In May 1915 Allan Crabtree married Sarah May Hayhurst, the following year a daughter, Marjorie was born and in 1916 their son, Fred arrived. Allan and May lived at 73 Oxford Road in the same house as his parents, a Baptist he was at one time connected to the Hollingreave Congregational Church. On the 24th August 1916 he was enlisted into the Royal Army Medical Corps, his records show that he was 5ft 4 inches, 108lbs and physically well developed.

    Making use of his dental knowledge the army utilised him as a dental mechanic first in Italy and later at the military hospital in Valletta, Malta where as a specialist he was paid an extra 6d per day. he worked at the hospital between March 1917 and June 1918, he then embarked for Italy and landed at Taranto in early August before continuing to France. He spent time at home on leave in Burnley during September 1918 before returning to France on October 2nd. Two weeks later Allan Crabtree would be dead.

    It was at Le Havre, France that Allan Crabtree died of Broncho-Pneumonia at No.2 General Hospital on 17th October 1918. He left a widow May and two young children behind in Burnley. The local newspaper reported that "By a host of friends and acquaintances his death will be much regretted".

    His grave can be found in the Ste. Marie Cemetery at Le Havre, his parents grave in Burnley Cemetery also carries the inscription "Also of their son Pte. Allan Crabtree. R. A. M. C. Died in France, Oct 17th 1918, aged 25 years.

    s flynn




    1206282

    Sgt. Frederick Harvey Woplin 12th Bn (The Rangers) London Regt (d.12th April 1915)

    <p>A young Frederick Woplin

    Frederick Woplin was born in 1877 and joined up early in 1914. He must have had some earlier military training because he appears to have been inducted as a sergeant and there is a photo of him as a young man in an unidentified uniform. He and one of his 5 brothers each married sisters. Frederick and his wife had one child by the time Frederick arrived in France just one day before Christmas 1914.

    By April of 1915 The Rangers (12th Bn London Regt) were attached to the Canadian Division defending the area around St Julien close to Ypres. It was here that he was killed, probably by shell-fire as his body was not found. He is commemorated on the Menin gate.

    Peter Barsby




    1206281

    Lt. Harold Willows Jackson 4th Btn. East Yorkshire (d.14th May 1917)

    <p>Harold Willows Jackson

    I have been researching this soldier as part of the WW1 remembrance in Hornsea, East Yorkshire. This poor lad was only 20 years of age when he died of his wounds in France. Harold Jackson was born in Hull in 1897, the only son of John Henry Jackson and Caroline Maud. He had one sister, Adele Mary born in 1900. The family lived at 19 Grosvenor Terrace, New Road, Hornsea. His father died in 1911 and was recorded as living at Holly Lodge, Hornsea at the time of his death.

    He was educated at Red House, Marston Moor and was briefly a labourer before enlisting. He entered the Battalion as a private but was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in March 1915 and promoted to Lieutenant the following December.

    Harold died of his wounds received during the Battle of Arras on 14th May 1917, aged 20. At the time of his death he was attached to the 10th Division Battalion. He is buried at Duisans, Etrun, Pas de Calais.

    Susanne Jones




    1206280

    Sgt. Patrick Toman 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    My Grandfather Partick Toman joined the army reserves (5th battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles) in 1906 when he was 18 years old. He was a labourer in the Barbour Linen Mill in Hilden.

    Upon the outbreak of war in 1914 he was called up to regular service and the battalion went to Belfast to act as a training unit. My grandad was an instructor but on the 25th of December 1914 he was sent to the front with the 2nd battalion of the RIR because of the high losses suffered they needed more experienced men. He left behind his wife Catherine (Nee McCormick) and his three sons Richard, Patrick and John. John had been born in September of 1914 and his other sons were two and four years old.

    He fought in 15 major battles while in France. He was wounded by shell fragments in 1916 during the Somme offensive. This happened on the 14th of July 1916 after his battalion had been in action at Ovilliers. He returned to his unit 30th of November 1916 and took part in the battle of Messines Ridge, the 1917 campaigns in Flanders, the tank battle at Cambrai, and the German Spring offensives of March 1918.

    His battalion (the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles) was wiped out almost to the last man on the 24th of March 1918 as it fought desperate rear guard actions to allow the remnants of the 36th Ulster division to escape the German avalanche. Survivors continued to fight with various units until the end of March when the battalion was moved to reserve and the task of rebuilding it began.

    Pat Toman was part of the re-built battalion until the 2nd of June 1918 when he was wounded while on a night patrol in the Ypres area. During this patrol Major Herbert Musgrave from Corps Intelligence was killed. My Grandad was shot in the thigh by a machine gun bullet but made it back to friendly lines alive. It was thought he might have to lose the leg but it was saved.

    My granddad made a life after the war but suffered PTSD which he dealt with by prayer, solitude, and by swearing off alcohol. He died in 1952 (15 years before I was born) but I grew up on legends and tales about him all my life and we all love him several generations on. We respect the effort he made to give us the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

    I was able to visit the battle fields in Belgium, where he fought for so long, in 2007. I was able to walk along the very road where he was wounded for the last time in 1918 and to visit the grave of his patrol mate Herbert Musgrave.





    1206279

    Rfn. Joseph Alfred Taylor 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>Rifleman Joseph Alfred Taylor

    Joseph Alfred Taylor Rifleman was my maternal grandfather. I have been given his pay book, pow card and section d reserve discharge papers from my Auntie. My Mum also had his photo. He was born in 1895 and lived in Clerkenwell, Islington. He was married to Hanna Simpson. They lived in Rawstone Street, Clerkenwell and later moved to Sadlers Street (now demolished ) but off Lloyds Row ( near the famous Sadlers Wells Theatre).

    The first entry on his pay book is July 1916,(in the field) which suggests to me the Somme Offensive. On 28/7/1917 he was captured wounded (gassed) and taken to Limburg POW camp. He survived the war and went on to serve in section D reserves. He suffered ill health as a result of the gassing and died in 1931 (gastric ulcers) when my mum was just 8 years old. Joseph was reported as captured on 28th July 1917 around the opening of the 3rd Battles of Ypres. This coincided with the early uses of Mustard Gas by the Germans.

    Card he sent home to say he had been taken prisoner

    Steve Stone




    1206278

    Pte. William Ernest Garvie 24th Btn. (d.19th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    William Garvie died on 19th November 1916 aged 34 is and buried in in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France. He was the son of George and Jane Garvie, of Inlet Rd., Leongatha, Victoria, Australia

    s flynn




    1206277

    L/Sgt. Herbert Adams MM & Bar. 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Herbert Adams served with the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1.

    Ernie




    1206275

    Pte. David Storrar attd. 123rd Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery Army Service Corps (d.15th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    David Storrar died on 15th November 1918 aged 29 and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France. He was the son of the late Smart Storrar and of Christina Storrar, of 1 Lorne Place, Leith, Edinburgh.

    s flynn




    1206273

    Pte. Robert Hawthorn 16th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.28th March 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Hawthorn died on 28th March 1918 aged 22 and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorn, of 31, Molyneux St., Derby Rd., Bootle Liverpool.

    s flynn




    1206272

    Cpl. John James Kelly 4th Div. Trench Mortar Bty. Australian Field Artillery (d.6th May 1917)

    <p>

    John James Kelly died on 6th May 1917 aged 33 and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France. He was the son of John and Catherine Kelly. Native of Redcastle, Victoria, Australia.

    s flynn




    1206271

    Pte. Ernest George Summers Canteens Army Service Corps (d.12th December 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest George Summers died on 12th December 1916, aged 29. Buried in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France, he left a widow, Ada and son Eric Ernest Garner Summers

    s flynn




    1206270

    Pte. Herbert Livsey 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd July 1917)

    Private Herbert Livsey no. 58620 1st. Battalion West Riding Yorks, 173 company Machine Gun Corps was killed on 22nd July 1917. I need whereabouts of his memorial in England.

    Barrie Crowther




    1206269

    Pte. Frederick Walter Morriss Royal Army Medical Corps.

    Walter Morris as he was known, was a baker like his father, which probably explains why he served as a cook. I have no other information about where he served other than France, shown on the Medal Role Index Card. He signed up 22/12/1914 and was demobbed on 22/02/1919.

    John Morriss




    1206268

    Cpl. Joe E. Peters DCM 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.5th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Joe Peters was born in 1887 at Cammers Green, Berrow, and pre-war worked as a carpenter making carts and building houses, he built his own house at Cammers Green and a relative still lives in the property making carts in Birtsmorton, Worcs. He was married to Ellen on 2nd November, 1909 and they ran the Post Office, which was located at his house. He joined the Worcestershire Regiment before war broke out and originally travelled to France as part of the 7th Bn. He was later transferred to the 8th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment as part of a draft of 80 men, this happened sometime before December 1917. By 1918 he was serving in “D” Company, 8/Royal Berks. when the German offensive started on 21 March. The unit were at La Guingette Farm, 6 miles south of La Quentin when he earned his DCM. The citation [published LG 3 Sept. 1918] reads:

    “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He volunteered to accompany an officer over the top of the trench to tackle an enemy sniper who was doing much execution amongst our men. Under heavy fire he rushed the sniper and took him back to the trench”.

    The Battalion War Diary amplifies this: 12 March. Bn. takes over front line trenches, B and C Companies in the front line, A Company along the St. Quentin Road, and D Company in the Quarry.

    20 March. Notice of impending attack received during the evening.

    21 March. The enemy put down a heavy barrage which included much gas shelling. All communications were destroyed almost immediately. At 11.00 the enemy advanced in a thick line to attack the trench west of Bn. HQ. Owing to the mist they were able to reach 50 yards from our trench, but were then shot down almost to a man. One sniper, in a shell hole about 50 yards in front, was particularly active. Lieut. N. Williams, having located him, climbed over the parapet, accompanied by his servant 36678 Pte. J.E. Peters, rushed him with the bayonet and took him prisoner. When returning to the trench this Officer was killed. By this great act of gallantry he undoubtedly saved many lives. About this time the mist began to lift and the leading enemy troops were seen advancing towards la Fontaine. The remainder of the battalion was ordered to withdraw down Seine alley, towards the Battle Zone.

    26 July L.-Cpl. J. E. Peters, “C” Company, who was awarded the DCM in May, was presented with the medal ribbon by the Corps Commander

    He was not destined to survive the war, however, as he was wounded on 23 October, serving with “C” Company. The battalion had assembled for an attack in the railway cutting north of the Halt near Le Cateau: Cpl. Peters was amongst the many such casualties from enemy artillery fire during the assembly. [source: Battalion War Diary] He died of his wounds 13 days later, and was buried in St. Sever Extension in Plot III, Row H, Grave 27.

    s flynn




    1206267

    Pte. John Henry Alderton 38th Btn. Machine Gun Corps. (Infantry) (d.18th September 1918)

    <p>

    John Alderton died on 18th September 1918, aged 19 and is buried inthe St Sever Cemetery extension in France. He was the only son of Charles & Edith Annie Alderton (Nee Chittock) of Ilford, Essex, UK.

    s flynn




    1206266

    Gnr. William James Spalding 69th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.11th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    William James Spalding died on 11th November 1918, aged 26. He is buried in in the St Sever Cemetery extension in France and was the son of Richard and Louisa Spalding, of 62, Richmond Park Rd., Kingston-on-Thames.

    s flynn




    1206265

    Pte. Thomas Gilligan 6th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.15th Aug 1915)

    <p>Thomas Gilligan

    Thomas Gilligan – my Great Grandfather – was born on 21 October 1871, one of four children and the only son of Thomas and Catherine Gilligan (nee Wright), of Wicklow, County Wicklow in Ireland. No information is known about Thomas’ early education or his interests and hobbies however we do know that in Dublin; on 11 November 1893; Thomas enlisted as Private 4003 in the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, joining the battalion at Newry two days later. His surviving attestation papers state his civilian profession as painter and he is described as being 5’ 4” in height with red hair and grey eyes.

    Thomas spent his first year on home service however on 10 November 1894 he commenced a prolonged period of active service in India; returning home on 15 February 1899. In November of the same year Thomas was again on active service; this time in South Africa during the Boer War where he remained until 10 September 1902. For the remaining period Thomas was on home service until 10 November 1905 when he received his discharge; thus beginning 5 years in the reserves.

    Thomas married Rachel White, a Nursery Maid, in 1907 and together they raised four children while living in Dublin – the eldest being my grandfather George William Gilligan (b 1908); also Frederick (b 1911), Thomas (b 1909) and Annie (known in the family as Nancy) (b 1914).

    At the outbreak of war in August 1914 Thomas re-enlisted; this time as Private 13757 in the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. Now aged 42; Thomas marched through the streets of Dublin to the docks en route to Liverpool with his battalion. This was the last time he would be seen by his 6 year old son George who could recall walking alongside the column.

    The battalion was part of the 10th (Irish) Division; part of Kitcheners New Army made up generally of raw recruits with a sprinkling of older men who had already seen military service (i.e. Boer War and India) and who had either been recalled to the colours or had volunteered on the outbreak of war. With his age and prior military service it can easily be imagined that Thomas would have been looked up to by many of the younger men for guidance and support as they went through their training at Basingstoke

    The 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers received orders to embark for service in the Dardanelles on 9 July 1915 as part of the 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. At the time the battalion was with the rest of the 10th (Irish) Division (less Divisional Artillery which had been sent to France previously) in Basingstoke having just completed their training. The battalion left Basingstoke in successive train loads on 12 July arriving at Keyham Dockyard, Plymouth where they were to embark upon the SS Canada. Owing to non-arrival of the vessel, the battalion located to a rest camp at Pull Point, Devonport overnight.

    On 13 July the battalion and ammunition column commenced embarkation upon the SS Canada, setting sail the following day at 5pm. The vessel passed Gibraltar on 18 July and arrived in Malta on 21 July for coaling. The vessel then sailed for Alexandria; arriving on 24 July. On 26 July the vessel arrived at Mudros Harbour, Lemnos Island and during the period to 31 July the battalion participated in the disembarkation and sorting of stores and equipment; it having been recognised that equipment had not been loaded securely or in the correct order. On the evening of 31 July the SS Canada sailed for Mytilene Harbour, Lesbos Island arriving on the 1st August. During the next few days the battalion undertook route marches around the island.

    On 5 August the battalion received orders to be prepared to move by 12 noon the following day to a destination not yet stated. At 5-30 pm on 6 August the battalion sailed to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli aboard the minesweepers “Snaefell” and “Honeysuckle”. At this time the battalion comprised 778 officers and other ranks.

    At 4-35am on 7 August the “Snaefell” and “Honeysuckle” arrived off Suvla Bay under heavy shrapnel fire. A landing was made at 8-30am with the battalion going into action in support of the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and East Yorkshire Regiment at 9am the same morning. On its first day of action the battalion suffered casualties of 1 officer wounded, 12 other ranks killed and 76 other ranks wounded or missing.

    Overnight the battalion occupied trenches atop Hill 53 and during the following days provided support and reinforcement to other troops attacking Hill 70. During the period 8 to 9 August the battalion suffered further casualties of 5 officers killed, 12 officers wounded or missing, 12 other ranks killed and 220 other ranks wounded or missing. The battalion was suffering from the environment in which they were serving and existed on the “iron” rations with which they had landed since no supplies were able to get to them.

    Having received supplies late on the 9th August; the battalion held Hill 53 until relieved by the Essex Regiment on the 10th August. The battalion was rested in reserve lines for the next few days. The battalion moved into support trenches on 13 August and the following day received reinforcements of 5 officers and 159 other ranks from the battalion reserve at Mudros.

    During 15 to 16 August the battalion was engaged in heavy fighting against Turkish Infantry. It was during this action that Thomas Gilligan was killed; one amongst 10 officers and 210 other ranks killed, wounded or missing in the battalion during the engagement on the Kiretch Tepe Ridge. Thomas Gilligan’s body was never recovered however his name is recorded on the Helles Memorial and in his local church at St Stephens in Dublin.

    On 1 September the battalion was now recorded as comprising just 5 officers and 388 other ranks, as well as losses through enemy action the battalion was increasingly suffering from ill health.

    The impact of Gallipoli was not confined to just the battlefield since Thomas’ death had major repercussions for his wife and children. Soon after being notified of his death the young Gilligan children who were now living in poverty were split up since Rachel was unable to cope. Annie and Thomas; who had sadly been blinded by meningitis were sent to live with relatives.

    In 1918 George was admitted to the Royal Hibernian Military School (RHMS) in Dublin. In November that year Rachel, who had suffered the amputation of a leg; died of tuberculosis at the age of 33. The following year Frederick joined George at the RHMS.

    Following closure of the RHMS George joined Group No. 1 at the newly opened Boys Technical School in Chepstow and then continued to serve in the army with the Tank Corps. Frederick moved to the Duke of Yorks School at Shorncliffe, Dover and then served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

    Both brothers saw service throughout the Second World War. George left the army in 1949 and then went on to work as a Civilian Technical Officer with the War Department, retiring in 1974; he died in 1999. Frederick, who had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in Italy in 1944 was accidentally shot and killed while serving with the occupation forces in Salzburg, Austria on 1 October 1945. Thomas, although blind learnt to play and tune the piano, he died in Belfast in 1975. The last of Thomas Gilligan’s children was his daughter Annie who died in Surrey in December 2001.

    The family keeps Thomas Gilligan’s in their memories with his photograph (reproduced above) featuring prominently in the homes of my self and my father and on each anniversary of his death he and his family are remembered.

    Steve Gilligan




    1206264

    Pte. Thompson Garrett 7th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) (d.12th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Thompson Garrett served with the 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) during WW1. He was killed in action, aged 19, on the 12th June 1917 during the Battle of Arras and is buried at Grave IV.J.33 Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, near Arras, Pas de Calais, France. He was the Son of Ingram and Martha Garrett, of 21, Low Downs Square, Hetton Downs, Co. Durham.

    Anne Mann




    1206263

    Pte. William Martin Young 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.27th September 1918)

    <p>

    William Young died on the 27th of September 1918 and is buried in the Sanders Keep Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Fanny and the late Edward Martin Young. Husband of Charlotte Fanny Young, and father of three children, Kathleen, William, and Jessie

    s flynn




    1206262

    L/Cpl. Thomas Norman Jackson VC 1st Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.27th September 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Jackson was killed in action 27th September 1918 aged 21 and buried in the Sanders Keep Military Cemetery in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31034, dated 26th Nov., 1918, records the following.- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice in the attack across the Canal Du Nord, near Graincourt. On the morning of the 27th September, 1918, Lce. Cpl. Jackson was the first to volunteer to follow Capt. C. H. Frisby, Coldstream Guards, across the Canal du Nord in his rush against an enemy machine-gun post, with two comrades he followed his officer across the Canal, rushed the post, captured the two machine-guns, and so enabled the companies to advance. Later in the morning, Lce. Cpl. Jackson was the first to jump into a German trench which his platoon had to clear, and after doing further excellent work he was unfortunately killed. Throughout the whole day until he was killed this young N.C.O. showed the greatest valour and devotion to duty and set an inspiring example to all."

    s flynn




    1206261

    Cpt. John Norwood VC 5th Dragoon Guards (d.8th Sep 1914)

    <p>Captain John Norwood VC

    Captain John Norwood served with the 5th Dragoon Guards and was killed in action on the 8th September 1914, aged 38. He is buried in Sablonnières New Communal Cemetery in France.

    He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. John Norwood and husband of Lilian

    An extract taken from the London Gazette dated 27th July 1900 records the following: "John Norwood, Lieut. 5th Dragoon Guards. Date of Act of Bravery 30th Oct. 1899. On the 30th Oct. 1899, this officer went out from Ladysmith in charge of a small patrol of the 5th Dragoon Guards. They came under heavy fire from the enemy, who were posted on a ridge in great force. The patrol, which had arrived within about 600 yards of the ridge, then retired a full speed. One man dropped, and Second Lieut. Norwood galloped back about 300 yards through heavy fire, dismounted, and picking up the fallen trooper, carried him out of fire on his back, at the same time leading his horse with one hand. The enemy kept up an incessant fire during the whole time that Second Lieut. Norwood was carrying the man until he was quite out of range"

    S Flynn




    1206260

    Cpl. Alexander MacLachlan 1st Btn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade (d.4th November 1918)

    <p>

    Alexander MacLachlan was killed in action on 4th November 1918, aged 28. Buried in the Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of Emily Keighley (formerly MacLachlan), of Alston Hall Villa, Grimsargh, Preston, England, and the late John MacLachlan.

    He emigrated to New Zealand some years before the War and was prevented from enlisting by a work agreement, he joined up in May 1915. On Christmas Day 1915 he was in action against Turkish-led Arabs in Egypt. Took part in the Somme offensive in France in 1916 and went over the top when tanks were first used. June 1917 was hit by shrapnel at Battle of Messines and returned to England and revisited the College. He was killed in almost the last offensive of the War. His officer wrote in a letter, “(He) was the most popular and capable NCO in “A” Company. I had reason to bless his cheerful disposition.” Originally buried “…in a little triangular copse alongside the railway line just south of Le Quesnoy…” (Officer’s letter.)

    s flynn




    1206259

    Pte. Frederick George Harriss 49th Btn. (d.13th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick George Harriss died on 13th September 1918 and is buried in the Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was born at Crow’s Nest, Queensland Australia on 14 Sept 1893 son of Amos and Virginia Harriss of Ravensbourne, Queensland.

    s flynn




    1206258

    2nd Lt. John Crawford Buchan VC 7th Bn. Attached 8th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.22nd March 1918)

    <p>

    John Buchan was killed in action on 22nd March 1918 aged 25 and buried in the Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension in France. Native of Alloa, Clackmannanshire

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 21st May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When fighting with his platoon in the forward position of the battle zone, 2nd Lt. Buchan, although wounded early in the day, insisted on remaining with his men, and continually visited all his posts, encouraging and cheering his men in spite of most severe shell fire, from which his platoon was suffering heavy casualties. Later, when the enemy were creeping closer, and heavy machine-gun fire was raking his position, 2nd Lt. Buchan, with utter disregard of his personal safety, continued to visit his posts, and though still further injured accidentally, he continued to encourage his men and visit his posts. Eventually, when he saw the enemy had practically surrounded his command, he collected his platoon and prepared to fight his way back to the supporting line. At this point the enemy, who had crept round his right flank, rushed towards him, shouting out "Surrender." " To hell with surrender," he replied, and shooting the foremost of the enemy, he finally repelled this advance with his platoon. He then fought his way back to the supporting line of the forward position, where he held out till dusk. At dusk he fell back as ordered, but in spite of his injuries again refused to go to the aid post, saying his place was beside his men. Owing to the unexpected withdrawal of troops on the left flank it was impossible to send orders to 2nd Lt. Buchan to withdraw, as he was already cut off, and he was last seen holding out against overwhelming odds. The gallantry, self-sacrifice, and utter disregard of personal safety displayed by this officer during these two days of most severe fighting is in keeping with the highest traditions of the British Army."

    s flynn




    1206256

    AM1. John Thomas Gadd No.3 Sqdn. (d.30th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    John Gadd was the son of Thomas and Jane Gadd, of 125 Winson Green Rd., Birmingham He was killed whilst acting as an observer on a training formation flying flight on September 30th 1917, when his plane piloted by Lt. Victor Joseph Woodcock crashed out of control. John is now buried at Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery with his pilot buried alongside.

    s flynn




    1206255

    Sapper Lewis Howell Giles 38th Div. Signal Company Royal Engineers (d.12th Oct 1918)

    <p>Sapper Lewis Howell Giles

    Lewis Giles died 12th October 1918, aged 24 and is buried in the Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1206254

    Pte. Harry Collingwood Mitton 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    My great-grandfather Harry Mitton was born on the 18th June 1888 in Mungrisdale, Cumbria, the son of Welbury Mitton and Agnes Eliza Phoebe Collingwood. He fought in the Battle of the Somme as part of the 151st Brigade in the 50th (Northumbrian)

    Harry was killed in action on the 29th September 1916, he has no known grave. His name is on the Memorial for The Missing at Thiepval, as well as on the war memorial in Chopwell Village, on a plaque in Chopwell Church Hall, as well as having his name carved into the wall in Ainstable, Cumbria where he grew up. He left behind a wife and three young children.

    Niall McMahon




    1206253

    Pte. Francis Ratcliffe 893rd Mechanical Transport Company Royal Army Service Corps. (d.4th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    Francis Ratcliffe was accidentally killed on 4th January 1918, aged 20 and is buried in the Rocquigny-Equancourt British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Charles and Elizabeth Ratcliffe, of 20 Glover St., Preston, Lancs. Native of Burnley

    s flynn




    1206252

    Sgt. John Harold Rhodes VC. DCM and bar 3rd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.27th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    John Rhodes died on 27th November 1917, aged 26 and is buried in the Rocquigny-Equancourt British Cemetery in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30400, dated 23rd Nov., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery when in charge of a Lewis gun section covering the consolidation of the right front company. He accounted for several enemy with his rifle as well as by Lewis gun fire, and, upon seeing three enemy leave a "pill-box," he went out single handed through our own barrage and hostile machine-gun fire, and effected an entry into the "pill-box." He there captured nine enemy including a forward observation officer connected by telephone with his battery. These prisoners he brought back with him, together with valuable information."

    s flynn




    1206251

    Pte Ubert Victor Willis 55th Btn. (d.20th July 1918)

    <p>Ubert Victor Willis (on left) with friend

    Ubert Willis died 20th July 1918, aged 32 and is buried in the Querrieu British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Jonathan and Emily Willis, of Kangaloon Rd., Bowral, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    1206250

    Captain Percy Herbert Cherry VC, MC 26th Btn. (d.27th March 1917)

    <p>

    Percy Cherry was killed in action on 27th March 1917aged 21 and is buried in the Queant Road Cemetery in France. He was the son of John Gawley Cherry and Elizabeth Cherry, of Cradoc, Huon, Tasmania. Born at Drysdale, Victoria.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 11th May, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, determination and leadership when in command of a company detailed to storm and clear a village. After all the officers of his company had become casualties he carried on with care and determination in the face of fierce opposition, and cleared the village of the enemy. He sent frequent reports of progress made, and when held up for some time by an enemy strong point, he organised machine gun and bomb parties and captured the position. His leadership, coolness and bravery set a wonderful example to his men. Having cleared the village, he took charge of the situation and beat off the most resolute and heavy counter-attacks made by the enemy. Wounded about 6.30 a.m., he refused to leave his post, and there remained, encouraging all to hold out at all costs, until, about 4.30 p.m. this very gallant officer was killed by an enemy shell."

    s flynn




    1206249

    Lt. Samuel Lewis Honey VC, DCM, MM 78th Btn. Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment), (d.30th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Honey died of wounds 30th September 1918 aged 24 he was the son of the Rev. George E. Honey and Metta B. Honey of Lynden, Ontario.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 31108, dated 3rd Jan., 1919, records the following: "For most conspicuous bravery during the Bourlon Wood operations, 27th September to 2nd October, 1918. On 27th September, when his company commander and all other officers of his company had become casualties, Lt. Honey took command and skilfully reorganised under very severe fire. He continued the advance with great dash and gained the objective. Then finding that his company was suffering casualties from enfilade machine-gun fire he located the machine-gun nest and rushed it single-handed, capturing the guns and ten prisoners. Subsequently he repelled four enemy counter-attacks and after dark again went out alone, and having located an enemy post, led a party which captured the post and three guns. On the 29th September he led his company against a strong enemy position with great skill and daring and continued in the succeeding days of the battle to display the same high example of valour and self-sacrifice. He died of wounds received during the last day of the attack by his battalion."

    s flynn




    1206248

    2nd Lt. Edmund DeWind VC 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    Edmund De Wind died on the 21st of March 1918, aged 34 and is commemorated on the Pozieres British Cemetery in France. He was the son of the late Arthur Hughes De Wind, C.E., and Margaret Jane De Wind, of Kinvara, Comber, Co. Down.

    s flynn




    1206247

    Pte. Herbert George Columbine VC 9th Sqdn Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) (d.22nd March 1918)

    <p>

    Herbert Columbine died on 22nd March 1918, aged 24 and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in the Pozieres British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mrs. Emma Columbine

    s flynn




    1206246

    Lt. Francis Trevor James MC. 466th (North Midland) Field Company Royal Engineers

    <p>original WW1 dog tag

    I remember my Grandmother kept a citation on her dressing table. I read it when I was very young and knew it was important. When Gran died my father was very upset because the citation went missing along with the medal it referred to - my cousins lived locally and had stripped the house..... Recently my brother discovered a dog tag and it turned out to belong to Trevor James, Bampy (as we called him) I did some research and discovered Bampy won the Military Cross and details were published in The Gazette.

    Gazette issue 31480 7/29/1919. Military Cross; "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the crossing of the St Quentin Canal, near Bellenglise, on September 29th, 1918. Though early stunned by the blast of a shell, he got to the canal in time to supervise the repairing of bridges for the infantry. He afterwards took charge of the repair of a demolished heavy bridge, and made it passable for artillery, under shell and machine-gun fire. His fine example inspired his men."

    Carys Kilkelly




    1206245

    Pte. Ernest Coates 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.5th Oct 1917)

    <p>Pte Ernest Coates

    Ernest Coates joined the South Lancs Regiment enlisting in Preston around 1915. We think he was injured in France and returned to the UK for convalescence and recovery and then returned to active duty but was transferred to the 12 Gloucestershire Battalion sometime between December 1916 and Feb 1917. He was killed in the Battle of Broodseinde on the 5 Oct 1917 aged 21.

    Philip Coates




    1206244

    L/Cpl. Wilfred Oliver 2/4th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    <p>Wilfred Oliver: note the black button worn after his brother was killed in action.

    Wilfred Oliver was born in 1899 and enlisted on 9th September 1916. He transferred to the Reserve on 6th March 1919. He was a Lewis Gunner and served in both Belgium and France. Wilfred was awarded one blue chevron and one wound stripe. His brother George William Oliver, born 1893, was killed on 1st July 1916 in the Battle of the Somme, after which Wilfred wore a black button on his uniform.

    Alec Oliver




    1206243

    Pte. Arthur Irwin Bridge 1/6th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Apr 1915)

    <p>Pte. Arthur Irwin Bridge

    Arthur Bridge served with the 6th Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Anne Bell




    1206242

    Pte. George Albert Aldous 14th and 2/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>Arctic uniform

    My Grandfather was George Albert Aldous, he served as a private No26729 in the Durham Light Infantry from 1915 to 1919. Initially he was in the 14th Battalion and served in France but later in the 2/7th. He went to Russia in operation ELOPE and it was there that a photograph was taken of his unit of 60 men. They are shown in conventional DLI uniform and in the same formation in Arctic wear. The photos are of good quality and almost all faces are recognisable. His British War and Victory Medals wrongly spell his name as Aldons but have his correct service number on. I still have the medals in their original registered packet that they came to him in. He was so disgusted with the miss- spelling of his name he never took them out of their wrapping. I also have his dog tags and 11 other photos of Archangel but none show identifiable personnel.

    Normal uniform

    George and wife Alma

    Ian Aldous




    1206241

    Pte. John Jones 16th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.10th July 1916)

    <p>Private John Jones

    John Jones served with the 16th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers.

    Medals

    Short Service Record

    Relaxing

    Karen Smith




    1206240

    L/Cpl. William Husband 14th (Fife and Forfar Yeomanry) Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.2nd September 1918)

    <p>

    William Husband died on 2nd September 1918, aged 20 and is buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the sSon of the late William Husband and of Barbara Husband, of 78 North St., St. Andrews. Fife.

    s flynn




    1206239

    Bombardier Walter Sidney Pollard 86th Bde. B Battery, Royal Field Artillery (d.14th September 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Pollard died on 14th September 1918, aged 28. Buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of William and Mary Pollard and was born in Bristol.

    s flynn




    1206238

    Pte. Charles Cephas Coley 25th Btn. (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Cephas Coley died on 2nd September 1918, aged 19 and is buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of Mrs. Lucy Coley, of Brisbane St., Ipswich Rd., South Brisbane, Queensland Born at Roma, Queensland.

    s flynn




    1206237

    Pte. John Bermingham 56th Btn. (d.2nd September 1918)

    <p>

    John Bermingham died on 2nd September 1918 and is buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery extension in France. He was the son of Martin and Ann Cass, and father of Annie, Martin, Harry and Edith. Born at Young, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    1206236

    Cpl. Clarence William Lambley 34th Btn. (d.31st Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Clarence Lambley died on 31st August 1918, aged 29. Buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of William and Maria Jane Lambley. Born in Australia, native of Wards River, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    1206235

    L/Cpl. Wilfrid Holden 12th (West Somerset Yeomanry) Bn Somerset Light Infantry. (d.2nd September 1918)

    <p>

    Wilfrid Holden died on the 2nd September 1918, aged 27 and is buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of Edward and Catherine Holden, of Gainsborough, Ribbleton Avenue, Preston.

    s flynn




    1206234

    Cpl. Alexander Henry Buckley VC 54th Btn. (d.1st Sep1918)

    <p>

    Alexander Buckley was killed in action on 1st September 1918 and is buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of James and Julia Buckley, of Homebush, New South Wales. Born at Gulargambone, New South Wales.

    An extract from The London Gazette,"dated 14th Dec., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice at Peronne during the operations on the 1st/2nd Sept., 1918. After passing the first objective his half company and part of the company on the flank were held up by a machine gun nest. With one man he rushed the post shooting four of the occupants and taking 22 prisoners. Later on reaching a moat, it was found that another machine gun nest commanded the only available footbridge. Whilst this was being engaged from a flank Cpl. Buckley endeavoured to cross the bridge and rush the post, but was killed in the attempt. Throughout the advance he had displayed great initiative, resource and courage, and by his efforts to save his comrades from casualties, he set a fine example of self-sacrificing devotion to duty."

    s flynn




    1206233

    Pte. Hugh Melling 16th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Hugh Melling died on 4th of November 1918, aged 19 and is buried in the Ors Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of Thomas and Alice Melling of Hesketh Lane, Tarleton, Lancashire

    s flynn




    1206232

    L/Cpl John Douglas Skeoch Cumming 2/14th (2nd London Scottish) Battalion London Regiment

    <p>JDSCumming

    John Douglas Skeoch Cumming served in the Territorial Army with the 2nd Battalion London Scottish. A notation on the back of a photo postcard says "Dumped on the Right bank of the Jordan April 30/18 about sunset", as well as a list of places visited, transited or saw action: France, Salonika, Palestine. Port Said, Ismailia, Marsailles, Cairo, Alexandria. There is one other place Mount Olympus (this is a guess)

    The photograph of C Coy, 10 Platoon, 2/14 London Regiment, 2nd Battalion London Scottish was taken in June 1916, at Sandhill Camp, Wiltshire.

    Cumming2ndfromright

    Sandhill Camp Wiltshire

    TravelnotesJDSCumming

    Susan J Cumming




    1206231

    2nd Lt. James Kirk VC 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.4th November 1918)

    <p>

    James Kirk was killed in action on 4th November 1918 aged 22 and is buried in the Ors Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of James and Rachel Kirk, of 530 Edge Lane, Droylesden, Manchester. Born at Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31108, dated 3rd Jan., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors on 4th Nov., 1918, whilst attempting to bridge the Oise Canal. To cover the bridging of the canal he took a Lewis gun, and, under intense machine-gun fire, paddled across the canal on a raft, and at a range of ten yards expended all his ammunition. Further ammunition was paddled across to him and he continuously maintained a covering fire for the bridging party from a most exposed position till killed at his gun. The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties and enabled two platoons to cross the bridge before it was destroyed."

    s flynn




    1206230

    Rowland James Baker 8th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt.) (d.28th Sep 1914)

    <p>James Rowland Baker

    The first soldier to be buried in Newark Cemetery was James Rowland Baker, a Drummer with the 8th Bn, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt.) He died at home on 28th September 1914, Aged 22. He was the son of Mr. And Mrs. J. Baker of 49 Albert Street, Newark.

    Thomas Bowers

    Laurence Goff




    1206229

    Lt. Wolfred Reeve Cloutman MID 178th Coy. Royal Engineers (d.21st August 1915)

    Wolfred Cloutman was killed on 21st Aug. 1915 whilst rescuing a Sgt. whom he carried on his shoulder 45 feet up a ladder from the bottom of a mine. As soon as the Sgt. was lifted off, this officer, overcome with foul gas, fell to the bottom. He was 25 and born at Wealdstone, Harrow, Middlesex. He was Twice mentioned in Despatches and is buried in in the Norfolk Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1206228

    Pte. John Varley Cowlishaw 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    <p>

    John Cowlishaw died on the 3rd July 1916, aged 26. Buried in Plot I. B. 85 in the Norfolk Cemetery in France. Previously he had been wounded at the Dardanelles. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Cowlishaw of Bradford, Yorks; husband of Annie Cowlishaw, of 207, Somerville Rd., Small Heath, Birmingham

    s flynn




    1206227

    Cpl. Jack A.C. Stacey 1st Canadian Divisional H.Q. (d.16th August 1917)

    <p>

    Jack Stacey was killed in action, along with his beloved horse while delivering information from the front to the Canadian Divisional H.Q. He is buried in in the Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1206226

    Pte. William France Dutton 1st/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.6th June 1917)

    <p>

    William Dutton died on the 6th of June 1917 aged 27 and is buried in the Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of James and Mary Elizabeth Dutton, of Newcastle-under-Lyme; husband of Annie Maude Dutton, of 3 Foden St., Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs.

    s flynn




    1206225

    Pte. Herbert Bird 1st/4th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.1st July 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Bird died on the 1st July 1917, aged 25 and is buried in the Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery in France. he was the son of Mrs. C. S. Bird, of 51 Grove Rd., Leicester.

    s flynn




    1206224

    Major Okill Massey Learmonth VC MC. 2nd Btn. (Eastern Ontario Regiment), (d.19th August 1917)

    <p>

    Okill Learmonth died of wounds 19th August 1917 and is buried in the Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery in France.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 30372, dated 6th Nov., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and exceptional devotion to duty. During a determined counter-attack on our new positions, this officer, when his company was momentarily surprised, instantly charged and personally disposed of the attackers. Later he carried on a tremendous fight with the advancing enemy. Although under intense barrage fire and mortally wounded, he stood on the parapet of the trench, and bombed the enemy continuously and directed the defence in such a manner as to infuse a spirit of utmost resistance into his men. On several occasions this very brave officer actually caught bombs thrown at him by the enemy and threw them back. When he was unable by reason of his wounds to carry on the fight he still refused to be carried out of the line, and continued to give instructions and invaluable advice to his junior officers, finally handing over all his duties before he was evacuated from the front line to the hospital where he died."

    s flynn




    1206223

    Pte. Albert Joseph Elzear Roy 24th Btn. Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment) (d.12th October 1918)

    <p>

    Albert Roy died 12th October 1918, aged 27 and is buried in the Niagara Cemetery in France. He was the son of Emerie Roy and Alexina Lynch, of Chute, Blondeau, Ontario

    s flynn




    1206222

    Pte. Peter L. Drake 28th Btn. (Saskatchewan Regiment) (d.10th October 1918)

    <p>

    Peter Drake died on 10th October 1918 and is buried in the Niagara Cemetery in France. He enlisted on 18/02/1916 and was the son of Peter Montrose and Elizabeth Ann Cowell Drake of Dunn Township, Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada

    s flynn




    1206220

    Pte. Patrick Barry 42nd Btn. (d.10th June 1917)

    Pat Barry was killed in action on the 10th of June 1917 he was 44 years old.

    Mark Ryan




    1206218

    Rflmn. Gobar Sing Negi VC. 2nd Btn. 39th Garhwal Rifles (d.10th March 1915)

    Gobar Sing Negi died on the 10th of March 1915, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Neuve Chapelle Memorial in France. He was the son of Badri Sing, of Manjaur, Tehri, United Provinces.

    An extract from the Supplement to The London Gazette, dated 27th April, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on 10th March, 1915, at Neuve-Chapelle. During our attack on the German position he was one of a bayonet party with bombs who entered their main trench, and was the first man to go round each traverse, driving back the enemy until they were eventually forced to surrender. He was killed during this engagement."

    s flynn




    1206217

    Cpt. Edward Kinder Bradbury VC L Bty. Royal Horse Artillery (d.1st September 1914)

    <p>

    Edward Bradbury died on 1st September 1914, aged 33 and is buried in the Nery communal cemetery in France. He was the son of Judge James Kinder Bradbury and Grace Bradbury, of Altrincham, Cheshire

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 24th Nov., 1914, records the following:- For gallantry and ability in organising the defence of "L" Battery against heavy odds at Nery on 1st September.

    s flynn




    1206216

    Pte. Bert John Robinson 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.8th October 1918)

    <p>

    Bert Robinson died on the 8th of October 1918, aged 27 and is buried in the Naves Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    s flynn




    1206215

    Cpl. James McPhie VC 416th (Edinburgh) Field Company Royal Engineers (d.14th October 1918)

    <p>

    James McPhie died of wounds on 14th October 1918 aged 24 and is buried in the Naves Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of Allan and Elizabeth McPhie, of 112, Rose St., Edinburgh

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31155, dated 28th Jan., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on the 14th October, 1918, when with a party of sappers maintaining a cork float bridge across the Canal de la Sensee near Aubencheul-au-Bac. The further end of the bridge was under close machine gun fire and within reach of hand grenades. When Infantry just before dawn were crossing it, closing up resulted and the bridge began to sink and break. Accompanied by a sapper, he jumped into the water and endeavoured to hold the cork and timbers together, but this they failed to do. Cpl. McPhie then swam back, and, having reported the broken bridge, immediately started to collect material for repair. It was now daylight. Fully aware that the bridge was under close fire and that the far bank was almost entirely in the hands of the enemy, with the inspiring words " It is death or glory work which must be done for the sake of our patrol on the other side," he led the way, axe in hand, on to the bridge and was at once severely wounded, falling partly into the water, and died after receiving several further wounds. It was due to the magnificent example set by Cpl. McPhie that touch was maintained with the patrol on the enemy bank at a most critical period."

    s flynn




    1206214

    Pte. James James Llewellyn Davies 2nd/2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.31st March 1918)

    <p>

    James Davies died 31st March 1918 and is buried in the Namps-au-Val British Cemetery in France. He was the son of John and Jane Davies From Cwmann, Lampeter, Wales

    s flynn




    1206213

    Pte. Alfred Parkes 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>Alfred Parkes at 16

    Alfred Parkes was a Boy Soldier. He was only just 16 years old when he was volunteering in August 1915. He was drafted three months later to the Western Front where he was engaged in several sectors and took part in the Battle of the Somme, the Battle at Arras, the Battle at Cambrai and finally the Battle of St Quentin. During these engagements he was wounded and afterwards returning home he was discharged in November 1918. He holds the 1914 - 1915 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

    alfred parkes wedding day

    Simon Long




    1206211

    Pte. William Hopkins (d.27th May 1916)

    <p>

    William Hopkins of the 8th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, died on the 27th May 1916 and is remembered at Loos British Cemetery. He was one of two Brothers, both killed. William Hopkins would have been my great uncle.

    Dave Whitwell




    1206210

    Lt/Col. Richard Annesley West VC DSO MC attd. Tank Corps North Irish Horse (d.2nd September 1918)

    <p>

    Richard West was killed in action on 2nd September 1918 aged 40. He had also served in the South African War and was the son of Augustus E. and Sarah West, of Whitepark, Co. Fermanagh; husband of Maude E. West, of 14, Trafalgar Square, Chelsea, London.

    An extract from the Second Supplement to The London Gazette, No. 30982, dated 29th Oct., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, leadership and self-sacrifice. During an attack, the infantry having lost their bearings in the dense fog, this officer at once collected and re-organised any men he could find and led them to their objective in face of heavy machine-gun fire. Throughout the whole action he displayed the most utter disregard of danger, and the capture of the objective was in a great part due to his initiative and gallantry."

    s flynn




    1206209

    Lt. Wallace Lloyd Algie VC 20th Btn. (Central Ontario Regiment), (d.11th October 1918)

    <p>

    Wallace Algie was killed in action 11th October 1918 aged 23 and is buried in the Niagara Cemetery in France. He was the son of Dr. Algie, of 1155, King St., Toronto, and the late Rachel Algie

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31155, dated 28th Jan., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the 11th October, 1918, north-east of Cambrai, when with attacking troops which came under heavy enfilade machine-gun fire from a neighbouring village. Rushing forward with nine volunteers, he shot the crew of an enemy machine gun, and, turning it on the enemy, enabled his party to reach the village. He then rushed another machine gun, killed the crew. captured an officer and 10 enemy, and thereby cleared the end of the village. Lt. Algie, having established his party, went back for reinforcements, but was killed when leading them forward. His valour and personal initiative in the face of intense fire saved many lives and enabled the position to be held."

    s flynn




    1206208

    L/Cpl. James Mckinley Nixon MM. 47th Btn. (Western Ontario Regiment) (d.26th September 1918)

    <p>

    James Mckinley Nixon died on 26th September 1918, aged 20, he was the son of James and Jane Nixon, of Star City, Michigan, U.S.A.

    s flynn




    1206207

    L/Sgt. Ernest Tapper 2nd/5th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.26th June 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest Tapper was born in Walsall in 1892, he enlisted in Walsall and served in the South Staffordshire Regiment with the 2nd/5th battalion. His battalion landed at Le Havre in France on 25/02/1917 and during the period 14/03/17 - 05/04/17 were involved in the German Retreat to the Hindenburg line.

    Ernest was killed in action on 26th June 1917 when he was blown up on a gun carriage. His residence at the time of his death was 31 Poole Street, Walsall. His regimental number was 200606 and his rank was Lance Sergeant. After the war he was posthumously awarded the Victory medal

    s flynn




    1206206

    Pte. Edward James Rixon 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.4th April 1917)

    <p>

    Edwin Rixon died on 4th of April 1917, aged 22. He was the son of James and Elizabeth Rixon, of Fawley Green, Henley-on-Thames. He lived in the village of Fawley, nr. Henley on Thames, with his parents, his brother Jack (my grandfather) and sister Amy (Cis).

    s flynn




    1206205

    Pte. John Mahony 8th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.29th July 1916)

    <p>Private John Mahoney and his wife Bridget

    John Mahoney died on 29th July 1916, aged 25. This photo is taken from an oil painting of John, specially commissioned by Bridget following his death. Inset, is his Widow, Bridget who never remarried and died in 1972. They were married just 10 days when he moved with his Battalion to Ypres in 1915.

    s flynn




    1206204

    Pte. William Nutter 76th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.29th May 1918)

    <p>

    William Nutter died of wounds on 29th May 1918, aged 22. Buried in the Marfaux British Cemetery in France, he was the son of Mr. Robert & Mrs. Elizabeth Nutter, of 12, Daneshouse Rd., Burnley

    William worked in the Tram shed at Burnley prior to enlisting. He was wounded in the hip on 27/05/1918 at a French Casualty Clearing Station by shrapnel and later taken to No.48 Casualty Clearing Station. The following day, according to a returned prisoner who contacted his parents after the war, "We were all taken prisoner and your son died on the 29th and was buried at a place called Montigny."

    s flynn




    1206203

    Pte. John Henderson 1st/4th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.19th July 1918)

    <p>

    John Henderson was killed in action on the 19thof July 1918, aged 34. Buried in the Marfaux British Cemetery in France, he was the husband of Betsy Henderson and father of Janet Henderson, 2 Fleuchar Street, Dundee, Scotland. In 1915, John enlisted in the Highland Cyclist Battalion and was later transferred to the Gordons. He had been in France for 10 months.

    s flynn




    1206202

    Sgt. Joseph McPheat Isles 11th Btn. Border Regiment (d.10th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Isles was killed in action on 10th November 1916, aged 25. he is buried in the Lonsdale Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1206201

    Sgt. James Yuill Turnbull VC 17th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    James Youll Turnbull was killed in action on 1st July 1916 aged 32 and buried in in Lonsdale Cemetery in France. He was the son of James and Elizabeth Turnbull of Glasgow.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29836, dated 24th Nov., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, when, having with his party captured a post apparently of great importance to the enemy, he was subjected to severe counter-attacks, which were continuous throughout the whole day. Although his party was wiped out and replaced several times during the day, Serjeant Turnbull never wavered in his determination to hold the post, the loss of which would have been very serious. Almost, single-handed, he maintained his position, and displayed the highest degree of valour and skill in the performance of his duties. Later in the day this very gallant soldier was killed whilst bombing a counter-attack from the parados of our trench."

    s flynn




    1206200

    Pte. Jabez Butterfield 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.23rd August 1916)

    <p>

    Jabez Butterfield was killed in action on 23rd August 1916. He was a resident of 63 Cromwell Street, Burnley.

    s flynn




    1206199

    Pte. Harry Pilkington 11th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.28th June 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Pilkington died of wounds on 28th June 1918, aged 19. He was the son of Albert James and Lucy Pilkington, of 70, Disraeli St., Burnley Harry enlisted in February 1917 and had been in France since September of the same year. His mother, Lucy, received the following letter from the Rev. Dennis Sudall, Army Chaplain;

    "Dear Mrs Pilkington, I am more sad than I can say to hear the news that has just reached me, that your son, Pte. Harry Pilkington (30657), 11th East Lancashire Regiment, has died of his wounds in hospital. Our battalion made an attack on the morning of June 28th, and your boy was wounded early in the fight. We found him lying in a trench, and did all that we possibly could for him, getting him to the doctor, and we all hoped he would recover. He was one of the best, brightest, most splendid lads it has been my fortune to meet, and I personally feel that in losing him I have lost one of my greatest friends out here. For him I know we need not grieve, since we Christians do know that what seems to us to be death is in reality but the beginning of a fuller and freer life beyond the grave. I do know that your boy has already met the Saviour, whom he served so faithfully here on earth. I like to think that God needs lads like your son to teach others, who in this life have not had the chances he had of learning this exceeding love. He will no doubt in previous letters told you I prepared him for confirmation and he was confirmed. It is the greatest joy to me to think of that, and of the fact that just before the fight he and many others came to Holy Communion, which was celebrated in the corner of a field. Everyone was fond of him, as he never shirked anything, but gave all he had to give unselfishly and happily for us all, cheerful always in spite of adversity. I cannot say all that is in my heart, but I hope you realise what I really wish to convey to you. With my earnest prayers and sympathy, believe me, yours sincerely, Dennis Sudall, Army Chaplain."

    s flynn




    1206198

    Pte. Isaac Charles 1st/5th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.25th March 1918)

    <p>

    Isaac Charles was killed in action on 25th March 1918. Isaac lived at Pelsall, Staffordshire and had 12 brothers and sisters. I was lucky enough to visit the town and the South Staffs Regimental Museum in 2010 where there is a copy of the war diaries from March 1918. Isaac was mentioned in the diary by name.

    s flynn




    1206197

    Pte. Frederick Snelus 2nd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.30th September 1915)

    <p>

    Frederick Snelus was killed in action on the 30th of September 1915.

    s flynn




    1206196

    Cpl. Hugh Gibson 7th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.9th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Hugh Gibson was killed in action 9th September 1915, aged 34. he was the son of Thomas and Jean Gibson, of Blantyre, Glasgow; husband of Jessie Stoddart Gibson, of 38 Broompark Rd., High Blantyre, Glasgow

    s flynn




    1206195

    Drvr. Ralph Toone 286th Brigade, B Battery, Royal Field Artillery (d.28th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Ralph Toone was killed in action on 28th Nov 1917 aged 22. He was the son of James and Alice Ann Toone, of 2 Hoyle Mill Rd., Stairfoot, Barnsley. Native of Hoyland, Barnsley

    s flynn




    1206194

    Pte. William Stanley Argyle Gammon 4th Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.15th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    William Gammon was killed in action on the 15th of September 1915, aged 21, he was the son of William and Eva L. Gammon, of 90 Divinity Rd., Oxford.

    s flynn




    1206193

    Lt. Edward Leslie Graham Rowell MC 25th Bn. (d.15th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Leslie Graham Rowell was born at Walbottle House, Northumberland, England. He enlisted in March 1915 and left for the Front as a member of the 25th Battalion A. I. F. He played his honoured part as an ANZAC, having spent four months in the winter campaign on the Gallipoli Peninsula. He then served with the first Australian divisions in France fighting on the Western Front where he won his commission in the field.

    At Westhoek Ridge on the 20th of September 1917 for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, when during the advance an enemy Pill-box from which the enemy were emerging, seemed likely to hold up the advance, this Officer rushed it single handed. Although his revolver was shot out of his hand, he engaged them with bombs, killing four and taking 20 prisoners. Later, when his Company Commander was wounded, he took charge of the Company, eventually carrying out a relief under heavy shell fire. Throughout his courage and coolness were a fine example to all ranks.

    Edward was killed on the 15th of November 1915, he was the son of Robert and Helena M. Rowell, of Victoria St., Warwick, Queensland. Native of Northumberland, England

    s flynn




    1206191

    Pte. James Davidson 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    <p>James Davidson

    James Davidson was born in 1888. He was a son, husband, and father of 3. He was killed in action on Oct. 3, 1918. He is buried in Prospect Cemetery, Gouy, France.

    Shirley Milligan




    1206190

    Percy W. Reed Sussex Regiment

    <p>

    Percy Reed was born in Wick Sussex in 1892, died 1928 of influenza, aged 36.

    Tony Reed




    1206188

    Pte. Tom Nuttall 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    Tom Nuttall was my maternal grandfather who fought in WW1. He was born on 28 February 1891 in Bury, Lancashire. He joined the Tyneside Scottish and went off to war when he must have been 22 or 23yrs old. This is what I know of his story in the war.

    Going over the top whilst fighting he was gassed in both lungs as well as shot in the chest and was left lying for an indeterminable time in no man’s land, assumed to be dead. His body, still breathing, was later found by the Germans and he was pulled behind their lines and taken to what I assume was a German field hospital. Both lungs were badly damaged and a German surgeon removed the one lung which was irreparable, and left one damaged lung remaining. This surgeon cared for my grandfather and was the main cause of bringing Tom back to life. I gather that the surgeon spoke English and that he let slip (intentionally?) clues as to where the field hospital was in relation to the lines.

    When my grandfather had recovered enough energy he somehow managed to escape from the hospital and with the clues he had gathered whilst he was a sick and wounded patient he managed to find his way back to the British lines. I don’t know how long that journey took, or how he made it. I believe that despite his wounds he went on to fight again before the war ended.

    His one remaining damaged lung meant that he always had trouble breathing for the rest of his life, but he never complained. He died in his 60s. Like so many men he rarely talked of his war experiences, but my mother (his daughter) when she was young used to listen outside the door on occasions when his few surviving friends would visit him at home and they would share tales of their harrowing war experiences together. She was fascinated and later, when she was an adult herself, she asked him questions and got the story.

    Vivienne Thompson




    1206187

    Pte. Arthur Joseph Ethelbert Coleman 3rd Bn. London Regt (d.16th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My Great Grand Uncle served the 3rd Bn. London Regt (Royal Fusiliers). His Army records may have been destroyed during the bombing of the second world war as cannot find them.

    He was injured and sent home to the UK and was put into the 318th Home Service Employment Coy. Labour. later he died as a result of his wounds on 16 October 1918. He was 31. He is buried in the Fulham Cemetery in London with other war dead. He left his wife Mary Ann. I cannot find out any more information which for me is very sad as these men sacrificed everything.

    David Coleman




    1206186

    Alfred Ernest Oakman 1st Tunneling Company Australian Engineers

    According to mapping our Anzacs my grandfather served at Hill 60. He was Alfred Ernest Oakman who was born in Gembrook Vic. Aus

    G. Oakman




    1206181

    Spr. Herbert Edward Saunders 225th Field Coy Royal Engineers (d.15th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Edward Saunders was the husband of Mary Dinah and father of my Grandfather Kenneth Edward Saunders. According to the Captains War Diary 13th October 1917, Herbert was at Pompier rest camp wounded - quoting "Much pain all day. At 7.10pm, 15th October 1917 - Pompier Camp was attacked by an aeroplane - 7 bombs dropped. 4 in camp 3 outside. Casualties 4 killed-24 wounded-1 missing. 18th October 1917 day spent repairing air-raid damage. Buried the killed at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetry."

    Vicky Rees




    1206180

    Pte. Jocelyn Beck Border Regiment

    <p>

    Our GG Uncle Jocelyn Beck was from Kendal (then Westmorland) and served in the Border Regiment. He was severely injured and was sent to the Norfolk War Hospital. Researching our family history we have just come across this newspaper article. Unfortunately there is no date on the article.

    Jean Foy




    1206176

    Sgt. Joseph Brooke 15th Btn Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    Joseph Brooke, my grandfather, joined the Army in 1911 or 12, aged 18. He was based at Londonderry, Northern Ireland at the outbreak of WW1 with the 1st Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. For some reason, he did not cross to France until the end of August 1914. He joined his unit at the front on 16th Sept 1914, during The Battle of the Aisne, at Le Mesnil, near Soissons.

    He served with the Cheshire Regiment throughout the war. In early 1918, he was transferred to the 15th Battalion of the Cheshires and made up to Sergeant. I was told by my father that he was at the First and Fourth Battles of Ypres. From the regimental diaries etc. it is possible that he fought on the Somme in 1916 and 1918 as well as the 2nd and 3rd Battles of Ypres.

    I am proud to have in my possession his swagger stick and a 1908 pattern British cavalry sword that he brought back as a souvenir. Joseph died in 1957.

    Edward Brooke




    1206175

    Pte Charles Walford 11th Btn. B Voy. Royal West Kents (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Walford served with the 11th Btn. Royal West Kents and was killed on 15th September 1916.

    John Cookman




    1206174

    Pte. George Sibley 2nd Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.6th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    George Sibley was killed in action on the 6th of October 1915, aged 20. he was the son of Alfred W. and Avis A. Sibley, of New Lodge, Warkton, Kettering. Native of Stamford Hill, Kettering.

    s flynn




    1206173

    L/Cpl. Cecil Reginald Noble VC 2nd Btn. C Company, Rifle Brigade (d.13th March 1915)

    <p>

    Cecil Noble died of wounds on the 13th of March 1915 and is buried in the Longuenesse (ST. Omer) Souvenire Cemetery in France.

    An extract from the Supplement to the London Gazette of 27th April, 1915 (No. 29146) records the award of the V.C. to this N.C.O. and to C.S.M. H. Daniels "For most conspicuous bravery on 12th March, 1915, at Neuve-Chapelle, when their battalion was impeded in the advance to attack by wire entanglements, and subjected to a very severe machine-gun fire, these two men voluntarily rushed in front and succeeded in cutting the wires."

    s flynn




    1206172

    AM1. L. K.H. Bailey 1st Bde. HQ. (d.18th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    L. K.H. Bailey was killed in action on the 18th of September 1917. He is buried in the Lillers Communal Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1206171

    Major David Nelson VC MID. 59th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.8th April 1918)

    <p>

    David Nelson died of wounds on the 8th of April 1918, aged 31 and is buried in the Lillers Communal Cemetery in France.

    An extract from the London Gazette (No. 28976, dated 13th Nov., 1914), records the following- "Helping to bring the guns into action under heavy fire at Nery on 1st September, and while severely wounded remaining with them until all the ammunition was expended-although he had been ordered to retire to cover."

    s flynn




    1206170

    Cpl. William Richard Cotter VC 6th Btn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) (d.14th March 1916)

    <p>

    William Cotter died of wounds on the 14th of March 1916, aged 33 and is buried in the Lillers Communal Cemetery in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 28th March, 1916 (No. 29527), records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When his right leg had been blown off at the knee and he had also been wounded in both arms, he made his way unaided for fifty yards to a crater, steadied the men who were holding it, controlled their fire, issued orders, and altered the dispositions of his men to meet a fresh counter-attack by the enemy. For two hours he held his position, and only allowed his wounds to be roughly dressed when the attack had quieted down. He could not be moved back for fourteen hours, and during all this time had a cheery word for all who passed him. There is no doubt that his magnificent courage helped greatly to save a critical situation."

    s flynn




    1206169

    L/Cpl. Alan Louis "Lou" shaw 4th Btn, B Coy. Seaforth Highlanders (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>

    Lou Shaw and his brother Stanley died on the same day in May 1915. The third brother Arthur and brother in law H G Bellamy also joined the Seaforths and they both survived the war. The three Shaw brothers were known as the 19 feet of Shaw as they were all well over 6 feet tall and in total made 19 feet!

    Liz Reading




    1206168

    Sgt. Stanley Charles Manfield MID. 25th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Stanley and Bessie Manfield

    Stanley Manfield served with the 25th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

    Stanley and Bessie Manfield wedding 1916

    Nick Manfield




    1206167

    Pte. Jacob Rivers VC 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.12th March 1915)

    <p>

    Jacob Rivers was killed in action on the 12th of March 1915, aged 32 and is commemorated on The Le Touret Memorial in France. He was the son of Mrs. Adeline Rivers, of 4 House, Wide Yard, Bridge Gate, Derby

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 27th April, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery at Neuve-Chapelle on 12th March, 1915, when he, on his own initiative, crept to within a few yards of a very large number of the enemy who were massed on the flank of an advanced company of his battalion, and hurled bombs on them. His action caused the enemy to retire, and so relieved the situation. Pte. Rivers performed a second act of great bravery on the same day, similar to the first mentioned, again causing the enemy to retire. He was killed on this occasion."

    s flynn




    1206166

    Pte. Edward Barber VC 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.12th March 1915)

    <p>

    Edward Barber was killed in action on the 12th of March 1915, aged 22 and is commemorated on The Le Touret Memorial in France. he was the son of William and Sarah Ann Barber, of Miswell Lane, Tring, Herts

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 19th April, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on 12th March, 1915, at Neuve-Chapelle. He ran speedily in front of the grenade company to which he belonged, and threw bombs on the enemy with such effect that a very great number of them at once surrendered. When the grenade party reached Pte. Barber they found him quite alone and unsupported, with the enemy surrendering all about him."

    s flynn




    1206165

    Cpl. William Anderson VC 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th March 1915)

    <p>

    William Anderson was killed in action on the 13th of March 1915, aged 29 and is commemorated on The Le Touret Memorial in France. He was native of Dallas, Elgin, Morayshire.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 21st May, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery at Neuve-Chapelle on 12th March, 1915, when he led three men with bombs against a large party of the enemy who had entered our trenches, and by his prompt and determined action saved, what might otherwise have become, a serious situation. Cpl. Anderson first threw his own bombs, then those in possession of his three men (who had been wounded) amongst the Germans, after which he opened rapid rifle fire upon them with great effect, notwithstanding that he was at the time quite alone".

    s flynn




    1206164

    Pte. Abraham Acton VC 2nd Btn. B Coy. Border Regiment (d.16th May 1916)

    <p>

    Abraham Acton was killed in action on the 16th of May 1915, aged 21 and is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial in France. He wasthe son of Robert and Elizabeth Eleanor Acton, of 4 Regent Square, Senhouse St., Whitehaven, Cumberland.

    s flynn




    1206163

    Pte. Paul Johannesson 46th Btn. (Sakatchewan Regiment) (d.5th May 1917)

    <p>

    Paul Johannesson signed his attestation papers on January 8, 1916 in Baldur Manitoba. He was assigned to the 222nd overseas Battalion, C. E. F. Before he was then transferred to the 46th Battalion. He was killed in action on 5th of May 1917 and is and buried in La Chaudiere Military Cemetery in France.

    The family, three generations on, still knows how happy and caring Paul was. The family missed him deeply. His two adopted nieces, Florence and Margaret, wanted very badly to have their photo taken with Paul before he left

    s flynn




    1206162

    Pte. Allan Daniel Dunoon 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (d.9th April 1917)

    <p>

    Allan Dunoon was killed in action on the 9th of April 1917, aged 21 and is buried in La Chaudiere Military Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1206161

    Pte. Francis Albert Thomas 15th Btn. (Civil Service Rifles) London Regiment

    My Grandfather, Francis Thomas enlisted on 29 November 1915 at Somerset House. He was wounded by shrapnel I believe, although I do not know at which battle as I have only just started researching, and had probably revolutionary surgery for the time. A Canadian surgeon saved the use of his hand by swapping tendons to enable him to close his fist. He rarely talked about his service, but did suffer from nightmares. My father recalls, I suspect a fairly standard tale, of him jumping into a hole during a night bombardment and waking up next to a dead German soldier. I have seen at least one photo of him in uniform which I hope to post in due course.

    Lynn Frost




    1206160

    Pte. Ralph Henry Samuel Bullus 6th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    <p>

    Ralph Bullus, born 3rd June 1896, volunteered at the start of the war and served in France and Flanders throughout. Wounded and captured in the German spring offensive 1918, he was taken P.O.W and enterned in Germany until repatriated by the red cross in January 1919 and taken to Blackfriars Hospital London for treatment of wounds. He lived out the rest of his life with his family in Nunney, Somerset until he died in 1969. He was my grandfather and we are very proud of him. Below is an extract from a letter he sent to the hospital in London and published in the Somerset Standard newspaper at the time;

    "Private Ralph Bullus, of the 6th Wilts, from Nunney, writes to Mrs Milne-Redhead from King George’s Hospital, Blackfriars, as follows:- I am safe back in the dear old country once more. We left Germany about the ninth of January under the French Red Cross people. They handed us over to our Red Cross about ten days after, to a hospital in the South of France, and I was very thankful for that day. The French Red Cross seems so poor to our own. Having stayed in the Field Hospital for three days we got transferred to the Base Hospital at Rouen, staying there a few days. We left Rouen on last Tuesday night, going by train to Boulogne, arriving there in the morning. We were then put on the Hospital ship and sailed for Dover, landing about five o’clock. We then had the pleasant train-ride up to Charing Cross, getting there about nine. It was a fine reception; we could not eat much or drink as we were filled with joy. I am now in King George’s Hospital. I am expecting every day to be transferred nearer home. I have booked for Bath; I hope it will go through alright. This is only a clearing station here for the wounded P.O.W. I am fairly well in health, but my leg is still very bad. The fracture is set in a bad position, and some short stiffening knee – all this is through German treatment. I was in a good hospital – I mean as a hospital, but the treatment they gave for a fracture was absolute torture. I entered this hospital on May 2nd, last year. They drove two nails into my knee, put my leg on a board at the side of the bed, attached two strings to these nails, and hung about 25lbs on them. This lasted for about a month, then while I was having the leg dressed one morning one nail broke off in my leg. They put me on the operation table, took it out, also the sound one, and then drove one clean through my heel; all this was done without chloroform of any description. I had the sand sack on the nail for another two months. Then the nails were taken out. I am now in bed, but am going to try my luck with crutches. Madam, I am now sending you my very best thanks for all your splendid kindnesses. I was on the point of death three times in Germany, and had it not been for the splendid parcels I got, I certainly should not have seen old Blighty again. I sent all the acknowledgement postcards back; hope you received them. The last Frome parcel I received was the beginning of November. Then when the armistice came, all the parcels were collected together and we had anybody’s. I also thank you for the memo cards; I received quite a good few, but not the later months. I hope all the Nunney prisoners of war are safely back. My first letter came yesterday from home. My brother is now enjoying his two months’ leave. Well, I believe the Germans paid very dearly for us lads; they had it in the March offensive. I shall never forget it. I am lucky to be alive. We had the odds of 111 to one against us, but we hung on to the very last. My battalion lost very heavily. I had an officer come to see me; he had such a list of the dear lads that have been missing since last March. I was able to tell him the news of three – two killed and one wounded and P.O.W. I am afraid most of them are killed. I would have given the world to have been in this last offensive of ours. By what I can gather from the lads it was fine sport; it’s a pity they gave in so soon. Well, madam, I expect you feel greatly relieved with the strain of all the parcel work off your mind. I am sure us P.O.W’s can never repay you for your kindness and strenuous work. I am patiently waiting now to get my transfer. I hope it won’t be long, as I have to go through another operation, and I am getting tired of this lying-in-bed sort of life."

    Paul Bullus




    1206158

    Pte. James Jesse Lyman MM. 2nd Btn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.111th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    James Lyman was killed in action on the 11th of September 1918, aged 24 and is buried in the Hermies Hill British Cemetery in France. He was a resident of Gayhurst, Buckinghamshire

    s flynn




    1206157

    Bmbdr. William Charles Ovenden 93rd Brigade. C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.20th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    William Ovenden was killed in action on the 20th of January 1918 and is buried in the Hermies Hill British Cemetery in France. he was the son of William Ovenden, of 35 Chandos Rd., Tunbridge Wells.

    s flynn




    1206156

    2nd Lt. Frank Edward Young VC 1st Btn. Hertfordshire Regiment (d.18th Sep1918)

    <p>

    Frank Young was killed in action on 18th September 1918 aged 23 years during the action for which he gained his award. He is buried in the Hermies Hill British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Frank and Sarah Ellen Young, of 46, Wood Avenue, Folkestone, Kent

    An extract from The London Gazette No. 31067, dated 13th Dec., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, determination and exceptional devotion to duty on 18th September, 1918, south-east of Havrincourt, when during an enemy counter-attack and throughout an extremely intense enemy barrage he visited all posts, warned the garrisons and encouraged the men. In the early stages of the attack he rescued two of his men who had been captured, and bombed and silenced an enemy machine gun. Although surrounded by the enemy, 2nd Lt. Young fought his way back to the main barricade and drove out a party of the enemy who were assembling there. By his further exertions the battalion was able to maintain a line of great tactical value, the loss of which would have meant serious delay to future operations. Throughout four hours of intense hand-to-hand fighting 2nd Lt. Young displayed the utmost valour and devotion to duty, and set an example to which the company gallantly responded. He was last seen fighting hand to hand against a considerable number of the enemy."

    s flynn




    1206155

    A/WOII Edgar Martin MM 283 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Edgar Martin was born in Ramsbury Wiltshire and volunteered to join the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1916. He was married to Bertha (Vockins) and had 5 children at the time. He returned in 1919 but subsequently died in 1924, some say from injuries received during the war.

    Diary of Edgar Martin for World War 1

    1916

    • May 31st - Joined up
    • June 1st - Arrived at Plymouth at No 3 Depot, Royal Garrison Artillery
    • July 14th - Appointed Acting Bombardier, with pay.
    • Sept 16th – sent to Bexhill for Seige Course.
    • Oct 16th – Passed Course and sent on B.E.F.
    • Nov 11th – Appointed Full Bombardier
    • Nov 13th – Joined Battery at Broughly Ferry (unable to locate)
    • Nov 23rd – Arrived Ewshot (near Aldershot)
    • Dec 16th – moved to Aldershot
    1917
    • Jan 30th – moved to Lydd
    • Feb 20th – moved to Devizes
    • Feb 23rd – Overseas Leave
    • March 25th – Left Devizes for France
    • March 31st – Left Le Havre for Bailleul (Belgium)
    • April 2nd – arrived at Battalion positions at Kemmel Hill (near Ypres) in Belgium
    • April 5th – fired first round
    • April 29th – first casualty
    • April 30th – appointed acting corporal with pay
    • June 7th – premature on No 4 gun – 3 men wounded, also Messines Ridge captured June 10th – pulled out and move to new position at Peckham (Battle of Messines)
    • June 26th – Acting Bmdr Kimber wounded
    • June 30th – Gnrs Tolkey and Harvey wounded
    • July 4th – King George passed Battery positions and camp
    • July 22nd – premature on No 1 gun. Bdr Killed and 4 men wounded
    • July 29th – went to 2nd Army Rest Camp at Abbeville (?) for 14 days
    • Aug 12th – returned to base … - moved to Onreat Wood. (location not found)
    • Sept 4th – hit by shell splinters on shoulder – in the evening
    • Sept 16th – promoted to acting Sgt
    • Sept 19th – premature (explosion) on No 1 gun. 1 killed, 8 wounded of 405 Seige Batt.
    • Sept 21st – went to rest at Veibix berque?? (poss Vieux-Berquin)
    • Sept 24th – returned to Battery positions and went into action – some rest
    • Oct 1st – appointed full Sgt
    • Dec 9th – premature on No 1 gun. 1 man wounded
    1918
    • Jan 13th – 27th – leave in Blighty
    • Feb 15th – pulled out for rest at Arques near Saint Omer.
    • Feb 21st – left Arques for Bty positions at Montes Court(unable to locate)
    • March 13th – Right section pulled out and relieved 306 Siege Bty at forward position in front of Fort Vendeuil
    • March 16th – shelled out of position, returned to Liez
    • March 17th – left section took over position at Liez from 306 Seige Bty
    • March 21st – German Offensive commenced at 04.30 am, retired to reserve position on the evening of the 21st. On the retirement the Battery had 11 guns. Fired 2000 rounds and left behind 1700 rounds partially destroyed. Travelled 300 miles, causalities one man wounded and one missing. Pulled out on Easter Sunday for Beaucamps-le-Jeune to refit.
    • April 10th – went into action
    • April 12th – moved up to Gentles Wood at Boves
    • April 15th – premature on No 2 gun. Sgt Farlow and Gnr Butterfield killed. 5 men wounded.
    • April 15th – Bdr Pilcher wounded
    • April 24th 1918 – Awarded the Military Medal. Authority III Corp Routine Orders No 63.
    • April 30th – Pullout of line for Marcuil near Abberville.
    • May 17th – Left Marciul for Caubirk
    • May 19th – arrived at Bty positions and relieved 216 Siege Bty at Heilly.
    • May 31st - four men wounded at Centre Section, Gnr Round died of wounds.
    • June 16th – Eight men wounded, five men killed at camp and position.
    • July 2nd - pulled out and went to forward position at Merricourt.
    • July 19th – Cpl Green left battery for Commission.
    • July 30th – Cpl Leonard and four men gassed at forward position.
    • August 3rd – Pulled out of forward positions at Merricourt.
    • August 4th – reached Battery positions near front line.
    • August 4th – appointed to Acting Battery Sergeant Major (BSM) on BSM Davies leaving battery.
    • August 8th – Push started. The following moves took place between 8th Aug and 20th Sept. Battery positions as follows:
      • 1. Vaux Sur Somme
      • 2. Sailly Le Sec
      • 3. Sailly Laurette
      • 4. Chiphilly
      • 5. Etinehem
      • 6. Bray Sur Somme
      • 7. Suzanne
      • 8. Hem Monacu
      • 9. Clery sur Somme
      • 10. Mout St Quintin
      • 11. Bussu
      • 12. Doingt
      • 13. Buire
      • 14. Tincourt
      • 15. Marquaix
      • 16. Avallette (not found)
      • 17. Roibel
      • 18. Hargicourt.
    • Sept 20th – Wounded on left forearm, leg and right hand at Hargicourt.
    • Sept 21st - Arrived at No 10 General hospital at Rouen.
    • Sept 26th – draft to No 2 [unreadable]
    • Nov 11th – Armistice Signed. (The battery continue moving forwards until the ceasefire on 11th November 1918.)
    • Dec 2nd – Left Con Camp Rouen for the base at Le Havre.
    • Dec 27th – Fourteen days leave to Blighty.
    1919.
  • Feb 27th – Demob at Fovant. (Salisbury, Wiltshire)

    Bob Francis




  • 1206154

    Sgt. William Henry Kay 10th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.19th May 1918)

    <p>

    William Henry Kay was from a large family that originated in Kimberworth, Yorkshire, having 11 brothers and sisters. He was married to Sarah and they had three children, James, Noah and Jane. He was a blast furnaceman in Middlesbrough before the war and they lived in Grangetown.

    He started his military career in September 1914, when he joined the newly formed 10th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. In June 1916 he was promoted to Sergeant. In Aug 1916 he transferred to the Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment then in September to the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    In March 1917 he was transferred again to the Durham Light Infantry, but was soon moved to the Labour Corps, probably due to ill health. By May 1918 he was back in DLI barracks in Newcastle where he died of a heart attack on the 19 May 1918. His son James, who was 14 when war broke out, also served, but I can not find any details. He survived the war but died in an accident a few years later.

    Andrew Coles




    1206153

    Pte. Edwin Wells 22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.10th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Edwin Wells served with the A Company, 22nd Battalion, London Regiment during WW1 and died on the 10th January 1916, aged 24. He is buried in the Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, near Bethune in France. He was the husband of Annie E. Wells, of 27, Perseverance St., Bermondsey, London.

    Ann West




    1206152

    Pte. John William Scott Harrison 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, John William Harrison served in the early days of WW1 as he enlisted 5 Sep 1914 and was wounded (shot in the face)sometime around 1915-1916. He was discharged on 24 Apr 1916 due to wounds. There are photos of him that clearly show his face being disfigured and from family it was said he was never the same man. I have found his silver badge and medal rolls card but have had no luck finding his pension or service records (Burned during WWII?).

    Simon Harrison




    1206151

    Sgt. John Wyse Scott Cree MID 131 MT Company Army Service Corps

    <p>John Cree is_bottom right

    Sgt John W S Cree served with 131st(MT)Company, Army Service Corps attached to the 9th (Scottish) Division and was Mentioned in Dispatches for gallant conduct whilst fighting at Nurlu 21-23 March 1918.

    John Scott Cree




    1206150

    L/Cpl. Henry Edward Halsall 12th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.16th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle, Henry Halsall was the elder brother of my grandma Mary Pearson nee Halsall who both grew up at Lordsgate Farm in Burscough, which is down the road from the Bull and Dog in Burscough run by their cousins the Edges. Henry joined at the outbreak of the war and prior to enlisting was head gardener at Sefton House Lathom. He was the son of John and Ellen Halsall ne Reynolds and husband of Sarah Ellen Halsall and father of two children.

    I believe he was killed on 16th September 1916 at Fleurs-Coulette. If any body knows any more information or a near relative it would be great to hear from them.

    John Nicholls




    1206149

    Pte. John William Worboys Queens Royal Surrey Regiment

    <p>

    John Warboys suffered severe head injuries during the battle at Ambrines near Arras. Initially left for dead, when the dead were being moved they heard his voice & cry out in pain. He was discharged on the 31st of May 1917 as a result of the injuries. John had a silver skull plate, at times he would go upstairs to the top of their house so his seven children did not hear him crying out in pain. He never recovered from his injuries, resulting in very hard times for his wife & 7 children. He died on the 7th June 1927. His wife fought for many years to receive a pension as a result of his injuries and to get his name recorded on the War Memorial. Which was added some years later.

    Annette James




    1206148

    Spr. Sydney St.James Waghorne 1/1st Kent Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Sydney Waghorne, my Grandfather, enlisted on October 19th 1914 at the age of 19 years. His brother and him joined the 1/1st Kent Field Royal Engineers. Their first action was in October 1915 Gallipoli. While shipping over to the war front from Malta, the HMS Hythe was sunk during tragic accident. My grandfather lost many of his childhood friends even before he saw enemy. By the time he reached Sulva Bay, Gallipoli had already become a lost cause.

    As a lineman for communications, it was a nightmare. The lines were in the trenches with the men often being trampled on and broken. Dysentery was decimating the troops and a surprise winter storm and days of rain, many died. During the evacuation in mid December, grandfather was one of those affected loaded until a hospital ship and taken back to Malta and then Gibraltar to recover from Dysentery.

    Due to the tragedy of the HMS Hythe, he was reassigned to the 1/3rd Kent Field Company as a replacement under the London Signal Corp and the 29th Division. During the Battle of Ypres he was injured by a German shell while repairing a line. After another brief stay in the hospital, he served out the reminder of the war and marched into Germany with the 29th Division. He served 4 years and 127 days and earned the British 1914-15 Star, The British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal. Months after the war, he set sail to Canada and eventually settled in Wichita Falls, Texas until his day of passing in 1950.





    1206147

    Capt. Montague Aubrey Rowley Cholmeley 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.24th Dec 1914)

    <p>

    Montague Cholmeley was killed in action in France on 24th December 1914

    s flynn




    1206145

    Pte. Thomas McBrine 7th/8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.31st Marc 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas McBrine was killed in action on the 31st of March 1918, aged 26 and is buried in the Fouquescourt British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Thomas and Mary McBrine, of Stralongford, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.

    s flynn




    1206144

    Lt. James Edward Tait VC, MC. 7th Btn. (Manitoba Regiment), (d.11th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    James Tait was killed on the 11th August 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on a special memorial in the Fouquescourt British Cemetery in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 24th Sept., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack. The advance having been checked by intense machine-gun fire, Lt. Tait rallied his company and led it forward with consummate skill and dash under a hail of bullets. A concealed machine gun, however, continued to cause many casualties. Taking a rifle and bayonet, Lt. Tait dashed forward alone and killed the enemy gunner. Inspired by his example his men rushed the position, capturing twelve machine guns and twenty prisoners. His valorous action cleared the way for his battalion to advance. Later, when the enemy counter-attacked our positions under intense artillery bombardment, this gallant officer displayed outstanding courage and leadership, and, though mortally wounded by a shell, continued to aid and direct his men until his death."

    s flynn




    1206143

    Pte. Thomas Charles Morris 230th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    I believe my grandfather, Thomas Morris received a commendation in 1918 at Ridge Wood Ypres, with a young officer named Anthony Strutt who lost his life that day 28th April 1918. Can anyone please help me to confirm this?

    Editors Note: The action mentioned on the 28th April 1918 happened during the last great German Spring Offensive which almost succeeded and moved the allied front line back to pre Somme 1916 positions.

    The officer who died was Lieutenant Anthony Herbert Strutt, 16th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). A notice in local paper in Belper reported: "Lieutenant Anthony Herbert Strutt 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Died of wounds at Vermoorzeele Belgium on Saturday 27th April 1918 aged 22. Extract from the Battalion History. On the 27th April Ridge Wood and Voormezeele were part of the frontline and we fought what amounted to a rearguard action all day. This was our final day in the trenches as we were to be relieved that night. It is therefore with regret to record the last casualty among our original officers. During the relief while leading the remnants of us out of the firing line Lieutenant A H Strutt was mortally wounded. Anthony is buried in the Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No 3 Belgium."

    At that time a lot of units were mixed in desperate rearguard fighting and Thomas probably assisted in getting the mortally wounded officer out of the combat zone. Access to war diaries might help or possibly the Regimental Museums for both units. Medal card search reveals he was awarded the British War and Victory Medals, but make no mention of any other citation, however that is not conclusive as many such incidents were not transcribed and the cards were completed manually with many names mis-spelt.

    Ian Spowage




    1206138

    Gnr. Ernest Washington Jex 32nd Div. Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.15th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest Jex was killed in action on the 15th of October 1916 and is buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1206137

    CSM. James Richard Boraston 1st/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.24th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Richard Boraston was killed in action on the 24th of Dec 1915, aged 26 and is buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr. A. G. and Mrs. S. A. Boraston, of 24 Richmond Rd., Handsworth, Birmingham.

    s flynn




    1206136

    Pte. John Parkes Somerfield 1st/5th Bn. A Coy. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.26th June 1916)

    <p>

    John Somerfield was killed in action on the 26th of June 1916, aged 20. He is buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Amos and Mary Ann Somerfield, of 53 Croft St., Walsall, Staffs.

    s flynn




    1206135

    Cpl. Charles Frederick Draper 9th Btn Rifle Brigade (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Born at Arreton, Isle of Wight on 20th August 1889, Charles Frederick Draper was the youngest of the eight children of William and Emily Draper. His father was an agricultural labourer and later road foreman for the local District Council. Charley presumably excelled at school, because he left his agricultural roots and the Isle of Wight behind him and became a solicitor’s clerk. The 1911 census finds him as a law clerk in lodgings at Shepton Mallet.

    Charley enlisted in the 9th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade at Winchester on 22nd May 1915, aged 25 years and 8 months. Like the rest of his family, he was short in stature, standing 5’ 5” tall and his enlistment papers state that he had scars on both groins from a previous hernia operation. Where he spent his early months in the army I do not know, but he embarked for France on 6th April 1916 and on 12th April he was transferred to a Machine Gun Depot and arrived at Étaples on 17th of the month.

    He joined his battalion in the field on 20th May and was wounded in action on 27th June. According to the medical report he suffered shell wounds to his arm, leg, abdomen and chest. He died on 1st July 1916 and was interred in the Communal Cemetery at Habareq. He is also commemorated on his parents grave stone at Gore Cemetery, Arreton. Charley never married. He left a school atlas, published in 1913, in which he, or a member of the family, traced the progress of the war by underlining key locations. It remains a treasured family possession.

    Bridget Lewis




    1206134

    L/Cpl. Harold Mawby Hawkins 7th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.29th May 1916)

    <p>

    Harold Hawkins was killed in action on the 29th of May 1916, aged 20 and is buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Benjamin and Harriett Hawkins, of 78 Egypt Rd., Basford, Nottingham.

    s flynn




    1206133

    Pte. Frank Elliott 7th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.20th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Elliott was killed in action on the 20th of June 1916, aged 21. Buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France, he was the husband of Mrs. Elliott, of 107 Union Rd., Nottingham.

    s flynn




    1206132

    Pte. A. English 1st/8th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.24th June 1916)

    <p>

    A English was killed in action on the 24th of June 1916 and is buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France,

    s flynn




    1206131

    Pte. Alexander Russell 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.13th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander Russell was killed in action on the 13th of September 1916 and is buried in the Flatiron Copse Cemetery in France. He resided at Chapelhall and enlisted at Holytown, Lanarkshire

    s flynn




    1206130

    Cpl. Edward Dwyer VC 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd September 1916)

    <p>

    Edward Dwyer was klled in action on 3rd of September 1916, aged 20 and is buried in the Flatiron Copse Cemetery in France.

    An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 21st May, 1915, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at "Hill 60" on the 20th April, 1915. When his trench was heavily attacked by German grenade throwers he climbed on to the parapet, and, although subjected to a hail of bombs at close quarters, succeeded in dispersing the enemy by the effective use of his hand grenades. Private Dwyer displayed great gallantry earlier on this day in leaving his trench, under heavy shell fire, to bandage his wounded comrades."

    s flynn




    1206129

    L/Cpl. George Bernard Fitzgerald 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th May 1917)

    <p>

    George Fitzgerald was killed in action on the 10th of May 917, aged 27 and is buried in the Etretat Churchyard Extension in France. He was the son of John and Ann Fitzgerald, of Sunderland.

    s flynn




    1206128

    Fitter. Leonard Boden Shipstone 402 bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.18th May 1917)

    <p>

    Leonard Shipstone died of wounds on the 18th of May 1917, aged 21 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Edward and Elizabeth Boden Shipstone, of Nottingham Rd., Gilt Brook, Notts

    s flynn




    1206127

    Pte. Walter Thomas Trivett 9th Sqdn Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) (d.Oct. 27, 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Thomas Trivett is laid to rest in Saint Sever Cemetery Extension in Rouen, France. He was born in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire on 1st September 1894, which made him 24 years old when he died on the 27th October 1918.

    Ian Spencer




    1206126

    Cpl. Enoch Shepherd MM. 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Enoch Shepherd was a miner in Willenhall before volunteering in 1915. Like so many, July 1915 would be the last time he would live with his family. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery, but I have no idea why. He died during the first battle of Passchendaele, 12th October 1917. The war diary states that hundreds were cut down by machine gun.

    He left a widow, Annie, and two children. He never saw the birth of his son, Enoch jr, born a month after his death. Such a life influencing legacy.

    Mark Shepherd




    1206125

    Drv Edward Weir Edwards Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandfather Edward Edwards survived the WW1 War in France.

    Eleanor L Martin




    1206124

    Gdsmn. Arthur Edwin Shortland Grenadier Guards

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Arthur Edwin Shortland, served in the Grenadier Guards during WW1. I have the 3 medals commonly know as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

    Chris Shortland




    1206123

    George Horace Goode Norfolk Regiment

    <p>

    My great grandad George Horace Goode was born 16/11/1899. He served with the Norfolk Regiment. We have a telegram reporting that he had been gassed and was in a hospital. Not sure where to try to find out more. Can anyone help please?

    John Hamblin




    1206119

    Capt. Samuel Edward Bell MC. 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Nov 1916)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Samuel Bell died of wounds on the 19th of November 1916, aged 19 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mrs. and the late Edward Bell, of Holywood, Galloway Rd., Fleetwood, Lancs. Native of Fleetwood

    s flynn




    1206118

    Pte. Ophir Alfred Jarvis 7th Btn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) (d.30th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Ophir Alfred Jarvis died on the 30th of November 1916, aged 36. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. Husband of Selina F. Jarvis, of 9, Cranworth Rd., Hadleigh, Suffolk. Father of Evelyn and Margaret.

    s flynn




    1206117

    AM. Charles Wilman 16th Squadron (d.10th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Wilman was born 27/07/1890, died 10/03/1917 at 22nd General Hospital, Camiers, France of Pneumonia. He is nuried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. Son of Albert and Alice Wilman, of 10, Wilman Hill, Wibsey, Bradford, Yorks. Native of Wibsey.

    s flynn




    1206116

    Pte. Albert Fowler 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.20th May 1918)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Albert Fowler died of wounds on the 20th of May 1918, aged 41 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the husband of M. A. Fowler, of 150 Cog Lane, Burnley, Lancs. Native of Burnley.

    s flynn




    1206115

    Pte. Harold Bruce McLagan 9th Coy. Canadian Machine Gun Corps. (d.4th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Harold McLagan died of wounds on the 4th of November 1917, aged 34 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 9th Company, Canadian Machine Gun Corps. He was wounded at Passchendaele Oct 26th 1917 and died of his wounds November 4th 1917, aged 33 (born Sep 7 1884). He was the son of James and Isabella McLagan of Carluke, Ontario.

    Tragically for the generation that followed him, only the first of his optimistic projections, written from France Aug 7th, 1917 in a letter to his sister Beatrice, proved to be accurate: "… this old war cannot last forever and I think the world will be too wise to ever let another one commence."

    s flynn




    1206113

    Pte. Samuel McCrory 10th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle Pte. Samuel McCrory served with the 10th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, part of the 36th Ulster Division and was killed on the 1st July 1916. Samuel McCrory, Army number 395 has no known grave but is recorded on the Thiepval Monument and he came from the Donegal Road area of South Belfast.





    1206112

    Herbert Cecil Reade 6th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    Herbert Cecil Reade joined the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry 6th Battalion (Pals) in Shrewsbury in 1914. In 1916 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer in No.1 Squadron. He was invalided back to the UK in 1917.

    Richard Reade




    1206111

    Pte. Edward Stevenson Pitblado 7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.26th Aug 1917)

    Edward Stevenson Pitbladdo 7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders died on 27th August 1917 Aged 39. He was the husband of Mary Jane Sandison Pitblado of 45 Sandport Street Leith. His name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.





    1206110

    Sgt. Charles Gregory 14th (2nd Barnsley) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    The eldest son of Ralph and Parthenia Gregory of Aspull, Wigan, in the 1911 census Charles Gregory was 17 years old, living at home with his family and working underground in the mines as a drawer. For reasons unknown, Charles moved to Barnsley some time between 1911 and 1915. He enlisted in the York and Lancaster Regiment, 14th (2nd Barnsley) Battalion on 22nd March 1915, age 21. At the time he was working as a miner at Barrow Colliery and gave his address as 1 Arthur St, Worsborough Bridge. At the time of his death, Charles was a Sergeant and a machine gunner. He died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, age 22. As he was reported missing and his body was never found, Charles has no grave. His name is inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

    Caroline Joynt




    1206108

    Pte. William Denis Lyons 1st/6th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.5th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    William Lysons died on the 5th of September 1917 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of John Sebastian and Lily May (nee Hollingsworth) Lyons

    s flynn




    1206107

    Pte. Earl Bolton 4th Btn. Canadian Machine Gun Corps. (d.9th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Earl Bolton died of wounds on the 9th of October 1918, aged 29 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. Born at Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada October 2, 1989, hee Enlisted with the 1st Depot battalion, Western Ontario regiment, London. Ont., February 21,1918. Earl embarked for Britain, February 21, 1918. Transferred to the 4th Reserve Battalion, March 5, 1918. Proceeded to the 4th Reserve Battalion, March 5, 1918

    Proceeded to France, August 19, 1918 for service with the Canadian Machine Gun Corps. He was wounded in action, October 3, 1918.

    s flynn




    1206106

    Pte. Harold E. Black 78th Btn. (d.19th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Black died of wounds received at Passchendaele on 19th of November 1917, aged 23 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Harold was the youngest son of William Boyes and Sarah Black of Ballycastle, Co. Antrim. Harold emigrated to Canada in 1910 to join his other five brothers. He enlisted in 1915 and shipped to France in the same year. His brother Gordon, a Captain with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force, was at his side when he died. He subsequently wrote to relatives in Ballycastle this short remembrance of Harold’s passing

    "Ah, it breaks my heart to have to write on a subject like this. We little thought in the days of long ago he would be the first to be taken. His loss is just as fresh in my mind as ever- it is a picture I cannot erase, go where I will, do what I may. Still we must not forget the manner of his living, or the splendid example he showed in dying with such calm content in the knowledge of duty well and nobly done."

    s flynn




    1206105

    Pte. Gordon Ottis Stillwell 5th Btn. Canadian Mounted Rifles (d.17th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Gordon Ottis Stilwell died on the 17th of April 1917, aged 21 and is buried in plot XIX. A. 7 in the Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Gordon was the ninth of 10 boys of Charles and Mary (Ferris) Stilwell of Waterborough, NB, Canada. He worked as a mill man before, along with his younger brother Blair, joined the army in April 1916. He was killed during the Battle of Vimy Ridge on 17 April 1917. His brother also fought at Vimy, and lost 3 fingers due to sniper fire in the same battle. Blair named his son in memory of his brother.

    s flynn




    1206104

    Pte. John Higgins 1st Btn. D Coy. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather John Higgins had served pre-war with the British Army as part of the 5th Btn, Manchester Regiment from August 1906 and at the start of World War 1 was an engine cleaner for Liverpool Corporation Tramways but also still an army reservist who was called up at Chester on 6th August 1914 and assigned to 1st Btn Cheshire Regt.

    He was sent with the regiment as part of 15th Brigade, 5th Division to France as part of the Original B.E.F which subsequently became known as "The Old Contemptibles". As a member of "D" company on 24th August 1914 he found himself positioned at a crossroad close to a colliery outside the small Belgian village of Audregnies. The 1st Cheshires were directly faced by 4 German battalions that day and together with 1st Battalion The Norfolk Regiment and supporting cavalry stopped the entire German advance on the town for over 4 hours thereby playing their part in preventing the encirclement of the British 2nd Corps by the German 4th Corps.

    John with the majority of his platoon was taken prisoner that day (only 8 days after arriving in France) and spent the next 4 years as a prisoner of war in the German PoW camp at Geissen near Frankfurt. After liberation he returned to work for The Liverpool Corporation Tramways as a Conductor, married my grandmother Charlotte Rumble, and unfortunately passed away prematurely at the age of 40 in 1930.

    Peter Higgins




    1206103

    Pte. Arthur George Price 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.8th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Price was the beloved 2nd son of Albert & Phoebe Price. Who was killed in action in France on 6th October 1918 in his 23rd year. He is buried at High Tree cemetery, Montbrehain, France.

    Linda Sharrett




    1206102

    Spr. William Glennie "Bill" Airs Royal Engineers

    <p>

    My father, Bill Airs, must have been one of the few who served all four years in France during WW1. He was demobbed eventually and became an engineer with Scottish Omnibuses in Edinburgh. He never spoke about his war experiences but just dismissed it all with the words if your number was on it (the shell/bullet etc) then that was it. For him, thankfully, it never was. I vaguely remembered my father chatting to his nephew Flying Officer Wilfred Airs during the second world war.

    Gordon Airs




    1206101

    Rflmn. Silvester Petty 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.26th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Silvester Petty served with the 7th Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

    Sandra Nuttall




    1206100

    Pte. Arthur William Odell 8th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur William Odell was born on 17 April 1892, in Marston Moreteyne, Bedfordshire. His was a family struggling with extreme poverty. He was one of 14 children, only 7 of whom survived infancy, the others succumbing to malnutrition in the first months of their lives. His father, Charles, was a farm labourer, his mother, Ada, a dress maker. His elder brother, Albert had left home by the age of 15, to become an apprentice tailor in Luton.

    In 1907, the family suffered a heavy blow, losing their father to a debilitating illness. Arthur was the oldest remaining son, and the main support for his mother, his two older sisters, and 3 younger brothers. He worked in the nearby brick yards from an early age.

    Between 23rd and 25th October 1915, he enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment at Ampthill, and was assigned to ‘C’ Company, 8th Battalion. Initially he would have gone for training in Surrey. The earliest he would have been sent to France was February 1916, though it is more likely that he went a couple of months later. The strongest possibility is that he went, with other reinforcements, after the heavy hand-to-hand fighting of the night of 19th/20th April 1916, during which the 8th Battalion had suffered very heavy casualties. The first of these reinforcements arrived in France on 13th May.

    He would have been involved in the front line action on 15th September 1916, the first time the new ‘tanks’ were put into use – his Company was running down the right hand side of the leading ‘tank’. An extract from the Battalion war diary for this date reads –

    ‘15 September – major offensive against German lines, which went badly wrong, causing heavy casualties. Late in the day, 8th Bn was withdrawn to reserve trenches south east of Guillemont.’ 122 names of those killed in action on this date are recorded, including Henry Charles Randall, a close friend of the family; Charles Whittington, Alfred Two, John Jellis, Leonard Hardy, Herbert Hare, Philip Evans and Arthur Busby – all locals who would have been known to the family at home.

    In Arthur’s final letter home to his mother he is said to have written that he did not think he would survive much longer, because the artillery fire was so bad. He was killed on the night of 25th September 1916 at Morval, aged 24. The Battalion war diary has the following entry for this date – ‘25 September – trenches between Morval to Lesboeufs. Battalion in reserve to 16IB in attack on German lines between Morval and Les Boeff. Attack commenced at 12.35pm and Battalion moved up to original front line when second objective had been taken about 2.35pm. Casualties from enemy barrage very slight. Attack proved successful and many prisoners were taken. At night Battalion furnished carrying parties to front line Battalion with ammunition and water. C Platoon detached to 1/London Coy RE as working party in captured trenches. C Coy suffered very heavily from enemy shell fire.’ Only one of C Company, 8th Battalion’s 23 dead on this evening is recorded as having been identified and buried in a marked grave. All others are only remembered on the memorial at Thiepval. Photographs of Morval on the morning of the 25th September show it was a clear, sunny, dry day.

    Unfortunately, his name has been engraved incorrectly on the village war memorial, the Parish Church memorial plaque, and the Stewartby Brickworks plaque – all of which read ‘A J Odell’ rather than ‘A W Odell’.

    My great-uncle Arthur was the person who started my family history search, after the death of my last grandparent in 1998. I had a need to ‘resurrect’ him, as all who knew him had now gone. The only thing I knew at the start was that he was my paternal grandfather’s older brother, that he had died in the war, and that his name was wrong on the war memorial (I have corrected this on the Roll of Honour website). My father told me that he had asked about his lost uncle more than once, but his father would just sit and cry, so he was unable to offer any more information. I discovered a small, black-bordered ‘In Remembrance’ card amongst some of my grandmother’s papers, which gave me his full name and date of death, so I sent off to ask for copies of his army records. This was when I found out that Arthur’s service and pension records were destroyed in the Blitz. I began in the days when there was little available on the internet, but after 12 years of hunting and letter writing, and occasional checks for new, relevant websites, I finally managed to put his wartime service story together.

    During this time I was also looking for a photograph, something I dearly wanted to find, but with no luck. Then, many years later when sorting through my grandmother’s old, pre-marriage birthday cards, looking in particular for those written by family members, I found two photographs of a soldier in the uniform of the Bedfordshire Regiment tucked inside one. The resemblance to my grandfather as a young man in his 20s was striking, and having checked the other brothers on both sides of my grandparent’s families, and their cousins who were also of an age to serve, I managed to rule out every single one except for Arthur. Therefore I have no doubt that these photos are of Arthur and that my grandmother had kept them hidden away, not wanting them out to cause upset, but keeping them safely among her own memories.

    Lilias Odell




    1206099

    L/Cpl. William Unwin 48th Btn. Australian Infantry (d.29th March 1918)

    <p>

    Wiliam Unwin died on the 29th of March aged 27 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. he was the son of William and Katherine Unwin. Native of Wallaroo, South Australia.

    s flynn




    1206098

    Pte. Ronald Robert Yallop B Coy Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch) (d.12th April 1917)

    <p>

    On the 6th of April Ronald Yallop wrote to his uncle who was serving in Egypt. He commented that his winter quarters had been good and he had had a good rest with "beaucoup cafes etc". He then commented that they were having their share now and he had only had about 10 hours sleep in the past 72 hours.

    This letter was probably never sent by Ron as we now have it in an envelope with a black border and a picture of his grave stuck to it. He died on 12th April 1917 of his wounds and is now buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport. According to evidence I have sourced his Battalion was based in Pierremont, France at this time and the tanks he was training to use did not enter the action until after his death.

    Clare Hensman




    1206097

    James William Alexander 20th Battalion (5th Pals) Manchester Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    James Alexander served with the 5th Manchester Pals Battalion.

    Jacqueline Austin




    1206096

    Pte. William Elisha Smithstone 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.26th July 1915)

    <p>

    William Smithstone died on the 26th of July 1915, aged 18 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the s adopted son of Elisha and the late Amelia Smithstone, of 6 Patten St., Burnley, Lancs.

    s flynn




    1206094

    Pte. Thomas Speak 11th Coy Australian Machine Gun Corps (d.1st Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Speak died on the 1st of April 1918, aged 26 is and buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of John and Mary Jane Eastwood Speak, of 19 Whalley Rd., Read, Blackburn in Lancashire.

    s flynn




    1206093

    L/Cpl. Stanley Richard McIsaac 1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment (d.11th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Stanley Richard McIsaac died on the 11th of October 1916, aged 23 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Richard Dick and Catherine McIsaac, of Renwicktown, Marlborough, New Zealand. He also served in Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    1206092

    Tpr. Alfred Edward Smout 2nd Life Guards (d.12th July 1916)

    <p>

    Trooper Alfred Edward Smout died of wounds at the Casualty Clearing Station at Puchevillers. He is buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery. He was just 18 years old.

    JayAnn Knox




    1206090

    Pte. Samuel Thomas Buckley 8th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th May 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Buckley died on the 9th of May 1917, aged 36. Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery in France, he was the husband of S. E. Buckley, of 27 Wood St., Burnley, Lancs.

    s flynn




    1206089

    Drvr. Richard Gill "K" Bty. 4th Bde. Royal Horse Artillery (d.26th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Richard Gill died on the 26th of October 1918, aged 27. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, son of James and Elizabeth Gill, of 27 Longfield Terrace, Cliviger, Burnley. Native of Cliviger.

    s flynn




    1206088

    Pte. Sydney Albert Fitts 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Sydney Fitts was my Great Uncle, and all I know about him is that he was injured at Somme and died of his wounds in Manchester. He is buried with his brother at Cheltenham Cemetery, Prestbury in a CWGC grave. (only his name appears on the stone).

    Barry Wilson




    1206087

    Spr. Joseph John Perks 82nd Field Company Royal Engineers

    Jack Perks enlisted on the 12th of December 1914, he was wounded on the 6th of February 1918 and demobbed on the 11th of April 1920.

    John Cole




    1206086

    Sgt. Leonard Mason MM. 1/5th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    <p>Leonard Mason Discharge Certificate

    Leonard Mason was my grandfather and I remember when I was a little girl how I used to sit and polish his medals. I remember on Remembrance Sunday we would walk down to The Cenotaph in Bolton, him wearing his medals and holding my hand, for the Service of Remembrance. He was born on 27th March 1893 at Flitcroft Street, Bolton, son of Thomas and Sarah Ann Mason. He had five siblings, Florence b. 1889, John b. 1891, Samuel b.1895, Julia b. 1897 and Robert b. 1905.

    He enlisted on 9th November 1914 and sailed on The Tintoretto to France on 12th February 1915 and landed the following day. Whilst in France he was promoted to Sergeant. On 14th January 1918 his name was gazetted as having been awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field. This award was for his actions at The Battle of Menin Road Ridge (20 – 23 September), part of The Third Battle of Ypres 1917. At some point after being awarded the Military Medal, he was wounded and I have vivid memories of all the marks on his legs made by bullets. He was honourably discharged from the Army on 8th March 1919 and given the Silver War Badge number 450937.

    Leonard married Annie Shuttleworth on 29th June 1918 at St Simon & Judes Church, Bolton. They had three children 2 boys and 1 girl. Sadly the two boys died in infancy but the one girl was my mother. My granddad Leonard Mason died on 3rd February 1969 at home in Bolton but I have wonderful memories of him and still miss him to this day.

    Leonard Mason, third from right, in hospital blues with Military Medal ribbon attached

    Leonard Mason wearing Military Medal

    Leonard Mason, far right, wearing hospital blue brassard signifying almost ready for discharge

    Leonard Masons Medal Card

    Lois Patel




    1206085

    Sgt. John Taylor Waite MM. 20th Hussars

    <p>

    My grandfather Jack Waite born in Normanton in 1895 and served in the Great War 1914 -18. His regiment was the 20th Hussars, fighting in Mons 1914, Ypres 1915 and Somme 1916. Jack Waite served with his brother Herbert in the same regiment and at his side in the battle field. The day Herbert was killed by machine gun fire, Jack, being a corporal at the time, had to carry on fighting with his men battling with machine gun fire, exploding shells, mud and barbed wire all around. Fortunately Jack was of strong mind, body and soul, helping some of his men, who were suffering from shell shock and serious injuries, back to base in the trenches, with his faithful horse pulling a makeshift cart.

    This experience made him think that if there was a God why would he allow such carnage of his fellow man? It is well known that at Christmas time, all went quiet and stillness was in the air! Then the German troops started singing Silent Night Holy Night. Then the allied troops started to sing along in timing, football was played by the opposing troops, then the next day all Hell was let loose with more explosions, machine gun fire and blowing up each others trenches.

    In March 1918 - Jack Waite and a small number of his men (30) from the Hussars were given top secret orders from King George V. via their commanding officer to try and rescue the Tsar and family, and relatives. They were to meet up with the white Russian Cossacks (loyal to the Tsar) and arrange to escort the Romanov family to Constantinople (Turkey) where there would be a ship awaiting to take them to America, by the time they arrived in Russia it was too late, the Tsar and his family had been brutally murdered by the red Russians ( The Bolsheviks ) July 1918 During this mission a number of brave men were fatally wounded.

    However they did manage to rescue a number of the Romanov relatives, accomplish their mission and return to England.

    Jack Waite was awarded the Military Medal and was made a sergeant. He was discharged in 1930 returning Normanton Yorkshire, to work in the coal mines at Sharlston Wakefield for a short time, then moving on to be a male nurse in Wakefield Mental Hospital Asylum where he attended to some of the old shell shocked soldiers whose minds had been badly disturbed. One of the patients attacked Jack and had bitten him right down his left arm from shoulder to wrist.

    Jack went on to join a Union and became General Secretary for the Confederation of Health Services. Attending conferences and making speeches in Scarborough, Blackpool, Ryde, Isle of White, London and many other places.

    Information Given - March 1918. Rescue the Romanov Family: -

    The above mission has never been seen on the record or internet records which I have been searching for the last five years, so gave up. Just recently, On Sept 3rd.2012 I was on holiday with my wife at Lake Garda N. Italy. Staying at the same hotel, and sitting at the same dining table, was an elderly couple by the name of Lionel and wife Angela, both in their mid eighties. In their early years had studied at Cambridge University and were very Professional people. They had an interest and knowledge of the Romanov families in 1918 and gave me a name of a friend of theirs, the son of the commander of the ship assigned to the rescue of the Romanov relatives, Commander Fothergill RN. 1918 – 1919 HMS Espegle. Assistant director of Naval Intelligence. HMS. Malborough. 1919 – 1920 Changed name by deed poll to Stewart Fitzroy then Henry MacLean Fothergill RN. (1881 – 1963 ) Lived in Sussex. England.

    It would appear that the HMS Malborough took on board the Romanov relatives with loyal subjects and the British troop escort bound for America. The British troops were then transferred to the HMS Nelson anchored some three miles away. HMS Nelson returned to England.

    I feel sure there must be other families who’s grandfathers were on that mission and can confirm the actions of these brave men who survived Hell on Earth of the 14–18 War, then go on to survive a second world war. No military photographs were allowed, or taken and he remained silent for many years. At the age of fifteen I started asking questions about his taking part in the war, slowly getting some answers. Then when he died in 1968 his war medals and other personnel belongings were given to me by my mother.

    The medal on the right is the Military Medal

    Nye Bevin and Jack Waite.

    Brian Moore




    1206084

    2nd Lt. Archie Maynard Brown 126th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.6th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Archie Brown joined the war as a Bombardier in the 126th Heavy Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the field in 1916.The same year his brother Victor Brown was killed in Northern France while serving with the 46th battalion of the Saskatchewan Regiment in the Canadian army.

    Archie was killed on the 6th April 1918 in a heavy German artillery attack on British units in the area. He was one of six officers in the battery and was buried in Heudeville Communal cemetery, in France. He had been awarded 3 medals, all of which were lost in time. He was the husband of Gertrude Mary Brown, of 23, Patrick St., Limerick.

    A Brown




    1206083

    Pte. John Shepherd 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.21st Nov 1917)

    <p>

    John Shepherd my Great Grandfather was a Coal Miner before enlisting. He was married with 7 children, 1 being my Grandmother. He was shot by a sniper 2 days after his 41st birthday, his body was not recovered. He is remembered on Panel 5 of the Cambrai Memorial Louverval. He served with the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers and was killed by a sniper on the 21st November 1917.

    Alison Stewart




    1206082

    Pte. Alexander Henry Parkes 2nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers (d.1st Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander Henry Parkes was my Grandfather. He fought in the Battle of the Somme and was killed aged 40 at Delville Wood. He is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery.

    Roy Parkes




    1206080

    Dvr. Frederick George Lawrence 1st Monmouthshire Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Frederick George Lawrence served with 1st Monmouthshire Battery, 1/4th Welsh Brigade, Royal Field Artillery during WW1.

    Stephen Dalton




    1206079

    Pte. Ernest Sykes VC. 27th Btn. (4th Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    Ernest Sykes was born in 1885, in Mossley, Yorkshire and died, in 1949, at Lockwood, Yorkshire. He originally enrolled in the Duke of Wellingtons Regiment (West Riding), 8th Battalion, service number 13425. He served in the Balkans campaign of 1915 where he received a serious foot injury. After recovering from his injury, he was assigned to the 27th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Irish), service number 40989, and embarked for France.

    In April 1917, his Battalion was involved in the Battle of Arras where he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions. The citation for the award is: - On 9 April (Easter Monday) 1917, near Arras, France, the battalion in attack was held up by intense fire from front and flank, and suffered heavy casualties. Private Sykes, despite this heavy fire, went forward and brought back four wounded. He then made a fifth journey and remained out under conditions which appeared to be certain death, until he had bandaged all those too badly injured to be moved.

    There is a plaque, in his honour, at Mossley Railway Station.





    1206078

    L/Cpl William Samuel Wright 9th Veterinary Hospital Army Veterinary Corps (d.11th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    William Samuel Wright was aged 29 at the time of his death in 1918, He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. The 9th Veterinary Hospital was situated at Abbeville, France.

    Sue Smith




    1206077

    Pte. Herbert Hitchon 4th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.13th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Hitchon died on the 13th of September 1916, aged 24. Buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France, he was the son of John Robert and Mary Jane Hitchon, of 6 Watson St., Burnley, Lancs. Native of Burnley

    s flynn




    1206076

    AM3. Henry Aiken attd. 67th Bde. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Aikin died of influenza on the 5th of Novemeber 1918, aged 21 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Charlie and Ellen Aikin, of 104 Burnley Rd., Accrington, Lancs.

    s flynn




    1206075

    Pte. Frederick William Powney 9th (Glasgow Hds.) Bn. Highland Light Infantry (d.11th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Powney died on the 11th of October 1917, aged 23. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. Eldest son of William Henry and Bessie Lydia Powney, of 15, Chilton Road, Grosvenor, Bath.

    s flynn




    1206074

    Pte. Robert Watson Golan Finlayson 1st Btn Gordon Highlanders (d.29th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Finlayson joined on his 18th birthday in October 1917. He was sent to France in June 1918, was wounded August 27th and died two days later. He was the son of John and Catherine Finlayson, 5 Shore Street, Cromarty. His occupation, upon enlistment, is shown as Rivet Boy. He is buried in the Ligny-sur-Canche cemetery in France.

    Sister Kathleen Flower who tended Robert prior to his death and wrote letter to his relatives.





    1206073

    Sgt. George Henry Platt 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    George Platt died on the 13th of February 1916, aged 29 and is buried in Etaples Military cemetery in France. He eft behind his beloved wife Mrs Mary Louisa Platt & 3yr old son Leslie Joseph Platt of 40 Dale Street, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    1206072

    Spr. Albert Ashby 59th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.29th Oct1918)

    <p>

    Albert Ashby died on the 29th of October 1918 and is buried in the Etaples Military cemetery in France. He was the son of Arthur and Hannah Ashby. Native of Birmingham

    s flynn




    1206071

    Spr. Haley Elgin Green 2nd Btn. Canadian Engineers (d.7th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Haley Green died on the 7th of October, aged 20 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Green, of Parkhill, Ontario.

    s flynn




    1206070

    Cpl. Michael Ryan Royal Irish Regiment

    My Grandfather Michael Ryan joined the Royal Irish Regiment on 4th of January 1896, training at Clonmel and then posted to India on 28/10/1897. He earned the India Medal with clasp for Punjab frontier 1897-98. He re-deployed to South Africa 3/2/1902 and transfered to the reserve 20/11/1903. In 25/1/1908 re-enlisted for 6 years in the SR, he was promoted to Corporal on 14/6/1913.

    He was mobilised for Great War and arrived in France on the 7th of October. Michael was listed as missing in action between the 19th and 21st of October 1914. He was held as a POW at Hamel and later Limberg. He was repatriated on the 18th of November 1918.

    Kevin Daniel Ryan




    1206069

    Pte. Albert Edward Harrison 25th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    My grandfather, Albert Edward Harrison, born 1882 in Kent and served in the 25th Middlesex Regiment. We know he went to Hong Kong possibly April 1917 to relieve more hardened soliders from duty. I think it was like a labour regiment that was raised. He then went to Russia during the revolution late 1917 or early 1918. Then returned to England in 1919.

    What medals he had have disappeared through the family in recent years. All I have is his cap badge. He returned to live back in Kent as a farm labourer and passed away in 1957. We have tried very hard to trace anything that relates to him but his records may have been amongst a major fire of First World War records. Hope there is further information to come to light.

    Michael Abbott




    1206068

    Pte. George Hudson 7th Btn Highland Light Infantry (d.17th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    George Hudson was my Grandfather. He signed up in May 1915 and arrived in Gallipoli on 3rd July. He died of wounds on 17th July, probably wounded in the offensive at Achi Baba on 12-13 July. Before the war he had been a miner, recorded in the 1911 census as looking after pit ponies underground. Working down the pit makes him a hero in my eyes. Dying as he did in such a pointless, badly organized campaign as Gallipoli makes him a hero twice over.





    1206067

    Pte. James Curran 6/7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.31st July 1917)

    One of three brothers who were killed during WWI, and an uncle of my mother, James Curran died on the 31st of July 1917 and his name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

    Glenn Lamont




    1206066

    Pte. Albert James Belshaw 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.24th Aug 1914)

    Albert Belshaw died on the 24th August 1914 leaving behind a wife Ada Gilbert and two young Children Ethal-May who was 3yrs and John who was 2yrs old. His name is place on the memorial wall at Seine-et-Marne. Alfred like many other brave men received the 1914 Star medal and the Victory medal.

    Emma Slater




    1206065

    David Mitchell Ramsay 2nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    In the photo David Ramsay is in the front row, sitting 3rd from the left.

    Linda Rooke




    1206064

    Pte. Thomas Parker 7th Battalion Black Watch (d.26th March 1918)

    My Great Grandfather, Thomas Parker, husband of Jane Campbell Parker from Leslie, Fife. Died in the 1st Battle of Bapaume (as far as my research leads me to believe)

    Sarah Perfect




    1206063

    L/Cpl. Charles Frederick Edgeworth 2/4th Btn. London Regiment (d.26th Oct 1917)

    Charles Edgeworth enlisted with the 23rd Btn London Regiment, he was killed on the 26th of October 1917 whilst serving with the 2/4th Londons.

    Alan Edgeworth




    1206062

    Pte. William Mills 8th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.28th June 1915)

    William Mills enlisted in the Cameronians rather than in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, in which his father was serving, because he was underage. Although his age at death is given as 18, I believe he was only 17. He entered the conflict at Gallipolli on the 14th of June 1915 and only survived for two weeks. He is remembered at the Helles Memorial in Turkey.

    Maralyn Unsworth




    1206061

    Sgt. Alton Hanson Coy D 509th Engineers

    <p>

    Alton Hanson served with Coy D 509th Engineers. As far as I know, the 509th Engineers was a "Colored Service Battalion". This service unit was composed of colored troops, with white officers and sergeants. They had a thorough military training and were sent overseas with the expectation of front-line duties. This unit was not part of an army division but considered "S.O.S" troops (Services of Supply) and could be assigned anywhere as needed. My grandmother used to say my grandfather served in Lorraine, draining a swamp to give passage to allied troops.

    Alton Hanson is in the centre

    Alton Hanson is first left on the back row.

    Dennis Hanson




    1206060

    Lt. John Barker MC. 107th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>Lieutenant John Barker with his father Rev Thomas Barker probably taken before his departure for France in 1916.

    My Dad, John Barker was born in 1895 at Barrowby, he grew up the youngest son of a country vicar and served 1 year each in the Officer Training Corps first at Brighton College and then Worksop College. Dad enlisted in the Territorial Force (no 2860) on 5th Feb 1915. I am not sure but think it was established he had been in the OTC so, on 23rd Feb 1915, he was appointed 2nd Lt in Worcestershire Regiment. Sometime later he was transferred to 107 MGC (he got in a bit of trouble during his initial training and am not sure if his reward was a transfer to the suicide club!).

    He arrived in France in late June 1916 just missing the first days of the Somme. I have some information that he was awarded his MC from action on 3 March 1917 and have the citation from the London Gazette of 11 May 1917. Apart from that I know little about the circumstances that lead to his MC. The War Diary of 107th MGC for that day says it is quiet. I have also read that was the day a German Camouflet exploded at Spanbroekmolen near the 107th MGC. Was this the rescuing referred to in his citation?

    Dad was taken prisoner on the 1st day of the German Spring Offensive. He never said much about his experiences but one day he told me that as POWs they were so hungry two of his fellow prisoners fought over a dead sparrow!

    Dad also served as an Auxiliary Cadet with the infamous K Company in 1921-2 but was invalided out with a gun shot wound (barrack room incident). Like many families a great tragedy for Dad was that his eldest son (my half-brother) Thomas Roy lost his life over Belgium on 12 May 1940 trying to stop the German advance (Sgt Observer of 150 Sqn). Any additional info on Dad would be appreciated.

    Extract from London Gazette 11 May 1917

    John Barker




    1206059

    Pte. Harold Bish 1/19th Btn. London Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    Harold Bish is my great uncle, son of Sophia Bish nee Taylor, first wife of my Great Grandad. Sophia moved from Nottingham (after separating from grt grandad) to Shepherds Bush before the war, where Harold worked as an accountants clerk.

    He joined the Middlesex Regiment later served with the 1/19th Battalion London Regiment. Unfortunately he never returned from war and Sophia suffered the death of a second son. I would love to trace his medals - Victory and British.

    Jayne Wilkinson




    1206058

    Spr. John Thomas Kinrade 128th Field Company Royal Engineers

    John Kinrade served with the 128th Field Company, Royal Engineers

    S.R.




    1206057

    Pte. William Easton 8th/10th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.4th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    William Easton died on the 4th of July 1916, aged 20. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France, son of Henry and Mary Easton, of 91, Albert Buildings, Burnbank, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

    s flynn




    1206056

    Pte. Dougald Graham 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Dougald Graham died on the 12th of April 1918, aged 22 and is buried in the Etaples Military cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Peter and Mary Graham, of 45 Calder Street, Motherwell, Lanarkshire. Dougald had a brother John who was killed in action.

    s flynn




    1206055

    Pte. Samuel Henry Pendleton 6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Henry Pendleton was shot in the back whilst carrying a wounded comrade from the battlefield and died on 28th of March 1918, aged 24. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France He was the son of Samuel Hy. Pendleton and Eliza E. Pendleton, of Bulwell, husband of A. Pendleton, of 29, Ockerby St., Bulwell, Nottingham.

    s flynn




    1206053

    Cpl. Robert Russell 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Russell died of wounds on the 17th of December aged 20 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mrs Russell of 118 Percy Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

    s flynn




    1206051

    CSM. John Cecil Newhall Hines MC DCM MM. 10th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    John Hines served with the 10th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders during WW1.

    David Collin




    1206050

    Pte. Ferdinand Albert Faithfull 32nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.7th June 1917)

    Ferdinand Faithfull was the 8th youngest of 10 children to Ferdinand Edwin Faithfull and his wife Susannah Anne (nee Holes). Ferdinand was the 3rd youngest brother to my Grand-Mother Florence Susannah Faithfull.

    Brian Harold Allen




    1206049

    Pte. George Henry Chapman 19th Btn. London Regiment (d.5th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    George Henry Chapman died of wounds on the 5th of December 1917, aged 29 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr and Mrs S Chapman, of Carlisle, husband of Ethel Jane Chapman, of 87, Suffolk St., Poplar, London.

    s flynn




    1206048

    Pte. John Wardrope 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th April 1917)

    <p>

    John Wardrope died of wounds on the 19th of April 1917 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the husband of Alice Wardrope of Newcastle upon Tyne and Father of Lucy.

    s flynn




    1206047

    Cpl. Wilbur James Flynn MM. 8th Btn. (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Wilbur James Flynn died of pneumonia on the 4th of November 1918, aged 25 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Flynn, of Hanover, Ontario.

    s flynn




    1206046

    Pte. John Norman Leach 11th Btn. Border Regiment (d.31st May 1918)

    <p>

    John Leach died of wounds on the 31st of May 1918, aged 19 and buried in Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Fred and Julia Leach, of 81, Alexandra Rd., Morecambe, Lancs.

    s flynn




    1206043

    Pte. John Frederick Thorpe 3rd (Reserve) Btn Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

    <p>

    John Frederick Thorpe served with the 3rd Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment and the Labour Corps. We are researching our grandfather’s military service but we have limited information and would appreciate any further help on his regiment and where they were stationed. He married our grandmother in Suffolk in the early part of 1918 so may have been injured and had to cease military service. The battalion we think he was in was 3rd (Special Reserve). The photograph was taken in Chatham Kent on 16th September 1916 Thank you to anyone who can help us further our research.

    Margaret Hardwick




    1206042

    Gdsm. William Albert Shiner 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    <p>

    William Albert Shiner was 22 when he died during the battle of Cambrai. He was married to my great Aunt. They had been married for just over a year when he died. His family were farmers at Cleeve in North Somerset.

    Jane Gould




    1206041

    Pte. Charles Davey 8th Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.10th April 1917)

    <p>

    Pte Charles Davey was my Great Uncle Charlie. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery in France.

    Andy Pay




    1206040

    2nd Lt. Rees Morris Bullock MM. 7th Btn, F Coy Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Rees M. Bullock was born in Holloway North London and was living in Wood Green when he joined the Territorial Force enlisting at Enfield in F Company of the 7th Battalion the Middlesex Regiment. His Regimental number was 2438. He was mobilised on 5th August 1914 and moved to the Battalion Mobilisation station on the Isle of Grain involved in coastal defence. The Battalion sailed to Gibraltar on September 3rd moving back to the UK on the 8th February 1915 where they went in to billets in Barnet. The Battalion then sailed for France on the 12th March 1915.

    Rees Bullock must have made steady progress through the ranks to at least Sergeant as he appears to have been commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant on 25th May 1918. His name does not appear on the 7th Bn roll of Officers’ so it must be assumed that he was transferred to another battalion on commissioning.

    Cpl Bullock was awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in the face of the enemy whilst in the line at ‘Hebuterne’ between Arras and Albert from May 4th to May23rd 1916. On the night of May 8th 1916: "Lance Corporal Bullock’s small patrol ran into a hostile patrol twice their size. The German soldiers drew first blood, a grenade wounding Private Ede, but Bullock and the third man returned fire and were able to withdraw taking their wounded colleague with them."

    The night of Saturday, 13th May 1916: "B Company of the 1/7th Middlesex were determined to give the ‘Z’ Hedge a thorough going over. The field artillery were asked to shell the hedge at 11 p.m. at which point a patrol led by the intrepid L/Cpl. Bullock was to go and investigate. 11 p.m. came and the sharp crack of 18 pdrs could be heard from behind the village, then the shells whined overhead to explode loudly deep in Gommecourt Park – nearly three hundred yards off target! Hurried phone calls were made to the Divisional Artillery and a new time of midnight set for the bombardment. This time the shells fell smartly into the hedge and, as they did, fourteen men slipped out of the trenches and through the British wire. Five men were sent into the Gommecourt Road to act as a covering party and the rest, led by Bullock, approached the corner of the hedge. Six Germans then appeared and a brief fight ensued resulting in one German soldier being killed. An attempt to recover the body was thwarted when the patrol found three feet of barbed wire on the far side of the hedge and any further action was prevented when they came under fire from more Germans lined up along the stretch of the hedge that ran parallel to the road. Having achieved all they could, Bullock led his men back to the sanctuary of the British lines.

    His Commanding Officer Lt Col EJ King commented as follows: “The 7th Middlesex were facing the German 169th Infantry Regiment who had to learn that they could not send out patrols against us with impunity. It was now that Cpl R Bullock made his name as one of the boldest and most enterprising of Patrol Leaders eventually gaining the Military Medal.”

    Rees Morris Bullock MM survived the war and died at Chelmsford Essex in 1972 aged 80.

    Keith Bullock




    1206039

    Pte. William Charles "Frank" Leinthall 2nd Btn Monmouthshire Regiment (d.18th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    William Leinthall joined the 3rd Btn Monmouthshire Regiment (Territorial Force) on 2nd September 1914. In 1915 he was posted to the 2nd Btn. He served France from 13 Feb 1915 to 1st Jul 1915, 29 Sep 1915 to 30 Oct 1915 and 15 Aug 1916 to 18 Aug 1917. He was wounded in action on 22nd April 1915. William was killed in action, undoubtedly, at the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Paschendale). His mother was Annie Leinthall of 39 Chapel Road, Abergavenny.

    Paul Leinthall-Cowman




    1206037

    Pte. John Long 19th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    John Long worked at Godwins Soap in Salford. He lied about his age 16 at the time to join the Lancashire Fusiliers. He died from the effects if being gassed during fighting in France





    1206036

    Unknown 16th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    This picture was found behind a painting when taking it to be reframed. The badge looks like the queens westminsters and the painting is of a scene near conwy north wales. The home of the soldier may be similar but is unknown.

    Anthony Nixon




    1206035

    Sgt William Firmston 2nd Btn. Y Coy. Royal Fusiliers (d.13th April 1918)

    <p>

    William Firmston was the son of William Henry and Emily Emma Firmston, of 9 Schoolhouse Lane, Teddington, Middx. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing and also served in Gallipoli.

    Peter Firmston




    1206034

    Pte. William James Samuel Cork 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.28th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    William Cork was injured at Delville Wood where he received gunshot wounds to the face, he was taken to Rouen General Hospital on 21/09/1916 and moved to the General Hospital at Etaples, where he died on 28/09/1916. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. Son of William and Alice Maud May Cork, of 163, Armes St., Norwich.

    s flynn




    1206033

    Pte. George R. Lawson 3rd Btn. Canadian Pioneers (d.4th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    George R. Lawson died of Gun Shot Wounds received in the vicinity of Regina Trench on 4th of October 1916, aged 23. Buried in the Etaples Military cemetery in France, he was the son of William John and Matilda Lawson of Milltown, Dungannon, Ulster. George had emigrated to Canada in 1915.

    s flynn




    1206032

    L/Cpl. Reginald Charles Simpson 4th Battalion, C Coy Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Granddad, Reginald Simpson, enlisted in 1916 (or was conscripted not too sure). He served in Salonika and was discharged on 25th of September 1919.

    C Anderson




    1206031

    Pte. William Taylor Welson Montgomeryshire Yeomanry (d.5th Aug 1917)

    I have been researching the names of the 7 young men remembered on Gladestry War Memorial, it was the first War Memorial Dedicated in Radnorshire. William Taylor Welson is remembered there.

    William Taylor Welson and his brother Hugh Powell Welson were the sons of William Welson of Llanyfelin Farm, Gladestry. William Taylor originally joined the Montgomery Yeomanry, No.2779, he was later transferred to 17th. Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He had enlisted at Gladestry. William Taylor Welson was killed in action in France/ Flanders on the 5th. August 1917. Gladestry parish magazine regularly gave news of the young men of the Parish who had enlisted but did not mention William Taylor Welson.

    His brother Hugh later enlisted, but his regiment is unknown. Gladestry Parish Magazine recorded, March 1917, that Hugh Welson was in hospital. In January 1918 it recorded that Hugh was in Highbury Hospital and now able to speak a little, and in April 1918 he was invalided out of the army.

    Beth Clarke




    1206029

    Herbert Charles Turvey 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.7th Aug 1916)

    My Grandfather, Herbert Charles Turvey, a very brave man died in these battles. We will never forget you Grandad Turvey.

    John Turvey




    1206028

    Pte. Joseph Purser 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.18th May 1915)

    Private Joseph Purser aged 18 of the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment died of his wounds at Chelsea Hospital, he was my Great Uncle.

    Joseph Purser




    1206026

    Pte. Edwin George Reynolds 29th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    Edwin George Reynolds was my grandfather he was born in November 1891 and he enlisted in the London(RF)in March 1915 where he served in France. Edwin was wounded twice but was one of the lucky ones and survived the war. Edwin died age 60 in 1952 in Nottingham.

    Jacqueline Davies




    1206025

    Pte. Robert Henry Reynolds 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.23rd Sep 1914)

    Robert Henry Reynolds was my great uncle. He was born in 1890 and was killed in action on 23 September 1914 in France. He was buried at the Vailly British Cemetery, Aisne, France. He left a wife and baby son.

    Jacqueline Davies




    1206024

    Pte. Ernest Gaines 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.5th Jul 1916)

    Ernest Gaines was a regular soldier. Living at Rigg Street, Caldew Gate, Carlise, Cumbria. He served in the 8th Border Regiment. He was born in York. A romany traveller man. He was sent to Romney Marsh Camp for training purposes in March to May 1916. He embarked to Boulonge. He was at Thiepval, the Somme on the 5th of July. He and his company took the German front lines and held them for 90 minutes. Till lack of reinforcement and ammmo forced a retreat. Sadly Ernest was killed/lost. He left a wife Annie and boy Alexander. He has no grave. But is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Robert Mtchell




    1206023

    Pte. Albert Edward Mee 9th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.20th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Mee served with the 9th Leicestershire Regiment.

    Richard Mee




    1206022

    L/Cpl. Dennis Haworth Witham 23rd (Sportsmans) Btn Royal Fusiliers (d.27th June 1917)

    <p>

    Denis Witham died in the trenches in 1917. He was a Lance Corporal in the 23rd Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. He was just 20 years old.

    Cari Miller




    1206021

    Merton E Stamer 4th Machine Gun Battalion 2nd Division Headquarters Troop

    <p>

    Merton E Stamer served with the USMC, 4th Machine Gun Battalion in 2nd Division Headquarters Troop during WW1.

    Cristine Cretan




    1206020

    Pte. Thomas Daniel Jacobs 24th Battalion London Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    My great Grandfather, Tom Jacobs, served in 24th London Regiment. He enlisted in Kennington in August 1914 and died on 18th of September 1918 in France, he is buried in Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery.

    Thomas Jacobs was born in West ham in 1892 and worked as a chef in a hotel in Kennington London. He enlisted in 1914 and joined the local London Regiment 24th Battalion He was killed in action aged 25 in September 1918 attacking the Hindenburg line at Epepy and is buried at Epepy Wood Farm Cemetery, France He left behind a wife Lillian and a young daughter Lily aged three when he died . Thomas Jacobs was one of sixteen soldiers of the 24th London Regiment who died in this battle.

    May he and his comrades rest in peace, from a grateful and proud great grandson.





    1206019

    Pte. William Kinsey 12th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.25th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    William Kinsey was a fireman of the kiln for J. Knowles and Company, Woodville. He was the son of Francis and Rebecca (nee Moody) Kinsey. William joined the 12th Battalion of the local Sherwood Foresters Regiment in August 1916 and proceeded to France at Christmas 1916. He was wounded by a shell which burst near him on Good Friday 1917 and he was stuck in the thigh. William died of wounds on 26th April 1917 aged 32 years and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.

    William is remembered on the main war memorial in High Street Woodville not far from his home and also on the wall of the local Methodist Church. He was survived by his father Francis, his brother James and his sisters Ada and Rebecca. William and my grandfather were first cousins and grew up together in Woodville.

    M. Moody




    1206018

    Pte. Malcolm Findlay 14th (Scottish) Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    My Great Uncle, Malcolm Findlay was born in 1887 in Clapham to William and Mary Findlay (their eldest son). By 1911 he was working in London (near Oxford Street) as a footman, working for Caryl Baring (part of the famous family who owned Barings Bank). In 1914, though he had moved to Isle of Wight, working as a valet.

    He enlisted in 1915, firstly, into 3rd London Scottish (for training) and embarked for France in 1916, where he became a batman and was sadly killed on 1st of July 1916 at the Battle of Gommecourt. He lies buried at Hebuterne Military Cemetery.

    Lynda Findlay




    1206017

    Pte. John "Jack" Webb 2/16th (Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    John Webb was my grandfather. He was born in Murton Colliery, Durham on 18 March 1897. His father, William Henry Webb was a coal miner and died of typhoid when John was 2 months old. His mother, Jane Ann, re-married when John was 8 years old to Thomas Collins, another miner. At some point before December 1915 John moved away from Durham and settled in Fulham, Middx. I was told by his daughter (my mother) that he did this to avoid having to work in the mines like his father, step-father and grandfather. John became a civil servant.

    On 9th December 1915 John attested. I can track his progress through his service records to Salonika, Alexandria, Taranto and France. I have found his service records interesting but since I am not familiar with Army terminology, some of it is a mystery to me. Whilst in Egypt John was kicked by a mule in the back and spent a while in hospital in Ismailia. A fellow Rifleman, D Miller, witnessed this event.

    John began his journey home on 18 January 1919 and returned to his wife whom he had married two years previously. He resumed his work as a Civil Servant and later retired as an HEO at The Admiralty. John died aged 71 in Sutton, Surrey.

    Julia Waller




    1206016

    Rfmn. Val Whitty 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.19th May 1916)

    Val Whitty served as a Rifleman with 1st Batt. Royal Irish Rifles. he was killed in action in France on the 19th of May 1916. Looking for any details about him that might be recorded. His Father was also in that regiment but survived.

    Margaret




    1206015

    Sjt. Walter Ernest Smith MM & bar. 475 Field Coy Royal Engineers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Sergeant Walter Ernest Smith MM & bar died from injuries from exploding shell on the 16th of August 1917.

    Andrew Paisey




    1206014

    Cpl. Andrew Cunninghame Frew 6th Btn. C Coy. Cameron Highlanders (d.30th April 1917)

    <p>

    Andrew Frew died on the 30th of April 1917 of gunshot wounds received on 14th of April. He was aged 21 and is buried in in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France, son of Francis Frew and Jessie Jaffray Paterson Frew. Native of Irvine, Ayrshire.

    s flynn




    1206013

    Pte. Walter Swift 13th (Barnsley Pals) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Walter Swift was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Robert Jackson




    1206012

    Dvr. John Whitby 19th Bde. 95 Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My great great grandfather, John Whitby, was a driver with 95th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. John survived the war, coming back with severe facial wounds. He had also passed through the South Africa campaign.

    Kirsten




    1206011

    Rflmn. Stephen Hugh Densham 5th Btn. London Regiment (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    <p>

    Stephen Densham died of wounds on the 10th of December 1917, received near Arras on 2nd of December. He was aged 21 and and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Lane Densham. Native of Croydon, Surrey.

    s flynn




    1206010

    Spr. William Burrows DCM 70th Field Coy Royal Engineers

    Sapper William Burrows 41929 (my Grandfather) together with Sapper Whitlaw of 70th Field Company RE won the DCM near "the Quarries" for regaining and holding a trench by throwing "bomb" all through the night.

    Colin Burrows




    1206009

    Pte. Charles Brewin Labour Corps

    My grandad Charles Brewin was in the Labour Corps from August 28th 1914 to January 1919. He wounded, a gsw to right knee area. His birth place was Bulwell in Nottinghamshire.

    Peter Brewin




    1206008

    Maj. Douglas Reynolds VC. 83rd Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Feb 1916)

    <p>

    Douglas Reynolds was killed in action on the 23rd if February 1916 and is buried in in the Etaples Military Cemetery, France. He was the husband of Mrs. Douglas Reynolds, of Clerkley Court, Leatherhead, Surrey

    An extract from the"London Gazette, Number 28976, dated 16th Nov., 1914, recording the award of V.C., reads:- "At Le Cateau, on 26th Aug., he took up two teams and limbered up two guns under heavy Artillery and Infantry fire, and though the enemy was within 100 yards, he got one gun away safely. At Pisseloup, on 9th Sept., he reconnoitred at close range, discovered a battery which was holding up the advance and silenced it. He was severely wounded 15th Sept., 1914."

    s flynn




    1206007

    Pte. Hubert Archibald Thatcher 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.28th Oct 1916)

    Hubert Thatcher was my first cousin twice removed, the son of Alfred and Jane Thatcher who lived in Pound Cottage, Speenhamland, Newbury. Alfred was a blacksmith in Newbury. Hubert died 28th October 1916 in the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave but is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial, in France. He was 19 years of age.

    Jenny Austin




    1206005

    L/Cpl William John Lazenby 2/16 (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Jack Lazenby was in 13th Platoon D Company, 2/16th Battalion London Regiment, Queens Westminster Rifles. He was born 8 Nov 1886 in Manor Park. He went to school at Coopers Grammar School Mile End. Before the war he was an insurance clerk with the Central Insurance Company. He married my grandmother Elsie Butler on 5 June 1915. He was demobbed on 20th January 1919 and subsequently worked for the Liverpool London and Globe Insurance Company until his retirement in 1949.

    John Buchanan




    1206004

    Pte. Bertie Buck 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers 96th Brigade (d.13th Feb 1917 )

    <p>

    Bertie Buck served with the 16th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers, he was one of 7 brothers serving with the colours.

    Maurice Buck




    1206003

    Pte. Charles William Wheeler Norfolk Regiment

    Charlie Wheeler served with the Norfolk Regiment

    Carolyn Morgan




    1206002

    Hubert Hepworth Naylor 15th Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regt) (d.1st July 1916)

    Hubert Naylor served with the 15th Battalion, Royal Scots and was killed on the 1st of July 1916.

    Thorla Langley




    1206001

    Rflemn. James Joseph Lynn 4th Btn. New Zealand Rifle Brigade (d.13th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    James Lynn died of wounds on the 13th of November 1916, aged 23 and is buried in the Estaires Communal Cemetery, France. he was born 30 April 1893, in Hastings, New Zealand. He Enlisted 11/1/1916. Wounded 6/11/1916 and was admitted to 1st Australian CC station 8/11/1916 (GSW Shell).

    s flynn




    1205999

    Sgt. Harry Wells VC. 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Wells was killed in action on 25th September 1915 and is buried in the Dud Corner cemetery in France.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29371, dated 16th Nov., 1915, records the following:- "When his Platoon Officer had been killed he took command and led his men forward to within fifteen yards of the German wire. Nearly half the Platoon were killed or wounded, and the remainder were much shaken, but with the utmost coolness and bravery, Serjeant Wells rallied them and led them forward. Finally, when very few were left, he stood up and urged them forward once more, but while doing this he was killed. He gave a magnificent example of courage and determination."

    s flynn




    1205998

    Capt. Anketell Moutray Read VC. 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Anketell Read was killed in action on 25th September 1915 and is buried in Dud Corner Cemetery in France.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29371, dated 16th Nov., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery during the first attack near Hulluch on the morning of 25th September, 1915. Although partially gassed, Captain Read went out several times in order to rally parties of different units which were disorganised and retiring. He led them back into the firing line, and, utterly regardless of danger, moved freely about encouraging them under a withering fire. He was mortally wounded while carrying out this gallant work. Captain Read had previously shown conspicuous bravery during digging operations on 29th, 30th and 31st August, 1915, and on the night of the 29th-30th July he carried out of action an officer, who was mortally wounded, under a hot fire from rifles and grenades."

    s flynn




    1205997

    Capt. Arthur Moore Lascelles VC, MC. 3rd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.7th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Lascelles was killed in action on the 7th of November 1918 aged 38 years and is buried in Dourlers Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of John Lascelles, of Milford Hall, Newtown, Mont. and husband of Sophia Lascelles.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30471, dated 8th Jan., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty when in command of his company in a very exposed position. After a very heavy bombardment during which Capt. Lascelles was wounded, the enemy attacked in strong force but was driven off, success being due in a great degree to the fine example set by this officer, who, refusing to allow his wound to be dressed, continued to encourage his men and organise the defence. Shortly afterwards the enemy again attacked and captured the trench, taking several of his men prisoners. Capt. Lascelles at once jumped on to the parapet and followed by the remainder of his company, 12 men only, rushed across under very heavy machine-gun fire and drove over 60 of the enemy back, thereby saving a most critical situation. He was untiring in reorganising the position, but shortly afterwards the enemy again attacked and captured the trench and Capt. Lascelles, who escaped later. The remarkable determination and gallantry of this officer in the course of operations, during which he received two further wounds, afforded an inspiring example to all."

    s flynn




    1205995

    Rflmn. Robert Birnie 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Birnie was my Great Grandfather. He was 33 years of age and a Lewis Gunner, all we know is that he was B Coy and was killed on the first day of the Somme. His wife was still looking for information about him a year later as he has no known grave.

    Robert Birnie




    1205994

    Sgt. Arthur George Knight VC. 10th Btn. (Alberta Regiment), (d.3rd Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Knight died of wounds on the 3rd of September 1918, aged 32 and is buried in the Dominion Cemetery in France. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre (France). Native of Haywards Heath, Sussex.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 31012, dated 12th Nov., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, initiative, and devotion to duty when, after an unsuccessful attack, Serjt. Knight led a bombing section forward, under very heavy fire of all descriptions, and engaged the enemy at close quarters. Seeing that his party continued to be held up, he dashed forward alone, bayoneting several of the enemy machine-gunners and trench-mortar crews, and forcing the remainder to retire in confusion. He then brought forward a Lewis gun and directed his fire on the retreating enemy, inflicting many casualties. In the subsequent advance of his platoon in pursuit, Serjt. Knight saw a party of about thirty of the enemy go into a deep tunnel which led off the trench. He again dashed forward alone, and, having killed one officer and two N.C.O.s., captured twenty other ranks. Subsequently he routed, single-handed, another enemy party which was opposing the advance of his platoon. On each occasion he displayed the greatest valour under fire at very close range, and by his example of courage, gallantry and initiative was a wonderful inspiration to all. This very gallant N.C.O. was subsequently fatally wounded."

    s flynn




    1205993

    Pte. Joseph William "Joe" Harding 8th Battallion Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    Joseph William Harding was born in High Pittington in May 1898. He joined the 8th Battalion DLI in April 1915 just before his seventeenth birthday. He was the youngest of six children, the other five being girls, so his early volunteering to fight was a great shock to the women in his life. He managed to survive the war but was wounded in March 1918 and was honourably discharged just before his 21st birthday in 1919. He lived a long and happy life mentioning his wartime memories often, but without going into any specific detail and always skirting around the horrific events he must have witnessed. He married Laura in 1924, they had a daughter, Monica, and two granddaughters. He lived most of the remainder of his life in Halifax, West Yorkshire, where he died in April 1981.

    Elizabeth Wright




    1205992

    L/Cpl. Edmond James Guy 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.12th March 1917)

    <p>

    Edmund Guy was killed in action on the 12th of March 1917, aged 26. Buried in Plot VI. D. 11 in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of Walter Thomas and Alice Mary Guy, of 14, Fentons Avenue, Plaistow, London. Brave soldier and beloved brother of Milly, Rose, Elsie, Lily and Gertie Still mourned by his family. He was ours.

    s flynn




    1205991

    2nd Lt. Henry Edward Vernon Winkworth 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.16th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Henry Winkworth is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France. Son of Edward and Sarah Winkworth, of 7 Wilbury Gardens, Hove, Sussex. he died of wounds at 45th Casualty Clearing Station on 18th February 1917 after being wounded by a gunshot wound to the chest at Boom Ravine on 17th February, possibly by machine-gun fire whilst crossing Grandcourt Trench.

    Henry was born on 7th December 1895 at Brighton, Sussex, the son of Edward Henry Thomas Winkworth, an auctioneer (b. 1857, Windsor, Berks.), and Mrs Sarah Jane M. Winkworth (nee Merryweather, b. c-1868, m. 1890 at St. Giles, London) 7 Wilbury Gardens, Hove. He was brother to Cecilia Clara Winkworth and John Staverton Winkworth.

    s flynn




    1205990

    BQMS. James Burke DCM. 14th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My great grandfather James Burke served in WW1 with the Royal Garrison Artillery (Liscard, Cheshire). He fought under the 14th Siege Battery. He received the DCM for his gallantry during heavy gas concentrations in the Nieppe Forest during May & June 1918 and for keeping his men motivated to keep going under very trying conditions. He died in February 1959.

    Kt




    1205988

    L/Cpl. Reginald Severn Tonge 22nd Btn, Royal Fusiliers (d.17th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Reginald Tonge was killed in action the 17th of February 1917, aged 37 and is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of Julia Tonge, of Raby Lodge, 35 Oliver Grove, South Norwood, London.

    s flynn




    1205986

    Pte. John Oldfield 4th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    John Oldfield was killed in action on the 20th of September 1916, aged 20. Buried in Dartmoor cemetery in France, he was the nephew of Mrs. I. Basnett, of 4 Aqueduct St., Burnley

    s flynn




    1205985

    Gnr. Alfred Waterman 46th Bde. C Battery. Royal Field Artillery (d.17th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Alfred Waterman died of wounds on the 17th of September 1916 and is buried in the Dartmouth British Cemetery in France. He enlisted in January 1915, trained in Leeds and later was to join C Battery. He was married Nellie in Southend, Essex, sometime in June 1915 and was sent to France in October 1915, he died of wounds on Sunday 17/09/1916.

    s flynn




    1205984

    Pte. John Joseph Mahon 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    <p>My Granddad John Joseph Mahon Service Number 11594 (Standing in photo)

    My Granddad John Joseph Mahon enlisted in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on the 15 August 1913 and landed with the British Expedition Force in France on the 22/26 August 1914. He was shot and wounded at the Battle of Le Cateau on the 27th August 1914, taken prisoner and was a POW till the 2nd November 1918 after which he was demobbed on the 5th February 1919.

    Thomas Murphy




    1205983

    Pte. William Rutherford 6th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Feb 1919)

    My great uncle William Rutherford was a self taught artist. I have copy of his diary mentioning various battles. Greenland Hill 6th June, Hargicourt Villeret, (?) Ypres, Poelcappel, Houthoulst Forest, Passendaele Ridge. Then Arras sector between Mouchy and Fontaine. He sustained 5 bullet wounds at Greenland Hill and shrapnel at Ypres. In the German offensive of 21st March, he endured the shelling by Germans of mustard gas shells for 4-5 hours. The brigades then the 34th and 59th divisions combined. He returned to England for operations then returned to camp 23 7.18 and diary ends.

    I have copies of his death certificate, some of his artworks. I searched through Newcastle cemetery and found his grave and took pictures. Death certificate says died of pneumonia, syncope few months after war. I believe he might have died from the effects of mustard gas as he has a military headstone.

    Janette Constable




    1205982

    Sgt. Alfred Charles Page 1st (City of London) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th June 1917)

    <p>Alfred Charles Page

    Alf Page was born St Pancras, London. He was my great uncle, the brother of my grandfather. He originally joined the army in 1892, serving in the York and Lancaster Regiment. Alf was based in Colchester, Essex where he met his wife Alice. He rejoined the army in 1915 when he was living back in St Pancras, this time serving with the 1st Battalion (City of London), Royal Fusiliers.

    He died on 16th June 1917, having been gravely wounded. His name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial as Serjeant, A. C. Page.

    Linda Pearce




    1205981

    Pte. James Edward Green 1st/7th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.2nd May 1918)

    <p>

    James Green was killed in action on the 2nd of May 1918, aged 35 and is buried in the Couin New British Cemetery, France. He was the son of John and Mary Ann Green, of 23, Hollingreave Rd., Burnley; husband of Ada Green, of 56, Dall St., Burnley Wood, Burnley

    s flynn




    1205980

    Pte Harry Douglas Blake 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.8th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Douglas Blake was the Son of Dr Edwin Henry and Adeline Maude Blake, of The Cottage, Sible Hedingham, Essex. He was a day boy at Bancrofts and grew up in a household with his mother and father and older brother Gerald and younger sister Irene. His uncle was also an Old Bancroftian and veteran of the Boer War – Dr P R Blake. He was also the cousin and close friend of Robert Dunham Tibbs - Harry’s mother being Robert Tibbs’ aunt. The boys were the same age and would spend time in each other’s houses in their youth. Harry lived with his family at ‘Hillside’ Stag lane, Buckhurst Hill. It was here that his father died in 1906. At school Harry played inside right for the school’s football eleven achieving his colours in in the 1908-9 season. Harry was also a reasonable middle order batsman for the cricket first eleven and capable swimmer in the annual inter-house swimming contests. His chief interest however was Athletics where he was with the likes of Leonard Alfred Whillier on the committee organising the annual games. The Spring of 1909 brought several athletic laurels. First he was victorious in the crosscountry race for his House that took its course from the school through the forest to High Beech and back. Then came the Athletics Championship on Saturday May 8th 1909. As the Bancroftian reported. No mean feat, all competed for on the same day in the kit of the Edwardian boy athlete. We are fortunate indeed to have these triumphs and particularly that of his second place in the Mile (Open) immortalised on film. Otherwise Harry played his full part in the school, appearing in plays such as the Merchant of Venice where he played Salanio the friend of Antonio - Frederick Stephen Boshell and Bassanio - Percy Montague Phillips. That same year 1909 Harry passed his matriculation in the Second Division and left school for a job in the City. Mother and sister Irene were to move to Eastbourne where they opened a guest house.

    On the outbreak of war Harry enlisted straight away in the 10th battalion the Royal Fusiliers which was called the ‘Stockbrokers battalion’ as it was predominantly made up of new recruits from the City professions. They initially mustered in the Colchester area as part of Kitchener’s New Army then in the following Spring in the midst of training transferred to Salisbury Plain. So full of talent was the battalion, that questions were asked in the House of Commons suggesting it be used as a reserve from which young officers could be commissioned en masse to make good the officer losses of 1914. The battalion’s main strength landed at Boulogne and Harry with them on the 31st July 1915, concentrating around Tilques, near St Omer. From September to the end of 1915 elements of the Battalion were put into the line in the vicinity of Foncquevillers (Funky Villas as it became known to the British Tommy). The village overlooked the German lines around the village of Gommecourt that would feature so heavily in the fighting of the 1st July 1916 on the opening day of the Somme battle. The work was arduous and dangerous, repairing trenches, hewing timber from nearby woodland, digging out trenches constantly as the increasingly wet weather caused them to subside and the intermittent shelling blew them apart. In the front line or in the service trenches which led to them snipers kept up a desultory fire picking off those too exposed for safety. It was here as December closed in Harry met his end. Not as far as can be told in a large planned assault upon the enemy, not on a sprint between the lines taking full advantage of his athletic prowess but in the wet and mud on the 8th December 1915. That his body was recovered suggests his being hit by a sniper’s bullet or lethal shrapnel. His uncle hearing the news wrote to his old school.

    Simon Coxall




    1205979

    Sgt. Wilfred Harris Lavender 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>Cpl. Wilfred Harris Lavender

    Wilfred Harris Lavender, known as Billy, was born in Penistone on the 16th November 1893 and baptised in St John’s Church on the 22nd December. He lived with his family on Sheffield Road, Penistone but later moved to Grimesthorpe road, Sheffield. His Father worked at Atlas Steelworks. On 21st August 1912, aged 18, Billy took on a Sheffield University apprenticeship, becoming a student teacher at Sheffield Central School.

    Billy signed up with three of his brothers on 11th September 1914, the second day of enlistment for the Sheffield Pals. He was promoted to Corporal 17 days later. After arriving at Penkridge, Billy was promoted again to Lance-Sergeant on the 11th May 1915 and finally to Sergeant on the 27th July 1915. Like the rest of the battalion, Billy went to Egypt and didn’t get to France until March 1916. On 10th April 1916, whilst on active service, Billy failed to salute the Brigadier, General Carter Campbell. This was disobedience of general orders and he was severely reprimanded.

    Billy was killed on the 1st July 1916 on the first day of the Somme offensive. His body was never recovered and could still be there today. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial for the missing. His brother John Eliott Lavender (known as Jack) was killed at the Battle of Arleux on the 28th April 1917 and is named on the Arras Memorial.

    Neil Lavender




    1205978

    Pte. Frank George Alexander Signals Sub Section Royal Engineers (d.21st Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Private Alexander – RGA and Royal Engineers domiciled at 14 Castle Street East, Banbury has died in the Number 9 General Hospital (Lakeside USA) Rouen, France. He was working as a butcher before the war, again probably at his Uncles shop in Warwick Road. No records exist save for a couple of postcards and the existence of a photograph of his memorial at Rouen, Northern France taken by a relative before the stone grave markers were erected.

    249631 Private Frank George Alexander served with the Royal Garrison Artillery and the Royal Engineers during WW1 and died on the 21st November 1918, aged 26, in hospital at Rouen. He is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. He was the son of Mrs. Ada Makepeace, of 15, Castle St. East, Banbury, Oxon.

    He was serving with the Royal Engineers Signals Sub Section possibly attached to the headquarters of 41st Brigade RFA part of 2nd Division Troops. Alternatively if initial reference to RGA is correct then it was likely to have been 41st Siege Battery RGA as the Brigade and Battery names were interchanged during the course of WW1.





    1205977

    Pte. Edward Martin 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.29th Mar 17)

    <p>

    This young soldier, resplendent in the smart uniform of the illustrious Gordon Highlanders, is my great uncle, Private Edward Martin, a working lad from Longton, Staffordshire. At the age of just 19 he died on the killing fields near Arras, on the 29th March 1917.

    After 97 years, I was the first in his family to be able to see where he lies. I travelled in the anniversary year of 2014 to pay my respects on behalf of us all, and to say Thank You on behalf of the nation. How blind we are to our great good fortune, in living our lives in this country and in these times.

    Julia Callaghan




    1205976

    Pte. Edmund Parker 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    <p>Pte. Edmund Parker, notebook

    We came across this information in a notebook when my mother died.

    Steve Vickers




    1205975

    Sgt. Benjamin Massey 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    Did not know my father, Benjamin Massey, as he died in 1950 aged sixty five,when I was only four years old. What little I know of him came from children of his first marriage. He was born in 1885 and must have joined the army around 1900, rising to sergeant in 1907 and colour sergeant in 08. He served at Fort George in Madras. In 1911 he reengaged to complete twenty one years service. After completion of service with the Cheshire Regiment he transferred to the Indian Army where he was commissioned. I know nothing of his service in WW1 but I believe that he was awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Linda Massey




    1205973

    Capt. Thomas Riley 158th Bde. C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.5th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Riley was killed in action on the 5th of August 1916, aged 33 and is buried in the Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of Mrs. and the late Mr. Richard Riley, of Hambleton, Poulton-le-Fylde, Preston

    s flynn




    1205972

    CSM. Joseph Richardson 7th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Richardson died of wounds on the 8th of July 1916, aged 33 and is buried in Plot 1. B. 53 in the Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the husband of Mrs Richardson, 9, Cedar Street, Burnley

    s flynn




    1205971

    Pte. William Type 9th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.18th June 1916)

    <p>

    William Type was killed in action on the 18th of June 1916, aged 24. He is Buried in theCorbie Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Type, of 8 Garth Terrace, Penyard, Merthyr Tydfil.

    s flynn




    1205970

    Col.Sgt. Jacques Jean Charles Becquet CdeG & 2Palms. Bataillon 1. Company 3 1st Line Regiment

    <p>Jacques Becquet in 1918

    My grandfather was born in Brussels 5th August 1894. He joined the Belgian Army as a front line infantry man on 4th April 1911, joining the first Line Regiment. Promoted to Corporal 1st June 1911, to Platoon Sergeant 20th April 1913, to Company Sergeant 5th July 1914, to Sergeant Major 22nd August 1914 and to Colour Sergeant 19th February 1915. Finishing the great War as a Lieutenant in the 21st Line Regiment.

    He had two citations for the Great War: "For the Courage and devotion which he showed during his long period at the front"

    "An Officer of a calm and cool gallantry, a leader of the highest order, at the front from the beginning of hostilities and outstanding for his imperturbable sangfroid. On 30th September 1918 after a most difficult approach march across soaking, and in some cases flooded, ground and under sustained machine gun fire and artillery fire, he rallied his men and with a superb dash, with himself at their head. rushed an enemy trench; Thus showing the greatest contempt of danger."

    He did once recall that he was once buried alive by a shell burst and was most impressed that his men actually came back to dig him out - he reckoned that not too many officers would have been so lucky!!

    When Germany invaded Belgium on 10th May 1940 he was called up to defend his country. When Leopold surrendered in an act of capitulation on 28th May 1940, my grandfather refused to capitulate and carried on fighting as part of the Underground Belgian Army hoping to give the BEF more to time to evacuate (Dunkirk 26th May 1940 to 4th June 1940). He managed to destroy two German tanks before being captured by the Germans on 19th June 1940. Branded a trouble maker he was immediately sent to Colditz Castle POW camp. As Colditz filled up with other nationalities the Belgians were moved to Oflag VII B at Eichstatt, and then to Oflag XD at Hamburg. He retired as a Capitaine Commandant of Reserve (equivalent to Major in the British Army)

    Tim Giddings




    1205969

    Pte. Albert Bridge 10th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.9th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Albert bridge was killed in action on the 9th of August 1916, aged 22 and is buried in the Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery in France. Son of Mr and Mrs Bridge, 8 Fielding Street, Burnley, prior to enlisting, Albert worked as a weaver at the Wood Top Mill Co., Burnley

    s flynn




    1205968

    Pte. Roger Feeley 14th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.28th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Roger Feely was killed in action on the 28th of August 1918, aged 19 and is buried in the Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery in France. Son of Mr and Mrs Feeley, 10 Thursfield Road, Burnley, Roger enlisted on March 5th, 1917, prior to this he was employed at the Burnley Corporation Gas works as a labourer.

    s flynn




    1205967

    Pte. William Henry Short VC. 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    William Short died of wounds on the 7th of August 1916, aged 31 years and is buried in the Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery in France. He was the son of James and Anne Short, of 35, Vaughan St., Grangetown, Middlesbrough, Yorks. Born at Eston, Yorks

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29740, dated 8th Sept., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. He was foremost in the attack, bombing the enemy with great gallantry, when he was severely wounded in the foot. He was urged to go back, but refused and continued to throw bombs. Later his leg was shattered by a shell, and he was unable to stand, so he lay in the trench adjusting detonators and straightening the pins of bombs for his comrades. He died before he could be carried out of the trench. For the last eleven months he had always volunteered for dangerous enterprises, and has always set a magnificent example of bravery and devotion to duty."

    s flynn




    1205964

    Drvr. Edward Washington 210th Bde. C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.10th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Washington died of bronchial pneumonia on the 10th of March 1918, aged 26 and is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of John and Sarah Waddington, of 116, Cleaver St., Burnley.

    Edward died at No.1 Casualty Clearing Station, France. The chaplain, Rev. R. G. Gamble wrote the following words to his parents: "Your son has given his life for his country and for love of you and yours. He did not suffer much, but passed away quietly in his sleep. We laid him to rest in a little cemetery near here this afternoon, and his officer and many of his fellow-men attended to do him last honour."

    s flynn




    1205963

    Pte. Richard Jarvis 12th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Richard Jarvis was killed in action on the 17th of August 1916, aged 36 and is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Benjamin and Eliza Jarvis, husband of Ada of 2 Selkirk Street, Hull, father to Richard, Harold and Ada Alkimia. Brother to my grandmother Matilda Ward (nee Jarvis). Also brother to 10657 Private Arthur Harold Jarvis, 6th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment killed Monday 9th August 1915 at the Dardnelles in the Gallipoli campaign, commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.

    s flynn




    1205962

    Pte. James Miller Taylor 10th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    James Taylor was killed in action and is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery in France. He was the husband of Mrs. M. G. Cartwright (formerly Taylor), of 41 May St., Burnley Wood, Burnley

    s flynn




    1205961

    Pte. William Edgar Holmes VC. 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.9th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    William Holmes was killed in action on the 9th of October 1918, aged 23 and is buried in Carnieres Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mrs. E. E. Holmes, of Didbrook, Winchcombe, Glos.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31082, dated 24th Dec., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Cattenieres on the 9th Oct., 1918. Pte. Holmes carried in two men under the most intense fire, and, while he was attending to a third case, he was severely wounded. In spite of this, he continued to carry wounded, and was shortly afterwards again wounded, with fatal results. By his self-sacrifice and disregard of danger he was the means of saving the lives of several of his comrades."

    s flynn




    1205960

    Pte. George King 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    George King served with the 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment. He enlisted on the 7th of January 1915 in Hammersmith, London and gave his age as 18yrs 7months, but he was born 23.7.1899 in Fulham London, making him only 15yrs old.

    He was sent from Acton and arrived in France 17.8.1915, they were attached to the 73rd Brigade. While at the Battle of Loos on the 27.9.1915 near Vermelles, he was gunned down by machine gun fire. He survived but at the loss of his right leg and more wounds to his left thigh.

    He was discharged on 15th of November 1916 at Hounslow, he was awarded a silver war badge no.89410 and 3 medals, the 1914/15 star, the War and Victory medals. So at only being 16yrs old he had his leg amputated and saw so much pain and suffering around him, for some one so young.

    Troy King




    1205958

    Grdsmn. James Yapp 3rd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.27th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    James Yapp was killed in action on the 27th of November 1917, aged 22 and is commemorated on The Cambrai Memorial in France. He was the son of James & Sarah Yapp of 44 Stable Row, Lightmoor, Dawley, Shropshire and had enlisted into the KSLI Territorials (4th Bn.) in June 1913 aged 17 years 10 months and had been discharged as unfit for duty in Oct 1914 only to immediately re-enlist into the Guards

    s flynn




    1205957

    Rflmn. Frederick Bryans 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Bryans was killed in action on the 21st of November 1917, aged 19 and is commemorated on The Cambrai Memorial in France. He was the son of Samuel and Rachel Bryans of Belfast. One of 5 brothers who fought in the war, two were killed; Henry and Frederick, one was badly wounded and the other two came through physically unharmed.

    s flynn




    1205956

    Capt. Richard William Leslie Wain VC. 25th Btn. att. A Bn. Tank Corps Manchester Regiment (d.20th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Richard Wain was killed in action on the 20th of November 1917, aged 20 and commemorated on The Cambrai Memorial in France. He was the son of Florence E. Wain, of Woodside, The Avenue, Llandaff, Cardiff, and the late Harris Wain.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 13th Feb., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery in command of a section of Tanks. During an attack the Tank in which he was, was disabled by a direct hit near an enemy strong point which was holding up the attack. Capt. Wain and one man, both seriously wounded, were the only survivors. Though bleeding profusely from his wounds, he refused the attention of stretcher-bearers, rushed from behind the Tank with a Lewis gun, and captured the strong point, taking about half the garrison prisoners. Although his wounds were very serious he picked up a rifle and continued to fire at the retiring enemy until he received a fatal wound in the head. It was due to the valour displayed by Capt. Wain that the infantry were able to advance."

    s flynn




    1205955

    Maj. Frederick Henry Johnson VC. 73rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.26th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Henry Johnson was killed in action on the 26th of November 1917, aged 27 and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial in France. Native of Streatham, London

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 16th Nov., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the attack on Hill 70 on 25th Sept., 1915. Second Lieutenant Johnson was with a section of his company of the Royal Engineers. Although wounded in the leg, he stuck to his duty throughout the attack, led several charges on the German redoubt, and at a very critical time, under very heavy fire, repeatedly rallied the men who were near him. By his splendid example and cool courage he was mainly instrumental in saving the situation and in establishing firmly his part of the position which had been taken. He remained at his post until relieved in the evening."

    s flynn




    1205954

    2nd Lt. James Samuel Emerson VC. 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.6th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    James Emerson was killed in action on the 6th of December 1917, aged 22 and is commemorated on The Cambrai Memorial, France. He was the son of John and Ellen Emerson, of Collon, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 12th Feb., 1918, records the following:- "For repeated acts of most conspicuous bravery. He led his company in an attack and cleared 400 yards of trench. Though wounded, when the enemy attacked in superior numbers, he sprang out of the trench with eight men and met the attack in the open, killing many and taking six prisoners. For three hours after this, all other Officers having become casualties, he remained with his company, refusing to go to the dressing station, and repeatedly repelled bombing attacks. Later, when the enemy again attacked in superior numbers, he led his men to repel the attack and was mortally wounded. His heroism, when worn out and exhausted from loss of blood, inspired his men to hold out, though almost surrounded, till reinforcements arrived and dislodged the enemy.

    s flynn




    1205953

    Pte. Frederick George Dancox VC. 4th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Dancox was killed in action on the 30th of November aged 38, he is commemorated on The Cambrai Memorial, France. Native of Brabourne, Worcestershire

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 23rd Nov., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. After the first objective had been captured and consolidation had been started, work was considerably hampered, and numerous casualties were caused, by an enemy machine gun firing from a concrete emplacement situated on the edge of our protective barrage. Pte. Dancox was one of a party of about ten men detailed as moppers-up. Owing to the position of the machine gun emplacement, it was extremely difficult to work round a flank. However, this man with great gallantry worked his way round through the barrage and entered the" Pillbox "from the rear, threatening the garrison with a Mills bomb. Shortly afterwards he reappeared with a machine gun under his arm, followed by about 40 enemy. The machine gun was brought back to our position by Pte. Dancox, and he kept it in action all day. By his resolution, absolute disregard of danger and cheerful disposition, the morale of his comrades was maintained at a very high standard under extremely trying circumstances."

    s flynn




    1205952

    Pte. George William Burdett Clare VC. 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers (d.28th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    George Clare was killed in action on the 28th of November 1917, he is commemorated on the The Cambrai Memorial in France and was the son of George and Rhoda Clare. He was born at St. Ives, Huntingdonshire.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 8th Jan., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, acting as a stretcher-bearer during a most intense and continuous enemy bombardment, Pte. Clare dressed and conducted wounded over the open to the dressing-station about 500 yards away. At one period when all the garrison of a detached post, which was lying out in the open about 1 50 yards to the left of the line occupied, had become casualties, he crossed the intervening space, which was continually swept by heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, and, having dressed all the cases, manned the post single-handed till a relief could be sent. Pte. Clare then carried a seriously wounded man through intense fire to cover, and later succeeded in getting him to the dressing station. At the dressing-station he was told that the enemy was using gas shells to a large extent in the valley below, and as the wind was blowing the gas towards the line of trenches and shell-holes occupied, he started on the right of the line and personally warned every company post of the danger, the whole time under shell and rifle fire. This very gallant soldier was subsequently killed by a shell."

    s flynn




    1205951

    Capt. Harry Sherwood Ranken VC Royal Army Medical Corps (d.25th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Harry Rankin died of wounds on the 25th of September 1914 and is buried in Braine Communal Cemetery in France. He was awarded the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France), for gallant conduct during the operations from 21st to 30th August 1914. Harry was the son of the Rev. Henry Ranken and Helen Morton Ranken, of The Manse, Irvine, Ayrshire. Native of Glasgow.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 28976, dated 13th Nov., 1914, records the following: "For tending wounded in the trenches under rifle and shrapnel fire at Hautevesnes on 19th September and on 20th September continuing to attend to wounded after his thigh and leg had been shattered. (He has since died of wounds.)"

    s flynn




    1205950

    Pte. Walter Dean Heathcote 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.5th April 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Heathcote was killed near Senlis Mill on 5th April 1918 and was buried at Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery. This information is provided by his niece: Mrs Rosemary Tracey who did not know her uncle but well remembers the on-going grief suffered by her mother (Mrs M. Stapleton) - sister of Pte. Heathcote. Walter and his sister were born and lived in Brighton, Sussex and his name is recorded on the Steine war memorial in Brighton.

    s flynn




    1205948

    Pte. Thomas Richard Carroll 52nd Btn. (d.4th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Carroll was killed in action on the 4th of September 1916, aged 23 and is buried in Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, France. He was the son of Thomas John and the late Frances Carroll. Born at Irish Town, Australia

    s flynn




    1205947

    Pte. Thomas Cunliffe 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.23rd Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Cunliffe was my great uncle. He enlisted in the Grenadier Guards in June 1914 and then went to Caterham to undergo training. He joined with his best friend William Calderbank and sailed for France in January 1915 blissfully unaware that neither of them would see their home town again. They fought side by side at some notable and well documented engagements such as Hill 70 and the Battle of Loos and must have thought their luck would see them through. However this was not to be as after 9 months William was killed by a sniper and Thomas had the unenviable task of writing to William’s parents back in Wigan.

    Dear Friends, I am sorry to inform you that your son got killed on the 7th. Poor lad he got hit in the head and his death was instantaneous. He has been in my mind ever since his death. A fellow came up the trenches and said “your mate has gone under”. I could hardly believe who it was at first and then he said “Bill Calderbank”. Well I felt as if I’d been hit. I went to see him, poor fellow. He had a decent burial. The Catholic priest was there and read over his dead body. He had only just put his head up over the trench and he got hit by a sniper. Accept my deepest sympathy. All his chums hope you will accept their deepest sympathy”.

    The pathetic feature of this story is that the very next day after William was killed Thomas was wounded. A bomb exploded in the trench near him, blowing off one of his legs and damaging the other so severely that it later had to be amputated. He wrote to his parents, Joseph and Mary Cunliffe in Wigan, “Hope this finds you quite well as I am alive but hardly kicking” His letter goes on to describe the events that led up to his injury and his hopes and expectations to be back in Wigan for Christmas.

    Unfortunately the story does not have a happy ending as on 23rd October Thomas died from his wounds. The lady superintendent at the hospital in Wimereux wrote to his parents telling them, “Your poor son got weaker and weaker in spite of all we tried to do for him. He will be buried here in the cemetery in Wimereux. It is a pretty place on a hillside and there are many flowers there in spring and summer. My assistant matron takes great interest in it and sees that it is nicely kept in order” Thomas will be remembered with pride and affection by our family.

    Graham Parkinson




    1205946

    Cpl. Archie Aldridge Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Archie Aldridge enlisted in 1914, probably in either the 14th or 15th Reserve Battalions which were recruiting in Southend. He survived the war and was awarded the 1914-1915 campaign star as well as the other regular WW1 medals. Since these two Reserve battalions were used to provide replacements to the other battalions I would like to find out which one he ended up in when he shipped to France.

    John Ballard




    1205945

    Pte. George W. Green 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th July 1918)

    <p>

    George Green was killed in action on the 13th of July 1918. He is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    1205944

    Bmdr. John Linney 31st Div. Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.31st May 1918)

    <p>

    John Lenney was Killed in action on the 31st of May 1918, aged 30 and is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of John and Mary Ann Linney, of 51 Bury St., Salford, Manchester.

    s flynn




    1205943

    Pte. Harry Jones 1st Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.4th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Jones was killed in action on the 4th of October 1915 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France. He was born in Liverpool, and was a resident of Caerphilly, Glam.

    s flynn




    1205942

    2nd Lt. Henry Alexander Birkby 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.20th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Alexander Birkby was killed in action on the 20th of April 1916, aged 26 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

    s flynn




    1205941

    Pte. Richard Henry Arnold 16th Btn. (d.27th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Richard Henry Arnold was killed in action on the 27th of February 1917, aged 20 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France. He was the son of Mr. J. W. Arnold, of Hyas, Saskatchewan

    s flynn




    1205940

    Pte. James Edward Thompson 13th (1st Barnsley) Battalion Yorks and Lancaster Regiment (d.21st Apr 1916)

    <p>

    James Edward Thompson was a miner and enlisted in the Barnsley Pals on the 7th December 1914 and trained at Silkstone, moving to Penkridge Camp in May 1915, Ripon in July and on to Salisbury Plain in October 1915. On 28 December he embarked at Devonport for Egypt. He then embarked for BEF in France on 11 March 1916. On the 9th April 1916 he received gunshot wounds to both legs and a fractured tibia in his left arm. On the 13th April he was moved by the 17th Ambulance Train to the 1st General Hospital in Etretat arriving on the 14th. Sadly James died from his wounds at 7.20am on 21st April 1916. He is buried in the local churchyard in Etretat.

    Clockwise James, Dorothy, Sarah and Margaret Thompson in 1914

    Roy Warren




    1205939

    Pte. Joseph Hateley 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.20th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Hateley died of wounds on 20th of May 1915 through loss of blood, his arm having been blown off by a shell, he was aged 33. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France, he was the son of Joseph Henry and Anne Hateley, of Walsall, Staffs. and husband of Gertrude Fallon (formerly Hateley), of 24 Chester St., Liverpool. Joseph was a caster by trade and formerly employed by Messrs. Mason and Burns, of Pleck Road, Walsall.

    s flynn




    1205938

    Pte. Albert Graham 10th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.17th May 1916)

    <p>

    Albert Graham was killed in action on the 17th of May 1916, aged 20 and isburied in Bethune Town Cemetery, France. He was the son of John and Agnes Alice Graham, of 29 Tunnel St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    1205937

    Pte. Alexander Burrows 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.18th March 1915)

    <p>

    Sandy Burrows was killed in action on the 18th of March 1915, aged 33. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France, he was the son of the late Richard and Margaret Burrows, of Burnley, husband of M. E. Burrows, of 22 Prestwich St., Burnley, Lancs. Prior to enlisting he was the licensee of the Cross Gates Inn, Finsley Gate, Burnley. The Inn did not survive the war, it was closed in 1915 and compensation paid for the licence. The building remained empty until demolished in 1953.

    s flynn




    1205936

    Cpl. John Bentham 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th July 1916)

    <p>

    John Bentham was killed in action on the 30th of July 1916, aged 22 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery in France. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Bentham, of 52 Esp Lane, Barnoldswick, Yorks.

    s flynn




    1205935

    Cpl. John George Jones MID 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.15th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    John George Jones was killed in action on the 15th of October 1914, aged 29. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery in France, he was the husband of H. E. Armstrong (formerly Jones), of 24 Prince St., Haworth Brow, Keighley. Native of Scarborough, Yorkshire, he had lived in Burnley since the age of six.

    s flynn




    1205934

    Pte. George Tipping 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.22nd Sep 1915)

    <p>

    George Tipping was killed in action on the 22nd of September 1915, aged 20. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery in France, he was the son of Lawrence and Alice Tipping, of 36 Guy St., Padiham, Lancs.

    s flynn




    1205933

    L/Cpl. Ernest Thomas "Jack" White 17th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.27th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest White was killed in action on the 27th of June 1917 and is buried in Beuvry Communal Cemetery, France. He was the son of Mr. E. White, of 10 Windermere Rd., Addiscombe, Croydon.

    s flynn




    1205931

    Pte. James Statham 15th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.28th June 1918)

    <p>Memorial Card

    James Statham was born in 1878 and served with 15th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He went missing in action on the 28th of June 1918 and is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing in Ploegsteert Belgium. I understand he may have been part of the 7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment prior to this and also serving in Italy. Looking for more details.

    James Statham with the 7th Warwicks.

    Jacky Robinson-Wing




    1205930

    L/Cpl. James Tighe 170th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.25th July 1917)

    <p>

    James Tighe died of wounds on the 25th of July 1917, aged 22. Buried in the Bethune Town Cemetery, France, he had formerly served as Pte. 17588 of the Scottish Rifles. He received serious gunshot wounds on 24th of July 17 and died the following day in hospital. He was the son of Michael and Maria Tighe, of 39, Lyndhurst Rd., Burnley. His brother John Tighe also fell a fortnight later. He is buried at Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery

    s flynn




    1205929

    Pte. Thomas Albert Butterworth 10th Btn. Cameronians (Scotish Rifles) (d.11th June 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Butterworth as killed in action 11th of June 1916, aged 24. Buried in in the Bethune Town Cemetery, France he was the son of Joseph Ernest and Sarah Emily Butterworth, of 13, Cliffe St., Nelson, husband of Maria Butterworth, of 10, Crowther St., Nelson, Lancs Native of Dalton-in-Furness, Lancs

    s flynn




    1205928

    Pte. Albert Hector Holman 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Holman died of wounds on the 23rd of April 1917, aged 28 and is buried in in the Bethune Town Cemetery in France. He was the husband of Ethel Holman, of 45, Milner St., Burnley

    s flynn




    1205927

    Pte. John Thomas Evans 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th May 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, Jack Evan, was killed in action on 13th May 1917 aged 24 in Bullecourt, Arras whilst fighting with the 1st South Staffordshire Regiment.

    In 1916 he enlisted with the Royal Army Ordnance Core as Pte 017831 prior to enlisting with the 1st South Staffordshire Regiment. On May 13th 1917 his regiment was ordered to attack the heavily fortified village of Bullecourt along with the Australians. The village was believed to have been weakened by days of heavy bombardment, unfortunately this was not the case & the battle was vicious & costly as these gallant men were caught in a bloody crossfire at a location known as the Red Patch. After three days Bullecourt was taken with the loss of two Officers & 37 men killed.

    He is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial in the Pas De Calais Cemetery on the Boulevard du General de Gaulle on the South of the road to Doullens. He is also commemorated on two memorials locally. The cross in Tremeirchion & the memorial hall in Caerwys.

    Dilwyn Parry Lloyd




    1205926

    Brig.Gen. Frederick William Lumsden VC, CB, DSO. 14th Brigade Royal Marine Artillery (d.4th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    Commanding 14th Brigade, Royal Marine Artillery, Frederick Lumsden was killed in action on the 4th of June 1918. He is buried in the Berles New Military Cemetery in France. Awarded the Croix de Guerre (France). He was the son of the late James Foot Lumsden (Indian Civil Service) and husband of M. E. A. Lumsden, of Hampton Court Palace, Middlesex.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30122, dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, determination and devotion to duty. Six enemy field guns having been captured, it was necessary to leave them in dug-in positions, 300 yards in advance of the position held by our troops. The enemy kept the captured guns under heavy fire. Maj. Lumsden undertook the duty of bringing the guns into our lines. In order to effect this, he personally led four artillery teams and a party of infantry through the hostile barrage. As one of these teams sustained casualties, he left the remaining teams in a covered position, and, through very heavy rifle, machine gun and shrapnel fire, led the infantry to the guns. By force of example and inspiring energy he succeeded in sending back two teams with guns, going through the barrage with the teams of the third gun. He then returned to the guns to await further teams, and these he succeeded in attaching to two of the three remaining guns, despite rifle fire, which had become intense at short range, and removed the guns to safety. By this time the enemy, in considerable strength, had driven through the infantry covering points, and blown up the breach of the remaining gun. Maj. Lumsden then returned, drove off the enemy, attached the gun to a team and got it away."

    s flynn




    1205925

    Pte. Herbert Leslie Parkes 17th Btn. (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Herbert Parkes was killed in action on the 3rd of October 1918, aged 19 and buried in the Bellicourt British Cemetery in France. He was the brother of Amelia Parkes

    s flynn




    1205924

    Lt.Col. Bernard William Vann VC, MC. 8th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment)

    <p>

    Bernard Vann was attached 1st/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters when he was killed in action on the 3rd of October 1918 and buried in Bellicourt British Cemetery in France. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre (France). Son of Alfred George Collins Vann and Hannah Elizabeth Vann, he was the husband of Doris Victoria Vann, of Coates Rectory, Cirencester, Glos.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31067, dated 14th Dec., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and fine leadership during the attack at Bellenglise and Lehaucourt, on September 29th, 1918. He led his battalion with great skill across the Canal du Nord through a very thick fog and under heavy fire from field and machine guns. On reaching the high ground above Bellenglise the whole attack was held up by fire of all descriptions from the front and right flank. Realising that everything depended on the advance going forward with the barrage, Col. Vann rushed up to the firing line and with the greatest gallantry led the line forward. By his prompt action and absolute contempt for danger the whole situation was changed, the men were encouraged and the line swept forward. Later, he rushed a field-gun single-handed and knocked out three of the detachment. The success of the day was in no small degree due to the splendid gallantry and fine leadership displayed by this officer. Lt. Col. Vann, who had on all occasions set the highest example of valour, was killed near Ramicourt on 3rd October, 1918, when leading his battalion in attack."

    s flynn




    1205923

    Pte. Daniel D. Dunnett 5th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.27th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    Having spent the last year researching my family history in depth, I have found that I was related to a victim of this horrendous war who served with the Fifth Battalion Seaforth Highlanders Regiment. His name was Daniel D Dunnett and although some may feel our connection is rather tenuous (my second cousin four times removed) I would love the opportunity to find out more about him, if possible, and assist in this admirable project too.

    He was born in Wick, Caithness, Scotland on the 4th May 1899 and died aged only 16 on the 27th March 1916 at Arras, France. Prior to enlistment he was residing at 61 Willowbank, Wick, Caithness, Scotland with his parents Daniel and Mary, and siblings Thomas, Janet, Christina, Mary, William, Lizzie, James, Alexander and Kate. He is buried at the British War Cemetery in Maroeuil, France. He was awarded the Allied Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1915 Star too, raising the possibility that he may have seen active service as young as 15 years old.

    Daniel Rintoul




    1205921

    Sgt. Thomas Walter Henry Field 137th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.19th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Field was killed in action on the 19th of September 1917, aged 25. Buried in the Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Ernest Field, of Plymouth, husband of Stephanie Grace Field, of Cricketers Cottage, Littlewick Green, nr. Maidenhead, Berks Thomas died when his oldest son Cecil Thomas Field was just 2 years old, and before his second son Thomas Walter Douglas Field was born, so his family never knew him.

    s flynn




    1205920

    BSM. George Henry Archer 147th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th July 1917)

    <p>

    Geroge Archer was killed in action on the 7th of July 1917, aged 30. Buried in the Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Archer, of Kent, husband of Mrs. E. B. Archer, of 23 Fredrick St., Neyland, Pembrokeshire.

    s flynn




    1205919

    Pte. John Cunningham VC. 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.16th April 1917)

    <p>

    John Cunningham died of wounds on the 16th of April 1917, aged 29 and buried in the Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of Johanna and the late Joseph Cunningham, of Stradavoher St., Thurles, Co. Tipperary. The second son lost to a widowed mother in the war.

    An extract taken from The London Gazette, dated 8th June, 1917 records the following: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in command of a Lewis Gun section on the most exposed flank of the attack. His section came under heavy enfilade fire and suffered severely. Although wounded he succeeded almost alone in reaching his objective with his gun, which he got into action in spite of much opposition. When counter-attacked by a party of twenty of the enemy he exhausted his ammunition against them, then, standing in full view, he commenced throwing bombs. He was wounded again, and fell, but picked himself up and continued to fight single-handed with the enemy until his bombs were exhausted. He then made his way back to our lines with a fractured arm and other wounds. There is little doubt that the superb courage of this N.C.O. cleared up a most critical situation on the left flank of the attack. Corporal Cunningham died in hospital from the effects of his wounds."

    Vimy Ridge April 1917 Battle Map

    John Fanning




    1205918

    Rflmn. Robert Howell 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.1st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Howell was killed in action on the 1st of October 1918, aged 20. Buried in the Bancourt British Cemetery, France, he had been born in Bromley, Kent. Son of Robert & Susan Howell (nee Fuller), of 37, Star Lane, Canning Town, London. They had 14 children.

    s flynn




    1205917

    Pte. Michael Byrne 29th Btn. (d.2nd March 1917)

    <p>

    Michael Byrne was killed March 2nd 1917, in an attack by the 29th Battalion to take Sunray Trench from the 8th Bavarian Regiment. He is buried in the Bancourt British Cemetery, France. Michael was born in Harbour Grace Newfoundland in 1893. He was the son of John William and Elizabeth Byrne of Harbour Grace, and one of five siblings. Although listed by the CWGC as an Australian casualty, Michael was actually a Newfoundlander and the casualty statistics above have been altered to show this.

    s flynn




    1205916

    Pte. George Dean 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.4th June 1917)

    <p>

    George Dean died on the 4th of June 1917, aged 22. Buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of William and Amelia Dean, of Back 72 Green Lane, Walsall.

    s flynn




    1205915

    Cpl. George Wall 1st Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.28th April 1915)

    <p>

    George Wall died on the 28th of April 1915, aged 39. Buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the husband of M. E. Williams (formerly Wall), of 95 Lower Rd., Cwmsyfiog, New Tredegar, Mon.

    s flynn




    1205914

    Reginald J. Reed Sussex Regiment

    <p>

    Reg Reed was born in 1897 in Littlehampton, and died in 1977 aged 80.

    Tony Reed




    1205913

    Drvr. James Reed 113th Bde. C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.4th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    James Reed died on the 4th of December 1915, aged 19. He is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    s flynn




    1205912

    Pte. Francis John Duckett 1st Btn. Western Ontario Regiment (d.16th March 1916)

    <p>

    Francis Duckett died of wounds on the 16th of March 1916, aged 28. Buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of John J. and M. A. Duckett, of 39 Chaddock St., Preston, England.

    s flynn




    1205911

    Pte. William Watson 17th Btn. (d.4th May 1916)

    <p>

    William Watson died of gunshot wounds to the chest on the 4th of May 1916, aged 27 in No.3 Casualty Clearing Station, France. He is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Born on 15/09/1888 in Scotland he was the youngest child of Alexander & Eliza (nee Clark) Watson and was employed as a Tailor in Guyra, NSW Following the death of his father, Great-uncle Willie and his older brother Alex came to Australia in 1909 to establish themselves so that they could bring their mother and two sisters, ( the youngest being my Grandmother), to Australia. Alex settled some land in Nowendoc, NSW and Willie set up business as a tailor in Guyra, NSW. His mum and sisters were on their way to Australia when war was declared in 1914. He enlisted in Sydney 21/7/1915; embarked 5/10/1915; embarked Egypt 17/3/1916 and disembarked in Marseilles, France 23/3/1916. He was wounded in action 3/5/1916 and died 4/5/1916.

    s flynn




    1205910

    Pte. William Oliver 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.16th June 1917)

    <p>

    William Oliver died on the 16th of June 1917, aged 28. Buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Oliver, of Thornbury, husband of Elsie May Oliver, of Forda, Thornbury, Brandis Corner, Devon.

    s flynn




    1205909

    Pte. John William Edwards 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th May 1915)

    <p>

    John Edwards died of wounds on the 25th of May 1915, aged 25. Buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of John William Edwards deceased, and Jane Bewick (nee Scott), and was born at 38 East Holborn, South Shields, Durham on 13 May 1890. He left a wife, Mary Eleanor, a daughter, Mary Eleanor aged nearly 3 and another daughter, Florence May aged 7 months.

    The photo at Bailleul was taken by his great-great-granddaughter, Michelle, on a trip to Europe from Australia in 2002 and she is believed to be the first family member to visit his grave.

    s flynn




    1205908

    Rflmn. Albert Edward Cox 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st April 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Cox died on the 21st of April 1917, aged 19. Buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of Fred and Annie Cox, of 123 Whitehorse Rd., Croydon, Surrey.

    s flynn




    1205907

    Pte. James Bartlett 2nd Btn. Canadian Mounted Rifles. (d.5th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    James Bartlett died of wounds on the 5th of December 1916 and is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    s flynn




    1205906

    Pte. Thomas Moses Wilkinson 33rd Btn. (d.9th June 1917)

    <p>

    Tom Wilkinson died from wounds on the 9th of June 1917, aged 33, he is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Tom was the youngest son of William and Hannah Wilkinson. He joined C Coy 33rd Infantry Battalion A. I. F. on 22nd February 1916 and his service number was 957. Tom was 5 feet 6 1/4 inches tall and weighed 10 stone 9lbs. His age was 31 yrs 7 months, had grey eyes and light red hair, his occupation was a share farmer and he lived at Attunga in northern N.S.W.

    Tom embarked from Sydney per H.M.A.T. A74 Marathon on 4th May 1916, and disembarked at Devonport on 9th July 1916. On 21st November 1916 he proceeded to France with his Battalion from Southampton. Tom suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach during fierce fighting in the field on 7th June 1917 and was admitted the same day to the 53rd casualty clearing station. Tom died on the 9th June 1917, the day after his 33rd birthday, and is buried at the Bailleul Communal Extension Cemetery, France.

    s flynn




    1205905

    Gnr. James William Munro 405th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th July 1917)

    <p>

    William Munroe died on the 29th of July 1917, aged 28. He is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    s flynn




    1205904

    Sgt. Robert Leggat 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.30th March 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Leggart died on the 30th of March 1916 and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension. Robbie was a Serjeant in the 9th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and was a professional solder having enlisted prior to 1906. He was killed on 29 or 30 March 1916 while leading his men when his hand grenade blew up in his hand.

    s flynn




    1205903

    Pte. William Stanley Allars 39th Btn. 39th Btn. (d.2nd May 1917)

    <p>

    William Allars was died on the 2nd of May 1917, aged 21. Buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), he was the son of Alfred Charles and Emily Ann Allars. Native of St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia. Survived by his brother Sydney George Allars Private 816 who was also wounded. 39th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.

    s flynn




    1205902

    Tpr. Thomas Robins Smith 1st/1st. A Sqd. Northamptonshire Yeomanry (d.30th Oct 1918 )

    <p>

    Thomas Smith served with “A” Squadron 1st/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry during WW1 and was killed on the 30th October 1918. He is named on the Memorial in the Northampton Scouts Museum. He is buried in the Tezze British Cemetery, a village north of Venice, Italy. He was the son of Alice G A Smith of Duston, Northampton.

    Mike Longman




    1205901

    Pte. Stephen Harrison 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.7th May 1916)

    <p>

    Stephen Harrison was killed in action on the 7th of May 1916, aged 33. Buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of Henry and Hannah Harrison of Burnley and lived at 33 Berry Street, Burnley.

    s. flynn




    1205900

    Gnr, Samuel Brown 170th Bde. C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd April 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Brown was killed in action on the 3rd fo April 1917 and buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France. Prior to enlisting he was a weaver at Messrs. Collinge bros., Mill, Burnley Wood. He lived at 4 Burton Street, Burnley.

    s flynn




    1205899

    Pte. Nathan Marsden 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.28th April 1918)

    <p>

    Nathan Marsden was killed in action on the 28th of April 1918, aged 25. Buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, he was the husband of Elizabeth E. Cook (formerly Marsden), of 24, Hambledon View, Cheapside, Burnley.

    s flynn




    1205898

    Pte. Henry Joseph Powell 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th May 1917)

    <p>

    Henry Powell was killed in action on the 8th of May 1917, aged 19. Buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, he was the son of Mrs. T. E. Powell, of 29 Weston St., Barton Hill, Bristol.

    s flynn




    1205896

    Drvr. Francis Brunt 330th Bde. A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.30th May 1918)

    <p>

    Francis Brunt was killed in action on the 30th of May 1918 and buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France. Husband of Mrs Brunt of 58 Nairne Street, Burnley, he had a hairdressing business on Trafalgar Street, Burnley.

    s flynn




    1205895

    Pte. Charles Grant 1st/4th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.5th June 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Grant was killed in action on the 5th of June 1916, aged 25. Buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of John and Mary Grant, of 62 Gordon St., Aberdeen.

    s flynn




    1205894

    Pte. Ashton Greenwood 13th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.2nd May 1917)

    <p>

    Aston Greenwood was killed in action on the 2nd of May 1917, aged 30. Buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France he was the son of Henry and Betty Greenwood; husband of Margaret Greenwood, of 21 Sandhurst St., Burnley

    s flynn




    1205893

    2nd Lt. Rankin Martin MM. 176th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.12th July 1918)

    <p>

    Martin Rankins was killed in action on the 12th of July 1918, aged 31 and buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was commissioned from the ranks having previously served as a sergeant with the Royal Fusiliers. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Robert and Isabella Martin, husband of Mary Blakely, of 6 Radnor Street, Kelvingrove, Glasgow.

    s flynn




    1205892

    Pte. Albert Reeves 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.13th July 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Reeves was killed in action on the 13th of July 1917. Buried Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the husband of Harriet Reeves.

    s flynn




    1205891

    Pte. Alexander Ewan 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.13th April 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Ewen was killed in action on the 13th of April 1917, aged 19. Buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France, he was the son of James and Marion Ewan, of Craigrothie, Aberdour Rd., Burntisland, Fifeshire

    s flynn




    1205890

    2nd Lt. Harry Edward Martin 60 Squadron (d.16th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Harry Martin was killed in action on the 16th of November 1916, aged 22, he is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of Alfred Amos Martin and Elizabeth Ann Martin, of Avro Cottage, Marlborough, Wilts. Native of Croydon, Surrey.

    s flynn




    1205888

    Pte. John Carlyle Matthews 50th Btn. Alberta Regiment (d.2nd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    John Matthews was killed in action on the 2nd of November 1918 and is buried in the Auberchicourt British Cemetery in France. He as the son of Samuel and Margaret Matthews, husband of Lillian Matthews of Fordwich, Ontario

    s flynn




    1205886

    Pte. John Duncan Smith 5th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.4th June 1917)

    <p>

    John Smith was killed in action on the 4th of June 1917, aged 26 and buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. He was the son of John and Christina Smith of Lochore, Fife

    s flynn




    1205885

    Pte. Hezekiah Towle 2nd Btn. Canadian Pioneers (d.7th April 1917)

    <p>

    Hezekiah Towle was killed in action on the 7th of April 1917, aged 21. Buried inAubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of J. W. and Alberta Towle, of South River, P.O., Canada.

    s flynn




    1205884

    Gnr. Ceil Haggart Shaver MM. 2nd Bde Canadian Field Artillery (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Cecil Shaver was killed in action on the 2nd of September 1918, aged 21 and buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. He was the son of Mrs. Nancy (Day) Shaver & Henry Shaver Cainsville, Ontario, Canada.

    s flynn




    1205883

    Pte. Joseph Collins 56th Btn. Machine Gun Corps. (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Collins was killed in action on the 18th of September 1918, aged 25 and is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of Albert and Ada Collins of Bloxham, Oxfordshire, husband of Kathleen Collins and father of Rosina and Ada of Coventry

    s flynn




    1205882

    Pte. Reginald Samuel Pritchard 2nd Btn Canadian Mounted Rifles (d.21st Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Reginald Pritchard was killed in action on the 21st of November 1916 and is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.

    s flynn




    1205881

    1AM Walter J. Rayner (d.2nd Feb 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Rayner was killed in action on the 2nd of December 1918, aged 27 and buried Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    s flynn




    1205880

    Pte. William Jacques 2nd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.8th May 1914)

    <p>

    In memory of Pte 15004 William Jacques, 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Brother of Mr C Jacques, 2 St Oswald Terrace, Shiney Row, Houghton le Spring, County Durham. Killed in action on 8th May 1915 at Frezenberg, Ypres.

    Remembered upon the Menin Gate, Memorial to the missing, Ypres, Belgium. Also upon the Shiney Row War Memorial, Houghton le Spring, County Durham.

    Dave Gargett




    1205879

    Pte. Hector Rendall DCM 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th July 1916)

    <p>

    Hector Rendall was awarded the DCM for his conspicuous gallantry on the 25th/26th September 1915, at Hill 70, when he remained at his machine gun all night under heavy and continuous fire doing excellent work after his comrades on either side of him had been killed. His coolness and bravery and devotion to duty were most marked. Citation from the London Gazette





    1205878

    L/Cpl. Emsley Hopkins 18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Emsley Hopkins was the son of Henry Lewis Hopkins and Elizabeth Gertrude Hopkins, he died in action at High Wood, aged 22.

    I am currently studying GCSE history and visited Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, as part of a WW1 history trip, I came across this grave and decided to research Emsley as although I am not aware of any relatives who fought in WW1, Emsley does share the same last name as me.

    Sophie Hopkins




    1205877

    Mjr. Edward Mannock VC, DSO, MC. 85 Sqdn (d.26th July 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Mannock was killed in action on the 26th of July 1918, aged 31. Commemorated on the Flying Services Memorial in Arras, France, he was the son of Mrs. J. Mannock, of 24, Lozells Rd., Six Ways, Birmingham. Major Mannock was involved in the downing of at least 23 further aircraft, but because others might well have assisted in their destruction these were not added to the total in his VC Citation.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 18th July, 1919, records the following:- "On the 17th June, 1918, he attacked a Halberstadt machine near Armentieres and destroyed it from a height of 8,000 feet. On the 7th July, 1918, near Doulieu, he attacked and destroyed one Fokker (red-bodied) machine, which went vertically into the ground from a height of 1,500 feet. Shortly afterwards he ascended 1,000 feet and attacked another Fokker biplane, firing 60 rounds into it, which produced an immediate spin, resulting, it is believed, in a crash. On the 14th July, 1918, near Merville, he attacked and crashed a Fokker from 7,000 feet, and brought a two-seater down damaged. On the 19th July, 1918, near Merville, he fired 80 rounds into an Albatross two-seater, which went to the ground in flames. On the 20th July, 1918, East of La Bassee, he attacked and crashed an enemy two-seater from a height of 10,000 feet. About an hour afterwards he attacked at 8,000 feet a Fokker biplane near Steenwercke and drove it down out of control, emitting smoke. On the 22nd July, 1918, near Armentieres, he destroyed an enemy triplane from a height of 10,000 feet. Major Mannock was awarded the undermentioned distinctions for his previous combats in the air in France and Flanders:-Military Cross, gazetted 17th Sept., 1917; Bar to Military Cross, gazetted 18th Oct., 1917; Distinguished Service Order, gazetted 16th Sept., 1918; Bar to Distinguished Service Order (1st), gazetted 16th Sept., 1918; Bar to Distinguished Service Order (2nd), gazetted 3rd Aug., 1918. This highly distinguished officer during the whole of his career in the Royal Air Force, was an outstanding example of fearless courage, remarkable skill, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice, which has never been surpassed. The total number of machines definitely accounted for by Major Mannock up to the date of his death in France (26th July, 1918) is 50 - the total specified in the Gazette of 3rd Aug., 1918, was incorrectly given as 48 instead of 41."

    s flynn




    1205876

    Lt. Elmer Clark Bryson (Quebec Regiment) 13th Bn. Canadian Infantry (d.8th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Elmer Bryson was killed in action on the 8th of October 1916, aged 23. He is buried in the Adanac Military Cemetery in Somme, France. Son of McCully and Lida Bryson, of Hilden, Nova Scotia, he had enlisted in Aug., 1914. His brother Private Lyle Bryson was killed at the Battle of Vimy, 09/04/1917 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial

    s flynn




    1205875

    Pte. Heber John Walter Bamford New Brunswick Regiment 44th Btn. (d.25th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Heber Bamford was killed in action on the 25th of October 1916, aged 36. He is buried in the Adanac Military Cemetery in Somme, France. He was the husband of Bertha Bamford

    s flynn




    1205874

    Pte. Leo Eric Greygoose 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Leo Greygoose was killed in action on the 23rd of August 1918, aged 19. Buried in the Adanac Military Cemetery in Somme, France, he was native of Abridge, Essex. Son of Alfred and Annie Greygoose, of 44, Eastfield Rd., Enfield Wash, Middx, his brother Lawrence John Victor Greygoose also fell.

    s flynn




    1205873

    Sgt. Arthur Kallstrom 2nd Bn. Otago Regiment (d.3rd Sep1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Kallstrom was killed in action on the 3rd of September 918 and is buried in Adanac Military Cemetery in Somme, France. He served under then name Charles Carson.

    s flynn




    1205872

    Pte. John Coulson 2nd Btn. C Coy. Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Nov 1916)

    <p>

    John Coulson was killed in action on the 22nd of November 1916, aged 36. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery, Somme, France, he was the husband of Elizabeth A. Coulson, of 29 Stainton St., West Hartlepool

    s flynn




    1205870

    Pte. J. W. Tatam 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.28th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    J W Tatam was killed in action on the 28th of August 1918 and is buried in the A.I.F. Burial Ground, Somme, France.

    s flynn




    1205869

    Pte. William George Geary 16th (Waikoto) Coy. 1st Bn. Auckland Regiment (d.30th Sept1916)

    <p>

    William Geary was killed in action on the 30th of September 1916, aged 20. He is buried in the A.I.F. Burial Ground, Somme, France. He was the son of William and Selina Geary, of Cameron Rd., Tauranga, New Zealand and a member of Manchester U.I.O. of Oddfellows.

    s flynn




    1205868

    Pte. Henry George Ashford 59th Btn. (d.23rd Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Ashford was killed in action on the 23rd of Nov 1916, aged 18. He is buried in the A.I.F. Burial Ground, Somme, France and was the son of John Oakenville Ashford and Elizabeth Ashford, of Satur, Scone, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    1205867

    Trimmer. Bruce Bradley HMHS Liandovey Castle (d.18th March 1918)

    <p>

    Bruce Bradley drowned on HMHS Liandovey Castle on the 18th of March 1918, aged 37. He is commemorated on The Tower Hill Memorial in London and was the son of the late John and Margaret Ann Bradley. Born at Gargrave, Skipton, he lived at 2 Layfield Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    1205866

    Master. Archibald Bisset Smith VC. SS Otaki (d.10th March 1917)

    <p>

    Archibald Smith was killed in action on the 10th of March 1917, aged 38. He is commemorated on the The Tower Hill Memorial in London.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 24th May, 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of the S.S. Otaki, on the 10th March, 1917. "At about 2.30 p.m. on 10th March, 1917, the S.S.Otaki, whose armament consisted of one 4.7 in. gun for defensive purposes, sighted the disguised German raider Moewe, which was armed with four 5.9 in., one 4.1 in. and two 22 pdr. guns, and two torpedo tubes. The Moewe kept the Otaki under observation for some time and finally called upon her to stop. This Lieutenant Smith refused to do, and a duel ensued at ranges of 1,900 - 2,000 yards, and lasted for about 20 minutes. During this action the Otaki scored several hits on the Moewe, causing considerable damage, and starting a fire which lasted for three days. She sustained several casualties and received much damage herself, and was heavily on fire. Lieutenant Smith, therefore, gave orders for the boats to be lowered to allow the crew to be rescued. He remained on the ship himself and went down with her when she sank with the British colours still flying, after what was described in an enemy account as "a duel as gallant as naval history can relate."

    s flynn




    1205865

    Pte. William Young VC. 8th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.27th August 1916)

    <p>

    William Young was died of wounds on the 27th of August 1916, aged 40. He is buried in Preston (New Hall Lane) Cemetery in Preston, Lancs. He was the husband of Mrs. M. E. Young, of 61, Lovat Rd., Preston.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 28th March, 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. On seeing that his Serjeant had been wounded he left his trench to attend to him under very heavy fire. The wounded Non-Commissioned Officer requested Private Young to get under cover, but he refused, and was almost immediately very seriously wounded by having both jaws shattered. Notwithstanding his terrible injuries, Private Young continued endeavouring to effect the rescue upon which he had set his mind, and eventually succeeded with the aid of another soldier. He then went unaided to the dressing station where it was discovered that he had also been wounded by a rifle bullet in the chest. The great fortitude, determination, courage, and devotion to duty displayed by this soldier could hardly be surpassed"

    s flynn




    1205864

    Stoker. Robert Young Wilson HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Wilson was killed in action on the 31st of May 1916, aged 42. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Portsmouth, he was the son of Robert Young Wilson and Elizabeth Wilson, of Aberdeen, husband of Jane Wilson, of 16 Upper Kirkgate, Aberdeen.

    s flynn




    1205863

    AbleSea. George Edward Waddell HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    George Waddell was killed in action on the 31st of May 1916, aged 22. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Portsmouth, he was the son of Sidney Charles and Emily Mary Waddell, of Kirkwall, husband of Magdalene A. Leask Waddell, of 33 Wales St., Aberdeen.

    s flynn




    1205862

    James Hawkey Thomas Royal Artillery

    <p>

    This is a photograph of our Grandfather, James Hawkey Thomas who served in Mesopotamia. Would love to know more about his service during the WW1. Thankfully he survived, resumed his farming, moved to St. Wenn, Cornwall and married Ada Rowe with whom he had three daughters.

    Nicola Wills




    1205861

    Stoker William Thomson HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1915)

    <p>

    William Thomson was killed in action on the 31st of May 1915, aged 26. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Portsmouth, he was the son of William Thomson and Rachel Hunter Milne (formerly Thomson), of 42, Victoria Rd., Torry, Aberdeen.

    s flynn




    1205860

    2nd Lt. Albert Ernest Cooling 14th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Regiment

    <p>

    Albert Ernest Cooling was one of 11 children born 20th June 1891 at Cuckney in Nottinghamshire. He enlisted at Chesterfield in 1915 as a 24 year old. He first entered France with the 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Regiment on the 27th August 1915. By the November he was promoted to 2nd Lt and transferred to the 14th Battalion. Hesaw action on the Western Front for almost a year before being severely wounded in the neck by machine gun fire during the Battle of the Somme autumn of 1916 and was subsequently repatriated to a Military Hospital in South East England for treatment and to convalesce. He relinquished his commission in January 1918 on account of ill-health caused by his wounds. He went on to serve in WW2 as a Captain. He died in 1959 in Suffolk aged 68.

    Adrian Procter




    1205859

    Capt. Charles "Charlie" Legard M.C. 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    This photo taken in the trenches secretly I believe-by Captain Bernard Neville of the 7th Battalion Lincolnshires who was killed in action in 1916 at The Bluff near Ypres. The photo shows Captain Charles Legard MC on the right (my grandfather), in the middle Lt C H Waldron, and Captain White MC the battalion doctor: It was taken at Y Wood on the Menin Road, Ypres in December 1915.

    His two brothers, Bruce and Geoffrey Legard (commemorated at St Johns Church Washingborough), were killed in action on 27th of Octber 1914, and 8th of May 1915 respectively. They were in Queens First, West Kent Regiment, and Northumberland Fusliers. Another brother, Roger Legard was in the Lincolnshire Yeomanry. Bruce was a keen horseman, and hunted with local packs I believe.

    H Legard




    1205858

    Dvr. Sidney Heathcote MM. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My Grand Uncle Sidney Heathcote served during WWI and on 21st of October 1916 was admitted to Hospital Ship St Andrew for transport to England. He had been admitted to the brigade medical station on 13/10/16 with Dental Caries (rotting teeth) I think. He recovered from this and went on to survive the war being awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field in Sep 1917, with final discharge in Jan 1919.

    Ian Cramp




    1205857

    Signal Boy. Edward Arthur Merchant HM Trawler Evangel (d.25th March 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Arthur Merchant was killed in action on the 25th of March 1917, aged 17. He was a signal boy on the HMS Evangel, sunk off Milford Haven by U Boat UC48. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Portsmouth and also on the Milford Haven Memorial. Edward was the son of George and Lilly Merchant of Rudkin St, Leicester .

    s flynn




    1205856

    Stoker. Stephen Lynch HMS Queen Mary (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    Stephen Lynch was killed in action on 31st May 1916. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Portsmouth.

    s flynn




    1205855

    Stoker. Robert Haldane HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Haldane was killed in action on the 31st of May 1916, aged 27. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval memorial in Portsmouth, he was the son of William and Margaret Haldane, of Aberdeen, husband of Maggie Haldane, of 5, Hill St., Aberdeen

    s flynn




    1205854

    Artf. Ernest Driver HMS Hawke (d.15th Oct 1914)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Ernest Driver drowned at Sea on the 15th of October 1914, aged 36. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Portsmouth he was the husband of Emma Driver, of 2, Victoria Rd. North, Southsea, Hants.

    s flynn




    1205853

    Able Sea. George Boynton HMS Narbrough (d.20th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    George Boynton was killed in action on the 20th of January 1918, aged 20. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Portsmouth he was the son of John and Eliza Boynton of Walkington, Yorkshire

    s flynn




    1205847

    Able Sea. William Charles Williams VC MID HMS Hussar (d.25th April 1915)

    <p>

    William Williams was killed in action on the 25th of April 1915, aged 34. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval memorial in Portsmouth, he was the son of the late William and Elizabeth Williams, of Chepstow, Mon.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29264, dated 13th Aug., 1915, records the following:-"Held on to a line in the water for over an hour under heavy fire, until killed."

    This action took place at Cape Helles in the Dardanelles campaign. Able Seaman Williams, at the time, was temporarily attached to HMS River Clyde which was a former collier vessel converted to a troop landing ship. The ship was beached under the Sedd el Bahr castle. Under heavy fire from the Turkish defenders the troop landings were a costly failure. A total of 6 Victoria Crosses were awarded to naval personnel (posthumously in the case of Able Seaman Williams) for maintaining the bridge from ship to beach and recovering wounded soldiers.

    s flynn




    1205846

    Lt.Cmdr. Geoffrey Saxton White VC. HMS E14 (d.28th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    Geoffrey White was killed in action 28th of January 1918, aged 31. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Portsmouth.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 31354, dated 24th May, 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as Commanding Officer of H.M. Submarine E.14. on the 28th of January, 1918. E.14. left Mudros on the 27th of January, under instructions to force the Narrows and attack the Goeben, which was reported aground off Nagara Point after being damaged during her sortie from the Dardanelles. The latter vessel was not found and E.14. turned back. At about 8.45 a.m. on the 28th of January a torpedo was fired from E.14. at an enemy ship; 11 seconds after the torpedo left the tube a heavy explosion took place, caused all the lights to go out, and sprang the fore hatch. Leaking badly the boat was blown to 15 feet, and at once a heavy fire came from the forts, but the hull was not hit. E.14. then dived and proceeded on her way out. Soon afterwards the boat became out of control and as the air supply was nearly exhausted, Lieutenant-Commander White decided to run the risk of proceeding on the surface. Heavy fire was immediately opened from both sides, and, after running the gauntlet for half-an-hour, being steered from below, E.14. was so badly damaged that Lieutenant-Commander White turned towards the shore in order to give the crew a chance of being saved. He remained on deck the whole time himself until he was killed by a shell."

    S. Flynn




    1205845

    PO. Matthew Rosevere Davey Burnard HMS E47 (d.20th Aug 1917)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Matthew Burnard was killed in action 20th August 1917. Commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth, he was the son of Mr and Mrs Burnard of Tregoodwell, Camelford, Cornwall.

    An extract taken from the Cornish and Devon Post dated 08/09/1917: "Mr & Mrs Burnard of Tregoodwell, Camelford have received the sad news of the death of their eldest son, Stoker Petty Officer Matthew R.D. Burnard, killed in action on one of H.M. ships last month. As a youth he was employed at the North Cornwall China Clay works which he left nearly nine years since, on attaining the age of 18 years, to join the navy. For some weeks he fought through the Jutland Battle. Mr Burnard was 26 years of age and was only married in March last to the daughter of Mr. W. Stott of Boscastle. The young widow resides at Teignmouth. Mr & Mrs Burnard had also one nephew killed in action at Salonika and another died of wounds in France. They have one son-in-law and six nephews still serving with the colours. Much sympathy has been expressed with the family in the death of Stoker Matt Burnard, a typical sailor, who possessed many excellent qualities."

    s flynn




    1205843

    Artf4. Arthur William Worden HMS Dartmouth (d.15th May 1917)

    <p>

    Artificer 4th Class (Engine Room) Arthur Worden served with the Royal Navy during WW1 and was killed in action on the 15th May 1917, aged 29. He was buried at sea and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth.

    S Flynn




    1205842

    Able Sea. William John Williams HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    William Williams served with the Royal Navy during WW1 and was killed in action on the 31st May 1916, aged 19. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth and was the son of John and Mary Williams, of Bureau Place, Wadebridge, Cornwall.

    S Flynn




    1205840

    CPO. Frederick Sercombe HMS Monmouth (d.1st Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Frederick Sercombe was killed in action on 1st November 1914, aged 51. He is Commemorated 1 on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth and was the son of William George Sercombe, of Bristol and husband of Annie Sercombe, of 3, Berries Mount, Bude, Cornwall.

    s flynn




    1205839

    Able Sea. Ernest William Leverton HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest Leverton served with the Royal Navy during WW1. He was killed in action on the 31st May 1916, aged 31 and is commemorated onthe Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth. He was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Leverton, of St. Austell, Cornwall; Husband of Jessie Beda Leverton, of The Grey House, Wadebridge, Cornwall.

    S Flynn




    1205838

    Able Sea. Thomas Pinch Lamerton HMS Monmouth (d.1st Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Thomas Lamerton served with the Royal Navy during WW1 and was killed in action on the 1st November 1914. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth.

    HMS Monmouth was sunk during the Battle of Coronel.

    S Flynn




    1205836

    Gnr. Francis John Eddolls SS Joshua Nicholson (d.18th March 1917)

    <p>

    Francis Eddolls was drowned by an Enemy Submarine 18th March 1917, aged 43. Commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth, he was the son of John and Amelia Eddolls, of Chippenham, Wilts; husband of Ida Maud Eddolls, of 45, Cromwell St., Burnley, Lancs.

    s flynn




    1205835

    Able Sea. Arthur Harry Dwyer HMS Indefatigable (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Arthur Dwyer served with the Royal Navy during WW1 and was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland on the 31st May 1916, aged 19. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth. He was the son of Jeremiah and Annie Dwyer, of 5, Chattan Place, Aberdeen. Native of Warsash, Southampton.

    S Flynn




    1205834

    Capt. Claude Patrick Julian "Pat" Hayes 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.9th Aug 1916)

    <p>Capt & Mrs Hayes at a Point to Point 1914

    Captain Claude Patrick Julian Hayes served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed on the 9th August 1916. He is buried in Bray Military Cemetery, Bray sur Somme, France.

    Colin Yarwood




    1205833

    L/Cpl. Sydney Leonard Beatson 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.13th May 1917)

    <p>

    Sydney Beatson served with the 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers during WW1 and died on the 13th May 1917. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. From thedivisional actions he was most probably killed during the Capture of Roeux - part of the Arras Offensive.





    1205828

    Pte. Jerome Cann HMS Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    <p>

    Private Jerome Cann served with the Royal Marines Light Infantry during WW1 and was killed in action on the 6th August 1914, aged 17. He is commemorated on on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth. He was the son of Stephen and Mary Cann, of Trevena, Tintagel, Cornwall.

    S Flynn




    1205827

    PO(Stoker) Frederick Richard Brook HMS Goliath. (d.13th May 1915)

    <p>

    Petty Officer (Stoker) Frederick Brook served with the Royal Navy during WW1 and was killed in action on the 13th May 1915, aged 26. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth. He was the son of Francis John and Emily Louisa Brook, of Egloshayle Rd., Wadebridge. Cornwall

    On the night of May 12-13, 1915, HMS Goliath was stationed in Morto Bay off Cape Helles, along with HMS Cornwallis and a screen of five destroyers. Around 1 am on May 13, the Turkish torpedo boat Muavenet, which was manned by a combined German and Turkish crew, eluded the destroyers HMS Beagle and HMS Bulldog and closed on the battleships. Muavenet fired three torpedoes which struck Goliath causing a massive explosion – the ship capsized almost immediately taking 570 of the 700-strong crew to the bottom.

    S Flynn




    1205825

    Stkr. Walter Edgcombe HMS Amphion (d.5th August 1914)

    My grandfather, Walter Edgcombe, joined the Army in 1907 and served until he bought out in 1911. Later in 1913 he returned to Saltash, Cornwall where his family lived,and promptly joined the Royal Navy. He did his traning at Devonport in HNS Vivid. He was sent to join HMS Amphionin early 1914 as a Stoker second class. He was lost with his shipmates early on the fifth of August 1914

    Ron Snowball




    1205824

    Lt. William Bernard Rhodes-Moorhouse VC. 2nd Sqd. (d.27th April 1915)

    <p>

    William Bernard Rhodes-Moorhouse died of wounds on the 27th of April 1915, aged 27. He is buried in the grounds of Parnham House, West of the house. He was the son of Edward Moorhouse, of Parnham House, Dorset and husband of Linda Rhodes-Moorhouse.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 22nd May, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on 26th April, 1915, in flying to Courtrai and dropping bombs on the railway line near that station. On starting the return journey he was mortally wounded, but succeeded in flying for 35 miles to his destination, at a very low altitude, and reported the successful accomplishment of his object. He has since died of his wounds."

    s flynn




    1205823

    Capt. William Leefe Robinson VC (d.31st Dec 1918)

    <p>

    Capt. William L. Robinson, died 31st December 1918 at age 23. His grave is in the South East part in Harrow Weald (All Saints) Churchyard Extension in Middlesex. He was the son of Horace and Elizabeth Robinson, of Kaima Betta Estate, South Coorg, Southern India. His brother Harold was also killed in Mesopotamia.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 5th September 1916, records: "For most conspicuous bravery. He attacked an enemy airship under circumstances of great difficulty and danger, and sent it crashing to the ground as a flaming wreck. He had been in the air for more than two hours, and had previously attacked another airship during his flight."

    S Flynn




    1205822

    Lt. Richard Douglas Sandford VC. HMS C3 (d.23rd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Lt. Richard D. Sandford died on 23rd November 1918, aged 27. He is buried in in Eston Cemetery in Yorkshire He was the son of Ethel R. Sandford, of 15 The Beacon, Exmouth, Devon, and the late Ven. E. G. Sandford, Archdeacon of Exeter.

    An extract from the fourth supplement to The London Gazette of 19th July, 1918, referring to the raid on Zeebrugge on 23rd April, records the following: "For most conspicuous gallantry. This officer was in command of Submarine C.3. and most skilfully placed that vessel in between the piles of the viaduct before lighting his fuse and abandoning her. He eagerly undertook this hazardous enterprise, although well aware (as were all his crew) that if the means of rescue failed and he or any of his crew were in the water at the moment of the explosion, they would be killed outright by the force of such explosion. Yet Lieutenant Sandford disdained to use the gyro steering, which would have enabled him and his crew to abandon the submarine at a safe distance, and preferred to make sure, as far as was humanly possible, of the accomplishment of his duty."

    S Flynn




    1205817

    Able Sea. Frederick Charles Hedges Volze HMS E30 (d.22nd Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Volze served in the Royal Navy during WW1 and as serving on board HMS E30 when it was mined off Orford Ness, Suffolk in the North Sea on the 22nd November 1916. There were no survivors, Frederick was aged 22. He is commemorated on Panel 16 in the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent and was the son of John and Ellen Volze, of Croydon, Surrey.

    S Flynn




    1205816

    Stkr1. Albert Thomas Lewis HMS Vanguard

    <p>

    Albert Lewis was killed in action 9th July 1917, aged 21. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent.

    s flynn




    1205815

    L.S. Frederick Wilhelm Bernard Gill HMS Queen Mary (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Frederick Gill was killed in action on the 31st of May 1916 during the Battle of Jutland, he was aged 25. The son of Frederick Massey Gill and Annie Beatrice Gill, of 131, Church St., Lower Edmonton, London. He was educated at Enfield Grammar School. For 7 years he worked for the North British and Mercantile Insurance Coy., London. He was present at Battle of Heligoland Bight in August 1914.

    s flynn




    1205813

    Capt. John Robert Bruce 2nd Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    Captain John R Bruce served in the Second Battalion, Gordon Highlanders during WW1.

    Sue Horn




    1205812

    Tel. Arthur Frederick Churchhouse HMS Stephen Furness (d.13th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Frederick Churchhouse was killed when his ship was torpedoed west of the Isle of Man on the 13th of December 1917, he was aged 19. Arthur is Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert E. Churchhouse, of 38, Walnut St., Leicester. His brother Thomas William James Churchhouse was also killed and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

    s flynn




    1205811

    Pte. John Thomas Brideoake HMS Vanguard (d.9th July 1917)

    <p>

    John Brideoake was killed in action on the 9th of July 1917, at sea, aged 20. He is Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent. He was the son of Robert H. and Rhoda Brideoake, of 21, Clive St., Burnley, Lancs.

    s flynn




    1205810

    Major. Francis John William Harvey VC. HMS Lion (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    Francis John William Harvey was killed in action on 31st of May 1916, aged 43. he is Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29751, dated 15th Sept., 1916, records the following:- "Whilst mortally wounded and almost the only survivor after the explosion of an enemy shell in "Q" gunhouse, with great presence of mind and devotion to duty ordered the magazine to be flooded, thereby saving the ship. He died shortly afterwards."

    s flynn




    1205809

    Flt.Sub.Lt. Reginald Alexander John Warneford VC (d.17th June 1915)

    <p>

    Reginald Warneford was accidentally killed on 17/06/1915, aged 23 and is buried in the Brompton Cemetery in London. He was the son of Mrs. M. P. Corkery (formerly Warneford), of Kerry House, Comeytrowe, Taunton, Somerset, and the late R. Warneford.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 11th June, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on the 7th June, 1915, when he attacked and, singlehanded, completely destroyed a Zeppelin in mid-air. This brilliant achievement was accomplished after chasing the Zeppelin from the coast of Flanders to Ghent, where he succeeded in dropping his bombs on to it from a height of only one or two hundred feet. One of these bombs caused a terrific explosion which set the Zeppelin on fire from end to end, but at the same time overturned his Aeroplane and stopped the engine. In spite of this he succeeded in landing safely in hostile country, and after 15 minutes started his engine and returned to his base without damage."

    s flynn




    1205808

    Dvr. John Thompson Gordon 72nd Div. HQ Royal Field Artillery (d.18th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    John Gordon died of Pneumonia on the 18th of November 1918, aged 24and is buried in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was the son of James Rae Gordon and Janet B. Gordon, of 109, High St., Kirkcudbright, Scotland

    s flynn




    1205807

    Gunner Harry Dunwell Royal Garrison Artillery (d.12th November 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Dunwell died on 12th November 1918 age 32and is buried in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He lived at 15 Walverden Road, Briercliffe and was the Husband of Annie Dunwell.

    s flynn




    1205806

    Pte. Richard Thomas Broxup Remounts Army Service Corps (d.3rd February 1919)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Richard Thomas Broxup died of dysentry 3rd February 1919, aged 37 and is buried in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Broxup; husband of Sarah Ann Macey (formerly Broxup), of 27, Blenheim St., Stoneyholme, Burnley.

    s flynn




    1205805

    Act/Sgt. John Bannister Army Service Corps (d.25th June 1917)

    <p>

    John Bannister died of Typhus 25th June 1917 in Egypt, age 39. He is buried in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetry. He was the son of John and Mary Ann Bannister, of 114, Accrington Rd., Burnley; husband of Alice Bannister. He had been Councillor for the Borough of Burnley.

    s flynn




    1205804

    BSM. Ernest George Horlock VC. General Base Depot, (E.E.F) Royal Field Artillery (d.30th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest George Horloc died on the 30th of December 1917 aged 32 years and is buried in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was the son of John and Emily Horlock, husband of Ethel M. Horlock, of 5, Fitzalan Rd., Littlehampton Sussex.

    An extract from The London Gazette dated 24th Nov 1914. (No 28985) records the following:- "For conspicuous gallantry on 15th Sept., near Vendresse, when his battery was in action under a heavy shell fire, in that although twice wounded, he persisted on each occasion in returning to lay his gun after his wound had been dressed"., when his battery was in action under a heavy shell fire, in that although twice wounded, he persisted on each occasion in returning to lay his gun after his wound had been dressed".

    s flynn




    1205803

    Capt. James Anson Otho Brooke VC. 2nd Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.29th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    James Brooke was killed in action on 29th of October 1914, aged 30 and isburied in the Zandvoorde British Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Sir Harry Vesey Brooke, K.B.E., and Lady Brooke, of Fairley, Countesswells, Aberdeenshire. Awarded the Sword of Honour at Sandhurst.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 16th Feb., 1915, records the following:- "For conspicuous bravery and great ability near Gheluvelt on the 29th October, in leading two attacks on the German trenches under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, regaining a lost trench at a very critical moment. He was killed on that day. By his marked coolness and promptitude on this occasion Lieutenant Brooke prevented the enemy from breaking through our line, at a time when a general counter-attack could not have been organised."

    s flynn




    1205802

    Pte. Sanford Lional Simpkins M.T. att. XXII. Corps Y Ammunition Park. Army Service Corps (d.3rd Jan 1918)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Sanford Simpkins was killed in action on 3rd of January 1918, aged 22. He is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Belgium, son of William and Alma Rose Simpkins, of 5, Worcester Terrace, Kensington, Bath.

    s flynn




    1205801

    L/Cpl. Clifford Garland 61st Div. Signal Coy Royal Engineers (d.28th Aug 1917)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Clifford Garland was accidentally killed on 28th of August 1917, aged 22. He is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Belgium. Son of Agnes E. Garland, of 34, Hampton Rd., Redland, Bristol, and the late Harry Garland.

    s flynn




    1205800

    Pte. Joseph Timms 12th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.7th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Timms was killed in action on the 7th of December 1915, aged 22 and is buried in the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Mrs. Catherine Timms, of 20, Gertrude St., Salford, Manchester.

    s flynn




    1205798

    Fus. Ernest John Powell 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>31st May 1915 Boys of Tent 7, High Beech Camp

    Fusilier Powell was my father. In 1953, he gave a short talk about his career to his Rotary Club (West Wickham, Kent). In this talk he referred to his Service in WW1, as follows: "I volunteered for the Army in 1914, but Head Office said we could not be released until sufficient women had been trained to replace us…. In September 1915 I volunteered at Ammanford, Carmarthenshire (being the nearest recruiting centre to Llandeilo where I was a Junior Clerk in the London and Provincial Bank). I was assigned to the 26th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Bankers) raised by Col. Pitt of the London and South Western Bank, and we were 80% Bank chaps. We went to France in May 1916, supposed to be tough infantry men, which I rather doubt. I transferred to the Tank Corps in France". The first photo shows Fusilier Powell as one of "The Boys of Tent No 7, High Beech, 1915". He is 2nd from right in back row, as you look at the photo.

    The second photo is the All Ranks photo, 26th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Bankers). Aldershot, 1915. Fusilier Powell is 2nd from the left in the fourth row of the photo. It was taken (presumably) before the Battalion embarked for France.

    The third photo is of the 1936 Reunion of the Banker’s Battalion. My father attended these Reunions in London – at least until the mid 1950’s (excluding years of World War 2). He was then Manager, Barclays Bank, West Wickham, Kent, a London suburb. These reunions were always preceded by a Church Service at the Royal Fusiliers Church in the City. The cost of the Reunions (always at the Connaught Rooms) were reportedly heavily subsidized, so my father said, by a Maj. Clutterbuck, a Board Director of Martin’s (or was it District?) Bank. My father is the nearest person at the nearest side of the 2nd table from the right (looking over left shoulder and in a lighter colored jacket - probably as befits a suburban Manager, compared with all the "City types"!).

    Graham Powell




    1205797

    Pte. John Carr 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>

    John Carr was killed in action on 9th of May 1915. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium.

    s flynn




    1205796

    Pte. William Horsfield 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    William Horsfield died of Dysentry on 4th November 1915, aged 25 and is buried in Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta. he was the son of Henry and Margaret Horsfield, of 84, Mitella St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    1205795

    Pte. Harry Grundy 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Grundy died of wounds on 19th August 1915, aged 21 and is buried in Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta. He lived at 6 Walnut Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    1205794

    Pte. John Bickle 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.9th June 1915)

    <p>

    John Bickle died on 9th June 1915, in Malta from wounds received at Gallipoli, aged 42. He is buried in Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta. He lived at 34 Caldervale Rd, Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    1205792

    Pte. Herbert Entwistle 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.10th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Entwistle died on 10th October 1915, aged 39 and is buried in Plot the Addolorata Cemetery in Malta. He was the son of John and Ann Entwistle; husband of Mary Ann Entwistle, of 7, Hyde St., Burnley

    s flynn




    1205791

    Pte. John Dobson 33rd Stationary Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    John Dobson died of Pneumonia on 3rd November 1918, aged 32. He is buried in Skopje British Cemetery in the Republic of Macedonia. He was the son of Edward and Alice Dobson, husband of Nellie Dobson, of 33, Colbran St., Burnley. Born at Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth.

    s flynn




    1205787

    Pte. Arthur Allen 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Arthur Allen died of Dysentry on the 9th August 1915, aged 29. He is buried in the Alexandria Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. He lived at 2 Hartley Street, Burnley, Lancashire

    s flynn




    1205786

    L/Cpl. Charles Burrell 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th June 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Burrell died of dysentery following wounds 8th June 1915, aged 32 and buried in the East Mudros Military Cemetery on the island of Limnos in Greece. He was the son of James & Susannah Burrell, of Burnley, husband of Florence of 4 Grosvenor Street, Stoneyholme, Burnley.

    s flynn




    1205785

    Dvr. Ernest Riley 66th Small Arms Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest Riley died of Malaria on 22nd September 1916, aged 23. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. He was the son of William and Susan Louisa Riley, of 311, Briercliffe Rd., Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    1205784

    Pte. Fred Brown 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Brown died on the 19th of September 1916, aged 21. He is buried in the Kalinova Military Cemetery in Greece.

    s flynn




    1205783

    Pte. John Ashworth 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    John Ashworth died on 19th September 1918, aged 20 and was buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. He was the son of Joseph and Margaret Ashworth, of 46, Cleaver St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    1205782

    Pte. Walter Cork 5th Btn. C Coy. Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Cork died on the 9th of October 1918, aged 28 and is buried in the Kirkdee New Cemetery in India. He was the son of John and Ellen Cork; husband of Laura Cork, of 18, Castle St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    1205781

    Pte. Harry Fleming 1st Btn South Lancashire Regiment (d.14th July 1919)

    <p>

    Harry Fleming died of Cholera on the 14th of July 1919 and was buried in Nowshera Military Cemetery. He is cCommemorated on the Delhi War Memorial (India Gate) in India.

    s flynn




    1205780

    Capt. Eustace Jotham VC 51st Sikhs (d.7th Jan 1915)

    <p>

    Eustace Jotham was killed in action on 07/01/1915, Aged 31 and is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (Indian Gate) in India. He was buried in Miranshar Cemetery, North Waziristan.). He was the son of Frederick Charles and Mary G. A. Jotham, of Millington Rd., Cambridge

    An extract from Supplement to the London Gazette, dated 23rd July, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on 7th January, 1915, at Spina Khaisora (Tochi Valley). During operations against the Khostwal tribesmen Capt. Jotham, who was commanding a party of about a dozen of the North Waziristan Militia, was attacked in a nullah and almost surrounded by an overwhelming force of some 1,500 tribesmen. He gave the order to retire and could have himself escaped, but most gallantly sacrificed his own life by attempting to effect the rescue of one of his men who had lost his horse."

    s flynn




    1205779

    Pte. Francis Harry Welch 2/4th Btn. Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry (d.31st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Francis Harry Welch died on 31st October 1918, aged 21 and is buried in the Delhi War Cemetery in India. He was the son of William Henry and Keturah Jane Welch of Stepps Advent Cornwall.

    An extract taken from the Cornish & Devon Post dated 30/11/1918: We produce above a portrait of Private F. H. Welch, D.C.L.I., second son of Mr & Mrs W. H. Welch of Advent, Camelford whose death in India from influenza at the age of 21 years we recorded last week. A bright and cheerful boy, he was beloved by all who new him. Private Welch enlisted in 1914 and had been in India nearly two years. An elder brother is in India and another is serving this country. The bereaved family called upon to mourn the loss of an excellent son have the sympathy of one and all.

    s flynn




    1205778

    Capt. Henry John Andrews VC MBE. Indian Medical Service (d.22nd Oct 1919)

    <p>

    Henry John Andrews was killed 22/10/1919, Age: 48 P he is buried in Bannu Cem. and remembered on The Delhi Memorial (India Gate).

    An extract from the Third Supplement to the London Gazette, dated 7th Sept., 1920, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 22nd October, 1919, when as Senior Medical Officer in charge of Khajuri Post (Waziristan) he heard that a convoy had been attacked in the vicinity of the post, and that men had been wounded. He at once took out an Aid Post to the scene of action and, approaching under heavy fire, established an Aid Post under conditions which afforded some protection to the wounded but not to himself. Subsequently he was compelled to move his Aid Post to another position, and continued most devotedly to attend to the wounded. Finally, when a Ford van was available to remove the wounded, he showed the utmost disregard of danger in collecting the wounded under fire and in placing them in the van, and was eventually killed whilst himself stepping into the van on the completion of his task."

    s flynn




    1205777

    Pte. Herbert Holden 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.18th April 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Holden was killed in action 18th April 1917, he is remembered on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    1205776

    Sgt. Fred Haworth 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.15th June 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Haworth drowned on the 15th of June 1916 aged 21, he is remembered on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    1205775

    Pte. Albert Hall 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th February 1916)

    <p>

    Albert Hall was killed in action on the 19th of February 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    1205774

    Pte. Harold Green 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.22nd Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Green was killed in action 22nd February 1917 age 21 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq. he was the son of Albert and M. Green, of 54, Hebrew Rd., Burnley.

    s flynn




    1205773

    Pte. Frederick George Frampton 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.5th April 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick George Frampton was killed in action on the 5th of April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial.

    s flynn




    1205772

    Pte. Guy Calvert 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.25th April 1916)

    <p>

    Guy Calvert was killed in action on the 25th of April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    1205771

    Pte. Joe Saxon Kings Liverpool Regiment

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather Joe Saxon wearing his Kings Liverpool Regiment uniform. I believe his family kept this photo on the wall of the dining room of their home whilst Joe was away. Joe was transferred to the Labour Corps and was in France where he served from 1917-1918 before returning home to his family in Cheshire.

    Susan Ferguson




    1205770

    L/Bdr. William Robert John Savill 3rd Bde. 18th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st Jun 1918)

    <p>

    William Savill served with 18th Battery, 3rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery during WW1. He died aged 22 on 21st June 1918, believed to have drowned with horses and is buried at Struma Military Cemetery, Salonika. William was the eldest son of William and Sarah Savill of Woodford Green.

    Edith Morley




    1205769

    Rfmn. James Polston 18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    James Polston, eldest son of James and Elizabeth Polston of Bethnal Green, was killed in action on 8th December 1916, aged 31. He is commemorated at Railway Dugouts Burial Ground.

    Edith Morley




    1205768

    Pte. William Wallis 5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Billy Wallis was born in Scunthorpe on the 1st February 1897 to Walter & Kate Wallis. He died aged 18 on the 13th October 1915. He died during the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt.

    Allan Borrill




    1205766

    Pte. Robert Cleverton 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    This is a copy of the contents of the diary written by Robert Cleverton written between 1 April 1918 and 21 July 1918. It covers Robert’s second tour in the Trenches of Western France and Belgium, where he saw active service at Ypres and near Reims. Robert’s first active tour was fighting on the Somme where he received shrapnel wounds and contracted Trench Fever before being evacuated to the UK for convalescence in November 1917.

    Robert was born on 1 April 1898. He enlisted in the KOYLI on 16 March 1915 at the age of 16, two weeks before his 17th birthday, but falsified his year of birth as 1897 to make him nearly 18. He was demobilised from the Army on 14 March 1919. He joined the RAF on 14 August 1919. His service record again gives his birth year as 1897. He served in the RAF for less than a year and was released as “no longer physically fit for War Service” on 30 July 1920. After his service careers Robert married twice, had 7 children in his first marriage and 4 in his second. He lived mainly in Weymouth, Dorset, where he worked as a Master Butcher. During the Second World War he served as a sergeant in the Home Guard. He died on 1 May 1969.

    The diary itself is actually a small pocket “Agenda Française” (French Diary). In the front of the diary it states that it originally belonged to Paul Moingeon from Gigny near Beaune. It is not known how it came to be in Robert’s possession or if there is any connection between this and the entries from 31 May 1918. The only entries in the diary are those made by Robert between 1 April 1918 and 21 July 1918. The original diary is held by the children of Robert’s second marriage.

    • 1 April 1918 Left Folkestone for France for the second time and landed in Boulogne. Left Boulogne for base at Etaples. Own Birthday 20 years old today.
    • 2 April 1918 Etaples nothing doing
    • 3 April 1918 Etaples
    • 4 April 1918 Left Etaples for the 9th Battalion KOYLI. Got off train at a place called Caëstre and marched to Reinforcement Camp at Steenvoorde.
    • 5 April 1918 Still at Reinforcement Camp at Steenvoorde.
    • 6 April 1918 Left the Reinforcement Camp for Locre (Loker) and found the 9th KOYLI there.
    • 7 April 1918 Left Loker and went in Reserve to the 49th Division at Ypres. We were in the Ritz Dugouts and expected Fritz attacking any moment.
    • 8 April 1918 Still in Ritz Dugouts. Heavy Bombardment by German Artillery.
    • 9 April 1918 Same as previous page.
    • 10 April 1918 Left Ritz Dugouts for Maida Camp 2 km from Ypres.
    • 11 April 1918 Left Maida Camp for front line trenches at Kemmel Hill. Heavy shelling all the way up. Relieved D.L.I. (Durham Light Infantry).
    • 12 April 1918 Front Line trench. L/Cpl Tolson killed by sniper after killing 4 Germans. German Pillbox 50 yds away. Machine Gun inside.
    • 13 April 1918 Front Line all quiet.
    • 14 April 1918 Front Line all quiet.
    • 15 April 1918 Front Line. Heavy shelling both sides at stand-to.
    • 16 April 1918 Front Line. Trench mortar bombardment by Fritz. 2 killed 6 wounded quite close to me. 1st letter from Mother.
    • 17 April 1918 Front Line all quiet. Heavy shelling in the rear of us by Fritz.
    • 18 April 1918 Front Line all quiet.
    • 19 April 1918 Front Line all quiet. Wiring most of the night.
    • 20 April 1918 Front Line 2 killed close to me.
    • 21 April 1918 Front Line all quiet.
    • 22 April 1918 Front Line all quiet. Patrol 2 hrs tonight.
    • 23 April 1918 Front Line all quiet.
    • 24 April 1918 Front Line all quiet. Wiring most of the night.
    • 25 April 1918 Relieved at 10pm by 1st East Yorks and marched about 6 km to Jager Camp. Heavy shelling of camp during the night several wounded and killed. Fritz also sent Gas over for 4 hours.
    • 26 April 1918 Left camp for Front Line as Germans had broke through our line and Fritz advancing in hundreds but we stopped him by rifle and machine gun fire. Next morning we made a counter attack.
    • 27 April 1918 Page missing
    • 28 April 1918 Page missing
    • 29 April 1918 Division relieved from Ypres Front. Marched to Cassel and stopped 1 night in open field.
    • 30 April 1918 Left Cassel for Lederzeele 19km, 10 miles. Arrived Lederzeele 5pm.
    • 1 May 1918 Reorganisation of companies and platoons.
    • 2 May 1918 Still at Lederzeele. Received letter from Mother.
    • 3 May 1918 Still at Lederzeele.
    • 4 May 1918 Still at Lederzeele.
    • 5 May 1918 Still at Lederzeele.
    • 6 May 1918 Still at Lederzeele.
    • 7 May 1918 Still at Lederzeele.
    • 8 May 1918 Left Lederzeele for Saint Omer by road. Entrained at Saint Omer for unknown destination.
    • 9 May 1918 Train all day.
    • 10 May 1918 Train all day.
    • 11 May 1918 Arrived at some station and marched to Romigny. 25 km from Reims.
    • 12 May 1918 Left Romigny for Jonchery. Arrived Jonchery. Left Jonchery for support line trenches. Relieved the French at Berry-au-Bac between Reims and Soissons.
    • 13 May 1918 All quiet in support not 1 shell.
    • 14 May 1918 Lotties birthday. Support Line not 1 shell
    • 15 May 1918 All quiet support line.
    • 16 May 1918 All quiet support line. Received letter from Mother.
    • 17 May 1918 All quiet support line. Received letter from the old man Mr R Cleverton and cigarettes also letter from Mrs Rixon.
    • 18 May 1918 Support Line quiet. Received letter from Ethel.
    • 19 May 1918 Support Line quiet. Received letter from Lottie and one from home to say parcel is coming.
    • 20 May 1918 Support all quiet. No parcel.
    • 21 May 1918 Relieved by East Yorks and went to Front Line and relieved the D.L.I. all quiet front line. No parcel.
    • 22 May 1918 Front Line all quiet. No parcel.
    • 23 May 1918 Front Line all quiet. No parcel.
    • 24 May 1918 Front Line all quiet. Letter from Evelyn and photos of Mary but no parcel. Parcel must have got lost.
    • 25 May 1918 Front Line all quiet.
    • 26 May 1918 Front Line slight shelling in the afternoon. Heavy shelling by Fritz about 12 midnight still continuing.
    • 27 May 1918 Front Line 4 a.m. Barrage of shells also Gas by Fritz. Hundreds of Germans following barrage. Our Lewis Guns playing hell with them. Piece of shrapnel in the face and gassed.
    • 28 May 1918 L/Cpl Brown a pal of mine killed. Lt Greenshields hand blown off. Arrived at Field Ambulance. Germans still advancing as they broke through on the left and got round us and we had to retire.
    • 29 May 1918 Arrived 37 C.C.S. and were told to get out of it as quick as possible and Fritz was close on. All walking cases went to Ville-en-Tardenois 10 km away and the Germans hold that now. 300 stretcher cases left. Fritz may have got them!
    • 30 May 1918 Entrained for unknown hospital. Fritz bombing railway by aeroplane. French, English and Americans all mixed up on this Red Cross train.
    • 31 May 1918 Arrive at Buanne and put in a French Hospital only 2 meals a day here mostly French in the hospital. (There is no place called Buanne in France and Robert spells it differently in following diary entries. For consideration this could be Beaune in Burgundy. The Americans completed the building of a military hospital there in January 1918. The town has a similar name to Robert’s entries. It contains some beautiful buildings and there is a “mountain” near by. All of which Robert refers to in the following entries). Buanne a very nice place something like Oxford and most students speak good English.
    • 1 June 1918 I am still at the French hospital at Buanne expecting move tomorrow to Rouen. No church parade since I left Rugeley.
    • 2 June 1918 I went for a walk this afternoon (Sunday) and the country around here is the prettiest I have ever seen and I am writing this at the foot of some French Mountain. This place would just suit Mother but I think I would sooner be in England even if I had to live in Narrow Marsh.
    • 3 June 1918 Still at Buenne and this afternoon we went for a walk round and found a place where cherries were growing wild. We picked about 14lb. Should like to send some to Mother but of course that’s impossible.
    • 4 June 1918 Left Buene today at 12 noon. Arrived in Paris at 3 a.m. the next morning.
    • 5 June 1918 We were given a good feed at the Red Cross at Gare du Nord and then had a look round Paris. Left Paris at 11 a.m. for Rouen. Arrived Rouen at 5 p.m. and went to 10th General Hospital.
    • 6 June 1918 Left 10th General Hospital for Convalescent Camp and promised a staff job there. Shall know for certain in the morning.
    • 7 June 1918 Have been before the doctor and marked for employment as Bugler in the camp. Got paid 20 Francs today. Wrote to Ma, Evelyn, Lottie, Ethel, Mary, Mrs Rixon but they will not get away until tomorrow Saturday.
    • 8 June 1918 Still at Convalescent Camp.
    • 9 June 1918 Still at Convalescent Camp feeling pretty bad.
    • 10 June 1918 Sent back to hospital No. 6 General.
    • 11 June 1918 17 Ward 6 Gen feeling bad.
    • 12 June 1918 Marked for Blighty.
    • 13 June 1918 Left No. 6 General for England. Left Le Havre for England 10 p.m. on the HMHS Grantully Castle.
    • 14 June 1918 Arrived Southampton 10 A.M. and left there on Ambulance Train for Whalley Lancashire.
    • 15 June 1918 R1 Ward Queen Mary’s Hospital Whalley Lancashire.
    • 16 June 1918 Whalley.
    • 17 June 1918 Whalley
    • 18 June 1918 Whalley.
    • 19 June 1918 Whalley.
    • 20 June 1918 Whalley.
    • 21 June 1918 Whalley.
    • 22 June 1918 Whalley.
    • 23 June 1918 Transferred to Pike Law Military Hospital Rawtenstall Lancs.
    • 24 June 1918 Pike Law.
    • 25 June 1918 Pike Law.
    • 26 June 1918 Pike Law.
    • 27 June 1918 Pike Law.
    • 28 June 1918 Pike Law.
    • 29 June 1918 Pike Law. Went to Manchester with Ethel.
    • 30 June 1918 Pike Law.
    • 1 -21 July 1918 Pike Law.

    Joanna Malley




    1205765

    Pte. Hatchett W Frank 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.28th Aug 1914)

    <p>

    Frank Hatchett enlisted in the Queens Regiment in July 1908 and then enlisted in April 1910 as 8878 Private Edward Locke in the 1st Battalion the Lincolnshire Regiment under which name he served during WW1. He died on the 28th August 1914 and is buried in St Quentin Northern Community Cemetery.

    Mrs T Ford




    1205764

    Sgt. Arthur Heanes Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    My great uncle, Sgt Arthur Heanes, ex Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry, is the goal keeper in this MGC Football team - location unknown - only clue, is the picture was produced in Grantham.

    Clive Hardy




    1205762

    Pte. John "Baity" Wilson 11 Btn. C Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    John Wilson (Baity) was an ex minor from the Adventure pit, who joined the Army in 1914, 11th Batt; DLI 3-10828, was killed at the Battle of the Somme on 2nd September 1916. His name appears on the war memorial in West Rainton and also on a brass plaque in the porch of St Michael’s RC church in Houghton-le-Spring along with other fallen lads. John was a also Hawker, (selling fish from a horse and cart) but all the brothers did this for their mum at one time or another. He was also a collier and worked at the Adventure pit West Rainton. He was nicknamed Baity for the amount of sandwiches - bait - he took to work down the pit.

    John joined the 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry after war was declared. In 1915 the battalion spent time in the front line in France, following which John was allowed home leave. When the time came to go back to France, he caught the correct train from Durham station but, unfortunately, the engine broke down somewhere and he had to be found a place on another train. This delay caused him to miss his ship back to France and his connections there. By the time he returned two days late, the battalion had gone back into the front line. He was brought before an officer, who told him he could be tried for desertion from the front, punishable by death or accept field punishment number one there and then without representation. He chose this punishment, which involved him doing hard labour and being tied to the wheel of a field gun for up to two hours a day – but for how many days I do not know.

    John was killed on 2nd September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. I recall being told that my Great Gran was devastated at the news of his death and she always wanted to know what had happened to him since his body was never found after a trench burial. When she went shopping in Sunderland she would ask ex-DLI soldiers if they had met him and how he died. One day, by chance, someone said “yes, I was there; he was shot in the stomach, and died slowly without any medical help, and was crying for his mother when he died”. Although this caused her distress at least it gave some closure. John Wilson’s name is on the monument at Thiepval, on the war memorial in West Rainton and also on a brass plaque in the porch of St Michael’s RC church in Houghton-le-Spring along with other fallen lads.

    There are some inaccuracies in his service record: John was most certainly Not, C of E, His mum would have had a fit to hear this. She was strong Catholic, as were All of her children. But if you put down Catholic when you were enlisted,you were meant to attend services every Sunday. If you were not strong catholic, you put down C of E and then life was easier. He was most certainly late from leave as they say, but they miss the most important bit. His train was delayed when on leave from the front, and he arrived back 3 days late, no fault of his. But the regiment had gone back to the front line. He was given the choice of a court marshal,and firing squad, or accept field punishment No 1 tied cruciform to a field gun wheel for three days. This he accepted. From this he developed pneumonia, was sent to hospital, for a few days, and returned to the front line. From someone with him, we were told he was shot in the stomach, and died after 3 days without any medical help. What can you say.

    John Harvey




    1205760

    William Henry Shaw DCM. 12th Btn. Kings Royal Rifles Corps (d.1st Feb 1920)

    Pte William Henry Shaw R/1286 Kings Royal Rifles was my great grandfather. He was awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has frequently shown great gallantry under fire particularly in rescuing a wounded comrade under shell fire. He sent my Grandfather this Christmas card and he treasured this all his life. We know very little about him as my Grandfather was only 8 years old when his father died from war injuries. Even though I never met him, I am very proud and will always remember the sacrifice he made for us.

    S. Eddows




    1205759

    CSM. William Young DCM, MofH. 1st Btn. Essex Regiment

    <p>

    William Young joined 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment in 1902. He held the DCM and French Medal of Honour, Silver with crossed swords, being awarded for his actions in France, "from 21st August to 4th November, 1918, when the battalion was almost continuously in action under heavy shell fire. His example and leadership had a very beneficent effect on the non-commissioned officers of the battalion."

    He retired after 18 years service in 1920 at the rank of RSM, re-enlisting to serve in WWII, he was involved in the Munich campaign of 1941 and may, and it is only a suggestion, may have been involved in the formation/training of the SAS (research ongoing). Apart from a newspaper obituary article and a family photograph of him in his uniform, little else is known at this time. We are still researching.

    Patricia Stuart




    1205749

    Sub.Lt. Edwin L.A. Dyett 5th Nelson Btn. 63rd Royal Naval Division (d.5th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Edwin Dyett was executed for desertion in the face of the enemy on 5th January 1917 and is buried in Le Crotoy Communal Cemetery, Somme, France.

    Perhaps presuming upon the traditional leniency extended to the better classes, Dyett had little inkling of his fate during the weeks after his arrest. He’d been collared during the aforementioned Somme campaign for “deserting” for two days when he’d taken umbrage at being directed to the front by an inferior officer and instead returned to headquarters for orders. As late as Christmas Eve, he was still keeping his parents in the dark, certain that the misunderstanding was not enough to even “cause a sitting.” That sitting, however, occurred forthwith on Boxing Day, with only a half-hour for the defense to prepare. That defense was less than robust, and the court clearly disinclined to a sympathetic reading of the circumstances.

    Dyett had only just turned 21, but clemency appeals around youth and the confusion of the situation would cut no ice. “If a private behaved as he did,” wrote the officer charged to review it, “it is highly likely he would be shot.” Lt. Dyett had only a single evening from hearing the bad news to prepare himself for what must have seemed to him a shocking turn of events. This time, he posted a different sort of missive to the home front.

    Dearest Mother Mine, I hope by now you will have had the news. Dearest, I am leaving you now because He has willed it. My sorrow tonight is for the trouble I have caused you and dad. Please excuse any mistakes, but if it were not for the kind support of the Rev. W.C. — who is with me tonight, I should not be able to write myself. I should like you to write to him, as he has been my friend. I am leaving all my effects to you, dearest; will you give a little — half the sum you have of mine? Give dear Dad my love and wish him luck. I feel for you so much and I am sorry for bringing dishonour upon you all. Give — my love. She will, I expect, understand – and give her back the presents, photos, cards, etc., she has sent me, poor girl. So now dearest Mother, I must close. May God bless and protect you all now and for evermore. Amen.

    Dad didn’t take it with the stiff upper lip; after a futile campaign to clear the boy, he renounced his citizenship and emigrated to America.

    s flynn




    1205748

    Pte. Samuel Jobling DCM. att. 58th Field Ambulance Royal Army Service Corps

    <p>

    Samuel Jobling DCM served with the RASC (MT) attached to 58th Field Ambulance during WW1 and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal whilst serving with the 19th Division. He was a Motor Ambulance Driver with 3 blue chevrons and noted with one wound stripe. He had enlisted at Burnley on 17th July 1915. He was discharged as being no longer fit for military service on the 18th December 1918. Born in 1892, he was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

    The citation for the D.C.M. published in the London Gazette reads: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. For six days he drove his ambulance between the regimental aid posts and advanced dressing stations under heavy shell fire with almost no rest. On one occasion he made fourteen consecutive trips on a road under heavy fire. He undoubtedly saved many lives, and only ceased work when he himself was badly wounded.

    Nick Jobling




    1205747

    Pte. David Boswell 10th Btn. Kings Royal Rifles Corps (d.29th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    David Boswell served with B Company, 10th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps during WW1 and died on the 29th February 1916, aged 21. He is buried in La Belle Alliance Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Thomas and Sarah Boswell, of 75, Sharp St., Warrington.

    Steve




    1205744

    Lt. James Ganly Marks 1/5th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Lieutenant James Ganly Marks of the 1/5th Seaforth Highlanders was killed in action on the 23rd of March 1918. The photo is of James Marks standing in front of his home in Belfast Ireland. His father was a linen merchant and had the same name as his son. The second photo is a photo of his grave cross photographed during the war.

    Dave Donatelli




    1205742

    Pte. David Ephraim "Dicky" King 1/1st. Sussex Yeomanry

    I recently found a canteen of knives in a chest that belonged to my grandmother. My grandfather, David Ephraim King, was in the Sussex Yeomanry although I have no information about his service. My grandfather married my grandmother, Bessie Eliza Hatcher, on 5th August 1916. I believe the canteen of knives was a wedding present from the Sussex Yeomanry. Inside the canteen, tucked under the knives, was a list of names, members of the Sussex Yeomanry. I thought you might find this story and the names interesting. The following are my own notes;

    A canteen of knives was found in a chest belonging to my grandmother, Bessie Eliza King nee Hatcher. An inscription on the front of the canteen of knives reads as follows; To “Dicky” King from the Expeditionary Boys 1/1 Sussex Yeomanry 5-8-16 My grandparents, David Ephraim King and Bessie Eliza Hatcher, married on the 5th August 1916. On their marriage certificate my grandfathers occupation is Pte. Sussex Yeomanry, address Crowborough Camp. I believe the canteen of knives was wedding present to my grandparents from the Sussex Yeomanry. Inside the canteen, tucked underneath the knives, was a typed list of names. The paper is very fragile and discoloured but I have done my best to transcribe what was typed:

    With Best Wishes and Heartiest Congratulations from:

    • Sergt. Spratling
    • Sergt. Johnson
    • Sergt. Bodle
    • Sergt. Cooper
    • Sergt. French
    • Sergt. Percy
    • Sergt. Whittacker
    • Cpl. Grainger
    • Cpl. Aylwin
    • Cpl. Rawdin
    • Cpl. Smith
    • Cpl. Whicher
    • 1/Cpl. Ayling
    • 1/Cpl. Baines
    • 1/Cpl. Bennett
    • 1/Cpl. Christian
    • 1/Cpl. Edmead
    • 1/Cpl. Gammon
    • 1/Cpl. Horne
    • 1/Cpl. Miller
    • 1/Cpl. Packham
    • 1/Cpl. Rapley
    • 1/Cpl. Whiting
    • Pte. Adams
    • Pte. Arnold
    • Pte. Austen
    • Pte. Blackiston
    • Pte. Briant
    • Pte. Bristowe
    • Pte. Cheshire
    • Pte. Chevis
    • Pte. Cook
    • Pte. Cross
    • Pte. Daniels
    • Pte. Dawes
    • Pte. Dyer
    • Pte. Eaton
    • Pte. Fellows
    • Pte. Goatcher
    • Pte. Goodsell
    • Pte. Grace
    • Pte. Griffin
    • Pte. Goble
    • Pte. Gie?bs
    • Pte. ?Godfrey
    • Pte. Halliwell
    • L/C King E. C.
    • Pte. Jerome
    • Pte. Jennings
    • Pte. Lofts
    • Pte. Mantle
    • Pte. Martin
    • Pte. Mitchell
    • Pte. Mooring
    • Pte. Parsons
    • Pte. Pont
    • Pte. Puttick
    • Pte. Radford
    • Pte. Ruff G.
    • Pte. Ruff S.
    • Pte. Schooley
    • Pte. Smith
    • Pte. Tanner
    • Pte. ?Windall
    • Pte. ?Terson
    • Pte. Wallis
    • Pte. Whitbourne
    • Pte. Roberts
    • Pte. Virco
    • Pte. Virgoe
    Croworough 8/1916

    I would be very interested to learn more about my grandfathers time in the Sussex Yeomanry and those men he served with.

    Janet Bull




    1205735

    Pte. Richard Snape 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.7th June 1917)

    Richard Snape was born in December 1896. He was only 20 yrs old when he died. He was a first cousin to my late father, John Richard Lawrence (born in 1920). Richard was an only son of Richard and Harriet Snape. Richard's father and my father's mother, Minnie Snape (maiden name), were brother and sister. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, Richard served in B Coy., 26th Bttn, Royal Fusiliers. He was killed 7th June 1917, aged 20. He is buried at Voormezeele Enclosure No.3 (South of Ypres) in Belgium. This location is a mile or so to the West of St. Eloi. In the early 1920s several of Richard's relatives visited his grave on a four day tour organised by Thomas Cook (I think), the travel agents.

    Mark Lawrence




    1205734

    Nurse. Amy Louisa Goodman Bristol

    My Grandmother, Amy Goodman was a was a volunteer auxiliary nurse who met my Grandfather William Thompson of the 3rd (King's Own) Hussars when he was hospitalized in Bristol. I am trying to find out when and in which hospital she worked.

    David Marshall




    1205732

    Cpl. William Charles Mills 1/6th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    William Charles Mills is commemorated on the Menin Gate memorial on panel 54. He was the husband of Florence Elizabeth Mills.

    Edward Morley




    1205730

    Dvr. William Henry Church DCM. 122nd Trench Mortar Battery Royal Artillery

    I have a letter from Brigade Major Archer sent to my grandfather William informing him that he had won the DCM in "recognition of your gallantry in bringing up ammunition under the heavy shelling & in spite of great casualties to men & horses shortly before the first battle". The letter offers heartiest congratulations from all the "Battery Officers" Other men mentioned in the letter and their awards are:
    • Major Archer: Military Cross
    • Lieut Harris: Military Cross
    • Lieut Cashmore: Military Cross
    • Corporal Dean: Military Medal
    • A J Thomas: Military Medal
    • Signaller Edwards: Military Medal
    • Certificates of Merit to 12 unnamed NCO's & men
    The letter is headed B.E.F. 23rd of September 1917 and signed off by what appears to be Major Archer (the signature is difficult to read), O/C B/122 Bde, RFA which I take to mean B Battery 122 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. The letter apologises for being late because the unit was involved in "offensive operations".

    Vivian Church




    1205728

    2nd Lt. James Chester Badgley 6th Btn. att. 58th Trench Mortar Bty. Wiltshire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    James Badgley was, I think, the name of the father of my Godmother. I have his details from the CWGC which state "6th Bn. Wiltshire Regt. attd. 58th Trench Mortar Bty." together with family details. He enlisted in the Canadian Contingent at Quebec in 1914. I have a photograph which again I think is him but only because we found it in her personal effects after her death.

    Ross Donaldson




    1205727

    Pte. Alfred Skelhorn 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Alfred was my grandfather, he died aged 96 in 1988. During the Great War he spent two periods in hospital, once with trench fever, constipation, indigestion and loss of teeth, probably as a result of the poor conditions and rations. He had been around Ypres for six months prior to this and had gone from a fit 24 yr old, to spending nearly 70 days in hospital. His medical record on discharge states, 'can walk fairly well'. He was very badly wounded on the 1st of August 1917, with a gunshot wound to right foot, leading to amputation of one toe, and a shrapnel ball in chest with damage to a shoulder blade, fractured rib (which was removed). The shrapnel ball was too close to his heart to be removed,it stayed in him the rest of his life, it moved with every pulse! I have his chest X-ray, he was assessed as 30 % disabled. Alfred gave up smoking in his 70's, my hero!

    Peter Latham




    1205725

    L/Cpl. Thomas William Highams 10th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.21st Sep 1917)

    Tom was my uncle and as far as I can gather was first posted to France in May 1916. He was allowed leave from the front to attend the funeral of his young wife who had died of T.B in February 1917. He returned to the front only to be killed in action during the Battle of the Menin Road in September. He is commemorated on the memorial wall at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    Tom Highams




    1205724

    Pte. William Arthur Young 9th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th Oct 1917)

    William was born 1883 in Bulwell, Nottingham, he enlisted in Doncaster though we don't know yet why, perhaps being a miner he had moved there to work. We have a copy of his medal index card is still intact and at present we are waiting to find out relevant details of his last days via the Lancashire Fusiliers War Diaries.

    William was killed at Paschendale and is remembered at Tyne Cott, RIP.

    Ray Young




    1205723

    Mjr. Philip Henry Pilditch 235th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Philip Pilditch was my great uncle. He was one of the few who served from earliest days to the end and spent the majority of it in action. He changed batterys in the early days moving from 18th to 19th and 20th, and then spent time as a Artillery Brigade Adjutant. He then worked as a Captain and part time OC of C Batterym 235 Arty Bde. He wrote a diary throughout the war and had a few copies printed and bound later on. I have one of the copies. He was also a contributor to the 47th Divisional History

    Philip was training to be an architect before the war (his father, my great-grandfather), had a very successful London practice at that time. As a result, he was asked to carry out a number of construction tasks for the brigade and also divisional artillery and kept notes of these as well as sketches some of which he included in the diary. examples included new gun-pit designs, emergency evacuation roads, dug-outs etc.

    His diary is full of interesting comments and extraordinarily detailed accounts of daily life, most of which was spent either just behind the lines with the batteries, or in the lines as an OP.

    Almost his final comment in the diary is his assessment, made after Armistice, that the three things he would be most pleased to get away from were the mud, the German shelling and the Staff !

    Murray Philip Hammick




    1205722

    Pte. Thomas Chadwick 8th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment Regiment (d.27th Aug 1917)

    Thomas Chadwick was born in the March quarter of 1892 in Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, the son of Reuben and Bridget, brother to John, Adam, George Robert and Charles Henry.

    In 1901 at the age of 8 he was living at 8 Chapel Street, Mossley with his parents and in 1911 aged 19 he was a cotton piecer living on Chapel Street, Mossley with his parents. In 1913 a Thomas Chadwick married a Amy Hall, this may have been him.

    Thomas was killed in action on the 27th of August 1917 and is commemorated on Panel 82 to 85 and 162A of the Tyne Cot Memorial. On Saturday 9th October 1920 the Mossley War Memorial was officially unveiled. Present at the ceremony the Mayor said “We are met here today to honour the brave and noble men who kept the enemy from our shores in the greatest war the world has ever known”. The "Last Post" was sounded, followed by a solemn silence, a hymn was sung, and then over 70 tributes were laid. The vicar gave a blessing and the National Anthem was sung. A wreath was laid in the memory of Thomas Chadwick. There are no names on this Memorial, but Thomas Chadwick is listed on the wooden Mossley War Memorial inside St George's Church, Mossley.

    Rita Vaughan




    1205721

    Rfm. David Watson 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My grandfather, David Watson, told me he was a stretcher bearer and that he remembers seeing a hill in flames and because he came from farming background he said he walked through "acres and acres of wounded". He had already fought at the Somme, in 1917 he was 33yrs old, he went on to live to the ripe old age of 99.

    Austin Cheevers




    1205720

    Pte. William Allan Irwin DCM. C Company 33rd Btn. (d.1st Sep 1918)

    William Allan Irwin DCM was an Aboriginal soldier in the 33rd Battalion, C Company from Moree NSW. He is the only Aboriginal serviceman to receive mention in CEW Bean's History of the Great War.

    William was born as William Irwin Allen at Coonabarabran NSW in 1878. He gave his occupation as shearer and stated that he was single and living at Moree, when he enlisted at Narrabri, NSW on 3.1.1916.

    He embarked on the "Marathon" for England on 4.5.1916 and was wounded at Messines on 16.6.1917. He was also wounded at Villers-Bretonneux on 6.4.1918 and again during the assault at Road Wood, Mont St Quentin & Hindenburg line on 31.8.1918 as a result of which he died of wounds on 1.9.1918. William is buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. His grave Reference is VIII. B. 32. and I would love a photo of his grave, if anyone where to visit the cemetery.

    William was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) on 27.10.1918.

    He had already been wounded on two previous occasions before an engagement at Road Wood on 31st August 1918 in which he was mortally wounded and died on the following day. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal - his citation reads as follows:

    No. 792, Private William Allan Irwin - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations at Road Wood on August 31st 1918. Single-handed, and in the face of extremely heavy fire, Private Irwin rushed Three separate Machine-gun posts and captured the three guns and crews. It was while on the point of rushing a Fourth Machine-gun that he was severely wounded. On his irresistible dash and magnificent gallantry, this man materially assisted our advance through this strongly held and defended Wood, and by his daring actions he greatly inspired the whole of his Company."

    Two of his 4 medals were presented by the Australian War Dept to his brother (my late wife's Great Grandfather), in the late 1920's - early 1930's the medals were borrowed by an official of the Walhallow Aboriginal Reserve and never returned.

    Adrian Altona




    1205717

    Pte. James William Zimmer 1/7th Btn. London Regiment

    My great grandfather James William Zimmer was with the 7th London Regiment, he ended up in the Labour Corps in 1919, disabled with bronchitis which I have read can be brought on by mustard gas. He was also attached to the 4th battalion Essex Regiment. I am trying to find more information on him.

    Danny Zimmer




    1205714

    Rfm. Ernest Binns 1/7th Btn. B Coy West Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th Aug 1915)

    I have recently returned from a trip to the Ypres salient. Whilst I was there I photographed a number of West Yorks Regiment gravestones. I visited the grave of Ernest Binns in particular (at New Irish Farm cemetery) as he was killed next to my wife's grandfather whilst rescuing other members of the regiment, (they were both stretcher bearers I believe but this may not have been the case). My wife's Grandfather Leonard Waters won the DCM for this and other actions.

    Lance Keeley




    1205713

    Leonard Walters DCM. 1/7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    My wife's Grandfather Leonard Waters won the DCM for his actions as a stretcher barer near Irish Farm in the Ypres Salient.

    Lance Keeley




    1205712

    A/Capt. George Noel Bisatt 6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    My great uncle George Bisatt, from Fishlake in Yorkshire was a railway clerk living in Sheffield when war broke out. He joined the 12th Yorks and Lancaster Regiment, The Sheffield Pals and served on The Somme. He was commissioned into the 6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, in June 1917 and saw action in the Third Battle of Ypres. He was the battalion Adjutant in 1918. Does anyone have any information or a photo of of him?

    At the end of the war he led the party who returned to Bradford to collect the colours, does anyone have a clear copy of the photo of the handing over ceremony, as printed in the History of the 6th Battalion?

    Angela




    1205711

    Rfm. George Scott 8h Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    <p>George Scott

    George Scott was my great great uncle who died in 1917, all I had was that brass plaque and a pic, I found his details on the Commonwealth war graves site, he is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery, he was 31 when he died.

    Peter Scott




    1205697

    Pte. Thomas Rudge 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    This photo is the only one my family have of my Great uncle Thomas Rudge and his fellow soldiers, sadly we do not know which one is Thomas.

    Thomas was killed at the battle of Loos and died aged just 21.

    Jan




    1205696

    Pte. William Headland 23rd (Service) Battalion (First Sportsman) City of London Regiment

    William Headland joined the 23rd (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (First Sportsman), City of London Regiment on 6th October 1914 and came out 27th June 1916 Paragraph 392 XV1 as "Sickness" but never found out what List E/724 meant? Does anyone know. I know it came under "no longer physically fit for Service" thats all.

    He also served in the ARP during the Second World War.

    Jane Webber




    1205682

    Pte. A. Brookes 3rd Salvage Coy.

    Pte Brooks was wounded by shrapnel whilst working at Ploegsteert on the 10th of June 1917.





    1205640

    Spr. Harry Sphynda 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.

    Harry Sphynda was killed by a sniper whilst working at 15 Sap in the front line at St Eloi.





    1205639

    C. H. Hawes 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.

    The unit war diary records that C.H.Hawes was wounded at St Eloi by a Machine Gun bullet in his leg, whilst going to the trenches.





    1205635

    Sjt. A Gillis 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy. (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    Sjt. Gillis was killed in the front line on the 23rd April 1917 at Voormozeele Lock Hospital by a "fish tailing" trench mortar, which badly injured his spine. He was buried at La Clytte Cemetery the following day. He was 32 years old.





    1205620

    Capt. Coulson Norman Mitchell VC. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.

    <p>

    Norman Mitchell was born in Winnipeg on 11th of December 1889. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Engineering in 1912 and was then employed as a construction engineer with the Foundation Company of Canada.

    He enlisted with the Canadian Engineers on the 10th of November 1914 as a Sapper and was posted to 4th Field Company. In December, he joined the 2nd Division Signal Company and was transferred to the Canadian Overseas Railway Construction Corps in May 1915. He sailed for England in June 1915 and underwent training at Longmoor Barracks. In August, he proceeded to France and then to Alveringham in North Belgium. He returned to England in October 1915. In November 1915, he was promoted to Sergeant. He received his commission as Lieutenant in April 1916. In May, he was posted to 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company returned to France. Sjt Mitchell was in charge of the "Bluff" shaft and remained in the area until the end of 1916, for this work he was awarded the Military Cross. He was promoted to Acting Captain in September 1917 and substantive on 24 May 1918.

    By October 1918 the British 3rd Army, including the Canadian Corps, had reached a line south west of Cambrai. The plan of attack had the Canadian Corps on the left flank, faced with the wide Canal de l'Escout. The preliminary attack was to be made by the Canadians at night and by all forces by day. The point of attack was over the bridge, Pont d'Aire, leading to the village Escoudoeuvers on the N.W. of Cambrai. This was complicated by the fact that along with the main bridge there were two mill streams that had to be crossed. Successful completion of the plan required that demolition of these bridges be prevented and that in the event of their being destroyed, a bridging train following the leading party would erect platoon bridges

    As a result of a warning order, Capt. Mitchell was tasked to go forward with the infantry and a small party of engineers, to take the existing bridges before they were demolished. Mitchell with his party, a sergeant and five sappers, went forward and joined "A" Company, 26th Battalion. The small party of Sappers went forward to the first bridge to find that it had been demolished and runners were sent back to the bridging train with the news. On reaching the second bridge, it was found that it had been mined, again information as sent back. With only four remaining in the party, the third and main bridge was reached. The main bridge was about 15 feet above the water level and had a tow-path on each side passing under it. Feeling along the handrails, they found several stick grenade handles with fuses leading down below the deck. The important thing was to find the electrical leads, which would permit the firing of the demolitions. Captain Mitchell posted a sentry at both ends while he and his sergeant slid down the bank and found large boxes of explosives. The scaffold and ladders still in place enabled them to tackle the charges quickly. They were cutting the electrical leads and began on the fuses, when the sentry on the enemy side raised the alarm. Shots were fired and a number of the bridge demolition party accounted for. A covering party of infantry was sent to take over the German prisoners and provide a covering party. Captain Mitchell and his Sappers then removed several hundred pounds of charges.

    As a result of his actions on the 8th and 9th of October 1918, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Investiture took place at Buckingham Palace on the 3rd of April 1919. His sergeant and other Sappers were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal with one sapper being awarded the Military Medal.

    In April 1919, Capt Mitchell returned to England and served with the C.E. Regimental Depot until demobilization, when he returned to Canada.

    He returned to the Foundation Company of Canada then in 1926 joined the Power Company in. During the Second World War Mitchell again served with the Engineers, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He retired from the military on the 24th of September 1946 and returned to the Power Corporation in Mount Royal, Quebec, retiring in 1957.

    Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell, VC, died in Mount Royal on 17th November 1978, and is buried in the Field of Honour, Pointe Claire, Quebec. His medals and other memorabilia are on display at the Canadian Military Engineers Museum.





    1205602

    Sgt. A. Oates 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy. (d.21st Apr 1918)

    Alfred Oates was born 15th Feb 1886, son of Alfred and Ellen Oats (Nee Crookes) of 116 Myers Grove Lane, Stannington, Sheffield, who were married in 1867. Alfred was the husband of Mary J. Oates, Dain Avenue Welland, Ontario Canada. In the 1901 Census, fifteen year old Alfred is a file cutter, his father aged 54 is a Cutler & Spiral Cutler. His mother Ellen is aged 56.

    Alfred enlisted on the 9th Aug 1915 at Welland. He gave his trade as a miner. He was a member of the 44th militia regiment. He was 5ft 7ins with Brown hair. He gave his religion as Church of England. He died of wounds 21st of April 1918 in Hospital at Etaples, Pas de Calais, France.

    I am researching people who fell in WW1 and are either listed on our war memorial or are remembered in the churchyard's of the area, Stannington, parish of Bradfield, Sheffield

    Robert Smith




    1205583

    Spr. E. B. Foster 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy. (d.7th Apr 1917)

    Sapper Foster lost his life whilst on duty as a listener at Listening Post no. 1 in the workings at St Eloi when the enemy blew a Camoflet beneath the tunnels at 10.15pm, flooding the workings. His body was never recovered and he is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    1205570

    Pte Thomas William "Buller" Ovenden HQ Bugler/ Medic 42nd Btn.

    When the battlion was disbanded Bill transfered to No 1 AGH where he met his 1st wife Margaret Knight(VAD nurse with British Army). He stayed in England nursing wounded Aust soldiers and was married in London. In 1920 he was sent home and discharged. He and his wife had a daughter Margaret (Peg) and two sons Harry and Robert (Both served in 2nd AIF Harry 9th Div Nth Africa and New Guinea Rob in NG). He was a man of many jobs being unable to settle after the war. He was a sergeant in VDC WW2 and was a tireless worker for Yeronga sub branch RSSAILA being honoured with Life Membership. When his wife died of TB contracted nursing sick soldiers he later remarried to Tamar Hooper and they had a son Geoffrey who has had a long career as a musician (percussionist)He also followed the tradition and joined CMF (Artillery Band).ANZAC Day 2009 Geoff attended Dawn service at VILLERS BRETONNEUX and later laid a cross and poppy at 3rd Div Memorial

    Geoff Ovenden




    1205568

    Pte. Frank Edward "stick in the mud" Whelan 1/20th Btn. London Regiment

    My Grandad, Frank Whelan, lived in Lewisham, Catford and Bellingham. He was a painter and decorater and worked on Lewisham and Hither Green hospitals. He got married to Nellie Flowers after the war and had 6 kids, Frank died in 1965.

    Terry Whelan




    1205567

    Rfm. Christian William Pitt 1/21st Btn. London Regiment (d.20th Oct 1917)

    Christian William Pitt known as William. Married to Mabel Florence Marsden a biscuit maker of 18 Lorimore Road on 19 March 1916. They spent just two weeks together following their marriage. They were never to see each other again.

    Bron Lovering




    1205565

    Cpl. David Doig Turner C Company 1st Canterbury Btn.

    Corporal David Doig Turner, Gallipoli Veteran, survived the Somme. Gunshot wound - smashed left femur - shrapnel wounds to the ankle, leg, chest and jaw, collapsed lung, heart displaced to the right side - all on the first day of the battle of Messines. Fought to live. Made it home. Died peacefully at 82 years.

    Scott McJorrow




    1205564

    L/cpl Stanley James Neel Care 7th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1918)

    Stanley enlisted in Eastbourne Sussex on 24th January 1916 where he trained with the Northamptonshire Regiment who had moved to down from Northampton. He was on home strength of the 7th Battalion from 2nd May 1916 until the 4th August 1916. Battalion moved to France on 6th August 1916. He died of wounds on 4th November 1918 and is buried at Villers-Pol Communal Cemetery Extension. He was the Son of my Great Aunt Caroline Bowden.

    George Hendley




    1205561

    Spr. John Alexander Booker 233rd Field Company Royal Engineers

    Served with the company, was shot in the thigh and wounded. German red cross picked him up and he was then a POW at Crossen an Der Oder POW camp until end of the war.No dates available as yet

    Chris Booker




    1205560

    Pte. Robert John Withers 1/8th Btn. London Regiment

    he wrote a diary and in the back of vol 1 a cutting about lone tree crater

    John Hardy




    1205559

    Cpl. Charles King 1/22nd Btn. London Regiment

    arrived in france 3rd dec 1916 until 3rd june 1918 discharged with silver war badge due to G.S.W BY M.S

    Paul Darran




    1205541

    Rfm. John Campbell 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.14th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    John Campbell died at Richmond Hospital, Dublin, on the 14th of July, 1917, of wounds received in action at the Battle of Messines, leaving his wife Nora and young son Wellington.





    1205533

    2nd Lt. Oscar Ralph Kelly 53rd Sqd. (d.12th May 1917)

    Oscar Kelly was commissioned into the Northumberland Fusiliers in 1916 and transferred to the RFC in May 1917. He was killed whilst on a photographic mission flying in an RE8 from Bailleul over the front lines near Messines, when his aircraft was shot down. He is buried at Oosttaverne Cemetery.





    1205532

    Lt William B. Moyes 20 Sqd. (d.7th Apr 1917)

    Lt Moyes, a former construction engineer from Edinburgh, was killed whilst flying with Capt Mahony-Jones when their aircraft was shot down by Maximilian Muller of Jasta28 on the evening of the 7th of April 1917. The FE2d was brought down over the Front lines whilst returning from the second bombing raid of the day on Mouvaux aerodrome. The allied aircraft came under attack from a formation of Albatros scouts, Mahony-Jones turned back to assist Lt Lawson whose FE2 had been hit. Moyes and Mahony-Jones engaged the enemy allowing Lawson to land behind the British Lines.

    Lt W.B.Moyes and his pilot were laid to rest in a German cemetery, after the war they were transferred to the CWGC cemetery at Bailleul.

  • Moyes had served in the ranks of the 9th and 6th Battalions of the Royal Scots before gaining a commission in the RFC, he was 24 years old.





  • 1205531

    Capt. George James Mahony-Jones 20 Sqd. (d.7th Apr 1917)

    Capt Mahony-Jones was shot down by Maximilian Muller of Jasta28 on the evening of the 7th of April 1917. His FE2d was brought down over the Front lines whilst returning from the second bombing raid of the day on Mouvaux aerodrome. Mahony-Jones lead eight FE2's each dropping two 112 pound bombs over the target, causing damage to at least two hangers.

    As the formation was crossing the Front lines, it was attached by a formation of Albatros Scouts, Lt Lawson's aircraft had been hit and was under attack from all sides, Mahony-Jones turned his aircraft and challenged the enemy, allowing Lawson to make an emergency landing behind the British Lines.

    The battle was watched from the ground by the men of the 34th Battalion AIF, their adjutant wrote to RFC HQ the following day:

    To the Commandant, RFC Bailleul, 8th April 1917.

    "The C.O. 34th battalion AIF has asked me to express a deep sense of admiration which was inspired by the gallant flying of an airman, apparently belonging to a Squadron under your command. About 6 pm on the evening of the 7th instant, two of our planes were engaged with nine of the enemy's. One plane was damaged and the other, although retreat looked possible turned and fought. Several of the enemy's planes scattered but unfortunately our plane was hit and immediately burst into flames.

    The scene was witnessed by the men of the Battalion from the trenches and the conspired bravery was much spoken of by them and the gallantry is sure to foster a spirit of emulation for our men to strive hard on their parts, to act in the same heroic and self sacrificing manner as this gallant airman. The true bravery of your very fine Corps was thus strikingly brought home to our men."

    Adj. 34th Battn.

    Mahony-Jones and his gunner 2nd Lt W.B.Moyes were laid to rest in a German cemetery, after the war they were transferred to the CWGC cemetery at Bailleul.





    1205529

    2nd Lt. C. G. Johnson 149th Bde. A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.7th Jun 1917)

    2nd Lt Johnson was the son of John Goode and Sarah Coper Johnson, of Brinnington, Stockport. He was educated at Sedbergh School and the Royal Military Academy. He was 19 years old and lies in Brandhoek Military.





    1205527

    Pte. Arthur Owen Evans 13th Btn. (d.10th Jun 1917)

    Arthur Evans was born at Rhoshill, Pembrokeshire, the son of John and Elizabeth Evans. He was educated at Bridell Council School and in 1910 Arthur and his sister emigrated to Australia. He enlisted in the Australian Infantry in July, 1916 at Victoria Barracks, New South Wales. On 7 October 1916 He embarked from Sydney aboard the S.S. Ceramic, bound for England, arriving on the 21st of November at Plymouth.

    After training on Salisbury Plain, Arthur proceeded to France from Folkestone on 8 February 1917, and joined the 13th Battalion, A.I.F., attached to the 4th Australian Brigade, 4th Australian Division on the Somme. On 11 April 1917 the Division saw action at the Battle of Bullecourt, before being moved north to positions near Plugstreet Wood, south of Ypres in Belgium where the 4th Division were to be the second wave of attack at the Battle of Messines.

    Arthur was killed on 10 June 1917 during the Battle of Messines. He was 27 years old, and has no known grave. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.





    1205526

    Pte. Henry Foster Jackson 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Henry Foster enlisted in his home town of Middlesbrough, he was killed in action at Battle Wood on the first day of the Battle of Messines, he was 24 years old. Henry has now known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres and on the Middlesbrough War Memorial which forms the gates to Albert Park in the town.





    1205524

    Pte. Alfred G. Austin 10th Btn. D Coy. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.4th Aug 1917)

    Alfred was killed aged just 19. His name is inscribed on the wall of the Menin gate memorial.





    1205523

    Lt. Leonard Monteagle Barlow MC and 2 Bars. 56th Sqd. (d.5th Feb 1918)

    Leonard Barlow was commissioned into the RFC on his 18th Birthday. The eldest of six children he had been studying engineering at Finsbury Technical College and had gained a scholarship from the Institute of Electrical Engineers.

    He went to France with 56th Sqd and was awarded the Military Cross for his actions on the first day of the Battle of Messines. At daybreak he had volunteered to fly alone, below 150 feet, 30 miles behind the German front line, to prevent enemy observation machines taking off from two airfield.

    The first Bar to his MC was awarded when he was credited with his tenth enemy aircraft. The second Bar was awarded for his actions in rescuing a comrade who was facing great odds in an aerial combat. In total he was credited with destroying 17 enemy aircraft in combat.

    Leonard returned to England to become a Scout Pilot Instructor and Test Pilot to an experimental station. He lost his life during a test flight near Ipswich, being killed instantaneously as his aircraft crashed from 150 feet when the engine failed. He was 19 years old and was laid to rest with full military honours at Bandon Hill.





    1205515

    Pte. Christopher Edward Jones 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.26th Oct 1914)

    My Grandad's brother Christopher Edward Jones also served in the Great War but sadly was killed 26th October 1914. He was with the 2nd Btn Border Regiment. His wife Rosina and son are in the picture also grandmother (wife of Alfred) and his 2 children. Christopher Edward Jones is remembered at the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Barbara Smith




    1205460

    Pte. George Frederick Homer 9th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    George Homer was a grocery shop manager who had 3 young chidren ,the youngest being my wifes Grandmother who was 2 years old

    Paul Myatt




    1205457

    Spr. Peter Ellery 128th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.17 May 1917)

    My Great, Great Uncle went to war with his brother Reginald. I know he served with 128th Field Coy RE at the time of his death which I believe places him in Flanders immediately before the Battle of Messines. I would like to find out how he died and where, although looking again at the date it was before the battle. I believe he was wounded four days before he died and was evacuated to the military field hospital near to the present day Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery where he is buried.

    Richard Fox




    1205453

    Major John Henry Langton DSO 1/4th Btn. Welsh Fusiliers

    Served with the 1\4 RWF 2nd February 1917 through to end of hostilities, leading the Battalion as Lt Col in the final 100 days.

    Barry Hayter




    1205449

    Rfm. H. W. Cornwell 1/17th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Rifleman Cornwell lost his life whilst attached to the Royal Irish Rifles at the Battle of Messines. He was 25 years old.





    500868

    Pte. Alan James Mather 33rd Btn. (d.8th Jun 1917)

    <p>Pte. A.J.Mather (Courtesy of Kim Blomfield)

    In August 2008, archaeologists from the group No Man's Land - The European Group for Great War Archaeology, recovered the body of an unknown Australian soldier missing since the Battle of Messines in 1917. Extensive detective work and close cooperation between the Group, professional partners and the Australian Army over the past 20 months has now revealed the soldier's identity as 1983 Private Alan James Mather.

    The Australian soldier's remains were discovered during work on The Plugstreet Project, an archaeological investigation of part of the Belgian battlefields of the First World War. Archaeological excavation was able to recover the skeleton, as well as associated objects, including rifle, ammunition, Corps badges and the contents of his pockets and haversack. Although a corroded identification disc was also recovered, forensic investigation failed to provide identification details.

    Project co-Director Martin Brown said:

    "Using archaeological techniques to lift and study the remains we were able to build up quite a picture of the man, and this led us a long way to his identity. The badges gave us his nationality. His location in the field gave us his unit, 33rd Battalion, and that tells us when he was killed because they didn't spend long there. The fact he was wearing all his ammunition and grenades showed that he was in the main attacking force and gave us his Company.

    Excavation was only the first part of the story. Experts from Bradford University cleaned and conserved the objects which helped us to tell something about the soldier himself. He wasn't wearing his helmet when he died, probably preferring his Australian Slouch Hat as a symbol of unit identity. Equally intriguing were the remains of a German Pickelhaube (spiked helmet) in his knapsack. This appears to have been a trophy of war captured on a trench raid. He should have left it with his heavy kit in the rear but preferred to carry it into action: he probably didn't trust some of his "mates" in the rear echelon! If he'd survived the war it might now be a treasured family heirloom."

    Project co-Director Richard Osgood said:

    "The scientific input from our academic and scientific partners was astounding. Work by Universities of Leuven, Cranfield and Oxford studying the chemical composition of his bones enabled us to narrow down the place of birth of the skeleton to a few locations in New South Wales. Comparing that data to the casualty lists further reduced the number of possible identities for this man to five possibles.

    Forensic analysis of the bones had given us height, age and likely body type from muscle attachments. Even before we knew it was Mather we knew he had lived a fairly physical life, developing heavy muscle attachments on his bones and showing wear on his spine.

    With such a low number of candidates the Australian Army commissioned DNA testing of the surviving relatives of all the casualties fitting the profile, which resulted in a positive match with one of the Next of Kin donors. This match provided the final proof in identifying Private Mather.

    This result shows how integration of the fieldwork, use of historical documents and cutting edge science can produce very satisfying outcomes."

    1983 Private Alan James Mather joined the Army in 1916. He was a grazier from Inverell in New South Wales, where his father had been mayor. He was survived by his parents, older twin sisters, Flora and Marion, a younger sister, Elsie, a half brother Doug and a half sister, Jessie. Following his death his Company Commander wrote that "he was one of my best and most trusted men". He was 37 years old at the time of his death, which was caused by shell-fire on the 8th June 1917 at St Yvon, Belgium.

    He had no known place of burial and so was commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres, where the names of missing are listed.

    Thanks to archaeology and science Private Mather will now be formally buried by the Australian Army on July 22nd at Prowse Point Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. His name will be removed from the panel at the Menin Gate in due course."

    Australian Minister for Veterans Affairs, Alan Griffin said:

    "I am extremely pleased that we have been able to restore the identity of this Australian soldier who was missing for almost a century."

    Please visit www.plugstreet-archaeology.com for further information.

    ABC Radio interviews with Pte Mather's family





    500863

    Pte. Maurice Surrey "R.E.Sanders" Dane 37th Btn. (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Maurice Dane was the son of Mrs. Ellen Marian Surrey Dane, of 20A, Lissenden Mansions, Highgate Road, Kentish Town, London, England. He served with the AIF under the name of R.E.Sanders and lost his life on the 8th of June 1917 during the Battle of Messines. He was 21 years old and is believed to be buried at Bethleem Farm Cemetery in Belgium where his name is commemorated on a special memorial.





    500860

    Pte. John William Brack 43rd Btn. (d.3rd Jul 1917)

    John Brack was born in Guisborough, North Yorkshire, he was married to Bessie and they lived in Riverton, Western Australia. John was 41 years old when he lost his life, he lies in Bethleen Farm East Cemetery in Belgium.





    500835

    Capt. Chaplain. Percy Baker 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.

    Percy Baker was born in Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. He graduated from Cambridge University with a Batchelor of Arts Degree and during his time there gained military experience with the Officers Training Corps. He then became a Church of England minister.

    In 1915 he was a Clerk in Holy Orders at St Peter’s Church, Forbes Street, Sydney, N.S.W. and he enlisted with the Chaplain’s Department for service abroad. His height is recorded as 5ft 7½ins, weight 146lbs with a chest measurement 33 and he had good eyesight. His next-of-kin was given as his mother Mrs Henrietta Baker of 29 Sefton Park Road, Bristol, England.

    He left Sydney aboard the troopship HMAT A35 Berrima on December 17, 1915 arriving on January 23, 1916 at the port of Suez. Where Chaplain Baker was allotted to No 1 Australian Casualty Clearing Station. On March 9, 1916 transferred from No 1 Australian General Hospital to the A.I.F. Base Camp at Giza then was taken on strength at Ras-el-Tin Convalescent Camp, Seraphim on March 21. On March 27, 1916 Chap Baker proceeded to Alexandria to embark on transport Corsican heading for Marseilles, France and then the Western Front.

    Chaplain Baker remained with the 1 Australian C.C.S. until October 18, 1916 when he proceeded to join the 14th Infantry Battalion Headquarters in the field, remaining until A.I.F. orders were received to return to England on February 22, 1917.

    On March 1, 1917 the Chaplain, at his own expense, took leave of absence and returned to Australia per transport S.S. Mongara arriving on May 10, 1917. Returning to Sydney, N.S.W. he married Alice G. Stephen and on the 14th of June 1917 he embarked onboard HMAT A20 Hororata to return to duty. The ship docked at Liverpool, England on the 26th of August 1917. On the 24th of October Chaplain Baker proceeded overseas to France via Southampton marching in two days later at the Australian General Base Depot at Havre.

    Captain Chaplain Baker marched out to join the 1st Tunnelling Company reporting for duty on 31st of October 1917. He was granted a promotion to the rank of 3rd Class Chaplain (without extra pay) on the 1st of December 1917.

    Captain Chaplain Baker returned to Australia on the transport H.T. City of Exeter embarking from England on the 15th of January 1919 and his appointment was terminated on the 20th of April 1919.





    500798

    Pte. Alfred J. Hodgkinson 2/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>libry1

    Alfred and John Hodgkinson served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment





    500797

    Sjt. Harold Ernest Argus 43rd Btn. (d.4th Jun 1917)

    Harold Angus was 30 year old clergyman from Adelaide, he lost his life near Ploesteert Wood on the 4th of June 1917. During a practice barrage two parties from the 11th Brigade where to undertake a trench raid. The lorries bringing up the part from the 43rd Btn, lead by Lt. Coleman and including Sjt. Angus, were delayed at Hyde Park Corner. By the time they arrived at the front line the barrage had just finished, but the keen young Lieutenant lead his party forward. Enemy Machine guns opened fire and Sjt. Angus and Lt. Coleman were both killed. Sjt. Gardiner took over the party and lead them back to their own lines. The battalion suffered eight casualties in this incident. The party from the 44th Battalion succeeded in their raid and captured four enemy prisoners.

    Sjt. Angus was laid to rest in Strand Military Cemetery close to the village of Ploegseert.





    500796

    Gnr. Gerald Mostyn Armytage MM. 30th Battery 8th Brigade Field Artillery

    Gerald Armytage was a 19 year old farmer when he enlisted on the 14th Feb 1916. His records describe him as being five foot six and a half, weighing eight stone four pounds with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and black hair.

    He was awarded the Military Medal on the 3rd of July 1917 for bravery in the field, including an incident on the 29th of May when he extinguished a fire, set by enemy shelling, which was threatening the ammunition of 30th Battery near Hill 63.

    In May 1919 Gerald was granted three months leave without pay or allowances, to return to Australia at his own expense. He returned via America on board the Ventura and was discharged from the army on the 18th of August 1919 and in 1923 was living in Glenthompson, Victoria.





    500757

    Pte. Kenneth Cliffe 1/7th (City of London) Battalion London Regiment (d.11th Jun 1917)

    Kenneth Cliffe of Sun Street, London, was an employee at The Accident Department in the Head Office of Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation Ltd when he enlisted as a private in the 7th (City of London) Battalion, of the London Regiment at Shepherds Bush. Kenneth was killed in action on the 11th June 1917 at the Battle of Messines and is remembered amongst the missing listed on the Menin Gate in Ypres. The company he worked for is now part of the Aviva group and Kenneth is listed on the company Roll of Honour.





    500756

    2nd Lt. Sydney James Livingston Downey 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Sydney Downey was the second son of James Livingston Downey JP. and his wife Marion, he was the grandson of Rev George Cron. Sydney was born in Belfast and was educated at the Methodist College. He served in France with the BEF from the 15th of June 1916, having been commissioned in January 1916. Sydney was killed in action on the 7th of June 1915 and is laid to rest at Spanbrokmolen close to where he fell. He was 21 years old and was an employee of The Northern Assurance Company Ltd in Belfast, today the company is owned by Aviva and Sydney is amongst those remembered on the Roll of Honour on the company website.





    500755

    2nd Lt. Joseph Alfred Child 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Child from Liversedge in Yorkshire, was an employee of the Leeds office of the Scottish Union and National Insurance Company, like many of his colleagues he answered Lord Kitchener’s call to arms and attested as a Private with the 7th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment on the 7th of August 1914. He is described as being 20 years old, five foot five and three quarters, weighing 114lbs with a 34 inch chest, fresh of complexion with blue eyes and blond hair.

    Joseph, must have taken his duty seriously and diligently as he rose rapidly through the ranks, being promoted to Lance Corporal in October 1914, Corporal in early November and to Sergeant before the month was out. On Christmas Eve 1914, having already been promoted to Colour Sergeant, he was granted a Temporary Commission as 2nd Lieutenant and posted to the 9th Battalion. His Commission on the 2nd Jan 1917 was published in the list in the London Gazette on the 2nd Feb.

    Joseph arrived in France on the 13th June 1915 with his battalion as part of the 23rd Division and went into the front line near Armentieres, a sector which was considered to be quiet, where they received training from the 27th Division. In early 1916 they were on Vimy Ridge and in the spring moved to Bomy to begin intensive training for the Battle of The Somme.

    Although very little of Joseph’s service record survives, we can assume that he was with his battalion on the 1st of July when they captured Contalmaison and remained with them through the various phases of the famous battle.

    Spring of 1917 saw Joseph’s battalion training for the next great offensive of the war, the Battle of Messines at this time he was attached to 69th Trench Mortar Battery, in the same brigade as the 9th Battalion and destined to fight alongside them. During the night of the 6th of June 1917 they moved into position near Battle Wood close to the Ypres-Warneton railway line. At 3.10am the following morning, the first attack of the Battle of Messines was launched with the detonation of 19 huge mines, which shattered the enemy defences. The 9th Battalion were in the second wave of the attack and moved forward at 6.50am into the area around Caterpillar Crater, though Joseph and his Trench Mortar men may well have joined the attack from the outset.

    Joseph was killed that day and now lies at Bedford House Cemetery. This large cemetery contains over 5000 graves and is situated just south of Ypres. The enclosure in which Joseph lies, contains graves of those men brought in from other burial grounds and from the battlefields of the Ypres Salient in the 1920’s. From the list of cemeteries, which were concentrated into Bedford House, it is possible that Joseph may have been buried at the Asylum British Cemetery, in the grounds of the old Hospice du Sacre Coer (Sacred Heart Mental Hospital) which was just to the west of the railway station at Ypres. This may indicate that Joseph was injured in the action and evacuated to the Field Ambulance at Ypres where he passed away. Sadly, like so many others, his service records were badly damaged during the London Blitz in 1940, only three pages partially survive, but from this we can deduce that he was an intelligent man, keen to serve his country and that he performed his duty well.

    Joseph Child is listed on the Roll of Honour in Christ Church, Liversedge where he was baptised, on the War Memorial at Cleckheaton where he lived and on the Roll of Honour of the Scottish Union and National Insurance Company for whom he worked, the company is now part of Aviva and Joseph’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on their website.





    500753

    Pte. Cecil Beaumont Badnall 48th Btn. (d.2nd Jun 1917)

    Corporal John Herbert Whitley Bracken served with the 1st Divisional Ammunition Column Australian Field Artillery. He was was killed in action Belgium 22 July 1917 aged 29, son of Joseph and Harriet Bracken of 16 Stanley Avenue, Wallasey, England. He now rests in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground nera Ypres, Belgium.

    His service record state he was born in Toxteth (Liverpool) and attested 1st September 1914 working as a Teamster. He arrived on the Gallipoli Peninsula 30 April 1915 and landed in France on 2 April 1916. He was wounded in action 22 July 1917 and died of wounds the same day in 55 Field Ambulance.





    500751

    Lt. Frank Sharpe 1 Sqd.

    Frank Sharpe was shot down behind enemy lines at 3.15pm on the 9th of June 1917 at the Battle of Messines and was captured by the enemy. His Nieuport Scout (B3481) was shot down near Zandvoorde by Kurt-Bertram von Döring of Jasta 4.

    Lt. Sharpe had already brought down five enemy aircraft in the battle; Albatros D.III between Ypres and Roulers at mid day on the 1st May 1917, Albatros D.V at 10:40 on the 26th over Lompret, Rumpler C at 8:40 pm on the 4th of June near Perenchies, another Albatros D.V at Zandvoorde on the morning of the 7th June and later the same day a Balloon at Quesnoy.





    500736

    Pte. Hemi Hill Pioneer Battalion (d.7th Jun 1917)

    My Great Great Uncle (and namesake) Hemi HILL, was killed in action at Messines on 7th June 1917. He was a Kiwi soldier and his older brother Robert served in Ypres around a month later. I am writing a book about my family's military history and I will be going to visit Hemi at his place of rest at Kandahar Farm Cemetery in Wulvergehem just south-west of Messines in December of this year.

    Brent James Hemi Kerehona




    500689

    Pte. William Northam Shalders 5th Pioneer Battalion

    William enlisted aged 21, he is described as being 5' 10", weighing 130 lbs with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion. He embarked from Australia in November 1915 and joined the 32nd Btn, and went to the Suez. He was transferred to the 5th Pioneer Battalion on the 4th May 1916 and embarked from Alexandria to Marsailles aboard the Canada to join the BEF. was wounded in action, a gun shot wound to the left hand on the 19th Sept 1917. He was treated by 67th Field Ambulance and evacuated via 3CCS to Hospital at Etaples was then transferred to the 5th ADBD at Le Harve. He returned to his unit in October.

    William transferred to the 5th Machine Gun Battalion on the 18th May 1918 and was wounded in action with a gun shot wound for a second time on the 18th of September 1918. William returned to Australia in April 1919.

    His two brothers, also served with the AIF, Victor with the 33rd Btn and Clarence with the 10th Light Horse.

    Trevor Fenton




    500688

    Pte. Victor Reginald Shalders MM. 33rd Btn.

    Victor Shalders was a farm labourer from Dangarsleigh near Armidale NSW, he was born in Northam, nr Perth, Western Australia. He enlisted on the 13th December 1915 aged 19. he is described as being 5' 6&1/2" weighting 8st 10lb with fair hair and blue eyes.

    During training he had several spells in Bulford Hospital and was also admitted to hospital in France after joining his unit.

    He saw action in the Battle of Messines and was awarded the Military Medal. His citation reads: "For conspicuos bravery and devotion to duty during the Battle of Messines from June 7th to June 11th 1917. private Victor Reginald Shalders was a runner attached to Company Headquarters and by his thoughtfulness and initiative he was the greatest assistance in the collection and prompt dispatch of information throughout the action. Largely through his efforts contact was maintained with Australian HQ and the flank companies. He continually conveyed messages across the captured area under heavy shell fire. This he did always with great cheerfulness. During the latter stages of the attack he suffered severely with blistered feet, but this did not deter him from carrying on his work with the same efficiency. During the 96 hours of the occupation, he greatly assisted with the evacuation by promptly warning stretcher bearers in the area".

    Pte. Shalders had further spells in hospital in France and in Feb 1918 was admitted to Boscombe Military Hospital in Hampshire, England having been treated at 53rd CCS and 54th General Hospital, suffering from Trench Fever. He rejoined the 33rd Battalion in France in August, returning to Australia in June 1919 aboard the Somali.

    His two brothers, also served with the AIF, William with the 32nd Btn and Clarence with the 10th Light Horse.

    Trevor Fenton




    500687

    Pte. Andy Bond 33rd Btn.

    Andy Bond was born in Braidwood in 1883, he was an Aboriginal labourer and also went by the name of Andy AhHie. He enlisted on the 13th of November 1916, his service records state that he was 5'7&1/2" and weighed 150lbs. He gave his mother's name as Ellen Haddiegaddie, of Wallaga Lake, Tilba Tilba.

    He embarked for England on the 25th of Nov 1916 aboard the Beltana on the 18th of Feb 1917 was admitted to the military hospital at Fovant for a week suffering from Bronchitis.

    Whilst at Hurcott with the 14th Training Battalion on the 31st March we went Absent without Leave for 2 days and was awarded 10days Field Punishment No.2 and forfeited 13 days pay amounting to £3 5s 0d.

    Andy proceeded to France on the 18th Dec 1917 and joined the 33rd Battalion in the field on the 27th. On the 20th April 1918 he was wounded in action by a gas shell, he was treated by 55th Field Ambulance and evacuated to 47th Casualty Clearing Station and taken to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen. He was transferred to England aboard the Western Australia and admitted to the Norfolk War Hospital. On the 11th May 1918 he was discharged to No 2 Command Depot at Weymouth and returned to Australia in August aboard the Essex and was discharged in October.

    Andy died in 1943 leaving a daughter Evelyn.

    Trevor Fenton




    500686

    L/Cpl. Christopher Edward Fowler MM. C Coy. 33rd Btn.

    <p>

    My Uncle Christy Fowler enlisted on the 10th of November 1915, aged 18. He was a labourer from Barry, NSW. He joined the 13th Reinforcements, 17th Battalion at Lithogow Depot Camp and in June 1916 he proceeded to England, arriving in Plymouth on the 3rd of August. On the 6th July 1916 he is recorded as disobeying orders and being absent without leave at Capetown from the troopship HMAT A.55 Kyarra and was given 3 days Field Punishment No.2.

    Christopher then joined the 33rd Battalion on the 21st November 1916 in France. In December he was admitted to the 7th General Hospital (The Malassises Hospital) in St Omer suffering from mumps, he rejoined the 33rd battalion on new years day 1917. On the 12th March 1917 he is again punished for failing to obey a lawful command given by his superior officer.

    He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 2nd of June 1917 and saw action in the Battle of Messines, where he was awarded the Military Medal, his citation reads:

    "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the Battle of Messines Ridge from June 7th to June 11th. L/C Christopher Edward Fowler acted a a mopper up and showed great dash and determination. He himself killed six of the enemy. On the afternoon of June 9th he led the first patrol to Thatched Cottage and captured the post. Throughout the whole action this soldier displayed great initiative and forethought, and at all times was courageous and cool. He set a splendid example to his men."

    He was wounded in action on the 16th July 1917 receiving a gun shot wound to his left eye. On the 24th July he was transported back to England onboard the Hospital Ship Grantully Castle and on the 25th was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth. Whilst there he was reprimanded by Lt. Col. Heywood for refusing to obey and order and went Absent without Leave for 6 hours on the 14th Sept 1917 for which he forfeited one day's pay.

    1917 calendar sent home from hospital

    Christy was repatriated to Australia leaving England on board the Kenilworth Castle on the 12th of March 1918. He was discharged from the Army on the 3rd of July 1918.

    Trevor Fenton




    500685

    Cpl. Jock Pender Queens own Camerion Highlanders

    On the 31st July 1917, the first day of the battle of Ypres, my Father Jock Pender was repairing telephone communication cables close to Square Farm near Frezenberg, just east of Ypres with L/Cpl "Wee" Hanna. Jock was sniped and hit on the right shoulder. He fell and Wee Hanna ran over to help him, at which point Hanna was also sniped presumably by the same sniper. He fell dead on top of his friend. My Father used to tell how he lay there for hours, till darkness fell and allowed him to struggle from under Hanna's body and make his way back to his base. When Hanna was searched for later he couldn't be found, presumably buried in the Flanders mud.

    Burnett Pender




    500684

    Pte. Stanley Jones 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    My husband's father Stanley Jones was born in the parish of Mynyddislwyn, Monmouthshire, Wales, in 1895. Stanley travelled all the way to Perth to join the Gordon Highlanders on 4th August, 1914. Unfortunately his records were lost in the "burnt papers" but we have pieced together his records as far as we can. Stanley was in the Battle of Loos, September 1915 - 13 months in line. Battle of the Somme July 1916 - 7 months in the line. Battle of Arras April 1917v- 5 months in the line - Battle of Paschendele October 4th - November 27th 1917. Stanley was shot and gassed in 1917 and he was sent home to Perth in Scotland then to the hospital in Cardiff.

    Recently going through his papers we found a faded photograph of a Gordon Highlander, on the back is written James Carnegie (Barry Carnoustie). This gentleman appeared to have been a great friend of his. Researching on the internet we have found that a James Carnegie S/17411 lst Btn. Gordon Highlanders died at the age of 22 on 26th September, 1917 and is remembered with honour on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Stanley was in the lst Btn Gordon Highlanders (service number S/6402) so we think we have found the young James Carnegie in the picture lovingly kept by Stanley in his precious papers of the Great War.

    If anyone of James's family would like to get in touch we would be so happy to hear from them.

    Irene Jones




    500653

    L/Cpl. Robert Lightburn 11th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    Lance Corporal Robert Lightburn, my father's brother in law, was killed (aged 29) in the Second Battle of Arras, he was serving with 11th. Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. My father's step brother, Emmerson Beckwith (aged 25) was killed just 6 days before in the same battle, but different sectors. The two families lived within 1 mile of each other in the same mining village in North West Durham

    Ramsay Hall




    500651

    Gnr. Albert Seymour Lloyd MM. C Btty. 78th Bde Royal Field Artillery (d.19th Apr 1917)

    Lying in the military cemetery at Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines are three headstones of soldiers of "C" Battery of the 78th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, all members of the same gun team, who were killed outright on the night of the 19th April 1917. In the middle is Driver Peter McGuiggan, aged 26 and on either side of him are Gunner James E. Martin, aged 34 and Gunner Albert Seymour Lloyd MM, aged 23 The War Diary of the 78th Brigade records that the Brigade was positioned at Monchy in foul weather and under constant barrage. All three were killed instantly when their gun recieved a direct hit from enemy shelling during the night of the 19th April 1917.

    GGunner Albert Seymour Lloyd was prior to the war an apprentice in Pembroke Dockyard. His father was an Alderman of that town

    They lie together these three comrades, two geordies and a welsheman.

    John McGuiggan




    500650

    Gnr. John E. Martin C Btty. 78th Bde Royal Field Artillery (d.19th Apr 1917)

    Lying in the military cemetery at Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines are three headstones of soldiers of "C" Battery of the 78th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, all members of the same gun team, who were killed outright on the night of the 19th April 1917. In the middle is Driver Peter McGuiggan, aged 26 and on either side of him are Gunner J. E. Martin, aged 34 and Gunner Albert Seymour Lloyd MM, aged 23 The War Diary of the 78th Brigade records that the Brigade was positioned at Monchy in foul weather and under constant barrage. All three were killed instantly when their gun recieved a direct hit from enemy shelling during the night of the 19th April 1917.

    Gunner J. E. Martin came from Chester-le-street in County Durham and I unfortunately know little of his pre-war life or occupation. They lie together these three comrades, two geordies and a welshman.

    John McGuiggan




    500649

    Lt. D. G. H. Truman 2/5th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Lt Truman was killed during an intense bombardment of the front line at Moated Grange, Laventie, his friend Lt Lamasion was killed and another friend James Budd was badly injured. He was buried in the Rue-du-Bacquerot no.1 military cemetery at Laventie

    Robin Keyte




    500648

    Lt. Leonard William Henry Lamaison 2/5th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.2nd Jul 1916)

    Leonard Lamasion was the son of the late William and Marian Lamaison, of Southwold, Kenley, Surrey. He was 40 years old when he was killed during an intense bombardment of the front line at Moated Grange, Laventie, his friend Lt Truman was killed and another friend James Budd was badly injured. His wife Charlotte Florence Barton (formerly Lamaison) lived at Esmeryl, Dehra Dun, India. He was buried in the Rue-du-Bacquerot no.1 military cemetery at Laventie

    Robin Keyte




    500647

    James Davies Yorks & Lancs Regt

    <p>

    The above post card was sent to my Grandmother from her husband. His regiment was the Yorks and Lancs, number 1538 He finished his army career in the Labour corps due to shrapnel in his legs and came home after the war. I am sure that one of these is Grandad James Davies.

    Joyce Davies




    500646

    Dvr. Albert H. Dean 527th Horse Transport Coy. Army Service Corps (d.27th Nov 1918)

    My Grandmother's Uncle Albert H Dean; an ambulance man from New Malden in Surrey, survived almost to the last day of the war only to die in the 10th Military Hospital in France of bronch-pneumonia, leaving a young and devoted widow named Mabel and two very young sons. Albert had asked his cousin to "look after Mabel and the boys" should anything happen to him. His cousin married Mabel and did take good care of his boys. I am in possession of Albert H Dean's original military death certificate and I was lucky enough to meet his 95 year old surviving son, Arthur Dean, a couple of years back who was able to describe the day that they received word that his father had died and was to be buried at Rouen. Arthur Dean still commemorates his father's life - all of these many years later - on Armistice Day. He cried when I was able to hand over a small Bible (which had been left to me amongst family papers and photos and other memorabilia) that had once belonged to his father when his father was a boy.

    Miriam Bailey




    500645

    Robert Edward Ryder 12th Btn. Middlesex Regt

    Robert Edward Ryder was from Harefield in Middlesex. Robert was born in December 1895 in Harefield and served with 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge Own) enlisting in 1914. He won the Victoria Cross for " most conspicuous bravery" at Theipval on September 25th 1916. Robert was just 20 years old when he found himself fighting to take Theipval, with all Officers wounded, dead or down. He single handedly charged a German trench with his lewis gun when, for want of leadership, the attack was flagging. When I discovered that Robert's very young wife had recently died of "consumption" (more likely of asbestosis because she had been working in a local asbestos factory near Harefield), it did make me wonder if Robert just "did not give a damn" since his lovely young Bride had just died so horribly?

    His VC is now in the Imperial War Museum. The quote with his medals says quite simply: " I don't know what came over me...normally...I wouldn't hurt a fly".

    Miriam Bailey




    500644

    Ernest Rainsforth 2/5th Btn. West Riding Regt

    My Grandfather - Ernest Rainsforth, was badly injured but also survived and was repatriated to England from France with his bicep blown off and with a serious knee injury from sharpnel: whilst fighting with the 2/5th West Riding Regiment as the Germans pulled back from the Hindenberg Line in March 1917. I am lucky enough to have my Grandad's war discharge papers - discharged as being medically unfit for further war service - and the original telegram sent to his Mother advising her that Ernest had been wounded and admitted to hospital in London. I ache with sheer anguish for her when I read that telegram and know what his Mum must have felt at the time. My Grandad survived the war: met my Nan at Malden Hospital in Middlesex where she was nursing during WW1 and returned to his home town of Gainsbro with a beautiful new wife. Ernest lived until the age of 94. He never chose to speak to anyone about his experiences in France except to say to my younger brother - when my brother was a boy - that he laid on a stretcher in a field at a Clearing Station - gagging for a drink of water for over 24 hours and when he called the orderly for water the orderly said "shut-up Rainsforth, the bloke laid next to you has 16 bullits in him ". Grandad unrolled his shirt sleeve and showed my brother a massive intentation in his left arm where his bicep had been literally blown off.

    Miriam Bailey




    500597

    Pte. R. M. Ellis 5th Field Ambulance (d.4th May 1917)

    I have a letter from a Sgt in the 5th Canadian Field Ambulance 2nd Division saying Pte Ellis was killed whilst on duty at Vimy his grave is number 9 row h plot 6 military cemetary at Ecoivers, Mont-St Eloi.

    Jean Emberton




    301026

    Corporal William Frederick Gill 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th April 1918)

    <p>Battalion seated at Cocken Hall

    William Gill was my grandmother’s brother. He was born in the North East of England, to a family originally from Cornwall, who had moved to work in the coal mines, when copper mining went into decline. On both the 1901 and 1911 census the family were living in Herrington, a small mining village about 4 miles from Sunderland. I can only assume that he attended the local school and eventually followed his father in the mines. 1911 census lists him as working as a Weightmans Clerk.

    In January 1915 he enlisted into the Durham Light Infantry and was placed in the 18th Battalion. I understand that they were called the Durham Pals. I have no aural or written history, but I do have a photograph, which has been passed through the family, of a military unit of the DLI sitting in front of what I understand is Cocken Hall near Finchale. I think he is the young man sitting to the right of the commanding officer on the front row. I know nothing of his military service, other than I have a copy of the 18th Battalion war diary, which begins in Egypt. They were plunged into the thick of the conflict with the diary entries noting everything from trench foot to shell shock and their time on the Somme.

    But it was the day’s surrounding William’s death on 12th of April 1918 that I wanted to find out more about. It would seem that the battalion were in the area around Hazebrouck in April 1918. The war diary paints a very confused picture of orders changing almost by the hour, parts of the company not receiving these orders, friendly fire and the attempt to hold a position near a major road and rail junction. The 12th of April diary entry covers several pages and notes many casualties with each company losing about 60 men, including the loss of 3 officers who were left behind as the companies moved on. I believe William was one of these causalities as his body was never recovered and he is now remembered on the Ploegsteert Monument in Belgium.

    Sandra Walker




    301018

    Pte. Joseph Anderson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Joe Anderson was wounded in the arm on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.





    301015

    Pte. John Scott 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    "‘Twas easy enough at Gezancourt – thirty kilometres from the line –
    To bray the enemy from the Somme and drive him back to the Rhine.
    For there with the line of our advance mapped out on the level ground,
    Day after day, “D” Company was reg’larly mucked around
    “Over there’s supposed to be Gommecourt (them trees with the feathery tops).
    Yonder’s Serre Wood, and over here our objective-Pendant Copse!”
    And every day we signallers on Pendant Copse would stand,
    Signalling back to GHQ “Objectives gained as planned!”

    But “D” Company knew they had something on – them and 18th West Yorks –
    When the big push started on the Somme to give old Fritz the works.
    Aye, every night, and all night long, while the regiment lay at Courcelles,
    Lorries in convoy came rolling through bringing up loads of shells
    Through that dark village street with clanking of chains over the bumpy ground
    Where in billets we’re snatching uneasy sleep, with the rats a-scuttling around!

    Then a night or two before the attack (in Bus Woods then we stayed)
    Some of us met behind our shack and under the trees we prayed!
    Back home they said ‘twas a righteous cause! That King and Country claimed;
    And we, who took it seriously, were scarcely to be blamed.

    Don’t ask me what we prayed about; since then I’ve often prayed;
    “No, not for safety Lord, but help me not to be afraid!”
    So we take the road for Colincamps one night as the sun goes down.
    Scouting “Taubes” fly overhead – the warning whistle’s blown!
    Hedges afford scant cover, where we crouch with anxious eye,
    Convinced that not a move escapes that watcher in the sky!

    Darkness! From earth and sandbags comes the now familiar stench,
    As we grope and stumble down the long communication trench.
    Then it’s “Pass the word to mind the wire!” “Loose board here!” “Lift your feet!”
    And it’s “Watch your step!” (on them coggly stones going down Sackville Street)
    Now scrambling over awkward spots where the trench has been smashed in.
    With a shudder, at what might come to ‘us’ before the day begin.”

    Pte John Scott, 18th DLI writing shortly after the 1st of July 1916.





    301012

    Pte. George Maurice Featherstone 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    George Featherstone, was born in West Hartlepool in 1898. He enlisted on 27th August 1914 aged 16 in the 18th Battalion DLI (Durham Pals). He later transferred 3rd Battalion DLI (Tyneside Garrison). He was posted to France in Dec 1915 with the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He saw action at Delville Wood, the battle of Flers-Courcelette, Battle of Arras, Battle of Ypres & Menin Road. George suffered gunshot wounds to his left thigh in August 1917. He returned to France in Jan 1918 & joined the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was wounded again late in March 1918 with gunshot wounds to the buttocks. He returned home 30th March. He was transferred to the Machine Gun Corp in 1918 and was discharged on the 26th August 1920, He served a full 6 years.

    In 1933 he rejoined the army, the Royal Engineers and went to France with the BEF on the 9th of September 1939. He was evacuated and returned home on the 2nd June 1940, two days before Dunkirk fell. In 1941 he was posted to Iceland for 5 months. In October 1942 he was posted to North Africa with the 1st Army for Operation Torch and served in Tunisia & Algeria.





    301009

    2nd Lt. Ellis Thompson 18th Btn. D Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th May 1917)

    Ellis Thompson was born on 10th of July 1896, to William Thompson, a butcher, and his wife Mary, living and working in Elswick, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Ellis attended Barnard Castle School for three years from 1909, where he was in York House and played football and cricket for the second house XI.

    He enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers in August 1914, he served with the 4th Btn. and was wounded in April 1915 and killed in action near Arras in 1917 with D Company, 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry. Aged 20, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.





    301006

    Lt. Scott 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Lt Scott was an old boy of Barnard Castle school.





    301003

    L/Cpl. Francis Derwent Lockey 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd May 1916)

    Frank Lockey was born in Durham on 13th of December 1881, to Francis and Grace Lockey. He attended Barnard Castle school, from 1894-1896 and won the 220 yard handicap. He worked in the family business, a grocer and provision merchants before enlisting in September 1914. He trained at Cocken Hall near Durham and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in April 1915. Frank was killed in action on the 23rd of May 1916 and is buried in Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps.





    301000

    Sgt. John Duke 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    John Duke was born in 1892 in New Herrington, he had 5 brothers and 2 sisters. His father was a Waggonwright. John went to Northern Skelton Colliery School until he was 14 in 1906 he was admitted to the Durham Johnston School. He was on the school football team. He was a pupil teacher at age 18, then studied at Bede College and became a school teacher at Dubmire County School, Houghton-le-Spring. John Duke enlisted with the 18th Battalion DLI, Regimental Number No 2510 He trained at Cocken Hall, became a machine gunner and was promoted to Sergeant. He went with the 18th Battalion to Eqypt in Dec 1915 where the Battalion were engaged in much construction work. As a machine gunner, John was transferred to 93rd Coy, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) Regtl No (22764). He died on the 1st July 1916, aged 24 - on first day of the First Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave, and is named on Thiepval Memorial and remembered on the Durham Johnston School War Memorial.





    300940

    Pte. Peter Smith Brown 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Peter Smith Brown attested 17/9/14. He was stationed at Hartlepool during the bombardment. He was commissioned Temp 2/Lt 19/8/17





    300939

    Pte. Tom Dobson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    Tom Dobson was 27 years old when he was killed whilst serving with the 11th Battalion DLI, remembered on the Pozieres Memorial he was the husband of Dora, she later remarried becoming Mrs Snaith of 67 Roker Avenue, Sunderland





    300938

    Pte. Willie Dixon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Sep 1916)

    Willie Dixon aged 27 was lost whilst serving with the 14th DLI, remembered on the Thiepval Memorial he was the son of Elizabeth and the late John Dixon; husband of Elizabeth Jane Dixon, of 31 Topcliffe St., West Hartlepool.





    300937

    Pte. Frederick William Dixon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Oct 1916)

    Frederick Dixon lost his life whilst serving with A Coy, 14th Battalion DLI, aged 21 he was the son of William and Annie Dixon, of 1 Walker Terrace, Harrowgate Hill, Darlington, Co. Durham and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.





    300936

    Pte. Frederick Dickens 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Frederick Dickens was the 20 year old son of Walter Dickens, of 32 Devonshire St., Sunderland, and the late Hannah Dickens. Frederick is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.





    300935

    Pte. A. L. Dawson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Pte A Dawson served with the 18th and 15th Btns, Orignially lying at map reference 27b 8.8, his remains were recovered by 21st Labour Coy on the 31st of July 1919 and reburied in Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers la Boisselle





    300934

    Pte. Charles Davies 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Charles Davies was the son of Mr. T. J. and Mrs. C. K. Davies, of Bolton Grove, Seaton Carew, Co. Durham. An Articled Chartered Accountant, he was 22 years old and is rememebered on theTheipval Memorial.





    300933

    L/Cpl. Arthur Alexander K. Davidson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th May 1917)

    Arthur Davidson was he 25 year old son of Robert John and Jane Davidson, of 55, Hawthorne Avenue, Cleadon Park, South Shields. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.





    300932

    L-Cpl. John Dalkin 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1918)

    John Dalkin served with the 18th and 14th Battalions, he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.





    300931

    L-Cpl. William Culbert 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Jun 1918)

    William Culbert was 28 years old when he was killed, he is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial. He was the husband of Caroline Culbert, of 4 Kells Buildings, Nevilles Cross, Durham.





    300930

    Pte. A. B. Crawford 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Feb 1918)

    Pte Crawford is buried in Roclincourt Military Cemetery





    300929

    L-Cpl. Henry Frederick Cooper 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th Mar 1918)

    Henry Cooper was the son of S. E. and the late W. H. J. Cooper, of Sunderland. His wife Ethel Cooper, of 92 Lovely St., Sunderland requested the inscription - Greater love hath no man that he lay down his life for another- for his headstone. A battalion signaller, he was aged 28 when he was killed and is buried in Moyenneville (Two Tree) Cemetery.





    300928

    L/Cpl. J. Christison 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Son of Sarah Christison, of 15, York St., Queensbury, Bradford. Native of West Hartlepool, Pte Christison died aged 21 whilst serving with the 14th Btn, he is buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery





    300927

    Pte. John Robert Christopher 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Nov 1916)

    J.R. Christopher is buried in Hebuterne Military Cemetery. His headstone does not bear any personal inscription.





    300926

    Pte. Arthur Chester 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Aug 1916)

    Arthur Chester was aged 24 when he died of wounds at the Netley Military Hospital in Southampton, he is buried in the Netley Military Cemetery. The inscription At Rest was requested for his headstone by Mrs D A Liddle , Kelveden, Vicarage Terrace, Murton, Co Durham.





    300925

    Pte. E. Burlinson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.11th Aug 1916)

    Pte Burlinson was the son of George Watson Burlinson and Elizabeth Burlinson, of 30 Cooper St., Roker, Sunderland. Aged 20 when he was killed on the 11th of August 1916, he is buried in Le Touret Military Cemetery. His parents requested his headstone be inscribed Also in memory of G W Burlinson MGC, missing Serre July 1st 1916.





    300924

    L-Cpl. James M. Bunkall 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th May 1917)

    James Bunkall was the son of Valentine and Annie Bunkall. He was married to Dorothy Bunkall, of 39 Archer St., West Hartlepool, Co. Durham. James has no known grave and is remembered on the Arras Memorial.





    300923

    Sgt. John Cummings Brydon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    John Brydon was the son of Michael Thomas and Annabella Matthewson Brydon, of 50 Cleveland Rd., Sunderland. He was killed, aged 24 on the 1st of July 1916 and is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No 1. His mother requested the inscriptionUntil the day breaks and shadows flee away.





    300922

    Pte. John W. Broadley 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    John Broadley is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.





    300921

    2nd Lt. Sidney Fitzgerald Bobby 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Sidney Bobby served with the 18th Bn. attd. 93rd T.M. Bty, he was aged 22 when he died on the 1st of July 1916. He was the son of William Thomas and Elizabeth Bobby, of 7 Wellesley Rd., Leytonstone, London and is remembered on the Theipval Memorial to the missing.





    300920

    Pte. George Bilton 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Aug 1916)

    George Bilton was the son of George and Elizabeth Bilton of Framwellgate Moor, Durham. Aged 28, George is buried in Le Touret Military Cemetery.





    300918

    Pte. Thomas Berry 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Thomas Berry is remembered on the Theipval Memorial to the missing.





    300917

    2nd Lt. William Bell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    William Bell was the son of John and Margaret Bell, of West Farm, Medomsley. He was killed on the 3rd of July 1916 and is buried in Beauval communal cemetery in France, he was 27 years old. His father requested the headstone inscription - He died that others might live.





    300916

    Pte. Ronald Allan 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Oct 1916)

    Pte Alan was aged 22 when he was killed. He is buried in Bethune Town cemetery. he was the husband of Elsie Lily Allan. Son of Robert Bruce Allan of Middlesbrough.





    300912

    Lt. Simpson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Lt Simpson served with C Coy 18th DLI.





    300908

    2nd Lt. William Herbert Brown 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Jul 1918)

    William Brown was born in 1885, son of Elizabeth and Richard Brown. He enlisted in the 18th DLI service number 18-215, after being promoted to Sergeant he was commissioned into the same battalion. He was married to Hilda and lived at 31 Old Elvet, Durham. William is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.





    300907

    L-Cpl. Arthur Reginald Birks 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Arthur Birks was born in Stranton, West Hartlepool on 27th of August 1895 to Elisa and Edwin Birks. He enlisted with the County Battalion DLI at West Hartlepool on the 18th of September 1914. His occupation is given as Clerk and he is recorded as being 19 years old, 6 feet tall, weighing 158 lbs with a 37 inch chest. Arthur was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.





    300906

    Pte. Charles Newberry 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1918)

    Charles Newberry served with the 18th Bn. Durham Light Infantry and died of wounds on the 9th August 1918 aged 19. He was the son of Thomas Henry and Jane Newberry, of 53 Battenberg Rd., Leicester.





    300905

    Pte. Fred Dews 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Apr 1918)

    Fred Dews was the son of Joseph Saunders Dews and Charlotte J Dews, of 18 Hawthorne Rd, Wolverhampton. Died on the 12th of April, 1918. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial





    300904

    Pte. William James Horn 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.17th May 1917)

    William Horn, enlisted with the 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry in West Hartlepool. He was killed in action on 17th May 1917 aged 20. William was the son of James and Christiania Horn, of 8, Oswald St., Amble, Northumberland and is commemorated Arras Memorial. He was born and lived Amble, Northumberland and is remembered on the war memorial in the town.





    300903

    Charles Vivian Palmer 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Charles Palmer is remembered on the Memorial Plaque in the Long Eaton Town Hall which was compliled by Members of theLong Eaton Branch of the British Legion





    300902

    Pte. John Norman Dowse 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    John was born in 1894 at Norton-on-Tees to Edward Ranyell and Elizabeth Dowse. He grew up at 7 Lax Terrace, Norton with his parents and siblings Ethel, Edward, Nellie and Edith. John enlisted, in 1915, at Stockton, into the 18th.Battalion Durham Light Infantry (Durham Pals) service number 18-47. He died of wounds received on the 3 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and is buried in Couin British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. John was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His mother requested the inscription - Through death shall come new life and out of darkness light - for his headstone.





    300901

    Thomas Oran Herring 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Thomas Herring was born in Tudhoe in 1895 and died on the Somme 1916 whilsts serving with the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.





    300900

    Pte. James Harding 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd May 1917)

    13th & 18th DLI





    300898

    2nd Lt. James Barker Bradford 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.14th May 1917)

    James Bradford was born in 1890. He was commissioned into the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (the Durham Pals) as a Second Lieutenant, serving with C Coy and gained the Military Cross for his bravery near Gommecourt, France in March 1917. James was severely wounded on 10 May 1917 near Arras and died of his wounds four days later aged 27 years of age. He is buried on Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun. He was the husband of Annie and son of the late George Bradford and his wife of Ravenlea Road, Folkstone, Kent. His wife requested the inscription Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. Her address is given as Towns Country Club, 73 Mortimer, St London. Find out more





    300897

    Pte. Harold Newton Macdonald 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th Mar 1918)

    "Harold Newton Macdonald, killed in action on March 28, 1918, while serving with the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. His name is on the Arras Memorial. His parents, Charles and Eliza Macdonald, lived in Julian Avenue on the Lawe, near to where, today, his name appears on the St Aidans Church roll of honour, now in St Stephens.Church and on the memorial at South Shields Golf Club where he was a member. "





    300896

    Pte. William Burton 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd May 1917)

    Pte William Burton served with "B" Coy. 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Died 3 May 1917 aged 29 Son of Edwin and Mary Ann Burton of Nottingham, husband of Fanny Burton, of Reservoir House, Winterburn.





    300894

    Sgt. A. S. Durrant 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    1st July 1916 Somme I reached the German trenches but I was wounded and I saw the entrance to a dugout, so I dragged myself along to the steps of the dugout and I thought lets see if I can get in there I managed somehow to get myself into a half sitting half lying possition on the steps leading down to the dugout. Suddenly the mouth of the dugout fell in. A high explosive shell must have burst near by and I was thown into a doubled up osition. I didnt seem to be hurt any further, but the entrance down to the dugout was blocked so I dragged myself out and rested in the open. This went on until the evening and I gradually dragged myself in the right direction, to the British Lines and eventually I crawled to safety. On arriving at what I thought was safety I saw an old college friend of mine, nicknamed Whiskers. I shouted Whiskers! he came along -hello what are you doing here?. He was in the Royal Army Medical Corps and he took charge of me and put me on a stretcher and conveyed me to a medical shelter.





    300893

    Capt. William Douglas Lowe 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    https:--www.dur.ac.uk-library-asc-collection_information-cldload-?collno=579

    Adjutant of the 18th Durham Light Infantry





    300892

    Percy Cook 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Jul 1916)

    Percy Cook was 21 years old when he was killed, he is buried in St Vaast Post Military Cemetery. The inscription on his headstone reads: Also in memory of Private J E Cook DLI killed 24th May 1915, aged 24 years. It was funded by Miss N M trees of Sundial House, Hurworth on Tees.





    300890

    Pte. Walter Rogers 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914)

    Pte Rogers was killed during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools He was born in Bishop Auckland in 1889.

    Bishop Auckland had never seen anything like it. The unpolished oak coffin, wrapped in a Union flag, led a procession more than a mile long through the streets to the cemetery. There were so many wreaths and floral tributes that they couldnt all fit in the funeral coach and so some had to be carried by the hundreds of soldiers behind the coffin. Thousands of people lined the route, no doubt bowing their heads as the coffin passed and the Durham Light Infantry band played Handel’s sombre Dead March. This, on Monday, December 21, 1914, was Bishop Auckland’s first taste of the horrors of the First World War. The victim was Private Walter Rogers, 25, who, five days earlier, had been among the first people to die on home soil during the war. On December 16, 1914, three German warships had unexpectedly opened fire from a mile out on Hartlepool. The flagship battle cruiser Seydlitz fired the first shells at the Heugh battery on the Headland, which was guarded by members of the 18th (Service) Battalion of the DLI. They were volunteers who had responded to the call by Lord Kitchener, the Secretary of State for War, to form “pals” regiments – groups of friends who all joined up together. For the previous six weeks, the County Durham Pals had been billeted at West Hartlepool for training purposes, and this was their first, terrifying experience of war. Five Durham Pals died in the bombardment, earning them an unwanted place in British history. Corporal Alix Liddle, of Darlington, was one of the first to go down, and Pte Rogers rushed to his aid. He was killed while in the act of covering up Cpl Liddle, who was cut up with one of the first shells, said the Northern Despatch newspaper. Pte Rogers received the full force of another splinter from a shell in the chest, but he lingered for three hours. Pte Rogers’ obituaries say that at the time of his death, he was acting chief clerk at Lingford’s famous baking powder factory in the town. He was a member of the local photographic society, hockey club, golf club, Cockton Hill Tennis Club, the Civilian Rifle Club and St Peters Church choir. All organisations sent wreaths for the coffin and members for the procession which, said the Despatch, was “at least a mile in length”. In the cemetery, the service was conducted by the Rev A E Douglas, formerly vicar of St Peters, and at the conclusion, the Last Post was sounded and a volley fired over the grave. So Bishop Auckland laid to rest its first victim of the Great War. - Northern Echo





    300889

    Cpl. Alix Oliffe Liddle 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914)

    Pte Liddle was killed during the Bombardment of Hartlepools and is buried in West Cemetery, Darlington. Alix Liddle was born in Darlington in 1889 the youngest son of Frances and James Liddle of Middleton Tyas. He married Clara Main on the 27th of april 1914. Before the war he was employed by Pease and Partners as a clerk in the accountants office. “At 8am on Wednesday, December 16, 1914, three German warships appeared out of the mist shrouding the sea off Hartlepool and, from a mile out, opened fire. It was a brutal exercise by the Germans to frighten complacent British civilians, who believed the war would be concluded in their favour by Christmas. The first shell, fired by the battle cruiser Seydlitz, landed beside the Heugh battery on the Headland and killed four members of the Durham Pals outright. They were, in alphabetical order, Privates Charles Clark and Theophilis Jones, both of West Hartlepool; Corporal Alix Liddle, of Darlington, and Private Leslie Turner, of Newcastle. The likelihood is that all four, including the colliery clerk from Darlington, died simultaneously. First, second, third or fourth, it matter not to Clara back home in Sylvan Grove. The following morning she received a telegram – official intimation from the War Office – saying Alix had been killed in action. After eight months of marriage, she was a widow. Seydlitz’s second shell landed practically in the same place as the first beside the Heugh Battery, killing four men who had gone to help their colleagues. They were Gunner William Houston, who was born in Middlesbrough; Gunner Robert Spence, born in West Hartlepool; Private Thomas Minks, from Middlesbrough, and Private Walter Rogers, who was born in Bishop Auckland." Northern Echo.





    300887

    Pte. Theophilus Jones 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914)

    Theophilus Jones of the 18th DLI is widly regarded as the first man of the battalion to be killed in action, during the bombardment of the Hartlepools. He was buried with full military honours in Hartlepool on the 19th of December. 500 men of the battalion attended his funeral service at St Aidens Church.

    To-day, the body of the late Pte Theo Jones, one of the most popular members of the county battalion of the DLI, who was killed in the bombardment on Wednesday, was laid to rest at West Hartlepool (Stranton) cemetery. The service was held at st. Aidans church there being present 500 members of the county battalion, under the command of Majors Roberts, Tilly and Neville. The church was filled with these and numerous other friends of the late Pte Jones, including representatives of the Schools Athletic Association and the West Hartlepool Cricket Club, with which the deceased gentleman was connected. The hymn There is a land of pure delight was sung. Hundreds of people assembled outside the church and along the route to the cemetery, where a salute was fired and the last post sounded. Sgt Willson had charge of the firing party. The coffin was covered with many beautiful wreaths, one from the officers of the county battalion, and another from the NCOs and men. 19th Dec 1914

    He was born in Darlington in 1885, son of Lettie Jones.

    He was employed as headmaster of Thringstone School when he enlisted in the 18th DLI. He was also given the job of church choirmaster, and in his spare time he played for the Coalville Rugby Club. His time at Thringstone was cut short when he volunteered for service as a private soldier with the DLI. Before leaving the village, his pupils presented him with a prayer book, and Jones then kept in touch by sending cheerful letters to the vicar. Sadly, Jones had been gone for 2 months when a telegram arrived at Thringstone Vicarage. The news was terrible - whilst on guard duty, Jones had been killed by fragments of shell fired from a German warship. On the same day, more than 100 civilians were killed in this terrible attack. In the breast pocket of his tunic, Jones had been carrying the prayer book that he had been given. A fragment of iron shell was found to have pierced the book almost all the way through. The book was brought to Thringstone and shown to a packed congregation by the vicar at a special memorial service.





    300886

    L/Cpl. Charles Stephen Clarke 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914)

    L-Cpl Charles Clarke was killed during the Bombardment of Hartlepool whilst serving with 18th DLI. He was born in West Hartlepool in 1890 and was buried in Hartlepool North Cemetery, he is now commemorated on a screen wall in Stranton Cemetery. His wife Elise later remarried and lived at 17 Derwent Street, West Hartlepool.





    300885

    Cpl. F. Smith 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Apr 1918)

    Pte F Smith is buried in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, near Ypres





    300884

    Pte. Robert Jarry 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.7th Jun 1916)

    Robert Jarry was killed aged 26 and is buried in Dartmoor Cemetery at Becordel Beacourt, France





    300883

    Pte. J. B. Frankton 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Frankton was initally buried at Map Reference 36A.21.d.5.4. In a marked grave, his remains were recovered in 1919 and he was reburied in Grand Beaumart British Cemetery.





    300882

    L/Cpl. Jonathan Morrell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    L-Cpl Morrell served with 18th DLI, he was initally buried at Map Reference 36A.21.d.5.4. In a marked grave, his remains were recovered in 1919 and he was reburied in Grand Beaumart British Cemetery. his wife Mrs J A Morrell of 115 Adelaide St, South Shields, requested the headstone inscription Dearly loved by his wife and little daughter/





    300881

    Pte. W. S. Brooks 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Brooks was initally buried at Map Reference 36A.21.d.5.4. In a marked grave, his remains were recovered in 1919 and he was reburied in Grand Beaumart British Cemetery. Mrs A Brookes, 74 Windmill St, Wedensbury, Staffs requested the inscription - Safe in the arms of Jesus - for his headstone





    300879

    J. Shankie 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served as a signaller with 18th DLI





    300875

    Sgt. Herbert Jolly 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Herbert is listed as “Jolly, Herbert 31 Union Street. Sergt 1520 18th DLI” in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.





    300874

    Sgt. William Haw 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    William is recorded as Haw, William. 16 Fairfield Street, Sergt 245031 18th DLI in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.





    300873

    Pte. H. Harrison 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Harrison is recorded as Harrison, H. 14 Arthur Street, Pte 94 County Battalion DLI in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.





    300872

    Pte. Frederick Garry 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Sep 1916)

    Frederick Garry was the son of George and Sarah Garry of 13 Grass Street, Darlington. He was killed on the 18th of September 1916 and is remembered on the Loos Memorial. He is listed as Garry, Frederick 13 Grass Street. Pte DLI in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s. William Garry of the same address is also listed on the same roll servinf as Sapper 236563 Royal Engineers.





    300871

    T. Fenwick 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    T Fenwick is recorded as Fenwick, T. of Croft, 18th DLI in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.





    300870

    Cpl. Ellis 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Cpl Ellis is recorded as Ellis,-, Cpl Bugler Lord Durhams County Battalion DLI in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.





    300869

    Arthur Ellis 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Arthur is recorded as Ellis, Arthur 54 Bedford Street 18th DLI in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s. Also recorded is Herbert Ellis of the same address serving as Pte 1622 5th DLI.





    300868

    Pte. H. Davies 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    H Davies is recorded as Davies, H. Pte 18th DLI in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.





    300867

    Pte. Herbert Barker 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Herbert is recorded as "Barker, Herbert,25 Louisa St, Darlington, Pte 1621 18th DLI in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.





    300866

    L/Cpl. W. Ayton 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Ayton is recorded as "Ayton, W. Lcpl 1312 18th DLI" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.





    300865

    Pte. Benson Alderson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Benson is recorded as "Benson Alderson, Raby House, Sadberge, Pte 1257 18th DLI" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s. On the same roll is listed Alderson ?R. of the same address, Pioneer 183413 Special Battalion, who died of wounds at Popperinge 19th Oct 1917-





    300864

    Pte. Reginald Greenwell Orton 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 257th Tunnelling Coy RE





    300862

    Pte. William Ayton 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 20th& 6th DLI





    300861

    Sgt. Walter Edwin Willan 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 15th & 20th & 12th DLI





    300858

    Pte. Charles Thornton 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 3rd Ent Btn.





    300856

    Pte. Charles Harold Latimer 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & Trans 13th Corps & 7th DLI





    300855

    Pte. Edward Johnson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 2nd DLI





    300854

    Pte. John Dempster 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 14th DLI





    300849

    Pte. Ernest Smith 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 14th & 2nd DLI





    300833

    Pte. Joseph Luxmore 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd May 1915)

    Joseph Luxmore died aged 24 and is buried in Ebblinghem Military Cemetery





    300832

    Pte. Charles Fraser 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 20th DLI





    300831

    Pte. James Campbell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 20th DLI





    300826

    Cpl. George Wilson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 2nd DLI





    300822

    Pte. Matthew Hutchinson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 20th DLI





    300821

    Pte. Robert Brown Hutchinson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 31st Div HQ





    300818

    Sgt. William Tarren 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissined and continued to serve after the war





    300814

    Pte. Thomas Gargett 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 10th DLI





    300812

    A/Sgt. Edwin Charles Bell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Edwin Bell served with the 18th Durham Light Infantry attached Assistant Provost Marshall Durham





    300811

    Pte. John William Alderson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 14th DLI





    300808

    Pte. John Robert Russell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 19th & 18th DLI





    300802

    Cpl. John Henry Proud 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 39th Div G & att 50th div RA





    300801

    A/Sgt. Joseph Sproat or Stuart Armstrong 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 20th DLI





    300795

    Pte. Christopher Best 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Christopher Best is remembered on a specila memorial in Le Grand Beaumart Cemetery, Steenwerck where he is believed to be buried. The inscription Their glory shall not be blotted out was added at the expense of Mrs E Best of 45 Vine Street, Darlington.





    300794

    Pte. John Robert Wilson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 3rd Ent Btn. & 9th DLI & 20th DLI





    300790

    Pte. Hunter Jones 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 22nd & 19th DLI





    300788

    Pte. Lewis Daniels 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att for duty Carpenters Shop





    300787

    L/Cpl. Shepherd Close 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 4th Ord Mobile Workshops





    300768

    Pte. Robert Mitchell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI





    300765

    Pte. Robert Armstrong Pendlington 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 14th DLI





    300757

    L/Sgt. George Brown 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 13th DLI





    300756

    L/Cpl. William Godfrey Cummingham 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 11th DLI





    300755

    Pte. James Rawson Coatham 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 15th DLI





    300748

    Sgt. Ernest M. Hart 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissined to DLI 3rd Feb 1919





    300741

    A/WO.Cl.II John Anderson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 52nd DLI





    300739

    Pte. Charles John Garbutt 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 22nd DLI





    300732

    A-Sgt. John Chilton 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Also served att 1st Army School of Motors.





    300731

    Pte. George Blakeman 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 19th & 18th & 14th DLI





    300709

    Pte. William Herbert Lindridge 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th DLI





    300707

    Pte. Robert Davison 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att School of Farriers & att. 93rd MGC





    300703

    Pte. George Robert Finnity 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th & 7th DLI & 2-6th DLI & 18th DLI





    300702

    Cpl. John George Robers 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 5th Ent Btn. & att 9th Btn Loyal North Lancashire Regiment





    300693

    Cpl. John William Agar 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    J W Agar is recorded as "Pte Agar, J, W. Lord Durham's County Battalion DLI" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s. He was Commissioned into 2nd DLI





    300690

    Pte. Charles Banks 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th Dli and as Pte 22768 MGC





    300689

    2nd Lt. Pringle Balmer 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pringle Balmer joined the 18th Dli as a private and was commissioned into the DLI as a 2nd Lt.





    300681

    Cpl. Melville Hildreth Aubin 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Melville Aubin was one of the first to enlist with the County Battalion, he was commissioned into the 18th Dli and was promited to Lt.





    300678

    Pte. Bertram Ankers 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Bertram is recorded as "Bert Ankers, 9 Falmer Road, Darlington, Pte A Coy. 18th DLI, killed in action, France 3rd Sep 1916" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s. Sapper R Ankers 152414 Signal Corps Royal Engineers, of the same address is also listed on the roll.





    300677

    Clr/Sgt. Samuel Platten 4th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI - Commissioned 4th Oct 1915





    300676

    A/CQMS George Briggs 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI





    300675

    Pte. John Walker 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 23rd, 14th & 18th DLI





    300674

    Pte. Ernest Green 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300673

    Pte. Walter Nicholl 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300672

    Pte. John Burns 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and 20th DLI and 19th DLI





    300671

    Pte. Rawdon Hanson 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300670

    Pte. Herbert Horsemond Fletcher 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300669

    Pte. Harry Elliott 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI , 2nd DLI and Att 6th Div Co.





    300668

    Pte. Herbert Brailey MM. 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and att 27th Chinese Labour corps





    300667

    Pte. John Bushby 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI , 14th DLI and 19th DLI





    300666

    Pte. James William Smith 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 19th DLI, 10th DLI. 18th DLI & 11th DLI





    300665

    Pte. Lewis Fawcett 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 2nd DLI, 18th Dli and 2-6th DLI





    300664

    Pte. Herbert Parker 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300663

    Pte. Arthur Goldsbrough 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and 2-6th DLI





    300662

    Pte. Tom Yellow 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300661

    Pte. Walter Charles Brookes 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 11th and 18th DLI





    300660

    Pte. George Tuton 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 19th, 22nd and 18th DLI





    300659

    Pte. Thomas Edward Stotheft 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with the 19th, 18th, 14th and 11th DLI





    300658

    Pte. Samuel Fields 23rd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 19th & 18th DLI





    300657

    Pte. George Pallisher 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 22nd DLI & att labour Coy ASC & 18th DLI & 7th DLI





    300656

    Pte. Stephen Hyland 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 22nd & 18th DLI





    300655

    Pte. Joseph Hendrick 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 22nd & 18th DLI





    300654

    Pte. William Dawson Smith 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 22nd & 18th & 11th DLI





    300653

    Pte. Thomas William Richardson 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 22nd DLI & att 8th Div RE & 18th DLI & 14th DLI & 9thDLI





    300652

    Pte. Stanley Howard Fraser 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 22nd & 18th DLI





    300651

    Pte. Cyril Roberts 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300650

    Pte. Albert Ernest Iseton 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 22nd Dli and att 108 Coy RE and 18th DLI





    300649

    Pte. George Albert Steele 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and att 257 Tunnelling Coy RE and 22nd & 7th DLI





    300648

    Pte. John Crawford 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and att 180 coy RE and 7th DLI





    300647

    Pte. John Thomas Bell 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with the 22nd, 14th and 18th Btns. DLI





    300646

    Pte. William Brabiner 22nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 22nd, 18th & 7th DLI





    300644

    Pte. Henry Harras 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300643

    Pte. Peter Jackson 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300642

    Pte. James Walker 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 10th DLI, 22nd DLI and 18th DLI





    300641

    Pte. George O. Armstrong 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 2nd DLI, 18th DLI and 2-6th DLI





    300640

    Pte. John Rae 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300639

    Pte. Henry Swinson 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300638

    Pte. George Newby 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI , 20th DLI, 2nd DLI att 12 Coy RE





    300637

    Cpl. Charles North 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th and 18th DLI





    300636

    Pte. Robert E. D. Greiveson 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300635

    Pte. Arthur Bruce 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300634

    Pte. Christopher White 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th DLI and 18th DLI and 19th DLI





    300633

    Pte. William Robson 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and 15th DLI





    300632

    Pte. Norman Cranston 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300631

    Pte. William Ainsley 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300630

    Pte. Robert Race Robinson 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300629

    Pte. Tom Sayers 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300628

    Pte. Thomas Henry Corner 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300627

    Pte. Alexander Willey 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and att Nigerean Gold Coast Contingents





    300626

    Pte. John Henry Whitehead Dent 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300625

    Pte. William Watson Atkinson 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300624

    Sgt. Oliver Burdon 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300623

    Pte. John William MacDougall 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300622

    Pte. Charles Edward Lewis 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300621

    Pte. William Metcalf Walker 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300620

    Cpl. John William Rogers 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI , 19DLI 10 & 15 DLI





    300619

    Pte. Albert Henry Bowe 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Mar 1917)

    Albert Bowe enlisted on the 21st Btn DLI and served with 18th DLI. He was killed on the 1st of March 1917 aged 19 and is remembered on a special memorial in Gommecourt British Cemetery No2 at Heuterne, he is known to be buried in this cemetery but the actual site of his grave is unknown. He was the son of Henry and Margaret Bowe, of 5, Dale Terrace, New Shildon, Co. Durham. His father paid for the inscription 'Ever remembered' to be engraved on the headstone.





    300618

    Pte. George Edward Williamson 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300617

    Pte. Harry Nodding 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300616

    Pte. Thomas Percy Raine Hall 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th, 19th and 20th DLI





    300615

    Pte. John George Alderson 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th, 19th and 20th DLI





    300614

    Pte. George Plumpton 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI & 13th DLI





    300613

    Pte. John Gray 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and 12th and 2nd DLI





    300612

    Pte. Edward Thomas Trow 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300611

    Pte. Thomas Wallace Forrett 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300610

    Pte. James Mulhall 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI





    300609

    A/Cpl. Frank Gibbon 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and att 275 Tunnelling Coy RE





    300608

    Pte. Robert Robson Lamb 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300607

    Pte. Fred Merryweather 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300606

    Pte. Robert Richmond 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and att 6th West Yorks





    300605

    A/Cpl. John Hall 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300604

    Pte. Francis Edward Sarginson 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and att 9th Northumberland Fusiliers





    300603

    Pte. James Marshall 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th Dli and att 9th Northumberland Fusiliers





    300602

    Pte. David Edgar 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with the 18th DLI





    300601

    Pte. Herbert Crocker 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 2nd & 18th DLI





    300600

    Pte. Thomas Butterill 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th, 19th and 12th DLI





    300599

    Pte. Thomas Wilson Robson 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    21st DLI & att 257 tunneling coy & 18DLI





    300598

    Pte. Anthony Edgar 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300597

    Pte. James Henry Cable 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI & att 93rd TMB





    300596

    Pte. William Sewell 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300595

    Pte. Robert Nicholson Scarr 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300594

    Pte. James Goode 21st Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th Dli & att 257 Tunneling Coy RE & att 35 IBD





    300593

    Pte. Percy Dring 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 12th & 2nd DLI





    300592

    Pte. Thomas Clear 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th & 18th DLI





    300591

    CSM George Potts DCM. 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 12th & 15th DLI





    300590

    Pte. Edward Tomsett 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th DLI & att 257 Tunnelling Coy RE, 18th DLI & 15th DLI & 11th DLI SWB





    300589

    Pte. Robert Allan 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th, 14th & 18th DLI SWB





    300588

    Pte. John Copeland 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th & 18th & 14th & 11th DLI





    300587

    Pte. Henry Gustard 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th & 18th DLI SWB





    300586

    Pte. Joseph Graham 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 20th & 2nd DLI





    300585

    Pte. Joseph Taylor 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th & 18th DLI





    300584

    Pte. Lawrence Heslop 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th, 5th and 18th DLI





    300583

    Pte. William Purvis 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th and 20th DLI





    300582

    Pte. Arthur Easton Humprys 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 20th, 18th and 15th DLI





    300581

    Pte. John Forsyth 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI , 15th and 2nd DLI





    300580

    Pte. William Gibbon 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with20th DLI, 18th DLI and 15th DLI





    300579

    Pte. John Heslop 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300578

    Pte. William Davidson Clark 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300577

    Pte. Thomas Kent 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th, 18th and 15th DLI





    300576

    Pte. Fred Hancock 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th, 2nd and 15th DLI





    300575

    Pte. William Spence 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 20th and 18th DLI





    300574

    Pte. Thomas Watson 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th, 18th & 14th DLI





    300573

    Pte. John Wilson 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 15th DLI





    300572

    Pte. Thomas Gardiner 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 14th & 18th DLI SWB





    300571

    Pte. Thomas Frederick Palin 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 19th & 18th DLI





    300570

    Cpl. William Young 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 19th & 18th DLI





    300569

    Pte. Thomas Hudspeth 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 19th DLI 36th Royal Fusiliers, 195 Labour Corps 22nd & 18th DLI





    300568

    Pte. Arthur Davies 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 2nd, 18th and 9th DLI





    300567

    Pte. Thomas Cook 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300566

    Pte. John James F. Kilpatrick 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 7th DLI





    300565

    Pte. William Stephenson 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 19th, 18th and 11th DLI





    300564

    Pte. Thomas Gates 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 19th, 11th and 18th DLI





    300563

    Pte. Thomas McGahan 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with19th DLI, 18th DLI , 195th Coy RE





    300562

    Pte. John James Makepeace 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI





    300560

    Cpl. Harry Smith 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 19th and 18th DLI





    300559

    Pte. John Duignan 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 19th, 20th and 18th DLI





    300557

    Pte. Thomas Aiston 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd April 1918)

    CWGC list Thomas Aiston's regimental number as 18/8 (Medal Roll records 18/5), aged 24, he is buried in Plot I. Row C. Grave 14. at Morbecque British Cemetery. The son of Francis and Elizabeth Aiston, of Darlington, his headstone bears the inscription: "Ever dear to our memory". The inscription fee was was paid for By Miss Eveline Aiston of 73, Stanhope Road, Darlington.

    Thomas is recorded as "Pte Aiston, Lord Durham's County Battalion DLI" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s. He was one of ten soldiers remembered on a white marble plaque which was situated in St Luke's Church, Darlington. The plaque is now missing but the names on it have been recorded by the North East war Memorial Project via a newspaper article in the Darlington Stockton Times of the 14th of February 1920. Thomas is also included amongst 700 names recorded on the wall plaques which line the entrance to Darlington War Memorial Hospital in Hollyhurst Road, Darlington.





    300555

    Pte. Alfred Allen 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Mar 1918)

    Alfred Allen was born on 9th of July 1894 at 28 Emily Street, Stockton. He lives with his parents George and Louisa, brothers John and George, sisters Louisa and Florence and grandfather Edward. Alfred worked as a Grocers Assistant and then as a driller, he enlisted in the 18th Battalion DLI on 2nd of October 1914. He was promoted to Lance Corporal and was killed in action on the 29th of March 1918 during the German Offensive Operation Michael. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.





    300554

    Pte. John Barnard 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Aug 1916)

    John Barnard was born in 1893 in Stockton to Mathew and Margaret Barnard. On the 1901 Census he is living at 59 Hampton Road,Stockton with his parents and sisters Ann, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary and Winnie. After leaving school he worked as a Grocer's Apprentice before enlisting in 1915 into the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry,service number 18/11. He died of wounds received on 10th of August 1916 at Serre during the Battle of the Somme and was buried in Oxbridge Lane Cemetery, Stockton.





    300551

    Pte. Frederick Lively 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 10th & 2-7th DLI





    300550

    L/Cpl. Sydney Harper 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 2nd DLI





    300547

    Sgt. Joseph Davidson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th & 2nd DLI & att HQ 2nd Corps & att 46th Div Depot Baths & att 1st Yorks





    300546

    L/Cpl. Thomas Darling 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned 22nd Dec 1915





    300543

    L/Sgt. Patrick James Connell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th Aug 1918)

    Patrick Connell is buried in Caestre Military Cemetery.





    300540

    Cpl. Jesse Howarth Kenworthy 18th Btn. A Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.17th Aug 1916)

    Jesse Kenworthy served with "A" Coy. 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry he died on Thursday, 17th August 1916 aged 25. He was the son of Joseph and Anne Kenworthy, of Stretton Villa, Deepcar.





    300539

    A/Sgt. Sam Smith 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI & att 13th Corps Work Camp





    300535

    Pte. Clarence Cecil Pike 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 22nd DLI





    300532

    L/Cpl. Harold Dixon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 10th DLI





    300529

    Pte. Thomas William Harland 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI & att 31st DAHQ





    300527

    Sgt. Robert George Bird 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissined to Border Regiment 27th Jun 1917





    300523

    Sgt. Robert Thomas Tait 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 14th DLI





    300522

    A/Cpl. John William Moon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 93rd LTMB





    300521

    Pte. Harry Hart 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th, 22nd & 10th & 15th DLI





    300519

    L-Cpl. George Clifford Smith 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissined to Yorkshire Regiment 27th Aug 1917





    300518

    Pte. William Roberts 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.15th Jun 1917)

    William Roberts was born in 1894, son of Amelia and Caleb Roberts.

    William recorded in his diary on the 1st of July 1916: "“The short but terrible rush through the fierce curtain fire with men falling on all sides, I shall never forget. High explosive shells fell all around us. The sights I saw are too terrible to write about and men almost blown to pieces.. I saw dead and wounded lying side by side. Some were moaning and others had so far lost their reason that they were laughing and singing." http://www.dlidurham.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/02-The%20First%20Day.pdf





    300515

    Pte. James Christal 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 19th 18th & 15th DLI





    300513

    L/Cpl. Ernest Darycott 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 20th DLI





    300507

    Sgt. Clemitt Harrison Saint 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI & att 13th Corps School





    300505

    Pte. Percy Blackwood Robson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 19th DLI





    300504

    Pte. John Ritson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 12th & 20th DLI





    300502

    Pte. Thomas Lavelie 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Surname may be Lavelle, to check!





    300499

    Sgt. William Barker DCM. 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 20th DLI





    300498

    Pte. Frederick Atkinson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 11th & 6th DLI





    300497

    L/Sgt. William Worthington Wilson 18th Btn. D Coy, Machine Gun Section. Durham Light Infantry

    William Wilson was born on 24th December 1892 in South Bishopwearmouth, son of Hannah Turner Hardy and Samuel Worthington Wilson. He had three younger siblings Nellie, Robert Hardy and Samuel Worthington. Employed as an Engineer, he served as a Territorial with the 7th Durham Light Infantry and was at camp in Wales when war broke out at the beginning of August. The 7th DLI were deployed to guard the East Coast and railway lines. William resigned and re-enlisted in November with the 18th DLI, where his experience was valued and he was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 23rd of January 1915 and to Corporal on the 12th May 1915, then to Lance Sergeant on the 16th November 1915. He served with D Company, Machine Gun Section.

    On 21st of March 1916 he wrote to his sister from Citerne near Abbeville, France: "My dear Nellie, As you said in your most welcome letter (received in Egypt) it is just as well I know you. The cap fits us both however, for I'm sure that if you did not know me, you would long since have been thinking some very hard things about your soldier brother. But as that is not the case, if when we both regard letter writing as more or less of a bore, then there is not much harm done by any lack of correspondence on our parts. Thoughts however are different, for since I commenced my one & only sea voyage till now, there seems to have been a great change come over us and I've realised what you have been & are now to us a real sister. Now there is Dorothy, many are the times I've had your photo out, and felt the better for it. The tales I hear of her canny way & loveable manner make me feel quite eager for the chance of seeing for myself, and feeling her lips on mine in a cousin’s kiss. You will not realise the kind of possession we feel in having a niece all our own, but it is there Nellie, & we glory in it, perhaps because we may be thinking 'things' ourselves, but 'nuff said about that. I guess there will be no need for me to tell you when we got here, where we are, how we are, what we are going to do and when, etc, etc, etc, for you will no doubt get all that from Mother, so there'll be no need for me to waste any space on that subject. One little bit of news however that I have not put in Mother's letter is to the effect that a certain number of NCOs leave here tomorrow for a six days spell in the trenches – to learn the ropes y' know, unfortunately I am not included in this number but hope that I shall be in the next party which will go up about the 29th of this month. You can use your own judgement about telling Mother of this. It will make little difference however, whether I go or not, simply because there is very little doing in that sector of the line we are to take over. Also our opponents are said to be Saxons, & they do not believe in pushing things on very much – unlike the Prussians at Verdun. However we shall see about that later. Shortly before leaving Egypt I received a letter from Dora, enclosing an excellent photograph & I have not even acknowledged it yet, so you might 'apologise' for me, will you Nellie dear, & say I'm going to write just as soon as ever I can. Probably I may get a letter of to her before you do, tho' I'm not sure. Methinks a secretary will shortly have to be engaged by this chicken. I am not giving you any address for you can get that any time from Mother, so now that it is nearly dark and no candle I'd better close with love to Jim, and with lots of love to you, Billie" - https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/4823716

    William was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916. The Sunderland Daily Echo of Tuesday July 18, 1916 reported his death: "Intimation has been received by Capt. and Mrs S. W. Wilson, 10, Azalea Ave., Sunderland, that their son, L/Sgt. Wm. W. Wilson, Machine Gun Section, D.L.I., was killed in action on July 1st. He enlisted in the local Pals Battn in November, 1914, with his three chums. His officer writes: It happened on the first day of the push, July 1st, at the very beginning. Shrapnel and high explosives were bursting all over, and m/g fire swept the whole line. Poor Wilson got on to the parapet, leading his section into the attack. He had only gone two or three yards when he fell with a machine-gun bullet through his chest. I understand he was carried back immediately to our trench, but he was dead. He was a steady, quiet, and manly fellow; everybody liked him, and many in the battn have expressed their sorrow to me. That he did his duty, and that he nobly led his section in front of perhaps the most murderous fire that there has been in all the war may be some little consolation to his mother."

    William has no known grave and is remembered on the Theipval Memorial to the Missing.





    300493

    A/Sgt. Robert Weatherall 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI & 16 West Yorks & att 11th East Lancs & 15-17th West Yorks





    300486

    Pte. Wilfred Hopps 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned & continued serving after the war





    300485

    T/Sgt Robert Webster 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 10th DLI





    300481

    Pte. John Thompson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 20th DLI





    300480

    L-Cpl. Robert Albert Thompson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th & 13th DLI





    300478

    A/L/Cpl. Richard Turnbull 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Richard Turnbull is remembered on the the Thiepval Memorial





    300474

    Sgt. Bert Stott 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned to West Riding Regiment 31st Jul 1917





    300473

    Cpl. James Herbert Simmonds 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned to Northumberland Fusiliers 28th May 1918





    300469

    Pte. Pierce Joseph Synnott 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 13th & 22nd DLI





    300466

    Sgt. James Dickenson Smith MM. 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissined to York & Lancaster Regiment 17th Sep 1917





    300458

    Pte. George Edward Ramshaw 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 11th & 13th DLI





    300457

    Pte. Joseph Ramshaw 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th & 20th DLI





    300454

    Pte. John Arno Reinecker 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 3rd Ent Btn.





    300453

    Pte. Ronald Henry Pinkey Priestly 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Ron Preistly was wounded in the thigh on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.





    300452

    Sgt. Richard Nelson Picken 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned Northumberland Fusiliers 26th Jun 1917





    300450

    Sgt. Ernest Clifford Powell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 11th DLI





    300440

    Pte. Thomas McNeill 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Thomas McNeill served with D Company 18th Durham Light Infantry. He fought at the Somme and suffered with trench foot which troubled him until he died at 84. His medals were stolen from his Grandson in a burglary, there is a reward if anyone can trace them. They were in their original worn leather boxes with ribbons. He treasured them and wore them on remembrance day.





    300438

    Cpl. Walter Longstaff 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Also served att 9th Northumberland Fusiliers





    300432

    Pte. Frederick William Kent 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 22nd DLI





    300431

    Pte. Sidney Grafton Hutchinson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Sidney is listed as "Hutchinson, Sidney G. 53 Elton Parade. Pte 79 18th DLI Wounded 1st of March 1917 and lost left arm" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.





    300429

    Cpl. Charles Jarman 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 11th & 13th DLI





    300428

    Pte. George Thomas Jefferson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 9th & 29th DLI





    300414

    Pte. Joseph Thomas Greaves 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 14th & 11th & 6th DLI





    300412

    Pte. Victor Grimes 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 2nd DLI





    300410

    Pte. Robert Graham 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 6th West Yorks





    300409

    Pte. Thomas William Fishburn 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 257th Tunnelling Coy RE





    300401

    Sgt. Wilfred Agar Dixon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 13th DLI and att. 89th Labour Corps & Details Btn





    300399

    Pte. Edward Gowling 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.17th Jul 1918)

    Also served att 6th West Yorks

    Edward is listed as "Gowling, Edward 4 Mildred Street Sergt. 18th DLI. killed 19th Jul 1918 in France" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s. Arthur Gowling of the same address is also listed on the same roll, Pte. Killed 26th of October 1916 at Sailly-aw-Bois.

    CWGC records Edward was 21 years old and is buried in Sailly-au-Bois Military Cemetery. He was the son of John Thomas and Margaret Ann Gowling, of 4, Mildred St., Darlington, Co. Durham. Edward was reburied in Merville Communal Cemetery Extention on the 5th of September 1919. He was originally buried at map reference 36a.K.16.C.4.4. his grave being marked by a stake. He was initially identified as 'LXI 81 Sgt Castely DLI', and was found buried close to Pte 33578 Harris and Pte Cemeny of the Suffolk Regiment, both of whom had identify discs. They now lie beside him at Merville. The graves registration form has been corrected with Castely crossed out and Gowling written in by hand, also added is 18th Btn, and his service number 18/74. Date of death is hand written as 17-9-18. The first headstone shedule has Edward's details written by hand, his date of death is given as 17th of July 1918, most ofther headstone details on this page are typed.





    300397

    Sgt. William Dickenson MM. 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Also served att 6th West Yorks





    300393

    Pte. Frederick Collingwood 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th & 20th DLI





    300392

    Pte. Samuel James Clarke 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Samuel Clarke is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.





    300389

    Pte. Arthur Cowan 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Arthur Cowan is remembered on the Theipval Memorial.





    300381

    Pte. Edward Blackey Carter 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    CWGC record Pte Carter as Edward Blakie Carter, son of Mr. J. P. and Mrs. S. E. Carter, of 101 Redcar Rd., South Bank, Middlesbrough. He was 21 years old when he was killed on the 1st of July 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.





    300378

    Pte. William Cooper 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th & 20th DLI





    300376

    Pte. Oscar Charles Bentley 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers coy RE and att 5th FS Coy RE





    300374

    Pte. James Matthew Cowan 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Silver War badge





    300371

    Pte. Arthur Osborne Bell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Arthur Bell is remembered on the Theipval Memorial.





    300370

    Pte. Harold Victor Birks 18th Btn. D Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Harold Victor Birks was born on the 6th May 1895 in Stranton, West Hartlepool, United Kingdom, son of Mary Hannah and James W. Birks. He was employed as an office boy with a timber merchant and enlisted at West Hartlepool on the 29th of Sepetember 1914, Harold served with D Coy. 18th Battalion DLI. He was killed on the 1st of July 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.





    300369

    Pte. Thomas Baggott 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Thomas Baggott was born in Newbottle, United Kingdom on the 15th of May 1880 to Martha Baggott. He was 34 years old and married to Mary Ella, when he enlisted in the 18th DLI in Sunderland on 30th of September 1914. He served with D Coy. Thomas was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916 at Serre on first day of the Battle of the Somme and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.





    300368

    Pte. Alexander Beaumont 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th, 20th and 9th DLI





    300367

    Pte. William Burdis 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 6th West Yorks





    300366

    Pte. Herbert Paterson Goodwill 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Aug 1916)

    Herbert is listed as "Goodwill, Herbert 27 Victoria Embankment. Pte 18th DLI Wounded at Neuve Chapelle. Buried at Merville 3rd Aug 1916" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.

    CWGC records Herbert was 22 years old and serving with "A" Coy. 18th Bn. Durham Light Infantry, he is buried in Merville communal Cemetery. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Goodwill, of Darlington.





    300365

    Sgt. Ernest Bushby 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Ernest Bushby was 30 years old when he was killed in 1918. Buried in Strand Military Cemetery, he was the son of Sarah Hannah Bushby, of 11 Coopers Terrace, Thornley, Wheatley Hill, Co. Durham, and the late Alfred Bushby. Ernest was originally buried at map ref 36.C.4.5.5, his grave being marked with a cross, he was reburied in December 1919.





    300362

    Pte. Edward Allport Brown 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Edward Brown was born in 1889, son of Martha Jane and William Brown. He went missing, presumed dead on the 1st of July 1916 and is remembered on the Theipval Memorial in France.





    300361

    Pte. John George Boumphrey 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th Mar 1918)

    John Boumphrey was the son of Thomas and Isabella Boumphrey. He was married to Nora Boumphrey, of 55, Furness St., West Hartlepool and was aged 24 when he died. John is buried in Bellacourt Military Cemetery.





    300358

    L/Cpl. Reginald Arthur Binks 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    CWGC records L/Cpl Binks as Arthur R. Binks, he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing





    300357

    Pte. John Robert Adamson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    John Robert Adamson was born on the 1st November 1891 in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, to Esther and Robert Adamson. He enlisted with the County Battalion DLI at Sunderland on the 1st of October 1914, giving his occupation as pianist. In the 1911 Census John's occupation is listed as Coupler-On in the coal mine, which involved coupling tubs together on the underground railway. His father was a Coal Mine Charge Man underground.

    John went missing in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and was presumed dead. He is remembered on the Theipval Memorial in France.





    300356

    Pte. Arthur Gowling 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Oct 1916)

    Arthur is listed as "Gowling, Arthur 4 Mildred Street Pte 18/66 18th DLI. Killed 26th of October 1916 at Sailly-aw-Bois." in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s. Edward Gowling of the same address is also listed on the same roll, Sergeant killed 19th Jul 1918 in France.

    CWGC records Arthur was 21 years old and is buried in Sailly-au-Bois Military Cemetery. He was the son of John Thomas and Margaret Ann Gowling, of 4, Mildred St., Darlington, Co. Durham.





    300353

    CSM Walter Leonard Allen 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned (roll states no medals issued auth EF-1-4764)





    300350

    Pte. Walter Wharf 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served att No3 Entrenching Btn





    300345

    Pte. Frederick Tillotson Walker 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned 26-3-1917





    300343

    Pte. John Gilbert Ward 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 257th Tunnelling Coy RE





    300339

    Sgt. Wilfred Watkin 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned and continued to serve after the war.





    300334

    RQMS Tom Wilson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned DLI





    300332

    Sgt. Thomas William Tindale 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and att. 93rd LTMB and att 25th Div LTMB





    300325

    Pte. William Wyllard Thompson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th and 11th DLI





    300324

    Pte. Charles Todd 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Charles Todd enlisted with 18th DLI and was serving with them during the 2nd Battle of Ypres and later served with 14th DLI and 22nd DLI.





    300318

    Pte. William Thomas Smith 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI , 20th and 22nd DLI





    300313

    Pte. George Victor Smith 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    "no medals were issued as he was convicted by civil powers and awarded 3 months imp. "





    300312

    Cpl. Frank Hanson Sinclair 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned into Yorks Regiment





    300310

    Pte. William Smurthwaite 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    William Smurthwaite was born on the 9th of June 1894. His parents were the Innkeepers of the Langley Park Hotel in Langley Park, he had one brother and four sisters. William attended Langley Park Council School and Durham Johnston School from 1907. By 1911 his mother had remarried, but was still running the Inn. William worked as a colliery engineman’s apprentice at Bearpark Colliery and was a mining student when he joined up on 17th of September 1914 with the 18th Battalion DLI. He is recorded as 5’9” tall, weighed 133 lbs and had good vision. He trained at Cocken Hall near Durham. William was disciplined whilst at Ripon for overstaying leave. He served in Egypt from Dec 1915 to Mar 1916, then was sent to France. He lost his life, aged 22 on the first day of the First Battle of the Somme and is buried on Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps. His name is recorded in the Book of Remembrance, St Edmund, Bear Park, Durham. His brother Tom was also killed in WW1.





    300309

    Sgt. William Stokoe 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned





    300308

    Sgt. Harold James Walter Scott 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned into DLI





    300307

    Pte. Alfred Fred Shaw 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and 12th DLI





    300303

    CSM Arthur Martin Freer 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned 29-5-17





    300301

    Pte. Thomas Wilkinson Pickles 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and 52nd DLI





    300285

    Pte. John Henry Edwards 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served with Labour Corps





    300282

    L/Cpl. William Robert Moody 18th Btn. C Coy Durham Light Infantry (d.30th Apr 1917)

    "William Robert Moody was born in the first three months of 1892 at Penshaw, and he was baptised on 3 April 1892 at All Saints Church, Penshaw. His parents were Robert Moody, a miner, and Dorothy Ann Moody, and at the time of William’s birth they were living at Carr Row, Penshaw. Robert had been born in Shincliffe and Dorothy in Philadelphia, and they had married in late 1890. There were two other sons of the marriage – Benjamin, born in 1894 (Durham registration district, June quarter), and James Arthur, born in 1897 (Houghton-le-Spring registration district, June quarter). By 1901 Dorothy and the three boys were living at Shincliffe, but there is no sign of Robert, and Dorothy although referring to herself as married, also describes herself as the head of the household. By 1911 the family were at Prospect Terrace, Shincliffe, and Dorothy was a widow. William, aged 19, was an accounts clerk with the County Council and Benjamin was a pupil teacher. William attended Shincliffe School and subsequently Johnston Technical School in Durham City, and joined the County Accountant’s Department of the County Council in 1906 at the age of 14. By 1914 William had been promoted from a third grade to a second grade clerk in the Education Section and was studying for an accountancy examination. He was described as of a quiet unassuming disposition, and was a member of the Shincliffe Church choir and the village football team.

    William was among the first Durham County Council staff to volunteer for service, and on 30 September 1914 the Education Emergency Sub-Committee gave permission for 140 staff to volunteer, including William. His decision was also reported to the Finance Committee in November 1914. William joined the 18th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, the ‘Durham Pals’ on 25 September 1914. He appears in a photograph of orderly room staff at Cocken Hall, taken in January 1915 18 DLI was one of the Kitchener’s Army battalions, raised from the enthusiastic flood of volunteers in the first months of the war, and it was unique in that the expenses for raising it were paid for entirely by the County of Durham. The unit was formed at Cocken Hall and became part of the 93rd Infantry Brigade and the 31st Division. He served with the battalion during its time in Egypt (December 1915 – March 1916) and when it then moved to the Western Front.

    He served with C Company of the Battalion, and was promoted to the rank of lance-corporal (although the County Council minutes and the Medal Roll Index card describe him as a private), but unfortunately his Army service records have not survived. He was attached to the headquarters staff of the battalion and was killed by a shell exploding in his dug-out on 30th April 1917 (one of four headquarters staff killed that day), and is buried at Bailleul Road East cemetery in the village of St. Laurent-Blangy, near Arras, in the Pas de Calais. Of the twenty-two staff in the County Accountant’s Department in 1914, by May 1917 fifteen had joined the forces and William was the first to be killed. His death was reported to the Education Committee on 25 July 1917. His two brothers, Benjamin and James, were both in the Army but both survived the War." http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/Pages/WilliamRobertMoody1892-1917.aspx





    300279

    A/Sgt. Charles Herbert Moss Moss 18th Btn. C Coy. Durham Light Infantry

    Charles Moss was born in 1880. On 1st July 1916, Lance Corporal Moss was a Lewis gunner with “C” Company 18th DLI. This Coy was in reserve trenches at 7.30am and did not move forward to the front line until mid-day. After the war he wrote ‘My Part in the Battle of the Somme’. A copy of this account is now held in Durham County Record Office [D/DLI 7/478/4].

    30th June 1916 "During the evening, our CO, Lt-Col Hugh Bowes, gave us our instructions ... There was to be no turning back, every man must advance at a steady pace. All officers had the authority to shoot anyone who stopped or tried to go back ... the grimmest order to me was that no fighting soldier was to stop to help the wounded ... We spent the rest of the evening being issued with field dressings, extra ammunition, picks and shovels, camouflaging our tin hats with sandbags and getting the bayonets sharpened. There was a good deal of light-hearted talk amongst groups of us ... The main thing we all looked forward to was to get away from the trenches to fight in open country and get on the move”.

    Zero Hour 1st July 1916: “We reached our assembly at about 4am on Saturday 1st July... They must have waited until we were all in position then they opened fire on us. Along on my left there was soon word being passed along for stretcher bearers.. The trench was so shallow I had to crouch into the front of it. Regardless of danger Lieut. Simpson kept moving up and down the trench with head and shoulders in full view of the Germans... At about 7.30am, Zero Hour, the time for the first wave to go over we heard a heavy rumbling thud which was the exploding of our great mine. We got the word to move to our jumping off trench to be ready to go over the top. As I got into this trench I nearly bumped into a soldier who seemed to be carrying a big piece of raw meat resting on his left arm. He was doing a sort of crying whimper. Then I realised it was the remains of his right forearm he was carrying ... Many more soldiers were making their way back up the trench, they were the walking wounded. The artillery fire was much quieter by the time we reached the front line trench but it was nearly impossible to tell it from No Man’s Land .. The whole of the front was an awful chaos of duckboards, sandbags and stakes, wire netting and dud shells strewn about. Among the wreckage were the dead bodies”.

    "On army forms ‘Tommy’s’ the name he bears

    But in the ranks this Monica’s no good

    If he’s a Murphy, whatever he cares

    He’ll get no other name than ‘Spud’.

    And if he’s one of the family Clark

    And was baptised Fred, or Jack, or Bobby

    Or uses his number to keep it dark,

    He will always loudly be called ‘Nobby’.

    And if his true surname should be Miller

    Let him be a fraud, or good and trusty,

    A man or a mouse or a ladykiller,

    You’ll find he will always be called ‘Dusty’!

    Sergeant Charles H. Moss, 18th (Pals) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/10307703/The-WW1-poetry-they-didnt-let-you-read-Ribald-and-risque-poems-from-the-front.html

    Charles Moss died in 1963





    300270

    Pte. Edmund Wilks Kirk 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI , 20th and 19th DLI





    300266

    Pte. Andrew Jones 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and 20th DLI





    300252

    Pte. Matthew Fullerton 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Jul 1916)

    Matthew Fullerton was born on 1st February 1895. He was a student 1912-14 at st John's York and was employed as a teacher at Pelton Fell CS, County Durham when he enlisted in the 18th Btn, Durham Light Infantry. Matthew died on the 27th July 1916 aged 21 and is buried in St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’avoue, France alongside fellow Johnsman Edward Fairless.





    300248

    Pte. Charles William Cross 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd May 1915)

    CWGC records Charles Cross as Sgt 18/483 Charles Thomas Cross, son of William and Margaret Cross of 12 Summerville, Durham and husband of Sarah Jane. he was aged 30 and is remembered on the Arras Memorial. His wife remarried and became Mrs Friend of 693 Munroe Avenue, Morse Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.





    300244

    L/Cpl. Percy Clark 18th Btn. C coy Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Oct 1918 )

    Percy Clark served with C Coy, 18th DLI and was killed, aged 28, on the 1st of October 1918. he is buried in Gorre British and Indian Cemetery. He was the son of George and Alice Clark, of Morton-on-Swale, Ainderby Steeple, Northallerton,





    300242

    Pte. James Smith Curry 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Jul 1916)

    James Curry lost his life aged 32 and is buried in St Vaast Post Military Cemetery. He was the son of Ralph and Mary Curry, of 3 Red Rose St., Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham who requested the inscription 'Until the day breaks' for his headstone.





    300241

    Pte. Albert Clarke MSM. 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Mar 1919)

    Albert Clark died on the 9th of March 1919 aged 29. He was the son of the late William and Diana Clarke, of Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham and is buried in Longuesesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery. The inscription on his headstone - The strife is o'er the battle done was requested by Mr I G Clarke of 118a Front Street, Chester le Street





    300240

    Pte. John Cooper 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and 19th DLI





    300239

    Pte. Alfred Ernest Chatterton 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and 228 DE coy Labour Corps





    300238

    L/Sgt. Walter Moffatt Carrick MM. 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th Jun 1917 )

    Walter Carrick died on the 28/06/1917, at the age of 21 and is buried in Bailleul Road East Cemetery, St Laurent-Blangy. He was awarded the military medal. Walter was the brother of Miss E. J. Carrick, of 28 The Avenue, Durham.





    300236

    Pte. Matthew Cummings 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th Jul 1916)

    Matthew Cummings was the 28 year old son of William Cummings, he is remembered on the Loos Memorial.





    300233

    Pte. Newrick Curry 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Mar 1917)

    Newrick Curry was born in Lumley, he was killed aged 25 and is buried in Sailly-au-Bois Military Cemetery. he was the son of John William and Ruth Curry, of 17 Oak St., Fence Houses, Co. Durham.





    300232

    Sgt. Robert Homer Clemitson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Mar 1919)

    Robert Clemitson was the son of the Late Thomas William and Mary A. Clemitson (nee Emerson). Born at Sunderland, he died on the 26th of March 1919 and is buried in St Andrews Cemetery, Hexham. The inscription on his headstone, 'Thy will be done' was requested by Mr G H Clemitson of 50 Nevis Ave, Strandtown, Belfast





    300231

    Cpl. William Alexander Craig 18th Btn. C coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Jul 1916)

    Alec Craig served with "C" Coy. 18th Bn. He was 28 years old when he died on the 27th of July 1916 and is buried in St Vaast Post Military Cemetery, beside Pte Percy Cook also of the 18th Btn. who died the same day. Alec was the son of John and Margaret Craig, of 56 Front Street, Tudhoe Colliery, Spennymoor, Co. Durham. His father paid for his headstone to be engraved with the inscription 'Until the day dawn and the shadows flee away'





    300223

    Pte. Robert Barrasford 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and att 6th West Yorks and 10th and 11th DLI





    300221

    Pte. Isaac Bevan 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and 2nd DLI





    300218

    Pte. Fred Brown 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Mar 1918)

    Fred Brown is remembered on the Arras Memorial.





    300215

    Pte. Ernest Thomas Bell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and Base depot





    300202

    Pte. Benjamin Wilkinson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and 14th DLI





    300197

    Cpl. John George Wench 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and (7194) 6th West Yorks





    300196

    Pte. Clarence Harcourt Walker 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned to Yorkshire Regiment 24th Sep 1918





    300191

    Sgt. Richard Norman Thompson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned





    300187

    Pte. Thomas William Stansfield 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned 30th Aug 1917





    300178

    Sgt. Joseph Rotheram 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and 20th DLI





    300176

    Pte. James Alfred William Rickaby 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and 5th DLI





    300174

    Pte. Thomas Robertson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 19th DLI





    300171

    Pte. William Leonard Roper 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.4th May 1917)

    William Roper was born on 5th September 1893. He was a student of St John's York in 1911-13 being awarded Rugby colours. He was employed as a teacher at Woodhouse CS, Wakefield before enlisting. He died on the 4th May 1917 and is buried St. Leger British Cemetery.





    300168

    A/CSM Mark Richard Pinkney 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned to DLI 30th Oct 1917





    300159

    Pte. Geoffrey Burbank Nilsson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    commissioned 28th Aug 1917





    300155

    Pte. Horace Manson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned and continued to serve after the war





    300154

    Pte. Thomas Marshall 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI , 6th DLI and 9th DLI





    300153

    CSM Fred Currey 18th Btn. A Coy. Durham Light Infantry

    According to the Medal Roll, Fred continued to serve after the war.

    Fred is recorded as "Currey, Frederick, Pte. A Coy County Battalion DLI" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.





    300148

    Pte. Frederick Havelock Lattimer 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned to DLI 13th Aug 1918





    300145

    Pte. James Lindsay 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned 13th Aug 1918





    300122

    Pte. Thomas Edward Gee 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th DLI and 12th DLI





    300121

    A/Cpl. Evan Griffiths Gibbon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th and 2-6th DLI





    300120

    Pte. Herbert Victor Ferrier 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned 27th Jul 1917





    300119

    Pte. Edward Fairless 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Jul 1916)

    Edward Fairless was born on 16th April 1892 in Westgate, County Durham. He was a student at St John's York 1911-13 being cricket club captain in 1913. He was employed as a teacher at Tudhoe Colliery CS, County Durham. Edward served as a Lance Corporal with the 18th Btn, Durham Light Infantry and died on the 27th July 1916 aged 24. He fought and died alongside fellow Johnsman Matthew Fullerton. They are buried in adjoining graves in St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’avoue, France. A memorial oak tree in his remembrance stands in the grounds of his old school at Wolsingham, County Durham.





    300117

    Cpl. John Bell Emmerson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th DLI and att 257 coy RE





    300114

    Pte. Wilfred John Donovan 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned





    300113

    CSM William Dickenson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Served with 18th and 19th DLI





    300110

    Pte. Wallace Dixon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned 28th Aug 1917





    300108

    Sgt. Richard Robson Corker 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    "Richard Robson Corker was born on 14 July 1892 at Beamish. He was the oldest of three children born to John Robson Corker and his wife, Jane. John and Jane (nee Holt) had married in 1892. John was a butcher - in 1891 he was working as a butcher’s assistant at Burnhope, in 1901 he was a ‘butcher’s manager’ in South Shields, and in 1911 he was a butcher working for the Co-operative Society in Quebec. It seems likely that he worked for various co-operative societies. The other children were George Holt Corker, born in 1894, and Edna May Corker, born in December 1902. In 1901 the family were living at 227 Stanhope Road, South Shields, and by 1911 they had moved to 22 Front Street, Quebec. In 1911 Richard was an 18-year old student teacher at Bede College, Durham, and he was living out of college as a lodger with Miss Frances Wardropper at 58 Gilesgate, Durham. Also lodging with Miss Wardropper were two other Bede students, both from the 1910 intake, John Kitching (age 19) and Henry Simmons (age 22). The third lodger was a teacher in a city school - Joseph Lowes (age 23), who had also been a Bede student. Both Henry Simmons and Joseph Lowes served in the Great War – Joseph (who was wounded) as a lieutenant with the 12th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, and Henry who was in the 8th Battalion of the DLI, and was badly wounded and invalided out. Richard had attended Stanhope Road School (near his home in South Shields) and subsequently the Pupil Teacher Centre at Consett Technical Institute. At the same time as attending the Pupil Teacher Centre he worked as a student teacher at Waterhouses Mixed Council School. He applied to Bede College on 1 March 1910, together with 434 other potential teachers. He received a testimonial from Rev. Richard Fenning, the vicar of Lanchester, and passed as 50th in the entrance examination for the 1910 intake. Richard completed his training in July 1912 and was appointed as a certificated teacher at Waterhouses Mixed School, where he had trained as a student teacher. Unfortunately the log book for Waterhouses School has not survived; consequently we have no knowledge of Richard’s career at the school.

    He was given permission by the County Education Committee to enlist on 30 September 1914, and he joined the 18th Battalion (the ‘Durham Pals’) of the Durham Light Infantry. 18 DLI was one of the Kitchener’s Army battalions, raised from the enthusiastic flood of volunteers in the first months of the war, and it was unique in that the expenses of about £10,000 for raising and equipping it were paid for entirely by the County of Durham (the only unit not paid for by the government). The battalion was formed and trained at Cocken Hall, and at the end of 1914 was sent to form part of the garrison of Hartlepool, where it became the first of the New Armies to come under fire, but from the German navy rather than its army. Richard served with the battalion during its time in Egypt (December 1915 – March 1916); unfortunately his army service records have not survived, but he was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

    The battalion was withdrawn from Egypt in March and landed at Marseilles on 11 March 1916. It then moved to Northern France by a series of ‘long and exhausting’ marches. After a period in the front line, the battalion was withdrawn for training, but returned to the front line on 20-24 April and 14-19 May. 18 DLI was one of the units which was involved in the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. Richard Corker was badly wounded by shell fire on that first day. There was a report in the Bede College magazine that it was two days before he could be moved back to the advanced dressing post, where he died. However the official records give his date of death as 1 July. He is buried at Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps. He was reported to have been recommended for a decoration ‘for steadiness, and reliability under fire, and devotion to duty at all times, both as an able instructor, and as a leader in trenches’, but nothing came of this. During the first four days of the battle 18 DLI lost 12 officers and 440 other ranks out of a total of 789 which had moved up to the front line on 30 June.

    A memorial service was held for Dick Corker at St. John’s Church, Quebec (where he had been a member of the church choir) on 23rd July. The newspaper report of the service notes that he had played rugby and tennis, and had coached the Waterhouses School football team. He had also been a member of the Marquis of Granby Freemasons’ Lodge." - http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/Pages/RichardRobsonCorker1892-1916.aspx





    300107

    Pte. William Christopher Carling 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned 28th Aug 1917





    300106

    Cpl. John Carr 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    John Carr, aged 23 was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was the son of John Thomas and Mary Jane Carr, of Cowshill, Wearhead, Co. Durham. John had enlisted in September 1914 and was stationed at Hartlepool during the bombardment. He went to Egypt with the 18th Battalion. John has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.





    300104

    Pte. Richard Cockayne 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 2nd & 18th DLI





    300103

    Pte. Arthur Henry Corner 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Jul 1916)

    "Arthur Henry Corner was born on 26 July 1893 at Wharton Street, Old Coundon. His parents were William Francis Corner, a coke burner, and Margaret Elizabeth Corner, and he was their fifth child. He was baptised on 16 August 1893 at the Methodist New Connexion Chapel at Coundon, where three of his siblings were also baptised. By 1901 the family had moved to 4 East Terrace, Coundon, and had increased by two more children. By 1911 the family had moved to The Villas at Dean Bank, Ferryhill, and Arthur’s father had risen to the position of coke oven and by-product plant manager at Bolckow and Vaughan’s Dean and Chapter Colliery (opened in 1904). The family had also increased by a further four children. Arthur attended Leasingthorne Council Mixed School, Bishop Auckland Grammar School and the Pupil Teacher Centre at Spennymoor, and worked as a pupil teacher at Leasingthorne School, from 23 July 1909 (when he was helping with standards II and IV). His progress at Leasingthorne is not recorded in the school log book, except for an entry noting his return to the school on 10 April 1911 ‘after attending the Grammar School’, and he left Leasingthorne on 14 July 1911. In the autumn of 1911 he began a two-year course to train as a teacher at Bede College in Durham City, having passed 39th out of about 100 in the entrance examination. By 1911 the family had moved from the Methodist Church to the Church of England, as Arthur’s testimonial to Bede College (a Church of England College) was written by the curate of Ferryhill, Rev Clement Dickinson. Arthur’s best subjects at Bede College were music and physical training which he passed with B grades, he gained grade Cs in science and drawing, but for reading and teaching he only passed with D grades. However, he was appointed to the staff of Tudhoe Colliery Council Mixed School as a certified assistant in the summer of 1913. Although his first term at the school began on 25 August he was ill and did not start until 28 August, initially teaching class II. His time at the school seems to have been uneventful, although he missed the late start of term on 7 September 1914 after structural alterations ‘as he was not notified of the re-opening of the school’; and for the two days he taught at Dean Bank School.

    On 28 November 1914 the school log book notes that ‘Messrs Robinson, Fairless and Corner have obtained leave of absence to join Lord Kitchener’s army. They have not been at school today. They join their battalion tomorrow’. The school had a total staff of eight, with six qualified teachers, three of whom were the volunteers. Frederick Robinson survived the war, but Edward Fairless died 17 days after Arthur Corner.

    Arthur was posted to the 18th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, the ‘Durham Pals’. The unit was formed at Cocken Hall and became part of the 93rd Infantry Brigade and the 31st Division. He served with the battalion during its time in Egypt (December 1915–March 1916) and when it moved to the Western Front. He was severely wounded and gassed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, in the attack on the village of Serre, when 450 men of the battalion were either killed or wounded. Having passed through the casualty clearing system in France he was brought back to Graylingwell Hospital in Chichester (the West Sussex county mental hospital, which was a temporary wartime hospital), but he died of his wounds on 10 July, age 22. His body was brought back to Durham and he was buried at Coundon St. James’ churchyard on 13 July. The Tudhoe Colliery School log book records that members of the staff attended his funeral, and that his parents asked that his class, Class III, should also be allowed to attend. Unfortunately Arthur’s service records do not appear to have survived.

    In addition to the County Hall memorial, Arthur Corner is also commemorated on the memorial cross in the grounds of the College of St Hild and St Bede, on the roll of honour in the college, and on a plaque in the college. His name also appears on a plaque at King James’ School Bishop Auckland, the Ferryhill war memorial and the roll of honour of the Spennymoor and District Teachers’ Association. His father, William, died later in 1916, probably accidentally – he had made his inspection of the by-product plant for the night, and was later found lying dead beneath some trucks." - http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/Pages/ArthurHenryCorner(1893-1916).aspx

    Diary of Private A.H. Corner, 28 December 1915 – 28 March 1916 held in Durham Record Office Ref No. D/DLI 7/143/1 (1 volume, card bound)





    300101

    Pte. Harry Maddison Binks 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Mar 1917)

    Harry is recorded as "Pte Binks, H. Waverley Terrace, 18th DLI" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.

    CWGC records him as Henry Maddison Binks, who died on 01/03/1917 aged 22, he is remembered on a special memorial in Gommecourt British Cemetery No2 at Heuterne, where he is known to be buried but the exact location of his grave is unknown. He was the son of Thomas William and Margaret Binks, of 9 Waverley Terrace, Darlington, who requested the inscription 'Their glory shall not be blotted out' be added to his memorial headstone.





    300100

    Cpl. John Joseph Calder 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th & 19th DLI





    300096

    Pte. Charles Norman Cleminson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Charles is recorded as "Cleminson, Charles Norman, Pte. B Coy 5th Platoon 18th DLI. Killed in action 1st of July 1916 at Sausage Valley, Fricourt." in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.

    Charles has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He was 28 years old, the son of John and Mary Cleminson, of 20, Southend Avenue, Darlington.





    300094

    Pte. James West Bennett 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    James Bennett was born in South Shields, son of Thomas and Eleanor Bennett who lived at 67, Windsor St., Princes Park, Liverpool after the war. James died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, he was 25 years old and is buried in Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps. His mother requested the inscription for his headstone 'Not my will but thine be done'





    300093

    Pte. Edward Brownless 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Edward is recorded as "Brownless, E. Sergt. A Coy. County Battalion DLI" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.





    300091

    Pte. William Fortune Brown 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th and 20th DLI





    300088

    Pte. John Noel Gordon Broomhead 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Silver War badge





    300087

    Pte. James Mather Bennett 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned 29th Jan 1918 into Royal Sussex Regiment





    300086

    Pte. Alfred Baum 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Aug 1916)

    Alfred Baum died aged 30, he is buried in St Vaast Post Military Cemetery at Richbourg L'Avoue, beside Pte J Harper also of the 18th DLI, who died the same day. He was the son of Firley and Rebecca Baum, of 150, Loughborough Rd., Mountsorrel, Loughborough. His father requested the inscription 'Gone but not Forgotten' for his headstone.





    300082

    Sgt. Albert Percival Ashley 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned into DLI 29th of May 1917





    300081

    Pte. Arthur Armstrong 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Mar 1916 )

    Arthur Armstrong was the son of John and Mary Armstrong, of 23, High Grey Street, Crook, Co. Durham. He died on the 29th of March 1916, aged 26 and is buried in Bertrancourt Military Cemetery. His father requested the inscription 'At rest' for his headstone.





    300080

    Pte. James Ernest Yorke 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    James Yorke was awarded a silver war badge





    300079

    Pte. Thomas Albert Weaver 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Aug 1916)

    Thomas Weaver died on the 1st of August 1916 he was 24 years old and is buried in Fern Cottage Christleton Longuenesse Cemetery in France





    300072

    Pte. Joseph Waterhouse 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Also served att 3rd Ent Btn.





    300071

    Pte. Sydney Wise 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Also served with 2nd DLI





    300066

    Pte. Joseph Waters 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    18th & 10th DLI





    300065

    Cpl. Alfred Watt 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    18th & 15th DLI





    300064

    Cpl. Arthur Appleton Waller 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served with 14th DLI





    300061

    Sgt. Thomas Alfred Buckle 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Thomas Buckle was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, he was 23 years old Regiment/Service:Durham Light Infantry 18th Bn. The son of James and Mary Buckle, of 2 May St., Bishop Auckland, Thomas is buried in Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps.





    300060

    Sgt. Isaac Warwick 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th DLI





    300058

    Pte. Bertie Littlefair 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 6th West Yorks





    300054

    Cpl. Ivor Thomas 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Commissioned in DLI 25-6-18





    300053

    Pte. Charles Smith 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 93-2 LTM Bty & 19th DLI





    300051

    Sgt. John Spence 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served with 19th & 20th DLI





    300050

    Pte. Reginald Stafford 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served att 6th West Yorks





    300048

    Pte. Percy Bousfield Swainston 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 18th, 20th, 11th & 6th DLI





    300047

    Pte. Joseph Severs 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served with 14th & 2nd DLI





    300041

    Pte. James Bell Smith 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served with 20th DLI





    300040

    Pte. Thomas Darling Bowran 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Apr 1918)

    Thomas is recorded as "Bowran, Thomas Darling, 14 Dixon Terrace, 18/16 18th DLI, Killed in France 12th April 1918" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.

    CWGC records Thomas is buried in Le Grand Beaumart British Cemetery, Steenwerk. The grave registration form records his death as 11/12th April 1918. Thomas was originally buried at Map reference 36.A.20.b.8.8. His remains were recovered by 102nd Labour Coy on the 30th of September 1919 during the process of grave concentration. He was identified by his identity disc and some effects were recovered from his pockets, which were forwarded to Base. Alongside him were recovered Pte LS290 Beever H, and Pte 46261 Pte. Doody H. both of the 13th Yorks and Lancs also identified by their discs. A cross bearing Thomas's name and regimental number was also discovered at Map Reference 36A.21.d.5.4 in a small battlefield cemetery, lying between Pte 18/159 Southern and Pte 45314 Brooks both of 18th DLI. The body from that grave was buried as an unknown soldier in Plot II.F.2 of Grand Beaumart British Cemetery.





    300039

    Pte. Joseph Harle Southern 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Joseph Southern was born in 1880. He was killed in action aged 38 Joseph was originally buried at 36A.21.d.5.4, his remains were recovered in 1919, identified by a cross which marked his grave. He was reburied in Le Grand Beaumart British Cemetery in Steenwerck, his wife requested the inscription 'Always Remembered' for his headstone. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Southern; husband of Mrs. E. E. Southern, of 32, Beaumont St., Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, he left a 3 year old son.





    300024

    Pte. Joseph Owsnett 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    18th & 20th DLI & 837th Lab Corps





    300020

    Sgt. Arthur Wear 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    commissioned York & Lancs





    300011

    Cpl. Shirley Toppin 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    served with 20th DLI





    300010

    Pte. Frederick Martin 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    also served with 228 Emply coy





    300008

    Pte. Thomas Alderson Stevenson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Thomas Stevenson was discharged with the SWB





    300007

    L/Cpl. Thomas Etherington 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Apr 1917)

    Thomas Etherington enlisted in Darlington on the 9th of September 1914 a month after his 19th birthday, he is described as being 5' 8 and a 1/4, fair hair and grey eyes, weighing 141lbs with a 36" chest, previously employed as a motor mechanic. He trained at Cocken Hall from the 28th of September and was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 22nd of Oct 1914.

    Thomas served in Egypt and France with the 18th Btn. He suffered a gun shot wound to his right forearm on the 3rd of July 1916, after being treated by 92nd Field Ambulance RAMC, he was admitted to 6th General Hospital and on the 5th was transferred to England on the Hospital ship Astaurias and spent a week being treated at the 1st Southern General Hospital in Edgbaston, Birmingham, before convalescing for 40days and after recovering he was posted to 4th DLI at Seaham in September. He was posted to the 15th Btn DLI on Christmas Eve 1916 and returned to France.

    Thomas was killed on the night of the 9th/10th of April 1917 whilst serving with the 15th Battalion, DLI. He was the son of John and Martha Etherington and had one sister Elsie.





    300006

    Pte. Thomas Minks 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.17th Dec 1914)

    Thomas Minks, of Rowlands Gill, born 5th January 1888 in Allendale Cottages, Medomsley, died 1914, aged 26. 18 (Pals) Btn Durham Light Infantry. He is buried in St Patrick's Churchyard, Winlaton. There is a plaque to Thomas in Heugh Battery Museum Memorial Garden, Hartlepool. 1889 He was the son of Elizabeth and Robert Minks.

    "Dale Minks of Liverpool, Great nephew, tells his story: "My grandfather's elder brother was in the 18th DLI (Pals) battallion serving at Heugh Battery, Hartlepool in December 1914 when, one morning, several German warships arrived and began bombarding the town. Thomas was on duty at the gas works and was fatally wounded along with 5 other soldiers and up to a hundred men women and children. It was the first assault on British soil by a foreign power since the Norman Conquest and the 6 soldiers who died were the first to die "in action" on the British mainland." http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/your-world-war-one-heroes-7502951





    300005

    Cpl. Edward Rutherford Little MM. 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Edward Little was taken POW in 1918 and was awarded the military medal (LG 31/1/20) possibly for his actions during an escape attempt? [http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=219358]





    300004

    Lt Col Herbert Francis George Carter MID. 18th Btn Durham Light Infantry, Yorkshire Light Infantry

    "Lt.-Col. Herbert Francis George Carter was the son of General Francis Carter. He married Hermione Grace Guinness, daughter of Gerald Seymour Guinness and Eleanor Grace de Capell Brooke, on 26 June 1918. He died on 28 February 1919, while on active service. He gained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the service of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was decorated with the award of the Military Cross (M.C.)" [http://www.thepeerage.com/p30152.htm]

    "Herbert Carter came from a military family (his brother was Brigadier General F.C Carter) and was educated a Wellington and Sandhurst. He had strong West Yorkshire connections through his mother, a Thornhill of Fixby Hall, Huddersfield. The Thornhills were Yorkshire gentry back to the middle ages. Their wealth grew in the industrial revolution when coal was found on their land.

    Carter joined the local Regiment, the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, in 1904 when he was eighteen. He served for time in Crete and was clearly an able and intelligent young officer. He achieved rapid promotion to full lieutenant and was made assistant adjutant of 2nd KOYLI shortly after his twentieth birthday. His time in Crete gave him the taste for foreign travel and he pursued an unusual career leaving the Battalion to enlist on a language course. He served in Russia and Japan as an attache at the British Embassies having become one of the Armies few first class interpreters in Russian and Japanese. There may have been connections with the Intelligence Service, and his post war service in Vladivostok, where he helped to train the White Russian forces may have had more to it than linguistic fluency. He was also a gifted musician and artist, and it may be that his foreign travels devolved his cosmopolitan taste for Turkish cigars and Astrakhan Collared Overcoats.

    Carter, too, was well connected. His wife, Grace, was a Guinness and Carter was sufficiently well known to the royal family for the Kings personal security to write enquiring after his health when he was taken seriously ill in Russia in 1919. Sadly, Carter died of pneumonia in Russia in 1919 shortly after his daughter was born. Grace eventually re-married to Air Marshal John Cotesworth Slessor, one of the architects if British air strategy during and after WWII. When war came in 1914, Captain Carter returned to join the 2nd Battalion KOYLI in Belgium, arriving at the front 25th October. Like Maurice Kennard, he took part in thedesperate defence of the Messines Rige. Casualties were heavy and within six days he was the only surviving officer in his battalion. He was mentioned in despatches and became the first KOYLI officer to be awarded the Military Cross 31 October.

    Carter was critical lack of firepower on the British side (at that time there were only two machine guns per battalion, often obsolete Maxims) compared to the better equipped Germans. In November 114 he wrote to a friend in Regimental H.Q. in Pontefract. 'It is damnably frightening, but the excitement and comradeship is wonderful… My salaams too all and DO TRAIN SOME MORE MACHINE GUNNERS.'

    Carter was wounded at Hooge 17 November, 114. His subsequent career reflects again the networking of the pre-war regular army. He spent time in Gallipoli as A.D.C to General Hunter-Weston with 2th Division but returned to England when Hunter-Weston was evacuated out of Cape Helles with sunstroke and exhaustion in July, 1915. He joined the newly formed 31st Division at Ripon as a staff officer under the new command of General Robert Wanless-O’Gowan who had been his Brigadier in Flanders. When the Pals arrived in France he had the advantage of being on the staff of his Divisional Commander and Corps Commander." - Bradford Pals by David Raw

    "He won the first Regimental KOYLI Military Cross and was given the task of commanding the 18th (2nd Bradford Pals) Bn West Yorkshire Regiment on the afternoon of the 1st July 1918 after their disastrous attack on the Somme, leaving only 60 men available at his first Roll Call and also had the black task of signing the death Warrant of Privates Crimmins and Wild who were Shot at Dawn.

    He entered Sandhurst in 1903 and was commissioned into the KOYLI a speaker of Russian, he was also proficient in Japanese. At the outbreak of the Great War, he proceeded to France with his Regiment and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry on the Ypres Messines Road on the 31st October 1914. By 1916 he was serving as a Staff Officer at GHQ and on the afternoon of the 1st July 1916 following the disastrous attack on the Somme was given command of the 18th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment, the 2nd Bradford Pals. Following a search for survivors of the attack a Roll call could only muster 60 men and with this number he followed orders and continued the attack. He had the privilege of leading his Pals until their disbandment during February 1918, when he was given command of the 18th Bn Durham Light Infantry. A dark moment in his military career was in September 1916 when two men under his command deserted Private H. Crimmins and Private A. Wild. Recapture these men were tried by Court Marshal and Lt Col Carter signed their death warrant, the men were shot on the dawn of the 5th September 1916." - http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-us/auction-catalogues/bosleys-military-auctioneers/catalogue-id-srbos10005/lot-024bb3c3-f00d-4772-852a-a444003ed3cc

    95 mins

    Katie Mitford




    300003

    Lt Col Hugh Bowes 18th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    On August 8th, Lieutenant Colonel R E Cheyne, 29th B Lancers took over from Lieutenant Colonel H Bowes who returned to England.' [https://community.dur.ac.uk/4schools.resources/FWW2/somme4trans.htm]

    Hugh Bowes is recorded as "Bowes, H. Lt. Col. Elmhurst, Commanding 18th DLI" in the Roll of Honour held in Darlington Library, believed to have been complied by the Town Council in the 1920s.

    Katie Mitford




    263925

    Pte. Joseph Davies No 20 Remount Sqn Army Remount Service

    The only thing I've got about my great grandfather, Joseph Davies is he signed up at Oswestry, and was with No 20 Remount Squadron at Ormskirk. Then he embarked from Southampton I think aboard the S.S. Teviot on the 27th of June 1915 and disembarked in Dieppe 1915-06-28 to join the British Expeditionary Force. He was then posted to No 5 Base Remount depot but then reassigned to No 4 Remount Corps base on 15th of October 1916. He was demobbed on 22nd of April 1919 at Dieppe.

    I'm trying to find out what these lads had been through and the areas they covered.

    Joseph Davies




    263921

    2nd Lt. George Barton Maxwell MC. 32nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    <p>George Maxwell

    George Maxwell was awarded the Military Cross on 1st of October 1918 after action at Sequehart, a small village between the St Quentin Canal and the Hindenberg Line. He was later a chemist, and served as Lt Col in the RASC responsible for fuel quality during the invasion of Italy in WW2.

    Ben Maxwell




    263915

    Pte. Thomas Drummond 75th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Thomas Drummond was a stretcher bearer between 1915 & 1918 with 75th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.

    Andrew Drummond




    263913

    Pte. Thomas William Hadfield 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion Sherwood Foresters

    <p>Thomas Hadfield and Molly

    Thomas Hadfield served with the 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters.

    Philip Condran




    263897

    Pte. Charles Alexander "Carl" Foulsham 5th Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry

    <p>Carl Foulsham

    Charles Foulsham served as a Private from 1914-1920 in the Royal Engineers and A Company, 1/5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. Between 1916 and 1918 inclusive, he served on the Western Front as part of Pioneers 61st Division and was wounded which resulted in him having shrapnel in his back for the rest of his life.

    His brother, Percy, was in the Rifle Brigade which was going in to relieve the Duke of Cornwall's just as Charles was being brought out on a stretcher. The two passed each other on the road but Percy wasn't given permission to break ranks to see his brother. It could have been, but fortunately wasn't, their last chance to see each other.

    Charles was admitted to No. 34 (1st West Lancashire) Casualty Clearing Station on 25th of October 1918 and was transferred to AT11.

    Mark Foulsham




    263896

    Pte. Horace Henry Brunyee 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.5th Oct 1915)

    Horace Brunyee was a private in World War I and he was killed in action on 5th of October 1915. He served in the 8th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.

    Lisa Griffith




    263894

    Pte. Ernest Charles Moody. 12th Battalion (d.7th Jan 1919)

    Earnest Moody was captured at Lagnicourt on 15th of April 1917 with his brother William, and was interned at Limburg POW camp. After the war he was transferred to Copenhagen, Denmark and died there of Spanish Influenza. He is buried in Vestre Kirkegard cemetery, Copenhagen. His brother William lived, and returned to Australia.

    Tracey Colley




    263889

    Pte. Courtney Leigh Tower A Coy. 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles

    <p>Courtney Tower second from the left in the top row, Bramshot Hospital

    My Grandfather, Courtney Tower, went into Bramshott Hospital on 13th of March 1919 and left there between in May 1919. I believe he was there due to the Spanish flu. He also served in the 44th Battalion, CEF.

    Clayton Dearden




    263884

    Pte. Harold Wainhouse 21st (Wool Textile Pioneers) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Harold Wainhouse was my maternal great-grandad. According to my mum, Harold was wounded and left for dead on the battlefield in WW1. He had a huge hole caused by shrapnel in the side of his head which he recovered from and lived to the ripe old age of 85. My mum always hated visiting Harold as his old head wound scared her.

    Simone Sargent




    263882

    Pte. Thomas Charles Chaney 8th Squadron Machine Gun Corps (d.15th Apr 1917)

    Thomas Chaney of the 8th Sqdrn. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) is buried at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France, and the date of death is recorded as 15th of April 197. It lists the wife of Thomas as A. E. Chaney of 25 Granville Rd, Kilburn, London.





    263876

    Cpl. Alfred Rogers MM. 30th Divisional Signals Royal Engineers

    Alfred Rogers served in France from 7th of November 1915, with 30th Divisional Signals during Somme campaign. He went over the top carrying phone cables on 1st of July 1916 at Montauban, and fought in the battle of Trones Wood 7th - 13 July. He won his Military Medal during the battle of Transloy Ridges 10th - 18th October during final phases of the Somme campaign whilst repairing cables under heavy fire. He was present on the Western Front for the rest of the war and participated in the battles of Scape, 2nd Scarpe, Langermarck, St Quentin, 2nd Kemmel, and Ypres 1918





    263874

    L/Cpl. Samuel William Heward 8th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1916)

    Samuel Heward enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment and was subsequently transferred to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was my great Uncle and, as a child, I remember always going to the remembrance parade at Hampstead Parish Church where Samuel is recorded on the war memorial. He is also remembered on the war memorial at Loos in France where he was killed on 9th of April 1916 and where I visited some time ago.

    Samuel left behind his wife Elizabeth and five children, Elizabeth, Queenie, Winifred, Ivy and Samuel who was just 10 days old when his father was killed.

    David Heward




    263872

    A/Bmbr. Ernest Albert Edward Caunter 29th Brigade, 127th Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Jun 1916)

    Ernest Caunter was my great grandfather's uncle. I discovered him while doing genealogy research. Unfortunately I don’t know much about him, but I do know that his father served in the Navy for over 40 years, and he had an older brother who was in the Navy too. I would love to learn more about Ernest, and I would especially love to discover a photo of him. If anyone knows anything at all about him or his unit, please contact me.

    Tallulah Caunter




    263868

    Lt. Col. William Richard James McLean 16th (Transport Workers) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment

    My family history research found that William McLean was Lt. Col. of 16th (Transport Workers) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment from 11/03/1916 to 21/12/1916. I'm trying to confirm that. He died in Fulham in July 1932.

    Christopher Parkinson




    263867

    Pte. Leonard William Jacques

    <p>Leonard Jacques on right

    Leonard Jacques enlisted in April 1915, into the Royal Army Medical Corps. He served in the Brighton Hospitals, the Kitchener Hospital (today Brighton General Hospital) and the Royal Pavilion, which was converted into a 2,000 bed Indian Military Hospital. He went to France in April 1917 and was at Passchendaele and later was gassed, returning, blind, to England. After recovering he spent April to August 1918 based in Blackpool. He then went to Archangel, Northern Russia, remaining there until September 1919.

    Dorothy Nicholas




    263866

    Spr. Angus Duncan Sutherland 169th Detachment Railway Troops Canadian Engineers

    Angus Sutherland signed up with the Canadian Expeditionary Force of the Canadian Army. He was born in Winnipeg, and was living in Saskatchewan as a 22 year old man when he joined the army on the 6th of June 1918. Sapper is the same as the rank of Private, and pertains to Engineering and Construction troops. After training in Canada, he departed for England. The role of the Railway troops was the maintenance and construction of the Railways in France and Belgium. It has been estimated that each mile of the Western front in France and Belgium, required 2000 lbs of food,ammunition,equipment,and supplies each day. This made the Railway system essential to supply the logistics of the war effort.

    On 26th of September 1918, Angus Sutherland left Quebec from Montreal on board a civilian owned troop transport ship, the S.S. City of Cairo. During the voyage most of the 1057 soldiers contracted the Spanish Flu. The same level of illness occurred onboard the other two ships being used by Canada as troop transportation. In the case of The S.S. City of Cairo, 34 soldiers died of the Spanish Flu during the voyage. On October 11th 1918, the ship arrived in Plymouth,England. Angus had become ill with influenza along with 250 other soldiers on the ship. 137 of the 250 soldiers had to be carried off the ship on stretchers because they were unable to walk. Angus Sutherland was immediately sent to a Ford Military hospital in Devonport. He stayed at the hospital for 27 days. On 9th of November 1918, when he was well enough to leave hospital, Sutherland was sent to Woodcote Park, a convalescent hospital. Woodcote is located in Epsom, Surrey. Before the war, Woodcote was a private country club owned by the Royal Automobile Club. During WWI, the the UK government commandeered many private clubs for the war Effort.

    Angus made a full recovery. However, by the time that he was ready to join the war effort, an armistice had been signed on 11th of November 1918. Angus Sutherland remained in England until 6th of June 1919. This was typical for many Canadian Soldiers to have remained in England following the war, since there was still work to be done repairing the infrastructure destroyed in the war.

    Allan Sutherland




    263861

    Lt. J. H. Ford Essex Regiment

    <p>Certificate

    I have documents that belonged to Lt. J. H. Ford, a member of the Essex Regiment. I have three photos and a certificate of invalid for the service. I am Brazilian. I'm a historian and a history teacher in Brazil and I would appreciate it if anyone can send me more information about this veteran.

    Lt J H Ford

    Lt J H Ford

    Lt J H Ford

    Marcus Carmo




    263859

    Gnr. Alexander Powell Royal Field Artillery

    Alexander Powell's discharge certificate was found amongst my aunt's effects when she passed away about 30 years ago in Liverpool. I would like to return the certificate to his family if there are any living. The discharge is dated 21st of August 1917. He served in France for 348 days and discharged as he was no longer fit. My aunt's name was Elsie Chase nee Porter. She lived in Liverpool all her life.

    Terry Jones




    263858

    Cpl. George Heatley 17th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment

    George Heatley was fighting in France when he was shot. He was listed on 13th of April 1918 as wounded and missing. On the 30th of October 1918 he is listed as a prisoner of war at Steñdal. He is also listed as being in a German hospital at Beaumont la Chappille. He was demobbed on 2nd of April 1919.





    263856

    2nd Lt. George Price Davies 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.29th Sep 1918)

    George Davies of Pembroke Dock was killed in the Fifth Battle of Ypres on 29th of September 1918 and is buried at Zandvoorte British Cemetery in Belgium. A Memorial is also located at Llanion Cemetery in Pembroke Dock. His parents were James and Louisa Davies of 95 Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock.

    H. Morgan




    263853

    Sgt. George Balderson Mitchell CdG. 8th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    George Mitchell came from Wilford, Nottinghamshire. As a Lance-Corporal in the Leicestershire Regiment he entered the France and Flanders theatre of war on 30th of July 1915. As a Sergeant with the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, he served as a member of the Special Intelligence Police of the Fourth Army. As a Lance-Corporal in the Royal Fusiliers he was awarded the French Medal of Honour, 2nd Class in Silver with swords (London Gazette 29th January 1919). His last rank and unit on the m.i.c. is given as Acting Company Sergeant Major with the Royal Fusiliers. After the war, still working for military intelligence, he was employed in Barcelona, Spain, possibly in operations to track down military deserters, many of whom ended up in that neutral country.





    263849

    Sgt. Charles Edward Alsbury 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>Charles Alsbury, 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Charles Alsbury joined the 1st Derby Yeomanry and was transferred to the 14th Durham Light Infantry at Bethune. He was taken prisoner and I believe he was a POW in Poland at (I am not sure of the spelling) Gross Born, Borne Sulinowo/Schneidemuhl (Pila). He was repatriated and returned to England, marrying Edith Lilian Holt in 1924. They had a son Allan. Charles died in June 1979 in Derby.

    Charles as a POW

    Charles as a corporal

    Paul Stretton




    263848

    Gnr. Christopher Robertson 35th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st May 1916)

    Christopher Robertson died of wounds in Flanders.





    263846

    Pte. Thomas Cocking 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    My great uncle, Tom Cocking of 2nd Battalion, The Princess of Wales Own Yorkshire Regiment, died in the action of 8th of July 1916. His remains are one of seventeen soldiers from the action that have never been found. He is memorialised at the Thiepval monument. My family never spoke of him, and it was purely by accident that I learned of his sacrifice. After almost one hundred years I was the first member of his family to visit Thiepval and the area where Tom lost his life, and I dearly hope that one day his remains will be found and laid to rest. I am more than willing to provide a DNA sample to assist that search should I ever be required to do so.

    Christopher Cocking




    263842

    Pte. Norman Jenkinson 2nd MT Coy. Royal Army Service Corps

    My Grandfather, Norman Jenkinson enlisted in the RASC, his truck suffered a direct hit. As a result received 20% burns to his body. He was discharged on the 4th of October 1919. He died in 1961.

    John Heeney




    263841

    Lt. Robert Henry Clemmet West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>Robert Clemmet

    Robert Clemmet served with the West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Carol Frost




    263839

    Pte. George Bould 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    George Bould was wounded at the Battle of Loos on 25th of September 1915, receiving a shrapnel wound to the 2nd & 3rd fingers of the left hand. He was admitted to 6th Field Ambulance, then back to the UK on the 2nd if October 1915 for recuperation. He rejoined the battalion on 30th of June 1916.

    George was killed in action on the 3rd September 1916, whilst taking part in an attack on the village to Ginchy. His body was never found and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. He was aged 18 years.





    263835

    Pte. Allan Edward McInnes 53rd Battalion

    Allan McInnes was my grandfather, although his service record tells us he was 19, he was just a few days short of his 18th birthday when discharged due to being wounded.

    He recovered and fought again in WW11. He became a successful business man in Sydney, married Myrtle Miller in Sydney in 1924 and had two children. My mother Marie and her older brother Peter. Allan passed away at the age of 97.





    263834

    Albert Perman HMS Maori

    <p>Albert Perman

    Albert Perman's Royal Navy record shows that he was on board HMS Maori when it was sunk in 1915 and he was taken prisoner. He was repatriated in 1918. He also served on HMS Royal Sovereign.

    Martyn Beardsley




    263820

    Lt. Frederick James Kirkwood MM. 23rd Battalion

    Frederick Kirkwood was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field on 3rd of April 1917. On 20th of May 1918 Fred was wounded in the thigh and invalided to England. By 30th of September 1918 he had been discharged from hospital, he proceeded to France and rejoined his battalion on 6th of October. On 29th of November (age 28 yrs) he was admitted to 6th Field Ambulance and transferred to 53rd Casualty Station suffering with influenza and broncho pneumonia. On 2nd of December 1918 his nearest of kin were advised he was dangerously ill with broncho pneumonia and on 9th Dec he was in 8th General Hospital at Rouen, France. On 13th Dec he was sent from France to London aboard the hospital ship Aberdonian with severe influenza and the following day he was admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth with severe influenza. By 18th Dec 1918 his condition at Wandsworth, England, was improving. He recovered and on 7th Feb 1919 he sailed aboard HMT Lancashire to Australia and his employment with Forces terminated on 15th May 1919.

    Belinda Kirkwood




    263809

    Pte. Charles Philip Rowe 2nd Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.29th Mar 1918)

    Charles Rowe was my great-uncle, and I am trying to find more about him and how he died.

    Andrew Stone




    263805

    Pte. Lewis Hughes 17th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.27th Jul 1916)

    Lewis Hughes was my father’s uncle. My father searched for Lewis after visiting Mametz in 1995 with myself and my brother Peter. His loss was badly taken by my grandmother and she never spoke of his death. I visited Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps to see his memorial. We understand that he took part in the vicious fighting at Mametz and was killed in an air attack after the battalion was stood down, although we have never been able to accurately chronicle this event. Anyone who could help shed light on the 17th Battalion (2nd Welsh) Royal Welch Fusiliers at this time would be gratefully received.

    My father died in 1998 but had some comfort in knowing where his uncle fell and where he is laid to rest. I grew up in the village of Cynwyd which is very close to where Lewis Hughes was born and lived as youngster. Mrs. Genesta Cope (nee Owen) is the daughter of James Warren Kitchener Owen (4190895 Royal Welsh Fusiliers 2nd World War), and great-niece to Lewis Hughes.

    Genesta Warren Cope




    263799

    Spr. George William Somner 237th (Reading) Field Company Royal Engineers

    In the second quarter of 1915 George Somner married Jessie Cousens in Staines, Middlesex. He was the father of George W Somner born 1920 at Kingston Surrey. His mother's maiden name was Cousens. On 4 May 1884 he was baptised in St. Marys, Reading, Berkshire. Father George William and mother Kate

    Service History:

    • 21 Jan 1916 Enlisted & Posted for Duty at Reading, Mason
    • 6 May 1916 Disembarked France 237th Field Coy. Royal Engineers. 41st Division
    • 16 Aug 1916 Rated Skilled Mason in field
    • 22 Feb 1917 To hospital
    • 27 Feb 1917 Re-joins unit
    • 25 Oct 1917 Four days leave to UK
    • 04 Jan 1918 Wounded in action but remained at duty
    • 21 Jan 1918 Leave to UK for 14 days
    • 08 Feb 1918 War Office Daily List No. 5487, wounded, NOK Staines
    • 28 Apr 1918 Gassed at Ypres to hospital, diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis in France following gassing
    • 03 May 1918 Embarks for England to 26th General Hospital
    • 04 May 1918 At 2/1st Southern General Hospital Birmingham for 36 days.
    • 26 Jun 1918 War Office Daily List No.5602, Wounded, NOK Teddington
    • 07 Oct 1918 To Q Coy. At Chatham
    • 21 Oct 1918 Posted to 67th Division RE
    • 27 Mar 1919 Demobilized At Chrystal Palace from 493 Field Coy. RE. 50% disability
    • 1919 9 or 90 days convalescence hospital Plymouth
    • 19 Jan 1920 Aged 36 yrs. T.B. present still
    • 01 Apr 1921 Resident 12 Shacklegate Road, also a Jessie Somner present
    • 01 Sep 1921 Resident 12 Shacklegate Road, also a Jessie Somner present
    • 1921 Believed to have died aged 37 at Brentford Middlesex

    Keith Sampson




    263796

    Pte. Thomas Richard Bond 5th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Thomas Bond served with the 5th and 6th Battalions, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

    Richard Bond




    263793

    Mjr. Thomas Fleming Murdoch 1st Battalion Black Watch

    Thomas Murdoch joined up in July 1914 and served with the 1st Battalion, Black Watch. He was wounded on 29th of October 1914 at Battle of Gheluvelt. Wounded at Aubers Ridge on 9th of May 1915. He then transferred to the Seaforth Highlanders and served in Salonika from August 1916 until 1919.





    263791

    Pte. Arthur Dean 8th Btn. Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.28th Jul 1918 )

    Born 29th July 1897 in Warlingham, Surrey, Arthur Dean was the fourth of eight children, having one older brother and two younger. His elder brother survived the war, having been in the Royal Field and Horse Artillery. His other brothers were too young to enlist. His sisters were married to soldiers and they also survived.





    263789

    Pte. Gavin Hamilton 5th/6th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.15th Mar 1919)

    Gavin Hamilton was buried in Strathaven Cemetery. Gavin was brought back home with serious wounds and he eventually died in Dykebar Hospital. Was Dykebar Hospital used for WW1 soldiers who were severely wounded as it was a sanitarium? This hospital is in Paisley, Scotland.

    Update: Dykebar was originally a sanitarium but was converted to a military hospital in 1916.





    263788

    Sgt. William Wilson MM. 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Mar 1918)

    William Wilson was awarded the Military Medal for actions in Italy, published in the London Gazette on 19th of March 1918.





    263787

    L/Cpl. John Thomas Malpass 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Jul 1916)

    John Malpass died in action during the Battle of the Somme at the age of 18. He is now commemorated at the Somme, Thiepval Memorial in France.





    263785

    Lt. Ambrose Henry Thomas Crowson Leicestershire Regiment

    Ambrose Crowson was my Great Grandfather. At the time of the second world war he was the manager of the Birch Coppice colliery, I believe he was living in the Atherstone area at the time. Ambrose was a former officer of the Leicestershire Regiment during WW1, having been commissioned as 2nd Lt early in 1918. During the German spring offensive of May 1918 he was captured, suffering from shell shock, in his trench after a heavy and sustained German bombardment. He was captured on 27th of May 1918, along with some of his fellow 8th Battalion and 4th Battalion officers, and was subsequently interred at the Schweidnitz officers P.O.W. camp in Germany (this is now part of modern day Poland). He was repatriated in 1919.

    I know little of his 2nd World War service, other than his willingness to volunteer once again to 'do his bit' I know that he had commanded a home guard unit, despite the fact he was working at the coal mine 7 days a week. I obtained his Home Guard unit information, I'd always believed he commanded the Dorden and Grendon home guard, but this may not be the case.

    Matthew John Crowson




    263784

    L Cpl John Henry "Jack" Atkinson 7th Btn 9th Platoon West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>Jack Atkinson

    My grandfather John Atkinson was born in 1892, he survived the war and became an engineer. He married Hester Holroyd and lived in Seacroft Leeds for many years before moving south to live near their daughter. He died in Ottery St Mary, Devon in 1985.

    Gillian Bromilow




    263779

    Capt. Theodore Grant "Dore" Gray NZ Medical Corps

    <p>Theodore Gray

    My Grandfather, Dr Theodore Gray served in the New Zealand Medical Corps from 3rd of August 1916. He was a Psychiatrist. He was based at the Casualty Clearing Stations at Hazebrouck and Rouen. On his return to New Zealand he became Director General of Mental Health.

    Hilary King




    263776

    EAII. Walter Gibson HMS Blake

    Walter Gibson was born in September 1879. He served on many ships but HMS Blake seems to be the longest from 1913 to 1918. He was an Electrical Artificer.

    Dennis Bolt




    263774

    Rfmn. Denis Humphreys 8th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.24th Mar 1916)

    <p>Denis Humphreys

    Denis Humphreys was born in July 1896 in Layd, Cushendall, Antrim, Northern Ireland to his father Duncan Humphreys and his mother Jane Humphreys (McClarty). He died at the age of 19 on his brother, John Humphreys's birthday. John was serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

    Victoria Haire




    263772

    Gnr. Alfred Frampton 224th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Grandfather Alfred Frampton joined up May 1916 aged 39. He was a postman on the Isle of Wight and left behind a wife and son aged 5 years. After training, he was sent to France in January 1917 but was sent home sick by April due to frost bitten feet and being gassed. My father remembers visiting him at Bartholomew's hospital in London as a boy of 6 and seeing a Zeppelin flying over London. He eventually returned to convalesce on the Isle of Wight and was discharged November 1917. He lived on the Isle of Wight the rest of his life and died in 1959.

    Karen Farmers




    263771

    Ships Cook 3rd Class. David Dundas Smith USS Madawaska

    David Smith was my paternal grandmother's brother. His parents were Thomas McMillan Smith and Sarah Gamble Wallace Smith. He married Florence Christie. He died in 1967 and is buried in Pinelawn Military Cemetery in Farmingdale NY

    He enlisted in New York on 1st of April 1918 and served as a Ships Cook.





    263768

    Pte William Henry Stratton S Coy Royal Army Medical Corps

    William Stratton enlisted at Watford into Royal Army Medical Corps. His address on enlistment was 47 Church St., St. Albans, age was 38yrs and 3 months. H. 5'3" W 118lbs Chest 35" Previous trade is listed as School Employee. He was posted to S Company on 09/01/17 then Posted to P.P.P. Reinforcements at Blackpool 18/4/17. He embarked at Southampton 20/4/17 and disembarked at Havre the following day then travelled to Rouen where he was posted to the Cyclists Base Depot 23/4/17 and then to Posted to No. 25 General Hospital two days later. He was Transferred to Army Reserve 01/9/17 and Discharged on Demobilization 31/3/20.

    William Loved football and won a football medal in 1900/1 for St.Albans Amateurs, scoring winning goal in semi-final, and laying on 2 of 3 winners in final. He told my father, "When you 1st get on the field, go straight up to your opposite number, and kick him as hard as you can in the shin".

    Clive Hodge




    263766

    Pte. Fred Roberts York and Lancaster Regiment

    Fred Roberts (my paternal granddad) served in the York and Lancaster Regiment with 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division from 1916 until the end of the war, as far as I know.

    John Roberts




    263765

    L/Bmdr. Frederick George Sawyer 547th Howitzer Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Frederick Sawyer was in 547th Howitzer Battery, RFA from 2nd of June 1918 until 1st of July 1918 when he transferred to Aldershot.





    263764

    Pte. Albert William Whittaker D Coy, 5th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.15th Apr 1918)

    Albert Whittaker (my paternal great uncle) was the son of Miriam and the late Frank Whittaker, who lived in Allerton Bywater, Castleford, West Yorkshire. He saw action in France and was killed in action and was laid to rest at Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension. Aged 26.

    Remembered with honour.





    263761

    Pte. Horace W. Littlewood 2nd/5th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th July 1918)

    Horace Littlewood was killed in action near Jonchery sur Vesle on 20th of July 1918, age 18 and initially buried locally in this area. He was later exhumed and reburied in the Marfaux British Military Cemetery, which is around 12 kilometres S W of Reims, along the D836 Route de Chaumuzy. His headstone contains the words 'Cherished memories of one so dear are oft recalled with a silent tear' His mother Sarah Ann Toll lived at 57 Pontefract Road, Hoyle Hill, Near Barnsley.

    Ken Black




    263759

    Pte. Joseph Markland 1st/5th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.10th Aug 1915)

    <p>Joseph Markland

    Joseph Markland served with the 1st/5th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.

    Joan Wright




    263758

    Rfmn James Charles Rhodes 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.18th Nov 1917)

    James Rhodes served with 13th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps.





    263755

    2nd Lt. William McGowan DCM. 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.9th Sep 1916)

    William McGowan was the son of Laurence and Dorethea (Dora) McGowan of Killargue, Dorahair, Co. Leitrim He worked as a draper in Sligo prior to enlisting as with the 7th Btn., Leinster Regiment in March, 1915. He was promoted to Sergeant and arrived in France on 19th of December 1915. William was promoted to Temporary 2nd Lieutenant vide London Gazette 14th of August 1916 and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal vide London Gazette 19th of August 1916 For conspicuous gallantry in preparing, laying and firing successfully Bangalore torpedoes in the enemy’s wife, in order to prepare exits for raiding parties, the whole operation being performed under heavy machine gun fire.

    He was Wounded in action at Guillemot during the Battle of the Somme, 9th of September 1916 and died of wounds the same day. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme.

    W. Brown




    263753

    Spr. Frederick George Gladstone Matthews 4th Field Coy. Australian Engineers

    George Matthews was my grandfather. He signed up on 24th of July 1915 and went to Egypt until he was deployed by ship to Marseilles and by train to the Somme. He was injured at Bazentin le Grand on 4th of February 1917 and moved from Mametz Wood (Melbourne Camp) Dressing Station to Edgehill (although diary says Hedge Hill) near Albert, then onto Abbeville, then Rouen and finally to Harefield in the UK.

    George had just been out of killing range of a bomb attack but the shrapnel shattered his left knee cap, fractured his femur and left him with permanent hearing loss. He did however return home, departing on 22nd of July 1917 and arrived in Melbourne on 24th of September 1917.

    I am presently typing the contents of his second diary (the first was lost when sent home to a relative) and collecting additional information to form a history for my family. He died of old age in 1973 aged 82.

    Noelene Smith




    263752

    Pte. Charles Ware Marshall Yorkshire Regiment

    My father Charles Marshall joined the army when he was 17 or 18. He served in France with the Yorkshire Regiment. He was seconded to the Machine Gun Corps, the first such regiment in British Army, when it was formed. Charlie Marshall was honourably discharged, 1918. He became a successful businessman.

    Charles Dennis Marshall




    263748

    James Alfred Smith

    James Smith was my grandfather. I have his parchment Royal Navy Record which shows all the ships he was on during his time of service. I do know that he was on the Calypso when it was sunk by an Italian ship the day the Italians joined WW11. I am told my grandfather was in hospital in Alexandria and also in Malta. My grandfather joined the Royal Navy in 1913 aged 19. He retired from the navy in 1935 but was called up again for WW11 in 1939 and served till 1942. He served in WW1 and WW11 for a total of 25 years.

    I would love to hear from anyone who has information on the sinking of the Calypso and where and how the survivors ended up in Alexandria and I believe ultimately in Malta.

    Jean Barnbrook




    263747

    Sgt. James Bromiley 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.3rd January 1916)

    James Bromiley served with the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers. I was given a dog tag many years ago belonging to James Bromiley, he is buried in Gunners Farm Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    Roy Parrish




    263740

    Lt. George Heriot Pitt Royal Garrison Artillery

    On 19th of February 1917, George Pitt wrote to his family;

    9.2.17 No. 2 R.G.A.Cadet School

    Marefield Park

    Uckfield.

    My dear Mother,

    I am glad to say everything has improved vastly and will improve even more. At first the prospect was dreary and the outlook grey, but, as I said before, things improve. They have opened another dining hut so that the meals are greatly improved, the menu is rather monotonous and not costly, but it might be worse, - so I am told. Today we started our drill and Duty. I have been put in E squad, with about 15 other new arrivals; there are 6 squads and you move up one every fortnight, so you see my term of imprisonment will at any rate be a fortnight less than it might have been. We get up at 6 am and have to be in bed and lights out by 10.15 pm. They give us about 6 – 7 hours work per day, and the work varies according to what squad you are in. To-day we did chiefly the principles of Infantry work to start with, and the maths master, [an awful old dry-out] took about an hour to tell us what an angle was.

    The country round here may be very lovely, - everyone says it is one of England’s beauty spots, in the summer – but I have at present not had a look at it, and as yet I don’t know much about Maresfield or Uckfield, except that they are not very large, and that you cannot get very much that you might want. So if I may I will ad two or three things that I should like. Firstly a metal soap box, in which to put the soap as you have to carry it down to the wash house and it gets dreadfully sodden. Secondly a small but hard clothes brush: the mud here is bad and it seems quite fond of raining. We are all gradually settling down, and the only thing that rather puts a fly in the ointment, is the fact that we don’t get any leave, but I am told that at the end of the course you get anything from 10 days – 3 weeks leave. Stop. a third request – tooth powder in the tube form, it carries so much easier and it won’t upset.

    The different types of men down here are awfully funny, some stock-exchange men, others bombed out of the Admiralty and places, and some who stump me completely, they are in a large majority. They speak with the most extraordinary accent, [out of kindness, I call it north country] and they can’t speak without using the most inappropriate adjectives – on the whole they are not bad, and nothing if not cheerful. One thing which is very remarkable is the amount of smoking, nearly all start before they get up in the morning and don’t stop until lights out at night. So far I have been very good. I have hardly smoked, it is the only way to keep out of it. There is however little chance of drinking as all you get at lunch is water or stuff that has the cheek to call itself lemonade, and the Y.M.C.A. hut only sells tea and coffee, the most poisonous stuff, - no, I can’t speak evil of the Y.M.C.A. – again, this hut is an absolute God-send to this place, cinema pictures, hot stove, and Sunday Service all free, for nothing.

    Please thank Dad for his letter, somebody else by the name of Pitt has been good enough to open it for me, and he had not even removed the stamps. If I am not going to get uniform for another 10 days perhaps it would be as well if I had the old flannel trousers and sport coat to wallow with in the mud in, instead of these browns.

    Much love to all from

    Your loving son

    George.

    Paula Gerrard




    263733

    Pte. Walter Charles Mesure East Surrey Regiment

    <p>Walter Mesure

    Walter Mesure was a regular with the East Surrey Regiment.

    Ken Mesure




    263732

    Pte. Walter Spencer Seymour Evans C Coy. 36th Battalion

    I believe that my grandfather, Walter Evans suffered greatly as a result of World War 1.





    263730

    Pte. Samuel Henry Cochrane 48th Highlanders of Canada

    My father, Samuel Cochrane was wounded at the Battle of Vimy Ridge on or about 10th of April 1917. He was first sent to a Canadian Field Hospital near Outreau, France and then to High Barnet Hospital on the 15th of April, 1917. On the 9th of May he transferred to Woodcote Park Convalescent Hospital. After recuperating, he returned to the Front. On the 6th of April, he returned to Canada and was discharged from the Army. He re-enlisted in the Canadian Army on or about 1940/41 and trained recruits for the Regina Rifle Regiment, which distinguished itself on D-Day. My father passed away in 1964 in Regina, Saskatchewan.

    Barry Cochrane




    263728

    Pte. Edwin Gibson 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.6th Jul 1916)

    Edwin Gibson was my grandfather on my mother's side and was a Regular who was 39 when he was killed. He had a son, Sidney, and two daughters, Beatrice (Trix) and Violet (my mother). They lived in Alum Rock, Birmingham. I have his Death Plaque but no campaign medals, although I believe he had served elsewhere abroad before being sent to France as part of the BEF.

    John Watterson




    263726

    Edgar Abbott 5th (Cyclist) Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Edgar Abbott was born on 3rd August 1891, had been a ship's carpenter and lived at 168 Grovehill Road, Beverley between 1948-1973, possibly longer. In 1908, he enlisted in the British Army and was discharged on demobilisation on 6th February. 1919. At this time, he was in the 5th Cyclist Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment. His wartime duties were East Coast coastal watch but he later fought in France.

    In 1943, during the Second World War, Edgar was a Civil Defence Warden for the Borough of Beverley. His son, Edgar Thomas Abbott, served in the Royal Air Force in World War 2.

    Discharge certificate

    Theresa Mary Walker




    263725

    L/Sgt. Herbert Ernest Howes 18th (2nd Bradford) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    Herbert Howes was my grandfather. He died in 1945 so we never met although my father told me that he had been badly affected by gas and never really regained good health after the war.

    Stephen Howes




    263720

    Pte. Edward Atkinson 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    My great great grandad, Edward Atkinson, served in WW1 and made it home. I only found out whilst researching my family tree.





    263715

    Pte. Angelo Fiaschetti 8th Machine Gun Battalion

    <p>Angelo Fiaschetti, WW1 service discharge certificate

    I never met my grandfather, Angelo Fiaschetti but I have his discharge papers. He’s listed as a private and a runner. He was not a US citizen at that time. However, he was in several engagements.

    Michael Fiaschetti




    263713

    PO. Jesse Sanders HMS Marmion (d.21st Oct 1917)

    Jesse Sanders joined the Navy on 9th August 1901 and served for 16 years. He was a cooper by trade and was just over 5 feet tall. He served on many ships including the Agincourt, Barrosa, Royal Arthur, and the Marmion.

    It was while he was on the Marmion that the ship was accidentally rammed by HMS Tirade on 21st of October 1917 off the Shetland Islands in reportedly atrocious weather whilst the two vessels were escorting a convoy across the North Sea. HMS Tirade apparently suffered little damage, but Marmion sank. Local newspapers in Lerwick later (in 1919) reported it as a collision between an outbound and an inbound convoy in darkness and bad weather, with both convoys initially thinking that they were being attacked by the enemy when the two ships collided.

    Sadly Jesse lost his life in the collision, and his body was never recovered. He left behind his wife and three young children.

    Colin Tranter




    263711

    Pte. Thomas Gavaghan 7th Btn Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.5th Sep 1916)

    Thomas Gavaghan served with the 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers and was Killed In Action on 5th of September 1916. Thomas and his comrades dug in at a German stronghold of Falfemont Farm taken earlier that day. They later assaulted a nearby trench known as Combles Trench. As the Battalion struggled through a waist-high corn field mixed with dense weeds and hidden barbed-wire entanglements, the battalion was attacked by heavy German machine-gun fire which cut them apart. The battalion was decimated with the casualty figures for the day at 273 men. Thomas's body was never recovered and his name is carved into the Thiepval Memorial. He had previously served with the Connaught Rangers.

    Connor Foster




    263710

    Capt. Frank Tetlow Deeming 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>Frank Deeming

    My great Uncle Frank Deeming was my grandfather George's younger brother. These photos were left to me by my Aunt Dot, Frank's niece, some years ago, along with other family photos of the late 1800's of my great great grandparents William and Mary and great aunts Ada, May and Eva from their family home in Rochdale.

    I never knew what I would find in my family search but found his military unit designation, the cemetery he is buried in and the fact that he was married, his wife's name was Gladys. I still have not found out the location of his death or the circumstances other than the time that he died in France on 21st of March 1918 but will continue to search.

    It has been a long time since I have been able to connect with family and hope to re-establish communications with distant cousins and family from long ago.

    Frank in Bethune

    Steven H Deeming




    263709

    Pte. Charles Robert Vousden 7th Btn East Kent Regiment (d.7th Aug 1918)

    Charles Vousden served with 7th Btn. The Buffs.

    David Klein




    263708

    L/Cpl. Albert Edward Hunt 7th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Albert Hunt survived the war and re enlisted as a private in WW2 as he didn't want to carry his rank. He also served as an ARP warden.

    Phil




    263705

    Pte. James Caldwell Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    My great great grandfather, James Caldwell fought during World War One, enlisting on 12th of December 1914 with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, then transferred to the Labour Corps on 26th of November 1917.

    He was invalided to the 3rd Scottish Hospital, at Stobhill, Glasgow on 14th of August 1916 before being discharged on 31st of August 1916. He was later discharged from the forces on 8th of June 1918 due to being physically unfit.





    263700

    Pte. Herbert William Goldsmith 19th Btn. B Coy. London Regiment (d.31st Jul 1918)

    Herbert Goldsmith was the 3rd son of Frank and Sarah Goldsmith of Bermondsey in London. He was killed in action in France aged 19.

    Claire Goldsmith




    263697

    Gnr. John Hall MID. 23rd Division Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    John Hall was a grandfather I never knew. It was passed down over the years that he worked with mules and he was wounded or gassed. We know very little but he was mentioned in a dispatch for his service in Italy toward the end of the war. He died in 1946.





    263696

    L/Cpl. Thomas Joyner D.C.M. 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Thomas Joyner was born in 1889 at Hidcote Bartrim near Shipston on Stour He joined 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, he enlisted 30th of August 1914 at Warwick. Hi sembarkation for France was on 4th of May 1915.

    He was wounded on 24th of October 1915 at the Battle of Loos. He then transferred into 22nd Coy. Machine Gun Corps which was formed on 24th of February 1916 from men of 22nd Infantry Brigade of 7th Division.

    Thomas Joyner was awarded the D.C.M. on 11th of December 1916. Whilst Thomas's other friends and soldiers were being killed or wounded, he continually manned his machine gun for 14 hours until he was shot himself in the left eye. He continued to fire his gun until relieved by other troops. For this he received the D.C.M.

    Anthony Bond




    263688

    Bandsman. Tom Whyatt 5th Btn. A Coy. East Surrey Regiment

    I have found a letter from Tom Whyatt addressed to, I guess, his girlfriend; a Miss King. It was sent from a troopship (looks like an E, bit hard to read) 2106 C/O G.P.O. The letter is dated 2nd of November 1914.





    263686

    Pte. Richard Mottram Machine Gun Corps (d.7th Oct 1918)

    Richard Mottram served with the Kings Liverpool Regiment and the Machine Gun Corps.

    David Smith




    263677

    Pte. Thomas William Nurse No.3 Reserve HT Depot Army Service Corps

    Thomas enlisted as William Nurse on 11th of December 1915 and transferred to Army Reserve the following day. He was mobilised 1st of November 1918. His trade whilst in Army was a blacksmith.

    Pam Chlopas




    263674

    Gnr. William James Rogers 11th Mountain Howitzer Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    William Rogers was born in 1900 so Will likely lied about his age to join up. His Battery was posted to Egypt in 1917. Very little more is known at this time. Following the war, William returned to his home village of Pangbourne, Oxfordshire and worked as a bricklayer. He married and had 4 daughters.

    Phil Dix




    263672

    Sgt. Richard John Walker 6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.2nd June 1916)

    <p>His grave

    My great uncle, Richard Walker from Forres, Morayshire, Scotland was only 19 when he killed by a German sniper on 2nd of June 1916. He is buried in Maroeuil British Cemetery in France.

    Richard Walker

    Darci Chalmers




    263671

    Pte. Alexander Bunten McKellar Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Alexander McKellar enlisted on 27th March 1917 at the age of 18 years 1 month. Initially, he was in the 55th battalion reservists, then the 4th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry and then the Machine Gun Corps.

    He was wounded by a gun shot in the right shoulder which penetrated the chest on 1st of October 1918 in Ypres. He was transferred to the field hospital where he was for 35 days until he was transferred to the 3rd Scottish General Hospital in Glasgow for 333 days before being discharged on 23rd October 1919.

    He married after the war and had 2 children but he was unable to use his right arm. He underwent an operation at Hairmyres Hospital in 1946 to try and reverse some of the damage done but, unfortunately, he died on the operating table. He was 46 and left a widow and 2 small children aged 4 and 6 months old.

    Catriona McKellar




    263666

    Amos George Ford Coldstream Guards

    Amos Ford enlisted in the Coldstream Guards on 7th of March 1917 but was discharged on 26th April the same year with Inflammation of the Connective Tissue (ICT) of the left foot.

    Melissa Ford




    263664

    Pte. William Swann 15th Btn Royal Scots

    William Swann, known as Billy, was my Great Great Aunt's stepson. He was one of the so called Manchester Scottish, members of the 15th Battalion, Royal Scots which was raised by the Lord Provost and City with half the men being recruited in Edinburgh and half in Manchester, hence the name Manchester Scottish.

    My interest in him comes from two photographs I have passed through the family welcoming him home from the war after being in a POW in Germany. My research through the archives of the International Committee of the Red Cross indicates that he was captured at Croiselles, France on the 23rd of March 1918 and was imprisoned at Parchim Camp in Germany. This was known as the Camp of Death possibly because of the high death rate from Spanish Flu.

    William married in Annie Leah on 27th Dec 1927. I have not been able to trace any children. It was a later marriage, William was born in 1883, Annie in 1894 and both died in 1960.

    Isobel Wilde




    263660

    2nd Lt. Thomas Crompton 1st Battalion Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.13th April 1918)

    Thomas Crompton served with the 1st Battalion, Royal West Surrey Regiment Read More.

    Anthony Crowther




    263656

    Spr. Patrick McCarthy 263rd Railway Coy. Royal Engineers

    Patrick McCarthy was my great-great-uncle. He was born and reared in Limerick, Ireland, and worked for 3 years in Guinness, Dublin before emigrating to Glasgow in 1914. He joined the Kings Own Scottish Borderers in 1916 and deployed to France in 1917 with the Royal Engineers.

    Shane Doyle




    263654

    Capt. James Shaw Allen 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    James Allen joined during September 1914 and was gazetted to 2nd Lieutenant on 19th of April 1915. He was in the Battle of the Somme and then was sent to India. In June 1917, he was promoted to captain. On 19th of December 1922, he retired from service.





    263652

    Pte. Albert Thomas Chappell 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.1st Dec 1918)

    Albert Chappell was born in 1894 at Tresham, Gloucestershire to Albert James and Kate Elizabeth Chappell. In 1901, he was residing with his parents and siblings at The Sheet, Hawkesbury near Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire; and in 1911, he was living with his brother William Albert, mother, and stepfather Richard Godfrey at Bowldon near Tetbury, Gloucestershire. His occupation was farm labourer.

    He enlisted into the 13th Gloucestershire Regiment on 9th of December 1915 at the age of 22 years and 3 months and was posted to the army reserve to await his mobilization. At the time, he was residing at Ragonel Terrace, Synwell, Wotton-under-Edge. On 23 December 1916, he married Winifred Tavinner at the Tabernacle, Wotton-under-Edge.

    He was called to the colours with the 1st Royal West Kent Regiment on 22nd of February 1917 at Horfield Barracks, Horfield, Bristol. Then on 11th June 1917, he embarked for France. On 21st of April 1918, he received a shrapnel wound to his left thigh, and on 6th of October 1918 was transferred to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He died of influenza at No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station on 1st of December 1918, and is buried in Caudry British Cemetery, France.

    Alfred Beard




    263651

    Ian Oliphant 4th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Ian Oliphant served with the 4th Lancashire Fusiliers. His field service book found whilst sorting out various boxes is rubber stamped 1st (Garrison) Battalion, Manchester Regiment.

    Ashley Case




    263649

    Corporal David Mathieson MID 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

    My grandfather, David Mathieson, was sent to Belgium in the first contingent of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in August 1914. His unit was left with the rearguard at Mons to cover the retreat and he was captured along with his men. He then spent the rest of the war in a German POW camp.

    He died when I was quite young, but I reflect that he would have come back to a country he did not recognize and an Army he did not recognize. I am given to understand that, except for the men he was captured with, pretty much everyone he had served with before the war was dead.

    Marty Mathieson




    263647

    Pte. George Wilhelm Fickeis 304th Infantry Regiment

    <p>George Fickis

    These are my great uncle George Fickeis's service memories.

    Reported to the Draft Board at the Roxbury Courthouse on Sunday 28th of April 1918. Left for Camp Devens on the 1 p.m. train. Arrived in camp at 3 p.m. Placed in 26th Co. 7th Battalion 151st Depot Brigade. In quarantine for two weeks. On Saturday 25 May transferred to Medical Detachment 304th Infantry Regiment

    Left Camp Devens at 2:30 a.m. on Monday 8th of July. Arrived at the Charleston Navy Yard at 6 p.m.. On board an English freight ship named Cardiganshire at 9 a.m. 1865 solders on board. At 1 p.m. on 8 July sailed from Charleston, Boston, MA. At 12 noon on Wednesday 10 July arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Waited in the harbor until Thursday for 13 more ships. At 1 p.m. on Thursday 11 July eighteen ships sailed from Halifax. About 20 shots were fired at 8 p.m. on 16 July at some object which might have been a submarine. On Monday morning 22 July arrived at the mouth of the Thames River in England. Sailed up the Thames River to Tilbury about 30 miles from London. Left the boat at 6 p.m. and got on a train at 8 p.m. Arrived at Winchester Station at 1:30 a.m. and hiked to Camp Winnall Down. Arrived there at 3:30 a.m. on 23 July. Stayed in camp until 25 July. Left at 6 a.m. Hiked to Winchester Station and left on a train at 9:30 a.m. for Southampton station. Arrived Southampton 9:30 a.m. Sailed on the ship H.G. Miller E805 at 7 p.m.

    At 4 a.m. on 26th of July 1918 arrived at Le Havre France. Docked at noon. Hiked up a hill to camp No. 1. Arrived there at 4:30 p.m. We remained in camp until noon the next day when we hiked back to the train yards at Le Havre. At 4 p.m. on 27 July started out of Le Havre in the cattle car.

    Some of the largest cities that we passed through were Rouen, Mantes, Versailles and Orleans. At 6 p.m. on Sunday 28 July after twenty-six hours of riding we arrived in the town of Chateauneuf - Sur - Cher. Remained in Chateauneuf until Wednesday August 28th. Hiked 5 miles to Lapan. Remained in Lapan until 1 October and then moved to Levet.

    This is one of the letters that my great uncle George sent from the front. He sent this letter to his sister Eva.

    Miss Eva Fickeis, 855 Columbus Ave. Roxbury, Mass. United States of America 1918-10-09

    Dear Eva,

    This is my day on duty at the infirmary, and we have only a few patients at the present time, so I have time to write a letter. This infirmary is in a three room house. The kitchen we use to give out pills, the parlor and bedroom we use for a hospital. We keep sick men in the infirmary unless they develop some contagious disease. If we have a lot of patients it keeps us busy taking their temperatures and giving them pills at regular hours. I will miss my bunk in the loft tonight, not because the bunk is anything special, but because we have visitors during the night. The rats chew up our candles while we sleep. One afternoon a rat was playing leap-frog over our bunks. Nerveless we are lucky to have a loft to sleep in, instead of a field or a trench.

    They set the clocks back an hour Sunday and also changed our working hours. Reveille used to blow at 5:30 a.m. and taps at 10 p.m. Now Reveille blows at 5 a.m. and taps at 21.50 o’clock. It is very dark in the town soon after sunset. It was so dark one night at eight o’clock that three of us out walking almost bumped into a house.

    We had several varieties of weather yesterday. First it rained, then the sun came out, then it hailed for a few minutes after which the sun came out again and at night the wind started to blow. It is pretty cold eating our breakfast out in the open these mornings. Ever since we left the boat we have been eating our meals standing up, and I am getting so used to it that you may as well sell one chair at home. I won’t know what a chair is made for by the time I get back.

    I am expecting some more mail very soon, which I will have to answer, so I will close now, wishing you all the best of health.

    Your brother George

    Pvt. Geo. W. Fickeis, Med. Det., 304 Inf. Army P.O. 773. American E.F.

    Prv George Fickeis in France

    Embrodery and Georges Dogtags

    Georges Discharge P1

    Ken Scheyder




    263641

    Pte. William John Hinchcliffe D Company, 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    William Hinchcliffe served with D Company, 9th Royal Fusiliers.

    William Hinchcliffe

    Richard Hinchcliffe




    263639

    Pte. John Conlon 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    John Conlon married Ethel Cartwright in March 1917, his marriage certificate states he was serving with the 4th Training Reserve Battalion, Hampshire Regiment at that time. He served on the Western Front with the 6th Somerset Light Infantry and lost his life at the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    Thomas Parry




    263632

    Cpl. John Melling Tyrer MM. 165th Coy Machine Gun Corps

    <p>Jack Tyrer

    Jack Tyrer was my Grandad on my mother's side. He served with the King's (Liverpool) Regiment and MAchine Gun Corps. He never spoke about his war experiences but I do know he was awarded the Military Medal during the battle of the Somme.

    Dave Maltby




    263631

    Gnr. John William Flanders Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Leeds or Swanage Auxiliary Hospital. Will Flanders is 3rd male standing from left.

    John Flanders, known as Will was my Grandfather, and told stories of him being wounded in the trenches when a German shrapnel shell landed in their gun pit. Three of his mates where killed and two wounded. He was in such a bad state that he was moved to be buried, but when two men from the burial detail picked him up to throw him into the pit, he groaned, so they got him to the hospital tent and the rest is history. He was then in hospitals at Swanage and Beaulieu Auxiliary Hospital, Harrogate near Leeds.

    The two men who saved him used to visit him after the war and up to about the 1950s: he outlived them both. He came home and was a soft furnishing buyer for Hill Carters department store in West Hartlepool then in WW2 he worked as a wage clerk in I C I Billingham until he retired in the 1950s. He married Violet Ann Symons and had two daughters, Clara Grace and Winifred Patrica. I was recently lent some old photos to scan into my computer from a cousin and found a newspaper article about his time at Beaulieu hospital, and a photo of him with others and nurses on a post card.

    The newspaper clipping reads, Gunner Flanders of the Light Field Artillery who has been out in Flanders, is in the Beaulieu Hosital recovering from the effects of twenty wounds. They had been subjected to a heavy bombardment by the German artillery. This went on for two hours, when a shrapnel shell burst near to Flanders and others. The shell practically fell at their feet. Three were killed and two wounded, Flanders got twenty pieces of shell in various parts of his body. Several of these have been taken out, other pieces have worked out, whilst he still has small pieces remaining. He is getting on nicely.

    J W Flanders in 1918

    news paper cutting

    David House




    263625

    Bmbdr. Thomas Ormandy 147th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Thomas Ormandy was born in 1890, the only son of Joseph and Elizabeth who lived at 7 Askam View, Ireleth. He had 4 sisters: Ada, Nellie, Doris and Mildred. In 1911 Thomas was working as a farm servant for Mr John Wearing at Low Newton, Grange over Sands. In 1913 Thomas married Sarah Alice Palmer and later that year their son Joseph was born. Sarah sadly died in February 1916 aged 27 leaving Thomas a widower with his young son Joseph. As detailed below Thomas was posted to France in August 1916; Joseph stayed with Thomas's family in Ireleth.

    Thomas was 26 years old, height 5 ft 8 inch, 38 inch chest when he took the oath and joined up on 11th of December 1915 and attested to the Royal Garrison Artillery and was later assigned to 147th Siege Battery. Thomas was then posted to Fort Brockhurst, Gosport, Hampshire in May 1916. The raising of 140 to 149 Siege batteries of the Royal Garrison Artillery was authorised by the Army Council. The Council stated that the establishment of each battery would be that laid down for batteries equipped with 6, 8 and 9.2 inch howitzers.

    Thomas embarked for France on 21st of August 1916. Thomas received a shot gun wound to his right hand and was firstly treated at the hospital at Aubengue, Boulogne sur Mer in France, before being sent home to England where he was a patient at the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich in August 1918. He was granted furlough from the hospital on 19th of August 1918 to 26th of August 1918 and returned to Ireleth.

    He was then ordered to join the Agricultural Distribution Centre Infantry Depot, Preston, by the RGA Clearing Officer. Thomas was discharged on 16th of September 1918. He received the King's Certificate no 4698. His conduct was stated as very good. His pension records show that he had a permanent disability caused by his service.





    263624

    Cpl. William Toseland 179th Brigade

    William Toseland was a carter in Sheffield where he moved haulage via horse & cart. He was born in Cambridgeshire I know little of his WW1 service, other than he served in the Royal Field Artillery with 4th Depot and 179th Brigade.

    Brendan Casey




    263621

    Pte Samuel Stirk 188th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.26th Oct 1917)

    Samuel Stirk son to Joseph Stirk and Sarah Ann Phillis was first with the Yorkshire Regiment then later with the 188th Coy. Machine Gun Corps. We don't know how Sam Stirk was killed, but he died in Belgium, Ypres and is remembered at Zonnebke, Belgium .

    His still greatly missed in our family all these years later on and we pass on his memory to the next generation.





    263616

    Capt. William Owen Wise MM. Royal Marine Artillery

    William Wise served during WW1 and was recalled to service in WW2.

    P Nicholas




    263615

    Pte. Frederick Brown B Coy. 2nd Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment

    <p>Giessen Camp Brass Band

    My grandfather, Frederick Brown was captured on 8th of May 1915 and spent the remainder of the war at Giessen POW camp.

    Old postcard of Giessen POW Camp

    Prisoners on parade at Giessen Camp





    263611

    Pte. Thomas Mattison 10th Btn. Yorks and Lancaster Regiment (d.26th Sep 1915)

    Thomas Mattison from Ferrybridge, Leeds, died on the 26th of September 1915 and is remembered on the Loos Memorial in France. Son of Thomas and Margaret Mattison, of Brotherton, husband of Harriet Mattison.

    He is related to Henry Lowther 4th Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps who died on the 25th of May 1915 and is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Lucy-Jayne Brown




    263610

    Rfmn. Henry Lowther 4th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.25th May 1915)

    <p>

    Henry Lowther was born in Leeds. He was my great great Uncle on my dad's side of the family. His name is on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial as his body was unfortunately never recovered or found. We believe he may be in an unmarked grave at Hooge Crater.

    Lucy-Jayne Brown




    263609

    Pte. Walter Pallister 2nd/4th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.29th Apr 1918)

    Walter Pallister is my great great grandad on my mum's side of the family.
    Lucy-Jayne Brown




    263605

    2nd Lt. Peter Williams 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.13th Nov 1916 )

    Peter Williams was killed in action near Serre on the Somme. His body was never found. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    David Cole




    263603

    Pte. Harcourt Fidler

    Harcourt Fidler was the husband of my 2nd great-aunt. He was reported on 3rd of November 1914 as wounded in action and sent to the 1st Eastern General Hospital in Cambridge.





    263602

    L/Cpl. Harold Hargreaves H Coy., 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.17th Mar 1918)

    Harold Hargreaves served with H Coy., 1/9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment





    263591

    Pvt. Aime Arthur Beaudoin 309th Infantry Regiment

    <p>Aime Beaudoin

    Aime Beaudoin served with the United States Army 2nd Co, 1st RB, 309th Infantry.

    Francis H. Beaudoin




    263590

    Gnr. Robert Bowers 54 Siege Battery (1st Aust Siege Battery) 36th (Australian) Heavy Artillery Group

    <p>Robert Bowers

    Robert Bowers served with 54th (Australian) Siege Battery, 1st Australian Siege Battery, 36th (Australian) Heavy Artillery Group.

    Robert Bowers RAGA

    Peter K Bowers




    263585

    Pte. James William John Lee 13th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.4th September 1916)

    James Lee was born in Mile End to parents James William Lee and Bridget Lee (nee Sheekham) and lived in Ernest Road and Hermit Road, Canning Town, Essex. James was killed during a bombing raid with 13th Essex.

    John Mace




    263583

    Pte. Harry Stanley 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.10th Apr 1918)

    Harry Stanley was wounded at the 2nd Battle of Messines, part of the larger Battle of the Lys, and died in a Belgian hospital on 10th April 1918. He is buried at Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Belgium.

    Anthony Bond




    263581

    Sgt. Robert Read DCM. 25th (Welsh Horse) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.31st Oct 1917)

    <p>Robert Read, 25th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    My great-uncle, Robert Read, enlisted along with three of his brothers in 1915. They were a family of butchers owning a business in Blaengwynfe, Glamorganshire.

    During his service, Robert was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and then was awarded the DCM for going to save a wounded officer whilst under fire although he himself had been shot in the knee and the side of his body. He was later redeployed after recovering from his injuries, but was killed in action during the third, successful, attempt at taking Beersheba in what was then Egypt and is now Israel.

    His headstone in the Beersheba War Cemetery

    Beersheba War Cemetery

    David Bryan Morgan




    263573

    Cpl. William Thomas Horsnell Royal Army Service Corps

    William Horsnell was born in Hatfield Peverel, Essex on 3rd of Sep 1876. By trade he was a butcher. He enlisted at Shropshire on 28th of November 1915 and was posted on 1st of March 1917. He was wounded in action and moved to the Mile End Military Hospital, Bancroft Road, London. Papers dated 3rd of August 1918 declare his disability at 70% pending a decision on a service pension. He was discharged from the Royal Army Service Corps on 1st of March 1919. Next of kin recorded as his brother, Harry Horsnell of Woodford, Essex.

    John Nicholson




    263565

    Pte. Arthur Reginald Cannings 5th Btn D Coy Wiltshire Regiment (d.21st Apr 1916)

    Arthur Cannings died of his wounds in Mesopotamia.

    David Phillips




    263564

    Pte. William Murison 1/6th Btn. F Coy. Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    William Murison served with F Coy. 1/6 Btn. Gordon Highlanders.

    Iain Murison




    263562

    Peter Holmes 24th (Sportsmans) Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Peter Holmes was married to Florence (nee Armstrong). At the time of his enlistment in Liverpool (January 1915) he was 36 years old. Height: 5'8", weight: 12st 2lbs, good physical condition, except for defective teeth. The 24th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers spent the next 11 months training in Nottingham and then on Salisbury Plain, before moving to France in November of 1915 as part of the 99th Brigade, 33rd Division. The spring of 1916 saw Peter involved on localised operations. When the Battle of the Somme opened Peter and his Battalion were enjoying a period of rest and re-fit. However, this didn't prevent Peter from being injured in action and having to leave the line to recover.

    Peter subsequently returned to the regiment and took part in the Battle of Ancre, only to be wounded on the first day. This necessitated him leaving from the line for a month, before re-joining his Regiment in the area of Festubert, where he was under constant threat from artillery and sniper fire. In 1918 he joined the Labour Corps serving in an Area Employment Company. He was appointed Acting Sgt 7th of March 1919 and returned to England to be demobilised on the 12th May 1919, with no disability.

    Peter died in the 1945 in Chester Royal Infirmary, Chester. He was my 1st Cousin 2 x removed.

    Andy Holmes




    263560

    Pte. Wilfred Patrick 35th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.15th Apr 1918)

    Wilfred Patrick, was born in Lubenham, Leicestershire, in 1897 and baptised at All Saints Church, Lubenham on 2nd July 1897. He was the 2nd youngest child of Thomas and Sarah Patrick. The Patrick family can be traced back to the late 1600s in Lubenham. His father, Thomas was a farm hand labourer who died in 1905 when Wilfred was only 8. Thomas had married Sarah Ann Sayer from Coventry in All Saints Church Lubenham in 1888 and they had 7 children. In the 1911 Census the family were living in Back Lane (now known as Rushes Lane), with Sarah as the head of the household and working as a weaver in the local factory. Before the War, Wilfred was employed as a farm hand labourer.

    Wilfred enlisted in Market Harborough in the Leicestershire Regiment. At some point he was transferred to 35th Battalion Machine Gun Corps. The Machine Gun Corps was formed in October 1915, when it was realised that machine guns needed to be in larger units and crewed by specially trained men. The Germans had already shown how effective machine guns were when properly sited and used.

    Wilfred Patrick died on 15th Apr 1918 aged 21. He is buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension in the Somme Department, France. The extension to the cemetery contains 1331 Commonwealth burials from WW1, 2 from WW2 and 18 German graves).

    Philip Clements




    263557

    Sgt. James McBain Willsher 10th Mounted Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    James Willsher was born in Paislie, Scotland in 1893. He joined the Black Watch before the start of WW1.

    On 4th of August 1914 he proceeded to France. He was wounded in France and returned to London. In 1916 he was sent back to France. In 1918 he was with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Egypt, and in Palestine he was a sergeant in the 10th Battery, Mounted Artillery. While in Palestine, a shell exploded near him and caused some loss of hearing. His unit rested between Bethlehem and Jerusalem behind Rachel's Tomb and then continued fighting northward of Jerusalem. He was still in Palestine in January 1919. He returned to Egypt and then back to England, where he received his discharge in July of 1919. He immigrated to Canada in the early 1920s.

    When WW2 began, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as an ordinary airman and served in Canada until the end of the war. He wore 4 medals from WW1 - 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Territorial Force EFF Medal, and 2 medals from WW2: 1939-1945 War Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal. His Volunteer Button was 20223. He died in Calgary, Canada in 1975.

    John M. Willsher




    263552

    Bmbdr. Alfred E. Barrow 302nd Brigade, Headquarters Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Certificate

    Ted Barrow served with 302nd Brigade Headquarters, Royal Field Artillery and was awarded a certificate for gallantry at Sheria.

    Joanna Alexander




    263551

    Henry Ballard 130th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Henry Ballard served with the Royal Horse Guards an d 130th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    D Maguire




    263547

    L/Cpl. Michael Kelly 547th (Kent) Field Company Royal Engineers

    After many years of research, I discovered that my paternal grandfather, Michael Kelly, was admitted to the Wakefield Asylum in August 1918 suffering from the effects of shell-shock. He spent the rest of his life in mental institutions dying in 1961. It was from his medical records I discovered his unit. The 547th (Kent) Field Company, RE did not arrive in France until June 1918 and the War Diary tells me they were not involved in any action in this period. I can surmise that he may have been wounded prior to June 1918 attached to a Tunneling Company, and they saw to his physical wounds before interning him into Wakefield in August.

    Can anyone tell me of the Tunnelling Coy that the 547th may have seconded Sappers to?

    Michael Kelly




    263546

    Pte. Thomas Oswald Cook 220th Company Machine Gun Corps

    <p>MGC

    Thomas Oswald Cook was born 2nd Oct 1893. He enlisted under the Derby Scheme in Birmingham on 11th Dec 1915. He was mobilized on 9 Nov 1916 and on 8 Jan 1917 he joined the 22nd Training Reserve Battalion which was part of the 5th Reserve Brigade stationed at Shoreham. He transferred into the Machine Gun Corps on 24th February 1917. His service records lists the following:
    • MGC 12th Coy - posted 8 May 1917
    • MGC 207th Coy - posted 29 Sep 1917
    • MGC 220th Coy - posted 11 Oct 1917
    • MGC B? - posted 8 Dec 1917
    • MGC 220th - posted 20 Feb 1918
    • Home - Posted 26 Mar 1919
    • Discharged 22 Apr 1919 - no longer physically fit for War Service.





    263545

    Pte. Cecil Frederick Addison 1st Battalion Essex Regiment (d.22nd April 1917)

    <p>

    Cecil Addison lost his life serving with the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment.





    263542

    Gnr. William Crosbie Black MM, DCM. Royal Garrison Artillery

    William Black was my grandfather. He was born in Ramelton in Donegal Ireland in 1880. He was a sailor in the Mercantile Marine. He was mobilised into the Lancashire Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery on 25th of May 1915. He received a hand written duplicate letter requiring to report to the Sefton Barracks in Upper Warwick Street together with a detailed list of personal supplies and clothing to which he would receive a gratuity of £5 on reporting for duty.

    He served until 12th January 1919. He was awarded the Pip, Squeak and Wilfred War Medals, but also awarded the DCM and Military Medal. There is a Certificate for the Gallant Act he carried out to receive the Military Medal whilst serving with the Second Army. He also received a Mercantile Marine Medal from the Board of Trade.

    In WW2 he was a Quarter Master on the Reina Del Pacifico, owned by the PSNC, which was converted into troopship. He was 59 when WW2 started. He was in many theatres of the War which included the Second Battle of Tobruk and the Invasion of Sicily. He was awarded the Africa Star with Clasp, Atlantic Star, Italy Star, Pacific Star and Burma Star. In the Honours List announced on 9th January 1946 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service. He ended his service on SS Orbita when his Sea Service and his War Service Certificate was issued on 29th May 1947 when he was 67.

    He was a much loved father and grandfather, and died aged 82 in 1962.

    Geoffrey Allen




    263533

    Pte. Alfred Richard Jones 4th Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.16th February 1917)

    My great grandfather, Alfred Jones, died from his wounds received in action on 16th of February 1917 during the campaign in Mesopotamia. He had been a coal miner in the south Wales valleys as stated on the 1911 census. Therefore, we must assume he volunteered to fight. He is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in modern day Iraq. Amara is a town on the left bank of the Tigris some 520 kilometres from the sea. The War Cemetery is a little east of the town between the left bank of the river and the Chahaila Canal.

    Amara was occupied by the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force on 3rs of June 1915 and it immediately became a hospital centre. Amara War Cemetery contains 4,621 burials of the First World War, more than 3,000 of which were brought into the cemetery after the Armistice. 925 of the graves are unidentified.

    In 1933, all of the headstones were removed from this cemetery when it was discovered that salts in the soil were causing them to deteriorate. Instead a screen wall was erected with the names of those buried in the cemetery engraved upon it. The cemetery is currently in a very bad state but the CWGC is unable to access it at this time.

    Louise Jones-Williams




    263532

    Lt. William Townend HMS Azalia

    William Townend sailed on HMS Marmora, HMS Azalia and HMS Benbow to Australia, India and Japan. He wound up living at 10 Salisbury Square, London. My father has died and I was clearing his house and I came across this information which I would like to pass on to the family as my dad got it from an auction but information should be with the correct family.

    Kerry Harrison




    263525

    Pte. Daniel Patrick Sheen Labour Corps

    My Grandfather, Daniel Sheen was 28 years old, when he joined the Labour Corps in 1915. He had one eye, having lost his left eye around 1904. His service record states that he was shot in the left leg during the conflict. The only photo I ever had of my Grandfather, was lost many years ago. It was a photo of him in his Labour Corps uniform.

    Garry Sheen




    263522

    Pte. William Arthur Baker 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    William Baker was the son of William Crane Baker and Sarah Chart. He was born in 1875 at Newport, Wales. He married Rose Annie Nicholls in 1895 and they had at least five children. Unfortunately, Rose passed away in 1908. Subsequently, he married Emma Rouse in 1909 and they had no children.

    Alice Rimell




    263518

    Pte. Hanson Tarbotton 79th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Hanson Tarbotton was born in Bradford in 1871 and worked as a carriage cleaner on the railway, becoming a Foreman after the war. He married Amy Smith in 1891 and they had 12 children (6 were living in 1911). Their eldest son, also called Hanson, enlisted with Seaforth Highlanders and then transferred to RGA (TF) as a Gunner with 109th Siege Battery. Another son, Walter b. 1906 was too young to serve.

    Hanson Tarbotton senior enlisted in Sheffield on 5th of September 1915 and crossed to France on 20th September and joined 79th Field Ambulance near Amiens. On 30th of November the unit sailed for Salonika where he remained until March 1919. He was treated for sand fly fever in August 1916 and for bronchial catarrh in 1918. He had 2 periods of leave to England. He was discharged on 7th of May 1919 after serving 3 years and 245 days and returned to his former employment. He died at 9 Exeter Street, Bradford in 1935 and his Probate Report notes his effects went to his widow, Amy.





    263517

    Rfmn. Ernest Moulton 8th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Ernest Moulton served with the 8th London Regiment.





    263515

    Pte. Thomas Charles Lawday 11th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Thomas Lawday was killed in action on 20th of September 1917 in the Battle of Menin Road. Aged 38 years, his name is entered on the Tyne Cot Memorial as he has no known grave.





    263505

    Gnr. Thomas Terry 250th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Xmas 1918 Concert

    I found this Concert Party programme in an old box. I know very little about my Grandfather, Thomas Terry, but remember him with affection. My image from childhood is of him sitting with the Racing Post studying form and tickling me from time to time. He died some time in the sixties. I was twelve or thirteen at the time and considered too young to attend a funeral. His younger son, my uncle Steve, moved to the USA, taking all the family photos with him and they have since been lost, so I was delighted to open your site and find a picture of him on your page devoted to the 250th Siege Battery. I think he is the chap on the right along with his friend Wilf, because I do remember a picture of him that looked rather similar to this hanging in my grandparents' house in Surrey, where he ended his days, equidistant between 3 racecourses.

    I find it remarkable that this concert was organised in France, presumably under fire, at Christmas 1918 and that so much care was taken to make it presentable, complete with Art Deco layout. Even more remarkable that he ever did a song and dance routine to entertain the troops! I hope that it may be of interest to people researching other members of the Concert party.

    Concert programme

    Programme back page

    Denise Davey




    263502

    Pte. John Henry Holland 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.25th Oct 1916)

    John Henry Holland is my great grandfather. He is listed on the Thiepval Memorial. I have his date of death and service number but not more than that. I would love to find out if he was awarded any medals and if there are any photos of the regiment before he died so I might find a photo of him as I currently have none.

    Annabelle Holland




    263501

    Pte. Arthur Mortimer 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.29th Sep 1918)

    Arthur Mortimer's military photo was hung on the wall with poppies around it, but we don't know where this photo went. He was killed in action France and Flanders in 1918. Just as the war was coming to an end.

    Gillian Powell




    263495

    Pte. Sydney Platt 18th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.24th Mar 1918)

    <p>Sydney Platt, 18th Welsh Regiment

    Sydney was born on 26th October 1898 to Margaret Platt (nee Doncaster) and Herbert Platt (a coal miner). The couple were married in 21 May 1891 at St George's, Tyldesley. He had a sister, Lois, 7, and a brother, William, 3 – the latter was my granddad. The family were living at 5 Sale Lane, Tyldesley which was owned by the mine.

    By 1917 the family were living at 38 Johnson Street, Tyldesley. Herbert was a milkman and William had begun training as a blacksmith. Sydney was working for the Tyldesley Co-operative Society as an apprentice butcher. He joined the army in February 1917 (his brother being rejected due to a suspected varicose vein) and trained at Prees Heath, Shropshire as a soldier in the 18th Welsh Regiment. In early November 1917, he was sent to join the regiment in France to take part in the capture of Bourlon Wood, 23rd to 28th of November 1917.

    He fell while on patrol from the British camp to the south of Henin-sur-Cojeul, France, according to his corporal, who was with him and saw him fall, when German sentries came out and gave fire. The patrol retreated, leaving Sydney, and returned to camp, but the regiment had received orders to move quickly to Mory to strengthen the line due to the build-up of German forces prior to their Spring Offensive, known as Operation Michael. Hence, his body was not recovered.

    There are 35 unknown allied soldiers buried in Cojeul British Cemetery. I am still trying to ascertain from where each of these came, as I believe Sydney is one of these men. Sydney is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France and on the Tyldesley Memorial in his hometown.

    David Platt




    263486

    Nurse. Nellie Elizabeth Byford

    My great-aunt Nellie Byford, as family story is told, was a nurse in the Territorial Nursing Service.I have an autograph book started in 1916 at the Penrhym V.A.D. Lodge. There are many pages of handwritten thank you notes by wounded soldiers to Nurse Byford, signed by them and indicating units or regiments they were attached to. I would like to learn more about the facility, the activities, staff and recognition of service and photos.

    Dave Lynes




    263484

    Sgt. William Taylor Soutar DCM. 13th Btn. Royal Scots

    <p>William Soutar

    William Soutar moved to Baltimore, Maryland in the United States in 1921.

    William Soutar, 13th Royal Scots

    James Adams




    263483

    Pte. Frederick Woods 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1917)

    Fred Woods was born in Hucknall Torkard, now known simply as Hucknall, Nottinghamshire in 1898. In 1911 he was living in Stamford at 39 St Paul's Street (now demolished) with his parents Frank Woods and Mary Ann (nee Hodgett) Woods, his sister Lucy (11) and brothers Frank (8) and Bertie (4). His father was a fitter at Martins Cultivator Company – both his parents and all his siblings were born in Stamford. In 1901 the family had been living at 2 Reynolds Court, St George’s Street. At the time of that census his father was a soldier serving in South Africa in the Second Boer War.

    Following in his father's footsteps Fred enlisted for military service in Sleaford joining the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Details of his early service have not been located. From the WWI Casualty Records we learn he served in France & Flanders. On 3rd of May 1917 at the age of 19 he was wounded and presumed killed during the Arras Offensive during the Third Battle of Scarpe. Having no known grave and based on his relevant military service, Fred has recently been accepted for commemoration on the Arras Memorial. He is also remembered on the Stamford Memorial and St George's Church Roll.

    Gary Kidd




    263481

    Pte. Michael Ryan 5th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    Michael Ryan was a master stonemason and was home from New York when he heard that the Lusitania has been sunk as he had travelled home on it the previous homeward bound journey so he joined the Royal Irish Regiment.

    He suffered a very bad head injury and was in military hospitals in Scotland, Dublin and Cork but was unable to remain at home as he had very bad PTSD and unfortunately spent his remaining days in St Joseph's mental institution in Limerick City. Michael died in the 1950's and is buried in the Ryan family plot with his parents and my grandparents





    263471

    Pte Andrew Gallacher Barbour 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.28th Jul 1916)

    Andrew Barbour was born in Camlachie, Glasgow on the 11th of September 1897. He died on the 28th of July 1916 in the Persian Gulf, records state he died of disease. He was my grandfather's brother. His older brother died in 1918 in France and Flanders.





    263470

    Pte. Robert Stephenson 13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Sep 1916)

    Robert Stephenson was my husband's great grandfather. He was the eldest son of Joseph and Eliza Stephenson (nee Bayly). He had six siblings: Harriett, Jane Eliza, Charles, Cissie, Joanna and Mary. The family lived at 16, Baxton Burn, Benfieldside. Robert married Sarah Robson on 1909-12-11 and they lived at 10, Emma Street, Consett in 1911. He was a Railway Locomotive Fireman at the local Iron Company. Robert and Sarah had two daughters, Eliza, born in 1910, and Doris, born in 1913.

    Robert joined the Northumberland Fusiliers as a Private. He earned the Victory and British Medals and also the 1915 Star. He was killed in action between 16th and 22nd September 1916. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial and has no other grave. Robert's wife, Sarah, claimed a pension for her and her three children, one of whom was born out of wedlock and not Robert's child. Sarah went on to marry James Douthwaite Parker in 1920 and died in 1939. Unfortunately we have no photographs of Robert.

    Jennifer Stephenson




    263467

    Lt. Gerald Caleb L. Chamberlain 194th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gerald Chamberlain was my wife's grandfather. He served as a Bombardier in the RGA from 1914 in France. He was promoted to Sergeant in France, and was sent back to England for Officer cadet training. Commissioned to officer rank, he was sent back to France from Cooden Camp, Bexhill, Sussex.

    He lived until he was 98 (I think) and wrote his memoirs in 1980. There's quite a bit in his memoirs about wartime experiences in WW1 and WW2, and about his civilian life and family. Really interesting! He had several near misses during WW1 engaged in artillery and signalling work. I am gradually scanning and digitising his memoirs. I do think they are worthy of publication. We also have several photos of Gerald Chamberlain in uniform and in France.

    Ian MacPherson




    263462

    Pte. Ernest Albert Emmanuel Jones 11th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.25th Apr 1917)

    Ernest Jones served with 11th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. I have found all of this out via private family searches through war records





    263457

    Pte. Matthew George Youngs 1st Btn Norfolk Regiment (d.23rd Jul 1916)

    <p>Matthew Youngs

    My great uncle Matthew Youngs of the 1st Battalion Norfolk regiment was killed in action at High Wood on 23rd of July 1916 aged 20. One of 7 children of Edward Joseph Matthew Youngs and Martha Ann Curtis, his older brother, Arthur Edward, was also fighting in the Somme and was killed at Deville Wood 4 days earlier, aged 22. Their mother never recovered from the loss of two sons. Following the sudden death of her husband in 1919, she became mentally unhinged and spent the last few years of her life in a mental institution. She died in 1938.

    Alison Lihou




    263455

    Rfmn. John Thomas Cavill Lincolnshire Regiment

    John Cavill enlisted as a Rifleman on 10th of November 1914. Then next day he underwent an examination, his records states he was 19yr 4 mths, Farm Servant, Height 5' 3 1/2" Weight 126lbs. Physical development Good

    On 17/04/15 John was given 48 Hours detention for Making insolent remarks to an NCO. On 11/05/15 he was Wounded in Field, 12/05/15 Admitted Bailliel, bullet wound in Left hand, 13/05/15 Admitted Wimereaux, bullet wound in Left hand 17/05/15 Transferred to hospital ship for England. 17/05/15 – 26/05/15 admitted Herne Bay with a Gunshot wound in Left leg (previous record said hand so I assume that this is an admin error) 30/06/15 Re-embarked to the Western Front. He was granted leave to England from 21 to 28th of February 1916. On 17/05/16 He had 8 days loss of privileges for “Disobedience of regimental orders, gambling in the billets after lights out”.

    John was Wounded in action on the 3rd of July 1916 and the following day was admitted with a GSW to hospital in Rouen and the following day was transferred to the Hospital Ship Asturias for England. He was in Mersey Hospital being treated for a Gunshot wound in arm and left hand (I think it also says compound fracture) from 07/07/16 to 11/08/16 when he was transferred to Cadland Hospital, Fawley, near Southampton. On 11/12/16 he re-embarked for the Western Front. John was listed as 21/03/18 Missing in action on the 21st of March 1918 and it was later reported that he had been captured by enemy at Hardcourt and was a Prisoner of war. Returned back to hometown in 1919 and passed away in 1974.

    Linda Cavill




    263453

    Arthur Edward Youngs 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.19th Jul 1916)

    <p>Arthur Youngs

    My great uncle Arthur Edward Youngs of the 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment was killed in action at Deville Wood on 19th of July 1916 aged 22. His place of burial is stated as unknown.

    One of 7 children of Edward Joseph Matthew Youngs and Martha Ann Curtis, his younger brother, Matthew George, was also fighting in the Somme and was killed at High Wood 4 days later, aged 20. Their mother never recovered from this loss. Following the sudden death of her husband in 1919, she became mentally unhinged and spent the last years of her life in a mental institution. She died in 1938.

    Alison Lihou




    263451

    Sgt. Alfred Dobson 18th Labour Coy. Army Service Corps (d.13th Aug 1915)

    Alfred Dobson drowned at sea, the ship he was travelling on was sunk by UB14 off the island of Kandeloussa.





    263449

    L/Cpl. William Riley MM. 7th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.21st Dec 1917)

    <p>William Riley

    William Riley was my Great Uncle. He and his three brothers and a brother-in-law who served with the British Army in the Great War. I knew little about him beyond basic information until researching my ancestry beginning about 20 years ago. I descend from the oldest brother who immigrated in 1907. So those who knew William that I would have had access to, died many years ago. I recently found a clipping from the Burnley Express about him and that filled in much of the information that I know.

    William joined the East Lancashire Regiment in Sept 1914. After training at Tidworth went to France in July 1915. He died on 21st of December 1917. Just days earlier, according to the article, "distinguished himself on the field, for which he has been awarded the Military Medal, but died without knowledge of his achievement. Lance-Corporal Riley was 36 years of age and a widower with two children." In a letter to his sister, my Great Aunt Annorah Abbott, a soldier who knew him said "He was sniped whilst at the head of a sap, and died two minutes after he was hit." He went on to say that William was well-liked and had proved to be a reliable NCO.

    Prior to the war Uncle Bill was a coal miner at Towneley Pit along with most of his family. My other uncles included Sapper Thomas Riley, who was also awarded the Military Medal on 1st of July 1916, the same day that brother-in-law Nathan Abbott died at the Somme. Youngest brother Private Patrick Riley was at the time a member of the R.A.M.C. serving at Salonika.

    John Riley




    263448

    Rfmn. Walter Brooks 7th Btn Rifle Brigade (d.16th Oct 1917)

    Walter Brooks was my 2nd great grand uncle. Recently I've been sent his Victory medal which was found in a scrap heap in Solihull forty years ago. I'm very proud to have it as his body was never found and his last known location was Passchendaele. I'm continuing my research in trying to find his last known location. His name is remembered at the Tyne Cot War Memorial.

    Lee Cope




    263446

    Pte. Albert Charles Ball 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire (d.10th Nov 1917)

    <p>263446_Albert Charles Ball_10th Notts & Derby_his gravestone

    Private Albert Charles Ball served with the Notts and Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters). Albert was born in 1892 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, the son of Alfred Ball and Mary Ann Samworth. He had five brothers and four sisters. His brother Percy Ball also served in the Notts & Derby Regiment but was lucky and survived the war.

    Albert was injured in the Battle of Passchendaele. He died of his wounds on the 10th November 1917, aged 25 years, and was laid to rest at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    263446_Private Albert Charles Ball_10th Notts & Derby





    263444

    Pte. Albert Edward Fletcher 4th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment

    <p>

    My great-uncle Albert Fletcher was born in East London, in June 1896. He was placed in Barnardo's care in 1904. At some point, he was released to his father, Alfred Fletcher, and they moved to his father's birthplace in Eltisley to work as farm labourers. He joined the 4th Northamptonshire Regiment at St. Neots. He was made prisoner of war by the Germans during WW1. He survived but died in the Caxton Workhouse on 19th of November, 1922. He was buried at St. Pandonia and St. John the Baptist Church in Eltesly.

    Walkley-Sherman




    263436

    Pte. Charles Duffin 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.19th June 1915)

    <p>

    Charlie Duffin was born in 1894 in Hungerton, Lincolnshire. The son of Henry and Martha Duffin. He had eight brothers and six sisters. He served in 1st Battalion Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. He died from his wounds on the 19th of June 1915 in France at the age of 21 and was laid to rest at Aeroplane Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium.

    Sophie Toms




    263432

    Sgt. George Thomas Eastman 52nd Brigade Royal Horse Artillery

    George Eastman enlisted 28th of October 1905. He joined E Battery RHA on the 20th of March 1914 as a Bombadier. Promoted to Corporal on 5th of August 1914 he went to France with the Battery later that month. He served with the Battery until posted to C Battery, 52nd Brigade, RFA. he survived the war and died in 1947.

    Ray Eastman




    263430

    2Lt. Irving Aloysius "I.A." Peers 98 Squadron

    <p>I.A.Peers Royal Aero Club Aviator certificate

    I.A. Peers joined the Imperial Royal Flying Corps in 1917 and received his training at Camp Borden, Ontario, Canada. When sent to Europe, he was stationed with No. 98 Squadron, a bombing unit. His plane, an Airco DH9, was shot down over Belgium in 1918 and he was a POW in Rastatt, Germany for the duration of the war.

    Upon his repatriation and return to the US, he enlisted with the Navy and was stationed in Great Lakes, Illinois for training. In March 1920 he deserted and went AWOL. Story is he became a barnstormer and because he was in trouble for deserting, he changed his name to Arthur J Doyle.

    Eventually he changed his name back to Irving Aloysius Peers. I.A. was a door-to-door salesman. It's not known exactly why he kept moving west away from his Boston family but eventually he and his wife along with their children settled in Rochester, NY. Irving Peers died suddenly in 1948 at age 49.

    Jesse Peers




    263405

    Sidney Cannon Essex Regiment

    <p>

    Sidney Cannon served with the Essex Regiment, Royal Engineers and Northamptonshire Regiment.

    Richard Cannon




    263398

    Rflmn. Wilfred Oliver Ledbrook 16th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.24th Dec 1916)

    On the day of his death, Wilfred Ledbrook was supposed to be on leave. He was single and gave his leave up to a friend (name unknown) so that the friend could be with his wife and family at Christmas.

    I was born in 1947, and his sister (my grandmother) insisted that I be baptised Wilfred Oliver, in memory of her brother. I was always very close to my late Nan.

    Wilfred Oliver James Puffett




    263395

    Spr. Walter Harrington 59th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Walter Harrington was mobilized at the Curragh on 6th August 1914. He had first joined the RE in 1907. He was reported missing on 30th August 1914 after having been taken captive. He spent the war years in Munster III POW camp and was repatriated via Hull on 27th November 1918.





    263393

    John MacGavock Grider No. 85 Squadron (d.18th Jun 1918)

    John Grider joined up as a cadet, arriving from USA with two friends, Elliott Springs and Larry Callahan. His exploits are recorded in 'War Birds'.

    John Moore




    263388

    Pte T. Roche 1st Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.13th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    T. Roche of the 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers lost his life due to gas poisoning.

    David Soden




    263385

    Pte. Andrew Logan Stirling Scottish Rifles

    I never knew Andrew Stirling, he was my grannie's brother. He married Euphemia Robertson MacDonald in 1914 and went to war. He also was in the Reserves since 1901. I believe he contracted TB and ulceration of the stomach from which he died in 1922. Two other bothers went to war in different Regiments. William Stirling in the 2nd Royal Fusiliers was killed in July 1916 France. Alexander Stirling was posted to Egypt WW1 (don't know the Regiment). He contracted rheumatic fever along with his fellow soldiers, eventually made it back being in 1917, seconded to an Ammunition Factory in Coatbridge, to help out, only to die from complications of his stomach illness in 1933. Their poor mother must have been devastated. She died in 1924 so only knew about 2 of them.

    Margaret Stirling Lynn




    263383

    Pte. Maurice Tully 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Maurice Tully is my Grandda. He was in the 10th Battalion and the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliets from 1915 to 1918. He was sent back to the UK as he was wounded. He lived in Plat Bridge, Wigan.





    263381

    Desmond Graham HMS Ganges

    I believe I remember being told that my Uncle Desmond Graham, my father's half brother, served on HMS Ganges during WW2 as a cook. I was just reading a news article about a 93 year old veteran from HMS Ganges who recently went to the cinema for the first time in 50 years to see 1917. I would love to know if he knew him. My uncle died many years ago from cancer. He was a lovely man.

    Rosalind Robinson




    263376

    Pte. Albert Holden 2nd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th Nov 1917)

    Albert Holden was my wife's great uncle, born in April 1889 . We visited Ypres and Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    Mitchell John




    263365

    Pte. Michael Wixted 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusilliers

    Michael Wixted was born in January 1889. He joined the British Army in mid 1915 and was allotted to the 7th Royal Irish Rifles. There is evidence of a Leinster Regiment being formed around this time and it is probable that along with thousands of other young Dubliner's, he enlisted. From his Medal Roll Card, we know he arrived in France with a Draft in early 1916 He had been transferred to the 8th Royal Dublin Fusiliers by late 1917, having left his original Regiment for reasons and a date unknown but likely to be due to a wound or sickness

    He was posted to the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers in February 1918 when the 8th Battalion was disbanded. In total 400 men were absorbed into both the 1st and 2nd Royal Dublin Fusilier Battalions on the 10th of February 1918. 200 men being absorbed into each Battalion.

    Michael was captured by German forces on the 21st of March 1918 in the town of St. Quentin in France. This was during a very heavy offensive of 500,000 German Troops against some 200,000 Allied Troops. Sometime after his capture, Michael had been transferred to Soltau Prisoner of War Camp, Germany. He was repatriated to England in January 1919.

    Brian Connolly




    263363

    Spr. William Whytock Hally 4th Army Troop Coy. Canadian Engineers

    My Great Grandfather William Hally's WWI diary indicates that he arrived in Crowborough at 4pm on Wednesday, 25th of October 1916.

    The Thursday, 26th of October 1916 entry states: Getting things packed up and doing (illegible). Only got one blanket. Parade for two more tonight some time. (not sure what he means here). He left Crowborough for Southampton on 21st of January 1917.





    263359

    Sgt. Howard Alexander Fagan MM, MID. 1/16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.21st Jul 1916)

    <p>Alec Fagan

    Sergeant Alec Fagan was seriously wounded on the 1st of July 1916 at the Battle of Gommecourt and was taken to No.16 General Hospital, Le Treport suffering from Gun shot wounds right thigh and side. His parents were given permission to attend and see him which they did on the 19th July but alas he died two days later and was buried in the Mont-Huon Military Cemetery. He was still only 18 years old when he died and received the Military Medal posthumously.

    Bruce Gilbert




    263353

    Pte. Henry James Guy 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment

    <p>Henry Guy, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment

    Henry Guy was my grandfather, a real salty character. He made his attestation on 4th October 1906, served with 2nd Essex, qualified in mounted infantry duties at Longmoor on 5th January 1909, went to France on 22nd August 1914, and subsequently was taken prisoner. This information is confirmed from family knowledge, the Essex Regiment museum, and attestation papers.

    He had brothers who also served in the Essex Regiment: William Patrick Guy DCM, 4th Essex, who served in France (Expeditionary Force) twice and the Mediterranean, he transferred to the Lincolns. Charles Guy, 1st Essex, served in Quetta (Pakistan) and then landed at Gallipoli 25th April 1915. He was killed in action there on 6th June 1915 and is buried at Hellas Memorial. John Guy served with 69 Battery, Field Artillery during the Boer War. I served with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment (Beds, Herts, Essex) Pompadours from 1978 to 1981.

    David Mansfield




    263347

    Pte. John Port 6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    John Port joined the army aged 16 and 4 months in 1912, prior to which he was a brewers labourer, as was his father. He was 5'5'' tall, dark brown hair, brown eyes.

    His army papers have very little detail of unit locations but record the following: He went out to France in March 1915 with the 6th North Staffs and made a 2 week visit to a field hospital with dypyheria in July 1915 before returning to his unit. He received a gun shot wound to his left foot in September and returned to the UK for treatment, returning to his unit in Jan 1916. Next entry is dates 1st July 1916, at first listed as missing and then 'Died on or since 1/7/1916'.

    John's CWGC entry shows killed in action and he is remembered at Theipval. In 1919 John's father William is written to in preparation of issues of the death penny and he is required to list all living blood relatives on army form W 5080, not something I've seen before. In this it shows his older brother William as serving in the Royal Navy since 1907 and younger brother Harry in the Kings Own Royal Lancs. Both survived the war. RIP John.

    Dave Heath




    263340

    Pte. Ernest Marshall 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.7th January 1916)

    Ernest Marshall came from Pudsey in the West Riding of Yorkshire where he worked in a local mill. He is known to have signed up for service in the early stages of the Great War, at which time he would have been only 16 years old. He served in France and was tragically killed in 1916 whilst still a teenager.

    Peter Storey




    263339

    Sgt. Alfred William Harver 129th (Bristol) Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>263339_Alfred William Harver_before WW1, dressed in a Somerset Light Infantry uniform

    Alfred was born in 1877. His father was a miner who died in a pit accident in 1882. I have a picture of Alfred from before WW1 dressed in what I believe is a Somerset Light Infantry uniform, but I have been unable to trace him in that regiment.

    He enlisted in the 129th Bristol Heavy Battery in May 1915 and traveled to France (Le Havre) in March 1916. His unit was attached to the 84th Heavy Brigade, RGA. I believe he was at Vimy Ridge, but I have no trace of him until 1919 when he sent some postcards from Cologne whilst he was part of the Army of Occupation. I do have other postcards from him, but there is no way to identify exactly where he was other than the postcards were French.

    He was a sergeant when he was demobbed in 1919, and he went back to work as a timberman in the Dean Lane pit in Bristol. Sadly, he died of pneumonia in June 1919 at the age of 43.

    263339_Alfred William Harver_129th Heavy Battery, RGA_Alfred before going overseas

    263339_Alfred William Harver_129th Heavy Battery, RGA_Alfred in France with NCOs, he's in the middle of the front row

    263339_Alfred William Harver_129th Heavy Battery, RGA_with his unit somewhere in France

    Paul Brown




    263323

    Richard Jones Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    <p>Richard Jones

    Richard Jones signed up at the very beginning of the Great War in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. He was an infantry man and he was injured and sent back behind the lines to tend to injured until fit again.

    Michael Dolby




    263320

    Pte. Patrick Creedon MM. 1st Btn Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Patrick Creedon was born in Cork, Ireland in September 1897. He served as a Private in the 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers, as an Acting Corporal in the Royal Irish Rifles and an Acting Corporal in the Labour Corps. Patrick was listed in the Casualty Lists on and was awarded the Military Medal on 23rd of October 1916.





    263317

    Rfmn. Frederick "Jerry" Targett 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Frederick Targett served with the 16th Battalion, Rifle Brigade since 1915 to 1918 when the 39th Division was disbanded due to losses. He then served in the Labour Corps. He survived the war and was demobbed in 1919 receiving the 1914 - 1918 and Victory medals. He was my maternal grandfather.





    263316

    Pte. Joseph S. Bateson 21st Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.30th Sep 1917)

    Joseph Bateson trained at Raikeswood Camp outside Skipton. He worked in a Tannery engaged in the leather trade at Meanwood, Leeds before the war.

    John S Wilkinson




    263314

    Pte. David Smart Wilson E Coy. 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.16th May 1915)

    <p>David Wilson

    An iron moulder born on 9th of May 1880 to Scottish parents in Thornaby-on-Tees, Yorkshire, David Wilson moved with his family to Tameside, Manchester shortly after his birth, before returning to the family's native Falkirk.

    He enlisted at Abbot's Foundry, Falkirk, on 31st of August 1914, initially to the 3rd Res Btn, Scots Guard joining them at Caterham two days later and completing his training there. On 25th of March 1915 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion and on the same day he deployed to France. On 16th of May 1915 he was killed in action at the Battle of Festubert and is remembered with honour at the Le Touret Memorial.

    David Wilson with his daughter Janet

    Andy




    263310

    Pte. Albert Clayton 29th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Albert Clayton was an art student who was sent to France in 1916. His family have found his war story written out in full in 2019 when going through some old documents. This has been published as a book called "Long Before Daybreak " which gives Albert's war story in great detail from July 1916 to May 1917.

    Albert was originally recruited into the 29th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers known as the Public School's Battalion. This was joined with the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in France. He describes his journey through France from the town of Albert and along the front lines up to Arras over a period of several months. He describes many of his comrades, their conversations and escapades, plus many graphic scenes of life in the trenches and around the war torn landscape behind the front lines.

    Albert went over the top four times, the last of these during the Battle of Arras on 3rd of May 1917. He was injured and eventually rescued and taken prisoner, becoming a POW in the camp at Ingolstadt in Bavaria for the remainder of the war.

    It would be wonderful to make connections with the families of the many people he writes about and to find out more about his time as a POW. His story ends at the point he reaches Ingolstadt so we know very little about this time except for a photograph taken in the camp hospital in August 1917.

    Micah Duckworth




    263298

    Pte. Thomas Charles Sargent 8th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    Thomas Sargent was my father's elder brother. He was born Turvey Beds and served with the 8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

    Michael Sargent




    263295

    PO. William Joseph Hales HMS Flinders

    William Hales served with the Royal Navy. The 194/15 Star Trio was issued to him on HMS Flinders. He was also awarded LSGC to HMS Victory.

    Richard Teague




    263286

    Pte. Joseph Edward Sherwood 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.21st April 1916)

    Joseph Sherwood was my grandfather's eldest living brother and enlisted in 1915. He arrived in France on the 3rd of August 1915. Before joining the army Joseph worked in the brick making industry alongside all of his family. Joseph had a younger brother Arthur who survived the war who fought with the South Staffordshire Regiment. Unfortunately, my grandfather never mentioned his brothers and their participation in WW1, and nobody in the family knew of their service.

    My brother and I will be making a visit to see Joseph's resting place and to pay our personnel respect. Joseph Edward Sherwood was killed in action in the Arras region.

    Kenneth Sherwood




    263281

    Baldwin Andrew 1st Midland Fld. Amb. Royal Army Medical Corps (d.4th Mar 1918)

    <p>263281_Baldwin Andrew_1st Midland Field Ambulance, RAMC_his gravestone

    Baldwin Andrew is buried in the churchyard of his home village. I am involved in a WW 1 history project and would be interested to know how he died and to see a photograph of him.

    Carole Luscombe




    263277

    Pte. Joseph Peter Reilly 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

    <p>Joseph Reilly

    It appears that Joseph Reilly was captured at Hilloch in France on 11th of May 1916 and was taken to Douai, some 30 km away (about 20 miles), a Prisoner of War Camp, and arrived there on 15th of May 1916, this was listed in a POW prisoners document dated 7th of June 1916. Joseph, was then moved to Dulmen POW camp which was in Germany where he was to stay until August 1916.

    A Prisoner of War list dated 9th of August 1916, from Minden POW camp, showing that Joseph had now been moved there from Dulmen POW camp. A document, dated, 13th of August 1916, shows that Joseph was previously Reported Missing, but then reported prisoner of war in documents released by the German Government By May of 1917 Joseph had moved camps again, this time to Friedrichsfeld, it appears that when he arrived he was suffering from a broken shoulder.

    A document released reports when Joseph had been released from being a Prisoner of War, and was returned to England. The 2nd of December 1918 this shows the date Joseph was demobbed from the Army on 21st of March 1919

    Joseph Reillys War Medals

    Stuart Reilly




    263273

    Rflmn. James Samuel Juniper 17th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.18th April 1918)

    James Juniper is remembered at Tyne Cot Cemetery.





    263271

    Pte. Donald George Campbell 1st Light Horse Regiment

    Donald George Campbell is his name registered at birth but he enlisted under the name of George Donald Campbell and was known as George. He sailed from Sydney with the 15th Reinforcement on 21st of March 1916 on board H.M.A.T. A26 Armadale arriving in Plymouth on 12th of June 1916. He transferred to the 1st Light Horse as a Driver.

    For reasons unknown, George estranged himself from his family circa 1920, never to be heard of again. Two possible reasons for this are he married and fathered a child but abandoned them, there was a warrant issued for his arrest on 23rd of Feb 1927 by the Children's Court in Sydney for failing to pay child support. The other reason was maybe he just couldn't cope with what he'd seen during the war.

    I spent a long time searching for his death to no avail then in December 2019 I was contacted by a Leah Campbell who had been contacted by a John Edwin Beardmore from the St George area in Queensland seeking to see if Leah was related to George. She wasn't, but she tracked me down in the hope that I was. John has written a book The Life & Times of John Edwin Beardmore.As it happens George took on the alias of George Williams in the 1920's and moved to the St George area in outback Queensland and for a time worked on John's father's property. For decades he camped under a wilga tree on an neighbouring property. This was his home. He died in 1969 in the St George Hospital, Queensland and is buried n St George Cemetery, under the name of George Williams.

    Suzanne Slater




    263269

    Gnr. Edward John Wyly 4th Divisional Ammunition Column Australian Field Artillery (d.16th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Wyly was not a close relation of mine, in fact he is a very distant relative, but they all have stories and they should not be forgotten. He was born in 1883 to Alexander and Elizabeth Wyly at their home The Walnuts, Crafers West, Adelaide, South Australia. He lived a suburban life marrying Grace Henrietta MacFarlane (who was rather beautiful) in 1909. A year later they had a daughter, Edith Laura. In peacetime he joined the militia, serving 4 years with C Co, 1st Battalio, Adelaide Rifles. His occupation was as a salesman for a furniture company.

    He signed his attestation papers in Adelaide on 8th of September 1916 and joined the South Australian Field Artillery, 28th Reinforcements, 4th Divisional Ammunition Column. To some degree he had a rather uneventful start to his war but by Nov 1917 the cloud was gathering. On the 11 Nov he was on a hospital ship, discharged on 14th, he travelled to England via Suez, Alexandria and Taranto arriving in Southampton on 4th of January 1918.

    On 24th of April 1918 he was in the field. The next entry on his service record just makes that dread statement, K.I.A 16th of August 1918. He was buried at Bayonvillers British Cemetery Near Corbie. He was just short of his 33rd birthday when he died.

    His wife received a quite beautiful letter from his pals. Dated France 23rd of August 1918. (I summarise).'Poor old Ted, who was endeared to all who knew him as we did, was killed in action at Guillecourt on 16th inst, a piece of 'Hun'shell which burst within a few yards of him, penetrated his left breast, causing instantaneous death. He was buried by our Padre on the 17th inst at Bayonville and a cross bearing the Masonic sign cut from a brass shell casing, and inscription has been erected by the men of his section'. I quote now directly from the letter: 'By reason of his genial disposition Ted was a favourite among his fellows in the section, it can honestly be said of him that he carried out his duties thoroughly and conscientiously his name may justly be included among the fallen who have laid down their lives for their God, King and Country' The letter was then signed by numerous members of Ted's company.

    Was this a comfort to Grace? Maybe, but I know she lived to be 100 years old dying in 1987. She never remarried and in every photo looking rather lost and sad, every dream and hope for the future died 70 years before, with him. A few years after the war ended, in March 1920 she received a letter to say they had exhumed Ted's body and moved it to Heath Cemetery, Harbonniers, no mention of why.

    I hope in the 7 years they had together they loved for a lifetime, because that's all Grace had.

    Gunner Wyly 3rd from left front row.

    Bayonneville

    Heath Cemetery

    Memrial window

    Diane Jones




    263259

    Pte. Samuel Roberts 8th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.29th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Samuel Roberts was a great great uncle of mine that died in the battle of Somme on the 29th of July 1916 at the age of 31.

    His parents was Hannah & William Roberts, they lived in Sheffield on Bailey street and he is buried in France.

    June Morton




    263257

    Pte. Thomas William Sarginson 10th Btn. Shropshire Light Infantry (d.30th Nov 1917)

    Thomas William Sarginson was killed in action in Palestine.

    Heather Roberts




    263255

    2Lt. Thomas Herbert Leason 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Son of William Herbert Leason and Dinah Leason, Thomas Leason was born in Ganton, Yorkshire in 1891 and was the elder brother to John William Leason born 1894. Thomas joined Leeds Boys Modern after obtaining a West Riding School Scholarship. He passed his King's Scholarship in 1911 and attended Leeds City Training College leaving in 1914 to begin a career of teaching.

    Thomas joined the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, going to France at the beginning of 1916. It was reported at the time that he had lost his life on the Somme Battlefield on 1st of July 1916, however Thomas survived and carried on fighting, passing away in the September of that year aged 25 years. A memorial service was held for Thomas at Adel Church near Leeds where Thomas had been a Choir Boy conducted by Canon Draper. The service was attended by the Leeds Boys Modern Cadet Force and the Schools Scout Troup. Thomas is buried at Dartmoor Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt. France.

    Katrina Leason




    263254

    Bmbdr. Henry Hopewell 169th Army Brigade, 376th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Henry Hopewell was wounded on 30th of November 1917 at the Battle of Cambrai and was taken prisoner of war.

    reverse of above photo

    Henry Hopewell

    NCOs of 57 Reserve Battery RFA 16th of March 1917

    Anthony Hopewell




    263253

    Pte. John Thomas Tobin 2nd Btn. Newfoundland Regiment (d.1st Feb 1916)

    John Tobin served in the Newfoundland Regiment. He died in in Gailes Camp Military Hospital, Scotland aged 20.





    263250

    Cpl. Gerald Joseph Tompkins Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars (d.19th Nov 1918)

    Gerald Tompkins died of pneumonia at a Casualty Clearing Station. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Tompkins of Lower Farm, Islip, and husband of Edith Britton (nee Holiday).

    Andy Thomas




    263246

    Pte. Donald Thomas Tregidgo 1st Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment

    My father, Donald Tregidgo served from the August 1914 Mons campaign through to the Russian Archangel Force in 1919. During that time he said he only slept in a proper bed whilst hospitalised with wounds.

    He served as an ARP warden throughout WW2 and was very upset when I went off to serve in Korea.

    Chris Tregidgo




    263232

    Pte. John Ferguson 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.11th Jul 1917)

    John Ferguson was my great-uncle, my grandmother's brother. He was underage when he signed up. He was gassed at the Somme and suffered other illnesses and was hospitalised. He was killed near Baghdad.

    Geoff Reid




    263228

    Cpl. John Alexander Burt 9th (Queen Victoria Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    John Burt of the 9th London Regiment is buried in Gomecourt British cemetery no 2. He was reinterred at Gommecourt from his original burial place.

    Martin Stacey




    263226

    Pte. John Thomas "Jock" Sweetland 9th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.24th Mar 1918)

    Jock Sweetland was my Grandmother's brother. He had already run away from home and joined up in 1914 aged 15, but the family found him and took him home again. Two years later aged 17, he successfully joined up again and went away to fight. He died two years later on the 24th March 1918 in Operation Michael. He is buried in a small cemetery outside the village of Rosieres in the Somme region of France.

    My family passes his story down to each generation, and remembers him every year. There are no photographs of him that the family knows about.

    Dean Waters




    263225

    Pte. Arthur Evans 2nd Btn Royal Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>Arthur Evans

    After many years we located my grandfather, Arthur Evans in Hawthorn Ridge Cemetery No 2. My Father, of the same name, never met his own father who had been killed a few months after my father had been born, but at the ripe old age of 80, and with failing health I managed to get him, with the help of family members, to Hawthorn Ridge to see his own father's grave. It was a very very sad day and a few months later my dad died.

    John Evans




    263216

    George Spittle 7th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.9th May 1917)

    <p>

    George Spittle was my Great Uncle and all I know is that he made a tapestry for my grandmother, his sister, whilst a prisoner in the 1914 - 1918 War. He died aged 21. I now have the tapestry.

    Des Collett




    263206

    Pte. William Prescott MM. 11th (St Helens Pioneers) Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    William Prescott is my Grandfather on my mother's side. He was in the St Helens Pioneers in the first world war. His regiment would build and repair the trenches and duckboards. On 1st of December 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal for "Gallantry in action in the field" I have a copy of the war diaries of the South Lancashire Regiment but it does not contain any more information as to what the action was. All I know is that he was stationed in Zillebreke at the time. I also have a copy of his Gazette.

    Michael Owen




    263203

    L/Cpl. George Charles Johnson 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    George Johnson was my Great-grandfather, and am very proud of his service. I now know he died at Ancre on the Somme after being in action for just 7 months. I had always heard the stories growing up and am now pleased to find where he now lays at rest with so many braves souls who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

    Lest we forget, for I never will nor my children.

    Brian De-Vall




    263196

    Pte. John Nash 3rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    Great great Uncle John Nash served with the 3rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment. He is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery.

    Mark Tuttlebee




    263190

    Sgt. Henry Shaun Simmonds 1/6th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.1st Apr 1917)

    <p>Henry Simmons

    Henry Simmonds served with the 1/6th Battalion, Essex Regiment.

    6th Essex leaving Britain for War

    Tony Shaun Donnelly




    263187

    Pte. James Walter Rodger McDowall 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    Researching my family tree I found James McDowall, his marriage etc and birth of his daughter then nothing. Further research has traced him to the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders with a report of his death by asphyxiation on 7th May 1916 in France or Belgium.

    James Steele




    263184

    Bt.Col. William Eagleson Gordon VC. 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    <p>Bt.Col. William Gordon, 1st Gordon Highlanders

    Captain W.E. Gordon received the Victoria Cross for most gallantry during the battle of Leeheehoek in the Second Boer War. After 1888, he was an officer in the 1st Gordon Highlanders and served them in many conflicts.

    During the First World War, Brevet Colonel William E. Gordon VC was taken prisoner during the Battle of Le Cateau on 26th of August 1914. He and Lt. Col. Neish got in a big argument when they were cut off from the rest of the force and eventually some 90 percent of the regiment surrendered during the "Chances of War", although W.E. Gordon was convinced there was a chance to break through the enemy lines and get back to the British Army. During his capture, he was wounded and interned at Fort Zinna in the German POW camp in Torgau near the river Elbe. His brother, Major A. A. Gordon, a Belgian king’s messenger, reports that he was a fellow prisoner with the Belgian General G. Leman, who defended the city of Liege most gallantly. However, it is reported that General Leman was a prisoner at Blankenburg, which is located some 100 km north of Torgau. In Torgau, Bt. Col. Gordon was questioned for the use of "flat nose" bullets in his revolver. Eventually, he was exchanged for a German aristocrat prisoner in Madagascar in early 1916.

    He returned home to his wife and son, who was only 3 years old at the outbreak of the war. Once he set foot on British soil, he filed a report assigning responsibility for the fate of the regiment in August 1914. After Lt. Col. Neish was released from captivity due to illness and brought through Switzerland in 1916, the investigation began and a Court of Inquiry was appointed for the trial. When in 1919 an article was published by Cedric Fraser in the Dundee People's Journal, W.E. Gordon's name was smeared by the company of John Leng & Co., which owned the journal. Fraser had interviewed Corporal Mutch after his return in 1917, but had altered Mutch's words and had put words in his mouth. After W.E. Gordon confronted Corporal Mutch, he sued John Leng & Co. for £5,000 pounds in a libel case alleging slander. What it made more suspicious was that two brothers of Lt. Col. Neish and Corporal Mutch were shareholders of John Leng & Co. Eventually the Court decided in favour for W.E. Gordon, and he received a claim of £500.

    W.E. Gordon's son also joined the Gordon Highlanders as a 2nd Lieutenant. Being a sportscar enthusiast, he was killed at the age of 20 during practice in Donington Park on August 19th, 1933 when the car in which he was a passenger overturned.The accident was reported in The Times on August 21st, 1933.

    Major A. A. Gordon Society




    263183

    Pte. A. W. Hayes Army Service Corps

    A. Hayes is listed on the same page of casualties as my grandfather, David Angus Phimister.





    263180

    Lt. Leopold Profeit 8th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.25th Apr 1917)

    Leopold Profeit was a son of Dr. Alexander Profeit, Queen's Commissioner at Balmoral during the reign of Queen Victoria.

    Dr. D.P. Fox




    263178

    A/Sgt. William George Geary DSM. 6th Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry

    William George Geary won the DSM in Northern Russia.

    Cyril Geary




    263175

    A/Sgt. Charles Henry Mason 11th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    <p>Charles Mason family group

    Charles Mason joined up in August 1915 and went to France in March 1916. He survived the Battle of The Boars Head on 30th June 1916, but was injured twice in the Somme Battles of 1916. At the second injury, he was sent home. He then returned to service and was sent on secondment to the King's African Rifles, arriving in Africa in November 1917 and returning home again in April 1919.

    I have his dog tags and medals. He was my great-grandfather and I had the privilege of knowing him for a short while.

    Charles Mason in 1917

    Adrian Derry




    263168

    Pte. Robert William Brundall 9th Btn Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Jul 1916)

    <p>Robert Brundall

    My great grandfather Robert Brundall was killed in action on the 5th of July 1916. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in Department de la Somme, Picardie, France. He was born in Thetford, Norfolk, England. Robert was married to Agnes Mary Meadows in October of 1906. They had 5 children: Lily Brundall born 1907 died 1982 (my Nanna), Ronald William Brundall born 1909 died 2001, Freda Brundall born 1911, Annie Brundall born 1912 and Robert Brundall born 1915 His wife Agnes died in 1964.

    J. Anne Fisher




    263166

    Pte. Jack Sydney Miller 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.28th Aug 1914)

    <p>Toll for The Brave

    I have had Jack Miller's war medals since 1976 when clearing out my grandfather's house. Miller is not a family name at all. Now going through a pile of family history documents I inherited from my father I found the attached cutting from the Great Eastern Railway Magazine of July 1915. He must have been something to my family but I have no idea what that is at the moment.

    Andrew Pickess




    263165

    Pte. Henry Fell 1st Btn. Border Regiment

    <p>Henry Fell

    Henry Fell was a Territorial in the 5th Battalion when war broke out. He went to France in late 1914 but did see combat until May of 1915. He witnessed his brother John get shot in the abdomen while bringing water for the troops in Ypres. He was in the line when the Germans used poison gas for the second time at the battle of Battle of Bellewaarde were the battalion took over 300 casualties.

    Between this date and the 1st of July 1916, he was transferred to the 1st Border Battalion. I know this because he did an interview for a book written by Melvyn Bragg in the 70's called Speak for England, where he takes about being there on the 1st of July. The 5th Border Regiment did not enter the Somme battlefield till much later. From there he was at all the major engagements that the 1st Battalion took part in. In the interview he mentions Passchendaele and Cambrai.

    He was never badly wounded, I know that he suffered from shell shock after the first day on the Somme. He also took a bullet through an ear which grazed the back of his head in 1917. He survived the war and lived to the grand age of 92 passing away in 1985.

    Luckily, I have a number of resources that feature Henry. The first, the above-mentioned book, where he and his brother W.S Fell MM with 2 bars are interviewed. Also, he has many mentions and published letters in the Wigton Advertiser. The research continues.





    263164

    Pte. Jesse Crossley 15th Btn Welsh Regiment (d.26th Aug 1918)

    Jesse Crossley served with the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Information gleaned from the internet and CWG site. Would be grateful for any more.

    Noel Waring




    263163

    Cpl. Henry Joseph Rubery South Staffordshire Regiment

    Henry Rubery served in the South Staffordshire Regiment during 1914-1918. At 49 years of age at the beginning of WW2, he joined the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps on the 25th of October 1939, but was discharged as a Corporal 158 days later on the 31st of March 1940, due to not being able to meet the physical requirements. He died in 1953

    Christine Fletcher




    263162

    Pte. Percy Robert Baker 22nd Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Percy Baker was 18 years and 5 months when he enlisted on the 10th of May 1916. He was too young for active service overseas and appears to be one of a group of young men who enlisted under the extended Derby scheme. He was posted to the Royal Field Artillery when mobilised on the 8th of October 1916 and was compulsorily transferred to the infantry on the 25th of November 1916. On the same date he was sent to the 49th Training Reserve Battalion from there he was posted to the BEF and joined 22nd Manchester Regiment. He went on to serve with the Battalion in Italy.

    Beverly Baker




    263152

    Frederick "Henry" Morgan 1st/14th (London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Fred Morgan was the older brother of my grandfather, George Morgan who also served. He survived but was injured in the First World War. I remember the horrific shrapnel scars all over his body.

    Jean Galsworthy




    263151

    L/Cpl. Walter Turner 18th (2nd City) Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>Walter Turner

    My Great Great Uncle Walter Turner enlisted on 31st of August 1914 with the 18th Service Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment, for the duration of the war. Walter was 21 years and 9 months old. At the time of enlistment he was working as a clerk in Liverpool. He may have joined up with at least one other friend, Walter Smithies, known as Wallie.

    Arriving in France in November 1915, having just been promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal, Walter wrote a soldier's will in December 1915. In the spring of 1916 according to his service record he suffered from a bout of tonsilitis, then flu.

    He was in action on the 1st of July 1916 at the Somme, and was then reported as missing, later presumed to have died. He has no known grave but is remembered at The Thiepval Memorial, the Roll of Honour at Bedford Road School, Bootle and from 2019 the Bootle War Memorial at King's Gardens on Stanley Road.

    Pamela Turner




    263147

    Pte. George Roach 15th (Carmarthenshire) Btn. Welch Regiment (d.11th Mar 1918)

    <p>George Roach

    George Roach was killed in action along with six of his fellow soldiers during a German raid on post 6 at Houplines on the 11th of March 1918. Another 20 were injured and 3 missing. I am continuing to search deeper into his service. He is listed at the Llangloffan Mmemorial. George is buried with others from the same Regiment at the Cite Bonjean Cemetery.





    263142

    PO. Mariano Benedicto deMendonca HMHS Gascon

    From verbal accounts, my grandfather, Mariano de Mendonca served on the HMHS Gascon which was torpedoed during the first world war. He was among two others who safely swam ashore and were hospitalised but died of pneumonia. I believe he was buried in Muscat. He was awarded a medal for surviving the sinking but I lost the medal sometime back.

    Augusto Mendonza




    263138

    Gnr. Alexander Smith C Bty. 63rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.21st May 1917)

    Alexander Smith was unmarried, the eldest son of Alexander and Jessie Smith who lived in the small village of Letham, north of Dundee.





    263135

    Pte. Walter Smith 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Walter Smith was my Grandfather. He was a miner and enlisted 9th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers on the 2nd of September 1914 in Wallsend. According to his service book, he was aged 21 years and 4 months, height was 5ft 4½ inches. Described as having a fresh complexion, grey eyes, with brown hair.

    The 9th (Northumberland Hussars) Battalion was formed at Newcastle in as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, and was assigned to the 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division at Wareham. In July 1915 it moved to the Western Front where it was to remain until the end of the war. It took part in battles with 17th Division, Battle of the Somme (1916) July 1916 Battle of Albert and August 1916 Delville Wood, 2nd to 5th of July 1916 at Fricourt

    Walter took part in the battle for Mametz Wood after rejoining the Battalion from being caught in a gas attack earlier. The British Artillery began firing to cut the barbed wire defences in front of Mametz Wood. At 3pm on 3rd July, patrols were reporting that Mametz Wood was empty of German troops. This was not entirely true. 2nd Royal Irish Regiment and 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers of 7th Division's 22nd Brigade were ordered up to occupy a line on the southern edge of the wood, along with the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers but it was not until dawn on 4th of July 1916 that they were fully in position. During the night, a detachment of 55th Landwehr was discovered in the wood by a patrol of the 2nd Royal Irish Regiment and driven off.

    On 4th of July it began to rain. In front of Mametz Wood lay trench systems called the Quadrangle and Wood Trench. A rain-delayed attack to capture Mametz Wood, Wood Trench and Quadrangle Trench took place at 12.45am, 5th July the 9th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and 10th Lancashire Fusiliers crept out of their trenches and towards the German line. From only 100 meters they charged forward capturing the Quadrangle.

    During this assault Walter Smith sustained a Blighty wound to his right arm during the battle. He was evacuated from Mametz Wood and took no further part in the battle or War. Due to the seriousness of his injuries Walter did not return to active service but was kept in France working behind the lines and was discharged from the Army on the 28th of February 1918. He was classed as no longer physically fit for War Service.

    Walter spent 358 days in France. He returned back to Wallsend and married Hilda and had two children, Robert and Edna. He took part in the Jarrow Marches in 1936, eventually finding employment as a cabinet maker for Swan Hunters the Shipbuilders till he died in 1958. Walter never talked about the War, it was too painful, only the friends he lost.

    John Neale




    263127

    Pte. Victor Roland Ardagh 84th Btn. Canadian Expeditionary Force

    Victor Ardagh served with the 84th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force

    Mhairi Kerr




    263124

    Pte. Sidney Wilfred Harper 8th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    Sidney Harper was wounded in the head by shrapnel in 1917 and hospitalised in Aberdeen. He survived the war, married in 1922 and had 1 son.





    263123

    2nd Lt. Frederick St.George-Yorke MC. 18th (4th Glasgow) Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    The supplement to the London Gazette dated 7th of June 1915 details that Frederick St. George-Yorke was made temporary Second Lieutenant in the 18th (4th Glasgow) Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry on 27th April 1915.

    Cali Clarke




    263110

    Gnr. Edward Ernest Kirk DCM 76 Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.7th Feb 1917)

    Edward Kirk was a serving soldier at the start of WW1 having joined the Army in 1911. He was sent to fight in an area known then as Mesopotamia in November 1914. He took part in the battle of Barjisiyah (Turkey) in 1915, where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The following year things took a turn for the worse when his Battery were trapped at the siege of Kut al Amara, and they and many others were forced to surrender.

    He died in captivity on 7 February 1917 and is buried in the Baghdad War Cemetery.





    263108

    Pte. C. H. Perry 7th Btn. York and Lancastershire Regiment (d.17th Aug 1915)

    C. Perrry was the son of Mr. and Mrs Perry, of Walsall and husband of Mary Ann Stone (formerly Perry) of 14 St. Quentin St., Pleck, Walsall.





    263105

    Pte. Thomas Apps 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.14th Mar 1915)

    Thomas Apps is remembered with honour and interred at the Canadian Cemetery No.2 in Neuville-St. Vaast.





    263104

    Lt. Irving Bonner Hyslop No. 59 Squadron

    During 1917-18, Irving Hyslop served as an observer and gunner, assigned to 59 Squadron and flying an RE 8.





    263099

    Edmund Linley D Coy., 12th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)

    I have a letter, written in 1915, from my grandfather, Edmund Linley, to his sister Amy in Sheffield. The letter is on headed notepaper: YMCA with HM Forces on Active Service. He has written his address as Hut 30, D Company, 12th Battalion, York Regiment. Stationed at 15th Lines Hurdcott Camp, Salisbury.

    Jane Inglis




    263096

    Lt. Hugh StClair Roy MC and bar. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Hugh Roy was my great uncle. He began the war in Enslin's Horse and was then commissioned into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, where he was awarded the MC twice for his service in France. At some point he joined the RFC but it seems he was injured and returned to the Inniskillings. As far as I know he died from wounds in 1919.

    David Roy




    263093

    Pte. John Manson 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.20th April 1918)

    John Manson is buried in France at the St. Venant-Robecq British Cemetery.

    Tom Murray




    263092

    Pte. Walter Harold Yapp 5th Btn. Northampton Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Walter Yapp is my wife`s grandmother's brother and whose name is featured on the war memorial at Kempsey Church, Worcestershire. Walter is buried at Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery.





    263091

    Tpr. John Hamer 1st Mobile Veterinary Section Army Veterinary Corps

    John Hamer joined up in August 1914, posted to France, arriving at St Quentin on 27th of August 1914. He served with 1st Mobile Veterinary Section, operating from base veterinary hospital at La Chapelle-aux-Pots until transfer to Italy in 1917. He was posted to the 9th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment and saw action on Asiago plateau, captured June 1918 he remained a POW until end of war. It is believed he escaped POW captivity and remained free for a period during October-November 1918. He was repatriated via Southampton on the 30th of November 1918.

    Malcolm Hamer




    263088

    Gnr. Rees Howell Harris D Battery, 307th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.27th Sep 1917)

    Rees Harris is thought to have been wounded in battle at Ypres. He was transferred to hospital at Etaples. He was visited there by his parents (my great grandparents), but after they had left, he took a turn for the worse and a despatch Rider was sent to bring them back, but unfortunately they were too late.





    263087

    Pte. Thomas Wilson Richardson 14th (1st Birmingham) Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.7th May 1917)

    Thomas Richardson was born in Alcester on 10th Oct 1883. He served with the 14th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment in WW1 and was killed in action on 7th of May 1917 during the 3rd Battle of Scarpe attack on Fresnoy en Gohelle.

    Anthony Bond




    263082

    Pte. Duncan Sloan 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.26th Nov 1918)

    Duncan Sloan married Agnes Campbell in 1914. Their daughter Agnes was born in February 1916. He served with the 11th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.

    Andrew Drummond




    263079

    Pte. Ernest Butroid 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1918)

    Ernest Butroid enlisted eith the the Lincolnshire Regiment. He was killed in action aged 23.





    263064

    Whlr. James Watt Andrews C Battery, 242nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.19th Oct 1917 )

    James Andrews is remembered by our community, Archattan Parish.

    Ardchattan Parish




    263063

    Gnr. John Clark Parry 3rd Brigade, 78th Field Battery Royal Field Artillery

    John Parry sustained a gun shot wound to the head and survived with no disability.





    263053

    Gnr. John Coulson 82nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.4th Jun 1917)

    John Coulson was my great-great-grandfather. My father, Gordon Coulson, started the family history research around 15 years ago and kept getting dead-ends. Some 20 years ago, my father travelled to the Dranoutre War Cemetery to view John's remembrance grave, which he recalls as a sad but happy event. I have recently recommenced the process to learn all about John's service. I have paid for and received his service records from the British National Archives, and I am seeking to purchase his service medals to pass down to my children.

    Max Coulson




    263050

    Sgt. Raynard Cockell 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    <p>Raynard Cockell, 8th Battalion, Border Regiment

    My third-great-uncle Raynard Cockell was a police officer in Ashford before joining the army. Initially, he was with the 3rd East Kent Regiment before moving onto the 8th Battalion, Border Regiment.

    Whilst in an enemy trench during the 3rd Battle of Messines, he and 4 others where hit by shell fire and all died instantly. Their bodies were buried on the Messines Ridge in Belgium, any further attempt to recover the body properly failing due to being unable to locate his body because of continuing enemy shellfire. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Ypres, Belgium.

    Ben Woolmer




    263046

    Pte. William Horace Pritchard 2nd/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.8th May 1917)

    William Pritchard was the she son of Richard and Eliza Pritchard, he is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial in Somme, France.





    263045

    Pte. Eli Cornwell 57th Protection Coy. Royal Defence Corps (d.25th Oct 1916)

    Eli Cornwell served with 57th Protection Coy. Royal Defence Corps. His sons Boy 1st Class John Travers Cornwell VC, MID of HMS Chester and Private Arthur Frederick Cornwell of 13th Battalion, London Regiment, also died in service during the war.





    263031

    Pte. James Henry Holt 194th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.24th Apr 1917)

    James Holt enlisted, deserted, re-enlisted, died at Ypres on 24th of April 1917, and interred at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.

    John Lloyd




    263030

    Pte. Benjamin George Young 3rd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    George Young wonthe Novices Welterweight Boxing Championship whilst serving in the 3rd Battalion, KRRC.

    Christopher Young




    263027

    Cpl. Thomas Henry Housham 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    At the age of 17, Thomas Housham enlisted into the regular Army with the Wiltshire Regiment at Devises on 8th of September 1914. He was transferred to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 17th of September 1914, joining the 6th (Service) Battalion at Naas, Southern Ireland. On 11th of July 1915, the Battalion sailed to Mitillini on the island of Levos, Greece off the west coast of Turkey. He was wounded in action and was posted on 23rd of August 1915 to Depot in Cork, Southern Ireland.

    On 23ed of March 1916, Thomas was posted to the 1st Battalion, which was placed within the 86th Brigade, 29th Division and deployed to the Picardie, Flanders, and Normandy regions of France. On 28th of August, he was promoted to unpaid Lance Corporal during the battle of the Somme (he always stated this was because of his tea-making excellence). He was promoted to Corporal on 6th of March 1917. Wounded on the Somme, he was sent to 3rd (Reserve) Battalion to convalesce in Cork, Southern Ireland. Afterwards, in July 1917, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion in France and then to the 9th (Service) Battalion, which later become 8/9th Battalion. He also served with the 2nd Battalion.

    In April 1918, he was assigned back to the 1st Battalion due to the 2nd Battalion being reduced to cadre. On 5th of October 1918, he was posted to Depot, which by all accounts was in the Grimsby area of England. On 5th of December 1918, he was posted to Command Depot in Tipperary, Southern Ireland. On 10 January 1919, he was sent to the dispersal area in Purfleet, Essex. One month later, on 9th Feb 1919, Thomas was demobbed at the age of 21.

    Ian Housham




    263026

    Pte. Herbert Jackson 11th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.10th Mar 1917)

    Herbert Jackson died at 32 years old, in Greece and is buried at Sarigol Military Cemetery.

    Nicole Hamilton




    263024

    Pte. Patrick Smith 7/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    I have a hospital receipt from Queen Mary's Hospital showing Patrick Smith arrived at the hospital on 19th of August 1917. I'm trying to determine what the cause of wounds was. He recovered after 9 months and was transferred to the Reserve units back in Ireland.

    John Meehan




    263021

    A/Sgt. Ernest Burchell DCM 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    <p>263021_Ernest Burchell_6th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment_placque showing his DCM award

    Ernest Burchell, who was my grandfather, joined the Wiltshire Yeomanry on 5th of September 1914 at Marlborough and was posted to Number 1 Section of the 2nd Troop of B Squadron. His superiors were 2nd Lt A. Irwin, Sgt. 58 BRC Palmer and Sgt. 643 Drewitt. The other ranks in his section were: Pte. 1215 Maisey, Pte. 1213 Mace, Pte. 1214 Mace, Pte. 1483 Palmer, Pte. 1877 Hillier, and Pte. 1205 Langfear. The B Squadron commander was Major CS Awdry. This Squadron remained in England for the first part of the war in reserve. They carried out manoeuvres in Ashdown Forest in West Sussex and eventually ended up at Aldershot, where they were part of the South Western Mounted Brigade of the 41st Division.

    On 5th of May 1916, they sailed on the SS Rossetti from Southampton to Le Havre, France. Upon arrival in France, they didn't take up combat duties at the front, but they did carry out the important roles of intelligence-gathering, police duties, helping get supplies to the front, digging trenches, and assisting the Engineers with laying communication cables. Some of the Yeomanry (including Ernest) were employed as dispatch riders. During this period, Ernest had two horses that he was riding killed from shrapnel wounds and eventually went to using a motorbike to deliver the dispatches.

    On 25th of September 1917, the Yeomanry disbanded and Ernest joined the 6th Wiltshire Regiment. He spent his first day with his new unit in the front line trenches at Spoilbank, south of Ypres. As is well known, the 6th Wiltshires were almost wiped out in the following spring. His section was deployed at Spanbroekmolen, where he and 10 other soldiers were cut off during the Allied retreat. This gallant action earned my granddad the DCM. During phase 2 of the German Spring Offensive of 1918, Ernest and the 6th Wiltshires were involved in heavy fighting during the battles of Bapaume, Bailleul, and Mount Kemmel. Then followed a period of rest and training, after which Ernest was transferred to the 2nd Wiltshires on 13 May 1918 as Pte. 203241. On 23rd of June 1918, he was awarded the DCM, and on 2nd of July 1918 he was promoted to Acting Sergeant with pay.

    On 3rd of September 1918, during the 100 days march to victory, Ernest was wounded by a German sniper at Hinges. The family still has the bullet that narrowly missed his heart. He was shipped back to England and spent the remainder of the war recovering from his wound at the East Leeds War Hospital. He was demobilised on 1st of March 1919. He died in 1976, and I am writing a book about his early life.

    Ernest Burchell in 1918

    Michael Paul Burchell




    263017

    Pte. Thomas Trevor Treharne 9th Btn Welsh Regiment (d.24th Apr 1918)

    We have discov ered that ThomasTreharne is interred in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery and plan to visit the cemetery this year.

    Helen Treharne




    263010

    Pte. Andrew Bennet 1st Btn. Black Watch (d.21st Jun 1915)

    <p>Andrew Bennet

    Andrew Bennet is remembered with honour on the Le Touret Memorial. He has no known grave. He died as a POW. The Black Watch Museum has his 1914 Star medal but we can not trace his other two medals.

    Peter Johnston




    263002

    Cpl. Charles Arthur Balshaw 2nd Pontoon Park Royal Engineers (d.1st Dec 1917 )

    Charles Balshaw was born in Wigan and lived in Newton-le-willows, Lancs. He enlisted with the South Lancashire Regiment in Warrington. Charles was killed in the land between the two rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, Mesopotamia, building a pontoon. His body was never found. Charles was the brother of my Grandma Elizabeth Ellen Balshaw. Her husband Ben Hartley was a colliery motor driver above ground at Doncaster. He was a Medic in the 1st World War and in 1916 was shot through left lung and stomach during a cease fire on the Somme. He died in 1936.

    Leslie Mort




    262999

    Pte. David Nicholson 9th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.6th Jun 1917)

    David Nicholson is buried in St Nicolas British Cemetery, Arras.

    Ron Horton




    262997

    Pte. Albert Edward Bartlet 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Bert Bartlett was a native of Basingstoke, Hampshire who, prior to the outbreak of the Great War, decided to join the British Army. Although relatively short in stature, he was a gutsy character, which was exemplified by the fact that he walked the 14 miles from Basingstoke to Aldershot in order to join up. Unfortunately for him, however, he was underage and was turned away. Not to be denied, he took a similar walk, a couple of weeks later, on this occasion making his way from Basingstoke to Winchester!

    Winchester, at that time was home to several regiments, such as the Hampshires, Rifle Brigade and the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. However, also present were the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Bert liked the sound of them, so he gave the right age this time and was sworn in. I know that he became a member of the Regimental band and that when war broke out he was abroad, possibly in India.

    He took part in the landing at Cape Helles, at which time he was wounded and sent to a hospital in Malta to recover. After he returned to his unit he went over the top on the 1st of July 1916, at Beaumont Hamel, where he was again wounded, this time being shipped back to England to recover.

    He returned to his regiment again and became a Lewis Gunner. The next action he was involved in was the Great German offensive in 1918, at which time he was taken prisoner, spending the rest of the war in a German P.O.W. camp. He survived the war and lived into his mid 80s.

    Bob Garnham




    262996

    Pte. Frederick Edward Thacker 1st Btn Lincolnshire Regiment

    Frederick Thacker was born on 5th of December 1879 in the Lincolnshire village of Edlington. His father was Edward Thacker and Sarah Ann Thacker, his mother, was a tailoress. He was baptised in 1880 in Birmingham. A year later he was living at Seas End, Moulton, near Spalding in Lincolnshire with his mother, now a widow.

    At the age of twenty-one Thacker, then employed as a farm labourer, enlisted with the Lincolnshire Regiment and training was undertaken at Hutment Barracks in Fleetwood, Lancashire. By 1911 he was living at 2 Clayton Street, Grimsby and employed as a postman.

    At the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 he enlisted as a Private with his former regiment the Lincolnshires and deployed with the 1st Battalion on 13th of September 1914. He landed in France the following day and his first major engagement was the First Battle of Ypres in October-November 1914. Whilst on the Western Front he transferred to the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment. For his involvement during the campaign he received the Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1914 Mons Star.

    It would appear he remained in the Army. An application was submitted for the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He died aged 74, in 1954, in Chelmsford, Essex.

    Tim Dickson




    262995

    L/Cpl. George Edward Shaw 2nd/5th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    George Shaw is remembered on the Arras Memorial.





    262991

    Rflmn. Charles Wright 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.31st Mar 1918)

    Charles Wright was my paternal grandfather. My dad was only 5 years old when Charles was killed on the Somme in 1918, at age 35. I have only just found out about him.

    Rest in peace, granddad.

    Sheila Longstaff




    262988

    Pte. John Joseph McCue 16th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.12th Mar 1916)

    John Joseph McCue was killed on 12th of March 1916 by a rifle grenade explosion in the trench.

    Freda Sandford




    262983

    Gnr. Edward Christopher 170th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Edward Christopher (born in 1897) joined the 170th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, on the 5th November 1915. He was wounded in September 1917 and arrived at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on the 16th September 1917, to be placed in the Sidmouth ward. He was entitled to wear a wound stripe after this injury.

    On the 28th December 1917, he returned to France on the SS Viper, landing at Le Havre. On the 24th of February 1918, he was given permission to ride on the box seat of a GS wagon, we don't know the reason for this, but we have the actual document which gives this information. In December 1918, Edward travelled to Berge in Germany, on the way passing through Namur La Sambre, Belgium, and then Duren, Germany. He returned to England in January 1919 to the camp at Fovant, where he was demobilised on the 19th February 1919.

    Paul Reddish




    262980

    Sgt. William Findlay Weir 3rd Reserve Btn. (Newark) Royal Engineers (d.9th Jul 1918)

    William Weir died at the 2nd Eastern General Hospital in Brighton. He was a professional football player who had played for Maryhill, Tottenham Hotspur and The Wednesday.

    Will Jones




    262978

    Pte. Robert Ross 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.4th Aug 1918)

    Robert Ross was my grand-uncle, and it's only through ancestry research that I discovered him. He died in Flanders Fields and is remembered on the Rogart War Memorial.

    Kathleen Ross




    262974

    Pnr. James Glover 16th (Transport Workers) Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    James Glover served with the 16th (Transport Workers) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. He also served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.





    262969

    Sgt. Walter Masson 89th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th May 1917)

    Walter Masson served with 89th Field Ambulance and 2nd Northern General Hospital,

    Kim Clark




    262968

    Pte. James Clay 89th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th May 1917)

    When James Clay was born in 1894 in Preston, Yorkshire, his father, Samuel, was 36 and his mother, Anna, was 35. He had six sisters. He died on 20th of May 1917 at the age of 23, and was buried in France, the same day as Sergeant Walter Masson also of 89th Field Ambulance.

    Kim Clark




    262967

    L/Cpl. George Albert Remmer 17th (N.E.R. Pioneers) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Aug 1917)

    George Remmer served with the 17th (N.E.R. Pioneers) Northumberland Fusiliers and was serving with the 9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment at the time of his death.

    Trevor Richmond




    262956

    Pte. Thomas Kelly 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.10th May 1915)

    Thomas Kelly of the 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers was found near Lock No.9 of the Ypres-Commines Canal.

    Iain Macdonald




    262951

    Pte James Arthur Backley 11th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Oct 1918)

    James was born in Jarrow, Durham in 1896.

    His mum Margaret Cooper was my great great aunt. She was born in Ireland in 1868 and moved with her family to Newcastle, before marrying James' dad, Charles Henry Backley in 1889.

    James was a below-ground coal driver when he was fifteen years old (in 1911), before becoming a conductor with the National Union Of Railwaymen in 1915 and then joining the army.

    He was killed in action on 1918-10-27 in Italy.

    His older brother, Herbert, died in 1916 in France.

    In fact, between childhood mortality and the war, out of 14 Backley children only seven lived beyond the age of 24. (From eldest to youngest: William, died aged 17, accident. Mary Elloner, married and had 3 children, died age 62. Benjamin, died 7 months old. Herbert, died age 22 in France (buried at Thiepval). James Arthur died in Italy, in 1918 aged 22. John Magnus, married with three children, died aged 64. Horace, died 11 months old. Percy, died 1 year old. Charles, married with two children, died aged 68. Harold, married with a daughter, but died age 44 (WWII memorial in Whitley Bay). Alfred, married with three children, died aged 60. Francis, died 2 months old. Frederick, married with one child, died aged 50. Elizabeth Matilda, married with two girls, died 1977 (age 67).

    Qristina




    262944

    Cpl. George Turner 8th Btn. Welch Regiment

    George Turnerwas a painter and a member of the territorial Kent Garrison Artillery. A sparsity of work led him to join the Welch Regiment in Cardiff in March 1912. He served with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions. He was wounded at Zillebeke, France on 25th of May 1915. He later joined 8th (Pioneers) Battalion, Sussex Regiment on 16th of October 1915 until demobilization in 1919. George served in India and France. After assignment to the 8th Btn served in Gallipoli with the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force and Egyptian Expeditionary Force. In 1921 he joined the 90-Day Emergency Service with 4th Buffs. Later in life George ran a green grocers shop in Sheerness, Kent. He was one of my Grandfathers' older brothers. My father remembers him in his later years. All his military records and a family photos survived and are the basis for this information.





    262939

    Pte. G. Wolfenden DCM. 10th Btn West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>G Wolfden DCM

    My Uncle Peter found an image of my Grandfather from WW1 in which the text read that he received a medal of Distinguished Conduct. I found him mentioned in a London Gazette from 1919 and Edinburgh Gazette of 1920. I'm not even sure of his full name. I wanted to do a bit of research into this and found that he was from Skipton where my family came from. I grew up in Australia as my parents moved out here in 1978 so to learn a bit more about my family's involvement in this historical battle was really interesting to me as I've always had a fascination with the histories and stories of war.

    Adrian Horsman




    262932

    CSM. Francis H. Sullivan DCM. 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>Francis with his family and wearing his DCM

    Francis Sullivan won the DCM whilst C.S.M. for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. His company commander and two other officers being casualties, he assisted to lead the company forward under heavy machine-gun fire. He got two Lewis guns into forward positions through enemy wire, this assisting and covering the advance of the remainder of the company, and protecting two tanks which had been put out of action.

    Brad Sullivan




    262925

    Pte. Harry John Charlecraft 1/5th Btn. London Regiment

    Harry Charlecraft was a shoesmith and was attested 9 Nov 1914. He embarked at Southampton for Le Havre on 8 Dec 1914 and served in France until 13 Jun 1919, when he left Antwerp. He was demobbed 13 July 1919 in Woolwich.

    John Bayes




    262922

    John Matson East Yorkshire Regiment

    On 28 Jan 2020, I had a chat with my grandmother about her grandfather, John Matson. He was born 31 Jul 1874 in Hull to William Josephus Matson and Mary Jane Carter, and he later married Martha McGrath.

    My grandmother said that John served in the Great War, and although she didn't know too much, she specifically mentioned that he fought at Ypres and Passchendaele. She said that he was sent from the battlefield to a London hospital, that he wore the blue 'Convalescent Blues', and that he had shell-shock. She didn't know anything more but did suggest they tried new inventions on him to help. Then he returned back home to Hull.

    What I have gathered is that during World War One the newly built Maudsley Hospital on Denmark Hill in Camberwell was requisitioned by the military to be a Neurological Clearing Centre for soldiers suffering from shell-shock. The Maudsley was a subsidiary of the 4th London General Hospital

    John died in 1928.

    Angela




    262921

    2/Lt George Sowersby Mason 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.8th October 1918)

    Born in Pickering in 1892. In 1911 he lived at 1 Castlegate in Pickering working as a Grocer's Apprentice in his father's grocery store.

    Enlisted in 1914 as 3180 Pte. Mason in Royal Field Artillery, later transferring as 27257 Pte. Mason in East Yorkshire Regiment before transferring as 77714 Cpl. Mason in Durham Light Infantry. Promoted to temporary 2nd Lieutenant in York and Lancaster Regiment.

    He being killed in action on 8th October 1918. He is buried at Montbrehain, Aisne, Picardie, France. The inscription on his CWGC headstone reads "A loving husband, an affectionate son, a true friend".

    George Sowersby Mason was killed before his daughter, Georgina Mary Mason, was born on 28th December 1918.

    Trevor Richmond




    262920

    Pte. Hugh McKechnie 10th/11th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    Hugh McKechnie enlisted on 9 August 1914 and saw action on the western front with the 10th/11th Battalion. He suffered wounds in action in August 1917 which subsequently lead to his discharge on 4 February 1918. The discharge cause was recorded as "Wounds xvi Army Order IIb(i) d/10/08/1917."

    It appears that Hugh migrated to Western Australia in 1923 on board the SS Barrabool, which left London on 15/3/1923. He went to live with his sister who had already moved to WA.

    Hugh McKechnie settled in East Perth and ultimately lived at the Sunset Hospital in Dalkeith until his death in 1974. He is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery beside the grave of his sister Minnie.

    Jeffrey Oates




    262918

    Pte. John Mitchell McCall 7th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.24th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    John was born in Edinburgh on 19th October 1887. He married Ellen in 1909.

    John was killed in Passchendaele on 24th August 1917. John is buried in Tynne Cott Cemetery.

    He left behind his wife and 4 young children.

    Sam Shields




    262914

    2nd Lt. Howard Henry Pickford 2/6 Btn. North Staffordshire

    <p>

    H H Pickford.

    Enlisted at the beginning of the Great War . He was commissioned at some point during 1916/17. He served with the regiment until August 1918 when he was wounded through both hands and left wrist.





    262904

    CSM. John Morton 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>John Morton at Agra 1914

    Company Sergeant Major John Morton served in Agra in 1914 then fought at Aubers Ridge. He died in action on 6th of May 1915. He came from the Motherwell area of Lanarkshire.

    1st Seaforth Highlanders Christmas Card

    1st Seaforth Highlanders sports team at Agra 1914

    Gordon Innes




    262903

    Pte Walter Naulder Rifle Brigade

    My grandfather Walter Naulder was with the British Expeditionary Force in the Rifle Brigade. He was the father to 4 boys (Walter born 1905, Edward born 1907, Arthur born 1910 and Albert Ian born 1914). He was severely wounded on 4th of October 1917, when he received shrapnel in his back whilst stretcher bearing and was paralysed from the waist down. He was sent home to England and ended up in a hospital for the incurable in Slough. Berkshire. Whilst in there his youngest son sadly died from whooping cough. His Army records show a rather callous note regarding his pension querying that he had 4 dependent sons, it says query Albert Ian. He was discharged from the army on 24th of April 1919.

    He died in 1920, he never left hospital. He was buried in an unmarked grave. Due to the efforts of my cousin, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have recently erected a headstone.





    262902

    Pte. Tom Victor Hall 4th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.15th Jun 1915)

    Tom Hall was born in Rotherham, Yorkshire, to Sarah and John Hall in 1893. He signed up in September 1914 and was an engineer mechanic. He was missing in action and later declared dead as his body was never found. He is memorialised on the Le Touret memorial, Pas de Calais, France. His brother John, also fell.





    262901

    Cpl. John Hall Z Bty. 5th Division Trench Mortar Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.4th Jun 1916)

    John Hall was born in 1884, the son of Sarah and John Hall of Chorley, Lancashire. In 1911 he was stationed in Jubbulpore India as part of the 69th Division of the Royal Field Artillery. He is buried in the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery in Arras, France. The inscription on his grave reads: "Gone but not forgotten greater love hath no man than this". His brother Tom Victor, also fell.

    Will McCabe




    262898

    Matron. Nicholina Theodora "Dora" Hutchinson

    <p>

    Lady Superintendant of Drumcondra Hospital in 1912, Dora Hutchinson was appointed in April 1915 as Matron of the Portobello Hospital.

    Born in 1877 in Cavan, she was the daughter of the Reverend William Henry Hutchinson and his wife Nicholina Deverell. She died, unmarried, in 1955 at the Mercers Hospital, Dublin. Her aunt Letitia Deverell was married to the hospital chaplain at Drumcondra, the Rev. Henry Taylor.

    The photograph is from a family archive now belonging to Kings Inns Dublin it is part of a collection of items preserved by Ireland's first practicing woman barrister Averil Katherine Statter Deverell, who was Nicholina's 2nd cousin.

    Liz Goldthorpe




    262897

    Pte. Jack Middleton 2/5th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    Jack Middleton volunteered to join the Army in World War 1. He served in the Leicestershire Regiment (known as The Tigers). Jack served in France and Flanders with the 2/5th, 1/4th and 6th Battalions.





    262896

    Sgt. Frederick William Spall 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My Grandad, Fred Spall, was captured at Estaires during the Battle of the Lys part of the 1918 German offensive. He was initially imprisoned in the Dulmen camp before being transferred to Cottbus. He was finally repatriated in January 1919.

    Don Munro




    262883

    Rflmn. George Elder Johnstone 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.28th Sep 1917)

    George Johnstone was my maternal Great Grandfather.

    David Young




    262879

    Sgt. Timothy Edward Burke

    Timothy Burke served in the First World War. He married Isabella Bibby on 11th of September 1916. They had one daughter Joyce Isabella in 1924. Timothy became a Master Shipwright spending most of the Second World War repairing ships on the River Mersey.

    Marion Cobner




    262873

    Pte. George Henry Dutfield 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.13th Apr 1918)

    <p>George Dutfield

    George Dutfield served with the 8th Battalion, King's Own.

    Rosa Filor




    262871

    Lt. Charles Cornelius Shepherd DCM, MM, MID. 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellingtons Regiment

    Born 18th June 1880 in Hampstead, London, England: Captain Charles Cornelius Shepherd, (known as Neil) was a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), Medaille Militaire, and was Mentioned in Dispatches.

    As a young boy he was in a Home for Waifs and Strays. As part of the Orphaned Children's Program, he, with 14 others was sent to Canada, departing Liverpool and arriving in either Quebec or Montreal, via SS Sardinian on 13th Aug 1892. Cornelius was sent to Sherbrooke, QC where he lodged and worked for a local French Canadian farming family. He stayed there approx 2 years, after which, at the age of 15, he apparently returned to England, possibly due to his father locating him and bringing him back to England. At some point in the 1890's (possibly in 1899?) he joined the Second Battalion, The Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment, serving in India and elsewhere. He was, for a short period, seconded to the Royal Corps of Signals, apparently in India. In 1907, while a Corporal in the 2nd Btn West Riding Regt (Duke of Wellingtons), living at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, he married Ellen Elizabeth Grinnell, then residing at Wickhamford Lodge, Evesham. They had two children, Eva May Shepherd, and Neil Paul Shepherd, he subsequently divorced, likely due to his wife apparently becoming mentally ill. In 1928 he married Rosa James (known as Rose). My mother, Veronica Rose James Shepherd, was born, also in 1928.

    Neil Shepherd enrolled in the Army likely in 1899, served in 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment. The 1911 Census indicates rank of Colour Sergeant, he was living in Kandahar Barracks, South Tidworth, Hants, Hampshire, England, his wife, Ellen Elizabeth Grinnell (32) and two children, Neil Paul (2) and Eva May (5ths) were living in the adjoining wives' and childrens' quarters.

    He was promoted to Warrant Officer on the 8th of August 1914. His home address in 1915 was 23 Boat Lane, Evesham, England. Neil was promoted to Sergeant-Major shortly after the outbreak of war. As a Sergeant Major, Neil was Mentioned in a Dispatch by Field Marshall French, on 31od of May 1915. As Regimental Sergeant Major, he was awarded the DCM for bravery as a result of his actions at Puisieux Ridge on 1st of July 1916. Neil was awarded the French Medaille Militaire for bravery as a result of his actions at Les Boeufs during which he was wounded but refused to leave the line. He was Commissioned for Bravery on the Field of Battle in 1916 and was inducted as a Member of the Order of the British Empire on 1st of January 1919. Neil was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1st of April 1927 and retired from the Army in 1928.

    Charles Cornelius Shepherd was a past member of the Bootle Fellowship Lodge 4401, a member of The Old Contemptibles and a life member of the The Duke of Wellingtons Regiment Association. He was a devoted gardener at their home at Roseverne 130 Liverpool Rd, Chester, and, together with my Grandmother, Rose Shepherd, was recognized after the Second World War for his efforts supporting the soldiers of the Royal Corps of Signals, both serving and POWs. At the time of his death he lived at 130 Liverpool Road, Chester, and he died in the Military Hospital in Chester.

    His medals are: Member of the Order of the British Empire; Distinguished Conduct Medal; General Service Medal (1854-1895) for service in India; The 1914 (Mons) Star with Aug 22nd – Nov 1914 Bar; The 1914 – 1918 War Medal; The 1914-1919 Victory Medal with Mentioned in Despatches Oak Leaf; and The French, Medaille Militaire.

    Noel Dykes




    262868

    Emrys Aneurin Edwards HMS P18

    <p>

    Emrys Edwards served in HMS P18.

    Robin Edwards




    262865

    Pte. James Stephen 1st/4th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.16th Feb 1916)

    James Stephen was my great uncle. He is buried at Etaples in France. I am going to visit his grave in February this year.

    Constance Milne




    262863

    Pte. Charles Mcgeachy MM. 12th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Charles Mcgeachy was awarded the Military Medal.

    Stuart Matthews




    262862

    Pte. Frederick Watson Hepple Northumberland Fusiliers

    Frederick Hepple was held in Dulmen POW Camp.

    James Hepple




    262860

    Pte. William George Taylor Royal Marines Light Infantry

    My dad William George Taylor fought in the Great War, was in the Royal Marines light infantry served with the British Expeditionary Force and received 3 medals, don't know what for. Dad was born and enlisted in Bristol.

    Marion Taylor




    262850

    Rfmn. Robert John Ayres 4th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.16th Nov 1918)

    I have recently discovered that my great grandfather, Robert Ayres served his country and sadly passed away aged 36, in the Wharncliffe hospital, Sheffield. It appears that he died from the effects of gas, at the end of WW1 and is buried at Wadsley churchyard in Sheffield. Quite tragic to survive the fighting but then to die after the war ended.

    I also discovered that he is on the war memorial at the church, so a couple of years ago I managed to have flowers placed there for Remembrance Sunday. I remember my late mother, his granddaughter, saying how sad it was when the family received the telegram with the tragic news. Bless them. I am glad I was able to find out more about him and do something in his memory.

    Linda Phelps




    262848

    Pte. William Alfred Smith 11th (Lewisham) Btn. West Kent Regiment

    William Smith is my grandfather, who died in 1965. I did not know until recent research revealed that he served in WW1. He was wounded at the Somme, but I am still researching more details.

    Terry Callaghan




    262847

    2nd Lt. Samuel Percy Broughton Langley 15th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>Percy Langley

    Percy Langley served with the 15th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

    Tom




    262840

    Cpl. Percival William Steers 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    Percival Steers born 20th March 1894, was my grandfather. He joined up on 14th of September 1914 along with his older brother by 7 years Samuel John (Jack) Steers and, as far as I can ascertain, friends from Hastings, as there is a one number gap between my grandfather's and his brother's service number. Both brothers were accomplished horsemen and originally joined the yeomanry. Both also became instructors at Colchester before, joining the action with the 18th Division, in March 1918.

    My grandfather was wounded by a gunshot to the face on 27th of August 1918 at Trones Wood, his brother Jack, died in the influenza epidemic on 26th November 1918 and is commemorated at St. Sever Cemetery Ext. at Le Grand-Quevilly.

    Tim Fewster




    262837

    Sgt. Harold Snedker DSO. 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Harry Snedker served with the Royal Fusiliers and the Middlesex Regiment. His citation for the DSO reads: For conspicuous gallantry during an attack on Hardecourt and the Maltz Horn Farm Ridge on 28th of August 1918, owing to many casualties amongst officers, he had to take command of two platoons. These he led with great skill and courage, in spite of heavy opposition from machine guns and shell fire. On reaching the objective the remaining officer in his company was wounded. He immediately assumed command of the whole company, reorganised them, and commenced to put the line in a state of defence. Throughout the time he walked to and fro amongst his men cheering and urging them on. Later in the day he observed a large party of the enemy withdrawing on the left of his company. Without a moment's hesitation he directed the fire of his Lewis guns and rifles on them, inflicting heavy losses, and making them scatter in confusion. He remained in command of the company throughout the day until an officer was sent up.

    Oliver Snedker




    262826

    Pte. Fred Malton 36th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    Fred Malton served with 36th Battalion, MGC.





    262824

    L/Cpl. Harold Wilkinson MM. Manchester Regiment

    Harold Wilkinson was awarded the Military Medal.

    Paul Wilkinson




    262823

    L/Cpl. Wilfred Gelsthorpe 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.11th April 1917)

    Wilfred Gelsthorpe was my grandfather's younger brother. One of four brothers. He is buried at Cojeul British Cemetery St Martin sur Cojeul.

    Philip Custance




    262822

    L/Bmbdr. Harold Gerrard Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Harold Gerrard, was wounded while serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was entitled to wear a Wound Stripe as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by being named in this list. His next of kin are listed as living in Westhoughton inon the War Office Daily List No. 5552 on 29th of April 1918.

    He was a Shop Keeper Confectioner and was an ARP Ambulance Driver in 1939.

    Joan Harrison




    262811

    Pte. William Jones 1/5th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    Bill Jones was taken prisoner in Nov 1917 with a bullet wound to his right arm. He was sent to Celle POW Camp. Whilst there he was bayoneted for fighting outside the cookhouse. Sorry I have no further information.

    David Prescott




    262794

    Pte. William Marchant 29th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.10th Apr 1918)

    <p>William Marchant

    William Marchant born 23rd of Jan 1898 in Bradford, West Yorkshire was the oldest son of Charles James Marchant and Sarah Ann Bourne. He died in France and Flanders, killed in Action with 2 officers and another soldier on 10th of April 1918

    Originally he signed up to the West Riding Regiment, the Duke of Wellingtons and transferred to Machine Gun Corps on 28th of December 1916. His British War Victory Medal was accepted by his father in Brighouse on 26th of April 1922.

    He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. He was the eldest brother to my maternal grandmother Lily Watson nee Marchant.

    Mark Higgins




    262793

    VAD worker Louisa Elizabeth Hall Voluntary Aid Detachment

    Louisa Hall worked with the Red Cross as a VAD worker, she was age 18 when she was posted to Basingstoke in 1917.

    According to the 1911 Census, she lived in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow (Ireland) and was aged 11 at that time. Her mother and sister were also working in English hospitals.





    262789

    Cpl. Leonard Coleshill 137th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Leonard Coleshill served in the 137th Siege Battery, RGA.

    Luke Elmore




    262782

    Sgt. William Ernest Bird 97th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    William Bird is remembered on the plaque to the fallen in St. Andrew's Church Aldringham, Leiston, Suffolk.

    Christopher Burrell-Saward




    262777

    Pte. Thomas Ashton 23rd (Bantam) Battalion Manchester Regiment

    My Grandad Thomas Ashton joined the Bantams I believe in 1914. I do know he served in France and also know that he was gassed and invalided out of the army. As to the date I do not know. I have tried to research his records but have had no luck.

    Terry Ashton




    262771

    Capt. Arthur John Gateley KSG. A Coy. 2nd Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Arthur Gateley was my great grandfather's brother. Captain Gateley was in command of the 1st Manx Service Company, 220 strong, in October 1915. He was with the Company (then 215 strong) when it set sail on the Olympic, and joined the 2nd Cheshire Regiment outside Salonika on 13th of January 1916. The Company became A Company of the 2nd Cheshires.

    Martin Williams




    262769

    Sgt. David Evans 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.24th Apr 1918)

    David Evans served with the 16th Royal Welsh Fusiliers and lost his life aged 24. He is buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt. I am searching for all the men that served during the WW1 from my village in Wales





    262767

    2nd Lt. George Allan Sutcliffe 8th (Lonsdale) Btn. Border Regiment

    George Sutcliffe joined the Border Regiment in late 1917/early 1918 (after 2 years fighting in East Africa). He joined the 8th Btn, B Coy on 4th of May 1918, and spent much of May training and getting ready to go into the line, NE of Reims. He wrote home on 26th of May saying 'ready to move out'.

    On 27th of May 1918, German troops overran the trenches to the north and quickly moved south, smothering his battalion. George was reported missing on 29th of May (all this from the Border Regimental Diary) and he was reported (in the Red Cross files) as being captured on 27th of May 1918, then sent via Karlsruhe to Schweidnitz internment camp in Silesia (now Swidniza in Poland). He was repatriated in 1919.

    Sheila Currie




    262766

    Pte. Frederick Hobbs 2/4th Btn. West Surrey Regiment (d.18th Nov 1917)

    Frederick Hobbs signed up on 7th of September 1914 with the 2/4th Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment. His battalion took part at Gallipoli and were evacuated to Egypt in December 1915. Between the end of 1915 and Frederick's admission to St Marks Hospital they did not take part in any further campaigns. He appeared on the WW1 casualty list on 26th of July 1916, and his presence at St Marks College was noted on his wife's court case on 31st of August 1916. Frederick subsequently returned to his battalion and died of malaria in Egypt on 18th of November 1917. He is buried in the Kantara CWGC Cemetery, Egypt.

    Kevin Hobbs




    262765

    L/Cpl. William Allen 19th Battalion

    William Allen was born in Leeds in the West Riding of Yorkshire on 10th of December 1891. He emigrated with his family to Ontario Canada in 1911, from Horsforth W. Yorks.

    On 12th November 1914 he enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He sailed to England on the SS Scandanavian on 13th of May 1915, arriving on the 22nd. He left Folkestone for France on 23rd of September 1915 and served with the 250th Tunnelling Company until 31st December that year.

    He fought with the 19th Battalion through 1916 and was wounded at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in June 1917. William was transferred to the Military Hospital in Southhall and later Hastings and was discharged in December 1917. He was promoted to Lance Corporal but later was admitted to Bramshott Military Hospital and spent 4 months suffering from Influenza.

    William was discharged from the Canadian Military in March 1919 and married Mary Jane Holdsworth from Bramley West Yorkshire. They raised 2 children Jack and Maisie Allen and he died peacefully in Scarborough East Yorkshire in 1987 at the age of 95.

    Michael Allen




    262761

    Pte. John B. Moran 12th Btn Royal Scots (d.12th Oct 1917)

    John Moran, my Great Great Uncle, originally enlisted with the 12th Battalion, but is noted to be serving with the 8th at the time of his death.





    262758

    Pte. Thomas William Edwards 4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    Billy Edwards was my grandfather who died in 1948 well before I was born. He embarked to France in 1916 and his service record also notes that he served in Italy. He appears to have received a gun shot wound soon after arriving in France and was shelled in 1917, both instances ending up with stays in field hospitals. In the spring offensive by Germany in 1918 he captured on 27th May and was taken to the Worms POW camp.

    Adrian Edwards




    262756

    Spr. Arthur Elgar Taylor 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.17th Oct 1917)

    <p>Arthur Taylor

    On 17th of October 1917, my grandfather Arthur Taylor and Major H. W. Wright were shelled while on duty in Belgium. My grandfather did not survive and his mate was with him when he passed - his last words being "I think I'm done." My grandmother received a letter from this man which was written in April of 1918 telling her what had happened and his last words. My son now has this letter in his possession.

    Newspaper clipping

    Obituary

    Marjorie Culver




    262752

    Mjr. H. W. Wright 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>H W Wright

    On 17th of October 1917, my grandfather Arthur Taylor and Major H. W. Wright were shelled while on duty in Belgium. My grandfather did not survive and his mate was with him when he passed, his last words being "I think I'm done." My grandmother received a letter from this man which was written in April of 1918 telling her what had happened and his last words. My son now has this letter in his possession.

    Marjorie Culver




    262749

    Sgt. Bertie Stoddart MSM. 6th Btn. Durham Light Infanty

    Bertie Stoddart was born in Barnard Castle in 1888. He joined the Durham light Infantry as a Corporal in 1914. He was promoted to Sergeant and then on disembodiment he was listed as a Company Sergeant Major. In 1917 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for Valuable Services in the field. Bertie survived the war.

    Maisie Robinson




    262720

    L/Sgt. Herbert Henry Bushill B Coy. 19th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.20th Dec 1917)

    <p>Herbert Bushill

    My great uncle, Herbert Bushill was killed in the trenches at the Battle of Passchendale near Ypres in Belgium.

    Letter announcing his death

    Stuart Kennard




    262715

    Bugler. James Fitzgerald 3rd Btn.

    In a service bible my uncle, James Fitzgerald wrote that he was at a Delhi state opening when he saw a bomb thrown at Viceroy Lord Harding. During his service he was stationed at Aldershot, Gosport, Ambala, Duyshai and Meerut.





    262709

    Pte. Vincent Taylor 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (d.16th Apr 1918)

    My Great-Uncle Vincent Taylor's Paybook with his last Will & Testament were returned to his Mother in 1925. A Lady, non-relative, was on holiday in Germany when a German man came forward from the crowd and gave the lady a package, requesting that has she was English could she ensure that this package was returned to the Family. She duly complied, and that is how the kindness of a German citizen ensured that the belongings of Vincent, and his last wishes were returned to Vincent's family five years after the War, to end all Wars.

    Vincent was the younger brother of our Granddad Harry Taylor, part of Vincent's story is treasured by relatives, and remembered. He sacrificed his life that we may have our tomorrow. We Shall Remember them. Vincent was killed on the 16th April 1918, we believe at Kemmel Ridge, protecting Ypres, which was not occupied by the Germans. We believe he was killed defending the Line in the battle of Lys in 1918.

    Adrian Wait




    262702

    Sgt. Thomas Gibbs 11th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.16th Feb 1917)

    Thomas Gibbs was the son of Mr & Mrs E Gibbs of 71 Stowe Stret Lichfield Staffordshire. He lies in Barin Communal Cemetery Extension.





    262694

    Pte. Frederick William Finley 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Sep 1915)

    Frederick Finley of the 10th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment is commemorated at Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos.





    262693

    C/Stkr. Edward Bunce HMS Hogue (d.22nd Sep 1914)

    Edward Bunce was born on 2nd of May 1871 at Tetsworth, Oxfordshire according to his naval record. However, he was christened at St. Nicholas' Church, Ibstone, Buckinghamshire. The apparent discrepancy may be solved by the fact that the Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire county boundaries ran through Ibstone, and the Post Office in Ibstone, of which a relative was postmistress, came under Tetsworth. In all other records his place of birth is given as Ibstone. He was my second great uncle. Edward joined the Royal Navy on 5th of October 1891 at the age of 20, initially signing on for 12 years. His occupation prior to enlistment was given as grocer on his naval service record.

    He served on a number of ships as Chief Stoker, and when ashore appears to have been based at HMS Pembroke, the land-based barracks at Chatham. On 2nd of April 1911, the night of the 1911 Census, he was on the ship HMS Viking, a torpedo boat destroyer, which was moored off Parkeston, near Harwich, Essex. Later that year he married Roberta Elizabeth Swan on 30th of December 1911. They had one son, Cecil. Their home was in Gillingham, Kent, close to Chatham.

    Edward Bunce was killed on 22nd of September 1914, aged 43, just seven weeks into the First World War. He was a Chief Stoker on board HMS Hogue, which together with HMS Aboukir, and HMS Cressy formed the 7th Cruiser Squadron, whose task was to patrol the Broad 14s area of the North Sea, off the Netherlands coast. They were a blocking force to support British destroyers and submarines based at Harwich, which protected the eastern end of the English Channel from German warships and submarines attacking the supply route between England and France. The three ships were large old armoured cruisers, and were not suited to warfare, and were largely manned by inexperienced reservists. In consequence they were nicknamed the Live Bait Squadron. Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty, was of the view these ships should not have been employed in the capacity in which they were engaged, but his opinion was ignored. The Hogue had been re-fitted in 1912-1913.

    While patrolling the North Sea, the ships were travelling NNE about 10 knots and not zig-zagging, as U boats had not been observed. The weather had been inclement until 21st of September 1914, such that German U boats had remained submerged. On 22nd September the weather had improved. The German submarine U9, with a crew fewer than thirty, captained by Lt. Otto Weddingen, fired on the Aboukir at about 6.25 a.m. The Hogue drew nearer to pick up the survivors, but was attacked, at about 6.55 a.m., by two torpedoes fired at a 300 yard range from the U9, one reputedly hitting under the aft 9.2 inch magazine, causing the engine room to flood. Various different accounts say the Hogue sank in between three and fifteen minutes, but in any event, it was rapid. The Cressy was torpedoed while attempting to rescue survivors from both the Aboukir and Hogue. All three ships sank in less than an hour. There are conflicting reports as to the number of survivors from the three ships, but it was between 837 and 918. However 1495 men lost their lives.

    After this incident the Royal Navy banned the practice of rescuing survivors. Several British trawlers and Dutch ships rescued survivors mid-morning. Otto Weddingen was awarded the German Iron Cross (First and Second Class) but was to die less than six months after the sinking of HMS Hogue, killed by HMS Dreadnought.

    Edward Bunce was posthumously awarded the Star, Victory and British War Medals, which were given to his widow. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. In 2005 his Long Service Medal appeared for sale on the Southern Medals website.

    Hilary Woodward




    262691

    Pte . Frederick Ashworth 11th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    I discovered Fred Ashworth while researching my family tree. Records state his death location as France and Flanders. He was 21 years old and deserves recognition for his actions.

    Ruth Collins




    262690

    Pte. Samuel Pritchard 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1916)

    Samuel Pritchard served in Gallipoli in 1915 and is buried in Stafford Cemetery.





    262688

    Bartholomew Lunney 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Bartholomew Lunney was my Great Grandfather. I became aware of his service in the 6th East Lancashire Regiment whilst doing some research into my mother's family tree. I understand the Battalion was stationed in Gallipoli and Mesopotamia in 1915-1916.





    262681

    Pte. Frederick James Blakeston 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    Frederick Blakeston served with 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment and the Royal Army Service Corps. He died on 26th Oct 1927





    262678

    RSM. Edward V. Yates DCM. 9th Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    Edward Yates served with the 9th Scottish Rifles and was awarded the DCM.

    Robert Johnston




    262671

    Pte. James Newman 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.17th Feb 1917)

    James Newman served with the 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment. His father never got to see him go to war as he drowned 10 years before and my father never got to know him as he was killed 7 months before he was born.

    Jennifer Newman




    262670

    Pte. Arthur Albert Phillips 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.29th Nov 1916)

    <p>Arthur Phillips headstone

    Arthur Phillips originally joined the Royal Sussex Regiment but was transferred to the 8th Batt East Surrey Regiment after arriving in France in around July to September 1916. He was severely wounded during the attack on Desire Trench in November 1916 and died of wounds at No.1 General Hospital and is buried in the Churchyard cemetery (Military Section) at Etretat, France.

    Arthur Phillips

    David Phillips




    262669

    Pte. William Alfred Foulds Harriman 7th Btn . Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My granddad Bill Harriman was born in 1897 and when he joined up he was only 16. He lied about his age so he could help his country in 1914 . He went in to the Royal Scots Fusiliers and he finished up being a POW for the last two years of the war. He was put on a farm first then he got on well with the people who ran the farm. He was then put in to a salt mine until the British Red Cross found him after the war. He was in a terrible state when he came home full of lice and was only 6 stone and he had been shot but the Germans put him in a hospital and cared for his wounds before they put him on the farm. He finished up with a limp for the rest of his life. He then went and joined up in 1945.

    Sharron Allen




    262661

    Pte. Charles C. Aldridge D Company, 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.22nd Nov 1915)

    Charles Aldridge was killed along with seven other comrades from the Battalion when at the Glory Hole in La Boiselle a German mine exploded covering their dugout and associated trench with debris. They remain interred other than two who were recovered in 2013 and reburied at Albert Communal Cemetery Extension in October 2016.
      Others killed at the same time were:
    • 13333 Lance Corporal Albert Huzzey
    • 10352 Private F Fensome also known as Harry Fensome
    • 13517 Private George Pier
    • 13350 Private Charles Ruggles
    • 13392 Private Harry Carter buried at Albert
    • 13370 Private William Marmon buried at Albert
    • 13263 Private Edward Toomey

    Brian Turner




    262660

    Cpl. Edwin Osbourne 10th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    Edwin Osbourne sailed to France with his battalion from Southampton on 3rd of December 1915, on board the Empress Queen. He landed at Le Havre in France and fought at Mametz Wood and the 3rd battle for Ypres. He fought through the war and was demobbed at Oswestry on 13th of January 1919 on reserve. He died in 1969.

    Davvid Taylor




    262659

    Pte. John William Newport 2nd Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    John Newport served with the 2nd Gloucester Regiment.

    Pearl Crooks




    262656

    Pte. John Henry Roberts 2/4th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment (d.29th Sep 1918)

    <p>John Roberts

    John Roberts was born on Tuesday 28th of July 1891 at 294 Queen Street, Kilnhurst in the Borough of Rotherham. He was one of 11 children born to Henry Leech Roberts and Jane Roberts. Census records indicate that 11 of these children died and that the only other survivor was a sister, Susannah, who was about 8 years his junior. When he left school, John worked as a trammer at Thrybergh Hall Colliery.

    On Friday 28th of May 1915, at the age of 23 years and 10 months, he signed up for war service at Pontefract and was posted, apparently immediately, to the 3rd Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment based in Sunderland. Some time after his arrival in the town, he met local girl Frances Wright. As a soldier, John was categorised as Class W which meant that he was returned to his civilian job as a miner until the army were ready to recall him to the colours. On Monday 6th of August 1917, John and Frances married at the Parish Church in Hooton Roberts and they returned to Sunderland where they lived with Frances's family. On Friday 12th of July 1918, their daughter Mary was born.

    John was recalled to his unit and embarked with the British Expeditionary Force to France on Friday 30th of August 1918 and on Monday 2nd of September 1918 was transferred permanently to C Company, 2/4th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment. Ten days later, the Regiment took part in the Battle of Havrincourt, where they broke through the Hindenburg Line. On Sunday 29th of September 1918, while fighting in Havrincourt, he was killed in action. He is buried in the Grand Ravine British War Cemetery next to Havrincourt Wood.

    Irwin Smart




    262655

    Pte. William Arthur Parkes South Lancashire Regiment

    Grandad, William Parkes was, according to his daughter, a 'boy soldier' and a 'crack shot'. According to the 1939 census he was recorded as 'incapacitated ex serviceman'. We are not sure if he received his leg wound while on active service, or, as rumoured by family, while training others. In WW2 he did serve in the Home Guard.





    262650

    Gdsmn. George Mckenzie Henderson 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.16th May 1915)

    <p>George Henderson

    George Henderson was my uncle. My father, William Henderson, often spoke about his brother George who was killed at the Battle of Festubert on 16th of May 1915.

    Bruce Henderson




    262643

    Pte. Albert David Brown 6th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Albert Brown served with the 6th East Yorkshire Regiment. Unfortunately I have no other information, but it is possible Albert is my great grandfather but this has not been proven.

    Cliff Harris




    262641

    Sgt. Ralph Bagshaw 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.24th October 1918)

    Ralph Bagshaw's story is recounted on The Great War – our family link.

    Martin Beddall




    262638

    Isabella Hindmarsh

    Isabella Hindmarsh was my mother's aunt, she served with the VAD but I have very little more information.

    Margaret Harding




    262632

    Lt. Robert Sprott MC. 15th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    Robert Sprott started as a signalman at the start of the war. He had a commendation received in 1917 at Theipval Wood for repairing phone lines constantly under enemy machine gun fire. He was captured on the Somme on 21st of March 1918, on the same day he was awarded the Military Cross. He became a POW. After war he went to Turkey to Gallipoli to assist with the dead where he contracted malaria in 1920. He returned home and married in 1922.

    I am still trying to piece together his history. Later as a civil servant he was awarded an MBE in 1954 one week before his sudden death aged 59.

    David Sprott




    262626

    Gnr. Leonard Cole A Battery, 307th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    <p>Leonard Cole gravestone

    Leonard Cole served with A Battery, 307th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Leo Cole




    262624

    Cpl. John James McKenna 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    John McKenna served with the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from 1900 to 1908 and saw action in the Second Boer War 1900-1903 He was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, and South Africa 1901 and 1902 He then transferred to the 2nd Battalion R.I.F. and served until 1912 when he re-enlisted to complete 12 years service. He was posted to Home Duty, Omagh, and Devonport, England and received an Honorable Discharge.

    In The Great War he served with the British Expeditionary Force, III Corps, 4th Division, 12th Brigade as a Private in the 2nd Battalion R.I.F. and saw action in the First Battle of the Aisne, First Battle of Messines, Battle of Armentieres, First Battle of Ypres Battle of Neuve Chapel, Battle of Aubers Ridge and the Battle of Festubert

    On 15th of February 1915 he joined 7th Battalion R.I.F. and saw action in the Battle of Hulluch, Battle of the Somme, Battle of Guillemont, Battle of Guinchy and the Battle of Messines. The battlion then became the 7th/8th Battalion R.I.F. and John was in action at the Battle of Saint Quentin where he was severely wounded on the 30th of March 1918.

    He was transferred to the 3rd Reserve Battalion for hospitalization and recuperation then received an Honorable Discharge

    He was awarded the 1914 Medal (Mons Star), Victory Medal and British War Medal This the Service Record I have extrapolated by comparing Pension Medical Records, available British Army Service Records, and Official British Military Operations Records

    My Grandfather, John James McKenna was born in Emyvale, Co Monaghan, Ireland in 1883. His Father was a shoemaker. In 1900 He enlisted to fight in the Second Boer War. His steady income from soldiering enabled his father to purchase the farm they had been leasing for many years, and to put on a new slate roof. In 1912 he married and returned to civilian life in Belfast where he was a tram driver. Swept back into service in 1914, he survived the conflict and went on to serve in the Irish Republican Army, and Irish National Army from 1920 to 1923. Unable to reclaim his job in Belfast, they departed Ireland. In October 1923, he and family of six arrived in the United States aboard the USS Samaria. They settled in Lockport, Illinois, where he worked mostly as pipe fitter with the railroad. He passed in December 1950 in Sacramento California. Though he was only 5 feet 4 inches and 115 pounds when he enlisted, he proved to be a formidable warrior, and ultimate survivor.

    Sean McKenna




    262616

    Pte. Albert Edward Hammonds 16th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.2nd September 1918)

    Albert Hammonds enlisted in the 6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in October 1914. He was killed in action on the Somme in 1918.

    Elaine Glover




    262612

    Pte. Thomas Brent 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment

    Thomas Brent took part in the retreat from Mons and the battles of Arras, Ypres, and Cambrai. He also served in Egypt and Palestine.





    262607

    Drv. Ernest Nettleship Sowler 83rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Jul 1917)

    Ernest Sowler was my great-uncle Ernie, one of 12 children of John Sowler of Lucan Street. He was one of the younger sons and allegedly the favourite one. His older brother, my great-uncle Jack, was allegedly the black sheep of the family and was in the Indian Army before the First World War. He came back to fight in the war in France, and I was told that the two brothers met at Hellfire Corner in Ypres. Of course, the black sheep lived to a ripe old age and the favourite son was killed.

    After the war, Ernest's parents had enough money to visit the grave in "Silly beck" churchyard, but they were told there was no point in going as his grave had been blown up. In the 1990s I looked in vain for his name on a memorial stone, so I wrote to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and they told me where he was buried. The following year I found his gravestone memorial in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm).

    Peter Sowler




    262606

    Stok1. James William West HMS Lucia (d.2nd Jul 1916)

    The story has it that James West fell from a mast and a pole went through his eye, killing him.

    Kelly Melladay




    262589

    George Mason HMS Pembroke

    I have an old photo of my granddad, George Mason. He was born in 1896 and married to Polly Mason (nee Clift). They lived in the East End of London. They had 4 children, George, Benjamin, Grace and Charles (the latter was my dad). I'm completing a family tree and realised the photo I have, has him in naval uniform with HMS Pembroke around his hat. I would just like him to be remembered and if there is any more information anyone could provide me, I would be so grateful.

    Jayne Chapple




    262583

    Pte. William Knight 14th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    William Knight was born in Essex and signed up right at the beginning of WW1, only to lose his life just a few months before it ended.

    Elizabeth Wright




    262582

    Pte. Frederick Hill 85th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Frederick Hill embarked for France on SS Kingstonian, going from Southampton to Le Havre. He served at the Second Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Loos. On 19th of October 1915, he sailed from Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt, then to Salonika on 4th of January 1916. Later in 1916, he was in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917, he participated in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Baraki Jun'a) and then the capture of Baraki and Kumli. Later, he was in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Sturmica Valley. When hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September 1918, the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. On 7/8th of November 1918, his unit moved to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Fort. After several bouts of malaria, he embarked for the UK in March 1919 and was discharged on 27 April 1919.





    262574

    Pte. George Bidwell 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Nov 1918)

    George Bidwell was wounded on 25th of July 1918 and invalided home. He developed bronchitis during recovery and died in the Western General Hospital, Neath, Glamorganshire on 17th of November 1918. He was the son of Isaac and Sarah Bidwell, born in 1879 in Hesset, Bury St Edmunds. He had married Annie Debenham in 1899 and was living with his children James Edward (1902), Isaac (1904), Charles (1908) and Daisy 1910) in Clay Hall, Great Saxham. He worked as a hurdle maker on the estate. He enlisted in the 5th Suffolk Regiment in 1914 but transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Malcolm Lennox




    262571

    Dvr Joseph Barratt Army Service Corps (d.15th Nov 1918)

    Joseph Barratt was attached to the 1st Field Ambulance, South African Medical Corps as a driver.





    262570

    Pte. Wifred John Godfrey Mercy Powell 2nd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment

    <p>Wilfred Powell

    Wilfred Powell was born in Redbrook near Gloucester in 1890, but around 1895 he moved with his parents Henry and Rose and his sister Annie, to Pontnewydd, Cwmbran where his father worked in the tinplate works. Wilfred married Alice Flippance in 1910 and worked as a haulier underground at Cwmbran Colliery.

    Although only 5 feet 3 inches tall Wilfred had joined the 2nd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment, a territorial unit prior to getting married. Pension records say he enlisted on 5th March 1907 but silver war badge records say 16th of March 1909, he was still a part-time soldier when war was declared in August 1914.

    The 2nd Battalion was immediately mobilised at Pontypool and then in quick succession moved through Pembroke Dock, Oswestry and Northampton before landing at Le Havre in France on the 7th of November 1914 as part of the 12th Brigade in the 4th Division of the British Expeditionary Force.

    Like many others, Wilfred Powell's service records were destroyed by bombing during WW2. Family history tells us he fought with the Monmouthshires at the Second Battle of Ypres in western Belgium in April and May 1915 and that he also spent some time as a tunneller, before joining the Royal Army Medical Corps. The records that do survive suggest that he never formally joined the Royal Engineers as a tunneller but he may well have been attached to the tunnellers as were many men from the Monmouthshires. It's also possible that he was one of the men drawn from the 2nd Battalion who, under Captain Arthur Edwards of Blaenafon, formed the 4th Divisions' Mining Party and exploded the first British mine of the war.

    What we do know is that the 2nd Battalion fought in the battles of the Marne, Aisne and Messines in 1914 and in the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915. The 2nd suffered so many casualties in the latter battle that it had to be amalgamated with its sister battalions for several months before its ranks could be refilled.

    The photograph shows him wearing his Monmouthshire cap badge, a wound stripe and two service chevrons suggesting it was taken in the late summer or autumn of 1916.

    From November 1916 to January 1917 he spent time in Whitchurch hospital recovering from a bought of trench fever.

    By the end of 1916 he had transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps and the 1st Welsh Field Ambulance where he became a stretcher bearer. Silver war badge records show him as being in 1st Welsh Field Ambulance but this unit served with the 53rd Welsh Division in the Middle East? There is no indication anywhere else that he served anywhere other than the Western Front. Family history says that on hearing the gas whistle Wilfred stopped to help an injured soldier with his gas mask before putting on his own and was exposed to gas as a result. He was invalided out the army just two months before the end of the war but due to his injuries he was unable to return to his job at Cwmbran Colliery. Wilfred gave his daughter Francis, born in 1914, the middle name Louvain in memory of the Belgium town that was destroyed by the Germans in the first month of the war. For his service in WW1 Wilfred received the 1914 Star, British and Victory medals, an honourable discharge and a Silver War Badge. He died in 1941 aged 51.

    Mark Lucas




    262569

    Pte. Lewis Lewis 8th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Always remembered. R.I.P Lewis Lewis





    262564

    Pte. Frederick Collins 12th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.11th May 1917)

    Frederick Collins served with 12th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Kevin Collins




    262563

    Sgt. Robert Barton Clarke 23rd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.19th Aug 1917)

    Robert Clarke is my grandfather and he is buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery France

    Ian Clarke




    262562

    Pte. C. Thomas Chadwick 12th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.11th Jun 1918)

    Tommy Chadwick was shot in the back whilst manning his machine gun. He is my wife's uncle. My mother-in-law (just deceased aged 101yrs, and 361 days) was his sister and she never knew him. I believe his grave is at Calais.

    Alan Luff




    262558

    Pte. Anthony Burton 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.24th Sept 1918)

    <p>

    Anthony Burton born 1895, was my great grandfather. He was killed in action in France & Flanders on 24th of September 1918 aged just 22 years. Before enlisting in the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, he married my great grandmother Harriet Armstrong Corbett, born 1893. They met whilst his family were residing at 35 Bensham Terrace, Gateshead, Durham. Harriet's cousin Charlotte lived at 45 Bensham Terrace. They married in 1914 and produced two daughters, Eleanor Burton born 1915 and Thelma Burton (my grandmother) in 1916. Sadly he never got to see his two daughters grow up. Anthony was the son of Henry Burton and Ellen Moodie and brother of Herbert, Sarah, Albert, Elizabeth, Quinton, Robert, John & Thomas Burton. After the war he received the British war medal & Victory medal.

    Such a tragic end to a young life. Nevertheless, a very brave man of whom his descendants are immensely proud. He would have been the proud grandfather of five, great grandfather of ten and great great grandfather of nineteen.

    Sandra McCalliskey




    262555

    Gnr. W. A. Pearson Royal Marine Artillery (d.20th Oct 1918)

    W A Pearson served as a gunner on H.M.S. Princess Royal.

    Ray Phillips




    262554

    Pte. Patrick McCann 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    My great-grandfather, Patrick McCann, had been in the Royal Field Artillery until 1909. He was a labourer by trade and joined up for service in WW1 as a member of Kitchener's New Army. He was deployed to France in December 1915. He was injured by machine-gun fire in both an arm and a leg and was discharged as unfit for further service in early 1919.

    He suffered from shell-shock and would roam the house at night with a cudgel waiting for the Germans. His 12 year old son John had to commit him to Grangegorman Asylum in Dublin in 1922 after he attacked his wife and nearly killed her. He died in November 1922.





    262552

    Pte. Arthur Sucklng MM. 42nd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Arthur Sucklng enlisted on 9th of Sep 1907, he disembarked in France on 12th of September 1914, and was discharged from service on 17th of February 1919. On 17th of September 1916, he was wounded in action at Flers–Courcelette during the Battle of the Somme and invalided to England a few days later.

    He was on active service for 3 years and 9 months, serving in France, Egypt and Palestine. During this period, he served with the 42nd Field Ambulance and the 17th Field Ambulance of the RAMC. After the Armistice, he also served for a time with the 2/4th Royal West Surrey (Queen's) Regiment.

    For his service with the RAMC, Arthur was awarded the following, Military Medal (Gazetted on 21 Dec 1916) won in France during his posting with the 42nd Field Ambulance, 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Silver War Badge (#B293195), which was issued on 8th of September 1919.

    Charles M. Mayes




    262547

    Lt. John William Denison MC. 6th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    John Denison was originally from Highfield, Yeadon, Yorkshire, and was the son of John William and Elizabeth Denison.

    Ian Denison




    262545

    Drv. William John Bushell 119th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My William Bushell was a keen horseman and enlisted in the Army in 1908. In late 1917, he was wounded and discharged as disabled, with loss of his left eye and head wounds. This affected his whole life as to employment, but he was a wonderful father.

    John Bushell




    262539

    Grdsmn. Cornelius George Smith Coldstream Guards

    Cornelius Smith embarked at Southampton on 31st of March 1918, suffered a shrapnel wound to his left wrist on 23rd of August 1918, and was admitted to 47th General Hospital, Le Treport, and Berrington War Hospital, for 21 days.

    Carol Petchey




    262537

    Dvr. Valentine Davies D Battery, 86th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.24th July 1916)

    Valentine Davies is buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz

    Peter Davies




    262536

    Pte. Jefferson Gann 22nd (The Queens) Battalion London Regiment (d.1st November 1916)

    <p>Jefferson Gann in pre war uniform

    Jefferson Gann is buried in Lambeth (Tooting) Cemetery in London. He died of wounds on 1st of November 1916, Aged 36. He was the husband of Mary Ann Gann of 9 Lanfranc St., Westminster Bridge Rd., London. I Cannot establish how he died it just says died of wounds, Winnall Down Camp, Winchester.





    262531

    Spr. Harry Wainwright Royal Engineers

    Born in 1889 Harry Wainwright joined up 6th May 1908 and was mobilised on 5th of August 1914. He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp and 2 Roses. He was transferred to the reserve on 5th of May 1919.





    262530

    Pte. John Casey 6th Battalion Connaught Rangers (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>His headstone

    John Casey died, killed in action, on 21st of March 1918 on the first day of the German Spring Offensive. He had enlisted in Glasgow and served also with the 3rd Battalion of the Connaught Rangers.

    For 100 years he was lost to his family. His sisters had emigrated to America before he enlisted so they never knew what had become of him. His sister’s last memory of him was as a young boy playing the tin whistle at the door of their home in Glensaul. Through research, and thanks to the internet, we were able to trace John. On 21st of March 2019 his grand niece and grand nephew, along with a great grand nephew, visited his grave in Ste Emilie Valley Cemetery, France on the 100th anniversary of his death. They were the first members of his family to stand at his grave. He had been buried initially on the battlefield but his grave was discovered during the battlefield clearances, he was identified by his tag and re-interred in Ste Emilie Valley Cemetery, just a short distance from where he fell.

    Finding John has been an amazing and very exciting journey. We would encourage anyone who has even scant information about a relative to engage in a similar quest.

    A.B. Bowen




    262528

    Mjr. George John "Chummy" Malcolm 20th Squadron Royal Flying Corps (d.9th Jul 1916)

    <p>George Malcom

    George Malcolm served with the Royal Field Artillery and No.Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. He was mentioned in Despatches. Son of George and Frances Emily Malcolm of 48 Perham Road, West Kensington, London.

    John Sykes




    262527

    Pte. Charles Pope MM. 1st Battalion Queens West Surrey Regiment

    Charles Pope was awarded the Military Medal but I don't know what for. He ended the war in Italy and was returned home to Southall Hospital in 1919





    262526

    Sgt. John Edgar Lynn Army Ordnance Corps (d.2nd Apr 1917)

    John Lynn was an APC Armouer. He enlisted in Basingstoke in the Army Ordinance Corps and served at Gallipoli.

    Marilyn Dawkins




    262525

    Pte. Peter Brown Clives May 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.27th Sept 1918)

    Peter May is my Great Uncle (mothers uncle). I found his grave in The British Cemetery at Grevillers in France.

    Alan Howkins




    262524

    Pte. John Giles Cherry 8th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.5th July 1915)

    John Cherry is commemorated at Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church in Stirling. Son of James and Elizabeth Cherry of 38 Upper Castlehill, Stirling.

    David W Brown




    262513

    2Lt. William Henry Edlington East Yorkshire Regiment

    William Edlington was a Company Sergeant Major when he was commissioned.

    Jonathan Ashley Grobler




    262511

    Cpl. Louis Arthur Buck 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders

    <p>Louis Buck on right

    Louis Buck served in the 51st Highland Division with the Cameron Highlanders. He attested 11th of December 1915 into 2/4th Battalion, giving his address 38 Grove Road, Norwich. Next of kin is his Father Jesse Buck, Glencroft, 22 Hamilton Road, Colchester, Essex. Louis was Mobilized 2nd of June 1916 and was promoted Corporal on 15th of December 1916. He served with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 29th of June 1916 to 17th of October 1917.

    2nd General Hospital medical records give L A Buck, age 28, 203399, Corporal, Cameron Highlanders admitted 3rd of October 1917 with PUO (pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin - Trench Fever). He was discharged on 17th of October 1917 invalided out, he underwent rehab at Bray Court and was discharged (Medical) 12th of June 1918. Awarded Silver War Badge (honourable discharge because of illness or injury) on 24th of June 1918. He was awarded the Victory Medal and British Medal.

    Army Medical Report:

    • Unit: Cameron Highlanders
    • Regimental No.: 203399
    • Rank: Corporal
    • Name: Buck, Louis Arthur
    • Age last birthday: 28
    • Enlisted: June 1916 at Norwich
    • Former Trade: Commercial Traveller
    • Disability in respect of which invaliding is proposed: Shell Shock
    • Date of original disability: August 1917
    • Place of origin of disability: France

    Louis had a normal childhood except suffering Brain fever at 11 yrs. No -- fever, chorea or tonisllitis. He attended school until 17 years and is recorded as having a normal tolerance to games. He became rose grower then commercial traveller until enlistment in June 1916.

    His health is recorded as good during training. In France, he was blown up, then contracted tench fever with tremors body and limbs. In Nov 1917 he was sent to Buxton for treatment by baths etc. and twice collapsed in the bath. He had a septic hand and arm through cut in shaving. He was transferred to Sheffield then to Colchester.

    Causation of disability: is recorded as Constitutional caused by active service.

    Present condition: (parts undecipherable) marked general weakness and ---- Extreme general tremor, making eating, walking and almost any co-ordinate action difficult. Tenderness of both tibiae. No evidence of organic disease. Heart - no abnormalities. Lungs - clean. Abd - neg. Nervous system in a state of hyperexcitability but shows no evidence of any structural change.

    Chris Trigg




    262510

    Pte. Horace Potter 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.3rd December 1915)

    Horace Potter ran away from his home in Bewdley to join the 3rd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment and fight in WW1. He was only 17 years old and died in battle on 3rd of December 1915. His name is on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

    Sara Jane Bradley




    262502

    Pte. Henry Kavanagh 6th Garrison Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Henry Kavanagh died in Egypt and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery.





    262491

    Sgt. Patrick Daly MiD. 5th Sqdn. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) (d.28th Nov 1917)

    Patrick Daly was born on 17th June 1884 at 20 Phibsboro Road, Dublin, the second son of Timothy Daly and Sarah Levins. He was baptised in St. Mary's Pro Cathedral on 30th June 1884 and had 8 siblings. The family moved to Finglas Bridge and then to Glasnevin. He married Sarah Downes on 7th Aug 1910 at the Church of Our Lady of Dolours, Glasnevin. His sister Mary Daly and John Monohan were witnesses. According to the 1911 census, they lived on Phibsboro Road and Patrick was a labourer and ex-soldier on reserve for the 12th Lancers. It also states they could both read and write. They had 2 children: Mary, born 27th May 1911; and Patrick Columba, born 9th Jun 1915. Sadly, on 30th Sept 1915 Mary died at the age of 4 from bronchial pneumonia after having been ill for a week. They were living at 19 Wellington Street at the time of her death. Patrick had already embarked for France in May, so he probably never saw his son and wasn't at home when his daughter died.

    With the outbreak of World War 1, Patrick re-enlisted into the 12th Lancers. He was 5ft 10, weighed 143lbs, chest 38 inches and had a fresh complexion with brown hair and blue eyes. He was posted with the 12th Lancers as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France. He embarked from Southampton on 23rd May and landed in Rouen a day later. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 28th October that year and then Corporal on 26th Feb 1916 as part of the 5th Squadron Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry). He was further promoted to Sergeant on 29th Jan 1917.

    Patrick was severely reprimanded by his Captain on 16th Mar 1917 for being drunk whilst on active service. He was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Dispatch of 7th Nov 1917 as someone who deserved a special mention in the Third Supplement of the London Gazette. This was not published until 21st Dec 1917. (Supplement 30445, pg 13473)

    The 5th MGC Cavalry took up positions in Bourlon Wood during the night of 26th/27th November as part of the Battle of Cambrai. These positions were heavily shelled on 28th of November 1917. Patrick, serving as a machine-gunner, died of wounds that day. He is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial at Louveral. On 16th Jan 1920 he was posthumously awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, and 1914/15 Star.

    He left behind 7 siblings (his brother James, my great-grandfather, having died in 1914), his parents Timothy and Sarah Daly, his wife Sarah Daly, and their son Patrick Columba Daly.

    Jason Thomas




    262479

    Pte. James Willie Dobson 5th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>Roll of Honour entry

    James Dobson was my grandfather, who enlisted in 1915. He survived the war. My father has a copy of the Roll of Honour, purchased in a used book shop many years ago. My grandfather's entry states that he fought at “many important battles, including Neuve Chapelle, St. Eloi, Vimy Ridge, and the Somme. He was badly gassed and after treatment returned to the line where he was wounded in action 4 times".

    I was told that his father, my great-grandfather, enlisted on the same day, and I have a copy of the enlistment register which gives his enlistment date as 6th of January 1915 in the West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Guy Dobson




    262476

    Pte. Arthur Kidd F Coy., 1st/23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.28th May 1915)

    Volunteering in February 1915, Arthur Kidd was quickly drafted to France and subsequently fought in several engagements. On May 28th of the same year, he was unfortunately killed in action at Loos. He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals.

    His parents were George William and Maria Elizabeth Kidd of 30, Bolingbroke Road, Battersea, London. “A valiant soldier with undaunted heart, he breasted life's last hill”

    Russell Edgecock




    262470

    Lt. Stephen Mark Crabtree 12th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Jun 1916)

    <p>Lt. Crabtree on a ship, heading for Egypt.

    Stephen Crabtree served with the 12th (Service) Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment.

    Steve before his commission.





    262467

    Pte. Alexander Petticrew 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Alexander Petticrew married my great-aunt May Lee in September 1914 and she had a son Eric Alexander born in March 1915. I don't think that Alexander ever got to meet his son before dying at the Somme on 11th of July 1916.

    Extract from the War Diary dated 11th of July 1916: 'The enemy launched two determined bombing attacks against our position at 3am and 9pm. Both attacks were repulsed, and our Lewis guns inflicted heavy losses on the enemy'.

    He left £12 9s 9d to his son, and his widow was awarded a War Gratuity of £11 0s 0d.





    262466

    L/Cpl. Thomas William Meath 2nd Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.20th August 1915)

    Thomas Meath, known as Bill was the son of Laurence Meath and Ellen Goble of Folkestone Kent. He was born on the 16th August 1891. He served in the 2nd Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment and in 1911 was with them in Vendala Barracks in Malta.

    He died on the 20th August 1915 in France and Flanders and is buried in Brewery Orchard Cemetery Bois-Grenier France.

    Terence Featherbe




    262462

    1Lt. John Alexander Sperry 22nd Aero Squadron

    My Grandfather, Jack Sperry, was a 1st Lieutenant flying a Spad XIII for the American 22nd Aero Squadron. On 4th of October 1918, he was shot down over northeast France, survived the crash, and was taken prisoner by the German Army. He wrote extensively of his capture, how he was treated and places he was held. He wrote of his journey through Metz, Longwry, Stenay and eventually being held for a period of time in a castle at Montmedy. Ultimately he ended up at a p.o.w. camp in Karlsruhe, Germany.





    262461

    Cdt. William Alexander Delap SS Brecknockshire

    My father, William Delap served from 1917 to November 1918, first as a cadet on SS Brecknockshire of the Royal Mail Steam Packet company when she was torpedoed off Brazil by the German raider SMS Mowe on 15th of February 1917, and then as a prisoner in a POW camp in Brandenburg, Germany until the end of the war. I have his diary, photo album, and post cards which give direct insight of what the men went through. He was only 18 at the time. He tells his story wonderfully himself in the little diary, which I have typed out. His name features in the "Index of British Fishermen and Merchant Seamen taken Prisoner of War 1914 to 1918" compiled by Marcus Bates in 2008.

    Fenella Delap




    262460

    Gnr. John Ramsey 26th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    John Ramsey was my great-grandfather, who married my great-grandmother in 1918 in Shrewsbury. He was in the Royal Garrison Artillery with the British Expeditionary Force but then transferred to a labour battalion, presumably because he had become injured.

    After the war, he left his family, which included 3 young children under the age of 4, in Shrewsbury as he 'could not cope with Shropshire life'. I believe he died during the Blitz, perhaps as a volunteer firefighter, but this is only a story from relatives who were alive at the time but are no longer with us.

    Mark Ramsey




    262459

    Pte. Daniel Morris Coldstream Guards

    I know Daniel Morris served in the Coldstream Guardss during WWI. I'm not sure about the 4th Battalion Pioneers, but I suspect this to be correct as he was a miner before the war.

    Keith Morris




    262455

    L/Bdr. Ernest Pickering B Bty. 70th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Ernest Pickering, born 1882 in Atherstone, Warwickshire joined the colours in 1901 with the 4th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifles Regiment and served in the 2nd Boer Campaign in South Africa. He earned the Orange Free State clasp and both 1901 and 1902 medals. He later transferred to the 2nd Battalion KRR, moving to India where he served for 6 years.

    In 1916, at age 35, he answered the call and re-enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery. He served in France and in April 1918, not long after returning from home leave, was killed in action at Arras. His memorial is at Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery in France.

    Michael Brooks




    262451

    Pte. Cecil Ernest Kirby 14th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.1st August 1917)

    Cecil Kirby was born in 1886, in Dundridge, (no address as there was only 5/6 houses) and was a railway worker on the LSRW. He became Pte Kirby in the 14th Battalion, (the 1st “Portsmouth Pals') Hampshire Regiment. He was obviously a volunteer in Kitchener's Army. After final training in Aldershot, he moved from Folkstone to France in May 2016. 14th (Service) Battalion (1st Portsmouth). Formed at Portsmouth on 3rd of September 1914 by the Mayor and a local Committee. Adopted by War Office on 30 May 1915. October 1915 they moved to Witley and came under orders of 116th Brigade in 39th Division. Landed at Le Havre 6th of March 1916.

    At the time of his enlisting, Cecil was living at 14 Somerset Rd. Portswood. Lucy R was living just down the road at Northlands Rd. Cecil had a sister, Rose, who I do remember as “Auntie Rose”, a lovely old lady, who, for our wedding present, gave us a large tin of tea.

    In 1915, probably after he joined up, Cecil (28 yrs) married Lucy Rose Purkiss,(nee Stone) a widow, aged 40. She was from Swanmore, so maybe childhood sweethearts? It was she who received the widow's pension thereafter.

    He probably took part in the Battle of the Somme. Portsmouth had two pals battalions that served on the Western Front. The 1st Pompey Pals, 14th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, was the first to go over the top. They led a brutal assault on German positions on 3rd of September 1916, just north of Hamel on the River Ancre, France. Of the 570 men who went into action that morning 457 became casualties, a vast majority of these being fatalities.

    Cecil Kirby must have survived that battle. As the Third Battle of Ypres, 1917, involving the 14th Battalion, started on 331st of July 1917, when the battalion had to attack the Geluvelt plateau. As part of the Battle of Pilkem Ridge. The Germans were well entrenched on higher ground than the attacking forces, and the weather was foul, driving rain, to add to the thick unmovable mud. The Germans hit hard with high explosive shelling and also used Mustard Gas.

    Cecil Kirby was killed on 1st of August 1917. He was one of 27,001 casualties, of which 3,697 were killed.





    262447

    Gnr. Alfred Ernest Fergus 325th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th July 1917)

    Alfred Fergus served with 325th Siege Battery RGA on the Western Front and was wounded in action, was treated by 91st Field Ambulance RAMC and died in hospital on the 26th of July 1917.





    262438

    CSM. Leo Widdop Sherwood Foresters

    Leo Widdop joined the Leeds Pals, 15th West Yorkshires in 1915/16. He then served with the Northumberland Fusiliers and the Sherwood Forester.

    One day, he and his batman went out to reconnoiter a German ammunition area at the Laventie front. The batman was killed and Leo was wounded in the head. He was captured and taken to the Limburg POW camp. According to Leo, he was operated on in the camp by German medical staff, and a metal plate was inserted into his head to replace missing skull fragments. The family have letters sent from his regiment's officers saying that he was lost and presumed dead. He was returned home in 1919.





    262432

    Pte. Clifford Henry Tyrrell 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.28th Jan 1917)

    Clifford Tyrrell came from Bungay and was married with three children. On 28th of January 1917, at the age of 33, he died of war wounds.

    John Tyrrell




    262430

    2nd Lt. Thomas Hargreaves 8th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>Sgt. Thomas Hargreaves, 1/9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment

    Thomas Hargreaves enlisted with his brother Harold Hargreaves in the 1/9th (Ashton Pals) Battalion, Manchester Regiment and sailed to Egypt in September 1914 as part of the 42nd Division. On 10th of May 1915, the battalion landed at Seddul Bahr during the Dardanelles campaign. Thomas was a sergeant in H Company of the battalion and on 24th of June 1915 was wounded by shrapnel from Turkish shelling whilst digging a communications trench. Several of Thomas's friends were killed or wounded, and he received wounds to the left hand.

    Thomas saw action at the Helles Bridgehead and the battle of Krithia Vineyard in Gallipoli in 1915. He was evacuated with the rest of the 42nd Division in December 1915 and, due to casualties reducing the division to a third of its strength, was tasked with defending the Suez Canal.

    In March 1917, the 1/9th Battalion landed at Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front. Thomas saw action at the battles of Passchendaele, Nieuport, and Cambrai. In January 1918, Thomas was transferred to the 8th Battalion, Manchester Regiment and commissioned to the rank of second lieutenant as part of the 126th (East Lancashire) Brigade. He was demobilised in March 1919. He was awarded the Victory Medal, the British War Medal, and the 1915 Star.

    Dave Dimelow




    262428

    Isaac Batchelor HMS Au Fait Royal Naval Reserve

    Isaac Batchelor was my great-grandfather, born in Lound, Suffolk in 1878. He was a fisherman on smacks out of Lowestoft and joined the RNR in 1914. He crewed an Admiralty drifter laying submarine nets off the Belgian coast. On 24th of April 1916, his vessel, the steam-driven screw ketch Au Fait (Admiralty No. 763), was sunk by German e-boats off Zeebrugge. He and his crew-mates were captured and taken to the port, processed, and sent as POWs to Giessen in Germany. He returned home early in 1919 and died in 1940.

    Nick Woods




    262424

    Pte. John Henry Tomlinson 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.15th Aug 1918)

    At the age of 27, John Tomlinson died from shrapnel wounds to his right shoulder.





    262423

    Pte. Robert Haswell 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Apr 1918)

    On 8th of April 1915, Robert Haswell enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. On 19th of April, his battalion left Newcastle railway station for France. On 21st of September 1916 and then again on 28th of September, he was wounded at Thiepval and Schwaben Redoubt, respectively. At some point, he transferred to the 9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment

    He died on 5th of April 1918 and is buried at Cambrin Military Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France.

    Susan Dearey




    262421

    Dicks HMS Observer

    <p>Dicks, HMS Observer, Royal Navy

    This image is amongst a collection of photos in my possession related to the Dicks family. Any information would be appreciated.

    Damian Cummings




    262415

    Gnr. Walter Thorpe B Bty. 75th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Walter Thorpe, B Bty., 75 Brigade, RFA_is at centre of photo with black moustache.

    My great-grandfather Walter Thorpe was gassed during WW1. We have a large photo of him in August 1919 as part of B Battery, 75th Brigade RFA, serving in the BAOR. Other than that, we are struggling to find more information about when he joined, if he joined originally as part of B Battery. I have managed to get hold of the 75th Brigade War Diaries but would be interested to know of anyone with personal war diaries.

    Ian Osborne




    262413

    Pte. Burton Chadderton 5th/6th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.8th Mar 1918)

    Burton Chadderton joined the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) on 31st of January 1915 at the age of 16 years. His grave is at the Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boezinge in Belgium. A small stone bearing his name was also erected close to a family grave at Hollinwood Cemetery, Oldham.

    His brother Leonard survived the war.

    Barbara Atkinson




    262412

    Pte. Leonard Chadderton Royal Army Service Corps

    My grandfather, Leonard Chadderton, hardly ever talked about his time spent during WW1. He did say that he had to break in horses for use by the cavalry. As the family had delivery horses prior to the war he was used to dealing with them. Another story was that in the desert they were playing leapfrog when the whole of the skin on the back of one service man was completely stripped off by another man jumping over him.

    His brother Burton Chadderton died in action on the 8th March 1918.

    Barbara Atkinson




    262411

    Pte. Joseph Bain 1/3rd (West Lancs) Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Prior to Joseph Bain joining up on the 5th of October 1915, he was a grocery assistant. After his death, I believe that he is named on the Menin Gate.

    Barbara Atkinson




    262409

    Pte. Harry Charles Robert Byford 11th Btn. Queens West Surrey Regiment

    Harry Byford was injured on 17th of September 1916, losing his left leg at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, which was part of the Battle of the Somme.

    Samantha Byford




    262408

    Drv. Thomas George Freeman Barker 228th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Thomas Freeman served in France and Flanders between 9th of July 1915 and 18th of August 1916. He was wounded in the shoulder and arm.

    Glen Barker




    262405

    Spr. Leo Patrick McAllister 506th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.30th Dec 1918)

    Leo McAllister was my great-uncle (my grandmother's brother). He was born in Gateshead, County Durham on 21st August 1889. At his birth and baptism he was registered as Patrick Leo McAllister, and is shown as Patrick L. McAllister, living with his mother and father, in the 1891, 1901, and 1911 Censuses. However, when he married his wife Matilda Ann Wood on 21st April 1912, his name is given as Leo P. McAllister. All of the documents about his military service show him as Leo Patrick McAllister. He died in Greece right after the end of WW1.

    Jim Murphy




    262395

    Pte. Hugh Barber 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    Hugh Barber was my great-grandfather. Before the war, he played for Manchester City. A gunshot to his leg during the war prevented him playing again. After the war, he ran his own successful business in Broadheath and donated a large sum of money to war veterans.

    John Barber




    262388

    Rflman. Joseph Eakins 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.6th Sept 1916)

    Joseph Eakins was born 30th August 1872 in Kingstown, Dublin. This would make him 45 and relatively old considering the age of his comrades. He had one brother, my Great Gandfather. At some point he moved to Belfast where I believe he married and had a family. He died on 6th September 1916 and is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial, France.

    V. Smith




    262383

    Pte. James Clarkson 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>James Clarkson, 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment

    James Clarkson died on 1st of July 1916 near Fricourt during the opening of the Battle of the Somme. He was a stretcher-bearer or ambulance driver. He was 35 years old when he was killed, and his body was never recovered. His name is inscribed on the Thiepval Monument. His wife Bertha and two children lived in Leeds. His wife received his pay (a couple of pounds and a few shillings) after his death.

    Andrew Barnes




    262379

    Pte. Horace Walter "Jack" Lucas B Coy., 7th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.16th Oct 1918)

    Horace Lucas was my great-uncle. He died at age 26 leaving a wife, Ethel Rose Lucas, with a young child. I would like to find out more. I have letters from the Wiltshire Regiment to his mother.

    Rosie Douglas




    262378

    2nd Lt. Kenneth Hinde 5th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.3rd Feb 1917)

    Kenneth Hinde served initially with the 61st Field Ambulance, RAMC and was wounded during February 1916 in the Ypres salient. On 21st of November 1916, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the King's Own. At age 21, he was killed by enemy artillery fire on 3rd of February 1917.

    Geoffrey Cuthill




    262376

    Pte. James Crosby 44th Company Machine Gun Corps

    James Crosby served on the Western Front with 44th Coy. MGC

    L I Kirkpatrick




    262371

    John Rice 3rd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.5th July 1916)

    My great uncle, John Rice, is buried in Puchevillers Cemetery Somme France.

    Married to Sarah of Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool.

    Terry Rice




    262365

    Pte. Myles McDonnell 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    <p>Myles, wife Margaret and his family

    Myles McDonnell was born in 1882 in Dublin, Ireland. He was the eldest son of Peter and Catherine McDonnell. In the 1901 Irish Census, when he was 18, he was recorded as living with his parents at 38a Francis Street in Merchants Quay District, Dublin along with his sisters Mary (21), Christina (6), and brothers Andrew (13) and Daniel (9). He married Margaret O’Brien on 4th January 1902 at St. Johns Church, Clontarf, Dublin. Their daughter Jane was born in 1903 in Dublin. Between 1905 and 1911, he and his family immigrated to England and settled in Bootle, Liverpool. In the 1911 census in England he can be found living with his family in 67 Boreland Street (off Marsh Lane), Bootle. He was employed as a dock labourer after working as a pavour in Dublin. 3 more children followed his arrival from Dublin, Peter born in 1912, Kate born in 1914, and Margaret born in 1917.

    During the war, Myles moved to 17 Police Street Altrincham, Cheshire, working in the Ammonia and Soda works at Lostock Gralam, Northwich, Cheshire. The company produced salt, ammonia soda, sulphuric acid, and ammonia nitrate for the Ministry. This meant he was a protected worker and had an exemption certificate, Number 4207. However, in January or February of 1918 he left the Soda works and took up employment with Manchester Council Waterworks as a boiler attendant (fireman). Subsequently, this meant that his exemption certificate was withdrawn, and he was conscripted into the army at Chester on 29th of April 1918, joining the 14th South Lancashire Regiment.

    On the 11th June 1918, he was transferred to 3rd South Lancashire Regiment, retaining his regimental number. On the 1st October, he was posted to France. After arrival in France, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment with a new regimental number of 68233.

    In the early hours of 23rd of October 1918, he was killed in action during the Battle of the Selle, when his company was tasked with the objective of taking the German held village of Beaurain, just north of Le Cateau. He is buried in Amerval Communal Cemetery Extension, Solesmes, France.

    Myles McDonald




    262351

    Bmbdr. Matthew Hutchinson 157th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    On 3rd of February 1919 Matthew Hutchinson's next of kin address was Gateshead, when he was discharged as "No longer fit for war service". He had enlisted on 13th of January 1916. In a report dated 22nd May 1918, he was entitled to wear a wound stripe, he was awarded Siver war badge No. B105569.

    Andrew Wheeler




    262346

    Lt. William Frank Treharne James 24 Squadron

    My Grandfather, William James, was a pilot with 24 Squadron. He joined the Squadron on the 24th of November 1916. He was shot down on 5th of January 1917. He crash landed in No Man's Land between Sailley-Sallisel and Bouchavesnes, France.

    He was rescued and admitted on the 8th of January 1917 to No.14 General Hospital with gun shot wounds to his buttock. On the 17th of March 1917 he was recorded as dangerously ill Casualty No E7813 I am aware he had gangrene and his left leg was removed just below the hip. On the 20th of April 1917 he was sent to England on the Hospital Ship St Denis He survived the war minus a left leg.

    Mark C Phillips




    262343

    F. Oldershaw 9th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    A WWI revolver Smith & Wesson Triple Lock .455 inscribed "F. W. Oldershaw 9th Lincolns" was recently sold.

    Martin Mirwald




    262342

    Pte. Archibald Frederick Patterson Canterbury Infantry Battalion, 2nd Company New Zealand Infantry Brigade (d.30 May 1915)

    <p>Fred Patterson

    Archibald Patterson was a Private in the Canterbury Infantry Battalion, 2nd Company. He died from wounds received in action at Gallipoli in late May 1915.

    The older brother of my grandfather, Fred enlisted age 26 on 17th of August 1914, in Timaru. His parents were from Dannevirke in the Hawkes Bay. He went ashore with the 2nd Company on 25th of April 1915 and was involved in action at Walker's Ridge, Cape Helles and Quinn’s Post. His Casualty Form—Active Service says he was wounded by gunshot to the abdomen on 29th of May 1915 near Quinn's Post. The next day he was admitted to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station.

    He died on 13th of June 1915 and is buried at Beach Cemetery, above ANZAC Cove.

    Roger Patterson




    262337

    L/Cpl. Ernest V. Evans 6th Btn. Warwickshire Regiment

    Ernest Evans was hospitalized for treatment of influenza from 24th to 29th of March 1916.





    262333

    Lt Col. William Berkeley Wallace 1st Batallion Suffolk Regiment

    <p>Col W B Wallace his wife inset.

    When the 1914-1918 war broke out my grandfather, Lt. Col William Wallace, went to France with his unit, the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

    The Suffolk Regiment, and my grandfather, soon became embroiled in the Second Battle of Ypres, in April/May 1915. This was one of the few major offensives launched by the Imperial German Army and during this attack poison gas was used for the first time in modern warfare. With no gas masks, soldiers were told to urinate on pieces of rag and to hold them over their faces to prevent the inhaling of the poisonous fumes!

    For a time my grandfather was in command of a detachment of two battalions in the battle of St Julien in April 1915. Later, in May, he defended Frezenberg Ridge as part of this battle. It was not the gas but the failure of a neighbouring unit to hold its position which left my grandfather’s detachment exposed on one side, of which the Germans took advantage. Grandfather, seeing that he was surrounded decided to save lives and surrender, but not before he had shared out all his cigars among his men so that they did not fall into the hands of the enemy. It is said that when the Germans overran his trench it was shrouded in cigar smoke!

    My grandfather, then 49, spent the rest of the war as a prisoner until repatriated after the armistice in 1918.

    Francis Howard




    262332

    Bmdr. John Robert Jones 281st Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Gun crew

    John Jones saw service throughout the War in 281 Brigade, 56th (London) Division until the 1st Battle of Arras in 1918 when his gun was hit on 28th March. He spent 2 days on the battlefield and it seems he was found on 30th March and attended 54th General Hospital at Aubengue Hospital for shell shock and then returned to England for convalescence and then posted to the 5th Reserve Brigade.

    The story handed down was that his artillery gun was hit and he was the only one to have survived, he then carried the attached photo of his gun crew in his breast pocket for the rest of the war. However I can find no record of 5 or 6 same day casualties from A battery around that time, but I have reason to believe A battery was posted alongside 109 battery and CWGC records show a group of fatalities from 109 battery on that day. Is it possible that as the Bombardier he was more mobile and close to 109 battery? Or, could he have been transferred to 109 battery at short notice (there are no military records of an official transfer that I can find).

    The attached photo is believed to have been taken just before Cambrai in Nov 1917, and I am 99% sure this is his A battery gun crew. If anybody should recognise any of these men as having survived the war, then it would add weight to my theory regarding 109 battery.

    John Robert Jones had 5 children after the war, including my mother, and one of whom was part of the British 1948 Olympic team. Sadly, he had a troubled life after the war, never recovered from his injuries, and died in 1936. John Robert Jones was my grandfather.

    Chris Reynolds




    262330

    Pte. George William Johnson 8th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.11th April 1917)

    <p>

    George Johnson was the fifth child of nine children, three boys and 6 girls. He was born on the 18th March 1896, to John Bradney Johnson and Mary Ann Johnson. He lived with his parents and siblings at 45 Fairclough Lane, Edge Hill, Liverpool. His father owned a sweet shop/tobacconists and a hairdressers shop. Prior to joining the army his occupation was a porter.

    He joined the Army in June 1915 at Birkenhead Recruiting Office. He was 19 years and 98 days old. He served with the 8th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment until his death on the 11th April 1917 at the age of 21 years. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial.

    Susan Griffiths




    262321

    A/Cpl Harry "Bluffer" Ide 11th (1st South Down) Battalion Sussex Regiment (d.24th September 1917)

    Harry "Bluffer" Ide was my father's grandfather, so my great grandfather. He died at the battle of Menin Ridge Road having been made acting corporal.

    It is believed that he knew the poet Edmund Blunden, and that the "bluffer" referred to in the poem Pill Box is Harry Ide, although I cannot confirm this as fact.

    I have an image of Harry that I will send via email.

    Gillian Ide




    262320

    Pte Henry Langdale East Yorkshire Regiment

    Henry Langdale worked as a railway porter before the war. He enlisted in November 1914 as one of the first men to attest in the Hull Pals. He was wounded more than once and spent time in hospital, recovering. Eventually, he was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps where he was severely wounded, and thus died a few years later.

    Melissa Dennison




    262319

    Kenneth Ivan Mitchell Princess Patricias Light Infantry

    We have a diary written by my grandfather, Kenneth Mitchell during the war, where he describes the hospital and tells with great description, an air raid in Richmond Park. We also have an official photograph taken in the hospital of a ward and its patients at Christmas time. There was also a member of the aristrocracy (a Lord?) who would come to scribe and write letters for the patients to their families. As my grandfather had had his arm amputated (injured in Passchendale), there is a personal letter from this gentleman to my great-grandmother informing her that my grandfather had had his arm amputated. I believe that this letter is written on stationery with the official letterhead of the hospital. We have the original letter still. Several years ago, as the paper in the diary is disintegrating, my mother transcribed the diary and typed it out.

    Jacqueline Fierstein




    262315

    Pte Hibbert James Swim 85th Battalion Nova Scotia (d.7th Nov 1911)

    • Hibbert was a fireman in N.S. by vocation
    • Enlisted April 15, 1916
    • Sailed from Halifax N.S. to Liverpool England on SS Olympic Oct 12-18, 1916
    • Transferred to 85th Battalion Witley Dec 12, 1916
    • Arrived in Harvre, France March 17, 1917
    • Wounded at Lens 22/8/1917 gun shot would right leg
    • Discharged to service from #22 General Hospital Camiers Sept 1, 1917
    • Wounded at Passchendaele Oct 30, 1917, shrapnel wound to chest, burns on right leg
    • Died of wounds received in action Nov 7, 1917 at #2 Casualty Clearing Hospital

    David Donovan




    262314

    Pte John William Bryning 17th (British Empire League) Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.18 November 1917)

    John was in the 17th Kings Royal Rifle Corps on the 18th November 1917 the 17th relieved the 16th Rifle Brigade at the Polderhoeke Sector. He was killed by German shell fire or by a sniper. His body was never found but his name is on a wall at Tyne Cot.

    Hazel Mitchell




    262303

    CSM. Samuel Keen 9th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.25th Jan 1917)

    He died during the Battle of Kut al-Amara in Iraq and is commemorated at the Basra Memorial.





    262299

    Capt. Benjamin Buss 1/5th Btn. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>262299_Capt. Benjamin Buss_1/5th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)

    Capt. Buss died in 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, London after an operation to remove shrapnel from a head wound sustained in action. He was buried in St. Margaret's Churchyard, Horsmonden, Kent.

    His story can be found in the British Newspaper Archives, Kent & Sussex Courier, issue Friday 15th November 1918. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000483/19181115/014/0003 (membership is required to view).

    Lionel Burgess




    262297

    Cpl. Herbert Fullerton Baker MM 16th Btn. London Regiment (d.30th Apr 1918)

    One of 18 children, Cpl. Baker was born in 1884 and lived in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. He won the Military Medal for courage and determination when leading his section toward capturing the enemy trench.

    Charlie Owen




    262292

    Pte. Arthur Massheder 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own) (d.22th Aug 1915)

    My grandfather, Private Arthur Massheder, was a groomsman who worked at Harewood House, Harrogate and Kensington Palace, London for the Duke of Connaught. He served in 9th Btn West Yorkshire (Prince of Wales' Own) and was killed on 22 August 1915 in the battle for Gallipoli. He is commemorated at the Helles Memorial, Turkey. Cemetery/memorial reference: Panel 47 to 51.

    Stewart Masheder




    262286

    Sgt Thomas "Squeak" Walsh MID Q Anti Aircraft Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Army career of Thomas Walsh, Royal Garrison Artillery

    Part 1

    From a very early age, I grew up with a few snippets of stories of my grandfather’s involvement in the Great War told to me by my Mother.

    Both my Brother Terence and I had a great interest it military history as teenagers. One of our favourite hobbies was building air fix models of tanks and equipment and staging war games with toy soldiers that went on for days sometimes.

    Little did we know that on our mother’s side we had an undiscovered history of military men going back to my grandfather and great uncles.

    On our mother's side, we had four close relatives who fought in the Great War. It was only much later in life that I decided to research my grandfather’s First World War service. I had with very little to go on except a few snippets from my mother.

    With no detailed information, I considered it a lost cause, particularly when our mother told me that her sister Rose tried to get information about him. She had visited various military museums in London back in the 70's without success.

    In addition, it was also quite common for veterans who returned not to speak about the war and even more so, for men who returned to Ireland given the volatile political situation here at the time.

    There were various stories of events from relatives.

    • ” He was gassed”
    • “Mentioned in Dispatches”
    • “His gun was hit and he was buried in a trench”
    • “The only good German was a dead German.

    It was at Aunty Jeanes’s funeral that my cousin Maria informed me that her dad, John, had his medals and his number, rank and unit were inscribed on the rim of three medals. This was the breakthrough I had being waiting for.

    With help and assistance from members of the Great War Forum (a web site dedicated to helping people discover the British Army and its soldiers of the First World War) and a subscription to Ancestry I was ready to start my research.

    Luckily, his service record survived the Blitz in 1940/1, which gave me an insight to his war service and lead me on a trial of discovery. Having dissected his army record and various Trench Mortar Batteries he was assigned to, you can see he was very much in the front line trenches in late 1914 and early 1915 in the Ypres Salient.

    This action brought him in contact with various infantry battalions who were under constant fire from German mortars and gunfire. He suffered the same terrible conditions that front line troops endured, such as trench foot and trench fever.

    By patiently researching regimental histories and battalion war diaries, and cross-referencing family anecdotage, I was able to piece together his military footsteps

    There were three medals awarded to him: The British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal, awarded to all who served in the Great War. He was also awarded the 1914–Mons Star, awarded to those who served between 5th Aug.–22nd Nov. 1914. He was Mentioned in Dispatches in April 1917 at the Battle of Arras and received the Oak Leaf to wear on his Victory medal.

    Army Career of Sergeant Thomas Walsh 30315 Royal Garrison Artillery

    The first part will include a nonprofessional’s easy to understand approach to his Army service starting from when he joined the British Army until he was demobbed after 12 years’ service in 1919. He served out the remainder of his career on the Army B list reserve in Ireland.

    The second part covers his military career, covering uniforms, war diaries, equipment, awards and casualty details and various events that took place while he was serving in the British Expeditionary Force from 1908-1920.

    This is his story and I hope you will find it interesting and feel free to add any information you have, so I can make the history as complete as possible.

    Thomas Walsh was born in the town of Donard in 1886. While he was 22 years of age in 1908 and working as a coachman for Doctor Louis Crinion in Kildare, he decided to join the British Army and see the world.

    On the 4th of December 1908 he signed on at the recruitment centre in Nass Co Kildare in the Royal Artillery for a period of twelve years, he was given an enlistment number 30315, later to be renamed the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was passed fit after a medical examination and enlisted as Gunner Walsh Royal Regiment of Artillery (later know as Royal Garrison Artillery). On his enlistment form he gives his age as 22 and 2 months, height is 5 feet 8 inches with a fresh complexion with hazel eyes and dark brown hair.

    He was posted to the 3rd Depot RGA. on the 29th August 1909, and received initial training. He left from Falmouth England for service abroad and arrived in Colombo, Ceylon 30 days later on the 30th September 1909.

    During his training in Colombo, he met with an accident while training with the gun crew. His commanding officer wrote, “Gunner Walsh was employed on armament work at the time a piece of skidding fell on his big toe, he was not to blame”

    During the period from September 1909 to 21 December 1912 he suffered from a number of incidents such as a boil, an injury to his left foot and his elbow and a bout of malaria which he was hospitalised for 3 months, was given quinine and recovered and put on weight.

    He was awarded a good conduct badge and his commander officer noted him as a “sober reliable and hardworking soldier, he has some knowledge of driving and horses”.

    In December 1912 after 3 years in Ceylon now (Sri Lanka) his unit was shipped home and posted to Spike Island in Co Cork Ireland

    Gunner Walsh passed the Gun Layer proficiency exam on the 22 May 1914 at training Camp. He was the no 3 on the Gun; the gun layer got onto the aiming point, laid the gun and actually fired it. To be a qualified gun layer would have involved taking a test, usually against the clock, laying the gun accurately on different bearings. Qualification would have meant a slight pay increase.

    Britain declares war on Germany 4th August 1914

    The German Army had invaded Belgium in order to invade France, and Britain was committed to defending plucky little Belgium. Following the outbreak of The Great war Thomas Walsh was posted to the 114th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery and crossed to France with his battery landing at Le Havre on the 4th of October 1914. Heavy RGA Batteries were equipped with heavy guns, sending large calibre high explosive shells in flat trajectory fire. The usual armaments were 60 pounders (5 inch) guns, although some had obsolescent 5-inch howitzers.

    After a long march, under airplane fire, they arrived at a position near La Bassée. (La Bassée lies in France, southwest of Lille and about ten miles from the Belgian border). Here in the autumn of 1914 was fought one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War. His gun battery first came into action on the 31st of October 1914 and were complemented on their work by General Plummer. Gunner Walsh’s battery was responsible for putting a large German gun out of action at a range of 10,400 yards.

    On the 2nd of November 1914, his battery was near Festubert. (The village of Festubert is a small French village located in the north of France) when it came under heavy German counter battery fire. His Lieutenant Charles Pierson was supervising the men into cover when a shell exploded between him and Battery Sergeant Major John Marks Gilbert, killing them both instantly. Lieut. Pierson was buried near the spot where he died. His wife received the following telegram dated the 5th of November 1914: -

    "Deeply regret to inform you that Lieut. C.F.L. Pierson RGA was killed in action 2nd Nov. Lord Kitchener expresses his sympathy."

    Gunner Walsh’s Division was amalagated with The Meerut Division (Indian Division) they were involved in the infamous 1914 Christmas Truce. Gunner Walsh was stationed with them in Richebourg L’Avoué the village of Richebourg-L'Avoué is in northern France.

    On the 26th December 1914 he was admitted to hospital, No 12 in Rouen suffering from nephritis (Trench Fever). On the 4th January 1915 he was transferred to a hospital in England (location unknown)

    By the end of 1914, the Allies and the Germans had established themselves in a line of trenches running from the Channel to the French-Swiss border. Until March 1915, artillery exchanges, sniping and mining operations were the main activities on the British Expeditionary Force’s (BEF) front. As both sides settled down for the first winter of the war, the weather proved harder to contend with than the enemy in some sectors. Artillery bombardment rapidly destroyed trenches, which had been built quickly and tended to be simple affairs. The bad weather and the destruction of pre-war drainage ditches also led to widespread flooding. However, no matter how cold or wet they were, the soldiers had to remain in the line.

    From the 6th January to the 7 March 1915, he was posted to a Trench Howitzer School at a base somewhere in the UK. He was trained in the use of a trench mortar. A mortar is cannon with a short barrel that fires shells in a high, arcing path. This allows the shells to travel over obstacles to hit a target. They were used in trench warfare, where they could be fired from inside a trench.

    Inevitably, mortar positions rapidly came under fire from enemy artillery once their presence was detected. For this reason, they were unpopular when sited among a given group of infantrymen, for it almost guaranteed a busy time along the trench.

    On the 8th March 1915, he returned back to France via Le Harve and on the 13th March was posted to the 22nd Trench Howitzer Battery in Zillebeke to prepare for the Second Battle of Ypres.

    Extract from War Diary 22nd Trench Mortar Battery early 1915

    Left Headquarters' Trench Mortar Howitzer School Berthen 14/2/1915, joining 28th Division in Action at Zonnebleke until 25/4/1915. In Action at Zillekebe 27/04/1915.

    On the 10th May 1915 Gunner Walsh was admitted to the 3rd Stationery Hospital in Rouen suffering from Myalgia. (Trench Fever)

    The stories of him being gassed, extract from War Dairy 22nd TMB 24th May 1915

    24th May 1915 gas released at daybreak by enemy causing Royal Irish to retire and there was nothing for it but for gun detachments I NCO and 11 men to do the same. The guns were brought out of action owing to the men all being effected by the gas.

    The above confirms that Gunner Walsh’s Mortar Battery was affected by the gas and had to leave the field. Coincidently (Joseph Cavanagh my great uncle) was with the Royal Irish Regiment and was wounded in the right arm on the same day 24 May 1915 near Shell Trap Farm later named Mouse Trap Farm

    On the 12th June 1915, he was posted to the Trench Howitzer School 2nd Army in Berthen France while still attached to the 22nd Trench Mortar Battery.

    Gunner Walsh was in the front line trench 80 yards from the German front line. He was operating one of these mortar guns, arrowed blue. This was an attack on the German trenches on the 6th July 1915 at Boesinghe in the Pilkem Sector. The map below was from the 22nd Trench mortar battery

    In July 1915 20 TMB (1.5" mortars), 26 TMB (1.5" mortars) and 30 TMB (2" mortars) were all serving with Second Army in the Ypres sector By August they had been attached to 46, 6 and 12 Divisions respectively.

    9th August 1915 Gunner Walsh was transferred to the 42nd Trench Howitzer Battery.

    He returns back to the Trench Howitzer School on the 25th August 1915 at Berthen Howitzer School France for further training and at this time the new Stokes Mortar was been tested. Subsequently he was posted to 32nd Trench Howitzer Battery 5th September 1915 (War Diary gives details of engagements.) separate document

    Another bout of trench fever on November 12, 1915 and he was admitted to 10th Casualty Clearing Station at Hazebrouck Siding France and then on to a Hospital in England on board HS Troup Ship Anglia on the 16th November 1917. The following day on the 17 November 1915, the Anglia was returning from Calais to Dover, carrying 390 injured officers and soldiers.

    At around 12:30 pm, 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) east of Folkestone Gate, HMHS Anglia struck a mine laid by the German U-boat, UC-5 and sank in fifteen minutes. 134 people died in the sinking. A lucky escape for Gunner Walsh.

    When he recovered from his sickness, he was posted to Shoeburyness on the South Coast of England in Essex, home to the Royal Artillery and Gunnery Schools. The newest addition was an Anti-Aircraft gunnery school. There he practised firing at Air Balloons over the sea.

    22nd Trench Mortar Battery war diary 6, 7 , 8 July 1915 Boesingne.E. Pilkem Sector

    Gunner Walsh was promoted to Bombardier on the 16 March 1916 while training at Shoeburyness artillery range. Also at Shoeburyness, war dogs were trained to return from an unknown position back to their kennels and taken further away from home each time. They were also taken to the gun batteries daily in order to become accustomed to the sound of gunfire.

    The dogs were trained to relate to the firing of guns with food, so that the association would propel the dog to complete a message, run as fast as possible to receive their rations when they had finished. Terrier dogs were mainly used for this work and he may have got to like the Irish terrier, which he would breed and show after the war in the 1920s

    6th April 1916: HM King George V visited Old and New Ranges at Shoeburyness

    There are no war diaries for the period 1916-1918 for his AA battery so his army record such as promotions, illness and transfers and events cannot be traced

    Bombardier Walsh remained in Shoeburyness until 25th April 1916 to prepare for the battle of the Somme offensive. He left Southampton for France on the 26 April 1916 with the 71st Anti-Aircraft Section.

    27th April 1916 Bombardier Walsh was posted to 67th Anti-Aircraft Section (somewhere in France). In May 1916, he was admitted to Hospital with a high fever for 5 days.

    On re-organisation of the various AA Units in November 1916, his battery became “Q” AA Battery Fifth Army 15 Anti-Aircraft Section `Q' Battery. In addition, it remained so until the end of the War.

    Bombardier Walsh was promoted to Corporal on the 10th March 1917. He was appointed Acting Sergeant on the 9th of July 1917. Confirmed Sergeant on the 27 July 1917.

    He was discharged for Army Reserve 3rd December 1920 after serving 12 years.

    Sergeant Walsh was in action at Cambrai in 1917

    Battle of Cambria November 1917

    The preparations for the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917 were novel in many respects. For the first time, an air defence plan was an integral part of the overall scheme of attack. 7 AA Batteries were allotted to the front that was to be assaulted, and their covering fire swept up to 3500 yards ahead of the British line. 2 gun sections were made ready to follow up the advance.

    With guns that had not been designed for the purpose and appropriate equipment late in being developed, the AA was perhaps more of a deterrent than an actually effective weapon. The complexities of deflection firing, weather conditions, target fixing, variable gun condition, etc. made for a very difficult operation. Training was all too brief, and methods experimental. Most of the gun Sections arrived in the field of battle without having fired a live shot. One source says that for example, in the busy week ending 27 April 1918, a total of 10 enemy aircraft were shot down and another 5 damaged, of a total of 2039 engaged.

    End of the War

    Soldiers of the regular army who were still serving their normal period of colour service remained in the army until their years were completed.

    On arrival in England, the man would move to a Dispersal Centre. This was a hutted or tented camp or barracks. Here he received a Z3, Z11 or Z12 Protection Certificate and a railway warrant or ticket to his home station. This certificate enabled the man to receive medical attention if necessary during his final leave.

    As long as the Military Service Act was enforced, all men who were liable for service under the Act who were not remaining with the colours in the regular army; or who had not been permanently discharged; or who were not on a Special Reserve or Territorial Force Reserve engagement were discharged into Class Z Army Reserve and liable to recall in the event of a grave national emergency. The man’s designated place of re-joining was shown on his Protection Certificate and Certificate of Final Demobilisation.

    He spent 2 years and 151 days in France with his Battery before he obtained 10 days leave. Anti- Aircraft Sections Royal Garrison Artillery were equipped with two guns, usually of 3-inch calibre

    The Section consisted of 43 men in total: 2 officers, two gun detachments of 12 men each (of which 1 in each was a Driver of the ASC), 2 telephonists, 1 linesman, 4 height finders, 4 Wilson-Dalby Detector Operators, 2 Height and Fuze Indicator men, 1 Order Board Setter, 1 Lookout man (Air sentry), 1 orderly and 1 cook.

    All RGA unless indicated. Gun layer Royal Garrison Artillery. The Gun layer takes aim

    Tom Walsh’s British army career

    Highlighted years he spent fighting in Belgium/France.

    • 4 December 1908 29 September 1908 Home Training England
    • 30 September 1908 21 December 1912 Ceylon
    • 22 December 1912 3 October 1914 Spike Island Cork
    • 4th October 1914 5 January 1915 France BEF
    • 6 January 1915 7 March 1915 Home Training England
    • 8 March 1915 15 November 1915 France BEF
    • 16 November 1915 15 April 1916 Home Training School
    • 16 April 1916 14 September 1918 France BEF
    • 15 September 1918 28 September 1918 Leave
    • 29 September 1918 19 January 1919 France BEF
    • 20 January 1919 17 February 1920 Home BEF
    • 18 February 1920 3 December 1920 Home Army Reserve

    Discharged for Army Reserve 3rd December 1920 after serving 12 years. Pay rates for Artillery Soldiers Royal Garrison Artillery plus Armament Pay

    • Lieutenant-Colonel 24s 6d 5s 0d
    • Major 16s 0d 3s 6d
    • Captain 13s 6d 2s 0d
    • Lieutenant 9s 6d 1s 0d
    • Second Lieutenant 8s 6d *1s 0d
    • Quartermaster 10s 6d 0s 0d

    * payable only if certified by Commanding Officer with regard to the

    • Second Lieutenant’s technical efficiency
    • Sergeant *3s 2d 3s 2d
    • Corporal *2s 6d 2s 6d
    • Bombardier *2s 3d 2s 3d
    • Gunner **1s 2.5d 1s 2.5d

    Medals Awarded to Thomas Walsh RGA 30315

    • The 1914 Star

    Established in April 1917. Also known as 'Pip' or the 'Mons Star'.

    King George V authorized this bronze medal award in April 1917 for those who had served in France or Belgium between 5th August 1914 to midnight on 22nd November 1914 inclusive. The award was open to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces, doctors and nurses as well as Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Navy Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who served ashore with the Royal Naval Division in France or Belgium.

    A narrow horizontal bronze clasp sewn onto the ribbon, bearing the dates '5th AUG. - 22nd NOV. 1914' shows that the recipient had actually served under fire of the enemy during that period. For every seven medals issued without a clasp there were approximately five issued with the clasp.

    Recipients who received the medal with the clasp were also entitled to attach a small silver heraldic rose to the ribbon when just the ribbon was being worn.

    The reverse is plain with the recipient's service number, rank, name and unit impressed on it. It should be remembered that recipients of this medal were responsible for assisting the French to hold back the German army while new recruits could be trained and equipped. Collectively, they fully deserve a great deal of honour for their part in the first sixteen weeks of the Great War. This included the battle of Mons, the retreat to the Seine, the battles of Le Chateau, the Marne, the Aisne and the first battle of Ypres. There were approximately 378,000 1914 Stars issued.

    • The British War Medal, 1914-18 Established on 26th July 1919.

    Also known as 'Squeak'.

    The silver or bronze medal was awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920.

    Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V.

    The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

    • The Allied Victory Medal

    Also known as 'Wilfred'

    It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory.

    Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of ‘Pip’ received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'.

    The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

    • Mentioned in Dispatches (M.I.D.)

    Tom Walsh was Mentioned in Dispatches in April 1917 (Battle of Arras) for rescuing his commandeering office in no man’s land after the gun was hit

    “Mentioned in Despatches” is not an award of a medal, but as a commendation of an act of gallantry, it is included in this listing. To be “Mentioned in Despatches” is when an individual is mentioned by name and commended for having carried out a noteworthy act of gallantry or service. A Despatch is an official report written by the senior commander of an army in the field. It would give details of the conduct of the military operations being carried out. From the time of the Boer War, the Dispatches were published in the London Gazette in full or in part. Winston Churchill (Morning Post, 6th October 1898) (4) used the phrase “Mentioned in Dispatches” for the first time in a newspaper article.

    An individual could be Mentioned in Despatches more than once. As with the Victoria Cross, this commendation for an act of gallantry could be made posthumously.

    In 1919, Army Order 166/1919 confirmed that individuals “Mentioned in Despatches” would receive a certificate. This included personnel of the British Navy, Army and Air Force, and Indian Dominion, Colonial, Egyptian Forces and members of the Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A. and British civilian is male and female.

    In 1920 Army Order 3/1920 authorized the issue of an emblem to signify that an individual had been “Mentioned in Despatches” between 4th August 1914 and 10th August 1920. A bronze oak leaf was issued and could be worn on the ribbon of the British Victory Medal.

    Gun Layers Badge worn on the Right shoulder sleeve

    Gerry Donnelly




    262285

    LBDR Frederick Charles Suffling C/275th Brigade, 55th West Lancashire Division Royal Field Artillery Royal Field Artillery (d.28th August 1919)

    <p>

    Frederick Charles Suffling joined the Territorials in London in 1915 and was transferred to the 55th Division in Kent for training as a gunner.

    He was posted to France c. May 1915 to the newly re-formed 55th Division, and served in the field until late September 1918. During that time, he fought in the Battle of the Somme (1916), the Battle of Messines Ridge (1917), the Third Battle of Ypres (1917) and the Battle of the Lys (1918).

    In March 1919 Fred was notified that he had been awarded the Croix de Virtute Militara (a gallantry award made by King Carol of Romania), which was gazetted in September 1919. Unfortunately, Fred did not receive the award in person as he died on 28th of August 1919 and the medal was not posted until April 1920.

    I have been trying to find out the reason that the award was made but so far have not been successful.

    Pamela Suffling




    262278

    Pte. George James Gordon Hill 7th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.31st Mar 1917)

    George Hill serve with the 7th Somerset Light Infatry. I am researching him for the Teign Heritage WW1 website.

    Geoffrey Wood




    262277

    Sgt. William Lanaster Taylor 19th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    William Taylor served with the 19th Manchester Regiment.

    Brad Deem




    262273

    AB. Albert Arthur Sumner HMS Theseus

    Albert was born in 1874 and joined the Royal Navy in 1892 aged 18, serving on the Impregnable. The first record I have so far is him serving on on the Ganges in 1908 and according to the records he served on various ships until 1919 by which time he would have been 45. His first Seaman's record says he joins the RFR in 1914 but there does not appear to be a break in his Naval Service.He earned the Star, Victory, BWM medals

    This is a list of ships leading up to and during WW1 but there were many before

    • HMS Ganges 2 1908-1910
    • HMS Africa 1910-1912
    • HMS London 1912-1914
    • HMS Pembroke 1914
    • ? 1914- 1915
    • HMS Theseus 1915-1918
    • HMS Pembroke 2 1918-1919

    Albert left and either owned or rented a house in Brixton, London that was sublet to other families as well as himself. One of the families was mine as Albert lived with my Gt Grandmother Sarah White nee Martin until she died in 1922, on her death she is listed as Cissie Sumner. Sarah's daughter Florence, her husband Jesse Heat and their young family lived with Albert until he died in 1936.

    Rowena Christodoulou




    262270

    Pte. John Henry Roberts 2/4th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment (d.29th Sep 1918)

    John Roberts was born on Tuesday 28th July 1891 at 294, Queen Street, Swinton in the Borough of Rotherham. He was one of 11 children born to Henry Leach Roberts and Jane Roberts. Census records indicate that 9 of these children died and that the only other survivor was a sister, Susannah, who was about 8 years John Henry's junior. John left school to become a miner at Thrybergh Hall Colliery where he worked as a trammer (a trammer loaded rocks or coal into four-wheeled barrows known as trams).

    On Thursday 28th of May 1915, at the age of 23 years and 10 months, he signed up for war service with the York and Lancaster Regiment at their depot in Pontefract. He was posted immediately to Sunderland to engage in coastal protection duties. Sunderland was an industrial town noted, among other things, for shipbuilding and was a target for enemy action.

    It seems he met his wife, Frances, some time after his arrival in Sunderland, and they married at Hooton Roberts in the parish church of Kilnhurst on Monday 6th of August 1917. Their daughter Mary was born on Friday 12th July 1918.

    On Friday 30th of August 1918, John was posted to 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment and embarked with the British Expeditionary Force to France. A day later however, he was transferred to C Company, 2/4th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, and on Sunday 29th of September 1918, he was killed in action during the Battle for Havrincourt where machine-guns, automatic rifles, and trench mortars were used against British troops. He is buried in the Grand Ravine British War Cemetery, Havrincourt.





    262266

    Gnr. Alfred Ernest Fergus 325th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th July 1917)

    Alfred Fergus proceeded from Portsmouth on 12th of May 1917 and arrived Le Harve, France thenext day. He served with 325th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. It was a mechanised battery rather than Horse drawn, consisting of 4 guns (6” Howitzers 26cwt) later made up to 6 guns. He was initially deployed on Western Front in the Koksijde/Nieuport Costal Area of Belgium) on 14th of May 1917. Teh BAttery joined the 1st Brigade RGA on 23rd of May 1917. More personnel joined from 361st Siege Battery and by August the Battery was made up of 112 men, 6 officers, 1 WO, and 6 Sergeants with 22 men in reserve. 325th SB was later join 66th Heavy Artilery Group on 3 December 1917. Major General RB Pargiter served as a Captain between May - July 1917 The 325th Siege Battery, RGA May have been involved at the Battle of the Dunes on 10th of July 1917 amongst other Siege Batteries.





    262263

    Pte. Levi Harper 1st Btn. D Coy. North Staffordshire Regiment

    Levi Harper was taken Prisoner of War on the 21st of March 1918 and held at Stendal.

    Pauline Brian




    262258

    Cpl. William Thomas Cox 39th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather, William Cox was invalided out of the Army in March 1917. My father Albert was born in 1918 but he never knew his father, so I don’t know anything really.

    Patricia Nixon




    262250

    Pte. Ernest Arthur Smith 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.28th Mar 1918)

    Ernest Smith was a Pioneer. He died aged 19 and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in The Somme. He was my grandfather's younger brother.

    Simon Smith




    262248

    Cpl. Herman Joseph Joyce 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Herman Joyce was my father's first cousin. Researching the Joyce family tree has introduced me to family I never knew we had. The tragic deaths of all those who died in the Great War touch me, deeply but when you come across a relative who died at such a young age it makes you appreciate their sacrifice even more. May all those unbelievably brave souls rest in perfect peace.

    Karen Joyce




    262246

    Pte. John James Barker 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>John Barker, 9th Durham Light Infantry

    From a newspaper clipping: Felling Man Missing. Mrs. A. Barker, of Splitcrow Cottages, Felling has been advised by the War Moe that her husband. John James Barker, D.L.I. is missing in France. Mr. Barker, who was in the Territorial Army before the outbreak of war was drafted to France with the B.E.F. last September.





    262244

    Pte. James Rowlinson 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.11th Oct 1916)

    James Rowlinson served with the 11th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment His twin brother Peter died 27th of June 1916 with the 10th Cheshires.

    Gregory A Smith




    262243

    L/Cpl. Peter A. Rowlinson 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.27th June 1916)

    Peter Rowlinson served with the 10th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Peter's twin brother, James, died 11th of October 1916 with the 11th Cheshires.

    Gregory A Smith




    262238

    Alan Holyoake 4th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    My gramps, Alan Holyoake fought for the Wessex Wyverns, 4th Somerset Light Infantry. He wore a golden two legged dragon symbol on his uniform and had the Jellalabad badge. He said they were feared by the Germans who called them Churchill's Dragon men. He was one of 15 men that survived from his company of 100.

    He didn't talk a lot about the war but a few of his memories included being burnt when his sergeant threw petrol on an open fire inside a house where they escaped by jumping through a window. He remembers a man they called Ginger who asked why everyone was on the floor while they were being 'shelled to blazes' and they said you'll learn after a while. Ginger later refused to go with my gramps on a mission to find stranded troops where 'the trees turned into splinters'. On another occasion Ginger ran away with a magazine of ammunition while the shells were falling he was seen being escorted by guards to a prison and said 'you were right about the shells', poor bloke. My gramps said the prisoners there were 'well drilled and done up to the nines' and had to polish rusty tins that were left out in the rain every night. They shaved in the reflections on the walls.

    He said the Americans had more food for breakfast than the Brits had for a whole day and they were very laid back and confident. He once found some Americans in a house with all the lights on playing cards and one gave him a whole pack of tobacco.

    One time his company moved too quickly into position and were attacked by the Dorset Regiment!

    He also remembered finding Germans sleeping in their foxholes and his sergeant had the sorry task of shooting them there as it was 'us or them'. He was sad about this as he knew that the Germans were just the same as he was and so young.

    Gramps never forgot how at the end of the war near Bremen all the soldiers fired their guns when they heard it was over. An old gentleman in a top hat emerged from the rubble and invited the soldiers for some coffee, an old lady said 'no more bomb bombs'. All the German soldiers got up and walked back to their villages they were from forming a long queue.

    After that he ended up helping to liberate Belsen which absolutely never spoke of as it was too awful.

    Tessa Pugsley




    262236

    AB. John William "Pincher" Martin HMS Boscawen

    My father, Pincher Martin, served on HMS Boscawen from 13th of June 1942 to 1st of March 1943.

    Linda Serjeant




    262235

    A/CPO. Carl Arthur "Jimmy" Leech HMS Scylla

    Carl Leech sailed on HMS Scylla as it escorted Arctic convoys to Russia and provided support during the D-Day landings. D-Day coincided with his 30th birthday.





    262234

    Pte. Ernest Gough Coxon 32nd Stationary Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps (d.10th Nov 1918)

    Ernest Coxon was born in Netherseal, South Derbyshire in 1890 to parents William and Elizabeth Coxon. Before he joined up he was employed as a sanitary pipe worker for Messrs Robinson and Dowler of Overseal.

    He joined the RAMC at Netley on 4th of September 1915. He was stationed at Netley until 10th of September 1917. Ernest married Beatrice Mary Wagg in December 1915 in Netherseal.

    He transferred to the 32nd Stationary Hospital at Wimereaux in France on 11th of September 1917. Ernest died at the hospital on 10th of November 1918. Army records dated 28/11/1918 state: 'With reference to the death of the late No. 101620 Pte. E.G. Coxon RAMC on 10/11/1918 from Influenzal-Pneumonia' that it is notified for your information that the O.C. 32 S.H. has submitted a report dated 25/11/18 which reads as follows: "This man developed Influenzal-Pneumonia while employed in the ward during the recent severe epidemic of that disease. In my opinion his last illness was the result of prolonged exposure to the infection and fatigue while on military service"'.

    Jill Hempsall




    262233

    Gnr. Reginald Slatter Royal Artillery

    <p>Reginald Slatter

    Reginald Slatter served in the Royal Artillery.





    262232

    Able Sea. James Frances Flynn HMS Indomitable

    <p>James Flynn, Royal Navy

    James Flynn served three times on HMS Victory: 2/1/43 - 5/2/43, 19/8/43 - 10/9/43, and 27/11/45 - 30/6/46. He also served on HMS Indomitable, HMS Heron, and HMS Cumberland.

    Sheelagh Flynn




    262231

    Pte. Patrick Smith 7/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Patrick Smith served with the 7/8th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. I have a receipt acknowledging him as having been received on 19th of August 1917 by Queen Mary's Military Hospital. His unit fought in 3rd Ypres and suffered 224 casualties on 16th of August 1917, and I presume he was wounded in that action. The cause and extent of his injuries are unknown, but he did recover and was transferred approximately 9 months later to the 200th Company, Royal Defence Corps, where he served out the rest of the war.

    John Meehan




    262197

    Cpl. Harry Sheldon 1st Army Anti-Aircraft Workshops Army Service Corps (d.17th October 1918)

    <p>1st Army Anti-Aircraft Workshops.

    My only story of Harry Sheldon is that he and his wife Gertrude Lomax were married on 10th of October 1918, in Trinity Church, Monton Road, Eccles. Harry died seven days later in Albert Street Military Hospital. Cause of death was pneumonia, influenza and heart failure. He was 30 years old. His effects were given to his widow.

    Philippa Lewis




    262193

    Sgt. George Robert Munro 7th Battalion East Kent Regiment

    My grandfather, Bobbie Munro, was born in 1891. He joined up on the 27th of October 1914 and was assigned to the the 7th Battalion, East Kent Regiment. He was promoted to Sergeant and served through various theatres mainly around the Somme. Including battles around Albert, Delville Wood, through 1st and 2nd Passchendaele and god knows how many other battles before ending the war at Pommereuil on Armistice Day.

    He was wounded badly in 1917 but returned to service and thankfully he survived and I'm here to remember the sacrifices these men (and women) endured. Ive been to the battlefields and cemeteries which are, strangely, beautiful and peaceful. He was transferred to the army reserves on 28th of March 1919 after demobilization.

    During WW2 he served as a fire warden around the East London docks. So proud to have known him in his later years and touched the history.

    Ian Yarham




    262191

    Pte. William Henry Neale 6th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.Chadwick End, Knowle)

    <p>William Neale

    My grandad, William Neale, took part in Battle of Langemark in 1917. He received a gunshot wound to his back on 20th of Sept 1917 and was sent back to Aston Hospital to recover where he met my nanna. He later went to Egypt with the 2/4th Battalion until 1919. He died in 1972

    Martin Neale




    262189

    Gnr. Richard Midghall 1st West Lancs Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.10th March 1916)

    Richard Midghall is buried in Pleasington Priory (Mary and John The Baptist) Roman Catholic Churchyard. He was 24 years old.

    Selina Madeley




    262177

    Pte. Josiah Sandy "Jonnie" Richardson 414th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Josiah Richardson, known as Jonnie was an artist who, after WW1, worked within the film industry. During the war he was a sapper.

    Cath Adams




    262173

    Pte. Augustus George Lilley 1st Btn. Irish Guards

    <p>George Lilley, 1st Irish Guards

    George Lilley served with the 1st Irish Guards.

    Stephanie Knapp




    262172

    Pte. Charles Edward Adams 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Charles Adams was my great-grandfather. He died at the age of 29, leaving behind a wife and three children, the youngest of whom was my grandfather who was only seven months old. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

    Louise Vippond




    262157

    Sgt. Ellis Pearson Royal Field Artillery

    Ellis Pearson was my great uncle whom I knew as a child. He served in the Royal Field Artillery and whilst in Gallipoli was badly wounded and invalided out. He spent two years in hospital in England recovering from his wounds. He was a kind, lovely old man and a great storyteller. After the war he became the editor of The British Oil and Cake Mills magazine. He was born in Yorkshire in 1882 and died at the age of 78.

    Mary Elizabeth De Serville




    262154

    A/Sgt. Harold Pidcock MM. 124th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Harold Pidcock was a butcher, the middle child of seven. Born in 1893 near Chesterfield, he joined up in 1915, and served in France. His Military Medal was gazetted in 1918.

    After the war he married, had three children, and ran his own business from a shop in Kirkby in Ashfield. He served as a Special Constable during the General Strike in 1926. He died in 1968.

    Bill Graham




    262144

    Pte. Timothy Hurley 4th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

    Timothy Hurley was born in 1894 and lived in Chelsea with his brother Daniel and his mother. His brother joined the Royal Field Artillery and died in 1916. Timothy survived, dying in 1963. Both boys attended Duke of York's RMS in Chelsea.





    262143

    Pte. Patrick Smith 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Patrick Smith landed in France as part of the BEF on 17th of February 1916, serving until 18th of August 1917 when he was evacuated to Queen Mary’s Military Hospital in Whalley, Lancashire on 19th of August 1917. He was subsequently transferred to the Royal Defence Corps and promoted to Lance Corporal in 1918. He was discharged 19th of March 1919, whereupon he returned to Cavan and lived out the rest of his days there.

    John Meehan




    262139

    Sgt. Bert Gwinett Phillips 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.25th Apr 1918)

    <p>Bert, Lillie and Magaret

    The regimental war diaries for the 24th and 25th April 1918 recorded that on the 24th the 9th Battalion of the Cameronians relieved the 8th Battalion of the Black Watch when they moved from their camp at Bedelem Farm into the Vierstraat Line north of Kemmel. By midnight the relief was completed without any casualties. Bert Phillips’s A Company was posted in the Cheapside Line. The whole Battalion came under heavy German fire including gas at 2.30am. At 7.00am A Company reported their position as intact with slight casualties. As the Germans continued to press forward during the afternoon forcing some withdrawals, the Cheapside Line was reinforced and by nightfall had been held.

    It was at some point during these events that Bert had been killed. His body was never found and his name is one of nearly 35,000 inscribed on the Tyne Cot memorial.

    Bert, back row 1st on right, at Portland Road Hospital

    Bert and daughter Margaret in 1917

    Elizabeth Harrison




    262138

    Lt. James Watt MC. 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    In 1899, at the age of 17, James Watt joined the Territorial Army, 9th Royal Scots (The Dandy Ninth), but being too young for ranks he served as a bugler. He joined the 2/1st Scottish Horse in 1914 and served as an NCO in Gallipoli, Sinai, and Salonika. He was then commissioned into the 9th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, with which he served in France. He was awarded the Military Cross for action at Viller-Guislain during the Battle of Cambrai. In WWII, he served with the Royal Scots, 70th National Defence Battalion from 1939 to 1942, when he was discharged at age 60.

    In 1957, he was appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh. In 1963, he was enrolled as a Knight of Justice in The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. In 1968, he published his memoirs Irons in the Fire. In January 1975, at the age of 93, he died at West Linton, Edinburgh.





    262137

    Pte. Theophilus James Evans 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Theophilus Evans was born in 1900 to Mr. D.J. and Mrs. E.A. Evans He died during the German spring offensive of 1918. His name is remembered with honour among the missing on the Ploegsteert Memorial and is also listed in the Brecon Cathedral WW1 War memorial book. He was awarded two of the three WW1 medals.





    262123

    Spr. Fred Porter MM. Royal Engineers

    Fred Porter was awarded the Military Medal.





    262119

    Pte. Henry Snowden Justice MiD. 3rd (Reserve) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    Henry Justice was my granddad. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 15th of December 1915 (per the January 1916 London Gazette). Sadly, I never saw his medals. He died in the mid-1970s.





    262117

    Gnr. Alfred Ernest Fergus 325th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th Jul 1917)

    <p>Alfred at the age of 19

    Alfred Fergus was born on 8th April 1897 to John Wyper Fergus and Susan Cathcart Fergus (nee Craig) of 11 Grantley Gardens, Shawlands, Glasgow. He was educated at Shawlands Academy in Glasgow. For a short time after completing his studies, he worked as a clerk typist for the Valuation Department, Inland Revenue, 99 Glassford Street, Glasgow.

    On 14th of November 1915, he enlisted in the Army and was assigned as a gunner to the 325th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery. On 26th of July 1917, at the age of 20, he died from battle wounds and was buried in the Coxyde Military Cemetery in Koksijde, Belgium.

    Alfreds gravestone





    262106

    Lt. Frederick William Lovell Bonnett Drake Battalion

    Frederick Bonnett was born on 23rd April 1889 in Long Ditton, Surrey. He enlisted in the Territorial Force on 23rd of March 1909 for 4 years. Serving in the 28th Btn. County of London Regiment (Artists) as 673 Pte. FWL Bonnett. He re-engaged for 1 year on 11th of Feb 1913, and was promoted L/Cpl on 26th of September 1914. Then he transferred to the Royal Naval Division and was promoted Sub Lt. on 7th of October 14.

    On 1st of March 1915, whilst serving with C Coy, Drake Battalion MEF, he embarked at Avonmouth on the HT Franconia for the Dardanelles. Drake Battalion was landed in Gallipoli on Monday 26 April, at W Beach, and were attached to 87th Brigade for beach duties.  On 12th of May 1915 he was severely wounded Abu a gunshot wound to his left thigh. After being evacuated to Malta where he became gravely ill, he was repatriated back to the Royal Naval hospital Plymouth. He was transferred to a convalescence home 28th of May 1915 and after a long period of treatment, he was discharged as no longer fit for service.





    262104

    Pte. James Arthur Christie Portsmouth Battalion (d.21st April 1917)

    James Christie was my father's older brother, his oldest brother from his father's first marriage. No one in the family knew anything about him, he was never spoken about. I cannot discover his cause of death. On his death certificate it says "on war service". On another record it says by accident but another record says not by accident, gunshot or disease. He died in a POW camp and is buried near Berlin.

    Jane Stowell-Smith




    262103

    Pte. James Smallshaw 20th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.12th Oct 1916)

    James Smallshaw served with 20th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment

    Lance Smallshaw




    262102

    Pte. George Smallshaw 2nd/10th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.24th Aug 1917)

    George Smallshaw served with 2nd/10th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment

    Lance Smallshaw




    262101

    Lt.Col. Cecil Mainprise No.5 Casualty Clearing Station

    Cecil Mainprise was the Commanding Officer of Number 5 Casualty Clearing Station in Corbie and its move to Albert. He took Command on the 11th of November 1915. Reference War Diary of that date. His signature is illegible for most but he is identified on the 13th of December 1916.

    Captain Cecil Mainprise served throughout the First World War in various theatres, eventually becoming a Major-General and Commandant of the Royal Medical College before retiring in 1926. He died in Aldershot in 1951, aged 77.

    Ed Jacobs




    262100

    Pte. Harold "Sammy" Gledhill 23rd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>Harold Gledhill, 23rd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers

    Harold Gledhill was my grandfather, and in 1968 I sat down with him and a tape recorder and said "tell me about your life." Part of what he told me was about his time with the 23rd Northumberland Fusiliers in Flanders, Le Cateau, Arras, Passchendaele, Vimy Ridge, and Albert. He was wounded at Albert, but survived and lived to the age of 92.

    Vince Gledhill




    262098

    Pte. Frederick Nelson B Coy., 13th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    <p>Frederick Nelson, B Coy., 13th Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)

    Frederick Nelson of B Company, 13th Yorks was killed on 22nd of March 1918 in an attack on a trench near St. Leger Sunken Road. He is remembered at the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery.

    John Thomas




    262094

    L/Cpl. Victor Galloway 6th Btn. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    Victor Galloway was killed on the third day of the Battle of the Somme. He was 20.





    262091

    A/Sgt. George Thomson 73rd (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Btn.

    George Thomson served with the 73rd Battalion, whihc became part of the 4th Canadian Division in August 1916 and participated in the final phase of the Battle of the Somme in the autumn of 1916, and in the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917.

    Martyn Cooper




    262082

    A/Sgt. Arthur Mobbs 1st Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    My grandfather, Arthur Mobbs was a machine-gun operator and acting sergeant in the 1st Suffolk Battalion in the First World War. I have found out he went to France, Egypt, and Bulgaria and that he had an injury to one of his eyes for which he had treatment. I have tried many times to get some photographs of him or his battalion and would be very grateful if anyone has any to share.

    Peter Mobbs




    262075

    Maj. Charles Henry Lee MC. 24th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>Major Charles Lee, MC. 24th Battalion, Manchester Regiment

    Unfortunately Henry Lee died of pneumonia in 1920 just before my mother was born. His grave is in St. Anne's, Lancashire. He was awarded the Military Cross.

    Peter M. Howarth




    262074

    Pte. Norman Brazier C Company Canterbury Battalion

    Norman Brazier was a farm laborer at Kariori, a remote settlement near Taihape, NZ at that time. He was a member of the Hunterville Mounted Rifles as a Territorial Soldier prior to the outbreak of war in 1915. His father, James Brazier lived at Cheltenham, near Feilding in the Manawatu Province. He later moved to the new village of Kimbolton and owned a 350 acre farm nearby, which remained the family seat until about 1980.

    Norman enlisted to the NZEF at Trentham Camp on 22nd of October 1915 and sailed on the troop ship Maunganui on 8th of January 1916 bound for Egypt, where the NZEF were camped at Zeitoun, near Cairo. His unit saw action at Ismailia and Suez and then sent to the Dardenelles. Norman saw action throughout the Gallipoli Campaign and France over the next 5 years. He was wounded 3 times and sent to Walton and Codford General Field Hospitals in England, and returned to active duty on the front line. He later saw action in the Sinai campaign. Along with other troops the returned to NZ aboard the troop ship Ruapehu and discharged from the Army on 21st of March 1919.

    After the war he worked as a laborer for the Mount Albert Borough Council, Auckland, NZ. He never married and lived in boarding houses prior to his death by drowning in Auckland Harbour in 1925. His War Pension Certificate was found on his body by the attending Police.





    262071

    William Percy Oliver 8th Btn. Devonshire Regiment

    My grandfather, William Oliver, was in the 8th Devonshire Regiment during the First World War. He arrived in France on 27th of July 1915. He survived the war and was demobbed on 21st January 1919.

    Colin Oliver




    262069

    L/Cpl. Oscar Milton Whiteley 323rd Quarrying Company Royal Engineers (d.31st October 1917)

    Oscar Whiteley was my grandfather. He died as the result of an accident. His death took place at No 30 General Hospital, Calais and he is buried in Les Baraques British Cemetery, Sangatte.

    He left a wife, Kate and one son, my father John. Due to family circumstances I did not really know my father. He left home when I was seven. Hence, I had no medals or any thing which belonged to my grandfather, until six months ago when I found his death penny on the internet. It is now in my office.





    262066

    Herbert Frank Hickman D Battery, 63rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.10th September 1918)

    Herbert Hickman is buried in Woodmansterne, St Peter's Church.





    262061

    Pte. Matthew Simpson No.4 Section, 87th Field Company Royal Engineers

    <p>No.4 Section, 87th Field Company, Royal Engineers

    My grandfather, Matthew Simpson, is in the centre of the second row, behind the seated row. He was born in 1890, a bricklayer by trade. He worked and lived in Burnley, Lancashire. The second photograph is of Matthew, his wife Maggie and their daughter, my mother Mary Irene. I believe this photo was taken about 1916 in Sheffield where he had been hospitalised. He passed passed away in 1955.

    Matthew with his family

    John Ingham




    262050

    Pte. Herbert Pithers 2nd Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.28th Feb 1917)

    Herbert Pithers was my maternal great-grandfather.





    262049

    2nd Lt. Patrick Joseph Ryan Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    Patrick Ryan of 19 Sandy Lane Coventry and his wife Rose had 2 children Alan and John Norman Ryan.

    He was in the battle called Operation Michael. He was wounded badly, I believe in the midsection, but stood to address his men. He gave guidance to them and talked for half an hour. He then collapsed and was taken away by stretcher, and was hit again, and died on route to a German first aid. His last words were "Fight on Men". Two stories were published in the Coventry Telegraph from men who served under him. He was a reservist in The Royal Irish Regiment before being called by the Warwickshire Regiment. He had served in Dardenelles beforehand.

    He had worked at the Triumph Bike Factory as a young man. Patrick Joseph was born on County Mayo and left with his sister from County Mayo for England and a better life. His sister (name unknown) died in Liverpool and Patrick Joseph then set out for Coventry. He met my Nana Rose there and was married at age 24, Rose at age 20. He had half-sisters and brothers as his father had married 3 times. Patrick Joseph was born late in life to his parents, and he lost them both at an early age.

    All letters home to Rose were destroyed by Rose's second husband Albert Hopcroft. My Nana was so distraught when my grandfather was listed as missing, she left her children with a guardian and set out to find him. He was a redhead medium height slender build.

    Derek Wynn




    262041

    L/Cpl. David Murray Gordon Highlanders

    My grandfather, David Murray, was captured in the first days of the war and spent the entire war in a POW camp.

    Brian D. Murray




    262040

    2Lt. Morris James Marsden 214th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.20th September 1917)

    Morris Marsden was born on 16 June 1895, the son of John and Mary Anne Marsden, of Maes-y-Clere, Cribyn. Morris is my great great great uncle.

    He had served with the Glamorgan Yeomanry, on home service, before being commissioned into the Machine Gun Corps on 26 January 1917, and embarked for France on 8 March 1917, joining the 214th Company, Machine Gun Corps, which was attached to the 58th (London) Division. Morris joined up with the battalion in time to take part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. During May 1917 the Division fought at the Battle of Bullecourt, and later that year moved to Ypres, where it took part in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge.

    Morris was killed in action during the Battle of the Menin Road, on 20th of September 1917. He was 22 years old, and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

    Alis Davies




    262036

    Pte. William Stone 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.28th Apr 1917)

    William Stone was my grandfather's brother, of the same address and regiment. Grandfather was a sergeant, and they both fought in France. Grandfather was gassed but survived to fight again and lived through the war.





    262032

    Pte. Thomas Hopps 20th (1st Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Before the war, Thomas Hopps (1891-1916) worked at Westerton Colliery. At age 27, just before the war broke out, he married Florence Robinson. He joined up with a Pals' Battalion in 1915 - the 20th Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish).

    Four of these battalions made up the 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade. While an application for kilt or trews was rejected, they were granted pipe bands and use of the Glengarry cap, with a small patch of tartan to be added behind the fusilier's badge after the soldier's first action. The CSM joked that if enough of them got killed the survivors could club together to make a kilt from the remaining patches.

    At Christmas 1915, they were granted their first home leave but reported back to barracks a day late. Although it looks like this was a genuine administrative error, it was decided to make an example of them anyway and they were placed in the first wave of the Battle of the Somme on the 1st July 1916. After two huge mines were exploded in the sector, they were sent over the top at 7.30am to attack the fortified village of La Boiselle, across 3km of open ground in the face of withering German machine gun fire. By 8 o'clock there were just a handful of survivors. The Tyneside Scottish suffered the worst casualties of any brigade that day. The 1st Battalion (about 800 men) lost 584 men, the 3rd lost 537 men while the 4th Battalion lost 629. All four battalion commanders were killed. In total, the British lost 5,000 at Ovillers; the Germans only 280.

    As they went 'over the top' each company was played over by their pipers, and they played on as they advanced into a deadly crossfire from machine guns. In a matter of about 10 minutes some 80 per cent of the leading battalions had become casualties, including all four Tyneside Scottish Battalion commanders and 15 out of the 16 company commanders. Many senior NCOs had also been killed or wounded. One old soldier remarked, 'It took twelve months to build our battalion but just twelve minutes to destroy it'.

    The body of Thomas Hopps was found at Trench Map reference 57d X14, to the north of La Boiselle. He was exhumed from a temporary grave with a wooden cross that he shared with an unknown corporal of the Middlesex Regiment and reburied at Ovillers Military Cemetery XIII. F. 4. He is also commemorated on a plaque ('Pvte T. Hopps N.F.') in Whitworth Church, in the grounds of Whitworth Hall.

    His name appears on the Somme Roll of Honour.

    John Stubbs




    262028

    Sgt. Thomas O'Beirne 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.2nd Aug 1917)

    Thomas O'Beirne was born to a family of seven, 4 girls and 3 boys. His father Patrick became ill and died at their small home at 10 George's Hill, Dublin. It was a struggle for his mother Bridget to cope, so as my grandmother Mary Kate didn't get sick she, at the age of 12, was sent to stay with relatives in Maynooth. My grandma was the only child of the seven to live past 25 years of age.

    Thomas been the oldest surviving boy of the O'Beirne family. After fighting in France for two years, he would die on 2nd of August 1917, aged 21, during the Battle of Passchendaele.





    262025

    Pte. George Edward Lloyd 1/22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.20th Sep 1916)

    George Lloyd was my great-grand-uncle, who fell in battle.

    David Lloyd




    262011

    Pte. Ernest Gibson 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Ernest Gibson was my grandmother's first husband.

    John Holland




    262007

    Pte. Charles Edward Adams 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Charles Adams was my great-grandfather. He died at the age of 29 leaving behind a wife and three children, the youngest of whom was my grandfather who was only seven months old. He is buried in Thiepval, Somme in France.

    Louise Vippond




    262001

    Pte. John Herbert Lloyd 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    John Lloyd was a private in the 8th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment and was killed at Passchendaele on 20th of September 1917, aged 19. He is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery.





    262000

    Gnr. Edwin Thomas Turner 155th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Edwin Turner, seated front, 2nd from right

    Edwin Turner served with 155th Siege Battery RGA.

    155th Siege Battery, RGA Edwin Turner standing rear row, 2nd from left

    Martin Leach




    261999

    Lt. James Easton Campbell Highland Light Infantry

    James Campbell married my great-aunt, a nurse, Edith Emily Heaton, from Athlone, Ireland, in 1919.

    Jacqueline Heaton




    261995

    Sgt. Henry Taylor 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    <p>Harry Taylor

    Harry Taylor was my great uncle. He was a professional soldier but also a pipe and drummer. He was injured by losing his trigger finger and returned home to recover. Whilst at home he was approached to help run a training programme but refused. He said he could not take an easy option when his men were fighting.

    Catherine Wells




    261994

    Sgt. Dennis Collins

    My Dad's cousin, Dennis Collins suffered Gun Shot Wound to his right thigh in 1917 in France. He had a 30% disability, and was discharged 30th of July 1918 as Physically unfit for War Sevice.

    Alan Bryan




    261993

    Rflmn. Albert Charles Tomlinson 12th (Service) Battalion Hampshire Regiment

    <p>

    Albert Tomlinson joined the 12th Btn. Hampshire Regiment in 1914. He was admitted to hospital on 21st of February 1917 and transferred to sick convoy the next day with suspected Malaria. Number/Designation of ward: C3, A Company.

    Andrew Tomlinson




    261992

    Pte. Harold Jackson Wyatt 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.18th Oct 1916)

    <p>Harold Wyatt

    Harold Wyatt served with the Leicestershire Regiment and 9th Essex Regiment.





    261991

    Pte. John Groom 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.9th November 1917)

    <p>

    John Groom served with 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.

    Philip Groom




    261989

    Pte. Francis Henry Beeson D Coy., 7th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    In a letter written to his wife whilst being transported home for treatment, he wrote on 12 March 1917:

    ‘Just a line to say I am in dear old England once more. I am in hospital suffering with severe trench feet. I will write again as soon as I can as my intention is to post this as soon as I get off the boat.

    I have been in the line 6 days this last time and in places up to our knees in mud. I felt my feet getting numbed when I had been up there 24 hours but I managed to stick it until our time was up and I also walked out myself. After that I could not stand on my legs. Here I am a stretcher case. It was terrible up there. Fritzy would not allow us an hours peace. Several of my pals were killed or wounded. We were only about 60 yds from them and our people were always bombarding his 2nd and 3rd and reserve lines so he began to think we were going to try and turn him out of it. I have been in Rouen since then. Must close now with fondest love to yourself and sonny, ever from loving husband Frank xxxxx’

    (Added below and written a little later:) ‘I am on a Midland train so goodness knows where they are going to dump me down. I’ve had a very nice time on the hospital boat, was delayed in the Channel on account of fog. My feet are just beginning to get their circulation back again and the swelling has nearly gone down, rather painful otherwise I feel A-1. Goodbye for now’.

    David Smith




    261988

    Pte. James Dooley 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.9th Oct 1917)

    James Dooley was born in Cleator Moor, one of those whose families left Ireland for Cumberland. His parents were Arthur and Sarah Dooley (nee Currie). Arthur died in 1905 and Sarah returned to Belfast. Sarah Dooley's sister was Elizabeth Fleming, who was my great-grandmother and James Dooley's aunt.

    Lorraine Fleming




    261986

    A/Cpl. Richard "Duckser" Martin 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    My grandfather Richard Martin served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment and was wounded on the 3rd of September 1916 at Guillemont. He fought with Kilkenny men (Sgt. Morrisey, Dan Flood, Kenny). I don't have his medical records or know if he continued on to the end of the war.





    261980

    Sgt. Walter Thomas Hillary 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.25th Jul 1916)

    Walter Hillary was in a sniper section of his unit.

    Nigel Hillary




    261977

    James Roderick Rice Lancashire Fusiliers

    I have a photo of my great-uncle James Rice. He is the kneeling down, with his brother and cousins in their uniform. Everyone in the photo is related. Does anyone have any information on James or his family?

    D. Rice




    261976

    Pte. John Nash A Coy., 6th Btn. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) (d.8th Sep 1915)

    Extract from Buffs (East Kent Regiment) 12th Division Piece 1860/1-4: 37 Infantry Brigade: 6 Battalion Buffs (East Kent Regiment) war diary, p.37: Despierre Farm 27th of July 1915: Small rockets went up in enemy lines opposite A company's trench 95, 2358 Pte Nash wounded, 1963 Pte R Rowkins killed. Strength: 27 Officers, 976 other ranks (inc attached). Weather unsettled south west wind. TW

    Private John Nash died of his wounds in 3rd General Hospital, Wandsworth on 8th of September 1915.

    Barbara Kennedy




    261967

    Pte. William Willaims 13th (2nd Rhondda) Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.13th Jul 1916)

    <p>William Williams, 13th (2nd Rhondda) Battalion, Welsh Regiment a postcard to his family

    I know almost nothing about William Williams really. I know that he was my great-grandfather. I found a picture with the details on the back.

    William Williams

    Ricard Burgess




    261964

    2nd Lt. Percy Douglas Stewart MM. 13th (1st Barnsley) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    My maternal grandfather, Percy Stewart, signed up as a Private, along with one of his brothers, Frank Stewart, in October 1914. They worked in the New Monckton Colliery at Royston, with their older brother, Alec, and brother-in-law, Tom Smith. My Granddad was a promising member of the Monckton Gym, according to Barnsley papers. He was also something of a comedian, performing comic soliloquies and gurning.

    In November 1914 and February 1915, the local paper reported that he had been promoted in the ranks to Sergeant. I am not sure which is correct perhaps the second was confirmation of the first? I was told by my mother, Jennie Howard, that he was a PT Instructor in the Army, no doubt because of his prowess as a gymnast.

    On 6th of November 1916, he was involved in an action (presumably part of The Battle of the Somme?) which resulted in him being awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field. I am not sure what exactly he did, and want to try and find out, but I believe my mother said he rescued an injured officer, at considerable risk to himself. This needs to be confirmed.

    On 17th of February 1917, the local paper reported that: "At the Royston Empire, Sgt. Percy Stewart, recently awarded the Military Medal for valour in the field, was the recipient of a handsome gold watch and chain subscribed for by his fellow workers and inhabitants of Royston. The presentation was made by A.C.F. Assinder in the absence of C.C. Ellison who sent his apologies regretting his inability to attend. He congratulated the Sergeant on his heroism and devotion to duty and hoped he would return safely home after the war and have the pleasure of wearing the watch and chain. Sgt Stewart thanked the residents for the handsome gift. Although he had gained the MM he considered that he had only done his duty to King and country. The watch was inscribed: Presented to Sergeant Percy Douglas Stewart M.M. by his fellow workmen at New Monckton Collieries and the inhabitants of Royston in recognition of his action while serving with the 13th Y&L in France on November 6th 1916." Many years later my mother decided she should pass this precious watch to her younger brother, Doug Stewart, who lived in America. Very sadly, some years later, he suffered a burglary and the watch and chain were stolen.

    In November 1917, a local paper reported that Percy Stewart had received a commission in His Majesty's Army and was now a 2nd Lieutenant. I am not sure how accurate this is, as it is a long time after he received the MM, and I thought he received the commission in the field, as a result of his bravery. It could be that he moved to the West Yorkshire Regiment on receiving his commission. One website lists him as being in the WYR when he is an officer.

    On 21st of March 1918, during a massive German attack in which 21,000 British troops were captured, my Granddad was captured at Pronville and became a Prisoner of War. There followed months of deprivation, with little food, and a lot of fatalities due to illness. Somehow he was able to keep a diary during this time. It is an extraordinary record of what they went through, and includes a number of wonderful sketches, of guards and prisoners, some very comical. His joy on receiving parcels and letters or cards from home, his feelings about the camp, everything is there. This diary now resides in the Imperial War Museum in London.

    My Granddad came home in 1919, was married to his girl, Florrie Smith, and my Mum was born later that year. The family moved to London in 1928/9. He had a passionate interest in politics all his life, standing (unsuccessfully) as a Labour candidate in 1945, but was a Labour councillor in London for many years. He died in 1967. My family, especially my cousin, Barbara Lewis, and I, are immensely proud of our Granddad, of his bravery and tenacity, his good humour and passionate nature.

    Julia Wade




    261959

    Able Sea. Ralph Ernest Cornock HMS Monmouth (d.1st Nov 1914)

    Ralph Cornock was a petty officer in the Coast Guard service at the outbreak of the Great War. As a reservist, he was immediately appointed to serve on HMS Monmouth, which became part of a squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Christopher Craddock that was tasked with hunting down the German East Asian Squadron of Vice-Admiral Maximilian von Spee. The German raiders had seriously disrupted British trade in the Pacific, and in October 1914 von Spee arrived off the west coast of South America to attack shipping there.

    On 1st of November 1914, the British fleet, consisting of old, slow ships, encountered the superior, better-armed German fleet off the Chilean port of Coronel. The British were routed and HMS Monmouth was sunk with all hands.

    Ralph was 44 years old and left a wife and four children. He was one of eight brothers who served in the Great War. He is commemorated on the Wotton-under-Edge War Memorial alongside two of his soldier brothers who were also killed in action.

    Steve Cornock




    261951

    Pte. Ephraim Henry Pickup 5th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) (d.24th Apr 1916)

    Ephraim Pickup was a tailor at the time of the First World War. He lived in Gladstone Road, Scarborough with his father, sister, and younger brother. His mother had died a few years earlier. He died on the 24th of April 2016, aged 32. He is buried in Lindenhoek Chalet Cemetery near Ypres. I and my parents visited his grave on the 11th of November 2019. It was so moving.

    Karen Lowther




    261947

    A/Cpl. Arthur G. Johnys 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.18th December 1914)

    Arthur Johnys earned the 1914 Star British War and the Victory Medal.

    Eric Lee




    261938

    Pte. Bertram Huitson 1/5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Bertram Huitson was one of many who went missing in action, giving his life for his country.

    Peter Huitson




    261934

    Pte. Arthur Bishop !st Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.8th Mar 1916)

    Arthur Ormrod was born in 1892 to Peter Ormrod and Jane Bishop (nee Lolley) in Salford. He joined the British Army under the name of Arthur Bishop. Arthur had a half-brother called Ben Bishop, who was a grenadier guard and a professional soldier. Arthur probably joined up under the name Bishop to get assigned to the same unit as Ben. Arthur was killed in action at the Battle of Dujailah in Mesopotamia on 8 March 1916.

    Stuart Gahan




    261927

    RSM. Arthur Frederick Ridout 19th (County of London) Btn. London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Arthur Ridout was born in 1883 in Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, the second child of three of Frederick and Elizabeth Ridout (formerly Trent, nee Ross). His mother had lost her first husband and carried on farming the family farm. Arthur had two sisters, the elder dying in infancy and his younger sister Mary Minnie, known as Min throughout her life. He had 6 half-brothers and -sisters. By 1901, Arthur was living with his eldest half brother, John Ross Trent, and his wife in Mitcham, Surrey. His occupation was railway clerk. He met his future wife, Ella Jessie Arthur, and they married in 1911 in Tonbridge Kent. His sisterm Min stayed in touch with her brother and became good friends of his wife Ella who was a very good pianist. As a result of her meeting with Arthur and Ella, she met a friend of Arthur's and he became the love of her life. He too served in the First World War but none of the family remembers his name, and unfortunately he was killed. Min hadn't been able to marry her betrothed, and she led a very sad life with very little money. Arthur joined up on 5th September 1914, naming his wife Ella, his half-brother John Trent, and his sister Minnie as relatives.

    From research, he went out to France with the 1st Battalion, London Regiment on 9th March 1915 and at the time of his death was acting RSM. He had one stripe when the Battalion landed in France and became a sergeant when the Battalion went to Loos and he came through unwounded. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted to CSM of D Company. When RSM King left to take up a Commission, Arthur was promoted to RSM in about May 1916. He was a very popular figure, and his influence and example brought his NCOs to a high standard of efficiency. During a relief of Vimy Ridge when shelling was severe, Arthur refused to leave until the last man had left the trenches. The only way back was across the Souchez Valley, but they had only just arrived when the Germans shelled them, with shrapnel falling like rain. Arthur and three others ended up in a trench, exhausted. Arthur met his death on 15th September 1916 after a couple of days hidden in the Happy Valley. The Battalion marched off to High Wood and one of the soldiers remembers acting upon impulse and shook the hands of some of the men including Arthur. He says he was glad he did because he never saw Ridout again. Arthur met his death by an unlucky shell at High Wood.

    He was apparently "sincerely missed, he had endeared himself to all and such was the affection felt for him and that I have often seen tears in the eyes of a comrade when speaking of him." – JWW (Memories, the Journal of the 19th London Regiment OCA. No 2,Vol2, Summer 1922).

    Arthur is remembered at the London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval and on the Shillingstone, Dorset, War Memorial - his mother Elizabeth was living there in 1922. Shillingstone is a village near Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset.

    I have a picture of a soldier who I think is Arthur but no one can confirm it now. If anyone has further information, please let me know.

    Carol Frederick Morgan




    261926

    Lt. Herbert James Graham Gilmour 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.19th Sep 1914)

    <p>Herbert Gilmour, 3rd Worcestershires

    Herbert Gilmour, 1884-1914, served in the Boer War. He died in WWI, killed in the First Battle of the Aisne, France.

    Memorial Window

    Joanne Larkey




    261916

    Pte Samuel Graham 5th Machine Gun Battalion

    Great Uncle Samuel Graham went AWOL from Larkill Camp. He was docked one day's pay and confined to barracks for one day.





    261909

    Richard Edward Chantler 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>Richard Chantler, 10th Cheshires

    Dick Chantler served with the 10th Cheshires.

    Matthew Banks




    261889

    Pte. Thomas "Changa Drost" Munro MM. 1st Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Higlanders

    I know a lot about my grandfather Thomas Munro's service and the names of some of his pals. He enlisted in August 1914 and was at Constantinople in 1919. He mustered out in May 1919. He was awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in the field at 2nd Ypres. He served in the trenches with Colin Campbell Mitchell, Sr. then with the HLI. Colin Campbell Mitchell Sr. won a battlefield commission to Captain in the Argylls and MC and later another MC.

    The Argylls experienced 36 days of continual combat during April and May, 1915. My grandfather saw the first poison gas attack in April 1915. He said a medical student from Glasgow University recognized it was chlorine gas and recommended they use urine-soaked handkerchiefs as an emergency measure. I know other stories and events as well.

    Thomas Munro 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Salonika, April 1917

    Thomas Munro, in Constantinople with Jimmy Quigley, his nephew, in January 1919

    Thomas Munro with his squaddies during 2nd Ypres, April 1915

    Ricardo Munro




    261875

    Spr. J. Lambert 451st Field Company Royal Engineers (d.29th July 1917)

    During family tree research I discovered J Lambert is buried in Kut War Cemetery.





    261870

    Pte. Jarvis Harry Brown 50th Battalion

    Jarvis Brown was born 12 November 1883 in Port Pirie, SA. He married Nellie Adelaide Miller of Foster Street, Forestville, SA (born in 1891, died 6 May 1984, aged 78 years - buried in Cheltenham Cemetery), daughter of James Pearce Miller. Jarvis' occupation prior to enlistment in the Australian Army was a baker in Port Broughton, SA. He was the tallest of the brothers being 5foot 6 and a half inches.

    He was 32 years old when he joined the Army in March 1916 enlisting in the 50th Battalion. He was reported missing in action on the 10th of June 1916 and was captured and became a prisoner of war from 10th of June 1917 to December 1918 who was captured at the Battle of Messines in Belgium. He was taken to Dulmen camp then to Lindberg in Germany. He was discharged from the Army and returned to Australia on the 9th of March 1919 on the Ulysses.

    He resided with Nellie and their children at 11 Shakespeare Avenue, Brayville, South Australia. He died in the Repatriation Hospital, Springbank, SA aged 77 years in January 1961, buried in Centennial Park Cemetery.

    Tonia Brown




    261864

    Pte. Edward St.Kentigern Bowler 72nd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.12th Aug 1916)

    Edward Bowler was my great-uncle, my grandfather's brother. He died of wounds on 12th of August 1916, aged 22. He was one of 14 children, but he didn't have children of his own. His father was a quartermaster. He had lived in Cork, Ireland, but also in Keswick, England.

    Rebecca Morris




    261848

    Pte. Walter Dyble 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.25th Jan 1916)

    Walter Dyble died of wounds after a training exercise which involved the firing of a Hales No. 3 grenade that prematurely exploded.

    Paul Clayden




    261837

    Pte. George Lingard 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    George Lingard was born in Middle Rasen in 1896; his parents were James and Mary Ann. James and his brother were farmers. George was the youngest and had three older brothers: John, Joseph, and James. When George went to war, he left his father James alone to run the farm. He was promised help but it never came, so he lost part of the farm, Prospect Farm and Low Lane Farm, Middle Rasen.

    George enlisted in 7th Lincolnshire Regiment and ended up becoming a POW in a camp in Belgium. After the war, George went with his Regiment to Ireland and did not return until 1925, when he married Ethel Ivy Smith in springtime 1925.

    There was also George Reuben Lingard, a distant relative living in Market Rasen who also served with the military during WW1. The story he told was that whilst on parade one day, his name was called and someone shouted that “he has died”, and George shouted “No, I have not”. He died in Liege Hospital on 9th November 1918.

    Thomas Lingard




    261834

    Spr. William Henry Carter Bridging Train Coy. Royal Engineers

    A great-uncle of mine, William Henry Carter was discharged from the Army in 1917 as unfit for further service due to illness. He had been serving as a coach-builder with the Royal Engineers.

    Chris Carter




    261833

    Pte. Jenkin Edward Jenkins 22nd Battalion

    Jenkin Jenkins was captured by German forces at Mouquet Farm on 26th of August 1916 after being wounded in action. He was a POW at Minden POW camp. Details are outlined in his Record of Service on the National Australian Archives website.





    261816

    Pte. Leonard Frank Ricketts 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    Leonard Ricketts was one of my great-great-grandmother's brothers, of whom two fought in WW1. His war record does not survive, but he was wounded by a gunshot through the hand in 1915 and was captured at Ploegsteert on 11th of April 1918. He survived the war, married, had two children, and moved to Wales, where he died in 1968.

    Michael




    261809

    Pte. Frederick Joseph Lewis Gardner 1st Btn. Royal Newfoundland Regiment (d.28th Dec 1918)

    Frederick Gardner was captured on 14th of Apr 1917 and died of grippe on 28th of December 1918 while a POW.

    Terry PIercey




    261804

    Pte. John Robert Taylor 22nd (7th City) Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>22nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment

    John Taylor served with the 22nd Manchester Regiment, the 7th Manchester Pals.

    Angela Smith




    261798

    Stok. Frederick William Gill HMS Hogue (d.22nd September 1914)

    Frederick Gill was my step grandmother's brother who lived in Reading. He was killed in action on 22nd of September 1914 on HMS Hogue by action with the German U-Boat UP.

    Brian David Turner




    261796

    Pte. Edward Franklin Davidson 19th Canadian Infantry Battlaiion

    Frank Davidson enlisted in the Canadian 123rd Grenadiers on 1st of December 1915, at Toronto, Ontario. His troop ship, S.S. Cameronia, was in an Aug 1-18, 1916-18 convoy to England (Liverpool, probably). He arrived at the CEF base in the Sanderling area. On the 23rd of December 1916 he shipped to France and was taken on strength of 19th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Division, CEF, on the 13th of January 1917. He fought in major actions at Vimy Ridge, Fresnoy, Hill 70, and Passchendaele. Frank was wounded in both legs at Passchendaele on the 10th of November 1917. He was evacuated and treated at the First Canadian Field Ambulance, the next day he was transferred to No. 10 Casualty Aid Station. Then the following day to No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, his left leg was amputated in this period. On the 26th of November 1917 he was admitted to 2 St. Smith General Hospital in Birmingham, part of No. 2 Southern General Hospital. On 27th of February 1917 he was transferred to Epsom Convalescent Hospital. Medical Board stamped April 20. On 12th of April 1918, he was at the 5th Canadian Stationary Hospital in Buxton. On the 17th he went to Granville Special Hospital for an X-ray due to healing problems and on the 4th of May 1917 and had an operation on his left leg. The Medical Board ordered his return to Canada and H.M.H.S. Landovery Castle transported Pte. Davidson to Halifax June 5-17th, 1918. Another narrow escape as the Landovery Castle attacked ten days later, sunk, survivors in lifeboats were rammed and machine-gunned. Fourteen CMAC nurses among hundreds killed. War crimes trial convicted the U-boat crew.

    Davidson's daughter, Joan, married Ted Toogood, second son of Lt. W. Alex Toogood, 2nd E. Ontario Battalion. Both men had fought at Fresnoy; Alex was wounded on the first day. Both men received shrapnel/fractures leg wounds requiring follow-up x-rays at Granville Special Hospital. Both soldiers had grown up in rural Ontario, a few miles apart. Both settled nearby in York Twp/Etobicoke, Toronto.





    261795

    Sgt. Francis Frederick Casey 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th June 1915)

    My nan’s first husband, Frank Casey, was killed in 1915 and buried in Poelcappelle





    261793

    Pte. Leonard Chell 1/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Leonard Chell was a private in the 1st Platoon, A Company, 1/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was reported as Missing In Action on 30th of April 1918. He was taken prisoner of war, aged 19, from the Western Front, unwounded, on 27th of May 1918 at Roncy, and went to Langensalza Camp, Germany.

    He lived in Staffordshire all his life, and died at the age of 86. He was quite a character to listen to. He was an insurance agent and knew how to talk to people and to hold their attention.

    Celia Lindley




    261788

    L/Cpl. Frederick William John Marett 8th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.15th July 1916)

    Frederick Marett served with 8th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. I am researching Frederick for my grand daughters.

    Pauline Dodd




    261786

    Cpl. John Cochrane Blair 9th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    John Blair of Dunwood Cottage, Cardross, Dumbarton enlisted with the 9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on the 8th of September 1914 and went to France on the 19th February 1915. He was wounded, a gunshot wound to skull (23rd May 1915 I think) and discharged with pension on the 7th of January 1916.

    Jon Blair




    261784

    Gnr. John Milne Ivers Royal Field Artillery

    <p>CSM John Milne Ivers, photo taken somewhere in France

    John Ivers served in France.

    David Rhodes




    261776

    Pte. William Gladwin 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.22nd March 1918)

    Billy Gladwin was the eldest son of Corporal W Gladwin RE, who was himself at the front for three and a hald years. Billy enlisted, then underage, and saw 10 months service with the Herefordshire Regiment in Egypt but was sent home when his age was discovered. He was 19 years old in January 1918 and went to France in February being drafted into Royal Welsh Fusiliers and died in March.





    261774

    Pte. Solomon Amos 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.15th July 1916)

    Solomon Amos's date of entry was 2nd of June 1915. He died on 15th of July 1916 in First Southern General Hospital in Birmingham He is buried in Lodge Hill Cemetery and his name is on the memorial there.

    Sue Wescott




    261773

    Pte John William Wigley 41st Stationary Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps

    John Wigley was my great granddad. In 2018 I started to research his WW1 experience. I have his employment certificate to 41st Stationary Hospital, he worked there as a clerk and orderly from 1915 to 1915.

    Richard Denniss




    261767

    Pte. Francis Henry Beeson 7th Btn., D Coy Somerset Light Infantry

    Francis Beeson enlisted at the start of the war. He was said to have fought in the Battle of the Somme and been gassed. He was in hospital in Rouen on 12th of March 1917 after 6 days in water filled trench up to his thighs where he suffered severe trench foot. He was sent back to England until September of that year.

    On return to France he may have been with the 6th Somerset Light Infantry (he was by the end of the war). He was captured on 21st of March 1918 and taken to Germany and used as slave labour until released from a POW camp in November 1918.

    David Smith




    261764

    Pte William Smith 23rd Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.8th November 1918)

    William Smith was born in Ashton Under Lyne. Son of John and Elizabeth Smith. His brother, George Smith, who also fought in the war and I think he too was killed. He had another brother called Robert and a sister called Margaret. He died on the 8th November 1918 of his wounds.

    Yvonne Conway




    261761

    Cpl. Frederick Roulstone Morrow D Bty. 174th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.27th Sep 1917)

    Frederick Morrow was born in Belfast in 1895, son of Alexander and Frances Morrow. The family moved to Londonbridge Rd., Dublin, and Frederick was educated at Pembroke Technical school (now the Ballsbridge College of Further Education on Shelbourne Road). He joined the Boys’ Brigade in St. Matthew’s and was a keen footballer, captaining the Irish Boys’ Brigade team against England at the age of 15. He became a law clerk, but continued his football, playing for Bohemians, Shelbourne, and Tritonville. He also played as a junior Irish international.

    He enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery in August 1915 and served with the Expeditionary Force in France from February 1916. He became a corporal, and at the time of his death he was Acting Sergeant. His commanding officer wrote “I can only say what a loss he is to the battery and also that I was sending him home for his commission as soon as we came out of action”. He was badly injured on 25th of September 1917 and died in the casualty clearing station the next day. He is buried in Outtersteene Cemetery near Bailleul in France.

    T. James




    261760

    CSM. Arthur Cecil Cater 17th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.8th Oct 1916)

    <p>CSM Arthur Cecil Cater on the Thiepval Memorial

    Arthur Cater was my great-great-great-grandfather. He fought in WW1 alongside his son. He was the husband of Mabel Jane Cater. His son survived the war but refused to talk about it (according to my nan) because of the horror of seeing his father die. In October 2019 with school, I visited the memorial at Thiepval that contains his name.





    261751

    Rflm. Samuel James Elliott 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    <p>Samuel Elliott

    Samuel Elliott was born in April 1883 in Rotherhithe, Surrey. He joined the Army on 25th of May 1916. Regrettably, he died less than a year later on the first day of the Battle of Arras. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. He left a wife and 4 young children, the youngest being 3 years of age.





    261748

    Pte. A. C. Aplin MM. 61st Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My great-grandfather A.C. Aplin served during WWI with the 61st Field Ambulance. We know little to nothing about him as yet, he died the year before my father was born. The only records I have been able to find so far are his medal cards and the page from the London Gazette where it announced his Military Medal award. We have only recently been able to collect all his medals from around the family and have them cleaned and mounted. My father was able to wear them for the first time on Remembrance Sunday, 2019 to honour his grandfather.

    Lee Jeal




    261740

    L/Sgt. Walter Lambourne 8th Field Ambulance Royal Australian Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Walter Lambourne, my grandfather, was born in Lambeth, Surrey on 31st of January 1883. He enlisted in the Royal Kent Artillery as a gunner. Regimental No. 5038, but transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps on 4th of April 1900, No.13886. He served for six months in South Africa in the Boer War in the 3rd Field Ambulance before being invalided home with enteric fever. He spent over six years in Malta with the Colours and then four years in the reserves. After leaving the army, he travelled the world on various merchant ships before disembarking in Wellington, New Zealand where he married in 1911. The offer of a job took him and his bride to Sydney in 1911.

    By the outbreak of the Great War he had fathered two children, but he enlisted in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, and was assigned to, 8th Field Ambulance. After a period of training, he left Australia for Egypt in November 1915 with the 30th Battalion. After six months in Egypt, the 30th Battalion sailed for France, landing in Marseilles before entraining for Northern France and instruction in trench warfare. In early 1917 he contracted trench fever and was invalided to England where he was admitted to Edgehill Hospital on 2nd of March 1917. After recovering, he returned to his unit in France and survived the remainder of the war, returning to civilian life in Australia in June 1919. He died in Sydney in June 1961.

    James Lambourne




    261739

    Gnr. William "Lotte" Collins Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>William Collins, Royal Horse Artillery, 1915

    My grandfather William Collins was born in 1900 in Chichester, Sussex. He ran away from home and joined the Army in 1915. He signed up with the Royal Horse Artillery, but I'm not sure where he enlisted or specifically which RHA unit he was assigned to. I know he was in the trenches in France and ended up in Cairo, where his regiment fired the gun salute at the birth of King Farouk in 1920.

    I cannot find any record of him online, so I hope someone can give more information from the photos. On the back of photo 3 is written "Lotte, Darky, and Charlie". William, on the left, was called Lotte after Lotte Collins, a music hall star at the time.

    William Collins in khaki

    William Collins on left, with friends

    William Collins_with busby

    William Collins in Cairo

    Bryan Olpin




    261737

    Pte. James Baldwin Kings Liverpool Regiment

    <p>James Baldwin

    James Baldwin served with the Kings Liverpool Regiment.

    Marie Joyce




    261726

    Pte. William Benjamin Reeds 2nd/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Dec 1918)

    William Reeds was the husband of Maud Lilian Reeds (nee Sapsed).

    Ian Hudson




    261723

    Gnr. Joseph Cooper 265th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd Oct 1917)

    Joseph Cooper joined the Reserve Army on 1st of December 1915 in Nottingham after completing his short service attestation. On 30th of May 1916, he was posted to No. 4 Depot RGA as part of the reorganisation of the RGA. On 9th of September 1916, he was posted to the No.4 Coy., 3rd Durham Battery RGA, 253rd Siege Battery. On 2nd of October 1916, he was posted to the No.3 Coy., 2nd Durham Battery RGA, 253rd Siege Battery, and then on 10th October 1916, he was moved to the 265th Siege Battery.

    He was injured in the 3rd Battle of Ypres, 2nd battle of Passchendaele, and died of his wounds on 3rd of October 1917. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Ian Cooper




    261707

    Pte. Ernest Young 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.8th Jul 1916)

    Ernest Young was born in 1884 to Samuel and Ann Young (née Wilson). He was killed in action at Bailiff's Wood during the Capture of Contalmaison on the 8th of July 1916. An Australian soldier from the 3rd Australian Infantry Brigade, Sapper G.W. Lindop, penned a letter to Ernest's wife Hannah Young (née Jackson) informing her of his death. He included photos found on Ernest with the letter that contained some holes where 'the bullet or a piece of shell went through into his right side.'

    Lewis Day




    261704

    Capt. Tom Geoffrey Melsome Parker Royal Army Medical Corps (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    Tom Parker was the elder brother of Captain George Alec Parker, DSO, MC of the RFC, who was shot down over France in November 1916. Tom Parker is understood to have died from flu in the 1918 pandemic.

    Tom Wells




    261700

    Sgt. Herbert Gibbs DCM. 40th Brigade, 23rd Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Herbert Gibbs was my great-grandfather, who was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty throughout the campaign when in charge of telephones, frequently carrying out repairs under fire with great coolness.

    Caroline Eyre




    261687

    Pte. George Douglas Watson 9th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>George and Ivy Watson, wedding day, 1921

    I just found the military service history of my late granddad, George Watson. At age 18, he joined the British Army and served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, and the 17th London Regiment, with which he fought in the Great War. He returned to civilian life in 1920, but on 22 May 1928, at age 31, he died of shell shock from his terrible experiences in that war. He is buried in Putney Vale Cemetery, Wandsworth, London. I feel I need to add to Granddad George's tragic life story.

    He was the love of my late nan’s life, and all that I knew of him was what she told me. She said he was a real cheeky, funny lad when they were courting, but at the age of 18 he felt he had to join the army to fight in the Great War. When he returned in 1920, he was a shadow of himself and suffering from shell shock. She told me he used to wake up screaming at night with cold sweats because of the horrors he witnessed at the front, and that in the end it became so unbearable with all the pain and sorrow, it eventually made him take his own young life, 7 years later, by drinking arsenic down in the coal cellar. She said that he screamed in agony for well over 3 hours until the poison finally killed him. My nan was pregnant at the time with my father. How horrific that must had been for her, no one could ever imagine.

    In those days, men with psychiatric problems from the war were told to man up, but we now know they were suffering from PTSD and so many took their own lives when they returned from the front. A lot of them felt guilty because they survived and their closest friends were killed in battle. So, on this Remembrance Sunday and on the 11th, I shall be thinking not only of my great-uncle James but my granddad George as well (my nan's brother and the husband she lost to the war) for the sacrifices that they made for this country in the First World War. God bless their souls.

    Anthony Christopher Watson




    261682

    Pte. George Devlin 58th Battalion

    <p>George Devlin gravestone

    My grandfather, George Devlin, of Horsham, VIC, Australia, served in France with the 58th Battalion, 15th Brigade, 5th Division, AIF. On 1st of June 1917, he was transferred to Oakbank War Hospital from Eastleigh Military Hospital at his father Joseph Matthew Devlin’s request due to cousins living in Glasgow. His uncle Robert had passed in 1916, and the family branch in Glasgow were undertakers at the time at Glebe St. and later at 118 Castle Rd.

    George Devlin transfer from Oakbank War Hospital to Harefield House Hospital

    George Devlin admission to Oakbank War Hospital

    L. Devlin




    261679

    L/Cpl. William George Evans 1st/5th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.21st Oct 1918)

    William Evans was an uncle I never knew existed until details of his death were located in the home of my auntie and found in a metal box in the bottom of her wardrobe. Until then, my father was unaware of the circumstances of his brother’s death and where he was buried.

    He is buried in Ere Churchyard at Tournai, in Belgium. He was killed by machine-gun fire on 21st of October 1918. There are only two wartime graves in the cemetery, and both are looked after and are in excellent condition. Members of the family visited the cemetery, giving my father the opportunity to pay his last respects to his brother. As you can imagine, it was a very emotional visit and had a prolonged effect on my father. His story about the visit to the grave of his brother was featured in an edition of our local paper, the Tenby Observer.





    261677

    Pte. Frederick James Harrop 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.25th May 1917)

    James Harrop was killed in Mesopotamia and is buried in Basra.

    Carol Swain




    261676

    L/Cpl. Harry Johnson 21st (6th City) Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.27th April 1916)

    <p>

    Harry Johnson has a Headstone inscription in Southern Cemetery, Manchester, but he is buried at Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery in Bray-sur-Somme, France.

    Harry Johnson in 1915





    261675

    Pte. George Arthur Hargreaves 16th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    George Hargreaves was 24 years old when he joined the 16th West Yorkshire Regiment on 6th September 2014. His Commanding Officer was Captain PK Allen. The Battalion embarked for France on the 13th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne. He served there till 24th of November 1916. He was badly wounded in his arm and discharged on 14th of January 1918 as being no longer fit for war service.

    Edward Williams




    261672

    Pte. Arthur Savage 7th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.6th December 1915)

    Arthur Savage was my grandad's cousin. He enlisted age 30 in Sheffield, a single man on 30th of August 1914. He died of his wounds received on the battlefield in Ypres. He has a grave in the Menin Road South Cemetery.

    Jane Gibbins




    261660

    Pte. William "Postie" Nicoll 7th (Fife) Btn. Black Watch

    <p>William Nicoll, 7th Royal Highlanders (Black Watch)

    William Nicoll was born at 88 South Street in April 1885. His parents, Andrew and Isabella Nicoll, were descendants of fisher folk and can be traced back to Andrew Kipper c.1750, a shipwright who stayed at the Lady Head in the East End of St. Andrews. Most of his youth was spent in and around St. Andrews and Balmullo, where his father had a market garden. William was a founder member of the 1st St. Andrews Boy’s Brigade and was a member of the Colour Party at the laying of the foundation stone of the BB Hall. On leaving school, William started work as a postman delivering the mail in Leuchars and Ferry Port on Craig, now Tayport. During this time, he met and then married Agnes Gold Taylor, who worked in service in Tayport. They were married in Abdie Parish Church in 1910. They stayed for a time in North Street and then moved to 12 Southfield where 3 daughters and 3 sons were born. My father Joseph, the third oldest, was born in 1916.

    At the outbreak of the First World War, William joined up with the 7th (Fife) Battalion, Black Watch. He was severely wounded at Passchendaele in 1917 and was admitted to No. 8 General Hospital Rouen on 22nd of October 1917 with gunshot wounds to thigh, hands, and left ankle. He spent almost 4 years in hospital in Glasgow and was visited regularly by Agnes, my grandmother, and their eldest daughter, my Auntie Nessie. On the first night of William’s return home to St. Andrews, my father asked my grandmother “Is that man going to stay here with us?” He had never seen him since he was a baby!

    After recuperating at home, William returned to service in the post office in St. Andrews where he delivered mail from St. Andrews to Largoward, stopping at farms east and west of the Largo Road. This he did on foot, on bicycle, and with a pony and flat cart, 365 days a year. His favourite time was after the mail was safely delivered – on the way home he would stop at the top of The Waterless Brae, just north of Cameron Kirk road end, light his pipe, then freewheel all the way down the Largo Road home. Around 1933 or 34, William, Agnes, their 3 sons and 2 daughters (Auntie Nessie was now married) moved to 4 Cannongate just off Largo Road. William was a keen gardener, bred canaries, and owned greyhounds which he entered coursing. William also had a hen farm in the fields beyond the old railway, about where Broomfaulds Avenue is now. He also had a pony called Joe. I never found out whether the pony was named after my dad or vice versa!

    In the first year of the Second World War, William was due to retire but was asked to fill the position of temporary postmaster for St. Andrews, which he held until the end of the war. For his service, he was able to secure a small pension for Agnes, my grandmother. William and Agnes’s three sons served in the war as did two of their daughters, and thankfully all returned home with no physical injuries. After the Second World War, William retired and worked part-time as a janitor at St. Leonards school where, I am told, the highlight of his day involved him lighting his pipe at the bottom of the St. Leonards clock and smoking it while he climbed the steps to wind the clock! He enjoyed his retirement and could always be found up at the hens or in his vegetable garden. Coursing with his greyhounds also took up his time, and he was the last winner of the Colinsburgh Cup after which he refused an offer of a blank check for the sale of the greyhound. My father told me how he never knew the extent of my grandfather's injuries until well after he was retired. My father would go to Cannongate in the morning to clean and light his fire for the day. Granddad asked my father on one occasion to help him sit up in bed. He noticed that part of his left thigh, buttock and hip were missing due to the injury he had sustained at Passchendaele. This didn't seem to hinder him in any way, and he must have been in pain for most of his adult life. What a remarkable and brave man my grandfather was! William died on 11th of November 1964.

    Ron Nicoll




    261654

    Herbert Stanley McLelland 13th Btn., 9th Platoon Cheshire Regiment

    <p>9 Platoon, 3 Coy, 13th Cheshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Bert McLelland, served in the 9th Platoon of the 13th Cheshire Regiment.

    Meg Williams




    261652

    Pte. Joseph William Preston No 1 School of Navigation (d.9th November 1918)

    Joseph Preston was born on 19th May 1900 at Ampleforth. His parents were William Preston and Annie Nalton. William was a coal gas maker and would have worked at the College, which produced its own gas.

    Joseph was a van driver when he joined up on 22nd August 1918, 3 months after becoming 18. He joined the newly-formed Royal Air Force. On 29th of August 1918, he was posted to the 1st School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping.

    Data from Ampleforth War Memorial Research project by Ryedale Family History Group.

    Geoffrey King




    261650

    Sgt. James Francis Stuart Donnellan 10th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.3rd Nov 1915)

    James Donnellan is buried in new Irish Farm Cemetery.

    David Sewell




    261649

    Boy II James John Lester HMS Diamond

    James was my maternal grandmother's brother.

    He served on HMS Diamond 25 June 1910 to 31 Aug 1910 as Boy II, aged 17

    Michael Richard Smith




    261641

    Pte. Duncan Munro McMinn 18th (4th Glasgow) Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.6th Nov 1918)

    Duncan McMinn served with the 18th (4th Glasgow) Btn. Highland Light Infantry. His brother, John McMinn, died on 7th of November 1918 in Calais, France.

    Robert Munro Lewis




    261638

    Pte. Henry Ross 1/10th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.17th Apr 1918)

    Henry Ross was my uncle. He was known in the family as Harry and was my dad's eldest brother. He is buried in the New British cemetery in Couin, France.





    261637

    Pte. John Sutherland Highland Light Infantry (d.15th May 1917)

    <p>John Sutherland, Highland Light Infantry

    Jack Sutherland served with the Highland Light Infantry.





    261631

    Pte. Samuel Discombe MM. 99th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My grandfather, Sam Discombe, was a conscientious objector but did not refuse to go to war. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and was a stretcher bearer. He survived the war and received the Defence medal in WW2. He was awarded the Military Medal as he distinguished himself in the field on the 20th and 21st of May 1917 on the Hindenburg Line.

    John Discombe




    261627

    Pte. Walter Sleight 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.26th August 1914)

    Walter Sleight was part of the British Expeditionary Forces.

    Adrienne Maher




    261625

    Pte. James Edward George Gibaud Rifle Brigade

    <p>James Gibaud on a Douglass Model E Motorcycle

    My grandfather, James Gibaud, was born 4th Jun 1894 at 81 Packington Street, Islington, London. He was a fancy leather goods apprentice working for his father's business at age 16. The family home prior to WW1 was 4 Fotheringham Road, Enfield, London. He is pictured riding a Douglas Model E motorcycle which was manufactured ca. 1911, which is why it is assumed he will have been age 16 or 17. Perhaps the photo was taken nearer to 1915, as he is wearing an armband on his right arm that has the King's Crown on it. He also has what appears to be an army badge on his left collar, but the image is not clear enough to confirm what it may be. The armband has been seen before in old footage during WW1 where men are enlisting and some people are wearing the same, but the significance of this armband is unknown.

    We believe that he joined up with the Rifle Brigade on 30th of July 1915. His surname has varied several times as Gibane and Giband. There was a family story indicating that a family member may have been a sniper during the war, could this have been him? He boxed for the army and continued to box for a while after leaving the army. I have an image of him sitting proudly next to a couple of trophies. One trophy is a large shield which appears to be Clacton Gymnasium, but that has never been confirmed. Apart from the British Army Medal Rolls Cards, no other military records can be found for my grandfather. I would dearly love to find out more if possible and also hope to find an image of him whilst in his army uniform.

    James Gibaud sitting proudly next to his boxing trophies

    Peter Gibaud




    261622

    Frmn. Thomas Patten SS Memphian (d.8th Oct 1917)

    Thomas Patten died on 8th of October 1917, at the age of 47, aboard SS Memphian, a defensively armed British merchant steamer that was torpedoed without warning by German submarine U96 when 7 miles ENE of Arklow Light Vessel, Ireland. Thirty-two lives were lost. The ship was en route from Liverpool to Boston, Massachusetts.

    My grandfather told me that his father asked him to see him off at the pier head. By the time my grandfather returned to the family home in Sand Street, word had reached the family that the ship had gone down with all hands. At age 11, his father dead, my grandfather had to provide for his mother and sister, as being "on the parish" they had very little money. He told me a story about getting some coal for the fire in the front of his jumper by crawling under a gate into a factory yard. He thought he had been spied and was terrified he was going to be deported to Australia!

    Ged Lloyd




    261612

    Pte. Martin William Henry Neale 6th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    My granddad, Martin Neale, took part in the Battle of Langemark in September 1917. His Battalion was part of the 20th Division alongside 6th Battalion, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. He was wounded on the 20th of September 1917.

    Martin Neale




    261605

    Pte. Samuel Yates 17th (2nd North Wales) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.7th February 1916)

    Samuel Yates's service records show that he was 19 years and 2 months old when he enlisted in Llandudno on the 15th of August 1915. He was 5 feet 6 and-a-half inches tall. Samuel's records show he entered the theatre of France on the 5th of Dec 1915. The 17th Service Battalion formed in Llandudno and joined the 113th Brigade. In Dec 1915 they were mobilised for war and landed in France and engaged in various actions on the Western Front.

    I'm looking for a photo of him if one exists.

    Leigh Bennett




    261594

    Rflmn. John William Laurance Shillibeer 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.23rd March 1918)

    <p>

    John Shillibeer was my great grandfather. All I know is that he died 23rd of March 1918 and is buried in Pozieres, France.

    Robert Shillibeer




    261593

    L/Cpl. Robert Maughan 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.16th September 1916)

    <p>Robert Maughan

    Robert Maughan was born in 1893. He was the first born of the family. He was an ex coal miner from Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland.

    Stuart McCloud




    261583

    Pte. John Spencer 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.4th Apr 1918)

    In February 1918, the 10th Glosters was disbanded and re-formed as the 13th Entrenching Battalion, which itself was disbanded shortly thereafter with its personnel being distributed to infantry units in the face of the German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael). Private John Spencer was attached to the 5th Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry.

    Peter White




    261582

    Pte. Frank Stephen Collett HMS Goliath Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.13th May 1915)

    Frank Collett was serving on the battleship HMS Goliath during the Gallipoli campaign when the ship was torpedoed and sunk by a German-built Turkish destroyer named Muavenet-I-Miliet. He was one of 570 men who lost their lives in the sinking.

    Frank Stephen Collett




    261571

    CSM. Alfred Allbrighton MM, 11th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Alfred Allbrighton is my great-great uncle. Born in Polesworth, Warwickshire, he joined 11th Battalion, The Prince of Wales' Own (West Yorkshire Regiment). He was killed on 20th of September 1917, and is remembered on the memorial wall at Tyne Cot, Belgium. There is no grave, as his body wasn't found. My son has visited Tyne Cot. The inscription states that Alfred "went over the top", the soldier next to him was shot, so Alfred picked him up and carried him back to the trench. On leaving the trench for a second time, Alfred was fatally shot. He was awarded the Military Medal.

    Debbie Burrows




    261565

    Gnr. Warwick Rendle 234th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.18th Jul 1917)

    Warwick Rendle served with the Devonshire Batteries and 234th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    N. S. Rendle




    261564

    Capt. Henry Hannam Haddelsey 6th Battalions Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>Grave of Henry Hannam Haddelsey (1892-1965) at Innisfail, Alberta.

    Harry Haddelsey was born in Caistor, Lincolnshire. He served as a sergeant with the 6th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, in France from 21st of May 1915, to 1st of August 1916. He also served with the 7th KOYLI. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant (and later Captain) on 2nd of August 1916. He was wounded in action twice, seriously on 7th October 1916. He joined the RAF in September 1918 and emigrated to Canada after the war, but returned with the Canadian Army during WWII (though too old for combat service). He died in Canada 1965.

    Stephen Haddelsey




    261557

    Lt. Horace Herbert Hayes 1st Battalian South Wales Borderers

    My grandfather, Horace Hayes, HHH, was listed as a Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borders in 1917. He survived the war, and died in 1957.

    Julian Hayes




    261555

    Spr. Thomas Brookes Watson 260th Railway Company Royal Engineers (d.9th Jan 1918)

    My grandfather, Thomas Watson, was a shunter with the Midland Railway at Derby. He was called up aged 38. He died leaving 8 children. He lived at the Hill Top in Belper, Derbyshire. He was a Belper man.

    Peter Johnson




    261550

    Cpl. John Richardson Murray 1/4th Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.12th Jul 1915)

    John Murray was the son of a baker and confectioner, James Murray, and Jane McClure McMichan and lived at 24 Horsemarket, Kelso, Roxburghshire. He was an apprentice joiner when he volunteered to join the King's Own Scottish Borderers before WW1. Military service was in the family blood from the late 1700s and early 1800s.

    His unit, the 1/4th KOSB, was sent to Cape Helles on the Gallipoli peninsula as part of the 52nd Division, and he died in one of the four landing waves on the first day, 12th July 1915. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

    Yvonne Hardwick




    261546

    Pte. Stanley Jennings 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd May 1917)

    Stanley Jennings was killed during the Battle of Arras.

    Christine Whitmore




    261536

    Pte. Richard Thomas Betts 1st Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment

    Richard Betts was my grandfather and never talked about his time in France during WW1. It left him traumatised for years afterward with what we now know as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was discharged in February 1919. His military record card shows he had medals, but I assume these have been lost now.

    Susan Betts




    261533

    Pte. John Joseph Lewarne Army Service Corps

    My paternal grandfather, John Lewarne served as a mechanic with the Army Service Corps during WW1 but was discharged on 8th of September 1917 due to sickness (Kings Regulations, Para 392 xvi). I know that he was gassed and died in 1935. I would like to know more about him.

    Sharon Bailey




    261517

    Pte. Frederic Vaux 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    Fred Vaux was captured during the German Spring offensive on 21st of March 1918 at St Quentin. He was held as a POW, with last camp at an Iron Ore Mine outside Luxembourg. He kept a diary during this time which makes interesting reading.

    Cy Crane




    261515

    Pte. Charles Samuel Gibson 6th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    Charles Gibson serve with the 6th Btn. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs). He was treated at the Kitchener Military Hospital in Brighton in 1918.

    Mike




    261513

    Pte. Robert Fentie 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    Robert Fentie's older brothers had joined up. So he lied about his age so he could join. He was in France in 1917.

    Pat Nicholl




    261510

    Pte. Wildfred Crowe 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.27th July 1916)

    Private Wilfred Crowe serving with the 15th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment died on 27th of July 1916 aged 19. He was the son of Thomas and Harriet Crowe, Andreas, Ramsey, Isle of Man. He is remembered with honour at the Thiepval Memorial.

    Leslie Crowe




    261494

    2Lt. John Wills Redding MID. 7th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.24th Apr 1918)

    John Redding was the second son of Joseph James Redding (1862-1932) and Sarah Elizabeth Jones (1857-1908). He and his four brothers Joseph Ernest Redding (1888-1961), Lawrence Henry Redding (1890-1919), Harold Stanley Redding (1892-1970) and Donald Llewellyn Redding (1898-1969) all fought in the Great War.

    John enlisted in 1915 from Australia where he and his brother had emigrated to in 1912. He was a Second Lieutenant in the Honourable Artillery Company and transferred to 7th BattalionEast Lancashire Regiment. He was killed in action on 24th of April 1918 and is buried at Camon in France. He was Mentioned in Despatches.

    Diane Sharp




    261486

    Drv. John Cornelius Albert Farley 32nd Brigade, 27th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.9th Nov 1914)

    I don't know much about John Farley, only that he has no known grave and is listed on the Menin Gate. He joined the 27th Battery RFA on 13th of October 1914. He left a young wife and unborn son.

    Sheila Merritt




    261479

    Pte. William Henry Maguire 63rd Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    William Maguire was born in Dublin on 4 Aug 1899 and enlisted to join the Royal Irish Rifles on 4th of October 1915 for the duration of the war. He was discharged on the of April 1916 for having lied about his age.

    He re-enlisted on 12th of August 1916 with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers under the name John Byrne. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 25th of October 1916 and was wounded in action in France on 17th of May 1918, a shrapnel wound to his left thigh "large enough to put your fist in".

    He was transferred to the class 'Z' Army Reserve on 27 Feb 1919 and discharged on 23 Jun 1919 as he was re-enlisted (short service) the next day to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He was then discharged on 15 Mar 1920 for failing to meet the physical requirements.

    He then re-enlisted under yet another name, Joseph Byrne with the Welch Regiment Defence Force on 13 April 1921, only to be discharged for completion of engagement on 6 Jul 1921.

    He re-enlisted again, under the name Joseph Byrne, with the Welch Regiment on 1 Mar 1922 and was transferred to the Royal Welch Fusiliers on 6 Mar 1922. He remained there until 16 Jan 1928 (discharged because services were no longer required under Para 636 (XVIII) of the King's Regulations.

    He re-enlisted for the final time during World War 2, under the name William Henry Maguire (his real name), on 16 Aug 1944 with the Embodied Territorial Army (Royal Pioneer Corps). He continued to serve until 10 Feb 1954.

    Damian Penston




    261478

    PO. O. G. Miller HMS Benbow

    Petty Officer Miller served as a gun layer on HMS Benbow in WWI and in the Black Sea in 1919. In 1924, he won the Mediterranean Fleet Field Guns Crew Trophy.

    Ken Joyce




    261476

    Pte. George Porter Swann 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    <p>George Swann, 3rd Worcestershire Regiment in 1915

    My grandfather George Swann served in the First World War in France with the 3rd Worcestershire Regiment. I know very little of his battles, but he fought on the Somme and returned home minus all of his toes and spent a long time in hospital in recovery. In 1922, he jumped on a runaway horse which had bolted and killed a six year old girl in the road. He managed to stop the horse but injured his legs badly and spent more time in hospital. Always a hero to me, he lived to 70 years and died in 1960.

    Robert Swann




    261469

    Pte Robert James Bates 3/1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment (d.5th December 1916)

    Born in 1894, Robert Bates lived with his parents, Fredrick and Emily at 55 St John's Road, Hemel Hempstead, and was employed as a mill hand at the Saw Mill (in Kingsland Road, Boxmoor) where his father also worked as a sawyer.

    At the age of 21 he enlisted for service at Hertford on the 7th of June 1915 with the Hertfordshire Regiment. After a period of training he was posted to Northern France on the 13th March 1916 within a draft of 100 men.

    Unfortunately, Robert’s front line service was to be short lived. Whilst serving in the trenches at Givenchy, he contracted pleural effusion (fluid next to the lung) and was returned to England for rest and treatment. Eventually, as his health deteriorated further, he was discharged from the Army on the 26th of September 1916 suffering from tuberculous peritonitis. By the end of the year he had died.

    He is commemorated with honour on the Hemel Hempstead War Memorial. In 2019 as a result of an "in from the cold" application he was officially recognised by the CWGC as a war time casualty.

    Brendan Unknown




    261465

    Pte. Charles Edward Fairbanks 11th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th September 1918)

    I have discovered my great great uncle, Charles Fairbanks, served with the 11th Cameronians. I know very little apart from he was killed in Salonika and is buried in Dorian Military Cemetery in Greece.

    Angela Fairbanks




    261462

    James Haughan Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    My grand father, James Haughan (Born 1897) enlisted from 3 Hobart Terrace, Moorville, Carlisle in Jan 1916. The house is now 16 Kingstown Road. He was a fireman on the London, Midland and Scottish Railway when enlisted. He signed up to 4th Border Regiment at 18 years, 5 months as a railway fireman on 18th Jan 1916. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

    He was demobbed in Oct 1919 to 9 Summerfield Street, Glasgow. He missed out on his gold watch for long service to the railway because he volunteered, had he been conscripted, he would have got it!

    Mark Haughan




    261445

    Pte. Archibald Mills D Coy., 8th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>Archibald Mills

    Apparently, Archibald Mills originally enlisted (or maybe was conscripted – it’s unclear) as No. 21475 in an unknown battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. His birthdate is shown as 3rd January 1898 at Stenhouse. He would have completed his basic military training with that unit, and might have expected to join one of the active service units of the Argylls but instead, between 23rd and 26th of September 1917, he was compulsorily transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

    The MGC had a presence in every brigade of every division serving overseas since the beginning of 1916. At that time, each brigade comprised 4 infantry battalions, each of up to 1,000 men, plus a pioneer battalion, artillery units, a trench mortar company, medical units, Royal Engineers, and Royal Signals. It also had a dedicated machine gun company which took its designation from the brigade in which it served. The company was about 140 strong, fielding 16 Vickers Mk 1 heavy machine guns, manned 6-men to each, plus a transport section of horse- or mule-drawn wagons to bring up fresh supplies of ammunition and spare parts from dumps to the rear of the front line.

    The duties of a machine-gun company were: to go forward if the infantry was attacking (usually in the second or third wave) to provide fire against counter-attacks; then to defend at all times the infantry and artillery positions; and finally, in the event that the infantry had to withdraw in the face of attack by the enemy, the gunners were expected to remain to the last, to give everyone else time to get out in good order. Hence, MGC casualties were always on the high side. Not for nothing were they known by the squaddies as The Suicide Club.

    There were three brigades in each division and, therefore, three MG companies in each division. In the spring of 1917, the War Office responded to requests to beef up the fire power by sending out a fourth company that would be independent of the brigades and under the direct control of the brigadier, to be used wherever he saw fit.

    Archibald underwent a six-week gunnery and tactics course at Belton Park, Grantham and on completion would have been sent out to France, probably by the end of November 1917. He joined No. 218 Company (the "fourth" MG company), which was part of the 8th Division. He may have joined just in time to see his first action at the assault on the Southern Redoubt, Passchendaele on 2nd of December 1917, which marked the end of serious fighting that year, as winter conditions prevented either side from continuing.

    All then went fairly quiet, and on 20th of January 1918, in common with other divisions of the Western Front, the four machine gun companies in the 8th Division amalgamated to form the 8th Battalion MGC, which was now about 750 strong and fielding 64 machine guns. The old 218th Company became D Company in the new organization. The Division was to remain in the Ypres sector around Passchendaele until 12th of March 1918, when it was relieved in the line and sent to the Somme sector near Longuenesse. Its strength at that point was 37 officers, 777 other ranks, plus 258 horses and mules. The make-up of the 8th Division was then nine infantry battalions: 2nd Devons, 2nd West Yorks, 2nd Middlesex, 1st Worcesters, 1st Notts & Derbys, 2nd Northamptons, 2nd E. Lancs, 2nd R. Berkshires, and 2nd Rifle Brigade, with 22nd Durhams as Pioneers.

    The situation in the Somme sector was disquieting. In March 1918, the Germans had finally knocked the Russians out of the war, forcing an armistice of the Eastern Front. This enabled them to transfer about 1 million battle-hardened troops to the West, which they concentrated in the Somme. The British Army was under-strength there. Political considerations at home had starved the units of reinforcements. There was a general election due and the Prime Minister, Lloyd George, withheld many young trained soldiers in the hope of keeping the electorate on his side. It was a decision which nearly lost the war.

    The Germans now outnumbered their opponents at a ratio of about 3:1 and they were about to launch a massive offensive, trying to drive a wedge between the British and French armies, pushing through to the Channel ports and thus knocking Great Britain out of the war before the American Army, now arriving in huge numbers, could tip the balance against them. The 8th Division (with Archibald in D Company, 8th Battalion MGC) was at Harbonnieres, behind the Somme Canal, when the first assaults commenced on 21st of March 1918. All defending divisions were pushed quickly back all along the Somme frontage and by the 29th April the 8th Battalion MGC had lost 23 officers and 410 other ranks. Many of these were initially listed as missing and subsequently found to be POWs. The 8th Division was relieved by the 4th Australian Division.

    It was clear that the whole Division was in a very poor state and needed to be rested and strongly reinforced. Along with the 21st, 25th, and 50th Divisions, all in a similar state, the 8th was sent to a "quiet" spot in the French lines farther south in the Aisne sector where a build-up of strength and recuperation could take place. The 8th arrived at Fere-en-Tardenois where they were packed like sardines into French trenches on the ridge of high ground known as the Chemin-des-Dames (The Ladies Road), which the French had taken from the Germans at enormous cost in 1917 and was the cause of the near-mutiny in the French Army.

    The British were of the opinion that the positions held were very bad. They were on ground with a river to the rear and there was no strength-in-depth, a tactic used very successfully by the Brits in March/April on the Somme. There were no trenches further back and no reserve artillery points, but the French would not hear of establishing that system - they would not yield a single yard, although they told the British that there was nothing to fear anyway, that it was a very quiet spot! Unknown to the French and British, the Germans had decided to make an all-out effort to break through to Paris since they had been stopped on the Somme, well short of the Channel ports. They also knew the British were "resting" there and had decided to head straight for them, engaging 12 whole divisions.

    When the battle started on 27th May 1918, the British units stood no chance. They were quickly overwhelmed and outflanked, and were forced into a headlong retreat in which thousands were killed or taken prisoner. The heaviest blows fell upon the 8th Division, and poor Archy was "in the bag" by the next day, the 28th May 1918. The overall offensive failed after the Germans had captured much ground, but at fearful cost. It would be their last gamble of the war. Fewer than half of the strength of 8th Battalion MGC escaped capture. The POWs from this period were spread among many different camps. Archy was sent to Gustrow Camp, south of Rostock on the Baltic coast.

    He was released immediately after the Armistice and arrived back in the UK, at Dover, on 1st of December 1918. All returned POWs were given immediate leave unless they required hospital treatment. Archibald Mills was discharged from the Army on 28 March 1919 and went to Class Z Reserve. That meant that the Army regarded him as fit, and liable for recall in an emergency.

    Stuart Henderson




    261438

    Pte. James Haldane Hamilton 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.29th Sep 1918)

    <p>James Hamilton, 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    James Hamilton served with the 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

    Jo Barber




    261436

    Cpl. Daniel McIntee 14th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.26th Nov 1917)

    <p>Daniel McIntee, 14th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Daniel McIntee served with the 14th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.





    261427

    L/Cpl. Walker Sykes Hirst 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)

    Walker Hirst was captured at Erquinghem on 10th April 1918 and sent via Lille to Dulmen POW Camp.

    Walker Lapthorne




    261422

    Dvr. Thomas Edward Crowe 110 Batt Royal Field Artillary (d.28th Mar 1918)

    Norman Crowe




    261418

    L/Cpl. William Bryan 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>William Bryan

    My great-great-uncle William Bryan. William fought in the Boer War and India prior to WW1. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has his date of death as 27th of October 1914. I visited Ypres and the Menin Gate last year to pay my respects to Bill, who was in the 1st Battalion KRRC. Incredibly, I have just found out that he is listed as a prisoner in Red Cross records dated 2nd of November 1914 and later in Güstrow POW Camp records dated 2nd of December 1914. After all these years, nobody alive today realized that 27th of October 1914 was not in fact his actual date of death.

    So from today begins more research in the hope that we can now find out what really did happen to our Bill.





    261414

    Pte. Arthur West 1st (East Anglian) Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Arthur West was awarded the War Medal, the Victory Medal, and the King's Medal (No. 503707).

    Graham Wood




    261406

    2Lt. Francis George Potter 1/8th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.24th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    I understand that the 1/8th Worcestershire Regiment was involved in the attack on Guillemont Farm on 24th of Apr 1917, where Francis Potter lost his life. There is no known grave and he is remembered on the memorial at Thiepval.

    Richard Palmer




    261405

    Cpl. Joseph Forster 1/8th Battalion Pincess Louise Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.16th May 1917)

    My great uncle Joseph Forster joined the 1/8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders(Princess Louise) on the 18th of April 1915. He and his comrades were guarding a chemical works at Fampoux on the last day of the Battle of Arras 16th of May 1917 when he was listed as missing presumed killed. He was 19 years old.

    Alan Pearson




    261403

    Allan Gordon Woodbine White 2/24th Battalion London Regiment

    My grandfather, Allan White's war record survives and he enlisted on 30th of June 1915 at the age of 19. He went to France on 20th of June 1916 and then on to Salonkia on 5th of May 1917. After a period of sick leave in Summerhill Camp, England he then went to Egypt on 26th of February 1918. In June 1918 he was ill with pyrexia (fever). On 19th of September 1918 he was back in France.

    He re-enlisted whilst still serving overseas on 20th Feb 1919 to the 2nd Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. He was discharged on health ground on 20 Jan 1920 due to malaria he had picked up overseas. He died aged 53 many years before I was born.

    Lesley Lynch




    261398

    Pte. Joseph Ousbey 8th Battalion Welch Regiment (d.28th October 1915)

    Joseph Ousbey was 17 years old when he disembarked on Sulva Beach on 2nd of October 1915. He died of wounds on 28th of October 1915. I am searching for any related photos please of 8th Welch Regiment or other people or his company section.

    Harold Ousby




    261397

    Spr. Fred Ellis 333rd Road Construction Company Royal Engineers

    Fred Ellis my great grandfather, a stone mason by trade, he enlisted in the 333rd Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers and attested on 10th of December 1915 at the age of 36. He was mobilized on 1st of February19 17 and with the BEF served in France until returning home 18th of April 1919. He was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Kevin Menzies




    261391

    Pte. Thomas Cowley 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Thomas Cowley served in France from 19th of April 1915 until he was honourably discharged on 19th of November 1917, aged 40.

    Mark Taylor




    261390

    Maria Prada Tappington Grange Auxiliary Hospital

    Maria Prada and her cousin Dolores Prada left Trinidad in the West Indies to serve on the wards at Tapppington Grange Auxiliary Hospital in 1918 as part of the Voluntary Aid Detachment. They were proud to do their part in the war effort. Both had brothers who served. Both had cousins who served. They were proud to be British, despite their parents being Venezuelan.

    Sean




    261389

    Dolores Prada Tappington Grange Auxiliary Hospital

    Dolores Prada and her cousin Maria Prada left Trinidad in the West Indies to serve at Tappington Grange Auxiliary Hospital in 1918 as part of a Voluntary Aid Detachment. They were proud to do their part in the war effort. Both had brothers who served and both had cousins who served. They were proud to be British, despite their parents being Venezuelan.





    261388

    Pte. William Forbes Barnett DCM, MM. 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.11th Apr 1918)

    William Barnett was my paternal grandmother's brother. He won the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Medal for extreme bravery for repeatedly going out under heavy fire to rescue wounded comrades from the battlefield. He was a private and came from a crofting family background. He must have had great strength of character to behave as he did, finally paying with his life.

    Helen Murdoch




    261381

    Pte. John Thomas Price 1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.31st Oct 1918)

    At age 24, when he was already in the Field Ambulance Corps, John Price married Ada Pugh at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Easington, County Durham on 13th of September 1917. Prior to his service, he was probably a coal miner. He died in Belgium just over a year later and is buried in Heverlee War Cemetery.

    Frances Bagnall




    261378

    Cpl. Robert Henry Leggott 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.25th Sep 2016)

    <p>Robert Leggott, 4th Grenadier Guards

    The first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st of July 1916, is known as the worst day in the history of the British Army, with nearly 60,000 men, all volunteers, killed, wounded or listed as missing. The campaign, which only ended 141 days later, saw more than 400,000 British casualties, and the scarred communities they left behind were determined to mark their loss, erecting memorials to the dead.

    Those in Yorkshire show how the war affected almost all communities, from tiny rural villages to the big industrial cities of Bradford, Sheffield and Leeds. Among those receiving Grade II listing from Historic England for the first time is the simple stone marker at Commondale in the North York Moors, that represents the sacrifice of just two men, boyhood friends and fellow shepherds Robert Leggott and Alfred Cockerill.

    The pair signed up together in 1914, with Leggott, who was just 17, lying about his age to enlist. He was killed at the Somme on September 25, 2016, and his body was never found. In 1920, Lady Gisborough, who was horrified at the loss of the two local shepherds, had the Shepherd's Memorial erected on Gisborough Moor above the village of Commondale.

    Robbie's family continues to farm on the moors to this day, his great-nephew James Johnson being responsible for providing this information.

    The Shepherds Memorial

    James Johnson




    261376

    Sgt. John Richard Chapman MM. 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    John Chapman volunteered during August 1914 and was sent to France after initial training. He took a prominent part in many important engagements, including the Battles of Ypres, Loos, the Somme, and Cambrai. He also participated in severe fighting at Dickebusch and Beaulencourt. He was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the field, and was discharged in September 1918 on grounds of ill health. He died of tuberculosis in 1927.

    Linda Hillier




    261372

    Pte David Evans 2nd Btn Welsh Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    David Evans of the 2nd Btn., Welsh Regiment is my Great Grandfather, husband of Beatrice Alice Weal (formerly Evans) of 29 Hengoed Crescent, Hengoed, Cardiff. He was Killed in action on 9th of May 1915, age 38. and is remembered with honour Le Touret Memorial.

    Sue Browne




    261371

    Boy1. Leonard Karl Taylor HMS Clan McNaughton (d.3rd Feb 1915)

    Leonard Taylor went down with his ship off Newfoundland during a severe gale. All hands were lost.

    Andrew




    261367

    Boy1. Henry Allen HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    Henry Allen served with HMS Black Prince

    s flynn




    261366

    Able Sea. Patrick Allen HMS Arabis (d.11th February 1916)

    Patrick Allen served with HMS Arabis

    s flynn




    261365

    Able Sea. Robert Algie HMS Hawke (d.15th October 1914)

    Robert Algie served with HMS Hawke

    s flynn




    261364

    CPO. Patrick Joseph Aherne HMS Vivid (d.14th July 1918)

    Patrick Aherne served with HMS Vivid

    s Flynn




    261363

    Shpwrgt2. Richard Ahern HMS Goliath (d.13th May 1915)

    Richard Ahern served with HMS Goliath

    S flynn




    261362

    Able Sea. Andrew Ahern H.M.S. C29 (d.29th August 1915)

    Andrew Ahern served with H.M. Submarine C29

    S Flynn




    261361

    Blksmth. William Ahern HMS Indefatigable (d.31st May 1916)

    William Ahern served as a Blacksmith with HMS Indefatigable

    S flynn




    261360

    Stkr1. Thomas Rainey Agnew HMS Vanguard (d.9th July 1917)

    Thomas Agnew served with HMS Vanguard

    S flynn




    261359

    Stkr1. Nathaniel Agnew HMS Hawke (d.15th November 1914)

    Nathaniel Agnew served with HMS Hawke

    s Flynn




    261358

    Lsg.Stkr. James Agnew HMS Indefatigable (d.31sth May 1916)

    James Agnew served with HMS Indefatigable.

    S. Flynn




    261355

    Pte. James Bell Crichton VC. 2nd Auckland Regiment

    James Crichton was born in Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland and served in the British Army before emigrating to New Zealand. When the First World War broke out, he enlisted in the 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force and served in Gallipoli and then France. In April 1918, while serving as a Warrant Officer with the 1st New Zealand Field Bakery, he voluntarily relinquished his rank and transferred as a Private in the 2nd Auckland Infantry Regiment. Crichton was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on the 30th of September 1918 at Crèvecoeur in France during the Allied advance. Crichton had been wounded in the foot but when his platoon was forced back by a counter attack he carried a message by swimming a river and crossing an area swept by machine-gun fire. Later, under enemy fire, he removed explosive charges from a bridge, saving it from destruction.

    s Flynn




    261351

    Pte. Edward Cracknell 11th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Cracknell served on the Italian Front and died of influenza a few days before the Armistice. He is buried at Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa.

    Stephen Burke




    261350

    L/Cpl. Isaiah Fisher 6th Btn York & Lancaster Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Isaiah Fisher served with the 6th York & Lancaster Regiment.

    Debra Kafara




    261348

    Sgt. Godfrey Julian Morton MM. No. 11 Squadron Royal Flying Corps

    <p>Godfrey Morton, No. 11 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps

    Godfrey Morton was awarded the Military Medal. He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps on the 14th of November 1914 as a rigger. He went over seas with 11 Squadron on the 23rd of July 1915. He qualified as an Observer on 31st of January 1916 and was listed as missing on 17th of September 1916. He was awarded the Military Medal on 20th of October 1916. He had been taken as a Prisoner of War and a message reached Britain from an unofficial but reliable source on the 24th. On 17th of October it was reported that he was at Kunberg in Bavaria and had been wounded in left foot and right thigh. He had been admitted to the POW Hospital for treatment by the 4th of October 1916. By 14th of September 1917 he was at Lietfield POW Camp. He was repatriated to Ripon Camp on the 17th of December 1918 and was discharged in February 1919 with a Silver War Badge due to the wound to his foot. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.





    261338

    Cpl. Stephen Calvin Carvell 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Stephen Carvell was captured at Mons on the 23rd of August 1914.

    Robert Douglas




    261329

    Med. Officer. James William Hope Cliff House Hospital British Red Cross Society (d.Nov 1918)

    James Hope came from Western Australia as Commissioner for Public Health and volunteered with the BRCS. Cliff House Hospital must have been his first placement before going to France. He worked on the Medical Tribunal in 1918 and died of the Spanish flu in November 1918.

    Mike Bryant




    261327

    RSM. Arthur Frederick Ridout 19th (County of London) Btn. London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Arthur Ridout was my great-great-grandmother's son by her second marriage. He was very close to his half brothers and sisters being from a farming family in Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset. In 1911, he married Ella who was a great friend of Arthur's sister Minnie Ridout, who was also courting a soldier (a friend of her brother Arthur) and was engaged to be married to him. He enlisted on 5th September 1914 at Camden Town. On 9th March 1915 he was sent to France with the 1st Battalion. He landed in France with one stripe and gained promotions through merit, being promoted to Sergeant in Loos and then to CSM of D Company. He was very well liked from all accounts. He became RSM in May 1916. He died in battle on 15th September 1916 at High Wood, Longueval, Somme, France. He is buried at the London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval and commemorated on the Mitcham War Memorial and also at Shillingstone, Dorset War Memorial.

    His sister Minnie Ridout also lost her fiancé during the First World War and she never married.

    Carol Morgan




    261326

    Pte. Harold Buck 8th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    Harold Buck's death was mentioned, together with his photograph, in the Hull Daily Mail on 19th of August 1919.

    Norman Buck




    261315

    Rflmn. Harry Timberlake 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.15th September 1916)

    Harry Timberlake was my great uncle on my mother's side. He was killed in action 15 September 1916. He is buried in the CWGC, Guards Cemetery at Lesboeufs. I located his grave on a visit to the battle fields in September 2012.

    Lest We Forget

    Steve Noakes




    261312

    Pte. Thomas Kelly 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    Thomas Kelly was wounded in September 1915 but was refused an army pension. He died on the 6th of April 1919

    Sean Kelly




    261309

    W. E. Walkem HMS Firedrake

    <p>

    This clock was given to W Walkem by the Ward Room Officers of HMS Firedrake on the occasion of his marriage in 1914. Purchased at an Ashburton Devon auction, no information knowed.

    Graham Potter




    261307

    ERA. Stanley Francis Finch MID. HMS Tiger

    Stanley Finch was born in Senglea, Malta, in 1897, while his father was posted to the RN Dockyard there, from their home base in Devonport.

    During WW1 he was apprenticed as a Fitter in Rogers Ship Builders in Cremyll, near Devonport, following which in April 1918 he joined the RN, for 12 years, during which he spent time both at sea (in HMS Tiger, HMS Columbine and HMS Frobisher) and in shore establishments, notably Vivid 11 in Devonport.

    In 1929 he signed on for a further 12 years, then in April 1940 for a further 3, firstly as a Chief Engine Room Artificer, then from July 1940 as Acting Warrant Engineer. He served protecting Atlantic convoys in the Destroyer HMS Stanley, until she was sunk by torpedo on 19th of December 1941. Stanley Finch was one of 10 officers, out of 125 crew who died. There were 29 survivors. He is remembered on the huge war memorial on Plymouth Hoe.

    Sadly, Stanley was one of 3 brothers who all died within a 4 year period. His elder brother Leonard died while employed in Portsmouth dockyard in 1943, and the eldest brother William Finch MBE died in 1945 while en route to the Yalta conference as part of Churchill's team.

    Andrew Finch




    261306

    Pte. John Philip Leadbeater 16th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1916)

    John Philip Leadbeater served with the 16th Middlesex Regiment. He was the son of Mrs. Lilian S. Hannington of 191A Stephendale Rd., Fulham, London.

    P Wheeler




    261305

    Cpl. Edgar Robert Smith MM. 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Edgar Robert Smith was awarded the Military Medal. He was the son of Isaac and Ann Smith of Weasenham, King's Lynn, Norfolk.





    261298

    Pte. John McEwan 9th Btn. Black Watch (d.29th September 1915)

    My great Uncle John McEwan was wounded at the Battle of Loos and died a few days later at a military hospital in Le Treport.

    Raymond Hainey




    261297

    Pte. James Samuel Langhorn

    James Langhorn served with the RMLI at Chatham. I never knew James but I have a personal diary of his whilst being deployed and fighting in Gallipoli. Sorry not much else except he was awarded 1914 Star.

    B Langhorn




    261291

    Bmbdr. Edwin Cook D Bty. 103rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.15th Jun 1918)

    <p>Edwin Cook 103 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

    Edwin Cook was raised within sight of the River Tamar, in the rolling farmland of southeast Cornwall. One of five children, he sang in the local Methodist chapel choir at Burraton, a small village close to Saltash. He was married to Linda (known as Lin), and the couple had one son.

    Having served on the Western Front, Edwin and his comrades endured an exhausting march south, across the Alps, and onto the Asiago Plateau in northern Italy. He was killed at the second Battle of the Piave River, part of a small British contingent supporting Italian forces in their decisive defeat of the Austro-Hungarians. Edwin lies buried amidst the pine forests in the tiny British military cemetery at Granezza.

    Granezza Military Cemetery

    Anthony Golding-Cook




    261287

    Pte. Harold Thomas 14th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    <p>Harold Thomas

    Harold Thomas served with the 14th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.

    Michael Fitzgerald




    261285

    Pte. George Phipson 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1917)

    Records show that George Phipson was serving in France and Flanders and that he died on 25th of September 1917. His older brother William was killed the previous year in what is now Iraq.

    Michael Brooks




    261284

    CSM. Alfred Bailey Swallow 470th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>470th Field Company, R.E., Alfred Swallow is 3rd row up 11 from left

    Alfred Swallow was born in 1881 (April- June) at Grantham to William Swallow of Barrowby and Annie Swallow (nee Robinson) of Lincoln. At the time of the census of 1891, Alfred Bailey Swallow was age 9 years; Father William, age 50, was a wheelwright; and they were living at 16, Mile House Barrowby. Alfred Bailey Swallow married Ethel Martha Keal (born 1880 in Grantham) in 1907 (January- March) in Grantham. The union produced one child, Alfred Claud Swallow, born 1908 (July- September) in Grantham. At the time of the Census of 1911, Alfred's wife Ethel Martha Swallow, age 31, was living with their child Alfred Claud Swallow, age 3 years, and her younger brother Albert Maaman Keal, age 29, at 70, Grantley Street, Grantham. Alfred Bailey Swallow, a regular soldier, was killed in action 21st March 1918. Probate: Alfred Bailey Swallow of 46, Houghton Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, a Company Sergeant Major in the Royal Engineers, died 21st March 1918 in France, administration Lincoln 5th November 1918 to Ethel Martha Swallow effects £ 191- 10s 5d. Son of the late Frederick William and Annie Swallow, of Barrow by Mill, Grantham; husband of Ethel Martha Swallow, of 46, Houghton Rd., Grantham. In March 1977, Ethel Martha Swallow died at age 97 in Grantham. (Researchers: Roy G Stedman and C J Anderson.)

    He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal; King George's Delhi Durbar Medal. Alfred is remembered on memorials at Grantham St John Spittlegate, Grantham St. Wulfrum, and Barrowby All Saints.

    From the Grantham Journal, 4 May 1918: 'Mrs. Swallow, of 46 Houghton Road, Grantham, has been officially informed that her husband, Alfred Bailey Swallow, 2763, C.S.M. of a Field Company, R.E., has been missing since March 21st, and she will be glad to receive any information from his comrades concerning him. C.S.M. Swallow is the youngest son of the late Mr. W. F. Swallow, Barrowby. His friends believe he is a prisoner of war. He left Grantham as recently as March 14th after being home on fourteen days leave. He joined the Royal Engineers nineteen years ago, and has seen considerable foreign service. He was present throughout the Delhi Durbar, and received the Long Service Medal. His service in France covers two years, eight months'.

    From the Grantham Journal, 11th January 1919: 'Mrs. Swallow, 46, Houghton Road, would be extremely grateful for any information concerning her husband C.S.M. A.B. Swallow, 470th Field Company, R.E, who went into action on the 21st March 1918. Since then he has not been heard of. It is supposed that he was taken prisoner. Unwounded, but no definite news can be obtained'.

    From the Grantham Journal, 3rd May 1919: 'We much regret to announce that Co.-Sgt-Major Albert Bailey Swallow, 470th Field Company, R.E., reported missing on March 21st last year, has now been officially notified as dead. The youngest son of the late Mr. W. F. Swallow of Barrowby, the deceased was well known in the town, and his numerous friends will receive the sad news of his death with much sympathy. C.S.M. Swallow was a soldier by profession, and by conduct he was typical of all that a good soldier should be. He enlisted in the Engineers some twenty years ago, and had seen considerable foreign service, having served in Singapore, Aden and India. He was present on the occasion of the Delhi Durbar, for which he received a special medal, and he was also the holder of the Long Service Medal. On March 14th, last year he returned to military duties, after fourteen days' leave, and seven days later, whilst gallantly assisting to repel the German onslaught, he was severely wounded. That fact was not known at the time to his friends, who presumed that he had been taken prisoner, and nothing was heard of him until last November, when his wife was informed by a soldier returned from active service that her husband was badly wounded on March 21st, and left on the field. This has now been confirmed in a letter written by his commanding officer, Major L. Robinson. He writes "When I was at home, I saw one of my officers (Lieut. Hulse), who was taken prisoner on March 21st, and he told me that your husband was very badly wounded in the head, and they had to leave him when the Germans drove them back, and eventually captured them. There seemed no hope for your husband, and it appeared to be only a few minutes before he would pass away. I am deeply sorry to have to give you this news after all this time of waiting. Lieut. Hulse says your husband was simply magnificent, and cheery and cool during the whole fight, until he was hit. After he was hit, and the ammunition was running out, he pointed to his own belt for them to take his. Nothing I can say can do much to comfort you, I am afraid, but he has left a legacy of valour and uprightness to his children. To me he was invaluable help at all times. My deepest sympathies are with you in your great loss". It was only on Sunday last that Mrs. Swallow received official news of her husband’s death. C.S.M. Swallow, who was thirty seven years of age, married the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Harry Keal, and his widow and two children reside at 45 Houghton Road, Grantham'.

    Mark Swallow




    261282

    2nd Lt. Douglas Kemp MC. 470th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    Douglas Kemp was born in his grandparents’ home at 27, Princes Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight on 10th August 1892, the second child to Sydney Thomas Kemp and his wife Emily (nee Hayden). He spent his early years on the island, and from the age of 11 to 16 was educated at the Isle of Wight County Secondary School in Sandown. When he left school he became an articled apprentice for three years to a Mr. C. Mathews - a civil engineer, the Borough Surveyor of Ryde. During that time he was involved in estimating, and construction, and worked on sundry drainage, building and water supply schemes. (The 1911 Census shows him as living at home with his parents in Temple House, George Street, Ryde, where his occupation is given as being an architect's assistant). Having completed his apprenticeship, for twelve months or so, Douglas was paid 25 shillings a week by a Mr. Barton, and worked on some sanitary engineering, and a small town planning scheme in Ryde. In 1913 (probably around May) he moved to London, where up to July 1914 he was employed under the Borough Surveyor of Paddington, mostly reinforcing concrete on bridges. When war was declared in August 1914, he was working under Mr. Wilson (civil engineer) on the pier harbour at Thames Haven.

    Aged 17, Douglas first became a soldier in the Royal Engineers in October 1909 when he enlisted at Ryde as a Sapper in the Hampshire (Fortress) RE, Territorial Force. In June 1913, he transferred to the London Electrical Engineers RE (T) as a Sapper, qualifying as a "skilled electrician" in July 1914, and a "superior electrician" in August 1916.

    When the war broke out, Douglas was assigned to the 3rd Company, London Electrical Engineers and detailed to searchlight work at Dover. In December 1914, he was promoted to Acting 2nd Corporal, then in August 1915 to Acting Corporal. On 19th September 1915 he joined the British Expeditionary Force in France, where he spent some time attached to the 1/2nd Home Counties Field Company RE; and to the 1/3rd London Field Company RE in the searchlight detachment, where he was employed in general duties in the field. His rank as Corporal was made substantive on 2nd December 1915.

    On 12th May 1916, Douglas returned to England for searchlight work with the L.E.E. In June 1916, he moved to SE Section L.A.D. He returned in January 1917, shortly before being attached to the RE Cadet School in Deganwy, Wales. On receiving a temporary commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, he was discharged from the L.E.E on 31st March 1917. As that rank, he served with the 470th Field Company (renamed from 3/1st North Midland) RE (T) in France.

    On 9th of February 1918, Douglas was decorated with the Military Cross. The citation which was published in the London Gazette reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an enemy attack, he took charge of a party and held his position with great courage and coolness until reinforcements arrived. He then took part in a counter-attack and assisted in capturing an important trench which he held until relieved. He showed splendid initiative and determination at a critical time". The award of the Military Cross relates to the associated actions of the battle of Cambrai (20th November to 30th December 1917), when on 30th November 1917 the Germans launched an attack on the area surrounding the village of Gouzeaucourt.

    On the 21st of March 1918, when the Germans launched their Spring Offensive, Douglas was taken prisoner of war at Noreuil. He died from a leg wound on 23rd March 1918 whilst in a German field hospital at Quéant. He was buried in a mass grave in a German cemetery there, and is commemorated in the H. A. C. Cemetery in Ecoust-St. Mein.

    He was unmarried and had no children.

    Mark Swallow




    261278

    Pte. William Phipson 9th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.20th Apr 1916)

    Records show that William Phipson died of wounds whilst serving in Mesopotamia on 20th of April 1916. He is buried at the Almara Pt II Cemetery, in Maysan, Iraq. He left behind a wife and four young children.

    Michael Brooks




    261277

    Pte. Charles James Williams Army Service Corps

    My grandfather, Charles Williams served with the Army Service Corps during WW1. I am unsure of which unit. I have his notes and drawings of explosive bombs, hand grenades, shells, etc.

    Lee Williams




    261272

    L/Cpl. George Fredrick Wakefield 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.1st May 1915)

    George Wakefield was killed in action in Flanders.





    261269

    Pte. William James Anderson 49th Battalion

    William Anderson was wounded by shrapnel in battle on 8th June 1917 at Lens, France where he lost an eye and later lost his arm due to the injuries. He was admitted on 25th of July 1917 after being transferred from the No.23 Casualty Clearing Station in Avion.





    261267

    Drv. Leslie Allen 49th Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.13th Sep 1918)

    Leslie Allen was the eldest son of Frederick Allen and Rose Keen. He died on 13th of September 1918 and was buried at Duisans British Cemetery at Etrun in France. His name is also commemorated on the Cowley War Memorial in St. James Church, Cowley, Oxford.





    261266

    Pte. John Hedges 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment

    John Hedges was my grandfather. All I know is that he served with the 8th East Surrey Regiment. We always had a photo of him in uniform holding two grey horses by the reins. We do know he was in France on the Somme, also that he was gassed at some point. Records show he suffered afterwards from it. We think maybe he took part in the football advance (again, not confirmed). Unfortunately, he died during WW2 of peritonitis (not in service). As far as I know, he never discussed the war, and although he has two survivors still alive, little is known. The picture of him is being hunted down as I write this and, if found, could be of significance.

    Brian Hedges




    261264

    Pte. Stephen John Richens 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.10th Aug 1915)

    Stephen Richens is my Gran's great-uncle, she is 101 in January and I have been doing genealogy for her. According to the CWGC, he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.

    Kersti Clement




    261262

    Pte William George Dempsey 12th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.24th April 1917)

    We know very little about William Dempsey. The only concrete thing we have found out about him is that he must have lied about his age to enlist. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have his age as 22 when he was killed but he was actually 20 as he was born September 1896. He left a widow and an 11 month old son (my wife's father).

    Glenn Malone




    261259

    Pte. Joseph Bentley 1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.10th June 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Bentley served with the 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment.

    Angela Bailey




    261245

    A/CSM Evans Haire Galloway 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Evans Galloway was originally from Glasgow, Scotland. He was working as a salesman in Dublin prior to enlisting. Signed up on 22 November 1915. He went to France in August 1916. Was promoted to corporal on 29 November 1916. Promoted Sergeant 20 January 2018. Appointed acting Company Sergeant Major to 19th Battalion Corps School 26 June 1918.

    He returned from France 21 February 1919 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

    David Galloway




    261243

    Pte. George Robert Broom

    George Broom initally served with the Army. He was admitted to No 11 Stationery Hospital in Rouen on the 9th of March 1916. He was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley on the 22nd. He transferred to the Royal Air Force on 23rd of March 1918.





    261240

    Drv. Henry Arthur Howe MM. Royal Field Artillery

    Henry Howe served as a driver with 15th Divisional Artillery. He was awarded the Military Medal.

    Keith Howe




    261238

    Sgt. Frederick William Morgan Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Frederick Morgan

    Frederick Morgan was my great-grandfather. He served in Gallipoli and lost a leg in the Battle of the Somme. He survived the war, and moved his family to Rossington near Doncaster where his sons and grandsons became miners. One of his sons, Melvyn, served in the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards during WW2. He was captured and survived the war.

    Dennis Morgan




    261237

    Pte. Robert Cecil McDill 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>Robert McDill, 8th Seaforth Highlanders

    Robert McDill served with the 8th Seaforth Highlanders.

    Chris Fleming




    261236

    William George Spanswick 9th Lancers

    After serving in the 9th Lancers during the Great War on demobilisation William Spanswick immediately joined the Royal Navy as a stoker. In operations in support of the Greeks in Smyrna the ship was involved in landing British troops at Karaburun in support of the Greek occupation of Smyrna in May 1919. His next ship was the battlecruiser HMS Renown from 5th of March 1920.





    261226

    Pte. Charles Lancaster 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.25th Aug 1915)

    Charles Lancaster, was born in Louth Lincolnshire in 1896. He enlisted in the British Army as part of 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He was sent to France in 1915 and was killed in action on the 25th of August 1915 at the age of 19.

    Declan Chambers




    261224

    Pte. Robert Hunt 12th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.20th Nov 1917)

    Robert Hunt had been abandoned by his father and had no home when he was arrested at the age of 17 for stealing a bicycle and sent to borstal for three years. Released in July 1917, he joined the KRRC and finally made contact with his two sisters whom he had not seen for four years. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Cambrai 20th of Noevember 1917. 2Lt Pearson, his platoon commander, wrote to one of his sisters that Robert 'had proved himself a good soldier, always cheerful and willing'.

    David Caldwell-Evans




    261217

    CSM. Charles Horace Riley 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Charles Riley was a Company Sergeant Major in the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He fought in several of the battles of WW1. He volunteered in August 1914 when he was 23 years old.

    Moira Riley




    261213

    L/Cpl. Harry Shilcock Sherwood Foresters

    Harry Shilcock was taken as a prisoner of war on 22nd of October 1914.

    B. Shilcock




    261210

    Pte. Charles Galliers 10th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.22th Aug 1918)

    The adopted son of Annie Roberts, Charles Galliers enlisted in Oswestry. Shortly before the end of the war, he was killed in action on the western front in France at the age of 22. Charles is buried in Merville Cemetery and is remembered on both the Cambrian Railway War Memorial and the Guildsfield War Memorial.

    Kate O'Hara




    261208

    Gnr. Sydney Ernest Brogden B Bty., 235th Bde., RFA 47th (2nd London) Division (d.22nd Jul 1917)

    <p>Sydney Brogden Gravestone, La Clytte Military Cemetery

    Sydney Ernest Brogden was my great-great-uncle. His brother (Charles Godfrey Brogden, my great-great-grandfather) served in the Cheshire Regiment and was the first in and last out of France in 1914 and was part of the Old Contemptibles. He survived the whole war and served in some of the bloodiest battles. I haven’t yet found any pictures of him. Unfortunately, Sydney was killed in action at age 21, but I don't know exactly how or where he died. There were 6 siblings in all (including my great-great-grandfather), but I have no information about the other four. Sydney is buried at La Clytte Military Cemetery in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

    Brian Brogden




    261207

    Pte. Sidney Hunter 2/1st Highland Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Sidney Hunter served with the 2/1st Highland Field Ambulance was attached to the 51st (Highland) Division, which fought in France from May 1915.





    261201

    Gnr Richard Bartholomew Sweet "A" Bty. 210th Bde Royal Field Artillery (d.8th October 1918)

    <p>

    My great uncle, Richard, was a volunteer, enlisting into 3rd South Midland Brigade of the RFA (part of the Territorial Force) at the age of 17 in May 1914.

    He embarked for France on 22nd May 1916 and underwent specialist training, eventually being attached to V61 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery. He endured a prolonged period recovering from Trench Fever between September 1917 and June 1918, after which he joined the 210 (Territorial) Brigade RFA under the command of the 42nd East Lancashire Division.

    We believe that Richard was mortally wounded near Vaucelles and was evacuated to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station near Ytres, where he died on 8th October 1918. He is buried in the Rocquigny-Eqauncourt Road Cemetery. The chaplain who was with him in his final hours wrote to Richard's parents and we have since discovered that the Rev John Oswald Murray reported for duty at 3rd CCCS for the first time on that fateful day. In addition to his last resting place in France, Richard is commemorated at six locations to our knowledge:

    • St Mary's Church, Bearwood Memorial Cross (where he lived)
    • Tewkesbury Abbey Memorial (the Sweet family home)
    • Tewkesbury Cross War Memorial
    • Tewkesbury Cemetery - a family memorial
    • Birmingham Hall of Memory
    • The 'lost' Birmingham Corporation Gas Department memorial currently in the care of Birmingham Museum Collection Centre undergoing restoration

    Richard's final resting place

    Kevin R Gibson




    261190

    Gnr. Robert Surcomb 42nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Robert Surcombe was posted to the 42nd Siege Battery in July 1915 and served with the battery in the Dardanelles before moving to France in June of 1916. The battery saw action on the the first day of the Somme Offensive and was involved in heavy action at Carnoy, near Pozierres, in July 1916. Shortly after 22nd July, Robert Surcombe was wounded, taken to Vecquemont to a Clearing Station, then taken to hospital at Outreau.

    He was eventually sent back to the UK suffering shell-shock and other physical injuries. He was classified as unfit for further military activities and was discharged in April 1918. That month, at the age of 20, he was also awarded the Silver War Badge, number 400360. In 1923, Robert was to marry my widowed grandmother, whose husband 2/Lt. James Alec Rattray was killed in action serving with the 5th Siege Battery, RGA near Ypres on 23 September 1917. Both Robert and James had served in the 38th (Heavy) Battery at the same time in February 1914 whilst based at Devonport.

    James Stewart-Rattray




    261186

    Pte. William Simpson 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.29th July 1917)

    Relatives of William Simpson who are now deceased, told me that he was wounded I think sometime in 1916 and was returned to England and treated in a military hospital before being sent home for a period of convalescence. When he was recalled, he went round and visited his family members and told them goodbye as he wouldn't be home again. He was killed at Brown's Copse on 29th of July 1917 and is buried in France.

    David Atkinson




    261184

    PFC. Bartholomew F. Butler Coy. F 308th Infantry Regiment (d.16th July 1918)

    Bartholomew Butler was born in July 1895 (per 1900 US census) in Brooklyn, New York City, Kings Co., New York.

    Newspaper article:

    Private Barth F. Butler.

    Private Bartholomew F. Butler, died of wounds, was born in Brooklyn twenty two years ago. He was a graduate of Visitation Parochial School, He was a member of the Visitation Church and the Holy Name Society. He was also an active member of the Old Hill House Club. In September 1917, he was drafted and went overseas last April [1918] with the 308th Infantry. His mother received a telegram from Washington on Oct. 23 stating her son had died on July 16 and had been buried with full military honors in France.

    He lived at 127 Dikeman Street where he is survived by his mother, Elizabeth, his father, Thomas; three brothers, James, Walter and Thomas, and two sisters, Elizabeth Butler and [Mary] Mrs. J. Taylor.

    Brooklyn Daily Standard Union, 29 October 1918

    I have been unable to locate where he is buried in France. According to Hussey, Alexander T.; Flynn, Raymond M. "The history of Company E, 308th Infantry (1917-1919)", (New York: Knickerbocker Press, 1919) at p. 25, Company F relieved Company E on July 5, 1918, at the front line trenches near Badonvillers, France, on that part of the front line covered by posts 14 to 23 inclusive. So, am assuming this is where Bartholomew F. Butler was wounded and died.

    John Russell




    261183

    Pte. Fred Howarth 7th Btn. Border Regiment (d.23th Apr 1917)

    Fred Howarth served with the 7th Border Regiment I have Fred's death penny and am desperate to find a photograph of him or his regiment before his date of death.





    261181

    Pte. Thomas Marshall 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1915)

    <p>Thomas Marshall

    Thomas Marshall was a relative of mine and I found his grave record in Berles-au-Bois Churchyard Extension in France. He was born in October of 1894 in Loughborough, Leicestershire to Albert Marshall and Sarah Ann Gould. He enlisted on the 15th of August 1914.

    Freddy White




    261167

    Able Sea. William Henry Edwards HMS Paxton (d.20th May 1917)

    William Edwards is listed in British Royal Navy and Royal Marine Casualties, 1914 - 1919. He was born on 26th Feb 1895 in Walsall, Staffs and was killed on 20th of May 1917 while serving on HMS Paxton, he was killed or died as a direct result of enemy action. His next of kin is listed as his Mother, Lucy. B. 24 Birch Street, Walsall, Staffs. The record notes that his body was not recovered for burial.

    Shaun G Edwards




    261157

    Kate Dorothy Clarence Queen Alexandras Royal Naval Nursing Service

    Kate Clarence joined with her class from Saskatoon City Hospital. She was at No. 6 General Hospital in Rouen in October 1917. Later at Wharncliff War Hospital, Wadseley, Sheffield where she was married to Lt. William Abdy Sycamore.

    She had been orphaned in 1891 and, along with her brother Frank, was sent to Canada through Annie MacPherson Home Spitalfields. Arriving in Stratford Ontario she was later educated at Saskatoon before joining the Queen Alexandra Division.

    Richard Hobby




    261154

    Gnr. William Unthank 150th (Rotherham) Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th Aug 1916)

    William Unthank died as a result of an accident while serving at the Front.

    Alyn Hodgson




    261143

    Pte. Roland Eves MM. 20th Battalion

    Roly Eves was awarded the Military Medal.

    Liz Neal




    261121

    Pte. Percy Holton 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    Percy Holton served with the 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment. He was awarded the 1914 Star, Qualifying date, 16th of August 1914.

    Ian Kightley




    261120

    Bdr. Francis Alban Edward Eldridge 235th (5th London) Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Francis Eldridge

    Francis Eldridge enlisted on 14th of September 1914 and joined the 12th City of London Battery, 5th London Brigade, RFA. He served in France from 15th of March 1915, and was promoted to Bombardier on 28th of December 1917 while serving with B Battery, 235th Brigade RFA. On 24th of March 1918, he was evacuated to the 56th CCS, having been thrown from his horse by an exploding shell. He didn't return to France, and served with the 4th Reserve Brigade at High Wycombe.

    Ray Eldridge




    261114

    Pte. George Windle 3rd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    George Windle was my maternal grandfather. He joined up in 1902 but I don't know whether he stayed in the army or was conscripted again in 1914.

    Carol Corner




    261113

    Pte. James Roger Lloyd MM. B Coy., 17th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    James Lloyd served with B Coy., 17th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. He was awarded the Military Medal.

    Hugh Burgess




    261111

    Pte. Harry Norman 3rd Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Harry Norman was my grandfather. He was invalided out due to an injury to his right arm, and I am on the understanding that the injury he sustained affected him mentally. Due to his state of mind, he was referred to a mental institution at Bury St. Edmonds infirmary. I never got to see him physically. That was probably due to his instability and not knowing how he would react to strangers. None of my aunts, uncles, or cousins has any photos of him. I would like to find a photo of him.

    Barry Johnson




    261107

    Pte. Joseph Serjeant 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.30th Mar 1918)

    <p>Joseph Serjeant

    Joseph Serjeant served with the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards

    His Grenadier Guards cap badge

    oseph Serjeant's medals

    Chris Serjeant




    261104

    Lt. F. H. Callison 6th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Lt. F. H. Callison served with the 6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment and the Machine Gun Corps.

    Keith Bradley




    261103

    2nd Lt. Henry Quicke 1/4th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Quicke died on the 23rd of March 1918 on the Somme. The following is transcribed from the War Diaries of the 4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Pioneers), Sep 1915 – May 1919)

    ...Orders for the 47th Division to withdraw came at 6.30am on 23ed of March. 140th and 142nd Brigades would retire first whilst 141st Brigade would cover the retreat. At 8.30am the 1/4th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers moved back a short distance to a point about 900 yards north of Fins. At this time too a party from the battalion, under Major Marshall, lost touch and was diverted to Neuville, here they formed a defence flank battalion. This soon became untenable and they withdrew to positions near to Vallulart Wood (Map D). The main body of the battalion moved back through Bus Rocquigny and to Le Transloy. Marshall’s party retired that night and would rejoin the battalion on 25th of March. Casualties were Second Lieutenant H Quicke and 3 ORs Killed in action. 3 officers (Captain CB Christopherson, Captain PR Foulkes-Roberts and Lieutenant EF Chettle) and 231 ORs wounded or missing.

    Lyndon Roy




    261101

    Cpl. George Henry "Gerry" Measures 124th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather George Measures served with the Royal Garrison Artillery and I have researched his military history as far as as I am able. The information I have posted is shown in copy records provided by the M O D.

    His length of service is given as 10th of January 1916 to 16th of August 1917. On 2nd of December 1916, he was admitted to the 11th Stationary Hospital in Rouen with a gunshot wound to his left arm. He was discharged on 16th of August 1917 as ceasing to fulfill medical requirements. He was issued with the British War Medal and Victory Medal. He died at Leicester General Hospital in 1956.

    John Measures




    261084

    Pte. Frank Morgan 1/4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Sep 1918)

    Frank Morgan was born 3rd Jan 1893 in Yorkshire, England and died 22nd of September 1918 in France at age 27. He served with the 1/4th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. He was the son of Charles and Bessie Morgan of 21 Vaughan St., North Skelton in Cleveland, Yorkshire.

    Charmaine Hardy




    261077

    Pte. James Carter 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.10th July 1916)

    <p>

    James Carter was killed in action.

    Chris Clarkson




    261068

    Spr. Reginald Wright 227th (Stockton on Tees) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>Sapper Reginald Wright's gravestone

    Reginald Wright was my grandfather. He fought in WW1 and died on the 28th March 1918 near Bayonvillers. Initially, he was buried by the Germans; afterward, he was re-buried by the Australians. His resting place is at CWGC Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, Picardy.

    Reginald, Maud and 4-year Edward





    261065

    Pte. Thomas Eaton 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    Not a great lot is known about Thomas Eaton's service as, sadly, his service record is one of the many destroyed by fire in WW2. What is known, is that he joined up on 7th of November 1914 and served in the Dardanelles with the 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, and was then re-mustered to the Machine Gun Corps and served in France and Belgium.

    He was a patient in the Abram Peel Hospital, being discharged due to neurasthenia in October 1914. The first record I can find of him being treated for this was on 29th of January 01/1918 at a 'Bandaghem' casualty clearing station near Ypres, when he was in the 60th Machine Gun Corps.

    Jen Eaton




    261062

    Pte. Arthur James Ward 8th (Pioneers) Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.18th Oct 1918)

    Arthur Ward died from pneumonia and bronchitis and is buried in Basra War Cemetery.

    Brian Hill




    261059

    Pte. Frederick John White 2nd Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.22nd August 1918)

    Frederick White's name is on the war memorial in Shabbington Churchyard. Shabbington is 3 miles from Thame, Oxon but is itself in Bucks. I am researching the names on the memorial and would welcome any information, no matter how small.

    Peter Sawyer




    261044

    Pte. William John Baker 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.9th August 1915)

    William Baker died at Gallipoli, two days after his Battalion landed there.





    261024

    A/Sgt. John Martin MM. 5th Pontoon Park Btn. Royal Engineers

    My grandfather John Martin, served in Italy during WW1 with the 5th Pontoon Park Battalion RE, during which time he was awarded a Military Medal.

    Leslie Martin




    261018

    Frederick Jefferson Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Frederick Jefferson was my grandfather. He was born in impoverished circumstances and worked as a coal miner in Marley Hill and Sunniside pits. He was a conscientious objector and was ultimately given the choice of jail or serving as a non-combatant on the Western Front in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was wounded twice in action and has a good conduct stripe. Family legend has he was gassed during the final years of the war. I have a card dated Christmas 1918/19 from the Commandant and Staff of Kempston House Hospital, Eastbourne addressed to Frederick so presumably he was receiving attention to his wounds at that stage.

    After the war he had a variety of manual jobs and a growing passion for trade unionism. In 1939 he was part of Whickham ARP Decontamination Unit, presumably putting his first hand experience of poison gas to good use. After WW2 he was deeply involved in trade unionism and the Labour Party. He died in 1967, having rarely or never mentioned his experiences in WW1.

    Martin Jefferson




    261016

    Cpl. Alfred Gray 2/17th (2nd Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion London Regiment

    My Grandfather Alfred Gray served with the 2/17th Poplar & Stepney Rifles. He served from volunteering in 1914 until demobilisation around 1919.

    He recalled: As the Turks retreated through Palestine they committed the worst of crimes: they poisoned all water sources. The British Army was on strict water rations, each soldier responsible for his own supply not to be shared. After a skirmish, they were mopping up and I came across a Turks lying there dying. He begged me, "Water Tommy, Water!" I cradled him in my arms and gave him water, he died then. For this act, I was court-martialed in the Field, lost my stripes and was tied to a gun carriage and left in the desert for 24 hours"

    Alf was a resilient man and to a great extent lacked sensibility, laughing off most setbacks. This may explain his light hearted attitude to being shot in the foot and surviving without infection from field hospital to field hospital from Jerusalem to Alexandria and a bullet that went through his helmet leaving a groove in his head into which as children we would love to place our fingers!!! Also to note, 2/17th included Alf and his four brothers one of whom is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Another story was that Alf lost his stripes (again?) for being drunk on the Mount of Olives, True/False, I do not know. Loved the old B to death though A Lion led by Donkeys?

    Trevor Wadham




    261012

    Cyril E. Knight 2nd London Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.4th April 1915)

    Cyril Knight served with the 2nd London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

    84th Field Ambulance, 28th Division, B. E. F. April 7th, 1915.

    Dear Mrs. Knight,

    My deepest sympathy goes out to you on the loss of your son C.E. Knight, and to this I honestly add my regret at the loss of such an excellent hard-working man from my Section. I was his Section officer, and as such venture to offer you my sympathy and that of the whole unit. If anything can lessen your grief, the knowledge that he gave his life in an endeavour to assist his comrades who were wounded and needing help may do so. On Sunday night at 20 to 10 the Germans began shelling the town in which we have been living and working for the last two months, and though we lived in a hospital two shells struck us. Your son had left the room just before the first shell struck it, and was outside; but, on hearing the first shell strike and hearing cries of distress, he rushed up the staircase to be of assistance, and the second shell struck him, killing him instantly and also the comrade (named Boyes) whom he was assisting. I need hardly say that all his comrades and all the Field Ambulance honour him for his bravery, and regret his loss more than words can express. Personally I am proud to have been his Section officer, and can only say that he did all and everything connected with his work that any man could do, and did it well. Moreover, he was very much loved as a comrade. I tender my fellow officers and all his comrades sympathy to you.

    Yours faithfully, Reginald E. Bickerton, Capt. R.A.M.C.





    261000

    Pte. Sampson Edward "Samson" Bastable 9th (Service) Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.4th Jan 1917)

    <p>Pte. Sampson  Bastable's grave

    He was a bricklayer, a single man. According to the Civil Registration Birth Index 1837-1915, he was born in 1883, somewhere between January and March. According to the De Ruvigny Roll of Honour, he was born 31st December 1885, but I have found this to be wrong, as proved by the 1891, 1901, and 1911 censuses. I wonder why or how they got the date wrong. On some records though he is listed as Samson (without the p) instead of Sampson. He has two service records. One says he was Soldier Number 23343, Private, South Staffordshire Regiment. The other says he was Soldier Number 30195, Private, 9th Service Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. He is buried at the Munich Trench British Cemetery at Beaumont-Hamel, plot C 22.

    Tony Moore




    260999

    Gnr. Harry Clift 32nd Battery, 33rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.16th Jun 1917)

    Harry Clift is buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery, in Belgium. He was 26 years old.

    Ian Mann




    260976

    Able Sea. Malachi Dymock HMS Genista (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    <p>Able Sea. Malachi Dymock

    Malachi Dymock was my great-uncle, for whom my father was named. I have all his medals as well as two letters he wrote to his sister from HMS Genista. Both letters mention him waiting to see the skipper on two occasions, after shore leave. I hope he had a good time and it was worth having to see the captain!





    260973

    PO. John "Fred" Mason SS Araguaya

    John Mason, commonly known to everyone as "Fred", ran away to sea at the age of 15. He served as a coal trimmer on the SS Araguaya. He served on The Mauretania and Almanzora during peace time. He became a fireman and greaser and worked his way up to becoming a Petty Officer on the Watson Ferris, Empress of Britain, Empress of Russia and Neverita during World War 2.

    A story that my father told me was that on the outbreak of the Second World War, my dad and his father were on their dairy cart on a delivery in Southampton when Fred told his son, "Nip (that was my dad's nickname), I've decided to go back to sea, I'm telling you first because you know how much your mother will nag me about it". Fred would rather face being torpedoed and sunk than facing his wife!!

    The Watson Ferris was sunk by a U-Boat, John was 7 days at sea. Empress of Britain was torpedoed on 28 October 1940 by U-32, 10 days at sea and eventually towed 200 miles towards Ireland by another U-Boat. Empress of Russia, served on the K17 Russian convoy. The ship blew up mysteriously in dry dock. MV Neverita, a tanker, thankfully the only ship he was on in WW2 that was never sunk. John sailed on the Mauretania during peacetime.





    260972

    Cpl. John Willoughby 1st Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.20th July 1916)

    John Willoughby is buried in Saint Sever Cemetery at Rouen. He died of wounds.

    Debra Willis




    260951

    Cpl. James Cookson 2/4th Border Regiment

    James Cookson worked for Simpsons, the furniture makers, in Kendal. He also inscribed the names on gravestones; was a gifted photographer; and carved nearly all of the amazing woodwork decorations at Blackwell House. He was also a gifted artist who not only took his sketchbook and paints to Peshawar but used them to great effect.

    Will Garnett




    260948

    CPO. James Henry Adolphus Tremayne Bolton MID. HMS Moorsom (d.12th Mar 1917)

    Henry Bolton was born in Liverpool on the 13th April 1876 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on the 24th September 1892. Having risen to the rate of Chief Petty Officer, Henry was recommended for good services in the action in the North Sea at the Battle of Jutland 31st May - 1st June 1916, during which his ship HMS Moorsom operated as one of six Harwich Force destroyers screening the 2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron. He left the Moorsom in February 1917 and joined HMS Skate, another destroyer, but one month later HMS Skate was torpedoed and damaged by the enemy submarine UC 69 off the Maas lighthouse in the North Sea. Henry was the only crew member killed. He was married and aged 40.

    Larry Marlow




    260943

    Pte. Joseph Stanley May 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.21st Aug 1918)

    Joe May was one of four brothers who fought in WWI, of whom only one survived. Two of them, including Joe, died in the final few weeks of the conflict. Joe was my grandmother's cousin. Her only brother, Stanley Ernest May, 1/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was killed on the first day of the Somme in 1916. Joe's brothers were Percy White May, who was killed on 16th fo June 1916 and is buried in Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue; and Ernest William May, Royal Field Artillery, who died in Heilsberg POW Camp on 4th of October 1918 and is buried in Berlin. Harold Brook May also served with the Sherwood Foresters. He survived the war and died in 1969.

    Adrian Keith Freeland




    260939

    Pte. Nicholas Owen Peters 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Nicholas Peters was born on 14 Dec 1888, the son of Nicholas and Catherine Peters of Seacombe, Cheshire. Before joining up, he was a ship’s cook with the Allen Line steamship Co. of Liverpool.

    He enlisted on 10th of September 1914 at Wallasey and joined the 11th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment on 18th of September 1914. After training, he transferred to 75th Brigade Headquarters in Aug 1915. He arrived in France in Sept 1915 with the 11th Battalion. In June 1918, he was absorbed into the 1/6th Battalion. On 25th of August 1918 he received a gunshot wound to the jaw and was transferred back to hospitals in the UK. He was discharged on 11 Feb 1919. He was awarded a military pension later that year of 19 shillings and 3 pence.

    He married Florence Hazelhurst in 1925. They were both living in Wallasey, Cheshire in 1939. His occupation was canteen cook. He died in July 1971, aged 82.

    Tom McMahon




    260936

    Pte. Walter Robert Eley D Coy., 6th Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.26th Sep 1915)

    Walter Eley served with D Coy., 6th Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in the Great War.

    Dorian Eley




    260918

    Pte. Edwin Brown 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.22nd Apr 1918)

    Formerly serving with the Shropshire Light Infantry. Edwin Brown is buried at Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery Albert in France. I have just visited and placed a wreath. I am interested to know what took place on 22nd April as over 50 of his regiment seem to have been killed on the same day.

    Robin Brown




    260915

    Leading Cooks Mate. Percy Horace Cox HMS North Star (d.23rd April 1918)

    Percy Cox was my 2 x great uncle and he was born in the hamlet of Bedmond on 23rd of December 1882. He married Annie Ashby in 1902 and in Kelly's Directory of 1908 he was listed under Confectioners & Pastry Cooks of Abbots Langley & Kings Langley, Hertfordshire. Annie and Percy went on to have 7 children before he enlisted in 1914.

    He served as a cook's mate baker in the Royal Navy in WW1 and his first ship is recorded as being HMS Pembroke and his final ship HMS North Star. Percy died 23rd of April 1918 and his body was not recovered for burial but his name is recorded on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Son of George Cox and Annie Maria Cox (nee Skinner) of Abbots Langley; husband of Annie Cox (nee Ashby) of The Cottage, Popes Rd., Abbots Langley, Herts.

    Marion Pigott




    260914

    Cpl. Ernest Edward Cole 11th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    Ernest Cole was my Grandfather. During WW1 he served with the 11th Battalion Hampshire Regiment. Post war he was commissioned into the Tank Corps as as second Lieutenant.





    260911

    Pte. Leonard Fisher MM. 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.22nd March 1918)

    <p>

    Leonard Fisher served with the 9th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in WW1. He had been awarded the Military Medal. He died 22nd of March 1918 and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial in France. I have the personal effects letter sent to Leonard Fisher's father, who was my Great Grandfather.





    260906

    Gnr. Alexander William Allison 108th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Alec Allison served with 108th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.





    260904

    Pte. George Leigh Massey 9th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.20th September 1917)

    George Massey served with the 9th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in WW1. He was killed in action during the Battle of Menin Road Ridge 20th of September 1917 aged 22 years and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    George had suffered a number of injuries during his service, including diphtheria, gas poisoning and a gun shot wound to his left hand. He wrote his thanks in the autograph book at Babworth Auxiliary Hospital, Retford Notts while he was recovering from the gun shot wound.

    Catherine Packwood




    260903

    Pte. Thomas Joseph Harney MM. 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th September 1916)

    Thomas Harney was my granduncle. I know very little about him except that he was awarded the Military Medal but was killed before he received it. He served with the 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment in WW1 and died 25th of September 1916 aged 22 years. I can't find him listed on any memorial apart from Thiepval Memorial in France. Son of Patrick and Mary Harney of 15 St. Thomas's Rd., Fairbrother's Estate, South Circular Rd., Dublin.

    His brother also served during the war and survived but suffered the effects of gas.





    260900

    Pte. Reginald Muddiman 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.24th Oct 1918)

    Reginald Muddiman died on 24th October 1918 and is buried in the Poix-du-Nord Communal Cemetery Extension. he was a relative of my great-great grandmother Mary Ann Drury.

    Lesley de Nemethy




    260899

    2Lt. Lawrence G. Drury 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.11th September 1918)

    Lawrence Drury appears on the War Memorial plaque inside Saxilby Church, Lincolnshire. I saw it when I was looking at the church as the place where many of my ancestors were married and some are buried in the churchyard. Lawrence was second/third cousin of my great-great grandmother Mary Ann Drury.

    During WW1 Lawrence served with the 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and died 11th of September 1918 aged 28 years. He is buried in the Mont Huon Military Cemetery at Le Treport in France. Husband of Edith J. Drury, of 75 Whinney Hill, Rotherham.

    Mary Ann had also lost another relative (by marriage), also in 9th Battalion KOYLI, Reginald Muddiman, who died on 24th of October 1918 and is buried in the Poix-du-Nord Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Lesley de Nemethy




    260897

    Pte. David Arthur Sillett 12th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.27th Apr 1918)

    <p>Private David Arthur Sillett_12th Btn., Suffolk Regiment

    David Silett was taken prisoner during the offensive at Cambrai during November 1917 and transferred to a POW camp in Germany. He died on 27th of April 1918 of wounds received and is buried in Cologne South Cemetery.

    Jean Licence




    260896

    Drvr. Harry Collins A Bty. 88th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.22th Mar 1918)

    Harry Collins (born 1890) served as a driver with A Battery, 88th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. I only recently discovered that this was my great-uncle, who was killed in WW1. I cannot believe my grandmother (his sister) did not tell me and my sister about him. He died on 22nd of March 1918 in France on the second day of the German offensive named Operation Michael. He is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery Extension. RIP.





    260895

    Pte. William Albert Thomas 14th Kings Hussars

    Will Thomas was a country boy. He saw combat with the 14th King's Hussars in WW1 and then returned home to his birth place of St. Briavels, in the 100 of the Forest of Dean, and became a Freeminer. He died in 1966.





    260891

    Pnr. William James Matcham 330th Road Construction Company (d.25th Feb 1917)

    William Matcham was born in 1857 to grocery shop owners Stephen and Ann Matcham in Thowley Faversham, Kent. He was baptised on 25 Jan 1857 at Throwley Parish Church. In 1871, at age 14, he was a scholar and boarder at Holly Cottage, Sandgate. Afterward, he remained in Sandgate, living with relatives, until, at the age of 28 in 1885, he married Frances Jennings in Faversham, Kent. He became a journeyman butcher and had three daughters with Frances: Constance Mabel, Selena Annie, and Louisa Ellen. In 1911, he became a newsagent and was living with wife and daughters at Sand Pitt cottage, Charing Ashford, Kent. His wife died in 1912 and is buried at the same churchyard as William.

    He enlisted in the military at Canterbury, date unknown. He joined the Royal Engineers and was with the 330th Road Construction Company at the time of his death. On 25th Feb 1917, he died from some form of illness at a home in Thanet, Kent, possibly his daughter’s home. No war medals were located, and his daughters shared his war gratuity between them, each one receiving £1 7s 3p. He is buried at St. Mary's Church in Little Chart, Kent which is now just a ruin. His grave stands out among the old graves and ruins.

    Sarah Warren




    260883

    Pte. Walter Leonard Gregory 1st Battalion (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    Walter Gregory joined the 1st Battalion, AIF with 18th Reinforcements.

    Martin Hanson




    260882

    Sgt. Christopher Edgar Davies C Coy., 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.31st Oct 1914)

    <p>Sgt. Christopher Edgar Davies, C Coy., 2nd Btn., Welsh Regt.

    Christopher Davies died in action in Flanders on or about 31st of October 1914. Born in 1883, he was known by his middle name, Edgar, and he was son to Thomas and Mary Davies, who lived at the time at 12 Westbury Street, Swansea, Wales.

    Edgar Davies was assigned to C Company in the 2nd Battalion of the Welsh Regiment. He was in the army for many years, and was a member of the original Expeditionary force, taking part in the Great Retreat, and the forward movement which followed. He was apparently an extremely popular non-commissioned officer.

    His younger brothers were also at war: Ivor Davies was a first-class stoker on HMS Panther, a destroyer, in the North Sea. Clifford Davies, a baker by trade, enlisted in the Royal Irish Regiment at the outbreak of the war. Both of these younger brothers took an active part in the religious work at Mount Zion Baptist Chapel, Swansea, acting as Sunday school teachers and leaders of the Band of Hope.

    The following story in the 16th of November 1914 edition of the Cambria Daily Leader tells of one of Edgar's letters home from the Western Front: "Writing home to his parents, who live at 12 Westbury Street, Swansea, Cpl. Edgar Davies, 2nd Welsh Regiment, gives an interesting account of his recent experiences at the front. He says: "I am still alive and kicking, but how, I don't know. We have been defending a village which has been stripped to the ground. The church in the centre of the village was about the first to go, and the first shell on it stopped the clock, and after that the tower came down bit by bit until at last the whole of the church was on fire, and now nothing but the bare walls are left. I don't think there is a house in the whole place that hasn't been either shelled or burnt to the ground. It was pitiful to hear the animals crying during the firing. There must have been hundreds of cows, pigs and sheet burnt alive there. When we were coming away one of the goats of the village fell in the ranks with us and marched along until it was too tired to go any further at the pace we were going. I think it followed on behind. Our own goat is sticking the marches well, and has been in every action so far, and hasn't had a scratch. The cakes arrived and they were a proper treat. I thoroughly enjoyed them in the trenches. There were three of us there when I got it, and one had cigarettes and the other tobacco, so we had a proper share out -- first a nice canteen of tees and cakes, then a good smoke, with plenty of firing in between". After writing that letter, Edgar Davies went missing on or about 30th of October 1914, presumably during the Battle of Gheluvelt.

    In the 30th of January 1915 edition of the Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder, the following was announced, although it turns out that this was an erroneous report: "Captured Welshman In Germany – Sergeant Edgar Davies, 2nd Welsh Regt., son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Davies, 12 Westbury Street, Swansea, who was reported missing on October 30th, is now officially declared to be a prisoner of war in Germany. The 2nd Welsh resisted, and defeated, a vigorous attack by superior numbers of Germans, and in the melee Sgt. Davies and a number of his comrades were cut off and taken prisoner".

    In the mistaken belief that Edgar, their loved one, was a prisoner of war, the family’s lives went on in Edgar’s home town of Swansea. The following wedding announcement appeared in the 20th of November 1915 edition of the Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder, and in the 15th of November 1915 edition of the Cambria Leader, regarding the marriage of Edgar’s sister, Gladys Davies: "War Wedding At Swansea – On Monday, a war wedding which attached a large audience was celebrated at the Memorial Baptist Chapel, Swansea, when Gunner G. Thomas, R.F.A. of Morriston, was married to Miss Gladys Davies, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Davies, of Westbury Street, Swansea. The Rev. W.E. White officiated. Three of the bride's brothers are on active service, one with the 2nd Welsh in France, he has been missing for many months; another in the Dardanelles with the Royal Irish Regiment, and the third in the Royal Navy. The many presents received indicated the wide popularity of the bride and bridegroom".

    Ever hopeful, Edgar’s family in Swansea was to learn by 1916 that the War Office had concluded that Edgar was actually killed in action two years prior, having never been a prisoner of war after all. The following announcement appeared in the 23rd of March 1916 edition of the Cambria Daily Leader: "Reported missing on 31st of October 1914, after having been fighting heroically against overwhelming odds, Sgt. Edgar Davies, 2nd Welsh, has been officially given up as dead. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. Davies, 12 Westbury Street, Swansea, have received a War Office notification to this effect. He was at one time believed to be a prisoner of war. Sgt. Davies was a typical British non-commissioned officer of his type, brave, resourceful, and very popular with his men. He was an old pupil of St. Helen’s School. Two of his brothers are serving their country, one Stoker Ivor Davies being engaged in patrol work in the North Sea. The other, Pte. Clifford Davies, of the Royal Irish Regiment, is now in Egypt recovering from a severe illness brought on by exposure and hardships in the Suvla Bay landing, where he had many narrow escapes, a bullet hitting his cap off. Both these lads were prominent temperance workers. One of the last letters written home by Sgt. Davies, describing the remarkable march of the celebrated goat of the 2nd Welsh during the retreat from Mons, was published in the Cambria Daily Leader".

    Edgar Davies is memorialized among so many other fallen soldiers at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, in Ypres, Belgium. Although referenced by his first name (Christopher) there, rather than by the common name by which he was known. He is also memorialized in the Roll of Honour at the boy's school which he had attended in his youth, St. Helen's in Swansea. Edgar was aged 29 when he died, and like those of so many others, his body was never found.

    Andrew Bruins




    260881

    Samuel Ford 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    Samuel Ford is my wife's grandfather. All we know is that he served at Suvla Bay in Gallipoli then went on to the Western Front to fight the remainder of the Great War. He survived.

    Tony Squire




    260880

    Stok1. James Johnson HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916 )

    My mum told me about Jimmy Johnson, that he was a sailor in the first world war. So I searched through casualty records for the Battle of Jutland as it was the largest naval engagement of the first World War. I discovered four Johnsons in the casualty lists. I checked with my mum to see if he had any middle names. He hadn't, and that whittled the list of names down to James Johnson who served as a stoker on HMS Black Prince.





    260875

    Sigmn. William David Frank Slowley HMS Rigorous

    William Slowley was my father. I have looked up his war record as part of my family history interest. He never spoke much about the war, I guess because he had moved on since demob in 1945. He was a good father, and after he left the Navy he worked hard as a printer (at home, part time) and as a signalman at Avonmouth docks until his death in 1962. He was very bright and won a scholarship to grammar school, but because his mother (widowed when he was 9) couldn't afford the uniform he was not able to go, instead he joined the Navy and served in both World Wars (he served on HMS Rigorous during WW1). He knew Morse code like it was his natural language, built single valve radios for me as a child, etc. I now guess the Navy saw his intelligence and talent and think he was part of the secret communications system, especially when he served on HMS Rodney (which was involved in sinking the Bismarck) in WW2.

    John Slowley




    260871

    George Charles Parker FV Lobelia

    My great-grandfather George Parker was at sea aboard FV Lobelia in August 1914 when he and his fellow crew members were captured by a German torpedo boat. They were taken to Germany and became POWs at Ruhleben where he stayed until the end of the war.

    Kathleen Wilson




    260855

    Pte. Bernard Gentle 11th Btn. West Surrey Regiment (Queen's) (d.1st Oct 1918)

    Bernard Gentle was my great-uncle, the son of Walter and Eliza Gentle, and he was born in Stotfold, Bedfordshire in 1899. He was 19 when he died a month before the war ended. He is listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial in West Flanders, Belgium.





    260852

    Pte. Victor G. Turner Northamptonshire Regiment

    Victor G. Turner of the Northamptonshire Regiment joined up in May 1918, he was drafted to the Western Front on completing a term of training in the following September, and there saw much heavy fighting. After taking part in the Battles of Le Cateau and minor engagements, he was wounded early in November 1918, and admitted to hospital at Eastleigh. He was demobilised in February 1919, and holds the General Service and Victory Medals.

    Ron Johnson




    260850

    Pte. John Frederick Float 1st/19th Bn. London Regiment (d.15th September 1916)

    Jack Float served with the 19th London Regiment.





    260849

    Sgt. Cecil Langdale Scots Guards

    <p>Brettenham (Hall) Park Auxiliary Hospital

    The photos are of Brettenham (Hall) Park Auxiliary Hospital where Cecil Langdale of the Scots Guards went to convalesce after one of the several times he was wounded.

    John Herron




    260845

    Duncan Gordon 1st Btn. Royal Dublin fusiliers (d.21st - 29th March 1918)

    Duncan Gordon was killed whilst serving with the 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers between 21st and 29th of March 1918. He was the son of the late William and Hannah Gordon and husband of Harriet of 30 Chapel Terrace, Scotswood, Northumberland.

    Billy Parker




    260842

    Nurse. Margaret Henderson Morrison

    Margaret Morrison was married to 2Lt. Frederick Charles Corley on the 17th February 1917 in Helensburgh at the West United Free Church of Scotland. She was widowed when her husband was killed in action on the 12th of April 1918.

    Peter Jackson




    260839

    Pte. Robert William Woods 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Robert Woods was my grandfather. He enlisted in the 6th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment at Preston on 7th of November 1914 stating his age as 19 although his real age was just 17. He fought with the battalion at Gallipoli where he was wounded and invalided out to Mudros and later back to home. He then saw active service on the Western Front with the 1st Battalion where he was subsequently wounded again in April 1918. He was awarded the Victory Medal and the 1915 Star.

    Robert Graves




    260832

    Gnr. Edgar Ashley 247th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Edgar Ashley served with 247th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. My daughter bought his Victory medal from an antiques shop in Rochester High Street, purely because she thought I would like it! It has his name and Service Number on it. I researched him and now have a copy of his medal card. He was also awarded the British War Medal but not either of the Stars, so I assume he was a conscript, having the "Mutt and Jeff Pair".

    Mitch Peeke




    260830

    Pte. Charles Brayne 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.23rd Sep 1917)

    Charlie Brayne was my great-uncle. He was the youngest of six brothers who went to fight in the Great War, and the only one of the brothers who did not survive. Two days after being injured on 21st of September 1917 during the battle of Menin Road Ridge, he died in a field hospital from those injuries. He is buried at the church in West Outer, just a few miles from Ypres.

    Bruce Tann




    260823

    L/Cpl. William Clements Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    My father, William Clements joined the Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1914. He was wounded, then buried when a trench caved in, but was dug out by his comrades. He served from 1914 to 1918 with 36th (Ulster) Division. When he joined, he was 26 years old and had two small sons younger than 5 years old.

    Orr Clements




    260815

    Sea. Henry Thomas Williams 4th (Collingwood) Btn. Royal Naval Division

    <p>Henry Williams, Royal Naval Division

    My grandfather Henry Williams, who originated from Ross on Wye, endured a sad early life. His mother died in 1905 and both he and his younger brother were evicted, along with their father, to a workhouse. In 1906, when he was about 11 or 12 years old, the brothers were sponsored by local benefactors and sent from the workhouse to a training ship (the Wellesley) moored in the Tyne. There, he was trained in seamanship and as a machine operator, but also as a bugler. His brother perished in 1913. The training ship sank after catching fire, and upon the outbreak of war in 1914 he joined the Royal Naval Division.

    He was very fortunate when the majority of his battalion, 4th Battalion Collingwood, were sent to be slaughtered in Gallipoli and he was instead sent to Crystal Palace Depot HMS Victory VI. The fact that he was a bugler I know is recorded on his service record, but I have little or no other information about him except that he stayed local after the war, having married my grandmother in 1919, a local lady from Penge. He passed away in 1925 and is buried in an unmarked grave in Elmers End Cemetery.

    David Williams




    260813

    Cpl. John Speare Tosswill Northern Signal Service Training Ctr. Royal Engineers (d.28th Sep 1915)

    John Tosswill was treated at Eastbourne Military Hospital and most likely died there. He was a professional footballer and played for Liverpool, Queens Park Rangers and Coventry City.





    260799

    Spr. John Silverson 477th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.18th Aug 1917)

    John Silverson served with 477th Field Coy. and Special Brigade, Royal Engineers. His medals were auctioned in Suffolk in 2019.

    Steven Hopkins




    260796

    Pte. James Mulgrew 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.23rd Jun 1915)

    <p>

    James Mulgrew of the 2nd Btn. Irish Guards is buried at Castlebar.

    Ex-Gdsm. David Irvine, 4th Coy., 1st Irish Guards




    260793

    Able Sea. Thomas William Groves HMS Orvieto

    Thomas Groves served in HMS Orvieto. A self-taught electrician, he worked for GCE first to show bioscope shows in fairgrounds. His brother Albert moved to America to work on movies.





    260791

    Spr. James Bolton 109th Railway Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>109th Railway Coy. circa Sept 1918

    The following is a transcript of handwritten notes made by my great-uncle James Bolton: Enlisted 20th November 1915. Called up 30th of October 1917 to join the Royal Engineers at Longmoor. Left Liverpool for Longmoor at 11.00 pm and arrived 8.30 am. We had five weeks training. Then we had leave from the 4th until the 10th Dec, arriving back at 11 o'clock on the 10th. Left for France at 8.30 pm, 12th of Dec and landed Folkstone 4 o'clock on the 13th, boarded the ship for France on the 14th, and left 10.30 am arriving Boulogne 1.50 pm. Went on to St Martins camp arriving 4 pm, left again for Calais 9 o'clock on the 15th arriving 5 pm. After staying a week, we were sent to different companies, with 33 of us going to the 109th Railway Company.

    We started off from Calais Saturday morning 22nd and proceeded to Hazelrouck, where we changed for Stumwerck. When we arrived, the Company had moved so we had to go back to Hazelrouck, but the train only took us as far as Strazule where it left us for the night and came back at 8 o'clock and took us to Hazelrouck. We stayed there till 4 o'clock, when we boarded the train for Arnicke. We landed there at 8 pm and were putting for the night when we got orders to pack up and proceed to Poperinghe, where we landed at 2 o'clock in the morning. We stayed there till 10 o'clock when we again set off for Elverdinghe, arriving there at 2 o'clock on the afternoon of the 24th Dec. We then had the next day (Christmas Day) off being and started work on the 26th.

    We were working on the Light Railway and we put three new sidings in at Wosten, Stoke, and Stone Dump. The rest was maintenance at Luton, Broad St, Charpentire Lancia Road, Stoke Warwick, and Iron Cross. It was here at Elverdinghe about the second week in January that the Germans dropped a bomb and killed 9 horses and one man. The hole it made was 67 feet deep and 27 feet across.

    We went on detachment to Toronto Camp from the 20th of Jan until the 20th of Feb, when we returned to Elverdinghe to pack up for Auderdom. While there, we were maintaining broad gauge at Vlamertinghe, Brandhock, and Auderdom through Dickebusch yard English wood up to Elisenwall. It was about this time that the Germans made an attack around Himmil, and we were forced to move to Ougraffe on the 11th of April. We went and took the Dickibusch railway line up. The Germans used to shell us here but we were lucky and had no casualties. We were here only two weeks when we had to move again to Wippenhock , but were there only four days when we had to move again to Abule on the 29th of April. It was on the 28th March that I experienced the heaviest bombardment. It lasted for 48 hours and shook the vans (railway goods wagons) where we were sleeping like leaves. While at Abule we went to Ouderdom yard to salvage some material but it was being shelled it with gas shells and we got slightly gassed. We went again, but the shelling continued and we had to go back.

    We then got orders to take up the railroad around by Vlamertinghe. This was in May. The engine took us on a wagon as far as a place called Kettering Junction and gave us a flying shunt (pushed the wagon so it rolled on its own) and we ran about a mile and a half. We started taking up the road and things were pretty quiet. About the fifth morning we were going as usual and when we got part way we could see the line was broken. We jumped off and tried to stop the railway wagon but we couldn't and it fell in the shell hole. We had to get it out and mend the road before we could go to load up.

    About the sixth day the Germans began to shell, but we had got past, but they blew up a French gun emplacement and were on the target every time with about a dozen shells. We finished taking up the road next day and we then went repairing between Abule and Godwersvelde. We were sent to St Omer on the 15th June for a couple of weeks rest. After we came back we were working on the gun spurs (branch lines) below Mont De Cat. We put 4 in for 12 inch guns.

    We had a pretty quiet time till August when we had 4 chaps and 1 officer wounded. Then we were sent to repair the yard at Runninghelst on 22 Aug. We had not been long when the Germans began to shell us. We moved off the main road into the yard but we had not been long here when 4 of us were killed and 6 wounded. I was picked up and bandaged up and put on a bogey (railway wagon) with two more of the chaps and they ran us up the line for about 2 miles to a dressing station. When we got there they had moved, but they had an ambulance and they took us off to the 2nd Canadian CCS at Esquebeck. I was there two weeks and then moved down to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Boulogne. I was there five days and then taken aboard the Cambrian for England on the 10th of September 1918. I was taken to Beaufort War Hospital in Bristol, where I stayed for four weeks. I was then sent to convalesce at Longleat House, Warminster. I was there two weeks, and then I went to Plymouth for six weeks. From there I went on ten days sick leave and then rejoined my regiment on the 14th of December. I wasn't fit for training, so they gave me a batman's job with Major Phillips R.A.M.C. at Longmoor Hospital.

    Alan Bolton




    260785

    Pte. William Frederick Leon Lock 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    William Lock was born in South Australia in 1885. In 1910 he married an English girl, Florence Amy Bridger, and they immediately moved from Australia to London. They had a young daughter in 1914. Shortly thereafter, William enlisted in the British Army on 29th of January 1915 (not unusual for Australians who were in England when the war started). I have little record of his war service other than a couple of medal awards and his discharge on 13th of April 1917 citing melancholia. From the records of the 9th Rifle Brigade it is fair to say they saw some heavy action during this period. He returned to Australia after the war (although it is not known how or when). We have records of his wife and daughter returning by themselves in 1919. He lived out his life in South Australia and Victoria, and died 1st of January 1962 at age 76. He is buried in Burwood, Whitehorse Cemetery in Victoria, Australia.

    Ross Johnston




    260784

    Pte. Harold Jack Bartholomew 32nd Battalion

    My uncle Jack Bartholomew was captured at Lavantie, France on 20th of July 1916 and held at two POW camps in Westphalia, Germany. The first camp was Munster 1, and the second was Dulmen. He was in Dulmen until he was repatriated to England, arriving on 7th of December 1918, and then to Australia in 1919.

    Phil Taylor




    260782

    Pte. Wilfred Smith 1/6th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.30th Apr 1918)

    Wilfred Smith was my grandma Lucy's brother and the son of William and Dorothy Smith of Bradford. He was wounded on 14th April 1918 and died 16 days later at the age of 20. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. I have the telegram and plaque given to my great-grandma upon his death. My grandma, who was 5 years old at the time, said that upon receiving the telegram, her mother collapsed with grief. Wilfred's cousin was also killed in the Great War.

    Elizabeth Kitchingman-Ward




    260775

    Capt. William Potesta 1st Airborne Division Royal Corps of Signals

    William Potesta was my father. I have previously sent material to the Royal Signals museum that covers a lot of their service. My father was one of the lucky survivors of the Arnhem drop which was 75 years ago today. His brother was a corporal in the same unit

    Terry Potesta




    260766

    Rflmn. William Joseph Francis Kennedy 2nd Btn. New Zealand Rifle Brigade

    Following the Battle of Passchendaele. Joseph Kennedy was treated at No 22 General Hospital at Camieres, then No 6 Convalescent Depot at Etaples, and lastly at No 5 Convalescent Depot at Cayeux in October 1917.

    Max Kennedy




    260761

    Pte. George Herbert Moul 1/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.29th Sep 1917)

    George Moul was wounded in Flanders and was taken to the 1st Western General Hospital, Fazakerley, Liverpool where he died of his wounds on 29th of September 1917.

    John Sillitto




    260756

    Stok1. Garn Wood HMS Monmouth (d.1st November 1914)

    Garn Wood was the grandson of my great grandfather and his first wife. I have only just discovered his story. Garn was born 14th Oct 1895 in Leith. He enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1913 and gave his date of birth as 14th Oct 1894 presumably to make himself old enough to enlist. His father was a stoker in the Merchant Navy and his grandfather appears to have been on the sea all his life. It was very sad to discover he died so young in the Battle of Coronel on 1st of November 1914, so many lives lost that day on ships not fit for the service expected of them.

    Lesley Smith




    260752

    Pte. Thomas Fogarty 7th Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.6th August 1917)

    Thomas Fogarty loving son of Joseph and Mary Fogarty of Kilbeggan Co Westmeath. He died at War only 24 years old and is buried in Aeroplane Cemetery, Ypres.

    Therese Dunne




    260749

    Able Sea. Samuel Thomas Abbott Howe Battalion (d.7th November 1917)

    Samuel Abbott is my great uncle,it is only recently I knew he existed.He enlisted in November 1915. He joined the Howe Battalion in November 1916. He received Gun Shot Wound in February 1917. After re-habilitation he was drafted back to Howe Battalion in July 1917. On the 7th of November 1917 he received fatal wounds dying at 10.15 at the 10th Casualty Clearing Station. He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. God bless him and all the others that lost their lives.

    Roger Boddington




    260747

    Pte. William Beastall 4th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.26th July 1918)

    William Beastall is a great uncle, related to my Grandmother, Emily Marion Milthorp, nee Beastall.





    260745

    Cpl. Archibald Hamilton Graham 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles

    Archibald Graham signed up 31st of May 1915. He came to England and spent time during World War One training the soldiers. During this period, he met Robina Violet Chamberlain. She became pregnant, and one month before she gave birth, Archie was sent to the front lines. He made it back in 1917 to attend his son's baptism. He fell ill while on the front line, and at the end of his service he was sent home to Canada.

    Victoria Syrett




    260744

    Pte. Cecil George Foot MM. 11th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    <p>

    My uncle Cecil Foot served with the 11th Hampshires, divisional pioneers for the 16th (Irish) Division. He would not take up arms to kill but would do anything to save life, so he was made a stretcher bearer. He was awarded the Military Medal for, according to his citation, 'Gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field on 7th June 1917.' it is assumed that he was awarded the MM in respect of the Battle of Messines, but he never mentioned it to me while still alive.

    Kenneth B. Foot




    260740

    Pte. William Smith Royal Defence Corps

    At age 46, William Smith joined the Royal Defence Corps and served at a prisoner of war camp in Shropshire. William was born in Warrington but moved to Leigh. He served with the South Lancashire Rifles in 1898. I believe he died in 1919 from TB.

    Tony Higgins




    260739

    Pte. Joseph Wadhams 2/2nd Btn. London Regiment (d.20th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    Joe Wadhams served with the 2/2nd London Regiment.

    Stephen Wadhams




    260737

    Pte. George Cave Northamptonshire Regiment

    George Cave was captured on 5th of November 1914 and repatriated on 2nd of January 1919. He worked in a coal mine while he was a prisoner of war.

    Dawn King




    260736

    Drv. Joseph Daniel Marsh HQ 31st Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.21st Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Marsh served as a driver with HQ, 31st Brigade Royal Field Artillery. He died due to illness while in Salonkia





    260735

    Staff Nurse. Mildred Gertrude Rees MID. Queen Alexandras Imperial Military Nursing Service

    <p>

    Mildred Rees was born at Otekaieke Station, Waitaki Valley, NZ on 26 February 1869, she died at Nelson, NZ on 21 August 1957. She trained as a nurse at Wellington Hospital, NZ and traveled to England in 1910. She was there when WW1 broke out.

    At the beginning of WW1, Mildred joined the Millicent Sutherland Ambulance, based at Namur in Belgium. German advances forced this group of eight nurses, one surgeon, and Millicent Sutherland to return to England after just six weeks. In 1915, she joined the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Service Reserve. The following lists her subsequent postings and activities:

    • Feb 1915 - Mar 1916: at 3rd Stationary Hospital, Rouen for 10 months; at 9th Stationary Hospital, Rouen for 2 months.
    • Mar - Apr 1916: Returned sick with influenza and recuperated at Queen Alexandra's Hospital, Millbank.
    • Apr 1916 - Jan 1917: 10th Stationary Hospital, St. Omer for 1 month; No. 4 Ambulance Flotilla (Barge No. 192) for 5 months; 25th Stationary Hospital, Rouen for 3 months.
    • Jan 1917: 14 days leave.
    • Mar - Sep 1917: 10th Stationary Hospital, Remy Siding for 2 months; Ambulance Flotilla (Barge No. 366) for 5 months.
    • Sep 1917 - Feb 1918: No. 23 Casualty Clearing Station for 4 months.
    • Feb 1918: 14 days leave, spent in Cannes.
    • Mar - Nov 1918: 4th General Hospital, Camiers for 9 months.
    • Next 4 months: No. 48 CCS, Namur, Belgium; No. 55 CCS, Charleroi, Belgium; No. 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux.
    • 5 Apr 1919: Demobilised
    • Feb 1920: Returned to NZ

    Ron




    260733

    Rflmn. William McCullough 9th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    On my mom's side I knew of my great-uncle William McCullough, or "Uncle Billy", because my mom, Shirley spoke of him often and said that he was killed in WWI. While visiting Belfast, Ireland in early September 2019, I walked the area of the Shankill Road, which was the neighborhood where my mom's dad, her uncle, and her grandfather lived. I walked into a memorial garden on Shankill Road and found this plaque. I'm still researching, but I believe this to be my late great-uncle William.

    Larry Demings




    260730

    Pte. William Henry Cooper 8th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.12th Apr 1917)

    William Cooper was killed in action at the Battle of Arras on 12th of April 1917.





    260729

    Pte. Peter Gabriel Heath 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.20th Aug 1916)

    My great-uncle, only discovered whilst researching my family tree, Peter Heath died on 20th of August 1916, when he was 35 years old. He was a Private with the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment and is buried in the Bazentin-le-Petit Cemetery Extension in Somme, France.





    260727

    Pte John Charles Door 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th July 1916)

    John Door served at Gallipoli landing near Lala Baba at Sulva Bay on 6th August 1915 - his unit was part of the 11th (Northern Division). The unit was withdrawn from Gallipoli on 20th of December 1915. After service in Alexandria the 11th Division was sent to France landing at Marseilles on 1st July 1916 travelling by train to the Western Front. The Battle of the Somme commenced on the 1st of July 1916 but John died on 14th of July 1916. He was presumed dead and has no know grave as his body was never recovered but he is remembered on the Arras Memorial. Lest we Forget

    Tony Griffiths




    260723

    Pte. John Hudson Jones 196th Company Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    John Jones served with 196th Company, Machine Gun Corps.

    Vince Jones




    260721

    LM. Charles Gregory HMS President II

    Charles Gregory was a Leading Mechanic with the Royal Navy Air Service from 1916. He served with the No. 205 Squadron RAF upon its formation in 1918.





    260718

    Ldg Sea. Cecil Edwin Carter "Bristol" Wilmot HMS Orvieto

    Cecil Wilmot joined the Navy at the age of 16. His ship, HMS Orvieto an armed merchant cruiser, spent time in South America.

    Adrian Wilmot




    260714

    SPO. Thomas Joseph Durkin HMS Magnolia

    Thomas Joseph ended his service on 31st December 1928 aboard HMS Magnolia.

    Jacqueline Miller




    260707

    Pte. Claude Norman 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.17th Oct 1914)

    Claude Norman was born 14th October 1886 to William and Elizabeth. In 1913 he married Elsie Broughton in Wakefield. He joined the Army and went to war with 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment on 13th of August 1914. Two months later, he was killed in action. He was awarded a victory medal or British war medal.

    Georgia Glover




    260703

    Pte. Sidney Frank Uphill 7th Btn. B Company Somerset Light Infantry (d.30th November 1917)

    Sidney Uphill is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial.





    260701

    Gnr. Samuel Boon Y/5th Trench Mortar Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.9th July 1917)

    My son-in-law's great uncle, Samuel Boon, was one of three brothers to serve in WW1. One brother, Renford, was a private in the Gloucester and Hampshire Regiment. He was in receipt of a War Pension died in 1923 as a result of his war service. Another brother, Leonard Victor Boon, served in the Royal Worcestershire Regiment. Samuel's cousin, Arthur Daniell, was also killed in October 1917 and his brother, William Daniell (William Henry Joshua Daniell, of the Railway Operating Division, Worcestershire Royal Engineers, was mentioned in dispatches by Earl Haig.

    Anita Roberts




    260689

    Pte. John Willie Pitcher 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.9th May 1915 )

    My great-uncle John Pitcher served with the 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment during WW1. He was 19 years old when he died and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of William A. and Emma Pitcher of Belmont Mansions, Goldsmith Row, Hackney Road, London.

    Christine Mizon




    260682

    Sgt. Ernest James Smith 116th Railway Coy. Royal Engineers (d.25th Sep 1918)

    Ernest Smith was my paternal grandfather. He was employed by the Great Western Railway. My father who was born in December 1910 told me several times that his father came home one day and told his wife, my father, and his brother that he could no longer stay at home and was joining the Royal Engineers. He was posted to Palestine and somewhere along the line promoted to Sergeant. He was killed on 25th of September 1918. My father told me it was the result of an accident caused by an officer's eagerness to complete a new length of track. Be that as it may, my grandfather is buried in the Ramleh Cemetery. I have photographs of his headstone and a general view of the cemetery. When I received them, it dawned on me that it was unlikely that my father, or his brother, or his mother had ever seen the photos, which came from the CWGC.

    Jonathan C. Smith




    260678

    Pte. Edmond Dunworth 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd Nov 1916)

    Edmond Dunworth served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. I wish that I could have known you or at least have a picture of you.

    Anthony Dunworth




    260670

    L/Cpl. Albert Woodward 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.7th Aug 1915)

    Albert Woodward was the son of Leonard and Agnes Woodward of Church Hanborough, Oxfordshire; and the husband of Elsie Leah Horner (formerly Woodward, nee Worster) of Barby, Rugby. He died at Gallipoli, aged 21, and is remembered on the Helles Memorial. His older brother George Payne Woodward was a private in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, 1st Battalion. He died on 19 October 1916, aged 23, and is remembered at Haidar Pasha Cemetery, Constantinople.

    Zoe Squillaci




    260668

    A/Sgt. John Richard Garfoot DCM. 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    John Richard Garfoot was awarded the DCM for the following: On 4th of November 1918, near Landrecies, he went forward against an enemy strongpoint with a Lewis gun and two men, and under heavy fire rushed the post, captured the position, 1 officer, 21 men, one machine-gun and one anti-tank rifle.

    Pete Garfoot




    260667

    Pte. James Wright 24th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>James Wright during WW2

    James Wright served with 24th Royal Fusiliers in the Great War. He also served with the 1st, 2nd and 12th Royal Fusiliers. He also served with the Canadian Army during WW2.





    260665

    Pte. John William Kirkbride 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Apr 1916)

    My beloved great-uncle John Kirkbride, who died 10th April 1916, aged 23.

    Barbara Parker




    260663

    Sgt. Frank Smith 61st Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.10th Aug 1918)

    My grandfather, Frank Smith was killed before Nieppe Wood, West of Merville, on 8th August 1918 allegedly by gas, type unknown. He was taken to hospital west of Aire-sur-la-Lys, dying on 10th August. He was buried nearby in Aire Cemetery. I have acquired the unit diary, which states that there were no deaths on 10th August, but there were on the 8th. My granddad was probably one of these.

    Colin Smith




    260658

    Pte. William Carter Hancock 1st/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th May 1915)

    William Hancock fought in WW1 and was my second great-uncle. Enlisting in South Shields, he was part of the Durham Light Infantry, 1st/7th Battalion. He died of wounds on 29th of May 1915 at Rawalpindi British General Hospital. This is the only information I have so far, and if anyone knows anything else I would be very grateful to receive more information.

    Rebecca Hancock




    260654

    Gnr. Fred Anthony 113th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Frederick Anthony joined the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) - 6th Coy, 43rd or 45th Regimental District, in Peterborough in November, 1902. After what seems to be some very brief training, and at least one posting to Gibraltar 1902-03 (where he was charged with drunkenness just prior to Christmas 1902), he was finally discharged from active service 15 September 1905. After this, while still in the RGA Reserves, things get a bit murky. In 1911, he emigrated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his young family. Then, sometime prior to the outbreak of WWI, he returned to England where he was re-mobilized with the RGA.

    He served on the Western Front with the 113th Heavy Battery from 5th of October 1914 to 9th of November 1915, and was repatriated, seemingly at the end of his term of service, in Gosport on 15th of November 1915. He immediately returned to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where he signed up as a gunner with the 61st Battery, 137th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He served a few months, from approximately February-April 1916. For unknown reasons, however, he was determined to be "unfit for war service" and released. He lived in Calgary with his wife and children until his death in 1976.

    Philip Palmer




    260649

    Pte. Roland Carmichael Howden

    My father, Roland Howden embarked with the 14th General (Victorian) Reinforcements from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A36 Boonah on 22nd of October 1918. He told the story that when they were off the WA coast they had competitions to pass the time and he won the skipping competition. After WW1, he joined the Air Force and served in the reserve. In WW2, he served in the Air Force as a wireless operator sergeant. His service number in WW2 was 314. He was often questioned about how he had such a low number.

    Ian Howden




    260646

    Sgt. George Smith 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    George Smith was my grandfather's alias. His real name was John Creevy.

    Stephen




    260638

    2nd Lt. Peter Williams 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.13th Nov 1916 )

    Peter Williams served with the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. I would like to know where and when my great-uncle Peter Williams was killed. All I know is that he died on the 13th of November 1916.

    David Cole




    260636

    Pte. John Joseph Evans 1st Light Horse Regiment

    John Evans enlisted with the 1st Light Horse Regiment with the rank of Private, with the 12th Reinforcements. The place of his enlistment was Warwick Farm.

    Ross Patterson




    260627

    L/Bmbdr. John Taaffe 22nd Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    John Taaffe, volunteered to join the British Army at Cork on the 18th August 1913. He served in the 22nd Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery. He served 12 years and was finally discharged on 18th August 1925. John lied about his age when he joined up saying that he was born in 1895 instead of his actual year of birth of 1897.

    Richard Taaffe




    260624

    Pte. George Herbert Noble 3rd Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    <p>

    To the best of my knowledge my grandfather, George Noble enlisted on 4th of February 1918. Records, that I have been able to find, show he was born in 1899 and was 18 and 1 month old. I know he wasn't born until 1901 so he was more likely 16 years old or thereabouts. He enlisted originally in the 3rd Bedfordshire Regiment then transferred to the 9th Northampton Regiment later that year.

    If anyone has further information it would be appreciated. We live in Australia so access to records is difficult.

    Alexander Mol




    260623

    Cpl. Benjamin Rae B Coy. 19th Battalion

    Ben Rae was injured in the Battle of Bullecourt, wounded in the back and captured on 3rd of May 1917. He was taken prisoner and interred at Parchim POW Camp. He was repatriated to England on 26th of December 1918. Returned to Australia as via H.T. Khyber, sailed from London to Australia on 3rd February 1919 and discharged from the Army in Sydney on 15th May 1919.

    Warren Barsley




    260620

    Pte. John Cutts 1/8th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.30th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    My great grandfather John Cutts died in WW1. Earlier this year I visited his wargrave at Hoogecrater Cemetery, Belgium I would love to find out his journey that led him to this place. RIP great grandad x

    Paul Cutts




    260616

    Pte. Thomas Hyde 1/8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.8th November 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Hyde died near Mons with two others from his regiment and is buried in Blaugies Communal Cemetery. Thomas was 27 years old, was married and had a daughter.

    Elaine Digby




    260614

    Pte. Harry William Edmonds 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.9th Sep 1916)

    William was killed in action in France.

    Sam Southern




    260612

    Pte. William Robertson 16th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    William Robertson was the only child of my great grand mother Jane Bennett and her first husband James Robertson, he was born 1898. James Robertson died in 1899 when William was one year old. Jane Bennett married my great grandfather Albert Hall, 5th January 1901 and had four more children, the second being my grandmother Lily Hall (b.1903). William's mother Jane died in 1911 when he was 12. On the 1901 and 1911 census' William is living with his paternal grandfather Thomas Bennett and his second wife Mary Jane France.

    I have a copy of William's WWI service records and a cousin of my mum's has sent me photographs of William's war medals, Memorial Plaque, British War Medal and Victory Medal. My relative always wondered why the medals were in his family's possession as he thought William was his father's stepbrother, he didn't realise it was his father's half brother. I would be grateful for any other information you have on William Robertson.

    John Lawson




    260611

    SSA. Richard Valentine Carroll HMS Jonquil

    Richard Carroll, My Grand Uncle Val, is the youngest brother of my maternal grandmother Nora Carroll. He is the youngest child of James Carroll, Chief Master At Arms,Royal Navy. Val served aboard the following ships/stations:
    • HMS VividI, 9 June 1913 - 19 Aug. 1913; rate=S.S.A.;sub rate = CODER
    • HMS Leander, 20 Aug. 1913 - 3 Feb. 1914; rate=S.S.A.;sub rate = CODER
    • HMS Orion, 4 Feb. 1914 - 1 May 1915; rate=S.S.A.
    • HMS VividI, 2 May 1915 - 25 June 1915; rate=S.S.A.
    • HMS Jonquil, 26 June 1915 - 20 August 1915; rate=S.S.A.
    • HMS VividI, 21 Aug. 1915 - 31 Jan 1916; rate=S.S.A.
    • HMS Revenge, 1 Feb.1916; rate=S.S.A
    • HMS Revenge, 28 Feb. 1918 - 30 June 1918; rate=Ldg. V.A./wounded K.C. (No.1483) issued 7/10/1918
    • HMS VividI, 1 July 1918 - 28 Aug. 1918; rate=Ldg. V. A.
    Paid War Gratuity, in cash, 20 Jan. 1920

    All information extracted from military records ADM/188/1030 and family genealogy records of Eugene C. Walworth





    260602

    AB. Raymond Victor John Jelfs HMS Cullist (d.11th Feb 1918)

    Raymond Jelfs was the only son of Henry and Ada Jelfs of Bretforton, Worcestershire and had a sister called Margery. He was killed by a submarine attack in the Irish Sea when all the crew of HMS Cullist were lost.

    Helen Jeffries




    260589

    Pte. Frank Alfred Emery 1/4th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    My great-uncle Frank Emery was killed in action during an action which was part of the Battle of Megiddo (19th-25th Sept 1918) in Palestine. He left a widow, Kathleen.

    Les Emery




    260583

    Pte Owen Jones 10th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.27th Jun 1916)

    Owen Jones served with 10th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers





    260580

    2nd Lt. Frank Gordon Strawson 5th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.1st Oct 1918)

    Frank Strawson attested into the Army Service Corps on the 21st of January 1915 in Aldershot. He was Commissioned on the 31st of July 1917 into the 5th Royal Fusiliers then transferred to the West Surrey Regiment (Queen's) and went to France on the 3rd of July 1916. he was killed in action near Ypres, Belgium on 1st of October 1917

    Garry Pyett




    260577

    Fus Stanley Young 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.26th September 1916)

    Stanley Young was my father's brother. My father was only 15 years old at the time and never spoke much about the family. He was the youngest of ten children and their father had died when he was only 2 years old





    260572

    Pte Joseph Lapworth 5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th March 1919)

    Joseph Lapworth died of his wounds on 8th March 1919. He was sent to Cork Hospital in Ireland shortly before his death.





    260568

    Pte. Alfred Isles Bloy 18th (4th Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.20th July 1916)

    Alfie Bloy was twenty when he died during the Battle of the Somme.

    Murray Cambers




    260567

    Cpl Henry Smith

    Henry Smith was my grandad. I know nothing of him. I have his medal from 1914-1919

    Stewart McDinald




    260560

    Gnr. Thomas Ashton 41st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Thomas Ashton enlisted on the 25th of August 1914 and served with the 41st Siege Battery, RGA





    260559

    Pte. Francis Toole 16th (2nd Salford) Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th Nov 1918)

    Francis Toole served with the 16th Lancashire Fusiliers, part of the 96th Infantry Brigade, 32nd Division.





    260558

    Pte. Albert Acton 8th Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    Albert Acton, my wife's grandfather, served at Gallipoli and also in the Mesopotamian Campaign.





    260552

    Pte. Thomas Jardine Russell CdG. 6th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    Thomas Russell was injured and suffered with the affects of mustard gas. We have a Croix de Guerre which he was presented with.

    Gillian Robertson




    260548

    Pte. David Crombelholme 21st (6th City) Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.10th-12th January 1917)

    <p>

    My Uncle, David Crombelholme is buried in the Beaumont-Hamel British Cemetery, in the Somme region of France.

    Moira Flannery




    260531

    Pte. James Alfred Barnes 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    My Grandmother's first husband, James Barnes was killed while serving with the 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment.

    Kenneth Williams




    260529

    Stok. Sidney Arthur Pratt HMS Cornwallis (d.9th Jan 1917)

    Sidney Pratt is my great uncle, he served on HMS Cornwallis as a stoker 1st class when the ship was hit by the German u boat. The ship sank and he was drowned. He was 21 years old and left a wife, who was expecting their first child. He has a memorial at Chatham dockyard but his body was never recovered.





    260527

    Dvr. William Smallshaw 57th Division Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.8th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    William Smallshaw is my Great Uncle, he was born in Liverpool on 9th July 1886. The parental family home was at 119 Gwladys Street, Everton in Liverpool next to the Everton F.C. He was the eldest son of 12 children born to William John and Margret Ellen Smallshaw (nee Gilroy), the husband of Alice (nee Graham) on 11th May 1912, and father of William, Nora, and Alice. He was described by my great-aunt Hannah as a very responsible, mature family man of smaller stature, 5 feet 3 inches (1m 60cm), with a tattoo of Buffalo Bill on his left forearm. Interestingly, Buffalo Bill actually toured the UK in the 1900s and visited Liverpool twice during his time there. Maybe William saw him during that time.

    Prior to the start of the Great War in August 1914, William had served for four and a half years with the 1st West Lancashire Division, Liverpool, which had since been disbanded. In November 1915, the War Office authorised its reformation, now designated 55th (West Lancashire) Division. In December 1915 he was re-enlisted as a driver for the 57th (2nd/1st West Lancashire) Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery, which was a second-line unit for the Territorial Force, based at the Drill Hall on Stanley Street in Liverpool. In May 1916, as part of the Great War military force expansion, they became the 276th Brigade RFA DAC, commanded by Brigadier-General N.H. Bray. After completing further training in Aldershot they moved to France in February 1917 and disembarked at Le Havre. On 25th February they took over a section of the Western Front under the command of the II ANZAC Corps. On 6th of July 1917 near Estaires in France, William, another young driver Bartholomew Dodding 695980 (whose parents lived close by), plus others were severely injured by heavy enemy shelling. William and Bartholomew died from wounds on or about 8th July 1917, sadly on William’s 31st birthday. Both are buried at Merville Communal Cemetery Extension in France. Buried between them is Pte. H.P. Moore 335857, 2nd/10th Btn. Liverpool Scottish (The King’s Regiment).

    William had three brothers (George, Ernest, and James) who also served in the Great War. Of the four, only Ernest survived to see the Armistice in November 1918. My great-grandmother Margret Ellen was so overcome with grief at the loss of my three great-uncles in such a short space of time that she reacted by stripping the house of all their belongings. No one was allowed to discuss them as a way for her to try to move on with her life and what remained of her family. I won’t ever truly understand the pain she must have gone through with their loss.

    The Smallshaws are of a single-line family first recorded in the 13th century in an entry of the Court Rolls of Wakefield in Holne (now Holme) in the West Riding, Yorkshire, England under William de Smalschaghe (1277) and Robert de Smaleschawe (1298). In a Yorkshire Deed (1322) is mentioned the vaccary (a cow-pasture, of Lancashire origin) of Smaleshagh. The Smallshaw name is of 7th century origin Smael-sceaga, meaning a small wood (shaw). This homestead was to become a hamlet and is now a suburb of Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. In the 14th century, the Smallshaws left their homestead and settled in the ancient priory village of Upholland, Lancashire. The family are mentioned in various documents throughout and beyond the 17th century, particularly in the period of the English Civil War, they were Royalists. It is here they would remain, and the family origins would be traced to and then through the 19th century. It is at this time (1830s) during the advent of the Industrial Revolution when the nearby city of Liverpool expanded due to its thriving port. Like many families in this region during that time, some would relocate from their farming village communities in search of regular work in that city and even abroad.

    Lance Smallshaw




    260511

    Capt. Thomas Owen Edwards Glamorgan Fortress Engineers Royal Engineers

    Thomas Edwards was my maternal Grandfather. In the early years of the 20th century he was HM Chief Inspector of Factories for South Wales. During WW1 he served with the Glamorgan Fortress Engineers, Royal Engineers. He died in 1929, 16 years before I was born so I have no personal memories of him.

    Andrew Woodcock




    260510

    Pte. William Albert Simblet 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.6th October 1918)

    My great uncle William Simblet served with the 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in WW1. His Death Certificate says his name is Albert William Simblet and his headstone says A W Simblet. His actual name is William Albert Simblet.

    I believe he may have been wounded on 5th of October 1918 attacking the Hindenburg line with the 25th Division and taken to No.20 Casualty Clearing Station where he died. I visited his grave in Doingt Cemetery, on 6th of October 2018 exactly 100 years to the day he died.

    Thomas L Simblet




    260508

    Pte. Frank Gill 1st Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.10th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Frank Gill was the fourth born son to Hartley & Sarah Gill (nee Higginbottom) registered in the Sept quarter 1895. Little is known of his youth but was listed on the 1911 census at 15 years old and still at home but working in the cotton mill owned by the Reddish Spinning Co - Elisabeth Mills on Houldsworth Road Reddish. He worked there with his brothers. His role was as a Cotton Mule Bobbiner. Frank was a member of St Elisabeth's Church and, in his teens, was an officer in the Church's Boys' Brigade company.

    Frank was just 18 years old when the war started and he immediately signed up. He was enlisted as a Private in the 1st Battalion, Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. Frank survived almost three years fighting multiple battles on the Western Front in France. He eventually lost his life at Fampoux during the Arras offensive of April - May 1917. He died 10th of April 1917 at the age of 21 years. Frank is remembered with honour at the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, which is in the Boulevard du General de Gaulle in the western part of the town of Arras. The cemetery is near the Citadel, approximately 2 kms due west of the railway station.

    Posthumous Medal award

    Stewart Gill




    260492

    Pte. George Helliwell 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.17th Nov 1918)

    George Helliwell is buried in Bradfield, near Sheffield. He died of wounds. His parents were William and Mary Hannah Helliwell of Mill Farm, Bradfield.

    Andrew Mellor




    260485

    E. Owen 28th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>pocketwatch

    I have come across a pocket watch, inscribed to "E. Owen British Army 28th Fld. Ambulance, RAMC, ASC MT. 9th (Scottish) Infantry Division" with Ypres, Bethune, Arras, Cambrai, and Kemmel.

    Geoffrey Dickson




    260484

    Pte. William Aubrey Fletcher Lincolnshire Regiment (d.7th Mar 1917 )

    William Fletcher served at the Lincolnshire Regiment Depot.





    260480

    Tpr. John William Henderson 4th Light Horse Regiment

    <p>John Henderson, honour guard for Billy Hughes, 22nd Aug 1916, post card to his sister Kate.

    An original member of the Australian 4th Light Horse Regiment, my great-uncle John Henderson, known as Jock, enlisted in August 1914 and was at Gallipoli from 24th of May until 6th of October 1915. He was then hospitalised in Malta with enteric fever and subsequently sent to convalesce in England. When well enough, Jock went to serve in France with the 1st and 2nd Anzac Mounted Corps, NZ Salvage Party, and 12th Field Artillery Brigade. He returned to Australia under the early return scheme for 1914 lads, arriving in Port Melbourne on 25th of December 1918.

    I have a post card of 'Gallipoli veterans' dated 22nd of August 1916, and I have transcribed the text that he sent home to his younger sister Kate Henderson: 'Dear Kate: Just a PC to say I am still in England and in best of health. Hoping this finds you all the same. I have not heard from you for some time. This is a photo of the guard honour for Billy Hughes the day he got the freedom of London. Andy McIntyre is in this photo but I do not think you can pick him out. The officer on the right hand side is the boss here. He used to be a sergeant but was promoted at Gallipoli. All these chaps have been wounded. This was taken at Abbey Woods. So now Kate dear I will have to conclude. Hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your loving brother, Jock'

    Susan Meyer




    260476

    Pte. Arthur Nowell Crossley 10th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Arthur Crossley was a mill worker from Batley, born in 1877. He married Edith Law in 1900 and had seven children, six girls and one boy, Albert, who was killed during the advance to Castiglione del Lago (Italy) on 29th of June 1944. Arthur served with the 10th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, survived the Great War and died in Batley in 1948, aged 71.





    260471

    Arol Edmond Thornton 51st (Highland) Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    Arol Thornton served with the 51st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps in WW1. This information was found in the book of poetry (among several) my grandfather had with him, probably acquired during his war. The entry is dated "4th of April 1919, Daren Germany" - guarding the Zeppelin factory. He never spoke about the war. His wife died in 1917 (while he was away) leaving my father (aged 2) with his grandmother. I do not know his war record even his service number gives no details. Arol died in 1968.

    Helen Powles




    260468

    Pte. Edward Thomas "Ned" Gilchrist 8th Btn. Border Regiment

    Ned Gilchrist served with the 8th and 11th Battalion, Border Regiment.

    Yvonne McNamara




    260457

    Pte. Ernest Daynes 1/10th (1st Hackney Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.15th August 1915)

    Ernest Daynes was my great grandfather. Husband to Emily E. Daynes and father to Lilian. During WW1 he served with the 10th Battalion London Regiment but died at Gallipoli on 15th of August 1915 aged 29 years. He was listed as missing in action and his body was never recovered. Ernest is remembered on the Helles Memorial in Turkey (including Gallipoli). Son of Richard and Mary Daynes of 34 Twederwin Road, Hackney and husband of Emily E. Daynes of 21, Kemp Street, Old St., London.

    Paul Bonelli




    260454

    Pte. Albert V. Chaston Royal West Kent Regiment

    Albert Chaston served with the Royal West Kent Regiment in WW1. This comes from a personal account by Albert written in 1963. November 1918: "I took sick while I was laying out there in the snow and was put in the French hospital, the 32nd Stationary Hospital in Boulogne, France, Ward M4. I didn't get any better, I seemed to be getting worse. Then they sent me over to London to the Crescent War Hospital in Croydon, just south of London."

    David G. Chaston




    260449

    Rfmn. Harold Everall 10th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd December 1915)

    Harold Everall was born 1890 in Coventry, Warwarckshire and was a soldier in WW1. He enlisted 3rd of September 1914 serving with the 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He died of wounds 23rd of December 1915 at which time he was with the 10th Battalion. He was aged 24 years and is buried Sailly-sur-la-Lys, Canadian Cemetery in France. Son of A. John and Jane Everall of 64 Kingsway, Coventry.

    Robert Haase




    260448

    Cpl. Reginald Frederick Kiff 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    Reginald Kiff served with the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in WW1 and died 31st of July 1917. He is remembered on the headstone of his parents. He was born in Harrow in 1896 to Thomas and Lizzie Kiff. His service record has survived and gives his address as 7 Claremont Road, Wealdstone.

    I'm not related to Reginald Kiff but I am researching men who are commemorated at All Saints Church in Harrow.

    Alison Cook




    260444

    Pte. William Douglas 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.4th of October 1915)

    William Douglas was a member of the 14th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry in WW1. He died 4th of October 1915 aged 19 years and is buried Lillers Communal Cemetery in France. Son of James and Jeannie Douglas of 4 Park Street, South Shields.

    Andrea Thompson




    260442

    Pte. Walter Sydney Hall Bryant 10th Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.5th September 1916)

    Walter Bryant, born 1894 in Stogumber, Somerset, joined the 10th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in WW1 in Wellington, Somerset and was involved in the assault of Delville Wood during which he sustained wounds, from which he subsequently died on 5th of September 1916 aged 23 years. He is buried in Bernafay Wood British Cemetery, Montauban, France. Son of George and Ellen Bryant of Stogumber, Taunton and husband of Hilda May Bryant of Beam Bridge, Wellington, Somerset.

    Danny Bryant




    260438

    Pte. Frederick William Earwaker 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    My grandfather Frederick Earwaker worked at Shippams in Chichester and joined up in 1916. He took part in the assault on High Wood, part of the Battle of the Somme, and was shot in the back on 9th September 1916. He was treated by a German first raider in a shell hole and under cover of darkness and walked to a trench dressing station. He eventually went to Rouen field hospital where he was operated on and thence via HMHS Asturias to Milton hospital in Portsmouth. By the 22nd November 1916 he was in Castle Hospital convalescing. He described the food as "first rate... rabbit pies, beefsteak, puddings etc. The nurses are very nice here, too". He appears to have left around January 1917, by which point he was at the eastern command unit at Shoreham. He never returned to the front but served out the war in the Labour Corps and the RAF in the UK. He returned to work at Shippams after the war and completed 50 years’ service. He died months short of retirement in 1961.

    Andrew Earwaker




    260436

    Drvr. John Winskill 78th Brigade, C Coy. Royal Field Artillery

    John Winskill is the husband of my great-aunt. We found his military records through Ancestry.com. He was disciplined 3 times: once for smoking in the stables, and twice for being AWOL. He served as a driver and served in France from 1914-15.

    Graham Gee




    260429

    Sddlr. Franklyn George Greenwood Melvyn Honey Royal Field Artillery

    Franklyn Honey was a prisoner of war in 1918 at Camp Doeberitz in Brandenburg. He was a career soldier, serving as a gunner in 1911 and as a saddler in the Royal Field Artillery in 1914. He died in 1932 and is buried in St. Peters Churchyard in Frimley, Surrey.

    Terence Madigan




    260427

    A/Cpl. Arthur Augustus Deacon 15th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Initially, Arthur Deacon was in the South Nottinghamshire Hussars and then 307th Battery, Royal Horse Artillery. He was wounded and gassed sometime during service. His Lt. Colonel's remarks on his discharge papers were that he was a first-class shot on the Lewis gun and very capable.

    Janet Kilbourne




    260421

    Farr. Francis William Daniels 40th Division Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    Francis Daniels was my grandfather, who was born in 1897. As a boy, he was sent by his father into a 'Sea Training' organization. I have a photo of him, probably from around 1912, with the Royal Navy cap tally for HMS Pembroke (Chatham Dockyard). I have a record showing my grandfather’s wartime service on HMS Vienna and HMS Baralong (a letter from his Commanding Officer Lt. Cmdr. Godfrey Herbert dated 1924 supporting his application for the 1914-1915 Star). After the 'Baralong Incident' (which was considered by some to have been a war crime), he left the Royal Navy and shortly thereafter re-enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery as a farrier. I have a photograph dated 1916 titled '40th Div. Ammun. Column' showing all the 'lads' with him in a 'formal pose' and showing all ranks.

    At the conclusion of the war he de-mobbed, but unable to find reliable work, he re-enlisted and was posted to India (Kerkee, India) where he was to serve for nearly 3 years before ending his association with the military. He died in March 1981 in Eastbourne, East Sussex.





    260418

    Cpl. Percy Chappell 1/23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.26th May 1915)

    Percy Chappell was my great-uncle. His two brothers also served in the Great War. Albert Ricketts, Rifleman 6536, 8th Battalion, London Regiment, Post Office Rifles, Killed in Actiob 7 October 1916. Also, Arthur Ricketts (my grandfather) believed to have served in the Monmouthshire Regiment T.A.

    Ray Ricketts




    260417

    Pte. Charles Dickie 10th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Charles Dickie was born in Stevenston, Ayrshire and lived in Glasgow. His parents were Mr. Henry Dickie and Mrs. Maggie Dickie (nee Wright), of 30, William St., Shettleston, Glasgow. Me married Mary Dickie (nee Young)in 1911. He was Killed in Action at the Battle of Loos and was awarded the 1914/15 Star; Victory Medal; British War Medal; Memorial Death Plaque of WWI.

    Neil Maclean




    260391

    Pte. William Nelson Rees 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.15th Nov 1916)

    <p>William Rees memorial

    William Rees was attested on 5th of August 1914 at Abergavenny Depot, then was recalled to headquarters of the Monmouthshire Regiment at Abergavenny. On 6th August, he went to Pembroke Dock for training as part of the Welsh Border Brigade, and then on 10th August he was sent to training camp at Oswestry. On the 31st, he went for training and equipping to the Northampton race course with the 53rd (Welsh) Division, where they billeted with and were well liked by the local people. In October 1914, he and the 3rd Monmouthshires were sent to Bury St. Edmunds in East Anglia to train on digging trenches and setting up defensive works. On 1st December, they went to Cambridge in January 1915 for rifle training, and on 11th February 1915, they were inspected by King George V.

    On 13 February 1915, the 3rd Monmouthshires proceeded by train to Southampton and sailed for France on the S.S. Chyebassa. The next morning, they arrived at Le Havre and proceeded by train to Cassel, where the GHQ of the French Northern Army was located. On 28th February 1915, they left Steenvorde on a fleet of double-decker London buses and went into action in the front lines. During the next seven months, 3rd Battalion participated in the following battles: Messines-Wytschaete Ridge; Wulverghem; Polygon Wood (in which they were attached to the Northumberland Field Company and the 171st Tunnelling Company R.E); Hill 60; Frezenberg Ridge; Hooge Chateau; Vlamertinghe; Poperinghe; Hellfire Corner; Reninghelst; Yser Canal; Caesar’s Nose; Lindenoek; Locre; Kemmel; and Elverdinghe Chateau.

    In September 1915, the 3rd Battalion was detached to the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division as a pioneer battalion and engaged in repairing roads and digging trenches and dugouts. In December, the 3rd Battalion rejoined the rest of the Monmouthshire Regiment, which was encamped at Elverdinghe Chateau. On the 29th December, while on parade there, a large German shell fired from a nearby forest exploded, wounding 30 of the Battalion and killing 39, all of whom are buried at Ferme-Olivier cemetery in Belgium. During the first six months of 1916, 3rd Monmouthshires participated in the following actions: Albert; Brucamps; Candas; Neuville; St. Vaast; Agnieres; Pommier; and Foncquevillers. On the 1st July, the Battalion took part in the Battle of the Somme in support of the 36th Ulster Division’s attack on a German strong-point.

    In August 1916, the 3rd Battalion fought at Acheux, Hedin, and Capelle. There were failed attacks on enemy trenches and many casualties, and the Battalion was ordered to retire. At the end of the month, 3rd Battalion heard the unwelcome news that, owing to the difficulty in finding replacements, the unit would be broken up and distributed among other Welsh regiments.

    On 24th August, Private Rees learned that he was one of 200 men to be assigned to the new 9th Entrenching Battalion, which had been formed from the remnants of the 3rd Monmouthshires. Then on 20th September, he was transferred to the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. On 15th November 1916, Private Rees was with a bomb and bayonet detachment near Le Sars in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, when a hidden German machine gun opened up on the detachment. One officer was wounded. Thirty other soldiers were wounded or missing. One of these was Willie, as he was known. His body was never identified. His name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    David Taylor




    260383

    Pte. Harry Herbert Bullock 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.31st Oct 1916)

    Harry Bullock is buried at Grave Reference 71 in the Vevey (St. Martin's) Cemetery, Vevey in District de la Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut, Vaud, Switzerland.

    Carole Hiscock




    260380

    2nd Lt. Wilfred Arthur Richards 28th (1st Artists Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    On 31st August 1914, my father Wilfred Richards, who'd been born in South Glamorgan but was now working in London, presented himself at Dukes Road in Euston to sign up to four years’ service in the Territorial Force. He was joining the 28th Battalion of the London Regiment (Artists Rifles) as Private No. 1855. He was 21 years and 8 months old. His profession was recorded as Clerk with Wilson and Sons, and he lived in Hendon. His previous military experience was that he had belonged to the Llandovery School Corps. He had never been rejected as unfit for the Military and he listed himself as ‘Church of England’. His battalion left for France on 31 December 1914, and he arrived at St. Omer some days later where others from the Artists Rifles joined them in motor omnibuses. He transferred to the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers in June The rest of his war story is one of luck. He served on the front with the 1st RWF from June to September 1915, just after the Battalion had suffered severe losses at the Battle of Festubert, and then he was invalided home on the eve of the Battle of Loos. He spent the rest of the war doing light duties at home and finished the war with the 7th York and Lancs Regiment as Captain. He had long recurrences of fever throughout the war.

    Jane Lawrence




    260376

    William James Hurley

    My father William Hurley was a prisoner of war 1914 to 1918. All I know is the name of the camp, which appears on postcards he sent to my mother. The name of the camp is Freigegeben SH Doeberitz. He was captured during the first battle after our landing in Belgium in 1914.

    I have tried many avenues to find anything out but to no avail. Please help me, I am 91 years old and would dearly love to know more about him. I have three photographs, on postcards, which he sent. One is of a football team, one of himself standing outside a hut, and the other is of his camp mates.

    Nancy




    260374

    Maj. Herbert St. John Carr-West 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Oct 1918)

    My great-grandfather Herbert Carr-West died in Italy in the last days of the war. He is buried at Giavera British Cemetery, Arcade.





    260373

    Ralph Aisthorpe Bisson

    <p>Letter to parents

    Ralph Bisson's ship was docked in New York when the war ended.

    Mark Bisson




    260369

    CSM. Leslie Joseph Poole 7th Battalion (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>

    Company Sergeant Major Leslie Joseph Poole was Killed in Action on the 8th of May 1915 on Gallipoli.

    Wendy Gaye Carter




    260363

    Pte. Alfred Henry "Critch" Critchley 9th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    My grandfather Alfred Critchley was born in 1898, he enlisted after his 16th birthday in September 1914. He joined 9th Battalion, Gloucesters. Before the War Act of 1916 young men could enlist at 16, the Act made it that you had to be 18 to enlist.

    My grandfather died in 1976 peacefully at home in Gloucester. He worked after the war at Feilding and Platts Engineering Company in Gloucester city, retiring at 65 years old.





    260361

    Pte John Edward Mason 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.9th August 1918)

    John Mason (known as Jack) was in the Worcestershire Regiment. He was an enlisted soldier prior to the outbreak of war in 1914. His allocated regimental number in 1914 was 4833, he was discharged from the army by a doctor in 1914 but then re-enlisted into the 1st/8th Battalion of the Worcesters. He lost his life in Italy near to Val Di Portule on the WW1 Italian Front on Friday 9th August 1918 aged 27 years and is buried at Barenthal Military Cemetery. He was my great uncle and brother of my great granny,





    260358

    Pte. Henry William Moody 4th Battalion

    My great-uncle Henry Moody received a gunshot wound on the right side on 6th of July 1918. He was admitted to the 14th General Hospital in Wimereux for two days and treated before being invalided to England.

    Leeanne McHarg




    260357

    Pte. George Graham Wardle 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    George Wardle was wounded in both legs. His left leg was amputated at Princess Louise Hospital in Erskine, Scotland. A blacksmith before the war, he became a colliery clerk. I would like to have a photograph of him.

    Holcroft




    260353

    2nd Lt. William James Pearson No. 8 Squadron

    William James Pearson served with No. 8 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps I have a photo of my grandfather with other RFC officers outside Hillington Hall, Norfolk (written on back of photo), taken in 1917 probably between May and June.

    Jane Pearson




    260350

    Gnr. Alfred George Matson 144th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.6th Nov 1917)

    <p>Alfred George Matson

    Alfred Matson was wounded by a shell and died a short while after, aged 23 years. He is buried in Solferino Farm Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium.

    Jersey Evening Post of Wednesday 14th of November 1917 reported: Roll of Honour. It is with deep regret we chronicle the death which took place in action on 6 November last of Alfred George Matson. The deceased soldier was only in his 23rd year and left the Island in May last as a member of the Royal Garrison Artillery, he shortly afterwards proceeded to France and on 6 November was wounded by a shell and died practically at once. The late Gunner was the third son of Mr and Mrs Matson of Ann Street and a few months ago married Miss Lillian Maude Bree of Gorey. He was very popular locally and highly esteemed in the Siege Battery he was serving with. We tender the widow, the parents and other relatives our sincere sympathy.

    Notice of Death also appears in Jersey Evening Post of Wednesday 14th of November 1917. He is Commemorated on St Pauls School Memorial, Jersey and on St Pauls Church Memorial, Jersey

    Paul Franklin




    260340

    Capt. Phillip Evelyn Pollexfen 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    Phillip Pollexfen was an Old Boy of Birkenhead Institute. He was wounded in the spine and became paralysed from the waist down as a consequence. His records at the National Archives show that he went before a medical board at Templeton House Hospital on 15th of August 1917. He took his own life at home in January 1932.

    Alun Hughes




    260339

    Pte. William C. Flynn 5th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.24th Jan 1918)

    <p>William C. Flynn

    William Flynn was my great-uncle. He is remembered on the Chatby Memorial.

    Edmond C. Byrne




    260336

    Pte. Charles Edgar Barnes 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1918)

    Charles Barnes was a 2nd great-uncle of mine. I just have info from the CWGC website which gives his unit as having been the 6th Lincolnshires. He is buried in Newton churchyard near Wisbech. The inscription on his gravestone reads: "Freed from all sorrow, grief, and pain. Our loss is his eternal gain".

    Stuart Reader




    260335

    Sgt. Cyril Edward Lickman 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    In 1911, Cyril Lickman was in the 2nd Berkshires in India. He returned in 1914 (17yrs old), moved to Winchester, and was made Acting Sergeant for the 6th Berkshires, training the service battalion. He fought through the First World War, then re-joined in the Second World War. He survived and passed away in 1974.

    Paul Lickman




    260326

    Pte. Wilfred Reader Fry 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.17th Aug 1917)

    The only thing known is that Wilfred Fry is remembered at the Arras memorial.

    Stella Davies




    260325

    Sig2. Norman Launcelot Rowland 2/12th (2nd Rangers) Btn. London Regiment

    Norman Rowland returned from Brisbane in 1915 to join up aged 30 and survived the war, although his brother Frank died on the Royal Edward on the way to Gallipoli. Out of six brothers luckily only one died during the war.

    Nicholas Rowland




    260324

    Able Sea. Ernest Slack 6th (Howe) Btn. Royal Naval Division

    Ernest Slack was born on 21st July 1896, he enlisted on the 29th of May 1915 and was drafted to Howe Battalion M.E.F. Later, he was detached from Howe Battalion to Stavros whilst serving. On 9th of April 1918, he sustained a gunshot wound to his left wrist and was sent to 20th General Hospital in Dannes, Camiers He was demobilised 22nd of January 1919 at North Camp, Ripon.

    Andrew Turner




    260322

    Pte. W Morris Roberts 16th Btn. D Company Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    <p>Found in the trenches

    The Oxfam Shop in Abergavenny were given a book, an Antiphonarium Romanum from The Chapelle D' Armentieres dated 1901. The book is inscribed "Souvenir de la guerre 1914 - 1918, W Morris Roberts, Ty Fry, Llanrug, Caernarvonshire , Private 43821 RWF. This volume was picked up in the trenches, close to the ruins of the above place in March 1918 while holding the line on that sector".

    Robin Noble




    260320

    Pte. Stephen Meredith 14th (1st Swansea) Btn. Welch Regiment (d.5th Aug 1917)

    My great-grandfather, Stephen Meredith served with the 14th (1st Swansea) Battalion, Welch Regiment. He fathered 2 children with Florence Edith Williams and they never married (Florence was still married to her previous husband). He enlisted in Swansea and was killed during 3rd Ypres, otherwise known as Passchendaele. He has no known grave but is commemorated on Menin Gate as well as the War Memorial in Woolescote.

    Connie Davis




    260317

    L/Cpl. William Kay 1/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th Jun 1915)

    William Kay died in Gallipoli on the 4th June 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. He left behind two children, a girl under the age of three at the time of his death and a boy, who was born several months after the outbreak of war and whom he never had the chance to meet.

    Anastasia




    260313

    Sea. Richard Patrick Morrissey HMS Caesar

    <p>

    This is a typical story of many enlisted men in the Great War and so many other wars. There are no major battles in this story, just solid duty and service in wartime. Richard Morrissey, left his hometown in Dublin at a time of civil unrest at home and, on return, was met with a Civil War. Meanwhile he had lost a brother and cousin on other battlefields of the Great War. Richard Morrissey was my maternal grandfather. Sadly, he passed before I was born, but his service tells me much about him as a soldier and a man. From far off Australia, we are proud to share this simple story of family service.

    A native of Dublin, Richard (Dick) Morrissey enlisted in the Royal Navy on 8 May 1918 when he was 21 years old. First stationed at the training facility in Liverpool, he served on five ships over the next 18 months: HMS Vivid (18 May-7 Sep 1918); HMS Queen (8 Sep-30 Sep 1918); HMS Caesar (1 Oct-31 Dec 1918); HMS Europa (1 Jan-3 Mar 1919); and HMS Eaglet (4 Mar 1919-1 Jan 1920).

    Immediately establishing a Wage Garnishment to send his pay home to his widowed mother, Elizabeth Morrissey, a photo of trainee Dick Morrissey in uniform clearly shows the word Minesweeper on his cap. It was hazardous duty to keep the shipping lanes clear for convoys. He appears to have served overseas duty at Mudros. A note in Dick’s service record indicates an incident/illness early in his naval career. While the handwriting is difficult to decipher, the two references very clear are 2 months, Gillygate. Another reference, equally difficult to decipher, indicates that Dick may have spent those two months in hospital. Written are what look like the words ‘found to be unserviceable’ then ‘to be retained on RAG’ (probably Regimental Artillery Group), and what appears to be ‘S tone Hospital’. This reference may be to ‘Shenstone Hospital’ in Manchester.

    For his service, Richard Morrissey received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was discharged from reserve duty on 4 December 1919 and ‘Dispersed to shore’ on 1 January 1920, then returned home to Dublin. Sidebar: His older brother, John Morrissey (11898), had joined the 6th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was deployed with first-cousin John (Jack) Morrissey (11967). John Morrissey (11898) was killed in action on 21st of August 1915 during the Suvla Landing at Gallipoli. Jack Morrissey was killed in action on 8 December 1915 in the Balkans.

    Siobhan O'Neill




    260305

    Cpl. Tudor Aled Roberts 6th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry

    My grandfather Tudor Roberts was shot by friendly fire in February 1916, possibly on the Somme. He was shot in a trench when a colleague's gun discharged. The bullet entered his back, went through a cigarette case, and emerged through his chest. Miraculously, he survived and later returned to the front.

    Ali Dolphin




    260302

    L/Cpl. Charles Coxall 6th Sqdn. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry Brigade) (d.11th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Coxall served with 6th Squadron, Machine Gun Corps with the Cavalry Brigade.

    Peter Herr




    260301

    Sgt. George Jerrard Wilkinson 16th (Public Schools) Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    George Wilkinson's name is found on the Uppingham School Memorial, listed as Killed In Action on the Somme on 1st of July 1916, aged 30.

    Max Grout




    260300

    Jonathan "Joss" Burnett 12th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.8th Oct 1916)

    <p>Joss Burnett and brother Tom

    From his 1914 enlistment papers, Joss Burnett was to be married in October 1916. I have never been able to find the name of his fiancee. Joss's brother Thomas was killed in October 1918 and was with the Australian Army, as the family had decided to emigrate after the death of Joss. Upon the day that he joined, Joss was given the Eagle and Child cap badge, which was given to all who enlisted in Liverpool making up the pals regiments by Lord Derby.

    John Fletcher




    260295

    Pte. William Griffin 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    William Griffin was born on the eleventh of October 1895 in Francis Street, Dublin. He died in the Battle of Saint Julien on the morning 24th of May 1915 by an enemy gas attack at 2.45 am.

    Tom Reid




    260288

    2nd Lt. Robert Pollock Conochie 8th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.18th May 1918)

    <p>2nd Lt. Robert P. Conochie

    Robert Conochie was my great-uncle. I don't know much about him apart from he had red hair. He joined up in 1914, sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli, served in Palestine, and then was sent to France. He died on 18th May 1918, aged 23, during a battle at Vimy in France and is buried in Calais.





    260280

    Pte. John Small 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment

    My grandfather, Private John Small, 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment, was wounded in battle on 14th of April 1918. He was a patient at the 18th General Hospital, Chateau De la Haie, Camiers, France.





    260278

    2nd Lt. Alexander Watt 3rd Btn. attached 12th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.18th of August 1918)

    Alexander Watt served with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Scots in WW1. At his death on 18th of August 1918 he was attached to the 12th Battalion, Royal Scots. He was 20 years old and is buried Le Peuplier Military Cemetery at Caestre inFrance. Son of John and Janet Ritchie Cameron Watt of Edinburgh.





    260277

    Mstr. Ernest Mason SS City of Brisbane (d.45 Queensway, Liskard, Cheshire)

    <p>SS City of Brisbane, Ellerman Lines

    My father became a wireless telegraphist with the Merchant Marine in 1918. His first posting was to the Ellerman Line’s SS City of Brisbane (reg no 140561). Her maiden voyage was from London Tilbury, commenced 10 June 1918, to Plymouth arr 12 June; dep Plymouth 14 June for Boston, Mass, USA, arr June 24; dep Boston 8 July for Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, arr 10 July; dep for London 11 July, arr 23 July 23 1918. I was able to obtain these details from the ship’s log book at the Maritime Museum in Newfoundland. The log book lists Ship’s Master Ernest Mason and most of the crew. The Museum did not have the ship's log belonging to the second voyage, destination Buenos Aires, when she was torpedoed off Newhaven, Sussex on 13th of August 1918. All the crew survived, reaching shore by lifeboats.

    I recently obtained from the National Archive a copy of a chart showing the site where the City of Canberra's wreck is located, and a file released by the Air Historical Branch Air Ministry only in 1967, but kept closed until 1969. The ship was originally identified as the SS Lincoln, but then altered by hand to the SS City of Brisbane (Battery Commander Report of 13.08.1918 relating to the Newhaven Garrison, of action taken at the time) The Fire Commander (Maj. Playfair, RGA) of the 10th Kent and Sussex Fire Command stated that as no submarine had appeared active at the time in the vicinity, it was not certain whether the ship had been torpedoed or had struck a mine

    Later, it was confirmed that the SMS UB 57 had torpedoed the ship. The submarine was commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Johannes Lohs, and was heading back to base at Zeebrugge when contact was lost on 14 August 1918. It was believed to have hit a mine, and all 34 of her crew were lost. Before he became a submariner, it seems that Johann Lohs had also been a radio operator.

    This year (2019), I found the details for the UB-57 on Wikipedia, and what had happened. I think these details became available only in 2014, because when I tried researching in 2005 there was little information. If you require any reference numbers relevant to any of the documents I have referred to, let me know. The chart is a rough sketch that determines the wreck’s position by using a buoy known to have been anchored to the shore battery on the cliff, and by sightings from the battery’s gun emplacement. The lifeboats had started leaving the ship at 5:35 pm, and Torpedo Boat 14 left Newhaven Harbour at 5:40 pm. At 5:52 pm, a depth charge was dropped by the trawler Rye, presumably after the City of Brisbane's crew had told them they had been torpedoed. More depth charges were dropped between that time and 6:30 pm by trawlers and P-Type torpedo boats (REF: AIR 1/562/16/15/67 RC 1644035). The wreck was visited by a diving team (Scuba Diving UK Scuba Steve). I forwarded what brief details I knew to them, but they were unable to dive again on the 100th anniversary of the event due to unfavourable conditions in the English Channel. As yet, the missing log book has not been located, but it may have been lodged with the Board of Inquiry held after the sinking. I wondered what cargo had been lost, but no one seems able to supply any details.

    Ship’s Master Ernest Mason died in 1963, my father died in 1955, and no one seems to be researching the Mason family, although I was able to find he had married Louisa Mary Shuttlebotham Hess at Birkenhead, Cheshire, in 1909. He was born at Egremont, Cheshire in 1870, and his home address in 1918 was given as 45 Queensway, Liskard, Cheshire.

    Hilary M. Brock




    260275

    Pte. William McGucken 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.9th of June 1915)

    Private William McGucken served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, 10th Brigade, 4th Division. He was involved in the fighting in 1914 at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Battle of the Marne, the Battle of the Aisne, and the Battle for Messines Ridge.

    William was killed in action on 9th of June 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres. His name is memorialised on Panel 42 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, in Ypres (Ieper), Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium.

    Mary Spaniol




    260269

    Pte. Frank Elson 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.1st Jan 1917)

    Frank Elson was killed in the 10th Chesshire Battalion HQ at Despierre Farm.

    David Parry




    260267

    Pte. John Coates 15th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.24th Mar 1918)

    John 260267 was believed to be 21 years of age when he died in action. He was the second son of George and Mary Coates of 24 Well Lane, Rock Ferry, Wirral. On 6th of July 1916, John was awarded a wound stripe, but I don't know in which battle this injury was incurred. He is remembered at the Pozieres Memorial and on the war memorial in Port Sunlight, whence his family originated.

    Janet Edwards




    260259

    Pte John Taylor 114th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.12th June 1917)

    <p>

    I found an archive article from local paper with photograph.





    260258

    Sig. Terriss Norman Cross D Battery, 155th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Terriss Cross enlisted on 11th of September 1916 at Woolwich. He served with 155 Brigade RFA in D Battery joining them on 30th September 1917 just before the Third Battle of Ypres (Second Battle of Passchendale). They moved into reserve east of Poperinghe on 22nd of November 1917 then some 75 miles south to Bapaume. They were heavily involved in the German Spring Offensive of March 1918. They fought in support of 38th Division on 18th of September in the area of Gouzeaucourt where Terriss Cross was gassed. He was taken to 30 Field Ambulance and then moved to No. 12 General Hospital at Rouen on 24th of September and then was moved to the Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot. He lived until March 1977.

    Peter Cross




    260243

    Pte. William Lean Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry

    William Lean signed up for service on 9th of Oct 1916 aged 27 (finishing in 1919). Whilst serving in Egypt he is recorded as being a driver. He also served with the Machine Gun Corps in 75th Division.

    Joanne Wilson




    260239

    Pte. Thomas Wilson 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales' Own) (d.13th May 1915.)

    Just started doing family research. This was my great-grandfather, and I would love to find out more about him.

    Ivan Williams




    260235

    Pte. Joseph Russell 9th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    Joseph Russell was my great-grandfather, who was born 1 February 1877 at Dudley, Staffordshire, and was married on Christmas Day, 1903 to Faith Hope Davies.

    He enlisted in 1895 and served in 5th Worcestershire Regiment and in E Coy., 2nd Worcestershire Regiment, and received the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps in Wittebergen, Cape Colony, Transvaal for service during the Second Boer War.

    On 29th of August 1914, he enlisted for the Great War with the 2nd Worcester Regiment and was sent to France, disembarking there on 5th of January 1915. On 1st of May 1915, he joined the 5th Worcestershire Regiment. He was listed as wounded on the Casualty List issued by the War Office from 15th if September 1915 while serving with the 9th Worcestershire Regiment. He was discharged on 14th of May 1916. He died on 29th of November 1925, leaving behind a wife and 5 daughters.

    Stephen Ford




    260233

    Pte. Frank Pearson 8th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1916)

    Frank Pearso is buried in the Amara War Cemetery.





    260231

    Capt. George Francis Jones-Williams MiD. 20th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    George Jones-Williams was the son of wealthy landowner Thomas Jones-Williams. Commissioned in 1915 with the 20th Royal Fusiliers, he saw active service in France and received an Mention in Despatches for his gallant conduct.

    Don




    260226

    Staff Nurse. Eileen Gertrude Stuart South African Military Nursing Service

    Eileen Stuart, born July 1880 in Killaloe, Clare, Ireland, was married to my second cousin, Thomas Sydney Cashmore, in 1924 in Mombasa, Kenya where her father, George Beatty West Stuart, was involved with policing. The 1901 Census saw her in Devizes St. James, Devizes Wiltshire, and the 1911 Census saw her in Marylebone, London. In 1916, Thomas was on Ascension Island for his employer, the Eastern Telegraph Company, for which he had worked in Australia, where he was born in 1891.

    She is mentioned in the 1914-1920 Britain, Campaign, Gallantry and Long Service Medals and Awards for her service as a Staff Nurse with the South African Military Nursing Service. Eileen died in Kent and is buried at Herne Bay Cemetery.

    Colin Yarwood




    260225

    Sgt. Francis J. Roberts 9th Btn. Devonshire Regiment

    <p>Francis Roberts is 2nd from right

    Francis Roberts was born in Plymouth, Devon on 5 May 1894. He served with the Devonshire Regiment from 1914 to 1918. Later, during WWII, he served with the Home Guard, 5th Btn., St. Austell in Cornwall from 2nd of November 1942 until 31st of December 1944. According to my research, original records of the Devonshire Regiment were destroyed by enemy bombing during WWII. I have therefore extracted from books, The Bloody Eleventh and C. T. Atkinson, The Devonshire Regiment 1914-1918, the following information in trying to trace were my father was. Certain facts (e.g., Mametz and Italy) were given by F. J. Roberts, otherwise one presumes he could have been in many or all of the places mentioned. The chapter and page numbers cited below are for the Devonshire Regiment Book:
    • Assuming a volunteer joined on 31st of January 1916, it is thought his training took up to the usual period of 6 months. Therefore, he would not have been sent to France until July or August of that year.
    • Chapter XII, page 146: On 19th July 1916, having its front line at Mametz (map ref J7), the Borderers on the left, then the 9th Devons and the 2nd Gordons beyond them.
    • Page 148/9: In Shrine Alley, which swept round Mansel Copse (Picardy), the company on the right of the 9th Devons had to move. Assembly trenches had therefore been dug 250 yards further back, and in these the troops formed up on the evening of 30 June. The 9th Devons had A and B companies in front and company C in second line as support.
    • Page 153: From 2 July to 5 July, the 9th Devons were withdrawn for reorganisation.
    • Chapter XIII, page 154: On 11 July 1916 at Bazentin (map J7), yards from the German trenches on the ridge and between Bazentine and Lonueval, the 9th Devons were the first to go into the new front line through Fricourt and Marlborough Wood to Caterpillar Valley. The second stage of The Battle of the Somme, the contest for the main ridge, was ushered in on 14 July. In the interval, large drafts had been received and the 9th Devons had 486 men coming from other West Country and Southern regiments.
    • Page 155: In the 20th Brigade, the 8th Devons on the right, the Borders on the left, and the Gordons in support the of the 9th were holding the whole of the brigade’s front until the attack began and being drawn into reserve as the other units passed through.
    • Page 167: Since the capture of Mametz (map J7), there was less fighting for the 9th Devons as construction work was carried on at Ailly sur Somme.
    • Page 175: On 3 September, whilst the Division had 5 weeks rest, the 8th and 9th Devons, in the middle of a football match, were unexpectedly summoned back to the fray at Ypres (Ieper) or Vimy or Ploegsteert. They embussed at Buire. The 9th led the way, debussing at Mametz (map J7), then to Montauban (map J7) near Toulose.
    • Page 177: The attack of the 9th Devons was gallantly launched, but they had a painful and tedious march to their position near Ginchy (map J7) and were in support of the Gordons. It was a bitter memory for the 8th and 9th Devons.
    • Page 181: Near Morval (map K7) and route D20.
    • Page 193: On 21 November, both battalions tramped to Bertrancourt and on the 23rd to Mailly Maillet (map I7) near Abbeville, and received reinforcements of 220 men.
    • Page 235/6: On 1 January 1917, the 9th Devons were at Hope Post. There was fighting. However, from 20 January until the end of February, they were in reserve and training. Twenty-four officers and 203 enlisted men joined the 9th, which now mustered a total of 46 officers and 1,030 enlisted.
    • Page 241: On 8 and 9 March, the Battalion was in Mailly Maillet, training and working.
    • Page 242: From 21 to 26 March, they were in the front line, and the 9th relieved the Gordons on the right of the Brigade.
    • Page 243 In April, the fight for Ecoust (map K6) near Arras was entrusted to both the 8th and the 9th, and after their success at Ecoust they were out of the line until 20 April.
    • Page 250: On 7 May, the Gordons came up to attack Bullecourt near Ecoust (map K6). Twenty-two men were killed and 7 were listed as missing. Ten men awarded the Military Medal.
    • Page 254: From May to September, there was a long spell of quiet. At Bailleulost, then Dickebusch, then Reninghelst in Belgium, the 8th and 9th Devons were inspected, then entrained for Proven. At Steenvoorde ( west of Hazbrouck), training took place at St. Martin au Leert. On 29 September, with a strength approximately 1,000 men, they proceeded to Abeele, 17 km. west of Ypres.
    • Page 284: On 4 and 5 October, they were carrying parties and resting at Reninghelst.
    • Page 288: On 24 October, the 9th relieved two battalions of the 14th Division in the front line, holding 200 yards of line on the right of the Menin road during Third Ypres, then crawling back to Blaringhem (near Hazebrouck-Nord, map I3). October was the worst month the 8th and 9th Devons ever experienced. The 9th listed 143 killed or missing and 151 wounded (page 293).
    • Chapter XXV, page 322: On 17 November 1917, they were resting at Le Croquet (near Saint Ghislam, Belgium) and were inspected by the King of Belgium.
    • Page 326: Both the 8th and 9th were transferred to Legnano, Italy. They were then moved to Giavera and later to Piave.
    • Page 425: The 8th and 9th were held in reserve, with the 9th going into the trenches at the end of January 1918.
    • Page 437: In April 1918, the 9th was billeted at Montecchio Maggiore.
    • Page 438: On 13 September, they were moved back to France, first to St. Riquier, then to Canchy (near Abbeville).
    • Page 435/6: On 8 October 1918, they were near Ponchaux. On 9 October, they were at Buitry Wood and Elincourt. On 23 October, they were fighting at Selle in Picardy. On 3 November, they were east of Bois l’Eveque. On 7 November, at Pommereuil, they fought their last fight. At the beginning of January 1919, the 9th Devons moved to Englefontaine, and on 27 January 1919, they were presented their King’s Colours. Demobilization began in January, but on 1st March 1919, 250 men of the 9th joined the 5th DCLI as part of the army of occupation.

    Francis Roberts is on the right

    Francis Roberts is front row, 3rd from left

    F. Carl Roberts




    260212

    Sea. Thomas James Miller HMS Roxburgh

    Thomas Miller was born 14th March 1900 in Llangadock, Carmarthenshire, and was a coal ripper before joining the Royal Navy. He served on training ship HMS Vivid II, followed by service on HMS Roxburgh from May to November 1918 as a Stoker II Class, North Atlantic Convoy Escort. He was 5'6" tall, chest measuring 36". He served on HMS Roxburgh until demobilisation in March 1919. Thomas received a War Gratuity. He married in 1925 and returned to Llangadock, where he worked as a market garden foreman. He had no children and died in April 1987.

    Peter Miller




    260211

    Pte. Albert Parsonage 27th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    My great-grandfather Albert Parsonage served in the 27th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. In 1916, Albert was in G Company stayed in No. 3 tent. He was part of the British Expeditionary Forces and served in France where he was taken as a POW in March 1918. At that time he was serving with 1/7th Manchester Regiment. He was a POW until January 2019 when he arrived back in London and was transferred to Woodcote Park Military Convalescent Hospital.

    Michelle Morrison




    260183

    Pte. John Albert Collier 5th Brigade Machine Gun Coy.

    <p>

    Jack Collier was born in London, England and emigrated to Canada in the care of the Salvation Army in 1910. He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 18th of August 1915, embarking aboard the S.S. Adriatic with the 86th Machine Gun Battalion for Britain on 19th May 1916. He was initially stationed at the Canadian Machine Gun Depot, Risborough Barracks, in Shorncliffe, Kent and then later at Crowborough, Sussex. He was sent to the Canadian Machine Gun Pool at Camiers, France on 18 April 1917 and served with the 2nd Division's 5th Brigade Machine Gun Company for 4 and a half months.

    Jack was severely gassed near Cite St. Pierre, near Lens on 21st of August 1917 during the Battle of Hill 70. He was returned to Britain for treatment and convalescence before being transferred to the 11th Battalion, Canadian Engineers for the duration of the War, serving in France for an additional 20 months. Jack embarked for Canada from Liverpool on 8 August 1919 along with his English bride and their six-week old daughter.

    When WWII broke out, Jack guarded Canadian port and electrical facilities in the service of the Ontario Provincial Police and later enlisted in the 35th Company of The Veterans' Guard of Canada, escorting German P.O.W.s from Britain to Canada and serving as a guard at several P.O.W. camps in northern Ontario, Canada.

    David J. Forsyth




    260176

    Gnr. Victor Charles Huggett 49th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.19th Oct 1917)

    Victor Huggett attested on 24th of June 1916 and was called up to join the Royal Field Artillery at Woolwich on 11th of Apr 1917. He then transferred to the 5th Army Pool Royal Garrison Artillery on 2nd of June 1917 and embarked for France on the same day.

    He died in 18 Corps main dressing station on 19th of October 1917 whilst serving with 49th Siege Battery. Presumably of wounds received during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He left behind his wife Lillian and 2 daughters Victoria (b 1914) and Doris (b 1916).

    Mick Manise




    260171

    Pte. Frederick William Judges 8th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.17th Jun 1917 )

    <p>

    Frederick Judges is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres.

    Matt Brown




    260166

    Pte. John Sharp McKean 9th Battalion

    John McKean was my great-uncle. He enlisted on 22nd of July 1915 and was wounded in action.

    Linda Anne McKean




    260154

    Stoker/1st Cl. Walter John Vivian HMS Eglantine (d.31st May 1918)

    William John Vivian was born in Abbotsbury, Dorset, on 18 Nov 1880, son of Joseph Vivian and Sarah Ann Galpin. He came from a close-knit farming and fishing community, so would be used to hard work, both on land and at sea. He died of disease, and is buried in Belfast. His family has been in Abbotsbury and neighbouring hamlets for over 350 years.

    Liz Draper




    260151

    Pte. Rochus Edward Bevan 1st/5th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.15th Apr 1917)

    Rochus Bevan fought in the Samarrah Offensive and is buried in the Baghdad Cemetery.

    Owen Bevan




    260149

    Gnr. Frederick Charles Arthurs MM, CdeG. F Battalion Machine Gun Corps (Heavy)

    Frederick Arthurs, was born in Petersfield , Hampshire in 1898. Soon after his birth, his mother died. Fred’s father, William Arthurs, was in the army, and Fred ended up in a children’s home in Caledonia Rd., London. When war broke out in 1914, Fred was sixteen and he ran away and joined up, pretending he was eighteen. Fred’s dad by chance found him in France and got him sent home. This was not before Fred had the chance to fight in a battle at Mons.

    Fred rejoined when he was eighteen and ended up in the Machine Gun Corps and subsequently as a gunner in the tank F41 Fray Bentos. Fred took part in the Third Battle of Ypres and together with the rest of his crew was stuck for three days in no-man’s-land from the 22nd to the 24th August 1917. Near Pond Farm, one crew member was killed and all the rest were wounded. Fred was ordered to open a door of the tank and wave a flag to signal to British lines that the tank was still in British hands. As he did this, a shell exploded beside the tank and Fred got shrapnel through the neck causing him to be knocked unconscious. After three days, Fred and the remaining crew made it back to British lines, but his family was told he was missing. When Fred got home, he walked down the road and his future wife was horrified when she saw him, thinking she was seeing a ghost. Fred may also have taken part in the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917 in F41 Fray Bentos 2.

    Fred never really worked properly again on returning from the war, as he had heart and lung problems caused by the fumes in the tank and maybe by poison gas. There is a story that he once lifted a car off of someone when it fell off a jack in the street and was squashing him. He also swapped some medals for a loaf of bread as he was so hard up. At one time, Fred was a casual mechanic for eccentric Irish Brooklands racing driver Kay Donne. Fred died in 1949 aged 51.

    Laurie Arthurs




    260147

    L/Cpl. Alexander English DCM. 24th (1st Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Sep 1916)

    I was researching family history and was unable to find records for my grandmothers brother Alexander English after the 1911 census. I then found a military death record that matched all the facts of his birth date and birthplace. I was stunned to discover he lost his life in the battle of the Somme on 4th September 1916. He was the youngest and only boy in my grandmothers family. His three sisters died many years ago and we knew nothing about Alexander. We only have one ancient photo of the family taken around 1900.

    I was happy to find that his unit Northumberland Fusiliers Tyneside Irish have maintained records of their fallen. He was awarded the DCM for gallantry and is buried in France. I am saddened that I knew nothing about Alexander until now.





    260146

    Pte. Samuel Henry Cochrane 15th Battalion

    Samuel Cochrane was wounded at Vimy Ridge on the 9th or 10th of April 1917 and admitted to hospital on on 15th April 15th.

    Barry Cochrane




    260142

    Pte. Thomas "Tam" Baird 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.14th October 1916)

    <p>

    Tam Baird was born 11th February 1890 in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire. Enlisted 1907 in 2nd Seaforth Highlanders. Arrived in France with the Battalion August 1914. He was killed 14th of October 1916 outside Lesbeoufs in France. His body was found in 1932 and interred in Serre Road Cemetery #2. Three other brothers who served, survived the War.

    Baird Ferguson




    260139

    John "Jock" Kay 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>

    Family legend says Jock, John Kay was a sniper.

    Robert Kay




    260137

    L/Cpl Alfred James Ginn 12th (Bermondsey) Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    Alf Ginn attested for the East Surrey Regiment on the 5th of June 1915. Dad was transferred to a Steel Construction Company, to construct Steel AirShip Towers at Goonhilly Downs Air Station Cornwall, approx Sept/Oct 1917. He was possibly a member of a Machine Gun Section and was with 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. He then went back to France, possibly early 1918 With the 102nd Light Trench Mortar Battery. He was gassed one night taking stores by mules to the Front Line. Suffered with bad eyes all his Life. He lived to 92 Years. He was lucky wounded in the Leg by a rifle bullet, and was sent back to UK With frostbit from the trenches. Then returning to France.

    He was one of five brothers that served in France and all came home and lived long lives.

    Ron A Ginn




    260131

    Pte. Herbert Stuart Melville 8th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.26th Feb 1917)

    Herbert S. Melville was my great-great-uncle. He died of his wounds in Mesopotamia on 26th February 1917.

    Christine Slater




    260125

    Gnr. Thomas Harrison 140th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.21st May 1916)

    Thomas Harrison, my great-uncle, was in the 140th Company, Machine Gun Corps. He died on 21/5/16. His brother Samuel was a prisoner of war.

    Brian Pillier




    260111

    Pte. Edward William Parckar 1/8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>Edward William Parckar (on right)

    My great-grandfather, Edward Parckar, was 25 years old when he voluntarily landed in Le Havre, France on 8th March of 1915 with the 1/8th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment.

    Edward was badly gassed on the 24th of May 1915 during the second battle of Ypres in Belgium. He was wounded on three separate occasions during his service with the 8th Regiment, including a severe gunshot wound to the knee. His last wound in action was in November 1918 as the war was coming to a close.

    Edward was one of the very few original men of the 1/8th Battalion to have survived the War. Unfortunately, he was still suffering from the effects of gas poisoning, which eventually caused his lungs to fail in 1925, at the age of 35, leaving behind a wife and 4 small children.

    I have attached a photo of Edward (on far right). If anyone knows who the other Army personnel are, I would love to know. My understanding from a cousin is that the photo was taken while billeted in France.





    260106

    A/RSM. Frank Howse DCM. 1/5th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>Frank Howse is the Sergeant in the middle

    Frank Howse was awarded the DCM while serving with the 1/5th South Staffordshire Regiment

    Dennis Wilson




    260096

    Elizebeth Patterson

    <p>

    This is my aunt Elizebeth Patterson's cap badge. She served in WW1. After the war she lived in Dublin. I am submitting these photos has her nephew. In old age she returned to Bailieborough Co Caven, at my mothers address. Elizebeth Patterson is the sister of George Patterson and David Patterson, all of whom served in the war.





    260095

    George Patterson

    <p>

    My uncle, George Patterson served with the Royal Flying Corps and also in WW2 as a squadron leader in the RAF. After the war he lived in Delgany Co Wicklow. I remember him when I was a child but I was too young to remember anything about his service history or medals.





    260094

    David Patterson 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards

    <p>

    David Patterson served in the 1914-18 War. I am unsure which person he his in the attached submitted photograph taken early in his career. After the war, he lived in Delgany Co Wicklow.





    260086

    Pte. Jack Winson 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (d.21st July 1918)

    <p>Postcard sent to his sister Milly

    Jack Winson served with the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment.

    K Stauffer




    260084

    Ernest Reuben Stone Army Service Corps

    My great grandfather Ernest Stone met his wife (my great grandmother) Beatrice Eliza Cole while he was recovering from war wounds in Maryhill Military Hospital. Beatrice was working in the NAAFI. We have no idea why he was sent to Glasgow as he was from Yorkshire and Beatrice was also born down south so don't know why she was in Glasgow either. Funnily enough my gran (his daughter) ended up moving to Glasgow when my mum was a child and we're still here!





    260082

    Lt Thomas Selby Latham 18 Brigade, A Battery RFA (d.29 Nov 1917)

    Genealogy project husband of family member Thomas Latham who died of wounds.





    260079

    Dvr. Joseph William Turner 73rd Field Company Royal Engineers

    We have a love letter sent from his wife while Joseph Turner was in France.

    Elaine Clark




    260078

    Henry Thomas Royal Field Artillery

    My wife's grandfather, Thomas Davis, joined up 18th of April 1917 and was posted to France as part of the Royal Artillery (Garrison Battalion). We believe he was serving at Passchendaele. In Sept 1917 when he was injured and suffered a gun shot wound to his face and his left hand was severed at the wrist. Initially, treated at Le Treport, France and subsequently transferred to Military Hospital in Torquay, He spent some time here before being discharged on 11th of Oct 1918. By coincidence the 11th Oct is my wife's birthday.

    Unfortunately, my wife never got to talk to him about his experiences and only knew him with one hand and a "hook" or "utensil". While researching her family tree, we found a photograph of her grandmother with a man that my wife did not recognise because he had two hands. Imagine her consternation in realising that it was her grandfather prior to joining up and being wounded. We still recount this tale within the family with some amusement at her expense.

    John Cory




    260075

    Fitter. John C. Agnew 79th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    John Agnew lost a leg on the Western Front. He was living in Canada but was born in Paisley, Scotland.

    Malcolm C. McDonald




    260071

    Pte. Martin McMinn 252nd Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.26th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Martin McMinn was my great-uncle. He was born in 1890 in Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, the 5th son of my great-grandparents, William and Agnes McMinn. The McMinn family eventually moved to Paisley, Renfrewshire (my hometown). In 1911, Martin was 20-21 years old and had moved to Cowdenbeath, Fife where he become a miner. He was lodging with the West family, where he met Catherine Fraser West, his landlord's daughter, whom he eventually married.

    Martin enlisted in Kirkcaldy, Fife, presumably during the British Army's recruitment drive to enlist miners. The desperate need for skilled men saw notices requesting volunteer tunnellers posted in collieries, mineral mines and quarries across South Wales, Scotland, and the northeast of England. He was assigned to the 252nd Tunneling Company of the Royal Engineers. Shortly after the formation of that unit, they were employed in the Hebuterne-Beaumont-Hamel sector of the Somme battlefield. There, the company dug the large mine (code name H3) under the Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt, the German stronghold, ready for the opening battle of the 1st July 1916 and prepared 12 Russian saps facing Serre. Digging the saps required a huge force of labour and by April 1916 the unit had 1,900 infantry attached. Near the Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt, the 252nd Tunnelling Company excavated 3 tunnels under no-man's land.

    The first of these tunnels was to link the now famous 'Sunken Lane' (shown in the film, The Battle of the Somme, by cinematographer, Geoffrey Malins, which was shown in cinemas around the UK in August 1916) with the old British front line, through which British units moved into position before the attack. In the early hours of 1st July, the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers would use this tunnel to move up into the 'Sunken Lane', the starting position for their attack on Beaumont-Hamel. Geoffrey Malins had this to say about the explosion: 'The ground where I stood gave a mighty convulsion. It rocked and swayed. I gripped hold of my tripod to steady myself. Then for all the world like a gigantic sponge, the earth rose high in the air to the height of hundreds of feet. Higher and higher it rose, and with a horrible grinding roar the earth settled back upon itself, leaving in its place a mountain of smoke'.

    Martin died of wounds on 26th July 1916 as a result of gas poisoning. He is buried in the Bertrancourt Military Cemetery in the Somme region of France. His widow, Catherine, was awarded a war gratuity of 25 pounds 3s and 4 pence in November 1916 and a further 11 pounds 1 shilling in September 1919.

    Morag Hamilton




    260064

    Pte. Peter Gilmore 7th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.26th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Peter Gilmore is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France.





    260054

    Lt. Alfric Euan Allies 8th (Service) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1915)

    Alfric Allies was born October 16, 1890, in Worcestershire, the third of four children of Alfred Edward Allies and Florence McIver (nee Murray) Allies of Bewell, Alfrick, Worcestershire. He was educated at Yardley Court School and Tonbridge School in Kent (day boy, 1905-09). After leaving Tonbridge School he was employed at Eton House for a year before proceeding to Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1910 (B.A. with honours in jurisprudence, 1913).

    His intention was to one day practice at the Bar, but after leaving Oxford he practised at the Inner Temple. Before the war he enlisted as a private in King Edward’s Horse, but he was later forced to resign from that formation because he had gained too much weight. On 9th of September 1914, he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 8th Royal Welsh Fusiliers and on 1st of January 1915, he was promoted to lieutenant.

    He was killed in action while leading a raid in the vicinity of Cheshire Ridge, Anzac, on 15th of August 1915, aged 24 years (he was originally listed as wounded and missing). His name is commemorated on the Helles Memorial; the Alfrick War Memorial; the roll of honour in St. Mary’s Church, Alfrick, Worcestershire; and the Yardley Court School Roll of Honour, Tonbridge, Kent.

    An account follows of Lieutenant Allies’ death, taken from letters from both his company commander and his battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel A. Hay:

    ”On August 15th, two companies of the Battalion were holding a line of trenches at the head of a dangerous salient, and the Turks were driving a sap up from their main trench some 70 yards distant, with a view to bombing our trench from a ridge that also commanded the bivouac area of the Battalion. On the night of the 15th, a small bombing party had failed to dislodge the Turks, who had even succeeded in erecting four steel loopholes concealed by leaves on the ridge within 30 yards of our trench. After consultation, the C.O. decided to send out a bayonet party of 12 men, and selected Lieut. Allies, ‘an enterprising and capable officer’. Though it was daylight, he hoped that our machine-gun fire would enable them to effect their object in comparative safety. Lieut. Allies charged gallantly 15 yards in front of the enfilade fire. He was the first to reach the loopholes and was seen to fire his revolver into the trench, but then fell over the ridge towards the Turks, evidently wounded. He was seen crawling back up the slope of the ridge, but was again fired on, rolled back out of sight, and has not been seen or heard of since. Six of his men were also missing, and no sign of any of them was discovered by a bombing party that reached the trench on the following night. His Company Commander testified to the universal sorrow at the loss the Battalion had sustained, and to their admiration of the gallant way in which Lieut. Allies had led his men; and both he and the C.O. expressed their conviction that, if he was taken prisoner, he would be well treated by the Turks.”

    Peter Allies




    260053

    Gnr. Albert Watters 189th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.10th Jun 1917)

    Albert Watters was killed at the Battle of Messines.





    260052

    Pte. Thomas Cooke Coy. A, 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.8th Oct 1918)

    I recently found out that my husband’s great-uncle, Thomas Cooke was in WW1. My husband recalls a large coin-like plaque in his grandmother’s house when he was a child that was inscribed: Thomas Cooke, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Killed in Action 8th Oct 1918. With the help of WW1 Research Liverpool, we have found that his name is commemorated at the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

    Carol Davey




    260047

    Pte Alfred Lewis 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.3 Jul 1916)

    Alfred Lewis, a labourer, enlisted at the age of 34 on 30th Jun 1915 in Liverpool. After training he embarked at Southampton on 3 Jan 1916 and joined No. 5 Infantry Base Depot, Rouen on 4 Jan 16.

    He proceeded to the Front on 20 Jan 16, where he joined the 2nd Battalion. He was killed in action on 3 Jul 1916 during the unsuccessful attack on the Leipzig Salient on the Thiepval Spur in the Battle of the Somme. He left behind a widow and five children.

    Tim Smith




    260039

    Pte. George Staplehurst 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    ly.

    E. Neave




    260025

    Pte. James Watton 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.7th Dec 1917)

    James Watton was killed at Cambrai towards the end of 1917, aged 44, not 45 as stated elsewhere. He had huge misfortune in his life. His mother Maryann died in the 1890s (aged 40). His wife, Eliza, gave birth to about four children, none of whom survived infancy, and then Eliza herself died, aged 25. James's brother John (from Killowen Street, Coleraine) also took part in the Great War and lived to tell the tale.

    Gary Watton




    260014

    Dvr. Henry Gristwood DCM. 160th Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Henry Gristwood was born on 4th April 1884 in Rickmansworth, Herts, the son of William Gristwood, a railway platelayer, and Sarah. In 1908 he married Amy Lindars and in 1911 was working as a warehouseman and delivery driver (with horses) for a firm selling eggs, milk and cream in Amersham, Bucks. In 1916 his employer lost an appeal to keep him out of the army and he joined he Royal Field Artillery.

    In June 1919 he was gazetted for having been awarded the DCM. The circumstances are explained in the London Gazette of 9th March 1920. As a driver with A Battery of 160th Brigade RFA he had gone night after night between 7th and 15th October 1918 to pick up rations under heavy fire over open ground. The battery was then behind Gheluwe.

    After the war he returned to work for his original employer, driving a pony and cart. The 1939 Register shows him as a resident caretaker for the Council Offices in Amersham and he was also an ARP warden. He died in May 1954 in Amersham Hospital.

    Gwyneth Wilkie




    260004

    Pte. James Cockin 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    James Cockin was my granddad, and I know nothing about him, but would like to find what his life was like.

    Gwynneth Vandermark




    260002

    Pte. William Samuel Culley C Coy., 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    William Culley served with C Coy., 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers He is buried in the Ancre British Cemetery in Beaumont-Hamel, France.

    Mark Gilmore




    260001

    Pte. George Herbert Preen 4th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    Very little is known of my granddad's wartime exploits. I think George Preen served through most of the conflict and received the three usual medals, and he was one of the many who was reluctant to talk about his experiences. Before the war, he had been a golf caddy and after the war he became a golf professional. My granddad died when I was just three years old, so I never really got to talk to him about the war though I do have a recollection of someone saying he had been cited for a VC. Sorry that I have very little information my granddad, who died in 1960.

    Matthew Preen




    259997

    Pte. John Thomas Carr 182nd Coy. Army Service Corps

    <p>John Thomas Carr

    John Carr gave his address as Leigh-on-Sea when he signed up, but he lived around Bow most of his life, before and after the war. His record indicates that he volunteered in 1915 and served on the home front for 12 months or so. We think his unit was sent to France in May of 1915, but he didn't go, possibly because he was AWOL for 3 weeks around then. He was docked just 3 weeks pay, so perhaps he did have a good reason for being away.

    JTC eventually went to France in 1916, in time for the Somme offensive. He went as "spares', and it seems from his medical records that he ended up with the 6th Division, in the 16th Army Bearer Corps. He found himself in a casualty clearing station in Varennes-sur-Somme in January 1917, suffering from a double inguinal hernia. He was shipped back to England, and passed through the Army Service Corps' medical triage centre in Southport. He seems to have served on the home front again until the end of 1917, when he was discharged on medical grounds.

    John set up a motor garage and taxi service in Bow after the war, which he ran until he died in the 1960's. He was my grandfather.

    Marimar Franco Carr




    259976

    Sgt. Harold Shipman MM. 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    My great-grandfather Harold Shipman served during WW1. He joined The Coldstream Guards on 28th of September 1914 and joined the 4th Battalion at Caterham on 1st of October 1914. After completing his basic training, he was posted to the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards and embarked from Southampton on 7th of April 1915. He went into the trenches at Windy Corner around Givenchy, his battalion relieving the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. On 27th of July 1915, he was appointed Acting/Lance Corporal, then on 30th fo July 1915, whilst in the front line at Givenchy, he received a gunshot wound to the left leg. On 6th of August 1915, he returned to the front line and on 1st of December 1915 was appointed paid Lance Corporal. From 27/8/16 to 10/9/16, he was attached to the 183rd Field Coy., Royal Engineers, this was a tunnelling company on the Somme front.On 1/10/16, he was promoted to Corporal and appointed Lance Sergeant and on 14/12/16, we was attached to a works battalion in the field. On 2/3/17, he joined the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards and was attached to the 75th Field Coy., Royal Engineers. On 18th of June 1917, he was wounded in action, sustaining a high-explosive wound to his back and right thigh during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. This was opening attack of the Third Battle of Ypres, which later became known as Passchendaele. The battle began at 0350 hours on 31st of July 1917. He was transferred to a field hospital by the 3rd Field Ambulance on 1/8/17 and then on to a General Hospital in Etaples on 2/8/17. On 9/8/17, he transferred to hospital in England. On 21/8/17, he was posted to the 5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards at Windsor.
  • On 30/9/17, he transferred to London Command Depot, Seaford. On 28/1/18, he transferred to reserve unit Shoreham. On 1/4/18, he joined the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards again and embarked from Southampton. He joined base depot on 2/4/18. He transferred back to the 3rd Battalion on 15/4/18 and was absorbed into the battalion as an unpaid Lance Sergeant. On 22/7/18, he was promoted to Sergeant in the field and transferred back to the 2nd Battalion on 31/8/18. On 9th of November 1918, he was awarded the Military Medal for his actions during the attack on Maubeuge. On 27/12/18, he transferred to Ripon, England and demobilised on 2/1/1919.

    B.R. Shipman




  • 259968

    Pte. Albert William Parker MM. 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    Albert Parker earned the Military Medal in September 1916, probably during the fighting for High Wood. Before the war, he and his two brothers had been caddies at Cleeve Hill Golf Club. I am still researching Albert's story.

    Mick Kippin




    259957

    Sgt. Arthur Robert Heath 128th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Arthur Robert Heath

    My grandfather, Arthur Heath, enlisted into the RGA on 20th of October 1915 and went to France on 23rd of March 1916 with 128th Heavy Battery. He served as a gun layer through the war and was slightly wounded on 23rd of March 1918, but remained at duty. He received the Victory Medal and British War Medal. He had two periods of leave at home during his service and first saw my mother when she was 18 months old, as she had been born six weeks after he was sent to France.

    My grandmother recalled how, when he arrived home, he stripped naked on the doorstep and left all his lice-ridden clothing outside and immediately had a bath. She then picked up his underclothes and shirt with the coal tongs and put them in the copper for washing immediately, and ironed his trousers and tunic to kill the lice and eggs, which popped as the hot iron went over them.

    At the end of the war, his father asked for his release from the army as he was needed in the market garden business run by the family and he was discharged on 4th of February 1919.

    Cathryn Corns




    259952

    Pte Leonard Albert Cramp 2/13th (2nd Kensington) Battalion London Regiment (d.10th December 1918)

    Leonard Cramp was wounded in action while serving with the 2nd/13th Kensington Battalion, London Regiment and died of his wounds. He is buried at St Mary's Church Kingsclere, North Hampshire.

    Dudley Wall




    259949

    Lt. George Hilfers Koch 9th Battalion

    My grandfather, George Koch served with his 3 brothers at Gallipoli, Ypres, and the Somme. He was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth in 1915, 1917, and 1918. He had also served in the Boer War.

    Geoff Johnson




    259945

    Pnr. Ernest Jessie Goldie 5th Battalion Special Brigade Royal Engineers (d.9th October 1916)

    Ernest Goldie is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. He was aged 18 years and 7 months at the time of his death. He was originally in the Highland Light Infantry and was transferred into the Royal Engineers Special Brigade. Having returned with his family from Canada in 1915, he was by trade a plumber when he enlisted. He may have died during the Canadian offensive to take Regina Trench near Courcelette and Le Sars. He died 3 weeks before the end of the Battle of the Somme on 18th of November 1916.

    Valerie Jones




    259942

    Rflmn. John Armstrong 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th Aug 1917)

    John Armstrong was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Langemarck, which was part of the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He enlisted in Holywood, County Down on 10th of April 1915. His body was never found, but he is commemorated on the wall at Tyne Cot Memorial near Passchendaele, Belgium. He was only 21 when killed, and he is remembered with honour by his great-nephew.

    Philip Lister




    259940

    Pte. Patrick Joseph Cushen 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.20th Oct 1918)

    <p>Patrick Cushen

    Patrick Cushen was born in 1894 in Mount Bolus, County Offaly, Ireland to Michael Cushen and Ellen Keogh. He joined the British Army in 1914, joining the 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment and served in World War I. He fought in the final battle of Ypres in Belgium and died of his wounds on 20 October 1918, he was 24 years old. He is buried in Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery. According to family legend, Patrick met his brother William on the battlefield just prior to the final battle. Patrick was wounded and died several days later in the battlefield hospital. It was told that William felt guilty about leaving Patrick.

    William Cushen also served with the Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment, Number 9687. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star and British War Medal.

    Patrick and William's father Michael was also in the military. He served in India in the 2nd Bengal European Fusiliers from 1853-1859. He fought at the Siege of Delhi battle for which he was awarded the India Mutiny Medal. He then enlisted in the Royal Artillery on 9 January 1860 in County Cork, Ireland as a gunner, regimental number 1929. His record of service: Royal Artillery, 9th Brigade. He was stationed in England from January 1860 to September 1869 and then again in India from September 1869 to March 1875 and from 1875 to 1880 in England when he retired on a general disability due to malaria contracted in India and as a result of engaging in the siege of Delhi in 1857. He was a Master Tailor.

    Maureen Lennon




    259932

    Alexander Beatson Howie OBE HMS Osiris

    Alexander Howie had been in the merchant navy and was awarded an O.B.E.(although I have yet to discover the reason for this award). Alexander senior served on the Osiris II during WWI as an engineer and died from T.B.in Marseille in 1949 whilst serving on the Verand aged 71.

    His son, Alexander died whilst serving with HMS Drake IV on the 17th of April 1943 aged 22. I have recently discovered Alexander jnr. was the son of my Godmother Florence Howie.





    259921

    Cpl. Alva E. Brown B Coy. 115th Supply Train

    <p>

    This was my grandfather, Alva Brown. He really didn't speak to us about the war except he said the White Cliffs of Dover were so nice to see. He enlisted in the Colorado 2nd Infantry and became a replacement unit in France. The 2nd Colorado Volunteers became the 115th Supply Train for the 40th Division. So from what I can figure out, he helped support the front lines. He was very proud of his service, and our family is very proud of him.

    This is his unit off the boat back from France in New Jersey

    Robert Ball




    259904

    Pte John Charles Galley 12th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    John Charles Galley died in France and never saw his only son, John Charles Galley, born 1915 in Manchester, who was the father of my husband John Charles Galley, born 1945 in Plymouth. So the name lives on.

    Mrs L Galley




    259902

    Pte. Robert James Craig 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    Robert Craig enrolled at Island Bridge Barracks, Dublin, on 8th August 1914, so joining the regular Army, not the Kitchener Army. He joined the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. He was transferred to the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles (which had suffered losses at La Bassee, and 1st Ypres). He arrived in France on 13th of December 1914 and reinforced the battalion at Hooge, in the Ypres salient. He was wounded by shrapnel and returned to the UK. the oral history of the family is that he was present in Dublin at the time of the Easter Rising. This makes sense, as the 3rd Royal Irish Rifles were then the reserve battalion, stationed at Portobello Barracks, and who fought their way to the castle.

    Peter Kidd




    259899

    Pte. Charles Joseph Hughes 4th Trench Mortar Battery

    Charles Hughes was my paternal grandfather. Enlisted in Melbourne in 1915 and fought in Egypt and France where he was gassed in May 1918, hospitalised at Horton War Hospital, Surrey on 27th May 1918.

    He married Bridget Mary Power (of Portlaw, County Waterford, Ireland)at Chelsea Registry Office London on 27th June 1918, a child was conceived of that marriage, born in February 1919.

    Charles was repatriated to Australia one month earlier in January 1919, nothing is yet known about him after his return to Australia. Bridget had no contact with him after that and in 1924 she wrote to the Australian Army records in Canberra seeking his whereabouts, they were unable to assist her but forwarded Charles' three medals to her at her London residence. She later remarried a Doctor, John Joseph Glynn.

    Samuel Davis




    259893

    L/Cpl. Christopher Hynes 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.15th Oct 1918)

    Christopher Hynes was born on the 1st of Dec 1890 at 26 Meath St, Dublin, the son of Patrick Hynes and Mary Anne Callaghan. He was the husband of Julia Anne Scanlon, father of Mary Anne, Christopher Hubert, Julia Christina and James Gerard. Christopher died on the 15th of October 1918 and is buried in Dadizeele New British cemetery, in Belgium.

    His brother James Hynes, serving with the 8th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, died at the Battle of Hulluch in April 1916.

    Simon Shiel




    259889

    Gnr. Jacob Aldridge A Bty, 86th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Jul 1916)

    Born in 1876 Jacob Aldridge married Margaret in 1900. The Census showed him working as shipyard Labourer, age 16 in 1891. Father's name, Henry Aldridge. Mother's name, Anne Aldridge. He was born in Sunderland. In 1911 he was aged 34, living at 36 Society Lane and working as a Shipyard Labourer. Household Members are listed as: Wife Margaret Aldridge aged 28, Son John Jobling Aldridge aged 9, Son Henry Aldridge aged 6, Daughter Florence Aldridge aged 3 and Son Luke Aldridge aged 9 months.

    Jacob died during the fighting to capture High Wood. His body was not recovered.

    Sandra Johnson




    259864

    Pte. Frederick Abraham Sellek 14th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Frederick Sellek was born in Withycombe on the 28th April 1896. He joined up on the 15th of May 1915 giving his adddress as 10 Park Terrace, Withycombe, Exmouth. He was single, 5' 0", 7 Stone 11 pounds, chest 34" and his occupation is listed as Gardener. He joined the 14th (Bantams) Battalion Gloucester Regimen as a Private. His Next of Kin is given as Eliza Sellek, his mother of 10 Park Terrace, Exmouth.

    Frederick transferred to 194th Infantry Company, Labour Corps on the 31st of January 1917 at Dieppe. Then to KSOB on the 12th of July 1918. He transferred to the Z list on 14th of March 1919 giving his home address as 80 The Village, Withycombe Exmouth. Frederick died in 1976





    259858

    2nd Lt. John James Myers 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    On the 22nd October 1917 2Lt John James Myers of 11th DLI was killed in action, he has no known grave and is remembered at Thiepval, he was 21 and had been an officer cadet at Barnard Castle School. The Barnard Castle book of remembrance has him down as killed at the Battle of Cambrai, which was in November 1917 I believe so I am trying to find out more.

    John Michael Smith




    259855

    Pte. Frances Richard Merifield 21st Battalion

    <p>

    Frank Merifield is one of 348 names on a World War 1 signature quilt from Victoria, Australia. This is his story compiled from his military record.

    Frank enlisted on the 1st of February 1916 at Trafalger in Gippsland, They had been living at nearby Thorpdale. His wife Eva, was noted as his next of kin and Frank initially put her address down as Romsey but was later changed to Strathmerton, Vic when she returned to live near her family. One month after enlisting Frank entered camp at Ascot Vale, in A company, 10th Depot Battalion. On 25th March 1916 he was transferred to Williamstown for 3 days. A week later he embarked at Melbourne per HMAT A14 Euripides. On the quilt Frank's rank is shown as Signaller. He never held this rank. He was always a Private. Some troops disembarked from the Euripides in Egypt. The 29th Battalion reinforcements disembarked in Suez on 12th May 1916 and the 60th Battalion reinforcements in Alexandria on 25th May. There is no mention in his records where Frank disembarked. As the 21st Battalion had moved from Egypt to France in March, it is likely the reinforcements went on to England and the training camps on Salisbury Plain.

    The next entry in his file is in England when he transferred from No 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield to the Military Convalescent Hospital, Epsom on 13th July 1916 after pneumonia. When he had been admitted to hospital in the first place is not noted. The Woodcote Park Military Convalescent Hospital, Epsom, was staffed by the Canadian Army Medical Corps. The original 500 beds in September 1915 grew by August 1916, when Frank was there, to 3800 beds. Soldiers, including Frank, spent 6 weeks here on a graduated programme of recovery, under military discipline, which built them back up to full fitness. After the 6 weeks he is discharged and marched into No 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs. He spent two and a half weeks there before returning to duty on 12th September 1916 with the 6th Training Battalion.

    In mid-December Frank made it to France. He joined his Battalion on 17th December 1916. His time with the Battalion was short as only three and a half weeks later on 10th January 1917 he reported sick and was admitted to the ANZAC Casualty Clearing Station with a septic forefinger. By the 14th January when he is admitted to the 10th General Hospital in Rouen, France the infection has spread to his forearm. The infection didn't improve and he was embarked for England on HMHS St Andrew on the 31st January and admitted to the Southwark Military Hospital, East Dulwich. Frank was finally discharged on 5th March. He reported to No 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs on 20th March, after 2 weeks furlough.

    Frank was transferred to the 65th Battalion for 6 months returning to the 21st on 19th September 1917. On 4th December Frank proceeded overseas to France and rejoined his Battalion in the field. It is 9 months before there is another entry in Frank's file. On 1st September 1918 he is wounded in action and admitted to 9th Australian Field Ambulance with a severe gunshot wound to his thigh. The following day he was transferred to the 6th General Hospital at Rouen, France, then transferred to England on HMHS Carisbrooke Castle on the 5th September. Frank spent seven weeks at the Voluntary Aid Hospital, Cheltenham before being transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford for a few days. Two months after being wounded he was discharged to No 2 Command Depot at Weymouth. A month later, on 3rd December, he moved to No 1 Command depot at Sutton Veny to await his return to Australia. Frank departed England on 17th March 1919 on HMHS Plassy and arrived in Melbourne on 30th April 1919.





    259852

    Gnr. Albert Dransfield 107th Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.1st May 1918)

    Albert Dransfield is my great uncle on my mother's side. The family was originally from Saddleworth, Yorkshire. Albert served in B Battery, 107th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He was 20 when he died of wounds on 1st of May 1918. He is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. I intend visiting his grave in 2020. Albert's family emigrated to New Zealand soon after World War One. I hold Albert's "Dead Man's Penny" but do not know the whereabouts of his medals.

    I have researched in detail my paternal grandfather's, George Victor Lynex, NZ Rifle Brigade World War One service and have twice visited Europe (from New Zealand) to follow in his footsteps. My wife's great uncle, Percy Feierabend served with 2nd Battalion, Auckland Regiment NZEF was killed on 13th of April 1918 and is buried in the Hedauville Communal Cemetery. Like Albert, Percy was killed during the German Spring Offensive of March-April 1918. My wife and I have visited his grave twice in recent years.





    259850

    Pte. John Needham 8th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment) (d.13th Aug 1917)

    John Needham was my great great uncle. He was treasurer at Halifax Textile Trades Club and worked as a twister-in at Martin Sons & Company Ltd (worsted coating manufacturers), Martin's Mill, Pellon Lane, Halifax. In 1903 he married Elizabeth Kelly in Halifax and they had three sons: Stanley (b 1904), Jack (b 1908) and Ronald (b 1913).

    He enlisted on 15th July 1916 and served in the 8th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). He was killed at Ypres on 13th of August 1917, aged 37. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and in the Halifax Town Hall Books of Remembrance. His younger brother Ernest died at The Battle of Menin Road, Ypres on 20th of September 1917. In 1923 his widow Elizabeth married John Batchelor.

    Daniel Needham




    259849

    Pte. Ernest Needham 10th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment) (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Ernest Needham was my great great uncle. Before the war he was a creeler, employed at Crossley's Carpets in Halifax. He was a member of Square Church Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Society. He was reported missing and assumed to have died at the Battle of Menin Road, Ypres on 20th of September 1917. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, in the Halifax Town Hall Books of Remembrance, on the Memorial at Stannary Congregational Church, Halifax and on the Memorial at Crossley's Carpets, Halifax. His elder brother John also died at Ypres on 13th of August 1917.

    Daniel Needham




    259844

    Major. John Charles O'Callaghan MC & Bar. 190th Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.4th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    John O'Callaghan was born on 23rd September 1893 and joined up in October 1914 as a Private in the Honourable Artillery Company and became a Major with C Battery of the 109th Brigade,e Royal Field Artillery, serving in France and Italy. He was killed by a chance shell while on duty returning from an observation post in France on 4th April 1918 and is buried at Bienvillers Military Cemetery.

    Major O'Callaghan was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry during operations near Contalmaison on the 9th/10th of July 1916, where the ammunition in a gun pit was ignited by a heavy enemy shell, and after a round had exploded, he entered the pit with a driver and at great personal risk extinguished the fire and removed the ammunition. The Bar to his Military Cross was awarded for conspicuous gallantry in action North of Flers on 16th of October 1916. He went out beyond the front line to observe for his battery while wire cutting, being exposed at the time to heavy fire. He has set a splendid example throughout the operations.

    David Welch




    259842

    Bmbdr. James Shaw Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    James Shaw served with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

    J. Shaw




    259839

    RSM. William Frederick Rosenberg 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    My great grandfather William Rosenberg was a Company Sergeant Major who became a Regimental Sergeant Major in his time serving in the war 1914-18. He was an entomologist by trade, discovering many new species in South America in the 1890's. I was born on the day of his 50th wedding anniversary and he mentioned me in his speech at the time, so I am told! I would love to hear from anyone who can give me more information on his service in WW1, as this is sparse.

    William is seated 2nd right in 1918

    Margaret Seymour




    259835

    Sgt. Ernest A. Clayton 95th Field Ambulance (d.23rd April 1918)

    Ernest Clayton was an Ambulance Driver with 95th Field Ambulance, RAMC. He is buried in Cabaret Rouge Cemetery and my mother visited his grave a couple of weeks before she died in 1994. As a youngster he had been a choir boy in York Minster and there is a plaque in the Minster commemorating the choir boys who were killed during the 1st World War.

    I have a letter dated 19 October 1923 addressed to my grandmother Mrs Frances Clayton, 23 Clarence Street, York, from the Imperial War Graves Commission advising her that the grave of her husband Ernest Clayton is in Plot 8, Row R, Grave 10., in Caberet Rouge British Cemetery. I have just found an old photograph in the family Bible which depicts some members of the 94th Field Ambulance BEF with Lt.Col Stewart (O.C). Sgt.Mjr Campbell (RAMC) Sgt. Mjr Cobley (GSC) and the Sergeants of the 94th Field Ambulance division dated th ofAugust 1916.

    Kathleen A Buttle




    259827

    Pte. Patrick McAllister 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.28th Jan 1916)

    Patrick McAllister is interred in Vermelles British Cemetery in France. His name is also commemorated on the Diamond War Memorial in Derry. He was the husband of Mrs. Alice McAllister and the youngest son of Mr. Con McAllister of 15 Benvarden Avenue, Derry.

    Roger Earl




    259825

    Pte. Joseph Lavelle 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.26th Sep 1915)

    Joseph Lavelle is buried at Cambrin.

    Julie Lynch




    259806

    Pte. Thomas Buchan 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (d.5th Mar 1916)

    Thomas Buchan was my grandfather's brother. My brave young man, you will never be forgotten.





    259798

    Pte. Frank Evans 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.8th Jun 1915)

    Frank Evans died of wounds in hospital at Boulogne, France, aged 19.

    Christopher Evans




    259785

    Rflmn. William Henry Hansen 16th Btn. D Coy. Rifle Brigade (d.24th Jun 1917)

    William Hansen was the son of Henry and Rose Hansen, husband of E. Hansen. He joined the 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade at some time during June/July 1915. He landed with the Battalion at Le Havre on 8th of March 1916. On June 24th 2017, the regiment relieved the 17th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, in the right sector front line after being in right support. That same day he was one of 5 killed. Eight others were wounded.

    Paul Buck




    259783

    Pte John Rooney 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment

    My Grandfather, John Rooney of the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment. On the field July 21st 1916. He survived the war and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin.

    Eileen Rooney




    259775

    Rflm. James Carter 11th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.10th Jul 1916)

    James Carter was one of a large family of my ancestors, all based in and around Bramley in Leeds, Yorkshire. I would love to find more detail but have found that he served with the Rifle Brigade 11th Battalion and is declared as lost on 10/07/1916. He is named on the Menin Gate and I've been to see him there and also in Bramley at the Bramley Park war memorial. I would very much like to find more but understand he was never found. Having served myself for 13 years, I am very proud of his service and would very much like to find more information

    I'm not entirely sure, but believe this may have recorded his fateful day:

    10th July 1916 Trenches: Quiet day. At 10:30pm gas is discharged from B9. Artillery bombardment commences also a smoke barrage. An infantry raid is attempted after discharge of gas consisting of 2 parties of 20 each under 4 officers (two to each party). Captain E R Donner, Officer in charge of raid, Captain M L Cone 2nd in command. Officer in charge Left raiding column 2/Lieut H A Slade and 2/Lieut H A Clanahan. Right column 2nd Lieut J R Blyth and 2/Lieut B Wallis. Raiding party fails to enter German trenches owing to failure of gas to affect the enemy.

    Failure attributed to

    • 1) carelessness in conversations over the telephone which the enemy had intercepted on his listening apparatus.
    • 2) the premature discharge of gas on Right Brigade front through not synchronising watches or other causes.
    • 3) accurate shooting of enemy artillery which put several cylinders out of action.
    • 4) insufficient frontage over which gas was discharged. Most of the wounded and dead are brought back from the German wire.

    Total casualties: 2/Lieut J R Blyth missing believed killed; 2/Lieut B Wallis dangerously wounded and died of wounds at Casualty Clearing Station on 11th inst; 2/Lieut H A Clanahan wounded. 5 ORs died of wounds or killed, 34 ORs wounded, 5 ORs missing.

    2/Lieut Clanahan, Cpl Owen, Cpl Marsh, A/Cpl Norton, Rfn Bodow and Rfn Ouzman are recommended for conspicuous bravery in bringing in and tending to the wounded. Enemy shelling during these operations considerable.

    Paul Barker




    259762

    2nd Lt. Christopher Mackeson MiD. 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Born on 20th January 1898 in Paddington, London, Christopher Mackeson was the son of Lieutenant Colonel William James and Bertha (nee Pattinson) Mackeson. In 1901, the family were living at 31 St. George's Place, Canterbury, Kent but by 1911 had moved to The Old Rectory, Hearne Lane, Hodnet with their two other children. In 1911, Christopher was a pupil at West Downs School, Romsey Road, Winchester. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, Rifle Brigade on 19th July 1916 and was killed in action on 16th August 1917 having been mentioned in despatches. He is buried at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Vlamertinghe, Belgium.





    259729

    Cpl. Charles Lenthall 2nd (Welsh) Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    With the RAMC, Charles Lenthall made a desert crossing on foot from Cairo to Jerusalem through Sinai and Palestine. He bought a mummified head from a tomb raider. He travelled from Kantara to Jerusalem (with friend Norman Johnston), and was ordered to move to Ali Mind in charge of 4 mule-driven ambulances 1 mile from the front line. For his length of overseas service, Cpl. Lenthall earned four blue chevrons.

    Judy Goodfellow




    259728

    Capt. James Frederick Matheson MC. Royal Army Medical Corps

    James Matheson served with the RAMC attached to 7th Norfolk Regiment.





    259726

    Sgt. Charles Forman Chatterton Army Service Corps

    <p>

    Charles Chatterton served as a Farrier.

    Richard Chatterton




    259725

    Pte. Bert Atkins Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars (d.1st Apr 1918)

    Bert Atkins was killed in action on the 1st of April 1918, at Rifle Wood, aged 21. He has no known grave, but is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, which is located near the town of Pozieres in France.





    259718

    Sgt. Michael Joseph Hennessy Royal Irish Fusiliers

    I have a marriage certificate for my grandfather, Michael Joseph Hennessy which states that he was at a hospital at the time of marriage. He was a sergeant in the Royal Irish Fusiliers, it also says that his job was a restaurant superintendent. It is not clear whether this was at the hospital or whether he himself was a war casualty. I have very little information about my grandfather apart from this.

    Lee Hennessy




    259710

    L/Cpl Edward Powell 4th (Denbighshire) Battalion Welsh Fusiliers (d.20th April 1917)

    <p>4th Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Edward Powell, known as Edwin and his brother, Joseph Harold Powell were both in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. They were two of six sons (of fourteen children) of John and Sarah Anne Powell living in Vron, Brymbo. Edward was married to Elizabeth (nee Ledsham) and they lived at 4 Station Road, Southsea, Wrexham. The family story is that Edward was shot and wounded, and whilst his brother was carrying him back to safety was shot again by a sniper and killed in his brother's arms. Joe survived to war and emigrated to Alberta, Canada where he died in 1967.

    Edward bottom left and Joe top right

    Jayne Alton




    259708

    2Lt. Thomas Hall 18th Trench Mortar Battery (d.19th June 1918)

    Thomas Hall served with the 4th Essex Regiment and 11th Essex Regiment, he was serving with 18th Trench Mortar Battery when he lost his life, aged 19.

    Barry Tookey




    259704

    Cpl. James Millar Prentice 18th (4th Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.22nd July 1916)

    James Prentice, born in Leeds England, descendant of a long line of Prentices from Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, was the son of William Prentice and Jane Dempster, the brother of Georgina Prentice and Jane Mclauchalan Prentice. Prior to enlistment in the Highland Light Infantry he was an iron-moulder living in Milton, Glasgow. Here, he married Margaret Calander Burt (previously Grey) on 17th July 1913. They have one child, William, born May 1915. James was killed in action in France on 22nd of July 1916 while with the 18th HLI. His son William died from the measels April 1917. Wife Margaret re-married Dec 1918. James Millar Prentice is the older brother of my paternal grandmother, Jane Mclauchlan Prentice.

    James McMillan




    259702

    Capt Gavin Alexander Porter 13 Squadron (d.5th December 1915)

    Gavin Porter was from Kalgoortie in West Australia, elder son of Alexander and Hannah Porter. He was originally in 68th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in action on 5th of December 1915 with 13th Squadron RFC.





    259699

    Pte. Harry Leslie Redgrave 6th Btn. London Regiment

    Harry Redgrave was the son of William Arthur Redgrave and Annie Redgrave (nee Bilton), husband of Kathleen Mabel Redgrave (nee Hamblen). Born in 1896, Harry had been a gentlemen's hairdresser in his civilian life, and had served during WW1 in the Territorial Force with the 6th Battalion City of London Rifles. In WW2 he served with the 35th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. Harry died 5th of March 1943 aged 46 years and is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial, he has no known grave. Harry was connected to the Redgrave family of acting fame through his grandfather Montague Redgrave.





    259694

    Pte. Frank Large 10th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>Private Frank Large

    My great-grandfather Frank Large, was a labourer and platelayer with Great Western Railways and joined up with the 10th Gloucesters on the 9th of August 1914 aged just 21. He was one of the first to answer Kitchener’s call to arms. He went to France in August the following year. To the best of my knowledge from paperwork and accounts told by my grandfather Herbert Large, he went over the top on the 25th of September 1915 at Loos. His pension records detail several interesting things I would like to share:
    • His records detail that he served in France for 38 months out of the 51 months the war ran.
    • He was wounded in the left forearm by a bullet. My grandfather always said that the bullet went through his arm. Funnily enough, my grandfather was nicked by a bullet in the same arm in WW2 in the Far East with the Royal Marines.
    • He received field punishment number one for being late on parade on at least one occasion; a few other times, he was confined to barracks.
    • He was made lance corporal, but reverted to private at his own request.
    • He is detailed as having moved to the 8th Gloucesters for a time.
    • He is detailed as having worked as a stretcher bearer, or at least qualified as such as far as I can tell.
    • He also was in the 74th Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps towards the end of the war. He has two service numbers, one for the Gloucesters and one for the MGC.
    From family stories, he was one of the few to return to his village, where he found out that his fiancee had been killed by the Spanish flu. Whereas it was often the other way round for wives and fiancees to be left behind as the men were killed off. He returned and worked on the railways and raised a family. He never spoke a lot about the war as many did not, but towards the end he spoke to my grandfather and a few funny stories came out. Most of them were about the acquisition of alcohol through various means. I have his pension records, which are an interesting read. I have a copy of the War diaries for the 10th Gloucesters which is also interesting to read and details an inspection by the King. One of the most poignant facts I observed with the diaries is the change of handwriting as the war progresses and officers are killed, often with the new writer detailing his predecessor’s passing and the details.

    There was also a William Ingles who served with the 10th Gloucesters and won the DCM on the 25th of September but was killed two weeks later at the Hohenzollern redoubt. My great-great-grandmother’s maiden name was Ingles and I have often wondered if they were related somehow.

    David Large




    259686

    Pte. William Robert Waite 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.19th May 1915)

    William Waite was the eldest son of Robert and Harriet Waite of Easton Royal, Wiltshire.

    Robert Fuller




    259679

    Spr. Thomas Arthur DCM. 151st Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Thomas Arthur was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for consistent gallantry and devotion to duty for period in action at all times during the period from 25th February to 16th of September 1918.

    Robert Arthur




    259676

    L/Cpl. George Eric Brady 10th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.3rd September 1916)

    Eric Brady was born in Stockwell, London. The oldest of five surviving children. His family initially returned to Cambridge before in 1909 finally moving to the beautiful village of Forest Green tucked away at the foot of the Surrey hills. At the age of 14 Eric was a gardeners boy.

    He returned to Lambeth to join the Rifle Brigade. He died in action at the Somme, on the 3rd of September 1916. He was 19. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial. He is also commemorated at the Abinger, Forest Green and Okewood Hill Mmemorials. He was my Grandfather's brother. I became aware of his existence today 16th of June 2019. He will be remembered.

    Nathan Brady




    259668

    Pte. Albert Hill 10th (1st Gwent) Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.17th January 1919)

    Albert Hill is buried at Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension on the Somme. According to the war graves commission his age when he died was 20, but his birth records show that he was still in his teens when he died, so he appears to have lied about his age to enlist, as so many did. Although he died after the end of the war he perished on active service and so never returned home after Armistice Day and rests in a military cemetery.

    James Harris




    259654

    Lt. Graham Weir 1/8th Bn. Royal Scots (d.16th November 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Weir died on the 16th of November 1916, aged 29 he was serving with the 1/8th Btn. Royal Scots. He had been commissioned as Lieutenant to the 8th Royal Scots on 30th of January 1915. Son of William and Jane Weir of Roselea, Oxton, Berwickshire.

    Extract from the Falkirk Herald: Lieut. Robert Weir. Former Falkirk Teacher Killed in Action. On Tuesday last the sad intelligence reached Falkirk that Lieutenant Robert Weir, Royal Scots, had fallen action in France on Thursday 16th inst. Lieutenant Weir was well known in Falkirk, having been an assistant master in Carmuirs School from 1907 to 1910, leaving Falkirk he was for brief period assistant teacher in Dalkeith Higher Grade School, when he was appointed headmaster of Channelkirk Public School, Berwickshire. On the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Scots, and was drafted to France in October, 1914, taking part many important engagements, and in one which he was wounded. He was about 30 years age, and was the second son of Mr Weir, formerly headmaster of Heriot Public School. He was commanding 3 Platoon of D Company and was killed by a shell hitting his dugout.

    Extract from War Diary November 1916: 16 Nov 1916 - 2nd Lieutenant H.E.R Jones and 2nd Lieutenant J.C. Taylor joined the Battalion on 14th Inst. and were posted to D and C companies respectively. Draft of 10 other ranks joined from the base. 3 platoon of D company under Lieutenant R Weir went up after dinner to dugouts in Seaforth trench where they were to remain overnight, they were under the 134 Infantry Brigade for work owing to the failure of the attack on Munich trench, no work was possible. Lieutenant Weir was killed by a shell striking the dugout in which he was sheltering in Beaumont-Hamel hostile barrage.

    Night 17th/18th Nov 1916. It was found impossible to move Lieutenant Weir's body to a cemetery, he was accordingly left where he was buried at Q11.a.70.75 - L Beaumont-Hamel. A cross was erected and the grave railed in,

    Graham Weir




    259650

    L/Cpl. George Parker 1/6th Battalion- Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    George Parker served with the 6th Royal Warwickshires and was killed on the 1st of July 1916. he was my Granddad's brother.





    259635

    Gnr. Thomas Rason Royal Field Artillery

    Thomas Rason served with the Royal Field Artillery in 15th Brigade, 5th Division.





    259634

    Pte. Arthur John Barnes 16th (St. Pancras) Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.31st July 1917)

    My great granddad, Arthur Barnes lived all his life in Battersea in the Nine Elms area married to his wife Eliza. He was a labourer and a rag & bone man before joining the 16th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade. He fought in Belgium and died during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge on 31st of July 1917. He is buried in the New Irish Cemetery, St Julien, Ypres. I am trying to find out as much detail as I can.

    Sue Peel




    259625

    Pte. John Arthur Costello 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.4th December 1915)

    <p>

    John Costello died in Wittenberg P.O.W. camp on 4th/5th December 1915 from TB confirmed by Red Cross records. He was my great uncle.

    Jeff Costello




    259611

    Sgt. Alfred Horace "Dick" Mobbs MM. 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment

    Alfred Mobbs was born 8th July 1882 at East Walton, Norfolk. He was a farm labourer at the outbreak of the First World War and enlisted in the 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment in 1914 at Norwich. After training, he went to France in August 1915. He took part in various actions until finally wounded at the Second Battle of Cambrai in October 1918. He was sent back to the UK, where he was hospitalised in Dundee Hospital on 20th of October remaining in the hospital until he was discharged on the 18th. November 1918. (Hospital entry ID number 16617). The award of his Military Medal was published in The London Gazette of 17th of June 1919 issue 31405 page 24. As far as I can tell at this stage he returned to his unit and served in the Army of Occupation until 1920.

    John Scott Clary




    259609

    AB. Alfred Smith HMS Agincourt

    Grandad, Alfred Smith volunteered in 1st World War in early 1917 for duration of hostilities. I don't know much about his almost two years on HMS Agincourt, but my grandmother went to see him in the north of Scotland (I think). It was the longest journey she ever made in her life. They had got married in 1915 and their eldest child was born in 1918.

    Malcolm Harfitt




    259598

    Pte. Robert Sidney Drake MM. 35th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    My Grandfather Robert Drake was awarded the Military Medal. The award was posted in the London Gazette Supplement dated 14th May 1919. Individual citations for the award of the Military Medal during WW1 are no longer available.

    35th Battalion, MGC

    Tim Miller




    259596

    Sister. Sylvia Daisy Brown 6th General Hospital Queen Alexandras Imperial Military Nursing Service

    Sylvia Brown was a native of Yorkshire and trained to become a nurse at London Temperance Hospital. In 1912, she moved to New Zealand, where she continued her work as a nurse. On 14th of September 1915, at 31 years of age, she enlisted in England with Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve (QAIMNSR) as a Ward Sister and served with that unit until being demobilised on 7th of April 1919. During that period, she was posted to the 2nd Military Hospital at York and to the BEF's No. 6 General Hospital in France. For her war service, Sister Brown was awarded the British War Medal. Subsequently returning to New Zealand, she would go on to serve for many years as Matron of Nelson Hospital in the city of Nelson.

    Much more information (including some photographs) about Sister Brown’s life and service is available at the Medals Reunited New Zealand website.





    259594

    John C. Agnew 79th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    John Agnew was my great uncle. He was born in Paisley in 1889 and emigrated to Winnipeg in Canada. He had a leg blown off in the war but I do not know where this happened. After the war he returned to Canada and moved with his mother in the 1920's to Vancouver, BC. He died in 1952 in Vancouver.

    Malcolm C. McDonald




    259591

    Pte William Lambert Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th November 1916)

    William Lambert was born in Slaley, Northumberland in 1880, eldest son of John and Elizabeth Lambert. In his youth, he was part of the village school & church choir and played football for the local team. After his father's death in 1906, he took over the running of the family sandstone quarry, with the help of his mother and younger siblings. He never married, and lived and worked alongside his 4 brothers for much of life. In 1914/1915 he and his brothers signed up to fight in WW1. He was killed in action in the final days of the Battle of the Somme on November 14th 1916, aged 35. His name is inscribed on a stone memorial in the lychgate of St Mary the Virgin Church, Slaley.





    259589

    Pte Cecil Percy Vick 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.25 Jan 1917)

    Cecil Vick is on our church Roll of Honour and I am looking into his wartime history as of June 2019. Am still researching

    Andy Mitchell




    259572

    Cpl. Charles William Heaton 8th Btn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry

    <p>Charles William Heaton_demob certif_transfer to Reserves

    My maternal grandfather, Charles William Heaton, was born on the 9th August 1895 in Dyke Street Everton, Lancashire. He attended St. John's Church in Everton where he was a choirboy. According to my mother, he had a fine baritone voice as a man. He possessed a fine collection of books (many of which have been passed down to my mother), including the complete works of William Shakespeare as well as books on history and philosophy, gramophone records, and pianola rolls. At the age of 15, Charles moved from Everton to Bloomsbury, London, where was apprenticed to his uncle as a French polisher. Soon after the start of the Great War, on 8 September 1914, Charles enlisted in the army. He joined the King's Light Shropshire Infantry, which he facetiously referred to as ‘The King's Silly Little Idiots’. His serial number was W3626, his regimental number was 13701, and he held the rank of Corporal. He served in Greece – we have his pay-book, showing he was paid in drachmas. After contracting and suffering from malaria, he received a war pension of 13 shillings a month. On 23 February 1919, he was demobbed and transferred to Army Reserves, Shrewsbury. According to my mother, he was a highly principled man and a firm Socialist both by nature and politically. He may also have been at one time a member of the Communist Party. He received the daily paper - The Daily Worker and Russia Today, which were the mouthpieces of the party. He was a staunch supporter of the National Amalgamated Furnishing Trades Association and became President at Branch 54 in Liverpool. He would often leave the family at home whilst he went to his club at the Union's Liverpool headquarters at Low Hill, ostensibly on Union business but probably for a few pints of beer.

    Charles William Heaton_Army pension award

    Charles William Heaton_portrait

    Malcolm T. J. Evans




    259560

    Gnr. Robert Hunter MM. 191st Siege Battery (d.12th December 1918)

    Robert Hunter most likely died in the influenza epidemic of 1918.

    John Middlesworth




    259557

    Piper. John William Fellows 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Btn, No.1 Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    John Fellows was my great, great uncle. He served with the 20th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers in WW1 and was 21 when he died at the Battle of the Somme on 1st of July 1916.

    He was a piper in the Battalion band. Family memories of him were that he could pick up any instrument and play it, he was very musical. This is particularly poignant for me as I too am very musical. I have been head of music in a high school for 25 years. He was known as John Willie. John's uncle Tom was also in the same Battalion but he survived the war. He said the last time he saw John he had thrown down his bagpipes and was running towards the Germans drawing his bayonet. The pipers of the 20th Battalion led the troops into battle on the very first day of the Battle of the Somme. John would literally have been right at the front, playing his pipes to stir morale, and probably as a result, one of the first men to die in the battle of the Somme. He was my great grandma's brother.

    John's initial training was in Newcastle, then they moved on to the grounds of Alnwick Castle before completing training in 1915 on Salisbury Plain. Once in France his Battalion moved to La Boiselle. He was in France for approx 6 months and died somewhere near La Boiselle, I think near where 2 large craters were created. I feel very proud of him but also deeply moved that he died at such a young age, unable to have a family of his own.

    We have a photo of him in his uniform and kilt. I will make sure my own children know all about him. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and I hope to visit one day to pay my respects. Son of William and Martha Fellows of 29, Weardale Avenue, Walker, Newcastle-on-Tyne. I would dearly love to find out more about him.

    Tyneside Scottish 20th battalion pipe band, we are not sure but maybe third from the right is John Willie.

    Maria Masters




    259550

    Pte. Richard Bell Shepherd Army Service Corps

    <p>

    Richard Shepherd was the brother of Thomas Bell Shepherd. Both served in WW1, but not together. They were the sons of Thomas Bell Shepherd Snr and Elizabeth Shepherd nee Frazer. Richard was born in 1896 at Newcastle upon Tyne and during WW1 he served in the Army Service Corps as a Private. He served in France and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    P Shepherd




    259520

    S/Sgt. John William Drew 2/8th (Cyclist) Btn. Essex Regiment

    John William Drew is my maternal grandfather. He was later in the Tank Corps. He was also an inspector almost at the outset of the automobile association.

    Olga Turner




    259513

    L/Cpl. John Kellett MM. 14th (Pioneers) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Kellett was a coal miner aged 38 when war broke out. He was not required to enlist but signed up after being given a white feather. He trained in Aylesbury and sailed to France on 9th of September 1915 with the 14th Battalion (Pioneers), Northumberland Fusiliers. Only a few days later, after a long march, he and his battalion were fully engaged in the first major battle of WW1, the Battle of Loos, where they took 3800 casualties. He was awarded the Military Medal (for bravery in the field). Served most of the war on the Somme. Promoted to Lance Corporal.

    In late May 1918, during fighting near Trigny (about 5 miles NW of Reims). He was wounded in the leg by a ricochet rifle bullet and captured by the Germans from between a Canadian and a French regiment, when the French withdrew from the flank of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Spent rest of WW1 in Gothenburg POW camp where his wound was operated on by a dentist from Leeds without anaesthetic or antibiotic. It never really healed properly (part of the shin bone was permanently exposed) and he had dressings on his leg for the rest of his life. Repatriated via London to Coxlodge Asylum, Gosforth, (used as Hospital). He was in and out of hospital for three years to recover and especially to save his leg. He died at home in Chester-le-Street on 20 July 1958 aged 83.

    Peter Kellett




    259476

    Pte. Henry Malpass 12th (West Somerset Yeomanry) Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.22nd Oct 1918)

    Henry Malpass was the brother of my gran Ethel May Twist (nee Malpass) and we only realised Henry had died in WW1 when my uncle, whilst researching the family tree, saw that Henry had died in Belgium in October 1918. As a family we now remember Henry along with his nephew William who died in WW2.

    Joanne Claridge




    259473

    Pte. Arthur Ray 84th Company Machine Gun Corps

    Originally Arthur Ray was in the 1st Batt Suffolk Regiment. After acquiring his War Medal, internet research has allowed me to narrow down his service details





    259462

    James Leonard

    <p>

    James Leonard, my grandfather, fought in WWI. His older brother by 5 years, Edward, a Quarter Master with the final rank of Warrant Officer, 2nd Class, would die in the war in France less that a month before it ended. James trained at St. Aubans as noted on his marriage certificate when he married his girlfriend, Wilhelmina Degerlund, new mother of their daughter, just before going overseas in 1914. (Unfortunately, she would die at age 30 of TB in 1926 acquired as a result of working with the poor as a social worker for her church.) During WWI James Leonard was bitten on the neck by a horse but otherwise survived the war. He did not return from fighting in Europe until 1919, fathering a second daughter, Pat, with his wife in 1920.

    Pat Leonard felt it was her duty to join the WAAF in April 1940 as the family did not have any sons to fight in WWII. She became a plotter at RAF Biggin Hill during the worst of 1940 during the Battle of Britain, and survived a direct bomb hit on the Ops Building. Later trained as a cipher officer. She was posted to No.1 AOL at RAF Wigtown in Scotland where she met her future Canadian husband, an officer and pilot in the RAF named John McKinley Carswell. They married in 1942. By the time she got pregnant she was senior WAAF officer at the station as a Section Officer (lieutenant). She resigned her commission in late 1942 to join her husband in Harrogate where she gave birth to two sons before moving to Canada as a war bride in March 1945 with her two sons to join him there as he had been transferred home by the RCAF in June 1944 on compassionate leave to visit her dying mother and was grounded permanently by his eye test so would not be able to return to the UK during the war. Of the two sons, one went to military college in Canada and served 3 years in the 1960s as a captain in the Canadian Army Signal Corps at Kingston, where his father had served in 1939 before going overseas in January 1940. John McKinley Carswell later transferred to the RAF and RCAF in Britain. His other son born in WWII became an air cadet but losing a kidney prevented him from joining the military as he wanted to do. In total three generations of military service through two World Wars.

    Bob Carswell




    259444

    Pte. Arthur Kenard Nanspene Nepean 6th Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.29th Dec 1917)

    Arthur Nepean is from my family line, and served with The 6th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Regiment. He was wounded during the war in August 1917, and died in December from complications of those injuries.





    259443

    Gnr. Albert "Tubby" Driscoll O Battery Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>Farriers of O Battery, RHA

    Albert Driscoll served with O Battery, Royal Horse Artillery.

    Alex Driscoll




    259435

    Pte. Albert Flint 4th Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    Albert Flint was a patient in Citadel Military Hospital on 10th of October 1916 with tonsillitis.





    259421

    Frank Good HMS Matchless

    My father Frank Goode served on HMS Matchless. I was wondering whether anyone could tell me something about his war records as we don't have anything left. Thank you.

    Peter Good




    259408

    Pte Clarence Benjamin Denman 14th Btn, 3 Coy Royal Montreal Regiment (d.25th May 1915)

    <p>

    A letter was mailed to my grandfather William Moore, from Clarence Benjamin Denman. It was a very interesting letter filled with details of life on Salisbury Plain for the Canadians and an inspection by King George V in February 1915. I have done much research and found an article which was very interesting. Clarence Benjamin Denman - St. John Evangelist. Very touching to see the care shown from the Holmfirth Military Cottage Hospital and people of the community for a Canadian boy.

    Marnie Schaefer




    259401

    Pte. William Malledant 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.30th Mar 1917)

    William Malledant was the son of Y.M. Malledant of Rosemary Lane, Guernsey, and was 22 years old at the time of death. He was killed in action in Basra, Iraq. His name is inscribed on the Basra Memorial.

    Frank Audoire




    259398

    Pte, Alexander Cowan 12th Battalion

    My great grandfather, Alex Cowan, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces in 1916. His journey to Larkhill, England took a full 2 months where he spent 1 month before being shipped to France, departing from Southampton. He was wounded in action after severe injuries to his toe and was shipped back to England where he spent a full month hospitalised at Kitchener before being shipped home to Australia.

    He was originally from Troon in Scotland and was merely 25 years old when he enlisted in the AIF. He was safely returned to his wife, Sarah and his daughter, Lottie (Charlotte) my grandmother in 1918. He eventually passed away at the age of 50 in 1941.

    Leith Bailey




    259388

    Nurse. Elizabeth Munro Turnbull 3rd Scottish General Hospital

    <p>

    Elizabeth Turnbull signed up with the Territorial Force Nursing Service on the 10th November 1915. She was stationed at Yorkhill War Hospital, part of the 3rd Scottish General Hospital in Glasgow. Unfortunately, she was permanently invalided from service by a medical board on 17th July 1918 (paid until 25th July), and was awarded the Silver War Badge. She had been a witness at a court-martial at Edinburgh Castle in September 1917, where she got a severe wetting and chill, and developed acute cystitis.

    Julie Robert




    259384

    Cpl. Stephen Thomason No. 20 Squadron

    <p>

    Stephen Thomason served with No. 20 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.

    Stephen Raymond Thomason




    259328

    Gnr. William Edward Baxter 128th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Bill Baxter enlisted on the 9th of December 1915. He was immediately transferred to the Army Reserve. He rejoined the colours on the 1st of June 1916 and was posted to the depot as a gunner. He was posted 20 days later to an anti-aircraft depot.

    On 10th of October 1916 he became part of the British Expeditionary Force in France, he was with the 128th Heavy Battery Unit. In early January 1917, he was injured, we believe when working as a messenger. He was admitted to No.8 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux on 7th of January 1917 with a Gun Shot Wound to his right arm, right leg and left leg, which was classified as severe. He was transported home on H.S. Jan Breydel on 20th of January 1917 and admitted to the Bagthorpe Military Hospital, Nottingham. When he was being transported to this hospital his train went through Chelsea and he was thought to be delirious when he asked to be let off the train. Bill had his left leg amputated and was eventually was discharged on 15th of February 1918

    Amanda Baxter




    259314

    Pte. George Lynn 5/6th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.26th Oct 1918)

    George Lynn was killed in action on the 26th of October 1918, aged 22. He is buried in the Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Vivienne Anne Clifford Lynn




    259297

    Pte. John Milton 126th Brigade Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.5th Oct 1917)

    John Militon is buried in Dunhallow ADS Cemetery in Belgium.





    259286

    Lt Robert Weir 8th Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.16 November 1916)

    The only information to hand is that Lt Robert Weir was killed on 16th November 1916 during the Battle for Beaumont-Hamel and is buried in the British Cemetery at Beaumont-Hamel, mentioned on Special Memorial number 2 - inscribed "Abide With Thee"

    Graham Weir




    259257

    Cpl. Alfred Edward Briscoe MiD. 20th Battalion

    Alfred Briscoe joined the Australian Imperial Army with his brothers Leopold, Walter and half brother George Brooker. Alfred was a miner aged 28 years and was living in Gosford, NSW with his wife Mrs C T B Briscoe when he enlisted on 30th of October 1915. His unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A71 Nestor on 9th of April 1916. He was promoted to Corporal within the 20th Battalion AIF.

    On 14th of November 1916 he was wounded in action sustaining a gunshot wound to his arm and shoulder. The next day he was transferred to the 38th Casualty Clearing Station, then on 16th November he was transferred to the 11th Stationery Hospital at Rouen. From there transferred to England on 27th November. He was later discharged from hospital and returned to Australia on 1st of July 1919.

    Alfred received the British War Medal, Star 1914/15 and Victory Medal. He was also Mention in Despatches: Awarded, and promulgated, London Gazette No. 31089 (31st of December 1918) and Commonwealth Gazette No. 61 (23rd of May 1919).

    Of the brothers, all returned except Leopold, formerly of the 13th Battalion AIF and then of the 30th Infantry Battalion AIF. He was killed in action at the Battle of Fromelles on the 20th of July 1916.

    Colin Briscoe




    259256

    Pte. Albert Earnest Vause 43rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Albert Vause was 39 years old when he re-enlisted at Pontefract Barracks (West Yorkshire) in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on 1st of September 1914. He initially saw action with the 6th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and was deployed to France on 21st of May 1915. He was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 16th of February 1916, where his Army records indicate he was deployed for a second time to France on 18th of November 1917.

    Albert was one of the lucky ones who returned from the war, but his lungs were badly damaged from a gas attack and he spent the rest of his life in ill health.

    Caroline Almeida




    259216

    Gnr. James Edward Thomas Coleman B Bty, 106th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th August 1917)

    During WW1 James Coleman served with the 106th Brigade, B Battery, Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in action aged 25 on 25th of August 1917 and is buried in Voormezeele, Belgium. We are currently searching for details.

    Chris McInnes




    259210

    Pte. Richard Alfred Johnson 2nd Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.8th Nov 1918)

    Richard Johnson was buried at the Nowshera Military Cemetery, now in Pakistan and is remembered on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate). I am researching the Verinder surname and I know about Richard because his mother's maiden name was Verinder.

    S Kirby




    259192

    Pte. William Barnard 8th (Liverpool Irish) Battalion Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.8th September 1915)

    <p>

    William Barnard was my grandmother's brother. I have the form from my great grandmother confirming acceptance of her son's personal effects.

    Harry Spooner




    259172

    A.Sgt William O'Neill 11th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.16th September 1917)

    William O'Neill is the great uncle of my wife. William's sister Isabella immigrated to Canada before the Great War. Her married surname was Groom. The Widow's Penny that was distributed to a deceased soldier's next of kin in now in our possession here in Canada. William's mother was Eliza O'Neill who lived in Edinburgh at 45 Albany Street. We have a copy of his will written 24 June 1917 obtain via the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

    Jim Reid




    259165

    Pte. Andrew Campbell Highland Light Infantry (d.1st May 1916)

    My uncle Andrew Campbell died in France and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery. He had been sent home due to being wounded but returned to France where he was shot in the head. He lingered for a few days but succumbed to his injury. Andrew was one of the first to enlist from his village in Easthouses, He was 22years when he died.

    Anne Gerstenberger




    259161

    Cpl Alfred William "Bud" Ward Royal Canadian Engineers

    <p>

    Alfred Ward served with the Royal Canadian Engineers.





    259155

    Spr. Percy Thomas Chater Atkins 1st Field Squadron Royal Engineers

    In 1914, Percy Atkins was 16 and the youngest brother of two Regular Army soldiers and a Territorial. He enlisted in the 1st Field Squadron, Royal Engineers and was in the trenches aged just 17. At some point in the war he transferred to 123rd Field Company, Royal Engineers, with whom he finished his service.

    He was hospitalised at least twice in the war, and in fact, was in the 2nd General Hospital with pleurisy when the guns fell silent on 11th of November 1918. By then, his eldest brother had been a POW for four years in Germany and his other two brothers had been killed in action (on the same day, though a thousand miles apart). In later life he lived in Barnet.





    259153

    2Lt. Quentin Edward McConnell C Flight 76 Squadron

    Quentin McConnell served with C Flight, 76 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. He died in June 1968.

    Roderick McConnell




    259114

    L/Cpl. Charles M. Allsop North Staffordshire Regiment

    Charles Allsop served with the North Staffordshire Regiment. I have some WW1 Photos and desperately seeking info on WW1 records and Index Card.

    M Dyson




    259113

    Pte. Thomas Francis Pass Sherwood Foresters

    Thomas Pass served with the Sherwood Foresters in WW1. He was captured by Germans at Bullecourt (28th of March 1918) during manoeuvres with the Sherwood Foresters and was registered at Parchim Camp on 24th of July 1918. Although he hardly ever spoke at all about his wartime service, he indicated that he and other PoWs were not treated well by the Germans. He once (reluctantly) mentioned that there were hens nearby to the PoW hut and that some prisoners kept putting any crumbs of their meager meals through a hole in the hut wall to attract a hen. One day a hen ventured close enough to the hut for a prisoner to grab it. The way it was described was: "it's feet didn't touch the floor and the prisoners were soon eating a better meal!"

    Most of time, if anyone mentioned the war, he became very withdrawn and tearful but wouldn't explain why. I wish we had more knowledge and a better understanding of what he went through. Tom was fortunate to have survived the war and return to his home in the Midlands where he led an active life until his later years and died in 1971.

    Andy Swain




    259111

    Pte James Costello 2nd Btn Irish Guards

    James Costello served with the 2nd Battalion Irish Guards in WW1. He was wounded in France.

    Claire




    259108

    Sgt. William Diamond 10th Btn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.15th September 1916)

    My grandfather, William Diamond, served with the 10th Battalion Scottish Rifles in WW1. He was killed in action 15th of September 1916 in France and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.





    259106

    Spr William Arthur Pride 268th Railway Coy Royal Engineers

    William Pride's Service Number and Company are recorded in the 1918 Absent Voters' List for Moreton, Dorset. In 1914 he had been the winner of the Moreton Rifle Club's annual competition.

    Before the War he had been a woodman, but in May 1916, when he married in Sway, Southampton, he was described as a Platelayer (which fits with him being in the 268th Railway Company, Royal Engineers in WW1). From 1924 he lived at 4 Station Cottages, Moreton.

    William died in February 1936, age 44, at 4 Station Cottages, and was still working as a Railway Platelayer. William lies in a family grave at Moreton cemetery close to Lawrence of Arabia's grave - which is fitting as he and his parents lived at Clouds Hill (later T E Lawrence's home) from about 1907 to about 1913.

    Martin Gething




    259104

    Sgt. William James Norman 189th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    William Norman served with 189th Brigade Royal Field Artilery. He died in March 1956.

    Terence Alexander Norman




    259091

    Pte William John Sparks 28th Battalion

    William Sparks served with 28th Btn 11th Reinforcements





    259090

    Pte Donald Kenyon Terry 28th Battalion

    Donald Terry served with 28th Btn 3rd Reinforcements





    259089

    Pte Marmaduke Ros Terry 28th Battalion (d.29th Jul 1916)

    Marmaduke Terry served with 28th Btn 3rd Reinforcements





    259085

    2nd Lt. Gordon Jacob Wilson Northamptonshire Yeomanry (d.12th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    I saw a child's toy boat for sale on an internet auction site. The boat had an SN Registration number North Shields and Newbiggin (a town in Northumberland) written on one side and the name Gordon Jacob Wilson written on the other side. Newbiggin is just a few miles from Woodhorn Manor where Jacob Wilson (later Sir Jacob Wilson and Gordon Jacob's father) once worked managing the estate between 1857 and 1866. Jacob then moved to work at Chillingham Barns, Northumberland on the estate of Lord Tankerville. While there, Jacob and his wife Margaret had two sons, Albert Edward and Gordon Jacob (born 1882) and two daughters, Beatrice and Mildred. I have no doubt that this is the same Gordon Jacob Wilson who owned the toy boat.

    Gordon Wilson became a land agent and lived at Manor House, Apethorpe, Wansford, Northants. After joining the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry, he became a 2nd Lieutenant. Gordon was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle on the Western Front on 12th of Mar 1915, may he rest in peace.

    I just wanted to reunite his boat with his story and by doing so remind us all that those brave men who gave their lives are more than just an entry in a war graves site.

    John Anderson




    259078

    Cpl Arthur George Mason 1st/5th Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    This is my great uncle Arthur Mason and I would just like to know that he will not be forgotten.

    Terry Chisholm




    259077

    Pte Eric Allen McSwain 10th Light Horse

    Eric McSwain served with 22nd reinforcements 3rd Bde 10th Light Horse





    259076

    Sgt Joseph Thomas Marshall F Coy 10th Btn

    Joseph Marshall served with F Coy 10th Btn





    259075

    Pte. Leslie Rupert Mann 16th Battalion

    Leslie Mann served with 16th Reinforcements 16th Battalion.





    259074

    Capt Keith Maurice Levi MiD Army Medical Corps (d.7th Aug 1915)

    Keith Levi served with Army Medical Corps





    259066

    Dvr. George Howard 116th Battery, 26th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.7th Sept 1918)

    George Howard was born 29th June 1895, his parents were Henry and Mary Ann (Suett) they had 10 children. Henry was a fish curier. Both Henry and Mary died in 1905 the children went to relations. George got married in 1913 to Florence Clayton. Their son John was born 1914 but died a few months later.

    George joined the Royal Field Artillery at Woolwich in 1915 and was sent to the Front on 29th of July 1915. We do not have his service record. We have only one copy of a photo with 3 soldiers on and no one knows which one he is. His second son was born on 16 Nov 1917. He never knew his father as George was killed on 7th of Sept 1918 at Cherisy in France and is buried in Sun Quarry Cemetery. It is understood that he was with the Canadians. I am still researching. It's not easy. George was my late husbands's grandfather.

    Marilyn Howard




    259062

    Pte William Gray 6/7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.14th January 1917)

    William Grey is listed in the Statutory Registers of death as presumed dead in France, on 14th of January 1917.

    Terry Gray Tolmie




    259061

    L/Cpl. Albert Ernest Hover 2nd Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.28th May 1915 )

    My grandfather, was only 3 years when his father, Albert Hover, died on the 28th May 1915. He was mortally injured on 24th May 1915. He is remembered on the Menin Gate and we paid our respects today exactly 104 years after his death. What a memorable evening paying our respects to all the young men who gave their lives for us.





    259060

    Gnr. Cornelius Mahony 46th Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artilery

    My great-grandfather, Cornelius Mahony, served in WW1 and was taken POW. He served with 46th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and was probably captured in France. It would appear that he was moved at least once during his time as POW. He returned to the UK on the 29th of November 1918. He returned to Hull on the S.S Porto.

    Cerys Mahony




    259056

    Pte. Joseph Wildblood 5th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    Joseph Wildblood served 1 year 9 months in France, then 1 year 9 months in Mesopotamia, 2 months in Egypt, 2 in months Salonica. Whilst in France Joseph also received a gun shot wound to his left eye 29th of July 1916 and a gun shot wound to his left shin on 6th Mar 1917. He entered France with the 5th Battalion on 17 July 1915 and transferred to the 4th Battalion on 22nd July 1917 in Mesopotamia. He contracted malaria whilst in Salonica in Jan 1919. He was classed as 30% disabled by the pensions board. Joseph died aged 64 years old in 1964.





    259054

    Pte. Anthony Bradburn 9th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.9th Sep 1916)

    Casualty report which was in the Manchester evening news 21st Sept 1916. Private Anthony Bradburn (24), of 76 Market-street, died of wounds on 9th of September 1916, exactly a month after joining his regiment. He worked for Messrs. Cooke, Smith, and Co. He had an older brother who was killed nine months earlier, and another brother who is disabled.

    Kenneth Lamb




    259049

    Gnr. Harry Yates 255th Seige Bty Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Yates is buried in Klien-Vierstraat British Cemetery.





    259046

    Pte. John Jones 19th Btn. A Coy. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.21st Apr 1917)

    John Jones, was born in 1897 at Carmel, Llantrisant, Anglesey and Christened on 26th Dec 1897 at Llantrisant, son of John Jones a cattleman on a farm and Jane nee Jones.

    On 2nd of March 1915 when John enlisted at Menai Bridge, Anglesey he was a farm labourer living with his parents John & Jane Jones at Penterfyn, Llantrisant, Valley, Anglesey, Wales. John enlisted while underage, he said that he was 19 years and 1 month, when he was really only 17 years old.

    The story in the family says John was killed in action on 21st of Apr 1917, aged 19, by a sniper while with the army in France, and that the bullet went through his pay book. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    On the 1st Dec 1921 his parents John & Jane Jones were still living at Penterfyn, Llantrisant, Anglesey, Wales. But by the time of the memorial to their son being unvielled, John & Jane Jones were living at Tyn Pwll Mawr, Llantrisant, Valley, Anglesey, Wales.

    John Jones Army Record states his religion as W.C.N, Height: 5 ft ½ in. Weight: 85 ½ lbs. Chest Measurement: Girth when fully expanded 34 ins. Range of expansion: 2 ins. Vaccinated in Infancy. 4 marks on left arm. Vision: - R.E. D6. L.E. D6. Physical Development: Fair.

    On 2nd of March 1915 he attested as a Private with the 19th Battalion, R.W.F. and the next day joined at Llandudno, Caernarvonshire, North Wales. On the 10 Apr 1915 he had a Typhoid Vaccine at Deganwy, Caernarvonshire, North Wales and the 2nd 10 days later.

    In Sep 1915 19th Royal Welsh Fusiliers transferred to 119th Brigade, 40th Division at Aldershot. It is recorded on the 16th Sept 1915 at Aldershot John was charged with irregular conduct on parade. Witness Sgt Roberts. His punishment was 6 days Confined to Barracks. signed by O.C. A Company 19th Bn. R.W.F.

    The 19th (Glamorgan Pioneers) Battalion, RWF landed in France early June 1916 having embarked from Southampton. On the night of the 30th/31st of July 1916 John was wounded and admitted to 135th Field Ambulance with a Gunshot Wound to his Left Thigh. On 6th of Sept 1916 he was again admitted to 137th Field Ambulance, Gassed (Mine) in France. He returned to his battalion on the 27th of Sept 1916. John was killed in action on 21st of April 1917.

    On the 5th of Oct 1919 a Statement to Army by his Father John Jones, of Penterfyn, Llantrisant, Anglesey, on living family members of his son John Jones. Witnessed by Owen Hughes Congregational Preacher at Tre'gwehelyth, Bodedern, Valley, Anglesey, Wales. Father & Mother John & Jane Jones. Brothers Robert Age 18, Richard Age 16, Llewelyn Age 7 & Owen Hugh Jones Age 5. Sisters Anne Age 23, Lizzie Age 19, Grace Age 14, Jennie Age 12, Mary Age 10, Maggie Eunice Jones Age 2.

    UK Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects 1901-1929 for John Jones at Shrewsbury records his Father John & Mother Jane Jones as Joint Legatees. A War Gratuity was authorised on 29th Aug 1917 & 28th Nov 1917. They received 15.9s.4d.

    Karen Cross




    259045

    Sgt. Ernest Meigh MiD. 2nd West Lancashire Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Ernest Meigh was Mentioned in Dispatched on the 31st of May 1915.

    Antony Graham




    259044

    Pte. Owen Jones 10th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.27th Jun 1917)

    Owen Jones was born in 1897 at Glanrafon, Bodwrog, Anglesey, and christened 2nd March 1903 at Bodwrog, son of Robert Jones a farm labourer and Ann nee Harris.

    He died of a gunshot wound to his shoulder, pleural effusion, on 27th of June 1917 in the General Hospital, Etaples, France, aged 20. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

    Owen Jones was a 19 year old farm hand/horse driver when he was called up for military service on 22nd of August 1916 at Wrexham, he was able to speak both Welsh and English. He lived with his parents Robert and Ann Jones at Glanrafon, Bodwrog, Llangefni, Anglesey, Wales and his older brother William Jones had died on 25th April 1916 in Iraq, while serving with the 8th R.W.F.

    Owen Jones Army Record records his Height: 5 ft 3 ins. Weight: 113 lbs. Chest Measurements: Girth when fully expanded 36 ins. Range of Expansion: 2 ins. Physical Development: Good Medical Classification: A. Vaccinated in Infancy. Vision: 6/6 in both eyes. Religion: Church of England.

    He was posted on 23rd of Aug 1916 and joined3rd R.W.F on 25 Aug 1916. His On the 11th of Nov 1916 he was charged with the Offence of Dirty equipment. Punishment was 2 days Confined to Barracks. He was again charged 16 Dec 1916 his offence, absent off Base from midnight until reporting himself at 7 pm 18 Dec 1916. AWOL 1 Day 19 hrs. 16 Dec 1916 his punishment Awarded 2 days C.B. Forfeits 2 days pay.

    On 26th Dec 1916 Owen was posted to X.F. Havre, France and he embarked for France 3 days later. 30 Dec 1916 he arrived in Rouen, France and on 17th of Jan 1917 he proceeded to 10 R.W.F. On 28th of April 1917 Owen became a casualty in the Field and 29th April 1917 was admitted to a Casualty Clearing Station with back and chest wounds. On the 12th of May 1917 he was admitted to General Hospital, Etaples, where he later died from his wounds on 27th of June 1917 aged 20.

    On 19th of Sept 1919, a Statement on his remaining living family members was given to the Army by his mother Ann Jones nee Harris, and witnessed by Stephen Evans, Clerk in Holy Orders at Llandrygarn Vicarage, where Ann made her mark. His parents Robert & Ann were living at 1 Tai Newydd, Glanrafon, Bodwrog, Llangefni, Anglesey, Wales. His brothers Robert Jones Age 44, John Jones Age 31, sisters Elizabeth Williams Age 39 of Castell, Llandrygarn, Llannerchymedd, Anglesey, Jane Jones Age 36 Cliafry Isaf, Valley, Anglesey and Ellen Jones Age 26 Rhenbont, Rhoscolyn, Valley, Anglesey, Wales.

    Karen Cross




    259041

    Pte. William Jones 8th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.25th Apr 1916)

    William Jones was born in 1891 Glanrafon, Bodwrog, Anglesey, Wales, he was christened 16th March 1891 at Bodwrog, son of Robert Jones a farm labourer and Ann nee Harris.

    William enlisted at Llangefni, Anglesey and joined the 8th Royal Welch Fusiliers He died of wounds on Tuesday 25th of April 1916 in Iraq, aged 25. He is buried at Amara War Cemetery at Maysan, Iraq.

    We only found out about William when looking into the death of his youngest brother, Private Owen Jones, 10th Btn., R.W.F., Reg. No. 44349, (Born 1897) who died 27th of June 1917 in the General Hospital Etaples, France. Their mother Ann Jones nee Harris, aged 66, was on the WWI Pension Ledgers making an application for an increase, dated 28th April 1921, for both her deceased sons William and Owen Jones. Ann was still living at 1 Tainewydd, Glanrafon, near Llangefni, Anglesey which was the family home address given on Owen Jones Army Records dated 19th Sept. 1919.

    Karen Cross




    259035

    L/Cpl. Johnson Severn Bennett Clews 41st Battalion (d.9th Oct 1918)

    Clews Johnson is buried in Brockwood Military Cemetery in the Australian Section. He died of wounds, a Gun Shot Wound to the spine complicated by pneumonia.

    D K Clews




    259034

    Sgt. Thomas Charles William Jakens East Surrey Regiment

    Thomas Jakens is my Granddad. He was wounded in the war whilst walking behind a tank. He recovered enough to be a Sergeant with the Chinese Labour Corps and also in the Royal Defence Corps.

    Steve Parrott




    259030

    Pte. Sidney George Hickman 3rd Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1918)

    I know of Sidney's death only from the National Army Museum Soldiers' Effects Records. It seems he enlisted, but died without serving overseas. Sidney's father Henry John Hickman also enlisted. He survived three years' service overseas and died in 1973 aged 94 at High Wycombe.

    Marie Marchese




    259024

    W/Cdr. Frank William Foster DFC.

    I have autograph of Frank Foster playing a cricket match with Kanwirh c.c c.f. in a minute book.





    259017

    Spr. Jack Watts 91st Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>No. 8 Shop Memorial Plaque. This plaque lists all the men from No. 8 Shop who fought in WW1. Jack Watts’ name is 7th down in the right-hand column. The names with a little cross at the side are the ones who were killed. I can remember seeing this plaque when I worked in No. 8 shop. Later, when the

    The Story of Jack Watts, a Boy Soldier (written for my three grandsons, Jack and Sam who live in Melbourne, and Luke who lives in Wellington). Way back in September 1898, a boy was born in Derby, England and he was called Jack Watts. He was the second son of George and Mary Watts (my grandparents) and an older brother to my mother Edie Watts. Jack lived with his parents, brothers, and sisters at 37 Fleet St. in Derby, England. Jack's mother died in 1922, and although she was only 16 my mother had to look after the family. In 1933 when she married Sam Tailby, they also lived at 37 Fleet St. I too lived at 37 Fleet St for 4 years from 1937 but moved with my parents and Grandfather to Spondon, in 1941. In 1912, Jack Watts left school at age 14 and worked as an apprentice in No. 8 shop at the locomotive works in Derby. The locomotive works which was then part of the Midland Railway built and repaired steam locomotives. His father, George, also worked there as a brass turner so must have arranged for Jack to start. By coincidence I also worked there, as an engineering apprentice between 1953 and 1958, including 18 months in No. 8 shop, but I was almost 16 when I started and 18 when I first went into No. 8 shop. It must have been a very daunting place for a 14 year old boy to start work. No. 8 shop (also known as the Erecting Shop) was where the locomotives came in to be repaired after they had been in service for some years. First all the parts were removed, cleaned and where possible reused. Other parts were repaired and where this was not possible new parts used. Most of this work was done in other shops within the works and then the parts were returned to No. 8 shop where the locos were rebuilt. There would have been about 600 people working in No. 8 shop including about 50 apprentices. This was much the same as when I was there except now the locos were larger. Jack would have started work at 7 am and worked until 5.30 pm, with an hour break for lunch on week days, and on Saturday morning worked from 8am until 12. He would have walked to and from work. The work was noisy and often dirty so he would not have been very clean when he got home. No showers at home in those days, only a tin bath in front of the fire. The water had to be heated in kettles. There were 5 other members of the family who also needed a bath when Jack lived there.

    In August 1914, when Jack would have been 15, almost 16, World War 1 between Great Britain, allied with France, and Germany started. This lasted for 4 years. For some reason that I don't understand and have not been able to find out, Jack and probably some of his friends decided they wanted to join the army. Jack possibly thought it would be a good adventure or maybe to get away from his work at No. 8 shop, but he and his friends certainly did not know what would happen to them. For him and many other boys, joining the army was all wrong as the minimum age was 18 and the recruiting people must have known they were too young. Recruiting officers got 2 shillings and 6 pence for each recruit (equivalent to 25 cents today and a week's wages for an apprentice then). So Jack joined the army, did some basic training and then joined the 91st Field Company of the Royal Engineers as a Sapper. Field Companies generally helped the infantry regiments by building roads, railways, and trenches, but they were also expected to fight with rifles if necessary. Field Companies usually had 220 soldiers of which 5 were officers, 25 were NCOs, 140 were Sappers and the rest were various specialists usually involved with horses, as they had few trucks or cars at the beginning of the war.

    In July 1915, when he was still only 16, Jack and the 91st Field Company were sent over to France, where they became part of the 15th (Scottish) Division and went to a place called Loos, a small town in northern France near the border with Belgium. On 25th of September 1915, after a long bombardment by British heavy guns, what became known as the 1st Battle of Loos started with an advance by British infantry divisions. Like many others later in the war, the advance did not get very far. We do not know what happened except that Jack was killed (along with thousands of others). Worse still, his body was never found. Many of the soldiers killed in WW1 were buried in France, but Jack does not have a grave. His name is on a big memorial near the town of Loos. So ends the story of a young boy called Jack who wanted to be a soldier. Had he lived, I would have called him Uncle Jack and could possibly have worked with him in No. 8 when I was completing my apprenticeship. Reports produced after the war suggest that some 250,000 Boy Soldiers served with the allied forces during WW1, so Jack Watts was not alone. How many died is not recorded. Later on in WW1, many soldiers from Australia and New Zealand went over to Europe to help the British and French soldiers fight against the Germans. They were known as ANZACs, and the Germans thought they were some of the best soldiers they encountered.

    Jack Watts' Medals. These were awarded to Jack and presented to his father in 1922. Left to right: The 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. They were presented to many thousands of British troops after the War but were of little consolation to the parents of the soldiers/boys killed in action. I can remember seeing these when I was a boy but don't know what happened to them.

    This short story was written with assistance from: Richard Clarke, Roy Branson, Dave Harris all of Derby, and Gary Park of Tauranga, New Zealand. .

    Mike Tailby




    259012

    Sgt. William Augustus Brookes 3rd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment

    <p>

    William Brookes served with the 3rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment.

    Sandra Eaves




    259007

    Pte. Robert Milroy 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.14th Jul 1915)

    Robert Milroy was my great-great-grandfather. He served with 9th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).

    Ross Milroy




    259004

    Pte. A. S. H. Miller 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    I have come across a pen sketch of A.S.H. Miller along with some notes about him. The sketch was apparently done at Mt. St. Eloi in 1918. The notes say 5th Northumberland Fusiliers but also mention a Black Watch cap badge.

    Rachel Martin




    258999

    Jack McCarthy Army Service Corps

    Jack McCarthy served with Army Service Corps

    Francis O'Connor




    258998

    William McCarthy Army Service Corps

    William McCarthy served with Army Service Corps





    258987

    Bmbdr. James Smellie "Toff" Roy Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    James Roy was my grandfather. I am not sure what happened to him in WW1 only that his address in 1917 when he registered his son's birth was Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow. He was a Bombardier in the Royal Field Artillery.

    Janet Roy




    258983

    Major Ernest Albert LeSouef 2nd Light Horse

    Ernest Le Souef served with 2nd Light Horse





    258982

    Cpl Edward Bernard "Ned" Higgins 11th Battalion

    Edward Higgins served with 16th Reinforcements 11th Btn





    258977

    1st Pharm. Mate. Herbert William Tyler USS Von Steuben

    My father, Herbert Tyler served with the US Navy on the USS Von Steuben. I have a history book of the USS Von Steuben and many photographs.

    William H. Tyler




    258969

    L/Bmbdr. Frederick Charles Suffling Royal Field Artillery (d.28th Aug 1919)

    Frederick Suffling was my great-uncle. I am currently researching his war history. Fred and 2 of his brothers, Henry George Suffling and Edward Suffling served overseas in WWI. Henry died on the Somme in 1916. Edward survived the war. Both Henry and Edward were in the Norfolk Regiment.

    Pamela Suffling




    258968

    Pte. William Rostron Whittaker MM & Bar. 2/5th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    William Whittaker originally enlisted into 12th (Pioneer) Battalion in December 1914, and was later transferred to the 2/5th Battalion after being hospitalised.

    Steve Jones




    258967

    Sgt. John Dilke Handley 2nd Light Horse Regiment

    Dilke Handley served with the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, 12th Reinforcements.

    Pauline Graves




    258965

    Pte. Melville Adams McLeay Flemming 28th Battalion

    Melville Flemming served with 16th Reinforcements, 28th Battalion.





    258963

    Pte William Crellin 16th Battalion (d.7th May 1917)

    William Crellin served with 16th Btn





    258957

    Pte. Leonard Dawson MID. E Coy, 16th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    My paternal Grandad, Len Dawson became a POW at Guillemont on 8th of August 1916. He was sent to Schneidemuhl in Poland where he was when the war ended. He befriended another POW Robert Cochrane of the Kings Rifles who died in the camp of T.B.early December 1918 prior to their repatriation to England.

    Grandad consequently married his widow (Alice-my grandma)in Lancashire in 1919. Due to ill health (gassing) Len and Alice moved to a drier climate (Perth, Australia) in 1927 with their 4 children one of whom was my Dad, also named Len who was born in East Manchester in 1921. They never returned to England. I have inherited Grandad's 3 WW1 Medals plus the 2 WW2 Medals he was awarded as a staff sergeant in the Australian Army. Prior to his death in 1955, Grandad took part in ANZAC Day commemorations and marched with the Old Contemptibles (named after the K's description of the BEF as "Britain's contemptible little army").

    Gary Dawson




    258956

    Pte Andrew Souter 6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.March 1918)

    I never knew my Uncle Alex Souter. He was my grandma's eldest son (my mum's brother). I have a sporran that has been handed down to me. It was given to my grandma by a local soldier returning from the Second Battle of Arras in the belief it was her sons. I have since found out it is not a Seaforth motif on the sporran and maybe the Cameron Highlander's motif as they amalgamated at some time. I also had the dead man's penny for my uncle and my maternal grandfather, who was killed in the war, also my paternal grandfather of whom I cannot find any trace of his death.





    258949

    Pte. Thomas Harvey James Hillier 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    <p>

    My grandfather, Thomas Hillier, joined the Somerset Light Infantry on 1st of December 1915 aged 31. He was severely wounded in the mouth, chest, and back on 17th of May 1918. He was transferred from 48th Field Ambulance to 42nd Ambulance Train on 21 May 1918. He was discharged from the Army on 15th of October 1918. He spent 17 weeks as an inmate of the Pensions Hospital. He was an invalid after his discharge and unable to work. My father, his son, Edward Hillier was born in February 1922. Unfortunately, Thomas died on 24th January 1924 aged 39 at the Royal United Hospital, Bath after complications brought on by the injuries received in WW1.

    Patricia Wraight




    258940

    Pte. Newman D. Fawley 1/5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.27th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    I have recently had confirmation from the Commonwealth War Graves commission that, following a review of military records I had provided, they are, with immediate effect, to amend their records to show Newman's date of death to 27th February 1917, *not* 28th February, and that they are to take steps to have his gravestone in Bouquemaison Churchyard, Somme, France, altered. His grave is the only CWGC one in the churchyard. According to his Unit's Medical Officer, Newman died from a heart attack caused by the exertions of the 'route march' he was on!
    • Recruitment - At Halifax Attested: 7th Jun 1916
    • To Army Reserve: 8th Jun 1916
    • Mobilized: 13th Sep 1916
    • Posted: 15th Sep 1916 (4th Btn., York and Lancaster Reg.)
    • Embarked (Folkestone): 29th Dec 1916
    • Disembarked (Boulogne): 29th Dec 1916
    • Reported to 4th Inf. (Base Depot): 30th Dec 1916
    • Joined his Unit: 3rd Jan 1917 (1/5th Btn. York and Lancaster Reg.)
    • Died: Tuesday 27th Feb 1917 (death reported in Base Casualty List C. 1182)

        Record of Newman Fawley's Date of Death

        Newman Fawley's Grave

        Paul D. Firth




    258922

    Pte. Percy Charles Rishman 53rd (Young Soldiers) Btn. Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment

    Percy Rishman served between 1917 and 1921.

    Paul Rishman




    258917

    Pte. Charles Holland 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.26th Nov 1915)

    Charles Holland served with the 8th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. He was born in 1865, so died about age 50.

    Jeff Shaw




    258914

    Cpl. Walter Henry Coleman 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    Walter Coleman was admitted to hospital on 5th Oct 1918 suffering from yellow gas poisoning. He had been transferred from 11th Stationary Hospital in Rouen.





    258909

    Cpl. Harold Whitewood Wilinson 8th (Leeds Rifles) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>Leeds Rifles in Camp, the Corporal is Harold Wilinton.

    This photograph shows a section of the 8th Leeds Rifles where my Grandfather is the Corporal Harold Wilinton. There is a wooden hut in the background which may be on the then open ground above Barrack Street in Leeds. There is no date on the photo but when I was a young boy I recollect a number of things: The first was that he, or my other grandfather, said 'Getting Gassed saved my life' He certainly suffered some injury because he was evacuated home.

    Then it gets very confusing. What I know is that he later served in Palestine but the 8th Leeds Rifles did not serve there. My Grandfather managed to find, and send back, some small ancient artefacts some of which I remember being accredited to him in the York Museum. Then it gets even more sketchy. He was either a member, or attached to the RFC. More specifically his photographic skills were used. I can remember him showing me a box full of un-fixed glass photographic plate slides that showed aerial views of the land below. He also explained that the box was made from aircraft plywood and covered in aircraft canvas. Then to add to that, in his possession he had both an RFC cap badge as well as and RAF one.

    Dave Lockwood




    258903

    L/Cpl. John Mackin 14th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    John Mackin began his service with the 14th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, having enlisted on the 6th of December 1916, shortly after the Battle of the Somme ended. The 14th HLI had been in France since early June 1916. Mackin joined them at the start of March 1917, at which point they were stationed at a camp in Bray, France. He suffered a wound to his shoulder blade from a piece of shrapnel around this time and was sent back to Scotland to recover at the end of April, at which point the 14th were fighting in Entricourt, France

    Mackin returned to France in early September 1917, at this time the 14th were on the Front Lines in Villers-Plouich. They remained there until 5th October, carrying out a successful raid on the enemy trenches and repulsing an enemy raid on theirs. On 5th October, they were relieved and moved west to Berneville and Pommera for a period of training and recuperation.

    They began returning east in mid-November, eventually arriving for an attack on the village of Bourlon on the 23rd. On November 25th, three of their Companies were surrounded in the village and forced to surrender after losing their CO, all their ammunition and all but 80 men; 17 officers and 426 other ranks were listed as dead, wounded or missing.

    After a period of recovery, the 14th moved back to the Hindenburgh Line in mid-December, moving between sectors south of the town of Arras, including Mort and Noreuil. On 31st of March 1918, while they were at Vaulx Vraucourt, Germany launched the 1918 Spring Offensive, a huge (and ultimately failed) campaign against Allied forces across the Western Front, utilising the huge influx of men and weaponry freed up from the Eastern Front after Russia's surrender. During the resulting chaos over the next few days, Mackin was gassed and became a Prisoner of War. He was listed as missing later that year and as a Lance Corporal.

    Mackin was released at the start of December in 1918 and was sent back to the UK. He was Honourably Discharged on 8th of March 1919 due to lung problems and received the Silver War Badge. He was also awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, for his service to King and Country.





    258896

    Lt Cedric Tyson Brown 3 Squadron

    Cedric Brown was born in Charters Towers, Queensland. He worked as a fitter, was single and lived with his mother, Mrs L Brown, at Ecxland Street, West End Townsville, Queensland, when he enlisted 6th of September 1915. He was aged 19 years.

    On enlistment he was with the 9th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement which embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A50 Itonus on 30th of December 1915.

    Cedric was also a pilot with 3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps and was wounded in France and recovered at 3rd London Hospital in March 1918. He returned to Australia 3 May 1919

    Robyn Lane




    258889

    WO1. Douglas Macpherson Ford 141st Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Douglas Ford was born in Madras India in 1884 and he enlisted in Belgaum, India, on the 11th of August 1902. He married Esther Jane Scott in Southampton on the 4th of August 1913 and during the Great War he served with 141st Battery Royal Field Artillery.

    Douglas was severely wounded on the 12th of November 1914 but recovered and continued his service until 1922. He reached the rank of BSM WO1 in the Royal Field Artillery at Woolwich. Unfortunately he died in 1938 after a fall from a bicycle only reaching the age of 55. He had 5 children.





    258888

    Pte. George Martin 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.10th June 1916 )

    George Martin served with the 8th and 12th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers s in WW1. He died in Mesopotamia (Iraq) on the 10th of June 1916 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. He accidentally drowned in the Tigris River while bathing.

    George enlisted at the age of 20 years and 9 months. Height: 5' 5 1/2 inches and his trade was that of labourer. He was single and lived at 17 Prince's Street, Flintshire, Wales. His service with the Colours was from 6th of July 1915 to 10th of June 1916 He arrived in Mesopotamia on 6th of April 1916.

    Judy Hagadorn




    258887

    Sjt. Charles Henry Eley 16th Battalion

    Charles Eley served with 16th Battalion, 24th Reinforcements.





    258886

    Pte. George Alfred Green 30th Division MT Coy. Royal Army Service Corps

    George Green enlisted on 24th of June 1916 and was called up for service on 17th of May 1917 aged 40 years. He served with the 30th Division MT Coy., Royal Army Service Corps and on the 12th of July 1917 he embarked at Southampton and arrived at Rouen 14th of July 1917. On 20th of September 1918, George forfeited 3 days pay for driving at excessive speeds. It appears that he served in a variety of Motor Corps until he was transferred to 98th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps on 20th of May 1919 and was discharged June 1919.





    258885

    Pte. Harold Robert Crofts 16th Battalion

    Harold Crofts served with 16th Battalion, 17th Reinforcements and also with 44th Battalion.





    258880

    Pte. Michael Leonard 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    <p>

    Michael Leonard served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Jim Leonard




    258875

    Pte. Stanley James Philcox Somerset Light Infantry

    Stanley Wilcox served with the Somerset Light Infantry in WW1. He was taken prisoner 21st of March 1918 at Benay, France.





    258871

    Pte. John Campbell-Bell 1st Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.8th Jul 1917)

    John Campbell-Bell fought in the French trenches in 1915 and was wounded. The next we hear about him is in India, where he died in 1917 of malaria. I have a photo of his gravestone at Jubbelpore Cantonment Cemetery and also am in possession of his death penny. He is my great-great-grandfather. He died on Sunday, 8th of July 1917, aged 36. He is buried in Jubbulpore Cantonment Cemetery, located just south of the city of Jubbulpore, which lies about 519 miles southeast of New Delhi.

    Sarah Goodenough




    258870

    L/Cpl Alfred Thomas "Cedar" Armstrong 28th Battalion

    Alfred Armstrong served with 28th Btn 9th Reinforcements





    258869

    Pte Christopher Armstrong 11th Battalion (d.23rd Aug 1915)

    Christopher Armstrong served with 11th Btn 7th Reinforcements





    258867

    Pte. Frank Fentiman 3rd Btn. London Regiment

    I purchased some medals at a local auction, and they are inscribed to Private Frank Fentiman, 3rd, London Regiment, I want to ensure his name is not forgotten.

    Polly Brown




    258863

    Pte. Patrick Curry 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.10th Oct 1914)

    Private Patrick Curry of 2nd Leinster's did not make a will. However, sometime between August and October 1914 Patrick had written a letter to his mother stating that he was trusting in God and keeping the faith, and advised his mother to do the same. He made reference that should anything happen to him, then his mother gets his property. In his letter, Patrick made reference to when the conflict finishes, then the soldiers at the front would get 6 weeks leave and a lump sum of £6. The War Office (Accounts 4) in 1916 deemed that Mrs Curry's letter from her late son was an unofficial will under the Wills Act of 1837. The National Archives of Ireland reference relating to Pte. Patrick Curry's will is NAI E/159090. These are online. I am researching the origins of the AB 64 Soldier's Active Service Pay Book, introduced in 1906; Accounts 4 (soldier's estates and wills) and the Irish soldiers' wills now housed at the NAI.

    Dr John Black




    258862

    Pte Fred Roberts York and Lancaster Regiment

    My paternal grandfather Fred Roberts was a blacksmith/farrier, whilst serving during the Great War. He was with the 2/4th of 2/5th York and Lancaster Regiment in 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division.





    258856

    Pte. James Thomas Watson 20th (Wearside) Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Oct 1918)

    While researching family tree I came across the records in the Burnt records section on Ancestry for James Watson killed in action France and Flanders. He was not on the Commonwealth War Graves list and not specifically mentioned in Durham Record Office DLI Records. Although not a direct ancestor he features on my tree. Ancestry have images of his attestation record, so wondering why he is not on CW Graves site

    James Thomas was born in Chester le Street in 1897 the son of Thomas and Louisa Alvina Watson nee Wilson. He married Mary Middlemass in 1908 and had four sons and one daughter. He served as a private in 20th Bn DLI and was killed in action 25th of October 1918 at Heestert, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. I am wondering if he is on the war memorial in Chester le Street?

    Val Everson




    258854

    Cpl. David Sinclair 29th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.11th April 1918)

    David Sinclair served with 29th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. During family research I found David, a relation that I had never heard about. Am trying to find out more, especially to confirm his relationship to me.

    Robyn




    258846

    Sto James Beattie HMS Marguerite

    James is listed in the Stockton on Tees Book of Remembrance for souls lost in WW1, simply as James Beattie, 'stoker' HMS Marguerite. No other information has yet come to light.

    Bob Easby




    258844

    Pte. Nicolas Marino 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.19th Apr 1916)

    Nicolas Marino was my great-grandfather, the son of Joseph Marino, a professional violinist from Italy. He was killed in action at the age of 19. He had one child, my grandmother, Helen Marino, who was born in June 1915. He is remembered at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Linda Carlin




    258841

    Cpl. John Rhodes 9th Btn Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) (d.7th June 1917)

    <p>

    John Rhodes served with the 9th Yorkshire Regiment and 10th Coy. Labour Corps.

    Neil Rhodes




    258840

    Pte. George Smallman 7th (Fife) Battalion Black Watch (d.21st March 1918)

    George enlisted with the 7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as a Territorial at the beginning of WW1. After being stationed at coastal defences in south-east Northumberland his battalion was sent to France landing on 21st of April 1915 where they became part of the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. Within six days of landing in France his battalion took part in the 2nd Battle of Ypres and were involved in the attack on St. Julian where they suffered enormous casualties. Of the 1200 men who part in his battalion, 800 were either killed or injured.

    His battalion continued to operate in the Ypres Salient and were involved in several battles including those at Hooge, Wulverghem, Armentieres and Hill 60 which was a few miles south of Ypres. His local newspaper, The Berwick Advertiser, reported in May 1916 that George was home on leave after being wounded on three separate occasions. It is assumed that George was sent to a holding depot, after he'd recovered and sent to join the 7th Battalion, Black Watch.

    George saw more action with the Black Watch and was involved in the First Battle of Cambrai in northeast France, between the 20th - 27th November 1917, where large numbers of tanks were used for the first time in battle. It appears that George was wounded again on the 29th of December 1917 as his local newspaper reported in January 1918 that he had just come out of hospital again after being wounded two times while serving with the Black Watch.

    George was killed near Bapaume, along with thousands of other men, during theSecond Battle of the Somme on or after the 21st March 1918. George has no known grave however is name is remembered, but wrongly inscribed as John Smallman, at the Faubourg-d'Amien Cemetery at Arras.





    258839

    Pte. Frederick L. Pletts 19th (2nd Tyneside Pioneers) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    Frederick Pletts was a member of Z Company, 19th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was wounded at the Somme but survived the War and is mentioned in the 1919 census as living in School Lane, Bensham, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

    Ivan Gamsby




    258837

    L/Bmbdr. Thomas Carbis 227th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    While researching my family history, I came across the following newspaper article from the West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser on 22nd of March 1923 ... in loving and affectionate remembrance of our dear Tom, the only dearly loved and darling child of Nicholas and Harriet Carbis [nee Goldsworthy married Bennets], who fell in France, March 21st, 1918, aged 24 years.
    Dear love of our hearts you sleep with the brave.
    Where no tears from your sorrowing parents can all on your dear grave.
    In the red field of battle you fell far away.
    But our tribute of love to your sweet memory we’ll pay.
    All is sad within our dwelling, lonely are our hearts to-day.
    When one we loved dearly has from this passed away.
    God will link the broken chain.
    Closer when we meet again.
    One of the best
    From his loving father and mother. Bailrace, Carharrack...

    Thomas Carbis was my grandmother's cousin. His name is on the the war memorial in Carharrack, Cornwall

    Anne Molony




    258828

    2Lt. Eric Farrow Scott 317th Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.30th October 1917)

    2nd Lt Eric Scott is remembered in Lincoln Cathedral. He is one of seven WW1 soldiers commemorated via the carpet in the Soldier's Chapel. He is represented by the badge of the Royal Field Artillery.

    Kenneth Moore




    258824

    Pte. Francis Ferguson Craven 7th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.10th Aug 1918)

    Frank Craven served with 7th Seaforth Highlanders.





    258822

    2Lt. George Murry 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

    I recently purchased a sword presented to 2nd Lt. George Murry by the Golspie Company Boys Brigade in April 1913. There is no further history on the sword or the occasion for the presentation. I have no other information on Lt Murry, other than the sword is marked to the 5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.

    Steve Andrews




    258814

    Pte. Henry Northcote 31st Battalion

    Henry Northcote was hit by shrapnel in his right arm at Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917. He was hit in the middle of the right forearm, badly damaging soft tissues and breaking both bones. A field dressing was applied immediately and a temporary splint applied, and he was sent to the 32nd Australian Field Hospital. He said the smell from his forearm was terrible and gangrene had set in, necessitating the amputation of his right arm. After six days, he was transferred to Huddersfield War Hospital for three weeks. He was sent to the Ramsgate Hospital on 10th of May 1917 and shipped home to Canada in July 1917.

    Heather McCormack




    258811

    Pte. Albert Edward Emmerick 17th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.30th Aug 1918)

    Albert Emmerick was tried by general court-martial on 15th of February 1918, for a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his left foot. Found guilty, the sentence was field punishment. He was later killed in action in France on 30th August 1918.





    258810

    Sgt. Richard John Prior 11th Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    <p>1914, Richard Prior is 2nd right in front row.

    Richard Prior was my grandfather. His service record was apparently lost during bombing in WW2. I have photos of his unit prior to embarkation and of him as a sergeant in Jerusalem.

    1917. At centre rear in Jerusalem

    Bill Foston




    258800

    Pte. Harry Bentley 18th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.10th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Bentley, my great-uncle, was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire 12 Apr 1888. He enlisted in the 13th (Service) Btn., Yorkshire Regiment on 11th Nov 1915, but was discharged 21st Feb 1916 no longer physically fit for military service due to severe psoriasis. He re-enlisted 14th Dec 1917 in the West Yorkshire Regiment On 18th Mar 1918, he was transferred to 1/1st Northern Cyclist Battalion and sent to France. On 18th June 1918, he was transferred to the 18th (Service) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. He died 10th October 1918 from leg wounds received in action. He is buried at La Kreule Military Cemetery at Hazebrouck, France.





    258798

    Sgt. Andrew O'Neill 24th (1st Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th April 1917)

    Andrew O'Neill's informal will was made on the will form at the back of his active service pay book (AB 64) and stated: "In the event of my death I give the whole of my property to my wife, Mrs Margaret O'Neill No 14 Atchinson Buildings, Birtley, Co. Durham Signed Pte Andrew O'Neill Reg No 521"

    I am Currently researching into Irish soldiers wills, the originals held by the National Archives of Ireland Dublin. The page is endorsed as follows: "Taken from AB 64 of 26/521 Sgt A O'Neill 26th NF Book opens 8.1.1916. Signed Oi/c Infantry Section Field records BEF"

    John Black




    258796

    Pte. William George Smith 12th (Hull Sportsmen) Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th May 1916)

    William Smith is buried at Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, France, he was aged 25.

    Colin Carman




    258793

    L/Cpl. Sydney J. Keys MM. 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.16th September 1917)

    <p>

    Sydney Keys enlisted in February 1916 in Derby. He gave his place of birth as Kensworth and his residence as Huthwaite. He served with the 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. It was whilst with his battalion on the Western Front that on 15th/16th September 1917 he was killed by shell fire, his body was buried where he fell. However, he has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Notts Free Press, 5th October 1917 reported, Huthwaite Hero's Death Military Medallist killed in Action. After being the recipient of the military Medal as recently as June last, the news of his death in action has come as a great blow to the many friends of private S. Keys, 35438. B Company, 11th Sherwood Foresters, a well-known Huthwaite figure. He lived with his sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, of Ashfield Street, Huthwaite, by whom the following letters have been received last Friday and Monday respectively:

    Dear Mrs. Hughes,- It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of Private S. Keys. He was in my platoon and was killed in the front line by shell fire on the 15th. His death was instantaneous and he suffered no pain. During the short period I knew him I always found him a good soldier, who did his duty well. He was buried next day, and I have lost a good man whose place will be very difficult to fill. I wish to express my sympathy with you and your family in this sad bereavement. These are all the details I can give you. J. Greville, 2nd. Lieut.

    "It is with deep sympathy that I write to tell you that your brother, Private S. Keys, 35438, was killed in action on September 16th. and was buried by his battalion near where he fell. The place will be sent to you. He has died a hero, and I know that he is mourned by many pals. But "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." R.I.P. May I again offer to you and all his folk at home my sincere sympathy in your great bereavement.- Yours faithfully, J.K. Jones, (Chaplain C.E.).

    Notices also published by the Mansfield Recorder dated 5th October 1917, Private Keys was born at Kensworth, near Luton, and was 26 years old. He came to Huthwaite eight years ago and lived (as stated) with his married sister. He joined up in February, 1916, and being in a low medical class he was in England ten months, and was then put in class A. Three months later he was sent to France. In June he was awarded the Military Medal for remaining at his post, though wounded, and setting a good example to his comrades. His pre-war employment was as a barman, and by reason of his quiet unassuming disposition he had many friends, and the step-brother (Corporal W. Dean), of the Bedfords, has won the D.C.M., but lost his left arm and has had twelve months in hospitals.

    Stuart Keys




    258791

    Lt. Frederick Edward Barwick Hulton-Sams 6th Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.30th Jul 1915)

    Frederick Hulton-Sams served with 6th Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry





    258782

    Lt. Angus Duncan

    My grandfather, the Rev Angus Duncan, born 25 Sep 1888 in Obbe, South Harris, served in WW1 but was invalided out with the honorary rank of Lieutenant in May 1918. I am afraid that I don't know much more.

    Murdo Duncan




    258780

    Musician. James Steward Elliott HMS Shannon

    James Elliott is included in the crew list for HMS Shannon at the naval Battle of Jutland.





    258779

    Pte. George Arthur Brown 14th (1st London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment (d.11th May 1917)

    At the outbreak of war in 1914, George Brown was stationed at Westminster as part of the 4th London Brigade of the 2nd London Division and then moved to Abbots Langley, Herts. They mobilised for war and embarked for France leaving the 2nd London Division and arriving at Havre on 16th of September. They were engaged in various actions on the Western Front.

    Neville Price




    258778

    David George 14th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.4th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    David George served with the South Wales Borderers and Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    Neville Price




    258777

    Pte. William Morgan Davies Tunneling Coy. Royal Engineers

    British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920, show that William Davies was 38 years old (born about 1880) when he enlisted in the South Wales Borderes, he transferred to the Royal Engineers. He served as a Tunnellers Mate, earning 2/2d per day.

    Neville Price




    258771

    Rflmn. Alfred Charles Reeves 6th Btn. London Regiment (d.9th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    We know very little about Alfred Reeves. He was a green-grocer and married to Alice Maria Kiddle. They had one child, May Elizabeth Annie Reeves (my mother). She was born in 1915 and too young to remember her father, whom she must have met at less once, as there is a photo of the family together.

    Martin Watson




    258765

    Harry Neal

    Harry Neal born in 1865 was a veteran of the Boer War. He was recalled to service and was at Brocton Camp during WW1 serving as either a guard in the POW camp or as a trainer. I know this because I have a post card sent to my mother in 1916 on the occasion of her 7th birthday. The card is dated and the address is Brocton Camp. I have not been able to find other details of his service at Brocton.

    Mai Edwards




    258762

    A/Cpl Joseph Brookes 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.28th Sep 1918 )

    The informal will of Acting Corporal Joseph Brookes is one of the 9000 wills of Irish soldiers who died during the Great War. Joseph had left all his property to his daughter who lived at Greenock. His death was caused by a cerebral tumour. Joseph was buried at Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey UK. The spelling of his name on the official Accounts 4 documents, the War Office Department who administered soldiers wills is spelt Brooks. However Joseph signed his will as Brookes with an e. This is also how his name is spelt on his CWGC stone at Brookwood. He died at the No 2 General Hospital, Chelsea London.

    John Black




    258760

    L/Cpl Charles Richard Payne 42nd Battalion (d.8th August 1918)

    Charles Payne served with 42nd Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Division, AIF.

    Jodie Castle




    258745

    Pte. Thomas Henry Adams 4th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.15th Jun 1918)

    Thomas Adams served with the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. When searching my family tree, I'd heard from family about a youngster who died in WW1. I am so pleased to have found him. He was my great-grandfather's older brother.

    Deb




    258742

    Pte. Daniel Glassman 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.15th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    My great-uncle Daniel Glassman was killed on the 15th of June 1915, aged 19 and is buried in Ypres Cemetery (The Bluff). As I will be coming to Belgium at the beginning of June to see his grave, I am trying to establish where he was killed so I can also visit the battleground. My interest is not only was he family but I was named after him. If you have any information where he was killed that day, I would be very much obliged.

    Danny Sheffer




    258741

    Cpl. John Alexander Brown 18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.24th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    John Brown served with the 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment during the Great War. He had previously served 28 years as a territorial with the 18th (London Irish Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment.

    Neville Price




    258737

    Pte. Charles Edward Jennings Machine Gun Corps (d.2nd July 1916)

    <p>

    Pte. Charles Jennings was wounded on 1st July 1916 and died the following day. He was 18 years old and enlisted in October 1914, in the RAMC but was transferred in May 1915 to the 5th London Regiment, Machine Gun Section and was drafted to France in October. Prior to enlisting he was employed in the Weft warehouse at Messrs Mather's Peake's Place Mills in Halliwell, Bolton, Lancashire.

    Sharon Wingrove




    258727

    Sgt. James Goodall Mcleod Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    James Mcleod was my great grandfather. He joined The Gordon Highlanders in New Pitsligo, Aberdeen in February 1913 as a territorial. In 1915 he was posted to Bedford where he met and married my great grandmother her maiden name was Vines, shortly afterwards he was posted to France. In December 1916 he was wounded and declared unfit for active service. He then became a machine gun instructor for the remaining duration of the war. After the war my great grandparents settled in New Pitsligo.

    Wedding photo.

    Peter Mcleod




    258720

    Pte. Samuel Augustus Stewart Thomas 2/1st Btn. Oxfordfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.19th July 1916)

    Stewart Thomas served as a signaller with the the 2/1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (TF) during the Great War. He was born in Moss, Wrexham on 8th of March 1899, the son of Alexander Augustus Stewart and Florence Helena (nee Williams) Thomas. His father, a native of Worsley in Manchester was a regular soldier, who rose to the rank of regimental sergeant major in 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards. His mother was originally from Bryn Mally, Summerhill. Siblings: Hephzie Florence (b 1897, Moss; d 1905), Leslie Victor (b 1902, London; d 1978, Macclesfield), Francis Lloyd (b 1903, Aldershot; d 1986, Wrexham), Vera Mary (b b 1906, Aldershot), Alun Robert (b 1908, Windsor; d 1983, Havering), Meryl Eileen (b 1910, Slough; d 1975, Wrexham), Frederick Glyn (b 1912, Windsor; d 1988, Wrexham) and Brian Alexander (b 1913, Windsor; d 1991).

    In 1901, the family was living in the Victoria Barracks in Windsor and by 1911, in Langley, Berkshire where Alexander, having retired from the army, was employed as a clerk manager in a copper mining business until his death on 15th of March 1915, after which Florence returned to live in Wrexham, residing at 15 Maesgwyn Road. Stewart was educated in army schools in England and India, and at Langley Council School and Slough Secondary School. He volunteered for military service and was enlisted in the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 8th of February 1915, aged only 15 years and 11 months. At this time the official age for recruitment was 18 years. Clearly under-age, Stewart must have volunteered with the consent of at least one parent and, as his father died only a month later, his efforts must have been supported by his mother.

    He was posted to 2/1st Battalion (TF) which had been formed at Aylesbury, in September 1914 as a second-line unit. It moved to Northampton in January 1915 and was part of 184 Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. It then moved to Writtle and them Broomfield in Essex in April. In January 1916, it moved to Parkhouse Camp on Salisbury Plain before embarking on active service to France on 25th of May 1916.

    With the battalion being originally designated for home defence, it was not intended that it should go on active service, therefore, when it did so, all those men under-age should have been retained at the depot. Stewart however, embarked with the battalion in May, aged 16 years and 2 months. In the first week of July, the battalion moved to the right sub-section of the Somme front at Ferme de Bois in the area around Richebourge St Vaast. On the 15th in moved back to Laventie in preparation for an attack that took place on 19th of July.

    During the last phase of the bombardment the infantry moved out through Rhondda Sap at 17.40 hours into No Man's Land in four waves. At 18.00 they assaulted the German trenches. An RFC observer described the advance as "Magnificent", adding that no man was seen to waver. The German defensive fire was, however, lethal and their machine guns mowed down the advancing men and by 18.30 it was clear that the attack had failed.

    2/1st Oxs & Bucks casualties were 4 officers and 62 other ranks killed, 1 officer died of wounds, 8 officers and 180 other ranks wounded, 2 officers and 65 other ranks missing (believed killed). Stewart Thomas was serving as a signaller in the battalion and was declared missing, believed killed in action during the attack. The officer commanding the signalling section wrote to Mrs Thomas: "Your son (who by reason of his smartness at work and cheerful good nature was loved and respected by all) died as unselfishly and nobly as he lived. Your boy had before him on the 19th about the hardest task a man could be called upon to do, viz., to go into the thick of a fearful action as practically a non-combatant, and consequently with none of that excitement and lust to get at the Hun, to help and banish fear. But he banished fear without that, and went out cheerfully with his comrades in order that when it became necessary for them to ask for help or more ammunition, he might be on the spot to do it for them with his telephone." [De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, v3]

    Stewart Thomas has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial to the Missing. He was aged 17 and was awarded the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal. His name is recorded on the Borough War Memorial, the Parish Church Memorial, the Wrexham & East Denbighshire War Memorial Hospital Roll of Honour, the North Wales Heroes Memorial and the Langley War Memorial (Berkshire).

    Alister Williams




    258713

    A/CQMS. Bertie Loe 11th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.26th August 1916)

    Acting Company Sergeant Major, Bertram Loe, 11th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal and a Memorial Plaque

    Commonwealth War Graves Commission Register for Danzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, records, Company Sergeant Major B Loe, R/5297, 11th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps who died 26th August 1916, as buried there.

    Soldiers Died In The Great War. lists for 11th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps Loe, Bertram CQMS (ACSM) R/5297 Born Portsmouth. Resided Portsmouth killed in action 26th of August 1916

    Army Register of Soldiers Effects Record No. 390628. Registry No.E289324T Loe, Bertram. 11th (S) Btn. KRRC ACS Major. No. R/5297 Date and Place of Death 26.8.16. In Action. Account & Date Credits Winchester 1.17. 4.11s.7d Date of Authority 19.2.17. To whom authorized Sole Legatee Mrs Amelia Breedan War Gratuity 16.0s.0d. 20.9.19 Soul Legatee Mrs Amelia Breedan

    Medal Rolls for KRRC records that he entered Theatre of war on 21st July 1915

    Bertram was Born 16th February 1888. Registered at Portsea 1st Qtr. Registered as ˜Bertie. There is some suggestion that he was apparently the illegitimate child of Ann Hannam Cavander. There were seemingly 4 half brothers and 2 half sisters. The 1891 Census shows him living at 3, Belmont St. Portsea

    • Head, William Bradley, Age 47, Coachman, b. Bishops Waltham
    • Wife, Harriet Bradley, 45, b. Boldre
    • Adopted, son, Bertie Loe, 3, b. Portsea
    • Plus 1 Lodger and 2 visitors
    On the 1911 Census, he is recorded at Winchester Barracks, Kings Royal Rifle Corps R/5297 L/Cpl Bertie Low, Single Age 23 b. Portsea. So, clearly a ˜Regular and as a L/Cpl in 1911 would have been in the Army for a few years by then. If this was about 1906 and he entered on a 7 Year engagement he would have transferred to the Reserve in 1913 and been recalled at outbreak of war. Looks as if he was then drafted to 11th Battalion which was a Service battalion formed of new entrants and he was most likely one of the ex Regulars drafted to provide some sort of experience before being sent to France. No exact trace of an Amelia Breedan other than in the 1911 Census where an Amelia Breedan, a 64 year old widow living on private means at 5, Quay St. Worcester. In the 1891 Census there is a John Loe (30) and his wife Louisa (26) living at 30, Gloucester St. Portsea. Possibly he was Bertie's father?

    David Slade




    258712

    Cpl. Michael Jordan 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.10th Aug 1915)

    Michael Jordan was killed in the Gallipoli Campaign, one month after he was married. He was aged 30.





    258709

    Nurse Mary Cave

    Mary Cave served as a nurse from 1st of December 1914 to October 1915, when she was posted to a military hospital in Belgium.

    Cave FHS Researcher




    258706

    Pte. John Ryther Steer Bowker King Edwards Horse (Overseas Dominions Regiment)

    <p>

    Born the 29th July 1888 in NSW, Australia, John Bowker travelled to London in 1909 to study to become a doctor. There, he joined the Military in 1914, enlisting as a private with King Edward's Horse (Kings Oversea Dominions Regiment). He was discharged from the Military on the 14th December 1918, whereupon he returned to Australia.

    Robin Hyland




    258703

    Pte. Walter Reuben Clevett 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.30th Oct 1918)

    My aunt from Ireland married a man named Clevett. He served in WWII, but I never realized his father Walter Clevett served and died in WWI. He was killed in action on 30th of October 1918 and is buried in France. I am so proud of his service and would love to tell his story about his regiment and their heroic actions.

    Maureen Brennan




    258690

    Sgt. Joseph Wilson 3rd Btn., D Company Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.8th May 1915)

    Joseph Wilson was identified whilst researching into Irish soldiers' wills that are located in the National Archives of Ireland in Dublin.

    John Black




    258673

    Sgt. George Wood 1/4th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.12th Jun 1917)

    George Wood served with 1/4th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment





    258671

    Pte. Sigursteinn Holm "Stonie" Sigurdson 8th Battalion (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Stonie's real name was Sigursteinn Sigurdson and he was born in Gimli, Manitoba on 28th of February 1894. He was of Icelandic-Canadian descent. He was a carpenter when he enlisted soon after war broke out. He fought with the 8th Battalion at Langemarck, Ypres, and was taken prisoner in the defence of the lines near St. Julien on 22nd of April 1915. He was interned in the Giessen POW camp until 30th of October 1918 when he died of the Spanish flu. Out of four boys who enlisted in the army, three died in the war.





    258668

    Pte Michael O'Neill 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Michael O'Neill served with 8th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

    Jean Reinhardt




    258666

    Dvr. Matthew James "Snowey" Thorn Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Matthew Thorn served with the Royal Field Artillery, he was wounded and treated in hospital.

    Katherine Thorn




    258662

    L/Cpl. John Frederick Simister 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.12th Oct 1917)

    John Simister was born in Wyke, Yorkshire in 1894 but grew up in New Mills and became a clerk in a print works. Unable to find any details of his enlistment or service in the army. He was serving with the 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters at his death on the 12th of October 1917. He was subsequently remembered at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    Stephen Emmett




    258661

    Cpl. Frank Baker MM, DSM. 10th (Hull) Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>Frank is seated 1st on the right in front row.

    Frank Baker was my grandfather., he was assigned to the 10th (1st Hull) Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. He was subsequently attached to the 92nd Trench Mortar Battery, 31st Division. I have a record of him being treated at the No. 11 Casualty Clearing Station for synovitis of the knee after having spent 9 months in the field. Transferred from sick convoy on 4/1/1917, discharged back to duty on 10/1 1917.

    He participated in the actions at Dullens Citadel (19/6/16 to 13/8/16), Gezaincourt (14/8/16 to 9/10/16), and Varennes (10/10/16 to 14/5/17). He was awarded the Military Medal for the part he played helping to delay the German advance at the Battle of the Lys. On the 12th of April 1918, his battalion was fighting a rearguard action, and a party was detailed to hold up the Germans until the battalion placed itself in a stronger position. The movement was carried out successfully. Corporal Baker was with 2nd Lt. Montgomery, who was awarded the Military Cross for his actions that day. They were the only two left in the party. It was a great and glorious deed in which Corporal Baker played a very worthy part. Lord Mayor Presentation of MM to Corporal Baker [clipping from Hull Mail] . Finally, although completely surrounded by the Germans, 2nd Lt. Montgomery and Cpl. Baker were able to make it back to their own lines.

    Later that year he had another lucky escape. He was witnessing a demonstration on anti-aircraft firing using the Stokes 3 inch mortar, the weapon which the unit used. 2nd Lt. Montgomery was also present. During the demonstration, a mortar shell exploded prematurely killing several people including the commanding officer, Capt. D. Oakes. My grandfather was standing 3 feet behind the man conducting the demonstration (Sgt. F.J. Russell), who was killed when the shell he was placing in the mortar exploded, but whose body shielded the brunt of the blast from my grandfather.

    Corporal Frank Baker 92nd TMB

    Peter Baker




    258654

    L/Cpl. Daniel Dickinson 4th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.7th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Dan Dickinson died of wounds received in France. He was a Lance Corporal in the 4th Battalion of the Loyal North Lancs. He was the fiance of my great-aunt Lily Heath. She never got over his death and remained a spinster up until her death in 1975.

    Julie McKee




    258638

    Walter Tooley Royal Marines

    Walter Tooley served with Royal Marines





    258637

    Pte. Clifford William Tooley 7th Btn, Norfolk Regiment (d.30th Nov 1917)

    Clifford Tooley served with 7th Norfolk Regiment





    258635

    Gnr. H W Collins 297th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    H Collins served with 297 Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery





    258633

    Cpl. G S Hinvest 297th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    G Hinvest served with 297th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery





    258632

    RSM. Robert Buckingham Dimmock Royal Field Artillery

    Robert Dimmock served with Royal Field Artillery





    258631

    Pte. Robert Kilpatrick 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.10th Nov 1914)

    Robert Kilpatrick served with 2nd Btn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.





    258624

    Thomas Flemming 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    For many years, all my grandmother knew of her grandfather, Thomas Flemming was that he was in WW1 and had a bronze plaque which we later found. This meant he had died in the war. Through research we have now found out he died while serving with the Poplar and Stepney Rifles at the age of 34.

    Thomas Mulvey




    258623

    Pte. John Cannon Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.12th Oct 1918)

    John Cannon of the Royal Scots Fusiliers died of pneumonia whilst a POW.

    Christine Coward




    258619

    Pte. Frederick Scott 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Sep 1918)

    Frederick Scott was Irish. Whilst the 12h Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers were encamped at Tring, Herts, he sent a letter to his mother stating that he was expecting to be on the move. The letter was not dated, but was postmarked from Tring in December 1914. In it, Frederick thanked his mother for the two shirts she had sent him, but was apologetic that he could not get allowances for her. He did say in his latter that if anything should happen to him, then she would get his effects and pay. His mother, Mrs R Scott, lived at 45 Spencer Street, Belfast.

    Accounts 4 at the War Office deemed under the Wills Act of 1837 that this letter constituted an informal will and thus released Frederick's effects to his mother. My research into the Army Pay Services during the Great War found that, as of January 1915, all dependents of soldiers, including wives, common-law partners, and parents who had relied on the support of their sons before enlistment, were deemed entitled to dependent allowances from the date of enlistment. Therefore, Mrs Scott would no doubt have received allowances backdated to the day of Frederick's enlistment. I am researching Irish soldiers' wills that are held in the National Archives of Ireland, Dublin.

    John Black




    258614

    Dvr. John Dominic Lindsay MM. 282nd Battery Royal Field Artillery

    John Lindsay is my great-grandad, who was a miner before joining up on 7th September 1914. He was 26 years and 186 days old when he signed up. It's hard to read his records, but they say he was in France from 20th July 1915 to 8th July 1918. He was awarded a Military Medal for bravery.

    Anthony Lindsay




    258610

    L/Cpl. Harold Firman 3rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    Harold Firman served with 3rd Middlesex Regiment.





    258609

    John Walker Cheshire Regiment

    John Walker served with Cheshire Regiment





    258608

    L/Sgt. Charles Henry Chandler 12th Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.2nd Jun 1916)

    Charles Chandler served with 12th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps





    258606

    Matthew "Sandy" Turnbull 77th Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artilery

    Matthew Turnbull recalled: We galloped our horses straight down the road with the hun shelling us. Then we wheeled left and advanced in a line to our position. Turned the guns and sent the horses back. Started firing. The gas was awful. I pissed in a rag and held it over my face.

    Ian Turnbull




    258604

    Pte. Oscar Sterry 7th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Oscar Sterry served with the 7th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.

    C. Sterry




    258585

    L/Cpl. William Henry Langan 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    <p>

    William Langan was my great grandfather and I have letters relating to his death at the Battle of Albert on 3rd July 1916.

    The text of those letters follows:

    France July 7th 1916

    Dear Mrs Langan, I regret to have to inform you that your husband was wounded on July 3rd at La Boisselle. The Regiment was taking part in a successful attack on the German trenches when he was hit. The wound is not a serious one and you will probably hear from him very shortly that he is in hospital and going on nicely.

    Yours Faithfully B. B. Vincent 8th Gloucesters Infantry Record Office No 7 District Warwick

    July 9th 1916

    Dear Mrs Langan, Just a few lines to express to you the sympathy of myself and my comrades, we were all very sorry when your husband was wounded as he was well liked and was always a good comrade. I am returning to you the letters that have come, as I did not know his address and it would be a long time before they reached him. We took the cigarettes you sent and shared them amongst the boys, as we would not send them back. I hope he is going on alright, and please ask him to drop us a card sometimes to let us know how he is going on as all the boys would like to know. Please remember us all to him.

    Yours Sincerely, Cpl. D. W. Summers, Infantry Record Office No 7 District Warwick.

    18th August 1916 With reference to your letter of the 17th xxxxxxxxxx asking for news of L/Cpl WH Langan. I have made enquiries everywhere but nothing definite can be found. He was hit in La Boisselle whilst one Coy (Company?) was in action on the morning of the third. His wound was clean through the left shoulder just above the left breast. This was xxxxx and he started to walk back to the dressing station with the other walking cases. Since then nothing has been heard or seen of him, however, if by any chance I manage to obtain further news I'll let you know immediately. So that Mrs Langan may not be left in suspense.

    H. W. N. Edwards D. C. Coy Infantry Record Office No 7 District Warwick.

    Army Form B. 104/82A. Infantry Record Office Warwick Station June 6th 1917

    Sir, It is my painful duty to inform you that no further news having been received relative to (No.) 11257 (Rank) L/Cpl (Name) William Henry Langan (Regiment) Gloucestershire Regt. who has been missing since July 3rd 1916, the Army Council have been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead, and that his death took place on the 3rd July 1916 (or since). I am to express to you the sympathy of the Army Council with you in your loss. Any articles of private property left by missing soldiers which are found are forwarded to this Office, but they cannot be disposed of until authority is received from the War Office. Application regarding the disposal of any such personal effects, or of any amount that may eventually be found to be due to the late soldier's estate, should be addressed to The Secretary, War Office, London, S.W. and marked outside, Effects. I am, SIR, Your obedient Servant,

    W. Gaunt Lieut. for Br. General, i/c Infantry Records, No. 7 DISTRICT. Officer in Charge of Records.

    SUBJECT: Graves Old Barracks, Warwick 19 DEC 1917

    From The Brigadier General In Charge, Infantry Records, No. 7 District.

    Mrs E. Langan 3 back of 89, Cromwell St. Nechells Birmingham

    I beg to inform you of the following particulars of the place of interment of the remains of the late No. 11257 W. H. Langan Gloucestershire Regt. who was killed in action with the Expeditionary Force, France on or since 3rd of July 1916 Buried La Boiselle. N.E. Albert W. Farmfield For Brigadier General, i/c Infantry Records, No 7 District.

    David Murcott




    258575

    Sgt. William Diamond 10th Btn. Cameronians (d.15th September 1916)

    My grandfather, William Diamond, served with the 10th Battalion, Scottish Rifles in WW1. He died 15th of September 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Robert Diamond




    258553

    Andrew McNally Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Andrew McNally served with Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders





    258552

    Sgt Arthur T. Culmer 6th Btn East Kent Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

    Arthur Culmer served with 6th East Kent Regiment.





    258548

    Pte. David James Cross 8th Btn. Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    David Cross served from 1914 till he was discharged as unfit to serve on 12th of April 1917.





    258546

    Lt. Myles Cooper 11th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Miles Cooper was my Grandad. He was a platoon commander and was caught up in the Kaiserschlacht. He suffered from serious shell shock. He died by suicide after the war.

    Alexander Cooper




    258543

    Sgt. Samuel Orton 4th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>Samuel Orton is either front centre or 3 from right in the front row.

    Samuel Orton was an iron moulder's labourer who had attested to the 4th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters as a reservist in 1902. He signed on for four further years in 1912 and in 1914 was stationed at Backworth, where he met his wife. He had a poor disciplinary record initially but rose to become lance corporal, corporal, lance sergeant and was discharged as a sergeant in 1919. He was in Imbros in 1917, and also sailed to Alexandria from the same place. He was wounded by shrapnel in 1917.

    Marcus McMaster-Float




    258539

    Pte. Daniel McGlade 6th Battalion Connaught Rangers (d.31st Jul 1916)

    Daniel McGlade was a relation of my paternal great-grandmother's husband. I found this information out when I was researching my family tree.

    Siobhan McCaffrey




    258532

    Cpl. Albert Edward More 7th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    My great-uncle, the son of William and Eliza More, was born in Holly Street, Dalston, Hackney, Middlesex, on 24 October 1880. He served from 9 September 1914 to 2 October 1918, when he was discharged as being sick. He is listed as having served overseas. Number of badge and certificate B18556. He was a corporal at the time of his discharge.

    Janice Betson




    258529

    2nd Lt. Oliver Torlesse Durrant 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Oliver Durrant was my father. Immediately before the Great War, at the age of 18, he went out to work on a family rubber plantation in Ceylon. As soon as war was declared, he returned to England where he enlisted in the East Lancashire Regiment. He was fairly soon commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served with the 6th East Lancs on Gallipoli and in Mesopotamia (Iraq). While there he became very ill with typhoid fever and was invalided out to Ceylon. On his return to Mesopotamia he was, for some reason, seconded to an Indian regiment the 130th Baluchis. At the end of the war he transferred permanently to the Indian Army with whom he served for the next 27 years, mostly on the North-West Frontier in what is now Pakistan. He retired with the rank of Colonel in 1946 and our family moved to Kenya, where I grew up. He died in Nairobi in 1978 at the age of 81.

    He hardly ever spoke about his war service and, to my everlasting regret, I never really asked him much about it. The only story I remember him telling of his time on Gallipoli was when he went down to one of the jetties on the beach from where they could see the Royal Navy warships shelling Turkish positions. My Dad asked the rating if he knew which particular battleship that was currently just off the coast. He replied that it was HMS Canopus. My father asked if anyone ever come ashore from it. Occasionally, the rating replied, and in fact, as they watched, a picket boat came in to the jetty under the command of a Midshipman. That officer was my Dad's younger brother Humphrey, with whom he was very close (they were only 2 years apart). It was the last time they ever met. Canopus returned to the UK where she was decommissioned (she was quite an old battleship) and Humphrey in early May 1916 transferred to the pride of the Fleet, the new battlecruiser HMS Queen Mary. He lost his life when she was blown up 3 weeks later at the Battle of Jutland.

    Chris Durrant




    258528

    SBA. Leonard Colin Truelove HMS Persian

    <p>

    Leonard Truelove (always known as Colin) joined the Royal Navy on 12th of December 1942 aged 18. On the day he joined up, Colin was sent to the training ship HMS Glendower which was a shore based naval training camp based at the Butlin's Holiday Camp at Pwllheli, Wales which the Navy had taken over. Here he was kitted out with naval uniform and given basic training which included learning how to march and salute and told of the rules, regulations and naval traditions. He was there until 1st Feb 1943, just under 6 weeks. He was then sent to HMS Victory, at Portsmouth on 2nd of February 1943 where he began his training as a Sick Berth Attendant (the navy equivalent of a nurse). Most of the training was within the Royal Naval Hospital, Hasler, Portsmouth from 21st April to 6th of September 1943 (four and a half months) where he would have worked as an orderly. He probably qualified as a substantive SBA around the end of April as the qualifying course was 10 weeks long. Colin remained based on HMS Victory until 9th of October 1943 when he was sent to HMS Dolphin the Royal Navy Submarine base at Gosport, where he was stationed until 12th of April 1944. It is not known why he was based on HMS Dolphin for 6 months and although the MoD thinks it unlikely that he served on submarines, I believe he possibly did, as in the 1950's when we visited Plymouth Navy Day, he talked enthusiastically and knowledgeably about the submarines.

    On 13th of April 1944 he returned to HMS Victory for a week and was then posted to his ship, HMS Persian J347 commanded by Lieutenant Commander Alec Ecclestone RN. His shore base was HMS Boscawan until 31st of March 1945. In May 1944, HMS Persian was nominated for minesweeping duties in support of the allied landings in Normandy. HMS Persian was deployed along with others of the 6th Flotilla for exercises including night mine sweeping and major exercise Fabius. During Exercise Fabius, the Flotilla came under E-Boat attack. On completion of the exercise, the Flotilla returned to the Solent to prepare for Operation Neptune. On the 5th of June 1944 the 6th Flotilla - HM Ships Vestal (SO), Friendship, Gozo, Larne, Lighfoot, Melita, Persian, Postillion and Vestal with Danlayers Fairway, Hannary, Milford Prince, Sylvana and 4 Motor Launches, sailed out of the Solent as G force in the late evening to sweep and clear Channel no 5 to allow access for the British landing on Gold Beach on the 6th. This was accomplished despite the ever present danger of air and sea attack, especially from U-boats. The Flotilla had an allocated area to sweep and each Flotilla had its own method of sweeping. Most of the sweeps were for contact mines but during the Normandy landings there were also many magnetic mines dropped by aircraft at night. A different sweep was needed to deal with each type of mine. The invasion continued through June and into July, with the minesweepers providing continual support by keeping the supply routes clear of mines, which were being dropped at night by parachute from enemy planes. Midget submarines (which sank 3 minesweepers) and shore based German guns were a constant danger.

    On 23rd of June 1944 at 23.00 hours, Minesweeper, HMS Persian was severely damaged by an aerially delivered mine in Gold Beach area. There is no further information about this. (Reference: Navy News, D day supplement, July 1994 XXIII). Lieutenant Commander John Lovis Woolcombe, RN took Command of HMS Persian on 4th of September 1944 through to mid 1946.

    In Nov 1944, 6th Minesweeper Flotilla comprising HMS Friendship (SO), Gozo, Melita, Persian Postillion, and Lightfoot were joined by Lennox and Pelorus for mine sweeping off France and Belgium and convoy escort for military convoys to Channel ports. These convoys were under attack by E-Boats and midget submarines which also carried out mine-laying operations to interfere with the convoys.

    There was a friendly fire incident off Normandy after the D Day landings. The ports of Le Havre and Cherbourg were still occupied by the Germans and the 6th and the 5th Flotilla were sweeping in that area. There was a mix up in communications between the Navy and the Air Force. They thought the flotilla that was sweeping the area in front of Le Havre were German ships escaping and they sent the Air Force in. Many ships of the 5th Flotilla were hit in this incident. The 6th Flotilla went to the rescue of these ships, taking people on board. Many of the crew spent the whole of the first dog watch (the time between 4 and 6) doing nothing but stitching up dead bodies in hammocks for burial next morning. The 6th Flotilla did much minesweeping in the English Channel and the North Sea area to clear the minefields to open up the Ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam ready for the army to liberate them. The clearance continued into Dec 1944.

    A Danlayer was a type of vessel assigned to minesweeping flotillas during World War II. They were usually small trawlers, fitted for the purpose of laying dans. A dan is a marker buoy consisting of a long pole moored to the seabed and fitted to float vertically, usually with a coded flag at the top. The task of a Danlayer was to follow the minesweepers as they worked an area, and lay the dans which defined the area swept and made it obvious where the clear channels were. This would also help the minesweepers cover areas accurately without gaps and unnecessary overlaps.

    Operation Neptune was the Channel crossing phase of Operation Overlord. About 6,000 ships came under the command of Admiral Bertram Ramsey. The problems were immense and included where so many ships could be berthed; how would damaged or broken down ships be dealt with; what would replace those ships in the plan; how could they be protected against air and U-boat attack; how quickly could they unload, return and reload? The risk of aerial attack was assumed to be fairly low as the allies vast power should protect the fleet. The whole operation would be led by 287 mine sweepers. These would clear the seas for the 138 warships which would bombard the Normandy beach defences. The transport boats loaded with troops and protected by smaller warships (frigates and corvettes) would then follow in. Over 4,000 landing craft needed protection and so a stable and relatively safe area was envisaged. This led to the conception and building of the two Mulberry Harbours, which was taken by numerous tugs across the channel in 146 separate pieces. This was a major key to success of the operation. (The remains are still visible off Arromanches - Gold Beach, the other off Omaha Beach) The minesweepers had the responsibility of leading the Normandy assault forces. Everything depended upon them being able to clear the approach seas and keep them clear whilst the landing forces came in behind. There appear to be no logs or records of operations of individual minesweepers or flotillas in June and July 1944. Yet without the tremendous workload, effort and huge risks they took, the landings are unlikely to have succeeded. Ship and boat casualties were relatively low thanks to the brave yet largely un-credited work of the minesweepers. The Minesweeping Operational Plan: For each of the landing beaches (Utah Omaha Gold Juno and Sword) two channels were to be cleared. There would be a channel for faster convoys (12 knots) and one for slower convoys (5 knots). A Fleet Minesweeping Flotilla (MSF) comprised of nine ships was allocated to sweep each channel. One Minesweeping Flotilla was to clear any mines close into the Normandy shore, where the bombarding ships would target enemy guns and fortifications. Acoustic and magnetic, mines were expected in the inshore areas, and this Flotilla had to work under heavy enemy fire to clear the water. All of this was to be accomplished by 05.00 on 6th June, after which the channels would be widened to form a much broader mine free area. The area was constantly re-cleared throughout the invasion as the enemy dropped more mines into the area. The minesweepers orders were to keep to their allocated course even if attacked by the enemy. They had to accept the huge risks in the dark and in rough seas in order to ensure the safety of the following vessels and troops.

    The Bay of Bengal In January 1945, HMS Persian was nominated for Foreign Service with the 6th Flotilla for minesweeping and convoy defence in the Indian Ocean. Ships of the Flotilla underwent essential repairs and maintenance prior to departure for Ceylon. HMS Persian, Gozo & Lightfoot sailed from Falmouth and were joined by Danlayers Imersay & Lingay. On 1945-03-31 the flotilla took passage via Malta, through the Suez Canal, Red Sea and Arabian Sea, to Ceylon (see Map 5) HMS Persian (J347) was based at HMS Lanka in Trincomalee, Ceylon from 1 April to 31st of December 1945, although they probably didn't arrive there until mid April 1945. During June 1945 HMS Persian was deployed with 6th Flotilla for convoy escort duties in defence of convoys to Rangoon and Indian ports prior to planned operations by Eastern Fleet. 6th Flotilla took part in minesweeping duties off Car Nicobar covered by ships of the Eastern Fleet prior to planned landings in Malaya (Operation Collie) On 2nd of July 1945 the Flotilla sailed from Trincomalee to carry out Operation Collie between the 5th and 11th of July 1945.

      Its objectives were:
    • (1) Naval bombardment and aerial strikes on Japanese positions in the Nicobar Islands, particularly Nancowry Island.
    • (2) Providing cover for minesweeping operations in advance of a possible invasion.
    • (3) Making carrier raids on Japanese airfields in Northern Sumatra.
    In the event this was only partially completed due to the dropping of the Atom bombs on Japan on 15th of August 1945. Operation Collie was carried out under the direction of Rear Admiral Wilfrid Patterson, by ruler-class aircraft carriers HMS Ameer and HMS Emporer, light cruiser HMS Nigeria, destroyers HMS Roebuck, HMS Eskimo, and HMS Vigilant, and escort carriers HMS Stalker and HMS Empress, and the 6th Minesweeping Flotilla. The carriers transported Grumman F6F Hellcats of the 884 Naval Air Squadron, which flew 82 sorties. Accounts of casualties vary, but one report indicates that two pilots were killed, one during take-off, one in action; and six aircraft were lost, three to enemy action; while another indicated that seven aircraft were lost from the Ameer, with all pilots rescued. Overall, the mission was a success, with one report noting that "three flotillas of minesweepers cleared 167 mines off the northwest coast of Malaya and from the waters around the Nicobars." In July 1945, Taylor P Jones, J112713 Chief Petty Officer, HMS Persian, was Mentioned in Dispatches, awarded for great skill, efficiency and endurance during minesweeping operations off the Japanese-held Islands of Car Nicobar in July 1945. The Flotilla commenced mine clearance operations on 5th July. A total of 167 mines were cleared by the them. On completion on 10th July, HMS Persian took passage to Ceylon, arriving in Colombo on 14th July with Flotilla. On 24th July fleet minesweeper Squirrel was mined and sunk. Two days later on the 26th, kamikaze aircraft attacked Fleet minesweeper Vestal which was hit and scuttled. Between June 1944 and May 1945, 21 allied merchant ships were lost in the area.

    They then prepared for minesweeping support of planned landings in Malaya, (Operation Zipper). The contemplated invasion for which these measures set the stage, Operation Zipper, was never carried out, after an atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on 6th August, a second over Nagasaki on 9th August and the surrender of Japan on the 15th August Operation Tiderace was instead put into action. The Allied fleet departed Rangoon on 27th of Auguat 1945, under Vice Admiral Harold Walker. In August 1945 the flotilla joined Force 155 made up of 6th, 7th & 37th minesweeping Flotillas, sailed from Colombo for minesweeping operations off Malaya. They sailed from Colombo on 15th August for operations in the Malacca Strait. The 24th August saw atrocious weather and Force 155 took shelter in the lee of Simuat Island on the west coast of Sumatra. On 27th August, Force 155 was joined by Task force 11 which consisted of the battleship HMS Nelson, escort carriers HMS Attacker & HMS Hunter, light cruiser HMS Ceylon, destroyers HMS Paladin & HMS Petard and two infantry Landing Ships. The 6th 7th & 37th Flotillas swept the waters ahead of this fleet to enable ships to enter Penang and Sabang. They arrived in Penang on 28th of August 1945. HMS Nelson was the flagship of the fleet, and the articles of surrender were signed aboard the battleship on 3rd September.

    On 3rd of September 1945, led by the 6th Flotilla sweeping ahead, the cruiser HMS Cleopatra carrying Admiral Power, Commander in Chief, British Pacific Fleet and other ships entered the anchorage of Singapore. Thus the 6th Minesweeping Flotilla became the very first ships of the Royal Navy to enter the harbour of Singapore since the disastrous evacuation in 1942. An eye-witness account states: As the Flotilla came into harbour a lot of small boats came out with people cheering and trying to sell pineapples and other fruit. One of the most sought after things in Singapore was a bar of soap; it was like gold dust to them. It was obvious that they had been ill treated by the Japanese, because many people had limbs missing. They had been using Japanese currency but that was abandoned overnight, so the only way anything could be bought was by barter, with soap and chocolate being much prized. The Fleet evacuated some of the ex POWs, most of whom were Australian. There was no room on board the smaller ships like minesweepers to take them, but whilst alongside the jetty, many were taken on board and given food and comfort. They were in such a bad state medically there wasn't a lot that could be done for them. It wasn't until the hospital ships started to arrive that they could be treated properly. All the Japanese soldiers were rounded up and put to work clearing the streets and other menial jobs.

    On 22nd of December 1945 Colin received a War Service (3 years) pay Increment. Colin and HMS Persian was based at HMS Highflyer (Trincomalee, Ceylon), From 1 Jan to to 31st of March 1946. HMS Persian left Trincomalee, Ceylon on 92th of March 1946. Their war was over and they were homeward bound at last. The Bill of Health No. 846, was signed by Dr G Jeremiah HMS Persian of 12,000 tons and a crew of 110, left Aden on 15th of April 1946, sailing under the British flag under the command of Captain, Lt Cdr J L Woolcombe, bound for Suez and UK. Signed by KS Seal, Health Officer, Aden. HMS Persian arrived in Port Said on 21st of April 1946. The Visa states that the last case of bubonic Plague was isolated on 15th of February 1946. The vessel left Port Said on 29th of April 1946 with 110 crew, bound for Malta - Gibralter - UK. Signed by Dr I Nasr, Director, Port Said. Arrived and departed Malta in May 1946 Bill of Health no. A20107 HMS Minesweeper Persian, Under the command of Lt Cdr J L Woolcombe RN, left Gibraltar, bound for the UK. Signed by KP Anes, Captain of the Port.

    Colin and HMS Persian was officially based at HMS Lochinvar (Port Edgar, Firth of Forth) from 1 Apr to 5th of July 1946 (although the ship did not arrive there until May 1946.) On 16th of July 1946 Colin was based back in Portsmouth on HMS Victory. On 19th of August 1946 Colin received payment of War gratuity and PWC (Post War Clothing) was authorised. He remained in Portsmouth on HMS Victory until 6th of October 1946 when he was de-mobbed - released from service Class A. Colin was awarded the following medals: The 1939 - 1945 Star, Burma Star, France and Germany Star, Defence medal, War Medal 1939 - 1945 and the Naval General Service Medal (This was not received until 2015. Colin died in 1981).

    Colin Truelove  medals

    HMS Persian

    Leonard Michael Truelove




    258527

    Pte. William Rostron Whittaker MM & Bar. 12th (Pioneer) Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    William Whittaker joined the Sherwood Foresters Notts & Derby Regiment in 1915. He arrived in France 29th Aug 1915 with the 12th (Pioneers) Battalion. He was awarded the Military Medal in June/July 1918, Gazetted 13 Sept 1918, Later he transferred to 1/24th Battalion, Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment in August 1918. He was awarded Bar to the MM in Sept 1918, Gazetted 23 July 1919.

    William was a very quiet, gentle person who never mentioned the war but clearly had suffered and seen some unspeakable horrors.

    Stephen Jones




    258518

    L/Cpl. Robert McFarlane Bramley 1st Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    Robert Bramley joined up on the 16th of January 1912. He was recalled on the 5th of August 1914 and arrived in France 9th Sept 1914 and took part in the Battle of the Aisne. Robert was discharged (Christmas Day) 25th of December 1917. He was awarded Silver War Badge no. 348038.

    Martin Smith




    258515

    Pte. Harry Price 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.1st Oct 1918)

    Harry Price was my wife's great grandfather, he served with the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.

    Terry Turmaine




    258510

    PFC. Charles Deyo Coy C 316th Infantry Regiment

    Charles Deyo was born 29th April 1891 and died in 1972. He was deployed to France from Hoboken, NJ. on the 9th of July 1918 and his return journey was on 16th May 1919 from St. Nazaire, France to Port of Philadelphia, arriving home on 29th May 1919 on USS Texan.

    Donna Shumaker




    258508

    Pte, Rennie M. Pinder 5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    I found a 1914-15 Star in my family's possessions. Rennie Pinder not a known relative. He is listed on the Burnley Roll of Honour.

    Thomas J Speers




    258505

    Pte. Frederick Miller 9th Btn. Black Watch (d.11th February 1916)

    Frederick Miller was born Stoneykirk, Wigtownshire about 1898 to William Darling Miller and Elizabeth McWhirter. During WW1 he served with the 9th Battalion, Black Watch and died 11th off February 1916 age 18 years and is remembered on the Loos Memorial in France.

    G. Bates




    258499

    2Lt. Oliver Bruce 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.9th June 1918)

    Oliver Bruce (1896 - 1918) is my 1st cousin 2x removed. I am researching my family history and came across these details of his military career in which he was a casualty in France on the 9th of June 1918 He served with 7th Black Watch as a Private and was commissioned into the 6th Rifle Brigade as Second Lieutenant and transferred to 2nd Rifle Brigade.

    Helen Miller




    258497

    Gnr, Joseph Allen 12th Heavy Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery

    Joseph Allen was my grandfather, who served in the Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1. He served as a Private, then Bombardier (1916), and finally Sergeant (1918). He joined the British Army around September 1904, and was amongst the British Expeditionary Force sent to fight in Europe at the outbreak of WW1 called The Old Contemptibles. I know nothing of his service before the war, but he remained in the British Army after the war serving in China where I believe he was appointed Sergeant Major.

    Lindy Allen




    258496

    Sgt. John Henry Martin 1st Battalion West Riding Regiment (d.6th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    John Martin served with the 1st Battalion, West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons) and also served with 1st Garrison Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment.

    Priscilla Duane




    258491

    Pte. John Joseph Tasker 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    It starts with the family tree and becomes a mystery to be uncovered. John Tasker was the brother of my great nan. He was born in Spalding of parents George Tasker and Rebecca Hare White. He had 4 sisters and one brother. His mother died quite young and the family was split up. Lots of military records have been destroyed from the Blitz so they are a bit thin on the ground. I know that he is on the Roll of Honour at the Ayscoughfee War Memorial. He is also on the daily casualty lists. His father collected his personal effects including his medals. I believe that he died at Passchendale, although I can't confirm this. He has no known grave and his name is not on any commonwealth war memorial as yet. I hope this will be rectified soon. 102 years late but never too late to be remembered.

    Natalie Maughan




    258489

    Cpl. Oswald Henry "Jim" Foster 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    After training, Oswald Foster's unit was sent to Gallipoli, where he was shot in the foot. He was hospitalized in Alexandria and eventually in England. After recuperating, he was sent to France and the trenches. There, he was disabled by trenchfoot and was again sent back to England for treatment. Upon recovering, he was returned to France, where he was promoted to lance corporal. In Jan 1918, he was reprimanded for failing to report a case of insubordination. The Army thought this so serious that nine days later he was promoted to corporal. In March 1918 he was reported missing, having been taken prisoner. He served 9 months in a German POW Camp. He was repatriated in Dec 1918 and demobilized on 15th Mar 1919. Did he ever get his 1914-1915 Star?

    Colin Paterson




    258488

    D. G. Bliss 14th (1st London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment

    D G Bliss British Army 1st London Scottish. His private papers are held by the Imperial War Museum. And a collection of excellent satirical drawings by him of life in a field hospital also survive

    Andrew Sim




    258486

    Pte. Frank Howard Bartley 32nd Battalion (d.29th Sep 1918)

    Frank Bartley was assigned to the 32nd Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force and fought in the Battle of Amiens. He was killed by an artillery shell in Bellicourt during an attack on the Hindenburg Line. He is buried in the cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux.
    Mal Jurgs




    258485

    Sgt. Hubert Francis Smith 17th (2nd City) Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.29th April 1917)

    Hubert Smith served with the 17th Battalion, Manchester Regiment in WW1. He was killed at aged 24 years, 29th of April 1917 and is buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery in Saulty, France. He only saw my mother, Margaret, (born March 1916) twice in his life. She was only 10 months old when he died.

    Lyn Webb




    258484

    Pte William Lowe King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.26th of April 1926)

    William Lowe served with King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in WW1. He died 26th of April 1926.





    258478

    Rfn Ernest Watson 2nd Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.5th of October 1916)

    Ernest Watson served with the 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps in WW1. He died 5th of October 1916.

    Lesley Watson




    258476

    A/QMS. Charles H J Rendell 108th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Charles Rendell was born 2nd of August 1887. He arrived in France on the 16th of August 1914 and served with 108th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery He received the following medals, 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His address in 1939 was 26 Manor Drive, Eshur, Surrey.





    258474

    Gnr. Albert Edward Powell 48th Brigade, 2nd Section Royal Field Artillery

    I know nothing about my grandfather, Bert Powell and have no-one left to give me any information. I know he served in WWI and have just found a photo of him, along with some embroidered postcards he sent to my grandmother while he was in France. He died in 1951 at the age of 56. To my knowledge, my father never spoke of him or talked about his experiences.

    Ann Powell




    258469

    Sgt. George Moulding 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.25th Mar 1918)

    On the 28 mile front held by the Third Army where in the days leading up to the German attack Sergeant George Moulding and other members of 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment were engaged in attack practices near the village of Achiet-le-Grand. 1st Wilts were right in the thick of the fighting during the Spring Offensive but, as part of 7th Brigade, 25th Division in VI Corps, were in reserve and not in the front line on 21st March. Their was some graphic accounts of the fighting over the next few days and it is not obvious when George Moulding became a casualty. We do know that he died of wounds on 25th March and is buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery some 17 miles from Achiet. Taking these two facts plus that he was a sergeant it does seem very likely that he was wounded on 21st March in an incident. On 21st March at 4.40 am Achiet-le-Grand was heavily shelled and 3 officers, 4 warrant officers, 6 sergeants and 7 other ranks were wounded.

    Our conclusion is that Sgt Moulding died of his wounds in a field hospital at Puchevillers. He is buried in a small, walled enclosure at the far end of the cemetery. On his headstone is the inscription chosen by his family: Gone but not forgotten by his wife and two daughters Lillian and Winnie.

    Much sympathy has been felt with Mrs. Moulding, whose husband Sgt. George Moulding, 1st Wilts, died of wounds on March 25th in France. Sgt. Moulding had nearly completed his time of service when the war broke out and he was called to the colours. Before then he came safely through the retreat from Mons and the battle of the Somme.

    Interestingly, the shelling of Achiet is mentioned in "The Kaiser Battle" by Martin Middlebrook, his unreferenced account says:- A complete reserve infantry Brigade was encamped around the railhead at Achiet-le-Grand. One of the first shells their hit the Medical Hut of the 1st Wiltshire's and killed nine men.

    George Moulding was 32 when he died, he was born in Wootton Bassett and enlisted in Devizes though his home address which is given as Lechlade. He was the son of Thomas Moulding of Quenington and the husband of Alice Elizabeth Moulding of Downingtown, Lechlade. We have not established when he arrived in France but it is probable that Sgt Moulding was either a regular or at least a reservist and may well have re-joined his regiment at Tidworth in August 1914 and landed at Rouen with them on 14th August. He is also the highest ranking soldier on the First World War memorial in Lechlade.

    Paul Cobb




    258457

    Cpl. John Thornton 16th (St. Pancras) Btn. Rifle Brigade

    John Thornton saw service in France in 1916. He was blinded by the discharge of a hand grenade, taken prisoner, and eventually returned to England through an exchange of war prisoners. He was subsequently trained at Blind Veterans UK (formerly, St. Dunstan's in Regent's Park) as a basket worker. (From newspaper excerpt from the 1930s/1940s.)

    Hannah Ryan




    258454

    Pte. William Charles Rance 10th (City of London) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>Newspaper cutting

    William Rance was my great-uncle. He was my paternal grandmother's eldest brother. Sadly, my grandmother died in January 1940 from the effects of TB, and the connection to William was lost. I rediscovered him whilst researching my family history.

    William volunteered in October 1915 and after training was drafted to the Western Front. He fought and was injured during the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. After recovering and rejoining his unit, he fought in the (second, I think) Battle of Arras where he was killed on 23rd of April 1917. He was entitled to the 1914 - 1915 Star, General Service and Victory Medals. I don't know if his parents ever claimed them. William is buried in the small Chili Trench Cemetery at Gravrelle in France. Unfortunately, although he has a name marker there, his exact resting place has been lost due to damage done to the cemetery during WW2. His marker records his rank as Private but the National Roll of The Great War records his rank as Lance Corporal as does the write-up in his local newspaper written by his friend Private W Bouchard. I am not sure if the higher rank was a temporary issue or if the official promotion had not been processed at the time of his death and so his memorial recorded him on the lower rank.

    Like so many young men killed in WW1, his name has all but disappeared from history.

    Mark Smith




    258453

    Pte. Sampson Edward Bastable 9th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.4th Jan 1917)

    Sampson Bastable was the son of Charles Edward and Ruth Bastable, sibling to Charles, Mary, William and Samuel. He was born 31st December 1885 in Smethwick, was educated at Old Hill Council School. He enlisted on the 5th of April 1916 and fought from the 6th August 1916. He is buried at Munich Trench Cemetery at Beaumont-Hamel.

    Tony Moore




    258451

    CQMS. Arthur Hinsley Royal Defence Corps (d.21st May 1917)

    Arthur Hinsley was a Clerk of Works by civil trade, born in 1869 at Carlton, Yorks. W. Riding. In 1894 he married Frances Bacon they had 1 son and 4 daughters.

    He died in service on 21st of May 1917 and was buried in Holywell Cemetery Flintshire. He was the younger brother of Cardinal Arthur Hinsley, RC Archbishop of Westminster.

    Roger Hinsley




    258450

    Gnr. Thomas Haggar 297th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    Thomas Haggar was killed while serving with 297th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He had originally joined the York and Lancaster Regiment.

    Kim Jarman




    258448

    Able Sea. Patrick McDermott HMS Marlborough

    Patrick McDermott was the son of Patrick and Ellen McDermott, the husband of Mary Ethel McDermott of Ryton, Co. Durham Patrick lied about his date of birth to get in the navy in WW1. After his ship, HMS Marlborough was damaged at Jutland he served the rest of the war on Q Ships, and was paid through HMS President III.

    When he rejoined in 1940 he recorded his correct date of birth but the navy would not accept that so crossed it out and recorded the false one! He died on SS Rutland sunk by a uboat on 30th of October 1940

    Peter McDermott




    258440

    2Eng. Harold John McDougal

    My grandfather, Harold McDougal, was 2nd Engineer on the HMHS Valdivia when she sailed to The Dardanelles to help rescue servicemen stranded on the beaches after the disastrous Dardanelles campaign. I have a photograph of him sitting on the deck of the ship with another sailor.





    258436

    Gnr. Thomas Brunt D Battery 78th Trench Mortar Battery (d.24th April 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Brunt served with D Battery, 78th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery.

    Antony Brunt




    258435

    Pte. Jules Carpentier 3rd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Although he joined up on 3rd of July 1915 as Jules Carpentier his name was actually Jules Le Carpentier. Married to Emily Thompson in Goole, Yorkshire. He died in 1918 and is buried in Goole Cemetery, along with his wife and 3 of his 4 children.

    Dean Blanshard




    258432

    Pte. William Crellin 11th Battalion (d.7th May 1917)

    William Crellin served with 11th Battalion, AIF, 16th Reinforcements. He was born at Eltham, Victoria.

    Pauline Graves




    258429

    Capt. Ernest Lancelot Andrews 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.25th Aug 1918)

    Ernest Andrews served with B Coy, 16th Battalion, Austrialian Imperial Force as a Sergeant before he was commissioned into the Royal Marine Light Infantry.





    258427

    Pte. Phillip Otley Camm 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.30th March 1915)

    <p>

    Phillip Camm served with the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.





    258422

    Pte. George Robson 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd May 1915)

    George Robson was my great uncle. He was in Sanctuary Wood, Fortuin Ypres, in May 1915 with the 1/5th Durham Light Infantry. Found from a war dairy of an eye witness, Rodger Stamp, George was hit in the neck by rifle fire and died the following day. Roger Stamp was one of the burial party, but George has no known grave.

    George Robson




    258419

    John Harrison 33rd Batalion London Regiment (d.Pontefract)

    My Great granddad John Harrison was captured at Neuve Eglise in 1918. He was shot in the hip and was sent to Dulmen camp.

    Karen Hewlett




    258416

    Pte. John Owen 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.21st Feb 1916)

    John Owen served with the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    David Owens




    258413

    Nurse. Bertha Bartlett Newfoundland VAD (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    Bertha was from Brigus Newfoundland. She is buried opposite my school Beatrix Potter. We have researched her and the 17 Newfoundland soldiers buried with her. She is said to have died in the Third London General Hospital Wandsworth, her record card suggests she was serving in Bermondsey.

    Go to www.beatrixpotterschool.com and go to the our Newfoundlanders page

    S Neale




    258405

    Pte. Morris Griffiths "Henry" Clements 26th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Morris Clements was one of 9 children of Marks Clements and his wife Rebecca Grobgilt, both from the Pale of Settlements. He deserted on 13th of June 1918 but was awarded the usual medals for WW1. He married Flora Alexandra Keiloor in London and had 2 sons. At his marriage in 1926 and at his death, he used the name Henry.

    E.M. Griffiths James




    258399

    Pte. Charles Hamer 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Oct 1916)

    Charles Hamer died on 1st of October 1916 in the second phase of the Somme campaign. His name is etched onto the Thiepval memorial as he has no known grave. He died somewhere around the area of the attack on the German defences that day. This was a trench system known as Prue. The 6th Battalion fought hard that day. From what I can understand so far, their start point for the battle was in Starfish trench. I believe his body to be in that area which is north of Highwood and close to Flers.

    Chris Standley




    258396

    Pte. William Sharp 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.12th May 1917)

    <p>

    William Sharp is listed on our War Memorial inside the church in our small village of Wyfordby near Melton Mowbray. His father William Newton had a small area of land and was a grazier (rearing sheep and cattle.) William was an agricultural labourer before he joined the South Staffs. He died in the second battle of Bullecourt in France. A special Memorial service was held at the village church, attended by 46 people. His parents remained at Wyfordby, where his father was buried at the age of 80 in 1934.

    Julia Hawley




    258387

    Gnr. Ernest Charles Mison DCM. 38th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My Mum told me that her Dad saved his army officer in the field and received a Distinguished Conduct Medal for this. Ernest Mison dragged his injured superior to safety. Also, he was underage when he enlisted. He was desperate to participate so he lied about his age.





    258386

    2Lt. Reginald Isaac Millican 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    Reginald Millican lies in Bedford House Cemetery in Belgium.

    David Green




    258378

    Cpl. Joseph Thomas Wiggins 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.14th Oct 1918)

    I had no knowledge whatsoever that my great uncle, Joseph Wiggins, was killed in action at French Flanders as it was never mentioned by my family. I live in Australia and will be visiting the Western Front and especially Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery in 2020 to pay my respects.





    258374

    Dvr. Frederick Taylor 113th (Howitzer) Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My grand dad, Fred Taylor, worked as a miner before signing up on the 5th January 1915, he started his training at no 1 Depot RFA Newcastle upon Tyne. Some time during 1915 he was transferred to the Army camp at Aldershot where at 7am on the 25th September 1915 his Brigade entrained at the Gov't sidings bound for Southampton. Brigade strength was 24 officers, 697 other ranks, 630 horses, 60 mules, 16 4.5" Howitzers and 48 4.5" ammunition wagons. The Brigade arrived at Harvem France at 1am 26th of September, at 7 am the Brigade disembarked, after resting and another train journey the Brigade marched to Nieppe which was the concentration area of the 25th Division.

    Fred served with the 25th Divisional Ammunition Column and also was attached to the Canadian Royal Artillery for a time, on the 7th August 1916 Fred was transferred to the Royal Engineers C Special Company (gas) his rank was Private then Pioneer. I can find very little information regarding C Special Coy. RE I can only assume that he most probably transported gas shells to the guns.

    Fred survived the war and returned to the UK in 1919.

    Michael Tylor




    258370

    Pte. Oliver Smith 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>Oliver is on the left in Northumberland Fusiliers uniform.

    Oliver Smith was born 30th of June 1900 and loved until January 1959. Initially he was in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He is believed to have joined up underage. It was said he was a runner and also represented his battalion in boxing. We would like to know when he was remustered into the KOYLI.

    Andrew Smith




    258367

    Capt. William Charles Woollett 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.16th September 1916)

    <p>

    William Woollett had been a bank clerk from a middle class family in Herne, Kent prior to enlisting. He was killed at the Battle of Flers Courcelette on 19th of September 1916 and is buried in the neighbouring cemetery.

    Julia Williams




    258366

    Pte. James Knight 1/7th Battalion West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons)

    James Knight's Victory and British Medals ended up in the possession of a grandson of a Canadian WWI veteran. Nothing is known about the connection between the soldiers. James Knight's records are part of the First World War Service Burnt Documents so little is known of him. An address of 116 Old Church Road, Stepney, E1 was given on the 2nd page of his Medal Card. And some details of his service were given such as additional service with Army Service Corps, and Labour Corps.

    Carolyn Goddard




    258359

    Rflmn. John Smyth 13th Battalion, B Company Royal Irish Rifles (d.6th August 1917)

    <p>

    John Smyth served with B Company, 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.

    David Smyth




    258358

    Rflmn. David John Smyth 13th Battalion, B Company Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    David Smyth is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    David Smyth




    258353

    Pte. John Henry Messerschmidt 1st Depot Battalion

    John Henry Messerschmidt was born in Rodney, Ontario, Canada He was a farmer in Ricetown PO Saskatchewan, Canada. John was drafted and his military papers were signed on 3rd of May 1918 in Regina, Saskatchewan.

    After his arrival in Liverpool on 15th of August 1918, he became ill with pneumonia and hospitalized in Connaught Hospital, Aldershot on 26th of Aug 1918. He was moved to Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot 25th of September 1918 following a diagnosis of emphysema. John returned to Canada 10th of June 1919 classed unfit for service.

    He went home to marry Alma Barbara Strath from Highgate, Ontario. John Henry Messerschmidt died 1989 and is buried in Rodney Cemetery, West Elgin, Ontario, Canada.

    L Richards




    258352

    Sgt. James Ruddock 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.12th October 1914)

    Sgt James Ruddock of the Royal Irish Rifles was my grandfather and he was killed in action at La Couture in France on 12th of October 1914 just 21 days after his youngest son (my father) was born. He also had 2 older children, my grandmother was left a widow with 3 small children. Legend within the family has always been that my grandmother was the first Northern Ireland war widow of the First World War. We have no idea whether this is true or not but whatever the truth we will always try and ensure that his name is never forgotten.

    Sharon Forrest




    258329

    Pte. Harry Nightingale 11th Battalions Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.2nd September 1918 )

    Harry Nightingale served with the 9th and 11th Battalions, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.





    258325

    Pte. Thomas Edward Chamberlain 12th Battalion, Company D Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th September 1915)

    Thomas Chamberlain is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Patricia Moed




    258321

    2Lt. Christopher Birdwood Tracey Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Christopher Tracey was the 3rd son of Dr (Henry) Eugene and (Emily) Alice Tracey, and born 9 May 1898 at Willand. He read Classics at St John's College, Cambridge. He went to France in 1918 and served with an Anti-Aircraft Battery, RGA. He married Eileen Bowen Cooke and worked in the Sudan Political Service. They retired to Milford on Sea, and he died 29 January 1984. Uncle of David Church.

    Judith Mary Church




    258320

    2Lt. Leonard Tolcher Tracey MC. 6th Howitzer Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Leonard Tracey was the second son of Dr Henry Eugene and Emily Alice Tracey. He was born 19 February 1897 at Willand. He was wounded at Passchendaele in 1917. Affected by mustard gas. As a war settler, he was given a grant for land in Southern Rhodesia. He married Constance Evelyn Winwood Smith in 1921, and died in Salisbury (now Harare) 12th June 1971. He was an Uncle of David Church.

    Judith Mary Church




    258319

    Lt. Geoffrey Eugene Tracey 9th Battalion, Machine Gun Section Devonshire Regiment (d.25th September 1915)

    <p>

    Geoffrey Tracey was the eldest son of Dr (Henry) Eugene and (Emily) Alice Tracey. He was born 25 October 1895 in Willand. He was in France from 27th of July 1915, and was killed at Loos. His name is on a panel for the Devon Regiment at Dud Corner Cemetery near Loos in France. His name is in St Mary's Church, Willand. He was an Uncle of David Church.

    Judith Mary Church




    258317

    2Lt. John Edward "Joe" Church 20th Tank Battalion, B Company Royal Tank Corps

    <p>

    Joe Church was the eldest son of Rev. Edward & Florence Church, and born 10 August 1899 at Burrough Green, Cambs. He trained at Hazeley Down and Bovington to September 1919, not going overseas. He then studied at Barts Hospital, and was a doctor with the Ruanda Mission (CMS). He married Dr Decima Tracey. They retired to Little Shelford, Cambs, and he died 29 September 1989.

    Judith Mary Church




    258316

    2Lt. Arthur John Johnson 22nd (2nd Islington) Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    Arthur Johnson was the son of Arthur & Martha Jane Johnson. He was born 27th September 1894 in Aston Manor, Warks. He was gassed in WW1, then studied engineering at London University. He was a billeting officer in WW2 in Bedfordshire, then Manager of Bedford Billposting Company. He married Judith Church's aunt Edith Heys in 1947, and they lived and retired in Marston Shelton, Beds. He died 22 January 1972.

    Judith Mary Church




    258312

    Pte. Hans Major Embleton 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My granddad, Hans Embleton, was taken prisoner at the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915. He was taken to a holding camp at Munster 2 larger and sent to work in the coal mines and coke ovens. I have just found out he was taken to Chimnitz prison camp February 1918 until repatriated to Britain December 1918. He was made to work in the salt mines with Russians and was starving as all the people were in Chemnitz. He finally got a good parcel August 1918 and managed to receive some more. He was told to work on after the Armistice or get no food the soldiers refused and were threatened with a machine gun but they still refused and then took control of the gun and the German guards gave up and fled the camp and town as the Russians moved in to take control.

    Derick Smith




    258310

    App. Noel Derbyshire Heys SS Zent (d.5th April 1916)

    <p>

    Noel Heys was my uncle. His parents were John and Ellen Edith Heys, and he was the younger brother of John Holland Heys, who served with the British Army, and was wounded in 1918.

    Noel was born 1 January 1900 in Stalybridge. On his first voyage, from Garston, Liverpool, for Colombia, the SS Zent of Elders & Fyffes Ltd of Garston was unarmed, and sank after a second torpedo, off SW Ireland. The names of the crew are in the Tower Hill Memorial, Trinity Square, London and there is a plaque for Noel in St James's Church, Millbrook, Stalybridge.

    Judith Mary Church




    258308

    Pte. John Holland Heys Monmouthshire Regiment

    <p>Jack Heys, top row, 2nd from right.

    Jack Heys was my uncle. He was wounded at Easter 1918. He was a Pharmaceutical Chemist and Optician with two shops, at Cheadle and at 1 Buckingham Road, Cheadle Hulme, then retired with wife May, nee Pickup, to Ambleside. Born 29th August 1897 he died 2nd March 1965.

    Jack Heys seated right

    Judith Mary Church




    258304

    Harry Slater 6th (Howe) Battalion

    Harry Slater was in the 6th. Howe Battalion, 2nd Royal Naval Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division Said he was at Lille and the Siege of Antwerp in Sept 1914. He was with 2nd Field Ambulance, RAMC on Lemnos then 3rd (RN) Field Ambulance, RAMC in France. From my grandfather's diary, the only parts we can decipher is as follows:
    • 1916 was on Lemnos supporting the end of the Gallipoli Campaign. At Mundros and Portanos.
    • 18 May 1916 sailed back to France on the Franconia
    • 23 May arrive Marseille at 2pm
    • 52 hours in cattle truck on railway to Channel Coast. 30 carriages and 10 cattle trucks. 30 in our truck.
    • 24 May through Rhone Valley, Valence at 5am, Lyon at 9am, Dijon, Les Laumes Alesia. Rainy and wet.
    • 25 May along the River Seine, bypass Paris and saw Eiffel Tower, Deauville and iron works, Juvisy, Versailles, St Germaine, 4.30pm Amiens and left train at 6.30pm at Pont Remy station.
    • 26 May-Wanel near Hallencourt Sleeping in haylofts and farmhouses. Hallencourt is where the 2nd Field Ambulance is. Dad in 3rd Field Ambulance at Wanel.
    • 16 June Marched via Pont Remy to Abbeville. Rail to Bruay via St Pol heading in the direction of the front.
    • 17 June Force-marched.
    • 18 June La Thieuboye near St. Pol. In a barn.
    • 24 June Battle obviously at Arras. Plenty of air activity.
    • 1 July Marched through Villers and St. Venant (Arras) Timberwork and preparation.
    • 9 July Walked to Haverskerque. Drunken Australians. Merville.
    • 21 July Loading at Nieppe Station.
    • 22 July Via Lillers by London bus to Busnes. Coal Mine Area.
    • 8 August March to trenches. Badly damaged village with church, brewery. Advance Dressing Station.
    • 11th August 1916, he wrote in his diary: I finished my birthday, 21st, up in the trenches. Being one of a party of night workers on a bearer post. The position would be some 100 yards from the enemys position and rifle and machine gun bullets were whistling overhead. We were working on top most of the time.
    • 15 August Marched back to Field Ambulance Base.

    Very little written between 15 August and 18 September

    • 18 Sept Moved to nearby Bruay
    • 4 October Leave Bruay
    • 5 October arrive Parennes about noon
    • 21 Oct Cookery advanced dressing station.
    • 2 November Agincourt
    • 13 November reported Beamont Hamel in our hands.
  • His normal very full diary became very short in content for the August/December period but on 13 November he recorded: Bombardment at 5-40. Boys over. Go up to old first line. Bob Brand hit. Cpl Dunkley sniped. 1st near shave Sniper. 2nd near shave Shell.
  • 14 November he recorded: Shell hit bearer post. 3rd near shave.
    • Surgeon Forester killed
    • Surgeon Walker killed
    • Chap RB killed
    • Tommy Johnson killed
    • Scales killed
    • Cpl Ted Nelson killed
    • Harold Knight killed
    • Cheetham killed
    • RB Bearer killed
    • RB Patient killed
    • Albert Gill wounded
    • J Lamb wounded
    • Alf Nelson wounded
  • 18 November Leave in buses and stop at Beauval.
  • 19 November Hougencourt
  • 21 November March to Agincourt.
  • 22 November Then to Noulette.
  • 23 November To Lamotte.
  • 24 November Back to Noulette.

    Richard




  • 258302

    Pte. Charles Ernest Whitter 7th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Charles Whitter was born in Manchester in 1886. He died in the Battle of Mssines and is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium. Leaving wife and 1 year old Daughter.





    258297

    CSM. Cornelius Matthews MiD. 10th (1st Gwent) Battalion South Wales Borderers

    Cornelius Matthews joined the 5th South Wales Borderers on 20th of August 1914. He was discharged three weeks later due to a toe injury incurred two years earlier in a mining accident.

    He joined 10th South Wales Borderers on the 12th of November 1914, was promoted to Corporal in February and went to France early in 1915. He was promoted to Lance Sergeant in April and Sergeant in July 1915, he was promoted to CSM in July 1917. He fought at Mametz Wood, was injured and returned to UK. Then he went to Mesopotamia with the 10th Battalion and contracted Malaria. He was Mentioned in Dispatches on the 21st of February 1919 and demobilised in March 1919.

    Daniel Matthews




    258296

    Sgt. William James Leary 4th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    William Leary was transferred from Cardiff where he was hospitalised to the 4th Royal Dublin Fusiliers before his medically unfit discharge.

    Heather Leary




    258290

    Gnr. William Henry Hussey B Battery Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>William Hussey in police uniform

    William Hussey was born abt 1892, he was a police constable at Watford, Herts when he enlisted in 1915. He married Teresa Florence Buck on the 9th of April 1917 at the Parish Church of St Michaels and All Angels in Watford. William was taken POW on the 30th of November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai France. He was taken to Dulmen prison camp. He was a police officer before and after WW1.





    258283

    Gnr. James Henry Alfred Marsh 97th Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.29th June 1915)

    James Marsh died in Malta. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.





    258281

    Pte. Joseph Ayre 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.17th July 1916)

    My grandfather Joseph Ayre was 30 or 32 and was in the Battle of the Somme. He was a stretcher bearer and was attached to the 12h Battalion, DLI. He died on Monday 16th July 1916 in the Battle of the Somme. My family was told his friend went over the top into No Man's Land to save some of the men that had already gone over and my grandad followed to help try to bring some of the wounded back. Apparently bullets and shells were being fired fast and furious and both men were blown up.

    My father was 8 years old and he had two other sisters and I remember him saying Joseph Ayre never came back there was no one to bury! They weren't the only family without a father, they had to make do and mend. My father was young when he went to work down the coal mine to make a wage.

    My grand father's name is on Thiepval Memorial in France and also in Durham Cathedsral Book of Remembrance within the DLI Chapel. The pages are turned every day so you may see the war dead names. My family don't have any photos of him at all.

    Miriam Lonsdale Cope




    258277

    Pte. Joseph Wadhams 2/2nd Battalion London Regiment (d.20th December 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Wadhams served with the 2nd Battalion, London Regiment (T.F.), son of William Wadhams by his wife, Louisa Jane, daughter of Thomas Prowd of Birmingham. He was born in Key Hill, Birmingham on 23rd of Sept. 1883 and educated there. He was a Cycle Frame Filer and joined the 11th (Service) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment on 26th of June, 1916 and served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 20th of July 1917 and transferred to the London Regiment in Augusat and was killed in action at Cambrai on 20th of December 1917. He married at St. Paul's Church, Lozells, Warwickshire on 31st of March, 1907 to Annie Elizabeth of 2/103, Bridge Street West, Birmingham, daughter of William Newey and had five children, Joseph, b. 15 Feb. 1908, Edward b. 7 July 1910, John b. 5 Jan. 1912, Alfred b. 18 Jan. 1915 and Louie b. 14 May, 1913.

    Stephen Wadhams




    258273

    Pte. Charles Robert Say VC. 8th Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.4th February 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Say died of wounds in France.





    258265

    Pte. Ernest Albert Hahner 2nd Battalion Border Regiment (d.16th May 1915)

    Ernest Hahner was the fifth son of Prussian/German immigrants who lived in St Pancras. The family suffered extreme prejudice as the war progressed, despite the fact their mother, and each of their twelve children had been born in London. To demonstrate his loyalty to the country, Albert Hahner Snr applied for British Naturalisation. This was granted partly on the strength of the fact he had five sons serving overseas, three in the Army and two in the RAMC. The four older brothers all survived and returned to the UK, while Ernest was killed at The Battle of Festubert seven months after he enlisted, aged 18. He has no known grave but is commemorated at Le Touret Memorial at Richebourg, France

    Anita Hahner Davison




    258255

    Pte. Willie Beaumont 1st Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.8th May 1915)

    Willie Beaumont was born in 1896. One of 8 children whose parents were Blackburn Beaumont and Eliza Beaumont of Gomersal, W.Yorks. Blackburn was a joiner and the family lived at Church Lane. In the 1911 census Willie is a newsboy at the Station News Shop. Blackburn Beaumont was my great grandfather, George's brother.

    Willie is commemorated on his parent's gravestone in St Mary's Church Graveyard, Gomersal and also at the Menin Gate (though here the date of death is given as August).





    258251

    Cpl. Alexander Kerr Boyd 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.14th January 1916)

    Alexander Boyd is remembered with honour in the West Calder Cemetery.





    258233

    Pte. Christopher Russell 15th (North Belfast) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Christopher joined the Reserve Battalion from his home town of Dundrum. He was called up to the 15th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles some time after the end of 1915. He was killed in the morning of the 1st July 1916. He was part of an advanced patrol before the main attack that fateful day. He was confirmed as missing to his family, and his brother put a notice into the local paper asking returning soldiers if they had any news of him.

    Christopher still has family in the Dundrum area and he will always be remembered with great honour and pride by his family. His name is engraved in the memorial at Kilmegan Parish Church where he worshipped.

    Steve Maxwell




    258229

    Pte. Charles Edward Catanach 2nd/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    Charles Catanach was my great grandma's cousin. He was born in Mobberley, Cheshire in 1880. We do not know why he came to Lincolnshire, but in 1914 he married Florence Mary Swingler and enlisted in Louth that same year.

    He was reported as presumed killed in action 21st of March 1918. He has memorials at Arras in France, Louth in Lincolnshire and Mobberley in Cheshire. Florence left a lovely obituary which ends "What thou do O Lord, we knowest not now, but we shall know hereafter". She must have missed him because she never remarried. We, his descendants, thank him and all who fought for their sacrifice.





    258226

    Pte. John Patrick Purcell Stewart 15th Light Trench Mortar Battery

    John Stewart was a wheeler from Catherine Hill Bay, New South Wales. He enlisted on the 8th of May 1916. He returned to Australia 15th of April 1919. Jack Stewart was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal, the returned from active service badge and the Silver War Badge.

    He applied to enlist in the 1st AIF on 2nd May 1916 at West Maitland, NSW. John had served about 2 months in the senior cadets but he was living in an exempt area. his mother gave her consent for him to enlist.

    His physical description was recorded as: Height 5 feet 5½ inches, Complexion fair, Weight 9 stone 5 lbs, Eyes blue, Chest measurement 31 - 34 inches, Hair brown Distinctive marks scar on right shin.

    He was a single man, 18 years 4 months, a wheeler and his address he gave was 2 Catherine Bay, NSW. His mother, Mrs E Stewart, of Teralba, NSW, was listed as his next of kin (father deceased). This next of kin was later changed to his wife Mrs D D Stewart of 53 Pisgah Street, Kefir Hill, South Wales.

    John was enlisted in the 1st AIF at West Maitland NSW on 8th May 1916 and he joined B company of the Newcastle Depot Battalion with the rank of private. Then on the 5th July he was allocated to the reinforcement 2 of the Light Trench Mortar Battery and transferred to the Menangle Camp. His unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on the 7th October 1916. They disembarked at Plymouth on the 21st November 1916 and moved to the Parkhouse Camp.

    John was transferred from the Reinforcement Group to the 18th Battalion at Rollestone on the 6th February 1917. He moved from the 5th Training Battalion at Rollestone and proceeded overseas to France on the 19th April. He joined the 18th Battalion, in France, on the 9th May. On the 11th May 1917 John was attached for duty with the 5th LTM battery, then on the 10th July he was transferred and taken on strength of the battery. Oral history tells us that he was a runner (message carrier) He told me he was a runner and had to wait for the artillery shells to pass then run like mad ...

    John reported sick on the 15th September 1917 and was given aid by the 7th Field Ambulance for P.U.O. (pyrexia of unknown origin). He was discharged back to duty after 4 days. He reported sick again on the 12th December and was moved to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station with cardiac dilation then placed on Ambulance Train 28 and admitted to the 54 General Hospital. He was evacuated to England aboard the hospital ship Jan Breydel on 28th with V.D.H. severe. He was admitted to the Chilly Hospital at Eastbourne the same day. He was then transferred to the Central Military Hospital then to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford on the 24th January 1918. Then, on the 2nd February he was discharged to the No2 Command Depot at Weymouth. He was charged with being way without leave, from Littlemoore, from the 1st March to the 20th March 1918. The charge was dismissed by the Lt. Col. D.A. Lane because a medical certificate was produced covering the absence.

    John embarked on the 15th April 1918 for his return to Australia for a change, due to Mitral Regurgitation, aboard the H.M.A.T. Marathon. He disembarked on the 12th June in Port Melbourne, then he travelled to Sydney (most probably by rail). He was discharged from the A.I.F. in the 2nd Military District (ie. NSW) on the 26th July 1918.

    John Patrick Purcell Stewart was born at Teralba, NSW during 1898, the son of Charles Parnell and Elizabeth Anne Etewart. He died on the 4th April 1975 at age of about 77.

    Len Smith




    258212

    Edmund Thomas MM. 17th (1st Glamorgan) Battalion Welch Regiment

    Edmund Thomas was decorated with the MM, and was subsequently taken prisoner of war in April 1918 whilst serving with the 18th Battalion. A Canton boy from Cardiff, he later served in the Home Guard during the Second World War.





    258210

    2Lt. William Robert Kennedy 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.25th Sept 1915)

    <p>

    My Uncle Bill Kennedy, an older brother of my yet-to-be-born mother, was a promising medical student at the University of Aberdeen, where he gained 1st class certificates of merit in his first year.

    Initially, her served in the Gordon Highlanders, going into the trenches on his 19th birthday on 8th March 1915, he displayed such conspicuous bravery in carrying urgent despatches across a shell-swept zone, by motorcycle, from his Battalion to Divisional HQ, that he was complimented by the Major-General commanding the Third Division, was recommended for the DCM, and singled out for promotion.

    After a six-week course at the French Military College at St Omer, he was instead awarded a commission on the field, 2nd Lieut. in 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. After two days leave in August to get his uniform, during which he managed to get home and see his parents for one night, he was killed at Loos, at the head of his platoon, leading them against the enemy, shot through the heart on a day when the battalion lost 10 officers and 112 men. The chaplain Rev Fred Langlands buried him in Cambrin Churchyard on the 28th and wrote to his parents, Dr John Robert Kennedy and Mrs Cecilia Kennedy. My mother, born in 1916, was given the middle name Cambrin, in his memory.

    Louise Dickson




    258208

    RSM. Edward Mason Jolly 11th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.18th March 1915)

    Edward Jolly died in St Omer Hospital.

    Jim Jolly




    258204

    Harold Crompton 6th Battalion Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.2nd June 1916)

    Harry Crompton enlisted in the 6th Battalion, Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment in early August 1914, and carried out training in the south of England. The battalion was sent to Gallipoli in 1915 and later to Mesopotamia (Iraq). He was wounded and evacuated to India where he died on the 2nd June 1916.

    david crompton




    258201

    L/Cpl. Edward John Legg 12th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.7th Oct 1916)

    <p>Sons of Williamstown memorial board

    Edward Legg was born 29th of December 1889 in Richmond, Victoria, Australia. He was a Seaman from Williamstown, Victoria, Australia, he had landed in England and was waiting for a ship, when war broke out. On the 8th of September he enlisted at the Admiralty Recruiting Office in London, went directly to Rifle Depot, Winchester. On the 10th her was posted to the 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, 14th (Light) Division but on the 1st of October was transferred 12th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. He landed in France with 12th Rifle Brigade on the 21st of July 1915.

    On the 6th of June 1916 he was wounded, a gun shot in right eye and forehead while in the Potijze sector of the Ypres Salient. He was admitted to 17th Casualty Clearing Station the next day and evacuated via No 6 Ambulance Train to No 1 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples where he was admitted on the 8th of June. On the 10th he was transferred No 26 General Hospital and on the 27th to No 20 Infantry Base Depot, Etaples for convalescence.

    Edward rejoined the 12th Rifle Brigade on teh 7th of July 1916 near Ypres. from the 15th to 19th he was treated at a Local Field Ambulance for scabies. He was wounded, gun shot to face a second time on the 13th of August 1916 and admitted to No.29 Casualty Clearing Station and evacuated via No 21 Ambulance Train the next day. On the 16th he was admitted No 25 General Hospital at Hardelot his injuries recorded as GSW and he was also noted as suffering from urticaria. He was transferred No 47 Infantry Base Depot, Hardelot for convalescence on the 6th of September and on the 8th was appointed Lance Corporal (unpaid) rejoining 12th Rifle Brigade at Corbie two days later.

    Edward was recorded as missing in action on the 7th of October 1916 and officially presumed to have died on or since that date on the 9th of November 1918.

    In uniform

    Pam Henderson




    258197

    L/Cpl. Percy Riley 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.11th Apr 1917)

    Percy Riley was gassed with mustard gas. He had a brother Corporal Alfred Riley who was killed in action on 19th of September 1918. Both brothers were from Herbert Street, Northampton. They were butchers by trade. Alfred was also in the South African war.

    Tracey McMahon




    258195

    Mary Dee Voluntary Aid Detachment

    Mary Dee served as a  Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse at Norton Hall Red Cross Hospital





    258194

    Spr. William Fairhurst 643rd Field Company Royal Engineers (d.13th Mar 1919)

    William Fairhurst was found drowned at North Walsham, Norfolk on 13th of March 1919. He was still enlisted and appears on the UK Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 dataset.





    258180

    Rflmn. James Ford

    <p>

    Jim Ford served as a Rifleman. His brother Jack was killed in action at High Wood on the 15th of September 1916.

    Russ Gore




    258179

    Sgt. William Joel Leeson MM. 68th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    William Leeson was wounded on or about the 12th of August 1918, losing his leg.

    David Leeson




    258178

    Pte. Henry Gay Thomas 13th (2nd Rhondda) Battalion Welsh Regiment

    <p>

    Henry Thomas was born on the 15th April 1889, in Trevaughan, Carmarthenshire, Wales to parents Thomas Thomas and Hannah Thomas (nee Jones). He attended elementary school until the age of 14 and then worked as a blacksmith at Parkcwm with his father. He then worked with his brother John in the Lime Works at Pentregwenlais, Llandybie. After he became conscious of the call to the ministry, he attended preparatory school and passed matriculation within 18 months. He then entered Cardiff University in 1913.

    When war broke out in 1914. He had just passed his first year exams, but left university and joined the 13th Welsh Regiment on 17th November 1916 when he was 27 years old. He served with his regiment for 18 months in France, when he was invalided by chlorine and mustard gas in Armentieres.

    Following this he spent eight months in in Bethnel Green Military Hospital. Following his discharge from the Army in 1917, he returned to university in 1918. Revd. Thomas graduated with a B.A. in 1920 and returned to Carmarthen Presbyterian College for his final training for the ministry.

    Julie Gay Hodder




    258174

    Pte. John Deakin Gloucestershire Regiment (d.22nd October 1914)

    John Deakin was killed at the Battle of Passchendaele on 22nd of October 1914. His brother Willian survived and came home and his half brother also survived WW1. John was originally from Pipe Ast on the Herefordshire, Shropshire borders. He was 20 years of age.

    Monika Morgan




    258171

    Pte. Robert McAndrew Davidson Craig 1/7th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.19th Dec 1917)

    Remembering my great uncle Robert Craig who died aged 20 in the First World War. He is buried in Port Said War Cemetery. We don't have any details about how or where he died.

    Anne Roberts




    258165

    L/Cpl. William Rose DCM, MM, CdG. 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    William Rose was wounded twice, once in 1915 and then again in 1917. I have found evidence of his citations and the original documents. He is listed in London Gazette as wounded. He carried shrapnel in his head until 1959 when he died of a stroke, caused by it. He married Olive May Heeley in 1917 and had 9 children. Stories passed down says he was one of only a few surviving after moving from one big battle to another.

    Steve Rose




    258164

    Fred Rose Royal Horse Artillery

    Fred Rose served with Royal Horse Artillery.

    Josephine Clinch




    258151

    Pte. Charles Fuller 1st Btn. Scots Guards (d.11th Nov 1914)

    Charles Fuller is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Robert Fuller




    258150

    Fred Fuller

    Fred Fuller was wounded in action and lost a hand. His two brothers Charles and William were both killed in WW1.

    Robert Fuller




    258147

    Pte. Charles Maxwell 9th (County Tyrone) Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    Charles Maxwell finished the war with the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. His service was not interrupted despite having pneumonia twice and receiving shrapnel wounds in his back. After the war he became an RUC constable in Belfast until his death in 1964.





    258146

    Yves Auguste Lagogue

    Yves Lagogue, we believe, was wounded in the Battle of the Somme. Lydia Marion Walkinshaw was a nurse at High Rough Auxiliary Hospital where she met Yves Auguste Lagogue we presume. We are looking for any information or records pertaining to Yves and Lydia. Lydia served under the Red Cross.





    258145

    Pte. Robert Reade A Coy. 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment

    Robert Reade served with A Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment.

    Robert Reid




    258143

    Sgt. William Diamond 10th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.15th September 1916)

    William Diamond is my grandfather. My own father never met him. I found his name on the Thiepval Memorial in France. R I P

    Robert Diamond




    258142

    Pte. Hugh Goodwin Lathom Remount Depot Army Service Corps (d.15th Nov 1918)

    Hugh Goodwin was killed 4 days after the end of WW1. He was at Lathom Remount Depot, Ormskirk. Hugh is buried in Donagh Old Graveyard Co. Fermanagh. Trying to find more details, my wife used to live next door to Mollie Goodwin (now aged 91) in Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh whose husband (now deceased) was the son of Hugh Goodwin.

    Graham Fry




    258141

    Pte. Donald Mckenzie 5th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Donald Mckenzie is remembered on the Arras Memorial. He was 36 years old.





    258138

    Pte. Charles William Levick 4th (Hallamshire) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    Charles Levick was born in 1886 and was a furnace man in the steelworks of Sheffield. He enlisted on 7th June 1915. Charles was 29 years 7months old stood 5 foot 9ins weighed 130 pounds. At the time of his enlisting he was living at 29 Blackburn Street in Sheffield. He had a wife named Ethel a son Charles and an daughter Winnie.

    Charles was killed in action 3rd of July 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. From his Army records Ethel received a pension of 18/6 per week for her and her 2 children.





    258133

    William Champ Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    William Champ served in France with the Warwickshire Regiment and Machine Gun Corps. He returned home after the War. His brother Arthur was 19 and had joined up eighteen months before William.

    Elaine Romain




    258132

    Pte. William Cracknell 6th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1916)

    Henry Cracknell was the son of Emily and Frederick Cracknell of Little Hallingbury. He lost his life on the 9th of August 1916, the same date his brother William was killed in action at the Somme. Henry is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery,

    Pauline Graves




    258128

    2nd Lt. John Taylor Smith MM. 2nd Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.29th Mar 1918)

    John Smith served with the 2nd and 18th Battalions, West Yorkshire Regiment He was wounded approx. 27th/28th of March around Rosieres. He managed to get or was taken to the dressing station, but died of wounds on the 29th of March 1917. He is buried in the CWG Cemetery at Rosieres.





    258124

    Eugene Valentine Bourque

    It was just about 100 years ago when Canadian Eugene Bourque Sr. was discharged from the military. His legacy includes some of the bloodiest battles of World War I, including the Somme and Passchendaele. It also includes a grandson, David Eugene Bourque of Altamont, who has kept the soldiers experiences alive, thanks to a collection of war mementos.

    Eugene Bourque was born in Moncton in the province of New Brunswick in 1887. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in 16th of March 1916 in Montreal. His two older brothers Edgar and Louis also enlisted. He trained in England and was sent to France that October. Over the next two years he was involved in 11 major battles. Amazingly, all three brothers returned. They left the war, but the war didn't leave them. My Grandfather was shelled at Vimy Ridge and many years later he would occasionally use tweezers to pull out pieces of shrapnel from his arms.

    After the war he returned to Canada and married Lola Barnhardt of Ontario. They had a son, Alan, born in Montreal, then moved to Albany and had their second son, Eugene V. Bourque Jr., Dave's father, the first of their family born in America. (Allan joined the U.S. Army and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.) Eugene Sr. died on May 12, 1966.

    He passed away when I was nine so the few personal memories that I have of my grandfather are fading. I cannot recall him ever mentioning the war. The only thing that comes to mind is him responding to me at a meal when I asked how he liked it. He replied he couldn't really taste it because he had lost his sense of smell and taste during the war. Losing the sense of smell was likely from mustard gas exposure. As a boy, I would ask to see his grandfather's war medals but now don't recall that he explained what they stood for. When he passed there was no inheritance, as my grandmother was still alive. But there was one envelope with my name on it. Inside were the medals. Being only nine at the time I did not understand the significance. I certainly do now and I am proud to be able to share his story.

    Here are the battles Eugene Bourque Sr. was involved in: The Battle of the Somme in November 1916 and Vimy Ridge April, 1917. During his 2nd engagement at Vimy Ridge he was wounded by cannon fire. He was hospitalized at Govan Merryflats Hospital near Glasgow, Scotland. After recovery he was transferred to Hastings, England. During the late summer of 1917 he volunteered to return to active duty. He was at Hill 70 in August 1917, Passchendaele September to October 1917 and back on the The Somme in March 1918 during the German advance. He was at Amiens and Arras in August 1918, Drocourt - Queant in September 1918, Canal de Nord September to October 1918 and Cambrai in October 1918.

    Dave Bourque




    258119

    Cpl. Francis Thompson 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Frank Thompson served with the 6th East Lancashire Regiment.

    John Thompson




    258116

    John McConachy

    My Great Grandfather and my Great Uncle Malcolm were said to have passed each other in the trenches. John McConachy was a sniper and Malcolm was a private.

    P.J. McConachy




    258115

    Pte. Michael Morris 14th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    <p>

    Michael Morris was the son of Henry and Laura Morris of Bryn Awelon, Cwm Y Glo, Llanberis, Caernarfon. Relatives in Caernarfon still fondly remember.

    Olwen Hughes Gwynant




    258110

    Pte. Boaz Griffiths 6th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.2nd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Born in 1893 in Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Boaz Griffiths was the third youngest child and youngest son of John, a coal miner, and Catherine Griffiths. In 1901, six of his siblings were living at their parents home, but he had two more older sisters, who probably had moved out. The census of 1911 gives 17 children born of which 9 survived. In this year the family lived at Albert Square, Weston Rhyn, and Boaz and his brothers, John and Charlie, were working as coal miners at Chirk Green. Their mother died probably in the first three months of 1911, the census of this year has their father as a widower, he would later live at Vine Cottages, Albert Road.

    Boaz joined the Army for the KSLI in 1914 when War broke out against Germany and died on the 2nd of August 1918 at No. 12 Stationary Hospital at St. Pol. The cause of his death was Septic Meningitis. He was wounded three times and survived until on the 11th July, records 2 ORs killed and 6 wounded. Boaz was likely wounded on 11th of July when 3 men were accidentally wounded when they hit an old unexploded bomb whilst digging. Alternatively, but this does not fit with his Obituary, on 14 July at 2.30am, he was one of 3 men wounded after the enemy shelled Adept (Trench) for about 20 minutes this is according to the War Diary.

    He is buried in St Pol British Cemetery. His name is also recorded on the Weston Rhyn War Memorial and St Oswalds Church, Oswestry.

    Chloe Fraser




    258108

    A. E. Clifford MM.

    A Clifford was awarded the Military Medal in the Great War.

    David Preece




    258105

    L/Cpl. Harry Mulliniex 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.24th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Mulliniex, served with the 8th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on the 24th of July 1915 at the age of 27. Born at Myddlewood, Myddle, he enlisted in Shrewsbury. Son of William and Eliza Mullinex of 6 Myddle Woodm Myddle he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Turkey and the Baschurch War Memorial.

    Philip Morris




    258104

    Pte. John Eddies 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.11th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    John Eddies served with the 8th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 11th of August 1915, Age 22. Born at Tilstock near Whitchurch, he enlisted in Wrexham. Son of John and Elizabeth Eddies of 8 Fenemere, Baschurch, he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Turkey and on the Baschurch War Memorial.

    Philip Morris




    258102

    Pte. Albert Rusling 10th (Hull Commercials) Btn. D Coy. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Apr 1918)

    Albert Rusling served with D Coy, 10th Btn (Hull Commercials) East Yorkshire Regiment, he is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery He was the son of George Edward and Hannah Rebecca Rusling (nee Cowlam) of 93, Walcott Street, Hessle Rd., Hull. Sibling of, George William (1878-1962), Amy Elizabeth (1879-1882), Florence Ada (1881-1950), Robert Arthur (1882-1939), Charles Albert (1884-1884), Ethel Anne (1886-1887), Ernest (1887-1911), Walter (1889-1953), James Henry (1891-1969), Clara (1892-1982), Amy Elizabeth (1896-1965), Elsie (1897-1916), Stanley (1899-), Charles Edward (1902-1903), Grace (1903-1920) and Frederick Charles (1905-1987).

    Julie




    258100

    L/Cpl. John Raymond Akerman MM. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    John Akerman was refused entry at Oxford & Bucks Regiment because he was too young. He went to Brecon and joined the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers at 17 years of age. He was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

    John was awarded the Military Medal for his actions on 20th of November 1917. The Citation reads: 'Near Marcony on 20th of November 1917 when his Company was checked by various parties of the enemy with machine guns in ammunition pits. At once and on his own initiative rushed his Lewis gun forward through heavy, heavy fire, getting around to the flank from where he brought well aimed fire on to their pits greatly assisting in the capture of them. He showed conspicuous gallantry throughout the advance.'

    He was captured in February 1918 in France and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner working in the coal mines in Germany.





    258098

    Pte. William Alfred Shepherd 11th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>

    William Shepherd was my grandfather. Born in Penrith in 1889, he was working for the Midland Railway in Derby when he enlisted in the 11th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifles. His two brothers also enlisted. One in the RAF and the other in the York and Lancaster Regiment, of the three brothers sadly one never came home. William survived the war and went on to work in management for Nestle and had two sons. He died in Iver, Bucks in 1953 age 63.

    Nicola Musgrave




    258091

    Pte. Clarence C.C. Purdy 25th Battalion (d.20th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Clarence Purdy of the Canadian 25th Battalion was held as a Pow at Limburg.

    W.D. Purdy




    258087

    Sgt. Herbert Wilson Shaw MM. 24th (Oldham Pioneers) Btn. A Coy. Manchester Regiment

    Herbert Shaw volunteered in 1914, one of the original Oldham Pals and served throughout the war, first in France and then in Italy. He won a Military Medal for his actions on 8th of May 1917 at the Battle of Arras (Bullecourt). Under heavy bombardment he finished work on Bullecourt Avenue, removed his platoon and then found out that several men were missing. He returned through the barrage, located the men and brought them in.





    258086

    AM2. Albert Spencer 22 Squadron (d.25th Jul 1916)

    <p>Olive and Albert Spencer

    Albert Spencer was the son of John and Panny Spencer of 2 Mitella St., Burnley. He was born in Crawshawbooth, Manchester. He was a Wireless Operator known to be attached to 59th Siege Battery RGA near Montauban when he was killed in action. He is listed on the Battle of the Somme Roll of Honour to RFC. Photo found on car boot sale.

    Michael Woods




    258084

    Pte. Frederick G. Woodcock 14th (Severn Valley Pioneer) BTn. Worcestershire Regiment

    Fred Woodcock was born in 1899. He joined up in 1915 and did his basic training at Strensall near York. From there he went to barracks in Worsester and further training On Salisbury plain.

    They were then transported to Le Havre to go into action on the Western front. His battalion was involved in many of the battles including, Battle of Ancre, Somme, Arras and Passchendale. He ended the war at Bougnies, Mons. He was invalided out having been gassed and suffered pyrexia (Trench Fever) and was treated at 149th Field Ambulance. Fred died in 1977

    Ian Elliott




    258075

    Maj Philip Rashleigh DSO 110th Siege Bty Royal Garrison Artillery

    The first Officer Commanding the 110th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1 was Major Philip Rashleigh. On 22nd of July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, Major Rashleigh was wounded by an enemy shell when he was near the battery's observation post.





    258073

    Pte. Myles Christie 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.12th March 1915)

    Myles Christie served with the 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment in WW1. He died 12th of March 1915 and is buried Ferme Buterne Military Cemetery at Houplines in France.

    Maureen Christie




    258068

    Pte. Harold Fitch HMHS Aberdonian Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>Harold Fitch back row 2nd left

    Harold Fitch enlisted in Mexborough and served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in WW1. His diary entry for 9th of March 1916 reads "Still on Copenhagen" and for 24th of March 1916 states, "We transferred to H.S. Aberdonian."

    HMHS Abderdonian

    Harold Fitch on left

    Rosie Carey




    258067

    A/Cpl. Jeremiah Todhunter 2nd Btn. Border Regiment

    Jeremiah Todhunter enlisted in the Border Regiment, at Carlisle on the 15th of September 1902 at the age of 19 years and 6 months. During his time in the Army, he served abroad in India, from February 1904 to December 1904, and in South Africa, from December 1904 to September 1905.  

    As a member of the 2nd Battalion in World War One, he was deployed in France from the 25th of November 1914 to 19th of March 1915. During this time, he was wounded in action on the 12th of March 1915 during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (10th - 13th of March 1915), and then transferred to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion which remained in the United Kingdom. He was was medically discharged on the 14th of September 1915. Despite this, later during the war, in 1917, he attempted to re-enlist, but was denied on medical grounds. Et servivit honeste.

    Sasha Todhunter




    258059

    Pte. Frederick Alexander Baxter 2/4th Btn. London Regiment (d.20th September 1917)

    Frederick Baxter served with the 2/4th Battalion, London Regiment in WW1. He was killed in action at the Battle of Menin Road, near Ypres on 20th of September 1917 aged 22 years and never saw his only child, daughter Elsie Alexandra born 25th of March 1918. Frederick is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium. Son of Henry and Emma Baxter of Borough, London and husband of Elizabeth Baxter of 67 Great Bland St., Great Dover St., Borough, London.

    Jennifer Clayden




    258057

    L/Cpl. John Taberner 3rd Btn. Border Regiment (d.19th August 1918)

    John Taberner was my grandfather. He served with the Border Regiment 3rd Battalion in WW1 and this appears on my aunt's birth certificate. John was killed on 19th of August 1918 serving with the Border Regiment as a Lance Corporal. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. I have no other information about him as my mother was a young girl when he died and nothing was spoken about him or other family members.

    Crompton




    258053

    Pte. Albert John Facey 6th Btn. Devonshire Regiment

    <p>

    Bert Facey served with the 6th Devonshire Regiment.

    Brian Essery




    258050

    Pte. William E. Basketfield 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.11th October 1917)

    William Basketfield served with the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards in WW1. He died 11th of October 1917 aged 24 years and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. Son of William and Mary Anna Basketfield of Coventry Road, Coleshill, Birmingham. His brother Arthur Oliver Allan also fell.





    258049

    Pte. John Dixon Comrie Mackay 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    John Mackay served with the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, the Seaforth Highlanders, and the Army Service Corps, Regimental number in WW1. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the 1914-1915 Star having gone to France on the 13th of October 1915. Jack re-enlisted on the 29th of April 1920 into the Army Service Corps.

    Ian Mackay




    258048

    Gnr Henry "Harry" Holden 11th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.13th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Holden, served as a Gunner with 11th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. and later as a Private with 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards. 11th Brigade RFA had arrived in France from India in September 1914 but Henry did not arrive in France until the 7th November that year. Henry had seen some service in India before the First World War.

    Henry served for the majority of the war with the Royal Field Artillery and only transferred to the Irish Guards in February 1918. It was not uncommon for soldiers to be compulsorily transferred to different regiments from 1916, but it is not common to see a transfer between corps, in this case a transfer from the corps of artillery to the infantry. Remember too, that Henry was a career soldier and a career artilleryman. However, the destruction of Henry's papers by German bombing in September 1940 almost certainly destroyed the last hope of ever ascertaining why he transferred to the Irish Guards in February 1918. He was certainly home in the UK in August 1917, possibly as a sick or wounded soldier, as evidenced by his marriage certificate.

    Kevin Ashcroft




    258047

    Pte. John George Robinson MM. 42nd Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    John Robinson was my grandfather. He served with the 42nd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps in WW1, enlisting on 20th of December 1915, aged 23, when he was married with a baby daughter. John was awarded the Military Medal late in the war and gazetted on 24th of January 1919. John survived the war and died in May 1946.





    258040

    Pte. Leonard Fensome 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.16th April 1918)

    Leonard Fensome served with the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment in WW1. He married Clara Indge in Apr/May/June 1917 at Leighton Buzzard, Beds. They had a son, Norman Leonard Fensome, born 1918 but this child never got to meet his father. Leonard died 16th of April 1918 and has no known grave. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 35 to 37, Belgium.

    After the war, Clara re-married. Her son Norman had son, Raymond Leonard Fensome.

    Nicola Fountain




    258037

    Pte. Ralph Vaughan Williams 2/4th London Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    The famous British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was a private in the 2/4 London Field Ambulance of the 60th Division. He was stationed at Ecoivres, Mont St Eloi, near Arras, France during WW1 until being posted to Salonika, Greece.

    Further details are available on the Vaughan Williams Society website.





    258033

    Capt. Clifford Gibaud Tomlinson MiD. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>Clifford Tomlinson with his family on 1st of August 1915.

    I have recently been presented with an image of what appears to be my cousin, Clifford Tomlinson in uniform in 1915. He was born 30th of January 1891 in Barton Regis, Bristol, Gloucestershire, to Thomas Benjamin and Susie Tomlinson (nee Gibaud). The leather trade was on both of his parents side of the family.

    In an article printed in the London Gazette dated September 1915, Private Clifford Tomlinson, from Inns of Court Officers Training Corps was to become Second Lieutenant from 30th of January 1915 - 30th of January 1917. He served in France in the Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He became Captain and was mentioned in Despatches.

    Following WW1, in 1919, he was asked by his uncle Mr Frank Gibaud of Bagshaw & Gibaud, to join the firm in Port Elizabeth, South Africa which he did, becoming Company Director and remaining with them for 41 years. He passed away in June 1975 in Port Elizabeth, SA.

    Peter Gibaud




    258032

    Pte. Leonard "Scottie" Gath 24th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Leonard Gath served in the 21st, 23rd and 24th Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers and the 1/4th Battalion. He also served with the 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington (West Riding) Regiment in WW1. Leonard died in 1979.

    Richard Gath




    258030

    Sgt. Alfred Howard Heden 13th (Kensington) Btn. C Coy. London Regiment (d.25th July 1915)

    Alfred Heden served with the 13th Battalion London Regiment in WW1. He joined the UK Territorial Force in 1911 while still in education and became a clerk in civilian life. War broke out while he was his on summer training camp and he volunteered for active service.

    He trained at Abbots Langley and then went to France from Southampton on 3rd of November 1914. He saw action at Neuve Chapelle in March 1915 and on 9th of May 1915, at Aubers Ridge, he was seen to fall, shot through the lungs. He was reported killed in action on this day but, in fact, he had been taken prisoner, alive but wounded. His family learnt of this nearly 2 months later when they received a letter from him to say that he was still alive but wounded and a POW. Tragically he died of his wounds whilst in captivity on the 25th July 1915, a short time after his family received the letter, at the age of just 20. He is buried in Valenciennes (St Roch) Communal Cemetery. in France. Son of Alfred and Hannah Heden of 11 Grove Rd., Barnes, London.

    S. E. Barr




    258028

    Pte Herbert Peckover 2nd Btn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (d.5th of May 1915)

    I have found that my Great Great Grandfather, Herbert Peckover, served with the 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment in WW1. He died on the 5th of May 1915 fighting on Hill 60. His Battalion had won the high ground at Hill 60 but the Germans attacked using gas on the 5th of May 1915 and recaptured Hill 60.





    258026

    Qm David Mills Wilson 5th Btn Royal Scots Fusiliers

    David Wilson was my grandfather. I know he served in Gallipoli and France and was a crack shot. He worked for Afflecks estimating for refurbishing houses all over Ayrshire. He had been an upholsterer and my grandmother was a French polisher before she married. They lived in various houses in Ayr finally settling in Newton on Ayr. They had seven children.

    Allison Naismith




    258021

    Pte. Alfred William Thacker Woolcock 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.7th February 1917)

    <p>1916

    Alfred Woolcock served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers in WW1. He was 44 years of age when he was killed in action on 7th of February 1917 on the Belgian front near Kemmel.

    He joined the regiment at Swansea shortly before it went to France in December 1915 and would surely have been considered an old man compared to the majority of his comrades. He had worked in Swansea docks for at least 5 years before joining up. It must have been difficult to see so many young men go off to fight and it's assumed he felt he could no longer stay behind. It's not known why he joined the Dublin Fusiliers (there were 4 other men killed during WW1 who did so from the Swansea area) but Alfred left behind a widow Sarah Ann and 2 young children. His son Fred was 3 years old when he watched his father march through the streets of Swansea, never to return.

    Jon Langley




    258019

    Lt. Henry Edward Parker

    I am not personally related to Henry Parker, but I have become the owner of 2 pewter tankards that belonged to him, with the badge showing the South Africa 1900-1902 Battle honour. On one he is shown as Lance Corp. H Parker and on the other as Sergeant H E Parker, E Company 1912. In the absent voters list for 1918 he is recorded with his rank as Lieutenant, but I have not been able to confirm this. His medal award rolls are available showing him as a Sergeant, so perhaps he was never promoted or it was just temporary. He survived the war.

    David Wiltshire




    258015

    Herbert Hamilton Bungard

    Herbert Bungard was born in 1884 in Chertsey, Surrey. He was my step great-uncle. He was a conscientious objector who chose to sign up for hospital work rather than fight. It was reported in the newspaper in July 1916 under "Chertsey Tribunal Cases - Conscientious objection nonsense" Surrey Advertiser and "Railway Clerk's Objection" in the Surrey Advertiser. He served with the Voluntary Aid Detachment at the Auxiliary War Hospital, Thurstan Road, Wimbledon from 28th of August 1916 until January 1919.

    Kathy Anstiss




    257998

    Joseph Laurence Dillon Machine Gun Corps

    Joseph Dillon enlisted on 2nd of March 1916 and lied about his age since he was only 17 years old but a tall man. He was awarded UK Silver War Badge No: B146593 and Victory Medal at the end of WW1. He was discharged on 5th November 1818.

    As a child I had the honour of meeting this great man who was wounded in the hand and used to wear a brown leather glove on his hand all the time. As a child, and any other child, asking why he wore the glove he used to tell the tale of hunting in the jungle and a lion plunged at him. He managed to put his hand straight down its throat to the end of his tail where he grasped the end of the tail and turned the lion inside out. Less glamorous he was hit by shrapnel I learned as an adult. He died in 1974 leaving behind his wife, 4 adult children and 9 grandchildren (all aware of his meeting with the lion).

    Linda Cook




    257993

    Pte. William Armstrong 4th Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.1st May 1917)

    Myself and two colleagues have been researching William Armstrong from Carlisle, Cumberland (now Cumbria). His name is on a WW1 memorial at Our Lady and St Joseph's Church, Warwick Road, Carlisle. We are publishing a book in the summer of 2019, Our Lady and St Joseph's Heroes Remembered.

    James M Robinson




    257991

    L/Cpl. George Albert "Chock" Maddison 181st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    Chock, George Maddison, worked in the tunnels under Arras during 1917 after recovery from wounds sustained on the July 1st 1916 at La Boisselle with the 22nd Tyneside Scottish Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.





    257990

    CSM William Gordon 1st Btn East Lancashire Regiment

    When the USA joined the war in 1917, soldiers were selected or volunteered to form a British Army Mission to USA to teach US soldiers about fire arms/guns etc. William Gordon was one of these men. He became 2nd Lieutenant in 1st East Lancashire Regiment and was shipped off to USA.





    257989

    Pte. Frederick William Lenthall 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.19th July 1915)

    Frederick Lenthall was a distant relative of Australian Lenthall's living in Sydney, we only found out about him when visiting the Bedford House Cemetery.

    Bryan Lenthall




    257988

    Sgt. Harry Colley DCM. 253rd Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.25th Nov 1917)

    Harry Colley was my son-in-law's great grandfather. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in November 1916 for conspicuous gallantry in action, his medal has been donated to the Royal Engineer's Museum at Chatham. He worked at rescue operations in full view of the enemy, saving the lives of three men who were buried under a collapsed trench. He was to die on the 25th of November 1917 (his 35th birthday) at the Third Battle of Ypres, Passchaendale. He is buried in the Bluet Farm Cemetery, Ypres in Flanders. He left behind a widow and five small children.





    257984

    L/Cpl. Dennis Whitehouse 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.24th July 1916)

    Dennis Whitehouse, had moved from his home in Cwmbran, South Wales with his brother, my grandfather, Joseph, to find work in the West Yorkshire coal fields. He and Dennis joined the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and were placed in 8th Battalion. Dennis was seriously wounded near Albert in July 1916 and was evacuated back to England but died of his injuries in Bristol Hospital.

    Pauline Graves




    257982

    Joseph Hodgson 184th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.3rd August 1917)

    Joseph Hodgson died due to infected wounds caused when dismantling a Nissen hut. He was also court marshalled for the wounds as it was thought it was done on purpose.

    Paul Boyes




    257981

    Pte. Robert Moir Scottish Rifles

    <p>

    Robert Moir married Jane Steers in Edinburgh in 1910. He served with the Scottish Rifles during the great War. After the war he moved to Glasgow and was a printer all of his working life. He died in 1961.

    Christmas card Robert sent home





    257980

    Pte. Jesse Edwin Foster 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

    Jesse Foster was born in the Hastings area of Sussex in 1892. He moved to Scotland in his teens where he married and remained thereafter. He was a gardener, but joined the 8th Seaforths for the duration of WW1 being sent to France in 1916. He was captured after a fierce battle in Ypres on the 22nd August 1917, and was a POW first at Limburg, and then at Dulmen. He was very proud to be a Scot (by marriage and residence) and looked fine in his kilt!

    Mary Newbery




    257979

    2AB. Frank Joseph Mareburger USS Lenape

    Frank Mareburger was assigned to the USS Lenape on 25th of July 1917.

    Robert Marburger




    257978

    Sgt. George Gow Bethune MM & Bar. 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    George Bethune was my uncle. He was awarded the Military Medal and Bar and for many years I have tried to ascertain the reason for these awards. It is still an ongoing task. He was wounded in WW1. However, he lived a full life until his death in 1976. He became a postman and walked many miles in winter to a hamlet far away from our village just so the folks there would get their letters. Of course as with many people we didn't get the full story from George of his war history.

    His brother Donald served in WW1 with the Highland Light Infantry. Another brother William (my father) also served with the Seaforths and a fourth brother David was killed while serving with the Canadians in 1916.

    I am so very proud of them all and will pass on all the information that I have to my grandchildren. Thank you.

    John Lindsay




    257976

    Pte. Patrick O'Neill 3rd Btn. Irish Guards

    My grandfather Patrick O'Neill, fought in WW1. He joined the Irish Guards at the age of 18. He trained at Warley and apparently one night he caused a disturbance in the Barrack Room after lights out. Again, apparently he threw a bow and a boot at a comrade at 11.30.p.m. He had 5 days Confined to Barracks.

    When he was posted to France he suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his thigh which had an impact on his patella. He had numerous operations on his leg at Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, Dublin Castle Red Cross Hospital, Loughlinstown Military Hospital and Leopardstown Military Hospital. He never talked about what happened in France. He passed away when he was 57. He was such a wonderful, caring person and will not be forgotten.

    Anne Crowley




    257970

    Pte. Ralph Ryan 1st Btn. (Kings Own) Loyal Lancaster Regiment (d.14th May 1915)

    <p>

    Ralph Ryan served with the 1st and 2nd Battalions, King's Own Loyal Lancaster Regiment in WW1. He died 14th of May 1915 and is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium.

    Stuart Wetherill




    257953

    CSM. Bertie Lucas 7th Btn. B Coy. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.11th Aug 1917)

    Bertie Lucas was 25 years old when he lost his life. He is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    257942

    L/Cpl. Claude Alfred Goodchild East Surrey Regiment (d.17th November 1916)

    Claude Goodchild was my my great great uncle. Unfortunately I have not been able to find out much information about him. I would however like his sacrifice to never be forgotten.

    Ruth Bennett




    257941

    Lt. Arthur Collis Hallowes MC. 17th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Arthur Hallowes was a young GP joined in 1915 until 1918. He served in 17th Field Ambulance. He was awarded the Military Cross for rescuing a soldier under machine gun fire at Cambrai in November 1917. He was a founder member of the British Legion.

    Robert Sumerling




    257939

    Pte. Norman Victor Gordon 15th Battalion (d.17th November 1917)

    <p>

    Norman Gordon enlisted 29th of November 1915 aged 21 years 2 months. He went overseas with the 20th Reinforcements and joined 15th Battalion. He was captured at Bullecourt on 11th of April 1917 and was sent to Wittenberg. He was working at the Golpa coal mine and was returning to camp on 17th of November 1917 with a group of other prisoners. They were walking beside the train track and as a train approached Norman stumbled, he fell onto the track and was killed instantly. He is buried at Berlin South Great Western Cemetery Stahnsdorf.

    Mick Copeland




    257934

    L/Cpl Wilfred Joseph Feeney 7th Btn South Lancashire Regiment (d.24th of September 1917)

    <p>

    Wilfred Feeney was my great Uncle via my great Grandmother Ellen who was adopted by his family. He was exactly the same age as her so they grew up together.

    In WW1 Wilfred served with the 7th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment. He died in the 3rd Battle of Ypres on 24th of September 1917 and the only information I have about him is on the attached image below, from a book called "Fallen in the Fight" about Farnworth soldiers.

    Wilfred is buried Locre Hospice Cemetery II. B. 27. Belgium. Amongst his meager returned possessions was a lock of a woman's hair.

    Darren Birchall




    257933

    Cpl. Thomas Leslie Marshall 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Thomas Marshall served with the 2nd, 6th and 7th Battalions, Royal Munster Fusiliers in WW1. He served with the 7th Battalion at Gallipoli. The 6th Battalion, he was with on 3rd of November 1916 in the Balkans, Salonika and he fought in Palestine and was with the 2nd Battalion in France 5th of June 1918. Thomas was eventually discharged on 31st of March 1920.





    257932

    Pte. James Francis Collins 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th September 1914)

    James Collins served with the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry in WW1. He died 29th of September 1914 at St Nazaire Hospital presumably after being wounded at Troyon on 20th of September 1914. He is buried St Nazaire (Toutes-Aides) Cemetery in France.

    Michael Loughlin




    257930

    Pte. Vernon Harold Macey 1/13th (Kensington) Btn. London Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Harold Macey was born in Wales, his parents moved to London circa 1900. His father also enlisted for WW1.

    Howard Macey




    257929

    Pte. Leonard Evan Edge 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th September 1918)

    Leonard Edge served with the 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment in WW1. He died 18th of September 1918 and is buried Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery in France.

    Paul D Barker




    257923

    Pte. Joseph Edwin Kee 57th Battalion (d.26th September 1917)

    In recently assisting my son in a school humanities project, I found that a member of my family who died at The Battle of Polygon Wood had also trained at Lark Hill during July, August and October of 1916. Joseph Kee served with the 57th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force in WW1. He had returned from serving in Alexandria, Egypt. Joseph was later at the Hurdcott Camp in England before returning overseas to France.

    He was 22 when he left Melbourne, and only 25 when he died. My grandmother who would have been his niece if he had lived. She spent much of her time researching her family history and maintaining wonderful records. I am grateful for her taking such care in recording Joseph's service and keeping his memory alive in my family. My heart goes out to all those affected by the tragic loss of such tremendously courageous men and I can only hope that in such dark times those men found friendship and comfort with each other.





    257918

    Lt Cmdr. Arthur Tillotson Brown HMS Seal

    Arthur Brown served with the Royal Navy Reserve in WW2. After service on HMS Talbot (April 1915 - October 1916) which included the Dardanelles, he was sent to HMS Pembroke, presumably for training. In October 1917 he was given command of HMS Seal with the acting rank of Lieutenant Commander. At the end of the war he transferred to command the HMS Prince Edward, a PS Minesweeper (12th of August 1918 to October 1919). Arthur died in June 1942.

    Chris Brown




    257911

    Rfmn. David Giles 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.22nd June 1915)

    David Giles was my great uncle on my mother's side. David was the son of Henry and Lucy Giles of Barton Cottage, Old Alresford, Hampshire. He enlisted in the 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade in WW1 and was killed on 22nd of June 1916 aged 21 years. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium and on a plaque in Old Alresford Church.





    257910

    Pte E Marshall North Staffordshire Regiment

    E Marshall was a distant relation of my father's friend. During WW1 he served with the North Staffordshire Regiment. I have his war medals 1914 - 1918 but I have no further information.

    Anthony Winterton




    257904

    Pte. William Claude Elsworth 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles

    <p>

    William Elsworth was my grandfather. I have been researching his WW1 records and we visited the sites where he fought in Belgium last year. I have an army issue canvas wallet containing all of his letters to my grandmother whilst he was a PoW in Dulmen camp. He was wounded but thankfully survived the war and returned home.

    Sue Levene




    257899

    Pte. Charles Greenhood Salter 10th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.12th Jul 1915)

    Charles Salter in remembered on the Doiran Memorial in Greece





    257896

    Pte. Wlliam Walter Phillps 5th Battalion South Wales Borderers

    William Philips was a miner before the war and was released from the army early to return to the mines.

    Paul Farrow




    257893

    Pte. Frederick Arthur Piper 15th (Service) Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.7th October 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Piper was born on the 1st March 1891 in Catherington a small village in Hampshire, the second son of William and Fanny (nee Downs) Piper. Prior to his enlistment in the Hampshire Regiment he was working as a farm labourer in Denmead, Hampshire. He was killed in action 6 weeks after his younger brother George was killed also in action. Frederick is buried in the Warlencourt British Cemetery. Frederick and George were the sons of my great grandfather William Piper by his second marriage and step-brothers to my grandfather Herbert William Piper.

    Pat Lee




    257892

    Pte E L Salter 7th Battalion, C Company Rifle Brigade

    Private Salter was wounded in the left leg on 30/31 July 1915 at Hooge. Subsequently discharged from the Army.





    257890

    Cpl. Reginald Howard Page 4th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    One of the Old Contemptibles, my grandfather, Reginald Page, joined up at the very beginning of the war. I suspect he had a yen for the RAMC because his father was a doctor who had fallen on hard times, and Reginald had never had any of the education he would have liked in order to become a medic himself.

    As it was, he was a private, I believe a stretcher-bearer, but had been promoted to Corporal by the time he was wounded at the end of October 1917, presumably at Paschendaele. The wound was recorded as gunshot to head, though family history has it as a shrapnel hit, and was severe, causing him to lose a small piece of skull. He was sent from Etaples to Calais on 1st of November 1917 and travelled home on a Convalescents for England transport. He was entitled to a wound stripe, and never returned to the war, I do not know whether he was honourably discharged or still convalescent when the war ended the following year. My grandmother Emily, his fiancee at the time, recalled the lengthy trips she had to take to get to the hospital where he was convalescing. However, he survived to marry her, have three sons (two of whom were old enough to fight in WW2) and to live happily till the early 1950s. He always had a pulsing place on his head where he had nearly been killed in 1917.

    Caroline Page




    257889

    Pte. Christopher Bullivant 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.6th November 1915)

    My grandfather's brother, Christopher Bullivant, was a private in the 10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment who was killed at Festubert, France on 6th November 1915.

    My father's brother was born in December 1915 and named after his dead uncle. He was killed in North Africa on 29th June 1943, I am named Christopher after them both, my middle name is John after my father's cousin John Holland who was killed by the Japanese whilst attempting to escape from a prison train in the Far East. There were only twenty houses in Trenville Avenue (half were destroyed by bombing) four of the boys who grew up there were to be killed in WW2, as well as the two above one sailor was blown up when HMS Hood was destroyed by the Bismarck.

    Christopher J Bullivant




    257878

    Pte Ernest Anthony Nicks 1st/4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.8th March 1916)

    Just in Remembrance of Private Ernest Nicks





    257871

    OS. Frederick J. Herepath HMS Birkenhead

    Frederick Herepath was the eldest son of Frederick and Clara Herepath of Swansea. He joined the Royal Navy on 3rd of March 1916 aged 19. After spending time at the shore establishment HMS Vivid, presumably for training, he joined HMS Birkenhead at the end of June 1916 and served on her until March 1917 when he transferred to HMS Ramillies. He remained an Ordinary Seaman throughout his time on Birkenhead.





    257866

    Reginald Brand "Digger" James 4th Field Ambulance

    Reginald James sailed from Fremantle on HMAT Ajana A31 on 30th of December 1914. He served at Gallipoli until evacuation, then in France as a Lance Corporal and Lieutenant in 12th Battalion AIF, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.

    Donelle James




    257865

    Spr. Vincent Myles McCann 75th Field Company Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Vincent McCann joined the British Army on 19th of September 1914. He was a fitter by trade, working in the Harland and Wolff shipyard from about 1910 to 1914 as an apprentice (during the time the Titanic was being built). His position in the company was as an Iron Turner or lathe operator.

    He was initially posted to the 122nd Field Company and sent to train at Clandeboye Camp in Co. Down, Ireland, but friction between the Catholics and Protestants resulted in his being transferred to the 75th Field Company which was training at Moore Park, Kilworth in Co. Cork, Ireland. His company was mobilized in July 1915 and they arrived in France in September, where they were attached to the 1st Guards Brigade, which was forming in the Lumbres region in Northern France. They took part in the Battle of Loos, and later in Ypres and the latter part of the Battle of the Somme, among many other battles. He was demobilized in 1919.

    Derek McCann




    257859

    Pte. James William Pawley 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    James Pawley joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and went to Ireland. After that he joined the Leicestershire Regiment. He was discharged as medical unfit.

    Rosemary Sutton




    257858

    Pte. William Donald Parker 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.7th October 1918)

    William Parker was my grandfather's brother. Joined up aged 16 in 1914. He was taken prisoner April 1918 at the Battle of the Lys and was held behind the German rear lines. During a British air raid on 7th of October 1918 a bomb was dropped near to his billet shattering the windows, a piece of glass hit and killed him. To have served the whole war only to be killed accidentally within 5 or 6 weeks of the end of the war was tragic.

    David Brown




    257854

    Pte. Arthur Heald 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.4th Nov 1918)

    Arthur Heald was the child of my Great Great Granddad's Sister. I came across him while doing family research. He was living with his Grandparents in 1891 and was 2 years old. His army records have been destroyed. I hope someone reads this and knows more about him. It would be nice for him to be remembered.

    Linda Greet




    257850

    L/Cpl. Thomas Campbell 9th (Glasgow) Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.29th September 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Campbell was born circa 1898/99 in Portobello, Midlothian, Scotland, the only child of Donald Campbell, a policeman, who died in 1899 of appendicitis, and Eliza Elspet nee Garden. Following his father's death, Thomas lived with his widowed mother Eliza and grandmother Jane Garden in the 1901 census. Eliza remarried and was killed in 1902 when she fell from a 4th story window.

    Thomas continued to live with his maternal grandmother, working at the GPO in Edinburgh and at some stage enlisted in the 9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry. I believe the enlistment records were lost during WW2. Sadly Thomas was killed in the closing weeks of WW1, dying on the 29th of September 1918 age 20 years. He is buried at Targelle Ravine British Cemetery at Villers-Guislain, France. We inherited his dead man's penny which was left to his uncle, James Smith-Garden; my husband's maternal grandfather. Thomas was my husband's first cousin, 1 x removed.

    It is very sad that a whole family, like so many others, was wiped from the earth. All that potential lost. Lest we forget.

    Christine Spence




    257841

    Lt. Charles George Attervill Smith 2/9th (Queen Victoria Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Before the war Charles Smith had been apprenticed to the furniture makers Waring and Gillow. He joined the Queen Victoria Rifles in 1914 as a private. He soon found himself in the trenches in France. He served under his former boss, Sam Waring, who made him his batman for a while. He also served alongside Stanley Holloway, later a star of stage and screen. Stanley had been a pupil at the same school in Acton as Charles, though a little younger. He fought in many battles, including the Ypres campaign and was commissioned in 1917. Quite a feat for a working class lad.

    David Smith




    257840

    Pte. Andrew Wallace 6th Btn. Connaught Rangers

    Andrew Wallace enlisted in Kilkenny Ireland with the 6th Connaught Rangers. He was reported wounded in action in Sept 1917. He then transferred to the Leinster Regiment and was wounded again in October 1918. He was discharged on the 1st of March 1919 in Llanelli, Wales and was awarded a Disability Pension.

    F O'Connor




    257837

    Sea. Henry Clyne Collingwood Battalion

    Harry Clyne served in the Collingwood Battalion, Naval Brigade.





    257836

    Robert D. Scott

    Robert Scott served in the Royal Navy. He enlisted on the 10th of August 1914 and served until his discharge on the 31st of March 1920. His father was Robert Scott and his mother Janet, nee Fernie.

    Robert Brawley




    257834

    Pte. John Howarth 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.29th April 1918)

    John Howarth served with the 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment in WW1. He died 29th of April 1918 aged 32 years and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. Husband of Jessie Howarth of 973 Atherton Road, Hindley Green, Wigan, Lancs.

    Ann Whittome




    257831

    Pte. William Rounsevell 10th (Cornwall Pioneers) Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.21st March 1918)

    William Rounsevell enlisted at Saltash. He served with the 10th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in WW1. He died from wounds age 24 on 21st of March 1918 and is buried at Rocquigney, Equancourt Road British Cemetery in France. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Wade Rounsevell of 28 New Street, Millbrook, Cornwall.





    257828

    L/Cpl. John Ainsworth 10th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    John Ainsworth served with the 10th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment I am about to start researching my wife's Grandfather and this is my starting point. The information is taken from my wife's mother's birth certificate.

    Mark Saxon




    257827

    Pte A Grant West Yorkshire Regiment

    I am currently in possession of Pte Grant's WW1 War Medal

    Adrian Marriott




    257824

    Cpl. Maurice Mitchell 2nd Btn. C Coy. East Kent Regiment (d.3rd May 1915)

    Maurice Mitchell served with the 2nd Battalion, East Kent Regiment in WW1. He died 3rd of May 1915 aged 22 years and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium. Son of William James and Clara Ann Mitchell of 47 Lowfield Street, Dartford, Kent.

    D Mitchell




    257823

    Dvr. Alexander Ferguson C Bty, 189th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.13th September 1917)

    Alexander Ferguson served with the C Battery, 189th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery in WW1. He died 13th of September 1917 aged 35 years and is buried Elzenwalle Brasserie Cemetery in Belgium. Son of the late James Ferguson of Glasgow.

    Maggie Fox




    257819

    Pte. Ernest Gilbert Adkins 9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.9th August 1915)

    Whilst researching a school project Ernest Adkins came to light. He was just 17 years old when he was killed in action in Gallipoli. He left Avonmouth on HMT Royal Edward disembarking on 14th of July 1915 at Cape Helles. He died just a short time later on 9th Aug 1915 as part of the Aghyl Dere Gully assault. His body lies in Gallipoli and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. Unfortunately, we have been unable to find a photo.

    John Adkins




    257813

    Pte. Frederick William Allen 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    Frederick Allen served in 1st Norfolk Regiment in 1914. He embarked for France on the 9th of October 1914 and was married in 1915 in East Molesey, Surrey. He transferred to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in Sept 1916 then to the Machine Gun Corps. He was discharged on 31/3/1920 and awarded the 1914 Star, Victory and British War medals.

    Roderick Pierce




    257810

    Sgt. William Patrick Brennan DCM. 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment

    Bill Brennan was awarded the DCM for his part at Gurabeh in Palestine in August 1918. He transferred to 2nd Battalion, Royal Tank Corp when the Leinster Regiment was disbanded.

    John Brennan




    257805

    Spr. Stanley Frank Evans Z Special Coy Royal Engineers (d.20th April 1917)

    Stanley Evans served with the Royal Engineers Z Special Company as a skilled carpenter in WW1. He died 20th of April 1917

    John Carmichael




    257802

    Pte. James Abbott 11th (1st South Down) Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    James Abbott served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment in WW1. He was killed in action 31st of July 1917 aged 19 years on the 1st day of the 3rd Battle of Ypres.

    James is buried Buffs Road Cemetery in Belgium. He is also remembered in St Peter's Memorial Book. His is the first name on Brighton's War Memorial 1914-1921.





    257800

    Pte. Samuel Edgar Hollingworth 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.9th August 1915)

    Samuel Hollingworth was born in 1872. During WW1 he served with the 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. He died 9th of August 1915 aged around 40 years and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium.





    257795

    Pte, Osmond Clark 3rd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Osmond Clark is my husband's grandfather. We discovered his name on the WWII memorial in Lawnswood Cemetery Leeds. The date of his death was 1st July 1916, and we immediately linked that to the Battle of The Somme. However, after obtaining his death certificate, we found, sadly, he had died in Whitley Bay of acute lobar pneumonia while serving with the Tyne Garrison. This may have been linked to conditions they experienced, but we shall never know. Unfortunately, his first wife died in 1911, and this meant that my husband's father was left an orphan at the age of 8. He had a stepmother, but eventually he was brought up in a very strict household by his grandparents. I have been unable to obtain his service records. The reason I have been given is that they were likely among those records which were destroyed.

    Joan Clark




    257792

    Major. John duPlessis Langrishe DSO MID. 12th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Capt. Jack Langrishe was a Regular Army doctor, having joined the British Army in 1907 after graduating from Trinity College, Dublin. He served in India from Sept. 1908 to Aug. 1913 and in the British Army hospital in Queenstown, Ireland, from Sept. 1913 to Sept. 1914.

    He went to France in Sept. 1914 as regimental medical officer to 38th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. On 19th January 1915 he was appointed to 16th Field Ambulance, 16th Infantry Brigade, then in Flanders. He then joined the staff of the A.D.M.S. 14th Division on 10th Nov. 1915 in Flanders, later on the Arras and Somme fronts. On 6th of November 1916 he took command of 12th Field Ambulance with the acting rank of Lt. Colonel, retaining this post and rank until 1st March 1919. The Field Ambulance supported the actions in a number of sectors, finally being involved in the advance from Arras to Cambrai in October 1918. The Field Ambulance remained in being until March 1919. Jack was promoted to Major (substantive) on 28th January 1919, retaining his acting rank of Lt. Col. until relinquishing command of the Field Ambulance. He was Mentioned in Despatches by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig on 7th November 1917 (L.G. 24.12.1917) and appointed to the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) the same month (L.G. 1.1.1918); he was invested by H.M. King George V at Buckingham Palace on 23rd November 1918. He continued to serve until retirement on 2nd May 1928.

    Hugh R. Langrishe




    257789

    Pte. John Robert Martin 10th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.6th May 1915)

    I found out about John Martin while doing our family tree. I have visited Fulwood Military Museum and uncovered a lot of information which in turn lead to a visit to his grave in Doullens where I got to put some Lancashire heather on his grave from his home town of Horwich. I also put some nice words in the visitors book. We also named our son Martin so his name can live on and not be forgotten as time moves on.

    Glenn Wadeson




    257771

    Pte. Neil McDonald 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.9th April 1918)

    Neil McDonald served with the 4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders in WW1. He died 9th of April 1918 and is remembered on the Loos Memorial in France.

    Bettina MacDonald-Wood




    257770

    Pte. James Cooper 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.6th August 1915)

    My granddad, James Cooper joined the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment in WW1. We know the whereabouts of the this battalion sent to Gallipoli. For 10 years we have been looking for a picture and his personal story. There are so many Coopers. James was born in 1877 and went missing in Gallipoli on 6th of August 1915 leaving a wife and 5 children.

    Pamela Cooper




    257767

    Pte. George William Crinson 18th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.30th March 1917)

    George Crinson served with the 18th Company, Machine Gun Corps in WW1. He died 30th of March 1917 and is buried Calais Southern Cemetery in France. George is listed by the CWGC as Crimson but his real name was Crinson.

    Davey Naylor




    257766

    Pte. Robert John Mabbett 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.28th November 1916)

    Robert Mabbett served with the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment in WW1. He died 28th of November 1916 aged 28 years and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Lee Powell




    257763

    Pte John Keeley 12th Btn King's Liverpool Regiment

    John Keeley was our paternal grandfather, but sadly died before I was born. He served with the 12th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment in WW1. I don't have any photos, but still have his war medals.

    Beverley Bamford




    257762

    Pte. Israel Hughes 11th (Lambeth) Btn. West Surrey Regiment (d.9th August 1916)

    Israel Hughes was born on the 28th of June 1888 Coulsdon, Surrey, England and was baptised 2nd of September 1888 at Coulsdon St John, Surrey, England. He was living with his parents and siblings at 5 Woodmill Place in Caterham from 1891-1901. Israel moved in with his sister and brother in-law, to 6 Roberts Yard High Street in Croydon Surrey, England. His occupation was labourer (general). He was living at 9 Roberts Yard High Street, Croydon in 1915.

    In WW1 he joined the 11th Battalion, West Surrey (Queens) Regiment on 7th of November 1915. He was killed in France on the 9th of August 1916 aged 28 years and is buried London Rifle Brigade Cemetery in Belgium. Son of Israel and Amy Hughes.

    Vanessa




    257759

    Spr. Herbert Speller 179th Company Royal Engineers (d.16th November 1916)

    Herbert Speller served with the 179th Company, Royal Engineers in WW1. He died 16th of November 1916 aged 27 years and is buried Albert Communal Cemetery Extension in France. Son of Charles and Hetty Speller of New Park Lodge, Newgate Street, Hertford.

    Gary Speller




    257749

    Sgt. David Thomas Whisby 12th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    David Whisby served with the 12th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment.

    Steve Wright




    257740

    Cpl. Thomas Samuel Carlise Joiner 8th Btn. Oxfordford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.24th September 1918)

    Thomas Joiner was born in Solihul on the 10th of August 1891. He served with the 8th Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Regiment in WW1. No service records survive, but he went to France 18th of September 1915. He died at the 79th General Hospital on 24th of May 1918 aged 26 years and is buried in Taranto Town Cemetery Extension in Italy. Son of Thomas and Mary Joiner of 7 Grove Avenue, Solihull, Warwickshire.

    Darren




    257734

    Pte. Willie Cordingly 3rd Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.3rd November 1916)

    Willie Cordingly served with the 3rd Battalion, East Kent Regiment in WW1. He died on 3rd of November 1916 aged 28 years and is interred in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Low Moor, Bradford. Son of Abraham and Mary Ann Cordingly of 11 Portland Street, Low Moor, Bradford.





    257731

    Pte. Leonard Peake 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.23rd October 1918)

    Leonard Peake served with the 6th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in WW1. He was held as a POW in Germany and died three days after his 20th birthday on 23rd of October 1918 and is buried Niederzwehren Cemetery at Mederzwehren, Stadkreirs Kassel, Hessen, Germany. Son of Leonard and Priscilla Peake of 7A, Crealock Street, Wandsworth, London. He was born at Watford, Herts.

    Jonathan Bosley




    257729

    Sgt. John "Mad Jack" Sergeant Royal Irish Fusiliers

    John Sergeant was my Great Grandfather. He was part of Carson's Ulster Volunteers and went to France with the Royal Irish Fusiliers as part of the 36th Ulster Division. He was transferred at some period to the Labour Corps but we don't know why. We do believe he suffered from gas inhalation which apparently took his life in his early 50s from lung problems.

    John Sergeant




    257728

    Pte. Edwin Louis Priest 17th (1st Football) Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    <p>Edwin Priest early in war

    Edwin Priest attested on 12th of December 1915 as part of the Lord Derby scheme. He stated his willingness to serve for the duration of the war and was posted for duty on 11th of February 1916. After training, he joined the 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in France along with a draft of 69 other ranks. The Battalion was undergoing refit in a rest area of the Somme after having severe casualties at 2 actions on the Somme at Delville Wood and Guillemont.

    After refit, the Battalion and Edwin carried out regular tours of duty in the Somme front line trenches throughout January, February, March and April 1917. This included forming regular working parties. During April 1917 they also practiced for their forthcoming part in the Arras offensive. On 28th of April they made their attack, the objective being the capture of Oppy Wood and village. All went well early on. However, the battalions attacking either side of them were unable to keep up due to uncut wire and very strong German defences. This enabled the Germans to make strong counter attacks on both flanks of the 17th Middlesex. Despite determined efforts to resist this, it effectively resulted in most of the attacking Middlesex troops being surrounded and killed, wounded or captured. The remnants of the Middlesex had to return to their original starting point. In this action the Middlesex suffered their highest single casualties of the war. The wounded who managed to get back were those injured early in the attack before the Germans had managed to surround them. Fortunately Edwin was wounded by shrapnel in the left arm early on. He helped assist another wounded man back.

    Edwin was sent back to the Warrington Military Hospital in England and was eventually deemed fit on 23rd of June 1917. However, he was only fit for 2nd line duties, eg guarding lines of communication. He was posted to the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Essex Regiment and spent 18 months in Egypt and Palestine, catching measles there. January and February 1919 was spent in Salonika, where he caught malaria. This invalided him back to England to the Belmont Road Hospital in Liverpool. He was demobbed on 8th of April 1919.

    Roy Priest




    257724

    Sgt. James Arthur Parnell MM. East Yorkshire Regiment

    My grandfather, James Parnell, served with the East Yorkshire Regiment in France in WW1, enlisting in 1914 at the age of 15 having lied about his age. Wounded and awarded the MM, he was discharged with the West Yorkshire Regiment because, I believe, so few of the East Yorks survived. He was a Sgt by age 16, though it would appear he was discharged in the rank of Private, so he may have held acting rank.

    I have two documents that might be of interest: one from the Oxford Archive, the invitation by the Lord Mayor of Hull for his award of the MM in April 1919, the second, the Army citation that went with his award. There are two family stories about how he won the MM. The one I believe most likely is that he picked up a German grenade and threw it from his trench, sustaining damage to his right hand with the loss of part of his thumb, his index finger and part of his middle finger and a large burn to his forehead, all clearly visible throughout his life. The second story was that he escaped from capture with his CO by killing the German guard by thrusting his head down on his own bayonet. Of course, as with many of his comrades in arms, he never spoke of his days in the Army, honorable though they were and actively tried (unsuccessfully) to persuade me not to join the Royal Air Force. Needless to say, we are deeply proud of my grandfather's war record.

    M Parnell




    257721

    Sgt. Harry Charles Whichelow 9th (Northumberland Hussars) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th September 1918)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, Harry Whichelow, was one of three brothers who served in the British Army in WW1. He served with the Northumberland Fusiliers 9th Battalion and the Rifle Brigade. Harry died 25th of September 1918 aged 26 years and is buried Anzac Cemetery at Sailly-sur-la-lys in France. He was the son of Fred and Jessie Whichelow of London and husband of Eliza M. Whichelow, of 48 Pound Street, Shirley, Southampton. Harry's other two brothers both survived the war.





    257719

    Pte George William Myhill 1st Btn Coldstream Guards

    George Myhill served with the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards in WW1. He was treated for ICT (injury to connective tissue) of the right foot and was admitted to hospital 30th of December 1916. On 6th of February 1917, he was discharged to Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington where he was treated for an ulcer on his big toe.

    Mark Ratcliff




    257718

    Pte. Bertie Baker 5th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 7th of January 1916: "Pte. Bertie Baker, of the Welsh Borderers, son of Mr Baker, of Prospect Place, Tiverton, writing home from the firing line, describes the scenes in and around the trenches in the locality in which he was placed during Christmastide. "The bursting of shells", he says, "lighted up the country for miles around, and I expect the Germans thought the end of the world had come. We are sending over thousands of shells every day, and for every twenty we fire across the Germans reply with two or three. It is evident the Kaiser intends to fight until he has not a man left, but as for peace, there are no signs of it." Pte. Baker then gives the menu for Christmas Day. They had for breakfast fried bacon and bread and butter; for dinner, roast beef, carrots and potatoes, oranges, apples and chocolate. Afterwards they received 15 packets of Woodbines and two packets of tobacco, a shirt and pants, two pairs of socks, handkerchief, gloves and scarves. For tea, they had cake and biscuits and bread and butter."

    Christopher Baker




    257717

    Able Sea. Wilfred Schofield HMS Vivid (d.26th June 1920)

    Wilfred Schofield was born circa 1901. During WW1 he served with the Royal Navy aboard HMS Vivid. He died 26th of June 1920 aged 19 years and is buried Rochdale Cemetery. His parents were John and Ellen Schofield of 76 Dodgson Street Rochdale.

    Lisa Jennings




    257715

    Gnr. Cecil Crocker 126th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.24th August 1918)

    Cecil Crocker served with the 126th Seige Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1. He died 24th of August 1918 aged 23 years and is buried Beacon Cemetery at Sailly-Laurette in France. Son of Gilbert John and Annie Matilda Crocker of 6 St. Andrew's Road, Exwick, Exeter.





    257707

    Pte. George Statters 10th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.16th November 1916)

    George Statters served with the 10th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment in WWW1. He died 16th of November 1916 aged 38 years and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France. Son of George and Elizabeth Statters of Skipsea; husband of Jane E. Statters of Skipsea.

    Anthony Hudson




    257704

    Pte. Joseph Worsnip 5th Battalion Devonshire Regiment

    Joseph Worsnip was my great uncle. He served with the Devonshire Regiment and the Royal Defence Corps was discharged from service on 12th of January 1918 due to wounds received. He was awarded the Silver War Badge for his trouble.





    257686

    Sgt. Walter Leslie Webber 9th Armoured Regt. British Columbia Dragoons (d.31st August 1944)

    Lesslie Webber died on the 31st of August 1944. This is all I know I would love to have more information.

    Julie Nicholls




    257682

    Pte. Charles Paul Arnold 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.14th October 1918)

    My Uncle Charles first served with the Labour Corps, then as a Signaller with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was born and grew up in Ayr, and died in Flanders on 14th of October 1918 just four weeks before Armistice. He is buried in the Dadizele New British Cemetery in Belgium. He served from 4th of December 1914 until is death at the age of 21 and four months.





    257681

    2Lt. Ramsey Gelling Johnson 161st Brigade, B Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Ramsey Gelling Johnson was a qualified advocate who responded to the call for volunteers. He enlisted as a private in the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps in November 1915. In April 1917 he joined the 161st (Yorks) Brigade, RFA in France as 2nd Lieutenant and was allocated to B Battery. He served with B/161 until the end of the war. He served at Messines and Passchendaele. An Inns of Court Officer.

    Rosemary Penn




    257676

    Pte. Alfred Denner Wright 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    Alfred Wright was wounded in action in France on 21st of June 1916. He was posted to Salonika with the 26th Battalion on 28th of November 2016. He was wounded again in action on 16th of May 1917 and transferred to hospital where he contracted malaria. He was transferred to the Labour Corps on 11th of March 1918 prior to demobilisation on 16th of April 1919.

    Rob Wright




    257668

    Pte. James Kenny 2nd Batallion Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    James Kenny was said to have been taken as a prisoner at the Somme in 1916 and taken to Germany. Little else known, he survived the war and had a pension for life.

    Tony Hennessy




    257664

    WO2. Charles Wilson

    Charles Wilson served in the Dardenelles and was injured twice, once in the arm and once in the chest. He was in the Livingstone College Hospital in October 1915. Before the war he was a horse driver. At the end of the war he was a Warrant Officer Class 2.





    257663

    AB. Hugh Paton Lister C Coy. 2nd (Hawke) Battalion

    The diary of AB Hugh Lister of C Company, Hawke Battalion, RND is currently being transcribed and supplemented with background notes, with the aim of producing a book for family members.

    Jim Ross




    257660

    Pte Francis Morris Russell 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.10th August 1917)

    Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Russell, of Week Farm, Ventnor, received news on Tuesday last that their son, Pte. Francis M. Russell, of the 14th Hants, attached M.G. Company, had been wounded by bullet in his right shoulder. He has been serving in France for the last 4 months. We are glad to say his wound is not serious and that he is now in Hospital in England doing well. Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Russell, of Week Farm, have received the sad news that their son, Pte. Francis M. Russell, was killed in action in Flanders on August 10th. His company officer has written: "It is with sincere regret that I have to inform you that your son was killed on the night of the 10th inst. He was accompanying an officer who was on duty, and a shell fell quite near them, killing your son instantly and severely wounded the officer. I would ask you to accept the very sincere sympathy of the officers of the company. He was one of our best and most reliable men, and a brave soldier.

    Peter Russell




    257657

    Pte. Thomas Patrick Flood 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.5th April 1917)

    Thomas Flood served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, attached 47th Trench Mortar Battery, in WW1. He died 5th of April 1917 aged 25 years and is buried La Laiterie Military Cemetery in Belgium. Son of John and Mary Flood of Walkin St. Kilkenny.

    Thomas Flood




    257656

    Pte. Edward George Parker 10th (Stockbrokers) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.25th August 1918)

    Edward Parker served with the 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers in WW1. He died 10th of August 1918 aged 18 years and is buried Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension in France. Son of Mrs. Jane Parker, of Monk Soham, Framlingham, Suffolk.





    257654

    Pte. Frederick Holtermann 32nd (East Ham) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.4th October 1916)

    Frederick Holtermann served with the 32nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in WW1. He died 4th of October 1916 aged 22 years and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France. Son of Mary Ann Holtermann of 69 Ranelagh Rd. West Ham, London, and the late John Holtermann.





    257648

    Pte. James F. Dunbar 4th Btn. Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    James Dunbar served with the 4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders in WW1.

    Ivor Hughes




    257647

    Pte. John Albert Schmidt 19th (St Pancras) Btn. London Regiment (d.29th September 1916)

    <p>

    John Schmidt served with the 19th Battalion, London Regiment in WW1. He died 29th of September 1916 aged 19 years and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France. Son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Schmidt of 1 Great Ormond St. Holborn, London.

    Jim Powrie




    257638

    Pte. Bertram Francis Nason 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>

    Bertram Nason served with the 10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was the son of Francis Nason and Esther (nee Adams) of Pillerton Priors and Pillerton Hersey. At the time of Bertram's birth, his father was working on the Chastleton Estate, where he became farm bailiff. Bertram was born at Brookend Farm, Chastleton. In 1901, when he was 16, Bertram was living with his parents at 15 Ryland Street, Stratford and he was a telegraph messenger. His older sister had died aged 11 and is buried in the churchyard at Chastleton. He had an older brother who had moved away and married in Baldock that same year. By 1906, Bertram was a fully fledged postman, as shown in the appointments books, and a year later, he had transferred to Leamington. His patch in the Stratford area was very rural and he would cycle miles, including delivering to the Alscot Estate. He remembers being invited to the staff Christmas parties there. Soon after becoming a postman, he met and fell in love with the head waitress, Lizzie Melville, at the Shakespeare Hotel in Stratford. They were married in Stratford Parish Church on 11 November 1911. The hotel presented them with a silver tea service. The couple lived at 9 Newbold Place, Leamington Spa.

    Bertram remained a postman until he enlisted with the 10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 8th of December 1915. He served at Passchendaele. By acquiring the war diaries for the battalion and visiting the museum at Passchendaele, we have discovered that he was gassed at Hill 60. This was an important strategic point for undermining. We have a telegram sent to his wife to inform her that on a certain date in 1917, he was injured and sent to the military hospital at Etaples, on the coast of France. This would have been a hospital largely under canvas. From there he was sent to the Beaulieu Auxiliary Hospital in Harrogate, where he remained, convalescing, for some months. During his convalescence, his wife Lizzie upped sticks and moved to Yorkshire with the dog to be near him. We have a photo of Bertram at Harrogate, the middle man in the front row with the dog on his knee. The suits would have been a statutory blue. In January 1919 he was discharged on the ground of sickness.

    Bertram and Lizzie continued to live in Leamington and had one daughter. After he was widowed in 1953, he lived alone in Leamington. When he was older, he moved to live with his daughter and her husband and their two children in Radway. He died in 1967, having lived to the age of 82 despite the damage he suffered at Passchendaele. His two grandchildren and their partners still live locally.

    Bertram at Beaulieu Auxiliary Hospital, Harrogate, post Oct 1917. He is sitting with his dog





    257636

    L/Cpl. Claude Archibald John Henry Warren 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.29th September 1918)

    Claude Warren served with the 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment in WW1. He died 29th of September 1918 and is buried Chapel Corner Cemetery at Sauchy-Lestree in France.

    L Wilkinson




    257634

    Pte. William Seels 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Bill Seels was a journeyman baker and trained as a company cook at Fort George, Inverness prior to being sent on Active service. He served with the 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters in WW1. He was gassed on the Somme on 15th of August 1918 but recovered and lived to the age of 79.

    Alison Purser




    257632

    Gnr Henry Thompson Sharpe Royal Field Artillery

    Henry Sharpe served with the Royal Field Artillery in WW1.

    Alison Purser




    257631

    L/Bmdr. George William Wallace 69th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    George Wallace was one of eight children born to Catherine and Henry Harris Wallace in Lancashire. He joined up with his brother Thomas on the 26th of August 1914 at Seaforth. He was only 5ft 3inches, with a 35 inch chest and weighed only 125 lbs. The medical record said that his general development was fair and that he had blue eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion. He became a driver for the 69th Battery, Royal Field Artillery and was part of the British Expeditionary Mediterranean Force and also served in the British Dardanelles.

    He came back from the war having no physical injuries or illnesses. He was discharged on the 10th of September 1919, by which time his two year old niece and his pregnant sister had died of the flu before he had got home.

    Cheryl Lawless




    257630

    Pte John Clark 18th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Clark served with the 18th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in WW1.





    257627

    Pte. Arthur Palmer MM. 9th (Pioneers) Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    Arthur Palmer served in France at the Somme, Ypres, Passchendaele and then in Italy before returning to England

    Ian Palmer




    257626

    Pte. Arthur Edgar Kirton D Coy. 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    My Grandfather, Arthur Kirton, of the 6th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, was badly wounded and subsequently captured on the morning of the 21st of March 1918 at Epehy, the very morning of the beginning of the German Spring Offensive of 1918. A search of the ICRC records revealed that he was at Soltau POW Camp when the ICRC visited the camp in August of 1918 and the records show that at that time he was still suffering with his shoulder as a result of his severe wounds.

    My Grandfather lived until 1986 dying at the age of 87.

    Dave Dunham




    257625

    Pte. William Griffin 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    >William Griffin served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers in WW1. He left for France on 23rd of August 1914 aboard the ship SS Caledonia. After their training in India, near St Julian, they fired the first shot from all the Irish Regiments on the 24th of May 1915. The 2nd Battalion's trench was only 60 metres from the German lines. They heard the valves being released on the gas machines in Shell Shock Farm. It was the first time gas was used on the Western Front. William perished with almost the whole battalion on the morning of 24th of May 1915. He was 20 years old. He has no known grave but is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium.

    William came from Carmens Hall, Francis St., Dublin. He was my Irish great uncle. My English side had 9 other family members fight, two in WW1 and seven in WW2. We have another unknown grave in Mesopotamia.

    Tom




    257624

    Pte Harry Nightingale 9th Btn Dunster Force Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.2nd of September 1918)

    Harry Nightingale served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment in WW1. He fought in Cape Helles then his battalion was sent to Persia.

    This is where he died 2nd of September 1918. Harry has no known grave and his memorial is in Iran: Tehran Memorial





    257621

    O/S George J Wilders HMS Hyacinth

    George Wilders served with the Royal Navy aboard HMS Hyacinth in WW1.

    Philip J Wilders




    257620

    Pte. Victor Emil Hugo Osterholm 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Victor Osterholm was my grandad who served with the 1st and 2nd Battalions, Middlesex Regiment in WW1. He was captured on 25th of May 1918. Apparently the rest of his battalion were killed the next day.

    Jacqui Brown




    257612

    Pte. Edward Thomas Gilchrist 8th Btn. Border Regiment

    My grandfather, Edward Gilchrist, served with the 8th Battalion, Border Regiment in WW1. He was captured at Armentieres 10th of April 1918 and was a POW at Stendal Camp.

    Yvonne McNamara




    257611

    Pte. James Hay Smith 1/7th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.8th January 1917)

    <p>

    James Smith served with the 1/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders in WW1. He died 8th of January 1917 aged 27 years and is buried Contay British Cemetery in France. Son of James and Elsie Smith of Craiglash, Glassel, Aberdeenshire. Native of Torphins, Aberdeenshire.

    David Smith




    257607

    L/Cpl. Charles Thomas 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.1st Sept 1917)

    Charles Thomas fought in France and Flanders, he was killed in action.





    257606

    David Anderson 8th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.28th April 1916)

    David Anderson served with the 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in WW1. He died 28th of April 1916 aged 36 years and is buried Maroeuil British Cemetery in France. Son of James and Minnie McKay Anderson of Port Ellen, Islay, Argyllshire.

    Cheryl Lawless




    257604

    Pte. William Holmes 5th Btn. Border Regiment (d.16th September 1916)

    <p>

    Born in 1896 William Holmes was the youngest of 9 children. His parents were Robert and Sarah Holmes. His father owned a flour mill in Abbeytown near Carlisle.

    William joined the 5th Battalion, Border Regiment when he was 18 in 1914. He was badly injured during the offensive at Flers-Courcelette on the Somme on 15th of September 1916. The following day he died of his wounds at Puchevillers Casualty Clearing Station. He was aged 20 when he died. William is buried at Puchevillers British Military Cemetery grave.

    Alex Holmes




    257603

    Pte. Denis Healy 8th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Denis Healy served with the 8th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers and the 1st Garrison Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers in WW1. He had served in South Africa with the the North Cork Militia 9th (Militia) Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corpsfrom 1st of May 1893 to 2nd of May 1903.

    On 24th of August 1915 at age 44 Denis Healy rejoined the army this time serving with The Royal Munster Fusiliers0. He served in France from 19th of December 1915 to 7th of July 1917, which entitled him to the 1915 Star Medal. It would appear from the initial date in France that he would have been with the 8th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers, which was formed in Sep/Oct 1914 at Fermoy as part of the Second New Army, then moved to Mitchelstown, County Cork and joined the 47th Brigade of the 16th Division. In 1915 Moved to Templemore in February then back to Fermoy in May then in September to Blackdown, Aldershot. On the 18th of December 1915 they mobilised for war and landed at Havre. They were engaged in various actions on the Western Front including, The Battle of Guillemont and The Battle of Ginchy. On the 23rd of November 1916 the Battalion was disbanded in France and the remaining personnel moved to the 1st Battalion which transferred to the 47th Brigade of the 16th Division and continued to engage in action on the Western Front. During 1917 he saw action in The Battle of Messines, The first Battle of Cambrai, Third Battles of Ypres.

    We then have a gap in Denis's service from 7th of July 1917 to 22nd of December 1917. Could he have been recovering from multiple neuritis at that time? He may have been admitted to the Royal Hospital Chelsea as an award of a War Disablement Pension was subsequently made in respect of the condition multiple neuritis, regrettably no payment details remain at The War Pensions Agency.

    Presumably, on 22nd of December 1917 he joined the Royal Irish Fusiliers and according to the RIF Attestation Book he served in India until 25th of September 1920. He was discharged in Dublin on 23rd of November 1920 with his address given as 25 Gould Street, Cork. It appears that the only RIF battalion in India was the 1st Garrison Btn RIF which in February 1916 had deployed to India and in May 1917 deployed to Burma.

    Kieran Healy




    257602

    Pte. John Joseph Kelly 8th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    John Kelly served with the 8th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment in WW1. He was posted to France on 12th of April 1917 and was wounded for the first time on 31st of July 1917 and then again on 25th of September 1917. He was listed as wounded 26th of October 1917.

    John was admitted as a casualty 6th of November 1917 and was medically discharged from the West Bridgeford Hospital, Nottingham 23rd of January 1918. He is listed as having disability V.D.H. and his pension of 27/6d was to be reviewed in 26 weeks.

    John sadly passed away prematurely in 1938 due to inoperable wounding, he was aged 40 years.

    Janes Kelly




    257601

    RSM. Samuel Wain 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.20th August 1918)

    Samuel Wain served with the 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters Regiment in WW1. He died 20th of August 1918 aged 25 years and is buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery at Le Treport in France. Son of William H. and Elizabeth Wain of Dinsdale, Vicarage Lane, Bowden, Cheshire. Native of Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire.

    Unfortunately there is no story to be told as Samuel Wain died way before I was born and was never discussed. I only found out about him because I was doing my family tree. What I do know is that he died from being gassed. I found this site through searching about him but there is nothing I can find and it feels wrong, so at least he is being acknowledged being in the war there and sadly dying there too.

    Claire Blake




    257600

    Oscar Albert Knight 32nd (East Ham) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.15th September 1916)

    Oscar Knight served with the 32nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in WW1. He died 15th of September 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.





    257599

    Sgt. Christopher Faulkner CdeG. 151st Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Christopher Faulkner served with the 151st Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1. He is the holder of the Croix de Guerre medal. I am still trying to find out about his brothers.

    Gina Slater




    257596

    Pte. Patrick Elkin 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.12th October 1916)

    Patrick Elkin served with the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in WW1. He died 12th of October 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    John Elkin




    257593

    Rfmn. Harry Bowran 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.10th September 1916)

    Harry Bowran served with the 16th Battalion, London Regiment in WW1. He died 10th of September 1916. His body was never found and his name is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Barbara Majumdar




    257592

    Pte. John James Hall 11th (Pioneers) Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Jack Hall served with the 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in WW1.

    Jon K Hall




    257591

    Pte. James Henry Thomas 4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.11th September 1915)

    James Thomas served with the 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment in WW1. He died 11th of September 1915 and is buried at Brotton Church Cemetery in Yorkshire.





    257589

    Pte. Victor Bailey A Coy. 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.30th March 1917)

    Victor Bailey served with the 5th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment in WW1. He died 30th of March 1917 aged 19 years and is remembered on the Basra Memorial in Iraq. Son of Alfred William and Caroline Annie Bailey of 1 Glen View Villas, Slade Rd. Stroud.





    257588

    John Thomas Collins 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.13th July 1916)

    John Collins served with the 6th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in WW1 and died 13th of July 1916 aged 19 years in the Battle of the Somme. He is buried at Hilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-l'Abbe in France. Son of Samuel Ellen Collins, of 38, Sydney Rd., Small Heath, Birmingham.

    He was survived by his twin brother, Alfred Collins, who was wounded in the head in Gallipoli. Alf had a metal plate put into his skull and survived the surgery, but remained partially paralysed for the rest of his life in Birmingham.





    257586

    Shipfitter 1st Cl John Patrick Garrah USS President Lincoln USS New Mexico

    My father, John Garrah, served in the US Navy and was assigned to the USS President Lincoln from the Spring of 1917 to 31st of May 1918 when it was torpedoed by the German U-90.

    After this he was assigned to a freighter, the USS Herman Frasch which sank after being rammed during a fog off the Canadian coast while sailing to France in a convoy. Later again, he was transferred to the Battleship USS New Mexico, from which he was discharged in 1919 with a rank of Shipfitter 1st Class. Dad died in November 1971.

    John Paul Garrah




    257585

    Pte John Dower Warren 6th Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.18th of August 1916)

    John Warren served with the 6th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in WW1. He died 18th of August 1916 aged 19 years and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 6 B. France. Son of Elizabeth Ann Warren, of 8, Roach's Row, Redruth, Cornwall, and the late John Warren.

    John Warren




    257581

    Pte. Richard Spencer 13th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.16th August 1916)

    Richard Spencer of Hardy Street, Garston, served with the 13th Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool) in WW1. He died of wounds 16th of August 1916, aged 29 and is buried Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont in France. He left a wife and 2 children.

    M Pritchard




    257577

    Ronald Griffiths Beat 2nd Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.8th Oct 1918)

    <p>Ron (on the right) outside the Cookhouse at Brockton Camp, October 1917

    Ronald Beat served with 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. I was researching my family history and came across this photo of Ron(on the right). On the the back it reads: "Come to the cookhouse door boys. With love from Cecil to Florrie (Ron's sister), Saturday 27th of October 1917, Brocton camp Staffordshire."

    Ron Beat

    Wayne Armstrong




    257575

    Pte. William Jeffries 1/7th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.28th July 1918)

    William Jeffries served with the 1/7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in WW1. He died on 28th of July 1918 aged 20 years and is buried Bagneux British Cemetery at Gezaincourt in France. Son of William and Elizabeth Ann Jeffries of 25 Buxton St. Pendleton, Manchester. Native of Salford.





    257567

    Sgt. Frederick Rosier 7th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.25th Jul 1915)

    Frederick Rosier was the eldest son of Brad Rosier of Walsham-le-Willows and his wife, Rebecca. He was educated at Rickinghall Village school and enlisted in the 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment on 15th of March, 1894 and served in the South African War, receiving the Queen's medal with four clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State and Transvaal, and King's medal with two clasps. He took his discharge, on the 14th of March, 1903, and then joined the Reserve for six years.

    After the outbreak of war he reenlisted in the 7th Sulfolks, on the 7th of Sept. 1914, with his former rank of Sergt., and after acting as Drill Sergeant for some time at Shorncliffe, went to France on 30th of May, 1915, He died in the Stationary Hospital, Boulogne on the 25th of July, 1915, of wounds received in action, he is buried in Boulogne Cemetery. His commanding officer wrote "He was not only a very effiecent sergtant, but also a good keen man on whom I knew I could always rely to carry out the most dangerous of our duties. His pluck when in pain from his wound was magnificent"

    He was for ten years a bell-ringer at St. Mary's Church, Walsham-le-Willows, and was also secretary of the local branch of his Trade Union. Sergt. Rosier was married at Walsham-le-Willows, 13th Dec. 1902, to Ellen and had three children, Frederick Arthur William, b. 26 July, 1903; Winifred Dorothy, b. 22 May 1906, and Florence Lucy, b. 23 Aug. 1915.

    Graham Snyder




    257562

    Pte. Ezra Jack Harmer 144th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Jack Harmer was my great uncle. He was born in Chiddingly East Sussex in 1895. He was killed in action in 3rd Battle of Ypres aged 22. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.





    257559

    L/Cpl. George Campbell 122nd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.27th May 1918)

    George Campbell was my great grandfather, he was born in 1878. He was wounded on 15th May 1918 while serving with 122nd Field Company, Royal Engineers as part of 36th Ulster Division and was sent to 2nd Southern General Hospital at Southmead, Bristol. He died on 27th May 1918.

    George's military records stated he died at 8:20am. "Died of pneumonia overwhelming him in his weak state due to the spinal injury inflicted by gun shot wound". RAMC, Chatham, 26th of June 1918.

    L/Cpl. George Campbell is buried in Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland Belfast City Cemetery,and has a CWGC headstone.

    Paul Anderson




    257558

    Gnr. James Alfred Hems C Bty. 119th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.17th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    James Hems is buried in the New Irish Farm Cemetery, near Ypres in Belgium. Age 33, he was the husband of Ada F. Hems of 14 Liardet St., New Cross London.

    Jamie Olejnik




    257557

    Pte. John Tait 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John Tait served with the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.

    Linda Tait




    257543

    Pte. Wilfred Rust 8th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Wilfred Rust was born in 1879 in Pentney, Norfolk. He had two elder brothers and 5 elder sisters. He was in the 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment and died on 9th April 1917, aged 20. Wilfred is buried in Roclincourt Valley Cemetery.

    Pauline Graves




    257542

    Pte. Charles Percy Ward 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Percy Ward enlisted 22nd February 1916 and died in action in France on 3rd of September 1916, aged 33.

    Karl Garrod




    257530

    Pte. Albert Edward Brown 6th Battalion East Kent Regiment

    Albert Brown died from having been exposed to gas.

    Christine Brown




    257529

    Sto Harry George Gallop HMS Amethyst

    Harry George Gallop served on HMS Amethyst, HMS Constance and HMS Iris.

    John Mclaren




    257515

    Pte. Christopher William McCarfrae 13th Battalion Kings Regiment (Liverpool)

    <p>

    Christopher McCarfrae served with 13th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment.





    257514

    Pte Patrick Mulligan 12th Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.25th September 1915)

    Patrick Mulligan was my great great uncle. He served alongside his brother, my great grandfather, Jock Mulligan. He survived the war and went on to have a family and died in 1966.

    Nik Gamble




    257509

    Pte. Frederick Ernest Morant 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.28th April 1915)

    Frederick Morant was born at Boorley Green in 1891, the son of Charles and Emma Morant. Prior to the war Frederick had been a Botley schoolboy and a member of the church choir. Later the family moved to Melrose in Winchester Street, Botley and he was listed as a motor driver in 1911 at Hall Yard, Fair Oak.

    Frederick volunteered in the first year of the war and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment and served at Gallipoli in the Dardenelles. The British Forces landed at Cape Helles on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25th April 1915. Private Morant was listed as Missing for some weeks before his family were finally advised that he had been killed in action on 28 April 1915. He is remembered at the Helles Memorial at Gallipoli, Turkey.

    Bruce Clothier




    257508

    Pte. William John Powell 10th (1st Gwent) Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.29th August 1918)

    William John Powell was born in Brecon in 1888 and lived on the family farm with his widowed mother Ann and younger brother Morgan. After 1911, he moved to Ebbw Vale, where he enlisted.

    In 1916, he is reported to have had "a miraculous escape" from death when he was hit by a piece of shrapnel which was stopped by a small pocket Bible he was carrying. Both Bible and shrapnel were sent home where they were said to have created much interest among family and friends.

    In August 1918, he was killed during the great final advance and was buried at Morval.

    Norman Barnes




    257504

    David Albert Cable Royal Engineers

    <p>

    David Cable enlisted aged 19, he served with the 12th Battalion, London Regiment and the Inland Waterways & Docks Section, Royal Engineers.

    Gary Cable




    257502

    Pte. Thomas Burrows 14th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.24th November 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Burrows died at the Battle of Cambrai, no marked grave but has a memorial at Louverval in France.

    David Rice




    257483

    Pte. Stephen G. Cleverly 7th Btn Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>

    This is picture of the 7th Gloucestershire Regiment on 2nd of December 1916 of men convalescing abroad after the Gallipoli campaign from the Cheltenham Chronicle. Stephen Cleverly is listed in the picture and I can tell it's him due to the large ears that run in the family. I also have his WW1 medals. He was also in the Northumberland Fusiliers. Family history is that he was wounded at Kut in (now) Iraq with a grazing bullet head wound and bullet leg wound. His service record shows that he went into service 6th June 1915 which coincides with other soldiers who went to the Gallipoli campaign on the exact same date, same unit.

    Josh Etsten




    257479

    Albert Ernest Huxford 124th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather Albert Huxford, served in the 124th Brigade, RFA in the first World War. I would love to find out about his service and the unit he served in though World War 1.

    Keith Huxford




    257462

    Pte. Richard Alfred Richards 17th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.11th Oct 1916)

    Richard Richard's wartime effects were found in a safe deposit box. A letter from Record Office in Preston and 2 war medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) sent to family, dated 5th Feb 1922 along with an assurance of appreciation from The King for his service.

    Anthony Richards




    257454

    Pte. Henry John Baker 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.4th December 1917)

    Jack Baker served with the 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment.

    S Dobson




    257452

    Pte Robert Hopkin

    Robert Hopkin (my grandfather) was taken prisoner on the 23rd March 1918 at Moislains, France. Believe kept in POW camp at Dulmen, Germany.

    Peter Baird




    257444

    Sgt. John Edward McEnerney 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    John McEnerney served with the 8th Inniskilling Fusiliers and the Labour Corps.

    Evan McCarthy




    257441

    Gnr. Charles Francis Drage 26th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Charles Drage was my wife's grandfather. He was born in Chislehurst in Kent, he was 22 years and 201 days old when he joined up on the 5th December 1913. His occupation at the time was an indoor servant at a hotel in London. Prior to 1913 he was a reservist in the Royal Fusiliers for 2 years and 217 days he paid £3 for his discharge. On completion of WW1 he re-joined and was posted to India being a reservist until 10th May 1933.

    Mike Tuck




    257427

    Pte. Edwin Fredrick Martin Bennett 19th (St Pancras) Btn. London Regiment (d.28th Oct 1918)

    Edwin Bennett served with the 19th Battalion, London Regiment in WW1. He died 28th Oct 1918 aged 29 years and is buried Arras Road Cemetery at Roclincourt in France. Son of Edwin and Sarah Jane Bennett of 62 Whistler St. Drayton Park, Holloway, London.

    Sue Elson




    257426

    Pte. William McCord 9th (County Tyrone) Btn . Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.29th of March 1918)

    <p>

    William McCord was the eldest son of William John McCord and Lucinda Wasson. He enlisted in Cookstown in November, 1916 and had completed training in time to take part in the Cambrai battle. He served with the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in WW1. He was killed in action during the German Spring Offensive just outside Aisne, France on 29th of March 1918. His name is listed on the Moneymore War Memorial.

    William McCord Desertlyn Church of Ireland Roll of Honour WW1

    William McCord Mid Ulster Mail Announcement

    Stephanie Martin




    257424

    PFC. Silver Silvanous Money 12th Machine Gun Battalion

    Silver Money was my Great-Grandfather. He served with the 12th Machine Gun Battalion, US Army in WW1. My father says that Silver never spoke of the war. But when my father was a small boy he remembers hearing Silver tell a friend that in one battle he was firing continually for almost two hours and that the water cooled gun ran out of water and the barrel was drooping so badly that it stopped firing. This is all that my family has.





    257420

    Pte. Edward McKeown 63rd Coy. Labour Corps (d.19th Jul 1919)

    Edward McKeown served with the 63rd Company Labour Corps in WW1. He died 19th of Jul 1919 and is buried at Y Farm Military Cemetery at Bois-Grenier in France. He was the son of James and Mary McKeown of 2 Moseley Avenue, Liscard, Wallesey.





    257416

    Lt. John Stanley Whyte 7th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers

    John Whyte served with the 7th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers and the Royal Engineers in WW1.

    Richard




    257415

    Pte. Wilfred Irving 16th (1st Bradford) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th November 1916)

    <p>

    Wilfred Irving served with the 16th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment in WW1. He died 9th of November 1916 and is buried Sailly-au-Bois Military Cemetery in France.





    257414

    Pte. James Price 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    James Price served with the 6th South Lancashire Regiment in WW1.

    Kevin Price




    257411

    A/Bmbdr. Robert Lawson D Bty. 88th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.10th March 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Lawson was the father of my dear and wonderful great uncle Matt who was conceived on leave before Robert returned to the front to die without ever seeing his son. He served with the 88th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery in WW1 and died on 10th of March 1916 aged 28 years and is buried Rue-du-Bacquerot No 1 Military Cemetery at Laventi in France. Son of Mrs. Swinbank, of Bowburn, husband of Sarah E. Lawson, of 1, Walker St., Bowburn, Coxhoe, Co. Durham.

    Matt spent his entire working life down the pit, marrying his beloved Olive and dying a proud, kind and dearly loved man in the early 2000s.

    Simon Cook




    257410

    CSM. Charles Flynn 2nd Btn Connaught Rangers

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather Charles Flynn served with the Connaught Rangers from 1885 to 1908 and then signed up again during WWI from the reserves.

    My Grandfather also fought during the Great War with 2nd Battalion Connaught Rangers and was eventually a CSM at the end of the war. My Great Grandfather Norman McKay served with the Connaught Rangers and retired in 1912 but resigned during the Great War. and my Uncle Bert James was a Lieutenant Colonel with the British Army and served in the Connaught Rangers during WWI. There are more family members who served, but I do not have the records at present.

    Charlie Flynn in 1920

    Charles Flynn




    257409

    Pte. George William Capon 11th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.24th March 1918)

    George Capon served with the 11th Battalion, Kings (Liverpool) Regiment in WW1. He died 24th of March 1918 and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial in France.

    Nicola Hall




    257406

    Stkr. John Thomas Bennett HMS Tigress

    My paternal Grandfather, John Bennett, served in the Royal Navy aboard HMS Tigress in WW1. In 1920 he was awarded £20 from the Navy prize fund for the ship's part in the destruction of the German cruiser SMS Breslau. He died in 1959.





    257404

    L/Cpl. Bernard Timmins 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.28th Mar 1917)

    I have been researching my family tree and found that my Great Grandad was killed in Flanders on 28th of March 1917. He was born in Wednesbury, Staffs and enlisted at Walsall, Staffs He served in 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment.





    257401

    Pte. George Tompkins 16th (Public Schools) Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.19th Dec 1917)

    George Tompkins is my Great Great Uncle, son of Richard Tompkins and Ann Elizabeth Mills. Brother to my Great Grandfather Alfred Tompkins. He had 5 brothers and 5 sisters. He was born in 1884 in Sutton at Hone, was a loader by trade before enlisting and was married to Christiana Barnes in 1910. His only child Joyce Amy Maude was born in 1912. He died in France aged 33. He is buried in Rouen, France at the St Sever Cemetery Extension.

    Ian Tompkins




    257400

    Cpl. Frank Ernest Fisher 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.31st Aug 1916)

    Frank Fisher was killed in the Battle of Delville Wood on 31st of August 1916. He was 21 years old. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Joan Bunch




    257394

    Alexander Edward Guy Palmer DSO, MC, PSC. 2nd Btn Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)

    <p>

    Alexander Palmer served with 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment.

    Dominique de Gaultier de Laguionie




    257390

    Pte. Hugh Herbert Davies 1/5th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Hugh Davies served as a Lewis Gunner.





    257387

    Pte. Arthur Harvey Howes 20th Hussars (d.2nd May 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Howes was a proud gentle man. He was an impeccable cavalry man and his parents would have been very proud of him. He was a Cheltenham soldier transferred from the 20th Hussars to the 1st Devonshires where unfortunately he lost his life in the Neippe Forest.

    Neil Harris




    257382

    Pte. George Jones MM. 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    George Jones from Stockton on Tees served originally in 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry but was convicted of desertion on 23rd of December 1915. He was transferred to 19th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry where he subsequently won a Military Medal for gallantry.

    Tim Gigg




    257376

    James Tait 4th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment

    <p>

    James Tait survived Gallipoli with the 4th Royal Scots, and marched through the Suez Canal and then finished the War in France with 7th Royal Scots.

    Suez Canal

    In Edinburgh, training

    Bill Tait




    257370

    Pte. John Baxter 9th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.9th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    John Baxter was the great great uncle of my partner and we only found out recently that he had died during WW1. After digging deeper we found some information including a photograph of John in uniform from the archives of a local paper.

    John is buried at Perth (China Wall) Cemetery, near Ypres. We recently visited his resting place and Sanctuary Wood, Hill 62 and Ypres. We attended the last post at the Menin Gate and found our visit to be one of remembrance for John and for so many others who lost their lives in this 20th century tragedy.

    Timothy Lawrence




    257369

    L/Cpl. Charles Bennett 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    Charles Bennett pre-war occupation was a footman at Walcot Stables, Kintbury, Hungerford. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Jean Nicholls




    257363

    Pte. John Weaver Royal Engineers

    Jack Weaver served with a Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers.

    Steven Todd




    257357

    Sapper. Patrick May 455th West Riding Field Company Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Patrick May served with 455th West Riding Field Company, Royal Engineers.

    Glynn May




    257353

    Pte. Herbert Williams 8th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Herbert Williams of the 8th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was killed in Flanders on 7th of June 1917 age 21. He is brother to Arthur Williams of the South Lancashire Regiment and brother in law to George Ellis Price, David Evan and Hugh Edward Humphreys.

    Tony Cowley




    257352

    Pte. Arthur Williams 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.1st Jun 1918)

    Arthur Williams served with the 2nd South Lancashire Regiment He was killed in France on 1st of June 1918 age 26. He is brother to Private Herbert Williams of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and brother in law to Hugh Edward, David Evan and George Ellis Price Humphreys.

    Tony Cowley




    257351

    Pte. David Evan Humphreys 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.14th Sept 1914)

    David Humphreys was in the 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and was killed in France on Monday 14th of September 1914, age 29. He is remembered on the La Ferte-Soud-Jouarre Memorial.

    Tony Corley




    257349

    Dvr. Bertie Browett Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    I have in my possession a tiny piece of paper with the details of 3 soldiers, Drivers Fred Shillington, William King and A Swift of Scarborough, who were ˜killed by a bomb on the night of 21st of September 1918 at Fins on the Cambrin Sector, followed by the burial details, not officially interred, they were buried ˜At the top of the hill near the Tin Village. This was handwritten by my Grandfather, Bertie Browett who was a driver in the Royal Field Artillery. I would love for the families of these 3 soldiers to be made aware of this information but I don't know how to go about it. Would be grateful for any assistance at all.

    Diane Smith




    257347

    2Lt. John Herbert Morris 6th (Carnarvonshire & Anglesey) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.21st September 1916)

    John Morris was commissioned into the 6th (Glamorgan) Battalion, Welsh Regiment as a Second Lieutenant and in charge of the Territorial Unit. He arrived in France on 27th of May 1916 and died of wounds on 21st of September 1916.

    Lindal Morris




    257346

    Pte. Arthur Lumb 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Great Grandad, Arthur Lumb served from October 1915. He joined up in York. He survived but was forever changed. In the photo he is second left on the second row.

    Hayley Lumb




    257343

    Spr Herbert George Phipps 66th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.17th August 1915)

    Herbert Phipps was my maternal grandfather and he volunteered when he was in his mid thirties. He died in Gallipoli but how he died was a well kept secret in the family. He left a widow and 4 small daughters. All his letters home were burnt for some reason. I would just like to know what happened to him.

    Julia Packer




    257341

    Pte. Peter Frances Bartle 3rd Battlion Coldstream Guards (d.5th February 1915)

    Peter Francis Bartle died of wounds received in action on the 5th of February 1915 at Bethune, France.

    G. Campbell




    257338

    Gnr. Sidney John Maulkin B Bty. 186th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.17th July 1916)

    Sidney Maulkin was my 2nd great-uncle. His sister Lillian (Lily), was my great grandmother, her son Gordon Annison was my grandfather.

    Sidney served with B Battery, 186th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery in WW1. He died 17th of July 1916 and is buried Bethune Town Cemetery in France.

    Gordon Annison served in the RAF during WWII as a Bomb-Aimer in a Wellington Bomber over Italy and Northern Africa.

    Chris M Clarke




    257335

    Pte. William Spear 7th Battalion

    William Spear served with the 7th Battalion, AIF (24th Reinforcements) in WW1. He was admitted to hospital after being wounded in the neck by gun shot 18th of June 1918. He had been shot by a German in France at Vinereaux.

    Helen Belcher




    257331

    Pte. Frank Rupert Beames 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.28th February 1917)

    Frank Beames served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in WW1. He died 28th of February 1917 aged 21 years and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France. Son of James Rupert and Kezia Beames of The Limes, Hatton, Feltham, Middx.

    Hazel Orchard




    257329

    Pte. Thomas Kenyon 19th (3rd Salford Pals) Btn. A Coy. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Thomas Kenyon joined the 19th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in WW1. He was discharged due to lying about his age on 6th of June 1915.





    257327

    Pte. Charles Thomas Lancaster 10th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.29th April 1917)

    Whilst doing a single family history on my great great grandparents. I discovered that their eldest grandson Charles Lancaster was killed in WW1 and is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France. I will be trying to find out more if possible. Due to a strange turn of fate, I have related grandparents so Charles was the cousin of my maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother, neither of whom would likely have remembered him as they were very young at the time.





    257326

    Cpl. Oswald Henry "Ted" Foster 2/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    Oswald Foster served with the 2/5th, 6th, 3rd Battalions, Lincolnshire Regiment in WW1.

    Colin Paterson




    257324

    A/Cpl. Horrace Robert Hills 96th Siege Battery

    Horrace Hills was my step father's dad. I know little of the man as my family has always been tight lipped about the family history and he passed before I was old enough to ask all the right questions. Horrace joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1915, serving with the 96th Siege Battery. He married in 1917 and left in the spring of 1919. His wife died from what appears to have been the Spanish flu on March 2nd of that year.

    His military records show that he had requested information about rejoining the army during the summer of 1919 and may have served an additional year with the Army of Occupation in Germany. My dad mentioned that he suffered from a shrapnel wound to the upper leg or thigh but his records show no mention of wounds. Between 1915 and 1919 he was assigned to the 96th Siege Battery.

    Horrace immigrated to Canada sometime during the mid to late 1920s, remarried and raised 2 sons and 2 daughters. He worked as an independent building contractor and passed away on Christmas Eve 1970 in Ottawa. I truly wish I could provide more details.

    Michael Renaud




    257320

    Nurse. Jessie Power Christ Church Auxiliary Hospital, Beckenham

    Jessie Power worked as a nurse at Christ Church Auxiliary Hospital at Lennard Road, Beckenham from May 1918 to December 1918, through the flu epidemic. She was from Streetly near Birmingham.





    257319

    Rfmn. William Agnew 15th (Service) Btn. (d.5th August 1918)

    William Agnew was my great uncle (my mother's, father's, brother). He was a Rifleman, and served with the 15th (North Belfast Volunteers) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in WW1.

    William was killed in action, 5th of August 1918, aged 41 years, whilst captive as prisoner of war, Germany. He was the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Agnew, 18 Westminster Avenue, Strandtown, Belfast. He was re-interred in the Berlin South-Western Cemetery, Germany in 1922. He initially served with the 8th (East Belfast Volunteers) Battalion, but this Battalion disbanded in February 1918 with most men transferring to the 15th Battalion.

    John Ferguson




    257315

    L/Cpl. William Albert Payne 11th (Cambridge) Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    William Payne joined the 11th (Cambridge) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment in 1914. He served with the Battalion until wounded and repatriated in 1917. He had married Agnes Lowe in 1909 and had four children.

    Phil Froom




    257314

    Pte. Joe Wilkes 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    Joe Wilkes served with the 8th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment in WW1. He died 23rd of April 1917 aged 21 years and is buried Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun in France. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilkes, of 3 The Fold, Hall St., Woodside, Dudley, Worcs.

    Christian Wilkes




    257310

    Pte. Herbert Henry Simmonite 1st Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Herbert Simmonite enlisted at age 16 in WW1 and served with the 1st and 6th Battalions, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He landed in France on 25th of May 1915, two months short of his 17th birthday, with the 6th (Service) Battalion at Boulogne-Sur-Mer and possibly took part in the Battle of Loos in September 1915, after which they went to Marseilles on 21st of October, where they boarded transport ships on 24th of October and then finally disembarked at Salonika in December 1916. Herbert subsequently returned to the Western Front and was discharged in 1919. He lived a long life and died in 1960.

    Alan White




    257309

    Pte. William Garbett 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.15th December 1915)

    William Garbett was a coal miner and worked at Warsop Main Colliery in Nottinghamshire. He was married to Beatrice Hodgkinson and fathered three children. At the outbreak of WW1 he enlisted at Mansfield and served with the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. William's wife died in October 1914, leaving three very young children to be looked after by Billy's Mother, Sarah.

    William Garbett lost his life when the trench he was working in was hit by German shell fire, on 15th of December 1915. He was aged 33 years and is buried in Houplines Community Cemetery Extension in France. Unfortunately his name on his headstone as been etched as Garbutt. The three children were brought up by their Grandmother Garbett.

    William Bryan




    257307

    2/Lt. Henry Griffith Pagan Lowe DCM. 45 Squadron (d.8th Nov 1916)

    <p>Harry Lowe DCM

    On 6th of November 1914 Harry Lowe joined the Signal Section, Royal Engineers as a Motor Cycle Dispatch Rider, going to France on 30th of September 1915.

    In October 1915 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an Air Mechanic, and was under instruction until February 1916, when, as acting corporal, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery, unstrapping and saving an unconscious pilot in a crashed burning plane with bombs on board, at that time this ranked next to the Victoria Cross.

    On 10th of February 1916 he was commissioned as temporary 2nd Lieutenant in no 45 Squadron. Harry was killed in France while testing new planes. In performance of military duty, being at the time flying in a practice formation flight. A Court of Inquiry was held by OC No 45 Squadron 3rd of March 1917. The plane was found completely wrecked and had suffered engine failure. He is buried at Longuenesse Cemetery, St Omer in France.

    Maggie Strutt




    257306

    Stkr1. William John Vivian HMS Eglantine (d.31st May 1918)

    William Vivian was one of nine children born to Joseph Vivian and Sarah Ann Mitchell Galpin, in Abbotsbury, Dorset. He died of disease while serving in HMS Eglantine and is buried in the City Cemetery, Belfast.

    Elizabeth Draper




    257304

    John Valentine Smith 1st Btn. No 11 Platoon, D Coy. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    <p>

    John Smith served with the 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment in WW1.

    Jacqueline Brock




    257302

    Henry Hydes 17th (1st Rosebery) Btn Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.23rd February 1917)

    Henry Hydes served with the 17th Battalion, Royal Scots in WW1. He died 23rd of February 1917 and is buried St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens in France. Husband of Mrs. B. Hydes of 22 Fleming St., Barnsley, Yorks.





    257300

    Pte. John Joseph Daly 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1918 )

    <p>

    John Daly served with the 8th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment in WW1. He died of wounds 23rd of October 1918 aged 19 years and is buried Awoingt British Cemetery in France. Son of John and Mary Daly of 3 Shaw St., Seacombe, Cheshire.

    P Swarze




    257296

    L/Cpl William Monaghan 7th Btn Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.9th August 1915)

    William Monaghan served with the 7th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers in WW1. He died 9th of August 1915 and is remembered on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.

    Chris Cunningham




    257292

    Pte Sydney Paul Johnson Wright 1/6th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers (d.21st March 1918)

    Sydney Wright served with the 6th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in WW1. He died 21st of March 1918 aged 26 years and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial in France. Son of John and Margaret Wright of 25 Lower George St., Todmorden.

    Fionnuala Sinclair




    257289

    L/Cpl. Charles Woods 7th (West and Cumbrian Yeomanry) Btn. Border Regiment (d.22nd March 1918)

    Charles Woods served with the 7th Battalion Border Regiment in WW1. He died 22nd of March 1918 aged 21 years and is buried Hermies Hill British Cemetery in France. Son of Peter and Catherine Woods of 21 Marlborough St., Seaham Harbour, Co. Durham.





    257285

    Cpl Harold George Oxford 10th Btn Hampshire Regiment (d.10th August 1915)

    Harold Oxford was born at Melbury Abbas, Dorsetshire in early 1881 to Fred and Elizabeth Oxford. He was living with his parents in Paynes Road, Freemantle, Southampton at the time of the 1911 census and working as a dock labourer. Husband of Alice Wayman of Fordingbridge, Hampshire (marriage registered April-June 1915).

    Harold served with the 10th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment in WW1 and died 10th of August 1915 at Gallipoli. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.





    257283

    Pte. Frank Thompson 7th Btn. Black Watch

    My grandfather, Frank Thompson, served with the 7th Battalion, Black Watch and the 5th and 4th Battalions, Seaforth Highlanders in WW1.

    Chris Thomas




    257280

    Pte. Fred A. Nurse 13th (1st North Wales) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.30th May 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Nurse served with the 13th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers in WW1. He died 30th of May 1916 aged 20 years and is buried Rue-du-Bacquerot No 1 Military Cemetery at Laventie in France.

    Julia Nurse




    257269

    Sgt George Bell 18th (1st Public Works Pioneers) Btn Middlesex Regiment

    My Great Grandfather, Sergeant George Bell, served in the 18th Middlesex Service Battalion in WW1. They arrived in France in November 1915 and arrived at the Somme in July taking part in the attack on High Wood where he received a gunshot wound to his elbow. He also took part in the Battle of Arras and other battles. George was sent back to the UK in September 1918 when he lost his hearing. He was then discharged as no longer fit for service.

    David Leyland




    257266

    Cpl Gilbert Brown Ritchie Blackadder 12th Btn Highland Light Infantry (d.25th September 1915)

    Gilbert Blackadder served with the 12th Battalion Highland Light Infantry in WW1. He died 25th of September 1915 aged 26 years and is remembered on the Loos Memorial. Son of Mary B. R. Blackadder of Craigenterrie, Currie, Midlothian and the late William Blackadder.

    George Brockie




    257265

    Gnr Charles Perkins 158th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.25th May 1917)

    Charles Perkins served with the 158th Seige Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1. He died 25th of May 1917 aged 29 years and is buried Duisans British Cemetery at Etrun in France. Son of Charles Perkins of 14 Lansdowne Rd., Canlon, Cardiff.

    Mrs B Hazell




    257264

    Pte Charles Hobson 2nd Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th February 1915)

    Charles Hobson was my great uncle, he was my grandfather's twin brother. They joined the Army together in 1907 after talking to their older brother who was in the Army and had served in the Boer War.

    Charles served with the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment in WW1. I had managed to retrieve service records of all three brothers but struggled for a long time and was so surprised to find out that my great uncle died within 3 months of landing in France. I have discovered that he is buried at Wimereuex, in France. I suspect that he received injuries at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle which was in December 1914 where there had been trouble with grenades and German snipers. Nobody in my family spoke of him, only referencing my grandfather serving before 1914. I shall be travelling to the cemetery to pay my respects and I know I am the only one in my family to have done so.

    Much of his military records are damaged and known as "burnt" records due to the Blitz in 1940 but I have been on various sites and although I have found no more on Charles I have since found my grandfather. He seems to have been a rogue! He has 3 full charge sheets with charges ranging from taking a mule, drunk in barracks, destroying barracks property and once when in Malta caused a disturbance in a shop. I wont say what else.

    Unfortunately, for me he died when I was small. His older brother Henry who served in the Boer war was awarded the grand sum of £5.00 for serving in Africa. I wish I could have spoken to my ancestors. What stories they could tell. The Hobson family have kept their secrets well.

    Carol Anne Jones




    257261

    L/Cpl. John Henry Wickenden 3rd Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    Jack Wickenden served with the 3rd Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry in WW1

    Perry Wickenden




    257258

    Pte Charles Frederick Waghorn 1st Btn Lincolnshire Regiment (d.16th June 1917)

    Charles Waghorn served with the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment in WW1. He died 16th of June 1917 and is buried Bailleul Road East Cemetery at St Laurent-Blangy where he has a Special Memorial stating he is Buried near this spot.





    257255

    Pte. Campbell James Oldridge 4th Btn Worcestershire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, Campbell Oldridge, went to enlist in Birmingham in January 1916 but appears to have been rejected on that occasion. An amended enlistment report the following year (January 1917) shows that he travelled to Worcester. It stated that he had a hernia but was accepted for service, on condition he was fitted with a truss. His medal card states that he served in the Worcester Regiment, Labour Corps and the Royal Engineers.

    Roma Broadbent




    257253

    Pte. William Richard Dracott 13th Section, 2nd London Sanitary Coy. Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>13th Section 2nd London Sanitary Coy. Royal Army Medical Corps, 1914

    William Dracott served with the 2nd London Sanitary Company, Royal Army Medical Corps in WW1 in France from 1914-1918. He joined up with his cousin Private Reg Martin on the same day in 1914. They both survived 4 years on the Western Front without a scratch.

    Robert Smith




    257252

    Pte John Joseph Fowell 23rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.20th July 1916)

    John Fowell served with the 23rd Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1. He died 20th of July 1916 and is buried Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood in France





    257250

    Pte. Frederick Webb 21st (Wool Textile Pioneers) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Nov 1918)

    My great Uncle, Frederick Webb served with the 21st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment in WW1. He died of his wounds, 10 days before Armistice Day, 1st of November 1918, after fighting his way across France and fell on the second to last battle of the Great War. Frederick was aged 19 years and is buried in Cambrai East Military Cemetery in France. Son of Ellen Webb of 23 Littlemoor St., Doncaster and the late William Webb. His mother had the words "He died so that we may live" engraved on his stone.

    Chris Webb




    257249

    A/Sgt. George William Stanley Bryant 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather, George Bryant, born in 1894, served in WW1 with the 6th Battalion, Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment during 1914-15. He was apparently a Private and then Acting Sergeant during this time. I am very proud of him and all his fellow comrades. He was lucky as he did survive the Great War and died in 1965.

    Claire Trask




    257243

    Pte Paul William Thomas Bayliss 5th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Paul Bayliss served with the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in WW1.

    Paul Bayliss




    257238

    Pte. John Alban Sayers 26th (3rd Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th June 1917)

    John Sayers served with the 26th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers in WW1. He died 9th of June 1917 aged 19 years and is buried Bailleul Road East Cemetery at St Laurent-Blangy in France. Son of James and Esther Sayers of 17 Princess St., Droylsden, Manchester.

    Brian Warren




    257236

    Walter Raymond Furniss 195th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Walter Furniss served with the 195th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1

    Mary Gaines




    257235

    Pte. John Charlton 7th Btn. Border Regiment

    Jack Charlton served with the 7th Battalion, Border Regiment in WW1

    Sue Batchelor




    257226

    Bdr Thomas Oxley Streeting 219th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Thomas Streeting served during WW1. He was discharged in 1918 under Paragraph 392 (xvi) of the King's Regulations (no longer physically fit for service).





    257225

    Pte. Gilbert Henry Frost 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.8th Nov 1915)

    Gilbert Frost served with the the 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in WW1. He died of wounds in the Balkan Theatre (Gallipoli), only a short time after joining up on 8th of November 1915. Gilbert had worked as a beer seller and on his death left a widow, Mary May (Sunderland) of Beresford Street, Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent. He was the son of Albert K Frost (deceased at that time) and Evelyn Lucy Frost. He died aged 33 years and is buried in Hill 10 Cemetery in Turkey.

    Lee Nicon




    257224

    Sgt. Frederick George Blomeley 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Blomeley served with the 21st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

    Valentine




    257223

    L/Cpl. William Edward "Jack" Durbin MM. 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.15th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    William Durbin was awarded the Military Medal.

    William Edward Durbin

    Ireen Warbrooke




    257220

    Patrick McDonald 13th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.27th Sep 1915)

    Only remember being told my great uncle Patrick McDonald died during World War 1 and that his mother received the death war medallion which has been passed down in the family. I read about the Battle of Loos and have found information that he was in the battle which began on 25th September and was killed in action on 17th of September 1915. I have no information on where he was buried, possibly in communal grave?





    257212

    Pte. Alfred John Brasted 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    John Brasted served with the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment in WW1. He died 23rd of October 1916

    Ray Brasted




    257211

    L/Cpl James Blackburn 11th Btn Royal Fusiliers (d.17th February 1917)

    James Blackburn served with the 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers in WW1. he died 17th of February 1917 aged 21 years and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France. Son of John and Mary Blackburn of 44, Chester Buildings, Lomond Grove, Camberwell, London.

    Pete Christopher




    257209

    Pte. James Makin Sale 206th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.22nd September 1917)

    James Sale served with the 206th Company, Machine Gun Corps in WW1. He died 22nd of September 1917 and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.





    257202

    Act Bmbr Albert Ernest Taylor 115th Siege Bty Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st May 1918)

    Albert Taylor served with the 15th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1. He died 1st of May 1918 aged 29 years and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery in France. Husband of M. Taylor, of Milestone Cottage, Broadway, Worcs.





    257201

    Cpl. Joseph Benjamin Moss 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.27th April 1917)

    Joseph Moss served with the 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment in WW1. He died 27th of April 1917 aged 41 years and he is remembered on the Loos Memorial in France. Brother of P. T. Moss of 46 Hornby St., Oswaldtwistle, Accrington.

    Vaughan Ives




    257200

    Sgt. James Sands MM. 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.2nd August 1917)

    James Sands served with the 11th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in WW1. He died 2nd of August 1917 aged 25 years and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Son of Henry Arthur and Julia Sands of 7 Percy St., Bolton, husband of Mrs. E. L. Malhuss (formerly Sands) of Cannon St., Bolton.

    Paul Sands




    257199

    Pte Henry Baines MM. 8th Btn York and Lancaster Regiment

    Henry Baines served with the 8th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment in WW1.

    Gary Whittingham




    257198

    Pte Albert Bosley 13th Btn Royal Welch Fusiliers

    Albert Bosley served with the 13th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers in WW1.





    257197

    L/Cpl. Joseph Fogarty 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th May 1915)

    Joseph Fogarty was my Great Uncle. He served as a motorcycle dispatch rider and was listed as missing presumed dead on the 8th of May 1915. The family history is that only his motorbike was found. The 84th Brigade HQ war diary for the 8th states that messages were sent by an officer on horseback and motorcyclist. For his actions Joseph was posthumously awarded the Imperial Russia Medal of St. George 3rd Class. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    David How




    257190

    Bmbr. John Cornish 65th Heavy Artillery Group Royal Garrison Artillery

    John Cornish served with the 65th Heavy Artillery Group in WW1.

    Allan Samuel




    257185

    L/Cpl John William Foster 9th Btn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Lance Corporal John Foster served with the 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in WW1. He died 1st of July 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.





    257181

    Pte William Farquhar Jenner 8th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.7th June 1917)

    William Jenner served with the 8th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in WW1. He died 7th of June 1917 aged 20 years and is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. Son of George and Mary Ann Jenner of 67 Northumberland St., Sunderland.

    Eric Graham




    257177

    L/Cpl Arthur Davies 2nd Btn King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.26th August 1918)

    Arthur Davies served with the 2nd Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers in WW1. He died 26th of August 1918 aged 26 years and is buried at Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, at Mory, France. Son of Thomas and Sarah Davies of 5 Dickson St., Widnes, Lancs.

    Alan Davies




    257176

    Pte Walter Clayton 12th (The Rangers) Btn. London Regiment

    Walter Clayton served with the 12th Battalion London Regiment in WW1. I purchased his and his son's medals from the family.

    Walter's son, also Walter, served in the Royal Navy in WWII then in the Police Force. I have no other information.

    Simon Parkes




    257175

    Pte. Harold Butcher 15th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.4th June 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Butcher was my paternal great-grandfather. He was a 27 year old husband and father when he died fighting in France with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 15th Battalion, in WWI. I believe he was from Trowbridge, in County Wiltshire.

    Harold died 4th of June 1917 and is buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Butcher of Trowbridge, Wilts, husband of Daisy A. Butcher of Nolan's Cottage, Yatesbury, Calne, Wilts.

    Karen Hancock




    257172

    Percy Baker 8th Btn Sherwood Foresters

    Percy Baker was my 2nd great uncle. He served in the 8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters for 183 days. He was attested to service on the 3rd of February 1914. At that time, his rank was Boy (since he was 16 years old at the time).

    Eventually, on the 5th of August 1914, he was discharged. According to his pension record, he was discharged because he was physically unfit for war service. He died in 1923 in Nottinghamshire. This is all I know of him.





    257170

    Sgt Christopher Garstin 1st Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.20th July 1915)

    Christopher Garstin served with the 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in WW1. He died 20th of July 1915 and is buried in the First D.C.L.I. Cemetery at The Bluff in Belgium.





    257163

    Gnr. William Morgan MM and bar 119th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather was born in Wales in 1890. William Morgan served with the 119th Brigade Royal Field Artillery in WW1 and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the Dardanelles, Gallipoli in 1915. We are told it was for saving the life of an officer. In August 1918 he was awarded a bar whilst serving in France.

    He was married to Flossie and had three children, William Gordon, David John (known as Jack) and Joan. He was gassed during the war and this led to his early death in 1941 at the age of 51.

    Chris Woodcock




    257157

    Pte. David Ogden 20th (5th City) Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    David Ogden was my second cousin twice removed and he was killed in WW1. He served with the 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment. He died 3rd of September 1916 aged 31 years and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial Pin France. Husband of Mary Ellen Ogden of 4 Mercer St., Hulme, Manchester.

    Renee Ingeberg




    257150

    L/Cpl Arthur Bennett 10th Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Arthur Bennett served with the 10th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in WW1.

    Arthur Smith Jr.




    257149

    Pte Samuel John James 6th (Wiltshire Yeomanry) Btn Wiltshire Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    Samuel James served with the 6th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment in WW1. He died 23rd of March 1918 and is remembered on the Arras Memorial in France.

    Jeremy Julian




    257144

    Cpl. Walter Wright 7th Btn.

    My grandfather Walter Wright was wounded on 10th of January 1916 somewhere in France. His brother apparently dragged him into a nearby shed. He was eventually invalided back to U.K. with serious injury to his hip and buttock which left him with a severe limp. He knew that he was lucky to be a survivor and made the best of the rest of his life. He died in 1964.





    257140

    Gnr. Thomas Hughes 57th Reserve Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.24th November 1918)

    Thomas Hughes was the son of William and Susannah (nee Williams) Hughes, of Flint, Flintshire and was born in Llanasa, Flintshire in 1896. He served with the 57th Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery in WW1. He died 24th of November 1918 aged 22 years and is buried in Northop Road Cemetery, Flint.

    Mike McQuaid




    257136

    L/Cpl John Charles Wilkins 6th Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.23rd January 1916)

    John Wilkins served with the 6th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in WW1. He died 23rd of January 1916 aged 23 years and is buried in Belgium at Essex Farm Cemetery. Son of John Wilkins.

    Simon Wilkins




    257132

    Pte Percy Walter "Perce" Cracknell 1st Btn Suffolk Regiment

    My grandad, Percy Cracknell served with the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment in WW1. He was on the line for four weeks and then taken prisoner and sent to Rehnbahn Camp.

    Nigel Cracknell




    257129

    Pte. Cadwaladre Davies 6th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.27th August 1918)

    Calwaladre Davies worked as a grocer's assistant in Maesteg. In WW1 he joined up at Brecon and served with the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers. He died 27th of August 1918 aged 22 years and is buried Terlincthun British Cemetery at Wimille in France. Son of John and Hannah Davies of Llanelly.

    Paul Griffiths




    257128

    Stokr. Charles Cuthbert Rhoden

    Charles Rhoden served as a Stoker in the Royal Navy in WW1





    257119

    Sgt John MacLean Argyll Mountain Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    John MacLean served with the Argyll Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1.





    257115

    Pte. William Robertson Paterson 15th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.4th May 1917)

    William Paterson was born on 14th of February 1895, the second son of a grocer in Glasgow. He enlisted on 23rd of November 1915 with the 15th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was killed on 4th of May 1917 aged 22 years in the Arras Offensive and is buried in the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery in France.

    William's elder brother, Alexander, was injured in WW1 fighting with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Their cousin, Wallace Campbell Paterson, was killed in 1916 whilst tunnelling underground for the Royal Engineers, and another cousin, James Speirs Anderson Paterson was seriously injured in 1915 whilst fighting with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces.

    William was the son of William B. and Elizabeth Paterson, of 13, Herriet St., Pollokshields, Glasgow.

    Alistair Paterson




    257114

    Sgt. Valentine L G W Gray 10th Btn. London Regiment

    My husband's Great-Grandfather, Valentine Gray served in the 10 Battalion, London Regiment in WW1. Valentine was recorded as being on active service on the 20th of June 1915 with the 10th London Regiment. He died in 1960.

    Alex Gray




    257109

    Sgt. Edwin Walter Howe MiD. 4th Battalion

    <p>

    Edwin Howe was born in London, England in 1896. He died in Cheltenham, Victoria. Australia in 1947 aged 51 years. Because Edwin had no headstone on his grave, my brother Graham, son in law of Edwin, decided to remedy this after the death of his wife Beverly in January 2018. Much research was done to obtain information re Edwin's Army life plus entitlement of medals. With a lot of help from my local RSL Advocate we obtained the replicas just in time to be able to place them on the unmarked grave at the 100 year celebration then later on the completed grave. I am posting photos of Edwin's grave in the hope that Tony Southend or Jacs may get to see them and get in contact with us.

    Heather Lynch




    257108

    Pte. Frederick Thomas Cocks 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.11th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Cocks died 11th Apr 1917. He is buried in Wancourt British Cemetery in France.

    Ethan Cox




    257107

    Sgt Robert Wilson 11th Btn The King's Liverpool Regiment (d.6th April 1917)

    <p>

    My great grandfather Sgt. Robert Wilson who died of wounds 1917-04-06. Commemorated / buried Warlingcourt Halte British Ceemetery, Saulty VI. H. 7. France

    Ian Haigh




    257104

    Pte Henry "Harry" Coles 17th Btn Middlesex Regiment (d.13th November 1916)

    Henry Coles served with the 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in WW1. He died 13th of November 1916.





    257102

    Pte John Williamson Gilbank 10th Btn Sherwood Foresters (d.6th August 1916)

    John Gilbank served with the 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters in WW1. He died 6th of August 1916 aged 22 years. He is buried Delville Wood Cemetery Longuevalin. France. Son of Matthew and Mary Jane Gilbank, of Belby, Howden, Yorks. Native of Walkington, Beverley.

    Rachel Evans




    257100

    Cpl James Doughty King's Royal Irish Hussars

    <p>

    James Doughty served with the Kings Royal Irish Hussars in WW1.

    James &  family





    257099

    Rfn Leonard T Uden 1st/5th Btn London Regiment (d.3rd June 1917)

    Leonard Uden served with the 1/5th Battalion, London Regiment in WW1. He died 3rd of June 1917. I have his death penny, and am researching him.

    Antony




    257098

    Pte. John Wendell Rees Thomas 16th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers

    <p>

    John Thomas enlisted in December 1915 and served with the 16th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers in WW1. He was discharged in June 1917 because of sickness.

    Gareth Griffith




    257097

    Pte William Thomas Adams 24th Btn Machine Gun Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    William Adams was my great grandfather. He served with the 24th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps is WW1. He died in France on 21st of March 1918. He is buried at Pozieres in France

    Kerri Granger




    257091

    Maj Joseph Holroyd Ratton 163rd Siege Bty Royal Garrison Artillery (d.2nd September 1917)

    <p>

    Major Joesph Ratton served with the 163rd Seige Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1. He died 2nd of September 1917 age 35 years.

    Extract from "Stonyhurst College War Record. A Memorial of the part taken by Stonyhurst Men in The Great War.". Issued by the Authorities of Stonyhurst College, Printed by Bemrose & Sons Ltd, Derby, 1927. Page 245: Major Joseph Holroyd Ratton, Royal Garrison Artillery. In a little over two years Lieut-Col. Ratton, late I.M.S., was called upon to make the sacrifice of his two sons 2nd Lieut. W. H. Ratton (1901), Queen's T.F., who died on 9th of July 1915, and then of his elder son, Major Joseph Ratton, R.G.A.

    Joseph Ratton was born in February, 1882, and came to Stonyhurst in 1893. His mother was a Holroyd, a great-granddaughter of the Hon. Sir George Sawley Holroyd, Kt., a Judge of the Court of King's Bench. Both his grandfathers were officers of the 3rd Madras Light Cavalry. His father, Lieut.-Col. Ratton, M.D., of Blackheath, late Indian Medical Service, served in the Abyssinian War, in 1868.

    He was noted for his Catholic social activities, and was the author of several works on medical and exegetical subjects. In 1901, after leaving Stonyhurst, Joseph passed into the Royal Artillery through the Royal Military Academy. He was promoted Captain in July, 1914, and Major in July, 1916. The greater part of his service was spent in West Africa, during which he explored the hinterland of the Gold Coast and of the French Ivory Coast.

    Early in 1914, he trekked alone from the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast to the source of the Niger, mapping a part of the country that had not till then been surveyed.

    On the outbreak of war he was Intelligence Officer of the Gold Coast, and on the conclusion of the Togoland campaign, became Acting Military Governor of Togoland, at Lome, the capital. Later, he commanded a battery on the Cameroons Expedition, and assisted in the capture of Jaunde. On the completion of this expedition he was sent to France, where he commanded a siege battery at the battles of Vimy Ridge, Messines, and Ypres, and was killed at Ypres at his guns, in action, by a shell splinter in the heart.

    That was the mode of death he always told his relatives that he would prefer, if he was to be killed, that is, instantaneously. He was killed on a Sunday, having been to Mass and Holy Communion that very morning.

    His cousin spoke of " his manliness and nobleness of character "; there was always an " attractive personality and a sincerity that drew one almost instinctively to him." Another relative spoke of him as "one of the finest characters I have ever known, and his death a fitting end to a glorious life. I have often heard Joe say he would much rather die as he did than from an illness."

    When he was killed, his batman, on hearing the news, cried like a child. All letters received by his father agreed in bearing witness to his popularity as a manly gentleman, most considerate to all in his company. The Captain of his Battery wrote: "September md, 1917. He was killed instantaneously at two o'clock this afternoon by a splinter at his old position, where he lost his late Captain and others." He added: "We are all sincerely and heartily grieved to lose such a fine C.O. and man as he was. He was most considerate to all, always insisted on sharing the work with us fairly, and was extremely popular. We hardly seem to be able to realise that he can no longer come in with his cheery smile and poke fun at us."

    Joe Ratton's Grave at the Dickebusch Cemetery

    Joe Ratton when serving in West Africa

    Mike d'Apice




    257090

    Rfmn. John Edward Cooper No 3 Coy 8th Btn Rifle Brigade (d.17th June 1915)

    My Great Uncle John Cooper, joined the Army at Westminster Recruiting Office in September 1914. Jack served with the 8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade in WW1. He was killed at the second attack on Bellewaard to the East of Ypres, Belgium, 17th of June 1915 age 22 years. He is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Alan Macnab




    257087

    Pte Thomas Crawford 10th Btn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.27th January 1916)

    Thomas Crawford served with the 10th Battalion, Scottish Rifles in WW1. He was my mother's uncle. I contacted Paisley Heritage who were able to get me details of him. I think he died at Loos 27th of January 1916.

    My mother remembers her Gran (his mum) took a long time to recover from her son's death. He is commemorated at Loos Memorial in France.

    Karen Barclay




    257082

    Pte John Walter Allen 11th Btn London Regiment (d.26th September 1916)

    Private John Allen served with the 11th Battalion London Regiment in WW1. He was killed in action during the battle of the Somme on 26th of September 1916.

    Holly Burton




    257076

    Pte. Harry Wombwell 10th Btn Royal Fusiliers (d.8th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Wombwell served with the London Regiment and 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in WW1. He died 8th of October 1918 and is buried Bois-des-Angles British Cemetery at Crevecoeur-sur-l'Escaut in France.

    John Royall




    257067

    Pte. Arthur Hounsome 2/21st Btn. London Regiment

    Arthur Hounsome served with the 2/21st Battalion London Regiment in WW1. He died 24th of December 1938

    William Hounsome




    257065

    Lt. Reginald William Frith Hertfordshire Regiment (d.7th Feb 1918)

    Reginald Frith was on the front line for 3 days before being shot in the leg on either the 12th of 13th of November 1916. He was constantly being moved from hospital to hospital, having traumatic experiences as he went along. He eventually died on the 7th Feb 1918 of exhaustion. However, he had mental issues, caused by shell shock.





    257064

    Wing Cmdr. Mortimer Nugent "Hank" Hancocks MiD.

    My Father, Mortimer Hancocks, flew Sopwith Camels in WW1, ending as a Flight Lieutenant, promoted to Squadron Leader, then Wing Commander.

    He was sent to Canada to help with training pilots for WW2. My Mother, Ida Mary Hancocks, later joined him there. I have at least four photograph albums of his journey across Canada from east to west (Weyburn) I know he had four medals and a Mention in Despatches but I do not know what that was for. I just have the certificate signed by Winston Churchill. I would like to find out more of his time there, warts and all. Dad died 1968

    David Hancocks




    257063

    L/Cpl Robert Edwin Gowen A Coy 20th Btn Manchester Regiment (d.26th August 1916)

    Robert Gowen was my wife's Great Uncle. He served with the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment in WW1. He died 26th of August 1916. I found the details above on the website of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

    William Berry




    257061

    Lucy Ellen Jeskins

    Lucy Jeskins served as a Nursing Auxiliary with St John Ambulance Brigade.





    257060

    CSM. Sidney Benner 10th Btn. Border Regiment

    Sidney Benner had served for 22 years with the Border Regiment and was allowed to re-enlist for the duration of the war. He was immediately promoted CSM. He transferred from 10th Battalion, Border Regiment and served with the 9th Battalion, Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment and 117th Coy. Labour Corps in France from February to October 1917.

    John Berry




    257059

    L/Cpl. Hay Ower 18th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.30th September 1918)

    Hay Ower served with the 9th and 18th Battalions Highland Light Infantry in WW1. He died 30th of September 1918 age 38 years and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. Husband of Ann Ower of 17 Keyden St., Kinning Park, Glasgow.

    Kenneth Hamilton




    257052

    Pte Bertram George Bevan 17th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.22nd Jul 1916)

    Bertram Bevan is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen.





    257051

    Pte. Charles William Planson 13th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.12th January 1918)

    <p>

    Since my Mum passed away in 2011 I've had a little cardboard box in my desk drawer, and it had some old coins in it, a few old monetary notes, a couple of old folded pieces of paper and a couple of tatty looking old ribbons with medals hanging on the end. I never really took much notice of them. Out of sight, out of mind. At the end of 2018, I was talking to my father in law about these old coins and decided to take the box around to show him, and when I looked at the actual old folded bits of paper, one of them was the letter to my great Gran which would have been sent with the 2 medals, which were the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for my great Grandad Charles Planson. He served with the Royal Fusiliers 13th Battalion attd. 234th Employment Coy in WW1 and died 12th of January 1918 aged 38 leaving behind a wife and 4 children. He is buried in Bailleu Communal Cemetery Extension in France and it is my ambition to visit his grave one day.

    Sheryl Lamb




    257049

    Pte. Francis James Miles 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.2nd Oct 1918)

    Francis Miles served with the 15th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment in WW1. He died 2nd of October 1918 aged 19 years and is buried Hooge Crater Cemetery in Belgium. Son of Walter James and Elizabeth Georgina Miles of 2 Albert Rd., Cosham, Hants.

    Tony Coward




    257038

    Edward Ward 5th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.14th October 1918)

    Edward Ward was serving with the 5th Battalion Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders when he was killed in action on the 14th October 1918





    257037

    John Ward Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

    John Ward was evacuated with shrapnel wounds while serving with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).





    257032

    Pte. John Aird 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.3rd May 1917)

    John Aird served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots in WW1. He died on thr 3rd of May 1917 aged 27 years and is remembered on the Arras Memorial in France. Son of George Aird of 3 East William St., Edinburgh, husband of Jessie Clarke Aird of 33 Milton St., Edinburgh.

    Joe Eglinton




    257027

    Pte. Augustus Henry Spriggs 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.10th March 1915)

    In memory of Private Augustus Spriggs, 2nd Battalion Royal, Berkshire Regiment who died on 10th of March 1915 age 20. Son of Mrs Rosina Cork (formerly Spriggs) of 1 Yew Cottages, Greywell, Basingstoke, Hants. Remembered with honour at Le Touret Memorial in France.

    I am researching my family tree and Augustus Spriggs is my 2nd great uncle.

    Amanda Taft




    257026

    Gnr Percy Douglas Norgate 233rd Siege Bty Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th August 1918)

    Percy Norgate did not join up until he was in his late thirties, in the last year of the war. He served with the 233rd Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1.

    He was captured by the Germans on 2nd of March 1918 and taken to their POW camp at Gustrow, Northern Germany. The well-remembered story is that while there, Percy managed to send a letter home. The family steamed off the stamp and found written underneath the sentence "Don't throw out the bacon rinds." This reference to the tough part of the bacon normally cut off and discarded told the family something about the conditions under which their beloved boy was living.

    He died in hospital later that year on 10th of August 1918, 3 months before the Armistice.

    Alison Pack




    257024

    L/Cpl John Murray 6th Btn Gordon Highlanders

    Lance Corporal John Murray served with the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders in WW1

    Colin Murray




    257021

    Rfmn. James Henry Williss 16th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.2nd July 1916)

    <p>

    James Williss was my Great Uncle who died before I was born. All I know is that he was born and grew up in Rugeley, Stafford shire.During WW1 he served with 16th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. His duty location was France and Flanders. James died 2nd of July 1916 and is remembered on the Loos Memorial in France. I have added a photo of his headstone memorial which is located in the Wolsley Road Cemetery in Rugeley.

    Zoe Steadman




    257015

    Pte. James Crawford 8th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.28th June 1915)

    James Crawford served with the 8th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in WW1. He died 28th of June 1915 and is remembered Helles Memorial in Turkey.

    Joe Eglinton




    257014

    L/Cpl. Harry Taylor 2nd Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Harry Taylor served with the 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in WW1. He died 25th of September 1915 aged 30 years and is remembered on the Loos Memorial in France. Son of Job and Mary Ann Taylor of 279 Grassmere St., Leicester, husband of Emily Taylor of 2 Framland St. Cottages, Leicester.

    Tony Maxfield




    257013

    L/Cpl. George William Turner 10th Btn Sherwood Foresters (d.29th August 1918)

    <p>

    George Turner was a drummer boy and also a stretcher bearer. He served with the 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters in WW1. He was wounded four times during the war, and each time he returned to the front. George died 29th of August 1918 and is remembered on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial. The circumstances of his death are unknown. He was reported as killed in action.

    George William Turner (18 Feb 1898 - 28 Aug 1918)

    Anthony Pegg




    257010

    Sgt. Robert Smith MSM. 2nd Btn. Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    Sergeant Robert Smith served with the 2nd Battalion, Cameron Highlanders in WW1.

    Kane Farabaugh




    257008

    Gnr. Albert Smith D Bty. 291st Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Albert Smith was my grandfather. He served with 291st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery in WW1. He emigrated to Canada in 1920 and died in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, on 5th of May 1960

    Albert Smith




    257007

    Peter Abercrombie 4th Btn, Cameronian (Scottish Rifles)

    Peter Abercrombie was my great uncle. I found his enlistment papers for 28th of February 1916. He was a plasterer by trade. Peter served with the 4th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in WW1.

    Eileen Williams




    257006

    Pte Hubert A Shaw 13th Btn King's Regiment (Liverpool) (d.14th July 1916)

    Private Hubert Shaw served with the 13th Battalion Liverpool Regiment in WW2. He died 14th of July 1916 and is buried Carnoy Military Cemetery G 40 France.





    257003

    Spr. Henry George Robinson 79th B.G.R.W. Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Harry Robinson, an apprentice engineer at GWR Swindon, volunteered in August 1914 and served with B Battery, 63rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery going to France in June 1915. Following shrapnel wounds and later catching diphtheria, Harry was treated at the Isolation Hospital at Etaples before being transferred in the summer of 1917 to the Royal Engineers Waterways and Railways and served with 79th B.G.R.W. Company where he served until the end of the war. Harry remained with the Army in France until 1920.

    Jonathan Blair




    257002

    Pte. Arthur Callan 19th (4th City) Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.2nd August 1917)

    Arthur Callan served with the 19th Battalion, Manchester Regiment in WW1. He died 2nd of August 1917 aged 20 years and is buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery in France. Son of John Edward and Mary Ellen Callan of 10 Vernon St., Gorton, Manchester.





    256987

    Pte Thomas Lee Gallacher 15th (1st Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.15 July 1917)

    Thomas Gallacher was born in Scotland in 1896 and died in Belguim in 1917

    Suzanne Burgess




    256980

    Pte. Harry Nightingale 9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.2nd September 1918 )

    Harry perished in Mesopotamia. He has no known grave but he is on the Tehran Memorial. Harry was one of ten in my family who had fought in both wars. Three fought in WW1. Another great uncle died from gas on 24th of May 1915 at Shell Shock Farm and has no known grave. My great grand father was blinded and lost for hours in no man's land.

    In WW2 my grand father fought alongside 5 brothers in Rotterdam, France and Burma. One was captured Dec 44. Another was a trooper in the Western Desert in 42 and in France.

    Tom Reid




    256975

    Pte. James Issac Crompton 7th (Merioneth & Montgomery) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.7th July 1919)

    James Crompton is named on the War Memorial in Calder Vale Lancashire. My Great Aunt said he was related to us but at the time I didn't try to find out any further info. As part of the 100 Year Anniversary of the end of the war the Garstang Historical Society tried to find out information on everyone named. Unfortunately, they couldn't find anything on James so since last November I've been on a search to fill in any blanks.

    James was born in Bolton around 1886. In 1911 he was living near Lancaster with his wife and 10 month old daughter. He originally joined the Cheshire Regiment and transferred to the Royal Welch Fusiliers where, I believe, he served in the 7th Battalion. He died on the 7th of July 1919 at the 57th General Hospital in Marseille. He is buried in the Commonwealth War Grave, Mazargues War Cemetery with the following inscription on his grave stone: Gods Will, Not Ours Be Done.

    David Crompton




    256974

    Pte. Ernest Crofts 10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.9th October 1917)

    Ernest Croft was my wife's paternal grandfather.

    Michael Goodwin




    256973

    Pte. Harry Rands Parrott 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th Oct 1914)

    Harry Parrott was my great great uncle on my father's side. He grew up in Hull and was the youngest of 4 children, having 3 older sisters. His mother, Elizabeth Parrott (nee Rands,) became a widow in 1886 when Harry was 1 year old. Harry's father, James Parrott was an Acting Inspector of Police when he died. Harry was 24 years old when he was killed in action. His name is commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

    Lesley Bell




    256966

    Pte. Edward Strachan 13th Btn. Royal Scots

    <p>

    Edward Strachan served with 13th Royal Scots.

    Ricky Strachan




    256965

    John Holliday 278th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Jack Holliday served with 278th Coy. Machine Gun Corps.

    Mel Holliday




    256963

    Pte. Harold Plastow 25th Battalion

    Harold Plastow was a Painter and married to Bessie before enlisting on 15th of April 1916. He embarked on HMAT A56 Clan MacGillivray and returned to Australia on 28th of November 1918.

    Raquel Cameron




    256961

    Ernest Edward Walker 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    Ernest Edward Walker of the 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment died while on active duty on the 23rd Apr 1917. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial in France.

    Wendy Walker




    256960

    Pte. John Joseph Devers C Coy. 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers

    <p>

    My Grandfather James Devers was born in Ballina in 1899. He enlisted in the Connaught Rangers on the 14th of August 1914. James married Mary Canavan in 1904 and he married her again in 1920.

    Paula Holmes




    256959

    Pte. Arthur Inkerman Jones 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.8th Mar 1918)

    Arthur Jones was born in 1889 in Drayton, Berkshire one of a family of 8, he was the third eldest son. His two brothers both served in WW1, George was in the 3rd Battalion of the Berkshire Regiment. He died from an illness in Reading while still in training. His other brother Hubert served with The Royal Garrison Artillery and survived the war.

    Arthur joined the 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment in 1917 and left for the Western front. He was sent to Fleubaix North East of Lille. On the 8th of March 1918 he was killed in action. He is buried at Rue Petillion Military Cemetery, Fleubaix.

    Brian Jones




    256948

    Rfmn. James Charles Rhodes 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.18th Nov 1917)

    James originally joined up in 1915 when he was still 16 and was reported by his mother for been under age. He was discharged from 15th Brigade RFA for been to young. As soon as he was old enough he signed up again with 13th Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He died from wounds and is buried in Zonnebeke in Belgium.





    256947

    Pte. Percy Ball 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.17th Jul 1916)

    Percy Ball was killed in action at the battle of Bazentin Ridge, on 17th of July 1916 at the age of 20.

    Susan Sheldon




    256945

    Pte. Frank Barry 10th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Frank Barry served with the 10th Btn Rifle Brigade. His name is etched at the Andrew Knowles & Sons Collieries War Memorial in Agecroft Rd, Pendlebury, Manchester.

    Lloyd Smith




    256935

    Pte. Samuel James Doidge Lincolnshire Regiment

    Samuel Doidge was in a local cricket club pre-war, and when he signed up in 1914, he was a part of a Pals Battalion and it turned out that his commanding officer was the head of the cricket club and said "Sam you're a good bowler" and made him throw grenades, instead of going over the top. He fought in 3 main battles before he was captured.

    He was shipped off to a salt mine where the camp commandant recognised the local last name (that side of the family apparently came from that area of Germany before his family came to Britain), and they became friends and wrote to each other after WW1 ended. The commandant even came round to visit after WW2. He was never wounded. He was held in Giessen Pow camp.

    Jools McKenna




    256931

    Pte. John William Baron 246th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    John Baron served with 246th Company, Machine Gun Corps.

    Michael Harwood




    256929

    Pte. Albert Edward Plant 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.14th July 1917)

    Albert Plant volunteered 18th of January 1915 and was assigned to the 12th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry 23rd of January 1915. After their training, they landed at Boulogne 10th of July 1915 and took part in Battle of Loos, September 1915.

    Albert transferred to Q Special Company, Royal Engineers, around March 1916. He died of wounds 14th of July 1917 in 88th Field Ambulance Dressing Station, Canada Farm, just South West of Passchendaele.





    256910

    Pte. John Beattie 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    My brother has recently uncovered information regarding our grandfather, John Beattie, who served with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders in WW1. He was captured in action at the Battle of le Cateau on 26/27th August 1914. He subsequently spent the whole of the rest of the war as a PoW at Sennelager PoW camp near Bielefeld in north-west Germany. His medical card has been sent to my brother and the text (in French) describes him as "fading away. He has been here a long time. He is under the orders of Lieutenant Usher whose regiment is also in internment". Despite the description, fortunately he survived the war and returned home. His unit had landed in Boulogne, France, on 14th of August so he spent only two weeks on active service, followed by four years as a prisoner.

    After the war he became a police officer with the Glasgow police, where he met my maternal grandmother, Janet Beattie (nee Morrison), who was one of the first three or four female recruits into the police after the war. She rose to become the first ever female Detective Inspector in Scotland and received a British Empire Medal from the Queen on her retirement in 1968. My grandfather was fatally injured in making an arrest in Glasgow and died around 1935 when my father (also John) was seven years old. I recall my father recounting that his father had been a gunner and his position had been overrun by the German cavalry, leading to his capture. We do, somewhere, still have the "comfort photograph" of him that was sent by the German Red Cross to his family at home to let them know he was alive.

    Allan Beattie




    256909

    Ezekiel Hartshorne HMS Morea

    Ezekiel Hartshorne was my grandfather. In WW1 he served on HMS Morea. I never met him as he died in 1948. He married Beatrice (my grandmother) on 5th of March 1921, and they had two children, John and Mary. My father John Hartshorne was born 19th of December 1926.

    Jean Perrins




    256906

    Pte. John Rae 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    John Rae was my great Grandmother's nephew and a distant cousin of mine. John served with the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers in WW1. He was killed in action at the Somme, 3rd of September 1916 aged 20. I have no photo.

    Susan Taylor




    256902

    Pte. William Marr 18th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.9th July 1916)

    William Marr enlisted into the British Army, and served with the 18th (3rd City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment. Billy was the husband of Jane Marr of 32 Gillow St, Deansgate, Manchester. He died at the Battle of Somme, 9th of July 1916 aged 40 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Anthony Woods




    256900

    Pte. Robert Kay 23rd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th July 1916)

    Robert Kay served with the 23rd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps in WW1. He died 20th of July 1916 and is buried Morlancourt British Cemetery in France.





    256897

    Pte. George Abrahams 9th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.30th Sep 1915)

    George Abrahams served with the 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment in WW1. He died 30th of September 1915 and is remembered on the Loos Memorial Panel.





    256896

    Pte. Malcolm Campbell 1st Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.12th Nov 1914)

    Malcolm Campbell served with the 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in WW1. He died 12th of Nocember 1914 aged 27 years. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium. Son of Neil and Jeanie McKechrie Campbell of 25 Glebe St. Campbeltown.

    Douglas Campbell




    256895

    Pte. Colin MacKenzie 1st Btn. Scots Guards (d.12th Nov 1914)

    Colin MacKenzie served with the 1st Scots Guards.

    Zak Coombs




    256894

    Cpl. James McWilliam 9th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.16th Apr 1918)

    James McWilliam served with the 9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry in WW1. He died 16th of April 1918 aged 25 years and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. Son of Thomas McWilliam, of Kirkland, Terregles, Dumfries.

    Zak Coombs




    256893

    Pte Alfred Dickson 17th Canadian Machine Gun Coy

    Alfred Dickson was born 5th of May 1881 in Keene, Ontario the son of James and Mary Pratt Dickson. He was one of eleven children with only three sisters.

    As a young man he saw three brothers join the Northwest Mounted Police in April of 1888 and a fourth brother joined a few years later. Serving was obviously an expected way of life in the family.

    Attestation Papers for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Forces show that Alfred took his oath on 30th of September 1916 but had already logged 3 years with the Cobourg Artillery and one year with the 31st Battalion in the Cobourg, Ontario area. Prior to taking the oath, Alfred had moved west to Carcross, Yukon Territory to be with several of his brothers who were working as miners out there.

    Early research shows he was in good health when he had his physical in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory though there was a note that he had suffered from typhoid in 1901. He was 147 pounds at 5 foot 7 inches. With a life insurance policy in effect and leaving his estate to his brother, Adam Dickson, he was ready to go.

    It appears he left for Liverpool, England on the S.S. Canada on 22nd of January 1917 and arrived in Liverpool, England on 6th of February 1917 where he was assigned to the 7th Reserve Battalion. He was further assigned to the 3rd Machine Gun Coy 5th Canadian Division in Witley, England on 24th of March 1917.

    In late October 1917 Alfred began experiencing problems with his kidneys and was hospitalized on 31st of October at the Bramshott Military Hospital (Canadian Military Hospital # 5) where he remained for some time. On 5th of December of the same year he was transferred to the Queens Hospital (Canadian Military Hospital # 12) in Liverpool, England. As his illness progressed he was deemed unfit for further war service and was sent back to Canada in April of 1918 where he spent time in the Queens Military Hospital in Kingston, Ontario.

    Alfred received his discharge on 17th of July 1918. At that time he again made his home out in Carcross, Yukon Territory. He would later marry and make a home for his family in Vancouver, BC. Research continues so further corrections will be made if needed. Alfred died 20th of February 1958.





    256888

    Pte Thomas Harry Bown 10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.6th June 1917)

    Private T.H.Brown died of wounds received in battle on the 6th June 1917 in Langensalza POW Camp and is buried in grave 904 in the camp cemetery.

    Howard Morris Loo




    256885

    Pte. Alfred George Sales 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment (d.29th Dec 1915)

    Dedicated to my Great Grandfather, Alfred Sales, a miner from Dartford in Kent who was working in Monmouthshire at the outbreak of war. He enlisted with the Monmouthshire Regiment on the 30th August 1914. After being wounded at Ypres in May 1915, he recovered and returned to the front in August 1915. He was killed, along with 38 of his comrades, by enemy shellfire whilst on parade at Elverdinghe Chateau on 29th December 1915, aged 50 years. Never known by me, but never forgotten.

    Philip Sales




    256882

    Pte William Henry Cross 7th Btn Wiltshire Regiment

    William Cross was my grandfather. He served with the Wiltshire Regiment 7th Battalion in WW1. I found this information whilst researching my family tree. The details were written on my father's birth certificate as my grandfather's occupation.

    Beverley Clarke




    256881

    L/Cpl. William Charles Henry Hooper 26th Battalion

    <p>

    William Hooper's casualty record shows that while he was a Private based at the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone, he was admitted to Fargo hospital on 18th of April 1917. His ailment was listed as P.U.O. which means Pyrexia Unknown Origin, in other words he had a fever. His time in hospital was not listed.

    Mick Copeland




    256880

    Pte. Herbert George Vesse 4th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.26th Mar 1917)

    Herbert Vesse enlisted at Woolwich Barracks Kent. He was living with his wife at Sutton At Hone Kent but was born in Elmstead Essex. He died in The Egyptian Theatre of war on 26th of March 1917, death place, Palestine. He would have been 35 years old and left behind a wife, Lilian Mary Vess. His name is inscribed at Sutton At Hone memorial. I am not a family member but researched my friends genealogy.

    Diane Savage




    256862

    Cpl. Benjamin Alfred Hodder MM. 21st (Islington) Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Benjamin Hodder was my grandfather. In April 1915, at the age of sixteen years and four months, Ben enlisted in 6th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps declaring his age as nineteen and his trade as an engineer. Family history has it that he ran away from school to join the Army. Like so many others at the time Ben had lied about his age and when this was discovered at Winchester, Hampshire after sixty-five days with the colours he was dismissed. Undeterred, seventeen days later he reenlisted at Islington into the 21st ˜Islington's Own Battalion, Middlesex Regiment using his middle name only probably because his time with KRRC was under the name Benjamin. At the outbreak of war in 1914, the British Army had 700,000 available men. Germany's army was over 3.7 million. In order to address this deficiency a campaign for volunteers was launched, thousands answered the call to fight and among them were 250,000 boys and young men under the age of 19, the legal limit for armed service overseas.

    The 21st Middlesex was officially raised on the 18th May 1915 at Islington, London and was assigned to 121st Brigade, 40th Division in Kitchener's Army. Ben's commanding officers were Lieutenant Colonel W H Samuel and Majors J McCullough and S D Stewart. On 27th of May 1916 when at Woking, Surrey the 21st was ordered to France and on 5th of June Ben was one of almost a thousand officers and men who boarded trains to Southampton en route to France. The Battalion was split into two groups for the journey across the Channel with some boarding the Steamer Caesarea while others sailed on the Rossetti a former Argentine cattle ship. These two ships were often used to transport troops and had been doing so since 1914. I don't know which ship Ben was on but do know that the Caesarea arrived at Le Havre in the early hours of 6th of June and marched to a rest camp. Those that sailed on the Rossetti joined the others later that day before marching to billets at Barlin 150 miles to the north east towards the Belgium border.

    Ben's two years on the Great War Western Front were spent in the area of British operations in north eastern France very close to the border with Belgium. He took part in most battles of the time subsequent to the infamous ˜First Day on the Somme and prior to his capture by Bavarian troops of the Imperial German Army during Ludendorffs Spring Offensive of 1918.

    On 15th June 1916 Ben was detached from the 21st Middlesex and assigned to a newly formed Brigade asset, a Trench Mortar Battery. Trench mortars were a new innovation used in a variety of defensive and offensive roles. By mid 1916 most Divisions had Trench Mortar Batteries which took their number from the Brigade, so in Ben's case as part of 40th Division, 121st Brigade his battery was numbered 121st Trench Mortar Battery. The Battery was formed from Brigade units and put into billets at Lillers, 15 miles north east from Barlin. It consisted of two sections of two officers and NCOs and other ranks from each of the Brigade’s Regiments. Lt. Killinghack of 21st Middlesex Regiment was placed in overall command his fellow officers being Lt. Mansell 20th Middlesex, Lt. Jones 13th Yorkshire and 2nd/Lt. Barrett 12th Suffolk regiments.

    As mentioned, Ben's unit arrived too late for the opening battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916 when 60,000 British soldiers were made casualties but moved into the line around Loos and was involved in fighting throughout the second half of 1916 through to April 1918. During this time he was awarded the Military Medal, would have pursued Germans toward the Hindenburg Line and fought in the battles of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie and the Cambrai Operations during which he was involved in operations to capture Bourlon Wood. He took part in the battles of St Quentin and Bapaume of the later Somme campaigns and was near to the fighting on the River Lys during Operation Georgette when he was taken prisoner.

    20th June 1916 eight 3" Stokes Trench Mortars and six hand carts were received by the newly formed 121st Trench Mortar Battery. The guns were reportedly quite new and in excellent condition but the handcarts were very heavy and the officers complained that they would take a lot of pulling noting that at some stage horse transport would clearly be needed.

    21st June 1916 Lt. Killinghack proceeded to Ferfey to the 1st Divisional Bomb School for a Trench Mortar course.

    24th to 30th June 1916 three groups of 1 officer and ten other ranks went into Berbiers for their introductory training. The training took three days during which time they were billeted in town.

    25th June 1916 the Battery received fifty 3" shells for practice and the next week began firing dummy shells and were put to work digging mortar emplacements.

    3rd July 1916 the 121st Brigade moved to Les Brebis to relieve the 2nd Brigade and Ben and his colleagues busied themselves salvaging and making good mortar shells left behind, improving mortar emplacements and cleaning their dugouts. Sadly, the Battery was not issued with telephones which with weapons that are not line of sight I'd have considered essential. Lt. Killinghack clearly though so too and he, and a Captain Morris, the Brigade Scout Officer, went looking for potential observation points.

    7th July 1916 Ben lost one of the Battery's officers who was reported to Brigade by Lt. Killinghack for displaying a lack of interest in his work. Lt. Jones was returned to his battalion and replaced by a 2nd Lt. Dowton. I don't know if Jones was Ben's commanding officer but I'm certain he would have been aware of the discipline issue.

    8th July 1916 the battery attempted to destroy an enemy observation point but owing to the lack of telephones it proved difficult. They managed to hit it the following day, however, drawing retaliatory fire for two hours leading to a relocation of their mortar emplacements.

    12th to 17th June 1916 Ben's Brigade was relieved by the 120th. This allowed time to clean up, engage in squad drills and practice firing with dummy shells away from the line. The battery was back at the front by the 17th and over the next five days engaged in firing and retaliation including on 21st July destroying German machine guns that had been firing at a Royal Flying Corps aeroplane.

    23rd July 1916 the Battery moved to a different sector and when they had settled into their new surrounds the Germans sent over a welcome in the form of many trench mortars and rifle grenades. The following day the Battery was directed by Lt. Killinghack to move all eight of their mortars into the line and retaliate for the previous day's welcome.

    20th August 1916 one of Ben's comrades Corporal Jones of the 12th Suffolk was killed and on the following day, Corporal Brown, also of the Suffolks was killed by heavy trench mortar which blew in the entrance of our dug-out and smashed in bomb recess and emplacement.

    Sadly, the 121st TMB War Diary finishes on 31st August 1916 and the National Archive does not appear to have anything more from 121st Trench Mortar Battery which would include Ben's Military Medal action of 24th September 1916. Ben was preparing shells for forthcoming operations when he discovered a shell fusing. His swift action resulted in the award and citation.

    Ben was captured on the 9th of April 1918 at the village of Fleurbaix near to the River Lys during ˜Operation Georgette. The German offensive was furious, and the British retreated. The situation was desperate and Field Marshall Douglas Haig, Commander of the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front issued his famous ˜Backs to the Wall order, "There is no other course open to us but to fight it out! Every position must be held to the last man, there must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end." The 121st Brigade had experienced horrendous casualties and at Doulieu, where stragglers were collected formed a composite Battalion and established a defensive line. The war continued until November but for Ben it was over. Captured at Fleurbaix he was transported to Germany to be held at Dulmen Prisoner of War Camp.

    As a boy I traced the hand written citation. Just as well as its illegible now.

    William Max




    256859

    Sig. Hugh Cabrey 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.9th May 1917 )

    Hugh Cabrey was killed in the Battle of Arras.

    K Pickles




    256858

    Pte. Jon Patrick Reid 17th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Jon Reid served with the 17th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. I have recently found my grandfather's medical records due to him being severely injured when a shell exploded against his gas mask. He had 4 years of revolutionary plastic surgery in Kent. He was also with the 3rd Royal Fusiliers. I was named after him

    John




    256853

    Pte. Edward O'Donnell 8th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.3rd May 1918)

    <p>

    My Great grandfather, Edward O'Donnell, served in the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders during WW1. He was taken prisoner in 1916 and died as a POW in 1918. He is buried in Halle just outside Berlin. I don't know a great deal about his service and don't have much in way of service records. I do, however, have his medals that were sent back to the family. I know he was born in Ireland around 1890 and moved to Lennoxtown when he was a toddler as his father worked on a farm there.

    Martin Lang




    256852

    Pte. George Arthur Blackhall 14th (Pioneers) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st August 1918)

    George Blackhall died of wounds in a German military hospital. He wass buried in Asfeld German Military Cemetery and later reburied in Sissonne British Military Cemetery. Sadly missed but always remembered.

    Keith Telford




    256849

    AB. James Fortune DSO. HMS Strongbow (d.16th October 1917)

    James Fortune was killed when serving on board HMS Strongbow which was guarding the Scandinavian convoy on 16th of October 1917. The Strongbow was lost with all hands along with HMS Mary Rose when the convoy was attacked by the two German light cruisers Brummer and Bremse.

    James Tait




    256847

    Pte. William Foster 15th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.27th June 1918)

    William Foster died on 27th of June 1918 due to wounds received 4 days previously.

    "Our worst fears have been realized, and your poor boy has passed away. He bore up well, in spite of the fact that the wound was so serious, and did splendidly at first. Then the wound showed signs of poisoning and it was necessary to operate and remove the shrapnel. He was a man of great spirit and bore it bravely and patiently, but his strength failed him. For the last four days he was getting weaker. The end came peacefully and painlessly yesterday." letter from Reverend W. S. Kirkpatrick

    Ross Ratcliffe




    256846

    Spr. Arthur Charles George Gladwin 20th Light Railway Company Royal Engineers (d.4th March 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Gladwin was buried where he fell.

    Robin McIlraith




    256845

    Gdsmn. Frank Cleggett 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.16th October 1918)

    Frank Cleggett was my great grandfather's brother.

    Si Cleggett




    256829

    Rfmn. William Valentine Yetton 9th (County of London) Btn. London Regiment (d.28th Mar 1918)

    William Yetton was a relative who died in action.

    Hayley Thomas




    256827

    Pte Archdale Saunders Robinson 8th Btn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.19th of April 1916)

    Archdale Robinson was my great uncle. I never knew him but have always been fascinated by him and his short life. He does cause some confusion as he appears to be registered in some areas of the military records as 'Archibald' but his name was definitely Archdale.

    Archdale served with the Bedfordshire Regiment 8th Battalion in WW1. There is also a family story that he was actually only 16 when he enlisted, fudging his age and therefore only being 18 when he died in France, 19th of April 1916, and not the 21 years officially reported. Either way, it was a tragic thing repeated so many times.

    He has no known grave and it saddened me beyond belief when I learned that often these 'unknown grave' soldiers drowned in shell holes, or suffocated in them if they were not killed outright. His name is on the gate at Lille in Belgium, that is all.

    He was a farm labourer and need not have gone to war but wanted to do his bit for King and Country. He went from riding the big shire horses to being killed in the defense of his country and he will always be my hero, along with all of those men and boys that never came home again, be they British or not.





    256824

    Pte. Richard Graham 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th September 1917)

    Richard Graham was my great uncle. He was the youngest of 7 siblings of which I knew 3 well. One of these, Violet, was my grandmother. He was the only one to die in the War. I do not have a photograph at this time although I am sure that we have one somewhere.

    Ian Powel




    256822

    Rflmn. Thomas Edward Silk 18th (Arts and Crafts) Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd June 1917)

    Thomas Silk of the 18th Battalion, KRRC was my wife's great uncle. He is on the Menin Gate but unable to locate him among the 18th Battalion killed in action.

    Rosemary Coombs




    256819

    Pte. Gordon Brooksbank 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.20th Mar 1918 )

    Based on research to date Gordon Brooksbank enlisted with the British Army in about 1917 at Bradford. He was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment when he was killed in action at Lagincocort. Gordon is remembered on the Arras Memorial in France.

    Ray Davies




    256815

    Bmbdr. William Robert Copper 24th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st Jan 1917)

    William Copper served with 24th Siege Battery, RGA. All I know at the moment is that he came out from the dugout to have a smoke and got caught in a shell burst.

    Peter Stevens




    256810

    Sgt. Harry C. Danes 12th Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.14th July 1916 )

    Harry Danes was the younger brother of my Great Grandfather, born in Maidstone Kent on 26th of Jan 1880. But because my Great Grandfather emigrated to Canada prior to the Great War, I knew nothing about Sergeant Danes' service during World War One. This is remarkable because my family knows my love of military history, especially my Grandmother. After I finished my own 35 year career in 2017 as an American Army Lieutenant Colonel I began researching my family history. I knew my Great Grand Father had one twin brother who stayed in England, but did not know he had any other siblings. After performing a DNA test I was linked through a genealogy website with my long lost English cousins and learned about Sergeant Harry Danes. Having a Bachelors Degree in Military History, and teaching Military History at a University, I was both dumbfounded that I knew nothing of Sgt Danes in my family history and delighted to learn that I had someone I could personally honor who was related to me before the the Centennial Anniversary of the Great War's end. Sadly I had to honor his death as a sacrifice in that terrible war. But honor him I now could and would. I had no other relatives on either side of my family fight in the War. This was also gratifying personally to me, as I am part of an organization in the United States that seeks to investigate, locate, recover and identify the remains of missing in action World War One American Service Members. I am the sole aviation expert of the organization and we are attempting, for the first time ever in our Nation's history since 1922, to locate, recover and identify an American Aviator that went missing in action on 14th of July 1917. Unfortunately the information I have is very little and I have no photos of Sgt Harry Danes, nor circumstances of his service or of his death. This I am working to correct and plan to share once I do have more information. The fact he was a Sergeant suggests he was no common Soldier.

    Daniel C Williamson




    256809

    Pte. William Millar Bird 9th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.20th July 1916)

    William Bird served with the 9th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in WW1. He died 20th of July 1916 age 26 years and is buried Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz in France. Son of William and Jane Hannah Bird of 44 Villiers Rd. Watford.

    Simon Burgess




    256803

    Pte. Frank Edwin Cox 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.27th Nov 1917)

    <p>Frank Cox is 2nd right in 3rd row from top.

    Frank Cox served with the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards in WW1. He died 27th of November 1917 aged 36 years and is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial at Louveral in France. Son of the late George and Alma Cox of 115, West St. Crewe and husband of Henrietta Cox of 59 Lord St. Blackpool.

    Chris Gough




    256797

    Rfmn. Samuel Magowan 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Samuel Magowan served with the 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. Archaeological excavation of the largest known WWI training trench battlefield in Larkhill, Wiltshire, revealed extensive tunnel systems and 9km of fighting and support trenches. Over 300 pieces of graffiti have been recorded on the inner chalk walls of the tunnels. Rifleman Magowan left his name there before leaving for the Somme where he was killed on the first day.

    Si Cleggett (Wessex Archaeology)




    256795

    Bmbdr. James Gough MM. 2/1st Lancashire Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>James Gough seated

    James Gough was my grandfather. He served with the 2/1st Lancashire Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1. He rarely spoke of the war, but he had a fine pair of boots. I remember him digging potatoes in the garden wearing them. He once told me that when he got them they had a pair of German legs in them. When asked how he won his medal, (he was awarded the Military Medal) he used to reply 'I got it for running away.' My father told me that he thought that he had rescued a heavy gun from a German advance, when his gun crew had been injured or killed, but he was not sure.

    Chris Gough




    256793

    2nd Lt. Mark Huston McCormick Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.23rd April 1917)

    Mark McCormick served with the Royal Munster Fusiliers in WW1. He died 23rd of April 1917 and is remembered on the Arras Memorial in France. At the time of his death, Mark was attached to the 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Charles P Doherty




    256787

    Cpl. William Smith 8th Btn. Black Watch

    William Smith served with the 8th Battalion, Black Watch in WW1.

    William




    256784

    Pte. Leonard Morgan 2nd Battalion Welch Regiment

    Leonard Morgan was my grandfather on my mother's side. He was taken prisoner at Nieuport according to the Red Cross POW record. He was allocated Prisoner numbers first for Wittenberg, then another on transfer to Merseburg on 22nd of September 1915.

    William Robinson




    256782

    Pte. Henry Ree 7th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.30th March 1918)

    Henry Ree is my great uncle. He enlisted into 7th Btn Kings Shropshire Light Infantry in 1914/15. He landed in France on the 28th of September 1915. Henry was reported missing on the 18th of March 1918, believed to have been seriously wounded and captured by Germans. He was taken to Estrees Field Hospital where he died of wounds on the 30th of March 1918. He was interred at Eltrees and then on 30th of September 1920 finally laid to rest in Sauchy Cauchy Cemetery, France.

    David Heath




    256781

    Herbert Percy Rudolph 30th (Works) Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    Herbert Rudolph was the naturalised British son of a German. He was born in London. I believe he was interned on the Isle of Man at the start of the war and then transferred to 30th Works Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in Dec 1915. He served in the UK throughout the war. He was medical grade B3 (sedentary duties only).

    Claire Carter




    256778

    Pte. Daniel Reed 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.17th July 1916)

    Daniel Reed was my Grandmother's brother, born in the village of Twyford, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Research tells me he enlisted in Loughborough and served with the 6th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. He lost his life in France on 17th of July 1916, aged 32 yrs and is listed on The Theipval Memorial in France. At the end of WW1, Daniel's wife and his two children emigrated to Canada. I have photographs of soldiers from this time but unfortunately I cannot identify Daniel.

    Valerie Lay




    256776

    Pte. George Everett Nash 15th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.21st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Everett Nash served with the 15th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment in WW1. He died 21st of October 18918 and is buried in Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt, France.

    Michael James




    256775

    Cpl. Arthur Stanton Baird

    Arthur Baird, known as Stan was in the Canadian Army engineers. He drove an ammunition wagon in France in 1914. He was shelled and gassed in either 1915 during the fighting for the 2nd Battle of Ypres or in 1917 also around Ypres in what is referred to in Canada as Passchendaele. He was within sight of The Cotton Hall during the fighting.

    He was taken via hospital ship to The Sunnyside Hospital in England, near Manchester, where he stayed until 1918 or 1919. One of the volunteer nurses who attended him was Beatrice Bentley Rowe. They fell in love and in 1919 or 1920 Stan, who had shipped back to Canada, sent Beatrice the ship fare for her to travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada where they were married and adopted my dad Thomas Stanton Baird. I have photos and much more information should anyone be interested or related.

    Grant Thomas Baird




    256773

    Dvr. Willliam Edward Webb 307th Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    William Webb was my grandfather. He served with the 307th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery in WW1 and survived the war and lived till his 80s.

    Philip Webb




    256771

    Pte. James Craker C Coy. 15th Btn

    James Craker served with the 15th Battalion, Australian Infantry Forces in WW1, he was with the 15th Reinforcement.

    Margaret Plant




    256769

    L/Cpl. Bertam Nixon Davies 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.11th of September 1918)

    Bertram Davies was the husband of Dorothea Broscomb. I found the information about him, rank, etc., on an Islington web site. He served with the 6th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry in WW1. He died 11th of September 1918 aged 40 years and is buried Cambrin Military Cemetery in France.

    Anthony Broscmb




    256767

    Sgt. Michael Sheehy 13th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.19th July 1918 )

    Michael Sheehy, my 2nd great-uncle, served with the 13th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in WW1.

    Unfortunately I have no stories or information on his military career to share with you. The following information was obtained from the Kerry Library while doing research on my family's genealogy: Sheehy, Michael. Rank: Sergeant. Royal Garrison Artillery. 13th Heavy Battery. Age at death: 43. Died 19th of July 1918. Supplementary information, Son of Martin and Anne Sheehy, of Carrigcannon, Listowel, Co. Kerry. Michael was born in Duagh, County Kerry and enlisted in Dublin while living in Kerry. He died in Salonika and is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria in Greece

    Kathy Lloewenberg




    256765

    Pte. James Ayton 6th/7th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.12th August 1916 )

    James Ayton served with the 6/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers in WW1. He died 12th of August 1916 aged 21 years and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Son of John and Mary Ayton of 45 Carntyne Rd. Glasgow.





    256764

    Pte. William Rae 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.22nd of October 1918)

    My great grandfather, William Rae, was called up late in the war. He was a miner and didn't have to go but changed to a job above ground and was apparently eligible to fight.

    William served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in WW1. He was already 40 years old and was killed very late in the war, in fact only 3 weeks from the end on 22nd of October 1918. He is buried Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery in Belgium.

    Alfred McLaughlan




    256762

    Pte. Sidney Edwards 1st Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    I know little about my grandfather, Sidney Edwards' war other than that found online. He served with the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment and the Royal Flying Corps in WW1. He miraculously survived the horrors of the trenches but was documented as having been seen at Barlin casualty clearing station on 29th of December 1916 and diagnosed with influenza. He remained with his battalion and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1918. Having been gassed in the trenches towards the end of the war he was able to return to his family safely but suffered breathing problems thereafter due to the effects of the mustard gas.





    256758

    Pte. Horace Walter Arnold MM. 2/22nd (2nd Queens) Battalion London Regiment (d.8th December 1918)

    Horace Arnold died of pneumonia on 8th of December 1918. He was awarded the Military Medal on 29th of September 1918, reason unknown.

    Scott Hammond




    256757

    Cpl. Percy T. Williams 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.12th of October 1917)

    Percy Williams served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers in WW1. He died 12th of October 1917 and is buried Godewaersvelde British Cemetery in France. Son of Mr. W. Williams of 6 Somerset St., Pontnewydd, Newport, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star.





    256756

    Sgt Oliver George King 1st Btn Essex Regiment (d.14th of April 1917)

    Sergeant Oliver King served with the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment in WW1. He died 14th of April 1917 and is remembered on the Arras Memorial Bay 7 France. Son of Fredrick W. and Mary E. King, of Great Tey St., Kelvedon, Essex.

    Valerie Osborne




    256750

    Cpl. Duncan "Klondyke" McArthur DCM. 176th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Duncan McArthur served with 176th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers.

    Newspaper Report

    Lorne McArthur




    256749

    Pte. William Ewart Gladstone Shore 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.12th February 1917)

    My Grandfather, WEG Shore, was firstly in the 1st Battalion Gloucester's. He was wounded in the Battle for Loos (Western Front). He returned home to recover October 1915. He saw his son (my father for the first time, as he was born just 7 days after grandfather sailed to France.

    He was later shipped to Mesopotamia with 7th Battalion, wounded on the 10th of February 1917. He died from wounds received on 12th of February 1917. He left behind 4 small children, and my grandmother. I have written a factual account of this and how my family coped with his loss (or not as it turned out). I have titled it "War Widow and Child", and sub titled it "Was she a Vilian and worst mother on Earth? or A Victim of Tragedy and Predatory Men". It is available form Amazon Books, if anyone wants to read an emotive thought provoking true story of how a normal Tommy's family was effected. Much more than a war story.

    Peter Shore




    256747

    Pte. Charles Henry Fromant 12th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Charles Fromant joined the Cambridgeshire Regiment in 1916. He was sent to France as a draft in Sept 1916 but diverted from the first Cambs to 12th Kings Royal Rifle Company

    John Wilson




    256744

    L/Cpl. Harry Slocombe MM. 55th (West Lancashire) Division Signal Coy. Royal Engineers

    My grandfather, Harry Slocombe served with 55th Divisional Signal Company. I have researched his war record and I have tried to find details of how and why he was awarded the MM for gallantry at Guillement on the 6th to the 15th August 1916. Despite visits to public record offices and countless hours researching I still have no details of his actions. Any help would be much appreciated.

    Graham Hayhurst




    256741

    Pte. Alec James Matthews 9th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment (d.4th February 1917)

    <p>

    Researching my G/Grandmother's family history I have come across Alec Matthews, killed in France, who must in some way be related. Further research being undertaken.

    Philip Scott




    256735

    Able Sea. William Stephenson Price HMS Daffodil

    My grandad, William Price served on the sloop HMS Daffodil during WW1. I would love to find anyone whose grandparent served on her at the same time and if there's any pictures of the crew, as we don't have any.

    Julie Pickard




    256730

    Sgt. Robert William Butler CdeG. 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    Robert Butler served with the 1st Surrey Rifles I have found a page in the 21st Battalion, London Regiment War Diaries from the National archive which has his signature Sjt RW Butler. I also have his medals and certificate for the Belgium Croix de Guerre. Robert is my Grandfather on my father's side and passed away in 1961, the year after I was born. He struggled with breathing problems for many years but the family knew how lucky they were to have him home.

    Karen Tomlin




    256727

    2nd Lt. Thomas Green DCM. 10th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.28th Oct 1916)

    Thomas Green's DCM is listed in the London Gazette on page 654 on the 3rd of April 1916. He was Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the Field. Thomas is buried in Becourt Military Cemetery at Becordel-Becourt, France.





    256720

    Pte. Alfred Jackman 1/4th Btn. Dorset Regiment

    <p>

    Alfred Jackman served with the 1/4th Battalion, Dorset Regiment. Still checking dates and places but he served in Middle East possibly Baghdad.

    Stephen Jackman




    256718

    Pte. George Rix 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    George Rix lost his life on the 3rd of July 1916, age 30.





    256717

    Pte. Michael Costello 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.6th July 1915)

    Michael Costello of Nenagh, County Tipperary served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. He died of wounds on the 6th of July 1915 in Flanders.

    William Stokes




    256716

    Cpl. Raymond St.John Pinel MM. 6th Battalion Dorset Regiment (d.9th Sep 1920)

    <p>

    Raymond Pinel was a relative of my husbands side, he died a year after his son's birth in 1920.

    Nicole Pinel




    256708

    Sgt Walter Tuppen DCM Royal Field Artillery

    Walter Tuppen was a reservist, called back into the Army at the start of WWI. He received the DCM for what he termed 'a little private effort' at Aubers Ridge in May 1915, where as a signaller he kept communications open by torch and semaphore flags despite drawing enemy fire. He received the Mons Star and bar for having seen front line action from the beginning of the war and was a proud member of the Old Contemptibles after the war. Walter was invalided home in November 1916 suffering from neurasthenia, the reason given on the label tied to his coat as being due to '2 years in France'.

    Jacqueline Westcott




    256706

    Pte. George Henry Green 12th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.27th December 1917)

    George Green's mother was Elizabeth Green and his dad was James Green all from Heywood in Lancashire. He enlisted in Bury, Lancashire with the rank of private. His regiment was the 12th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. He was killed in action in Egypt

    Steven Green Holden




    256704

    Pte. Samuel Henry Benbow 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.13th Aug 1915)

    Samuel Benbow served with the 2nd Hampshire Regiment, he had enlisted with the Duke Of Cornwall'S Light Infantry. Samuel drowned on the Royal Edward at Gallipoli and is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

    Robert Dickinson




    256702

    Cpl. Edward Jones 1st Battalion, B Coy. Norfolk Regiment (d.23rd August 1918)

    In honour of Edward Jones on behalf of his daughter Kathleen Olive Jones, who never got to grow old and share memories with her father.

    Sarah Miles




    256696

    Pte. Sidney Charles Franklin 12th (Bristol) Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.29th March 1918)

    Sidney Franklin signed up when he was under age. His elder brother William Henry Franklin had already signed up. Sidney's father wrote to the War Office as Sidney was under age and eventually he came back after serving for over a year.

    When he was old enough he went straight back in the Army and had another number 302639 as his service number. Sadly, he died of his wounds on 29th of March 1918 aged 19. His brother William Henry also died on 20th of July 1918 and was killed in action aged 24 years. Their parents were my grandfather's brother and sister-in-law. They lived in 16 Paultrow Road, off St. Johns Lane, Bedminster, Bristol. Sadly, their father was killed in a road accident in Bedminster after the war. My grandfather told me his elder brother never got over the death of his two sons and it was felt he had deliberately walked out in front of a bus. Thomas H and Eva S Franklin lost two sons to the war. Both boys were in action around Arras at some time in their army life during the war.

    I regularly visit Arras as I am friends with the deputy prefect and his wife and children. I regularly go to the cemetery in Doullens where Sidney Charles Franklin is buried and leave a poppy. It is a small area in the Doullen cemetery that is used for burying local people there too. I find it a rather bleak and sad place, but I will visit as often as I can as I know my grandfather felt very sad about his two nephews who died in the First World War.

    Sidney's oldest brother, William Henry Franklin, was with the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) during WW1 when he died. He had enlisted in Bristol & was formerly in the Somerset Light Infantry. He did his duty in both France and Flanders and is remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Carol Gadd




    256695

    Able Sea. Jean Auguste LeLievre Hawke Btn. (d.2nd April 1918)

    Jean Le Lievre was in the Jersey Militia for 5 years before he got called up into the British Expeditionary Force via the Royal Naval Volunteer Division, Hawke Battalion. He deployed in 1917 and 1 month after deployment to the trenches of the Western Front he was gassed by the Germans, that was October 1917. They patched him up and threw him back into the line, just in time for when the Germans mounted their biggest and final offensive of the war. It is thought that he was in Bapaume near Arras France and his unit was overrun in late March 1918. He was injured, taken prisoner before being treated in Field Hospital, Beaulencourt for gun shot wound to the skull, and died on the 2nd of April 1918, aged 25 years. He was the husband of Mrs. Jeanne Philomene Le Lievre (nee Botrel of Val-de-la-Mare, St. Peters, Jersey

    Paul Franklin




    256692

    Major Henry Albert Uprichard 13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Henry Uprichard is burried in Mill Road Cemetery on the Somme





    256691

    Sgt. John Grant 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.9th April 1918)

    My Great Grandfather, John Grant, was born in 1880. Son of James and Betsy Grant. He worked as a gamekeeper and married my Great Grandmother Annabella in Grantown on Spey in 1910. They had 2 children Elizabeth and James. I don't know much about his military service but know he was killed in France on the 9th April 1918. He is remembered at Loos Memorial.

    Tracey




    256687

    Pte Robert Arthur Wilkinson 312nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Robert Wilkinson was my grandfather. I know very little about his wartime service, apart from the fact that he was a driver. He died in 1966.





    256685

    Bmdr. Ernest William Coates 195th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Whilst researching my local memorial Littleport, there was one man named on the memorial I had been unable to find. The only reference to the E. T. Coates on the war memorial is in Barbers Almanac shown as Ernest T. Coates on the List of Names of Men who have lost their lives in the Great War which it is proposed to place upon the War Memorial Tablet. Also in this list is Isaac S. Coates who is actually Isaac Thompson Coates. After many months of research I have not been able to find an Ernest Coates killed in the Great War with any connection to Littleport or the local area. The closest soldier that I have found is Ernest William Coates Bombardier of 195th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery who attested on the 11th December 1915. He lived with his wife Ellen Violet and daughter Phyllis Verina at Church Road, Ten Mile Bank. He was wounded in action twice the first time on the 14th of July 1918 a gunshot wound to the foot, then on the 15th of December 1918 a wound to the abdomen where he was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station at Eastleigh. On the 5th of February 1919 he was transferred to Bermondsey Military Hospital as he had not returned home directly after the end of the war, I believe that he could be the soldier in question.

    Raymond Youngs




    256681

    Pte Alfred Coates 1st Btn East Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd of October 1918)

    Private Alfred Coates served in the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment in WW1. He died 23rd of October 1918 aged 19 years. He is buried St Souplet British Cemetery I. E. 22. France. Son of Elizabeth Annie Coates, of 27, Rossall St., West Hartlepool, and the late James Thomas Coates.





    256674

    Pte. Charles Cutbush 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd May 1915)

    Entrenched Between Devils Cross Roads and Douchy Farm, half a mile north of Zonnebeke. Charles Cutbush was killed in the Second Battle of Ypres and is Honoured on The Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. He still remains entrenched with his comrades till this day, not known to his grandchildren but never forgotten.

    Peter Cutbush




    256667

    Pte. James McDonald 11th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.8th May 1917)

    James McDonald (MacDonald) served in the 11th Battalion, Cameronians Scottish Rifles. He died in battle on the 8th May 1917 at the Battle of Doiran, Greece and is Commemorated on the Doiran Memorial.





    256663

    Pte. Hubert Simpson 22nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Hubert Simpson is my grandfather but I never got to meet him. He enlisted on 21st of March 1917 shortly after his eighteenth birthday, probably conscripted. At the time of his enlistment Hubert was working as a dyer in a textile mill in Morley, West Yorkshire. His regimental number upon enlistment was 92184. Hubert started training as a Private in the 11th Training Reserve Battalion in Brocton Camp. He was transferred to the 273rd Infantry Battalion on 8th of August 1917 and to the 52nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on 1st of November 1917.

    Hubert and my Grandmother, Naomi Batley, were married in Stockton-on-Tees on 2nd of March 1918. Naomi told me that after their wedding ceremony Hubert kissed her at the church gate and left to join his battalion. Hubert arrived in Etaples, France on 8th of March 1918 and was transferred to the 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry on 29th of March 1918. On 27th of May 1918 Hubert was reported missing in field. Hubert was confirmed a prisoner of war in Germany on 9th of July 1918 and Naomi received a letter advising her of his capture shortly thereafter. My Dad told me that Hubert was made to work in the coal mines in Germany while a prisoner of war. Hubert was not released from the camp until 31st of December 1918/1st of January 1919.

    Hubert briefly returned to Morley, West Yorkshire after his release and apparently re-united with Naomi, my Dad was born in November 1919. On 20th of March 1919 Hubert was posted to the 3rd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. Hubert was transferred again on 17th of May 1919 to the Royal Army Service Corps at Durrington Camp, Salisbury Plain. This is where he learned to drive a vehicle. Hubert was de-mobilized on 2nd of December 1919. Hubert went back to his occupation as a dyer at the textile mill in Morley, West Yorkshire. He and Naomi had 4 children together but parted ways in 1944. That is when my Dad lost touch with Hubert and why I never got to meet Hubert. Hubert died on 2nd February 1982 in Morley, West Yorkshire.

    Elizabeth Mallabon




    256658

    Pte. Thomas Matley 6th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Thomas Matley (also Matkey) was my grandfather. According to his medal record, he was with 6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment but it appears he also served with 8th Battalion.

    Stephen Bridgehouse




    256654

    Cpl. John Kee 9th Btn. Royal iniskilling Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    John Kee was a lance corporal and a signaler. He fought through the war finally being lost during the Battle of Passchendaele on the above date. He has no known grave but his name is on the memorial wall at Tynecot.

    George Kee




    256651

    A/Sjt. John Rumney 5th Btn Border Regiment

    John Rumney signed up to the 5th Battalion Border Regiment on 12th of September 1914, two days ahead of his two younger brothers, Joseph and Fred. John was promoted to Acting Sergeant on 16th of May 1916. He was poisoned by gas on 24th of May 1915 and taken via No 2 Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul, and then on to Le Touquet Field hospital, and finally evacuated to Brighton on 28th May. He was transferred to a reserve regiment on 25th of July 1916, and was recalled to the 4th Battalion Border Regiment on 22nd of June 1917. He was finally discharged 14th of September 1918.

    Graeme Rumney




    256650

    Lt. Harry Montague Day 59th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.15th Apr 1918)

    Harry Day was a distant cousin, 1st cousin once removed. I just want his name to be remembered.

    Dorcas Frazer




    256646

    Sgt. John Thompson 20th Btn, C Coy, X Pln. Manchester Regiment

    My Grandad John Thompson served throughout the first world war with the Manchester 20th Regiment, C Company, X Platoon. If anyone has any information about my Grandad, then please add the information as I would very much like to be able to answer the question as to what happened to him at the end of the war and why he apparently was admitted to hospital before returning home. We have not been able to find official records to confirm this.

    Amelia




    256639

    Pte. Albert Henry Shears 16th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    I know very little of my distant relative, Albert Henry Shears. He was the youngest of three children of Alfred Ernest Shears and Thomasine Trevise nee Toy

    Darryl Toy




    256637

    Rfmn. James Charles Rhodes 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.18th Nov 1917)

    James Rhodes originally joined up in 1915 when he was still 16 and was reported by his mother and discharged from 15th Brigade RFA for being under age. As soon as he was old enough he signed up again. He is buried at Zonnebeke in Belgium. He died of wounds. This is all the information we have. He was my paternal grandmother's brother.





    256636

    Pte. John Brown Cheshire Regiment

    John Brown served with the Cheshire Regiment and was attached to the 105th Trench Mortar Battery.

    Tom Hall




    256634

    L/Cpl. Frank Bridgewater 7th Btn. Border Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    Frank Bridgewater was born in Middlesbrough in the July-September quarter of 1897. He enlisted on 2nd of September 1914 in Whitley Bay, when he was 16 or just 17 years old but he said his age was 19 years and 1 month because government policy was that you had to be 18 to sign up and 19 to fight overseas. On the same day he had his medical and was assigned to the 7th Battalion, Border Regiment. He was in France on 7th of July 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal (unpaid) on 3rd of March 1917 and was killed seven weeks later in the Second Battle of the Scarpe, part of the fighting around Arras where his death is commemorated. He is also remembered on the memorials in Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees.

    Mike Newton




    256632

    Pte. Edmund Brown Buck 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.26th Jun 1918)

    Edmund Buck was the son of Thomas and the late Florence Buck of Old Swan, Liverpool. Husband of Cecelia Buck of 79 Woodhall Road, Old Swan, Liverpool.

    Kenneth Berry




    256628

    Gnr. Bert Hope 117th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st Oct 1917)

    Bert Hope was my husband's Great Uncle and was fondly remembered by the family as an entertainer who enjoyed playing the ukulele and was always a good sport.

    Carla Jones




    256627

    Pte. Eric Henry Hopkins 10th Battalion

    Eric Hopkins served in France for a short while in 1917 and was sent back to England with T.B. He stayed in hospital until he was returned to Australia in Jan 1918.

    Rosemary Saltmarsh




    256623

    AB. Horace Smith 8th (Anson) Btn and 6th (Howe) Btn Royal Naval Division

    <p>

    Horace Smith, born on the 19th of October 1897, enrolled in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on the 24th of October and was posted to Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division. He was sent to France on the 22nd of November 1916 and served with Howe Battalion until 6th of February 1918 when he rejoined Anson Battalion. He was hospitalised a number of times with scabies, gunshot wound to face and a scalded foot. He was reported missing on the 25th of March 1918 on the Western Front and later reported as a prisoner at Wahn Limburg. He was repatriated on the 22nd of November 1918 and demobilised on the 7th of February 1919.

    Mike




    256617

    L/Cpl. Richard Norton Cornall 4th Dragoon Guards

    My father, Richard Cornall was in the 4th Dragoon guards presumably part of the cavalry action at Audrenies right at the beginning of the war We have no further details except a 1916 Greetings Card from Giessen Prisoner of War camp in 1916 and 2 cards from Holland on 22nd of February 1918 Portvrij and 9th of March 1918 with an address 27 Van Bevernig Shweningen Holland There is also a photograph of the Irish Prisoner of War Dramatic Club Football team at Limburg 1916 with my dad looking fit and well They also appeared to put on musical entertainments. I have a programme Mother told me he was down to 6 stone at the end of the war and took a long time to recuperate before rejoining in the AEC in 1919

    Jack Cornall




    256616

    Pte. Harold James Burnett 7th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.31st Dec 1916)

    Jim Burnett was my mother's eldest brother and died aged 19, in Northampton General Hospital and is buried in Towcester Road Cemetery in a grave looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

    Kenneth Turner




    256615

    Pte. William F. Healey 5th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    William Healey enlisted on the 11th of December 1915 and was discharged as wounded on the 27th of July 1918, aged 30 years.

    Gary Hynard




    256610

    Gnr. Eugene Daniel "Mac" McCarthy 211th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Eugene McCarthy served with 211th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Eugene McCarthy in convalescence, standing far right,

    Philip McCarthy




    256606

    Pte. Walter Emerson Wilson 14th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    Walter Wilson served with the 14th and 10th Battalions, York and Lancaster Regiment.

    Sue Thorn




    256600

    Joshua Hawkins 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.30th May 1918)

    Joshua Hawkins was my great uncle. Before the war he worked as a chef in one of the Cambridge colleges. He was called up in 1916 or 1917 and joined the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. He served in France and was taken prisoner. He died of dysentery as a POW, aged 42, on 30th of May 1918 and is buried south east of Ham in the Annois Communal Cemetery, Aisne.

    David Starr




    256597

    Pte. Charles William Timmins 2nd Royal Marine Btn.

    I know nothing of the service life of my Grandad, Bill Timmin I have only recently found out that he was a Royal Marine. I do know that later in the war he was shot and wounded but eventually made a full recovery.

    He subsequently became a Steward at various clubs in the Derby area, met his wife Ethel, and had two daughters Patricia (my mother) and Margaret. In the late 1940's he owned and ran the New Inn pub at Pen St., Boston, Lincs before selling and retiring in the early 1960s. Growing up, we lived next door to him and I spent hours in his company. What fantastic great memories. We would go fishing, walking and generally enjoy a very happy time together.

    Tim Ashbolt




    256594

    Pte. George Samuel William Freebairn 10th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.5th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    George Freebairn served with the 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

    Christine Tyrrell




    256593

    Pte. Patrick Carroll 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.19th Sep 1915)

    Patrick Carroll, my great-grandfather, joined the 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers and arrived in France on 11th of June 1915. He was killed near Sancutuary Wood in the September. He is buried at Brandhoek Military Cemetery. Soldiers Died (vol26 Royal Scots Fusiliers) has under 1st Battalion deaths: "Carroll, Patrick born Mulliby, Co. Armagh, enlisted Dalmellington, Ayrshire, 16236, Pte, k. in a., F&F, 19th Sep 1915."

    1st RSF War diary records

    18th of September 1915 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers relieved the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots in trenches B8, B7, B4, 1/2 B3, B2S, B2R, B1R. in Sanctuary Wood.

    19th of September 1915 Enemy bombarded our trenches and supports with HE from about 8.30am - 9.45 am. Considerable amount of trench blown in both in firing line and support lines.... 4.30 to6.15 pm B7, B4, B8 supports in Sanctuary Wood heavily bombarded...... .Casualties.

    The Honour Roll in the Glasgow Evening Times, 7th of October 1915 recorded, "Mrs Patrick Carroll, 10 Broomknowe, Dalmellington, has been officially notified that her husband, Private Patrick Carroll 1st R.S.F. was killed on September 19. He went through the South African War without receiving a scratch, though being in most of the big engagements. In civil life he was a brushing contractor in the Dalmellingtion Iron Company's No.2 pit in Pennyvenie. He leaves a widow and seven of a family, the eldest son being also in service".

    We haven't yet been able to find an official date of birth as his family came to Scotland from Ireland when he was a child, but we do know he was 45 when he joined up.

    Louise Carroll




    256585

    Pte. Herbert Joseph Driscoll 1st Btn. Welsh Guards

    <p>

    Herbert Driscoll served with the Welsh Guards. He was awarded a Silver War Badge.

    Alistair Driscoll




    256584

    A/Sgt. Lewis Arnold Philip Roots D.C.M. 2nd Btn. Welch Regiment

    Lewis Roots was born in 1891 in Little Chesterford in Essex. He was known as Philip to his family and friends. He joined the Welch Regiment before the outbreak of WW1. He was recorded at Hut and Llanion Barracks in 1911. He saw action in Belgium and France and was wounded on the battlefield in 1916 when he was a Corporal and again when an Acting Sergeant later in 1916. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in November 1916 for "conspicuous gallantry and ability in reconnoitring enemy positions, despite numerous snipers and gaining extremely valuable information. When his officer was wounded Acting Serjeant Roots took command of the regimental scouts and snipers and until wounded himself, continued to carry out very daring reconnaissances and work his section with great skill"

    He left the army and married in 1919. He joined the 28th Kent (1st Southern Railway) Battalion Home Guard in February 1944 as a Major. Lewis Arnold Philip Roots died in Maidstone in 1968.

    Simon




    256578

    Pte. Robert "Buck" Buckley DoS MiD 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.16th Jul 1916)

    My great uncle Robert Buckley died of wounds on the Somme at No 21 Casualty Clearing Station. He is buried at la Neuville British Cemetery at Corbie in France.





    256577

    Pte. James McDonald 11th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.8th May 1917)

    James McDonald was my great grandfather and died in the first battle of Doiran on the 8th May 1917 aged 37. He is commemorated at Doiran Memorial in Greece amongst a total of 2174 casualties.

    Marcus McHaffie




    256570

    Pte. John W. Rossington 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.3rd November 1916)

    <p>

    John Rossington served with the 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.





    256569

    Cpl. Sidney Garfield London MM. 20 Coy. Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Sidney London, wrote and kept a diary from dates 17th May 1916 to 10th May 1917. During his time in France and Belgium, it makes for emotional and sad reading.

    Janet Horner




    256567

    Pte. Cyril Maycie Tandy 14th Battalion

    Cyril Tandy emigrated to Canada from England, and then enlisted in Canadian Military in Montreal, Quebec on the 9th of February 1916. He was wounded in Battle of Passchdaele, a Gun shot wound to his head and a piece of shrapnel remained, which was unable to be removed. It was eventually removed at his autopsy. He was hospitalised during the war for this issue plus otitis media many times. Cyril returned to Montreal, Quebec and was discharged on the 15th of February 1919. He remained in Canada the rest of his life.

    Pollock




    256564

    2nd Lt. Frank Leonard Kemsey-Bourne 11th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Frank Kemsey-Bourne served as 2nd Lieutenant in the 11th Royal Warwickshire Regiment at the Battle of the Somme. He led his men between La Boisselle and Contalmaison Road and was killed somewhere in the fields near Contalmaison Wood. His body was never recovered. Frank's name is engraved on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Robyn Zellar




    256560

    Rfmn. William Curry 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    My great great Uncle William Curry died at the Somme and was a Rifleman with the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.

    Vince Curry




    256548

    Cpl. George Robson 20th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th Jun 1917)

    George Robson's body was never recovered, he is remembered on the Arras Memorial to the missing. Aged 22, he was the son of George and Mary Jane Robson of 50 Stavordale Street, Dawdon, Seaham, Co. Durham.





    256545

    Pte. David Huw Williams 24th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.1st Nov 1917)

    <p>

    David Williams was my great uncle. He died of wounds in Egypt and is buried in Kantara cemetery. He was single and aged approximately 23.

    Paul Williams




    256542

    Pte. John Arthur Bennett 6th Btn Welch Regiment

    John Bennett served with the 6th Battalion, Welch Regiment. I am John's Grandson

    Christian Bennett




    256539

    Sgt. Cecil John Benge 10th (Stockbrokers) Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Mt Grandfather, Cecil John Benge served with the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers I have his medals but no service records I believe he was wounded twice and married Catherine Ross in Dingwall, Scotland in 1918 They both worked on the buses where as Cecil was very active in the founding of the LTW&GW Union in 1924 with Ernest Bevan. After the war he lived in Glossop Road, Sanderstead, Surrey until his death

    David Benge




    256538

    Cpl. William Bernard Offutt Coy B 306th Infantry Regiment

    <p>

    William Offutt served with Coy B, 306th Infantry Regiment.

    Christine Offutt




    256536

    Cpl. William Lewis 1st Garrison Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.12th Jul 1918)

    My great grandfather was William Lewis from Larbert, Falkirk.

    He served in the Boer War with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and in WW1 with the Scottish Rifles as a corporal in the 1st Garrison Battalion, Meerut. He died of heatstroke on 12th of July 1918, and is buried at St. John's Church, Meerut. His headstone was erected by the officers and other ranks of the battalion.





    256532

    Pte. William Turner Chatham Btn.

    William Turner was born on the 12th of July 1887 in Adlestrop. Son of Reuben Sedgley Turner and Caroline Ann Reed. He married Ada Absalom on the 30th of October 1913 in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, the witnesses were Robert Absalom and Jane Rosa Sedgley Turner. He later married Elsie Frances Jones on the 21st of March 1925 in the Register Office, West Bromwich, Staffordshire. He was a painter and decorator and a Trade Union organiser From 1913 to 1916 he lived at 1A King's Head Yard, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.

    On 11th of December 1915 in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, he enlisted as a private into the Chatham Battalion, joining B Company Royal Marine Light Infantry. He had brown eyes and dark brown hair. He was 5'8''. He was reported missing on the 31st of March 1918. He had been captured on the 24th of March 1918 at Bertrincourt, France, during the first battle of Bapaume. On 17th of June 1918 a message was sent to his mother, Caroline, to say that he had not been found. However, on 24th of July 1918 it was confirmed that he had arrived at Parchim.

    He appears on the electoral rolls for 1925, living at 34 Woodland Road, Handsworth, Birmingham with his sister Norah and her husband. He appears on the 1939 Identity Card Register at Greenwood Avenue, Acocks Green, Birmingham. He died in July 1971 at 127 Greenwood Avenue, Acocks Green, Birmingham.





    256531

    Maj. Gerald Warre Cornish 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Gerald Cornish was the author of St Paul from the Trenches. A muddy copy was found on his body. He taught Greek at Manchester University and was the son of Frances Warre-Cornish and Blanche. His Father was a Master the Vice-Provost at Eton at the time of Gerald's birth. Gerald was schooled at Eton and went on to Kings College, Cambridge. He took holy orders and was Curate at Westminster from 1899-1901 at Ewyas Harold Herefordshire in 1902 and at Burley, Hampshire in 1903-4. From 1910-13 he was a lecturer in Greek at Manchester University. Other information may be found at wormwoodiana.blogspot.com





    256528

    Pte. Patrick McAllister 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.28th Jan 1916)

    Patrick McAllister is interred in Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France and commemorated on the Diamond War Memorial. He was the husband of Mrs Alice McAllister of 58 Bridge Street, Derry. He had joined the Irish Brigade at the end of 1914, and went out to the Western Front a couple of months before he met his death. He was the youngest son of Mr Con McAllister of 15 Benvarden Avenue, Derry.





    256527

    Pte. Alexander Shanks 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    Alexander Shanks was my father. He joined the army whilst under age. He arrived in France on 5th of September 1915 and spent around 290 days in various places in Northern France. He occupied the French trenches at Neuville St Vaast near Vimy Ridge after the French troops moved out to defend Verdun. There he was wounded by shellfire, just before the Battle of the Somme. He was found in no man's land by stretcher bearers who gave him a cigarette. He inhaled deeply but no smoke was exhaled. A look at his back revealed where the smoke was going. There was a huge hole in his back where one of his lungs used to be. He was invalided out. He remembered lying on the beach at Boulogne when a medic walked up the line selecting those wounded who would be returned to the UK. He made a great effort to moan pretty loudly to show that he was going to live. He was repatriated and survived. He was discharged from the army on 16th of December 1916. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the 1914-1915 Star.

    Alexander seldom if ever mentioned the war and most of this brief history had to be researched, but once, in his cups, he recalled the lice, and how, in the trenches, he and his fellows held races chasing them along the pleats of their kilts by placing lighted candles at the hems. He worked as a chauffeur and later mechanic, married and had 7 children of whom I am the youngest of three surviving. His medals were sold to put food on the table during the Great Depression in the 1930s. He died in the Insch, Aberdeenshire, War Memorial Hospital in 1972.

    George Shanks




    256526

    Pte. Charles Noble 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.6th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Noble of the 11th Battalion the Suffolk Regiment was my Great Uncle He was the son of Josia and Eliza Noble of Teversham Cambridge. He was killed in action on 6th of July 1916 at the Battle of The Somme aged 24 years. He is buried at Mericourt L'Abbe, Heilly Station.

    Barry Symonds




    256525

    Rfmn. John Stewart 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    John Stewart was killed on first day of the Somme and commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He must have joined up very early because of his low service number.

    David Quinn




    256524

    Gnr. Reginald Combes 315th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Reginald Combes enlisted on the 4th of October 1915. Serving with 315th Brigade RFA, he was wounded on 22nd of July 1917 and was discharged as unfit on the 4th of December 1917.

    David Hopkins




    256516

    Pte. Arthur Edward Weeden 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.2nd Jul 1916)

    Arthur Weeden was my great, great Uncle. My father was born in 1921 and was named after him, as he had died at the Somme. I have no details on how he died. His name is recorded on the War Memorial in Orpington, but the spelling of his last name is incorrect.

    Diane McLaurin




    256504

    2nd Cpl. Thomas Henry Gurney 24th Base Park Depot Royal Engineers (d.4th Jul 1918)

    Thomas Gurney was discharged with illness 1917-11-30 and died at home on 4th July 1918 age 58 and buried in St Mary's Churchyard Henlow I'd appreciate any information or war diary for this depot and the local hospitals he could have been treated at. I am undertaking research on WW1 soldiers from our Village, Henlow in Bedfordshire.

    Roger Donnelly




    256501

    Cpl. Joseph Edward Gaunt 2/6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.27th Apr 1917)

    Joseph Gaunt was killed in action on 27th Apr 1917 in an offensive against Cologne Farm in France, along with 4 Officers and 31 men.





    256490

    L/Cpl. Ernest Bland 12th Btn. York & Lancashire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Ernest Bland served with the 12th York & Lancashire Regiment. I recently purchased his memorial plaque.

    Ian Williams




    256485

    Able Sea. Jean Auguste LeLievre 2nd Hawke Btn. (d.2nd Apr 1918)

    Jean Le Lievre died leaving a wife with 3 young children. He was gassed in October 1917, rejoined his unit in January 1918 and died in April 1918.

    Paul Franklin




    256480

    Pte. Arthur Morris 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    Arthur Morris is my father born 17th of June 1898. His age at enlistment was 19 years and 1 month and he served duration of WW1, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion In 1920 he served in Ireland as a paid Lance Corporal. He was discharged on the 15th of December 1921 and returned to coal mining

    He also served in WW2 as head warden also was a signaller teacher to Air Force cadets and a Scout Rover leader He died April 1961 aged 62.

    Alan Morris




    256479

    Pte. Alfred Oswald 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Alfred Oswald served with the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.

    Albert Oswald




    256478

    Pte. James Browne 2nd Btn Irish Guards (d.23rd Oct 1915)

    James Browne, was the seventh of 11 children born to William and Mary Anne Browne of Basin Street, Naas, County Kildare, Ireland. He was a gardener when he enlisted in the Irish Guards on 6th of October 1914, at the age of 22, along with many of his friends. He was 5' 8"and 159 lbs and his Army medical report says he was well-developed, presumably because of his 40" chest!

    A year later, on 17th of August 1915, he sailed from Southampton to France to play his part in the Great War. He received a shrapnel wound to his thigh on 2nd of October 1915 but returned to the field on 8th of October 1915. Sadly, he received gunshot wounds to the head on 20th of October 1915 and died of his wounds in No. 1 Hospital in the town of Etretat, Haute Normandie on 23rd of October 1915.

    He is buried in Etretat Cemetery along with his comrades. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, as well as the British War and Victory Medal. His parents and siblings were devastated by his death only 2 months after going to war. The local newspapers in his hometown of Naas called him a gallant young soldier, which he certainly was.

    May his young soul Rest In Peace.





    256475

    2nd Lt. Walter Frank Vernon Anson 1/6 Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.6th Nov 1917)

    Walter Anson was Killed in Action on 6th of November 1917 at the Third Battle of Gaza. He is buried in the CWGC cemetery at Beersheba.

    Robert Erett




    256462

    Cpl. Robert Morris 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.12th January 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Morris 2nd Border Regiment, son of the late John and Alice Morris, of Kendal, Westmorland, died on Tuesday 12th of January 1915 Age 27. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial. He was near a machine gun in the trenches and an enemy sniper fired at the loophole of the gun. The bullet struck the ironwork, glanced inside the shield and hit him on the head, killing him instantly.

    Excerpt from "The Border Regiment in The Great War" by H. C. Wylly: 2nd Battalion, 1915

    The truce which had been mutually and unofficially established during Christmas 1914 between the British and the Germans endured, so far as concerned any operations on the front of the 2nd Battalion The Border Regiment, until the end of the first week of the New Year and then on the 8th January the troops fired volleys over the German trenches to indicate that fighting was about to recommence, while this somewhat broad hint was accompanied by a message to the same effect which was sent across. The usual sniping then recommenced, and both the Gordon Highlanders and The Border Regiment suffered some few casualties before the men could understand that it was no longer safe to walk about "on the top". The weather continued to be deplorably wet and it was impossible to hold the whole line of trenches owing to the depth of water. Pivot posts were held at selected points in the trenches, the intervals occupied by retrenched posts at the back of the parados, manned only at night. Trench inspection was difficult, water in places being waist deep, while parapets were constantly falling in. Later in the month there was a frost and a fall of snow, but it thawed and it was wet and miserable. Gum boots were issued to the men on sentry and proved a great preventive of frost-bite. The german snipers continued busy, and the casualties in the Battalion, though few in number, were usually fatal, the men being for the most part hit in the head, for in those early days trench helmets were not yet issued.

    On 7th February the Colonel went round the trenches, finding the water as deep as ever.

    In his despatch of the 5th April the Field-Marshal commanding the British Army in France believed that a vigorous offensive should be made, the object being to attack and capture German positions of the village of Neuve Chapelle. The 2nd Battalion The Border Regiment was very actively engaged in this.

    William Sharp




    256459

    2Lt. Aubrey Cecil White 8th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Aubrey White served with the 8th York and Lancaster Regiment.

    Owen McDonough




    256458

    Gnr. James William Wilson 31st Anti Aircraft Coy. Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Grandfather, Bill Wilson served in WW1, he was born on the 3rd of October 1895 in Birkenhead, Cheshire. His father was William Wilson (1867-1949) and his Mother Mary Hall (1867-1912). His siblings are Louisa Elizabeth Wilson (1890-?), Mary Ann Wilson (1893-1923) andJohn Wilson (1899-1956).He had others but they died in infancy.

    I believe I have found him on the 1918 Absent Voters List. He's living at 86 Dacre Street, Birkenhead, his regimental details were Gunner 31st Anti Aircraft Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery. He married Margaret Love Watson in 1917 in Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire. I think they had at least 3 kids. He then married Margaret Mary Garrett, (my Nan), and they had four kids together. He died in November 1957 in Birkenhead, Cheshire at the age of 62, when my Mum was just 11. I would love to find out more about him and a service photograph of him. Especially for my mum's sake. She's never seen what he looked like when he was young, he was 51 when she was born.

    Ingrid Price




    256457

    Pte. Noah Neal 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

    Noah Neal was born in Ickes, Rotherham on 5 December in 1885. He enlisted 15 July 1904 and was discharged wounded on 18th of March 1916. He was wounded in France, he was shot in temple and lost his eye. He was awarded a Silver War Badge (no. 1590).

    Noah lived in Wickersley, Rotherham for many years with his wife and 6 sons. He and his wife, Lucy, retired to Kent and he died in October 1962 at Patrixbourne, Kent.

    J Clarke




    256455

    Samuel Roddan 8th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    My grandfather, Samuel Roddan, served with the 8th Battalion Gordon Highlands. I found a certificate that states he was recognized by the Lodge St James B.U.R.A. No 424 Hawick, Certificate was dated July 3rd, 1924.





    256452

    A/Sgt. James Anderson McPhee 1/5th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    James McPhee was a piper and came out to Canada in 1911. At the outbreak of war, he was working as a chauffeur in New York City. He came back to Scotland in the fall of 1914 on the SS Ausonia. He enlisted in the 1/5th Royal Scots Fusiliers as a Private and presumably fought with the battalion in Turkey, the Middle East, and in France. He was demobilized as an Acting Sergeant in 1919 and lived the rest of his live in Perth. Pipes of War, lists him as the Pipe Major of the 5th RSF but call him John vs James.

    Bruce Beavis




    256451

    Pte. Arthur Leeming 13th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    I had no idea my father, Arthur Leeming tried to join the army in 1916 but was rejected as he was a 'necessary farmhand'. He was then called up in 1918 and from what I gather, was in France until 1920. I have paid a researcher to find out exactly where the named regiment were in France and still cannot find out anything else.

    Verna Rowe




    256448

    Pte. Stephen Meredith 14th (Swansea) Btn. Welch Regiment (d.5th Aug 1917)

    My Great Grandfather, Stephen Meredith, never married to my Great Grandma but had 2 children with her, my Grandmother being one them. I know so very little about him, except that he is commemorated on the Lye and Woolescote War Memorials, also on the School memorial and also on the Menin Gate as he has no known grave. He was killed at 3rd Ypres, Passchendaele and now being a great grandmother myself, I would just like to find out more about this man of whom I am so proud to call my Great Grandfather. If anyone can help with any further information I would love to know about him.

    Connie Davis




    256446

    Gnr. Albert Edward Grubb 83rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.8th Dec 1918)

    <p>

    Albert Grubb served with 83rd Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery.





    256440

    L/Cpl. Frank Oakley MM. 58th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.2nd Aug 1917)

    I hold the Military Medal for Lance Corporal Frank Oakley of 58th Coy. Machine Gun Corps who died 2nd Aug 1917. Remembered with honour at Locre Hospice Cemetery Frankwas born in Birmingham, originally enlisted in West Yorkshire Regiment and transferred to the Machine Gun Corps

    Stephen Faulkner




    256438

    Pte. Edward Stephen Kennard 76th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Edward Kennard was awarded the above certificate for his actions during the Battle of Messines in 1917.

    Ian Kennard




    256436

    Pte. Colonel Edward Boughton 2nd/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.12th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Colonel Boughton was my Great Grandfather and died at the age of 32. He had a young wife and two small children.





    256433

    L/Sgt. George Meloy 1st Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    I found my Great Great Uncle, George Meloy's war record and from there was able to establish where he was buried and made the trip to see his grave 100 years after he had died. No-one from our family had ever been in that time.

    Tracy Wadsworth




    256431

    Gnr. William Frederick Gallerfing 156th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.30th Oct 1918)

    William Gallerfing was my maternal grandmother's brother. His death certificate records that he died, aged thirty-one, in the Mile End Military Hospital of influenza (presumably Spanish Flu) and bronchio-pneumonia. Prior to the war he had been a tailor's cutter.

    John Fricker




    256428

    Sjt. Daniel Gillen 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    Daniel Gillen served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.





    256423

    Cpl. Sidney John Arthur Beddall 5th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    Sidney Beddall was reported missing on 27th of April 1917. His mother wrote in June 1917 to the Army to confirm she had received a postcard from him confirming he was a prisoner of war at Limberg. It was subsequently confirmed and reported on 8th of July 1917. He also appears to have been imprisoned at Friedrichsfeld. He chose to be demobilised following his Released Prisoner of War two months furlough.





    256419

    Pte. Harold Ridley 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.15th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Harold Ridley served with the 8th Battalion, Border Regiment He died on 15th of July 1916, aged 22. His parents Joseph Ridley and Margaret Alice Ridley lived at 3 Cross View, Highgate, Kendal. He had joined up at Kendal, Westmorland on 6th of September 1914, one of the Kendal Pals. His declared was age 21yrs and 1 month and he enlisted for duration of the war. He was unmarried with no children His height was 5' 9 and 3/4" weight 120lbs (8st 2lb) Chest 34 and 1/2", chest expansion 2" He was declared fit for army service on the 16th of September 1914, He had a fresh complexion, dark blue eyes, dark brown hair.

    Harold went to France on the 26th of September 1915 and was granted 8 days leave from 25th of May 1916. He was listed as missing on the 13th of July 1916 and declared Killed in Action on the 15th. Harold is Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and he is remembered on The Somervells Employees War Memorial at Kendal.

    Harold was born in 1893 in, Kendal and Christened 1st Oct 1893.

    Surviving siblings: born 1891 John W C Ridley (army service in India), born 1897 Jane Ridley, born 1900 Joseph Ridley and born 1903 Elizabeth Ridley. On the 1911 England Census the family lived at 3 Cross View Yard, Highgate, Kendal, Westmorland house of 5 rooms. Joseph Ridley, Head of House, Boot Finisher, age 44 (born in Kendal, son of Thomas Ridley and Elizabeth Ridley, nee Carradus). Margaret Alice Ridley (nee Dixon, married 1890), wife, 7 children (all born in Kendal, 4 still alive), age 42 (born in Kendal). John William Ridley, Iron Moulder at Foundry, single, age 20. Harold Ridley, Boot Finisher, single, age 17. Jane Ridley, Boot Fitter, age 14 and Elizabeth Ridley, scholar, age 7.

    William Sharp




    256418

    Spr. Stanley Frederick Rumsey 432nd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.25th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Stanley Rumsey was my Great Grandfather. I have been researching his life and found he was killed in action 25th Mar 1918 in France. His name is inscribed on the war memorial located at St Mary's church in Chilham. He has no known grave and is listed on the Pozieres Memorial in France. He was granted 2 medals: the Victory Medal & the British War Medal. He was active in tunnelling for the Battle of Arras.





    256414

    2nd Lt. Brian Percival Baron 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.5th Jul 1916)

    Sydney Baron was my great uncle. He was born in 1889. He was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme during the attack on La Boisselle on the 5th of July 1916. His name is found on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Brian Hume




    256411

    Ernest Thomas Johns HMS Crescent

    My grandfather Tom Johns was in the Royal Navy Reserve and served on HMS Crescent in 1917.





    256405

    Pte. George F.W.G. Foster MiD. 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    George Foster attested for the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders on the 23rd of August 1902 from the Duke of Yorks Military Asylum, Chelsea. He was listed as a musician.

    In 1914 he was part of the British Expeditionary Force in France involved in the Battle of Mons. He was part of the Brigade which failed to retreat in front of the German advance and was captured, with many others, on the outskirts of Bertry. Taken prisoner, he and others were marched through France and Belgium to northern Germany where he spent the rest of WW1 in Sennelager Prisoner of War Camp. George was Mentioned in Dispatches for his conduct and support to others whilst a PoW.

    He was discharged from the Gordon Highlanders on completion of 25 year's service in 1927. He died in 1952.

    P. E. Orpwood




    256400

    Sgt John Henry Morris 13th Btn Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    I have a photograph of soldiers in uniform at Codford camp, the words printed on it are: -

    359 Codford 2

    No 4 Co’s N.C.Os

    Taken by J Geo Davies, New Ferry

    Handwriting on reverse -

    Segt Morris J H 2/123 13th Cheshire’s

    Feel free to add to your records.

    Pamela Owen




    256396

    Pte Frank George Henry Taylor 1st Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.17th Nov 1917)

    Pte. Frank George Henry Taylor - Service Number 29535 - 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

    My Great Grandfather Frank was wounded on 1917-11-06 during the 2nd Battle of Passchendaele and was moved to the British Army Hospital at Wimereux in France.

    He sadly succumbed to his wounds on 1917-11-17 and was buried in a marked grave in the Wimereux Communal Cemetery.

    God rest his soul.

    Jez Smith




    256391

    Pte. Walter Skirrow 7th Battalion, D Coy. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.25th October 1917)

    Walter Skirrow was born in 1889 in Idle, a small village near Bradford and was the son of John and Elizabeth Skirrow. His father died aged 35 and left his mother to bring up the children. There were 7 boys and 3 girls. Two of his brother died within a year of being born. The family moved from Idle to Dodworth and then to Mexborough. In 1908, Walter married Annie Wilson at the parish church in Mexborough. Prior to enlisting, he had four children - Miriam, Walter, Joseph and Annie.

    He enlisted in 1914 along with his brothers Joseph, James and Harry. His brother Arthur remained working in the local mines and was killed in a mining accident in 1916. Prior to enlistment Walter had worked underground at Manvers Msin Colliery. He is remembered on the Mexborough War Memorial and the Manvers colliery one in Wath. Both his sisters had moved to Scotland and Harriet was married to Alex Craig, a Scottish footballer who played for Rangers.

    With Walter's experience of working in the mines, he was assigned in 1915 to a tunnelling company and remained on the front line until he had leave in 1917 between 23rd of August and 12th of September 1917, where he returned to Mexborough to see his young family and wife.

    On his return to Ypres, he joined the 7th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment in D company, where he was part of the team building a railway line. This was an extremely dangerous job as they were often targeted by the enemy. Whilst working, he was hit by the enemy and died on the 25th of October 1917 and was laid to rest in Bard Cottage Cemetery.

    From his orbitury in the local paper, his brother Joseph had been injured and his brothers James and Harry were present at his death and both went on to assist with carrying him to his resting place and burial. James wrote a letter to his widow Annie, that Walter had died a hero's death fighting for King and Country. His pals in the Battalion thought highly of him and said there wasn't a better chum to be found anywhere. He described that once Walter had been hit, he did not speak again, dying instantly when the shell had hit him. The brothers had not realised that the end was so near, as they had been in the canteen the night before laughing and joking in the canteen. James vowed that as long as he stayed at the front he would visit Walter's grave even if he had to walk 10 miles to get there.

    Following his death, his widow gave birth to his fifth child on the 19th June 1918 and the little girl was named Frances Ypres Skirrow to remind her of the father she never met. Frances because the war was in France and Ypres for the town where her father had died.

    Many of Walter's grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been out to the grave at Bard Cottage Cemetery, with many mementoes remaining in the family to this day. One of his medals was found in a pawn shop and kept by the owner's family for 50 years and then it eventually returned to direct descendent of Walter himself. His great-grandchildren have carried out research about his life and are always looking for information, which will tell them even more about his life in Mexborough, at Manvers and his time on the battlefield.

    Michelle Iddon




    256388

    Cpl. Arthur George Stokes C Coy. Machine Gun Corps Heavy

    <p>

    Arthur Stokes drove his tank C15 at the Battle of Fleurs 1916, his tank commander was Lt Jethro Toll.

    Kenneth Stokes




    256387

    Capt Norman Turner MID. No 9 Squadron

    <p>Norman Turner (left) with colleagues, Royal Flying Corps, c.1917

    Norman Turner served with the Royal Engineers as a Sapper and was wounded at Gallipoli on 29th June 1915, while serving with Lowland Division Signals Company.

    He was Commissioned in France, with 9th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, and served with them December 1915 to November 1916. Probably flew reconnaissance during the Battle of the Somme. He flew with the 12th Wing, RFC, from November 1916 to December 1917. He was Mentioned in Dispatches, 11th December 1917, Gazette no. 30421, and again in 1919. He was hospitalized in London for Spanish Flu, in February 1919.





    256378

    Pte. Abraham Law Lees 12th Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Abraham Lees, joined up in 1914 and was a machine gunner with the 12th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. He was taken ill in Salonika in May 1916 with dysentery and returned to the UK on HS Rewa in August 1916. He was discharged on the grounds of ill health in 1917.





    256376

    CSM. William Redden 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.14th September 1914)

    William Redden was the first husband of my Great Aunt Harriet, on my father's side. He joined the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1901 and died in the Battle of The Aisne. His memorial can be found in La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre. He was born in Holbech, Lincolnshire in 1883.

    Joanne Blunt




    256374

    Pte. Francis George Clarke 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.21st July 1915)

    <p>

    Francis Clarke was born in Burnley in 1892. He was married to Martha nee Shannon with 2 children. He was a drawer in the local coal mine in Burnley. He is buried in Redoubt Cemetery, Helles.

    John Barry Buckley




    256372

    Sgt. William Welsh 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    William Welsh was my great-grandfather. He did not have the best reputation with his immediate family after the war and I wondered how much of this could be blamed on his experiences during his service. It is proving to be difficult to get any detailed information.

    David Crooks




    256349

    Pte. George Humphrey Fisher DCM. 9th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.30th May 1918)

    George Fisher is one of 4 brothers who volunteered initially through the Monmouthshire Regiment. George died on the 30th of May 1918, serving with the 9th Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    Helen Fisher




    256345

    Pte. Robert John Posnett 36th Ulster Division Cyclist Company Army Cyclist Corps

    My great uncle Robert Posnett is recorded as serving with the 36th Ulster Division Cyclist Company. I cannot find any info on this corps e.g. roll call, diaries etc. I also have a photo of him with two crossed flags on his left arm and 4 chevrons on his left which indicates he served for 4 years.





    256343

    Gnr. John Hully DCM. Royal Garrison Artillery

    John Hully is my maternal grandfather who, for some activity in crossing a river in Mesopotamia under fire when "his calmness was an inspiration to those with him", was awarded a D.C.M. He was also honoured by the town council and presented with an inscribed gold watch. He was honoured, too, by the Mines Deputies Association, since he was a coal miner, by the award of another inscribed gold watch. He would never speak about his war-time service.

    Thomas Richardson




    256342

    L/Cpl. Arthur Raybould 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Arthur Raybould is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    Nigel Turner




    256336

    Pte. Harry Lloyd 10th Btn. C Coy. Royal Welch Fusiiers

    Harry Lloyd fought on the Somme. He received gunshot wounds to the head and was captured on the 13th of November 1916 and held as a prisoner of war.





    256334

    Pte Francis William Gillman 9th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.24th Aug 1916)

    Francis William Gillman is my 1st cousin twice removed.





    256333

    Pte. Walter Leonard Sealey 2/23rd Battalion London Regiment (d.20th November 1917)

    Walter Sealey died on 20th November 1917 from wounds received on 7th of November at the Battle of Sheria. He is buried in Cairo Military Cemetery (CWGC).

    I visited the site on the anniversary of his death 20th Nov 1997. Details of the battle is recorded in a book about his battalion where he is included in The Roll Of Honour.

    David Bailey




    256330

    Spr. George Beckett 298th Railway Company Royal Engineers (d.9th July 1918)

    George Beckett was my grandfather, his name was never mentioned in family circles. It was only on my mother's death that it was discovered from marriage and birth certificates, that by chance, the name of George which had been given to her son in 1976 was that of her own grandfather.

    George Beckett was 46 when he died. An experienced railway plate layer, his use to 298th Railway Company was obvious. He left home, no doubt assuring his wife and with 5 young daughters that he would not be working anywhere near the front line. Buried in France, his cause of death is still unknown.

    Suzanne Jeffries




    256328

    Dvr. Ernest "Goody" Goodacre 1/1st Ayrshire Battery Royal Horse Artillery

    My grandfather Ernie Goodacre joined the Territorial Force prior to the start of the Great War snd served in Sinai and Palestine from 1916 to 1918. His service record does not exist and as a family we believe he also saw action on the Western Front at the end of the war.

    Gregory James Merryfield




    256323

    Pte. Thomas Rolfe 1st Btn. Border Regiment

    <p>

    Thomas Rolfe was born in Wigan, near Leigh, Lancashire. He was living in Oldham when World War I broke out, and he was 18 years old when he enlisted. He was in the 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment which was part of the 29th Division which fought at Gallipoli, and then on the Western Front.

    He survived the war and then married Alice Ann Shaw in the St. Marks church in Heyside outside of Oldham. He and Alice immigrated to Canada in 1920 and homesteaded near Waseca, Saskatchewan. The family later moved to Creston, BC and finally to Vancouver, BC.

    In WWII, Thomas joined the Canadian Army and did a variety of things including escorting German prisoners to Camp Seebe in Kananaskis, Alberta. After the war, Thomas continued his career in the Canadian Military until his retirement. He died in 1991 at the age of 94.

    Dan Ashman




    256321

    Pte. Robert Douglas Saad Honourable Artillery Company (d.14th Feb 1917)

    Robert Saad embarked Southampton on 1st of October 1916 and disembarked Le Havre the following day and proceeded to the Front on the 4th. He was admitted to 22nd Field Amblance on in December suffering from diarrhoea and was transferred to No.3 Casualty Clearing Station on the 24th, then to No. 26 General Hospital at Etaples on 1st of January 1917, transferred to England aboard the Carisbrook Castle on the 20th. A record report from Merryflats War Hospital states, admitted 22nd of January 1917 with diarrhoea and tonsillitis, diarrhoea almost gone on admission to hospital, was to have tonsils removed under an anesthetic but died suddenly during administration of anesthetic. Death was due to cardiac syncope.

    I am researching men of The Honourable Artillery Company.

    Alison Cook




    256314

    L/Sjt. Stanley Bertram Miller 1st Battalion Cambridgeshire Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    Lance Sergeant Stanley Miller, served with the 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment and he was killed on 31st of July 1917 near St. Julien, aged 27 years old. His remains were never found and his name is on the Menin Gate in Ypres. He was my Grandfather's brother.

    I never had the chance to know my grandfather and my father was just two years old when he, Leonard Miller was wounded around 27th of September 1918 in the area of the Battle of the Hindenburg Line and particularly the Battle of the Canal du Nord, which is where it is thought he may have sustained his injuries, although it could also have been in the big attack on Ribecourt. He was transported to Abbeville at the mouth of the River Somme to the Australian Tented Hospital where sadly he succumbed to his injuries and died on 30th September 1918. He was 30 years old. He is buried in the Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension. He left behind his widow, Kate, and his small son, Reginald, as well as his mother Louisa Miller, and six sisters and three brothers.

    Leonard and Stanley's father died in December 1917, and most likely the loss of Stanley was a factor in Harry Miller's death. My father took up researching his family and in particular his father in the 1960's with the help of his aunts and uncles, but this was before the records were published online, so much more difficult to find things out. I started researching myself around 2004 with the help of a computer and the huge and ever increasing amount of records to try to find out as much as possible about my grandfather and my great uncle. In 2009 my husband and I, together with friends, made the trip over to Abbeville to visit my grandfather's grave. It was a very moving experience for me to stand in front of his headstone and to know that this was my grandfather's last resting place. The cemetery is beautifully kept and he lies close to fields with a lovely view. I left a tribute there and came away very glad that I had visited his grave because I think that I am the only family member to do so. After that we travelled in a north easterly direction across France and into Belgium visiting many of the cemeteries on the way, including Thiepval and Tyne Cot, before arriving in Ypres to attend the wonderful nightly ceremony at the Menin Gate. We also visited the area near St. Quentin and saw the canal and tunnels. My grandfather's records were amongst all those which were destroyed in bombing in WW2, including his brother Stanley's records, so it is very hard to be totally sure of exact details. Both Leonard and Stanley are remembered in a Chapel within Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire. This Chapel contains a memorial to the Men of Cambridge who lost their lives in World War One and is in the form of a large book made of wood, where you turn the pages alphabetically to reveal the names in gold letters on the wooden pages. This is a very fitting memorial to all who lost their lives.

    Susan M Smith




    256311

    L/Cpl. Moss Solomons MM. 17th Btn Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Moss Solomons was my Grandfather. I have his Military Medal and a copy of the citation from the London Gazette. I am trying to find out what he did to win the MM He died in 1926 when my father was less than 3 years old. We believe that the cause of death may have been from the effects of gas during the war.

    Philip Solomon




    256309

    Pte. Reginald Frederick Edward Elliott Royal Sussex Regiment

    Granddad Reg Elliott joined up in August 1915 at the age of 20. He went off to the front with the Royal Sussex Regiment and in October 1915 he was captured at the Battle of Loos. He spent the rest of the war as a POW first at Munster II and then Dulmen Camp.

    He was 50 on D-Day and died in 1949 aged 55. Sadly I never met him.

    Keith Robert Ashby




    256304

    L/Sgt. Clifford Neville Wilson 10th (Battersea) Btn. Queens (West Surrey) Regiment (d.1st Apr 1918)

    Clifford Wilson was the son of James & Susan Wilson, husband of Alice Martha.

    Debi Reidy-Bond




    256301

    Pte. Emlyn Edwards 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.8th Dec 1915)

    Emlyn Edwards was the youngest of 5 siblings. He died at age 17, after fighting in Gallipoli. He is buried at Pieta War Cemetery, Malta.





    256300

    L/Cpl. Henry Croft Davis 1st Btn, A Company, 2nd Platoon Herefordshire Regiment

    We have a few letters that my grandfather, Harry Davis wrote to his then fiance. It is difficult to put into a timeline as some are not dated. He spoke about his friends from home that were fighting alongside him. He was shot, had frostbite and almost drowned, but was always positive and had a great sense of humour that came through in the letters. Wish I had got to know him better.

    Janet Gee




    256295

    Rfmn. Harold Leslie Bostock 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.21st Jun 1916)

    Harold Bostock was taken prisoner in a field at Nestle in Flanders and was taken to Stendal POW Camp. Possible cause of death was a lung infection.





    256294

    Rfmn. Thomas Gallagher 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.24th Apr 1917)

    I have quite a lot of information regarding Thomas Gallagher, who was my grand uncle, including a photo (head and shoulders) where he is wearing his army tunic.

    Denis




    256293

    Cpl. John Meldrum 5th/6th Btn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

    <p>

    John Meldrum was serving with the 5th/6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) when he was gassed on the 22nd of August 1917.

    Marian Turner Meldrum




    256290

    Gareth Ioan Emlyn Joseph 2nd Welsh Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Gareth Joseph is my great grandfather. He served in the Welsh Field Ambulance at Gallipoli. He was tragically killed in 1926 in a coal mine in South Wales.

    Gareth Scott




    256289

    Harold James Welch 334th Road Construction Coy. Royal Engineers

    Harold Welch was my Great Uncle, he served with 334th Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers.

    Laurence Alan Welch




    256288

    Lt Col. William Chalmers MC & bar. 8th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    William Chalmers served with the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and 12th Company, Machine Gun Corps.

    William G Chalmers




    256270

    Pte. George Henry Phillips South Wales Borderers

    <p>

    George Phillips was born on 10th of August 1886 in Clerkenwell, London, son of George William Phillips and Louisa Elizabeth (nee Ashby). He was a pre War soldier who joined the South Wales Borderers in 1906 and had previously been posted to South Africa (Johannesberg) and India (Quetta and Karachi). He left the army in 1913 after serving for 7 years, but as he was on the Reserve he was recalled as soon as war was declared.

    He was taken prisoner of war on 21st of October 1914, captured during the First Battle of Ypres at Poelcappelle. He remained a POW until being repatriated in January 1919. He was at Gottingen and Langenzelza POW camps. He picked up some German language and acted as an interpreter for some other other prisoners. He never spoke of his treatment, but for one incident, he was made to stand outside for hours in the snow. He died in 1961.

    Janet Sutton




    256269

    Pte. Charles Henry Joiner 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.14th Apr 1917)

    Charles Joiner was killed at the battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917. Aged 45yrs In his civilian life he was married with seven children and was a coal miner in the Forest of Dean.

    Karen Nicol




    256265

    Pte. Christopher Bullivant 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.6th Nov 1915)

    My great uncle Christopher Bullivant was killed by a sniper whilst serving in the forward trenches at Festubert in northern France on 6th of November 1915, he was 18 years old. His brother gave the name to his second son born in December of that year and that Christopher was also killed in North Africa on 29th of June 1943 whist serving in the RAF. His brother, my father, gave the name to me which I am honoured to hold. My son also carries the name forward.

    Chris J Bullivant




    256264

    Pte. Robert Smith 8th Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles

    I just remember my Granda Robert Smith singing about "soldiers of the 8th Scots Rifles Glasgow is proud of you where ere we go we fear no foe were soldiers one and all". I remember him telling me he was in Egypt. He worked at the Cowlairs Railway Factory in Springburn.

    Robert Watt




    256258

    L/Cpl. Gilbert Raven 228th Coy. Royal Engineers

    From the records of the Berrington War Hospital, Gilbert Raven was Wounded in Action on the 6th Apr 1917. Patient was partly buried by the shells by which he was injured. He was quickly returned to CCS. Examination showed long gutter shaped wound over right side exposing crest of ilium with deep flesh wound on inner thigh. Muscles involved severely lacerated. Both wounds were sutured at CCS. After 7 days patient was transferred to England.

    Steve Webster




    256254

    Pte. John Northover 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.3rd September 1918)

    John Northover spent his childhood in the cottage next to ours. He went to the village school and joined his father, Enos, on the estate farm when he left school. He was 18 in the Spring of 1917 and was conscripted into the Army at Ealing. I don't know why he was drafted into the Leicester Regiment but my understanding is that, towards the end of the war, men were often simply placed in regiments where there were shortages irrespective of their home county. As a young man from a small village above the English Channel everything must have felt very strange.

    Whether he ever had leave to return home for a few days again I don't know. He was killed on 3rd of September 1918 and is buried in Rethel Military Cemetery, France. His father asked for 'Peace, Perfect Peace' to be engraved on his headstone. His parents received £22 2 4d (including £6 10s War Gratuity) owing to their son after the war.

    Lawrence Forrester




    256253

    Pte. Malcolm Henry Elmer 17th Btn. London Regiment

    Malcolm Elmer joined up on the 5th of July 1915 and awarded with the Victory, British and 1915 Star medals.





    256246

    CQMS Dixon "Dickie" Ker 10th (Liverpool Scottish) Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment

    <p>

    This account was published in the the Lucton School (Herefordshire) magazine Vol. 8 no.24 April 1915. The author of the article is dixon ker, my grandfather, who wrote the letter which was edited for his old school magazine after he had been wounded on 6th of December 1914 during the First Battle of Ypres.

    The Journey to the Trenches

    On January 1st Dixon Ker wrote from the Military Hospital at Lakenham,Norwich, where he was convalescing, a letter from which the following are extracts.

    We left Southampton on November 1st for Le Havre where we stood off all day on the 2nd till about 10.30 p.m., when we docked and slept aboard. The following morning we disembarked and had about four miles march to a camp where we spent the next night; leaving on the 4th we entrained at 7 p.m. for an unknown destination. The train journey was lovely; we were packed in cattle trucks with wooden seats, and as we were 30 in each truck we had to sleep in the same, it was a fair crush, what with rifles and packs but we had to make the best of it for about 24 hours when we arrived at St. Omer about 7.30 p.m. After being on fatigues, getting stores and transport ready for marching off it was close upon midnight before we left the station. The company that I am being detailed for baggage guard. We did not arrive at our billets about 5 miles away, till 2.30 a.m. owing to the bad state of the roads and the difficulty of getting the wagons along. The Battalion was billeted in barns and stables at a place called Blendecques, where we spent November 6th to November 19th, training and getting ready for the front. The only thing of interest that happened was the lining of the streets at St. Omer on November 17th when the body of Lord Roberts passed through on its way to England. The Prince of Wales was also present.

    On the morning of November 20th we left Blendecques and marched about 18 miles, to Hazebruck where we stopped the night in barns in the vicinity. The roads were like glass owing to a sharp frost on top of rain. I think it was the hardest day we had and we were all very tired and soon fell asleep. Next morning we were on the move again and had 12 miles to do, but the roads were much better owing to a thaw, and we arrived at Bailleul where we billeted in empty houses about 10 miles behind the firing line. On the 22nd and 23rd we rested, but on the 24th we had a route march and we halted in a valley with some of our long-range artillery in the rear. This was done to give us a taste of firing overhead and I must say it made us jump at first hearing the shells whizzing over our heads, but we soon got used to it and then we were taken back to our billets.

    We were inspected by General Sir Smith-Dorrien on November 25th, the Prince of Wales being present. After a few remarks by the General we left to join the Brigade we were to be attached to. We soon crossed the Franco-Belgian frontier and, my word! the roads were like little duck ponds. We could only get along very slowly as we had to pass the transports that were coming the other way. We spent the next two nights in a barn at Westoutre. Leaving there about 3 p.m. on November 27th we marched to a place called Kemmell, south of Ypres. It was near here that we had to relieve some others in the trenches, and as the left half Battalion were for duty the right half were billeted in a deserted farm which had escaped destruction. We were packed like sardines in stables, barns and even pigstyes, anywhere with a roof, until 8.30 p.m. on November 30th. It was here that we had a captain killed in the trenches and one wounded; so we came through our first week luckily, although we had to repulse several attacks. I think if we had to stop in the farm much longer some of us would have gone mad as we had to stay under cover practically all the time on account of an enemy aeroplane seeing us and getting their artillery to open fire on us. It was quite bad enough without that as our artillery was in a wood behind us, which they could not put out of action, and we were being fired over practically all day, and some shells fell not 40 yards from us, but a great percentage of the German shells did not burst due to faulty timing. On leaving this place we marched, I mean crawled, back to billets at Westoutre where we stopped till mid-day on December 3rd, when we were inspected by His Majesty. We were drawn up in two ranks, along the road and he simply passed in a motor, looking very depressed as if he had seen enough of us. I am sure we were an awful sight. bespattered with mud and clay, as it was raining practically all the time I was in France or Belgium and we all looked the worse for it. We had about 2 ½ miles to march to fresh billets, which turned out to be dug-outs with straw roofs which would not keep the rain out and it was like being under a riddle.

    On December 6th we went to the trenches. This time it was the Right Half of the Battalion's turn after a weary march along slushy roads we arrived at our old quarters, the Farm. As things turned out it was my luck to get a rifle bullet behind my left ear which penetrated my head and lodged in my right jaw, a most lucky escape as a shade higher and I would have been done for. Feeling dazed I was taken back to the Farm to have medical attention, before reaching the trenches. I have heard since that the three days they spent there were very cold and wet, and when they were relieved they were about done for. It took them all their time to walk as some of them were suffering frost-bitten feet. I left the Farm about 8 p.m., in a horse ambulance wagon, and spent the night at a place called Loare. From there I was taken to Bailleul and the next morning I was put in the train for Boulogne. I was suffering from a swollen cheek which was rather sore, but some of my companions in the carriage were very badly wounded. I spent 5 days in a hospital in Boulogne before I left with 60 others in a private yacht, called the ˜Albion, for Southampton. On arriving there all that were well enough had a nice warm bath which I am sure we needed. I underwent an operation on December 23rd and my souvenir was removed. They got it from the inside of my mouth so I shall not be disfigured. Now I am practically well again and just waiting for my warrant to go home for three weeks sick furlough.

    Dixon Ker News cuttings

    Allan Ker




    256237

    Pte. Arthur William Simpson 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    Arthur Simpson enlisted on the 3rd of June 1916, aged 24. We know he was first posted to the 7th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment and later may have been moved to the 1st Battalion on the 25th of August 1918. He was wounded in battle on the 7th of November 1918 and lost a leg. Eventually discharged on the 3rd of July 1919, at that time he had one child, but went on to have three more. He passed away on the 3rd of January 1970, aged 78.

    John Simpson




    256225

    Pte. Wilfred Lomas 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th December 1917)

    10th DLi lost 4 men, killed in action on or around the 16th of December 1917. Two are unnamed, the servant to Captain Green DCM and the Officer's mess cook. Possiblly killed in billets behind Spree Farm. I believe the servant could be Wilfred Lomas, he was over 40 when he died.

    David Yeoman




    256213

    Pte. Bernard Hurbert "Hugh" Bullock 10th Company Labour Corps

    There is a story in the family that my Granddad, Bernard Bullock, carried his injured friend back to the British lines. he was going to get a Mention in Dispatches but his Captain was killed before it could be sent. When he lived at our house in 1970's he still had nightmares about the war as he used to shout out.

    Michael Bullock




    256212

    2nd Lt. Edwin Ingram Gibbons 20th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers (d.29th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Edwyn Gibbons was born on 2nd of November 1891. He is shown as Edward on CWGC. Edwin on Registration of birth. Edwyn on Probate and Marriage Registration). His parents were Alfred Robert Gibbons, a newspaper proprietor and author, and Annie Marie Snedker, a reporter. They were married at Lambeth, London in March 1885. Their address, at the time of Edwyn's baptism on 28th of November 1891 in the Parish of St. Clement Danes, Middlesex, was recorded as 172 The Strand, London. His mother's death was recorded at Grasse, France in 1898. Between 1906 and 1911 Edwyn attended Charterhouse Boarding School at Godalming, Surrey. In September 1915 he was cited as the third party in the divorce petition of Herbert Francis Fenn, an officer in a UPS battalion. Fenn had married Gladys Archbutt in 1909. Gladys was a well known London-based theatre actress and comedienne of the time. In the 3rd quarter of 1916 Edwin married Gladys Fenn (nee Archbutt).

    Edwyn may have joined the 20th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers soon after the raising of the regiment, although, on 20th of February 1916, he is recorded as having attained a Proficiency Certificate in flying a Maurice Farman Biplane at the Military School, Brooklands in Surrey. His death was recorded near Arras on or soon after the 29th Apr 1917.





    256211

    Pte. George Bourne 16th (Public Schools) Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.10th May 1917)

    George Bourne is listed on the war memorial at St Andrews Church, Nuthurst, near Horsham, Sussex

    Alan Lindfield




    256203

    Pte. Thomas Dillon 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

    My Grandfather, Thomas Dillon, joined the Army aged 16 (age apparently 17 and 6 months) in 1900 and served in South Africa with the Liverpool Regiment during the 2nd Boer War. While still in South Africa he transferred the 2nd Dublin Fusiliers in order to serve alongside his brother. Transferred to the reserve in 1906, he was re-enlisted in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers on 5th August 1914.

    He was posted to the 1st Battalion with the BEF on 12th of September 1914. He was wounded in early 1915 being returned to Blighty on 2nd May 1915 and posted to the 3rd Battalion (reserve) on 3rd August 1915. In September 1916 he was released from active duty as a result of his wounds and assigned to war work with the Singer Sewing Machine Company, while still remaining an enlisted man. On 12th of February 1917 he was discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for war service,





    256202

    Rflmn. Sidney Burtt 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion London Regiment

    Sidney Burtt was born in 1897 in Hackney Downs, London. His parents were Sidney M Burtt (1875-1938) and Adeline E Muscat (1870-1932). He had a sister Adeline born in 1898 and who died in 1945. By the time of the 1901 census the family were living at 18 Arlington Park Gardens North Chiswick, Brentford.

    Sidney enlisted in April 1916 in the 17th Battalion, London Regiment, the Poplar & Stepney Rifles. He enlisted as a rifleman and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    In the third quarter of 1921 he married Lucy Swalwell who was born in 1902 in Northallerton Yorkshire. They had two sons William, who was born on the 16th March 1925 in Ealing, and Peter Gordon who was born in September 1927 in Brentford. Sidney died on the 6th July 1958 in Bristol.

    Marilyn Standfast




    256200

    L/Bmbdr. Daniel James Bishton 38th Heavy Battery Royal Garison Artilery (d.27th Dec 1918)

    Daniel Bishton died from his wounds in the 1st South General Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

    Graham Lloyd




    256197

    Pte. Frederick George Beadle 3rd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.30th Aug 1918 )

    I found a service medal in my Father's possession that I'd like to return to the family of Frederick Beadle. He is buried in the Bois-Guillaume Communal Cemetery in France.

    Alex Scourou




    256190

    William F. Lazarus 11th Btn. C Coy. 12 Pl. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    William Lazarus's name and address in the BEF appears as a friend in my grandfather's diary (Dvr OWH Kear, D Bty, 295th Brigade RFA.)

    I F Watts




    256189

    Dvr. Osman William Henry Kear MiD. 295th Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Will Kear was my grandfather. Born in 1897, he joined the Territorial Force on the outbreak of WWI. He served with 124th Brigade RFA, supporting 37th Infantry Division and later D Battery, 295th Brigade RFA, part of 59th Division.

    This is his diary entry for 11th of November 1918, "Got up at 6 and groomed and had breakfast. Clean parade and stables at 10am. Five minutes past we all fell in and the wireless telegram was read out. The war is napoo, peace proclaimed! Too excited to write. Some experience with all the bells ringing. The boys are going mad. A remarkable thing, the war finished at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Waiting for mail as we have not had any this last three days. It will be up this afternoon. So, it won't be long before we are off to Blighty! Started a green letter to my Darling Girl. Finish it after the mail is come in. Got paid 10Frs. No mail up. I have finished the letter and off to kip."

    He was demobilised in 1919, but rejoined the Territorial Army in 1933, this time the Sappers. He served until 1941, having been evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk. By then he was a sergeant having been Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished Service on operations during the period March- June 1940.

    I F Watts




    256186

    2Lt. Agostinho de Sa Vieira 13th Infantry Battalion

    Agostinho de Sa Vieira served during the great war, details from the process of the Portuguese official and the German POW certificate.

    Sergio Rezendes




    256176

    CQMS. Samuel Stewart 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    Samuel Stewart was promoted in the field to Colour-Sergeant.





    256175

    Pte. Louis Benjamin 23rd Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.1st Oct 1918)

    Louis Benjamin is my great-uncle who was killed in the First World War. He is buried in Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France.

    Doreen Marks




    256166

    Pte. Charles William Lang 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1916)

    <p>Charles Lang this photo was printed in the Hull Daily Mail

    Charles Lang was killed in action on 22nd of August 1916 at 0300hrs whilst out on patrol behind enemy lines at Le Touquet. He has no known grave, however he is named on the Ploegsteert memorial.

    Bruno Ezrapinder




    256164

    John Murphy Lang 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.11th January 1917)

    John Lang was the fifth child of a family of 8 children born in Glasgow to parents John Lang and Joanna Murphy. He died in Mesopotamia on the 11th of January 1917 and is commemorated in the Basra War Memorial. John received the Victory, British and the Star medals.

    Kerry Golding




    256162

    Pte. William Gordon Campbell Ferguson 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders (d.13-18th April 1917)

    William Ferguson is buried at Tank Cemetery, Guemappe with 64 others from his Battalion.

    Ian Ferguson




    256160

    Francis Edward Vernon

    My father's father Francis Vernon was a Naval officer based at Portsmouth. His wife, Cora Aufrere Vernon was treated at Englefield House as part of the maternity unit for Naval Officer's wives. My father was born in this maternity unit in October 1918. As far as the information I have discovered, part of the estate was a maternity unit for Naval officer's wives at the time.

    J N A Dean




    256157

    Pte. Wilson McCracken 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.12th Oct 1918)

    Wilson McCracken was my grandmother's first husband. He was born in Listowel, Co.Kerry in 1893 and enlisted in Belfast Co.Antrim. He is buried at the Saint Aubert British Cemetery Nord in France. He married my grandmother in June 1915 just before he left for war and she never saw him again. They had no children. He was killed in action on 12th of October 1918 just under a month before the end of WW1, very sad.

    Pauline Boyd




    256152

    Pte. Alexander Reynolds Kemp 2/7th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.30th July 1918)

    <p>

    I have only recently discovered that my grandfather had a brother, my namesake, Alexander Kemp who fought and died in the Great War. He joined up with 2/7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on the 12th December 1915 at Stenhousemuir and was mobilised in January 1916. On 13th of March 1917 he was admitted to Wharncliffe War Hospital in Sheffield, but one month later enjoyed a brief furlough before returning to duty with C Coy. He was later posted to 1/7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and on the 11th of June 1917 proceeded with the Expeditionary Force to France. Arriving in Dieppe, he spent several months behind the lines before proceeding to the front on the 19th of April 1918. Sadly, he was killed in action only weeks later on 30th of July 1918 in Flanders. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Alexander McLean Kemp




    256151

    AB. Frank Thomas Nicholls HMS Dolphin

    Frank Nicholls was my great grandfather. He served on HMS Iron Duke but after the Battle of Jutland he went into the submarine service. We know very little about his service after he transferred, or what his actual job was.

    Cameron Nicholls




    256149

    Pte. Cecil George Mills 1/6th Battalion London Regiment (d.18th September 1915)

    Cecil Mills was killed in action on the 18th of Sept 1915 aged 19. He is buried at Hospital Farm Cemetery in Belgium. This area had a building used as a dressing station so he probably arrived in a severely injured state and later died of wounds.

    Rod Eldridge




    256141

    2nd Lt. William Mackenzie Campbell 9th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    William Campbell served with the 9th (West Belfast) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment part of 36th (Ulster) Division and was killed on the 1st of July 1916 when the division attacked at Thiepval. He lived at Darce Hill, Rock Ferry, Cheshire and was the younger son of Mrs W M Campbell. He was a chartered accountant and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Andrew Dunford




    256133

    Pte. Eugene McCcarthy 11th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    <p>Eugene McCarthy

    Eugene McCarthy was one of three brothers who served in WW1. His brother William served in Army Service Corps with his brother Jack. All were born in Drumquinna, Kenmare, Co Kerry, but were working in Chelsea, London at the outbreak of the Great War. All three brothers survived but both Eugene and Jack died in 1922/1923 of war related illness.

    Francis O'Connor




    256132

    Pte. Henry Ree 7th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.30th Mar 1918)

    Henry Ree died of wounds on 30th of March 1918 and was finally interred in Sauchy Cauchy Cemetery. I have been endeavouring to establish where he was located when he was wounded. So far, the best I have been able to establish is that Henry was probably wounded during the period 21st to 28th of March 1918 when the 7th Battalion, according to the War Diary, suffered 174 wounded ORs. During this period the Unit was located near Heninel. Given the proximity of Sauchy Cauchy to Heninel it appears probable, assuming Henry was with the 7th, he was one of the 174. Henry was 25 years old when he died and is remembered in the churches at Stoke Edith and Yarkhill in Herefordshire.

    David Heath




    256129

    Pte. William Douglas 8th Btn. Black Watch (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Billy Douglas served with the 8th Black Watch.





    256127

    Pte. Fred William Bridges

    My grandfather Fred Bridges was held as a prisoner of war and I have postcards of Gustrow which he bought and photographs. I understood he was forced to work in a salt mine and was liberated through Sweden at the end of the war.

    Nick Kirkpatrick




    256112

    Nurse. Jean McWhirter

    <p>

    Jean McWhirter was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to James and Agnes McWhirter (nee Cameron) of Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland. James McWhirter immigrated to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia in 1878 from Scotland. He founded the large and successful department store in Brisbane, McWhirters & Son Ltd.

    Jean departed for England early 1915 and joined the British Red Cross. She was on duty at the Second Southern General Hospital, Southmead, Bristol, England from 19th of July 1915 to 19th of February 1916. Jean married Major Charles Milligan Drew at the Parish Church of Logie, with the reception held at Novara, Stirling in Scotland. Major Drew was with the Egyptian Army and Royal Army Medical Corps.

    Erika




    256111

    Sgt. David Brown 2nd Btn. Black Watch

    David Brown attested for The Black Watch at Perth, on 28th of Jan 1902. He would have done his basic training at The Black Watch Depot, Queen's Barracks, Perth. He was posted to C Company. At some point he was posted to the 2nd Battalion which had gone to India after the Boer War in 1902. During this period he received the medal for the Delhi Durbar in 1911. This was the Coronation Durbar for King George V. He was due for transfer to the Army Reserve on 27th of Jan 1914.

    The 2nd Battalion returned to France with the Meerut Division, as part of the Bareilly Brigade in October 1914.

    David was reported wounded on two occasions, 5th of Nov 1914 and 27th of October 1915. In the latter instance his rank was that of Acting Sergeant. At the end of 1915 the Battalion went to Mesopotamia. He was also reported wounded on 11th of April 1917. The Battalion left Mesopotamia for Egypt in early 1918 and then went on to Palestine. David received the Star 1914, British War Medal & Allied Victory Medal for service in the First World War.

    He re—enlisted at Kantara, on the 12th of December 1918, aged 33 years 246 days. His wife was Flora Whitton, they married on the 1st of January 1920 and had 3 children. He was discharged as a Corporal, 4th July 1922. His address is given as 60 Lilybank Road, Dundee. He re-enlisted 29th May 1923 for 4 years (possibly with the Royal Engineers) and again on 29th May 1927. His final discharge was at Perth, 20th Dec 1930.

    Bob




    256110

    Arthur Buxton 57th Training Reserve Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    Arthur Buxton of 147 Old Hall Road, Chesterfield enlisted into the Army in the 6th of May 1918 and joined the 57th Training Reserve Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. He was aged 23yrs 2 months, Height 5' 4" Chest 36 1/2 inches His next of kin was changed from Stephen Buxton 147 Old Hall Road, Brampton (father) to Elizabeth Buxton 72 Peak Lane, Pinxton Derbys (wife). He was demobilized and transferred To Class Z Army Reserve in 1919.

    John Buxton




    256104

    Gnr. J F Bateman A Bty. 124th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    J. Bateman's name appears as a friend in a WWI diary of 1918/19.

    I F Watts




    256101

    Pte George Edward Gillbanks 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.21st Oct 1916)

    <p>

    George Gillbanks was a Carter by profession who enlisted in the South Lancashire Regiment apparently at the same time as his brother Edward and brother-in-law Sam Jeffers, ending up in France where he saw action at Vimy Ridge, but was killed in action during the siege of the Stuff Redoubt on Thiepval Ridge on the 21st of October 1916.

    He was buried in a temporary grave, but George's body was later exhumed and reburied at Grandcourt Military Cemetery, which is situated about 5 miles North East of the town of Albert.

    On the 100th Anniversary of his death my brother Bill, his sons Brian and Ian and myself paid homage to my Grandfather George at his grave site. I have been unable to find a photo of George Edward in uniform so will substitute the only picture I have of him.

    James Gillbanks




    256099

    Rfmn. Harold Emmens 9th Btn. B Coy. Rifle Brigade (d.8th Sep 1917)

    Harold Emmens was married to my Great Grandmother, Mary Ann. He was a Lewis Gunner with B Company, 9th Rifle Brigade, and was in the front line on the 8th of September 1917 near Warneton, on the left flank near Cannon Corner. Harold was the only casualty that day for his battalion, yet his body was never recovered. He is remembered with honour on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    After the war, his widow married William Holland, my Great Grandfather, who was tragically killed in the Appleford rail disaster in 1942. Without Harold's death, I would have no life.

    John Yendall




    256095

    L/Cpl. Ernest McGlasson 15th Btn. Royal Scots (d.3rd Dec 1918 )

    Ernest McGlasson died of wounds.

    Graham Snyder




    256094

    Lt. Wilfred Alexander Toogood 2nd Btn. Eastern Ontario Regiment

    My grandfather Alex Toogood joined the 168th Oxfords in Jan. 1916. After training in London and at Camp Borden, the 168th went by convoy on the 1st of November 1916 arriving on the 11th at Liverpool. Based at Sanderling, the 168th was ordered to be disbanded and Lt. Alex Toogood was transferred to the 39th Battalion and by January 1917 to the 6th Reserve Battalion. After more training at Cranborough, in April, 1917 he transferred to the 2nd Eastern Ontario Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, C.E.F.

    He was severely wounded at Fresnoy (3rd Battle of the Scarpe) on 3rd of May 1917. The rest of the war was spent recovering from wounds and being medically boarded or on light duties until his discharge in 1918.





    256085

    Pte. Arthur Satchwell 2/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.7th Sep 1918)

    Arthur Satchwell is buried in Erquingham Lys in France. He was 20 years old. He was my great uncle, the only son of Elizabeth Satchwell and brother of my maternal grandmother. This is all we know.

    Debra Ringer




    256067

    Robert William Nichol 14th (Pioneers) Btn Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    Robert Nichol served with the 14th Northumberland Fusiliers.





    256066

    Pte. James Neil Sutherland 8th Btn. Black Watch (d.9th Apr 1917)

    James Sutherland, known as Neil, was born 21st of July 1892 in Markinch, Fife, to William Sutherland and Elizabeth Mowat. In May 1909 he went to work for the Royal Bank of Scotland as an apprentice in Markinch, before moving to the Leven Street branch in Edinburgh in August 1914, and finally Cupar branch in 1916.

    During the First World War he left the bank to join the army, becoming a Private in the 9th (Scottish) Infantry Division 8th Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) and died aged 24 on the first day of the Battle of Arras, and is buried in Mindel Trench British Cemetery at St. Laurent-Blangy. He is commemorated on the War Memorial on Balbirnie Street, Markinch.

    The 8th Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) were among the first Allied soldiers to spring out of tunnels in a surprise attack against the German front line at Arras. Neil died in the battle but while in the tunnels wrote a letter to his brother John back home. He was also a keen musician.

    James Neil Sutherland (1892 - 1917)

    Bryce Sutherland




    256063

    Sister. Annie Wilson (d.5th November 1918)

    Sister Annie Wilson died at Leith on 5th of November 1918 aged 27. She was a victim of Spanish Flu. She was the Daughter of Mrs Annie Wilson of Delab Monymusk. Her father, a farmer, had died in 1904.





    256061

    Pte. Thomas Kendall 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Thomas Kendall served with the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers and earned the 1914 Star in France before being transferred to the 1st Garrison Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment on the 16th of August 1915.





    256053

    Sgt. Joseph Glen 1st Battalion Black Watch

    Joseph Glen was the eldest son of Joseph Glen Sr., 33 Sidney Street, Arbroath. He joined the Black Watch prior to the war. He survived the war, helping found a branch of the Labor Party in Arbroath, before emigrating with the rest of his family to the United States in 1920, where his descendants still reside. He was the elder brother of Lance-Corporal, James Glen, 1st Black Watch, who fell in action on 31st October 1914 at the First Battle of Ypres.

    David Wilson Munroe




    256052

    L/Cpl. James Glen 1st Battalion Black Watch (d.31st October 1914)

    From the Arbroath Roll of Honour: "Lance-Corporal, James Glen, 1st Black Watch, was a son of Joseph Glen, 33 Sidney Street, Arbroath. He was twenty-one years of age, and was unmarried. He was an apprentice wood turner in the employment of Messrs Douglas Fraser & Sons. He was a well-known footballer, and played in the Arbroath Fail-field Club, and was a member of the team which won the Arbroath and District Cup, the Newgate Cup, and were Melvin League champions in 1911-12. Lance-Corporal Glen was a member of the Territorial Force, having joined in July 1909 (age 16) as a private in the Third Battalion of the Black Watch (Special Reserve). In 1910 he served as an honour guard at the coronation of King George V.

    He was mobilized as a reservist four days after the outbreak of hostilities. He was transferred to the 1st Black Watch, and went to France with that Battalion at the beginning of September 1914. He took part in the battles of the Marne and the Aisne, and came through scathless the historic stand made by the Black Watch in the latter engagement, but fell in action on 31st October 1914 at the first battle of Ypres."

    His elder brother Joseph also served in the Black Watch, with the rank of sergeant, and survived the war. His family emigrated to the United States in 1920, where their many descendants still reside. His youngest sister Lillian, who was 11 when he died, remembered him as always smiling, with a ready wit, and fond of practical jokes. He was a handsome young man, as is confirmed by a photograph of him posing in his uniform, which she kept displayed on a table in her home until she passed away in 1996, aged 93.





    256051

    Sgt. Frederick Samuel Hargrave 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd March 1917)

    Pioneer Sergeant Frederick Hargrave was based in Shwebo, Burma in 1913. By 1916 he was a Sergeant and was serving in Dover. He was killed in France and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.





    256043

    Gnr. Harry Baker Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather, Harry Baker, served in WW1. Recently I inherited 2 letters addressed to my grandmother from the 32nd Stationary Hospital. The first letter is dated 27th of October 1916, and informs my grandmother that my grandfather had been wounded in the neck and right shoulder. The second letter is dated 30th of October 1916 and informs my grandmother that Harry had undergone one operation and was recovering and that he would need to undergo a second operation when he was back in England. The letter is signed by E.B.B. Towse, Captain, Gordon Highlanders. 32nd Stationary Hospital, Nr. Wimeraux, France

    Maureen Ball




    256039

    A/Cpl. George Wheeler 12th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My wife found what she thought was an old coin in Molesey, Surrey many years ago when she was a child. When she showed me I quickly realised it was a WW1 1914-18 medal without the clasp/ribbon. The details on the bottom are 6425 A. Cpl. G. Wheeler. R.A.M.C. After some research in the National Archives website it seems George Wheeler served from 1914 in 12th Field Ambulance, RAMC. It is unclear why my wife, as a young girl found this medal but I wanted to see if there were any living relatives I might be able to return it to?

    James Easton




    256032

    Able Sea. Thomas Thompson Watson SS Caledonian (d.4th Dec 1918)

    My uncle Thomas Watson served on the SS Caledonian during WW1. He was a Royal Navy Reservist working for the Layland Line, sailing from Manchester and Liverpool to New York and Boston. He survived the whole war, but sadly died on his way home on board the SS Caledonian, dying of heart failure.

    Paul Watson




    256030

    Pte. William Samuel Cully 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    My great grandfather William Cullywas the son of James and Ann Jane Cully (nee Clayton) and husband of Mary Cully (nee Mines), of Tullyallen, Mountnorris, County Armagh. He was born Bessbrook, County Armagh on the 24th of May 1874 which would make him 42 years of age when he was killed. Private Cully is buried in Ancre British Cemetery, France.

    William signed up to join the 1st World War, volunteered as there was no conscription in Ireland, in fact he lied about his age, said he was 36 and not 41. The conclusion we have come to is that things were hard in Ireland at the time, a couple of poor harvests and as a farm labourer he would have been desperate for money with 7 children (Billy, Hannah Jane, Robert (my Grandfather), Sarah, Sam, Hughie and Geordie).

    He headed off and as part of the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division, and was killed in action on the first day of the Somme at Ancre. The Ulster men breached four defensive lines of German trenches that morning but had to retreat due to being let down by their flanks. The troops were told that this would be an easy fight as the Germans had little to no ammunition. This was not the case and William fell along with 60,000 others on that day. The battle at Ancre was over by 8am so he was only on the field for a short time.

    Private Cully was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medal. His last name was recorded incorrectly as Culley on all of his Military records.

    Notice of death

    William Garry Cully




    256029

    Pte. Robert Henry Parker 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.30th Oct 1914)

    My Great Uncle, Robert Henry Parker was killed in action at Zonnebeke just east of Ypres, possibly at the Battle of Geluveld. My Grandmother was his sister. He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp. Robert has no known grave, but is commemorated at the Menin Gate Ypres. I visited there in December 2018 to remember him. Unfortunately I have no photograph of him.

    Julian Sinclair




    256028

    Rfmn. Alfred Shorter 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    Alfred Shorter was killed in action on the 2nd of December 1917 and buried in Hermies British Cemetery.

    Elsie Phillips




    256021

    Pte. Harry Worrell MM. 5th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.5th Jun 1918)

    Harry Worrell was aged 43 when he died, and was buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Worrell, late of 3 Georges Buildings, Lower Swainswick, Bath. Husband of Alice Maud Worrell, nee Whitfield of 16 Dafford St., Larkhall, Bath. He was father to 3 children of this marriage Harry Leslie b 1912, Stanley William b 1914 and Maurice Frederick b 1917. His Military Medal promulgation was published London Gazette Supplement on 27th of September 1917.





    256019

    Gnr. Sydney Evelyn Hill Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Sydney Hill was born in 1885 he was a farmer until 1916 when he was conscripted into the army. He served as a gunner possibly on howitzers although that is speculation as he refused ever to talk about his experiences. What we have for a fact is that he was gassed whilst sheltering in a dugout so became blinded for at least a week and was then invalided out. He returned to life as a farmer until retirement in 1940. He died in 1977.

    S J HILL




    256012

    Pte. Leonard Ell 2nd/5th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.28th Sep 1917)

    Leonard Ell was baptized at Coventry St. Peter, Warwickshire in Dec 1898, the son of Albert George Ell and Minnie Jane Dadley. He had siblings Bert, Edith Alice, Elizabeth Frances and Florence Mary.

    He enlisted in 1916 with the Bedford Regiment and later transferred to the Sherwood Foresters. He died of wounds on 28th of September 1917 and is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Vleteren in Belgium.

    G. Scott Lloyd




    256010

    Pte. Thomas Kelly 9th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    All we really know is that Thomas Kelly served in the Dardanelles, and Palestine, and Mesopotamia because I can remember my mother telling me, he brought a cross back from the Middle East. He also served in France. He was part of the 9th Lancashire Fusiliers which was part of the 34th Brigade Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in 1915.

    Terry Ashton




    256004

    Pte. William Proctor Sherwood Foresters

    William Proctor of the Sherwood Foresters was treated in hospital from 11th of September 1916 to 13th of February 1917 for a gun shot wound to the left hand, received in France on 23rd of August 1916. He was also suffering from scabies. he was transferred to Sycamore Road Military Hospital for further scabies treatment.

    Roy Walmsley




    256003

    Stkr. William Henry Price

    <p>

    William Price served in the Royal Navy as a Stoker.

    Graham Chivers




    255984

    Pte. Alexander Morton 9th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    My grandfather, Alexander Morton served in the 9th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders from 1914-1916. He served and fought during that period in France, the Battle of Loos and several others. About August 1916 he was unfortunately enveloped by Mustard Gas fired from a German gun near the village of Vermeils, near Cambrai. As a result of this he was returned to Britain for treatment but was discharged from the hospital in Perth in June 1917.

    I remember him from the early 1960s when I was a child. I know he suffered from the effects of the gas on his lungs all his life until he died in 1966. After the war he was employed as a farm grieve (manager) in the Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire but suffered terribly from the effects of the mustard gas and had a difficult time carrying out physical work. I inherited his Short Magazine Lee Enfield bayonet which sits on a plaque in my living room.





    255983

    Pte. Harold Wilson 23rd Btn.

    <p>

    Harold Wilson was a private on the 23rd Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Australian Division. He suffered a gunshot wound to his left temple on 1st of November 1917 and was admitted to the Eastbourne Military Hospital on 5th November. He remained there until 3rd of December 1917 when he was transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford.

    Michael Epstein




    255973

    Sgt. Charles M. Williams Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    Charles Williams served with the Royal Horse Artillery.

    Debbie Banham




    255969

    2Lt. Alexander Lucas 12th (Ayr and Lanark Yeomanry) Battalion, R Company Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Alexander Lucas was the son of a school head teacher in Glasgow. He survived the war and married Marjorie Mitchell, the daughter of a distillery owner in Campbelltown Argyll. He became a dental surgeon.

    His brother James was a pioneer in the Royal Engineers during the war and also survived. He never married and was also a dental surgeon. Their older sister Hope, was a teacher and married George Wilson, Chief Engineer RNR in 1916. He survived the war and became a Minister. The youngest brother was too young to be involved in the 1st War but was in the RAMC in North Africa and Italy in the 2nd War. He was a doctor.

    James Stewart




    255965

    Gnr. William James Legg 152nd Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.12th Nov 1918)

    William Legg was the son of A. and Bessie Legg of Turrett Grove, Mutley, Plymouth.

    Irene Legg




    255963

    Pte. Donald James Cowap 12th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.16th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Donald Cowap was the son of John and Victoria Cowap of Waterloo, Liverpool. He had two brothers Charles Overed Netherton and Arthur Victor Cowap who all served in WW1. Donald joined the 12th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment on 1st of September 1914 at Seaforth, Liverpool aged 25 years and 60 days. He was posted to Flanders and France. He died of his wounds aged 27 on Saturday 16th of September 1916 and is buried at La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie, Somme, France. His mother received his personal effects on 8th of May 1917.

    Sue Higginbotham




    255960

    Pte. John Spence 25th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    My Grandfather John Spence enlisted on the 10th of July 1915. He was 22 years and 5 months old and described himself as a pork butcher, living at the address in Oldfield Street. His next of kin was his Father, also John. He was posted to the 25th Battalion, Manchester Regiment on the 30th of August 1915. He went to France as part of a draft of reinforcements on the 13th of January 1916 aboard the vessel Onward from Folkestone, arriving in France the next day.

    He went to the 30th Infantry Brigade Depot where he was then posted to the 18th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. He was reported missing on the 30th of July 1916 during the 18th Battalion's ill fated attack on the village of Guillemont. After imprisonment at Dulmen camp, he was repatriated on the 29th of November 1918.





    255954

    Pte. George Clamp 8th Btn. Royal Leicestershire Regiment

    George Clamp joined up on the 1st of September 1914. He fought at the Cattle of Thiepval in Sept 1916 and was injured by a gunshot wound to the left eye on the 28th of September and returned to England on the 30th.

    Richard Clamp




    255952

    Pte. Ernest Richard Payne H.M.H.S. Glengorm Castle Royal Army Medical Corps (d.29th Oct 1918)

    Ernest Payne served on the H.M.H.S. Glengorm Castle during the war 1914-1918 as a medic.





    255949

    Rfmn. Albert Edward Read 8th Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Albert Read enlisted on the 9th of November 1914 and embarked from on the Folkestone 20th of August 1915 with the 4th Reinforcement for France. He joined his Battalion on the 22nd or 23rd of August 1916 and was killed in action on the 15th of September 1916 at Delville Wood in the Battle of Flers Courcelette. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Mike Read




    255941

    Pte. William Parkes 13th (1st County Down) Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    William Parkes served with the 13th Royal Irish Rifles and the Machine Gun Corps.

    Frank Carlisle




    255931

    Pte. John James Medcalf 16th (3rd Birmingham) Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.27th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John Medcalf was one of many who signed up at Birmingham Town Hall with his workmates. He was a postman at Villa Road Handworth and was subsequently stationed at the head office in Birmingham. He joined the 3rd Birmingham Battalion early 1915. He was placed in the 16th Battalion, Birmingham Pals He was killed in action on 27th of July 1916 at the Somme age 21. He was one of many thousands who gave his life for his King and country.

    16th Battalion, Birmingham Pals R W R

    Melals

    His grave in France

    Robert A Rose




    255929

    Sgt. John Thomas Cox DCM. Connaught Rangers

    <p>

    John Cox was awarded the DCM for actions on The Somme.

    John Taylor




    255927

    Rfmn. William James Polden 16th (St Pancras) Btn. B Coy Rifle Brigade

    William Polden was conscripted into the army on either the 11th or 12th of July 1916. He trained with the 5th (Garrison) Battalion, Rifle Brigade, as part of the Medway Garrison based at Minster on the Isle of Sheppey and was then transferred to the 13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. After going AWOL for a short time, he was then transferred again, this time to the 16th (St. Pancras) Battalion, Rifle Brigade.

    In November of 1917 William was evacuated to the General Hospital in Camiers, France via the 17th Casualty Clearing Station, with severe bronchitis. The following year, in August 1918, William was announced as wounded in the daily Casualty Lists produced by the War Office (this was believed to have been by a mustard gas attack).

    After surviving the war, William passed away in 1935, aged 54, due to respiratory problems, most likely a result of the damage caused by the bronchitis and exacerbated by the gas attack the following year.

    Roger Polden




    255923

    William Hartley MiD. 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    <p>

    William Hartley served with the 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers and was mentioned in Despatches.

    Marina Hartley




    255914

    WO1. Frederick William Fox MM. 17th (Empire) Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Frederick Fox's Military Medal is listed in the London Gazette of August 1916 page 7887

    His Citation reads, "Whilst under intense shelling and machine gun fire Pte. F.W. Fox showed conspicuous bravery by tending the wounded organising their return to safety by the stretcher bearers under his command. His outstanding bravery and complete disregard for his own personal safety was a fine example to all around and resulted in the safety and treatment of many of his less fortunate comrades."





    255912

    Gnr. Frank Armstrong Rowntree 315th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Frank Rowntree served with 315th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.





    255904

    Sgt. William Sharpe 2/4th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    William Sharpe was taken prisoner at Ervilliers on the 25th of March 1918 and taken to Munster II POW camp in Germany.

    Christine Vahala




    255902

    Pte. Thomas Hartley 1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.8th Jul 1916)

    Thomas Hartley was my Uncle. He is listed on the Edinburgh Roll of Honour.

    Lenny Hartley




    255898

    Gnr. Douglas Lowe 145th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Douglas Lowe was my great uncle. He suffered from a gas attack and died in 1932 aged 37.

    Catherine Davies




    255894

    Mstr.Mar. Daniel Lewis Jones SS Rhineland (d.11th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Daniel Jones was a former pupil of Llandovery College and a Master Mariner.





    255893

    L/Cpl. Horace Edwin Gordon 6th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.28th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Horace Gordon died aged 28. I know he died of his wounds on the 28th of July 1916 in the German Hospital in Caudry. He was a PoW and is now buried in Caudry Old Communal Cemetery

    Malcolm Gordon




    255892

    Richard Charles Bagwell 18th Hussars

    Richard Bagwell joined up on the 1st of September 1915 and from his records appears to have gone to Romsey then transferred to 18th Hussars in November 1915 and to the Machine Gun Corp in March 1916. He was injured in action at Cambrai on 2nd of December 1917 and returned to England. He was hospitalised in York and on 30th of March 1918 transferred to Marefield Park Command Depot and on 16th of September 1918 transferred to the Remount Depot at Romsey.

    Ann McKie




    255885

    WO2. Edward H. Butler DCM. 6th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    Firstly, I am not a relative of Edward Butler. I am a medal collector and also mount medals for wear and undertake to frame medals and ephemera for relatives. I have just completed framing a group of six medals, a photograph, badges etc. and also a copy of the citation for his DCM taken from the London Gazette, October, 1918. His medals are: Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal 1914 - 1919, Victory Medal 1914 - 1918, Territorial Force War Medal, Defence Medal 1939 - 1945 and Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.

    He was initially a WO2 with the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry then with the 6th Battalion, Royal Wiltshire Regiment. His Territorial Force Efficiency Medal (GvR) was awarded for service with the R.A.S.C. His citation reads: Sjt. E. H. Butler (Warminster) For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After the enemy had succeeded in pressing back the right flank, he formed near him into a Lewis Gun team and covered the retirement of the troops on the right, and repulsed a frontal attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. By his courage and resource he saved a critical situation. (3rd Oct 1918)

    Roy Adams




    255878

    Cpl. George Moore Burrow 6th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    I have found a few letters from my great grandmother, Mary Burrow, sent to Preston Barracks, Lancashire, concerning my great grandfather, Corporal George Burrow. The first concerns papers covering marriage and children and she mentions he is stationed at Blackdown Barracks. The second letter is after he was posted missing in action in Gallipoli. They are very moving as she pleads for help of any news regarding his whereabouts.

    1914 Mary Burrow Letter 2

    1915 Mary Burrow Letter 3

    1915 Mary Burrow Letter 4

    1915 Mary Burrow Letter 5

    Andy Morrison




    255877

    Pte. Henry William Davis 15th (1st London Welsh) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Henry Davis joined up in 1914, one of three brothers to enlist. His youngest brother George went missing at the Somme. Henry was wounded on the 17th of November 1916, I was told he suffered gas attack, but am still investigating.

    Lee Jackson




    255872

    Gerald Herbert Betts 3rd Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment

    My Grandfather, Gerald Betts was wounded and lay in a ditch for hours unable to walk. The cold caused the blood on his wound to freeze, which probably saved his life. He was found by a German patrol and taken to a German field hospital, where his wound was treated, and afterwards, was taken to a prisoner of war camp.

    He was returned to England before the war ended, and was invalided out of the service. Whilst he and another wounded prisoner were in a station waiting room, awaiting train to be sent back to England, the other prisoner knocked the nose off a bust of the Kaiser which was on a shelf. When questioned by German soldiers as to who had damaged the bust, the Tommy immediately owned up. He was taken out of the waiting room, and my grandfather was put onto the train. He never saw the man again!

    Gerald went on to live well into his 90's, before dying in Finedon.

    Terry Betts




    255871

    Cpl. Thomas Frankish A Bty, 251st Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.16th March 1917)

    Thomas Frankish was killed on 16th of March 1917, at Assevillers on the Somme, and is buried in the Assevillers Cemetery. He was the brother of my grand-father.

    David Walker




    255861

    Cpl. James Milward B Bty. 240th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.5th Jan 1919)

    My Great Grandfather, James Milward, served with B Battery, 240th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. He died from disease, likely Spanish Influenza, on Sunday 5th Jan 1919 aged 36, and is buried in the Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery Extension, Italy. He is remembered as the son of Jane and William Milward of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, but was married to Mrs L A Milward, 16 Aberdeen Street, St Phillips Marsh, Bristol. The inscription on his gravestone reads "Though lost to sight, In memory ever dear RIP"

    Lee F Milward




    255860

    Pte. Alfred Oswald Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Alfred Oswald survived the war and lived until 1972.

    Andrew Hunt




    255849

    L/Cpl. Cyril Burrows 1/5th Btn. D Coy. Manchester Regiment

    <p>Cyril is 3rd from right in the middle row.

    I have photos of Cyril Burrows and my grandma told me he was in the 1/5th Manchester Regiment in WW1 I have photos in Egypt etc He was in Dulmen on 22nd of June 1917 and on a list of those who escaped.

    Robert Sheppard




    255845

    Pte. William Jacobson 7th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.18th Sept 1918)

    William Jacobson was killed in action on 18th of September 1918 in Salonika.

    Paul Tearne




    255842

    L/Bdr Samuel McKechnie Royal Garrison Artillery

    Samuel McKechnie died in 1937. He died before I was born.

    My uncle Sam received a gunshot wound to his nose in WW1, and was receiving treatment for this when he died of Pneumonia following his surgery, in Western Infirmary in Glasgow. He was a much respected man and a Gamekeeper all his short life.

    Alastair MacKechnie




    255840

    Pte. Charles Kerr Docherty 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.24th Jun 1919)

    <p>

    Charles Docherty was born in Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland on 2nd of September 1878. He was the 6th of 9 children to Bernard Docherty and Mary Guthrie. Charles was a ships joiner, first in Clydebank Glasgow and then presumably ending up in Ipswich. It wasn't uncommon for shipyard workers to sail with vessels. It seems he initially enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment on 8th of May 1909 and rejoined on 8th of November 1914. He was discharged on 21st of June 1916 and died of his wounds 3 years later on 24th of June 1919 and was laid to rest at Ipswich Old Cemetery.

    I had been looking for Charles for sometime, wrongly assuming he may have joined the Navy. I am both sad and happy at discovering his life after 1911 as now it shall be recorded in our family tree and he will not be forgotten.

    Melanie McKellar




    255832

    Stokr. Edward Blakeley HMS Natal (d.30th December 1915)

    When Edward Blakeley was born in 1896 in Yorkshire, his father, Edward, was 30 and his mother, Ellen, was 26. He had two brothers and eight sisters. He died on 30th of December 1915 at the age of 19, aboard HMS Natal. Natal was sunk by an internal explosion near Cromarty with the loss of at least 390 crewmen and civilians. The remains of her wreck are designated as a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 as a war grave.





    255820

    Pte. Charles Shepherd 2/7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.19 July 1916)

    Charles Shepherd is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Vivian Shepherd




    255816

    Willie Bashforth West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th March 1916)

    <p>

    Willie Bashford is buried in Belgium. He died from a gun shot wound to the chest, age of death 19.

    Bernadette Bashforth




    255807

    Pte. Jess Tunnicliffe 12th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.25th Apr 1917)

    Jess Tunnicliffe came from Caverswall, North Staffordshire. He was serving in the 12th Manchester Regiment, and was killed in action at Monchy le Preux on 25th of April 1917.




    255806

    Pte. Rupert Birch 9th Btn, Royal Fusiliers (d.10th Jul 1916)

    Rupert Birch was born in 1894, one of a large family at Greenbank Farm,Foxt, Staffordshire Moorlands. He attended the local Methodist chapel, and followed his father in working for The North Staffordshire Railway. Enlisting in November 1915, he was badly wounded in action on 7th of July 1916 and died 3 days later. He was buried at Puchevillers Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the small war memorial at St Mark's church, Foxt, and the North Staffordshire Railway memorial at Stoke On Trent railway station.





    255803

    Major. K. P. A. Atkinson 11 Squadron

    <p>

    This is a commemorative propeller of Christmas 1916 from 11 Squadron RFC.





    255795

    Pte. Fred Stout 369th Infantry Regiment (d.1919)

    Fred Stout served with the 369th Infantry Regiment, The Harlem Hellfighters. He was from Taylorsville, Kentucky. He came home on a hospital ship the Stockholm on 2nd of February 1919 leaving Brest, France and was eventually sent to a hospital at Camp Zachary Taylor. He died in 1919 and the paperwork simply says Shell Shock. He is buried in an unmarked grave that we cannot locate at the Old Taylorsville Cemetery a.k.a. Pioneer Cemetery in Taylorsville Kentucky. His mother was Anna Stout.

    Patrick Armstrong




    255793

    2nd Lt. George Arthur Quigley MM. 12th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    George Quigley was from Bradford, Yorkshire. He served with the West Yorkshire Regiment, then the 3rd Manchesters and finally with the 12th Sherwood Foresters. He gained a Military Medal.





    255792

    Cpl. John Allan Havelock MM. 18th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    John Havelock is recorded on a memorial plaque (in my possession). He was an employee of the Windy Nook and District Co-Operative Society Ltd. and a member of Felling Primitive Methodist Chapel. The Methodist Archives for the Newcastle upon Tyne District are relocating to Felling and the memorial is to be returned to its original home.

    Richard Jennings




    255791

    Cpl. Noelle Charles William Greenaway 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.4th Aug 1916)

    Leslie Worrall died on the Somme on 4th of August 1916. He was a young man originally from Highgate in London, the only child of of widower Charles Stephen Worrall from 5 Muswell Hill. (Charles was a talented goldsmith, a casket he was commissioned to make to celebrate the enlargement of the Victoria & Albert Museum, can be seen in that museum). Leslie started his working life in the City of London, and joined up with the Royal Fusiliers (Bankers) and is memorialised in the South Western Bank's Memorial Books now kept safe by Barclays Bank in the City.

    Leslie is my great Uncle via his father Charles, whose second marriage was to my maternal grandmother, Katie Cooke, after WW1. The Cooke family were of Hornsey & Muswell Hill, and my other great Uncle was Katie's younger brother Rifleman Frederic Arthur Cooke of the 1/5th London Regiment (initially Middlesex Regt) who died on the Somme on 9th September 1916. They died roughly one month apart, two young men from the same neighbourhood, and they are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. I hope to find a photo of Leslie.

    Noelle Greenaway




    255790

    Cpl. John Alexander Douglas 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    I just recently discovered my Uncle John Douglas originally was part of the 10th (Derry) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, formed in Omagh, September 1914 from the Derry Volunteers, they were then attached and renamed 109th Brigade 36th (Ulster) Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down and in July 1915 the Division moved to Seaford, in Sussex, England and then deployed to France in early October 1915. Over the winter of 1915/16 the Brigades were attached to the Line Divisions in The Somme Area. The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for their action on the 1st of July 1916, when they were one of the few Divisions to reach their objective. However, the casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the day was over 5,000 in total.

    John survived the war. My memory as a 5 year old niece he suffered with lung decease. I have a photo of him and Obituary from the Belfast Telegraph he passed away at the age of 58. Per the Obituary prior to the end of the war he was returned to England for his commission and at the end of the war was demobilized from the Cadet battalion. Back in civilian life he joined the Ministry of Pensions. After a number of years he joined the Belfast Corporation City Hall Staff where he remained for 15 years. He was then appointed clerk in the Ministry of Education, where he remained until his retirement for health reasons. I understand from records he was a corporal and training with the Cadet Battalion for a military commission. I also have 2 medals that he received.

    Kathleen Douglas Parkes




    255789

    Rfmn. Richard Harris 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.4th Oct 1914)

    Richard Harris was 39 when he was badly wounded in the lungs during the Battle of Aisnes in September 1914. He was brought home and died of these wounds in Whitworth Street Military Hospital in Manchester. He was buried in Southern Cemetery, Manchester and is remembered on the Screen Wall.

    Richard was the first British Soldier to die in Manchester as a result of WW1 and there was great local outcry because, unlike German soldiers who had received full military honours when buried there, he was not given the same courtesy. A Manchester newspaper reported that "the lack of the usual military features attending a soldier's funeral was freely commented on".

    Born in 1875, Richard was a veteran of the Boer War having been awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal for his action in Cape Colony, Orange Free State, the Relief of Ladysmith and Transvaal, he also received the King's South Africa Medal for his service in 1901 and 1902. His WW1 medals (the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal) were presented to his wife and children, along with his Memorial Plaque, these are still with Richard's family to this day.

    Anthony Lay




    255787

    Pte. James Roberts

    James Roberts is my great uncle. I believe he died in 1929 having suffered from diabetes and gas during his time in the war. I have no further information about him. His family were in the Salvation Army and his sister Wainer worked in the battlefields alongside William Booth's daughters. My father idolised him.

    Maureen Webster




    255785

    Pte. Ambrose Burton 9th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Ambrose Burton is an ancestor of my wife. He was discharged from the 9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 18th of May 1919 from the Salonika Base Area.

    Karl Roberts




    255781

    Pte. Horace Brockhouse 9th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.16th August 1917)

    Horace Brockhouse was initially with the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and the Yorkshire Regiment, but then co-opted into the Lancashire Fusiliers. He is commemorated at the Tyne Cot War Memorial.

    Bernard Brockhouse




    255772

    App. John Edwin Grattidge S.S. Port Napier (d.8th Dec 1918)

    John Grattidge is buried in Venice, Italy. His grave is looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

    Cheryl Morcom




    255770

    George Fosbery Vickers 2nd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    George Vickers served with the 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers. His brother Percy was killed alongside him in the Battle for Bouzincourt Ridge. George survived the war and married Margaret Elizabeth Smith. They had two daughters.

    Darren Hughes




    255768

    Pte. Percival Vickers 2nd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.22nd Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Percy Vickers fought in the trenches alongside his brother George. Percy is buried in Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery.

    Darren Hughes




    255765

    Pte. Joseph William Pritt 3rd/5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.19th July 1917)

    Born in Corney, Cumberland, in 1897 Joseph Pritt was the son of Myles Singleton Pritt a farmer, and Mary Josephine Pritt (nee Poole), of Far Bank, Corney, Cumberland. He enlisted in the Lancashire Fusiliers at Millom in South Cumberland.

    Alan Clegg




    255764

    Pte. George Ashburner 18th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.31st Oct 1918)

    Born in Broughton-in-Furness in 1894, George Ashburner was the son of John Ashburner and Sarah (nee Hayes). In 1901 the family lived in Ravenglass, Cumberland, where John was a railway worker.

    Prior to enlisting, George was a general farm servant for William Hodgkin at Bridgestones, Drigg, Cumberland.





    255762

    Rfmn. William Yates 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    William Yates served with the 5th and 13th Battalions, Kings Royal Rifle Corps.





    255761

    Pte John Craven 2nd Btn King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.23rd Apr 1915)

    John Craven was the son of Adam Craven (1871-1951) and his wife Agnes McNae (or Craven).

    He was the eldest of 7 children.

    A younger brother - Francis 'Frank' Ferguson Craven was killed on 1918-09-10 at Flanders. Both John and Frank died aged 19 years.

    Lorna Kinnaird (Dunedin Links Genealogy)




    255757

    Pte. Arthur Wellesley Woolverton 65th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.4th Jun 1917)

    The Essex Newman reported on the 30th of June 1917: "Mr. Woolverton of Billericay has lost his son, Pte. A. W. Woolverton, R.A.M.C., who has died wounds received in action in France. He joined up on 7th of August 1914 in the Regular Army, went to France Sept. 21 the same year, was wounded at Richebourg near Bassee, 16th of May 1915. After spending two months in various hospitals he joined a hospital ship, and made several voyages to Malta, Alexandria, and Mundros. He was attacked by enteric fever, and subsequently sent back to France on 4th of April 1916. The gallant soldier was buried at St. Leger, France, the British cemetery. Previous to the war was one of Messrs. Enever and Co.'s employees, and active member the Southend Branch of St. John's Ambulance, and a member St. George's Men's Own. His brothers Charles and George are France."





    255753

    Pte. Myer Bernstein 28th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    We know Myer Bernstein had contracted malaria in the Middle East. This had long term health effects, as it does.

    Terry Bernstein




    255749

    Dvr. Albert William Green Royal Field Artillery

    Albert Green was gassed in 1917 but survived. We think he may have won the Military Medal.





    255747

    Pte. Joseph John Smith 16th (St Pancras) Battalion Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Joseph Smith served with the 16th Battalion, Rifle Brigade and spent time in a hospital in France.

    In hospital in France

    In Hospital in France

    John




    255741

    Pte William Jackson 12th Btn Middlesex Regiment Essex Regiment (d.7th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    William Jackson. 1888-1917.

    Born: in Limbury, Bedfordshire in 1888, William Jackson was the son of William and Anne Jackson, of 17 Marsh Road, Leagrave, Bedfordshire.

    Pte William Jackson, 238023, 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, was reported wounded and missing in Flanders on 1917-08-07, and later presumed dead on that date. He was aged 29, married and had one child.

    His widow Maud first received official news from the War Office in September 1917 that her husband was wounded. A month later she learned he was missing.

    William had enlisted in the Essex Regiment (202649) in March 1916 and was drafted to the Front the following June. He had transferred to the Middlesex Regiment by the time of his death.

    Prior to joining up he was employed as a blocker by straw hat manufacturer Mr W. A. Sharp, of Victoria Street, Luton.

    According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, he was originally buried in a 'small cemetery' with the map reference 'I.17.b.3.8.'. Later, in 1919 he was moved to Birr Crossroads Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium.

    The age on his gravestone is incorrect and should read 'Age 29'.

    He is commemorated on the Leagrave war memorial which is in Marsh Road, Leagrave, Luton. Bedfordshire and also in the Leagrave Royal British Legion Club.

    William Jackson's Headstone

    John Seager




    255739

    L/Cpl. Percy James Saunders 5th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.6th Apr 1918)

    Percy Saunders was born and lived in Much Hadham in Hertfordshire He was the son of a farmer and married my great aunt Elsie Hodge. They had two little girls.

    Lauraine Meek




    255736

    Pte. Terence Guthrie MM, MID. 1st Btn. A Coy. South Wales Borderers (d.15th Sep 1918)

    Terence Guthrie joined up with the South Lancashire Regiment Service. He was seconded to the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers. He was awarded the Military Medal for operations on 18th of April 1918. He was killed in action on the 115th of September 1918, aged 19, at Maissemy, France, and is remembered at Vadencourt British Cemetery.

    Proudly remembered by James McTigue (Nephew)

    S McTigue




    255735

    Pte. Frederick Charles Robinson 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    According to his records, my grandfather Frederick Robinson appears to have been caught in the middle of the army mixing him up with his brother and losing his identity papers, eventually he had to give the army his recollection of his record as he remembered it in order to get his medals and pension.

    When I was a teenager in the sixties Fred suffered a nervous breakdown, which the psychiatrist, who treated him, said was the suppressed war memories coming to the surface. He recovered and was always an affable and loving grandfather.

    Michael Smith




    255732

    Pte. Noah Aplin 8th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    The story is that Noah Aplin was fighting on the front line with the 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment in Loos. There was a break in firing, Noah stood and removed his helmet to take his gas mask off and was shot in the forehead by a German sniper.

    Victoria Russell




    255727

    Pte. Thomas Aaron Lymer 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.25th Jan 1917)

    Thomas Aaron Lymer was the son of Harry Lymer and Sarah E Lymer (nee Williams) of Fenton, Stoke on Trent. Husband of Esther Gladys Lymer (nee Holbrook), their marriage was in 1912 at Fenton. Esther married William J Maddox in 1920.

    Thomas Aaron Lymer is buried in the War Cemetery at Al Amarah, Iraq

    Dave Berrisford




    255726

    David Milne Gardner Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    David Gardner was my Father. He told me very little about the war, only that he was gassed and he was bayoneted and did receive a pension for it. He had three medals which he lost.

    Avril Lebeau




    255724

    Sgt, Richard Wells Earle 65th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Richard Earle served with 65th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.

    Richard Earle plus others

    Richard Earle plus others

    David Earle-Payne




    255721

    Cpl, William Thomas Baddeley 1st Btn North Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    William Baddeley was a professional soldier, he boxed for his unit when based at Buttevant, Eire circa 1913. He married Mary Horne on the 5th of June 1909 at Cheriton in Kent. He lost most of his unit over the course of World War I, fighting in France and Belgium.

    Chrissi Shaw




    255720

    Cpl. Alfred J, Nash Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Great Grampy Alfred Nash served with the Gloucestershire Regiment.

    Stephen Jackson




    255706

    Sjt Maj John Jonathan Jones 13th Btn Australian Imperial Force (d.19th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    JJJ was my great uncle

    Sergeant-Major John Jonathan Jones, of the Australian Imperial Forces, son of the late Mr and Mrs Evan Jones, Conwil Elfet, and nephew of Miss Sarah Jones, 12 St Catherine Street, Carmarthen, died at Netley Hospital on Tuesday in last week as a result of wounds received in France.

    Sergeant-Major Jones emigrated to Australia about 23 years ago, where he held a high position in an office. He served throughout the South African War and the Zulu War, after which he came over to this country for a holiday. He again returned to Australia and came over to the Dardanelles with the 1st Australian contingent and he was wounded at the Dardanelles and was sent to hospitals at Cardiff and Llandovery for treatment.

    He then went over to France where he was severely wounded in the leg by shrapnel and died at the Netley Hospital on September 19th.

    His mortal remains were conveyed by train on Wednesday in last week to the residence of his aunt at 12 St Catherine Street where they remained overnight. The body was met at the station by soldiers from the barracks. On Thursday morning the body was taken by road for internment to Blaencoed Chapel burial grounds.

    Report taken from the Carmarthen Journal, 1916-09-29

    Shattered German bunker Somme

    JJJ's grave

    Portrait as a young man

    Rob Evans




    255705

    Pte. Frank Harold Cook 7th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    Fortunately, the military pension record of Frank Cook survived the Blitz of World War Two. It is possible to put together a reasonably detailed account of his brief military career and experiences with the Gloucestershire Regiment during the Great War.

    Frank Cook was born at Cranham and enlisted at Shire Hall, Gloucester on 31st of August 1914. He was 20 years old and employed as a labourer. He was posted to 7th Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment at Bristol on 5th September. 7th Gloucesters were raised in August 1914 and mostly recruited and trained in south-west England, forming part of 39th Brigade, 13th Division. Ordered to the Dardanelles, 7th Battalion, including Frank Cook, left England on 19th June 1915, and landed at Gallipoli on 11th July. Three men were wounded by sniper fire the following day. They marched to Naval Divisional Headquarters the following day, then to Geoghan's Bluff on the 15th. Another man was slightly wounded on 17th July.

    The battalion was in line on the Helles front on 18th July. One man was wounded that night at Gully Ravine in the firing trenches. Four more were wounded on the 19th and another four on the 20th July. On 22nd July they were back at Geoghan's Bluff, suffering another three wounded. Another man was wounded on the 23rd, five on the 24th and two on the 24th. On 28th July they moved down to Gully Beach and embarked for Mudros, landing there the next day. They were at Lemnos on 1st August, and sailed from there to Anzac Cove on the 3rd. Together with the rest of 13th Division, 7th Battalion had landed at Anzac Cove to reinforce the Australians and New Zealanders. The battalion went into action on 8th August along the Rhododendron Spur to Chunuk Bair from which they were driven despite strong resistance by overwhelming Turkish fire with every single officer and senior non-commissioned officer being either killed or wounded and only one hundred and eighty men out of a starting strength of over a thousand being unwounded.

    At the end of August 1915 the Battalion was withdrawn from the line, and the was brought back up to strength. Typically, when taking its turn in the front line, 7th Gloucesters were continually subject to sniper and shell fire, resulting in a steady trickle of casualties. In September, 7th Gloucesters were manning the trenches at Salt Lake Lines and on 4th September 1915, Frank Cook was taken ill with dysentery, sand sent to No. 14 Casualty Clearing Station at Gallipoli. On 10th September he was sent to St George's Hospital, Malta to continue his treatment, and invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Dunluce Castle on 13th October. On 19th October he was back at the Regimental Depot at Horfield Barracks, Bristol and, after having undergone treatment at Bristol, was found unfit for further military service on 29th December 1915 and discharged from the army. His dysentery had cleared up, but he was found to have a heart condition, which was adjudged to have been caused by the rigours of military service and awarded a pension. He was medically examined every six months after that, the level of his pension being adjusted according to how well or otherwise he was found to be.

    Frank Cook was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Allied Victory medal.

    Julie




    255702

    Cpl. John Arthur Millington 9th Btn Welsh Regiment

    John Millington was captured on the 30th of May 1918 at Poilley during the Battle of the Aisne

    Ken Millington




    255697

    Pte. Herbert Henry Holmes 12th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th Jul 1916)

    I have been doing my Family Tree, and to our surprise, we found that Herbert Holmes (my 2nd Great Uncle) served in the First World War.

    Andy Holmes




    255696

    Stkr. William Gunter MID. HMS Prince George

    William Gunter was Mentioned in Dispatches whilst taking part in the Naval Operations in the Dardanelles Campaign.

    Carol Smith




    255692

    Pte. Martin Owens 2nd Btn. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders (d.20th Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Martin Owens is listed in the 1911 census on 2nd April. He was in barracks in Farnborough, Hampshire. So he was already in the army when war broke out.

    Martin Owens Headstone

    Helen Mcilroy




    255690

    Pte. Percy Chadwick 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.11th Nov 1914)

    Percy Chadwick is my 3x cousin x2 removed. He was presumed missing on the 11th of November 1914. He is commemorated at Ypres on the Menin Gate Memoria. He had lots of tattoos and liked to have a drink. Bless him.

    I will be visiting his memorial early next year, 2019. I want to pay my respects and immortalise him and all his fellow comrades.

    Lest we forget.

    Dean Bartlett




    255689

    Pte. Jesse McIntyre 3rd/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.26th Apr 1917)

    Jesse McIntyre is buried in Browns Road Military Cemetery.

    Roger McIntyre Edwards




    255685

    Pte. Thomas Pyke 27th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Apr 1917)

    Thomas Pyke served with the 27th Northumberland Fusiliers, his name is on the Arras Memorial. I think work may have taken him from Devon. He was my much loved grandmother's brother.

    Anthony Smith




    255683

    Spr. James Gibson Wallace 331st Road Construction Coy. Royal Engineers

    James Wallace was born on 30th of Sept 1877 in Grantshouse, Berwickshire. He married Mary Hannah Gamble on 30th of November 1906. He died in 1964at the age of 86.

    He joined the Royal Engineers on 11th of December 1916 and was mobilized on the 14th of May 1917. He was still in France on 13th of April 1919 when he signed to confirm he was not suffering from any disability. He is listed as having gained a qualification as a roller driver as part of the road construction work they carried out. He was ranked Pioneer and then Sapper.

    Andy McKee




    255680

    Sjt. William Edward Bennett 6th Btn. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.31st Aug 1916)

    <p>

    William Bennett was my great Uncle. He is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery at Longueval. He was aged 22 when he died.

    Nicholas Bridgwater




    255679

    Pte. Alfred Saunders Mowbray 16th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Alfred Mowbray was wounded and captured at Masnieres on the 23rd of December, he was repatriated on the 27th of December 1918.

    Michael Mowbray




    255678

    Pte. Alfred Hutchinson 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    Alfred Hutchinson was born in Bishop Thornton and worked in the Silk Mill at Shaw Mills. He served with the 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment Alfred was discharged in September 1918 following a Gun Shot Wound to the thigh. He was issued with a Silver War Badge B16598. Alfred returned to civilian life and became a postman, marrying Jane Watson in 1922.

    Trevor Kitchen




    255675

    Pte. Robert Howden 26th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    My grandfather, Robert Howden tried to join up when he was too young and my Great grandmother pulled him out. He eventually joined and served fighting in the Somme and over in the Flanders field. He was deafened and gassed during the conflict. He told my Aunt that he would not wish upon anybody the sights that he had seen.

    His health was never the same when he came home and he did not apply for a war pension because he thought it was his duty to fight for his country. I wish he had written everything down for us to pass it on. Alas a lot of my family served in WW2 and they too do not talk.

    Sandy Howden




    255673

    Pte. Harry Clarke Beba 7th Btn Lincolnshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1918)

    Harry Beba was born on the family farm at Gedney Marsh, Holbeach, Lincolnshire in the summer quarter of 1898 to Richard and Mary Beba. He was the second eldest son of ten children but the only one to serve in the Great War.

    He served as a Private with the North Staffordshire Regiment and later remaining a Private with 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. He died whilst serving with the Lincolnshire's on 9th of October 1918 and is buried in Honnechy British Cemetery in France.

    His sacrifice is also recorded on commemorative war memorial tablets inside St. Mary's Church, Gedney.

    Andrew Curry




    255671

    Pte. George William Lambeth 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    We only know that George Lambeth was wounded, probably in The Battle of the Scarpe in May 1917. His wound eventually turned gangrenous, and was a contributing factor in his death, 50 years later in 1965.





    255669

    Pte. George "Jordie" Caughey 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.16th May 1915)

    Remembered with Honour, George Caughey born in Eccles and resident of Oldham. He served with the 2nd Border Regiment and died on the 16th of May 1915. Remembered on the Le Touret Memorial

    Mary Ann Tweed




    255663

    Sgt. William Armstrong Weatherill 14th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    William Weatheril survived the war but suffered from a gas attack for decades after. Notes made in his pocket bible refer to The Battle of Pozieres on The Somme in 1916.

    Neville Gittus




    255655

    Rfn Percy Randall Ward 9th Btn London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles) (d.26th Mar 1918)

    Percy left a widow: Albertina Olga and a three year old daughter Joyce





    255653

    Pte. John Rhodes 20th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.8th Jan 1918)

    John Rhodes was my Dad's older stepbrother.

    Pete O'Brien




    255652

    Rfmn. Harry Clarke 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.31st May 1917)

    Harry Clarke's mother and father were George and Betty Clarke. He was married to Violet and they had a son aged 7. Before the war Harry worked in a cotton mill in Rochdale.





    255651

    Robert Griffth Lloyd 16th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers

    Robert Lloyd enlisted at Litherland on the 29th of January 1917 and was posted to the 15th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers on the 14th of June 1917 then transferred to 16th Battalion on the 30th of July 1917. He was reported missing on the 18th of September 1918 and later confirmed as POW in Germany. On release he was admitted to to 64 CCS on the 26th of December 1918 suffering from a gunshot wound to his right thigh. He was repatriated to England on the 31st of December 1918 and admitted to Military Hospital Lewisham and later Grangethorpe Military Hospital Manchester. He was discharged from the military on the 24th of February 1920 as no longer fit for military service. His pension record survives.





    255650

    Pte. Herbert Millington 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.18th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Millington served with the 8th North Staffordshire Regiment.

    Clive Salt




    255649

    Pte. Arthur Ellis (d.1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Ellis lost his life in 1918.

    Clive Salt




    255647

    Pte. William Charles Wright 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1918 )

    My uncle William Wright died and is buried in Hinges Communal Military Cemetery. He is the holder of a champion player medal for football 3rd Worcestershire 57th Infantry Brigade 1918 also holder of medal 47th T.R.B. inter company cricket 1917, B company.

    Karlene Madeline Adams




    255643

    Pte. John Brooks 1/6th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment

    My great Uncle Jack Brooks, worked on the railways. He joined up in Liverpool early in the war with his brother (my grandfather). He was posted missing, presumed dead in April 1918, then turned up at Limburg A D Lahn. Both brothers survived the war, Jack being repatriated from Germany November 1918, his brother Harry returning from Mesopotamia in June 1919

    Roberta Goodman




    255642

    Sgt. Alfred Evans 17th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)

    My Grandfather Alfred Evans was a Sargent in the King Liverpool Regiment, I come across a photo album and am collating the material to make up a scrapbook for my grandson. He was in Aberlour Military Hospital and Lamsdorf POW camp. I am interested to fill the gaps.

    I have other postcards naming Charlie Bingham, East Lancs Regiment, Lagerette Lamsdorf, dated 15th December 1918, also A. Bango Royal Field Artillery, P. Flanders North East Lancashire Regiment, F. Harbridge Royal Army Medical Corps, Tom Scott Machine Gun Corps and Pte William Shepperson (Old Bill).





    255641

    2nd Lt. Percy Charles Mann 17th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Percy Mann was born on 20th of August 1893 in Hastings, Sussex. He married Dorothy Gilmore Lush on 26th of June 1915. He signed up for the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and died on the first day of the Battle of Pilckem Ridge which was the opening attack of the 3rd Ypres offensive on the 31st of July 1917. His daughter Gladys Ivy was born 3 months after he died.

    David Robert Burfitt




    255640

    Pte. Horace Bragg 8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.31st Mar 1918)

    Horace Bragg has no known grave and his remembered on the Poziers Memorial. He was aged 24.





    255638

    Cpl. Edward Conroy 10th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    Edward Conroy was engaged to Eva Singleton. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Anne Jones




    255637

    Pte. William Griffiths 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.29th Sep 1915)

    William Griffiths of the 4th Middlesex Regiment died at the age of 32. Just recently his name has been added to the Addendum panel at The Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Philip Lawley




    255635

    Pte. Daniel Bovis 1st Btn. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.24th Oct 1914)

    Daniel Bovis was the second son of David Bovis and his wife Eliza nee Harvey. He was born on 5th April 1897 at Crowland in Salehurst, Sussex, although the 1901 Census gives the birthplace as Bodiam.

    He put his age up by two years and joined the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment on 15th or 16th of August 1913. It is possible he may have served, therefore, in Ireland before the 1st Battalion moved to France in 1914 and would have fought at Mons and throughout the Retreat.

    He carried one of his wounded schoolfellows, from Sandhurst Council School, who was serving in the same company, about a mile and a half to the rear, during the First Battle of Ypres. Daniel was killed soon after returning to the firing line on the 24th of October 1914. He is commemorated on the Richebourg-l'Avoue Memorial.

    Hugh Nightingale




    255632

    Pte. Frederick Goodwin 9th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.17th November 1916)

    Frederick Goodwin was killed in action. He died of a gunshot wound to the spine.





    255629

    Pte. Henry Flood 3rd Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    According to Henry Flood's certificate of employment during the war certificate, pre war Henry was a clerk, he joined the 3rd Cheshires on the 29th of March 1915 and was de-mobbed on 28th of January 1919. He was a 1st class qualified signalmen with the Cheshires.

    In my possession is his medal trio, de-mob certificate and his membership card to the Cheshire Regiment Old Comrades Association based at Chester Castle dated 21st of August 1932.





    255627

    Sgt. Edward F. Muncer 40th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Edward Muncer served with 40th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.





    255624

    Pte. Matthew M. Kerr Company E 106th Infantry Regiment

    <p>

    Matthew Kerr served with the U.S. 106th Infantry Regiment, a part of the U.S. 27th Division, assigned to the British 4th Army.

    He was captured on 27th of September 1918 during the 106th's assault on the Hindenburg Line near Bony, France. A total of 132 soldiers from the 106th were captured during the assault on the Hindenburg Line near Bony and the St. Quentin Canal Tunnel. He was sent to the Dulmen POW camp and held there until after the Armistice. He made one escape from Dulmen and was recaptured, before he could cross the boarder into the Netherlands. His release date from Dulmen is unknown, however he left Rotterdamn on 5th of December, 1918 and arrived Hull, England on 7th of December, 1918. He returned to the 106th in the LeMans, France area by Christmas, 1918.

    I have been able to get some records from the ICRC archives, but I am still looking for, his actual release date from Dulmen, details on how he got from Dulmen to Rotterdam, the name of the ship sailing from Rotterdam to Hull (5-7 Dec. 1918) carrying other repatriated POWs, details of movement and transport from Hull to LeMans, and pictures from Dulmen during October and November 1918. Any help with the above is very appreciated.

    Mark Kerr




    255623

    Lt. Alfred Henry Templeman Lorraine Speer 11 Squadron (d.9th July 1916)

    Harry Speer was my mother's great uncle, born in 1897. He was the eldest son of Doctor (of Music) Speer, and educated at Malvern College, and went up to Trinity College in Cambridge.

    At the outbreak of war, he enlisted from Cambridge into the Public Schools Battalion, and from there was commissioned into the Royal Artillery. He had some western front service, and volunteered for the RFC. After training in England he was posted to 11 Squadron RFC in late 1915 or early 1916. He flew with the Squadron on the Western Front, flying FE2b planes. He was shot down on 9th of July 1916, apparently by six Fokkers, and along with his Observer, is buried in London Cemetery behind the Somme Battlelines.

    He has his name on three memorials in the UK, at Malvern College, as an old boy, at Trinity College in Cambridge as a student, and in a church in south London.

    James Bulloch




    255618

    Pte. Harold "Lofty" South 16th (1st City) Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    I have found out that Harold South was a colleague and pal of Rowland Otto Ashton and friend of Frank Watson.





    255614

    Pte William Hodgart (d.17 July 1916)

    William enlisted after his wife and child died. Then he was KIA July 1916 died and left one daughter. Her name was Alice Hodgart.





    255610

    Pte. Richard William Devey 1st Garrison Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    My Grandad, Bill Devey, served in India during WW1. He caught malaria during that time. The malaria kept recurring until he died from it in 1936 aged 48 years. I have not been able to find out anything else about him apart from the fact he was in the 1st Garrison Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment.

    Jane Hancock




    255608

    Rfmn. Edmund White 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.24th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Edmund White aka Whyte was the son of James Whyte and Kate Welsh who were from Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny, which is apparently why Uncle Ned joined an Irish regiment.

    Anthony McLoughlin




    255607

    2nd Lt. Arthur Barker 150th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.20th Dec 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Barker was a talented Classical Scholar who went to Corpus Christi, Oxford, following Bradford Grammar School. In 1915 he became a Schoolmaster at Llandovery and attested in December, he was mobilized as a driver RFA in June 1917, then trained for a commission and was Gazetted May 1918.

    He went to France on the 7th of September 1918, served with 150th Heavy Battery RGA for the last weeks of the war, then went to Cologne with the Occupation Army.He was wounded when, as Officer of the Guard, he was accidentally shot by the discharge of a rifle which had a faulty safety catch. He was taken to 64th Casualty Clearing Station where he died on 20th December. He was buried in the Southern Cemetery, Cologne, Germany.

    Nick Hooper




    255606

    Pte. John Sullivan 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.28th Jun 1915)

    John Sullivan was my Great great grandfather. He is remembered on the monument in Cork City and Helles Monument, Turkey. He left behind 3 young kids and his wife.

    Helen McCarthy




    255602

    Pte. William Owen Hughes 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.2nd October 1917)

    William Hughes, aged 26 years and 5 months, was enlisted into the 1/6th (Territorial) Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Caernarfon on the 16th of October 1914.

    On the 3rd of July 1915 William was diagnosed as suffering with appendicitis and admitted into the Divisional Reception Hospital in Bedford, seven days later he was transferred to the 1st Southern General Hospital in the Selly Oak suburb of Birmingham.

    On the 19th of July 1915, whilst William was still convalescing from his operation, the 1/6th Battalion became part of the 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division and sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli without him. Following his discharge from hospital on the 2nd of September 1915, William was transferred to the 2/6th (Territorial) Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who had moved from Northampton to Bedford in July 1915.

    At some point in 1916 William was then posted from Bedford to an Agricultural Company based at the RWF Depot in Wrexham (possibly to help with the harvest); during this time his Regimental service number was changed from 2395 to 265802. William remained at the RWF Depot for the rest of 1916 until warned early in 1917 that he was to be posted once again.

    On the 1st May 1917 William embarked for France to join the 1st Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (part of the 7th Division). On the 30th September the Battalion relieved the 56th Australian Infantry Battalion, who occupied Jetty Trench to the east of the northern part of Polygon Wood.

    At 5.15am on the morning of the 1st October 1917, the Germans launched a counter attack consisting of 3 Battalions and 3 Sturm-truppe of the 46th Reserve Battalion. The attack fell on the area of Polygon Wood covered by the 1st Battalion RWF and the 8th Battalion the Leicestershire Regiment. The Regimental diary of the 1st Battalion RWF states that a message had been received from B Company, reporting that by 7.20am all was clear apart from heavy sniping. Sadly, it was probably during this action that William was shot, the round entered his back and penetrated through his chest. This may have occurred as elements of the RWF advanced forward to finish off the attack, only to have isolated pockets of the enemy pop from shell holes and snipe at them from behind. William would have first been taken to a field dressing station just behind the front line where morphine would have been administered and his wound dressed, from there he was evacuated to No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Poperinge where he finally succumbed to his wounds on the 2nd of October 1917.

    There was some confusion following his death regarding his identity, the telegram that the War Office received from No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station informing them of his death, gave his Regimental Number as 68366. This highlighted the fact that a mistake had been made during Williams's time at the RWF Depot in Wrexham in 1916. This mistake had been noticed quickly at the time and he was then allocated his correct number of 265802.

    William Owen Hughes obituary was published in the November 1917 issue of the Llandudno and District Advertiser, :The deceased was the first of the Llanrhos young men to join up, and is, we understand, the first to fall". There was a poem quite possibly written by one of the family also in the article: "We do not know what pains he bore; we did not see him die, all we know is that he has gone, and never said good-bye".

    Tegid Hughes




    255601

    Pte. William Thomas Williams 6th Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.30th May 1918)

    William Williams enlisted at Ystradgynlais.

    Janet Mulready




    255598

    Pte. Robert Glasgow 2nd Btn. (d.4th November 1916)

    My great grandfather, Robert Glasgow, had been in France for almost a year before being wounded at the Battle of the Somme when he was taken to a field hospital and later transferred to a military hospital in Rouen where he succumbed to his wounds on Saturday 4th of November 1916, age 33 leaving a young widow and 3 children. He is buried in St. Server Cemetery Extension, Rouen in France.

    Mark Glasgow




    255595

    L/Cpl. Henry William Baldry 7th Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.3rd April 1916)

    Harry Baldry served with the 7th Battalion, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry.

    Neil Baldry




    255594

    Cpl. Thomas J Seymour Machine Gun Corps (d.August 1915)

    <p>

    Great Grandfather Thomas Seymour served in WW1. He was killed in action in August 1915. He left a widow Margaret Bailey Seymour and daughter Margaret.

    Lisa Huizing




    255589

    Pte. Chadwick Coupe 21st (6th City) Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.24th October 1917)

    Chadwick Coupe was my dad's uncle.

    Adrian Coupe




    255587

    Pte Amos Albert Britnell 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.25th Sept 1915)

    Amos was born in 1890, the 4th child of the family of 10 belonging to Amos Britnell (sen) and Jane Plested. He was still living at home with his parents and siblings when he joined the Army.

    He was killed in France and is commemorated at the Ploegsteert Memorial at Hainaut in Belgium. 11,000 servicemen from the UK and South Africa are remembered here as they have no known graves. They were mainly killed in day to day trench warfare.

    Peta Millard




    255586

    Pte. Frederick Mallon 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th October 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Mallon was killed in action on 17th of October 1918 in the Battle of Cambrai. He had recieved a fatal injury, Mr. Grant (of the Grocery shop in Thornaby) and a Southerner stayed with him till he passed. He is buried near Montay, France in Selridge British Cemetery. 2 miles from Le Cateau.

    His grave on 12th of September 1923

    His grave in 1986

    Pete Berry




    255584

    Pte. Henry Parnell 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.18th October 1918)

    Henry Parnell was born in 1882 in Withybrook, Warwickshire. He was the 9th of 10 children born to William Parnell and Elizabeth Herbert. Before the outbreak of war he married Elizabeth Steane in Coventry in 1912 and they had a daughter, Doris May, on 16th of April 1913. On the 6th of September 1914 their son Harry Victor was born and another boy Frederick was born in 1916. Unfortunately he died at 20 months of age.

    The Coventry Evening Telegraph reported on the 6th of November 1918

    Mrs H. Parnell, of 14 Station Street West, Coventry, has received notification of the death of her husband, Private Henry Parnell, of the Worcestershire Regt., who was killed in France on October 18th by a sniper, while on patrol after an enemy position. He was 35 years of age, and formerly worked at Messrs Courtauld's. Deceased leaves a widow and 2 children. In conveying the sad news his platoon officer writes: He was liked by everyone in the platoon, myself included, and it was just for the reason he was so reliable and volunteered for this patrol that he was sent. I deeply sympathise with you on behalf of everyone in the platoon, amongst whom he was a favourite.

    Henry is buried in Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Peta Millard




    255582

    L/Cpl. Leo Daniel Lyons 6th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>Leo and Frankie

    Leo Lyons was born in London of Irish parents. He had two brothers, C J M Lyons who was a L/Cpl with the Artists Rifles and Frankie Murphy, a Private in the Gordon Highlanders who was killed in action at Avesnes Le Sec on the 13th of October 1918.

    Leo was a L/Cpl in charge of a Lewis gun. He had signed up on the 9th of September 1914. He was wounded in the hand at Paschendaele and was demobbed in 1919.

    S Lyons




    255581

    Pte. Arthur Harvey Howes 1st Devonshire Regiment 20th Hussars (d.2nd May 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Howes was a Cheltenham soldier born in 1888. He enrolled in 1909. He was a proud man. He lived with my great grandparents after losing his mum at an early age. Arthur worked in Cheltenham train station before enrolling to the Army. He is mentioned in the 20th Hussars War Diaries checking trenches around the Menin Ridge and also in the hard back book 'Leaving All That Was Dear'. Arthur was transferred to the 1st Devonshire Regiment around November 1917. He was quoted by my grandmother, who was 10 years of age, saying after his leave he really had a bad feeling about returning to the battle fields. He did return and fight until loosing his life in the forest of Neippe. He lies in Morbeque Cemetery France. And we thank him greatly for giving up his life.

    Neil Harris




    255579

    Cpl. William Nicholson 1/4th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.31st July 1917)

    Uncle William was my grandmother's brother. He was gassed around 21st to 23rd of July 1917 and was shipped back to Liverpool. He died of his injuries on the 31st of July 1917. I wear his medals every Anzac Day & Remembrance Day in Australia. I have an image of his headstone in Warmfield and am seeking a service photo of him. My great grandfather also served in WW1 Pte 291 John Tottie.

    Mick Butterwood




    255575

    Gnr. Lawrence Horatio Goff Eveleigh C Bty. 162nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.13th Apr 1917)

    Lawrence Eveleigh was married to my great aunt in early 1917. He fell in the Battle of Arras in April of the same year, they had been married only 3 months. His brigade was attached to the 33rd Division throughout the war. He now lies in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery at Souchez in France. My family and I are planning to visit, and pay our respects to him in Spring of 2019.

    This all came about from a chance conversation I had with my 82 year old mother, on Remembrance Sunday. She could only vaguely remember the name Goff, as her Aunt never spoke about him. So pleased I tracked him down and very proud.





    255574

    Pte. Herbert Walmsley East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Herbert Walmsley served in the East Yorkshire Regiment.

    Richard Lawson




    255572

    Nurse. Norah E. Williams Alexandra Military Hospital

    I have an autograph book from Norah E Williams who appears to have been a nurse at Alexandra Military Hospital in WW1. The book is signed and has pictures from many RAMC personnel and others.

    Richard Willis




    255564

    Pte. Walter Alexander Ross 21st Battalion

    Walter Ross had been taken down by a bout of laryngitis while his Battalion were behind the lines at Jesus Farm near the River Lys doing infantry training. He'd paraded sick on 20th of May 1916 but despite being taken off duties and sent for medical care, it had worsened into Bronchitis and he was sent to the No. 5 Convalescent Hospital. He was subsequently sent to a hospital in England, and remained in England before returning to France on 12th of November 1916.

    Walter was subsequently wounded again on 20th of March 1917, being shot in the thigh while his unit was attempting a flanking movement on the town of Noreuil, and required hospitalization at the No. 6 General Hospital in Rouen. The injury wasn't too serious and he rejoined his unit again a few weeks later.

    He joined the 21st Battalion as they assaulted the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt on 3rd of May 1917. Walter was in the 4th wave of troops who pushed forward against well entrenched machine guns, and a hail of High Explosive artillery shells. Walter was hit in the right shoulder by a machine gun bullet, fracturing his shoulder blade and lodging so deep that the doctors didn't dare remove it. He was one of 441 men from the 21st Battalion wounded that day, in addition to 67 killed and 60 missing. He was sent to England where he was assessed as having a permanent disability, and then returned to Australia on the hospital ship S.S. Borda, returning home to his wife Sarah and young son Vernon.

    Greg Calvert




    255561

    Pte. George Dixon 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.2nd Mar 1916)

    George Dixon was killed on 2nd of March 1916, as he has no known grave his name is on the Menin Gate.





    255555

    Able Sea. Albert William Street HMS Warrior

    <p>Willie Street is back right

    Willie Street was posted to HMS Warrior as a Boy First Class on 1st of July 1913 and promoted to Able Seaman before the sinking of the Warrior at Battle of Jutland. After WW1 he was loaned to Royal Canadian Navy as a diving instructor and eventually retired from RN as CPO. He re-enlisted in WW2 in Royal Canadian Navy.





    255552

    Pte. Edmund Herbert Sprigings 2/19th (2nd St Pancreas) Btn. London Regiment

    Edmund Sprigings was my grandfather and he and his four brothers joined the 2nd St Pancras Battalion, London Regiment. They were sent to Gallipoli and when that failed he and his brothers were sent to France where they fought at the Battle of the Somme. My grandfather was gassed but later returned to the front and in 1917 he was struck with a large piece of shrapnel on his thigh and was returned to London where he spent some time in a military hospital in Hampstead, London.

    In fact all of his four brothers returned home relatively unscathed which I find incredible.

    Tim




    255550

    AB. Edgar Astles 6th Howe Btn.

    Edgar Astles was in the Army Reserve on 30th of August 1916 and was posted to the RNVR on 6th of July 1917 and joined the 2nd Reserve Battalion at Blandford for training. The was posted to the Howe Battalion on 31st of December 1917. He was reported missing on 24th of March 1918 and then reported POW at Kriegagefangenenlager, Limburg Lahn 4th of June 1918. It was reported by Netherlands Legation in Brussels that he was a POW in hospital in Braine le Comte, Belgium on the 19th of July 1918 and was moved to Geflg Parchim 16th of August 1918. Edgar was repatriated on the 3rd of December 1918 via Dover and demobilised on the 10th of April 1919 at Prees Heath.

    Mal Astles




    255542

    Pte James Gilbert Beresford 2nd Btn 1/5th Btn 2/4th Btn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.30th Mar 1918)

    Died of wounds.

    He was in the 1/5th Yorks L.I, 2/4th Yorks L.I and 2nd Yorks L.I.

    Lynne Beresford




    255541

    Cpl. F. G. Pope 7th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.26th Sep 1917)

    F G Pope was an American who joined the British Army.

    I'm a 35 year old woman living in Antwerp, Belgium. I decided to adopt a grave at Tyne Cot Cemetery. They are all soldiers who died in Flanders. This was the soldiers' grave given to me and of course the little information that came with it. So I'm still looking for information. I really hope I can find out more about him and maybe even some family; that would be the best. But until then I'll keep on searching

    Van de Straete Dominique




    255529

    2Lt. Charles Ernest Cumberland CdeG. 4th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    2nd Lt Charles Cumberland was awarded the Croix de Guerre.





    255523

    Pte Albert Joe Diment MM. 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment

    Albert Diment won the Military Medal on 11th March 1918. It was awarded on the battlefield [immediate]. Twelve men went behind enemy lines near the quarries penetrating three hundred yards obtaining information about the 6th Bavarian Division. The raid was carried out without artillery or trench-mortor surport. The party got out without any casualties. CSM Cobb awarded was also awarded the Miltary Medal [immediate]

    I am Joe Diment's grandson now 71. I would love to know what they did. I have his medal in my hand. It would be nice to know before I pop my cork!

    Peter Bullen




    255521

    Pte. George Thomas Kirk 1/8th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.23rd October 1918)

    <p>

    George Kirk is buried in Quievy Communal Cemetry Extension along side 4 of his Battalion comrades. We are still researching his story.

    Letter from the war office notifying the Family of his death.

    My Bother and I on the 10tth anniversary of his death.

    Medal index card

    The family home at the time of his death

    Paul Roberts




    255519

    Rfmn. Charles Pope 1st/11th (Finsbury Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.17th April 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Pope was my wife's great uncle. He was killed at the 2nd Battle of Gaza on 17th April 1917, aged 30. This is also the date on the panel of the War Memorial in Spa Green Garden, Finsbury. He is buried in Gaza War Cemetery.





    255517

    Gnr. Frederick Willmot MM. 21st Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.30th Apr 1918)

    Frederick Willmot died of wounds 30th of Apr 1918, he received the posthumous award of Military Medal.

    Adrian Evans




    255516

    Pte. Horace Creesor Bell 17th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment

    <p>

    Horace Bell served with the 17th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment.

    Simon Dowling




    255515

    Sgt. Sydney Cohen 6th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Our grandfather, Sydney Cohen (1893-1951) was born in Manchester. He volunteered for the British Army in February 1916 and served in the 6th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. He also served in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, and finally he was a sergeant in the 39th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He took part in the fighting in France and in the Palestine campaign of 1917-18. He remained on active service until 1920 and served as an army PT instructor.

    Sydney Cohen is 7th from left on back row. Does anyone recognize any of the other soldiers and know where the picture was taken?

    Steven Frais




    255509

    Pte. Arnold George Archer MM. 16th (Public School) Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Arnold Archery was awarded the MM after the Battle of Cambrai in which he sustained a gun shot would and subsequently lost his left leg.

    His father Harry was a schoolmaster and had been headmaster of the Ormskirk Boys School in the 1880s. Arnold was taken to the Ormskirk Military Hospital in 1918 to convalesce, to the town his father had taught in and his brother had been born in.

    Dot Hawkes




    255506

    Rfmn. James Thomas Gearing 1st/6th (City of London Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    James Gearing has no known grave, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.





    255504

    L/Cpl. Frederick Charles Wells 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.9th Aug 1915)

    My Mother, Margaret Wells, is 94 and met Charles Wells' Mother Charlotte in Long Eaton. His Mother told her that Charles was musically gifted and was a bugler, leading the men into battle. He was killed at Gallipoli on 9th Aug 1915. He was 21 years old and had been a lacemaker in Long Eaton, Derbyshire. He was the son of Fred W. and Charlotte Elizabeth Wells of 22 Park Street, Long Eaton, Nottingham. He is remembered with Honour on The Helles Memorial. He received the 1914/15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.

    Marian Schell




    255503

    Pte. Harry Mullins 1st/6th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Harry Mullins enlisted underage when he was 15 years old and still a schoolboy. He'd had a minor skirmish with the Law and was told they would forget it as long as he joined a club such as the Boys Brigade or the Scout Movement and kept out of further trouble. Harry decided that he'd enlist instead. His mother tried to get him sent home as he was underage but because he'd been on the front line for a while and was deemed an excellent soldier they decided that he'd be staying put. Harry died on Monday 13th of November 1916 in France, aged 18. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

    Nancy Morris




    255501

    Gnr. George Burke 58th Battery, 35th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>George Burke in an Austrian Hospital

    George Burke was my grandfather. He joined up in April 1916 and served on the Somme, at the Ypres Salient, before being sent with the rest of the 7th Division to Italy in autumn 1917. George was stationed on the Asiago Plateau. On 15th of June 1918 his battery was in advance of the lines, near Pelly Cross, digging new positions for the artillery. This was the day the Austrians launched a big assault, and the area George was in got overrun. The men had been sent out with no rifles, but managed to snatch some from another unit nearby. George was shot and gassed and ended up in an Austrian POW camp.

    Vera Brittains brother Edward was killed 3 miles from George Burkes position on 15th of June.

    George Burke on the right

    Letter sent by George Burke's mother to War Office saying he was still alive

    Stephen Burke




    255498

    Pte. Robert Oates Heron 14th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1915)

    My Great-Uncle Robert Heron was only 18 when he was killed, he was born in May 1897. He is on the Loos Memorial and Thornaby-on-Tees Cenotaph. I was informed about him when I was a child but didn't know much about him.

    William Robinson




    255494

    Pte. John Blythe 13th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.8th Sep 1916)

    I understand that John Blythe was blinded in combat and was sent back to hospital in Salford to recuperate. There he contracted influenza, which took his life.





    255491

    Spr. Ben Bradshaw 182nd Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    Ben Bradshaw served with the 182nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers and was at Messines, Vimy Ridge et al. He was bayoneted, had shrapnel wounds and trench foot in WWI and in 1923 was still 70% disabled following his war injuries. However, he went back to work down the Nottingham coal fields as a heavy hewer and helped train the Bevin Boys as coal miners in WWII.

    David Bradshaw




    255480

    Bert Davis 9th Lancers

    I'm in search of a soldier, Bert Davis, born on 24th of February 1894 in Heath Town, Wolverhampton to Thomas Davis and Mary Shaw. Probably Thomas Davis & Mary lived at Barnes, London, at the outbreak of the first World War.) Bert served with the 9th Lancers and was wounded by shrapnel in the knee or spine, in or around the vicinity of Ypres. He had a daughter named Daphne.

    As you can see, I don't have much information to work with. His Granddaughter lives now in the Netherlands and is searching for information about her Grandfather. It seems that after WWI all of the documents where burnt by her Grandmother in the yard due to malcontent about all of the atrocities that happened on the front.

    Beelaert Geert




    255475

    Pte. William Linn 5th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.18th Oct 1916)

    William Linn enlisted while under age. He died in his older brother Thomas's arms at Snag Trench, The Somme on the 18th Oct 1916.





    255472

    Pte. George Gabbitas 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    George Gabbitas served with 9th Battalion, Sherwood Foreesters in Gallipoli. He was evacuated as a casualty via Imbros and Mudros. Family anecdote says he suffered frostbite. He returned to the UK and then transferred to the Durham Light Infantry. He was later discharged as unfit for war service back to the coal industry. He had been a coal hewer (miner) pre war.

    In 1923 he enlisted in the Notts Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and was mobilised with them in 1939 as part of 5th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. They went out to Palestine on policing duties to stop trouble between the Arabs and Jews. He returned to UK because of his age and posted to Catterick. Shortly afterwards he was discharged because of his age back to the coal industry. He was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal during service with the Yeomanry. He died in 1961.

    Kevan Gabbitas




    255470

    Pte. William Morris Perks 1/4th Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.3rd November 1917)

    <p>

    It is believed Willie Perks fell during the Battle of Tel el Khuweilfe on 3rd of November 1917 aged 23. He is buried in Beersheeba War Cemetery, Israel.

    Steve Gallwey




    255469

    John Crickmore 15th Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    I have recently discovered a collection of postcards sent from the trenches by my great grandfather, John Crickmore, to his wife and young children (aged 4 and 2 as of 1916). One letter states how he is shortly leaving France to serve with the 15th Battalion MGC who are stationed in a location which has been blacked out by a superior, which I believe from my research to be Italy and from the information on this website along with the dating of the postcard 10th of January 1918 to be the River Piave.

    He is remembered in my family as a brave man who served throughout the Great War but who sadly suffered from shell shock and the debilitating effect of the use of gas on the battlefield.





    255466

    Gnr. William Edwin Benge 505th Howitzer Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Ted Benge was reported as missing to his parents on the 22nd of March 1918, along with Gunner G R Peacocks and Lieut J C L Parsons. He was their only surviving child so they were extremely pleased to have received correspondence from Ted on Gustrow camp paper, dated 19th of May 1918 explaining where he was, what had happened to him and asking for something to smoke and a sewing kit. This letter was sent to his commanding officer by Ted's parents to prove that he was no longer missing and the Army returned it to them with their thanks. Ted was a carpenter by trade and once he was at Gustrow, he had to put up shelves in the camp commander's office.

    Like so many WW1 men, Ted told very little to his family, of his experiences apart from that above.

    William Edwin Benge (back)

    Catherine




    255462

    Pte. James Wake 8th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.12th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    James Wake is on Panel 24 of the Basra War Memorial in Iraq along with 7000 others.

    He was killed in action, missing, his body never found.

    He was my great great Uncle.

    The War Graves Commission sent photo's of the memorial.

    Julia Hill




    255457

    2Lt. Arthur William Fielding 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.15th Apr 1918)

    Arthur Fielding was born in 1890. He was married with 3 children and lived in in Sheffield when he joined the army in 1914. He served with the 6th York and Lancaster Regiment and was killed in action on the 15th of April 1918. He is buried in Cambrin Cemetery, south of Le Basse in France. Remembered on his parent's gravestone in Ecclesfield Churchyard, Sheffield

    Keith Fielding




    255456

    CSM. William Wood DCM, MM, CdeG. B Coy, 1/4 Btn. York &and Lancaster Regiment

    William Wood was my great, great grandfather. He was born in Sheffield in 1876 to parents Joseph and Annie and was the eldest of 8 children. He served in South Africa, though very little is known about his time there. He re-joined the army at the onset of WW1. The story was that on enlisting he shaved 6 years off his age as those around him were adding to theirs. He became Company Sergeant Major of B company 1st/4th battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. He was awarded the DCM, MM and the Belgium Croix de Guerre. He was mentioned in dispatches. Unfortunately we haven't been able to discover how he earned his medals but he was undoubtedly a brave man. He was wounded twice and spent time in Wharncliffe hospital where his younger sister Lily worked. He survived the war and died in 1940 aged 64. He had been gassed in the trenches and this was thought to have contributed to his death.

    His younger brother George, born in 1891, was a Sergeant in the same battalion. He fell at Loos in 1917 aged 26.

    We are very proud of William and George.





    255454

    Sgt. John Buckley Ball C Battery, 75th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.4th September 1917)

    <p>John and William Ball

    John Ball was the youngest of two brothers who served in the RFA during WW1. His brother, William Harry Ball, was given the Belgian Croix de Guerre and survived the war. Sadly, John was killed in action we think at the Battle of Pilkem in 1917

    ID tag for William Harry Ball

    Nikki Ball




    255452

    Pte. Archibald Taylor 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.18th April 1918)

    Archibald Taylor served with the 2nd Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders. He enlisted in Elgin on the 27th April, ten days after the birth of his son Archie (who was himself killed in Action in 1944), and he was killed two years later, on 18th April 1918, probably in an intense action defending against an attack on a canal.

    I have written up the story of Archibald Taylor and his son on the following website: For Armistice Day.

    Jim Scobbie




    255451

    Wagoner. Ernest Fuller 330th Horse Transport Company Army Service Corps

    My great uncle, Ernest Fuller, was in the ASC 34 (3 Reserve Park) from 6th of August 1914 until 1st of January 1915. He was a farm worker recruited as a Wolds Wagoner by Sir Mark Sykes 6th Baronet of Sledmere and enlisted as a special reservist on 2nd January 1914 at Fridaythorpe in East Yorkshire. There is a small museum to the Wolds Wagoners in Sledmere. The War Diaries of No 3 Reserve Park are available from the National Archives. The Wolds Wagoners were civilian wagon drivers and were sent to France in August 1914, with no training, immediately taking part in the retreat from Mons.

    Colin Fuller




    255449

    Dvr. Frank Mayhew 77th Field Company Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Frank Mayhew was 23 years old when he enlisted at Framingham in Suffolk on 26th of January 1915. His papers include a reference from his employer, A S Aldred of Axtead Mill, stating he was capable of driving horses and steam. He was transferred to the 77th Field Company, Royal Engineers and attached to the 17th (Northern) Division. On 23rd of February he was confined to barracks for 2 days by 2nd Lt Moncrieff for being unshaven on parade.

    On 14th of July 1915 the Company travelled from Southampton to Le Havre aboard two ships, the SS Chyebassa and SS Viper. They billeted at Chateau la Garenne near Ebblingham and Reninghelst on their way to the front line. They took over the trenches between St Eloi and Triangular Wood near Ypres on 12th of August 1915. His Company remained at or near the front until the end of the war. They were in Ypres, Armentieres, The Somme, Arras, Passchendaele, Cambrai, the German Spring Offensive, Amiens and the last 100 days. They were in the Mormal Forest near Maubeuge when the War ended, Frank does not appear to have been wounded and after sailing back to Southampton on 23rd May 1919 on the ships SS Caesarea and SS Iona, he was demobbed on 3rd July 1919. He returned to Worlinworth and died in 1951





    255447

    Cpl. George Holmes 1st Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.30th Apr 1916)

    George Holmes died in the German gas attack on the 30th of April 1916 near or around Wulverghem.

    Andrew




    255444

    A/Bmbdr. Stanley Barham 147th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.4th Oct 1917)

    I spoke to my Grandad's youngest brother, Chris, back in 1978 and he and his wife Edith told me that after the war, the man who was with Stanley when he was hit came to visit them. He told them of the circumstances. These two were either going to or from the Post Office when a shell landed between them. The friend was unhurt (probably had a very bad concussion at the least) but Stanley was hit in the arm and legs. We do not know whereabouts or when this took place but it appears to be a couple of days before he died on 4th of October 1917. The situation of the hospital would mean he was taken to Hooge railhead from wherever he fell. Lijssenthoek was the name of the nearby village and one of the largest hospitals was located here after the French vacated it in 1915. It was also known as Remy Siding (Remy for the farmer on whose land it was situated and right next to a railway siding essential for wounded transportation from the front. This hospital consisted of different Casualty Clearing Stations. British 10th CCS and 17th CCS and Canadian 2nd and 3rd CCS. The cemetery represents the 3% who didn't make it. That is those that were brought in alive but didn't leave. Ever.

    What I do not understand is that the story told to Chris and Edith said that Stanley had his arm and leg amputated but no mention in doctors report also not shrapnel but gunshot wounds? (see note below) What I am thinking is that due to the exceptional number of casualties brought in on 4th October then the minimal necessary information would have been entered. I found the answer to the Gunshot wounds query in 2018 when we were in Cairns, Queensland, Oz. I had picked up a booklet from Cairns Library entitled Chinese Anzacs. It had various men involved in the fighting and one of them had a death certificate with Died of gunshot wounds. An eyewitness account verifies the story as him having been struck by shrapnel. So this is the term they used then.

    Stanley Barham was an Acting Bombardier with the 147th Heavy Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery. In his previous civilian life he was a weaver at Burgess Ledwards cotton mill in Walkden, Lancashire. He is buried next to an Aussie Sapper, 7133 W H Abbott. In the next row behind are 3 men of the Otago Regiment of NZ all of them died either 3rd or 4th October. There is a graph of admissions on the wall of the visitor centre and the 2nd and 4th of October are almost off the graph! This was during the 3rd Battle of Ypres.

    His grave is right at the entrance to the beautifully maintained cemetery, 4th row from the front just to the right of the entrance. The visitor centre is asking for photographs etc. so I will get onto that as they have a big wall with photos of those buried there. There is also a listening wall where letters, stories and incidents about those buried there, worked there or spent time there as a patient. There were over 300,000 men who went through that hospital and 10,784 are buried there. It is very poignant to see where he lies in such a peaceful environment that is cared for so well.

    Glenn Speight




    255443

    Pte. John Alfred Sturman 1st Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.31st Dec 1915)

    John Alfred was my paternal Grandfather's nephew. His father was Noah Sturman, but we have found no record of his mother. He was born at Lewisham London, and signed up there in 1914. Prior to going to France and Flanders he was stationed at Dover from May to July 1915 where he was docked pay on several occasions for being AWOL. His army records show that on his death his father could not be located (he was in the Navy). My Grandfather and his sister collected his medals etc. Also in his records is a note from his father written several years after the event. Noah appears to have tried to establish where his son was buried or commemorated. It seems that his father had left the Navy and was living in Australia, having no contact with his extended family in England.

    Clara Richards




    255442

    Sgt. Walter Smith 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.18th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Walter Smith was recalled to the Colours at the outbreak of war and served with 3rd Battalion, the Rifle Brigade.

    Clive Smith




    255437

    Cpl. James William Upson 1/23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    My great uncle, James Upson is remembered on The Menin Gate. I don't think my grandmother knew her brother was commemorated as she never really spoke about him. It was after she passed away that I discovered his story. She also lost her mother in 1917 and another brother in the 1920s from effects of the war. Such a sad time.

    Julie Pratt




    255433

    Pte. Patrick Etherington Short MM. 96th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Patrick Short was born on 14th of March 1891 at 21 Great Denmark Street, Dublin in Ireland. He joined the South Lancashire Regiment on 28th of November 1915 and transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in 96th Brigade 32nd Division. He was in hospital when the war ended in 1918 having a hernia operation, he was in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War. After the war he went to Canada for a time then returned to Norwood London and died in 1977.

    His brother Francis David Short was in the First War but I have no details on his service. He may have been in the Devon or Dorset Regiment. He survived. Another brother Thomas was in the British Army.





    255430

    Pte. James Ernest Cassidy East Lancashire Regiment

    My Grandfather James Cassidy was badly injured at Galipolli WW1 and had to be sent home to Workington where his right arm was amputated. He had to have ongoing surgery as the rest of his arm was so badly infected with gangrene. He died aged 43 in December 1935 leaving a wife and four daughters.

    Patricia Marsden




    255429

    Pte. George Lee A Coy. 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Only discovered George Lee even lived a few days ago let alone that he died in the Great War. George had an older sister Ethel a younger sister Alice who was my mum and a brother Arthur who was murdered by the Israelites in 1948 and another brother Walter. All are dead now so cannot ask questions. I just want to know how he died, in which battle and where he is now.

    June Pinching




    255428

    Pte. Albert Burnley 240th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.16th Sep 1917)

    In 2016 my daughter travelled to the Battlefields on a school History trip. Her teacher asked all the pupils to check with older members of the family to see if there were any relatives who might be buried in the cemeteries they were due to visit. I was given a vague indication that my great uncle might have died on the WW1 Battlefields so I registered on a family history website and began to work backwards from my mother. It took several late nights to discover that it was in fact my great grandfather who had fought and died in action. Unfortunately my daughter was unable to visit his grave on her school trip as Albert Burnley was buried, along with 11 other UK citizens and 2 Australians in a communal cemetery in Hesbecourt and this was too far from their planned route. I do not know why my great grandfather was buried here though I understand that the cemetery was used by German medical units. I have looked at the Church on Google street view and seen photos of the well tended graves there. I hope that one day I'll be able to personally visit.

    Zarina Taylor




    255426

    Gnr. Alfred Bertram Hills 10th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st June 1915)

    Alfred Hills was born in New York to an English family, who subsequently returned to England in the early 1900's. He was a regular soldier as the 1911 census has him in an Army base at Plympton St Mary Devon. He went to France on 16th of February 1915 and was killed on 1st of June 1915 and is buried in Brown's Road Military Cemetary, Festubert, France I am his great nephew and found a photograph of him and his date of death when clearing out some old papers of my father.

    Mark Parvin




    255425

    Pte. Patrick Healy 14th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    We believe that my grandfather, Patrick Healy, gave his birth date 2 years younger than he was, perhaps he would have been too old to join up at the time he signed up to the 14th Highland Light Infantry. All I know is that one point he attached to 120th Machine Gun Company. Then to 2nd Highland Light Infantry.

    He was badly gassed at some point and ended up at the Dunlop House Red Cross Hospital in Ayrshire where he met my grandmother. She was the daughter of the Head Gardener of the big house and according to my 96 year old mother would go up to the Hospital to write letters for the invalided soldiers. They eventually married, but he died at an early age in 1932 when she was 10, having been troubled by lung problems since the war.

    Rachel Mogg




    255424

    William Mitchell 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.4th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    William Mitchell served with the 2nd Kings Own Scottish Borderers.





    255423

    Gnr. William Fogarty Royal Field Artillery

    William Fogarty was born in Limerick, Ireland. After joining up for WW1 he was quickly discharged, due we think, to being gassed.

    Maxwell Kosovich




    255421

    Pte. Arthur Victor Millington 16th (2nd Salford Pals) Battalion, B Coy, 7th Plt. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>7th Platoon,  B Coy, 16th (2nd Salford Pals) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers

    Arthur Millington aged 22, Motor Mechanic, Bachelor living 8 Sutherland Place, Salford married Maria Williams aged 19, Cop Reeler, Spinster of the same address, on 18th of July 1914 at Stowell Memorial, Salford, Lancs. The Groom's Father was Arthur Millington, Iron Turner and the Bride's Father, Peter Williams, (deceased), Joiner. Their first child Stanley Millington was baptised on the 2nd of Dec 1914 at Stowell Memorial, Salford they were still living at 8 Sutherland Place, Salford and Arthur's occupation is recorded as Motor Mechanic.

    Arthur served with 7th Platoon, B Coy, 16th (2nd Salford Pals) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers and was killed on the 1st of July 1916.

    Tony Steele




    255419

    Pte. Charles William Butler 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.20th November 1915)

    Charles Butler was born in Bicester, Oxfordshire in April 1883. Charles' parents were Frederick Butler (1854-1935) and Elizabeth Rebecca Butler, nee Carthew (1859-1950). Frederick and Elizabeth married in Bicester in January 1882. Charles was the eldest of Frederick and Elizabeth's two children, his sibling was Walter (1885-1957). The 1891 census recorded Charles living at 40 Stoke Street, Stoke Lyne in Oxfordshire. He was residing with his parents, Frederick and Elizabeth, and brother Walter. Frederick was working as a gardener's labourer, whilst Charles was at school. The 1901 census shows Charles living on Stratton Lane, Stoke Lyne, aged 17. Charles was living with his parents and brother. He was working as an agricultural labourer on a farm, whilst his father, Frederick, was still employed as a gardener's labourer. The 1911 census shows Charles living in Stoke Lyne. He was living with his parents, Frederick and Elizabeth and brother Walter. Charles was working as a gardener, with his father.

    Charles enlisted in the Army at Oxford in early 1915. He served as a private in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He later transferred to serve as a private in the 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. The Regiment sailed from Avonmouth on the 29th of March 1915 and sailed to Alexandria via Malta and then onto Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915. They were involved in heavy fighting between April 1915 and January 1916, when they were evacuated. Charles was wounded and sent back to Alexandria, where he died of his wounds on 20 November 1915, aged 32. He is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military Cemetery.

    Lee Johnson




    255416

    QMS. William Johnston Matthew 11th Btn Royal Scots (d.9th Apr 1917)

    William Matthew was my great-grandfather who was killed in action 9th April 1917. He is buried in Bailleul Road, West Cemetery, St Laurent-Blangy, France.

    His first 3 years of service was with the Black Watch, then he served for 9 years in India. He was 36 years of age when he was demobbed at Gosport after 18 years of service. He wanted to serve in France and was with the Royal Scots when he was killed at the age of 39. His name is misspelt as Matthews on the war memorial in Berwick.

    Amanda Kennedy




    255410

    Pte. Peter Sirrug John Benjamin 5th Btn. Welsh Regiment

    My paternal grandfather, Peter Benjamin landed at Suvla Bay but was discharged with hearing loss and shell shock in December 1916.

    Jane




    255405

    Pte. David Cant 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

    <p>Pte David Cant, 2nd from right, 1915

    Grandad David Cant was born in Wickhambrook in 1889, out of wedlock. I don't know who his father was. He had a younger half-sister, Alice. He married Effie Clarke in June 1921 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. They had two children, both girls, during their marriage, I am the son of the younger. He died in 1962 in Soham, Cambridgeshire, aged 72.

    He enlisted in Kitchener's New Army, in the 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, and sent to fight in France, landing at Boulogne on 31st of August 1915. In September, he was engaged in the Battle of Loos. Grandad suffered typical wounds of WW1, shrapnel in his shoulder, trench feet, exposure to gas, and shell shock. It's only now, looking back, that I realise the extent of his trauma even into old age. Grandad never learned to read or write. Even in his last years he would say "The only good German is a dead 'un". I wish I had been old enough (I was 12 when he died) to talk maturely with him, and have a pint with him at the pub.

    Harry Audus




    255401

    Pte. Adam Morrice 2nd Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.10th Oct 1917)

    Adam Morrice was one of four brothers who enlisted in WW1. Two other brothers James and John both died in action. The fourth brother Robert was wounded but survived and also enlisted in WW2

    James Bruce




    255396

    Pte. William Albert Hardy 7th Btn Royal Sussex Regiment (d.13th Oct 1918)

    William Hardy, served in the Hertfordshire Regiment and the 7th Royal Sussex Regiment. He was killed in Action on Sunday, 13th of October 1918. His effects and wage credit amount of 24/2s/9d, plus a War Gratuity of 19/10/- were all that went home. He was first buried near Henin-Lietard, and later re-interred at Athies, near Arras, in Pont-du-Jour Military Cemetery.

    Adrian Thomas




    255395

    Lt. George Wright Morrison HMS Roxburgh

    George Morrison joined HMS Roxburgh on 22nd of April 1916. On 20th of Feb 1923, he was placed on the retired list at his own request and promoted to Lieutenant Commander. On 7th of May 1924 he was promoted to Commander.

    Bill Morrison




    255394

    Pte. Harry Holmes 15th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.24th Apr 1916)

    I was searching for information about my Great Uncle Ernest and Uncle Charlie on my mother's side, when I discovered there was an older brother, Harry Holmes who served with the 15th Sherwood Foresters. He is listed on the Stamford Boys website, but it implied that he survived the war and got married. On further investigation I discovered he died on 24th of April 1916 and is buried in Guards Cemetery in Lesboeufs.

    Louise Hall




    255393

    Pvt. Cecil Tooley 16th London Regiment, Queen's Westminster Rifles

    I have very little information regarding my Dad's wartime experiences. He was loath to talk about it, at least when I was a child. He did mention Gommecourt, in France at one time, and I believe he was part of the forces with General Allenby during the campaign in the mid-east. My Uncle Harry Tooley also served in the British Army but I have no details. Another Uncle, Walter Tooley, was a Royal Marine but again I have no information. Another Uncle. Clifford William Tooley was killed in December 1917 during the Passchendaele campaign.

    Colin E. R. Tooley




    255392

    Sgt. Lewis Norman Petter 6th (City of London Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.9th Nov 1915 )

    <p>

    Lewis Petter was born in 1894 in Tottenham, Middlesex to Arthur Lewis Petter (1855-1918) & Lydia Fiander (1857-1897). He was baptized at All Hallows Church in Tottenham on the 1st of July 1894. In 1901 he was living with his family at 22 Brampton Road, Harringay, Middlesex. In 1911 he was living at 10 Bowes Road, Palmers Green, London and his occupation was a Clerk for a Packing Case Manufacturer.

    Thomas joined the 6th Battalion, London Regiment, no exact date of enlistment available. He entered the theatre of war in France on the 18th of March 1915. He was killed in Action on the 9th of November 1915. A memorial to him & his comrades is displayed at Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle in France.

    We thank him and all the fallen heroes for their service.

    Max Bacon




    255391

    Pte. Charlie Henry Neale 10th (Battersea) Btn West Surrey Regiment (Queens) (d.6th Aug 1917)

    <p>Brothers Edgar, Herbert and Charlie Neale

    Charles Neale was born and lived in Kettering, Northants, he enlisted in the town on the 30th of October 1915 aged 25 and served with the Northamptonshire Regiment. He was previously a Cabinet Maker of 190 Mill Road, Kettering, his next of kin is listed as his Father William Henry Neale of same address. On the 9th of January 1916 he was transferred to the 10th Battalion, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment. He embarked for France on the 6th of May 1916.

    Charles died of wounds on the 6th of August 1917, which he had received on 31st of July 1917. Gun shot wounds to left arm, both thighs, broken left thigh. He was treated by 140th Field Ambulance. Articles returned to his Father on 11th of February 1918 were, 2 pipes, a new testament, a damaged letter & photograph, a screwdriver & pair of pliers, identity disc & cap badge, 2 pencils, tobacco pouch and an unfinished letter receipt of these was signed for by Louisa Neale. His medals were sent to Louisa at 190 Mill Road on 31st of January 1918, Plaque and certificate were sent to her on 9th of February 1918.

    Steuart Neale




    255389

    Gnr. Bertie Charles Bostock 297th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    Bertie Bostock was killed by shell burst along with Cpl C Hinvest, Gunner T Haggar, Gunner H Collins, they are buried in the CGWC Mindel Trench Cemetery at St Laurent-Blangy.

    Robert Bostock




    255385

    2nd Lt. Gerald Bensted 45th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Gerald Bensted

    2Lt. Gerald Bensted manned the Forward Observation Post for the unit from around April 1918 to at least August 1918, observing the accuracy etc of shelling for the Left Section, 45th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery and other units in the area, as well as observing and reporting on troop movements and activity on land and in the air. He kept a diary of each days' observations and reported these back to the adjutant of the 72nd Brigade RGA to which the battery was attached.

    He survived the war and returned home to his wife and children. Amongst my grandfather's (RSM Robert Buckingham Dimmock, RFA) belongings I have found the diary of Lt. Gerald Bensted from 100 years ago. This is titled 'Sick Report' on the outside, and contains the alternate pages of the notepad with the carbon copy writing. The original handwritten sheets presumably having been removed and sent back as his regular report, leaving the copies in the notepad. Some of the writing is consequently rather faint, but most is readable. It also has map references relating to his observations. The content of this observation post diary matches entries in the War Diary for the unit held in the National Archives, Kew. Lt. Gerald Bensted appears in the War Diary where he made the entries for earlier months e.g. January 1918

    1st page - p26; 8am 23rd to 8am 24th April 1918

    2nd page - p28; 23/24th cont.

    24th April 1918 report submission letter

    Gary Dimmock




    255382

    Pte. John Francis Price 5th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.26th Jun 1916)

    Great uncle Frank Price's body was never found and his name is on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. His family didn't ever learn what happened to him.

    Fran Arnold




    255381

    Pte. Samuel Burns 1st Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.22nd Dec 1914)

    Samuel Burns was called up as reservist in August 1914 and went with the 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders directly to France. D Company was allocated as guard unit for General Haig. They advanced to Mons then fell back with the retreat. Samuel continued with the battalion until his death at the Battle of Givency.

    He had served as a regular soldier from 1892 till 1904 with the 1st Battalion and saw action in the Sudan with General Kitchener at Khartoum. At time of his death he left a widow and 3 young children, the eldest being my father.

    His brother in law, Robert Kilpatrick serving with the 2nd Argylls, was killed at Ploegsteert six weeks earlier on 10th of November 1914.

    Robert Burns




    255377

    Pte. Robert Kilpatrick 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.10th November 1914)

    Robert Kilpatrick is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Robert Burns




    255376

    Pte. Walter Dickerson 12th Btn. B Coy. Rifle Brigade

    Great uncle Walter Dickerson was captured on 30th of November 1917 at Cambrai. The ICRC POW record, which incorrectly lists him under Dickinson shows him as being interned at Cottbus on 20th of September 1918 having been moved from Munster II.

    A family story handed down is that he was tortured during his internment, which involved the removal or pulling of all of his finger and toe nails. He returned from the war without the use of his legs. He lived with one of his brothers, James in Kilburn, North London, where he used to propel himself about on a small wheeled trolley. He died in February 1947, age 68.

    Brian Kemp




    255372

    L/Cpl. Bertram John "Unk" Hickman 1/8th Btn, C Coy, 9 Plt. Worcestershire Regiment

    My great uncle Bertram Hickman, known to all as Unk, served in the Great War with the Worcester Regiment. His army service record was lost in the Blitz in 1940, so I'm having to piece together his war record from medal rolls, regimental rolls and other documents I can find or that already in the possession of the family.

    He joined the Worcester Regiment, according to the records I have found, in November 1916 and left the colours in Nov 1919. He served overseas on active service with the 1/8th Btn, the 17th Btn and I have also found reference to him serving with No.3 Chemical School at GHQ, whether he was undergoing a course or on the staff is unclear. He was promoted to L/Cpl and completed an NCO Cadre in 1919. He survived the war and was awarded the Victory Medal and the War Medal.

    Matt Hood




    255369

    Pte. Thomas William Marshall 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion London Regiment

    My grandfather, Thomas Marshall, enlisted on the 7th of August 1914 aged 18. He was blown up and buried several times and gassed. He was discharged, unfit for service, in March 1916. He was severely affected by shell shock and continued to spend periods of time in the Epsom Hospitals. He suffered all his life with the after effects and with tuberculosis contracted in the trenches. He died of TB in 1964.





    255367

    Pte. Donald Ward 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.14th June 1917)

    Donald Ward was the son of Mr. W. and Mrs. L. Ward, of Bedford House, Dogdyke, Lincoln. He died of wounds on the 14th of June 1917 and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Robert Jones




    255366

    Pte. John Lee 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.13th Sep 1916)

    John Lee was wounded during the Battle of Ginchy as part of the Somme Offensive. He died in Le Treport Military Hospital of his wounds and is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery.





    255362

    Pte. William Percy Sales 19th Btn, B Coy, 7th Ptn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    William Sales served in 7th Ptn, B Coy, 19th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.

    Arthur Stevens




    255359

    Frederick Tate 1st Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.11th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Fred Tate worked in the Co-operative boot store in Gainsborough town centre. He was the only son of Mrs S Tate. He had two sisters and his father had died previously. He was 25 years old when he died, serving with the 1st South Wales Borderers.

    Carolyn Howitt




    255353

    L/Sgt. Samuel Robert Stinson 1st Btn. Irish Guards

    Samuel Stinson was born on the 3rd of April 1887 in Skreen, Sligo, Ireland. His father, also Samuel, was in the Royal Irish Constabulary which Samuel Robert joined on the 2nd of October 1905. On 15th of March 1909 he enlisted in the Irish Guards and was at Chelsea Barracks, London. He married on 29th of July 1914 and embarked for the Western Front on 13th of August 1914. The family received a card dated 13th of April 1915 stating that Samuel was a prisoner of war in Wittenberg, Germany. Further correspondence was received from Wittenberg dated 5th of June 1915 and then from Scheveningen, Holland dated 28th of April 1918. After the war Samuel re-enlisted in the Royal Irish Constabulary and on partition of Ireland in the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

    When WW2 broke out he re-enlisted in the British Army and later worked at the War Office. Samuel Robert Stinson died on 16th of March 1949 and is buried in the Brigade of Guards section of Brompton Cemetery, London.

    Fredda Martin




    255349

    Pte. Joseph Ewan 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Joe Ewan was the son of George and Mary Ewan, husband to Janet Ewan and father to Joseph Ewan, born December 1917. He was buried in Potijze Chateau Grounds Cemetery.

    Alistair Ewan




    255346

    Pte. George Henry Gibbs 3rd Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.9th Mar 1919)

    George Gibbs is my late uncle, who is buried in Hampton Lucy Churchyard. He passed away in 1919 age 24 He served with the 3rd Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry during the Great War.

    Heather




    255343

    Pte. William Sherman 8th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.15th Jul 1916)

    William Sherman was wounded at Ploegsteert Wood on the 6th of December 1915, he recovered from wounds and rejoined his regiment in June 1916. He was killed in Action at Ovillers in the Battle of the Somme, his body was never found.

    Lance Corporal John Sherman of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers wrote: "Lying in France in a nameless grave, lies my dear Uncle amongst the brave" Pte William Sherman was my Great Great Great Uncle.

    Lee Sherman




    255342

    Rfmn. Albert Edward Gough 10th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Gough served with the 10th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps.

    Martine McGuire




    255340

    A/Cpl. Ernest John Cameron Douglas Ellis 5th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My father, Ernest Ellis enlisted in the RAMC on 1st of September 1914, and soon after entered the theatre of War in France on 24th of September 1914. From the information I was able to obtain, the 5th Field Ambulance was actively involved in a number of battle fronts in France but I have no specific details. He was discharged from service on 30th of September 1918, due to a physical injury. Cause of Discharge Para 2A - 302 XVI - AO VI.

    He was born 149 Burton Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire in 1888 and would have been 26 when he enlisted. After his discharge from military service he spent 12 years working in India and Burma. His address on return was, Olive House, Green Lane, Kettering, Northants.

    Gordon Ellis




    255339

    Sr. Eudora Helen Jones Canadian Army Medical Corps

    I have obtained and examined the military record of Eudora Helen Jones, on behalf of her niece, who is a friend of mine. Eudora Jones was born on 16th of November 1890. She trained young as a nurse, and was nursing at the Sherbrook Protestant Hospital when war broke out.

    She volunteered for service on 27th of July 1916 at Montreal. She was a single lady. Her father the Reverend Charles Wesley Jones and her mother of Port Perry were listed as her closest relatives. On her enlistment, Eudora was noted to be age 26, was a graduate nurse, was 5 foot 2 and half inches tall, and had good physical development.

    While stationed at Etaples, on the 15th of October 1917 Eudora was diagnosed with pleurisy. She was scheduled to be returned to duty on the 9th of November 1917. However, she was diagnosed with pleurisy plus anemia and sent to England from the 10th November to the 30th of November to recover. Eudora also had foot problems, with some boney growth which made standing and walking for long periods of time painful. With her physical issues and her father being very seriously ill at home in Canada, Eudora was brought home early in May of 1919. Many Canadian servicemen and women had to wait much longer than that to return home, as there was insufficient shipping to bring them all home early.

    On 6th of September 1919 at the Ste Anne de Bellevue Military Hospital in Montreal Quebec, where she had been taken for treatment, Eudora was deemed to be medically unfit for further military service. In her military papers she indicated her intention to live at Bancroft Ontario, where her brother ran a business. Within six months of her arrival in Canada, her father passed away. Eudora died in 1972 and is buried at Port Perry.

    Brenda Turner




    255326

    Spr. John Youd 1/1st West Lancashire Field Company Royal Engineers

    John Youd of Widnes served as a Sapper with the Royal Engineers. We have all his WW1 diaries. It starts on the 13th of November 1914 with, arrived in Blackpool. He came home safe.

    Steven Evanson




    255325

    L/Cpl. John Albert Hollingsworth 2/8th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    My granddad John Hollingsworth was in the 2/8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He was captured on the 21st of March 1918 near to the town of Roisel in France on the front line and was sent to Munster II PoW camp in Germany. He survived the war and returned to Salford in Lancashire and lived with his wife Georgina until his death in 1971.

    John Foy




    255324

    A/Cpl. Thomas Cawkwell 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    Thomas Cawkwell - My Great Uncle enlisted in Bo'ness, Linlithgowshire. He was killed in action on 23rd of October 1918 and is buried at Romeries Communal Cemetery, a quarter of a mile north of Le Cateau.

    Tony Rippon




    255323

    Pte. Tom Jackson 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Tom Jackson served with the 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Glynn May




    255322

    Pte. William Bagshaw Heald 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    William Heald served with the 10th West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Glynn May




    255318

    Pte. William Giblin 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.16th September 1916)

    William Giblin served in the 10th DLI and was killed (we think) during the attack on Grid Trench, north of Flers during the Battle of the Somme.





    255313

    Gnr. William Short C Battery, 71st Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.6th August 1916)

    William Short was killed during Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and is listed on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Paul Burt




    255309

    Pte. Arnold Harvey Darlow 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.12th April 1918)

    I have visited the Messines Ridge Cemetery, south of Ypres, Belgium, a few times over the last years and noticed this single Staffs Regiment grave, of Arnold Darlow among the many New Zealand graves. Last Thursday, 16 November 2018 I visited the grave specifically to put two British legion poppies there, to honour and commemorate this man who fought in my county regiment

    David Evans




    255308

    Pte. Sydney Bone 22nd (7th City) Battalion, B Coy, 5th Plt. Manchester Regiment (d.20th Feb 1920 )

    Sydney Bone died in Manchester of blood poisoning caused by bullet wound on 1st of July 1916. His last years spent in a home in Manchester in a wheelchair as he could not walk due to a spine injury.

    David Redhead




    255297

    Pte. Hubert Scoles 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Hubert Scoles was called to the colours in 1917. He had a wife and a young child of five. He died from wounds at the 22nd Casualty Clearing Station, on 28th of July 1918, and was buried in the Military Cemetery at Pernes-en-Artois.

    Nigel Birch




    255296

    L/Bdr. Horace William Saunders 117th (Howitzer) Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd August 1918)

    Horace Saunders is buried in Berguette Church Graveyard in France.

    Gary Saunders




    255295

    Sgt. Gilbert Fenwick Bell MM. Border Regiment

    Gilbert Bell served with the Border Regiment and the Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Neil Harvell




    255291

    Rflmn. Harold Ayling Low 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    Harold was the eldest son of Thomas William Low and Julia Ayling of Breachwood Green, near Welwyn Hertfordshire. He was born in Lower Clapton, Middlesex in 1891. Shortly after his birth Harold was living with his parents in Wratten Road, Hitchin and Thomas was working as a police constable. In 1901 Harold was living with his parents and brothers John & Albert and sister, Lily in Cole Green, Hertingfordbury, Hertford. Thomas was a police constable. In the 1911 census Harold is living with his mother, brothers John and Albert and sisters Lily and Edna at Grantham Cottage, Knebworth, Hertfordshire.

    He enlisted in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps in London on the 3rd July 1915, at the age of 25 years. Before enlisting he had been employed as a clerk by The Great Northern Railway Company, and was living on Hitchin Road, Arlesey. Harold was posted to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 9th July 1915 and posted to BEF on 23rd December.

    Harold was admitted to hospital on 4th July 1916 suffering from wounds to his face that were described by the Medical Officer as being "of a trivial nature". His injury occurred while he was in the performance of military duty. He was granted a furlough from 23rd November to 3rd December 1917 to visit his parents and stayed at the Queen's Head in Breachwood Green. Harold was reported as missing on 21st March 1918 and his death was presumed to have occurred on this date.

    Harold was awarded the 1914-15 Star and this was sent to his father in February 1920. Remembered with honour at Pozieres Memorial





    255287

    Pte. Herbert John Harvey Gloucestershire Regiment (d.9th December 1917)

    In the 1911 census Herbert Harvey is listed as the son of Annie Harvey, a millhand, unmarried, born Bristol, resident Frocester Road, Eastington near Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. Herbert Harvey served with the 7th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. He died in Mesopotamia on 9th of December 1917. Born in Bristol, he enlisted in Dursley and is buried in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq.

    G Heaven




    255285

    Sidney Edward Rich

    Sidney Rich was transfered to the Royal Flying Corps in 1917.

    Mike Ainsworth




    255282

    Pte. Lloyd Fowles 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th August 1915)

    Lloyd Fowles is my great uncle and it is only from carrying out family tree research I have come to know of him, which is incredibly sad. Now that we know of him we will, as a family, be keeping his memory alive. I have parts of his military record, but no photographs and no knowledge of were his medals may be. He is remembered on the CWGC Memorial at Helles.

    Paul Keenan




    255273

    Pte. Percy James Evans 5th Btn. D Coy. South Wales Borderers (d.30th July 1916)

    <p>

    Percy Evans was the fifth son of 13 children to George and Fanny Evans of the Black House, Putley, Herefordshire. Four of the Evans boys enlisted for service in WW1. Percy enlisted to the South Wales Borderers at Pontypool and served in D company, 5th Battalion

    He Went to France on 1st of July 1916 and was killed in action on 30th July 1916 aged 19, whilst the Battalion was under the orders of the 57th Infantry Brigade, in the area of Bazentin-le-Petit wood and Mamtez Wood. Percy has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    James Greenhill




    255271

    Gnr. Eric Whiteley Heathcote B Bty. 63rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.15th July 1917)

    Registered at birth as Herrick, he became known as Eric Heathcote. My father, Eric John Heathcote, in 1920, was named after his late uncle.

    David Heathcote




    255263

    Pte. Sydney James Menzies 3rd Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.1921)

    Sydney Menzies joined the 3rd Dorset Regiment in Sept 1914 and was attached to the 7th Royal Munster Fusiliers. He entered the theatre of war on 15th of October 1915 in the Balkans. He is believed to have fought at Kosturino and also saw service in France on the Somme and Belgium at Ypres. He was gassed twice in the war and died of the effects of the 2nd gassing in 1921.

    Sim Menzies




    255262

    Pte. Bernard Fred Lane Devonshire Regiment (d.15th Oct 1918)

    Born in 1880 in Wellington, Somerset, Bernard Lane served with the Devonshire Regiment and the Labour Corps.

    Graham Bendell




    255260

    Pte. Joseph William Richmond 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916 )

    <p>

    Joe Richmond 1894-1916 was my Great Uncle, brother to my Grandmother Dorothy Richmond, later Prowse. He sent these cards to her from France. He likely died at the Battle of Albert, Fricourt on the 1st of July 1916 and is buried at Fricourt Cemetery, Somme.

    Keith Smith




    255257

    Pte. Douglas Vernall Machine Gun Section

    Douglas Vernall was part of the 21st Reinforcements and served with the NZ Machine Gun Section.





    255255

    Pte John McNally 2nd Btn King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.3rd Oct 1917)

    John was third born of 6 brothers to Catherine and William McNally. Keen to do his bit, he followed his two older brothers into service with KOSB during WW1. Andrew: (Argyle and Southern Highlanders) and William: (a rifleman in the Army and then Royal Navy).

    John was said to have a lovely singing voice and had won a singing competition in his home city of Glasgow.

    He was brought up in the East End of Glasgow, his eldest brother Andrew was a pretty tough character and William was an amateur boxer, John was just a young lad.

    He had three younger siblings who all went on to serve in WW2, Joe, Dominic and Frank.

    Sadly John did not make it home and records show he died aged 20 on 1917-10-03 from gun shot wounds.

    He was and still is very much remembered by all of his family.

    Evelyn Johnson




    255254

    Pte. Albert Mitchell 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.19th Apr 1918)

    My Gt.Uncle Albert Mitchell was a golf professional before WW1. He came from a family of professional golfers and was first cousin to Abe Mitchell whose effigy adorns the Ryder Cup. He honed his craft on the Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club, Forest Row, Sussex. Albert was the youngest son of Arthur and Susan Mitchell.

    Initially he joined the West Kent Yeomanry but transferred to the Middlesex Regiment. In 1916 he was wounded at the Somme. After a period of convalescence at home, he returned to France. He died in action on 19th Apr 1918. His body is buried at the Meteren Cemetery, France. Albert did not marry and was 32 when he died.

    Val Roberts




    255251

    Skr. Frank D. Douglas HMS Africa

    Frank Douglas served in HMS Africa and HMS Aboukir, where he survived the sinking. He also served aboard the HMS Cressy and HMS Hogue and survived these sinkings. Then aboard HMS Cornwallis and again survived the sinking. He was transferred to a western front artillery battery and survived.

    Alan D Douglas




    255247

    L/Cpl. Walter Brough 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Walter Brough is buried in the Irish House Cemetery.

    Isobel Whittaker




    255245

    Pte. John Albert Williams Cheshire Regiment

    John Williams served with the Cheshire Regiment. All I have is a certificate of his discharge from the war due to injury. I have no other information relating to his time in the army except for the certificate which tells me he was discharged on 29th of March 1916.

    Adam Reynolds




    255242

    Pte. Charles Frederick Adcock 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.4th Apr 1918)

    Charles Adcock is my Great Grandfather

    Diane Powis




    255241

    Pte. George Brown 1st Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.7th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    George Brown was killed in action, the location is given as British Army Reference Sheet 28.H.5.a.2.9, he is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall) Cemetery.

    His final resting place

    Steve Monk




    255236

    AB. George Culmer HMS Sir John Moore

    One of four sons of Charles and Emma Culmer of Newports Cottage, Lydden, Nr Margate, Kent. The other 3 sons were in the Army but George Culmer joined the Royal Navy in 1915 on the Monitor, HMS Sir John Moore. I think he was on the crew list for the entire war. He enlisted in August 1915 and was demobilised in July 1919.

    One of his brothers, Arthur Culmer, was killed in action during the Somme campaign, on 7th of October 1916 at the age of 20yrs.

    Richard Gunner




    255235

    Pte. Patrick Higgins 5th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.10th Aug 1915)

    I had always heard from my Mother that an uncle of hers died in the first world war. We only recently found out about him. Patrick Higgins joined the Royal Irish Fusiliers against the wishes of his family. He was 25 and only married a few months. My mother told the story that he only lasted a few weeks, which is true. He was in the 5th Battalion and his unit landed in Gallipoli on the 7th of August after sailing for a month. He died on the 10th of August. His wife's name was Marie Higgins of 3 Laurel Hurst, College Road, Cork. He was the son of the late Peter Higgins of Maudlin St, Kells, Co. Meath.

    Karin Ledford




    255233

    Charles E. Redman 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Charles Redman served in the 249th Field Company.

    Marjorie Culver




    255231

    Charles Edward McArdle 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.9th Nov 1919)

    According to a letter from Charles McArdle to my grandmother in April of 1918 and while he was in hospital, he informed my grandmother that he was with my grandfather, Arthur Elgar Taylor, in Belgium, when they were shelled and my grandfather was hit. He told my grandmother that my grandfather's last words were, "I think I'm done." My son now has that letter and it is considered to be a real treasure and we were very happy that she held onto it and it was passed down in the family.

    Marjorie Culver




    255230

    Spr. Charles Henry Curd 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.24th Apr 1917)

    Charles Curd was killed in action at Arras, aged 32, son of Susan Curd of Durrington. He was born in Newhaven and enlisted in Brighton at Carpenter St. Paul's. He died on Tuesday 24th of April 1917 and there is no known grave.

    Marjorie Culver




    255221

    Sgt. Thomas William Toop DCM. Royal Field Artillery

    Thomas Toop DCM was my Grandfather. He was born in Enfield, Middlesex, in 1888/9 and joined the army in 1906 until he left in 1919/20. As far as I can tell, he first started as a officers' batman and became a Gunner then a Sargent. He was about 6ft 4in tall and stationed at Canterbury, Kent, where he met and married my Grandmother. He then went to Trowbridge, Wilts. He also spent time at Okehampton and other camps.

    At present, I don't know who he served under but I believe he was training others to be Gunners etc. I believe he went to France and Flanders in 1914 as he appears to have received his DCM medal in that year, I think on the 6th of November 1914 and was awarded the medal on the 26th of September 1916. He also received the 1914 Star etc. I understand that during very heavy bombing his detachment was knocked out or killed and he took over the No 1 Gun and continued to fire setting an example to his men. I believe he lost an eye and part of his heel plus shrapnel wounds.

    He returned to Enfield and had a total of 6 children, one of whom was my father William Thomas Joseph Toop, the eldest son, and finished his later life in Lincolnshire aged 89. I've not been able to find Thomas's army record.

    Christopher Toop




    255220

    Pte. Edwin Dawes 7th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Edwin Dawes was wounded in neck and abdomen, both gun shot wounds.

    Sandy Mursell




    255218

    CSM. Joseph Craddock Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Joseph Craddock was a Company Sergeant Major in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, he later served in the Labour Corps.

    Brian Spink




    255217

    Pte. Christopher Joseph Dundon 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Christopher Dundon served with the 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    Andrew Smith




    255215

    Gnr. Albert Victor Coulson 67th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.8th Oct 1917)

    Albert Coulson was the son of Henrietta Coulson of 247 Shobnall Street, Burton-on-Trent and Charles Coulson.

    Heather Mcnamara




    255210

    Pte. David Davies 1/5th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.5th Oct 1917)

    David Davies was born around 1886 and married Ethel Davies (nee Durrans) at St Peter's Church in Liverpool in 1908. A Bricklayer by trade. He had 4 sons who were all under 10 when he died. He is commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Karen Davies




    255207

    L/Cpl. Henry Richard Payne 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Sadly I know very little about my Grandfather, Henry Payne. His young wife, Annie, died in the 'flu epidemic and then he was killed (aged 23), in Belgium. Their 3 year old daughter, my mother, was brought up by relatives. He is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Pam Anderson




    255200

    Pte. James Wood 8th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    I found these memorial cards in my mother's old photo albums. I believe James Wood, would have been my great Uncle, my Grandmother's brother. From what I researched, he probably died in the Battle of Somme in France. They were born near Rye or Iden.





    255199

    Pte. James Gardiner 52nd (New Ontario) Btn. (d.7th Oct 1918)

    James Gardiner was 24 years old when he was called up for service. Born in Ontario, he had come to the prairies where he staked a claim on a quarter section of land seven years earlier. He had his medical exam in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan on 29th of November 1917. The Medical Form states that he was five foot six inches with a fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He was able to stay in Canada until after Christmas. He reported for duty on 10th of January 1918, joining the 52nd (New Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force

    James received a gunshot to his leg and thigh and died on Monday, 7th of October 1918, only 36 days before the end of the war. He is buried in the Bucquoy Road Cemetery around 9 kilometers north of Arras in France.

    Lorraine Willems




    255198

    L/Cpl. William John Byott 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.20th Aug 1915)

    William John Byott was the son of George James and Eliza Byott. He is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery.





    255197

    Bmbdr. Joseph Cooper MiD, 42nd Battery, 2nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Cooper was born in 1895. His parents Elijah and Sara Cooper died when he was young and he and his elder sister Martha were brought up by his aunt Margaret Burrell (my great grandmother). His next of kin was recorded as his only sibling Martha. Before the war, Joseph was employed at Alexandra Colliery, Whelley, Wigan, Lancs.

    He enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery in 1915 and arrived in France on 21st of July 1915. He was a trained signaller who served for over three years in France. He was Mentioned in Dispatches on 14th of December 1917 and attained the rank of Bombardier. Joseph was killed by shellfire on the first day of the Kaiser's Offensive 21st of March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    His Major wrote of Bombardier Cooper, "He was doing most splendid work at the time (of his death) and was one of the bravest and best men I had. He was most popular with officers and men and was always doing good work. I had recommended him for a decoration and you already know he had been mentioned in dispatches."

    Maurice Gambles




    255191

    Pte. Samuel Braycotton 8th Btn. B Coy. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.5th Jun 1918)

    Samuel Braycotton was the 4th child of 7 born to Samuel Bray Cotton and Harriet Parker. He married Gertrude Sadler on 2nd of May 1905 at the Register Office in Walsall. They had 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls.

    Samuel enlisted on 2nd of September 1914 when he was 28 years old. He was only in France for 68 days, believed to be in the Ypres area when he was admitted to hospital on 2nd of March 1916 from the No. 15 Casualty Clearing Station with bronchitis and discharged from the 9th Training Reserve on 7th of January 1918 because of class P sickness (chronic bronchitis). The family believed he was gassed while serving in France and he was later a patient in one of the 8 Exeter hospitals used during the war. He died from cancer or TB of the lungs. His wife received a pension of 27/6 per week and the children received a total of 17/6. Gertrude married again in 1919. (Needs must).

    Peta Millard




    255186

    Pte. Claude E. Cole 16th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.3rd September 1918)

    Claude Cole served with the 16th (North Devon Yeomanry) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. He lost his life on the 3rd of September 1918. Aged 21 he was the son of Alfred and Dorothy M. Cole of 224 Pinhoe Road, Exeter.

    Mark McGreevy




    255183

    Cpl. Frederick William Buck Q Battery Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>My grandfather, Fred Buck on his horse in full service dress.

    My grandfather Fred Buck served in the RHA for the full duration of the Great War. He received the Pip, Squeak and Wilfred medals for full service.

    Graham Le Bas




    255181

    Pte. George Alfred Catchpole 6th (Cyclist) Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.27th September 1916)

    <p>

    George Catchpole was the son of John and Elizabeth Catchpole nee Holman, born at Salhouse, Norfolk. He was one of 6 children.

    On the outbreak of war George enlisted with the 6th Norfolk Cyclists, a Territorial Army unit who were involved in home defence and training. He was later transferred to the 8th Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment where he became Private no. 43581 and was sent to France. He was killed in action in the Battle of the Somme, on the 27th September 1916, aged 20.

    He was my great uncle. He is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial as his body was never found. My grandfather remembered his brother, by using his christian names when naming two of this sons.

    Serena Woodcock




    255180

    Pte. George Arnold 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    My grandfather, George Arnold never saw his youngest son (my father, Duncan Arnold) because he died in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. This upset my father throughout his life and in turn has upset me. My father told me he was in the machine gun section and was shot by a German sniper. I, in turn, (like so many others) had my grandfather taken away from me. Something which has upset me the whole of my life. At this date (November 2018) I am 71 years of age yet I still grieve. May he rest in peace.

    Dexter Arnold




    255177

    Pte. James Stanley Cole A Coy. 2/7th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.18th Nov 1917)

    James Cole was born to Thomas and Edith Mary Cole of Carne Mountain, Begelly, Pembrokeshire, where his parents farmed. James enlisted in the Pembroke Yeomanry at the outbreak of the Great War. He was killed in action at the battle of Poelcappel, Belgium on 18th of November 1917. He was 27 years old.

    Steven Hill




    255175

    Pte. John Shand 10th/11th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.11th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    John Shand served with the 10th/11th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.

    Chrstine Shand




    255174

    2nd Lt. James Burns 7/9th Btn. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    my grandfather James Burns gained a commission for service in the field in 1916 and was injured in the war (at Paschendale I was told but I can find no evidence).

    After WW1 he remained in service until about 1921 and was attached to the Army Physical Training School in Aldershot. He later served in the RAAF in Australia in WW2.

    Peter Campbell-Burns




    255172

    Lt Thomas Percy Fulford Army Service Corps

    <p>

    My Maternal Grandfather joined up in 1914 initially with The North Devon Hussars as a Motorcycle rider. He later was Gazetted into the Army Service Corps as a Second Lieutenant ultimately as Lieutenant. He saw active service in Gallipoli, Palestine then France. He survived the war

    The photographs show him at the commencement of the war with the second dated as 1919 at his wedding.

    Geoff Coe




    255168

    Pte. Reginald Fall 21st Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.24th Mar 1918)

    Reginald Fall died 24th of March 1918, aged 28 and is buried at Pozieres Cemetery. He was the husband of Eliza Fall.

    Ann McLeish




    255166

    Pte. Albert Price Phenix 12th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th Dec 1916)

    Albert Phenix was my 2nd Great uncle. I'm finding out small bits of information slowly, but know he is buried at Guards Cemetery at Lesboeufs in France.

    Kerry Boast




    255161

    Sgt. George Harold Black MM, DCM. 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment

    <p>

    George Black MM, DCM served with the 2nd Welsh Regiment and the Machine Gun Corps.

    Alisa Black




    255156

    Pte. Henry Gambles 7th Btn, C Company Border Regiment (d.15th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Gambles was born on 6th of September 1887. He was a miner working at Giants Hall Colliery, Standish, Wigan.

    He enlisted into the Border Regiment on 25th of March 1915. He was 27 years old, but said he was 24. His next of kin was listed as his father, Robert Gambles of Swinley Hall Farm, Wigan. However, he asked for his personal effects, if found, to be forwarded to Miss Florence Neary of 13 Hardybutts, Wigan.

    The 7th Borders left Winchester for Boulogne in July 1915 and served in France and Flanders, in the trenches and in training.

    Henry was killed at The Bluff in the south of the Ypres Salient Belgium during the night of 14th/15th February 1916. We believe he was a Bomber, a soldier trained to throw Mills Bombs (hand grenades). He and colleagues were trying to force the enemy out of some British trenches that the Germans had recently occupied. We believe that he was buried in a marked grave, but that this grave was destroyed later in the war by shelling.

    He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to those with no known grave. His name is also, with other 7th Border Regiment members, on the Wigan War Memorial. There is a bronze plaque naming those employees of Giants Hall Colliery killed in the Great War. This was originally erected at the colliery, but when it was closed, the plaque was moved to its current location in the lynch gate of St Wilfred's Parish Church Standish.

    Maurice Gambles




    255150

    Gnr. Thomas Charles Moody 29th Brigade Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Oct 1915)

    My great-grandfather Thomas Moody was born in Islington in 1869. He was a gunner in the Field Artillery when he married in 1897, and also on the 1901 census when he was living in Russell Street, Gosport. At some stage he left the military and became a car man, but rejoined the army at some stage on or before 1915 when he served in the Royal Field Artillery 29th Division Ammunition Column as a gunner. He was comparatively old to be fighting: the average age at enlistment was around 24 and he was almost twice that at 46.

    In October 1915 he was in Alexandria boarding the troopship Marquette, a requisitioned cruise liner. They departed 19th of October 1915 with 741 on board, 449 soldiers and also medics and nurses from the New Zealand No.1 Stationary Hospital Unit, plus 491 mules and 50 horses.They were headed for the port of Salonika (now Thessalonika) in Greece presumably to join the Gallipoli, Dardanelles campaign. The Marquette was given protection by the French destroyer most of the way, but left the Marquette unprotected on the night of 22nd of October. At 9.15am on 23rd of October many on board saw the green flash of the torpedo through the water, fired by German submarine U-35 as it hit the starboard side of the boat. The ship immediately listed to port. The ship sank within 10 minutes.

    Some were killed in the initial explosion, others when the lifeboats were ineptly lowered into the water. The remainder fell, or jumped, into the water, and grabbed what wreckage they could to keep themselves afloat. Those who survived were in the water for up to 9 hours before they were rescued. My great-grandfather was one of the unlucky ones and, despite being a strong swimmer, died. The disaster received considerable publicity in New Zealand when the New Zealand nurses who survived wrote home, their traumatic accounts being published in the newspapers, which is why so much is known about the sinking of the ship..

    The effect on my great-grandfather's family was considerable. Two of his children (including my grandmother Mary) were brought up by his wife's parents. The remaining children and his widow lived in poverty in London, often ending up in the Workhouse. Such is the effect of war on those left behind.

    Celia Crossley




    255147

    Sgt. George Wilfred Tucker 9th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.17th Jan 1917)

    George Tucker was my grandfather.He served overseas in Gallipoli. He lived in the West Midlands with grandma and 5 small children He was killed in action in January 1917 and lies in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq, which was then Mesopotamia.

    Jayne Nock




    255145

    L/Cpl. Josiah Sheppard 6th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Josiah Sheppard was the husband of Elizabeth Alma Sheppard of East Hendred, Steventon, Berks. She never remarried. He is commemorated on the village memorial at Steventon.





    255143

    Pte. Frederick Harold Haynes Royal Army Ordnance Corps

    <p>

    Frederick Haynes is my Grandfather. In the family, there are postcards from Arras and Ypres sent by him to my Grandmother, Florence Kate Findon, who he married after the War. Other than these, there are no details of his active service in France. He and his two brothers, Sidney and Ernest, each fought for and survived the full duration of the Great War and returned home to Birmingham afterwards. I was told by my mother, his daughter, that he would never talk about the war and it was never discussed in the family while he was alive. I have his British War Medal and his Victory Medal, with ribbons, in the original box and postage wrapper.

    AOC Group photograph, unknown persons

    Jeremy Deeley




    255136

    Pte. Ernest Cant 4th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.14th Oct 1918)

    My great great uncle Ernest Cant died at Lambinowice POW Camp Hospital on 14th of October 1918, possibly from Spanish Flu. Originally buried in POW cemetery but reburied in Berlin South Western Cemetery after WW1 ended. He was the youngest son of a large family. His eldest brother was killed five years later in a pit disaster.

    Sue Cant




    255135

    Sjt. George Strathdee 7th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.12th Oct 1916)

    Sergeant George Strathdee died on 12th of October 1916. He was part of the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders who on that day attacked the Snag trench at the Butte de Warlencourt. They were decimated by enemy machine gun fire. Family folklore states that he was wounded and was being taken from the battlefield when he was killed by friendly artillery fire from a bombardment which fell short of its intended target. 132 Seaforth Highlanders were killed on that day.

    George had also been wounded in 1915 at the battle of Loos. Had been sent back to the UK to recuperate and later returned to France in 1916

    Gordon Strathdee Fingland




    255134

    Pte. George William Jackson 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.7th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    George Jackson was a miner who enlisted at Earlestown, Lancashire, and was assigned to the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was a volunteer in his early 40s and if he had waited to be conscripted in 1916 he would have been exempt on age grounds. He was badly wounded during the Battle of the Somme, and died in hospital at Rouen on 7th September 1916. He is interred at St Sever military cemetery at Rouen.

    Jennifer Johnson




    255130

    L/Cpl. Thomas Henry Moore 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.18th Oct 1916)

    Thomas Moore is a member of our East Pennard Band of Brothers, one of over 100 soldiers connected to the small village of East Pennard in Somerset, who went off to fight in World War One. As a boy he attended our village school, then worked as a farm labourer in the village after that. He saw active service in France from the 1st June 1915 and is believed to have died at some point during the Battle of the Somme, during the Battle of the Transloy Ridges.





    255125

    Pte. Arthur Lee 1st/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.7th Jul 1916)

    Arthur Arthur died of wounds received.

    John Cameron




    255122

    Rfmn. John Stanley Jones Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    On 16th of August 1917 John Jones was captured at the 3rd battle of Ypres also known as Passchendaele. He was then taken to Lager Dulmen POW camp where he stayed until returning home to Goldcliffe in January 1919.

    Steven Jones




    255116

    Pte. Fred Doncaster 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    I learned about Fred Doncaster, who served as a Driver in the Transport Unit of his regiment, due to the fact than when I was 12 my father gave to me a pocket New Testament found in a flea-market here in Italy. This was owned by Doncaster, who penned his name and information in the cover, together with quotes from the Gospel, the most touching of which is God is Love, particularly significant given the horrific context.

    I lent the booklet to All Saints' Anglican Church in Rome for use during the recent Remembrance Sunday for the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice (the Gospel lesson was read from it and it was kept on the altar). At the moment I don't know yet if he survived the war or perished in battle, all I know is that he was alive for sure till 15th of November 1915.

    Domenico Venditti




    255113

    Gnr. Ernest Charles Withers D Bty. 178th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.5th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    My Grandad's brother Ernest Withers was killed in action the 5th of October 1917 he is buried in Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel le Grand.

    Steve Withers




    255110

    Pte. Thomas Malley 23rd (4th Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1916)

    My Great Uncle Thomas Malley's name is on the Stirling War Memorial as having died in the First World War, and having served with the 4th Tyneside Scottish 23rd Northumberland Fusiliers, but I cannot find any more information on him and would be most grateful if anybody could tell me at what battle, where and when he died.

    Dennis Malley




    255108

    Pte. Eric Hyde White MM. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Eric White was my father's elder brother. He was born in Swansea in 1895 and joined the KRRC in 1914. His service records have survived. In October 1918 the battalion was at Englefontaine near Mons and he won a Military Medal for an action fought at this village. Anecdotally it is believed that he won the medal for replacing a telegraph wire which had been brought down by enemy fire. I would be very interested in any information held or details of the citation if there was one.

    John White




    255103

    Pte. George Edward Lloyd A Coy 1st/22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.20th Sep 1916)

    My Grand uncle George Lloyd served with 1/22nd London Regiment (The Queens).

    David Lloyd




    255101

    Pte. James Harrison 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.6th Jul 1916)

    After researching my family tree, I have learnt my 2nd great grandad, James Harrison fought and died in the Battle of The Somme.

    Aaron Ecclestone




    255100

    Pte. William G. Ramsay 17th Btn. Royal Scots (d.2nd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    William Ramsay was the son of James and Janet Ramsay of 130 Taylor St., Townhead, Glasgow. Third youngest of nine children John, James, Janet, Thomas, Isabella, Anne, William, Alexander and Robert. His brother James also died in WW1.

    David Ramsay




    255096

    Pte. Harry Stancer Thompson 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.14th Nov 1918)

    Harry Thompson was born in Patricroft, Eccles, Lancashire in 1895. He was unofficially adopted by George and Eliza Thompson of Winterton, Cheshire. He joined up in WW1, and served with 9th Battalion, KOYLI and must have been captured in France in May 1918. He was taken to Germany as a POW and we presume died from hard labour and bad conditions, working in a mine (or mines) of some kind. He passed away a few days after Armistice and is buried in Germany.

    My grandfather, Oswald Day Gell Thompson was adopted by the same couple and went to war after Harry, I think. He served in the Salonica or Mesopotamian Front area. He came back home, but was so compromised by malaria and TB that he died in a sanatorium in 1930.

    Janet Mary Gell Thompson




    255091

    Gnr. George Henry Cartledge 175th Siege Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    George Cartledge enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters Territorial Force and was posted to the 7th (Robin Hood) Battalion on 27th of April 1912. From the Roll of Honour on the front page of the Nottingham Evening Post dated 5th of August 1916, George was wounded on the 1st of July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme (the family only became aware of this in 2016). George was transferred to the Royal Field Artillery and retrained as a Gunner, later he became acting Fitter Corporal. George was finally demobilized on 15th of March 1919. He was issued with the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Territorial Efficiency Medal.

    175th Siege Battery

    When in Sherwood Foresters - Bethune Oct 1915

    George with brother Sam and Mother

    With fellow NCOs in 1918

    Ian Cartledge




    255090

    Pte. Fred Palmer 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.28th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Palmer served with the 9th Suffolk Regiment.

    Gerry Palmer




    255089

    Bmbdr. Francis Shrive 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.1st May 1917)

    Frank Shrive served with 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery.

    Karl Lyon




    255088

    WO2. William Cecil Uwins MM. 10th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    My maternal Grandfather William Uwins served in WW1 with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. William was awarded the MM in May 1917 and the Bar in August of 1918. I have been trying to find out more about the Battalions' service and his war record but have so far drawn a blank.

    My grandfather survived the war to marry and have a family of two boys and a girl (my mother). He died in 1961 at the age of 66 before I was born.





    255087

    Cpl. Walter Cyril Gutteridge 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.4th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Walter Gutteridge served with the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment.

    Laura Cooper




    255085

    Pte. Thomas Greaves 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.7th June 1918)

    Thomas Greaves was my Grandad's younger brother who died in June 1918.

    Phil Greaves




    255083

    James William McCoy 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    James McCoy was lost in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He is remembered on the Menin Gate.He was a railway man and his family all lived in Gateshead, he left behind his wife Hannah and two sons Thomas Brady, John and she was pregnant with James at the time of her husbands death.

    Pat McCoy




    255081

    Pte. William George Green 2/4th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1917)

    In Memory of William Green of the 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment who died on the 19th Aug 1917, age 39. He was the son of Fanny Barnet of Windsor, husband of Annie Green of Kintore, Princes Street, Slough. Remembered with Honour at Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

    Maurice Evans




    255080

    Pte. John Ferguson Arthur 17th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)

    John Arthur of the 17th Battalion of the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was wounded in an incident on 4th of June 1918.

    Darren Smith




    255078

    Hutchinson 9th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    We are looking to find out some more information about a soldier named Hutchinson (first name unknown), of the 9th Battalion, East Yorkshire. Rank also unknown. Any information you can provide will be very welcome.

    James




    255077

    Lt. Ernest Alexander Devlin-Hamilton DFC. No. 3 Squadron

    <p>

    Lieutenant Ernest Devlin-Hamilton was my Grandfather but I never knew him as he died young, however he did survive the war and was awarded the DFC. I believe he ended up living in New York.





    255076

    Cpl. Frank Whale Army Service Corps

    Frank Whale served with the Army Service Corps. I have just discovered my Grandfather's medals and would like to trace his Army Service Corps Company etc.





    255075

    Sgt. Ellis Pearson Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Ellis Pearson was born in Drax, Yorkshire in 1882. He was my great uncle and I had the privilege of living with him and my mother for several years as a small child in Leicestershire.

    He was in the Royal Field Artillery and served as a Sergeant in Gallipoli where he was wounded by shrapnel and sent home to recuperate. He was in hospital for two years recovering from his wound which was to his back. Due to this injury, he had a slight stoop and walked with a stick. He married, but sadly his wife, Queenie, passed away leaving no children. She had been a red cross nurse during the war.

    I remember him with great fondness. He was lovely man. He would tell me stories of his time in the war about the lice he would try to get rid of from his uniform, without much luck! The flies in the jam etc. He was sad to leave behind a particular horse he was fond of called Judy.

    I have in my possession his medals, cap badge, dog tag, signet ring and cigarette case. A photograph of him in uniform, actually smiling, and many others of him in old age at the time I knew him. He died aged 78 in 1959.

    Mary Elizabeth De Serville




    255064

    Pte. Arthur Stanley Goddard 3rd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment

    We have found out all of the information from Arthur Goddard's records. He served with the 3rd Monmouthshire Regiment, was later moved to the 9th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. On the Roll of Individuals it states Infantry Base Depot and also attached 9th Entrenching Battalion.

    Sue Goddard




    255063

    Pte. Joseph Lowe 4th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.7th Jul 1916)

    Joseph Lowe served with 4th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Joseph had an older brother, William Lowe, who was also in the K.O.Y.L.I and lived at 69 Bloeinjoulein Street, Cudworth, Yorks. William served more than 3yrs during WW1, being unfit for further active service after the loss of his left hand during combat operations. He died April 1926. Living at Carlton Street, South Kirkby where he resided with his wife and family.Cemetery. William was also a Private and I think in same Battalion, 4th.

    Kenneth Thorpe




    255061

    Pte. Wilfred James Powell 21st Motor Transport Coy. Army Service Corps (d.31st Jul 1916)

    Wilfred Powell's death broke a family's heart badly enough to unfortunately not want them to go through the pain of talking about his memory to the future generations. He was "a real good boy" were the only words mentioned by his surviving brother about him. One of many sad stories.

    RIP uncle Wilf.

    Marc Johnson




    255059

    Pte. John Edward Gravenor 3rd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.29th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Medals were issued to John Gravenor in 1922 alongside the death Penny. From the records, our family can only assume John went missing in action as at some point on his records someone wrote deserted 29th of July 1916 only for this to be crossed out.

    His body was never found and his name was missed off any war memorials for nearly 100 years. After petitioning the Commonwealth War Grave Commission, his name will be added to the Dorian Memorial in Salonika. The place in which he died. A week before the centenary of his death our family managed to get his name added to the Birmingham hall of memory in the Book of Remembrance. I heard many stories about John when growing up from older members of my family. Their story always was that he was crossing a river and never returned to his battalion. He was my great uncle.

    Nikki Medlicott Hulme




    255058

    John Denton Shore Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Grandfather John Shore was at Shorncliffe Camp in 1911. I know that he went to France in December of 1914. I believe with the Kings Royal Rifles. He was Rifleman Y3r. He achieved the rank of Corporal. I don't know how long he was in France. He was later in The Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby). By the end of the war he had risen to the rank of Warrant Officer 11.





    255055

    Pte. Lewis Charles Walpole 9th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.29th Aug 1916)

    Lewis Walpole was, as far as I can gather, fighting on the Somme with the 9th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment when he died. His body was never recovered. He has no grave, and I have been unable to locate a photograph of him. Lewis was previously with the Bedfordshire Regiment.





    255053

    Rfmn. Ernest Bailey 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.31st Jul 1917)

    My great uncle, Ernest Bailey, was 19 years old when he died in the Battle of Passchendaele.

    Felicity




    255052

    James Cloughley 1st Btn King's Own Scottish Borderers

    I've been researching my family tree for some time now, and I've just found out my grandfather was a Private in the 1st Btn Kings Own Scottish Borderers.

    I didn't know he was even in the First World War and if possible I'd love to know more if you could even put this on to the right people so I could learn more about it.





    255050

    Pte. Herbert Dewhurst 10th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.18th Jul 1916)

    Herbert Dewhurst died from wounds sustained in battle. He is buried in the war cemetery at St Hellier Station, Mericout L'Abbe.

    Graham Sampson




    255048

    Sgt. Christopher Charles Waller C Battery, 79th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>In Argentina

    Born 30th of June 1887 Christopher Waller worked at Birkenhead docks at the Lairage. At some point after 1911 he went to Argentina and worked as a gaucho, the only picture we have of him is in a cowboy outfit. He returned to Birkenhead on 22nd of October 1914. From the Lairage memorial currently in Wirral Tramway and Transport Museum, about 212 volunteered and of those 90 were killed. His service records were among those lost in the Blitz, but his medal card shows he began service abroad on 15 July 1915 after training and started as an Acting Bombardier. His unit went to Dickebusch south west of Ypres initially, then to the northern gate of the town, Dixmude. I have the war diary and there is a lot more, this is just the first few months.

    He was treated in a field hospital near Arras on the 31st of August 1917, at which time he was a Sergeant in C Battery of 79th Brigade RFA. A letter from his commanding officer in April 1919 says he had been acting as his gun line Sergeant-Major and right-hand man under very trying conditions for (part of) the past 15 months. The unit is stated to be 93rd Army Brigade, R.F.A., so he would have been there from about January 1918.

    After the war he returned to Birkenhead and the Lairage and had six children, one of them my mother. He died in 1951 aged 64. We have sketchy details of his later life. He was a raconteur in the local bars, and a bookie of some sort. He is supposed to have been a cabin boy on a polar expedition, but I suspect this may have been one of his stories! Other than that, he seems to have had a good war. Having only recently got in touch with my cousins in the UK, Canada and Australia, and found details of his service, we are all proud to have him as our Grandfather. I visited Dickebusch (Dikkebus) last week, and will be going back to Flanders next year once I have transcribed the war diaries and found exactly where he served.

    Letter from C.O.

    Dikkebus today

    Martin




    255043

    Gnr. Harold Raymond Sharplin 41st Bty, 42nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.15th Apr 1918)

    Harold Sharplin and several members of his gun crew were killed on the 15th Apr 1918. Reports show 3 dead, 3 wounded, plus the Padre Oswin Creighton who was visiting at the time. All were later buried at Chocques Military Cemetery. According to Cemetery records it appears one of the wounded may also have died.

    Nicholas White




    255041

    Frederick Thomas Gee 156th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.1915)

    Frederick Gee served with 156th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. A visit to Dinnington (South Yorks) war memorial spurred us on to find out what we could regarding the Gee family. Further research has given us the Regiment he was in and we will carry on looking into his, and other family members war service and family lives.





    255039

    Pte Thomas Houldsworth 9th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916 )

    Thomas Houldsworth was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, aged 32. 9th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment part of the 70th Brigade of the 23rd Division under Major-General J.M. Babington, Fourth Army III Corps who were engaged at the Somme from 1st of July 1916. 23rd Division was recruited as one of the New Army divisions recruited under the Kitchener Recruitment Plan.

    His Service card indicates joined up (or re-joined) on 27th of August 1915 and was initially Lance Cpl but later Pte. No idea why his rank changed, maybe because he re-joined as a volunteer? Maybe other reasons?. He received the three campaign medals posthumously, the Victory, Star, British Medals.

    Martin Gamble




    255037

    Pte. Rostron Haworth 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Rostron Haworth attended Kirkham Grammar School in Lancashire. He was tragically killed and was never found at Passchendaele (or 3rd Battle of Ypres) on 31st of July 1917. He was 24 when he died. Rostron was a Private in the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. He was the son of Emmett and Mary Annie Haworth of Lytham, Lancs. He is remembered on the Cenotaph in Lytham Square with other WW1 soldiers who died.





    255035

    Pte. William Thomas Trewin Ritchings 2/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    William Ritchings, at the outbreak of WW1 in 1914 joined the Royal Berkshire Territorials at the age of 15, he later transferred to Y Company, 2/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He served in France and was wounded in knee. He returned home in 1920 and died in 1942 age 43.

    Archer Ritchings




    255030

    Pte. William Jesse Sheppard 14th (Service) Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.1st February 1917)

    William Sheppard is buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, he was the brother-in-law of Peter Alexander Pope, my great-great grandfather (who was also killed a year later).





    255029

    Pte. David Drever Moodie Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    David Moodie was my grandfather. He was an Old Contemptible and served throughout the war. Then in 1919 he sailed with the regiment from Liverpool to Rangoon, India, to serve in the prison service.

    I have tried many times to access service records for him, but this has been unsuccessful. I have one photograph of him in uniform, in a group of soldiers He died in 1984.

    Margaret Mackie




    255028

    AB. Reginald Charles Gibbons HMS Contest (d.18th September 1917)

    Reginald Gibbons died as a result of HMS Contest being sunk, thought to be by a German U boat.

    Paul Wellings




    255026

    2Lt. Frederick T. Saxon 143rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.8th December 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Saxon served with 143rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Richard Saxon




    255025

    Sgt. Lawrence Gordon Coe 10th Btn. A Coy. Lincolnshire Regiment

    My Grandfather Lawrence Coe initially joined up in 1914 as a private in the Ox and Bucks rising to the rank of sergeant. At some point he was transferred to the Lincolnshire Regiment as a sergeant. The only information that I have came from recollections of my father and research that I have undertaken.

    He was wounded in the head during action on 28th of April 1917 when he was a Sergeant with A Company 10th Lincolns, at Roeux where he was taken prisoner and sent to Langensalza Pow camp he was, as a result of his wound, ultimately interned in Switzerland. He lost his left eye as a result of the wound and suffered throughout the remainder of his life with head pains.

    His name is recorded in the publication produced at the end of the war of all personnel of London County Council who served during The Great War.

    Geoff Coe




    255024

    Pte. Cormac Cumeskey 24th (1st Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1917)

    Cormac Cumeskey was laid to rest at the Roisel Communal Cemetery extension in the Somme, France

    Michael Stewart




    255023

    Pte. Henry "Aich" Bush 8th (Liverpool Irish) Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment

    Henry Bush was taken prisoner on 8th of August 1916 near Guillemont France. Interned in Dulmen Camp.

    John Ward




    255018

    A/L/Cpl. Edward Plant MM. 59th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Edward Plant MM served with 59th Coy. Machine Gun Corps and Lincolnshire Regiment.

    Irene Arnold




    255015

    Pte. David Nicoll 6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.15th Apr 1918)

    For the last 100 years not much has been known about my great great Grandfather during his service, as very little details were given to his wife. It is only recently that we've been able to find out his battalion and where he is commemorated. David Nicoll enlisted the 31st of May 1915 at the age of 41 and first served with the Army Service Corps in horse transport.

    He was killed, listed as missing and is commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial. David had 6 children (3 girls, 3 boys) his youngest was born the day after Armistice day, the daughter he never got to meet.

    Linzi Barbour




    255010

    Pte. Tom Shepherd 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Tom Shepherd is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, in Belgium.He was the son of Thomas Shepherd and Eliza Alice Spelman Shepherd Robertson. He enlisted in 1914 at South Shields. He is believed by the family to have died in of poison gas inhalation. His mother Eliza was able to visit his grave at some point before her death, and her trip was paid for by the British Army.

    Bonnie Follett




    255007

    Pte. Wilfred Keep 2nd Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.31st May 1918)

    Wilfred Keep was the last of 8 children born to Nicholas James Keep and Fanny Bishop. He was killed in the Battle of Aisne and is commemorated at the Soissons Memorial being just one of the 4000 who have no known grave.

    Peta Millard




    255006

    Pte. John Henry Carter 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.27th Oct 1916)

    John Carter was born in 1869 in Rushett Common, Surrey to parents Mr and Mrs Carter of Heathfield Sussex. He died of wounds on the 27th of October 1916 aged 20 years.





    254995

    Pte. Harry Ainsworth 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.12th April 1918)

    Harry Ainsworth is my great uncle. He was born in Dewsbury in 1881 and moved to Gateshead with his wife Eleanor. He was a boot maker and repairer.

    He and Eleanor had four children when he joined up with the 18th Durham Light Infantry in December 1915. I have not been able to find any record of service but have read the WW1 diary of the 18th DLI.

    Harry died on 12th April 1918. He was killed in action close to Outtersteene and is commemorated on the War Memorial at Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Janet Walls




    254993

    Pte. Robert Beaver 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.8th October 1917)

    Robert Beaver was born in Burchell's Green Road, St. George in 1889 and was baptised on 18th July 1889. Bob was one of five children born to James and Mary Ann Beaver (nee Gale) who married on 22nd December 1883 at St. Mary's, Bitton, Glos. By 1911 Bob was employed as a finisher in a boot factory living at 41, New Queen Street, Two Mile Hill. On 25th December 1915 he married Florence Rose Nolan at St. James Church, Mangotsfield.

    He served as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was recorded as missing on 8th October 1917 near Polygon Wood, Belgium. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial and also the Mangotsfield United Reformed Church Memorial.

    The Army Register of Soldier's Effects shows that Bob's possessions amounted to 1pound.1s.10d which was sent to his widow Flossie on 20th February 1928 with a War Gratuity Grant being sent to her on 22nd December 1919. Robert Beaver was posthumously awarded the Victory and British War medals but not the 1914-1915 Star which indicates that he did not enter France and Flanders until 1916 at the earliest. This corresponds with his War Gratuity which is indicative of him enlisting in 1916.

    David Blackmore




    254990

    Gnr. W P Sharrock 48th Siege Battalion Royal Garrison Artillery (d.23rd July 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, W Sharrock is buried at Canada Farm Cemetery.

    Peter Naylor




    254986

    Pte. Herbert Cecil Neale MM. 132nd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Herbert Neale was wounded and gassed in July 1917. His Military Medal is noted in London Gazette of 22nd of January 1917, for actions during latter part of 1916. He was one of five brothers plus one brother-in-law to serve and be wounded, three of his brothers died.

    Edgar John Neale 7th Btn. QRWS Reg. G/13095, wounded, gassed, Died 1981

    George Peter Horden East Kent Reg 202625; Royal Warwickshire's 33975; wounded and survived war - died 1957.

    Charles (Charlie) Henry Neale 10th Btln. QRWS G/10408 ex-Northants Reg 22389, Died 6th of August 1917, from wounds received on 31st of July 1917 in the Battle of Passchendaele). He is buried at CWGC La Clytte, Belgium.

    Francis (Frank) William Neale 1st/4th Seaforth Highlanders S/43399. Died 16th of November 1918, Buried at CWGC Auberchicourt, France.

    Arthur Percy Neale Suffolk Reg 12242 ex-Northants Died 22nd of December 1919.

    Francis Neale

    Steuart Neale




    254985

    Pte. Job Peace 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.10th Apr 1918)

    Job Peace served with the 8th North Staffordshire Regiment and died on the 10th of April 1918. This is the only information I have about my Grandfather, and we don't have any pictures of him either. If anyone knows anything about him, or where he was killed (he has no known grave,) I would appreciate it. Before the war he worked in the local textile mills, and he was a keen runner. I believe he ran a race against Jimmy Holdsworth, a local hero, and lost, and someone wrote a poem entitled Lines on Jimmy Holdsworth.

    Karen Ramsden




    254978

    Pte. Arthur Ernest Evans (d.Apr 1917)

    Arthur Evans is my grandad with little known as my mum was just two and a half years old when he was killed in action and buried in Ypres. I would love to be able to find a photograph of him.

    Robert Clive Hall




    254976

    Rfmn. John Stanley Nelson 18th Btn. London Regiment

    John Stanley Nelson served with 18th Battalion, London Regiment. I have his discharge to reserves papers and it lists him as serving overseas.

    Racheal Malone




    254975

    Pte. Ernest Albert Cory 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.11th Aug 1916)

    Ernest Albert Cory was born on 12th of November 1895 at Aylsham. He was the son of Robert Hardiment Cory and Anna Elizabeth nee Woods and was the first son in a family of twelve children born between 1892-1912. Before enlisting he lived at 1, Foundry Bridge Buildings in Prince of Wales Road, Norwich. His father was employed as a porter, unloading ships at the nearby river.

    He joined the 7th Battalion which was formed at Norwich in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, the 35th Brigade, 12th Division. Training began later that month at Shorncliffe and was finalised in February 1915 at Aldershot. The Battalion landed in France at Boulogne on 31st May and on 23rd of June 1915 took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood. They were in action at the Battle of Loos,and in the action of the Hohernzollern Redoubt capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of Hulloch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3,237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.

    The Battalion continued to be employed with various attacks and sorties until on the 3rd August they went into action at the Battle of Pozieres with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench. They were engaged in heavy fighting here until they were withdrawn on the 9th. Ernest Albert Cory's death is recorded as occurring on 11th of August 1916, presumably not from wounds as he has no known grave. His name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial.

    M Goffin




    254974

    Pte. John Whyte Willocks A Coy. 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.9th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    My grandmother used to tell me stories of her younger brother, John Willocks who was killed on the opening day of the Battle of Arras in 1917. From my research, I have come to the conclusion that he may have died in Battery Valley, as a memoir by Cuddeford (And All for What) describes the unit being hit by direct shellfire from German batteries and the terrible wounds inflicted. My great-uncle has no known grave.

    Peter McCrone




    254970

    Spr. Harley Firman Royal Engineers

    My maternal grandfather Harley Firman of the 5th London Brigade, worked for the LCC and is mentioned in the LCC book "Record of War Service". He completed 3 years 11 months in France and is listed as being in the R.F.A and R.E. I know little more about his war service. He survived but his brother Harold Firman, regiment currently unknown, was killed and his name is on the Arras memorial, as he has no grave.

    Ian Morris




    254963

    Pte. John Clifford Mitchell 20th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    Unfortunately my father John Mitchell never spoke about his time serving with the Royal Fusiliers, I am still doing research.

    David Mitchell




    254961

    Rfmn. John William Welch 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.5th Sep 1918)

    Unfortunately I do not know enough about my Great Grandfather, John Welch as I am still doing research, but I would love to find a photo.

    Christine Mitchell




    254960

    Pte. George Brew 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>In a hospital ward

    My Great grandfather Private George Brew served with the 4th Royal Fusiliers. He was discharged medically unfit in November 1915 and was part of the Battle of Mons. He died in 1947 in London aged 62.

    Chris Brew




    254957

    L/Cpl. Denis Geraghty 31st Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.13th Apr 1918)

    Denis Geraghty joined up to the Connaught Rangers at Athlone, Co Westmeath in 1915. He was enlisted even though under age. Because he was under age he was not sent to the front immediately and eventually transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

    He was killed in action in the vicinity of the town of Strazeele, defending a position near the railway line. The action took place during the German Spring offensive of 1918. He is buried at Meteren Military Cemetery just south of Ypres on the Belgian/French border.

    A photo of Denis in army uniform graced his nieces' mantelpiece for many years. He was often spoken of fondly as the young uncle who died too young and who was never known in person. May he Rest In Peace. Never forgotten.

    Martin Gillick




    254956

    L/Cpl. Ambrose Chambers 53rd Battalion

    Ambrose Chambers emigrated to Australia in 1912 aboard the SS Pakeha. He enrolled in the Australian Imperial Force on 16th of February 1916and served with them until 1919 when he was discharged in London and returned home to Selby in North Yorkshire. He served in Egypt and was shipped out to Port Said, leaving Sydney on 14th of April 1916 aboard the troop ship HMAT A40 Ceramic, arriving on 16th of May 1916. He was married in September 1918 at Selby Abbey, Yorkshire, England wearing his Australian army uniform and was promoted to Lance Corporal on his return to service from leave after his wedding.

    Jan Mitchell




    254955

    2Lt. Benjamin Alfred Lewis 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.8th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Benjamin Lewis was killed on the 8th of November 1918.

    Jo Mullett




    254954

    Pte. William George Greig 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.15th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    William Greig was accidentally killed. I have no details, but a family member seems to remember a story that someone was cleaning his rifle and it went off accidentally killing my Grandfather.

    Brenda Farnaby




    254947

    Pte. J. W. Blenkinsop 11th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    J W Blenkinsop served with the 11th West Yorkshire Regiment. Medical records show he had a dental problem and spent four days in a field hospital from 1st of August 1917.

    Barbara Alexander




    254946

    Rfmn. James Mawhinney 13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th Aug 1917)

    James Mawhinney was my great uncle and a member of 13th (County Down) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He originated from The Old Mill, Magheralin and was killed on 16th of August 1917. He has no known grave. I have searched high and low for a photo of James but can not find one. I would appreciate any help in locating one.

    Marnie Armstrong




    254944

    L/Sgt. George Morley 8th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    George Morley was my maternal great grandfather, father of Mildred Violet Morley and husband of Mrs Mary A. Morley

    Ray Laflin




    254943

    Pte. Abraham Cohen 12th Btn. Kings (Liverpool Regiment) (d.7th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Abraham Cohen was my great uncle; brother of my maternal grandmother. I knew nothing about him until I discovered his photograph amongst my mother's papers. Written on the back was his name and the words died in the war. My research led me to the regiment and date of his death.

    My regret is that we never found the photograph before my grandmother's death and as she never mentioned him we were deprived of knowing more personal details about him. He died aged 19 and like so many others was robbed of a life we so often take for granted.





    254942

    Pte. Paul McGee 6th Battalion (d.16th Jun 1916)

    Great Uncle Paul McGee rests at the St. Marys ADS cemetery in France. His brother Peter, rests about a mile away at the Loos memorial. My family and I travelled from Australia to the battlefields of France including the Normandy beaches of WW2 and the Somme of WW1.





    254941

    Pte. Patrick McGee 6th Battalion (d.27th Apr 1916)

    Great Uncle Patrick McGee is remembered at the Loos memorial in France. His brother Paul, rests about a mile away at the St. Marys ADS cemetery. My family and I travelled from Australia to the battlefields of France including the Normandy beaches of WW2 and the Somme of WW1.





    254939

    Gnr. Thomas Cecil Williams 67th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.11th Oct 1916)

    My father told me of a missing uncle who was never spoken about. He told me he and his brothers knew that he was a brother of my grandad and that he had died in WW1 and nobody, as far as they knew, had ever found out anything about him. This upset me, so I went on a mission to find out more. The only information I had was part of his parents names and they said he died at Ypres. It took me months to to find him because of misinformation. He actually died at the Somme. I now know where Thomas Williams is and will at some point in my life go to see him because, as I understand it, nobody ever has.

    I would be grateful if anybody knows anything about the 67th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in October 1916.

    Rick Williams




    254937

    Gnr. Robert Nuttall 149th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.15th Oct 1916)

    V was killed in action on the 15th of October 1916 aged 25. He lies in the Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte. Son of Mrs Nuttall of 13 Park Street, Bury, Lancashire.

    Brian Nuttall




    254934

    Edgar John Neale 7th Btn. Queens West Surrey Regiment

    Edgar Neale was wounded and gassed, but he lived until 1981.

    Steuart Neale




    254931

    Pte Harold Ernest Hemingway 2nd Btn 2nd Btn Royal Munster Fusiliers King's Own Yorkshire Li (d.31st Dec 1917)

    Joined the Yorkshire Light Infantry and then for some reason transferred to The Royal Munster Fusiliers 2nd Battalion.

    Served in France where he was injured and repatriated to the Leeds war hospital at Becket Street where he died on 1917-12-31





    254929

    WO. James Clarke MM,DCM. 1/6th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather James Clarke served with the 1/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. He enlisted in 1912/13 and was a Territorial pre war. Both his brothers in law were killed in action, Charles Chandler with the KRRC and John Walker with the Cheshire Regiment, both were from Hyde. His brother George Clarke also served.

    James is 3rd from left in front row. 1918

    Richard Clarke




    254927

    Pte. William John Wallace MM. 18th Battalion (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    William Wallace was my Grandmother's older brother. He came from Liverpool.

    Andrew Kenrick




    254926

    Capt. Thomas George Sillem MC. 16th Btn. Welch Regiment (d.14th Apr 1918)

    Thomas Sillem was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, Gazetted on 9th of January. His father was a solicitor and Thomas attended a boarding school. He died aged 22 and is commemorated at Tyne Cot and Long Stratton war memorial.





    254919

    Pte. George Ebenezer Bertram Sinclair 101st Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    My brother and I have Grandad, George Sinclair's notebook including instructions on firing forward bearings and his Barrage Orders for 20th of September 1917 at the Battle of Menin Road (from Mt Sorrel). We also have his bible with personal notes from that time.

    He told a story of walking through Gateshead years later and needing a match for his pipe, he kicked an empty matchbox which turned out to be full, this reminded him of a similar experience in battle involving empty ammo boxes.

    John Sinclair




    254917

    Pte. MacDonald Arthur "Mac" Chamberlain 14th Btn. A Coy London Regiment (d.13th May 1917)

    Mac Chamberlain was born in 1895 and died on 13th of May 1917. He is buried at Etrun in France.

    Lionel Chamberlain




    254915

    Pte. Joseph William Thompson 10th Hussars (d.18th Aug 1916)

    Joseph Thompson served with the 10th Hussars. When he joined up, his dog had just had a litter of pups. Joseph chose one of the pups for his mum, Ada to look after until he came home. He was also in Castleton brass band and so cleaned and put away his instrument until he came home. He never did.





    254913

    Sig. John Willie Holdsworth 310th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    John Holdsworth signed up August 1914 in Pals Battalion aged 16. Initially he was sent to a coastal battery at South Shields. He arrived in France in June 1915. He was first injured in June 1916, He returned to the lines in December 1916. On the 21st of August he was being buried, when he moved. He was barely alive and was sent to UK where the remnants of his damaged lung were surgically removed. Injury caused by shrapnel from German shellfire. Death notices had already been sent to his father with letters from his superiors. His obituary was published in the Shipley Times and Express on the 31st of August 1917.

    John survived until May 1975 with one lung and some plumbing in silver. A remarkable testimony to his strength, the surgeons and infection control.

    Susan Holdsworth




    254912

    Gnr. Percy Gainham Jones D Bty. 276th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.8th Aug 1917)

    Percy Jones was my uncle. His sister, Jessie Maud Jones, was my mother. She was 4 years old when he was killed aged 21. It was never spoken about. His brother Leslie Thomas Jones was killed in WW2. That was also never spoken about.

    "Lest We Forget".

    Helen Knight




    254911

    Pte. Harold Stanley Sampson 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.18th September 1918)

    Harold Sampson was the son of a Devonshire farmer, Henry Sampson, his mother was Emily. He was born in Cornwood, Devon, in 1862 and was one of 8 children. By 1911, the family were living at Bowerdon Farm, Buckfastleigh, Harold was 15 and working on the farm. Henry Sampson was not keen for Harold to sign up, possibly as he was needed on the farm.

    Harold enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and in 1918 was with the 5th Battalion, part of Kitchener's 12th (Eastern) Division that took part in the Battle of Epehy on 18th September 1918. Unfortunately, Harold was one of 265 Allied service men killed on that day.

    Harold was buried in Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery close to the village of Epehy. Plots I and II were created by the men of the 12th (Eastern Division) for the casualties of that battle.

    Sue Carlyon




    254906

    Pte. James Doig 6th Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    James was captured on the 15th of October 1918 at Harlebeke. The Dumfries Standard reported, "Private James Doig, KOSB husband of Mrs Doig of Steeple Close, Kirkcudbright is reported as missing from 16th October. Private Doig who was a regular soldier and served in India with a territorial regiment is a native of Dunfries. He served in Egypt and Palestine, where he was wounded and was afterwards transferred to France in April. He had a brother killed at the Gallipoli landing. There are strong hopes that Private Doig is a prisoner." He was indeed a prisoner and was held in Stendal PoW camp.

    Stephen Richardson




    254900

    Pte. William Henry Harris East Kent Regiment

    William Harris was born on 2nd December 1894 at Aldington, Kent. He signed up for active service with the Royal Garrison Artillery in February 1914 at an age of almost 20. He passed two educational examinations that month, giving him 3rd and then 2nd Class certificates. However, by March of that year, he had been signed off as "unlikely to become an efficient soldier" on grounds of health, he had been diagnosed with a hernia. This must have been a terrible blow to his morale, as he had a younger brother Edward Harris was serving in the same regiment. It's important to realise that, as a ploughman on a farm in Minster, Isle of Thanet, in Kent, his discharge was a legitimate ticket out of appalling hostilities in Europe. However, he did no more than travel down the road to Canterbury and, under the same name, signed up for service with the East Kent Regiment(The Buffs). His new regiment didn't ever seem to query, or even know about, his first 64 days of service. Research is still on-going into the detail of his service but we do know that he fought in a in a skirmish in the Somme (prior to the great Battle) and was posted as "missing believed lost". German information later announced to the Allies that he had been captured. He was eventually discharged to the UK and returned to his farm, a broken man, and, the family recalls, haunted by the privations of his time in captivity. He had become morose and caustic in what little conversation he offered. He battled on with his private demons, speaking little to his wife or children about his inner thoughts. He died in Ramsgate on 28th June 1946 aged 52. His younger brother had returned from the front in a little over two years, nerves shot to pieces, and died aged 22.





    254899

    A/Cpl. Alfred George Perryman 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade

    Alfred Perryman joined up on the 30th October 1906 aged 18 and was sent to India. In 1911 he was shown on the census as being in Egypt. However he was in India in August 1914, and sailed to Britain, landing at Devonport on 18th of November 1914. They suffered badly as they still had there tropical uniforms. They were then moved to Magdalen Hill near Winchester and sent to France on 20th of December 1914. The 4th Battalion was sent to Salonika in November 1915 but Alfred appears to have stayed in France according to his record card. My father, his son, has said he was gassed in 1917 and was awarded the Silver War Badge No.246749, but as records missing we cannot find anything else so far. He was awarded 'pip,squeak and wilfred' medals. He also joined the RAMC in WW2.

    Martin Perryman




    254898

    Pte. Charles Edward Butler 51st Company Canadian Forestry Corps

    Grandpa, Charles Butler enlisted for the duration of the war and 6 months after with the Canadian 216th Battalion CEF, Bantams on the 5th of January 1917. I was told by my parents he was born in 1901, but birthday is listed as 1897, so I have to go with that and do further research. I knew he was short, they list his height as 5ft 1" and 103lbs. (It was funny to see Grandpa, my father and I walk down the street. My dad was 5ft 6" and I have been 6ft since 8th grade.) He sailed from Halifax on the SS Scandinavian 18th of April 1917, arriving in Liverpool 29th of April 1917. The 216th was then absorbed into the 3rd Canadian Reserve Battalion based at West Sandling on 30th of April 1917. On 30th of June 1917, he was found unfit for further training due to back issues and was transferred to The Forestry Corps at Sunningdale. He was then posted to No. 51 company in France, arriving at Harve on 7th of December 1917. He returned to Toronto, Canada on the SS Regina from Liverpool on 22nd of March 1919. He was demobilized on 2nd of April 1919 in Toronto. He was paid a total of $360. for his war service.

    David Butler




    254897

    Pte. Arthur Porcher Meen 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.20th September 1917)

    Arthur Meen enlisted on the 2nd of July 1917 aged 29,he was previously a cattle lad on a farm. He was killed in action in Flanders, just 2 months after enlisting. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and Long Stratton War Memorial.





    254892

    Pte. Harry Carlow 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    Harry Carlow was probably killed in the 3rd Battle of the Scarpe. He is buried at Crump Trench Cemetery near Arras. Aged 19 at death.





    254891

    Pte. Wilfrid Hawthornthwaite 13th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.20th Nov 1917)

    Wilfrid Hawthornthwaite was married to Ethel Taylor and had two sons. John was born in 1911 and my grandfather, Roy, was born in 1915. The boys were brought up by Ethel and her father who was called Granpa Taylor.





    254888

    Pte. Alexander White 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    Alexander White is my great uncle who died 9th of April 1917 and buried at Duisan British Cemetery, Etrun France. My grandfather Alexander's brother died also 1917.

    Angela McGrath




    254881

    A/L/Cpl. Ernest John Hitchen 1/4th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.20th August 1915)

    <p>

    Ernie Hitchen served in Gallipoli.

    Neil Brookes




    254880

    Pte. John W. Kirkbride 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.2nd April 1916)

    John Kirkbride was my Great Uncle. I believe he received a gunshot wound in 1915, and was repatriated back to the UK, where he sadly died in 1916. His grave is in Grove Road Cemetery, Harrogate.

    Barbara Parker




    254879

    Pte. Robert Lorraine Fisher 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th November 1916)

    Robert Fisher is buried in Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France.

    John Stephen Fisher




    254876

    Pte. Harry Dean MM. 1/6th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>

    Harry Dean received the Military Medal on 30th of September 1917 at Dambre Camp. He was gassed and lost a lung, was sent home and survived to live on after the end of the war.

    Maggie Denholm




    254875

    Spr. Frederick James Harriss 23rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.10th Jun 1918)

    Sapper Frederick Harriss was gassed at Ypres in 1917 then badly wounded at Nouelles in 1918 he was taken to 73rd General Hospital at Trouville and died on 10th of July 1918. We as a family have the commemorative plaque that was sent to his parents.





    254873

    Rfmn. Frank Benjamin Tolhurst 5th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Nov 1917)

    Frank Tolhurst was my grandmother's elder brother. She adored him. He gave her his bike before he went away to war. He was 27 years old when he died on 7th of November 1917.

    Jill Elbourn




    254871

    Pte. William Edward Sherwood 19th (St Pancras) Battalion London Regiment (d.5th December 1917)

    At the outbreak of the war in 1914, Bill Sherwood was a 36 year old wharf foreman living with his wife, Emily and their 2 children, Stanley aged 11 and Doris aged 8 in London's Limehouse. His life was turned upside down in 1915 as firstly his wife died in early in the year and then his mother died suddenly on Christmas Day at her home on Salmon Lane of a brain haemorrhage. The family had been ripped to shreds and with the introduction of government conscription the following year, Bill found himself having to leave his children behind.

    Bill joined 19th Battalion, London Regiment on 11th of December 1916 and saw action at the Battle of Messines, the 3rd Battle of Ypres and at Cambrai, where on 29th November the unit took over the recently-captured Bourlon Wood just in time to be hit by a German counter-attack the following morning.

    The 1/19th Londons were badly affected by the enemy bombardment, particularly by gas shells. Out of 15 officers and over 600 men of the battalion who took up position in the wood, only 5 officers and 65 other ranks remained in the line by the end of the day, and many of those were later evacuated to hospital suffering the effects of gas. Unfortunately, it appears that Bill was one of those men. He was transported to No. 3 Stationary Hospital in Rouen and he succumbed to his injuries on 5th December 1917. He was laid to rest at the St Sever Cemetery Extension in Rouen

    Paul Melton




    254869

    Pte. Alfred Frank Sillence 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.19th October 1915)

    Alfred Sillence was the youngest of 5 brothers that went to war, and unfortunately the 1st to die. Alfred was killed near the end of the Battle Of Loos as he was about to be withdrawn from the line. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the panels at Dud Corner Cemetery.

    Only 2 of the 5 brothers returned, one being my Great Grandfather. His brother William George was killed at Gallipoli about 6 weeks later. Sons of Mr. and Mrs. James Sillence of Field Cottage, West Woodhay, Newbury, Berks.

    Nicholas Sillence




    254867

    Pte. John Robert Melton 1/14th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Robert Melton enlisted with the 1/14th Battalion London Regiment on 2nd August 1917. He was posted to the Western Front and saw action at the Battle of Langemarck in Belgium. Later, he was posted to the Cambrai salient and his division were involved in diversionary operations at Mouevres. The unit was then moved to the Somme valley during the winter of 1917/18.

    He was diagnosed with Trench Fever on 21st of February 1918 and sent to No.42 Casualty Clearing Station close to the village of Aubigny. He was transferred to the Birmingham War Hospital on 2nd of March 1918. After a period of recuperation, he was sent to Shoreham Camp and served the remainder of the was in the Army Pay Corps.

    Paul Melton




    254865

    Rflmn. Percival James Sellick 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My Grandfather, Percival Sellick was on the front line in Ypres for three years. He was injured with shrapnel an hospitalised but returned to the front line a few months later. He was shot in the pelvis in the summer of 1918 and was retired wounded. While he survived the war, he later died due to the complications caused by his injuries. He left a widow and seven children, some very young, including my father who was only six.





    254862

    L/Cpl. John Alexander Hume 2nd Btn. Seaforth Higlanders (d.1st Jul 1916)

    John Hume was one of three sons sent to war. His father James Hume was chief warden of the Military Prison in Gosport. He married Carlotta Berini in Gibraltar where he was stationed.





    254861

    Spr. John Gilmour MM. 409th (Lowland) Field Company Royal Engineers

    John Gilmour won the Military Medal in action on 4th of November 1918, at the crossing of the Sambre Oise canal at Bois L' Abbaye. On 7th of November, Major G D E Findlay, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in the same action, recommended Sapper Gilmour receive the Military Medal. Specifically, for placing a second bridge over the canal, whilst under fire. This allowed the infantry to cross and to achieve its objectives. The award was presented on 27th of February 1919, having been transferred to the reserves on 5th of February.

    He returned home and went on to marry Mary, and raise five children together. James (Jim), Chrissie, Robert, John and Janet (Jenny). He spent his married life in Caldercrux by Airdrie and died at Robroyston Hospital in February 1973.

    Andrew Gilmour




    254860

    Pte. Joseph Thomas 10th (1st Rhondda) Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.31st January 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Thomas was my great, great uncle and his name is on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium. I understand that he had ginger hair, unusual in our family. In about 1998, I found my grandmother cleaning his large memorial plaque and other 'Mutt and Jeff' war medals. They had been passed down to her through Joseph's sister, Lydia, my great grandmother who died in 1960. As a history teacher, I had visited Ypres many times on WWI trips but never realised that my ancestor's name was on the wall. I managed to tell my grandmother that I had found her uncle's name on the wall in Ypres about a week before her own death in 2004. I went on to find out more about Joseph Thomas and my own family history, meeting and corresponding with relatives I never knew I had.

    I'd be very interested to know more about the 10th Battalion Welsh Regiment. I still have Joseph's medals. I know the regiment went out to Mametz Wood in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, but I can't seem to find any evidence of Joseph being there. I believe he may have been conscripted in 1916. His date of death at the Third Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele, specifically the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, 31st of July 1917, the same date of death as Hedd Wyn (Ellis Evans), the Eisteddfod winning Welsh poet. Being Welsh, I am very proud of that fact.

    I'd love to know who his pal was too in the photos. I have photos of Joseph in civilian dress too and the same face appears. Joseph's name also appears on the War Memorial in Pontyclun.

    Joseph Thomas with Pal

    Joseph Thomas with same Pal

    David Gibbs




    254857

    Lt. Sheffield Digby Kissane Rogers 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.14th June 1915)

    I have no history of my Great Uncle Sheffield Rogers, other than that he died whilst on reconnaissance before the Battle of Belwaarde. His name is inscribed on the Menin Gate.

    Jane Nicanovich




    254856

    Pte. Edwin Willett 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Edwin Willett was a 26 year old warehouse clerk from Tottenham when he attested for the 7th Lancers on 4th of September 1914. By 1915, he had been transferred to the 9th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade where he served for the next 3 years. He was wounded in July 1915 and was hospitalised with flu in July 1918. He survived the war and was demobilised in 1919.

    Jonathan Edis




    254852

    2Lt. Eric Ronald Johnson 1/7th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Eric Johnson served with the 7th Middlesex Regiment and 2nd Trench Mortar Battery.

    Graham Richardson




    254850

    L/Cpl. Elvin Spencer Bulley 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.17th September 1916)

    <p>

    Elvin Bulley, 9th (Service) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment who died on Sunday 17th of September 1916, age 32 years was the son of William and Rosanna Bulley of Swafield, North Walsham.

    Elvin Bulley went to France in October 1915 and is first mentioned in Army records when he was admitted to the General Hospital at Etaples with influenza on 22nd of December 1915.

    From the Battalion War Diaries we know that on 11th of September 1916 the 9th Norfolks moved to trenches south of Trones Wood at about 10pm. There they mainly slept in shell holes as there were no dugouts. On the 13th there was a good deal of shelling. On 15th September the battalion arrived in the trenches at 1am and took up the line on the Ginchy to Leuze Wood road from where an attack was launched at 7.20am. The Germans occupied the high ground just to the east of Ginchy and had constructed a formidable four-sided trench complex approximately 300 yards by 150 yards. The British called it The Quadrilateral. This was the Norfolk's objective, a position that other units had attempted to take in previous days; attempted and failed. Trenches immediately to the north were the Norfolk's objective.

    In the light of dawn they moved forward to take up final positions for their attack. They were ready but the staff who had planned the attack were guilty of serious errors of judgement. The customary artillery barrage normally used to smash defences and prevent the advance of reinforcements, was zeroed on ground 500 yards beyond the Quadrilateral! The Norfolks were therefore expected to advance and engage the Quadrilateral's defences with only one tank to support their valiant efforts.

    Some historians believe that yet another human error would play a hand in the battle. One tank assigned to support the attack was believed to have inflicted heavy casualties with its machine guns on the Norfolks as it started to move forward before zero hour! If this "friendly fire" incident did take place it is perhaps strange that no reference is made to it in the War Diary written at the time.

    At 0620 hours the British artillery barrage began and the ground on either side and beyond the Quadrilateral (where there were no Germans) erupted in smoke, flames and violently disturbed earth. Hardly a shell fell on the Quadrilateral from which there was devastating machine gun fire against the advancing Norfolks. They had to contend with uncut wire as well so, after moving only a short distance, were pinned down in no-man's land trying to find shelter in the numerous shell holes. By 0900 hours it was evident that the attack had failed. The tank that had been involved returned to the British positions leaving the infantry with no covering fire. Tragically, later in the day, those Norfolks still alive, lying out in no-man's land, were subjected to British artillery fire.

    As darkness fell the Quadrilateral remained intact and the 9th Battalion had paid a heavy price for their gallant efforts with 17 officers and 431 other ranks becoming casualties. Elvin Bulley was one of them and is buried at the nearby Guillemont Road Cemetery (Somme).

    The Norfolk News on the 14th of October 1916 reported, News has reached Acle of the death of Elvin Bulley of the Norfolks who was killed in action during last week. The deceased was a resident in Acle for nine or ten years and was a moulder at Messrs Smithdale and Sons, Acle. He was quite a favourite among the young fellows. He was captain of the Acle football team for several years and also a member of the Queen's Head Bowling Club. Soon after the war broke out he enlisted with several others of the parish. His brother was fighting beside him in the same trench and was wounded a few hours earlier.

    He was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.

    Patricia Bulley




    254849

    Rflmn James Dunnett 51st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.30th November 1918)

    James Dunnett was 35 years old when he died. I know very little about my grandad, only that he died of Influenza, and Pneumonia.

    Roy Dunnett




    254848

    Sgt. Philip Hampton Monmouthshire Regiment

    Philip Hampton had enlisted in 1914. His regiment arrived in France just before Christmas in 1914. He was wounded in the 2nd Battle of Ypres on the 8th May 1915, and admitted to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station which was then based at Poperinghe, Belgium. His wound was in the buttocks. He was transferred from the CCS on the same day. Destination unknown. I would like to know which hospital. He was discharged from the British Army in 1916.

    Eric Powell




    254847

    L/Cpl. Fred Hather 20th Hussars (d.27th November 1914)

    Fred Hather joined up in 1900 and fought in the Boer War and later went to India and Ireland.

    The 20th Hussars were mobilised on the 14th of August 1914 and sailed to France on the 16th, they went to Mons and fought in the retirement to Soissons where the German advance was stopped.

    They then went to Belgium and fought around Kemmel and Wijtschate. On 20th of November 1914 Fred was wounded and taken to No 11 General Hospital at Boulogne were he died of wounds on 27th of November 1914. He is buried in the Boulogne CWGC Cemetery.





    254846

    Sgt. Henry John Walker 6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    Henry Walker was my great grandfather. He died aged just 26 years old, leaving behind his wife and young daughter. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France, and will always be remembered by his family.

    Jen




    254842

    2Lt. William Hobday DCM. 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.17th April 1917)

    <p>

    William Hobday, the son of Ann Maria Hollick of 33 Talbot St. Oldbury, worked at Accles & Pollock before enlisting at the start of war.

    He received the DCM in 1915 for conspicuous bravery in July 1915 as a rifleman at Hooge & the clasp at Ypres in November after being promoted to Corporal.

    In a letter to his mother, he wrote "I was awarded the DCM this morning. General Plumer pinned the medal on my chest in front of all the Battalion & I was proud too. After 3 parties failed to find a wounded officer, I volunteered & went with a guide & 2 officers & we succeeded in finding him about 30 yards from the German lines. Under heavy fire we got him in". His former work mates sent him a gold watch when he gained the DCM.

    In September 1916, he was wounded in the shoulder, shortly after being promoted to the rank of sergeant. He was awarded a clasp to his DCM in March 1916 & the Chairman of Oldbury Urban District Council, John Round, presented the clasp to Sgt. Hobday at a meeting of the Oldbury Volunteers in the Town Hall in October 1916.

    By 1917 he has received his commission as a Second Lieutenant. Soon afterwards, on 11th of March 1917, he was killed at Monchy le Preux, in France, the day the village was taken from the Germans. His Lieutenant Colonel described him as "a most promising officer, and performed his duties in the most gallant manner"

    Newspaper article c1916

    Headstone at Monchy le preux cemetary, France

    Recent photo of Headstone.

    D.C.M with Bar

    Gail Davis




    254840

    Cpl. Albert Henry Shave DCM. 117th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Albert Shave was awarded the DCM for gallant conduct near Veldhoek on 31st of October 1914, when his battery was enfiladed by high explosive shell fire, and assailed by shrapnel and rifle fire from the front. He served as gun-layer with the last gun of the battery until forced to retire by the approach of the enemy in force.

    slawes




    254838

    Pte. Fred Gilbert 2nd Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.24th March 1918)

    My Great Uncle Fred Gilbert served with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers and then the Scottish Rifles. He was a good rifleman winning awards at home. He was killed near Pozieres and has no known grave. He was a big man with a determination not to come home wounded, according to family now deceased.

    Jill Clark




    254836

    Tpr. Harry Wilby Royal Horse Guards

    My father Harry Wilby, born in April 1898, Leeds, enlisted in the Royal Horse Guards in Leeds, on the 24th of October 1914. Although his enlistment papers have his declared age as 18 years & 204 days, he was actually 16 years & 178 days. Harry was stationed in the UK until 31st of May 1916, being transferred to 8th Machine Gun Squadron in the field on the 30th of June 1916, after a short period at the RHG Depot at Etaples, France. Harry was transferred with his unit to the 7th Machine Gun Squadron on the 6th of October 1916. After a short period of hospitalisation early in 1917 in Etaples he returned to the 7th Machine Gun Squadron on 13th of April 1917. On the 20th of April 1918 he rejoined his original RHG Cavalry unit and was assigned to the 3rd MG Battalion. Harry returned to the UK on 28th of February 1919 to No.1 Dispersal Unit Clipstone to await being discharged 30th March 1919 and returned home in Leeds. Harry died aged 73 in August 1971.

    Raymond Wilby




    254834

    Cpl. James Fred Walker MiD. 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th June 1917)

    James Walker was the inspiration for me to join the Armed Forces and I have part of his name. I have only ever heard stories of him as he died before I was born. In fact he was killed in action 14th of June 1917 in the Ypres Salient or Messines. I have been unable to find a grave for him but I do know his name is on the Menin Gate Memorial. He was also Mentioned in Dispatches but I have not been able to find out why or when or where. His wife remarried after his death and her name became Alice Humphries. I did know her although she was never able to tell me much about him.

    He remains etched in my memory a great, kind and brave man. May he Rest in Peace with his friends and fellow soldiers who also gave their lives for our tomorrow.

    They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.





    254833

    Pte. Francis Henry Smith Leicester Yeomanry (d.13th May 1915)

    Francis Smith was killed in 1915 while serving with the Leicester Yeomanry. When his mother was told about his death it was said that it turned her hair white. Francis being the elder of two boys, my great grandfather then tried to stop the younger son from being conscripted. This went to a tribunal and he lost but he was sent to India instead of the Western Front.

    Ray Mills




    254830

    Pte. Alexander Burke 4th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.12th Feb 1916)

    Alexander Burke had left the British Army in 1903 after 7 years with the Royal Artillery in Bermuda and Canada. He re-enlisted at the start of WW1. However, due to the circumstances of his discharge he knew that he would not be accepted back into the Army so he re-enlisted under his mother's surname of Farrell in order to do his bit. He died in Cobh Military Hospital, Cork on 12th of February 1916.





    254829

    Pte. John Oakley 2/6th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.16th April 1918)

    Jack Oakley is buried at Le Grand Beaumart British Cemetery, Steenwerck.

    Richard Oakley




    254828

    Dvr. William Walter Annett 287th Army Troops Company Royal Engineers (d.17th November 1918)

    <p>

    William Annett served as a driver with 287th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers.

    Lorna Robinson




    254827

    Pte. Charles Edward Himsworth 1st Btn. C Coy. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th August 1916)

    Pte Charles Himsworth was killed by a shell during trench digging detail in the village of Englebelmer the British had taken from the Germans. However, a German soldier had stayed in the clock tower and would move the clock hands to alert that troops had gone back to the trenches, they would then shell them. Records say that on 26th of August 1916 one man was wounded, this was Charles and he died of his wounds at a dressing station. He is buried in Knightsbridge CWGC Mesnil Martinsaart. He was 34 years old from Rotherham and left a widow Martha and son George.

    Denise Himsworth




    254825

    Stkr1. Charles Wanger HMS Gaillardia (d.22nd March 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Wanger was my 1st cousin to lose 2 sons to the Great War, Charles who died on HMS Gaillardia on 22nd of March 1918 and his brother Albert William (born 30th of Jan 1896) who died on the HMS Indefatigable at the Battle of Jutland in the North Sea on 31st of May 1916. Both brothers were born in Bow, London.

    Elizabeth Whyman




    254822

    Cpl. William Stephen Rawliffe 2nd Btn. C Coy. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    William Rawcliffe born 20th of March 1883 served with C Coy, 2nd Middlesex Regiment. He was captured on the 27th of May 1918, the 1st day of the Third Battle of the Ainse, at Genicourt approx 10km south of Verdun. He arrived unwounded at Giessen camp.

    He returned to Preston after the war and married in 1920. He had one daughter, born in April 1921. He died in Preston in 1928, reportedly never having fully regained his health after the prison camp experience.

    John Macdonald




    254820

    Pte. Frank Keen 8th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.23rd October 1918)

    Frank originally joined as a volunteer during the 1st World War with the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, his two elder brothers John and Joseph Keen already regulars in the regiment pre-war. Frank was gassed at one stage and was sent briefly back to UK for treatment then returned. His grave is in The Highland Cemetery at Le Cateau.

    His brother John was part of the British Expeditionary Force the first of the British army to face and fight the enemy in Brussels. He served throughout the war and continued regular service into the 1930's, including duty in Ireland, India and conflict in Burma. He died of stomach cancer at home in 1958.

    His brother Joseph was based in India on the outbreak of WW1 was sent to Mesopotamia, was one of many who surrendered under General Townsend at the Seige of Kut. He sadly died as a prisoner of war through illness. A memorial in Iraq bears his name.

    Frank Keen




    254817

    Pte. Ernest John Leman 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.15th September 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest Leman was born 6th April 1888 in Kelling. He enlisted in Norwich, Norfolk. He went missing in action on 15th of September 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and also on the War Memorial in Salthouse, Norfolk alongside his brother Frank Sydney Leman of the Essex Regiment also killed in action just a few kilometres away on the 23rd of March 1918. Their younger brother Newton Leman survived the war, injured from shrapnel and suffering from shell shock he lived his life farming the land around Salthouse, Norfolk.

    Jennifer Kirtley




    254815

    Pte. Hans Major Embleton 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    My granddad, Hans Embleton, enlisted in June 1913 into the Territorials, joining 8th Durham Light Infantry. He went to training camps as well as working in the mines.

    In August 1914 he was at Morphia in Wales training. They where told to go to Folkstone to go to France to join the campaign. They marched through France to Belgium and filled in the gaps in the Second Battle of Ypres. After a great bombardment by the Germans that lasted for ten days and nights the Durham Light Infantry suffered heavy loses, and eventually only a few remained. They where taken prisoners, including my granddad, in May 1915.

    They where taken by cattle trucks to Munster and put into a holding camp until they where sorted out for work. My grandad was in Muster camp 2 and was sent to the coal mines in Oberhausen Westphalia. He was put to work. Every day he witnessed his comrades being beaten including himself and was sent to the coke ovens as punishment. He survived and was repatriated December 1918.

    He came to live with us in 1959 and he told me all about the war, being a prisoner and all the trauma he went through. When he got back to the receiving camp in December 1918, after they de-mobbed him, he signed a form. Little did he know he was signing his war pension away for just two pounds so he never received any. He died in 1973. He earned the Allied Victory Medal, British War Medal and 1914-1915 Star.

    Derick Edgar Smith




    254814

    Pte. Richard Louis Bertram "Riccardo" Moore 15th (2nd Birmingham) Battalion, B Company, 6 Platoon. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Richard Moore, was the Birmingham Regimental poet, Ricardo, who wrote The Warblings of a Windy Warrior.

    As my siblings and I never met him, the information I have about him is somewhat vague. I do know that he was born in 1894 in Stourbridge and attended King Edwards School and also Stourbridge Grammar School. After leaving school, he was an articled architect for 4 years, during which time he also joined the Special Reserves of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. I understand that he was originally intended to join the Royal Navy but due to a snake bite he missed the deadline. My grandfather was a keen swimmer and played water polo for Stourbridge and was due to go and live with relatives in Australia when he had his front teeth knocked out in a polo match, as a result of which he had to give up his army reserve commitment in 1913.

    He re-joined the Royal Warwickshires in August 1914 and it is my understanding that after surveying and mapping a mined area in Arras that was under fire, he was recommended for a commission and on 24th of January 1917 was gazetted as a Lieutenant to the Somerset Light Infantry. I believe that during WW1 he was wounded 3 times and gassed 3 times and was invalided home in 1918 but was later recalled to serve in Murmansk and Archangei as draft conducting officer and then onto India and the Malay States.

    Whilst on indefinite sick leave because of his head wounds, he returned to Stourbridge and between 1920 and 1922 worked as a district reporter for the County Express in order to supplement his leave pay. My grandfather then returned to France with the architectural department of the Imperial War Graves Commission. In 1928 he was granted life retired pay and again returned to Stourbridge where he set up in practice as an architect and surveyor, whilst continuing to do freelance work for local newspapers, writing news articles and short stories about local places and things.

    In 1938, I understand that my grandfather relinquished his commission to join the Territorial Army with the 8th Army Field Workshop as a corporal and once again returned to France with his unit in the 50th Division, when again he was wounded in the head and evacuated from Dieppe just before Dunkirk and after recovering was discharged to serve in R.A.F factories as an armourer examiner-mechanic.

    Apart from being a soldier, architect and journalist, my grandfather was a linguist and he also continued to write many stories and books, some of which were serialised in Canada My grandfather died in February 1971, with his requiem taking place at the Catholic Church in Stourbridge and was buried at Norton Road Cemetery in Stourbridge.

    Helen Campbell




    254811

    Pte. Joseph Everett MM. 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    In the middle of 1917 Joseph Everett was transferred from 1st East Lancashire Regiment to the Hampshire Regiment until demob. Along with the trio of war medals he was presented with (Dec 1919) MM by Lt General Gadley no citation in the confirming London Gazette supplement 31469 page 9375 published in July 1919 along with many many more. I presume the award was for service for the duration of the conflict.

    He married in 1919 and, unfortunately, the following years proved difficult not only just the family, it must be said the same for many, many more families. He reluctantly sold his medals to provide for the growing family of six plus spouse.

    I would like to reveal more to this story, he was an old contemptable deployed to France on 22nd of August 1914. There is no family recollections as to his status as a 23/24 year old pre 1914 such as his occupation and enlistment date. Was he already a soldier in the East Lancs?

    Joe Everett




    254809

    Sgt. Thomas William Chisholm 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    My Grandfather Thomas Chisholm served with the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers. I have a diary of the time he spent as a POW. He was captured 27th May 1918 at the Battle of Aisne, and spent a month at Darmstadt before being shipped to Giessen. He was registered at Giessen 3rd July 1918. He was eventually shipped out 1st January 1919 on the HMS Concord arriving in Copenhagen 2nd January. I have published his diary.

    In the Second World War he joined the Royal Air Force and served on Barrage Balloons at RAF Long Benton.

    Mike




    254807

    Pte. John Edgar Smith 6th Battalion Royal Defence Corps

    My grandad's father, John Edgar Smith, enlisted in the local defence unit 10th of November 1914 aged 43. In 1916 this was changed to the Royal Defence Corps. By warrant he served 'till 22nd of May 1918 when he was taken seriously ill with gastritis and piles and under medical grounds was discharged. He was 46 years of age. He received the silver badge and campaign medal and did his duty for the country.

    Derick Smith




    254800

    A/Cpl. Richard "Duckser" Martin 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment

    Richard Martin joined up on the 6th of October 1914 and was wounded in action at Guillemont on the 3rd of November 1916. I don't know if he finished the war or not.

    Joe Martin




    254799

    Gnr. Charles Wager Fryer 174th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.12th January 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Fryer was my uncle, he served with 174th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    David Fryer




    254797

    Tptr. Frank Monroe Robson 103rd Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.5th June 1917)

    <p>

    Frank Robson, was my uncle. I have only just re-discovered my family having found my sister after 54 years. Frank was one of 9 children 7 of which emigrated to the USA. I have visited Hop Store Cemetery, where he is buried, several times but did not know that is his last resting place.

    Peter White




    254796

    Pte. Albert Edward Jennis 1st Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.27th July 1915)

    Albert Jennis is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.

    Bruce Jennis




    254789

    Pte. William Charles Young Royal Army Medical Corps

    William Young is my grandfather. As he died before I was born, aged 37 in 1933. I don't have much info on him except that he served with the British Salonika Force.

    Margaret Clark




    254781

    Sgt. Walter Shirley Love 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.2nd April 1918)

    Walter Love is my great uncle. Brother to my maternal grand mother Daisy Parkes (nee Love). He was born in Southwark, London on 30th January 1887.

    John Cartwright




    254779

    Sgt. Albert Haskayne DSO MiD. 11th (Pioneer) Battalion Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.19th August 1916)

    Albert Haskayne joined up at 17 in Seaforth and was Mentioned in Dispatches for his bravery. He was brother to William and Charles who were also lost and to Francis who was sent home with an amputated leg.





    254778

    Pte. Richard Somme Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.1st July 1916)

    I know my great granddad, Richard Somme, is in the Book of Remembrance in the War Memorial Edinburgh Castle. He died on the 1st July 1916 and is buried in Theipval Cemetery so I believe

    Evelyn Kenny




    254776

    Pte. James Richard Cousins 3rd Dragoon Guards (d.30th May 1915)

    James Cousins was killed in action, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, along with fellow comrades from the 3rd Dragoon Guards.

    Richard Cousins




    254774

    Cpl. James Hamilton 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.10th August 1917)

    James Hamilton is my great uncle. He and his brother, my grand father, Francis Hamilton joined the 11th (South Antrim) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles and fought in WW1 James did not return. James was killed in action on 10th of August 1917. He was aged 20 years. He was born at Duneane near Randalstown and had enlisted in Lisburn. He was the son of John Hamilton of Ballymatoskerty, Toomebridge. He is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Allen Doolan




    254773

    L/Cpl. James William Angel MM. 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    James Angel was killed in action, shelled or gassed. I can't find out. Nor can I discover how he won the MM. I can't get information as 60% of WW1 records were destroyed by bombing in WW2.

    Bob Angel




    254770

    Pte. Thomas Hopley 1/5th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.28th March 1918)

    Have recently just found out my great great uncle Thomas Hopley was killed in action. He was laid to rest in France. Any photos of the 1/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment would be appreciated. Or any info on the Battalion at all.

    So nice to feel so connected to him and his brother Alfred who also died from pneumonia on the 12th of February 1919. He was a gunner in 4th Battalion 76th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. He is buried in Halle, Belgium.

    Lindsey Blain




    254769

    L/Sgt. George Penstone Gould 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.28th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    George Gould was born in Holyport, Berkshire on 23rd May 1889. He was the son of a local policeman, Thomas Gould, and his wife Sarah. Prior to Holyport, Thomas had been the local policeman in Binfield, Berkshire. On 1st October 1910 George was appointed Police Constable 24 in the Berkshire Constabulary. At this time his father had retired from the Berkshire Constabulary, and the Gould family were living in 1 Market Place, Henley, Oxfordshire.

    George Gould volunteered for military service in The Great War, but in order to join up he had to resign as a police constable, which he did on 1st of May 1915. George was appointed as a Private in the Royal Berkshire Regiment on 1st of May 1915. After basic training he was posted to the 2nd Battalion, in France on 5th of October 1915.

    He was hit with a shell on 23rd of October 1916 and died on the 28th. He has no known grave and is remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in France. This memorial commemorates 72,191 men killed in Battles of The Somme.

    Brian Dunn




    254768

    L/Cpl. Samuel Coffey 12th (Central Antrim) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.15th August 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Coffey served with the 12th (Central Antrim) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    Tyne Cot Cemetery

    Joanne Hanna




    254766

    Pte. George Arthur Allsop 9th Battalion Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    <p>

    George Allsop served with the 9th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment.

    D J Allsop




    254765

    Pte. Frederick James Curtis 12th (Bristol) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd September 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick James Curtis British Army 12th (Bristol) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment This is an extract from a local newspaper at the time, Western Daily Press 27th September 1916.

    Private F.J. Curtis

    Official information has been received of the death in action on Sunday, September 3, of Pte. F. J. Curtis, Gloucester Regiment, in his 19th year, younger son of Mr and Mrs J. T. Curtis, Down House Gardens, Stoke Bishop. Deceased enlisted in July, 1915, proceeding to France on Christmas Eve. Prior to joining the Army he was on the staff of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Broad Quay. He was deeply interested in Sunday School work in connection with the Westbury Park Wesleyan Church, of which he was a member. In writing home recently he said he had a wonderful confidence that his work was not done, and that he would come through the campaign all right, remarking, "I still have that trust in God which has been with me ever since I have been out here that, whatever happens will be for the best possible end."

    The same article appeared in the Bath Observer on 7th October 1916.

    Julie Walters




    254763

    Gnr Robert Thomson C Battery 93rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd September 1917)

    Robert Thomson was my great uncle.

    Janice Thomson




    254760

    Cpl. John McConnachie 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.10th June 1917)

    John McConnachie arrived in France on the 2nd of December 1915. He was captured at Arras after being shot in the leg and taken to Langensalza POW Camp in Germany where he died on 10th of June 1917.

    Jean Simpson




    254754

    Sgt. James Tate 13th (1st County Down) Battalion, C Company. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    James Tate was my great grandfather. he was born on 28 June 1896 in the townland of Dunbeg and he was the eldest son of Joseph and Sarah Tate (nee Craig). Prior to the outbreak of the Great War James Tate worked as a farmer and he was a member of the Killinchy contingent of the Ulster Volunteer Force. He enlisted in Downpatrick and trained at Clandeboye Camp before going to Seaford in Sussex and then to the Front in October 1915. James married Grace Brown on 26th of August 1915 in Belmont Presbyterian Church while he was stationed in Seaford, Sussex. Grace was from 92 East Bread Street, Belfast, daughter of James Brown, a labourer. They had a son named Joseph, who was born on 3rd of March 1916. James was home for a short period of leave in May 1916 and he saw his son. Less than two months later, Sergeant Tate was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No.1, in France and is commemorated in Killinchy Parish Church of Ireland Church





    254750

    Pte. Dougald Cameron 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders (d.28th March 1918)

    Douglad Cameron was my uncle. The first born and eldest son of the family. Son of Allan and Martha (nee Ross) Cameron. I know his death at the young age of 19 devastated his family. We sadly have no photograph of him but we will never forget him. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Gail Whitehead




    254749

    Dvr. Harry Greenberg 25th Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    His favourite horse was named Nelson, having a dark area over one eye. Harry Greenberg survived the War relatively unscathed, but rarely spoke of his experiences.

    Ian Greenberg




    254747

    Cpl. Ernest Cowell 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    My Gt Grandad, Corporal Ernest Cowell, died at the age of 33 in battle in Flanders. Ernest was awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star Medals, and he is honoured in the Memorial on the Menin Gate, Ypres.

    He left my Gt Grandma Ethel a widow, and 4 children back home, the eldest being 13 and the youngest 4yrs old, living in Laing Street, Grangetown, Middlesbrough. As a family we have always been told that Ernest Cowell is honoured on the Cenotaph in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, and he died in the war. Every year we were taken to the Cenotaph to commemorate his and other fallen heroes, the sacrifice they gave for us. An ultimate sacrifice for Ernest, never to have more children, never see his children or wife grow old, never to see grandchildren.

    We still attend the service each year. The dignitaries who attend grows smaller, but the people of Grangetown and St Hilda's Church still remember and attend, to pay their respects to the men of Grangetown who died.





    254746

    Pte. Clive Whelpton Holman 16th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Clive Holman graduated from Dulwich College and joined the Army soon after War was declared, as did his two older brothers and a sister (as a nurse.) This information is from the Dulwich College Register. "Holman, Clive Whelpton,b.12 August 1896. Great War, Pte Publ. Schs. Bn. Middlesex Regt, R.N.Div., Dardanelles. Leading Mechanic, R.N.A.S. (rigid airships)".

    His name is listed as crew of the R-29 flying out of Howden Base in Yorkshire. The R-29 attacked and sank the German U-boat UB-115.

    After the War, Clive Holman emigrated to B.E.A. (Kenya), then in 1931 to Canada where he lived until his death in July 1980. He still had a piece of a metal girder from an airship which burned in its shed in 1918, and of a plywood girder dismantled at Howden. He was fascinated by airships.

    Lois Holman Davidson




    254740

    Lt. John Marshall Edwards MM&bar. 159th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Jack never spoke of the war, but we have discovered he was twice awarded the Military Medal in the field. He joined up with the 21st London Regiment as a private and started in France 16th of March 1915. He was Commissioned on the 13th of September 1917 into the RFA.

    Sarah Lowe




    254739

    Pte. Augustine Joseph Neylan Remount Army Service Corps

    <p>

    My grandfather, Augustine Neylan, had incredibly bad eyesight but still wanted to serve in WW1. Gus joined up in May 1915 aged 25 and was posted to Romsey. Although we know that he was fairly quickly sent to France. This may have been due to the fact he had gone to school in Belgium and spoke some French. He spent time in Le Havre and he used to take horses up to the front as we have postcards he sent from Ypres and have anecdotal evidence of him serving as a clerk for an officer. I wish I knew more, but I never got to meet him as he died in 1945, years before I was born.

    Barbara Baldwin




    254736

    Pte. Ernest George Batchelor 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.15th June 1915)

    Ernest Batchelor served with the 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. I know very little, except the story that my Nan told me, that his mother, Aunt Flo, kept the peel of the last orange he ate before he left to go to war.

    Sem Vine




    254735

    Pte. James Harold Phillips 2nd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment (d.17th December 1917)

    <p>

    James Phillips died of wounds received on the 29th November 1917. He was a member of the Tredegar Territorial when they were mobilised, before he was 17 years of age. He went to France in June, 1916 and was wounded the first time in August of that year.

    He was an all-round athlete, being an expert swimmer, a good cricketer and a skilled billiard player. He also had the distinction of being one of the best shots in the division, and was very popular with officers and men. He was on leave two months before his death. His great uncle, Mr James Dunbar, was one of the heroes of Rorke's Drift, and his name is on the scroll of honour of the famous 24th Regiment. His uncle is a commander in the Royal Navy.

    Ruby




    254733

    CSM. John Conn DCM. 9th (County Tyrone) Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    On the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st of July 1916, Corporal John Conn came across two of our machine-guns out of action. He repaired them under fire, and with them destroyed a German flanking party. He carried both guns himself part of the way back, but had to abandon one, he was so utterly exhausted.

    He survived the war and was awarded the DCM. He had a tobacconist shop in Belfast and died in the 1960's.

    Michael McClelland




    254732

    Dvr. Charles Harry Mulholland 667th Company Army Service Corps

    <p>

    Charles Mulholland served in the Horse Teams with 667th Company, Army Service Corps.





    254731

    Pte. Roland Glover 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.4th April 1918)

    Roland Glover was 23 when he was killed fighting during one of the battles comprising the Battle of the Somme in 1918, believed to be during the Battle of the Avre on 4th of April 1918. His body was never recovered but he is remembered on the memorial at Poziers, France.

    Susanne Newell




    254729

    Pte. Henry Loveridge 16th (Cardiff City) Battalion Welch Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    Henry Loveridge was one of 10 sons of Absalom and Elizabeth Loveridge all of whom went to fight in the war. Three of these men, Henry included, died in action while at least one other brother died as a result of injuries sustained during the war.

    Leah Mattinson




    254728

    Pte. William Craig 15th (1st Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.27th August 1917)

    William Craig is listed on the 1911 census as a tramway conductor. Living with his in laws Robert Fisher and Margaret Fisher and his wife Margaret at 5 McDougall Street, Eastwood, Pollockshaws. He married Margaret Fisher on the 2nd of January 1911 at St Mary's Roman Catholic Chapel, Pollockshaws. William was born on the 2nd of January 1885 at Millwell, Glassford, Lanark, to parents Robert Craig and Mary Hendry. He had a brother, Andrew, born on the 5th of March 1886 also at Millwell. He also served in the 15th Battalion. Andrew was killed in action on the same day, 27th of August 1916. Both are remembered at Cambrin Churchyard Extension in France. Andrew also left a wife, Mary McGarrigle.





    254726

    Pte. Charles Littlemore 4th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.4th May 1917)

    Charles Littlemore was born in 1897, the eldest child of 5. His parents were William Littlemore and Ann Fradley. His mother died in 1914 and his father did not remarry until after Charles lost his life.

    On 4th of May 1917, the Transport Transylvania, proceeding to Salonika with reinforcements, was sunk by torpedo off Cape Vado, a few kilometres south of Savona, Liguria, with the loss of more than 400 lives. The bodies recovered at Savona were buried 2 days later, from the hospital of San Paulo, in a special plot in the town cemetery. Others are buried elsewhere in Italy, Monaco, Spain and France. Savona town cemetery contains 85 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, all but 2 of them casualties of the Transylvania. There are also a number of seamen buried in the cemetery whose deaths were not due to war service. Within the cemetery of the Savona Memorial, which commemorates a further 275 casualties who died when the Transylvania went down, but whose graves are not known.

    Peta Millard




    254722

    Pte. Robert Martin 14th (Pioneers) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd July 1916)

    <p>

    I know very little of Robert Martin, only that he had 4 brothers, Francis was killed in Greece, but Edward (my grandad) and Jimmy (unofficially adopted) returned. Photo supplied by my cousin, I researched him and he did not marry.

    Eric Ridley




    254720

    Pte. Benjamin Webb 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    Benjamin Webb was my great grandad. He was born 6th November 1879. He died 5 February 1949. He married Harriet Milner in 1902. They had 4 children, Thomas Milner Webb 6th November 1905 (My grandad), Elizabeth Webb 24 May 1909, Annie Webb 19 September 1911 and Joseph Webb 20 December 1921.

    Benjamin served in France from 14th of July 1915 and was Discharged to Class Z Reserve on 23rd of February 1919. He was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal He enlisted had into the 10th Notts & Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters). It also states in a 2nd Lieutenants nominal roll book as him being with 15th Section, 4 Platoon, A Company in April and May 1917 and ge was with the Transport.

    Julie Stevens




    254719

    Pte. Sidney Brown Durham Light Infantry

    I was given the WW1 war medals of Sidney Brown by his nephew Thomas Readdie, formely of Newcastle upon Tyne and late of Dunkineely, County Donegal. I was a carer for the widow of the late Thomas Readie. The medals are the four Standard Medals issued after the War. I am trying to find out more about the service of Sidney Brown.

    Jennifer Mackey




    254713

    Pte. Frank Edward Turner 2nd Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.26th Nov 1914)

    Frank Turner has known grave. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    Valerie Mabbs




    254709

    Pte Joseph Vernon 7th Btn South Lancashire Regiment (d.5th Jul 1916)

    Joseph Vernon served with the 7th South Lancashire Regiment. He had won a Humane award at the age of 14 for saving a child from drowning in a canal.

    Katie Vernon




    254708

    Pte. Albert Adwick 11th Btn. C Coy. Sherwood Foresters (d.11th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Adwick served with C Coy, 11th Sherwood Foresters.





    254707

    Pte. Harry George Britton Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry





    254705

    Gnr. Thomas Ford 208th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My maternal Grandfather Thomas Ford was a gunner attached to 208th Seige Battery . It would be wonderful to see any pictures or information anyone may have found (as I have only one picture of him). Tom, like many, joined at 15 and lied about his age. He was born in Nov 1899 but maintained till his death in 1937 that he was born in 1896. We know that he suffered a serious crushed foot injury from a gun having gone over it. He was buried alive along with a number of his unit and was the only one dug out in time so the story was told, and was gassed in one of the woods when cycling between batteries... this caused serious long term lung damage and eventually to his early death, as he was diagnosed by doctors, we don't know what type of gas it was.

    Like most he didn't want to (or couldn't) talk about his experiences and so very little is known. He never wore his medals. I've inherited them in their original box with the ribbons still folded and unattached. My uncle who handed the medals down to me shortly before he died in 2001 said that Thomas was entitled to another medal from his active service but I can't figure what this would be, I've got the standard Tom and Dick. Most grateful for any help that can be provided.

    Robert Urwin




    254704

    Pte. Ernest Harry Everton 3rd Btn. Worcester Regiment (d.27th Sep 1914)

    Ernest Harry Everton was reported missing, presumed dead a the 1st Battle of Mons and Aisne.

    Brian Everton




    254697

    Pte. Joseph William Wright 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Joseph Wright was my great great grandfather. My family knew for many years that Joseph had died in the great war but apart from that we did not know anything more. That was until the 10th of November 2018 when my mother was reading our local newspaper, the Sheffield Star, and we discovered a link to the War Graves Commission website. We decided to try searching his name to find out of we could find out anything, such as if he had a grave or where he fought during the war. To our amazement we found a name which seemed to match to the very little info we knew about him.

    It turned out that Joseph had died on the 1st of July 1916, the very first day of the battle of the Somme and that he was buried in the Gordon Dump Cemetery. Sadly, he died leaving a wife and four small children.

    I am very happy to have found him because now he is a real person to me instead of a vague idea from the past.

    Stephen O'Malley




    254691

    Gnr. George Samuel Bosomworth 31st Brigade, D.H. Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.17th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    George Samuel Bosomworth was one of a few of my grandmother's brothers to die in battle. I'm trying to find out where he died and is buried.

    Barbara Sherwood




    254687

    L/Cpl. Thomas Brennan 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.4th Nov 1914)

    Thomas Brennan was my great uncle; my grandmother's brother. My mother said she had been told by her mother that he ran away with a friend (surname Comerford) to enlist, and that he lied about his age. However, I have discovered his birth records and found he was aged 24 when he died. I have found out that he enlisted in Manchester.

    He died in Flanders on 4th of November 1914 and his name is on the Menin Gate. My mother told me that his friend returned to tell his mother of his death. I know nothing else about him unfortunately. I want to make sure that his name is on every record and that he is never forgotten.

    Brigid Brind




    254685

    Pte. Leonard Morgan 2nd Btn. Welch Regiment

    From the release of the POW records I found that my grandfather, Leonard Morgan was taken prisoner at Nieuport and was originally at Merseburg camp. He was then at Wittenburg from Dec. 1916.

    He had attested on 4th of August 1904, he was most likely Militia (T.A.) originally. I couldn't believe my eyes when I first viewed his details which I only looked at with a very cursory glance. Knowing the place he lived was something I happily remembered. Alas, I never knew him as he probably died in 1955 which is when I was born but the house was still the same and my Grandmother didn't pass away until she was 99. We actually lived in the North Riding of Yorkshire so only visited Wales about 3 times as a youngster (my mother was their daughter).

    William Robinson




    254683

    Pte. Laurence Archibald Browne 17th (Welbeck Rangers) Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    Laurence Browne served with the 17th (Welbeck Rangers) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters.

    Justin Isbell




    254681

    Pte. Joseph Loftus 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.11th Aug 1915)

    Joseph Loftus was an my grandfather's first cousin. He died in Gallipoli on 11th of August Aug 1915 aged 17. He served in 6th Bn., Leinster Regiment. His name is engraved in the Helles Memorial. He was middle child in a family of 7 and had been a farm labourer according to 1911 census. We only found out about him when retracing family tree.

    Brian Loftus




    254680

    L/Cpl. Edgar New 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Edgar New was killed in action on the 7th of June 1917 in the battle of Mesines Ridge. Losses were indeed heavy, 43 killed 135 injured.

    Philip Edgar New




    254677

    Rfmn. Thomas John Moody 1st/16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.9th Jul 1916)

    Thomas Moody was the youngest son of Charles and Matilda Henrietta Moody of 13 Church Street, Romsey, Hants. He was 27 when he died and a student at the time of the 1911 census and so must have gone through higher education of some kind. The war diaries indicate he was the only death on that day (a Sunday) at Foncquevillers where the Battalion had moved on following the Gommecourt fighting on the first few days of the month. He is buried in the cemetery at Foncquevillers.

    Veronica Munday




    254676

    A/WO. William Francis Slough DCM. Royal Garrison Artillery

    William Slough was my grandfather. He was in the Territorial Army and I believe he joined up when WW1 began. He was I believe based in Plymouth initially, with the Royal Garrison Artillery. His colleagues used to visit my grandmother who was working for Lloyds Bank in Pall Mall, London.

    Clive Dixon




    254674

    Cpl. Herbert Edward Bicheno Hawkins 1st/5th Btn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.3rd Nov 1917)

    Herbert Hawkins was the younger brother of Henrietta Elizabeth Bicheno Hawkins, my grandmother, who often talked to me about him when I was a young child. His nickname for her was Net and he looked up to her as a mother figure. Herbert was born in Finsbury Barracks, City Road, London in the spring of 1896, the son of Sergeant Major Edward Charles Hawkins of the 6th Battalion Royal Fusiliers and Henrietta Sarah Hawkins (nee Bicheno).

    Herbert joined the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1914. He served as corporal but at the time of his death he was acting sergeant. On 2nd of November 1917 the battalion took part in the dawn attack on the village of Sheik Hasan on the seaward side of the town of Gaza in Palestine. The attack was successful taking most of its objectives and capturing 182 prisoners. For the rest of the 2nd and 3rd November the battalion was under heavy shellfire and it is likely that it was during this period that Herbert was killed.

    He is buried in the Gaza cemetery, Israel. I had the good fortune to visit Israel and Jordan in 2013 with a group from my local church. Needless to say we were not taken to Gaza which is sadly still a war torn area. Herbert is also remembered on the war memorials at John Dickinson's Paper Mill where he worked and at St Mary's Church Apsley where the family worshipped and my parents were married and I myself was baptised.

    I am pleased to know these details of the life of my great uncle Herbert and remember my grandma's stories with pride.

    Helen Newman




    254669

    Pte. Alfred Mason 13th Btn. Royal Scots (d.11th May 1916)

    Private 16986 Alfred Mason died on the 11th May 1916 and commemorated at Dud Cemetery Loos France.

    Gwen Smith




    254667

    Rfmn. Robert McKibben Foster 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.27th Mar 1916)

    Robert Foster died on the Monday 27th March 1916 and is buried at Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos, France.





    254666

    Pte. Charles Alexander Bory 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.8th May 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Bory died on 8th May 1917 at the Battle of Arras. His name is on the Arras Memorial.

    Ian Ellmers




    254664

    Pte. William Horner Dent 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.31st Mar 1918)

    William Dent was the paternal uncle of my grandfather. He died on 31st of March 1918 at the age of 19 whilst serving in the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    My grandfather was born six years later and was named William Horner Dent in his memory. My grandfather then served in WWII throughout the war and, thankfully, managed to survive his service, despite being left for dead after the Normandy landings. He was eventually saved by a Canadian field medic and received some of the first cosmetic surgery ever performed in the UK, due to horrific burn injuries.

    Zellie Rosewell




    254663

    Pte. Thomas William Watson Northamptonshire Yeomanry

    Thomas Watson was wounded during the Battle of the Somme.

    Simon Harrison




    254661

    Pte. Thomas Jones 18th (2nd Glamorgan) Btn. Welch Regiment (d.23rd Nov 1917)

    Thomas Jones fought in the battle of the Somme. Later his division took part in the battle of Cambrai. On 23rd of November 1917 he fought in Bourlon Wood where he was killed in heavy fighting. The 21 year old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial in Louveral, France.

    Owain Bale




    254659

    Tom Ewart Medley 9th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    <p>

    Tom Medley served with the 9th Royal Sussex Regiment. I have found an army medal document showing him to be John Ewart Medley, but a directory shows Tom Ewart with his army number at his correct address in Birmingham. I found a shooting medal for excellence in the field, also with the correct army number. There is also a photo of him in uniform in 1917. Otherwise I know nothing about his deeds.

    Elisabeth Medley-Smith




    254658

    Sgt. George Dale 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    There are sketchy details of my grandfather George Dale. My father never talked about him. But I have a postcard sent to my grandmother (his wife whom he married in 1904) posted by a friend of my grandmother in Chippenham on 29th June 1913 and stamped received in Gibraltar 3rd of July 1913 addressed to 2nd Wiltshire Regiment, Naval Hospital Road, Gibraltar. By that time he had 3 sons and 1 daughter; my father being the youngest. Apart from that I think he was in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in Portobello (Catha Brugha) Barracks, Dublin in 1911.





    254657

    Pte. Albert John Coleman MiD. 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Albert Coleman served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers from 1905 to 1915 and was wounded at the 1st Battle of Ypres on 5th of November 1914. He was transferred to the 1st Garrison Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in 1915 and served in India for the remainder of WW1.

    Raymond McMullen




    254656

    Pte. Harry William Thurlow 1st/8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.25th Apr 1915)

    I first made Harry Thurlow's acquaintance about twenty years ago when I bought a set of twelve Edwardian anthropomorphic (animals dressed as humans) cat postcards from an auction that was held in Nottingham. Included with them were six more postcards of monkeys by a different artist. The auction catalogue showed only the front of the cards but once I had received them it was then that I noticed the set of twelve cards had all been sent to Harry in Staines from Auntie Kate between 1906 and 1907. The fact that all of them had been sent to him made me want to find out more about him. The six postcards of monkeys had also been sent from his aunt, three of them to him whilst the other three appeared to have been sent to his sister. The Internet was still in its infancy and although I found Harry's General Register Office birth registration I could not find a marriage or a death for him. The address on the cards only had the house name, there was no house number and an Internet search wasn't enlightening. Letters I sent to the appropriate Record Offices did not enlighten me other than the fact that as not much development had taken place in Staines, his home was likely to still be standing. I had come to a dead end rather quickly.

    As time went by I was able to look at the 1901 census which showed Harry at the familiar address; again, there was no house number. When more information had been made available on the Internet I suddenly found out why he didn't marry or die, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website showed that he had been killed abroad in the First World War. By a stroke of luck the details gave his parents' address and included the house number where he lived, so at last, I had found out what I wanted to know! Via Google Earth I was able to see the house in which Harry and his family lived. Still more time went by and I accumulated more information about Harry and his family, including the 1911 census when it became available. Most of the First World War Service Records were destroyed by fire in the Second World War when a German bomb hit the building in which they were housed. Amazingly, Harry's survived and provided quite a lot of new information.

    In the last few years I have added greatly to what I had already found and have built up a complete picture of Harry's tragically short life. He was born on 6th of Nov 1896 and was baptised Harry William Robert just after Christmas on 27th December in St. Peter's church, only yards away from his home on the other side of the road. Harry's two other names were clearly chosen to include both of his grandfathers' and father's names. On Valentine's Day 1899, Harry's mum and dad gave him a sister, Valerie Lucy Alice and she was baptised at the same church as Harry just over two months later on St. George's Day, 23rd April. Again, Valerie's other two names were undoubtedly chosen because they were also her grandmothers' names. Harry started his schooling at the infants school in Wyatt Road which had opened the year he was born and he later transferred to the school in Kingston Road, another new school that opened in 1903. Whilst there, Harry learned to swim and also joined the scout movement. He probably left the school around the end of 1909 and then entered the world of work. What other jobs he may have had I don't know, but at one time Harry worked as a van boy for a draper's business of which there were a few in Staines. By April 1913 he was a gas fitter's mate, working for the Staines and Egham Gas Company. During that same year, Harry joined a large voluntary organisation, one to which his dad also belonged.

    In August 1914 when war was declared, Harry was a Territorial soldier, a private in the 8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. The Territorial Army was not obliged to serve overseas but upon the outbreak of war, many battalions did offer to do exactly that and Harry's was the first in the country to do so.

    The 8th Middlesex was embodied and effectively became part of the regular army. Men generally joined the company appropriate to where they were living. A Company consisted of men living in Twickenham and Southall, B Company men were from Brentford and Staines, C Company had men drawn from Hounslow and D Company had men who were based in Ealing. Harry was of course in B Company.

    Proclamations were received at the post offices from senior officers late on 4th August for everyone to report to their district Drill Hall in order to await instructions. Harry, his dad and everyone else reported to the 8th Battalion's headquarters in Hanworth Road, Hounslow and preparations were made for an immediate move. They were then all allowed to return home for the night with orders to return early the following morning.

    Between eight and nine o'clock the next morning, Harry, his dad and around one hundred and fifty others arrived at Hounslow from Staines, having travelled on the train and said their goodbyes. Throughout the day a large concentration of men descended on the 8th Battalion's Headquarters. Horses, carts and motor cars were commandeered; baggage was packed, arms and equipment overhauled, ball ammunition (for muskets) served out and men went to get their bayonets and swords sharpened. All was ready at around nine o'clock in the evening and the battalion formed up outside the Drill Hall.

    Headed by the band and under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. Garner, the men all marched to Feltham railway station where they boarded the train at ten o'clock destined for Sheerness in Kent. A large crowd came to see them off, wishing them good luck and cheering them on their way. Upon arrival, almost the whole of the 8th Battalion, twenty officers and a thousand other ranks were now on the Isle of Sheppey. Two of the four companies of the battalion went to Sheerness Barracks guarding German prisoners. Perhaps Harry was one of the guards. He, his dad and their comrades were in Sittingbourne for a total of four and a half weeks and then news arrived that they were being posted to foreign lands.

    On the 10th September the battalion left Sittingbourne to journey to Southampton. Arriving at the dockyard shortly before eight o'clock, the men all then boarded a ship. Also with them was the 5th Territorial Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, which was en route for Egypt. At 8 o'clock in the evening of 17th September, they arrived at Gibraltar where Harry and his dad spent the next five months of their lives. By all accounts they had a very enjoyable time there. It was warm, they saw lots of local people, visited the town and saw wildlife that they would never have seen in England, although they were away from home at Christmas and it must have been quite unpleasant for Harry's mum, sister and gran as well as for him and his dad.

    The battalion came back to England on 14th of February, arriving at Avonmouth. From there the men went by train to Feltham and then marched to Hounslow Heath Hutments. Several days later the men were given a few days leave and of course Harry and his dad went home to see the family that they had left behind some five months ago. Besides engaging in the ordinary routine drills and field training on Hounslow Heath, the battalion went on several route marches through different parts of the district which, amongst other things, gave people an opportunity to see them. Before long Harry and his dad were on the move again, to more foreign lands.

    On the 8th March, the 8th Battalion marched from the Hutments to Hounslow railway station, where the men took a special train and left about nine o'clock in the evening for Southampton on the south coast. They had a very rough voyage from England but landed safely in France at Le Havre at around three o'clock in the morning. A booming noise from the heavy firing of the guns at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle could be heard. The battalion marched immediately to a rest camp.

    The next day, 10th March, the men marched to a place where they were herded into cattle trucks, thirty-five men to each truck. The train took them to Bailleul, a distance of more than two hundred miles and took twenty hours or more to get there. Harry and his dad spent the next seven weeks doing a lot of marching to different villages and Harry was digging trenches at night. They and their comrades also had some near misses with different kinds of bombs landing near them and just a few of the battalion lost their lives this way.

    The 2nd Battle of Ypres commenced on 22nd April and ended on 25th May. When it started, Harry, his dad and the rest of B Company were at Zonnebeke and relieved A company after nightfall, going into the trenches. The following morning it was fairly quiet but shelling commenced in the afternoon, continued for some hours and was intermittent all night. During the night there was a lot of rifle fire. B Company carried rations and water for the East Surreys, making two dangerous journeys.

    On 24th April the Germans began shelling at around half past four in the morning and the heavy bombardment continued throughout the day. The new road to the railway station and also the railway line were badly hit and the railway embankment showed bomb holes all the way along. By the early afternoon several men from the East Surrey regiment had been overcome by shrapnel fumes and were replaced by parties from Harry's B Company. In turn those parties also had to be relieved later in the day. The remaining B Company platoons were moved up about four o'clock into old trench positions 50 yards behind the firing line and A Company was brought up from Zonnebeke to the support trenches.

    The next day, 25th April, was Harry's very last day on earth. Around half past nine in the morning the Germans released poison gas in large quantities but the men couldn't see the chlorine that was blinding and choking them. The next few hours were awful. Bombing began about ten o'clock. By now, they were all so used to it that nobody took much notice of a shell exploding. B Company in the near support trench began to suffer from shrapnel fumes about an hour later but the men were kept fit by cold water douches thanks to instructions contained in a General Order circulated during the previous day.

    About half past eleven a shell burst directly in the trench and practically wiped out B Company's Number 6 platoon, making the trench a complete mess. Harry was one of the very unfortunate soldiers who lost their lives in that instant; he knew nothing about it and felt no pain.

    In many instances so many men fell in such a short space of time that those left behind were too busy engaging the enemy to bury the fallen. At some point if time permitted, those who had succumbed would be buried near to or where they died and Harry was buried in the Zonnebeke trench where he fell, along with many others.

    He still lies with many of his comrades in a field in Flanders; he has no known grave, like so many others. Harry's name can be seen on eight different memorials, which is most unusual for a soldier like him; most have their name on only one or two. Seven are here in England and the other is at the Menin Gate, Ypres where The Last Post is played for him and all the other fallen comrades at eight o'clock every evening, every day of every year. Although it did not bear his name, he also had a poppy planted temporarily in his memory at the Tower of London in 2014. As well as here, on this website, Harry's name is on the the National Archives Lives of the First World War website, the British Legion Every One Remembered website and the Surrey In The Great War website too. All of these will be permanent archives. There are several memorials to his 8th Middlesex Battalion.

    I managed to get a few pictures of Harry, his sister, parents and grandparents. Having found out so much about him, it was so nice to be able to put a face to his name. Harry would be pleased to know that I am writing a book about him (a purely private venture), containing everything I have found out about him and his immediate family. In my will, the book and the eighteen postcards that Auntie Kate sent to Harry and his sister have been left to an organisation which will take good care of them.

    Harry was only 18 years old when he left his family behind. His life, like a huge number of others, was cruelly ended so very early and was far too short.

    Ken Palmer




    254655

    Pte. George Hoskins 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.5th Apr 1918)

    George Hoskins was my Great Uncle. He was in the 8th battalion Somerset Light Infantry. He was born circa 1887 and killed in action on 5th of April 1918. He is buried in Gommecourt British Cemetery No.2 Hebuterne. He was married to Jesse Selina Hoskins of New Cottages, Rochford, Tenbury Wells, Worcs and his parents were Thomas and Emma Hoskins of Rochford.

    John Croker




    254652

    Pte. Thomas Lamb 24th (Oldham Pioneers) Btn. D Coy. Manchester Regiment

    Thomas Lamb, joined the 24th Manchester Regiment (Oldham Pioneers) at the start of 1914 war. He served in France and fortunately returned to Oldham where he continued in his trade as a Master Clogger.

    In 1951, he, along with other members, was presented to Her Majesty the Queen Mother. A photo of this event was published in the Manchester Evening News in December 1951. I have some photographs of him and some Post Cards he wrote to my Grandmother.

    Gordon A Lamb




    254651

    Pte. Albert Crummett 6th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.20th July 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Crummett enlisted with the Norfolk Regiment and was transferred to 6th Durham Light Infantry. Albert was taken into the 49th Casualty Clearing Station on the 19th of July 1917, wounded by a gunshot wound to the left thigh. He died on the 20th July and is buried in Achiet Le Grande war cemetery near Arras.

    Graham Crummett




    254648

    Pte. Percy Reginald Everitt 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.12th Oct 1915)

    Percy Everitt was engaged to my Nana, Louise Procter, when he went to war. I believe they were 2nd cousins. He was wounded in the battle at Loos on 10th of October 1915 and died 2 days later on 12th October. He was 24 at the time and Nana was 22.

    When she died I found the engagement ring he gave her and a bookmark with a poem on it from Nana which read: "How little we thought when we said goodbye We parted for ever, and you were to die; Oh the grief that we feel words cannot tell We could not be with you to say farewell. Louise Accrington." It was 8 years before she married my Papa and they were very happy but she took a long while to get over Percy's death.

    Pauline Hilliam




    254647

    2nd Lt. Charles Albert Davies 7th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.22nd Sep 1918)

    My great uncle Charles Davies was born in 1884 in Oswestry. He worked as a clerk on Cambrian Railways until he enlisted in August 1914 as a Private in the 6th King's Shropshire Light Infantry. He served with 6th Btn. KSLI at Loos, Ypres and The Somme until late 1917 when he was selected for officer training as a Temporary Lieutenant.

    He received his commission on 27th of February 1918 and was posted to 7th Btn South Wales Borderers, stationed in Salonika and Macedonia. He was killed at the Third Battle of Doiran. He was listed as missing on 18th of September 1918 and as killed on or since 22nd of September 1918. Charles has no known grave and is commemorated on the Doiran War Memorial. He is also remembered on St Oswald's Church and on Cambrian Railway war memorials. My father's middle name is Charles in his memory.

    Juith Hughes




    254643

    A/Sgt. James Michael Mansfield 1st Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.8th Oct 1918)

    James Mansfield died age 20 and is buried in Guizancourt Farm Cemetery, Gouy.

    Marilyn Spears




    254642

    Pte. Charles Henry Walker 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    My Grandad Charles Walker spoke little about his wartime experiences. He did tell me he was taken prisoner and I have since found an entry for his capture on 22nd of March 1918 at Epehy and taken to POW camp Gustrow. His story was that the German soldiers left the gates open and they made their own way to Belgium and sheltered in a Belgium house.

    Sheila Vaughan




    254641

    Cpl. Edward Earnest Poole C Sqn. 3rd Dragoon Guards (d.20th Nov 1914)

    Edward Poole was born in Welshpool, Powys, his father was a Sergeant of police and his parents lived in Cwmbelan, a tiny village on the Welshpool Aberystwyth Road, just west of Llanidloes. He loved horses and joined the 3rd Dragoon Guards from the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry in 1909. In 1912 he went to Egypt with the regiment to guard the Suez Canal.

    When war was declared the regiment was shipped back to the UK from Alexandria to Liverpool. From there they moved to Ludgershall in Wiltshire and then to Southampton. Taking the RMS Victorian they arrived in Le Havre on the 31st of October 1914 before joining the 3rd Brigade, 6th Division at Ypres on 4th of November 1914.

    Edward was wounded in the Zillebeke Trenches, South East of Ypres, during the First Battle of Ypres, on 17th of November 1914 and died of his wounds, aged 27, on 20th of November 1914. He is buried in Poperinge Old Military Cemetery, close to some of his colleagues, who we assume died in the same action.

    G Collins




    254640

    S/Sgt. Albert Rockliffe 192nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Albert Rockliffe served with the 192nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. I have found a Christmas card which my grandfather sent to my grandmother from France in 1918. It reads: With the compliments of the season from the men who feed the guns with the British Army in France, Christmas 1918 On the inside it lists all personnel and their ranks.

    On the rear cover it reads:

    • Vimy
    • Arras
    • Pilkem
    • Langemarcke
    • Poelcapelle
    • Amiens
    • Somme
    • Cambrai
    • Le Cateau

    Ian Rockliffe




    254638

    Pte. John Thomas Edwards 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.19th May 1916)

    My paternal great-grandfather, John Edwards fought alongside his son (my grandfather) Alfred Edwards, who must have lied about his age (intentionally or otherwise) to enlist.

    I have visited his grave at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi as well as the place he fell (Vimy Ridge) but would dearly love to find out more.

    Ross Edwards




    254632

    Pte. Thomas Rivers 13th Btn. Kings (Liverpool Regiment) (d.5th May 1917)

    Thomas Rivers is a member of my family, I have his medals. Still trying to find out more about him.

    Graham Connolly




    254631

    Pte. Fred Bateman MM.

    Fred Bateman was awarded the Military Medal.

    Richard Bateman




    254629

    Rfmn. George Laurens 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.12th Aug 1917)

    George Laurens was the son of Mr & Mrs J Laurens of Hirst House, First Tower, St Helier, Jersey. In March 1916 he trained as a sniper. One month later he had a lucky escape when a snipers' bullet struck him on the helmet and ricocheted off with minimal injuries.

    In August 1917, when the Jersey Company was holding the line near Frezenberg, he was badly wounded. After lying out for 2 days, he was taken to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station. Despite an amputation, his wounds were fatal and he died there on 12th of August 197. He has a War Grave in the Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Vlamertinghe. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, The British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Peter Laurens




    254623

    L/Cpl. George Darrell 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    My Great Uncle, George Darrell was aged 23 when he died during an offensive on The Somme. He was my grandmother's favourite younger brother. He Lived in Wye Kent in Bridge Street and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and the war memorial in Wye Church Yard in Kent.

    Rosemary Bunn




    254620

    Pte Thomas Albert Stead 7th Btn King's Royal Rifle Company (d.1949)

    Thomas Albert Stead came from a large Rothwell mining family which had its roots in the area going back to at least the middle of the 18th century.

    Tom, as he was known, joined the King's Royal Rifles Regiment on 1914-10-14 as a private and was given the number R5968.

    He served in France from May 1915 but was discharged at the end of July 1917, "no longer fit for military service," after being wounded.

    In common with those who fought and survived the war, he was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, and the 1915 Star.

    Before he went off to war in 1914, Tom Stead had two children with Mabel: Albert born in 1912, and Joseph, a year later.

    Albert also joined the army but died in a swimming accident in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1936

    For a while Tom and Rachel lived in one of the council houses on Fourth Avenue on Rothwell Haigh, with Tom probably working at Fanny Pit nearby, but in about 1934 they moved to the Kent coalfield where Tom got a job at Betteshanger colliery near Deal.

    He was very active in politics and union work and had many letters published in the Kent Times about the conditions miners worked in.

    When the 1939 Register was compiled it indicated he had been working as a ripper but by that time was "incapacitated".

    A few years later, Tom, Rachel and their son moved back to Yorkshire where they lived near Doncaster.

    He died in 1949.

    Joe Stead followed his father "down 't pit" and went with him to Kent.

    He also became a soldier and served in the Second World War. He was 88 when he passed away in 2003.

    Paul Stead




    254617

    Sgt. Walter Brown 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.10th Jun 1918)

    Walter Brown is buried in Cologne Cemetery (South). Details of injuries sustained in action are not known. At the time of death he was aged 25.

    Daryll Cooper




    254614

    Sgt. James Maxwell 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    James Maxwell fought in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and was wounded on 13th of March 1915. Not known where he served after that, however he was a career soldier. He received the 1914 Star for service in between 5th of August and 22nd of November 1914. If he fought after being injured, he survived to marry in 1920 and raise a family. James passed in 1952

    Bill McKinlay




    254612

    Pte. Thomas Williams 6th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.9th Aug 1918)

    Thomas Williams was the son of Mrs Eleanor Williams of Hyfrydle, 17 Greenfield Road, Colwyn Bay, and the late William Williams.

    Karen Teather




    254609

    Pte. Bert Fisher 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    My Grandfather, Bert Fisher joined the army in August 1914 and served from then until his death in France. I know that he worked for a Col. Cheaney, who lived in Whimple, Devon. His death, as with so many others, had a catastrophic effect upon my mother's family. I think that he was a drover, but beyond that know nothing about him.

    Granpa I salute you.

    Vivienne Peters




    254607

    Charles Harding 6th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Harding served with the 6th Wiltshire Regiment

    letter from officer

    Alison Abraham




    254605

    Sgt. Alexander Bain 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    My Grandfather, Alexander Bain served with the 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. I still have his campaign and Victory medals and regimental cap badge. He suffered from mustard gas but went on to work in the LNER railways in York and was a very active member of the ARP in WW2 and St Johns Ambulance between the wars. He went on to live to nearly 80 but never talked about his experiences to me as a child, sure this is true of many veterans.

    Simon Reed




    254599

    Pte. Benjamin J. Venning 2nd Battalion West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons) (d.20th April 1915)

    My great grandad, Benjamin Venning, was the son of another Benjamin Venning, originally from Devon. They settled in the Leeds area.

    Benjamin was wounded on 18th of April 1915, shot in the chest, in a German counter offence on Hill 60, Ypres. He sadly died from his wounds on 20th of May 1915.

    Paul Moore




    254598

    Pte. Thomas Kay 13th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.13th July 1916)

    Thomas Kay was born in London around 1886. In 1901 he was living at Wheelock Wharf where he met Elizabeth Hodson and had a son called Thomas Hodson Kay born in 1908. He worked as a canal boatman and prior to signing up to the Kings Liverpool, was living in Hulme Manchester and was unmarried. He signed up in 1914 and left for France in 1915.

    Thomas was killed in action on 14th of July 1916, his service and sacrifice are not forgotten.

    Clare Kay




    254597

    L/Cpl. Thomas Herbert Harrison 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.11th August 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Harrison was my great uncle. He and four brothers went to war, only one of the brothers returned. Thomas has his name on the Menin Gate in Ypres, he was 21 years old.

    Roy Harrison




    254595

    L/Cpl. Harry McGrevy 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th September 1914)

    <p>

    Harry McGrevy was the son of Henry and Margaret McGrevy. Husband of Ruth McGrevy and father to Margaret McGrevy. His brothers Arthur and James McGrevy were also both killed in action.

    Kelly Middler




    254592

    Pte. Arthur James Savage 13th (1st North Wales) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.22nd April 1918)

    Arthur Savage died on Bouzincourt Ridge on 22nd of April 1918, and is buried in the Military Cemetery there. He is also commemorated on the Memorial Stone in Woodcote Village, Surrey.

    Bob Ball




    254589

    L/Cpl. Frederick William Jones 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.5th November 1918)

    Frederick Jones served with the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. This information is taken from Islington Council's Record of Residents who lost their lives during WW1.

    Lucy Arthur




    254588

    Sgt. Charles Frederick Ingram 11th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th November 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Ingram was wounded and sent home to recover. He was awarded a medal which I can't remember for his bravery. Although he did not have to return to the Front after being wounded, he did. He was killed in action 30th of November 1917.

    His mother, Emily, never fully recovered from his loss and died prematurely as a result, family indicated, of a broken heart. Charles was deeply missed by his sisters Beatrice Ellen Tonks (Nelly) and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ingram. A photo of Charles remained upon her living room wall until her death.

    David Marsh




    254584

    L/Cpl. Douglas George Bell 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th October 1917)

    My Great Uncle Douglas Bell served in WW1 and died, he was a 21 year old Lance Corporal.

    Kyle Bell




    254580

    Pte. John Waldron 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (d.26th August 1916)

    <p>

    John Waldron was my great grandfather and was killed in action on 26th of August 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, somewhere near Bazantin or Delville Wood (I think). He is buried at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun.

    Carol Hickman




    254574

    Pte. J. H. Dennis 9th (County Tyrone) Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.8th May 1916)

    Private Dennis is buried at Authuille.





    254572

    Dvr. Alfred William Dean Royal Engineers (d.9th Dec 1918)

    Alfred Dean was wounded in France and sent back to England and he sent a post card to his sister with a view of Christ Church College, Cambridge in March 1918. Later he was sent to No 5 War Hospital, Reading to be nearer his wife and family. Survived the war, but died of flu and pneumonia on the 9th of December 1918.

    He is buried in Hemdean Rd, Cemetery. His youngest daughter was buried in the same grave later when she died aged 10 in 1929. Her name is not on the headstone, as it is a war grave. Information about his daughter is from Superintendent Reading Cemeteries who supplied location of his grave.

    Susan Rixon




    254571

    Gnr. William Henry Rothwell 69th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th April 1918)

    William Rothwell was my great-grand uncle, brother of my father's grandfather.





    254570

    2nd Lt. George William Hall MiD. 23rd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    George Hall was Mentioned in Despatches twice, he served with 23rd Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Jonathan Gluck




    254568

    Pte. George Henry Mortimer 6th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.29th Mar 1917)

    George Mortimer was born in 1893 at Oldland Common, Bristol. one of 6 children. He was killed in action on 29th of March 1917 in Flanders.

    Dave Mortimer




    254567

    Pte. Charles Fuller 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.24th Aug 1914)

    Charles Fuller was my grandfather. He was serving with 1st Norfolk Regiment, with his 2 brothers, Fred and William. Charles was killed 24th of August 1914, he died in his brother Fred's arms. Later Fred was injured and lost a hand. In November 1914, William was also killed. This of course, along with thousands of other families, had a devastating effect. It was a few months later that my grandmother had the official confirmation of Charles's death.

    Robert Fuller




    254562

    Dvr. Peter Marland B Battery, 89th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th May 1915)

    <p>

    Peter Marland was a driver in the Royal Field Artillery. When he was born in October 1886 in Astley, Lancashire, his father, Ebeneezer, was 28 and his mother, Elizabeth, was 22. He married Phoebe Emma on 3rd of February 1906 in Leigh, Lancashire. They had three children during their marriage. He died as a young father on 25th of May 1915 in Bulford, Wiltshire at the age of 28.

    Driver Marland

    Janet Grundy




    254557

    Capt. James Sheppard Royal Horse Artillery

    James Sheppard served in the Transvaal and WW1 before returning to Sheffield after the war where he became a police officer.

    Darren




    254556

    Pte. George Nixon Dent 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.27th Sept 1918)

    George Dent died aged 25 years at either the Battle of Cambrai or The Battle of Canal Du Nord. His wife had passed away 2 years previously, and with his death my Grandmother was left orphaned at the age of 5.





    254553

    Cpl Frank Duffy 11th Btn Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.21st Sept 1917)

    I am trying to find all I can about my grand father Frank Duffy who died when my mother was only three so obviously I never saw him. My grandmother remarried but never spoke of Frank. I have no photos of him

    Edward Trott




    254551

    Pte. Frederick James Jacques 23rd Btn. B Coy. Middlesex Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Born in Climping, Littlehampton, Sussex, Frederick Jacques was the son of Edward and Charlotte Jacques. At the time of the 1901 census, the Jacques family resided at the Heath, East Malling, Kent. Head of the house was 35 year old Frensham, Surrey native Charlotte Jacques, who was a widow. Frederick married Miss Emily Webb at the Parish Church of St. James, East Malling, Kent on Monday 8th of May 1915.

    He enlisted in the army, For the duration of the war on Sunday 1st of October 1916 at Maidstone, Kent. He stated that he resided at East Malling, Kent and was placed on the Army Reserve. At the time of his enlistment, Frederick stated that he was 27 years and 255 days old, employed as a farm labourer, and that he was married.

    Frederick was mobilized on Monday 16th of April 1917, and attested to serve in the 7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. On Tuesday 3rd of July 1917, Frederick was posted to France for service with the British Expeditionary Force, in the 23rd (2nd Football) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.

    Following his death, Frederick was initially posted as missing, but the Army Council later made the decision that for official purposes, it was to be assumed that Frederick had died on or after Tuesday 31st of July 1917. Age 28. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate, in Ypres.

    Mark Howell




    254548

    Sgt. Richard Eason MM & Bar. MiD. 1/1st Cheshire Field Company Royal Engineers

    Richard Eason was a double Military Medal winner, for actions on the 21st of October 1916 and 12th of March 1917. He was also Mentioned in Dispatches and Wounded. He was a Member of the R.A.O.B.

    Steve Parsons




    254546

    Thomas Henry Lusty 11th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th Apr 1918)

    Thomas Henry Lusty was the son of Gilbert and Susannah Lusty of Leonard Stanley, near Stroud in Gloucestershire.

    Adrian Lusty




    254543

    Sgt Mjr. Charles Elva Burris 13th Rgt 20th Machine Gun Battalion

    <p>

    Personal notes of Sergeant Major Charles E. Burris: Information comes from his son Charles E. Burris Jr..

    My father was a Battalion Sergeant Major during World War 1. He kept very careful personnel notes of his actions and the battalion movements during his time in the Army throughout World War 1. After the war an officer came and borrowed his notes to be used to write a book titled "The History of the 20th Machine Gun Battalion, During World War 1", with the promise that his papers would be returned intact. They were not. All that was returned were two and one half pages that covered his movements during the Punitive Expedition.

    Daddy wrote several more pages of where he was stationed during the war for family records but never received his original notes as promised. Those pages are the six pages that have been read over and have become more important to me as the years go by. They pretty well cover his service time as to where he was and when. His notes were evidently used in the book to confirm dates and names. This book was sent to us with the returned two and one half pages of notes and was very well written. I suppose it was felt that the book would replace the original papers.

    "We left Columbus, New Mexico, on 7th of July 1917 and started to El Paso, Texas, traveling by motor truck. The first night out we camped at Ias Cruces, New Mexico, and made El Paso, Texas, formerly occupied by the Kentucky National Guard, until about 6th of March 1917 at which time we were ordered to Camp Baker, near Fort Bliss, Texas where we were stationed until 29th of March 1917 when we packed up and made another advance in the direction of Atlanta, Georgia. We arrived at Atlanta, Georgia on 1st of April 1917. Here I had a chance to sleep in a real bed again. (I) am getting ahead of my story, have omitted my promotions. I can not tell you how I got all of these promotions, as you know a politician never gives away his secrets, but anyway I was promoted to Private First Class on 1st of July 1916, to Corporal on 10th of February 1917 and to Sergeant on 27th of May 1917. Now here I am in Atlanta, Georgia, and a great big Sergeant, but come to think of it I have left some more out. I was a Company Clerk from the time we came out of Mexico. Now we have it, I am in Atlanta, Georgia, a Sergeant and still Company Clerk. Just imagine all those official designations. I gold bricked it around Fort McPherson until 19th of June 1917. On June 19th the 17th infantry split up and made two new regiments of infantry and still retained the old one, consequently each company made two new ones and did not disorganize the old one. When this was done, I was appointed acting first Sergeant of all three companies. They were awfully good to me this way. They always gave me all the positions I wanted and frequently a d--- sight more. I did all of this and sported my Sergeant chevrons every evening until 2nd of July 1917.

    On 19th of July 1917, I was transferred to Company E, 56th Infantry and on then, transferred to Company E, 55th Infantry. The first transfer was against my will and the second at my own request. I was again transferred on the same day to Headquarters Company, 55th Infantry and appointed Battalion Sergeant Major of the First Battalion, Was relieved as Sergeant Major of the First Battalion and appointed Sergeant Major of the Second Battalion on my own request. This made three transfers and one promotion in one day.

    We left Atlanta, Georgia, on the 16th of July 1917 and arrived at Chickamauga Park, Georgia same day. Was stationed in Chickamauga Park until 8th of August 1917. Was furlough from 8th to 17th of August 1917 to Newport, Kentucky. Was on another furlough from 15th to 30th of December 1917 to Newport, Kentucky. Was transferred to the 20th Machine Gun Battalion on 1st of January 1918 and here I have anchored.

    The Battalion moved from Chickamauga Park, Georgia to Camp McArthur, Texas, 5th to 7th of February 1918. Recruited up and left Camp McArthur, Texas on the 19th of July 1918 and arrived at Camp Merritt, New Jersey 21st of July 1918. Equipped Battalion for overseas service from 21st of July to 2nd of August 1918 then marched from Camp Merritt, New Jersey to Alpine Landing on the Hudson River, leaving station at 3:00 am. Boarded river steamer Lackawana, and steamed to pier at Hoboken, New Jersey, and embarked on U.S.S. Leviathan at 11:30 am.

    The Leviathan, remained in harbor until 3:00 pm. 1918-08-03 and steamed out with 13,000 soldiers aboard. The troops on board were, 20th Machine Gun Battalion, 55th Infantry, 56th Infantry, 7th American Tr. and casuals for 88th Division. From the book, "the giant Leviathan, formerly the German ship Vaterland, was awaiting us. To the great surprise and satisfaction of everyone, our Battalion was marched aboard to be carried to France on the largest ship in the world, one with a price on her head, which the Kaiser had especially charged his submarine commanders to sink. Of such renown was our boat. Troops, crew, and others totalled nearly 15,000 souls, the largest human cargo that any ship had ever carried."

    "Arrived at Brest Finistere, France on the 11th of August 1918 and debarked and marched to Camp Pontanezan and pitched pup tents. Remained at Pontanezan until 16th of August 1918. Marched to Brest at midnight 16th August 1918 and entrained on French trains for Ancy-le-Franc, Department of Yonne. Arrived at Ancy-le-Franc, Yonne, France 19th of August 1918 at 2.30 pm. and marched to Sennovoy-le-Bas (Cote d' Or), Yonne, France that afternoon. We were billeted in hay lofts, cow sheds and anything that had a roof. I finally located an old chateau that had been vacant for nearly a century, was falling down little by little, and established a headquarters. My sleeping apartment was one formerly occupied by cows but as the French people considered us just a little better than a cow gave us the preference and the cows were thereby made homeless and had to stay out in the field. In order to make our home a little more luxurious we purchased some straw from a native and made a rather comfortable bed but that lingering barn yard fragrance that greeted us at bedtime was not all together pleasant. We remained in this village going through intensive training for several weeks, subsisting on corned beef and salmon almost exclusively.

    We left Sennovoy-le-Bas the night of 26th of September 1918 and marched to Poincon-les-Larrey to entrain for Pont-St. Vincent. There was some misunderstanding about the assignment of rolling stock and we were compelled to remain at this place for two more days in the rain with no shelter what so ever and not a thing to eat until the second day. We entrained the night of the 29th and arrived at Pont-St. Vincent, Meurthe et Moselle the night of the 30th. Our route of travel was due north through Chatillion-sur-Seine, Chaumont, Neufchateau, and Toul to Pont-St. Vincent in the Department of Meurthe et Moselle.

    The battalion marched out at 8.30 pm. for Lagney. I remained at Pont-St. Vincent for two days in charge of all battalion property. It rained all this time and I had no shelter but had a good supply of corned beef. I made the property to Lagney the night of 2nd of October 1918. Remained in Lagney until 5th of October 1918. Marched out at 8.30 pm. October 5th and arrived at Bois de L' Eveque at 3:30 pm. received an order at 12.30 to move to front lines. Repacked property and marched out at 8.30 am. October 7th.

    Arrived at Rosieres-En-Haye, Rogeville at 7.30 pm. after marching all day in the rain. Remained at this place sleeping in a barn until October 9th. Marched out at 1.30 pm. and met with enemy shell fire at Jezainville, and were compelled to take a road over the mountain. Owing to the heavy loads we had on the wagons we had to push them up the hill one at a time.

    We arrived in Montauville, Meurthe et Moselle, at 9.30 pm. that night and unloaded property under heavy shelling. We remained in this place which was constantly being shelled until November 2nd.

    Moved to Mamey the A.M. of November 2nd. and stayed there until November 5th. Moved from Mamey to Bois du Four inwoods 5th of November. Was gassed that night. Remained in this position until 14th of November. Moved to St. Jean, Camp du Ravin, 14th of November and remained in that mud hole until 10th of January 1919, when we moved to Avrainville. Stationed in Avrainville until 9th of April and moved to Goussaincourt.."

    That is what was left from the memoir.

    Todd Buemi




    254538

    Pte. Robert Lambie 10th Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.24th June 1917)

    Bert Lambie had moved from Mauchline to Lanark with his brother Joseph. He joined the Lanarkshire Yeomanry, a cavalry militia regiment. He transferred to the 10th Cameronians and volunteered to fight in France. He joined with a number of Lanark pals and served with them from 1916 to 1917. He was shot by a sniper whilst delivering materials and died of his wounds in a field hospital.

    Ian Lambie




    254537

    L/Cpl. James Dooley 2nd Btn Irish Guards (d.9th Oct 1917)

    James Dooley, son of Arthur Dooley and Sarah Nee Currie was born in Duke St, Cleator Moor, Cumberland on the 19th of September 1892. He was baptised on the 25th Sept at St. Mary's RC Church, Cleator. His God Parents were his uncle Joseph Currie and aunt Sarah Jane Dooley. The family was living at 15 Duke Street, Cleator Moor, Cumberland in 1901. James's Dad Arthur died in 1905 and the family moved to Cleator, his sisters returned to Ireland in the Belfast area. His mother Sarah later went to live in Ireland. Last known address was 47 Altcar Street, Belfast.

    James was killed in action in France on 9th Oct 1917, age 25 years. He is buried at Artillery Wood Cemetery Boezinge in Belgium. He was engaged to Martha Morgan of Cleator, Cumberland.

    Lorraine Rayson




    254532

    Sgt. Walter Buchanan MM. 150th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My father, Walter Buchanan, enlisted and went to France in 1916 when he was twenty-two years old. He was one of the fortunate few who returned alive and not (physically) injured. He never spoke to me about his war time experience and it was not until several years after his death in 1970 that I learned he had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery. I find it hard to imagine how he could have endured more than two years of waking up each morning and being thankful to still be alive and how he must have felt when he returned home in 1918.

    Walter Stuart Buchanan




    254531

    Pte. Michael Reardon 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.19th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    Michael Reardon was the son of Michael Joseph Reardon (1870-1937) and Margaret Corcoran (1872-1902) of Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, Wales. He was born in 1895 in Merthyr Tydfil and died on the 19th of Feb 1916 whilst serving in Flanders with the 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

    Michelle




    254530

    Pte. Harry Ellis 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.28th Apr 1917)

    Harry Ellis served with the 9th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1, he was killed in action on the 28th April 1917, aged 28. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. He was the son of Sarah and Frank Ellis of Nelson and husband of Sarah Ada Ellis and father to three children, they lived at 5 Charles Street Nelson Lancashire.

    Glynnis Wood




    254528

    Pte. Raymond Slee "Eric" Taylor 44th (Winnipeg) Btn.

    Dad, Raymond Taylor was born in England in 1897and immigrated to Canada in April, 1912. He resided in Gainsborough, SK, which is 3 miles from the Manitoba border. As Winnipeg was his closest recruitment office he signed up with the 44th Battalion on the 28th of May 1917. Dad didn't say much about the war although he did come home with a bullet wound in both his right arm and the ankle on his right side. These bothered him the rest of his life. He returned with an honorable discharge on 4th of March 1919.

    In November 1940 Dad married Althea Raymond, my mother. They had three children. He passed away on in 1974 and is buried at Gainsborough, SK Cemetery.

    Dianne Brisbois




    254527

    Pte. Charles Richard Humble 2nd Btn. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons) (d.7th May 1917)

    I received an email from familysearch.org, it told me of a distant cousin Charles Humble, who had that had served in World War 1. As I am from the United States I was surprised to find that this distant cousin was related to me through my grandmother's family and that he had died during the Battle of Arras in 1917. I am proud of his courage and want to get his story out there to others that we might never forget these courageous men.





    254526

    Pte. William Kelly 5th Btn. Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    William Kelly served with the 5th Cameron Highlanders.

    Chris Johnson




    254525

    Pte. Herbert Panter 55th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.9th Apr 1918)

    Herbert Panter is remembered on the Loos Memorial.





    254523

    Pte. William Fishburn 1st/5th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th Mar 1916)

    Billy Fishburn was my uncle, my mother's eldest brother. They lived in the small village of Gt Langton. He was the eldest boy in a family of 12 children, and had been working as a farm labourer before joining up, I think quite early in war. All I know is that he bought my mother a little toy before he left. Then the next thing she remembered was the telegram. He hadn't died straight away but was taken to hospital and died of his wounds. He died 12th of March 1916 soon after his 20th birthday and is buried at Etaples Cemetery.





    254519

    Pte. Arthur Champ 2nd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.18th Aug 1917)

    Arthur Champ is my great Uncle. I have been doing my family tree and came across his name with his death in France in 1917. I decided to look into it as it's 100 years since world war one has ended. From information gathered, I found he was the youngest son of Mr J Champ of Beatrice Road, Cadoxton Barry, Glamorgan. He was killed in France on 18th of August 1917 by a shell as he was returning from an attack to his trench. (I do not know as yet what battle this was)

    Arthur was 19 and had joined up eighteen months before with his brother Private William Champ who was serving in France with the Warwickshire Regiment. William returned home after the War.

    Elaine Romain




    254518

    Pte. James Monaghan 12th Battalion Highland Light Infantry

    James Monaghan joined up in the first quarter of 1915 at Maryhill Barracks, Glasgow. He fought at the Battle of Loos, Huluch, Pozieres and Flers-Courcelette. There is no further actions after this, presumed captured at Flers-Courcelette, and spent remainder of the war as a POW.

    Henry Monaghan




    254517

    Cpl. Jim Donovan MM. 35th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.6th Oct 1918)

    Jim Donovan served with 35th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery and was awarded the Military Medal. Before the war he was a Police Sergeant with Liverpool City Police, married to Gertie Duckett, father to four children. He was my mother's uncle.

    John McPartlin




    254515

    Sgt. Hugh Astley 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.24th Dec 1916)

    Hugh Astley died of wounds on the 24th of December 1916.





    254514

    Pte. Watson McKay 9th Btn. Black Watch (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Watson McKay was my grandmother's brother. He fought with the 9th Battalion, Black Watch. He arrived in France on the 14th of July 1915 and was killed during the Battle of Loos. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Brian C. Manson




    254511

    Pte. George Cunliffe 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.6th Nov 1918)

    George Cunliffe was my grandmother's only brother and my great great uncle. I new very little about him until recently when I found a number of medals which had been left to me by my late father a number of years ago. George was only 19 when he was killed in action on 6th of November 1918, 5 days before the end of the war. Having carried out some research, I have discovered that he served for the 7th South Staffordshire Regiment and is remembered with honour at the Vis-En-Artois Memorial in France. I do not know any other details regarding the circumstances or battle in which he was engaged at the time of his passing.

    Julie Cardy




    254509

    Pte. William Charles Rance 10th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    <p>

    William Rance was my Great Uncle and eldest brother of my paternal Grandmother, Edith May Smith. William was 22 years old when he was killed during the Battle of Arras.

    Mark Smith




    254508

    Sgt. Harold A. Earridge 2nd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    Harold Earridge was my Great Grandfather. I was lucky enough to know him during my childhood. He lived on the same road as his daughter, my grandmother, right opposite my school gates where he would wait for me and my big brother to give us fluffy sweets from his pocket.

    I knew he'd been in the war as I remember him showing me his medals but had no idea of what that really meant. Strangely my mum doesn't remember seeing them or even going into his house as a child as he appeared to her to be quite distant from the family even though he lived on the same road. Sadly this seems to be a bit of a theme with soldiers of the Great War. Apparently, I went missing as a small child and after frantic searching of the neighbourhood, I was found safe and sound with Great Grandad which came as a total surprise to my grandparents and parents because they didn't know I knew him that well and spent time with him (early 1970's). I was only 4. I probably knew more about his war than anyone else at that time and maybe since.

    Harold was a career soldier who signed up in 1905. In 1911 he was a stationed at Western Heights Dover in 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment which is where he would have met my Great Grandmother Ellen Carter. They married in December 1911.

    By the time WW1 began he was with the 2nd Battalion. He is named as having been in Gheluvelt 31st of October 1914 and remained in France and Flanders until the end of the war having seen action in many battles.

    My grandmother was born in 1919 and spent part of her childhood in India where her brother, (sadly he died in infancy), and sister were born. This must mean he was back with 3rd Battalion as the 2nd didn't go there when my grandmother told me she was there. They had 4 daughters and another son. Ellen died in 1935 of TB. Apparently Harold would cycle from Dover to Canterbury to visit her in the sanatorium every week whatever the weather. He married again to Florence but she passed away from tetanus not long after. Harold married a third time and had another son at age 57. Harold never really spoke of his experiences during the war and certainly never complained. Harold passed away in 1977 having had a long and fruitful life. I remember him extremely fondly and have immense pride in him.

    Zoe Swarbrick




    254504

    Pte. Charles Henry Fowles 10th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    Charles Fowles rests in the Chili Trench Cemetery, Gavrelle.

    Alan Fowles




    254502

    Pte. Sydney Seaton 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.5th Apr 1916)

    My great great uncle Sydney Seaton who sadly died of wounds he received in action while fighting in Mesopotamia on the 5th of April 1916.

    Paiul Berndt




    254500

    Pte. Henry Cracknell 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1916)

    Henry Cracknell was the son of Emily and Frederick Cracknell of Little Hallingbury. He lost his life on the 9th of August 1916, the same date his brother William was killed in action at the Somme. A large scale gas attack was carried out at Potijze Chateau in Belgium on that day, where Henry was based at the time. This was a surprise attack and resulted in the loss of many men. Henry is now buried at Potijze Chateau Wood Cemetery which suggests he fell victim to the attack.

    Jasmin Routs




    254499

    Pte. Gilbert George Welch 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.13th October 1917)

    Gilbert Welch is buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery. He was 19 when he died.





    254494

    Sgt. Archibald McAlpine 8th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.28th Oct 1918)

    Archibald McAlpine is buried in Thessaloniki, Greece, he died in hospital of pneumonia on 28th of October 1918. He was survived by his widow Elizabeth and son James. Archibald was a teacher who sadly he never met his son.

    Katie Walker




    254493

    Pte. Patrick "Puddin" Slaven 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rufles) (d.18th Jul 1916)

    Patrick Slaven was blown up, sadly, his body was never recovered. His brother, James Slaven was wounded.

    Margaret Slaven McLean




    254491

    Pte. George Bradley 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.18th Dec 1916)

    George Bradley is buried at Cologne Southern Cemetery.

    Andrew Cubberley




    254490

    Pte. Morris Gordon Brown 3rd East Anglian Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Morris Brown was my paternal Grandad. I have taken years to find out about him. He was not liked by many people and always described as a miserable man. But I have found a book online, all about the movements and experiences of the 3rd East Anglian Field Ambulance. And I'm sure this is the reason for the change of personality. The horrors of war took their toll on him.

    Lisa Weekes




    254488

    Pte. William Raye 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Grandad, William Raye served with the Durham Light Infantry in WW1 and also listed in Perth, Western Australia for WW2. Sadly he died before I was old enough to hear his stores.

    Fleur




    254486

    Cpl. James Frederick Pickup 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.21st Aug 1918)

    James Pickup is buried at Locre.

    Charlotte Brookes




    254480

    Pte George Goodwin Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    George Goodwin served with the 1st or 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.

    George Goodwin, the only soldier that wouldn't face the camera.

    Phil Weiland




    254478

    Sgt. John Bulmer Jackson 2nd/5th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.24th Jul 1918)

    Serjeant John Jackson of the 2nd/5th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) died in a German Military Hospital as a Prisoner of War on 24th of July 1918 and is buried in the Marfaux Military Cemetery. Lest we forget.

    Richard Jackson




    254474

    Sgt. Francis Charles Verrier 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.13th Dec 1915)

    Francis Verrier joined the Somerset Light Infantry on 3rd of October 1887 and served until 1902. At the commencement of WW1 he joined the Sherwood Foresters, with whom he served until his death in 1915.

    Stuart Verrier




    254472

    Pte. George Edward Whiteley 1st Btn. York and Lancacster Regiment

    My grandfather, George Whiteley, was born in 1892 in Sheffield. In 1913, after joining the army, he became Lance Corporal G Whiteley of 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, and the paperwork I have indicates he was in India. In June 1914 he underwent Transport training at Inbbulpur. He was listed as wounded in 1915 in France and Flanders. In 1917 he was based at a Musketry Camp at Whitburn with the 378th Labour Company. On 26th of September 1917 he married my grandmother in Sunderland, County Durham.





    254469

    L/Cpl. William Henry Patrick 26th (3rd Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Lance Corporal William Patrick died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The 26th Tyneside Irish's Battalion were to attack La Boiselle where William was sadly killed. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial.

    David




    254464

    Pte. Alexander Graham 4th Btn. D Coy. Seaforth Highlanders (d.27th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander Graham was born on the 16th of May 1884 at 8 Mary Street, Dundashill, Glasgow He died on the 27th July 1916 at the Somme and is buried at Dartmoor Cemetery, Becodel-Becourt.

    Peter Marshall




    254463

    Pte. Thomas Elvin Kings Royal Rifles Corps

    Thomas Elvin who served with the Kings Royal Rifles Corps was my grandfather.

    Dorothy Popplewell




    254460

    L/Cpl. Leo Wilson 1/10th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    We have been part of the Sefton "beyond the war memorials" project, which meant any household in the area which was originally the home address of the soldier who died was sent a pack of his details. We were very privileged to get this man, Leo Wilson who lived in our house 100 years ago and sadly died less than 2 months before the end of the war. He apparently joined the army in 1916, was in charge of a Lewis gun section, and is remembered at Sucrerie Military Cemetery in France.

    Rebecca Tooms




    254457

    Pte. Robert Wilson Muncaster 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.6th Nov 1918)

    Robert Muncaster was my Grandad's brother. Grandad was 11 when his brother was killed at age 26. When Grandad had his first son (my uncle) he raced to the registry office before my Gran could stop him and named him Robert after his dear brother. I only just found this out today 11th of November 2018.

    Steven Young




    254454

    Sgt. George Edward Knipe 2nd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.28th Feb 1917)

    George Knipe was my grandfather's older brother. He left behind a wife and 2 young children. I only found out about him tracing the family tree. His name is inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France which I have visited.

    Keith Lewis




    254453

    L/Cpl. Thomas Henry Greene 12/13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Sep 1918)

    Thomas Greene is buried in the Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery in Northern France. 12 pounds 10 shillings and 10 pence was sent to his widow Mabel on the 3rd of December 1918 and she received 9 pounds and 10 shillings War Gratuity in 1919.

    The 12/13th Northumberland Fusiliers War Diary show his Battalion on the 8th of September 1918-09-08 at 4am was moving to reinforce the Lincolnshire Regiments in the front line, it states there were 4 officers wounded but no details of other ranks. In the Lincolnshire Regiment War Diary it gives more details about the heavy fighting that day and states 12th/13th Northumberland Fusiliers were ordered to maintain the spur in W23c at all costs. Thomas's body was found at map ref. W23. which is between Heudicourt and Pezieres.

    Leo Cox




    254452

    Cpl Albert Edward Whale 4th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>

    Albert Whale served with the 4th KRRC.





    254450

    Pte. William Henry Dukes 2nd Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    William Dukes was discharged in February 1917 due to the effects of being gassed

    Terence Handley




    254449

    A/SM. Abraham Moorhouse MM. 3rd Btn. Duke Of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment)

    Abraham Moorhouse served with the 3rd Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.

    Robert Moorhouse




    254448

    Pte. Samuel Albert Knights Army Service Corps

    Samuel Knights served in a Motor Transport Company of the Army Service Corps and was in Meault in February 1920.

    John Knights




    254445

    Pte. Robert Wright McEvoy Royal Irish Rifles

    Robert McEvoy was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1890 and died in Hamilton Ontario, Canada in 1957.

    Christopher McEvoy




    254444

    Thomas Chesney Gourley 12th (Central Antrim) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Gourley was born in 1890 in Ahoghill, Co. Antrim. He was the son of James Gourley and his wife Elizabeth nee Chesney. The family moved to Larne and it was there that Thomas joined the 12th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles, part of the 36th Ulster Division. Thomas was killed in action in the Battle of the Somme at Thiepval on the 1st of July 1916. He was 26 years old. A memorial to Thomas is to be found in Larne Cemetery.

    Roy Greer




    254443

    2Lt. John William Arkless 17th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.30th December 1915)

    <p>

    John Arkless served as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 17th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and attached to the 15th Battalion. He was killed in action on the 30th December 1915 and is buried in Houplines Cemetery near Armentiers in France.

    Marc Arkless




    254442

    Pte. George Atkinson 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    George Atkinson served with the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers.

    David Gerrard




    254439

    Cpl. William Laird Dick 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.21st Oct 1914)

    William Dick was my great granddad.

    Euan R Brown




    254435

    Sgt. Patrick Joseph Hackett 4th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.18th October 1918)

    <p>

    Patrick Hackett was a married man with three children. He was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. He joined the British Army in 1914 at the outbreak of war. He died on the 18th of October 1918 at an advanced dressing station in Belgium. He is buried in the cemetery located on the grounds of the original dressing station.

    Richard Black




    254433

    Thomas Cook Harper South Wales Borderers

    Thomas Harper was my great grandfather. He was from Wales and lived, I think, in Pontypridd and Newport. He was in Tientsin, China at the outbreak WW1. I have seen a photograph of him in Tientsin in his white uniform. The rest is sketchy but I have his Bible and I know he married my great grandmother Lilian in Kidderminster circa 1920. They had three children Aubrey, Alma and Pamela. He died young of pneumonia in the 1930s.

    Debra Wright




    254431

    Pte. John Milne 13th Btn Royal Scots (d.26th Sep 1915)

    John Milne was the son of George and Sophia Milne of 10 David Street in Glasgow and husband of Mary Smith Milne of 44 Flemington Street, Springburn, Glasgow. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial at Dud Corner.

    James Thomson




    254430

    Pte. Henry Hazeltine 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th May 1916)

    Henry Hazeltine left behind his wife Annie and 7 children. He was aged 33 when he was killed in action.

    M Dalton




    254428

    Spr. Thomas J. Pude Royal Engineers

    T Pude served with the Royal Engineers. I have this mans medal in my possession.

    Michael Cooper




    254425

    Rfmn. Ralph Henry Thomas 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.7th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Ralph Thomas was my Grand Father. My Mother was only 2 years old when he enlisted. He was married to Ellen Taylor Johnson and they had 3 children plus he had a son from a previous marriage.

    Gwenda Clare




    254423

    Pte. Arthur T. Williams 12th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th Nov 1916)

    My Great grandfather, Arthur Williams fought in WW1 and died in action. We believe he was 32 years old when he was killed. He was is laid to rest in Lesboeufs in The Guards Cemetery in France. He left behind a wife called Laura Ramm.

    Jo




    254421

    Pte. Temperly Warren 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Temperly Warren enlisted on the 6th of May 1914, aged 19. He landed in Boulogne in April 1915, and saw action through that year. He survived being blown up in 1916 and was sent to No 5 Convalescent Depot, then home to recover and finally he was medically discharged in August 1916 aged 21. Makes you think doesn't it?

    He went on to become my grandfather, a lovely man, very fondly remembered. He ate a fry up every day, smoked anything he could put in his pipe and made his own beer and wine and enjoyed drinking it too. Pneumonia finally claimed him in 1977 at the age of 82. I've just been reading through his service papers today on the 100th anniversary of the armistice.

    Here's to you Grandad! Having a beer in your memory.

    Howard Warren




    254413

    L/Cpl. Frederick Ernest Whale 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.18th Nov 1916)

    Frederick Whale was my grandfather I have very little knowledge of him and I do wish I had more. I have one memory from my mother, the story is that my mother was born immediately my grandmother heard of the death of her husband. Also my mother was named after the battle that my grandfather was killed in, and the battle was Beaumont-Hamel.

    Nigel Attenborough




    254409

    Pte. William Gant 10th Btn. Essex Regiment

    William Gant served in 8th cyclist Battalion, Essex Regiment from August 1915. He was posted to 10th Essex in about 1916 and was gassed on the 18th of April 1918 at Hangard Wood. He was in B M Hospital at Lille, December 1918 and pensioned from 1919. He died of effects of gas at Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk on 28th of December 1921 He received the British War and Victory Medal and left his family of a wife and 4 children.

    Peter Gant




    254402

    Pte. Frederick Gordon Smart 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Frederick Smart did not talk about his experiences during World War One, I think it was too distressing for him, but I know he told my father he was a prisoner of war. He was apparently captured, although he was not wounded, although I know he had suffered a wounded knee and a sniper's bullet through the front of his neck, just under his chin. Today, on the 11th November 2018 I found evidence from the ICRC website. He died in 1985 aged 89.

    Trudi Oliver




    254401

    Pte. Emanuel Anthony Armitage 1st Btn. South Wales Borderers

    Emanuel Armitage received a silver war badge.

    Paul Owen




    254400

    L/Cpl Victor Albert Barber 9th Btn Suffolk Regiment (d.20th November 1917)

    Victor Barber was my uncle, born in Lowestoft 1893. He was injured at Loos, and died on the first day of the Battle of Cambrai 20th November 1917 during the first advance of the tanks. He is buried in a small military cemetery 6 miles south of Cambrai.

    Carol Barber




    254398

    Pte. Robert Doe 7th Btn. West Surrey Regiment (Queens) (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Doe was my Great Great Great Uncle. He served in the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment with 3 of his brothers. He was the only one to not survive the war. A 4th brother also served in the Royal Engineers.

    Adam Doe




    254397

    Pte. Arthur George Barker 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.13th May 1916)

    Arthur Barker enlisted in September 1915 in Worthing Sussex, originally in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. by the 21st of September he was in Fort Matilda and was in the 2nd Battalion. On the 30th of December 1915 he was posted to France. He died on 13th of May 1916 in the Corbie Hospital, Corbie, from wounds received in action. He is buried in the Corbie Cemetery France.

    Elaine Brker




    254396

    Spr. Herbert Edward Smith 106th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Herbert Smith is my Great Grandfather. He joined up in January 1915 and served in France. He was wounded during the war, losing part of his face and died from his wounds in 1927. His name was added to the Brockenhurst War Memorial in 2012.

    Mark Kerley




    254395

    Pte. Edwin Starkey 103rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Edwin Starkey was the only son of Emily and George Starkey, born in Walsall. He had two younger sisters, Gertrude Ellen (Gertie) and Beatrice (Beattie), and a fiance named Sarah. His mother bought them a clock to mark their engagement.

    Despite having a reserved occupation, he joined up to serve in France and was killed, aged 21, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He is my Great Great Uncle, he is buried amongst his fellow men at Ovillers Military Cemetery, and he is remembered with affection and honour.

    For our today, he gave his tomorrow.

    Thanks Uncle Ted, and hope to meet you one day.

    Julie Baldwin-Smith




    254389

    Gnr. Edward John Burkett S Battery Royal Horse Artillery

    After some research I have discovered that my grandfather, Edward Burkett, signed up in 1915 aged 19. He was assigned to S Battery, RHA. I have found that he was deployed to Mesopotamia. He survived the war and died peacefully in 1978.

    Ian Pauley




    254388

    Pte. Horace William Massingham 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Horace Massingham served with the 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.





    254387

    James Walters 11th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    My Grandfather, James Walters enlisted in Hastings in September 1914. He was wounded in action on the the 3rd or 4th of June 1916 in Cuinchy, recorded in Sussex Daily News on the 3rd of July 1916. He was then wounded in action in March or April on the Somme. Recorded in the Sussex Daily News on the 3rd of June 1918. He was wounded again when serving with the 16th Royal Sussex. Recorded in the Sussex Daily News of the 30th of November 1918. Although 16th Battalion diary does not record it. His next of kin was given as living at Hadlow Down Sussex.

    He was in Roehampton Hospital in the war where he had his fingers amputated through injury. He eventually lost the battle to live after the war due to shrapnel injuries and died of haemorrhage to the brain through injury.

    David Walters




    254386

    Sgt. Henry George Trussler 1st Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.16th Apr 1917)

    Henry Trussler was my great grandfather.

    Nicola Walker




    254385

    Pte. George Ashcroft 1st/8th Btn. B Coy. Manchester Regiment (d.7th Aug 1915)

    George Ashcroft is a total stranger to me. His death plaque came to me quite by accident many years ago. It had been thrown out. Well, here's to you George, remembered, if not known, and always remembered every year.

    Rick




    254383

    William Shaw 8th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.5th Apr 1916)

    William Shaw was my Great Grandad, who died in action in Mesopotamia, which is now called Iraq. He is remembered at the Basra Memorial.

    Barbara Smith




    254382

    Pte. Walter John George 212th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.11th Apr 1917)

    Walter George fell during Battle of Arras and is remembered on wall of the Arras Memorial in France.

    Carolyn Collard




    254381

    Pte. George Burman 9th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.25th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    George Burman served with the 9th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment.





    254379

    Gnr. Herbert Clement Watts 4th Reserve Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Jul 1917)

    Herbert Watts was born in 1885, the first child of four in the family of Clement Watts and Fanny Rollins. He lived in Wardington with his parents and siblings. The village was home to many Watts, all related somewhere along the line which goes back to the 1700's. Herbert did apply for exemption in 1916 but his application was turned down.

    He joined the Royal Horse Artillery and then the Royal Field Artillery, 4th Reserve Brigade. He died from the wounds he acquired on the battlefield and is buried in the Mendinghem Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    Peta Millard




    254373

    L/Cpl. William Arthur Austen 7th Battalion Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.13th September 1917)

    <p>

    William Austen was the son of William and Nellie Austen. Husband to Ethel Dora Bartley, and father to 3 young daughters, Barbara (29 Aug 1912), Gwendolyn (5 December 1914) and Christina (22 Dec 1916).

    He enlisted in Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry at the Red Lion Hotel, Crewkerne, Somerset, he had formerly served with the West Somerset Yeomanry.

    From his diary "went into action at Goodecourt over the top came out from trenches went back to Meault staid a week went from Meault to Corby had a month at Corby. Went over the top at Langemarck on the 16th August 1917 got relieved on the 19th of August 1917"

    Just a month later he was killed. Extract from the letter from Captain WS Robins who wrote to his widow Ethel Dora Austen (formerly Bartley) "He got killed by shell fire on Pelkim (Pilckem) Ridge just behind Langemark in Belgium. He was helping to carry a wounded man to the dressing station when he was killed by a shell".

    William Arthur Austen on leave

    1911 when William Arthur Austen was in the West Somerset Yeomanry.

    In Yeovil on the way to Winchester  August 1914

    Kevin Harris




    254370

    Rfmn. James Johnston McKee 8th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd Jul 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle James Johnston enlisted with East Belfast Battalion. He was killed in action on 2nd of July 1916. His name is on Thiepval Memorial, France. He was the second of six sons. His parents, Archibald and Sarah, lived at Newtownbreda, Belfast.





    254368

    Pte. Algernon John Pells 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.30th Oct 1916)

    I once visited Little Stonham as this was where my great-grandfather was born. I looked around the now dis-used local church and found the roll of honour on the wall which included that of Algernon Pells. I believe he may have been a nephew of my great-grandfather.

    Brendan Pells




    254366

    Pte. James Gilpin 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Herbert Gilpin joined 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders and died near Loos-en-Gohelle on 11th of April 1918. My father never knew his father, my grandfather, whom we owe so much to as we live on because of his sacrifice.

    James Gilpin




    254362

    Armr QMS Maurice Dacre 8th Btn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.15th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Maurice Dacre served with the 8th Duke of Wellingtons.





    254361

    Pte. Harry Flack 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.18th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Flack served with the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

    Back Row 6th from Left

    Simon Haly




    254360

    2nd Lt. J. Bettles 5th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.7th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    The grave of Lieutenant Bettles is located in the cemetery of the city of Etroeungt in the North of France. A tribute is made to him every year for the ceremonies of November 11th. He died 4 days before the end of the war.

    I live in Etroeungt, if you need more information, you can send me a message.

    Guy Desmarescaux




    254359

    Capt. Brian Dacre 9th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.12th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Brian Dacre was born in 1890, he served as a Captain with the 9th Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment.





    254354

    Pte George Preston 1st Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.23rd Jul 1916)

    <p>

    George Preston served with the 1st DCLI





    254351

    Pte. William Barnett Souster 2nd/1st Btn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    Barnett Souster was my grandmother's youngest brother, who served in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry and died at Passchendaele. He is remembered on the wall at Tyne Cot Memorial. My grandmother, Laura May, lost her first husband in October of 1917, also as a result of the war, and he is buried at Fenny Stratford. William Barnett is remembered on the tombstone.

    Liz Wheeler




    254343

    L/Cpl. Joseph Henry Oakes DCM. 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.7th June 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Oakes was my 1st cousin, three times removed. Found while researching family tree.

    Jeremy Hollins




    254342

    Pte George W Barrs Yorks and Lancs Regiment (d.13th Oct 1918)

    George was born and raised in the Pogmoor area and signed up for the Yorks and Lancs Regiment. He completed his training at Bramall Lane and went to the front to fight.





    254340

    L/Cpl. James Charleson Aire 1st Btn. Scottish Rifles

    <p>

    My grandad, James Aire served with the 1st Scottish Rifles.





    254338

    L/Cpl. George Frederick Marchant Worcestershire Regiment

    George Marchant was a professional soldier from 1902 - 1912 serving in India with the Gurka regiment. He joined the Worcestershire Regiment in 1914 and served until seriously wounded at Ypres and returned to Great Britain. He refused to have his arm amputated and eventually recovered from his wounds. He re-enlisted in 1916 in The Labour Corps again serving on the Front. He was eventually badly wounded again on The Somme and returned to Great Britain. I would dearly love to find out which Company of the Labour Corps he served with. He did talk of the Chinese soldiers to my Grandmother and Father.

    Jackie Mavro-Michaelis




    254337

    CSM. Joseph Myers Robson DCM. 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th October 1918)

    Joseph Robson was my great grandmother's brother.

    Nichola Brown




    254335

    Gnr. Roland Henry Summers 48th Division Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.12th Oct 1918)

    My Great Uncle Harry Summers died at 51st Stationary Hospital, B Section in Arquata Italy. He is buried at Arquata Communal Cemetery Extension along with 94 of his comrades. His cause of death not known. He is shown as a Gunner also a Driver in different records I have seen.

    Charles Evans




    254333

    Pte. George Arthur Merrick 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>

    George Merrick was honourably discharged on 21st of June 1916 with shrapnel wounds in both legs. He had enlisted on 12th of August 1914. Went to Gallipoli where he was reported as wounded on 20th of September 1915. He was evacuated to Malta because of his serious wounds and sent home to be discharged on 21st of January 1916.

    June Hampton




    254332

    Pte. Jack Harold Walters 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.8th October 1918)

    My Great Uncle Harry Walters was a glass designer. I think he was a pacifist. He was sent white feathers and joined up later on in the war. I know Harry was an exceptionally brave man in civilian life as he dived into the River Severn to rescue a little girl. Her parents gave him a gold signet ring with an expression of eternal thanks for saving their daughter. I have that ring now. I am the only one left in the family. My ambition is to visit Forenville Military Cemetery where he has been buried. He was buried at La Targette British Cemetery first but was then exhumed and reburied. I do not know how or why he died. However, I think he may have been involved in the Second Battle of Cambrai since the cemetery is so near there.

    Kate Murrell




    254331

    Pte. Cyril Sharpe 14th (2nd Barnsley) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.15th July 1916)

    I discovered by surprise that Cyril Sharpe was the first husband of my great grandma. No one in our family had known of him, apart from my great aunt who had a medal with the name Sharpe on. She never knew her Mother had been married before and my grandad had died before I could ask if he had any idea. I discovered Cyril had died in Flanders in 1916, only two years after he and Rose married. They also had a son called Joseph who I was hoping to find some descendants of but he died age 3 in 1918.

    Cyril's name is on a memorial at St Thomas' Church in Worsbrough Dale but I have struggled to find out more about him and his life.

    Jennifer




    254330

    Pte. Wilson Ostle 11th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.24th March 1918)

    <p>

    Gunner Wilson Ostle was my maternal grandmother's cousin. One of 4 brothers. He joined up at Whitehaven, Cumberland in 1915. He was wounded in 1917 with a gunshot wound to a forearm. He firstly was admitted to Fort Pitt Military Hospital in Chatham then transferred to a military hospital in Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend. After a complete recovery he spent July 1917 on leave back in Cumberland.

    He was wounded in France in March 1918 during the German big push and evacuated to No 53 Casualty Clearing Station where he died of his wounds. He is buried in The British New Cemetery at Roye, France. God bless, RIP

    Ian Stuart




    254327

    Cpl. Tom Broadbelt 7th Battalion Border Regiment (d.28th October 1917)

    <p>

    Tom Broadbelt was the son of William and Margaret Broadbelt of Fellbank, Silecroft, Cumberland and husband of Mary Broadbelt of Nether Burrow, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth. He is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Memorial image

    Isaac Hartley




    254322

    Cpl. Frederick Charles Balderson MM. 14th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.22nd October 1917)

    Frederick Balderson was from Spratton, Northamptonshire, son of Julia and John Balderson. He came home on leave to show off his military medal, of which is described in the war diaries in the previous months before his death, before returning at the start of October 1917, to be killed on the 22nd and has no known grave. His brother Bertie,fought and survived. No photos found of Fred have been found and I have no idea where his medals are now. Fred's brother, Alfred, my great grandfather, called is own son after Fred, he fought in WW2 was wounded but survived in to his 80s.

    Alexandra Douglas




    254320

    Pte. Arthur Mansfield 15th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.23rd July 1916)

    Arthur Mansfield died from wounds sustained on 23rd of July 1916.

    Lisa Stokoe




    254317

    Pte. William Joseph Higgs 7th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    William Higgs enlisted on the 17th of August 1915 and was discharged medically unfit 10th of July 1918 due to gas injury. I have found William's Discharge record and War Pension record.

    Clive Norris




    254314

    Gnr. William Reginald Freeman 132nd (Oxfordshire) Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    William Freeman was a gardener when he signed up on 10 May 1915. He had been born in Hambledon and lived in the villages around Henley-on-Thames. When he signed up he was 32 years and 11 months and had a wife, Lizzie and five children. On 21st of September 1915 he and Lizzie added to the family with their last son.

    Terina Hurley




    254313

    Pte. Stewart Taylor Royal West Kent Regiment

    I did not know my Grandad Stewart Taylor but know by my father that he served in India.

    Stewart Taylor




    254312

    Pte. Alfred Taylor Royal West Kent Regiment

    My Grandad Alfred Taylor fought in the WW1. I know he was in India as my father told me. I really don't know anything about him but would love to learn more.

    Stewart Taylor




    254311

    Pte. James Eagle 183rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    James Eagle gave his life during the latter stages of the Battle of Cambrai, leaving a wife and three young children. His name is recorded on the War Memorial at St. Luke's Church in Whyteleafe, Surrey.

    David Jolly




    254303

    Dvr. William John Winn Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    My Grandfather, William Winn served in France with the Royal Horse Artillery during World War 1.

    Gary Pooler




    254302

    Pte. George Frederick Claydon 1/4th Btn. Essex Regiment

    My grandfather George Claydon volunteered for the 1/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment, Territorial Force on 9th of February 1914 and served throughout WW1 in the Essex Regiment. Towards the end of the war he was in Palestine and Egypt and transferred on 15th of May 1918 to the Royal Air Force with the Egypt Expeditionary Force near Cairo at Abbassia.

    He spent most of the next 20 years in the RAF and went back on active service at the start of WW2 with the rank of Warrant Officer. He appears to have been evacuated from France on 2nd of June 1940. He was Gazetted MBE on 11th of July 1940 for Distinguished services rendered in recent operations, but always told my mother it was for organising sports and social events at RAF camps! He has, I imagine, the pretty rare distinction of having been at Gallipoli and Dunkirk.

    Simon Hayes




    254301

    Cpl. Thomas Herbert Roberts 6th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.6th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Roberts served with the 1st City Pals and 6th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.





    254300

    Pte. William Thomas Norman 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.3rd Oct 1917)

    William Norman was born in the mining village of Tankersley, Barnsley in 1881. The son of Thomas and Bertha Norman, he was the eldest of 6 children. He married his wife Harriet in 1906 and they had 3 children.

    William was 33 years old when he joined up and served in the 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment to fight in the first world war. William died from gun shot wounds on the 3rd of October 1917, he is buried in Noeux-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Terry Stevenson




    254298

    Pte. Matthew Miller 6th Btn Cameron Highlanders

    Matthew Miller was my Grandfather, and I have learned from service records that he enlisted at the age of 19 and served with the 6th Cameron Highlanders. He was wounded in France in August 1916, and was one of the very lucky ones to survive. Seeing so many fellow servicemen die must never leave you. When re-posted Matthew was sent to the Salonika Campaign, where he contracted malaria. This may have been with the 3rd Cameron Highlanders.

    Reading the other profiles here, I am now wondering if my father Douglas was named after the commander listed here. There is no one named Douglas in 200 years of our family tree. I think I may have found his name sake.

    Gail Miller




    254294

    A/Bmbdr. Abraham Leighton 34th Brigade, 70th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Abraham Leighton served as a driver with the Royal Horse Artillery and then with 70th Battery, 34th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Robert Preston




    254293

    Pte. Leslie Brimacombe 42nd Btn.

    My Great Grandfather, Leslie Brimacombe, served in France from 1915 to 1918. On the 5th of February 1918, in Lievin, France he was buried by a shell. His right foot was injured and developed gangrene. On 8th of June 1918, his right foot was amputated at the 3rd Western General Hospital in Cardiff.

    Anne Brimacombe




    254292

    Pte. Reginald Arthur Smith 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Reginald Smith attested on the 3rd of February 1915 and entered France with 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment on 26th of July 1916. He was wounded and posted as missing on 13th of November 1916 and reported as a Prisoner of War on 15th of February 1917. He was repatriated on 11th of January 1919.

    Ian Goffin




    254291

    Pte. William Proctor 7th Battalion (d.11th Nov 1917)

    It is now 101 years ago to the day that Private William Proctor was killed in action at Passchendaele Ridge, Ypres whilst on Ration Party. William is not a relative, he is a soldier that I have loved since I started to research 30 years ago having acquired his diary from 1917, first contacting the Lord Mayor of Melbourne and from there on my plight was passed to the relevant researchers (in particular Jim Tippetts, a very kind man I had the pleasure of meeting) and finally returning the diary to William's nephew.

    I have travelled to Ypres several times trying to trace his footsteps, locating his name on the Menin Gate and finally laying a wreath at the place he fell to sleep age 23 years. What an incredible man, a life cut far too short like so many others. He sailed from Albany on HMAT Ballerat arriving on British shores following the vessel being torpedoed. His diary details every day from 1917-01-03 to 9th November 'Very heavy barrage on both sides and a few close shaves. Lying low all day'.

    If anyone has any further information about past or present relatives I would be so delighted to hear from anyone. William will always be very special to me and I long for more information, photos etc.

    Paula Holmes




    254289

    Lt. Alfred D. "Trott" Breach MC. 5th Btn. Royal Berkshre Regiment

    My great uncle, Alfred Breach was awarded the Military Cross.

    Simon Johnson




    254287

    Cpl. George Bordman Jones 12th Service Btn.

    George Jones received gunshot wounds on the 27th of September 1916.

    Lorna Quorn




    254286

    S/Sgt. Robert Charles Fisher 26th Field Bakery Army Service Corps

    My grandfather Robert Fisher served as a baker having enlisted in 1915 aged 30. His service was in Egypt, Syria and Palestine.

    In 1919 he volunteered to remain in the army of occupation in Cairo. In January 1920 he suffered a cerebral thrombosis. He was treated at the hospital at Bellais and the Citadel Hospital, Cairo. He spent some time at Netley Hospital then returned home but my grandmother was unable to look after him as he was paralysed. He spent the remaining years of his life in St David's home in Ealing. Unable to communicate except by blinking, he enjoyed hearing the football results from one of the nurses as he was an ardent Arsenal supporter. He also loved cricket and was taken to Lords on a stretcher of some kind to watch a match. He died in 1927.

    Gemma Brown




    254285

    Pte. Cyril Higginbottom 6th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    We understand that like many others, Cyril Higginbottom gave a false date of birth in order to enlist. His older brother was serving with the KOYLI and managed to get Cyril transferred to the KOYLI from his original regiment, thinking he could keep an eye on his little brother. Unfortunately, Cyril was killed on 16th of September 1916.

    Cathleen Osborne




    254281

    Pte. John Robinson 6th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    My Grandfather John Robinson was awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal. He was discharged with a gunshot wound in 1918.

    Denise Cassar




    254280

    Pte. Joseph Sultan 90th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.10th Jul 1916)

    Joseph Sultan was my Great Uncle. He died on the 10th of July 1916 and is remembered at Thiepval on the Somme. I know very little else but would like to.

    David Wolper




    254278

    Pte. Richard Samuel Warner 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th Aug 1918)

    Sam Warner is remembered on the War Memorial in Alne Church, York.

    Martin Warner




    254275

    Pte. William Frederick Filler 19th Btn. London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    William Filler was 25 years old when he died of his wounds at the Battle of the Somme. He left a widow, Maude E Greenhalgh, nee Smith.

    Jeff Greenhalgh




    254273

    Sgt. William Edward Robinson 6th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    William Robinson was my grandfather, born in 1880. He joined the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in 1914 and was at Gallipoli. Family stories say the unit he was with was attacked when he was away obtaining water and on his return found comrades dead or dying. I cannot prove or disprove this story. At some point he was transferred to the 1st Battalion. Family lore says he was wounded first with the 6th and then later at the Somme so possibly the transfer from 6th to 1st was for this reason. His Medal Roll card confirms he entered the Balkans (Mudros) on 22nd of July 1915. I know little more, he died when I was 3 so what information I have comes from what my (now deceased) father and uncle told me.

    Interestingly, he also fought in the Boer War but the medal he kept and wore, is in another soldier's name. His WW1 medals are in his name. I would love to know more and have tried many records to no avail.

    Heather




    254271

    William Selwyn Jones 251st Tunneling Coy. Royal Engineers

    We never knew what William Jones did until we found his Service Record at Kew. When I told my mother, his daughter said "now I know why he woke up shouting he could hear the Germans talking".

    Carol James




    254269

    2nd Lt. James Joseph Lunn

    James Lunn was taken prisoner on 31st of March 1918 and was incarcerated at Karlsruhe Camp.

    Polly Webber




    254264

    Pte. Arnold Ward 10th Btn. York and Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Arnold Ward was at the Battle of the Somme and died on the 3rd of July 1916. He was a private in the 10th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.

    Until around 2016 of this year his nephew, Ken Ward, was unaware that he had an Uncle Arnold. Ken's father, Horace Ward, served with the West Yorkshire Regiment and also served in WW1 also and was attached to the Machine Gun Regiment.

    Andrew Clewes




    254263

    Cpl. Sydney Alfred Felger 122nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Sydney Felger served with 122nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Colin Miles




    254262

    CSM. Arthur Errington 25th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Errington was my Great Uncle. An entry in Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918, states that he died in France on 28th of April 1917. Other information that I have been able to find, also states that he enlisted at Newcastle-on-Tyne. He died in Flanders.

    Sue Nesbitt




    254256

    Sgt. Samuel Frederick Grummett Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Frederick Grummett was my great Grandad. In 1908 he was a sergeant in the army. Born in 1876, so 38 years of age married with 5 children my father being youngest born 1908. He seems to have been transferred to Royal Warwickshire Regiment, I know he must have been at Gallipoli.

    James Grummett




    254253

    Pte. Henry John Haskell 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    Harry Haskell lived all his life in Portsmouth, Hampshire. He was my Grandfather, although I never met him. He lied about his age in order to enlist with the 15th Hampshire Regiment on 2nd June 1915, being only 17 at the time. He married on 11th September, and left for war almost immediately.

    Apparently he was in action at Flers in October 1916 where huge losses of men from 15th Hants. saw Henry transferred to the 122nd Machine Gun Corps. and a diary entry says he was with them in France 2nd of September 1917, ( Battle of Ypres) and in Italy from 19th of January 1918. In June 1918 he was wounded by gunshot in the left knee and right side at Givenchy, France. This was blighty wound and he arrived back in England on 7th of July 1918. He was discharged from the army as unfit, and from hospital in Ripon, on 13th December 1918. He arrived back home at midnight on that day. He was granted a war disability pension of 11 shillings and sixpence a week. His knee continued to trouble him. About 1929 his mental health deteriorated, and in 1931 was admitted permanently to St James's Psychiatric Hospital, where he spent the rest of his life.

    Janet Quested




    254252

    L/Cpl. Frank Peck 1st/8th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.14th Aug 1918)

    Frank Peck was shot by a sniper on his way back to their camp. He is buried in Fouquieres Churchyard Extension, 2 miles from Bethune in Northern France.





    254249

    Sergeant Thomas Robinson DCM 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    Sergeant Thomas Robinson fought in the First World War until his discharge in Spring 1919. He was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry (April 1918). He was assigned to transport bringing up supplies to the front. He was fortunate to survive the war and was given an inscribed gold watch by the people of St. John's Chapel in Weardale.

    His citation reads, For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as transport serjeant. He continually showed great courage and determination in bringing stores to the line udner heavy fire and by his coolness and judgement svaed many casualties. 17th April 1918.

    Christine Frost




    254246

    Pte. Ernest John Bolt 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.25th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Ernest Bolt served with 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He is remembered at Tyne Cot.





    254243

    Sapper. Robert Clare 327th Quarry Company Royal Engineers (d.16th Oct 1917)

    Robert Clare was born in Galway, Ireland on 12th August 1873. Robert went to Maryborough (now Portlaoise) and enlisted with the 327th Quarry Company of The Royal Engineers. The company was involved with the repair and reinstatement of roads in France and Flanders using British or locally quarried chippings. Presumably, Robert's expertise as a stone cutter made him suitable for this type of work. They were based in Marquise and Rinxent which were both areas of limestone quarrying. From April 1916 the Royal Engineers were heavily involved with the construction of a network of tunnels for troops in preparation for the Battle of Arras which took place in April and May 1917. Robert suffered injuries that would cause his death on 16th of October 1917 and he was buried in Calais Southern Cemetery, France.

    Michael Hurley




    254241

    Pte. George Edward East 1st/4th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.13th October 1915)

    George East is my 2nd Great uncle.

    John Andrews




    254239

    John Edward Wilson 164th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.9th May 1918)

    John Wilson served with 164th Siege Battery RGA. He was married to Annie Wilson, they had four children, Nan, May, Alice and Irene.

    Margaret Lund




    254236

    Pte. James Lamb 7th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>

    My grandfather, James Lamb, from Dundee was born in May 1899 and was a Jute Factory Overseer at the time of his marriage in 1923. I believe he enlisted while under the age of 18. I possess an original certificate showing that he donated blood for transfusion at No.36 Casualty Clearing Station on 28th of October 1918. He lived to be 85.

    Private Jim Lamb with two unidentified friends

    Susan Green




    254235

    Pte. William Chance 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    William Chance is buried at Ovillers Military Cemetery in France.

    Sue Owen




    254227

    Pte. Leslie Cross 5th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.24th Sept 1918)

    <p>

    Leslie Cross was killed at the Battle of Pontruet, France on 24th of September 1918.

    Coalville Times article published on Friday 25th of October 1918.

    Local casualties. Official news has been received by Mrs Cross, widow, of Abrams Nook, Donington-le-Heath, that her eldest son, Pte. Leslie Cross, of the Leicesters, was killed in action on September 24th. He was 22 years of age, single, and before the war worked as a hairdresser in Loughborough. He acted as hairdresser to the regiment. He had been three years in France, having joined up 3 years ago, and had been through much of the fighting without getting a scratch. He was one of Mr W. Fellows' old school boys of the Hugglescote British School. His father, Mr Harry Cross, died about three years ago.

    Christine Palmer




    254226

    Pte. William Leah Lancashire Fusiliers

    My Grandfather, William Leah was reported as missing in action, but my father said he returned home years later. I have not been able to get any further information.





    254225

    L/Cpl. Joseph Alexander Wilmerdinge Peterson 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    <p>

    Joseph Peterson served with the 15th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, he died as a result of wounds in 1920.

    Sally-Marie Bartlam-Hawes




    254222

    Rflmn. Ernest Butchers 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.13th Aug 1918)

    Ernest Butchers is my great uncle born March 1899 and died in August 1918, aged 19.

    Yvonne Hinton




    254220

    L/Cpl. Irving Dent Veitch 12th Btn. Royal Scots (d.12th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Irving Veitch served with the 12th Royal Scots.

    Nadia Stevens




    254218

    Pte. Albert John Allman 11th Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.11th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Jack Allman enlisted under age, unsure at what age. On a home visit he gave his niece his mouth organ, swagger stick and hand made trench lighter. He asked her to keep them as he didn't think he would return. Jack was killed in action on 11th of August 1916 on the Somme, aged 19. His photograph is on the Thiepval missing poster of 600. His niece named her first male born John and I was named in his memory.

    Nick Knight




    254217

    Pte. Edward Chambers 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Edward Chambers was my great grandfather who never saw my mother. She was 3 months old when he was killed.





    254213

    Pte Thomas Skinner King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Thomas Skinner transferred from K.O.Y.L.I previous service number 68959

    D. A Taylor




    254212

    Rfmn. Thomas Todd 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th Jun 1917)

    My great grandfather Thomas Todd died in action in Flanders on 7th of June 1917. He was a Rifleman in the Royal Irish Rifles.

    Kathryn Crease




    254201

    Pte. Thomas Sheldon 6th Btn. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.8th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Sheldon married Alice Bateman on 7th of August 1909 and moved to Hillcrest Road in Biggin Hill some time before 1911 and Thomas was employed as a farm laborer.Thomas and Alice had six children together, Alice Sophia (1909), Thomas (1910), Arthur (1910), Helen Kate (1911), Sidney (1912), and Annie (1914).

    When the war started in 1914, Thomas joined the army as a private in the 6th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). He sent postcards from the front and one postcard sent to his daughter Helen, dated 28th of December 1915, was from the town of Vermelles close to the France-Belgium border. The message on the card was simply "from Daddy". Vermelles was a coal mining town and was the site of many battles. Thomas was part of the defense and not long after sending the postcard to Helen, he was seriously injured in battle and was taken to Bethune, a hospital and railway town near to Vermelles. He died of his wounds on 8th of January 1916 and is buried in the Bethune Town Cemetery.

    Thomas Sheldon

    Kelvin Cooper




    254198

    Pte. Walter George Bull 7th Btn. Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (d.10th Aug 1917)

    Walter Bull was my 2nd cousin, 4x removed. His death is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

    Stuart Hill




    254197

    CSM. George Augustine Hemming 9th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.14th Apr 1917)

    George Hemming is buried in Baghdad. He was the youngest son of Mrs. Hemming. He left a widow and a small baby girl. He was an army reservist who held the rank of sergeant and was called up at the outbreak of war. He arrived in the Balkans on Tuesday 13th of July 1915 and served in the Gallipoli Campaign.





    254196

    Cpl. Robert Cecil Cooper 1/6th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.21st Jul 1916)

    Robert Cooper served with the 1/6th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment. I haven't been able to find much but he was born in December 1897 and lived in Totterdown, Bristol.

    Krystina Hilliard




    254193

    Pte. Wilfred Cecil Oakes 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.1st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My great uncle Wilfred Oakes died on 1st of October 1918, aged 26. On 2nd of October 1915 he sent a postcard, to his elder brother Charles of some of the troops with whom he was stationed in Canterbury from 3 Troop C Squad. North Somerset Yeomanry.

    The postcard reads "Dear Jim, A few lines to let you know I am going on alright. Photo of some of our Troop. Canterbury is a nice town but no lights at night because of Zep raids. A few miles from coast. Hern Bay 7, Deal 8, Folkestone about 17 miles. Buses run. Have nice rides in country. Hoping all are well. I remain yours, Wilf."

    I believe that Wilfred is the middle of the 3 men stood at the back of the family photo.

    Postcard sent from Wilfred Cecil Oakes to brother Charles

    Mary Gunningham




    254190

    Pte. George Potts Rantoul 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My Grandfather George Rantoul, was a Private with the 22nd Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish). His grandfather was Scottish. When the 22nd was so depleted (down to cadre strength) he was transferred to the Royal Engineers and finished of the rest of the war as a Sapper.

    Peter Rantoul




    254188

    Pte. Richard Slade 5th Btn. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    Richard Slade served with the 5th Btn, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    From his own words..

    I arrived in France on the 20th of December 1916, after sailing from Southampton, stopping at Le Havre, then travelling up the river to Rouen, staying there for a fortnight doing drills on different parts of warfare. On leaving Rouen I joined the 5th Battalion Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry at a place called Dainville, on what was part of the front called G. Sector.

    We were in and out of line until the 1st of February 1917, then going back to a place called Grand-Rullecourt for a month for a refresher, joining my Battalion again in March near Arras at a village called Rownville, that part of the front was called H. Sector, we stayed there until we made the first spring advance which was on Easter Monday 9th of April 1917 in the early morning, just after day break (Battle of Arras).

    In the meantime we were digging assembly trenches, which were dug in no-mans land, making advances between Tolley and Burains with the tanks going over with us, taking what we named Redoufer not far off Telegraph Hill, it was said my Battalion alone took 800 prisoners from that particular place, we took our position fairly easy after which other Regiments passing through us making their advance good.

    Then after about 3 days we got relieved for a short while for a rest. At times we were holding the line which our troops made good on the 10th of April 1917. We then made another attack on the 4th May in the early morning, just before light on the same front in a place called Wancourt. We drove the enemy from his front line, but we only held it for a few hours perhaps up to mid-day when we had to retire back to where we started (what was left of us!). With the help of the rest of our Brigade we held our line where we were.

    Before we made the attack my Battalion, then in the evening received news from one of our Officers for every man for himself to get out of the line down under a bank in front of Wancourt, then from the bank when we got what we thought all of our men together, we were took to some trench for the rest of the night and part of the next day. Where our men were coming in 1 or 2 at the time and then from there we went back near Tolley for a few days getting, relived from that front altogether, for a rest and to get reinforcements up. We were out there for nearly three months going in the line again at Ypres the beginning of August we were in there for 3 or 4 days, we then got relieved from the line going back to a place called the half way house which was a dug-out behind our reserves, we were there for 4 or 5 days and at night we sent out as working parties up to the line. We then went a little further back to a place called Dickiebusch for the night before making our way then to Messines Ridge, going what we might say straight in the line. We were round about that part for nearly a month , we were in and out of the line, when we were out we were working parties either at day or night.

    After leaving Messines we again went back to Ypres, taking with us 3 days rations. We took our position on the left of the Menin Road, we were there 5 days coming from the left over to the right of the Menin Road (you will be familiar with this as the Battle of Passchendaele). I was there 2 days, when I got my Blighty! I got hit on the evening of the 22nd of Octobre 1917 about 6 o'clock, when out of the trench, I was in a dug out near by for the night.

    Then when it was light the next morning I made tracks to our aid-post where I was dressed and sent on to the next dressing station near Ypres. Then from there I was took to the C.C.S, where I stayed for 2 days, then being sent to the 10th General Hospital Rouen. I stayed there until the 31st October coming across to Blighty that night landing at Southampton early morning on the 1st November, arriving at the 1st Southern General Hospital, Kings' Heath Section in Birmingham at 6pm.

    I was discharged from there on the 27th of January 1918 for 10 days leave reporting back to Command Depot Tipperary, Ireland on the 6th of February 1918, got my T.M.B on the 27th of June 1918 BII, discharged from there on the 15th of July 1918 and reported to my reserve unit on the 16th of July 1918. I was then sent to Scotland on the 2nd September on farm work and came back to my Battalion on the 22nd of Novemeber 1918.

    Georgina Rollins




    254185

    Rfmn. Frank Giles Perton 4th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.10th May 1915)

    Frank Perton was my grandfather's oldest brother and his death is recorded on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Christine Davies




    254184

    Mjr. Frederic Eckersall Nixon-Eckersall MiD 157th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th Nov 1917)

    Major Frederic Nixon-Eckersall was twice Mentioned in Despatches.

    Richard Nixon-Eckersall




    254182

    Dvr. Thomas Allinson 14th Division Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.19th September 1916)

    Tommy Allinson is buried at Quarry Cemetery, Montauban, he was 19 years old.

    Margaret Melville Ward




    254181

    Sgt. Patrick Lynch 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.3rd September 1916)

    <p>

    Sergeant Patrick Lynch aged 22 was killed on 3rd of September 1916 as he helped stretcher a wounded officer from the bloody Somme battlefield. He was the son of James and Jane Lynch, of 11 Mary Street, Drogheda, he served with the Leinster Regiment during World War I. His memory is commemorated on the Drogheda Cenotaph at the end of the street where his family lived, at the Thiepval Memorial to the missing servicemen who died in the various battles of the Somme between 1915 and 1918, and on the headstone marking his parent's final resting place in Calvary Cemetery, Drogheda.

    Martina Murray




    254179

    Spr. George Gentle 117th Railway Coy. Royal Engineers (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    George Gentle was the son of George and Elizabeth Gentle (nee Catle) husband of Lizzie Gentle (nee Chalkey) of Ivy Cottage, Orchard Rd., Walsworth, Hitchin, Herts. He was native of Baldock, Herts. George died of malaria in the 29th General Hospital, Salonika (Thessaloniki), Greece.

    Steve Gentle




    254178

    Dvr. William John Saunders Packer Royal Field Artillery

    William Packer was my grandfather, I still have his identity bracelet.





    254177

    Pte. Sidney James Lloyd 20th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.17th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Sidney Lloyd lied about his age when he joined up. He was my Grandfather's brother, and my Grannie Winifred's first husband. They met at Dale Pembs when he was stationed there in 1916. They had a son together James Arthur (who died in WW2). They married in Dale in July 1917, and Sidney died just under two months later of wounds in Remy Sidings clearing station near Ypres.

    Sue Novis




    254176

    Pte. James Davidson 14th (Fife & Forfar Yeomanry) Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.10th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    James Davidson, my uncle, is buried at St.Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers-Faucon, France.

    Richard Evans




    254173

    Gnr. Albert George Steer 295th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th Apr 1918)

    I have recently found out about my Great-Great-Grandfather Albert Steer, and I am immensely proud to know that he served in some of the most prolific battles in the First World War and that he ended loosing his life fighting for his country. I am currently in the process of researching and finding out as much as I possibly can about him.

    Jordan Talling




    254171

    L/Cpl. James Henry Melton Todd 11th (Hull Commercials) Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    James Todd (my great-uncle) was mortally wounded during the defence of Ayette, on the 27th of March 1918, and died at Doullens the following day.

    He had previously been wounded in late 1916 or early 1917 and treated at Puchervillers Hospital, where he made friends with a Welsh soldier, David Jones. He gave Private Jones his soldier's New Testament, with an inscription "To my friend Pte Jones 53911 as a token for his great kindness to me while in Puchervillers Hospital on his day of evacuation 13th January 1917, Pte Jim Todd with best wishes". In 2006, this book turned up in a charity shop in Colwyn Bay, and a local woman, Mrs Bowen, purchased it with the intention of tracing the family. After a correspondence in the local magazine, Hull in Print, she was able to reunite it with the family of my aunt Mrs Wray, one of Jim's nieces.

    Jim's mother, Sarah Jane, visited his grave at Doullens on one of the one-month passports that were issued especially for next-of-kin. She gave a false date of birth on the passport, to hide her paper-trail for legal reasons.

    Jim's birth in 1893 was registered under the surname Melton, which was the name of her legal husband, whom she had left (together with an infant son) in Scarborough when she came to Hull for fish-gutting work c 1891. His father (and the father of her younger children, including my grandfather) was John Thomas Todd, with whom she had a bigamous marriage ceremony in 1905.

    James Henry Melton Todd

    James Todd is 4th from right, standing

    Bible inscription

    M M Gilchrist




    254170

    Pte. Archibald Mills 8th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    I have very few memories of my grandfather, Archibald Mills. When he died I was given mementoes of him. I was 3 years old so did not hold any interest. As an adult I started to wonder how he has survived WWI. I knew he had served in the Argyll & Southern Highlanders as I had his dog tag. I also had an other dog tag with MGC stamped on it. To cut the story to the end, I found out from Machine Gun Corps records he had been compulsorily transferred to the MGC. He was taken prisoner during the spring offensive March 1918 and was at Gustrow Camp until his release. No one in the family knew this and I feel my search has only stared to get to know him.

    Stuart Henderson




    254169

    Pte. Walter Dinsdale MM. 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Walter Dinsdale was my Grandfather. He joined up in 1914 and was in the First World War for its duration. He was stationed in France and was wounded twice. He, like many who fought in this war, did not really talk about his experiences. It was only later in his 80s that he spoke a little of what happened to him to my Uncle. He said that he did not think he would survive, and made light of being awarded the Military Medal.

    He said it arrived through the post one day after the war had ended. He told my Mother, his daughter, that at the front you did not know if the soldiers were dead or not but could not do anything about it. He told my Uncle that he lost his close friend when he was blown up beside him. One interesting thing he did tell my Uncle was that when the announcement that the war had ended he along with other soldiers who were recovering from their wounds were on Saltburn Beach. There was no joyous reaction or celebration just complete silence.

    After the war Grandad came back to Stainforth, near Settle and continued to be a farmer. He was a quiet dignified man who lived into his ninetieth year.

    Sue




    254158

    Edward Farrell 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    We have recently found discharge papers for my grandfather, Edward Farrell. He was discharged in February 1919. His name is different to the one on his marriage certificate in 1922. He enlisted in October 1914. He was born in 1891. He was gassed during the war and apparently lay for about three days in no man's land before he was rescued. According to my father and my aunt he would not talk about his time in the army, but we believe he trained as a machine gunner.

    Jeanne Nicholson




    254155

    Pte. Charles Troughton Honneysett Royal West Kent Regiment

    Charles Honneysett, a 19 year old labourer on the Marquis of Abergavenny's estate at Eridge, Sussex, joined the Royal West Kent Regiment on 16th of November 1915. This followed the death of his elder brother in 1914 in the first Battle of Ypres.

    He was discharged, probably wounded, on 24th of April 1917, although he did have emphysema when he signed up. He was awarded the Victory Medal. He died in 1951. He also spelt his name Hunnisett and Honeysett, often on the same document.

    Paula Nicholson




    254154

    Cpl Joseph Edgar Adamson MSM. 26th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    Joseph Adamson was a soldier with the 26th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He was awarded the Meritorious Medal. 26th (Bankers) Battalion was formed of bank clerks and accountants in London by the Lord Mayor and the City of London, then moved to Marlow. In Nov 1915 they moved to Aldershot and joined the 124th Brigade of the 41st Division. They embarked for France in May 1916 and the Division was engaged in various action on the Western Front.

    Keith Newman




    254153

    Pte. William Dennis Rose 2nd Btn Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.31st Oct 1918)

    My Nan's brother William Rose left home and signed up in Wroxham to join the 3rd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment and fought in France in WW1. His brother Fred was in the Royal Horse Artillery.

    William unfortunately was killed in action on 31st of October 1918 and is buried in a Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Belgium. William was serving with the 2nd Loyal North Lancashire Regiment when he died. He is also remembered on a War Memorial outside Beighton Church and also a War Memorial in Long Stratton where his parents lived by the end of the war. They had moved as his father was a gamekeeper and had moved to a different farm.

    Josephine Clinch




    254147

    L/Cpl. Frederick William Sandbach 1st/1st Cheshire Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.25th September 1915)

    We found a postcard years ago written from Fred Sandbach to my Grandmother, Molly Sandbach. He hoped she was being a good girl and behaving and going to bed well. He was her favourite brother and died when she was about 5 years old. We would never have even heard about him but for I found the postcard and asked.

    We should commemorate such great sacrifice and we will continue to honour my Great Uncle Fred in our family. I was stunned whilst researching my Uncle Fred to find he was born in Nantwich, the place my family moved back to and my partner and family are all from. I had no idea we had such local connections.

    Alexandra Barnett




    254145

    Pte. Michael O'Brien 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael O'Brien was wounded at the Dardanelles.

    Chris Henderson




    254144

    WO2. John Crawford Middlesex Regiment

    Jack Crawford served in India from June 1908 with the Middlesex Regiment and later with the 74th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. He was disembodied in March 1919

    Paul Crawford Little




    254141

    Charles Edgar Abram HMS Commonwealth

    Charles Abram served as an Armourers Mate in HMS Commonwealth and HMS Lord Nelson.

    Ray Wilkinson




    254140

    Pte. Peter Willey 1/23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Peter Willey was my great uncle. He died on 16th of September 1916 in the Battle of the Somme. My great grandmother woke up in the night and knew he had died, as she saw him in her room and he said, I have come to say goodbye Mam. As it was a long time ago I have no real details of him or pictures.

    Helen




    254138

    Pte. Lesley Taylor 18th (3rd City) Battalion Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Lesley Taylor, joined up on the 11th of December 1915. He was 20 years 8 months. I believe he was taken prisoner on the 26th July 1916 at Guillemont and sent to Dulmen where he was for the rest of the war. He never spoke about it and died in 1977.

    Kathryn Richards




    254134

    Pte. Bernard Henry Ades 7th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    Bernard Ades served with the 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.





    254130

    Rflmn. Jack Fleishman 10th (1st Hackney Rifles) Battalion London Regiment

    My grandad Jack Fleishman always refused to talk to us about his experiences during the First Word War. We know something very harrowing took place, my mother was never told.

    Jeremy Flashman




    254129

    Pte. Frederick William Cooke 8th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.18th August 1916)

    Frederick Cooke was my great great grandfather. His surname was spelt with an e but in the Army he was known as Cook without the e. He was born in 1891. He died on 18th of August 1916 in the Battle of the Somme. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial

    Shaun Williams




    254128

    Pte. Frederick Thomas Gold 2nd Btn. London Regiment (d.27th Aug 1918)

    Frederick Gold is buried in Summit Trench Cemetery, Croisilles in France.





    254127

    Pte. John Henry Bailey 11th Btn. Border Regiment (d.28th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    I only found out about my great great great uncle Henry Bailey after my mother died and I found his identity disc and photos. In amongst these was a photo postcard written to a close family friend asking if he could pop in for a visit as he would be going away on the following Monday. This was written on the 5th of August 1916. Just 6 months before he died of wounds in France.

    Henry Bailey with friend Henry Hardy.

    Jane S Tyler




    254126

    Pte Thomas Paddon 1st/4th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.17th July 1917)

    <p>Tom and Selina Paddon and family about 1916

    Tom Paddon was born 1877 in Tiverton, Devon and died in Iraq in 1917 He was husband to Selina. Father to 5 children Ellen b. 1901, William b. 1903, Tom b. 1905, James b. 1909 and Harold b. 1911. Before the war he was a Coal Merchants Yardman in Tiverton, Devon.

    He started the War in the 1st/4th Devonshire Regiment, finding himself in the Middle East. On 3rd of February 1917 the 1/4th Devons and 1/9th Gurkhas led a dazzlingly successful attack on the Hai Salient in the Turkish line south of Kut. Victory came at a price, of 15 officers and 403 men who attacked, only 5 officers and 186 men emerged unscathed. The survivors of the 1/4th spent the rest of the war in Amara and Baquba (north of Baghdad) building roads, guarding prisoners and administering refugee camps.

    Tom was transferred to the 2nd Garrison Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers in Mesopotamia. He is buried in the North Gate Cemetery in Baghdad, Iraq.

    Wendy Gyngell




    254123

    Owen Albert Monery 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.1st June 1915)

    Owen Monery was killed in action and is buried at Cambrin.

    Sheila Ellis




    254122

    Pte. Robert Wynn Shaw 1st/4th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.29th August 1915)

    Robert Wynn Shaw was my great uncle, the brother of my maternal grandmother. He died in August 1915 and is buried in the Chatby Military Cemetery in Alexandria, Egypt. His name is also commemorated on the war memorial at St James Church, Blackamoor near Darwen Lancashire.

    He was only 19 years old when he died. According to information handed down in the family, he died of disease. We don't have any more information on the circumstances of his death but from information found online about the regiments movements during WW1, we think it likely he had been based in Egypt since late 1914. We don't know if he saw action but would like to know this.

    According to my late mother, his poor mother never recovered from losing him at such a young age. None of the family has ever visited his grave. I would like to do so, but travelling to Alexandria is a bit of a daunting prospect. The inscription on his stone, according to the CWGC website is 'In Jesu's keeping'. I'd like to know if this was likely to have been supplied by his family or his comrades.

    Susan Knowles




    254121

    Pte John McCormick 14th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.7th July 1918)

    John Thomas was the eldest of six siblings. He was my Great Uncle.

    Catherine McCabe




    254120

    Pte. Alfred Bertie Green Machine Gun Corps

    Bertie Green was my great-grandfather. He had a wife and baby when he joined the Army at the age of 23. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in 1916 as a machine gunner. He survived the war but his hearing didn't.

    He became a miner and went on to have another four children, including my grandmother. He went back down the mines and died in 1963. He never talked about his war experiences.

    Andrea Wakefield




    254119

    Pte. H. Shave 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.24th October 1918)

    H Shave was my nan's uncle and she was told by her dad that he was shot by a sniper out of a tree. He was buried at Denain Communal Cemetery.

    Paul Rose




    254115

    Pte. George Salt 9th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.9th April 1916)

    <p>

    George Salt served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

    Victoria Thornton-Harley




    254109

    Sgt. Thomas McCormick 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas McCormick served with the 11th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.

    Catherine McCabe




    254106

    Pte. George Richard "Ginger" Thompson 6th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    My Grandad ended up joining the East Yorkshire Regiment in 1912. He was born in London, the tale I have been told is that he tried to join up but was to young, so he left London to go up to Yorkshire and enlisted in to the East Yorkshire Regiment. But I am not sure how true that is. But he did live in London and did join Regiment. He served in 6th Battalion from 16th of February 1912 until he was discharged on the 11th of March 1919. He saw service Mediterranean from 30th of June 1915 to 2nd of July 1916 and France from 3rd of July 1916 to 18th of April 1918.

    Mark Robson




    254102

    2nd Lt. Maurice Neville Dove 8th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    In memory of my Great Uncle Maurice Dove who I have only just discovered fought and was wounded in the Battle of the Somme on 14th of July 1916. He then went on to serve in the British Army in India

    Jon Collins




    254099

    Sgt. Alexander Butler 11th Btn. Cameronion Scottish Rifles (d.6th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Alexander Butler was my Great Uncle. He joined the army in 1914 and went to Salonika in 1915 where he remained until his death on 6th of October 1918 from broncho-pneumonia caused by Spanish Flu. He is buried in Exhoi Greece in Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery. Prior to his enlistment he worked as a Postman in Port Glasgow. He was the son of George and Sarah Butler and one of 8 brothers and sisters.

    Ellen Coventry




    254096

    L/Cpl. Albert Charles Coffee 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    Born in 1898, Albert Coffee lied about his age to join up in 1914, aged only 16 and was on active service for 4 years until his death at Arras where he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    Pat Mullan




    254095

    Pte. Harold James Burnett 7th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.31st Dec 1916)

    All I know is that my mother was 13 years old when Jim Burnett, who was her eldest brother, died in Northampton General Hospital and is buried in the War Graves Commission plot in Towcester Road Cemetery, Northampton. She often spoke of him, especially at Remembrance Time, but did not seem to know much about what caused his death. He died on 31st of December 1916, aged 19.

    Kenneth Turner




    254094

    L/Cpl. Edgar Elijah "Edward" Holmes MM. 12th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Holmes was born in 1896. He joined the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment in Ipswich. On the 16th of January 1915 the Battalion arrived in France. At some point he was transferred to the 9th Battalion as he was in this Battalion when he was awarded his Military Medal in 1916 (the award was announced in the London Gazette on the 27th of October 1916), I haven't been able to find out what he did to be awarded the Medal. He died of wounds on the 26th of September 1917, his name is on the Thiepval Memorial, I have visited Thiepval and seen his name. According to the war diary of the time the 12th Battalion was in or near the town of Gonnelieu which is near Cambrai, in September 1917.

    Military Medal Award

    Military Medal Scroll

    Moira Marsden




    254091

    Pte John Alfred Flowers 5th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    In 1914 Jack Flowers joined the 5th East Yorkshire Cyclists. In May 1918 he was with the Army Service Corps, delivering ammunition to the front line when he suffered a direct hit on the rear of the truck. He suffered severe injuries to his legs from shrapnel. He should have been in the back of the truck but Jack always sneaked into the front with the driver so he could see what was going on even though he had been reprimanded for doing so. If he had been in the back of the truck he would have been killed along with several of his colleagues.

    He was hospitalised in Sheffield and convalesced in Mablethorpe. It was 9 months before he returned home to Hull. He later suffered from what is now recognised as post-traumatic stress disorder.

    John Alfred Flowers died in Hull in 1975 at the ripe old age of 92. He had a son and daughter born before the war and another daughter born after the war. I am proud to say he was my Grandfather, the family all called him Pop.

    Colin Havercroft




    254090

    Cpl. Joseph Stendall 2nd/8th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.27th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle Joseph Stendall served with the 2/8th Notts and Derbys Regiment. The Free Press shows that he enlisted in January 1915, trained at Watford and served in Dublin during the Irish Rebellion. He went to France in February 1917. He was a Lewis Gunner with No.10 Platoon. Killed in Action when in the attack near Hargicourt, France, he had reached the German wire and was doing great work when he was shot. He had been recommended for the French Croix De Guerre. Prior to enlisting he worked for S. Eden and Sons at The Hermitage, Mansfield.

    Kate Ryan




    254089

    Pte. Peter Peet 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Peter Peet was killed by sniper fire in Flanders.

    David Peet




    254088

    Able Sea. George Dixon McDonald Collingwood Battalion (d.4th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    My great uncle, Able Seaman George McDonald of the Collingwood Battalion, Royal Naval Division, was killed on Friday 4th Jun 1915 in the Third Battle of Krithia on the Gallipoli Peninsula. He was 22 and an apprentice riveter at J.P. Rennoldson and Sons shipyard, Shadwell Street, South Shields. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial at Gallipoli. He was the eldest son of John and Henrietta McDonald of 111 Commercial Road, South Shields.

    Ian Guthrie




    254087

    Rfmn. Alexander Hanna C Coy. 13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander Hanna served with the 13th Royal Irish Rifles.

    Gary Mateer-Priestley




    254086

    L/Cpl. Thomas Collins 5th/6th Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.10th Mar 1918)

    Thomas Collins of 61 Richard St, Anderson, Glasgow, served as a Lance Corporal with the 5th/6th Battalion, Cameronians(Scottish Rifles ) He was killed in action 10th Mar 1918 and is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium.

    Jean Gallagher




    254084

    Pte. Peter Willey 1st/23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Peter Willey was my great uncle. He died on 16th of September 1916 in the Battle of the Somme. My great grandmother woke up in the night and knew he had died, as she saw him in her room, and he said, "I have come to say goodbye mam". As it was a long time ago, I have no real details of him or pictures





    254082

    Pte. William James Dornan 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    William Dornan served with the 11th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. In the photograph, my grandfather is on the right.

    Ian Boyd




    254081

    Pte. Albert Austin Sharpe 21st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Albert Sharpe was my grandfather who died in 1973. He never recounted tales of his experiences during the war so I'd love to know what his Battalion did or any photos of him within his unit.

    His small book

    Helen Shevill




    254080

    L/Cpl. Joseph Mason 2nd/6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Mar 1917)

    Joseph Mason was my Great Grandfather. He left behind a pregnant wife and baby daughter

    Kim Hoyle




    254079

    L/Cpl Dennis Whitehouse 8th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.24th Jul 1916)

    Died of wounds Bristol General Hospital

    Paul Whitehouse




    254078

    Pte Joseph Whitehouse 8th Btn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Joseph who survived a mustard gas attack, recovered in Kent before returning to the front line.

    He was taken prisoner of war about 6 months before the end and was later liberated.

    On his return to his family he went back to work in the coal mine until he was 75. My father tells me that he never once spoke to his family about the war and his experiences.

    Paul Whitehouse




    254077

    Pte. Alexander Graham 3rd Btn. British West Indies Regiment

    Only found out about 5 years ago that Alexander Graham served, as I found his medical card. He joined up in 1916 and served in France, Belgium and Egypt. I have no photos.

    Patricia L Graham




    254075

    Sgt. Albert Heath 22nd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Albert Heath served with 22nd Heavy Battery, RGA.

    Patricia Heath




    254074

    Pte. William George Dix 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    William Dix died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, at Redan Ridge near Beaumont-Hamel.

    Carole Dix




    254073

    Pte. William John Nixon 1st Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.25th Oct 1914)

    William Nixon was born in Oakham County in October 1885. He joined up in 1905 and served in India and then France with the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment.

    Tony Hunter




    254069

    Pte. Charles Jaques 6th Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.10th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Charlie Jaques was Thomas and Ellen's youngest son. He died of war wounds after saving a fellow soldier by carrying him from the battlefield. He was hit by shrapnel and died from his wounds several days later on 10th of January 1916, aged 23. He is remembered on the Riversley Park Memorial in Nuneaton.

    Charles front left training.

    Charles grave in sailly sur la leys Canadian cemetery , france

    Roll call for Oxford and Bucks

    Clara O'Donnell




    254068

    Pion. John Joseph Shimmin 54th Division Signals Coy Royal Engineers (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    John Shimmin's passing greatly affected his parents and siblings. There is a war memorial on the Douglas Promenade in the Isle of Man (his home), which mentions his passing and service, but he is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery in Israel.

    Alaina Shimmin




    254067

    Pte. Charles Henry Wheals 14th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1917)

    Charles Wheals was killed in action on 1st of August 1917 during the Battle for Pilckem Ridge.





    254066

    Sgt. Bruce Llewellyn Laurie 1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Up until a few years ago, Bruce Laurie was just a name on my family tree. A chance conversation with a distant cousin from the USA on a family history website, lead to her coming to visit me in the UK. She brought with her a small collection of old photographs, two of which were of Bruce. It was amazing to be able to put a face to the name, but I still know very little about Bruce.

    KIA postacard

    Darren Laurie




    254062

    Pte. John Christy 5th Btn. Royal Scots (d.28th Jun 1915)

    John Christy, aged 17, was s great uncle who died in Turkey. He is commemorated at Helles. He was awarded a medal which is held by another family member. I have been looking into war history for my family.

    Marie Gentles




    254060

    Cpl. John Henry Beech 16th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.23rd May 1918)

    John Beech is buried in Warloy-Baillon Cemetery. He died aged 22. My grandfather used to talk about his lost uncle and I have the official death notification amongst family papers I inherited.

    Amanda Russell




    254058

    Pte. Thomas Sydney Earl 6th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.16th September 1916)

    Syd Earl served with the 6th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    Gwen Boycott




    254055

    Pte. Henry Jones 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.30th June 1915)

    Henry Jones was the elder brother of my Grandfather Leonard. My Grandfather never spoke of him, and it was not until many years after the death of my beloved Grandfather that I found out of his existence.

    I remember as a child being at my Grandparent's on 11th November each year and the television being on and Grandad sitting in his chair quietly watching the event, not knowing about Great Uncle Henry.

    Great Uncle Henry is buried at the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Turkey. This information was found for me by the CWGC.

    Rosalind Hedges




    254052

    L/Cpl. George Edwin Prudence 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.7th August 1916)

    George Prudence took part in the Battle for Delville Wood. He was wounded gunshot to the face and died back in the UK.

    Anthony Prudence




    254046

    Pte. Thomas Carswell 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    Thomas Carswell was taken POW at Jussy, France in 1918.





    254045

    Rflmn. Frederrick James Boxall Rifle Brigade (d.7th November 1918)

    Nothing is known about Frederick Boxall's story.





    254043

    Pte. Christopher McManigan 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.5th Jul 1916)

    <p>Sylvester and Christopher McManigan

    Christopher McManigan served with the 2nd Royal Irish Regiment.

    Francesca McManigan




    254041

    L/Cpl. William Burns MM. 11th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.16th July 1916)

    My great uncle William Burns was a Corporal in the the Royal Warwickshires. He won the Military Medal and was killed on 16th of July 1916. Unfortunately I have no idea what act of bravery he did to receive this medal, and I have no idea what he looked like.

    Jacqueline Simms




    254040

    Pte. John Ward 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    John Ward was married to Jane Sherwin.

    Lindsay




    254036

    Pte. William Marsh 10th (Liverpool Scottish) Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.22nd Sep 1917)

    <p>

    William Marsh enlisted with the 10th Liverpool Scottish and saw action during the third battle of Ypres. He was killed in action on 22nd of September 1917. He has a memorial plaque at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium.

    Vincent Jones




    254034

    2nd Lt. Creighton Arthur Bell Wood 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.28th Jun 1915)

    Whilst in a bric a brac shop in Bombay, India some years ago, I came across the death penny for Creighton Wood. I thought that this was an inappropriate place for it to end up so I purchased it. On my return home I did some research and found out that he was killed in Gallipoli on the 28th of June 1915. I believe that his family had lived in India so this would explain it's presence there and that perhaps they had all then died and their house was cleared.

    We as a family now remember him twice a year but feel quite sad that many more will be forgotten as time goes on. I know nothing else about him and if there is anybody who can help with some information then please get in touch.

    Andy Millar




    254029

    Pte. James Moore 8th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My father, James Moore was born in 1884. He served in the Royal Irish Rifles and was a prisoner of war in Kriegsgefangenen Lager, Hameln, Hannover Germany. I have a photo dated 28th January 1917 sent from the prison at Christmas time. The photo includes various soldiers in an assortment of uniform garments and from lots of different countries by the style of the clothing.





    254028

    Alexander Nicholson Mackay (d.20th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Mackay died aged 25 in action in France on 20th of September 1917, before his first daughter, Margaret Ina Dunnett, was born on 2nd of December 1917. Alexander's girlfriend Margaret Dunnet was 19 when she gave birth to the baby. Margaret married James Park Balmain, who were the parents of James and Allan.

    Rosemary




    254027

    Pte. Herbert John Aslett 7th Btn. Royal Fusilliers

    I remember my grandfather, Herbert J Aslett well. He did not want to say much about the first world war. He did tell me about being at the Battle of the Somme and his Battalion lost a lot men. He told me he lay in the mud playing dead as the the German troops bayoneted any wounded soldiers if they cried out. When the Germans had passed by, Bert got a wounded British soldier back to the British lines. He was discharged the 8th of August 1918, aged 21 with shell shock.

    My grandfather was a brave man. He was a farm worker and he could only see out of one eye as he was hit in the eye by a boy throwing and apple at him as a child. He did not have to enlist in the army. When he died in 1976, aged 79, we found his war medals from the war department. They had never been opened and we like brand new. I still have his medals and value them greatly.

    Regards to all the brave men and women who lost their lives so we can live in freedom.

    Philip Aslett




    254022

    Pte. John Cowell 20th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Dec 1915)

    John Cowell is my great great grandad. I was told he didn't get to the Somme with the other men as he died in hospital in 1915 at Old Sareham of the flu. His grave is at High Pit Cemetery in Cramlington

    Lee Barclay




    254018

    Pte. Ernest Jones Cheshire Regiment

    My grandfather Ernest Jones served in the First World War as a Private in the Cheshire Regiment. He came from a small village called Little Leigh. I do not know where he was posted to or which battles he fought in but I understand that he might have had something to do with horses in his service. As a country man and farm labourer he would have had experience with the care and use of horses.

    What is quite amazing is that his 6 brothers also served in the war and all returned home. Their names are recorded on a marble plaque in the Church of Little Leigh. As I write this on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War, I regret that I do not know more about my Grandfather. He never spoke of his time as a soldier. I am now 3/4 of a century old and soon my generation will be lost through the passage of time to no longer have personal memories of the men who fought so long ago. We have a kind of duty to record their experiences to pass on to our children so that people like the ordinary men, like my grandfather, will not be forgotten.

    Gill Allen




    254016

    L/Cpl. David Brain 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    David Brain volunteered in 1914. He was a sniper, landing with first wave at Suvla Bay to cover landings and evacuating with the last of the rearguard. Mostly his duties were shooting out resistors on the telegraph line along the ridge behind Turkish lines. During service in Egypt, he was briefly attached to the Camel Corps. He found riding camels most uncomfortable. Thence to the Somme, on counter sniper work in no man's land.

    On 23rd of September 1916 he took out a German sniper who had been causing a spot of bother, after spending 3 days in a prepared location in a crater covering one of the firing points the enemy sniper swapped between. He went in with his bayonet fixed to finish him off. He found the enemy very severely wounded. He had shot at the muzzle flash, and his bullet had travelled along the length of the K98, tearing up most of the enemy's right shoulder, forearm and wrist. As the enemy sniper was now maimed for life, he stuck the shattered K98 up above the crater and summoned a German stretcher party. He figured valuable enemy resources would be used treating him, while otherwise he'd be just listed as missing in the mud of no man's land. No one on either side knew they were there. Well, that was his excuse when given a rocketing for not just letting his opponent live, but also using his field dressing on anyone but himself. Maybe there was something of "There but for the Grace of God go I" too. It could easily have gone the other way in such a duel.

    In 1917 and again on sniper work in no man's land he was shot at by hostile aircraft strafing trenches and positions. He was hidden from ground observers, but not from the air. He was gassed but recovered. David was severely injured at Polygon Wood, this time some of his right arm was blown off by a shell, with shrapnel all through his body. He was evacuated to Blighty, spending over a year in a military hospital recovering from wounds till early 1919.





    254011

    Pte. Percy Henry Hunt 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.18th Aug 1916)

    Percy Hunt joined up as a volunteer in August 1914. He had some army experience or previous training and was posted to 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade created as part of Kitchener's new army. He died on 18th Aug 1916 on the Somme, probably at the Battle of Delville Wood aged 27. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial.

    He wasn't married and had no children. He had 5 sisters and his brother William, who served in the Navy, survived WW1 and I am his grand-daughter. William had 6 children who went on to have further children and his youngest descendant is 1 year old Elliot, my sister's grandson.

    Virtually everyone in the family had forgotten about Percy. When I started looking into the family history I traced him with the help of my mother. I saw the form filled in by his recruiting sergeant. I went to the 100 years commemoration of the Somme in 2016 at Thiepval Memorial and found his name. It's always hard with a common name to ensure you have correct person. The CWGC website said "brother of Mrs Menghetti" and I thought "there's no Italians in our family" so I dismissed this and carried on looking. When I mentioned this to my mother she said that's my aunt. She married an Italian! and I knew I had the correct Percy Hunt. So research every option. The most obvious can save time. Unfortunately I was unable to find any photographs of him.

    I feel all who served 100 years ago in WW1 should still be remembered as many of them were very young, and didn't realise exactly why they were fighting, but wanted to serve their country and without them many of us would not be here today. I am proud of him and will place a cross in the Field of Remembrance in Westminster Abbey tomorrow for the Armistice Centenary.





    254005

    Sgt. William Mclymont Fleming 8th Btn. Black Watch

    <p>

    William Fleming was born in Slammanan, Stirlingshire in Nov 1890. He moved to Fisherrow, Midlothian circa 1904. He worked as a coal miner and signed with Tottenham Hotspur just before the outbreak of war.

    He enlisted in 8th Battalion, Black Watch in 1914. William was married in 1917 and fathered 3 children. Two daughters and one son also named William. He survived the war and returned home then served in Ireland as a temporary cadet in the Royal Irish Constabulary 1919/20. He returned home to work down the pit. William died in July 1970 aged 78 at East Fortune Hospital, East Lothian and is buried at the Inverness Cemetery, Musselburgh, East Lothian.

    Scott Rutherford




    253994

    Pte. David Russell Paterson 14th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Sep 1917)

    David Paterson was my maternal grandfather. Very little about him is known within our family as my mother was only two when he was killed in action, he only saw her once when she was six months old. I have been researching him and know he was born in 1893 in St Andrews Fife Scotland, and that he is buried in The Huts Cemetery, Dickebusch.

    Liz Ellis




    253993

    Sgt. Alfred Ernest Pearce 1/7th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.10th Aug 1915)

    Born in 1893, my Great-uncle Alfie Pearce joined the Merioneth and Montgomery section of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Newtown in July 1914. His unit trained at Kinmel Bay near Abergele, North Wales, after which he was stationed at a number of Army bases in England until the following year.

    At the end of July 1915 his Regiment was sent to Gallipoli. It landed at Suvla Bay on the evening of 8th August. Early on the morning of 10th, three Battalions, 1/5th, 1/6th and Alfie's battalion, 1/7th RWF, were sent to relieve 159 Battalion on the front line below Chocolate Hill with a view to advancing a further half mile upwards. Despite gaining the initial advantage of surprise over the Turkish forces on 8th August, the allied troops had been rested for a day, so by the 10th, the Turkish forces had re-grouped and re-armed. In order to reach the trenches, the three Welsh Battalions had to cross a dry salt lake where they encountered extremely heavy fire. Despite widening the line there were heavy casualties, added to which they met the 159 Battalion already retreating. In the chaos, the lines were broken and there were many more losses. Nevertheless the Fusiliers reached the front line and held it for a further two days before being relieved. Much depleted, they were unable to make further progress up the hill as intended.

    My Great-uncle was among the casualties that day. His body was never recovered and his name is listed amongst those missing in action on the Memorial overlooking the Dardenelle Straits. I'm sure his story is not unique and that many young soldiers lost their lives prematurely in this and other conflicts.

    Alison Shotbolt




    253986

    Pte. Joseph Watkinson 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Jan 1917)

    Joseph Watkinson is buried at Puchevillers British Cemetery.

    Peter Watkinson




    253985

    Frank Flanagan 9th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.22nd Jul 1915)

    My grandmother talked to me a lot about her much loved brother Frank Flanagan. The family moved from Dublin to Coventry in the late 19th century as watch makers. He volunteered to sign up at the start of WWI with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and died at Gallipoli in the first landing.

    Jean Mason




    253978

    Gnr. Jeffrey Walker 22nd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My Grandad Jeffrey Walker was born in 1895 in Liverpool. According to his demob paper he joined up January 1915, although it's not very clear as it has faded. There was a story in the family that he was gassed during the war, which left him with chest problems throughout his life, although we don't know any more detail than this. I remember seeing pictures of him in his uniform, with a horse and a large gun. Sadly we no longer have this picture. He was disembodied at the end of WW1 to the 2nd Lancs Reserve Battery.

    Found in Jeff Walkers wallet but may be from WW2

    Helen Thomas




    253977

    Able Sea. William Arthur Hymas HMS Ullswater (d.15th August 1918)

    William Hymas was the son of John Edward and Rosa Jane Hymas, he was born on the 19th of July 1895 at West Ham, Essex. He had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. He died by drowning and is buried in Noordwijk, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

    Pat Cooke




    253974

    Cpl. Herbert James Plested Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.25th Feb 1919)

    Herbert Plested, born in 1892, was the 9th of 11 children of William Plested and Elizabeth Stretton. He was an agricultural labourer and lived in Shabbington with his parents and siblings.

    He served first with the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry. He was then moved to the 3rd Royal Berkshire Regiment, finally he was transferred to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and he became a Corporal. He was attached to the 111th Company of the Chinese Labour Corps. He died in the 41st Stationary Hospital, in Gailly, France and is buried in St Pierre War Cemetery, Amiens, France.

    Peta Millard




    253970

    Pte. Thomas Knight 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My Uncle, Thomas Knight was a member of the YCV. He was in the band when WW1 broke out. He became a member of the 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles He was born 1896 in Belfast Northern Ireland, home address Willow Bank Drive, Belfast. He died 1934 due to being Gassed in the war.

    I'm the last of my family still alive now and am 92 years old. I have a photo of my uncle in his uniform (YCV), also a photo of the members of Band Drums and Bugles

    D P Knight




    253967

    L/Cpl. Tom Cammish Major 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.6th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Lance Corporal Tom Major died aged 21 on the Somme. He was my late mother's uncle, though he died before she was born. Some time after her death, I discovered details of his death and commemoration in a simple search of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, and quickly found his grave and details of its inscription, at Tincourt British Cemetery in France. Amongst my mother's family photographs is this one of him with some of his fellow servicemen. He is 2nd from the left, middle row.

    I currently am unable to find out any further details of how he died, but I keep searching.

    Elaine P Deller




    253966

    Pte. Joseph A. Potts 20th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.11th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Potts was my dad's uncle. He is buried at Minty Farm Cemetery. My parents visited his grave many years ago so he has always been remembered within our family. I've since learnt that he enlisted in the Eccles Bantams (for men under 5ft 3"). In a letter to his mum, from the army chaplain, it states that his company commander described him as being one of the pluckiest men in his Battalion.

    C A Iqbal




    253965

    Pte. Alexander "Eck" Marshall 2nd Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.12th May 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander Marshall was born on the 31st of August 1888 in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. He was killed in action on the 12th May 1916 in France.

    Carol Marko




    253961

    Pte. Harry Durn 6th Btn Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th Jun 1917)

    Harry died, age 18 when an explosive device went off during clearance of the field. This was documented in the regimental diary. Harry's name appears on the Menin Gate

    Dee Godfrey




    253958

    L/Cpl. Albert James Mangan MiD. F Coy. 8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Albert Mangan joined F Company, of the 8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment at their HQ in St John's Church Hall in West Ealing. The exact date is unknown but he may have been a pre war Territorial as he was awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency medal in 1920.

    He fought at Ypres and on the Somme and was mentioned in dispatches for saving the Battalion colours when HQ was overrun, date unknown, a story passed down through the family. He was gassed and buried alive on two occasions when his trench/dugout was hit. He carried a bullet fragment in his arm until he died in 1970. He said that he was one of only 6 survivors from the original wartime Battalion.

    Lee Mangan




    253954

    Rfmn. Frank Victor Kinsman 2/12th Btn. London Regiment (d.24th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Kinsman was killed in action near Albert. He was originally buried north west of Bray Sur Somme and South East of Albert. He was later moved and rests at Bray Veil British Cemetery north of Bray Sur Somme.

    Robert Bradley




    253953

    Henry Newton B Coy 14th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Harry Newton was born in 1891 in Gateshead, the son of Henry Newton and Elizabeth Jane Newton. He was one of ten children. He joined up in September 1914 at the start of the war, when he would have been 23. The 14th Northumberland Fusiliers were a Pals Battalion known as The Northumberland Pioneers. He served in B Company Number 8 platoon. He died on the 1st of July 1916 when he was aged 25, on the first day of The Battle of the Somme. 39 men of his platoon went over the top of whom 12 were killed and 7 wounded. His body was never found.

    Harry is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. His family (my great-grandparents and their other children) were unable to afford to visit the Memorial and graves of their sons and husbands who died in France.

    Elaine Riley




    253952

    Pte. Thomas Murray McDonald 69th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.13th Oct 1917)

    My Great Great Uncle, Thomas McDonald of the RAMC was killed in action at the 1st Battle of Passchendaele on the 13th of October 1917.

    David McDonald




    253948

    Pte. Percy Thomas Frederick Casterton 2/6th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Percy Casterton was captured at Hargicourt on the 21st of March 1918 by a German Officer who had been educated at Oxford University. He was taken to Gustrow POW camp and was there by 20th of June 1918. Being very short, he was often sent under the fence at night to raid turnips from the German's vegetable garden. After the war he was repatriated and landed at Dover on 2nd of December 1918.

    Tim Casterton




    253946

    Pte. Arthur Minke Thompson 11th Btn. Essex Regiment

    Arthur Thompson was taken prisoner, not wounded, on the 22nd of March 1918 at Morchein. Hew as interned at Parchim and despatched from Berlin on the 15th of July 1918.

    Sue Broderick




    253944

    Pte. Charles Alfred Holloway 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    Unfortunately I know nothing about Charles Holloway other than he was my grandmother's brother. I would like to find out more, where and how he died.

    Nick Ralph




    253943

    Pte. George Adkin 1st/4th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.8th Jun 1917)

    George Adkin's death was presumed on the 8th of June 1917. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial. Visited and remembered by his Great Grand-neice Tana Adkin and her family.

    Tana Adkin




    253942

    Pte. Thomas Gater 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.19th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Gater of the 8th North Stafffordshire Regiment lost his life in Flanders.

    Craig Bourne




    253939

    Cpl. Thomas Oswald Marsh 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Marsh served with the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers.

    John Frederick Gibbs




    253936

    L/Cpl. Andrew James Pitman 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.21st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Andrew Pitman served with the 5th Dorsetshire Regiment.

    Joanna Peat




    253935

    L/Cpl. Alfred James Takle Somerset Light Infantry

    Prior to WW1 when he joined the Army, Alfred Takle had previously served a year in the Royal Marines. He enlisted in March 1916 and was discharged due to sickness in June 1917. At the time he was married with 4 children. The youngest was about 6 months old when he enlisted. He died in 1927, aged 38. His widow lived for another 41 years.

    Julie Boyd




    253928

    Sgt. Jonathan Wilson MM, MiD. 18th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Jonathan Wilson was awarded the Military Medal and was Mentioned in Despatches, he served with the 18th West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Clark Bailey




    253927

    Pte. Donald George Cook D Coy. 2nd Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.9th Jul 1918)

    Donald Cook is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. He was the second child of Edgar Lowe Cook and Mary Ann Barnett. He enlisted on 2nd of November 19142nd at the age of 16. He joined D Coy of the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) In 1911 he was living at 9 Friar Street, Long Eaton, and at that time was a butcher's errand boy. By the time his death in action was recorded, his parents had moved to 24 Upper Wellington Street.

    Peta Millard




    253925

    Pte. Percy Charles Bradford 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    <p>Percy Bradford in Trench back far left.

    My father Percy Bradford was born on the 18th July 1897. He joined the first Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment 31st of March 1914 at Woolwich, Kent. He was an assistant Nurseryman before enlisting. He was only 16 years of age and was amused by having joined under age! He stood 5' 6" and he is described in his Small Book as being of fresh complexion with black hair and Hazel eyes. His religion was C of E.

    Initially he went to Dublin and from there to Le Havre. Like all old soldiers who had had terrible experiences, he spoke very little about the actions that he took part in but on prompting by me he would sometimes divulge snippets of information. He talked about marching for days through thick mud up to his thighs and being covered in lice. The food was remembered with disgust, he hated corned beef or bully beef as he called it and the cheese and biscuits he said they called bung hole. One can only imagine why!

    Dad talked about being left alone in no man's land and crawling back through the barbed wire to be challenged by a sentry of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. Dad let out a trail of expletives at him and then they let him back. He related that when on Hill 60 in April 1915 he was ordered by Captain Tuff to follow him in charging a machine gun nest. Captain Tuff was killed and out of D Company only 10 men were left alive. My father is in the Imperial War Museum photograph far left at the back.

    We have a photograph showing his company after they had been on the front line for nineteen days (he is front row second from the left). After continuously being in action he was badly wounded on the 1st of July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and returned to the Military hospital in Southampton. He was advised by the medical officers that he should have his damaged hand amputated which he refused. He told me that with only one hand he would never get work and so he used to bathe his arm in salt water which he said saved the arm although he could not use his hand for the remainder of his life. He is still bandaged in the photograph taken of him with the first of his nine children in 1919. On being discharged from hospital he was transferred into a Labour Battalion and sent to Ireland until his discharge from the Army in 1919.

    He followed his father into work at the docks in the port of London. He suffered from what we now know was Combat Stress Disorder for the rest of his life and his WW1 pals were the last thing he mentioned to me before he died in 1985.

    After 19 days of fighting

    Henry Bradford




    253923

    Pte. Joshua Hewitt 1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borders (d.30th Nov 1917)

    Joshua Hewitt's name is on the cenotaph in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, our great uncle.

    Catherine Stock




    253922

    Pte. Harry Seeley 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.16th Jun 1915)

    Harry Seeley of the 2nd Suffolk Regiment was the son of Elijah and Fanny Seeley of Heath Road, Norton, Bury St. Edmunds and husband of Mary Ann Seeley of Shop Corner, Drinkstone, Bury St. Edmunds.

    Chris Seeley




    253921

    William Cyrus Clissitt 28th (Artists Rifles) Battalion London Regiment

    It was 11th November 1918. Two young English soldiers, William Clissitt and Sydney Berkeley, were at Hare Hall Camp. They were both twenty, William was interested in writing and Sydney in music, so they got on well together. Then the dispatch came : it was the end of the First World War. Overjoyed to hear the news, they put their talents together and wrote a song, "Your Radiant Smile". Of course now, so many years later, the style is rather old fashioned, but it nevertheless expresses their immense happiness. Subsequently, Sydney Berkeley became a musician. After the war, William Clissitt became a journalist (and, at 24 years old, a very young editor) and today one of his grandsons has followed in his footsteps.

    One day, quite by chance, we found this song among the music at home and since then, to perpetuate their memory, we play it on 11th November. To pay tribute to those who died in the 14-18 war and to two young people who were so happy to rediscover life and its radiant smile.

    G. Clissitt Dars




    253918

    L/Cpl. Frederick Hill 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    Frederick Hill served during WWI and died on 3rd of May 1917. He left a young son, also called Frederick who was born on 24th April 1914. I believe he is buried in Arras Cemetery, but have been unable to find out anymore about his war record. I am sure he would have been entitled to war medals.

    Andrew Hill




    253917

    Pte. Joseph Johnston 10th/11th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    My Grandfather, Joseph Johnston, for whom I am named, joined the 10th/11th HLI just before his 18th birthday. He was captured by German troops on 9th of April 1918, two days after his 19th birthday. He was engaged in the Battle of the Lys, part of the German Spring Offensive. He was captured at Fleurbaix in Northern France, a village 13 miles west of Lille. By that time his HLI Battalion had become, firstly on the 1st February 1918, with the 119th Brigade of the British Army's 40th Division, and subsequently on the 16th February 1918 with the 120th Brigade of 40th Division.

    He had sustained a gunshot injury to his left hand, and remained in hospital for 19 days, after which he was transferred to Gustrow, a German POW Camp approximately 120miles from Hamburg. From there he would be allocated a position as a joiner in the docks in Hamburg, where he remained until he was repatriated at the beginning of December 1918

    Joseph Johnston Auld




    253910

    Pte. George Alfred "Dick" Howlett 6th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    George Howlett was my Great Grandad, he served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment.

    Mandy Payne




    253909

    L/Cpl. Harold Tomlinson 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Harold Tomlinson was a pawnbroker's apprentice before he signed up. He is one of the missing.

    Julian Pratt




    253908

    Cpl. Victor Henry "Dick " Babb A Bty. 64th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Victor Babb enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery on the 17th of August 1914. He was posted to 64th Brigade Royal Field Artillery on 25th of November 1914 as a Driver. Appointed acting Bombardier on the 11th of August 1917, he was Promoted to Bombardier on the 29th of September 1917 then to Corporal on the 5th of November 1917. He was appointed acting Sergeant after the war on 21st of January 1919 but reverted to the rank of Corporal on the 27th of March 1919 for the misdemeanor of taking a rifle from the store and shooting game in France on 23rd of Feb 1919. He was transferred to Class Z Army Reserve on 4th of May 1919 having served on the Western Front for the period 1st of June 1915 to 5th of May 1919. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Andrew Board




    253907

    Sgt Sidney Thomas Rew Royal Scots (d.16th Apr 1921)

    Sidney Rew was listed as missing on the 9th of June 1916 following an incident where he must have been injured, as we know he went on to Ireland, Co.Claire, where he was shot in Ennis, on the 16th of April 1921. This is recorded in the local newspaper, his body returned by train to England. He was buried in London Cemetery with his elder brother, as he requested when he joined The Lodge of Unity Peace And Concord, Military Masons, in Scotland, before leaving for service in Ireland. We have requested his name be entered on Brookwood Military Cemetery Memorial.

    Yvonne




    253904

    CSM. Clement Ayres Rilett C Coy. 9th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.14th Jul 1916)

    Clement Rilett died at the Battle of the Somme. His body was not recovered and his name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Mark Rilet




    253899

    Pte. John Hubbard Wright Lancashire Fusiliers

    This is in tribute to my great uncle John Wright. Lost forever to his three nephews Jesse, Frank and Harry Tudor. John's death was a shattering event for this family.

    Rhynda Tudor




    253897

    Gnr. Percy John Skull 1/1st Highland Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My great grandfather, Percy Skull, served as a Gunner with the 1/1st Highland Heavy Battery from 22nd of January to 11th of October 1917 when he was gassed. He then spent time at the Military Heart Hospital, Sobraon Barracks, Colchester and was diagnosed with disorderly action of the heart. He went on to serve as a gunner with the Anti Aircraft Brigade on the Isle of Wight. He went back to being a Postman after the war and despite his heart condition, following the gas attack, lived to be 96.

    Debbie Buttars




    253892

    Pte. Hugh Parry James 33rd Btn. Rifle Brigade

    My Grandfather Hugh James was a lot older than my grandmother and saw active service in WW1. My father was born in 1942 and didn't know until he was a lot older that my grandfather had served in the war. My grandfather blocked out his experience and never talked about it to anyone, although looking back, my father realises now that it had had a significant impact on his emotional and physical well being.

    Alison Williams




    253891

    Pte. Edward Scally 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    My relative Edward Scally was a Private in WW1. He is listed on the cenotaph at Wigan. Today via Wigan Council archives, thankfully I found he was a coal hewer trammer underground at Maypole Colliery.

    Edward is the uncle of my great great grandmother. He served with the 6th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment and was killed in action on the 9th of April 1916. He is remembered on the Basra Memorial in Iraq. He was the husband of Jane and son of Patrick and Mary He was born in Nantwich.

    I have seen a photograph published when he was missing but it isn't clear enough. I am wondering if anyone can help or if they have any photographs of the battalion at the time?

    Michelle Murray




    253880

    George James Sines

    George Sines was my paternal grandfather, I know he was shot in the ear but survived. After the war he and my grandmother lived at 4 Johnson's Close, Carshalton in Surrey.

    Jackie Kay




    253878

    Pte. Charles Thomas Upton 7th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.7th Jul 1916)

    My Uncle Charles Upton, the elder brother of my Father Harry Upton, was killed on the Somme on the 7th of July 1916. His body was not found and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Anthony Upton




    253877

    Pte. Edward Roy Gosling 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    My Grandad, Roy" Gosling fought at Passchendale and was wounded during an horrific attack on a ridge S.E of Ypres on 10th of August 1917. The right flank was exposed as their supporting regiment on the right were a couple of hundred yards behind and the Germans were spread out in front and down the right side giving them easy undefended access to machine gun everyone down. The war diary of this event is awful and virtually all officers and NCOs were killed or wounded and hundreds of the 11th Battalion lost in that one charge.

    Luckily my Grandad was wounded and recovered and ended up back in Kent eventually. I often think if that bullet in his left arm had been a few inches further right I, and my children, wouldn't exist. He lived a long life back in Sidmouth but never talked about his time in France.

    Trevor Gosling




    253876

    Pte. Joseph Winterbottom 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.8th Jul 1917)

    Joseph Winterbottom married an Irish girl called Catherine Cassidy and had two children. One of the children was Mary Winterbottom who married Harry Lees. I am their granddaughter.

    Jane Hurley-Lees




    253872

    Cpl, Arthur Hurdle 8th Btn. Royal Fusilers (d.13th Jul 1916)

    Arthur Hurdle is buried in the Anglo-French Cemetery at Thiepval.

    Brian Herring




    253871

    Gnr. Harry Oliver B Battery, 122nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My grandmother talked fondly of her brother Harry Oliver. He died on the 23 Oct 1918, just a mere 19 days before the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I. He was 24 years old. It is likely that he died in the final advance in Picardy (Battle of the Selle) with the 38th (Welsh) Division, and he is buried in the Montay-Neuvilly Road Cemetery, Montay, France. There are 470 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War in this cemetery. All fell in the period October or November 1918.

    Karen Sheard




    253870

    Pte. Thomas Page 8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.27th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Page was the youngest son of George and Miriam Page and one of nine brothers and sisters. He was born in 1899. He joined up in 1914, he lied about this age claiming he was 19. Thomas enlisted in the 1/8th Middlesex Regiment. He is buried at Croisillles Cemetery, not far from Arras. He was killed on 27th of August 1918, not far from the end of the war. It is a lovely little cemetery in the middle of no-where. It must have been a terrible time for George and Miriam. His brother Harry died earlier in 1918 at Etaples. His brother Alfred had also enlisted, but he survived to come home.

    Eileen Davey




    253868

    Dvr. Claude William Hendy Butcher 15th Battery, 36th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Claude Butcher was in the Middlesex Volunteer Artillery Regiment, which I think was a Territorial Army unit. He enlisted at Holloway on 3rd of December 1915 was discharged 28th of July 1919 having served 3 years 155 days on active service and 83 days in the reserves. He was discharged "physically unfit para 802 (XVI) K.R.".

    He was wounded by shrapnel and his horse killed under him. He was treated in Parkhurst Military Hospital on the Isle of Wight. I still have the shrapnel they removed from him along with his spurs, bayonet holder and cap badge. I do not know exactly what part of his body was hit but he did not exhibit any disability in later life. Claude was torpedoed in February or March 1916 while crossing the channel from France. This came from a note sent to his mother on 2nd of March 1916.

    After WW1 he was a clerk in an insurance office until his retirement. He was my uncle by marriage and I remember him as a dapper little man, very kind and gentle. He and my aunt did not have children. Unfortunately I did not ask him anything about his war service while he was alive.

    Claude Butcher in Parkhurst Military Hospital IoW

    Roland Merry




    253865

    Cpl. Roy Lower 11th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.1st Aug 1917)

    Roy Lower was a baker living in Eastbourne and joined up in 1914, and very sadly died in Belgium in 1917 aged 25. All it says on his death log is H/blow. His name is on the Menin Gate as there is no known grave. We are extremely proud to be related to him that he laid down his life for us. Sadly we are unable to locate a photograph of him.

    Maxine Rigby




    253863

    Pte. John Albert Palmer 16th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    My Grandad, Jack Palmer, died long before I was born, so the information I have is sketchy. He died at 50 from the effect of being gassed from his time serving in WW1. His son, my father, was only 11 when he died, but he always said his father was an old man at the age of 40.

    Jack was 28 when he joined up and I have learnt from medical records and research that he was posted to France on 10th of July 1916 and was sent home on 13th of September 1916. I have worked out that he would've fought in the Battle for High Wood and he received a gunshot wound to his right forearm. He was discharged from the Army a year later due to this wound and being not physically fit for service.

    He never truly recovered, but at least did marry and have a son. We are all very proud of him and his generation.

    Mary Palmer




    253861

    Pte Arthur Somerset 7th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.16th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    I believe my great grandfather Arthur Somerset was killed at the Battle of Langemark on 16th Aug 1917. His widow Florence was left with 5 children to bring up. He was thought to be in his thirties when he died.

    I was unaware of his story until I found his war medal in 2008. As a child I was vaguely aware that someone in the family had died in the Great War but had obviously not paid much attention to this. All my life I have felt a great affinity to Armistice Day and now feel this could be because of Arthur.

    Andrea Reid




    253857

    L/Cpl. Squire Jordan 3rd Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th May 1915)

    Squire Jordan was my Grandad's brother. My Grandad William had arrived in France with the Scots Guards and they hoped to meet up because they hadn't seen one another since Squire joined up as a regular. We have a copy of a letter from Squire dated 23rd of April 1915 where he described himself 'as well as can be expected'. He was killed on the 10th of May 1915 never having the chance to see his little brother one last time.

    Linda Fteedman




    253855

    Sgt. Victor Herbert Fidgett C Coy, 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Nov 1914)

    Victor Fidgett served with C Coy, 1st East Yorkshire Regiment. I believe that Sjt Fidgett was a casualty of enemy artillery when shelled in billets in Chapel De Armentieres on 3rd of November 1914. He died on 22nd of November 1914 and was buried in Aldershot, so may have been repatriated as a wounded soldier and died in Aldershot or the area hence his burial there.





    253853

    Pte. Alan Gates Sandford 1/15th (Civil Service) Btn. London Regiment (d.11th Nov 1915)

    <p>A bell cast in memory of Alan Gates Sandford. His parents are on the left in the picture. The bell hangs in St Peter and St Paul, Milton-next-Gravesend.

    Alan Sandford was born in March 1895 in Gravesend, Kent. He was the youngest child of Edward Augustus and Frances Sandford (nee Gates). Alan joined up on 8th of August 1915 and was killed in action on 11th of November 1915. He is remembered at the Loos Memorial and on his parents' grave at Gravesend Cemetery.

    Catherine Allcott




    253850

    Pte. Albert Edward Hubbard 2/4th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.24th Mar 1918)

    My uncle Albert Hubbard was born in Great Yarmouth in 1899 died in the Great War aged 19. He has no grave but his name is on the Arras Memorial. He died during a German offensive called Michael. His brother died on the 24th of October 1918 at Vertain.





    253847

    Sgt. Charles Hart 6th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.15th Aug 1915)

    Charles Hart was my Mother's Father, who was born in February 1870. He enlisted in the Army on the 14th of Feb 1884, Height 4ft. 5ins. Weight 68lbs. He was promoted to Corporal on the 18th of July 1899, then to Serjeant on the 1st of Jan 1890. He served in 2nd Boer War and received QSA Medal. Having completed 21 years and 116 days service with Royal Munster Fusiliers, he returned to Southwark.

    Charles was recalled for WW1 and was killed in action on the 15th of August 1915 at Gallipoli. He left a wife and 10 children.

    Dennis O'Reilly




    253845

    Pte. Robert Hutchinson 12th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.3rd Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Hutchinson born Southwark 1882. He was son of Henry March Hutchinson, mother was Eliza. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Robert A Swann




    253844

    Pte. Douglas Foxwell Lewis Gloucester Regiment

    My grandfather Douglas Lewis served with the Gloucester Regiment on the Western front from 24th of May 1916. His address on his medal card is listed as 35 Despenser St., Riverside, Cardiff. My father was born in 1930, At that time my grandfather lived in Penarth. My father used to tell me that he was a travelling salesman with a furniture company. He suffered lifelong arthritis due to a back injury suffered when a barracks collapsed during WWI. From everything else my father said about my grandfather, he was quite a joker, a happy go lucky type who seems to have moved past the horrors he experienced during the war.

    Douglas Foxwell Lewis




    253843

    Pte. Charles Robert Wright 10th Battalion Royal Hampshire Regiment (d.21st Aug 1915)

    Charles Wright was my Sister-in- Law, Ann Sweeney's, grandfather. He died at Gallipoli on 21st of August 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Monument. However, as he died without mentioning to the army that he was married, his widow never received a pension. This meant that his two daughters, one of which was Ann's Mum, had to go to work, in service, at a very early age to make ends meet.

    Colin Sweeney




    253842

    Pte. John Gunning 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.28th October 1917)

    John Gunning served in the Scout Section of the 9th Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    Robert Fox




    253840

    Pte. Walter Charles Price 70th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My story is very bitty as my great uncle, Walter Price was never discussed when I was younger and in my mid teens I discovered his campaign and war medals in a drawer under a load of rubbish. Along with the medals I discovered a photo of him before he went to the front line.

    He came back from France in 1919 after being demobbed and spent the rest of his life in the mental health asylum in Talgarth, passing away in 1935 aged 39. My mother then handed what we had of him to my horrible Aunty and that was it. Both my mother and Aunty have passed on and I have no idea where the medals and photo are.

    Joan Bridgwood




    253839

    Sgt. John Joseph Bacon 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    John Bacon is my husband's grandfather. He was born in Normanton, Derby when his father was serving with the 54th West Norfolk Regiment of Foot. He joined the KOSB in 1897 aged 14. He served in India, South Africa and France. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal & 3 clasps, the King's South Africa Medal & 2 clasps, the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal

    He was part of the BEF that sailed for France on the 10th of August 1914. He was captured at the Battle of Le Cateau on the 26th of August 1914 when the BEF were retreating from Mons and was incarcerated in Doberitz and Dyrotz POW camps.

    He was married with six children and lived in Belfast after the war. He died in 1938.

    Glynis Bacon




    253838

    Sgt. Walter Thomas Willis MM, CdeG. 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    My grandfather Walter Willis was in the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry and became a Sergeant Signaller. He was awarded the MM and the Belgian Croix De Guere for bravery under fire. He was also mentioned twice in despatches. No one new about this until he died aged 83 when the medals and paperwork were found.





    253837

    Pte. Alfred Crabtree MM. A Coy. 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.24th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Alfred Crabtree served with A Coy. 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment.

    Ken Tapping




    253832

    Pte. William Eastman MM. 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiemnt (d.3rd May 1917)

    William Eastman enlisted in March 1915. He fought in many of the principal engagements including at Ypres, the Somme and Arras. William was awarded the MM for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the field. He gave his life on 3rd of May 1917 and was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory Medals.





    253828

    Pte. Jesse Richard Turvey 11th Btn. Essex Regiment

    <p>

    When finding out more about my great uncle who died in the war and then I discovered his brother, my great granddad, Jesse Turvey who was in the 11th Essex Regiment He did make it home as he obviously had a son (my grandad). Unfortunately that's all I know at the moment.





    253827

    Pte. Walter Thomas Poore 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion London Regiment

    My uncle was Walter Poore. He served in the 17th London Regiment and was wounded at the Third Battle of Ypres on the 30th of October 1917 age 19.

    David Poore




    253820

    Pte. William Sanders Grace 2/4th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    Details of William Grace's service are unknown except for his medal records, but like many men Billie did not discuss his time much. Photos indicate he served in the Signal Corps and was a certified instructor in signals and given rank of Lance Corporal. He was injured with a piece of shrapnel in his foot which he carried for the remainder of his life. In 1939, aged just 42, he died from septicaemia as the piece of shrapnel moved and caused blood poisoning. He left a wife a son of 7 years.

    His souvenirs from the war include an Iron Cross (removed from a dead German officer) and his RF cap badge. The only story of the war that was passed on was how he lost he signet ring in the trenches before an advance. After a retreat he found himself back in the same place in the same trench and found his signet ring.

    Mark Grace




    253818

    L/Cpl. Gordon Stephenson Allan 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.25th September 1915)

    Gordon Allan was born 6th of June 1894, the son of John Allan and Annie Hill Johnston of 14 Brisbane St., Greenock. His brother John died from wounds in 1916. Gordon Allan died on the first day of the Battle of Loos and is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Robert Turner




    253817

    Pte. Arthur Gilbert Sanderson 2/7th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, Arthur Sanderson born 8th May 1898, joined the Middlesex Regiment in 1915 and was assigned to 2/7th Battalion. He disembarked on 1st of September 1915 and fought in WW1 in France, Flanders, Egypt and Italy. He joined up as soon as he was 17 and survived the war without injury.

    After serving with 2/7th Battalion he was moved to 1/7th Battalion and then to 23rd Battalion. He was disembodied on Demobilisation on 21st of April 1919 and was awarded 3 medals, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal, collectively known as Pip, Squeak & Wilfred.

    He married Evelyn Jessie Sarah Bolter on 6th of September 1924 and they had a son. Arthur served as a Warden for the Borough of Southgate in WWII. He died in September 1993, aged 95.

    Collection of WWI memorabilia belonging to Arthur Sanderson

    Group photo. Date & location unknown

    Marion Jackson




    253815

    Cpl. Arthur Thomas Mayne MM. Lancashire Hussars

    Arthur Mayne was wounded in the right arm on 10th of October 1918. He had been awarded the Military Medal in June 1918 for gallantry in the field.

    Stephen Baxter




    253812

    L/Cpl. John Allan

    John Allen died of wounds in hospital in Boulogne according to the Greenock Telegraph of the 12th of January 1915.





    253811

    Sgt. Harry Kershaw Haigh 3rd Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, Harry Haigh, was born in Rochdale on the 21st of September 1880, the youngest child of James Henry and Sarah. The family moved to live in Milnrow near Rochdale, the birthplace of his mother. Harry had been a soldier in the Manchester Regiment from 1902 until 1910 and was then in the National Army Reserve until he was called up at the outbreak of WW1. He had married in 1911 and had a daughter in 1912 and at the time they lived in Heywood near Rochdale

    He rejoined on the 24th of September 1914 as a Lance Corporal in the 3rd Manchesters and on the 9th of November he was posted to the 1st Manchesters and was sent to France with them.

    In December 1914 he was fighting in the Battle of Givenchy and in June 1915 he suffered a shell wound to his forehead and then a bout of enteric fever whilst with No. 2 Company of the 1st Manchesters, and was transferred to D on the 16th of July that year. He was sent to a war hospital in Preston, perhaps Dunstan House?, Lancashire.

    He returned to service on the 6th of October 1915 and was posted to the 3rd Manchesters as an unpaid Lance Corporal, still serving in France and at some point in 1916 was posted B.S.O. to the 2nd Manchesters as a Lance Corporal and in September that year was again transferred, this time to the 21st Manchesters and by the 21st of September had been promoted to Corporal.

    In 1917 he was at Mailly, France with the 21st Manchesters and on the 12th of January he was injured by a shell entering his forehead and he was sent to Bellhouston Red Cross Hospital in Glasgow on the 23rd of January 1917. His promotion to Sergeant came through before this attack and he rejoined the 3rd Manchesters as a Sergeant on the 10th of April 1917, remained in England and was posted to the 70th Training Reserve Battalion as an instructor. On the 14th May 1918 he was attached to the NCO's School as an instructor and was discharged from the Army on 31st of March 1920 having served 18 years 42 days.

    He was awarded the 1914 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. He died in 1943 and is buried in Heywood Cemetery, Lancashire with his wife who had died a month earlier.

    Dorothy Hargreaves




    253810

    Pte. Roland Alex Walker 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1918)

    Roland Walker of the 8th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. was killed in action on the 8th of August 1918 aged 24

    He joined the army in 1915, and went from home to Reading and joined Princess Charlotte of Wales Regiment, better known as the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He was posted to the 8th Battalion.

    After training he was sent to France and his unit was attached to No 1 Brigade of the 1st Division, later becoming part of the 18th (Eastern) Division.

    His unit went to France in August 1915 and fought at the battle of Loos in that year. In 1916 at the Somme campaign they fought at Delville Wood, Thiepval and Ancre. The following year they were at Passchendaele and Scarpe. In the final year of the war they were involved in the German Spring offensive, Operation Michael.

    Then in August 1918 Roland's Battalion took part in a number of battles that became known as the 100 days, as the German forces were driven back towards the final positions they occupied when the armistice was announced. His unit was stationed near the city of Amiens, at a small village called Lempire.

    On 8th August his unit was ordered to attack enemy positions at 11.00, which they did successfully in thick fog, clearing the enemy positions by the evening. Seven Allied divisions, aided by tanks had attacked the German positions taking them by surprise, and it is believed it was at this time that Roland was killed. His body was never recovered and he was one of 12 men who were reported as missing. He is commemorated on the memorial at Vis-en-Artois cemetery which bears the names of over 9000 men who fell in the period 8th August to 11th November and have no known grave. Medals Awarded: British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1915 Star

    Michael




    253806

    Gnr. John Henry Smith 9th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th Jan 1916)

    My Grandfather John Smith is buried in the cemetery at Suzanne on the Somme in France. I have not been able to ascertain exactly where he died in action on the 26th of January 1916 and have made several attempts to locate the war diary for this period, but have not been successful. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Rita Read




    253798

    Pte. Norman McKaskie 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.12th Apr 1918)

    Norman McKaskie volunteered at Wooler, Northumberland. He died of his wounds in France 12th Apr 1918 and is buried La Kreule Cemetery, Hazebrouck. His headstone reads "Dearer to memory than words can tell are thoughts of him we love so well"

    Susan Bradley




    253796

    Pte. Frederick Cockbill 157th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Fred Cockbill is my paternal grandfather. He was a telegraphy boy living at 21 Prospect Hill, Leicester in 1911. He joined the Leicestershire RHA and fought in Egypt and Palestine.

    Post war, he became a grocer and sub-postmaster in Thurmaston. I knew him well as we lived with my grandparents above the shop. He was a very kind and gentle man who served his community in WW2 as a Civilian Defence Volunteer and was also a local councillor into his early 80's. I have very fond memories of him.

    Fred in Egypt

    Stephen Cockbill




    253793

    Rfmn. Robert Meardon 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.18th Jul 1916)

    Robert Meardon was my uncle. He served with 13th King's Royal Rifle Corps.





    253792

    Rfmn. John Herron A Coy, 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My grandfather, Johnny Herron served with A Company, 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles at the Somme. He was buried alive by shell fire just before H hour, but was recovered from the trench collapse by a comrade called Hugh Stewart. He was taken to the Regimental Aid Post and treated. He returned to the line and took part in the storming of the Schwaben Redoubt. The next morning they were mustered, only 100 or so remained fit to continue. My grandfather was asked by the Adjutant John Deverell, (I served with his grandson,) which Battalion he would like to serve with and he chose the 11th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, The reason for this was this was the Battalion that had taught the ropes and he knew all the lads.

    There he served with Lt JRR Tolkien. He also fought at Passchendaele and the storming of Messines ridge. He was a CSM by that time. My grandfather survived the war but was badly shell shocked.

    Noel Herron




    253787

    Pte Gilbert Snowdon C Coy. 18th Btn. Tank Corps

    Gilbert Snowdon's war records are hard to read, but I have extracted some information such as his date of enlistment, which was 22nd of August 1918. He was in C Company, 18th Battalion, Tank Corps. Gilbert was a metal carrier in Seaton Carew iron works before enlisting. He was 27 years old on enlistment, he had 5 children and his wife was called Hannah.





    253786

    Pte. William Fearns 5th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    William Fearns served with the 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    Amanda Fearns




    253784

    Pte. Francis Willie Elcock 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.9th Jun 1917)

    Francis was born in 1896 in Eckington, Derbyshire. He died from his wounds, aged 21 and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery. The headstone carries the inscription "Forever in our Thoughts".





    253778

    2nd Lt Idwal Ben Humphrey 14th Btn King's Liverpool Regiment (d.14th Sep 1916)

    Buried at Karasouli Military Cemetery

    Anthony R Humphrey




    253777

    Pte. Matthew Burton 5th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Matthew Burton served in France and was killed by a machine gun bullet on 27th of March 1918. It was reported that he was buried by his cousin, Pte. Snow. He is buried at Gommecourt British Cemetery No.2.

    Wayne Burton




    253772

    Dvr. Walter Ridings 62nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather, Walter Ridings, was from the City of Liverpool. Sadly I know so little of his WW1 history. In WW2 he was a sergeant in REME and served in the Middle East and India.

    Geraldine Robertson




    253770

    Pte. William Henry Mould 33rd Battalion

    <p>

    Harry Mould served with the 9th Machine Gun Coy and 33rd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force.

    Harry in 1918

    Fran Lawrence




    253769

    Pte. Leonard John Gray 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.29th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Leonard Gray served with the 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment.

    Graham Evans




    253763

    Pte. John Telfer 10th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.21st July 1917)

    My great great great grandfather John Telfer was killed in action on Sunday 21st of July 1917. He was married to Anne Burgess formerly Telfer. I met his wife my great great gran she lived to a good age of 91.

    I would like to try and find photographs of John Telfer's Regiment, the Cameronians Scottish rifles. I'm trying to find a lot out that I don't know of. Anything that will help me with John Telfer would be most welcome.

    Conrad Penman




    253762

    Pte. David William Jones 16th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.22nd April 1918)

    David Jones was the son of Sem and Mary Jones. His body was never found and he is listed on the Pozieres Memorial

    Linda Faulks




    253761

    Pte. Richard Edward Furnival 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.16th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Richard Furnival served with the 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment.





    253760

    L/Cpl. Louis John Lockwood 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.13th October 1915)

    John Lockwood would be my mother's uncle.

    Andrew Pullman




    253757

    Sidney Ancterbury Smith 11th Btn. Welsh Regiment

    <p>Sidney Smith is fourth from the right in front row.

    Sidney Smith was the second eldest in a large family in Banham, Norfolk. By the start of World War 1, he was living in Cardiff, aged 27. I know little much more about him, other than that my aunts used to refer to the fact that he was in the army and fought in the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915.

    However, I have 2 very interesting postcards in the old family papers, sent to his sister Ruby, in Stowmarket, and his mother Elizabeth in Banham. Sidney is fourth from the right, front row. They are dated 5th of October 1914. So it appears he volunteered immediately war was declared in August 1914, and by 25th of September 1914 this picture was taken of his platoon, still in civvies, just over a month after the beginning of the war. You can see from the picture, they volunteered as the Cardiff Commercial Pals Battalion. And from the note to Ruby, that was officially the 14th Platoon, D Company, 11th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, then at Seaford on the South Coast near Brighton. And he says "Expected to move in about 10 days, destination in London."

    I know that Sidney fought at Gallipoli, but nothing as to whether he stayed out there until the end. I do not believe he was injured, but was said to suffer from poor health after his return home until he died in 1944 aged only 56. That may have been connected with mustard gas used in those battles, but I do not know that for certain.

    Postcard 5th of October 1914 to mother Elizabeth

    Andrew Smith




    253754

    Pte. Walter William Lund 2/4th (2nd Denbighshire Yeomanry) Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.31st Oct 1918)

    William Lund was 18 years 210 days old when he signed on in Preston on 7th of November 1917. His parents had always been farmers in Foulridge. His own trade, on his service papers, was listed as weaver, a common man's trade locally at that time. Noyna End Farm itself, dating back several hundred years, has a history of home weaving of own grown wool prior to the coming of the mills and power looms to the area, although it is most likely that William was working as a weaver in one of the larger weaving sheds or mills in the village at the time.

    He was killed on the 31st Oct 1918, just 11 days from the armistice and aged just 19 years old. He is buried in the Vichte Military Cemetery, memorialised with a CWGC headstone. His name is recorded on the village cenotaph, situated along the main road running through the village.

    Heidi Waugh




    253749

    Gnr. Henry Redding Jones 1st/1st Lancashire Heavy Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle, Henry Jones served with the 1st/1st Lancashire Heavy Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Diane L Sharp




    253744

    Albert "Sparrow" Parr 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.30th Jul 1916)

    My great uncle, Albert Parr, served with the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment in Mesopotamia, where he died of enteric fever aged 23 in July 1916. He was my grandma's brother, and she told me of a letter he'd written home saying the troops were having to drink water contaminated by the dead bodies of mules. He may have been transferred to India, or moved there to a hospital because he is commemorated on the Kirkee Memorial in India.

    Wendy Cartwright




    253740

    Pte. David Hughes 1st Btn. Welsh Guards (d.27th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    David Hughes was my great grandfather who died in the Battle of the Somme. He was already in the army and transferred to the Welsh Guards when it was formed. He left behind two daughters one of which was my grandmother Marie.

    David Hughes is 3rd from right back row

    Karen Sharp




    253731

    A/Cpl. William Arthur Norfolk 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    William Norfolk attested at Richmond on the 6th of June 1916 under the Derby Scheme. His initial attachment was to the 6th Norfolk Regiment, he then transferred to the 7th Battalion.

    John Norfolk




    253726

    Dvr. Robert Welsh 10th Battery, 147th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.16th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    My great uncle Robert Welsh was drowned en route to Gallipoli on 16th of April 1915. He was a driver in the Royal Field Artillery and was aboard HMTS Manitou when it was challenged by a Turkish gun boat and told to abandon ship before they sunk it. Lifeboats were lowered but one capsized and 40 out of 60 aboard were drowned. The Turks fired torpedoes at the Manitou but did not hit it, a terrible waste of life for nothing, one of the many during the Gallipoli Campaign. His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

    He was born in 1891 at 45 William Street, Duntocher, Dunbartonshire, Scotland to James and Elizabeth Welsh nee Donald and was their oldest child. His mother died in 1901 and his father in 1916. He was survived by two sisters and a young brother. His sister Marion (Minnie) was engaged but her fiance survived the war and died from Spanish Flu when he returned home.

    Lorraine Pease




    253724

    A/Sgt. Frederick John James MM. 59th Field Company Royal Engineers

    Frederick James joined the Royal Engineers in 1905. He was the son of John and Thomasine James. After serving in Ireland, he came back to England as a reservist. At the outbreak of WW1 he was called to fight. He was awarded the Military Medal, which was announced in the London Gazette on the 12th of March 1917. Frederick suffered a severe shell wound from the Battle of Sanctuary Wood, o n the Ypres Front, on the 20th of October 1917. Transferred to England, he arrived on the 3rd of November 1917 at the University War Hospital in Southampton, then moved to Horton City of London War Hospital. He died aged 45 in 1930.

    Josephine James




    253723

    Pte. Robert William Liddle 1/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st June 1918)

    Billy Liddle was the older brother of my grandfather. He enlisted on 22nd of August 1917, joining the 1/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on the 7th of April, 1918. From what I have learned he would've joined them at the Battle of Lys, and was captured and killed in action from Allied air bombardment. He is buried at the Anzac Cemetary, Sailly-Sur-La-Lys. His inscription reads, "We are the dead if Ye break faith with us we shall not sleep".





    253720

    Pte. George Johnson 8th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.11th April 1917)

    <p>

    George Johnson was my great uncle. He lived at 45 Fairclough Lane in Liverpool with his father, John, a hairdresser and his mother, Mary, together with his elder brother and five sisters. His sister Hannah was my grandmother. In 1911 he worked as a greengrocer's errand boy and on his service record his profession was stated as a porter.

    From his service record, he enlisted at Birkenhead on the 15th of June 1915 when he was 19 years old. He was posted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on the 15th November 1915 to the 13th February 1916 and then served in Mesopotamia from the 14th of February 1916. He was killed in action on the 11th of April 1917. He was awarded the 1914-15 star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Robert Graves




    253719

    Pte. Claude William Taylor Marshall 4th (Hallamshire) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.9th November 1918)

    Claude Marshall was injured in a mustard gas attack in the Battle of the Somme 1916. He was discharged on the 11th of May 1917 on medical grounds.

    Nick Hallam




    253714

    Pte. Isaac Canton Johnston 46th (Saskatchewan) Battalion

    Isaac Johnston was a student at Manitoba College in Canada. In 1916, he enlisted due to a recruitment campaign of university students and staff in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It formed the 196th Battalion, known as the Western Universities Battalion. Their nickname became the WUBians.

    After they arrived in England on the 11th of November 1916, they were disbanded to reinforce more than seven other units. On 21st of June 1917 near Lens, Isaac was hit by a high-explosive shell. That night, both legs were amputated above the knees. He arrived in Boscombe Hospital on 11th of July 1917, and on the same day, he had two inches of femur removed from both legs. One month later, another two inches was removed from the left leg.

    On 1st of October 1917, Isaac was transferred to the Canadian Military Hospital in Basingstoke, then on 21st of February 1918, transferred to Canadian General Hospital in Liverpool. Isaac sailed for Canada 11th of March 1918 where he was admitted to three more hospitals in Kingston, Toronto and Winnipeg. He returned home to Dauphin, Manitoba in October 1918. Isaac went back to school, became a lawyer, married and had two sons who also became lawyers.

    Karen Mitchell




    253713

    Sgt. Thomas Joseph Evans 9th Btn. Welch Regiment (d.26th March 1918)

    Sergeant Thomas Evans is buried in Puchvilleres British Cemetery in France. He was a very good footballer who played for Wales at youth level.





    253708

    Pte Charles Chandler 2nd Btn East Kent Regiment (d.15th Jun 1927)

    My great-grandfather Charles Chandler (medal #5344) 1865-07-11 in Ash, Kent joined up in 1915 when he was already in his 50s.

    Before the war he had been a publican in Ash, Kent and then bred shire horses in Ashford for fire engines.

    During the war he was in charge of an ammunition mule team at Salonika.

    He was married twice.

    He was injured during the war and discharged on 1917-09-03.

    He lived at 1 Lillian Villas, Sowell Street, St Peter's in Thanet, Broadstairs, Kent, and died in Broadstairs 1927-06-15.

    He was awarded the three medals: 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the British Victory Medal (Medal roll #5344)

    Carrie Osborne




    253703

    Pte. John Gregory 10th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.10th Apr 1918)

    My Great Grandfather, John Gregory was the father of my Grandmother Gwendoline Hall, who was 11 when he died. He was killed in action on the 10th of April 1918 aged 38, remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial near Zonnebeke.

    Wish I could have met him, give him a hug and say thank you.





    253698

    L/Cpl. Joseph Reid 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.28th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Reid served with the 12th Royal Irish Rifles and 108th Trench Mortar Battery.

    Joseph Reid Headstone

    Letter from Sister in Charge No.2 Casualty Clearing Station.

    John Houston




    253694

    Pte. Alfred John Whiffen 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    Alfred Whiffen took part in the famous football attack.

    Frederick Tincknell




    253691

    Gnr. John William Thompson B Battery, 68th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Apr 1918)

    It was whilst sorting through my aunt's effects that I found a death penny inscribed with the name John William Thompson. I knew my grandmother had had a brother but I knew no more than this, so I set out to trace him. Knowing his father's name and the place where my grandmother was born, a process of elimination on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website led me to John Thompson, who lies in the cemetery at Hadra (Alexandria), Egypt, having died in April 1918.

    Sadly we have no family papers whatsoever and apart from his personal Bible, the Penny is the only thing we have which we can definitely link to John. I would love to know more about him and what happened to him.

    Beverley Watson




    253690

    Cpl. Thomas Wallace 21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Thomas Wallace was my Great Uncle, 23 years old, born in 1893, a butcher.

    Ian Wallace




    253689

    Pte. John Thomas Beadle 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.23rd Apr 1918)

    The family know that Jack Beadle is remembered on the Loos Memorial, in France. However, I seem unable to find any material relating to the military engagement(s) of that particular day which resulted in my uncle's demise and would be more than grateful if anyone can point me in the right direction for ascertaining this.





    253686

    Sgt. Gwilym Harries 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.28th May 1917)

    My Great Grandfather, Gwilym Harries is reported to have died of wounds at the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul, France.

    Stephen Harries




    253683

    L/Sgt. William John Brown 13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.26th Jun 1916)

    William Brown was my 3rd Great Uncle. He was the son of Robert and Margaret Brown, of Millview in Comber, Co Down.

    He enlisted in Comber and during the war he served with B Company, 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. He was aged 20 when he was killed in action. Lance Sergeant William John Brown is buried in Authuille Military Cemetery, France and he is commemorated on Comber and District War Memorial and in Second Comber Presbyterian Church. Two of his brothers were also serving on the front at the time.

    Emma Brown




    253682

    Pte. Samuel Molloy Rimmer 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.18th Feb 1915)

    Samuel Rimmer was my grandmother's Uncle. We knew nothing of him until we started our family tree journey. Samuel left a wife and 4 children.

    Jacqui Anderson




    253681

    Rfmn. James Joseph McMahon MM. 6th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)

    <p>

    My grandfather James McMahon never talked about the war. I discovered this photo and his discharge papers after his death in 1977. They indicate that he had a military medal with one wound stripe and three blue chevrons. Recent research showed that he served in France and Belgium and was awarded a Silver War Badge. He served from 1915 to 1919 and was discharged as surplus to requirements.

    Lin Corker




    253676

    James Turnbull MM. 250th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather James Turnbull served with the 250th (Northumbria) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He was transferred after being wounded at Loos with the Cameron Highlanders and was mentioned in despatches July 1918 and awarded the Military Medal after the Sambre in 1918, I am not sure in which offensive yet.

    Thankfully he survived the war and went on to marry my grandmother and start a local engineering company. He was born in Hawick 1884 and died in Hawick 1958

    Sadly I never knew him, but relatives say he didn't speak about his experiences like many other survivors and had regular nightmares throughout the rest of his life, but he went on to have a fulfilled life and a family.

    Anne Turnbull




    253673

    Pte Reginald Stephen Giles 1st Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.20th Aug 1916)

    Reginald Giles is my grandfather's brother. He has no known grave he is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial.

    Jen Alexander




    253672

    Spr. Phillip Jackson Newton 182nd Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.27th Sep 1918)

    My Great Grandad, Phillip Newton served with the 182nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. He was shot in the upper thigh and taken to hospital where he took a turn for the worst and died from his wound

    Phillip Jackson Newton




    253671

    Pte. Thomas Woodall 1/7th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.14th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My Grand Uncle Thomas Woodall lived with his Aunt Alice and her husband William Jackson in Doncaster, West Yorkshire due to unforseen circumtances following the accidental death of his mother in 1898. His father re-married in 1911 and his stepmother had no intention of raising Thomas and his sister Mary Ann.

    As soon as he was old enough Thomas enlisted into the British Army. He was a young man of good nature and wanted to be a soldier, he left behind a young wife and 2 children along with his sister.

    We believe he lost his life in the battle of Courtrai, Belgium, on Monday the 14th of October 1918. It was the hardest news his sister had to deal with and advise their father and his wife of his death. Thomas had only been home on leave two months prior for his daughters christening in August 1918, unfortunately his daughter died 4 months after Thomas was killed in action.

    Although I never met him I feel that he was a very loving brother and would have been a very loving father,and Grand uncle. So I will honour him with the respect he deserves along with his brothers in arms, we will remember the fallen heroes with gratitude for the freedom we celebrate today. Lest we forget.

    Hooge Crater Belgium

    Katrina Meyrick




    253668

    Pte. Ralph Skipp 2nd/7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Ralph Skipp originally came over from Coonoor, India. He was born in 1896 and was 22 years of age when he was killed in action on Wednesday 27th of March 1918. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Jean Hyde




    253667

    Pte. Francis James Dunn 19th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Private Francis James Dunn was with 19th Battalion Manchester Regiment and was killed in the battle for Guillemont in Northern France on 23rd July 1916.

    Cedric Broomhead




    253661

    Pte. William Joseph Nichols 7th Battallion Sherwood Foresters (d.7th July 1916)

    <p>

    William Nichols served with the Lincolnshire Regiment and 7th Sherwood Foresters.

    Jannet Jackson-Peet




    253659

    Sgt. John Thomas Swain

    My grandfather Jack Swain was a prisoner of war from 27th of May 1918 when he had been posted as missing, but was in fact a prisoner. He returned home at the end of the was and was discharged on the 20th of March 1919.

    Pauline Macmillan




    253658

    Cpl. George Victor Wray Tank Corps

    George Wray is my grandfather. He was injured after his tank was hit and he was the only survivor and spent time in hospital. He died in 1974.

    Janice Smith




    253657

    Pte. James William Snell 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    James Snell was my maternal grandfather, known to me as Pop. He survived the war He survived WW1 and I did know him when I was a child. He was a kind and gentle man and to find out now that he was involved in the war has blown me away. Until I started researching him, I had no idea that he had ever been in the Army. Nobody in our family had ever mentioned this fact, which I find amazing as we had a very large family. James had 13 children, one of them being my mum.

    He joined the Army on 12th of December 1915 and was assigned to the 8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Territorials)and was a reserve until he was posted on 9th of Feb 1917. He was posted to France on 19th of September 1917 with the 8th Middlesex Regiment. But was later posted to the 23rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (also known as the 2nd Football Battalion). James was finally demobbed from the 23rd Middlesex on 8th of March 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. To my knowledge he never collected his medals. He died in 1966 in Stepney, East London.

    Steven Smith




    253651

    Walter Forbes Low Stewart 7th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Stewart served with the 7th Seaforth Highlanders.

    Linda A. Roderick




    253650

    Sgt. Richard John Davies 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.28th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Richard Davies was my father's eldest brother. In the census of 1901 he was eleven years old and was some 27 years old when he died. Taking his date of death as the main clue, then the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers were part of 22nd Brigade, 7th Division during the attacks on Delville Wood during the Somme Battles, and to quote "An attack on the evening of 28th of August 1916, by a battalion on the right flank and a battalion of the 7th Division to the right, from the east end of the wood, against Ale Alley to the junction with Beer Trench failed." Of the 5,500 allied soldiers interred at Delville Wood Cemetery some 3,500 were unidentified and hopefully he rests there. His name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    John Davies




    253649

    Pte. Herbert Colledge 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.29th Feb 1920)

    Herbert Colledge suffered a gun shot wound to face and right eye in 1917. He died 29th of February 1920 at home in Leeds





    253648

    C/Sgt Mjr Robert Smith Gordon Number 177 "C" Coy 4th Btn. (d. 11th Mar 1916)

    Robert was my great grandfather.

    He had a wife and 8 children.

    We do not know exactly where, what battle, or how he died, but he died 1916-03-11 presumably once joined with the 51st Highland Division.

    Kirsten Dunsford




    253643

    Pte Francis Walter "Frank" Davies 18 Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.Mar 1965)

    <p>

    My father Frank Davies enlisted on the 1915-04-08 at the age of 18 and was discharged on the 1920-03-31 as a 1st Class Signaler (Battalion & Brigade headquarters).

    When I was a child he used to tell us little except that as a signaler he spent quite some time up a tree.

    He passed away in March 1965

    Frank Davies ( centre)

    John Davies




    253642

    L/Sgt Arthur Renton 1st Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th Sep 1918)

    Arthur was my great grandfather. He left a little boy and girl at home., The girl was my grandmother and she used to take me to the War Memorial and I now have his photo.

    He lies now in Chapelle British Cemetery Holnon Aisne

    David




    253636

    L/Cpl Charles Edmund Field 10th Btn West Yorkshire Regiment

    I hold two brown paper hand written receipts for secret papers, together with a typed note: "on 1918-03-21 the about was commissioned by H.A G. Neville MC to carry the Battalion's secret papers under murderous bombardment to Brigade HQ.

    The Battalion were defending the Front Line near Lock 7 Canal du Nord. Brigade HG was at Backworth Spoil Heap. Left soon after dawn and reached HQ at noon and was presented by Brigade Major Ruthven to Brigadier General Yatman.

    In further retreat at midnight was entrusted all the Brigade's secret papers; East Yorks, West Yorks and Dorsets and took same to Viller au Flos. Above are receipts on being handed over."

    This is my grandfather. My mother said that he was to be recommended by his officer for an award but the officer was killed.

    My grandfather was very proud of the receipts and he was under heavy fire all the way - he had to cross a road where there was a sniper.

    He laid down and counted how long the sniper waited during his burst of fire and then he made a dash across.

    Judith Edwards




    253635

    Spr Louis Clayton 152nd Field Coy (d.6th Jan 1916)

    Louis Clayton (51014) enlisted 1914-09-08, a father of two boys by his partner Alice Bailey. They lived at 51 Sunderland St, Harpurhey, Manchester

    Louis was killed in action 1916-01-07 and is buried at the Bienvillers en Bois Military Cemetery in France.

    May they all rest in peace

    L Germain




    253630

    Pte Martin Duhig Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Recently discovered through army records that Martin Duhig, of Limerick, Ireland who served in the Royal Munster Fusiliers was a prisoner of war at Giessen.





    253629

    L/Cpl John Hickey 89th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.22 Sep 1917)

    John Hickey was my uncle the eldest of 11 children. My father, James was the youngest. 2 other brothers served during WW1 - Roger and Thomas.

    Stan Hickey




    253628

    Sgt Robert Kennedy Beattie 219th Field Company Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Enlisted 1915-06-03 Sapper, appointed Lance Corporal 1915-07-26, 2nd Corporal 1915-08-02, Corporal 1915-08-12, Acting Sergeant 1915-08-22. Promoted to Sergeant 1915-08-22.

    Transferred to class Z, Army Reserve on demobilisation 1919-05-08

    James Fergusson




    253627

    Rfln George Pickett 2nd Btn Rifle Brigade (d.31st May 1915)

    George was already in the regular army and enlisted in 1910.

    He was injured with gunshot wounds in the battle of Aubers Ridge on 1915-05-09. He was transported back to Lincoln at the General Hospital and died 1915-05-31 from his injuries.

    He is buried at the war graves section in Lincoln Newport Cemetery. He was from Ashtree Lane, Chatham, Kent.

    RIP.





    253625

    Rfn Edward C Oliver 1/7th Leeds Rifles Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regimet (d.2nd Jul 1916)

    Edward Oliver was my grandfather whom I never got the chance to meet. Also the father of my dad who also never got to know him.

    But we know more after the research that I have done over the years and also visiting Thiepval Memorial.

    I would like to be able to put his name forward for recognition on the list.

    Sadly I have no photos of him.

    Thank you.

    Mr C S Oliver




    253623

    Pte Horace Eyre 1st Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.28th Jun 1918)

    Pte. Horace Eyre served with the 1st Bn. DCLI in 1918.

    Little is known of his early time in service.

    He was born in Jan 1899, so would have joined in 1917. It may perhaps be assumed that he was involved in the defence of Hazebrouck during the German attack of April 1918.

    He died from his wounds received while taking part in the Action at La Becque of 1918-06-28, aged just 19.

    He is buried in the War Graves Cemetery in Aval Wood Military Cemetery, Vieux-Berquin, Nord, France.

    Julian Eyre




    253618

    Pte Robert Wilks Thompson 11th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    His brother Alexander Wilks Thompson served in this Regiment above. My Grandfather George Wilks Thompson b 1896 served but not 100% certain it was in the same regiment. On his photo he had leather pouches on a belt across his chest.

    Linda Jeffery




    253615

    A/Cpl Michael John Glancy MM 17th Coy Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) (d.16th Mar 1916)

    www.cwgc.org Sanctuary Wood Cemetery Belgium

    Stephen O'Reilly




    253614

    Joseph Bradley 7th Btn East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Nov 1916)

    Died on 1916-11-05 age 18 years. His body was not found. Joseph was killed in the Orion Trench.

    Remembered with Honour Thiepval Memorial

    Keith Houghton




    253613

    Pte Richard Healy 1st Btn Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.28th Jun 1915)

    My husband's grandfather and two brothers fought in the war. It was only when I showed a relation's father the 1910 census that he said "I never remember having an uncle Richard" that I was able to put a name on the brother that never came back.

    Having looked into it I found out he was killed in Gallipoli.

    I wonder does anyone know of any group that arrange tours of the Gallipoli?

    Thanking you. Deirdre

    John Healy




    253610

    Pte Thomas Graham MacDonald A Squadron 1st Btn Northumberland Hussars (d.22nd Apr 1917)

    We never knew this Grandfather but recently three generations of us visited his graveside in Aubigny-en-Artois. A very moving and poignant time.





    253605

    Lt David Owen Evans 17th Btn Roayl Welsh Fusiliers (d.12th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    Name:

    David Owen Evans Killed in action

    Glyn MacAdam




    253601

    Tpr Timothy O Flynn 5th Royal Irish Lancers (d.5th Jan 1916)

    Timothy joined up in August 1915 at age 47.

    He had lived in the town Cobh/ Queenstown where bodies of the RMS Lusitania victims were brought that summer (sunk by a U-boat in May), so that might have been the catalyst for his enlisting, as he left his family of 5 children behind.

    He was moved to the Ypres salient in December and went on a three man night patrol a week later but didn't return.

    I'm surprised he was picked for front line duty and patrol given his age, but this is all I've been able to find out so far.

    He was my grand uncle and I remember his sister, Anne, being very bitter about his loss. His sisters became active republicans (ie. anti-British) subsequently in Ireland's war of independence.

    Brian O'Grady




    253600

    Pte William Thomas Thompson 2/4 Btn East Lancashire Regiment Tyneside Irish Brigade

    My father joined the Army in early 1916 after been given a white feather by a girl friend.

    As he worked at Vickers Armstrong in Newcastle upon Tyne, he did not have to go to war.

    I believe he joined the Tyneside Irish Brigade firstly and was transferred to the East Lancashire Regiment in Oct/Nov 1917.

    He fought at the Somme in July 1916, Passchendaele, and Arras. Hhe also mentioned Vinny Ridge.

    At one point he was gassed, and on returning to England, they were greeted by Queen Mary and given a small box each.

    Sometime in 1918 he was taken prisoner by the Germans and sent to a camp in Germany.

    He said: "One day all the camp guards disappeared. We were left locked up without food or water. Two days later the British arrived and told us the war was over".

    He was repatriated back to England 1918-11-30. He stayed with the 2/4 East Lancs after the war ended serving in Ireland as a Majors' Groom.





    253594

    Albert Chambers 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.1916)

    I would like to know more information please if anyone can help me please.

    Jane Schubert




    253591

    L/Cpl William George Ash 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.11th May 1917)

    <p>

    William Ash was born in Oxford in the spring of 1890, the second of six brothers. The boys' father was Thomas Ash, who had been born in 1857 in Middle Barton near Chipping Norton. Their mother was Mary Ann (nee Smith) who had been born in 1855 in Postcombe, near Thame.

    Thomas and Mary married in the summer of 1887 and they had six sons, all born in Oxford:

    • John (or Jack, born 1888/89),
    • William (1890),
    • Francis Edward (December 1891),
    • James Henry (October 1893),
    • Percy (April 1895), and
    • Arthur Richard (October 1897)
    .

    The family lived at 164 Marlborough Road and in 1901 the boys' widowed grandmother, Emily Ash, was also living with them. Thomas was a Police Constable in the Oxford City force, though he retired in 1910 (when he was 53) after 30 years' service. By 1911 John was employed by a bookseller as shop assistant, William was a dairyman, Francis was a wood turner, James was also a dairyman, and Percy was a porter at a boot shop. Arthur was only 14 and still at school.

    On 22 December 1915, when he was 25, William married Emily Louisa Edgington at St Peter's Church in Cassington. Emily had been working as a live-in cook for a physician, Alexander Gibson, and his family, at 46 St Giles in Oxford. However, she came originally from Cassington and in 1901 had been living with her widowed mother (who was working as a charwoman) in a house on the estate of The Court at Cassington, together with her two brothers William and Herbert.

    William enlisted and became a Lance Corporal with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, service no. 29968. He was mortally wounded on 11 May 1917 whilst taking part in the Second Battle of Bullecourt, a flanking operation to the Battles of Arras which involved the first assaults on the Hindenburg Line. He was 27. He was buried at the Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. At the request of his wife Emily his gravestone was inscribed with the words "Faithful unto Death".

    Emily returned to The Court at Cassington after William died, and he is also remembered on the war memorial in Cassington. Emily lost not only her husband William in the War, but also, 11 months later, her brother Herbert, who was a Private with the 8th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry (service no. 265573). He died on 5 April 1918, aged 26, in France. It seems that Emily never remarried nor had any children; she died in the Witney area in 1942 aged 54.

    Lee Bishop




    253589

    Sgt Patrick Joseph "Paddy" O'Neill MID 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    <p>

    Patrick is my grandad. He did not talk much of the war. I wish I had recorded what he did say, and perhaps got him to say more. He did tell us how they found urinating on their wooly socks and put them over their nose during Mustard Gas attacks worked better than the "useless" gas masks.

    He fought in the Somme and Ypres. I have a parchment stating "gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field March 9th 1917" also his name to be entered into the regimental records, but I don't know where to find more about that as he did not say.

    He stayed in the Army and protected Michael Collins during the troubles in Ireland in the 1920s. He lived a good long life and died aged 86.

    David Doherty




    253585

    Pte. Thomas Leask Seaforth Highlanders (d.11th October 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Leask served with the Seaforth Highlanders.

    Derek Leask




    253584

    Cpl. Charles Stephen Pearson 47th Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Oct 1914)

    Charles Pearson was a shoeing smith with 47th Battery, Royal Field Artillery.

    Matthew Mead




    253583

    Pte, George Arnold Wood 1st,7th and 10th Btns. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    George Wood, my grandfather, was born on 4th July 1891. He joined the 1st East Yorkshire Regiment in August 1914 at Hull, which we know because his original wedding certificate is stamped on the reverse with this information and his Service Number. He survived the war and was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1914 Star. According to the Victory Medal Roll he served with the 1st, 7th and 10th Battalions, East Yorkshire Regiment. He died in December 1972.

    Brian Brown




    253580

    Rflmn. Charles Whiteman 10th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th September 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Whiteman served with the 10th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps and was attached to the 7th Rifle Brigade.

    Paula Sullivan




    253579

    Pte. William Latham 12th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.16th March 1916)

    William Latham of 12th Kings (Liverpool) Regiment is buried in Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery in France,





    253576

    Pte. James Brady 43rd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Jim Brady served with 43rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps he was captured and held at Bachant POW camp.

    Arras 1917

    Bachant POW camp 1918

    Bachant POW guards 1918

    Cath Dupuy




    253575

    Pte. Walter Mayzes 18th (Irish Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.3rd Apr 1919)

    My grandfather, Walter Mayzes, was in the Battle of the Somme. He came home and died from shellshock. Six months later my grandmother remarried and so my cousins have the same grandmother but different grandfathers.





    253574

    Pte. Joseph West 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.8th November 1918)

    Joseph West was the eldest son of Thomas and Mary Jayne West. The family had tragically lost several children in early childhood so he was very precious. His younger brother Henry was my father. No one really talked about Uncle Joseph but we knew of his death because my father had his large commemorative penny with his name and number on it. This is still in the family, but with one of his nephews in Australia. He has seven nieces and nephews in the Manchester area and we will celebrate his life and sacrifice on the 11th November 1918 at Christ Church, Harpurhey Manchester where he is remembered on a memorial inside the church. Unfortunately we do not have any photographs of him.





    253573

    Pte. Wreford Chainey 5th Battalion Devonshire Regiment

    <p>

    Wreford Chainey was my father. I know only that he was in Egypt in WW1 as a batman. But I don't know which section of the 5th Battalion he was in, nor exactly when he was in Egypt, or what his Regiment would have been doing there while he was serving, or for how long he would have been there.

    Alison Vowles




    253572

    Bmbdr. William Gaunt 7th Division Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.28th April 1917)

    <p>

    William Gaunt died of wounds and is buried at Arras.

    Warwick Smith




    253569

    L/Cpl. Matthew Henry Bass 10th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corp (d.20th September 1917)

    The family story is that Matthew Bass was sent out on water carrying duties as a punishment. His remains were never found. He was a talented pianist who allegedly played the New Cross Empire to accompany silent movies and in music hall.

    Steve Godwin




    253564

    L/Cpl. Leslie Thomas Sillay MM. 12th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My grandfather Tom Sillay was in the 12th Field Ambulance for the whole duration of the Great War. He was awarded the Military Medal for rescuing a Fusilier officer who had been wounded in no man's land.

    Michael Sillay




    253563

    Pte. Walter John Tucker 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th April 1916)

    Walter Tucker is buried at Basra.

    Andrew Tucker




    253559

    Pte. William McKay 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.25th February 1915)

    William McKay served with the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Below is a poem he had written for his mother when he left.

    It's of a youngfellow I'm going to tell,

    He hailed from Coleraine, you know him quite well,

    He left for old England, sailed far o'er the foam,

    And left his old Mother and left his old home.

    Mother, dear Mother, I bid youadieu,

    Wherever I wander my heart is with you,

    Wherever I wander my heart will remain,

    With all that I love in the town of Coleraine.

    Goodbye my old comrades, goodbye toall,

    To all my old comrades from bold Donegal,

    I am leaving in pain, farewell again,

    To my friends and comrades in the town of Coleraine.





    253558

    Pte. Hector Stanford Edwin "Curly" Turner 2/14th (London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment

    Hector Turner volunteered mid November 1914 aged 19yrs and signed on for 4 years. In Palestine, he and his friend Fergie captured two Turkish Drums, a tenor and a side which are now in the London Scottish Regimental Headquarters in Horseferry Road, London.





    253555

    Capt. Charles Edmund Ruck-Keene Royal Fusiliers

    My grandfather Charles Edmund Ruck-Keene of Swyncombe House in Oxon, turned the house into a hospital for wounded men during the war. He served in the Royal Fusiliers.

    Jane




    253552

    Pte. Albert Charles Warner 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.14th May 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Warner served with the 5th Royal Berkshire Regiment his Obituary is included in De Ruvignys Roll of Honour Vol 4.





    253551

    James Arthur Squires 39th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.3rd September 1918)

    James Squires was my great grandfather who joined up from Dublin.

    Claire Poggi




    253550

    Cpl. Samuel Humphries 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Sam Humphries was engaged to be married to my grandmother, Phyllis Chambers.





    253545

    Cpl. Albert Augustus Ashford 9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.17th December 1915)

    Albert Ashford died in HMHS Morea. He is buried at Alexandria (Chatby) Cemetery in Egypt.





    253542

    Pte. William Ashmead 6th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.3rd May 1917)

    William Ashmead was my grandmother's brother. Unfortunately, I am just beginning to research him so I do not have a great deal of information about his time in the Army. However, I do know he was killed on the 3rd of May 1917 and is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Andy Carberry




    253541

    Pte. James Ramsden 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.6th Oct 1915)

    I have copies of letters from my Great Uncle James Ramsden. Details on letter. are 2569 Pte J. Ramsden, No.1 Comp 1st Man Reg, No.3 Platoon, 3rd Lahore Div, France. The last one is dated Sept 22nd 1915, from France. Previously he was in Belgium (April 1915). Apart from this I am having difficulty finding any further information.

    My granddaughter visited the war graves in France where she discovered that he was blown up exactly two weeks after the letter of 22nd September. We would like to know where he was commemorated





    253540

    Pte. Ernest Watson 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.26th March 1918)

    As transcribed on his headstone, Ernie Watson was the loving husband of Elsie May. He died of his wounds on the 26th of March 1918.

    Anna Dumbiotis




    253533

    Pte. Ernest Wickings 104th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.1st Nov 1917)

    Ernest Wickings joined the Royal Sussex Regiment at the age of 15 and transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He was killed on the night of 1st of November 1917 during the Battle of Paschendaele. The citation states that he was killed during a heavy German bombardment when taking guns up to the front. A piece of a shell pierced his helmet and he was killed instantly. He was buried in a cemetery close to the transport lines. The Lieutenant who wrote to his mother described him as "being as brave as a lion". Ernest was just 17 years old when he died.

    He was my great uncle and I feel incredibly proud of him. We shall remember them.

    Steve Dover




    253531

    Gnr. Robert Alfred Arnsby D Battery, 5th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.18th June 1918)

    <p>Robert Alfred Arnsby

    Robert Arnsby was the eldest son of Robert Henry Arnsby and his wife Delia, nee Connors. Bobby died in France on the 18th of June 1918, he died of wounds following a gas attack and is buried at Pernes British Cemetery.

    Headstone of Robert Alfred Arnsby, Pernes British Cemetery

    Liz A. Arnsby




    253530

    L/Cpl. Joseph Henry Jackson MM. 1/4th Battalion Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.5th December 1917)

    <p>

    L/Cpl Joseph Jackson was a 23 year-old member of the 1/4th Battalion, King's Own.

    He was born in Askam in 1894 as the son of Joseph and Ann. In 1901 the family was living at 92 Steel Street. Joseph had eight siblings, Mary, Elizabeth, Alice, John, Margaret, Anna, William Penny and Fanny. His father was an ironworks labourer, who died in 1902 in a mining accident, aged 45, and is buried in St Peter's Churchyard, Ireleth. In 1911 the family were living at 139 Steel Street and L/Cpl Jackson was a miner at Roanhead Mines for the Kennedy Brothers. At the time of his death in 1917, the family was at 79 Steel Street. In 1918 his mother was granted a pension of eight shillings (40p) a week.

    Joseph was a pre-war territorial soldier and won his Military Medal for gallantry at Blairville in May 1916. Under intense bombardment he took ammunition to two guns of the 164th Trench Mortar Battery, despite being hit by a piece of shrapnel. He was also presented with a gold watch from the people of Askam and Ireleth to mark his distinguished service.

    The Barrow News on 25th of August 1917 noted that he was badly wounded and had been missing since July. It noted, "His many friends regret this gallant soldier's misfortune, but are looking forward to seeing him again soon."

    By 22nd of September news reached Askam that he was a prisoner of war and was in a hospital at Munster with a broken leg, which was later amputated. He died of his wounds in hospital on 5th of December 1917 but news of the soldier's death did not reach his mother until February the following year. L/Cpl Jackson injury and capture was part of the Third Battle of Ypres, the struggle though the mud towards Passchendaele.

    Information researched by Linda and Joan Martin (Family members).

    Kerry Kosak




    253526

    Pte. Daniel McAllister Gibson 12th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.31st Oct 1918)

    Daniel Gibson is buried in Vichte. I have his obituary and diary entries from his battalion.

    Alan




    253524

    Pte Robert Futter 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Robert Futter, a carpenter from Martham, near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, Robert volunteered on 7th of September 1914 aged 19. He was listed as missing in action, presumed killed during the battle of Guillemont on 15th of September 1916.

    Dean Scott




    253523

    Pte. George Henry Hunt 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.28th Mar 1919)

    George Henry was accidentally killed on 28th of March 1919 just before the Battalions' return. This is inscribed on his father's gravestone in Lumb Baptist church, he was killed by being kicked by the regimental horse. His actual grave is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves and is in Chanak Consular Cemetery, Turkey.

    V Watkinson




    253521

    Pte. George Noah Flippance A Coy, 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.26th Oct 1914)

    George Flippance was born in 1886 and was from Collingbourne, Wiltshire. Before the outbreak he married Lillian Kent in June 1914 As a member of the Regular Army at the outbreak of war he was in A Company, 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. His unit was one of the first to travel to France with the 80,000 strong British Expeditionary Force arriving in early August. As one of the first British units to fight in France he was involved in the Battle of Mons and then part of what became know as the Great Retreat where by the BEF delayed the advance of the German Forces despite being outnumbered 3-1 and so helped contribute to the halting of the German advance at the subsequent Battle of the Marne.

    In October 1914 he was involved in the first Battle of Ypres here he was killed on the 26th of October just 3 days after the birth of his son, Joshua Noah Flippance. George is among the many thousand of soldiers without a known grave but is commemorated at the Le Touret Memorial in France and on the War Memorial in his home village of Collingbourne, Wiltshire. He was posthumously awarded the 1914 Star, 1914-1918 War Medal and the Victory Medal.





    253518

    Pte. John William Walker 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th Oct 1917)

    <p>John William Walker

    My Grandfather John Walker who died on 4th of October 1917 at 3rd Battle of Ypres aged 27 years. He was in 10th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. He is on the Tyne Cot Memorial. My sister visited this year and took a personalised photo. We have spent many years researching our family history being instilled by wanting to know more about what happened to John Willie during the War.

    JW Walker, his wife & children

    Death notice in Newcastle Chronicle

    Tyne Cot Panel

    Yvonne Douglas




    253517

    Cpl. George Henry Laffoley Border Regiment

    George Laffoley was my great grandfather who survived the war. Unfortunately, I currently have no more information beyond him serving with the Border Regiment.

    Greg Banner




    253516

    Sgt. Oswald Frank Gibbon 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.25th Mar 1918)

    Oswald Gibbon died during WW1 along with his brothers Albert and Thomas. Oswald came home on leave from the war and his daughter Beatrice age 4 refused to hug him because of his itchy soldier overcoat. She never saw him again and regretted her childish actions for the rest of her life. Oswald is buried in Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery in France.

    Debra Ford




    253512

    Cpl. Walter Johnson 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.4th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Walter Johnson served with the 9th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    Stephen Garnett




    253508

    L/Cpl. Andrew Joseph Marron 21st Btn. Kings Royal Rifles Corps (d.10th Oct 1916 )

    <p>

    My Uncle Andrew Marron, served with the 21st Battalion Kings Royal Rifles Corps.





    253507

    Sgt. Herbert Samuel Hammond 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Herbert Hammond was born in Ware in 1887, son of Herbert and Susan Hammond. He had lived in the Cherry Tree in Amwell End Ware. Then was living in Hertford with his with Sarah and two children. He was my 1st Cousin 3x removed.

    Robert Rudd




    253505

    Pte. Charles Earnest Lee Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    Charles Lee was born in May 1900. Fortunately for me, his Grandson, he wasn't called up until near the end of the war. He didn't therefore fight overseas. Unfortunately I have no other information about his role in the Army. I only have these pictures.

    Charles Earnest Lee, front row seated, second from right.

    Charles Earnest Lee, middle row, left.

    Dave Lee




    253502

    2Lt. Victor Braine "Josser" Marsh 6th Btn. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Victor Marsh was killed in action in Guillemont, France. He is buried in the Carnoy Military Cemetery.

    Matt




    253501

    Pte. Isaac Brannon 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Isaac Brannon is my Great Grandad, he served with the 10th Green Howards.

    John Brannon




    253499

    Pte, Wiliam Leemore Pryor 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    My great uncle William Pryor was taken prisoner by the Germans at some stage in the war. He was also gassed by the Germans and died because of this in early 1920 at Southwark.

    Graham Mills




    253497

    Cpl. Harold Maden 1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.15th December 1914)

    Harold Maden was one of three Maden brothers killed in the First World War. He served with the 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, which formed part of the 17th Brigade, 6th Division, III Corps. He arrived in France at St Nazaire on the 12th of September 1914, and immediately travelled South to fight in the Battle of the Aisne. In the middle of October the 17th Brigade held the southern flank in the first Battle of Ypres, and took part in the offensive at Armentieres. We assume that Harold was killed during the after action that ensued, post the first Battle of Ypres.

    Thomas Hall




    253496

    Pte George Frazer 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.27th August 1914)

    George Frazer was killed on the 27th of August 1914. George's niece, Elizabeth Killeen her husband visited his grave in Honnechy Cemetery, about six miles from town of Le Cateau in France on 15th April 2011. Elizabeth's brother-in-law, Maurice McGrath, also attended.

    Christopher Killeen




    253494

    Gnr. Albert Edward Grubb 83rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.8th December 1918)

    <p>

    Albert Grubb was educated at the Duke of York Military School, the Royal Hibernian Military School and the Industrial School under the Home Office and Local Government Board. He joined the 2nd Dragoon Guards in March 1909, aged 19yrs 8 months, after being a groom. A year later on the 2nd April 1910, he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner at No.1 Depot. He was discharged from the Army after 4 years and 113 days at his own request on 20th of July 1914, only weeks before the outbreak of war. He enlisted again in August 1914. He served right through the war only to lose his life through disease in December 1918 whilst being treated at the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Doullens, France. He is buried in at Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.2.

    Albert Edward Grubb





    253493

    Cpl. James Charles Diaper 24th (Home Counties) Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    James Diaper is one of my great grand parents. He is a person I would love to have met and had a chat with, such a character. He enlisted on 14th of April 1915 at the age of 54 years, with the 24th (Home Counties) Battalion, Rifle Brigade and shown on one of the medal record cards is service in Mesopotamia. He was discharged on 17th of March 1917. In the photograph I have of him in uniform he is wearing a leather bandolier which leads me to believe that he may have been involved in the transport side of things.

    Colin Bridger




    253491

    Pte. Ernest Charles Quinsee 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.19th July 1917)

    I only found out about my Uncle, Ernest Quinsee, whilst researching my family recently and found he had died on the 19th of July 1917 and had been buried in Monchy British Cemetery in France, near to another member of the regiment Pte B Harvey 15690 who had died on the 16th.

    Amongst some family documents I came across, was a bundle of beautifully written letters he had sent to his sister from the front line in France. One letter, the only uncensored one, told of a remarkable story, about when his unit had gone over the top at first light and he had become trapped in no-man's land, spending the whole day crawling back from shell hole to shell hole holding an ammo box behind his head which was repeatedly struck by German sniper fire. He was killed only a few days later. I wish I had known this brave man.

    Dorian Marshall




    253487

    Pte. Joseph Walter Lawrence 101st Coy. Army Service Corps

    All we know is Joseph Lawrence served all the way through the war within the 14th Division which was set up on the 28th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Armies and records show he signed up on that day. The T on his service number indicates he was working with horse transport as part of the 101st company of the ASC serving the 14th Division. He made it through the war but died in 1936.

    Christine Richardson




    253486

    Pte. Walter John Edwards 67th Coy. Labour Corps (d.23rd Sept 1918)

    Walter Edwards is my Great Uncle who I've only recently discovered. He was married to Ethel and they had a girl called Kathleen. He died on the 23rd of Sept 1918 in France.

    Carina Edwards




    253485

    Gnr. David Benjamin Smith 15th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.15th May 1918)

    <p>

    Fortunately, whilst sixty percent of World War 1 service records were destroyed in the WWII blitz, David Smith's army service record was one of the so called Burnt Records that survived. It shows that he enlisted at Hammersmith as an Army Reservist on the 10th of December 1915. His declared age was 25 with his given birth date of 8th October 1890 scribbled across the top of the attestation form. At the time it was recorded that David's address was 9 Overstone Road, Hammersmith and that his next of kin was his wife, Hilda Clara Smith, living at the same address. David's occupation was given as Brewer's Labourer. Other family information included in the records were David's marriage to Hilda Clara Tull, spinster, on 12th of April 1914 in Hammersmith and particulars of children, Ivy May born 18th of May 1915 in Hammersmith and later, Eileen born 1st of November 1918 in Plaistow.

    David was mobilised over 4 months after enlistment, on 25th of April 1916, to serve in the rank of gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was initially posted to the battalion depot. This appears to have been at Dover as there is a record of his arrival at Dover dated 27th of April 1916. On 18th May 1916 David was then posted to 29th Company. This must have been at Portsmouth as the one minor blemish on his Conduct Sheet was with this unit on 16th of June 1916. He was absent from the 7am parade, presumably overslept!

    Then on the 11th of July 1916 David was posted to 179th Siege Battery. This battery was subsequently attached to the British Expeditionary Force on the 8th October 1916. A month later David disembarked in France on 9th November 1916 and was then attached to the Artillery School at Telque, in the field a week later on 18th November. He returned to his unit three weeks later on 5th December.

    Continuing as a gunner in the 179th Siege Battery, six months later David was wounded in action on 1st June 1917. As a result of this he was invalided back to England, per St. Patrick a hospital ship, arriving in England on the 4th June. David's wounds were recorded as shrapnel wound right arm and right thigh. He spent a total of 126 days recovering in King George Hospital London from 4th June to 8th October 1917. This was in Stamford Street, London off Blackfriars Road, near Blackfriars Bridge. It was built as Cornwall House for H.M. Stationary Office but, being completed in the middle of WW1, was used for several years as an army hospital, known as King George's Hospital, until 1920 when occupied as government offices. On leaving hospital David then received 10 days furlough when he would have been able to go home to his wife Hilda and 2 year old daughter Ivy.

    David's army medical history shows that he was fairly tall at 5ft 11 ins but slim, weighing 140 lbs at enlistment and with a chest girth of 34 inches (37 inches fully expanded). His physical development was described as good.

    After his 10 days furlough, following leaving hospital, David appears to have then been posted to Ripon on the 19th October 1917, presumably in North Yorkshire, but it is not clear which unit he was then in. However, at Ripon, was the No.4 Depot (Heavy & Siege) of the Royal Garrison Artillery.

    He was subsequently posted back to the B.E.F. in France on the 29th of March 1918, though again it is not clear with which unit within the R.G.A. That reference reads "1s Arty Posted to B.E.F." which may or may not mean 1st Siege Battery.

    On the 13th of April 1918 David then joined the 15th Siege Battery in the field. This battery fired howitzers. It appears to have been attached 70th Brigade of the 6th Corps, but this is very much just a guess!

    Sadly, only a month after joining the 15th Siege Battery, David then died on the 15th of May 1918 from wounds received in action. This was at No.6 Casualty Clearing Station, one of two then located at Pernes in northern France. This was very close to where David was subsequently buried at Pernes British Cemetery, stated as seven and a quarter miles N.N.E of St.Pol. David's service record does not give any further details on the circumstances of his death but it is likely to have been as a result of German shellfire as artillery batteries were usually sited well behind the trenches out of range of enemy machine gun and rifle fire.

    David's daughter Eileen sadly never knew her father as his wife Hilda was only just over 3 months pregnant with Eileen at the time of his death. David's personal effects were dispatched to Hilda in late September 1918 to her address, then at 28 Selby Road, Plaistow. The list of those personal effects is extremely faded but included letters, a card and religious book. Hilda and her two children were awarded a widow's pension to live on of 25 shillings and five pence a week from the 25th of November 1918 by the Ministry of Pensions.

    In June 1919 David's widow, Hilda, had to complete a Statement of the Names and Addresses of all the Living Relatives of the Deceased. Hilda and her two children Ivy and Eileen were then living at 28 Selby Road, Plaistow. David's father was deceased but his mother, Elizabeth Travatt, was recorded as living at 52 Cathnor Road, Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush together with David's only sibling, his sister Mary Ridout (nee Smith) aged 27. (If, as has been tentatively suggested by Mary's granddaughter Hazel McPhail (nee Ridout), that Mary may have been adopted, the form did not allow for this, giving only options of "full blood" or "half blood", so Hilda put Mary in the box for "full blood". Even if Mary was adopted, Hilda may not have been aware anyway.)

    Later, in September 1921, Hilda received British War and Victory Medals granted to David for his war service. Of course, her husband had paid the ultimate sacrifice for his king and country as so many did in the Great War.

    David Pugh




    253481

    Sgt. Frank Edger Law 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    He was with his Battalion 8th K.R.R.C after transferring from the 1st Battalion K.R.R.C as an N.C.O through out WW1 right up until he was captured during the German attack on 21st March 1918. He was taken to Mannhiem and put in a prison of war camp there. During his time there he caught pneumonia, and managed to trick the Germans into believing it was tuberculosis which back then was contagious and a killer. The Germans did not want to have some one with this illness among them so they repatriated him back home via Switzerland. He was them looked after by his wife until he recovered and then was able to re join the K.R.R.C at Winchester later being demobbed in 1919.

    Geoffrey Law




    253479

    Pte John Mason 5th Battalion Connaught Rangers

    John Mason was one of seven children in his family from Blackpool in County Cork, Ireland.

    He fought in the First World War, only to die in February 1919 from the Spanish Flu





    253478

    Pte John "Jack" Cockerill 3rd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment

    <p>Postcard from Jack

    Jack Cockerill served with the 3rd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.

    Karen Cockerill




    253477

    Sgt. Arthur Burmah Maddocks 16th Lancers (The Queens)

    Arthur Maddocks served with the 16th Lancers and also with the Household Cavalry. His medal card is confused with that of his cousin Arthur Brenchley Maddocks.





    253474

    Pte Frederick O'Brien Fahey King Edwards Horse

    Frederick joined the Army in Trinidad, although unwell with what seemed to be depression. He became more ill as the war developed and was admitted to hospital in London where he met his wife-to-be who was a mental nurse at that time.

    The Caribbean roll of honour website said he served in France and Italy and was "gassed".

    He survived the war and returned to Trinidad July 1919.

    He continued to be treated for depression throughout the rest of his life.





    253472

    Pte. Fred Morgan 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th July 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Morgan was wounded on the 1st of July 1916 on the Somme at the Battle of Fricourt and died from wounds on the 15th. He is buried in Forceville Cemetery. His Battalion suffered very heavy losses.

    Fred Morgan

    Nick




    253471

    Cpl. Leonard Richard Ward MID. 58th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.24th March 1918)

    Leonard Ward died on the 24th of March 1918 aged 23, he was the son of Mr and Mrs S Ward of 52 Eastgate, Peterborough. Remembered with Honour on the Pozieres Memorial. He was Mentioned in Dispatches in November 1917.





    253470

    Lt. Meyrick Edward Selby-Lowndes 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.27th October 1918)

    Lieutenant Meyrick Edward Selby-Lowndes came from nobility and landed gentry. In 1911 his family lived at Highfield, Milton Avenue. In the 1920s his father, a Burnham magistrate, owned Marsham Manor and his sister Violet lived at The Corner House. Meyrick joined the prestigious 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders in 1916 but was mortally wounded near Cambrai in France. He died after seven weeks of suffering on 27th of October 1918, age 20 years, just two weeks before the end of the war.





    253469

    Pte. David William "Dai Mock" Evans 15th (Carmarthenshire) Battalion Welch Regiment (d.30th April 1917)

    David Evans was our grandfather who, I believe, joined up in Carmarthen in 1914/15. He was killed in action carrying out one of the first trench raids of the war at Morteldje Salient, Ypres on the 30th of April 1917. He was 27 years old. He was married in 1914, I presume, prior to joining up and going to war. He left behind a wife and one child, my father. I don't know if he actually ever saw his son. Sadly, I never knew either of our grandparents or saw any pictures of them. Always in our thoughts.





    253467

    Pte John Wilson Morgan Irish Guards

    My maternal grandfather, John Morgan, fought in the Great War. He was taken prisoner and sent to Friedrichsfeld. He was repatriated and arrived in Dover on 2nd of December 1918.

    Elizabeth




    253464

    Pte. Henry Tompkinson MM. 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Harry Tompkinson born in Stockton, Durham, England to Joseph Tompkinson and Maria Healey. He was a gunner and won the Military Medal for his actions during the War. The story is that he was protecting a defense post and the man who was meant to be handing him ammunition did a runner, leaving him to fight off the enemy alone.





    253461

    Pte. Thomas Cotter 12th Battalion Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.30th November 1917)

    Thoasm Cotter was killed in the German counter offensive at St Waast, east of Cambrai, on Friday, 30th of November 1917. His body was recovered by the enemy and buried at Fontaine-au-Pire Communal Cemetery 11km south-east of Cambrai.





    253460

    Gnr. Frank Ellix 19th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.19th October 1917)

    Frank Ellix is buried at the Canada Farm Cemetery.

    Jane Gardner




    253458

    Dvr. James Robert Cudmore 63rd Field Company Royal Engineers

    <p>libry1

    James Cudmore served as a driver with 63rd Field Company, Royal Engineers.

    Pauline Harrison




    253456

    L/Cpl. William Gardiner 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.26th May 1917)

    William Gardiner enlisted at Keith aged 20, he died of wounds on the 26th of May 1917 and is buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. He was the elder son of William Gardiner (Shipbuilder) and Helen Jane (nee Slater) Gardiner of 42 Blantyre St. Cullen, Banffshire. He was a Bank Clerk.

    William's younger brother, Cpl John Slater Gardiner was killed in actionon the 21st of Mar 1918 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.





    253455

    Cpl. John Slater Gardiner 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.21st March 1918)

    John Gardiner enlisted at Aberdeen aged 19. He was killed in action on the 21st of March 1918 and is commemorated in the Arras Memorial. He was the younger son of William Gardiner, Shipbuilder & Helen Jane (nee Slater) Gardiner, 42 Blantyre St. Cullen, Banffshire. He was a Shipwright and Boatbuilder.

    John's older brother L/Cpl William Gardiner died of wounds on the 26th May 1917, he is buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension.





    253454

    Pte. Frank James Orr 17th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.3rd September 1916)

    Frank Orr was my great uncle. He is remembered at Thiepval. He was only 16 when he died, his brother John aged 20 also died as did his uncles Frank Harris (aged 16), James Harris (aged 28), Charles Orr (aged 29). I have no photos of Frank or John. My grandmother Charlotte was left orphaned by the war as her mother died very young.

    Angela Aston




    253453

    Pte. Michael James Doody 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.21st April 1919)

    My grandfather, Michael Doody, died of illness we are told. He was a drummer as we have a photo of him in uniform with a big drum. I'm afraid we don't know much more.

    Michael Robinson




    253451

    Pte. William John Rothery 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.10th May 1916)

    <p>

    My great grandfather, William Rothery, died of shrapnel wounds and fracture of the right tibia. He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, the second largest CWGC cemetery in Belgium after Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    Steve Pattison




    253448

    Pte. George William Cockerill 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    <p>

    George Cockerill was my great grandfather. I was the first member of my family to visit his Memorial in Pozieres, and am currently researching all I can about him and his regiment.

    Pozieres Memorial

    Pozieres Memorial from the air

    Michele Perrett




    253447

    Pte. Francis Craven Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Francis Craven was captured after the 1st Battle of Ypres. He was held prisoner in Munster II until the end of the war.





    253445

    Pte. Henry Neal Albert 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.25th September 1917)

    <p>

    This extract taken from the Leamington Spa Courier: Mrs Neal, 29, Covent Garden Market, Leamington, whose husband Private A. H.Neal of the York and Lancaster Regiment, has been missing since September 25th has received a communication from the company officer, in which he says "On the night of September 25th, your husband with the remainder of his platoon was on his way out of the line. A good deal of shelling was encountered along the way. When the platoon reached it's destination your husband was reported missing.... Your husband was servant to 2nd Lieut. Bailey of this company, and Mr Bailey always spoke most highly of the work he did."

    Kevin Massey




    253443

    Sgt Thomas Duffin 6th Battalion King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) (d.26th October 1915)

    My grandfather, Thomas Duffin, had a medal from the Boer War for 1901,1902, Transvaal. His medal is inscribed with his name and service number 4205 and rank L. Serjt, Royal Lanc Regi.

    He was born in Liverpool and later lived in Nottingham. He enlisted for the First World War in Nottingham with the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment 6th battalion. His service number then was 4374. He died of wounds on 26 October 1915 and is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery D23.

    Pamela Young




    253441

    Pte. Joseph Henry Waight 2nd Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.5th May 1915)

    Joseph Waight was my Grandfather. He was in C company, 2nd East Kent Regiment and they were detached to support the Canadians at 2nd Ypres. It is believed he was mortally wounded by a shell fragment during that battle. He was next heard of at Wimereux British Base Hospital in France (near Calais) where he died of wounds and is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery.

    Prior to joining The Buffs he worked at Dover Harbour and before that was serving in the Loyal East Lancashire Regiment with his brother George in India.

    Mike Waight




    253440

    Pte. Fred Williams 5th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    My Grandfather, Fred Williams, was in the First World War. Following research I have found from the War Diaries that he was Listed as Missing on the 14th of April 1918, in the Neuve Eglise area. I have his two medals. He obviously was found, because I am here.

    Brian Williams




    253437

    Sgt. John Stobie Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    John Stobie served with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. His battalion was charging enemy lines. John and his brother were involved when John was struck by a mortar shell. His body was later retrieved from the battlefield. After most of the shrapnel was removed, he was unconscious and believed dead. The next morning he regained consciousness and crawled from the deceased area. John received treatment and survived the conflict. During this charge on the enemy lines, his brother successfully captured the enemy post and was awarded the MC.

    He worked for the rest of his life. John could never undergo X-Rays due to the shrapnel still in his body up until his death in the 1960's.

    Alan Stobie




    253436

    Pte Tim Buckley 16th Btn London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles) (d.14th Jan 1916)

    My great Uncle for whom I am named.

    I don't know how exactly he came to be one of the few 1916 burials in the Hop Store cemetery.

    Tim Buckley




    253435

    Pte. Ernest Charles Morby MM. 10th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    The following is a transcript of a cutting from a newspaper regarding my great grandfather, that I have pasted to a postcard, the medal is in my possession.

    "Heath Soldier Awarded The Military Medal: Pte. Ernest Morby, of the 10th Lincs Regiment (son of Mr and Mrs J. Morby, Elm Cottages, Heath), has been awarded the military medal "for some work I did on the night of July 1st," as he modestly puts in a letter to his parents. Pte Morby was an apprentice with Mr Marshal, Howard Street; organ builder. He was only 17 years of age when he enlisted in October 1914 and attained his 19th birthday last May. He was the first Wakefield lad to join the Grimsby Pals, afterwards the 10th Lincs".

    Jon Park




    253434

    Pte Albert Chard 14th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Albert Chard was my Great Uncle. I don't know much about him except the 1911 census states he was a fish fryer.

    Valerie Johnson




    253432

    Pte. Fred Wilson 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    Fred wilson was my uncle who I only found out about while researching my family tree. His name is on my Grandfather's death certificate. Grandfather died in 1914 and died 11 months after my father was born, and my grandmother died 5 days after my father's birth so I know very little about Fred. Except that he was in the 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment and had enlisted at Habrough but do not know when. There is a memoriam plaque in Riby church that bears his name along with others who had failed to return.

    John Wilson




    253431

    Rfm Tom Oakden 11th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Sep 1916)

    Tom Oakden was killed in action on the 17th of September 1916, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Tom's younger brother, Frank Oakden served with the 7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps and died the day after Tom, from wounds he had sustained in battle. Frank is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery.

    Christine Oakden




    253430

    Pte. Harvey Burgin 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.27th Apr 1916)

    Harvey Burgin was my Grandma's brother who was married to Doris May Burgin now deceased. My Grandma's married name was Sidebottom and nearly all the family lived in Wentworth or Thorpe Hesley. Many of the older generation worked at Wentworth, Woodhouse.

    Harvey is buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery.

    Barbara Saunders




    253429

    Pte. Arthur Henry Gain 51st Btn. Welch Regiment

    <p>

    Arthur Gain served with the Welsh Regiment.

    Jean Rogers




    253424

    Pte. John Hullock 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    John Hullock was my great uncle and lived in Liverpool. His name appears on the roll of honour in Liverpool Town Hall. I I know little of his history.





    253422

    Pte Francis Cox 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Francis Cox served with the 2nd and 11th Battalions, Suffolk Regiment.

    Steven Roberts




    253418

    Pte. George Weston 9th Btn 22nd Cheshire Cheshire Regiment (d.12th Sep 1918)

    George Weston joined 3rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in Northwich in December 1915. George was wounded four times in 1917 and was posted to the 9th Cheshires after recovering from wounds and UK leave in June of 1918. He was killed on the 12th of September 1918 and is buried in Bethune. He was 22 years old at the time of his death.





    253417

    Pte. Harry Leader Chew 13th Btn Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Chew served with 13th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment.

    Julie Fiveash




    253415

    Pte. Albert Fletcher Holt 3rd Battalion Manchester Regiment

    Albert Holt served initially in 3rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment as a Gunner and was already in the Army when war broke out. He subsequently transferred the 7th Battalion, Tank Corps serving as part of the 1st Tank Brigade.

    His unit was captured at Toulouse on 12th of April 1918 and he was taken to Gardelegen, one of the worst disease ridden camps. It was so bad that the Germans lived off site and left the prisoners to fend for themselves regarding sickness. His POW number there was 9700. When the war ended and the soldiers were repatriated, Albert was among those who passed through Braine le Chateau in Belgium, where they were entertained to a banquet hosted by the Countesses (the de Ursels of Hingene of Chateau le Yonhuys) and The Mayor and Inhabitants.

    Albert was an artist and painted a Centurion Tank on a hammered out Bully Beef can for The Countess Daisy, using her paints. In return, she gifted him those paints. The original carry case containing the spent paint tubes, is still in the possession of his descendants.

    Albert served as an ARP warden in the Second World War and he was also a Fire Watcher at The Bolton Methodist Mission. He worked as a painter and decorator and spent time in Liverpool camouflaging the ships. Albert died in his 86th year in 1971.

    Elaine Fletcher Cowen




    253412

    Rflmn. Aaron Farr Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Aaron Farr was wounded at the Second Battle of Ypres and invalided out of service





    253410

    Pte. Stanley Harry Earthy 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.3rd September 1916)

    Stanley Earthy as around 36 years old when he died on the 3rd of September 1916. That day his Battalion was in action at Guillemont. He fought with the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, which was assigned to the 47th Irish Brigade, 16th Irish Division. Before the war, he had served with the East Surrey Regiment in India, Aden and Malta. His parents were Owen Charles and Lucy Earthy.

    Kim Gregory




    253409

    2Lt. Francis Stanislaus Stanton 5th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1918)

    Frank Stanton was my paternal grandmother's half-brother but I'm afraid I know nothing else about him.

    Dick Bateman




    253407

    Pte. Frederick Newman 154th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Newman was my great Uncle. His story was told by my grandmother and mother. He enlisted in 1916 and was invalided out following an explosion which left him deaf. He returned to Portsmouth and was fit and able other than being deaf. Whilst walking down the street he was given a white feather by a woman, a complete stranger who obviously didn`t know he was deaf and invalided out of the army. He felt so bad he re-enlisted, at that time the army were desperate for troops and he was sent straight to France. He didn`t stand a chance and three weeks later he as killed, a direct mortar hit on his position. He was blown to bits, so no grave. He is listed on the Cambrai Memorial at Louveral in France.

    Samantha Billingham




    253406

    Rflmn. Robert Joseph Holloway 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion London Regiment

    Robert Holloway enlisted on 3rd of September 1914 and was wounded in the back in June 1916. He was discharged unfit for service on 22nd of August 1916.

    John Robert Holloway




    253401

    Pte. Fred Bell 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.15th Nov 1918)

    Southern bell ringer, Fred Bell, was born in 1984 at Sudbrooke Lincolnshire where his dad, Robert, had been a farm foreman. Robert, who was born at Toft Newton, was a farmer at Skelton House, on the bend half way between Scothern and Nettleham. Just over the Scothern Parish boundary. Robert was married to Sarah and they had six children.

    Fred, who worked as a farm worker for his dad, joined the 9th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters in 1914 and was injured on the last day of the war and died 4 days later.





    253399

    Pte. Samuel A Cook 14th (West of England) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Samuel Cook's named British War Medal was recently recovered from being scrapped for silver.

    Simon Clegg




    253398

    L/Cpl. Alfred John Latham 2/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Alfred Latham was captured at Cambrai on the 5th of December 1917 and was transferred to Schneidemuhi P.O.W. camp in North East Germany which now part of Poland and has reverted to its Polish name of Pila.

    John Beasant




    253396

    Dvr. Charles George Portwine D Bty, 102nd Brigade Royal Artillery (d.26th Jan 1918)

    Charles Portwine was my Maternal Grandmother's brother. He was born in London in about 1889, married Lydia in 1910 and they had one child, Rosie born in 1914. Before joining the British Army he worked as a Market Porter at Covent Garden Market London. I believe Charles was a Driver in D Battery, 102nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Charles died in action on the 26th of January 1918 and is buried at the Giavera British Cemetery, Arcade in Italy.

    Marilyn Murray




    253395

    Pte. Arthur Lord Edwards 8th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Lord Edwards died on Monday 27th May 1918 on the first day of the Third Battle of the Aisne. He is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial in France.

    Janine Tanner




    253393

    Pte. Percy Chapman 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>Chapman brothers in 1915, Percy is standing right.

    My Great-Uncle Percy Chapman was born in 1898, fifth of six children to George and Elizabeth. He died on the 28th of March 1918, during the German offensive at Arras. Younger brother to George Chapman.

    Medals letter

    Steven Loach




    253391

    Pte. Arthur Chapman 2nd Btn Middlesex Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>Chapman Brothers 1915, Arthur is seated on right

    My Great-Uncle Arthur Chapman, born in 1894, the fourth of six children to George and Elizabeth. He died on 1st of July 1916 on the first day of the Somme offensive and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was older brother to Percy Chapman.

    Steven Loach




    253390

    Pte. Bruce Thomas 17th (3rd Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Bruce Thomas is my Great Grandmother's brother. Her name was Elizabeth Bruce. He was killed in action on the Somme, and has no known grave. He is listed on the Thiepval Memorial as well as the Coatbridge WW1 War Memorial. We have no other records.

    Sue Smith




    253388

    Pte. Benjamin Russon 2/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.2nd Oct 1917)

    Benjamin Russon is buried at Mendingham War Cemetery.

    Nigel Deffley




    253387

    A/Cpl. Harry Louis Hilder MM. 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Hilder is remembered on the Arras Memorial and also named on the Great Livermore Memorial.





    253386

    Pte. John Percival Corbett 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    John Corbett served with the 10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    Clive Corbett




    253383

    Pte. Samuel Caddis White 1st/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.13th Nov 1917)

    Samuel Caddis White was killed in action on 13th of November 1917 and was buried with his comrades in Palestine at Ramleh War Cemetery

    John White




    253380

    Rfmn. James Charles Rhodes 13th Btn 15 Bde Kings Royal Rifle Corps Royal Field Artillery (d.18th Nov 1917)

    James Rhodes originally joined up in 1915 when he was still 16 and was reported by his mother and discharged from 15th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery for being under age. As soon as he was old enough he signed up again. He was my paternal grandmother's brother. and is buried at Zonnebeke in Belgium. He died of wounds. This is all the information we have.





    253374

    Pte. George Harry Bone 6th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.22nd Aug 1916)

    George Bone was the son of Tom and Lily Bone of 41 Church Street, Barnsley. He is buried at Bois-Guillaume Communal Cemetery, Rouen.

    Elisabeth Dewar




    253370

    Drmr. Percy Johnson 22nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.12th Dec 1916)

    Percy Johnson was my great uncle and a bugler in the Great War. I have a small autograph-type book which contains several poems written by Percy after he enlisted in 1915, some of which were written at the front. Percy was killed in action a year after enlisting and is buried at Redan Ridge Cemetery No.1, near Beaumont-Hamel.

    First inside page

    Cartoon of PJ as a bugler

    Typical poem

    Alan




    253368

    Alfred George Booth 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    Alfred Booth fought at the Battle of the Somme where he was seriously wounded. He was returned to England with a piece of shrapnel still in his body. It was reported in his pension records that it was unsafe to remove the shrapnel. He was also reported to have suffered from shell shock. He died in 1919 it is thought as a result of the shrapnel wound.

    John Cootes




    253366

    L/Cpl Robert Clark Whitfield 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1916)

    Robert Whitfield was my great grandfather. He died of his wounds on Monday 25th of September 1916 and is buried at the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery (Extension) near Amiens in France. His eldest daughter, my grandmother Grace, was only 10 years old when he died, so there are no photos and she never spoke of him.

    Susan Crawford




    253361

    Pte. Frederick Peacock 15th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandad Frederick Peacock joined up on the 30th of June 1917, the day after his 18th birthday. He was injured in Armentieres in 1918. I believe he was taken as a prisoner of war and returned to England via hospital ship and was taken and cared for in January 1919 by St Dunstan's, who supported him and gave him skills to help him live his life to the best he could.

    He married in 1937 and he and his wife had two children, a daughter and son. His wife passed away in 1971. He was then cared for by his children and grandchildren until his death in 1973. I have tried to find any information regards his time in the army and his life after returned to England.

    Susan Stephenson




    253359

    Sidney Richard John Pearce HMS Blake

    Sidney Pearce is my great grandfather. He served throughout the first World War, he had joined the navy at 15 in 1899 and served till 1922. He served on HMS Blake and HMS Vulcan between the war years. This is all I know at the moment.

    Terry Pearce




    253357

    Pte. Ernest Edmonds 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.11th Apr 1917)

    Born in Lopen, Somerset, Ernest Edmonds was my late mother's first cousin. He is commemorated in St Mary's Churchyard memorial stone and is interred in the Arras Memorial Graveyard.

    Dave Ford




    253356

    Pte. Frank William Brunn 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    Frank Brunn enlisted with the South Staffs on 23rd of July 1902. According to the 1911 census he was a machinist at a cycle works, but I don't know if he became a reservist, as he apparently disembarked in Le Havre on 27th of August 1914. He was discharged from the army in April or May 1916 due to wounds. I have no information on any battles he took part in or how his injuries were sustained. He died in 1973

    Paul Brunn




    253354

    Pte. Fred Green 60th Field Ambulance

    Fred Green was a stretcher bearer in the 60th Field Ambulance, RAMC. He had a girlfriend at home, my Great aunt Elizabeth Schofield and they married in 1922. Fred didn't enjoy good health and didn't have any children. He traded as a Boot Repairer and Fish Fryer and had his own premises. He doted on my father, his nephew. Post WW1, at some time in the 1930s, he took him and family members to Ypres to show them where he had served. Sadly we don't have a photo, but I have his medals and his bible. We remember him each Armistice Day.

    He described a song, sung to the tune of The Church's One Foundation. "We are Fred Karno's Army, The RAMC, We cannot fight, we cannot shoot What bloody use are we?"

    Alyson Mannion




    253353

    Gnr. John Hale 132nd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.8th Apr 1918)

    John Hale was born in Wootton Courtenay in 1886 to John and Sarah Hale. He was killed in action, aged 22 years, the CWGC states that he is buried at Roye New British Cemetery. He left a wife Alice.

    Ruth Walker




    253348

    Pte. Moses Lemon 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.8th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Moses Lemon was in the army from 1902 and was with the BEF first wave to France. He suffered a shrapnel wound at La Bassee on the 21st of October 1914 and as a result, he was discharged, unfit for war service. He died in the military hospital in Belfast on the 8th of August 1917 and is buried in Dundonald Cemetery.

    Heather Frazer




    253343

    Pte. John Clinton 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.10th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    John Clinton served with the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

    Heather Frazer




    253342

    Pte Edward Arthur Adcock 2/8th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    My Great Uncle, Edward Adcock was born and raised in Blakeney North Norfolk. He joined the Norfolk Yeomanry then transferred to the 2/8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He was killed in action on the 21st of March 1918.

    John Arundel




    253340

    Pte. Anthony Walton 23rd (4th Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Nov 1916)

    Anthony Walton died from war wounds on the 24th of November 1916, aged 30 years. He was seconded to the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, from the 4th Tyneside Scottish, at the time of his death and is laid to rest at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Anthony's bravery will never be forgotten in our family, his memory lives and will live on with our family for eternity.

    Alma Forster




    253339

    Pte. Frederick A. Baker 16th (St Pancras Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.Oct 1916)

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Charles Turner, of the Royal West Surrey Regiment, had his photo taken with this person in civvies before the war. I found the photo in my mother's photo album with details on the back. Pte F A Baker, No 32, 16th St Pancras Rifles attached to MGC killed in action Oct 1916. My grandfather was also from St Pancras and was wounded on 3rd of July 1916 and invalided home. I would love to find out more about F.A Baker. He may be a relative of mine or just a close friend of my grandfather's.





    253337

    Rfmn. Henry Coleman 16th Btn. London Regiment (d.10th Sep 1916)

    Harry Coleman was killed in action at the Battle of Ginchy. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, he was serving with 16th London Regiment, 56th Division, 169th Brigade. I have two photos of Harry.

    Henry Coleman at home, prior to 1914

    Walter Lodge




    253336

    Rfmn. Henry Charles Wilson 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.19th Oct 1918)

    Harry Wilson was my grandmother's brother. She told me that he had been killed by a sniper after the liberation of Lille, although he is buried at Auberchicourt which was a dressing station at the time, and some distance from Lille.

    My understanding is that Harry joined up early in the war and came home on leave twice. When he returned to the front the second time, he was convinced that he was going to die, and put his affairs in order. I suspect that by 1918 few people believed that they could continue to survive.

    David Mears




    253326

    Cpl. Joseph Stuart Brown 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd Dec 1917)

    Joseph Brown served with the 7th East Yorkshire Regiment and died on the 23rd of December 1917. That's all I know so far.

    Chris Howard




    253322

    Rfmn. Samuel Horton 1/8th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.29th Jul 1918)

    Samuel Horton died whilst holding the Battalion's position on Montaigne de Bligny. His body was never found and his name appears on the Soissons Memorial. Samuel was my great uncle. Unfortunately my mother never knew him as he was the eldest son of my great grandmother and great grandfather. My grandmother was the youngest child of a large family.





    253321

    Pte. Martin Leonard 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.12th Oct 1916)

    Martin Leonard was my Great Grandad. He was killed in action when my Grandad, his only child, was 10 months old. When my Grandad died, I was given his father's death penny. I have spent a few years trying to find out where he was killed. I now know he his listed as missing on the Thiepval Memorial, and I think he may have died at the Battle of le Transloy.

    RIP, you are remembered.

    Carol Shaw




    253320

    Pte. Alfred Hugh Fitzhugh 8th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred Fitzhugh enlisted in September 1914 and went to France in August 1915 He was 17 years old and a member of a gospel hall Sunday school in Blackburn, Lancashire. He is presumed to have been killed at the Battle of Loos but his body was never found. His name is on the Loos Memorial. He was the son of Ernest and Kate Fitzhugh of Blackburn.

    Steven Fitzhugh




    253311

    Gnr. Henry Ablett A Battery, 71st Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.7th Apr 1917)

    Henry Ablett was the son of Charles Frank and Phoebe Ablett. One of two brothers serving in France, both keen horseman from a farming family.

    Keith Walters




    253310

    Pte. Edward Knight 18th Btn London Regiment (d.8th April 1917)

    My Great Uncle Ted Knight joined up with his younger brother Oscar Albert Knight (who joined the Royal Fusiliers and died on the 15th of September 1916). The family believes that he and his brother died within the same month as one another but we are unable to find Edward listed on the War Graves Commission site. We have his medals, still boxed, and with their pristine ribbons unattached, but as yet have been unable to find where he is commemorated.

    Editors note: Edward is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    Alanna Pritchard




    253308

    Pte. Thomas Wilkin MM. 40th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    My Grandfather, Thomas Wilkin won the Military Medal at the Battle of Hamelincourt, Flanders, in August 1918.

    John Wilkin




    253307

    Pte. Owen Shoulder 10th Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.18th Aug 1916)

    <p>Owen Shoulder on right

    Owen Shoulder served with the 10th Battalion, Scottish Rifles.

    Geraldine Hart




    253304

    Pte. Hugh Owen Edwards 16th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.8th October 1918)

    Hugh Edwards, son of William and Mary Jane Edwards of Holly House, Glascoed Road, Bwlchgwyn, North Wales, died in France on 8th of October 1918, aged 23. He is buried in Bois-Des-Angles British Cemetery at Crevecoeur-Sur-L'Escaut in France. His name appears on the War Memorial in Bwlchgwyn.

    Elizabeth Ross




    253299

    Pte. Benjamin Whale CdG. 9th Btn. Tank Corps (d.29th September 1918)

    <p>

    Ben Whale was killed at the Battle of St Quentin Canal, along with 5 other tank crew.

    John French




    253292

    Dvr. Elizabeth Lovejoy CdG

    Elizabeth Lovejoy, (nee Laver, and adopted c.1911 by Charles Lovejoy), was born in 1898 in Windsor, Berks and died in 1954 at Southend-on-Sea.

    Lady Londonderry's privately-founded and hugely-successful Women's Legion accepted girls as young as 16 years, though parental permission was needed to join the Legion, up to the age of 21 years. My Auntie Betty joined the Legion at the age of 17 with Grandpa Charlie Lovejoy's permission, in one of the first intakes in 1915. She trained as a motor driver and mechanic at Twickenham, and drove Ambulances, first in Flanders for the Belgians because the War Office wouldn't allow Legionnaires to serve in France, and then in Northern France for the British Army (after General Haig grudgingly-agreed to accept the help of the Legionnaires) until 1919. Somewhere I have a faded photo print of her leaning on the bonnet of a WW1 period Ambulance, and scribbled on the back is "Betty in Flanders"

    She was either seconded to work with the RASC at that point or with a Casualty Clearing Station, she never told me which. She did tell me she'd actually captured the crew of a downed German Observation plane, which crash-landed almost alongside the road she was driving with a casualty in the ambulance back to the CCS to which she was attached. Apparently she and her crew had "acquired" both a pistol and a rifle, from casualties she'd transported, so she and her colleague were armed, and the German aircrew surrendered to the girls! She got a couple of souvenirs out of that, the German Observer's Mondragon Rifle (which I was allowed to play with on special occasions when I visited her house, she told me gleefully she'd smuggled it home in a cello case), and the tail empennage of the aircraft (I recall she told me it was an Albatross) which she kept on display in her hallway at their house in Winchmore Hill.

    In 1919 and 1920, she continued in France as a driver working with the Labour Units Recovering The Fallen, because she'd lost her dear Uncle, Sgt. C1027 Walter Tindall, MM. 16th KRRC and she wanted to do her bit in recovering the remains of the dead.

    Then, on returning to the UK, she lived with Grandma Maud and her younger sisters Mercia and Jose at Grandpa's Bull Hotel in Peascod Street Windsor, until he died. Grandma Maud, almost prostrate with grief at the loss of her second husband (Charlie had adopted my Aunts Betty and Mercia Laver in 1911) they moved to Southend on Sea after Grandpa Charlie died suddenly in 1921.

    Auntie Betty wanted to earn her own living, and became a Companion and Chauffeur to a French widow who had a big house on the Cliffs at Westcliffe on Sea taking her employer touring all over the UK and the Continent. She sent daily picture post-cards home to the family on each trip, which were stuck into an album, eventually coming into my hands when my Mother died, until she met Uncle Phillip Denham, and married him sometime around 1930 or 31. They bought a house in rural Winchmore Hill. So her WVS Service during WW2 was in that part of London.

    She joined the WVS at the outbreak of the 1939-45 War, since it didn't look like the Legion was going to be successfully revived and by then she had a young daughter, my cousin Brenda born in 1934. After Uncle Phillip retired from the Board of Sarson's, they bought a house in Fermoy Road, Thorpe Bay, not far from my parent's house in Marlborough Road. I can remember her clearly, taking part in official post 1945 Parades marching with ex-WVS members, wearing her medals, the BWM and BVM from 1914-18, plus a Croix de Guerre from both Belgium and from France, and the Defence Medal, and the 1939-45 War Medal. I was still a teenager when she died of lung cancer in 1954, and I'm sad that I never got to know her better.

    Hopefully, this bit of family history will survive as a memorial.

    L.H.Wilson




    253290

    A/CSM. Francis Curran 1st Btn. Black Watch (d.18th Aug 1916 )

    <p>Frank Curran senior and junior

    Francis Curran was killed in action on the 18th of August 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

    C. Hoolihan




    253289

    Pte. Wilfred George Leeman 7th Btn York and Lancashire Regiment (d.14th May 1917)

    Wilfred Leeman, my Granfather's youngest brother died age 26. His Mother Annice Anne was a widow.





    253288

    Pte. Patrick Larkin 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.17th Apr 1918)

    Patrick Larkin was born in Bootle, Liverpool, but went to Halifax as a boy. He worked in a carpet mill before joining the army.





    253287

    Gnr. Leonard Edward Thomas Looseley 211th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather, Leonard Looseley, eventually known as Pop by both of his sons, all his grandchildren, and even his wife Elsie, joined the Army Reserve in December 1915 and was posted as a gunner in April 1917. From August that year until his transfer back to the Reserve in October 1919, he was in France and Belgium. He was various Siege Batteries, 417th, 142nd, 288th, and finally as a sergeant with the 211th.

    I know that by 1919 he was guarding prisoners. I have several pieces of memorabilia with inscriptions (sometimes misspelt) by prisoners, indicating Souvenir of Charleroi 1919. He was wounded twice, both times, it would seem, accidentally, possibly from the recoil of the 6" Howitzers he worked with. In later life, a whole wall of his living room was shelved with various artefacts from the war. I have a brass shell case of his which now serves as my umbrella stand. But I can't recall ever being told stories of his experiences, other than guarding the prisoners in Belgium.

    David Looseley




    253280

    Sgt. George Sanders Bull D Battery, 176th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.Jan 1984)

    Sergeant George Bull was wounded moving enemy trench mortars on 4th of September 1917 and got a Blighty wound.

    Rebecca




    253274

    Pte. George Frederick Keeling C Coy. 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.10th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    George Keeling was my second cousin. He was born in Bermondsey, London in 1893, the son of Henry and Mary. In 1911 he was a tea packer. George was killed in action on 10th of July 1915, aged 21. He is buried in the First DCLI Cemetery, The Bluff near Ypres in Belgium.

    Julie Apps




    253269

    2nd Lt. James Daniels 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.28th Sep 1918)

    James Daniels is bBuried in Gouzeaucort Cemetery in France. In 1995 my father was the only person ever to visit his cousins' grave. James was a 2nd Lieutenant and he died aged 21 years. His name is on the cenotaph in Hollinworth, Cheshire and in their Church.

    Kim Lewis




    253265

    Pte. Frank Clark 13th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.24th Sep 1917)

    Frank Clark was my grandmother's brother. He worked as a delivery driver for a building company. He was 23 when he died at Zillebeke during the Third Battle of Ypres. My family and I have been to his grave on 3 occasions at Larch Wood Railway Cutting. Reading the diaries of the 13th Gloucester Regiment, we believe he was working on tunnelling under Hill 60. None of his immediate family could afford to see his grave, so we feel privileged to keep his memory alive. Our grandson has just been called Frank after him.

    David Hemmings




    253253

    Pte. William Arthur Sharp 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    My uncle, William Sharpe died serving his country. He is still remembered 101 years on.

    Denise Senior




    253252

    Sgt. Sidney Lanfear 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.3rd Aug 1916)

    Sidney Lanfear died of wounds in Red Cross Hospital Netley. He is buried at St Nicholas Church in East Challow.

    Anne Grantham




    253248

    L/Cpl Albert Stanley Meyrick 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers (d.29th Sep 1918)

    Albert Meyrick was the brother of my Grandmother; he was apparently killed by a sniper on 29th of September 1918.





    253247

    Pte. James Currie Steele 10th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.8th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    James Steele worked in the coal mining industry in Ayr up till WW1 breaking out. In 1914 his beloved Mary died in childbirth with their 5th baby. Heartbroken and unable to hold down a full time job with 5 very young children to look after, he had no choice but to put them into care of the Quarrier Children's Homes in the Glasgow area.

    He joined the army in 1915 and was sent to the front. He survived until March 1918 when along with many other soldiers, became another victim of the horrors of the battlefield. Reunited in death with his beloved Mary.

    Their 5 children all survived and mostly went into service. Their 3rd child, Hannah Currie Steele, ended up living in England with one of her aunts who had moved down to England some years before. She had 4 children to 4 different fathers (marrying the 4th after WW2 ended). Only 1 of the 4 children knew about the other 3, because she was raised by the Aunt. That girl married and had 6 children of which the writer of this piece is one. It is only through the modern miracle of the internet, that it has now been possible to find out about, locate and reunite all members of this tragic family story, almost 100 years to the day that Gr.Grandpa Steele lost his life in battle. A series of memories, clues and dates fell into place and through using the internet, all data came together, introducing dozens of people to family members they never knew they had. Separated through time and tragedy, but united through the ether.





    253243

    Pte. Robert Moir Taylor Murdoch 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.14th June 1917)

    Robert Murdoch of the 1st Gordon Highlanders was killed in action and is remembered on the Arras Memorial. He was aged 19.

    Jennifer Allan




    253241

    Pte. John Browitt Fisher 6th Btn, A Coy. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    John Fisher is listed on the Menin Gate, so there is no known grave.

    Peter Fisher




    253238

    Gnr. Sidney Harris MM B Bty, 160th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Mar 1918)

    Sidney Harris served with B Battery, 160th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. I have no knowledge of the reason for which my uncle was awarded the Military Medal and wondered if anyone else knew what had happened.

    Paula Wigley




    253235

    Pte. Alan Barrington Marris 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Sep 1916)

    Barrington Marris was a pupil of Bedford School from 1904 to 1906. He lost his life serving with the 12th Middlesex Regiment in the Great War.

    Georgina Worboys




    253232

    Pte. Arthur Baker 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    Arthur Baker served with the 2nd Essex Regiment. I understand he was lost without trace. He worked with horses and animals, which he hated! He had a nephew named after him in 1925.

    Beryl Attwood




    253228

    Pte. Edward Grady 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.27th Sep 1916)

    Edward Grady was one of my great uncles, who died at the Battle of the Somme and is remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Catherine Burton




    253227

    Pte. John Thomas Collins 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.13th Jul 1916)

    My great uncle John Collins was killed in the Battle of the Somme. He was survived by his twin brother Alfred who himself was wounded in the head in Galipoli. Alf had a metal plate put into his skull and survived the surgery, but remained partially paralysed for the rest of his life in Birmingham.

    Garry




    253224

    Gnr. Frank Joel Moore 115th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Sadly I have little to retell except that Grandfather, Frank Moore was gassed and shell shocked but I don't remember him ever talking about the war and the horrors he must have seen. I can only say he was a wonderful Grandfather, always ready for a game and a laugh. Just wish as a child I'd appreciated him and his fellow soldiers. I do now. God bless them all.

    Anne Stredwick




    253223

    Private Vincent Taylor Leicstershire Regiment (d.18th April 1918)

    <p>Vincent's Paybook.

    Vincent died on the 18th April 1918 - 5yrs after the War a person from England was visiting Germany, when a person came out of a crowd and gave the person Vincent's Pay book/Last Testament asking the English person to pass this on to the family when they got back to England. The traveler duly returned the book to his mum, our great-grandmother, in Leicester 1925.

    Final Battle fields

    Certificate

    Adrian Wait




    253218

    Pte. Sidney Ford Lead 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>Sidney Ford Lead in 1918, aged 18

    Sidney Ford died on a foggy morning of 4th November, near Poix-du-Nord, Nord, France, during The Battle of the Sambre. He was hit by a German sniper as the leap-frog action of his and three other companies met a fierce barrage of fire. His grave can be found in the Englefontaine British Cemetery, Nord, France, a mile or two east of Poix-du-Nord. I would be grateful of any further information about the movements leading up to his death and of comrades who enlisted from Burslem and the area.

    Laurence Davidson




    253216

    Pte. George Christopher Connolly 22nd (7th City) Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.7th June 1916)

    <p>

    George Connolly served with the 7th Manchester Pals.

    Michael Connolly




    253214

    Sgt. John Grady 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.9th January 1917)

    <p>

    John Grady was one my great uncles on my father's side. Although I have researched family history, sadly I have not discovered much about him. I hope someone is able to add to his story.

    He is remembered with honour on the Basra Memorial.

    On the 9th of January 1917 an attack by the Manchester's division across the river at Kit, the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment got into the Turkish trenches and consolidated their position, the Turks counter attacked and a furious fight ensued. The trenches were held, but with severe casualties. John was one of them.

    Catherine Burton




    253213

    Pte, Lancelot Addison "Lall" Rudd 1/12th Btn. C Company Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    Lancelot Addison Rudd served with the 12th and 2/4th Battalions, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment during WW1. He served in Macedonia, Egypt, Salonika, Palestine and France. He was mustard gassed and also contracted malaria, but he safely returned home to his wife and family and died in 1966.

    Michele Sheppard




    253211

    Cpl. Joseph Burns North Riding Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.6th April 1917)

    Joseph Burns died at Hazebrouck Gas Training School, France. I believe he was an instructor and died when an ammunition truck exploded.

    Anthony Ian Anderson




    253207

    Pte. Hedley Tassart 6th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>No.16 Platoon, 2/6th Battalion, London Regiment at Sutton Veny

    I have found these records of my grandfather's brother, Hedley Tassart, who I believe died at Ypres.

    He was born and lived in Chelsea and served with the City of London Regiment. He was one of 4 brothers that served in WW1. The brothers were Reg, Albert and Cecil. My grandfather Albert Tassart served with the Post Office Rifles and was awarded the MM.

    Medal notification

    Gerry Barnard




    253204

    L/Cpl. Andrew Mortimer B Coy. 2nd/4th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.4th November 1918)

    <p>

    My grandfather, Andrew Mortimer was lost in the Great War. My grandmother lived until 1965, she never knew where or how he was killed or where he was buried. When she died her eldest son, my Uncle George, had the original war office telegram and his death penny.

    William Richardson




    253203

    Capt. Robert Cummings Elliott Royal Army Chaplains Department

    Reverend R.C Elliott was a Presbyterian minister. He joined up 1917 as a temporary Chaplain to the forces 4th class, and was attached to the 36th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery throughout the war. He brought his horse with him and both he and the horse survived the war. He was mentioned in dispatches twice, in 1918 and 1919. It would appear he wasn't demobilized until July 1919.

    Andrea Catherwood




    253200

    Pte. W. Rains 6th Battalion Manchester Regiment

    I bought a photo album of scenes of the 6th Battalion, Manchester Regiment in Egypt c1914-16 and one name in the photo collection is a Private W. Rains (having his hair cut). Possibly a Signaler?

    M. J. Barlow




    253199

    Pte. sydney Gilbert Ingram 5th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.16th June 1918)

    Sydney Gilbert, eldest of 13 children, enlisted in 1914. He died aged 21 on the 16th June 1918, 8 days before his youngest sibling, a brother, was born. The family lived at 16 Mobwell Terrace, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire.

    Simon Williams




    253195

    2Lt. Neville Lascelles Ward 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.23rd August 1914)

    Neville Ward died aged 20 on the very first day of fighting by British troops, leading a charge at Mons. He would have been my great uncle, had he survived. This is all I know.

    Jillian Gorton




    253194

    Pte William James Joseph Murphy 55th Battalion

    William Murphy was born 23rd of March 1897 at Junee, NSW. He enlisted on the Kangaroo March recruitment drive from Wagga Wagga to Sydney 1st of Dec 1915 to 7th Jan 1916. He arrived France with the A55th Battalion, AIF but was wounded on the 21st of May 1917, suffering a Gun Shot Wound to the left shoulder. He was admitted to the Kitchener Military Hospital on the 21st May 1917 and stay until the 25th Aug 1917. He was transported back to Australia 27th October 1917 and discharged.





    253188

    Pte. Frederick Bilding 20th Btn. London Regiment

    35 year old Frederick Bilding married 25 year old Rosina Elizabeth Jull at Greenwich Registry Office on the 8th of June 1915. He had enlisted with 20th County of London Regiment on 7th of April 1915. He was discharged a year later on the 28th of June 1916 as "No longer physically fit for service", he is believed to have been gassed. Fred was awarded the Silver War Badge. The badge was awarded to all of those military personnel who were discharged as a result of sickness or wounds contracted or received during the war, either at home or overseas.

    John Thomas




    253185

    Rfm George Hill 16th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd Mar 1916)

    <p>

    George Hill was my grand uncle; brother of my maternal grandfather James Hill.

    George was born at the beginning of 1900 in Rugeley, Staffordshire. George had two brothers and a sister, and wanted to follow his elder brother Arthur to war. At 15, he was too young to enlist, yet lied about his age and joined up against his family's wishes.

    He enlisted in the "Church Lad's Brigade", the 16th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, and was sent to France.

    George's father, Francis Hill, was enraged and wrote to the Regiment to have his son returned, but by the time he was found, George had passed 16, the age to enlist. Though still too young to serve at the front, George retained his position in the Regiment and was stationed at Bethune, France, for training.

    George was killed in an explosion during a training accident in Bethune, along with Rifleman George Henry Gibben C/1357 and Lance Sergeant John Turnbull C/345, with whom he is buried.

    Family tribute

    Mark Beard




    253183

    Sgt. Lister Walter Kaye 2nd/6th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    My son was given the task of researching a family member who had been involved in either the First or Second World War. We knew that we had a relative who had fought in World War One so we started digging.

    Lister Kaye was born in Workington in 1893. His mother died when he was 10. His father remarried and had three further children, the youngest of which was my grandfather, Ernest Graham Kaye. Ernest remembers, at the age of four, his half-brother swinging him up onto his shoulders. This would have been 1914, the year Lister enlisted. He served for four years. On 21st of March 1918, while he fought with the2nd/6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, he was involved in the first day of the massive German offensive, Operation Michael. He was killed at the Battle of St Quentin. He was 25 years old.

    Perhaps as a direct result of losing his half-brother, my grandfather became a conscientious objector in WW2. He had to go before a panel to explain his choice. If we learnt one thing from what he recounted, it was that life as a conscientious objector was miserable.

    Two very different, but equally heartbreaking stories.

    Natalie




    253182

    Pte. Arthur Fearnley 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Arthur Fearnley was wounded while serving with the 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment. He was treated at the East Leeds War Hospital (now the Thackray Museum) and then sent to Wharton Hall in Skelton to convalesce where he met his wife to be, Ada Alice Peat.

    Julie Fearnley




    253181

    Sgt. George William Wiggin DCM. 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    I never had the honour of meeting my Grandfather, George Wiggin. He died in the 1930's as a result of wounds he received during the Great War. According to my father he was an a quiet, proud man who suffered as a result of his war wounds. He was unable to find regular work because of his injuries. My father and his sister knew little of his war history because he was reluctant to recount his experiences. My Grandmother was immensely proud of her husband. They had been childhood sweethearts and she treasured the postcards he sent her during the war. Although he returned in 1919 a much changed man, her love for him never wavered.

    He joined the Lancashire fusiliers in 1912, family history suggests that he joined up because the Cotton Trade was enduring a slump and there wasn't enough money to feed the family. He was part of the British Expeditionary Force in 1914 and continued to serve throughout the entire war. He was wounded five times and spent at least one period in hospital back in England. He was awarded the DCM in 1917, after charging a German machine gun post. He killed several men and took others prisoners.

    I was given the middle name William in his honour, and in turn my first son also carries this name. I would like to think that his tradition will carry on in the future to remember the great sacrifices that he and my grandmother made.

    Keith Wiggins




    253172

    Pte. Joseph Pyrah 63rd Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.8th Oct 1918)

    A few days before his death Joseph Pyrah wrote to his wife and son "I will be glad when I am out of this damned place", it was his last letter.

    K Watson




    253167

    Pte. George Frederick Wise 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    My Grandad George Frederick Wise, served in the 17th Division of the 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment between 1915 and 1918. He was shot through the chin but returned to the front after hospitalisation. He did not talk about his exploits but my father told me that his dad had been at Ypres, the Somme and Paschendale. He lived until he was 86 and owned a bayonet believed to be of German origin which has unfortunately been lost over the years.

    Barry Wise




    253161

    2nd Lt. Edward McCormick F Coy. 4th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.1st Nov 1918)

    Edward McCormick was on reconnaissance near Ypres and was shot by a sniper.

    Carmel Reynolds




    253157

    CSM. Geoffrey William Lund 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.21st Apr 1917)

    My grandfather's name, Geoffrey Lund is one of four commemorated on a memorial in All Saints Church, Harbridge, near Ringwood, Hampshire, where his father was the incumbent. My father was born on in March 1917 so I would like to know if he was home on leave during the early summer of 1916.

    Jane Calver




    253155

    Pte. William Henry Thorley 13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Thorley was in the 13th Northumberland Fusiliers. He was captured in Hulluch which was near Loos, but survived. He got the British War Medal as well as the Victory Medal.

    After the Great War he served in Iraq where he got the General Service Medal with Iraq clasp.

    James Morris




    253154

    Rfmn. William John Dean 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.23rd Nov 2018)

    William Dean was wounded on the 4th of November 1918 in an operation that started at 04.15am from Chissignes. It was a successful operation. William was wounded in action and unfortunately died from his wounds on 23rd ofNovember 2018 in hospital in London. He is buried in a cemetery in Paddington.

    Peter Richardson




    253152

    Sgt. Eric William Knowles East Kent Regiment

    Eric Knowles served with the East Kent Regiment.

    William Knowles




    253151

    Pte. George Baker 20th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    George Baker served with the 20th Battalion, London Regiment.

    George Baker

    Kerrie Palmer




    253147

    Thomas Williams Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.2nd Nov 1922)

    Grandfather Thomas Williams served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was in hospital from 1917 until the day he died in 1922. He was shot in the neck in Ypres or Arras and it broke his collar bone. He was brought home through France and treated at County Of Middlesex War Hospital At Napsbury prior to being transferred to Edinburgh's Miliary Hospital at Craigleith before being transferred to The Red Cross Military Hospital, Bellahouston, Glasgow. He died 5 years later from his War wound.

    Jeanette Molloy




    253144

    Pte James Ferguson 12th Btn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    James Ferguson served with the 12th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The story my Grandfather always told us was the worst day. Running forward during an attack and he looked to his right to see his friend running with no head.

    Jim Carlisle




    253143

    Bmbdr. James Lawrence Earley 104th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.6th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Bombardier James Earley was married to my grandmother in 1916 and was killed on 6th of April 1918. He is buried at Doullens Cemetery in France.

    Joyce Dixon




    253142

    David Livingstone Jones 12th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    David Jones was one of nine brothers from Llanrwst, all but one came back.

    Diana Batchelot




    253141

    Pte. John McMahon 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.2nd Oct 1915)

    <p>

    John McMahon, born in Cara Street in Clones in 1892 was one of those who never came home. The youngest of the 13 children of William & Mary McMahon, John grew up in a staunch nationalist home environment, with his mother and many of his siblings taking an active role in the struggle for Irish independence. The harsh economic realities of life in the early years of the 20th century drove John down a different path and seen him enlisting in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. For many young men of his generation the British Army offered an opportunity for gainful employment and the excitement of travelling to the far corners of the then flourishing British Empire.

    Before the outbreak of World War 1 John was stationed in India, but in 1915 as hostilities escalated, John`s regiment was recalled to England prior to being deployed to the Western Front. Hoping he would be given some rest and relaxation after the seven week arduous journey on the high seas, John penned a letter to his mother back home in Clones. It would be the last contact Mary McMahon had with her youngest son.

    Dear Mother, Just a few lines hoping to find you well as I am well myself. We arrived in England on the 21st of this month, we were 7 weeks on the water. I got your letter when we arrived in camp. We are in Winchester Camp and it is very cold. We don't know when we are for the front. I expect it won't be very long. We might get 5 days pass, if I do you can expect me home in a couple of days. Goodbye, Wright soon Johnie.

    Private John McMahon, aged 23 years, died by a sniper`s bullet on Saturday 2nd of October 1915. His mortal remains lay in Hangard Communal Cemetery in the Somme region of Northern France.

    Paul McMahon




    253140

    L/Cpl. Jeremiah McSweeney 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.9th Oct 1915)

    Lance Corporal Jeremiah McSweeney was the son of John and Anne McSweeney. He died on the 9th October 1915 from wounds. He is buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery remembered with honour. He was aged 30 years.

    Kathy Leys




    253139

    2Lt. William Charles Brown 387th Siege Battery, 103rd Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th November 1918)

    <p>

    William Brown was born in 1889, he was called up when the Great War began. He was a reservist, having left the Royal West Kents in 1911. Given his commission in 1917, he was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 387th Siege Battery, the 103rd Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was 29 when he died just before the Armistice on 7th of November 1918. He had contracted dysentery in the trenches, and was sent home to recover. Sadly he developed pneumonia and died a month later at Sandy Lane VAD Hospital. He is buried at St Paul's, in Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells.

    His parents, William and Alice lived at Rusthall, at 38 Erskine Park Road. They had three further sons serving, all of whom survived. William's wife, Emma Elizabeth Brown, nee Bonnage (above, right), lived at 22 Templar Street, Dover. She later moved to 19 Union Road, Dover. She was born at 3 Magdala Road, and they had married in Dover in 1908. After his death Mrs Brown brought up their three sons, Peter, Stanley, and Leslie on her own. She died in 1949.

    Ian Baker




    253137

    L/Cpl. William Thomas Hancocks 16th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    In Memory of Lance Corporal William Thomas Hancocks,16th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, previously Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Killed in action WW1 (1914-18) Battlefields of the Somme on 21st March 1918, Aged 20.

    William Hancocks joined the Army at 16 years of age and fought bravely from the outset of WW1 in 1914 until he was killed in action a few months before WW1 ended.

    A letter from the Battlefield in the Somme (France) dated 18th April 1918 written by Captain W.T. Hale to Joseph Hancocks (William's father) reads:

    18th of April 1918

    Dear Mr. Hancocks,

    I am writing to tell you about your son Lance Corporal Hancocks. It is a story that has touched us all, and I feel proud to think I had the privilege of having your son in my Company.

    During enemy attack, by skilfully handling his gun, Lance Corporal Hancocks inflicted very heavy casualties on the German troops and continued to fire his weapon to the last. By his magnificent behaviour he saved several of his comrade's lives, that is those who could rally together while the enemy was being repelled by your son.

    I ask you to accept the deepest sympathy of all those who knew him. His fine example has inspired us all to further efforts.

    Believe me, Yours truly

    Signed W.T. Hale Captain

    Richard John Hancocks




    253133

    CSM. James Howes DCM. 18th (2nd South East Lancashire) Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

    The Distinguished Conduct Medal was awarded to J Howes for gallantry in the field in the face of the enemy. Conferment of the D.C.M. gallantry award was announced in the London Gazette of the 3rd of September 1919 and accompanied by a citation.

    "Since 9th September, 1917, his work has been continuously of the highest order. In the attack at Houthulst Forest on 22nd October, 1917, and the subsequent minor operations carried out by the battalion during the winter in Poelcapelle area, he displayed ..........."





    253132

    George H. Roach D Bty. 176th (Leicestershire) Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    I was given a post card of St Peter's church, Shipton Bellinger, Wiltshire which is dated Oct 1915 and is addressed to a Miss H Preston, 1 The Hill, Ashby de La Douch, Leicestershire.

    Before the message to this lady, it reads: 32272, D Battery, 176 Brigade, RFA, 34 Division, No 1 Camp, Boyton Park, Codford, Wilts. It is signed only by the initials GHR.

    I would very much like to know who this soldier was and what happened to him.

    Update: A search for the service number in the medal records reveals him to be George H Roach.

    Susan Linklater




    252988

    Pte. Frank Cecil Hoy 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.15th Sept 1917)

    Frank Hoy was my husband's great uncle who enlisted at Warley and died of his wounds on the 15th of September 1917, aged 23. He is buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery at Ficheux in France. The date of his death and place of burial indicate that he took part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres sometime after the Battle of Langemarck, but before the success of the Gheluvelt Plateau. More research to be done.

    Gillian Hoy




    252987

    Wilfred Jones

    My grandfather, Wilfred Jones served in WW1 and the family some have recollections that he fought at the Somme, but we do not know his service number or which regiment he served with. He survived the war but did not speak about it and we have no medals or artifacts to research. I know that he was probably only 15 at the start of the war but I know that many young men who signed up were under-age.

    I have searched records but could not find my grandad. The problem is that there seems to be lots of Wilfred Joneses. How can I best find him without having to shell out large sums of money on a speculative basis. Can anyone help?

    Michael Armitage




    252975

    Pte James Bennett 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    James Bennett was held as a POW in Hameln, Germany during the War.

    Mrs Patricia Atherton




    252972

    Pte. Charles William Fryer B Coy, 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.4th April 1916)

    Charles William Fryer served with the 10th Gloucesters. I know very little except that he left behind a wife and 3 children and is buried in a cemetery in Maroc, France. He was 26 years old.

    Ann Davis




    252966

    Pte. John Alfred Spencer 8th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.26th Sept 1918)

    <p>

    John Spencer served in three Regiments, the London Regiment, Suffolk Regiment and 8th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. 8th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, was formed in France on 25th of May 1918. They joined 121st Brigade and the 40th Division on the 20th of June 1918 and where in action in the final advance in Flanders John Alfred Spencer died Thursday 26th of September 1918.

    Lee Spencer




    252963

    Pte. Cyril Howard Nicholson CdG. 25th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.12th Oct 1918)

    Cyril Nicholson died as a POW after being taken prisoner on 9th of April 1918 at Ploegsteert Wood, near Falk Farm. He was hospitalised and died there due to malnutrition and dysentry. I am a great niece. We have no medals for Cyril,though there is a scrap of ribbon in a brooch for the Belgian Croix de Guerre. He was reburied at Terlincthen. If you have any info we would be grateful.

    His brother had joined up on 17th of August 1914 at St.Kilda Victoria, Australia with 9th Battalion, Australian Imperial Army and survived, never returning to Australia, but living at Edenvale, Tarbock Rd, Huyton, Lancs.

    Should you have any info for either brother, do please pass it on as I am trying to fit their movements together. We know they had a reunion somewhere in France or Belgium. Thank you

    C.D.Jones




    252959

    Gnr. John William Parkinson 110th Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.28th November 1917)

    Billy Parkinson served with A Battery, 110th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Graham Blount




    252958

    RQMS. William Thomas Fawn D Coy. 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.22nd Apr 1917)

    William Fawn, my great uncle was part of D Company, 6th Dorsets. Whilst in rear support, They left Wellington Quarry caves for the trenches at 11.50 pm. Whilst the Battalion were filing out of the caves, a shell fell just at the head of the exit, killing 6 and wounding 6 which included several important members of Quarter Master's Staff.

    Anthony Butler




    252956

    L/Cpl. Andrew Joseph Patrick Marron 21st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th Oct 1916 )

    <p>

    Andrew Marron was my great uncle. His name is on the Heanor War Memorial (his home town) and on the Thiepval Memorial.





    252955

    Lt David McLeod Craik MiD 145th Army Troop Company, (d.1938)

    Currently researching D. McL. Craik and his wife.

    T. Saunders




    252954

    Pte William Henry Weston 9th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.12th Oct 1917)

    William was in the AIF Australian Machine Gun Corps, 9th Coy.

    He was born in Wee Waa, NSW.

    His name is on the memorial at Menin Gates, Ypres. His older brother was Private Roy E Beckingham, 17th Battalion, AIF.

    Born Narrabri, NSW. KIA in Belgium, 1917-09-20.

    He too is named on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres.

    I hope this information is able to help you.

    Michelle Cannings




    252952

    Cpl. George Gorman 12th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.18th Aug 1917)

    George Gorman was killed in the Battle of Langemark on 18th of August 1917 serving with the 12th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment. He was originally in the 4th Battalion Kings Own Lancaster Regiment. He lived in Tyson's Square, Ulverston, then on Lancashire and was married to Margaret Ann. They had 2 children, William and Edith Mary. George worked as a shipyard labourer. George's parents William and Mary Gorman lived in Moseley Street, Blackburn, Lancashire. George was born in Kendal, Cumbria.

    George is remembered on the Cenotaph in both Kendal and Ulverston.

    David Woodward




    252951

    Pte. William Alfred Davis 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.20th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    William Davis died of wounds in a hospital in Boulougne on 20th of March 1915 after the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. He is buried in a cemetery in Boulogne and we visit him annually.

    Austin Dunn




    252949

    Pte. Richard Stanley Edwards 5th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Regiment

    Richard Edwards, known as Stanley, joined up in August 1918. He was 17. He went to France and fought in the final few months of the war. He wrote a diary which I now treasure including a detailed map of the Battle of Havrincourt.

    April Gold




    252948

    Harry Frederick Welham 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    Serving with the 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment, Harry Welham died on the 13th of October 1915 aged 18. Son of George and Elizabeth Welham of 118 Blackfriars Rd, Gt Yarmouth. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial

    Judith




    252945

    A/Bmbr. William Parkinson Allen 255th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th Nov 1917)

    William Allen was my 1st cousin, twice removed. He was the only child of Christopher and Sarah Allen (nee Parkinson) of Hassall House Farm, Elswick near Kirkham, Lancashire. He was born in 1894.

    He was killed in action on the final day of the Third Battle of Ypres, aged 24. He is buried at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord. There is also a memorial to William in the churchyard at the Elswick Memorial Unitarian Church.

    Ian Gunn




    252944

    Pte. Peter Bagan 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    My great uncle Peter Bagan was born 26th of August 1899 and died in Reugny, France, while on active service on 2nd of September 1918, aged 18 years. Peter has always been our family hero and we all love him so much.

    Teresa Lowe




    252943

    Pte. Stanley George Portch 12th (The Rangers) Btn. London Regiment

    My great uncle Stanley Portch was only 17 when he joined up in 1914 making out he was 18. He was in the 12th Battalion London Regiment and the Machine Gun Corps and served throughout the war and was demobbed in Feb 1919. His army records were destroyed in the WW2 London blitz. He refused throughout his life to discuss his service in WW1. He died aged 76.

    Colin Portch




    252942

    Pte. Russel Bernhardt Salzmann 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.8th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Russel Salzmann served with the 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment.

    Nigel Mann




    252935

    Pte Fredrick William Barber 5th Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.25th Oct 1916)

    Fred Barber was born in 1889 and was the son of Arthur Henry, a stoker at the local rubber factory, and Emily Barber (nee Chapman) of Retford. He had 8 siblings and in the 1911 census the family were living at 36 Trent Street, Retford. Fred was single and a rubber mat maker by trade.

    On 10th of February 1916 at St Peter's Church, Leeds, Fred married his wife Alberta Boshell of 2 Pullan Place, Beeston, Leeds. At the time of his marriage he was a serving soldier and was living at 36 Trent Street, Retford.

    Fred enlisted at Retford but gave his residence as being in Beeston. He at first served with the Sherwood Foresters Notts and Derbys Regiment with service number 4461 but later transferred to the 5th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Regiment. He died on 25th of October 1916 and is buried in Agny Military Cemetery, France.

    Retford Times of the 17th of November 1916 reported, "Pte F W Barber, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, son of Mr and Mrs Barber, Trent Street, was accidentally killed in France on Oct 25th. His parents first received the sad news from his chum and last week official intimation arrived from the War Office. The gallant soldier who was 27 years of age, enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters (TF) in November last year and later on was transferred to the Oxford and Bucks Regt. He went to France in March of this year and was wounded by shrapnel in the head during the push in July. Prior to enlisting he was employed for 14 years at the Northern Rubber Works. Pte V Wightman, one of Pte Barber's comrades, has written a letter of sympathy to his parents explaining the circumstances of his death. "

    Fred was my Great Uncle.

    William Jennings




    252934

    2nd Lt. Harry Spencer Seabrook 16th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.12th Jul 1916)

    Harry Seabrook was killed whilst leading a trench raid in the area of Richebourg.

    David Seabrooke-Spencer




    252932

    L/Cpl. Solomon Harrison 2/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.5th Nov 1915)

    Solomon Harrison was my grandfather. He was a Lance Corporal with 2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, and was killed in action in France on 5th of November 1915 and is buried in Aveluy Communal Extension Cemetery. He left behind a wife, Elizabeth and four children.





    252931

    Pte. Richard Riley 11th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Jul 1917)

    I've adopted this soldier by the project in Belgium "Coming World Remember Me". An art installation in Zillebeke near Ypres. 600,000 little statues were made by people. The statues represent the 600,000 casualties (dead and/or missing) on Belgian ground. Soldiers as well as civilians. Richard Riley is remembered with honour on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

    Annelies Swaenepoel




    252930

    Pte. Edward Kemp 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.19th Aug 1915)

    Edward Kemp was the beloved husband of Edith Oldham, dearest Father of Marion and Harold.





    252919

    Gnr. Wallace Jones D Battery, 64th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.17th Oct 1917)

    Wallace Jones was my great uncle who went off to war never to return home to Awre in Gloucestershire.

    Viv Jones




    252916

    Pte Thomas Mordle 11th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.6th Aug 1917)

    Not a lot is known, except that Uncle Thomas Mordle had been detached to 112th Infantry Brigade HQ as a runner. He was either wounded by shellfire or by a German sniper whilst going about his duty. Most likely he was taken to Dozinghem Field Hospital where he died of wounds on 4th of August 1917, and was buried at Dozinghem War Cemetery,at Poperinge West Vlandren (Flanders). He left a wife and two young sons back in Midhurst, Sussex. She went on to remarry in 1919 to Leonard William Lewis. He was the stepson of her sister who had married his father in 1908. They went on to adopt a girl in 1927/28 who had been born illegitimate to one of Leonard's sisters.

    Even though no one ever knew Thomas, he is not forgotten.





    252913

    Cpl. Donald Alexander Sinclair Morris C Coy. 15th Btn. Royal Scots (d.26th Aug 1917)

    Donald Morris was born in Edinburgh in 1885 to David and Isabella Morris (nee MacKay) and was the 5th of 8 children. He was a soldier in the 15th Royal Scots, which was formed at Edinburgh in September 1914 by the Lord Provost. He was killed on the 26th of August 1917 in France and his name is listed on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Donald's younger brother Thomas Anderson Morris (320295), born in 1894 in Edinburgh, was also killed in France on the 24th of March 1918 and is buried in the Doullens Communal Cemetery. He was a soldier in the Royal Army Medical Corps and died of wounds in the 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Doullens, France. The commanding officer of the hospital was Lt Col John McCrae, who wrote 'In Flanders Fields'.

    Linda Ryan




    252912

    L/Cpl. Sam Dance 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    Sam Dance served with the 8th North Staffordshire Regiment.

    Gary Rogers




    252910

    Pte. James Gray 2nd Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th April 1918)

    My great Uncle James Gray who died 24th of April 1918 and has no known grave. His name is remembered at the Pozieres Memorial





    252907

    Pte. Thomas Ballantyne Burnett 12th Btn. Royal Scots (d.24th Apr 1918)

    Remembering with gratitude my great uncle, Thomas Burnett, aged 18, who died at the Battle of the Lys. Remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. I am still looking for his name on a Memorial in his own country.

    Fay MacNeill




    252905

    Pte Harry George Noyce 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.30th Jun 1918)

    Grandfather, Harry Noyce was never talked about by my mother. I only found out about him through my niece who is trying to build a family tree. I visited his grave site in Belgium where he is buried in a joint grave with another. I would appreciate it if anyone can give me any information.

    Peter Charles Doling




    252904

    Pnr. Milton Thompson No 1 Section, 316th Road Construction Coy. Royal Engineers (d.20th Feb 1919 )

    Milton Thompson died on 20th of February 1919 in his home village of Youlgrave, Derbyshire. He had returned home from France after being gassed. He took to his bed and died a few days later from pleuro pnuemonia and influenza. He is buried in a military grave in Youlgrave churchyard a few yards from his home.

    Steven Thompson




    252903

    Pte. Charles Jacob Zorn 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    Charles J. Zorn was born in Manchester. He was married with three children and lived in Hotel Street, Earlestown. He worked at Collins Green Colliery, and had in earlier days been a sailor. He was born in Germany and in 1911 was working as a butcher and living at 23 Thomas Street in Birkenhead with his wife Annie who was born in Liverpool and their son Charles J. Zorn, age 2 months, born in Birkenhead, Cheshire.

    He enlisted in May 1915 and, according to the obituary published in the Newton and Earlestown Guardian on 5th of May 1915, after a few weeks training was drafted to Suvla Bay in Gallipoli. From there he was sent to Egypt, and finally to the Persian Gulf, where he was attached to the force that was attempting to relieve Townshend at Kut.

    Charles's name is on the Basra Memorial in Iraq which bears the name of more than forty thousand members of the Commonwealth Forces who died in the operations in Mesopotamia from the autumn of 1914 to the end of August 1921 and whose graves are not known.





    252902

    Pte. Edward Cullen 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1918)

    Edward Cullen was my great great uncle. He was born in 1899, son of Patrick and Mary Cullen of 86 St Anne Street, Birkenhead. He was a Private in the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Edward was Killed in action in Flanders on the 27th of September 1918 at the age of 19. His body was never found.

    Stephen Jones




    252898

    Pte Samuel Fear 9th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.11th Nov 1915)

    Samuel Fear was the husband of Elizabeth and brother of Gilbert. He lived in Gelli in the Rhondda. He was 35 years old when he died on the Western Front. He was my great uncle.

    John Fear




    252897

    Rflm Sidney Wilson 2nd Btn, Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.12th May 1915)

    Sidney Wilson was 19 years of age when he was killed.

    Lindy David




    252895

    Pte. John Alfred Lamb 162nd Company Machine Gun Corps (d.26th Apr 1917)

    John Lamb was born on 5th of September 1895 in Coventry, St Peter, Warwickshire. He lived with parents William and Lucy Lamb and 7 siblings. He joined the Army in 1914 and died on the 26th of April 1917 at St Quentin, in France. Before enlisting he worked as a machinist in The Challenge Cycle Company in Coventry

    Angela




    252894

    Pte James Henry Webster D Coy. 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    My Great Uncle Harry Webster worked as a mechanic at the Darnall Motor Company in Sheffield before enlisting. My father, Harry, was named after his uncle, as James Henry was always called Harry. I am in possession of the Great War deaths and the page where my great uncle is listed, showing his photograph, the page is dirty where the book has been opened at that page and looked at many, many times. So sad.

    Janice Jex




    252889

    Pte. John Bradshaw 6th Btn. Royal Munster Fusilliers (d.1958)

    John Bradshaw served with the 6th and 2nd Battalions, Royal Munster Fusiliers.





    252887

    William George Hoare HMS Glory

    William Hoare served on HMS Glory from 9th of December 1917 until 28th of October 1918. He landed for active service at Murmansk on 7th of March 1918 and on the 18th of July 1918 he landed at Pechenga.

    Robin Hoare




    252885

    Gnr. George Day MID. 126th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    George Day serving with 126th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was mentioned in despatches in Routine Orders No 19 on 1st of July 1916 for an Act of Courage.

    Anthony George Day




    252878

    Pte. Sydney Scott Letts 16th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.9th July 1916)

    Sydney Letts was 36 when he died of wounds received on 1st of July 1916 at Beaumont Hamel. He was a stretcher bearer. Although in the Public Schools battalion, he was only a cellar hand in Chesea. After being wounded in the thigh, he was sent to No. 1 Stationary Hospital in Rouen. He had gas gangrene and but was quite aware and able to talk to the orderly about Chelsea life and smoke his pipe, he was given champagne to help with his blood but died at around 0515 on 9th of July. (All this information from correspondence between his widow and a hospital orderly, but may have been edited by the orderly to make things easier for her). He is buried at St Sever Commonwealth War Cemetery, Rouen.





    252869

    L/Sgt William Mackey 12th Battalian Durham Light Infantry (d.26th May 1917)

    William Mackey is my grand father. He enlisted at Newcastle in 1914. He left a wife and two sons, my dad was 2 years old, and his brother, who was not born at the time of his death.

    He is buried at Railway Dugouts Burial Ground Ypres. RIP.

    Raymond Mackey




    252868

    Pte. Frank Arthur Proctor 10th (Stockbrokers) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.25th August 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Proctor was born on 2nd of October 1899 in Surbiton. He joined up on 13th of January 1917, aged barely 17, only 5 foot tall, weighing 6 1/2 stone, a mere boy. So very sad. His younger sister, Nancy, used to talk of him with great affection. He was killed right near the end of the war, at Favreuil, on 25th of August 1918, and is buried at the Railway Cutting Cemetery at Courcelles-le-Comte in France.

    His nephew, Clive Strutt, laid a wreath on his grave on the centenary of his death. We wish we could have known him. Rest in Peace, Uncle Frank.

    Maggie Strutt




    252864

    Pion. Henry Grosvenor "Alec" Moorcroft TIF Signal Coy. Royal Engineers

    Henry Moorcroft was my grandfather. He was born 23rd of March 1899 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. He served with the TIF Signal Coy, Royal Engineers in the Great War. He was was admitted to Bricket House on 5th of Feb 1918 for 17 days. Discharged Back to Duty on 21st of Feb 1918. He survived WW1 and in WW2 he went on to be a Sargent in the Home Guard. He died in January 1977, aged 78.

    Jacqueline Davis




    252861

    Pte. Thomas Bales 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    Thomas Bales was my great great uncle. I have all his medals, dog tags and cap badge. I was left them by my grandfather in his will. I remember talking to uncle Tom as a boy and being told to speak loud as he was deaf from shelling in the war and being told to sit still so he could see me as he was nearly blind from being gassed. I know nothing more than that, except his sister never married as she cared for him from the time he returned from the war till his death many years later.





    252854

    Pte. Joseph McPartland 13th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    Joseph McPartland served in three different Regiments, 21st West Yorks Regiment, 13th York & Lancaster Regiment and the Northumberland Fusiliers.





    252850

    Private Dick Ward Signals Section, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.15th June 1917)

    Dick Ward was born at Charity Farm, Skipwith in 1897 was the youngest child of Frank Ward (b. South Milford, 1854) and Annie Gertrude Durham (b. Wheldrake, 1854). Frank and Annie married in 1876 and had 10 children. Annie died in 1900 when Dick was aged 3. It is likely, Dick was brought up by his older sister Annie Elizabeth (b. 1871 d. 1958). Annie Elizabeth was 21 when their mother died.

    Dick’s burnt war records show he was 19 when he joined the Gordon Highlanders in Aberdeen on the 7th of February, 1916. Dick signed on in Aberdeen as his Attestation dated 9th of February 1916 gives his address as Stamford Bridge where he was a Farm Servant and it appears living at home, Danegelt House. It’s uncertain why Dick joined the Gordon Highlanders and signed on in Scotland. Perhaps he was estranged from his father and family, perhaps he had found work in Scotland or perhaps he had just run away from home to join up!

    Dick was posted, presumably for training, on the 11th of February 1916. On the 1st of November 1916 he sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne, then onwards to Etaples, a fishing port and base camp 15 miles south of Boulogne. Etaples was an important base for the British Army, using Boulogne as its port for personnel. Calais was used mainly for stores, ammunition, etc. Etaples was the BEF's main infantry base, with sections for every regiment with battalions at the front. In theory, the base held a ten per cent reserve for every frontline battalion, but these figures fluctuated significantly depending on the levels of casualties at the front and the supply of fresh troops from England. Troops held at the base were toughened up while waiting dispatch to the front. Etaples serviced the Regular and New Army battalions at the front and included 16 hospitals. Having passed through Etaples. Dick was posted to the front on 20th of November 20th 2016. Dick is likely to be one of the 19 other rank soldiers who arrived in Vauchelles on 23rd of November.

    In June 1917 the 1st Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders were involved in the Battle for Infantry Hill. Infantry Hill near Monchy-le-Preux, southeast of Arras, exchanged hands several times. It was captured in May but retaken by the Germans, and captured again by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. By the middle of June it was once more in German hands, but on the 14th June of a surprise daylight attack was made by the 1st Gordon Highlanders and the 1st Essex, without artillery support. Success was achieved very quickly, but the enemy drove them off and the attack had to be made one more time to secure Infantry Hill for the British. Dick’s records state he was killed in action on the 22nd of June 2017. He was actually killed on Friday 15th of June 1917, the Battle for Infantry Hill. He spent only 7 months in action on the front line.

    On the 28th June his father Frank wrote to Dick’s commanding officer for further details of his son’s death. Apparently in the notification of Dick’s death no date had been stated. He was checking whether the notification of his son’s death was true. He also queries whether he can have Dick’s possessions and whether or not Dick had made a will. In response on the 2nd July the Major requires more details of Dick’s regiment. Frank’s reply on the 4th July is, I think, very poignant, he writes ‘I hope you will be able to trace him’. Clearly my Great Grandad hopes the notification of Dick’s death is a mistake! A letter from the War Office in London dated 11th of October 1917 advises the Officer i/c Infantry Records in Perth to dispatch Dick’s belongings to Frank in Stamford Bridge. On the 22nd October Dick’s possessions were forwarded to his father. They were, A disc, a Pocket Book, Photographs, Signal Certificate, AFB 2079, 1 receipt, his Registration Card and a Society Card. So few personal items.

    On the 22nd of October 1919 Frank received a letter from the Officer in charge of Records asking for a declaration regarding Dick’s relatives so the Death Plaque and medals could be issued. Frank completed the declaration on the 3rd November 1919. At this time Frank describes himself as a farmer and is still living in Stamford Bridge. Frank is 60 and his brothers Willie (39) Frank (35) and Peter (29) are living on the farm. Nearly 2 years later in October 1921 Frank finally received Dick’s British War Medal and Victory Medal. My Great Uncle, Private Dick Ward of the Signals Section, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Just one of 34,816.

    Barbara Williams




    252847

    Mechn. Herbert Henry Jordan HMS Ajax (d.5th May 1944)

    Herbert Jordan, who was my Great Grandfather on my mothers side, he fought in WW1 and was re-called at the start of WW2 after already doing 20 years service. He served on HMS Ajax, HMS Nile, HMS Rennet, HMS Barnet and HMS Pembroke.

    He died after falling into the hold on HMS Pembroke whilst it was docked in Alexandria, Egypt. He was sent home for an operation on an abscess behind his ear which unfortunately went badly and he died on the operating table when my grandmother was just 14.

    Natalie Jay




    252846

    Pte. Harry Gaunt 2nd Btn South Staffordshire Regiment (d.18th May 1915)

    Pte. Harry Gaunt died at the Battle of Festubert.

    Dianne Brown




    252842

    Cpl. John James Turney 67th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    John Turney served with 67th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Jennifer Gray




    252839

    Pte Victor George Church 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.7th August 1918)

    Victor Church was born in Norfolk, one of the eleven children of Robert & Eliza Jane Church. The family had moved to Yorkshire to find work in the mills and coal mines of the area, leaving behind their rural roots. Shortly after moving north, his father Robert died leaving Jane to bring up the family. Victor was unmarried and the only sibling who did not survive the war.

    Kath Martin




    252838

    Lt William Boyd Mitchell Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Will Mitchell was wounded on the 23rd of April 1917 at Arras. He earned the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Silver War Badge





    252836

    Sgt. James Brady 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.6th November 1917)

    James Brady was my great uncle, brother to my maternal grandmother. He was born in Aldershot Barracks as his father was based there with the Leinsters. James was in the South Lancs but transferred to Leinsters. He is buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery.

    Phil Canty




    252835

    Gnr. John Thomas Lee 22nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st September 1918)

    John Lee was aged 22. Born and resident in Bolsover he enlisted at Mansfield. Son of John and Eliza Lee of Bolsover, Derbyshire, he is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery at Wimille in France.





    252833

    L/Cpl. Henry Stanley Missen 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.3rd May 1917)

    Lance Corporal Henry Missen of the 8th Battalion, the Rifle Brigade was killed on the 3rd of May 1917 during an attack on Cherisy Village. He was awarded the 1914/1915 Star.

    Robert Stanley Missen




    252829

    Pte. William George Wall Army Service Corps

    George Wall was gassed at Merville, France and by late July 1918 transferred to Ward 6 at Oakbank War Hospital, Glasgow, I have a photograph of William George Wall possibly taken in January 1918 before he went to France.





    252825

    Pte. Alexander Cameron 11th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th December 1918)

    Alexander Cameron was born in April May or June 1833 in Appleton Wiske, but there is no record of his Baptism at St. Mary's. His father John Cameron was a Schoolmaster born Scotland and his mother was Agnes Bell Cameron. In 1891 he was living in Appleton Wiske Age 7, a Scholar, in 1901 he was living 2,4,6 & 8 Sussex Street and working as a Drapers Assistant Age 17. In 1911 he was living at 6 Salisbury Place in Bishop Auckland.

    He enlisted in 1915 as a Private in 11th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He was living in Wingrove, Stanley, Co Durham and married to Ethel who was born 10th April 1894. Alexander died on the 9th of December 1918 aged 35.

    Ken Blackwood




    252824

    Pte. Charles Edward Fortnam 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    After arriving in France in July 1915, Pte. Charles Fortnam was injured in a gas attack, probably at the Third Battle of Ypres. He was hospitalised with chemical burns to his lungs, which affected him for the rest of his life. Following discharge from hospital, he was posted to 964 Coy. Labour Corps for a while then subsequently posted to the 43rd (Garrison) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, which was responsible for guard duties at the 5 British Forces HQs in France. He remained with the Royal Fusiliers until discharged at the end of the war.





    252823

    Pte. James Watts 7th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

    <p>

    My grandfather, James Watts, served in the 7th Scottish Rifles in Gallipoli and in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. He was born in Glasgow in 1894 and he died in Leicester in 1944.

    Lindsey Watts




    252821

    Pte. Ernest Victor Taylor South Staffordshire Regiment

    Ernest Taylor was a professional soldier, serving from 1913 to 1925. He joined at 15 from military school and was a musician, playing the clarinet and so was a stretcher bearer during the war.

    Gillian Taylor




    252818

    Pte. Ebenezer Forsyth 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.24th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Ebenezer Forsyth served with the 1st Gordon Highlanders.

    Ian Milne




    252817

    Pte. Frederick Goodwin 9th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.17th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Goodwin served with the 9th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.

    Steve McAllister




    252808

    Pte. Joseph Johnson MID 4th Battalion Kings Regiment (Liverpool)

    Joseph Johnson was my great grandfather. I have his medals and his original citations for his Mention in Dispatches, that's why I know he was in the King's Regiment. We have have his snuff box he had on the Somme which is dated 1916 with his name and location on it.

    I never met him but my own mother (his granddaughter) told me he was virtually deaf from the guns, but she remembers him as a very kind and loving grandfather, who was called pops not granddad. He never mentioned the War and would never talk about it. He grew up in Stavley, Cumbria and lived there after his service. He served with the Border Regiment in a battalion that was virtually wiped out, and then he was transferred to the Kings on what I can find on his records

    Mike Holloway




    252807

    Cpl. George Bee 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.11th June 1915)

    George Bee was killed in action on the 11th of June 1915 and was buried in Rue-David Military Cemetery at Fleurbaix in France.





    252799

    Pte. Thomas Taylor 8th Btn. West Surrey Regiment (Queens) (d.25th Sept 1915)

    On Remembrance Day 2017 we discovered a relative of my wife's mother, Thomas Taylor was recorded on the war memorial opposite St Luke's church South Park Reigate. The family Taylor had lived in and around Charlwood and Reigate and mainly worked as agricultural labourers. Thomas was one of 6 and is recorded on the 1901 census as being in Reigate workhouse. He and his brother Stephen joined the Queens Royal West Surrey's at the start of the war. He was allocated to the 8th Battalion whose first action was to be at the Battle of Loos in September 1915.

    The battalion was a reserve and due to poor logistics arrived late on the first day 25th September and did not go into action until the 26th. However, Thomas was killed on the 25th and his body was never found. He is recorded on the memorial in the Military Cemetery at Loos-en-Gohelle as well as the one in South Park.

    His brother, my wife's grandfather, survived the War although gassed. He never mentioned his brother to any of the family.

    David Mercer




    252797

    Pte. Justin McCarthy 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers

    <p>

    Justin McCarthy served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. All I know of my grandfather's service record was that he joined up in 1914 from the Tralee Barracks in Kerry. He fist saw action in Mons after arriving in France in September 1914. He saw action throughout the war. He was buried alive for 3 days, reported missing presumed killed in action. He suffered gas attack injuries but returned home after the war and married and had 4 children. He died of throat cancer in 1961.

    Kevin McCarthy




    252795

    Pte. William Flynn 5th (Pioneer) Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.24th January 1918)

    William Flynn was my great uncle. I only discovered him in September 2018. He died at sea in January 1918.

    Edmond C Byrne




    252793

    Pte. Claud Humphrey Smith 1/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.27th August 1917)

    I have just started researching Claude Smith who died on the 27th of August 1917.

    Peter Newman




    252791

    CSM. Ivyston Stanley Stock 13th Battalion Kings Regiment (Liverpool)

    Ivyston Stock served with the 13th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment. I know very little about my grandfather's military career as I keep hitting brick walls with my researching.

    Tony Knell




    252789

    Dvr. Fred Couzens 35th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Fred Couzens signed up on 7th of July 1914. He held the rank of driver. His pension record says he suffered from nerves on discharge when examined in Edinburgh in Dec 1918.

    Julie White




    252788

    Lt John Richard "Jack" Blabey 17th Btn King's Liverpool Regiment

    <p>

    Jack Blabey was my maternal grandfather. In 1914, he was an upper sixth former at Liverpool College, where he had served in the Officers' Training Corps from 1911, reaching the rank of Corporal OTC. Along with OTC colleagues, Jack volunteered on 1914-08-28, at Lord Derby's invitation to form a 'Battalion of Pals'. Such was the uptake that three Battalions of Liverpool Pals (the first of the Pals Battalions) were provided for on that day.

    Jack, however, was under-age, as the Attestation age for active service was 18 years and 6 months. However, Jack's name was taken and, in October, Jack received his papers to attend for duty.

    By then, the first three Battalions were provided for, so he enlisted into the 20th Battalion - the '4th City Pals'.

    The Pals Battalions spent months acquiring soldierly skills, and were short of officers. As OTC members, Jack and his colleagues knew much and were deemed to have officer-lie qualities. He was trained and commissioned into the 17th Battalion (1st City Pals) as a Second Lieutenant, KLR in February 1915.

    Training of the Liverpool Pals Brigade was completed at Knowsley, Belton Park and Larkhill, before the Brigade was deployed to France, in the Somme sector, in November 1915.

    The Liverpool Pals served with distinction in the Battle of the Somme, achieving their objectives on the first day, seizing the village of Montauban, with the 17th, 19th and 20th Battalions suffering relatively few casualties.

    The 18th Btn suffered heavy casualties and required refitting before further service. Later in the battle, the Liverpool Pals were back in action, in an attempt to move forwards and take the village of Gillemonte, attacking over open ground and with German machine gunners firing from an enfilade on the left. As the attack progressed on 30th July, Jack suffered a serious head wound, when a German machine gunner sighted his platoon moving. Fortunately, he had his helmet pushed back as he scanned the horizon with his binoculars and his Brodie helmet stopped the bullet; however several shards of the helmet, which shattered, pierced the back of Jack's skull and knocked him out. He was found by his soldiers and recovered back to a field hospital, from where he was evacuated for a series of operations, over the next three months, to remove most of the shrapnel.

    Jack was pronounced medically fit for active service in April 1917 and, in view of the seriousness of his wound, sent to a quiet front - the Macedonian Front, at Salonika. This was far from quiet, however, and Jack fought with the 14th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment, including the action around Doiran and was wounded, once more, on active service, and also caught malaria. He was hospitalised and evacuated back to Britain, in August 1918.

    In view of his injuries and malaria, Jack was no longer fit for overseas service, so was sent to help training with the 3rd Battalion KLR, then posted to their barracks in Cork.

    So, while his First World War was over, he soon became tied up with the Anglo-Irish War, in which he lost two friends - but that is another story. Jack was demobbed in 1919, retaining his rank as Lieutenant.

    Alan Cartwright




    252786

    Pte. Samuel Arthur Biddle 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Samuel Biddle took part in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment action at the Battle of the Somme. He was killed in action aged just eighteen.

    Robert C Pedler




    252785

    L/Cpl. John Henry Marris 7th Btn Lincolnshire Regiment (d.2nd Mar 1916)

    Jack Marris was the son of John Marris, ironstone miner, and his first wife, Mary Amelia (nee Guestford). He was step-brother to my grandmother, Rose Ada Marris, daughter of John (senior) and Fanny Maria (nee Lawrance), his second wife.

    It was believed by some of the family that Jack died near Arras, but Regimental and other records place Jack's unit (much further north, in French Flanders or Belgium. John Henry Marris has no known grave, but is commemorated by name on the Menin Gate Memorial and on the CWGC website. Remembered with honour.

    Ken Silver




    252784

    Pte. John Dyer 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.18th Oct 1916)

    The only story I have of my great uncle, John Dyer is that the family threw a huge party for him when he was home on leave. I presume this would be early 1916. He told his family that it would be a one way trip to the front and that he would perish along with his comrades. What courage to return to certain death and what must he have seen to be all too aware of his fate?

    Stephen Fleming




    252780

    Pte. John Paterick "Paddy" Reid 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Jack Reid left Ireland and joined the British Army, 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. He was sent to France where he received severe facial and arm wounds on 10th of August 1917 at the age of 22. Paddy was returned to England for treatment at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup. Here he received facial reconstruction as a patient of Dr. Gillies. Paddy also met and married a local girl, Kathleen Price, who we believed worked at the hospital. They lived in Orpington and St Mary Cray area and brought up a family of seven. Paddy worked at Fort Halstead as an engineer until retirement. He very rarely spoke of his wartime experiences.

    Frank Reid




    252779

    L/Cpl. Albert Roscoe 10th Btn Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    Albert Roscoe served with the 10th and 1/5th Battalions, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was wounded on the 1st of August 1916 in, France. He was again wounded and captured on the 30th of August 1917 in the Honnecourt Sub-sector in France.

    M J Roscoe




    252778

    Capt. Lawder Benjamin Sandys Smith MC MiD. 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    <p>

    Lawder Smith served with the Army Service Corps as a Lieutenant and arrived in France on the 12th of August 1914. He transferred to 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers in June 1916 and fought on Somme, where he won the MC at Lesboeufs on the 12th of October 1916, where he was wounded. He then transferred to 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment in February 1917 then 119th Regiment, Indian Army in Feb 1918 and served until 1923 in Mesopotamia and Waziristan. Subsequently he was a civil engineer in India, Rhodesia and Iraq.

    In centre, 1920 India

    Ben Smith




    252777

    Pte Terence Sheridan Royal Irish Regiment

    My dad Terence Sheridan enlisted in April 1917 age 17 years and 8 months of age. He served in Flanders as a runner and at the end of the war he was transferred to India 1920-1922 when the regiment was disbanded

    Thomas Sheridan




    252772

    Cpl. Sam Speight 9th Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.5th Apr 1918)

    Sam Speight served with the 9th Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and the Cameronians.





    252771

    L/Cpl. John James Trickey D Coy. 7th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.12th Aug 1916)

    John Trickey was killed at The Somme but never found. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.





    252766

    Pte. William Ness 17th Btn. Royal Scots (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    William Ness was my great uncle who I found out about when I helped take out the poppies at the Tower of London in 2014. My mother had always said that she had a uncle who had died at the Somme. So I looked for him and this is what I have found out so far. Her father James Ness and his older brother William enlisted at Glencorse Barracks, Midlothian. They were sent to France and James was gased and returned home November 1917. William must have continued and was killed in action on 28th of March 1918. He is buried at the Senlis Communal Cemetery extension near Albert, France. There are 104 First World War burials here and I visited his grave one very cold December day 2014 with my family.

    Now at the commemoration of the end of WW1 I am very proud to have tickets to be part of the people's thank you march on 11th November at the Cenotaph London. I will lay a wreath for William and all those brave young men known and unknown who served their country and gave the ultimate sacrifice for us all.

    Carole Baughan




    252765

    L/Cpl. Idris Evans MM. 11th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.9th Oct 1916)

    Idris Evans was my 2x Gt. uncle, I have only recently found him while researching family history. A lot of our family still live in and around Treorchy.

    Julie Chapman




    252759

    Pte. Robert Boyd Smith 6th (Perthshire) Battalion Black Watch (d.1st July 1916)

    I understand that Robert Smith answered the call and volunteered along with his brother James in 1915 and joined the 6th (Perthshire) Battalion of the Black Watch Regiment which formed part of the 51st Highland Division that took part in the Battle of the Somme. I believe that Robert was killed during the offensive on the first day.





    252758

    Pte. Thomas Kevin Walsh 1/7th Btn. London Regiment (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    Thomas Walsh was killed in action at Bourlon Wood near Cambrai. Remembered at Louverval.

    Mary Buckenham




    252755

    Pte. Stephen Sharp 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.3rd Dec 1914)

    <p>His funeral

    Stephen Sharp died in WW1, he was just 19 years old. He was brought back to his home with severe injuries and died on the 3rd of December 1914 which very sadly was his sister Kate's 15 birthday.

    Pre war working at the Brickworks

    Jane Parrish




    252749

    Pte Wilfred Raven 15th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Sept 1916)

    I have discovered that Wilfred Raven was my second great uncle. He left Leicestershire to join in the efforts of World War 1 by joining the Durham Light Infantry. He died on the 16th of September 1916. He was just 19 years old. His memory lives on.

    Charlotte Barnes




    252744

    Pte. James "Robbo" Robinson MM. 17th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    James Robinson is my grandfather who I never met and I am currently researching his life. I would love to find out what he did to be awarded the Military Medal.

    Philip Lord




    252743

    Pte. Robert McKay 8th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>

    Robert McKay was wounded in battle around mid October 1917. He subsequently lost his left arm. He survived the Great War.





    252741

    Pte. Edward Weldon 11th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    I never had the chance to meet my grandfather Edward Weldon, but found his life story to be one of interest during my research into our family tree. Edward was born in 1894 and never knew his father. He had been led to believe his name was also Edward but unfortunately this was not the case. His mother married another man in 1897, but later, Edward retained what he believed was his family name of Weldon when he enlisted on 1st of September 1914 and was in the 11th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corp part of 20th (Light) Division.

    He was involved in many of the early battles which included Mount Sorrel, Deville Wood, Guillemont, Morval and Le Transloy. Then on 16th of August 1917 at the Battle of Langemarck, he was wounded and that would be the end of his involvement in the Great War. The only thing that his wife and family knew was that he had been bayoneted through the leg and also shot through the back of his leg, Edward never spoke of any of his time in the battles but had become a very hard and stern husband and father. When WW2 came along he still did his little bit and became a Warden.

    Sadly for me there are no photos remaining of him, the large photo of him as a young man in his full military uniform was damaged and thrown away. His medals again have sadly been lost, along with his memorabilia from his wartime travels. The only thing I have is the ability in today's technology driven world, is to trace the few records of his military campaign and the war diaries.

    Anthony Holland




    252727

    A/Sgt. Frederick Moseley 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment

    Frederick Moseley enlisted in 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. He was injured just before Battle of Somme and hence absent from the notorious football charge of that battalion.

    Once recuperated Frederick was attached to KOYLI regiment (as all his comrades in the 8th Battalion had been wiped out) and fought at Fluers-Corcette. He was wounded again. Once patched up, he joined 12th Battalion East Surrey Regiment and took part in the Battle of Messines then off to Italy. Returned to fight the German 1918 advances and as part of the final battles during allied offensive. Wounded mid 1918 seriously enough to end his war.

    Simon Moseley




    252723

    Pte. David Watt Clark D Coy. 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.11th Apr 1918)

    David Clark was born on the 22nd of October 189 at Millden, Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire. He married Margaret Gill when he was at 18 years old in October 1917. He died on the 11th of 1918 in Flanders.

    Aberdeen Press and Journal reported on Friday 26th of September 1919, Previously reported missing on 11th of April 1918, now officially reported killed on that date or since, S/17184 Pte. David W Clark, D Coy. 6th Batt. Gordon Highlanders, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Clark, 78 Great Northern Road. Deeply mourned.

    Did no one see my dear son fall,

    As he fought the battlefield,

    Or was he alone, I wonder.

    As he passed to the great unseen.

    Sleep on, dear son, in your lonely grave;

    Your life for country you nobly gave.

    Christine Banham




    252721

    Pte. John Flett 7th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.13th Nov 1916)

    John Flett of the 7th Gordon Highlanders is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    His younger brother William served with RNVR in Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division both died on the same day.





    252713

    Gnr. Francis Emlyn Larder C Bty, 232nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.30th Mar 1918)

    Francis Larder was born in 1898, to Francis and Mary Ann. Francis was a gardener when he and Mary Ann Larder (nee Hardy) married in 1881. There was a previous marriage, but his first wife had died, leaving two children. Francis and Mary Ann had twin girls who were born and died in 1882. They went on to have three sons, Francis, who was born in Walkley was their youngest. By the 1901 census the family was living at 32 Stafford Street and Francis was employed as a domestic coachman. He died when Francis was just four years old.

    Francis served in C Battery, 232nd Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. He died on the 30th of March 1918 and is buried at Guise (La Desolation) French National Cemetery at Flavigny-Le-Petit. The inscription reads "The dearly loved son of F. & M.A. Larder Sheffield".

    The gravestone at Fulwood containing his parents and some of his siblings has the inscription: "Also Francis E. Larder RFA, aged 20 killed in action, interred at Guise in France 21st of March 1918." By the time of Pte Francis Larder's death, his mother Mary Ann was living at 27 Hands Road, Crookesmoor.

    In the Roll of Honour, in the Sheffield Daily Independent on 2nd of November 1918, "Larder F wounded and missing since March 21st, Gunner Frank Larder now officially reported died of wounds, a prisoner of war, the dearly loved son of Mrs M.A. Larder."

    Keith Pitchforth




    252711

    Pte. Percy Hollins 4th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>Percy Hollins seated

    Percy Hollins, my great grandfather is in the group picture and is seated in the group of 4.

    Percy is marked with a blue pen.

    Alison Baldwin




    252709

    L/Cpl. Frank Sydney Bee 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.4th January 1918)

    Frank Bee was my great-great grandfather. I currently don't know a lot about his service, but I know he served with the 8th Battalion North Staffs from around 1915 onwards. I believe he is buried at a small war grave in northern France. Given the centenary approaching, I've been trying to find out more about him and the 8th Battalion to see where he may have fought and in what battle he may have died.

    Christopher Jackson




    252708

    Bmbr. Ronald Skirth 239th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Ronald Skirth's story is told in the book The Reluctant Tommy edited by Duncan Barrett.

    Colin Parker-Shaw




    252706

    Pte. Edgar Roberts 528th Coy. Army Service Corps

    Edgar Roberts served with 528th Company, Army Service Corps. Just looking to find out what my great grandfather did in the Great War. He came home where many didn't.

    Chris Roberts




    252698

    Tpr. Arnold Jackson 2nd Life Guards

    <p>

    Arnold Jackson served with the 2nd Life Guards.

    Martin Jackson




    252695

    S/Sgt. Henry Frederick Graebe 2nd Eastern General Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps

    Henry Graebe was the son of a German immigrant. He married a British wife and became a teacher. Henry was appointed assistant teacher in Rudgwick Council School, Sussex, some time before 1911.

    He resigned to join the army in 1913. He served in the UK, some of the time at the 2nd Eastern General, and was sent overseas in 1916. Here he was injured, and was treated by plastic surgeon named Harold Gillies. He was discharged from the army in 1919. Henry subsequently married, had several children, and became headmaster of Itchingfield School near Horsham Sussex.

    Roger Nash




    252693

    L/Cpl. George Henry Robinson 10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.19th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    George Robinson, known as Harry, has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Albert, France. He is also commemorated on the Stillington village Memorial and the on the lectern of the village church, near Stockton on Tees. A small plaque to his memory has also been placed at the Lochnagar Crater. His full story is on the North East War Memorial Project website.

    Gillian Hunt




    252691

    Sister. Mary Eva Quigley RRC.

    Nursing Sister Mary Quigley was awarded the Royal Red Cross 2nd class.





    252690

    CSM. George William Garnett Percival 7th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    <p>

    George Percival joined the 1st Battalion, South Lancashire in the late 1800's and served 3 years in Africa during the Boer War. In 1902 he transferred to the 2nd Battalion and travelled to India with that unit. Upon his return to England GWG left the regular forces but remained in the reserves. With the start of the First World War in 1914 he re-enlisted and was posted to the 7th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment . It appears with the rank of Company Sergeant Major although records show that at some point he was given the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2nd Class (CWO II) but he declined for personal reasons.

    He died on 8th of July 1916, aged 36, from wounds received during the taking of La Boisselle at the Somme. This is an assumption given the battle occurred on the 3rd/4th and he was buried a distance from the front lines, in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    Dan Hill




    252687

    Pte. Victor Emil Hugo Osterholm 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    My Grandad, Victor Osterholm was proud to serve in the Middlesex Regiment and only spent a few months in the trenches due to his age. He was captured in May 1918 at Aisne whilst serving in the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and spent the remainder of the war in Friedrichsfeld POW camp. He re-enlisted after WW1 and served the rest of his army career in the 1st Battalion reaching the rank of Pioneer Sergeant. He never spoke of his service but this is what I have found from his army record.

    Jacqui Brown




    252684

    Pte. Frank Harry Bray 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment

    Frank Bray was my grandfather.

    Pat Wilford




    252678

    Pte. Henry William Holland 8th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.20th August 1916)

    Henry Holland was born 1891 in Sandhurst, his parents were James and Emma. He had six siblings. Henry married Maud Caryer in April 1913 and their son was born in 1914. Henry died of wounds, aged 25 and is commemorated in St Nicholas Church, Rodmersham, Nr Sittingbourne, Kent.

    Sue Shiels




    252676

    Pte. Edward Daley 22nd Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.13th May 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Daley was killed in action, age 25. He is commemorated in honour on the Arras memorial in France.

    Marion Pedersen




    252666

    Gnr. Francis Oswald Tozer 186th Brigade

    Oz Tozer was blinded in his right eye on the 1st of November 1918. He said he knew not to look up at a starburst shell but thought he would take a chance as they were so pretty and the war was nearly done. It took 4 days to get to Hospital in Rouen.

    Mark Williams




    252665

    Pte. James Robinson 10th Btn. Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    James Robinson was my great Grandfather. As I heard the story, he was found in No Mans' Land with wounds to his leg and a German officer pointing a pistol at him. Records show he had suffered leg and arm wounds. He was taken prisoner and repatriated according to Red Cross files dated 2nd of September 1916.

    Shaun Wright




    252662

    Pte. William Ryan 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th Oct 1914)

    William Ryan died of his wounds at No.18 Field Ambulance at Erquingham near Armentieres.

    Susan Hodgson




    252659

    Pte. William Alfred Burton 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th Sept 1915)

    William Burton was born in Scarborough in 1886, the son of Thomas Burton and Mary Ann (nee Wallis). Thomas Burton was a shipyard driller. By 1881 the family had moved to Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne. William married Emily Gertrude Morris in 1910 at Gateshead and in 1911 they were living at 94, Vine Street, Gateshead. They had one child; a son; George William Burton. On the 1911 Census William Alfred's occupation is shown as a stoneman/coal miner.

    William enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers, 8th Battalion at Newcastle upon Tyne and disembarked in the Balkan Theatre, on the 7th of October 1915. William Alfred Burton died of wounds at Alexandria, Egypt on 6th of September 1915. He is buried in the Chatby Cemetery, Alexandria. Emily Burton never remarried after William's death and continued to live in Gateshead with her brother, Thomas Morris, and her son George William Burton.

    William Alfred is remembered by his grand-daughter Audrey Burton and her siblings. Rest in peace grand-dad, you gave your life for us. Thank you.

    Audrey Burton




    252656

    Pte. Frederick George Harris 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.30th Nov 1917)

    Frederick Harris was a great uncle completely unknown to his family. Can only assume the tragedy of his death was too much to bear and share. His name on the war memorial in Western Super Mere alerted us to him. This has since been stolen from the park.

    Fiona Knivetin




    252653

    Pte. William Arthur Wallington 5th Batallion Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.25th Jan 1916)

    William Wallington was my great Grandfather. He lived in Aston Rowant. He is buried in Talana Farm Cemetery, Boesingne. He was married to Polly and had 3 children one of which was my grandmother, and she was six years old when he was killed in action.





    252651

    Pte. Robert Buxton 24th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.15th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Buxton was the son of Robert Matley and Jane Buxton and lived at Newthorpe Common, Eastwood Newthorpe in Notts. He was the brother of my Grandad Walter Buxton. It is believed that Robert was wounded during the German attack on St Quentin. He died of wounds, a thigh injury and subsequent pneumonia in Saltau prisoner of war camp. He was buried there before being moved to Hamburg Cemetery.

    Buxton




    252650

    Pte. Frederick Grocock 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.2nd Mar 1916)

    Frederick Grocock was brother to Thomas Grocock and uncle to John Edgar Grocock, my father. So he is my great uncle. Frederick is buried in the Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium.

    Jennifer Letts




    252649

    Pte. William Traveller 2nd Btn. Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.16th March 1915)

    William Traveller died on the 16th of March 1915 aged 18 while serving with the 2nd Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was the son of Samuel and Louisa Traveller of Tottenham, London and nephew of A. Shepherd of 90 Morley Road, Barking in Essex.

    Patricia Traveller




    252647

    Pte. Henry Walter Rout 101st Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    Henry Rout was actually a reserved occupation, a chemist, I believe in the arms industry. However he was constantly being harassed by women in public for not being in uniform. He joined the army and was put into the Machine Gun Corps. His service record shows 101st Battalion. He was buried alive by a shell burst and gassed twice, the second time taking several years to fully recover from.





    252630

    Sgt. Oscar Harmer DCM. 16th (Cardiff City) Battalion Welch Regiment

    My Grandfather, Oscar Harmer, was an original member of the 16th (Cardiff City) Battalionm Welsh Regiment. Oscar was the Battalion's Goat Major and appears in a number of photographs on parade with the Battalion's Goat.

    On deployment to France in December 1915, he was appointed Lt Colonel Frank Gaskell's runner, and was present when Frank Gaskell was shot by a German sniper. Having looked at the Battalion's trench diary entry, they had been out inspecting an observation post. I understand the shot hit Frank Gaskell's ammo pouch which in turn exploded. My grandfather was also present at Frank Gaskell's funeral, although the diary had incorrectly misspelt my grandfather's surname (Hammer).

    On 7th of July 1916 my grandfather took part in the fighting during the Battle of the Somme and was present when the Battalion took part in the fighting for Mametz Wood where they fought against the soldiers of the Prussian Guard. He was also present during the fighting at Pickem Ridge which was in the opening stages of the Battle of Passchendale.

    As a result of restructuring within the Army, the Cardiff City Battalion was sadly disbanded in February 1918. My grandfather, by now promoted to Sergeant, was transferred to the 1st Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry where on 19th of September 1918 he was awarded the DCM. The citation reads: 'For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In the attack on Fresnoy-Le-Petite, 19th of September 1918, when all the officers of his company had become casualties, he reorganised the company and took command. Later, with half a platoon and one Lewis gun, he captured an enemy post, from which he silenced a hostile machine-gun with Lewis fire, and succeeded in keeping down the fire of enemy snipers. The post was repeatedly attacked by the enemy with bombs and rifle grenades, but chiefly due to his fine example and energy all attacks were repulsed, though nearly all his men were wounded. Eventually he successfully withdrew his men under cover of darkness.

    Tim Harmer




    252623

    Spr. George Ellis Price Humphreys 423rd Field Company Royal Engineers (d.15th Jul 1917)

    George Humphreys is one of three brothers who were all killed in the first world war. George was killed in Flanders, on Sunday 15th of July 1917. He reportedly died of wounds. Age 28.

    Tony Cowley




    252617

    Gnr. Frederick William Laycock MM. A Battery, 76th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.4th Nov 1918)

    Frederick Laycock was born in Thornbury, Bradford, 23rd of July 1888to William Laycock (woollen buyer) and Sarah Ann nee Marris, both of Leeds. Elder brother Harry, a woollen merchant for Ferdinand Heilborn of Bradford, and sister Florence Maud. He attended Bradford Grammar School.

    Frederick enlisted in April 1916 and served with A Battery, 76th Brigade RFA in Italy and France. He was slightly wounded, sent to 72nd General Hospital, Deauville, Cavados, France where he died of pneumonia (influenza related?) on the 4th of November 1918 and was buried at Tourgeville.

    The London Gazette of the 17th of June 1919 records award of Military Medal to 140566 Gunner Laycock F.W. A1/76th Brigade (Bradford). From his date of death I am guessing that he was awarded it for action in October in the pursuit to the Selle or the Battle of the Selle (LG 11th Feb carried awards for 8th August to 3rd Sept 1918).

    Nicholas Hooper




    252601

    Pte. Samuel Hornsby 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.24th April 1918)

    Samuel Hornsby was my great uncle on my mother's side, brother to my grandmother.





    252597

    Pte. Joseph William Ford MID. 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Joseph Ford was injured at Battle of Mons. He took shrapnel to the head, but was saved by a metal plate fitted after being kicked by a horse as a younger man. He was captured by the Germans, sent to Chemnitz POW camp. During his time there he was captain of the tug of war team, in the brass band and made the camp dentist, he sent postcards home picturing himself in these activities.

    POW camp dentist at Chermitz

    Tug of War team

    Mark Smith




    252591

    Pte. Albert Turner 22nd (Kensington) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.28th December 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Turner was my grandad on my father's side of the family. He died aged 33 and is buried in Louverval, France.

    John Turner




    252590

    Pte James Charles Ducatel 17th (2nd North Wales) Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.30th October 1918)

    James Ducatel was a stretcher bearer. He is buried in Awoingt Cemetery, near Cambrai in France.

    Ken Ducatel




    252589

    Joseph James Colam 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    Joseph Colam served with the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment.

    John Colam




    252588

    L/Cpl. Fred Colam 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    Fred Colam served with the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment.

    John Colam




    252587

    Pte. Albert Winters 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Albert Winters was my grandfather. Some of his records got burnt.





    252586

    Pte. Harry Charles Purches 8th Battalion East Kent Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Harry Purches, was born December 1894, later to be joined by many brothers and sisters. His father was also a Harry Charles Purches. Previously a porter He enlisted, in Islington, to the East Kent Regiment on the 7th September 1914. He appears to be in England for one year before being sent to France with the BEF in the Autumn of 1915. In 1916 he was wounded, treated in Dublin, and then sent home to his Mum and siblings in London for several months, before returning to the Front. In March 1917 he was diagnosed with Tuberculosis in neck glands and medically discharged as unfit for service. This illness didn't prevent him producing an illegitmate son in 1917. Allegedly, my Grandmother's parents objected to her marrying a soldier for some sad reason. Both HCP and my GM subsequently married, and had children, with other spouses after the war.

    Harry Charles Purches died of heart and lung disease aged 32 whilst working as a motor mechanic in Islington. I wish I'd known him, I'd like to shake his hand and thank him, and all who served, for what they achieved.

    Nigel Purches




    252585

    Pte. Michael Ormley 5th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    Michael Ormley served with the 5th Gordon Highlanders. I am researching for Michael's elderly son.

    Roger Cook




    252575

    Pte. Henry Golding 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.14th April 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Golding of the 10th Sherwood Foresters is buried at Etaples in France.

    Mark Ellson




    252572

    Pte. Joseph Lavery Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    In April 1916, Joseph Lavery had taken ill and was sent to the general hospital in Rouen, France, suffering from influneza. He went on to fight at the Somme and was found some days after going over the top in a shell hole suffering with severe shrapnel injury to the head. He was sent home to recover, we think, in the UVF hospital in East Belfast. He was discharged wounded and received the silver badge For King And Empire Services Rendered.

    Henry Rogers




    252571

    Sgt. Ernest James Coleman 63rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.28th Aprl 1917)

    Born 27th of August 1898, Ernest lied about his age, leaving school at 16 to enlist in the Rifle Brigade. He was promoted to Corporal after 6 months before transferring to 63rd Coy Machine Gun Corps. He joined BEF in France in March 1916 and was present at Fricourt for the opening engagement of the Battle of the Somme. He was promoted to Sergeant in December 1916. Ernest fell to a sniper's bullet at Arras, on the 28th of April 1917 when he was still under 19 years of age. He has no known grave but his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial to the Missing at the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France. The diary which Ernest kept throughout 1916 is now kept by his great niece.

    Hilary Wilson




    252569

    Pte. Arthur McGeary 8th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Sept 1915)

    <p>

    My great grandfather, Arthur McGeary, served with the 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 26th of September 1915 at Loos. He was 50 years old and is remembered on the Loos Memorial. From what I gather he was awarded the Victory British Star Medal. Arthur worked at the Shipyard of Swan Hunter in Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne, his name is also on their War Memorial. My dad was named after his grandfather.





    252566

    Pte. Frank Ernest Hoult 6th Battalion London Regiment

    My Grandfather, Frank Hoult, enlisted between the 6th September and 7th October 1914 with the 6th Battalion, City of London Rifles, after being given a White Feather a few days before.

    He proceeded to France on 17th of March 1915 he took part in most key battles, surviving Loos, but was stranded in No Mans Land for 4 days during the regiments many attacks at The Somme in late 1916, with a shrapnel wound in his ankle. So hungry he felt like eating the mud he was thankfully rescued by colleagues to live to tell the tale. He was transferred on 29th November 1917 to the Army Service Corps which is why after the War he became a Bus driver, operating out of the Dagenham, Becontree Garages until his retirement in 1958.

    Keith E Hoult




    252563

    L/Cpl. David Alexander Law Crawford Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)

    <p>

    David Crawford served with the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment).

    Alma Baxter




    252562

    Pte. Hugh Lawson Robertson 6th/7th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.13th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Hugh Robertson served with the Gordon Highlanders.

    Alma Baxter




    252561

    CSM. William Thompson MM. 6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment

    William Thompson served with the 6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. He was demobbed on 14th of December 1918.





    252553

    Pte. Benjamin Alfred Hodder MM. 21st (Islington) Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Ben Hodder was my Grandfather. He won the Military Medal on the Somme on 24th of September 1916. I traced the handwritten citation over 40 years ago. Just as well as it's illegible now.

    Benjamin Alfred Hodder

    William Max




    252548

    Bmbdr. William Bernard Lane Murray 133rd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.9th Mar 1919)

    Will Murray enlisted in 1914 and waited until the war ended before marrying his fiancee Lilian. The marriage took place immediately after the Armistice on 17th of November 1918 and then, leave over, Will returned to France. Tragically, he was shot and killed on 9th of March 1919. The details of the incident are not known currently, but family stories suggest that it was murder or manslaughter by a fellow soldier rather than an accident. Our search will continue for any official reports carried out at the time.

    Keith Woodhead




    252547

    Rflmn. Thomas William Wilkinson 12th (Rangers) Battalion London Regiment (d.21st October 1916)

    <p>

    Tom Wilkinson was the fourth of nine children and the youngest to go to war. He began army life in D Company, 2/9th Middlesex Regiment but seems to have later moved to the London Regiment. He died at home from injuries sustained in the war aged 18.

    He is buried in London. Headstone reads: "6311 Rifleman T.W. Wilkinson, 12th Bn. Lond. Regt. Rangers, 21st October 1916 age 18, He died a hero beloved by all."

    Thomas William Wilkinson

    Stuart Wilkinson




    252544

    L/Cpl. Herbert Edward Wetherill MM. 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd Sep 1918)

    Herbert Wetherill was born in Hampstead about 1884, he married Dora around 1910. Although 21st KRRC was noted for recruiting from farm workers in the North East and North Yorks, Herbert was a solicitors clerk, pre-WW1.

    S Acaster




    252539

    Pte. Norman Hocking 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry

    On the day that Norman Hocking landed in France on 1st May, the Germans mounted a gas attack on the sector of the line held by the DCLI. This was only a week after the very first gas attack on 22nd April 1915, so respirators, consisting merely of a pad of lint, impregnated with bicarbonate of soda and tied across the nose and mouth with a tape, were the only protection then available.

    It is probable that Norman Hocking would have joined the 1st Battalion shortly after this gas attack when it was withdrawn for rest and reinforcement. The 1st Battalion was fully involved in the various battles of Ypres, Arras and the Somme.





    252533

    Pte. Francis Williams 353rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Frank Williams was my great uncle with whom I lived and knew very well until his death in 1974. Born in 1898, he was the son of my great grandfather John Williams (1879 - 1975) who also lived at 39 Smith Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool, from about 1915 until the house was demolished in 1968. I and 4 of my siblings were also born in the same house.

    My great uncle would never talk about the war in detail but my great grandfather kept framed photographs in his wardrobe and his war medals. He often commented how the war had made him a "bit deaf" and he often suffered from skin complaints. I was just glad he survived to live a good life. After the war he would go to stay in Powell River, Canada, with his father's sister to escape from it all. I can just imagine the conversations they had there.

    Only as we got older did we understand the sacrifice and horrors these men and women had to endure through those terrible years. We must never forget!

    Erin Holden




    252529

    L/Cpl Thomas Thomas "Tommy" MacCann 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) (d.14th December 1915 Aged 32)

    <p>

    I have little information regarding Tommy (my great grandfather) apart from the facts passed down from my grandmother and aunts.

    Tommy was, apparently, shot by a sniper and is buried at Birr Crossroads Cemetery, West Vlaanderen (Flanders) Belgium. He was in the 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment and his service number was 18032.

    I have pictures of both him and his grave. And an interesting fact regarding Tommy is that after his death my Great Grandmother Jane Mac Cann remarried to Tommy's best mate James Connolly, also Yorkshire Regiment, Service Number 25005. James died as an P.O.W just before the war ended (04/10/18) and is buried at Le Quesnoy Communal Cemetery extension in Nord France.

    So, ultimately, my Great Grandmother Jane lost two husbands in the Great War. They are both commemorated on the South-Bank War Memorial (Middlesbrough) and I am currently researching both men, as a mark of respect (the least I can do).

    I will be attending the centenary remembrance service in their home town of South-Bank and will lay a commemorative wreath there.

    Tommy Mac Canns headstone Birr Crossroads cemetery.

    James Connolly's gravestone, he was buried along with two others apparently they couldn't recognise who was who so placed them together in a special grave of recognition.

    Mark (Thomas) Stainthorpe




    252528

    L/Sgt. Colin Macdonald Murray MM. 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>Colin Murray standing on left

    My grandfather Colin Murray was a weaver from Rogart who lived on a croft with his widowed mother. He was very tall for his age and the story goes he lied about his age to enlist. Anyway, he was very brave but also had a bit of a temper as he was demoted once for not getting off wooden planks and stand in thick mud so an officer could walk by. He was promoted back up to sergeant in days as they needed men like him.

    He was awarded the Military Medal, I believe, for leading a successful attack on a German machine gun. But I don't know the story. I'd love to find out. He did this on the 20th of July 1918. He came home with a German officer's handgun which has disappeared over the years.

    Jean Murray




    252527

    Gnr, Herbert Suart 230th Brigade, C Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Herbert Suart, like many, he did not discuss the war but, when asked by his eldest daughter what he got for his 21st birthday he replied "Bullets!".

    Dianne Strang




    252522

    L/Cpl. Frank W. Lefevre MM. Royal Marine Light Infantry

    Frank Lefevre joined the Royal Marines on the 8th June 1895 at the age of 18. He served on many different ships during WW1, but notably acted as a bodyguard for Prince Albert (the future King George VI) when the Prince was assigned as a Midshipman to HMS Collingwood and witnessed the Battle of Jutland. Later, the King recognized Frank Lefevre and spoke to him by name when he was inspecting troops after the war.





    252520

    Pte David Wilkinson 10th Battalion Gordon Highlanders

    David Wilkinson was married to my Great Aunt, Isabella Beveridge Sharp Calderhead. David survived the Great War but unfortunately died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary on 21st August 1934 from injuries received in an industrial mining accident at Bellshill.





    252514

    Pte. George Lucas Biles 62nd Battalion

    George Biles enlisted in the Army on 13th of December 1915 in Vancouver, BC. with a rank of Sapper with 62nd Overseas Battalion CEF. He was listed as wounded with a severe, gunshot wound to the right arm, on 26th of July 1916 in France and admitted at the Folkestone Military Hospital then to Southern General Hospital at Strichley, Birmingham. He was discharged back to duty on 8th of December 1916. He was demobbed on 17th of March 1919 at Winnipeg, Manitoba.

    Mark Biles




    252513

    SubLt. Robert Milne Porter C.de.G. HMS Swiftsure

    Robert Porter was serving on HMS Swiftsure at the outbreak of war in 1914. He may have participated in the Dardanelles expedition in February 1915. From March to May 1915 he was hospitalised with fever in Suez and returned home. He later joined HMS Barham in August 1915 and fought at the Battle of Jutland in May 1916, where he was wounded. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

    Tim Westcott




    252507

    L/Cpl. Joseph Woodruff 9th Battalion, A Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th February 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Woodruff is my Great Uncle, who was killed in action, aged just 25. The son of Robert and Catherine Woodruff of 46 High Lanes, Heworth, Gateshead.

    Susan Ayre




    252506

    Rifleman John Fleming D Coy. 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    John Fleming is my great great uncle. We hold his memorial plaque at home and have visited Thiipval Memorial where his name features on the wall.





    252504

    Pte. Alfred Edward Morton 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Alfred Morton was a gun maker in Birmingham before the war. He joined the 1st Battalion of the Warwickshire volunteers militia in 1907 and served for 5 years. In September 1914 he volunteered in Birmingham for the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and 5 weeks later he was demobbed due to lumbago. He immediately joined the Royal Field Artillery and served until he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment in October 1915.

    He was killed on April 9th near St Martin sur Cojeul in the attack on the Hindenburg line and is buried at Wancourt British Cemetery. Alfred was my grandfather and my mother was born in October 1914 after Alfred had joined the army. We do not know if he ever saw his daughter.





    252502

    Pte. Arthur Goldthorpe 18th Battalion (d.22nd May 1915)

    The Goldthorpe family of Hunslet, Leeds, were a famous family of rugby league players in the 1890s and early 1900s. All 5 brothers played for Hunslet Rugby League. Their farm was Urn Farm, still there in South Leeds. John Goldthorpe, one of the brothers, emigrated to Australia. His 2 sons, Arthur and Harry, joined up. Arthur joined the 18th Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, AIF, and died in 1915 aged 18 years.





    252501

    Pte. Albert John Mears MC. 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.26th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Sadly very little is known of Albert Mears, other than he was a single man born 1895. He won the Military Cross, for what deed we know not. He left behind a mother, father and four brothers. It is just our wish he be remembered.

    Albert F Gillham




    252499

    Gunner Daniel Benjamin Goodwin 23rd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Daniel Goodwin applied for a war pension having been gassed twice but was refused. Owing to this he threw his medals in the street early one morning through the bedroom window. They were never seen again.





    252495

    2nd Lt. Arthur Haley 55 Squadron (d.1st Jun 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Haley, born September 1895 and a telegraphist in civilian life, enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 10th of November 1914 to be attached to the 34th Signals Company. He joined the British Expeditionary Force in France on 26th of June 1915 as a signaller. On 16th September of that year he was admitted to hospital after being burned by a shell, and he returned to England for a short spell, but he rejoined his unit in France on 15th of October 1915.

    He returned to England on Christmas Day 1916 for a commission. On 29th of May 1917 he was discharged from the Royal Engineers to take up his commission in the 3rd Battalion, Essex Regiment, firstly in Felixstowe before being sent to France as an observer in 55 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, later to become the Royal Air Force in April 1918. He flew in a DH4 with his pilot, 2nd Lt Lennok de Graaf Godet. It is known that 55 Squadron undertook bombing raids over German-held territory in addition to their reconnaissance duties.

    On 1st of June 1918 their aircraft was shot down over Antilly, near Metz in France, in German held territory at the time, killing them both instantly. According to a local French newspaper report, their Airco DH4 no. 7422 was shot down at 6.50am, the kill being claimed by Ltn G Weiner of K4. However, an alternative account of events has been found in the RAF Archives, "On 1st of June 1918, the D.H.4's of No.55 Squadron were detailed for the railway station at Karthaus. 12 machines in charge of Captain W.B. Farrington ascended between 4.20 a.m. and 4.25 a.m. The lines were crossed at 14,500 feet near Nomeny whence the formation proceeded up east of Metz and Thionville to Karthaus which was reached at 6.55 a.m. by eleven of the D.H.4's one having been forced to return with engine trouble. Captain Farrington reported that owing to the high wind which was blowing obliquely across the target the shooting was not very good. Seven enemy machines in all were observed at various places on the route. Near Metz one of the D.H.4's Second Lieutenants L. de G.Godet (pilot) and A.Haley (observer) - fell to pieces in the air. Some of the observers were of the opinion that Haley might have wrecked his own tail while aiming at an enemy machine firing from very long range." (Might this be classed as Friendly Fire?)

    Both men were buried by local civilians who also erected a memorial at the site. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission later re-buried them at Chambieres Antilly (Moselle), near Metz in France.

    Haley & Godet Memorial

    Roger Bowen




    252493

    Pte. Alfred William Matthews 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.21st Oct 1918)

    Alfred Matthews served in Gallipoli Peninsula or Mesopotamia and Flanders. He died on the 21st of October 1918 and is buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery in Belgium. His brother Charles died on 28th of October 1918 from war wounds. Nothing else known.

    Anthony D E Jones




    252491

    Rifleman Harry Wheeler 17th Battalion London Regiment

    Harry Wheeler wrote a number of letters and poems to by Grandmother, Eileen Young, a nurse at the Bevan Military Hospital at Sandgate in Kent. According to his letters, he was wounded on 16th of May 1917 at Ypres, by June 1917 he was being treated at The Bevan.

    James Cooper




    252489

    L/Cpl. William Carter 8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.19th May 1915)

    I have been looking for my great grandfather William Carter and now I've found him and where he is in France. He is buried in the St Sever Cemetery in Rouen.

    Stuart Freeman




    252484

    Gnr. Henry Joseph McGinn 112th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Henry McGinn served with 112th Heavy Battery, RGA.

    Mike McGinn




    252482

    Rifleman John Jackson Weldon 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Jack Weldon is believed to have died of his wounds on 15th of September 1916. He was an unmarried farmer from Ellerby, Yorkshire. Upon his death his father got his effects. The family had been farming in the area for hundreds of years and the only other child, a son, Henry Lazenby Weldon, also served in the Great War.

    We are distant relations from NZ and found out about John Weldon on Ancestry. It seemed appropriate to see that his sacrifices were acknowledged.

    B Hoffman Dervan




    252476

    Pte Richard Dick 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.25th Sept 1915)

    <p>

    Richard Dick was from the Orkney Island of Sanday in the north of Scotland. He was the youngest of two brothers who enlisted during World War 1. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos. He was 20 years of age when he died. His brother James was killed in action on 5th of December 1915 whilst serving with the 15th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force at Gallipoli.

    Richard Wilson




    252474

    Pte. Thomas Barlow 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.5th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Barlow was born in February 1887 in the small downland village of West Ilsley in rural Berkshire. His father was a shepherd and in the 1901 Census he was employed as a teamster on a farm. By then the family had moved to Cholsey.

    Thomas signed up at Brock Barracks in Reading, for 9 years service in 1904 at the age of 18. He saw service in Ireland and India. He was placed on the Reserve in 1911. He married Edith Ellen Maskell in 1912 at the Wesleyan Chapel in Caversham and he found employment with Great Western Railway as a Lineman. They had two girls, Amy (1912) and Winifred (1916) before Britain declared war against Germany and Thomas returned to serve with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 5th of August 1914. He was wounded in May 1915 and returned home to recuperate. Whilst at home he was interviewed by the Berkshire Chronicle Newspaper of his account of service with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and it was published on 20th of August 1915.

    Thomas starts by saying: "We embarked at Southampton on the afternoon of August 11th, and arrived at midnight at Le Havre, where we anchored until daylight. We then proceeded up the river to Rouen, where we disembarked and marched through Rouen to a camp just above the racecourse. We had a fine reception as we went through, as I believe we were the first English regiment to pass through this town. We stayed at this camp for two days, and then took a train to a place nearer the Belgian frontier. We marched from there to Venerolles, where we had ten days of good hard field training. We thought at the time we were being hard done by, but we found out afterwards that it came in very useful to us. After the ten days at Venerolles we marched nearer to the frontier to Landrecies, where we billeted in some French barracks for the night, continuing the march to the frontier next day, which was Saturday. Early on Sunday morning we had our first bit of excitement, as we were told we had to march to a place not mentioned, and hold it at all costs." He then describes his involvement in action at various places and the exemplary behaviour of an Officer of the Regiment. The Headings for each of these places, etc, is too much to give in this article, but the headings for each bit of action are as follows, The Battle of Mons; The Retreat From Mons; The Action at Maroilles; The Coolness of Major Finch; Recovering a Gun; The German Retreat; An Unfortunate Mistake; The Incident of Metz Valley; Fighting Near Ypres; The News of the Emden; A Gallant Party; Winter Hardships; Helping the 2nd Battalion.

    The Article finishes with: "Shells were coming over amongst us very heavily, but our artillery were doing some marvelous work compared with the enemy. On the third day we were given our orders to get ready to make an advance. Whilst getting prepared for this I was hit by a splinter of a shell, and left for England after ten months of one of the worst wars in history."

    Thomas was home in England from 19th of May 1915 until 3rd of July 1918. We have no details of his life in Caversham with his wife and family, but we do know that they had one more child, a son, Thomas Richard who was born in May 1918. Without him I would not be writing this story as he was my father who saw service with Royal Air Force in WW2. Back to Thomas (Senior) he was posted to France and was serving with the London Rifle Brigade when he contracted what became known as the Spanish Flu and died in Boulogne on 5th of November 1918, aged 31, just six days before the end of the Great War. He was subsequently buried at the British Military Cemetery at Terlincthun, Wimille, near Boulogne. He was awarded the 1914 Star, The British War medal and the Allied Victory medal, affectionately known as Pip, Squeak & Wilfred. He served with the 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment, Gloucestershire Regiment and 33rd London Regiment.

    Headstone at Terlincthun





    252470

    Arthur McGee 3rd Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.1919)

    Arthur McGee died in Mhow of appendicitis in 1919.

    Joanne Usher




    252466

    William Clarke SS Minnetonka

    My father, William Clarke was sent to sea by his local Catholic priest at Grays, Essex. Due to the absence of his father, who was away at the war, he had become unruly. The priest knew of a Captain Tubbs of the Atlantic Transport Shipping Line who got him a job as deck boy on the SS Minnetonka.

    When the ship was torpedoed off the Dardenelles, he managed to dash below and rescue his mandolin (the only thing he possessed of any value to him). He was later rescued from the sea by the torpedo boat destroyer HMS Rifleman, the duty destroyer from Malta which had been sent along with HMS Sheldrake to pick up survivors. My father was pleased that the cargo of horses they had embarked at Marseilles had been disembarked prior to the sinking by the German submarines, U64 and U67.

    Bob Clarke




    252464

    Pte. Henry Valentine 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    Henry Valentine was a loving father of three. He was a baker in the village of Knock, Banffshire, Scotland. He enlisted on 14th of July 1915 into the 6th (Banff and Donside) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.

    In the 1917 Battle of Arras, he was injured twice, once on April 9th at Rocincourt, and again on May 16th at the Chemical Works near Roeux. He was discharged on 12th of November and passed away several years later, around 1944, from persistent complications due to injuries he sustained in war.





    252463

    Pte. Robert Patterson 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th May 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Patterson was the son of Robert and Mary Patterson of Middlefield Row, Washington. He was married to Ruth Hope Fitzpatrick and they had two daughters Agnes Louvain (named after a Belgian town) and Mary.

    Robert was listed as missing in action on 28th of May 1918. His father, Robert Patterson, served in the British Army and made it home at the end of the war only to find his son was missing. He spent a lot of time trying to find out what happened to his son but it was presumed he was killed in action and there was no trace of him at all. He died aged 23 years old.

    Remembered by his Great Niece

    Lisa Cousins




    252458

    Pte. Arthur Robert Smy 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.16th September 1916)

    We just know that Arthur Smy was killed in action on the Somme on the 16th September 1916 aged 26. He is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    I have been compiling my family tree and found this very brave man in my relatives. I will remember him always.

    Sue Rowicki




    252456

    Pte. George Moss Grills 11th (Accrington) Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    George Moss was taken as a Prisoner of War in the early part of 1918 in Arras. I have obtained a copy of his record from the Red Cross. He was first taken to Parchim I/Meckl and then to Friedrichsfeld.

    I also have his war record. I believe he was made to stay at home in the first part of the war as he worked in essential services. He was born in 1880 so he was about 34 when the war broke out. He was not happy at having to remain at home whilst his contemporaries joined up. He did eventually join them though as he enlisted in the 11th East Lancashire Regiment, otherwise known as the Accrington Pals.

    Suzanne Nicholas




    252455

    Gnr. Walter Turpin 1/1st Lowland Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.6th November 1918)

    My great uncle, Walter Turpin was resting behind the lines with his unit in a partially destroyed farm house when a wall collapsed on him and he died of his injuries. How sad so near the end of the war and not due to enemy action





    252454

    Pte. Arthur Johnson 364th Forestry Coy. Royal Engineers (d.1st July 1918 )

    Arthur Johnson served with the 364th Forestry Coy, Royal Engineers and the Army Service Corps. This statement is part of the entry, as it was posted on the National Roll of The Great War. Record X4429. Johnson A Driver ASC (MT). Gave his life endeavouring to rescue his comrades from a shell hole filled with poison gas on 1st July 1918.For this act of self sacrifice was awarded the Albert Medal. He was also entitled to General and Victory Medal.





    252453

    Pte. Hugh Caine West Yorkshire Regiment

    My Grandad, Hugh Caine was of Irish descent from County Claire. In the Great War he was shot in the neck but survived. Just wondering where he was treated for his injuries?

    Stuart McNeil




    252446

    Herbert Charles "Dan" Faulkner 1/10th (Liverpool Scottish)Battalion Kings (Liverpool) Regiment

    <p>

    My great grandfather, Herbert Faulkner, was a clerk before the War and joined up in 1914. Apart from the normal training he also was, for a time, a member of the crew on an armoured train stationed at North Walsham, Norfolk, defending the coast. He trained as a machine gun specialist and crossed the channel onboard a hospital ship The Archangel.

    Herbert tried to forget his experiences but after a BBC project in 1977 dictated his memoirs using note books to his daughter and called it "The Archangel takes me to France (and stays with me)". It recalls his often traumatic experiences at the front with the Liverpool Scottish Regiment, with honesty and humour.

    At the end of the war he was posted to Ireland to deal with the uprisings there. He described himself as especially lucky. Those that knew him say he was an exceptionally kind, intelligent, sensitive and gentle man. He died in 1981.

    H C Faulkner

    H C Faulkner (right)

    H C Faulkner and Anne who became his wife during the war

    H C Faulkner resting on parade

    Jo Faulkner




    252443

    Pte. Henry Alfred James Conley 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Henry Conley was born 14th of November 1898 and lived in the East End of London. He joined up as a volunteer on 24th of August 1914 and trained in Winchester with B Company, 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He went to France with 7th Rifle Brigade on 19th of May 1915 saw front line service, mostly, around Ypres area which is in Flanders, Belgium then later around Arras and Somme areas. He was wounded in action on 18th of August 1916 near Delville Wood sent back to UK. Henry had rescued an officer named F B H Drummond who sent a letter of thanks and kept in touch after the war. He was then sent to Ireland for re-training after recovery and returned to the Western Front on the 30th of March 1918. He joined the 2/7th Royal Scots and saw a lot of front line service. He also served with the 13th Royal Scots.

    He transferred to the reserve on Demob on 8th May 1919 and was entitled to 3 medals 1914-15 Star, War Service Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal 1914-19. Entitled to wear 2 wound stripes (which can be seen on his left arm in his wedding and other photos). Henry was 15 years 9 months when he volunteered. 19 years 6 months old on demob. He returned home from France May 1919 and married in June 1919, then immediately applied for a 10 package to move to Australia with his new wife. He died in 1975.

    Henry Conley trio

    Royal Scots

    John Conley




    252440

    Sgt. William Henry Somers 4th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment

    William Somers had enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment in 1905 and was discharged as a corporal in 1913. He re-enlisted in 1916 as a bandsman.

    Chris Tomlinson




    252438

    Rflmn. Ernest George Dobbs 12th Battalion London Regiment (d.7th April 1917)

    Ernest Dobbs was my great uncle, and the younger brother of my grandfather. My father was born about 6 months after Ernest George died and my father must have been given his middle name Ernest in his memory and I never knew this or heard of Ernest George before I started looking into my heritage for the 100th Memorial in 2018.

    Tony Dobbs




    252433

    Pte. Alfred Charles Golding

    Alfred Golding was captured at Monchy, France on 3rd of May 1917 and interred at Parchim POW Camp.

    Lionel Burgess




    252432

    Pte. Hiram Ashford Southgate DCM. 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.30th March 1916 )

    Hiram Southgate was born 23rd November 1889 at Onehouse, the son of Laban & Charlotte Curl (nee Woollard,) and later moved with the family to Chelmondiston.

    The London Gazette Supplement 2894 of 15th of March 1916 records Hiram Ashford Southgate being awarded the DCM "For conspicuous gallantry. He had volunteered for a raiding party and during the retirement, when his Lieutenant was in barbed wire and badly wounded, he turned back under hot fire and dragged him to a place of safety".

    I found that Holbrook High School had chosen Hiram as one of their selection from the Suffolk Regiment and described the way he had met his death: Private Hiram Ashford Southgate DCM. "During the night of 28th/29th of March 1916, the 2nd Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment moved into the trenches at St Eloi. Fierce fighting was taking place there and the 2nd Battalion moved into the trenches under heavy shellfire. In the morning the Battalion realised that part of a trench to the right of the Battalion was still held by the Germans. Bombers, led by Lieutenant H P Gardham, tried to clear this part of the trench. However, after 20 yards they came up against a barricade that the Germans had constructed to defend their position. Heavy German machine gun fire meant that they could not get past that point. Private Southgate attempted to climb the barricade but was cut to pieces the moment he dropped down the other side".

    In the "History of the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, 1914-1927", Hiram A Southgate's death is described slightly differently. "28th of March 1916 Captain G C Stubbs assumed command of the battalion. On reaching the trenches the situation was found to be obscure and complicated. Some of the craters had been occupied by the Battalion and dawn 29 March revealed the unhealthy fact that part of the trench on the right edge of the battalion sector was still held by the Germans. Early the next afternoon our bombers, under Lieut H P Gardham, endeavoured to clear this portion of the trench, but after making about 20 yards of ground, came up against a barricade which the enemy had erected. Heavy machine-gun fire foiled all attempts to get beyond this point. The leading bayonet man, Pte H A Southgate, recently decorated with the D.C.M. for gallantry at the Bluff, was killed 30th of March 1916 trying to cross the barricade."





    252426

    A/Cpl. Richard Izatt M.M. 14th (Fife & Forfar Yeomanry) Btn. Black Watch (d.22nd Oct 1918)

    Richard Izatt joined the Army in 1902. During his service career he had been a deserter, had malaria 5 times, scabies and defective teeth. He was invalided out of the army (a Silver War Badge had been awarded,) but he then re-enlisted for the Great War. It was during this war that Richard was awarded the Military Medal. Richard was killed in action in Belgium on the 22nd of October 1918. He is buried in Orcq, Belgium.

    Claire Redsull




    252425

    Pte. Albert Henson 12th (Pioneer) Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Albert Henson was born 1876 in Kimberley, Notts. At the time of his enlistment he was a miner in Nottinghamshire. He lied about his birthdate, putting down 1881 as his birth year, making him 5 years younger than what he really was. Such was his determination to fight for his country, his patriotism took precedence over his young wife and child, who were left alone for the duration of his service overseas.

    Albert enlisted on the 14th of November 1914, he joined the 12th Pioneer Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters' Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire, part of 24th Division and by 1915 was with the British Expeditionary Forces in the Ypres Salient.

    During August 1916 he was wounded by shrapnel and subsequently sent back to Britain where he was treated at the Reading War Hospital. He was discharged on 9th Feb 1917 no longer fit for war service. He was awarded all 3 medals, Victory, British and 15 star and acquired his Silver War Badge certificate no. 1599.

    Albert return to mining and then in later years became a forest ranger for the forestry commission, residing at Deerdale, Ollerton. He died of pneumonia in 1947 during thebig freeze of that year,

    Angela Shields




    252424

    Pte. William Sharr 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Sept 1918)

    William Sharr was the son of William and Martha Sharr of Melton Constable, Norfolk and the husband of Elsie Sharr of 194 Brickgarth, Easington Lane, Hetton-le-Hole, Durham.

    Barry Spink




    252422

    Pte. James Halsall 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    James Halsall was the son of William and Jane Halsall of Foxdale, Isle of Man and husband of Gertrude Halsall of 97 Armitage Street, Ardwick, Manchester.





    252421

    Pte. Arthur Evans 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    My Grandfather, Arthur Evans, was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. My Grandmother was expecting my father at the time, he was killed before he had the chance to see him. She called my father Arthur Evans in memory of his father. Over the years my father never mentioned him and didn't know where he was buried. He he got to the ripe old age of 80years when my brother in law contacted the War Graves Commission out of interest to see if any information was available. In the following months we had all the information needed. At the time my father's health had deteriorated but we managed to get him to the Somme to see his own father's grave. A very emotional time for all concerned sadly it was to be one of the last things he did before he died.

    John Evans




    252420

    Hugh McIntosh HMS Flint (d.26th October 1916)

    Hugh McIntosh was killed whilst serving on HMS Flint from a torpedo attack during the Battle of Dover Straits. He was a fisherman from Avoch in the Black Isle, Ross-shire, Scotland.





    252417

    Col. Harrison Johnston 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    Johnston Harrison served with the 15th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. His diary was published as Extracts from an officer's diary, 1914-1918, being the story of the 15th and 16th Service Battalions, the Cheshire Regiment (originally Bantams) by Geo Falkner & Sons in 1919.

    John Schultz




    252415

    Pte. Thomas William Gibson 8th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Thomas Gibson was my grandfather, he was born at Moorside Farm on Kingsley Moor, Staffordshire in 1899. We know that he lied about his age and joined up at the age of 15 and he was sent to France early in the War and carried out duties as a despatch rider, carrying information between command posts on his bicycle. We believe he transferred to the 6th Dorsets some time in 1918. At some point, Tommy was wounded by flying shrapnel but appears it was not serious enough to be sent home.

    After the War, Tommy took apprenticeship as a carpenter and wheelwright before inheriting the farm from his father. In later life Tommy was plagued by the experiences and injuries from his time in France. Although he handed over the running of the farm to his youngest son, he continued his carpentry work up to the period just before his death in 1979.

    Thomas Gibson

    Thomas Gibson

    David Dawson




    252413

    Pte John Doran MiD. 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.10th October 1918)

    John Doran was born in Whitehaven, Cumberland and moved to Blyth, Northumberland in the first few years of the 20th century. There he married Dorothy Winship in 1913, the couple having two children John George in 1914 and Harold in 1915.

    John was killed on the 10th of October 1918 and is buried in the Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension in the Nord region of France.

    Peter Ellis




    252412

    Pte. James McGregor Ballantine 5th Btn. Black Watch

    <p>

    My grandfather, James McGregor Ballantine was born in Newtyle north of Dundee in 1896.

    He enlisted with the Black Watch Territorials on February 21st 1913. He was on summer camp with them when war broke out and saw service on the Western Front from 1914 to 1918, and served with the colours between August 5th 1914 and April 12th 1919. He was finally demobbed on March 31st 1920.

    After a few years back in Scotland he went out to India as a manager on the Naihati jute mill north of Calcutta. He married there and returned to Scotland in about 1936. He then took his family, my grandmother, father and aunt out to South Africa in 1838. During the Second World War, he worked at the Kilpfontoen Organic Products, which was secretly producing mustard gas. He died of lung cancer at the age of 51 in October 1947.

    A cartoon of (I think) my gfrandfather James Ballantine, drawn during WW1

    James Ballantine's discharge paper

    Chris Ballantine




    252410

    Cmdr(E). Charles Main HMS Shakespeare (d.31st May 1918)

    <p>Shakespeare under tow.

    My wife's Great Uncle, Charles Main, had joined the Royal Navy in 1898 and ascended the ranks of engineering officers. He served in many ships, most notably at the Battle of Jutland as Engineer Lieutenant in the destroyer HMS Marne, sadly at the same time that his elder brother, Engineer Commander Reuben Main was killed in action when HMS Invincible was destroyed.

    In 1917 he joined HMS Shakespeare while she was building at Thornycroft's in Southampton, nice and convenient for home with wife and two daughters, presumably to familiarise and supervise, these being a radically new design. He was appointed Engineer Commander at the same time. On 31st May 1918, two years to the day after Jutland, Shakespeare struck a mine off the Essex coast whilst patrolling as leader of the 10th Flotilla of the Harwich Force. Unusually, he was the only death, the only reported casualty. Shakespeare was towed back to Harwich by the light cruiser Centaur. Charles is buried in Bedhampton Churchyard.

    Almost all written sources and websites give the date of this incident as June, more specifically 1st of June. Against this I must set his service record and his gravestone, both of which say May 31st, plus the logbook of HMS Shakespeare which ends on that date and does not resume until October 1918, but strangely does not refer to any casualties. Furthermore, the first entry in HMS Centaur's log for 1st of June is Shakespeare under tow, of which there are pictures, with her down by the stern. If anyone can resolve this conundrum, I would love to hear from them.

    Robert Jones




    252406

    Pte. Horace Henry Griffiths 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.13th July 1916)

    Horace Griffiths was killed on 13th of July 1916 on the Somme, aged 17.

    Andrew Hill




    252405

    Sea. John O'Donnell HMS Carmania (d.6th Jan 1918)

    Seaman John O`Donnell died at home from wounds received in the action between HMS Carmania an armed merchant cruiser and the Cap Trafalgar a German auxiliary cruiser on the 14th of September 1914.

    James O'Donnell




    252399

    Henry Thomas George Collins Royal Army Service Corps

    Henry Collins was my Taid (Grandfather). He died in his very early forties,having never really recovered from the war. He served in the A.S.C. in Egypt from 1914 to 1918, when illness led to his leaving the Army.

    Jeffrey Collins




    252398

    Pte. Thomas Jobson 1st/6th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Feb 1917)

    Thomas Jobson is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He died at the age of 31, leaving behind a wife, Isabella and two daughters, Elizabeth and Isabel.





    252394

    Sgt. William Richard Charles Calfe 62nd Btn Machine Gun Corps (d.12th Sept 1918)

    <p>

    William Richard Charles Calfe was 25 when he was killed during Battle of Havrincourt whilst serving with 62nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps. Eldest son of William Richard Manfred Calfe and Henrietta Calfe, of Englefield Road, Islington, London.

    He had recently been promoted as a qualified Sergeant Instructor on the Vickers Medium Machine Gun. The last image I have of him is as a Corporal Instructor. He is buried in Flesquieres Hill, British Cemetery, plot VII. F. 8.

    William's headstone at FLESQUIERES HILL BRITISH CEMETERY

    Matt




    252393

    Pte. Sydney Foard 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.12th April 1918)

    My grandfather's uncle fought in WW1 and was killed in action during the Battle of Lys. The 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment were defending Hill 63 when the Germans advanced. A message came through to flee the hill but there was a miscommunication. The message they received was to hold their position on the hill and fight to the last. This had tragic consequences for 1st Wilts, including the death of Sydney Foard

    Joanne Jones




    252392

    Pte. William Ford 2nd Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.29th Aug 1918)

    William Ford served with the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, Gloucestershire Regiment.

    Marilyn Bolton




    252390

    Pte. William Ashford Summerill Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>

    William Summerill served with the Gloucestershire Regiment.





    252387

    Pte. John Montford Rayner 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment

    Jack Rayner is my great-grandfather. He volunteered in November 1914. He served in the 20th Battalion (5th Pals) of the Manchester Regiment. He survived the War. I am researching him and the 20th Battalion and hope to go to France one day to trace their movements during the Somme.

    Max Feltham




    252384

    Sgt. Charles Hugh Langford Gibson 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.4th October 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Gibson served with the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.





    252379

    Pte Matthew Nicholson 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th April 1918)

    Matthew Nicholson is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing.

    Darren Nicholson




    252378

    L/Cpl. Frank William Flynn CdeG. 10th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment

    <p>

    Frank Flynn served with the 10th Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment and was awarded the Italian Croce Di Guerra for his actions on the 27th of October 1918.

    citation

    Croce Di Guerra

    David Hobson




    252375

    Sgt. John William Marshall MM. 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Volunteering at the commencement of hostilities, John Marshall crossed to France early in 1915, and was in action at Ypres and Ploegstreet Wood.

    He was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Arras in May 1918, and in the course of his service was twice wounded. In addition to the decoration won in the Field he holds the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals, and in 1920 was serving in India.

    He served in the Home Guard during WW2.

    Will Hunter




    252373

    Maj. Arnold Kenneth Malcolm Cecil Wordsworth Savory 13th (4th Hull) Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Arnold Savoury was often mentioned in the Yorkshire Daily Mail. He was gassed during WW1 and ended up going to Canada to settle.

    Helen Savory




    252372

    Cpl. Malcolm Murray "Calum" MacLeod 2/9th Btn. Glasgow Highlanders

    <p>

    My grandfather, Malcolm MacLeod was born in 1898 and joined 2/9th Glasgow Highlanders in 1914. Records didn't survive but he left a book of photos put together at the Lord Derby War Hospital Winwick in 1918. He appears to have served at home until late 1917 or 1918 as he was in training camps in Essex in Spring 1917. What is certain is that he was mistakenly reported missing on 30th April while attached to 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers. By 5th May he was at Lord Derby War Hospital Winwick having a gunshot wound to left forehead and losing sight of left eye (but not eye itself). Looking at the war diaries for 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers at the Battle of the Lys it would appear he was part of the 40th Division being forced back by the German offensive and probably around Ridge Wood when (according to story passed down) he was inured by a splinter from the butt of his rifle.

    Sawbridgeworth The Detachment May-July 1916

    Lord Derby Hospital Winwick

    Alistair MacLeod




    252367

    Pte Daniel Rufus Bowen 14th Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.24th October 1918)

    <p>

    Rufus Bowen was shot in the head by a sniper at Etaples, and died the next day. According to family lore, it was his first day at the Front. He was 19 years old.

    Sarah Moss




    252363

    Cpl. William George McGill MM. 105th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    William McGill served with 105th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Kevin Dempsey




    252362

    Pte. Ernest Alfred Biggs 8th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.30th June 1915)

    Ernest Biggs was born in Loosley Row, Buckinghamshire in 1885, and lived on Downley Common with his wife Ella May (nee Martin), and small sons, Norman and Cyril.

    On the outbreak of WWI he enlisted in High Wycombe. While at Codford Training Camp in Salisbury, he succumbed to Spotted Fever (Cerebro-spinal Meningitis) and died at the Isolation Hospital on 30th of June 1915. He was buried at Stratford-sub-Castle aged 29.





    252354

    Pte. William Bone 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    William Bone was killed on the Somme on the 1st of July 1916.

    William Bone





    252352

    Pte Claude Shaw Wells 8th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (d.19th December 1915)

    I believe Claude Wells, born 1896, was my father's cousin. His father was Claude Wells and his mother was Eliza Shaw, a widow. No marriage found. They lived in Midhope Buildings,St Pancras. I can only think I have the right person as war gratuities were paid to mother Eliza, sole legator. I know that Claude Wells senior spent some time in asylums during this period.

    Claude Shaw Wells died at the age of 18 in Belgium, and his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial. I shall remember him.

    Susan Edwards




    252351

    Pte. Charles George Ernest Briselden 2nd Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment (d.30th June 1916)

    Charles Briselden was a prisoner of war at the Siege of Kut. One of the unfortunates given up by Townshend, after suffering the experience of starvation whilst under Siege. He was then marched off as a prisoner of war but never made the destination of I believe Basra he was among the soldiers that died of dysentery according to the Army.

    However, a friend survivor (name of whom we do not know) reported back to my grandfather, Ernest Briselden brother of Charles, that Charles was in fact flogged to death by the Turkish Army while in captivity. How true this is we will never know but his grave is unknown. He is remembered on the Basra Memorial.

    This awful experience is still remembered and passed on within the family now in 2018. I have his dead man's penny and a wooden boot that he whittled whilst at the Siege of Kut. He was also a boxing champion within the Queens Own Royal West Kents when he was serving in India along with his brother Ernest before 1914. They enlisted as teenagers in London.

    P Cook




    252345

    Sgt. Charles Albert Blake Royal Marine light Infantry

    <p>

    Charles Blake was my great grandfather. He was born in Stenning in 1897. He served with the Royal Marines Light Infantry for the duration of WW1 seeing many fronts. He married Vyvyan Agnes Maud Aynsworth Allen in Dec 1920 and they moved to Wimborne where Charles worked as a steam roller driver, they had 4 children.

    In 1939 he is shown on a local electoral register as being a Sgt with the 5th Battalion, Dorset Regiment a partial service number is visible 5721... Any further information on this second military career will be gratefully received.

    Marc Davies




    252340

    Pte. William George Fall 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>William with his parents.

    My Great Uncle Bill Fall was born at home in a 3 roomed back to back terrace in Cardigan Street, Birmingham on 8th December 1885. The first son (4th child) of my great grandparents Clara Annie Lee and William Fall. Of the 16 children, 4 died before the age of one, the last girl being suffocated by her mother whilst in bed at night, subsequently confirmed as accidental by an inquest. By 1911 the family had moved to a rented 5-roomed house with shop in Market Street, Birmingham. Whilst nominated the shopkeeper in local trade directories, William remained in the gun trade and Clara was actually running the shop. With 10 children at home, the youngest were probably still topping and tailing in bed. William at 15 was working as a plumber, the oldest 3 girls were also working.

    At age 18, Bill enlisted with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and served from 8th of November 1914 in France (he was awarded the clasp with his 1914 Star). He joined the battalion at Houplines (N.E. of Lille) where the Royal Warwickshire's were midst battle in heavy rain and snow. On 13th of November 1914 the regimental war diary entry states "Discomfort undescribable."

    He served through 1915/16 crossing France and Belgium as did so many, suffering gas attacks from both the Germans and our own (as the wind changed). The battalion endured days and nights of heavy rain, snow and much rejoiced fine days. Training days away from the trenches must have been some relief.

    April and May 1917 saw thick snow arrive and with it the Royal Warks were in the thick of it alongside the Royal Irish Fusiliers and Seaforth Highlanders. Casualty numbers increased as the battle around Fampoux persisted. A brief respite on 23rd of April was followed by an intercompany football match, but all too soon they were back in the trenches around Arras.

    The major offensive to capture the Chemical Works in Rouex commenced on 1st May 1917. The battle report of 2nd of May shows "Heavy barrage along Crump and River Scarpe. All going well, but afraid casualties heavy."

    William died on the 3rd of May 1917 in action, aged 21, near Fampoux. He is buried in the small Crump Trench Cemetery next to the River Scarpe. This is down a long, narrow track, very isolated and in a heavily wooded area.

    The photo of Uncle Bill with his parents has recently come into my possession. It solves the mystery of why on the Roll of Honour in Birmingham he is listed L/Cpl, yet he is Pte on his medal cards and soldiers effects entry. Presumably he was acting. The Burial Return for the original exhumation of the battlefield trench grave of 8 soldiers shows he was identified by the "L/Cpl stripe on tunic" prior to being buried in the CWGC grave.

    He is remembered by many of his sibling's families, though I believe I'm the only one of my generation to visit his grave.

    W G Fall Grave, Crump Trench

    Sandra Boyles




    252339

    Rflmn. Thomas Arthur Bailey 18th (Arts and Crafts) Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Thomas Bailey enlisted aged 17 in November 1916. He fought in the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917 and in the front line by the Ypres-Comines Canal facing Hollebeke at the beginning of the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He was captured in action near Courtrai and was posted missing between 18th and 26th October 1918. First capture postcard is dated 25th of October 1918.





    252335

    Sgt. Gordon Macgregor 2nd Battalion Black Watch (d.7th Dec 1916)

    I came across a box of letters, two years after the death of my father Gordon Macintyre. The box contained letters from my father's uncle, Gordon Mcgregor to his sister Ruth. They were written whilst he was serving in Mesopotamia. The letters have some reference to my Gran's future husband, but also thank her for clothes and asking for some food to be sent. One letter, was addressed to my uncle and returned to my Gran in its envelope. It had been found in his jacket pocket when he was killed. From my research I found that he was one of the lucky ones to be identified and buried in Amara Cemetery, Iraq.

    I continued my research and found that his father, at the time, lived and ran the Windsor House, a pub in Leven. After the war, my great grandfather and 5 of Gordon's siblings received some money from the Army. I am not sure if this was his wages or compensation for his death.

    I wanted to lay a wreath on his grave, but communication with the Commonwealth War Graves has led to the sad fact that all the headstones were taken away in the 1930's, and although all the names were engraved on a large plaque in Amara, there is no photograph of this. If and when it becomes safe to visit the graveyard the CWGC will look to update the graveyard.

    When I think of the male members of my family, who would all have been called upon to enlist, My husband, my son, my brothers, nephews and cousins, I cannot imagine losing them. I cannot imagine the daily worry, the fear, the pain and I would feel, if I was alive in that era. As we approach Armistice day, it has been a sobering thought to be remembered of the loss so many families.

    I want to finish this note, by remembering my Great Uncle Gordon. He was born in Shettleston, Lanarkshire in 1894. He had one brother and four sisters. He was close all sisters, especially Ruth. He enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, Black Watch Regiment as a Private in 12th October 1914 and initially fought in Normandy. At some point he was promoted to a Serjeant and then moved to Mesopotamia where he fought and died of wounds on 7th of December 1916. He was 22 years old and is buried at Amara Cemetery, Iraq. His father, William, died in 1930. Gordon is remembered on his gravestone. I have recently found this long-forgotten headstone and plan to travel North to clean it up with my cousin.

    In 1931, Gordon's sister, Ruth, named her youngest son after him. Gordon died, as part of a huge sacrifice of that generation. He lived a very short life, but it has been a privilege to get to know him and his story and I wanted to thank him for his role.

    We shall remember them.

    Ruth Macintyre




    252332

    Pte. John Geraghty 2nd Battalion, C Coy. Yorkshire Regiment

    John Geraghty was taken prisoner on 25th of September 1915 at Vermelles during Battle of Loos. he was returning to his trench having gone for supplies and on return found it had been overrun by the Germans

    Matt




    252331

    Pte. John J. Smith 7th Battalion, B Coy. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.7th May 1915)

    <p>

    My relative, John Smith of the 7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, was sent to train at the East Lancashire Brigade Camp, Bourley, Aldershot, and as far as I can tell, eventually fought at Gallipoli, where he died, aged 16yrs.

    A letter he sent home to his parents during training at Aldershot.

    Alan Page




    252329

    Pte Harold Weaver Machine Gun Corps

    Harold Weaver served with the Machine Gun Corps. A member of Harold's family recalled him saying 'We used to place hessian sacks over the barrel ends to try and reduce the muzzle flash. Before we did this we used to urinate over the sacks to prevent them from catching fire'.

    Sara




    252316

    Pte. Herbert Goble 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment

    Herbert Goble enlisted on the 25th of November 1915 at Littlehampton and was originally with the Royal Sussex Regiment. He went to France in September or October 1916 (records are damaged and hard to read) but was transferred to the 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment on 7th of November 1916.

    He is listed on a Prisoner of War Repatriation record, showing his Last Place of Internment as Wittenberg, arriving there 26 December 1918. He was captured at Oppy, France on 8th of May 1917.

    William Goble




    252304

    Pte. Clarence Stephenson 10th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Clarence Stephenson was my Great Uncle, he was presumed dead on or since 20th of September 1917. Son of Herbert and Mary Ann.

    Dee West




    252303

    Pte. George Hill 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    George Hill was taken POW in 1914 in Lille, according to the Red Cross records he was a POW in Hameln in February 1915. He returned to Jarrow when the war ended and later went on the Jarrow March.





    252299

    Pte. Alfred Best 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Alfred Best volunteered in December 1914, he lied about his age as he was too old. Served in France. He was declared missing in December 1916 but was Hospitalized at Wimmeraux with Acute Inflamation of the Kidneys after being gassed. He later served as Batman to Lt. Horridge and also as a Cook. He was demobbed in April 1918 being no longer fit for service.

    He volunteered as ARP in WW2 and passed away in March 1945

    Alan Best




    252293

    Pte Arthur Courtney Thornton 1st Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Arthur Thornton told us very little of his WW1 experience. He was discharged due to trench foot and awarded the Silver War Badge. However, we were told that after being discharged, he went back to war when fully healed.

    Mrs Julie Cook




    252292

    Pte. Daniel Deevy 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.30th April 1915)

    Daniel Deevy of the 2nd Royal Irish Regiment was taken as a Prisoner of War and died on the 30th of April 1915.





    252287

    Pte. James McGrath 3rd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

    My dad's grandfather, James McGrath served with the 3rd East Yorkshire Regiment. I am Looking for information.

    Lynda Meredith




    252286

    Pte. James Herbert O'Connor 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.6th Nov 1918)

    My first cousin (2 times removed) James O'Connor served with the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment in Egypt in 1918. He died of illness on active service on 6th of November 1918 and is buried at the Hadra War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt.

    James was born in Bury, Lancashire in 1878 and married Sarah Alice Hornby in 1903. They emigrated to New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA in 1911. At his age James could have sat out the war in the relative comfort of New Bedford but showed his patriotism by returning to England and joining the Manchester Regiment.

    Michael Carr




    252282

    Pte. Lewis J. Robb 18th (4th Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.19th July 1918)

    Lewis Robb was my father's brother who was only 6 months old when Lewis died of wounds sustained on the battlefield. Legend has it, Lewis was running cables for the Signal Corps when he sustained and subsequently died of his injuries. He was survived by his mother Maggie, father George, sister Helen and my father George. Only 18 years of age, he was taken too young.





    252279

    Pte. James Trotter Stirling 3rd Btn. Scots Guards

    James Stirling served with 3rd Scots Guards.

    Heidi Colquhoun




    252274

    2Lt. Arthur "Arch" Heyes 55 Squadron

    My father, Arthur Heyes's war exploits, both WW1 and WW2 can be read at this link.

    Tony Heyes




    252271

    Pte. Walter Frederick Woodcock 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.24th Oct 1914)

    Walter Woodcock was in the Army before the first World War serving with the 2nd Battalion the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He went missing, presumed dead on 24th of October 1914. I have a silver watch chain that belonged to Walter from 1908.

    Susan Ash




    252261

    Pte. Arthur Leslie Atkins 7th Btn Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Arthur Atkins signed up on 11th of September 1914 aged 16. He lied about his age as so many did and was sent to the Battalion HQ of 7th Middlesex Regiment at Hornsey. His last home leave was on 26th of December 1914 and one night towards the end of January 1915 the battalion was told that they were to proceed to Gibraltar. He disembarked on 8th of February 1915 after a very rough voyage with many men being extremely poorly. They left Gibraltar on 22nd July 1915 and on Sunday 25th July they saw the French coast.

    There is a long story of trench warfare including the Somme, with only 9 men out of a platoon of 45 being left at one point. When at the front line at Fouquevilliers his age was discovered but he was still given necessary asses, railway warrants and was put in charge of a party being the senior soldier, aged 18. He dodged death on many occasions, even at Passchendaele and after being wounded was sent home on 21st of March 1918 from Rouen. He then joined the 5th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps for a hardening course then back to France and Ypres. On the morning of 11th of November 1918 they were cleaning rifles and refilling ammunition belts when a runner from HQ arrived to tell them that an armistice had been signed.

    Jenny Stone




    252259

    Lt.Col Robert Albert Watson DSO, MC and bar, MID. 14th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Robert Watson joined the British Army in Portsmouth Hants as a 14 year old, he attained the rank of Lt Col and died in 1943 from wounds received in 1916 WW1. He served in Burma, France, Germany, Jamaica, and Coastal Defence Cornwall (South West), he was Mentioned in Despatches three times. He is buried with honours at St Michaels, Ponsanooth, Cornwall, his grave is maintained by the War Graves Commission.

    Michael Watson




    252258

    Cpl. Reuben Chandler 215th (1st Wessex) Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    I never knew my Uncle Reuben, as he died before I was born, but his brother, my grandfather, also joined the army at the same time and like Reuben served in India. My family have only just discovered his war records from a visit to Fort Widley in Portsmouth where he, along with my Grandfather, are remembered in a book "The National Roll Of The Great War 1914 - 1918".

    Reuben Chandler Cpl, R.F.A. (1st Wessex Brigade) He volunteered in August 1914 and in October of the same year was sent to India. In 1915 he proceeded to Mesopotamia landing at Basra on 12th/13th of October 1915, where he took part in the operations for the Relief of Kut and in the Capture of Baghdad, Ramadich and Tekrit. He was demobilised in May 1919, and holds the 14-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals.

    Paul Simcock-Young




    252255

    Pte. Samuel Livingstone Sowden 2nd R.M. Battalion Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.3rd Jun 1917)

    Samuel Sowden was the husband of Winifred Ellen Sowden.

    Ken Turner




    252254

    Cpl, Charles Henry Robert Chapman 6th Btn. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Corporal Charles Chapman was one of my great uncles.

    Darren Chapman




    252252

    Sgt Robert Phillip Thomson 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.15th September 1916)

    Phil Thomson is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Juan Pablo Thomson




    252250

    2Lt. Gerald Hirst 3rd Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.26th Feb 1917)

    Gerald Hirst, an officer with the Kings Liverpool Regiment was a 19 year old Bedwas boy who died saving a comrade from enemy fire in 1917. I would like to share with you the achievements of Year 9 pupils at Bedwas High School Caerphilly in their work commemorating a local hero from WW1. We would be most grateful if you could spare 10 mins of your time to view the animation and hopefully share it with whoever you so wish as a celebration of their efforts and in fitting memory to all those who sacrificed in service to our country.

    Darren Latham




    252247

    AM2. George Henry Shephard 22 Squadron

    <p>

    George Shephard served with 22 Squadron.

    Ian Shephard




    252246

    Pte. Francis Morgan 6th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers (d.18th Oct 1918)

    Francis Morgan falsified his age and joined aged 17 and died in October 1918 aged 21.

    Colin Meddows




    252243

    Dvr. Walter George Sands 149th Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Oct 1918)

    Walter Sands was my great great uncle. He was killed by heavy shell fire along with two other drivers on 22nd of October 1918. All three are buried at Cement House Cemetery, in Belgium.

    Laura




    252237

    Pte Saville Walker MM. 8th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.1st October 1918)

    <p>

    Saville Walker served with the 8th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, being awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in action.

    On the night of 1st October 1918 while carrying wounded from the line while under heavy shelling, a shell burst overhead and he received a fatal chest wound from the shrapnel. His name lives on in his nephew, Arthur Saville Walker.

    Philip Walker




    252230

    Matron Kate Guise-Moores RRC. Farnborough Court Auxiliary Hospital

    Kate Guise-Moores served at Farnborough Court Auxiliary Hospital and was awarded the Military decoration of the Royal Red Cross 2nd Class.

    Clive Lacey




    252228

    Pte. Walter William Revell 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

    Walter Revell attested on the 19th of November 1915 and was called up on the 5th of May 1916. After training he left Felixstowe for France on the 12th of September 1916. His last letter was received on the 6th of Apr 1917 written on the 1st. The last field card from him was received on the 10th of Apr 1917 written on the 3rd. His family received news of his death from The War Office on the 23rd of Apr 1917.

    Richard Turner




    252226

    Pte. Frank Leslie Olive 24th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.11th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Olive died of his wounds as the guns fell silent on 11th November 1918. Buried in Awoingt British Cemetery.

    Sharon Olive




    252225

    Rflmn. William James Polden 5th Battalion Rifle Brigade

    William James Polden was my grandfather born in 1881. He joined the Army on the 12th of July 1916 and after training with the 5th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, as part of the Thames Garrison based on the Isle of Sheppey, he was stationed in France at some stage between late 1916 or early 1917, serving initially overseas with with the 13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. During the course of the War William was transferred again, this time to the 16th Battalion, ending the War back with the 13th Battalion late in 1918. A major battle he was part of was the Third Battle of Ypres.

    My late father informed me that William was mustard gassed during the war and as a result, died aged 54 from complications that had set in in later life.

    Roger Polden




    252217

    Gnr. Frederick Heatley 405th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th Jul 1917)

    Frederick Heatley was born on 16th August 1892 in Carlisle to James and Catherine Heatley, shortly after that his family moved to Manchester. Frederick married Ann Burnside on the 11th September 1911. The couple had 3 children (Frederick, Joseph and Jane).

    Frederick signed up for the Royal Garrison Artillery on 16th November 1914, he was 23 years and 3 months old. He was sent to Weymouth on the 4th December 1914 and joined the 30th Siege Battery in February 1915. In March he moved to the 28th Siege Battery and was sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force on 11th of August 1915.

    He was imprisoned for 1 month in June 1916 for being Absent without leave, drunkenness and conduct to the prejudice of good order. While confined he damaged his cell and was ordered to pay 20 Francs in damages. Frederick's soldier's record states that he developed haemoptysis (coughing up blood) in the field on 21st October 1916 and was sent to England from Boulogne on the ship HS Jan Breydel. He returned back to depot then on to Tilshead in Wiltshire, following which he joined the 405th Siege Battery in March 1917.

    Gunner Heatley died on 26th of July 1917, he is buried at Lindehoek Chalet Military Cemetery, Kemmel in Belgium.

    Deborah Aspland




    252216

    Rfmn. James Ward 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.25th October 1918)

    James Ward was serving with the 9th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) when he was killed in action on the 25th of October 1918. He served with his two brothers John who was evacuated with shrapnel wounds, and Edward who also lost his life on 14th of October 1918.





    252215

    Alfred Forman 9th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.2nd June 1917)

    Alfred Forman was the son of Alfred and Martha Forman, father to Charles Forman and Grandfather to Ronald Alfred Forman.

    Jamie Forman




    252210

    L/Cpl Curtis Cuthbert Garside 8th Btn Cheshire Regiment (d.12th June 1917)

    Curtis Garside was born in 1895. As an adult, he worked at a local bleachworks but volunteered in August 1914 and joined the Cheshire Regiment. After training he served with the 8th Battalion in the Dardanelles. He was in hospital in Egypt with dysentery and rejoined his unit which went on to Mesopotamia. He participated in the attempted relief of Kut. He was in hospital in India suffering from heatstroke before rejoining his regiment. In April 1917 he had another 5 days in hospital with heatstroke (Source: The Chronicle Glossop). On 12th June 1917 he was bathing in the river Tigris and was overcome by the current. A detail of strong swimmers were on duty but could not save him without being pulled under themselves. His death led to a Court of Enquiry and more training for the Battalion. (Source: Regimental Diary which also confirms he was a Lance Corporal - surviving records such as medal rolls describe him only as a private). Curtis was the only child of Jessie Garside (nee Cuthbert) the second wife of his father John Garside, the licensee of the George & Dragon public house in Charlesworth. Curtis and his cousin Capt. David Cuthbert are commemorted next to each other on the Charlesworth War Memorial which is directly opposite the George & Dragon. He is also commemorated by a plaque inside St John's Church, Charlesworth, erected by his parents and unveiled in early 1919.

    Peter Heginbotham




    252203

    Pte. John Malloy 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.25th April 1918)

    <p>

    John Malloy was born in 1897 in Dundee. He was killed in action in Belgium on 25th of April 1918. John was a Signaller in the 9th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. John is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belguim.

    Ann Malloy




    252201

    Pte. Frederick Brown 2nd Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

    Frederick Brown captured on the 8th of May 1915 during the 2nd Battle of Ypres.

    Steve Brown




    252198

    Pte. George Henry Riley 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment (d.17th September 1918)

    <p>

    George Riley was my Grandfather. This is an embroidered cloth about 1 meter square. Dad's Nips refers to my mother and her brother. The image was probably taken from a photo carried by my grandfather and I was told that it was made by Turkish prisoners of war in Alexandria. I also have snakes covered with tiny glass beads which were obtained at the same time.

    Having endured the horrors of the war in the Middle East I was told that my grandfather was picked off by a sniper while exercising the dogs in northern France less than two months short of the Armistice.

    Heather Jefferies




    252197

    Pte. Arthur Wallis Herbert 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance Army Service Corps (d.30th November 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Herbert was in the Army Service Corps, he served as an ambulance driver with 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance.

    Portrait photo of Arthur Herbert before embarkation for France in 1914

    Grave marker at Mesnil Communal Cemetery Extension

    Newspaper cutting from November 11th 1930 in memory of Arthur Herbert

    Peter Herbert




    252196

    John Lister Thomas 8th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.21st October 1916)

    John Thomas served with the 8th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment. Just discovered his details from a piece of fa,mily history I had had for a long while. He shared the same great great grandfather as me, Richard Lister. John was a coach painter in civilian life although he was known to have poor eyesight. He was unmarried. He was killed on the Somme in 1916 and his body was never found. His name is on the Theipval Memorial to the missing.

    Rosemarie Ramsay




    252194

    2Lt. Arthur Charles Langdon 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.27th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Langdon joined the Hampshire Carabiniers in 1912. When this unit was absorbed into the 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment in 1917 he became an infantryman. He served as a sergeant through 1917 on the Western Front and went with the battalion and the 41st Division to Italy. Returning to France just before the German Spring offensive. He fought with the rest of the 4th Army to secure the northern edge of the German salient around Arras.

    In July he was sent for officer training and he returned as a battle casualty replacement in late September 1918. The Hampshires next fought at the crossing of the Schedlt Wall at Knokke, assaulting and taking the bridge at Knocke on the 21st October. On the 25th Oct 1918 the Hampshires continued the attack eastward probing for the retreating German army near Waffelstraat.

    Leading the recces platoon at the point of the Hampshires advance which commenced at 4pm Arthur was shot through both legs by machine gun fire around some farm buildings on Waffelstraat. Fearing enemy mortar fire meant a counter attack his men hid him with Belgian civilians in a cupboard in the farm. On returning after the attack had been continued he was recovered unconscious and taken to No.64 CCS at Moorseele. He died at 8am on Sunday 27th 1918 and is buried in the CWG Cemetery there. His gallantry on the 21st October was to be recognised by an MC had he lived.

    Nicholas Langdon




    252189

    AB. Thomas Benjamin Emerson HMS Weymouth

    Thomas Emerson enlisted as a boy aged 11 on 29th September 1908. He had multiple postings including H.M.S. Weymouth, and was involved in the bottling up of the Konigsberg in East Africa. He received his shore pension on the 3rd of January 1933. But was recalled on the 31st of January 1933. He served at H.M.S. Osprey, Attack and Drake until 31st of December 1941.

    D.Bayldon




    252183

    Pte. Joe Moore 8th Company Royal Army Medical Corps

    My father served at Royds Hall to my knowledge at least from July 1916 to October 1918 as I have original copies of the hospital magazine for these dates.

    David Moore




    252180

    Pte, Archibald Earle Jackson 72nd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Archie Jackson was born in 1894 and often spoke of his time in France as a stretcher bearer to his grandchildren in the 1960s. He said he was promoted to corporal but demoted due to bad behaviour! He went on to work in the rag trade in London and in the fire defence service in WW2 in the City of London.





    252173

    Gnr. William John Thomas Fairbrother 136th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th April 1917)

    William Fairbrother was born in Millbrook about 1888. His parent were Charles Benjamin and Elizabeth (nee Manning) and they lived at Southdown, Millbrook, Cornwall. William was killed in action on 29th of April 1917. He was 29 years old. He is buried at Mazingarbe Cemetery Extension in France.





    252168

    Pte. John Edgar Ghent 15th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.28th June 1918)

    John Ghent was buried with colleagues but never found. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

    Jacky Robinson-Wing




    252165

    Pte. James Cleland Royal Army Medical Corps

    James Cleland was my late husband's maternal uncle. We know he was in France for all of the war. He was gassed in 1917, was in a field hospital. On release he carried on on the front line. He never fully recovered from gas and died in 1937 age 42.

    Shirley McQuillan




    252164

    Pte. Leonard Gibbons 2/4th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.20th July 1916)

    <p>

    Leonard Gibbons died of wounds received at Fromelles.

    Sean Keep




    252147

    Cpl. Alfred Wesson 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.12th May 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred Wesson arrived in France on 4th November 1914 as part of the 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. He died of wounds on 12th of May 1915, we presume these were incurred at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle on 9th May. He was taken to Wimereux Hospital where he died, his grave can be found in Wimereux Communal Cemetery.

    Alfred arrived in France on 4th November 1914 with his brother Harry Wesson. Harry was killed in action on 9th May 1915. Alfred was awarded the Victory Medal and British Medal. All this information was gleaned from British Medal Roll 1914-1920 and the CWGC website. I have a very grainy photograph of Alfred in his uniform but when this was taken I do not know.

    Susan Hargrave




    252145

    Sgt. George Henry Wesson 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.9th May 1915)

    Harry Wesson arrived in France on 4thof November 1914. He was killed in action on 9th of May 1915, we presume at the battle of Neuve Chapelle. He has no known grave but is mentioned on the Ploegsteert Memorial. He is included on Roll F/1/1/91 as a Corporal. At the time of his death he was a Sergeant and was awarded the Victory Medal and British Medal. This information was gleaned from British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920.

    In August 1914 his sister Nelly was widowed when her husband was sadly killed in an accident at a mine in Wales. Nelly was expecting a baby due in October of that year. The shock of the accident caused Nelly to go into early labour and her daughter (also named Nelly) was born two days later. The baby weighed less than a bag of sugar and no-one expected her to survive, but she went on to celebrate her 100th birthday in August 2014. Baby Nelly was orphaned in 1917 and brought up by her paternal grandmother.

    Susan Hargrave




    252143

    Pte. George William Lock 15th (Leeds Pals) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Oct 1917)

    George William Lock (uncle to Herbert Dowd) was born on 18th of January 1898 in Leeds and was christened on 24 March at Leeds Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was recorded as being the son of Robert Watson Lock & Mary Lock even though Robert Watson Lock had died on 30th of December 1895! His mother, Mary, later married George McCullon in the second quarter of 1899 and had three children with him, Amy, born 15 September 1900, James, born 17 January 1903 (died in the second quarter of 1904) and Alice, born fourth quarter 1905. Mary already had five living children from her first marriage to Robert Watson Lock, Jane Elizabeth, christened 4 September 1884; Polly, christened 1 August 1886; Ann, born 25 October 1888; Dorothy, born 20 December 1890; and Harriet, born 6 November 1892. A sixth child, Alice, was born 29 November 1894 and was buried 10 March 1896. In 1901, at the age of 3 and named George W McCullon, he was living in the family home at 12 Red Lion Place in the parish of Hunslet St Mary, with his father George, a coal miner; his mother, Mary, and his sister, Amy. His older sisters, Polly (aged 14), Ann (aged 12), Dorothy (aged 10) and Harriet (aged 8) were all in the Hunslet Childrens Home in Rothwell.

    In 1903, Ann, Dorothy and Harriet would all be sent to Canada under the Dr Barnardo scheme. Harriet married there and, as far as is known, never returned. Even though Ann and Dorothy came back, it is not known whether they were ever reunited with George.

    In 1911, the family lived at 54 Sussex Avenue, Hunslet. His mother, Mary, had passed away in 1907 aged 45, so he, aged 13, was living with his father, George; his younger sisters Amy (aged 10) and Alice (aged 5); and a housekeeper, Grace Evans.

    His attestation records do not survive, so it is not possible to say when he enlisted. Officially, the age at which a man could enlist in the army was 18 during World War 1 but many boys enlisted giving false ages or being encouraged to do so by recruiting staff. Often, these boys would be kept in the UK until their nineteenth birthday (when they became eligible for overseas service). Therefore, it is possible (although unlikely since he didn't receive the Egypt Star 1914-1915) that George could have enlisted as early as 1914 when he would have been just 16 years old.

    He joined the 15th Battalion, The Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), known as the Leeds Pals as part of Kitcheners Army. He may also have volunteered later or, most likely, been called up as a result of conscription under the Military Service Act 1916 (for single men aged 16-41). It is not known when he arrived in France but he probably joined the battalion as one of the many casualty replacements. Throughout the year so far there had been a steady flow of reinforcements joining the battalion and early in April 1917 a detachment was sent to Robecq to train reinforcements. They moved to Ecurie for two weeks where they were joined by reinforcements on 4th of Sep 1917.

    On the first day on the Somme, 1st July 1916, the 31st Division attacked towards the village of Serre with the Leeds Pals advancing from a line of copses named after the Gospels. The battalion was shelled in its trenches before Zero Hour 0730hrs and, when it advanced, it was met by heavy machine gun fire. A few men got as far as the German barbed wire but no further. Later in the morning the German defenders came out to clear the bodies off their wire, killing any that were still alive. The battalion casualties, sustained in the few minutes after Zero, were 24 officers and 504 other ranks, of which 15 officers and 233 other ranks were killed. One of the survivors, Private A.V. Pearson, Leeds Pals said "The name of Serre and the date of 1st July is engraved deep in our hearts, along with the faces of our Pals, a grand crowd of chaps. We were two years in the making and ten minutes in the destroying."

    The battalion returned to the front-line trenches of the Somme at Arleux again on 13th of October, and on the 19th went back into the support line. During this time, on Tuesday 16th of October 1917, George was killed. The details are recorded in both the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and in the Index to Roclincourt Military Cemetery in, France where he is buried. His father is named as George McCullen of 1 Greenwood Square, Waterloo Rd, Hunslet, Leeds,YKS. He was one of the 773 or so men from the Leeds Pals who did not come home. He was posthumously awarded the Victory and British Medals.

    Kevin Dowd




    252133

    Pte. William John Nairn MID 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

    William Nairn of Clones, Co Monaghan, Ireland joined the 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1914. He landed with the Regiment at Suvla Bay on the 7th of August 1915. He took part in the Battle for Chocolate Hill where he was wounded. He was evacuated back to a hospital in England.

    He next was sent to France in 1916 with the 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was Mentioned in Dispatches for conspicuous gallantry according to one of his brothers.

    In Febuary 1918 he joined the North Irish Horse He was captured after 6 days of continuous fighting, in retreat, by the German Army, on 27th of March 1918, in or near the French Hamlet of Margny aux Cerises, South of Erches. He was a POW in the German Camp at Stendal. He was released at the end of 1918 and returned to Britain and Ireland.

    He emigrated to New Zealand from Ulster in 1924.

    Kerry Nairn




    252131

    Pte Bertram Sydney Harold Bailey 15th Battalion

    Syd Bailey enlisted on 27th of July 1916, he was in 21st Reinforcements, 15th Battalion. He met an English nurse, Ivy Phoebe Moore, and married her in Birmingham on 7th of May 1919. They returned to Australia where she had four children before they returned to live in Dorset, UK in 1924. That didn't go as they planned so after just a year they returned to Australia where they had another three children.

    Judith Bush




    252129

    Pte. Edwin Rooth 9th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.27th March 1918)

    Edwin Rooth is my cousin twice removed, relatively recently discovered. He was an only child, and died tragically just months before the First World War drew to a close.

    Stephanie McEvoy




    252125

    Pte. Frederick E.W. Holland 17th (1st Glamorgan) Battalion Welch Regiment (d.24th April 1917)

    Mum's family, the Hollands, were told that their son, Fred Holland was missing, killed in action. Two of his sisters and one of his brothers each named one of their children after him. Fast forward to 2016 and his sister Dolly's family received a letter regarding a service to have his remains to be reburied in Fifteen Ravine Commonwealth Graves Cemetery, outside the French village of Villers Plouich.

    Having believed that their uncle's body was never found Des and Tony Fowler went to the ceremony and were thrilled and amazed to hear how Shaun McGuire, whose passion was trying to locate missing deceased Welsh war service personnel, was walking through the cemetery along a line of The Welch Regiments headstones, when he noticed that the 30 headstones all commemorated men who died on the same date 24th of April 1917. Of the 30, 29 had their names inscribed on them but one did not. He researched the regiment's action on this date and found that there were 30 casualties during an attack on the Hindenburg Line and these were their graves. He gave his information to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission who, after investigation, confirmed that this was the grave of Pte. Fred Holland who had later died of his wounds.

    He was given a full military service. All thanks to Shaun McGuire who I believe currently lives in Shewsbury.

    Tony Fowler




    252123

    Pte John "Sion" Williams 17th Battalion, D Coy. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    John Williams joined on the 25th of January 1915 and served during the Battles on The Somme, The Battles at Ypres, The Hindenburg Lines and Picardy. He was gassed and wounded and spent some time in a military hospital at Summertown Camp, Eastbourne.

    He and 2 brothers survived and lived to a ripe old age. He married, had children and carried on farming, working a lot with horses.

    Stephen McBride




    252118

    Cpl. Ernest Woodburn 8th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.8th Sept 1915)

    Ernest Woodburn was in the 8th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifles and died on 8th of September 1915. His resting place is Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery in Belgium. His memorial is on the wall of the Harris Library, Preston, Lancashire. He was the son of the late William and Ellen Woodburn.

    Ann Moys




    252115

    Pte. Richard Thomas Barnes Royal Army Medical Corps

    My grandfather Richard Barnes joined in August 1914. He went through the full conflict attending all the major battles. He moved to Yorkshire after the war and married my grandmother. He died in 1928 aged 34 getting his leg removed.

    Richard Barnes




    252114

    Pte. John Charles Sommerville

    <p>

    My grandfather, John Sommerville, was born 2nd February 1898, in the Strand Union Workhouse, London, used by the poor as a lying in hospital. He was a sickly child, in and out of children's hospitals, orphanages and convalescent homes, he was abandoned at a young age. He had a withered arm, possibly because of ill-treatment, and was very short-sighted.

    Because of these physical disadvantages, he was given a desk job in the RFC, which saved him from the horror of the trenches. He served in France and learnt some French songs, which he often sang to us as children.

    After the war, he worked as a steward in The Junior Constitutional Club, Piccadilly, and later for the electrical company, Phillips in Croydon, where he kept their ledgers, writing and in them with his beautiful, Copperplate handwriting. He married and had three daughters.





    252109

    CPO. George William Fuller HMS Cornwall

    I never knew my grandfather, George Fuller. He was born in Plymouth in 1892 and died in 1933 leaving 6 children. My father was the youngest, C.P. Fuller. He was at the Battle of the Falklands with his two brothers on 8th of December 1914. All were stokers. He went on to HMS Dolphin to the rank of CPO, G Class submarines and various Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels.

    I found his common grave in Park Cemetery a few years ago it was a common plot. So I bought it as it had no grave I put a name on it. George William Fuller 1892 - 1933, grand father, I have found you.

    Sarah Fuller




    252108

    Dvr. Arthur Hill 40th Division Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.30th January 1918)

    Arthur Hill was my Grandfather. He joined up after two women passing him in the street handed him a white feather. He didn't know them and they didn't know him. He joined the Royal Field Artillery as the Driver of an ammunition truck.

    He died from his wounds on the 30th of January 1918 and is buried in the cemetery at Achiete La Grand near Bepaume in France. He left a wife and a baby daughter. Unfortunately, his wife, my grandmother, died in the flu epidemic in the same year leaving my mother an orphan at the age of 3 years.

    I have tried to research the circumstances surrounding my grandfather's death but it seems that the Regimental records were lost during the Blitz. I have visited his grave but would dearly love to know more about my Granfather's service.

    Henry Golton




    252095

    Pte. Anthony Reid 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st Oct 1916)

    Anthony Reid was killed in action at the battle of the Somme on Saturday 21st October 1916.

    He has no grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, he is also mentioned on the Glasgow Cenotaph.

    Scotty Clark




    252086

    Pte Ezra Naylor 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.6th August 1918)

    Ezra Naylor is buried at Dive Copse British Cemetery, in France.





    252085

    Lt. Oscar Dean Maxted 18 Squadron

    <p>

    My grandfather, Oscar Maxted piloted an F.E.2b during Bloody April and was shot down during a photographic reconnaissance flight near Arras on 12th April 1917. He survived the POW camp and died in South Africa in 1965.

    His observer, Lt. Alick Todd was injured and died the following day.

    Colin Macdougall




    252084

    Pte. Henry Rowlands 24th (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.19th July 1918)

    Henry Rowlands enlisted as a private soldier into the Denbighshire Hussars Yeomanry (Reserve Regiment) at Eccleston Camp on 17th of Sept 1914. He then transferred into the 24th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers.

    Henry died on 19th of July 1918 in the 2nd Australian Casualty Station from a gunshot wound to his left groin after running to the aid of a friend who had also been shot. He is buried in Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, in France.

    Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Never Forgotten. R.I.P

    Steve Hughes




    252080

    Cpl. Charles Williams 2/4th (2nd Hallamshires) Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.20th July 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Williams died at the age of 35 on 20th of July 1918 fighting alongside the French in the XXII Corps. He had recently been moved to the 2/4th Battalion (Hallamshires) after having served in the 2nd Battalion. Before that he joined up to the Barnsley Pals, 13th(1st Barnsley) Battalion in 1914. The battle that the Hallamshires took part in that day was around the Bouilly-Courmas area in France. Their mission was successful. His name is remembered on the memorial at Soissons. The whereabouts of his body is unknown.

    Amanda Williams




    252075

    Greaser. A Lemon SS Winifredian

    <p>

    Greaser. A Lemon served on the SS Winifredian during the Great War.

    Stan Howard




    252073

    CSM. Edward James Ward DCM. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    My Grandfather CSM Edward Ward was awarded the DCM following a mine being exploded under the defences. He extricated himself and attacked a German patrol on his own, killing the leader and one other while driving the patrol back. He was wounded in the action.

    Grandad joined the Terrors in 1910 and went overseas in 1914. He died in 1939. I am still looking for the site of the action. It took place at Moated Grange, La Gorgue. It is written in the war diaries of the Royal Warwicks





    252069

    Pte. Charles Norman Cleal Army Service Corps

    <p>Norman Cleal RASC 1917 in fur collar.

    Norman Cleal served with the Army Service Corps.

    Roger C. Cleal




    252061

    Fireman. William Terence Sheridan SS Dwinsk (d.18th June 1918)

    William Sheridan would be my 3rd cousin (paternal grandfather's cousin) from Liverpool. I came across him and his sad death whilst researching my family history. William was a fireman in the Mercantile Marine aboard the SS Dwinsk which was torpedoed by a German U-boat on 18th of June 1918. He was one of the men lost (drowned), just aged 19. RIP.

    Dana Sheridan Murray




    252057

    Gnr. Ralph Makin 32nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.13th July 1916)

    Ralph Makin was born 1886 at Wigan Lancashire. He lived at 13 Howard Street, Leigh, Lancashire and worked as a miner for Plank Lane Collieries.

    He joined the Garrison Artillery in August 1914 and was deployed to France around October 1915 as part of 32nd Siege Battery. He was killed in action on 13th of July 1916 at the Somme by enemy shell fire. He left behind a wife Ellen Makin and a daughter Annie Makin. He is buried at Peronne Road Cemetery.

    Dean Marsh




    252054

    Pte. Alexander Peden 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st September 1915)

    Alexander Peden was born in Askam in 1891 the son of David and Elizabeth Leavers Peden of 18 Furnace Place, Askam. Alexander's father was a labourer in the iron ore mines, originally from Ireland, his mother was from West Bromwich. In 1901 Alexander was living with his parents and siblings James, David, Edward and Susan. A son William died in 1900 aged 11 months. His sister Sarah was a servant living in Scotforth near Lancaster. Before the war Alexander was a mine worker in one of the local mines. In 1911 Alexander was boarding with Agnes Duke in Leigh, Lancashire, where he was working as a coal miner below ground. His father in 1907 aged 54 years and his mother in 1934 aged 73 years. They are both interred in St Peter's Churchyard.

    Alexander signed in up in Ashington, Northumberland in 1915 joining the 8th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Alexander was deployed over-seas on 10th of July 1915. The 8th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, was raised at Newcastle in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army.

    After initial training close to home, they moved to Belton Park, Grantham. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They served with 34th Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division proceeding to Gallipoli in July 1915 sailing from Liverpool to Murdos on board SS Aquitania, landing near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th of August 1915.

    On the 20th December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli to Imbros and then to Egypt in January 1916 where they took over defence of a section of the Suez canal. Alexander died of his wounds in the military hospital in Alexandria, after not quite a month in Turkey. It is likely that he was wounded at the Battle for Scimitar Hill (21st August 1915) in which in one day of fighting the British suffered 5,300 casualties out of the 14,300 soldiers who participated.

    The Barrow News of 18 September 1915 tells us: Died Of Wounds. On Friday last Mrs. Peden, Furness-place, received official news that her son, Private A. Peden, Northumberland Fusiliers, had died of his wounds on September 1st. We reported in the news previously that Private Peden had been severely wounded by a shell while serving in the Dardanelles. He was a fine young fellow, steady and obedient, and won for himself many friends who regret the sad news, and condole with his widowed mother. As a token of respect Mr. Ward, headmaster of the Junior Council School, had the Union Jack run half-mast on the flag pole in the school yard.

    Remembered with Honour at Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery.





    252049

    Fred McLachlan 2nd (Salford Pals) Btn Lancashire Fusiliers

    Researching my family tree and discovered my great great grandfather, Fred McLachlan served in WW1 and was near Thiepval on the ist of July 1916 during "the big push".

    I would like to find out a bit more and would love to see a photo of him or his Regiment.





    252043

    Pte. Clarence Walter Mabbatt MM. 59th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    I collect medals and I have Clarence Mabbatt's medals in my collection.

    Mick Kippin




    252042

    Pte. Harold Idris King 4th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.19/02/17)

    Harold King is remembered on the Basra Memorial.

    Janet Mulready




    252038

    Pte. Charles Smith 10th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Charles Smith is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Christine Ferguson




    252037

    Pte. Charles Wootton 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment

    Very little was known about my grandad Charles Wootton until I researched him. I do know he enlisted at Devizes, on the 14th of January 1913. After a period of training he embarked for France with the Battalion on 5th of October 1914, being part of the BEF or known best as the contemptible army.

    He disembarked at Zeebrugge in Belgium on the 7th of October, the the Battalion who marched or in some cases travelled by bus to the Ypres. They left Ypres on the 15th October headed for the Menin Road where they rested for the night.

    Next day they headed for the woods near Becelare, and after several days of bloody fighting, Charles was captured on the 24th October. He was in detained by German forces at the camp Gottingen and listed there by the Red Cross on the 13th January 1915,then listed again at Langensalza camp on the 23rd Feb 1917.

    Eventually he was repatriated as a prisoner of war at Leith 31st of Dec 1918.

    Charles went on to marry Kate and had six children, my Dad being one of them. He had a love for cricket & every Sunday as a child we'd see him in his chair at South Wilts Cricket Club in Salisbury. He never talked about the war, but my Auntie said he sat outside with old comrades playing old military tunes through their hands & guessing what they were and talking about old times. He passed away in 1969, a lovely man. He was awarded three medals, the 1914 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Howard Wootton




    252036

    Pte. Thomas A. Davis 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Thomas Davis was born in Birmingham in 1884 in Small Heath Birmingham He lived on Garrison Lane where the popular drama Peaky Blinders is based. He enlisted in the Army in 1914. He was discharged a year later for being wounded,he wore a wound stripe. He was award the Star medal for, according to my Nan (his daughter) saving a French officers life. He lived all his life in Birmingham and died in 1960.

    Juliet A Sayer




    252029

    Frederick Caley

    I have pictures of my grandfather, Fred Caley taken outside the Manor House Hospital in Stokesley. He was gassed in the Great War. He survived the war and died aged 38 years old in 1924. He lived in Great Ayton and had a wife Polly nee Souter and a son Fred Souter Caley.

    Audrey Coupland




    252024

    Pte. William Burnell Willis 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    During research of our family tree, and through relatives paperwork, I have come across the enclosed letter, evidently sent from a military base in France, undated but from referencing its around 1914-6. It was within my grandfather's paperwork, he would indeed have been a nephew of the sender. My grandfather's own father died in 1916 and his ill health is referred to within, as are references to his 2 sisters.

    As yet I have yet to verify if William Willis survived the war but a couple of instances do appear to point to not surviving. The address on the letter is quite specific but I have also not tied this up. I lose track of our William Burnell Willis around 1901, but a 1911 census has a William marrying a Charlotte with a number of children who share prior family names.

    My Grandfather the recipient of the letter is William Percival Hollister, documents show he was an Air raid warden in London as well as subsequent long standing School Caretaker at Stamford Hill School, Tottenham, where he, his wife and my father lived in the 1940/50s.

    Ray Hollister




    252017

    Pte John Dermott Bracken 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment

    John Bracken was the son of Thomas Bracken and Ellen Dalton. He enlisted in Mullingar on the 23rd of February 1916. He served in Salonica and Palestine. Post war he served in India until the Regiment disbanded in 1922.

    Maryanne Fox




    252015

    Pte. John Bracken 7th Battalion Leinster Regiment

    John Bracken was the son of Patrick Bracken and Anne Dalton. He enlisted at Athlone on the 26th of October 1916.





    252014

    Pte. John Peart 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.25th October 1918)

    <p>

    John Peart served with the 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.

    Hannah




    252013

    Cpl. Samuel Nisbet 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.2nd July 1917)

    Samuel Nisbet died in action. He was the son of John and Mary Ferguson Nisbet of 13 Front Street, Cuthill, Prestonpans now East Lothian at the age of 27. He was born in Broxburn, West Lothian. He is buried in Duisans Cemetery in France.

    His brother James also fell, he was in the 6th Battalion KOSB and died 30th of September 1918 aged 27. He is buried in Dadizeele Cemetery in Belgium.

    This information comes from his Great Great nephew.

    James A Nisbet




    252012

    L/Cpl. James Nisbet D Coy, 6th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.30th September 1918)

    James Nisbet died in action. He was the son of John and Mary Ferguson Nisbet of 13 Front Street, Cuthill, Prestonpans now East Lothian at the age of 27. He was born in Broxburn, West Lothian. He is buried in Dadizeele Cemetery in Belgium.

    His brother Samuel also fell, he was in the 2nd Battalion KOSB and died 2nd of July 1917 aged 27. He is buried in Duisans Cemetery France.

    This information comes from his Great Great nephew.

    James A Nisbet




    252007

    Pte. Ernest Page C Coy. 1/1st Btn. Hertfordshire Regiment

    Ernest Page was a Territorial Force member. He had joined in 1912 in Ware and volunteered for Imperial Service at the very start of the war. He arrived in France in early November 1914 and took part in the Mons Canal, Cuinchy and Loos combats.

    When his time as TF came to a close in 1916 the New Conscription Law had been past and he was given the choice of being demobbed, going home and being recalled or staying on and choosing in which unit he would serve. Having taken part in the battles that cost huge numbers of losses, spent 2 winters in wet, cold trenches he decided to join the Artillery. However, the casualty numbers were so large that experienced men were needed with the newer recruits. And 6 months later he was transferred to an infantry unit with the Northumberland Fusiliers, at first in the 26th Battalion, then in the 23rd Battalion of 34th Division (4th Tyneside Scottish)

    He took part in most major battles until 11th of April 1918 when his group was taken prisoner near Armentieres. During the night of the 10th the Germans had managed to cross the River Lys and cause a wedge between 22nd and 23rd Brigades. Ernest's unit was over-run it only had one remaining officer who advised they surrendered to the enemy, in this case a German Cavalry Unit, You have fought well, lads, and we can now only surrender.

    He spent the remainder of the conflict in the Gardelegen Camp. Saxony. He was awarded the 1914 star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

    Danielle Rand




    252001

    Pte Edwin Jones Lancashire Fusiliers

    Edwin Jones enlisted as a volunteer and somehow ended up in the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was from Doncaster. He survived Gallipoli and the Western Front but was wounded by gas and suffered shell shock.

    Jonathan Smith




    251998

    Henry William Burrows 9th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.18th April 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Burrows served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.





    251995

    Pte. Frank Cullis 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.27th July 1916)

    Frank Cullis was my great great uncle. He was born in Wolverhampton in 1893 to Thomas and Sarah Ann Cullis. He died at the Somme and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.





    251993

    Pionr. Harry Salter 312th Road Construction Company Royal Egineers

    From his service record, Harry Salter enlisted in 1915 and was called up for service on 27th of January 1917 and embarked 8th of February with the BEF to France

    Terry Halls




    251992

    Cpl. William Elias Stamp 312th Road Construction Company Royal Engineers

    From his service record William Stamp enlisted on 11th Dec 1915. He was mobilised 27th of January 1917 and embarked with the BEF to France on the 14th of February 1917.

    Terry Hals




    251985

    Pte. Richard Earl Sneath 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment (d.10th October 1917)

    <p>

    Richard Sneath was my grandfather. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment.





    251984

    Spr. Charles Henry Ingham 432nd (East Lancashire) Field Company Royal Engineers (d.22nd March 1918)

    Charles Ingham was killed in action in a battle near St Quentin on The Somme





    251981

    L/Cpl. Percy Oswald "Tom" Geal

    Percy Geal served in the Great War.

    Tim Deacon




    251980

    Pte Percy Ratcliffe 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th April 1918)

    Percy Ratcliffe served with 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. He was born in Ballingdon, Suffolk. I am researching the lost of my neighbourhood





    251979

    Pte Soloman Davison 1st Battalion Essex Regiment (d.8th Oct 1918)

    Soloman Davison fought in the Theatre of War Western European Theatre. Formerly he served with the Suffolk Regiment.





    251976

    L/Sgt. Harry Edwin Julian Lang 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.26th September 1916)

    Harry Lang, born 4 September 1884, joined the 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers on 6th of September 1914 and was later attached to the 54th Trench Mortar Battery, with which he was killed on the opening day of the Battle of Thiepval Ridge.





    251971

    Sgt. Cornelius Chapman 24th Btn., A Coy. 1 Plt. Royal Fusiliers (d.18th February 1919)

    Cornelius Chapman is my grandfather who is at rest in Cologne Cemetery. He suffered a gunshot wound in August 1918 and came back to England to recover but then succumbed to pneumonia after returning to the front and died in February 1919 possibly following flu?

    He had two children Walter (Sonny) and Constance who he never met. Other than my sister and myself and our family I know of no other living relatives but would welcome any information

    Christine Green




    251970

    2Lt. Harold William Hague D Battery, 47th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.16th June 1918 )

    Harold Hague was killed in action on 16th of June 1918, and as the War Diary does not mention gas, presumably he died when the position was shelled. He was aged 23. He is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, in France.

    D J Jackson




    251964

    Gnr. Albert Sockett 306th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.13th Oct 1918)

    <p>Albert Sockett

    Albert Sockett was born in 1898 in Rogerstone, Newport son of William and Hannah Sockett. He is remembered at Delsaux Farm Cemetery.

    Sally Burge




    251962

    Sgt. Albert Tom Honey Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry (d.21st Aug 1915)

    <p>Albert Honey with his nephew Arthur Stewart

    Albert Honey was the son of Colour Sergeant Thomas Honey who had fought in the Crimea. Albert left England on 10th of April 1915 with his nephew Arthur Stewart Honey and arrived in Egypt on 24th April. On 14th August they set sail for Gallipoli minus their horses. He landed at Sulva Bay on 17th August as part of the 2nd Mounted Division whose task was to support the infantry attack on the Gallipoli hills.

    On 21st August the Division advanced across Salt Lake to Chocolate Hill in support of two Brigades of the 29th Infantry Division. Albert was killed at Chocolate Hill when they came under heavy fire. He has a Special Memorial C6 in Green Hill Cemetery, Sulva.

    Sally Burge




    251960

    Bertrand Frederick Ruddock 23rd Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.29th June 1918)

    <p>

    Bertrand Ruddock served with 23rd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.

    Ian Watson




    251959

    Dvr. Harry Adams 4th Coy. Army Service Corps

    <p>Harry Adams

    Harry Adams was born 14th February 1890 in Fivehead Somerset and served in the 4th Company ASC. Every army Division had an amount of transport under its direct control known as the Divisional Train and would have been responsible for the carriage of stores and supplies to the infantry and artillery.

    Harry survived the War and died in Cardiff in 1960 aged 70 years.

    Sally Burge




    251957

    Pte. Samuel Henry Bower 115th Trench Mortar Battalion

    <p>

    Daddy, Samuel Bower fought in WWI. He was trained in California near LaJoya. He served in the Infantry. He went by ship to France in 1918 and served in the 115th Trench Mortar Division. He return to the US on the Powhattan, a ship. He marched everywhere he went and carried half a tent with him. His tentmate carried the other half. He was in Paris part of the time.

    Sue Bower




    251956

    Sgt. Joseph Pitman 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Pitman was a Sergeant serving in the 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. He was killed on the first day of the First Battle of the Somme 1st July 1916.

    His, and several others', remains were found in 1924 located at the rear of the former strongpoint next to the Mailley-Mallet to Serre Road, known to the British as "The Quadrilateral" and to the Germans as Heidenkopf. His final resting place and that of the others found then, is Pargny British Cemetery.

    Nick Carey-Harris




    251954

    Pte Frederick George Davies 9th Queen's Royal Lancers (d.March 1918)

    Frederick died near Brie during 2nd day of Operation Micheal, Somme. Remembered at Pozieres Memorial, France, and Roll of Honour in Canterbury Catherdral Cloisters.





    251946

    Fus. William Roberts 5th (Flintshire) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    <p>Will Roberts

    William Roberts served with the 5th (Flintshire) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    Stephen Pierce




    251945

    Pte. Patrick Joseph Price

    Patrick Price was the eldest son of family of 4. His Mother died not long after the youngest brother was born. He is recorded as 'Wounded, LT Nov 1916'. No other details.

    Eimear Murphy




    251937

    Pte. Alfred Hicks 19th Btn. London Regiment (d.12th July 1916)

    Alfred Hicks served with the 19th Battalion, London Regiment and was attached to 138th Coy. Royal Engineers when he lost his life.

    Jorn Cooper




    251935

    Sgt. Grigg Francis Epsly MM &2 Bars. 5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.5th April 1918)

    <p>

    From the records that have survived we know that Uncle Grigg Epsly joined the Army Special Reserve on the 17th March 1913, then the Regular Army on 19th August 1913, his age in August was noted as 17 years 11 months. His previous occupation was shown as a carman.

    He was sent to France with the BEF on 17th of December 1914 until 29th of January 1915 when he was admitted to hospital with severe frostbite and was sent back to the UK to a convalescent home until 22nd of June 1915.

    He returned to the front line on 23rd of June 1915 and served until he was wounded in the right thigh and knee at Armentieres on 5th of October 1915. He was sent home for treatment from 11th of October 1915 until 1st of September 1916, returning to front line duties in France on 20th of January 1916.

    During action in trenches to the north west of Pozieres between the 7th and 9th August 1916 the Germans, using flamethrowers, attacked British trenches several times and each time were repelled. During this action Grigg was awarded his first Military Medal, he was quoted in the Reading Mercury later as saying 'It was for a bit of work I did in the trenches'.

    On 17th if March 1917 Grigg (who was now a Corporal) led a group of 3 men in a bombing squad which was part of an operation involving 9 officers and 200 men to raid the German trenches near Arras. The objectives were to capture prisoners and identify the enemy regiments entrenched, and destroy dug outs and machine gun and trench mortar emplacements. Every man involved had to empty their pockets and remove all badges and identity discs in case of capture.

    After this action one of the NCOs involved told the Reading Mercury "Corporal Epsly, who received a bar to his Military Medal, deserved a lot more recognition than he actually got. He put a whole machine gun section out of action by charging them single handed with bombs. He simply did it 'on his own' while we were waiting for the wire-cutters to cut the wire so our troops could get through". All objectives were achieved and the raid was over within 25 minutes, the war diary notes that 2 musical instruments were taken on the raid and were played in the German trenches! Casualties were 2 officers and 6 men killed, 3 men missing and 21 men wounded.

    Between the 20th and 30th November 1917 British troops supported by tanks, attacked the German trenches near Gonnelieu, Grigg was awarded a second bar to his Military Medal during this action. The attack successfully achieved its objectives but the Germans mounted a sustained counter attack on the 30th November and re took most of the ground they had lost. Grigg was wounded on the 30th but it wasn't serious enough to require hospitalisation.

    On the 5th of April 1918 Grigg and the 5th Royal Berkshire Regiment were in the trenches near Bouzincourt when the German Spring Offensive began. The attack was severe and sustained and Grigg was reported Missing In Action presumed killed, one of many casualties on that fateful day. His body was never identified and therefore his name is one of those inscribed on the walls of the British Cemetery at Pozieres. He was just 22 years old.

    David Epsly




    251928

    2Lt. George Barton Maxwell MC. Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather, George Maxwell was awarded the Military Cross for action at Sequehart on 1st of October 1918. He initially joined the Artists Rifles, underage I think. He arrived in France for Passchendaele. He served with the Lancashires then joined the Machine Gun Corps.

    Ben Maxwell




    251927

    PO Benjamin Mathew Huntingford

    Benjamin Huntingford served in WW1 and WW2.

    David wright




    251923

    Pte Jeremiah White 9th Infantry Division (Old Reliables)

    Jeremiah was on the USS Princess Matoika

    Susan N. Schuyler




    251922

    2Lt. Leslie Bernard Simmonds 57 Squadron (d.16th Sep 1918)

    Leslie Simmonds was an Observer/Bomber with 57 Squadron.

    Sally Burge




    251917

    Pte, Henry Hall 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.31st October 1914)

    There is little known about Henry Hall. He joined up as a regular late 1909 or 1910.

    David Campion




    251907

    Pte. William Francis Hawkins 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th Jan 1916)

    William Hawkins was born on 17 Feb 1895 Stinchcombe, near Stroud. He served with Gloucestershire Constabulary from 1906 to 1912 (More info and a photo can be found on Gloucestershire Police Archives Site. His police no was 3839.)

    He served in 7th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment and was killed in action at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 8th of January 1916. He's commemorated on the Helles War Memorial Turkey and on Holy Trinity Church, Longlevens, Gloucester where his brother Henry (who also served in the War) was the Sub Post Master.

    Elaine Cadman-Cramp




    251902

    L/Cpl. Lewis Gedge Pye 13th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.17th October 1918)

    Lewis Pye was working as an insurance clerk by the 1911 census and a member of the Workmen's Accident Claims Department at Norwich Union by the outbreak of war.

    He was taken prisoner in France in April 1917 and held at Dulmen Camp. He died at Munster Kommando 525 in Germany. The Manager wrote to his wife, "It is particularly sad after all the privations which your husband must have undergone, that he should not have been spared to return home to you."

    Anna Stone




    251894

    Cpl. Albert Charles Hazell 6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment (d.11th October 1918)

    <p>

    Albert Hazell served with 6th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment.

    Michael Hazell




    251892

    Pte. William Henry Price 12th (Bermondsey) Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.1st October 1918)

    William Price was born in 1899. He enlisted at Stratford East London. He was 19 years old when he was killed in action by machine gun fire. He is buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium.

    I have no knowledge of his life before or during the war, his younger brother, my grandfather who served with the Merchant Navy in WW1, had no photos or mementos of William.

    Martin Price




    251890

    Pte. Allen George Young 9th Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd September 1916)

    Allen Young's name is on the WW1 Memorial in St. Barnabas Church, Sutton although born in Sevenoaks and at 1911 Census was living in Maidenhead at aged 15 years and employed in work in Gardens. He is also remembered on the Sutton Memorial.

    Ellen Martin




    251885

    Fus. Leonard Gilbert White 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th November 1918)

    Leonard White was a milkman. He enlisted at Shoreham Camp at Shoreham by Sea, Sussex in 1914. He served through the Dardanelles Campaign, also served in Egypt, then to the trenches on Western Front. He was wounded in Nov 1918 days before the Armistice was signed. He died of wounds in a Miltary Hospital in Liverpool on 16th of November 1918. He is buried in Mill Lane Cemetery at Shoreham by Sea. His mother was a midwife Mrs Caroline White of 5 Buckingham Cottages, Shoreham by Sea.

    G L White




    251879

    Pte. James Stanley Whitwell 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd October 1918)

    <p>

    My great uncle, Jim Whitwell was killed towards the end of the war at age of 21. He is buried at CWGC Amerval Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Clive Oliver




    251877

    Pte. Harry "Ginger" Gibson 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters

    Harry Gibson was my Great Grandfather. My father, who is 90 years old this year (2018), met him. I believe he was also known as Ginger due to him having a ginger coloured moustache but dark hair. I have a small medal he was given as a result of running in the Flanders Cross Country Race. It is dated 1917. He wasn't killed during the war and returned home having been discharged on 22nd of March 1918 as unfit to serve. He was 33 years old when discharged. I have a copy of his discharge papers.

    Tony Gibson




    251870

    Capt. Edward Charles Cunnington 95th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.23rd March 1918)

    Edward Cunnington was the only child of Captain Benjamin Cunnington of the Wiltshire Regiment and Maud Cunnington. He was educated at Reading, then Cambridge and was studying medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital at the outbreak of war.

    He was granted a commission in July 1915 and joined 95th Field Ambulance, serving initially in England, then Egypt, moving to France in March 1916. Edward was killed in action on Sunday 23rd of March 1918 by a bomb exploded while he was tending wounded in a forward dressing station near to the front line.





    251856

    Pte. Robert Beckett Curry Royal Irish Regiment

    Robert Curry was captured on the 21st of March 1918 at the Battle of St. Quentin. He was held in Sprottau POW camp.





    251855

    Pte. Joseph Henry Stacey 12th Battalion, C Coy Sherwood Foresters (d.17th June 1916)

    Joseph Stacey is buried in Dranoutre Military Cemetery.

    M Barnes




    251854

    Pte. Alfred Victor Newman Army Cyclist Corps

    Alfred Newman was the grandfather that I never knew as he died before I was born. However, one of the few family documents on him that I have, is his war pension certificate, showing that he received a pension of 8s 3d for an unknown partial disablement that he suffered with. The certificate is dated sometime in Nov 1917.





    251853

    L/Cpl. Ezekiel "Zeke" Ellis 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.5th July 1916)

    <p>

    The short story of the uncle I never knew.

    My uncle, Ezekiel Ellis, was born in 1893. The only photograph we have of him is in Ilkeston Hospital with his father. In January 1912, after my grandfather had died, Ezekiel left home, at the age of 18 years and 10 months. He left without his family's agreement but kept in contact with his younger sister Cissie.

    During the Great War he served with the 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment. My father was 2 years old when Zeke died in 1916 and never knew his elder brother. Zeke's story was mentioned to me, many years ago, by my Aunt Cissie. I was told that he was a soldier and that he was dead. I was not told what had happened to him or anything more about him, but when my aunt died she left a brooch in the shape of a miniature bayonet with Hill 60 engraved on it, together with two sweetheart badges for the Sherwood Foresters.

    These finds urged us to investigate our family tree. We confirmed where Ezekiel lived from Census information and where he was born with the Register of Births and Deaths. His service record showed that he died on 5th of July 1916 a Lance Corporal who was killed in action. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission revealed that his name is shown on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Interestingly, my father fought over the same ground as his brother after landing on Sword beach in WW2. He was a Sergeant in the REME and much to his later distress one of the first to enter Bergen Belson. My wife and I, received tickets to the commemorative event at the Thiepval Memorial, to mark the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme, on 1st of July 2016 and visited again on 5th of July 2016.

    Ezekiel with his father

    Peter D Ellis




    251851

    L/Cpl Sidney Scurfield 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.25th August 1918)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle Sidney Scurfield enlisted on the 14th of September 1914, he volunteered as conscription did not start until 1916. He was thrice wounded and died of wounds.

    On 21st of August 1918 his battalion moved forward in preparation to take part in an offensive operation that is officially known as the Battle of Albert and is a phase of the Second Battle of the Somme, 1918. Sid was wounded in this battle somewhere near Beaucort on high ground south of Miraumont and died of wounds on 25th of August 1918 at 29 Clearing Station, just 21 years old and is buried at Bagneux British Cemetery

    Colin Looker




    251848

    Pte. William Scully 1st Battalion, W Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th June 1915)

    William Scully was a professional soldier having joined up in late 1912. He was declared killed in action on the 16th of June 1915 after an attack on the German trenches. His body is yet to be found. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

    Andrew Scully




    251847

    Pte. Joseph Priestman Moses 8th Battalion Black Watch (d.1st May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Moses is interred in Bordon Military Cemetery.

    Michael Bacon




    251846

    Pte. Sidney John Blanchard 5th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (Queens Own) (d.3rd November 1918)

    Sidney Blanchard died in a field hospital 8 days before Armistice Day and 3 days before his 19th birthday. He is buried at Kazelburg in Belgium. I would love to know which battle he was fatally wounded in and when he first joined up.





    251839

    Sgt William McNally VC. 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    William McNally's Victoria Cross Citation reads "For most conspicuous bravery and skilful leading during the operations on the 27th October 1918, across the Piave, when his company was most seriously hindered in its advance by heavy machine-gun fire from the vicinity of some buildings on a flank. Utterly regardless of personal safety, he rushed the machine-gun post single-handed, killing the team and capturing the gun. Later at Vassola, on the 29th October, when his company, having crossed the Monticano River, came under heavy rifle fire and machine-gun fire, Sergeant McNally immediately directed the fire of his platoon against the danger point, while he himself crept to the rear of the enemy's position. Realising that a frontal attack would mean heavy losses, he, unaided, rushed the position, killing or putting to flight the garrison and capturing a machine gun. On the same day, when holding a newly-captured ditch, he was strongly counterattacked from both flanks. By his coolness and skill in controlling the fire of his party he frustrated the attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Throughout the whole of the operations his innumerable acts of gallantry set a high example to his men, and his leading was beyond all praise."





    251832

    Pte. Frederick Ward 17th (1st South East Lancashire) Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.14th October 1918)

    Frederick Ward was the brother of our great, great grandmother. The family story was that he died on the last day of the Great War, but after searching the CWCG records, we found he died almost a month earlier. It is possible the family received the telegram confirming his death on 11th of November 1918.





    251831

    Pte. Frederick Brewer 8th Battalion Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.5 October 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Brewer lost his life on the 5th of October 1915.

    Joanne Brewer




    251830

    Sgt. Edmund Valentine Freeman 2/1st Battalion Essex Yeomanry (d.10th October 1918)

    <p>

    My grandfather, Serjeant Edmund Freeman, of the 2/1st Essex Yeomanry, was returning on leave from Ireland to his home in Great Yarmouth. He took passage, with many other service personnel from the Empire and the USA on the RMS Leinster.

    RMS Leinster sailed from Dun Laoghaire (formerly Kingstown) just before 9.00am on 10th October 1918 and was on passage to Holyhead. Just before 10.00am she was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine UB-123. She went down just outside Dublin Bay at a point 4 nautical miles east of the Kish light. Over 500 people perished in the sinking, which is the greatest single loss of life in the Irish Sea.

    My grandfather was just one of the 501 souls to perish out of the 771 people (crew and passengers) embarked. He was buried in the Commonwealth War Graves section of the Grangegorman Cemetery in Dublin. My grandfather left a widow, Clara, and three children, Edward (Teddy), Leslie and Phyllis, my mother. My grandmother remained a widow for a further 50 years.

    UB-123 was commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Robert Ramm and was sunk with all hands on 19th October in a North Sea minefield on its passage back to Germany. The attack on a passenger ferry with the imminent end of the war already an undoubted fact was deemed an outrageous and unnecessary act of war.

    E V Freeman - Marksman

    Clara Freeman

    Teddy, Phyllis and Leslie Freeman about 1916

    Commander Graham Edmonds, Royal Navy




    251829

    Pte. Reginald Jack Collett 8th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.30th November 1917)

    Reginald Collett was reported missing in action on 24th of November 1917 after the attack on Pelican Trench. His death was presumed on the 30th.





    251828

    Pte. Joseph Canetti 1st Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.8th May 1917)

    My granddad, Joseph Canetti joined the 1st Battalion Barnsley Pals in 1914, he signed up in Sheffield.

    He was killed in the 2nd Battle of Bullicourt on the 8th of May 1917 by machine gun fire while carrying wounded off the battlefield. My father was told that because he had an Italian name he could not carry a weapon so that's why he was a stretcher bearer. When he was killed he had four very young children, my father was only seven years old, 18 months later his wife, my grandmother died in the flu epidemic.

    My family went to visit his grave 5 years ago in France and I was shocked to see they had spelled his name wrong (Canett not Canetti). When we arrived back in England I spoke to my older brother about it and he said that when granddad joined the Army in 1914 they changed his name because he had an Italian name. My grandfather was born in England in 1886 and his mother and father where Italian. And the Italians were on our side in the Great War. Also his medals have got the incorrect name on them.

    David Canetti




    251827

    L/Cpl. William Haslam MM. 8th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>

    Bill Haslam served with the KRRC.

    Lynn Harvey




    251826

    Pionr. John J. Griffiths Railway Construction Troops Depot Royal Engineers (d.10th November 1918)

    I am currently restoring the overgrown churchyard at St Cystennin Church Llangwstennin in N. Wales where there are 3 war graves. According to the Commonwealth War Graves' info page John Griffiths died at the hospital on the 10th of November 1918 given.

    Michael Goodall




    251823

    Rflmn. John Henry Maskrey 10th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    John Maskrey joined the 10th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 4th of September 1914. By 9th of September, he was posted for training at the KRRC Winchester Barracks. On 18th Of September, he was discharged as medically unfit under the Kings Regulations. Not satisfied with the outcome, a year later, in 1915, John tried once again to join the British Army, this time enlisting with the 1/7th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbys) Regiment.

    Within months, he was posted to France and the village of Gommecourt at the Northern most point on the Somme. On 1st of July 1916 he was posted as missing believed killed. His body was never found and he has no known grave.

    On 26th of June 1917, his photograph appeared in the Nottingham Evening Post newspaper as one of four Sherwood Foresters presumed dead. His widow, Florence (Wildman) Maskrey married again to William Radford. John Henry is remembered on the Thiepval memorial and in the Regiment Role of Honour.





    251822

    Pte. Andrew Gullane Innes MM. 3rd Battalion Scottish Rifles

    Andrew Innes enlisted at 16 years old giving a false date of birth. He was sent to France on 31st of August 1914 and was wounded in action on 22nd of May 1916. He served with the British Expeditionary Force until 2nd of October 1915. Andrew was posted back to Hamilton and served from 5th June 1916 to 18th April 1917. He was again wounded in action on 18th of August 1918 He was awarded the Military Medal, which was posted in London Gazette on the 11th of February 1919. He was discharged on 15th of September 1919

    Andrew Innes




    251819

    Pte. George Charles Stripling 2nd Btn. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons) (d.19th February 1917)

    George Stripling was my grandfather's brother. They were both career soldiers in the same regiment, having joined the same day in 1908 and had consecutive service numbers.

    All I know is that he was killed in action and buried first at Fargny French Military Cemetery. His grave was destroyed by enemy action and there is a memorial grave at Maricourt, Peronne Cemetery. On the Army Registers of soldiers effects the death is correctly recorded as 19th of February 1917. However, on the list for Medals and Awards it is given as 19th of August 1917. He was unmarried and 35 when he died. I have visited the grave twice.

    My grandfather was wounded in 1914 at the Polygon Wood Battle in the first Battle of the Somme. He never went back to the front but was posted to Dublin. I have the bullet that wounded him, attached to an elephant collar dog, the whole gilded.





    251817

    Pte. James Waugh Seaforth Highlanders

    James Waugh served with the Seaforth Highlanders and the Labour Corps. He was awarded the Victory medal and British medal.

    Ella Bowers




    251814

    Pte. Benjamin Rule 4th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.25th Jul 1915)

    Benjamin Rule is remembered on the Helles memorial.

    Helen Rule




    251813

    Sgt. Gilbert Rodgers 166th Company Machine Gun Corps

    <p>Gilbert Rodgers MGC

    Gilbert Rodgers served with 166th Company, Machine Gun Corps.

    Gordon Rodgers




    251810

    Gnr. Patrick Carey 20th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.17th November 1917)

    Patrick Carey served with 20th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery and died on the HMS Anglia.

    Michael Cashman




    251806

    Pte. Walter Hamblin 8th Battalion Border Regiment (d.9th July 1916)

    <p>

    Walter Hamblin was born in Barnett (sic) Norfolk and lived at Castle Acre. He enlisted in Norwich with the Norfolk Regiment and transferred to the 8th Battalion Border Regiment. He died on 9th of July 1916 and is buried in Le Cateau Military Cemetery in France.

    Sally Fletcher




    251803

    Pte. William Holloway 4th Btn. Essex Regiment

    William Holloway had enlisted on the 9th December 1915 but was placed straight onto the Army Reserve. On 22nd of January 1917 he was mobilized for active service. He was wounded on 31st of July 1917 by a gun shot wound to the thigh. He was discharged on 22nd of September 1919.

    Stephen Jackson




    251798

    L/Sgt. Edgar Lionel Freemantle 2nd Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.23rd September 1918)

    I never really knew that much about my paternal great uncle, Edgar Freemantel, until I researched through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website. I had often heard his name mentioned in conversation by my grandmother and father but as a child I was kept in the dark. Being an ex serviceman myself, I wanted to know more about him. I found that he had died due to influenza approximately a month before my father's birth. I'm almost certain that had they have had the news before, my father would have had his name.

    Brad Hutcheson




    251786

    Pte. Frederick William Britton 8th Battalion Border Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    Frederick Britton joined the 3rd Battalion the Norfolk Regiment in 1898 when he was 18 and served in South Africa during the Boer War leaving the Army in 1904 to marry and start a family.

    He re-enlisted in the same regiment on 7th of July 1915. On 9th of November 1915 Frederick was transferred to the 10th Battalion, Border Regiment and then further transferred to the 8th Battalion in France on 30th of December 1915. He remained in France with the Battalion until his death on 21st of March 1918.

    Dennis Clive Hall




    251785

    Spr. James Barnes Royal Engineers

    James Barnes was born 1895 he was one of 8 children born in Swinton Manchester. He joined the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers 2nd of September 1914 aged 19 and 2 months. On the 15th of July 1915 he went to fight in France, serving with the Royal Engineers where he contracted pulminary tuberculosis, with TB present in his phlem. He weighed 7st 13lbs. He was sent home and later discharged from the Army on the 5th of Feb 1917. He later died 14 Jan 1918 aged 22 years. He was my Grandad's brother.

    Liz




    251781

    Lt. James Osborne McLoughlin 24th (1st Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    This is the transcript from a letter written by my Great-Uncle, James Osborne McLoughlin. It is written to his maternal Uncle Tom and Aunt Mary in Ireland. I will let the letter speak for itself..
    1st Ty Irish Battn
    7th Camp
    Sutton Veny
    Warminster, Wilts.
    Nov 25th 1915.
    24th Northumberland Fusiliers

    Dear Uncle Tom,

    In another few days the call we have all been longing for will come & we shall proceed to the Front, whether in France or Serbia we do not know. Anyhow we go & in a very few days now. After 13 months hard training.

    I suppose I'm ungrateful & unnatural to have kept silent all these years. I know I am, but still I have had you often in my thoughts & as you see, I'm not going away without saying "Goodbye" & ask your benediction. And say a prayer now & then for me "not that I may come back, for I don't expect that somehow & anyway I should be proud to die for the Cause" but that I may die, if I am to die, nobly and fighting bravely, worthy of the regiment I have the honour to be in and heroically as every Irish soldier does die.

    I suppose, at least I've heard, that you did not approve of my action in joining the Army, to do & die for England! Why not? After all though she has been a bad sister, she is a sister & we must help her. Besides who would be out of such a fight. And do we want it said, when the war is over, that Ireland did not do her share. Oh! Tom, if ever an Irishman lived who worshipped every blade of grass in her green fields & every sod of turf from her brown bog I am he. And I am proud to think that the lads I shall lead into action a few days hence are Irish lads & that the music that will fall on our ears will be [are crossed out] the shrill notes of the old Irish war pipes. Indeed it would do you good to see the Tyneside Irish stripped for action 4,500 of the finest, hardest men that ever put on khaki.

    This all sounds like an Apologia and I don�t mean it to be. I am 'writing just to tell you that in your regard I am the same James as I always was; that I love you just the same & want you to look on the many acts by which I led you to believe that I was ungrateful, unmindful of the old days and that that love was dead. And I'm sending you a photograph so that you may see that if the Army has done nothing else it has made a man of me. Did you ever think that the [unreadable] you used to [unreadable] would one day work [?] all day, sleep in the fields all night and work in trenches for 24 hrs in pelting rain as I have done lately?

    There is very little about A. Mary here but ask her not to mind and tell her I mean this letter for you both. I hope you are both well & that she is now grown out of the bilious bouts. I have.

    And lastly. If poor old Granny understands, Mother tells me she is very childish nowadays, just tell her I was asking for her & that I send her my love. And would you you who are so kind to everyone & whom everybody loves, at least they used to, do all that you can to make her last few days of life as easy & as comfortable as you can.

    Goodbye now dear aunt & uncle.

    I send you my best love & renew my request for a prayer that I may not fail or falter.

    Your loving nephew

    James McLoughlin Lt. 24th S B N

    Lucy Pitt




    251774

    Pte. George Coulter 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    George Coulter joined up on 8th of September 1914. He was transferred to 170th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers on 1st of April 1916.

    Patrick Coulter




    251772

    Pte. William David Diver Jacobs 7th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    My father William Jacobs was born in 1899 and joined the Royal Sussex Regiment when he was 17. He fought in the Somme and possibly Ypres. There is a newspaper cutting headed Sussex and the War announcing the arrival of the Cadre of 2nd Sussex at Chichester from Dover. The nick-name of the regiment was "The Iron Regiment" (because it could bend but it never broke). My father's name was mentioned as part of the Cadre that returned.





    251770

    Pte. Wilfred Crossland 2/5th Battalion Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment

    Wilfred Crossland served with the 2/5th Duke of Wellingtons.

    Bill




    251768

    Rflmn. William Ernest Taylor Uglow 1/9th (Queen Victorias Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.1st January 1915)

    <p>

    William Uglow died as a direct result of an incendiary attack on the barn in which he was sleeping early morning on 1st of January 1915 near Ypres. He has no known grave. His name recorded on the Menin Gate.

    William in uniform

    Valerie King




    251766

    Pte. George McLachlan 9th Btn. Scottish Rifles

    George McLachlan served with the 9th Btn. Scottish Rifles. He lost his left arm on 25th of October 1918.





    251765

    Pte. Henry Hargreave 14th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    My grandfather Henry Hargreave was killed at the battle of the Somme on the morning of the 3rd July 1916 between 1am and 7.15am. He was with the 15th HLI who advanced from Leipzig salient at 6.15am to the German front line trenches between X.1.a.59 and R.31.c.50.15, which they took but could not hold and were back in their original position in Leipzig salient by 7.15am. He was identified by his disc and eventually buried in Serre Road Cemetery No.2.

    Margaret Sharp




    251764

    Pte. William Coulter 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    William Coulter served with the 19th Durham Light Infantry. Following re-examination of Bantams in December 1916, he was transferred to the Royal Engineers.





    251760

    Pte. Edward "Sil" Lewis 14th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.8th Oct 1918)

    Sil Lewis was my grandmother's cousin. She was brought up with his family after her mother died when she was a baby. She said he was a great practical joker, always smiling, and always particularly kind to her.

    Veronica Conboy




    251755

    Pte. John Thomas Broughton 2/4th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.24th October 1918)

    Jack Broughton served with the 2/5th and 2/4th Battalions, Leicestershire Regiment.

    Amanda




    251752

    Pte. Herbert Talford 10th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.2nd Oct 1918)

    Herbert Talford of Sheffield served in the 10th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, in Flanders and died of his wounds on the 2nd of October 1918. He is buried in La Kruele Military Cemetery, Hazebrouk.





    251751

    Gnr. John Lane 406th Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.25th October 1918)

    <p>

    John Lane, one of my mother's brothers served in The Great War with 7th Trench Mortar Battery. He died on the 25th October 1918 of his wounds received in action while attached to 406th Battery RFA. He was taken into Casualty Clearing Station No 44 at Brielen 22nd of October 1918. He was just 19 years old and had only been in France/Belgium a short time. His grave is located at Duhallow ADS, Ypres.

    Chris Wright




    251737

    Pte. Patrick Bolger 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    Patrick Bolger was the son of James and Mary Dowling Bolger of Inch, Ballymurphy, Borris, Co. Carlow.





    251736

    L/Sgt. William Thomas "Jack" Clifford 1st Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.18th Sep 1914)

    William Clifford was the husband of Daisy Olive, later Brooks who lived at 12 Hafod St., Hafod, Swansea.

    Janet Mulready




    251735

    Pte. Christopher Handel Dyke 1st Btn. Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.6th Apr 1916)

    Son of Edward and Annie Brooks Dyke, of Playing Close, Charlbury, Oxon.





    251734

    Stokr1. Edwin James Marden Drake Battalion

    Edwin Marden served with Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division.





    251731

    Pte. James Alfred Emmott 12th/13th Batn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1918)

    James Emmott was the son of Charles Emmott a famous rugby player who played for England and his County in the 1890's. James was about 21 when he died. His brother Lawrence Emmott was also killed during the war on 1st of December 1917.

    Andrew Hepworth




    251730

    Pte. Lawrence Emmott 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.1st Dec 1917)

    Lawrence Emmott was the son of Charles Emmott a famous rugby player who played for England and his County in the 1890's. Lawrence was about 19 when he died. His brother Alfred John Emmott was also killed during the war on 27th September 1918.

    Andrew Hepworth




    251722

    Pte. William Charles Waite 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.14th April 1918)

    William Waite, the son of Mr and Mrs Frank Waite of Rangeworthy, Gloucestershire, enlisted into the General Service on 29th November 1915. He transferred to the reserve and was mobilized on 15th June 1916 and posted to the Royal Engineers. On 25th December 1916 he was posted to 1st Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment and deployed to France.

    He was wounded on 19th of November 1917 and repatriated to UK on 20th. On 25th of March 1918 he was re-deployed to France with 2nd Btn, South Lancashire Regiment. He died at 62nd Casualty Clearing Station on 14th of April 1918. His widow, Elizabeth (nee Fletcher), and daughter Ivy Muriel Marjorie, lived at Chaingate Lane, Yate.

    Arthur Threlfall Searson




    251721

    L/Sgt. Harold Elijah Frith 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.11th April 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Frith was killed in action on 11th of April 1917 and buried initially in the Lincoln Cemetery, St Martin Sur Cojeul, 8km south-east of Arras, France alongside 21 comrades killed on the same day. He was reburied after the Armistice in the nearby British Cemetery, Wancourt.

    He was born on 22nd October 1893 in Rowston, Lincolnshire. His father, Robert, was a shepherd. Harold was the 6th child (12 in all) of Robert Frith (1862-1930) and Mary Ann Simpson Wainfer (1866-1939) of Hemingby, Lincolnshire and Wrangle, Lincolnshire respectively.

    Chris Rippin




    251720

    Pte. Edward Thomas Holloway 6th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.23rd February 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Holloway was born 1890 in Winkfield, Berkshire. He died of wounds on the 23rd of February 1917. Received during the Battle of Boom Ravine on the 17th February. Edward is laid to rest in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery in France.

    Kim Andrews




    251719

    Rflmn. George Broughton Larkins Royal Irish Rifles (d.26th July 1918)

    <p>

    George Larkins served with the Royal Irish Rifles.

    Michele Taylor




    251710

    Gnr. Wilfred Marshall MM. 103rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather, Wilfred Marshall served in the 103rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.





    251698

    Cpl. James Edward Hannant 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.21st Nov 1916)

    James Hannant died at the Red Cross Hospital, Bellahouston, Glasgow, at 9.10 a.m. on 21st November 1916 of secondary haemorrhage which was bleeding that occurred from seven to fourteen days after surgery for a leg wound (gunshot).

    Eleanor Moore




    251697

    L/Cpl. Albert Curtis 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.22nd Jun 1916)

    <p>Vermelles British Cemetery

    Albert Curtis was the eldest son to John and Mercy Curtis of Bishop Burton, East Yorkshire. "One of the Best".

    Neill




    251695

    Lt Gerald Mercer Renny 92nd Brigade (d.15th April 1917)

    Gerald Renny was my father's uncle. I am looking for more information about which battery he was in, he is buried at Neuvill-Bourjonval.

    Linda Renny




    251691

    Sgt. John Irvine Rodger MSM. (d.14th April 1918)

    John Rodger was murdered by a German in Giessen POW camp. He was stabbed in the back.

    Sonia Last




    251690

    Dvr. Stephen Charles Cornwell 178th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Stephen Cornwell served with 178th Battery, Royal Field Artillery.

    Sarah Young




    251683

    Pte. Thomas Affleck 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.19th April 1917)

    Thomas Affleck was killed in April 1917. Ijust found his medals in a shop and thought I would look after them and look up about him. RIP

    Morgan Cashin




    251677

    Pte. Walter Wallis Simmonds 3rd Battalion London Regiment (d.25th April 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Simmonds was my great grandfather. He died at Villers Bretonneux.

    Headstone

    Norman Pipe




    251675

    Major. Herbert Henry Hayes MID. 58th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st October 1918)

    <p>

    Herbert Hayes was killed in action, at Honnecourt, France on the 1st of October 1918.

    Herbert was born in London on 15th March 1893, the 2nd son of William Hayes, a naval Chief Artificer who himself was killed in the Battle of Jutland 1916 in HMS Fortune. In 1909 William's career took the family from West Ham London to Southsea where Herbert studied at Southern Grammar School. He was described as a good student excelling at sports and games.

    In 1912 Herbert won a scholarship and embarked on an engineering degree at the Royal College of Science in London.

    On 17th September 1914 Herbert enlisted as 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Garrison Artillery. Serving as CO of 58th Seige Battery. He was promoted to Major, CO of 409th Siege battery.

    Herbert was clearly an outstanding officer, Mentioned in Despatches. What little of the war diaries of his Siege Battery survives includes a description of the events leading to his death. Written in immaculate copper plate the recorder describes "The battery came into position on the ridge in front of Homecourt on night of Sept 30. The B.C. post was set up in a tent in front of the football trench. At 10am the enemy began shelling with 4.2 H.Vs and one burst in the rear of the tent. The splinters riddled the tent and killed Major H H Hayes, the CO almost immediately. He was buried at Fins Cemetery at 3pm. The Battery was with 58th Army Brigade RGA, V Corps" The location of his death is identified as Vaucelette Farm.

    The General of the V Corps wrote of him "Ever since he has commanded his Battery, no man could have done more to improve its efficiency, and his personal gallantry was always outstanding."

    Herbert's family were apparently unaware that he married during the war to Alice McMurray of Glasgow, Scotland and it would appear that his young wife was pregnant in 1918. A grave in the local church Kirkcudbright has one William Hayes, apparently having died as a baby. His probate dated 1919 declared his wife, Alice Catherine Hayes of Kirkcudbright as being the sole beneficiary of 299 pounds 12s.

    Herbert served throughout the War from its beginning in 1914 and tragically fell 41 days prior to Armistice. Some facts, from his application for commission, Age 21 years, Height 5'4", Chest 32", Weight 8st 4lbs.

    John Lawson




    251674

    Wag. Francis Harold Gillatt 2nd Bridging Train Army Service Corps

    Francis Gillatt served as a Wagoner with the Army Service Corps attached to the 2nd Bridging Train, Royal Engineers. In November 1916 he was with 1st Canadian GIP at the Battle of Ancre Heights on the Somme and involved with the capture of Regina Trench and the capture of Beaumont Hamel. He was posted to Salonica, Northern Greece in Nov 1916 but ended up with Malaria in the 1st Canadian General Hospital. He was sent to Malta to recover but was delirious and posted missing but a Chaplain heard him saying the name Flixborough (in Yorkshire) and he was subsequently identified.

    C. Hunt




    251673

    Pte. William Littleford 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.6th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My Grandfather William Littleford joined the Territorial Army in Ashton Under Lyne in 1908 his number then was 48 At the outbreak of WW1 his Battalion 1/9th sailed to Egypt in preparation for the Gallipoli Offensive. They sailed from Alexandria in the SS Ausonia and landed on V Beach on 9th May 1915 under heavy fire. After the evacuation from Gallipoli he served in Egypt then the Veneto Region of Italy where he fought in the Battle of the Piave River. Now joined to 21st Battalion he entered the Western Front where he lost his life due to being gassed during the Battle of Beaurevoir.

    Gillian Sweeny




    251669

    A/CQMS. George Edward Jeffries 7th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    George Jeffries embarked on 30th of May 1915. George was later transferred to the 2nd Highland Light Infantry, then the 5th Highland Light Infantry. He reached the rank of A/CQMS and was demobbed on the 4th of April 1919 at Hamilton. He was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 15 Star. He was born in Pakefield, Suffolk and was married to Maggie.





    251666

    L/Cpl. William Lancaster 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th April 1916)

    I was unaware of William Lancaster's death in WW1 until my 6 year twin grandchildren began asking questions for a project around Remembrance Day and my family history search brought him to light.

    Andy Jefferson




    251662

    Pte Ralph Hatherley 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.5th July 1916)

    Ralph Hatherley served with the 10th Sherwood Foresters.

    Keith Hatherley




    251657

    Pte. William Wallace 9th Service Battalion Black Watch (d.17th September 1915)

    <p>

    The Glasgow Evening Times reported "Mr and Mrs Wallace of Barrowfield, Coatbridge have received official information that their son, Private William Wallace, 9th Black Watch who was wounded in France on 16th of September, died on 17th of September 1915. Before enlisting the deceased was employed with the Caledonian Railway Company. While out with a work party, he was shot."

    Kevin Smith




    251656

    Pte. John Wallace 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.21st Sep 1915)

    <p>

    John Wallace served with the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. The Evening Times reported "Information has been received in Coatbridge that Private John Wallace, 2nd HLI of Barronfield Place, Coatbridge was killed in action in France on 21st of September 1915. He was employed with Mr William Gibson, painter, Academy Street, Coatbridge. His brother William, 9th Black Watch was killed some months ago."

    Kevin Smith




    251652

    Pte. Michael Francis Murray 22nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.28th Mar 1917)

    Michael Murray is my grandfather. He was killed in action in 1917 and is buried in British War Graves Cemetery in Croiselle, Northern France. Unfortunately, although I have searched several WW1 records, I have been unable to find copy of his service record.

    Margaret




    251641

    Pte. Alfred Edward Barrett 16th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.26th October 1917)

    Alfred Barrett was my great uncle. I only found out about him because I started to do family history and found he was a brother of my paternal grandmother. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Jean Spelman




    251639

    Spr. William Garvie Calder 219th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.30th September 1918)

    I found Wullie Calder , a fellow Sapper, in Joncourt British Cemetery in France as I searched for my Great Grandfather, Pte Thomas Galloway of the 10th Btn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Wullie is the only Sapper laid to rest in the small cemetery and I'm glad I found him a 100 years to the day that he fell in battle.

    His Unit, the 219th Field Coy RE, smashed through the Requeval Bridge obstacles and bridged the canal to enable the Division to reach the east bank then on up to Joncourt through the Hindenburg Line were he was struck by machine gun fire alongside the Argyll's.

    The inscription on his gravestone reads,

    THY TASK IS O'ER SWEET MEMORIES OF THEE WILL LIVE FOR EVERMORE

    Sappers don't die they just regroup to the bar in heaven.

    Don McGillivray




    251636

    L/Cpl. Florian Conti 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.19th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    Little is known of Florian Conti's war time service, as his mother was bombed out during WW2 and most family papers were lost. But his death was written up in the War Diary. It seems he was a sniper and had done good work according to his CO. On the day he died he said he was moving further up the line to find a better spot and whilst doing so was hit in the back.

    Philippe Reynolds




    251634

    Pte. Charles George Gardiner 1st Btn. Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers

    This is my Great Grandfather. He signed up in October 1899, and joined the Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers at Omagh on 14th October 1899. His service records show that they were mobilised at Omagh on 5th of August 1914. He was in France from 23rd of August 1914 to 25th of August 1914 and taken POW on the 26th of August 1914, he was held until the end of the war and was repatriated on the 15th of December 1914 and demobbed on 20th of March 1919. He served for a total of 19 years 161 days.

    From another source I have been able to establish that he received a wound to his thigh and was held at a hospital in Crefield for a time. The entry reads; Gardiner, Charles, Priv. Inf. Oberschenkel. Ros. Laz.2. Crefield. (Oberschenkel is German for Thigh). The source informed me that his Battalion had been engaged at Esnes, France, then moved back to Le Catelet on the 26th of August 1914. He appears to have been left behind when the Battalion retreated.

    He never spoke about his time in the war. I remember when we visited his daughters house in Belfast, he was always sitting in the chair beside the fire, with a pipe. He passed away in January 1971

    Paul Simpson




    251629

    Cpl. Bertram Gordon Tolley 1st/1st West Somerset Yeomanry

    Bertram Tolley was born in 1885 in Reeds & Hamlets Kingsnympton the son of James Fisher Tolley and Dinah Hulland Adams. He along with the rest of the family moved from Kingsnympton to Upottery Nr. Honiton in 1895 to Lambpark farm. In 1903 he joined the West Somerset Yeomanry, todays TA.

    When war broke out in 1914 he was moblised and sent to Colchester for training, the West Somerset Yeomanry were attached to the Hussars. He sailed on the RMS Olympic from Liverpool in September 1915, the West Somerset Yeomanry were attached to the Hussars, and saw action in Suvla, Gallipoli. Initially they were to dig trenches but by November they were fighting in the front line having taken over the Anzac trenches, they were evacuated in late November, early December, to Alexandria Egypt. On his return to the UK, Bertram asked to be discharged and this was granted due to the number of years of service he had done prior to the war.

    He lived at Kings Lease in Upottery until at least 1919, this was another property attached to Lambpark farm. In 1917 he married Mary Ellen Dimond, formally of Gordhayes Farm Upottery, in Bermondsey London, the reason being Mary's sister Elizabeth Pearcy lived in London but were about to move to Chelows Park, estate which Tom Pearcy had purchased. Bertram and Mary lived at Old Chellows, Nr. Lingfield, Surrey, from around 1919/20, this was part of the estate owned by Tom and Elizabeth Pearcy. Mary and Bertram lived here until the untimely death of Mary in 1928. Tom and Elizabeth had returned to London in the early 30's due to financial losses endured by the crash, they died there in 1940 but are buried in the same grave as Mary Ellen Tolley, in Lingfield. Bertram then moved and purchased Brick Kiln Farm in Great Totham Nr. Maldon Essex, in 1929. He had been billeted near here when he was called up for WW1 service. He later sold this around 1937/38 to the Keyes family, he was still at Great Totham in Kelly's directory at this time, and moved to 41 North Street this appears to have been lodgings according to the 1939 register listed as a retired farmer. He later purchased and moved to 37 Church Street Maldon, Essex, he then worked for the council as a recreation ground attendant. Bertram died at the age of 65 in 1950 at Maldon Hospital. He left his money and property to his brother Fred, who lived in Boreham a few miles away. Bertram was buried in Maldon Cemetery in London Road, Essex in Row h43 v78 plot 6615 on the 17th March 1950. There is no headstone.

    Simon Tolley




    251624

    Sgt. George Storey MM. 2nd Btn Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment

    George Storey was born in 1888. He joined up on the 28th of August 1903 aged 15 years and 6 months. In teh Great War he was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and the Military Medal.

    Laurence Garnett




    251614

    Cpl. Reginald Hugo Brown 1st North Midland Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Reginald Brown was my grandfather on my mother's side. Born in 1892 his civilian job was a self employed house painter. He married Beatrice Collard on 4th of Aug 1913, aged 21.

    One year later, on 12th of September 1914 he signed up to serve for the duration of the war, and enlisted in the RAMC. He served with the 1st North Midlands Field Ambulance unit (and thus the 46th North Midlands Division).

    On 1st of April 1918, he transferred to the RAF, which had just been formed from the RFC, and he would have been amongst the RAF's earliest intake. He served with the RAF until the end of the war. He suffered in later years with a hernia, acquired when an aeroplane engine fell on him.

    His wife died in 1933 at the age of 40, and he never re-married. They only had one child, my mother. The photo of him is taken from a photo of the family at the time of the christening of his first grandchild, my sister, in 1940 His medals, which I have inherited, are the classic "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred" trio. He died in 1955





    251608

    Rflmn. Myer Tompofski MM. 2/7th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th September 1918)

    <p>

    Myer Tompofski won his MM at the Battle of Bucquoy in March 1918 and was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Canal du Nord on 27th of September 1918. He was my mother's brother, always spoken of with huge affection. We have eight of his letters home revealing him to be a warm, funny, highly considerate son and brother. He is buried with his comrades at the Flesquieres Hill Cemetery near Cambrai. I have written a short play about my uncle based on his letters.

    Mike Levy




    251600

    Sgt. Sidney Taylor 7th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

    This is a letter from Sidney Taylor aged 27 to his niece Hilda who lived with her grandparents (Sid's parents) in Oldham. Hilda's parents were in Russia, her father a manager of a cotton mill, part of an expat community.
    Sjt S Taylor. No 36656

    7th East Lancashire Regt

    30th I. B. D.

    Wednesday 31/1/1917

    A.P.O. S 17 B. E. F. France

    My dear Hilda,

    Ever so many thanks for your long interesting and welcome letter to hand this morning. It seems to have taken it a long time to get here. You see I got the second parcel before the other. That came to hand yesterday afternoon and the first parcel I got on Sunday. Thanks so much for the chocolate and the chocolate in Lily,s box (which you put in) and the P. It really is so nice and thoughtful of you and Amy to keep sending me these things of course you know I really appreciate them and I'm afraid I cannot repay you much from here for all your kindness but we'll have a jolly good time when I get back to dear Old Blighty won't we?

    You say you expect I should be tired of reading your long letter before I got to the end of it but your letter was most welcome, amusing and interesting, I could have read another eight pages with enjoyment. I can just picture Amy relating the story of the Scotch soldier I'm sure she would have a shock its a wonder she isn't cross eyed with that. It reminds me of the cheap jokes you bought once at a Christmas Party (St James) they too had some reference to stomachs but it was inside that time and not out eh? Trust the same old Amy.

    You say your father has been contributing to the Petrograd collection for Christmas Puddings for Tommies in France. Well Hilda we had Christmas puddings on Christmas Day, so perhaps those which were sent were some of the ones which your daddy has helped to pay for.

    I'm glad all your teeth fillings are completed now and I�ll bet you 'are glad also its an awfully "nice" procedure I know especially when there is any gold work to be done. I should like to see what sort of work Barlow has made of it. I suppose they are very nice - I should like to see them.

    I'm sorry you had such a cold and I guess Woodhead's negligence wouldn't improve matters. I can quite imagine the reception he would receive when Grandma got on the trail.

    I'm sure your father and mother will be so glad to hear about your 'being confirmed. Yes Hilda I too hope I shall be home for that time. So you didn't hang your stocking up at Christmas but had all your presents beforehand. You seem to have done pretty well. I didn't hang mine up either Hilda. I had to depend upon the postman for my Santa Clause. I bet you had a good time at the Conservative Club Party. Do you ......... for you to bring you home? Well I hope I'll be in Blighty next year to do the 'same eh?

    Well! it is ever so much warmer today. It was snowing here yesterday but it was the dry stuff like you had in Russia and not at all inconveniencing. Sent a card yesterday to Grandma for her birthday and also a small parcel (neg interest) so you must look out for them. Thank them all for contents of both parcels please. I will write to Annie perhaps tomorrow. Tell Grandma I also recd her letter & 10/- note with yours this morning.

    So Noel called for my address eh? Did he know I had left England? I have often wondered about him but have not written to anyone at Dr. Marsden's for about six months so I guess Ernest Barlow (dentist) would tell them. Well Hilda I don't think I have much more today I shall be glad to hear from you have time.

    I remain

    your loving Uncle

    Sidney

    Catherine May




    251596

    Rflmn. Arthur Henry Gill 4th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd October 1918)

    My Great-Uncle Arthur Gill died on 3rd of October 1918 during the Battle of the Hindenburg Line, having served throughout almost the entire Great War. On the following day, with tragic timing for Arthur's family, but no doubt to great relief for the world at large, Germany submitted their request for the Armistice after the vigorous Allied attack to which Arthur must have contributed.

    My late mother told me that when she was two years old she remembered her uncle Arthur on leave, standing in the living room in front of the fireplace, in his uniform, at their home in Edmonton, giving her a green glass bead necklace that he had brought back from France, as a present. I still have those beads, together with two embroidered postcards that he sent, one, embroidered "My Dear Niece" signed "From Uncle Arthur xxxx" and the other, sent much earlier, at Christmas 1915, embroidered with Christmas Wishes, containing a card insert within the lace pocket, showing flags of France, Britain and Belgium, stating "Souvenir de Glorieuse Memoire, 1914 1915, Merry Christmas and Happy Future", addressed to "Mother and Dad with love from Arthur xxxx".

    He was much loved, deeply missed, and has never been forgotten, and he now rests in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gouy, located south of Cambrai in France. I am submitting this on 2nd October 2018, in memory and appreciation of his service and tragic sacrifice almost exactly a century ago.

    R. Payne




    251593

    Pte. Thomas Ralph Truman MM. 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters

    Thomas Truman was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on 10th of November 1916.

    Sandra Slater




    251591

    Pte. William Ferme 5th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.2nd March 1917)

    William Ferme was the son of Jackson Ferme of East Lodge Niddrie Grounds, Portobello, Edinburgh. He was aged 19 years.

    Bill Ferme




    251586

    Major. Alfred W.K. Lloyd 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.3rd Feb 1919)

    I come from Groombridge and, as an ex Army Officer, I was asked why Major Lloyd had a war grave in Groombridge despite dying in 1919. My first thoughts were that he had died fighting in the campaign in Russia in 1919 (which many memorials count as the end of WW1). Reading a newspaper cutting though it is clear that the injuries sustained after the battle of Festeburt plagued him thereafter, his death was probably directly attributable to this battle hence his war grave.

    John Powell OBE




    251585

    Sgt. Morris Levi Ridge DCM. 231st (North Midland(Brigade), B Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Sgt Levi Ridge started his fighting war on the 7th 0f April 1915. The 2nd Battery 2nd North Midland Brigade (Territorial Forc ) were called forward to relieve the regular Artillery. Their four BLC 15 pounder light field guns replacing six of the more modern 16 pounders.

    This journey had begun in August 1914 the Terriers had just arrived at Okehampton for there annual camp when Precautionary orders were put into force, they were loaded back onto the trains for the journey back to Stoke on Trent, and told to report to the drill hall the next day. War declared 1100 4th Aug 1915. The territorial forces were now Mobilised. Local training was carried out and on August 14th the men and equipment started the route march that would see them billeted in Hertfordshire, with range work being carried out on Salisbury Plain. At the end of Feb 1915 they were loaded onto ships in Southampton for the journey to Le Havre. Hazebrouck in Belgium was the home for the most of March within earshot of the front. After the initial contact the battery remained in France for the rest of the war, they received the 16 pounder gun and were uplifted to 6 guns in late 1915. They took part in many of the major operations, Messines Ridge, Ypres salient, Hooge, Hill60, Arras, Hindenburg line, St Quentin Canal and many more.

    Morris




    251579

    Pte. Hubert John Langley 10th Battalion, A Coy. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Hubert Langley was the only son of John and Sarah Ann Langley of Sandwich, Kent. He was born in Worth, Kent and enlisted in Sandwich. He was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916 in Flanders and is buried in Comines-Warneton in Belgium at the Tancrez Farm Military Cemetery.

    Veronica Andrews




    251578

    Pte. Tom Pullan 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    Tom Pullan was my Grand Uncle. Tom enlisted into the 10th Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) on Friday 4th of September 1914 aged 23 years and 133 days in Richmond Yorkshire. He was severly wounded on the final day of the Battle of Loos on Monday 27th of September 1915 suffering Gun Shot Wounds to his left thigh and both legs. He was sent to the 20th General Hospital at Dannes Camiers. His wounds were so severe that he was transferred to England on Wednesday 29th and sent to the County of London War Hospital, Epsom. On the 31st of March 1916 Tom was sent home with one pound and a suit of plain clothes. On the 18th April 1916 Tom was discharged from the Army.

    Les Pullan




    251574

    Pte. Alfred Tebbutt 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.3rd November 1918)

    Like many others during WW1 my grandmother was made a widow when my grandfather Alfred Tebbutt was killed. The sad thing was, she had my uncle aged 2 and my mother who was born 26th January 1919 to look after on a war widow's pension. My mother never meet her dad or saw a photograph of him as I was told my great grand parents removed any images of him in the house.

    Paul Howgill




    251573

    Pte. George Victor Gilliam 6th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    George Gilliam was captured in Cambrai on 30th of November 1917. His hand was wounded and he had shrapnell in his head. He was sent to Le Quesnoy and then to Dulmen.

    Jennifer Sumner




    251560

    L/Cpl. George Francis Dutton 190th Quarrying Company Royal Engineers

    My Grandfather George Dutton, was born in 1895 in Eckington, Derbyshire, near Sheffield. He was one of 7 brothers. The family were mostly miners, and the family background was definitely working class. George, in 1911 was a gobber in a pit.

    In 1916, he married and gave his occupation as Lance Corporal, Royal Fusiliers, Marriage by Licence at Nottingham Registry Office. His wife was also working class, in the lace industry. He was in the 23rd Royal Fusiliers, but in Spring 1916 was attached to the RE 190th Field Company (quarrying). This was found on a casualty record. He was wounded on 9th January 1916. A Gunshot wound, he had 3 days treatment at No. 2 General Hospital at Quai De Escales, Le Havre, he was serving attached to 190th Field Company, Royal Engineers. A note in the margin records, Hospital ship St Patrick, so presumably he went back to England.

    Paul Dutton




    251559

    Stok. Frank Castleman HMS Newmarket (d.17th July 1917)

    My grandfather, Frank Castleman was a stoker aboard HMS Newmarket and he died before I was born. So proud of him though.

    Colleen Harley




    251557

    Pte. Tom Clewley 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.5th Jul 1916)

    Tom Clewley was my Great Uncle. He was from New Whittington, Chesterfield. He joined with his friends the local unit and died with them in the second offensive on the Somme. He worked down the local pit looking after the ponies. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He was sent to the Dardanelles but contracted dysentery and returned home to convaless before his posting to the Somme. His parents continued to live in New Whittington until their deaths in 1929 and 1930. His nephew Tom named in his memory was killed in 1944 in Anzio. Both are honoured on the war memorial at St Barnabas Church New Whittington.

    Graham Clewley




    251554

    Hubert Staines 11th Canadian Field Ambulance

    <p>

    My grandfather, Hubert Staines came to Canada in 1913. He volunteered in early 1916 and returned to Canada in 1919 after more than 2 years on the Western Front. He was a divinity student when he joined the 11th Field Ambulance, but became teacher when he returned.

    Pat




    251551

    Pte. Joseph Russell 7th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>

    In 1965 my grandfather Joseph Russell wrote a set of memoirs (hand-written in ink) and sent copies off to my father and my uncle. These memoirs record his experiences during the war. There is a section on his memories of the camp at Ripon in 1916.

    "... My brothers and cousins came with me to St. Enoch station, Glasgow to bid me good-bye, Alec (his brother), had already been severely wounded in the Battle of Loos, so much so that the Army authorities had to discharge him from all further service. The journey to Leeds and then to Ripon was uneventful so I arrived on time in order to prepare for the great adventure to France where life seemed to be much cheaper than muddy water.

    The march of four hundred 51st Division of Highland soldiers armed to the teeth down from North Camp to Ripon station a distance of a mile and a half and led by Pipe bands was certainly no silent affair. The scenes were indescribable, the animal natures of men seemed to be predominant, even the writer seemed to have gone hay-wire yet I was brought up in the fear of God. Army training in war time either creates a recoiling product in the mind or a moulded product into its image, if a recoiling product then heavy measures are engineered whereby the stereotyped condition becomes plastic through a high fahrenheit of tears. Fear of death is not so much a means of escape from the toiling, unmitigated and unending burden of viewing slaughter and blood rather than the cancelling of the telegram which brings continuity of despair and grief to those whom you love. We board the train at Ripon station, it is crowded with people, civilians and soldiers, the excitement of war in action has now generated into a passionate flame, the last is without description, I'm sure that not even a bugle can have been heard above its noise.

    I had a hundred and two rounds of ammunition in my equipment so I put a clip of five rounds in my magazine. On the station platform stood Major X he was our official conductor from the Camp to the station and I had a score to settle with him, then immediately across the road on the near side of the platform was encamped a battalion of Yorkshires and I didn't like them. The reason was this, the Major was a bullying brute, he had two golden chevrons on his left sleeve, signifying that he was wounded twice in action yet his reputation was incorporated in his nick-name "more sandbags", the soldiers who knew him in action said that if a sniper's bullet hit the top of his deep dug-out then the parapet must be reinforced to make it doubly secure.

    Again, while I was under a slight narcotic of alcohol one Saturday night in the town of Ripon I wandered aimlessly or maybe not into the Yorkshire Camp and my mind as I write is as clear as if it happened yesterday. No doubt I was aggressive but I don't think their action was justifiable or warrantable by the extent of my crime. I got into their physical instructors hut for N.C.O.s, my outstanding portrait is of a man about half a head taller than myself, he had a small gingerly moustache and was wearing a white jersey. I don't remember seeing trousers for all I could see of him was from his elbows upwards. What followed is in the darkness of oblivion and all I know is that I came to on the Sunday morning lying on the floor of a wash-house belonging to the Yorkshires. A gift I got from my sister a wrist watch with a spring bracelet was ruined with blood and water and my face resembled a butcher's shop, for this I got three days detention but I swore revenge on the Yorkshires. The moment had now arrived, the Major and the Yorkshires, the guard's whistle sounded, I have five rounds in my magazine, I extended my mark VII rifle out of the open window, I saw the Major about forty yards down the platform towering above everyone under the station canopy. I took aim and fired two shots; not to hit him but in a line between the top of his head and the glass roof of the canopy, when I looked up he was taking a nose dive down the stairs to get out of sight and no doubt shouting "more sand bags".

    The Yorkshire Camp was now in full view, there could have been about a hundred tents and men were walking to and fro, raising my rifle I fired three quick shots into the Camp then withdrawing it I turned to the soldiers in compartment, they looked speechless as if they were afraid to speak in case I would have turned my rifle on them. I aimed not at any man with the intent to kill although it could have happened in the Yorkshire Camp, momentarily I had gone hay-wire with recrimination. I half anticipated that the train would be stopped for investigation but luck seemed to be on my side as well as the Yorkshires in the Camp...."

    Paul Russell




    251548

    2Lt. Ronald Percy Cowan Freemantle 9 Squadron (d.30th April 1917)

    <p>

    Ronald Freemantle Royal served with 9 Squadron, Flying Corps I have Ronald's two medals and his Death Plaque. Also a photo of him in uniform.

    David R. Bennett




    251547

    Spr. William White MM. 257th Tunnelling Company

    William White man served on the Western Front from the 6th of December 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under fire, though his full citation is currently unknown.

    William was a miner in his civilian life, meaning he had years of experience down the tunnels. When the Royal Engineers formed the Tunnelling Companies, William enlisted, leaving his numerous offspring behind. The tunnellers were only required to complete a couple of weeks of training before proceeding to France. William arrived on the Western Front in December 1915 with the 257th Tunnelling Company. William's wartime experience is unknown to our family, but he was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in action. We presume he served at the Battle of Arras, though we cannot be 100% sure.

    William returned from France to his family in Scotland. He was a very gentle soul and never spoke about his time in the trenches. He had a total of nine children, with his son serving in the Second World War. William died in the 1950s. His medals are still with family today.

    Matty Wylie




    251543

    Sgt. Arthur James Sparkes 3rd Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    My great grandfather Arthur Sparkes joined the British Army, the 3rd Suffolk Regiment in about 1899, where he was stationed at Alderney in the Channel Islands. In 1914 he Joined up again in Bury St Edmunds in the 3rd Suffolk Regiment and moved with his wife Caroline who he first met on Alderney, and his children to Felixstowe to the Battalion headquarters. Arthur and the other Sargents were there to train the soldiers who went over to the Western Front.





    251540

    William H. Nolan 1st/10th Btn. London Regiment (d.19th April 1917)

    The family oral history of William Nolan is that he was on a ship near the coast of Gaza when the Turks boarded. He had his throat cut in the fighting. He had 10 children, 9 of them daughters. He has many descendents through his daughters, including my self.

    Glenn Cakebread




    251538

    Gnr. Walter Witham 69th Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Witham served with D Battery, 69th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Anne Jarvis




    251536

    Pte. Leonard Lantaff Miller 13th Battalion Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.30th September 1918)

    <p>Len Miller

    I never had the chance to know my grandfather. My father was just two years old when Leonard Miller was wounded. Around 27th September 1918 in the area of the Battle of the Hindenburg Line and particularly the Battle of the Canal du Nord, which is where it is thought he may have sustained his injuries. Although it could also have been in the big attack on Ribecourt. Len was transported to Abbeville at the mouth of the River Somme to the Australian Tented Hospital where, sadly, he succumbed to his injuries and died on 30th September 1918. He was 30 years old. He is buried in the Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension. He left behind his widow, Kate, and his small son, Reginald, as well as his mother Louisa Miller, and six sisters and three brothers.

    His brother, Lance Sergeant Stanley Bertram Miller, 325687, served with the 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment and he had been killed on 31st July 1917 near St. Julien, aged 27 years old. His remains were never found and his name is on the Menin Gate in Ypres. Leonard and Stanley's father died in December 1917, and most likely the loss of Stanley was a factor in Harry Miller's death.

    My father took up researching his family and in particular his father in the 1960's with the help of his aunts and uncles, but this was before the records were published online, so much more difficult to find things out. I started researching myself around 2004 with the help of a computer and the huge and ever increasing amount of records to try to find out as much as possible about my grandfather and my great uncle. In 2009 my husband and I, together with friends, made the trip over to Abbeville to visit my grandfather's grave. It was a very moving experience for me to stand in front of his headstone and to know that this was my grandfather's last resting place. The cemetery is beautifully kept and he lies close to fields with a lovely view. I left a tribute there and came away very glad that I had visited his grave because I think that I am the only family member to do so. After that we travelled in a north easterly direction across France and into Belgium visiting many of the cemeteries on the way, including Thiepval and Tyne Cot, before arriving in Ypres to attend the wonderful nightly ceremony at the Menin Gate. We also visited the area near St. Quentin and saw the canal and tunnels.

    My grandfather's records were amongst all those which were destroyed in bombing in WW2, including his brother Stanley's records, so it is very hard to be totally sure of exact details. Both Leonard Lantaff Miller and Stanley Bertram Miller are remembered in a Chapel within Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire. This Chapel contains a memorial to the Men of Cambridge who lost their lives in World War One and is in the form of a large book made of wood, where you turn the pages alphabetically to reveal the names in gold letters on the wooden pages. This is a very fitting memorial to all who lost their lives.

    Stanley Miller, taken in 1914

    Ely Cathedral Memorial

    Susan M Smith




    251533

    Gunner Sidney Fleetwood Keeling 34th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.25th Dec 1915)

    Sidney Keeling was my Granddad's brother. He died on Christmas Day 1915 aged 19 years.

    Nicholas Keeling




    251530

    Sgt. Leonard Bowler 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Len Bowler served with the 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment.

    Andrew Tilby




    251529

    Pte. James Albert Greenwood Cryer 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.20th Mar 1915)

    I recently purchased a death plaque to James Cryer, from the little research I have carried out I discovered that he died on the 20th of March 1915 and is remembered at the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.





    251523

    Pte. Reginald Baker 13th Battalion (d.11th Apr 1917)

    Reginald Baker was born in Tuena to Stephen and Katherine A Baker. He joined the Australian Imperial Force, he was aged 21 years 4 months. He was 5'9" 142lbs blue eyes brown hair. His trade was a station hand. Papers state that he was born in Abercrombie, which is not correct, he was born in Tuena, NSW. In 1920 his parents were living in Portland NSW,where his medals and memorial scroll were sent.

    He was appointed to the 8th Reinforcement 13th Battalion. On 30th of October 1915 he reportedly had shoulder infection, put down to paratitis in Cairo. He proceeded to join MEF in Alexandria on 4th of November 1915 and joined 13th Battalion in Gallipoli on the 13th of November 1915. On evacuation, he disembarked at Alexandria ex Mudros per HT Tunisian on the 3rd of January 1916 and proceeded to join BEF ex Alexandria on the 1st of June 1916, then disembarked in Marseilles on the 8th of June 1916. Reginald received a gun shot wound on 29th of June 1916 and was evacuated on the St Denis from Boulogne for England. He was admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on 2nd of July 1916 with back and skull wounds.

    By 23rd of September 1916 headed back overseas to France. He suffered from VD for a good while and was admitted on 29th of December 1916 to the 51st General Hospital at Etaples. He was discharged for duty and marched out to his unit from Etaples on the in March 1917, he was sick a total period of 81 days. He reported to 13th Battalion on 20th of March 1917. 20 days later on 14th of April 1917 he was reported missing in action in France, a Court of Enquiry held in October found he was Killed in Action at Bullecourt.

    A Letter to Stephen Baker on 28th of June 1921 says with regret the Graves Service Unit has been unable to find Reginald's final resting place. It requested that any letters or communications they had that referred to the circumstances surrounding his death be supplied to aid the identification of bodies that were being recovered so that they wouldn't become an unknown Australian soldier, in the new Military Cemeteries.

    His father Stephen Baker signed the receipt for issue of a Memorial Scroll on 13th of October 1921 and Kings message, then a Memorial Plaque for his son Reginald on 28th of September 1922 and his Victory Medal on 13th of March 1923. He was entitled to a 1914-15 Star Medal, a British War Medal, and Victory Medal.

    Amanda Kerby




    251516

    Pte Thomas "Dennis" Shields Connaught Rangers (d.6th April 1917)

    Thomas Shields served with the Connaught Rangers I don't know much about Thomas. He was my grand uncle. He is buried in North Gate Cemetery in Baghdad. I don't have any photo.

    Joan Sheil




    251514

    Pte. William Mounsey 1st/7th Bn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.27th Sep 1918)

    William Mounsey was born in Preston, Lancashire in 1894. He was killed on the 27th of September 1918. He served in 1st/7th Btn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment).

    Laura Fishwick




    251508

    Pte. Frederick George Bennett 9th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Fred Bennett joined up as a boy soldier into the Training Reserve. At the time, he lived in an Industrial School in Bristol, although originally from London. He went to Kneller Hall arriving 5th of Dec 1914 on a Pupil's Course of instruction and completed the course on 10th of Feb 1916. He studied music, instrumentation (oboe), harmony and aural training as well as general education and sporting activities. His regiment was the KRRC and he would have returned to his band after completing the course. As the oboe was never played on the march, he played a bass drum when marching.

    He joined the Royal Irish Rifles after the war, as a Bandsman. He had left the Army by 1925 and returned to London.

    Sarah Bennett




    251507

    Pte. Henry James Sutton 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.29th March 1918)

    Henry Sutton was injured between 1915 and 1917 and recouped before returning to unit. He was reported to have died whilst POW being transported by train from Origney to Guise.





    251506

    Pte. Walter William Grahame-Betts 23rd Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.10th Oct 1916)

    Walter Grahame-Betts was my late wife's father's great great uncle. I have his medals along with the death medallion in my custody.

    D Fisher




    251502

    Pte. Edward Eugene Riches 146th Machine Gun Battalion

    <p>

    My grandfather Gene Riches enlisted on 4th of April 1917 in Boise, Idaho, He was transported on 1st of November as a Private in Company D, 146th Machine Gun Battalion. On the 24th of Feb 1918 his unit was assigned the Luneville sector near Nancy, France. He saw action in July the in Battle of Aisne-Marne, Battle of Champaign-Mare, in September at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Battle of Meuse Agronne. He was Honorably discharged in on the 17th of May 1919, his d Discharge made no mention of injuries. He died in San Franscisco CA in April 1944, from lung injuries sustained from being gassed in WWI. He was a resident of Idaho Falls, Idaho and had to travel all the way to California for treatment.

    Mary Figueras




    251491

    Pte. James Adamson 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My great uncle James Adamson was killed 19 days prior to the Armistice, he has no known grave. Although listed as being 23 years old in the war records, he is shown on the 1901 census as 2 years old, which would make him 19 at time of death. He is commemorated Vis en Artois memorial just outside of Arras, a place I intend to visit on 23rd of October 2018, 100 years to the day he died. Just recently a photo miraculously turned up from somewhere in our family and no one really knew for sure who it was, but I have no doubt it is him.

    Lee Barraclough




    251490

    A/Maj. Gustav Frederick Wolff MID. 3rd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Gustav Frederick Wolff served with the 3rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was attached to the Machine Gun Corps when he lost his life.

    Fred




    251489

    Pte. Charles Reuben Clements 24th (Sportsmans) Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    My maternal grandfather Charles Clements, of London, enlisted in the 24th (2nd Sportsman's) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers on 4th of June 1915, and was given the regimental number 3526. It is evident from Army Form 172B, a copy of which I have in my possession, that he lied about his age when he signed up, claiming to be 22, when he was only 18 or 19. Also, that he was 5'6" tall, and weighed 130lbs (9st4lbs). He went on to serve on the Western Front for three years, fighting in the Battles of the Somme, the Ancre, Arras and Cambrai, among others, before being seriously wounded by shrapnel in the left arm (elbow) and leg (thigh, knee and ankle) on 12th of September 1918, and repatriated to the U.K. on 15th September, spending the remaining two months of the war in hospital. Judging from the regimental war records in The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War by H.C. O'Neill, it is most likely that he incurred his injuries during the 2nd Division's attack on Moeuvres, on the Siegfried Line, which was part of the larger Hundred Days Offensive that finally won the war. After the war, he returned to his job as a gentleman's outfitter in London, and died there in 1958.

    Robert Jones




    251488

    Pte. Robert Collister 12th Btn Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Bob Collister served with the 12th Manchester Regiment.

    Isabel Bevan




    251487

    Gnr. Frank Brazendale Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Frank Brazendale served with the Royal Field Artillery.

    Mark Brazendale




    251486

    L/Cpl. Benjamin Jepeth Lithgow 5th Btn. Dorset Regiment (d.4th Dec 1914)

    Benjamin Lithgow was the third son of James Lithgow. He was born in Brighton 7th Sep 1889. He joined the Army in 1914. He was in the Dorset Regiment, which was one of the first regiments sent to Belgium. The regiment landed at Le'Have in France and proceeded to Belgium via various routes. Unfortunately, Benjamin was wounded, and died of his wounds on 4th Dec 1914. He is buried in Dranoute, Belgium.





    251484

    Pte. George Third 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders

    George Third 11593 was my grandfather. He served in C Coy, 1/6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, in the Great War, He landed in France on the 10th of March 1915. He was wounded on the 16thth of May 1917. He was born 25th April 1895 in Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Scotland and died in New Plymouth, New Zealand 1985 aged 90.

    Wayne




    251482

    Pte Horace H Hull 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (d.23rd August 1918)

    We have visited my Great Uncle Horace Hull's grave out in Combles. I would like more information of what he was actually going through up to the time of his death. I was told he lied about his age to get into the Army.

    Claire Bates




    251478

    Capt. Robert Morton Wilkinson MC. 1/4th (Hallamshire) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    My great uncle, Robert Wilkinson received The MC for gallantry in Valenciennes. I have a book written by Captain DP Grant on the 1/4th (Hallamshire) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment 1914-1919, it records "the success of the attacks on the steelworks was largely due to the fine example of coolness and courage which he set and to the skilful way in which he handled his men, while supervising the consolidation of the captured position under heavy shell fire he was wounded in the face and leg, but although suffering severely from shock and hemorrhage, he refused to leave his company until the battalion was relieved on the night of 3rd/4th November".

    Sheila Sheppard




    251476

    Gnr. John Richard Barritt 224th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.17th September 1918)

    John Barritt was born in the early part of 1878 and lived in the village of Woodford, Northamptonshire. At the age of three he lived with his widowed mother. His first trade was a baker's assistant. He married Dorothy Bird in 1906 and moved to Northampton. In 1911 he was a fish and chip potato fryer. He appealed his call up in 1917 on the grounds he ran his own business and also his wife's widowed sister's business, but the appeal was dismissed on 13th of April 1917. He was killed in action on 17th of September 1918 and is buried in the Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux St Marc. No other information has been discovered.

    Paul Bird




    251471

    Pte. Hermann Robert Alfred Bates 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    On 17th Dec 1891 Hermann Bates was born in Bloomsbury, London to Andrew Wright Bates (1854-1920), a Police Constable from Chatham in Kent, and Beatrice Marie Bates (nee Milton, 1856-1952), of London. Hermann was baptised on 15 Feb 1891 in the Parish of St George, Bloomsbury. Taking employment as a porter, on 20 Dec 1914, he was married to Louisa Maria Vettraino, the daughter of Italian immigrants, at St Simon's Church Hammersmith, with an address given of 17 Anley Road, Hammersmith.

    At some point he enlisted in the military, but his detailed enlistment records were lost in the London Blitz of 1940. He is recorded as being Killed in Action on 27th of Mar 1918, in France (and Flanders) and is buried in Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery at Villers-Faucon, Somme, France. This cemetery is about 17kms to the west of the town of Peronne.

    The list of UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 by the British and Irish Military Databases, published by The Naval and Military Press Ltd. give Hermann�s details as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians), with the Regimental Number 5425. However, this reference also lists him as formerly 146917, Royal Field Artillery and while there is no reason to doubt the veracity of this information, there is no other evidence to corroborate it. It could well be that he was enlisted into the RFA, but transferred to the Leinsters shortly after enlistment, it would not have been an unusual occurrence. While his date of enlistment is unknown, Hermann and Maria had a baby daughter Gladys May on 15th of May 1915 and she was baptised four days later on 19th May. On the baptism register, Hermann's occupation is given as Post Office Porter, so it may be safe to assume that he enlisted after this date.

    Tim Smith




    251468

    Rflmn. Archibald Edgar Eagin MM. 8th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th September 1918)

    <p>

    Archibald Eagin was my Great Uncle, my grandad's brother. Archie was killed in action in Northern France on 27th of September 1918 and was interred in Flesquiers Hill Commonwealth War Cemetery with the Military Medal for gallantry and bravery in battle. He was 19 years of age. I would love to know more about this brave family member such as when he enlisted and his route through service in the war.

    Ruth Eagin




    251464

    Pte. Frederick Ross Purchase 22nd Battalion

    Frederick Purchase had a gun shot wound to his hand and went to No.26 General at Etapes on 14th of November 1917. He was transferred to Colchester on the 16th of November 1917. He went back into service and returned to Canada March 1919

    Marion Chessell




    251463

    Pte. Albert George Pain Rifle Brigade

    Albert Pain earned the Victory Medal and War Medal.





    251462

    Pte. George William Hill 24th Battalion London Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    George Hill was killed in action in France and Flanders. I am his great grandson.

    Ricky




    251453

    Pte. John Stoneham 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.11th November 1918)

    John Stoneham was killed on the last day of the War, after writing home to inform his step mother that he would be home soon. He was 19 years of age.

    Rhiannon Turner




    251451

    Cpl. Henry John Gander 1st Garrison Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    This account is taken from notes written by my great grandfather, Henry Gander serving with the 1st Garrison Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment

    Left Sheffield Aug 16th 1915 where we were entrained for Devenport. Arriving at Devenport about 10.45am 17th and went straight on board H M T Ivernia remaining in harbour until 2.30pm 18th.

    When we started our journey to Malta on our way down the English Channel we was saluted by the Navy three times by sounding the general salute. We was escorted out of the Channel by H M L Liberty which stayed with us until about 2.30am 19th when we was then escorted by a submarine round the coast of France.

    The weather now getting very warm now we are nearing Spain. On Sat 21st we came in sight of the coast of Portugal the weather still being very warm and fine.

    At dinner time a sea plane followed us for a considerable distance but its nationality we did not get to know. I might mention here that we have about 2800 on board all males. The food being very fair, but the boat itself is a very smooth running boat speed averages about 15-16 knots.

    About 7pm we came in sight of Morocco on the West Coast of Africa running very close to the coast. The country being very hilly and rugged. The water we are now running through being called the Straits of Gibraltar.

    At about 11pm we arrived at Gibraltar but never went into port owing to having sufficient troops aboard and having no more room.

    On Sunday 22nd we arose to find ourselves right in the Mediteranian Sea the deck all being covered owing to the intense heat. The sea now being as smooth as a village pond not even a ripple on the water. We had Church Parade at 9.30 and passing the rest of the day lolling and laying about deck. I myself thinking of the dear old home and the loved ones I had left behind.

    On Sunday night we came to the North Coast of Africa. On Monday 23rd we arose no land being in sight and rather a rough sea, causing a lot of the troops to be sick. I might mention that during the night we was held up by three Italian Cruisers but course they let us proceed as soon as they found out who we were.

    It is said that an Austrian boat is on the alert but we kept changing our course as we are being directed by the Admiralty from land by special code. We have now come in sight of another part of the North Coast of Africa.

    At 11am we was inoculated against cholera.

    On Tuesday 24th I rose about 4am the sea being still high but a lot of the troops having got over their sickness. We was still running close to the North Coast of Africa until about 9am when we run clear of land into the open sea.

    In the afternoon about 3pm when we come in sight of the (Sixilly Island?)the coast being very high but very picturesque the cliffs being composed of very different coloured rock. Inland was very interesting looking as though it was newly settled there being a great number of shacks about which reminded me very much of North Western Canada. Then we was running in open sea until bedtime but when we arose on Wednesday morning we was in sight of Malta rather a quaint looking place the buildings being flat roofed.

    We got into harbour quarter to eight but owing to some error we had to stop on board all day. But myself being in charge of the cookhouse I disembarked about 10pm with the cooks, and went to camp ready to take over the cookhouse the next morning off the City Of London Territorials. The camp being very hilly and rocky the Island being the Base Hospital for the Dardenels.

    I have copied faithfully from the original script so please forgive any mis-spelt words.

    Whilst in Malta he wrote the following poem, as you can see by the date peace was still a long way off.

    England's Heroes

    When the War is over and Peace is proclaimed
    And the roar of the Guns is at rest
    There'll be cripples galore amongst rich and poor
    Don't forget they were England's Best

    Some donned the Khaki some donned the Blue
    Each swore to stick it and see the thing through
    We'll win or we'll die said Jack Tar to Tom

    In August fourteen the struggle begun
    First France, Belgium and Russia and the cowardly Hun
    Old England at once her reserves mobilized
    Three quarters of which left children and wives

    A weeks preparation each shouldered his gun
    And straight out to France to slaughter the Hun
    Luck was against us from Mons we retreat
    The Marne and the Aisne almost proved our defeat

    At last fortune smiled reinforcements arrived
    Our Indian Contingent to fight by our side
    But the six weeks of battle say French to (Joffre?)
    Were the bloodiest fought in English History

    We lost fifty thousand in less than three months
    Two thirds married men The pick of the bunch
    Two Million Young Sons Answered Kitchener's Call
    To Avenge Those BRAVE HEROES who early did fall

    The times not far off when the guns will be dumb
    And The Allies have conquered the Cowardly Hun
    My next few verses I trust all will heed
    And Respect all those HEROES who KEPT ENGLAND FREED

    What will become of our HEROES
    When Home they return once again
    Who have been fighting for England
    On Sea and the Land Battle Stained

    Some will be life long Cripples
    And their names in history will ring
    Give each one a mark of Distinction
    That's been fighting for Home and KING

    Just play the game for our Heroes
    When the awful struggle is o'er
    Don't let them enter the Workhouse
    As they did in the days of yore.

    H.J. Gander, 10th March 1916, Malta

    I have committed these words to this site as a mark of respect to my great grandfather, I never knew him, but as well as being a war hero, he was also my Dad's hero.

    Debbie Nicholls




    251450

    Gnr. William Harold Wood 55th Division Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd July 1917)

    William Wood was my great uncle. Researching my family history I have found his details on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. I know the cemetery where his remains may or may not be but I am trying to find details of the battle during which he almost certainly died. There were 1809 casualties (dead) either in the cemetery or from the battle, something else I am also trying to find out.

    Moira Maughan




    251446

    Pte. Ernest William Ashton 5th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.18th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Ernest Ashton was born on 3rd August 1894. He volunteered for service in 1916 but at that time was a miner so was in a reserved occupation. He received his call up in July of 1918 and, after training, sailed to France on 4th October 1918. On the 17th of October an attack was made on the retreating Germans where he was mortally wounded. He died of his wounds on the 18th of October 1918 and is buried in the communal cemetery extension at Fresnoy-le-Grande.

    In 2014, after researching my family history, I visited his final resting place and placed a photograph of him by his headstone so he would be remembered. I was the first member of his blood relatives to be able to make that journey and it was a very humbling experience but at least now he is not forgotten.

    Now placed at his headstone.

    Andrew Roe




    251435

    L/Sgt. John Horace Blake 1st Btn Sherwood Foresters (d.19th September 1915)

    Jack Blake served with the 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters.





    251434

    Cpl. Harold Frederick West 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th October 1918)

    Harold West was the son of Frederick West of 71 Newland Avenue. Hull. He enlisted into 10th Btn East Yorkshire Regiment on 2nd of September 1914 aged 26 and was posted to the 8th East Yorks. He was then posted to the MEF embarking from Devonport on 8th of December 1915 for service in Egypt. He then moved to France arriving on 7th of March 1916, He was wounded by a shell fragment in the shoulder on 8th June 1916 and sent home to England to the Western General Hospital, Cardiff. He was posted back to France and moved to 1/4th East Yorks on 19th of September 1917. He was wounded again with a bullet to the left leg on 16th of March 1918 he was evacuated to England to the Southern General Hospital. After his wound had healed he was again sent back to France and to the 7th East Yorks on 23rd of August 1918.

    He was sadly killed with others on 10th of October 1918 just 32 days before the end of the war. He is buried in a cemetery at Neuvilly with 96 other service men. May they Rest in Peace their duty done.

    Alan Henshall




    251428

    Pte. William Fairbridge 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th July 1916)

    <p>

    William Fairbridge was killed in action on the 10th of July 1916, aged 20 serving with the 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)

    Our Great Uncle Willy, much loved brother of our Nana (our paternal grandmother). Only son of the late William and Jane Elizabeth Fairbridge, the end of that family's male lineage.

    William Fairbridge

    Martin Sidgwick




    251425

    L/Cpl. Hebert Walter Sawyer 213th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.26th November 1917)

    Herbert Sawyer was killed at Bourlon Wood, near Cambrai. He was 21 years old. He was the much loved older brother of my Grandad, who was too young to go to war. My Grandad missed Herbert all his life. Herbert was a natural athlete, a leader and a talented engineer. His loss was felt by his fellow soldiers, and all who knew him.

    When he was killed his commanding officer witnessed his death and got a grid reference. No body could be recovered as it is believed that further shelling destroyed the site. He has no grave and is commemorated on the Louverval Memorial. We only know this because my Great Grandmother received a lovely letter from Herbert's commanding officer explaining what had happened. History has not looked kindly on the Bourlon Wood campaign, in terms of organisation and outcomes. Such a terrible waste.

    Julia Brett




    251422

    Pte. Daniel James Davies Kings Liverpool Regiment

    <p>Jimmy Davies

    Daniel Davies, known as Jimmy was my grandfather. He died before I was born and my mother (his daughter) never spoke of his involvement in WW1. My grandfather was old when he was enlisted, aged 35yrs 6 mths. He enlisted in Cardiff in Dec 1916 and was sent to France in Mar 1917. He was sent back to England due to trench fever in June 1918. He spent time in the Australian CCS, Truro Hospital, Epsom War Hospital and War Hospital at Le Tripol. In total he spent 3 months in hospital. One quite sad event on his war record is that he was docked a days pay for stealing comrades rations and consuming them. Food must have been scarce.

    Alison Dew




    251414

    Pte. James O'Rourke 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.4th May 1917)

    James O'Rourke had previously been wounded. He is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    251410

    Pte. Walter Kessell 2/4th Battalion Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry (d.30th October 1918 )

    Walter Kessell was my great great Uncle. The youngest of his siblings. He signed up in 1914 in Truro from his home in Ludgvan, trained in Salisbury Plain and was transported travelled across India. His father died in 1915, his mother 1920.

    Walter was one of a few who died of the epidemic of flu that took over his battalion at the end of the war. He never came home. He, along with a fellow soldier who died at the same time, (the influenza 12) were remembered in a service at St James Church in Delhi with a plaque unveiled.

    His sister was my great grandmother who was married with children at his death and no one knew of Walter until I did my tree. I believe no one spoke of him through the family. I found his medals were returned in 1920 (presumably due to no next of kin being found although his war pension went to his mother, sister and next brother after he died)

    I don't have a photograph but hold his memory now along with my family. His name is on the Ludgvan War memorial in Cornwall.

    Helen Brugts




    251406

    Pte. William James Spencer 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.4th October 1917)

    James Spencer was my grand father who I never saw. He was killed in action and has no known grave. He is remembered at Tyne Cot. Sorry that we have no photo of him.

    A. W.Spencer




    251398

    Pte. James William Sawyer 12th Battalion Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.15th August 1917)

    James Sawyer was killed in the Battle of Langemarck.

    Alan Brookfield




    251393

    Rflmn. Albert Hose 10th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.9th April 1918)

    Albert Hose was my grandmother's brother. He volunteered in 1914 and was wounded three times. He died from pneumonia in Carrington Military Hospital, Nottingham on 9th of April 1918, having been returned to England the previous year on board the Hospital Ship St Patrick.

    His brother Jack Hose also served in the war as a private in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He survived the war and died in the 1970's.

    Rob Tomlinson




    251388

    Pte. Archibald Clarence Warne 1st Btn., B Coy. Seaforth Highlanders (d.22nd February 1917)

    <p>

    Archibald Warne was killed in the 2nd Battle of Kut.

    Dean Hendricksen




    251387

    Pte William Arthur Weybourne 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment (d.17th April 1915)

    William Weybourne was the my maternal granmother's (nee Alice Battrick) half-brother, she was adopted by his family when she was a baby. He was the nephew of E. Battrick of 2 Mount Pleasant Road, Ebbw Vale in Monmouthshire.

    Billy was killed in Belgium a few days before the beginning of the 2nd Battle of Ypres, aged 19. His body was never recovered but he is mentioned on the Menin Gate. His campaign medals were, Victory Medal, British War Medal and 1914-15 Star. My grandmother must have been about 3 or 4 when he was killed. She kept a small photograph of him by her bedside until the day she died in 1998.

    Andrew Herod




    251382

    Pte Patrick Joseph Burke 19th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.24th November 1917)

    Patrick Burke was born in Manchester in 1879 to Patrick and Mary Burke who came from Sligo in Ireland. He is listed on the Cambrai Memorial Louveral.





    251380

    L/Cpl. Lawrence Molloy 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.4th Sep 1918)

    My grandfather Lawrence Molloy was killed on the 4th of September 1918, his brother was killed in March 1918, they were both in the 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment.

    Marie Molloy




    251377

    Pte. Albert Sydney Dubber 4th Btn. London Regiment

    Albert Dubber fought during WW1 as part of the 4th Battalion, London Regiment, he also served with the 3rd Battalion. He worked as a printer after the war. Albert was killed as a civilian during WW2 by a German bomb dropped on their home at 18 Earlsthorpe Road, London on the 7th of October 1943. Survived by Florence Elizabeth Dubber (wife) and Albert George Dubber (son).

    Joe Lewis




    251376

    Pte Robert Henry Groves 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.2nd August 1917)

    Robert Groves is my Great Uncle.

    Alan J Thompson




    251372

    Rflmn. Reginald Ernest Kenneth Evans 12th (The Rangers) Battalion London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Reginald Evans was killed on the 1st July 1916 during the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He fell at Gommecourt and is buried in Gommecourt British Cemetery Number 2. He was the son of Hugh Houston Percy Evans and Florence Eliza Rebecca Evans (nee Martell) of 9 Rochester Rd., Carshalton, Surrey.





    251367

    Pte. Frank Fletcher Fidler 10th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Frank Fidler was the only son of Albert John and Julia Emma Fidler of Havana House, Hucknall, Notts.

    Andy McKinnon




    251366

    Pte. Henry Thomas Dew 1st Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.11th Oct 1918)

    Thomas Dew died of wounds on the 11th of October 1918. Aged 22, he was serving with the 1st Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Son of Thomas Henry and Mary Ann Dew of Bronte Cottage, Burghill, Hereford.

    Mark Jones




    251365

    Pte. William Flynn 5th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.24th Jan 1918)

    My great uncle William Flynn was buried at sea and is honoured at the Chatby Memorial in Alexandria in Egypt. He was the son of William and Ellen Flynn, of Ballinagulkee, Ballinamult, Co. Waterford. Sadly little is known of the man.

    Edmond Byrne




    251364

    Pte. Frederick Park 24th Btn. Welch Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1918)

    Frederick Park served with the 24th Welsh Regiment.





    251354

    Sgt. Christopher Riordan 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.10th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    Christopher Riordan was the son of Joseph and Ellen Riordan of 5 Roches Buildings, Cork and husband of Bridget Riordan of 92 Stella Gardens, Irishtown Rd. Dublin.

    Terence Breen




    251346

    Pte. Tom Cockram 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Tom Cockram was my maternal grandfather, born on 12th of February 1887 in Garforth, near Leeds. He became a minor and he married Ada Riley in St. Peter's church in Bramley, Leeds, on 1st of May 1909. They had a total of nine children, but the first three (Ethel, Elsie and James William) had died before Tom enlisted in the 10th West Yorkshire Regiment on 6th of February 1915. A fourth child, Hilda, was born a few weeks before Tom landed in Boulogne with the 10th Battalion on 13th of July 1915, she died in 2004 at the age of 89. Tom served in France until 16th of March 1916 and was discharged from the army on 9th of January 1918 "being no longer physically fit for War Service". Tom and Ada had a further five children (Jim, Margaret, Nancy, May and Ken) between 1920 and 1930, but Margaret died at the age of 20 months. Tom died at the age of 44 in 1932 and Ada died in 1937 aged 48.

    Wendy Harvey




    251343

    Pte. David William Hughes 14th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th Aug 1918)

    Visited my grandfathers grave on the 5th Sept 2018 a lifetime wish since I saw his photo aged 11yrs (now lost). David Hughes was 20 yrs old when he was killed and my mother, his daughter, was two. She was to lose her mother following childbirth after my mother so Mam was brought up by her grandfather. My son accompanied me on the trip and I placed a lock of my mothers hair on a cross a symbolic re-union for father and daughter. I wish Mam could have visited when he was alive. It was a cruel war. I was so proud to see so many Welsh flags in Ypres and a memorable ceremony at the Menin Gate. Returning from Mametz Wood there was a farm and a silo was painted white and poppies painted on the side and the Welsh flag at the top. Very moving trip and one day I will return.

    Robert Matthias




    251335

    LSig. Willis Douglas Shipway

    Willis Shipway joined the Navy on 7th of Feb 1914 and joined HMS Dido on 7th of Feb 1920 having previously been on 18 other postings. He left the service on 16th of Aug 1922 and emigrated with his wife to Los Angeles California in 1923. He died in Los Angeles on 11th of May 1951 when he fell from a crane on a building site in a freak accident. He was an electrician and had climbed up a crane that had problems and as he opened the door the handle came off in his hand and he fell. Willis was the husband of my aunt.

    Richard Lake




    251324

    Pte. John Rainsbury 12th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.26th Aug 1918)

    John Rainsbury is buried at Adanac Military Cemetery near Miraumont, Somme. My Grandfather's older brother. Always in our hearts.





    251322

    Pte. Thomas Harrison 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.24th Aug 1918)

    Thomas Harrison was my great uncle, he was born in Sheffield 1899 and died in France 1918, he was just 19 years old.

    Christine Webster




    251320

    2Lt. Joseph E. Judson Royal Army Medical Corps

    Joseph Judson left the Ashton under Lyne Infirmary when commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps and was attached to Queen Mary Hospital at Whalley. I am a member of Tameside Local History Forum and I am trying to discover members of the staff of Ashton under Lyne Infirmary who left the infirmary to serve during World War One. Any information you could supply to me would be very helpful.

    Valerie Bowker




    251315

    Pte. Harold Philip May 2/14th (London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Feb 1918)

    <p>

    Harold May was wounded, possibly in early December in a Battle for Ain Karin on a ridge overlooking the city of Jerusalem from the west. He was eventually moved to No. 17 Troop hospital in Alexandria. While in the hospital the Service Chaplin had invited a lady, Miss P Jackson, from the Church Missionary Society to visit Harold. On Harolds death she wrote to Marie, his wife, expression sorrow for her loss. Harold died in Alexandria Troop hospital, Egypt on 8th of February 1918 aged just 22 years. He was buried in the Hadra Commonwealth War Cemetery, in Alexandria.

    Headstone in Hadra Cemetary, Egypt





    251306

    L/Cpl. William Burgess 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.30th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    William Burgess went to France on the 23rd of August 1914.

    Kevin Smith




    251303

    Pte. Frank Higham 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th Dec 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Higham lived and worked in Hyde Cheshire. When he joined the Army in 1916 he was 32 and married. He was initially in the Cheshire Regt but was transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was captured at the Battle of Delville Wood and spent the remainder of the war as a POW at Wittenburg Camp in Germany. Frank communicated to his family that he was working in a sugar mill. He said he was being treated well - but that was likely as not to upset his wife and family as Wittenberg had a reputation as the worst camp and Typhus had been rife. When the war ended and the German infrastructure failed, Denamrk offered to help repatriate prisoners to the UK. Denmark set up 9 staging posts (8 in Denmark; 1 in Sweden) to which soldiers were moved. The plan was, they would stay there about a week to get decent food/health checks/spruced up before being returned home. Frank was at Ljungbyhed Military Camp in Sweden and was due to sail home on Christmas Day 1918 on the HMS Wessex. Unfortunately he had arrived in Sweden in a poor condition and despite the best efforts of the Ljunbyhed Hospital, he died from Spanish Flu on Christmas Day 1918. He was buried 2 days later at Riseberga Church, Skane, Sweden.

    Frank Higham Gravestone

    Memorial

    POW record card

    Medal Card

    Elayne Farmer




    251302

    Pte John William "Jack" Simcock 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.27th May 1918)

    John Simcock was originally a member of 3rd Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment whom he joined on 25th June 1916. He was transferred to the 1st Sherwood Foresters. He was killed in action on 27th of May 1918.

    Stephen Cleary




    251301

    Pte. Andrew Gerard Forson 14th tBn Scottish London Regiment (d.7 Nov 1918)

    Andrew Forson was born at 16 Newhall Terrace, Glasgow. He was the second child of John Mathieson Forson and Maggie Parlane Granger. He had an elder sister Janet Margaret and two younger brothers, George Alan Granger and Ian Leslie. From an early age Andrew was known by his second name Gerard. In 1904 the family moved to Liverpool initially to 23 Belmont Drive and later to 5 Radnor Place, both in Newsham Park, Liverpool. Gerard's father was minister at Crescent Chapel. From about 1909-1912 Gerard attended Holt High School, Queens Drive, Childwall, Merseyside (now Childwall Comprehensive School). Gerard's name is included on the school Roll of Honour. In 1913 the family moved to 96 Pepys Road, New Cross, London where Gerard's father was minister at Marlborough Chapel, Old Kent Road (the chapel was destroyed by bombing in April 1943 but a plaque honouring Gerard was rescued and is in the possession of his nephew). From 1912 to 1915 Gerard went to Caterham School, Surrey - a school for the sons of Congregational Ministers (his name is on the School Roll of Honour). Gerard was a scout and a member of the Caterham School and Marlborough (Old Kent Road, London) scout troops. He also a member of the School Football team and Acrobatic team.

    After leaving school in the summer of 1915 and before enlisting in the Army in November 1916, Gerard was an Assistant Stock Keeper (this was stated on his enlistment form, but it is not known who he worked for). Gerard joined the military on 17 November 1916 (Army No. 514865) and became a private in the Army Reserve. He was mobilised on 3 February 1917 as a Private and posted to the London Regiment (Scottish Brigade).

    Gerard left for France to join the BEF on 12th of February 1918 and joined his unit on 20 February. On 23rd of August 1918 Gerard suffered gas wounds from a shell at Boulogne. He recovered and re-joined his unit on 25th October. On 6th November Gerard was wounded in action and died in No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station, Cambrai the following day. Gerard was buried in Cambrai East Military Cemetery.

    Unfortunately, news of his death did not reach the family until after the end of the war. Rejoicing that the war was over sadly changed a few days later. Gerard is also remembered in the London Scottish Regiment Book of Remembrance in Edinburgh Castle.

    Andrew Granger Forson




    251297

    Sig. George Harold Linegar MID HMS Prince Eugene (d.10th May 1918)

    George Linegar was a Signaller. He had been injured, knowing that he would not survive these injuries, he volunteered to go onto HMS Vindictive and destroy this ship in the harbour at Oostende Belgium to stop the German Navy leaving the port.

    To this day we are relatives of George we have his photo up on the wall and we have passed his story on to our children and now we have passed it on to our grandchildren. May George and all the brave personal that gave their lives for all generations to follow rest in eternal peace brave people.

    Kimberley Storr




    251293

    Pte James Therien 2nd Pioneer Battalion (d.3rd Jan 1919)

    James Therien was born 14 Jan 1893 in Mattawa, Ontario, Canada. He was married with three children. James, himself, was the second of seven children (five female, two male). He volunteered for service and was attested on the 12th of October 1915 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He was treated by 5th Canadian Field Ambulance in Nov 1916 for bronchitis, then admitted to 11th General Hospital 15th of Aug 17 with a gun shot wound to the head. Over the following eight months, he was transferred to King George Hospital in London, England (twice), 16th Canadian General Hospital in Orpington, Kent, England (twice) and 5th Canadian General Hospital in Kirkdale, Lancashire, England before being invalided out to Canada in May 1918.

    In Jun 1918, he was under treatment for paralysis, monoplegia and headaches in Toronto at the Central Military Convalescent Hospital, Spadina Military Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, then back to Central Military Convalescent Hospital, before dying of an epileptic stroke in Jan 1919. He never returned to Sudbury or Mattawa.

    Paul Broadbent




    251288

    Pte. Ernest James Franks 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.7th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest Franks, is my great uncle, and until I started to research my family tree I knew nothing of him. I was so upset to think that this young man, who gave his life at the age of 20 in such horrific circumstances, should be forgotten. I will continue to find out about his journey through WW1 until his untimely death, and will always remember him.





    251280

    Pte. Thomas McMorran Wright 12th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th April 1916)

    Thomas Wright enlisted in Hull on the 19th December 1914 and was assigned to the 12th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. He served initially in Egypt defending the Suez Canal before being transhipped with his regiment to France. He was wounded in the right shoulder lung and leg by a grenade in one of the first spells in the frontline trenches and carried to H Casualty Clearing station (C812) where he died on 18th of April 1916. He is buried in Beauval Communal Cemetery.

    Thomas was my grandmother's first husband. She married my grandfather Ruel Evan Richards (who incidentally was fighting nearby towards Pozieres with the 13th Durham Light Infantry) in 1918 back in Hull, East Yorkshire.

    M Turner




    251278

    Reginald Theobald Payne

    My grandfather was born in 1896 and was initially a conscientious objector. He worked as a Medical Orderly at Milton Park during WW1. He met my grandmother who was a VAD there and after the war went in to train as a doctor at St Bartholemews. He wrote a biography called The Watershed which covered his time at Milton.

    Alison Payne




    251274

    Cpl. John Firkins 4th Btn Royal Sussex Regiment

    My grandfather, John Firkins fought at Gallipoli, then went on to fight in Egypt and Palestine, and finally on the Western Front.





    251272

    Pte. Walter M. P. Chambers 8th Battalion Border Regiment (d.31st Oct 1916)

    Walter Chambers died of his injuries, I believe during the Battle of the Ancre Heights.

    M P Harney




    251271

    2nd Lt. Stanley Kelsey 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Stanley Kelsey, a Kitchener volunteer, was born in 1890 and was a watchmaker and jeweller in civilian life before the war. He was wounded in shellfire whilst the 9th Battalion was in trenches near St Jean, Ypres, on 31st of January 1916. According to his son he was shell shocked. After receiving treatment in the UK he was deemed unfit to return to active service with the Regiment in France, and was reassigned to the RFC where he was employed on aeroplane repair duties. He continued in that role in the RAF when that service was launched in April 1918. In August 1918 he was declared permanently unfit for further service and placed on leave, and was retired on grounds of ill health in March 1920.

    Chris Kelsey




    251270

    Pte. Robert Elliott 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.4th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Private Robert Elliott of the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, died age 27, on the 4th of October 1917.

    Nick Elliott




    251269

    Pte. Charles Edward Earnest Graham 3rd Battalion London Regiment

    My grandfather, Charles Graham received a gunshot wound to his hand on 1st Sept 1918. He was 17, he lied about his age to go to war he was shot at St. Quentin on the Somme and he was sent back to the UK. He never spoke to us about what happened. We found out from his army records and official war dairies. How brave.

    Pauline Graham




    251265

    L/Cpl. John McSherry 11th Battalion Cameronian Scottish Rifles

    John McSherry was my Paternal Grandfather. I know little of his service other than he was wounded in October 1916 and drove ambulances for the remainder of the war. His 2 elder brothers Pte James McSherry 7th Battalion, Royal Scots and L/Cpl Terence McSherry 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers died during the war. John returned home and was employed as a Lorry Driver.

    Carol Nowell




    251262

    Gnr. William Saunders 64th Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.5th Sep 1917)

    William Saunders was my Great Aunts Jenny's first husband. I know little more about him.

    Alan Anstee




    251260

    Pte. John James Clifford 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.30th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Uncle John Clifford was wounded in 1917 and sent back to England to convalescence. He was then returned to France where he died on 30th of August 1918.

    John Clifford




    251256

    Gnr. Jonathan Walker 30th Anti-Aircraft Company Royal Garrison Artillery (d.2nd Feb 1919)

    <p>

    Jonathan Walker was gassed during battle and died later of bronchitis whilst at home.

    Leigh Moss




    251254

    L/Sgt. Frederick Proudfoot 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>Tommy Byers and Fred Arras

    My Grandfather, Frederick Proudfoot was in the WW1 in the 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. During 1914 to the summer of 1915 he wrote a daily diary whilst in the trenches. With great difficulty I am transcribing his minute writing. He was wounded returned home and after his recovery joined the Blackwatch taking with him a box Brownie camera. I am now scanning these photos. This has been such a sobering yet uplifting experience going back in time to the day he wrote his diaries.

    "I am writing this down because maybe one day someone will read this"

    Jennifer Raymond




    251252

    AB. Patrick McDermott HMS Marlborough

    My Father, Patrick McDermott, forged his date of birth to join the Royal Navy in June 1915. He was on the Marlborough at Jutland and whilst she was getting repairs at Newcastle he met and later married my mother. He ended the war on Q ships as a DEMS gunner who were administered by a shore base called HMS President 111

    When he rejoined the RN in July 1940 he now entered his true date of birth. Back came his papers with that crossed out and his WW1 date of entry recorded written in. The navy has such a long memory! Also on his WW2 service certificate shows he had rejoined HMS President 111 and was on SS Rutland as a DEMS gunner. She was sunk by a U boat on 30th of October 1940.

    In the First World War he joined Q ships for the action and adventure. In WW2 he rejoined President 111 for the 2 shillings and 6 pence a day extra as our family was in financial difficulties by start of the war.

    Peter McDermott




    251249

    Gnr. John Nicholls D Bty, 76th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.24th April 1917)

    John Nicholls is my mom's great uncle. So young.

    David Green




    251248

    John Stephen Fetch 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.2nd Nov 1917)

    <p>

    John Fetch died of peritonitis after a night march in November 1917. In a letter to his parents, John's commanding officer recalled the bravery that John displayed whilst continuing to march despite being in intense pain. He is buried in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery.

    John Fetch death certificate

    Letter from Commanding Officer

    Elaine Lowe




    251244

    Pte. Alfred Collins 5th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.25th September 1915)

    Alfred Collins was born in Little Compton in the county of Oxfordshire in January 1896. He was the son of George Hubert and Lily Collins.

    He enlisted into the British Army in Oxford in October 1914. He gave his age as 19 at the time of his enlistment even though he was in fact only 18 at the time. His occupation at the time of enlistment was listed as a plough boy. He was single at the time of enlistment. He entered the British army as Private 15281 into the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was posted to the 5th (Service) Battalion, A Company.

    He embarked to France with the battalion and landed at Boulogne on 21st of May 1915. The Battalion formed part of the 42nd brigade in the 14th (Light) Division. The Battalion took part in an attack on enemy positions at Bellwaarde Farm near Ypres in Belgium on 25th of September 1915. It sustained heavy losses during the attack. Private 15281 Alfred Collins was reported missing presumed killed in action during that attack on Bellewaarde Farm on 25th of September 1915.

    He has no known grave and so is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres in Belgium. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal. The medals would have been forwarded to his next of kin after the war.

    Darren Smith




    251240

    Pte. Frederick William Crosswell 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.20th Oct 1916)

    Frederick Crosswell was killed on the Somme but I can't find his name on the Hurst War Memorial. He was my Uncle and I would like to know where he might be remembered other than in France?

    Alan Crosswell




    251236

    Pte. Thomas Henry Lewington 2/14th (London Scottish) Battalion London Regiment

    Thomas Lewington was my 1st cousin 3 times removed and he ran the Post Office in Lee Common in Buckinghamshire.

    Eddie Bosano-Andrews




    251234

    Pte. James O'Neil 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.13th Nov 1915)

    James O'Neil voluntarily signed up as soon as War was announced, he was even too impatient to wait in the queues in Coventry City he went up to Nuneaton to sign up, and was assigned to the Durham Light Infantry on 5th of September 1914. On 9th September 1914 he travelled by train to Newcastle, then on to Halton Park for training with the Battalion. After being moved to billets in Maidenhead, he then sailed for Boulogne, France from Folkestone on the Duchess of Argyle. By October 1915 he had reached the Belgium border, and in November was in the trenches at Frelinghein, just outside Houplines. He volunteered for Listening Post Duty on 13th of November 1915 but received a severe head injury and died of his wounds in a field ambulance the same day. He is buried at Bailleul Cemetery in France. James was the youngest son of Eliza and James O'Neil, and one of 3 brothers that fought in WW1.

    Clare Chamberlain




    251232

    Sgt. Robert Victor McKinley Forster 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.20th Apr 1916)

    Robert Forster had been an Army Reservist. He was posted to 4th Battalion in August 1914, 11th Battalion in November 1914 and then to 7th Battalion in September 1915. He was killed in action at Mesopotamia.





    251226

    Pte. John Edward Pickles 2/7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th September 1918)

    John Pickles was my great uncle, brother of my paternal grandfather who, himself, served in the RAChD in the latter part of WW1.

    Charles Pickles




    251225

    Pte Albert O'Neil C Coy. 11th Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.13th August 1916)

    Albert O'Neil of Coventry was one of 3 brothers who fought in WW1. Only one brother survived. His younger brother James was killed in November 1915 and Albert only joined the Army when Conscription was introduced in March 1916. He was lost in action during shelling on the front line near Brazentin-le-petit, the Somme, France and recorded as dead on 13th August 1916.

    Albert was the son of Eliza and James O'Neil and had worked as a polisher at a cycle factory before being conscripted. His older brother William survived the War but suffered from injuries to his leg, and breathing problems from a gas attack. William also served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in WW1 after serving 13 years with Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry.

    Clare Chamberlain




    251224

    L/Cpl. Irwin McDowell 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Irwin McDowell was a Lance Corporal in the 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He died aged 21yrs on the 1st July 1916. He lived at Clogher, Co. Tyrone. He was my great uncle and I just recently found a CWGC document but I have no other details.

    Shirley McMichael




    251223

    Gnr. Ernest Hardman 211th Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.28th Sept 1917)

    Ernest Hardman joined up on 24th of Aug 1914 and died age 26 on the 28th Sept 1917 at the Third Battle of Ypres. His brother, Harry a Scots Guard, regular with the 1st Battalion, died 2 weeks later in the same battle on the 10th Oct 1917.

    Their mother had been ill with pneumonia and the post man did not want to give her the telegram which told of Ernest's death for fear it could make her worse, he held on to it for couple of weeks in the hope she would recover - unforntately on the 10th of Oct 1917 he received another telegram and had to give them both to their mother, she found out that 2 of her sons had died. They were survived by their brother Walter who fought the entire war again in the Royal Field Artillery.

    Our family has always through the generations remembered their sacrifice and bravery and celebrated their lives. They gave their today for our tomorrow.





    251212

    Lt. Arthur Kirkpatrick Maclean 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.26th August 1914)

    Arthur Maclean, the sixth child of Rev George Maclean, died at Le Cateau on 26th of August 1914.





    251201

    Sgt. Fred Chamberlain 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandmother Annie's brother, Fred Chamberlain, was captured and held at Limburg POW camp.

    POW letter home to sister Annie

    Reverse of photo

    Gary Bentley




    251199

    Cpl. Samuel Clarke 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Samuel Clarke served with the 11th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.

    Samuel Clarke, possibly take in Gallipoli

    Greg Hargreaves




    251188

    Able Sea. George Pike Shuttle HMS Renown (d.17th Jun 1917)

    George Shuttle joined the navy 7th July 1904 at Kent. He served on several ships including the Renown in 1916. He died on the ship in 1917. He served on 16 ships from 1904-1917; Agincourt, Cambrian, Irresistable, Drake, Grafton, Sirius, Attentive II and Victory 1. He was reprimanded several times for either desertion from ship and refusing duty.

    Annemarie Shuttle




    251185

    Pte. Michael Dinnegan 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.19th June 1915)

    Michael Dinnegan was killed on the Western Front.

    May they all rest in peace





    251174

    Pte. Arthur Furness West Yorkshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Arthur Furness, was one of the first to enlist in 1914. He was wounded twice and later went to the 3rd Lincolns, for those who had been wounded and could not take part in frontline action. I think they went to Ireland where there were some trouble at the time.





    251172

    Pte. Herbert Burrows Griffith 30th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    Bertie Griffith served with 30th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.

    Shiona Rogers




    251162

    Pte. Richard Thomas 14th (Swansea) Battalion Welch Regiment (d.16th Sept 1918)

    <p>Richard Thomas

    Richard Thomas served with 14th Battalion, Welch Regiment.

    Richard with fellow soldiers

    Richards grave. RIP

    Alan Jones




    251146

    L/Cpl. Oscar Milton Whiteley 323rd Quarrying Coy. Royal Engineers (d.31st Oct 1917)

    Oscar Whiteley was injured in a quarry accident. He died on the 31st of October 1917 at No. 30 General Hospital near Calais and is buried in Les Baraques Military Cemetery at Bleriot Plage.





    251145

    L/Cpl. Albert Augustus Clarke 8th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.15th Jul 1916)

    Albert Clarke is my Great Uncle and his name is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, so no known grave. He was killed in action at the Battle of Bazantine Ridge. He was the son of Susan Clarke of 32 Clarence Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, and the late Austin Clarke.

    Penny Salisbury




    251136

    Pte. Lewis James Davies 131st Protection Company Royal Defence Corps

    A recent interest in genealogy has lead me to search for my ancestors. I have just discovered my great-grandfather, Lewis Davies served in the Royal Defence Corps during WW1. This is all I know so far, but my research continues.

    Andrew Davies




    251134

    Pte. Edward Maurice Deadman 5th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.10th Aug 1915)

    Edward Deadman was killed in action in Gallipoli on 10th of August 1915.

    Mark Deadman




    251133

    Pte. Arthur Henry Frederick Horn 7th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather was called Arthur Horn. He was born in Bedford, Bedfordshire in 1892 and moved to Colne, Lancashire as a child around 1899. He enlisted on 11th of December 1915 and served through to 1st of October 1917 before being classed unfit for service. I have a few pictures of him and on the reverse of one it says he was wounded on 10th of October 1916 and 14th of January 1917. On his medal records it says he was in the 7th East Lancashire Regiment. His discharge shows Para 392 XV1 Sickness. Para 1.A.O.11d. Does anyone know what Para 1.A.O.11d stands for? He convalesced at a Home called Glavenside, Letheringsett, near Holt in Norfolk.

    Dave Horn




    251132

    Pte. Peter Reynolds 8th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.1st February 1917)

    <p>

    My great-great-uncle, Peter Reynolds, emigrated to Earlestown in Lancashire from Clonfane, Trim, County Meath sometime before the 1911 census. He worked as a coal miner and married an Emily Luke before enlisting in 1915 and being sent to France with the 8th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

    He first served in the Balkans on 2nd of August 1915. Medal card records receipt of Victory British Medal and 1914-1915 Star. He was killed in action on 1st February 1917 in Flanders and is buried in La Laiterie Military Cemetery.

    Jenny Ní Mhaoileoin




    251127

    Pte. Wilfred Geary MM, MID. 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    My Grandfather, Wilfred Geary, joined the Army in March 1916 with his brother Ralph. They both joined the Royal Sussex Regiment but both were later transferred to the East Surrey Regiment before going to France in September 1916.

    Granddad was posted to the 8th Battalion and Ralph to the 9th Battalion and both trained as Lewis gunners. Granddad saw action on the Somme and then at Passchendale at the Battle of Langemark. He was with his Platoon and part was cut off from the rest of the battalion by heavy German fire. They came up to a broken down Tank and he and 5 other men sheltered inside. Then the enemy laid down a heavy barrage and seeing they where in danger he told everyone to get out but most of them were too exhausted or scared. Only through his willpower and strength and character he got everyone out of the tank in a few moments when running to the lines the tank took a direct hit. Granddad received a Mention in Dispatches.

    A month later he was wounded by shrapnel and the same day his brother, my Great Uncle Ralph, was wounded receiving a shot to the head from a sniper but he amazingly survived.

    In August 1918 at the Battle of St Quintin Canal he rescued his platoon sergeant was wounded and stranded in no man's land he went out under heavy fire and rescued him. He also attempted the rescue of another man but was beaten back by heavy fire. Granddad was awarded the Military Medal but we later heard he was going to be recommended for the Victoria Cross but his commanding officer was killed before he could put his report in.





    251126

    Pte. Aquila Lund Slater 2nd Battalion Border Regiment (d.20th June 1917)

    Aquila Slater was born on 16th of March 1898. On enlisting his address was given as 20 Delta Street, Lightbowne, Manchester. His name is on the Arras memorial in France





    251121

    Pte. George Matthew Freeman 1/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    George Freeman was born in Spalding, Lincolnshire, the eldest of 9 children. His mother died in childbirth when he was 15. Like his family, he worked the land as a horseman. He met his wife in Kings Ripton, Huntingdonshire while working on a farm. They married in 1912. In 1915 he joined the Huntingdon Cyclists then in 1916 he was transferred to the 1/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was wounded several times during several battles. Then on the 22nd Aug 1917 he was killed in action in Belgium, leaving behind his widow, Ethel, and two young boys. He was 26 years old. The following year his younger brother, Fred, was also killed in action in France age 19. He had only been in the field for 4 months. Also remembering his brother-in-law, Arthur, who was killed in Belgium in 1916 leaving a widow and baby that he'd never seen.

    Paula Thompson




    251120

    Pte. William Hughes 13th (1st North Wales) Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.23rd Sept 1918)

    William Hughes was my maternal grandmother's brother, my great uncle. He died of wounds in hospital in Rouen and is buried at the St Sever Cemetery Extension in Rouen. He died one month after his 21st birthday.

    His family lived in Rhyl in North Wales. His parents were John and Mary Hughes though his mother had been widowed before the start of First World War. He had two elder brothers and two younger sisters, one of whom was my grandmother. She spoke warmly of her brother all her life and treasured the Bible awarded to him by the Boys' Brigade. Although my mother never met her Uncle Willie she continued to keep his memory alive after her mother's death and has passed his Bible on to me.

    His name appears on the War Memorial in Rhyl. On the 100th anniversary of his death I will visit his grave in Rouen. He will not be forgotten.

    Cheryl Kelleher




    251112

    L/Cpl. Horace Parker Sawyer 11th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.24th Oct 1918)

    Horace Sawyer was killed in action with his entire platoon at Battle of Selle, on the 24th of October 1918. Two other platoons meeting up, but one Battalion was held up, or late and allowed the Boche to take their rear and massacre them.





    251111

    Pte. David Duncan 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry

    My family comes from Perth, but my great grandfather moved to Glasgow to work on the railways. They had one son David Duncan. His mother died in 1913 and his father in 1914. My grandfather joined the 6th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. The brigade sailed from Devonport to Epypt and thence to Gallipoli. He was shot in the hand and thigh in the Battle of Achi Baba and was taken to hospital in Alexandria Egypt. His brigade the sailed back to England where he transferred to the Army Service Corps. He saw action in the Battle of Amiens where he received a shrapnel wound in his head and shoulder. His war finished as a result. He settled in Edinburgh, where he worked, he died in 1976.

    David Duncan




    251108

    Pte. Gilbert Kinghorn 10th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    Gilbert Kinghorn was sent to get information out of a safe in Ypres. He was shot in the arm and captured. Medics set his arm incorrectly. As a result he had to have a number of operations after the war to straighten it.





    251100

    Pte. Hugh Key Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Hugh Key served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment. All I have are the plaque presumably sent to families of all who died, and what I assume to be general service medals in a box, which gives his rank, service number and regiment.

    Brian Key




    251099

    Pte. Sidney James Harding 33rd Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.24th October 1918)

    <p>

    Sidney Harding served with 33rd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.

    Robert Turner




    251087

    Pte. Alexander Miller 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.1st January 1916)

    Alexander Miller was the son of Alexander and Jessie Donaldson Miller of 4 Ardenlea Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow and was my great uncle. He served with the 12th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry and died of wounds on 1st January 1916. Alexander is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. ‘There is a link death cannot sever, love and memory last forever.’

    Carol Ann Fletcher




    251086

    Pte. William Beattie MiD. Army Service Corps (d.2nd October 1918)

    <p>

    William Beattie died on 2nd of October 1918, age 30 while serving with the Army Service Corps, attached to the 21st Field Ambulance, RAMC on the Italian Front in the Veneto region. He is buried in Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery, Vicenza.

    Having served in France since 1915, William was amongst the thousands of British troops transferred to the Italian front during 1917. They were controlling the line stretching from the marshes near Venice into the alpine regions of the Dolomites. Army records indicate that William was mentioned in dispatches for his bravery whilst recovering wounded soldiers from the battlefield.

    From Hexham Herald 12th October 1918, "Beattie. Died from pneumonia at casualty clearing station in Italy on 2nd October 1918 aged 29 years. Private William Beattie M T Army Service Corps, beloved and eldest son of A and M E Beattie, Walwick Farm. Unfeigned regret has been occasioned in Humshaugh district by the news received this week of the death, in Italy, from an attack of pneumonia, of Private William Beattie of Walwick

    From Hexham Courant, 19th October 1918 "Mr and Mrs Beattie, Walwick Farm, Humshaugh, received official information that their eldest son, Private William Beattie, Motor Transport, Army Service Corps, 21st Field Ambulance, has died at a clearing station in Italy. Private Beattie joined the colours in July 1915 and left Hexham for France as driver of Dr Stewart’s Ambulance Car 'The North Tyne'. In December 1917, he was transferred to Italy, where he died from pneumonia on 2nd October. Prior to enlisting, Private Beattie, like many other patriotic boys, came over from Canada. He must have emigrated before 1915. He was 29 years of age. Mrs Beattie has received the following from Col. W J Wright ADMS, Italy, dated 6th October. "Dear Mrs Beattie, with deepest regret I heard of your son's death yesterday. As his late commanding officer, please accept my deepest sympathy in your very sad bereavement. During the times I commanded the 21st Field Ambulance, I always found your son most obliging and cheerful, no work was too hard or too dangerous for him. He always took his orders with a smiling face and in every possible way was ready to help the sick and wounded. Although I have left my own unit, I know well how much he will be missed, both by officers and men, with whom he was most popular. He always set a fine example to all ranks and was a splendid example of a true Britisher.""

    William Beattie received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty. He is buried in Northern Italy in the Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery Extension. Although his death is recorded as pneumonia it is quite likely that he had succumbed to Spanish Flu.

    Mentioned in despatches

    Shaun Beattie




    251085

    Sgt. William Ikin 1/7th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.19th October 1917)

    William Ikin was born in Winsford, Cheshire and lived in John Street. He joined the Cheshire Regiment at Stockport in August 1914 as a reservist, and was sent to the barracks at Chester Castle. In 1915 he was sent from there to the Drill Hall in Winsford to recruit volunteers and in May of that year he went to Herefordshire for training before heading off to war.

    He met a young lady called Edith Florence Davies from Woolmer Green, Stevenage and they were married in June. He left for Egypt in July and, after a short while there, he arrived on 10th August 1915 at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. He survived Gallipoli and was at Kahn Yunis, Gaza and Palestine where he succumbed to dysentery.

    On 19th of October 1917 he died at the casualty clearing station at Dier El Belah. This is now a war cemetery and this is where he is buried. He never returned home and on the day he died his mother in John Street, Winsford also passed away.





    251083

    Gdsmn. Michael McHale 2nd Battalion Irish Guards (d.2nd July 1916)

    Michael McHale enlisted into the British Army, joining the 2nd Irish Guards on 23rd of December 1915. He was married to Maria, and had two children. Mary aged 4years and Michael Joseph aged 2years. His wife Maria was pregnant with their 3rd child, James. Michael had been employed as a groom in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland. Family stories talk of him being, or wanting to be, a Jockey. It appears before he enlisted, he was no longer working as a groom, but working as a farm hand. The family story was that the family were poor, and Michael, along with other local men, were offered £5 to enlist. Michael was killed in action on 2nd of July 1916, 6 months after enlisting. His body was never recovered. He is remembered on the Menin Memorial Gate, Ypres, and also on the Mayo Peace Wall in County Mayo, Ireland.





    251079

    Sgt. William Cuthbert Thomas MM. E Special Company Royal Engineers

    <p>William Cuthbert Thomas

    Cuth Thomas served with E Special Company, Royal Engineers.

    Sally Burge




    251077

    Sister. Kezia Esther "Cassie" McConville CMBE. (d.6th December 1918)

    <p>

    My mother's sister, Kezia McConville (nee Allen) was born in Runcorn, Cheshire in 1885. In the 1911 Census, she was an asylum nurse at Winwick Mental Asylum at Winwick, Lancashire along with her future husband, Mark Roy McConville.

    In July 1915, she enrolled with the Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment with Liverpool Merchants' Hospital in Liverpool, and was posted as a trained nurse to Bulstrode Park Hospital, Bulstrode, Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire until the hospital was closed 1st of December 1915.

    I surmise that Cassie moved from the Winwick Asylum some time between 1911 and 1915 to begin training as a midwife at the Brownlow Hill Lying-in (Maternity) Hospital in Liverpool where she would have encountered the Matron Margaret Whitson, MC, BRCS (First Class) who in March 1915 was invited by the Liverpool Merchants to become Matron of the Liverpool Merchants' Hospital and later No.6 Hospital British Red Cross), Etaples, Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Cassie was posted as a Sister or Trained Nurse VAD to Etaples on 2nd of March 1916 where she tended the wounded from the Front until 10th of March 1917.

    Following her marriage to Roy McConville on Christmas Day in 1916 in Liverpool, and the birth of a son, James Roye, she was posted to the Hospital for Officers, 24 Park Street, Mayfair, London, which received officer casualties directly from the Front. She was finally discharged as a BRC VAD in December 1917 and in August 1918 received her Central Midwives Board Examination. Sadly, four months after her receiving her qualification she became a victim of the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 and died on 6th of December 1918 at the Westcliff Nursing Home, Pembury Road, Westcliff on Sea, Essex with her mother Harriet Allen (nee Jones) by her side.

    At present, I have no idea why she came to die in Westcliff on Sea. I have recently discovered, however, that the Westcliff Nursing Home was also known as the Overcliff British Red Cross (VAD) Hospital in Westcliff on Sea, which was located at 14-18 Pembury Road, Westcliff (as listed in Kelly’s Directory, Southend, 1914) under Matron, Mrs. L H Robinson. So, Cassie could very well have worked there tending to the wounded before becoming a patient herself. Cassie is buried in St. Helens Cemetery, Rainford Road, St. Helens with her husband. In 1919, she was posthumously awarded the British and Victory medals.

    In the Second World War, the Westcliff Nursing Home (Overcliff Hospital) became part of HMS Westcliff, and was used by the British Navy as a sickbay (as per Jefferies and Lee, The Hospitals of Southend, 1986). In September 2018, the houses comprising the hospital were still standing occupied by Melal Hotel Apartments.

    Overcliff British Red Cross (VAD) Hospital, 14 Pembury Road, Westcliff in September 2018

    John Owens




    251076

    Pte. Albert Pozzi 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd September 1916)

    Albert died the same day as Frederick William Pozzi who is buried in Ancre Cemetery. Albert Pozzi is listed on the Theipval Memorial. Both are mentioned on a Pozzi family memorial in Edmonton Cemetery. They are linked to my family through Louis Pozzi born in France 1821, my gt gt gt grandad and father of Charles Pozzi b 1849, aka Wells who lived in Romford.

    Mandy Smith




    251073

    Capt Cuthbert Edmond Jenkins CdG. 10th Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Cuthbert Jenkins served as a Captain with the 7th and 10th Battalions, Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

    Robin Pope




    251072

    L/Cpl. James Beattie 1st Btn. Black Watch (d.1st July 1915)

    <p>

    James Beattie was born at Castleton, Newcastleton, Roxburghshire in July 1885. He enlisted in the Scots Guards in Edinburgh on 3rd October 1908 when he was 23 years old. The enlistment book records his former occupation as policeman. He was transferred to the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) on 14th August 1909. After two years' service James was posted to India. He was awarded the Delhi Durbar medal to commemorate the crowning of George V and Mary of Teck, Emperor and Empress of India in 1911.

    When war broke out in 1914 James' regiment returned from India, arriving home in February 1915. He had a week furlough at home before leaving for the front in France in March. He was wounded on 4th April but was soon back at the front only to be wounded again on 9th May during the Battle of Aubers Ridge. He was captured by the Germans and sent to the POW camp near Wesel where he died from his wounds on 1st July 1915. He was buried at Cologne Southern Cemetery. His passing is recorded on his parents' headstone in Old Castleton Cemetery and on the war memorial in Newcastleton.

    He had at least two cousins who also gave their lives in service to their country during the Great War, Sergeant James Adam Beattie with the Northumberland Fusiliers then with 2nd Battalion King's African Rifles and Pte William Beattie who served with the Army Service Corps and died on the Italian Front in the Veneto region. He is buried in Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery, Vicenza.

    Shaun Beattie




    251067

    Pte. John Thomas Cherrison 8th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    <p>

    Jack Cherrison served with the 8th Battalion, East Kent Regiment.

    Lee Hider




    251066

    Dvr. Robert Angus Henderson 150th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Robert Henderson in my Grandfather and joined the British Army aged 19 in 1915. He survived the war and was discharged in 1919. He also served in the Royal Australian Army in WWII in a training capacity, also surviving the war.

    Calder Angus Thomson




    251060

    Pte. James B. Thompson 2nd Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.17th Nov 1919)

    James Thompson spent almost 2.5 years in Dulmen. Considering he died when he was just 26 that meant he lived as a PoW in Germany for almost 10% of his lifetime.

    Gemma Hall




    251056

    Pte. William Dodd Drummond 18th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th Nov 1916)

    William Drummond joined the army on the 9th of September 1915 with a fake age but was a tall lad so managed to get away with this, he fought with the 18th Lancashire Fusiliers in France where he died on the battlefield to a gunshot wound that went through his prayer book (which is in the family still covered in his blood) he was 17 when he died after one year and 2 months of service.

    Nathan Holland




    251044

    Pte. Charles Buchanan Smith 11th Battalion Scottish Rifles

    <p>

    Charles Smith served with the 11th Battalion, Scottish Rifles.

    Michelle




    251043

    Pte. Frank Edward Evans 2nd Btn Middlesex Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    Frank Evans ied on the first day of the 3rd Battle of the Aisne 27th of May 1918. He is commemorated on the WW1 Memorial in Soissons, France





    251041

    Pte. Montague James Tulett 13th (Kensington) Btn London Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    In evaluation of our family history, it is noted that Montague Tulett was my grandmother's first husband and without he is death we would not exist. Very little is known about him or any relatives that relate to that side of the family. However, while doing other research I feel it is only appropriate that he is remembered.





    251040

    2nd Lt Hugh Price 3rd (Reserve) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.11th Oct 1918)

    My father's eldest brother, 2nd Lieutenant Hugh Price, died in the Battle of Cambrai on 11th October 1918, aged 27, the day before the German High Command requested an armistice. He was serving attached to the 7th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment. His parents, Daniel and Kate Price lived at 2 Delaval Road, Whitley Bay, along with my father Cecil Price, who was too young to service in the Great War. Daniel was born in Wales and Kate was from Sheffield. Daniel's first language was Welsh. I have never seen a photograph of Hugh or his fiancee and all I know is that he was engaged to be married and that his fiancee never married. Kate Price never got over the loss of Hugh and she died in Whitley Bay in 1953, where she lived in Stanley Crescent with my mother and father. Daniel Price was a draper by trade and I believe Hugh was as well. I recall that Hugh had been working in London before he joined the Army. All the male members of the Price family were in St. Paul's (CofE) choir in Whitley Bay, from about 1903, when they moved from Hartlepool to Whitley Bay. My father Cecil died at the age of 97 in 1999. My mother Vera died in 2018 at the age of 95. I would greatly appreciate being able to see a photograph of 2nd Lieut Hugh Price.

    Hugh Price




    251037

    Pte. Archibald Chegwin 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.8th May 1917)

    Not much is known about my grandfather, Archibald Chegwin prior to the War. It is thought that he fell at Fresnoy on 8th of May 1917, during a counter attack on German lines. He has no known grave and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Dennis Chirgwin




    251035

    WO2 Walter Thornton MID. 10th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    Walter Thornton was Mavis' grandfather, he served in a TA from 1909, but joined up in 1915 and was in France from late 1915 until early 1919. Although she never met him as he died in 1947, three years before her birth, we know that he possibly received a second MID and the MSM.

    Robert Fisher




    251034

    Gnr. Alexander William Allison 109th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Alex Allison served with the 108th and 109th Brigades, Royal Field Artillery.

    Marik Allison




    251031

    Clement John Bone Welch Regiment

    <p>

    Clem Bone served with the Welch Regiment.

    Lawrence Bone




    251030

    Pte. William Albert Simblet 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.6th October 1918)

    Albert Simblet served with 13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    Thomas Simblet




    251028

    Cpl. Herbert George "Tip" Ruddle 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.25th January 1917)

    Herbert Ruddle, or Tip as he was known to friends and family, was born in Swindon, Wilts in 1892. The 1911 census saw him working in South Wales as a coal miner, an odd occupation for the son of a tailor, and given the level of employment at that time in the town.

    In 1914 he became engaged to my great aunt, a local Swindon girl, but with the outbreak of the war he soon felt obliged to sign up and by 1915 he found himself heading off to the Dardanelles where he was involved in the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign.

    It was not long after the retreat from that theatre of war that the regiment moved down into Mesopotamia and it was there that Tip was killed as the British worked their way down towards Baghdad. He died on 25th January 1917 without ever seeing again his fiancee. She remained a spinster, to my mind a rather sad and somewhat bitter woman (but who could blame her for what life had thrown at her). On her death the family made a poignant discovery, a full collection of many hundreds of cards and letters sent by Tip to her throughout his time in the Army, from the day he joined up to the eve of his death.

    Stephen Brain




    251027

    Pte William Whitham 8th Battalion North Staffordshire (d.5th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    I know very little about William Whitham or what he did in the First World War. I do have a postcard sent from him to his mother (Possibly in 1916)

    Myself at William's grave in 2008

    Ross Ashton




    251026

    L/Cpl. Julien Merral Walton 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.21st May 1917)

    During World War I, Julien Walton enlisted in the Sportsman's Battalion in 1915, and served as a Lance Corporal with the 20th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He was killed on the 21st of May 1917 and is remembered on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.

    John Denis Standeven




    251021

    Pte. Christopher Bullivant 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.6th November 1915)

    A story told by my grandma who was the sister-in-law of Christopher, who had a son called Christopher killed in WW2 and a grandson called Christopher.

    In 1916 two of the friends of my great uncle, Christopher Bullivant, returned to Birmingham on leave from the ˜Front. They arrived by train in the city centre late one evening and hit every pub on their way to Sparkbrook. By the time they reached Leamington Road they discovered that Lunns, the pork butchers shop then on the corner of Leamington Road and Ladypool Road (still there in the 1950s) had been left open by Mr Lunn (no chance!). They entered (broke in!) to discover an entire pig carcass hanging. The two immediately enrolled the pig into the 10th Battalion, Royal Warwick's as Private Pig, put an army cape around him, a hat on his head and marched him between them down Leamington Road towards Stoney Lane. They stopped at the home of each of the homes of the boys killed in France since they arrived the previous year. By the time they got to my Great Grandma's house in Trenville Avenue ˜Private Pig had already lost one leg and my G.G had the second. Private Pig did not survive the evening, no one told Mr Lunn about Private Pig's adventure and demise that evening and the two young soldiers returned to the Front unsullied. Some days later one was killed and one injured later in the war.

    By late 1916 the people of Birmingham were going hungry because the U boat menace was taking effect, the two boys, whose names I do not know, deserve your memories.

    Chris J Bullivant




    251020

    Pte. Harry Howorth 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th March 1918)

    Harry Howorth was wounded on the 18th of March 1918 at the Battle of Rosieres and died of his wounds on the 27th of March 1918 in the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Doullens. He is buried in the Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension.





    251014

    Rflmn. John Benjamin Cox 12th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.12th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Jack Cox enlisted under age at Kingston Upon Thames Town Hall. He was aged 17 when killed.

    Lindsay Seagrim-Trinder




    251013

    Pte. John Arnold Culbert 10th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28 Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John Culbert served with 10th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Keith Wilson




    251012

    Pte. Harry Smith 13th Btn. London Regiment

    Harry Smith was born in Battersea on 21st Jan 1897. Harry enlisted on 4th Jan 1915 and was wounded and awarded Silver War Badge number 127794and was demobed on 28th Sep 1917. He was living in 1939 in Richmond Rd, Wimbledon 1939. His death date is unknown. He was the younger brother of William Smith who served with the RFA & RE 1914-18.

    Justin Lovell-Smith




    251006

    Pte. Frederick James Curnow 1st/18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.11th May 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Curnow was one of my grandfather's elder brothers, born 19th of Apr 1895 at 19 D'Oyley Street, Chelsea, London to Frederick & Annie Curnow. We don't know much about his Army service except that he was killed in action. The family say his mother was so upset that she died of a broken heart 9 months later. His father being left with several young children was forced to split the family up between various relations to cope. There is no known grave but there is a memorial to him at Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery on the Arras Memorial.

    Memorial Card

    Kieran Saunders




    250992

    Arthur Robert Kelsey MM. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Arthur Kelsey was my grandad who fought in WW1 in 49th West Riding Division. He was an Artillery Observer on the front line and gave co-ordinates of the enemy from the trenches. He used to relate stories of how one day, he was to give the co-ordinates of two German soldiers who were having a shave and a cigarette outside a building when in Belgium, over a telephone hand held receiver that he would wind up to relay the message. The next voice stated, "head down Arth", there was a loud whoosh, bang and the two Germans were no longer there, totally obliterated.

    He recalled, when in the trenches, a young German soldier jumped into it one day, they both looked at each other in a startled manner, then Arthur plunged his bayonet into the young German's chest and stared in disbelief at the dead young man. He stated how young he looked and felt really sad at what he had done, but it was war and it was him or my granddad.

    He was the most gentle man you could ever meet and this must have been a horrific encounter for him to have undertaken. How these men in WWI recovered from this trauma it hard to comprehend. He was sent home before the war ended having been gassed by mustard gas, but he never really spoke must of how he felt as a soldier in the great war. I hold a fairly comprehensive list of his postcard's sent from his locations in the war to reassure my grandma that he was alive and well. He died in his 93rd year in 1987.

    Christmas Card 1916

    On his horse in WW1

    Jackie Morton




    250991

    Pte. Harry Dudley Clayton 1st Btn Norfolk Regiment (d.26th October 1914)

    <p>

    Harry Clayton served with 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment, he was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp.

    John T Brosnan




    250989

    PO. Samuel George Hobbs HMS Glasgow

    <p>

    Samuel Hobbs was born 29th September 1883 in Polruan, Cornwall He joined the Royal Navy in 1900 and on the outbreak of WW1 he was a Petty Officer serving aboard HMS Glasgow. He had been at sea with the Glasgow since 1912. He served aboard the Glasgow during action off Coronel, The Falkland Islands and the Juan Fernandez Islands.

    In 1917 he arrived home after 4 years and 4 months on foreign service. He was drafted to HMS Deadalus also known as RNAS Cranwell until April 1918 when it was handed over the RAF. He retired from the Royal Navy in 1924 with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

    Ben Hodges




    250988

    Pte, Jack Day 12th (Bristol) Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd November 1916)

    Jack Day was the eldest of seven children, born in 1885 to John and Emma Day of Cheddar, Somerset. His parents took on the running of the Gardeners Arms Inn (from John's father Charles), and the family can be found in the census records of 1901 and 1911 at this location. Family researchers might note that he is called John in the 1911 census. Jack assisted his father with market gardening and running the inn. In the early 1900's Jack lost three of his sisters to illness, Gladys aged 6 in 1901, Fanny aged 14 in 1905 and then Lorna (or Iona) aged 22, in 1912.

    When the war began, Jack joined the 12th (Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment and eventually went to France. He was killed on 3rd of September 1916, now leaving just three living siblings and his parents. Jack was 31 years old and a single man. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. He is also listed on the War Memorial in Cheddar, Somerset. His war medals still survive, with a relative, but unfortunately no known photos.

    Christine Derrick




    250983

    Cpl William George Harvey 78 Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.20th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    My great grandfather William Harvey served in C Battery, 78th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He died on 20th Oct 1917.

    Tracey White




    250967

    Pte. Edgar Carter 215th Company Machine Gun Corps

    Edgar Carter was posted to 9th Bedford Regiment and transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 16th of March 1917. He was posted to base depot on 30th of March 1917 and transferred to 188th Company MGC, 20th of Dec 1917. He was wounded with a Gun Shot Wound to his left leg on 25th of March 1918.

    Richard Carter




    250961

    Rflmn. Harry Edward "Flannelfoot" Vickers Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Harry Vickers served with the Rifle Brigade in the Great War.

    Patrick Vickers




    250960

    Pte. George Meikle Murdoch 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders (d.20th Nov 1916)

    George Meikle died in Salonika and is buried in the Salonika Anglo/French Military cemetery.

    Frances Aitken




    250945

    Gnr. Joseph Wright 261st Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.19th December 1917)

    My Great Uncle Joseph Wright was a Gunner with the RFA in France and Egypt. He died of his wounds on 19th December 1917 and is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery near Jerusalem.

    Joseph was one of 15 children born to Robert and Margaret Wright,four of whom died aged 2years. Robert died aged 50 in 1904 and their son Henry died in 1916 of T.B. aged 21. Joseph married Jeanie McLeod in 1911 and sadly, she died giving birth to their daughter Jeanie in 1912.





    250941

    CSM. John Mathers DCM. 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    John Mathers served with the 10th Royal Irish Rifles.I don't know much about my grandfather. My father never spoke about him. The only thing I have are his medals

    Brian Mathers




    250924

    Pte. Andrew Reid 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th May 1916)

    Andrew Reid enlisted enlisted in Wallsend, I cannot find the date. He has no medals, so probably did not do any active service. He also died in Walker Hospital. I do not think it was Walker Park Hospital, but Walkergate Hospital, more than likely he died of an illness.

    John Gallon




    250923

    Dvr. Harold Wilfrid Moss 102nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Harold Moss was my paternal grandfather. I don't know not much about him. His wife (my grandmother) died having my father. Grandad went off to war. He survived and went back to Kirkby in Ashfield. He married again and had no part in my father's life (that I know of).

    Christopher Moss




    250915

    Spr. John Wood Taylor 131st Field Company Royal Engineers (d.28th November 1917)

    John Taylor was my grandfather on my Dad's side. No one ever spoke about him when I was growing up. I did some research myself, but living in the U.S. now it is difficult. Would like to know a little more about what the 131st Field Company actually did. All I know is that it was part of the 26th Division on the Doiran Front.

    John Taylor




    250912

    Pte. William Harvey 22nd Battalion Rifle Brigade

    My grandfather Willie Harvey was medically discharged, he served in Macedonia.





    250911

    Spr William J. Shorten 1st Tank Brigade Signal Coy. Royal Engineers (d.26th Feb 1919)

    William Shorten served with the 1st Tank Brigade Signal Company.

    Ann O'Connor




    250909

    Pte. William Marsh 110th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.9th October 1916)

    William Marsh was seriously wounded during fighting around Gueudecourt, France and died on 9th of October 1916 at the Western Hospital and was buried on 15th October at St. James Church, Mangotsfield, Glos.

    David Blackmore




    250908

    Pte Alfred Henry George Craddock 8th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.8th April 1917)

    Harry Craddock served with the 8th Cheshire Regiment.

    Elizabeth Kaufmann




    250904

    Pte. George Ernest "Jon" Jonathon 10th (Hackney) Btn. London Regiment

    George Jonathon was my grand father. He survived the Great War, but at a cost, he lost his right arm. I recently was left his medals from my aunt. I have had them cleaned and new ribbons, and lso had them mounted in a case.

    John Massey




    250903

    Cpl. Joseph Gregory Healy 1st Battallion Gordon Highlanders (d.12th May 1917)

    <p>

    Corporal Joe Healy was the brother of my grandfather John Healy. He was killed in action at the Battle of Arras on 12th of May 1917, aged only 19 years old. He had enlisted in the early days of the Great War and had been in France for 2 years and 6 months.

    An article in the local newspaper the ˜Clydebank Press, dated 15th of June 1917 states that he had seen much heavy fighting and was recommended for the Military Medal for bravery in the field in the early days of the Battle of the Somme, but nothing further transpired beyond the recommendation. The newspaper article states that: "In a letter from his sergeant, he writes ˜It was when we went into battle at the beginning of May and had met heavy shellfire up until then that Corporal Joseph Healy was killed. On the night of the 12th when the platoon bombing post was being relieved he was struck by a bullet and death was instantaneous. An officer was wounded there too and died half an hour later. We carried Joe's body back from ˜No Man's Land" and buried him decently behind the front line. We erected a cross on which I wrote the inscription. I can assure you that he suffered no pain, and his death was greatly regretted by us all. He was bright and willing man and greatly liked by all the NCO's of his platoon, and was a great help to all his fellow NCO's, because duty calls us in all these hot days".

    Mary Lyden




    250902

    Pte. Alfred Hicks 19th Btn. London Regiment (d.12th Jul 1916)

    Alfred Hicks of the 19th London Regiment was serving attached to 138th Coy. Royal Engineers when he lost his life.

    Jorn Cooper




    250901

    Pte. William Ridgway 2nd Battalon London Regiment (d.2nd September 1918 )

    William Ridgway was my great uncle. He joined the Army in April 1918 and died of wounds 2nd of September 1918, age 19. this is all I know. I visited his grave at Daours Cemetery on 26th August 2018.

    Mark White




    250898

    Pte. William Scott 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.3rd Sept 1916)

    William Scott was killed in action at Falfemont Farm. He was never found. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    God bless him and all the others

    Bobby




    250893

    Pte. George Frederick Tysoe 11th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.4th April 1918)

    <p>

    George Tysoe was posted to France on 19th May 1915. The 11th Battalion were placed under the control of the Australian 43rd Brigade.

    On 4th of Apr 1918 all 270 men of the Battalion were involved in digging trenches on Hill 104 to the North East of Villers Bretonneux. During the work of trench digging two other ranks were listed, in the official record ‘as killed’, George Tysoe was one of these men. His body was never found. It must therefore be assumed he was the victim of enemy artillery fire on his position. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France.

    George worked at Ogdena’s Tobacco factory in Liverpool before the war, along with his brother Samuel Tysoe who died 3rd of October 1918 at Boulogne. They were both subsequently commemorated on a plaque that was erected at the Liverpool factory after the war (George was annotated as F Tysoe). The factory closed in 2015 and the plaques were sent to the Imperial Tobacco factory in Nottingham. This factory closed in June 2016 and the plaque will either go to the factory HQ in Bristol or to the National Arboretum. The fate of the plaque is still undecided.

    Kenneth Moore




    250892

    Pte. Samuel Eric Tysoe 2nd/4th (Hallamshire) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Tysoe was the elder brother of Catherine Moore (nee Tysoe). He joined the 2nd/4th (Hallamshires) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment during WW1 and was first drafted to France in August of 1918. His regiment took part in the battle for Havrincourt 12th/13th of September 1918, during this battle he was wounded. It was as a result of these wounds that he subsequently died at No 83 General Hospital in Bolougne. He is buried at Terlincthun Cemetery at Wimille.

    Kenneth Moore




    250887

    Pte. Ronald George Parfitt 9th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Ronald Parfitt was the son of a great-great aunt on my father's side of the family. I shall be visiting his grave on September 19th 2018 to pay my respects. Ronald's military will shows that he left money (14/- 11d) to my grandfather and several of his siblings. Ronald is buried at Agny Military Cemetery.

    Nigel Wickenden




    250880

    L/Sgt, Joseph Colgrave DCM, MID. 5th Royal Irish Lancers

    <p>libry2

    Joe Colgrave was my grandfather's eldest brother. He survived WW1 although several of his siblings including my grandfather Colin Colgrave, did not. Born in 1880, Joe joined the Army at the age of 18yrs in Beverley, Yorkshire and enlisted into the East Yorkshire Regiment on 6 Aug 1898. Pte Colgrave was posted to the 2nd Btn which was stationed at Templemore in Ireland. On 17 Nov 1900 he transferred to the Cavalry and joined the 12th Lancers stationed in Hounslow and Aldershot. On 13 Mar 1901 he sailed with the Regt to South Africa. The 12th Lancers saw action during the Boer War in the Cape and the Transvaal. On 21 Sep 1902 the Regt was posted to India. Trooper Colgrave was promoted to LCpl on 27 Dec 1902. He remained in India until 25 Jan 1906.
  • On his return to UK he was posted to the 5th Lancers before he transferred to the Army Reserve relinquishing his stripe, effective from 6 Aug 1906.

    On 4th of August 1914 he was recalled to the colours. He rejoined 5th Lancers and proceeded with the Regiment to France from Dublin with the British Expeditionary Force in Aug 1914 as part of 3rd Cavalry Brigade (5th Royal Irish Lancers, 4th Hussars and 16th Lancers), Brig Gough commanding. The 5th Lancers were in action at Mons, where they were the last Regiment to withdraw. During the Retreat 5th Lancers took part in the Battles of Le Cateau and the Marne, where the Germans were halted before Paris.

    They then took part in the advance to the Aisne. Tpr Colgrave was awarded a Mention in Despatches and Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry and leadership in the face of the enemy during the First Battle of Ypres at Hollebeke on Messines Ridge on 30th October 1914, Gazetted on 16th Jan 1915, "On 30th October 1914 near Hollebeke, showed great presence of mind and coolness during an emergency in rallying several bodies of Indian troops who had lost their officers".

    He was promoted again to L/Cpl on 12th Nov 1914. The 5th Lancers fought dismounted at the Battle of Loos and in the trenches throughout the war mainly in the Ypres Salient but were also held in readiness for the breakthrough which did not come until 1918. On 3 Mar 1916 he was promoted to Cpl.

    On 25 Mar 1917 he was posted back to UK into the 1st Reserve Regt Lancers where he remained as an instructor and on 19 Nov 1917 was promoted to LSgt. He was a qualified bombing instructor. LSgt Colgrave DCM was transferred to the Reserve on 22nd May 1919.

    He joined the Home Guard on the outbreak of the Second World War.

    L/Sgt Colgrave DCM had 20 years Regular and Reserve service. He collapsed and died whilst taking part in the Royal Review of 63,000 ex-servicemen and women in Hyde Park, London. He was looking for his wife who had a seat in the stands when he collapsed near the Serpentine. He was taken to a First Aid post but died in the ambulance on the way to hospital on 5th July 1953.

    He was awarded the DCM, MiD, Queens South Africa Medal clasps Cape Colony and Transvaal, King's South Africa Medal clasps 1901 and 1902, 1914 Star clasp 5Aug-29Nov, British War Medal, Victory Medal, and Defence Medal 1945.

    Joseph Colgrave Leading the action

    Mal Beckly




  • 250865

    Pte. Alfred Willie Dredge 9th Btn. Black Watch (d.8th Apr 1917)

    My Great-Great Uncle, Albert Dredge, served with distinction in the 9th Battalion and I wish to know more about him, his fellows and their life with in the Battalion prior to being shipped to France. I am honoured that he served with a highly honoured Regiment and sorrowed that he never came home to his wife Janet and his parents Mark and Harriet. Rest in Peace Uncle

    Paul Turner




    250862

    Cpl. Sydney Woollen Otley 75th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Sydney Otley enlisted on 4th of August 1915. He was discharged on 26th of August 1918, having been awarded Silver War Badge number 439677.

    David Anthony Taylor




    250843

    Pte. Thomas Henry Sheridan 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Searching for Sheridan family history and came across grandfather's brother, Thomas Sheridan, I had not previously known was killed in the First World War.

    John Sheridan




    250840

    L/Cpl. George Paisley 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th August 1917)

    George Paisley was my great Uncle. No one ever talked about my Uncle George or that he served in WWI. We found an old undated letter, from a Platoon Officer J. Roddy to my Great Grandfather William Paisley dated August 1917 telling him of his son's fate, it had been transcribed from another document and left in a family Bible I recieved from an aunt, it belonged to William Paisley who died on 21st of March, 1927 and who was interred in Donaghadee Churchyard, Donaghadee, County Down, Ireland. (as written on the front page of Bible). The Bible was originally given to Alexander Paisley as per the written inscription. We know of William Paisley as he was the father of my Grandma Edith (Paisley) Reid. Gramma followed my Grampa Sam Reid to Canada in July of 1928 on the S.S. Doric with my father William George Reid in tow. They settled in Fort Erie, Ont. and had three more children.

    That's all we have.

    William Reid




    250838

    Pte Charles Allen 14th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    Charles joined the 14th Gloucestershire Regiment at Bristol on the 29th of June 1915. He was later transferred to Labour Corps 25th October 1917. His brother of Thomas was also in the 14th Gloucesters.





    250834

    Pte. Percival Mutimour Petch 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment

    Percival Petch was my grandad. I never met him as he died before I was born. My dad told me that his dad had been a runner in the First World War and had suffered shellshock as a result.

    I have found out that Percival joined the York and Lancs in 1911, as an infantryman, when he was 24 yrs old and he served in India before the Great War started. He survived the whole 4 years of the war and married my grandma as soon as the war was over in 1918. He was at the Battles of the Somme, Hooge and Ypres amongst others and would have played a vital role delivering messages between the posts. He must have been extremely brave to do such a thing as that amidst the shelling and mustard gas and the new arrival of tanks.

    Stephen Petch




    250831

    Capt. Idris Aneurin Morgan 11th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.17th April 1918)

    Idris Morgan was attached to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers when he was killed.





    250829

    Pte. H. Buckle 10th Battalian Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27th August 1918)

    <p>

    Pte. H Buckle is the grandfather I never knew. He died serving his Country.

    James Greenwood




    250823

    Thpmas Allen 14th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    Thomas Allen joined the 14th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment in June 1915 with his brother Charles.





    250821

    Sgt. Abraham Oakes 7th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.15th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    Along with one of his brothers, Abraham Oakes was a professional soldier with a proud history of service. Upon completion of his Military career he joined the Sandbach Volunteers. On the outbreak of the South African war he became a member of the Baden Powel’s Mounted Police and served throughout that campaign. When the South Africa war was over Abraham returned to Sandbach and joined the Volunteers again, staying with them until they became the Territorials.

    On the outbreak of the Great War the Territorials were called up to serve at Gallipoli, at Suvla Bay and in Egypt where he contracted Malaria and was invalided home in late 1917 and was placed in the Whitchurch Military Hospital where he died.

    He was given a military funeral which was conducted by the Rev Armistead of Malpus with five members of the Cheshire Reserve Battalion acted as bearers. The Volunteers Band played the Dead March and a Firing Party from the Sandbach Section of the Volunteer Regiment under Lieutenant Ferrand fired three volleys over the grave. Buglers from the Reserve Battalion and two buglers from the Bradwall Training School Boys sounded the Last Post.

    Carl Oakes




    250818

    Pte. Orlando J. Banyard 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.1st July 1916)

    Orlando Banyard was killed in action on 1st July 1916, although he was still recorded as missing as casualty on 29th August 1916.

    Vanessa Martin




    250814

    L/Cpl. John Hall McLauchlan 218th (Glasgow) Field Company Royal Engineers

    JohnMcLauchlan enlisted in the 218th (Glasgow) Field Company, Royal Engineers on 2 April 1915 and served the duration of the war. He entered the theatre of war in Flanders on 23rd November 1915. He participated in the conflicts at Ypres, the Somme (where he was shot in the leg), Operation Strandfest (where he was gassed), Passchendaele, and Amiens. He was a member of the Army of Occupation and finally returned home to Scotland in March 1919. he was discharged in 1920 with the rank of Lance Corporal.

    Josh Horton




    250810

    Gnr. Charles Patrick 119th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Charles Patrick died in hospital on the 18th of July 1920, aged 32.He had been a drayman before moving to Yorkshire. He was the son of Charles and Eileen Patrick and husband of Getrude Patrick, with two children. He is buried in Hutton Magna Churchyard.

    Graham Dodd




    250808

    Driver John Martin 176th (Leicester) Howitzer Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.29th Aug 1918)

    My grandfather John Martin volunteered for service around 10th June 1915 and joined 176th (Leicester) Howitzer Battery, RFA. He was a coal man by trade and it is possible his horse was commandeered for service use, leaving John with little choice but to join. At the time he was married with three children, the youngest (my father) was just 8 months old. Some time in 1916 or 17 his unit was disbanded and he was transferred, possibly direct to 27th Battery, RFA part of 32nd Brigade. He was killed in action on 29th of August 1918 and is buried in Windmill Cemetery located on the Arras to Cambrai road.

    Brian Martin




    250806

    Pte Albert Victor Millsom 13th Btn. Essex Regiment

    <p>

    Albert Millsom served with the 13th and 11th Battalions, Essex Regiment.





    250799

    Sgt. Herbert Harry Else 40th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Herbert Else earned the Star and Bar, British War and Victory Medals.

    Roger Depper




    250798

    Cpl. Arthur Price Merrington Rifle Brigade (d.21st August 1918)

    Arthur Merrington was serving attached to 1st/28th Btn. London Regiment when he was killed. He was the son of Joseph and Mary Merrington of 10 Leonard Street, Oakengates, Wellington, Salop.

    Andy Downes




    250795

    Pte. William Gromadzki 23rd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.31st May 1918)

    <p>

    William Gromadzki served with the 23rd Royal Fusiliers.

    Susan Lockey




    250794

    Pte. William Henry Jolley 13th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    <p>

    William Jolley served with 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment.

    Jean Anne Codling




    250790

    Pte Harold Sharrock 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.28th Apr 1918)

    Although I never knew my uncle Harold Sharrock, I know he must have been a very brave man being only 20 years old when he was killed.

    D Saunders




    250786

    Gnr. Edwin Charles Bloxham 40th Brigade, 6th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My grandfather, Edwin Bloxham, born in 1885 was captured whilst serving in the 6th Battery, 40th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery on 26th of August 1914 at Le Cateau. My grandfather spent the whole of the war, after being wounded and captured and taken to Doberitz POW camp.

    I am exceedingly grateful and proud for what he did for us as and for the sacrifice he made. I am fortunate to have know him as a small child for just a short while, but only now appreciate what he went through. My grandfather came home and remained in the Army at Aldershot until at least 1925 where my own father was born. He too enlisted in 1945 to serve in Palestine. I am very proud to say my great-grandfather, grandfather and father have all served this country in the forces.

    Ann Burgess




    250782

    Sgt. John Boydell 72 Squadron

    John Boydell survived the war, flying in Iraq, and was killed in a motorbike crash once he got home.





    250780

    CSM. Edward Ward DCM and Bar. 1/5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.28th October 1918)

    At the start of the war in 1914 Edward Ward was a regular soldier. Not long after he was made a Company Sergeant Major. A story he told his family was about a route march he was on. His men sang "A little child shall lead us". The officer in charge made everyone march again. Ted said he wasn't offended by the hymn only by the double length route march. He died in a military hospital in Manchester.

    Rosie Scott




    250779

    Pte. William Henry Corrigan 7th Battalion Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Willie Corrigan was my Great Uncle he came from Belfast's Shankill Road. He was a member of Lord Carson's Army the U.V.F. His stepfather, my Great Grandfather, enlisted shortly after war broke out with thousands of other proud Ulstermen. Willie's mum, Minnie, had told him he was not to join the army. But, as a young lad would do, he went when her back was turned, and took the King's Shilling. At that stage the U.V.F. had their own weapons and were very well trained so Lord Carson's requested they stay as their own units. The request was granted.

    On 16th of August 1917 William lost his young life while attacking German lines at Zonnebeke, Belgium. He was three weeks short of his 22nd birthday. His death was witnessed by his stepfather, but Willie's body was never found and there is no known grave and his name is on the Tyne Cot memorial.

    Posted in the Belfast Telegraph

    John Ingram




    250775

    Pte. Richard Henry Sibeon 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.22nd May 1918)

    Richard Sibeon served with the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. he died of wounds and is buried in Cinq Rues British Cemetery.

    Andy Scarratt




    250773

    Sgt. George Alfred Johnson 1/9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd February 1916)

    <p>

    George Johnson served with the 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry.

    Clare Kelly-White




    250769

    Dvr. Thomas Duffy 315th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Thomas Duffy joined the 2/3rd Northumbrian Brigade, RFA Territorial Army in Seaham, and was soon posted to France as a Driver. He was wounded in line of duty in 1917 and transferred to 4th Reserve. He was honourable discharged in 1918 due to illness under King's regulations being unfit for service and was awarded the Silver War Badge in June 1918.

    Craig Robson




    250767

    Pte Sidney Charles Mabbott 11th Btn Suffolk Regiment (d.24th October 1918)

    <p>

    Sidney Mabbott was my grandfather's elder brother who went off to war aged 18.

    Sidney's Medals as handed down the family

    Shaun Mabbott




    250758

    Lt. Wilfred Issell Partridge 10th Battalion Devonshire Regiment

    Wilfred Partridge served with the 10th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. I found this information while researching the Polsloe area of Exeter. His family lived in that ward.

    Alison Styles




    250752

    Pte. William Henry Edwards MM. 10th Btn. Welch Regiment

    My maternal Great Grandfather William Edwards was born in Mardy, Glamorgan Wales in 1890, Will was a 24 year old married coal miner with two sons (and a third on its way, that being my grandfather) when war was declared and he enlisted with the newly formed 10th Btn, Welsh Regiment. He served with the 10th in Flanders seeing action at both the Battles of Mametz Wood (1916) and Pilkem Ridge (1917).

    When the 10th were disbanded he was posted to the 9th Welsh Regiment in 1918 where he saw action at the Battles of Bapaume and Lys at Messines where he was awarded the honour of Military Medal which is awarded for "acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire or for individual or associated acts of bravery".

    After he was demobbed in early 1919, Will returned to coal mining in the Rhondda and then later in Kent. He had eight children with his wife Frances Jane Crandon.

    In the Second World War he served in the Home Guard in Kent.

    Will died in 1969 and is buried with his wife in Ramsgate Cemetery.

    Keith M A Simpson




    250751

    2Lt. William Wallace Friskin Royal Field Artillery

    William Fiskin served with the Royal Field Artillery. He suffered a shell fragment wound to his left leg, while at Roisel in France. He was evacuated to England and received treatment for his wound at the 3rd London General Hospital in Wandsworth.

    Iain Fraser




    250750

    L/Cpl. Ernest William Francis Kingdon 1/6th Battalion Devonshire Regiment

    <p>

    Ernest Kingdon was born 1st February 1898 at 10 Cooks Cross, South Molton. He died 16th June 1951, 18 Barnstaple Street, South Molton My father, Ernest was brought up by his grandparents, Edwin Kingdon and Mary Jane who lived at 10 Cooks Cross, South Molton in 1901 and at number 14 Cooks Cross in 1911. In 1911 Ernest, age 13, was working as a mason's assistant.

    Ernest enlisted with the Devonshire Regiment, when he was 15 years old. His Territorial Force number, 1833, indicates an enlistment date of around the 10th January 1914. He served with the 1/6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment in England, India and Mesopotamia during the Great War 1914 -1919. Although the government of the day said that members of the Territorial Army would not be recruited for War and that men under the age of 19 would not have to serve overseas, this proved not to be the case.

    On 31st August 1914 the Devon Battalions volunteered for Foreign Service. Field Marshal, Lord Kitchener inspected the Devon and Cornwall Brigade on that date. On the 15th September the Battalion was warned for service in France but on the 16th September the order was cancelled and the whole of the Wessex Division was put on order for India. On 9th October 1914, 30 Officers and 803 NCO's and men, embarked on H.M.T Galeka en route for India from Southampton Docks. They arrived at Karachi on the 3rd January 1915. They remained in India for several months. Orders to join the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force were received on 17th December 1915 and the battalion embarked for Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) on the 29th December 1915 on the H T Elephanta. They reached Shat-El-Arab, port of Basra on the 3rd January 1916. (River formed by the Union of the Tigris and Euphrates).

    The battalion arrived at Karachi at 6 a.m on the 11th November 1914 and on the 12th November 1914 they left by train for Lahore, arriving there on the 14th November. Machine guns were issued to the battalion on the 5th January 1915. On the 10th May 1915 the battalion was reorganised. A and B Company became A Company at Lahore Cantonment, C and G Companies became B Company at Dalhousie, E and F Companies became C Company at Fort Lahore and D and H Companies became D Company at Lahore Cantonment. The battalion took over Fort Lahore on the 16th January 1915. The 4th battalion sent many of their men to signalling courses at Kasauli and to machine gun courses at Kota Gheri and musketry courses at Rawal Pindi. The 5th battalion was in the Lahore Divisional and spent over a year at Multan which had the reputation of being the hottest and dustiest cantonment in India. Both the 4th and the 5th sent drafts to Mesopotamia but most of the 5th were in the hills at Dalhousie, India, where it was cooler. The 6th battalion had to find two companies to proceed to Amritsar and a detachment for Lahore Fort, better known to the Army in India as Mian Mir Barracks. The political situation in the Punjab around Lahore and Amritsar caused anxiety and there were problems at Rawal Pindi. This meant that 500 men were kept on the plains in extremely hot weather. Many were young and untrained soldiers and the heat was unbearable.

    The British Army was responsible for internal security. The 1/6th completed their training in India, which included "The Kitchener's Test." This consisted of a 15 mile march, an attack on an entrenched position with ball cartridge, laying out a bivouac, an advance followed by a two mile retreat, the fortification of a position, relief and occupation of trenches by night, physical drill and bayonet fighting. Whilst in India in 1915, the 6th sent two small drafts of men to Mesopotamia. The soldiers were anxious for active service and when asked for an officer and 29 volunteers to go to Mesopotamia almost the whole battalion volunteered. On the 14th May 1915, 29 NCOs and men under Lieut H G Waldram volunteered for Mesopotamia and left Lahore to assist the 2nd Dorsets at Kut. Another 15 men followed two months later. In December 1915 the Viceroy of India visited Lahore. He was very impressed by the guards of honour which the 6th provided. Subsequently on the 17th December 1915 the 6th received orders and twelve days later embarked for Mesopotamia.

    The main reason for the invasion of Mesopotamia was to protect the oil wells at the head of the Persian Gulf. Britain and France, Russia's allies, declared War on Turkey on the 5th November 1914 because of the help the Turks gave to the Germans in attacking Russia. Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, planned to attack the Dardanelles waterway and the battle of Gallipoli followed from the 19th February 1915 to January 1916. The British in Mesopotamia took Basra in November 1914, Shaiba in December 1914, Qurna in April 1915 and the major Turkish supply base of Nasiriyeh on the 27th June 1915. The British regional Commander-in-Chief, Sir John Nixon, decided that because British losses had been light it merited a continued advance to Kut. Sir John Nixon's ultimate aim was to capture Baghdad. If Kut was captured it would mean that a garrison at Nasiriyeh would not be required. Sir Charles Vere Ferres Townshend was instructed to proceed with his 6th (Poona) Indian Division, along with a cavalry brigade, to take Kut. The British Forces arrived there on the 26th September 1915. Kut was defended by 12 Turkish battalions which included a large number of Arab soldiers. The 10,500 Turks had entrenched themselves on both banks of the River Tigris under the command of General Nur-ud-Din.

    Early on the 28th September 1915, Sir Charles Townshend and his forces successfully crossed the River Tigris and attacked the Turkish positions from the north. The Turks suffered 1,700 casualties and 1,300 prisoners were taken. The Turkish Forces retreated 93 miles up the Tigris River to the ancient Persian town of Ctesiphon, 22 miles from Baghdad. The Battle of Ctesiphon, 22nd November 1915 to the 25th November 1915, resulted in a humiliating retreat, by the 6th (Poona) Division of the Indian Army, under Major-General Charles Townshend, back to Kut al Amara in early December 1915.

    Kut was in a good defensive position but it was extremely difficult to get supplies there because it was contained within a long loop of the river Tigris and it was a long way from Basra. Townshend and his men were trapped. The Turkish force of 10,500 men advanced on the 7th December. On the previous day, 6th December 1915, the division's cavalry had been despatched back to Basra reducing the number of men in the division when they again came under siege by the Turks. Leading the Turks were Nur-Ud-Din and the German commander Baron von der Goltz. They had been ordered to force the British out of Mesopotamia. To do this they attacked the British on three separate occasions in December 1915, but failed. Sir Charles' force was exhausted and unable to retreat further. He decided to stay and hold Kut supported by the regional Commander-in-Chief, Sir John Nixon. Although the town was of importance to the British, the War Office in London favoured a retreat still further south. However, by the time Townshend received this news he was already under siege. In Britain and India, the news of Townshend's setback had stunned the government. They immediately sent additional forces to the region, diverted from the Western Front. Townshend was informed that a relief operation might take two months to arrange so he proposed breaking out of Kut and heading further south. Nixon however insisted that he remain at Kut and therefore tie up as many Turkish forces as possible.

    In due course the first British expedition to break the blockade at Kut was set underway from Basra in January 1916, led by Sir Fenton Aylmer. Sir Fenton Aylmer had already suffered heavy losses at Sheikh Saad, the Wadi and Hannah during January and had not recovered, but his plan was to advance up the right bank of the Tigris and take the very strongly defended position of Es Sinn. Kut could be easily seen from there because apart from ancient canal banks and the Dujailah Depression the land in this area was flat. The Depression ran from the right bank of the Tigris for some distance upstream of Magasis, past the tomb of Imem al Mansur and it contained the strongly entrenched position which became known as the Dujailah Redoubt. The Dujailah Redoubt was 150 yards wide and 6 feet below the level of the surrounding countryside and was key to the plan. It was covered in thorny scrub where jackals, wild cats and other animals took cover. Aylmer planned to pivot around the Redoubt towards the rear of the Turks so he could cut off their communications and make the right bank of the river untenable. He hoped that the Turks would then evacuate the left bank, leaving him to command the river and have an open door to Kut. Which is where the 1/6th battalion of the Devonshire Regiment came in. The 1/6th battalion, 32 officers and 642 other ranks, left Karachi on the 29th December 1915 on the H T "Elephanta", bound for Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq). They reached Shatt-Al-Arab, port of Basra on the 3rd January 1916. (River formed by the Union of the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates off Basra). The aim of the 1/6th was to relieve General Townshend in Kut al Amara which was 100 miles south of Baghdad. The distance from Basra to Kut was about 230 miles. On the 10th January 1916 the 36th (mixed) Infantry Brigade commenced their long march under Brigadier General Christian. The 36th consisted of the 1/6th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, the 26th, 62nd and the 82nd Punjabis. The Battalion was hard and fit and the men had come through Kitchener's test with flying colours. They were desperately keen to be in a War Zone and keen to assist in the attempt to relieve the garrison at Kut al Amara, up the Tigris river. The British garrison at Kut al Amara was exhausted and starving. Many were wounded or sick. The weather conditions at the time were atrocious - mud, rain and hurricane. Much of what I have written here is based on "Dujailah Days" written by Col G B Oerton published, privately, in 1948 and Lt Col C L Flick's account entitled "The Sixth Battalion Devonshire Regiment in The Great War - Actions marches, movements and stations in England, India and Mesopotamia" printed in 1920. Col G B Oerton wrote that the conditions in Mesopotamia were indescribable. It was common for temperatures to reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit (about 49 degrees Celsius). The arid desert, regular flooding; flies, mosquitoes and other vermin led to appalling levels of sickness and death through disease. There was a shortage of officers and men, and many of the reinforcements were half-trained and ill-equipped. He described the march from Basra to El Orah as 230 miles of mud, filth, cold, starvation and desolation. The men were on half rations, a tin of bully (corned beef) and two biscuits a day. Occasionally they might have a tin of Australian jam. They had no fuel but even if they had it was impossible to light fires anyway. The men often lay in the mud all night without cover of any kind. The Mahelas (local boats) were unable to get tents and rations to the soldiers because the banks of the River Tigris were flooded and the river was full of bends which proved to be too much for the boats. He described how moved he was listening to the boys singing "The Farmers Boy", "One Man went to Mow" and "Widecombe Fair" as they almost fought their way along the banks of the Tigris. He remarked on how cheerful and unselfish they were, turning everything into a laugh, helping and carrying the rifles of their weaker pals. He also wrote of Sergeant George who had a wonderful singing voice and how he helped to lift the spirits of the men.

    Colonel Oerton described how, on the 5th February 1916, after a month's marching, the battalion came across the Sheikh Saad battlefield about 20 miles downstream from Kut. It was where the 7th Division had dislodged the Turks on the 7th January. It was the first frontal attack of its kind which proved to be an expensive and ghastly one. Lt Col Oerton wrote that there were over 4,000 casualties which could not be dealt with. Swollen, naked, mutilated bodies, friend and foe, mule and camel. Many had been butchered stripped and mutilated by "those human jackals" the Arabs. Some Devon lads looked white and sick seeing such a sight but it made them more determined to advance to Kut to help their comrades. The Battle of Dujailah, which was originally scheduled to begin on the 6th March, was postponed until the 8th March on account of heavy rainfall. On 7th March, Shrove Tuesday, the battalion moved out and marched to Es Sinn. On the way there they encountered various skirmishes with the Arabs. On the extreme right was the Dujailah Redoubt. There was a force of about 6,500 men in all, supported by twenty four guns. Three columns of infantry together with the Cavalry Brigade were to march on the Dujailah Depression by night and assault the Turkish line. 20,000 men were to assemble, quietly, at the Pools of Siloam, about 3 miles due south of the Hanna position, after dark on the 7th March. Column A (under Brigadier-General G Christian) - it included the 36th and 37th Brigades (newly arrived) and the 9th Brigade (from D'Urban Keary's 3rd Dvision). A total of 22,000 men and six guns - including the 1/6th Devons. Column B (under Major General Kemball who was in overall command of both A and B Columns, 28th Brigade (Aylmer's Corps Troops Reserve). Another 8,000 men and 24 guns. Column C (under Major-General D'urban Keary) 7th and 8th Brigades (from his own 3rd Division) 6,500 men with 32 guns. 6th Cavalry Brigade (under Brigadier-General R C Stephen). Four Cavalry Regiments with S battery Royal Horse Artillery 1,150 sabres and 4 guns. The main striking force was to be Columns A and B under Major-General Kemball. They were to make for a point south of the Dujailah Redoubt. Meanwhile Column C was to veer a mile or two towards the north. The Cavalry Brigade did not appear to have been given any particular objective and seemed to "swan around in open desert." The organisation proved to be the first mistake because Columns A and B were made up of brigades which had never worked together. Kemball, the commander, nor his staff were known to the troops. Another hindrance was that the brigades moved with all of their transport, ambulances and guns accompanying them instead of behind them. In spite of this the Turks seem to have been taken by surprise but although Aylmer wanted to advance he was ordered to stick to the programme. A J Barker wrote in his book, that if the Dujailah Redoubt had been occupied at dawn on the 8th March, not only would Kut have been relieved but the whole safety of the Turkish Army on the left bank of the Tigris would have been imperilled. Three precious hours were wasted before an advance took place. So the element of surprise had been lost. As a result Turkish reinforcements poured into the trenches of the redoubt - 3,000 of them had come from Magasis Fort to strengthen the line and many more were ferried in on skin rafts towed by motor boats. Reconnaissance by air showed at least another 3,000 came across the river during the day. As the British infantry advanced it was met with heavy rifle and machine gun fire at a range of about 700 yards. By noon Kemball's men had only gained a couple of hundred yards and in doing so they had suffered heavy casualties. Lt Col Flick's diary shows that on the 7th March the men had marched all through the night and fought all through the 8th in torrid, sultry heat, water bottles were empty or nearly so, thoroughly exhausted, their only thought was to get the wounded in.

    The battalion lost 19 officers and nearly 300 men were killed, wounded or missing at Es Sinn on the 8th March 1916. Most of the officers were picked off as they charged away ahead of their equally gallant men. The 6th Devons were seriously under strength. The heat was terrific and accentuated by a severe lack of water. On the 9th March 1916 the whole of the troops, who had been engaged in the attack on Es Sinn and Dujailah, retreated. The march back to the Wadi was depressing. Aylmer lost almost a half of his men. The 8th brigade alone, which had gone into action with 2,300 men, came out with 1,127 men. 33 British Officers and 23 Indian officers fell in the attack and the 2nd Rajputs lost all of their British Officers and 12 out of 16 Indian officers. A company, in which my dad served, and a half of the 1/2nd Ghurkas, who went in with them, were practically annihilated. Casualties in the whole force during the action were close to 3,500 including 123 British. The Turks were reported as having suffered 1,200. It was disastrous for Aylmer. He was suspended and replaced by Gorringe who was Townshend's junior. The troops suffered low morale they were depressed after the loss of so many of their comrades, and felt the situation was hopeless, they had lost faith in high command, mail from home was irregular, the rain, mud, wet, dull rations, no canteen or a place to rest made their situation worse. There were still skirmishes with Turkish snipers, the trenches were subject to flooding and had to be repaired, the artillery was immobile. Lack of organisation meant that canteen stores did not reach the men who needed them. In the meantime the Turks just waited for Kut to fall. 22,000 men were lost in attempts to relieve the garrison. The Seaforths and Black Watch were so depleted that they had to be amalgamated to make a "Highland Battalion". The 9th Bopals had to be reinforced with oddments from the Rajput regiment, the Norfolks and Dorsets became the "Norset" Battalion and the Hunts and Buffs became the "Huffs." There were reinforcements at Basra but they could not get up to the front line.

    Edmund Candler wrote in "The Long Road to Baghdad"- "The fighting in Mesopotamia from January to April 1916 was unlike any other fighting that British Troops have had to undergo. It was an army wasted in detail, expatiating the folly of statesmen and generals in which blunder piled upon blunder made it evident to the troops that their sacrifice was in vain - and at the time thankless. The force who fought to save Townshend was ill fed, ill equipped and in many cases their sick were unattended."

    The first cadre of the 1/6th battalion left Mesopotamia for Karachi on the 30th March 1919. The Western Times & North Devon Journal reported that many of the 1/6th battalion returned home on the P & O Transport ship Somali, arriving in Plymouth Sound on Friday night 2nd May 1919. My dad arrived back in England on the Somali. He attended the wedding of his aunt, Charity May Kingdon & Arthur Bowker on the 9th June 1919 at South Molton. Dad was disembodied on the 16th June 1919.

    When I was young my dad and I used to go for walks in the countryside and he spoke about India and snake charmers, men lying on beds of nails, fire eaters and the colour and smells of India. He made it sound magical. I never heard him speak about Mesopotamia. When I was older I understood why. My mother told me that my father had seen where The Garden of Eden had been at Qurna (or Kurna), when he was in the war. I am sure that it was no Garden of Eden when he was there (14th January 1916). He also saw the area, on the banks of the Euphrates, where the Gardens of Babylon had been. Dad sent lots of postcards to his grandparents, Edwin and Mary from India and Mesopotamia. On one card, postmarked Bombay, he says he is "in the pink", a term used in those days. Siegfried Sassoon wrote a poem entitled "In the pink". I do not think that dad would have used the term when he was in Mesopotamia.

    The battalion was not supplied with suitable clothing when it left India. The men were dressed in thin Indian Drill uniform. They lived on half rations of a tin of bully and two biscuits a day. The conditions were appalling. The Tigris was in flood and it was extremely cold. The only drinking water was from the filthy river. They walked through miles of mud. I first learned about how things were in Mesopotamia, when I read Lt Col C L Flick's account entitled "The Sixth Battalion Devonshire Regiment in The Great War - Actions marches, movements and stations in England, India and Mesopotamia" printed in 1920. Also Dujailah Days by Colonel G B Oerton gives a snapshot of how bad things were. The following is from Col. Oerton's book. There were boatloads of wounded going down the Tigris, huddled on the bare decks without even a covering from sleet and rain. No lint and gauze dressings, nor splints. Not enough doctors, suffering increased by cold, hunger, thirst, dirt, exposure and neglect. Those wounded at Amara and Basra unfed, untended with bed, or rather deck, sores and some dying, first field dressings, eight days old, unchanged, maggots on their wounds, gangrene and other abominations too revolting to mention. Other wounded were not so fortunate as these, they were lost in the mud. All this happening within a few days voyage from India.

    My dad was not yet 17 years old when the Battalion landed at Basra. The dreadful conditions and the horrors he saw does not bear thinking about. Many were wounded or killed, at Es Sinn in March 1916 and many died of sickness and disease. Margaret Austin, daughter of Sidney Cole told me that Sidney described how the wounded cried out for their mothers, even those who were married. Sidney also enlisted when he was under age.

    Ernest had two service numbers, 1833, the number recorded on the circumference of his Medals and 265375, the number shown in the list of names at the back of Lieutenant Colonel C L Flick's book, where Ernest is shown as L/Cpl in D company. The latter number was his Territorial Army service number. He received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Unfortunately my dad's service records, from WWI, did not survive. Like many others they were destroyed in the bombing of London in WWII. The National Archives at Kew hold some records that did survive in The Burnt Records Collection.

    The Battalion returned to England in August 1919. Dad met my mother, Annie Bellew. She worked for a wealthy family close to where dad's grandparents lived. Dad was unable to find work in South Molton. He lived with relatives and found work as a bricklayer in Lutterworth for a time and my mother joined him there. They eventually returned to South Molton, where they married in 1921. During the 1920s Dad opened a shop at 56 Summerland Place, Cooks Cross, South Molton where he sold newspapers, confectionery and tobacco. Later they moved to premises in Barnstaple Street, at first No. 18 and then number 20, where Dad continued his newsagent business and also sold and repaired crystal sets and wirelesses. He also sold and recharged batteries for the wirelesses. He moved to larger premises at 18 Barnstaple Street between 1932 and 1935. My sister Betty was the eldest child born in 1921, my brother Ronald was born in 1932 and I was born in 1941

    Dad was an active member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes and was a member of the British Legion. He served with the National Fire Service (Devon Fire Brigade), throughout the 1930s and probably before that. He served as a fire fighter during World War Two. There were several notable fires during that period. In 1932 there was a fire at the Church in Mariansleigh and there were two fires at Castle Hill, Lord Fortescue's home, on the 7th and 10th March 1934. Two people died in the fire. On the 5th December 1936, there was a fire at John Heathcoat and Co. Tiverton, and there were two separate fires at Skinners bakery in South Molton. South Molton Fire Brigade attended all of these. Sometime between 1935 and 1939 Dad was made up to Sergeant in the Fire Brigade.

    During the 2nd World War, whilst serving in the National Fire Service, he fought fires in Plymouth, Bristol and Exeter during and after bomb raids. The devastating German air raids on the nights of March 20th and 21st and April 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 28th and 29th have become termed the Plymouth Blitz. My mother told me that when Dad was fighting the fires, she would look southwards from South Molton and the sky would glow red from the fires. I was born on 6th March 1941. It was very worrying for her. I was only a few weeks old when South Molton Fire Brigade attended the fires in Plymouth on the 20th and 21st March 1941. There is a copy of a letter from Plymouth City Police dated 1st April 1941 thanking South Molton Fire Brigade for fighting fires caused by enemy action. The original letter is held by South Molton Museum. Dad received the Defence Medal for his service with the National Fire Service.

    It was difficult to get parts for wirelesses during the second world war, and newsprint was scarce, so Dad gave up his Newspaper and wireless business. He found work with Southcombes Auctioneers in South Molton. On 26th April 1945, Dad sent a postcard to me, aged 4, of Rum Beach, Jennycliff Bay near Plymouth. He must have found work there. There are a lot of military establishments in the area. Mum also said that he worked at Winkleigh aerodrome for a while. Dad's cousin, Edwin John Kingdon (Jack) returned from New Zealand and started up a building business in North Street, South Molton in the mid 1940s. Dad worked for Jack as a mason until, sadly, he died in June 1951, aged 53.

    L/Cpl Ernest W F Kingdon 1918-1919

    Gun Barge Mesopotamia

    Angela Bavidge




    250749

    Capt. Philip Neale MC. 44th Battalion (d.10th Aug 1918)

    Philip Neale is remembered on the Vimy Ridge memorial.

    Valerie Peake




    250748

    Pte George Wells 2nd/5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.26th September 1917)

    George Wells was my father's cousin and I think he joined up at Louth with my Grandad Henry Hodson. He was he was killed in action in France and Flanders. I beleive that he was at Ypres when he was killed.

    I know very little about George, only that he is remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial. His body was never found. My grandad talked very little about the war and he said that he was killed with a shell exploding.

    Judith Steadman




    250744

    Pte Horace Joseph Reeves 12th Mobile Coy. No. 4 Centre Army Service Corps (d.28th February 1918)

    Horace Reeves died of Nephritis at Fargo Military Hospital on Salisbury Plain.

    Bryan Pready




    250743

    Rflmn. Samuel James Semple 11th (South Antrim Volunteers) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    Samuel Semple served as a Rifleman with the 11th (South Antrim Volunteers) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He wrote to his wife, stating that he is now a prisoner of war at Dulmen, Germany. Two of his brothers were missing in action at Battle of the Somme in 1916. Prior to volunteering he was in the employment of Messrs. Harland & Wolff, Ltd. (shipyard). His mother lived at 34, Derry Street, Belfast. As reported in The Northern Whig, 5th of August 1916.





    250739

    Pte. James Ferguson 12th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    My Grandfather, Jimmy" Ferguson's sadest story was running during an attack and looking over to his friend to the right who was running but had had his head shot off. It always brought tears to my Grandad.

    James A Carlisle




    250734

    Pte. Isaac Thompson Army Cyclist Corps (d.1st July 1916)

    My Great Uncle Isaac Thompson was born 1895 in Aikton, Cumberland. He enlisted with his older brother John. He first served with the Cyclist Corps then was transferred to the 19th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme near Thiepval. His body was never recovered and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. His brother was serving with the Border Regiment and was fighting nearby. He survived the war but never spoke of Isaac.

    Peter Hetherington




    250733

    Pte. Archibald Arthur Talman 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.29th Sep 1918)

    Archibald Talman would have been my great uncle. He was killed in action on the 29th of September 1918. His body was never found and his name on on the memorial wall in Vis en Artois, France

    Shirley Gibson




    250731

    Pte. Archibald Arthur Talman 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.29th Sep 1918)

    Archibald Talman would have been my great uncle, he was killed in action on the 29th of September 1918. His body was never found and his name is on the memorial wall at Vis en Artois in France.

    Shirley Gibson




    250730

    Pte. James Want 14th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.9th April 1918)

    James Want was a conscript into 14th Battalion Essex, Regiment. He was wounded and patched up and transferred into 6th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). He died of wounds in a hospital near Doullens, France and is buried there in an extension to communal cemetery. RIP

    Peter Want




    250726

    Pte William Ransom 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st May 1915)

    William Ransom is buried in his home town.





    250719

    Pte. Frederick Butt 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Butt served with the 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment. He was the son of Fred and Elizabeth Butt (nee Catling) of Rose Cottage in Delph Street, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire. He is remembered on the Vis en Artois Memorial.

    Andrew Hutchinson




    250715

    Pte. Jonas Day 2nd Battalion West Riding Regiment

    Jonas Day enlisted 9th April 1908 and was discharged 22nd November 1917 due to wounds. He was with D company, 2nd Battalion, West Riding Regiment. On 7th of May 1915 he was subject to gas poisoning at 2nd Battle of Ypres and admitted to Base Hospital in Rouen. I believe this was one of the 1st German gas attacks of the war. He had been in the field for 9 months. On 10th May he returned to the field. On 10th of June 1915 he was again admitted, to the No3 CCS with a gun shot wound to his left foot, but then was transferred to No8 CSS Bailluel. I have no further details on service but he was discharged on 22nd November 1917 due to wounds. I have what I believe to be his private purchased cutlery set, with his name inscribed, this was found in Ypres and spurred my interest to research this gentleman.

    Paul Humphriss




    250714

    Pte. Frederick Christensen McNeil Scottish Horse Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Frederick McNeil was the half brother of my great grandfather John Duncan McNeil. Fred was the son of John McNeil (master joiner) and Amelia Lewis, and was born on 6th May 1893 at 44 Wellpark Rd., Saltcoats, Ayrshire.

    He enlisted in the Scottish Horse Field Ambulance, RAMC in 1915 and landed with them at Suvla Bay on 1st Sep 1915. He later served with the 1/4th Essex Regiment, as part of the Imperial Camel Corps.

    Fred (an accountant in peace time) married Dorothy Saunderson in Cairo on 6th Feb 1925, and they emigrated to New Zealand. Fred later served in the NZ Territorial Force with 2nd Battalion Wellington Regiment, and later as OC of 4 Guards Company, Featherstone Prisoner of War Camp (outside Wellington). Fred was discharged on 11th Oct 1945. He was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, 1914-1915 Star, 1939-1945 War Medal, and the NZ 1939-1945 War Service Medal. Fred died on 3rd Jan 1972 in Auckland.

    Richard MacNeil




    250708

    William George Filer 6th Battalion Territorial Force

    William Filer born 1882 in Devas Street, Bromley. He served in the 6th Battalion 1909-1912. In 1914-1916 he signed up for further service on 7th of March 1916.





    250706

    Pte. John Jackson 9th Battalion Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.25th October 1918)

    I have John Jackson's Territorial Force Medal and I would like him to be remembered.

    Barry Annis




    250697

    2Lt Percy Arthur Daly 15th Battalion London Regiment

    Percy Daly was Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant on 27th of March 1918.

    Nigel Daly




    250695

    Pte. Frederick William White 25th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.21st Oct 1917)

    Frederick White was the youngest sibling of my grandmother Annie White (5 children in total). Their parents were Robert White and Annie. Frederick and his siblings were born in Walton on the Hill Liverpool, where their father had a dry salting business. By 1901 the whole White's family have moved from Liverpool to Chirbury Shropshire. Robert now ran the Herbert Arms Hotel and farmed. As Frederick was late 20's when he signed up he was possibly at home helping on the farm and in the hotel. His closest in age brother Charlie called his first born son Frederick. This Frederick was always known as Fred, so possibly my great uncle went by the same name. Family story goes that he was riding camels went out in Gaza, I have not found any information to confirm this as yet.

    Gail Stanhope




    250692

    Pte. Walter John Cole 9th Btn. Norfolk Battalion (d.31st Dec 1915)

    Walter Cole was the son of William Cole bn 1851 Castle Camp, Cambs and Anna Maria Morse, Acle Norfolk. His father was a plate-layer for the railway. Researching those who fell during World War 1 for my local village and any information would be gratefully received.

    Jayne Greenacre




    250689

    L/Cpl. Robert Holleran 15th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Family memories tell us that my Grandfather, Robert Holleran, was wounded and taken POW in 1918 in what I believe was in the Maricourt area. He survived the war and died in 1954.

    Jeff Stevens




    250688

    Wilfred Thompson Bowhill 13th Battalion Rifle Brigade

    My grandfather, Wilfred Bowhill was a stretcher bearer. He was wounded three times, once in the back of the neck, once in the chin and once through his leg. My grandfather didn't speak about the war but he did say that hearing men caught on barbed wire in the battlefield and being unable to help them was distressing. Apparently he was separated from his battalion after the armistice and found himself in a farm house, alone. There was a German soldier in the same predicament and they spent some time together. At the time they separated there was a decorative bow on the wall of the house that they halved. My uncle has a walking stick made from the half my grandfather took with him.

    Janie Brown




    250687

    Pte. Charles Horn 23rd Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.31st Aug 1918)

    Charles Horn was the Son of Mary Emma Brierley and Stepson of William Brierley. Born in Delph in 1893 and lived in Marsden, nr Huddersfield. He worked as a woollen weaver in the textiles before he enlisted in Halifax. His served with the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action as a result of a gunshot wound to the head on 31st of August 1918. He is buried at the Nieppe-Bois British cemetery, Vieuxberquin and remembered on the Marsden War Memorial.

    Maureen Kewley




    250685

    L/Cpl. David Elder Robertson 8th Btn. B Coy, 5 Platoon. Black Watch (d.3rd May 1917)

    Great Uncle David Robertson was born in Inveresk, Musselburgh, at the end of 1889. After school he worked on the railways and as a miner. He was married early 1915 and volunteered on 2nd of June 1915. He joined the training company of 8th Black Watch at St Lucia Barracks, Bordon. A letter he wrote home just after 3 weeks manoeuvres without shelter in bad weather and little sleep (being a L/Cpl) made him determined to lose his stripe and get to the front. Little did he know when he wrote on 26th of September 1915 that his unit and 9th Scottish Division, had been launched the day before at Loos and would suffer terrible casualties. By mid-October, he was with 8th Black Watch near Zillebeke, opposite the infamous Hill 60. He survived a week of hell at Longueval where 8th Black Watch assaulted with 739 all ranks and only 171 came out, right through to Arras, April 1917. But on 3rd of May 1917, a poorly ordered assault on Greenland Hill did for him and he died that day. He is remembered on the Arras War Memorial.

    Lachlan Gow




    250682

    Cpl. Ralph King 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.4th October 1918)

    <p>

    Ralph King served with 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers.

    Julie Chapman




    250680

    Pte. Bertram Ernest Nicholls 21st Btn. D Coy. Middlesex Regiment (d.5th Oct 1916)

    Bertram Nicholls is my husband's 1st cousin 2x removed. He died at 23, bravely fighting for his country in France.





    250674

    Pte. Charles Maxwell 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    Charles Maxwell served with the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

    Heather Pringle




    250668

    Pte. Edward Douglas Wheildon 14th (London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment (d.5th April 1917)

    Edward Wheildon is my Great Uncle Teddy, the brother of my grandmother. He was 19 when he was killed in action. She never mentioned him, the trauma of his loss was too much. He was a constant presence in the family while I was growing up. I thank him for his sacrifice and may he rest in peace.

    'Let those who come after see to it that his name is not forgotten'

    Anand Chetan




    250662

    Pte. George Ryles 17th (Service) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    George Ryles was born in Rhyl on 24th March, 1892 and baptised on 16th May, 1892 at St Thomas's Parish Church, Rhyl. He was the eldest of two children to Thomas Ryles and Elizabeth (Walters). Thomas was born in Rhyl and Elizabeth in Shrewsbury and they were married. They were living at No 2, Naylors Court, Rhyl at the time of the 1901 census but by 1911 Mr and Mrs Ryles appear to have gone their separate ways. Thomas, a self employed chimney sweep, was living on his own at 22, Queens Court, Rhyl and Elizabeth was living with her daughter and husband, James and Margaret Grant at 9 Mount Street, Flint. George, meanwhile, was boarding at the home of a John and Flora Kitchen at 7 Hill Street, Flint and was employed as a changer at the artificial silk works. When the war began he was living with his mother at Little London Cottages, Cornist Road, Flint.

    George enlisted in Shotton with the 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and served in the Balkans from 28th June, 1915.

    It was reported in the County Herald on 22nd October, 1915 that Private Ryles had been invalided home but there was no reason given. However the newspaper did report the following on 26th November.

    Thanks Of The Soldiers To People Of Flint Advantages Taken Of The County Herald Facilities.

    We are pleased to mention that we have received letters from soldiers acknowledging the kindness, collectively, of the people of Flint. The soldiers who belong to Flint have been made aware of the efforts of the County Herald to further their interests in the matter of comforts; and we would wish to state that notwithstanding the work of some people in the Borough the thanks of the soldiers are due to the residents who have contributed to the respective funds. Much can be related upon this matter, but for the nonce [sic] it is preferable that the soldiers and sailors who belong to Flint should receive the parcels which are the gifts of the Borough and not of anyone particular individual, however he might have been devoted to the work.

    The following letter speaks volumes,

    Alma Park Military Hospital, Manchester, 22nd of November 1915.

    Dear Editor, Would you be so kind as to allow a small space in your valuable paper to tender my sincere thanks to the residents of Flint for the Christmas present which I received on Saturday last in good condition. The contents of the parcels were just the things which the lads at the Front would appreciate and I wish the people of Flint every success for their kindness and noble work they are doing for the boys, which I am sure will never be forgotten. I should also like to inform you of Sergeant-Major Hughes, who is an inmate of this hospital, and is a Flint man. He is progressing very favourably.

    I remain, sir, very sincerely yours, (12794) Pte G Ryles, 8th Batt. R.W.F., Alma Park Military Hospital, Manchester.

    He recovered and went home on several days's leave returning to rejoin his regiment in the first week of January. On the 15th August, 1916 news reached Flint of casualties which was reported in the County Herald three days later.

    Up to Tuesday morning this week there was a comparative lack of information in the whole of the Borough regarding any further possible casualties. Considering the size and population of the Borough the war has exacted more than the average toll in casualties, but the number cannot be compared with some other districts in England, where the number of casualties has been greater. It was stated on Saturday that Private George Ryles, of Little London, Flint and who is a member of the 8th Battalion of the RWF, had been wounded and that Sapper J G Grant (his brother-in-law) of Cornist Cottages, and of the Royal Engineers, had been sent to hospital, suffering from the effects of shock.

    Two weeks later it was revealed that George has not been wounded and that he was quite well.

    Sometime later he was transferred to the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and while serving in France he was killed in action on 28thof March 1918.

    Peter Metcalfe




    250661

    Sgt. Lionel Joseph "Whacker" Watkins 8th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    Lionel Watkins was a very quiet man who happily worked on the Great Western Railway, when wars didn't interfere. He lived in Gloucester all his life, but in 1915 joined the Gloucestershire Regiment.

    He was an early member of the Territorial Army and held his rank of Serjent when he volunteered for overseas service. He trained in Wiltshire and then went out to the Western Front where he saw repeated action, and twice was there when officers gained Victoria Crosses for outstanding bravery. They were Captain Adrian Carton de Wiart and Acting Captain Manley James. He never discussed his war service with his sons, but was able to talk about some of it with his eldest grandson, me. What he never mentioned was that he was shot during the battle where Capt James won his honour.

    Researching his history, I was surprised to discover he was shot in the left arm on 22nd of April 1918, and was treated by the 59th Field Ambulance. By the nature of the numerous horrific wounds that many soldiers suffered, his was a relatively minor one, and seems to have thought it was not worth mentioning. I have been to various places on the Somme where I have been able to trace some of his movements. Now I have to return to France to find where the 8th Gloucesters reinforced the weakened line at St Quentin. He could not have been seriously hurt because he was in action at Messines within a month, and eventually returned home safe and well to Gloucester where he duly married... and the rest is history, family, sons, grandsons and during WW2 he served in the Home Guard as CSM.

    Alan Watkins




    250656

    Spr. Hugh Rennie Walker 1st (Lowland) Field Coy Royal Engineers (d.30th June 1916)

    Hugh Walker was the first husband of my paternal grandmother, Isabella Walker (nee Cuthbertson). They were married in 1914 and had 2 children. Martha born in 1915 and George born in 1916, less than a month after his father's death. Like his Father, George also served his country in WW2 and was killed in Belgium in September 1944 by a sniper's bullet. Isabella then married my Grandfather, David Adam, in 1925 and had another 4 children. My father was the eldest of this second family.

    Colin Adam




    250652

    Sgt. Ernest Miller 79th Company 6th Regiment

    Ernest Miller served with the US Marine Corps. Sergeant Miller sailed to France on board the USS Henderson leaving 19th of January 1918 and arriving in France on 8th of February 1918. Sergeant Miller qualified as a Marksman in Boot Camp at Paris Island, 24th of August 1917.

    Charles Miller




    250647

    Rflmn. Herbert Arthur Edwards Bland 12th (The Rangers) Btn. London Regiment (d.19th September 1916)

    I bought the death plaque of Rifleman Herbert Bland.

    Glenn Kraal




    250641

    Pte Septimus Willis Barnes 56th Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather was a 1st Class Machine Gunner in the 56th Battalion MGC from August 1916 until demobilisation in December 1918. Like many others, he never talked about his experiences during the War but amongst his possessions we found a spent bullet which leads me to think that he was wounded at some point.





    250638

    Sgt. Samuel Ashe Gregg 11th Batallion Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    A native of Muckamore, Co Antrim, Samuel Gregg served in the Ulster Volunteer Force and later joined the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in which he attained the rank of Sergeant. He fought at the Battle of the Somme with the 36th Ulster Division. He saw service in France and Belgium and was favourably mentioned by his Commanding Officer, Col H R Parkenhim on several occasions.

    Frances Gilmore




    250637

    Pte. John Henry Harvey DCM. 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.17th Nov 1918)

    John Harvey is remembered on the Basra Memorial. He was serving attached to the 1st Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry when he was killed. He was the son of Allen Harvey of 43, Oxford Street, Highbury Vale, Bulwell, Nottingham and husband of A. R. Harvey of Bhoiguda, Secunderabad, India.

    Maria Harvey




    250636

    Pte Thomas Boag 12th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.28th June 1918)

    Thomas was in the 12th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. His initial medical review states "not likely to make an efficient soldier" yet he is still enlisted. The 12th Battalion was a Territorial Army regiment and it may have been for medical reasons that Thomas was placed in this regiment at his initial enlistment in 1915. He is then not called up until 1917. His army record states that he was posted to Egypt 18th October 1917.

    The history of the 12th Battalion Royal Scots is as follows: 14th January 1917 the Battalion formed in Egypt and engaged in various actions of the Palestine Campaign including;

    • 1917 The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza, The Capture of Beersheba, The capture of the Sheria Position, The capture of Jerusalem, The Defence of Jerusalem.
    • 1918 The Battle of Tell'Asur.
    • May 1918 Moved to France.
    • 21.06.1918 Transferred to the 94th Brigade of the 31st Division which engaged in various actions on the Western Front.

    The attack at La Becque started on 28th June 1918 and was a trench warfare campaign. British troops went over the top in the early hours of the morning and all had reached their enemy objective positions by 7.35am. Many of the casualties were actually caused by their own shrapnel being fired to short of the trench they were advancing too. The majority of Germans were taken too much by surprise to reach their machine guns on time. Sadly, for Thomas, his military record states that he died of wounds on the 28th June 1918 in France at a Casualty Clearing Station meaning that this offensive was most likely where and when he died.

    Alix Edmonds




    250635

    L/Cpl John Boag 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders (d.29th July 1916)

    John Boag is my 3x great uncle. He was the son of Thomas Boag and Elizabeth Stewart who were from a wealthy Glasgow merchant family. John and his brother, Thomas, both died during WWI. John having served in the 1st Batalion Cameron Highlanders died on 29th July 1916 "at home" and "of wounds".

    His brother, Thomas, served in the 12th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers and after serving in Italy and the Middle East campaigns died on 28th June 1918 of injuries from British shrapnel that was fired to help their advancement in France.

    Their sister, Mary Hastie Boag, was my 2x great granny. I never met her but my father has memories of her. There were 5 children before the war, three girls and 2 boys and my father said that Mary never quite got over the loss of her brothers.

    The above is from my own research as there is no family member surviving who has the information on John and Thomas to hand as neither were married or had issue before the war.

    Alix Edmonds




    250632

    Capt. Thomas Andrew McClintock Army Veterinary Corps

    This text was sent to me by a Canadian relative,

    A Hero Of St. Eloi. Captain T. A. Mcclintock's Gallantry.

    An Irish newspaper just to hand contains particulars supplied by a gentleman of Derry, of the heroic conduct of Captain T A McClintock a brother of Dr S. A. McClintock (Chief Health Officer of Tasmania) at the battle of St Eloi in France. Before he was unfortunately severely wounded at St Eloi.

    McClintock had been previously wounded while serving with the Army Veterinary Corps attached to the Royal Horse Artillery at Antwerp. He was sent back to England, but upon his recovery joined the Royal Field Artillery in his capacity of a veterinary surgeon and served with them for a considerable time before the battle of St Eloi.

    Captain McClintock after being wouneled in seven places at St Eloi was again sent to England to Lady Mason's Hospital where the story of his exploits was learn from wounded comrades. They described Captain McClintock as an officer who was known throughout the Artillery Brigade to which he was attached as the man who saved the guns at St Eloi and who got his wounds doing a brave act. He had just returned from attending to sick and wounded horses, when he heard that the Germans had rushed the trenches and that the Artillery observation station had been blown up thus cutting off all communication. He saddled his pony and galloped off to get news of the situation, as he was well acquainted with the enemy's position. His horse was killed as he was returning, but he managed to get back in an exhausted condition and streaming with blood to tell his news. Then the guns thundered again and drove the enemy back. Captain Mc- Clintock was described as being a great favourite with officers and men to whom he was known is "No Surrender Mac."

    Dr. McClintock has received a letter from his wounded brother, in which the latter describes the incident as only the fulfilment of his duty. He adds that he soon hopes to be off again for the third time, fit and well. He says "No doubt some attacks are pretty stiff, but with the artillery they are always interesting. I am not in any real danger, unless I got a direct hit from a shell, which I always take good care to avoid. Otherwise the war is good sport, and the best of fun at times."

    Belgian Order for Bravery.

    A home paper dated May 10th states that Captain T. A. McClintock, brother of the Chief Health Officer has been given the Belgian order for bravery. He has been at the front almost from the beginning of the war, and in March he was wounded whilst assisting in reconnoitring. It was on this occasion he earned the Order.

    Clare McClintock




    250630

    Pte. Ernest Ralphs Imperial Camel Corps

    Ernest Ralphs joined the Shropshire Yeomanry with his younger brother Harold who was under age. He volunteered for the Camel Corps and ended in the Royal Hussars. Like so many he never discussed his experiences but laughingly told me that a nasty dark scar on his cheek was caused by riding into a palm tree on an out of control camel!

    Glenn Ralphs




    250621

    L/Sgt. William. Fishlock 5th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.20th Aug 1916)

    Bill Fishlock came from Avebury, Wiltshire. He died from Dysentery in Hospital in India. He is buried in the Commonwealth war cemetery at Kirkee India. He left behind a wife, Gertrude and five children, who went to live with his brother and his wife's family at Cullys farm Oare. My grand father already had eight children. At the time of writing (Aug 2018) one of his children, Gerty, is still with us.

    Tony Fishlock




    250616

    Pte. Garnet Smith 15th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    My Great uncle Garnet Smith was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, in 1885. His profession was a dentist. His parents were John Henry Smith & Martha Smith of Victoria Villa, Olton Boulevard, Olton, Warwickshire. He was killed in action at Guillemont, France on 3rd of September 1916. I recall the postcard saying it was about 3pm?

    Richard Rodgers




    250603

    Spr. Thomas Biggs 2/2nd Wessex Field Company Royal Engineers

    Thomas Biggs was a bricklayer when he joined the 2/2nd Wessex Field Company Royal Engineers, three days after marrying Florence Barber in Bath. His physical development was very good. He served at home 13th of October 1914 to 23rd of July 1915. He was discharged in consequence of being no longer physically fit for war service. He was 5'9 1/2" tall with brown hair, blue eyes and was reported as a good character on discharge.

    Nicholas Powley




    250599

    Pte. Arthur S. Bell 1/4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.14th October 1918)

    <p>Letter his wife received about his death

    Arthur Bell died of wounds at No.30 Casualty Clearing Station on 14th of October 1918 while serving with 1/4th Seaforth Highlanders in France. Before that he served with the ASC and the Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Andrew Bell




    250598

    Pte Alfred J. Perry 13th Battalion Dorset Regiment (d.3rd June 1917)

    <p>

    Alfred Perry was wounded in 1916 at the Somme whilst serving with the 12th (Labour) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. He returned home to recover and in March 1917 joined the 13th (Works) Battalion, Labour Corps in Exeter. He was obviously unfit to serve and was discharged as such on April 23rd 1917. He died from complications arising from his wounds on June 3rd 1917 in Exeter where he was buried. He left a wife Christina and two daughters.

    Simon Karl Sanderson-Perry




    250590

    William Lucioni 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.22nd Aug 1916)

    William Lucioni was my grandfather's eldest brother who fought alongside so many others and who lost his life serving his country to enable us to live freely.

    Helen Finch




    250583

    Rifleman Albert Henry Anson 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.8th Oct 1916)

    <p>Memorial at St Mary's Chidham

    Albert Henry Anson is recorded on the war memorial in St. Mary's Parish church, Chidham, West Sussex although his wife lived in the neighbouring village of Bosham. He was born in London in 1882, son of George John Parker Anson and Mary Ann Anson of London. He worked as a barman until the outbreak of the First World War when he joined the London Regiment of the First Surrey Rifles. During the war his wife, Elizabeth Marie Anson (Betty), moved from Forest Hill to live at The Retreat in Bosham. Rifleman Anson was killed in action on 8th October 1916 during the final weeks of the Battle of the Somme. His name is also recorded on the Thiepval memorial.





    250576

    Pte Thomas McMahon Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry (d.19th March 1915)

    Thomas McMahon was born in Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland on 14th January, 1878, the son of John and Rose Ann. At some point Thomas immigrated to Canada.

    At the outbreak of the Great War he enlisted with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. As this regiment was particularly wanting men with military service, it would have been appropriate for Thomas to enlist with them as he had served for 8 years with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He enlisted in August 1914.

    Thomas was killed in action at the Battle of St Eloi on Friday 19th of March 1915 just 8 months after enlistment, he was 36 years old. He is buried in Voormezeele Enclosure No 3, in Belgium.

    I have visited his grave and placed a poppy cross on it as a mark of respect and appreciation. He is also remembered with pride on our local War Memorial in Lurgan. His next of kin, on his Attestation Paper is given as his half brother, William Morrison, 213 Willington Street, Kingston, Ontario. Some of his family connections are still in Lurgan and some are also in Canada, as I met with them briefly a few years ago when they were over to Ulster on a visit.

    Thomas's brother, John McMahon, died of wounds whilst fighting with the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on Sunday 8th November 1914, just 4 months before Thomas. Both men would have served together with the "Skins". John had probably served continuously since 1886 as his army number remained the same, 6486.

    I run a small voluntary museum in Brownlow House, Lurgan. "Lest we Forget"

    Clive Higginson




    250564

    Pte James McClymont 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.22nd March 1918)

    James McClymont was born to George and Annabella McClymont of Workington, Cumberland. Jimmy died on Friday, 22nd March 1918, aged 19, in an area around Maricourt Wood. The enemy attack was likely to be Operation Michael which was the start of the 1918 Spring Offensive. He is commemorated at Pozieres Memorial, France.

    The day before his death, 21st March 1918, his older brother George was also killed. This happened about 7 miles away. George was 21 years old. He is commemorated in the Arras Memorial, France.

    Lesley Zetterstrom




    250561

    Spr. Laurence "Bob" Meager 474th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.28th September 1917)

    Laurence Meager was born in late 1878 or early 1879, one of six children of Frederick Meager, a wheelwright of Bletchley, and Ann Somers. He married Annie Elizabeth Taylor in 1905 and the couple had five children born between 1905 and 1913. The family lived in Elm Avenue and Whaddon Road in Bletchley and Laurence followed his father's occupation of wheelwright.

    Laurence served as Sapper and while serving with the 474th Field Company RE he died on 28 September 1917 age 38. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Philip Richardson




    250560

    L/Cpl. John Livingstone Forsyth 66th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.1st Sep 1915)

    Sadly Lance Corporal John Forsyth was killed in action on the 1st September 1915. I know very few details about him apart from the fact that he was with the 66th Field Company, Royal Engineers and was attached to the 10th Irish Division at Gallipoli. He had landed in Egypt on 14th July 1915. His body was lost and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial on Gallipoli.

    He had been educated Wimbledon College and was only 21 when he died. He was the son of Adelaide Livingstone Forsyth of Clandon, Chase Green Avenue, Enfield, Middlesex. His father was the late William Robert Forsyth. He was born in Holloway, Middlesex and enlisted in Manchester.

    Ken Turner




    250552

    Pte. George Aven 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.1st Sept 1918)

    <p>

    George Aven served with the 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment.

    Margaret Aven




    250546

    Pte Frederick Charles Raymond Harper 8th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.27th October 1918)

    Frederick Harper is a distant relative via my 1st cousin, he is buried in Vis en Artois Cemetery.

    David Aston




    250542

    Pte Alfred James Tabor 9th (I) Battalion Tank Corps (d.23rd July 1918)

    Alfred Tabor was my grandfather. He and died of wounds received whilst driving Mk V male 9049 at Sauvillers, on 23rd of July 1918, during the subsidiary attack on Harpon Wood.

    Kev Smith




    250537

    Pte Albert George Allen 13th (2nd Rhondda) Battalion Welch Regiment (d.14th January 1919)

    <p>Jennie and Albert

    Albert Allen of the 13th (2nd Rhonda) Battalion, Welch Regiment died January 14, 1919 from gas poisoning during The German Retreat of 1918. He volunteered in 1915 and was soon drafted to the Western Front, where he took part in the Battles of Ypres, the Somme, Arras and Armentieres. He left to grieve for him, his wife Jennie (nee MacMillan), two daughters, Cathleen and Lillian and a son Thomas Albert George.

    Glenn David Allen




    250529

    Rflmn. Albert James Cross 1/12th (The Rangers) Btn. D Coy. London Regiment (d.7th October 1916)

    Albert Cross was killed in action during The Battle Of The Somme in the Battle Of The Transloy Ridges in the area of Dewdrop Trench.

    Alan Cross




    250526

    Cpl Benjamin Longley 7th Btn. C Coy. Quieens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.26th August 1918)

    <p>

    Benny Longley was the only son of Mr Benjamin & Mrs Jane Longley 56, Hempstead Street, Ashford, Kent. He left school at the age of 14 and went to work at Ashford West Railway Station Goods Yard off Godinton Road Ashford. He was a member of the Ashford Goal Running Team (similar to adult tag) no teams exist to-day. It finally stopped at the start of WW1 as all the young men went to war.

    When the war started Benny joined up aged 16 years. He was assigned to the 7th Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment as part of Kitchener's Army of 100,000 After initial training he went to France on the 25th of May 1915. Somewhere in time he became a Corporal. He was killed in action on the 26th of August 1918 and is buried in the Dantzig War Cemetery, at Mametz near Albert in France.

    He had no brothers but a lot of sisters and he was worshipped by his mother and father.

    Ian




    250523

    Rflmn. George Beech McFarland 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    My granddad, George McFarland, arrived in France sometime after the 1st of January 1916 where he served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. His POW record states that he was captured at La Boisselle on the 9th July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and taken to Dulmen POW Camp in Germany. Do not have a date for his repatriation.

    When the war was over he served with 4th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.

    Jean Donald




    250519

    Rflmn. Harry Nokes 6th Btn. London Regiment (d.13th Aug 1918)

    Harry Nokes was the son of James and Florence Louisa Nokes of Wandsworth, London, aged 19.





    250511

    Pte. Samuel McCarthy 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    Samuel McCarthy served from 1908, with the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in India. He transferred to the 2nd Battalion and served in France in the 2nd Battle of Ypres for 4 months before being captured and taken as a prisoner of war for 3 and a half years. He was demobbed 1919, settled in East London where he got married and raised a family of 4 children. He died in 1946.

    Rebecca Heuerman-Williamson




    250507

    Sgt. Edward Uttley 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment

    My Grandfather Ted Uttley was a sergeant in the 11th Battalion, Manchester Regiment in WW1. He landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 6th of August 1915, in lighters towed by destroyers. The 11th he came under fire immediately, followed later by clearing trenches by bayonet. They had little food and no water and only their rifles for the first few days. He was wounded by rifle fire, and evacuated to Egypt, and then back to the UK. On recovery, he became a training Sergeant, at Ladysmith Barracks, Ashton-under-Lyne.





    250505

    Pte. Leonard Charles Marshall 6th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    Our grandfather Leonard Marshall was educated at Stationers' College and had commenced his banking career prior to WWI. Enlisting in late 1915 he served in France, where he suffered a serious head injury in late 1916, requiring one month's hospitalisation. This ended his war service. His injuries meant that he was unable to insure his life, which lead to great family hardship upon his death in 1947.

    Julia Gallagher




    250503

    Pte. Thomas Marlow 9th Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.15th April 1918)

    Thomas Marlow died of wounds at No.62 Casualty Clearing Station.





    250492

    Gnr. George Stephen Cecil Hicks 272nd Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Little is know about George Hicks except that he served in Mesopotamia. I understand that many records of the First World War were destroyed during the Second World War so it has not been possible to trace his service record any further.

    David Hicks




    250490

    Rflmn. John Lyons 9th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    John Lyons was born on 27th April 1898 at the family home in Jersey Street, Belfast. Whilst he has a battalion prefix and regimental number consistent with an enlistment early in the war, he was not deployed to the Western Front with 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in October 1915. He was deployed to 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles at an unrecorded date after 31st of December 1915 and there is no evidence that he was involved in the Battle of Albert on 1st and 2nd July 1916. He later served with 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles and the Northern Whig edition of 18th of April 1918 reported that he had been wounded, probably in the Battle of St Quentin in March 1918.





    250479

    James Victor Trevelyan 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.4th October 1917)

    James Trevelyan enlisted in Lambeth, Surrey. He died on 4th of October 1917 at war.

    Christopher Trevelyan




    250476

    Pte. William Leonard Walford Worcestershire Regiment

    William Walford served with the Worcestershire Regiment and the Royal Engineers. I don't know much about my mum's dad apart from his service numbers and my mum said he was in the 1st World War and the start of 2nd World War. Just wish I knew more.

    Paul Handley




    250472

    Jack Stanley Pryce 1st Btn. Otago Regiment (d.6th October 1918)

    My great uncle Jack, his brother Charlie who served with the mounted battalion, and their father George Frederick (a Sergeant) all fought in WW1. My great uncle Charlie and Grandad George survived. Uncle Jack died in combat on 6th of October 1918, aged 26.

    My cousins Andy Gibson and Trish McCormick have recently published a collection of letters Uncle Jack wrote during his service. The book is called Jack's Journey.

    Gael Provan




    250469

    Pte. Joseph Ward 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.23rd April 1915)

    Joseph Ward died of enteric fever in hospital in France on Friday April 23rd 1915. He was married and lived in the Stourbridge Road in Catshill. He was 32 years of age. He was a reservist and was called to the colours in August 1914 and, after nine days, was in France. He fought in the opening battles without injury before being struck down with fever. He left a widow and six children.

    Robert Ward




    250466

    Lt. Ronald Spencer Searle 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    My father, Ronald Searle joined the OTC at University College, London, when a student, and was assigned to the Artists Rifles when in training, and then to the 10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was sent to France on 24th of September 1917. He was wounded by shrapnel in the shoulder on 29th of March 1918 at Bapaume and invalided back to England, returning to France in November 1918 and finally being discharged from the Army in April 1919 with the rank of Lieutenant.

    My father never spoke of what happened to him during his war service except to say that there could be no God if such things were allowed to take place. As he had been brought up in a very deeply religious Methodist family, one that had produced a number of Methodist ministers, his complete loss of any religious faith was clearly the direct result of World War One. His experiences during Operation Michael at Bapaume in March 1918 must have been horrific, especially considering that he was then only 19 years old.

    When in hospital at the end of his life in 1986 my father believed himself to be back in wartime France, and kept saying that the boys shouldn't keep being moved around. His wartime memories must therefore have remained vivid, even though during his life after World War One he managed to suppress them.

    Patricia H Riley




    250464

    Pte. James Alexander McGregor

    James McGregor survived the war. He received a gun shot to the chest in 1916. He never really recovered from his wounds and died 16 years later in March 1932. On his death certificate was 'the result of gun shot wounds to his chest in 1916'. He is buried in Wellshill Cemetery, Perth, Perthshire.





    250462

    L/Cpl. George Henry Flatt 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd August 1918)

    <p>

    George Flatt served with 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment.

    Chris Mooney




    250458

    Pte. James Harper 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.19th September 1918)

    <p>

    James Harper was my 4th cousin 1x removed, I know only the bare facts about him. He is listed in Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919. He was born in Ayr in Scotland on 21 May 1890 and appears to have lived in Ayrshire up until his military service. He died in France or Flanders on 28th of September 1918, age 28, only weeks before the Armistice. I don't know any more details of his death or service. He left behind his parents, five brothers and two sisters.

    Alison Orr




    250440

    Pte. William Arthur Riley 26th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.20th September 1917)

    As a child I remember people talking in hushed tones about a relative who died in World War One, but never really understood who he was and what had happened to him. With the arrival of the centenary years I started thinking about him and wanted to find out more. I have managed to piece together quite a lot of his story but will continue searching for more information.

    My Great Uncle Will Riley joined 26th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Bankers Battalion) in July 1915 at the age of 29. A month after this his 26 year old wife died.

    Will's service records were destroyed in WWII, but the Battalion's War Diary is available in the National Archives. In this I have been able to read about the battalions service in Flanders and at the Somme. What stands out is the privations, how rarely they got a bath, the excitement about getting clean underclothing and the weather, weeks of frozen snow, torrential rain. Their suffering is unimaginable.

    For Will these privations ended on 20th of September 1917, at the Battle of Menin Road Ridge. He was killed in action that day. The entry in the war diary for this day is brief, unlike most entries almost as if the writer was in shock. It is as follows: "The Battalion took part in an attack on Tower Hamlets Ridge. Zero hour being 5/50am. Lt Col G. Mcnickel DSO died of wounds received in action.

    • Total casualties Officers other ranks
    • Killed 6 27
    • Died of wounds 2 15
    • Wounded 14 246
    • Missing 4 45

    Sarah Perris




    250430

    L/Cpl. William Frederick Percival 11th Btn. Essex Regiment

    William Percival was evacuated from Gallipoli with enteric fever. He was subsequently downgraded to the Labour Corps 547678 and invalided out 20th of Sept 1919 as no longer fit for service he was then awarded a silver war badge.

    William died from tuberculosis in 1929, his widow tried to obtain a widows pension but was told that William could have caught TB from anywhere therefore she was not entitled to a widows pension. Isn't that appalling after putting your life on the line for your country, his widow had to bring up 4 children on her own with no help or assistance in abject poverty, something my mother never forgot. RIP William.

    Mary Reid




    250428

    Pte. George Henry Marshall 11th Btn. Worcestershire Rgt (d.24th Apr 1917)

    George Marshall died in the Battle of Doiran in Thessalonica.





    250424

    Pte. James Kelley 40th Mobile Workshop Royal Army Ordnance Corps

    James Kelley arrived in Gallipoli on 6th November 1915. He was evacuated to Egypt.

    He served 1 year 8 months with the field force in Salonica in the 40th Mobile Workshop. James was admitted to 31 Casualty Clearing Station on 7th July 1917 with pyrexia and transferred to a sick convoy the next day.

    He was discharged from the Army on 4th May 1919.

    Glenys Proudfoot




    250412

    Pte. John Edwin Parham 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade

    I heard a story how John Parham and fellow soldiers saved the life of the Prince of Wales after he was visiting the Front on his charger and entourage when a shell fell very close to where the Prince was and his horse panicked and fell into a shell hole, trapping the Prince and horse in mud. John ran over with fellow friends and linked there belts together and managed to pull the Prince of Wales to safety who said to the men that he would recommend them for their bravery.

    My grandfather was a man who saw the war as a service to the country, did not believe in glory and, I was told, he burnt his medals.

    In 1964 I was given two cavalier statues which I still have and they stood over my grandfather's fire place for years covered in soot so when I got them home I soaked them in soapy water only to find they had a false bottom in them and inside to my horror was documents that melted away in front of my eye's never knowing what they where and why were they inside the bottom of the cavaliers.

    We, as a family, wonder whether the saving of the Prince of Wales had any truth to it.

    Brian Parham




    250408

    Pte. Frederick Dyson Lancashire Fusiliers

    I came across a WW1 medal and am trying to trace this soldier's relatives if he had any. As well as the medal I have some of his war records. His card says Frederick Dyson of the Lancashire Fusiliers served 2B/Balkans. The date of entry theatre 27th of September 1915. It also says he was awarded all three WW1 medals. He later went on to serve in the Labour Corps. Does anyone have any information about this soldier, so I can return this medal to his family?

    The medal was found by my late father-in-law in a public house clearance when he was working for a brewery back in the 1960s in or around Chester, Cheshire. Any information will be treated as strictly confidential.

    Mickey Peltor




    250407

    Pte. Charles Bailey 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.15th October 1917)

    Charles Bailey was the son of John and Anne Bailey. He was born about 1895 in St Martins, Shropshire. He is commemorated on the St Martins Village War Memorial.

    Ruth Walker




    250405

    Pte. Richard Thomas Knight 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    Due to several step-siblings in the family, grandad, Richard Knight left to join up when he was still underage, we believe at 16 years old, which was reached in September 1915. He served in Palestine, which makes me think he was with the 1st Battalion. He had no Scottish connection but a theory is that recruits were placed where numbers were low, hence he joined the Seaforth Highlanders.

    Sandra Turner




    250400

    Unknown Remount Depot Romsey Army Service Corps

    <p>Tynesiders Night Out

    I found this photo in my parents belongings after they had passed away, and I am just wondering why we had this photo as we come from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. Although I am researching relatives who fought in WW1, I can find no connection to this picture, so wondered if anyone else can shed some light on it?

    Josie Howell




    250396

    Gnr. Thomas Vicarage 121st Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.27th July 1917)

    My research uncovered the records for Thomas Vicarage serving with A Battery, 121st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. I am a genealogical researcher in Australia, a member of the Guild of One Name Studies researching the surname Vickridge and the variants of that spelling including Vickeridge, Vickrage, Vickredge, and Vicrage and deviants of the mass of mispellings of the family name. I am also a retired member of the Australian Defence Force.

    Peter Vickridge




    250389

    Pte. Percy Rainbird 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.12th Oct 1915)

    Percy Rainbird was my Mother's Uncle.I'm afraid I know very little of his past He came from a large family, which included a brother Tom who was in the Royal Navy as a regular in 1909. Another older brother, Frank, who was also in France at the time of Percy's death, served with the Australian 6th Infantry Battalion. Frank also died in the conflict on 2nd September 1918. The family came from the Brentwood area, and descendants still live in the area today. I have no knowledge of the circumstances or the whereabouts of Percy's death, nor where he may be commemorated.

    Derek J. Charlton




    250382

    Pte. John Hillman 26th Btn. London Regiment (d.14th July 1918)

    John Hillman, known as Jack, was the son of Alfred and Helen Hillman of Park Farm, Banstead, Surrey. He was born on 13th July 1899 and died the day after his 19th birthday, he lies buried with over 800 others at La Clytte Military Cemetery in Belgium. Unfortunately his parents were never to see the grave of their son. Under age, he had volunteered to join the army after receiving a white feather.

    His name is on the Banstead War Memorial and more details are in the book 'These Men of Banstead' by Lewis N Wood, members of Banstead History Research Group and contributions from their descendants.

    Marie Nicholson




    250376

    Capt. Percival Elliot Cox 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd May 1917)

    <p>

    Percival Cox is my great uncle. He studied at Durham University and then became a teacher. At Durham he was in the Officer Training Core. He was gassed at Ypres and went home to recover, returned and was injured, sent home, returned and died of wounds on 23rd of May 1917. He is buried at Sunken Road Cemetery, Calais. On his gravestone are the words "Thy Will Be Done" at the request of his family. He was only 26 when he died.

    Weary and worn from war

    Carolyn Baines




    250367

    Hilda Read 94th East Lancashire Voluntary Aid Detachment

    When researching Grindleton Role of Honour, I found this page Hilda Read is buried in St Ambrose Churchyard Grindleton. She died 18th June 1920

    Mandy Brennan




    250352

    Pte. Arthur Ingham 94th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    A friend has acquired a small book called "Wilson on Sacrament" a small bible type book, inscribed on the first page in pencil Pte. A. Ingham, no. 60890, A Section, 94th Field Ambulance, B.E.F. Found on the Field of Battle, 9th May 1916, on the Albert front.

    John Pierce




    250349

    Pte. William Breckon West Yorkshire Regiment (d.29th September 1918 )

    William Breckon was the natural son of Alice Breckon of Duck House Farm. Alice suffered from mental health problems and was eventually committed to the North Riding Asylum at Clifton, York.

    William was raised by his maternal aunt, Lydia Mary Duck nee Breckon, on Wold House Farm, Farndale. She was his legal guardian. He became a carpenter and wheelwright and volunteered on the 21st of August 1917. He was just 18. He was posted on the 8th of May to the Yorks Regiment, Army no 60208, and then transferred (comp.) to the Duke of Wellington's Own, 2/4th West Yorkshire Reg, Army no 35871 on 16th of September. He was posted missing and the killed in action or died of wounds shortly thereafter on 29th September 1918, just two months from the end of the war and only 19 years old.

    William was killed on the 29th of September 1918 when 62nd (West Riding) Division were involved in heavy fighting to recapture the French village of Marcoing, which had been occupied by the Germans since March 1918.

    At 5.20 am on the 27th September 1918, the 1st and 3rd Armies attacked with IV, VI, XVII and Canadian Corps on a 21 km front from Gouzeaucourt to Sauchy-Lestrée. The vital point of the attack was the Canal du Nord near Moeuvres. On the VI Corps front the Guards Division and 3rd Division crossed the canal in the face of strong machine gun fire. 62nd Division started their move forward at 8 am, following close behind the reserve brigade of 3rd Division. There was heavy fighting all day and by 8.30 pm 3rd Division had withdrawn and 62nd Division held a line just east of Ribacourt.

    In the early hours of the 28th September 1918, attacks were resumed towards Marcoing and Masnieres. Fierce fighting continued all the day, and by 6 pm, Marcoing had been taken, together with the trenches on the east side of the St Quentin Canal.

    On the 29th of September 1918, the attack was renewed with Masnires and Rumilly as the objectives. By noon, Masniares had been recaptured by the 62nd (West Riding) Division and cleared, but because of fierce opposition Rumilly was not taken that day.

    William Breckon was buried at The British Cemetary Masnieres, Nord France one of 170 soldiers.

    As s a postscript to this biography of William Breckon, it is perhaps worth mentioning the famous or infamous Incident at Marcoing, which took place the day before and at the same place that William Breckon died. It was September 28, 1918 and the fighting had been exceptionally heavy that day. Private Henry Tandey of the 5th Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), had been killing Germans throughout the day, but when a wounded enemy soldier limped into his gun sights, Tandey held his fire. The German was clearly wounded, and though Tandey took aim, he could not bring himself to shoot the wounded man. The wounded soldier nodded in gratitude and disappeared into the fog. The incident at the French village of Marcoing was over quickly, but one that the German soldier would never forget and that Henry Tandey wouldn't recall for some 20 years. During the fighting on that day the English private would single-handedly destroy a German machine gun nest, lead a bayonet charge on a far larger German force and, for his bravery, win the Victoria Cross. Private Henry Tandey was by anyone's account a true hero. That German soldier was Adolf Hitler!





    250348

    Pte. William Frederick Warrender 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.26th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    After a lot of research we found that my GG Granddad, William Warrender was buried in Noeux-les-Mines cemetery. A small group of my family visited his grave, last year, and we were at his side 100 years to the day of his death. It was such a moving and grounding experience that will never forget. We do plan to visit again as soon as we can.

    Steve Donnelly




    250345

    Pte. Henry Charles John Melvin 2/19th (2nd St.Pancras) Battalion London Regiment

    <p>

    During the First World War Henry Melvin was attached to the 2/19th (St. Pancras) Battalion, London Regiment. On 30th of April 1918, during an attack on the Turkish position at Es Salt in the Jordan Valley he saved the life of his commanding officer Capt. Philip Egerton who had been shot in the knee. His Captain presented him with this engraved pocket watch.

    J Drewitt




    250334

    Sgt. John Wilson Pollitt 8th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    John Pollitt joined Army on 28 Dec 1914, attested at Warrington,Lancashire. Living at home with wife and daughter. His records show him as RAMC. On 23 May 1915 he transferred to the 3rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. On 24 Aug 1915 he moved to 8th Battalion Cheshire Regiment and joined the Expeditionary Force to Mesopotamia. He served there for 3 yrs and 113 days. On 26th Dec 1917 he was admitted to hospital with sunstroke. On 15th Dec 1918 he embarked at Basra and arrived in Salonika on 14th Jan 1919. He served there for 153 days. On 17th May 1919 he was back in the UK and was discharged on 15th Jun 1919.

    Kevin Carruthers




    250332

    Pte. Ronald William Bellew 14th Battalion Royal Montreal Regiment (d.26th September 1916)

    <p>

    Ronald Bellew was born on the 30th April 1894 at Whitechapel Cottage, Bish Mill, Bishops Nympton, North Devonshire. Ronald was the eldest son of Charles Bellew (born 14th March 1874, Horwood), and Rebecca Ann (Annie) Bellew, nee Westcott, (born 5th December 1873, baptised 12th July 1874, Mariansleigh). Ronald was the brother of Michael, Prudence, Annie (mother of Angela Bavidge, nee Kingdon), Barbara, Rosina, George and Albert Bellew.

    Ronald's parents left Bishops Nympton in the late 1890s when his father found work at Meshaw, a few miles from Bishops Nympton. The family was living at Prescott Cottage, Meshaw in 1901. Ronald attended Meshaw School and is mentioned several times in the School's log book. On the 16th July 1909 there is an entry in the school log showing that Annie, Rosie, and Prudence Bellew are leaving school on account of changing farms. Michael had already left school on the 26th March 1909 to work. Ronald being the eldest must have left school before that. In 1911 Ronald, age 16, is working as a cowman for John Hancock, farmer at Rawstone Farm, Bishops Nympton. The family returned to the Bishops Nympton area and lived at Folly Cottage where Ronald's two younger brothers, George and Albert were born in 1912 and 1915 respectively.

    Maud Harland (nee Westcott), Ronald's mother's sister, left England to homestead in Canada, with her husband Norman in 1910. Ronald was close to his aunt and decided to emigrate to Canada. Ronald left Liverpool for Halifax, Nova Scotia on the SS Mongolian on the 25th April 1913 to homestead in Canada. He completed an application for entry for a Homestead on the 16th April 1914. His address was shown as Kilronan, Charlotte, Saskatchewan. He occupied his homestead from the 20th November 1914 until the 12th April 1915. Both Ronald's and his Aunt Maud's homesteads were in the Battleford area, Saskatchewan.

    When the German-European War broke out, Ronald enlisted with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Battleford, Saskatchewan on the 24th April 1915, with the 53rd Battalion. His Army documents, describe him as having a dark complexion, hazel eyes, dark brown hair and a scar on the right corner of mouth. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 145lbs. Religious denomination was Church of England. His pay was $30 per month, plus a field allowance of 20 cents per day. His medical record shows that he was in hospital with diphtheria on 2nd March 1916.

    On the 29th March 1916 he sailed from Halifax, Canada on the S.S Empress of Britain, and disembarked at Liverpool, England on the 9th April 1916. He was in England from the 9th April 1916 until he embarked for France on the 8th June 1916. He arrived at Le Havre on the 9th June 1916. He was admitted to the General Hospital in Le Havre on 10th June 1916 and was discharged on 22nd June 1916 On the 14th July 1916 he was taken on strength of the 14th Battalion of the Royal Montreal Regiment. He joined his Unit on 11th August 1916.

    He was killed in action on the 26th of September 1916 at Kenora Trench, near Courcellette, Battle of the Somme. On the 5th April 1917 it was recorded that Ronald was presumed to have died, on or since, the 26th September 1916. The Canadian Record Office, Green Arbour House, Old Bailey, London, sent a letter to Charles and Rebecca dated 4th April 1917 "It is my painful duty to inform you that owing to the lapse of time and to the fact that no information has come to hand from any source whatever indicating that this soldier might still be alive, the Militia Council have been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead."

    His medals, decorations and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Annie Bellew. Plaque and scroll, serial number 76421, were sent to his father Charles Bellew, on the 27th May 1920. Charles and Rebecca were living at Folly Cottage, South Molton, Devon, England.

    Ronald's name appears on the Vimy Memorial, which overlooks the Douai Plain from the highest point of Vimy Ridge, about eight kilometres northeast of Arras on the N17 towards Lens. The names of 11,285 Canadian Soldiers, who have no known grave, are listed.

    Canada was a Dominion of Great Britain without any International standing and when Britain declared War on Germany in August 1914, Canada was automatically at war. In 1914 Canada's population was just under 8 million. The Canadian government issued tens of thousands of posters as a way to encourage voluntary enlistment, bearing in mind that there were no radios or TVs at that time. The Military Service Act of August 1917 introduced conscription. Most French-speaking Canadians did not support Canada's overseas military commitments to the same degree as English speakers. Two-thirds of the men of the first contingent had been born in the British Isles. Most had settled in Canada in the 15-year period of massive immigration which had taken place before the start of WW1. By the end of the war Canada had suffered over 66,000 killed and over 170,000 wounded, roughly a 35% casualty rate. This was the highest of any of the Dominions. The Canadians fought and died in numerous battles from 1915 through to 1918 for example, Neuve Chapelle, Ypres, The Somme, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele

    SS Mongolian

    Empress of Britain

    Angela




    250328

    Pte. Sidney Herbert Matthews 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>

    Bert Matthews was my great grandfather. Although I never met him I feel I knew him very well. I have researched into my family tree and I have found plenty of information on him. He was born in Foxham Lock, Bremhill, Carne, Wiltshire in 3rd April 1885. His father was Jacob Matthews and mother Elizabeth Thorne. He married Jane St. Sinclair Anderson at the Tredegar Registrar Office on 27th October 1906. He was a coal miner at the time. They had Elizabeth St. Clair, Ernest Cornelius, Kenneth Victor McDonald, Sidney Herbert Stanley, Wilhelmina J, and Barbara.

    He first enlisted into the 3rd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. He is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

    Cheryl Miller




    250327

    Pte. John Thomas Evans 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th May 1917)

    Jack Evans is remembered on the Arras Memorial.





    250326

    Sgt. Ernest Henry Henderson MM. 113th Coy. Labour Corps

    <p>

    Ernest Henderson is my great grandfather. My grandmother used to tell us stories of his war service and that he won a medal for bravery. We were very young and I forgot these tales in later life. When I started researching those family members who had fought in WW1 we discovered his record.

    He was a clerk when war broke out and above average age for the Army. He joined the West Surrey Regiment, then transferred to Labour Corps, 113th Company, in April 1917. He was in France thoughout 1917, assisting in tunnelling, building railways. The Company was involved in the battle for Vimy Ridge in 1917 and took casualties from shelling and aerial attack. In March 1918 the Company, now known for their bridging skills, were requested by the senior Royal Engineer in the sector. They successively bridged the Ancre, Canal du Nord, Escault Canal (Hindenburg Line), the Selle and the Sambre.

    In May 1918, now the 113th (Armed) Company, they were working around Vadencourt Wood with shelling and gas attacks disrupting work. On October 26, at the height of the Battle of the Sambre, when the infantry attacked the village of Englefontaine they were brought up in lorries to clear the walls and hedges for the advance of the guns. Sergeant Henderson and four of his comrades received the Military Medal for their part in the action.

    He survived the war and went back to being a clerk.

    Nick Carter




    250322

    Pte. Charles Thomas Seymour 192nd Company Machine Gun Corps

    Charles Seymour was captured on 21st of March 1918 in France and spent time at POW camps at Parchim and Friedrichsfeld in Germany. He was repatriated in December 1918, discharged on 26 March 1919. He re-enlisted on 27th March 1919 and continued to serve in the Army until 1921. He died in England in 1957.

    Anthony Seymour




    250321

    Pte. John James Walker Army Service Corps

    My maternal grandfather, John Walker, enlisted as a private in 1915 at the age of 45. What was he thinking? There were five children at home and they were left with his wife, my grandmother, Elizabeth Walker. The youngest was my mother, aged five years. According to Elizabeth, John James simply disappeared one day, meaning perhaps, he just didn't come home, and eventually she found him at Aldershot training camp. My mother remembered being taken to the camp where Elizabeth confronted him.

    It is perhaps difficult to understand the fever of enlistment that went on during the first years of WW1. My uncle, John William, known always as Will, had already enlisted when grandfather disappeared. Maybe that's what prompted him to go and leave his wife and children to fend for themselves.

    All I know, since I never met my grandfather, is that, when my Uncle Will was wounded in France, John James attended him in the hospital in Southampton and hopefully, was present when he died of his wounds. Will was 19. My grandfather survived with damaged lungs from being gassed and spent the rest of his life tending his allotment in North London and drinking lots of beer.

    I am not aware of any heroic acts he may have performed in battle. Probably just being there during wartime was heroic enough. He was just another man caught up in war fever at a time when it was widely considered cowardly and unpatriotic not to enlist and run the risk of getting yourself killed.

    Pip James




    250319

    Pte Henry William Chalmers 14th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.30th June 1916)

    Henry William Chalmers was 19 years old.





    250309

    L/Cpl. Charles Henry Ewington 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    I know very little about my great grandfather, Charles Ewington, except what I remember hearing as a child and what I've found in my research. I found that in 1911 he was a Lance Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He was born in 1888 and married to Maud Ewington from Guernesy (not sure of her maiden name). I believe they resided in Borden, Hampshire where they raised their children.

    Julie Danley




    250308

    Pte. William Horace Torode 10th (Battersea) Battalion Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.17th Sep 1916)

    William Torode was my mother's father, the grandfather I never knew.

    Peter McLean




    250307

    Pte. Albert John "Wrecker" Taylor 7th Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    Looking into my grandfather's contribution to the war, Albert Taylor recieved three medals, My Auntie Ann has these. As far as I can work out, he served in 7th, 13th and 8th Battalion. He was engaged in France on 1st of June 1915.

    Patricia Horwell




    250302

    Sgt. James Ferguson McIntyre 20th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.23rd October 1917)

    <p>

    James McIntyre served with 20th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Mike Lee




    250277

    Capt. Frederick Michael Annesley Webster 2/6th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    Captain Frederick Webster was the Adjutant of 6th South Staffordshire Regiment.

    Captain F M A Webster, 1915 Adjutant of 6th South Staffordshire Regiment

    1915 2ic & Adjt of 2/6th South Staffordshire Regiment

    Michael Webster




    250272

    Able.Sea. Albert Reuben Butcher HMS Patrol

    <p>

    Albert Butcher was born 17th August 1888 in Tottenham, Middlesex. He joined the Royal Navy on 11th June 1906 and served continuously until he was demobilised on 14th May 1919, on HMS Patrol, HMS Pembroke, HMS Queenmore and HMS Domin. He died of pneumonia the 3rd November 1934.

    David Butcher




    250270

    Pte. Lewis Bithell 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.18th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Lewis Bithell had joined up around May 1916 with the Leicestershire Regiment before being drafted to the 8th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment in July 1916.

    At 3pm on Wednesday 10th of October 1917 his battalion left Whitemill Camp, Elverdinghe and dug in at Namur Crossing in readiness for the attack. The attack commenced at 5.25am on the day of his death, 18th October, with many junior officers being immediately killed by machine gun fire. Almost leaderless the battalion took their objectives by 11am and consolidated their gains. The attack cost the battalion 18 officers and 340 other ranks killed, wounded or missing.

    Mark Greaves




    250269

    Pte. Abraham Matthews MM. 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.15th October 1918)

    <p>

    Abraham Matthews won the Military Medal for gallantry prior to his death and was 19 years old when he was killed in Gullegem, 7 miles from Ypres during fierce fighting to liberate the town. He was killed in the garden of the local chapel and was buried there along with his comrades who fell on the same day. In 1920 he was exhumed and reburied in the CWGC at Dedizeele New Cemetery.

    Tina




    250266

    Cpl Alfred James Elliott Royal Fusiliers

    Alfred Elliott was my grandfather. He volunteered with every male member of his Box Making Factory, which was situated in Edmonton, North London. They were 72 men plus Alfred, they were altogether in the same battalion, and were all together in the same company, of the Royal Fusiliers. Alfred would not leave them to become an officer, he could not be a Sgt, as they were all regulars, so they made him a Cpl.

    At the Battle of Ypres they all went over the top, and Alfred was the only survivor with machine gun and shrapnel injuries. This known for sure as the Trench Map of the day, has his name down as the only one who came back. In the next step trench died an officer, but his brother survived. They were from another Regiment. It was while the son of the officer who was killed, was researching his family history that he found by chance Alfred's name.

    Ian Perry




    250259

    Dvr. Robert Gordon A Battery, 225th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, Robert Gordon, survived the war, never speaking about it except once, when his tongue loosened after a few whiskies one New Year. He wept as he told my Granda (his son born in 1915) that he remembered lying asleep in the dark after a heavy battle on what he thought was a pillow but turned out to be the body of a soldier. He never mentioned the War but remained a taciturn and stern man the rest of his long life. He died in 1970 aged 85.

    V Bodington




    250258

    Pte. Aaron John Flower 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

    My granddad, Jack Flower, returned home after 2 years being a prisoner of war in Germany. He didn't realise he had a bullet inside him, and worked for 17 years at a quarry. When he was taken ill in 1934 he had to spend 4 years in Roehampton Hospital. He then died because of this in 1938. He was a widower and left behind 4 children, one who was my father. I only have a few things to remember him by, his medals and a few photographs, and a beautiful letter he wrote to my father. I never met him, but I love him and am very proud of him.

    Annette Mason




    250242

    Cpl. Royal Victor Aynsley 54th Battalion

    <p>

    Roy Aynsley submitted his Enlistment application in the Australian Imperial Forcesin April 1916. On the 9th of June 1916 when he was 18 years old, Roy signed his attestation paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad. He was part of the 7th Reinforcements, 54th Battalion, AIF.

    On 6th of June 1916, Roy had undertaken a medical examination that listed his details as follows:

    • Age: 18yrs 9 mths
    • Height: 5ft 3 ½ in (161cm)
    • Weight: 136lb (62kg)
    • Complexion: Fresh
    • Chest: 32 ½ in, 34 ½ in
    • Eyes: Hazel 6/10, 6/10
    • Hair: Brown

    Roy completed his initial army training at the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Forces No.20 Musketry School at Liverpool in October 1916. On the 25th of October 1916, Roy embarked at Sydney on the HMAT Ascanius, bound for England. Roy disembarked in Davenport on 28th December 1916 and Marched into the 14th Training Battalion in Hurdcott, Wiltshire. Hurdcott was the site of a training facility for Australian and New Zealand troops. Roy was trained as a Lewis Gunner.

    On the 14th of November 1917 Roy was transported from Southampton to France as a member of the 7th Reinforcements, 54th Battalion. He was taken on strength on the 22nd of November 1917. After Roy's arrival in France, his battalion was involved in numerous engagements between March 1918 and the end of the war in October 1918. Roy was wounded in action on the 1st of September 1918 during the attack on Peronne and the Anvil Wood engagement. He was shot in the hand and the right leg. Roy was admitted to an Line of Communication field hospital on the 2nd of September and had the bullet removed. He was then invalided to England on the 5th of September and admitted to the 3rd Western General Hospital for recovery on 6th of September 1918.

    He took a furlough in London from the 12th to 28th of November 1918, by which time the war had ended. He departed Liverpool aboard the HMAT Nestor on the 12th of December. Roy arrived in Sydney on the 14th of February 1919.

    He attended the Garrison Hospital at Victoria Barracks on the 18th of February 1919. Roy was discharged from the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force with the Rank of Corporal on the 20th of March, 1919. On discharge there is a record of him availing of a free return train ticket to Parkes, in the central west of New South Wales, but no reason as to why. However, it is possible he was visiting Minnie Bell who was a nurse during those years. Records are scant during this period but it is known that Roy resumed his career at the Government Savings bank of NSW and was back in Katoomba at the time he married Minnie Bell on the 22nd of March 1922.

    Arthur Aynsley




    250241

    Pte. Bennet Leopold Burgess 13th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    <p>

    Born on 19th April 1884, Bennet Burgess married Katherine Morrell in summer 1914 before joining the 13th Essex Regiment. He died on 28th of April 1917 at Arras.

    James Eagling




    250235

    Pte. Henry James Redgrave 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.28th August 1918)

    Jim Redgrave served with the 9th Royal Fusiliers

    Sally M Bunday




    250232

    Sgt. Alfred Lenney 34th Battalion London Regiment

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, Alfred Lenney, was a private in the Territorial Force, and rose to be a Sergeant in the 34th London Regiment during WW1. He was a French polisher by trade and a strong union man. Family stories say that he was instrumental in calling out a big strike for more money and better conditions which went across the country. He was blacklisted for working at lots of places after this.

    Andrea




    250230

    Pte. Albert James Heasman 11th Battalion Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.25th June 1916)

    At the end of June 1916, the 11th Battalion, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment were in the trenches north east of Bethune in Northern France and subject to enemy shelling on its position. On the 25th of June 1916 the shelling continued and the artillery was active both day and night. It appears Albert Heasman was injured as a result of this shelling. He was admitted to No.1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, where he died of his wounds on the 25th of June 1916. He was buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Richard Hearn




    250221

    Pte. William Kenney Rifle Brigade

    William Kenney earned the Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1914 Star with Clasp and Roses.

    Lorretta Farquhar




    250220

    Cpl. Joseph Barr 255th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    Joseph Barr was 24 years old. Son of John and Mary Barr, he was born in Londonderry, Ireland on 29th Dec 1892. He was survived by his wife Janet Grant Barr.

    Lucinda Santino




    250218

    Pte. George Godwin 5th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.20th November 1915)

    My great great uncle, George Godwin, was a private in the 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. His surname is incorrectly stated as ˜Goddard on his death documents and medal cards.

    George was born in 1894 in Clonsilla, Dublin. He was the younger brother to my great grandfather. George died on the HMHS Carisbrooke Castle Enterie which is a hospital ship. His cause of death is unknown but possibly from disease. George is buried in the East Mudros Military Cemetery in Greece.

    Nai




    250216

    Pte. John Brown 8th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    John Brown of 13th Platoon, D Coy, 8th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment was a Stokes Mortar gunner. He was reported missing on 1st July 1916 and has no known grave, though his Discs were returned to his family.

    John had joined up underage, he was born on 11th of August 1898. A letter and his birth certificate were sent to Rugeley Camp and was birth certificate returned to family on 23rd February 1916. However, he was still sent to France in May 1916 and was deployed to the front line. We have a letter stamped by War Office in York on 15th of July 1916.

    His niece is my mother-in-law, Margaret whose mother was John's sister Daisy Brown.

    John Morrell




    250215

    2nd Lt. David Evan Lewis Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather David Lewis served with the Machine Gun Corps. I have a photo album dated 1917 of the hospital and fellow inmates when he where undergoing treatment.

    Caroline Josling




    250214

    Gnr, James Moffat "Moff" Beckwith 71st Brigade, 225th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandfather, James Beckwith, went to France in July 1915 aged 33 years. He served in Northern France and Belgium and returned home in 1918.

    Les Beckwith




    250213

    A/Sgt. Arthur Barton Royal Field Artillery

    Arthur Barton was a Gun Layer with the Artillery. I hold some papers that informed my grandmother of my grandfather's progress. On the 24th of September 1917 He was admitted to No.1 Canadian General Hospital with Gas Poison and Shell Wound. (My wife,s great uncle Frank Bexon,later killed was a stretcher bearer with the Canadians, did their paths cross?)

    On the 8th of October 1918 He was promoted to acting Sergeant and my grandmother was advised that his pay would rise from 32/6 a week to 35/- and on 29th of October 1918 He passed his examination as a Gun Layer being graded as Good, and is qualified to act as such.





    250203

    Capt. John Robb S.S. Oxonian

    <p>

    Captain John Robb was the Master of S.S.Oxonian between 1915 and 1917 during which time he transported horses between Davenport and Alexandria for the war effort. He saved the lives of the Captain and crew of the American sailing schooner S.V.Cora A on 5 March, 1916 (Latitude 36.42N,Longitude 57.18W) receiving an inscribed pair of binoculars from the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson for his heroic effort. He evaded a German submarine attack on 28 December, 1916 (Latitude 35.20N, Longitude 22.40E) saving the lives of his crew, cargo and ship, which he reported to HMS Hannibal, which was serving as a depot ship based in Alexandria, Egypt

    S.S.Oxonian - Alexandria, Jan 1st 1917

    The Senior Naval Officer - H.M.S. Hannibal

    Sir, I respectfully beg to report the circumstances in connection with the Submarine attack on above steamer while steering for the Cerigotto Channel on the 28th Dec 1916.

    Having been zigzagging from daybreak during fine weather conditions and on the point of altering course from NE to SE at 1.55 p.m. in Lat 35.20N Long 22.40E my attention was drawn by the Second Officer to a torpedo coming towards ship's port beam about 500 ft distant. I at once ordered helm hard to port and this order being promptly carried out although ship appeared particularly slow to answer helm at the moment she did so in sufficient time to allow torpedo to pass no more than 20ft ahead of bow towards SE.

    Steadied ship then on SE course, a few minutes later a periscope was observed astern, which was not visible long enough to open fire. Reappearing shortly afterwards however on Starboard quarter with Submarine rising and conning tower visible bearing WSth, course was altered to ENE and at 2.10 p.m. ordered gunner to open fire. Three shots were fired, the first at 1800 yds, being short, the second and third at 2200 yds were very close to and at 2.18 p.m. the submarine dived and orders given to cease fire. Second shell richocheted and burst. Ship was kept full speed on ENE course with frequent zigzag two points on either side until 3.20 p.m. when in Lat 35.25N Long 22.58E sighted the feather of a periscope about a ½ mile distant on port quarter. Course was then altered to ESE but did not open fire as submarine disappeared almost instantly and nothing further was seen Ship reached the entrance to Cerigotto Channel about 5.45 p.m

    I am Sir, Your obedient servant, Master.

    John Roberts




    250200

    Pte. Albert Thompson 1st East Anglian Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.10th October 1918)

    Albert Thompson is my Great Uncle. He drowned in the sinking of the RMS Leinster in the Irish Sea. The ship was torpedoed by a German U-Boat on 10th October 1918. He is buried in the Grangegorman Military Cemetery in Dublin.

    I am searching to find the reasons he was on the boat and his personal history and role in the war.

    Mark Willer




    250191

    Able.Sea. Andrew Fulton

    Andrew Fulton, an Irishman, born 16th October 1899 served in the Royal Navy in both World Wars. He was born in Doagh, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland. Father of seven children. Some of his descendants live in New Zealand where he and his wife Jeanie lived in their latter years. He was awarded a medal by the Russian Government in the 1980s for his help at the evacuation of women and children in Murmansk (this is not on his WW2 war records). He died in Christchurch, New Zealand at the age of 94 in November 2003 and is buried in Christchurch.





    250183

    William James Philips

    <p>

    The marriage of William Phillips and Mary Ann Banton at St Wilfrid's Church, Egginton. William was at the time recovering from trench fever and was an inmate at Egginton Hall Hospital. Mary worked at the hospital. Other sick or injured soldiers from the hospital form a guard of honour for them.





    250180

    Pte. Ernest Stringer 7th Battalion London Regiment (d.9th September 1918)

    Ernest Stringer served with the Middlesex Regiment, but had been posted to 7th Battalion, London Regiment when he lost his life.

    Keith Padbury




    250177

    Richard Yates A Bty, 158th Howitzer Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Richard Yates was in Laventie in March 1916. He was on the Somme, near Maricourt at Southern extremity of British line on the 19th of July 1916. Dick was in Arras in April and May 1917 but did not take part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He was attached to 1st Army Tunnelling School from 31st of January 1918 to 19th of February 1918 (he was a collier so it fits but didn't last long). He was gassed during the Georgette Offensive on the Lys in Spring 1918, on 11th of April 1918 he was admitted to No.11 Stationary Hospital in Rouen, then transferred by hospital ship to the UK and was in hospital at West Didsbury and Ripon. He went back to the Front for the last 100 days. He suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his back and leg on the 18th of October 1918 and was sent to hospital via 76th Field Ambulance then went back to duty. He was severely reprimanded, twice for going absent without leave.

    Rod Eglin




    250175

    Spr. Daniel Staley MM. 182nd Coy. Royal Engineers (d.14th November 1918)

    Daniel Staley was born in a small coal mining town of Newhall in South Derbyshire in 1891. He followed the family tradition of mining.

    He enlisted with the 10th Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and was later transferred to the 182nd Coy, Royal Engineers. He died on the 14th of November 1918 aged 27 years from injuries sustained in a road traffic accident, while riding a bicycle. He was awarded a Military Medal during his service and is buried at Avesnes-Sur-Helpe, Communal Cemetery. France. His his brother Joseph 11573, Leicestershire Regiment is named on the Thiepval Memorial.





    250170

    Daniel Gilbert Parker 1st/1st London Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Daniel Parker send this postcard home.

    John Windsor




    250169

    Pte. Harry Mirtle 12th Battalion Royal Scots (d.22nd October 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Mirtle served with the 12th Battalion, Royal Scots.

    Mike Mirtle




    250168

    Pte. Alexander Benjamin Butcher 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Alexander Butcher served with the 12th, 18th and 23rd Battalions, Middlesex Regiment.

    David Butcher




    250163

    Pte. Thomas Charlton Brodrick 18th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.15th November 1917)

    When Thomas Brodrick was born on October 30, 1884, in Houghton Le Spring, Durham, England, his father, Stephen, was 26 and his mother, Margaret, was 22. He married Mary Elizabeth Longley on 30th of May 1908, in Easington, Durham. They had five children during their marriage. He died as a young father on 15th of November 1917, at the age of 33, of his wounds,





    250150

    Pte. George Henry Haslehurst 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.18th August 1916)

    <p>

    My great grandfather, George Hazelhurst, is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He left behind 3 young children. One of which was my grandmother.

    Gaynor Dawson




    250145

    Pte. James Chambers 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.9th June 1916)

    James Chambers served with 9th Devonshire Regiment, found while researching those who lived within the Posloe area of Exeter.

    Alison Styles




    250143

    Pte. F W Adkins 9th Battalion Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.14th September 1916)

    <p>

    F W Adkins served with the 9th Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

    Andy Jackson




    250136

    F. G. Wheatley 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    In my grandmother's book signed by friends, on one page it reads "F.G. Wheatley, late 10th Battalion, 19th Yorkshire Regiment, ('Green Howards'). Wounded at Loos September 26th 1915." It is written on 26th of January 1919. I know no more about him but thought it might be useful for someone else's research. He's drawn a coloured picture of Rushen Castle, Isle of Man.

    Chris Fieldsend




    250135

    William Samuel Pollard 13th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.4th October 1917)

    William Pollard was the husband of Ethel Pollard, he is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, near Ypres.





    250129

    Pte. George Henry Cornish 5th Btn. Berkshire Regiment

    George Cornish enlisted in the 5th Battalion, Royal Berks at Wokingham Town Hall. He left Aldershot on 30th of May 1915 for France, ready for the Battle of the Somme. He served on the Somme, Arras, Cambrai and Amien. He was wounded whilst in a sap with Sgt Bennelick from Crowthorne who lost a leg, George, my father carried him back.

    In 1919 George transferred to 1st Battalion, Royal Berks and sailed for Karachi,whilst in India he was seconded to the Indian Police Force for one day during the Royal visit. He left the Army in 1922 and lived to 91 years old.

    John Cornish




    250127

    L/Cpl. Robert Husband 5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Robert Husband (my grandfather) died in 1938 as a result of injuries sustained during the First World War.

    The news article printed at the time of his death says, "In the Great War Mr Husband joined up with the first batch of the 5th Battalion the West Yorkshire Regiment, and after 21 successive days in the front line during the Battle of the Somme he was badly wounded in the wrist, which turned septic. He was also gassed. He was in hospital in London for a year and for three months at Becketts Park, Leeds after which he was discharged at Ripon."

    Helen Bloomfield




    250117

    CSM. Albert Walter Field 8th Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.3rd September 1916)

    Albert Field was killed in action at Delville Wood whilst in Carlton Trench and is buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval.

    He has rejoined the army on 9th of September 1914 having previously served in Kent RGA which he bought out from in 1906. He was the younger brother of my grandmother. My father was named after him. During WW1 my grandmother had both her sons and her brother serving in France, my father was the only one to return home.





    250114

    Spr. Alphonsus "Alfred" Brannigan 330th Road Const. Coy. Royal Engineers

    Alphonsus Brannigan volunteered in January 1916 and after a period of training was ordered to the Western Front. During his service there he was engaged in severe fighting at Amiens, Zillebeke, Bapaume, Dickebusch, Gauche Wodd and in many other important engagements, and was wounded in action. He earned the General Service & Victory Medals

    Michelle




    250113

    Rflmn Thomas Anderson 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade (d.26th August 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Anderson was the son of Thomas and Mary Anderson, of Poolburn, Otago Central, New Zealand.





    250112

    Pte. Earnest Sidely 32nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.12th March 1917 )

    Earnest Sidley married Emma Willard in Ealing on 25th of December 1914. He had a daughter born in September 1916 who he never met. He fought with the 32nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in Ypres, Belgium. He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. He was 32 years old. 'Called to his eternal rest, but missed by all.' He earned the Victory and British War Medals

    Susan Stangroom




    250099

    Pte. Benjamin Walter Keatley 5th Btn Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry (d.15th September 1916)

    Benjamin Keatley was born in 1891, the 9th of 11 children(at least 2 dying when infants). He came from a farming and mining background at Griff, near Nuneaton in Warwickshire. We know 2 other brothers also served in WW1, in different regiments. The youngest was the only one to return home - badly gassed and an invalid for the rest of his life.

    I do not know for certain how Benjamin was listed in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, other locals joined the Warwickshire Regiment. It may be that his original enlisting battalion was diminished to the point he was absorbed into another one. He is likely to have had valuable experience with horses and tunnelling. We are still doing family history research.

    He died at 25 years old on 15th September 1916 in the Battle of the Somme, we think he may have been at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette and seen the early use of tanks. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and on a Roll of Honour Board which existed at his old workplace, Haunchwood Colliery in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

    Steph Keatley




    250087

    2Lt. Charles Henry Fishpool CdG. 9th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment

    Charles Fishpool joined up in Dec 1915 as a Private with the 2nd Yorkshire Regtiment. In Sept 1916 he joined the 9th York & Lancs and gained the rank of Sergeant in May 1917. He was commissioned Temp 2nd Lt and was awarded the Croix de Guerre.





    250086

    A/C.S.M. William Charles Lovett 13th (1st Barnsley) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.21st June 1917)

    William Lovett was my grandfather's eldest brother. He never married and was the eldest child in a family of 9. He was born in April 1883, making him 34 years old. He was born in Bethnal Green in London so a mystery how he came to be in this regiment and for how long. No photographs exist to my knowledge although still searching. He is buried with his comrades just outside Calais, France.

    Janet Dobson




    250085

    Sgt. John Douglas Watson 9th Btn. G Coy. Gordon Highlanders

    <p>G Company, 9th Gordons, training at Perham Down, Hants, on Sunday 21st of March 1915

    This post card was sent by my great-uncle Douglas Watson, to his brother James Innes Watson. John died at Loos six months later. On the reverse of photo is written, "9th Gordons, G Company , 12th Platoon, in genial mood! Taken at Perham Down, Hants, on Sunday 21st of March 1915. Hope you're still fit. 6th Gordons have evidently been getting it. No word, Jean says, lately from you, soon, I hope. My beauty is rather marred by the white spot. Douglas."

    Frances Watts




    250082

    Lt. Leonard Edwin Cutts 256th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.11th October 1918)

    Leonard Cutts was born in Hoyland, Yorkshire in October 1887 to Joseph William Cutts and Esther Ann nee Carnelley. The family had moved to 64 Blackwell Colliery Rows between 1897 and 1900. Joseph was Colliery Manager. Leonard followed the trade and by 1911 was a Deputy at the colliery. Joseph died in 1913 aged 46 years. In the 3rd quarter of 1918 Leonard married Winifred Mary Brown of Coningsby, Lincolnshire, just weeks before he died in France on 11th October. In 1911 Winifred had been training at Lincoln as an Elementary School Teacher, and after losing her husband she never remarried and passed away in 1957.

    Leonard was a 2nd Lieutenant, promoted to Lieutenant with the Royal Engineers 256th Tunnelling Coy., when he died on 11th of October 1918 of pneumonia. For obvious reasons the Tunnelling Corps took many miners and Leonard's background as a Deputy with engineering and explosives experience would have been highly valued. The role of the TC was to tunnel to plant and detonate explosives under the German lines.

    Leonard's name is commemorated on the Parish Church Memorial Plaque at Blackwell, but is not listed in the Blackwell Colliery Co's album "Lest We Forget", so may have been employed elsewhere. Leonard is also commemorated on the Roll of Honour at Chesterfield Grammar School.

    Tony Mellors




    250081

    Gnr. Collis Driver 41st Brigade, 16th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.5th October 1918)

    My great aunt, Constance Seymour, married Collis Driver on 26th of September 1917. He went back to war and she never saw him again. She never remarried. My brother and I are going to visit his grave in France on 5th October 2018.





    250079

    Pte. Robert John Aston 5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.10th August 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Aston was killed on the 10th of August 1918.

    Steve Ballinger




    250071

    Cpl. Walter Walker Lancashire Heavy Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery (d.28th Mar 1918 )

    <p>

    Walter Walker served with the Lancashire Heavy Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Janet Jones




    250070

    Pte. Frederick Harris 2/6th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.4th February 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Harris served with the 2/6th East Surrey Regiment.

    Richard Rowe




    250066

    Pte James Bloomer 2nd Dragoon Guards

    James Bloomer was my grandfather. He was born 28th of Nov 1897 in Kilkenny, Ireland. He served with the Queens Bays.

    Gary Bloomer




    250060

    2lt Geoffrey Powell Adams 9th (Cyclist) Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    Geoffrey Adams is named on the Basingstoke Town Roll of Honour of the men of Basingstoke who served in the Great War.

    David




    250058

    Pte. Thomas William King 12th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    My wonderful father, Tommy King was less than 5ft tall and was in the Bantams, I think. After suffering terrible injuries he was in the Labour Corps. Any help to find out more would be so kind, at 77 time is not on my side.





    250057

    Roy Douglas Bennett 12th (the Rangers) Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Roy Bennett is my great uncle. I knew of him but never knew him. I am pleased to add his name to these other honorable gentlemen.

    Stephen D. Bennett




    250054

    Dvr. Philip Augustus Edmonds 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Cards give an outline of the service career of Philip Edmonds. He entered the theatre of war on 29th of April 1915 with the Army Service Corps as a Private. On 3 October 1917 he was transferred to the Northern Regiment for 3 days before joining the 17th Royal Fusiliers on 7th of October. On 20th of March 1918 he was transferred again to the 13th Royal Fusiliers with which he served until 13th of October 1918. He is shown to have been wounded on 9th October 1918.

    Philip Augustus Edmonds was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He died on 9th of January 1921, at the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Ruskin Park, Brixton.

    Robert Vickery




    250053

    William Ivor Roberts 22nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    My granddad, William Roberts, served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers and machine Gun Corps in the First World War. He never spoke of his service, not even to his wife. I have only vague memories of him as died only 4 years after I was born, I've been researching my family history and found out about his service.

    Jean Cunliffe




    250047

    Sgt. Isaac James Staples 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Isaac Staples had been born in or near Spalding, Lincs, and moved to Portsmouth prior to embarkation for WW1. He met and married my grandmother, Emily May Steptoe, and set up home in Portsmouth. Whether this was during WW1 or immediately after is unclear. He was seemingly gassed in WW1, whereabouts unknown and possibly invalided out of the service.

    He had 2 sons, James and William, in 1926 and 1928 respectively. I know very little of my Grandfather, he passed away when my father was 2. Both my father and his elder brother have also passed away now. My father would never eat mustard, and would not talk of reasons why. My grandmother never married again and raised her sons single handed through the 1930's. In 1940, due to war damage, the family moved to Gosport, which was my home town.

    David Staples




    250045

    Cpl. Stephen McVay MID 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    My 2x Great Grandfather, Stephen McVey, was Mentioned in Dispatches and The London Gazette and was nominated for Gallant and Distinguished service in the field in 1915. He was wounded on two separate occasions in July 1916. He earned the Oak Leaf Emblem

    Marie Debenham-Hall




    250042

    Cpl. Arthur William Hurley 1/7th Battalion, E Company Hampshire Regiment

    <p>On arrival at Kingsway Camp, Delhi 6th of March 1915

    Arthur Hurley served with E Company, 1/7th Hampshire Regiment.

    Jacqueline Hurley




    250041

    Pte. Walter Woodward 7th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    Walter Woodward was killed in the 3rd Battle of Ypres and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.

    Brian Woodward




    250039

    Pte. Alfred Eede 6th Btn. Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.11th Aug 1918)

    <p>Alfred (second from left) with his family

    Alfred Eede was my Grandmother's elder brother. He is buried in Morlancourt British Cemetery No.2.

    William Buxton




    250036

    Pte. Thomas Henry "Bill" Stubbs 101st Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.22nd April 1917)

    Thomas Stubbs was my Great Uncle Bill. He lied about his age to join up. He would have been 17 when he enlisted.

    P Stubbs




    250032

    Band. Frank Dodd 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd September 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Dodd was born in Tranmere, Cheshire and died during the Battle of Guillemont, one of the campaigns of the Somme. Records are sketchy and a bit confusing. Some records have him aged 23 and others 26. Also there is some confusion over the actual date of his death. Different records show the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of September 1916. His name appears on the Thiepval memorial.

    He joined the Cheshire Territorials in November 1912 and was called up at the outbreak of war in August 1914. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 25th of July 1916, as a stretcher bearer attached to the 1st Battalion.

    An account of his death, stating the 3rd of September, was recounted by one of his comrades. "A week today the drummers were called out to carry water up to the trenches to the boys who had driven the Huns back during the day, and were badly in need of a drink. We arrived in the line at eight o'clock in the evening, and were sitting grouped together on the slopes of a valley when a shell burst close by, and one of the fragments caught your son, which, I am sorry to say, was the cause of his death."

    Stephen Webster




    250029

    Pte. Robert Michael Fox 6th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th August 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Fox served with 6th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment, he went missing on the 9th of August 1915 and was later presumed dead.





    250023

    Pte. William Henry "Shrimp" Aughton Machine Gun Corps

    <p>William with his Machine Gun Company in Mesopotamia

    William Aughton joined the MGC at Belton Park in July 1916. He saw his 21st birthday there in August. After training, he was shipped overseas to Mesopotamia and marched from Basra through Baghdad and on to Mosul in the north. In 1918, he was retained rather than demobbed. His MGC unit was sent to India. He was based at Mhow and he saw service in the Khyber Pass and in Amritsar. In 1919, he briefly stopped at Marseilles before finally returning to the UK and being demobbed in October 1919.

    William Aughton at Mhow barracks, India 1918 (middle, back row)





    250022

    Pte. John Mcdonald Kings Liverpool Regiment

    Private John Mcdonald was my Grandfather. He served with the Kings Liverpool Regiment and 70th Coy. Labour Corps. He became unfit for service after being wounded.

    Tom




    250020

    Pte. Edward Turner 5th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    Edward Turner served with the 5th South Staffordshire Regiment.

    Sally




    250016

    Dvr. John Foster 44th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Jack Foster served with 44th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Paul Smith




    250013

    L/Cpl. Walter Stephen Turner 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment (d.1st August 1916)

    Walter Turner was born in Clommell, Tipperary on 20th of November 1879, to Henry and Catherine Creagh. He enlisted in Woolwich. He died of wounds in battle on 1st of August 1916.

    Anthony kelly




    250007

    Pte. John McLeod 7th Btn. Royal Scots

    <p>

    My grandfather, John McLeod, served with the 7th Royal Scots. He was on the second train for Liverpool which was diverted after the first train carrying half his battalion was involved in the collision at Gretna Green.

    He went to Alexandria and Malta then on to Lemnos. They sailed to Gallipoli and landed on V Beach. He was badly wounded in the attack on H12 and was bayoneted as he lay in the trench. The bayonet pierced both cheeks. He was rescued when the Hampshires came up in relief but had to have his left arm amputated at the elbow. He was brought back to Britain. He was married twice and had six children and lived till he was seventy nine.

    Gordon McLeod




    250006

    Pte. William James Grange MM. 4th Battalion Essex Regiment

    <p>William Grange with his brothers and father.

    William Grange served with the 4th Essex Regiment and was awarded the Military Medal.

    Lynda Grange




    250000

    Cpl. John Miller 8th (Ardwick) Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Jack Miller served with the 8th (Ardwick) Battalion, Manchester Regiment.

    Richard Stubbs




    249998

    Pte. Clement Ambler Broadbent 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington West riding Regiment

    Clement Broadbent served with the 10th Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment.

    David Broadbent




    249995

    Pte. Harry Wilson 6th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment) (d.6th Jan 1919)

    <p>

    Harry Wilson was born in Bradford in January 1880 to parents, Tom and Maggie Wilson. He joined the Army in 1900 and fought in South Africa. He rejoined the Army and fought in World War I. He died on 6th of Jan 1919 at Whitchurch Military Hospital in Cardiff. He is buried at Bowling Cemetery in Bradford.

    Evonne Randall




    249979

    Pte. John Henry Lewis Thaxter 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.20th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    My great-grandfather, Lewis Thaxter, was married to Flo Field and had a son, Charlie who was just 5 when his father was killed in the Battle of Cambrai. We have visited his grave in Villers Plouich. He was just 28 years old.





    249978

    Pte. Albert Henry Field 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    My great uncle Albert Field was born in October 1886 in Gresham, Norfolk, his father, James, was 27 and his mother, Sarah, was 30. He had three brothers and three sisters. He died on 27th of May 1918 at the age of 31, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.





    249977

    Pte. George Arthur Jeffs 7th Battalion Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.18th September 1918)

    From family and local information, George Jeffs was a farm employee at Park Farm Frankley. He was a skilled ploughman and horse handler. When his horses were drafted into Army Service he volunteered, such was his passion for his horses. Apparently he was reunited with his horses after undergoing Army training. George served in the 7th Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment. His letters home said his horses were working well as expected although he also had other horses in his care.

    George is remembered in his local family Church of St Leonards. An Oak memorial still hangs in his Old Village School now private dwelling. As we near 100 years George has no known grave. I am trying to secure further information how he died, although we have two service numbers, we are unable to find archive records. Family descendants have photographs of George his parent's brothers and sisters.

    Thank you for reading about this very humble young man who gave his life for his country and his horses.





    249976

    Rflmn George Augustus Floyd 9th (Queen Victorias Rifles) Battalion London Regiment

    George Floyd volunteered for the QVR in 1914. He kept a diary and was good at drawing painting, he recorded his work with unit at hill 60 and other battles including the first day of the Somme as a bomber, he was first over the top, a shell exploded over head and blow a hole through his shoulder. He was unconscious when a medic came along gave him a pain killer of some sort and he was left there over night. He woke up and heard voices called out they turned out to be Germans who started shooting at him, it went quiet so he started clawing to the other end, it took a while to convince a post that he was British but they helped him back to the trench. He started walking with help got fed up with how long it was taking, so to much up set got on the top of the communication trench they gave him help back to hospital tent. Later he was sent back to England and then after recovering he came to train new recruits.

    His diary was put into a book but only in limited edition as him cousin was a publisher, but Grandpa did not want it released in case it upset anyone. My mother did a family tree and noticed his best friends name in a mag and wrote to them they contacted my mother asking for more information about Frank Boggis he survived the day time of the Battle of the Somme and they got to there objective, only to be killed at 5pm, tea time that day. Mum gave them the location of his grave and they wrote to say thank you and later to say they had just returned from visiting their uncle's grave. Grandpa visited the grave on the ten year anniversary in 1926.

    Many other stories but I hope hope this is a short record of his dairies which his cousin put on show at Cambridge university as he was a lecturer there in history.

    Richard Simmons




    249975

    Pte. John Deakin 14th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.22nd October 1917)

    John Deakin was born in January 1897 and was originally in the Herefordshire Regiment when he joined up, but was transferred to the Gloucestershire Regiment. He was killed at Houthulst Forest in Belgium. Remembered at Tyne Cot memorial

    Monika Morgan




    249970

    Rfmn. Cristian Arthur Ungerer MM. 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th August 1918)

    Christian Ungerer was born in Southwark London in March 1898. The eldest child of Charles Christian Ungerer, a German immigrant, and Frances Mary Ungerer (nee Smith). The family moved to Silver Street, Edmonton in Middlesex in or around 1903 where they owned and ran their own bakery. Christian had 3 younger brothers and 2 younger sisters. One of his sisters died at the age of 5 when Christian was 6 years old. None of his brothers fought in the Great War as they would have been too young.

    As a baker Christian found himself serving with the Army Service Corps. I am not sure how long he served with them. He then joined the 1st Battalion, King's Royal Riffle Corps. When or why I do not know. It could have been down to a lack of front line soldiers. I know he changed his Service Number and that he was used as a runner for the Battalion. Christian also spoke German so he would have been useful to the Battalion as an interpreter.

    Christian died of his wounds on the 27th of August 1918 aged 20 and was laid to rest at Etaples Military Cemetery. Christian was awarded the Military Medal for bravery.

    Errol Barker




    249968

    Pte. John Rogers 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.9th October 1916)

    John Rogers enlisted in September 1914 when he was 19 years old. He was wounded by a gun shot to the chest on the 7th of October 1916, during The Battle of The Somme. He died from his wounds on 9th of October 1916. He is buried in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, close to the village of Albert in France.

    His mother asked that his cigarette case with his initials engraved on it, be sent to her, if it was ever found. It is not known whether it was ever recovered.

    Cathy Stubbs




    249965

    Pte. John H. Wilson 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st April 1918)

    John Wilson was killed in action on 21st April 1918. He had transferred to 5th Btn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, formerly being with the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers, verified by the 19th Battalion records. He is buried in Gommecourt British Cemetery No 2, Hebuterne. No Family details are shown on CWGC records.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    249962

    Pte. Robert Bell 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Oct 1916)

    Robert Bell was killed in action on 15th October 1916. Aged 30 years. CWGC have him listed as transferred or attached to 11th Northumberland Fusiliers at the time of his death. He is buried in the churchyard at Ashington (Holy Sepulchre). He was the husband of Elizabeth Bell of 18 Morven Terrace, Ashington.

    From the 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    249960

    Pte. Thomas Bisset 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Oct 1915)

    Thomas Bisset was killed in action on the 1st of October 1915. Aged 26 years, it is believed he was attached to 2nd Btn Northumberland Fusiliers at the time of his death. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial, son of James and Christina K. Bisset, of 4 Cookson St, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    249959

    Lt.Col Noel Baring Hudson DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MID. 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Noel Hudson was one of three brothers who were officers in the Royal Berkshire Regiment. Two brothers Thomas and Arthur were killed. Noel survived to become one of the youngest brigadiers of the war. I believe he was wounded five times. He was awarded DSO and Bar, MC and Bar and MID.

    He captained The Harlequins RFC. Entered the Church and was one of the youngest Bishops in the C of E. During WW2 he was Bishop of Newcastle and retired as Bishop of Ely.

    Edmund Hudson




    249958

    Gnr. William Flipping 83rd Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.19th July 1916)

    <p>

    William Flipping served with D Battery, 83rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Paul Richardson




    249957

    Sgt. James Shires 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    James Shires served with B Coy. 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    Melanie Wood




    249954

    Pte. Charles William Whitfield 16th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers

    <p>Flintshire Record of Service card

    Charles Whitfield served with the 16th Royal Welch Fusiliers and was wounded on the 8th of November 1918.

    Jane Kay




    249953

    Pte. Henry Edmund Andrews 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

    The 8th Battalion was a Territorial Force unit of part-time soldiers. They had joined the Army on home defence terms of engagement which meant they could not be sent for service overseas. The Battalion was at its annual summer camp in Minehead when war was declared. The CO invited men to volunteer for immediate service overseas. Those that did became the 1/8th Battalion those that didn't became the 2/8th Battalion. Harry Andrews joined the 1/8th Battalion and went out to France in March 1915.

    The large expansion of the Army meant that by 1917 the service numbering system was a mess because each unit was responsible for its own numbers, so across the army as a whole many soldiers could have the same service number. Therefore, the army centralised service numbers for the Territorial Force units, renumbered serving troops and issued blocks of numbers for future recruits to each unit. The new numbers were all six-digit and he was re-numbered from 3336 to 240986 as shown in the Absent Voters List, 1917 Casualty List and in the Machine Gun Corp register.

    Harry was reported wounded on the 27th. October, 1917 in the War Office Weekly Casualty List dated 30th. October, 1917. After being wounded in 1917 he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (probably early in 1918) and was given another number of 162036 and returned to active service. Again either here or some point prior he changed his name usage to Harry rather than Henry. According to the MGC Roll he was demobilised on 10th of January 1919. What became of him after this date is not known.

    John Andrews




    249947

    Pte. George Stephenson Cameron 1st Battalion Border Regiment (d.31st October 1918)

    <p>

    George Cameron served with the 1st Border Regiment.

    Lauren Brandt




    249939

    Sgt. John Sutherland 1/9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.30th April 1918)

    John Sutherland was born in Ulbster, Caithness and resided in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, before the war.





    249936

    Gnr. Herbert Ryder 4th West Riding Howitzer Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.15th July 1917)

    Herbert Ryder was an iron moulder at Dawson & Co Printing Press manufacturer, Otley. On 21st February 1914 he married Dorothy Lupton, 230 West Terrace, Burley in Wharfedale. Pre-war he had served in 4th West Riding Howitzer Brigade then from 1910 to 1914 with the 6th Battalion, West Riding Regiment, his term of engagement expired in May 1914.

    He re-enlisted after hostilities began and served with the 2nd Line Territorial West Riding Artillery which became part of 62nd Division. He went to France January 1917. He died of wounds at 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital, Le Treport on 15th of July 1917, and was buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery.

    Nick Hooper




    249935

    Pte. George Snell 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.7th November 1916 )

    George Snell died in France on the 7th of November 1916, aged 20years.





    249932

    Sgt Herbert Bolus 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    Bert Bolus, born Willenhall, Staffs signed up as a boy soldier around 1904 at Lichfield Barracks. He was almost immediately posted to India and was stationed mainly in Agra, between 1904-1910. Later he served in South Africa and then returned to England, where he was stationed at Aldershot when WW1 began.

    He was an Old Contemptible, having been posted to France in August 1914 and was part of the great retreat of August and September 1914. He served continuously through the Great War on the Western Front with the 2nd South Staffs. He fought in many of the famous or infamous battles and engagements between 1914 and 1918. He ended the War as a Sergeant and continued to serve as part of the Army of Occupation in Germany during 1919.

    He survived and lived in Willenhall, Staffs until his death in 1966. A wonderful man who never spoke about the Great War, though he was quite happy to talk about India and South Africa. God Bless him.

    Ron Bolus




    249931

    Pte. Joseph Shirley 1st Batallion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.20th January 1918)

    Joseph Shirley, the only son of John and Harriet Shirley, was my great-uncle. He lived at 36 Star Street,Liverpool. He died on 20th of January 1918, aged 20 and is Remembered with Honour at Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing near Zonnebeke in West Flanders.





    249930

    Pte. H Clabby 2/5th Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.20th November 1917)

    Just got the same surname [Clabby] there is not many, "related no idea". Just not on the list!

    thought he should be. I think he may have fallen at the Battle of Cambrai, doing his best. Now resting at Hermies Hill, Pas de Calais:741, plot ref: 11. d. 21. Hope he as family to remember him.

    Ian Clabby




    249929

    Pte. Sydney Frank Stephens MiD. 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment

    Sydney Frank Stephens was born in 1883 and baptised 13th May 1883.

    He was the youngest son of Henry Stephens, a baker and grandson of a farmer. He had a love of and a way with horses. Horses were used by his father's bakery in Aston, West Midlands for the delivery of bread. In the early 1900's he fell in love with Myra De Saulles the widow of Samuel De Saulles the artist to the mint and designer of several medals. His father did not approve and sent him to Australia (to forget her) where he once painted the gasometer in Sydney harbour using rope and crepe sandals with another chap he had met in the labour bank queue. His love did not die and he earned enough money to return and married Myra and is mentioned in the 1911 census (Myra is listed as aged 40).

    He lived for a while in London. That is possibly where he enlisted for the war. We do not know for certain his exploits during the war but we do have his dog tags which show "Devons 69216" and his medal card which according to the regimental museum suggests that he may have been in the 2nd Battalion. We the family were lead to believe he was in a yeomanry regiment (the regimental museum doubts this but this is what we were told)

    The family stories from my mother are as follows, He took his father's best horse with him, the horse was called Gerry. The horse had been imported from Ireland and then bought. During basic training he distinguished himself with this horse. It was very fast and won various races. Sydney was made an assistant farrier (although not qualified pre war) he was more than competent removing shoes and frost nailing horses. He was also very good at wrangling and soothing difficult horses. (the regimental museum believes he may have been attached to a transport section of the 2nd Battalion).

    He generally kept himself out of trouble until 1917/18. A family member (possibly his sister) died during the flu epidemic in England. He starts volunteering for things. He and another man took 40 mules at night to resupply some cut off troops over no man's land then through a river to get to the front line. Then returned safely. We were always told that for this he received a Mention in Despatched, but have never been able to confirm this.

    One day, a friend called Cooky, who worked in the canteen, had been talking to Sydney, then Cooky returned to the canteen, a few minutes later the canteen took a direct hit. Sydney did not see Cooky again.

    At some point he was gassed and always had weak lungs (but smoked heavily also). After the Armistice Sydney returned home with his horse (this is probably unlikely but this is what we were told). On returning to his father, one of his father's first comments was "You have ruined that horse!"

    A while after the war during a family business meeting in the house above the bakery, a window cleaner climbs to the window and Sydney realises it was Cooky. They went and got drunk together. Cooky had apparently gone back to the canteen and been sent straight back out with a cauldron of cooked potatoes to deliver. After the canteen was destroyed he was quickly re-assigned to another unit.

    Myra died 27th Feb 1932 they had no children. Sydney remarried a year later to Lillian Simms and had two daughters, who both continued with his love of horses. He carried on baking with a shop in Lowesmoor Worcester and was the last horse drawn bakery delivery in Worcester until he retired. He died in 1967 and was survived by his 2nd wife Lillian and his two daughters.

    His family are very grateful that he served and survived when others did not and to commemorate the end of the war to end all wars are taking a horse from Cambrai to Mons in Sept 2018 to take part in the 100km "Pursuit to Mons" in a copy of his uniform and will stop at Tertre where the Devons received news of the Armistice.





    249926

    Sgt. George Wilfred Tucker 9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.19th Jan 1917)

    George Tucker died in Mesopotamia.

    Jayne Nock




    249924

    Pte. Leonard Gilbert White 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th November 1918)

    My great uncle, Leonard White, enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers at Shoreham Camp, which was Training Camp situated on the South Downs. He served at Gallpoli, but was wounded just before the war's end, and died of wounds at a hospital in Liverpool. His body was transferred to Shoreham-by-Sea. He was aged 31, and a bachelor. His civilian job was as a milkman.





    249923

    Gnr. Alexander Laing Halkett 87th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.17th February 1917)

    Alex Halkett was my great uncle. He worked as a wheelwright at Rosyth Dockyard. He was also a footballer and played for Dundee and Aberdeen of which team he was captain. He joined up in 1916.

    Anne Close




    249916

    Gnr. Lionel Williscroft 146th Brigade, 75th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Lol Williscroft enlisted at Lichfield recruiting office 64th area. and signed for 6 plus 6 years (his dad was a career soldier) at Athlone on the 14th of January 1915 and joined 75th Battery, 146th Brigade, RFA.

    He was posted to 37th Divisional Artillery on the 27th of January 1915 and joined 126th Brigade Ammunition Column. He left Southampton on the 29th of July 1915 and landed at Le Havre the next day. He was invalided from France on the 2nd of March 1916 suffering from chilblains and deafness on the hospital ship Brighton and was admitted to Rawcliffe Hospital in Sheffield.

    On the 16th of September he was posted to 4a Reserve Brigade and was kitted out at Woolwich before being posted to the Expeditionary Force on the 19th of October. He disembarked in Salonika on the 30th. He was transferred from 146th Brigade, RFA to 367th Brigade on the 6th of December 1916, He was admitted to hospital in the field as a casualty on the 24th of December 1916 and transferred to 21st Stationery Hospital on the 23rd of March 1917. Having recovered her rejoined 75th Battery, 146th Brigade on the 2nd of April. On the 14th of August 1917 he embarked from Salonika suffering from Malaria on the hospital ship Amia bound for Alexandria in Egypt, where he was admitted to hospital in Mustapha.

    Lol qualified as signaller 2 class on the 8th of March 1918 while he was classified grade 3 malaria at Sidi Bash, base depot Kantara. On the 6th of march 1919 he was posted 75th Battery, now part of 263rd Brigade and the unit was selected for the army of occupation. 75th Battery was renamed 413th Battery on the 20th of April 1919. Lol left Port Said on the Caledonia A3772 on the 23rd of June 1919, arriving in Marseille on the 2nd of July. He then travelled through France by train and returned to England. On the 11th of July he was paid £20 at the RGA depot in Blackheath and transferred 5c Reserve Brigade on the 8th of September and was demobbed on the 12th of September 1919. As part of the reserve he was called up "at once" on the 10th of March 1921, but was discharged as medically unfit on the 21st of April.

    Roy




    249914

    S/Sgt. Robert Charles Montgomery MM & Bar. 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Robert Montgomery was transferred to the 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1918 when the 10th Battalion was disbanded. He survived the war and died in 1958.





    249913

    Pte. Frederick John Ison 2/5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    My Grandfater, Frederick Ison, enlisted into the Yorkshire Regiment aged 37 in June 1916. After basic training was posted to 2/5th Battalion in Sept 1916. The battalion embarked for France on 8th of September 1917.

    He was then wounded in action on 22nd of March 2018 and went to hospital in Rouen for treatment and subsequent convalescence in Trouville. He survived having influenza in November 1918 and went to 22 Convalescent hospital and eventually returned to England in March 1919. He was finally demobilised in March 1920

    John Bullen




    249912

    T/Capt Kenneth Furgus McAlpin MiD. 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    When Grandfather, Kenneth, left Marlborough College, he joined Guy's Hospital to start his training as a dental surgeon. However, he also joined the University of London Officer Training Corps, where he remained until 12th September 1915. He he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Light Royal Fusiliers (now known as the Regiment of Fusiliers), 2nd Battalion, arriving on the 12 November 1915 in the Dardanelles, Gallipoli.

    By the 16th November he had his first battle field promotion to T/Lieutenant. It was during this time that he was transferred to the Machine Gun section of the Battalion, which would in time form part of the Machine Gun Corp. where he would see action later on in the Great War as part of the 52 Battalion Machine Gun Corp

    He was finally evacuated from Gallipoli as part of the general withdrawal back to Palestine in December 1915, where the battalion stayed until embarking to Marseille, France in April 1916. As part of the pre planning and build up for what we now know as the Battle of the Somme, the battalion made its second debut in major operations in another attempt to achieve the impossible. On this occasion it took part as part of the 29th Division in the holding attack north of Ancre. It was here that Grandpa received his second battlefield promotion to T/Captain.

    He was wounded during the Battle of the Somme on 16th of August 1916 at Delville Wood. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find out the nature of the wound, but it was, I expect nothing too serious as he was back at the front fairly quickly. He remained in the front line in France until December 1916, when the battalion where again withdrawn back to Palestine, where the battalion stayed for the whole of 1917.

    In January 1918, the Battalion found itself back on the western front, where the Battalion was heavily engaged with the Big Push by the German Imperial Army and the resulting The Spring Offensive, then later in the Battle of Amiens in August 1918, which has seen the nation remembering this decisive battle, which is widely recognised as the turning point in the Great War, where the lessons of the Somme had been learnt. This battle saw for the first time Infantry, Artillery and Tank regiments together with the air support all coordinating in one single action, with devastating results, that the German Imperial Army where never to recover from.

    Grandpa stayed in France after the amnesties on the 11th of November 1918 until Spring 1919. It was during this period that Grandpa was Mentioned in Dispatches on 2 separate occasions. The first occasion was in the dispatch from General Sir Edward Allenby on the 5thof April 1918 and the second occasion was in the dispatch from General Haig on the 8th of November 1918. Unfortunately, I have not been able to see what he did to warrant these mentions. I have no recollection of this been discussed within the family. Unfortunately, we will probably never know, as the majority of the records in the War Office where destroyed by a direct hit during the 2nd World War.

    This period also saw the last of his battle field promotions, to A/Major in the Machine Gun Corps on the 25th April 1918. He was finally discharged from the regular Army in Aug 1919, where he resumed his studies at Guy's Hospital to finally qualify as a dental surgeon.

    Robert McAlpin




    249911

    Pte. Samuel Bloomfield Montgomery 10th Battalion Inniskillen Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Samuel Montgomery was posted as missing at the end of the battle, his body was never found and his name is on the monument at Thiepval





    249909

    L/Cpl Thomas Baird 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Baird was originally buried under the wrong name and posted as missing. His mother was finally told in 1932 that the CWGC had identified his body and reburied him in the Connaught Military Cemetery at Thiepval





    249908

    Pte. William Robert Jordan 6th Btn. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.16th Oct 1917)

    William Robert Jordan was my Great-Grandfather. He was fatally injured at Monchy-le-Preux in France on the 14th October 1917. He subsequently died of his wounds two days later at a field station on the 16th, and was interred at the Duisans British Cemetary at Etrun.

    His remaining grandson, great and great-great grandchildren and their families, all attended the field, near Monchy-le-Preux, one hundred years to the minute after the start of the British raid at 16.30hrs, in which he was mortally wounded by German aircraft following the successful attack on German lines.

    Ian




    249903

    Private William Albert Thow Duguid 1st/6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    Bertie Duguid served with the 6th Gordon Highlanders.





    249899

    L/Cpl Garfield Williams MM. H Company Machine Gun Corps (Heavy)

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Garfield Williams won the Military Medal for actions on 3rd of October 1918, against the Beayrevoir Line wile serving with 8th Battalion, Tank Corps.

    Paul Williams




    249897

    Capt. Charles Percival Denby MC. 155th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Percy Denby served throughout WW1 in the Royal Field Artillery winning the Military Cross.

    He served in the RAF during WW2 becoming a squadron leader.

    WW2 RAF

    Rupert Denby




    249893

    Pte. William Peter Northey Gilbert 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    My Great Uncle William Gilbert was 19 when he was killed in action on 1st of July 1916. He was the eldest child of John Jeffery and Angelina (nee Hosking) Gilbert. His brother, my grandfather, also called John Jeffery, was just 14 when William was killed in France. William also had a younger sister, Angelina Winifred Gilbert (later married to Ernest Tippett).

    On the first day of the Battle of the Somme the 2nd Devons attacked between Ovillers and La Boiselle, known as Mash Valley, where I believe William was killed and his body never found. He is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial as well as the War Memorial in his home town of Torpoint.

    Marilyn Gilbert




    249891

    Gnr. Harry Wilfred Divall 166th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Harry Divall served with 166th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Peter Divall




    249890

    Pte. Henry Bush 8th (Irish) Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment

    <p>

    Henry Bush served with the Kings Liverpool (8th Irish) Regiment. Henry was taken POW at the battle for Guillemont on the Somme in August 1916. Henry was subjected to field punishment number one on two occasions due to insubordination. He was a feisty man and could use very colourful language at times. He survived the war and died in Speke, Liverpool in 1975.

    The Division occupied the trenches opposite the village of Guillemont on 30th of July 1916, and spent a week preparing for the attack in which two and a half infantry battalions of the King's Regiment took part. 8th King's, the Liverpool Irish, were to attack to the north of the village, to capture Guillemont Station. The 5th King's and half of the 6th King's were to attack the Guillemont-Hardecourt Road. The attack was planned for 4.30am on 8th of August 1916.

    5th King's and Liverpool Rifles quickly achieved their objectives, linking up with the French Army, and established telephone communications back to Brigade HQ, no mean feat!

    An hour after attacking, the Liverpool Irish reported that they were in Guillemont Station. Unfortunately, the Battalion tasked to take Guillemont village became stuck on barbed wire and withdrew. There was nobody to support the Liverpool Irish, who were being fired on by a machine gun from Guillemont village, so they started to bomb their way down the trenches to the village. The smoke from the guns and the dust thrown up by explosions seems to have disorientated them and they were isolated by the failure of other units to achieve their objectives.

    Germans in underground positions waited for them to pass over before emerging to attack them in the rear.

    The Liverpool Irish were eventually cut off and forced to surrender the following day, the survivors could be seen marching to captivity and there was nothing their fellow Liverpool Territorials could do about it. The fighting around Guillemont was severe and tested the Liverpool Territorials. They lost 219 officers and 3,907 other ranks (including those killed, missing, wounded and prisoners of war).

    He served his time as a POW at Dulmen POW camp in Germany. He was returned to the UK in December 1918.

    Henry re-enlisted in the 6th Kings Liverpool Regiment, in 1921.

    D Bush




    249886

    Sgt. William H. Badham 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.24th March 1918)

    William Badham served with the 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment. He was the son of William Thomas and Roseanna Badham, of Tredegar and husband of Mrs. W. H. Badham of 21 Bryteg Terrace, Nantybuch, Tredegar, Mon. He is buried in St. Hildaire Cemetary at Frevent in France.





    249885

    Pte. Arthur Clifford Parkin 2/4th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Arthur Parkin lied about his age to sign up to the 2/4th KOYLI before heading to France and Belgium in 1917 as a machine gunner.

    He re-enlisted prior to breakout of the Second World War where he, again, served as a Lewis machine gunner. Part of the British Expeditionary Force, he was deployed into France but was forced back to Dunkirk where he fought the rear guard to hold back the advancing Germans. He was on one of the last boats to leave for England. During this time, his family had received a letter from the War Office informing them he had been killed in action. Although injured and fatigued, lived until 1951 with the rare honour of being a KOYLI who fought in both World wars.

    Darren Parkin




    249881

    Pte. Edward Stuart Coxhead 2nd Battalion, C Company Bedfordshire Regiment

    Edward Coxhead enlisted on the 30th of October 1916 in Preston, Lancashire. He was assigned to the 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment. On the 22nd March 1918 he was wounded in combat (if my research is correct) there is a record of the engagement in the battalion war diary.

    According to my great granddad, Ted was rescued from being shot by a German soldier after they came across him on the battlefield. He had his left leg amputated at the thigh and walked using a prosthetic leg until his death in 1971. On 31th of August 1918 Edward sent a postcard to his wife in England from Zerbst POW camp. He was discharged on 28th of February 1919.





    249879

    Pte. David Fulton Royal Field Artillery

    David Fulton was a troubled young man, who deserted on more than one occasion during his Army career.

    Peter Broadbent




    249878

    Henry John Green Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.24th August 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Green was my great great grandfather. I am looking through old documents and have started my family tree. He served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps and was attached to 12th (The Rangers) Btn. London Regiment at the time of his death.

    Nina Commons




    249877

    Pte Michael Connelly 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    Mick Connelly was compulsorily transferred to the Royal Flying Corps from 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry as Air Mechanic 3rd Class with effect from 24th of December 1917. He served at No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot.

    Kevin Maguire




    249876

    Pte. William John Howard 7th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.21st August 1918)

    William Howard was my great uncle on my mother's side. We have visited his grave in Bucquoy Road Cemetery France, a sad and lonely place. The 21st of August 2018 will the 100th anniversary of his death. Little is known about his service history as according to the CWGC many records were lost during the bombing in the WW2.

    Derek Harris




    249872

    Capt. George Howden Warren 9th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    Captain George Warren served with the 9th Highland Light Infantry from 1914 to 1919. I have his 14 star trio, he was wounded on the Somme.

    Gordon Campbell




    249871

    Pte. Albert Vincent Williams 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st October 1918)

    My great grandfather Albert Williams, served with the 7th Battalion, North Staffs Regiment in the Asiatic Theatre of war. He was born in Stone, Staffordshire in 1892 and died in Persia (modern day Iran) on the 1st October 1918. Commemorated in Tehran, I would like him to be remembered.

    Julie Ann Maiden




    249867

    Cpl. Henry Shuttlewood 1/6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th October 1917)

    Harry Shuttlewood was awarded a number of medals, but I don't know what they are. He served with 1/6th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) and was killed in action on 9th of October 1917, aged 25. He was born in Roydon, Essex, and enlisted in Selby. Son of Harry and Emily Shuttlewood of High St., Roydon, Ware, and husband of Nellie Shuttlewood of Main St., Bubwith, Selby, Yorks. Harry is Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial near Zonnebeke in Belgium.





    249863

    Pte. Charles Hadlames 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.26th September 1916)

    Charles Hadlames served with the 8th and 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.

    To Remember the Fallen.

    Emma




    249855

    George Michael Fowler 7th Btn. Queens Royal West Surrey

    I can only relate what my grandmother told me that my grandfather, George Michael Fowler, was in the 7th Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment during WW1 and somewhere in France in the trenches.

    The group he was with decided to surrender to the German forces before they were overrun. He spent the rest of the war in the camp and worked on nearby farms. He made friends with one of the German guards and at the end of the war when he was released, they swapped St. Christophers which I inherited and then passed on to my eldest son. The inscription on the back reads "Gott ist mein freund". He was also sent a Red Cross parcel of food etc. by my grandmother but he sent it back saying he was well looked after and my grandmother needed it more than he did as she had two young children to look after.

    I am busy researching my family trees but I cannot find any information from military records of my grandfather. The above information was written on the back of a photograph of my grandfather and his fellow prisoners which he sent to my grandmother with the camp's address.

    Linda Allardyce




    249854

    RSM. Edgar Harry Woodbridge 5th Btn. Berkshire Regiment (d.4th Jan 1916)

    We only found out about Edgar Harry Woodbridge while doing the family tree. Edgar is buried in the Southern Calais Cemetery. We have visited his grave many times. We took our 16 year old grandson on 2 August this year. Edgar died of wounds. He is my husband's great uncle. We would love to find out more about him if anyone can help.

    Ray




    249853

    Cpl. Colin Colgrave 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.29th September 1916)

    <p>

    My grandfather, Colin Colgrave, was injured by rifle fire at the Battle at Mouquet Farm. He suffered a septic compound fracture of his right thigh and was taken to No.3 Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne but sadly died there from gas gangrene at 05.15 on 29th of September 1916. He was 24 years old and left a widow Mary (nee Willoughby) and 2 children Olga Mary and Colin, aged 5 and 3.

    My mother never talked about her father but after her death we found his medals and other mementos including a rosary from Lourdes, many photographs and silk postcards, and his cigarette case still containing 6 cigarettes.

    Through research and family history websites I have gathered much information and copies of documents regarding Colin. His letters tell of loneliness and other relatives grief. Sadly, we have no-one to pass these treasures on to, so they will be given to the Yorkshire Regiment

    Colin was born on 12 March 1892 and died 1916. He was awarded the Victory Medal, The 1914-1915 Star and the British War Medal. He is buried at the Bolougne Eastern Cemetery.

    Mal Beckly




    249852

    L/Cpl. William John Willis 10th Battalion, C Coy. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th August 1917)

    John Willis was born in the Dorset village of Moreton. When World War I started, he enlisted in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps at their Winchester depot. Soon after, he moved to Hove, Sussex (not known why), where he married before being posted to France.

    Nothing more is known about him until the report of his death in action near Ypres in August 1917 His name is engraved on the Menin Gate as having no known grave. His platoon commander at the time of his death was Second Lieutenant H.J. Coulson.

    He had a son Ronald, who eventually became a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy and is now deceased. William's granddaughter is anxious to receive any information about her grandfather.

    Brian Lewis




    249851

    Pte. Robert Charles Frederick Dixon 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Robert Dixon, my grandfather, was born 11th February 1887 at Ibstock, Leicestershire. He served in WW1 with the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers. He was reported Killed in Action on 27th May 1918 in France. I have the letter informing my grandmother. However, he had been gassed in a shell hole and apparently, rather than hit him with the butt of his rifle, a German took him as a P.O.W. It was a huge shock to my grandmother when some time later he walked into his home in Derby, very much alive.

    Robert Dixon




    249845

    Cpl. James Fredrick Walker 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Jun 1917)

    My great uncle James Walker served with the 8th Northumberland Fusiliers. From researching my family tree on Ancestry.co.uk, he enlisted at Hednesford, Staffordshire and was killed in action.

    Robert Walker




    249830

    Pte. Charles Brogden Army Service Corps (d.15th February 1917)

    Charles Brogden was born in Cumnor, Berkshire, which is just outside Oxford. He would be a great great uncle of mine. His father was John Brogden, an agricultural labourer in Cumnor.

    He enlisted in Abingdon, Berks and his theatre of war was "Home". He died in Bath War Hospital of chronic bronchitis according to the Oxfordshire Weekly News of 29th February 1917. He was aged 40 so could have been married. I have not found any other information yet about what his job in the ASC was.

    Lois Bradshaw




    249828

    Pte. George William Whomersley MM. 4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment

    George Whomersley enlisted on the 1st of November 1916 and served in France from 28th of February 1917 to 23rd of August 1917 and from 1st of September 1918 to 8th of January 1919. He was wounded on the 27th of June 1917. He was awarded the Military Medal.

    George




    249824

    Dvr. Arthur Thomas Saville 99th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather, Arthur, apparently finished the war and was pensioned in 1920. He died in 1952 leaving Dorothy May (Jones), his widow.





    249814

    Sgt. William Munn 10th Battalion Scottish Rifles (d.25th September 1915)

    William Munn was killed on the first day of the Battle of Loos.

    Jamie Mathieu




    249801

    Pte. Percy Albert Meek 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    Percy Meek was treated for shell-shock by Dr. Arthur Hurst at Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley and then Seale-Hayne Military Hospital, Newton Abbot, Devon. There is a Pathe News film online. Percy is confined to a wheel chair, mute and paralyzed. Eventually Dr Hurst was able to get through and Percy gave basket making lessons to his fellow patients. Percy eventually went home, continued the basket making business and died in 1968. Sometimes the stories of those who survived is more profound than that of those who died.

    Theresa Mary Walker




    249800

    CSM. John William Thomas Francis MM. 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.25th May 1915)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, John Francis died from wounds received in the Battle at Le Cateau and was awarded the French Medaille Militaire for gallantry. He fought with the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment alongside Captain Shore at Audregnies.

    I have his photo in uniform as well as the regiment photograph and his certificate and Medaille Militaire.

    I have been informed by family members, namely one of his sisters, when I was quite young that he was the youngest company sergeant major. He died of his wounds on the 25th May 1915 at the age of 27.

    Medaille Militaire

    Anthony Horastead




    249796

    Pte. Benjamin James Meadows 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington (West Riding) Regiment (d.3rd September 1918)

    Benjamin Meadows was my grandfather. He died of wounds on 3rd of September 1918 serving with 9th Battalion, Duke of Wellington (West Riding) Regiment. However, he initially served with the Middlesex Regiment. having signed up in Stratford, London in 1915 at the age of 38. At the time of signing up he was a widower and father of four. He is buried in a small beautifully maintained military cemetery in Varennes, Somme.

    David Meadows




    249792

    Spr. Horace Atkinson 224th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.25th September 1917)

    Horace Atkinson was killed in action aged 23. His brother, William Henry Atkinson of the Mercantile Marine, was killed on the 16th of July 1917 when his ship was torpedoed in the Mediterranean.

    Joseph Mitchell




    249787

    QMS. Charles James Bland DCM. 23rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    Charles Bland served with 23rd Middlesex Regiment I am trying to find out more information about my grandfather.

    Jennifer Goff




    249784

    Sgt. William Alexander Robison 46th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th September 1915)

    <p>

    William Robison served with 46th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    David McKerrow




    249782

    Frank Allgood 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.16th April 1918)

    Frank Allgood was my great great uncle. Son of James and Margaret. They were farm tenants in Bluntisham, Cambridgeshire.

    His brother Alexander Thomas Allgood fell also.

    Dean Allgood




    249780

    Nursing Sister Lily Gertrude Francis RRC2.

    Lily Francis met T.S.R Miller, a soldier in the 23rd Royal Fusiliers whilst serving at Toxteth Park Hospital. He had been very badly wounded at the battle of the Somme and was brought back to Liverpool to Toxteth Park. The story was that he was unlikely to survive and she nursed him back to health. They always joked about what happened behind the poison cabinet! She later married him and they went on to have two children. She received the RRC medal for her services to nursing.

    Rebecca Clothier




    249778

    Pte Percy Williams 13th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.10th July 1916)

    Percy Williams was a cousin of my grandfather, Reginald Haddock. They met in 1910 when Reg was visiting from Australia. He and Percy became great mates, walking in the Beaumaris area, and playing on the castle. Percy's mother, Cissie (Elizabeth Williams, nee Godley) had run the Beaumaris Post Office and then took over the Bull's Head Inn in Beaumaris. My Grandfather who died in 1989, always spoke of Percy with great affection.

    Doris Haddock




    249774

    Pte. William Hunt 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.20th October 1917)

    William Hunt was a 38 year old father of seven children conscripted in 1916. He died at Steenwerck Field Hospital on 20th of October 1917 from injuries sustained. It was not only sons that were lost, many fathers also paid the supreme sacrifice.

    Frank Westfield




    249771

    Pte. Charles Kendall 2nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.21st August 1918)

    Charles Kendall was my great uncle. He was 25 years old when he was killed and he is buried in Douchy-Les-Ayette British Cemetery, Northern France.





    249757

    Robert Lewis 12th (Rangers) Btn. London Regiment

    My grandfather was born Boris Pokotilow on the 7th of January 1898 in Kiev, Ukraine. His mother died in 1900 giving birth to his younger sister Ruth and his father was murdered by Russians in 1906. He was put up for adoption by the Jewish Board of Deputies and brought to England with one of his sisters (Diana Pokotilow) in 1906. His young sister Ruth went to Denmark. My grandfather Boris was adopted by Harry Wilson but the Jewish Board governors took my grandfather from him (as Mr Wilson had became an atheist and married a Christian). The Rev Lewis of Tamby Hall, Whitechapel had been appointed his guardian. But as he was not married they placed him in the care of the Cowen family.

    In 1914 my grandfather was 16 yrs old but when the Cowen brother joined up my grandfather changed his name to Robert Lewis and lied about his age so he could join up with them. Robert Lewis age 18 in 1914 joined The 12th London Rangers an infantry Regiment. He became a corporal.

    Mills bomer: wounded twice first-time beneath the chest. The second time in 1917 seriously wounded by exploding in the shell. I'm so intrigued to find out what battles his regiment was in to learn the horrors he had to live through to make better world for all of us.

    He was sent home for hospital treatment and during his convalescence he was allowed to visit his sister Diana. The Cohens had moved to Becon in Wales and opened a jewellery shop. I like to think what a lovely moment this must have been for them. What an award for a hero! I hope they stayed in touch.

    In 1919 he was discharged from the Army. He returned to Rev Lewis who arranged with the Board of Guardians that Robert Lewis now be trained as an engineer at Cadby Hall by J.Lyons.

    He met my grandmother in 1920 at a dance. They married and had four children, two boys and two girls and lots of us grandchildren and even more great grandchildren. He died in 1957. Sadly for me I never got to know him in person as I was born in 1965.

    Did you know that Boris means fight or fighter and he certainly was.

    Valerie Cozens




    249751

    Pte. Henry McNaughton 11th Battalion Royal Scots (d.8th Nov 1916)

    Henry McNaughton was the 2nd son of John and Betsy McNaughton. He was born in Abernethy, Perthshire on 6th of June 1897 and was much loved by his brothers and sisters, Bryce, Bessie, Mary and Johanna. He is commemorated on the War Memorial in Abernethy.

    Karin Newton




    249749

    Col. Hugh Rice Bowen DSO CDG

    I noticed Colonel Bowen's grave in a local cemetery in ,Essex. He was born in 1880 and died in 1954.

    Ken Hatfield




    249746

    Pte. William Ferguson Aird Hampshire Regiment

    William Aird served with the Royal Scots and Hampshire Regiment.





    249745

    Pte. James William Casey 9th Btn. A Coy. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    <p>

    I believe James Casey was hospitalized 4 times during WW1, but so far I've only found 2 records to support this. I'm looking for any information on my Grandad's war experiences

    Angela Casey




    249744

    Pte. Percy Charnock 9th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.2nd September 1918)

    Percy Charnock was my great uncle and not a lot is known of him.





    249740

    CPO Herbert Woods HMS Indefatigable (d.31st May 1916)

    I am so proud of my great uncle, Herbert Woods, who was killed on HMS Indefatigable at the Battle of Jutland 31st May 1916. He was aged 35,son of James and Hannah Woods of Ermington, Devon and husband of Lizzie Woods of 9 Duckworth St., Stoke, Devon.

    Herbert was a life long Navy man like 3 of his brothers. One brother, Sidney, was a torpedo gunner and went on to be a commander of HMS Defiance in Devonport

    God bless you Uncle Herbert

    Alan Williamson




    249738

    Major. William Hendrie Hay MC. DD Battery, 76th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    William Hay volunteered for the Canadian Army in 1914, but apparently dissatisfied with the time it was taking for training, equipping etc, he transferred to the British Army and completed WW1 in the Royal Field Artillery. He seemed to have spent a long time as a Lieutenant (suggesting perhaps he had been wounded). He was awarded an MC in 1917 (Still trying to trace the citation.) Promotion came quickly after that and he ended up commanding D Battery, there is a superb formal photograph of the battery in Germany 1919 (thought to be in Cologne). He lived to a great age, largely in Montreal Canada.





    249730

    Pte. Heber Shepherd 3rd/15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.14th November 1918)

    My grandfather Heber Shepherd was born on 9th of December 1887 in New Tupton, Chesterfield and was employed as a miner. He married a local girl, Eliza Ann Betton, in 1909 and had 3 daughters.

    He enlisted in June 1916 but was in a reserved occupation so was not called up until July 1918. His army record shows he was classed as Cat A fit. Height 5ft 3 inches and weight 8 stone.

    On 24th July 1918 posted to Derby for training. 8th Nov 1918 he embarked with the 3/15th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters to France. 12th Nov 1918 he was admitted to a clearing hospital with influenza On 14th Nov 1918 he passed away due to pneumonia. I still have the letter written by the nurse who had attended to him and was with him as he died. He is buried in Les Baraques Military Cemetary, Sangatte, France.

    His youngest daughter (my mother) was born 4 months after his death and her greatest sadness was never having known her father. I am continuing to research my family tree and have discovered my other grandfather George Watts was also in the Sherwood Foresters with the 2nd/9th Battalion.

    Gloria Watts




    249726

    L/Cpl. Thomas Brown 8th Battalion Black Watch (d.2nd October 1918)

    Thomas Brown was my grandfather. He was a miner, but chose to enlist very early on in the War. He died in 1918, leaving a wife and 7 children. the youngest being my father who was 6. I have visited his grave in Bellicourt Cemetery, France, but don't have any other information or pictures of him.

    Sarah Williams




    249719

    Pte. Michael Harry Cain MM. 5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Michael Cain was a small man. As such his duty was to crawl into No Man's Land and clear out forward observation posts and prepare for new observers. Once, on his way back he came upon a small German patrol who when challenged surrendered to him. One of the Germans offered him his watch, this was refused as if found in possession by the German Army would have been a capital offence.

    Gordon Cain




    249712

    Pte. Levi Stanley Owen 5th Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Levi Owen served with the 5th South Wales Borderers. He was the son of Edward and Matilda Owen of 3 Ashfield Street, Abertillery, Newport, Monmouthshire. He died in Flanders.

    Martin Owen




    249711

    Pte William Grant Patterson 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

    <p>

    William Grant Paterson was a long-time KOSB 2nd Battalion soldier who served as a teen in Egypt, Sudan and Kyhber Pass, India. When WW1 broke out he was called and went to Ireland followed by France to the Battle of Mons.

    He survived that battle and dug trenches and in Messines at the village church on 31st of October 1914. He was invalided on 1st of November and transported back to UK and finally to Craigleith Hospital in Edinburgh where he received treatment. He did survive and returned home to become a Rolls Royce Mechanic training in Manchester and Derby.

    He was a head Chauffeur at Rosyth, then married Mary Quinn in 1920 and had one son, William Paterson. They moved to Lockerbie to Balgray Estate where he also was a chauffeur, servicing 7 vehicles.

    Later, under the Scheme, and thanks to Jardine Paterson he studied barbering and hairdressing in Edinburgh and purchased a shop in Kelty, Fife where he lived with his small family until he passed away from complications from his war wounds in 1930.

    I am writing a story for publication about his life and his friend Patrick Duffy who died at Mons or thereafter and I would like to contact any of his family members.

    William Grant Paterson and WW1 Medal

    William Grant Paterson in kilt-KOSB pic

    Patricia Paterson




    249701

    Pte. Thomas Peace 5th Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.5th April 1918)

    My great grandfather and uncles spent years trying to trace where Thomas Peace lay. Exactly 100 years after his death I managed to find his details and where his name is proudly placed on the wall at the Pozieres Memorial. We will soon be travelling as the first in our family to lay a wreath in his honour.

    Skye Lemmon




    249693

    Flossie May Govier

    Flossie Govier was mentioned by the War Office for special services rendered during World War 1 as a nurse in Red Cross and VAD Hospitals, firstly at the Smithston War Hospital then at the Northumberland Auxiliary Hospital, Corbridge-on-Tyne. Her address was given as 3 Mona Terrace, Royal Street, Gourock.

    The 1891 census shows that Flossie Govier was born in Wigtownshire in 1888, the eldest daughter of Albert and Anna Govier and her father was serving as a coast guard in Kildonan, Bute. In the 1901 census the family are living in Gourock and Albert is now a customs watcher. Flossie died in 1977 at the age of 87 in Irvine, North Ayrshire.

    Alison McCallum




    249689

    Pte. James Cryer 8th Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.27th September 1918)

    I am at the moment researching the family history as a present for my father`s 90th birthday, his father, my grandfather (Fred Cryer) had a brother (James Cryer). I have been unable to find records for my grandfather although his story of the war is that he was captured on the same day in the same battle in which his brother James was killed on the 27th September 1918 in Flanders. I have located the cemetery in which he was laid to rest (The Lowrie Cemetery) Havrincourt. That is all I know I`m afraid, if you could provide some information about the circumstances of the battle I would be pleased to pass this on to my dad. Many Thanks.

    John Cryer




    249687

    Nurse Jane Simpson "Jean" McInnes

    Jean McInnes was an Australian, daughter of Alexander McInnes and Margaret (nee McDougall) born in Brisbane Queensland in 1891, who was working at the Smithston War Hospital Greenock, Scotland during WW1. It is not known yet what the exact period of her service was. The evidence for her being at Smithston is this July 1919 funeral notice. As the military authorities withdrew from Smithston in April 1919 she may have been a Red Cross volunteer rather than a military nurse working with a British unit She has no Australian Army Nursing Service file at the National Archives of Australia.

    Alison McCallum




    249686

    Pte. Percy David Frederick Cornford 22nd Battalion London Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    Percy Cornford was born in Westgate on Sea in 1884, second son of David (b 1854) and Fanny Cornford (nee Gardner). He was brought up in Margate/Ramsgate Kent.

    He was killed in action in France on the night of the 26th/27th of May 1918, and is buried in Bavelincourt Communal Cemetery, Somme. He is buried close to the furthest advance gained by the Germans in their last great Spring offensive of March 1918, which was stopped a month later just short of Amiens and a few miles west of the River Ancre. At the time he was killed, he was serving as a Private, No 698137, with the 1st/22nd (Queens) Battalion, London Regiment.

    Although the advance towards Amiens had petered out by the end of April, the Germans made numerous local attacks on the line. Early on May 27th however, they launched a fresh attack on the Marne, 40 miles to the S East. As was usual, to confuse the enemy and prevent reserves being moved, they would have bombarded other areas of the front line and made attacks on the opposing trenches.

    The 22nd's War Diaries say that on 26th of May 1918, A and B Companies were moved forward to the Echuca and Nine Elms trenches, with patrols sent out from midnight to 2am. Enemy machine guns very active. On May 27th the situation had returned to normal. Presumably Percy was killed that night although the war diaries do not contain any other details, and the usual letter to relatives from each casualty's CO has disappeared.

    The 22nd Londons commanded by Lt Col C J Salkeld Green MC, were one of three infantry battalions making up 142nd Infantry Brigade, in turn one of three infantry and one artillery brigades forming the 47th Division which, at that time, was commanded by Major General G F Gorringe.

    John D Cornford




    249679

    Pte. John Thomas Johnson MM & Bar. 11th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1918)

    John Johnson was my grandma's brother, aged 25. He saw his first action during the German attack of Vimy Ridge. He was killed in action in the Battle of Asiaqo in Italy one week before the end of the war. He was twice awarded the Military Medal. He is buried at Tezze British Cemetery,

    John Turnbull




    249678

    Pte. Thomas Smith 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd August 1915)

    Thomas Smith was my grandfather. He was 40 years old at the time of his death. He was married with seven children, the youngest of which was my father, born in May 1914. Thomas lived in Sunderland and worked as a shipyard labourer. His name, apparently, is written on the Helles Memorial. No photograph of him exists.

    Ron Smith




    249677

    Pte. Sidney Harold Brailey 6th Battalion Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

    My father,Harold Brailey, enlisted at Ashford in 1915, in the 6th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment.

    In October or November 1917 he was defending a hill overlooking the Schelt Canal near Cambrai, where tanks were first used. When the Germans counterattacked he was shot in the leg and taken prisoner. He had mentioned being in a place called Dulmen but his letters came from Friedrichsfelt, so perhaps he was at the former place only temporarily. He was very dependent on food parcels and 4kg loaves of bread from the Red Cross.

    He returned home in January 1919. Although the German soldiers were also short of food, he said that their Red Cross parcels were always delivered complete and untouched.

    Syd Brailey




    249675

    Pte Frank Manning 8th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.17th February 1917)

    Frank Manning was born in 1889 at Norton the son of George Manning of Norton and Sarah from Daventry. In the 1891 Census George and Sarah both aged 38 were living in Norton with their children Ada aged 12, Ethel aged 9, Alfred aged 7 and Frank aged 1. They were living next door to William and Susannah Manning (George's parents) who had living with them two more of the family Frank's brothers, William aged 13 and John aged 11. Frank's brother Alfred is the same age as John Blencowe who lives next door to the family. Sadly both Alfred and John were killed in action and are also commemorated on the Norton War Memorial. In the 1901 Census George is recorded as a blacksmith living with Sarah, son John is a coachman aged 21 and Alfred is a groom aged 17. Frank aged 11 is now living with his grandparents William aged 79 and Susannah aged 78, next door to his parents. William is living on private means, Ada and Ethel are not recorded so may have been married. In the 1911 Census his mother Sarah has died and Frank is again living with his father and is a waggoner on farm. Alfred is boarding in Long Buckby and is a cab driver.

    Frank enlisted in Daventry as Private 40436 into the 8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Frank was killed in action on the 17th of February 1917 at the age of 28, five months after Alfred his older brother and is buried in Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France and is commemorated on the Norton War Memorial and Great War Memorial Board in the Church. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals and commemorative plaque and scroll.

    Timothy Kirby




    249674

    Pte. Thomas Oakley 12th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.22nd October 1916)

    Thomas Oakley is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Philip Ruscoe




    249672

    Pte. Reginald Donovan 16th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    Reginald Donovan was my father. He joined up in London at the Cockspur Street recruiting office in Autumn 1915 when he was 18 years old and got to France in November 1915. He was with the 16th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, which we discovered was the Public School Battalion as he went to St. Dunstan's College.

    He told me very little about his time in France but I know he was at Ypres (Wipers) and he would say that in the trenches he felt sorry for the Indian soldiers who were always so cold. He told me about the bully beef they had to eat. He somehow survived the Somme but said he was shot, not seriously, early on and lay in No Mans Land until dusk when he crawled back to the trench.

    After two months he returned to France and was transferred to 3rd Battalion and shipped off to Salonika. Sometime during his service he was shipped to Malta with malaria which I believe he caught there. He said that the quinine they were given ruined his teeth. But he came home at the end of the war and lived on until 1983.

    Pauline Watson




    249665

    Pte. Edgar Joseph Beal 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

    Edgar J. Beal had his WW1 medals forfeited for desertion. These were restored to him when he admitted desertion in front of the assembled Battalion.

    Jim Mitchell




    249664

    Pte. John Bater 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th March 1918)

    John Bater was one of three brothers killed in WW1.

    Jim Mitchell




    249663

    Lt. Hubert Erasmus Alexander East Yorkshire Regiment

    Hubert Alexander was severely wounded twice and shell shocked.

    Jim Mitchell




    249661

    Pte. Patrick Burgess 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.11th May 1917)

    Patrick Burgess was the son of Thomas and Catherine Burgess of Ireland and husband of Jessie Burgess of 42 Thistle Strett, Glasgow.





    249660

    Pte. Albert Warner 8th Btn. D Coy. Norfolk Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    Albert Warner was the son of Charles and Emily Warner of 20 Belle Vue Cottages, North Street, Halstead, Essex.

    W.Tate




    249658

    Lt. Arthur Eaton DSO, Ld'H, Croix de Guerre 184th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers

    All information is from the comic magazine "Victor" edition No 248 dated November 20th 1965. (All copies of this magazine on CDs (over 1600) can be bought on EBay for a reasonable amount.) There are probably many more soldiers of interest to you in these CDs.

    Eaton's story according to the Victor, is in late 1915 when the German lines on the other side of the Somme River were very quiet, Lt Eaton swam the river and identified various ammo dumps, artillery batteries and other defences and was able to return to detail them. The story ends with him receiving a DSO, French Legion of Honour and Croix de Guerre. In my view its unlikely that he received all these honours for the one event. I can't copy any images.

    Mick James




    249656

    Pte Sidney Morris 18th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Sidney Morris was the son of Edwin James and Elizabeth Morris of 34 Avenue Road, Swindon.

    Kevin Morris




    249646

    Cpl. Henry Scott MM. 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd July 1916)

    <p>Henry and Irene

    Henry Scott is my great grandfather. He went to join up with his best friend Arthur Taylor but he could not enlist due to a medical condition. So, Henry said to him if anything happens to me make sure you look after Irene and the bairns. Arthur later married Irene my great grandmother after the war and went on to have 3 children with him. Henry's son was presented with his Military Medal after his death in 1916.

    Gary Bartlett




    249645

    Pte. John Hassan 1st Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles

    Information found on my great grandfather's marriage certificate reveals that he, John Hassan served with 1st Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles.

    Lisa Hassan




    249633

    Cpl. William Walsh 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    William Walsh enlisted at Carlow on 4th January 1904. He was 20 years and 9 months old. Following 3 months at the Royal Irish Regimental Department, Clonmel, he was posted to the 2nd Battalion. He was transferred to the 1st Battalion in India on 20th January 1905 where he attained a 3rd class certificate of education on 8th August 1908. He was serving with the 1st Battalion at Agra as of April 1911. He returned to the UK on 1st December 1911 and transferred to the Reserve on 3rd January 1912. William married Bridget Leahy a year later at St Mary's Church, Kilkenny City on 7th January 1913.

    As the war clouds gathered he mobilised again at Clonmel on 6th August 1914 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion again and disembarked in France with his battalion on 13th August 1914. He was taken prisoner of war by the Germans on 20th October 1914 and was held at Limberg Camp in February 1915, transferring to internment in Holland on 1st March 1918.

    On 21st September he was repatriated and transferred to the 3rd Battalion in December and continued in service under the Military Service Act. William was demobilised at Cork and transferred to the reserves on 11th March 1919.

    William took up residence at New Buildings Lane, Kilkenny City. He was discharged with the rank of Corporal on 13th July 1919 but re-enlisted the following day at Kilkenny city for one year in the Labour Corps as a Corporal. He was posted initially to Irish Command Centre in Newtownards. William was finally discharged as surplus to military requirements on St Patricks Day 1920.

    Michael Walsh




    249632

    L/Cpl Duncan McIntosh 6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.9th April 1917)

    Duncan McIntosh served with 6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders. I have found a photograph of a wooden cross with an inscription showing my great uncle's details and date of death.

    Phyllis Sykes




    249628

    Samuel Robinson 144th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Samuel enlisted in the 7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment at Dudley in October 1914. He embarked for France on 17th August 1915 and disembarked on 18th August 1915 at Le Havre. He transferred to the 144th Battalion Machine Gun Corps on 28th October 1916. Samuel also served with the 48th Company MGC and saw fighting in Italy. His WW1 Army Records exist showing disciplinary and health issues during his enlistment. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Keith Robinson




    249618

    Sgt.Mjr. Owen Jones MM, MSM, CdeG. 2nd Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Triple Honours for St Helens Warrant Officer. "Company Sergeant Major Owen Jones of the 2nd Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment of 40 Mill St, St Helens has been awarded the following for gallantry in action:- Military Medal (taking command of the Company when his Company Commander was killed), Medialle Militaire (1918 awarded by the French Army), Croix de Guerre with palm (French 1918 First Class Awarded by the French Army). He has served in South Africa, Mauritius, India, Germany, East Africa, Palestine and France and is at present recovering in Pilkington Special Hospital from wounds received in France."

    Owen Jones India

    Owen Jones Obituary

    Owen Jones

    Pamela Dilworth




    249614

    Sgt. Alfred Ernest Nokes 6th Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    Alfred Nokes enlisted on 26th of February 1909. He was discharged, as the result of his wounds, on 9th of December 1918. He must have been to most places that the 6th Divisional Ammunition Column visited between 1914 and 1918. He received Pip, Squeak and Wilfred, but also a 1914 Star clasp and the Silver War Badge.

    Tragically, he died in a double drowning, with his wife Lilian, in 1939. Both were recovered from the River Thames in Rotherhithe. He was living in Peabody Square, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, in 1937.

    Clive Stanyon




    249607

    Cpl. Alfred Joseph Cushion 6th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.9th August 1918)

    Alfred Cushion was born in 1876 living in Rotherhithe as a boy. He worked in the printing industry as a compositor and lived in Edmonton, Middlesex.

    He joined up in 1916 at the age of 40 years. He was killed in action at the Battle of Morlancourt on 9th of August 1918 leaving a wife and four children. His name is commemorated at Vis-en-Artois Memorial which bears the names of casualties who fell in the period from 8th August 1918 to the date of the Armistice in the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois.

    We visited the Memorial in the 1960s. He is our maternal grandfather and felt it appropriate to remember him at the centenary of his death and the end of WW1.

    Lucy Simpson




    249606

    Spr. George James Goddard 247th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.5th Sept 1918)

    George James Goddard from Northbourne, Kent was an electrician in a colliery and my grandfather.





    249600

    Pte. Harry Brand 2nd/4th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.29th September 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Brand was my great-uncle. He died of wounds on 29th September 1918, aged 18. He is buried in Grevilliers British Cemetery, Plot XII D 23. He was the youngest son of Harry and Elizabeth Brand and brother to my grandmother.

    Tony Lockett




    249592

    Gnr. James Morrison Argyll Mountain Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.30th September 1918)

    James Morrison was my great uncle, he was returning to fight at Gallipoli after home leave and died of influenza in the great epidemic, aged 24. I would love to know more about him and his unit.





    249589

    Sgt. Leonard Johns MM. 8th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.16th Feb 1920)

    Leonard Johns was born c. 1893, he was the son of Leonard and Catherine Johns and lived at 1 Glyn Street, Ynysybwl. After much service overseeas, he succumbed to illness and after discharge on 31st of May 1919 died on 16th February 1920 and is buried in Ynysybwl Cemetery, Ynysybwl. He was awarded the Military Medal (Greece) 3rd Class with clasp.

    Terry Powell




    249586

    Dvr. Henry Edworthy 83rd Battery Royal Field Artillery

    I collect items from the First World War. Today I purchased paperwork once belonging to Driver Henry Edworthy of the 83rd Battery Royal Field Artillery.

    Before joining the army he lived in Newton Abbot, Devon and worked as a labourer, probably on a farm. He was born in 1890 and joined the Army on 3rd of November 1916 and was discharged on 31st of March 1920. His discharge paper describes him as trustworthy with horses. He was paid off at Crediton in Devon and paid in total £37-18s-4d on discharge. He served for two years active service in some of the bitterest fighting and survived to serve after the cessation of hostilities until March 1920. Henry was a remarkable soldier in that he served his country and was lucky enough to go home afterwards, let's hope he lived a happy life thereafter.

    Stephen Spencer




    249584

    Pte. John William Garside 1st Btn., B Coy Cameronians Scottish Rifles

    <p>

    My grandad was John Garside known as Jack. Recently we have discovered his war medals and were fortunate enough that one had his service number engraved on the reverse. I wasn't aware that he served in WW1 as he passed away in 1963, long before I was born. With thanks to the National Archives I have been able to establish that he was discharged as he suffered a shell wound to his left foot on 19th of July 1917.

    Currently I am trying to ascertain where the battalion were located at this time. If anyone could shed some light on this, it would be greatly appreciated.

    Jean Clements




    249581

    Sgt. Thomas Clark 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th September 1916)

    Born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire at 4 Wray's Yard, William Street on the 27th of December 1889, Tom Clark was the second son of Elizabeth (nee Trotter) and George Clark.

    A member of the original 6th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, he served with the unit throughout the war and landed with the battalion at Suvla Bay on 7th of August 1915 to take part in the ill-fated Gallipoli Campaign before finally been evacuated on 21st of December 1915. Eventually posted to the Western Front, Thomas and the remaining 6th Battalion landed at Marseilles in July 1916, arriving on the Somme on 15th July and losing his life on 14th of September 1916. His body was never recovered and Thomas is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Carole Agar




    249579

    Rflmn. Henry West 11th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.20th September 1917)

    <p>

    Henry West served with 11th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps.

    Jo Hooke




    249577

    Gnr. Joseph Henry Blakemore 119th Siege Battery (d.25th Aug 1918)

    Joseph Blakemore aged 32, was killed in an accident in a dugout on 15th of August 1918 near Rosieres, France. He is buried at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen.

    J M Hawker




    249574

    Gdsmn. Harold "Wingy" Whitehouse 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    <p>

    Harold Whitehouse was a promising footballer who had played for his local town of Chesterfield (his nickname came from this, he played on the wing, hence Wingy). He worked as a labourer at Ireland Colliery, Staveley, Derbyshire. Harold initially signed up in Staveley on his way back home from work. He was allocated to The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry but later, on the advice of a friend, he transferred to the Coldstream Guards. Being under the required height, only 5 feet 10 inches, the muster sergeant told him to stand at the back of the squad on his tiptoes and he was in.

    Whilst on guard in one of the halls at Windsor Castle a chap in tennis whites strolled past him. Harold thought no more of it until two rather hefty, tall military policemen stood one either side of him, lifted him by the armpits and marched him off to peel spuds for what seemed an age. His first crime was not to recognise the Prince of Wales and the second was not to salute him.

    Whilst on leave back home he married on 4th of September 1918 then went back to war. He ending up billeted in Koln, Barbarossaplatz und Hohenstaufenring after the war, sending postcards of Koln on the 18th and 21st December 1918.

    He would very rarely talk about the war. One story he told was that a friend did him a favour and went to fetch ammunition that Harold was about to fetch, but his mate never returned and was presumed dead. My uncle related another rare story told by his father that a football saved his dad's life. In a match before a big advance Harold was badly injured in the game and was deemed unfit for action. In the following battle a lot of his friends and comrades were slaughtered. Another story Pop told his son was when he came home on leave after being in the trenches and he and other local soldiers had to strip in Renishaw School yard to be deloused.

    Harold was transferred to the reserves on 6th February 1919 and was to report back to Windsor in case of emergency. He then came home and went back to Ireland Colliery. He had a family of eight, but his first-born, a daughter, died a few months after birth in 1920. In the village he was respected and regarded as a bit of a wise man.

    In WWII he used roll up at home with soldiers he came across, hanging around the local railway station waiting for transport trains. He gave them food and drink as he knew what they might have to face.

    I can still see him now, always smartly dressed even though in his everyday clothes. He would sit in his armchair near the coals burning in the Yorkshire range grate, contemplating his life, the horrors he had witnessed and the many losses. He was always smartly dressed even in his casuals. Belt and braces, waistcoat over a checked shirt, flat cap, corded trousers, woolly socks up to just below the knee, very clean boots, spectacles perched on the end of his nose. His right hand holding and puffing on a pipe tobacco. The thumb of his left hand would be just inside his left nostril and his index finger gently stroking the outside of his nose. He never had or wanted a TV but listened to the radio. He was a keen gardener and pigeon racer. He died in 1975 after an eventful life.

    Old soldiers never die but march on to oblivion. R.I.P.

    Coldstream Guards

    John Whitehouse




    249570

    Pte. John W. Lawrenson 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th August 1918)

    John Lawrenson served with 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry. I found paperwork addressed to John Lawrenson's sister Mrs Greenwell, that he had died of wounds on 27th of August 1918 in the 29th Casualty Clearing Station.

    There is also a letter from Sister Former that says "Dear Mrs Greenwell, In answer to your letter your brother was brought to us wounded in the buttock and extremely ill. We did all we could for him but he died soon after he came to us on 27th of August 1918 quite peacefully. Try(?) this is any comfort to you he suffered no pain, he was too ill to talk to us. He is buried in the British Cemetery in Grezaincourt, near Poullens. With much sympathy Sister Former(?)'.

    There is also another letter from Rev. Hoff dated 15th of Novemeber 1918 that says "Dear Mrs Greenwell, Your letter reached me about three weeks ago as I had changed my address several times in the meanwhile. I have been so busy till now that I have been unable to answer it before now. I saw your brother 81605 J W Lawrenson immediately on his admission to 29 CCS. I heard his confession and gave him the last sacraments. He was --- to God's will when I told him that he was in danger of death and was in the last dispositions. I saw him once again before he died and I am glad to say he was in no pain. You make take comfort in thoughts that he died fighting in a just cause and that his reward will be --- to his sacrifice. I pray that god may --- you and his mother that consolation in your sorrow which only he can --- Yours sincerely, J G Hoff C7"

    There's also a small slip from Buckingham Palace stating there's a small memorial sent, this was probably the death penny I am yet to have come across this.

    Pam




    249566

    Cpl. Emil Colberg C Coy. 12th Machine Gun Battalion

    Emil Colberg was awarded a Citation of Gallantry, my father's cousin gave me a photostat of the Citation:

    Emil Colberg, 5625572, Corporal, Co.C. 12th Machine Gun Battalion. Aimee-Marne Offensive, July 1918. His squad was cut off in a wheat field from the rest of his platoon. They were without food for three days. One man tried to go back after food, but failed. No one else would volunteer. So Corporal Colberg went himself. Through a heavy barrage. Secured the food and returned. He showed remarkable courage and sincere devotion to his men.

    Bruce White




    249561

    Gnr. Thomas Ward Jay 132nd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Thomas Jay served with 132nd Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. We only just discovered this information on our grandfather when having research carried out into our family tree. Included with the birth, death and marriage certificates was an enlistment and discharge document copy. This is all that is known about Thomas.

    David Leslie Jephcott




    249558

    Sgt. Charles Ernest Harrott 4th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.23rd July 1916)

    <p>

    Charles was the son of Arthur Joseph Harrott (who was born in Paris, France 1860 and died in 1942 in Ontario, Canada) and Florence King (who was born in England 1866 and died in Scotland in April 1911).

    Charles Harrott was born in June 1886 in Leicestershire. His father was the manager of a hosiery factory, Harrott & Co Ltd in Aberdeen, Scotland where the family lived. He travelled back and forth to Canada looking for opportunities to set up a new company and, while away, there may have been a takeover that left him out of business. After the death their mother took all the children to Canada to be with their father. The younger ones were in the care of his sister Annie Louise on the voyage over. Unfortunately, being such a large family (12 children) the younger children were raised by other families which was not uncommon at the time. His sister Annie Louise Harrott married Arthur Wellesley Elliott in January 1915. Annie was three months pregnant when she and her husband were travelling to Ireland aboard the Lusitania when it was struck by a German torpedo. She and the baby survived, but unfortunately Arthur did not and his body was never found. Information about this is to be found on the Lusitania Resource site.

    All I know about Charles is that he died on 23rd of July 1916 on the Somme, France as his name is among those listed on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vi Sharp




    249553

    Cpl. Charles William Hill 20 Squadron (d.30th July 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Hill was born in Aston, Birmingham, he was one of the six children of Emily and Samuel Hill of Inkerman Street, Birmingham.

    Charlie is my great uncle who was shot down and killed near Ypres on 30th of July 1918. He was 26 when he died. He was an observer/gunner in Bristol Fighter E2471 being flown by Sgt J J Cowell. They were shot down by Lt Frederick Ritter Von Röth of Nuremburg. Von Röth was a German fighter ace with 28 victories to his name. He later committed suicide on New Year's Eve 1918, apparently depressed by the German defeat and troubled by his killings during the war.

    Charlie's brother Jack was also killed flying with the RAF in October 1918. Charlie rests in Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium.





    249546

    Pte. Alexander Hosie 7th (Fife) Battalion Black Watch (d.19th May 1917)

    Alexander Hosie was one of two brothers killed in WWI whilst serving with the Black Watch, the other was William Hosie who was with the 6th (Perthshire) Battalion and died on the 24th of October 1918.

    T McIntosh




    249544

    William Sullivan RMS Aquitania

    My father, William Sullivan, served on the RMS Aquitania between 1916 - 1918 and then as Reservist for about a year after War's end. He was a stoker. We were very proud of him and as a boy his photograph in his uniform proudly bearing the Aquitania on his headwear. One thing I would love to know is the trips the ship made and dates during WW1. I have some details of his service record stored away but no details of individual journeys. I have some photos, again, stored away, these were on his first ship the Aquarius, a supply ship.

    Will Sullivan




    249541

    Pte. James Connor 13th Btn. Royal Scots (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    My great great grandfather served in WW1, and I recently discovered a family tree with my O'Connor relatives. I noticed that my great great grandfather had a brother who changed his surname from O'Connor to Connor. James Connor was his brother, who also served in WW1. He was the husband of Elizabeth Bradley Connor of 700 Argyle Street, Glasgow. James Connor had five daughters Catherine, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary and Patricia.





    249527

    Sig. Richard Stephen Ross 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

    The Morayshire Roll of Honour contains this information about Dick Ross, "Richard Stephen Ross, No 235116, Signaller, 9th Scottish Rifles. Dick was born at Rafford on 10th January 1893. He joined at Ardrossan in December 1916 and served in France and Belgium. He was the son of Alexander Ross (deceased) and Isabella Asher. Dick lived at 31A North Road, Forres. In civilian life he was a printer."

    Andre Strydom




    249522

    Pte. William Sparshott 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.8th August 1918)

    William Sparshott was my uncle and my mother’s younger brother. Documentation records that he was killed in action on 8th of August 1918. The 10th Battalion is recorded as going into action at 0420hrs at Gressaire Wood, being met by a massive German artillery barrage. This was on the first day of the Battle of Amiens which heralded the last 100 days of WW1. He was just 19 years of age and deeply mourned by my mother. He is buried in the CWGC Beacon Cemetery, Sailly Laurette, 19 kilometres East of Amiens.

    So many young lives sacrificed, We will remember them.

    Brian Sharples




    249521

    Pte. Edgar Charles Clarke 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.24th November 1916)

    All we know of Edgar Clarke is that, having enlisted in Norwich, he served in the Battle of the Somme and died of his wounds back in England on 24th of November 1916. He was born in 1896 (in Rockland All Saints, Norfolk) so was barely 20 years old when he died. He was a son of Luther Jacob and Maud Caroline Clarke and lived in Rockland St Peter, Norfolk. He is buried in Bristol in Arnos Vale Cemetery.

    Edgar also had an older brother, Walter William who was two years his senior and served in 3rd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment in WW1. Walter died in England on 27th of January 1916 and is buried in Felixstowe New Cemetery.

    Julie Noble




    249517

    Patrick Keane Royal Horse Artillery

    Patrick Keane joined the Royal Horse Artillery on the 20th of October 1905. It is believed he saw active service at the Somme but no other information is available.

    P.M.Halton




    249515

    Pte. James Glennon 7th Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.7th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    James Glennon served with 7th Battalion, Leinster Regiment.

    Michael Hughes




    249510

    Sgt. Thomas Gillan 4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

    <p>

    Thomas Gillan served with 4th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.

    Dale Hardie




    249504

    L/Cpl. Percy John Williamson 9th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment (d.14th September 1918)

    Percy J Williamson was a Lance Corporal, who joined up in 1916, initially with 9th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment but who was transferred to 147th Company Labour Corps.

    He was killied in action on Saturday, 14th of September 1918, dying of his wounds at the Casualty Clearing station at Arneke. He’s buried in Arneke British Cemetery. I can't find any further details, but according to family tradition, he died at Verdun and his mother (my maternal aunt) apparently never got over her loss and died in 1939.

    Alan Mason




    249503

    John Frederick Warren HMS Lilac (d.18th August 1915)

    <p>

    John Warren served in HMS Lilac.

    Philip Terry




    249501

    Lt. Bruce Samuel Kirkland Guise-Moores MC & Bar. 110th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather Bruce Guise-Moores, came from a military family, his father became a general and two uncles became colonels. He was awarded the Military Cross for getting men and horses out of a burning barn, under fire and a Bar to the MC for digging men out of a collapsed trench.

    He enjoyed the camaraderie of the Army more than anything else. After the war he fought in Russia with the White Russians then posted to India, initially with the RGA then the Indian Army, before coming back to England. He left the Army in the early 30's being bored with peacetime soldering and joined the prison service, only to join up again in 1939, and served in Egypt.

    Clive Lacey




    249491

    Cpl. William Ernest Bricknell 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    William Bricknell served with the 5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters.

    Peter




    249489

    CPO. Edward John "Andy" Anderson HMS Essex

    Edward Anderson was a ship's cook on board HMS Essex, during the First World War. Before joining the Navy, he was employed in the mining industry in Mary Tavy, Devon. In this first term in the Navy, he had the distinction of being a champion breadmaker of the Mediterranean Fleet.

    He re-joined the Navy in 1931 and is recorded in the 1939 Register as CPO Cook on HMS Defiance, the Navy's torpedo school near Saltash in Cornwall. He was invalided out of the Navy during this period of service when some explosive substance was thrown into his galley stove. He was unable to use his right hand and subsequently learned to write left handed. I believe he made a full recovery. He died in 1956, cleaning the front step of his home in St Budeaux.

    Christopher Anderson




    249481

    Pte. Reginald Ernest Gingell 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Reginald Gingell was taken prisoner at Pontavert on 27th of May 1918 and held in forced labour gang on the Western Front until moved to POW Camp Langensalza in mid Sept 1918. Repatriated by the Red Cross in January 1919 from Hamburg, he was suffering from clinical malnutrition and starvation oedema. They were kept on the Calcutta Mutiny diet to prevent death from over feeding.

    He arrived back in London to a formal reception at Charing Cross station and he absconded back home to Tooting. He hadn't a penny on him and took the tram but nobody told him to get off. He arrived at the front door in a cardboard uniform and newspaper wrapped round his feet. His mother stripped him in the garden and burnt everything.

    He had to go the St George's Hospital, Tooting every day to see the doctor and they would give him pills which he would put down the drain on the way out. For several weeks he would sit by the fire in the kitchen and refuse to move out of the chair, eating every scrap of food that came past him. He suffered from syncope and passed out on several occasions. For this reason he was initially given a pension which was then withdrawn as he recovered. He was awarded the silver war badge which he wore proudly in many photos in the family album.

    After repatriation from Germany, Feb 1919

    Louisa Gingell




    249479

    Pte. John Daniels No 4 Veterinary Hospital Army Veterinary Corps

    John Daniels was attested at Woolwich on 11th August 1915 in the AVC and posted to Woolwich as a Horse Keeper. He was in France from 15th September 1915. On 24th August 1917 he was at No 4 Veterinary Hospital in France. He sustained an injury to the ring and little finger of his right hand. He was accompanying a horse, the charger of Captain W G Green, to the front in a horse truck on a train. Rough shunting at Fontinet caused horse and man to lose their footing and they both fell, causing his injuries. On demobilisation on 14th March 1919 he was transferred to the Z Reserve.

    I have not found where Fontinet is, and where the Veterinary Hospital was.

    Ian Johnson




    249476

    Pte. George Anthony Sharman 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.1st April 1916)

    <p>

    George Sharman served with 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.

    George Sharman




    249467

    Sgt. Walter Hill

    Walter Hill served with the Royal Marines during World War 1 and 2. He enlisted on the 19th of Oct 1914 at Deal and served on the following ships:
    • HMS Dryad 20 June 1915
    • HMS Glory 7 Oct 1918
    • HMS Crescent 28 Jan 1920
    • HMS Coventry 12 May 1920
    • HMS Egmont 16 Aug 1921
    • HMS Cornwall 19 Dec 1933
    He then retired from the Marines with a full pension until WW2, when he re-enlisted on 21st of Aug 1939. During WW2 he was a DEMS gunner on various merchant ships but was killed in action on MV Tasmania as part of convoy SL-125.

    Paul Hill




    249464

    Pte Herbert Musgrove Wilkins 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.12th July 1916)

    Herbert Wilkins was the elder son of Thomas and Rosina Wilkins of 34 Princess Street, Coventry, Warwickshire. He is named on Thiepval Memorial.

    Terrence Wilkins




    249463

    Pte. George Henry White 5th Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.3rd May 1917 )

    George White is the 1st Cousin three times removed of my wife Irene Davies. George was a Private with the 5th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in 42nd Brigade, 14th Division during the Great War. George was born in 1888 in Over Norton, Oxfordshire to Job White and Eva Augustus White (nee Brooks). In July 1889 his brother Jessie Thomas White was also born in Over Norton, Oxfordshire, England. The 1901 Census shows he was 13 years old, living with his parents Job age 40 years and Eva Augusta age 42 years together with his brothers Jessie Thomas age 11 years and John Edwards age 18 years; in the Town of East Adderbury. On the 8th of April 1905 he married Emma Elizabeth Timms at the Parish Church in Deddington, Oxfordshire. He was 18 years old, a bachelor and laborer in Hempton, she was 19 years old and a spinster. Their marriage was officiated by The Reverend Thomas Boniface, vicar of the parish church. The Banns of Marriage were read at the same church on 19 March 1905, 26 March 1905 and 2 April 1905 prior to their marriage. On 1 Oct 1905 their first daughter Elsie Elizabeth White was born at Hampton, Hempton, Deddington, Oxfordshire, England. On 7 Nov 1910 their second daughter Florence Lettie White was also born at Hempton, Deddington, Oxfordshire, England. The 1911 Census shows he was 23 years old, married and living with his wife Emma and their daughters in Hempton, North Deddington. He was a Farm Laborer (Worker) in Hempton, North Deddington, Oxfordshire, England.

    About 1916 he enlisted with 5th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 42nd Brigade, 14th Division at Banbury, Oxfordshire. His army paperwork shows that he was 28 years old, living with his wife Emma Elizabeth and their daughters Elsie Elizabeth and Florence Lettie at Hempton, Deddington, Oxfordshire, England.

    On 3rd of May 1917 he was killed in action at the Battle of Scarpe, during the Arras Offensive. He is commemorated on The Arras Memorial.

    I do have all of the source documents attached to George Henry White's profile in my Davies Family Tree on Ancestry.ca unfortunately I have yet to locate the Attestation document wherein he enlisted with the 5th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Banbury.

    Ray Davies




    249459

    Pte. Henry Chantler Machine Gun Corps

    I’ve been finding out bits and pieces about my Granddad's Military Service. Harry Chantler started out in the Liverpool Regiment then the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and finally the Machine Gun Corps. I only know bits of family history. I know he was shot, got shrapnel in his eye and couldn’t eat greasy food because of effects of gas. He was invalided out at some point and sent to Scotland where he learned how to embroider but he went back.

    He was a very funny, nice and humorous person, always telling jokes and liked to watch boxing matches, always had minty sweets in his pockets for us all when he visited us. He wasn’t very tall, probably about 5”7 something like that.

    In WW2 he was an Air Raid Protection. I’ve some photos of a couple of soldiers, I presume were friends, but I don’t know who they are. None of him in uniform. I don’t know where he fought and I’d like to find out and maybe visit to pay respects. He had a little cry in front of the telly every Armistice Sunday, I think he lost quite a few friends.

    Denise Jones




    249458

    Bmbdr. Walter Harold Hillier 189th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My father, Walter Hillier rarely spoke about the War, apart from three things.
    • 1. He had a hand gun stolen from him and when it was recovered he was asked to identify it which he could do just by the feel of the handle. So there must have been some mark or nick in the butt to make it so obvious.
    • 2. He could remember the name of just one of his horses, Lion, so it must have lasted longer than the others.
    • 3. After each engagement the officers came round with just three questions: How many guns were lost? How many horses were lost? How many men were lost? Always in that order.

    Terry Hillier




    249457

    Gnr. George William Charles Groves 32nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.12th Aug 1917)

    George Groves is buried in Coxhyde Military Cemetery.

    Dee Scott




    249456

    Rfmn. Jacob Franks 2/2nd Btn. London Regiment (d.1st Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Jacob Franks was a regular soldier serving with 3rd Kings Royal Rifle Corps. His service record has been lost (one of the burnt records). However, he is shown on the 1911 census as serving with the KRRC at Shorncliffe, Kent.

    He was married in April 1918 but was killed in Sept 1918 whilst serving with 2/2nd London Regiment and he is commemorated on the CWGC memorial at Vis en Artois in France. It is not known why he was serving with the London Regiment, a battlefield casualty replacement perhaps. Certainly his old Regiment stayed in Salonika till the end of the war so the reason is a mystery.





    249451

    Pte. Arthur Yarranton 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.21st November 1917)

    Arthur Yarranton volunteered at the outbreak of war but did not go to Gallipoli. So he would have started his service in another battalion.

    William Yarranton




    249446

    Gnr. Daniel Gardner 153rd Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.15th September 1918)

    <p>

    Gunner Daniel Gardner died of wounds at the Casualty Clearing Station at Arneke on the 15th of September 1918. He is buried at Arneke British Cemetery. He was serving with A Battery, 153rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Gordon White




    249442

    Pte. Ernest George Welsford 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.24th August 1916)

    Ernest Welsford was one of four members of the Welsford family of Wells. The others were his father, brother and a cousin. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Eric Galvin




    249435

    Pte. Joseph McGarry 1st Battalion Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.19th May 1915)

    Joseph McGarry was born in Liverpool 1886, he attested in March 1903 at the age of 17.

    Joseph is the younger son of my Great Grandfather Patrick McGarry and Sarah Ann Farrell and the younger brother of my grandfather Thomas Patrick McGarry who was lost at sea on the SS Laurentic on the 25th of January 1917 along with 353 other souls.





    249433

    2Lt. Thomas Bennett 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Thomas Bennett was transferred to the 6th Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles and was discharged on the 20th July 1915 after having a fall and damaging his palatopharyngeus tendon.

    Tanya Bennett




    249424

    Cpl. George McLachlan Brown 3rd Battalion

    George Brown was my Scottish born grandfather who was sent to Canada as a Home Child in the 1890's. He enlisted at Valcartier, Quebec on 22nd of September 1914 at the age of 28 with the Queen's Own Rifles, 3rd Canadian Battalion. George sailed to England on 15 October 1914 and was promoted to Lance-Corporal on 6th of November 1914.

    He went to France on 8th of February 1915 and his Canadian military records state that he was subsequently subjected to heavy shell-fire before he experienced a scalp wound at Festubert somewhere between 20th and 24th of May 1915. He was admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital Birmingham on 27th of May 1915 due a shrapnel head wound. According to records he was unconscious in the field for 6 to 8 hours due to the wound. He spent time recovering at Shorncliffe from 20th of August 1915 until he was discharged and declared Fit for Duty to a Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Monk's Horton on 1st of November 1915.

    After this George spent time serving the balance of his time serving in military offices in London until he was demobbed as a Sergeant back to Canada on 4 February 1918, having been given a medical discharge due to traumatic neurasthenia.

    While recovering in London, England in 1916, he married my grandmother and subsequently raised four children in Canada. As a child I never remembered him speaking of his war experiences nor did his children. However in reading his military service records and the details of the Battle of Festubert I am amazed at the courage of the troops who fought this battle, were injured, and yet wanted to return. My grandfather died in the 1960's in a small town in Ontario, Canada yet to this day he lives on in our thoughts and memories, the service he gave, and the inspiration provided. We look at his service record and it entices us to investigate history further and see how we might honour those who fought for freedom and peace. Thank-you Grandpa. I pray that we can honour the sacrifice that you and so many others made. May you and they rest in peace and rise in glory as the poppies blow row on row.





    249406

    Sgt John Alfred Perrett 5th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Alf Perrett served with the 5th Royal Fusiliers.





    249405

    2Lt. Gordon Elijah Tucker 1st/4th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    Gordon Tucker was my father. At the beginning of WW1, he was an organ scholar at Cambridge, but hastened to join up. His CO of 1st/4th Wiltshires was Lord Radnor, who told him to raise a band and write a regimental march, as well as having a platoon. Sent to India, the battalion was in demand because it had a band and a Guards RSM, so was very smart.

    At the end of 1917, they were ordered to join Allenby's Army in Palestine. Lord Radnor was told to leave the band behind as it would not be needed in Palestine. My father pointed out that the band's instruments were Lord Radnor's personal belongings, so he sent the band off without instruments. Without instruments they were no use, so they were sent back to the battalion.

    In Palestine, my father's sergeant was killed at the 3rd Battle of Gaza, and my father was shot through the mouth. He next went with the battalion through the Battle of Megiddo. After the Turkish defeat, my father had to change the band into an entertainment party. My father took many photos of his time in India and Palestine, and I gave them to the Wardrobe Museum in Salisbury. I believe they are still there.

    T.J.F. Tucker




    249403

    Sgt. Arthur Sims MM. 180th Tunnelling Coy. (d.15th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Sims, my great uncle, was killed on 15th of November 1918 whilst clearing mines and booby traps in Epehy, France. He died along with 7 others, Lance Cpl. James Price, 2nd Lieut. P. Barclay, Lt H. Mellish, C. Caines, A. Wilson, Pte. A. Hancock and E.W. Wilber M.M. They are all buried in Templeux-le-Guerard Cemetery.

    Valerie Taylor




    249400

    Pte. Alfred Darrington 2/5th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    <p>Alfred Darrington by kind permission of Roger Bygraves.

    Alfred Darrington was born in Roxton, Bedfordshire to George and Hannah Darrington on 8 March 1897. He started at Roxton School on 23rd April 1900 and gained his Exemption Certificate on 18 October 1910. In the 1911 census he is working as a farm labourer and on 29th March 1912 he left Liverpool on the Virginian with his brothers George and Peter for Canada. They all returned on 31st October 1913 on hearing that land had been obtained by the Small Holding Society.

    Alfred volunteered on 11th of September 1914 into the 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment and was promoted to Lance Corporal. He was sent out to France in 1915 and whilst overseas transferred to the 2/5th Gloucestershire Regiment.

    He died on the 22nd of November 1917 in France and is remembered on the Arras Memorial in France, and on Roxton War Memorial in School Lane, Roxton, Bedfordshire.

    Roxton War Memorial

    Maria Screen




    249399

    Pte. Thomas James Mallinson Longmoor 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.29th April 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Longmoor served with 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    Eloise Mitchell




    249397

    Pte. William Henry Smart 11th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather William Smart is a World One soldier from Hull. He fought in the lesser known campaigns of the War. The Macedonian Campaign in Greece 1916-1917 and in the North Russian Intervention in 1918-1919 before being finally demobbed in September 1919 nearly a year after the Western Front Armistice. This is his story. The story is cobbled together from desk research, online records and my mother’s memories

    William Henry Smart was born 1895 in Hull. At the start of the hostilities in 1914 William was working as a groom and joined up in May 1915, just before his 20th birthday, joining the East Riding Yeomanry. His training took place on the Beverley Westwood and he was transferred into the 2nd Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment becoming a lance corporal in August 1916.

    The 2nd battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment was in India at the start of the war but returned to serve with gallantry in France at the Battles of Loos and Ypres in 1915 as part of the 28th Division. At the end of 1915 it was shipped, firstly to Alexandria in Egypt and then to Salonika, Greece at the start of 1916. My grandfather set sail from Davenport in September 1916 and arrived in Salonika in October where he was almost immediately transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment.

    The Regiment took part in the Macedonian Campaign. After preparing the port of Salonika for defence, the troops moved up country to Lake Dorian and The Struma Valley. Whilst the lines were steady and little fighting took place, the conditions, however, were terrible. Boiling hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. Malaria proved to be a serious drain on manpower during the campaign. In total the British forces suffered 162,517 cases of the disease and in total 505,024 non-battle casualties.

    William Smart was one of these statistics and he was hospitalised firstly with malaria and then a serious ear infection and anemia. He was finally invalided, to be sent, home in late November 1917. He set sail from Itea in Southern Greece, arriving in England in March 1918. Although he stated on his record he was past fit to service in France or Italy. He made it back to Hull and in on 12th of September 1918 he married my grandmother Catherine Witty.

    If he thought his war was over he had to think again! In July he was posted to the 13th Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment and transferred once more into the 11th Battalion East Sussex in September 1918 for one more final adventure.

    On 18th of September 1918, as part of the 236th Brigade, he set sail from Leith to Murmansk, for Northern Russian Expedition. This was part of the Allied Intervention in Russia after the October Revolution. The intervention brought about the involvement of nearly 30,000 Allied troops in the Russian Civil War on the side of the White movement. While the movement was ultimately defeated, the Allied forces fought notable ending defensive actions against the Bolsheviks in the battles of Bolshie Ozerki, allowing them to withdraw from Russia in good order. The campaign actually lasted from 1918, during the final months of World War I, to 1920. My grandfather survived the campaign returning on the SS Toloa, landing back in the UK on 26th August and was finally demobbed on on 4th September 1919.

    He lived until 1974, having two sons, one of whom, Roy Smart, served in WW2 and is also a D-Day veteran and twin daughters, Margaret and Patricia, who is my mum.

    Jonathan Leafe




    249391

    Lizzie Hall "Bessie" Fenwick

    Lizzie Fenwick, known as Bessie was the daughter of William and Annie Maria born in Stanhope Co Durham on 15th of Feb 1894 She served as a VAD nurse from 1915 to 1919 at Shotley House and also at Etherley House.

    Kathleen Gill




    249389

    Pte. Walter N Gillies MM. 5th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.19th July 1918)

    All we are able to find out about Walter Gillies is that he was a runner when he died. Buried at Meteren Military Cemetery





    249388

    2Lt. Thomas George Grandon Heenan 4th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st March 1918)

    Born in Belfast, Ireland in 1892, Thomas Heenan was the son of William Patrick Heenan, a civil servant with the Board of Trade, and his wife Kathleen Mary (nee Grandon). Thomas was working as a journalist in Belfast at the time of the 1911 census but was then admitted to the Civil Service and followed his father into the Board of Trade.

    In June 1915 he was commissioned as a temporary Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion and attached to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He served in France until his death on the Somme during the Second Somme Offensive. This is officially recorded as 21st of March 1918 but is not a definitive date since he had been reported missing and this is date when it seems the Army determined he could not be located and was presumed dead. According to Army records he was 23 years old.

    The day of his death was marked by a heavy and sustained attack by the German forces. At the end of an assault lasting five hours which involved gas and explosives, the 1st Batallion of the Fusiliers retreated. Six hundred soldiers were missing, leaving the battalion with only five officers and ninety men.

    He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France. He was awarded posthumously the British Medal and the Victory Medal. His parents were living at 42 Derwent Road, Stoneycroft, Liverpool at the time of his death. The family subsequently returned to Ireland where William Heenan died in County Cork in October 1932 and his wife Kathleen a few months later, in December 1932. They had no living children.

    Karen Heenan-Davies




    249387

    LAC. Frank Henry Joseph Hirons 73 Squadron

    <p>

    Frank Hirons served with 73 Squadron in the RFC and RAF.

    Mike Hirons




    249385

    George Frederick Linton 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.22nd August 1917)

    George Linton died in action fighting in Flanders. He is buried Perth Cemetery, Belgium.





    249384

    Pte. Horace Hord 1st Battalion, C Coy. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.12th April 1918)

    <p>

    Horace Hord is my husband's great, grand uncle, the brother of his great grandmother Frances Hord Howorth. Horace was born near Bacup, Lancashire, England in about 1897. Frances' husband, James Howorth, also served in WWI, we believe in the Royal Flying Corps.

    Mary Howorth




    249382

    Pte. Philip Wilkinson 23rd Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.20th July 1916)

    He is the only Philip Wilkinson on the Thiepval Memorial, I am named after my deceased great uncle.

    Phil




    249379

    Margaret Williams

    Margaret Williams was a nurse from Runcorn, who started her nursing career at the Vicarage Auxiliary Hospital in Highlands Road, Runcorn. She then moved on to volunteer at the Town Hall Auxiliary Hospital, in Wallasey, Cheshire. She went on to nurse at the London General Hospital, in Chelsea.

    Peter Blackmore




    249357

    Rfmn. Albert George Oliver 20th (Blackheath and Woolwich) Battalion London Regiment

    Albert Oliver was taken PoW on 28th of March 1918 at Oppy Wood. He was sent to Parchim POW camp. I am told by family that he made a couple of attempts to escape but was shot and wounded in the leg and so spent the rest of the war as a prisoner. He passed peacefully away in 1974 aged 79.

    Ron Oliver




    249356

    Gnr. Frank Mead 98th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Frank Mead was in France for 5 months, Aug to Nov 1916. He was discharged with Trench Fever. Born in Tring, Hertfordshire, his Next of Kin was Mrs Lucy Chantry from Esquimalt, Canada.

    Paul Humphriss




    249354

    L/Cpl. Richard Paton 10th Battalion (d.27th September 1915)

    We have no photos of Richard Paton and would like to have a photo to remember him by.





    249353

    Pte. Guy Simons 1st/8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.19th September 1916)

    Guy Simons was the second son of Emily and Alfred Simons of Prittlewell, Essex. He enlisted on the 24th of March 1916, aged 18. He is listed as a Furniture Assistant and was 5ft 7 1/2". He is recorded as killed in action on the 19th of September 1916. His Brigade was in the area of Leuze Wood and Bouleaux Wood and 245 Other Ranks died between 15th and 18th of September 1916.

    He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. I am a proud sprig on his family tree

    Angela Lloyd-Roberts




    249344

    Pte. Foster James Trainor 3rd Battalion, D Company Connaught Rangers

    My great uncle, Foster Trainor, an American citizen, born in Plattsburgh, NY and lived in Schenectady, New York, joined the Connaught Rangers in 1914 at 19 years old. He was in the 3rd Battalion, D Company. He signed up in St. Pancras, London and discharged as a Private in Kinsale, Ireland.

    Mark Alexander Trainor




    249342

    L/Cpl. Arthur Moss 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.23rd October 1916)

    <p>

    One of my great Uncles was Arthur Moss, son of John and Hannah Moss of Buxton. Arthur was born in 1891 when the family lived at Burbage (a suburb of Buxton, Derbyshire).

    In 1914, Lord Kitchener first appealed to the men of Britain to enlist for the Great war. At Derby on 17th September, 1914, the 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters was formed, consisting mainly of miners from the Derby and Nottingham region. It was with this regiment that Arthur Moss enlisted. Two years later, now ranked Lance Corporal, Arthur Moss found himself at The Battle of The Somme.

    From what I can gather, Arthur was involved in the Battle of Transloy, at Le Sars, the third and final push of the Sherwood Foresters, and it was here he became badly wounded. On returning to England he was transferred to The Military Hospital in Glasgow (Red Cross, Bellahouston). On Monday, October 23rd, news was received that Arthur had died of his wounds, aged 26. He was buried in Burbage Churchyard on Thursday 26th October 1916.

    Arthur's Gravestone

    Adrian Moss




    249339

    Pte. Edward Weldon 11th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Edward Weldon was born in 1894, with no birth records, his mother was Mary Ellen Wilden and she later married a gentleman named Arthur Elsmore. As the story goes Edward didn't enjoy his life as an Elsmore and when he joined the armed services it was under the name Edward Weldon.

    He enlisted on 1st of September 1914. As records show he was in the 11th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. He served in France where, as the stories from his children say, he'd been gassed, bayoneted and shot in the leg during his service and was discharged wounded on the 16th of August 1917 following the shot through the back of his lower leg.

    By all accounts he was a big powerful strong man who never talked about his time in the war and battles he'd been in. And typical of the man when WW2 came he became a warden still doing his bit. I never had the chance to meet my grandfather as he died before I was born. Having started to trace the family tree I have specifically been drawn towards his life. So sad I never got to meet this man but am tracing is army life with the aid of records, diaries and books.

    Tony Holland




    249333

    L/Cpl. Charles Samuel Barber 10th Battalion Gloucester Regiment (d.13th October 1915)

    We know very little about Charles Samuel Barber. He was an apprenticed butcher before he volunteered. My great grandparents were told that as an MP he was on duty at a crossroads when he was killed. We know nothing more.





    249329

    Gnr. Frank Sprot Tait Smith 17th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Frank Smith is my Grandfather and we lived in the same house for most of my youth. I cannot remember him ever speaking of his life in the army. In fact he spoke very little within the home as I recall.

    Ian Gardner




    249320

    Herbert Gast

    My grandfather, Herbert Gast would not talk about those times. He started his career in the Merchant Navy as did his predecessors. In Scotland and Devonport. This is as much as I know, he received an award from Lord and Lady Newlands, a silver matchbox holder in 1914.

    Catherine M Beer




    249317

    Pte. William O'Brien 7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

    William O'Brien was born and raised in Tipperary Town and enlisted in May 1915 whilst the 49th Brigade were stationed at the town barracks. He was assigned to the 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers, a part of the 16th Irish Division. After initial training they embarked for England and were stationed at Pirbright in Surrey for more training whilst waiting to be posted overseas. They were sent to the Ypres sector in early 1916 and were holding trenches at Hulluch where they and several other Irish battalions were gassed during Easter Week 1916.

    William saw some of the worst fighting on the Somme in September that year at Combles, Guillemont and Ginchy. After heavy losses the 7th Battalion was amalgamated with the 8th to form the 7th/8th. William continued to serve with them throughout 1917 serving at Passchendaele and Cambrai until the Battalion was disbanded in early 1918 and he transferred to 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers. He saw out the war with them eventually being discharged as medically unfit in June 1919.

    He was given the Silver War Badge, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He was proud of his war service but it must have been difficult in the post war years as the local area was heavily involved in the War of Independence against Crown forces. All of William's sons went on to serve in either the Irish or British army including my grandfather and his youngest son Patrick was killed in action in Germany in April 1945.

    William worked as a jarvey and died in Tipperary Town in the early 1950s and is buried in St Mary's Churchyard.

    James Massey




    249316

    Pte. Thomas Henry Watson 29th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Thomas Watson was born 1888 in Chelsea. He enlisted 1915 with 29th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He was living at 64 Cromwell Road, West Croydon, Surrey and was married to Nellie Wright At the time of his enlistment a son Thomas, a daughter Alice, 2rd son Robert. It is believed that he served in 4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusillers. Not much is known about my grandfather.





    249313

    Pte. Robert Young 53rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    My great grandfather Robert Young was a prisoner of war at Stendal, he was captured on the 21st of March 1918 at Alancourt.

    Pam Swanson




    249310

    Pte. Frank Hooper 7th Btn North Staffordshire Regiment (d.19th April 1916)

    Frank Hooper was my great uncle (my father's uncle). He was one of seven sons who served in the British Army in WW1. One other was killed at the 3rd Battle of Ypres, the other five survived. I do not have a photo of him sadly.

    Patricia Maguire




    249306

    AbleSea. George Phillips Hood Battalion (d.18th November 1918)

    George Phillips was born in 1898 in the small village of Criggion on the Montgomery Shropshire border. His parents were Lewis, a wheelwright, and Ann. Lewis and Ann had 5 children. Two girls and 3 boys. George was the youngest of the brothers and the third to die in the war.





    249297

    Pte. Samuel Page 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.18th Feb 1915)

    <p>

    When Samuel Page was born in January 1880 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, his father, Samuel, was 26 and his mother, Maria, was 29. He married Louisa Ellen Tanser in January 1911 in Blaby, Leicestershire. They had one child during their marriage. He died on 18 February 1915 at the age of 35, and was buried in Mouscron, Belgium. He served 15 years (11 of them in India).

    Wesley Hopkins




    249296

    Lt. George Leonard Bryars 11 Squadron (d.16th September 1918)

    George Bryars was a 19 years old Mexborough lad, son of a boot and shoe merchant. Killed in action only eight days after entering the fray. Hew as an Observer with 11 Squadron.

    Andrew Pickering




    249294

    Pte. Frank William Martin 9th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.16th October 1918)

    Frank Martin was my great uncle whom we knew nothing about until doing research on my grandfather. We found his name on the Roll of Honour for men from London who had served during the War. That was when I began my search to find as much information about him as I could.

    He was killed on 16th of October 1918, which was a very bad day for the East Surreys, at a village called Haussy, in the Nord region, where he is buried in the communal cemetery along with seventeen others several who died on the same day. Unfortunately, I have no photo of Frank so if any one has any photos I would dearly love to see them. I am planning to revisit his grave and all the other lads in the centenary to pay my respects, if anyone else has a relative they would like me to visit it would be lovely to see you there.

    Susan Mead




    249293

    Pte. Michael Donnelly 5ht Btn. Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.15th August 1915)

    Michael Donnelly had never been further from home than Glasgow. He was sent to Gallipoli in Turkey where he died aged 19





    249289

    Pte. James Arthur Crosby Lincolnshire Regiment

    My great grandfather Arthur Crosby born Nov 1885 in Stratford, Essex, died Sept 1968 in Braintree, Essex. I have been researching our family tree and found Arthur’s medal rolls index card showing that he was in the Lincolnshire Regiment during the Great War. I’ve tried to find military records of him elsewhere online but have struggled, I read that the Labour Corps records were destroyed in a fire so maybe there are no other records of him.

    I know the Silver Ward Badge was awarded to people injured and sent home but would love to know where he was sent (if anywhere) and what his injury was. He married my great grandmother in 1915, had his first child in 1917 and second in 1919 so was obviously in England during the war years, maybe only 1914 he was away. I’d appreciate any help with finding info about Arthur.

    Nichola Ward




    249286

    Sergeant Francis John Roberts 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment

    <p>Sergeants mess

    Francis Roberts born Plymouth Devon, May 1894 served with the 9th Devonshire Regiment 1914-1918 and the Home Guard 2nd of November 1942 to 31st December 1944 5th Btn Cornwall (St Austell).

    Signallers 9th Devonshire

    Francis Roberts




    249285

    2Lt. John Brewster 34 Squadron

    <p>

    Jack Brewster served with 14 Wing in 34 Squadron.

    Leslie Nurden




    249284

    Pte. Luther Napoleon "Pole" Hagler 330th Infantry Regiment, Co. K

    <p>

    Luther Hagler served with 330th Infantry Regiment, Co. K.

    Rita Allen




    249279

    Gnr. Bernard Dudley Bailey 23rd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.20th July 1917)

    <p>

    Bernard Bailey was a postman in the town of Hythe, Kent when the War started. He entered military service in April 1916. He had been serving in the R.G.A with the British Expeditionary Force for some months before being called to fight for King and Country.

    July 1917, Bernard was a Medical Orderly in the battery and was affected by gas in attending to two men who were wounded by a gas shell. He was admitted to hospital, 37th Casualty Clearing Station in France. On the 20th July Germans bombed the hospital, killing Bernard Bailey, Sister Elise Margaret Kemp and 5 others.

    Bernard left behind his wife and 2 year old son, he is buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, France. I am so proud to call this man my Great Granddad.

    Christina Bailey




    249275

    Pte. Sydney John Murray 6th Btn. Essex Regiment

    My maternal grandad's brother, Sydney Murray, enlisted in the 6th Battalion, Essex Regiment 3rd November 1914 at West Ham, London. He embarked from Devonport to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 24th of July 1915. He was wounded, Bullet-Knee (L) at Gallipoli 13th of August 1915. He was Invalided to England admitted 4th Southern Hospital, Plymouth 3rd of September 1915. He was Discharged no longer physically fit for war service 27th of October 1916. He was one of the lucky ones, who returned home after a very short Service

    John Mills




    249271

    Herbert Mills Sgt. Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Herbert Mills served with the Yorkshire Regiment.

    John Mills




    249267

    Pte. Thomas "Pops" Munro MM. 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>Ypres April 1915

    Thomas Munro, began the war with 3rd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was drafted into the 1st Battalion in December 1914 He reached the Western Front in January 1915 and fought at 2nd Battle of Ypres with 1st Battalion and saw Colin Mitchell, Sr in action then with the Highland Light Infantry. Mitchell won a battlefield commission to captain with Argylls and his first MC (Mitchell would win 2 in WW1)

    Thomas served at Salonika and the Struma Valley from 1916 to 1918 and after the Armistice was stationed at Constantinople.

    I have several photos from 1914, 1915, 1917 and 1919. Later he emigrated to America and became a naturalized US citizen. During 1937-1945 he worked in ship construction (naval ships and liberty ships). He retired from Bethlehem Steel in the 1950's. I knew him as boy and my father, uncle and older cousins knew him very well

    Constantinople 1919

    Richard Munro




    249266

    Sister Sylvia Daisy Brown No 2 Military Hospital, York

    Sylvia Brown undertook her pre-France Home Hospital orientation at No 2 Military Hospital, in York.

    Gratwick




    249265

    A/Bmbdr. Harry Freeman 248th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.12th October 1917)

    Harry Freeman was killed in action at the First Battle of Passchendaele, age 40, just 16 days before his daughter, my grandmother, was born. Harry’s friend, Charlie Tree, later married his widow, Lily, keeping a promise to look after her and his 13 children that he would do so if he was killed. Originally buried at Pill Box Cemetery, Harry was later exhumed to be buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery

    Shelley




    249264

    Pte. Bertie William Webster 11th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Although Bertie Webster died in 1984 I never knew him due to family skeletons in the cupboard but despite this I was the proud recipient of his medals in the late 1970's and have kept these ever since framed with what photos I have of him. I only know what I have learnt from his service records from Ancestry. So I know he was posted to Salonika in 1917 aboard the Caledonia and his start in army life was as a reserve in the Kings Own Norfolk Royal Regiment Yeomanry in 1915.

    Mark Webster




    249257

    Rfmn. Arthur Eldon Bilbrough 1st/28th (Artists Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.30th October 1917)

    I’m afraid we know little about Arthur Bilbrough as he has no living descendants, but would love to find out more about him, as my wife is a distant relation.

    Keith Farrell




    249250

    Pte. Charles Stewart 5th Battalion (d.29 Sep 1918 )

    Here is some information I located on one of my ancestors who was a member of the 5th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders (Queens Own) during World War I
    • Charles Stewart (1896 - 1918)
    • Birth, about 1896 Charles Stewart was born at Mochrum, Wigtownshire, Scotland.
    • His sister, Mary Lizzie Stewart(1898– ????), was born in 1898 at Mochrum, Wigtownshire, Scotland.
    • His sister, Roberta Calder Stewart(1900–1977), was born 1900 at Mochrum, Wigtownshire, Scotland.
    • On 31 Mar 1901 at Age 5 Charles Stewart was living with his parents Robert Stewart Age 32 & Christina Stewart Age 33 & his siblings Alexander (Alex) Stewart Age 7, Mary Lizzie Stewart Age 3 & Roberta Stewart Age 1 at Little Druhtay, Mochrum, Wigtownshire, Scotland.
    • Military: About 1916 Charles Stewart, Age 18 enlisted with the 5th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders (Queens Own). We believe it was at Port William, Wigtownshire, Scotland.
    • Military Service Number: About 1916 Charles Stewart's Military Service Number was S/2224 with the 5th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders (Queens Own).
    • Death: It is our understanding, Charles Stewart, Age 22, Private, 5th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders (Queens Own) was killed in action on 29 September 1918 at either the Somme, the Battles of the Lys or The Final Advance in Flanders.
    • Burial: It is our understanding, Charles Stewart, Age 22 was buried in 1918 at the Military Cemetery, Belgium, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium - Age: 22; Private, S/2224, 5th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders; Passed away at the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station at Grevillers of wounds encountered on battlefield.
    Buried, Plot III, C. 30, Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery which is located 18 Km from Leper Town Centre on a road leading from the N308 connecting Leper to Poperinge & on to Roesbrugge. Data regarding his burial at the Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery was previously secured from the UK, Commonwealth War Graves 1914-1921 and 1939-1947 however when I visit the Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery website I have yet to locate his burial. Sources: Ancestry Sources 1901 Scotland Census Ancestry Family Trees UK, Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947 Parents: Robert Calder Stewart (1868–1946) Christina McClymont (1867–????) I trust you will find this helpful. Any questions or concerns, please get in touch. Ray Davies Markham, Ontario, Canada H: 905 471 3609 C: 416 605 7949 E: raymonddavies@bell.net

    Ray Davies




    249248

    AM. Sam Barrett 27 Squadron

    Sam Barrett was my grandfather. He was employed by the Post Office when war broke out in 1914, working on the telegraph. The Post Office and attached union actively encouraged their workers to join up; it even had its own battalion, the Post Office Rifles. This could partly explain why Sam enlisted on 27th October 1915 at the very tender age of 17, just days after his birthday. Sam, who at that age wasn't officially allowed to fight, joined the Royal Flying Corps as a wireless operator, PO telegraphers often became wireless operators in WW1. He was duly assigned to 27 Squadron, The Flying Elephants.

    It is likely that he attended wireless operator training in Regent Street, London during the winter of 1915 and he was posted to France in March 1916 to join his squadron. From March to May 1916, 27 Squadron was attached to the First Army and undertook a number of patrols and photography exercises from Armentieres to Souchez and air combat over Vimy Ridge.

    In June 1916, 27 Squadron was assigned to GHQ and over the coming months was involved in reconnaissance flights, attacks on enemy observation balloons and various bombing raids. After some 7 months in France, in October 1916, Sam was transferred to 3 Wing HQ. His transfer took place at a time when advances were being made in wireless technology and wireless operations were centralised. In the ensuing months, 3 Wing was made up of a number of different squadrons so it is difficult to identify Sam's exact movements and activities for the remainder of his time in France.

    I do know he was injured the following September and hospitalised for a few days. Happily, Sam survived the war, returning home in February 1919. He went back to work in the Post Office and married my grandmother Sylvia in 1921. He died in 1972 when I was 12.

    I remember Sam well, he was a loving and generous grandfather. He spoke very little of the war; only once mentioning the trenches. And as a wireless operator he would have had to run a terrifying gauntlet between batteries and must have experienced a multitude of horrors. He didn't even tell us which squadron he joined, all the above I have found from his service record and other sources. Our wireless operators were an integral part of the war effort. Like so many others, Sam was a very brave young man and I am so proud of him.

    Suzanne Morris




    249247

    L/Cpl. John George Woodcock 17th Battalion Rifle Brigade

    My father, Jack Woodcock, joined the 17th Battalion, Rifle Brigade aged 19 in 1916. He served in France and was wounded, at one time posted missing, believed killed. He managed to return to the line and was hospitalized in Plympton, Devon. He then returned to France. At some time he learned to speak French and I was able to converse in French with him when I was learning the language at school, much to my mother's confusion! He also bought a violin and became quite an accomplished player, he was asked at one time to join an orchestra but did not follow it up.

    He survived the war and was discharged on 1st September 1919. He later married, having two daughters, 16 years apart. He never discussed his experiences with either of us, any information we gleaned was from his younger sister, our aunt, who I believe was his confidant.

    Anne Davis




    249243

    Pte William Rostron Whittaker MM & Bar. 1/24th Btn. London Regiment

    William Whittaker enlisted in the 12th Battalion, Notts & Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) on the 8th of Dec 1914, he was aged 20. On the 29th of Aug 1915 he was posted to France. On the 26th of Aug 1918 William transferred to 1/24th Battalion London Regiment and during the action at St Pierre Vaast Wood on 1st to 3rd of Sept 1918, he was awarded a bard to his Military Medal which had been awarded in May or Jun 1918.

    Stephen Jones




    249240

    Pte. Joseph S. Croser 7th Battalion Border Regiment (d.25th March 1918)

    Joseph Croser is a distant relative, he is buried in the Arras Memorial Cemetery in France

    Paul Croser




    249238

    Pte. Fred Jenkins 9th Battalion Welch Regiment (d.4th November 1918)

    <p>

    Fred Jenkins is buried in Cross Roads Cemetery, Fontaine-Au-Bois.

    Lynn Waters




    249230

    Alfred J. Baker 1st Btn Somerset Light Infantry (d.14th April 1918)

    Alfred Baker is commemorated on a plaque in the Church of St Thomas a Beckett in Lydlinch Dorset along with his brother Alick Luthor Baker who died in Greece on 25th of October 1918. Alick was serving with the 9th Btn Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment.

    John Barretty




    249229

    Pte. Clifford Edward Shenton 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    I believe that Clifford Shenton was only 15 when he joined up, born in 1899, he returned to Liverpool minus his right leg.

    Alan Hayes




    249228

    Gdsman William Dignan 1st Grenadier Guards (d.27th Sept 1918)

    William Dignan was born in County Mayo, Ireland on 28th March 1890, the 4th of 7 children born to James and Winifred nee Durr. By 1911 he was living in Liverpool, having joined the Liverpool City Police, and was living with his cousin, Michael Carty, who was also a Liverpool police officer.

    William enlisted in the Grenadiers following the outbreak of war and served in France. On 27th September 1918 he was killed in action. His body was never identified and he is remembered on the Vis-en-artois memorial.

    Bill Sergeant




    249222

    Sgt. Edward Love Ashby 11th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.1st August 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Ashby served with 11th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment.

    Anthony Ashby




    249221

    2ndBoy. Leonard Arthur Truscott HMS Edgar

    Leonard Truscott served from 1913 to 1922 when was invalided out whilst in the RN Hospital Plymouth. He served on 8 ships during the 1st World War. He was my 2nd cousin 2x removed.

    Ray Williams




    249218

    Pte. Joshua Vincent 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.7th August 1917)

    Joshua Vincent was my grandad's uncle.

    Kimberley Wall




    249211

    Pte. William James Quigley 13th Battalion (d.8th April 1917)

    William Quigley served with 13th Royal Welsh Fusilliers. The only thing I know is that he was attached to the 254th Tunnelling Company. He was married to Catherine Quigley (nee Ward) of Bradley, Derbighshire. His son, Albert James Quigley, was MPK on the HMS Glorious on the 8th June 1940 when it sunk. He was a first class stoker in the Royal Navy





    249209

    Sgt. William Wolstenholme MM & Bar. 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My grandfather, William Wolstenholme served with 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. I have his campaign medals, Victory, British War Medal and 1914/15 Star and his Military Medal and Bar with Certificates.

    William was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, 22 October 1886. His parents were Robert, a Cotton Mill worker and Phoebe nee Edmundson. They produced twelve children, five died in infancy. William was the second of their surviving children. He had an older sister, two younger brothers and three younger sisters. When he left school, aged 14, he started work in a cotton mill progressing to weaver. When he was 16years 4months (3 February 1903) he joined the 6th Battalion Manchester Militia in Darwen, saying he was a year older. He had 49 days drill on enlistment. On 6th October 1903, again in Darwen, he was attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery. Four days later he transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was aged 16years 11 months; but said he was 18 years 1 month. He served for three years with The Colours then was transferred to The Reserve (5th October 1906). He returned to Blackburn and mill work. He married Jane Neville 7 May 1910.

    When war was declared they had two children and William was mobilised 5 August 1914 as a Private; ‘You are hereby required to join the Royal Scots Fusiliers at Ayr on 5th of Aug 1914’.

    The Battalion first arrived on the Western Front in October 1914. William joined them there as a Corporal 26th of July 1915. Promoted Sergeant 4th of September 1915. Awarded the Military Medal for ‘Gallant and Distinguished Conduct 31st of July 1917 at Ypres’. He stormed an enemy position with 8 men, took 50 prisoners & 2 machine guns (Blackburn Newspaper report – this report also said He had been wounded earlier in the War). The War Diary 31st of July 1917 records, 6.30am. C Coy captured 2 M. Guns and 50 prisoners at Railway Embankment off Menin Road.

    My Grandfather obviously had leave to the UK around Christmas, New Year 1917/18. A son, James Neville Wolstenholme was born in September 1918. He was killed by a Japanese Booby-Trap in January 1945 (Serjeant, 3858344, 2nd RECCE Reg't. R.A.C.)

    William was awarded the Bar to the Military Medal for Gallant and Distinguished Conduct in Action 21st to 28th of March 1918.

    He was de-mobilised 12th March 1919. My father, Bill was born in July 1920, exactly 3 years to the day his father gained his first Military Medal. William in March 1957. After leaving the Army he and my Grandmother started a bakery business for a while. He later became a Baptist Minister. He was also a motor-bike enthusiast. I was only four years old when my grandfather died but feel very privileged to have inherited his WW1 papers and medals etc., I now research War Memorials in my adopted County, Norfolk.

    Cynthia Budd




    249205

    Pte. Charles Roland James Baxter 8th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    Charles Baxter was born in Offord Cluny, Huntingdonshire in 1890. The only son of Benjamin Robert Baxter & his wife Alice (nee Fensome) who married at Offord Cluny in 1882. He had 5 sisters, Grace, Winifred, Elsie, Ruby & Dorothy and the family moved to Loughborough c1892.

    Having previously served with the Leicestershire Yeomanry, Charles re-enlisted at Loughborough on 3rd of September 1914 and was posted to the 8th Service Battalion. He was destined to become a stretcher bearer, one of only 16 per Battalion. They were unarmed and called to the most dangerous places, where casualties had already taken place.

    On 25th of September 1916 Charles was admitted to No 64 Field Ambulance with debitity and a leg injury. He rejoined his battalion on 30th of September. Charles was subsequently killed in action on 22nd of March 1918 near Epehy during the German Spring Offensive. Charles is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial. He is also remembered on the memorial in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough and on the Loughborough Carillon.

    Jane Welsh




    249203

    Thomas Buzzard 2nd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd May 1915)

    Thomas Buzzard was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.





    249197

    Lt. John "Jock" Hall 9th (Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry

    <p>

    John Hall enrolled in the 9th (Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, volunteer battalion, Territorial Force on 6th of April, 1908.

    John enrolled for service in WWI on 5th of August 1914. He was commissioned acting sergeant in the Highland Light Infantry on 9th November, 1915. He was commissioned temporary 2nd Lieutenant in the Motor machine Gun Service on 10th of November, 1916. He was later appointed temporary Lieutenant on 11th May, 1917. On 28 July, 2017, he was transferred to the newly formed tank corps. John relinquished is commission on account of ill health caused by wounds received in action during a tank battle. He lost hearing in one ear as part of his wounds. He retained the rank of Lieutenant when he was decommissioned from the Army on 18th of January, 1919.

    John received the following medals for his wartime services, 1914-15 Star: British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Silver War Badge for his services in WWI He received the Africa Service medal and the War Medal 1939/1945 for his services in WWII.

    Lindsay Hague




    249195

    Pte. George Leonard Carter 14th (Swansea) Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.12th July 1916)

    <p>

    George Carter was from Gorefield near Wisbech in the Cambridgeshire Fens.

    Peter Thatcher




    249190

    Gnr. Thomas Arthur 151st Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My grandfather Thomas Arthur, known as Tom, was born on 5th October 1889 and lived in Stirling, Scotland. At the age of 18 he fulfilled a personal ambition of joining the Scots Guards and served initially as a private and then as a Lance Corporal in the 1st Battalion. Unfortunately, due to family circumstances, he had to leave in March 1910.

    We believe he volunteered at the outbreak of WW1 and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery 151st Heavy Battery IV Corps, seeing service in France, including at Ypres. He enjoyed some leave with friends at Whitesands Bay in August 1917 and again in May 1918 when he married his first wife. In September 1918 Tom was gassed and went through No 59 Casualty Clearing Station to No 22 Ambulance Train for return home.

    I do not remember my grandfather ever speaking about his experiences in WW1 though my mother remembers him saying that it was a terrible experience and that his skin suffered long-lasting effects from the gas. We are very glad that he survived to raise a family of three children, and fifteen grand-children. He died in 1974.

    Tom marrying Kate on 6th May 1918

    Frances Murray




    249189

    Gnr. Edward George Forsdike 86th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd October 1916)

    Edward Forsdike died as a prisoner of war in Tarsus.

    Catherine Forsdike




    249184

    Pte. George Edward Cracknell 7th Battalion London Regiment (d.18th October 1918)

    <p>

    George Cracknell was from Wanstead. He's buried in the cemetery of Saint Mary the Virgin church. He died the 18th October 1918 age 18 in Mons-en-Pévèle, a commune in the Nord department in northern France, probably after being wounded in combat by German fire the 13th October.

    History of the 7th City of London Battalion, The London Regiment states, ..orders came to push forward, and patrols advanced through a wood about 150 yards to Courrierres. Sergt. H. Lydiart, M.M., and his patrol were fired at by machine-guns and a sniper, the position of the enemy was checked and reported back to Lieut. E.W. Pinnock, M.C. The Germans were shelling the village, and all the men could do was to dig in. B Company's H.Q. in a cellar was shelled very heavily, and they moved toute de suite. No sooner had they done so when enemy shells scored direct hits-a lucky escape. A Company had one man killed and half-a-dozen wounded, one of whom was Sergt. E. Wharram.

    Quem di diligunt adulescens moritur

    Oliverio




    249175

    Pte. Daniel Saunders 3rd Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    Daniel Saunders was my great grandfather who served from 5th of May 1915 to being medically discharged on 12th of October 1918. He served mainly in Gibraltar. He died in 1934 at the age of 56. I have two postcards he sent home.

    Card Insert

    Script on rear

    Card to sisters

    Rear of card to sisters

    David Aston




    249174

    Pte. Henry Dickinson 10th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment

    Henry Dickinson was my gran's dad. She never met him nor has seen a photo of him. I am trying to trace his life story.

    Matthew Driver




    249167

    Frank Lankshear 6 Squadron (d.21st August 1917)

    Frank Lankshear served with the Army Ordinance Corps and No.6 Squadron, RFC.

    Beryl Chandler




    249162

    Pte. John Ratcliffe 75th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.8th Sep 1917)

    John Ratcliffe died in France of gunshot wound to the head after 3 days. He was 27 years old, leaving a wife and unborn baby, Doris.

    Jeff Adams




    249157

    Lt. Arthur Martyn "Hoppy" Hopkins 11th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.29th March 1918)

    Dear Mr & Mrs Hopkins,

    Kindly excuse me taking the liberty of writing you, but I feel as I must, as I was Mr. Hopkins' servant. May I express my deepest sympathy of the sad news of the death of your son, which occurred on Good Friday afternoon. He was keeping the hearts of his men up wonderfully and we were in a very hot corner when he got the fatal blow. We think it was by a sniper. It might ease your sorrow to know that he suffered no pain, death was instant. I had been his servant since last August and we had been together in many a warm corner since then and we were only congratulations ourselves the day before on the luck we had had, for we were all through that terrible Cambrian fight which started on the 30th November and we were not touched.

    Mr Hopkins did splendid work there and though only a junior officer then, when nearly all the officers were gone, he acted as Colonel and he should have been decorated for it. He had no fear and would volunteer to go anywhere, he was very much liked by all his men and was in command of his Company at the time when his death occurred. We had been through 7 days of severe fighting and only two officers in his Company were left. I was not actually on the spot when it occurred and I was told the sad news a few minutes later. I shall always remember Mr Hopkins as a perfect gentleman and friend. I asked for a photo of him and he promised me one, so if you have a spare photo which you can part with, may I beg it of you please for rembrance sake. Now I must close, hoping this sad news will not come as a great blow, but it happened to a good many brave fellows in our Battalion. You can think in the future that he died as a brave soldier, he had done his duty well. I should be very pleased if you could drop me a line in return, so I know you have received this letter. His kit will be sent home shortly so must close.

    I remain yours sincerely

    R Foster, B Coy, 11th Bttn KRRC, BEF, France

    Grant Cornwell MBE




    249155

    Pte. Samuel Jeffers 7th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.29th June 1917)

    Samuel Jeffers is recognised in Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool. His brother Matthew also served at Ypres with 4th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment as a Sargeant, he died 1956.

    John




    249153

    Pte. Henry Frank Victor Wheatley Middlesex Regiment

    Victor Wheatley was my parental grandfather who died around 1940.





    249151

    Sgt George Samuel Cowley 9th (County of London) Battalion London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles)

    <p>

    This is a transcript of a booklet sent to me by my grandfather when I first left home for work. It describes his whole life including his time during WW1. I have included everything as I think it gives a feel for the times and his life.

    The original notes are written in an exercise book obtained from his small shop that he and Nan had in Edmonton, North London (it was just like Albert Arkwright's shop in Open All Hours!). I am fortunate that copies of his war records survived in the National Archives confirming his stories. He was lucky to survive the war - despite being wounded twice, and died in 1977. I have added a couple of explanatory notes where applicable. I hope that you find the attached of interest.

    July 6th 1970

    Dear Andrew,

    I thought perhaps you might be interested to read about your GranPop’s early life and onwards:

    I was born in London 1892. My father died when I was 12 months old. I lived in Macklin Street, Drury Lane. At the corner of Drury Lane & Macklin Street was the first little grocery shop of Sainsbury’s which today has grown into a 20 million pound company.

    When my father died, he left my Mum all on her own with four children (two boys and two girls) to bring up; we were hard up.

    My first memory was when I was about 3 years old, being taken to a Mothers’ Meeting to Southend and taken on a boat and hearing them singing hymns. My next fascinating memory was when I was 4 years old and being taken to St James Park to see Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Parade (Tuesday, 22 June 1987 – see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17368499) in the park opposite the Horse Guards Parade Barracks.

    At that same time, which nobody knows about today, opposite the Horse Guards Parade in the park, was a small wooden refreshment shed where you could buy drinks and glasses of milk. The milk was drawn direct from cows, which were kept in the back of the shed, so you had a good drink of germs and viruses all mixed together.

    Well, as I have said my Mum was very hard up for money and it was a great worry for her to pay the rent, feed and clothe the four of us and keep the home going. So one day she applied to the Council for relief. I was about 6 years old at the time, and I remember a big tall man coming and almost shouting at Mum and saying “Are you starving?” “No not yet”, said Mum. The man then started looking round the rooms and said “sell all this furniture and you will have enough to live on”. This of course Mum would not do and was too proud to go begging to this sort of person.

    However, a local Vicar at the Parish Church, found a job for her in the London Government Offices of the Inland Revenue in the City of London, near St Paul’s Cathedral. Her job was to scrub and clean the floors and offices at 6am every morning. This meant she had to be up at 5am sharp to get to the City of London by 6am and sign on. This was in all weathers, rain, snow, frost etc. This was damned hard work for Mum. No cleaning gadgets in those days, but just down on your knees and get on with it. We managed fairly well but it was hard work so we all had to help and pull our weight.

    About 2 years later one of my sisters (Violet, about 10 years old) died of poisoning through eating salmon or ice cream; the doctors did not know which. Violet was my Mum’s favourite child and it was months before she could get over it.

    I was now eight years old and was up with the top boys at school. Although this was a very old school, we had some distinguished teachers and a very fine and clever old Head Master who was a A.L.P., F.E.I.B, M.A. and etc etc. The discipline was also very strict and because I was sort of happy-go-lucky, meant I soon had to get used to the cane pretty frequently even up till I was about 13 years old. Also every morning, the school hall book was shut on the dot of 9am and if you were not inside for prayers you were locked outside till they were over and then the Head Master would open the door with cane in hand and all those late outside would get the stick. I often used to smile to myself when I stretched out my hand, as he would say to me “you know sonny it hurts me more than it does you”. I was also then the tallest boy in the school, about 5ft 7”, so it amused me when one of our lady teachers, who was very small , about 5ft called me out for the cane and said “the next time I have to call you out I will knock you down”.

    I did very well at practically everything at school except for geometry which I hated. I was captain of soccer, vice captain of cricket, top of swimming, long distance running and walking. But my greatest joy was and always has been music. My father, before he died, was soloist at the Northampton Parish Church. Music has always run in the Cowleys for generations. Well I remember, even as a little child, listening to my mum singing. She also belonged to a Choral Society and had a most beautiful voice.

    Now I was eight when I had an offer to join the Royal Choir of King Charles 2nd, London West Central Royal Parish Church (There were about 60 men and boys.) We boys all had to wear Eton suits with striped trousers and red tassled mortar-board hats: our cassocks also were a royal red colour. This, was at that time a very rich Church, (I am sorry to say it is a very poor Church now) when I joined the boys’ choir and the boys were paid 5/- a quarter; a lot of money it was in those days. You then advanced and the top boy would be paid £2 per quarter. But it was damned hard work with strict discipline. We had to have three practices of 2 hours on three nights and one practice on two and half hours with the master each week. We also had to attend three services on Sundays – and sometimes four.

    But we had the finest choir master and musician in London; he also was editor of London’s ‘Music Magazine’ as well as being a composer of music. Also, our Rector was Canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral, so you can guess we had the finest music in London. Our Church was always full of people, both the ground floor and the galleries; also our organ was the finest in London.

    Well, after studying and singing hard, I made the grade and was top boy at the age of 12 at £2 a qtr. This money helped mum, but it was not all honey. The artful way the choir fund used to get some of its money back from me was as follows:

    As I said before, strict discipline and I did not always agree as I was generally always up to some lark or another. Some of my money was paid back as follows:

    • 1/- fine for smoking cigarettes
    • 1/- fine for pulling church bell
    • 1/- fine for singing out of tune
    • 1/- fine for making a noise outside of Church
    • 1/- fine for pulling red tassles out of boys hat (see later)
    • 1/- fine for being late etc etc.

    …and that was how some of my fortune went.

    At the age of 12, I sang all the solos myself with combined choir in the oratories of Handel’s Messiah, Haydon’s Creation, Stainer’s Crucifiction, Mendlesohn, Mozart, Gounod, Bach, etc etc. I do not like boasting, but I really did have a beautiful voice and strong voice which you had to have to be heard on top of the combined choir.

    The most miserable weeks of my life were when I had just turned 14 years old and my treble voice broke. I felt absolutely lost and did not know what to do, my glorious voice had gone and I felt weak, but I am not ashamed to say I did cry. However, time has its compensations, about 8 weeks afterwards, my alto voice started and once again I was singing lovely solos in alto. Strangely, this only lasted a few years and my voice went right down to bass and I became bass soloist in the choir. I also sang bass songs outside at different concerts songs such as (Drake goes West, Glorious Devon, Boys of the Old Brigade, Asleep in the Deep. Sergeant of the Lines.

    My name would be on boards all round the parish as it did when I used to go out singing as a boy (Master Cowley from etc will sing…) and then afterwards (Mr Cowley from etc will sing ..) It really was a beautiful life then.

    Back to real life again:

    Being 14, I left school to look for a job to get some money to help Mum keep the home going, as she still had to go to the city to scrub the offices and be there at 6am. I was introduced by the Parish Priest to a firm of jewellers at 14. The worst part was I had to live in and sleep there and at that age 14, as you partly know, it is a big break having to leave home. The only consolation was my fave shop was not very far from home, being then in Oxford Street where Selfridges now stands on the same spot.

    My hours of work were 8am till 8pm everyday, except Sundays. 72 hours a week, as well as not being able to join in any kind of sports etc.

    I began to take a great interest in my work as a jeweller and was with their firm for nearly eight years. During these eight years, I met at Church my life long sweetheart, your Nan. As I had Sunday afternoons off, your Nan and I would go out walking and courting and as both of us were fit and strong, would sometimes walk about 10 to 14 miles, nearly always starting from the top of Highgate Hill, right then across Highgate, Primrose Hill, Hampstead, Golders Green, right on to Hendon near where Aunt Fan now lives, but in those days there were no roads across this way, only lovely lanes and green fields.

    However, back to earth and reality:

    My second struggle to live was now about to commence – 1914 had come and war against Germany started. The Greatest War the world had ever known. After keeping on reading the horrible things about the Germans, I made up my mind to join the army in 1914, so I had to give my governor a month’s notice and he called me a bloody fool for joining up.

    In those days I was fairly well off, getting £3 each week, which was about 20/- (20 shillings = £1) above a skilled mans wages. I was also getting board and lodging free, which made it roughly worth about £4.10.00 a week.

    However, my mind was made up and I joined the Queen Victoria Rifles at their H.Q. in Davies Street, Oxford Street, London, near Bond Street and you had to be fit; no-one with eyeglasses etc. were accepted and there was a strict body examination. Also, our regulation marching was 180 steps to the minute and we had route marches up to 20 miles with full packs and rifle and ammunition, totalling about 40lbs dead weight.

    However, I joined up the West End H.Q. Davies Street. It was very laughable, they rigged me out in uniform etc. and put all my clothes in a large army kit bag, I put the kit bag over my shoulder and marched down Davies Street towards Oxford Street like a true soldier, I thought. At Oxford Street, I wanted to catch a bus on the other side. I got to the middle of Oxford Street when ‘Bang’, I dropped the kit bag off my shoulder and scattered all my civvy clothes amongst all the traffic. Did I swear to myself, all the civvies were smiling at me and I thought this is a damned good start. However, I got my civvies (clothes) home to Mum and she had a little weep.

    However, we went back each day to H.Q. The only training ground left for us, the Queen Victoria’s, was in Hyde Park, where we used to drill - square bashing and marching etc. This lasted a few weeks and my company were then sent down to the south coast of England to do rifle shooting, bayonet fighting and trench jumping. I was good at shooting even up to about 800 yards. I had marvellous eyesight in those days.

    To continue:

    After a few weeks we were given two days last leave in London before being sent to France.

    It was very sad for my mother and my sweet heart, your Nan. However, it had to be. In a few days, after I had got back to my regiment, one dark night we were shipped across to France in a naval warship. In France, also in the dark, we were put on a train, which moved slowly up north to Ypres, which then was part of the British Army H.Q. We got out of the train and were marched in the dark to Army H.Q near front line trenches. Our regiment was given orders to take supplies etc. to the regular army at the front. As we marched towards the front, we heard the guns blazing away like Hell, but it was nothing like it was going to be. A lot of our chaps had never even heard a gun before.

    When we got to the front with our supplies for the regulars, we were given important jobs to do. One of my first jobs was to crawl out at night in front of all our trenches and mend a lot of broken barbwire barricades and also take out new barbwire for defences. These jobs weren’t too bad as long as you did not make the slightest noise; if you did, ‘Zim’, a snipers bullet would come whizzing across. Also, how I have cursed on a dark night outside the trenches, when all of a sudden the moonshine would burst through and light up the whole front of the trenches. This was very peculiar as the blaze and colour of the light also seemed to camouflage you as long as you kept perfectly still. But if you moved, you were seen at once and you had it.

    And now about the War:

    The British Army at this time were getting a pretty bad beating owing to the huge, tremendous numbers of the Germans against our small army.

    My regiment, Queen Victoria’s, helped in different skirmishes and also kept a strong hold on reserve trenches, but were mixed up in a sudden advance by the Germans on a commanding hill called Hill 60. It was there the Queen Vic Rifles were the first of all Territorials to win the first V.C., which was won by an Officer of the Queen Victoria’s. (Lieutenant Geoffrey Harold Woolley)

    The war proceeded slowly and we seemed to be always going backward right to the end of 1915. Of course by now I was used to shell fire, whistling bullets, the sight and awful smell of dead bodies and, if it poured with rain, your clothes simply damp on you. As I have just said we seemed to be going backwards and it seemed at the end of 1915 both armies seemed to have had enough and both determined to dig themselves in big deep trenches facing each other. It was about this time the storms and thick mud started and long planks of wood were thrown on the bottom of the trenches to stop you from being stuck in the bottom of the trench. It was about this time I was promoted in the field to the rank of Corporal in charge of the Bombers. At this time, both armies could not go far as the land nearly all round was one vast sea of mud and dirt. It was now just before Xmas, 1915. I lost my pal Herb, a sergeant about 6ft odd tall and big. As I have said, just before Xmas, my company was ordered to go at night and relieve the company in the trenches. When we arrived we put our men in the dugouts and others on the trench lookouts. After seeing the men into their proper positions, my pal the Sergeant and I went along to find a dugout to sleep in. We always used to sleep together. This night we could only find a very little dugout, which would not hold two and my pal said “you go along and sleep with the boys and I can just get inside this dugout”. I said “Alright Herb” and went along about 200 yards when bang came a shell right in my pal’s dugout and killed him instantly. It was very sad to me as we had been together for a long time.

    The next episode was just after Xmas, about the beginning of 1916, (January). I felt extra thirsty one morning and said to two chaps who were with me in that part of the trench, “I am going to drum up a can of tea”. They said “fine”. I found some old bits of wood and lighted them; they (the wood) being a bit damp began to smoke and in a second ‘bang’, over came a trench mortar shell and dropped right in the middle of the three of us. It knocked the other two right out and I was lucky to escape with my arm torn by a piece of the shell. I was sent to base hospital for a few weeks and then back again to the Queen Vic’s. About Feb 1916, both armies now began to plan for the Great Offensive to end this war of all wars. About March the weather got bad and I can remember lying in the snow in an advanced listening post on my birthday, April 5th 1916… in the snow! It was hardly ever heard of to have snow in April, especially in France. However, a few weeks later it had all gone and the really nice weather started. About the end of May, our army gradually started to get ready; so did the Germans. We started at night digging advance trenches and often got a good shelling from the Germans who gave us a good hiding. The day was fixed by our army for the Great Advance, which was supposed to be a secret, it was the 1st of July 1916. This was the Greatest Battle the World has ever known, the Battle of the Somme.

    The 1st of July, I remember as the most beautiful summer’s morning, about 5am larks were singing high up in the sky and all the birds were singing. Then about 5.30am truly all hell was let loose as a thousand guns opened fire and hundreds of machine guns and trench mortars and the English Army's advance to hell began.

    My Regiment, the Queen Vics, went forward over the top, (At Gommecourt) our regimental strength over 800 strong. We took the first German trench, but the Germans had been ready for us for months and nearly all their men were in the reserve trenches at the back and we were mown down by machine guns. At the end of which the next morning, myself and 122 others answered a roll call out of over 800 men. The same thing had happened to London Regiments nearly all along the length of the advance; the casualties killed and wounded amounted to 10’s of thousands. (Actually 57240 British and 7000 French) This carnage and slaughter went on for a few weeks and men were being used simply as cannon fodder, till some one in Parliament put a stop to it and things quietened down a bit till the bright boys in the army H.Q. down White Hall began to think up another advance in 1917.

    The 1917 advance was beginning to begin very slowly about March. One morning my company of Queen Vic’s were roughly awakened about 4.30 and told to get ready to advance over the top about 5am. In these mornings, every day all through the winter till about now (March) every man was given a ration of rum. It was also my job to give each man a ration in his mug. This morning, the jar of rum arrived late and I had not got time to dish it out as the advance was commencing, so my pal and I went over the top carrying the jar of rum between us ready to fight anybody and everybody. But alas, I only got three quarters of the way across through a hail of machine gun bullets and was shot through the hip and fell down a shell hole, which was lucky for me as nearly all my men must have been knocked out. The shell hole saved my life as every time I moved, a sniper whizzed a bullet across the top of my head. I lay in that shell hole all day from about 6am till about 8.30pm at night not daring to move and then as darkness began, I crawled slowly and painfully back towards the English trenches… also having the chance of being shot through being mistaken for a German. However, I was lucky in being able to shout to them I was one of the Queen Victoria’s. I was taken to casualty station and then put on a train and shipped on to a hospital ship bound for London, England.

    Oh the joy of Nan coming to the hospital to see me and the lovely luxury once more of lying in a real bed with white sheets and blankets.

    After a few months my leg got better and I was posted back to my Regiment, the Queen Vic’s at the training H.Q. at Deepcut Barracks at Black Down near Farnborough, Hants.

    When I arrived there I was made Sergeant bombing instructor. This was not a bad job but it had its hazards. For instance, a lot of new recruits were absolutely nervous once they held a live bomb (Grenade) in their hands, the fuse only lasted 5 seconds once the pin had been pulled out and I had to watch them like a hawk to make sure they were pulling the pin properly and throwing the bomb high enough and far enough over the top of the trench. Another tricky job I had to do: sometimes when the bomb was a dud bomb had not gone off, I had to go out afterwards and find the bomb and gently diffuse it and make it safe, which was not a nice job.

    However, at last came 11am, 11th November 1918 – Armistice and my bombing job was finished and I was put Sergeant in charge of the demobilization office to write out the list of mens’ names to leave the army and you can bet I put my name near the top of the list. I was demobbed in February 1919 and got married on my birthday, 5th April 1919. And now the real struggle to live was to begin. I went round to my old firm and the old governor had the cheek to tell me he could not help me as I had been away a long time. So then began an awful nearly 6 years on the dole and living by doing all sorts of odd jobs like thousands of other ex-soldiers like myself who were told England had been made a place for heroes to live in… and by God you had to be a hero to keep living.

    , all things have an end and I was given a job in a Bond Street Jewellers and life began again. Your dad was then born in December 1925 and (Uncle) Ken in January 1928. All went well till 1932 when the Great World Slump started in America and England and everybody began to be out of work through loss of trade and government money. I, being the last of the firm’s employees, had to be the first discharged and was back again on the dole with two children to keep. It was a good job Nan was doing part time work and earning money to help. After weeks on the dole, a silver lining appeared through our dark clouds and Nan’s mother and her four sisters and all (our) relatives put money together to help us buy the little shop in Edmonton (66 Lawrence Road), which we did in June 1932. From then onwards both Nan and I worked damned hard to make our little business pay.

    We opened sharp at 7am every morning till 12pm at night, Sundays as well as everyday included. After a few months, as there was then not a lot of opposition, the little business began to pay well and we were well known round all the neighbourhoods and people were heard saying can’t you buy it, you go to Mr & Mrs Cowley’s shop, you can buy it there, and they did get it. So every time we went out we were known and liked everywhere with children and grown-ups. But alas, once again in 1941 while the second war was on, our good fortune and luck vanished again through a fault in the electric wiring catching alight and setting fire to house and shop. It was a good job a noise awoke Nan about 2am on a Sunday morning and we just got out safely in our bedclothes as the flames were spreading everywhere. Our cat was burnt to death and our dog was missing 2 or 3 days before he came back. The worst loss was through not being properly insured. We lost nearly £1,000 pounds as well as clothing and etc.

    Now began again the struggle from scratch to keep living and paying expenses etc. However, very slowly with hard work and little profit we began to get on our feet again and after a few more years began gradually to make the business going again up to the 1960’s; and then came bad luck again as the great big multiple and chain stores started opening everywhere and I simply could not compete against them as they were selling all goods miles below the wholesale price I had to pay for them, so I could not blame any of my customers buying their goods at those shops instead of mine as they could buy them about a third less money to what I could sell them. So I started losing money again and could only keep open by selling little odds and ends that other shops did not sell and lastly came the greatest blow of all when we were told by the Borough Council our house was on the list to be pulled down under the New Land Development Scheme. (Their house was demolished to make a park) This really was the end and our greatest worry as we both then were getting old and in our 70’s. However, God has been good to us all our lives and the Town Council bought our shop and house and land and the money just about paid for our new house with just a little over but not much to live on.

    Well Andrew, that’s about the lot and if you want three little mottos to live on, here they are:

    • No 1. Whatsoever a man soweth, that he also shall reap.
    • No 2. Nil Desparandem.
    • And ... (I think the best of the lot) No 3. Amor Vincet Omnia
    .





    249150

    John Edwin Bray HMS Commonwealth

    <p>

    John Bray was the second brother to join the Royal Navy during World War 1. He served mainly on HMS Commonwealth. His elder brother, William, was the first to join just before the war. John and William's younger brother, Alfred, also joined up thinking he was going to sea but was put in the Royal Navy reserve and ended up in the trenches. All three brothers survived the war. Alfred was wounded at Pashendale and also lost toes due to frost bite. William the eldest brother unfortunately suffered a stab wound with a poisoned knife while ashore in Cape Town. He had to have his right arm amputated. As far as is known John Bray (nicknamed Jack) was unscathed.

    Mike Bray




    249138

    2Lt. Lawrence Mark Garbutt 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.10th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Lawrence Mark enlisted on 10th of December 1915, in Army Reserve. His physical description was given as fresh complexion, brown hair, brown eyes, height 5ft 6½ins, girth when expanded 37 inches with a 3 inch range of expansion, with no distinctive marks. His religion was Church of England.

    He was mobilized on 17th of April 1916. He was with 24th Division on 30 August 1915 and 6th Division 11 October 1915 and tested on 17th April 1916, where he was sent to 7 (FT) Artillery Training School as a Driver on 19th April 1916.

    On 7th September 1917 he was transferred to No.12 Cadet Battalion, Newmarket for training as an Officer. He was discharged to Commission on 17th December 1917 as 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd (Battalion) Essex Regiment. On 12 February 1918 Lawrence was passed as fit for his transfer to the Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch).

    Whilst attached to the 9th Norfolk Regiment he went to the Western Front with 71st Brigade. He was gassed and had just returned to his unit when he was wounded in action on 18th July 1918. History tells us that the British Command decided that as they had taken so many hits that day the order was given to withdraw and to leave all the dead and dying lying on the battlefield. The ANZACS were sent to move into position and Lawrence was picked up and taken to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station. He had been hit in the lower right lumbar and kidney region. Lawrence died there three days later, cause of death "of wounds received in action".

    Lawrence Mark was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is buried in Esquelbecq Cemetery in France. The newspaper report of Lawrence Mark's death states that he was 28 years of age, his death certificate and report from the Ministry of Defence confirms that he was wounded on 31st July 1918 and died on 10th August 1918. This is also reinforced by the War Diaries for the 9th Norfolk Regiment held at the National Archives, Kew, London.

    Vivienne Parker




    249132

    Pte. Robert Henry "Bob" Bell 20th Battalion Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Private Robert Henry Bell, of the 20th Battalion Tyneside Scottish, MIA on 1st July 1916. Currently searching for images of him, none we can pinpoint as him. Enlisted and was sent to Alnwick Camp in 1915, before being shipped off in 1916.

    He wrote back to his mother and sister often to let them know he was doing well and "in good health" however following a period there were no postcards, followed by a card from a friend which states "so sorry to hear about Bobby" a couple of months later.

    His mother was Hannah Wilson (formerly Bell) and his father was the late Jacob Bell, they lived in West Allotment, Shiremoor, in 7 Miner's Cottage.

    The name Robert is still carried through the family, as is his memory.

    Alnwick Camp Postcard 1915

    Good Health

    Georgia Brusby




    249129

    Pte. Herbert Winfield Day 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.16th July 1918)

    <p>

    Herbert Day served with the 9th Norfolk Regiment.

    Jon Bayliss




    249116

    ERA. William Pritchard Clark HMS P26 (d.10th April 1917)

    William Clark was the son of Hugh Clark and Hannah Pritchard born in Sunderland, Durham on the 26th of September 1874. He was one of six children. He married Mary Ann Tinmouth at Tynemouth, Northumberland in 1893 and they had six children, Mary's death was in 1908 and in 1912 he re-married Jennie A. Carruthers. In 1911 William was working as a Marine Engine Fitter at Smith's Dock, North Shields.

    His death was on the 10th of April 1917 as a Engine Room Artificer in HMS P26 and he is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He was also mentioned in the South Shields Gazette on the 4th of June 1917 along with a photograph. He earned the 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

    Ken Mason




    249106

    Pte. James Jennings MM. 125th Battery Machine Gun Corps (d.6th September 1917)

    <p>

    James Jennings was formerly with the 8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. His Territorial Force Attestation papers survive. Prior to this he was a Machine Tool Fitter with Charles Churchill Company, Manchester.

    James was born 10th of September 1895. The youngest son and 6th of 7 children to James and Martha Jennings,(nee Wroe) of 28 Ventnor St Pendleton. In 1911 James was living at 68 Nora St, Lower Broughton with his widowed mother and older brother Thomas, age 21. His sister Edith (25) is married, Bertha (23) is single, as is Florence (18). Two of his sisters, Elizabeth and Lily died as children.

    Thomas later received James' personal effects and Military Medal. Thomas was present at the Third Battle of Ypres. There was heavy fighting at Borry Farm and James was wounded on 1st of September 1917. He was taken from the action by Field Ambulance and rejoined his Company on the 5th. He did not survive his next battle and died at Borry Form on 6th of September 1917, or soon after. His Memorial in Salford denotes him as Wounded and Missing.

    He is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial near Zonnebeke in Belgium. James was also awarded the 1914 - 1915 Star, British War Medal and Wounded Stripe.

    James Jennings MM Plaque

    Sue McIntosh




    249104

    Cpl. Albert Shepherd Royal Field Artillery

    Albert Shepherd, my husband's grandfather was a Sheffield boy and served in the RFA in WW1. We have photos of him on horseback pulling a canon. Unfortunately, we cannot find any information regarding him, other than he was in the Territorial Force from 1909 to 1913, which we have the record for, rank, after endless searching we think they may have been burnt docs.

    Angie Johnson




    249102

    David Mccullough 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th August 1917)

    David Mccullough had a wife and lived Meenam Street Belfast. He served with the 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles, and was killed om the 16th of August 1917, his name is on the Memorial at the Tyne Cot We don't have any other details or a photo, but would loved to know more, a man sadly missed like all the brave men that gave their life so we could be free.

    J Brown




    249101

    Sgt. John Nicol 9th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.19th March 1917)

    <p>

    John Nichol was killed in April 1917, his death was reported in the local Ayrshire paper.

    Andrew Nicoll




    249096

    Lt. Frederick Lee Gardner (d.28th May 1917)

    Frederick Gardner was born on 31st October 1880 the son of Francis William Gardner and Jane Stewart. Baptised at the church of Holy Innocents, Hornsey when parents were living at 15 Haringey Park. His father was a Barrister at Law and mother was the sister of a Major General.

    He went to sea and gained a 2nd Mates Certificate of Competence in 1900 and 1st Mate in 1902. He was living with his parents when the censuses were taken in 1881 and 1891. At some time he enlisted in the Royal Indian Marines and on the 22nd June 1909 he married Constance Muriel Hume Barns in Chertsey, Surrey. In 1911 they were living in Seaford, Sussex and his occupation was Lieutenant Royal Indian Marines.

    He died on the 28th May 1917 at Dieppe while employed on the staff of the Divisional Naval Transport Officer.

    Derek J Goode




    249095

    William "Willie" Abernethy (d.25 September 1915)

    William was my grandmother’s uncle. He died on the first day of the Battle of Loos. He grew up in Cambuslang. Both of his older brothers survived the war, and emigrated to San Francisco, CA after the war ended. When my grandmother was 85, she visited the War Memorial in Scotland and found his name. He died eight years before she was born.

    Heather W




    249093

    Peter Hadfield

    Peter Hadfield, a Bolton Wanderers footballer, was working at Basingstoke's 4th Canadian General Hospital (in a capacity not known) when he made 20 guest appearances for Southampton FC in 1917, 18 and 19. As a Southampton FC Hon. Official Historian, I would be pleased to receive more info about this guest player and what he was doing at the hospital.

    David Bull




    249092

    Pte. Sidney W. Kirbyshire 8th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.4th October 1917)

    Pte Sidney Kirbyshire is commemorated on the Steeple Morden village memorial cross. He was formerly of the Suffolk Regiment, but was later found to be in the 8th Lincolnshire Regiment. Sidney was killed in action on 4th October 1917. He is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, in Belgium.He was most likely killed during the Third Battle of Ypres which mainly consisted of combating German counter attacks in the sector.

    Kirbyshire is an unusual surname and there is another Kirbyshire from the village also commemorated, Walter Charles Kirbyshire of the Royal Engineers who was killed in action on Friday, 21st of July 1916 aged 33. Like so many others he is commemorated additionally on the Thiepval Memorial, having no known grave. They must surely have been related.

    sean




    249091

    David Thomas Thomas 121st Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Have a group photograph with "Some of the Knuts 121 Royal Field Artillery". My grandfather, David Thomas, is on this photo. I have no information on his service and all of his medals have disappeared. I would be pleased if anyone could give me any information appertaining to this, Thanks.

    David Thomas




    249089

    Cpl. R. R. Smith (d.24th November 1918)

    Corporal Smith is buried in the Fort Rixon Military Grave in Zimbabwe

    S flynn




    249088

    Cpl. Elijah Toon MM. Leicestershire Yeomanry

    <p>

    My grandfather, Elijah Toon, was captured and interned for 18 months in Wittenberg POW camp. He bravely attended soldiers with TB and helped many during his time there before escaping back to the British lines.

    Paul Toon




    249087

    Tpr. Hubert Cornish (d.9th May 1916)

    Trooper Cornish was the Son of Arthur and Alice I. Cornish, of 41, Bedford Gardens, Kensington, London.

    He was 25 and is buried in the Chivhu Cemetery, Grave 1.E.75, in Zimbabwe.

    S Flynn




    249086

    DS Thomas Lawson Morgan (d.22nd November 1915)

    Detective Sergeant Morgan was the Son of John and Margaret Lawson Morgan, of Auburn Cottage Springfield, Fife. Born at Springfield. He was 30 and is buried in the Chegutu Cemetery, in Zimbabwe

    S flynn




    249085

    Capt. Harry Dare Bennett 8th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    Harry Bennett was the son of Sir Henry C. Bennett and Lady Julia Ann Joyce. Harry was shot in the right buttocks at the Battle of Pozières, and also received burns to the right side of the face, mouth and throat at the Battle of Passchendaele.

    Harry was discharged on the 15th of April 1918 due to the burns he received. Harry returned to his wife and four children in Stockport, and remained there until he died in 1966. Harry also served in the Civil Defence Rescue Service during the Second World War as a Chemical Operations Officer.

    Mitchell Bennett




    249083

    Pte. William James Irwin 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.23rd June 1917)

    William was my great-uncle, he served with 14th Royal Irish Rifles.

    Linda Lancaster




    249082

    Gnr. Isaac Springford 520th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.2nd July 1918)

    Isaac Springford was born in February 1897 and was one of a large Eton Wick family. He attended the village infant's school until 1904, when at the age of seven he went to Eton Porny. The school register records his home address as 4, Hope Cottages, Common Road but some years later the family home was at 3, Victoria Place, Common Road a move along the road of about 100 yards. On February 28th 1910, in mid-term, Isaac was just 14 years old and he left school. The reason recorded in the register was "to help father". It was not recorded what father did apparently took up employment at Eton College, in the service of Mr Headlam and was later working in the Officers' Mess at Windsor's Combermere Barracks.

    He enlisted with the 2nd Battalion, Life Guards, and it is possible that he was a soldier at the time of his barrack employment. There were six Springford brothers serving in the forces by 1918, although only two of these are recorded in the Parish Magazine in 1915 as serving at the end of the first year of war. These were Albert and Harry who both survived the war, although Albert was wounded in 1916. We do not know the date Isaac joined the Life Guards or the date he transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery. 2nd Battalion, Life Guards served on the Western Front as part of the 3rd Cavalry Division from October 1914 until March 1918 when they left to become No. 2, Battalion Machine Gun Regiment. Perhaps this change of role precipitated Isaac's transfer.

    520th Siege Battery R.G.A. was formed with members of the Household Cavalry and served in France in 1918 using six-inch guns and it is reasonable to presume that this battery included Gunner Springford of the Household Cavalry. He was the only known village man to die of gassing in either of the two world wars.

    We first read from The Windsor & Eton Express of 13th of July1918, We regret to record the death of Gunner Isaac Springford of 3 Victoria Place, Eton Wick, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, Son of Mr Springford of Eton Wick. The deceased was formerly in the service of Mr Headlam of Eton College, and was subsequently employed in the Officers' Mess at Combermere Barracks. He joined the 2nd Life Guards, and was afterward transferred to the R.G.A. While in France he was badly gassed and died at the Canadian General Ontario Hospital, Orpington, Kent on 2nd of July 1918. He was 21 years old. This is the second son of Mr Springford, lost in the war, and the others are still serving. The deceased was buried with full military honours at Eton Wick, the body having been conveyed home. The band and two troops of Life Guards attended, and a large number of the village was present to show their sympathy and respect for the deceased, who was much esteemed. The vicar, Reverend Evans assisted by the curate of Eton Wick officiated.

    The Great War had claimed the lives of two Springford brothers, but it spared the other four. William George Springford was one brother who returned safely after service with the Royal Flying Corps. By W.W.II he was living in Eton and himself had four sons and a daughter who serve in that war. Isaac has a standard Commonwealth War Grave Commission headstone in the Eton Wick Church Yard. He was unmarried and 21 years old. His name is also on the tablets at the Eton Church Gates and on the Eton Wick Memorial. Springford is still a well known Eton Wick name.

    Steven Denham




    249076

    Pte. Enoch William Meyler 23rd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusliers

    Enoch Meyler was my step grandfathers father. We can find no record of his death in the UK or Ireland. He was a patient in the hospital for 10 days in June 1919 with myalgia before he was discharged. We know he died when my step granfather was very small, so prob in the early 1920s. His wife Elizabeth died around the same time leaving the 3 children orphans and being raised in an orphanage in Llanelly.





    249066

    Pte. George Somerfield 6th Btn Royal West Kent Regiment (d.30th January 1917)

    <p>

    Remembering great great uncle, George Somerfield from Walsall aged 23, of the 6th Btn Royal West Kent Regiment. Killed in action at Arras, in the area of St Quentin road and the Scarpe. The enemy conducted heavy trench mortar bombardment of the communication and support trenches, on the morning of the 30th Jan 1917. Just prior to Regiment being relieved by East Surreys at 1100 hrs. 4 casualties, 3 were wounded. George was killed and is buried at Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras.





    249062

    Pte. Amos Warr 11th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Amos Warr's only child is my granddad Howard who was orphaned as a young child.

    Julie House




    249061

    Sgt. Arthur Lumley Nelson 15th Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th July 1917)

    My dad was named after Arthur Nelson who was captured and died as a prisoner of war. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery. My father, in WW2 was driving an officer when they stopped at the war cemetery and he was able to visit the grave.





    249056

    Sgt. Joseph Smith 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.15th March 1915)

    Joseph Smith died of wounds in Ypres, Belgium. He is buried at Divisional Collecting Post Cemetery and Extension. He was the son of late Patrick and Mary Smith of 22 New Row, Chapelizod and husband of Elizabeth Smith of 20 New Row, Chapelizod, Co. Dublin.

    Tanner Leach




    249043

    Camille Alfred Brohe

    <p>

    Camille Brohé from Frameries, Belgium was a worker in Frameries before the war. On the 2nd of October 1914 he was wounded in Sint-Katelijne-Waver near Antwerp, Belgium and fell into a coma. On the 7th of October he was sent to Blankenberge and on the 15th to St Anselms' Walmer Hospital. He was operated at St. Anselms by Dr Deconinck on the 20th of December, after having been into a coma for more than two months. He eventually gets a shrapnel fragment out of his head. On the 15th of February 1915 Camille leaves the Walmer's hospital and goes to France to be reunited with his wife and children who were war refugees in Normandy.

    Pierre Brohe




    249041

    Pte. Albert William Trew 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st April 1918)

    Albert Trew was my great uncle, third of 3 brothers and 2 sisters. All brothers died either during the WW1 or after as a result of WW1. I know he was involved in the battle of Cambrai in March 1918, wounded & taken prisoner. He was taken to a hospital in Wittenberg, Germany where he died of his wounds on 21st April 1918. I believe he is buried in a Cemetery in Germany, somewhere near Berlin.

    Deborah Smart




    249026

    Sgt. George Uren B Battery, 315th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.13th September 1917)

    <p>

    George Uren had 3 enlistments. He was born 5th of October 1887 at 5 New Mills, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne to Thomas & Elizabeth Welch. Adopted aged about 3 by William George Uren and Elizabeth Welch married 23rd of July 1890.

    1st Enlistment,(stated age as 18 years 1 month old) 7th of November 1902, 90th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Newcastle upon Tyne His Service totaled 8 years 61 days, abroad 5 years 22 days, Multan. before transfer to Army Reserves completed at Gosport, 9th Jan 1911

    Total Service.

    • Army 9 years 168 days
    • Reserve 3 years 210 days
    • Total 13 years 81 days
    • Service abroad 6 years 81 days His 2nd Enlistment was on the 4th of August 1914 and his 3rd Enlistment with the Royal Field Artillery on 29th of July 1916 He was killed in action on the 13th of Sep 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres and is buried in The Huts Cemetery at Dikkebus, Belgium.

      George Uren aged 25 had married Margaret Harle age 19 at Houghton le Spring, co Durham on 29th of November 1911. The had two Daughters Hilda born in 1913 and Vera in 1916.

      Philip Laverick




    249018

    Sgt. William Cochrane 5th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.17 July 1916)

    <p>

    William Cochrane was born on 14 August 1893, the fourth of six children of George and Helen Cochrane. The family lived at a number of addresses in Edinburgh's southside during William's early years but eventually settled at 188 Dalkeith Road around 1907. Upon leaving school, William followed his father, sister Agnes and older brothers John and George into the printing trade. Younger brothers David and Edward would later follow suit. Following a lengthy apprenticeship, William became a stereotyper, producing stereotype plates for use in the printing process.

    He was 21 years old and unmarried when he enlisted in Edinburgh on 7 September 1914, shortly after the outbreak of war. He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and deployed to France in 1915, landing at Boulogne on 10 May, followed by his brother David (6th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders) on 9 July 1915.

    The 5th Battalion formed part of the 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division, known coloquially as the Jocks and Springboks, after the 1st South African Infantry Brigade joined the Division in 1916. The Division was engaged in major fighting on the Western Front, including The Battle of Loos (in which the 5th Camerons suffered horrific casualties), The Battle of Albert and The Battle of Bazentin Ridge. William attained the rank of Sergeant. He was killed in action on 17 July 1916, when the 9th Division engaged German forces in Delville Wood, adjacent to the village of Longueval. He has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier 15, Face B. Brother David was hospitalised after sustaining gunshot wounds in July 1917 but following treatment at St Omer, Etapes and Boulogne, he rejoined his battalion in December the same year. He eventually returned home safely to Edinburgh in January 1919. His first child, born in 1929, was named William in honour of his brother.

    Gail Cochrane




    249015

    Dvr. C. McCue 2nd Reserve H.T. Coy. Army Service Corps (d.5th June 1915)

    Driver McCue was the Husband of Isabella McCrystal Black (formerly McCue), of 5, Barclay St., Paisley.

    He was 32 and is buried in the Abbey St. Bathans Parish Churchyard, east of the Church, in Berwickshire.

    S flynn




    249011

    Pte. Arthur Harvey Howes 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.2nd May 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Howes was my great great uncle, he was a 20th Hussars soldier but was transferred around Sept 1917 to the 1st Devonshires. We understand Arthur lost his life around the Nippe Forest when the Germans used gas. God bless you Arthur.

    Neil Harris




    249006

    PO. John Newton Jones HMS Pigeon

    John Jones served on the HMS Pigeon, and was instrumental in the rescue of more than 800 US troops after the sinking of the Troop Transport SS Tuscania in early 1918 after it was torpedoed by a German U-boat and sunk. Jones lowered a whaler and organized and commanded lifeboats during the rescue. For this he was awarded a medal by the Tuscania Survivor's Assocation in 1934, the 4th and final recipient of this award. The first 3 awards were made to the 3 ship's Captains that responded, the last to Jones, 3 years later. Jones was from Wales, and emigrated to the US in the 1930's, eventually serving in WWII in the US Merchant Marine.





    249004

    Dvr. William John Watkins 60th Reserve Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st February 1917)

    Driver Watkins is iin the Abbey Dore (St. Mary) Churchyard in the west part, in Herefordshire.

    S flynn




    249003

    Pte. George William Wright 7th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.7th July 1917)

    Private Wright was transferred to (241971) 427th Agricultural Coy. Labour Corps.

    He was the Son of G. S. Wright; husband of E. A. Radford (formerly Wright). of Layer Rd., Abberton, Colchester.

    He was 41 and is buried in the Abberton (St. Andrew) Churchyard, Essex, In the South-West corner.

    S Flynn




    249002

    Dvr. O. V. Theobald Royal Engineers (d.23rd November 1919)

    Driver Theobald was the Son of James Edward and Eliza Theobald, of 18, Fairfax Rd., Colchester. Born at Abberton.

    He was 22 and is buried in the Abberton (St. Andrew) Churchyard, Essex, Near the North boundary.

    S Flynn




    249001

    Pte. Robert Carr 8th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.25th September 1915)

    Robert Carr was born in the village of Killearn in Stirlingshire and was a general labourer. He originally enlisted in the Cameron Highlanders on the 13th of October in Edinburgh aged 32. But was discharged medically unfit for active service twelve days after joining due to a bad right knee. He Re-enlisted into the Gordon Highlanders on the 24th of May 1915 in Aberdeen.

    He was posted to France on the 14th of July 1915 and placed into a camp before being moved to the 5th Entrenching Battalion on the 3rd of September and then moved into the 8th Battalion on the 13th at Beuvry along with 29 other men two of them being English. Sadly, he was killed presumed missing in action on the 25th of September 1915 in the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. His name is on the is on Panel 116 in the Loos Memorial.





    248997

    Pte. Robert Ball 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Jul 1916 )

    Robert Ball was newly married in 1915 to his wife Isabella Slater when he enlisted. Their son Robert Henry Ball was born 22nd of November 1915, his father died in France of wounds when he was 7 months old, Robert never got to see his son.





    248996

    BSM. Hugh Casey 161st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Hugh Casey served with 161st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Paul Casey




    248995

    Pte. Fred Hardy 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.15th August 1918)

    <p>

    Great niece and Great nephew are visiting Fred Hardy's grave on 100th anniversary of his death.

    David Atkinson




    248991

    Pte. Frederick "Fred" Warburton (d.5 May 1918)

    Fred was my great uncle who came from a farming family in south Lancashire. He was injured in April 1918 and died of wounds in May. He has a clearly marked grave at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery near Bethune.

    John Humphreys




    248989

    Pte. Albert George Pound Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars (Worcester Yeom (d.24th March 1916)

    Private Pound was the Son of George and Annie Pound, of Beehive Cottages, Abberley, Worcs.

    He was 24 and is buried in the Abberley (St. Mary) Churchyard, north west of the Church, in Worcestershire

    S Flynn




    248988

    2Lt. Frederick William Milroy "Roy" Gladwyn 9th Btn. Royal Highlanders

    <p>

    My grandfather Roy Gladwyn enlisted on 17th of August 1916 at the age of 18 as a private and was posted to 13th Suffolk Regiment. In December he was accepted into 5th Officer Cadet School at Trinity College Cambridge. He was commissioned on 9th May 1917 and 10 days later arrived at the 3rd Black Watch's training centre at Nigg in Ross-shire.

    He joined 9th Black Watch on 15th of September, then at Stirling Camp near Arras and as a platoon commander a week later went into the line south of the River Scarpe east of Arras. The battalion spent some time north of the Scarpe river, but by March 1918 were back in the line south of the Scarpe near Monchy le Preux and were in the front line when the Germans launched operation Mars early on the morning of 28 March, which he survived.

    With the reorganisation of the Army in May 1918, which resulted in 9/Black Watch amalgamating with 4/5th Black Watch, my grandfather transferred to 6th Black Watch where he was briefly in the front line at Oppy, north-east of Arras.

    In July the battalion was moved to the Champagne country just north of Epernay to take part in an Anglo-French counter attack to push the Germans back from the Marne salient gained by their attack in May and to alleviate the risk to Paris. He was wounded on 28th of July 1918 in the final attack (on Chambrecy) made by the 6th Black Watch in this campaign and for which the battalion was awarded the Croix de Guerre. He recovered and in June 1919 was attached to 12th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders guarding GHQ (now the modern Askeri Military museum) Army of the Black Sea in Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey. He was demobbed on 1st of April 1920.

    2nd Lieutenant Frederick William Milroy Gladwyn 9/Black Watch

    Group of officers of 12/Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, with Roy Gladwyn second from right. Officer furthest right believed to be the battalion Padre.

    2nd Lieutenant Roy Gladwyn receiving 3rd prize in Lewis gun competition 8 November 1919.

    2nd Lieutenant Frederick William Milroy Gladwyn 6 & 9/Black Watch

    Chris Noble




    248987

    Lt. Owen Hewitt D. Bennett (d.26th April 1918)

    Lieutenant Bennett is buried in the Abberley (St. Mary) Churchyard, north east of the Church, in Worcestershire

    S flynn




    248986

    Ord.Sea. Thomas Cuthbert HMS Armadale Castle (d.16th April 1918)

    Thomas Cuthbert was the son of James Robertson Cuthbert and Jane (nee Robson). He was born on 19th of January 1898 in Sacriston, County Durham.

    An ordinary seaman in the Royal Navy, Thomas served on HMS Victory from 21st of September to 18th of December 1916. From 19th of December 1916, he served on HMS Victory until his accidental death on 19th of April 1918.

    According to the Chester le Street Chronicle of 7th of June 1918, whilst at work on 16th April in the bows of a lifeboat, the forward fall gave way. There were three men in the boat at the time and the others held on to the lifelines, but unfortunately Thomas lost his hold and fell onto his head on the wooden jetty, fracturing his skull. Thomas was taken to Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, where he was found to be in a critical condition. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries on the 19th April.

    Thomas is buried in Linden Hill Cemetery, Queens County, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

    Sandra Underwood




    248978

    Pte. Frank Stapleford 51st Grad. Bn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.20th October 1918)

    Private Stapleford was the Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Buswell, of 7, Victoria St., Melton Mowbray.

    He was 18 and is buried in the AB Kettleby (St. James) Churchyard, in Leicestershire, UK

    S flynn




    248974

    Lt. Victor Lawrence Edwards Armoured Car Div. (Russia). H.M.S. "President II." (d.21st August 1917)

    Lieutenant Edwards was 37 and is buried in the Khmelnitsky Catholic Cemetery in the Ukraine. Ā

    S Flynn




    248971

    Pte. Reginald Darke Cockwill 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.26th March 1918)

    <p>

    Reginald Cockwill was born in 1888 in Plymouth, Devon, to John Darke Cockwill and Sarah. He was the youngest brother of my great grandfather, Harry Darke Cockwill. Reginald was his closest friend, as well as Harry's brother. Reginald signed up to join the Army on May 18th 1915. He served in France. He wrote regularly to his family, especially Harry. Harry missed him and always kept Reg's last pencil-written letter dated Sunday 18th February 1918, in his wallet.

    In 1918, Reg's officer wrote to a local newspaper to tell his wife of his bravery. This newspaper clipping was also kept alongside the letter in wallet by Harry. It reads.

    Lieut. K Gatey, writing to the widow of Pte. Reginald Cocktail at Totnes, says: “Your husband was acting as my orderly during the action of the 25th March, and came with me when I went to get in touch with he troops on my left. He was hit in the groin by a machine gun bullet. After the first shock, he did not seem in very much pain and he was taken down in a stretcher as soon as possible after a field dressing had been applied, to No 47 Casualty Clearing Station, and as it had to be evacuated on the 26th, I presume he was buried in the Military Cemetery which I am sorry to say is now in enemy hands. I was badly wounded myself on the evening of the 26th or I should have communicated with you before giving you these particulars which I have just received.Your husband was for over three months invaluable to me as batman, and was in every way an excellent soldier. On the day previous and the day he was wounded he showed the greatest of bravery and coolness under fire, and he will be a great loss to the Devon Regiment. Allow me to express my deepest sympathy to you and his family.”

    Reg is buried in France and remembered with honour at the Rosieres British Cemetery. He was awarded the Victory medal, British medal and 1915 Star. (Pip, Squeak and Wilfred!).

    Reginald Cockwill 4th from left front row. Devon Regiment.

    Michelle Briggs




    248970

    Pte. Arthur Elias William Hunt MM. 2nd Battalion, D Coy. Essex Regiment (d.28th March 1918)

    Willy Hunt was the eldest child of Arthur and Matilda Hunt. He was my paternal grandfather Sydney's oldest brother. Willy earned the Military Medal on January 28th 1918 for conspicuous bravery, whilst fighting in France. He died when he was killed in action on 28th of March 1918 aged 20 on the Western Front, France. This was during the first Battle of Arras. He is remembered with honour at the Arras memorial.

    Michelle Briggs




    248967

    QMS W. J. Lowings (d.19th July 1915)

    Quartermaster Lowings was the Son of James and Emma Lowings, of 19, York Rd., Maidenhead, Berks. Born at Bournemouth.

    He was 28 and is buried in the Simba Hill Military Grave, Katovu, Uganda Ā

    S Flynn




    248966

    Sgt. Albert Antoine Charles Jean B. G. Beauffaux 5 Linie 2/5 (Koloniale Troepen) (d.2nd January 1917)

    Sergeant ov Mitrailleur Beauffaux is bureind in the Nsambya Roman Catholic Cemetery in Uganda.

    S flynn




    248965

    Lt W. K. Maturin (d.29th January 1915)

    Lieutenant Maturin was the Son of Mrs. Edith Porch (formerly Maturin), of 44, Roland Gardens, South Kensington, London, and the late Col Frederick Maturin (East Surrey Regt.)

    He is buried in the Mbarara (St. James) Churchyard in Uganda.

    S flynn




    248961

    Cpl. James Pracy 16th Regiment Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th July 1916)

    James Pracy was 32 when he died. Our family has only just located him on the Thiepval Memorial. He has no known grave and probably died at High Wood on that day. He left a wife and two sons and was the brother of my maternal grandfather Albert Pracy. Nothing was ever spoken about him by my parents or grandparents. Such a great shame. He is now found and known to us.

    Alfred Blake




    248955

    2Lt. Frank Philip Sleigh Lacey Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Philip Lacey was the third son of Ernest Matthew Lacey, a consulting engineer. He was born on 22 July 1891 in Brentford. Like his father he attended Dulwich College for boys in London. In 1906 he was articled as a pupil with his father's firm in Westminster. Bound by Indenture, he was apprenticed to an engineering firm, Browett & Lindley, and by 1911 was an assistant as an electrical engineer, following in his father's footsteps. In 1912 he became assistant to his father and was engaged in various engineering schemes.

    He began training in the RGA in Nov. 1914 before being posted to Gibraltar in 1915 where he had severe sunstroke in Jan. 1916 and had to be invalided home, to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital at Millbank. By March 1916 he was fit for duty and was engaged on work connected with the manufacture and inspection of munitions of war.

    Ordered to Egypt in 1918 he reached Suez where he enrolled in a course of instruction in flying, and after passing his exams, being one of six out of the 176 who competed, he was appointed flying officer. Unfortunately a few days after taking up duty he developed pleuro-pneumonia, and died in Suez hospital on 29th of March 1918. He never married.

    Biographical record from Dulwich School

    Gravestone

    Lorna P Cowan




    248953

    Pte. Ernest Pearson 4th Btn. Y Coy. Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th September 1915)

    Ernest Pearson is my 2nd cousin (3x removed) who is commemorated on both the Great Ayton War Memorial and the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. I think he enlisted in Stokesley, in 1912 or 1913, he was the son of Paul Pearson and the late Jane (nee Dixon) of Great Ayton.

    Michelle Wolfenden




    248952

    Lt. L. H.D. McCombie Intelligence Corps (d.3rd July 1917)

    Lieutenant McCombie is buried in the Kabarole Mission Cemetery in Uganda.

    S flynn




    248951

    2Lt Wilfred Holroyd Ratton 22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.9th July 1915)

    Second Lieutenant Ratton was a Barrister-at-Law and was 24 when he died. He is buried in the Jinja Roman Catholic Churchyard in Uganda.

    S flynn




    248950

    L/Cpl. William Frank Tuck 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.9th September 1916)

    William Tuck was the son of Charles and Amelia Jane Tuck of Lock House, Cerney Locks, South Cerney, Cirencester, Glos. He lied about his age and enlisted with the 10th Gloucestershire Regiment where he was sent to the Western front and was killed in action on 9th of September 1916 at the age of just 17. He has no known grave just his name on his local memorial in South Cerney, Glos and that on Thiepval WW1 memorial in France.





    248945

    Lt.Col. Charles Hotham Montagu Doughty-Wylie V C, C B, C M G, MID Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th April 1915)

    Lieutenant Colonel Doughty-Wylie attd. as G.S.O.2 to H.Q. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

    He was the Son of H. M. Doughty, of Theberton Hall, Suffolk, and Edith, his wife (nee Cameron); husband of Lilian O. Doughty-Wylie. Second Class of the Imperial Ottoman Order of the Medjidieh.

    He is buried in the Seddel-Bahr Military Grave in Turkey.

    S Flynn




    248929

    2Lt. Alfred Edward Day MC. 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Alfred Day was later transferred to Northumberland Fusiliers as a Captain and gained a Bar to his Military Cross.

    Peter Samuel




    248925

    Pte. Frederick William Preddy 18th (2nd City) Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.16th June 1918)

    <p>

    Fred Preddy was reported missing in action some time between 19th and 21st March 1918 by his sister Mrs Emily Whitchurch of St. James Place, Mangotsfield who wrote to the authorities in order to establish his whereabouts.

    On 21st the Battalion's War Diary simply states “4:40 a.m. Enemy attacked. 4:45 a.m. “Man Battle Station received” yet no mention of men wounded or killed. It was eventually confirmed by the Red Cross that he had been taken as a Prisoner of War by the Germans on 25th March (presumably in the fighting on the same day?) while the German records show he was captured on 28th June at Ham in the province of Limburg, Belgium.

    He was admitted to the German No. 3 War Hospital at Chapelle with an embolism caused by a 'ham shot' (a gun shot wound to his upper thigh) and after extensive treatment he died on 16th of June 1918 in the Limburg P.O.W. Camp, north west of Frankfurt. His body was brought in from the German extension of the Communal Cemetery (Soldatenfriedhof No.2) and re-interred in La Capelle–En-Theirache-Communal Cemetery in the small town of La Capelle in the Aisne Department of France. The German authorities wrote to Frederick's sister on 28th of September 1918 advising her of her brother's death. Frederick Preddy is commemorated on the Cenotaph in Clifton Park, Rotherham and also in the Rotherham Postal Sorting Office.

    David Blackmore




    248923

    Sgt. Arthur John Francis Pirouet 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.9th Sep 1916)

    Serjt. Arthur Pirouet of the 7th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles was killed in action on the 9th of September 1916. Aged 24, he was the son of James Thomas and E. Pirouet of Sea View, Samares, Jersey.

    Paul Linford




    248922

    Pte. Thomas Withall Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    My great grandfather Thomas Withall served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

    Kim Oldham




    248921

    L/Cpl. William Johnston 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.5th November 1918)

    <p>

    William Johnston was born 27th November 1892 in Dryloch, Ruthven, Forfarshire, Scotland. First born son and fifth child of William Johnston, a ploughman or cattleman, and Mary Mathers Cruickshanks. William had four older sisters, two younger sisters and two younger brothers.

    David Urquhart




    248920

    Pte. George Barlow 6th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.4th November 1915)

    George Barlow enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment early in 1915 but was killed in the Battle of Loos in November of the same year. No known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    David Caldwell-Evans




    248919

    Pte. Frederick W. Luckhurst 64th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    I recently found a Christmas card with 64th Brigade RFA coat of arms on it dated 1917-1918. It was from my grandfather, Fred Luckhurst to my grandmother. My grandfather never spoke about his wartime experiences all I knew was that he had served in Ypres. Finding the Christmas card was the first clue I had as to which regiment he served in. We have his medals and some embroidered cards and we have these on display. It is something to hand down to our grandchildren.

    Zena Smith




    248915

    Pte. Sydney John Rayner 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.30 August 1918)

    Sydney was a signaller highly skilled in first aid. He was killed in action on the 30th August 1918 with a number of other members of the 2nd Suffolks.

    He is buried with 37 other Suffolks at the Ecoust St Mein Cemetery.





    248913

    L/Cpl. Walter Clare Leverington 2nd Battalion Welch Regiment

    <p>Christmas Greetings from Cambridge

    Walter Leverington enlisted 1907 in Cardiff. Between 1910-1911 he was with his regiment in Eygpt. 1914 he sustained a gunshot wound to his left shoulder. He was sent to the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge.

    L Leverington




    248911

    Nurse Marguerite Eveline Bunyard ARRC MID

    Marguerite Bunyard served at this hospital as a volunteer October 1914 to October 1915 before being posted to France to serve in the 24th General Hospital, BEF. She was Born in Maidstone, Kent and resident at Mereworth at this time. She was awarded the Associate Royal Red Cross.

    Andy Bodle




    248907

    Cpl. William John Leonard 11th Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.2nd February 1917)

    William Leonard was my grandmother's brother. The story that my grandmother used to say was that William died of a severe head injury. It must have been sometime later when the family had been notified of Williams’s death. That my grandmother realised that on that particular day she had a severe headache. William also had a brother Thomas Leonard. I have no information for Thomas other than he served in the Welsh Horse regiment and was killed in action in Palestine, it is believed in the family that Thomas had been gassed.

    Mark Gulliford




    248904

    Pte. Sidney Harry Blight 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.24th August 1914)

    Sidney Blight was my great uncle, my grandfather's elder brother. My grandfather never spoke about Sidney and it was only whilst carrying out other family research that we discovered him. He is buried in St. Symphoriem Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    Richard Lewis




    248902

    Pte. Henry Marriner 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Marriner served with 1st Battalion, Border Regiment.

    Dean Marriner




    248899

    Bmbdr. George Henry Hope 120th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather, George Hope, was taken prisoner on 21st of March 1918 Essigny, France and eventually taken to Stendal Prisoner of War Camp on 17th September 1918. He was reported as missing and his wife with 4 year old daughter (my mother) assumed he was dead and moved in with relations as a means of support.

    My grandfather told us that he survived by swapping his cigarette allowance for black bread. He told us that he escaped and lived in an orchard for a week or so but was recaptured but he never ate another apple in his life! My grandmother was eventually contacted by the Red Cross to say that he had been found and he was sent home to Sunderland. My mother remembers being taken to the railway station to meet him but he was not on the train. When they got back home he was already there waiting for them. His health was ruined but my grandmother nursed him back to some strength but he never regained full health and was permanently deaf because of the guns.

    Melanie Baldry




    248898

    Pte. William H. Lawrence Machine Gun Corps

    Our Grandfather William Lawrence was admitted to King's College Hospital on the 9th of December 1917, then transferred to Oakenshaw Hospital in January 1918. He left the Oakenshaw Hospital on the 30th of April 1918 when he was returned to King's College Hospital, where he was eventually discharged from on the 4th of June 1918.

    We have no idea what our grandfather suffered from but we do have some photographs of his Oaksenshaw stay and photographs and details of another patient by the name of W.Tasker who was with the Household Battalion, Life Guards, at Buckingham Palace. Our grandfather had a large family and sadly passed away in 1979.

    Janet Bell




    248897

    Pte. Arthur Thomas Collins 24th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.17th April 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Collins served with 24th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.

    Pete Collins




    248887

    Bmbdr. Norman Greaves 106th Battery Royal Horse Artilliary

    I hold a collection of postcards from and to my great grandmother, Sarah Alder of Middlesbrough, starting in 1911 through the Great War and finishing in 1919.

    The postcards relate to 65466 Bdr Norman Greaves, 106 Battery RHA, 7th Division. XXII Brigade and cover the period of his military service (taken from the postcards)

    • Oct 1911 Cahir Barracks, Tipperary (assumption that he was regular Army)
    • Jun 1913 Catonment, Transvaal
    • Sep 1914 Ashurst, Southampton
    • Oct 1914 Embark for France
    • Oct 1914 Arrive Zeebrugge
    • Oct 1914 Ypres

    Postcards via Field Post Office T7 during period of the following battles: Neuve Chapelle, Festubert, Givenchy, Loos, The Somme

    • Mar 1918 Italy
    • Apr 1918 Libya (scene on card)
    • Oct 1918 Folkstone
    • Dec 1918 Malmedy, Belgium
    • Jan 1919 Call (photo postcard with text "Gruss aus Call" might be Callenelle?)

    Record ends here,Norman Greaves does not appear in the records of the War Graves Commission so it must be assumed that he returned to the UK. His home town is not known nor how he came to be in correspondence with my great grandmother, Sarah Alder nee MacFadyen of Middlesbrough, then in the North Riding of Yorkshire.

    Ian Hall-Dixon




    248884

    Pte. Christopher "Christy" Caffrey 7th Battalion Leinster Regiment

    <p>

    Christopher "Christy" Caffrey, was my great grandfather. He was born Q1 1891 Navan Hospital, Navan, County Meath and died 13 Nov 1922 Navan, County Meath, Ireland of pneumonia.

    He was never the same after coming back from the trenches and taking in the gas which weakened his lungs. He married Annie Brady Q4 1914 Navan. He had 4 children, the eldest was my grandmother born 4th May 1915 followed by her brother Christopher "Christy" 2nd October 1917 (but who sadly died of pneumonia, 12th May 1935, after going fishing with friends and getting wet and then going on to a football match so the story goes). Annie was born and died in Q4 1919 Navan and finally Patrick "Mannix" arrived 23rd July 1921 (d 2004). The family lived at 18 St Finian's Terrace in Navan.

    I have two letters Christy sent when he was held at Gustrow POW camp in 1918 which are lovely but ever so fragile. I have totally transcribed one of them but not so the other as it appears to be written in pencil. They were sent by Christy to his sister Bridget who was a nurse and living in Chester, England.

    I was always told he was given a large military funeral when he died and I have a picture of it although there was also another member of the family who died in 1923 and this may have been their funeral as I know that was large. I am guessing there would be a newspaper article on it?

    It's a very sad story as Annie had to bring up her three children on her own and then her eldest son dies when he is 17. Annie gets a war pension which is decreased when she remarries in 1938. Annie lived until 1981 in 18 St Finian's Terrace. Christy Snr is buried in St Mary's Cemetary in Navan. I don't ever see his name anywhere which is a real shame so it would be good for him to be recognised somewhere.

    He did not die directly in the war but indirectly so in many ways was a casualty which letters on file attest to from people who knew him at the time. There are lots of letters on file back and forth for years while Annie Caffrey fights relentlessly to get her husband's pension as he died in service but they said he died of double pneumonia so he was not killed or died due to anything military related. She mentions she is destitute in one letter and it is heart breaking. It's an interesting story as I am sure you come across many.

    POW address letter June 1918

    POW letter June 1918

    POW letter October 1918

    Military funeral 1922

    Vicky Dorling




    248876

    Pte. John Taylor Pinder

    John Taylor served from 11th of Dec 1915-1918 in the RMLI Plymouth Division. His rank was private. After his service he went on to marry and live a long, happy life.

    Helena Pinder




    248875

    Pte. Frederick Hallett Brown Canterbury Battalion (d.16th October 1917)

    Frederick Brown is amongst those I am currently researching, buried at St. Nicholas church, Brockenhurst as part of a student research project by St. Andrew's College in Christchurch.

    Ian Morrison




    248867

    Lt. Johnson Affleck MC. 7th Btn. Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

    My father, Johnson Affleck was born in Gateshead in 1886, he was at St Bees from 1900-1903 and, after a period learning pioneering skills went out to Canada in 1906 where he was when WWI was declared. He joined up in British Columbia but was told his eyesight would probably preclude active service. He resigned, travelled under his own steam to Europe where he enlisted in the King Edward’s Horse as a cavalryman.

    In 1916 he was selected for officer training and at the end of 1916 was commissioned into the 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers with whom he saw service around Ypres and Passchendaele, service for which he was awarded the Military Cross.

    After the war he stayed in the Army escorting German POWs on their marches back to Germany. He was discharged late in 1919 and made his way back to Canada in 1920.

    William Affleck




    248863

    Pte. Albert Charles Stanley 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.8th August 1918)

    Albert Stanley lied about his age, he was 16 when he joined up in 1915. Sadly he died 3 months before the Armistice.

    Brian Stanley




    248853

    Sgt. Israel Woolcott MM. York and Lancaster Regiment

    <p>

    Israel Woolcott is my Grandfather I am proud to say. He was awarded the Military Medal in September 1917, reported in the Mexborough and Swinton Times September 22, 1917

    Military Medal for Wombwell Sergeant

    Sgt Israel Woolcott (York and Lancaster) has received the Military Medal for showing conspicuous gallantry on Mount Gorrell, on the night of 8th/9th of June 1917, when he got a Lewis gun into position and remained alone with it (his team have become casualties) during a heavy bombardment. He resides at 45 Elliott’s Terrace, New Scarborough, Wombwell and is now regaining his strength after being wounded.

    Graham Stringer




    248844

    Pte. Bertie Middleton 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.4th September 1916)

    Bertie Middleton was my great uncle. He served with 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.

    Anthony Middleton




    248832

    Pte. Arthur Lord Edwards MM. 8th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Edwards enlisted at Derby whilst residing at Hucknall, he gave his age as 26 yrs and 9 months and his address as 24 Baker Street, Hucknall, his occupation was that of a mining tool smith his next of kin was his wife Louisa Edwards of the same address.

    Initially, serving with service number 43343 in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment later transferring to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.

    A reluctant recruit, he had appealed unsuccessfully against his conscription on the grounds of being the sole support of his ill, widowed mother. Landing in France on 21st of December 1916, he was posted to 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, he fell ill with trench fever, being admitted to the 17th Field Ambulance on 23rd April 1917, eventuality returning to England on 16th June 1917. Transferred to 8th Battalion, joining in the field on 27th November 1917, he was wounded in action on 22nd March 1918. He returned to his unit on 26th April 1918. He was killed in action on 27th May 1918 having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial. The award of his Military Medal was announced in the London Gazette, published on 13th of September 1918.

    Harry




    248831

    Pte. James Langlands Walker 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.18th Aug 1916)

    James Walker died in the Battle of the Marne in 1916.

    Lee Larkin




    248829

    Cpl. Richard John Archer 11th Battalion Cameronian Scottish Rifles

    <p>

    Richard Archer served with the 11th Battalion, Cameronian Scottish Rifles.

    Kerry Callard-Williams




    248827

    Pte. Walter Hart 24th Btns. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Oct 1917)

    Walter Hart served with the 24th and 27th Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers

    Perry Snooks




    248820

    Pte. Frederick George Woolley 13th (Kensington) Btn. London Regiment

    Fred Woolleyis my great uncle who fought at Mons. I understand his bandolier blew up and he was invalided home. I have his letters to his mother dutifully censored.

    Mary-Anne Cole




    248816

    Sgt. John Irvine Rodger

    John Rodger was a Prisoner of War, he was stabbed in the back by the German cook when he complained that the food was not fit for his men. He lay on his bunk for three days before he died

    Sonia Last




    248815

    Gnr. John Henry Smith 9th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th January 1916)

    My grandfather John Smith is buried in Suzanne Common Wealth War Grave cemetery on the Somme.

    Rita Read




    248814

    L/Sgt. William Harold Evans 23rd Btn. Welsh Regiment

    William Evans was born in 1895 at Llanfair, Montgomeryshire William joined 23rd Welch Regiment at Portcawl on the 1st of Nove,ner 1915 and was promoted to corporal on the 3rd of May 1916. He embarked from Devonport on the 13th of July 1916 and disembarked at Salonika on the 24th of August 1916. He contracted malaria and was in and out of various hospitals. He was appointed paid lance sergeant on the 1st of November 1918 but due to his malariam his classification y scheme was not available for a theatre of war where malaria is prevalant. He embarked for UK from Itea on the 12th of November 1918 and was posted to the Welsh Regiment depot and proceeded from Cardiff to dispersal centre for demobilization on 7th of Feb 1919.

    Biffo




    248811

    Gnr. Percy Samuel J. Palmer 117th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Percy Palmer served in the 117th Heavy Battery for the duration of the war. He survived and became Superintendant of Park & Gardens for the Borough of Sutton Coldfield.





    248804

    Pte. Thomas Lance Smith 7th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.13th November 1916)

    Thomas Smith was my great-great-grandfather's cousin (found whilst researching family tree) who died shortly before the end of the Battle of the Somme. He was 28 years old and the eldest son of Harry William Smith and Rebecca Smith (nee Simmons). He was born in 1888 in Harrow, North London, and left behind brothers, George Tookey Smith, William James Smith and sister Dorcas Rebecca Smith.

    Clare Springate




    248801

    Pte. Miles Arthur Smith 6th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    My great great grandfather, Miles Smith, joined the 6th Battalion, KOYLI on the 10th of August 1914. He went to France on the 13th of April 1915 and was wounded on 10th of July 1915 and was then sent back to England on the 17th of July 1915 and transferred to the Labour Corps eventually transferring to the RASC and getting posted to Egypt on the 25th of October 1918 where he was demobbed on the 20th of May 1919 and returning home with a 30% disability due to his time on the Front.

    Jimmy




    248800

    CSM. Horace Augustus Firth 7th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Horace Firth was born in West Dereham, Norfolk on 5th September 1890 and enlisted in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, Norfolk Regiment on 3rd June 1907. After serving for a year, Firth transferred to the Suffolk Regiment as a Regular Army Private on 4th June 1908.

    At the start of World War I, Firth was assigned to the newly formed 7th Battalion and landed in France with them on 30th of May 1915. He was wounded twice during World War I.

    Firth was appointed the 1st Battalion’s Regimental Sergeant Major on 23rd January 1925. He received the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal on 15th June 1927 (Army Order 150) and, after serving as the 1st Battalion’s sergeant major for five years, Firth retired on 23rd January 1930.

    Barney Mattingly




    248796

    Pte. Leonard Cutts Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Leonard Cutts originally attested with the York and Lancaster Regiment on 10th of December 1915. His medal index card shows that he could not have arrived overseas earlier than 1st January 1916 because he did not have the 14/15 star. He was discharged on the 14th of January 1919 transferred to class Z meaning he could be recalled if needed. He had probably enlisted under the Derby scheme. His Machine Gun Corps number dates to October 1917 and he probably served overseas from 23rd of February 1918. Little else is known about his Army record.

    He became a butcher in Wath on Dearne, along with father Arthur and brothers Wilfred and Cyril.

    Carol Rees




    248795

    Irene Osgood

    Irene Osgood owned Guilsborough Hall and ran the WW1 Auxillary hospital there. She was an American novelist.

    David O'Neil




    248787

    CQMS. Miles Dracup MID. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    Miles Dracup was my father. He spoke little about his WW1 experiences. I believe he was in the trenches in France before being transferred to Bulgaria to fight the Turks. I have no clue as to why he got an MID. He talked about running over bloated bodies to go into battle. He had a revolver which he said he took off a Turkish officer. The revolver had 5 chambers, whereas our revolvers have 6. We handed this into the police when he died. I would like to know which Battalion he was with and as much as possible about his war.

    During WW2 he was with the Home Guard, where he had his old rank of Sgt.

    Roger Dracup




    248782

    Pte. Joseph Milne Gordon Highlanders

    All I know about Joseph Milne is he married my grandmother on 29th of July 1916. As far as I know they never lived together and think it had something to do with him suffering from shell shock.

    M. Livingston




    248775

    Pte. Francis McNally 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd August 1918)

    Frank McNally is my great-great uncle (paternal uncle of my maternal grandfather), and was born in Brierfield, in Burnley, Lancashire. His father is unknown, and he was born out of wedlock in 1900 to a mother, Margaret, of Irish parents and who was a cotton weaver. He spent the first few years of his life growing up in John McNally's, his grandfather's, home before moving two doors down with his mother. He had four younger brothers, John Thomas, William, Edward, and Alexander who were aged between 7 and 10 when he was killed, tragically aged just 18. He was formerly with the 72nd Training Reserve Battalion.

    Josh Francis McLennon




    248774

    CSM. Claude Joyce Duffett 3rd Battalion London Regiment

    Claude Duffett served with the 3rd Battalion, London Regiment. I would like to find out more about his service.

    Lynda Duffett




    248773

    Pte. Isaac Gillan 9th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.7th Aug 1915)

    Isaac Gillan was killed in action in the Gallipoli Campaign on 7th of Aug 1915 less than a month after disembarking on 11th of July 1915. He was awarded Victory, British and 15 Star medals. Isaac was a cab driver previous to this and left behind his wife, Gertrude Gillan (Nee Lloyd), and children in the Miles Platting region of Manchester.

    Frank Skinner




    248771

    Pte. James McConnell 21st Battalion (d.14th April 1918)

    James McConnell was admitted to Fargo Hospital on 21st of February 1917 with Bronchitis. He was discharged back to duty 1st March 1917 and was killed in action on the 14th of April 1918 at Dernancourt, France.





    248762

    Pte. William "Dump" Benyon 14th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.2nd Sep 1917)

    William Benyon's family nickname was 'Dump'. I can only guess at the reason. Before enlisting he was a well known local footballer in St. Helens, Lancashire. He played for St. Helens Town.

    Ken




    248758

    Pte. Joseph Walsh 8th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Joseph Walsh enlisted on 7th of December 1914. He served the whole of World War 1, before being referred to Abram Peel War Hospital suffering from Neurasthenia (Shell Shock) on 21st of January 1919. He was discharged from the army on 1st February 1919 with a 40% degree of disablement. Later in 1919 he married Isabella Connell, a resident of Bradford. He went on to have 2 sons and one daughter with Isabella. Joseph died of a heart attack in 1946 aged 58 years.

    Josette Ward




    248754

    Dvr. Roland Braybrook Royal Field Artillery

    Roland Braybrook served as a driver and Shoesmith with the Army Ordnance Corps and Royal Field Artillery.

    Chris Meads




    248751

    Cpl. Robert Whitlock MM 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.31st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Whitlock was originally born in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. He then moved to Tintinhull in Somerset where he worked for Tintinhull Glove Factory. In 1910, Robert married Mary Elizabeth Rogers. They had two children, Florence (born 1911) and Reginald (born 1915). On the outbreak of war, Robert enlisted in Yeovil with the 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. He served as a medic and was promoted to corporal at some point during his service with 7SLI. In 1917, he was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry. In the summer of 1918, probably mid to late June, Robert was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment (B Company), presumably as part of the attempt to reinforce the Devonshire's after their mauling at Bois des Buttes. On 31st October 1918, 12 days before the end of the war, Robert was killed on the North bank of the Scheldt (L'Escaut) during the British attempt to cross that river on that day. He was buried where he fell and his body was later moved to St Roch cemetery in Valenciennes.

    Close up of Robert

    Close up of platoon photo probably during training in 1915

    Robert's platoon photo 7th SLI

    Robert's medals and ID tag

    Robin Whitlock




    248746

    Pte. Timothy Ernest Donovan 6th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.24th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Timothy Donovan served with 6th Btn. South Wales Borderers.

    Robert Swenson




    248745

    Gnr. William Horace Gregory 230th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.16th May 1917)

    <p>

    On the 16th of May 1917, heavy German shelling began sweeping and searching over the area occupied by us and on the Blangy-Fampoux Road. Two men were killed Gnr. William Gregory and Cpl. Praill, and 3 men were wounded.

    Stephen Gregory




    248736

    Cpl. Frederick Cater 2/6th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.19th July 1916)

    Frederick Cater was originally in the 1/6th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, and was transferred to the 2/6th Gloucestershire Regiment in the Spring of 1916.

    William McLaughlin




    248731

    Lt. Herbert Otho Hamilton 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th September 1915)

    Herbert Hamilton was the only son of Rev William Frederic Tucker Hamilton of Cromer. Previously vicar of Christ Church Woking. His mother Maud died from post-natal depression after his birth. He was educated at Malvern and Trinity Cambridge. He married Muriel Wakley 6 months before his death on the first day of the Battle of Loos.

    Richard Langtree




    248729

    2Lt. William Humphrey MC. 4th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th October 1918)

    Bill Humphrey was my grandmother's first cousin. She was very close to Bill and he was about 6 years older than her.

    He was conscripted into the Army in 1916 and attached to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He was wounded on about 6th October 1918 near Villers Farm in Northern France, attached to the 3rd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, when he was leading an assault on a fortified farm and his platoon took 6 machine gun posts and 76 prisoners. He was evacuated to the military hospital near Etaples and died of his wounds on 24th iof October 1918.

    Davina Mackay




    248721

    2Lt. C F Cockfield 142nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.27th August 1916)

    Lt Cockfield was the father of my ex neighbour Lord Cockfield (who invented the Single Market in the EEC)

    Jon Cooper




    248715

    Pte. Peter Connelly 1/8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Peter Connelly was wounded in September 1917 at Passchendaele and discharged in 1918 as no longer fit for duty.

    Mike Bastianelli




    248711

    SSgt. William Henry Nicholson DCM. Lancs & Cheshire Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Billy Nicholson served with the Lancashire and Cheshire Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Tim Fawcitt




    248703

    Nurse Ada Rushforth RRC

    <p>

    This is my grandmother's aunt who I know worked on 11 Casualty Clearing Station during WW1 up until March 1919. From the National Archives notes when she completed her service and that she was awarded the RRC second class.

    I have a bullet that was given to her by a grateful soldier that has a cross carved out of it when you pull it apart you can see the cross. She worked at Westminster Hospital which is the same hospital I trained at. I am now a Sister and I feel very proud to think what work she must have done. I also have a couple of photos of her and some soldiers if that is any use to you. She had some septic sores for which she had to be treated back in England for but when she recovered she returned to the clearing station.

    All I remember my grandmother saying about her was that when she came back she did not speak for a long time and she would sit in the garden for hours. I presume she must have suffered post traumatic stress.

    Caroline Barratt




    248697

    Lt. George Masterman Thompson CdG Gold Coast Regiment (d.22nd August 1914)

    George Thompson served with the Gold Coast Regiment.

    S Flynn




    248696

    Capt. Frederick Courtney Selous DSO MID 25th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.4th January 1917)

    Frederick Selous served with the 25th Btn. Royal Fusiliers.

    S flynn




    248693

    Pte. James Moran King's Regiment (Liverpool) (d.16th August 1916)

    I have been researching my family tree and only found out yesterday that my great uncle, James Moran, was killed at the Somme on 16th August 1916. He was 18 years of age.

    I haven't any photos yet but, hopefully, in time will find some and other information as to whether he received any medals and such. I am trying to find Thomas Moran his brother. There is a Thomas Moran in the same regiment who was killed at Arras but I can't find any personal information on him to link him with James, such as address and mother's name.

    James' father, my great grandfather, was also killed in January 1916 aged 49. They are not commemorated at a memorial in Crosby so once I have found out about Thomas and whether this is our Thomas, then the Mayors office will add their names to the memorial in Crosby in time for the 100th anniversary in November. Wish me luck!





    248691

    Pte. Richard Readyhoof 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    <p>

    My great uncle, Richard Readyhoof, was born in 1896 and served in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He later served in the 12th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry.

    We know he survived the war and married in 1920. They had no children. Sadly, we know he died in 1932. I recall my Grandmother telling me that he died because he didn't drink enough milk. (Maybe as a result of beg gassed in battle).

    Neil Readyhoof




    248687

    Bmdr. John Gray Donnithorne Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.19th November 1917)

    <p>

    My great grandfather, John Gray Donnithorne, served in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He died on 19th November 1917 and is buried in Mendinghem War Cemetory in Belgium.

    John Donnithorne's grave Mendinghem

    Tony Walters




    248686

    Gnr. Soren Gottfried Ulrick "George" Ohlsen 26th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st May 1918)

    Soren was my great grandfather. It has been difficult to trace his history. We think he was born in Germany in 1879, but raised in Denmark from age of 3. Was an Able seaman? He came to the UK and ended up working on the docks in Bristol. He married an English girl 1905.

    His enlistment possibly quoted as being Australian born Fort Parry, no such place. No birth record found in Australia but have found a birth record in Germany of this name. I found a Bristol newspaper article about a G Ohlsen again quoted as being Australian 1910. It's possible he was saying he was Australian, as being German would have made it impossible to join British Army.

    Liz Owen




    248685

    Capt. Adam Fulton 2nd Btn. Border Regiment

    Adam Fulton served with the 6th & 2nd Battalions, Border Regiment.

    Hugh Fulton




    248683

    Rflmn. William Gladwin A Coy, 11th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3 Sept 1916)

    William was KIA Battle of Guillemont

    Jim MacKenzie




    248677

    Cpl. Frederick Charles Wilfred Simpson 55th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    Born October 1898 in Clerkenwell, London, Frederick Simpson was the first child of Emma and Frederick Simpson. He followed his father into the print industry as a ledger clerk. Prior to enlisting he was a volunteer in the Rifles Corps. He enlisted on the 27th of May 1916 in Grantham. He was 17 at the time and lied about his age saying that he was 19.He went to Flanders as part of the Machine Gun Corps and served with the 55th and/or 58th Battalion, records contradict. He died of wounds on 22nd of August 1918 and was buried in Pernes British Cemetery in France.

    Jacqueline Burke




    248672

    Pte. Frederick William Britton 8th Battalion Border Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Britton had previously served in the Boer War with the 3rd Norfolk Regiment. He enlisted with the same regiment on 17th of July 1915 but was transferred to the 10th Battalion of the Border Regiment on 9th November 1915 and then transferred to 8 Battalion of the Border Regiment on 30th of December 1915 and was promptly posted to France.

    The battalion took part in many actions on the Western Front and he was killed in action on 21 March 1918 leaving a widow and six children. He is commemorated at the Arras Memorial Records have his surname variously spelled Britton/Britain/Brittain

    Clive Hall




    248669

    Pte. Charles Doyle 8th Btn. (d.17th October 1919)

    Private Doyle was the Son of Thomas Doyle and his wife Augusta Lewis, of Layou, St. Vincent.

    He was 24 and is buried in the Layou Cemetery, St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

    S flynn




    248668

    Lt. Robert Maurice Hughes East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st August 1919)

    Lieutenant Hughes was the Son of John James Augustus and Harriet Hughes (nee Breen).

    He was 43 and is buried in the Kingstown (St. George) Cathedral Close, in St. Vincent & the Grenadines

    S flynn




    248666

    L/Cpl. Wilfred James Campbell Rossiter Somerset Light Infantry

    I never knew my grandfather Wilfred Rossiter. He left the marital home when my father was young. I have been researching my family for thirty year now. Unfortunately, little is known or available for this gentleman. I was fortunate to buy his war medals last October, and have sent a photo. He was initially in the Somerset Light Infantry. Later the Dorsetshire Regiment. Any information would be great. Strange thing, his name was Wilfred James Campbell Rossiter. Someone on processing the medal card has written William.

    Linda Rossiter




    248663

    Gnr. Samuel Capie Royal Field Artillery

    Samuel Capie fought in France in 1916, and was wounded on 10th of June 1918. He was recorded as having fractured his mandible in a gunshot wound, and was sent to Sidcup, to The Queen's Hospital and was one of the recorded patients of the pioneering plastic surgeon Harold Gillies who created Gillies Archive. As part of the archive, it is recorded that a photograph exists of Samuel Capie and his injury, and possibly the outcome of surgery. We have yet to confirm which photograph is his due to the anonymity adopted by Prof. Gillies in documenting his work. It may be that the photograph referred to is really a pastel sketch by Henry Tonks.

    Samuel Capie married Mabel Sullivan and continued to live in Sidcup, becoming a male nurse and died aged 72 years in Sidcup. He is buried in All Saints Church, Foots Cray.

    Carolyn Rhodes




    248661

    Bugler. Augustus Delaval Toulmin 4th Field Ambulance, Section A Australian Army Medical Corps (d.9th July 1915)

    <p>

    Augustus Toulmin served for two years in the Citizen Military Forces before enlisting in the AIG on 14th September 1914 at Broadmeadows, Victoria. He was placed in the 4th Field Ambulance, Section A and left Melbourne on board Transport A35 Berrima on 22nd December 1914 bound for Egypt.

    He served in Gallipoli until he was wounded and shipped back to England to the Netley Military Hospital in Hound, Hampshire on 20th of June 1915. He died of his wounds (and tonsilitis and cardiac failure) on 9th of July 1915 and is buried in the Netley Military Cemetery.

    His brother, Private John Oliver Toulmin, was killed in action on 3rd of May 1917 at the Battle of Amiens. A third brother, Private Thomas George Toulmin, survived the war and returned to Australia in 1919.

    Bugler Augustus Toulmin

    Terang Express notice  1915 - 16.07 -  Notice of death with message

    Grave in Netley Military Cemetery





    248645

    Pte. Alfred Edward Morton 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

    <p>

    Alfred Morton was born in Aston, Birmingham in 1886 and was a moulder in a brass factory before the war. Alfred had served for 5 years in the Warwickshire Volunteers since 1906 and when war broke out he immediately joined the Kings Royal Rifles, and later transferred to the R.F.A. In October 1915 he was transferred to the 2nd Wiltshires. He fought at Lens, Festubert and the Somme before being killed while attacking the Hindenburg line near St Martin sur Cojeul on 9th of April 1917. Alfred left behind a wife and a 3 year old daughter, who was my mother.

    Charles Birch




    248641

    Pte. William Lewthwaite 9th Btn. Black Watch (d.25th September 1915)

    William Lewthwaite, my great uncle was killed in 1st attack of the Battle of Loos 25th of September 1915.





    248636

    Pte. Jonah Jones 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.14th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Today, 30th of May 2018, my husband David and I visited my great uncle Jonah Jones's grave at Southern Cologne Cemetery. He was born on October 15 1899. The son of a farming family. His parents were Thomas and Leah. He was one of 8, Tommy, Hugh, Ceinwen, Kate, Ginny, Elizabeth and Annie Eluned my grandmother.

    He enlisted with the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment at Wrexham in November 1917. He was captured on the 21st of August 1918 at Achiet during the Third battle of Albert which was the start of the push through the Somme. He sustained a gunshot wound to the pelvis, was captured and moved to the military hospital at South Cologne (Koln) we assume a POW. He died from sepsis on 14th of November 1918.

    His headstone in Cologne cemetery

    Sue




    248633

    Gnr. Wilfred Marshall 103rd Siege Battery

    My grandfather Wilfred Marshall served in the 103rd Siege Battery, RGA. I am researching his war.

    Paul Marshall




    248632

    William Bernard Simpson Grenadier Guards

    William Simpson was treated for shrapnel wound to right wrist received in France 8th October 1915

    Peter Feek




    248630

    Pte. John Thomas Brown 7th Battalion

    We have had our great granddad, John Brown's War Medal and Victory medal for some time. He was our mother's paternal grandfather. We value these things greatly for what they represent and decided to try and find out a bit more about him and his service. We know he was Coventry born and bred and we have information about him but not his war service history.

    From the information and service number on the medal box, we know he was in The Royal Warwickshire Regiment and living in Coventry guessed he would have joined the 1/7th Battalion based in Coventry at the time. Limited research tells us this was the case and he also joined the 1st Battalion at some point. Sadly there are, (we have been told), no surviving service records for him. Also if anyone by chance has any information on him that they can share that would be amazing. He survived the Great war and returned to Coventry where he became a cycle finisher. It seems quite a different world compared to the service the 1/7th and 1st Battalions were involved in.

    Andrew Nixon




    248626

    Lt. Jack Lyons Boyton MC. 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Jack Boyton received a gunshot wound to the left shoulder on the 23rd of March 1917 in Nurlu, France, 2 days after winning the MC at Epehy. He sustained a gun shot wound to the left shoulder with compound comminuted fracture of the upper border of the scapula and outer end of the clavicle. He was treated at The Prince of Wales Hospital, Marylebone, London, initially surgically by Capt H R U? with massage and electro therapy. Original placement was 3 months.

    At the second medical board on 3rd July he was still suffering from insomnia although his injury was healing well. He was then being treated by a Dr Kingsbury?. By the third medical board September 1918 he had been discharged from the hospital and was at home for three weeks leave before reporting for duty as being fit for C1 Instructor of Cadet Unit. He remained in this role until his discharge in 1919.

    Jane Addis




    248625

    AbleSea. William Arthur Hymas HMS Ullswater (d.15th August 1918)

    <p>

    William Hymas is my great uncle, a brother to my grandfather.

    Pat Cooke




    248624

    L/Cpl. Edward John Thorp Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    Edward Thorp had his Medical Examination and was declared fit to serve on the 10th of December 1915. He enlisted in Woking to the 6th (Cyclist) Btn. Norfolk Regiment and was assigned to patrol England On the 17th of October 1916 he was drafted to the DLI and sent to the front due to their heavy early losses. On the 6th of October 1917 he was gassed during battle, (probably chlorine) at the 3rd Battle of Ypres. On the 14th of May 1919 he was medically discharged from army. £5 gratuity was paid.

    Ryan Empson




    248621

    Pte. Samuel Gibbs 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Samuel Gibbs born 1889 in Bethnal Green, joined the Kings Own Yorkshire light Infantry when he was just 14 yrs old in 1903/4 and he was put in the band. His family had spit up because of his fathers death.

    Samuel served through the great war. He was one of the "Old Contemptibles". He was awarded the Mons Medal. He was injured sometime during the Great War, but went back to fight with the Royal Engineers.

    Michael Gibbs




    248619

    Pte. James Dean 1/5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.31st August 1918)

    <p>

    My Uncle James Dean was killed eight weeks before the Armistice. He was the oldest of ten children born to William and Sarah Jane Dean in a small village called Wiswell near Whalley Lancs.

    He enlisted with his younger brother, William, but only Billy was to return home. James is mentioned on a memorial in Wiswell of which was his old school, also he is on a plaque inside Habergham All Saints Church, Burnley. He lived just down the road from the Church on Scott Street when he enlisted.

    The family always thought he was buried in Padiham Cemetery with our Grandmother but by searching my family tree I found his grave in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France. Since this discovery two of my cousins have visited the grave.

    My hope is to visit this year on the hundred anniversary of James's death.

    Wiswell War Memorial

    Pauline Littler




    248614

    Pte. John William Norton Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    My grandfather, John Norton was born in Ipswich on 3rd October 1892 and it is not known when he exactly joined the Loyal Suffolk Hussars. Several photographs in my possession show groups of soldiers but the only one dated is the camp at Tidworth in 1915. Another photo taken at Tidworth Camp details that they are C Squadron, 3rd & 4th Troops. Very little seems to have survived of his military service, however he was awarded The Silver War Badge, which reveals that he was wounded. This is supported by two photographs that show John standing, with another man, outside the Golders Green Convalescent Home, thankfully he has written "January 25 1918, Golders Green Convalescent Home" on the back. Also with the photo is another in the exact same size and format which shows a room with several beds and could be the inside of the Home - unfortunately there is no description or date on this print. John's official medal card gives his Regimental Number as 53145 and he was a Private in the Machine Gun Corps. The only other scrap of information I have, which is on the Victory and British War Medal Roll, is that he was Disembodied on 19th February 1919.

    Golders Green Convalescent Home 1918

    Rita Boswell




    248612

    Pte. George David Simpson 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    My Grandfather George Simpson was captured on 22nd of March 1918 in St Quentin having been shot through the shoulder. He was reported missing and it was 3 months before his family were informed on 29th of June 1918 that he had been found. He was sent from Maubeuge to Dulmen and then to Munster I on 23rd of July 1918.

    Barbara Campbell




    248611

    Sgt. Stephen Nelson 8th Battalion Black Watch (d.19th July 1918)

    Stephen Nelson was my grandfather who died in Meteren, France on the 19th July 1918. His wife, Elizabeth, gave birth to a daughter, Christina, the previous year. As far as I'm aware he never saw his own child. My grandmother struggled bravely, as a single parent, to bring up her daughter by finding work as a cook/housekeeper in private homes. Sadly, I have no photos of my grandfather to add to this text. When visiting Meteren on 27th of May 2018 I found my grandfather's grave. I may be the only relative to reflect on this brave man's short life. I think he was 29 or 30 when he was killed. I shall return to Meteren on the 19th July 2018 to pay my respects at his grave once more.

    Christine Ord




    248608

    Pte. John Edward Blackburn 9th (County of London) Btn. London Regiment (d.14th April 1917)

    <p>

    John Blackburn was born in 1889 at Islington, Middlesex, to Annie Louise Thompson, age 25, and John Blackburn, age 27. He had four brothers and four sisters. He was a musician, and travelling pianist. He married Lilian Rachel King, 26 Apr 1908 at Bromley, Middlesex, England. They had two children, one boy and one girl.

    He enlisted, serving with the 9th (County of London) Battalion (Queen Victoria's Rifles) in France and Flanders. John was killed in action at Arras, on the 14th of April, 1917.

    Pre-War Photo

    Arras Memorial Inscription

    Commemorative Scroll

    Joe Blackburn




    248606

    Nurse Edith Mary Richards

    Edith earned the Samaritan's Cross

    Stephanie Limpus




    248600

    L/Cpl. Harold Hargreaves 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.17th March 1918)

    Harold Hargreaves earned the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Dave Dimelow




    248597

    Pte. Samuel McGuigan Royal Irish Rifles

    Samuel McGuigan, my Granddad's brother, was wounded in the back on 1 Jul 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme whilst serving in the 36th Ulster Division. Soldiers in that division had been initially successful in their assault on the German lines before being retreat, coming under fire from British and German artillery and German machine guns. Between Dec 1916 and Dec 1918, when he was repatriated to the UK, Samuel was incarcerated in Langensalza POW camp.





    248596

    L/Cpl. George Rose 8th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Aug 1915)

    George Rose was born in Bradford on 5th of Nov 1893. His parents Edwin and Annie (nee Burton) both died when he was a small boy and George was brought up by his mother's sister Mary and her husband William Sidaway in Ashington, Northumberland. George and Mary were my great grandparents and if my grandmother's recollections are anything to go by, it was a household full of love. 1911 census shows that he was a coal miner.

    David Grierson




    248594

    Pte. George Albert Curtis 7th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.16th August 1917)

    A very interesting moment in the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). On the 16th of August 1917 the 7th KOYLI was part of the 20th Light Division, 61st Brigade, which successfully retook the villages of Langemarck and Steenbeek from the enemy, lost during 1915. 7th KOYLI were tasked with clearing a blockhouse to the west of Steenbeek village which was holding up the advance. It is likely that Pte George Curtis, my great granddad, was killed in this action. His regimental colleague Pte W Edwards was awarded a VC for his part in this action.

    George's body has never been identified and he, therefore, has no known grave. His fall is commemorated in the Tyne Cot memorial near Ypres.

    Tracey Taylor




    248581

    Stok1. Henry John Murray HMS Britannia

    <p>Henry with his brother Alf.

    Henry Murray enlisted into the Royal Navy on 13th May 1913 as a stoker. He reported to HMS Vivid II at Portsmouth. After training and serving on HMS Bonetta, Henry was transfered to HMS Britannia on Dec 1913 as a Stoker 1st Class.

    He disregarded orders to look into the furnace through eye shields especially when the oil burners were on. As a result he suffered temporary blindness because of the intense light and heat. He was invalided out of the RN before HMS Britannia became the last British warship to be sunk in the Great War. She was torpedoed on 9th November 1918 by UB50 near Cape Trafalgar.

    Edward Jury




    248577

    Pte Roderick Chisholm 14th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.24 November 1917)

    Roderick Chisholm was my great grandfather's brother. He was born in Beauly, Inverness.

    Roderick is commemorated with honours on the Cambrai Memorial, Panel 10. His brother Christopher, my great grandfather, also fought with the Highland Light Infantry 5th battalion. He died on the 2nd of September 1915. He lies in East Mudros Military Cemetery. Their older brother, Thomas John, also fell.

    Dawn Hunter




    248566

    Pte. Edward Sweeney 8th Battalion Black Watch (d.14th October 1918)

    Edward Sweeney was a distant relative but still remembered. He left a very small village called Helensburgh, the inventor of Television came from here. Sadly, Edward never had a chance to enjoy this and many other extraordinary things the world has brought us. He fought for his country and the people at home but sadly died in a foreign country and never came home again. He has his name with many others of the Parish, in the Town Gardens on a large War Memorial. Every year the town comes out and pays tribute to all who fought and died.

    This year is the 100th anniversary and my 15 year old daughter is taking a school trip to Belgium and France. I, and my now aging parents, are proud to say my daughter will hopefully find the memorial cemetery and pay our respects to Edward. Edward had no children and had not married.

    His brother went to London and was the personal driver of Prime Minister Boannar Law. His other brother married my Granny and settled into life in a small rural town. We will continue to be remembered by the family name and thank Edward and his fellow men who were so brave.

    Nicola Burns




    248562

    Cpl. William Payne 11th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    William Payne was one of at least eight sons of Albert Edward and Anne Payne of Shepreth, Cambs. He joined the 11th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment in 1914 and served throughout WWI with the Cambs Suffolk’s until 1917 when he was wounded and discharged. William Payne survived the war, had a number of his own children. In his latter years he was a water keeper on the tributaries of the River Camb, eventually passing away in 1963 in Haslingfield.





    248555

    Capt. F. O. Ellis 12th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

    I have a Tin Trunk with the details of Capt F O Ellis, 12th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment.





    248553

    Pte Cecil Frederick Mullin 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    Cecil Mullin served with the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps and the 1st Btn Lincolnshire Regiment. He eared the 1914-15 Star Trio, VLSM.

    Christine




    248549

    Pte. Alfred Bacon 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.11th Nov 1917)

    Alfred Bacon was born at Danesmoor, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Son of Edward and Elizabeth Bacon. He was a coal miner prior to enlistment 16th August 1910. He was at Crownhill Fort, Plympton, Devon in 1911 and went to France 8th of September 1914 and died a prisoner of war 11th of November 1917. He is buried in Hamburg Cemetery, Germany.

    Steven Coulter




    248548

    Gnr. Ernest Walton Percy 63rd Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st November 1917)

    Ernest Percy was born 22nd November 1877 in Salford, Lancashire. He married Amelia Gordon Robertson on 12th June 1907 in Aberdeen, Scotland and they had two children.

    He signed his declaration 29th of November 1915 in Aberdeen. His declaration was approved 10th of August 1916 for the RGA at The Citadel Plymouth. He was a Gunner in the 63rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    His service record states:

    • Home: 7.8.16 to 30.9.17
    • BEF France 1.10.17 to 1.11.17
    • Died of Wounds France 1.11.17
    • Awards: BW and V Medal with clasp

    The information regarding his effects state he died at the 18th Corps Main Dressing Station. It is unclear exactly where he died in France, i.e. the location of the 18th Corps Main Dressing Station.

    Barry Michie




    248547

    Pte. Leonard Morgan 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment

    My grandfather Leonard Morgan of the 2nd Welsh Regiment was taken prisoner at the Battle of Mons. His son was born after this and he was called Mons.

    I never met him as he had died before I was born (1955). My eldest brother said he had a twitch which he remembered but, judging by the reports of Wittenberg POW camp it's probably just as well that he came out with just that and nothing else.





    248546

    Major John Cowan Browning DSO. 210th Brigade, C Battery Royal Field Artillery

    On 28th of August 1917, Major Jack Browning DSO, proceeded from Bus to 41st Stationary Hospital "for throat treatment". I believe that this was as a result to exposure to gas but I cannot identify the incident from the Unit Diary. Perhaps this suggests that it might have been accidental rather than the result of enemy attack.

    John Kenyon Browning




    248543

    Pte. Edward George "Jack" Walker 12th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    My great Uncle, Jack Walker, joined up on 8th of November 1915. He was with the 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and was wounded. We don't know where but the Battalion fought at Delville Woods and Guillemont. He returned home on 2nd of March 1917 and was discharged on 30th of January 1918 as being "no longer physically fit for war service"

    Robert Walker




    248541

    Herbert Vincent Avery

    <p>

    Memorial register within Bishop Latimer Church, Beeton Road, Winson Green, Birmingham. The Text of the stone plaque above reads: IN HONOURED AND SACRED MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS CONGREGATION AND PARISH WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 1918 GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS

    Dave Stuteley




    248540

    Arthur James Audley

    <p>

    Memorial register within Bishop Latimer Church, Beeton Road, Winson Green, Birmingham. The Text of the stone plaque above reads: IN HONOURED AND SACRED MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS CONGREGATION AND PARISH WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 1918 GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS

    Dave Stuteley




    248539

    Jesse Ashforth

    <p>

    Memorial register within Bishop Latimer Church, Beeton Road, Winson Green, Birmingham. The Text of the stone plaque above reads: IN HONOURED AND SACRED MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS CONGREGATION AND PARISH WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 1918 GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS

    Dave Stuteley




    248537

    Leonard Alcock

    <p>

    Memorial register within Bishop Latimer Church, Beeton Road, Winson Green, Birmingham. The Text of the stone plaque above reads: IN HONOURED AND SACRED MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS CONGREGATION AND PARISH WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 1918 GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS

    Dave Stuteley




    248536

    William Adams

    <p>

    Memorial register within Bishop Latimer Church, Beeton Road, Winson Green, Birmingham. The Text of the stone plaque above reads: IN HONOURED AND SACRED MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS CONGREGATION AND PARISH WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 1918 GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS

    Dave Stuteley




    248535

    Charles William Adams

    <p>

    Memorial register within Bishop Latimer Church, Beeton Road, Winson Green, Birmingham. The Text of the stone plaque above reads: IN HONOURED AND SACRED MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS CONGREGATION AND PARISH WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 1918 GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS

    Dave Stuteley




    248534

    Arthur Vincent Adams

    <p>

    Memorial register within Bishop Latimer Church, Beeton Road, Winson Green , Birmingham.

    Text of stone plaque above reads: IN HONOURED AND SACRED MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS CONGREGATION AND PARISH WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 1918 GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS

    It is located in the North west corner within the Lady Chapel. Plaque measures 610mm by 470mm, inset grey marble with recessed carved high relief lettering on a gold painted background The case below this is of a similar size and sits on a marble bracket shelf with two quarter round edges, presumably for candlesticks. The case has a hinged cover of japanned bronze with deep set chamfered glass.

    The memorial list is bordered by brown Moroccan leather picked out with leaves and a five petaled rose in each corner in gold leaf. The words: THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE at the top and the dates 1914 1918 at the bottom 128 names in total written in black ink on vellum. (I am the carpenter who relaid the Lady Chapel floor during May 2018)

    Dave Stuteley




    248533

    Gnr. George Ernest Butler 276th Brigade, B Bty. (d.4th August 1917)

    <p>

    Memorial plaque on choristers bench within Bishop Latimer Church, Beeton Road, Winson Green, Birmingham. The Text of brass plaque reads: "In Memory of George Ernest Butler for some years a faithful chorister of this church who was killed in action France, August 4th 1917".

    It is located opposite the organ, third row on left of church, second seat from the left. Plaque measures 60mm by 155mm. Slightly recessed painted red cross in each corner, through which a brass domed screw passes with the slots resting horizontally. The initial letters (GEB) are again slightly recessed and painted in red. The rest of the letting is in black and stands slightly proud to the touch. (I am the carpenter who relaid the Lady Chapel floor during May 2018)

    Dave Stuteley




    248531

    Pte. Ralph Porter 6th Btn. B Coy. London Regiment (d.16th October 1918)

    <p>

    Ralph Porter died at home of injuries sustained at war.

    Gary Wilson




    248527

    Pte. John Mintern 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.9th May 1915)

    John Mintern was the son of Stephen and Ellen (McCarthy, Kinsale) Mintern. He was the third child of a family of six. First Mary Ellen who passed away at a few months of age. Nora who wed Andrew Dineen and was buried in 1919. Then John who was killed in action at Rue De Bois and is listed on the Le Tourey Memorial. Then Patrick. Then Stephen then Anthony. Leo (1908) my Father.

    There appears to be no photo of John. But have been told there was one of him in his uniform of The Royal Munster Fusiliers. RIP and all your comrades alike.





    248514

    William Riley Murphy USS Plattsburg

    <p>Riley and Lucy, WW1

    I found a framed photograph of the USS Plattsburg while exploring my grandparents' house in the 1960's, and was told by my father that his father had served in WWI ferrying troops/supplies between the US and Liverpool in England. He worked in the engine room as I recall. I wish he'd told me some stories, but he died in 1964 when I was only 10 in Little Rock, Arkansas. His name was William Murphy, he went by his middle name, Riley.

    When his own son, William Riley Murphy Jr. was joining the Navy for WWII, his group was being given an examination. The Navy man passing out the tests noticed his name and asked if his father had served on the USS Plattsburg. Yes. Turns out the man administering the test had served with my father's father, William Riley Murphy Sr. He whispered to my father "Son, you just mark those answers real light." My father got 100%.

    Dale Murphy




    248511

    Pte. David Lloyd 15th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.20th August 1917)

    David Lloyd was one of 12 children. Because of the lack of work in Cardiganshire at the time nearly all the children left for London to work in the dairy trade including David.

    My grandmother was the eldest and helped bring up her siblings. When David prepared to leave for war my grandmother walked from her home Esgair garn down to the village to see him off. She was heavily pregnant at the time and the strain and worry brought on the birth of her daughter (my mother)a month early.

    David earned the Victory Medal and the British Empire Medal

    G Harrison




    248508

    Bmbdr. Leslie Henry Fisher MM. 154th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Letter written by Leslie Fisher concerning death of L/Bombardier Sidney Law.





    248507

    Pte. Thomas John Girdwood 17th Battalion (d.30th Sep 1918)

    Thomas Girdwood was my great grandmother's first husband. We don't know much about what happen and would love to know more.

    Ruth Ford




    248506

    Robert F. Oliver HMS Botha

    <p>

    Robert Oliver served in the Royal Navy in WW1 and the army in WW2. I am looking to find evidence to back newspaper up.

    Ruth Ford




    248505

    Pte. William Thomas Taylor 58th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My maternal grandfather, William Taylor, was born in Railway Cottages in Dublin in April 1889. He had two brothers, Arthur and Jack, who also served in the First World War. His father was a train driver and his parents both died some time before 1914. William, Arthur and Jack, as orphans, were sent to live with relatives in Liverpool, though one may have entered a children's home in Croxteth. William had an uncle called Captain W. Gallant whom he wrote postcards to during the war. He lived at Primrose Cottage in Croxteth which is no longer there.

    William volunteered in 1914 training at Aldershot and going to France in 1915. He suffered a slight gas attack at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 serving as a stretcher bearer. He was put on lighter duties and served on Ambulance Train No 10. He once saw his brother on a train going in the opposite direction.

    In June 1918, William was wounded with a gunshot wound to his ankle somewhere between Reims and Epernay. As boys, my brother and I found a small cardboard pill box with ribbon and the pieces of shrapnel inside that were taken from William's ankle. He was taken to a French field hospital, strapped down and the shrapnel taken out of his ankle without anesthetic. William recovered at Mere, Wiltshire in a VAD hospital.

    Paul Eddy




    248502

    Pte. Horace William "William" Rhodes 8th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Horace Rhodes was known as William, he served with 8th (Service) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment and enlisted in Pontefract on on 23rd September 1915. He was born in 1888 in Knottingley, his parents were Barnabas and Mary Ann Rhodes. William was killed in action on 1st July 1916 and has no known grave, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. A Handwritten note on the medal card says: 'Missing 1st of July 1916' and 'Served in France'.

    Danny Lane




    248501

    AbleSea. Sid P. Marquis HMS Cyclops

    My step mother's father, Sid Marquis, served on HMS Cyclops. I don't know a great deal about his time on board, but I do have a letter dated 21st of March 1924 for a meal in honour of the racing boats' crews of HMS Cyclops at the White Ensign Club in Malta. It seems they won the race in Pollensa Bay.

    I also have a winners medal, photo of his boat crew, and menu from the dinner which is signed by other crew members. I can make out the names: Bowen, O W Phillips, G Altwood, H Curtis, A Hale, and JS Prescall-Roberts who was Lieutenant Commander President Canteen Committee.

    Sid died in 1982.

    Timothy Stumbles




    248500

    James Adams 137th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My grandad Jim Adams was on a howitzer gun with 137th Siege Battery. He never spoke about it until the day he died when he said 'I wish I hadn't killed all those fellas'.





    248499

    Pte. Charles Doyle 8th Bn (d.17th October 1919)

    Private Doyle was the Son of Thomas Doyle and his wife Augusta Lewis, of Layou, St. Vincent.

    He was 24 and is buried in the Layou Cemetery In St. Vincent, BWI

    S Flynn




    248498

    Pte. Walter Stapleton 8 Bn (d.18th April 1920)

    Private Stapleton was the Son of Henley and Beatrice Boyde Stapleton, of Barrouallie, St. Vincent, British West Indies.

    He was 25 and is buried in the Barrouallie Cemetery in St. Vincent, BWI

    S Flynn




    248497

    Pte. Robert Brown 8th Bn. (d.1st July 1919)

    Private Brown was the Son of Lewis and Mary Brown (nee Davis), of Barrouallie, St. Vincent, British West Indies.

    He was 26 and is buried in the Barrouallie Cemetery in St. Vincent, BWI

    S Flynn




    248496

    DH George Henry Thomas H.M.S. Eileen (d.30th October 1918)

    Deckhand Thomas was the Son of Edward William and Eliza Thomas, of Southend-on-sea, Essex.

    He was 28 and is buried in the Basseterre (Springfiled) Cemetery, St.Kitts, St. Christopher and Nevis

    s Flynn




    248490

    Pte. James Alexander Krasse (d.20th August 1914)

    Private Krasse is buried in Prot. 635 in the Kandy Civil Cemetery in Sri Lanka

    S Flynn




    248489

    Pte. George Ernest Mutukishna (d.1st November 1916)

    Private Mutukishna is buried in the Kandy Civil Cemetery in Sri Lanka Ā

    S Flynn




    248485

    Sgt. Jack Payne MM, CdG. 1st Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    Jack Payne was born in Shepreth, Cambridgeshire in 1888 and joined the 1st Suffolk Regiment in 1908.

    He fought in WW1 at both Mons and Ypres as well as Loos. He also participated in several other WW1 conflicts including the southern Macedonian front and attained the rank of sergeant. The records show him as being part of several battalions during his army career including 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 8th Suffolk Regiment as well as the 2nd Northants. He was awarded the Mons Star, Victory and British War Medals.

    He married a Belgium women called Emilie Rosalie Timmermans and lived in Belgium for most of his life from leaving the army in 1922 until his death in 1975.

    Jack Payne

    Stephen Payne




    248482

    Pte. Robert Grieveson Royal Army Medical Corps

    My father, Bob Grieveson was in the Northumberland Fusiliers and was in the trenches early on in France. Like many soldiers he suffered from the German Gas. He was brought aboard the Jan Breydel Hospital Ship to be sent home to recover and then return to active duty. However, the Captain on board ship heard him playing the piano in the lounge and was so impressed with his playing that he had dad transferred immediately to the RMAC and kept him on board for the duration of the war in order to entertain the troops.

    Later on when the war was over my father and Dr. Hazzard (Captain) both immigrated to Toronto, Canada and Dr. Hazzard delivered myself and my sister in the thirties.

    Joyce Brannigan




    248479

    Pte. Alfred Merton 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.15th September 1916)

    My mother named me after her dad, Alfred Merton. I did not know a lot about him 'till my mother died, in sorting her things I found out where he was killed. I went to the Somme to see were he was killed. I'm proud to say I walked his finale walk. He was killed on 15th of September 1916 in the Battle of the Somme.

    I went to the area about four more times to visit all the battlefields my grandfather fought in. He was born, like his mother and grandmother, in a workhouse in Rockland All Saints, Norfolk so he did not have a easy life.

    Keith A M Black




    248474

    Pte. Owen John Duffy 1st Battalion Essex Regiment (d.12th October 1916)

    <p>

    Owen Duffy was one of 88 soldiers of the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment killed at Guedecourt at the Battle of le Transloy along side the Newfoundland Regiment. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Eddie Duffy




    248469

    AbleSea. John Daniel O'Connor HMS Violent (d.26th Oct 1918)

    John Daniel was born in 1889 in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, of Cornelius T O'Connor and Eleanor (Ellen), nee O'Leary. His father was a guardsman in the 4th Dragoon Guards but the family finally settled in Woolwich or Plumstead after being posted variously in Lancashire (Hulme), Aldershot and Brighton (Preston Barracks). His father was pensioned out and became a worker in the Royal Arsenal.

    Jack, as he was known to all, died not of war wounds but of Influenza, in the notorious 'Spanish Flu' Pandemic of 1918-1920. his brother, Cornelius O'Connor (Jnr) died of the same illness on 15th October 1918 whilst Jack died on 26th October. Both died at home, in 109 Griffin Road, Plumstead.





    248452

    Pte Cliff Albert James Grace Mechanical Transport Royal Army Service Corps (d.15th December 1918)

    Private Grace was the Son of John and Emily Grace, of Chambly, Oise, France. Born at Hayling Island, Hants.

    He was 20 and is buried in the Madrid British Cemetery, IX. K. 16., Spain.

    S flynn




    248451

    Major Stewart B.B. Dyer DSO 3rd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.26th January 1917)

    Major Dyer was formerly with the 2nd Life Guards.

    Hon. Attache British Embassy, Madrid, Dec., 1915, to Dec.,1916.

    He is buried in the Madrid British Cemetery, II. C. 2. in Spain.

    S flynn




    248450

    Capt. Alfred Cecil Carter Royal Army Service Corps (d.15th January 1919)

    Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. Chevalier of the Order of the Crown (Italy). Son of Thomas and Jane Carter. Born at Liverpool.

    He was 39 and is buried in the Madrid British Cemetery, Grave 1.A.9. in Spain.

    S Flynn




    248444

    Pte. John George Robinson 2nd/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.4th November 1918)

    <p>

    John Robinson served with the 2nd/4th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.

    Mike Robinson




    248442

    Cpl. William Broomhead King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    November 30th, 1916 William was admitted to Ingress Abbey Military Hospital, Greenhithe with gastro interitis

    Sam Malin




    248441

    L/Cpl. Richard Roy Sears 3rd Battalion Central Ontario Regiment (d.5th April 1915)

    <p>

    Roy Sears was born 15th October 1892 at Nassau, Bahamas. He died at Ingress Abbey Military Hospital of wounds. He had been injured in the knee on 24th of March 1915 but it was not thought to be serious. He is buried at Swanscombe Cemetery, Swanscombe in Kent.

    Grave of Richard Roy Sears

    Sam Malin




    248416

    Pte. William Herlingshaw 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    William Herlingshaw was wounded in battle and discharged on 5th of June 1916 as being no longer physically fit for war service.

    Eric Grobb




    248412

    Lt Kenneth Gordon Garnett MC CDG Royal Field Artillery

    "Lieutenant Kenneth Gordon Garnett, M.C., R.F.A., who died of wounds on the 21st inst. after a year's illness, was the son of Dr. William Garnett and Mrs Garnett, of Hampstead. He was educated at St Paul's School and Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1914 he rowed No 5 in the Cambridge winning eight, and also rowed for Leander in the same year.

    On the outbreak of war he and several of his Cambridge friends joined the crew of the Zarepha, of which his brother, the late Lieutenant Stuart Garnett, was lieutenant-commander. For five months he was engaged in the adventurous work of mine-sweeping.

    Then in January, 1915, he entered the Royal Field Artillery, and in the following month went out to France. In March he was shot in the leg, and returned home. When convalescent he went up to Cambridge and completed his honours degree course successfully, though still on crutches. He was offered three home billets, but declined them, as (to use his own words) he did not wish to stay at home and let a married man fight for him.

    Returning to the front in October, 1915, he worked with his battery for 10 months. He was wounded in the spine on August 24, 1916, and for the past year has been nursed at the Empire Hospital, Vincent-square, and latterly at Templeton House, Roehampton. He was awarded the Military Cross and received his decoration from the King a few weeks ago, while at the Empire Hospital. He also received the Croix de Guerre from the French Government."

    The Times, 22 August 1918





    248389

    Gnr. S. Botting Royal Garrison Artillery

    I have come into possession of an autograph book within are several comments and signatures from soldiers of World War 1. One of these, Gnr Botting I think his name is, clearly states the Red House Hospital, Appleby so I pressume the autograph book belonged to a nurse who worked there.

    Peter Capon




    248388

    L/Bdr. John Howard Lee 69th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.15th Sep 1918)

    John Lee was the son of John and Ann Lee (nee Waton) of 39 Hartington Street, Gateshead, Co Durham, England, John was the second of their eight children.

    He enlisted in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in November 1915 at the age of 22 years 8 months and at that time, he was single and working as an Insurance Agent. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 119 pounds.

    David Middleton




    248387

    Pte. Henry John Clay HMS Duncan (d.6th April 1917)

    <p>

    Henry Clay was pensioned from the Army and died on 6th April 1917 in Hackney, London from Pulminary TB aged 37.

    Royal Marines Photo. Henry in centre

    Lisa Kellett




    248386

    Sgt. Thomas Joseph Carroll 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    Tommy Carroll served 38 years with 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    38 Years With Durhams Retirement of C.S.M. T. Carroll of Bishop Auckland

    At the Sergeants' Mess, Drill Hal1, Bishop Auckland, last night, C.S.M. T. Carroll was the recipient of two presentations on the occasion of his retirement after 38 years' service with the 6th D.L.I. first with the Old Volunteers, then the Territorials, the sergeants of the Battalion C.S.M. Carroll was given a Westminster chiming clock, and from the hon. members of the mess a silver teapot, both being suitably Inscribed. W. Bradley occupied the chair. R.S.M. L. Pearce said that 38 years in the Army during which time there had been two wars seemed a good record. He congratulated Tommy Carroll, and was pleased to see him looking so well even after the hard and strenuous life he had led. "As I look round the room I wonder how many more old sweats Bishop Auckland has got," he said. "I see 'Old Bill' Condon and Bob Harburn in their glorious array Bobby Barron, W. Lancaster and others." He said it gave him great pleasure to extend to C.S.M. Carroll the life membership of the mess. Mr J. G. L. Drummond, on behalf of the honorary members of the mess, said he was delighted to have the honour of asking Mc Carroll to accept the silver teapot. He was delighted to know that the sergeants' mess had bestowed on Tommy Carroll life membership of the mess. Mrs Pearce, wife of the A.S.M., handed over the presents to C.S.M. Carroll, and, on behalf of herself and the company present, hoped that he would have the pleasure of enjoying them for many years. C.S.M, Carrot. then responding, said that 38 years ago he joined the Battalion drummer-boy, and Old Bill Condon was then his colour-sergeant. But it seemed many years to recall, he had enjoyed with serving the Battalion. "I do most sincerely regret having to relinquish my association with the 6th D.L.I.," he said, " but Anno Dominio calls and however much one feels like refusing to answer the like good soldiers we obey. An ertertaining programme was afterwards provided by Mr J. Donnelly's Party Mr H. Copper (baritone), Mr Albert Coates (tenor), and Mr Aby Brown (comedian).

    Adele Fasa




    248384

    Sgt. Harry Wild 1/4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.12th April 1917)

    Harry Wild was a 29 year old Sergeant in the 4th East Lancashire Territorial Regiment when war broke out in 1914 and embarked with the regiment to Egypt. He was wounded during the Battle of Krithia Vineyard and evacuated to hospital in Egypt. After convalescing he was returned to UK and posted as Recruitment Sergeant in Padiham before being discharged from 1/4th E. Lancs in mid 1916. He returned to life as a weaver in Padiham before re-enlisting in the 5th East Lancs in October 1916 retaining the rank of Sergeant.

    The regiment went to France in November 1916 and was mobilised as a reserve unit for the Battles of Arras in April 1917. On 10th April the regiment moved from camp in Maroueil and entered line during that afternoon. In taking the German Effie trench later that day the regiment came under attack from artillery fire and lost an officer, 3 other ranks killed and 9 wounded. It is probable that Harry Wild was one of the wounded and he was evacuated to Aubigny-en-Artois Casualty Clearing station where he died of wounds on 12th April 1917.

    He was survived by his wife Annie and son Fred, of Thomas Street, Burnley. Sgt Harry Wild is commemorated on the War Mmemorial in the grounds of St. John's Church, Higham, where he had been a chorister before the war.

    Mike Wild




    248369

    Pte. Thomas John Lineham 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Thomas Lineham enlisted from Special Reserve on 7th of September 1914. He arrived in France on 3rd December 1914. He was reported as wounded on 6th of May 1915 by a sniper's bullet to his right hand, wrist and forearm and was subsequently repatriated and admitted to the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. Honourably Discharged as "unfit for the front" on 20th of April 1916.

    Irene Taylor




    248368

    Pte. Henry William Tunstall 6th Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.16th August 1918)

    Henry Tunstall served with the 6th East Kent Regiment. I know very little. He was born in July 1893, married to Elizabeth Braithwaite on 5 April 1914 and died on 16th August 1916. He was 24 years old. He died of his wounds. I do not know where he died or if he is on a memorial in France.





    248365

    Cpl Albert Henry Crick 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.17th July 1917)

    <p>

    Bertie Crick, my Grandad, was Corporal 9362 in the 7th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. Bertie was born in Wolverhampton on Sunday 13th April 1890, to John Henry Crick and Bertha Elizabeth Crick (nee Harrison), at 58 Russel Street. His father moved to Wolverhampton from Northampton, as a baker and confectioner. Bertie grew up to become a caster in a local foundry. He is listed living at 111 Green Lane, Walsall but moved to 66 Orlando Street when he met and Married Edith Sarah Kettledon-Meek a Laundress, my grandmother, on Friday 26th December 1913, at St. Michael’s Parish Church, Caldmore, Walsall. He lived at 32 Orlando Street after the marriage to Edith. She was born 3rd June 1893 in Wednesbury.

    Bertie enlisted in Kitchener’s New Army at Walsall at the outbreak of war, 1914 and was drafted to Gallipoli on Saturday 11th September 1915, he later served in Egypt following the withdrawal of British Forces from the Gallipoli peninsular in December 1915. How he survived we can only guess 49,642 allied lives were lost here and 66,00 Turks. He was drafted to France where he was appointed Corporal on Saturday 24th February 1917. Aged 27 years.

    On Sunday 15th July Bertie’s battalion moved from Camp O near Poperinghe into the trenches about a mile North of Ypres, relieving the 4/5th Battalion, Black Watch. This action predated the Third Battle of Passchendaele 31st October. The sector was described in the Regimental History as ‘one of the worst sector’s on the whole Western Front.’ The Battalion suffered losses from snipers and as such, regular patrols were sent out to find them and kill them. Casualties were also taken to enemy artillery. He was wounded whilst in the trenches most probably by shellfire or sniper fire. Bertie succumbed to his injuries the same day, aged 27 year’s on the 17th July 1917. Passchendaele ridge was taken on 10th November by British and Canadian forces and the Third Battle of Ypres campaign was brought to a close on 20th November 1917.

    Lest We Forget. He is buried at St Jan La Brique No2 Cemetery.

    Mark R Cooper




    248362

    Lt. C J Burton 50th Battalion Machine Gun Corps





    248361

    Major J Morris DSO. 50th Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    Major J Morris DSO was the commanding Officer of 50th Battalion,Machine Gun Corps in 1918.





    248352

    Gnr. Harry Yates 255th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th September 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Yates is my 1st cousin four times removed. He died at the age of 26.

    Andy Meakin




    248351

    Gnr. Alfred Chapman 137th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.14th September 1918)

    <p>

    Alfred Chapman joined the RGA some time in 1916 and was attached to 137th Heavy Battery under the Australian Division, close to the village of Tincourt in the Somme region. On the date of his death, 14th of September 1918, his unit came under a counter battery attack from retreating German forces. Alfred and one other soldier died as a result of the bombardment of High Explosive, and mustard gas. He was survived by his 4 children, Alfred, Douglas, Winifred and Ronald.

    Deno Chapman




    248344

    Pte Herbert Severn 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1918)

    Herbert Severn served with the 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment having transferred from the Sherwood Foresters. His home town was Mansfield, Notts.





    248343

    Cpl. Walter George Barnes 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th June 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Barnes was my Great Uncle. I had never met him as he died in Gallipoli 1915. In 2007 two kind gentlemen who were going to Gallipoli put a poppy on his memorial headstone.

    Maureen Knight




    248339

    Pte. Alexander Ferguson Barbour 1/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.8th December 1917)

    Alexander Barbour was born in 1890 in New Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. When he married in February 1916 he was in the 1/5th Battalion but later transferred to the 1/4th Battalion.

    He died of wounds on the 8th of December 1917 possible in the Gaza area of Palestine and is buried at Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

    Gary Paterson




    248338

    L/Cpl. John Bolam MM. 9th Btn., D Coy Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Bolam was with D Coy, 9th Northumberland Fusiliers. He was shot at the Battle of Lys in mid April 1918 which lead to his discharge for gun shot wounds





    248335

    Lt. E Hazeley 50th Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    Lt. E Hazeley served with A Coy. 50th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps

    Liz Harrison




    248334

    Lt. G Burgoine 50th Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    Lt. G Burgoine served with A Coy. 50th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.

    Liz Harrison




    248333

    Lt. A M Jones MC. 50th Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    Lt. A M Jones MC served with A Coy, 50th Battalion Machine Gun Corps.

    Liz Harrison




    248332

    Pte. Charles Arthur Johnston 12th Batallion Cyclist Corps (d.23rd December 1918)

    Charles Johnston was my grandfather. My Nana never talked about him so I know very little about him. I have their wedding photo and some pictures of him with his family and he looks very like my middle son. I know that my mother must have been a honeymoon baby because Charley and Hannah, my Nana, were married in November 1915 and Mabel, their only child, was born in August 1916. I have a postcard that Charley wrote to Hannah in November 1916, on a ship bound for who knows where. He didn't see either of them again, as far as I know.

    The tragedy is that after the war ended, Charley was on a ship bound for home (from where?) but he developed malaria and was transferred to the 43rd General Hospital in Salonica where he died, aged 27.





    248324

    Pte. Noah Powell 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.13th December 1917)

    <p>

    Noah Powell served with the 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    Cam




    248320

    Rflmn. Joseph James Shall 16th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.8th October 1918)

    <p>

    My great uncle was Joseph Shall (my maternal great Uncle). He may have been captured during The Defence for Neuve Eligais in April 1918. His sister (my grandmother) lost two brothers, Joseph who died 8th of October 1918 in Lizbark Heilsberg 39 POW camp and Henry Charles Shall killed in action in 1917.

    I would love to find any more information about either Joseph, or his 16th Btn (Church Lads Brigade) or the Heilsberg Prisoner of war camp.

    David Irwin




    248302

    Pte. Emmanuel Dart 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

    Emmanuel Dart enlisted into the South Staffordshire Regiment on 30th of March 1916, aged 18. He trained with the 3rd Battalion but on being posted to France on 22nd January 1917, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion the next day.

    At the end of March 1917, he received a gunshot wound to the back. The Diary of Sister Elsie Tranter in "World War One a History in 100 Stories", an Australian nurse in France, records in her entry for the 3rd April 1917: "I have in my huts some very young boys, (baby soldiers we call them) Baby 3 is a Staffordshire kid named Dort [sic] with a tremendous wound on his back. When this wound has to be dressed Corporal holds him up in his arms. The poor little chap cries piteously when we go to do him. As soon as they are fit they are evacuated to Blighty to make room for others."

    Emmanuel returned to the UK on 7th of April 1917 and was posted to the 3rd Battalion on 12th July. He was deemed unfit for front line duties and transferred to the Royal Defence Corps (service number 63952) on 22nd August. He was medically discharged from the RDC on 17th June 1918. After the war Emmanuel re-enlisted, into the 19th Essex Regiment (service number 51215), on a short service contract, and was posted to France from 26th August 1919 to 1st April 1920.

    Emmanuel appears not to have married, and died following a mining accident at Littleton Colliery, Cannock, on 31st October 1934 aged 38.

    Martin Griffiths




    248283

    Pte. Charles Henry Reygate 20th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.28th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Reygate served with 20th Btn. Middlesex Regiment.

    Lee Schofield




    248276

    Sgt. John Kidd Neill CdG. 9th Battalion Gordon Highlanders

    John Neill (my father) enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders 2 weeks after war was declared in August 1914. He was involved in many battles through out the war, finishing with the rank of sergeant. In July 1918 members of his section were scattered due to violent bombardment. Though suffering from gassing and constant shelling he retraced his steps and reformed the various sections of his company. For this heroic action he was awarded the Croix de Guerre by General Petain. My father died in 1974 in traffic accident.

    Gordon Neill




    248268

    Pte. Walter Reginald Wightman HMHS Letitia Royal Army Medical Corps

    My father, Reg Wightman was on the HMHS Letitia during WW1. He was in France to begin with but must then have been transferred to the ship. He finished the war in Thesselonica.

    I have pictures of the Letitia. My father's barbers shop, the stage of the sports club 'after well' deck 1916, the ship docked in Alexandria with some of the crew swimming and men relaxing on deck. I have been trying to find out what the ship actually did. My father had postcards of Constantinople, the Dardenelles and Alexandria. He was obviously fond of the ship as he named two of the houses he lived in Letitia.

    As I was a young child in WW2 and only saw my father in ARP uniform I didn't really question what he did in the Army. His records were destroyed and I only became interested when it was too late to ask.

    Edna Faulkner




    248263

    Able Sea Percy Longthorpe HMS Adventure (d.14th December 1918)

    Able Seaman Longthorpe was the Son of Abraham and Hannah Longthorpe, of Halifax, Yorks.

    He was 24 and is buried in the Huelva British Cemetery in Spain.

    S flynn




    248262

    Spr Victor Egbert Earl Base Signal Depot Royal Engineers (d.4th May 1917)

    Sapper Earl is buried in the Tarragona British Cemetery in Spain.

    S flynn




    248261

    Lt C. P. Friend Royal Field Artillery (d.15th October 1918)

    Lieutenant Friend is buried in the Central Plot, Row 3, Niche 395 in the Las Corts Cemetery, Spain.

    S Flynn




    248260

    L/Cpl. Henry Missen 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.3rd May 1917)

    Henry Missen served with 8th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade and was awarded the 1914/1915 Star.

    Robert Missen




    248254

    CQMS. George Henry Bradshaw 5th (Loughborough) Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    My great grandfather George Bradshaw had a photo taken whilst convalescing post operation for a very painful condition known as a fistula which he got whilst serving in the trenches.

    Richard Bradshaw




    248251

    L/Cpl. Joseph Vipond MM 3rd Btn. South African Infantry

    L/C Joseph Vipond was captured at Delville Wood, France 19th July 1916. Detained at Dulmen until January 17. Removed to Munster until 23rd March 17. Removed to Dulmen for six days. In March of 18 was at Block 2 Sennelage Camp. Escaped 18th March 18. Arrived in England 28th April. For this was awarded the Military Medal. He did not serve abroad again. He died 30th January 1971 in South Africa.

    Bernard Harris




    248243

    Pte. Luther Postles 1st/7th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.26th March 1917)

    Luther Postles served with the 7th Cheshire Regiment. I am trying to find out any information about my ancestor, because I want to write his personal story.

    Patricia Worrall




    248228

    Pte. Daniel "Jonah" Jones 1st Btn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry

    Daniel Jones was injured on the 29th of September 1917 whilst serving in a front line trench in Lens, France, and endured many months of tortuous treatments, no doubt with rudimentary anaesthetics and no antibiotics. By some miracle he kept his left leg, but was discharged as being "Permanently unfit for war service of any kind". He received a Silver War Badge, The War medal and a Victory Medal. He went on to marry and have 2 sons, one who is still alive, 04-05-2018, and approaching 90. Daniel worked in the Marchweil Munitions Factory during the second world war as a cloakroom attendant.

    Stephen McBride




    248225

    Pte. Stanley Victor Osman 2nd Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment

    Understandably Stanley Osman never talked about his experiences. All I know is that he was shot in the elbow (somewhere in the Somme area), and was in the 4th London General Hospital from 30th April 1918 to 1st August 1918. The war diaries only state over 200 casualties in a four-day period. I still have an embroidered table runner made as part of his therapy.





    248224

    Pte. Francis Albert "Bertie" Bartlett 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1914)

    Francis Bartlett was one of three brothers killed during WW1. He had enlisted during Edwardian times in Pontypool and was unmarried. His mother, Mary Bartlett nee Norvell, laid the wreath on behalf of the families of the fallen at the opening of the Penarth War Memorial in 1924. As war approached, the Regiment was recalled from its annual summer camp at Willsworthy to its quarters with the 3rd Division at Devonport, where it mobilised on 4th August. Reservists were recalled on 7th to 9th August & the Regiment proceeded to Southampton, where together with the Connaught Rangers it embarked on SS Henschel and sailed for Boulogne with an escort of 13 cruisers. From Boulogne, the Regiment assembled at Aulnoye & Aymeries, some 20 miles from the Franco-Belgian border. From there, they marched 3 miles to Taisnieres, and had a few days training. On 20th August, they marched towards St Remy, and thence to Bettignes. Moving north from there, they reached Mons, where contact was made on the night of the 22nd with the advancing German forces. Close to Nimy Bridge, the battle of Mons was fought on 23rd August, and sadly Bertie was an early casualty of the war. His remains rest in the British Military Cemetery at Saint Symphorien.





    248222

    Pte. Henry Alderson 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    Henry Alderson was my grandfather. He wouldn't talk about the war but he was a prisoner of war in Germany and I have an album of postcards of all his friends from different countries in their uniforms. He escaped from the camp with some others but they were re captured. He survived though and was a lovely man. He passed away in 1976. He was born in 1898 so was very young to go to war.

    Fiona Chambers




    248219

    Sgt. Ernest Bowyer 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.10th Jul 1943)

    Ernest Bowyer served with 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. I would like to know exactly what happened to him while in North Africa

    Harry Bowyer




    248218

    Sgt. Alfred John Ward 2/21st Btn. London Regiment

    Alfred Ward was a volunteer soldier in A company, 21st Battalion, London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles) Territorial Army based at Flodden Road, off Camberwell New Road at the age of 18 in 1903 long before the Great War and had become a corporal by the 1st April 1908 after four years and 264 days of service. He gained a reputation for being a marksman and won silver spoons for target shooting in 1907 and 1909. He attained an Assistant Instructor's Certificate of Signalling on 23rd September 1909 at Aldershot.

    He reported promptly at the start of hostilities with Germany on 7th September 1914 to join again the 2/21st Battalion 60th London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles). They were only slowly kitted with uniforms and initially old Japanese rifles and lived at home for much of 1915. In early 1916, they were trained in the Warminster Ranges on Salisbury Plain and were inspected by King George V on 31st May. They finally crossed to La Havre France in on 24th/25th June 1916 as part of the 60th London Division, XVII Corps and were moved by 13th July to the Western Front to join the Third Army under Lieutenant-general Edmund Allenby. Here, they spent a third of their time in the frontline trenches south of Vimy Ridge and north of Arras, a third in the reserve trenches at Ecurie & Roclincourt and a third in billets resting at trun & Maroeuil northwest of Arras. On the front line they were involved with sporadic mining, crater fighting and trench raiding. Before they could be involved in the utter carnage that is known as the Great Somme October Offensive, they were moved to the Macedonian Front in Salonika to fight the Bulgarians, disembarking on 8th December 1916 to be part of XII Corps. They were at Dove Tepe by the border with Serbia (the modern northern Greek border with Macedonia), carrying out one night raid during a rather static period and they were involved in the indecisive Battle of Doiran to the west in April and May, 1917. The British presence in Salonika was reduced and the First Surrey Rifles were moved on again.

    On 16th to 18th June 1917, they were moved to Marseilles and onwards to Malta and Egypt to join the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, XX Corps (181st [2/6th London] Brigade) where they were re-equipped and intensively trained. Previously, the Ottomans had made incursions into Sinai and had come close to the east bank of the Suez Canal but had been driven back to their border. General Murray had failed twice to take Gaza in March and April. By the 4th July the Surrey Rifles were concentrated at Moascar on the Suez Canal and were moved up to Deir al Balah by the 23rd July on the static front line with the Ottoman Empire. Sergeant Alfred Ward was detached to attend a Visual Signalling and Field Telephone course at the Imperial School of Instruction at Zeitoun, Cairo. He qualified as a First Class Signaller in visual, field telephone and buzzer reading at 16 words a minute, on 11th of August 1917 under Lieutenant S. Gibbons. At exactly the same time, army intelligence set up a small radio station on top of the Great Pyramid to listen to Turkish radio traffic and the operator never failed to decode the intercepted messages (Lord, 1971). I wonder who this might have been?

    Since June 1917 General Edmund (The Bull!) Allenby had replaced Archibald Murray as the head of command, EEF. Most of the infantry available to him were of Territorial divisions activated in 1914 such as the 2/21st Surrey Rifles. The 2/21st Battalion had been stationed at Kent Fort on the Shellal - Karm front line from 1st to 21st October 1917 and then on to Tel el Fara location M2b from 21st where they relieved to 2/17th London Regiment to the 26th, El Gamw on 27th and Rashid Bek on 28th to 29th October. After the Turkish incursions into Sinai had been pushed back during 1916 and early 1917 and the sixth month stalemate after the 2nd Battle of Gaza, Allenby was planning a major offensive to take Palestine from the Ottomans to start on Z day as it is called in the 2/21st Battalion war diary, on 31st October 1917.

    Alfred was mentioned in a dispatch of 23rd of October 1917 from General Edmund Allenby to the Secretary of State for War for "gallant and distinguished service in the field" as recorded in The London Gazette on 16th January 1918 and signed by Winston Churchill. The London Gazette just lists his name without mentioning why he was so mentioned and I have also not found any mention in the Battalion war diary either. Was this for carrying important despatches by motor cycle, possibly under fire from the Turks and just before the British Palestinian campaign started? The only activity on 21st and 22nd October on the line was a move of the 60th and the 2nd light Horse (Anzac) Brigade down the Wadi Ghazzeh to Esani to develop the water supply before the attack on Beersheba and the unopposed occupation of Karm, another important water supply. On the 12th September Arthur C. B. Neate of the Desert Mounted Corps rode his horse close to the Turkish line and barely evaded capture. In the chase, he dropped a haversack, smeared with horse blood, with fake military plans, letters and a page of cipher in it. The plans falsely described how the British were to capture Gaza. (On 10th October, Richard Meinertzhagen, famous hoaxer, liar, Ornithologist, Entomologist and donator of specimens to the Natural History Museum, London and the author sees his specimens almost daily! claimed to have done the same [Garfield, 2007]). False radio messages were sent between 24th and 31st October also prompting the Turkish forces to think Britain was going to attack Gaza which could be decoded with the lost page of cipher. Additional radio messages directing that no secret documents be carried where they might be lost to the enemy, made up the Turkish Army's mind: the British Army was going to attack Gaza. Was Alfred that or one of these radio operator(s)? (Cocker, 1989: 103-104). John Shea was not in favour of a second Trans-Jordan raid but his 60th Division was volunteered for the raid on the 30th April, less the 181st Brigade kept in reserve in the Judean Hills until 3rd May when they left Bethany and crossed the Jordan at Goraniyeh and bivouacked in Wadi Nimrin. This too was a failure with El Salt being taken and lost again and with 1,160 casualties for the 60th Division, ending in withdrawal back across the Jordan on the 4th May

    The battalion diary ends in June 1918 when long lists show the reassigned officers and men being shipped back to the western front to be replaced by mostly Indian soldiers from Mesopotamia and the Western Front so as to fulfil a promise to France to keep British troops defending French soil. Alfred obviously stayed on and was also probably still there to be part of the Battles for Megiddo and Sharon in September 1918.

    Whilst attending a 20th Corps Signal School in Jerusalem in October 1918, he bought a bible with cedar of Lebanon board covers and got his sergeant colleagues to sign it as they did a group photo, see below. (The author had the bible repaired and re-bound in 1999.) Alfred finished his war service on 19th March 1919, being disembodied as opposed to de-mobilised from the TA. As far as I can tell Alfred was eligible for three campaign medals; the British War Medal, 1914-18 (colloquially known as squeek), the Allied Victory Medal (Wilfred) with oak leaf emblem for a "Mention in Dispatch" and the Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19. He was a very modest man and probably never applied for the medals.

    Paul A Brown




    248214

    Pte. Charles Henry Vincent Davis 2nd Btn. Devon Regiment

    <p>

    Charlie's Memoirs of the 1914-1918 Great War by Charles Henry Vincent Davis

    The Great War started in August 1914, when I was nearly fifteen years of age. Mother and Dad were naturally relieved that I was too young to join up, and anyway, everyone was saying that the war would be over by Christmas.

    Contrary to expectations, however, it was not. It went on into the New Year... and on... and still on. By this time I was seventeen years old and conscription at eighteen had been in force for some time now, so Mother and Dad were getting worried. Most of my pals had already been called up and I felt the stirring of adventure in my blood, I wanted to go too. Dad refused to give his permission for me to volunteer, but I couldn't wait any longer. I went down to the recruiting office and enlisted. The sergeant didn;t ask to see my birth certificate, if you said you were eighteen that was that and the army grabbed me willingly. Mother and Dad could do nothing about it once I had joined.

    Well, I went on the appointed day to the Law Courts in Bournemouth and found roughly thirty lads of about my own age who were waiting to go. After details of appearance such as colour of eyes and hair, height etc. we marched to Bournemouth Central Station and left in the charge of a recruiting sergeant, who took us by train to Winchester. At the Winchester Barracks we passed our medicals and were issued with our uniforms (2 suits) plus kit bag. Our civvie suits were then packed up and left to be sent to our respective homes.

    After one night at the barracks we then went by train to Fovant Camp near Salisbury, in the charge of another recruiting sergeant. On arriving there, we found the camp over-filled with troops and some difficulty was found in supplying us with meals and sleeping accommodation. As we were there for only two days, it didn't seem to bother us very much. Two days later we went by train to Rollestone Camp on Salisbury Plain, where we remained until after Christmas when we had our first term of leave (7 days).

    While at this camp, the chap in the bed next to me almost died one night from pneumonia. He was taken to hospital and returned about a month later, transferred to another company. He came when the hut was empty and stole various things including a pair of boots. We then went to his new quarters and were able to recover them.

    Our Company Sergeant Major was disliked by us all. When a heavy snowfall came we all got some satisfaction from taking part in snowballing him.

    Two newly made lance corporals were forcibly scrubbed in the wash house one day. They were expected to wash at Reveille but evidently thought that they were privileged in being NCOs.

    Whilst on the Plain we did all necessary training including rifle drill and firing new rifles. Later, all arrangements were made for the whole battalion to go to Norwich, Norfolk for the remainder of the winter, where we were billeted in private houses. While there, I had my second taste of jankers (an official punishment for a minor breach of discipline, otherwise known as defaulters). It turned out quite well for me, as the only other chap also on jankers was recognised by the Provost Sergeant at the cavalry barracks, who was a friend of the boy's father in his home town. The result of this was that we were given a good tea in the Sergeant's Mess and were then free to go to the funfair in Norwich while the remainder of the company were engaged in night operations outside the town. A Scotsman in the cells at the cavalry barracks escaped one night by cutting through the roof bars near the guard-room. He was included in a draft due to go overseas but was not found for about 3 months. The corporal of the guard was courts martialled for allowing this escape and for allowing the prisoner's wife to enter the cells to see her husband (she evidently took him the saw). The others of us who were on guard duty were not called at the hearing. The corporal on Bath Parade was a nice enough fellow, but not really fitted for the job of NCO, being not particularly bright and rather young and immature. Anyhow, he was a decent chap really and quite well liked by us all, but the boys couldn't resist having a bit of fun at his expense. When he marched us down the road to the baths, which were about a mile away, they would usually make a point of singing And a Little Child Shall Lead Them... it was all good-humoured fun and it always raised a laugh. When the boys went on leave they were usually in exceptionally high spirits. So much so that they often caused a lot of damage to the carriages of their trains. These were then brought forward for their further use in the condition in which they had been left !

    As the Spring approached we were sorry to leave Norwich when we moved to Taverham Camp, a few miles out, and were then under canvas. Although I enjoyed camp life, the continuous wet weather rather dampened our spirits. During this period, I was sent with other fellows to do guard duties at Kelling Camp, overlooking the North Sea at Cromer. At this time, large drafts of troops were being sent overseas and the time came for us to go. We were lucky to have four days leave, which gave us a couple of days at home. I did not mention going overseas to Mother, but she had her suspicions and asked me if I was on a draft leave. I admitted that I was but said I understood we would be going abroad to Italy, which was quite true, as we had been told this before coming on leave. On the fourth day I met the fellows also going back off leave and, after saying goodbye at home, we were on the return journey. Upon arriving at Waterloo, we hired a taxi and clubbed together for a sight-seeing trip around parts of London and later arrived at Liverpool Street station for the return journey to Norwich. Three days later we were on the train again, bound for Folkestone which was chock-full of troops waiting to go over. For some reason or another, I remember some of these regiments had to give up their rifle slings before embarking, but it did not apply in our case.

    After a very rough crossing, in which we were escorted by destroyers and ourselves fitted out with life jackets, we made Boulogne where we were given a meal of sort. I remember that you could buy Players or Will's cigarettes at 10 for 2d, which now seems almost like a dream. Within a few hours we were on another train and soon found ourselves in the Reinforcement Depot at Etaples, France, where we camped under canvas. We found out that we had just missed a heavy bombing raid by only four hours, in which many troops and hospital nurses were killed. It was here at Etaples that I was very sorry to have to say goodbye to all the pals I had made at home and who had come with me, but my name and number was the very last on the draft list. Myself and one other fellow from my company were the only two to be sent to join a reinforcement detail in the 2nd Devon Regiment. We were able to shout and wave goodbye as we left, then we were on a troop train bound for Amiens where we arrived at night. At the time, a big battle was in progress on The Somme and we were in reserve to prevent a breakthrough. It seemed to go on forever without ceasing, the gunfire being deafening and the night lit up with gun flashes and Very lights.

    The battalion was now made up to strength after a bad time at Villers Brettonia, and it was some relief to know that plans were being made for us to move to another front. In our case it turned out to be a French front and it meant quite a long troop train journey of roughly twelve hours before we arrived at a point some distance from the actual front. This meant that we had quite a bit of route marching to do. It was raining heavily when we left the train at 3 o'clock and marched until around 8 o'clock, when a halt was made for breakfast by the side of the road, everyone wearing ground sheets to keep dry. The weather cleared later, the sun came out and we cheered up quite a bit when the band struck up Colonel Bogey.

    The countryside was really beautiful in the sunshine, the only snag being that all our water bottles had been deliberately emptied at the beginning of the march (drinking was not allowed on route marches) so by this time everybody was thirsty but enable to have any kind of a drink. However, some of us were able to get our water bottles filled by handing them to troops filling water buckets for the horses, so a few of us at any rate had a drink. We marched all day with ten minutes halt every hour, arriving in the afternoon at a camp with good hut accommodation. Here we remained for two days and were issued with boracic powder for our sore feet and to put in our boots to make marching easier.

    After this, we were on the road again, marching all day with a halt every hour until we came to a village named Romaine where our billets were in hay lofts and I could sleep soundly in the hay and straw. Whilst there, some of the troops drank too much French wine and there were a few drunken arguments, some of which could have been very serious. In particular, two NCOs decided to prove which of them was the better shot with loaded revolvers. An empty biscuit tin was the target but, of course, neither NCO could hit it. They were both stupidly drunk and reeling about, then one of them held his pistol to the temple of the other, who was grinning and treating it as a huge joke ... he little knew how close he was to getting a bullet in his brain ! We were all afraid even to move and were much relieved when the incident passed without any further trouble. However, it resulted in a drumhead court martial, with sentence later.

    We were there for only about twelve hours then on the road again, moving nearer to the lines where we arrived at a point about two miles behind the front line. Our billets here were inside a huge rock formation very much resembling Wookey Hole in Somerset, but much drier. The beds here were made of chicken wire fixed on each side of this big cave and there was a passageway leading to the top, from where we could see the front and the Very lights showing up at night. This place was part of a village called Roncey and on the following morning after arrival the battalion paraded at full strength and was addressed by the Colonel. He said that we had come to a very quiet front and to what was considered to be a rest for the 8th Division, of which our battalion was a part. He went on to say that should any attacks be made by us whilst here, no prisoners were to be taken. Later that day, the battalion moved up into the lines and we were told to speak to the French troops we were relieving. I remember a French mongrel dog following the Frenchmen out then turning round and coming back with us into the lines. To get there, we had to cross the River Aisne, where the original bridge had been blown up and a little wooden bridge built to replace it. We were now in the Support Line which was directly behind the front line and we were the first British troops to take over this front - although our artillery support comprised mostly French 75mm guns. I did not see any big guns at any time.

    A lot of the trenches were fairly wide so that it was easy to move about, even though wet and muddy, and we were issued with rubber boots to overcome trench feet. At one camp we had two days training and it was here that one of our chaps was killed by a live hand grenade. In throwing it over, he hit the parapet of the trench and it dropped back and exploded.

    As a No 1 Lewis gunner, I was directed with others to our appointed place in the line, which had deep dug-outs and hand operated water pumps to supply water for drinking and for washing. During this time we noticed that the front was becoming more active and as each day came it seemed to me that it was getting steadily worse. The observation balloons were beginning to have some effect and during the first hours of daylight we had a salvo of shells come directly into the trench, right on target, but there were no casualties as that part of the trench was empty. I happened to be in the observation post, just in front of the trench, and had the experience of being covered with earth thrown up by the explosion. The whole effect of this was to make us much more careful in moving around and to keep under cover.

    Our job while in support was to supply the front line with everything needed, such as small arms ammunition, water and food. When we first went there, the tea and stew were carried in the old type dixies by two men, in Indian file, on the butts of rifles on our shoulders. This was later altered to a large Thermos tank with two strong webbing straps adn carried on the back of one man. All our water supplies were heavily charged with chloride of lime and the tea, of course, tasted mostly of this. We did have one piece of luck here, when I happened to find a large French loaf (much larger than ours) in behind the boarding of a deep dug-out, and this we shared with our Lewis gun team. On going to the front line with tea, ammunition, etc. we came upon one of the boys lying in the bottom of the trench with a bullet through his head. We were told that he had been killed by a sniper and his body was to be picked up by stretcher bearers. The words "stretcher bearers" were to become quite common later.

    Each company would take a turn in the three lines, making seven days in the front line - seven days in the support line - and seven days in the reserve line, after which we would be relieved by another battalion. We would then go out to a rest camp for approximately seven days, making a month altogether but most often our rest time would be shortened and sometimes amounted to only three or four days. One afternoon I was doing my job as a Lewis gunner in the observation post, watching the whole of our front through a periscope fixed to the wall of the trench. I turned around and found one of our young officers behind me. He told me that if I looked through my field glasses early in the morning, I would be able to see men ploughing the fields. I thought that this was a rather peculiar thing to be doing so near to the enemy lines. Anyway, what he actually saw was horses going back after bringing up guns during the night and returning, trailing the traces on the ground. Later events proved this to be right. This young man was working as an Intelligence Officer but in my opinion he seemed too young for the job. When three dud shells dropped in front of our post, he asked me if they were gas shells, but there was no sign of any gas about.

    A few days later a sergeant came and asked me if I would like to go on a Lewis gun refresher course and entered my name for this. At this time, some parts of the trenches were being heavily shelled and we had some difficulty moving out of the lines. However, there were only about thirty of us going on this course and we managed to get out without casualties. I remember that this was on a Sunday and, after some sort of breakfast, we began a march that lasted all day with ten-minute hourly halts. The weather was perfect and very hot and by the time we arrived at the Lewis gun school it was early evening. We were again given boracic powder for our feet and boots, and the accommodation in huts was good. Our refresher course was to last for two weeks, and to my mind it seemed more of a holiday as our parades finished at midday, the rest of the day being free. The course was also a repetition of our previous training. Living conditions were still giving us trouble with body lice and every evening was a time for shirt reading. All the boys, like myself, were fighting a losing battle with the saddle backs as they were known. The usual practice was to open the seams of clothing and run a lighted cigarette up to burn out the eggs and prevent hatching, but fumigation was the only practical way to overcome this trouble, together with baths and fresh underclothing.

    We had been at this school for just a week when, at around midnight on the following Sunday, a sergeant burst into our hut shouting "everybody out on the road in ten minutes", which gave us just time to put on our gear. Outside on the road a long line of lorries was drawn up and we had orders to climb aboard, not knowing just what was happening. We soon found out when some shells passed over us and pitched in the fields nearby. The lorries then stopped and we had orders to take over some trenches a short distance away. We then found that we were back in the village of Roncey and that the line we were holding was a stone's throw from our previous billet in the Rock.

    When daylight came, we were able to see thousands of Germans coming towards us through the cornfields. Our Lewis gun was in position on the parapet and we began firing at 600 yards range but could not guage the effect, as the enemy kept disappearing in the tall corn then rising and coming on again. There were so many of them that we had no way of knowing their casualties. While this was going on, we had to stop firing every now and again to let the wounded pass in front of us. I recall a Colonel being carried by on a stretcher and telling the boys who were carrying him to leave him and look after themselves. This, of course, they refused to do. The Lewis gun was very hot by this time as we had been firing continuously for upwards of an hour. When the order was given to move out onto the road, we were obliged to use two of us to carry it, one by the butt and the other by the bi-pod legs. When we arrived on the road it was filled with men, some on stretchers and also walking wounded being picked up by the Red Cross ambulance team, and a number of our men were badly gassed. We went to help with carrying the stretchers in order to get the wounded away but were ordered to take up new positions behind fields of barbed wire. For some reason or another, our Lewis gun limber arrived and orders were given to put the guns in the boxes, together with magazines, spare parts and also our valises which, the sergeant told us, we could pick up later. We did not see any of it again, nor my valise in which I had personal things and letters from home.

    The German attack along this whole front had been building up for some time and it turned out to be a major battle. We were able to capture a few Germans here, and I recall seeing an officer (not ours) cutting off the buttons and Iron Cross ribbon from the tunic of one cocky German who, with the others, were given the task of carrying the wounded to the rear, some of them on their backs and others on stretchers. About this time, I was separated from White, the boy who was transferred with me to the Devons. I later saw him just before he was killed. For some time he had been very much depressed and I thought, from the beginning, that he had a presentiment that "his number would be called". He told me he had received a cake from home but that I could have it as he wouldn't be needing it. I made enquiries about him from the Red Cross men just before we went on rest period and was told he had been picked up, dead. So there it was, it just seemed to be part of our life and anything could be expected to happen.

    In our new position, we had large fields of barbed wire both in front and behind, and we found ourselves better placed. Although ammunition was now getting low and none being brought to us. By this time, it was sunset after a very hot day and we were tired, hungry and thirsty so our officer gave the order to eat our iron ration, for which we were very thankful. We had nothing to drink and, as it was nearly dark, we decided to get some rest, leaving one awake to give warning. For this we tossed a coin. Shortly after going to sleep, I came awake again. All was quiet outside our shelter and, looking outside, I found that the four of us were quite alone. All the rest had moved back to a new position in a wood about a quarter of a mile away. I gave a shout and the others woke up. We moved quickly out into the open, with Germans firing at us as we ran back. Not one of us was hit, but we were nearly shot by our own troops when entering the wood, as they did not know we had been left behind and thought that we were German troops. Before dawn, we were moving back to another new position, according to orders from the one officer now in charge. I must explain here that, when we rejoined the battalion, all of our artillery had been captured by the advancing enemy, with one exception a field gun that was doing it's best to give us support. It remained with us for about two days and was then abandoned on a river bank. All this time, we were being constantly shelled and subjected to pressure the casualties mounting up fast. Frank Burt, who came from Wimborne, was wounded here and taken to the field hospital. Not badly wounded, he rejoined us a few months later.

    Our battalion strength was now very much reduced and we were joined by troops from other regiments. We also did not appear to have any officers to give orders, except for one or two NCOs, so an officer from another regiment took over. He gave orders to dig a line of trenches on the edge of a wood, which we proceded to do. One or two of the other lads started to move on when the officer, who was mounted on horseback, pulled out his revolver and threatened to shoot one of them. He pointed the revolver at one chap and said he would shoot him if he did not dig. This fellow's mate then aimed his rifle at the officer and said that he would shoot him also, if he did so. We were able to stay for a while at this place but were forced to move back again on the following day, bringing back our wounded and leaving them with the Red Cross men, who were being overworked due to a shortage of wagons. Our position now was on the top of a fairly high hill, from which we could see most of what was happening, and we dug in. Almost out of ammunition, we could see our position was being gradually surrounded by the enemy. Orders were given to go down the hill, two at a time, and form again at the bottom. This was a worse position as we were in open country with no cover, being shelled and machine gunned. Most of the time, we were carrying our wounded back, some of them with very bad wounds, and quite a lot dying before we could get them out. Our own Brigadier General Grogan was awarded the VC here and I remember seeing him riding around from place to place on a grey horse, giving encouragement to the men. He was indeed a great soldier and, as far as I know, he was not hit. We were still without food and drink and, of course, very hungry and thirsty. Instructions were given to two men to go back to a village and bring back any food and drink they could find ... we did not see them again. It was here that I was told to take a message, with a runner, to an officer with a number of troops in a large wood about half a mile away. It was over open ground, no cover of any sort and the two of us set off under rifle and machine gun fire, not expecting to make it to the wood. However, we arrived and I had to inform the officer in charge that we were moving back on the left, and for him and his troops to do the same. We then returned, the way we had come, rejoining our party. We saw no British aircraft at any time, but a number of air battles took place overhead where we were, between French and German planes. One French plane landed in a field next to us, the pilot having been shot in the upper part of one arm. He and his observer came over to us and one of our chaps bandaged him up then we directed him to a First Aid post nearby. Shortly after this, we had to wade through the Vesle river and I had a very close shave from a shell which landed only a few yards away from me. By this time we were in a very dirty condition and, not having taken off our boots for four days, our feet were getting bad and we were very hungry and thirsty. However, I managed to find some coffee beans in a railway house, put some in my pockets and chewed them for some days. We now had to dig a trench to make a new position and we camouflaged it with branches and grass because of the open position. The first day went by, with blazing sunshine and again no food or drink. After dark, I crawled out of the trench to the rear and found an empty gun-pit with a puddle of water in the bottom of it. There was also a small pile of empty bully-beef cans which I had a look through, with the hope of finding some meat left behind. With the exception of a few scraps, there was none. I did, however, fill my water bottle from the water at the bottom of the pit and took it back to the rest of the boys. We drank it all between us and, of course, next day we were all ill with stomach pains but recovered later.

    The following morning, we could see rations being taken to another point a short distance away, but we could not be reached owing to our open position so we concluded that our rations had been left there. That night, we moved out after dark and were relieved by fresh troops, I can assure you that they were welcome to the conditions there. We were then taken to a wood where we had our first meal in five days and were able to take our boots off and put our feet in water ... what bliss! After this, boracic powder was used again on feet and boots. I am not sure of the number of our casualties by this time, but I think that I am right in saying that approximately twenty of us were all that was left from a whole battalion, but as there was no roll-call I would say that it was probably a little less.

    We now went on a rest period, or rather what was at that time called a Kings Rest which in effect meant going some distance from the fronts. The battalion was made up to strength with new reinforcements from home and a comb-out at the bases. Some of the latter were not very pleased at having to leave their easy jobs at these bases. With all the new men arriving, we were now under canvas at Chalk Camp and the battalion paraded each day. At this time, we marched roughly two miles through a forest for further training in firing and mock attack. The Colonel and his staff officers were all mounted on horseback and the battalion paraded in square formation. Everything went according to plan on the first day but, on the second day, the Major's horse seemed difficult to control for some reason. As the company officers reported to the Colonel for orders, the Major's horse turned away and backed into the Colonel's horse, lashing out immediately with his hind legs, the two of them creating quite a confusion. To make matters funnier still, the Colonel sat his horse very calmly, trying to ignore the trouble, but you can perhaps imagine the effect all this had on the troops who were on parade. Everyone, except the Colonel and his staff, were roaring with laughter. The Regimental Sergeant Major and Company Sergeant Major were trying their best and eventually stopped the laughing. The Major concerned was quite a good sport, and when mounting his horse near me at the end of the day, I heard him say, "I suppose I shall now have some more bloody fun with this horse", which gave me the impression that he was either unused to horse riding or new to that particular horse. While on parade, the order came "Anyone wishing to take stripes and become an NCO, take two paces forward". Only one man from the whole battalion stepped forward, no one wanted stripes. Some were later obliged to become NCOs and were selected by the CSM. Our clothing and equipment was by now in very poor condition, so we were issued with completely new outfits with the only exception of rifles. We then went by lorries to a place called Gamaches, where we were again under canvas and later able to go sea bathing at a place near the mouth of the Somme river. This was certainly a real rest and, as far as I can remember, lasted for roughly three weeks. The battalion was now fitted out with a complete new staff of colonel and officers, and plans were made for us to be on the move again. We had no idea as to where we were going, but we later took over a camp near a place called Mont St Eloi, which reminded me very much of Corfe Castle in Dorset. I remember that we moved out of this camp on a Sunday evening and went by lorry along a straight road which brought us to the junction of Arras to Lens road.

    We were now directly at Vimy Ridge which was bare except for a few tree stumps. Upon entering a communication trench leading over the ridge, we had a marvellous view of Vimy which was directly below us, the ruined town of Lens on our left and, almost directly in front of us, the town of Douai. On our right was the ruined city of Arras while Douai was not much damaged, but it was in German hands. We did not have time to admire the view from the top of the ridge as we were taking over this sector from the Canadians, who had moved over to the right sector. We found that we had quite good trenches, our main communication trench running through the village churchyard of Willereaux and in front of another village named Arleaux, both of which were complete ruins. Arleaux was between our front and the German front lines. The night before we took over, a German raiding party had tried to capture some Canadians, without any success, so we were expecting the same thing to happen again to us. However, nothing did happen. Our company went into the front line for the first seven days, and I can remember a very heavy thunderstorm on the second night we were there. All the lower sections of the trenches were flooded, making everything wet and uncomfortable. We went, in battle order, to remove our haversacks and put them under a bivouac shelter, but in the morning we found that they had all been eaten through by rats, which included our iron rations (biscuits) which were carried in canvas bags. I had never seen such rats, most of them as big as cats and brown in colour.

    Three of us were in the advance posts in front of the front line to give warning and to block a communication trench, which we sand-bagged. The following day we were being pestered by a German sniper, several of the boys having narrow escapes, so that night I went out with a party to find his position, which was in front of the German barbed wire. We blacked our faces and crawled out after it became dark and found the spot, but the snipers were gone. Some telephone wires were connected to the sand-bagged post, running back to the German front line, so we destroyed the post and took back around 100 feet of telephone wire to prove that we had achieved some result. Two nights later, our two Lewis gun teams were sent into the destroyed village of Arleaux which was in no-man's-land between the German and British front lines. One team was posted in a cellar on the edge of the village, whilst my team had to make a position directly at the cross roads - which we had some trouble in finding owing to the village having been so totally destroyed. We made up a post with brick rubble and fixed the gun in position, our job being to prevent any Germans from approaching our front line. A short while after settling in, some heavy rifle and machine gunfire opened up on our right and suddenly we saw the German signal lights, two red and one green, which we knew from previous experience meant SOS (send over shells). Immediately after this, a terrific bombardment of shells came over and we all thought that none of us would survive, it seemed like hell itself had been let loose on us. All we could do was lie face down and wait for it to end, which it did after about ten minutes. There were just five of us in this post and I shall never know how we came through without casualties. Just before dawn, we packed up the gun together with all our gear and returned to our front line, where to us it seemed almost like safety. When our relief period of seven days came around, five of us in our platoon - we were all marksmen - went by lorry to take part in a shooting competition at a spot some thirty miles from the battle areas, where it was quiet and peaceful. Parties of five representatives were chosen from all the British regiments in France. We were quartered in tents on a small island in a river and the weather conditions were perfect, but we finished up only about halfway up the awards table.

    Every morning, at an hour before sunrise, we had to stand to for one hour and again for another hour just before sunset, these being the times when an enemy attack could be expected, all the troops being on or below the firing steps. We had now been relieved in the front line and had gone back to the support line, where the fatigue duties are done. Our first job here was unloading and cleaning a great number of Lewis gun magazines, that is oiling the insides of magazines and the ammunition then reloading ready for use. Another duty was to meet the ration train which was an electric motor drawing two fairly small trucks on a light guage railway track. This train was expected at about 10pm and came as far as Willereaux, where we were told to unload. It was raining heavily at the time so we waited in the dug-out. This was also ankle deep in water and, to make matters worse, Willereaux was being heavily shelled. At first we were bombarded with high explosives only. Shortly after, the gas alarm went off so gas masks were put on as gas cylinders were landing all around us, mixed up with the shelling. We were then told that the ration train had arrived after a delay of about two hours owing to the shelling. The sergeant in charge gave orders for us to run out, two at a time, grab the first two sacks we could lay hands on then make a bolt for it back to our trench. Together with another lad, I ran out - both of us reaching the truck at the same time - when we heard a shell which seemed to be coming in right on top of us. We both dropped down flat underneath the truck as the gas shell exploded only a few yards away. We did manage to grab two sacks and bolted for the trench, which by this time was filled with poison gas. In fact, the whole area was like being in a London fog and our range of vision was only about two yards. Wearing our masks, and due to these conditions, we had some difficulty finding our position in the support line. Arriving there, we were allowed to sleep in the dug-out, this being the general rule. After a few hours sleep I turned out with the others to find that the rain had gone and the sun was shining. Shortly after this, a sergeant came to me with a notebook and asked me if I was going on sick parade. I told him I had no reason for doing so for as far as I knew, I was alright. He told me that if I did not go then, I would later, as all the others who had been on ration fatigues were going sick. He said, "Take a look at your eyes in the mirror of the trench periscope". I did, and found that I had bright red rings around my eyes but did not feel any effects at that time. He entered my name and number in his notebook. I met the others at the main communication trench and found that the chap who had run out to the ration train with me had been badly burned by liquid poison gas and would not let anyone near him. Also, the corporal who had been with us lay dying on a stretcher nearby. We soon found we were unable to keep our eyes open and we had to hold onto each other's coats for support. One man was then put in charge to lead us in crocodile fashion, each of us with one hand on the shoulder of the man in front, for guidance, to the medical officer's dug-out. Here our eyes were examined and by this time they were very painful. Some kind of liquid was put in them, then two cotton wool pads were bound tightly around our heads. We were then lead out of the lines and taken to some other place where I remember there was the smell of boiling tea and cooked food. This was something so different from what we had been used to and, after a good meal of tea and cake, we were again taken outside where we could feel the warm sunshine. After we had been there for a while, someone who we thought sounded like an officer came to us and asked if we had been fed. Although we said that we had, he took us back to the canteen and gave us another tea, which was too good to be refused. Later we were loaded into Red Cross ambulances and taken to a hospital in Mont St. Eloi where we slept on beds for the first time since leaving England. The next day, the battalion went back to the line for another twenty one days, but owing to the trouble with my leg, I had to remain with the other chaps at the rest camp. Just as the boys were forming up on the road to march off, the parcel post arrived bringing me a cake and letters from home. There was also a parcel for another chap with whom I had become pally. His name was Rickard and he was one of the signalling party. I took him his parcel so he could take it along with him but, owing to the heavy load of the kit he was carrying, he told me he could not manage to take it. I told him that I would bring it with me when I rejoined the boys in the line, which I knew would be in a short while, and returned to the hut. At 12 midnight that night the battalion made an attack and we could plainly hear the bombardment open, then a quarter of an hour later it ceased, so we then went to sleep.

    Early in the morning, a sergeant came to our hut and asked for volunteers for a burial party, he said, "I know you'll do it, as it's your own boys". We all volunteered and were each given a pick and shovel, then we walked to the place where we were to dig, two of us to each grave. We were all in a sombre mood, it was not a pleasant task and to make matters worse the rain poured down ceaselessly all the while, dampening our already low spirits still further. Later in the morning, they brought lorry loads of bodies, piled up on each other, and laid them in long lines on the grass, almost, it seemed to me, as if they were on parade. Then a sergeant and a corporal passed along the lines, taking names and numbers of the dead. I happened to be sitting near them, listening to the names being called out. The name Pickard was mentioned but at the time I was not too concerned. However, I suddenly wondered if a mistake had been made in calling out this name, so I asked the sergeant if it was correct. He said that he would make certain, then came back to tell me it should have been Rickard. Of course, I knew who it was and out of all the men buried that morning, I had the job of burying my pal Rickard, although I did not know this until after I had filled in the grave and the board bearing his name fixed in place. It seemed almost as though it was intended that I should bury him and I only regretted that I did not have his home address to which I could write. There is one thing I would like to make a note of here, on this last midnight attack, the soldier who was tried by court-martial (to which I referred earlier) went over with the rest of the boys, and was killed. His sentence had been reduced, and at midnight it would have been finished. At the time of the court-martial he told us that he would be going to Le Havre prison, away from the front, but instead, as a punishment, he was made to do front line duty all the time that the battalion were in the lines.

    Two or three days later, I was off the sick list and able to get back and rejoin my company. I found them in a new position, on a ridge in front of Arleaux from where we could look downwards into the enemy lines and watch the effect of our trench mortar shells exploding. We also had to put up with the same sort of thing from the German lines. Our orders were to fire at anything that moved. The Germans put up some lifesize cardboard figures for us to shoot at, presumably to find out what sort of shots we were. A raiding party from our No 6 platoon went out after dark and brought back two complete suits of uniform which they had taken from Germans they had killed. These proved that the troops in front of us were Bavarians. By the size of the uniforms, which we hung up on sticks, they appeared to be heavily built fellows. Now and again the artillery officers would come to our front line to record the German gun flashes and to mark the positions on their maps. I remember one of them telling us to watch the bombardment of a huge coal mine slag heap, almost in front of us, which he informed us was the German staff headquarters. It was much too big to destroy completely, but our big guns must have made it very uncomfortable for any Germans in there. We were now due for a rest period and went back to our rest camp, being followed most of the way by German shellfire. This camp was within range of their big guns and we could expect a blasting by big shells at any time of the day or night. One German long-range gun made a point of firing at us almost every night, always on the stroke of twelve, in fact, we could set our clock by it. Certain things began to happen here. Firstly, all numbers 1 and 2 Lewis gunners, myself included, were called out at midnight with our guns, magazines and spare parts bags, and taken by lorry to a position opposite the town of Lens, where the Germans were expected to make a possible breakthrough. We fixed up our guns in a ruined house but nothing untoward happened, so we were picked up again after stand-down and taken back to the rest camp, where we were free for the remainder of the day to get some sleep.

    The next thing that happened was that all of us were awakened one night with orders to parade out on the road within ten minutes. We were then told that observers in the balloons had reported that the Germans were evacuating and pulling out on our front. Again nothing happened, so we returned to the huts. Later events proved that there was some truth in it however. After this rather long spell at Vimy Ridge, we moved to the ruined town of Arras and, after passing through it, we took over front line trenches looking directly towards Douai. This was then still in German hands and we could plainly see huge fires burning in the city. We made a new attack here but captured only a few prisoners due to the enemy pulling back. We now found ourselves about half a mile from the Hindenburg Line, with the advance posts very close to it. A party from a Lancashire regiment were sent forward to occupy these forward posts but nothing was seen of them again. We were told this, and were also informed that we had to take over the same posts. After dark, we put our rations in sandbags and water in petrol cans and, with our officer in the lead, we moved up through a ditch by the side of the road. We also had to find our way through fields of barbed wire which the Germans had laid. After a difficult journey, we arrived, crawling on hands and knees at our post. Here we discovered, to our dismay, that the sacks containing our rations had been lost in transit. We were so very close to the Hindenburg Line and we were told beforehand that we must speak in whispers and use hand signs instead of talking aloud to each other, so as not to draw attention to the fact that we were there. But the Germans knew and began trying to reach us with whiz-bangs and machine guns, without result. Just before dawn, a sergeant signed to me and asked if I would try to recover the rations that had been lost. I went back the way by which we had previously come and, by a stroke of luck, found the sacks of rations and a petrol tin filled with water, under some barbed wire. The boys were greatly bucked-up when the shareout came, otherwise we'd had nothing to eat all day. Soon after I returned, the sergeant told me to follow a disused trench after crossing a road away to our right, where they could hear a wounded man calling for help. I was to find him then wait with him until they were able to send a stretcher to pick him up. I discovered him lying in a shell hole, managing to reach him without being seen as it was raining and foggy. I stayed with him for all of that day, expecting at any time to see the stretcher arrive, but it was not until dark that they were able to reach us without the enemy spotting them. He was unconscious for most of the time but, when he did come round, I was able to give him a small drink of water but we had nothing to eat all day. He was from A Company and they had sustained some casualties in moving up too far. His legs were very badly injured and he also had a bad wound on his face. We were both relieved when help finally came and we could move out of that shell hole. The Germans were very jumpy and seemed to be expecting us as, all night long, the front had been lit up by Very lights and parachute flares making the nighttime bright and creating difficulties with moving about unobserved. Half and hour before zero, the rum ration was brought around and doled out. At five minutes past 5am the signal gun was fired, then the attack began. I have never forgotten the way all hell broke loose that morning, as we moved forward toward the German lines, when all the guns opened up. We were supposed to move at a slow walking pace, to allow our guns to extend their range every few minutes but, as usual, we gradually picked up speed until we found our own shells falling around us. I remember being struck on the left shoulder by what I thought was spent schrapnel and it was very painful for some time afterwards. I was too excited and keyed up at the time to bother much about it, there was noise and turmoil all around me the roar of the guns, the scream and crash of shells, all was pandemonium. We had been warned that it would be a tough battle, and it was.

    Our job was to take the enemy's front line, and we were able to collect a few prisoners. I still have no idea of the number of our casualties that morning, but there were many, a lot of our chaps killed and wounded by shellfire. Our own Lewis gun corporal was directing us to our position, talking to me, when he was struck in the face by schrapnel, which entered his cheek and passed out through his lower jaw. However, he did not lose consciousness, and after we had bandaged him up he was taken to a dug-out near our position. Shortly after we had cleared the trench, the guns ceased firing and I can still see the scene when the sun rose. We were able to sit on the parapet of the Hindenburg Line and look directly over the open countryside to the town of Douai, where large fires had been deliberately lit. In fact, the whole place had been burning for almost a month. We ate our rations and were then able to have a look round as there was no sign of the enemy, most of whom had been pulled back during the night to a new position, barring our road into Douai. All the countryside here was free from damage, with trees growing, so very different from the battlefields of Vimy Ridge and Arras.

    After the battalion's first push forward here of roughly a quarter mile eastwards, we were clearing the ground in our rear when we came across an area where sometime previously an almighty clash had taken place. We found rusty rifles and bayonets, helmets both British and German with skulls still in them, boots with leg bones in them, bits of German field grey and British khaki uniforms and parts of equipment from both sides, together with more bones scattered all over the place. It seemed to me that this must have occurred about eighteen months previously and that it took place in no-man's-land, where neither side were able to identify or bury their dead. Also, stray shells appeared to have disturbed the remains at various times, making identification impossible.

    We now came to what was known as a rest period, although there was very little rest connected with it. We heard that the canteen was sending us some army rissoles, the troops, of course, having their own particular name for these. They did eventually arrive and, to my mind, looked like dirty grey lumps of putty and without putting too fine a point to it, they tasted like it. It seemed like we had not missed anything by waiting so long! At about this time, we had a small reinforcement arrive and I was able to make a new pal who turned out to be a bare-back horse rider in a circus in civilian life. He used to bring the letters he received for me to read to him as he was unable to read or write. Even so, he was a strong, good looking lad and I only knew him for a short period. I always assumed that he was a casualty of the Hindenburg Line attack as I never heard what happened to him. Conditions were bad here and we were thankful to move forward towards Douai and see green fields and trees again, leaving behind the old, barren battlefield areas.

    We were moving eastwards fast and all leave was stopped. We had a short spell of rest, about forty eight hours, which gave us a little time to relax then a battalion of Canadians came to relieve us. Our transport lines moved into a nearby clearing in the woods and all the horses and mules arranged in long lines. I had just left a church in a nearby village when the German heavy guns opened fire and shelled the spot where the animals were grouped. We could only stand helplessly by, powerless to prevent the slaughter which was taking place. The church had evidently been used by the Germans as stables for their horses, by the appearance of hay and straw which was strewn all over the floor. They had also looted the church, removing all the brass and copper.

    Our brief spell of rest over, we again moved up towards Douai where we took over some shallow trench lines at night. Here we were obliged to deepen these lines by piling the earth on each side, not throwing it out over the top which would have given our position away. There was no shelter of any sort and I was twice blown off my feet by trench mortar shells, which landed on the parapet. One exploded in the trench and all we could do was lie face down and hope for the best. We were not allowed to stay in these lines for long and were shortly relieved by a battalion of the 2nd Middlesex Regiment, who were also attached to our division. They gave us the first news that the Germans had agreed to accept President Wilson's 14-point plan, and they seemed to be quite excited about it. From my own point of view, I considered it to be just another rumour and did not attach any great importance to it, but in this instance it turned out to be correct. The next day, we were able to break through the German machine gun posts and entered Douai over the main bridge. Here we found buildings on fire all around us, one happened to be a cinema and I can well remember seeing the Pathe film cockerel on fire there.

    A number of the German troops had deserted at this point and we had to round them up, with orders to shoot to kill if they showed any sign of resistance. They came out of the cellars of the shops and houses with their hands up and seemed glad to know that, as far as they were concerned, the fighting was over. We loaded them into lorries and I remember our fellows swearing over the fact that they were being transported while we had to continue foot slogging. We moved further into the town, which was completely deserted, and came to a house where the back garden was filled with every kind of brass and copper ornament you could think of most of them having been looted from the churches and wayside shrines. There were also brass clocks, large crucifixes, brass and copper parts from railway engines and machines. We concluded that the Germans had collected all this stuff but had to leave in a hurry with no time to take it with them. Some of our boys started looking for souvenirs, so a guard was formed to stop this. The rear of this garden led down to a canal bank where the ground, leading to the water, was absolutely covered with banners and flags, curtains, etc. showing all the colours of the rainbow. We had previously seen all these colours from a distance before entering Douai, but at the time could not make out what they were. The Germans were setting fire to buildings and property as they retreated, and we had to be prepared all the time for any booby traps which they had left behind. All the crossroads had been mined, some exploding before we reached them. The Canadians now took over and we were able to rest for a while, during which we were fixed up with baths and clean clothes, the first time for about six weeks, a real treat, as you can imagine. We now heard that one of our companies (I think it was C Company) was making a new attack over the pontoon bridge, making the attempt by going over with the help of an artillery barrage. They had a very hard time getting across with quite a lot of casualties. To make matters worse, the bridge was blown up and broken by enemy fire although some of the company did get back safely. I heard that some members of two Lewis gun teams had managed to swim back, bringing their guns with them. A new bridge was then put over the canal and another company made the attempt, with the same result. We were told that it was now our turn to try and get across, but this time without a barrage and to go over quietly. So the engineers constructed a large wooden box frame and covered it with waterproof canvas. This box was made to carry four at a time and at night a wire rope was strung across the canal and the box slung onto it. What was now left of our company made our way down a railway cutting which brought us out to where the box was waiting. My own Lewis gun team, the four of us, were the first load to go over. We also had bandoliers of extra ammunition for recharging the magazines of the gun and our first job, once we were over, was to act as a cover party by lying out in the open while the remainder of the company made their way over, four at a time without making any noise. Although it was dark, we found a lot of dead from the previous two attempts, lying unburied so we had to lie down amongst them. All of our movements had to be carried out by touching each other when we moved, as the Germans were dug in quite near to our position, and no sounds had to be made which might give away our presence. When everyone was over, we moved off through flood water to a building about 100 yards from the German lines and fixed up the gun in the doorway of what I then thought was a house at the head of a mine shaft. Except for some machine gunning and mortar shells it was fairly quiet, but around 4am a big German gun opened fire and we found that the shells were passing over us - but close enough to bring down some of the house we were in. We had a lance-corporal in charge of us, by the name of Whale, who realised that the shells had begun dropping shorter and, if we stayed where we were, we'd be liable for a direct hit. He moved us out to a new position behind some pit props. Picking the time to move between shell bursts, we managed to get there after being blown over by the blast from one of these shells. Our position here was on the extreme edge of the line, within a short distance of the canal bank, with the Germans dug in trenches about a hundred yards in front of us and open ground with no barbed wire in between. The enemy evidently knew that we were there, and during the night we were subjected to constant machine gun and mortar fire, with some casualties.

    It was drizzling with rain, as usual, and as daylight came the Germans opened up with a shell barrage - our own guns replying and shelling the enemy lines. Soon after it started, I moved across to where I could see over to the German lines and saw what I first thought was a German soldier bending down and lifting a wounded comrade to his feet. I moved to the end of the pit props and had a clearer view of a whole line of enemy troops coming towards our position, being led by an officer who was also bending down and urging his men onwards. I immediately opened fire with my Lewis gun while shouting to the rest of the boys at the same time to warn them that Jerry was coming. After a few rounds the gun jammed and stopped firing and I had to pick up my rifle and, with Frank Burt next to me, we continued firing. Frank was lying about a yard behind me, not realising that his rifle muzzle was very close to my right ear and that each time he fired he was deafening me. Of course, there was some excuse for it under the circumstances and in the excitement, but from my point of view extremely uncomfortable. The Germans had now reached the other side of the pit props, roughly ten feet away from us, when for some reason they turned and started to run back to their own lines. On the way back they received more casualties than when advancing towards us. The firing was now dying down and we saw one German soldier crawling towards our lines. We shouted and beckoned to him to go back but he didn't seem to understand what we meant and continued coming on. He had been badly wounded and died shortly after reaching us, I expect the poor fellow scarcely knew what he was doing, he was dying and wanted company. We did not know it at the time but our platoon officer, who was in charge of our two small platoons, was hit by a shell during the night and killed by another shell. On of our boys (who came from Winton) tried to bring him in but lost a leg in the attempt. Another of my pals, Vic Palmer, was also badly wounded at that time whilst he was with us. I tried to get information later and I believe that he too died. After the surviving Germans got back to their own lines they raised a white flag on a long pole, waving it backwards and forwards at intervals for the rest of that day. They did this, we thought, with the hope of getting us to come out onto open ground which, from our point of view, would have been fatal so we were told to ignore it. As usual, it was still raining and during the afternoon a German spotter plane flew fairly low over us - we assumed it was taking photographs and we tried to bring it down, without success. An hour later we were greatly cheered up by the news that we were pulling out as soon as it became dark. It did not take long to get all our gear together and we were ready to move long before dark. We then returned to the canal where we had left the canvas box and wire pulley.

    In the darkness an officer came and told me to take my Lewis gun team and act as a rear guard cover party while the rest of the troops crossed the canal. I had orders to hand the gun over to No.2, come back to the canal bank and await further orders. These orders also applied to another gun team and their No.1 met me on the canal bank where we waited together. The troops were going steadily back, four at a time, taking the wounded with them. Eventually we found that our two gun teams appeared to be the only ones left on our side of the canal but we still waited for orders to move out. However, these orders did not come and we both agreed to bring our teams back to the canal bank, as there seemed to be no purpose in leaving them lying out in the open. We waited for a while longer then sent both teams across in the canvas box. We ourselves remained, waiting for someone to issue instructions which never came. We decided it was time for us to go and were on the point of leaving when we heard someone coming along the canal bank. In the darkness, we could not see who it was but he told us that several wounded men had been left behind, so we decided to go back for them ourselves. On the way, we came across a sergeant on a stretcher with two men sitting by the side of it. The wounded man was Sergeant Davis and I understood him to have been billeted in Clarence Park Road (my own road at home) during his training period, so I left the other No.1 gunner in order to help him back. I then went on almost to the place from where we had started and here found another wounded man on a stretcher. There was one man with him in a slit trench, waiting for help to move him. I knew that we would have to move fast as it had become quiet, with no firing or Very lights going up, so we picked up the stretcher and ran with the wounded man to the canal crossing. All the others had now gone over so we loaded the stretcher onto the box, which we'd pulled back from the opposite bank, and hauled the three of us over the canal. There were some big trees lining the bank and we barely had time to get across before the Germans counter- attacked. All we could do was lie low on the ground behind these tree trunks and wait for the firing to end. When the lull came, we picked up the stretcher and carried it back to Oisement, where we accompanied the wounded man to the hospital in St. Armand, and I can remember being absolutely worn out. I went upstairs to where we were quartered and just fell onto the floor, almost instantly asleep. We had previously been told to go down to the cellars in the event of a heavy raid, but I was much too tired to know anything about the shelling that took place during the night.

    No-one woke us up the next morning which, for a change, was bright and sunny. About mid-day a sergeant came with orders for us to be on parade in half an hour for a roll-call. We turned out for this on time, but what a shock it was to see what was left of our battalion ! The casualties were much greater than I had ever expected. Our own Company Officer turned to us and said "Boys, I am proud of you" and I was surprised to see tears on his cheeks as he spoke. With regard to the strength of the battalion, I must say here that it was well below normal even before this action, as no reinforcements had been received from the time we had left Douai. When we came off parade our previous platoon officer came to see us in our quarters. The first thing he said was "I didn't expect to see any of you blokes again". He had, for some time, been promoted to Intelligence Officer and it was through his efforts that we were pulled back from what was a hopeless position.

    The Canadians had again taken over our position south of the canal. A communique was posted on our notice board saying that the Germans were retreating all along the line and that we were to turn it into a rout to make them lay down their arms. This was easier said than done. They did pull back, however, and we now knew that the end of the war was getting near as we were meeting civilians on our eastward march. We also came upon prisoner-of-war camps where we met large numbers of prisoners who had broken out when their guards had gone. They were all dressed up in various types of uniform, including Boer War outfits, and seemed to be overcome by their release. Were they glad to see us ! We still had to move fast and came to a village where we were billeted in a school. Here it appeared that only the little girls were being taught, the boys' schoolmaster having been killed. At least, we concluded this was the case from what the boys had said. All the civilians were in bad shape and it was arranged that our meat rations should be given to them, as they had not had meat of any sort for nine months. We also gave the children some of our jam and cheese ration. When we moved off again at 3am, the boys brought us some freshly made coffee in large enamel jugs. Although there was no milk or sugar, we really did enjoy it as the weather was becoming very wet and cold. All along the route, the farms were still burning and at daybreak we came to quite a large town (I cannot recall the name) which was overflowing with people who had brought out pianos into the streets, and there they danced and sang - they were so excited. We marched through this town with our own brass band playing, which added greatly to the noise and shouting. We had to literally push our way through the huge crowds who, in their excitement, kept slapping us on the back, making it very difficult to continue on our way.

    It was quite a relief to leave all that behind us and to be out in the country once again. We were still not getting any news of what was really happening. Only rumours reached us. We stopped for the night in houses which had been evacuated and, for the first time, four of us slept in a large four-poster bed with sheets and pillows (real luxury for us!). In the morning, one of the boys found some vegetables, potatoes and swedes. As there were some cooking pots handy, we lit a fire and he cooked all the veg for us. We gave him our biscuit ration and bully beef and he pounded the hard biscuits into a dough and made a meat pie in the oven. This was really great, except for the fact that just as we were sitting down to enjoy it the whistle blew for us to fall in on the road outside! We did, however, manage to fill our dixies with the hot food and ate it on the march. We continued on our way eastward along a railway track, most of which had been destroyed by the Germans. Eventually we came onto a main road and, as we moved along, I noticed that a number of field guns were going in the opposite direction and I remarked on this to my pal Frank Burt. He was of the same opinion as myself, that they were being sent back for re-boring. Shortly after, a runner passed us, calling something as he went but we could not make out what he was saying. Within ten minutes we were halted and officially given the news that the Armistice was being signed at 11 o'clock that morning, the time then being about 9.30am. The news was received with some relief by the troops but it did not create any great excitement, owing to the fact that the boys were much too tired to show any enthusiasm.

    After having a rest by the roadside we marched on eastward, arriving at a place called Ghlin - a suberb of the town of Mons, and our band played us in. The civilian population were absolutely mad with excitement, crowding around us and again making it difficult for us to move in an orderly column. Our quarters here were on the upper floor of a school, all the lower rooms being crowded with refugees, mostly elderly people. It was decided that part of our food ration would be issued to them, for which they were grateful as some of them were actually starving. We now set to work cleaning ourselves up, also our equipment, with the polishing of buttons, badges, etc. in preparation for a celebration march past the Belgian King and Royal Family. I was detailed for a guard duty lasting 48 hours at a large house which had been taken over by us for use as a guardroom. The weather had now turned very cold and frosty. After a spell of night duty I was feeling very sick and running a temperature, I also had difficulty in swallowing owing to a bad throat. I managed to finish the guard duty and, instead of returning to the billet, I went to the Medical Officer's house. At first he diagnosed it as acute tonsilitis but later confirmed it as diphtheria. We were sleeping on a hard block floor at our billet so I had a very uncomfortable and disturbed night. The next morning, feeling very ill, I was put aboard a large Red Cross motor wagon with all my kit. Most of the others on board were suffering from Spanish Flu and we travelled westwards together for some hours. We eventually arrived at a large chateau, near Arras, which had been converted into a War Hospital. I was put into a really comfortable bed and received every possible attention from an Irish nurse. I was unable to swallow any solid food so she fed me regularly with warm milk and onion broth. Alone in an isolation ward, for the first two days I seemed to become light-headed at times. A padre came to see me and offered to write a letter home but I declined, with thanks, as I did not want mother and dad to worry about me. By the end of the week, I was feeling much better and was moved into a big ward with Americans and Canadians. We were later transferred to the Canadian 46th Stationary Hospital at Etables, the place from where I had started. We also had Australian and German sick in this hospital. It seemed as though we might have to spend our Christmas in there, but at 2am on December 21st we were put onto a Red Cross train which took us to Calais and then on a Red Cross transport ship bound for Dover.

    On arriving at Dover we were put on another Red Cross train and eventually arrived at Epsom, where we were taken to the Horton War Hospital for convalescence. We had to report to the desk here for details of name, unit, etc. and I can well remember the official, after taking my particulars, looking at me and saying "Do you know that you are the first one of your mob to come here, and they have recently had a memorial service for the 2nd Devon Regiment at Exeter Cathedral". He seemed most interested and came along to see me several times during my stay there. I would have liked to have got home for Christmas but we were given a really good time at the hospital, with plenty of everything, they did us proud. The doctor came each morning to see us all and one day I remember him turning round at the door as he was leaving and saying "I have never seen so many fit and well invalids as I have seen today. A few months ago you would all have been feeling a lot worse when I came to see you". Well, we had a good time there and I made a lot of friends from various parts of the world and from home, but the time came when we had to go our different ways. We were demobilized from the hospital, where we were fitted out with our civilian suits. It was a great feeling to be going home for good, and I know that Mother and Dad were relieved to have me back where I belonged. I travelled down on the train with one of the chaps whom I had met in hospital, he came from Poulner in Hampshire. He said to me "Well this is the last time you will see me in khaki", but it was only the matter of a few months later that he called to see me. He was still in uniform and had enlisted in a tank regiment at Wareham. He said he could not settle down to a civilian life again as it was too quiet and he missed the companionship to which he had become accustomed. Let the lamp of memory glow. Tell the young and let them know What was done to save this land. Tell them. Make them understand The cost of it, the bitter price In blood and tears and sacrifice. Tell the story, speak with pride Of the men who fought and died. Let the truth of it be known. Write the names in bronze and stone Of those who went at duty's call To give the greatest gift of all. Patience Strong. Let Them Know.

    Ken Gravenell




    248207

    AbleSea. William Robert Walton MID. HMS Lupin

    Robert Walton was Mentioned is Despatches for minesweeping ops 1st of Jan to 30th June 1918

    Philip Robert Handley




    248202

    Major. William McConachie 109th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>10th Inniskilling Fusiliers Oct 1914

    William McConachie was my grand-father, who I never knew as he died in 1930, long before I was born, he served in South Africa then the Great War, initially in 10th Inniskillings before being posted to the 109th Machine Gun Corps, where he achieved rank of Major.

    Christmas Dinner 1916

    Les McConachie




    248199

    Pte. James Joseph Moran 33 Btn. Australian Infantry (d.6th May 1918)

    James Moran enlisted in 1917 aged 39, a lithographer from East Sydney with six children. He relates how the hill at the Australian Army Camp, Codford in Salisbury Plains displayed an Australian Rising Sun, detailed with white stones. It is still visible today. Apparently, it was called Misery Hill, as troops ran up it each morning for physical exercise. Private Moran served in 36th Battalion at the action in Hangard Wood and the capture of Villers-Bretonneux (First Battle), then was transferred to 33rd Battalion to make up numbers there on 30th April 1918. 33rd Battalion crossed the Somme and attacked German positions at Morlancourt where he was killed in action on 6 May 1918, aged forty.

    Douglas Archer




    248197

    P/Off. Benjamin James French HMS Paxton

    Benjamin French was a Reserve when called up to work on Lady Christine and Q25 (HMS Paxton).

    David French




    248192

    Pte. Harold Southern 34th Battalion

    <p>Harold and Anne Southern

    Harold Southern was the sixth of eight children born to John William and Jane Southern of Leichhardt in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

    Harold enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces on 16 March 1917 at Sydney Agricultural Showground at the age of 30, joining 34th Battalion, 8th Reinforcements. After a few months in camp, he officially started active service on 16 July 1918 embarking on board HMAT A16 Port Melbourne from Sydney and arrived in Liverpool, England on 16 Sept 1918.

    • 24.1.1918, Rouelles, France - Marched in ex England.
    • 26.1.1918, Rouelles, France - Marched out to Front.
    • 28.1.1918, (Field) France - Private taken on strength of 34th Battalion, 8th Reinforcements.
    • 27.5.1918, France - Private wounded in action (10th Field Ambulance) - Admitted to France C. C. S. (Casualty Clearing Station) Etretat suffering from gun shot wound to chest and thigh.
    • 10.6.1918 - Pte transferred to London
    • 11.6.1918, Epson, England - Private admitted to Horton County London War Hospital, Epson suffering from gunshot wound left thigh and penetrating chest, severe.
    • 15.7.1918, Dartford, England - Transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford.

    Harold was returned to Australia on board the Argyllshire on 9.12.1918. He married Annie Judith Byrne in 1920 in Orange, New South Wales and died only eight years later on 18 Nov 1928 at Allerton Private Hospital, Marrickville Rd, Dulwich Hill in Sydney with Acute Lobar Pneumonia.

    Shayley Sergeant




    248191

    Pte. Thomas Edward Hunt Royal West Kent Regiment

    My Granddad, Thomas Hunt, was captured at the Battle of Mons on 22nd of August 1914 after being shot in the arm.

    He was then imprisoned at Doeberitz Germany for 4 years. I have several photos of him in the camp some look like propaganda ones as the hut inside looks too comfortable. He did manage to write every so often to my nan and uncle and send Christmas and Easter greetings.

    He was freed in Dec 1918 and nan said he was 6 stone, he survived and lived till the age of 68.

    sheena Brown




    248189

    Rflmn William Charles Styles 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.8th October 1918)

    My grandfather was killed near Cambrai on 8th.Oct 1918 and was buried in the village cemetery alongside about 79 others of Rumilly-en-Cambresis. He left a wife Edith and 3 children:Edith 9, Edward 7 and Lily 5. He was 39 years of age.

    Audrey Gooding




    248188

    L/Cpl. Edgar Earnest Cecil Maunder 9th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

    Edgar Maunder was a horse drawn cab driver by trade. Welsh by birth but son of a Cornish man who moved to Wales in 1891. He was one of seven brothers and one sister. His father and five of the brothers were all serving in the war by November 1915. The family was mentioned in the Penarth Times in November 1915 as part of the promotional drive to honor enlisted men and encourage new recruits.

    Jean Maunder




    248187

    L/Cpl. Alfred Binks 2/5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.20th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Alfred Binks served with the 2/5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment.

    David Kilvington




    248181

    Cook. Dorothy Williams Voluntary Aid Detachment

    I have notes from my mother indicating that my grandmother, Dorothy Williams came to Lady Webb's Auxiliary Hospital as a cook. My grandma had learned her craft as a Domestic Servant and then as a cook at a girls' finishing school at Port Eynon on the Gower, this is detailed in the 1911 Census.

    Grandma married Denis Collins, who worked with the horses of the Royal Welsh Artillery [I think], in Oct 1914, possibly in a Civil Ceremony because he was a Roman Catholic. A postcard from him to my grandmother while his unit awaited embarkation at Winchester is addressed to her by her maiden name. We think that this was to enable her to 'keep her position' at that stage it was not expected that married women would work.

    I would love to know any further details about the life of this auxiliary hospital, and see any photos.

    Angela Brown




    248179

    Dvr. George Ivord Ferrett 9th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    George Ferrett was born in Devon in 1893. As a young boy he worked with horses on the farm. In 1914 he joined the Royal Horse Artillery, later incorporated in to the R F A. He was the lead driver on the horses taking the guns up to the front lines. He was fortunate enough to survive the war and died in 1950 of heart failure.

    Anthony Ferrett




    248177

    2Lt. Alfred Charles Garrett "Garrie" Fowler 215 Squadron (d.20th September 1918)

    Alfred Fowler served with 215 Squadron. Acclimating to Handley Page O/400 aircraft after 215 Squadron updates O/100s. In Alquines from 4th of July 1918 to 19th of August 1918, when the squadron transferred to Xaffevillers Aerodrome. 2/Lt A.C.G. Fowler was a new pilot, transferring from RNAS to RAF on 1st of April 1918. He was killed with 2/Lt C C Eaves and 2/Lt J S Ferguson on a night bombing raid on Frescary Aerodrome on 20th of September, 1918 during a full moon.

    C Hunt




    248167

    Rflmn Edward Ernerst Hill 6th Btn. London Regiment (d.31st August 1918)

    <p>

    Ernie Hill served with 6th Battalion, London Regiment.

    Peter J Hill




    248156

    Pte. Thomas Woodall 7th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.14th October 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Woodall was born in 1893 in Staveley Chesterfield Derbyshire. He was the only son of Anne Peabody and Samuel Woodall. He enlisted to serve his country in 1914. He married his sweetheart, Alice Neale, in April 1915 an became a father in 1917 to a son and in 1918 his daughter was born. He came home on leave for her baptism in September of the same year then returned to his regiment for training.

    In October 1918 he went to to France with his regiment on 14th he was killed in action. It is believed this happened in the battle for Coutrai. His loved ones were told. However, his little girl died in Jan 1919 this was a double devastion for his wife and his sibling my grandmother.

    No matter where your loved ones died they were taken too soon but we must always remember them for the heroes they are.

    Lest we forget

    Photo taken in Sept 1918 at baptism of daughter

    Katrina Meyrick




    248155

    O/Stwd111 Cecil George Crane HMS Coquette

    Cecil Crane joined the Royal Navy on 17th April 1912. He was driving a retired captain to the New Forest when the Cresey sailed, therefore, he was not onboard when it was sunk. He was on the Coquette when it was sunk on 7th March 1916, he was picked up by a Belgian trawler and taken back to Sheerness. For the remainder of the war he was at HMS Pembroke. He left the Navy on 31st December 1918.

    Stephanie Petzing




    248147

    Pte. Edward William Henry Reynolds 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.22nd October 1917)

    <p>Memorial Plaque with papers

    Edward Reynolds served with the 8th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.

    Willem Koning




    248141

    Cpl. Sebert W. G. Humphris MM. 2nd/5th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.31st Mar 1918)

    Sebert Humphris was my mother's only brother. He was killed on 31st of March, 1918 and is buried in a small British military cemetery in the French village of Holnon. He was killed whilst repairing telegraph wires in no-man's-land.

    Peter Lane




    248134

    Cpl. Christopher Westley Dickens 4th Hussars (Queens Own) (d.3rd May 1915)

    <p>

    Corporal Christopher Dickens, 4th Hussars (Queens Own) died on 3rd of May 1915, at No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station. France, from injuries and the effect of gas.

    Christopher was born in the first quarter in 1886 in Chelsea, London. His parents were William James Dickens who died in 1905, and Ellen Dickens. In 1901 at the age of 15 he was working as a gardener in (St Mary's Vicarage), Upper Froyle, Alton, Hampshire. In the 1911 census he is a Private in the 4th Hussars, at The Royal Artillery & Cavalry Barracks, Butt Road, Colchester England.

    In his older brother William's War Records the family was living in Chawston in 1913, (William had also enlisted in the 4th Hussars). Christopher was a Reservist, and was called up on outbreak of hostilities and enlisted in Bedford. He was awarded the British War & Victory Medals. He is remembered on Roxton War Memorial, Bedfordshire.

    Burial in 1915 at Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, France.

    Newspaper reports, 28th of May 1915 in The Bedfordshire Times & Independent. Mrs Dickens of Chawston has received an intimation from the War Office that her son who was a Reservist, and was called up on outbreak of hostilities, has succumbed to injuries and the effect of gas. He died 24 hours after having reached the hospital.

    30th of July 1915 in The Bedfordshire Times & Independent. Roxton; A memorial service was held in the parish church on Sunday evening to the memory of Christopher Dickens, of the Hussars, who died of gas poisoning

    Maria Screen




    248129

    Pte. Percival Howard Preston 5th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment

    Battle of the Somme Poziers Bridge was where my grand-father Percy Preston was captured in WWI. He was born in 1883, the eldest of nine children. I have a postcard copy of a water colour depicting the family cottage with its idyllic surroundings. The Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water had on its outskirts the river Windrush in which cool waters he loved to paddle. Depicted also, is a lone fisherman casting his rod by the old curved bridge, all this enclosed and encircled by a range of tall, graceful, trees of various shades of leaf.

    He left school, aged fourteen, and was trained as a master tailor under the watchful eye of my grandfather. No doubt he rode his much loved racing bike everywhere, including to the local Drill Hall where he finally completed twelve years in the TF Territorial Force as one of the Originals in the 5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, formed April 1st, 1908.

    Early into 1916 he was fed as a replacement into France, leaving behind a pregnant wife and young daughter my mother was born on 4th September, 1916. Between 23rd and 27th of July 1916, he was captured on the barbed wire while fighting in the Battle of the Somme at the Battle of Poziers Bridge, and was a POW in Germany for two and a half years.

    In 1918 he returned home to Bexhill, in Sussex, and my mother was told he was her new daddy whereupon, studying his pale face and gaunt appearance, she stated, I don't like you. He was in stark contrast to the fresh pink faced officer with very white teeth who fed her chocolate. She recalled his trembling fingers holding his tape measure when fitting his children's new school uniforms and the Sunday dinner thrown into the garden, where the family cat enjoyed the surprise and my mother was glad it wasn't wasted. In 1939, the family's tiny radio gave the news were at war with Germany, whereupon he burst into tears and rushed upstairs.

    On leaving the South Coast and setting up a small shop in Stroud, Gloucestershire, he suffered from agoraphobia and would venture timidly next door where the local barber gave him a shave and haircut. Aged 81 years and clad in his best smart Sunday suit, he returned home one day after his usual stroll. With the 18 year old tabby cat purring on his lap, and his trusty bike in the hall, he died of a heart attack while sharing a cup of tea with his beloved wife.

    Sarah Ross




    248125

    L/Bdr. Thomas Worrall 51st Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th April 1918)

    My great uncle Thomas Worrall, died 25th of April 1918 from wounds received in battle. According to the newspaper report he was taken to a field hospital with a stomach wound but did not survive and was buried at Dikkebus Cemetery.

    Patrick Cope




    248122

    Pte. Sydney Airey 19th Btn. C Coy. Manchester Regiment

    <p>Sydney in 1914 wearing the Pals Blue uniform.

    Sydney Airey, born in Manchester on 15th of June 1895, reported for enlistment at Palatine Buildings, Manchester, on 7th of November 1914. He was attested the following day as a Private in the 4th City Battalion (the 19th Manchesters), and given the serial number 12679.

    After being shunted around with his Pals in various places in northern France, he found himself part of The Big Push on 1st of July 1916. He was captured during the Battle of the Somme at Guillemont on 23rd of July 1916 and spent the rest of the war as a POW, initially at Dulmen in Germany.

    He died at the age of 30, his health having suffered during his imprisonment. Sydney was my grandfather. My mother was 18 months old when he died.

    Wearing the new khaki uniform

    Robert Nield




    248121

    2nd Lt. Waide Reginald Worrall 8th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Reg Worrall was my father's brother-in-law. He volunteered at the outbreak of war and served as a stretcher bearer with 1/3rd West Riding Field Ambulance until 1917 when he was selected for officer training.

    He became a 2nd Lt in 8th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. He was posted to France in April 1918 and transferred to the 5th DLI and saw action with 151st Trench Mortar Battery. On 27th May he was wounded in both arms and both legs and captured near Craonne. After a spell in hospital in Germany he was transferred to Karlsruhe POW camp. He was then removed to Kampstigall POW camp near Konigsburg on the Baltic Sea. He was repatriated to England in 1919.

    Reg standing left as a POW





    248120

    John James Lynch HMHS Asturias

    My grandfather John Lynch was a male nurse, a tall one at that 6ft 5inch, on HMHS Asturias when it was torpedoed by a U boat 20th March 1917. He was in the water for some time and apparently his hair went white in this period.

    He later moved from Manchester to Buxton, Derbyshire due to the benefits of the spa water. Hence I am here as dad met my mother and married during WW2.

    Dave Lampard




    248113

    Gnr. William Gladstone Collins Helmore Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Bill Helmore served with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Bill in Hospital





    248109

    Cpl. Robert Whitlock MM. 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.31st October 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Whitlock's birth record shows that he was born in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, on 25th January 1888, to John and Rhoda Whitlock. He had an older sister according to the 1891 census. The 1888 baptism record for Woodstock shows Robert's baptism date as April 22nd 1888 and his father John's profession as a glover. The baptism ceremony was performed by Assistant Curate T. E. Chataway. The couple are listed towards the bottom of the 1891 census return from Woodstock, Oxfordshire. They lived in a 4-room house in Browns Lane. The 1901 census still shows them living at that address. It also shows that Robert's sister was working by then as what appears to be a domestic servant and Robert is listed as some kind of assistant. Robert married Mary Elizabeth Rogers in Yeovil in the first quarter of 1910. The 1911 Census shows Robert in that year as being aged 23 and Mary aged 31. Robert's occupation is listed as a leather dresser working for a glove manufacturer. The company concerned was a gloving factory in Tintinhull, which at the time of Robert's occupancy was called the Tintinhull Glove Company Ltd. Robert's daughter, Florence I Whitlock, was born in the last quarter of 1911 judging by the Birth Registration for October to December 1911. Robert's son, my grandfather, was born in the first quarter of 1915 according to the Birth Registration for January to March 1915. Robert had already enlisted by then and was in active service in the First World War, though probably undergoing training prior to deployment to France. There is a photo of him and his family which was probably taken at some point in 1915, probably just prior to embarkation. Both children were baptised in Tintinhull and the address for the family is given as a 5-room house in Tintinhull.

    Robert enlisted in Yeovil into the 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, which disembarked in France (at Boulogne) on 24th July 1915. A gratuity record suggests he enlisted in August or September 1914. According to an entry in The London Gazette dated 18th October 1917, Robert was still serving with 7SLI at the time he was awarded the Military Medal, which would have been awarded for an act of gallantry under fire.

    Judging by his later service number, 32186, it seems it was transferred into the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment in late June 1918. This was almost certainly as part of the rebuilding of that unit after 2nd Devonshires had suffered heavy casualties at the battle of the Bois des Buttes in May 1918.

    A detailed report which includes Robert's unit, B Company, 2nd Devonshires, shows that Robert died at some point on the 31st of October 1918, just 12 days before the end of the war, during the attempt on that day to cross the Scheldt (French name for that river is the Escaut). The report refers to heavy casualties being inflicted by the Germans around 11 am, at which point the unit had companies on both sides of the river and were trying to extricate the companies on the far bank back across the river.

    The entry for 11.00 reads: "Report from Officer Commanding B Company on Fosse Armoury, B Company HQ. A runner swam the river and arrived minus his boots, coat etc. Officer Commanding reports Lieutenant Sayes killed and casualties very heavy. B Company out of touch with D Company and unable to evacuate wounded. Previous runner drowned in an attempt to get message through. Reply sent to B Company to hold on. Relief being sent tonight."

    Thereafter, the entries read

    • "11.45 hours: One platoon of C Company to reinforce Captain Brokenshire on bank. Lieutenant Napier carried a wounded man on his back across the bridge under the bombardment. A Company's casualties in street caused adjacent to Battalion HQ.
    • 15.10 hours: Fairly frequent heavy bursts of shellfire. Total casualties estimated about 80. Operational order received for relief tonight.
    • 16.40 hours: Orders received to withdraw posts immediately and proceed to billets. Situation on flanks responsible.
    • 17.30 hours: Report received from Captain Taylor that bridge has been broken. More pontoons due from Royal Engineers. Crossing progressing slowly [I am assuming here this refers to the extrication of the unit back across the river].
    • 18.30 hours: A and C Companies clear
    • 19.15 hours: B Company clear and all wounded across.
    • 19.30 hours: 490th Company Royal Engineers arrived with more Jerusalems [pontoons]
    • 19.50 hours: Last of D Company across and Brigade wired to this effect."
    The Burial Return for Valenciennes Communal Cemetery shows that there was a cross on Robert's grave at the time of discovery and that no personal effects were forwarded on to the unit's base. His name is listed on the Graves Registration Report for Valenciennes dated 4th September 1920 and the Imperial War Graves Commission report of headstone inscriptions. His name is also inscribed on the war memorial in the graveyard of St Margaret's Church in Tintinhull (erected in 1920 according to Tintinhull Local History Group).

    Platoon photo probably during training in 1915, Robert is 2nd left in back row.

    Robert Whitlock's medals and ID tag

    Robin Whitlock




    248107

    Pte. David Jackson 6th Battalion Connaught Rangers (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    David Jackson, my great uncle, died 6 six days before his 21st birthday.

    David Lovell




    248106

    Pte. Cephas Jones 6th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.25th August 1915)

    <p>

    Cephas Jones of the 6th Battalion, Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment was killed in action on 25th of August 1915 in the last offensive mounted by the British at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli in the Battle of Scimitar Hill. He was never recovered and has no known grave.

    Philip Jones




    248105

    Sgt. James Ellis 39th Battalion, D Coy.

    <p>

    James Ellis enlisted on 14th of March 1916 in Ballarat, Victoria. After sailing from Melbourne on 27th of May 1916 he arrived in Britain on 18th of July 1916. After 4 months training he crossed to France in late November to the Western Front trenches in the winter of 1916 in Battles of Messines, Passchensaele and Amiens. He suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his right forearm and was invalided to 1st Southern General Hospital (Monyhull Section) in Birmingham. He received the British War Medal and Victory Medal and returned to Australia and married in January 1919 and had two children.

    Lee-Anne Mills




    248098

    L/Cpl. Samuel Edmond Wild 1st Btn. A Coy. Leicestershire Regiment (d.15th Sept 1916)

    Samuel Wild is my granddad's brother, he was too young to join the army so used the name William Wells. He died on the Somme trying to help a friend who had become entangled in the barbed wire. I am visiting France and the Somme this year.

    Ange




    248094

    L/Cpl. Sidney Round MM. 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    My grandfather Sidney Round served from 1914-1919. His first unit was 11th Battalion, West Yorkshires. He was transferred to 9th West Yorkshires in time for the landings at Suvla Bay. He served there 'till they were pulled out to Imbros. Then Egypt till they were shipped to France in July 1916. He was then transfered to the 1st Battalion, East Yorkshires on the Somme. In Sept 1916 he won the MM. He suffered trench foot and gassing a number of times. He was sent to Passendale.

    He was sent back to England to the Beverly Training Battalion. He ended up in ASC till he was demobed in 1919. His records show he was not the perfect soldier he got into trouble now and again like a lot of the men, but he was a brave soldier to have fought where he did and made it home

    Michael Round




    248093

    Pte. Albert William Whittaker 5th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.15th Apr 1918)

    Albert Whittaker is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery and Extension in Northern France.





    248092

    Pte. Fred Roberts York and Lancaster Regiment

    Fred Roberts served as a blacksmith and farrier throughout the War.





    248087

    L/Cpl. John Sherlock 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.12th Apr 1915)

    Following the death of his son George in the vicinity of Sanctuary Wood, John Sherlock joined up in Taunton, Devon, 17 September 1915, as a Shoeing Smith, ASC Remount, K Squad, Service Number 9586. He 'Specially Enlisted' and was to be paid 5 shillings per day. 'Specially Enlisted' appears to cover the fact that he was by then 65 years of age, an age altered to one more respectable by a connivance with the Recruiting Officer. George Sherlock was just 23 at the time of his death, being born 09 Aug 1891 at O'Rourke's Cottages, Phibsborough, Dublin, Ireland,

    Although John Sherlock was determined to repay the German's in kind for the loss of his son, he was worn down by his hard life as a Blacksmith, and he was subsequently discharged as unfit for further War Service 9th of June 1916. Upon that discharge he was described as suffering from Senility, and his address was given as 29 Upper Blessington Street, Dublin. Subsequently he was awarded a pension of 15s weekly on the 21 Sep 1917 but died soon after on 28th Feb 1922, still grieving for the loss of his son. His wife Alice Sherlock, later lived at 10 Norton Avenue, Phibsborough, she passed 28 Feb 1933 at 197 Phibsborough Road, Dublin, Ireland.

    Michael G.A. Dixon




    248084

    Capt. Allan Noel Minns MC, DSO, MID. 39th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Allan Minns was born in Thetford in 1891 and brought up in the town. In 1904, his father, Allan Glaisyer Minns (who had been born in the Bahamas), became mayor there, the first black and minority ethnic person to become mayor of any town in England. His mother was Emily Pearson (his father's first wife who was born in Northallerton). Allan junior went to Thetford Grammar School, winning a Junior Science Scholarship. His father and his uncle had both been doctors in Thetford, and after training at Guys Hospital, Allan also became a doctor.

    He was commissioned in September 1914 and served for six years in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He rose to the rank of captain in March 1918. He won the Military Cross for his bravery at Gallipoli on 30th of August 1915 at Sulva Bay. He also received the DSO in December 1916 and was twice mentioned in despatches.

    He survived the war and died in a road accident in 1921.

    Rob Webb




    248080

    Pte. James Connolly 5th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.9th June 1918)

    James Connolly was born in 1887. The next record we have is the 1901 Census where he is a scholar at about 14years old. From his army papers we know he joined the Dublin militia at the age of 17 and he lived at 10 Nicholas Street with his family. His occupation is given as a messenger. 1911 shows he's about 24 and living at 4.6 Coombe, working as a general labourer. In 1908 he joins the army, his regimental number is 6080. He was 5ft 2' inch tall and weighed 110 lbs with blue eyes and brown hair. He joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

    During his time in the army his disciplinary records show he was often absent from parade or assembly but presented himself later that morning or day. At one stage he was disciplined for creating a disturbance in camp about 10.40pm. He was admonished.

    In late May or early June 1918 he was shot in the stomach in France. A correspondence from the Army is dated 5th June 1918 and addressed to Mrs E Connolly, 4 Coombe Dublin. It reads "Much regret to report 6080 Pte James Connolly Dublin Fus. dang. ill (Royal Dublin Fusiliers, dangerously ill) GSW abdomen at 2nd Cas. Clrg Stn (Casualty clearing station) France and Regret permission to visit him cannot be granted." Another dated 10th June 1918 reads "much regret to report 6080 Pte James Connolly dub fus condition unchanged at 2 cas clg stn france." The next letter reads "Deeply regret to report 6080 Pte James Connolly Dublin Fus. dead at 2 cas clg stn from wound abdomen 9th June."

    He was granted three medals which are sent to his mother, 1914 Star, British War Medal and British Victory Medal. These three are often called Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. His mother was paid a pension of 9/ from the Army. On 28th November 1919 his mother received £18/10s from his belongings. He never married and died at the age of 31.

    James died 9th of June 1918 and is buried on 16th July at the Commonwealth Graveyard of Ebblinghem Cemetery in northern France.

    Miriam Walsh




    248077

    Gnr. Alfred Henry Baker 35th Heavy Battery (d.29th May 1917)

    I made a statuette for the project 'Coming World Remember me' for Alfred Baker. I found it my duty to provide you with what I have been given. I have plans to visit the important places of his life and his demise. He will not be forgotten.

    Karin Dewilde




    248073

    Pte. Frederick Morton 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.28th December 1915)

    Frederick Morton died on the 28th of December 1915, aged 23 whilst serving with the 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment. He was the son of Thomas and A. Morton of 11 Park Rd. Hadfield, Manchester.

    Keith Morton




    248070

    Pte. Ernest Thompson Greenwood 6th Btn.

    My grandfather, Ernest Greenwood, served in France in 1917 and 1918. I have letters he had sent to his parents about his time at the war and his time at First Southern General Hospital.

    He specifically requested that his brother Hedley not be allowed to enlist because of the slaughter and carnage that was involved. Being a builder by trade, he said that the hospital wasn't very well built as compared to what his building capabilities and standards were, which used to give us all quite a good laugh. He was extremely grateful to the care he received and all the staff involved. He used to joke, as he was balding, that he stuck his head out of the trench too far, and the Germans shot his hair off.

    Ken Rudd




    248069

    Nurse Jean Simpson McInnes

    Taken from a funeral notice for her brother. It appears Jane McInnes (who preferred Jean) served as a nurse at the hospital. This is the only reference I have that she served except for her death notice which has her as Sister J S McInnes AIF.

    Carol Corless




    248060

    Pte. Ralph Edwin Charles Harwood 20th Btn. London Regiment (d.21st May 1916)

    Ralph Harwood was born 18th September 1893 in Greenwich. He was unmarried and lived in the family home at 35 Wood Wharf and was a bookbinder by profession. He enlisted in the 1st/20th Battalion, London Regiment at Hollyhedge House at the start of the war. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Arras memorial in France.

    Bob Harwood




    248051

    Cpl. Andrew Gebbie 9th Battalion Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    Andrew Gebbie served with 9th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.

    Andrew Gebbie




    248049

    Olive Maud Bros

    My Great Great Aunt, Olive Bros, left Australia during WW1 and we presume she served as a nurse. However, in no Australian War records is she found. We know she was on the ship SS Osterley travelling out of Port Said after refueling with coal as there is a photo and comments on the back saying this. There are other photos saying she was passing through the Red Sea. Other photos are in Scotland and England and includes one with her in a nurse uniform, although no red shawl as was typical of the Australian nurses at the time. She never returned to Australia and died in 1954 and is buried in Birmingham.

    Hope someone can assist me with my research.

    Malcolm Sky




    248046

    Pte. George Hammond 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Pte George Hammond joined the Royal Berkshire Regiment of Infantry in June 1914 shortly after his 18th birthday. A month later he was transferred to the 1st Battalion. In his civilian life he was a Porter of Fancy Leather Goods. George had originally joined the Special Reserves in February 1914 at Stratford and his medical history describes him as having a fair complexion, light brown hair and dark blue eyes. At 5' 5" tall and weighing only 108 lbs he was considered to be in fair physical shape with a fully expanded chest measurement of 33".

    He was based in Aldershot when war broke out and was soon sent to the front line with the British Expiditionary Force, moving to the 3rd Battalion on 8th August 1914 then back to the 1st Battalion on 4th May 1915.

    Just over a year later, fighting at Vimy Ridge, on 23rd of May 1916 George was seriously wounded, suffering gunshot wounds to his right knee and having to have part of his left forearm amputated before being sent back to England on the 23rd of July 1916. George spent the next year in hospital having his forearm re-amputated and operations on his right leg. Finally, fitted with an artificial limb he was discharged from the Army and released into his mothers care at 22 Every Street, Kingsland Rd, London N.

    At only 22 years of age George's life was over. Despite having grown to 5' 10" he now had an artificial hand and his right leg was virtually useless, wearing a caliper and a 5" high boot. Little is known of what happened next to George Hammond, but it appears he never married, and in the 1939 Register he can be found without any family and shown as a boarder in Shoreditch and described as having 'No Occupation, Disabled Ex-Soldier'.

    George passed away on the fifteenth of January 1947 at the age of 50 years. He had finally found work and was employed as a Time-Keeper. His death was a sad and lonely one at 79 Hows Street, Shoreditch, with Cause of Death stated as a) Pneumonia, b) Myocardial degeneration, and c) Influenza. His landlord found his body and caused it to be buried.

    This is my tribute to a Great Uncle I never knew and have never seen a photograph of. My Grandfather was separated from his brother and they never found one another, despite searching in the 1930's. It is thanks to DNA testing I have found my ancestor's family and feel a great sadness reading about a young man, proud to fight for his Country but ended up broken and lonely. God Rest Your Soul, Great Uncle George, not forgotten.

    Evelyn Threlfall




    248045

    Lt.Col Thomas Fraser DSO 89th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Thomas Fraser's obituary was published in the British Medical Journal on 13th January 1951.

    Andrew Robinson




    248039

    Pte. Charles Frederick Leslie Cooper Royal Irish Dragoon Guards

    Charles Cooper is my grandfather. According to the National Roll of the Great War, he saw action at Mons, La Bassee and Neuve Chapelle. He was attached to the 4th Meerut(Indian) Cavalry Division as a guide.

    He was wounded by a gunshot to his head in March 1915 and was invalided to England. He was discharged as being medically unfit in October 1915, he obtained the Silver War Badge No 98011 in 1916. I believe he was awarded the Mons Star, the General Service and Victory Medals.

    He was born on 1st September 1893 in Battersea, he married Mary Ann Jane Mackintosh on 6th June 1920, and died in February 1954 at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton

    Sharon Webb




    248038

    Pte. William Charles Frank Palmer 13th (Wandsworth) Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    William Palmer is my grandfather. I know very little about his service during WW1. I know that he was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal He was born in Southwark on 2nd February 1899, he married Edith May Bull on 26th June 1926, and died in 1986 at St John's Hospital in Battersea

    Sharon Webb




    248037

    Pte. Walton Albert "Jack" Thorpe 33rd Battalion

    Jack Thorpe served with 33rd Battalion, AIF. He died in 1965

    Jeffrey Thorpe




    248034

    Pte. Peter Duncan 6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.13th Sep 1916)

    Peter Duncan was my great uncle, the eldest brother of my grandmother. He and his younger brother, Andrew joined the Seaforth Highlanders on the 4th of August 1914 and by 1916 were fighting in France. Unfortunately, Peter was killed in action in September 1916. His headstone can be found in the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres.

    Glenda Noetael




    248024

    Able Sea. Victor Vernon Surridge DSM. HMS Vindictive

    Victor Surridge was a volunteer aboard HMS Vindictive on the two raids at Zeebrugge and Ostende in April and May 1918 respectively. He survived the ordeal and, along with all his crew mates, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his bravery on 9th of May 1918.





    248020

    L/Cpl. Oliver Everick William Olsen 2nd Battalion, 13th Company Canterbury Regiment

    Lance Corporal Oliver Olsen, of 13th Company, 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, NZEF received a gunshot wound to his left leg and back on about 16th June 1917 in or near the Messines Sector. He was initially sent to 3rd Field Ambulance then to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station before admitted to 32nd Stationary Hospital at Wimereux and eventually on to No.1 Convalescent Camp, Boulogne.

    Glenn Reddiex




    248017

    Pte. William Lionel George 17th Battalion

    My grandfather William George enlisted 28th of July 1917 and his Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales aboard HMAT A14 Euripides on 31st of October 1917.

    He was wounded during the charge at Mont St Quentin on 31st of August 1918 and invalided to the 1st Southern General Hospital in Dudley Street Birmingham from 3rd of September 1918. He was repatriated to Australia 9th of March 1919 aboard HMAS Kashmir and was discharged 17th of August 1919.

    Ironically our daughter lived and worked in Birmingham from 2009 to 2011 and was often in the Military ward at Selly Oak as an Occupational Therapist working with the wounded English soldiers from Afghanistan.

    Lynn Agland




    248014

    L/Cpl. William Topp 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders

    William Topp was reported wounded in a casualty list of 16th of Oct 1915 which was published in a newspaper on 26th Oct 1915. He was discharged on 10th of Aug 1916.

    George Topp




    248010

    Sidney John Short lst Btn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.14th April 1917)

    Sidney Short was my great uncle, brother to my grandfather. He died aged 20. He is buried in the Zouave Valley Cemetery, Souchez.

    M Baker




    248009

    VAD Lily Hodgkinson

    Lily Hodgkinson was a nurse, she married one of her patients, Ernly Wray of the 19th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.





    248006

    Pte. Percy Shimeld 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd-25th August 1918)

    <p>Percy on left with his Brother Harold

    Percy Shimeld was my mother's brother. He joined up under age and was just 19 when he was killed in action near Achiet le Grand. He has no knowm grave but his name is commemorated on the Memorial at Vis-en-Artois.

    Peter Rhodes




    248005

    L/Cpl. William MacDonald 5th Battalion Cameron Highlanders (d.16th Apr 1918)

    William MacDonald is my Great Great Uncle. Born in December 1881 at Rosehaugh Shepherd's House, on the Black Isle North of Inverness, he grew up on the family's croft at Ardmeanach at Milbuie, north of Rosemarkie. Family tradition has it that William emigrated to Australia early in the 20th century where he worked as a shepherd on the sheep stations. He is believed to have been engaged to be married in Australia. He was living in Inverness and at the outbreak of War immediately signed up to join the newly formed 5th Cameron Highlanders. This was the first of the Kitchener's New Army battalions of the Camerons, commanded by Cameron of Locheil himself.

    The Battalion was part of 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. 5th Camerons saw action at Loos (where they were all but wiped out), Arras, the Somme, Passchendaele, Ypres and the Lys Offensive. It was during the last of these that William was killed, on 16th April 1918. The Battalion were holding a position South East of St Eloi when they came under heavy artillery fire. This heavy bombardment lasted from 0430hrs until 1230hrs, when the enemy made an attack on the line, which was resisted. The fighting was over in an hour. There are no records of when William was killed, or how, but it is assumed that he fell during the defence of the line during this attack, which has gone down in history as a minor skirmish in the lead up to the First Battle of Kemmel, a little distance to the West. He is commemorated on the War Memorial at the gate to Fortrose Cathedral and on the Tyne Cot Memorial. His brother, Archibald, received the memorial plaque or Dead Man's Penny, which currently hangs in my home.

    Robert Macduff-Duncan




    248004

    Pte. Harold Edward Impett 11th Btn. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment

    Harold Impett was reported missing on the 23rd March 1918. He had been posted to Italy but I think he was back in France at this time. I have a card from Limburg POW camp that he filled in on 4th of May 1918. His local home newspaper, the Thanet Advertiser, wrote a piece on the 3rd of August 1918 saying that his wife had heard that he had been taken prisoner.





    248002

    Rfmn. Bertie Fredrick John Chapman 2/10th Battalion London Regiment (d.8th Aug 1918)

    Bertie Chapman is my maternal Great Uncle. I found his information via the CWGC Archives as he is buried at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery. It has taken a while to trace him as the only information my Mum had was that Bertie was a family name and we did not know whether this was a nickname, and if so, what his registered name was, and which name would have been used to be registered with the Army. The other information she had was that he had no formal memorial and we thought he had died in 1915. Fortunately we had the full names of his Father (next of kin) and Mother, which is what enabled me to find him. We are glad to have found him as a local memorial in Manor Park that my Mum remembers from the 1940's and 50's does not seem to have been preserved and we were hoping to use this to check his name. Like others, I remember his photograph from visits to my Grandma when I was young, my Mum has found a good copy of this photo, and has another one of him with other members of his Battalion. Bertie was the oldest child in the family and sadly, three other children died of diptheria after the end of the war.

    Pauline Cooke




    247999

    Sgt. Charles Thomas Allaway 5th Battalion, B Coy. Essex Regiment (d.2nd Nov 1917)

    <p>

    On the back of a photo we have of Charles Allaway, taken in Tunis 1916 dressed as a sheik holding an elephant gun, it states that he died whilst guarding the gates of Jerusalem, written by his older sister, my great grandmother Mary Hughes. He is buried at the Gaza Commonwealth Cemetery. His son's birth certificate of 5th April 1916 lists him as Sergeant, ball bearer and tester. The photo states he was a Corporal.

    Della Torra




    247991

    Pte. Walter Powell 10th (1st Rhondda) Battalion Welch Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    Walter Powell originally joined the Herefordshire Regiment. He was born in Titley Herefordshire. He was transferred to the 10th Btn, Welch Regiment known as the Rhondda Pals. He was killed at Pilkem Ridge at the 3rd Battle of Ypres 31st July,1917. He left behind a wife Helena Jane Powell and a son I have no idea what became of them. This soldier was my Great Uncle, God bless him and all the men and women who gave their lives for King and Country.

    Alan Morgan Powell




    247981

    Pte. John B. McPherson 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.10th Apr 1917)

    John McPherson may have been my Mother's uncle, I ran across this name in doing genealogical research. The number of young men who died in WWI is beyond heartbreaking. May they all be resting in peace.

    Ann Waite




    247979

    WO1. John William Fields 1st Southern General Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps

    John Fields was conscripted into R A M C and rose to be WO1 in the 1st Southern General Hospital, situated in the University of Birmingham.

    John H Morgan




    247978

    Bandsman. Charles George Davis 4th Btn. Devonshire Regiment

    <p>4 Devons Band in Mesopotamia 1916

    My Great Uncle Charles Davis's journal of August 1914.

    Bandsman. C. G. Davis. 4th Devonshire Regiment. Gaugh Barracks. Ferozepore. Punjab. India.

    Dear Mother and Father

    Just a few reminiscences of my trip to India with the 4th Devons. I have written down all most everything that has happened from July 25th to Nov 14th and I hope it will interest you.

    It was on July 25th that I left home to do the usual fortnights training on Woodbury Common with the Band of the 4th Devons. This was my second camp and I know that I was looking forward to it very much, especially as there was a £1 bounty promised to men who did the whole 15 days, but I never thought that before I went home to work again, I should travel so much as I have done. After we had been in Camp for a few days we heard that trouble had arose between Germany and France, and before the first week had elapsed war was declared between these two countries, and owing to a very bad move on the German side, England was drawn into it. The Germans, in order to get to France invaded Belgium, a neutral power, thus breaking a certain treaty that England had signed, together with, Russia, France, Belgium, Germany and Italy, therefore it lay with England to resist the trespassers and uphold Belgium, and it was on the Monday night that we declared war with Germany. I went to bed with the rest of the chaps, and we were all talking excitedly about the war, when all of a sudden we had orders to strike camp. Corporal Clements brought the order into us and it was some time before he could convince us that it was right. Any rate at 10 o'clock we started to take down the tents and after making some big bonfires with the rubbish we stood round and sang hymns, until we were tired right out, and then some of us snatched a few hours sleep.

    The next day (Aug 4th) we were mobilised and all that day we hung about in the boiling sun until about 6 o'clock, when we marched off of the Common for Exeter. We were told nothing as to the whereabouts of our destination and this made us feel very funny as we marched along the roads. People cheered us as we went along and waved Union Jacks, and I am sure that I was not the only one who felt a lump rise in his throat. We reached Exeter about 9 o'clock, and we had a grand reception there. The Exonians had been waiting all day for us to come, and as soon as we were on the outskirts of Heavitree, they filled the streets. I was looking out for Mother and Father as soon as I reached Gladstone Rd, and I was afraid of my life that I should not see them, but when I had come to the Tram Depot and I caught sight of them, and had a bit of a chat as I marched up Paris Street. Here the streets were simply packed and I must say we felt very proud of ourselves as we went through High Street and Queen Street. When we got down to St David's Hill the crowd pressed so thickly that we were completely broken up. We were playing the Regimental Marches at the time, and I soon found that I was playing all by myself, and I happened to catch sight of the cornet player a long way off; where the drummer was I couldn't say, any rate when we got to the station I managed to have another chat with Mother and Father and wish them Good Bye and then entered the station.

    We had to wait on the platform for an hour in our wet uniforms and when we got into the train they gave us a banana. What we wouldn't have given for a decent feed. We steamed out of the station at 10.30pm and after having a bit of sleep reached Plymouth (North Road Station) at 1.30am on the Wednesday morning (Aug 4th) and lined up outside. There was still a thick drizzle in the air, and after marching through Plymouth and Devonport we came to the ferry. We were wet through and tired, and hungry, and as miserable as we could be. I am describing this trip a bit in detail because I don't think I shall ever forget it. I was bad myself and was walking two-double most of the way, but I stuck it to the end. After we had crossed over the ferry and had formed up in Torpoint we started marching again, with all sorts of ideas as to how far we had to go. By this time we had found out that we were bound for some fort or other and it turned out that we had to go 7 miles. How I did it I don't know. Once we stopped for 5 minutes and I laid down on the wet grass and I was nearly off to sleep when I was roused again. Another time I was so done up that I did not know what I was doing of, and shouted out to the Adjutant to stop, but by the time the darkness had lifted we had reached Tregantle Fort, and after the ranks had been served out with ammunition we were told off to our different rooms and were soon fast asleep. We had the day off next day in order to pull round a bit. The fort had the appearance of a big prison from the outside, but the rooms inside were very cosy. We happened to have the best room in the fort. It was the room where the permanent staff used to live, and there were saucepans and frying pans there, and a lovely big fireplace, and from the window we could look out across the Channel and see Eddystone Lighthouse, and very often two or three cruisers. The ranks spent most of the time in trench digging. I put myself under the Doctor while I was there, but he did not seem to be able to cure the pains that I used to get in my stomach, so that really I did not enjoy myself as much as I could have done if I had been well.

    We stayed there until Aug 9th (6 days) when we packed up again and marched off about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. It was Sunday, and the weather was nice and fine so we did the 7 miles back to Torpoint a bit different to which we did before. As we neared Torpoint, people stood at their doorways with plates of cake and butter for us, and after crossing the ferry again we marched through Devonport and Plymouth to Millbay Station, this time followed by hundreds of people. We entrained, and we were taken to Salisbury Plain, stopping at Exeter for about 10 minutes at 10.30pm, and reaching Tidworth 1 o'clock in the morning on Aug 10th. We marched to Perham Down, a distance of 2 miles and pitched our camp at 7.30am. All that day, other battalions came, and the camp soon grew to the size of a small town. The camp was 1½ miles from Ludgershall, a small village, and 2 miles from Tidworth the second largest barracks in England. Ludgershall was not what you could call a very clean place, but it was a little change from the Downs. Tidworth on the other hand, was very clean, and the few business shops that were there, took off the barrenness of the barracks. There were places of worship there for all denominations, and the services were very good. After being in camp for 4 or 5 days, I was advised by the doctor to go to Tidworth Military Hospital, in order that I should be able to have milk diet, which he had ordered for me, the stomach pains not getting any better. I was in bed for a week and they started me on milk diet, and gradually gave me more solid food, until I was alright again. While I was there the ward filled up with cases. There were six beds, and I was in the end one, then came Dick Whittington, a regular of the 9th Lancers, with a kick on a shin bone by a horse, then an artillery territorial, with a broken collarbone; and on the other side a bandsman of the 13th Hussars, with a bullet wound through the arm, a 6th Devon service suffering from varicose veins, and another 13th Hussar chap with a fractured rib. I shall never forget when Dick Whittington's mates came up and wished him Good Bye before they went to the Front, he nearly cried at his bad luck at not being able to go with his chums. It was the 9th Lancers who did such good work later on in the war, led by Captain Grenfell. I stayed in Hospital a fortnight altogether, and when I went back to the camp I found that the chaps were getting on A1; the grub, which hadn't been up to much before, having been altered, and after a while I got as well as anybody again.

    All the time we were on the Plains we trained hard but this did not prevent us from having an occasional outing. On Saturday Sept 19th I went to Southampton, with Reg Keen, Reg Mears, Bill Miles, Percy Call, and Bill Baxter, and had a jolly good time there. All this time the War was getting worse and worse, and Lord Kitchener, who was now Head of Affairs, was sending British Troops across to France as quickly and quietly as possible. Russia had now joined forces with England, and the Four Powers became known as the Allied Forces. Austria had also come in, fighting with the Germans. We were expecting all sorts of things but it was not until Aug 29th that we were asked to volunteer for foreign service. The Colonel addressed us on our parade ground, and on the following Sunday General Donald addressed us after Church Parade on the Regimental Parade Ground. He told us that the idea of volunteering for foreign service was that we should go to such places as Malta, Gibraltar, or India in order to relieve the regular forces and enable them to go to the front. Only two of the band refused to volunteer, Dick Snow and Walter Boucher.

    On Sept 1st we played at the Battalion Sports, in which there was a Bandsmans Race. We had to run, playing a tune on our instruments, and strange to say Bert Heagarty came in first with the big drum. On Sept 5th the volunteers and non-volunteers were separated. The non-volunteers or Home Defence Battalion as they were called, camped about a ¼ of a mile further down the road. On Sept 15th all the Brigade were inspected by Lord Kitchener and on the 24th we were told that we had been selected to go to India. This came as a surprise to us, because we were expecting to shift to another camp about 17 miles away, the transport section having gone on. They were fetched and told to return and on the next day we had another surprise. After coming in from the early morning parade, we were told that we could have three days leave before going to India. One half of the battalion went home from Friday morning (Sept 25th) until Monday morning, and the other half from Monday until Thursday. I went with the first half and got home about half past four in the afternoon. I had a good time home, but could have done with a little more leave. I left Exeter 8.30 on Monday morning and got into camp just in time to be inspected by the King and Queen. The Royal Horse Guards, who were doing special training near our camp, were all turned out galloping and charging about in sections with drawn swords. They looked very fine, and there were about a dozen aeroplanes flying about as well. After going back to our tents the 2nd half of the battalion went home on leave and I felt a bit miserable, but next night we went into the fair at Ludgershall and had a good time and got rid of all our homesickness. Things went on alright again after the other chaps came back, and the general routine for the day was as follows, Rise at 6am Swedish Drill 6-45; Breakfast; Stretcher Drill and Lecture on First Aid from 9-30 to 12-30; Dinner; and Band Practice in the afternoon.

    On October 2nd the battalion was reduced from 1021 to 800, every company having to go to India 100 strong. This meant a lot of disappointment to some, and out of the band, there were two who did not come with us. They were Billy Slim, the bassoon player, and George Flood, the bass trombone, and they went down with the Home Defence Battalion with Dick Snow and Walter Boucher. Young Billy Baxter was also sent down there. I was fitted out with equipment, and all the band had to have rifles and bayonets. All this time there were all sorts of rumours flying about as to whether we should really go or not, and chaps were buying cholera belts and all sorts of things. The home defences left the Downs on Monday (Oct 5th) for Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton, and Billy Slim, who was very much cut up at not being able to go with us to India, had a farewell bust up in No 1 tent, on the Sunday night. The next two days we had lectures about embarkation etc, and on Thursday (Oct 8) we were inspected by Lord Kitchener again. We smartened up and paraded in full kit, the band taking rifles. He came about 11 o'clock and inspected us the same as he did before. He said that he was very much pleased with the general bearing of the men and he delivered a message from the King saying that His Majesty was much indebted to us for taking up duties in India. We cheered him off again at half past eleven and returned to camp.

    The next day we cleaned up the camp and at 10 o'clock in the morning (Oct 9th) we marched to Tidworth Station, carrying our full kit, and rifles, our instruments and our kit bags, and entrained for Southampton Docks, which we reached at 1-30. Here we were joined by three other bandsmen, thus making the band up to 26. There were several new members who came from the Yeomanry band; they were, Bob Dean, Jimmy Wellsman, Bob Kendall, Bert Blackmore, and Ern Skewes, and later on we had another side-drummer (P Lowman) and a horn player, (Cpl Dart). We marched onto the ship and, after storing our rifles and kit bags, we were shown round to our different messes. The ship was called the 'Nevassa', (Glasgow), His Majesty's Transport, 9500 tons and had a speed of 15 knots. The messes were under the main deck. I was on No 89 mess, and we had our first dinner at 6 o'clock. At 8.30 we fell in and drew our hammocks which we slung up over the tables. It was a fine spree in the night when the chaps were trying to get into them. Some fell out over the other side, and others fell down altogether, not having tied the knots securely. Turning in the nighttimes was always an exciting time right through the voyage. I slept very well and was lucky enough not to fall out at all. They were very comfortable to sleep in, and the two thick blankets that we were served out with them kept us lovely and warm. While we were asleep the ship left the docks and when we awoke in the morning we found ourselves out of sight of land with five or six other big transports a little way off. We did not do any work the first day and in fact we did not do much all the voyage. In the afternoon we had a string band practise and in the evening we played in the saloon. The string band was an idea of the bandmasters (Mr Kendle) and it turned out to be a very good idea. There were ten (crossed out) twelve of us in it altogether, the order being 1st Violins. Bob Kendle, Reid Young. 2nd Violins. Billy Taverner, Bill Miles. 1st Cornet. Bill Davis. Viola. P. Plowman. 2nd Cornet. Reg. Keen. 1st Clarinet. Jimmy Wellsman. 2nd Clarinet. C. Davis. Bassoon. Ern. Curtis. Oboe. Billy Thompson Flute Reg. Mears. Trombone. Johnny Duguid. String Bass. Bob Duguid.

    We used to play at Officers Mess when the military band did not play, and the band soon improved. We were told that we should probably be in the Bay of Biscay by the next morning, but we might have been anywhere for all could tell, as there was nothing but sea all around us. I got up about 6 o'clock and went out on deck and had a good cup of tea from one of the crew. The crew were mostly natives, lascars I think they were called, and they did all the swabbing etc on the ship. They were a very dirty lot at the best of times, and it was quite amusing to watch them eat their meals and do their work. They were very artful as well, because they got in a good stock of cigarettes and chocolates at Southampton and when we were out at sea they sold it us and the prices were something awful, but we were glad to give anything for it later on. On the Sunday we had a Church Parade, the military playing, and during the service we saw several sharks rise out of the water, and once we saw a whale spouting. By this time we had been joined by ten other transport ships the names being:–Alnwick Castle; Kenilworth Castle; Dunluce Castle; Braemar Castle; Cawdor Castle; Thongwa; Ultonia; Galeka; Ingona; and the Assaye; and all this convoy was escorted by two cruisers; the Bacchante and the Euralyus. We travelled in the same formation almost throughout all the voyage. There were three lines of us and the two cruisers were always on the look-out for other vessels. Sometimes they would sail right out of sight and do a bit of scouting and join us again further on. We were still going through the Bay of Biscay on Monday and the sea was lovely and calm. We found out afterwards that we had been very fortunate in escaping a big storm for only two days. On Tuesday we rounded Cape Finister in Spain and later in the day we passed Cape St Vincent. It rained all the day and the awnings were put up for us to get under. The ship started rocking very much and some of the chaps had a rather bad time of it, but we all brightened up the next day (Oct 14th) when we sighted land. We caught sight of it first on our left and later on our right, and everybody got excited although we had only been on the water for 5 days. It was the coast of Spain on our left and the hills looked lovely with the sun shining on them. As we got nearer and further into the Straits of Gibraltar we could distinguish towns and clumps of trees. We could also see the coast of Africa now, on our right, and after a while we were all looking out for the famous Rock of Gibraltar. We caught sight of this at 1 o'clock and when we got right opposite to it, the ship stopped and we had a lovely view of it. We could see the town and the great battlements all round with the big guns poking out. It looked very formidable, stuck up in the sea. After dinner a small boat put off from one of the cruisers, with about 20 jack tars in it, and went round to every ship in the convoy and collected the letters. While they were doing this the cruisers drifted quite near our ship and all the blue jackets came on board and we cheered each other until we were hoarse. We started sailing again at 8 o'clock while we were playing a programme on the promenade deck, and in the evening at 7 o'clock we were out of sight of land and sailing through the Mediterranean.

    We sailed without any escort until we got to Suez, I suppose the Military or Naval authorities knew pretty well every boat that was inside the Mediterranean Sea. The next day was very wet in the morning but cleared off again in the afternoon, when the Algerian Coast came into view. The country looked very rugged but at the same time very picturesque, especially when the sun came out and shone on the sides of the mountains. In the evening it started raining again, and at about 8.30 after Officers Mess, lightening began to flash and to light up everything for miles around. It was a wonderful sight, one minute we were in pitch darkness and the next was as light as day. Many of the chaps stopped on deck until late that night in order to see Algeria the capital of Algiers, which we passed at 11.30P.M. Of course we could not see any buildings, or anything like that, except when the lightening flashed; all we did see were thousands of little lights twinkling in the darkness.

    We band chaps were now given permission to go on the promenade deck anytime, and we used to sit about up there all day and sleep there in the nights. We could manage to get all sorts of things such as iced drinks, chocolate, and milk of the barman, as the Officers bar was on the same deck, and if it hadn't been for these privileges we should have had a much more miserable voyage than we did. We kept near the coast all the next day through the kindness of the Captain and gazed upon some lovely scenes. On October 17th we passed a French torpedo boat in the morning and later in the day cheered a French Cruiser. We saw sailing boats and steamers very frequently then, and it made it seem less monotonous. The next morning we sighted land again on our right, having left it for a while the previous day, and at 8.30A.M, we were entering the harbour of Malta. One would never think at a distance that it was such a fine place as it really is. All the houses are big with verandahs in front and are made of a yellow kind of rock. The harbour was crowded with little boats, built like gondolas, and there were a couple of warships there. We saw the battlements and the high wireless installation. It was a very pretty sight, and we could hear the church bells ringing for early service. We were very fortunate to have been able to enter the harbour and see the town (Valetta) so close. We should have gone right on if it hadn't been for a 5th Devon chap who was suffering from Pneumonia, having to be taken off the ship. While we were waiting for the Hospital ship to come, numbers of Maltese tradesmen came out in their boats selling fruit, haberdashery and tobacco. They threw us up a rope and we drew the things up the side of the vessel. The cigarettes they sold were very cheap but when the chaps started smoking them they soon found out their mistake. They used to smell like rubber burning. After staying in the harbour for bout an hour, the ship turned round and sailed out again while the band played the Russian, French and English National Airs. We had to hang about a good time outside in order to let all the other Transports get into line again.

    Three cruisers accompanied us for a little way, and we were soon well out to sea again. On Oct 19th all the band was inoculated for the second time and of course that meant another three days holiday. I did not get at all bad with it and was very soon as right again as ever. During the next two days we were issued with deck shoes, and drill uniforms and sun helmets, but were not allowed to wear it. Frank Roseter, who was a bit run down went into the Hospital for a few days. The next day (22nd) was very exciting for us all. Early in the morning we saw the sight of the sun rising over Palestine, and a few hours later we saw hundreds of little ships with white sails. I believe they were fishing boats. At 7 o'clock we sighted land which of course was Port Said, and we had a splendid scene as we got nearer, especially as we were entering the huge harbour. We passed the statue of Ferdinand-de-Lessops, the man who designed the construction of the Suez Canal, standing up on the breakwater, and the first big building we saw on the shore was the hotel with “Dewar's Whiskey” written up over. We thought this was very funny. Going into the docks we passed hundreds of ships of all sorts and sizes, and numerous coaling barges with natives running about on them. The houses were very large on the shore and flat roofed. We passed the Custom House and saw hundreds of natives working, of all nationalities. Some were Egyptians, and some Algerians, but most were Arabs. They were dressed in long flowing robes with turbans wound around their heads, and at a distance it was hard to distinguish men from woman. All the Transports lay in the docks side by side, and two ships away from us was the Dunluce Castle with the 4th Wessex R.F.A . on board. I had some conversation with some of the chaps on board by semaphore signalling. Crowds on natives came alongside the vessel selling fruit and all sorts and some were allowed on board. The decks were covered in orange peel and paper, and we were so excited that many of us forgot to go down and have our dinners. All the time this was going on the natives were coaling the vessel and it was very amusing to watch them. They brought two big flat coal-barges alongside our ship and fixed up with two or three planks to run along on, and they carried the coal in baskets on their head. There were about a hundred of them altogether, and they kept on the run up and down the planks all the time shouting and raving for all they were worth. They only had loin cloths on and talk about being black, why they were pitch dark. While we were there a British warship passed us, it was the “Warrior”, and we played Rule Brittania to them, and their band struck up “Its a long way to Tipperary”. We cheered them and there were a lot of Devonshire chaps on board because they shouted “Up Argylle”, and of course we chimed in with “Up City”. In the evening an old school chum of mine, Art Lethereve, came on board from the “Warrior” with a couple of other Marines, and we had a nice little chat. It was not until 7.30P.M that we moved off, we were playing at Mess. Of course we had to go through the Suez Canal now, and we were a bit disappointed at first because we thought that we should miss some good sights through the night, but when we woke up next morning we found that we hadn't gone far. It was a lovely day and the Canal was as smooth as a piece of glass, and on each side of us was long stretches of desert land. We kept passing gangs of native workers who were employed on the canal, and we saw them working camels and mules.

    Sometimes we would come to a sort of village place, where there were groups of bungalows and palm trees and these looked very pretty. The canal widens out in some places like a big lake, and here we passed various ships; some pleasure-boats and others, big dredging barges. We also passed a Transport of Indian Troops and Highland Light Infantry going to France. The canal is about ninety miles in length and we reached the end, where the town of Suez lies, at half-past-four, and of course the band turned out and played some more National Airs as various battleships passed us. We were getting quite use to this kind of playing now, and although it was the same old tunes we played every time, it livened things up a bit. We passed the town and an hour later entered the Red Sea, where we had to stop waiting for an escort for 3 days. The cruisers we were waiting for were engaged in escorting 1200 Australians to Marseilles and of course they were more important than us. All the rest of the Transports anchored around and it looked very pretty indeed to see them all lit up in the evenings. The Egyptians came out from the town in their boats selling wares, and to pass away the time the Captain gave us the use of the small boats. We went out for a row in different sections, about thirty of us could get into one boat. When I went out, we went round and visited the other Transports and when we came back we had the surprise of our lives. We were told that the Officers were going ashore and that the band had to go as well and play a programme, so we togged up in our drill uniforms and helmets and at about 8.30P.M we boarded a steam-launch, the private property of the Chief of the Police at Suez, and after a nice half-an-hour trip, landed, the first time since we left England. We were as excited as a lot of school-children, and couldn't realise at all that we were actually standing on the shores of Egypt. We fell in and marched through several streets and passed a lot of quaint little houses and eventually came to a big hotel called the Bell-Air, where we pitched our stands, sort of German Band style. Of course a crowd soon collected but were kept at a respectable distance by the native police, who were dressed in white uniforms with little red Turkish hats. We played “The Chocolate Soldier” selection, and “Morning, Noon and Night” Overture and several other items, finishing up with “Tipperary” March by special request of the Europeans that were there, and who had never heard it before. The programme was much appreciated especially as we were the first English band ever to play there. After having some refreshments we all took a stroll round the town. We saw two or three opium dens with the men inside fast asleep, and we saw the people in their Church praying, and going through all sorts of gestures. I went into a restaurant with some other chaps and tried to get a feed, but by the time we had made him understand what we wanted it was pretty near time to go back. Any rate we got something hot eventually and it was very tasty but now none of us felt incline to inquire very closely as to what it was. I expect it was a piece of dog or a chop from a camel's hump. The natives were dressed in long flowing robes of all colours, just like you see them in Bible Pictures, and the women were covered in black gowns, something like our Sisters of Mercy at home, but with only two holes for the eyes to look out and one for the node. On their nose they had a piece of wood fixed, what for I don't know. There was an amusing little incident which took place while we were playing the programme, that I should like to mention. We heard a lot of shouting going on, and on looking round we saw four or five Jack Tars mounted on donkeys and coming down the street full speed, shouting at the top of their voices. You can just fancy what a sight it was, to see these English sailors galloping about on donkeys in an Egyptian town. We returned to the launch again at 7.30P.M, and after singing Auld Lang Syne to some of the Highland Light Infantry who were stationed there and who had gone round the town with us, we steamed back to the “Nevassa” and were soon fast asleep again in our hammocks.

    The next day (Tuesday Oct 27th) we started sailing again at 9A.M, our escort having returned. It was now very hot, and during the next few days we did not know what to do with ourselves. We lay about on deck with just our trousers and vests on and then we couldn't get cool. How the people could work there I don't know. We used to sweat all day, and go to bed sweating, and wake up next morning doing the same thing. The deck used to get all most too hot stand on in bare feet although there were two big awnings over everything. We used to do all our physical drill in bare feet then. It was a good job that we could get hold of some iced drinks or else I believe we should have melted into grease spots. We took 5 days to go through the red sea and nothing exciting happened. I think it would have been too much trouble for us to take any interest in it if there had been.

    On the 28th in the afternoon we passed a convoy of Transports with Indian troops on board bound for France. We were too far apart to play the band. On the 31st we passed twelve big rocks rising out of the sea, and they were called the 12 Apostles. We were shown the place where the waters were divided to let the Children of Israel pass over, but did not see Mount Sinai as we passed it in the night. The temperature that day was 124 in the sun, almost warm enough for toasting. The next day was Sunday, Nov 1st and we sighted land on our left and after Church Parade we passed through what the called the Gates of Hell. I suppose it is called that name because it is the entrance to the Red Sea, a very warm place indeed. We then came to the town of Aden which is right at the bottom of the Read Sea, and here we stopped until next day, while all the Convoy collected together again. The scenery all round was very rugged and picturesque. We saw some of the native crew bring sheep on board and kill them, it being one of their feasts, and of course their Mohomedan religion forbids them to eat any meat unless killed by their own hands. We also saw a very interesting figure; a jet black ni**er with a proper ginger beard and hair. We moved off again at 5.30P.M, and after witnessing some pretty scenery left the coastline altogether and started sailing right out to sea, on our last voyage to Karachi. We were in the Indian Ocean now, and orders were issued for all lights to be out, so you can guess what a miserable time we had nigh times, especially now that the nights got dark very early, there being no twilight like there is at home. Some of the sunsets though were marvellous. You could never describe them, and you can never see them anywhere else but on the ocean, where there are no obstacles in the way and the sea touches the sky. We saw a rainbow once and it was glorious.

    On Nov 4th Major Anstey treated the band to a drink, and on the 5th, Bonefire Day we had a fire drill just for old time's sake I suppose. We all thought of home that day and the fires that we had the year before.

    On the 7th we had a very sad ceremony to go through. A young chap called Phillimore of the 5th Devons had died with Rheumatic fever the night before and was buried about 8 o'clock in the morning. I don't know whether I have mentioned it before, but there were two Battalions on board, the 4ths and the 5ths . The fourths were in the stern of the ship and the fifths in the bows. This young chap had ben sleeping on deck absolutely naked, and although it was a very cool way of sleeping, we had been warned by the Officers that it was very dangerous, and that we should do the opposite thing altogether and wrap up well. We all paraded at quarter to eight, and after a little while, the body, which was sewn up in a sail-cloth, was wheeled in and the shafts of the conveyance were rested on the rails of the main deck on the port side, and the whole thing was covered with the Union Jack. The Captain of the ship took the service and I must say it was about the most impressive service that I have ever attended. We could not help thinking of the mother at home thinking he was quite all right, when he was actually being buried. Nearing the end of the service, two ships officers tipped the body into the sea, and all we heard was a big splash. The Buglers then sounded the Last Post and we were dismissed. It is needless for me to say that the affair hung about in our minds for many days afterwards. I expect the Officers cabled to the parents and sent their sympathy, but it must have been an awful blow for them, not even a grave to remember him by. I am glad to say that nothing like this occurred again during the rest of the voyage, although, it was marvellous how we all kept from any disease, seeing how many were on board for so long. We were told that on the Assaye, three of the Cornwalls had been buried.

    We were expecting to be at Karachi next morning, Sunday, but owing to the delays we had had, we had to stay on board. The next day (9th) we left the rest of the Convoy, after going within 20 miles of Bombay and headed straight for Karachi, the only other ship accompanying us being the “Galeka”, with the 6th Devons on board. We travelled 300 miles the next day and at 8.30 in the morning on the 11th we anchored just outside Karachi. We went into the huge Docks at 8.30A.M, and after two gangways had been put into place, our Officers went on shore. Just opposite to us there were a number of native soldiers sleeping under a big shelter and we saw a lot of Regular soldiers, The Connaught Rangers, who had left the Ferozepore station about a week before. The main Battalion had gone to the Front but these were left behind to sort of show us around the place, and they helped us a good deal. The docks were an enormous size and there seemed to be hundreds of big cranes all over the place. The town of Karachi was three miles away from here, so that we did not see anything of that. We were very disappointed when we heard that we had to stop on board for another day, especially as we had scrubbed up all the Mess tables, and cleaned all the crockery, and stored away the hammocks, but after dinner we were allowed to go on shore and roam about independently. It was a treat to fell ourselves all safe and sound again on dry land and I took the first opportunity that I had of sending home a postcard. There was a sort of market place there, where we could buy pretty well anything, and also a big refreshment place that was run in conjunction with the Royal Army Temperance Association, so you can just guess how we fed ourselves up. We weren't allowed out of the docks but as everything we saw was new, we were very interested. We returned to the “Nevasa” at 4.30 for tea although I don't think any of us needed it, but of course meals are recorded as parades in the Army. At 5.30 we fell in, and marched a little distance to a big open piece of country where there was a general parade, of the 4ths and the 5ths Devons. We played the Regiment Marches going out and this was very interesting as it was the first thing that the band played in India. The General and some Staff Officers inspected us and I believe they were favourably impressed. Of course they were very anxious to see what sort of men Territorials were, none having ever been to India before, so I expect they gave us a good inspection. We marched back to the ship again to the march of Argandab, and after putting our instruments away, went on shore again.

    It was nearly dark now and most of the chaps went into the R.A.F.A place where some of our chaps were giving a bit of a concert. It was very good entertainment and amongst other items, Bill Davis gave the “rosary”on his cornet. The place was simply packed and to finish up with, we had a splendid speech by the R.A.F.A chap there, about the numerous dangers that existed in India regarding health matters; intemperance, especially. Then the Colonel who happened to be there, spoke a few words, backing him up and after singing the “King” we returned to the ship. During the concert , I believe there were a couple of hundred chaps who signed the pledge, so you see it was not in vain. We were issued with two blankets when we got back and were told that they would be ours during our stay in India. The next morning we were up very early getting everything ready to entrain for Ferozepore. We were helped a lot by the Connaught Rangers, who came with us, and who stayed at Ferozepore for about 7 weeks after we arrived. They saw that we weren't rushed at all by the native shopkeepers, although we were gradually getting used to dealing with them ourselves now. Well, we boarded the train at 11.30A.M, and said Goodbye to the Sea and the Nevasa for a time, and after two and a half day's travelling we reached our destination. The trains are very much different to ours in England. The engines seem to be all right but the carriages appear to be all windows. Of course this would be all right in really hot weather, but it was winter now in India, and all though it’s not a bit like our winter, it comes in bitter cold at nights, and we had to shut up the shutters which left us in all most total darkness, the shutters being made of wood instead of glass. Then again, the seats are arranged longways and you sit in the middle looking out sideways. Our engine must have been an old stager, because it did not travel very fast any of the way, but some of the Mail trains that we passed had lovely big engines, just like we have in England.

    The first day of our journey we travelled a fair distance, and passed through miles of barren country. Sometimes we passed jungles, but the country mostly was desert. We stopped at numerous stations and were served out with bully beef for dinner, and jam and tea for tea. The tea was made all ready for us at the stations by the natives, and the officers had along table on the platform and had a proper dinner. Of course every station we came to was interesting to us, the different castes of the natives and their homes. We turned in about nine o'clock, some of us sleeping on the seats and some on the racks overhead. I slept very well all through the nights, we had got used to the shaking about and the noise. Soon after we awoke next morning we came to a station and got out and fell in for hot tea and bread and cheese. We made a pretty good meal and were soon off again. We managed to have a wash up on the train which made us feel a bit fresher. We travelled all the day and went through the same routine as the day before, and the country was about the same. We spent another night in the train and had a bit of breakfast again next morning. We passed a lot more stations and the country seemed to be more fertile now. We saw large fields of sugar cane and rice etc, and at 12 o'clock we drew up into the station of Ferozepore Casitonment, having passed the City Station three miles back. Then commenced the greatest reception that we ever had.

    The place was crammed full of natives all dressed in their best clothes which are very gaudy, and here and there were a sprinkling of Europeans. Directly we stepped out of the train we had garlands of flowers put round our necks and helmets, and we noticed that the place was trimmed up lovely with flags and banners and a triumphal arch with “Welcome” written above. We fell in with our companies and filed our arms and then marched around the platform to where we were given each a bottle of pop, a bun, a cigar and a cigarette. Then the band fell in and we marched to the Barracks, a distance of three miles, blowing for all we were worth and feeling as swanky as I don't know what. The roads were lined with natives shouting and waving flags, and as we went along, roses and flowers were thrown over our heads. The crowds followed us right up to the Barracks, and here we were dismissed and told off to our different bungalows. We must have looked pretty objects walking along with these flowers hanging round our necks. We learned afterwards that all the school children had been given a holiday and in fact it was a general holiday all round. The Regular Soldiers said that was never such a reception given to soldiers before, so that we thought ourselves very fortunate. When we got our bungalow we found a good dinner waiting for us, and needless to say we did not keep it waiting very long. It was the first good meal that we had had, since when we went home for our three days leave, and I can tell you we gave it socks. We drew our bedding etc., from the stores and turned into bed pretty early as we were about done up. Then started a new kind of life for us all, a life in Barracks and I'll tell you all about that in another letter.

    Looking back over the voyage, there are a few interesting things to note down. Of course we had a marvellous calm journey all the way, and really none of us aught to have been upset at all. It wasn't the pitching too and fro of the vessel, but the rolling from side to side that did all the damage. The food was absolutely rotten the whole way, although it did get a bit better towards the end, but generally speaking it was as bad as could be. The first week on board was the worse, as most of the chaps were either sick or had splitting headaches. The butter they gave us was as briny as anything, and was served up almost like oil, and the bread was just as bad. There was all ways a peculiar taste with it, like as if it had turned sour, and the very smell of it was enough to make anyone feel sick. There was one consolation though; we generally had a decent dinner and that was the only real meal that we did have. The worst of it was, we did not have our own cooks, but those of the ship, and I believe they used to pinch our rations like one o'clock. They used to sell small cakes in the mornings and evenings and charge what they liked, and of course we had to buy them if we were hungry and I believe I was hungry all the time. The rations weren't sufficient and although we made complaints to the Officers who used to come round meal times, nothing was altered, so of course our chaps couldn't stick it any longer. They knew there must be something going wrong somewhere. Where did these cooks get their flour, and currants to make the cakes, and the tea and cocoa to sell? We knew good enough what we supposed to have, and we knew we weren't getting it, and after seeing that the Officers did not report it when we complained, we took the law into our own hands and one Sunday night we kicked up a deuce of a row. We had had sour bread and jam for breakfast and not a very good dinner that day and when it came to tea-time we found that there was nothing to draw but tea and that we had to eat sour bread. We were roused to such a pitch that we could have raided the Canteen, any rate we all went downstairs and kicked up as much row as possible and then went up on the promenade deck to where the Officers messed singing, “Starving, starving, starving; all ways darned well starving; first thing in the morning, till last last thing in the night.” (The tune is the same as hymn “holy, holy,holy.) One could not help laughing, although it was very serious. Some of the chaps who were near the Canteen shouted “Lets raid the place”, and if the chap inside hadn't been so quick in shutting the doors I believe they would have done it. After a little while Major Anstey came out and addressed us, and told us to go below and hat we should get something to eat as soon as possible. He was very much surprised I think, but of course he did not know the state of affairs as the Junior Officers had not reported it. Any rate they gave us some grub, and the rest of the voyage we had what we were entitled to, even if it wasn't quite up to the mark. Of course the voyage pulled most of the chaps down a good deal, but there were no serious illnesses on board. When we left Perham Down we were as fit as we could be, doing long route marches every other day and the physical drill every morning, so of course being penned up for five weeks on a boat was bound to make a difference. The health of the chaps on board though was remarkable. Just fancy sixteen hundred of us without the Officers and all the ships crew, living together in such a small place for such a long time and no disease spreading. It shows that the chaps were very clean, because disease spreads very quickly in the warmer climates. As I said before there were no serious illnesses except one and that was the chap who died in the 5th Devons, but his death was not through any disease. I think that most of us would rather have had more room though and I hope that when we travel again we shall only have one battalion on board.

    Taking the voyage on the whole then, I don't think it was very bad; the lovely sights that we saw made up for the little hardships that we had to endure. The sunrises and the sunsets were magnificent, and we used to gaze at them spellbound. The next voyage will probably be for home and I am sure that we'll stick anything then.

    Well, Dear Mother and Father, I think I have told you about all there is to tell now so will close with best love.

    From Your Loving Son Charles.

    Ferozepore. Punjab. India. Nov 15th 1914

    Charles with Army Band in Mesapotamia

    Steve Collings




    247970

    Bmdr. Arthur Robert Martin 86th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd June 1916)

    Arthur Martin's name is on the war memorial in Milton Village, Cambridge along with his brother, Harvey George Martin.

    Arthur enlisted prior to the war. 1911 Census he was serving in India under Major Lawrence Christian Gordon. In the 86th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. The regiment transferred to Mesopotamia and were in the Siege of Kut-al-Amara with its surrender on the 22nd April 1917. He is believed to have been taken captive and marched to Basra where his name appears on a memorial.

    Karen Ayms




    247967

    Pte Ernest Archibald Willis 9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.11th August 1915)

    <p>

    Ernest Willis lived with his parents, Charles and Eva Willis, and two brothers and one sister in the village shop.

    Ernest joined up in 1914 and the 9th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment joined the task force to be with the Anzac's at Gallipoli. He was one of the thousands that died and more specifically on 11th of August 1915 aged 19. There are no records to show how Ernest died, but just to be there and a thousand miles away from a village he hardly ventured away from tells a story by itself. Ernest is remembered with Honour at the Helles Memorial in the Dardanelles and still remembered by later generations of family.

    Tragically one of Ernest's younger brothers died in 1918 from the flu pandemic of that generation.

    Mark Taylor




    247966

    Sgt. Fred Cotton MM. 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>Fred Cotton is middle row 2nd from right

    Fred Cotton never spoke too much about his experiences and we haven't been able to find out exactly what he won his Military Medal for. We have his medals within the extended family and have his Medal Card showing 3 x GSMs and MM. We have an image of him in hospital We also have an image of him on horseback, which I understand was quite common. He was a farmer and as such was a very capable rider. We know he was promoted to Sjt and mentioned in the London Gazette for his MM, we believe both MM and promotion to Sjt happened on the same day.

    He was born in Little Heck in 1897 and lived on until 1972 but was a fiercely secretive man. He left us a cryptic comment in a letter written to the new wife of his youngest son, Eric Cotton, who emigrated to New Zealand as a 10 bob Pomme. The comment he left was that "we are related to royalty, sadly on the wrong side of the sheets" we have found only one illegitimate child, his grandfather born 1805 and he took his mother's name of Cotton. They lived very close to the house of a Viscount who died without children, but we can find no link as yet, but that's what we think the story may relate to.

    We are all fiercely proud of him, and being ex military myself, he is someone I admired, without ever meeting him.

    Craig Rutt




    247965

    Pte William Dean 5th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    Bill Dean served with 5th South Staffordshire Regiment and the Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Alan Dean




    247951

    Pte. James Fagan 5/6th Btn. Royal Scots (d.6th Dec. 1917)

    James Fagan was my grandad, he had two sons when he died, John aged 3 and my dad, James who was born in 1917, they were never to meet.

    Francis Fagan




    247946

    Sgt. Joseph Wilson 3rd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Wilson was killed in action during the 2nd Battle of Ypres. Remembered with Honour on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Roger Mawhinney




    247936

    Cpl. Ernest Marshall Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather, Ernest Marshall, served as a Corporal, in the British Army, in WW1 from 1914 to 1918. To the best of my knowledge and information passed onto me from my father, part of his job was to look after the ammunition stored in the ammunition carts at the ready. As the soldiers, including my grandfather were in the firing line, he saw that a bomb was about to fall into the ammunition cart, so he very bravely and in the nick of time pushed the cart away, which not only saved himself, but other army soldiers too. I find this incredible that he did this, not only to save other soldiers, but his own life too! He got his normal three army medals for his army service,

    I feel so proud of him, even after all this time! My grandfather lived to be 76 years of age and lived with us for a few years, when I was a young child. I am very grateful for his brave actions, as I now live to tell this true story and without his brave actions, neither my father, his brother and sister, nor me and my sister would not have been born into this sometimes harsh world. I do have a photo of my grandfather in his Corporal uniform, he looks so young, handsome and fit for an army battle.

    Catherine Sargent




    247935

    Pte. James A.H. Johnstone 5th Btn. Cameronians

    <p>

    James Johnstone was captured at High Wood on the Somme in 1916, having been injured during the battle to take High Wood. He and other prisoners were force marched to Germany and remained there until the end of the war.

    James A H Johnstone far right back and other POWs

    F Jackson




    247934

    Pte. William Frederick Valler 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    William Valler was 17 when he enlisted into C Company, 3rd (City of London Regiment) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers on 4th September, 1914. The following year he took part in the first landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, and later served in the Imperial Camel Corps in Egypt.

    In September, 1916 he went to France where he took part in several important battles until March, 1918 when he was shot in the leg at Cambrai and taken prisoner. In December that year he was returned to England and demobilised. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, BWM and Victory Medal.

    Alan Forshaw




    247931

    Sgt. Archibald Duncan Brown 9th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>

    My grandfather Archibald Brown enlisted in Inverness on 11th of November 1914 aged 20, he served in France and received the 1914/15 star. He ended up as a Sergeant. On 27th of September 1915 he sustained a gunshot wound in action in France.

    Roy Brown




    247928

    Pte. James Baker 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.26th August 1914)

    Jamaes Baker's service records do not exist and his service history is presumed from CWGC death records. The Regiment was in Ireland at the outbreak of war and was part of the BEF deployment to Flanders in mid-August 1914 and fought at Mons.

    James was killed in the retreat from Mons at the battle of Le Cateau, as the 2nd Suffolks were mounting a heroic defence giving others more opportunity to continue their retreat. He left a young widow Henrietta (Hettie) and three small children.

    Peter Hunt




    247923

    Leonard Burdon 5th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Leonard Burdon served with 5th DLI. He died in 1923

    Tracey Burdon




    247920

    Pte. William Francis Sweeny 48th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    William Sweeny, born Athlone 1877, enlisted with the Royal Army Medical Corps in the late summer of 1917. He was sent to train at Blackpool and went to France via Southampton to serve with 48th Field Ambulance. He was discharged in February 1919.

    In 1911 he had been living at 68 Frederick Street, Grays Inn Road and was a public house manager. When he signed up his mother was then living at St Monica's, Belvedere Place, Dublin. She had been a widow since the 1880s and her only other child, a daughter, had died of scarlatina at the age of eight. At least as late as 1901 she was listed as a publican and was still running her husband's business in Church Street, Athlone. His brother, Joseph, had a shop in Mardyke Street. William Francis Sweeny died in Kensington in 1934, aged fifty-seven.





    247912

    PO. Eli Ballard HMS Begonia (d.11th November 1917)

    Eli Ballard was a Petty Officer Stoker on HMS Begonia.

    Chris Fountain




    247911

    L/Cpl. William Edward Twist 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th November 1915)

    William Twist was wounded on 11th of November 1915 in Armentieres. He drowned on the HMHS Anglia on 17th of November 1915 when the hospital ship hit a German mine 1 mile off Dover. He is commemorated at Hollybrook War Memorial, Southampton and also on the cenotaph in his hometown of Thornaby on Tees.

    Shirley Wilson




    247908

    Pte Alfred James Harris 10th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.9th Dec 1915)

    Alfred Harris was the son of Alfred and Elizabeth Harris of Factory Yard, Farnham. Born in 1893, one of 11 siblings by 1911. At the time of his death he was only 22 years old and single. His father died within a few months of hearing of his son's death. On the CWGC, he is listed as A Harris and he is buried at Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix in France.

    Lorna Irish




    247907

    Cpl. John Cunningham VC. 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.16th April 1917)

    On the 12th April 1917 a relative of mine, Corporal John Cunningham, received a Victoria Cross in the attack on Bois-en-Hache at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. I used to look at a copy of the dispatches my father kept as a boy and thought I would create a memorial video, as he died 101 years ago today on April 16th 1917 of wounds received. John was buried in Barlin Communal Cemetery, near Noeux-les-Mines, France. As he was unmarried, the VC was presented to his mother by King George V outside Buckingham Palace on 21st July 1917. In addition to the VC he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal 1914-19. His medals were acquired on loan by the Imperial War Museum in August 2006 and are displayed in the Ashcroft Gallery.

    Martin Ryan




    247902

    Sgt. William Dykes 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.18th April 1918)

    <p>

    William Dykes lived at 132 High Street, Haslington and enlisted in Crewe on 29th of November 1915 giving his age as 19 years and 4 months, he gave the wrong age (as was common) and had been born in 1898 so he was only 17 at the time. His father William was a carter for the co-op stores and William worked in the train sheds at Crewe.

    He fought in the War for 2 years and 141 days and was wounded and hospitalised on two occasions. He was promoted in the field to Sergeant on 20th of October 1917. He was granted leave at the end of March 1918 and was killed on his return less than three weeks later. His recorded death was the 18th of April however he was likely to have been killed before this as this was the day the Welch Fusiliers were relieved and this is when he would have been reported as missing in action. The fury of the battle was on the 14th and 15th and William's body was never found.

    His name is on the memorials at Tyne Cot memorial in Belgium (along with 35,000 other unfound soldiers) Haslington Town Memorial and the Crewe Railway Workers Memorial now in the first class lounge at Crewe station.

    William with his family

    Matthew Darlington




    247900

    Pte. Thomas Percival Montager Brumpton 3rd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    Letters from Percy Brumpton's lady friend were found in the personal effects of a friend recently deceased. They were married in 1917 at Rotherham.

    Jeff Bucknell




    247893

    Pte John Joseph Boston 87th Btn (d.4th January 1918)

    John Joseph left Ireland on the Empress of Ireland 16 July 1909, a draper from Belfast. He enlisted in the Canadian Infantry and was taken POW and died 4th Jan 1918.

    Greta Harman




    247885

    Pte. Robert York 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    Robert York is buried in Duisan British Cemetery at Etrun.

    Ian Holland




    247884

    Pte. Charles William Ashwell 3rd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.18th May 1917)

    Charles Ashwell joined the 3rd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 25th January 1915 and served as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. The MEF was part of the British Army that commanded all Allied Forces at Gallipoli and Salonika. Charles was injured during battle on the 16th September 1915 while serving in Gallipoli. He was first taken to Malta before being admitted to the 4th London General Hospital on 12th October. He was discharged from the Army as medically unfit for service on 5th April 1916. The Medical Board report reads "Charles was in action in Dardanelles on 4th Sept 1915 and received a gunshot wound to the spine and chest. He lost the use of his legs directly after being struck and then coughed up blood for the following 2 days. He has never regained the use of his legs or control of sphincters. Injury to mid-dorsal vertebrae. Paraplegia complete".

    Charles died on 18th of May 1917 after never fully recovering from his injuries. He is buried in Tottenham Cemetery.

    Sam Ward




    247879

    Pte. Horace Beney 1/8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.21st March 1918)

    Horace Beney had served for about 4 yrs before being killed in action on 21st of March 1918 He was buried at Pozieres, Somme, France.





    247878

    Pte. Ralph Ronald Shackell 21st Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Ralph Shackell signed up for the Army on 27 February 1915, he was 15 years old. His records show that he was 5ft 4 in tall, with a 34 inch chest. His unit seems to have remained in England until 1918.

    He then took part in the Battle of Lys, where the German forces broke through the front lines and punched a 30 mile hole. The following is a summary taken from the unit diary.

    German Offensive on 9th April smashes the Portuguese held line. The offensive over runs British lines. Ralph's unit was sitting just behind the 2nd Portuguese Division, south-east of Estaires. They were quickly moved up to help stop the offensive.

    9 April

    • 09:30 am. Message received that enemy had penetrated our front system of trenches.
    • 10:30 am. Two companies reinforced the machine gun line. Enemy has broken through the Portuguese front and were advancing on Battalion HQ.
    • 11:00. 2nd in Command killed; Adjutant wounded. HQ moved back.
    • 16:00. Enemy takes Sailly. Remnants of Battalion withdraw across the River Lys and occupy Steenwerck Switch. Remaining stores blown up. Enemy encountered on left flank.

    10-11 April

    • Steenwerck Switch heavily shelled during the morning, then enfiladed with machine gun fire.
    • Later that day the Battalion withdraws again to Le Petit Mortier, so that it can be more easily defended.
    • 11 April - 08:00 am. Enemy pressure very great. Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Metcalfe wounded. Battalion withdrew in stages throughout the day. Position taken up with the rest of the front line in front of Le Verrier.
    • 12 April orders received to withdraw. New defensive positions dug.
    • 13 April new defences heavily shelled in the morning. Orders given to withdraw to North of Pradelles and from there march to Hondegen. Hot meal given and at 18:00 marched to East of Staple.
    • 14 April marched to Tilques. Stopped for lunch at Arques.
    • 15 April rest.
    • 16 April Ralph's 19th birthday and the legal age for going overseas. Unit had physical drill, inspection in the morning and rest in the afternoon.

    Ralph Shackell contracted a viral infection of his kidneys and was invalided out following this action (date unsure). He survived the war and lived until 1976, marrying and fathering two children.

    Robin Shackell




    247873

    Pte. Alexander Burke 4th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.12th Feb 1916)

    Alexander Burke enlisted in the Royal Artillery at Clonmel, Co Tipperary, Ireland on 13/4/1896 and served, for 7 years, abroad - at St Georges Bermuda, Halifax Nova Scotia and Victoria British Columbia, Canada until his discharge on 27/4/1903. He returned to Ireland married and had 3 children.

    He reenlisted to the Royal Irish Regiment, again at Clonmel, at the commencement of WW1, or shortly after at the age of 41. On 12th of February 1916 he died in Queenstown Military Hospital, Cobh, Co Cork, Ireland from a perforated stomach.

    Gerard Gleeson




    247872

    Pte. Charles William Rawlings 9th Battalion Essex Regiment

    Charles Rawlings was my Grandfather. Born in January 1888 he and his two brothers all enlisted for the start WWI with the Essex Regiment.

    Both his brothers were sadly killed in action, one in 1917 the other in 1918. Charlie was taken prisoner and thankfully survived until a ripe old age, passing away in 1974. He would never have anything bad spoken about the German soldiers and in fact I have a letter from one that befriended him at the camp, sent after the end of the war.

    Anne Earl




    247871

    Sgt. Albert William Kyne 15th Btn Cheshire Regiment (d.19th July 1916)

    Albert Kyne served with the 15th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. I have no story as my relatives have died and through bad wills my family history is now in the hands of people who do not care. I, therefore, do not have any of the 3 medals he would have been awarded according to my research. If anyone has any memories or knew him or friends of his in the 15th Cheshires I would be interested to hear them. I only know when he died and that he was commemorated on Thiepval Memorial.

    Joanna Stanford




    247868

    A/Sgt. Vincent Bowen MM & Bar. 18th Battalion (d.26th August 1918)

    Vincent Bowen served with the Western Ontario Regiment, he was previously living at Areley Kings, Worcestershire and had moved to Canada before the war.





    247867

    Ldg Stok. William Barry

    William Barry survived the First World War and was demobilised on 20th of November 1919.

    Chris Fountain




    247866

    Fus. John Hall 1/3rd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th June 1916)

    John Hall joined the Territorial Force in 1908 and served part time until enabled in 1914 discharged on 9th of June 1916 being unfit for service, and died on the 24th of June 1916. There was confusion as to his age, he was born 1874 so 43, medical records state both 43 (which we think is correct) and indicate 63. Death due to rheumatism sub acute and senility.

    Question did he serve in France? The long term held view family folklore is he never returned home probably ran away with a French lass, I have always doubted this, any info would be greatly received, it has taken 102 years to disprove this.

    Robert Sherlock




    247863

    Pte. Lawrence Malkin 11th Company Machine Gun Corps

    On 26th of September 1914, Lawrence Malkin enlisted in the 9th West Yorkshire Regiment and after training at Whitley Camp in Surrey, he was sent to the Dardanelles in July 1915. He had a very rough time with only 72 of his group surviving. He was sent to Alexandria in Egypt to recuperate.

    In 1916, he was transferred to the 11th Company, Machine Guns Corps as a driver, possibly with horses. He was never wounded but was gassed. His experiences affected him for many years afterwards.

    Trevor Malkin




    247862

    Pte Sidney F Hiscock Devonshire Regiment

    Sidney Hiscock served with the Devonshire Regiment and the Rifle Brigade.

    Pete Willoughby




    247859

    Pte. Richard Makin 18th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.22nd October 1917 )

    Richard Makin was 22 years old when he died.

    Colin




    247855

    Pte. Stephen Harold Whitehurst Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>Stephen Harold Whitehurst

    Stephen Whitehurst served with the Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Sharna Manno




    247854

    Pte. Arthur Alision Markham Price Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Arthur Price served in WW1 between 1914-1919, he survived the war. I have done a family history and am trying to find any living relations. He married a Marquette Brown, last census or polling info still living until 1950s. They had a daughter Emily Price born 1918, family living in Brent Wembley and Harrow. I am not related, but I have his war 3 medals, which I've had for more than 40 yrs, I collect coins, used to go to a coin shop in Harrow, bought them there around the 1970s. I would love to put a face the medals or find any living relations so the medals could be returned, as this is a piece of history for the family.

    Marc Evangeli




    247853

    Pte. Richard Percival Allen "Reggie" Dabinett 15th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    <p>Richard

    Richard Dabinett is my 1st cousin 3x removed. My knowledge of him is through the genealogy work of my cousin, Dorothy Nagy, who also provided the scan of his death notice. Richardʻs father, Frederick John Dabinett, was my 3rd great uncle, and brother of my 2X great grandfather, William Henry Dabinett. Richard was only 19 years old when he died and so I enter his name here so he is remembered for his sacrifice.

    Lynda J Hylander




    247852

    Gnr. Charles Edward Hudson 195th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Charles Hudson join the R.G.A on the 9th of December 1915 he was 30 years and 10 months of age. He was married with 6 Children. He was born in Sheffield in Feb 1885. After Basic Training he was station in England from 15th of June 1916 till 27th of November 1916. He joined the British Expeditionary Force on the 28th of November 1916 He was gased while in Flanders and was sent back to England. He was admitted to Bethnal Green Military Hospital London. He had swelling of his Face and genital area. He also had a Blood pressure of 150. He was told he would not be a Father again. This was proved to be wrong as he became a father more 4 times 2 boys and 2 girls. My father was the youngest and was born in November 1924. Charles was discharged on Medical grounds. His discharge papers said Gunner Hudson C E was discharged as he is no longer physically fit for war service para 392 xvi Kings Reg's Discharge on the 5th of December 1917. Time in service 174 days. Character, A sober, steady and well behaved man. He passed away in 1956 at the age of 71. He was Grandfather to 14 children and had one grandchild.

    Keith Hudson




    247851

    Pfc. Wilmer Franklin Stone 140th Infantry Regiment

    Wilmer Stone enlisted at age 32 in Kansas City, MO. Sailed for Europe on the Shropshire on 25th of April 1918 and served one year overseas. His commanding officer was Harry Truman's brother. Wilmer wrote a poem about the Battle of Argonne which was displayed for some time in the Truman Library in Independence, MO. He died in Sedalia, MO on Valentine's Day 1969 at age 84.

    Jeanie Windes




    247850

    Pte. Frederick John Foot 7th Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry

    <p>Fred Foot in DCLI uniform

    Fred Foot joined up in Saltash on the 17th of November 1915 giving his occupation as a rabbit catcher. On the 28th of October 1917 he gave witness statement re the death of L.Cpl Dixon. Fred was injured in 1918 and was discharged on the 10th of December 1918 due to wounds. He died of war wounds on the 6th of May when the metal plate moved while working as an estate gardener and gangrene set in. He was 32 years old and is buried in East Coker, Somerset. He is not mentioned on any war memorial.

    Mark Foot




    247838

    Stwd. Thomas Richard Greer

    Thomas Greer was born in 1889 in Ireland to a coastguard family who moved to Portsmouth. He joined the Marines as a boy bugler but was later discharged due to ill health. He joined the Merchant Marine as a steward and the first record we have of him is his discharge book with the notation "replaced due to loss by sinking" it was on the Brittanic. His only story of the sinking is that he was in the water being drawn into the propellers which were still turning and the next thing he was clear and picked up by a French naval vessel. He served in the Merchant Navy between the wars and was called back during WW2 where he was in the forefront on a landing ship at D Day.

    Colin Kavanagh




    247837

    Pte Philip Charles Kavanagh Royal Army Medical Corps

    Philip s Kavanagh was he was a tailor's assistant in London prior to the war (1911 census). His unit was sent to Palestine at the start of the war and at some period later he was transferred to the 1/8th (Isle of Wight Rifles) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment where he served till the end of the war returning home in 1919. He was injured by falling into barbed wire during the battle for Beersheba which required time in hospital.

    Colin Kavanagh




    247831

    L/Cpl. David Griffiths 10th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.24th August 1918)

    <p>

    David Griffiths was the middle son of William and Mary Ann Griffiths. He was born in 1894 in Glanamman. He enlisted in the 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Ammanford early in the war with his friend Joe Jones.

    David fought at Ypres, the Somme, Albert and Delville Wood. By the summer of 1917, his Division was fighting in the Arras area, by November of that year he was in action at Cambrai. In the German spring offensive of 1918 he was in Flanders fighting at the battles of Estaires, Hazebrouck and Bethune. The British launched their counter offensive later in the summer and, on 21st of August 1918, David took part in the Battle of Albert. He was killed in action three days later and is buried at Melville Wood cemetery, near Longueval.

    He had planned to run a grocer's shop in Glanamman after the war. Like so many of his generation his future plans for life after the Great War never materialised.

    David Griffiths (centre of front row) with some of his army comrades

    Robert Griffiths




    247822

    Pte. Andrew Creswell 12th Btn. East York Regiment

    Andrew Creswell started military service on 6th of January 1913 with the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He fought in the BEF retreat, Marne, Aisne, 1st Battle of Ypres. In December he transferred a to 4th Div. Army Cyclist Corp (ACC). He remained in the Ypres area then onto the Somme in 1916, and was at Mailly Mallet. He joined 12th East Yorkshire Regiment on 11th December 1916 and fought around Arras and Oppy Wood before another transfer to 6th East Yorks on 8th of February 1918. He was discharged on the 22nd of February 1919 and awarded the Silver Badge.

    John Pitchford




    247821

    Robert Arthur Stewart 4th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    My great great grandfather, Robert Stewart served with the 4th Highland Light Infantry and he later went onto The Manchester Regiment. He died in 1920

    Susan




    247813

    Pte. Samuel Wicks Waters 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd October 1918)

    Samuel Waters was killed in action on 23rd of October 1918

    Neil Brinsdon




    247812

    Matthew Snowden 14th (Young Citizens) Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    John Snowden was my great uncle, he and my Grandfather Matthew Snowden both served with the 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Young Citizen Volunteers) During WW1. John was killed by a shell in the early hours of the 5th May 1917 he was 22 years old. Matthew survived the war and returned home to Belfast to raise a family of six children (three boys and three girls) His son John named after his brother was my father.

    I have both Matthew and Johns medals and also Johns death plaque and his cigarette case which is horrible twisted. I had the honour to visit Johns grave in 2006 at Pond Farm Cemetery in Wulvergem Belgium. I laid flowers and also placed soil from home on the grave and said my thanks for the sacrifice he made for his country so many years ago.

    Ken Snowden




    247811

    William Baxter DSC 308th Infantry Regiment

    My great Uncles, William "Big Bill" Baxter and James Daniel "Jimmy" Baxter, served in the famous 308th Infantry Regiment from 1917 to about 1920. They and their unit fought their way across France to western Germany over the summer and fall of 1918. Jimmy was eventually taken as Prisoner of War while chasing a German unit and later returned home in 1919.

    Bill Baxter was a medic and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on two separate occasions before his injury at the end of September 1918.

    Their Aunt Ann, from the same household as theirs before The Great War, also served overseas as an Army Nurse in that same time period.

    I only uncovered their stories recently, after researching and documenting my Grandfather's all but lost paternal heritage. Early deaths and an estrangement left this history unknown to my grandfather Wally Baxter and his now large extended family of descendants.

    As it happens I'm now 41 but in 1995 I was a 19 year Army medic and healthcare professional at the US Army Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. Landstuhl is a small post consisting of a hospital, support buildings, barracks and housing in a quiet village in Germany's far west, near the French Border.

    Sean Baxter




    247806

    Pte. George Thomas Golding 1/4th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.2nd November 1917)

    George Golding was in the 3rd Battle of Gaza. He is remembered in the Deir El Belah War Cemetery

    Kelvin




    247784

    Pte. William Alphonsus Ryan South Irish Horse

    My great uncle William Ryan fought with the South Irish Horse. He enlisted in 1915 and was honourably discharged after suffering the effects of gas. He died in 1923.

    Michelle Mckearnon




    247783

    Rflmn. Jan Benson Booyson 2nd (d.17th February 1915)

    Rifleman Booyson was the Son of Mr. G. D. Booysen, of Vosburg, Cape Province.

    He was 23 and is buried in the Vosburg Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    247782

    Burgher A. Laarson Field Cornet Smith's Commando Mounted Commandos (d.21st November 1914)

    Burgher Laarson is buried in the Valsfontein Farm Cemetery, Bultfontein, Free State, South Africa

    S flynn




    247781

    Cpl. E. Snelling

    Corporal Snelling died on the 31st March 1921 and is buried in the Umkomaas Cemetery, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.

    S flynn




    247774

    Pte Walter Binks 52nd Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.22nd July 1917)

    Walter Binks served with the 9th Btn, Duke of Wellington's Regiment and 52nd Coy. Machine Gun Corps.

    David Dunning




    247770

    Pte. Richard Newport

    <p>

    Richard Newport was born on 28th of February 1897 to George Henry and Rose Newport of Liverpool. He had a long service in the armed forces. Despite suffering serious wounding and shell shock in army the First World War, before being transferred to the Royal Air Force, he re-enlisted during the Second World War and served with the Royal Engineers. His father also served during WW1. His much younger brother Gerard was killed at age 18 during the Battle of Crete when his ship HMV Fiji was bombed by enemy action in 1941. His father died in 1940.

    One feels more than a little sympathy for his mother who had to cope with so much loss.

    Sheila Newport




    247763

    Lt. H. A. Garton-Sprenger 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.25th July 1921)

    Lieutenant Garton-Sprenger is buried in the Tzaneen Estate Cemetery, Limpopo, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    247762

    Burgher A. H. Erasmus Bethal Commando Mounted Commandos, (d.13th November 1914)

    Burgher Erasmus is buried in the Trichardt Cemetery, Mpumalanga, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247761

    Burgher J. F. Kirsten Rustenburg Commando Mounted Commandos (d.15th November 1914)

    Burgher Kirsten is buried in the Syferkuil Farm Burial Ground, Brits, North West, South Africa

    S flynn




    247756

    MRC Carl Earnest Smart

    I don't know much and never met my grandfather, Carl Smart. He died in 1962 at the VA Hospital in Pineville, La.

    Evelyn Pesnell




    247754

    Pte. Francis John Kimmer 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.6th Nov 1918)

    Jack Kimmer joined up into The Royal Berkshire Regiment shortly after turning 18 in 1917. His father, Thomas Kimmer, was employed as the coachman on a farm in Aston Tirrold in Berkshire.

    He later transferred into the 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. He was fighting with his battalion on 27th of May 1918 near Aisne in France when he, plus a number of other men were taken prisoner. He was taken back to Germany and imprisoned in one of the POW camps near Kassel. As there were a number of camps there, I do not know which one he was in. Neither do the International Red Cross records confirm which one. He became ill with dysentery and was taken into the military hospital in Kassel where he died on 6th of November 1918, just 5 short days before the end of the war. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetry. The Red Cross POW records state his death and that he was a soldier in the infantry and was removed to the military hospital at the command of the Kommandant of the prisoner of war camp. It also records his death on 6th Nov 1918 and the cause of death as Ruhr, which is Dysentery.

    Judy Barradell-Smith




    247753

    Pte. Peter Leslie McAnulty C Coy 23rd Battalion

    <p>

    My grandfather, Les McAnulty, spent time at the Melksham Red Cross Hospital in England. The photo is a staged photo with a painted backdrop and artificial grass on the ground. It is a common style of photo taken of wounded soldiers at a number of hospitals in England during WW1. These were then sent home to their families in Australia. Even the clothing was of a uniform style and was known as convalescent clothes. Les is seated, the other man is unknown. It would be good if someone was able to identify this man.

    Les earned the 1914/15 Star, BWM, VM, ANZAC Commemorative Medal.

    Jan Dawson




    247743

    Pte. Horace Chadwick Fairclough MM. 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Horace Fairclough was my grandfather. I have his Military Medal and copies of the newspapers in which he is listed as being the recipient of the medal. He was also gassed and became Home Guard during WW2 and I believe he died 1947

    Gerry Price




    247741

    Pte Albert Wragg 154th Protection Coy. Royal Defence Corps

    <p>

    I never knew my grandfather, Albert Wragg. He died long before I was born. It will be nice to have him remembered in a web site such as this. To many old soldiers have been forgotten.

    Brian L Wragg




    247740

    Lt. Ian Pendlebury Macdonald 11th Battalion Sherwood Forrest

    <p>

    Ian Macdonald served with the 11th Battalion, Sherwood Forresters.

    Mark Macdonald




    247738

    Pte. Joseph Benjamin Josephs 1st Cape Corp (d.4th September 1917)

    Private Josephs was the Son of Jan and Clara Josephs, of Senitzky's Cottages, Banhoek Rd., Stellenbosch, Cape Province.

    He was 20 and is buried in the Stellenbosch Rhenish Church Mission Cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247736

    Pte. R. H. Gilpin Graaff-Reinet Commando Mounted Commandos (d.26th November 1914)

    Private Gilpin is buried in the Steenkampspan Farm Cemetery, Upington, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247735

    Sgt. Martin Edward Wilson 5th Reg. (d.8th August 1919)

    Sergeant Wilson was 37 and is buried in the Springbok Old Cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    247734

    Burgher Willem Adriaan Laubscher Clanwilliam Commando Mounted Commandos (d.23rd April 1915)

    Burgher Laubscher is the Son of Dirk Jacobus Laubscher and the late Maria Laubscher (nee Lombard).

    He was 28 and is buried in the Spitsberg Farm Cemetery, Loeriesfontein, Northern Cape, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    247733

    Pte. Ignatius Van_Rooyen Christiana Commando Mounted Commandos (d.7th December 1914)

    Private Van Rooyen is buried in the Schweizer-Reneke Cemetery, North West, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247732

    Cpl. Alfred Barber 4th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    <p>

    Alfred Barber served with 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers.





    247725

    L/Cpl. William Humphreys 2nd Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.13th September 1918)

    William Humphreys served with 2nd Btn Royal Welch Fusiliers and was awarded the British war and victory medals.

    Marisa O'Hara




    247724

    Pte. George Joseph Wymond 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.10th August 1917)

    George Wymond served as a volunteer in the Royal Fusiliers of the British Expeditionary Force during World War 1. He was born on October 15th, 1894 in Salem.

    George travelled on a cattle boat inbound for England which was torpedoed by a German U-Boat in 1915. When he arrived in England, he and other survivors of the attack enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers and was later assigned to the 11th Battalion. Tragically, he was killed in action during the Battle of Langemarck in the Glencorse Woods of Belgium on 10th of August 1917. George is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial in West Flanders, Belgium. His awards include the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was the son of George and Delia (Tobin) Wymond.





    247723

    Pte. Frank Burton South Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>Frank in 1915

    Frank Burton served with the South Staffordshire Regiment and later transferred to the Royal Engineers.





    247722

    Cpl. John Ambrose 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.27th March 1916)

    John Ambrose is my grandfather. Unfortunately, I know very little about him. My grandmother immigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1921 with my dad and his 3 brothers. I have done a bit of research on his battalion and the events surrounding when he was killed in action on 27th of March 1916 but have found limited information. However, I was able to acquire the diaries of his battalion from 1914 to 1916 when he was killed.

    My brother and I are traveling to Ypres in April 2018 to see his name on Menin Gate and go to the site of the battle where he died. It is important for us to do this and to make whatever connection we can to a grandfather we never knew but who is still loved and thought of, even after all these years.

    Elizabeth Ambrose




    247720

    Pte Albert David "Tec" Tector 117th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Albert Tector was stationed at Locre, Belgium, on the 28th of June 1916. He was and artificer in charge of Caterpillar No. 30189 a 75 hp Holt, hauling 9.2" howitzers. Others in his unit were, Lt. Mouat Biggs, Sgt Gale, L/Cpl Field, Ptes Booth, Cooper, Holt, Jones, Mace, Tector, Wood, Woods and Wright.

    Tim Webb




    247716

    Pte. Patrick McNaney 1/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.26th June 1917)

    Patrick McNaney was only 17 years of age when he joined up, seeing it as an adventure which avoided him having to work in the mines. Patrick was killed in the Battle of Arras but his body never found. His name appears on the wall of the cemetery in Arras.

    Lynda Corker




    247715

    Pte. John Barrett 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1917)

    My 2nd Great Uncle John Barrett died on the 3rd of May 1917 in the Battle of Arras. I have been to Arras and found his name commemorated on the wall of the memorial there.

    Patricia Allan




    247713

    Pte. K. C. Marais Cradock Commando Mounted Commandos (d.21st December 1914)

    Private Marais is buried in the Schuitdrift Farm Burial Ground, Pofadder, Northern Cape, South Africa.

    S. Flynn




    247712

    Pte. H. J. Fenton Cradock Commando Mounted Commandos (d.10th December 1914)

    Private Fenton is buried in the Schuitdrift Farm Burial Ground, Pofadder, Northern Cape, South Africa.

    S. Flynn




    247711

    Pte. James Tough 5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders

    My Father, James Tough, enlisted on 5th of August 1914. He trained with the Gordon Highlanders at Bedford and entered the Theatre of War in 1915 in France. He fought in the Somme and was wounded at the Battle of Bray on 12th of July 1916. After recovery he was accepted for transfer to the Machine Gun Corps and finished the War in Ypres with the rank of Lance Corporal. He was awarded the 1914-15 Mons Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal

    At the outbreak of WW2 he joined the Home Guard. Unfortunately I have no photo of him in uniform.





    247710

    Pte. A. J. Thrift 3rd Bn. Essex Regiment (d.9th March 1916)

    Private Thrift is buried in the Rosendale Farm Cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    247709

    Dvr. Granville Davies (d.17th April 1916)

    Driver Davies was the Son of Albert T. and Edith Davies; husband of Hilda Davies, of 87, Bathurst St., Grahamstown, Cape Province.

    He was 27 and is buried in the Rokeby Park 7th Day Adventist Cemetery, Bathurst, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247708

    Burgher J. J. Strydom Van der Merwe's Commando Mounted Commandos (d.1st December 1914)

    Burgher Strydom is buried in the Riviera Farm Cemetery, Free State, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247703

    Sgt. John Parsonage 3rd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    John Parsonage enlisted in the South Lancashire Regiment at the age of 20 and was posted to Rhanikhet, India where he served for 11 years rising to the rank of Sergeant. He re-enlisted in February 1915 and his unit was sent to serve in France on the Somme and at Ypres. He was wounded in action and taken prisoner and sent to Giessen POW camp. His injuries were severe and in view of the poor medical treatment he was eventually transferred to the Swiss internment camp at Chateau D'Oex for the duration.

    Andrew Parsonage




    247702

    Pte. Jan Ludwig Francois Joubert 17th Mounted Rifles (Western Province Mounted Rifl (d.7th October 1914)

    Private Joubert is buried in the Rietvlei Farm Cemetery, Montague, Western Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    247701

    Lt. Jacobus Nicolaas Uys Wolmaransstad Commando Mounted Commandos, (d.20th March 1915)

    Lieutenant Uys was the Son of Jacobus N. Uys and Ktarina E. Uys; husband of Louisa Maria Uys, of Ebenhaeser, Wolmaransstad, Transvaal.

    He was 31 and is buried in the Rietkuil Farm Cemetery, Wolmaransstad, North West, South Africa

    S flynn




    247700

    Burgher A. S.A. Opperman Geyser's Commmando Mounted Commandos (d.25th November 1914)

    Burgher Opperman is buried in the Rhenosterpoort Farm Burial Ground, Limpopo, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247698

    Cpl. Thomas Williams 6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

    Only through this website have I found out about my grandfather Thomas Williams. Mum didn't really know him as he died when she was 6. I've been looking into his records and information is being released like layers of an onion falling away over the last few years. I found out he was born in New Jersey. I have military records telling me this but no birth certificate.

    He was 20 in 1901, he was 5'6" had grey eyes and brown hair. A slim build with a 34 inch chest and he first enlisted in Belfast, The Royal Irish Fusiliers, where he served in the Boer War. I have a short attestatiion record in his records for this. He was awarded 3 medals, The Queens South Africa medal, The Kings South Africa medal and The Kandahar medal. After his discharge he met my gran in Scotland somehow. They married in 1910 in Glasgow, my home town. He worked in a sewage work with chemicals in Dalmarnock and he and my gran, along with their eldest daughter, lived in Hutchestown in Glasgow. Formerly known as Gorbals. Over the next few years his records show he was sent home then re- admitted to hospital. Over his last few weeks. The medical officers start to call him the man in his notes. Not a patient or a soldier but a person. He had an honorable discharge by then. They say he looked Gravely Ill, he had several tumours, one on his neck and they drained it but they discovered it had revealed deep vessels. He died of massive haemorrhage on 11th of November 1922.

    Mum stayed with her brother, sister and mother till 1928 when she lost her mum as well. You will understand there wasn't much for mum to tell. She used to say he was an Irish American and even now I can't figure out how this young man who was born in New Jersey, America, moved back to Ireland, met and married my gran and died in Scotland.

    I am so proud of him and I am a great grand mother myself. I am now paying my respects to him every November. I thank the poor house medical staff who were there for men like my grandad. RIP Grandpa

    Jeanette Molloy




    247688

    ERA2. Ank George Lynham HMS C31 (d.7th January 1915)

    Ank Lynham was born Twerton Bath in 1886, educated at Templecombe School under Miss Pask. At the age of fifteen began a five year engineering apprenticeship at Somerset and Dorset Locomotive Works Highbridge under a Mr A Whittaker.

    He qualified, joined the Royal Navy as an engine room artificer and served on HMS Foresight, HMS Attentive, and HMS Cheerful. Fifteen months before his death he voluntarily transferred to the submarine service. His name appears in The Western Gazette Roll of Honour, 22nd of January 1915

    Geoffrey Wilson




    247687

    Sgt. Richard William Henry Bennett Napper 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Bill Napper was in the Merchant Navy as a Trimmer but came home to tell his wife Lizzie that he had left the Navy "Thank Gawd for that" she said and he replied "I've joined the Army".

    He joined on 19th of September 1914 and his first day in the theatre of war was 11th of November 1914. He was badly wounded in the Battle of Arras in 1917. He spent some time in hospital, went home conceived my mother and returned to his regiment.

    Gillian Sweeny




    247685

    Mechn Hubert Thomas Sidney Bern (d.19th October 1918)

    Mechanician Bern was the Son of Thomas Sidney Bern and Helen Bern, of Sunny Side, Plettenberg Bay.

    He was 29 and is buried in the Plettenberg Bay (St. Peters) Cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa.

    S flynn




    247684

    Burgher J. L. Nix Hoopstad Commando Mounted Commandos (d.23rd November 1914)

    Burgher Nix is buried in the Plessisrust Farm Cemetery, Free State, South Africa.

    S flynn




    247683

    Pte. Leslie Pascoe 9th Regt. (d.2nd November 1918)

    Private Pascoe was the Son of W. J. and S. Pascoe of Ferreira Deep Ltd, Johannesburg. Formerly of Truro, Cornwall.

    He was 22 and is buried in the Pilgrim's Rest Old Cemetery, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

    S flynn




    247680

    L/Cpl. Harry Eaton 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment

    Harry Eaton was married with two children when he joined up in 1915. He fought all through the war (although I think he was wounded in 1916 also but can't verify this) with the 6th Northants until 8th of August 1918 when he received a gunshot wound to his head and was taken to No.3 Canadian Hospiatl at Dannes Camiens Hospital. He was taken back to Britain. When recovered he spent the rest of the war training troops in Gas procedures.

    Once when he was in the field, in a crater under fire, a man (a pub Landlord from Harrold) I believe, in another crater shouted "all Northants over here" so he ran over to regroup and a shell obliterated the crater he had been in.

    Lindsey Swales




    247679

    Sgt. Robert Curley MM, 11th Battalion Royal Scots

    <p>

    My grandfather, Robert Curley of Glasgow, joined the 11th Battalion, Royal Scots in October 1914 aged 16 or 17. He was demobbed in early 1919 as a sergeant and holder of the Military Medal.

    I have attached a copy of some photographs and documents that I have recently found among some of my late mother's papers. It shows a fresh faced youth when he joined up, a picture from winter 1916 with a goatskin jacket just marked "somewhere in France" and as a sergeant just before he was demobbed. The latter picture could be the father of the lad that joined up, such he has aged after 4 years in the trenches. He was wounded while a L/Cpl in 1917. Also attached copies of the letter that arrived with his Bronze Star and Military Medal and the letter sent to his father to advise that he was wounded. I would like to know where he may have served, all I know for certain was it was on the Western Front.

    Winter 1916

    1919 the same man

    Bob Orr




    247673

    Pte. Andrew Gebbie Gordon Highlanders

    Andrew Gebbie served with the Gordon Highlanders. He did not have an easy life. Both of his parents died before he was five. His sister died the following year. He and his brother were adopted by their father's workmate who died in mid 1917, closely followed by his only brother being killed in action later that year. He married in 1920 and had two sons. His wife died in 1924. His adoptive mother moved in and died in twelve months later. His elder son was killed in 1944.

    Andrew Gebbie




    247671

    Pte. Thomas Brown 1st Battalion Black Watch (d.2nd Oct 1918)

    Thomas Brown was born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. He was orphaned at age 7 and is found applying for parish relief in Dunfermline at that age where he had been boarded out. In 1903 at the age of 20, he married Annie Masterton Shaw in Dunfermline.

    Trying to find records regarding his service have proved very difficult. All we know for sure is that he was killed in France on 2nd of October 1918. His name appears on the Memorial Wall in Lochore. Cannot find any mention of him in the newspapers of that time period.





    247665

    Cpl Robert Brown 34 Squadron

    Bobby Brown returned from Canada to join up, enlisting in December 1915. His knowledge of motor vehicles, rare at the time in Europe, led him to service as an engine mechanic. He served during the early part of the Somme offensive and was deeply affected by the terrible losses in the air. Never spoke about his experiences. He died aged 95.





    247663

    Pte. John Cheetham Wilson 9th Btn. Lancaster Fusiliers

    John Wilson disembarked in Gallipoli on the 14th of November 1915. He was wounded at some point during the war as he walked with a distinct limp as he had shrapnel in his leg, he finished the war in the Labour Corps.





    247660

    Pte. James McEwan MM. 2nd Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>

    James McEwan served with distinction in the Great War spending four years in the trenches with 2nd Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. He was part of the 33rd Division and won the Military Medal for bravery in the field in the Ypres Salient. He was also presented with a certificate of distinction by the commanding officer of the 33rd Division. James took part in the Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Somme and the Third Battle of Ypres (Easschendaele). He was seriously wounded in 1917 probably during the last named battle.

    During the Second World War James served in the Home Guard where his valuable experience was used training is local Home Guard unit in which he served as a Sergeant until he was accidentally wounded while on the rifle range. He died from gas gangrene in a Military Hospital in Edinburgh on 23rd of January 1943 and was buried with military honours at Cambusnethan Cemetery. James was the son of John and Janet McEwan of 89 Meadowbum Road, Wishaw, Husband of Elizabeth Miller McEwan of 15 Crindledyke Crescent, Newmains.





    247656

    Pte. Elias Herbert Northcott 2/6th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment

    Elias Northcott was my grandfather. Although I didn't know him, his sons told much of his story. Although he was very proud to serve his country, and continued for a while after WW1, he was active in the community and campaigned for many things including the No More War Movement. He proved his love of his country by becoming a 'mover' and 'shaker' in his community. Becoming a JP, standing for election, was on the board of many institutions for the benefit of locals, including setting up a local health service which I am informed was used as a model for the NHS.

    Lesley Northcott Beeley




    247641

    Pte. James William Merritt 14th Btn. D Coy. Durham Light Infantry

    My grandfather, Jim Merritt, was captured at Cambrai on the 3rd of December 1917 and he told the family that whilst lining up to have his details taken down, the clerk looked up and said "Hello Jim". It was a German butcher who had a shop in Cable Street in the East End who had gone back to Germany before the war. My grandfather lived many years longer, until 1989.

    Mike Merritt




    247639

    Pte. Henry William Tullet 12th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment (d.15th September 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Tullet served with 12th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment.

    Gerard Ormesby




    247634

    Capt. Harry Maurice Spackman Royal Field Artillery

    Harry Spackman was one of the first Captains to enter Villers Bretonneux in April 1918.

    Alex




    247631

    Capt. Alfred Heywood Howard 4th Battalion Welch Regiment (d.10th Aug 1915)

    Alfred Howard was my 2nd Great Uncle who was a Captain in the pre war territorial battalion. He had trained with them for several years before the war and despite advice from senior officers that he was too old to go on active service at the outbreak of the Great War, he wanted to go with his men. He was killed on the initial day of landings at Gallipoli, before he got ashore, his body was not recovered.

    Jonathan Howard




    247626

    Forewoman Mary Jamieson 2nd Artists Rifles OTC

    <p>

    After the death of my aunt, in Australia in 2007, a box of her memorabilia arrived at my house. Among the items was a very faded photo of a WW1 soldier in uniform, wearing a Military Medal ribbon, on the back of which my aunt had written “This is a photograph of my father who died of wounds in 1918. He was the eldest son of an old English Catholic family”. His shoulder badge is unfortunately too faded to clearly make out the lettering/numbers displayed.

    My aunt also left a photo herself and one of her elder brother, both as young children. This tied in with what my late mother told us, that her mother had had two children by this unnamed soldier. Having tracked down the birth details of the other child we ordered the birth certificates but, unfortunately, in both cases, the father’s name was missing. The fact that the father may not have been present to register the birth if serving in France may be one reason why it was left blank.

    My grandmother, Mary Jamieson, was born in the small Scottish village of Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, and died in London in 1949, sadly before my sister and I ever had the chance to meet her. In 1911, her two brothers and one of her sisters already having earlier emigrated to the U.S. and to Canada, she is on the census as being in service in Stirling. Perhaps because of a Suffragette rally held there, although we don’t know exactly when, she was inspired to move to London and became involved in women’s suffrage. According to my late mother, she mixed in some quite elevated circles and at times spoke at Speakers’ Corner on the subject.

    Among the people she is said to have had contact with were members of the Brooke family, distantly related to the Earls of Warwick, it being a time when class barriers were becoming less rigid, especially among those supporting women’s rights. Many years afterwards she would regale her second family, including my mother, with tales of her early life and was clearly ahead of her time with regard to equality for women.

    She joined the WAAC – my mother said she was one of the first so we assume early in 1917 – and had the rank of Forewoman. With her catering background, we assume it was in this capacity that she was employed, and at some point she was stationed somewhere outside Lille in France. As we have no date for this it is unclear as to whether she would have been there as a WAAC or in some other auxiliary capacity. The only documentation we have is a postcard photo of her taken with several other WAACs on the back of which she wrote “WAAC 2nd Artists Rifles, Romford OTC, Essex”, the photographer being G.W. Secretan, Regimental Photographer to the Artists Rifles OTC. I have been told that the photo number, 5025, shows it was taken around October 1918. Unfortunately, her service record did not survive the Blitz and so we have no details of her time with the WAAC.

    She was living and working in Marylebone, London, when she gave birth to her first child, John, in January 1916 in the hospital at Marylebone Workhouse, her occupation given as servant. Two years later, in June 1918, while working in the Euston area as a cook, she gave birth to my aunt, Mary Joan (always known as Joan), in the hospital at St Pancras Workhouse.

    It is hard to imagine how difficult it must have been for her without the support of a husband or any nearby family, and understandable that she felt she had no choice but to give up John to friends to look after. We don’t know when this happened but she must have kept in touch with the family because of the photo my aunt had of him as a boy. My mother vaguely remembered that the elder child had been unofficially adopted by friends of my grandmother in Leamington Spa but with no family connections in that area we didn’t expect to find out any more about him.

    However, through the internet and after many postings we managed to locate the granddaughter of the family who took him in. We exchanged photos and he was clearly the same boy, although she had been under the impression that he had been an orphan. Sadly she could offer no clues as to how the adoption came about and knew of no WAACs in her family. We subsequently managed to contact some members of John’s family, but they knew nothing about his story and sadly had no photographs either.

    Perhaps the adoptive family was that of one of her WAAC friends? My mother had no memory of ever meeting her older half-brother John, just knew he had been adopted, so clearly he didn’t feature in my grandmother’s later family. Joan, however, was part of my mother’s family growing up.

    We have undertaken a great deal of research in trying to identify the soldier – did she meet him while as a WAAC at Hare Hall? But as John was born in 1916 she must have known him in early 1915 at which point there was no WAAC. Was there a Warwickshire connection via the Brooke family and the fact that John was ‘adopted’ by a family there? Was his name John, given that it was quite customary for the first children to be named after their parents, as with Mary Joan?

    Mary Joan was baptised at St Pancras Church in Euston Road in July 1918, and my mother’s story was that her godmother had been a “Lady Joan someone” hence her middle name. A pity it wasn’t a Catholic baptism where godparents’ names are included in the church record. My grandfather’s surname was Reid and he and my grandmother went on to have six more children, five of whom surviving childhood. Curiously, on the birth certificate of the eldest of these children, my late uncle George, the mother’s name is written “Mary Reid, nee Jamieson, formerly Cameron”. None of the younger children’s birth certificates include the name Cameron. As my grandfather would have been the person registering the birth, he must have had a reason to include it, but having checked both English and Welsh marriage records, as well as those held in Scotland, there was no marriage between a Mary Jamieson and someone by the name of Cameron during the years in question. While my grandmother’s paternal grandmother’s maiden name was Cameron it seems unlikely that this was the reason for its inclusion. Was this the soldier’s surname? If so, he sounds more Scottish than English, but if he was Catholic there might have been a reason he and my grandmother didn’t marry as she was brought up a Scots Presbyterian.

    The centenary of our unknown soldier’s death seems an appropriate time to try and get to the bottom of this mystery and we hope his identity will eventually emerge after so many years of searching.

    Unknown soldier, father of Mary Jamieson's first two children

    Mary Jamieson - may have been known by the surname Cameron

    Alison Botterill




    247625

    John Robert Robinson HMS Pactalus

    My grandfather, John Robinson, was a crew member of HMS Pactalus during WW1. I am searching the history of the ship.

    P.M.Robinson




    247611

    Pte. Aringo Thomas Kelly 2nd Battalion

    Aringo was born in Brockville, Ontario. He became a machinist and toolmaker in civilian life, having served in the Canadian Mounted Rifles in South Africa from 1902.

    He enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, CEF, the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. He was 33 years of age, 5'6", with brown hair and blue eyes, he possessed a distinguishing tattoo on his left arm.

    Later, having initially been unofficially reported as missing in action, when records came to light, he became an official Prisoner of War in Giessen, on the banks of the Lahn river, north of Frankfurt, Germany and was later moved to Stuttgart, which had two camps, one in the city in an abandoned factory building, the other in a disused factory three miles outside and, just before Christmas [unknown year] he was transferred to Rest Camp, Dover, before being returned home to Ottawa.

    Paul G Pratt




    247606

    Pte. John Houston 7th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    John Houston, served at Gallipoli in 7th (Blythswood) Battalion, H.L.I. He served in Egypt and Palestine and the Battalion moved to Flanders in 1918. He was discharged at the end of the war. Service record destroyed during WW2.

    Bernard W. Houston




    247605

    SSgt Arthur William Phillips 36th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.31st May 1918)

    Arthur Phillips served with 78th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and 36th Siege Battery, RGA.

    Barbara Fisher




    247603

    Pte. Frederick Harold Clarke 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Frederick Clarke enlisted on 10th of December 1916 and was assigned to the Leicestershire Regiment. He was living at at The Furlongs, Barkby Road, Syston, Leicestershire and was employed in the Family Market Gardening business owned by his father, Robert Clarke, together with his 2 brothers. Frederick was 24 years 6 months old and was 5 feet 8 and a quarter inches tall. His next of kin was his father Robert Clarke. He was mobilised on 27th January 1917 and after training was transferred to the 10th Cheshire Regiment and sent to France on 3rd of May 1917.

    He was killed in action on 7th June 1917 in Belgium at the Battle of Messines and is buried in the Messines Ridge British Cemetery. He was a private and his regimental number was 50871. His records list his father Robert Clarke, Fanny Clarke, his mother, his 2 brothers, Arthur Bernard Clarke and George Edgar Clarke all living at The Furlongs, Barkby Road, Syston, and his sister Ethel Kate Allen of 23, Sidney Road, Leicester. He was born in 1891 in Burton Bandalls, a hamlet near Burton on the Wolds, Leicestershire and was not married.

    Frederick Clarke was the grandson of Robert Clarke, my 2 times Great Grandfather and cousin to my Grandmother, Elsie Lowe nee Parnell.

    Susan Lomas




    247597

    Cpl. James Donovan MM. 35th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.6th October 1918)

    Jim Donovan was my great uncle. He was from an Irish family in Liverpool, the O'Donovans. He married my granddad's sister, Gertie Duckett and they had five children. one of whom died in 1917 at 2 months old.

    He won the Military Medal for bravery and died of wounds in October 1918. He is buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery alongside Germans, South Africans, Canadians, Australians and Chinese in a peaceful setting which encourages reflection.

    John McPartlin




    247594

    Sgt. James Simpson 28th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.17th October 1916)

    James Simpson, born in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, was the fifth of David and Bessie Simpson's seven children -- and their first son.

    The young sergeant was killed on 17th of October 1916 with several of his comrades as they were about to advance during the Battle Of Delville Wood. He was 23. His death in battle is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France and in the Hall of Honour, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.

    More than 170,000 men served in the Machine Guns Corps between 1915 and 1922 when the corps was disbanded. Almost 12,500 of these soldiers were killed in battle. Sadly, the entire official record of the corps was destroyed by a fire at its headquarters near Folkestone in 1920.

    David May




    247584

    Sgt. William Ernest Young DCM. 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    William Young is my great Grandad, born in 1895 he came from Whitwell. He was awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry and able leadership during the fighting at Foret de Moral on 4th of November 1918, when his platoon Officer was wounded early in the battle and he assumed command.

    William on left

    William front right

    Louise Harrison




    247583

    Pte. Henry James Pool 1/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th April 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Pool served with the 6th Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Robert Pool




    247582

    Pte. Charles Henry Fromant 12th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My grandfather, Charles Fromant, was sent out with a draft for the 1/1st Cambridgeshires. The draft was diverted to the 12th KRRC.

    John wilson




    247575

    Pte. William Henry Elliott 6th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers

    Henry Elliott served with the 6th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was involved in the building of the Pen y Clip tunnels on the A55 in North Wales during the 1930s. He was originally from Coventry

    Stephen McBride




    247573

    2Lt. George William Ball 21st Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.25th March 1918)

    <p>

    George Ball was born on 9 December 1897 at 19 Lampeter Street, Islington, London. He was the son of George Frederick and Emma Ball. He had an older sister Alice and two younger sisters Florence (my husband's grandmother) and Mabel. George went to school in Highbury Station Road in Islington, London and then won a scholarship to Holloway County School in Islington until he was 16 years old. His first job was at the Ministry of Agriculture, Whitehall, London.

    George (Private G/15199) joined the 21st Btn Middlesex Regiment (Islington's Own) at about 18 years old in Highbury Fields, Islington with his cousins, Henry George Seabrook (survived the Great War) and Percy George Seabrook (1st/7th Bn Middlesex Regiment died 3 May 1917 aged 20 and remembered at Arras Memorial), Thomas Ball (2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment died 21/10/2014 remembered at Ploegsteert memorial).

    It was customary for young men to join with their friends in the local regiment. To begin he worked in an office and was then promoted to Lance Corporal, and later sent to St John's College, Cambridge for officer training. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 2nd Btn Middlesex Regiment and was posted to France.

    His parents received a telegram stating that he was missing believed to be killed and then confirmed that he died on 25th of March 1918. A letter from his commanding officer stated that he led his men to the frontline and they were ambushed near Loos.

    George's name is on the honours list at Union Chapel in Islington and also on the Ball family headstone at Islington Cemetery. All Georges' letters and medals were buried with his mother Emma when she passed on.

    Gillian Ball




    247568

    L/Cpl. Frank Herbert Sonntag 8th Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Sonntag was born in Cardiff in 1891. He was the second son of Franz Josef Sonntag and Elizabeth Ann Clements. Frank and his family lived in Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff. Frank's father was from a Prussian family, and both men were mercantile marine engineers. This may explain why Frank enlisted in the naval district of Deptford, where he joined the 8th Battalion, East Kent Regiment in January 1915.

    Frank lost his life during his Battalion's attack on Delville Wood on the 18th August 1916. On that day The Buffs specifically had orders to attack and capture two German positions, called ZZ Trench and Machine Gun House. They were the only unit to capture and hold their objectives. Sadly Frank's body was lost. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. His medals were received by his mother in 1921.





    247566

    Sgt. Sidney Ralph White-Robinson 7th Dragoon Guards

    <p>

    My grandfather, Ralph White-Robinson served in Egypt and Palestine with the 7th Dragoon Guards and Army Veterinary Corps, attached to the Egyptian Camel Transport Corps. He was Mentioned in Despatches for taking a supply train through enemy lines. Accompanying the MiD was a letter from E. Lewis COMS, Arab Corps, EEF dated 4th of March 1918. "To A trustworthy friend, a thorough gentleman and a gallant soldier whose services in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force although Mentioned in Despatches is deserving of the highest honours that a British soldier can obtain."

    Sidney Ralph White-Robinson

    S. R. White-Robinson and colleagues

    S. R. White-Robinson

    R. White-Robinson




    247565

    Pte. A M Small MM 15th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    A group of medals that had been awarded to Private Small were handed in as a donation to our hospice. They include the Military Medal awarded 1916 and confirmed in a supplement to the London Gazette, 16th of November 1916, page 11143. Also donated were the Victory Medal and the 14-18 Medal. There was also a Royal Life Saving Society Medal awarded in July 1944.

    R. White-Robinson




    247563

    Pte. Percy Victor Price 13th Battalion Essex Regiment (d. 11th Dec 1915)

    Percy Price Served with the 13th Essex Regiment. I don't know much about him and am trying to find out more. I was told that he was shot between the eyes in action in Flanders.

    John Price




    247553

    John Bonell 13th Battalian Yorks&Lancs (d.28th June 1918)

    John Bonell was the eldest son of a family of six, living in Pudsey Yorkshire. He was born in 1886. His father ran a 'wet fish shop' and tragically caught typhoid fever and died in 1898 aged 33. The family worked in the local woollen mills and the younger children were cared for by their widowed grandmother. In 1901 Census John was working as a 'piler" aged 15 and his brothers aged 14 and 13 were working as bobbin offer and doffer in the mill.

    He was a bachelor unmarried when he was in the army. His service in the First World War resulted in his death on 28th June. The action was centred at Vieux Berquin on the border of Belgium and France. The objective that day was to take La Becque Farm which was completed. The war was to end only months later. My Great Uncle's body was never found.

    M.Hall




    247550

    Pte. Thomas Preston 3rd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    My Grandfather, Thomas Preston, was in the 3rd South Lancs Regiment. Signed up on 20/11/15. He contracted "Trench Feet" and was sent home to hospital to recover. He won the War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Paul Bann




    247547

    Pte. George Henry Mason 12th (Bermondsey) Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    My paternal grandfather George Mason enlisted on 25th October 1915 and underwent training ready for deployment to France. It seems he was medically discharged in January 1916 just before the battalion travelled to France in May 1916 and so never saw active service. I'm proud of him for enlisting and undergoing his training I have been informed that he was keen to fight for his country. Sadly there is no record of him after the date of 1919 when my father was born and so sadly I do not know when he died. I am currently researching my paternal ancestry and especially military history as my father served in the Second World War and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery.

    Ingrid Unsworth




    247544

    L/Corp William Benjamin Rowe 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    Benjamin Rowe was the second son of John Ormond Rowe and Elizabeth Ann Diamond of Porthcawl, he was married to Eliza Ann Gill.





    247540

    Jack Horrocks 6th Garrison Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    I found a New Testament 1916 issue with Jack Horrock's name and Battalion written in the front and 'Egypt Feb 10th 1917'





    247532

    Pte. Walter James Brassett 23rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.25th March 1918)

    Walter James Brassett came from Poplar, London. He was married to Sarah, nee Mcarthy. He was about 40 years old at the time of his death. His DOB was 7th March 1878 He had six children, Albert, Clara, Frederick, Nellie, Minnie and Violet. He died on the 25th March 1918 fighting with 23rd Battalion The Middlesex Regiment. My granny Sarah always thought he would come home and waited even into her 90's for his return. I am his grandaughter Jayne Knight nee Brassett. I have just visited Arras where he is commemorated at the cemetery. But I would dearly like to know more about the circumstances of his death and where he would have been fighting on that day, which would have been during the German Spring Offensive. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of him as they were lost in a bombing raid in London in the Second World war.

    Jayne Knight




    247524

    Pte. William Wragg 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.9th Aug 1916)

    Billy Wragg was the brother of my mother. He served with the 9th Sherwood Foresters.

    Alan Archer




    247516

    Pte. George H. Gale 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    I found out that the Gale family lived in our cottage from the 1939 census. I was then led to the war grave (via a web search) for George Gale, two days before the 100th anniversary of his death. The address given was our cottage. I went to the local village church and found the war memorial cross bore his name in recognition of his sacrifice and was able to place some flowers there on the 100th anniversary of his death.

    We should never forget.

    Janet Cole




    247515

    Pte. William Cannon 19th Hussars (Queen Alexandras Own) (d.3rd October 1915)

    William Cannon, died aged 29, at Fulham Military Hospital of Sarcoma of R. Humerus and Sarcoma of the spine. He is buried in Kensal Green (All Souls) cemetery.

    Steve Waite




    247511

    L/Cpl. Edward Kelly 12th Btn Highland Light Infantry (d.25th March 1918)

    We have just recently been able to trace this relative, Edward Kelly, and his great great nephew has just recently been on a school trip to the 1st World War Graves and Battle Fields. He was able to pay his respect at Pozieres War Memorial





    247507

    Lt. Leonard Horace Buttenshaw 4th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th June 1918)

    Lieutenant Leonard Buttenshaw served with 4th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment and was attached to 9th Battalion at the time of his death.





    247504

    Pte. William Thomas Davey 10th General Hospital Canadian Army Medical Corps

    My Grandfather, William Davey, was born in Ipswich, Suffolk in 1897 and came to Canada as a Homechild in 1912 where he was placed on a farm in Walkerton Ontario. At the outbreak of WW1 he enlisted with the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on 10th of October 1916. He was assigned to the Canadian Army Medical Corp and sent to Camp Borden for training then shipped to England. After a brief time at the Moore Barracks, No. 11 General Hospital, he was transferred to Brighton and served at No.10 General Hospital where he remained for the duration of the war. He was discharged from the army on Aug 10, 1919 and returned to Canada.

    Jim Davey




    247498

    CSM. George Blyth DCM, MM 1/5 Btn. Manchester Regiment

    George Blyth was awarded the DCM for open gallantry at Gallipoli while in charge of a party of snipers.

    He was then shipped to Hospital in Sheffield with enteric fever and remained there for a few months.

    When he recovered he went back to his unit in France and was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the MM. Part of the 127th (Manchester) Brigade which was composed mainly of battalions of the Manchester Regiments.

    Roy Blyth




    247496

    Pte. John Joseph Henry "Topper" White 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather, John White joined the Army at Stratford on the 25th July 1901 at the age of 18 years, 8 months old. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment, as a Bandsman Drummer. His Regimental number was 6503 and he carried this number within the 2nd Boer War, where he gained the Queens South Africa Medal and 2 clasps- Cape Colony and Orange Free State to when the numbers were changed in 1920, when it was changed to 5998017. On return from the Boer War, John was posted to India. He served throughout the 1st World War in the 2nd Battalion and was gassed on the Somme gaining all three medals. He earned 2 good conduct chevrons and was awarded a marksman's badge too. Family stories have been told that John was also a stretcher bearer, as Drummers were reported to have been and he also played the cornet, as again, Drummers would have had to do.

    John was discharged from his career in the army on the 5th July 1922 as being no longer fit for war service, due to his chest problems resulting from being gassed on the Somme. However, John did not let this stop him becoming a Special Constable for over 10 years, where he lived in Brentwood, Essex. At the outbreak of WW2 he joined the Home Guard and won the WW2 Defence Medal.

    John married and had 4 Sons. John died from complications after being gassed on the Somme resulting in his death in 1950, aged 67 his death certificate stating that his cause of death was (1) emphysema, (2) chronic Bronchitis (3) Gassed on the Somme.

    Boer War Drummer Uniform





    247495

    L/Cpl. Thomas Francis James 2nd Btn. C Company Monmouthshire Regiment

    <p>

    Thomas James served with C Company, 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment.

    Tom at time of enlistment Aug 1914

    Terry Gravenor




    247493

    Pte. Robert Owen 24th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.20th June 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Owen is buried at the Cinq Rues British Cemetery at Hazebrouck in Northern France.





    247492

    L/Cpl. Henry Cornelius George 31st Battalion (d.8th August 1918)

    <p>

    Harry George was born in Barcaldine, Queensland on 17 July 1891 and grew up in Jundah, Queensland where his family owned a property. He moved around central western Queensland working as a shearer and labourer. Harry was working in Winton, Queensland when war broke out. He travelled by train to Townsville, North Queensland, a 579km trip, where he joined the AIF on 30th Dec. 1915 before shipping to the Enoggera Army Barracks, Brisbane.

    On 10th of May 1916, Harry was assigned to the 41st Battalion, C Company prior to travelling to Sydney and shipping out on 18th May on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes. While on board Demosthenes, Harry was charged with the crime of breaking away from quarters while on active service, classified under mutiny. He forfeited 20 days pay. The Demosthenes arrived Plymouth, England on the 20th of July 1916. The battalion was based at Larkhill, Salisbury Plain for training. While at Larkhill Harry was transferred to the 31st Battalion then the 52nd Battalion at which time he was sent to Etaples, France as reinforcement for the 52nd, arriving at Etaples 30th September 1916. A week later Harry was reassigned from the 52nd to the 31st. Harry was appointed Lance Corporal 12th October 1917 until he lost his stripes in early June 1917 along with 15/- pay for going AWOL for 2 days in early May. He was reinstated as a Lance Corporal 1st Sept. 1917.

    The 31st Battalion was involved in the Battle of Amiens which commenced on 8th August 1918. During the first hour of the battle while advancing on Warfusee Harry was hit on the shoulder and down the side of his body by a Whizz Bang. He was dazed and able to speak but died within the hour while waiting for a stretcher. During this time Pte. S.V. Shekleton, who was also injured by the same shell, remained by his side. Many of the records indicate his death as being on 9th August though those who witnessed it state the 8th. Harry's death was not officially confirmed until 1st October 1918. Over this 2-3 month period Harry's family sought confirmation of his whereabouts from both the military and Red Cross sources as they were initially informed that he had been wounded.

    No identified burial place is recorded for Harry, something his family desperately wanted to know and have a photo of. It is recorded he was buried near Warfusee though this is unconfirmed. Harry's name is inscribed on the memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France. He is also remembered by the people of Jundah, Winton and Barcaldine as part of their war memorials, the place where he was born, grew up and from where he enlisted.

    Harry George

    Henry George, Melvill Gill and Jack Howard (left to right)





    247491

    Cpl. Frederick Astbury 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.5th April 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Astbury was the son of James Astbury and Harriett Sims. Husband to Gertrude Williams, father of Minnie, Gertrude and Frederick.

    Charmaine Hardy




    247488

    Pte. John Bashford 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment

    My Uncle John Bashford served with the 20th Manchester Regiment. We have no pictures or other material.





    247484

    Pte. James Walsh 6th Service Btn Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th March 1918)

    Jimmy Walsh was my Great Grandfather, he joined up in August 1914 at Middlesbrough and was based at Richmond, North Yorkshire.

    He served at Suvla Bay August to December 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign, then in defence of the Suez Canal, Egypt, February to June 1916 and finally on the Western Front from July 1918, seeing action near Flesselles, France July-August 1916 on the Ancre, France 1917 at the Battle of Messines and Third Battle of Ypres 1917.

    He was killed on the 17th of March 1918 and is buried in the Philosophe CWGC near Marzingarbe, near Lille. Me, my son and niece visited the grave on the Centenary of his death on the 17th March 2018.

    Tommy Garbutt




    247483

    Gnr. Arthur Grenfel Congdon 154th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Arthur Congdon was confirmed at Talbot House Poperinge by P B "Tubby" Clayton on the 9th of July 1917.





    247480

    Pte. William Henry Cave 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.6th June 1918)

    Harry Cave served with 1st cheshire Regiment.

    Brett Cave




    247479

    Sgt. Frederick Godfrey MID 1th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.18th July 1918)

    My grandfather Frederick Godfrey enlisted during the Boer War and served in South Africa and later in India. He was posted to Edinburgh Castle in 1912 where he met my grandmother. He had two children. I now have inherited his medals. In 1919 they were presented to his five year old son, my father, at Edinburgh Castle.

    I am currently researching his service and the circumstances surrounding his death in July 1918.

    John Godfrey




    247475

    Pte William Wells 2/9th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment (d.19th July 1917)

    William Wells died of his wounds at Beechwood Red Cross Hospital, Hereford.

    Ken Lees




    247474

    Sgt. Sidney Twigg 136th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My paternal grandfather Sidney Twigg was born in 1886. He was 28 at the start of the war,and already the headmaster of Doveridge village school since 1906. He served with the RAMC as a Sergeant with 136th Field Ambulance, attached to the 40th Division of the British Army, which saw action in the Somme, Cambrai, Flanders, Ypres, and other battles.

    His medals from WW1 are the "Mutt and Jeff" pair. After 1918 he returned to his headmaster job, staying in that post until he retired in 1951, and is well remembered on the Doveridge village website.

    During WW2 he was in the Home Guard, and also a Special Constable. His medals include the Defence Medal, and the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal with 3 bars from the WW2 period. He died in 1961.





    247473

    Reginald Hugo Brown Royal Army Medical Corps

    My maternal grandfather Reginald Brown was born in 1892. He was 22 yrs old when the war started. He joined the RAMC in 1914, shortly after Mons, and served with them up to early 1918.

    He transferred to the RAF and was promoted to Corporal. He was probably ground crew. He served until the end of the war. He suffered a permanent rupture when an aircraft engine slipped when being worked on and fell on him.

    His medals are the "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred" set. He was very supportive of the British Legion after demob. His civvy street job was as a self employed painter and decorator

    W.J. Twigg




    247469

    Gnr. Arthur Henry Channon 1/1st Kent Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th October 1916)

    Arthur Channon was a Blacksmith for the Jackson Steam Roller Company, and also a member of the Territorial Force. One of 10 living children when the war started (6 brothers and 4 sisters). Four of the men in the family were serving from 4 August 1914 when the war began, and the other two also later served in the forces.

    Bill Friel




    247468

    L/Cpl. George Talbot 2nd Battalion Cameronians Scottish Rifles

    George Talbot was a POW in Stendal prisoner of war camp

    Robert Knoyle




    247466

    2nd Lt. Alfred Powland Holliday 5th Battalion London Regiment (d.20th Nov 1917)

    2nd Lt. Alfred Powland Holliday of the 5th Battalion, London Regiment was my great Uncle. He is believed to be buried in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery at Villers-Plouich.

    Roger Neville Wall




    247465

    Stanley Evans 1st West Lancashire Field Ambulance, C Section Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Stanley Evans served with C Section 1st. West Lancashire Field Ambulance, RAMC.

    Driver Stanley Evans 1494

    Training in Billets Blackpool

    A Section at Croxteth

    Jeff Gordon




    247462

    Pte. Cyril Longworth 16th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    My Grandmother's brother, my Great-Uncle Cyril Longworth served with 16th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.

    Simon Denne




    247461

    Pte. Alfred "Alf" Grundy 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Alfred Grundy 1892–1959 My paternal grandfather.

    Although I was only about 6 years old when “Pop” died, I still have fond memories of visiting him and Grandma Grundy in their Rectory Street house in Middleton, nr Manchester.

    The house always had strong pipe-tobacco smell that became very familiar to me. Even though I was still young, I do recall my father telling me his dad never wanted to talk about the war in which he was wounded by shrapnel. I do recall being told the shrapnel was not totally removed and probably contributed to his early demise diagnosed as Toxemia – a condition that results from the spread of bacteria and or toxins in the blood stream. He also had a rare form of abdominal carcinomatosis which likely also contributed to his premature death.

    Only later in life did I learn more about his history and participation in WWI. Thanks in large part to a couple of large old family photo albums and a little research I have been able to piece together some of his wartime experiences.

    We have several photos of Alf growing up, he being the youngest of 7 children born to James Grundy & Martha Holmes-Elliot of Manchester. The tragic death of two younger siblings to diphtheria meant Alfred grew up 10 years the junior of the youngest of his older siblings. Clearly the “baby” of the family Alfred was an athletic and competitive lad and we have lots of photos of him with his friends in the Hugh Oldham Lad’s Club, including him camping & hiking as well as captaining the football team.

    It also appears he was encouraged to be an academic and he studied to become a clerk and by the age of 18 he was working for a Cotton Manufacturer and a little later, the for the Bradford Colliery in a similar position … one he was to return to post war!

    We also have a photo of Alf in a group picture at Tatton Park in Cheshire as a member of the young conservatives, so it would seem Alfred also had a political bent. Which in turn may have been his motivation in 1914 to sign up and join the army.

    His service record shows he signed up on the 31st of August 1914 and enlisted with the Rifle Brigade. He served with BEF in France and Flanders from 21st May 1915 until the 6th of September 1915. We have some idea of how he arrived in Aldershot to join the garrison formed thanks to a couple of post cards to his young cousin Minnie where he describes a difficult journey that included witnessing the death of a couple of men seemingly from exhaustion!

    The post cards tell Minnie he was happy to receive socks from home and that more importantly that he had been chosen to be part of the bugle corps attached with the Rifle Brigade, remarking the change meant he was marching less and his lot in life had changed for the better. ☺

    War records suggest he would have left Southampton with his Division between the 18th & 25th of May landing in Le Havre and then on to gather just North West of Omer in or around Watten.

    He would probably have been involved when the Expeditionary Force detonated an explosive under the German lines and possibly helped fortify the resulting crater before German forces counter attacked on July 30th by blowing up the Hooge Hotel and followed that with what was described as a “Liquid Fire Attack” and massive artillery bombardment of the trenches. Alf’s 8th Rifle Brigade bore the brunt of the German attack and one can only imagine the horror young men like Alf would have experienced. Less than one year earlier these same young boys had been happy as larks, safe at home working and playing football with their mates!

    A British counter-attack on the 31st of July was thwarted by the Germans and losses to the British forces was estimated to be almost 1,000 killed or missing.

    I have not found any precise records relating to the actual date of my grandfather’s specific injury but he was listed as "Wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office on 15th August 1915 suggesting it was during the fighting at the end of July and before the 14th Light Division attacked the Germans again in late September.

    Alf was eventually returned to England to recuperate and we have photos of him with his right arm in a sling at the Halstead Red Cross VAD in 1915. We have other photo’s of him at the VAD at Earl Colne Priory and then later a great picture of him and fellow injured servicemen in 1916 playing cards at the VAD in Winchester.

    He returned to action with his Division on the 20th of February 1918 and, unfortunately for him, he would have been just in time to be involved in the first battle of the Somme in mid March. By the 22nd of March Alf’s 14th Light Division and others were holding a line between St. Quentin and Moy-de-l’Aisne before retreating awaiting reinforcements, which did come and helped push the Germans back.

    Between March 21st and April 5th British and allied forces sustained heavy casualties; the 14th Light Division alone had 5,781 men killed or injured during those two weeks! By April 6th the last of the infantry were withdrawn from the front line and given roles in construction or training.

    I’m unaware of any further injuries Alf may have sustained but I do know in July of 1918 he was officially transferred to the Labour Corps and assigned a new service number 565938.

    He remained in Europe through 29 January 1919 and then transferred to the army reserve on his return to England where he was finally discharged on general demob at the end of March 1920.

    It's late 1914 & Alf in the photo is second from the right in the second row from the back. In the card he writes to his yonger cousin Minnie that the weather has brightened up

    2nd Sept 1914 Alf sends this card back to his work colleagues at the Bradford Colliery where Alf was working as a clerk. The card is written in pencil so a little hard to decipher but basically says he and fellow new recruits are being billotted in some less than ideal lodgings some sleeping out oin the open. He expected to be marching to Aldershot the next day. A previous card had explained that the weather previously had been awful and

    David Grundy




    247460

    Pte. Woodman "Woody" Pascoe Dorsetshire Regiment

    Woody Pascoe was wounded at the Somme but survived the war and went on to live until 1981 (he had been born in 1899). I have not found his service or pension records but have a copy of his medal card. No photos either.





    247459

    Pte. Richard John Palfreman 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    Richard Palfreman, my uncle, appears to have joined up in 1916 or 17. He was wounded in both legs (probably shell injury) and was invalided out and spent some time in hospital recouperating. Dick then forever walked aided with walking sticks.

    David Boorman




    247451

    Pte Amos Stacey 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

    Amos Stacey served with the 11th and 16th Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Claire Stacey




    247449

    Pte. Thomas Donegan 2nd Btn Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.20th March 1918)

    Thomas Donegan enlisted in the 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers on 5th March 1892. In November 1902 he was tried by court martial and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for destroying military property. On completion of his sentence he was discharged.

    He re-enlisted on 18th of August 1914 in the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment and was transferred to the 6th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on 8th of January 1915. He was discharged on 18th of February 1915, being listed as "unlikely to become an efficient soldier", due to chest trouble.

    He re-enlisted again on 17th of August 1915 in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. He served in France from 22nd of December 1915 to 5th of March 1916 when he was invalided to England. He served in Egypt from 20th of October 1916 to 17th of January 1918 when he was again invalided to England after attempting to shoot a fellow soldier. He was initially admitted to Netley Hospital on 1st of February 1918 and then to Dykebar War Hospital. Two weeks later he was admitted to Crookston Hospital where he remained until his death. He committed suicide by hanging on 20th of March 1918. Cause of death was returned as death by strangulation.





    247447

    Pte. Walter Knaggs Duck Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th November 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Duck was from a large family, a farm labourer, who took his horses Pudding and Star to war with him. Sadly, neither Walter or his horses came home. The family have the horses' brasses that came back from France. He served in Yorkshire Regiment and 4th Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Walter is buried in Caudry British Cemetery, in France.

    Janet Jillson Coupland




    247444

    Seaman Henry "Harry" Clyne Collingwood Battalion

    Harry Clyne, my grandfather, was a POW from early in the war being involved in the Ostend debacle in 1914 as part of the Collingwood Battalion of the 63rd Naval Divison. His time as a POW wasn't easy and he said he often attended funerals due to the poor conditions in which they were kept. Although he learnt German as a POW he refused to speak a word after his release. Unfortunately he sold his 1914 star to a medal collector in the 1930s so his WW1 medal trio is incomplete. He was also awarded the LSGC medal. If anyone knows the whereabouts of his 1914 star I would be most interested in acquiring it.

    Don McLeod




    247431

    Pte. Robert James Ainscough 12th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.6th August 1918)

    Robert Ainscough was my grandfather's oldest brother. They lived in 1 Allcard Street with their mother and father Walter and Edith. He is buried in Harponville Cemetery in France.

    John Ainscough




    247419

    William David "Jock" Verth Connaught Rangers

    William Verth was a British Home Child, sent to Canada by the Quarrier scheme. He at some point escaped Canada enlisted with the Connaught Rangers. He nearly lost his leg at Messines and was sent to Hanworth to convalescence. We do know that there was a young lady, Daisy Jewell who worked at the hospital and they fell in love and married.

    Caroline Webb




    247418

    Stoker John Neave HMS Torrent (d.23rd December 1917)

    Stoker John Neave was drowned on 23 December 1917 when HMS Torrent was mined in the North Sea. He was the son of Seimus and Elizabeth of Goxhill in Lincolnshire. When lost at sea, he was 37 years old, married to Minnie Neave and lived in the small village of Worlaby, in North Lincolnshire where his name is on the War Memorial. He lost his only son, Willie Neave aged 5 years when he fell from his pony and was killed on October 12 1911.

    Tom Cave




    247416

    Lt. Stanislaus Joseph Mary Carroll 3rd(Tank)Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Stanislaus Carroll was commissioned August 1916 and seconded to 3rd Tank Battalion in France in December 1916.

    Ian Foxley




    247415

    Cpt. James Carroll Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th Mar 1919)

    James Carroll was the eldest of three Carroll brothers who all joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He survived the Great War but died of the Spanish Influenza in 1919.

    Ian Foxley




    247413

    Sgt. George Henry Yendole 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    My great grandfather George Yendole ran away to the Boer War underage and his father came and took him back. At 17 he left home and saw service in a mounted company of 2nd. Battalion Somerset Light Infantry in South Africa. We know he was in Malta and China with them but did not go on to India.

    We think he transferred to 1st Battalion in 1914 and spent the whole of the first world war in France, retiring from the service in 1924 . We believe he was at the "bullring" at Etaples as an instructor at some stage. He was awarded an MSM in Junr 1919.

    My mother tells me he was just a normal sane level-headed person but I dread to think what he must have been through.

    Duncan Hornby




    247406

    Pte. Edward Lanyon Hodge 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.10th August 1916)

    Edward Hodge, known to his family as Ted was born in 1894, and was the second son of William and Beatrice Hodge, of Trevidgoe Farm in Withiel, Cornwall. He was the second youngest of his four siblings, Marjorie, William (known as Guy), Beatrice and Geoff. On the outbreak of the First World War, Ted and his younger brother, Geoff, declared that as soon as the harvest was over they would leave the family farm, and join up. They travelled to Plymouth together to do so, and in 1915 both brothers were serving in France.

    Ted served with the 9th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment which was a unit of 20th Brigade. The 9th Bn. embarked at Southampton on the 27th July, and arrived at Le Havre, France on the 28th July 1915. Two months later, on September 25th, Ted was injured by shrapnel at the Battle of Loos. Information passed down through the family suggests that after obtaining this severe wound to his thigh, he was forced to crawl for over a mile before he could find help.

    The official account of the 9th Devonshire Regiment for the 25th September states:

    "On the right, the 20th Brigade had carried the German front trenches within half an hour of the attack starting. Its leading battalions were the 2nd Gordons (the old 92nd Highlanders) and the 8th Devons, one of the two service battalions which had taken the place of the Guards battalions formerly in the brigade. Despite the loss of most of their officers, these two units pressed on vigorously, capturing eight field guns and more prisoners; they were only checked when they reached the point where the Hulloch-Vermelles road crosses that from Lens to La Bassee. Here, well ahead of the troops on either flank, and reduced to a mere handful, they came to a standstill. In support of them came up the 6th Gordons, a Territaorial battalion from Banff and Donside, and some of the 9th Devons and 2nd Borderers. The bulk of the 9th Devons and Borderers halted at the gun positions where they dug in, linking up the emplacements into a continuous trench, hereafter known as Gun Trench."

    Ted was sent back to Blighty, and to the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley (near Southampton) for treatment. His eldest brother, Guy, went to visit him, and was alarmed to find that Ted's leg was swollen to almost the size of his body. When Guy asked why doctors didn't just take the leg off, Ted bitterly replied that that they wouldn't do that if they thought they had a chance of returning him to the front. Ted returned to the family farm and was discharged from the Army on the 25th July 1916, 10 months after being wounded. He died of his wounds 16 days after his discharge, on the 10th August. He was 22 years old.

    On his death certificate, Ted is listed as a former Private of the 9th Devons, and an army pensioner. His father is listed as the informant, William Hodge, Father, Present at the death, Trevidgoe, Withiel.

    Ted is buried in the village cemetery near his home, beside his parent's graves. The inscription reads: In Loving Memory of Edward Lanyon, beloved son of William and Beatrice Hodge. Died 10th of August 1916 from the effect of wounds received at Loos, 25th of September 1915, aged 22 years. Perhaps because Ted had died at home, and almost a year after being wounded, he was not recognised as a war casualty by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and did not appear on any Roll of Honour, until 2008. A wreath is now laid on his grave, now officially recognised as a war grave, on Remembrance Day each year.

    Ted's younger brother, Geoff, was killed in action in 1918, serving with the 9th Bn. Kings Royal Rifles Corps (see separate listing). Their eldest brother (and parent's only surviving son), Guy, had been unable to join up due to a heart condition he'd had from birth. The family farm had to give up their horses to the war effort, a sacrifice from which Guy never recovered. At the death of his two brothers, Guy was forced to give up his studies to become a veterinary surgeon, and instead had to take on the family farm, which was sold a few years later, in 1922. One of Ted's sisters, Beatrice, served as a nurse with the Red Cross during the war, and his oldest sister, Marge, lost her fiance as well as two brothers in the war she never married, and later became a schoolteacher in the local town, Bodmin. Guy was my Great Grandfather.

    Sophie Hodge




    247405

    Cpl. Geoffrey Hodge 9th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    Geoffrey Hodge was born on the 27th February 1896, Geoff was the youngest child of William and Beatrice Hodge of Trevidgoe Farm, Withiel, Cornwall. His siblings were Marjorie, William (Guy), Beatrice, and Edward (Ted). On the outbreak of the First World War, Geoff and his brother Ted declared that as soon as the harvest was over they would leave the family farm and join up. They traveled to Plymouth together to do so, and in 1915 both brothers were serving in France.

    Geoff served with the 9th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps, surviving the majority of the war unscathed, being promoted to the rank of Corporal, and outliving his brother Ted, who died of wounds received at the Battle of Loos in 1915 while serving with the 9th Bn. Devonshire Regiment. (See separate listing).

    During the first day of the Kaiserslacht, the 1918 German Spring Offensive, Geoff was reported missing. His family didn't hear news of him for nine months, until after the armistice. In December 1918, Geoff's mother received a letter from The Enquiry Department for Wounded and Missing, informing her that a prisoner of war, Lance Corporal H. Bayliss, had returned to France with the news that Geoff had been killed at the time that he himself had been taken prisoner

    According to Bayliss, Geoff was killed on the 21st March, 1918. He was aged just 22. His body was never found. Geoff is commemorated on a panel of Pozieres memorial, in France. Previously, the name which honours Geoff's memory had been misspelt as Hodges, however the Commonwealth War Graves Commission kindly rectified this mistake in 2008. The outline of the extra s can still be faintly seen.

    Geoff is also recorded on the Roll of Honour in Winchester Cathedral - Winchester being the home of his regiment. He was awarded the British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal, along with a Bronze Death Plaque.

    Both Geoff and his brother Ted were killed in the First World War. Their eldest brother (and their parents only surviving son), Guy (my Great Grandfather), had been unable to join up due to heart condition he'd had since birth. The family farm had to give up their horses to the war effort, a sacrifice from which Guy never recovered. At the death of his two brothers, Guy was forced to give up his studies to become a veterinary surgeon, and instead had to take on the family farm - which was sold a few years later, in 1922. One of Geoff's sisters, Beatrice, served as a nurse with the Red Cross during the war, and his oldest sister Marge lost her fiance as well as two brothers in the war she never married, and later became a schoolteacher in the local town, Bodmin.

    Sophie Hodge




    247404

    Pte. John Thompson 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    John Thompson served with 1st East Yorkshire Regiment.

    Simon John




    247403

    Pte. Harry Gooder East Kent Regiment

    My Great Grandfather Harry Gooder served in the Buffs, East Kent regiment. He was in 36 when he was shot in his right arm on 19th of September 1918, I presume in the battle of Epehy. He lived in Birstall West Yorkshire, many of his family were miners but his occupation was a Press Setter.

    Diane Smith




    247397

    Pte. Thomas T. McCulloch Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>

    Thomas McCulloch was one of my great uncles. He rnlisted on 7th of September 1914 and was discharged due to wounds on 7th of June 1916. He passed away on in August 1952.

    Andrew McCulloch




    247396

    Pte. James McCulloch 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>

    My great uncle James McCulloch, enlisted 21st of June 1915 and was discharged (due to wounds) on 4th of March 1918. He was one of four brothers (including my grandfather) who served in WW1, and who all survived. He passed away in in April 1945.

    Andrew McCulloch




    247395

    P/O. Charles Lake HMS Submarine E16 (d.22nd Aug 1916)

    Charles Lake died aged 32. All 31 men onboard the E16 Submarine were lost. Son of James and Ann Lake of Crediton, husband of Mary Ann (nee Cundy). Father of two children, one boy one girl. Another son had died before his first birthday.

    Laurence Marlow




    247385

    Act/Sjt. Joseph Parker Hill 12th(Miners)Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.21st November 1917)

    Joseph Parker Hill was was my grandfather's brother and my mother's uncle.

    Andrew Henderson




    247382

    Bmdr. Richard Murphy DCM, MID. 59th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Richard Murphy was born in Wexford, Ireland in 1890. He left Ireland in 1906, and lived temporarily with his elder brother, who was a coal miner, in South Wales. He joined the army in 1909 at Swansea, and was posted into the Royal Garrison Artillery, with the 59th Siege Battery.

    He was posted to India, date unknown, prior to 1911, where 59th and 81st Siege Natteries were based at Roorkee, India. They returned to England sometime in late 1914 or early 1915, and entered the war in France approximately April 1915.

    He fought in the Battle of Loos, apparently deployed near the town of Vermelles. During the opening days of the battle, he went into hostile territory to repair field telephone lines between his company's guns and observation point, whilst under fire. He was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. During his service he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, which I believe is Bombardier in artillery terms, date unknown. It is believed he was injured at some point in the war, and is known to have been a signalling instructor at, or near Winchester, where he married in 1918.

    He survived the war to raise a family in Oxford, where he died aged 80, in 1970.

    Paul Murphy




    247378

    Pte. Edmund Shirley A Coy. 1st.Btn. East Kent Regiment

    Ted Shirley signed up in 1914, falsifying his age: he was born in 1898 but registered it as 1896. He spent 1914 and 1915 in Kent, then was sent to France in 1916. He said he first was sent to Armentieres where they had to build up walls as the ground was too wet to dig trenches down into the soil.

    He fought on the Somme from 1916 and received a bullet wound in his left arm in September, recovering at a convalescent centre in France I believe, from your records. He talked about seeing early tanks employed on the battlefield for the first time. On one occasion, when he was stuck in no-man's land he watched as a German sniper shot anyone raising their head to see where they were going as they crawled through barbed wire back across British lines: only those who kept their heads down survived, so that was what he did.

    In March 1917 he was wounded with a revolver bullet in the right lung and awoke in a German Military Hospital in Lille. He was moved around to a number of camps in 1917, including camps near Limburg an der Lahn, Wittenburg and Dulmen (near Merseburg?). I found this information in Red cross records. He said that prisoners supplemented their diet with nettle soup.

    When he was fit he was moved to a Lager further east into Germany and put to work on the railway running between Berlin and Leipzig. He did not remain in the Lager, instead he was imprisoned in an small rural railway station. There were about half a dozen British soldiers and the same numbers of French and Russian prisoners imprisoned there. The Russians were treated very badly. At one time, some of them would get out at night to steal potatoes from a local farm to supplement their poor diet. That was until the farmer started shooting at them one night. It was here that he heard the war was over and refused to work anymore. He was finally repatriated to England in 1919.

    Catherine Shirley




    247374

    Able Sea George Edmund "Robbie" Robbins

    Robbie Robbins was my great uncle. Although I never met him he was always talked about by my mother's family as he was my maternal grandmother's brother.

    Robbie's naval record shows he was involved with the following ships (in date order):

    • Impregnable (training)
    • Leviathan
    • Vivid I
    • King Alfred
    • Donegal
    • Dublin
    • Vivid I
    • Orion
    • Hindustan
    • Orion
    • Vivid I
    • Ajax
    • Vivid I
    • Briton
    • Vivid I
    • Columbine Venturisimo
    • Columbine Volunteer
    • Vivid II
    • Vivid I

    I am currently researching more of his life. Family folklore says that he was at both the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) and the Battle of Jutland. I have yet to establish which ships he was on at these times.

    During WW2 he was the Manager of The Swan Hotel in Lavenham. I am told he was most supportive to the American Airmen of USAF 487 Bomber Command in Lavenham, perhaps because of his own experiences during WW1.

    I will update and submit photographs as I progress.

    Helena C Johnson




    247372

    L.Sto Percy James Taylor HMS Triumph

    Percy Taylor was my grandfather, he joined the Navy in 1903. He was a leading stoker aboard HMS Triumph during the Dardenelles campaign when it was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat in 1916. He survived the sinking and was invalided out of the service in 1917. He went on to live a long and happy life in Liverpool.

    Geoff Thomas




    247371

    Pte. David George Fairweather 4/5th Btn. (d.14th Oct 1916)

    David Fairweather's brother, John Milne was killed by sniper at Cambrin 1st Nov 1917.

    Gordon Cameron




    247364

    Pte. Michael Doyle 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    Son of Michael and Isabella Doyle of 55 Wilbram Street, Liverpool. Husband of Lousia Doyle later Webster of 55 Louis Street, Liverpool.

    had three children Michael, Peter and Isabella. Both Michael and Isabella died in childhood. He had a brother called Peter who was also in the Army in WW1 and survived the war.

    Michael was killed on the 21st March 1918 in the Somme region on the first day of the German offensive called Operation Michael. His body was never found and he listed in the Pozieres Memorial Panels 64 to 67.

    Peter Doyle




    247362

    Private Hubert Charles Barry 260th AC Coy. Labour Corps

    Hubert Barry erved in France in the Somme area. He was Invalided back to the UK in 1918 and was admitted to Queen Mary's Hospital, Whalley. He never recovered his health and died of TB six years later aged 45.

    Ann Sayer




    247356

    Pte. Frank Albert George Preston 255th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.28th November 1917)

    Frank Preston was born in 1898 the son of Edward and Jane Preston of 20 Haverstock Road, Kentish Town, London. He died age 19 and his name appears on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France on Panel 12 & 13.

    B Williams




    247355

    Pte. Albert Grooby 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.4th Dec 1918)

    The Lincolnshire Standard 25 Jan 1919 :-

    "News has been received of the death of Pte Albert Grooby, Lincolns, who was wounded and taken prisoner during the retreat from Mons. He was confined in Parchim camp (Germany) and whilst no official information has been received, a fellow prisoner who has returned states that Pte Grooby died in the middle of December. The last letter received from him was dated the day before the Armistice Day and he was then in apparently his usual good health. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs Grooby and her two children, and sad to relate the youngest child he has never seen."`

    Joan Deane




    247351

    Pte. Stephen Rowland 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.10th Aug 1917)

    Stephen Rowland was my 4th cousin who died in action on the 10th August 1917. His name appears on the Menin Gate memorial so I presume his body was never found. RIP Stephen much love and thanks.

    Andrew xx





    247350

    Pte. Albert Claude Eugene Mills 1st. Divison Ammunition Column

    Bert Mills passed away in 1944.

    Suzanne Tainsh




    247346

    Rfl. Charles Larkman 8th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.5th April 1918)

    <p>Postcard sent to Charles Larkman at Ward A10, No 11 General Hospital, Camiers, France. Front picture.

    Rifleman Charles Larkman is buried at Hautmont Communal Cemetery, France. He was the first husband of Ethel (nee) Wood (her later married surname is Hardy).

    Karl Love




    247343

    Pte. David Cowan Kirkwood 2nd Btn. Black Watch

    David Kirkwood earned the Wauchope Medal issued by Col Wauchope of the Black Watch to men who had served with distinction or noted gallantry.

    John Kirkwood




    247341

    Pte. James William Weighell 10th Battalion, 64th Brigade King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.25th September 1916)

    <p>

    Private James William Weighell is remembered on the Osmotherley War Memorial and in St Peter's Church, Osmotherley, North Yorkshire. As a local resident I am researching his story for the WW100 Commemoration.

    Osmotherley War Memorial

    James Weighell commemorated on a plaque in St Peter's Church, Osmotherley

    James Weighell commemorated in a church window, St Peter's osmotherley

    Stephen Rogers




    247340

    Pte. John Renton Hamilton 8th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.13th May 1917)

    John Hamilton was born in Rowan Street, Paisley, on 10th March, 1894, the youngest son of James Hamilton and Mary Renton. He had at least one brother and one sister, both older than him.

    He enlisted in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and was training on Salisbury Plain in 1914 when he was given a small New Testament as part of the Pocket Testament League.

    He died on 13th May, 1917, in France. In his will he left everything to his sister Marion. Marion had married Thomas Adam in 1905, and died at the age of 79 in 1960. Their brother James died aged 75 in 1957.

    Christine McDerment




    247339

    Gnr. Mark McAnanney 12th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.31st July 1915 )

    Mart McAnanney is interred in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Ieper, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. He is alos commemorated on the Diamond War Memorial. Son of Mrs McAnanney, 185 Bishop Street, Derry. Husband of Mrs Teresa McAnanney of 7 Long Tower Street later of 31 Sloane's Terrace, Derry.

    Gunner McAnanney, who had been serving at the Front with the British Expeditionary Force for almost twelve months, took part in several engagements. At time of death two of deceased's brothers, William McAnanney and Bernard McAnanney, were serving with the colours, the former with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the latter with the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

    Mrs McAnanney received from the Front particulars of how her husband fell in the following communication, dated 2nd of August 1915.

    No. 14212 Gunner Mark McAnanney, No. 12 (Siege) Battery Y, R.G.A.,

    Madam, It is with the deepest regret I write to inform you of the above-named having been killed in action on the morning of 31st of July 1915. He was killed at his telephone, and his death was instantaneous. I personally very much regret his decease, as he was always such a cheerful, willing worker, and a great favourite with both officers and men. He was always full of pluck and ready for any work. He was killed in the middle of a battle, and so died a true soldier's death, another good man to have his name placed for ever on our great roll of honour of heroes who have given life itself for the great cause of honour, home, and freedom. He was buried beside other comrades in the ______________ Soldiers' Cemetery, near _______________ (in Flanders) by the Roman Catholic chaplain, and a wooden soldier's cross, with the date and his name, erected over the grave. To you I wish to extend, on behalf of myself, my officers, non-commissioned officers and men, our sincerest sympathy in your great bereavement, and I only trust that this sympathy and the knowledge that he was liked in the battery by officers and men, and that he did his duty and died like a true soldier in the midst of a battle may in future years be a source of comfort to you.

    Yours sincerely, F.P. Hutchinson.

    Martin McAnaney




    247337

    2nd Lt. Henry Smith 9th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.19th October 1918)

    Harry Smith served with the 13th and then 9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.





    247320

    Condr. Jacobus Johannes Phillippus Meyer (d.28th August 1916)

    Jacobus Meyer was the Son of Renier Stefanus Meyer and Johanna Magdalena Meyer, husband of the late Cornelia Jacoba Meyer. He was aged 51 and is buried in the Palmietkull Farm Burial Ground, Dervon, Gauteng, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    247316

    Pte. Robert Imrie 8th Btn. Black Watch (d.3rd Oct 1915)

    Robert Imrie was my great grandad, born 1866. He lived in Markinch which is where I lived as a boy, as did many of his relatives and children. He was injured during Battle of Loos, I believe on 25th of September 1915, and died of his wounds on 3 Oct 1915. He is buried in Choques Military Cemetery.

    David Wilson




    247314

    Rflmn. F. Marchant 7th Battalion Rifle Brigade

    F. Marchant served with the 7th Battalion Rifle Brigade. I found papers and medals relating to him amongst papers kept by my mother. They were with her father's medals and I have no idea why she had them. My Grandfather was in the West Yorkshire Regiment and as far as I know, was not a prisoner of war. I added F Marchant as he should not be forgotten.

    Jackie Upton




    247313

    Pte. Leonard Watson 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Leonard Watson was aged 21 when he was killed. He came from a family of five, four brothers and one sister. Leonard was married in Jan 1916, his daughter was born in September 16. Leonard died in trenches on the Transloy Ridges.

    Trevor Kitchen




    247310

    Pte. George "Jack" Glover 7th Battalion East Kent Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Jack Glover survived that horrific war and went on to become a regular soldier in 1919 and was demobbed on the 14th of October 1924. He served in Ireland between 1919 and 1922, in Constaninople 23rd April 1922 to 29th September 1923 where on 10th June 1923 he was relieved of his Lance Corporal stripe for being drunk!! He was at Gibralter 30th September 1923 to 29th September 1924 where on 11th August 1924 he was drunk in the Barracks and spent 8 days confined to Barracks and fined 10/-.

    He was gassed during WWI and suffered with bronchitus and pneumonia up to his death in 1972. He refused to say much about his war years although I did get a few snippets. During WWII he served as a Special Constable.

    Chris Glover




    247308

    Pte. Sherman Young 2nd Battalion

    Sherman Young was wounded and captured at St. Julien on 24th of April 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres. He spent 10 weeks at Giessen in hospital, and was repatriated to England in October 1915. His hand crippled, he returned to Canada and served as an instructor.

    Scott Young




    247306

    Sgt. Michael Joseph McPartlin D Coy, 1/5th Btn. London Regiment

    My uncle, Joe McPartlin, joined the Post Office Rifles, 1/8th London Regiment in August 1915 when he was 18. He arrived in France as a Sargent on 26th of June 1916 and then was transferred after the Somme, on 11th of July 1916 to 1/5th London Regiment.

    He was wounded, gassed and captured on 28th of March 1918 at Bird Post, just south of Oppy on the Gavrelle Rd, during the German Spring Offensive. He survived incarceration and wounds at Friedrichsfeld POW camp, However, weakened by his injuries, he died of TB in Edinburgh in May 1923.

    Sean McPartlin




    247303

    L/Cpl. Daniel Joseph Moore Newfoundland Regiment

    Daniel Joseph Moore of the Newfoundland Regiment, was captured in April 1917 and according to his record was at Limburg and then at Parchim. There is some correspondence sent in his own handwriting to his battalion in London asking for food and clothing. He was first reported missing, but the Geneva Red Cross got word to London confirming he was a POW. The London Office shows records of 4 parcels sent to him over a 6 week period with a message they hope he receives them. There are records of what was sent, pants, vests, shoes, hats, gloves, towels, soap and food. He never did receive any of this.

    I am his granddaughter and can vividly remember that he would only have a drink at Christmas, black rum, then he would talk of the war. He would tell of how he was worked and starved to death, of seeing his buddies drop due to the terrible conditions and were just left to die. Tears would come to his eyes. He did survive the war serving 4yrs. and 131 days before he came home to Canada.

    He would always celebrate Remembrance Day and two of his 3 sons served in WW2. They also came home. Any reference made to German's in WW1 would release a flurry of cursing and swearing, which was not appreciated by my mother(his only daughter) in the presence of women or children, me being one of them. He held a lot in about the war but when he would talk, it was with such emotion that he would actually shake.

    He worked as a steelworker until his retirement and had 4 children, 3 boys, 1 girl. He loved the outdoors and especially fishing and hunting. He was also a car enthusiast and I can remember him polishing the chrome on his vehicles. He was one of the lucky ones, he got to come home.

    Shelley Martell




    247301

    Pte. John Kendall Rifle Brigade

    My grandfather, John Kendall, was captured at the Battle of Loos in September 1915, during his first action I believe. He was certainly sent to Munster II, aged 19, initially and I am not aware he was sent anywhere else. During his time he worked down a coal mine.

    He managed to escape from the camp with a companion, surviving on field turnips for food. Eventually they were captured by a policeman and dog, returned to camp and beaten. He told me the two of them were forced to stand outside in the bitter cold with their arms out and hands outstretched. When they clenched their fists for warmth, they received a rifle butt across the hands. I have often wondered how he would have got far, a Brummie in Germany, miles from home with no German language and no resources.

    To my knowledge he spent the rest of the war at Munster II. An irony for me is that I believe the Munster II camp was situated at a racecourse and he loved betting on the horses and watching racing on the TV.

    Harry Kendall




    247300

    Pte. Charles Barber 2/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.4th April 1917)

    Charles Barber lost his life on the 4th of April 1917 in an attack by the 2/5th Sherwoods on the village of Le Verguier at 0700. The plan was to advance then to take Grand Priel Wood. A Letter was recieved from his company commander to say Barber was one of his best and most conscientious soldiers whose loss cannot easily be replaced. He is remembered at Vadecourt British Military Cemetery, in France.





    247294

    Spr. John Spiking 37 Army Troop Royal Engineers

    <p>John is front left

    John Spiking enlisted on the 17th of February 1915, at Finsbury Barracks, London, he was posted to 139th Army Troop, Royal Engineers. On the 24th of Mar 1915 he was posted from 139th Army Troop to 37 Army Troop John embarked for France on the 9th of August 1915. On the 29th of December 1916, he received a 4 day Field Punishment for Disobedience of orders. John left Kalamaria (Salonika, Greece) on the 1st of Mar 1919 and was discharged from the army on the 27th of Apr 1919, due to Malaria and Bronchitis.

    John Henstock




    247293

    Pte. Arthur Edward Light 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.15th April 1918)

    As part of WWI centenary commemoration I have been given project to find out about two local soldiers.

    Arthur Light was born in Edinburgh, the son of Mrs Emily Light of 24 Potters Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire. He has no grave and his name is on one of the panels at Tyne Cot Memorial. Arthur was 20 when he died.

    Susan Angel




    247292

    Pte. James Goss 24th (Pembroke and Glamorgan Yeomanry) Btn. Welch Regiment (d.1st December 1917)

    James Goss was a Royal Navy Seaman, who left the Royal Navy after marring his sweetheart, Jessie Gillard on 4th November 1911. They lived at the Malt House in Pen Y Fai and had two boys. He worked as a collier at Coytrahen Colliery, Tondu, prior to joining the Glamorgan Yeomanry.

    In 1916, the Pembroke Yeomanry and the Glamorgan Yeomanry embarked for foreign service for the first time in their history. They spent the next 12 months in Egypt, taking part in the historic offensive into Palestine, leading to the liberation of the Holy City of Jerusalem.

    James Goss was killed, along with 14 other men from his Regiment, on 1st December 1917, just 8 days before the Ottoman surrendered and Jerusalem was liberated. The are all buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery.

    R. Ward




    247266

    Pte. William Wanless 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    William Wanless was the illiterate son of a very poor family. His father was dead and along with his mother, sister and brother, he worked as a rag and bone gatherer. In his last letter from the front he asked for cigarettes for the men in his platoon. A friend 10966 Pte E W Andrew wrote to let his family know of his death in action. The news 'deprived his mother of speech'.





    247263

    Pte. Albert Niddrie 17th Battalion

    Albert Niddrie was captured at Lagnicourt on the 15th of April, 1917 and was held in Wahn and then Parchim Camps in Germany. Returned home in 1919 as an invalid but continued to be employed in clerical jobs. He got married in 1921 to Elizabeth Rose Truman and they had two daughters Elaine and Rita.

    Mary Morrissey




    247262

    Pte. Frederick Charles Simons 9th Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.2nd Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Frederick Simons served with the 9th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

    Paul Simons




    247260

    Spr. George Holmes 2/1st (Cheshire) Field Company (d.31st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    George Holmes was shot through the head and died of his injuries on the 31st of August 1915. He left behind his wife Winifred and three sons, Harry(9yrs), Arthur (4yrs) and Frank (3yrs). George was my 1st cousin 2 x removed.

    Shows the Holmes members who fell in WWi

    Andy Holmes




    247255

    Pte. Frank William Turberfield 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.20th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Turberfield is thought to have been killed during the Battle of Courtrai only three weeks before the Armistice. He was buried in the Stasegem Communal Cemetery in Belgium which would have been close to the place of his death.

    There are only 23 British graves in the Stasegem cemetery, five are graves of members of the Worcestershire Regiment who died on the same day. (20th October 1918). All were aged 19 or 20. The grave which stands apart from the others is that of Lieutenant David McGregor VC of the Royal Scots. He was killed on 22nd of October 1918, aged 23.

    The community cemetery in Stasegem

    Alasdair Carnegie




    247250

    Ernest Farrar South Irish Horse

    I purchased an old & used book in the small town of Picton which is in the southeast of the Province of Ontario in Canada about a year ago now. In it, I found a postcard. The picture on the card is clearly French. A young woman looks toward a group of French soldiers marching off to war. The inscription at the bottom left of the card reads: On vous attend and then below that Venez vite. The address on the card reads, Mrs Farrar, 98 Elford Tce, Donone or Donove Ave, S. C. Road, Dublin Ireland. The Post Office stamp reads: DE 22 14. So, 22nd Dec 1914.

    In a hand other than Farrar's there is the annotation: On Active Service G. Jameson. Farrar's note reads, "Sorry I could not get a minute to see you before I left but we were taken by surprise & had to leave in a woeful hurry. We expected to leave here for the fight in a few days. Remember me to Iva?, Geo, Uncle Bill & Freddie." The note is signed Ernest. The address in France reads, No 1204, S. I. H. Cavalry Details, No. 6 Base, Rouen, France. The card is in remarkably good condition given its age.

    I collect militaria but if this is of interest to Ernest's family, I'd be happy to forward it.

    James S. Finan




    247248

    L/Cpl Ronald Eacott 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (d.1st October 1917)

    Ronald Eacott died at the Battle of Polygon Wood along with his CO, Lt Col Philip Bent VC.

    Arthur Thrrelfall Searson




    247240

    Pte. Frank Harold Lovelock 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.18th July 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Lovelock was born in 1897 in Hanwell, Middlesex, he was my great uncle through my mother's side of the family. I recently found a locket amongst my mother's possessions. I suspect it came from Frank's mother and was subsequently handed down to my mother, from her mother. Frank was only 19 when he died in the Great War. I have no memories or stories passed to me other than this locket which we will continue to pass down to our own children and grandchildren as a memorial to a young life so tragically lost during that horrible war.

    Front and back of the locket

    James Martin




    247234

    Pte. Mactaggart Mackirdy 8th/10th Btn. C Coy Gordon Highlanders

    <p>Mactaggart Mackirdy

    MacTaggart Mackirdy is known to have been held in Parchim during WWI. I have letters from Taggart to his mother dated 1st of August 1918 and 31st of October 1918. The address he gives for letters and parcels is, Pte. Taggart Mackirdy No.3058 C Coy, 8/10th Gordon Highlanders, Stammlager Parchim.

    Anne Mackirdy




    247233

    L/Cpl. Ernest McGlasson 15th Btn. Royal Scots (d.3rd Dec 1918)

    Ernest McGlasson of the 15th Royal Scots died of wounds received, aged 40. He is buried in Manchester Southern Cemetery.

    Graham Snyder




    247232

    Pte. Harry Johnson 2nd Battalion Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Harry Johnson enlisted in Dewsbury on the 7th of September 1914 aged 19years and 70 days, as a Private in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. On the 16th of September he transferred to a Short-Service with the Royal Marine Light Infantry and was posted to the Plymouth Battalion. He went overseas with the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force on the 16th of February 1915. On the 25th of October 1915 he was suffering from Diarrhoea and left his battalion. Having recovered he joined 8th Entrenching Battalion on the 13th of September 1916, he joined 2nd Royal Marine Battalion on the 18th of December 1917.
    Jeff Baker




    247230

    Sgt. Edward Henry Tritton 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    <p>

    Diaries of Maria Charlotte Tritton (mother of Edward Tritton, known as Teddy).

    Background: these are a wonderful vernacular social history from a small village community in Kent. They start in August 1914, and actually continue until her death in 1948. They also give similar detail of Teddy's brother who enlisted shortly before Teddy and spent his war in Turkey, Mesopotamia and India. In abridging these diaries I have just followed Teddy's career removing a great deal about his brother and day to day events except where this adds to the mood and the way the war was affecting small communities like Brabourne. His army career spans the duration of the war and his rank changes, finishing as Sergeant. Also whilst starting with 2nd/5th Battalion East Kent Buffs, Southern Army School of Instruction, he ended up in 7th Battalion Buffs, British Expeditionary Force. Until 1918 he had remained in UK as a physical training instructor.

    The most interesting section of the diaries relates to the big Spring Offensive in March 1918. From my researches I believe his battalion was positioned close to Venteuil in France which saw some of the heaviest fighting. The account recorded in the entries for March 1918 (particularly letter entry 1st April 1918) detail his wounding albeit in rather scant detail. Like many involved in this war he was severely traumatised by these events and never spoke about them. However, a year or so before he died my mother had a conversation with him regarding events which added a little more to the story and its outcome. It seems with the German advance after very heavy bombardment for 5 or 6 hours overnight, at dawn in thick fog the Germans advanced and overran their positions but continued advancing leaving the Buffs to hold out in various redoubts for the rest of that day. 25, including Teddy, were captured and imprisoned in bunkers along the German positions. They overheard that the Germans planned to throw grenades into the bunkers to avoid the problem of prisoners. When an opportunity presented they managed to overcome the guards, cutting their throats, and escaped. They fell back to the 7th Queen's Regiment that was behind them and fought with them for a day and a half. However, Teddy took a wound to the head and was rendered semi-conscious. The story is a bit hazy here. It seems they remained in a trench waiting for relief but with the German advance they found him lying apparently in a graveyard covered in blood. He feigned death and his wounds were such that he was left for dead. He was found by local French and was helped to a dressing station and the diaries pick up his subsequent travails through various hospitals, including the Royal Herbert in Woolwich.

    Abridged diary entries:

    • 26th August 1914 - 11th November 1918. On a news cutting at front of first diary entitled 5 Questions to men who have not enlisted is written "Teddy only 16 years and 4 months when he enlisted"
    • 12th November 1914 "Teddy enlisted at 5.30pm. Came home, went to shop next day till 9.30 then into Ashford to get on or two things, then home to dinner and caught the 2pm train to Ashford. Never came home the weekend, came home for 3 hours the next Thursday, had got his clothes so him and Jack M had to go to Ascot, the rest went as soon as they got their clothes. Teddy was billetted at Sunninghill Park."
    • 30th March 1915: "Sent letter to Teddy. Len came in for a little while. News in paper, 2 of our battleships sunk in the Dardanelles, one French and two British the Bouvet the French and the Irresistible and Ocean. Crews of the British saved, the crew of the Bouvet all lost."
    • 13th April 1915: "Letter from Teddy and a photo of himself and two chums taken together. Arthur and Ted Thornby in hospital with German measles but some distance from Teddy."
    • Friday 23rd April 1915: "Letter from teddy. He signed on for the Foreign Service but was not taken as those that were examined by the Dr when Ted and some more were on guard were taken as there was not enough without having to examine any more, but Teddy and the rest that were going have all got an Imperial Service Medal because they volunteered. Teddy very much put out because he is not going."
    • Thursday 27th May 1915: "Jack Stride killed."
    • Friday 28th May 1915: "Fine day. C. George dead spotted fever."
    • Saturday 5th June: "Letter and washing from Teddy. I saw in paper Mrs Smiths son over at Bilsington died of enteric fever at Kamptee. Taking the names of men under 40years of age."
    • Friday 11th June 1915: "Card from Teddy, been made full corporal and Gym instructor. I went down to Mrs Collins. Wrote a few lines to Teddy so did George."
    • Friday 30th July 1915: "Letter from Teddy, not got his parcel yet. Stan Marsh dead, shot through head."
    • Friday 6th August 1915: "Stan Marsh dead. I have sent Ted a medical certificate to see if he will get Dr to sign it so as to get his sick pay."
    • Saturday 7th August 1915: "Had a letter from Teddy, he is at Maidstone, so never had letters. Going to be on inspection by Lord Kitchener today and going on to Sevenoaks, Sunday, 18 or 20 mile march."
    • Tuesday 10th August 1915:- "Letter from Teddy, he is at Sevenoaks, marched from Trent Lodge, Robin Hood to Maidstone, 7 miles, on Friday, on Saturday 19 miles to see Lord Kitchener. On Sunday marched from Maidstone to Sevenoaks, 18 miles. One of the 4th and one of the NW Kents died on the march. Sent Teddy's washing and a letter. Teddy at Orderly room Sevenoaks."
    • Thursday 14th October 1915: "Wrote to Teddy and have just heard there are 14 poor soldiers and 8 horses killed at Otterpool Camp with the bombs all the windows in Mrs Chain house broke and Westenhanger station glass all broke. Kate and Queen went over to the camp to see."
    • Thursday 13th January 1916: "Letter from Teddy. A lot going on Foreign service wrote to Teddy telling him not to put his age up."
    • Thursday 17th February: "Letter from Teddy. Dreadful bad news today at noon, poor Chris (Teddy's brother in Middle East) wounded, on notice from War Office. Stayed up with mother, went to church with Laura." Saturday 19th February 1916: "Teddy here. A card from the hospital where poor Chris is and a letter from him. Dear old Chris was shot in the right cheek, the bullet coming out under the ear, entered his neck and came out in his back. So glad Teddy was at home when letter came. He went round to all and down to let Miss Simons know."
    • Tuesday 22nd February 1916: "Mother died about 4. I stayed there the night, snowing hard."
    • Saturday 26th February 1916: "Mother buried. Teddy went back. Alice to station with Rose."
    • Thursday 24th February 1916:- "Ground still covered with snow, has not snowed much today. Letter and field post card from Chris. His wound's going on very well, talks of soon going back to the fighting line. I bullet that got him, a soft lead one about twice the size of an ordinary rifle bullet. After it had gone through his cheek and out under his ear, in his neck and out of his back it went in his canteen and a tin jam that was inside it and that's where he found the bullet in what was left of them. Most wonderful he was not killed. Susie brought down a note from Len to say he was sorry about Chris. Poor old Chris his back and cheek are healing alright, but his neck is not doing very well as he said in George's letter, has had to have it lanced twice. Dad and Mary also had a letter each this morning, he had also heard from Len. Chris has lost another mate and has got 4 photos belonging to him, his sister, mother, brother and his girl."
    • Sunday 19th March 1916: "Nice post card from Teddy. The Mistle thrush has her nest in the garden again this year in the next tree this time, makes 7 times she has built there and I wonder if it is the same bird. Len came in, the three Little Court farmers and Kate and Norman to tea. I wrote to Teddy and sent him Chris's letter and card."
    • Thursday 6th July 1916: "Guns very heavy. Posted letter to Teddy."
    • Friday 14th June 1916: "Fine haying."
    • Sunday 16th June 1916: "Teddy's birthday, somewhere on the march between Seal and Canterbury. Came on to rain about 4 o'clock."
    • Wednesday 19th July 1916: "Teddy just had a 30 miles march from Seal to 2 miles out of Canterbury. First day from Sevenoaks to Maidstone, 18 miles, slept in schools alright. Next day pouring with rain to Charing, 18 miles, slept in the open fields pouring all the time. Then started again next day and marched 20 miles and got to Canterbury. They are now at Old Park in huts. I have sent his cake and a letter today. He had my birthday card at Maidstone. Letter from Mrs Hunt."
    • Tuesday 15th August 1916: "Letter from Teddy coming this week end also card by same post to say he is made L/Sergeant. Letter to Dad from poor old Chris. I am very pleased about Teddy. Chris's letter dated July 21st."
    • Wednesday 18th October 1916:- "Letter from Teddy. 1st class shot and 5 marks over. Going back to Canterbury Friday. I sent him some apples etc.. Teddy disappointed as his gun exploded so he don't know what he might have got, its hard luck."
    • Wednesday 29th November 1916: "Alice sent Mary's boots. I wrote to her and sent Bonnet. Mary and D.P. came from shop about 8 o'clock brought news that Charly Wood was dead. He had trench foot first and was going back when he got wounded in 6 places by shrapnel."
    • Monday 18th December 1916: "Teddy went Rabbiting down at Wilson's, got home about 3. Queenie down. Rained."
    • Sunday 18th March 1917: "Fine day. Eddy and us looked for violets in garden, could not find any and we have generally had them. Hear the Zeps dropped bombs at Winchelsea and Lydd. Teddy went back by 8 o'clock bus. Goes to Brentwood tomorrow. (No 240541 Sgt Tritton E.H., 2/5 Buffs No 9 Squad, Southern Army School of Instruction)."
    • Friday 4th May 1917: "Got up this morning to find that George Thomas's ferret that dad had got here, got out in the night and had killed 10 Buffs Chickens and the hen with them and 2 more hens one with chicken and one sitting on eggs and a pigeon. Letter from teddy and he has strained the muscles of his right leg and run the bayonet in his right shin bone. Can't walk poor old Ted done it I think when they were trenching. Alice sent her photo to Marg. Letter from Mrs Gower. I wrote to Teddy."
    • Friday 25th May 1917: "Post card from Aunt Pat. Air raid, I counted 15 German Aeroplanes and the noise they made. They looked like white birds and we could hear the bombs drop. Some in Bond st and Christchurch Rd Ashford and two at Merstham and no end at Folkestone. Killed 76 and 174 injured nearly all at Folkestone, 10 in one shop and 14 injured, three of the aeroplanes were shot down at Dunkirk."
    • Wednesday 30th May 1917: "I wrote to Teddy, a letter from Chris to Teddy I sent on."
    • Thursday 21st June 1917: "Spudding till dinner time then came on to rain, could not go again till 3, so stayed till 5.30. heard that Arch Dryland is killed and that Lil Thornby's husband is wounded, don't think Mr Pestill is killed."
    • Sunday 19th August 1917: "Letter came from Teddy from Chris. Went to Barham and Jim Parsons sent it on here. So Aggie wrote a note and sent it to Teddy and Mary biked up and caught post."
    • Thursday 23rd June 1917: "Letter from Aggie. G's father died at 5am."
    • Wednesday 22nd August 1917: "Letter from Teddy, went on a course of Rifle Grenades, Monday. Finish Saturday then Sunday going to Hounslow gym for a fortnights gym course and on Sept 21st going on a course of Machine guns. I went to Sellindge. He was very bad. I wrote to Teddy.
      • It isn't the thing you do dear,
      • It's the thing you leave undone,
      • That gives you a bit of a heartache,
      • At the setting of the sun.
      • The flower you did not send dear,
      • The kind word you did not speak,
      • The letter you did not write,
      • Are your haunting ghosts tonight.
    • Wednesday 31st October 1917: "Queenie down. Jenny down, brought spudding and haying money.. I went to 6 o'clock service, wrote to Chris. Big air raid before about 11.30pm, the gun barrage was wonderful, the shells wizzed through the air at the Gothas. A lot of shrapnel fell, thought a piece fell in the garden but could not find it, it was moonlight as day."
    • Monday 12th November 1917:- "3 years today dear old Teddy joined up, and the war don't looks no more like ending than it did then. The longest three years I have ever known, and three years last August dear old Chris went. Seems that Mrs Marshall happened to tell Mrs Harris that a shell was in Weekes's orchard and there really is a set out, no one seems to have known it, just seen the Super go by and another policeman. I don't think Weekes wanted the orchard dug about but I expect it is a live shell. I went to Kate's. Letter from Teddy. At 5.30pm about 18 soldiers have come to the Paddocks. Its taken over by the military."
    • Tuesday 20th November 1917: "Sir Stanley Maud dead, one of best commanders out in Mesopotamia. Sent 6 pigs in kept small one for Mr Barton. Better morning. Laura in. Pigs weighed just over 30lb each at 18s a score, so fetched 27s each."
    • Friday 25th January 1918: "Letter from Len. Very nice day. Jack B & Lydia in, J to say goodbye as they are going from the Paddocks tomorrow to Ashford for a few days then to Rye and then to Se-- and then over I expect but whether here or there they have to go where the Government sends them. I hope those that have not joined up think and see that those who have are giving the best years of their life when they could be looking out for themselves and will come back undermined in health, that they are doing it to keep England and those that have not joined up safe and saddest of all are those that will never come back but are in a lonely grave with no one near at the last for one word or to give one word of comfort or to hear one last wish. Who thought it was for a death like that that the mothers of England were rearing her children. Three long years of war and all its horror and still it goes on."
    • Saturday 23rd February 1918:- "Letter from Teddy thrown out at Smeeth asking on envelope that whoever picked it up if they would deliver it or post it. It was posted at Aldrington so some one done it, so poor old Teddy went through Smeeth some time last Thursday night. My letter to Teddy at Crowborough returned."
    • Monday 25th February 1918: "Letter from Teddy from France, got wet through going over. A very, very rough journey, went straight in a lorry and to where he wrote from, only going to stay there a day and so as can't send any address. I went to Kate's. Mary had a letter from Nell."
    • Tuesday 26th February 1918: "Letter from Teddy with his address in France (7th Batt Buffs, B.E.F. France). I was so pleased, now I can write to him. He has been so good in writing it is jolly thoughtful of him, I expect he knows I should worry but he could not send an address till today. I have wrote and registered it, do hope he gets it."
    • Tuesday 5th March 1918: "Letter from Teddy, he had a 20 hours train ride to where he is about as far from here as he could be in France, still with the same lot."
    • Wednesday 6th March 1918: "Saw in The Daily Mail that the Germans have been having a lot of raids where we think poor old Teddy is, do hope he is safe, sent him a letter today, wrote to Chris."
    • Sunday 10th March 1918: "I wrote to Chris and Teddy to ask Teddy about the Dayfield Body Shield, price 32s 6d by post to British Isles, 1s extra to the B.E.F., France 2s 6d extra, can be seen at all London stores and military outfitters or may be had direct from Whitfield Manufacturing Co Ltd, 5 Vernon House, Sicilian avenue, Southampton Row, London WC1 (wrote for illustrated Book of Testimonials ) It is worn under tunic, protects back and front, weight 53/4lbs, size 17 + 12."
    • Thursday March 14th 1918: "Letters from Teddy he put all my letters on the day he wrote, the 9th, which was the first mail he had had. He had 10 letters and one P.C.. Its nice weather out there, when he wrote but had snow last week. He writes very cheerful has a lot of Rum about 9 and Ned Andrews says they don't have that unless something extra is on. He sent the letter he had from Chris. I am sending it to Aggie. I sent Ted a writing pad small one by return as they can't get anything up where they are, not before thay go back to rest, I wrote to Ted . Mary wrote to him and to Dora and dad posted them before post time. I sent Mr Lockyears card."
    • Sunday 17th March 1918: "Very nice day. U Ted and Queenie down after tea. I wrote to Chris and Teddy, Mary got a new silver and blue hat."
    • Monday 18th March 1918: "Chris's birthday J & I finished papering his and Ted's bedroom. Jenny just called in. Kate and Norman down. I had a letter from Teddy, dated 13th in one of the green envelopes to tell me not to worry if I don't hear from him for two or three weeks as he may be in a place where he cannot write. He may get one or two through if he's lucky. Wants me to explain to Aggie. He has also met Charly Thornby, he's a stretcher bearer in C company in that Batt. Teddy has met some chaps he knows and some that were with Nutty when he got hit. He will get our letters just the same up there so we can keep writing. I wrote to Aggie. Mary wrote Aggie, Nell Eva."
    • Monday 25th March 1918: "Dry but a very cold up hill wind. Letter from Aggie. I went to 8.30 communion Mother's Union only 12 there. Saw in todays paper where the Buff's are praised and said which adds another page of glory to their records. Lucie and Bert down, Mary better. It looks as if the Buffs are where the battle is fiercest."
    • Thursday 28th March 1918: "Field card dated 25th March from Teddy and being sent to the Base. Mary and I went to Ashford but it came on wet before we got far and worse when we got there so Mary is staying the night at Roses. They can't do Teddy's watch anywhere I tried. I wrote to Alice. Teddy had got my letter dated 13th March so as not got parcel as that and a letter was sent 14th. Spec of Smeeth to guard bridges tonight, its thought a lot of soldiers going through."
    • Monday 1st April 1918: "Post card from hospital in France from Officer in charge dated 28th. Letter also from France from Teddy to Dad all about the battle dated 30th March from Southampton and my word he has been through something. 25 of them got taken prisoners and Ted and 9 more escaped and the first regiment they got to was the 7th Queens and he fought there (after they had some food and got rigged out again) for a day and a half. Then poor boy got hit on the head, it crumpled his tin hat and got a wound in his head. When he came to himself he was smothered in blood. They had been in the trench a week and were expecting relief and instead of that the German's came, he was wounded on the 23rd and then had to get to the dressing station himself. Then had to clear out as the Germans were still advancing, sent to the base and then to England. Mary and Aggie been to Ashford, a run in the bus. Came home by 6 o'clock. Alice came up in afternoon but could not stop as her sister and a friend were home. I packed up Teddy's parcel so as Aggie can post and register at Tonbridge as he will get it quicker."
    • Thursday 4th April 1918: "A wet morning so Rose has not come. Letter from Teddy going on well, is in a room with 11 others, are able to get up out of bed and dress each other for they are mostly head and arm cases. (D3 Ward, 3rd western general hospital, Newport, Monmouth, Wales.) Ted's wound is on left side of crown of his head. Also letter from Aggie and Aunt Pat. I wrote to Teddy and enclosed dad's he wrote last night, also told Teddy about Chris."
    • Saturday 6th April 1918: "Letter from Teddy from Newport and one from France dated 27th March been delayed somewhere. He was wounded at 1.30pm on the 23rd March 1918. News came in one of the green envelopes, also letter from Aunt Alice, Madge and letter Norman been bad went up to Fred's boys gone in to Roses. Queen heard from Teddy."
    • Sunday 7th April 1918: "Letter from Teddy. Can't write much as the nurse won't let him. His wound has affected his eyes a bit. Jenny also heard."
    • Wednesday 10th April 1918: "Letter from Teddy to dad. His eyes are very queer and his head is worse than he says, I am sure of that. I sent letter by return. A wet day again. I wrote to Chris. Queenie in. I and Mary went to church. I called at Laura's. Marj sent Aggie photos."
    • Thursday 11th April 1918: "Postcard from Teddy. He is moved to another hospital. (Ward 3B Block, Aux Military Hospital, Griffithstown, Monmouth, Wales.) I wrote him a short letter and enclosed the letter Dad wrote last night. They are very clever with his eyes at this hospital. It is right up in the hills, heard that Tom Hooker is dead. Charly Thornby has written home to say Teddy is a prisoner. U Frank came. Been to Mary's father's funeral."
    • Monday 15th April 1918: "Letter and postcard from Teddy. One eye is almost better and the other still a dud but the doctor says when the nerve gets better he thinks it will come right. I heard that Ted Spice is missing. Posted Teddy's parcel and Chris's letter, a cold windy day."
    • Friday 19th April 1918: "Cold and windy, showers of snow. Letter from Teddy. Eyes getting better. A telegram sent in a Registered letter from London from Chris. He was gazeteered Good Friday, I called at Laura's. Mr Sheer died of wounds."
    • Saturday 20th April 1918: "Letter from Teddy, eyes getting on well. I wrote to teddy and enclosed note that he wrote last night and sent Telegram and a letter that came here this morning for Teddy from Chris, posted all at dinner time, wrote and told Chris and Alice. Letter from rose. 3 rabbits from Mrs Hopkins."
    • Tuesday 30th April 1918:- "Washed curtains etc, took bags for carrots to Kate's. Letter came for Teddy from a Mrs Axtell asking Ted about his son Sam as he went to France with Teddy and they have not heard from him since the battle of the 21st, so I sent it on and also wrote to Mrs Axtell, 53, Mount Pleasant Rd, London, N15."
    • Monday 13th May 1918: "Dreadful wet morning. Teddy walked in about 1pm. Marj was just making dinner so I soon got him some. He looks very thin and we think worn. After tea Teddy went to Court Farm. Then took Barney home and saw Ted and Laura."
    • Tuesday 14th May 1918: "Letter from Jim Parsons wanting to know about Teddy. He heard he was dead, then heard he was wounded. Teddy went and saw Queenie."
    • Monday 19th May 1918: "Heard there were 4 bombs dropped at Westen hanger and a lot in London Sunday night. D. Addy got a daughter. Dora P down. Teddy went to station with Aggie to catch the 7.20 train, saw Alice then Teddy went by 12 bus to Ashford. So has to go by train to Shoreham. Very hot."
    • Monday 22nd July 1918: "Letter from Teddy. (Hut 3, J company, Eastern Command Depot, Shoreham By Sea, Sussex). Had to give up Gym because of his head. Letter from Aggie and Rose. I wrote to Teddy and Aunt Alice."
    • Wednesday 31st July 1918: "Letter from Teddy, his head seems very queer. He may come home on Friday. I wrote to him, also to Aggie."
    • Saturday 3rd August 1918: "Men started at 3s 3d per week. Letter came for me that I ought to have had Thursday from Teddy. Miss Edwards came with Telegram for Ted about dinner time to tell him Aggie was coming. Dorothy came about 3.30pm. Ted went to Doctors by 5.30 bus, home by 8.40."
    • Monday 4th August 1918: "Bank Holiday, a wet day. Teddy and Aggie gone by 5.30 bus to pictures. Mary gone with Dorothy part of way to station, then to Woman's Club and Miss Hammon brought B. Ted and Aggie came back by 8.40 bus. Air raid on after they got home. Marjorie home a little first."
    • Tuesday 5th August 1918: "Aggie went by 7.20 train. Nice morning, but cold. Teddy got back from station about 9, then packed his own things up. Went to station on Mary's bike. He had just started when Mr & Mrs Frank Philpot biked along and she asked which of the boys it was and asked if he was going up the line. It seems dreadful here now Ted has gone again. I wish he could have stayed longer as he is very far from being well. Jenny down."
    • Tuesday 20th August 1918: "Letter from Teddy, been written since last Thursday. Teddy walked in with Marj tonight. Has heard nothing about Harold. Got to go to Crowborough (A2 Hut C Company, 4th (K) Buffs, Crowborough, Sussex) as thinks he is going to an O.T.C. Have marked him B2, but he is far from well."
    • Sunday 11th September 1918: "Fine day but cold. Letter from Teddy, they would not grant him leave as they are on the move. Sgt M Hardyman gone on his draft leave, he volunteered for France. Letter from Brother Frank. Dorothy and Gwen down in afternoon."
    • Tuesday 15th October 1918: "Letter from Teddy. I wrote to him. A dance on to night for soldiers, the first this year, for soldiers parcels. I wrote to Aggie. Went to Court Farm called at Harry's and Queenie's. Frank and Marj gone to dance."
    • Sunday 3rd November 1918: "Poured hard all day, so Alice did not come. Frank's Frank called in afternoon. Marj came in. Letter from Teddy, Aggie, Mr Bennet and Nutty. I wrote to Chris and Teddy. Just heard That Mr Rogerson is dead."
    • Saturday 9th November 1918: "Letter from Teddy. Bill Ward is dead. Sid Thornby home. Letter from Nutty. I wrote to Teddy, Marj posted it with Frank at dinner time. Teddy says Major Ben Buss has died from wounds received in battle that Chris was in, had an eye shot out and is going to be buried at Horsmonden that day Wed 6th November. Kate Bean married today at Ashford."
    • Monday 11th November 1918: "Rather damp. Postcard from Nutty, went to Tonbridge Sunday. News came through that it's peace at last. I went to Kate's."

    Corporal

    Assembled 2/5 9th squad The Buffs

    Gymnastic training unit

    Digging trenches

    Nick Vaughan




    247226

    Pte. Walter Brady 1/4th Battalion, A Company East Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1915)

    <p>

    News has been received by Mrs Brady, of 2 Cheapside Groves, Hull confirming the report that her son, Private Walter Brady, was killed in action near St, Julien on 3rd of May. The deceased, prior to enlistment. worked at Messrs. Sanderson's paint works, where he was highly respected. Captain Harold Jackson of A Company 4th East Yorks says, in a letter to Mr Brady, says He died like the gallant soldier he was . . . . We all sympathise with you deeply in your sad loss, and trust the fact that he died fighting hard for his country and for the protection of you all at home may mitigate your sorrow to some extent. If If we could only make the people, at home realise, the misery caused by the German invasion of this poor country, they would appreciate much more the sacrifice that men like your brother has made in order to beat the Germans here and keep them out of our land. Harold B. Jackson, Captain.

    Rosanne Clough




    247224

    Pte. M. A. Rossouw (d.28th October 1914)

    Private Rossouw is buried in the Paarl South Dutch Reformed Churchyard, Western Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    247223

    Pte. B. J. De Villiers (d.9th October 1918)

    Private De Villiers was the Son of Mr. J. J. and Mrs. J. E. De Villiers.

    He was 25 and is buried in the Paarl South Dutch Reformed Churchyard, Western Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247222

    Burgher H. H. Hitchcock Geysers Commando Mounted Commandos (d.8th November 1914)

    Burgher Hitchcock is buried in the Olievenbosch Farm Cemetery, Limpopo, South Africa

    S flynn




    247221

    Rflmn. George Edgar Nicholson 5th Regt. (d.24th April 1918)

    Rifleman Nicholson was the Son of Samuel Nicholson, of Hatfield, Herts.

    He was 39 and is buried in the Obobogorop Cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    247218

    Pte. Hugh Jones Notts and Derby Regiment (d.3rd October 1918)

    Hugh Jones died as a German Prisoner of War. He is buried at Berlin South Western Cemetery.





    247213

    Pte. Edward Petrus Johannes Visser Springbok Commando Mounted Commandos (d.23rd January 1915)

    Private Visser was the Husband of E. L. Esterhuizen (formerly Visser), of 1, De Zama St., Brooklyn, Maitland, Cape Province.

    He was 28 and is buried in the Nousmond Farm Cemetery, Pofadder, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247212

    Rflmn. Paulus Jacabus Johannes Swart 5th Reg (d.21st January 1919)

    Rifleman Swart was 23 and is buried in the Niekerkshoop Cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    247210

    Dvr. A. Sikiti (d.17th October 1917)

    Driver Sikiti is buried in the Ndabakazi Kraal Cemetery, Butterworth, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    247209

    Sgt. Colin McKenzie "Gardner" Shaw 4th Reg. (d.3rd September 1917)

    Colin Shaw was the Son of Thomas and Mildred Shaw, husband of J. G. Shaw, of Mount Frere, Cape Province. He was 37 and is buried in the Mount Frere Cemetery, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    247207

    Pte. P. A.A. Rossouw Springbok Commando Mounted Commandos (d.23rd January 1915)

    Private Rossouw is buried in the Modderfontein Farm Cemetery, Garies, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    247206

    Pte. W. R. Blumrick 5th Infantry (Kaffrarian Rifles) (d.10th September 1914)

    Private Blumrick was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Blumrick, of Macleantown, East London, Cape Province. He was 18 and is buried in the Macleantown Cemetery, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    247205

    Burgher J. C. van_Jaarsveld Opperman's Commando Mounted Commandos (d.7th December 1914)

    Burgher van Jaarsveld is buried in the Loopspruit Farm Cemetery, Sybrandskraal, Mpumalanga, South Africa

    S flynn




    247204

    Burgher Jan Adam Mey Ermelo Commando Mounted Commandos (d.20th March 1915)

    Burgher Mey was the Son of Mr. J. J. and Mrs. C. J. Mey, of Lilieburn, Ermelo, Transvaal. He was 29 and is buried in the Lilieburn Farm Burial Ground, Warburton, Mpumalanga, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247203

    Cpl. H. J. Breytenbach Middelburg Commando (d.30th April 1915)

    Corporal Breytenbach is buried in the Leeuwpan Farm Cemetery, Carolina, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

    S flynn




    247200

    Co.Sgt.Mjr. Frederick Caldwell Leeper MM. 13th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th July 1916)

    Frederick Leeper was the brother of my mother-in-law, uncle of my husband, and I have inherited the family medals to pass on to my son. Frederick was studying at St Bonniface College, to take Holy Orders, and could have taken a non-combatant role but chose to stay with his men. He died in combat aged 26, and has no known grave. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial, in France. I have his medal for Bravery in the Field, and believe this should have some kind of citation or record to support it, but have been unable to find any details.

    My mother-in-law had 4 brothers, 3 of whom were killed in WWI. Her husband, my father-in-law was an Old Contemptible and saw action at Ypres.

    Maureen Dagg




    247199

    Pte. Harry Herbert Francis 12th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.25th Sept 1917)

    Harry Francis is my great uncle who was my maternal grandfather's bother. They lived in Bruton, Somerset and as far as I am aware he was killed at Polygon Wood and his name is remembered at Tyne Cot. He died at the age of 19.

    Anne Newton




    247197

    Pte. Richard Bertram Middleton 9th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.13th July 1916)

    Richard Middleton died from the effects of heat whilst serving with the 9th Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Nigel Curl




    247189

    L/Sjt. Patrick O'Keeffe 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.22nd March 1918)

    Patrick O'Keeffe enlisted at Liverpool with the 9th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers and was posted to D company. He arrived in France on the 20th of December 1915 and wrote his will on 4th of January 1916, the day before he was promoted to Lance Corporal. He was soon promoted to Corporal, on the 24th of January and to Lance Sargent on the 1st of March 1916. He was oOn Leave (to Ireland?) from the 16th to 24th of May 1916. On the 31st of May 1916 the 9th Battalion disbanded and D Company became D company, 8th Battalion. He was wounded in action at Battle of Guillemont or Guinchy (Sept 3 - 9 1916) and was killed in action on 22nd of March 1918 now serving with 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers.

    Dominic Byrne




    247183

    Pte. Christian Schalk Willem Schutte 9th Bechuanaland Mounted Rifles (d.4th April 1915)

    Private Schutte was the Son of C. S. W. Schutte and A. G. Schutte. He is buried in the Kuruman Cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    247182

    Burgher G. Wiese Britstown Commando Mounted Commandos (d.21st November 1914)

    Burgher Weise was the Son of Mrs Lester Maria Wiese. He was 19 and is buried in the Krantzkop Farm Burial Ground, Kakamas, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247181

    Cpl. John Snowden 14th (Young Citizens) Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.5th May 1917)

    John Snowden was my great uncle, he and my Grandfather Matthew Snowden both served with the 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (Young Citizen Volunteers). John was killed by a shell in the early hours of the 5th of May 1917 he was 22 years old. Matthew survived the war and returned home to Belfast to raise a family of six children (three boys and three girls) His son John named after his brother was my father.

    I have both Matthew and Johns medals and also Johns death plaque and his cigarette case which is horribly twisted.

    I had the honour to visit Johns grave in 2006 at Pond Farm Cemetery in Wulvergem, Belgium. I laid flowers and also placed soil from home on the grave and said my thanks for the sacrifice he made for his country so many years ago.

    Ken Snowden




    247178

    Private James Daniel "Jimmy" Baxter L Coy.308th Inf.Reg. 77th Division

    <p>

    My great Uncles:- William "Big Bill" Baxter and James Daniel "Jimmy" Baxter, served in the famous 308th Infantry Regiment from 1917 to about 1920. They and their unit fought their way across France to western Germany over the summer and fall of 1918.

    Jimmy was eventually taken as Prisoner of War while chasing a German unit and later returned home in 1919.

    Bill Baxter was a medic and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on two separate occasions before his injury at the end of September 1918.

    Their Aunt Ann, from the same household as theirs before The Great War, also served overseas as an Army Nurse in that same time period.

    I only uncovered their stories recently, after researching and documenting my Grandfather's all but lost paternal heritage. Early deaths and an estrangement left this history unknown to my grandfather Wally Baxter and his now large extended family of descendants.

    As it happens I'm now 41 but in 1995 I was a 19 year Army medic and healthcare professional at the US Army Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. Landstuhl is a small post consisting of a hospital, support buildings, barracks and housing in a quiet village in Germany's far west, near the French Border.

    Sean Baxter




    247177

    P/O.1st.Cl. Frederick Moore HMS Hawke (d.15th October 1914)

    Petty Officer Frederick Moore died when HMS Hawke was torpedoed and sunk by the U9 Captained by Kapitanleutnant Otto Wedigen

    David Moore




    247175

    Pte. Cecil Frank Alaway 7th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.27th December 1916)

    Cecil Alaway was born in 1893 in Hampstead, the youngest four children of Charles and Elizabeth Alaway. His father was a carpenter, later becoming a building foreman for the council. Cecil had two older brothers, Charles and Robert, and an older sister Lilian. The 1901 census shows the family living at 18 Cowper Road, Acton; the oldest brother had left home and Cecil, aged 17, was working as a hosier's assistant, possibly in a local shop.

    He served with the 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, and died on the 27 December 1916. He is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension and his headstone bears the quote from John 14:19, at his father's request, "Because I live, ye shall live also". He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London

    It is highly probable he died from his wounds whilst receiving treatment. For much of the First World War No.3 BRCS, No.5 and No.2 Stationary Hospitals were stationed at Abbeville. The communal cemetery was used for burials from November 1914 to September 1916 and the extension was begun in September 1916. Courtesy of www.stmaryacton.org.uk and www.cwgc.org

    Caroline Hunt




    247174

    Pte. Edwin Henry Hartley 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.6th November 1918)

    Edwin Hartley was born on the 17 August 1899, son of Albert Thomas and Mena Alice Hartley, in 1911 the family were living at 2 Shaa Road, Acton, London.

    He served with the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards. He died on the 6th of November 1918 aged 19, and is buried in Cross Road Cemetery, Fontaine-au-Bois, Northern France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London

    Courtesy of www.stmaryacton.org.uk and www.cwgc.org

    Caroline Hunt




    247173

    Sgt. William Taverner Golding 88th Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.21st October 1914)

    William Golding was born in Acton on the 11 April 1891, Son of Henry Miles and Sophia Golding. His father was a park keeper, he had four sisters and a brother and studied at Priory Boys School.

    He initially enlisted in London and served with the 69th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, in Rajputana, India prior to the start of the War. He was later promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the 88th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, service no. 48216. He was killed in action on the 21st October 1914 aged 23 years during the first Battle of Ypres and is buried in Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension, near Armentieres, Northern France. He is remembered on both the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London and The War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Slough. He is also inscribed on his parents headstone, St Mary's Churchyard, Slough.

    Courtesy of www.stmaryacton.org.uk, buckinghamshireremembers.org.uk and www.cwgc.org

    Caroline Hunt




    247170

    Phyllis Morland

    Miss Phyllis Morland worked in the King George Hospital, Stamford Street, Waterloo, London, from August 1917 to at least February 1918 and possibly to the end of the war. Her occupation was probably that of orderly. Miss Morland was the younger daughter of General Sir Thomas Morland, GOC X Corps and then XIII Corps during the Great War.

    Bill Thompson (editor Morland - Great War Corps Commander)




    247167

    Colour Sgt. Frederick Henry Weaving Military Police Corps (d.20th June 1918)

    Frederick Weaving was born in Hammersmith in 1891, son of Thomas and Henrietta Weaving. The 1911 Census shows him living with his parents and siblings at 2 Apsley Terrace in Horn Lane, Acton, London. For a while he was employed by Acton Council in the Education Department as a clerk.

    It is believed he initially enlisted with the British Army at Chiswick in November 1913 or January 1914 (possibly with the East Kent Regiment). He was Acting Warrant Officer with the 10th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. In late 1917 he was serving in the Middle East as Colour Sergeant, Military Foot Police, Military Police Corps, with the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force. At this time he contracted Malaria and in early June 1918 he was admitted to 31 BSH at Baghdad where further symptoms of Typhus appeared. On the 20th June 1918 he was transferred to the Isolation Hospital at Baghdad and died four hours later from Typhus. He is buried in the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery in Iraq and is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Courtesy of www.stmaryacton.org.uk

    Caroline Hunt




    247166

    Pte. Arthur Lewis Tate 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.9th October 1917)

    Private Arthur Lewis Tate was born in Holborn in 1893. His family moved to 19 Gloucester Road, Acton and he was educated at St Mary's School.

    He enlisted in Hounslow with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, service no. L/15226. At the beginning of the war he was serving in India, then served in France and the Dardanelles where he caught malaria. He was then moved to the Western Front and died on the 9th of October 1917, aged 24 during the third Battle of Ypres. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Information courtesy of www.stmaryacton.org.uk

    Caroline Hunt




    247165

    Pte. Ernest Alfred Gilbert 28th (Artists Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.25th April 1917)

    Ernest Gilbert was born in Kensington in 1886, second of three sons to Richard and Susan Gilbert. The 1891 census shows that the family had moved to 13 Sugden Road, Battersea, Richard (11), Ernest (4) and Montague (1). By 1911 the family had moved to 57 Creffield Road, Acton; and Ernest (24) was working as a shipbroker's clerk. Ernest married Dorothy Herapeth on the 19 July 1913 but the marriage was anulled on the 11 January 1915.

    Ernest enlisted on the 29th of November 1915 with the 28th (Artists Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, embarking for France from Southampton on the 21st of April 1916 and arriving in Rouen the next day. He died on the 25th April 1917 aged 30 years. There is a page in his Army record which simply says, "Killed in the field (whilst undergoing Course of Instruction)". He is buried in the Chester Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

    His records also show that his personal effects returned to his next of kin were: Letters, Photos, Pocket Case, Religious Medallion, Wrist Watch, Metal Watch, Gold Ring, Cap Badge, Torch, Pipe in Case, Fountain Pen and Metal Mirror. Sadly his father passed away in 1920 and his mother in 1921, so his medals were issued to his brother Montague in 1923.

    Caroline Hunt




    247163

    Sgt. Harold Victor Wageman 1/8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.10th April 1917)

    Harold Wageman was born in Acton on the 14 November 1896, youngest child and only son of Thomas and Caroline Wageman. His father was an accountant and bank inspector. By 1911 the family had moved to 48 Chatsworth Gardens, Acton. After leaving school he started working in a bank and his army records show that when he enlisted he was employed as a bank clerk at the LCM Bank, Marylebone .

    He had been a Cadet with the 10th Middlesex Regiment and on the 9th of September 1914 he enlisted at Ealing with the 8th Middlesex Regiment (Reserves). On the 1st of February 1915 he embarked with the Regiment from Southampton to Gibralter, remaining there for a few months. During this time he was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 27th of February and then to Corporal on the 31st of July. The Regiment left Gibralter on the 23rd of August travelling first to Alexandria and then on the 4th of December 1915, as part of the Western Frontier Force, travelled to Western Egypt.

    On the 4 March 1916 he was admitted to hospital in Mersa Maturah with a diffused lacerated wound on face, after treatment and a short 5 day stay in hospital he returned to his unit. On the 8th of May 1916 the Regiment embarked from Alexandria and after a week arrived in Marseilles, where they were then sent to Rouen, arriving on the 13th of June 1916. 11 days later on the 24th June he was admitted to Hospital with an inflamed stomach, after treatment and a period of respite he rejoined his unit in Etaples on the 2 September 1916. He was promoted to Sergeant on the 19th of September 1916 with the 1/8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment

    On the 10th of April 1917 he was killed in action aged 20 years, believed by shell concussion, during the Battle of Arras. He has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Northern France. He is remembered on both the War Memorial at the Territorial Army Drill Hall, Hanworth Road, Hounslow and the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247156

    Pte Hugh Armstrong 21st Lowland Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Hugh Armstrong served in WWI with the 21st Lowland Field Ambulance. After the war, he moved his wife, Isabella (McNab) and family to Ottawa, Canada where he served as a gardener to the Governor General of Canada and the Prime Minister of Canada (Mackenzie King). He was instrumental in the development of the Prime Minister's private estate in the Gatineau Hills which was gifted to Canada and is now a popular tourist site for its gardens, trails, and the historic house and cottage. He is cited many times in the diary of Prime Minister Mackenzie King for his gift of poetry and gentle counsel and friendship to the PM.

    David Armstrong




    247152

    Pte. Edgar Reginald Johnson 10th Battalion Essex Regiment

    Edgar Johnson served with the Royal Air Force and 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment

    Shelagh Tinning




    247151

    Lt. George Stafford Hilliard Tyndale 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.13th March 1915)

    George Tyndale was born in 1895 in Paddington, London, the son of Thomas and Bessie Tyndale and lived in Gunnersbury at 626a High Road, Chiswick. The 1911 census shows him as being at school in Horsham in Sussex and his parents living in Woodhurst Road, Acton, London.

    He served with the 2nd West India Regiment and was attached to the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. George was wounded during this action on the 10th of March 1915 and died of his wounds on the 13th of March 1915, aged 19 years. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France and is commemorated on All Saints War Memorial. He is also remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247150

    Pte. William James Brooker 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.3rd August 1917)

    William Brooker was born on the 28 June 1890, eldest of the five children of William George and Caroline Brooker. In 1891 the family were living in Harrison Buildings (which seems to have been in the town centre), then in 1901 at 3 East Row, The Steyne, Acton and finally in 1911 at 9 Back Street, Acton. William worked as labourer.

    He served with the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, arriving in France on the 9 July 1917. Within four weeks he was killed in action on the 3 August 1917 during the Battle of Pozieres. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247149

    Pte. Henry Watts 1st Btn. West Surrey Regiment (Queens) (d.31st October 1914)

    Henry Watts was born in 1891 and lived with his parents James and Rose Watts, four sisters and a brother, at Wrights Cottage, Acton Vale, London. His father was a labourer at a brickmakers. At some point his parents moved to Canada and were living in Richmond Street, Thorold Park, Thorold, Ontario, Canada.

    He served with the 1st Battalion, West Surrey Regiment (Queens). He was killed in action on the 31 October 1914 aged 25 years during the Battle of Ypres. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium. He is also remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247148

    Pte. G V Vainstein 23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.10th November 1915)

    Private G. V. Vainstein, at the time of his death was serving with the 23rd Battalion London Regiment. On the 4th of November 1915 the 23rd London Regiment of the 142 Brigade, 47th Division, were relieved from the front line near Loos in Northern France and moved back to the reserve trenches. From there they moved to Philosophe, Mazingarbe, France.

    On the 10th November 1915 a shell landed on one of the billets occupied by C Company, 23rd Battalion London Regiment killing seven men outright including Private Vainstein. He is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France. The personalised inscription on his headstone simply says "Mother with you".

    Caroline Hunt




    247147

    Pte. Walter Robert Martin 23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.10th November 1915)

    Walter Martin served with the 23rd Battalion London Regiment. On the 4 November 1915 the 23rd London Regiment of the 142 Brigade, 47th Division, were relieved from the front line near Loos in Northern France and moved back to the reserve trenches. From there they moved to Philosophe, Mazingarbe, France.

    On the 10th November 1915 a shell landed on one of the billets occupied by C Company, 23rd Battalion London Regiment killing seven men outright including Private Martin. He is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France.

    Caroline Hunt




    247146

    L/Cpl. W W Lincoln 23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.10th November 1915)

    Lance Corporal W. W. Lincoln. At the time of his death he was serving with the 23rd Battalion London Regiment, service no. 3786. On the 4 November 1915 the 23rd London Regiment of the 142 Brigade, 47th Division, were relieved from the front line near Loos in Northern France and moved back to the reserve trenches. From there they moved to Philosophe, Mazingarbe, France.

    On the 10th November 1915 a shell landed on one of the billets occupied by C Company, 23rd Battalion London Regiment killing seven men outright including Lance Corporal Lincoln. He is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France.

    Caroline Hunt




    247145

    Pte. Ernest Leslie Jenner A Coy. 23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.10th November 1915)

    Private Ernest Leslie Jenner, son of Frederick William and Emma Matilda Jenner, of Martins Road, Keevil, Trowbridge. At the time of his death he was serving with A Company, 23rd Battalion London Regiment. On the 4 November 1915 the 23rd London Regiment of the 142nd Brigade, 47th Division, were relieved from the front line near Loos in Northern France and moved back to the reserve trenches. From there they moved to Philosophe, Mazingarbe, France.

    On the 10th November 1915 a shell landed on one of the billets occupied by C Company, 23rd Battalion London Regiment killing seven men outright including Private Jenner, he was aged 22 years. He is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France. He is not listed on the War memorial, Keevil, Wiltshire, reason not known. The personalised inscription on his headstone says "Greater Love hath no man than this".

    Caroline Hunt




    247144

    Pte. A Harriss C Coy. 1st/23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.10th November 1915)

    Private A. Harriss, son of Arthur and Frances Harriss, of 21, Perran Road, Tulse Hill, London. At the time of his death he was serving with C Company, 1st/23rd Battalion London Regiment. On the 4th of November 1915 the 23rd London Regiment of the 142nd Brigade, 47th Division, were relieved from the front line near Loos in Northern France and moved back to the reserve trenches. From there they moved to Philosophe, Mazingarbe, France. On the 10th November a shell landed on one of the billets occupied by C Company, 23rd Battalion London Regiment killing seven men outright including Private Harriss, he was aged 27 years. He is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France. The personalised inscription on his headstone simply says "In Loving Memory".

    Caroline Hunt




    247143

    Pte. W Faulkner 23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.10th November 1915)

    Private W. Faulkner. At the time of his death was serving with the 23rd Battalion London Regiment, service no. 4364. On the 4 November 1915 the 23rd London Regiment of the 142 Brigade, 47th Division, were relieved from the front line near Loos in Northern France and moved back to the reserve trenches. From there they moved to Philosophe, Mazingarbe, France. On the 10 November 1915 a shell landed on one of the billets occupied by C Company, 23rd Battalion London Regiment killing seven men outright including Private Faulkner. He is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France. He has no personalised inscription on his headstone. This may have been the result of the initial policy of the IWGC, that the next of kin should pay for the inscriptions by the letter.

    Caroline Hunt




    247141

    L?Cpl. Sidney Jacob Blackman 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.11th April 1917)

    <p>

    Sidney Blackman joined up in September 1916. He took part in the Battle of Arras but wounded on the first day, 9th of April 1917. He was taken to a casualty clearing station where he succumbed to his wounds on 11th April. He was aged 27 years old.

    Ann Griffin




    247140

    L/Cpl. Frederick George Whatling 1st/23rd Btn. C Coy. London Regiment (d.10th November 1915)

    Frederick Whatling was born in Walthamstow in 1893, son of John Arthur and Eunice Whatling. The 1911 census shows the family living at 1 Cowper Road, Acton, London; Frederick was an entering clerk.

    He enlisted with the British Army in 1909 and at the time of his death was serving with C Company, 1st/23rd Battalion London Regiment. On the 10th November 1915 a shell landed on one of the billets occupied by C Company killing seven men outright, including Frederick, he was aged 23 years. He is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France and is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247139

    Pte. William Thomas Upton 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th April 1917)

    WilliamUpton was born in Acton in 1898, the son of William and Emily Upton. The 1911 census shows the family living at 26 Richards Cottages, Acton, London.

    He served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and was killed in action on the 24th of April 1917 aged 19 years, during the second Battle of the Scarpes, Battle of Arras. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. He is also remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247137

    Stkr1. Frederick Charles Tacon HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    Frederick Tacon was born in Lewisham in 1890, son of William and Alice Tacon. His father was an Optical Turner. The 1911 census shows that the family had moved to Valetta Road in Acton and Frederick was employed as a Brass Finisher (Electrical).

    Frederick enlisted into the Royal Navy, and was killed, along with 1025 other men, on HMS Invincible when she was sunk at the Battle of Jutland on the 31 May 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. He is also remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247136

    Cpl. Elijah Toon MM. Leicestershire Yeomanry

    My Grandfather Elijah Toon, was interned on Wuttenburg POW camp in 1914. He was awarded the MM for assisting prisoners of war with TB when all medical staff were withdrawn, he managed to escape with a fellow prisoner.

    Paul Toon




    247135

    Pte. William Joseph Gray 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.28th May 1918)

    William Gray was born in Notting Hill about 1897, youngest of the four sons of William Frederick and Sarah Gray. The 1901 census shows him living with his parents (then aged 4) and three brothers Frederick (13), Albert (11) and Richard (4). His father was a horse keeper and his mother was a laundress. The 1911 census shows that he was a coal porter, living at home with his parents (aged 15) and brothers Albert (20) and Ricahrd (19) at 9 Nelson Place, The Steyne, Acton, London.

    William served with the 2nd Battalion, London Regiment and was attached to the 86th Trench Mortar Battery. The 86th Trench Mortar Battery was formed on 21st of April 1916 and was part of the 86th Infantry Brigade (known as the Fusilier Brigade) which formed the 29th Division. He died on the 28th of May 1918, aged 22 years and is is buried in Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery at Morbecque, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    His brother Frederick was the first of the Gray brothers to die serving his Country, on 28 April 1915. His other brother Richard died on 23 April 1918 less than a month before his own death. Tragically his parents lost 3 of their 4 sons to the War, it is not known if their brother Albert saw military service.

    Caroline Hunt




    247134

    Pte. Richard Gray 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd April 1918)

    Richard Gray was born in Kensington about 1892, the third eldest of four sons of William Frederick and Sarah Gray. The 1901 census shows him living with his parents (aged 9) and three brothers Frederick (13), Albert (11) and William (4). His father was a horse keeper and his mother was a laundress. The 1911 census shows that he was a builder's labourer, living at home with his parents (aged 19) and brother Albert (20) and William (15) at 9 Nelson Place, The Steyne, Acton, London.

    Richard served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He died on the 23rd of April 1918, aged 26 years and is buried in St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens, Somme, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    It is possible that Richard died of his wounds whilst receiving treatment in hospital. Amiens was recaptured from the Germans by the French on the 13 September 1914 and then remained in Allied hands for the duration of the War. It became a Hospital base and the 42nd Stationary Hospital was based there from October 1917 to March 1919. The Commonwealth plot in St. Pierre Cemetery was first used in September 1915 and closed in October 1919, but shortly afterwards 33 graves of 1918 were brought in from positions in or near the city.

    His older brother Frederick was the first of the Gray brothers to die serving his Country, on 28 April 1915. His younger brother William died on 28 May 1918 less than a month after his own death. Tragically his parents lost 3 of their 4 sons to the War, it is not known if their brother Albert saw military service.

    Caroline Hunt




    247133

    Pte. Frederick William James Gray 2nd Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.28th April 1915)

    Frederick Gray was born in Notting Hill about 1888, eldest of the four sons of William Frederick and Sarah Gray. The 1901 census shows him living with his parents (then aged 13) and three brothers Albert (11), Richard (9) and William (4) at 9 Nelson Place, The Steyne, Acton, London. His father was a horse keeper and his mother was a laundress. The 1911 census shows that Frederick had moved away from the family home.

    Frederick served with the 2nd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. He was killed in action on the 28th of April 1915, during the 2nd Battle of Ypres his age is recorded as 30 years. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    He was the first of the Gray brothers to die serving his Country. Richard died on the 23rd of April 1918 and William died on 28rd May 1918 . Tragically his parents lost 3 of their 4 sons to the War, it is not known if their brother Albert saw military service.

    Caroline Hunt




    247132

    Pte. Walter Eustace Scott 3rd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.27th September 1915)

    Walter Scott was born in Notting Hill in 1884, the youngest of five children to Frederick and Selina Scott. His father was a cab driver and died in 1908. The 1911 census shows Walter living with his widowed mother at 110 Shakespeare Road in Acton. His employment is shown as being an electrician. He served with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He was killed in action on the 27th of September 1915, aged 31 years during the Battle of Loos. Many of the deaths among the 85th Brigade are recorded as being on the 27th September 1915 but they are more likely to have taken place on the 28th September 1915, when the attack commenced.

    Walter has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247131

    Pte. John Grant 8th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.26th September 1915)

    John Grant was born on 13th October 1896, son of Henry and Jane Emma Grant. His father was a police constable and they lived at Richards Cottages, 9 Churchfield Road, Acton. The 1911 census shows him living with his parents and siblings at 1 Albert Grove, Park Road, Acton; he was described as an errand boy.

    He served with the 8th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. He was killed in action on the 26th of September 1915 aged 19 years (probably during the Battle of Loos). He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247130

    Pte. William Thomas Gorton 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.1st December 1916)

    William Gorton born about 1880 was the son of Henry and Bessie Gorton. The 1911 census shows him living with his widowed father (his mother had died prior to 1901), his sister Edith and aunt Mary Egleton at 6 East Row The Steyne, Acton; He is a general labourer. He married Eleanor F Gorton and remained living in Acton, London.

    He served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and died on the 1st of December 1916 whilst a Prisoner of War in German Hands. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel, Hessen, Germany and is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247129

    Cpl. James Randall Thursby 8th (P.O.Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.10th August 1918)

    James Thursby was born in Acton in 1887, Son of John and Matilda Thursby of 7 Grove Place, Acton, London. The 1911 census shows him living with his family in Grove Place and he was employed as a postman.

    He served with the 8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion London Regiment, service no. 370574. He was killed on the 10th of August 1918 aged 31 years and is buried in Dive Copse British Cemetery near Sailly-le-Sec. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247128

    Rflmn. William Augustus Frank Snuggs 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.16th April 1915 )

    William Snuggs was born in Hammersmith in 1893. His father, William, was a Journeyman Butcher. By 1901 the family had moved to Winchester Street, Acton and the CWGC record shows his mother living at 43 Shakespeare Rd, Acton, London.

    He served with the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade seeing action in France. He died on the 16 April 1915 and is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery in Northern France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    It is highly probable that William died from his wounds whilst receiving treatment in the hospital. Merville was captured in early October 1914 and remained in allied hands to the 11th of April 1918. It was a railhead until May 1915, and then became a billeting and hospitalcentre. The 6th and Lahore Casualty Clearing Stations were there from the autumn of 1914 to the autumn of 1915, the 7th CCS from December 1914 to April 1917.

    Caroline Hunt




    247127

    Pte. William Dan Gibbard 17th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.13th November 1916)

    William Gibbard born in Greenwich in 1888, son of Dan and Sarah Gibbard. The 1911 census shows the family living at 9 Dartford Road, Dartford and William was described as a hairdresser. The family moved to 27 Churchfield Road, Acton shortly after then.

    He served with the the 17th (Empire) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, arriving in France on the 16 November 1915. He was killed in action on the 13th November 1916, aged 28 years during the Battle of Ancre, the final large British attack of the Battle of The Somme. He is buried in the Munich Trench British Cemetery at Beaumont-Hamel and is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247126

    Pte. Horace Richard Hawtree 1st Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.2nd August 1918)

    Horace Hawtree was born on the 23 August 1890, the youngest of seven children of Edward and Rose Hawtree of 10 Grove Road, Acton, London. By the 1911 census he had moved away from home, he was a waiter at the YMCA at 28 Princes Square in Bayswater and lived there. In May 1914 he appears to have traveled to Philadelphia from Liverpool when he was 24 years old and was described as an engineer.

    At some point he returned to the UK as he enlisted on the 15 December 1915 with 1st Battalion East Kent Regiment (The Buffs),Service No. G/12007. He described himself as a fitter living at 21 Talbot Road, Ealing. He married Amy Florence Budden on the 25 April 1917 at St James's Church, West Ealing.

    He died on the 2nd of August 1918, aged 28 years and is buried in Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, Northern France. The cemetery was opened in April 1918 during the early stages of the German offensive in Flanders, when the 2nd Canadian and 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Stations came to Esquelbecq. It was closed in September 1918. It is therefore highly probable that he died from his wounds whilst receiving treatment. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247123

    Pte. George William Harwood Talbot 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    George Talbot served with 3rd Royal Fusiliers. The London Section of the National Roll of the Great War records, He volunteered in November 1914, and during his service in France, which lasted nearly three years, took part in. several engagements, including those of the Somme, Ypres, Bapaume, Cambrai and Arras, and was twice wounded and gassed. After being in hospital iu France, he was invalided to England, and was ultimately discharged as medically unfit for further service in October 1918. He holds the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory Medals. 38, Hilmer Street, West Kensington.

    Marc Irwin




    247121

    Lt. John Cuthbert Shepherd 4th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.25th August 1918)

    John Cuthbert's Death plaque was bought in an antique shop on the Isle of Man. He is buried in the Adanac Military Cemetery Miraumont France. He belonged to the 4th Battalion and was attached to 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He died on 25th of August 1918 aged 21 years. Son of Walter and Lucy Shepherd of Burnley.

    Geoff Pogson




    247120

    Pte. George Hill 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment (d.3rd March 1917)

    George Hill lived with his family in Deptford. His family wrote letters to the War Office as they had not heard from him. On 3rd of March 1917 George was declared missing, presumed dead.





    247117

    Drvr. Jan Ruiters (d.15th July 1917)

    Driver Ruiters was the Son of Hermanus Ruiters. He was 24 and is buried in the Kleinfontein Farm Cemetery, Dordrecht, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247116

    Cpl. Louis Lipschitz South African Medical Corps (d.9th October 1918)

    Corporal Lipschitz was the Son of Schowel and Rachel Lipschitz, of Kurschamf, Kov, Russia.

    He is buried in the Kimberley Jewish Cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247115

    H. Feinhols Active Citizen Force (d.8th October 1918)

    Lieutenant Feinhols is buried in the Kimberley Jewish Cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247114

    Burgher H. B.J. Kock Vryheid Commando Mounted Commandos (d.9th December 1914)

    Burgher Kock is buried in the Kestell Road Station Burial Ground, Free State, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247113

    Pte. S. J.L. Hohls 4th Mounted Rifles (Umvoti Mounted Rifles) (d.26th November 1914)

    Private Hohls is buried in the Kestell Cemetery, Free State, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247112

    Burgher Jan Hendrick Swanepoel Britstown Commando Mounted Commandos (d.13th November 1914)

    Burgher Swanepoel was the Son of Jan Hendrik Swanepoel and Magdalena Margaretha Swanepoel of Waterkant St, Britstown. He aged was 24 and is buried in the Kantorragas Farm Cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247111

    Cpl. Edward J. Janneskowitz Heidleberg Commando Mounted Commandos, (d.2nd December 1914)

    Corporal Janneskowitz is buried in the Kameelpoort Farm Cemetery, Free State, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247110

    Pte. Jozua Johannes Jacobus Loots Britstown Commando Mounted Commandos (d.11th November 1914)

    Private Loots was 18 and is buried in the Kalkfontein Farm Burial Ground, Britstown, Northern Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247108

    Pte. William Blyth 10th Battalion Black Watch

    Bill Blyth ran away from home to join the Army in 1914 giving his age as 21 when in fact he was only 17 years old. He was born in 1897 in Manuel, Dumbartonshire, Scotland where his father was the station master.

    By August 1916 he had been with the Field Force for 11 months. He received a gunshot wound to the upper, right thigh on 3rd of August 1916 and was subsequently transferred to the Hospital ship SS Galeka. Two weeks later on 18th of August 1916 he was transferred from the hospital ship to the Ambulance Train Depot.

    He fought with the 10th Battalion, Black Watch in Mesopotamia, Palestine and Macedonia. He was gassed with mustard gas in Flanders during the Battles of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres) between July and November 1917.

    His mother died in 1911 and his father died in 1918 before he arrived home. His brother younger brother Andrew was a master mariner in the Merchant Navy and also fought in WWI.

    Bill departed London on 2nd of July 1920 on the steamship Themistocles with his 3 sisters Jane (aka Jean, a school teacher aged 34), Janet (a clerk aged 30) and Alison (aka Dulcie, a tracer aged 19) to migrate to Australia. Following a 40 day trip they arrived in Brisbane, Australia in August 1920. He never saw his homeland again. He married Freda Marjinetta Hammond in Melbourne, Australia in 1929. He built a new house in Box Hill in 1929 in time for his November marriage to Freda Marjinetta Hammond, where he resided for the remainder of his life. Bill and Freda had one daughter, Margaret Ann in 1937. Bill worked as an accountant for Email & met up regularly with (Sir)Frank Packer (& reportedly also (Sir)Ian Potter) to discuss investments and the share market. He must have experienced some heavy losses as Margaret's school fees at PLC (Presbyterian Ladies College) in Melbourne were paid by a benefactor; anecdotally reported to have been (Sir) Frank Packer. Andrew migrated to Australia with his family after WWII and settled in Melbourne.

    Bill suffered with Petit Mal (a mild form of epilepsy) and died at the age of age 64 of aplastic anaemia which doctors attributed to his exposure to mustard gas during the war. He was cremated and is buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery He was a shy, quite man.

    Diane Wood




    247105

    W.Op. William Joseph Edgerton Usher SS Ava (d.26th January 1917)

    Wireless Operator William Joseph Edgerton Usher was born in Willesden in 1895, son of William and Emma Usher. His father was, in 1901, an upholsterer but, by 1911, was a spring mattress maker. The CWGC shows his parents living at 31 Nemoure Road, Acton, London. He served with the Merchant Navy (Mercantile Marine) and was killed aged 21 years on the 26 January 1917, aboard the SS Ava. The steamship left Liverpool for Dakar and Ragoon on the 26 January 1917 with coal and general cargo, but was not seen again. She was presumed to have been sunk by a German U Boat off the coast of Ireland on the same day with the loss off all 92 crew. William has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247104

    Pte. Harry Summerscales 886th Mechanical Transport Coy. Army Service Corps (d.11th October 1917)

    Harry Summerscales died on the 11th of October 1917, aged 32 serving with the 886th Mechanical Transport Coy. Army Service Corps attached to 174th Siege Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was th son of William and Elizabeth Summerscales of Shaw Cross, Dewsbury, Yorks and husband of Rose Summerscales of 17 Savile St., Retford, Notts.

    Harry was my grandmother's brother and I recall a sad story as a youngster she told me about the last time she saw him was on home leave before he went back to Belgium where he perished in the Battle of Passchendaele. Passchendaele or 3rd Ypres was a terrible battle and was second only to the Somme in the impact it had on the civilians back home who lost fathers, brothers and sons.

    Steven




    247103

    2nd.Lt. Arthur James Stiles 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.3rd August 1916)

    Arthur Stiles was born in Acton on the 12th March 1896, son of James Burford Stiles and his wife Helen Mary. The family lived at 8 Birkbeck Road, Acton. His father was a Manager in the Coal Trade. The 1901 Census shows Arthur as having six sisters. They may have been fairly affluent as they also had a servant. In June 1914 at the age of 18 years he commenced employment with the London County & Westminster Bank, working as a clerk at the Oxford Street branch.

    Arthur enlisted with the British Army in February 1915, he served as a Lance Corporal in the Honourable Artillery Company and later in January 1916 was commissioned as Second Lieutenant with the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He was killed in action on the 3rd of August 1916 aged 20 years during the Battle of The Somme, just one week after arriving at the Western Front. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Monument, Somme, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    His commanding officer later wrote, 'he was killed while leading his platoon with the utmost gallantry, and inspired by his splendid spirit they reached their objective absolutely successful.'

    Caroline Hunt




    247100

    Pte. John Gunn 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>

    John Gunn was born in 1894 son of Murdo and Anna Gunn of 5 Knockaird, Port-of-Ness Stornoway Isle of Lewis.

    He enlisted into the 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. John went to France on the 3rd of November 1914. He was killed in action on the 9th of May 1915 aged 21 he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial. John received the 1914 Star War and Victory Medal.

    His brother Donald was also killed in action in May 1917.

    Mark Walker




    247099

    Pte. J. C. Kruger Britstown Commando Mounted Commandos, (d.5th December 1914)

    Private Kruger is buried in the Kakamas Dutch Reformed Cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa.

    S flynn




    247098

    Lt. Johannes Henoch Neethling MID Transport and Remounts (d.4th February 1915)

    Lieutenant Neethling was 24 and is buried in the Kakamas Dutch Reformed Cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa.

    S flynn




    247096

    Pte. Herbert John Ellams 3rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.30th September 1915)

    Herbert Ellams was born 10th January 1895 in Acton son of John and Eliza Amelia Ellams. The 1911 census shows him living at 23 Steyne Road, he is a greengrocers assistant. On the 7th September 1914 he commenced employment with the Great Western Railway at Old Oak Common. He married Florence White at St Mary's Church on the 16th of December 1914, his marriage certificate describes him as an engine cleaner. It appears he resigned from his employment in December 1914.

    He served with the 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, arriving in France on the 18 May, 1915. He was killed in action on the 30th September 1915 (probably during the Battle of Loos), He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247095

    A/Sgt. Ronald Gwyn Silk 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment

    Gwyn Silk joined the Royal West Kent Territorial Battalion in August 1914 just after the outbreak of war. He was 16. By 1915 he was serving with 2/5th Battalion on the home front. Promoted to Lance Corporal in June 1916.

    By October 1917 he had been sent overseas and transferred to B Coy, 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment as an A/Sgt. On 26th of October 1917 he took part in the Battalion's fateful attack just to the north of Gheluvelt in the Ypres Salient. Part of a much larger operation, the attack failed when the 7th Division on its right flank failed to take the village. The attacking Coys (B & D) of 1st Battalion took their first objectives but were then cut off by encircling counterattacks. Every man became a casualty, killed wounded, or taken prisoner. Gwyn Silk was wounded by shrapnel in the right thigh and later pulled out of a German trench by his captors.

    He spent the rest of the war in Prisoner of War Camps in Belgium and Germany, returning to the UK on 30th of December 1918.





    247094

    Pte. Edward Patrick Shortall 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th December 1915)

    Edward Shortall died at Tash Kishla Hospital, Constantinople on the 7th of December 1915





    247093

    Pte. Leonard Wilkinson 8th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Leonard Wilkinson was shot and wounded in Mesopotamia and lost his forefinger on right hand. Leading up to the time he was wounded his hand written journal states,

    • Feb 25 crossing of Tigres fall of Kut El Amara, passed old Turkish barracks, going into reserve to join 38th Brigade,
    • March 8th Darhalh river Cheshire's sent on a fleet of barges, surprised Turks at rear
    • March 9th crossing of Darhalea river. Baghdad captured, went straight past Baghdad, came in contact with Turks at Sindia.
    • April 6th left for Sanmara?
    • April 18th Turks making flanking movement and we're cut of
    • April 19th wounded
    .

    Grandad was then moved to India for the rest of the war where he served as a medical orderly. His journal is hand written in pencil which has become smudged over the last one hundred years but I will keep on working at deciphering it. Hope this is of some use to someone





    247092

    Pte. Thomas Page 8th Btn. (d.27th August 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Page enlisted aged 15, his army records state he was 19 in 1914 along with his older brother Henry. Tom died 27th August 1918 as part of 8th Middlesex's offensive during Battle of the Scarpe. He is buried at Croisilles near Arras. His brother Henry was also killed same year serving in the Life Guards.

    Eileen Davey




    247091

    Pte. Stephen Thomas Freeth 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.26th September 1916)

    Stephen Freeth was born in Southall in 1882, son of Ellen Freeth. The 1901 census shows him living with his mother and siblings at 18 Wilmot Place, Hanwell; he is a general labourer. On the 12 June 1905 he married Fanny Bridges and they had two children, Charles and Arthur. The 1911 census shows his occupation as a bricklayer's labourer and the electoral register of 1914 lists his address as 23, Steyne Road, Acton.

    He served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers arriving in France on 17th August 1915. He was killed in action on the 26 September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.

    On the 26th September an attack by the Reserve Army succeeded in defeating the German Army to take control of Thiepval but at great cost. The 18th Division were heavily involved and the 54th Brigade were tasked with capturing the western part of Thiepval and the Schwaben Redoubt on top of the ridge.

    Stephen has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial, Somme, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247090

    Pte. Albert Jupp 2nd/4th Battalion London Royal Fusiliers (d.27th October 1917)

    Albert Jupp was only 22 years old when killed in action in Belgium. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Melanie Bellamy




    247089

    2Lt. Neville Charles Sims Meares 128th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Note from Co on leaving 128th Siege battery

    My grandfather Neville Meares served as 2nd Lieut on the 128th Siege Battery. He served for 14 months, finishing 27th Jan 1919. During that time his Sergeant was Louis Ginnett, the reasonably well known artist. We have a print of a picture of the gun in action drawn by Ginnett. His commander was Captain Russell E Skinner. My grandfather survived the war and became a civil engineer.

    Picture of Siege gun

    Peter Meares




    247085

    Lt. W B Hutcheson 57 Squadron

    Lieutenant W. B. Hutcheson flew with 57 and 59 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.

    Caroline Hunt




    247084

    Rflmn. Albert Hose 10th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.9th April 1918)

    Albert Hose was a rigger from Nottingham who joined the Army in 1914. One of 13 children he was my grandmother's brother. He served in France with the Kingss Royal Rifle Corps and was wounded three times. He died of pneumonia related to his wounds at a military hospital in his home town of Nottingham on 9th of April 1918, aged 27. Two of his brothers Jack and Harry also served in the Great War and survived.

    Rob Tomlinson




    247083

    Lt. Thomas Ernest Godwin 57 Squadron (d.21st August 1917)

    Thomas Godwin born on the 10th April 1890 to James Thomas and Hannah Augusta Goodwin of 20 King Street Mews, Portman Square, London. His father was a coachman. The 1911 census shows Thomas living in 21 Brougham Road, Acton with his mother and siblings, employed as a boy clerk at the Admiralty. He enlisted in 1915 at Kamloops, British Columbia with the Royal Flying Corps and was commissioned in 1916.

    He was serving with 57 Squadron and on 21th August 1917 took off in a De Havilland DH4 (serial no. A7555) as the Observer, his Pilot was Lieutenant W. B. Hutcheson. They engaged in a fight with the enemy (believed to be Lieutenant Hanko of Jasta 28) at Hooge, Belgium when they received a direct hit. Lieutenant Hutcheson survived and was captured, Thomas was killed, aged 28 years. He is buried at Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Belgium and is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247082

    2nd.Lt. Francis Arthur Noel Brown 1/7th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.21st July 1916 )

    Francis Brown was born on the 26th December 1897 in Twickenham. Son of George Arthur and Else Brown. His father was a solicitor. The 1911 census shows that they had moved to 13 Elmwood Gardens in Acton.

    Francis initially enlisted as a Private with the 28th (1st Artists Rifles) London Regiment (Territorial Regiment), rising through the ranks and was commissioned on the 20th September 1915 as Second Lieutenant with the 1/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment (Territorial Regiment). He went to France on the 7th March 1916 and was killed on the 21st July 1916 during the fighting for the villages of Ovilliers and La Boiselle, Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London; and there is a brass plaque to him on the wall about half way down the church. This says that he was killed whilst trying to save a wounded comrade.

    Francis had been a sidesman at St Mary's Church, Acton and his father was a churchwarden here. His father died at the age of 67 on the 18 October 1917 while visiting his sisters in Southwold. The note in the parish magazine at the time says he never recovered from the death of his only son.

    Caroline Hunt




    247079

    Pte. James Herbert Rolfe 6th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.30th December 1917)

    James Rolfe was born in Acton in 1892, youngest of six children born to Henry and Alice Rolfe. The 1911 census shows him working as a newsagent. He served with the 6th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. On the 17th December 1917 HMT Aragon (troopship) carrying around 2,700 troops bound for the conflicts in Palestine, left Marseilles in convoy on course for Alexandria. On the 30 December she lay up ten miles off shore, awaiting her escort as the rest of the convoy sailed in to the Port of Alexandria. As she waited within sight of land she was torpedoed by the German Submarine and minelayer the UC-34. The destroyer HMS Attack and every available ship within reach came to her rescue as she sank within 15 minutes. Many of the men rescued and taken onto the HMS Attack had just stripped their oil drenched clothes from their bodies and laid on the deck when she too was torpedoed by the same submarine, almost blowing her in two. James, aged 25 years, was amongst the 610 of the 2,700 passengers on board the HMT Aragon who were killed. His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial in Alexandria. He is also remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247078

    Sjt. William Ernest Baldwin A Sqd. Berkshire Yeomanry (d.21st August 1915)

    William Baldwin was born in 1889 in St Pancras, London, the youngest son of Frederick Alfred and Sara Baldwin. The family moved to Acton in 1905 where his father owned one of the largest laundries in Acton, the Empire Steam Laundry on the Steyne. His father went on to become the first Mayor of Acton and died in 1924.

    William served with A Squadron, Berkshire Yeomanry and saw action in the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. He was killed in action, aged 26 years, on 21st of August 1915, the first day of the assault on Hill 70 the Battle of Scimitar Hill. It was the largest single day attack in the Gallipoli campaign with over 5000 British casualties. He is buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Turkey. He is remembered on both the Berkshire Yeomanry memorial at Windsor and the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London. He is also mentioned on the memorial to his father which is near the organ in St. Mary's Church.

    Caroline Hunt




    247077

    Gnr. James George Ayres 5th Brigade, 402nd Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd December 1917)

    Gunner James George Ayres born in Acton in 1897, the sixth of eight children of William and Elizabeth Ayres. He served with the 402nd Battery, 5th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and was probably posted to France when he was 19 in mid-1917. He died on 3rd of December 1917 aged 20 years and is buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, Somme, France. Tincourt was a casualty clearing station so it is possible he was brought there and died of his wounds. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247076

    Capt. Arthur Bracton Bagley MC. 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th October 1918)

    Arthur Bagley was born 6th of March 1891 in Rangoon, Burma. The 1901 census shows he was a boarder at Stoneygates School in Leicester. On 26th October 1910 he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant (on probation) with the 3rd Battalion The Royal Dublin Fusiliers from the Cambridge University contingent Officers Training Corps. The 1911 census shows him based at Tournay Barracks, Marlborough at Aldershot.

    On 2 October 1914 he was awarded an aviator's certificate by the Royal Aero Club following a flight in a Maurice Farman biplane at the Central School of Flying at Upavon Airfield. In 1915 he married Kathleen Georgina Nelson Fernslade-Speed.

    On 17 April 1917, having been promoted to Captain he was awarded the Military Cross, the citation reads, His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Military Cross in recognition of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field. He forced his way through uncut wire into the trench and killed two of the enemy. Later, finding his company could not get through the wire, he returned and organised bomb-throwing parties while the wire was being cut.

    He was serving with the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers attached to the 8th Battalion when he died of his wounds on 29 October 1918 aged 27 years. He is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France and is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Probate records shows that at the time of his death his widow Kathleen was living at The Paveys, Langton Green, Kent and his address was given as 7 Upper Mount Street Dublin. It is not sure why he is commemorated on the Acton War Memorial but the 1911 census shows an Ann Bagley, aged 54 and unmarried, living at 56 Maldon Road from her age she may have been his aunt.

    Caroline Hunt




    247075

    Rflm. Frank Herbert Drury 1/5th Btn. London Regiment (d.24th June 1918)

    Frank Drury, born 31st of August 1899 in Acton, son of Arthur Miles and Theresa Drury. He initially enlisted with the 15th (Prince of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment. Then transferred to the 1st/5th Battalion, London Regiment. He died of his wounds on 24th of June 1918 aged 18 years and is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247074

    AM3. Alfred William Dudman (d.31st December 1917)

    Alfred Dudman was born in Acton son of Thomas J and Ellen Dudmand. He served with Royal Flying Corps. On 17 December 1917, HMS Osmanieh ( troopship and supply ship) left Southampton transporting soldiers and medical personnel on course for Alexandria with a stopover in the southern Italian port city of Taranto. On 31 December, as the ship approached the harbour of Alexandria, she struck a mine in a minefield left a few days earlier by the German submarine SM UC-34. The ship sank within minutes, killing 209 people, including the Commander, two ship officers, 21 crew members, a Royal Navy officer, 166 other ranks and eight nurses. Alfred, aged 25 years, was amongst the casualties who drowned and is buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247073

    L/Cpl. Alfred George Warman 2nd Btn. Berkshire Regiment (d.25th September 1915)

    Alfred Warman, born in Acton in 1889, eldest son and middle child of Charles and Florence Warman. He enlisted with the British Army in 1906 and the 1911 census shows him serving with the 5th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers in Meerut in India.

    When war broke out Alfred was serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment and embarked for France in November 1914. He was killed in action on 25 September 1915 and is buried in the White City Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    His younger brother Albert Edward served in the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and was killed in action on the 16 June, 1915. Tragically his parents lost both sons to the War within 4 months of each other.

    Caroline Hunt




    247072

    Pte. Albert Edward Warman 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th June 1915)

    Albert Warman born in Acton in 1891, second son and youngest child of Charles and Florence Warman. The 1911 census shows he was a fish hawker. He served with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) service no. G/8853 and was killed in action on the 16 June 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium and the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    His older brother Alfred George served with the Princess of Wales (Royal Berkshire Regiment) and was killed in action on 25th September 1915. Tragically his parents lost both sons to the War within 4 months of each other.

    Caroline Hunt




    247071

    Skr1. Alfred Donald HMS Derwent (d.2nd May 1917)

    Alfred Donald was born 1st March 1897 in Clapton, son of Adelaide Donald of Acton. He was an engine fitter before enlisting with the Royal Navy on 7th of June 1915. On 2 May 1917 he was aboard HMS Derwent, a River class destroyer, when she struck a contact mine laid by German submarine UC-26 in the English Channel off Le Havre, France. She sank with the loss of 58 officers and men including Alfred. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial and the War Memorial, St. Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    Caroline Hunt




    247070

    2nd.Lt. Ernest Graham Humphrey 48 Squadron (d.29th March 1918)

    Ernest Humphrey was born 27th October 1896 in Northampton, son of Rev William John and Ellen Humphrey. The 1911 census shows him living with his widowed mother in Bedford and he attended Bedford Modern school, where he was a Corporal with the Officer Training Corps. In October 1914 he entered the City and Guilds (Engineering) College, South Kensington and passed the intermediate B.Sc (Engineering) Examination of London University in 1915. He was a Cadet in the Officer Training Corps whilst at College transferring to the Senior Division at Kensington. He was employed as a Temporary Clerk at the Ministry of Munitions.

    In July 1915 he obtained a commission with the 3rd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment serving in France. At his own request he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps as Second Lieutenant (Pilot) he was in action on 22nd July 1917, when he received gunshot wounds to the chest and a fractured humorous, he recuperated in the New Zealand Stationary Hospital, Hazebrouck and No. 8 General Hospital, Rouen.

    He returned to service in January 1918 and was flying Bristol F2b's with 48 (Fighter) Squadron, Royal Flying Corp, Bertangles, France. On 28 March 1918 whilst flying low and defending the road near Amiens, he received gunshot wounds and was admitted to No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Doullens but died of his wounds the following day on 29 March 1918, aged 21 years. He is buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery, Somme, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

    A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1907-14, he is commemorated on the SchoolWar Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    247069

    Spr. C A Howe 483rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.13th March 1917)

    C. A. Howe, born 1893, son of Frank and Annie Howe, served with 483rd Field Company, Royal Engineers. He was killed in action on 13th of March 1917 aged 24 years and is buried in Adanac Military Cemetery, Miramount, France.

    His younger brother Captain and Adjutant Claude Arthur Howe was reported missing and wounded at Gloucester Road, Epehy on 30 November 1917 and then assumed killed in action on that date. Tragically his parents losing both sons to the War.

    Caroline Hunt




    247068

    Capt. Claude Arthur Howe 1/5th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.30th November 1917)

    Captain and Adjutant Claude Arthur Howe served with 5th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was born 17th October 1896 in Kent, son of Frank and Annie Howe. He attended St. Albans Grammar School, Bedford Modern School and then onto Leeds University.

    He enlisted on 1st of January 1916 with the London Regiment (Artists Rifles), gazetted to Second Lieutenant in July 1916 with The 4th (Denbighshire) Battalion (Territorial) Royal Welsh Fusiliers and in October the same year was attached to 1/5th (Territorial) Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was reported missing and wounded at Gloucester Road, Epehy on 30 November 1917 and then assumed killed in action on that date. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, France.

    His commanding officer wrote "He was a very promising young officer and a great favourite of mine... and was a most popular officer."

    A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1912-13, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.

    His elder brother, Sapper C. A. Howe served with 483rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers and was killed in action on 13 March 1917. Tragically his parents losing both sons to the War. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    247067

    2nd.Lt. Cedric Stewart Howard 7th Btn. F Coy. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.28th September 1916)

    Cedric Howard, born 4th March 1894 in Staffordshire, son of Albert and Helen Alice Howard of Bedford. The 1901 census shows the family living in Bedford and in 1911 he is an Auctioneers pupil. He attended Bedford Modern School.

    He enlisted with the Bedfordshire Regiment and rose through the ranks to second Lieutenant with F Company, 7th Battalion. He was killed in action on 28 September 1916 aged 22 years during the attack on Thiepval and Schwaben Redoubt, he is buried in Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval, Somme. He is remembered on the War Memorial All Saints Church, Bedford. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1907-10, he is commemorated on the Schools War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    247066

    Pte. Paul Frederick Horton 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (d.28th September 1917)

    Paul Horton was the son of Thomas Frederick and Minna Horton of Bedford. Born in Bedford he attended Bedford Modern Scool before going onto Manchester University where he obtained a 2nd class MA, History with honours. He was Assistant Minister at Fulneck Church.

    He enlisted in March 1916 in Pudsey, Yorkshire with the 3rd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, later transferring to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots. He was killed in action on 28th of September 1917 aged 29 years at Ypres and is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. He is remembered on the War Memorial in St Peters Church, Bedford. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1896-1906, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    247058

    RQMS H. S. van_Heerden 8th Mounted Rifles (Midlandse Ruiters) (d.18th January 1915)

    Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant van Heerden was the Son of Mr. J. B. and Mrs. E. E. Van Heerden, of Kaalplaats, Cradock, Cape Province.

    He was 22 and is buried in the Kaalplaatz Farm Cemetery, Cradock District, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    247057

    Pte. J. H. Oelofse 3rd Regt. (d.11th May 1917)

    Private Oelofse is buried in the Jansenville Cemetery, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    247056

    Burgher P. J. Jacobs 1st Mounted Bde. Mounted Commandos (d.20th March 1915)

    Burgher Jacobs is buried in the Hoopstad Cemetery, Free State, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    247054

    L/Cpl. Frederick Archibold Hodgkins MM. 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.20th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    My great uncle Frederick Hodgkins MM. Hero, gone but never forgotten.

    Danny Hodgkins




    247051

    Pte. Thomas Hill 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.7 January 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Hill was my great grandfather who died of shrapnel wounds inflicted at the Battle of Mons.

    Karen Hill




    247050

    CQSM. William Jones 1st Btn. H Coy. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.24th April 1915)

    William Jones was my grandfather, who lost his life serving with H company, 1st Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He had a daughter that he never knew.

    Peter Smith




    247046

    Burgher Willem Albertus De_Meyer Ermelo Commando Mounted Commandos, (d.20th March 1915)

    Burgher de Meyer was the Husband of Mrs. A. C. Ehlers (De Meyer), of Piet Retief, Transvaal.

    He was 34 and is buried in the Holland Farm Burial Ground, Ermelo, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

    S flynn




    247045

    Pte. Norman Stanley Gowar 4th Infantry (1st Eastern Rifles) (d.16th December 1914)

    Private Gowar is buried in the Heuningspruit Cemetery, Free State, South Africa.

    S flynn




    247044

    Sgt. Albert Hollins 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Albert Hollins was the son of Thomas Hollins a coal hewer, and his wife Hannah. Albert worked as a shop assistant prior to joining Kitchener's Model Army. He was twenty two at the time of his death and is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial, and on the War Memorial at Brereton Staffordshire where he lived. I am a member of the Burntwood Family History Group. We are researching the lives of W.W.1. combatants who are on our local war memorials.

    Sheila Clarke




    247042

    Dvr. William John Sharp 114th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    William Sharp was my grandfather, he served with 114th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    John Coulthard




    247041

    Pte. John Turner Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    John Turner of the King's Own Scottish Borderers was a patient in Wallacefield Auxiliary Hospital in Croydon. He may have died in 1916.

    David Berkley




    247039

    Pte. Frank Stevens 2nd Battalion Irish Guards (d.13th April 1918)

    Frank Stevens was my Nan's dad. Frank was reported missing or killed on 13th of April 1918.

    Neil Butchers




    247035

    Pte. Charles Cranidge Yorkshire Dragoons

    <p>

    Charles Cranidge was born in 1891 in Crowle, Lincolnshire. He was living with his parents, 5 brothers and a sister in Masons Arms, perhaps in the High Street, Crowle in 1901. Father Peter was an inn keeper. In 1911 he was apprenticed carpenter to Frederick Lee of Rollestone Nottinghamshire.

    He joined the Yorkshire Dragoons on 20th of July 1915 and served as a private in France. He survived the war and died in Rollestone in 1957





    247034

    Sgt George Frederick Durmin Chisnall Royal Army Ordnance Corps

    Very little is known about Fred Chisnall. He was a Brighton Borough Police Officer prior to WW1. He left the Police and joined the AOC on 4th of May 1915 and his date of embarkation was 18th of July 1915. He was awarded the 3 medals, 1915 Star, Victory and British. He survived the war and rejoined Brighton Borough Police on 20th of January 1919 where he remained until retirement. He died in 1979.





    247032

    Pte. Alfred James Keylock 11th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.29th Sep 1919)

    My grandmother Emmeline Price was the sweetheart of Alfred Keylock. He was one of several siblings who had been orphaned in early life and raised in a home in Bristol, although he had been born in Tewkesbury. Emmeline’s father Richard Price had adopted Alfred and at the date of his enlistment he was working as a Farm Labourer at Noyadd in Rhayader. He enlisted at Knighton on 1st of July 1916 and sent to Kinmel Park near Liverpool for training. He embarked on the Franconia at Devonport for the Balkan theatre on 1st of September 1916, and joined his unit on the 13th of that month. The 11th Battalion were involved in fighting against Serb forces at Dorian just before the armistice with Bulgaria was declared at the end of September 1918. Alfred lost his battle with pneumonia and malaria at the 4th General Hospital just days before. He was buried at Lambert Road Military Cemetery in Salonika.

    Gil




    247031

    AB. Peter Lacey HMS Pheasant (d.1st March 1917)

    Peter Lacey is commemorated on Warmley War Memorial.





    247030

    Hermann Georg Rudolph Knostmann (d.10th February 1918)

    Internierter (Internee)Knostmann is buried in the Harburg Cemetery, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    247029

    Sgt. F. J.J. Scheepers Waterberg Commando (d.20th November 1914)

    Sergeant Scheepers is buried in the Grootvlei Farm Cemetery,Limpopo, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    247027

    Cpl. B. J. E. Bothma 5th Regiment (d.11th August 1917)

    Corporal Bothma was the Son of Mr. D. J. E. and Mrs. F. S. M. Bothma. He was 49 and is buried in the Greylingstad Cemetery, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

    S flynn




    247012

    Pte. Sidney Herbert Haggith 23rd Btn. C Coy London Regiment (d.8th June 1917)

    Sidney Haggith served with C Coy, 1st/23rd Btn. London Regiment in 142nd Brigade. He was killed at the Battle of Messines.

    Stephen Miller-Flynn




    247011

    Pte. Cuthbert Whalley 8th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt (d.12th May 1917)

    Cuthbert Whalley lost his life serving with the 8th Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

    You have no known grave and are commemorated on the Arras Memorial. There is a marble plaque on the baptistery wall at St Michaels Church Rampside marking your life and death.

    Tonight I came across a picture of you, the first time I have seen your face, such a strong face for your 20 years. Although you left long before I arrived I am so so very proud of you my very great uncle.

    Before the war you worked in Vickers in Barrow as a cost clerk and left at 17 to enlist. I have tried for many years, since I learnt of your life, to understand what that war was like for you but I have discovered that even after being wounded 3 times and having the chance to see out the war as a Sergeant Instructor you refused, determined to return to the trenches. You were killed 2 days later. You refused promotion to stay with your Lewis gun team. You were a brave and intrepid soldier, cheerful even in the face of danger and you faced danger many times, always among the first to volunteer. The first to reach the parapet in front of the German trenches, you were hit by shrapnel as you mounted shouting "Come on the Lions" refusing help you started back to the British lines when you came across a comrade from Millom who was badly wounded and lying exposed. You tended him and then carried him back to British lines. Unfortunately he died from his wounds.

    You fought at Flanders, the Somme, Ancre, being in at the taking of Trones Wood, Guillemont, Delville Wood and Thiepval.

    You make me cry with pride and when I say I will never forget, I won't, your valour haunts me, how I wish I could have been half as brave in my lifetime as you were in your short 20 years.

    You earned the Victory Medal

    Linda Ross-Bain




    247009

    Pte. David Lawrence 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    David Lawrence, my grandfather, served along with his work boss and close friend Mr Nickerson. I understand that Mr Nickerson was wounded and that David saved his life whilst under fire.

    Mark Benton




    247007

    Pte. Abraham Ledger 8th/10th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.19th April 1917)

    Abraham Ledger lost his life serving with the 8th/10th (Service) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. His mother, Margaret, gave a baptismal font to the village Methodist Church in memory of her son.

    Peter Collins




    247006

    Pte. Edward Roy Bean 2nd Battalion (d.5th September 1916)

    Roy Bean, was born June 22nd, 1892, in Belleville, Ontario. He grew up in Stirling, Ontario with his father John Bean. After finishing school, he worked as a farmer, until the Great War began in 1914, and he decided to enlist in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. After signing the attestation papers on September 24th, 1914, Roy joined the 2nd Battalion, Regiment no. 8066.

    The CEF 2nd Battalion loaded onto the S.S. Cassandra on September 22nd, 1914, in Quebec City, Quebec. They stopped to pick up more troops at the Gasp Basin, then departed with a fleet of approximately thirty ships as the first of the Canadian infantry that contributed to the Great War. Over 32,000 Canadian soldiers were aboard those ships. The fleet reached England on October 25th, 1914 and immediately began training for battle.

    The 2nd Battalions first battle was the Second Battle of Ypres in April of 1915, which was the first time chlorine gas was utilized in combat. They then went on to fight in the Battles of St. Julien, and Festubert. Though these battles, particularly his first, took many casualties, Bean was not among them and did not even require a stay in the hospital for injuries. However, in January of 1916 Bean contracted tonsillitis, and was confined to the hospital for a stint of time. Fortunately, he recovered well and was no worse for wear after the fact.

    Beans final battle was the Battle of Pozieres, which took place in the summer of 1916. The battle ended on the 3rd of September, and poor Roy Bean almost made it through another battle relatively unscathed.

    Unfortunately, he was wounded during the last few days of the war, and died of wounds in the hospital on September 5th, 1916. He is buried at Puchevillers British Cemetery in Somme, France. His headstone reads, in loving memory of my beloved husband killed in action, a testament from his wife Mabel Bean, who resided in Toronto. It is unclear upon reading documents when the two met, as his initial attestation papers state that he is single, but after his death his money and personal effects were sent to his wife Mabel.

    Mia Hobson




    247005

    Gnr. Cyril Tinsley 3rd Reserve Btn. Royal Field Artillery (d.11th April 1917)

    <p>

    It is known that Cyril Tinsley joined the Army in 1916 after serving for three years with Wellington Post Office in Shropshire. He was sent to two Training Camps before becoming ill and was admitted to the Military Hospital in Higham Ferrers where he died from Bronchial Pneumonia after being a patient for five days. His body was transferred with an escort, back home to Wolverhampton for burial.

    Syril Tinsley standing centre.

    Lynn Yates




    247001

    Pte. George John Andrews 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.8th November 1914)

    George Andrews served with the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. I have done a small amount of research after finding my great uncle George's service issue Bible. He was a regular and had served in South He was deployed and sadly killed at Ploegsteert (Plug Street Wood) on 8th of November 1914. I would be grateful if anyone else has information about these brave patriots who gave their life in this campaign.

    Bob Grant




    246993

    2nd Lt. Harold Edmund Butterworth 9th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Harold Butterworth served at Suez then Gallipoli. He came back to Egypt and saw action against Turks in Sinai. He went to fight at Ypres and was captured as POW. He returned in December 1918 as Major.





    246990

    Pte. Samuel Corker 1st/6th Battalion 50th (Northumbrian) Division Durham Light Infantry (d.14th April 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel was one of 6 brothers and one sister (my mother Elizabeth, who was the baby of the family). All of the boys and father worked in the coal mines in County Durham, especially the Burnhope Colliery where they lived.

    In the 1911 census when Samuel was 15 his occupation was a pony driver. This was a boy employed in driving the horses underground. They were usually 14 or 15 years of age. His brother Adam, who was 20, was a pony putter. This was someone who pushed mine waggons from the working place to a horse road or mechanical haulage road.

    The putters used to be divided into trams, headsmen, foals, and half-marrows. These were all boys or youths. Their employment consisted in pushing or dragging the coal from the workings to the passages in which horses could be employed, “the putter putts or thrusts behind”.

    On the Burnhope Colliery Roll of Honour after WW1 Samuel’s occupation was down as a putter so he had moved to the same job as his brother by the time he enlisted.

    Samuel was killed in Action at The First Battle of Arras, France, April 14th 1917 (aged 21). Arras Memorial, Faubourg D’Amiens British Cemetery, Bay 8.

    In March 1916 the British Army moved into this sector of the Western Front, which included Arras, and British burials were laid to rest here from that time.

    The cemetery was used by the British and Dominion Forces until the end of the war in November 1918. After the Armistice more graves were brought into the cemetery from outlying battlefield burials and two cemeteries nearby.

    Samuel Corker's medals

    Irene Taylor




    246989

    Pte. Charles Alfred "Charlie" Wilson 22nd Reinforcements 5th Battalion (d.19th February 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Alfred Wilson was born at Snapper Point (now Mornington), Victoria on 26th March 1892, son of Albert Edward Wilson and Anne (Absalom).

    At the age of 23, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (5th Reinforcements of the 24th Battalion) on 14th July 1915, service number 2484. However, after 5 weeks in Egypt, Charlie experienced laboured breathing and collapsed during training. He was admitted to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital in Heliopolis on 24th November 1915, where it was discovered that he was suffering from mitral heart disease (possibly as a consequence of the rheumatic fever he had contracted 3 years prior to his enlistment). As a result, he was discharged from the Army as permanently unfit for service, and returned to Australia aboard HMHS Wandilla in December 1915.

    After several months at home, Charlie re-enlisted in the AIF, hiding the fact of his former service in the Army and stating on his new application that he had been previously rejected on account of “teeth”. Knowing the somewhat precarious state of his health, he changed his civilian occupation from ‘butcher’ (as stated on his previous enlistment papers) to ‘motor driver’, and planned to transfer to the less physically-demanding Motor Transports Company of the AIF in which his brother Bert was already serving as an ambulance driver. Despite his heart condition, he was pronounced fit for active service (likely due to the AIF's desperate need for men in 1916) and duly accepted into the 22nd reinforcements of the 5th Battalion, with the new service number 6832.

    With the rank of Acting Corporal, he boarded HMAT Ulysses in Melbourne on 25th of October and arrived at Plymouth on 28th of December 1916. After having joined his unit in England, Charlie was posted to the bleak Larkhill camp on Salisbury Plain and underwent training for the Western Front.

    During the harsh mid-winter exercises that he described in a letter home, he contracted pneumonia and was transferred to the Fargo Military Hospital, where he died 5 days later on 19th February 1917. He is buried in the Larkhill Military Cemetery near Durrington, in Wiltshire.

    Although Charlie never fired a shot in anger, he was certainly determined to do his duty for God, King and Empire, not once but twice!

    Charlie in Uniform

    Charlie at Larkhill Camp

    Charlie's Letter page 1

    Charlie's Letter page 2

    Mike Wilson




    246986

    SSgt Harry Wright Spink 2nd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Spink was orphaned following the death of his father in 1888 and mother in 1889. He was placed in the Seamans and General Orphans Asylum in Hull at the age of 8.

    When old enough he joined the East Yorkshire Regiment. At the outbreak of war he was stationed at Kamptee in India, the regiment forming part of the Jubbulpore brigade of the 5th Indian Army Division. The regiment returned to England and was mobilised for war, ending up fighting in the Middle East. He was attached to he Supply and Transport Corps. Having contracted Black Water fever, Harry was transferred to the BE Hospital in Basra, where he died on 16th of August 1915.

    Maurice Anthony Potter




    246985

    Pte. Oliver Adams 1st Company Army Service Corps

    <p>

    Oliver Adams was my grand-uncle. These vintage photos are from our family collection and show Oliver aged 24. with vehicles he drove during WW1. In the first photo he is the one seated.

    After his demob on 20th of July 1919 he used his driving skills to become a chauffeur of fine automobiles to the gentry, including an elderly lady in Watford. He was my mother's favorite uncle as he would come down from London to the family home and take them for rides, a great treat at the time.

    Oliver Adams with unidentified lorry

    Len Walker




    246979

    Pte. Stanley William Simpson Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    My maternal grandfather, Stan Simpson died in 1951, before I was born, but I know he served in France and Flanders and Mesopotamia. He also visited India just after the war ended.

    Stanley Simpson, Deolali, 04Apr1919

    Stanley Simpson with Unit

    Letter from the front March 1917

    Malcolm Blackwood




    246977

    2Lt. Herbert Charles Beck 152nd Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.25th October 1918)

    Herbert Beck, my grandfather, was born in Manchester or Birmingham but was taken with his parents to Boston, Massachusetts when his father, a finisher of brass, was recruited there. Herbert grew up in Massachusetts, married a local girl, a descendant of numerous Revolutionary War Soldiers, and was posted to Liverpool in 1911 as a cotton broker for the Bush Company.

    With three children, two born in Liverpool, he was called up or volunteered in 1917 and became a 2nd Lt. with the Royal Field Artillery. On 8th of October 1918, he and a fellow officer named Edwards were sent to explore a new route to bring ammunition to the front, as the current road at that time was being heavily shelled. Much to his surprise and amusement, The Bosche lobbed some shells from their big guns at the two officers, and as they were returning with their new route, a shell exploded near them. Lt. Beck was wounded in the head and back, and was helped back to headquarters by Edwards and some pioneers who were nearby.

    He wrote a six page letter detailing his experiences to his wife from a Red Cross Hospital the next day, describing his wounds as superficial and predicting that he would be back in service within a week or so. His main concern other than setting his family's minds at ease was that he would need some new kit. Sadly, infection set in and he died in a hospital in Boulogne on 20th of October. He is buried at the British Cemetery at Terlincthun.

    We have in our family a wonderful portrait of him in uniform, plus a very nice portrait of one of his fellow officers, whose initials seem to be J.B.L. Would love to get in contact with any family of this officer.

    Rick Anderson




    246973

    Pte. G. Bezuidenhout Graaff-Reinet Commando (d.13th February 1915)

    Private Bezuidenhout was the Son of Mr. W. F. and Mrs. C. F. Bezuidenhout, of Bell St., Aberdeen, Cape Province.

    He was 21 and is buried in the Graaff-Reinet Old Cemetery, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    246972

    Pte. John William Koekemoer 6th Regt. (d.22nd April 1917)

    Private Koekemoer was the Son of Mr.W.S.Koekemoer, of Dallium, Graaff-Reinet, Cape Province.

    He was 20 and is buried in the Graaff-Reinet Old Cemetery, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    246970

    Burgher Willem Jacobus Seyffert Potchefstroom Commando Mounted Commandos, (d.20th March 1915)

    Burgher Seyffert was the Son of Johan E. and Maria E. Seyffert; husband of Susanna A Coetzee (formerly Seyffert), of Goedgevonden, Klerksdorp., North West

    He was 29 and is buried in the Goedgevonden Farm Burial Ground, Klerksdorp, South Africa

    S flynn




    246969

    Burgher J. H. Richter Brand's Column Mounted Commandos (d.22nd November 1914)

    Burgher Richter is buried in the Glen Garry Farm Cemetery, De Wetsdorp, Free State, South Africa.

    S flynn




    246967

    Sgt. John Wilfred Stephenson (Midlandse Ruiters) 8th Mounted Rifles (d.18th January 1915)

    Sergeant Stephenson was the Son of Mr. M. M. and Mrs. J. W. Stephenson, of 12, Carnarvon St., Grahams Town, Cape Province.

    He was 28 and is buried in the Fort Beaufort Cemetery, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    246966

    Pte. Robert Smith 7th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th November 1917)

    Robert Smith served with 7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 31 and a boot maker by trade from Stockton-on-Tees when he was wounded, possibly in the attack at Passchendaele on 26th of October 1917. He died in a military hospital at Rouen on 20th of November 1917 and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery nearby. He was my Great Uncle.

    A. M.Buckley




    246964

    Burgher G. J.A. Greyling Ermelo Commando Mounted Commandos (d.19th November 1914)

    Burgher Greyling is buried in the Excelsior Cemetery, Free State, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    246963

    Able Sea. Herbert Maurice Serjeant HMS Ark Royal (d.5th July 1916)

    Herbert Serjeant was my Great uncle whom I never had chance to meet.

    Elizabeth Carter




    246962

    Dvr. Cecil Gilbert Glass MT Coy Service Corps (d.17th October 1918)

    Driver Glass was 27 and is buried in the Engcobo Cemetery, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    S flynn




    246961

    Lt. Cyril Lawson Serjeant 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment (d.21st June 1916)

    Cyril Serjeant was my great uncle whom I never had a chance to meet.

    Elizabeth Carter




    246960

    Pte. H. Jeftha (d.17th October 1918)

    Private Jeftha was the Son of Willens and Christina Jeftha; husband of Maria Koert (formerly Jeftha), of Elim, Cape Province.

    He was 25 and is buried in the Elim Mission Station Cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    246959

    Pte. Joshua Africa (d.8th October 1918)

    Private Africa was the Son of Jacobus and Clara Africa, of Elim, Cape Province.

    He was 23 and is buried in the Elim Mission Station Cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa

    S flynn




    246956

    Pte. Ernest George Staddon 10th Btn. Essex Regiment

    Ernest Staddon was a milk man in Highgate, before joining up. He took part in operations in France including around the Ancre. He was captured by the Germans near Miraumont on 8th of March 1917 and became a POW at Giessen & Minden. He had been shot in the lower leg, in fact it seems the ankle was broken and set but had to be subsequently reset on later arrival back in UK.

    He was returned to England via Holland and admitted to the King George Hospital, Waterloo, London on 20th of January 1918. On 13th February 1918 he wrote from there to the Essex Regiment Prisoner of War fund to thank them for the parcels sent to him from Saffron Walden.

    Later he took over a tobacconist & confectioner shop in Horney that he ran with his wife until death from cancer on 24 Jul 1959. Like many, he never talked about his time in France to his grandchildren and was scarred physically and mentally.





    246952

    Sgt. Patrick Egan 9th Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.17th May 1917)

    Patrick Egan died as a prisoner of war. He is buried in Hamburg Cemetery in Germany.

    Barry Linehan




    246949

    Pte. Francis Frederick Crabb Dorsetshire Regiment (d.19th November 1917)

    <p>

    Frank Crabb served in France and Flanders. He was killed in action at Langemarke, Belgium. He is buried at Cement House Cemetery.

    He was my great uncle.

    War memorial in Iwerne Minster, Franks home

    Frank's name on memorial

    Annette Best




    246947

    Pte. Thomas William Ellis 1/8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.16th August 1917)

    Thomas Ellis was my great uncle and at the moment this is all I know. I've only just found out about him, he was only 22. I am very proud and sad.

    Brad Ellis




    246945

    2Lt. Clifford Hargeaves MID. 22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.22nd August 1918)

    Clifford Hargreaves is burred at Beacon Cemetery, Sailly-Laurette.

    James Mattin




    246944

    AB. James Thomson Howe Battalion 63rd (Royal Naval) Division (d.10th June 1915)

    James Thomson was my Great Uncle. While researching family history, all that living relatives knew was that he had been killed at Gallipoli.

    Commonwealth War Graves Commission provided the information that we were looking for. He had joined up in 1914, from a seafaring family, but more men than ships so was remustered as a naval infantryman. It is not known if he served in Belgium in 1914, nor how he died. The Division took part in the Third Battle of Krithia but he died shortly after that, so he may have died of wounds. He is buried in Shaw Cemetery, Cape Helles, Gallipoli.

    Bill Cran




    246943

    Pte. Richard Hayne 8th Battalion Border Regiment

    Richard Hayne was wounded and taken prisoner on Monday 27th of May 1918.





    246937

    Pte. R. O'Leary 110th Field Unit, 49th Sanitary Section Royal Army Medical Corps

    Pte R O'Leary's name and address appear in a small book of sayings that belonged to my grandmother Kathleen O'Leary. The address shows as 110th Field Unit, 49th Sanitary Section G. Cpt. T.S. Shrewson, BEF France.

    Cathy Ramey




    246934

    Pte. William Alexander 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.2nd September 1918)

    <p>

    William Alexander was the youngest son of widow, Christina Alexander (nee Law) of 44 Kintore Place, Aberdeen.

    Andrew J. McHardy




    246933

    Capt. Harry Ribton-Cooke MC 3rd Battalion Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment

    Captain Harry Ribton-Cooke, apparently at Christmas time, asked the Red Cross for some night gowns so that he and some colleagues could mount a raid on a German trench in the snow to capture an officer for information. The mission was a success and the German officer spoke excellent English and divulged all. He became a POW and maintained contact with Harry even after the War thanking him for saving his life. Harry was awarded an MC for his bravery.





    246930

    Lt. N. S. Hobson Graaff-Reinet Commando (d.25th November 1914)

    Lieutenant Hobson is buried in the Ebenezer Farm Cemetery, Pearston, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    S flynn




    246929

    Stewd. Shaik Belal Hassan H.M.F.M. Trent (d.12th January 1918)

    Shaik Hassan is buried in the Durban (Umgeni River Mouth) Mulim Cemetery in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.

    S flynn




    246928

    Pte. Benjamin Willis 2nd/6th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    Benjamin Willis was born in Liverpool in 1890 to John and Sarah Willis. He was killed in action on 21st March 1918 on the first day of the Battle for Manchester Hill. His name appears on the Pozieres Memorial.

    Lesley Willis




    246927

    Pte. Albert Edward Walter Oastler 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.4th November 1918)

    Albert Oastler was my Great Uncle. I know very little about him, except that he died at the age of 19 and is listed on the Vis-En-Artois memorial.

    Melanie Lewis




    246926

    L/Sgt. Joe Metcalfe 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.6th July 1918)

    Having long had an interest in the First World War, when I came upon a wonderful, large, oak framed photograph of a WW1 soldier at a car boot sale, I decided to buy it and try to find out who he was. The photograph had the original backing on, and when I removed this, the name Medcalfe was written on the back. Through locating the identify of his cap badge, and his sergeant's stripes, I carried out some internet research and found that his name was Joe Metcalfe (sometimes spelled Medcalfe) and that he had belonged to the 2nd Battalion, KOYLI. He was on the Farsley war memorial as having died on 6th July 1918.

    After further research through, among other sources, the Commonwealth Graves Commission, I found out where he was buried, and visited his grave in Beauvoir-Wavans Cemetery in Northern France. It is a beautiful, rural location, and it was a very moving experience to place some flowers there. I also found out some of his history, including where he lived, who his family were, and what he had done before the war. Although not a relative, I have always felt a strong connection with this young man who gave his life before he had a chance to really begin it. His photograph still hangs on a wall in my house.

    Lynne Napier




    246925

    Pte. Albert Ernest Bowden C Company 32nd Battalion

    Albert Bowden was born in London, Middlesex, in 1890 to Thomas Lyle Bowden and Louisa Ann Bowden (nee Neck).

    Albert was 24 and 8 months old and working as sleeper hewer (cutting wood sleepers for building train tracks) in Kirupp, Western Australia, when he enlisted in AIF in Western Australia on 1stof June 1916. At the time his parents lived in Pyworthy, Devon, England. Albert was transferred into C Company, 32nd Battalion on 16th August 1916 and assigned regimental number 892.

    He trained at Blackboy Hill Camp, Western Australia, and Cheltenham Camp, South Australia. He embarked for the war on the HMAT Geelong on 18th of November 1915 departing from Port Adelaide, South Australia. He disembarked in Suez, Egypt, on 18th December 1915. In Egypt, as part of the defence of the Suez Canal, he underwent training for 6 months with his unit before embarking on the HMAT Translyvania on 17th of June 1916 at Alexandria.

    He disembarked from the Translyvania in Marseilles, France, on 23rd June 1916 and, along with his unit, was entrained northwards to the Western Front near Armentieres. He suffered a shrapnel bullet wound to his right shoulder during the disastrous Battle of Fromelles on 19th of July 1916.

    On 20th of July 1916 he was evacuated from the battlefield and shipped to England. On 25th of July 1916 he was admitted to the Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury. On 10th of August 1916 Albert was admitted to the Bricket House Hospital from which he was discharged just prior to 18th of September 1916.

    He rejoined the 32nd Battalion at Fricourt on the Somme battlefield on 9th of February 1917. Albert spent most of the war in the field with the 32nd Battalion without further injury and only suffered one bout of mumps during March-April 1917.

    He survived the war and departed Liverpool, England, on the HT Wyreema on 13th April 1919 and returned to live in Western Australia. At a later date he returned to live in England, at Great Knowle, Pyworthy, Devon. He passed away in 1970 aged 79 and was buried in St. Swithun Church graveyard, Pyworthy, Devon.

    Scott




    246919

    Capt. A. Davis (d.3rd December 1918)

    Captain Davis was the Son of George and Elizabeth Davis, of 38, Albert Avenue, Newport, England; husband of Adeline Frances Davis, of Farm Ndawe, Chatsworth Siding, S. Rhodesia.

    He was 34 and is buried in the Dukambane Farm Cemetery, Hluhluwe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    246918

    Pte. J. B. Oosthuyse 2nd Btn. (d.15th April 1916)

    Private Oosthuyse is buried in the De Goedehoop Farm Cemetery, Ermelo, Mpumalanaga, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    246917

    Lt. M. H.H. Louw Lichtenburg Commando (d.27th March 1915)

    Lieutenant Louw was the Husband of D. C. Badenhorst (formerly Louw), of Damascus, Delareyville, Lichtenburg.

    He was 32 and is buried in the Damascus Farm Cemetery, Delareyville, North West, South Africa.

    S flynn




    246916

    Pte. J. Joubert 20th Mounted Rifles (d.13th April 1915)

    Private Joubert was the Son of Mr. D. B. and Mrs. B. Joubert.

    He is buried in the Cypherput Farm Cemetery, Phillipstown, Northern Cape, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    246915

    Pte. M. J. Lourens 1st Regt. (d.18th October 1918)

    Private Lourens was the Son of Mrs. M. W. M. Lourens, of Cornelia, Vrede, Orange Free State.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried in the Cornelia Cemetery, Orange Free State, South Africa. Ā

    S Flynn




    246908

    Pte. Walter Edward Harrison 14th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.4th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    In Feb 2018, a photo of Walter Harrison's original grave marker, and a letter were discovered, they had been hidden away in the wall of a home for over 101 years.

    Anthony Destro




    246903

    Pte. Alfred Draper 2/8th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.18th November 1917)

    Alfred Draper was born 1890/91 in Newton Heath, Manchester to James and Emma Draper. He Married Annie Taylor in Nov 1912, in Stretford Manchester and lived In Trafford Park. He was employed as a moulder.

    He joined up, and was with C Company, 2/8th Battalio, Lancashire Fusiliers. They were 197th Brigade, 66th Division (known as the Clickety clicks). Alfred died of wounds received 18th of November 1917, and has a grave at the Cemetery at Lijssenthoek.(27AA9A).

    My link is only via his widow marrying again, but his sacrifice is as great as anyone elses. RIP Alfred.

    Ian Gerrard




    246897

    Pte. Benjamin Brown 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My father, Ben Brown, never talked about the war. Like most veterans, but sometimes when he had had a couple of pints he would tell us about little events that he was involved in.

    One such story was that out on patrol they had no water and they came upon a well marked poison. They were so thirsty they would have to drink the water. One of the men had tin of Andrews Liver Salts in his pack, so they all laced their water with a big dose of Andrews Liver Salts. Either Andrews Liver Salts are great laxative or the well was not poisoned.

    Another event was that they were in the trenches and noticed a figure in a nearby farmhouse moving around the house so six of them lined him and all shot at the same time hoping to kill a German whom they took to be an Observation Officer. Later in the day their squad moved up and they managed to get to the farmhouse and check whether they had killed the German. To their total dismay and shock it turned out to be a British officer they had killed.

    My father said that one of the earliest bayonet charges he took part only 120 survived out of over 700 men.

    He was gassed as the only gas prevention equipment they had was an instruction to piss on their handkerchiefs and put this over their noses.

    My father and his mate Haddy Burton were both shot. My father pleaded with a German soldier to finish him off but he just laughed at him and left him to die. When my father woke up after being wounded he saw all these monk like figures walking around and chanting. He thought he was in heaven. He was in a monastery, being cared for by the monks.

    On the hospital ship going back to England he was totally incapacitated due to his wounds and gassing, and was in the bottom deck in the bowels of the ship. A navy man gave him a life jacket, and when Dad asked what it was for was told they may get torpedoed and it would keep him afloat. Dad told him to stick it up his arse as there was no way he could get up to the top deck from his present position, and would prefer to die quickly down below decks.

    Dad was told he would not live to see his 21st birthday, being only 18 years old, but went on live to be 74 years old and fathered a family of three boys and two girls.

    Ben Brown




    246896

    Sgt. Joseph Widdowson 1st Battalioin Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Widdowson enlisted around 1902 and probably entered the Reserve around 1910 or 11. He re-enlisted at Newark and entered theatre on 2nd of November 1914 serving in Y Company, 1st Northumberland Fusiliers.

    The battalion had been heavily engaged in October around Herlies and at Messines on 1st of November and were at that time fighting at Herenthage Chateau. On 16th of June 1915, he took part in the attack on Bellewaarde Ridge as part of an attempt by 9th Brigade to break through the German lines and reach Bellewaarde Lake. The War Diary lists him as missing, but he was actually wounded and a prisoner of war.

    Joseph succumbed to his wounds on the 19th of June 1915 and was buried in the German Military Cemetery at Ledeghem. After the war his body was reinterred in the Harlebeke New British Cemetery.

    Ian Bramley




    246895

    Pte. James Monks 1st Battalion Welch Fusiliers (d.16th May 1915)

    <p>

    My grandfather, James Monks was lost in France do not know his story, I have spent many years trying to find out what battle he died in and how he died.

    Dorothy Cresswell




    246894

    Pte. George Henry Hunt 9th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.28th March 1919 )

    George Hunt was born in 1886 in Lumb, which was then in the registration district of Haslingden.

    He was a private in the 9th East Lancashire Regiment and when he served had a wife Maria and 2 young sons He was sadly killed just before his regiment was recalled in a tragic incident. The regimental horse kicked him and he died accidentally on 28th of March 1919 in Salonika He is commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves in Chanakkale Turkey and also by an inscription on the Hunt family grave at Lumb Baptist Church in Lancashire.

    V Watkinson




    246885

    WO. John Cousins Sole HMS Centurion

    John Sole was born in 1868 at Appledore, Devon, his occupation was as a Shipwright. On 3rd of December1890, he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Shipwright and served in that speciality at sea and ashore, he progressed to the rank of Leading Shipwright in May 1895 and to the rank of Carpenter's Mate in January 1897. J. C. Sole transitioned to the Officers' Section on 21st of April 1901, when he was confirmed as Carpenter.

    At the outset of the First World War, he was posted to the light cruiser HMS Skirmisher, as leader of the 7th Destroyer Flotilla, at Immingham. On 1st of May 1915, he transferred to the King George V-class (dreadnought) battleship HMS Centurion with the 2nd Battle Squadron, Grand Fleet, just in time for combat service in the Battle of Jutland. He remained aboard HMS Centurion until April 1918, when he transferred ashore. At some point (late 1918?), his rank was renamed Warrant Shipwright vice Carpenter. He was subsequently promoted to Commissioned Shipwright on 15th of Octover 1920. For his service in the Great War, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. After post-war service in the battleship HMS Hercules, he was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 20th of July 1922. John passed away in 1943 at Keyham, Plymouth.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246883

    ERA. Peter Grieve HMS Conquest

    Peter Grieve was born on in 1882 at Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland and trained as a Fitter. On 14th of April 1903, he enlisted in the Royal Navy; after various training assignments he was promoted to the rank of Engine Room Artificer, 3rd Class in 1906. After further at-sea postings, he was promoted to Engine Room Artificer, 2nd Class, in early 1911 aboard HMS Acteon. On 1st of September 1914, he joined the officer section as Artificer Engineer (Acting) and embarked in light cruiser HMS Conquest, then building. In June 1915, she joined the 5th Light Cruiser Squadron of the Harwich Force and took part in sinking German ship Meteor in August 1915. On 1st of March 1915, Peter Grieve was confirmed as an Artificer Engineer. On 11th of March 1916, Artificer Engineer Grieve transferred to HMS Canada in the 4th Battle Squadron, Grand Fleet and he served in combat during the Battle of Jutland. His next sea assignment was aboard the cruiser HMS Cornwall with the North America and West Indies Squadron, from October 1917 until early 1919. For most of 1919, Artificer Engineer Grieve, possibly in HMS Glory, took passage to Murmansk during the allied intervention in the Russian Civil War. He continued with a variety of at-sea and ashore assignments and was promoted to Commissioned Engineer, effective 1st of March 1925. On 6th of May 1931, he was placed on the retired list as medically unfit. For his service in the Great War, Commissioned Engineer Peter Grieve was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He passed away in 1933 at Gillingham, Kent, England.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246877

    L/Cpl. Gavin Robert Bothwell 2nd Btn. D Coy. Cameron Highlanders (d.14th May 1915)

    Gavin Bothwell is my Grandfather. He was in the Regular Army. He went from Poona in India, where he was stationed, then straight to the Western Front. (He never came home). He died at Hooge, Flanders. He never knew he had a son at home. My Father.

    Karen Saward




    246876

    Pte. Wellesley Taylor 19th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    My great grandfather, Wellesley Taylor, died on the 30th of November 1917. He left behind his widow Mary and his two children, my Grandfather George Edward and his sister Mary Taylor. Wellesley is remembered with honour at Hooge Crater Cemetery.

    Patricia Allan




    246869

    Pte. Harry Holdaway Royal Army Medical Corps

    My father, Harry Holdaway was in RAMC at 62nd General Hospital in Italy. I have an envelope addressed to him dated 31st of October 1916, Italian Exp Force Italy L7. He was a private, trained at Aldershot, sent to Belgium, France. He was mustard gassed at Ypres, then seems to have been sent back to join the RAMC.

    At the end of the war before he was shipped home, his first wife died of Spanish Flu. His son lived with his aunt and uncle who he called Mummy and Daddy. Everything had been sold, he had no family, nowhere to live, no belongings.

    D Wells




    246868

    Pte. Stanley Reeves Bolton 19th Btn. No.2 Coy. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.27th July 1916)

    <p>

    Stanley Bolton was my great uncle who died on the Somme on 27th of July 1916 aged 27. He is mentioned on the Thiepval Memorial.

    He enlisted on the 11th of September 1914 aged 25. At Larkhill he received 3 days confined to barracks for firing at the wrong target. On the 19th of July 16 he was admitted to a field ambulance suffering from rheumatism, then went to 13 Corps Rest Station on the 20th July. He returned to duty on 22nd of July and killed 5 days later.

    Gwyneth Logan




    246867

    Pte. William Bolton 9th Btn. C Coy. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.1st June 1918)

    <p>

    William Bolton was my great uncle and was 21 when he was killed in 1918.

    Gwyneth Logan




    246866

    Pte. George Kennedy Army Service Corps (d.26th October 1918)

    <p>

    George Kennedy is buried in Surrey. I am working on a remembrance project, Surrey in the Great War a County Remembers www.surreyinthegreatwar.org.uk. I found there was a discrepancy in the date of death between the CWGC on-line record and the gravestone for George Kennedy. This led me to do some research into his military service and I discovered that he had been admitted to Dykebar War Hospital, Paisley on 24th November 1917, suffering from General Paralysis of the Insane.

    At the moment I have little information about George and do not know how he came to be buried in a Surrey cemetery. If anyone can provide any further information about George we would be very interested.

    Phil Cooper




    246863

    PO. Thomas Martin HMS Albemarle

    Thomas Martin, born 30th of January 1876, enlisted in the Royal Navy on 30th of January 1894. Originally from Hastings, Sussex, he worked as a fisherman before his enlistment. After various training duties, he served aboard a variety of ships and shore stations. In 1906, now as a Leading Seaman, Thomas Martin signed on for another term of service. Of particular note, Petty Officer Martin (as Leading Seaman) was awarded the Naval General Service Medal (with Persian Gulf 1909-1914 Clasp) for his service in the Pelorus-class cruiser HMS Proserpine, from 7th of June 1910 to 29th August 1912.

    From 15th May1913 to 24th of April 1915, he served as a Leading Seaman in pre-dreadnought battleship HMS Albemarle, engaged in various Northern Patrol and Channel Fleet duties. From there, he was transferred to the sloop HMS Dahlia, that served as a minesweeper. Then, on 31st of March 1916, having been promoted to Petty Officer, he commenced a period of shore duty, until he embarked in HMS Apollo on 1st of September 1917. HMS Apollo was a former 2nd-class cruiser that had been converted into a depot ship in the Mediterranean Sea. In January 1918, HMS Apollo became depot ship for the 4th Destroyer Flotilla. Petty Officer Martin remained in HMS Apollo through 31st of December 1918.

    According to his service record, it appears that He was pensioned on 29th of May 1919, after more than 25 years in the Royal Navy. For his service in the Great War, hewas awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246859

    Pte. Joseph Barr 1/8th Btn. Cameronians (d.11th Dec 1917)

    Joseph Barr died from wounds at the Battle of Gaza on 11th of December 1917 shortly before a stop to hostilities in that theatre of the war. The Ottoman Army surrendered in Jerusalem. Joseph is buried in Kantara Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. His name is on the Blantyre, Lanarkshire, War Memorial.

    Joseph Barr




    246856

    Sgt. George Henry Woodroff 22nd Battalion London Regiment (d.30th August 1918)

    I do not know any family related to Serjeant George Woodroff, however I am also a Woodroff and there could be a possibility that we would be related. I am beginning a school research project on Sergeant Woodroff, and began by searching his regiment, the 1st/22nd Battalion London Regiment. This took me to this website. I was saddened to see he wasn't yet on the list of men who served in the regiment on the website, so I took it upon myself to write him in. Hopefully beginning a special like between me and Serjeant Woodroff before the project.

    Sam Woodroff




    246851

    A/Bdr. Ezra Crampton 12th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    On the 10th of Decemeber 1915, Ezra Crampton was called to the Colours and attested into the Royal Garrison Artillery. He had been born in 1890 in Lye, Stourbridge, Worcs. He was immediately placed to the Army Reserve and on the 5th of Mar 1917, was mobised and posted to No. 3 Depot (Heavy and Siege) Royal Garrison Artillery, at Plymouth. Here he would have undergone his military induction before a posting to 16 Company, 398th Siege Battery, just over three weeks later. He was posted as a Gunner and undoubtedly underwent special-to-arms training with 398 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Ezra obviously gave an above average performance during this phase of his military service and was promoted Acting Lance Bombardier on the 15th of June 1917.

    On the 28th of July 1917, Ezra was confined to barracks at Plymouth, indicating his deployment overseas was imminent. His wait was not protracted. On the 5 Aug 1917, Ezra was posted to France to serve with 12th Siege Batterym Royal Garrison Artillery, who had been deployed behind the front-line since the 8th Mar 1915. The battery were equipped with heavy Howitzers and their primary task was to destroy enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores.

    Ezra served with 12th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery until the 17th of Nov 1917, when was evacuated back to England suffering from Nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), apparently caused by the inhalation of toxins from poisonous gas, resultant from enemy action or from the burnt propellant of our own guns. On the 19th of Nov 1917, he was admitted to the University War Hospital, Southampton where he remained an in-patient until the 1st of Jan 1918. Ezra later appeared before the Medical Board and on the 11 Jun 1918, was considered 'no longer fit for war service' in accordance with para 392 xvi, King's Regulations (Army) 1912. His condition was attributed to War Service and Ezra was granted a small military pension.

    He was discharged and returned to his wife Laura and home town of The Lye, Stourbridge, Worcestershire. Sadly, most of Ezra Crampton's Service Record was destroyed by fire. He eventually became a haulage contractor and passed away in 1953.

    Paul




    246850

    Pte. H. West 178th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery Royal Artillery (d.8th December 1917)

    I have found an 'In loving Remembrance' card to a Pte H West. It belonged in my late mother's private collection of cherished memories. I have no idea who Pte West was but he seemed to be quite old (37) to have been serving in the Great War. He was killed in action on 8th of December 1917. My aim is to find Pte West's grave and pay my respects not just to him but to all those brave men and boys who sacrificed their lives for us.

    David Lodge




    246845

    Pte. William Smith 10th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment

    I don't know much about my great-grandfather, William Smith, only that he was born in Liverpool in November 1893 and went on to have 4 children with my great-grandmother, Harriet. Agnes & William, born before he enlisted to the army, then Bessie & Harry, born once he was discharged.

    Outside of the Army, he was a fitters labourer as well as a music hall artiste and travelling showman. His family followed him up and down the country from theatre to theatre as he was booked here and there. Before last week I didn't even know William's name, today I am reading his attestation, service and discharge records for his time in the 10th and 3rd Battalions of the Kings (Liverpool) Regiment. From this I can see he was drafted on 25th of April 1916, starting life in the Army as a Private in the 10th Scottish Btn. Soon he was transferred to 3rd Scottish Btn and became a Lance Corporal. By the end of WWI he was in 1st Scottish Btn as a T/Acting Sergeant.

    But more telling than this, I can also see that he was 5'7", with a 35" chest (expanded), blue eyes with scars on his forehead. I can also see he was submitted to hospital a few times due to a sceptic leg, as well as an illness I can't make out that gave him severe abdominal pain, before also spending 100 days in hospital for gonorrhoea (cleared before he returned home of course).

    Unfortunately, a few years after my grandad, Harry, was born in 1921, William left his family never to be seen again. We understand he continued to perform on the stage. He may have married again and had additional children, we may never know.

    Amy Carson




    246843

    Cpl. Alfred Dennett HMS Zealandia Royal Marine Artillery

    Alfred Dennett served aboard the Zealandia from 1912 to 1917. He earned the L.S.G.C and 1914-18 star.

    Andrew Dennett




    246838

    Sgt. Frank Bright 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

    Frank Bright was born at Colyton, East Devon in 1896, son of Thomas and Emma. Frank was from a large family, around ten children, and in early 1900s moved to Knowle St Giles near Chard, Somerset where his father worked on a farm as cowman. Upon leaving school Frank followed his father onto the land but it wasn't long before he wanted something different. He was still a lad when he joined the West Somerset Yeomanry in 1912. At outbreak of war in 1914 Frank was transferred to the newly formed 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry.

    After much training in various parts of England Frank's battalion completed their training on Salisbury Plain, where in June 1915 they were inspected by the King, and in July embarked for France.

    While in France Frank was promoted to sergeant. His battalion the 7th Somersets attached to 20th Light Division landed at Boulogne and by the end of July 1915 were billeted between Hazebrouck and Armentieres near the French - Belgium border. In August Frank and the 7th Somersets went into the front line trenches near Armentieres to find the opposing lines only yards apart. They were surprised and probably felt quite indignant when they heard a shout from the German trench, "Hullo. You Somerset Cukoos."

    By September they were experiencing warfare above and below ground as friend and foe carried out mining and counter mining in attempts to blow up each others forward positions. In one mining explosion beneath their lines 12 men of the 7th Somersets were buried and dug out alive. Weeks later in September 1915 the division took part in the battle of Loos, suffering 561 casualties.

    Frank's first Christmas Eve in France was rudely interrupted when the village of Fleurbaix, where his battalion were billeted came under fire from German artillery. As shells rained down on the village they were forced to run out into the fields to escape the bombardment.

    In early 1916 Frank was in the trenches near Ypres in Belgium and a few months later the division was involved in the second campaigns of the Somme, including the battle of Le Transloy on 1st October.

    Frank's division took part in the Third Battle of Ypres in July 1917, and in August the battle of Langemarck. Their fighting during the Ypres campaigns had cost his battalion (7th Somerset Lt Infantry) 5 officers killed and 14 wounded, plus other ranks 102 killed and 335 wounded.

    Weeks later Frank and the 7th Somersets were back on the Somme and by mid October 1917 were at Villers-Guislain, a village on the front line with 1000 yards of No Mans land between them and the enemy. Each night they put out patrols and all returned safely with not a shot fired. So quiet was it here that some in the battalion hoped higher command would forget them until the war ends.

    It was around this time when Frank was granted leave and returned home to England to get married. It was the latter quarter of 1917 when he married Kate Spiller in the district of Taunton. Frank was aged 22 this year and Kate was 20 (born 24 June 1898)

    A few days later Frank returned to the Western front. No longer in a quiet sector. In March 1918 his battalion was involved in hard fighting during the great German Spring Offensive. Frank and the 7th Somersets not only held them off but managed to break through their lines.

    That summer they were holding a front in the Lens sector. In the first week of October 1918 during some stiff fighting they captured the village of Fresnoy and advanced their positions by 400 yards. It was a slow and painful process but the enemy was now in retreat. Frank's Division were relieved by 12th Division on 8th October and marched back 16 miles to Averdoingt for rest. They stayed here until 30th October when the division was ordered up to Cambrai .

    However, in the area of Averdoingt on 24th of October 1918 Frank Bright was wounded by a shell, with shell fragments hitting his left thigh and hand. He was admitted to No. 22 Casualty Clearing Station. And from there was moved closer to the coast to No. 9 General Hospital on 27th October, and the next day was transferred back to England.

    Frank was admitted to hospital in England on 29th October 1918 where he spent the next three months (93 days) recovering from his wounds. The Armistice came while Frank was still in hospital. He was discharged from hospital on 29th January 1919. He was demobilised from the army on 27th February 1919.

    After the war Frank and Kate settled in Stoke St Mary near Taunton and started to raise their family. They lived at Oakfield Farm where Frank became a dairy and poultry farmer. Frank died aged 87 in 1984. Kate died in 1992.

    Mervyn Tims




    246837

    Pte. James Harold Mackmurdo 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

    <p>

    James Mackmurdo was not a relative of mine but he did write in my grandmother's autograph book and signed as can be seen in the photograph. This was in June of 1917 at Matlock in Derbyshire maybe he was training nearby or just passing through I do not know.

    Colin Lunt




    246830

    Pte. William Paul 14th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.1st Feb 1917)

    William Paul died of wounds on the 1st of February 1917, received in a skirmish at Railway Wood, Gores. He is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.

    Geoff Paul




    246827

    Pte. Hugh Worthington 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.27th September 1916)

    Hugh Worthington was a brother to David and William. Born in the village of Shankhill near Ballymoney in Co Antrim. Hugh is bured in Lesbeoufs War Cemetary. He was killed in action taking the village of Thiepval

    David was killed in July 1916. William survived being gassed on the Somme in 1916 and was to become my grandfather.

    Paul Murphy




    246818

    Pte. Phillip Garthwaite A Squadron 11th Hussars

    Phillip Garthwaite proceeded to France with the 11th Hussars on the 15th of August 1914. He was taken Prisoner at Bertry in France on the 26th of August 1914 whilst behind enemy lines. He was discharged on the 21st of March 1919.

    James Garthwaite




    246812

    Cpl. George Lewis Cormack 14th (Pioneers) Battalion, C Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th February 1916)

    My 2nd Great Uncle George Cormack was a Corporal in C Coy. 14th (Pioneer) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers. On 18th of February 1916, at the age of 21, was killed in action and is buried in the war cemetery in Armentieres in France.





    246801

    Pte. Alexander Wood 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.26th September 1917)

    Alexander Wood is my Great Uncle. Two years ago I travelled to Portsoy to visit the graves of my granparents. Alexander was the brother of my Grandfather Findlay Wood, they were a family of fisherman. My own father, Joseph Wood, followed in the footsteps by joining the Royal Navy and serving 1939-1945. He was involved in the famous Malta Run and in the Battle of the Atlantic. His brother, my Uncle William Wood, also served in the Gordon Highlanders and was recruited into the first Parachute Regiment involved n the Brummell raid. A family who all served their country and involved in some of the most difficult campaigns of both wars. My other Grandfather, Perceival Gray, was awarded the DCM during the First World War.

    May they all rest in peace.

    Sheila Harrison




    246798

    Pte. Cornelius Abraham Ludik 18th Mounted Rifles, Griqualand West Ruiters) (d.26th Feb 1915)

    Private Ludik was the Son of Hendrik Rudolph Ludik, of Mondesir, Adendorp, Graaff-Reinet, Cape Province.

    He was 22 when he died and is buried in the Cnydas West Farm Cemetery, Lutzputs, Northern Cape, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    246795

    Bmdr. George Henry Heath MM. 176th Brigade, 235 Battery Royal Field Artillery

    George Heath was born at Leicester on 15th April 1892, the son of Henry and Mary Elizabeth Heath (nee Goodman). After leaving school he became a shoe hand. He married Charlotte Mary Goodman at Leicester Register Office on 8 November 1913 and they initially lived at Asfordby Street, Leicester.

    He joined the 176th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery at Leicester on 15th of June 1915 and received the number 32235. Assigned to the 235th Battery, he was a Bombardier and driver with the said unit.

    He underwent an operation for varicose veins at Frensham Hill in February 1919, and following the success of that operation he was transferred on 6th April 1919. Transferred to Class Z Army reserve on 2nd May 1919 and subsequently discharged. Returning to Leicester and 3 Ullswater Street, he was awarded the Military Medal on 19th August 1919 (received 24th February 1921).

    As of 1939 he was still at 3 Ullswater Street, Leicester, and employed as a tramway conductor. He died at Leicester in 1973, having had three sons with Charlotte, namely Henry Alfred (b.1914), George Arthur (b.1916) and John Edward (b.1922). I am conducting research on behalf of a Mr. John Heath of Wigston, Leicester, a kinsman of George.

    Shane Beaver




    246787

    Pte. George Victor Randle 8th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.10th Jul 1917)

    George Randle is not a relative but I have been researching him and his brothers who were killed during the war. They were originally from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

    Andrew Roofe




    246784

    CSgt F. Crews 10th Infantry Witwatersrand Rifles (d.13th June 1915)

    Colour Sergeant Crews is buried in the Cape Town (Wynberg, Wetton Road) Cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    246782

    Gnr. H. P.J. Lassen (d.16th October 1918)

    Gunner Lassen is buried in the Cape Town (Phillipi) Evangelical Lutherian Cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa

    S Flynn




    246777

    Cpl. V. S.R. Eatwell (d.28th September 1918)

    Corporal Eatwell is buried in the Cape Town (Claremont) St. Saviour's Cemetery, Cape Town, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    246772

    Pte. William Thomas Crook 4th Battalion Welsh Regiment

    William Crook is my husbands grandfather & the only reason we know he was in WW1 is that his rank, Regiment & battalion are on his marriage certificate. Date of marriage is 11th of March 1916.

    Susan Jones




    246770

    William Holburn 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.12th October 1917)

    William Holburn was my great uncle, her served with the 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

    Ian Holburn




    246769

    Pte. Joseph Springford 17th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.15th February 1918)

    Joseph Springford served woith 17th Battalion Sherwood Foresters in 117th Brigade, 39th Division. Formerly he had served with The Cambridgeshire Regiment

    Joseph was one of a large local family. He first registered for school at Eton Porny on the 21st October 1895 and left school in December 1902. In all probability he attended the infants' school in Eton Wick for two years before going to Eton. The family home in 1895 was recorded as 6, Bell Cottages, Alma Road, Boveney Newtown. Later the family moved to No. 4, Hope Cottages, Common Road, and some years later to 3, Victoria Place, a terraced house about eight doors along the same road from Hope Cottages.

    By the beginning of 1918 there were six Springford brothers serving in the armed forces. Two were destined to die before the November armistice, although Albert and Harry who enlisted early in the war, returned safely.

    It is not known when Joseph enlisted in the Army at Oxford, or what work he pursued before joining the 17th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, also known as the Welbeck Rangers. It was 1st of June 1915 when the Battalion was raised by the Mayor and recruiting committee of Nottingham. It was not unusual, at this early stage of the Great War, for Battalions to be raised by local dignitaries, towns, cities and even sporting associations. In October 1915 the 17th went to Aldershot as part of 117th Brigade, 39th Division. The following month they moved to Witley, and on December 10th were taken over by the War Office.

    On 6th of March 1916 the Battalion arrived in France. The Battle of the Somme started at 7.30 a.m. on July 1st 1916, but not until the end of August would the 17th Sherwood Foresters become involved. From the 24th August until the 28th they were being moved towards the front, and on September 2nd went into trenches near Beaumont Hamel. At 5.10 a.m. on the 3rd, 650 men and 20 officers of the Battalion advanced through No Man's Land and by 6 a.m. had taken the German front line. In attempting to advance further they met strong machine gun fire. At 1.50 p.m. they withdrew, having suffered many casualties. That evening they fell back to Mailly Maillet Wood having sustained 454 killed and wounded of the original 670. The Battalion's first day of action was a bitter experience.

    Further Somme action followed at the Serre sector front line on 20th of September 1916, at Bertrancourt on 30th of September and at the Thiepval sector of the front line on 5th of October 1916. It was here that the enemy attacked using flamethrowers before being driven back. The 17th Battalion were again in on the front line at Thiepval River sector on the 16th October. Subsequent action involved more hard combat near Senlis and Martinsart Wood.

    On 14th of November 1916, with Somme battles drawing to an inconclusive end, the Battalion was relieved and sent to Warloy, three days later they entrained at Candas for St Omer. In July 1917 the Battalion, still part of the 117th Brigade, 39th Division, were in the XVIII Corps of the Fifth Army and involved in the Battles of Pilkem Ridge (July 31st) and at Langemarck; the Merlin Road Ridge; Polygon Wood and Passchendaele (in the Third Ypres) between August and November of that year. At this time they were with X Corps, Second Army. The atrocious conditions of the Passchendaele offensive effectively ended in November when the German defence of the ridge was overcome.

    Three months later The Windsor & Eton Express reported Springford, Joseph, Private 17th Sherwood Foresters died 15th of February 1918 at No. 3 Stationary Hospital, Rouen aged 30.

    On March 9th, 1918 the same paper reported: Springford, Joseph, Private Sherwood Foresters son of Mr. T Springford of 3, Victoria Place, Eton Wick, died of kidney disease on 15th of February 1918 while in No. 3 Stationary Hospital, Rouen, France.

    Joseph was the first of two Springford fatalities. His younger brother Isaac died 4 months later as the result of severe gassing and was buried in Eton Wick. Joseph is buried in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen and his grave is No 73, Row K, Plot 6, Block P. The cemetery extension is two miles south of Rouen Cathedral and records 8,356 burials with a further 3,083 in the main St. Sever Cemetery to which the Extension is part. All these burials are of the 1914-18 war. The Extension contains 6,600 U.K. soldiers, 783 Australian, 311 Canadian, 271 Indian, 134 New Zealand, 88 British West Indian, 84 South African, 11 Newfoundlanders, three from Guernsey, one Bermudan, six unknown, one Egyptian, 44 Chinese labour force, 18 Italian and one Portuguese. The large number of different nationalities is due to the fact that the cemetery was for men dying of wounds or sickness in the No. 3 Stationery Hospital.

    Joseph is commemorated on the Eton Wick Memorial and on the Eton Church Gates.

    This is an extract from Their Names Shall Be Carved in Stone and published on www.etonwickhistory.co.uk with grateful thanks to the author Frank Bond.

    Steven Denham




    246767

    L/Cpl. Gerrard Posting 10th Btn. A Coy. Cheshire Regiment (d.15th October 1915)

    Gerrard Posting was in A company, 10th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. He was killed on the 15th of October 1915 at Ploegsteert. The battalion notes state that he was shot though the head in the trenches. Gerrard's medals were sent to Joseph Postings living at 4 Newton St., Staybridge, Cheshire. Gerrard worked as a cotton operator in the mills before he signed up for war. He was 6 feet 7 inches tall, brown eyes and black hair, he signed up on 1st of September 1914

    Katriona Morris




    246766

    Rflmn. S. W. Burger (d.16th December 1914)

    Rifleman Burger is buried in the Burgerville Cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa.

    S flynn




    246765

    Pte. F. Boucher 9th (d.19th June 1917)

    Private Boucher was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Boucher; husband of Marget Elizabeth Boucher, of Browns Vale, Upper Blinkwater, Dist. Stockenstrom.

    He was 45 when he died and is buried in the Brownsvale Farm Cemetery, Fort Beaufort District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    246764

    Burgher W. Van_der_Gryp Mounted Commandos (d.18th November 1914)

    Burher Van der Gryp is buried in the Bronkhorstfontein Farm Burial Ground, Allemanskraal, Free State, South Africa

    S flynn




    246763

    Burgher J. W.L. Olivier Mounted Commandos (d.12th February 1914)

    Burgher Olivier is buried in the Bolivia Farm Burial Ground, Reitz, Free State, South Africa.

    S flynn




    246762

    Pte. H. Van_Niekerk Kenhardt Commando (d.22nd December 1914)

    Private Van Niekerk is buried in the Bladgrond Zuid Farm Cemetery, Pofadder, Northern Cape, South Africa.

    S flynn




    246761

    SSM. F. H. Van_der_Hoven Middelburg Commando (d.20th March 1915)

    Squadron Sergeant Major Van der Hoven is buried in the Bethal New Cemetery, Mpumalanga, South Africa

    S flynn




    246755

    Col. George Herbert Farrar DSO, MID. General Staff (d.20th May 1915)

    Colonel Sir George Farrar 1st Bart. served in the South African Campaign and in South West Africa, 1914-15. He was the Member for Georgetown in the Union Parliament, 1910-11.

    On 19th of May 1915 while returning from a tour of inspection, his motor trolley collided with a construction train at Kuibis, near Gibeon, and he succumbed to his injuries the following day. He was 55 when he died and is buried in the Bedford Farm Cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    246752

    Pte. Jacobus Henry Drury 1st Regiment (d.19th October 1918)

    Jacobus Drury was the son of Thomas O'Brien Drury and stepson of H. J. W. Drury from Grootvlei, Citrusdal, Cape Province. He was 19 when he died and is buried in the Beaufort West (Christ Church) Old Cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa.

    S flynn




    246747

    Pte. John Roberts 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th September 1916 )

    John Roberts was 26 years old.





    246746

    Pte. James Roberts 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.8th May 1918 )

    James Roberts was 18 years old.





    246745

    Drmr. Edwin Percy Watson 4th Btn. Royal Fusillers (d.26th October 1914)

    Edwin Watson was my great uncle. He had been a regular soldier. He was due to leave the service when the war started. He went to France on the 13th of August 1914. He died on the 26th of October 1914. His body was never recovered.

    My grandmother found it very difficult to accept that he was dead and searched for him for a long time. I have his medals, the 1914 Star and two others, they are the only things remaining of Edwin, no photos exist, that, and his name on a war memorial in France.





    246743

    Pte. George Holland 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.11th July 1915)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, George Holland lived in Tunstall, Staffordshire and worked in the local coal mines. His son George Holland was born 11th of April 1914, he married Mary Annie Woodcock in January 1915

    George enlisted with the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers on the 3rd of February 1915 and was sent to Hounslow for military training. He arrived in France on the 15th of June 1915 and was assigned to work with the 174th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. He is mentioned in the book Brief but Glorious, A brief History of the 8th Battalion on Page 20. Reported to be Blown up in a sap trench on 11th of July 1915 aged 23. He is remembered on the the Tunstall Town War Memorial in Staffordshire and The Ploegsteert War Memorial in Belgium.

    James Holland




    246742

    Sgt. John Lipscombe 2/4th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment (d.19th April 1917)

    <p>

    A transcript of a newspaper cutting published after Jack's death. "Sergt John Lipscombe, whose home was at 21 Birling Road, Snodland, Kent is another of the Royal West Kent Regiment to fall in Palestine. He was in the Dardenelles campaign and after being invalided home with a poisoned hand, went out to Egypt over a year ago. He had written regularly to his wife and family, and described the Palestinian campaign as a very stiff one. The communications below from his Captain and CoQMS show that he died gallantly. The news of his death arrived only two days after three of his own letters. Thirty four years of age, he leaves a widow and six children, for whom the greatest sympathy is felt. He was a scholar of the British school, Snodland and was afterwards employed at Peters Cement Works. His Captain writes: "Dear Mrs Lipscombe, It is with very great regret that I have to inform you that your husband was killed in action on April 19th. He was killed in an attack on a position near Gaza and died at once. Your husband was loved and respected by all who knew him and his death is not only a great loss to my company and the Regiment but I feel that I have lost a true and good friend as well. If I can be of any assistance to you in any matter I shall be only too pleased to help you". His Co QMS writes: "You can't think how we miss him in the Company. He was always talking about you and the kiddies and you were in his thoughts always. God I trust will bear you up and you have the satisfaction of knowing he died for his country and the King."

    Alison Bridges




    246741

    Pte. Harry Kay Army Veterinary Corps

    According to Harry Kay's Medal Rolls Index Card, he entered the French theatre on 26th of June 1915. Neither of his Service Medal and Award Rolls offer much more information than the fact Private Kay was released To Class Z, but no date is given. All attempts to access his service record or a pension record were unsuccessful, it is very likely that his records were among those destroyed during the Second World War. For his service in the Great War, Private Harry Kay, Army Veterinary Corps, was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246740

    Sgt. Ernest Hugh Hatfield 47th Battalion

    Ernest Hatfield was born at Charters Towers and Enlisted in Townsville whilst living in Eton, Mackay, Queensland . He joined the 47th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement. He was taken as a POW by the Germans, captured on the 5th of April 1918 and interned at Giessen. He was repatriated to England and arrived at Ripon camp on the 15th of December 1918. His Next of Kin is listed as his Mother, Mrs Jane Hatfield, of Eton, Mackay, Queensland.





    246739

    Pte. Thomas Henry Sellen Supply Section Army Service Corps

    Based upon Private Thomas Sellen's Medal Rolls Index Card and his Service Medal and Award Roll, he served in the Supply Section of the Army Service Corps. Additionally, the S4 in his service number indicates that he was enlisted into the fourth New Army. On either document, there is no indication of which theatre(s) he served in. Unfortunately, neither his service record nor a pension record were accessible, it is likely that his records were among those destroyed during the Second World War. For his service in the Great War, Private Thomas Henry Sellen, Army Service Corps, was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246738

    Pte. John William Taylor Royal Army Medical Corps

    Unfortunately, the only information about Private John William Taylor, R.A.M.C. are his Medal Rolls Index Card and a Service Medal and Award Roll, that do not indicate what theatre(s) he served in or how he concluded his service in the British Army. It is likely that his records were among those destroyed during the Second World War.

    Of note, he was awarded a Service Medal Of The Order Of St. John, "9313 Pte. J. W. Taylor. Hazel Grove Div. No 4015, S.J.A.B. 1931". Per Order of St. John resources, 12 years of service was required to earn this medal, which would have established his start date in 1919. Additionally, he earned two silver service bars, each representing five-year periods of service. Accordingly, John William Taylor would have remained in service with the Saint John Ambulance Brigade into 1941, a period of at least 22 years. For his service in the Great War, Private John William Taylor, Royal Army Medical Corps, was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246737

    Pte. Ernest Upfold 32nd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Ernest Upfold entered the Egyptian theatre on 19th of December 1915, as member of the Royal Army Medical Corps. As annotated on his first Service Medal and Award Roll (for the 1914-15 Star), he was assigned to the 32nd Field Ambulance until 25th of September 1916, when he was transferred to the Army Service Corps as a Driver, Horse Transport.

    His second Service Medal and Award Roll (for British War Medal and Victory Medal) provides no new information, but does confirm Driver Upfold's transfer to the A.S.C. on 25th of September 1916. 32nd Field Ambulance was attached to the 10th (Irish) Division, and by the time Private Upfold joined the 32nd F.A., the 10th (Irish) Division had moved to the Salonika theatre.

    As neither Ernest Upfold's service record nor a pension record were accessible, it cannot be determined whether or not he remained with the 10th (Irish) Division when it moved from Salonika back to Egypt in September 1917, before proceeding to the Palestine campaign. Based upon aforementioned records, he was transferred to "A.R.Cl.Z." status on 15th July 1919. For his service in both the R.A.M.C. and A.S.C. during the Great War, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246735

    Pte. William Sharples Royal Army Ordnance Corps

    Based upon William Sharples' Medal Rolls Index Card and Service Medal and Award Roll, he was transferred to Z Reserve status on 9th of November 1919. After a thorough search, neither his service record nor a pension were located, it is very possible that his records were destroyed during the Second World War. From these limited sources available, it cannot be determined which theatre he served in. For his service in the Great War, Private William Sharples of the Army Ordnance Corps, was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246734

    Rflmn. Horace P. Williams 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.1st April 1918)

    Horace Williams is believed to have been wounded during the German Operation Michael Advance, possibly near Baupame. He died of wounds on 1st of April 1918 and was buried by German Forces.

    David Coombes




    246733

    S/Sgt. J. Twynam 1st South African Mounted Rifles (d.30th November 1914)

    Staff Sergeant Twynam is buried in the Barnea Siding Burial Ground, Bethlehem, Free State, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    246731

    Pte. S. Bowden 5th Regiment (d.14th June 1917)

    Private Bowden was the son of John and Mary Elizabeth Bowden. He was 24 when he died and is buried in the Alice Cemetery, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    246725

    Pte. Arthur Page 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Arthur Page, along with his wife, were family friends. They didn't have any children. Arthur used to talk to me about the war when I was a young man. I now know he left a lot of the bad things out and having read the history of the Middlesex Regiment on this website I now have a greater understanding of just what they went through. I have his medals and also his brother's who was in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps along with his death plaque that was always on their sideboard highly polished in tribute.

    Arthur arrived in France on the 14th of August 1914. I believe he was under age at the time. Arthur never stopped being a soldier always upright, his shoes polished, even the vegetables in his garden stood to attention in straight lines. Arthur and his wife Nellie retired to Devon where he passed away in 1969 They were great men!





    246716

    Arthur Martin 10th Btn. Devonshire Regiment

    Uncle Arthur Martin put his occupation down as Soldier of the 10th Devonshire Regiment, on his Wedding banns in 1915. I haven't been able to find any more information on his military career. He married Lily M Helm.

    Teresa Matheson




    246715

    Spr. Frederick George Baker Royal Engineers

    According to Sapper Frederick Baker's Medal Rolls Index Card and his Service Medal and Award Roll, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in the Great War. There is no mention of which theatre he served in per either document. A thorough search for his service record or pension record was unsuccessful, it is quite possible that his records were among those destroyed during the Second World War. Subsequently, he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal during the early reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246714

    Cpl. John Henry Sendall Postal Section Royal Engineers

    John Sendall (with approval of the Postmaster-General) enlisted into the Postal Section of the Royal Engineers on 3rd of December 1914. Per his Medal Rolls Index Card, he entered the French theatre on 9th of July 1915. His service record indicates that he remained in the R.E. Postal Section throughout the war. As of 1st of August 1915, he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Brigade HQ, evidently throughout his war service in France.

    He was awarded his 1st Good Conduct Badge 1917 and was promoted to Acting Corporal the same year, his rank became substantive later on. According to his Service Medal and Award Roll (1914-15 Star), Corporal Sendall was transferred to Class Z Reserve status on 24th of April 1919, and returned to Derby. For his service in the Great War, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    At home, he continued his service with the Post Office, retired as Postal and Telegraph Officer, Derby and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal in May 1947. John Sendall had been born in 1887 to Robert and Eliza Jane Sendall of Derby. On 2nd of March 1912, he married Rose Edith Mottershaw, who was born in 1885 to James and Sarah Ann Mottershaw, also of Derby. The Sendalls apparently remained in Derby throughout their lives. Rose Edith Sendall passed in March 1963, followed by John in September 1966.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246713

    Spr. Henry Molyneux 65th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    On Sapper Henry Molyneux's Medal Rolls Index Card and Service Medal and Awards Roll for the 1914-15 Star, his surname was changed from Greenwood to Molyneux. On a List Of Transfer Documents, his name reads, "Henry Greenwood alias Molyneux". This document also reveals his transfer to the R.E.'s 65th Field Company, no date was given.

    According to "Mediterranean Force No. 5608, Third Echelon, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 65th Field Company.", 41238 Molyneux Sapper H. was listed as Severely Wounded on the 17th of August 1915. He entered the French theatre on 6th of July 1915 and was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in the Great War. Henry was transferred To Class Z on 28th of July 1919, this suggests that he served through to the end of the war despite his wounding at Gallipoli.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246711

    Pte. Francis Joseph Troddan 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.15th Oct 1916)

    Frank Troddan served with the 2nd Durham Light Infantry.

    Ian Bishop




    246702

    2nd Lt. Walter Arthur "Archie" Cannell MM. 236th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My father, Archie Cannell had joined the Canadian volunteers in 1916 aged 16. He became a telephonist and assistant to the FOO. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery under fire on 1st of March 1917 at Le Touret near Bethune. He was recommended for officer training. and was sent from 4th Canadian Siege Battery 18 pdrs. to England on 9th of August 1917. He joined the Officer Cadet Battalion at Maresfield Park on the 21st of November 1917. He was commissioned into RGA as a 2nd Lt. on 17th of June 1918 and was sent to France 2nd of November 1918 to Base Depot at Le Havre until posted to 236th Siege Battery RGA on 16th of November 1918. He was demobilised on the 3rd of June 1919 and relinquished his commission on the 12th of July 1919.

    Hugh Cannell




    246700

    Pte. William Tett 1st Btn Somerset Light Infantry (d.14th May 1918)

    William Tett is buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport.

    Marian Sedwell




    246694

    Pte. Thomas Rogers 16th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    My Great Granddad, Thomas Rogers served in WW1 with the 16th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. I know nothing of his service history but he was killed on 3rd of April 1918 and is buried in Quesnoy Farm Military Cemetery, France.

    Donna Grant




    246693

    Pte. George Cousins 13th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    George Cousins served with 13th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.

    Kathleen Shaw




    246692

    Pte. Harold Cure Hayne 12th Light Horse Regiment

    <p>

    Harold Hayne served with the 12th Australian Light Horse Regiment.





    246691

    Private Alfred Robert Harris Weir 1/6th Btn. London Regiment (d.07/06/17)

    Alfred Robert Harris WEIR was born on 22nd September 1881 in Manchester. His parents were Ebenezer E WEIR born circa 1843 and Ann E WEIR born circa 1851. He had two siblings Neil born circa 1883 and Ann born circa 1889. They moved from Manchester to Arrochar in Dumbartonshire in Scotland by 1891 living in Piers House. The family moved again and Alfred was admitted to school in London on 6th September 1893 at Saunders Road School and they lived at 27 Richmond Gardens. Alfred married Emily Hannah Harrington on 5th April 1908 and they lived at 44 Field Road Fulham Middlesex by the 1911 Census with a daughter called Edith Marjory. He joined the 1st/6th Battalion (City of London Rifles) and 322/921/5843 Pte A R H WEIR was killed on 7th June 1917 on the first day of the Battle of Messines. He is one of the 32 soldiers of the battalion killed that day and remembered at Ypres on the Menin Gate memorial

    Tim Gigg




    246677

    Pte. Samuel Kirkpatrick 2nd Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.26th September 1914)

    I have a spoon marked 9017 WEL which likely belonged to Samuel Kirkpatrick of the 2nd Welsh Regiment.

    Wayne Finch




    246675

    Cpl. Douglas Aldrige 10th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.13th October 1917)

    Douglas Aldrige was my grandmothers brother. I believe he was mentioned in dispatches, I was told that he went into no mans land three times to help recover two of his pals but did not comeback for the third time. He was in Princess Louise Highlanders. I have been looking for information I did find his army records on ancestry, any information would be helpful.

    Brian Douglas Begg




    246669

    Pte. Horatio Ellis Evans Military Medal 10th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.17th Sep 1918)

    Horatio Evans was injured at Mammetz Woods and sent home to convalesce at Whitchurch Hospital in Wales where he received the military medal for bravery, then sent back to Salonika where he was killed in the Battle of Dorrian.

    Herbert Turner




    246663

    Pte. William Fredrick Spinks 1/4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    William Spinks served with the 1/4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment. I am in the process of writing out his hand written memoirs.

    Rachel Bedford




    246661

    Pte. Thomas Price 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1917)

    My grandfather is Thomas Price. I believe he was about 32 yrs old. We have no family photograph of him or information of his death of reported missing.

    Helen London




    246655

    Pte. Henry Ison 11th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.15th November 1916)

    <p>Henry is on the left

    I had never seen a photo of my great grandfather, Henry Ison until I joined Ancestry and found a cousin had posted a photo. My Grandmother, Annie Maria Ison, told me that his Sergeant came to the door and told her mother, Annie Ison that he popped his head over the parapet, was hit in head and was killed instantly. Whether this was true or part of the Defence Forces attempt to make the pain less severe is unknown. My Grandmother said Henry was due to have home leave the day after his death.

    The 11th Battalion diary for 15th November 1916 records a fierce battle for Frankfort Trench, although only the names of officers & RSMs were recorded when killed.

    His name is on the wall of the missing at Thiepval on the Somme and his details are on the Visitors Centre database. I now have the Henry's death penny, which was returned to my family in Perth, Western Australia after it was dug up in a garden in South Perth after being lost for many years, after Annie Ison had moved to Australia and remarried.

    Pam McGilvary




    246652

    Pte. William Lightbody 15th (North Belfast) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    The information I have on William Lightbody is very limited. He came from Groomsport, Bangor, Co. Down. He was my grandfather's brother. His medals were passed down to me which I have had in a box for over 40 years. Before I got them thy were in my grandfather's possession so he must have gotten them after William died. I don't know when he died. I feel he needs to have his name out there. I now have his medals hanging proudly in a glass case in my house. I'm just sorry I can't provide any more information on him.

    Andrew Drysdale




    246640

    Stokr. Owen Griffiths HMS Munlochy

    <p>Welcome home certificate of my grandfather, Stoker Owen Griffiths of Holyhead, Anlesey

    My grandfather, Owen Griffiths of Holyhead, Anlesey, served on the minesweeping vessel HMS Munlochy in the North Sea during WW1

    Cyflwynwn i chwi yr anerchiad hwn yn gofarwydd o'ch gwasanaeth in gwlad a deyrnas yn nghyfnod y rhyfel mawr 1917 - 1919 Galwyd arnoch at waith diethr a phoenys a olugai i chwi ddioddef ac aberthy. Ei gorfod ymadael o honoch o'r gorlan hon am yspaid ar alwad eich gwlad, eto parhaech yn ddwfn yn serch yr Eglwys, yn ei meddwl ai gweddiau.

    Mawr bryderem am ddiogelech eich einioes a'ch cymeriad mewn cylchoed peryglys. Llawenhawn i chwi gael eich harbed drwy'r cyfan oll, ach dychwell gartref at eich anwyliaid.

    Ein dymyniad a'n gweddi, ydyw ac i'r Duw a'ch cadwodd hyd yma lewyrchu Ei wyneb arnoch a rhoddi chwi dangnefedd.

    Ar Ran Yr Eglwys H D Hughes Gwenidog

    Robert Thomas Llwydd y Pwyllgor

    Rough translation,

    We present you with this certificate as a recognition of your service to your country and Kingdom during the Great War period of 1917 to 1919. Your call to an unfamiliar and painful work meant you great sacrifice. You had to leave this fold for a while on this calling by your country, yet you persisted deeply in the love of this church, it's thoughts and prayers. We feared greatly for your safety both physically and spiritually in this dangerous situation.

    We rejoice that you have been kept safely through the whole thing and have been brought home to your loved ones. Our devotion and prayer is that the God who kept you safely so far will have his face shine upon you and give you peace.

    Dewi Alun Griffiths




    246627

    Cpl. Roy John Leslie New Zealand Field Artillery (d.5th September 1917)

    Roy Leslie was the Son of David Kirkwood Anderson and Rose Ann Leslie, of Tahiti, Lynton Avenue, Auckland, New Zealand. Born at Hawera, New Zealand, he was aged 23 when he died and is buried in the Uranie Cemetery in the Society Islands.

    S flynn




    246626

    Pte. R. W. Fuhrstrom 58th Btn. (d.29th May 1918)

    Private Fuhrstrom is buried in the Uranie Cemetery in the Society Islands.

    S flynn




    246618

    Spr. Hamlet Hope Royal Engineers

    According to Hamlet Hope's Medal Rolls Index Card, he entered into the Egyptian theatre on 28th of April1915, as a Pioneer, but ended the conflict as a Sapper. All attempts to access either his service record or a pension record were unsuccessful, it is likely that his records were destroyed during the Second World War.

    It is unclear whether he remained in the Middle East for the duration of the conflict or not. Again referring to his MRIC, he was transferred into Class Z status, but no date is given. For his service in the Great War, Sapper Hamlet Hope was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. At some point, he attested to the Territorial Force, as he was awarded a George V-issue Territorial Force Efficiency Medal and later served in the Second World War, earning the 1939-1945 Defence Medal and the 1939-1945 British War Medal.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246617

    Gnr. Harry Stocks 3rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    According to Harry Stocks' service record, he attested into the 3rd Brigade (Territorial Force), Royal Field Artillery, on 17th of June 1915. As stated in his Conditions Of Service, he was 'not required to serve overseas unless he was either with his Territorial unit or part of it or be drafted individually into any other unit'. As a Territorial, his service number was 2634.

    On 20th of May 1916, he disembarked into the French theatre, where he served with his unit either as a Gunneror as a Driver. On 26th September 1918, Driver Stocks suffered a simple fracture to his right radius when some ammunition boxes fell from a wagon he was unloading. Due to his treatment requirements, he was evacuated to England. According to a "Report On Accidental Or Self-Inflicted Injuries", the findings indicated that the injury was incurred in the performance of military duty and that neither he or anyone else was to blame for the incident. On 23rd of January 1919, he signed a "Statement Of Disability" stating, "I do not claim to be suffering from a disability due to my military service".

    Harry was demobilized in early February 1919. Per his Medal Rolls Index Card and Service Medal and Award Roll, Gunner Harry Stocks was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service in the Great War.

    Civil records suggest that Harry Stocks returned to Sheffield and married Gladys Tubbs in late 1919. Lastly, based upon transit records, it appears that Harry and Gladys Stocks, with daughters Gladys and Renee, arrived in Canada on 9th of May 1925, their new home.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246613

    2nd Lt. Ronald Lang

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    My father, Ronald Lang fought with the Australians from 13th of January 1918 until he was wounded in combat on 21st of February 1918.

    William Lang




    246611

    Gnr. Wilfred Jesse Smith 2/1st North Scottish Company Royal Garrison Artillery

    Wilfred Smith enlisted on 19th July 1916 and was discharged due to sickness on 7th March 1917 and received Silver Badge Number 145726.

    William




    246606

    Pte. Cornelius O'Neill 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.21st July 1916)

    Con O'Neill was my great uncle. He is buried at Dud Corner, Loos

    Eileen Luck




    246604

    Pte. Edwin Baylie 19th Hussars

    According to POW records from the National Archives, Edwin Baylie was a POW in 1916 at Dulmen. He also married in Lausanne, Switzerland in Nov 1916 so I'm assuming at some point he was moved.

    Cali Clarke




    246600

    Bmdr. John Elson Royal Field Artillery

    John Elson's service record or pension record do not survive, likely his records were among those destroyed during the Second World War. Per his Medal Rolls Index Card, he entered the French theatre on 22nd of August 1915. Curiously, according to his second (1920-dated) Service Medal and Award Roll, Bombardier Elson "reverted own request to Gunner". In any event, according to his Medal Rolls Index Card, Elson's rank is listed as Bombardier. For his service in the Great War, John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246599

    Pte. James William Mendham 10th Battalion, 1 Coy. Manchester Regiment

    Efforts to access either a service record or pension record for James Mendham were unsuccessful, these were likely destroyed during the Second World War. According to his Medal Rolls Index Card, Service Medal and Award Roll Private Mendham served with the 1st Coy., 10th (Oldham) Battalion of the Territorial Force. Since he did not qualify for the 1914-15 Star, it is likely that He first served overseas with the 1/10th in Egypt in either 1916 or early 1917, on 6th of March1917, the 1/10th entered the French theatre at Marseille and was assigned to the 42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division and was engaged in the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), executed a fighting withdrawal during Germany's March 1918 Michael Offensive and then returned to the offensive in August 1918. The 1/10th took Hautmont, France on 6th of November 1918 after fierce hand-to-hand fighting and some improved bridge building, where it remained until the Armistice took effect.

    One curiosity noted on his Service Medal and Award Roll is that he was listed as attached R.E. my assumption is that although he was an infantryman, based upon skills, he was locally transferred to an assigned R.E. unit. For his service in the Great War, Private James Mendham was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246597

    Pte. William John Ringham 12th,6th,5th,9th,1st Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Unfortunately, Private William John Ringham's service record (or a pension record) was not available through Ancestry.com resources; accordingly, it is likely this his records were destroyed during the Second World War. On his Medal Rolls Index Card, there is no secondary service number listed (i.e., Labour Corps), thus Private Ringham probably served in the Infantry throughout his time in the Army. On his Service Medal and Award Roll, there is a little more information. For example, Private Ringham served in FIVE different battalions, listed in order: 12th, 6th, 5th, 9th and 1st. Based upon www.1914-1918.net, "The King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)", it is likely that he served primarily in France, but may have also served at Salonika. Back to Private Ringham's Service Medal and Award Roll - he transferred into "Reserve Z." status on November 9, 1919, suggesting that he was not disabled during the Great War. For his service, Private William John Ringham was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246596

    Capt. Thomas Budd 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    One of 3 Brothers who Served in WW1 in France
    • Thomas Budd - 17/21st Lancers, later Captain 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment - A regular Soldier from 1899 - 1919.
    • Frederick Budd - 7th Service Battalion, East Surrey Regiment.
    • Arthur Benjamin Budd 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment.

    Michael Budd




    246594

    John Sinclair Forbes Seaforth Highlanders

    John Forbes was the son of William Alexander Forbes and Margaret Polson, He had three brothers, William Alexander Walker, David Alexander and George Alexander. He served with the Seaforth Highlanders in France, surviving the war. His brother George was serving with the 11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders when he was killed in action on 22nd August 1917 during the 3rd Battle of Ypres.

    Anne Forbes




    246592

    Pte. Jesse Winchester 1st/8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.27th May 1917)

    Jesse Winchester was born in Ticehurst, Sussex in 1892. He lived in Mereworth in Kent with his parents in 1911 when he was working on a farm. He enlisted in 1917 and died of wounds on 27th May 1917 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. It is likely therefore that he was wounded in the Battle of Arras in April and passed through the casualty clearing system to end his days in a hospital in Etaples. He left a widow, Violet, of Rosebank, Horsmonden, Kent. His elder brother William Amos Winchester also died of wounds, probably in a hospital in Bethune, on 16th April 1916 having been in France for just a month. Their parents were Mark William and Mary Jane Winchester. Both are remembered on Mereworth village war memorial which unusually lists all the men who served in the war by date of enlistment.

    Andy Bodle




    246590

    L/Cpl. Richard Patrick Thornton 16th Signal Company Royal Engineers

    My grandfather Richard Thornton was born on 20th Aug. 1884. He died in Coalisland, Co. Tyrone in 1966. He married Rachael C. Walsh in 1907 and they had 7 children. My mother was Evelyn born in 1912 and after the war he had 3 more children. He was a Post Office clerk before the war. I have a large photograph of his battalion, taken in November 1915 at Blackdown, Dorset, England. The caption reads "Officers & N.C.O's 16th Signal Coy. Royal Engineers. Blackdown. November 1915." I presume this is where he was sent to after enlisting. He was wounded in the back but survived to return to his wife and children. During his time in Belgium, my grandfather sent great postcards to his children. They had moved to Belfast to be near an aunt. Then years later my grandfather talked about going to live in Belgium, but he would not have received his pension there. But his daughter Bernadette married a 2nd World War Belgian soldier in 1947 and he got his wish and visited Belgium on several occasions. That branch of the family still live in Belgium, near Liege. There are 46 men in the photograph, would any of the readers of this site have a relative in the photograph? My grandfather lived until he was 82 years of age and from this marriage have grown the lives of 16 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 26 great great grandchildren.

    Bernie Lowry




    246589

    Sgt. J. Arthur DCM. 2nd Btn. Cameron Highlanders

    Sjt. J. Arthur earned a DCM award on 28th of April 1915 at Hill 60 near Ypres for conspicuous gallantry when after his trench was blown in, and both officer's and several men had been buried, he re-organised the defense with great coolness and helped to dig out the buried under heavy fire conditions.

    Here in Pennsylvania, USA, I acquired his grouping, and another soldier from the Boer War, one day at a car boot, a friend grabbed for me to add to trade deal or classic truck. What luck the folk here didn't realise how important and special these grouping's are. There are five medals, all properly engraved and not touched since he himself held these relics of his valor. I also hold Leut. H. Biggs QSA grouping (5 award). Both were within a display case, and in proper lighting, toned like rainbow glory of untampered majestic glory. I have all records but search in hope of a image of either as both survived their services and drew pension.

    Having family and dear friends from Birmingham and Telford, I was able to have help in finding the information. (Total thanks and regards to the Thacker family, finest friends a man could have). I also honor these and merely holding has been such a pleasure. I hope to donate them to Inverness as a gift to them for my enjoyment of research the past decade has caused. If any other interested parties runs on a veteran clipping, image including Sjt Arthur or Leut.H. Biggs, I'd be forever in your debt. I'm not a wealthy man, but would pay a reward for certain proven images. My vow is that these won't hit the market again and will be returned where they belong. The gift of donating would surpass any monetary gain I could enjoy. I fret the wrong holder touching, handling or tampering.

    The Sjt Arthur's DCM had no ribbon, I replaced it. I have medal bar mounts backed with felt, but am to afraid to touch them to mount. I just wanted no chance they'd ever be separated. If I told what I paid for these in the trade, so many envious people would grint their teeth. The right person found these. These are the highlight of my collection, even being an American, having kin from England.

    Timothy Alden




    246587

    L/Cpl. Richard Burt 81st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.14th February 1918)

    Richard Burt was born in 1899, the son of Harry and Isabel Burt who lived at 34 John Street, Askam. Richard had 8 siblings, Anne, Henry, John, William, Isabel and Albert. Before joining up Richard worked for his father who was a carter and coal merchant.

    The sad news of Richard's death was conveyed to his parents on 23rd of February 1918, Richard had been in France for 12 months. He was wounded on 28th of January 1918 in the left thigh and taken to Camiers Dannes 4th General Military Hospital, France, where his leg was amputated. Richard failed to recover and died in hospital of his wounds.

    Amongst his things sent home was an unfinished letter written in pencil, the tone of which was very cheerful. Another son William was a prisoner of war in Germany about 75 miles from Berlin and worked at a coal mine. He returned home in January 1919 together with Gilbert Brocklebank, whose parents had the Vulcan. Richard's father died in 1937 aged 86 and his mother Isabel died in 1943 aged 84, both are buried at St Peters Churchyard, Ireleth. In 2015 we visited Richard's grave at Etaples, near Le Touquet in France and left messages from Askam and Ireleth to say we remember him.





    246586

    Cpl. Alfred Percy Copplestone 2/8th Btn. HQ Coy. Worcestershire Regiment

    I have my Grandfather's diary from World War 1 and he seemed to organise a number of football matches on his 2+ years spent in France & Belgium. Apart from several inter company matches there was one between his Battalion and the Warwickshires (not known which Bn) just five days before the major German offensive known as Operation Michael (21st of Mar 18). The Worcesters won the match 3-2.

    Alfred Copplestone arrived in France on 24th of May 16, as a Cpl and left, to attend an officers training course held at Fleet, Hampshire, on 1st of Jun 18. He was commissioned 2Lt but did not return to the front. He was demobbed in early 1919.

    Peter Farrer




    246578

    Pte. Lionel Raymond Hopkins 10th Btn. A Coy. Middlesex Regiment (d.27th April 1916)

    Lionel Hopkins, born on 26th July 1894 in Turvey. Bedfordshire was the son of George Edward and Francis Maud Hopkins of 1 Burnham Road, St. Albans, Hertfordshire. From 2nd January 1912 he was a teacher at Elstow Board Lower School. When he enlisted in Battersea on 1st November 1912 he was living in St. Johns Green, Battersea. He served with A Company 1st/10th Battalion Middlesex Regiment. He died of a fractured skull received in a fall on 27th of April 1916 aged 21 years in India and is buried in Kala Khan Cemetery, Naintal, India. He is commemorated on the Madras 1914-1918 War Memorial, Chennai, India and on the War Memorial, All Saints church, Turvey, Bedfordshire. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1907-11, he is also commemorated on the School War Memorial. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246577

    L/Cpl. Leonard de Wilde Holding 153rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.18th July 1917)

    Leonard Holding, born on 20th January 1891 in St. Edmunds, Northampton was the Son of Matthew Henry and Edith Holding of 49 Billing Road, Northampton. He was an engineer and enlisted on 29th of August 1914 in Northampton. He served with 153rd Field Company, Royal Engineers. He died of gunshot wounds to the head on 18th of July 1917 and is buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, France. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1906-08, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246576

    L/Cpl. Albert Edward Haynes 1/5th (City of London) Btn. London Regiment (d.6th to 10th Sep 1916)

    Albert Haynes born on 17th March 1891 in Old Warden, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire was the son of William and Susan Haynes of 12 Lindsell Crescent, Town Field, Biggleswade. He attended Bedford Moderen school and on 6th September 1909 was a teacher at Holmead Middle School for Boys, Biggleswade. He enlisted in Hornsey and served with 1/5th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment. He was killed in action between 6th and 10th September 1916 aged 24 years on the Somme. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1905-09, he commemorated on the School War Memorial. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246575

    Pte. Edward Draper Eastwood 6th Btn East Lancashire Regiment (d.27th February 1917)

    Edward Eastwood served with the 8th, 3rd and 6th Battalions, East Lancashire Regiment.





    246574

    Capt. Thomas Greaves 6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.1st July 1918)

    Thomas Greaves was the son of Thomas and Mary Jane Greaves of Chesterfield, Derbyshire. He served with the 1st/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). He died of his wounds on 1st of July 1918 aged 32 years and is buried in Pernes British Cemetery in France. He is remembered on an oak paneled reredos in St Thomas the Apostle's Church, Brampton, Chesterfield (a gift of his parents). Thomas was a pupil of Bedford Modern School 1900-02, and is commemorated on the School War Memorial. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246573

    Rflm. George Henry Gray 2nd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.29th January 1915)

    George Gray was the son of George and Elizabeth Ann Gray of 55 Madeley Road, Ealing, London. His brother William also fell during the War. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Kings Royal Rifles Corps. He died on 29th of January 1915 aged 34 years. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1891-96, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246572

    L/Cpl. George Henry Grantham 15th (Civil Service Rifles) Btn. C.Coy. London Regiment (d.15th September 1916)

    George Grantham, son of George and Mary Grantham of 127 Marlborough Road, Bedford. Served with C Coy. 1st/15th (Civil Service Rifles) Battalion London Regiment. He was killed in action on 15th of September 1916 aged 22 years during the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. He is also remembered on the War Memorial inside All Saints church, Bedford.

    Extract from the Bedfordshire Times and Independent dated 6th October 1916: "The death in action on the Western front is reported of Lance corporal George Henry Grantham, elder son of Mr. And Mrs. Grantham of Marlborough Road, Bedford. A promising career at the Modern School ended in his being awarded a Leaving Exhibition, with which he went to a London College. Thence he passed into the Actuarial Department of the National Health Insurance Commission, being placed eleventh in a competitive examination with 400 entrants. While serving in this Department, he gained the distinction, at the early age of 21, of Associate-ship of the Institute of Actuaries. The examination over, he at once joined up and on December 2nd 1915, crossed to France with a draft of the London Regiment (the Civil Service Rifles). When the Great Push came he saw considerable fighting, but escaped unhurt until 15th of September 1916, when he met an instantaneous death. At school the boys admired him as a sticker and a straight forward fellow, while the Headmaster and staff looked upon him as one sure to make a name for himself, and do honour to the school. He was quiet and unassuming, but a lad of great strength of character. From his Commanding Officer and from his comrades at the front, Mr. And Mrs. Grantham have received letters bearing witness to the esteem in which he was held by those who have been with him daily during his ten months in France, his comrades mentioning that he wad always brave, cheerful and a gentleman".

    Pupil of Bedford Modern School 1905-12, he commemorated on the School War Memorial. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246570

    Pte. Charles Alfred Richard Grant 4th Water Tank Coy. Army Service Corps (d.28th November 1918)

    Charles Grant was born in Bedford, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Grant of 169 Tavistock Street, Bedford. The 1911 census shows that he was living with his parents and siblings in Tavistock Strret, he was a Municipal Official Clerk. He served with the No.4 Water Tank Company Army Service Corps. He died on the 28th November 1918 aged 28 years in France and is buried in Auberchicourt British Cemetery. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour in St. Martins church, Bedford. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1902-06, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246559

    Afferey HMHS Panama

    I have acquired a 3 piece tea service from an auction and on it has a inscription to AVC Afferey HMHS Panama 29th May 1916 from all his friends. I'd love to find out who he was and what he did after the war.

    David Hull




    246558

    Pte. Henry Weinberg 1st Garrison Bn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.9th October 1918)

    Henry Weinberg was the Son of S. J. and Kate Weinberg, of 135, Castlewood Rd., Stamford Hill, London.

    He was 24 when he died and is buried in the Chua Chu Kang Jewish Cemetery in Singapore.

    S Flynn




    246549

    Edward Walker

    E Walker is listed on the roll of honour compiled by the vicar of Drigg. published 4th of May 1916 by the Whitehaven News

    A Bell




    246548

    Capt. Walter Clinton 1st Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.22nd November 1918)

    Captain Clinton is buried in the Belgrade New Cemetery in Serbia

    S Flynn




    246545

    Pte. Lionel Gooderham Hammond 28th (1st Artists Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.30th October 1917)

    Lionel Hammond was born in 1893 in Stevington, Bedfordshire son of Robert Thomas and Amelia Hammond, of The Bedford Arms Hotel, Woburn, Bedfordshire. He lived in Wembley Hill and enlisted in Shorditch with the 1st/28th (Artists' Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment. He was killed in action on 30th October 1917 aged 25 years during the 2nd Battle of Passcehendaele (3rd Battle of Ypres). The Roll of Honour for the Regiment shows that over 150 men from his Battalion were killed or injured on the same day. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He is remembered on the War Memorial in Woburn, Bedfordshire which stands next to the hotel his parents were running. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1905-08, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246544

    L/Cpl. Harold Sanders Harper 14th (1st London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Harold Harper was the son of Albert and Emily Louisa Harper of 9 St. Mary's Street, Bedford. He was a member of the National Union of Teachers, teaching from the family home in St. Mary's Street.

    He enlisted in London with the 1st/14th Battalion London Regiment (London Scottish) Service No.4528. He was killed in action on 1st July 1916 aged 24 years during the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour inside St Marys church, Bedford (the church is now used as a research centre by Albion Archaeology, Bedfordshire County Council.

    A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1904-08, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246543

    Capt. Tom Marriott Harrison 13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd April 1917)

    Tom Harrison was born on 7th August 1876 in Redhill son of Thomas William and Eleanor Harrison of Redhill, Surrey, he was the husband of E. Ethel Harrison of 17, Holmbush Road, Putney, London. He was an Insurance Clerk before he enlisted with the 3rd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He rose through the ranks, promoted to temp. 2nd Lieutenant with 17th battalion on 20th of November 1914, finally promoted to Captain and attached to 13th Battalion. He died on 3rd April 1917 aged 40 years, Pas de Calais and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. "The Cross of Sacrifice" book by SD + DB Jarvis records the cause of his death as "dedacc". Unlike the majority of entries which clearly show killed in action or died of wounds, this suggests he was possibly killed as a result of an accident. This doesn't distract away from the fact he died serving his country.

    He was a pupil of Bedford Modern School 1899-1902, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246542

    Rfl. Sidney Arthur Hart 2nd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th September 1918)

    Sidney Hart was born 28th of June 1896 in Bedford, son of John and Mary Hart of 77 Howbury Street, Bedford. He eEnlisted in April 1917 at Bedford with the 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment then posted to 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. He Saw action at Arras, Ypres, Beaumont-Hamel and Cambrai. He was badly gassed and died of gas poisoning on 10th September 1918 age 22 years at Boulogne, France and is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1908-13, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246541

    2nd.Lt. John Theodore Gordon Humphreys MID. 40th Pathans (d.19th July 1917)

    Second Lieutenant John Theodore Gordon Humphreys born 10 July 1896 at Llangan Rectory, Bridgend, Glamorgan. Son of the Rev. Henry James and Sydney Humphreys. The 1901 census shows his parents and 4 children living in Hyde, Cheshire, the family then moved to Thornley, Vicarage, Tow Law, Co. Durham in 1903. He attended Colchester School, Corbridge and then, Durham Grammar School between 1910 and 1916. On leaving he went to Wellington College before entering the Royal Military Acadamy,Sandhurst. He graduated and was given his commission as Lieutenant on 18th April 1917 serving with the 40th Pathans, British Indian Army in East Africa from 26th May 1917.

    He was killed in action on 19th July 1917 aged 21 years at the Battle of Mgergeri, Narumgombe having led his men out of a nullah (stream) where they were exposed to machine-gun fire, he was returning to help his commanding officer when he was killed. He had previously been reported missing but was reported killed in the Casualty List of 14 August 1917. He is buried in Dar es Salaam War Cemetery, Tanzania and is remembered on the War Memorial, Tow Law, Durham, Memorial Plaque in St. Bartholomews Church, Thornley and The Memorial Cross, Thornley.

    He was posthumously mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette supplement dated 17th August 1917. His Colonel wrote to his parents:- "He was considered a brave officer and a good comrade, and that was the best that could be said of a soldier."

    Captain Wadeson wrote to his parents: "Your son was regarded in the Regiment as a brave and promising officer, and his loss is keenly felt by all, He was always cheery and willing, however trying the circumstances, and did very good work in the action at Rombo, on the 18 April last, when Major Macpherson was killed. On that occasion he moved very coolly under heavy fire."

    In January 1918 The Times newspaper published a story of a Patriotic family "The Rev H.J. Humphreys, vicar of Thornley, Tow Law, Durham had five sons. Henry St. Giles Humphreys had been returning from America to enlist when he was killed on the Lousitania when it was torpedoed. John Theodore Gordon Humphreys had been to Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Indian Infantry and killed in action at Narumgombe. Captain Herbert Phillip Wynne Humphreys was an officer in the Royal Flying Corp and had been awarded a Military Cross. Owen (Aled Owain) Humphreys was serving with the Canadian Royal Flying Corps. Captain Noel Forbes Humphreys first served as a despatch rider, then in the Machine Gun Corps and had become a section commander of tanks in France." They omitted to mention the fact that his son in law Richard Howe (married to his daughter Mary Grace) was serving with the Durham Light Infantry.

    Caroline Hunt




    246540

    Capt. Noel Forbes Humphreys MC. 10th Btn. Tank Corps (d.27th March 1918)

    Noel Humphreys was born 1st December 1891 at Llangan Rectory, Bridgend, Glamorgan, the fourth son of the Rev. Henry James and Sydney Humphreys. In 1901 he was boarding at Saint Chads College, Denstone, Staffordshire, the census shows his parents and 4 siblings living in Hyde, Cheshire, the family then moved to Thornley, Vicarage, Tow Law, Co.Durham in 1903. He attended Durham Grammar School 1905-1909 and then to Armstrong College. The 1911 census shows he was living at the home of his married sister Mary and her husband Richard Howe in Sunnybrow, Willington, he was employed as a solicitors articled clerk. In August 1914 he enlisted with the Royal Engineers and served as a despatch rider. Two months later he received his commission and joined the Motor Machine Gun Services as temp 2nd Lieutenant, then promoted to Captain with 10th Battalion Tank Corps.

    He was mentioned in Despatches and on 8th June 1917 was awarded the Military Cross for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. "His tank becoming stranded, he commenced to dig it out, and though wounded, he completed his task and continued in action the whole day, finally bringing his tank out of action to the rallying point".

    He was severely wounded on Easter Monday 25th of March 1918 and died of his wounds on 27th of March 1918 aged 27 years, he is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, Tow Law, Durham, Memorial Plaque in St. Bartholomews Church, Thornley and The Memorial Cross, Thornley.

    In January 1918 The Times newspaper published a story of a Patriotic family "The Rev H.J. Humphreys, vicar of Thornley, Tow Law, Durham had five sons. Henry St. Giles Humphreys had been returning from America to enlist when he was killed on the Lousitania when it was torpedoed. John Theodore Gordon Humphreys had been to Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Indian Infantry and killed in action at Narumgombe. Captain Herbert Phillip Wynne Humphreys was an officer in the Royal Flying Corp and had been awarded a Military Cross. Owen (Aled Owain) Humphreys was serving with the Canadian Royal Flying Corps. Captain Noel Forbes Humphreys first served as a despatch rider, then in the Machine Gun Corps and had become a section commander of tanks in France." They omitted to mention the fact that his son in law Richard Howe (married to his daughter Mary Grace) was serving with the Durham Light Infantry.

    Welsh Rugby's forgotten War Hero.

    Noel Humphreys, the former fly-half, does not appear on the Welsh Rugby Union's Roll of Honour for war heroes, despite playing international rugby, because even though he was one of seven Welsh players on the first official British Lions tour to South Africa in 1910, he never represented Wales' national side. While still a teenager he became the youngest Welshman to play for the Lions on that tour after making his debut in a 17-0 win over Pretoria. He played for Tynedale RFC.

    The Rugby Fotball Union wants to honour every rugby player who lost his life during the WWI, irrespective of country, and on 15th September 2017 unveiled a memorial, designed by the former French Grand Slam captain Jean-Pierre Rives, just outside the village of Craonnelle on land next to the Basque Memorial in the heart of the Chemin des Dames Battlefields. It is hoped that the Memorial will become the place in the World where the game of Rugby will be remembered . A Rugby Players' Book of Remembrance has been opened and The World Rugby Memorial committee wants to ensure every player is honoured and remembered.

    Caroline Hunt




    246539

    2nd. Lt. Richard Algeo Howe 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Richard Howe was the husband of Mary Grace Humphreys. The 1911 census shows him living with his wife Mary in Sunnybrow, Willington, he was employed as a Colliery Manager. His brother in law John Theodore Gordon Humphreys was staying with them. He served with the 6th Durham Light Infantry, was wounded and survived the war.

    In January 1918 The Times newspaper published a story of a Patriotic family "The Rev H.J. Humphreys, vicar of Thornley, Tow Law, Durham had five sons. Henry St. Giles Humphreys had been returning from America to enlist when he was killed on the Lousitania when it was torpedoed. John Theodore Gordon Humphreys had been to Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Indian Infantry and killed in action at Narumgombe. Captain Herbert Phillip Wynne Humphreys was an officer in the Royal Flying Corp and had been awarded a Military Cross. Owen (Aled Owain) Humphreys was serving with the Canadian Royal Flying Corps. Captain Noel Forbes Humphreys first served as a despatch rider, then in the Machine Gun Corps and had become a section commander of tanks in France." They omitted to mention the fact that his son in law Richard Howe (married to his daughter Mary Grace) was serving with the Durham Light Infantry.

    Caroline Hunt




    246537

    Capt. Herbert Phillip Gwynn Humphreys MC. Royal Field Artillery

    Herbert Humphreys was the son of the Rev. Henry James and Sydney Humphreys. In 1901 he was boarding at Saint Chads College, Denstone, Staffordshire, the census shows his parents and 4 siblings living in Hyde, Cheshire, the family moved to Thornley, Vicarage, Tow Law, Co.Durham in 1903. At some point he emigrated to Canada possibly with his brother Aled but returned to enlist to serve his country.

    He was commissioned on 18th of December 1914 and when serving as Temp. Lieutenant with the Royal Field Artillery in 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, " when acting as forward observation officer under most trying circumstances... In spite of exceptional heavy gun fire he succeeded in laying and maintaining a telephone line for a distance of 5,000 yards, and although it was constantly cut during two days and a night, it was immediately repaired in every case and most valuable information was sent back. For a long time this line was the only means by which the infantry could get any information back to the rear. The success of the operation was very greatly due to the magnificent example set by this officer and his complete disregard of personal danger."

    He possibly served with the Royal Flying Corps as mentioned in January 1918, The Times newspaper published a story of a Patriotic family "The Rev H.J. Humphreys, vicar of Thornley, Tow Law, Durham had five sons. Henry St. Giles Humphreys had been returning from America to enlist when he was killed on the Lousitania when it was torpedoed. John Theodore Gordon Humphreys had been to Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Indian Infantry and killed in action at Narumgombe. Captain Herbert Phillip Wynne Humphreys was an officer in the Royal Flying Corp and had been awarded a Military Cross. Owen (Aled Owain) Humphreys was serving with the Canadian Royal Flying Corps. Captain Noel Forbes Humphreys first served as a despatch rider, then in the Machine Gun Corps and had become a section commander of tanks in France." They omitted to mention the fact that his son in law Richard Howe (married to his daughter Mary Grace) was serving with the Durham Light Infantry.

    He married Dorothy Alice Fidler, widow of Lieutenant Colonel William Langton Trench on 24 July 1934. He died in 1965.

    Information courtesy of www.newmp.org.uk and "Rise of the Tank: Armoured Vehicles and their use in the First World War" By Michael Foley.

    Caroline Hunt




    246536

    Aled Owain "Owen" Humphreys Royal Flying Corps

    Aled Humphreys, known as Owen was the Son of the Rev. Henry James and Sydney Humphreys. In 1901 he was boarding at Saint Chads College, Denstone, Staffordshire, the census shows his parents and 4 siblings living in Hyde, Cheshire, the family moved to Thornley, Vicarage, Tow Law, Co.Durham in 1903. At some point he emigrated to Canada possibly with his brother Herbert, He appears to have served with either the Canadian Royal Flying Corps (The Times newspaper 1918) or the Canadian Forestry Corps (www.newmp.org.uk )

    In January 1918 The Times newspaper published a story of a Patriotic family;

    "The Rev H.J. Humphreys, vicar of Thornley, Tow Law, Durham had five sons. Henry St. Giles Humphreys had been returning from America to enlist when he was killed on the Lousitania when it was torpedoed. John Theodore Gordon Humphreys had been to Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Indian Infantry and killed in action at Narumgombe. Captain Herbert Phillip Wynne Humphreys was an officer in the Royal Flying Corp and had been awarded a Military Cross. Owen (Aled Owain) Humphreys was serving with the Canadian Royal Flying Corps. Captain Noel Forbes Humphreys first served as a despatch rider, then in the Machine Gun Corps and had become a section commander of tanks in France." They omitted to mention the fact that his son in law Richard Howe (married to his daughter Mary Grace) was serving with the Durham Light Infantry.

    Information courtesy of www.newmp.org.uk and "Rise of the Tank: Armoured Vehicles and their use in the First World War" By Michael Foley.

    Caroline Hunt




    246535

    Pte. Abraham Litchfield 2nd Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Born in about 1883, Abraham Litchfield worked as a coal miner before joining the Sherwood Foresters very early in the war. He disembarked with the 2nd Battalion in September 1914.

    Peter Patilla




    246531

    Pte. John Nolan 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.24th May 1915)

    <p>

    John Nolan served with the 2nd Royal Irish Regiment. The Battalion landed in Boulogne on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in the Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, the Battle of Le Cateau, the Battle of the Marne and the Battle of Aisne.

    They were virtually destroyed as a battalion near Le Pilly during the Battle of La Bassee. All but 135 men and one officer were either killed, wounded or taken prisoner. John Nolan was imprisoned in Dietkirchen an der Lahn (Limburg) Prisoner-of-War camp and he died on 24th of May 1916 aged 20.

    Dietkirchen (Limburg) P-o-W Camp

    Bernadette Heggs




    246530

    Able Sea. Nathan Henderson Howe Battalion (d.21st May 1917)

    <p>

    Nathan Henderson's service records show he was killed in action on the 21st of May 1917. The family were informed in 1919 that he was buried in a isolated grave 5 miles north east of Arras. Although his name is on the Arras War Memorial he has no known grave. No details of why he is on the Memorial as his grave was apparently found as above in 1919

    Garry Fraser




    246520

    Pte. Constant Samuel Simmons Machine Gun Corps Royal Berkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Sam Simmons was treated at The Mount, Red Cross Hospital in Torquay. He served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and Machine Gun Corps.

    The Mount, Torquay

    Ruth Howell




    246517

    Pte. William Euwart Gladstone Shore 7th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.12th February 1917)

    William Shore was one of the Kitchener Volunteers, he was wounded in France and later served in Mesopotania. William died of wounds on the 12th of February 1917 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery.

    Peter Shore




    246516

    Pte. Charles Thomas Wood 10th Battalion, A Coy. Cheshire Regiment (d.24th April 1916)

    My maternal grandfather, Charles Wood, died when his daughter Sarah (my mother) was only 18 month's old. His widow, also Sarah, gave me his medal's, Pip Squeak & Wilfred, his Dead Man's Penny & scroll, his Soldier's Little Book when I was 12 year's old. It was this fact that started my lifelong interest in family history. His medal's have his name stamped on the rear, but he is shown as a Lance Corporal, but when he died he was listed as a private. I cannot find out why he was promoted to Lance Corporal, and I do not know what he did to be returned to the rank of private.

    On Easter Sunday 1916, around 7.30.p.m. my grandfather took up a defensive position on the lip of a crater near to Mont St. Eloi with a few of his mates. A German shell exploded near to them, covered them with earth and sadly they were not found until several day's later.

    Strangely his name is shown incorrectly on the war memorial local to where he lived, and his date of death is wrong on the larger roll of honour in the Stockport Art Gallery war memorial. I truly wish I had asked more question's about my grandfather and their life together at the tail end of the Victorian era, but I was too young to ask the right questions whilst my Nan was alive. When I was about 12 someone bought her an African Grey parrot, and she called him Charlie Wood. I also have several of the lace postcard's sent by soldier's from the front, and my Grandfather signed his From your loving boy Charles. So I think the parrot was wrongly named.

    Alan Bohan




    246515

    L/Sgt. Sydney Mitchell 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.2nd Dec 1918)

    Sydney Mitchell enlisted on 14th of December 1914 in Norwich, he was 19 years and 6 months old, occupation listed as footman. He served with 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment until 20th of October 1915 during which time he was promoted to the rank of Lance Serjeant. Wounded by a hand grenade to the face (denoted in service record). His wounds prompted evacuation to the UK on 30 July 1916, possibly Norfolk War Hospital (Norwich) but the record is incomplete. Wounds rendered him unfit for further duty and discharged from the service on 2 September 1917, granted the Kings Certificate allowing him to wear the pin denoting he had served and been invalided out of the Service.

    He died on the 2nd of December 1918, and his remains were interred in the family grave in St Mary's Churchyard, Snettisham, Norfolk.

    Peter Everingham




    246514

    Able Sea. William Dinsdale Hepden Drake Battalion (d.31st December 1917)

    William Hepden, the son of William and Annie Hepden of Crewe was a Junior Clerk in the Railways. He enlisted 1915 and was attached to 4th Battalion in November. In January 1916 drafted from 4th Battalion to 1st Reserve Battalion at Blandford. In May 1916 he was attached to B Company, Drake Battalion. William died of wounds on the 31st of December 1917 and is buried in Ruyaulcourt Military Cemetery. He is also remembered at Crewe Cemetery.





    246512

    L/Cpl. Richard Law 1st Btn. Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    Grandfather Dick Law was an Old Contemptible with the 1st Cameron Highlanders. He was wounded and captured at Langemark on the 25th of October 1914. He was repatriated as unfit for further service to Switzerland in May 1916.

    C. Law




    246506

    Pte. Albert Garner East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Albert Garner served with the East Lancashire and Manchester Regiments.





    246503

    Rflmn. Bernard William Kingsbury Cowling 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.24th Apr 1918)

    Bernard Cowling was killed in action, aged just 18, on 25th of April 1918, on the Somme, when the German attacks of Operation Michael during that harrowing spring were finally brought to a halt. He was initially buried on the battlefield but was exhumed in 1919 by an Australian Graves Unit and re-interred in Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux. Bernard was the son of a Wesleyan Methodist Minister, Benjamin Isaac Kingsbury Cowling, and in his short life had lived in several areas in England. He was educated at the Redditch Secondary School, Worcestershire (now Trinity High School and VIth Form Centre) and Kingswood School, Bath. He enlisted in Guildford, Surrey.

    Eric Halsall




    246496

    Pte. William George Westrop 2nd Btn. Black Watch (d.21st January 1916)

    William Westrop of the 2nd Btn Black Watch died on the 21st of January 1916. He was my great uncle but, sadly, I only found about him while researching family tree, it is nice to have him remembered.





    246494

    Pte. Alexander Fillis South African Medical Corps

    Alexander Fillis was my grandfather (born 1884), he was born in Canada, then to Bechuanaland Protectorate. He was a private in the S.A.M.C, no 668, he was a patient at the South African Military Hospital in Richmond Park, He met my grandmother Elsie May Taylor, who was either a nurse or a civilian helping in the hospital. They fell in love and married at The Richmond Register office on the 18 October 1919, They later came back to South Africa, had 3 sons, one of which was my father. My grandmother Elsie was from England, so when my grandfather died in SA, she went back to England.

    Pat Van Rensburg




    246493

    Pte. William Bradford 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.19th Feb 1915)

    William Bradford was wounded and was in a hospital when it was captured by the Germans. The POWs were tranferred to Germany where he died of pneumonia, He now lies in Berlin South-Western Cemetery, Berlin.





    246490

    Nurse Elsie May Taylor

    Elsie Taylor (born 1895) was my grandmother, she was stationed at the South African Military Hospital in Richmond Park, I'm not sure whether she was a quailed nurse or a civilian working in the hospital, my grandfather was a patient they met, fell in love and married 18th of October 1919 at The Register Office in Richmond.

    Pat Van Rensburg




    246487

    Maj. Hubert Dunsterville "Bay" Harvey-Kelly DSO MID. 19 Squadron (d.1st May 1917)

    Major Hubert Harvey-Kelly DSO MID known as Bay, was born on 9 February 1891 in Teignmouth, Devon son of Colonel H.H. Harvey-Kelly (Indian Army). He passed out from the Royal Military College Sandhurst in 1910 and joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment in the Channel Islands on 5 October 1910, commissioned as Lieutenant on 23rd October same year.

    On 30 May 1913 he graduated from the Central Flying School, Upavon and on 14th August 1913 he transferred on commission to the Royal Flying Corps Reserve before joining No.2 Squadron Royal Flying Corps at the new base at Montrose, Scotland, patrolling the North Sea to protect the Fleet. At the outbreak of War his squadron were ordered to fly over to France and even though he left Montrose on the 3rd August 1914, bad weather and damage to his plane hampered his way, not arriving in Dover until 9th August and crossing the channel on the 13th to become the first RFC pilot to land in France.

    The London Gazette dated 18th of February 1915 shows he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order "for services in connection with operations in the field", he was also mentioned in Despatches 3 times. He was promoted to Captain on 23rd May 1915 and then Squadron Commander and Temporary Major on 30th of January 1916, serving with 19 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.

    CWGC shows he died on 29th April 1917 but this is in fact incorrect, he was reported missing presumed dead on that date when he was shot down by Lt. Kurt Wolff of Jasta 11, his 24th victory. He died of head wounds three days later on 1st of May 1917 in a German Hospital, aged 26 years. His personal belongs were returned to his unit by the Germans, and then sent on to his mother. He is buried in the Browns Copse Cemetery, Roeux, France. He was a victim of what the Royal Flying Corps referred to as Bloody April when they lost over 250 aircraft. He was well liked and his antics became legendary in his unit, a fellow pilot, Archibald James, described him as "The funniest man I have ever met. He kept me in roars of laughter the whole time".

    A replica Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, the plane he had flown in as a Lieutenant, along with a plaque dedicatated to him, hangs in the main hall of the Imperial War Museum, London.

    Considering his bravery and achievements, it is poignant that he is not remembered on any memorials other than the one at his old school. He was a pupil of Bedford Modern School 1901-03 and is commemorated on the School�s War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246486

    Lt. Richard Applin 19 Squadron (d.29th April 1917)

    Richard Applin was born 3rd June 1894 in Wiltshire, he was the husband of Margaret Hannah Applin of Southampton. He served with 19 Squadron Royal Flying Corps. He was killed in action on 29th of April 1917 aged 22 years, he has no known grave and is commemorated at Arras Flying Services Memorial. He is also remembered on the War Memorial in Bitterne and the Centotaph, Southampton.

    Caroline Hunt




    246485

    Lt. William Norman Hamilton 19 Squadron

    William Hamilton, served with 19 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.

    Caroline Hunt




    246484

    Pte. Frederick George Bergman 37th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Frederick Bergman remained with the Royal Fusiliers until April 1917, when he transferred to the RFC and eventually the RAF. He served in France, fighting in the last days of the Somme and possibly being wounded there.

    Poppy Britter




    246483

    Capt. Arthur Beach Hatt MC. 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Arthur Hatt was born in 1889 in Oxford, eldest son of Sir Harry and Lady Hatt of Sunnycroft, Bloomfield Park, Bath. His father was Mayor of Bath. After leaving school he decided to pursue a career as a horticulturist and spent several years studying in Holland, Hanover and at the Horticultural College, Wittstock, Brandenburg. He then gained experiance in France before returning to England where in 1911 he was managing a fruit farm near Seaton in Devon before he went into business with an old school friend running a fruit farm in Lilworth, near Pershore, Worcestershire.

    At the outbreak of the war he enlisted with the Southdown Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. Within 3 weeks he was promoted straight to Sergeant, bypassing Lance Corporal and Corporal. In February 1915 he was commissioned as temporary 2nd Lieutenant with the Service Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, promoted to Lieutenant whilst in France in September 1915. He was promoted to Captain on 29th September 1915, a few days after his show of valour for which he was awarded the Military Cross, (London Gazette 4th November 1915); receiving it from the King at Buckingham Palace on 17th May 1916, "For conspicuous gallantry and determination on Hill 70 on 25th and 26th September 1915, when with a Serjeant and about six men he held on to his position until practically everyone else in the vicinity had retired."

    Serving with A Company, 8th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. He was severely injured and died of his wounds on 1st July 1916 aged 27 years, during the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-la-Boiselle. His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Scott wrote to Capatain Hatt's parents twice, "The last I heard of your son he was badly hit, and the stretcher bearers were trying to get him in. He was perfectly splendid, leading his company up to the first line of the German trenches, and smiling and saying 'Come on, you fellows, we've got them now' The Battalion were splendid for the way they went throught the machine gun fire, which opened the moment we came out. They eventually went through four lines of trenches, though, alas I was not there to see it through." and "Just before leaving France, another officer of the ---------- came down and I obtained further information concerning your son from him. Apparently they brought your son back into our line, but he only lived for a few hours. I say apparently because the young officer was suffering from shell shock, though he seemed quite clear about it"

    He was a member of Bedford Modern School 1897-1900, and is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. He is also remembered on the War Memorial at Bath, Somerset. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246482

    Pte. Frederick James Hawkes 1st (Cape of Good Hope) Regiment (d.24th March 1918)

    Frederick Hawkes was born in Bedford on 15th January 1878, son of George and Rosamund May Hawkes. The 1911 census shows him boarding at 75 Hallam Street, St. Marylebone, London, aged 32 years employed as a Draper in a Silk Department (presume Department Store).

    He served with the 1st Regiment, South African Infantry and died on 24th March 1918 aged 40 years on the Somme. He is buried in Hem Farm Military Cemetery, France He was a pupil of Bedford Modern School 1886-92, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246481

    Sgt. Harty James Wells MID. 137th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Harty Wells volunteered in the summer of 1915. He was underage at 17 years old, and was enlisted into the 137th Field Ambulance, RAMC. He served with the 137th Field Ambulance throughout his service, being promoted up to Serjeant, it is believed at one point he was the youngest serjeant on the Western Front.

    According to the National Roll of Honour, he was wounded at the Battle of Cambrai and based on the Unit War Diary was probably wounded on or about the same date as Captain James O'Shaughnessy Beveridge was killed in Action ot Died of Wounds 22nd of December 1917.

    Serjeant Wells was demobilized on his return to England in August 1919. In the same year he received a Mentioned in Despatches. He died aged 50 in 1948.

    Neil James Wells




    246480

    Pte. George James Miller 10th Battalion Devonshire Regiment

    According to Private George Miller's Medal Rolls Index Card, he served in the 10th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment and entered the French theatre on 22nd of September 1915, thereby qualifying for the 1914-15 Star. The card also indicates that he was discharged on 26th of February 1918 and that he was awarded the Silver War Badge. Each of his Service Medal and Awards Rolls confirm Private Miller's discharge date. According to a Roll of Individuals Entitled to the War Badge, No. 11738 Private Miller was awarded War Badge No. 401315, his cause of discharge listed as "XVI Wounded 23 2(b)", King's Regulations.

    The 10th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment initially landed in France, but was diverted to Salonika (in response to a request from Greece) under threat by Bulgaria. During this period, the 10th Battalion continuously patrolled and skirmished in vicinity of Dorian and the Bulgarian position at Petit Coronne and made two unsuccessful and costly attacks in 1917. Continuing from this source, during the second British attack in 1917, the Devons "were the only British troops to have taken and held part of the enemy front line", but were recalled when the general attack failed.

    Based upon his discharge date, it is apparent that Private Miller was probably wounded in 1917. Unfortunately, attempts to access either his Service Record or Pension Record were unsuccessful. It is very possible that these records were destroyed in the Second World War. In addition to the 1914-15 Star and the War Badge, he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246479

    Pte. Percy Ripley 7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.26th May 1918)

    Percy Ripley is on our Smarden War Memorial which we are researching. Please contact if you can add any information.





    246471

    Able Sea. William Thomas Boyle HMTB 92 (d.10th February 1918)

    Able Seaman Boyle was the son of William Stuart Boyle and Rose Boyle of 9, Wood St., West Norwood, London. He was aged 21 when he died and is buried in the Portimao Municipal Cemetery in Portugal.

    S flynn




    246470

    2Lt. E Brown 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.4th Sep 1916)

    We are researching the WW1 names on Snettisham (King's Lynn) Memorial and 2Lt E Brown of the 1st Bn Norfolk Regt may be one, we have a number of unidentified Brown's. One certainly served in the 1st Battalion, Norfolks as on CWGC record.

    Peter Everingham




    246468

    Cpl. James Stevenson 217 Transport Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    James Stevenson served with the 9th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry and 217th Transport Company, Royal Engineers.

    John Stevenson




    246466

    Lawrence Edward Jackson 6th Battalion, B Coy. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.31st July 1918)

    <p>

    Lawrence Jackson served with B Coy, 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.

    Claire Brown




    246465

    Pte. Charles William Foster Northhamptonshire Regiment

    Unfortunately, neither Charles Foster's service record or pension record were accessible, they were possibly destroyed during the Second World War.

    As indicated on his Medal Rolls Index Card, Private Charles W. Foster, of the Northamptonshire Regiment, entered the French theatre on 9th of June 1915 and thereby qualified for the 1914-15 Star. At some point during his overseas service, Private Foster was transferred to the Labour Corps. According to his Medal Rolls Index Card and WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920, Private Foster was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal in addition to the 1914-15 Star. Effective 16th of March 1919, he assumed Class Z status.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246464

    Sgt. Albert Shingleton 11th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    Prior to the Great War, Albert Shingleton was employed in London as a baker. According to Serjeant Albert Shingleton's WW1 Pension Record, he enlisted into the 11th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment on 7th of August 1914, with service number G/215.

    While overseas, the 11th Battalion served with 12th (Eastern) Division, which was engaged in heavy combat in the Battles at Loos, the Somme and Arras. As indicated on his Medal Roll Index Card, Serjeant Shingleton entered the French theatre on 31st of May 1915, thereby qualifying for the 1914-15 Star. Per his Pension Record, he was evacuated to England on 23rd of October 1917 due to bronchitis, this diagnosis was later changed to tuberculosis. On 12th of December 1917, he was discharged from the British Army as "no longer physically for for War Service".

    In addition to the 1914-15 Star, he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. According to British and Canadian Passenger Lists, it is highly likely that Albert Shingleton (by himself) moved to Canada in late 1919 and remained there until he transited back to Britain with his wife Alice in early 1934. Later, in late 1947, he and Alice returned to Canada.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246463

    Cpl. Robert Till 6th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

    Captured gassed, wounded and buried in mud; dug out of a shell hole by advancing German troops and sent to Soltau. Was never able to return to his career after the war due to the after effects of the gas and died in 1949.

    Robert Jones




    246462

    Pte. Joseph Davenport 22nd Battalion Manchester Regiment

    According to Joseph Davenport's Medal Rolls Index Card and other documents, he enlisted on July 19, 1915 into the 22nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment

    He entered the French theatre on 11th of November 1915 and thereby qualified for the 1914-15 Star. At some point during his service, he was transferred to the Labour Corps. Per the Manchester Regiment's Medal Roll for the 1914-15 Star, Private Davenport was discharged on 13th of November 1917. This date is corroborated by a Roll of Individuals Entitled to the War Badge, although his first name is listed as James, he is correctly identified by his Labour Corps service number, 32051. The number of his Silver War Badge is listed as 306479. In addition to the 1914-15 Star and the Silver War Badge, he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Searches for either his Service Record or Pension Record via ancestry.com resources were unsuccessful, it is possible that these records were among those destroyed during the Second World War.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246459

    Pte. Thomas Benjamin Priske DCM. 3rd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Thomas Priske was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His citation, published in the London Gazette on the 11th of March 1916 reads, "5564 Pte T B Priske 3rd Btn. KRRC, For conspicuous gallantry. All telephonic communication having been destroyed by heavy shell fire, he continually carried important messages from Battalion to Brigade Headquarters under heavy rifle, machine gun and shell fire."

    Dave Redfern




    246456

    Pte. Ernest Foale "Meddy" Meadowcroft MM. 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    Ernest Meadowcroft was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field following D Coy's raid on night of 31st of August, 1st of September 1917.

    Anita Rothermel




    246451

    CPO. Frederick William Horner HMS Carlisle

    Chief Petty Officer Horner was the son of the late George and Maria Horner and husband of Alice Laura Horner of 44, Shakespeare Rd., Portsmouth. He died on the 10th November 1920, he was 38, and is buried in the American Military Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines

    S flynn




    246447

    Pte. Ernest McElwee 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    <p>

    Our father, Ernest McAlwee was born in 1899 and died in 1978. He lived at 2 Bannfield Road, Coleraine, Londonderry and enlisted in the Royal Irish Rifles on 30th of January 1917, at Ballymoney, Londonderry, N.Ireland. He was then transferred to the Hampshire Regiment, No. 28484, where he trained to be a Lewis Light Machine Gunner.

    How he managed to survive through the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), the Battle of Cambrai and the Five Phases of the Battle of Lys is nothing short of a miracle. He was gassed in August 1918 and was discharged from Ewell Hospital, Surrey on 26th of May 1919. After serving two years and 117 days with the colours. For which he received a War Pension. Although I cannot find any record in the Burnt Records section, however, I have been told very few pension records survived the fire.

    He is listed in the book "Coleraine Heroes" by Robert Thompson. Although the record shows him as being in the Munster Fusilliers. However, on his Enlistment papers he is recorded as joining the Royal Irish Rifles. He was awarded, the Victory Medal, British Medal, Silver War Badge No. 221426. Chevron 1 Blue (for serving 1 year overseas).

    In loving memory from his three sons Ernest, James & John McElwee

    WW1 patients at Ewell Hospital, Surrey

    James A McElwee




    246433

    Pte. James Henry Jackson 7th Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry

    <p>James Jackson (left) with his brother Alfred who served with 187th Brigade RFA.

    James Jackson was in the 7th and 8th Battalions, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry, 20th Division He was wounded and spent time in hospital of which I have his medical report. I am trying to trace my mum's family tree and that of her fathers side, any help in advising where do I begin to search for records of any kind would be much appreciated.

    Medical Record

    Sharon




    246429

    Pte. Joseph Read (d.2nd November 1915)

    Private Read is buried in the Kieta Cemetery, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.

    S Flynn




    246428

    Pte. William Thomas Addis 4th Btn. Australian Infantry (d.31st January 1915)

    Private Addis is buried in the Kavieng European Cemetery in Papua New

    S flynn




    246427

    Capt. Guy Owen Manning 1st Btn. (d.18th June 1916)

    Captain Manning is buried in the Kavieng European Cemetery in Papua New Guinea.

    S Flynn




    246424

    Pte. James Hanson 8th Btn. A Coy. Seaforth Highlanders (d.25th September 1915)

    James Hanson born 22 January 1897 in Derby. Son of James Allen Hanson and Charlotte Hanson (nee Gregory Woolley) who married in 1895 in Derby. James attended St John Schoolm Derby from 1903

    He was killed in action on the 25th of September 1915 and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France. He was single and living at the address of his parents 160 Stockbrook Street, Derby when he enlisted. His occupation was Coal Miner and he was employed by the Mapperley Colliery Company, Park Hall Lane, Mapperley in Derbyshire. James is named on the Mapperley Colliery Company's War Memorial, located at the Church Gates of St Wilfrid's Church, West Hallam, Derbyshire, next to the village War Memorial. He was one of the 66 men who died in the First World War employed by the Mapperley Colliery Company.

    Roger Wood (West Hallam local Historian)




    246422

    L/Bmdr. Thomas Worrall 51st Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.25th April 1918)

    Lance Bombardier Thomas Worall was the son of Thomas and Hannah Worrall of 60 Hankin Street, Hucknall, Notts. He was born in 1894. Remembered with Honour at Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Patrick Cope




    246417

    Pte. George Tolmie 1/5th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th July 1918)

    My grandfather, George Tolmie of the 1/5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in action at the Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge on the 25th of July 1918. CWGC shows his death as 27th July 1918 and not the 25th. After the end of WW1 Georges widow, Elsie, married again to James Crofts from Sheffield. They went on to have three children, my mother Marion and two sons, Jim and Reg. Jim was hit in the back by a piece of shrapnel at Dunkirk, was rescued and spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. He was serving in The Black Watch. Reg served in the Recce Regt, landed on D Day +1 and went right through to Berlin without a scratch.

    John Illingworth




    246409

    ERA3. Charles William Donaldson Kaye HMS Juno (d.10th February 1917)

    Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class Charles Kaye was the son of Mrs. Jane Ann Keighley (formerly Kaye) of Gwynedd, Deganwy, Carnavonshire. He was aged 28 when he died and is buried in the Muscat New Naval Cemetery in Oman.

    S Flynn




    246404

    Pte. Martin O'Neill 6th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.24th October 1918)

    Martin O'Neill was my father's cousin. I have only recently found out about him. He died in France and is buried in Wimille, France. He died 2 days short of his 19th birthday.

    Elizabeth King




    246401

    Pte. James Malcolm MM. 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.12th October 1918)

    <p>

    James Malcolm was my great uncle. He was a stretcher bearer with 4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed whilst tending to an injured comrade on the battlefield. Aged 20, he is buried at Iwuy Communal Cemetery in Northern France.

    Thomas Macpherson




    246398

    Cpl. William Groombridge 1/3rd Kent Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.28th October 1915)

    Corporal William Groombridge, Royal Engineers, was assigned to the 1/3rd Kent Field Coy., R.E. (Territorial). He was among those tragically lost at sea off Cape Helles on the night of 28th of October 1915 in H.M.S. Hythe, after collision with a second vessel. According to his Medal Rolls Index Card and R.E. Service Medal Rolls, Corporal Groombridge was awarded the British War Medal and Territorial Force War Medal for his service.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246396

    2nd.Lt. Douglas Cowan Northumberland Fusiliers

    Based upon his Medal Rolls Index Card, Private Douglas Cowan served with the Northumberland Fusiliers, entered the French theatre on 20th of April 1915. Effective 1st of August 1917, he was gazetted as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant in his same regiment published in the Supplement To The London Gazette, 29th of August 1917, page 8975.

    At some point during his war service, he was attached to the 89th Labour Group, no specifics about this unit or Douglas Cowan's function within it were available.

    According to the Correspondence section of 2nd Lieutenant Cowan's Medal Rolls Index Card, his addresses after the war were, Egremont, Roker Baths Road, Roker, Sunderland and 19 Ripon Street, Roker, Sunderland. Unfortunately, 2nd Lieutenant Cowan's service record information is unavailable.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246391

    Gnr. Percy Allsebrook MM. 268th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Percy Allsebrook served with 268th Seige Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was born 15th of December 1889 and died in 1982 in Wolverhampton He was awarded the Military Medal in 1917, the award was published in the London Gazette on the 19th of November 1917.





    246390

    Cpl. Lewis Tallman Wilson Co. G 102nd Ammunition Train

    Lewis Wilson enlisted in the New York National Guard in New York City on 3rd of August 1917, he was assigned to Co. G. 102 Ammunition Train, 27th Infantry Division. Lewis and his brother Robert worked as farm workers on the Parmley Estate in Rumson N.J. Both had draft exemptions because they were farm workers. When their employer threatened to take away their draft exemption, they both joined the US Army.

    Lewis trained at Camp Upton, New York, was promoted to Corporal, on 1 January 1918. his unit left for France from New York City on 14th of June 1918 on the S.S. Czar. His division was assigned to the First American Army and was attached to the 33 Army Division and saw combat from 16th of September 1918 to 22nd of October 1918, at Le Claire, Chattencourt, 1st Merthomme, Marre, Charny, Cumieres, Beis-De-Ferges, Gerscourt.

    Then they were attached to the 79th Infantry Division and saw combat 22nd October to 11th of November 1918 at Bras, Vaucherville, Samegneux, Haumment, Brabant, Conserveye, Cripien, Etraye, Ormont-Farmes, Wavrille and Reville.

    Lewis departed from Brest and returned to New York City on 24 April 1919 on the S.S. Acquitania. He was discharged at Camp Upton on 9 May 1919.

    After discharged he returned home to Rumson N.J., married and had two children. He worked as a clerk for a real estate firm and was on the Boro Of Rumson, town council. He also served on the Rumson Fire Company, joining in 1913. He died suddenly from a stoke on 23 August 1938 and was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Middletown N.J.

    Wayne Miesen




    246367

    Pte Samuel Alfred Cadby 1st Btn. B Coy. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regt. (d.22nd July 1916)

    Samuel Cadby served in the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment and was sent to the Somme in France during July 1916. He served his Country during battles there for approximately three weeks before being killed in action at the Somme his name appears on the Thiepval Monument.

    Maureen Carroll




    246362

    Pte. Forbes Morgan Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    Forbes Morgan was captured by the Germans and became a POW at Gefangenenlager 3, Detainee number 444, Munster III. Likely during or after 1916.

    Brenda Morgan




    246350

    Pte. Hubert Excel Goldsmith 2nd Garrison Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.12th October 1918)

    Hubert Goldsmith served with the 2nd Garrison Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He died on the 12th of October 1918 and is buried in St. Nicholas churchyard, Gosforth, Northumberland. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1907-12, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246349

    2nd.Lt. Eric Charles Freear 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.15th April 1917)

    Eric Freear was born in 1897 in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, the son of Harry Marshall and Margaret Ann Freear (she died just 5 weeks before Eric). His father had originally come from Ampthill, Bedfordshire. The 1911 census shows Eric living with his parents at Hardwick road, Woburn Sands, Buckinghamshire, he later lived with his uncle Mr. A.E.Anscombe, architect, living in Harpenden and was an engineer working at Vauxhall, Luton.

    Eric served with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and was killed in action on 15th April 1917 aged 20 years, during the Battle of Arras. He is buried in Bailleul Road East Cemetery, Laurant-Blangy and is remembered on both the War Memorial Cross in the centre of Harpenden village and The War Memorial, St. Andrews church, Ampthill. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1907-14, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246346

    Gnr. George Enoch Astle 36th Divisional Trench Mortar Battery Royal Artillery (d.5th October 1918)

    George Astle was my great great grandfather.

    Janine Astle




    246345

    2nd.Lt. Percival Claude Felts 6 Squadron (d.23rd July 1917)

    Percival Felts was the son of James William and Agnes Maria Felts of The Laurels, Potton in Bedfordshire. He served with the 6th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps based at Abelee Aerodrome, Belgium. He is buried in Lijsenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. He is remembered on the War Memorial at St. Marys church, Potton, Bedfordshire. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1909-11, he os commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.

    Caroline Hunt




    246342

    Cpl. Wallace Earnest Brown 19th Hussars

    Wallace Brown married Jane Edith Page on the 10th of July 1915 it lists his rank as Corporal 19th Hussars and his address is given as Parkfield Hospital, Crumpsall in Manchester.

    Andy




    246341

    Cpl. Richard Riordan South Irish Horse

    This is an article from our local newspaper the Cork Examiner on the 3rd of May 1916, "Corporal Richard Riordan, of the South Irish Horse, who was recently home on furlough after having spent over twelve months in the trenches. He is well known in Cork and also in the Blarney district. For many years before the outbreak of war he participated in the majority of the athletic meetings held throughout Ireland. His popular events were the 100, 220, and 440 yards, and as a sprinter he gained many notable achievements. He won many of such events, and was one of the most popular athletes in the country. His numerous acquaintances will be pleased to know that he is strong and well."

    Prevot




    246340

    Pte. Harry Wright 1st Btn. B coy. Berkshire Regiment

    Harry Wright served with B Coy. 1st Berkshire Regiment.





    246336

    Cpl. William Prince Evans 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.11th February 1917)

    William Evans was born 11th August 1891 in Podington, son of John and Mary Evans. The 1911 census shows him living with his parents at School House, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire aged 19 years, a carpenter and joiner by trade. He enlisted in Ampthill with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and was killed in action on 11th of February 1917, on the Somme in France. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1905-06, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246335

    Sgt. Cyril James Everitt 29th Battalion (d.15th September 1916)

    Cyril Everitt was born on the 4th May 1887 in Derby, son of James and Ellen Everitt, of 2 Endsleigh Road, Bedford. Possibly emigrated to Canada in 1907 with his younger brother Harold, they were both builders by trade and unmarried.

    They both enlisted with the 29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Harold on the 7th November 1914 and Cyril on 11th December 1914 in Vancouver Cyril was killed in action on 15th September 1916 aged 29 years, he has no known grave and is commemorated on Vimy Memorial, France. Just under 5 months earlier his brother Harold had died of wounds on 22nd April 1916, tragically the parents lost both sons to the War. Cyril and Harold are both remembered on the War Memorial, St. Leonards church, Bradford. (the church no longer exists but the memorial remains). Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246334

    L/Cpl. Harold Richard Everitt Scouts Sec. 29th Battalion (d.22nd April 1916)

    Harold Everitt was born on the 22nd October 1890 in Derby, son of James and Ellen Everitt of 2 Endsleigh Road, Bedford. He emigrated to Canada in 1907, possibly with his older brother Cyril, they were both builders by trade and unmarried. They both enlisted with the 29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Harold on 7th November 1914 in Valcartier with the Scouts Section and Cyril on 11th December 1914.

    Harold died of wounds on 22nd April 1916 aged 25 years at St.Johns Ambulance Brigade Hospital, Etaples and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. Just under 5 months later his brother Cyril was killed in action on 15th September 1916, tragically the parents lost both sons to the War. Harold and Cyril are both remembered on the War Memorial, St.Leonards church, Bradford (the church no longer exists but the memorial remains). Pupils of Bedford Modern School 1899-1905, they are commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246332

    AM2. Albert Walter Ekins 100 Squadron (d.6th May 1917)

    Albert Ekins was the only son of Albert Alexander and Ada Ekins of Roxton, St. Neots, Hunts. He served with No. 100 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and was reported missing whilst flying in a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b Biplane, serial no.A5480 and confirmed dead on the 6th of May 1917 age 19 years. He is buried in Douai British Cemetery, Cuincy. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1911-13, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246331

    L/Cpl. Arthur David James Edwards 8th Btn. C Coy. East Surrey Regiment (d.18th September 1918)

    Arthur Edwards was born in Bedford, son of S. Arthur and Laura C. Edwards. He served with C Coy. 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment and was killed in action on 18th of September 1918 aged 20 years Somme, France and is buried in Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers-Faucon. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1911-1916, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246329

    Maj. Eric Grey Drummond 2/3rd Btn. Gurkha Rifles (d.14th November 1914)

    Eric Drummond was the son of Major General Henry R Drummond of the Royal Engineers). Records show that in 1900 he was serving with the Somerset Light Infantry, having been promoted on 28th September 1895 to 2nd Lieutenant and then on 16th November 1898 to Lieutenant. He was wounded in the Mohmand Expedition of 1897-98. In 1913 he left the service to become a Kings Messenger but rejoined at the outbreak of war serving with the 4th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army, then attached to the 2/3rd Battalion, Gurkha Rifles. He was killed in action on 14th of November 1914, the day after he entered the trenches, aged 39 years. He is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1889-93, Eric is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246328

    L/Cpl. Robert John Drake 14th (1st Birmingham) Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.26th October 1917)

    Robert Drake, son of Walter and Rebecca Drake of 63 Corn Street, Witney, lived in Eaton Socon. He served with the 14th (1st Birmingham) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and was killed in action on 26th of October 1917 age 24 years near Ypres. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He is also remembered on the grave of his parents in Eaton Socon churchyard, Cambridgeshire. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1906-10, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246327

    Pte. John Percy Newton Dover 1st Btn. Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry (d.10th November 1917)

    John Dover was born 13th December 1896, son of John and Blanche Isobel Dover, his father was a dairy farmer in Milton Keynes. He lived in Milton Keynes and was a signalman before joining up. He enlisted on 21st of September 1914 in Newport Pagnall with the 1/1st Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry (Royal Bucks Hussars), 6th Mounted Brigade and served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Egypt and Palestine from 1st September 1915. He died of wounds on 10th November 1917 age 20 years received during action near Ascalon. He is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel and is remembered on the War Memorial, All Saints church, Milton Keynes. Buckinghamshire. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1907-10, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246325

    Lt. Alexander McConnell-Wood 73 Squadron

    My uncle Alexander McConnell-Wood left Durham University to join the army in 1917. He eventually became a pilot and trained on the Sopwith Camel. Sent to 73 Squadron on the Western front, he managed to write off 2 Camels and was sent for further training. On rejoining the Squadron, he was credited with half a kill on a German fighter before he was shot down. He elected to leave his stricken Camel and jumped, without parachute and was caught up in trees. He spent the remaining 2 months of the war in a Belgian hospital as a Prisoner of War, which probably saved his life.

    J P McConnell-Wood




    246324

    Lt.Col. Stephen Hamilton Dix MC. 12th/13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th October 1917)

    Stephen Dix was born on the 20th August 1879, son of Stephen and Annie Marina Dix, he was the husband of Ida Mary Dix and father of Michael Lewes Dix-Hamilton. He lived in Chudleigh, Devon.

    Initially he enlisted with the 2nd Battalion Leinster Fusiliers. He rose through the ranks, promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 14th February 1900 and by 1914 he was a Captain. On 25th June 1917 he was attached on commission to the 12th/13th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.

    On 4th October 1917 they took part in the Battle of Broodseinde (part of the third Ypres, Passchendaele Battle) as part of the 62nd Brigade of the 21st Division. He was killed in action age 39 years and is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1889-92, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246323

    2nd.Lt. Francis Hugill Dinsley 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.8th March 1919)

    Francis Dinsley was born on 9th September 1898 in Grendon, Northamptshire, the only son of Charles Frederick and Frances Louisa Dinsley of Harrold, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. The family moved to Sharnbrook and Francis was educated at Harrold Lower school and Bedford Modern school.

    In May 1917 he enlisted with the Household Battalion, he was commissioned in June 1918 and attached to 4th Coldstream Guards. On 23rd of November 1918 he served with the Expeditionary Force in France and on 24th of December 1918 with the Army of occupation in Germany. He transferred to 2nd Battalion, fell ill almost immediately and returned to the UK. He died on 8th of March 1919 age 20 years at No.3 London General Military Hospital, Wandsworth from pneumonia contracted whilst on active service. He is buried in St Peter and All Saints church.

    His commanding officer of the 4th Battalion wrote: "Everything he did he did with all his might and was so wonderfully keen. He did a great deal for the comfort and amusement of the men, and was greatly liked and respected by them".

    As a pupil of Bedford Modern School 1911-16, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246322

    Sgt. Arthur Herbert Dickins 5th Battalion (d.24th May 1915)

    Arthur Dickins was born on 12th May 1891 in Bedford, son of Walter and Alice Dickins, 20 Russell Avenue, Bedford. Service papers show he was a farmer at time he enlisted on 22nd of September 1914 at Valcartier, Canada with 5th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Paperwork also shows he had previously served with the Bedford Yeomanry. He was killed in action on 24th May 1915 age 24 years in the vicinity of Festubert. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1898-1907, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.

    Caroline Hunt




    246321

    2nd. Lt. Norman Brabazon Dick 17th(1st Football)Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    Norman Dick was born on 1st August 1882 in Brighton,Sussex, son of John Semple and Leonora Jocelyn Dick (retired East India Merchant). Educated at Bedford Modern school, the 1911 census shows he qualified as a teacher, teaching at Aldenham School (assistant Schoolmaster), he also taught at Merchant Taylors School.

    He served with the 6th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, later attached on commission with the 17th Battalion. He was killed in action on 28th of April 1917, Pas de Calais. He has no known grave and is commemorated at the Arras Memorial. He is also remembered on the grave of his grandfather Anthony Brabazon MD, St Marys church yard, Bathwick, Somerset. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1894-96, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.

    Caroline Hunt




    246320

    Cecil Henry Mcglinchey Norfolk Regiment

    Cecil Mcglinchey was my Great Uncle and I never knew of his existence until I began researching family history. Wanted to add a memory line for him so he was not forgotten.





    246319

    Cpl. Bertie Henry Crick 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.17th Jul 1917)

    Bertie Crick was born in Wolverhampton on Sunday 13th April to John Henry Crick and Bertha Crick (nee Harrison, at 58 Russel Street, his father having moved to the town as a baker and confectioner. He moved to Green Lane Walsall then to 66 Orlando Street, Caldmore, Walsall, where he met my grandmother Edith Sarah Meek (Kettledon). They were married at St Michael's Parish Church on Friday 26th December 1913 and they resided at 32 Orlando Street. They had two children, Lillian and Alice Dorothy Maud Crick, my mother.

    Bertie enlisted in Kitchener's New Army at the outbreak of WW1 in 1914 and was drafted to Gallipoli on Saturday 11th of September 1915, until he was withdrawn with the British Expeditionary Force from the Gallipoli Peninsula in December 1915. He served in Egypt before being drafted to France where he was made corporal on Saturday 24th February 1917.

    On Sunday 15th pf July 1917, the battalion moved from Camp O near Poperinghe, into the trenches about a mile North of Ypres, relieving the 4/5th Battalion of the Black Watch. This action preceded the Third Battle of Ypres also known as Passchendaele on 31st of July. This sector was described in the regimental history as one of the worst on the whole of the Western Front. The Battalion suffered losses from snipers and as such, regular patrols were sent out to find them and kill them. Casualties were also caused by enemy artillery shells. He was wounded in the trenches most probably by shell fire or sniper fire. Bertie succumbed to his injuries the same day, 17th July 1917, aged just 27 years. He is buried, where he fell, in St Jan La Brique Military Cemetery No 2 and is commemorated in the Roll of Honour at the Menin Gate memorial, and Walsall Town Hall and St. Matthew's Church, Walsall.

    His widow Edith remarried Sgt. Joseph Booth Gretton from Penkridge, Staffs in 1919 and had two children Jack & June. Unfortunately, I have no photos or medals for Bertie as these have been lost in the mists of time, but maybe they will turn up in the future, who knows.

    Mark Cooper




    246313

    Pte. John Wassell Cope 11th Btn. Royal Scots (d.19th August 1918)

    <p>

    My Maternal Grandfather, John Cope entered into service first with the Ayrshire Yeomanry as a private. This unit was integrated into the 12th Royal Scots Fusiliers. Grandfather's last assignment was with the 11th Royal Scots, he was killed on the 18th or 19th of August 1918 during the Battle Hoegenacker Ridge in France. His body was recovered and is buried in Meteren Military Cemetery.

    Jim Stepancik




    246310

    Pte. Walter Ernest Grover 2nd Btn. Sussex Regiment

    Walter Grover served with the 2nd Sussex.

    © IWM





    246307

    Able Sea. William Charles "Peter" Jackson HMS K14

    William Jackson served on HMS K14 from its launch at Fairfield in Govan in February 1917 through its commissioning in May 1917 and its role in the Battle of May Island incident on 31st of January 1918 before transferring to HMS M1 when K14 was in dry dock for repairs.

    Gordon Jackson




    246305

    Pte. Thomas Ebbrell 2nd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1917)

    Thomas Ebbrell is my great uncle on my fathers side.

    Sue




    246304

    Bmdr. William John Howard Topps 24th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    William Topps was born in July 1886 at Epsom, Surrey to John James Howard Topps and Mary Ann Wallis Topps. On May 2nd, 1907, he attested to the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery and served in India from Oct. 2nd, 1907 to Feb. 1st, 1912. Gunner Topps was transferred to Class 1 Army Reserve status on 5th of Feb. 1912 and became a Postman in Epsom.

    On 5th of August 1914, he transferred from Reserve status to active service with the 24th Heavy Battery. According to his Medal Rolls Index Card, the Qualification Date for his 1914 Star was 9th of September 1914 and eligibility for the Clasp and Roses was annotated 15th of June 1920. In addition to the 1914 Star with Clasp and Roses, he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. It is possible that he participated in the unofficial 1914 Christmas Truce. Gunner Topps served with the R.G.A. in Belgium and France until he suffered a gunshot wound to his left thigh on 28th of July 1917. He was evacuated to England and remained there for treatment and rehabilitation. He was later posted to No. 1 Reserve Battery, R.G.A. on home service. On 25th of August 1918, he was appointed Paid. A/Cpl., but based on his Cover For Discharge Documents, dated 28th of February 1919, he was transferred to the 17th R.A. Coy., R.G.A. (Reserve), with the final rank of Bombardier.

    For many years, William J. H. Topps lived at Walton-On-The-Hill, Carshalton, Surrey but apparently never married. Based upon civil records, it is possible that this Old Contemptible passed at age 68, in June 1955 at Uckfield, Sussex.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246303

    Pte. William Ross Aird 79th Coy. Army Service Corps

    William Aird was born in 1881 at Ross, Alness, Scotland. He attested to the Army Service Corps on 27th of October 1914 at London and listed his Trade or Calling as a Motor Lorry Driver. The next day, he arrived at the A.S.C. Depot at Grove Park, London Borough of Lewisham. Per his Medal Rolls Index Card, his qualification date for the 1914 Star was 18th of November 1914, just before the midnight 22nd Nov. cut-off for this award.

    Upon arrival his 79th Coy., A.S.C., was attached to the 1st Indian Cavalry Division as its Ammunition Park. It is possible that he qualified for the 1914 Star's Clasp and Roses, but there is no documentation that he applied for them after his discharge from the army.

    Later in the war, he was assigned to several A.S.C. units, including the 3rd A.S.C. Repair Shop, the IV Motor Transport Reserve Vehicle Park, the 42nd Divisional Train, two Petrol Coys. and the HQ Det., MT Workshops. Pte. Aird was discharged from service on April 19, 1919. In addition to the 1914 Star, Pte. Aird was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    In May 1923, William R. Aird, an Old Comtemptible, emigrated to Canada aboard SS Metagama, married there and settled in the Province of Ontario.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246298

    Pte. William Edwin Collier 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards

    William Collier was born in about 1876 in Bristol. He attested for Short Service in 1900 and served in the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards in the Second Boer War. For his service there, he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with the Cape Colony and South Africa 1902 clasps. In May 1903, he transferred to The 1st Class Army Reserve.

    On 5th of August 1914, at London, he was mobilized into the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Per his Medal Rolls Index Card, Pte. Collier's qualifying date for the 1914 Star was 12th of November 1914, there was no notation that indicated qualification for Clasp and Roses, but serving in a line unit, it is very likely that Pte. Collier would have been under fire from German mobile artillery prior to the midnight 22nd November cut-off date. If so, he would have probably qualified for this distinction, but he may have never applied for this. In addition to the 1914 Star, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    According to records, Hewas discharged from the Grenadier Guards on 28th of May 1919, but he attested to the 53rd Company, Labour Corps the next day, 29th of May 1919. His service number in the Labour Corps was 695795. Pte. Collier was discharged from C Coy, Eastern Command Labour Centre on 29th of March 1920. Research sources included British Army Pension Records, UK Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949 (2nd Boer War), UK WW1 Medal Rolls Index Card, 1914-1920 and UK WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920. Lastly, it is highly possible that Pte. Collier would have participated in the unofficial 1914 Christmas Truce.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246294

    Pte. Henry Alfred Hodgson 11th (1st Finsbury Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather Henry Hodgson enlisted in 1912 with the 2/11th Battalion County of London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles), he served in the Battle of Ypres at Passchendaele, surviving the war after being wounded, he went on to serve in the Home Guard in WW2. He passed away in 1963.

    Grandfathers Cap Badge

    Philip K. Hodgson




    246289

    Sgt. John J Slator 7th/8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Jack Slator served with the 7th/8th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was a Prisoner of War, POW no. 21920





    246282

    Pte. John Leonard Ingram 10th (Battersea) Btn. West Surrey Regiment (Queens)

    My Grandfather Len Ingram, who I knew well, went missing between the 21st of March 1918 and 1st of April 1918 when he was taken prisoner and sent to Parchim POW camp and later to Friedrichsfeld POW camp near Wesel. He got back home to England sometime in January 1919.

    I have a fascinating collection of his letters and post cards he sent to his mother during that time so the time line can be traced, also records of things that his mother tried to send to him in the way of receipts and his agonizingly slow trip back home to England after Armistice.

    Ian Parsons




    246281

    Sgt. John James Porter 2/14th (London Scottish) Btn. B Coy. London Regiment (d.21st August 1918)

    Sergeant John Porter served with the 2nd London Scottish. I found his details while researching my family tree, as an ex serviceman myself I felt the desire that he should be remembered for his sacrifice.

    Stephen R Jackson




    246280

    Gnr. Trayton William Sands 155th Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.20th July 1918)

    <p>

    Trayton Sands served with A Bty. 155th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Stephen Sands




    246279

    Pte. Ernest Edgar Sawyer A Sqd. Bedfordshire Yeomanry (d.31st March 1918)

    <p>

    Ernest Sawyer was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1895. In 1910 his family moved to Bedford in England where he was educated at Bedford School.

    In 1914, he joined the Queens Engineering works as a trainee engineer and he volunteered for overseas service at the beginning of the war. His recruitment card shows that he reported for training on the 22nd September 1914. He served with A Squadron, Bedfordshire Yeomanry and with the exception of two leaves at Christmas 1916 and February 1918, was in France throughout the war until his death. He was killed on the 31st March 1918 at Marcelcave near Villers Bretonneux during the German Spring offensive and his grave was lost during the subsequent fighting over the battlefield.

    He was the only son of Ernest and Elizabeth Sawyer and had four younger sisters. He is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Pozieres, and on the school memorials at Bedford School, Bedford and St Davids, Inanda, South Africa.

    Bedfordshire Yeomanry in Hatfield Peveral 1915 before leaving for France

    Pte Sawyer Recruitment Card

    Bedford School War Memorial Plaque





    246276

    A/S.Sjt.Maj. Stanley Parrish MSM. Supply Coy. Army Service Corps

    According to Acting Staff Serjeant Major Stanley Parrish's Medal Index Card, his Theater of War and Qualifying Date were Egypt and 25th of August 1915, respectively. In addition to the MSM he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    His Medal Roll Index Card indicates that he earned this for Devotion, the document itself was stamped, Salonica. His MSM was announced in the 3rd Supplement to the London Gazette 30431 of Friday, 14th of December 1917 on page 13204. Based upon his service number he served in the Supply Section of the Army Service Corps and that he was enlisted in the Fourth New Army.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246275

    Spr. Charles Sweeney Collins 4th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company Australian Engineers

    <p>

    My Great Uncle Charles Collins was an Engineer (Sapper) in the Australian 4th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company in Ypes, France during WW1, from 1916 to 1919. He was admitted to this hospital with trench fever from 4th of April 1918 to 15to April 1918, when he was discharged, and proceeded back to his unit in France.





    246274

    Sjt. Thomas Franklin MM. 58th (Tottenham) Brigade. D"Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Serjeant Thomas Franklin's WWI service record have not survived. According to his Medal Index Card, his Theater of War and Qualifying Date were France and 14th of July 1915, respectively. In addition to the Military Medal, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    His MM was announced in the 4th Supplement to the London Gazette 31405 of Friday 13th of June 1919, on Tuesday 17th June 1919, page 7649. When his award was recommended in October 1918, possibly associated with the Battle of the Selle. Thomas served with D Battery, 58th (Tottenham) Brigade, Royal Artillery, part of the 11th (Northern) Division. D Battery was equipped with six 4.5" howitzers.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246273

    Pte. J. G. Bruce MC. 1st Highland Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Private J.G. Bruce served with the 1st Highland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps (T.F..

    Caroline Hunt




    246272

    Pte. Robert William Davies MM. 69th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Robert Davies was my grandfather, he died in 1981 in Stockton on Tees, Co Durham. During the attack of the 69th Brigade on the Hill 60 Sector on 7th of June 1917. He was wounded in the wrist and was awarded the Military Medal for his actions.

    Later in the War my Grandfather was taken prisoner by the Germans, he finally arrived home on Stockton on Tees around March 1922.

    I am still in the process of trying to find more details of his history between 1917 and 1922.

    John Davies




    246263

    Cpl. H. Barton 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Cpl. H Barton is buried in Fricourt New Military Cemetery





    246261

    Pte. Joseph Murphy 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.8th January 1916)

    Joseph Murphy, brother of Mr. E. Murphy of 9 Manor Street, Ardwick, Manchester, served with 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

    Caroline Hunt




    246255

    L/Cpl. John William Currie Glen 8th Btn. Border Regiment

    My Grandfather John Glen, first enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps, later transferred to the Royal West Kent Regiment and finally transferred to the 8th Battalion, Border Regiment on 22 April 1918. He was captured on the 27th May 1918 at Chemens de Dames (Third battle of the River Aisne). He was later held at Crossen POW camp near Brandenburg until his release at the end of the War. I have only recently discovered this.

    Derek Glen




    246252

    Pte. Norman Andrews 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd December 1916)

    <p>

    Norman Andrews was born on 22nd November 1887 to William and Martha Carlisle Andrew at 17A Ashfield, Horton, Bradford. The ninth of eleven children, nine of which survived childhood. His birth certificate also states that his father was a postman. He first appears on the 1891 census aged 3 and living at 324 Barkerend Road, Bradford, in the parish of St Peters and East Bradford Parliamentary Constituency. His youngest brother, Arthur Edward was yet to be born. Two older siblings, William Ernest and Florence had already passed away. William Ernest died on 3 September 1883 aged 4 from scarlet fever and convulsions which he had endured for three days. Florence died on 22 April 1882 aged 1 from an inflammation of the chest which she had endured for 9 days. Their father was the informant and present at the death of both his children. No record has yet been found for Norman on the 1901 census, but he features on the 1911 census. At this time he is 23 and living at 28 Fitzroy Road, Bradford together with his mother, aged 60 and 5 unmarried siblings. He is recorded as being single, a patternman working in stuffs. He was involved in the manufacture of worsted.

    During World War I, Norman played his part for King and Country. He served in both the 8th and 1st Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers, his rank being that of Private. On 21st of September 1915, he disembarked in the Balkans and for his participation in this conflict was entitled to the decoration of the 1914-15 Star.

    Norman did not survive the war and was killed in action on the Somme on 22n d of December 1916. The Northumberland Fusiliers Diary for December 1916 records little action for that month, the actual battle of the Somme having ended on 18th of November. In December the battalion comprised working parties repairing trenches and delivering rations to the front lines. The entry for the day on which Norman was killed reads as follows, "22nd of December 1916 Owing to the heavy going and the darkness of the night it was found impossible to carry all rations to front line companies without some parties doing 3 journeys to the ration dump. The enemy shelled the right (X boys) front in the afternoon one shell breaking down the roof of one of the big dug-outs burying 10 men. After working 1.9 hours all but 3 men were got out, one of whom was killed. R.E. assistance did not arrive until 8 hours after the dug-out was blown in. As it was impossible to get at the remaining 3 men, who it was known must be dead, the systematic re-building of the dug-out was begun. It is thought that the breakdown was due to there being some shell holes on the top of the dug-out which had not been filled in."

    Norman is buried in Courcelles-au-Bois Communal Cemetery. The entry in the cemetery records reads, Son of William and Martha Andrews, of 27 Silverhill Drive, Thornbury, Bradford, Yorkshire. Remembered with honour. The inscription on his tombstone reads "He sleeps with England's heroes in the watchful care of God."

    Courcelles-au-Bois Cemetery

    Anne




    246251

    Pte. James Meldrum 1/5th Btn. London Regiment (d.15th August 1917)

    James Meldrum was a Music Hall Artiste. He had traveled overseas in 1908 as an artiste to Buenos Aires, Argentina with Henry Prescot (who was also his best man at wedding in 1915) Mr B Ben Merdani, Mr B Ben Ali, Mr Mahmed Amur and W.W. Collins all artistes. James was married to Daisy Joan Worsley, they married in Glasgow and she was also a Music Hall Artiste. Presumably they moved to London before the war for him to join a London Regiment, he gave his occupation as an actor. Sadly no I have photos. Commonwealth War Graves give birthplace as Granbourne, it should be Grantown on Spey. His widow lived in London.

    Marian Meldrum




    246249

    Sjt. John Tighe 170th Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers (d.5th August 1917)

    John Tighe, son of Michael and Maria Tighe of 39 Lyndhurst Road, Burnleyserved with 170th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers. He was killed in action on 5th August 1917 aged 25 years and is buried in Noeux les Mines Communal cemetery, France.

    Caroline Hunt




    246248

    A/Sgt. William Samuel Finlayson No. 4 Coy. North Scottish Batteries Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    William Finlayson served with No. 4 Coy. North Scottish Batteries Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Duncan Cook




    246247

    L/Cpl. James Tighe 170th Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers (d.25th July 1917)

    James Tighe served with 170th Tunnelling, Coy Royal Engineers.

    Caroline Hunt




    246246

    Pte. Thomas Horace Sutcliffe 1st Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.24 July 1917)

    Thomas Sutcliffe was the son of W. H.& M. Alice Sutcliffe of 25 Palatine Road, Northenden, Manchester. He served with 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment service no.37868. He died of his wounds on 24 July 1917 aged 21 years and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery.

    Caroline Hunt




    246245

    L/Cpl. Frederick Tyers 1/5th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.24th September 1918)

    Lance Corporal Frederick Tyers was the son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Tyers of 5 Barnby Cottages, Newark, Notts. He served with the 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was killed in action aged 25 years on 24th September 1918 during the Battle of Pontruet. He is buried in Bellicourt British cemetery, France. He was the twin brother of Sergeant Arthur Tyers who also served with the Leicestershire Regiment and was killed in action on 23rd of July 1917

    Caroline Hunt




    246244

    Pte. George William Radford 1st Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.23rd July 1917)

    George Radford, born in Leicester in 1891 was the son of Robert and Mary Ann Radford of 74 Ridley Street, Hinckley Road, Leicester and formerly a Cotton dyer. He enlisted in Leicester with the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment service no.25360. He was killed in action on 23rd July 1917 aged 26 years, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    Caroline Hunt




    246243

    Pte. George William Jepson 1st Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.23rd July 1917)

    George Jepson was the son of William and Alice Jepson of 57 Station Road, Bolsover, Chesterfield and husband of Ada Annie Jepson of 5 Scarsdale Street, Carr Vale, Chesterfield. He enlisted with the Leicestershire Regiment. He was killed in action on 23rd July 1917 aged 37 years, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    Caroline Hunt




    246242

    Sgt. Arthur Tyers MM. 1st Btn. D Coy. Leicestershire Regiment (d.23rd July 1917)

    Arthur Tyers MM from Newark was the son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Tyers of 5 Barnby Cottages, Newark and husband of Adelina Jackson Hosie (formerly Tyers) later of 1 Bank Street, Fermoy. He was the twin brother of Lance Corporal Frederick Tyers (who also served with the Leicestershire Regiment and was killed in action on 24th September 1918 during the Battle of Pontruet). Arthur enlisted at Southwell with D Company, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment Service no.8761. He was awarded the MM in 1916, as a Corporal. He was killed in action on 23rd July 1917 aged 25 years, He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    Caroline Hunt




    246241

    Capt. Braxton Bigelow MID. 170th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.23rd July 1917)

    Captain Braxton Bigelow was the son of Col. John and Mary B. Bigelow of 1836 Jefferson Place, Washington, U.S.A.. He served with 170th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers and was killed in action on 23rd of July 1917 aged 30 years.

    Caroline Hunt




    246240

    Pte. Noah Davis Jones 77th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.27th May 1918)

    Noah Jones was my father's brother and they were born at Gould Farm, in Crynant, Nr Neath, Glamorgan. Noah was the eldest child and was a member of the local St John's Ambulance, he worked in a colliery in the village, before joining the RAMC in 1915. I have the original letters that he sent home from France, during his service, the last one sent was on 18th of May 1918.

    Glyn A Jones




    246238

    Able Sea. Albert James Day HMAS Melbourne

    An extract from a letter from Commonwealth of Australia, Department of the Navy, Victoria Barracks 18th May 1967, re my dad, Albert Day to his sister, "The ship in which your late brother took passage is unfortunately not remarked on his personal service record. However it is noted that on the day of his departure, i.e., 8th August, 1917, H.M.A Transport Anchises departed Sydney bound for England carrying Australian troop and a number of Royal Australian Navy sailors. There seems to be little doubt therefore that the Anchises was the ship in question."

    Albert Hartley Day




    246237

    Capt. Hubert Francis Wilson MC & Bar 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Hubert Wilson MB ChB was in the RAMC and was MO i/c 20th DLI from January 1917 until January 1918. He retuened from two weeks leave at the beginning of June 1917 just before the Battle of Messines. He had been based in a regimental aid post in the cellar of a Brasserie in or near St. Eloi. I have a letter written by him on the 8th of June describing his experiences. After the battle he moved his aid post to the hill above Wytschaete.

    He was gazetted on Sept 26th and November 9th MC and Bar gained in Passchendael Offensive. He later accompanied the 20th DLI to Italy.

    Neil Wilson




    246236

    Pte. Richard Makin 18th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.22nd October 1917 )

    Richard Makin was aged 22 years at time of his death.

    Colin




    246233

    Spr. Cyril D. Mackenzie Royal Engineers

    Although Sapper Cyril D. Mackenzie's service record was unavailable through the ancestry.com and findmypast search engines, I was able to learn the following via his Medal Index Card and Medal Rolls. Theatre of War first served in was France. Date of entry therein 6th of October 1915. To Class Z 25th of April 1919. No info was available regarding which R.E. unit he was assigned to. Per a search of civil records, it is likely that Cyril was born 3 Nov. 1895, in London, England to Frederick J. and Mary J. Mackenzie. No later than 1901, he and his family moved to Birmingham. Per the 1911 England and Wales Census, the 15-year-old Cyril was employed as a Telegraph Messenger, General Post Office. His father was a Town Postman. According to the Oct-Nov-Dec England and Wales Civil Marriage Registration Index, Cyril D. Mackenzie married Ida Rene Baigent in Cornwall County. She was born to William and Ann Baigent in Southsea, Hampshire, England in either 8 Feb. 1896 or in 1897 (records vary). As cited in the 1939 Register, The Mackenzie Household of 2 People was located at 57 Park Hill Road, Birmingham, C.B., Warwickshire, England. This consisted of Cyril D. Mackenzie, DOB 3 Nov. 1895, age 44, a Sorting Clerk & Telegraphist and his wife was listed as Rene Ida Mackenzie, 8 Feb. 1896, age 44, Unpaid Domestic Duties. According the Dec. 1977 England and Wales Civil Registration Death Index, Cyril Douglas Mackenzie, DOB 3 Nov. 1895, passed at age 82 in Birmingham, West Midlands, England. Per the Mar. 1969 England and Wales Civil Registration Death Index, his wife, Ida R. Mackenzie, born abt 1897, passed at age 72, in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. There were no records noted that indicated that this couple had children.

    Clayton B. Austin




    246228

    Capt. T. F. Perrin Inland Water Transport Royal Engineers (d.24th July 1917)

    Captain T.F. Perrin served with Inland Waterways Transport & Docks Company Royal Engineers. He was killed in action on 24th July 1917 and is buried in Basra War cemetery.

    Caroline Hunt




    246227

    Lt.Col. Lloyd Newton Jones-Bateman CMO. 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.25th July 1917)

    Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Jones-Bateman CMO. served with 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.

    Caroline Hunt




    246226

    2nd.Lt. Wilfred Hungerford De_Ste._Croix Army Service Corps (d.24th July 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Wilfred Hungerford De Ste. Croix served with Army Service Corps.

    Caroline Hunt




    246225

    Lt. Edward Hedley Cuthbertson 9th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.24th July 1917)

    Lieutenant Edward Cuthbertson, served with 9th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

    Caroline Hunt




    246224

    2nd.Lt. Claude Edward Smart 14th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.24th July 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Claude Smart, served with 14th (Severn Valley Pioneers) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.

    Caroline Hunt




    246223

    Lt. W Slinger 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.23rd July 1917)

    Lieutenant W. Slinger served with 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment and was killed in action on 23rd July 1917.

    Caroline Hunt




    246222

    Pte. Henry Thomas Cox 11th Btn. Sherwood Forresters (d.7th June 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Cox, was a 38-year-old Grocery Manager, originally from Alfreton, married to Grace in 1905 and having two children, Ronald and Greta. He joined the army on 1st February 1917 and was trained at Brockton Barracks on Cannock Chase.

    He wrote three letters to his sister, Minnie, my grandmother, which I have. They were written between February 24th and April 1917. He was not impressed with army life and clearly missed his family. He expected to be sent to France in late April.

    He was listed as missing on 7th of June 1917 and his body was never found. His name is recorded on the Menin Gate. An article and photograph in the Derbyshire Courier on the 27th July said that his brother-in-law who was in the RAMC attached to the same battalion, the 11th of the Sherwood Foresters was told that Harry was last seen in the front trench before the great mine explosion and failed to answer the roll call on the following day. From this information I believe that he must have died on the first day of the battle of Messines.

    The three letters are beautifully written and he was clearly an intelligent, pleasant man who must have been a great loss to his wife, children, parents and nine siblings.

    Article about Harry Cox Derbyshire Courier 28th July 1917

    Photo of Harry Cox from Derbyshiire Courier 28th July 1917

    John Grundy




    246221

    Lt. James Allanson Picton MC. 9th Btn. B Coy. East Surrey Regiment (d.23rd July 1917)

    Lieutenant James Picton MC, served with B Company, 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment.

    Caroline Hunt




    246220

    Rflm. Edwin Robert Lloyd 14th (Young Citizens) Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.23rd March 1918)

    Eddie Lloyd was killed on 23rd of March 1918 during the German advance called Operation Michael. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial. He is a distant cousin but his sister was like an aunt to me.

    Ros Hoffmann




    246219

    2nd.Lt. Harold Aubrey Blurton Norris 57 Squadron (d.24th July 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Harold Norris, enlisted in August 1914 with 20th (Blackheath and Woolwich) Battalion, London Regiment then served with 57 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.

    Caroline Hunt




    246215

    2nd.Lt. Frederick Gordon Laverick 7th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.23rd July 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Frederick Laverick served with 7th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.

    Caroline Hunt




    246214

    2nd.Lt. Wilfred Spence Haddock 9th Btn. D Coy. South Lancashire Regiment (d.16th July 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Wilfred Haddock served with D Company, 9th Battalion ,South Lancashire Regiment.

    Caroline Hunt




    246212

    Lt. William Cattell Morton MC 282nd Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd July 1917)

    Lieutenant William Morton MC, served with C Battery, 282nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Caroline Hunt




    246211

    Lt. Christian Creswell Carver 83rd Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd July 1917)

    Lieutenant Christian Carver served with A Battery, 83rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Caroline Hunt




    246210

    2nd.Lt. Hubert Harry Bateman 4th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Hubert Bateman served with 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.

    Caroline Hunt




    246209

    2nd.Lt. Geoffrey Still Hodgkinson 277th Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.24th July 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Geoffrey Hodgkinson served with A Battery, 277th Brigade Royal Field Artillery.

    Caroline Hunt




    246208

    Lt. Phillip Henry Burt Fitch MC. 177th Brigade. D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd July 1917)

    Lieutenant Philip Fitch MC. served with D Battery, 177th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Caroline Hunt




    246207

    Pte. Ernest Hudson 2nd Battalion Otago Regiment

    Ernest Hudson served with the 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment, he was attached to the 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company.

    Ken Frame




    246206

    Lt. H. E. H. Clayton-Smith MC. 1st/5th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.23rd July 1917)

    Lieutenant H.E.H. Clayton-Smith MC served with 1st/5th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    Caroline Hunt




    246205

    2nd.Lt. Hubert Edge Beckett 1st/4th (Hallamshire) Btn. D Coy. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.23rd July 1917)

    Hubert Beckett served with D Company. 1st/4th (Hallamshire) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.

    Caroline Hunt




    246204

    2nd.Lt. Lawrence Fairbank Barnes 10th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.24th July 1917)

    Lawrence Barnes served with the 10th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    Caroline Hunt




    246203

    Pte. John Scott 4th Dragoon Guards (d.3rd July 1917)

    Private John Scott of Morecambe, served with 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish) attached to 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers He was killed in action on 3rd July 1917.

    Caroline Hunt




    246202

    Pte. Thomas Alfred Bilsdon 7th Dragoon Guards (d.7th July 1917)

    Thomas Bilsdon of Melton Mowbray, served with 7th Dragoon Guards (Princess Royals).

    Caroline Hunt




    246199

    Cpl. Arthur Robert Aldridge 7th Dragoon Guards

    Arthur Aldridge served with 7th Dragoon Guards (Princess Royals).

    Caroline Hunt




    246196

    Bartholomew Rogan 8th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Bartholomew Rogan lived in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. He was killed in action in the Balkans. Bartly was a married man who left a wife and three young daughters, Mary, Bridget and Helen. He is remembered by all his grandchildren and great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

    Thomas Watson




    246194

    Pte. Frederick William Waring DCM. 39th Btn.

    Mr Grandfather Frederick Waring enlisted on the 21st of February 1916, and was awarded a DCM for service on the 29th/30th of April 1917 at Pleogsteert. He was wounded at this time. He returned to Australia on the 24th of December 1918. I have no further information surrounding his service other than the above mentioned.

    Kerryn Osborne




    246189

    Gnr. Major Thorpe 48th Brigade, 133rd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.22nd February 1919)

    Gunner Major Thorpe of 133rd Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery Died of influenza and Bronchopneumonia at Alfred Military Hospital and is buried Manchester Southern Cemetery.

    Phil




    246188

    Sjt. William Alexander Bayliss Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars) (d.5th July 1917)

    Serjeant William Bayliss served with the Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars).

    Caroline Hunt




    246187

    Pte. George Lewis Buckle Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars) (d.4th July 1917)

    Private George Buckle of Long Crendou, served with the Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars).

    Caroline Hunt




    246186

    Pte. Alfred Edwin Old C Sqd. Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars) (d.4th July 1917)

    Alfred Old served with C Squadron, Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars).

    Caroline Hunt




    246185

    Pte. Albert Podbury MM. C Sqd. Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars) (d.4th July 1917)

    Albert Podbery MM served with C Squadron, Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens Own Hussars) Service.

    Caroline Hunt




    246184

    Gnr. Alexander Guthrie 62nd Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd July 1917)

    Alexander Guthrie was the son of Mrs. A. Guthrie of Rose Bank, Stewart Drive, Bishopbrigg, Glasgow. He served with B Battery, 62nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and was killed in action on 2nd of July 1917, he is buried in Bunyans cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, France.

    Caroline Hunt




    246182

    Pte. William Blashford 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.27th August 1918)

    I am led to believe that my grandfather, William Blashford, was the only person in the first world war with the name Blashford to be killed. I have visited his grave at Croisilles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais together with my wife and found it very moving.

    T Whittaker




    246178

    Pte. Robert Minto Scott 14th Btn. 5 Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.10th June 1917)

    Robert Scott was my great uncle. A grocer from a small village near Gateshead, County Durham. He died in Flanders and is buried near Calais. I am not sure of the location of his death, but suspect that it was during the Battle of Messines. Would like to know more. Robert left a wife, Margaret A Scott, who received a pension of 13/9 per week.





    246173

    Reginald Alginon Howard Army Service Corps

    I have only one image of my grandfather, Reginald Howard, of him in his uniform, high leather boots, leather strap slanting strapped over his shoulder. He died before I was born. He did survive the war but I would love to have information of him.





    246172

    Lt. Norman Algernon Traylen MC. Army Service Corps (d.4th November 1918)

    Norman Traylen was awarded the Military Cross with the Army Service Corps, during the retreat from the German Operation Michael in 1918. He died 4th November 1918 from sickness.

    James Young




    246169

    Nurse Mary Ann Young No. 57th General Hospital Voluntary Aid Detachment (d.13th February 1919)

    Red Cross Nurse Mary Ann Young died in Marseilles, France. She was the daughter of John and Mercy Young, and was a teacher at Lansdowne Road Primary School, Cardiff.

    Philip Stevens




    246168

    Ch.Skr. Edward Maguire HMS Curlew

    After my Mother's death death my step-father gave me her photograph album with a group photo of her father, Chief Stoker Edward Maquire on HMS Curlew. I was able to read the name on the cap of one of the sailors. I've discovered that he was in Plymouth at HMS Vivid II when she was conceived, but unfortunately, he died of heat stroke, in Aden, while serving on HMS Clematis, which he was in between 19th of July 1921 and the date of his death 3rd of September 1921, so he died before my mother was born in January 1922.

    Alan Collins




    246167

    Pte. Arthur James Newman London Regiment

    Arthur Newman, my uncle, was admitted to the King George Hospital on 19th of May 1918 aged 22, on being repatriated from Germany. He had been taken prisoner and held at Hameln POW camp. Unfortunately, I don't know where or when he was captured.

    On a medal entitlement list, it is stated that his theatre of war service ended on 25th of October 1917 so I assume that is when he was captured. He had been badly wounded and been fitted with a false leg by the Germans. The leg was replaced in London, which, according to him wasn't as good! He was married two years later. In 1937, he was accidentally killed at the railway crossing at Sandhills, Cambridgeshire, where he was the crossing keeper.

    Barbara Morris




    246159

    Pte. Douglas W Manning 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    Douglas Manning is my Godfather who lost half of his hand on 31st of July 1917 fighting at Ypres. He was picked up at No 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. He was sent home on a hospital ship on 17th of August 1917.

    Lee Jackson




    246158

    Car Richardson Voluntary Aid Detchament

    My Great Aunt, Car Richardson, was an artist who worked as a VAD nurse and sketched many of her charges. Records show she worked at Wainfleet, Boxmoor House, Boxmoor and Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital, The Old Place, Lincoln.

    You can see the sketches at this link. Any further information about the soldiers particularly welcomed.

    Richardsons Paintings




    246157

    Spr. T. Atherton Royal Engineers

    I have a George V medal with the inscription 158438 Spr. T. Atherton. R.E. I came into my possession as a boy but have no idea where it came from. As my family is from the north, I assume that is where T. Atherton also came from, or lived at some point. Sorry for the meagre information.

    Andrew Jackson




    246155

    Rfmn. Frank G Havard 1st/5th Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Frank Havard died on the first day of the Battle of The Somme at Gommecourt. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He left a widow and several young children one of whom was my nan.

    Never Forgotten

    Geoff Huntington




    246153

    Pte. Philip James Forster 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.24th September 1914)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle Philip James Forster, was the first man to die of his wounds in Brighton, having been brought home after the fighting on the Aisne and wounded on 24th August 1914. He received a full military honors funeral. He had been a regular soldier prior to the War and re joined on 5th August 1914 at Attleborough in Norfolk. I am am named after him. His brother Sydney was killed in 1915.

    Philip




    246152

    Gnr. Christopher Jackson 25th T.M. Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.7th July 1917)

    Christopher Jackson served with 25th T.M. Battery, Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in action on 7th July 1917 and is buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

    Caroline Hunt




    246151

    Dvr. Joseph McNally 57th T.M. Battery, Z Coy. Royal Field Artillery (d.7th July 1917)

    Joseph McNally was from Liverpool, he served with Z company, 57th T.M. Battery, Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in action on 7th July 1917 and is buried in Cite Bonjean Military cemetery, Armentieres, France.

    Caroline Hunt




    246150

    A/Bmdr. William Price 63rd Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.14th April 1917)

    William Price was the son of Mrs.Elizabeth Price of 4 Brookfield Street, Belfast, Ireland. He served with B Battery, 63rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery . He was killed in action on 14th April 1917 age 22 years and is buried in Cagnicourt British Cemetery, France.

    Caroline Hunt




    246149

    Sjt. William Lawrie Rae 158th Brigade, 381st Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.30th June 1917)

    William Rae, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Rae of Ashdale, Dundrennan, Kirkcudbright, served with 381st Battery, 158th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in action on 30th June 1917 age 27 years and is buried in Brandhoek Military cemetery, Belgium.

    Caroline Hunt




    246145

    Dvr. George William Tetlow 312th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd July 1917)

    George Tetlow was the son of Mrs. Kate Tetlow of 44 Herschell Road, Abbeydale Road, Sheffield. He served with the 312th Brigade Royal Field Artillery and was killed in action on 2nd July 1917 aged 26 years and is buried in Noreuil Australian cemetery, France.

    Caroline Hunt




    246144

    Gnr. A Thomson 12th Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd July 1917)

    Gunner A. Thomson, Son of Joseph K. and Isabella Thomson of Finsbury Park, London, served with the 12th Divisional Ammunition Column attached to the 3rd A.T.M. Royal Field Artillery (Service No.148379). As part of the Divisional Ammunition Column he would have been responsible for transporting the ammunition by horse drawn wagons to a re-filling point where it could then be collected by the individual batteries. He was killed in action on 3rd July 1917 age 21 years and is buried in Bunyans cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, France.

    Caroline Hunt




    246143

    Cpl. H D Turner 71st Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.7th July 1917)

    Corporal H.D. Turner was the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Turner of 13 Waterloo Road, Aldershot. He served with C Company, 71st Battery, Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in action on 7th July 1917 aged 26 years and is buried in Menin Road South Military cemetery, Belgium.

    Caroline Hunt




    246142

    Gnr. Harold Dawson 111th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.4th July 1917)

    Harold Dawson, son of Thomas and Mary Dawson and husband of Beatrice Dawson of 10 Marshfield Place, Marshfield, Bradford, Yorks, served with the 111th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action on 4th July 1917 age 38 years and is buried in Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Caroline Hunt




    246141

    Gnr. A E Higgins 289th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th July 1917)

    A.E. Higgins was the husband of A.H. Higgins of Hillside Cottage, Watchfield, Shrivenham, Berks. He served with 289th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action on 5th July 1917 and is buried in Dickiebusch New Military Cemetery Extension, Belgium.

    Caroline Hunt




    246140

    Gnr. F G Hoodlass 298th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th June 1917)

    Gunner F.G. Hoodlass was the son of G. B. and J. Hoodlass and husband of Charlotte A. Hoodlass of 11 Victoria Street, Spring Bank, Hull. He served with 298th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action on 29th June 1917 age 33 years and is buried in Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery, Belgium.

    Caroline Hunt




    246139

    D E Peters 185th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th July 1917)

    Gunner D.E. Peters was the son of Isaac Peters of 4 Coedsaeson Crescent, Sketty, Glamorganshire and husband of Elizabeth Peters. He Served with 185th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action on 5th July 1917 age 29 years and is buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Caroline Hunt




    246138

    Cpl. E. Beams 278th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th July 1917)

    E. Beams was the son of Thomas and Rachel Beams of 21 Maybury Street, Tooting, London. He served with 278th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action on 5th July 1917 age 27 and is buried in Dickiebusch New Military Cemetery Extension, Belgium.

    Caroline Hunt




    246137

    Gnr. Francis Herbert Davies 278th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th July 1917)

    Francis Davies was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, son of John Henry and Jane Ellen Davies of 51 Stockton Street, Moss Side, Manchester. He served as a Gunner (Smith) with 278th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action on 5th July 1917 aged 28 years and is buried in Dickiebusch new military cemetery extension, Belgium. His name is recorded on a list of casualties published on 2nd August 1917.

    Caroline Hunt




    246136

    A/Bmdr. John Thomas Saunders 278th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th July 1917)

    John Saunders was the eldest son of Andrew and Mary Saunders of Nottingham and husband of Ada Saunders of 40 Hartley Road, Nottingham, the 1911 census shows they had been married 3 years, and had a child who had died prior to the census and he was a greengrocers assistant.

    John served with 278th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action on 5th July 1917 age 35 years and is buried at Dickiebusch New Military cemetery extension, Belgium. His name is recorded on a list of casualties published on 2nd August 1917. He is remembered on the Nottinghamshire County Council roll of Honour. His obituary notice in the Nottingham Evening Post on 20th July 1917 mentions his wife and a child presumably born after 1911 census, his parents and sisters and a brother serving in France (believed to be Herbert).

    Caroline Hunt




    246135

    Pte. Andrew Brockbank 12th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.25th March 1918)

    <p>

    Andrew Brockbank served with the 12th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment and the Cheshire Regiment.





    246134

    Gnr. William Jefferson Wilkinson 278th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th July 1917)

    William Wilkinson was the husband of Annie Wilkinson of Kirklington Road, Southwell, Nottinghamshire. He served with the 278th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action on 5th July 1917 aged 35 years and is buried at Dickiebusch New Military cemetery extension, Belgium. He is remembered on the Nottinghamshire County Council Roll of Honour. His name is recorded on a list of casualties published on 2nd August 1917.

    Caroline Hunt




    246129

    2nd. Lt. William Malcolm Denham (d.3rd January 1918)

    William Denham was born on the 18th of June 1899 in Hampstead, London, only son of Frederic & Ethel H Denham, it would appear that he moved to Bedford as the the 1911 census shows him living with his mother at 7 Spenser Road, Bedford and he was educated at Bedford Modern School. His service records show that he later moved to 2 Cutcliffe Grove, Bedford.

    On the 25th October 1916 he enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps as a Miscellaneous Aviator and 3rd class Air Mechanic. He was discharged on the 12th December 1917 at South Franborough and was appointed temporary commissioned Second Lieutenant on the General List for duty with the Royal Flying Corps.

    On the 3rd January 1918 at Waddington, Lincolnshire, together with 2nd Lieutenant Reginald Foster, the D.H.6 bi-plane serial no.C2018, they were flying in failed to pull out of a steep dive and both men were killed. He was serving with 48 Training Squadron and was 18 years old. He is buried in Bedford Cemetery and is remembered on the War Memorial inside St. Peters church, Bedford. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1912-16, he commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246128

    Pte. William Archie Deacon 7th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.26th September 1917)

    William Deacon was born on the 21st May 1894 in Nuneaton, son of George & Elizabeth Deacon of 2 Market Place, Nuneaton. He was educated at Bedford Modern School, possibly as a boarder, and later trained as a Dentists Assistant.

    On the 21st August 1914 he enlisted at Nuneaton with the 7th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. He was killed in action on the 26th of September 1917 age 23 years at Ypres. He is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1908-09, he is commemorated on the SchoolWar Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246127

    Pte. Sydney Samuel Darrington 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.18th August 1918)

    Sydney Darrington was born on the 2nd November 1887 in Bedford, son of John William & Annie Elizabeth Darrington of 21 St Marys Street, Bedford. Husband of Alice Gladys Darrington (nee Baker), 17 Ashburnham Road, Bedford, they married on 15th January 1916 and they had one daughter. He was educated at Ampthill Boys school and then Bedford Modern School and his service records show he became a caterer by trade.

    On 23rd of October 1915 he enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps but on the 24th September 1917 was transferred to the 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He died of gas poisoning on the 18th August 1918 age 30 years in France He is buried in Mont Huon Cemetery, France and is remembered on the War Memorial in the Bunyan Meeting House, Bedford. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1899-1902, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246126

    2nd. Lt. Tom Vincent Dann 1/6th Btn. A Coy. 3 Pltn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th October 1915)

    Tom Dann was born on 1st October 1886 in Bedford, son of Thomas & Mary E Dann, Sidney Street, Bedford. He was the husband of Ethel Eliza Dann, married on 1st October 1914. In about 1907 he enlisted with the 1st Eastern Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical corps ( Territorial Force) serving with them for about 3 years. The 1911 census shows him boarding in Lower Gornel, Dudley, Staffordshire, employed as a Coal Gas engineer and draughtsman for B.Gibbons Jun. Ltd, Dudley. He attended St. James the Great parish church, was a linesman and served on the local Unionist Club committee.

    On 2nd of September 1914 he enlisted at Wolverhampton as a Private with the non manual section of the 6th South Staffordshire Regiment and was immediately appointed Lance Corporal on the same day. On 27th of February 1915 he was appointed Lance Sergeant just before embarking on active service with the 1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. On 15th of March 1915 he was appointed Acting Company Sergeant Major of A Company and then on 25th August 1915 was commissioned in the field and took command of No.3 Platoon of A Company

    He was mortally wounded on 13th of October 1915 during the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. A bullet entered his thigh and exited through his foot; despite the men from his battalion returning him to the trench he slowly bled to death during the night. He was buried by his soldiers and his service records note the position of his grave as G.5.c.8.5 Trench Map 36c.N.W.3, however continual fighting in the area over the following months made it impossible to positively identify his remains after the battlefield was cleared. He therefore has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. He is also remembered on the War Memorial in Lower Gornal. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1895-1902, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246125

    Rfle. Ernest Albert Daking 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.14th April 1917 )

    Ernest Daking was born in Boxted, Suffolk, son of John & Ellen Daking, husband of Lucy Annie Daking of Ellesmere, Regents Park Road, Finchley, London. Lived in Highbury, London and enlisted Holloway.

    He served with the 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment and was killed in action on the 14th of April 1917 age 35 years and is buried in Bootham Cemetery, Heninet, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial in St. Peters Church, Felsham, Suffolk. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1891-98, he commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246123

    Pte. Henry Ernest Crane 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.27th October 1916)

    Henry Crane was born on the 4th November 1884, son of John Crane of Stoke Newington, London, husband of Irene Crane of Ruthven, Monkham's Drive, Woodford, Essex. He achieved a B.A. in Modern Languages in 1906 and a M.A in 1910. He was assistant head master at Heles School, Exeter 1906-108, at Kingswood school, Bath 1909 and finally at Bedford Modern School. Serving with the 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, he died on the 27th of October 1916 age 32 years in Lincoln and is buried at Lincoln (Newport) Cemetery. He is remembered on the War Memorial at Heles School, Exeter. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School (Modern Languages) 1915-16, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246122

    2nd. Lt. John Patrick Copinger 2/4th Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.10th September 1917)

    John Copinger was born on 28th August 1888, son of the late Rev. H.E and Annie Stewart Copinger, 30 Sherborne Gardens, Ealing, London.

    HeServed with the 2/4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action on 10th September 1917 age 29 years Ypres Salient, Battle of Passchendaele. So ended the attack on Hill 35. Upon its slopes were added our dead to the dead of many regiments. But our casualties were few considering that the attack had been brought to a standstill by machine-gun fire. Of D Company officers Guest was wounded (he had behaved with gallantry in the attack) and Copinger missing. He is buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery (the cemetery was created after the Armistice and is the final resting place for 4,500 soldiers who were reburied from the battlefields north east of Ypres). A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1902-05, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246121

    L/Cpl. Alfred Frederick Clare 24th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.14th April 1917)

    Alfred Clare son of Alfred Howard & Ann Clare, 9 Foster Hill Road, Bedford. Born, lived and enlisted in Bedford. Initially served with the Royal Fusiliers then rejoined 24th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 14th of April 1917, age 28 years Pas de Calais and is buried in Bois-Carre British Cemetery, Pas de Calais. He was a member of the Methodist church and was remembered on the War Memorial inside St. Pauls Methodist church, Bedford (the church has now been demolished) A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1896-1905, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246120

    Ast.M.Eng. Wilfrid Sydney Christie HMS Sunhill (d.26th November 1918)

    Wilfrid Christie was born on 15th August 1896 in Hinwick, Bedfordshire, son of Andrew & Sarah Christie, Park Lane, Blunham, Sandy, Bedfordshire. He had served at HMS Egmont, base ship Chatham and at the time of his death was at HMS Sunhill, base ship Portsmouth with the Mercantile Marine Reserve as an Assistant Motor Engineer . He died on 26th November 1918 at the Royal Naval Hospital, Portsmouth and is buried in Bedford Cemetery, Bedfordshire. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St. Edmunds church, Blunham. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1908-14, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246115

    Sgt. Stanley George Cooper 2/5th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd December 1917)

    My Great Great Uncle Stanley Cooper was born in Kidderminster, the son of Alfred and Helen Cooper. He married Beatrice Humphries at St.Mary's Church, before they moved to Smethwick and had a daughter Margaret Lillian Cooper.

    During the First World War he served as a Sergeant in the 2/5th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. During the Battle of Cambrai the 2/5th Battalion were called forward from the reserves to help hold the line against the German counter attack near Marconing. Sergeant Stanley Cooper was killed during the fighting before the British Army withdraw. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval Military Cemetery as well as Kidderminster War Memorial outside St.Mary's Church. I would love to find out more about him.

    Philip Cooper




    246113

    Maj. Archibald Alderman Chase DSO MiD. 8th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.11th March 1917)

    Archibald Chase was born on 16th September 1884 in Jamalpur, Bengal son of William Hackett & Priscilla Jane Chase. He returned to England for education and boarded at Bedford Modern School. He attended the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He married Gladys Maude Waller on 28th March 1910 in Dehli, Bengal and they had two children, a son and daughter. Enlisted on 29th July 1904 with the Royal Engineers he was promoted to Lieutenant on 23rd March 1907, Captain on 30th October 1914, Battalion Major at Thiepval, France and on 11th January 1917 attached as Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Officer of the 8th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and mentioned in despatches three times.

    He died of his wounds on 11th of March 1917 age 32 years. Extract from letter of Brigadier General Ricahrd P. Lee "He fell mortally wounded by a shell at Irles about 5 pm on the 10th March 1917, when carrying out a reconnaissance with Colonel R.E.Henderson, Henderson was killed on the spot, and Chase succumbed the same evening, shortly after reaching hospital and so died a hero of heroes". He was buried on the 11th March 1917 in the Military Cemetery at Aveluy (where he still lies). He is remembered on the War Memorial, Eastbourne, Sussex. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1892-1902, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246112

    L/Cpl. Albert Douglas Melvin Chapman 2nd/18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.23rd December 1917)

    Albert Chapman was the son of Mrs. W. Chapman of Bedford, and the late Mr. Chapman. Initially he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, then with the 2nd/18th (London Irish Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment. He was killed in action on 23rd of December 1917 during the occupation of Jerusalem and defeat of the Turkish forces, he is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery. He was a member of the Methodist church and was remembered on the War Memorial inside St. Pauls Methodist church, Bedford (the church has now been demolished). A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1909-12, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246110

    Maj. Walter Ernest Campion MiD. 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th October 1914)

    Walter Campion, son of the Mr. Henry Campion, Bletsoe Castle, Bedford was born in Dean, Bedfordshire on 9th August 1871. Initially he served with the Mounted Infantry in the South Africa War, seeing action between 1900-1902, then served in Burma, India and finally France and Flanders. Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant from the militia on 12th December 1894, promoted to Lieutenant on 2nd April 1897, then to Captain on 10th May 1900 and finally Major on the 16th April 1913 with the 1st Battalion (15th Foot) East Yorkshire Regiment.

    He was wounded on 20th of September 1914 but returned to the front. He was killed in action on 28th October 1914 age 43 years near Lille and is buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery, France. He is remembered in Bletsoe, Bedfordshire, on the War Memorial, on a commerative brass plaque on the wall inside St. Marys Church, and a wooden battlefield grave marker bearing his name is kept in the church. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1882-89, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246109

    Capt. Richard Percy Buxton 4th Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.15th June 1918)

    Captain Richard Percy Buxton, son of Henry & Emily Buxton. Served with the 4th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

    He died on 15th June 1918 age 29 years in Asiago, Italy and is buried in Boscon British Cemetery, Italy. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1902-05, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246108

    Pte. Basil Walker Bull 3rd Labour Btn. (d.1st August 1917 )

    Basil Bull, son of the Rev. Henry D. E. and Caroline S. Bull of Borley Rectory, Borley, Essex, served with the 3rd Canadian Labour Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force He died on 1st of August 1917 age 50 years during the Ypres Salient and is buried in Bleuet Farm Cemetery. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1880 to 84, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246107

    Sgt. Julian Brookes MiD. 26th Battalion (d.29th July 1916)

    Julian Brookes was the only son of Mr. & Mrs. W. Brookes of Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Initially served with Training Ship Mercury, he left in 1912 and joined his father in Australia. There he enlisted with the 7th Brigade, 26th Battalion Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force

    He was mentioned in Despatches published on 17th September 1916 "For gallantry as a leader of his platoon during the attack on Pozieres Ridge on the night of 28/29th July 1916. He led his men to the wire in front of the German Trenches and was killed in looking for an entrance through it" He was killed in action on 29th July 1916 and is buried in Villers-Bretonneux Cemetery, France. He is remembered on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1907-10, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246106

    Lt. Henry Richard Brookes 101st Indian Grenadiers (d.4th November 1914)

    Henry Brookes, son of Octavious Henry & Florence Brookes was born on 10th January 1886 in Port Blair, Andamans, India. At some time before 1894 the family moved to the UK and the 1901 census shows them living at Chancer Road, Bedford. He initially served with the 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in 1905 he transferred to the British Indian Army, Grenadiers. He was commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant on the 29th November 1905 and on 13th November 1907 transferred to the 101st Indian Grenadiers. On 29th February 1908 he was promoted to Lieutenant.

    He died on 4th November 1914 in Tanzania and is buried in Tanga Memorial Cemetery. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1894-1903, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246104

    Pte. John Bancel Brickdale 1st Btn. Auckland Regiment (d.4th October 1917)

    John Brickdale, son of Commander (Royal Navy) Ernest Freke & Charlotte P. Ellen Brickdale, was baptised on 11th February 1894 at St Peters church, Bedford, the family were living at 35 Foster Hill Road, Bedford. At the time the CWGC records are compiled his widowed mother is living at Harding Street, Greytown, Natal, South Africa.

    He served with the 1st Battalion Auckland Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionery Force and saw action in Gallipoli. He died on 4th October 1917 in the Ypres Salient and is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Peters church, Bedford A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1903-10, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246103

    2Lt. Ralph Bourne 158th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.10th September 1917 )

    Ralph Bourne, son of Arthur Mason & Edith Mary Bourne was born on the 10th January 1894 in Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic, his father was a mining engineer. He travelled to the UK in 1899 with his parents and siblings John & Marjery. The 1901 census shows him living with his mother and siblings at the home of his widowed paternal grandmother Ethel Bourne of Hilderstone Manor, House, Stone, Staffordshire. At some time before 1905 the family move to Bedford where he attends Bedford Modern School. In 1908 he then attends Bridgnorth Grammer School, his mother is still living in Bedford whilst his father is believed to be working in Mexico. He leaves school in 1910 but does not appear on the 1911 census with his mother and siblings, it is possible he returned to Argentina. At the time the CWGC records are compiled his mother is living at 101 St. George's Square, London.

    He initially served with the Royal Field Artillery as a Private before he was commissioned and moved to the 158th Brigade Royal Field Artillery( new unit formed in April 1917)

    He was killed in action on 10th September 1917 during the Ypres Salient, his battery was at Nieuport-les-Bains, and is buried in Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium. He is remembered on the Bridgnorth War Memorial. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1905-08, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. The Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246099

    Gnr. Alfred Frank Traylen 218th Brigade, C Bty. E Sub. Royal Field Artillery

    Alfred Traylen served with 218th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. I am researching Traylen, my mother's maiden name. I found Alfred on the absent voters' list for the Clapham division, 1917, from which his military detail derives. He was the younger son of Frank Whitwell Traylen, a Fancy Draper in the King's Road, who lived in Presbury Road, New Malden. No. 57 Balham High Road was a branch of Frank Whitwell Traylen's business.

    His brother,Norman Algernon Traylen was awarded the Military Cross with the Army Service Corps, during the retreat from the German Operation Michael in 1918.

    James Young




    246094

    Pte. Edwin Benjamin Cabble 8th Battalion

    Edwin Cabble was my Grand Father on my Fathers side. He went to Australia in 1911 from Keinton Mandeville, Somerset, UK to find work as a brick layer. In 1915 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force serving at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. He was eventually invalided out in March 1917.He died due to complications of his wartime injuries and condition in 1925 and was laid to rest in St. Mary Magdalene Churchyard, Keinton Mandeville, Somerset next to his mother and Father.

    Graham Cabble




    246090

    2nd.Lt. William Robie Bowick 12th Training Squadron (d.11th June 1918)

    William Bowick was the son of John Robie and Isabel Maud Bowick of 178 Foster Hill Road, Bedford and brother of Charles Bowick who died 3rd May 1918 in France working with the YMCA. Born in South Africa he lived in Bedford and had been a scout with the 4th Harrow Troop. William served with 12th Training Squadron, Royal Air Force and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 22nd of September 1916. He was killed in a flying accident in France on 11th June 1918 together with Lieutenant Harry Walter Prince of 183rd US Aero Squadron and is buried in south west part of St. Genevieve churchyard, Euston, Suffolk. Both him and his brother Charles are remembered on The War Memorial, St Peters church, Bedford. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246089

    Charles Graham Bowick Young Mens Christian Association (d.3rd May 1918)

    Charles Bowick, son of John Robie & Isabel Maud Bowick of 178 Foster Hill Road, Bedford and brother of 2nd Lieutenant William Robie Bowick, Royal Air Force who died 11th June 1918 in an air accident in France). Charles was working with the Young Mens Christian Association when he died on 3rd May 1918 in France and is buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the grave stone of his brother William in St Genevieve churchyard, Euston, Suffolk. Both him and his brother William are remembered on The War Memorial, St Peters church, Bedford. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1914-15, he os commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246088

    Pte. John Charles Boon 99th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.16th November 1916)

    John Boon, only son of Henry and Margaret E Boon of Mount Pleasant House, Aspley Guise, Bedfordshire, served with the 99th Company, Machine Gun Corps Infantry. He was killed in action on 16th of November 1916 age 21 years during the Battle of The Somme and is buried in the Frankfurt Trench British Cemetery, Somme, France. He was a pupil of Bedford Modern School 1908-12, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246087

    2nd. Lt. Cyril Blackwell 16th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Cyril Blackwell, son of Marion Whelan Blackwell of Fairfield House, North Avenue, Salisbury, Rhodesia, and the late John Blackwell (B. & N.W. Railways, Bengal, India), served with the 16th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 1st July 1916 age 33 years during the first day of the Battle of the Somme and has no known grave. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1891-00, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923, has date of death recorded as 20th July 1915, possibly incorrect. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246086

    2nd. Lt. James Hampton Bennet MC. 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.22nd September 1916)

    James Bennet was the son of John Colin & Alvenia Bennet of 17 Oaklands Road, Bedford. Born 12th July 1893 in Sheffield, he lived in Bedford with his parents. Initially served with the 4th Battalion and then attached to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. He was awarded the Military Cross, mentioned in Supplement to the London Gazette on 9th December 1915 He was killed in action on 22nd September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour, St. Pauls church, Bedford. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1907-09, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. The Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246085

    Pte. Harry William Barcock 31st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.6th April 1917)

    Harry Barcock, Born 17th December 1898, was the son of Albert & Frances Barcock of High Street, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. He was born and lived in Sharnbrook, and enlisted in Bedford with the 31st Training Reserve Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He died on 6th April 1917 age 18 years in Dover after only four weeks service, having contracted spotted fever whilst in the army. He is buried in St. James Cemetery, Dover and remembered on the War Memorial, St. Peters church, Sharnbrook. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1912-13, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. The Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246084

    Pte. Ernest William Ball 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.12th June 1918)

    Ernest Ball, son of William and Annie Qualia Ball of 15 Argyll Street, Bedford, was born, lived and enlisted in Bedford. He served with the 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and died of his wounds on 12th of June 1918 aged 19 years in Berlin and is buried in Berlin South-western Cemetery (date of death shown as 21st July 1918 on Bedford Memorial). He was a pupil of Member of Bedford Modern School 1910-12, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. The Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246083

    Lt. George Pierce Armstrong 34th Sikh Pioneers (d.2nd July 1915)

    George Armstrong was born on 6th December 1891 in Southampton, son of George & Sarah Mary Anne Armstrong of Marhamchurch, Bude, Cornwall, his father was a Captain, master of the Hospital Carrier SS Hildonan Castle. He was educated at Bedford Modern School, Cheltenham School and Sandhurst Royal Military Academy. On 6th September 1911 he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and appointed to the Indian Army, joining the 34th Sikh Pioneers on 17th November 1912. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 6th December 1913.

    At the outbreak of war he travelled with two units from Bombay and arrived in France in October 1914. He was wounded at Festaubert on 23rd of November 1914. He was killed in action on 2nd of July 1915 age 23 years and is buried in Estaires Communal Cemetery, France. He is remembered in the Sandhurst Royal Military College Chapel. He was a pupil of Bedford Modern School 1900-09, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. The Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246082

    Cpl. Harold Wakeley Apthorpe 1/8th Btn. Warwickshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Harold Apthorpe was born in Keysoe, Bedfordshire in 1893, son of Charles and Abigail Apthorpe of 181 Victoria Street, Dunstable. Educated at Bedford Modern school, Barton Manor School and Saltley College, Birmingham, he was Headmaster at Cople School, Bedford. He enlisted August 1914 and served with the 1/8th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, embarking for France 22nd of March 1915.

    He was killed in action on 1st of July 1916 age 23 years, during the first day of the Battle of The Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1905-09, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923. The Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246076

    Pte. James Gallagher 17th Battalion Royal Scots (d.29th September 1918)

    James Gallager was my maternal great uncle who was killed in the last days of WW1 serving with 17th Royal Scots. He enlisted in January 1917 at the age of seventeen and eleven months and his occupation was listed as spirit salesman. Sadly, his body was not identified and his name is listed in Tyne Cot Military Cemetery. I have been unable to track down any photographs of him. I have been looking into his background since his service medal was given to me by my mother, his niece before she died. I hope to visit the area in Belgium where he died as well as the cemetery at Tyne Cot later this year on the 100th anniversary of his death and would appreciate any help you are able to provide to narrow down the relevant area.

    Jim Beattie




    246075

    Pte. Ernest James Hall 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.13th October 1918)

    My great uncle Ernest Hall was killed in action on 13th of October 1918 a week before his birthday. He was killed in the final allied offensive. My Grandmother named her son Ernest James after her brother. Ernest was a baker from Bretford, Warwickshire. He is remembered at the War Memorial Park in Coventry





    246071

    2nd Lt. Charles Abercrombie McGavin 18th Btn Hampshire Regiment (d.24th Nov 1917)

    One of seven children, Charles McGavin was born in West Ham in 1875, the son of Jamima, a widow who was born in Calcutta and had returned home. On 7th May 1896 at age 21 Charles was certified as a second mate on a foreign ship in the merchant service. On 24th Jan 1902 he was again certified and promoted to first mate now aged 27. In 1909 he married Elizabeth Spreadborough and by 1911 was living at 132 Charlton Lane, Charlton, Kent and is the father of Charles John born c1909 and Lora Bertha born c1911. His occupation according to the 1911 census is that of an Officer in the Mercantile Marine.

    At the outbreak of WW1 Charles enlisted in the Army and was sent to Winchester where he joined the 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps as A/626 Rfn McGavin. It is assumed that due to his experience in the merchant service he was found to be suitable for a technical role and eventually ended up within the Signals section of the Btn achieving the rank of Sjt.

    Following deployment to France in May 1915 with the Battalion, on 6th of November 1915, Sjt McGavin was given a commission to 2nd Lt and transferred to 18th Btn Hampshire Regiment, a home service Battalion. At some point during his time with the Hampshire's 2nd Lt McGavin found himself attached to 5th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps and it was whilst carrying out his duties with the 5th that he died on 24th Nov 1917 aged 42.

    Ray Luckett




    246065

    Able/Sea John Thomas Wells HMS India (d.20th October 1917)

    Able Seaman Wells was the Son of George and Sarah Wells; husband of Fanny Carpenter (formerly Wells), of Broad Lane, Bracknell, Berks. Born at Margate.

    He was 38 when he died and is buried in the Vestre Toten (Aas) Churchyard in Norway.

    S flynn




    246060

    Cpl. John Gardener 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th September 1917)





    246058

    Lt. Ernest Woodbourne Alltree HMS India (d.29th October 1918)

    Lieutenant Alltree was the Son of William and Sarah Jane Alltree ; husband of Hedvig Alltree of Oslo.

    He was 30 when he died and is buried in the Lillehammer Churchyard in Norway.

    S flynn




    246057

    L/Sea Walter James Beynon HMS India (d.2nd November 1918)

    Leading Seaman Beynon was the Son of Emily Beynon, and the late William Beynon; husband of Florence Mary Beynon, of "Heathlands," Foxhall Rd., Ipswich. Born at Shanklin. Isle of Wight.

    He was 38 when he died and is buried in the Faberg Churchyard in Norway

    S Flynn




    246055

    SLt. C. J. Bale HMS India (d.7th December 1915)

    Sub-Lieutenant Bale is buried in the Faberg Churchyard in Norway.

    S flynn




    246053

    James Price 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    My grandpa James Price and uncle Harry fought together at Gallipoli.

    Kevin Price




    246047

    Pte. Archibald Waterman 1st Wellington Battalion. (d.21st August 1917)

    Archie Waterman worked as a Telegraph operator for the New Zealand Post Office before the war. He was 21 when he died.

    Mark Collar




    246045

    Pte. Lester Edward Quintall 1st Auckland Regiment (d.2nd May 1919)

    Private Quintall was 27 when he died and is buried in the Kingston Cemetery, Norfolk Island

    S Flynn




    246038

    Cpl. Thomas Duxbury South Lancashire Regiment

    Corporal Thomas Duxbury was moved to Parchim POW camp after escaping Dulmen POW camp and living in a nearby field for a number of weeks.

    Kai Duxbury




    246036

    Gnr. Major Thorpe 48th Brigade, 133rd Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.22nd February 1919)

    Major Thorpe was the son of Emma Thorpe of 214, Stretford Rd., Manchester, and the late Sedley Thorpe. He served with 133rd Heavy Battery, 48th Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery and died on the 22nd of February 1919 aged 27 years and is buried at Southern Cemetery Manchester, Lancashire.





    246035

    Pte. Raymond Gibson Andrews 1/14th(1st London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Raymond Andrews born 1893, son of Gibson & Emma Andrews, Park Street, Woburn, Bedfordshire, Initially served with the 28th (1st Artists Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment then with the 1/14th (1st London Scottish) Battalion London Regiment. He was killed in action on 1st of July 1916 during the first day of the Battle of the Somme and has no known grave, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He is remembered on the War Memorial Woburn, Bedfordshire and also on the Processional Cross in St. Marys Parish Church, Woburn which bears the inscription "To the glory of God and in memory of Raymond Andrews and Baron Tanqueray who were the first boys to lead this choir in procession. March 1901. and who died fighting on the Somme July 1916".< His older brother Captain Horace Gibson Andrews served with the 8th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment and was killed in action on 7th June 1917 during the Battle of Messines). Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246034

    Capt. Horace Gibson Andrews 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Horace Andrews was born 1890 was the son of Gibson & Emma Andrews, Park Street, Woburn, Bedfordshire. He served with the 8th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment and was killed in action on 7th of June 1917 during the Battle of Messines and is buried in Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium. He is remembered on the War Memorial Woburn, Bedfordshire A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1905-06, he is commemorated on the Schools War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923, The Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause. His younger brother Private Raymond Gibson Andrews served with the 1st/14th |London Regiment and was killed in action on 1st July 1916 during the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246033

    2Lt. Edward Arnold Abigail B Bty. Anti Aircraft Brigade Royal Marine Artillery (d.17th March 1916)

    Edward Abigail was born on 26th September 1894 in Karachi, India, son of William & Annie Abigail, his father was chaplain to HM Forces, Simla, India. Educated in England he enlisted on 1st of February 1915 as Ordinary Seaman with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserves. He was promoted through the ranks and on the 4th November 1915 was serving with the Royal Marines as part of the British Expeditionary Force, from February 1916 as Officer Commanding B Battery Anti Aircraft Brigade, Royal Marine Artillery. He was accidentally killed whilst examining an unexploded shell which fell on the gun position on 17th of March 1916 in Nieuwport, Belgium and is buried in Adinkerke Churchyard Extension, Belgium. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1907-08, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923, The Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246032

    Pte. Harold Romilly Garnault Agassiz 15th Btn. (d.26th September 1916)

    Harold Agassiz was born 3rd August 1878 son of Jessie Agassiz, husband of Eugene Agassiz of 126 Silver Birch Avenue, Toronto, Canada. In 1891 census he is shown living with his mother in Clarendon Street, Bedford. He served with 15th Battalion, Canadian Infantry and was killed in action on 26th September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme just beyond Courcelette and is buried in Courcelette British Cemetery, France. A pupil of of Bedford Modern School 1890-93, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923, The Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.

    Caroline Hunt




    246031

    2Lt. Stephen Dexter Allen 7th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.27th August 1918)

    Stephen Allen was born on the 13th January 1899 in Bedford, son of William and Gertrude M Allen. Initially he served with 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, joining them in the field on 30th of July 1918. He was then commissioned as an officer and was attached to the 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 27th of August 1918 aged 19 years at Ligny Thilloy, France and Flanders. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France. He is also remembered on St Peters Church War Memorial, Bedford. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1909-15, he is commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923, the Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246030

    Able Sea. Ralph Stuart Adams HMS Inflexible (d.18th March 1915)

    Ralph Adams, born 10th October 1892 in Bedford was the son of Joseph and Alice Mary Adams of Brooklands, Alford Road, Sutton on Sea, Lincs, formerly of 176 Foster Hill Road, Bedford. He enlisted in October 1910 for 12 years service with the Royal Navy and the 1911 census shows him serving on board HMS Bacchante.

    He was killed in action on 18th of March 1915 aged 22 years on board HMS Inflexible when the ship was attacked and badly damaged in The Dardanelles, he was buried at sea and is commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial and the Rolls of Honour at both St. Pauls church and St. Martins church, Bedford. He was a pupil of Bedford Modern School 1901-07, commemorated on the School War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923: the Old Boys of this School who, as in duty bound, laid down their lives in a great cause Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.

    Caroline Hunt




    246029

    Pte. John Henry Williams 7th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.27th September 1916)

    John Williams, son of Mrs. A C Gibbs, 19 Oliver Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire was born and lived in Ampthill. He enlisted in Luton and served with 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment He was killed in action on 27th September 1916 in France aged 28 years. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246028

    Pnr. James Thomas Wildman 3rd Signal Coy. Royal Engineers (d.6th July 1918)

    James Wildman, son of Charles T & Annie Wildman, Arthur Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, lived in Ampthill and enlisted in Bedford. He served with 3rd Signal Company, Royal Engineers and died on 6th July 1918 in England age 30 years and is buried in St. Andrews Churchyard. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246027

    Pte. Joseph Wheatley 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.7th November 1914)

    Joseph Wheatley, son of Mrs. L Wheatley, 52 Dunstable Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire was born and lived in Ampthill. He enlisted in Wolverhampton and served with 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 7th of November 1914 in Flanders aged 40 years. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246026

    Pte. Charles Weston 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.2nd November 1915)

    Charles Weston, son of Charles & Mary Weston, 42 Arthur Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire was born abd lived Ampthill. He enlisted in Bedford and initially served with Lancers of the Line then with 1st Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. He died of his wounds on 2nd of November 1915 at Gallipoli age 20 years and is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246025

    Pte. Thomas Llewellyn Vaughan 1st Btn. Z Coy. Hertfordshire Regiment (d.22nd March 1918)

    Thomas Vaughan was the son of Thomas Philip and Lilian Vaughan, Rossdale, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, He lived and enlisted in Ampthill, serving with Z Company, 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 22nd of March 1918 in France, aged 21 years and is buried in Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery, Somme, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246023

    Pte. Albert Edward Two 75th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.23rd March 1918)

    Albert Two was the husband of Ada Two of 5 Woodbank Crescent, Meersbrook, Sheffield. He was born in Ampthill, Bedfordshire and enlisted in Sheffield. Serving with 75th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps he was killed in action on 23rd March 1918, aged 32 years and is commemorated on Arras Memorial, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246022

    Pte. Sidney Thoroughgood 2nd Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.31st October 1914)

    Sidney Thoroughgood was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Thoroughgood, he was born in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, and he lived and enlisted in Bedford. Sidney served with 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and was killed in action on 31st of October 1914 during the First Battle of Ypres in the retirement from the Geluveld-Zanvoorde Road to the Menin Road, aged 19 years and is commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246021

    L/Cpl. George Thompson 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.13th July 1918)

    George Thompson was born, lived and enlisted Ampthill, Bedfordshire. He served with 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment and died on 13th July 1918 as a prisoner of war and is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246020

    Spr. Hugh S. Swaffield Royal Engineers (d.1918)

    Hugh Swaffield, son of Henry Richard James and Emeline Swaffield, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, was born in Ampthill in 1879. He served with Royal Engineers and had served in the South Africa War 1899 to 1902. He died in 1918, no other details known. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246017

    Pte. William Edward Stapleton 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.4th July 1918)

    William Stapleton, son of Harry and Elizabeth Sarah Stapleton of Ampthill, Bedfordshire. He was born, lived and enlisted Ampthill and served with 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 4th of July 1918 age 22 years and is buried in Tannay British Cemetery, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246016

    Sgt. William Stapleton 1st/5th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.16th August 1915)

    William Stapleton was born, lived and enlisted in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. He served with 1/5th Bedfordshire Regimen. He was killed in action on 16th of August 1915 in Gallipoli and is commemorated at Hill 10 Cemetery, Turkey. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246015

    Pte. Samuel Stanbridge 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.14th February 1917)

    Sam Stanbridge, was born in Maulden. He enlisted at Ampthill and initially served with Middlesex Regiment then with the 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. He was killed in action on 14th of February 1917 and is buried in Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246013

    L/Cpl. Percy Stanbridge 2nd Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.2nd August 1917)

    Percy Stanbridge was born and lived in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, and enlisted Bedford. He served with 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment and was killed in action on 2nd August 1917 in Flanders. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246012

    Pte. Michael Basil Smith 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.3rd April 1918)

    Michael Smith, son of Mr. L B Smith, Linden House, Ampthill, Bedfordshire was born in Ampthill. He enlisted at Luton and served with 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment He died of his wounds on 3rd April 1918 and is buried in Namps-au-Val British Cemetery, Somme, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246011

    Pte. John Simmonds 1/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.5th November 1918)

    John Simmonds, son of William J. Simmonds of Watford, husband of Ethel Simmonds, 16 Royal Oak Road, Woking was born at East Cowes, Isle of Wight. He enlisted at Luton and initially served with Bedfordshire Regiment then with the 1/5th Battalion,, Lancashire Fusiliers (service no.40380).

    He died at home on 5th of November 1918 age 29 years and is buried in St. Andrews Churchyard. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246010

    Pte. Percy Shotbolt 3rd/5th Btn. Bedfordshire Yeomanry (d.27th May 1916)

    Percy Shotbolt was the son of Walter and Elizabeth Shotbolt, 15 Arthur Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, he was born and lived in Ampthill and enlisted in Bedford. Served with the 3rd/5th Bedfordshire Yeomanry. He died on 27th May 1916 age 22 years in England and is buried in St. Andrews Churchyard. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    246006

    Pte. Harold Bridgwood 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.26th October 1918)

    Private Harold Bridgwood of the 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment was my great-uncle. Sorry I don't know anything else.

    Peter Bridgwood




    246001

    Pte. John Thomas Threader 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.28th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    John Threader served with the 1st Btn. Border Regiment.

    Tyler Pike




    245998

    Pte. Richard Bytheway 5th Battalion Connaught Rangers (d.22nd August 1915)

    Richard Bytheway was born in Crich, but somehow ended up in the Connaught Rangers, an Irish Regiment. He landed at Gallipoli on the 21st of July 1915, and exactly one month later died in the stupid attack on Hill 60. His date of death is put as 21st/22nd of August 1915 as they're not sure.

    Andy Smith




    245986

    Pte. William Groom 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.27th April 1917)

    William Groom was blown up while operating a cannon. He was survived by his wife Gertrude and his son Albert.

    William Robbins




    245982

    Pte. Robert Reid 2nd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.18th April 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Reid served with 2nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.

    Arthur Sproat




    245972

    Pte. Alfred Dronsfield 1/4th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.19th April 1918)

    Alfred Dronsfield was my great Uncle, he went to war with my Grandad James Dronsfield, who returned. As a child I remember when asked about the war he was not happy to talk about it. However I heard from a cousin that he was shot three times at Gallipoli. Having visited Uncle Alfreds grave in Festuberg I was moved to tears to realise just how young they were.

    Gordon Robinson




    245971

    Pte. Charles Murphy 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.18th May 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Murphy was born on 15th September 1890 in Liverpool, the son of James Murphy of 8 Diana St, Walton, Liverpool. He served with the 2nd South Lancashire Regiment. He was initially reported as missing but later reported as a Prisoner of War, being captured on 22nd of March 1918 at Frankreich Bapaume, France. He was taken to the POW camp of Celle Schloss near the town of Soltau, Germany. He died as a result of wounds received while in the service of his King and country, in Celle, Lower Saxony, Germany on the 18th of May 1918. He is buried in the Ohlsdorf Friedhof Cemetery in Ohlsdorf Hamburg-Nord Germany.

    In the middle

    Obit in Echo 8th of Aug 1918

    Judy Grange




    245967

    Maj. George Foster Hercules Tailyour Royal Field Artillery

    Major George Tailyour was Brigade Major with 5th Division, Royal Field Artillery at the Battle of Le Cateau, referred to by the men as Cheese in the Le Cateau mousetrap, on 26th of August 1914. By 13.45 hrs the battle was going against the British and the decision was made by the Corps commander to withdraw. At the Reumont Wagon Lines Major Tailyour placed 52 Field Battery teams on standby to assist with the withdrawal and then led the 80 Field Battery teams forward to recover guns and howitzers. He verbally circulated the order to retire. He is believed to have ridden his horse past the Batteries calling out 'The order is to retire'. Then went further forward on foot among the Suffolks before ending up thoroughly exhausted and collapsing at the XV Field Brigade Group CP/OP.

    Together with 2,500 others he was captured and taken Prisoner of War. He was sent to the PoW camp at Clausthal in Bavaria until the 5th January 1918 when he was on parole in Holland until the 23rd October 1918.

    He died in command of the Royal Artillery Brigade in Colchester in 1921 due to problems caused by time as a Prisoner of War.

    R S Tailyour




    245966

    Sgt. Thomas James Lee 10th (1st Rhondda )Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.16th March 1916)

    Thomas Lee of the 1st Rhondda Btn. Welsh Regiment dies of wounds.





    245962

    Pte. John James Curtis 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Jack Curtis suffered shrapnel and bullet wounds.

    John Curtis




    245961

    Pte. Arthur Winmill Skinner North Somerset Yeomanry

    My Father Arthur Skinner joined the North Somerset Yeomanry in 1914 when he was 15. He spoke very little about the war. I have a photo of him in hospital blues in 1919 and I assume he was still suffering from a mustard gas attack though I don't know when that happened, perhaps when he'd been transferred to the Somerset Light Infantry sometime in August 1918. I wish I knew more. He died in 1964.

    Sara Steel




    245960

    Pte. Samuel Riches 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.11th August 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Riches was a Company Cook with 8th Norfolk Regiment.

    E Polton




    245951

    Pte. Samuel Smith 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Samuel Smith was a coal miner from Worsbrough Common when he joined the York and Lancaster Regiment Reserves at the start of the war. He was reported killed or missing in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He wasn't married and lived with his parents Mary and Samuel Smith snr.

    Caroline Coffey




    245947

    Sjt. Harry Boker Dawson DCM. 1/1st E.Lancs. Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    This Photograph shows Serjeant Harry B. Dawson DCM in the back row, left end.

    His DCM medal reads, 695 GNR H.Dawson E. Lanc. BDE R.F.A. T.F. He also received the following medals inscribed 695 SJT. H. Dawson, 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. His Territorial Force Efficiency Medal is inscribed, 700104 SJT. H. Dawson.

    Stephen D. Frolander Sr.




    245945

    Sgt. William Baker 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays)

    <p>

    William Baker served with the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays).





    245944

    Pte. Adam Ferries 1st Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.20th December 1919)

    My great uncle, Private Adam Ferries, was killed in Burma but is buried in Rawalpindi Military Cemeteryin the Punjab, Pakistan. We don't know much about him other than he was the eldest son of my Great Grandparents Peter Ferries and Agnes Ferries nee Martin. Unfortunately we have no picture or any other information as to his demise but are incredible proud that he served his Country to make our lives better.

    Linda Arthur




    245940

    Gnr. William Henry Hussey Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    • Recorded in the International Committee of the Red Cross book.
    • By whats recorded took part in the Battle of Cambrai in France.
    • Lived in Watford, Hertfordshire.
    • Date of Birth : 27/08/1894.
    • Married to Teresa Buck.
    • Enlistment papers can be found on Ancestry.com
    • Captured 30th November 1917

    Letter from his wife

    Info prsoner of War

    Info prisoner of War

    Certificate of Identity

    Chris Hussey




    245935

    Francis John "Jack" Kimmer 1st/4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.6 Nov 1918)

    Francis Jack Kimmer, known as "Jack", was born in Hound Green in Hampshire in 1899. The son of Thomas Kimmer and his wife Louisa. By 1911 the family had moved to Aston Tirrold in Berkshire (now in Oxfordshire) where his father Thomas was the coachman for the Cross family who lived in The Manor, Aston Tirrold. The Kimmer family lived in the Coach House behind the Manor. Jack went to the local school there.

    Jack joined up when he turned 18 in 1917. He initially joined up into the Berkshire Regiment (service number 71348). He was later transferred into the 1st/4th Yorkshire Regiment (service number 35576). In May 1918 he was fighting with his Regiment near Aisne is France and was captured by the Germans on 27th May 1918 along with several others. He was taken back to Germany and imprisoned in one of the many POW camps near Kassel, Germany. Here he remained right through 1918. He contracted dysentery in what were described as pretty brutal and barbaric conditions inside these camps. It is not known precisely which camp he was in.

    He was moved to a hospital unit near Niederzwehen where he died on 6 November 1918, just 5 days before the end of the war. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel. He was 19. His parents later moved to Silchester Hall Lodge, Mortimer Berks. His tomb inscription reads very simply RIP.

    Judy Barradell-Smith




    245933

    Pte. David Fell 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th March 1918)

    David Fell was my uncle. He joined the 15th Royal Irish Rifles and in 1915 moved to France. As part of the 107th Brigade he was at the Somme on 1st July 1916 and they with the Division moved to Messines. He was attached to the 107th Trench Mortar Battery and remained with the unit till March 1918 when he was killed during the Operation Michael, German Spring Offensive, He is remembered in Pozieres Cemetery on the Albert Bapuame Road in Picardy and not far from the Ulster Tower. He is also remembered in St Paul's Parish Church, York Street, Belfast. His name appears also on the Workman and Clarke's Shipyard Memorial in Belfast Harbour Estate near HMS Caroline.

    David was the eldest son of Ellen and Thomas Fell. He was my father's brother. At his death he was aged 23 years. I have in my possession several items of interest, medals, the Penny and some photographs. There is some doubt about the exact date of his death. Official records at the time were few and scant due to the pressure caused by the enemy in March 1918. Officially it is 29th March but I am not sure.

    Josep Fell




    245913

    Sgt Harry Ledger 19th Btn. Lancashire Fusilers

    Harry Ledger also served as a regular in the East Lancashire Regt. during the Boer war when it was a mounted infantry regiment. He was wounded during the Great War. He was my grand father.

    Harry Walton




    245898

    Sgt. John D. Williams 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    John D. Williams was a miner and a Sergeant in the local Territorials, 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He went to France with the 1/6th. Battalion and saw action in the Battle of Ypres, where he was slightly gassed and lot a leg.





    245895

    Grn. William Henry Ibbotson 297 Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    • 11 Dec 15 Attestation
    • Dec 15 Transferred to Army Reserve
    • 15 Feb 17 Mobilisation to join colours
    • 24 Mar 17 Posted to 399 Siege Bty RA
    • 5 Aug 17 Posted to 297 Siege Bty RA (Ypres)
    • Jul - Nov 17 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)
    • 9 - 29 Apr 18 4th Battle of Ypres (Lys)
    • 30 Aug 18 Gassed admitted to Hardelot Fd Hospital (Flanders)
    • 2 Sep 18 Invalided to UK admitted to Cambridge Gen Hospital
    • 6 Sep 18 NOK informed (a bit late!)
    • 20 Nov 18 Discharge Date, Disability 30% due to Gas poisoning





    245894

    Lt. Robert John Priestly 137th O. Bn. C.E.F.

    My Grandfather, Robert John Priestly, was with the Canadian Army serving in England. He was convalescing at St. Anne's Aux. Hospital from knee surgery around Sept. 1917 where he met my grandmother - Isabel May Adnams who with her mother Isobel Mary Adnams, were with the British Red Cross.

    My grandmother was a cook there at St. Anne's. They were part time volunteers. I had thought they were "tea ladies". They began their service with the British Red Cross May 13, 1915.

    My Grandfather returned to active duty. They kept up a correspondence and meeting when they could over the next year in England. They married New Years Eve Dec 31 1918 in Newbury. They then returned to Canada approx. 1919/1920 where they raised 3 children.

    Sandra Priestly




    245892

    Lt. Ernest Marson Gosse MC & Bar 52 Company Army Service Corps

    My paternal grandfather, Ernest Marson Gosse, enlisted in London on 9th August 1914, aged 24.

    He chose to join the 'Mechanical Specials'of the Army Service Corps as Private MS/2315, 52 Company ASC (the Caterpillar section). He became a sergeant sometime in 1915 and was commissioned later that year as a Second Lieutenant.

    He appears to have spent most of his time from 16th June 1916 to December 1917 on attachment to the 90 Seige Gun Battery Royal Garrison Artillery.

    On returning from getting married on 8th January 1918, he returned to France on 14th January posted on attachment to 190 Siege Gun Battery Royal Garrison Artilery, he was also on attachment at some point to the 216 Siege Gun battery RGA.

    He was awarded an MC in February 2018, and a bar in September 1918.

    My grandfather died in the year of my birth in 1949. We, unfortunately, have scant records of his attachment to the Royal Garrison Artillery an would welcome any information or photos where we may be able to identify him.

    I'd be very happy to forward more information and photos to anyone who might be able to provide information.

    Nick Gosse




    245888

    Pte. Percy Robinson 7th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.25th April 1917)

    Private Percy Robinson, son of Leonard & Emily Robinson of Ampthill, Bedfordshire; born in Ampthill and enlisted in Luton. Served with the 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment (service no.27359).

    He died of his wounds on 25th April 1917 age 19 years in France and Flanders and is buried in Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245887

    L/Sjt. Jack Alexandra William Robinson 1st/5th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.17th August 1915)

    Lance Serjeant Jack Alexandra William Robinson, son of Mrs. Hannah Robinson Hymus, 18 Bryn Road, Clydach, Swansea: born, lived and enlisted in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the 1st/5th Bedfordshire Regiment (service no.3035).

    He was killed in action on 17th August 1915 age 23 years at Gallipoli and is commemorated on Helles Memorial, Turkey. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245886

    Pte. Gerald W Robinson 13th (Kensington) Btn. London Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

    Private Gerald W Robinson, lived in Ampthill and enlisted in Southampton. Initially served with 12th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment (service no.23436) then with the 13th (County of London) Battalion, (Princess Louises Kensington Battalion), London Regiment (service no.493900).

    He was killed in action on 9th April 1917 in France and Flanders and is buried in London Cemetery, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245885

    Pte. Herbert James Roberts 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.30th July 1917)

    Private Herbert James Roberts, son of James & Martha Roberts of Barton, Bedfordshire; born in Barton, lived in Ampthill and enlisted in Luton. Served with the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cambridges Own Middlesex Regiment (service no.G/29541).

    He was killed in action on 30th July 1917 age 38 years in France and Flanders and is buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245884

    Sppr. Arthur Redman 263rd Rlwy. Coy. Royal Engineers (d.21st November 1918)

    Sapper Arthur Redman, son of Mrs. Caroline Redman, Wooden House, Oliver Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the 263rd Railway Company, Royal Engineers (service no.WR/270811).

    He died on 21st November 1918 age 33 years and is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245883

    Lt. Phillip Howson Guy Pye-Smith 11th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool) (d.15th May 1917)

    Lieutenant Phillip Howson Guy Pye-Smith, Son of E.Gertrude Pye-Smith of 26 Hyde Park Square, London and the late Phillip Henry Pye-Smith, MD,FRS (Vice Chancellor, University of London); born in London. Served with the 11th Kings Liverpool Regiment.

    He was killed in action on 15th May 1917 age 21 years and is buried in Tilloy British Cemetery, France. He is remembered on The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245882

    Pte. Richard William Putman 8th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.26th April 1917)

    Private Richard William Putman; born in Houghton Conquest, lived and enlisted in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (service no.22503).

    He died of his wounds on 26th April 1917 in France and Flanders and is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245881

    Temp/Cpt. Thomas Frederick Perrin Inland Wtr. Trans. Royal Engineers (d.24th July 1917)

    Temporary Captain Thomas Frederick Perrin. Served with the Inland Water Transport, Royal Engineers.

    He died on 24th July 1917 and is buried in Basra War Cemetery, Iraq. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245880

    Pte. Frederick George Pepper 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.8th November 1914)

    Private Frederick George Pepper; born in Lidlington, lived and enlisted in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (service no.8200).

    He was killed in action on 8th November 1914 in France and Flanders and is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245879

    Pte. Bert Patrick 12th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.31st July 1917)

    Private Bert "Bertie" Patrick; born in Marston, lived and enlisted in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Initially served with the Royal Fusiliers (service no.11081) then with the 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers City of London Regiment (service no.55042).

    He died of his wounds on 31st July 1917 in France and Flanders and is buried in Perth Cemetery, China Wall, Belgium. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245877

    Drvr. William Henry Page 79th Bty. 217th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.24th July 1918)

    Driver William Henry Page, nephew of Mrs. Smith, Saunders Piece, Ampthill, Bedfordshire; born in Poplar, London and enlisted in Ampthill. Served with the 79th Battery, 217th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (service no.70227).

    He died on 24th July 1918 in France and Flanders age 24 years and is buried in Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245876

    Capt. Haworth Peel Massy attd. 4th Bn. Nigeria Regiment, W.A.F.F. Leinster Regiment (d.12th October 1914)

    Captain Massy is buried in the Udi Military Grave in Nigeria.

    S flynn




    245875

    Pte. Avard Longley Dimock Canadian Forestry Corps (d.31st October 1918)

    Private Avard Longley Dimock, son of George Dimock, Halifa, Canada; born 28th August 1897, enlisted in Halifax on 14th May 1917 with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force (service no.2005068) and served with the Canadian Forestry Corps.

    He died on 31st October 1918 and is buried in St. Andrews Churchyard. He is remembered on The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245874

    Lt. C. J. Hebblethwaite and 1st Bn. Nigeria Regiment, W.A.F.F. General List (d.7th April 1915)

    Lieutenant Hebblethwaite is buried in the Maio Kalei Military Grave in Nigeria.

    S Flynn




    245872

    C/Sgt Arthur Cranley Coveney 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.13th May 1915)

    Colour Serjeant Arthur Cranley Coveney attd. 2nd Bn.Nigeria Regiment, W.A.F.F.

    He was 38 when he died and is buried in the Loko Military Grave In Nigeria.

    S Flynn




    245871

    Lt. Gwin Henry Armstrong and 4th Btn. Nigeria Regiment, W.A.F.F. Norfolk Regiment (d.28th October 1918)

    Lieutenant Gwin Henry Armstrong was the Son of W. T and Kathleen Armstrong, of 46, The Avenue, West Ealing, London.

    He is buried in the Ibadan (St. James) Church Cemetery in Nigeria.

    S Flynn




    245870

    Cpl. A. Richer H.M.S. Dwarf (d.22nd July 1916)

    Corporal Richer is buried in the Calabar Mission Hill Cemetery in Nigeria.

    S flynn




    245868

    Mjr. J. F.N. Price attd. 2nd Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.13th August 1918)

    Major Price is buried in the Bauchi Military Grave in Nigeria

    S flynn




    245866

    2nd Lt. Clarence Blackham Leicestershire Regiment

    Clarence Blackham first served with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps (service no. C12199). He was promoted on 30th October 1917 to 2nd Lieutenant with the Leicestershire Regiment. Announced London Gazette Supplement 29 November 1917, 12499. No regimental No. or record of service known for Leicestershire Regiment

    His record can be seen on the Crich Parish Roll of Honour website: http://www.crichparish-ww1.co.uk/ww1webpages/blackhamclarence.html.

    Peter Patilla




    245864

    Gnr. Joseph Patrick Cavanagh 131st Hvy.Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st March 1918 )

    Joseph Patrick Cavanagh was the fourth son, one of at least ten children of Thomas and Mary Cavanagh of Birkenhead. He was born in the second quarter of 1886 and married Sarah Fewtrell of Neston in Liverpool on 25 July 1904 at the Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Liverpool.

    Joseph, then of Bridge Street, Neston; first enlisted in Birkenhead in November 1914, joining the Cheshire Field Company, Royal Engineers before transferring to the 438th 1st (Cheshire) Field Company Royal Engineers TF which was allocated to the 3rd Division. His Service No. was then 446445. Killed at the age of 32 on 21 March 1918 Joseph Cavanagh left a wife, Sarah, and four children.

    In February/March 1918, Sarah:-

    • lost her daughter, Mary Elizabeth (aged 7) - she was buried on 21 February, exactly one month before Joseph was killed.
    • lost her husband, Joseph, who was killed in France on 21 March.
    • gave birth to a daughter, Sarah Winifred, on 24 March, three days after Joseph was killed.

    The Birkenhead Advertiser carried the following:

    A HERO’S FATE : NESTON GUNNER KILLED

    We regret to announce the death of Gunner J. Cavannagh, Royal Garrison Artillery, of Cottage Close, Neston, who was killed in action on the 21st ult. Great sympathy is extended to Mrs Cavannagh and her six little ones. The following letter has been received from Gunner Cavannagh’s Battery Commander:

    On behalf of the battery I wish to sympathise with you in the loss of your husband, who was killed on the 21st March during a heavy bombardment. The battery had to remain on the guns in spite of the enemy shell-fire in order to support the infantry. Your husband was working a gun that had already been knocked out of action twice. He and two others were all that were left of the detachment, but they were carrying on, firing the gun as fast as was possible when another shell came and killed Gunner Cavannagh, who was within a yard of me at the time. He died immediately. I regret to say we were unable to get any of his personal effects to send back to you. All who knew him feel the loss of a friend. He was very plucky, could laugh in spite of danger, and was always willing to work till exhausted and ever cheerful in spite of rain, mud and bad billets.

    Ian L. Norris




    245862

    Pte. Edward Fredrick Rolfe MID 7th Btn.

    Private Edward Fredrick Rolfe served with 7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, which was amalgamated to the 6th Battalion.He was mentioned in despatches

    Robert D Vickers




    245860

    Cpt. Charles Edward Anderson 2nd Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.20th July 1916)

    Commemorated with poppy from Royal British Legion. Captain Charles Edward Anderson was killed in action and buried at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery, plot K.5. No further information known.

    Angela




    245859

    Pte. Walter Parkinson 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) (d.3rd October 1917)

    No story for Private Walter Parkinson other than a commemorative poppy purchased came with a card commemorating this soldier's life. I know his name is at The Tyne Cot Memorial and Cemetery





    245856

    Pte. Thomas "Mitch" Mitchell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My grandfather Private Thomas "Mitch" Mitchell was born in 1895 and enlisted on 3rd September 1914 when he was 18 years old. He served with the Durham Light Infantry as part of the Machine Gun Corps. He served for 4 years and 164 days followed by 1 year and 201 days with the Army Reserves. Something must have happened to him late in 1918 as he ended up at the Military Hospital at Colchester and was released from there in January 1919 having been sick and wounded. He was demobilised on 14th February 1919.

    This information comes from documents found after the death of my Mother, his daughter.

    Kevin Oram




    245854

    L/Cpl. Lionel James Osborne 1/20th (Blackheath and Woolwich) Btn. London Regiment (d.24th March 1918)

    Lance Corporal Lionel James Osborne, son of George Osborne, 22 Saunders Piece, Ampthill, Bedfordshire; born in Ampthill, living in Liverpool Street, London and enlisted in St. Pancras, London. Initially served with the 11th Battalion, London Regiment (service no.4580) then served with 1st/20th (County of London) Battalion, (Blackheath and Woolwich) London Regiment.

    He was killed in action on 24th March 1918 in France and Flanders age 22 years and is commemorated on Arras Memorial, France. He is remembered on The War Memorial, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245853

    Pte. Thomas John Money 6th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.9th August 1916)

    Private Thomas John Money, son of William Money, Baker Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, husband of Ada Money, 2 Westbeach Road, Wood Green, London; born in Maulden, living and enlisted in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (service no.26703).

    He was killed in action on 9th August 1916 in France and Flanders age 24 years and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245852

    A/Sgt. George Money 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.29th May 1917)

    Acting Sergeant George Money, born in Maulden, living and enlisted in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (service no. 23251).

    He was killed in action on 29th May 1917 in France and Flanders and is commemorated on Arras Memorial, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245851

    2/Lt. Eustace J V McGee (d.12th February 1919)

    Second Lieutenant Eustace J V McGee, son of Mrs. E. Detmold, Rotherfield, Sussex. Served with the Royal Air Force.

    He died on 12th February 1919 age 20 years and is buried in St. Andrews Churchyard. He is remembered on The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245850

    A/2nd.Cpl. Guy Stanislaus Martin MM 5th Dvn. Sig. Coy. Royal Engineers (d.25th August 1918)

    Acting Second Corporal Guy Stanislaus Martin, born 28th June 1895 in Singapore, son of William & Sarah Elizabeth Martin, Maydencroft, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, educated at Bedford Modern School 1908–1912, living in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the 5th Division Signal Company, Royal Engineers (service no.25002). He was awarded the Military Medal.

    He was killed in action on 25th August 1918 in Pas de Calais, France and is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France. He is remembered on the Singapore Cenotaph and both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245849

    Trpr. William Lynn Marks 2nd Light Horse (d.11th April 1918)

    Trooper William Lynn Marks, son of William & Mary Amelia Marks, Church Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the 2nd Australian Light Horse (service no. 952).

    He died on 11th April 1918 age 25 years and is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245848

    Pte. John Lancaster 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.23rd August 1918)

    Private John Lancaster, born in Buckingham, living in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, enlisted Bedford. Son of Charles & Elizabeth Lancaster, 25 Canon Street, Bedford; Husband of Annie Lancaster, 88 Elsdon Road, Wellingborough. Served with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (service no.48016).

    He was killed in action on 23rd August 1918 in France and Flanders and is commemorated on Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245847

    3/Engr. Frederick Charles William Lampard SS Mongolia (d.23rd June 1917)

    Third Engineer Frederick Charles William Lampard, born in Rochester, husband of Ella Lampard, Chandos Road, Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the Merchant Navy on SS Mongolia ( Greenock).

    He died on 23rd June 1917 aged 33 years and is commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial, London. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245846

    Pte. Ernest Harry Spender 9th(Pioneers)Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.21st August 1917)

    <p>

    He served as Harry Spender. Birth name Ernest Harry Spender





    245845

    Pte. Edward Thomas Keech 10th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.2nd July 1918)

    Private Edward Thomas Keech, born in Hardmeand, Buckinghamshire, enlisted Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Son of Mr. & Mrs. E.T. Keech of Lamport, Northampton. Initially served with the Bedfordshire Regiment (service no.23715) then served with the 10th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (service no.127051).

    He died on 2nd July 1918 aged 20 years and is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Germany. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245844

    Pte. Stewart William Hill 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.31st December 1917)

    Private Stewart William Hill, born in Brighton, living and enlisted Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Husband of Agnes M. Hill, 4 Neotsbury Road, Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Served with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (service no. 30064).

    He died of his wounds on 31st December 1917 in France and Flanders and is buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Somme, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245843

    Pte. John Richard Hepworth 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.16th August 1917)

    Private John Richard Hepworth, son of Mr. & Mrs. G. Hepworth, 1 Neotsbury Road, Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Enlisted at Warwick with 8th Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers (service no.41764).

    He was killed in action on 16th August 1917 aged 20 years and is commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245842

    Pte. Ernest Harlow 13th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    Private Ernest Harlow, born in Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire, living and enlisted in Southend on Sea. Initially served with the Essex Yeomanry (service no.2592) then with 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment (service no.33905).

    He was killed in action on 28th April 1917 in France and Flanders and is commemorated Arras Memorial, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245839

    Lt. Albert Whiston 6th/8th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    Am trying to find out about the war record for Lieutenant Albert Whiston, my uncle - not much to go on sadly. He was badly injured & invalided out of service in June 1919. Spending 2 years in hospital thereafter living a happy & fulfilled life.

    I am the only surviving member of my families. I always felt I should be very proud of uncle Bert. Needless to say he never talked of his war years & my aunt told me very little.

    Mary Hodnett




    245836

    Pte. George William Gee 11th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.7th October 1916)

    Private George William Gee, born in Ampthill, Bedfordshire and enlisted in Bedford. Served with the 11th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (service no.G18345).

    He was killed in action on 7th October 1916 in France and Flanders and is buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245835

    Pte. Frederick Thomas Gearey 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.15th September 1916)

    Private Frederick Thomas Gearey served with the 1st (City of London) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers London Regiment (service no.5014).

    He was killed in action on 15th September 1916 in France and Flanders and is buried in Combles Communal Cemetery, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245833

    A.Co.Sgt.Mjr. Bernard Gamble 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.13th December 1914)

    Acting Company Sergeant Major Bernard Gamble, husband of Lilian Gamble, 2 Austins Lane, Ampthill; born Hopton, Yorkshire. Initially enlisted Cockermouth, Cumberland with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (service no.6787) he served with the 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (service no.9288).

    He died of his wounds on 13th December 1914 in France and Flanders and is buried in Bailleul Cemetery, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245832

    2/Lt. Eric Charles Freear 4th Btn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.15th April 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Eric Charles Freear, son of Harry Marshall and Margaret Ann Freear, Harpenden, Herts. Educated Bedford Modern School, 1909-1911. Served with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

    He was killed in action on 15th April 1917 age 20 years and is buried in Bailleul Road East Cemetery, France. He is remembered on The War Memorial, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245831

    Pte. William Norman Francis 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.9th September 1916)

    Private William Norman Francis, born in Ampthill, enlisted Bedford. Served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment (service no. G/14532).

    He was killed in action on 9th September 1916 with the British Expeditionary Force and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245830

    Pte. William Farnell 6th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.9th November 1916)

    Private William Farnell, son of Charles Farnell of Ampthill, Bedfordshire, born and living in Ampthill, enlisted Bedford. Served with the 6th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (service no. G/13340).

    He was killed in action on 9th November 1916 age 34 years and is buried in Wailly Orchard Cemetery, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245829

    Pte. William George Farmer 3rd Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.20th July 1918)

    Private William George Farmer, son of Joseph and Mary Farmer of Ampthill, Bedfordshire, husband of Rose Elizabeth Farmer, Corsham Road, Whitley, Melksham. Served with the 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (service no. 8772),

    He died on 20th July 1918 age 39 years and is buried in St. Andrews Churchyard, Ampthill. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245828

    Pte. William David Dillingham Scottish Horse Yeomanry (d.10th October 1918)

    Private William David Dillingham, son of Walter George and Martha Ann Dillingham of Ampthill, Bedfordshire, husband of Constance Burton, employee of Messers. Swaffield & Sons, Auctioneers and one of five brothers who served.; born and living in Ampthill, enlisted Bedford. Served with the Scottish Horse Yeomanry (service no. 18919),

    He died at sea on 10th October 1918 age 24 years and is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Co. Dublin, Ireland. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245827

    Pte. Joseph William Day 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th September 1918)

    Private Joseph William Day, son of Mrs. M.J.Day, 42 Park Hill, Ampthill, Bedfordshire; born and living in Ampthill, enlisted Bedford. Served with the 12th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment (service no. G/28037).

    He was killed in action on 26th September 1918 in France and Flanders age 19 years and is buried in Lonsdale Cemetery, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245826

    Pte. William H Daniell Hertfordshire Regiment (d.15th July 1918)

    Private William H Daniell, son of P. and Alice A. Daniell, 11 Austins Lane, Ampthill, Bedfordshire; born in London, living in Ampthill, enlisted Bedford. Served with the Hertfordshire Regiment (service no. 31901).

    He was killed in action on 15th July 1918 in France and Flanders age 21 years and is buried in St Amand British Cemetery, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245825

    Cpl. Frank Cox 6th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.6th August 1916)

    Corporal Frank Cox, born and living in Ampthill, enlisted Bedford. Served with the 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (service no. 12099),

    He was killed in action on 6th August 1916 in France and Flanders and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245823

    Sgt. Walter Henry Wicks 4th Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.26th August 1918)

    Serjeant Wicks attd. 4th Bn. Nigeria Regiment, W.A.F.F.

    He was the Son of Isaac and Clara Wicks, of 138, Hurst St., Oxford.

    He is buried in the Baro Cemetery, Nigeria.

    S flynn




    245822

    Sgt. H. M. Jones 8th Bn. London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) (d.16th October 1918)

    Serjeant Jones att the Nigeria Regiment, W.A.F.F. He is buried in the Baro Cemetery, Nigeria.

    S flynn




    245821

    Lt. H. Q. Glenny attd. 2/Class Dist.Officer) Nigeria Regiment Special List (d.18th November 1914)

    Lieutenant Glenny is buried in the Bakundi Military Grave in Nigeria.

    S flynn




    245820

    Col.Sgt. C. J. Francis 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.8th November 1914)

    Colour Serjeant Francis attended the Nigeria Regiment, W.A.F.F. is buried in the Abunerek Military Grave in Nigeria.

    S flynn




    245819

    Pte. Christopher Cox 6th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.26th July 1916)

    Private Christopher Cox, born and living in Ampthill, enlisted Bedford. Served with the 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (service no. 12098),

    He died of his wounds on 26th July 1916 in England and is buried in St Andrews churchyard, Ampthill. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245818

    Pte. Frederick Lewis Collins 12th (Bermondsey) Btn East Surrey Regiment (d.4th September 1918)

    Private Frederick Lewis Collins, born in Gravenhurst, living in Ipswich and enlisted Bury St Edmunds. Served with the 12th Battalion East Surrey Regiment (service no. 23155),

    He was killed in action on 4th September 1918 in France and Flanders and is commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245817

    Pte. Herbert Reginald Bruce Cole 8th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.18th April 1917)

    Private Herbert Reginald Bruce Cole, born and enlisted in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, husband of Edith Butcher Cole. Served with the 8th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (service no. 33789),

    He died of his wounds on 18th April 1917 in France and Flanders age 23 and is buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245816

    Sgt. Herbert James Brightman 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.6th October 1918)

    Sergeant Herbert James Brightman, born in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, enlisted Northampton. Served with the 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment (service no. 13927),

    He died of his wounds on 6th October 1918 in France and Flanders and is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine Maritime France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245815

    Pte. Cecil Sydney "Skimps" Eades Royal Engineers

    Private Cecil Sydney "Skimps" Eades was a driver with the Royal Engineers ( Sappers). He saw service in 'Doolally', India; Mesopotamia and the Dardanelles.

    Norman Eades




    245812

    Pte. George Grimmett 11th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.24th September 1917)

    Private George Grimmett was born in 1887 in Handsworth and his parents were Amos and Charlotte Grimmett. His father was a gardener and they lived at 11 Church Terrace. He had 8 siblings and went to Rookery Road School. The 1901 census says he was a grocers errand boy aged 14 years old. He married Eleanor Alice Shotton in 1910 in Birmingham and the following year, their son George Stanley Grimmett was born in Handsworth. They were living at 166 Somerset Road and George was a green grocer.

    He joined as a Private with the 11th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1914 and went to France on 30th July 1915 near Tilques. Another son Benjamin John was born in 1916.

    He was killed in action on 24th September 1917. He was awarded the British Medal and the Victory Medal. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial at Passchendaele, a War Memorial in the Red Hall of Rookery School and Somerset Road Methodist Church (now Rookery Road Methodist Church).

    Rookery School did a project recently to commemorate WW1 and choose George Grimmett as a soldier from their memorial to research and find out what his life was like before and during the war and how it affected his family.





    245810

    Cpl. Charles Manderson 42nd Btn. (d.31st Aug 1918)

    Charles Manderson was a 25 year old laborer from Gin Gin, Qld. He enlisted 26th of October 1915 with his brother Thomas (429), who was also killed in action at Messines Ridge while serving with the 42nd.

    Kathy




    245809

    Patrick Flynn

    <p>

    Patrick Flynn

    Kevin Flynn




    245807

    Sgnlr. John Arthur Wain 4th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.21st April 1918)

    Signaller John Wain was killed in action on 21st of April 1918, aged 19 years. He was the sson of Thomas Potter and Mary Lillian Wain of Loughborough, Leicestershire. He is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France.

    His brother Private David Wain was killed in action between 20th and 21st July 1916 also aged 19 years.

    Caroline Hunt




    245790

    Pte. William Leo Crewe 1/5th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.24th April 1918)

    William Crewe was born in 1899 in Preston Lancashire, the son of Margaret Ann Crewe and William Crewe. There is a War Memorial in the Harris Museum which has his name on it. I will remember my 3 times great uncle

    Laura Fishwick




    245778

    Cpl. Sidney Parker 10th Btn. A Coy. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    <p>

    Sidney Parker served with 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    Paul Parker




    245777

    Pte. Albert Thomas Manley 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.30th March 1918)

    Albert Manley of 19 Kimberly Road, Leicester, enlisted at Leicester Town Hall in 1917 into the Leicestershire Regiment. He was posted overseas in February 1918 and transferred to the 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He was wounded on the 24th of March 1918 in the German spring offensive and was taken to No. 10 General Hospital at Rouen. He died of wounds on 30th of March 1918 aged 19 years.





    245775

    Pte. Arthur Constant 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.31st August 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Constant served with the 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment.

    Steve Miell




    245774

    Pte. William George Parsons 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.4th July 1916)

    William Parsons served with the 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment during WW1. He succumbed to injuries sustained during the Battle of the Somme and passed away on 4th of July 1916 at the age of 22.





    245769

    Pte. Charles Bishop 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.30th May 1918 )

    Charles Bishop is my Great Uncle and he had been forgotten until researching for a family tree.

    Anthony Andrews




    245764

    Pte. Francis Benjamin Hibbert 11th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Francis Hibbert, known as Frank signed up for the War at the age of 16 in late 1914 and was deployed in the summer of 1915. He fought in the battles at Loos, the Somme, Messines, Passchendaele and Cambrai, before being captured by the Germans during Operation Michael in 1918 and sent to Friedrichsfeld Prisoner of War camp where he spent the remainder of the War.

    Joseph Nobs




    245760

    Lt. S. Cartwright 8th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.17th August 1916)

    Whilst on attachment to the 2nd Battalion Rhodesia Regiment, Lieutenant S. Cartwright was involved in the East Africa campaign against the Germans who were commanded by General Lettow von Forbeck. On the day of his death he was fighting an action by the Wari River in present day Tanzania. This action forced the enemy to retire to the town of Morogoro. A quote I have says: "Cartwright, an experienced soldier, was in civilian life assistant magistrate at Bulawayo, a trained and skillful machine-gun officer, and could be ill spared." He is buried at Morogoro Cemetery in Tanzania.

    It would appear that he emigrated to Rhodesia at some stage prior to WW1. I would be most interested in receiving any further information you may have concerning Lieutenant Cartwright.

    David Whittaker




    245757

    Mjr. William Claud Kennedy Birch MC. 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th January 1918)

    <p>

    Major William Birch of the Yorkshire Regiment, was seconded to the Royal Flying Corp and got his wings at the Grahame-White school, Hendon in December 1912. He then joined No. 3 Squadron, which flew to France at the start of the war. He saw active service as a pilot through 1914 and 1915, being mentioned in dispatches twice.

    On 14th of January 1915 his Morane aircraft was hit by enemy fire and he landed east of the lines. He took to the countryside and made it to Flushing on the Dutch coast. Disguised as Fireman James Buckle, he worked his passage to England and was back flying in combat on 1st March 1915. In June of that year, he was back in Britain with training squadrons but was back in combat in 1916.

    In 1917, he returned to the Yorkshire Regiment as Captain and was promoted to acting Major. On 5th of January 1918, his men were sheltering in Hedge Street tunnel when an electrical fire was noticed and it quickly took hold. Major Birch escaped but when he realised men were still trapped, he returned to the tunnel and was not seen alive again. The fire burnt with such intensity that the tunnel had to be closed off to stop it spreading and his body was discovered when the tunnel was reopened. He is buried at Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) Belgium.

    Claud, as he was known to the family, was my maternal grandmothers brother.





    245756

    Pte. Frederick James Rigden 5th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    Frederick Rigden joined the Buffs in December 1915 and was sent to Mesopotamia in August 1916 to be part of the Indian Expeditionary Force. He was invalided out with Splenic Anemia upon arrival in Basra, Iraq, most likely having contracted in illness en route in India. Due to this illness, he was declared unfit for service and medically discharged in November 1917.

    Steven Beeny




    245755

    A/Bmdr. Brooke Whitley 194th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.16th March 1918)

    <p>

    Brooke Whitley served with 194th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery.





    245754

    Pte. Harry Thomas Daniel (d.18th August 1917)

    <p>

    The grave of this young man, Harry Thomas Daniel, is in Leigh Cemetery, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex. Harry had previously served with the Essex Regiment before transferring to the RFC. His headstone has the correct date of death on it. However it appears an error was made on Graves Registration Report Form 245 from 15/12/1920 giving his death as being 17/08/1918. some records like Find My Past and CWGC show this date of death.





    245748

    Pte. Gilbert Harry Southall 6th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.26th Mar 1918)

    Gilbert Southall was my Great Uncle, my paternal grandfather's younger brother. He also served with The New Zealand Tunnelling Company during WW1. Family tales of him being a bit of a tear-away, full of fun and mischief. So sad that he died aged only 22. He is buried or has a memorial plaque at Pozieres Cemetery, near Albert, France. I only wish I had a photo of him.

    Susan Davies




    245747

    Gnr. George Herbert Miles 41st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My uncle George Miles was gassed on 19th of May 1918. He survived the war and died in 1959.

    David Miles




    245745

    Pte. Thomas Hurdis A Coy. 59th Battalion (d.3rd Oct 1917)

    Private Thomas Hurdis embarked on A10 HMAT Afric at Sydney on 3rd November 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth, England on 9th January 1917. After training at Hurdcott Camp, Wiltshire, England, he was shipped to France to join his unit, the 59th Australian Infantry Battalion.

    He fought in the Second Battle of Bullecourt, France, in May 1917. He fought in the Battle of Polygon Wood, Belgium, 26th of September 1917 where he was severely wounded by gunshot wounds to the face and right arm. He was transferred to an Advanced Dressing Station on the Menin Road, Ypres and then to a Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Siding, Belgium. He was then transferred by ambulance train to the 16th USA General Hospital at Le Treport, France where he died of his wounds on 3rd of October 1917. He is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France.





    245744

    Pte. Frederick George Cleak 74th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.2nd September 1918)

    Frederick Cleak of 74th Company Machine Gun Corps was killed in action on 2nd September 1918, age 28 and is buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, France. He was the son of George and Emily Cleak of Deptford, London and husband of Adelaide Cleak of Milledge Street, Rotherhithe, London. He left a son Federick Cleak and daughters Adelaide and Ivy. He had enlisted in Camberwell and served formerly in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

    Alan Poole




    245743

    Pte. Henry Smith 8th (Pioneer) Btn. Welch Regiment (d.31st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Smith of the 8th Welch Regiment is my Granddad. He was born in Liverpool and enlisted at Warrington, at the time he resided at 3 Lea Street, Widnes, Lancashire. Henry died in India on 31st of March, 1918, aged 31 and is buried at Poona. He is commemorated on the Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial in Bombay and locally commemorated at St Mary's church in Widnes. A married man, Harry left a widow, Bridget and seven children. Prior to his enlistment he was employed at the Lancashire Metal Works in Widnes and was a parishioner of St Mary's church. He had previously served in the Dardanelles and Mesopotamia where he was taken ill with enteric fever and eventually recovered. Twelve months before his death he was posted to India. He died from peritonitis in a hospital in Poona.

    Ron Capewell




    245742

    Pte. Edgar Ernest Brown 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Apri 1918)

    Edgar Brown was born in Somersham Hunts in 1883. His father was Richard Brown and his mother was Sarah Ann (nee Webb). He married Alfreda Haines in Somersham sometime in 1911.

    Edgar first enlisted at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and joined the Suffolk Regiment as a Private. It is not known why or when he transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers as his papers were burnt as a result of enemy action in WW2. Edgar died on 10th April 1918 aged 35 and is buried at the Morbecque British Cemetery, he is the only Northumberland Fusilier to be buried in this cemetery. His wife, Alfreda, was living at 43 Upton Road, Torquay, Devon, at the time of Edgar's death. If anyone has a photo of him please let me know.

    Chris Millard




    245738

    Alexander Ferguson 189th Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.13th September 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Ferguson served with C Battery, 189th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Maggie Fox




    245736

    Rfmn. Alfred Clarke Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>

    Alf Clarke served with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

    Matt Clarke




    245735

    Pte. Alfred Slade 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.5th May 1915)

    Alfred Slade was the third oldest son to Alfred and Caroline Slade of Winchmore Hill, Buckinghamshire, England. He was the sixth child of eleven. Upon enlisting in the British Army, Alfred was 19 years old, living at home with his parents and working as a carter. Prior to that he had been a farm labourer upon leaving school.

    He landed in France on 22nd of April 1915 and was reported missing on 5th of May 1915. This was later used as his date of death and marked as killed in action. His body was never recovered. His name is engraved on The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial along with 54,000 other soldiers who died before 16th August 1917 and have no known graves. He had no wife and no children. He was quite simply a farm boy.

    Kim Webb




    245734

    L/Cpl. Moses Beckerwick 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.15th October 1914)

    Lance Corporal Moses Beckerwick, son of Joseph and Rebecca Inskip of Arthur Street, Ampthill was born in Middlesex. He served with the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment. He was killed in action on 15th of October 1914 in France and Flanders and is buried in Arras Road Cemetery, France. He is remembered on The War Memorial, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245731

    Pte. Walter T. Ansell 7th Btn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Walter Ansell, born and living in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, with the 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 1st July 1916 in France and Flanders and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.

    Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245730

    Pte. Adam Borrett 32nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.22nd Sep 1917)

    Adam Borrett was my grandfather's uncle. He has a grave in Suffolk, but I'm not sure if his body was recovered.

    Catherine Reeves




    245727

    Pte. Harry Ansell 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.9th November 1914)

    Harry Ansell, born in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, living in Wood Green, Middlesex, served with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 9th of November 1914 and is now buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245726

    Pte. Samuel George Allgood 3rd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.14th April 1916)

    Samuel Allgood, son of Joseph and Jane Allgood, Coton, Cambridgeshire, husband of Elsie, initially enlisted with the 2nd Suffolk Regiment, he discharged himself on 10th July 1911. On 22nd of October 1914 in Bedford he enlisted with the 3rd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, he was discharged on 15th February 1915 as physically unfit suffering with Chronic Dyspepsia and died from Tuberculosis of the Intestines on 14th of April 1916 in Bedford Hospital aged 40 years. He is remembered on The Alamada, St. Andrews church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245723

    Rflmn. William John Victor Appleyard 1/8th Btn. D Coy. London Regiment (d.8th June 1917)

    William Appleyard was the only child of John William and Caroline Appleyard of 40 Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    M. O'Connor




    245720

    Pte. Ernest Jelfs 12th (Hull Sportsmen) Btn. D Coy. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>Pay Book

    Ernest Jelfs served with D Coy, 12th (Hull Sportsmen) Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment. I am looking for more information.

    Alistair Rawlings




    245717

    Pte. Edward Alfred Brown 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    <p>

    Alf Brown served with the 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards.

    Janet Brown




    245715

    Pte. Thomas Pilch 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Buried at Tyne Cot Belgium





    245708

    Capt. Hamilton Stephen Moore MC and Bar Royal Army Medical Corps

    I met an elderly man who is in the same nursing home as my mother. he told me of his grandfather Capt. Hamilton Stephen Moore M.C. and bar who served in the First World War. The family came from Loudoun Manse, Newmilns in Ayrshire, Hamilton S Moore's father was Rev. Hamilton Moore, and H. S. Moore had a sister Eleanor Allan Robertson nee Moore who was a well known artist, one of the Glasgow Girls. I located his POW record on the International Red Cross website, and it records the POW camp as being Rasstatt.

    Brian Pritchard




    245706

    Pte. William Clarence Pook 52nd Battalion Manchester Regiment

    <p>William and Horace Pook

    William Pook served with the 52nd Manchester Regiment.

    Steve




    245705

    Pte. Sam Yurik 38th (Service) Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    Sam Yurik emigrated from Russia to the US in 1914. He never petitioned to naturalize, and thus remained a Resident Alien until his death in 1966. In 1917, when America entered the war, any immigrant who had not yet filed a petition to naturalize was ineligible for the draft, and the draft was compulsory. The risk was being deported as an alien slacker. So Sam, who registered for the draft in 1917, joined the Jewish Legion and arrived in Windsor, Nova Scotia on 22nd of July 1918, for training. Once his training was complete, he shipped to England, where he served with the 38th Btn. of the Royal Fusiliers.

    Sam arrived back in North America in September of 1919 and returned to his work as a cap maker in a factory in Brooklyn. I have four eloquent letters home from 1918. I am searching for some record of where Sam served in Palestine? He left no record of his service, he kept no letters and passed on no stories. But two sisters he worked with in the cap factory kept his letters and the daughter of the sister he was in love with, gave what she had to me. Sam married a woman named Florence and they had one child, Solomon Yurik Sol who became a famous left-wing American novelist.

    If anyone comes across anything related to Sam or the 38th Btn's deployment in late 1918 and early 1919, I would be grateful to learn more.

    Patricia Klindienst




    245704

    Sgt. Thomas Leslie Bainbridge MM. 20th (British Empire Pioneers) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>

    Granddad, Leslie Thomas was a very private man, and didn't ever talk about his service. We do know that he won his Military Medal on the Somme in 1916. After the War, he returned to Quarrington Hill, County Durham, and returned to mining, as a pit worker.

    Carole Bainbridge




    245701

    Pte. George Frederick Prescott 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.2nd March 1916)

    George Prescott, son of John and Fanny Prescott, Low Apley, Langworth, Lincoln, born in Middle Rasen and living in Langworth, enlisted at Wragby with the 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 2nd of March 1916 aged 19 years. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Sadly his younger brother Charles Henry was killed in action on 8th November 1918 serving with the 1st Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Information courtesy of http://www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245700

    Pte. George Edward Prescott 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.21st October 1916)

    George Prescott, son of Charles and Mary Prescott, South Willingham, Lincoln, enlisted at Lincoln with the Lincolnshire Regiment and then served with the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. He was killed in action on 21st of October 1916 aged 20 years. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Information courtesy of http://www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245699

    Pte. Charles Henry Prescott 1st Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.8th November 1918)

    Charles Prescott, son of John and Fanny Prescott, Low Apley, Langworth, Lincoln, enlisted at Lincoln with the 1st Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action on 8th of November 1918 and is buried in Dourlers Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. Information courtesy of http://www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245698

    Pte. Samuel Humberstone 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.25th March 1918)

    Samuel Humberstone, born in Wragby, Lincolnshire, enlisted at Wragby with the 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 25th of March 1918 and is buried in Senlis Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Information courtesy of http://www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245697

    Pte. Harold Hardy 2nd/5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.11th April 1917)

    Harold Hardy, born in Bardney and living in Wragby, Lincolnshire, enlisted at Lincoln with the 2nd/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 11th April 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Information courtesy of http://www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245696

    Pte. George Grantham 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.31st August 1918)

    George Grantham, son of John and Betsy Grantham, Reepham, Lincolnshire and husband of Mary J Grantham, Ryland, Welton, Lincoln, enlisted at Lincoln with the 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He died of his wounds on 31st of August 1918 aged 24 years. He is buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, Somme, France. Information courtesy of http://www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245695

    Pte. William Mainville 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company

    William Mainville served with the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company. I have got his British War Medal.





    245694

    Sgt. Alfred Arthur Clarke 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.21st October 1914)

    My great uncle Alfred Clarke has no known grave and is remembered on the Le Touret Memoial. He was killed in action on 21st of October 1914 when the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment were positioned in trenches in front of the village of Le Riez. During the 20th and 21st of October 1914 the Germans shelled the village and the Battalion suffered many casualties.

    D Hacker




    245693

    Pte. William Garner 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.21st October 1915)

    William Garner, son of John William and Martha Garner, Fen Farm, Stainfield, Wragby, Lincoln, enlisted at Boston with the 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He died of his wounds on 21st of October 1915 aged 24 years. He is buried in Hop Store Cemetery, Ypres. Information courtesy of http://www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245692

    Pte. Charles William Garner 189th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.27th November 1917)

    Charles Garner was the husband of Mrs Lucy Garner of Welton Hill, Lincoln. He initially enlisted with the Lincolnshire Regimentand then served with the 189th Company, Machine Gun Corps. He was killed in action on 27th of November 1917 aged 29 years. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial at Zonnebeke, in Belgium. Information courtesy of http://www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245691

    Pte. John Lavelle 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.5th April 1916)

    John Lavelle of the 11th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, died of wounds received at the Dardanelles on 5th of April 1916. Age 26, he was the son of Michael and Emily Lavelle. He is buried in St. Josephs Roman Catholic Cemetery, Moston, Lancashire.

    Brian Woodcraft




    245688

    Pte. Albert Blanshard 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd August 1918)

    Albert Blanshard, son of Mr J.W. and Mrs F.E. Blanshard of Stainfield, Wragby, Lincoln, initially enlisted in Lincoln with the Sherwood Foresters, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment and then served with the 10th Battalion Essex Regiment. He was killed in action on 23rd of August 1918 and is buried at Becourt Military Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, Somme, France. Information courtesy of http://www.roll-of-honour.com

    Caroline Hunt




    245685

    Pte. Jerimiah George Lambert 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th May 1918)

    Jerimiah Lambert was my husbands grandfather. He died when my husbands father was 3 years old so he never knew him. Sadly we have no photographs of Jerimiah but now have full history.

    Pamela Lambert




    245680

    2nd.Lt. Arthur Rhys Willis 20th Btn. A Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th July 1917)

    James Nelson served with the 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action on the 28th of July 1917 at Fusilier Wood in the Ypres salient. James has no known grave but is commemorated on the Menin Gate. He was killed at the same time as Second Lieutenant Arthur Rhys Willis and 4 others and the officer has a grave at Dickebusch New Military Cemetery. According to regimental records these people were killed by artillery fire and its my guess that whatever remains there were, are probably all together in this grave.

    Kevin Nelson




    245679

    Pte. Samuel John Douglas 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th May 1917)

    Sammie Douglas was killed in action aged 34yrs on the 29th of May 1917 just prior to the Battle of Messines. His medals are in the museum of the Somme Society in Belfast. We do not know any more of his story, but would love to know more.

    Denise Holyome




    245678

    James Elias Burton Royal Marines Light Infantry

    James Elias Burton enlisted very shortly after the start of the war. He was married with children when he left for war. He was sent to Gallipoli where he was shot and wounded. He was then discharged as a result of this injury.

    Matthew Burghardt




    245676

    Lawrence Hobson Royal Marine Light Infantry

    Lawrence Hobson was my Grandfather and he enlisted in 1915. He had not been married long and had a baby daughter, May. He was taken prisoner in April 1917 and was discharged at the end of the war in 1918.

    After the war, he had three more children but sadly died in 1924 aged 31. His wife, Eliza Ellen was aged 29 and left to bring up her four children alone. One of those children was my father, also called Lawrence. He was conscripted in WW2 at the age of 19 in the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal and survived the war.

    Valerie Burghardt




    245675

    Pte. Arthur J. Miller Suffolk Regiment

    Arthur Miller survived the war. No other information at present.

    Stephen Spencer




    245672

    Pte. George William Wicks 17th (2nd Leeds) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th April 1917)

    A former coal miner, George Wicks was in his thirties when he was killed in action at the first battle of the Scarpe in 1917 He is buried at Orange Trench Cemetery, Monchy Le Prieux. He was my great uncle.

    Chris Hough




    245671

    Sgt. Alfred George Warren 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.3rd October 1919)

    <p>

    Alfred Warren served with the Suffolk Regiment. I would love to hear from anyone researching the Suffolk Regiment activity in WW1 with service details of the 11th battalion, or anybody related or connected to Alfred George Warren.

    Alfreds Obituary

    Paul Warren




    245669

    Cpl. Ernest Hampton 21st Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    Ernest Hampton was one of my maternal relatives, I don't have any further information I'm afraid.

    Steve




    245658

    Pte. Matthew Miller 4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    My father Matthew Miller, was born in 1885 and was conscripted into WWI with the East Lancashire Regiment. He was a middleweight boxer in the unit and got to the finals. He fought at Somme and told stories of the Labasse Canal and the mud.

    He was taken prisoner at Passchendaele and apparently saved the life of a POW at the POW camp from drowning. The German Camp Commander who was a brewmeister in Berlin said my father should come to Berlin after the war and drink beer. He was transferred to another camp under control of the Hungarians. He recalled an tragic incident of being in a shell hole with 24 other men and a a guy from Leeds said "eeh I could just eat a piece of my mams fat cake" when another shell blew up in the hole and out of the 24 men only three survived, my father was one of them.

    Norman Miller




    245657

    Sgt. Harold Newton Macdonald 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th March 1918)

    Sgt.Harold Mcdonald was my Gt. Uncle, brother of my Grandfather. He was the son of Charles and Eliza Macdonald of 71 Julian Avenue South Shields. He enlisted in South Shields and arrived in Egypt on 22nd of December 1915.

    He died in action close to the Moyenville to Ayette Road, 7 miles south of Arras in France on 28th of March 1918. I have a detailed map of where he fell. We are visiting the site of his death 100 years to the day since his death.

    Richard Macdonald




    245654

    Cpl. Henry Alexander Williams MM. 13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My great grandfather Henry Williams served in the Great War with the 2nd and 7th Battalions, Royal Irish Rifles and the 13th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment and was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the field in France awarded 1919. He served from the 4th of August 1914 to 11th of November 1918 and was discharged due to injury I believe according to the documents I have.

    George Benjamin Williams-Holding




    245653

    Boy. Maurice Edward Siney

    My grandfather Maurice Siney served in the Royal Navy during the First World War as Boy1. Records show his conduct as Very Good and he continued in the Navy until after the 2nd World War often serving in training establishments.

    June Shearing




    245652

    Pte. Walter Adkin 6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.1st October 1915)

    Walter Adkin and his brother Joseph joined up on 22nd of December 1914, they were both sent to France in February 1915. They fought in many of the early battles. Walter died of wounds sustained in action on 1st of October 1915, Walter is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    Joseph received gun shot wounds to his back on 9th August 1915, was treated at Rawlpindi hospital and returned to unit on the 7th October 1915 only to find out his brother had been killed 6 days earlier. Joseph would then be killed in action defending the Hohenzollern Redoubt a week later on the 14th October, his body was never recovered.

    Stevan Chambers




    245645

    Harry Ruddock Royal Garrison Artillery

    Harry Ruddock joined up at the age of 21 on 13th of November 1915. He was a signalman with 119th Siege Battery, RGA. He was demobilized on 18th of July 1919 and received his medals BW and V on 10th of September 1921 by this time he was living at Down Road, Guildford, ready to marry his fiance Florence who waited for him during the war. They married in 1922.

    Jan Welsman




    245641

    Cpl. Frederick W. Hankin HMS Hyacinth Royal Marine Light Infantry

    Corporal Frederick Hankin served aboard HMS Hyacinth with the Royal Marine Light Infantry from 12th September 1916 to 23rd September 1919.

    Douglas W Hankin




    245639

    Pte. John Pearce Canterbury Regiment (d.20th November 1918)

    John Pearce was the son of Mrs. E. J. Pearce of Brookside, Canterbury. He served on the Western Front in 1916-17. He was 26 when he died and is buried in the Brookside Anglican Churchyard, Selwyn District, New Zealand.

    S flynn




    245636

    Pte. David Noel Wain 16th (Church Lads Brigade) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.21st July 1916)

    The Death Plaque for Private David Wain is on display at the Loughborough Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum. His brother, John Arthur also died in WW1.

    Mel Gould




    245634

    Pte. William Deeble Auckland Regiment (d.9th November 1918)

    William Deeble was the son of William John and Harriet Deeble, husband of Ada Deeble of 111 Union St., Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. Born at Thames. He served on the Western Front in 1917. He was 28 when he died and is buried in the Bombay Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Franklin District, New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245625

    Pte. Albert Sanderson Wilson 1/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd June 1918)

    Private Albert Wilson was my grandmother's brother. I cannot find his birth date but I have discovered that he is buried in Cologne.

    Roger Mansell




    245623

    Lt.Col. H. J. Humphrys DSO MC. 8th Btn. Royal Scots

    Lieutenant Colonel H.J. Humphrys CBE DSO MC, served with the 7th Black Watch, 179th and 251st Tunnelling Companies Royal Engineers, the 8th Royal Scots (as CO) and was one of three Ilkeston brothers serving in WW1. The others were, Lieutenant Leonard Humphrys, 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and Royal Engineers (home service) and Captain C C Humphrys, Royal Naval Reserve.

    Charles Kenyon




    245621

    Capt. C. C. Humphrys

    Captain C C Humphrys served with the Royal Naval Reserve and was one of three Ilkeston brothers serving in WW1. The others were, Leonard Humphrys, 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters and Royal Engineers (home service) and Lieutenant Colonel H J Humphrys CBE DSO MC of 7th Black Watch, 179th and 251th Tunnelling Companies Royal Engineers and 8th Royal Scots (as CO).

    Charles Kenyon




    245620

    2nd Lt. Abraham Slowe 6th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.25th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Abraham Slowe served in Belgium with the 6th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (K.O.Y.L.I) and took part in the early part of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as Passchendaele. The 6th Battalion KOYLI was part of the 43rd Brigade, 14th Division, together with the 6th Battalion, The Somerset Light Infantry, the 6th Battalion, The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, and the 10th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry. The 14th Division had relieved the 56th Division on the Menin Road around Clapham Junction on 18th August 1917. The attack started on 22nd August and the 6th Battalion was first actively involved on the 24th. They were holding the area between Glencourse Wood and Inverness Copse after a heavy barrage when the Germans counter-attacked at 4:30 am, using flamethrowers and grenades. Abe was among the casualties suffered when his Battalion and the 6th Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry were pushed back to the start lines of the attack – all the bravery and sacrifice had once again been for nothing. Abe was wounded on 24th August and evacuated to the Casualty Clearing Station at Poperinge. He died from his wounds the following morning, 25 August 1917 and was buried in the British Military Cemetery at Lijssenthoek together with nearly 10,000 of his fallen comrades.

    Shlomo Shalev




    245618

    Pte. Tom Norris 2nd Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

    Tom Norris was a miner in the Cannock coal fields in Staffordshire before joining the army in early 1915. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and had arrived in France by early August. In September the 2nd Battalion was engaged in the Battle of Loos before being withdrawn to Alexandria in Egypt in October, and then to Salonika in January 1916. Tom seems to have been with the 2nd Battalion for the whole of his service and whilst he was with them in Salonika they played their part in a number of engagements or battles. We're not sure what roles Tom played in these events but in Spring 1918 he contracted malaria and by May 1918 his health had deteriorated to the point where he was no longer fit for war service.

    We understand he was also subject to, but survived, a gas attack at some point, which had an impact on his lungs. As a result, he did not (or was not allowed to) return to mining after his discharge and moved to Birmingham in search of work. Tom survived the war but as a result of his military service he suffered pain and ill health for the remainder of his life. He was granted a war pension but died an early death in 1942.

    Barry Norris




    245616

    L/Cpl. Percy Richard Johnson 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Apr 1918)

    Dick Johnson served with the 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Judy Weatherley




    245614

    Pte. Charles Wright 2nd Btn. A Company Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.17th Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Charlie Wright and his friends from Glasslough Street, Monaghan walked to Armagh to enlist. His family have part of an original letter sent to his mother from the front in 1915 detailing his death, the treatment he received after being wounded and correction of a mistake on his grave. They believe the letter was written by a friend of his from Glasslough Street but they are missing the second page and would dearly love to find it to determine if it was written by his friend or not.

    Jennifer Fitzpatrick




    245609

    Pte. Archibald John Wootten Auckland Regiment (d.20th Nov 1918)

    Archibald Wootten was the husband of Mrs. Margaret Susan Gwendoline Wootten. He was 30 when he died and is buried in the Bombay (St. Peter's in the Forest) Anglican Church Cemetery, Franklin District, New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245608

    Pte. Thomas Diedrich Marcussen New Zealand Mounted Machine Gun Squadron (d.4th Dec 1918)

    Thomas Marcussen was the son of Mrs. Agnes Marcussen of 5 Prince's St., Musselburgh, Dunedin. Born at Bluff, Southland. He served on the Western Front in 1917. He was 22 when he died and is buried in the Bluff Cemetery, Southland District, New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245607

    Spr. Slyvester Hayward Hanlon New Zealand Engineers (d.13th Sep 1918)

    Slyvester Hanlon was the son of the late Mrs. M. Hanlon of Northcote, Auckland. Born at Wanganui. He served in Egypt, at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. He is buried in the Birkenhead Catholic Cemetery, North Shore City, New Zealand.

    s flynn




    245601

    Rflmn. Walter Thomas Earthrowl 1st/21st Battalion London Regiment (d.8th June 1917)

    Walter Earthrowl served in the 1st Surrey Rifles, otherwise called 1st/21st (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment. He was killed on Day 2 of the Battle of Messines on 8th of June 1917 at the age of 26 and now lies in Bedford House War Cemetery to the south of Ypres.

    Of the half a dozen or so members of the Earthrowl family who served in the First World War, he was the only one not to survive and return home, and was the youngest of a family of twelve siblings. He was my father's youngest uncle, and my great uncle.

    Barry Earthrowl




    245594

    Sub.Lt. Alan Wordsworth Fawcett HMS Tigress

    This is a submission of a serving officer's name, and link to a model of HMS Tigress made by him - possibly still with the officer's family descendants. on this weblink

    Mr Fawcett is listed by the Royal College of Surgeons as having served on HMS Tigress as a Surgeon Sub-Lt. However he was born in 1896 and did not qualify as a surgeon until 1927 so the dates seem to indicate that he may not have served as a surgeon officer. During 1914-19 he would have been aged 18-23 yrs. The RCS record also states that in later years "With his superb manual dexterity he became a very gifted model builder, and his detailed model of HMS Tigress, the destroyer in which he served in the first world war, gained a prize at the doctors' hobbies exhibition of the British Medical Association. This model can be seen (briefly) in the film

    I have no other knowledge of Mr Fawcett except that he operated on me as a 3 week-old baby in February 1939, and I still have the abdominal scar to prove it, as well as the discharge card from Sheffield Royal Infirmary from 1939, which records that he was the surgeon. I qualified as a doctor (physician) in 1963, and later served in the Royal Australian Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

    John Bisby




    245592

    Pte. Henry Linch 7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment

    <p>

    Henry Linch served with the 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment.

    Bill Lynch




    245590

    Pte. John Hutton Dowse VC. 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.16th October 1916)

    John Dowse was my great great uncle, who I found out about while doing my family tree in 2016. He was killed at the Somme and is buried at Combles Communal Cemetery Extension which I visited in December 2017.

    Diane Mayes




    245577

    Cpl. Albert James Collins MM. 12th Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)

    Corporal Albert Collins was my Granddad's uncle, unfortunately I have no stories to tell.

    Victoria Sizer




    245574

    Tpr. Henry Roland Davis New Zealand Training Unit (d.31st July 1916)

    Trooper Henry Davis was the Son of William and Lucy Davis (nee Ward) of 656 Worcester St., Christchurch. Born at Amberley.

    He was 23 when he died whilst with the New Zealand Training Unit and is buried in the Balcairn Cemetery, in the Hurunui District of New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245573

    Pte. Rapata Wi Kanara New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion (d.16th May 1919)

    Rapata Kanara was the Son of Wiremu and Heni Kanara. Born at Awanui North, Northland. He served in France in 1917-18.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried in the Awanui Church Cemetery, Far North District in New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245572

    Pte. Mathew Peete Hadfield New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion (d.3rd January 1919)

    Private Matthew Hadfield was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Wiki Hadfield, of Awanui North, Northland. He served on the Western Front in 1917-18. He is buried in the Awanui Church Cemetery, Far North District in New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245570

    Rflmn. Harold Jesse Herbert 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.17th November 1917)

    Harold Herbert was killed relieving the 47th Canadian Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment NW of Passchendaele village (almost certainly close to Hill 52, Vindictive Crossroads. Enemy barrage reported as heavier than on any previous occasion during tour of duty in Official War Diary.

    He was buried at Hill 52 and later re-interred at Poelcapelle British Cemetery. Aged 34 at death, he left a wife Annie, and four children, Elsie, Harold (Vic), Leonard and Bunty. He was a master builder in Islington, North London before his military service.

    Alan Herbert




    245569

    Pte. Arthur Ackroyd 2nd Btn. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons) (d.5th May 1915)

    <p>

    Arthur Ackroyd was born on 21st December 1893 at his grandmother's house in Waile Street, Manningham but was orphaned by 1908 so went to live with his half-sister, her husband and their son and daughter in Bateman Street, Manningham (since demolished and the site now appears to be part of Bradford City football ground or very close thereto). He became very much part of their family and the children regarded him as their big brother. The 1911 census states he was a mill hand bobbin take off in a worsted spinning mill.

    He enlisted on 21st of August 1914 but died from gas poisoning on 5th of May 1915 at 84th Field Ambulance, almost certainly received on Hill 60 about 2 miles south of Ypres, where his battalion were in action. He is buried in Poperinge Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Joanna Booth




    245562

    L/Cpl. Isaac Carlin 6th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.31st December 1916)

    Isaac Carlin died on 31st December 1916 at The Somme, he was 37 years old. His body was never found and his name is on the Thiepval Memorial. He left a wife and 7 children.

    Julie Pickard




    245559

    Pte. Arthur Harvey Howes 20th Hussars (d.2nd May 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Howes served with both the 20th Hussars and the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment.

    Neil Harris




    245557

    Pte. John Joseph Mahoney New Zealand Field Artillery

    John Mahoney served on the Western Front, 1916. He was 37 years old when he died on 1st August 1920 and is buried in the Athol Cemetery, Southland District, New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245556

    Pte. Cecil Houston Challis (d.5th August 1916)

    Cecil Challis was the Son of Mary Challis of Lumsden, Southland, and the late Alfred Challis, born at Parawa, Southland. He was aged 20 when he died, serving with the New Zealand Training Unit and is buried in the Athol Cemetery, Southland District, New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245555

    Pte. Charles Henry Challies (d.26th August 1916)

    Charles Challies was the don of Mr. and Mrs. C. Challies, of Appleby, Nelson. He was aged 22 and swerving with the New Zealand Training Unit when he died and is buried in the Appleby (St. Albans) Anglican Churchyard, Tasman District, New Zealand.

    s flynn




    245554

    Pte. William Joseph O'Connor (d.7th November 1916)

    William O'Connor was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. O'Connor of Appleby, Nelson. He was aged 20 when he died, serving with the New Zealand Training Unit and is buried in the Appleby (SS. Peter and Paul) Catholic Cemetery, Tasman District, New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245552

    Dvr. Charles Leslie Weaver New Zealand Field Artillery

    Charles Weaver was the son of Patrick and Lily Catherine Weaver of Earnscleugh, Dunedin. He served in Egypt and the Balkans in 1915 and on the Western Front in 1918. He died on the 17th August 1921 and is buried in the Alexandra South Cemetery, Central Otago District, New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245551

    Cpl. Edwin Matthew Phillips 6th Btn. (d.1st July 1915)

    Corporal Edwin Phillips was the son of Mark and Electra Phillips of Kitchener Rd, Milford, Takapuna, Auckland. He was aged 21 when he died and is buried in the Albany Public Cemetery, North Shore City, New Zealand.

    S flynn




    245549

    Cpl. Henry Scott MM. 4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd July 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Scott served with the 4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment.

    Gary Bartlett




    245546

    Pipr. James Prattis Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My grandfather, James Prattis, was a piper with the Royal Scouts Fusiliers. His discharge papers show he was a first class shot.

    Jim Prattis




    245544

    Sgt. Herbert Gollins DCM. 6th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.22nd March 1918)

    Herbert Gollins was employed as a Metal Mixer worked at Loco Works, Horwich. Son of Caroline Gollins of 159 Westminster St, Crewe (1911 Census), married Frances Russell at Bolton in 1914. He enlisted in 1914 and served with the 6th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. He is commemorated at Loco Works Memorial, Chorley New Road, Horwich, Lancs. His DCM awarded citation in the London Gazette on the 26 of February 1918 records that he "killed some enemy and took 6 prisoners".

    Pauline Lord




    245541

    Pte. Harold Bricknell 9th Btn. Welsh Fusiliers (d.20th Jun 1918)

    Harold Bricknell attended Alleyne's Grammar School as a student in the early 1900's. I am researching the School War Memorial and compiling a project to remember the Alleyne's war dead. Any information would be gratefully received.

    Bob Wilson




    245538

    Rflmn. Louis Xavier LeVaillant New Zealand Rifle Brigade (d.14th December 1918)

    Rifleman Louis Le Vaillant served on Western Front in 1917 and 1918. He was 42 when he died and is buried in the Akaroa Anglican Cemetery, Banks Penisula District, New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245537

    Pte. Rata Brass Maori (Pioneer) Battalion (d.2nd February 1919)

    Private Rata Brass was Born at Ahipara. He Served in Egypt and at Gallipoli, 1915. He is buried in the Ahipara Maori Cemetery, Far North District, New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    245534

    Pte. Francis Albert Dixon 18th Service Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Sep 1917)

    Francis Dixon was the brother of Matthew who also died in WW1. Francis the youngest was aged 22 when he was killed at the Battle of Ypres and is buried in Belgium in 1917

    Elsie Eaton




    245530

    Pte. Hubert William Vinnicombe 10th Btn. Warwickshire Regiment (d.19th June 1917)

    Hubert Vinnicombe served with the 10th Royal Warwickshire Regiment. I am compiling information of the men on our War Memorial in Otterton, Devon, and Hubert is one of these.

    Jane Bennett




    245528

    Ldg.Teg. George Ernest Whittle HMS Crescent

    George Whittle served on-board HMS Crescent between 20th October 1917 and 15th February 1918.

    M Brennan




    245525

    Pte. John Gavaghan 37th Battalion (d.8th June 1917)

    John Gavaghan was born in Lecarrow, Charlestown, County Mayo, Ireland in 1889. He had 3 sisters and 5 brothers. He left Ireland to try and find work in Australia. He joined the 37th Battalion on 23rd of May 1916. At the time he was living in Seymour, Victoria and was working as a laborer. He embarked from Port Melbourne, Australia on the ship Shropshire on 25th of September 1916 arriving in Plymouth, England on 11th of November 1916. On 16th of December he proceeded to France on the Princess Victoria although it is noted on 23rd December he marched in from England. He was taken on strength on 19th of January 1917. He was killed in the Battle of Messines on 8th of June 1917. His body was never located.

    John Eagney




    245524

    Pte. Stanley Ward Dunlop MM. Army Service Corps (d.24th of March 1918)

    <p>

    Born in Salford in 1891, the fourth of eight children, Stanley Dunlop grew up in Ashton-upon-Mersey.

    He crossed to France on the 1st of June 1915 and was awarded his Military Medal in 1917. He was killed on the 24th of March 1918 in the German Spring Offensive whilst serving attached to 43rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps and is buried at Noyon New British Cemetery, Oise.

    Mike Walker




    245518

    2Lt. Edgar Henry Wale MID. 14th BTn. Machine Gun Corps

    Edgar joined the London Regiment at the age of 19 in 1916 (if not earlier). In 1918 he was seconded to the 14th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. He was Mentioned in Despatches, as published in the London Gazette 10th of July 1919. At some point in WW1, yet to be successfully researched, but believed to be at Ypres, he was wounded and hospitalised.

    Edgar was successful in business, an excellent golfer, and loved his 1938 Alvis sports car. In 1952 Edgar was seriously injured in the Harrow & Wealdstone rail crash, and he died in 1958.

    Celia Savage




    245517

    Rflmn. William Evan Hamer 8th, 1st and 10th Btns. Rifle Brigade

    William Hamer joined up from Winchester having been in service for a family in Newbury, at the age of 15 years 10 months on 4th September 1914.

    He embarked with 8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade in August 1915, was wounded with 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade in September 1916. Wounded a second time in August 1917 with 10th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, he was awarded the Silver War Badge and honourably discharged due to wounds on 4th of February 1918.

    Mike James




    245506

    Pte. Frederick Edgar Lewis 3rd Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.1st December 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Lewis served with the 3rd Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

    Sean




    245505

    L/Cpl. Edward Middleton 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Lance Corporal Ted Middleton of A Company, 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade was taken prisoner on 24th of April 1918 at the second battle of Villers-Brettoneux.

    Tim Middleton




    245503

    Sapper. Josiah James Stevens 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.17th Apr 1918)

    Josiah Stevens was my grandmother's first husband. He was an iron safe maker and left a wife and daughter.

    Stephen Tallett




    245498

    Pte. Harry Chesterson 74th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.11th October 1918)

    <p>Harry Chesterson

    Harry Chesterson served with 74th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. I have a cover of the Brunner Mond (prior to ICI) document. Unfortunately the contents are missing. My mother kept it and I found it when she died in 2014. Harry and his brother James (my grandad) both worked at the Brunner Mond works in Northwich. James survived the war, he was also in the RAMC.

    Cover of the Brunner Mond Roll of Honour

    David Pemberton




    245496

    Pte. John George Hammell 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Jul 1916)

    John Hammell served with the 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment On the 10th of July 1916, 2nd Lieutenant Bell was detached with a bombing party to the 8th Battalion who were ordered to attack a position to the west of the village. By 5.30 in the evening, they had successfully captured the village along with 9 machine guns and more than 300 unwounded prisoners. Then, from 7.30 onwards on that evening, the Germans counter-attacked. At 9:00 that evening, one of the counter attacks threatened to become more dangerous when a group of 40+ German soldiers were seen to be lining a hedge at Point 93 on the road to Mametz. A hasty barricade was built and machine guns were put into position. The defence was successful and drove off the German soldier counter attack but John Hammell, and many others including 2nd Lieutenant Bell lost their lives during the thick of the action.

    Emma Hammell




    245493

    Sgt. Thomas Rueben Jacques 242nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Thomas Jacques served with 242nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Steve Jacques




    245488

    Pte. Abraham Law Lees 12th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Abraham Law Lees enlisted at the beginning of the war in September 1914 with the Cheshire Regiment. He was in the 12th Battalion and after initially going to France, was posted to Salonika in 1915. He was hospitalised in Salonika a couple of times in 1916 and returned to the UK on the HMHS Rewa in the September. He was admitted initially to the Sherlock Street Auxilliary Hospital in Liverpool before being admitted to the Western General Hospital, Fazakerley, Liverpool. He was given a medical discharge in 1917. He was given the 1914-15 Star and the Victory Medal. I believe that he had contracted dysentery.

    He once told me about an incident in 1917 which still angered him. He was on a bus in Liverpool and a woman gave him a white feather. He had a badge which indicated that he had been medically discharged which he showed the woman, who then promptly burst into tears. Oddly enough he always told me he was in the Dardenelles during the war and it was only when I saw his medical records a few months ago that I discovered he was in Salonika.

    Jennifer Iles




    245487

    Pte. John Riddles 2nd Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.28th April 1916)

    <p>

    John Riddles joined the Inniskilling Fusiliers before the war serving at one stage in China. He left the army before the beginning of WW1 but was called up as a first reserve landing in France on September 1914.

    John's name is inscribed on The Diamond war memorial in the centre of city of Londonderry.

    Chris Riddels




    245484

    Rflmn. Henry John Stewart 9th (West Belfast) Btn. C Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.6th April 1917)

    <p>

    Rifleman Henry Stewart is buried at Pond Farm Military Cemeterym Wulvergem Belgium. His grave is regularly visited.

    Harry Stewart





    245481

    Cpl. William Healy 8th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers

    <p>Corporal W Healy The Irish Brigade Certificate

    William Healy was 30-years-old when he joined the 8th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. He received a gun shot wound to his right foot on 3rd September 1916 at the Battle of Guillemont and received The Irish Brigade Certificate from Major-General W B Hickie, Commander of the 16th Irish Division for his 'gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field on 13th of Sept 1916'.

    William had five sons and one daughter and died on 16th May 1949.

    Deborah Carr




    245478

    Pte. George Edward Hanscombe East Kent Regiment

    <p>

    My great uncle George Hanscombe served with the Buffs.

    Roy Hanscombe




    245474

    2nd Lt. James Francis Ronaldson-Lyell 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.25th November 1917)

    <p>

    2nd Lieutenant James Ronaldson-Lyell was Best Man at my grandfather's wedding. My father, born in 1919 was named Ronald Lyell Munro in his memory. James died on 25th of November 1917, and is buried in Favreuil British Cemetery Favreuil, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.





    245473

    Rflmn. William Evan Hamer 10th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    My Grandfather William Hamer served in three Rifle Brigade Battalions, the 1st, 8th and finally 10th. This was probably due to him being wounded twice, once in 1916 and once again in 1917. He was medically discharged from 10th Battalion, Rifle Brigade on 4th of February 1918.

    Mike James




    245470

    Pte. Noah James Taylor 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.8th September 1916)

    Noah Taylor served with 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment. I have the Royal British Legion 100th Battle of the Somme pin dedicated to this soldier.

    D G Buck




    245468

    Pte. James Bathgate 1/8th Btn. Royal Scots (d.12th April 1918)

    <p>

    James Bathgate was taken prisoner at the Battle of Cambrai, from where he was taken to the Cassel Prisoner of War camp. Here he died from gunshot wounds on 12th of April 1918. He is buried at Niederweheren Cemetery.

    Keith Palin




    245456

    Pte. Charles Matthews

    <p>

    Charles Matthews served in the Great War.

    Sean Barratt




    245453

    Pte. John McCumskay 11th Battalion Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.26th April 1917)

    <p>

    Private John McCumskay, 11th Battalion Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, died of wounds on the 26th of April 1917.

    Thomas Stanton




    245447

    Pte. Albert Arthur Roads 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.22nd April 1917)

    Albert Roads initially enlisted as a Private with the Bedfordshire Regiment. Although he lived in Barnet, he joined up in Bedford, probably with Roads cousins from that area. He later served with the 7th Battalion, Leinster Regiment He died of his wounds in hospital in Cork.





    245443

    Pte. W. R. Lambert 1/6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Private W.R. Lambert served with the Bradford Territorials, 1/6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment until 1915 when he was wounded in the shoulder and invalided back to the UK. Here he worked repairing airplanes outside Bristol until the end of the War.

    Mark Lambert




    245436

    Pte. Thomas Jordan (d.26th July 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Jordan lost his life on the 26th of July 1918.

    Maureen Bamford




    245434

    Pte. Charles Aitchison 6th (City Of Glasgow) Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.3rd October 1918)

    This is a short life story of my great uncle Charles Aitchison. Charlie was born in Glasgow 1892 and joined the 6th (City Of Glasgow) Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry in June 1915 aged 22 years old. He served in various conflicts in the Middle East and then moving onto France and the western front.

    He was sadly killed in action on the 3rd of October 1918 at The Battle of Canal du Nord and is buried at the Cantaing British Cemetery. I hope to visit his grave in 2018.

    Eddie Aitchison




    245433

    2/Lt. Walter Lincoln Thompson 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.9th October 1917)

    Walter Thompson volunteered at the outbreak of war and served for two years in the ranks of The Duke of Edinburgh's Wiltshire Regiment. He was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, Essex Regiment on 30th of April 1917 and reported for duty with the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment (as a BCR) on 15th of August 1917.

    He was killed on 9th of October 1917 during the attack on Poelcappelle. He had been an officer for five months and a platoon commander for only seven weeks. He has no identifiable grave and perhaps is one of the 6,321 unidentified buried in Poelcappelle British Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.

    PPJ Coulter




    245429

    Pte. Edward Hughes 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    Edward Hughes was reported as killed in action in Gallipoli. After the war his family were notified that he was returning to England. The story was that he had been shot and taken prisoner.

    Keith Rye




    245426

    Pte. Walter Ernest Belsey 8th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    Walter Belsey was posted out prior to Battle of Loos. He was alleged to have been taken prisoner, but no record has been found. He survived the war and died in 1972.

    Kevin




    245419

    Spr. Clement Cecil Clay 2nd Special Company Royal Engineers

    On 30th of July 1917, the eve of the hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele, I was digging in my garden in Reigate, Surrey when I noticed what I took to be an old crown coin sticking out of the pile of earth. Picking it up, it was obvious by the ribbon bar that it was a medal. A clean up under the tap and a Google later and it was identified as a First World War British War Medal. Or a Squeak as they are known. The edge was engraved 159514 RNR C.C.Clay R.E. Rather ironically, I was digging of all things, a drainage trench, in clay! Although my house was built in 1966 this wasn't the first time I'd dug up old stuff, mostly bottles and china but this was clearly important and belonged to another family. I needed to get it to them and still do. Hopefully, a reader might be able to help with this search. Starting the search with the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War archive I matched the service number to Cecil Clement Clay, a Sapper with the Royal Engineers who had served with the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) and previously the Essex Regiment. Following census and military records it emerged that Clement was born to Frank and Elizabeth Clay on 19 May 1887. Frank was a solicitor's clerk and in 1891 they all resided in Ivanhoe Villa, 33 Princes Street, Chilvers Coton, Nuneaton. Clement had an older brother and sister, Sholto Evelyn and Mabel Constance Clay. By 1901, Elizabeth was widowed and Sholto was a clerk at the brickworks. By 1911 Elizabeth and Mabel were living together at 100 Edward Street, Nuneaton.

    Clement's military medal card, medical record and discharge papers were also located via the archive and it was a relief to see he had survived the war. He was also awarded the Victory Medal (the Wilfred), so I am on the lookout for this in the garden or maybe a family member still has that? That would be a fantastic reunion. The RNR were a tough bunch and were deployed ashore to Gallipoli and The Somme and were awarded no less than 12 Victoria Crosses during the war. Clement's documents disclose him as a Petroleum Worker However, a shocking truth was revealed in his medical papers. On 30th of March 1916 Clement was admitted to 3rd Western General Hospital, Cardiff suffering from Shell Gas. The cause was Premature explosion of one of our gas shells, Phosgene. After convalescing in Pontypridd, Clement was discharged to duty in May 1918. His final Discharge papers dated 11th of December 1919 cite defective vision and myalgia as being aggravated by service in last year. Having narrowed the search for Clement to Surrey in the archives, I finally found that an incorrectly registered death Cecil Clement Clay (sic) passed away 11th January 1973 in Reigate, aged 87, he was a survivor!

    Maybe this information may one day ring a bell with a reader or family member. I would very much like to put his medal into the hand of a relative , this brave soldier more than earned it, as did they all.

    John Griffiths-Colby




    245418

    Gnr. Daniel Kitcher Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandad Daniel Kitcher was in the Royal Field Artillery, he served from late 1915 until his discharge in December 1917. I have photographs and his discharge papers.

    Kevin Kitcher




    245410

    A/Cpl. Fred Alexander 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.3rd October 1917)

    Fred Alexander is listed on our local War Memorial in Heckington, Lincs. I am researching all of the names.

    Y. Harby




    245409

    Pte. George Henry Millett 12th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.11th April 1916)

    George Millett served with the 12th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment. He earned the Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals





    245404

    Sgt. John Colenso Cunningham 1st Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    <p>

    Jack Cunningham joined up on the 1st of June 1909 and served in India until outbreak of war. He then served in Belgium, France then in late 1915 left for Egypt then to Salonika, he served here till the end of the war. He left the Army on 7th of June 1921.

    Jack in 1909

    Jack in the Pith Helmet facing the camera, Salonika 1916.

    Andrew Cunningham




    245403

    L/Cpl. Albert Leonard Green 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.25th July 1917)

    Albert Green had enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regiment in 1906 to fight in the Boer war, but the war ended before he was sent overseas. He worked as a jeweler in the jewelry quarter of Birmingham. When he died his youngest daughter (my Grandma) was just 7 years of age.

    Simon Mitchell




    245402

    Pte. Walter Alves 3rd Battalion British West Indies Regiment

    <p>

    Walter Alves served with the 3rd Battalion, British West Indies Regiment.

    Edward Garcia




    245399

    Stok1. William Frederick Miners HMS Cassandra

    Bill Miners was my grandfather and was a survivor of HMS Cassandra when she was sunk by a mine in the Baltic 5th December 1918 with the loss of 11 lives. HMS Cassandra was in operations against the Bolsheviks.

    Kevin Thomas




    245396

    Pte. Joseph William Wilkins 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>Joseph Wilkins on the left

    My Grandfather Joseph Wilkins of Coventry was born in 1901. On his marriage certificate in 1920, it records that he was a Private in the 1st Warwickshire Regiment and his service number 38905. To date I have been unable to determine when he joined the Regiment. Anecdotally, my Father said that my Grandfather was in both WW1 and WW2, I have a photograph and on the back is written his name, that he 'joined back up in 1938 at the age of 37 and was at Dunkirk.

    Unfortunately he died relatively young at 49 years of age, at his inquest it was stated that he was wounded at Dunkirk and medically discharged following this. I am sure he would have rejoined the Regiment he was in as a younger man and I have a Royal Warwickshire cap badge from my late Fathers possessions. To date I do not have a service number for his WW2 service. I do have these two pictures of him clearly of WW2 vintage, I love the first photo where it looks like he and his mate and enjoying the company of two army women!

    Joseph William Wilkins WW2 portrait

    Martyn Wilkins




    245394

    2/Lt. James Alec Rattray 5th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.23rd September 1917)

    <p>

    Soon after the outbreak of war on 4th of August 1914, James Rattray was serving with the 38th Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. It's 60 Pounder guns were allocated to the newly formed 38th (Welsh) Division and based at Pwllheli and Porthcawl where, due to different elements of the division being based in different parts of Wales, training as an entire entity was difficult. During this period, James was married on 26th October 1914 to Violet May Hill.

    In early June 1915, 38th Battery left the 38th Division and became part of the 42nd Heavy Artillery Group and, at the same time, James was transferred to Base Details. On 6th June 1915, James was promoted to Corporal and joined the British Expeditionary Force in France, being attached, between arrival and 9th October 1915, to several Trench Howitzer schools and two newly formed trench howitzer batteries in the base areas around Rouen.

    The 9th October 1915 saw James fall ill with complications leading to nephritis (inflammation of the kidney) and, after a short stay in hospital in Rouen at No.1 Stationary Hospital, he was evacuated to England on the 17th October where, after a stay in Hospital in Brighton, he was transferred to No.2 Depot Royal Garrison Artillery (Fort Rowner, Gosport). James stayed at Gosport for the next two months, most likely assisting in the training of new recruits, before moving on 17th December 1915 to a more specialist training role with B Siege Depot at Bexhill. The stay with this depot was short lived, however, as, on 27th December 1915, he was once again posted this time to 95th Siege Battery, then in training at Horsham.

    After spending the previous months at Horsham, James returned to France with 95th Siege Battery, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne, on 12th of May 1916. Armed with 9.2" Howitzers, they were attached to 35th Heavy Artillery Group on 23rd May 1916 and took up positions at Bayencourt at the beginning of June. It was from these positions that James and his battery were to take part in the initial stages of the Battle of the Somme.

    In mid July 1916, 95th Battery moved from the northern part of the battlefield to the south, where they moved forward with the British advance from Maricourt to Guillemont where they were based at the end of the battle. It was during this battle that James was promoted to Sergeant in the field on 2nd of October 1916. During November, the battery moved from Guillemont to Hem and from there to Le Forest where they suffered heavy casualties. February and March 1917 saw them transferred northwards to the Vimy sector where they were to take part in the actions involving the capture of Vimy Ridge during the Battle of Arras.

    On 16th of August 1917, James was granted his commission and was transferred, as a 2nd Lieutenant to the 5th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, to whom he arrived on the 17th while they were based at La Belle Alliance Farm about a mile north of Ypres. Here, the battery was in almost constant action during the 3rd Battle of Ypres which had begun just over a fortnight earlier, firing on German positions in the Poelcapelle area.

    On 20th August 1917, the 5th Siege Battery moved further north to Krupp Farm, firing on positions near Poelcapelle, Spriet, and Pheasant Farm. Throughout this time, the battery was under much fire itself and suffered several casualties almost daily. On 23rd of September 1917, James himself became one of these casualties when killed in action during a heavy German counter-battery bombardment, using 8" and 5.9" howitzers, at Krupp Farm. Soon afterwards, when it was safe to do so, he was buried along with some other of the day's casualties, in the military cemetery at Bard Cottage where he still lies today. He was 27 years of age and his commission had only a week earlier been announced in the London Gazette.





    245393

    Gnr. William Johnson 190th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.25th September 1917)

    My great grandfather on my mother's side, William Johnson, lived on Garnett St, Nottingham and was father to three children, the youngest Kathleen, my grandmother on my mother's side, was born shortly before his death and he did not get to see her. Apparently he was attached to the 190th Siege Battalion, Royal Garrison Artillery and died of wounds at Passchendale on 25th of September 1917. So far this is all I know, but I will endeavour to add relevant detail should I find it.

    Simon Cherrie




    245392

    Pte. Ernest Alfred Turner 2/6th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.25th August 1917)

    Ernest Turner was my great-grandfather, he left behind a wife and two young sons when he died in 1917.

    Michelle




    245390

    Pte. Harry Salvona Hunter 11th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)

    <p>

    Harry Hunter was my father. He was born in 1899 in Trafalgar Lane in Leith. He told me he ran away from his work aged 17 after a fight with the owner! His first stop was Dalmany Street Recruiting Office. He ended up as No. 1 in a Lewis Gun Team in 16 Platoon, D Company, 11th Royal Scots. In late 1918 in the advance along the Menin Road he was badly wounded.

    He died in 1969 but his stories were told to me in the fifties so my memory is stretched a bit too. That's all he would say apart from the funny stories about army life in the trenches. In keeping with most soldiers I believe. The pictures are of him in the Boy Scouts around 1915 and one of a letter he sent to his pal, later my Uncle George.

    Letter Home





    245385

    Sgt. George Anderson Barnes MM. 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1916)

    George Barnes was killed at Gueudecourt, his body was never found.

    David Baggaley




    245384

    Pte. Kenneth Lee 58th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.30th May 1918)

    Kenneth Lee was a dairyman at Weston, Staffordshire prior to the war and hailed from Derby. I'm researching the war memorial and would welcome any info regarding Kenneth

    Bob Wilson




    245382

    Pte. William John Chalkley 13th (West Ham) Btn. Essex Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    William Chalkley was my great uncle. His existence was unknown until the clearance of my late grandfathers house when his death plaque was found. William was born on 23rd November 1892 in Plaistow. His parents were Alfred Albert Chalkley & Emily (May)

    On the 15th of January 1916, he enlisted at Canning Town in the Royal West Surrey Regiment as Private, No 7968. After his training he was sent to France and transferred to the 13th (West Ham) Battalion, Essex Regiment as Private, No 33155, and was posted to A Company. In 1917 he suffered with Trench Foot and was admitted to hospital on 26th Feb. Later that year he was wounded and had leave to England. The 13th Battalion ceased to exist on 10th of February 1918 when he and 5 Officers & 129 O.R's joined the 11th (Service) Battalion, Essex Regiment.

    He died, shortly after, on 22nd of March 1918, in the Corps Line just North of Morchies, a small villiage North west of Bapaume. The Germans made a pincer attack around this area and his group were overwhelmed. William John has no known grave, and is remembered on the Arras Memorial at Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras.

    On the 25th of October 2014 His name was remembered by a reading at the Tower of London WW1 commemoration Sea of Blood Poppy display, at the 18:30 last post. He was Number 88 on the roll call.

    A.J. Chalkley




    245376

    Pte. Arthur Sidney Millward 2/7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Our Great Grandfather, Arthur Millward served in the 2/7th West Yorkshire Regiment. We are currently conducting family tree research and would love to hear and share any information. Pte. A. S. Millward received the Victory Medal.

    Shane Kelly




    245373

    Pte. Wilfrid Lyon Bond 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Wilfrid Bond was captured during the Somme battle, subsequently repatriated. Lived through WW2 and finally died aged 93.

    Colin Bond




    245369

    William John Lewis

    <p>Jack at Gifford House after he came from Italy in 1916

    Jack Lewis was my grandmother's brother. He was treated in Gifford House in 1916. Written on the back of this picture it says: "Jack at Gifford House after he came from Italy in 1916" (a black pen mark indicates Jack). I think Jack Lewis died in 1928, the family moved to Hitchin, Herts and there is a death certificate for a John Lewis St Alban's Herts in 1928, but I am not sure of this either. I am trying to find his war record.

    Margaret Brown




    245368

    Pte. James Hackett 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.7th November 1914)

    <p>

    James Hackett served with the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.

    Mary Lynn Phillips




    245364

    Pte. Percy Oldfield 2nd Battalion Wellington Regiment

    Percy Oldfield signed up for the military on 24 August 1915 in Trentham, Wellington, when he was 33 years old. Percy signed up as a private in the 7th Company of the 2nd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment and began active service on 16th of November 1915.

    Five months later, he disembarked at Port Said in Egypt on 10th of April 1916 and embarked for France on 13th of April 1916. Percy Oldfield's service record shows that he arrived in Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France on 16th of November 1915 when he was 33 years old. On 18th of August 1916 Percy was attached to the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company. He served with them until 31st of July 1917 at La Basse Ville, Vosges, Lorraine, France when he was wounded in action in the ankle and spent some time in the army hospital before being discharged to a hospital ship on 22nd November 1917. On 3rd of October 1917 when he was classified as unfit for service and placed on the NZ roll.

    Angela Bailey




    245363

    Doris Elliott Voluntary Aid Detachment

    Nurse Doris Elliott served at Longshawe Lodge hospital.

    Beverley Hardy




    245360

    Thomas William Willis

    I discovered the POW camps my grandfather, Thomas William Willis, was held in , he was captured on 31st October 1917. His first camp was Limberg, 2nd was Dulmen and finally he was freed from Dyrotz. He never spoke with us grandchildren of his time in prison. He did relate to his wife that he and some others were singing in a ternch and a German soldier thought he was being mocked. He slammed his rifle butt into my grandfather's face and broke his nose.

    I take good care of his dog tags, war medals, Saint John Bible he was given in Limberg and War Pay Book. R.I.P.

    Bev Van Hatten




    245357

    Pte. Wilfred Uren MM. 11th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.18 September 1918)

    The citation of Private Wilfred Uren, 11th Btn, Welsh Regiment reads: During a raid on Dorsale on 22nd/23rd of October 1916, stretcher-bearer Pte W Uren, worked continuously and most gallantly between the Aid Post and the enemy trenches under intense enemy fire, towards the end of the operations he voluntarily made his way under a heavy shell and rifle fire up to the position of deployment searching for our wounded. He showed a conspicuous example of courage and devotion to duty.





    245356

    L/Cpl. George Vernon Craston MM. 3th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.16th May 1918)

    George Craston was my great-uncle. He served in France, Gallipoli and Salonica. He died of wounds at Le Treport Hospital. He was awarded Military Medal posthumously for rescuing a wounded soldier from no-man's land. He served in the 13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade but not sure if that was the case throughout the War.

    Ian Priestner




    245342

    Pte. Frank Harcourt Chubb 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    Frank Chubb made a pen and ink drawing of a young woman. It is signed with his name, Private Frank H Chubb, 3rd Worcestershire Regt and dated 12th of July 1917. On the top of the drawing is written Stanley House, Whitefield. At the bottom of the picture is written Plymouth. Using Ancestry website I have deduced that the soldier is Frank Harcourt Chubb, born in Plymouth 1894 and died 1971.

    I assume that Frank was injured in the war and spent time at Stanley House recuperating. I wonder if the pen and ink drawing is that of a nurse or a visitor. Should anyone want a copy of the drawing I would be glad to hear from them. If anyone can give me any further information about Frank H Chubb I would be glad to have it.

    Chris Burgess




    245339

    Pte. Emlyn James Rowe 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.14th June 1918)

    Emlyn Rowe is ommemorated on the Soissons War Memorial. Presumed dead, he was the son of Albert and Catherine Ann Rowe of Glenfield Cottage, Newton, Porthcawl, Glamorgan.





    245338

    Fireman. George Safhill Chillwell

    My Grandfather, George Safhill, was a fireman at Chilwell during this time and was awarded a commendation by Neville Chamberlain, for his rescue help during and after the explosion/

    Gilliam Wilmot




    245330

    Pte. Leonard James Moore Remounts Army Service Corps

    All we know about the war service of my great grandfather, Leonard Moore is that he served with the Remounts section of the Army Service Corps, other than he said he was at the Somme, but we don't know for sure. In his civilian life he was a carter. He died in 1962. We have no photos on our side of the family of him in uniform.





    245327

    2nd Lt. Charles Alexander Vesey 7th Btn British West Indies Regiment

    <p>

    Charlie Vesey (my husband's grandfather) was born in London, England as Karl Sandor Szivessy on the 29th of February 1888. His father was a furrier from the Austrian Hungary Empire. When he came to Canada in 1912, he anglicized his name and shortened his last name. As a result, he went with Charles Alexander Vesey. Charlie and his brother John were working in Jamaica when the war broke out. John ended up serving in the US Army, while Charlie joined the British West Indies Regiment.

    Charlie talked about being a Captain in the British West Indies Regiment but I have only been able to find him on the lists as either Temporary Second Lieutenant or Second Lieutenant. He enlisted on 26th of March 1917 and embarked for Europe on 31st of May 1917. He was in the 6th Contingent.

    After the war, he returned to Canada where he married and had two children. He died in February 1972 in London, Ontario, Canada.

    Trish Watson Currie




    245322

    Pte. George Smith 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.28th July 1918)

    <p>

    The son of Mr and Mrs H. Smith of South Ockendon in Essex, George Smith enlisted at Southend and was transferred to the 8th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. An Englishman serving in a Scottish Regiment.

    During the 2nd Battle of the Marne, he served with the French 20th Army Corps as a member of the British 15th (Scottish) Division. George was killed in action on 28th of July 1918 he was 27 years old. His grave is in the British Military Cemetery at Buzancy.

    Kevin Gray




    245320

    L/Cpl. Albert Caleno 7th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.13th August 1916)

    Albert Caleno was my great grandfather and was married to Ethel Scott in Fulham, London.

    Anthony Sully




    245318

    Pte. Edwin William Barratt Vincent 19th (3rd City) Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool)

    My cousin Edwin Vincent served with the 19th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment. He was declared killed in action on 22md of March 1918. About three months later he arrived at Stendal camp and his family were notified that he was alive and a Prisoner of War. This information came from an interview in The Daily Independent on Saturday 11th of November 1933. An actor by trade the interview is under his stage name Edwin Beverley. It detailed that he was wounded then used as labour before being transported to the camp, his time in camp and joy at the Armistace.

    Gaylene Falconer




    245313

    Pte. W Chaney 2nd Btn. C Coy. London Regiment

    Private W. Chaney served with C Company, 2nd London Regiment.

    stephan




    245312

    Gnr. Edward John Meech 115 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Edward Meech and sister L

    Edward Meech served with 115 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Colin Meech




    245311

    Pte. James Nelson 20th Btn. A Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th July 1917)

    Born to a large family, James Nelson was the eldest son, aged 38 when he died. He served with the 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action on the 28th July 1917 at Fusilier Wood in the Ypres salient,leaving a wife and family at home. James has no known grave but is commemorated on the Menin Gate. He was killed at the same time as Second Lieutenant Arthur Rhys Willis and 4 others and the officer has a grave at Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension Grave. According to regimental records these people were killed by artillery fire and its my guess that whatever remains there were, are probably all together in this grave.

    His brother John Robert was the youngest son, aged 18 when he died. He served with the 2nd/5th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment. I've tried for years to locate him and in the end an old friend of mine who happens to be an expert saved the day. He was killed in action on 29th April 1918 and is buried at Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery which is only 1.9km from Dickebusch and 10km from the Menin Gate.

    Kevin Nelson




    245310

    Pte. John Robert Nelson 2nd/5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.29th April 1918)

    My father was named John Robert Nelson after his uncle who was killed in WW1. Born to a large family John Nelson was the youngest son and aged 18 when he died. I've tried for years to locate him and in the end an old friend of mine who happens to be an expert saved the day. John was killed in action on 29th of April 1918 and is buried at Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery which is only 1.9km from Dickebusch and 10km from the Menin Gate.

    His brother James, who at 38, was the eldest son, served with the 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action on the 28th July 1917 at Fusilier Wood in the Ypres salient, leaving a wife and family at home. James has no known grave but is commemorated on the Menin Gate. He was killed at the same time as Second Lieutenant Arthur Rhys Willis and 4 others and the officer has a grave at Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension. According to regimental records these people were killed by artillery fire and its my guess that whatever remains there were, are probably all together in this grave.

    kevin nelson




    245303

    Pte. James Meldrum 5th (London Rifle Brigade) Btn. London Regiment (d.15th August 1917)

    James Meldrum was born 1890 in Grantown on Spey, son of John Meldrum (a baker) and Justina Grant (daughter of Peter Grant, Shoemaker, Grantown on Spey. He was a music hall artiste and married a music hall artiste Daisy May Worsley in Glasgow. He had spent some time in Buenos Aires as a Music Hall artiste, from 1908 to 1909.

    He lived in London and served in the 5th (City of London) Battalion of the London Rifle Brigade. He was listed as missing presumed killed in September 1917, his place of birth on the Commonwealth Graves site is noted as Granbourne, Scotland when it should be Grantown. He is remembered on the Menin Gate.

    His older brother John served with the 5th/6th Battalion, Scottish Rifles and Royal Flying Corps, he survived the war.

    Marian Meldrum




    245302

    Pte. Frank Munkman 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.11th July 1918)

    Frank Munkman enlisted with the 4th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment in July 1916. The regiment landed at Le Havre on 25th of July 1916 and due to earlier heavy British losses were posted into the 190th Brigade of the 63rd Royal Naval Division.

    He was killed in action on 11th July 1918 at Bucquoy. He is buried at St Amand British Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais.

    There is extensive information on Frank and his military history online at ripfrankmunkman.wordpress.com

    Sergio Perla




    245301

    L/Cpl. John Meldrum 5th/6th Btn. Scottish Rifles

    <p>

    John Meldrum was born 1881 in Grantown on Spey, his father was John Meldrum (a baker) and mother, Justina Grant (daughter of Peter Grant, shoemaker of Grantown on Spey). The family moved to Glasgow sometime after 1901 John served in the 2nd Boer War with the Mashonaland Division of the British South Africa Police. He then joined the Scottish Rifles serving with the 5th/6th Battalion until 1917 when he suffered a wound and was gassed. He then joined the Royal Flying Corps in Dec 1917 and served again in France until March 1919 as an MT Fitter. When he joined the Royal Flying Corps he transferred to Royal Air Force and his date of birth is noted as 1884 and not 1881.

    He was awarded the Queen's South Africa 1899-1902 with 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1185 Tpr., B.S.A.P.) late issue, British War Medal (3632 L. Cpl. Scottish Rifles), Victory Medal (3632 L.Cpl. Scottish Rifles), Special Constabulary Long Service, G.V.R. 2nd issue (John Meldrum)

    His younger brother James served with the 5th (City of London) Battalion of the London Rifle Brigade and was killed in action on 15th August 1917.

    Marian Meldrum




    245295

    Gnr. Sidney James Cleaver 8th Btn. 11 Section. Tank Corps

    <p>

    We have a postcard addressed to my grandfather Sidney Cleaver from his wife whilst at the hospital on 23rd October 1918 and my grandfather's WW1 diary. It finishes with the following information.

    29th of September 1918. Started off at 5am after a good breakfast, this is rather a hot quarter, about 9am we had our officer gassed and then we had engine trouble and had to stop and he started shelling us, and he dropped one a bit close, I think that German must have been a decent sort as he gave me a nice little bit through my leg. Then I made my way back to an American dressing station and then went a bit further back in an ambulance to another station, where I was inoculated and then we went on a light railway to the 50th Casualty Clearing Station at Tincourt and got the wound dressed again and had something to eat and drink and was took to the hospital train at 9pm, don't know where we are going to, but we were soon asleep.

    30th of September 1918, Woke up in the morning and was still travelling and arrived quite safe at Le Havre at 4pm and to the hospital at 5pm. It is a big hotel turned into an hospital, The Hotel Les Emigrants. Had a wash and change and was soon asleep again.

    1st Oct 1918. Left hospital at 5pm for the hospital ship, but we did not sail till 11pm.

    2nd Oct 1918. Arrived at Southampton 9am and went to the hospital train and went to Portsmouth to the 5th Southern General, Fawcett Rd. We were kept there 10 days and then were sent to an auxiliary hospital at Langton Towers, Havant it is a V.A.D. about 8 miles from Portsmouth. Was there about 6 weeks and went home the day after the Armistice was signed had a very good time and went on sick leave from Nov 12th to 22nd and then went to the depot at Wareham.

    Postcard to JS Cleaver while staying at Langstone Towers

    Postcard from France informing his wife of his injury

    Reverse side of the same postcard

    Wristband for J S Cleaver

    Michael Cleaver




    245288

    Pte. Aloysius James McGann 37th Btn. (d.7th June 1917)

    Aloysius McGann was my grandfather. My Mother was born the year before he died and he did not ever see her. In a letter sent to his Mother, Private C.P.Archer wrote that he carried Al out of the trenches when he died so that he would get a decent burial. We don't know where. His name is on the honour roll at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Sandy Pemberton




    245286

    Pte. Herbert Martin 1/3rd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.2nd May 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Martin served with the 1/3rd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment

    Angela Llewellyn




    245280

    Pte. Robert John Parry 4th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.6th Sep 1915)

    Robert Parry was a cousin of my grandmother, his grandmother was Margaret Parry, sister to Robert and father of Samuel.

    David Lewis




    245266

    Pte. Robert Risk 1/8th Btn. Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Robert Risk lies buried in Roclincourt cemetery.

    Colin Seivwright




    245252

    Pte. William John Hawke 10th Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.27th July 1916)

    William Hawke joined the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry in January 1916 and the 10th Battalion at a camp in Hayle. After a period of training the Battalion moved to Southampton 16th -17th June 1916 and crossed to Le Havre France on the SS Princess Clementine on the 19th -20th June 1916.

    They moved to Viller aux Bois repairing defense works, then on the 25th July, with the 2nd Infantry Division, to Bray sur Somme near Albert and to the Front Line at Delville Wood.

    On the 27th July 1916, supporting an attack by the 99th Brigade of the 2nd Division, he was killed in action. He served 37 days in France.

    Trevor Bromidge




    245251

    Pte. Joseph Adkin 6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.14th October 1915)

    Joseph Adkin and his brother Walter joined up on 22nd of December 1914, they were both sent to France in February 1915. They fought in many of the early battles.

    Walter died of wounds sustained in action on 1st of October 1915, Joseph received gun shot wounds to his back on 9th of August 1915, was treated at Rawlpindi Hospital and returned to unit on the 7th of October 1915 only to find out his brother had been killed 6 days earlier. Joseph himself would then be killed in action defending the Hohenzollern Redoubt a week later on the 14th of October, his body was never recovered. Walter is buried in Lijssenthoek military cemetery Belgium.

    Stevan Chambers




    245248

    Pte. James Heman Morton 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.23rd Jun 1918)

    My father placed a request in the Open Tribune column of a newspaper, The Continental Times, asking for inquiries to be made re his brother, James Morton of the 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment. It was published on the Monday 11th November 1918 and he received the answer of his death at the prison hospital in Stendal, 23rd June 1918. I understand he died of starvation and the Red Cross parcels arrived the next day. Now I want to know more about him, sadly now all have passed away.

    S A Graham




    245247

    Arnold John "AJ" Harris

    Arnold Harris served in the Royal Navy as a Carpenter.

    David Gale




    245245

    Gnr. Harry Wallis 20th Siege Battery Garrison Royal Artillery (d.9th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    The following, is a list of those men, of the same 20th Siege Battery, who all died on 9th of April 1918, in alphabetical order:
    • Connal, Alexander Cambell 2nd Lieu. 19 yrs.
    • Cowdrey, Cecil Gnr. 119954 32 yrs.
    • Docherty, Thomas Gnr. 182582 29 yrs.
    • Gollop, William Henry Bmdr. 159424 21 yrs.
    • Hallett, A.S. Gnr. 114748 30 yrs.
    • Loader, John William Gnr. 28438? 30 yrs.
    • McDonald, Daniel Gnr. 285026 39 yrs.
    • Mackay, George Gnr. 145578 29 yrs.
    • Spence, John Robert Cpt. 24 yrs.
    • Wallis, Harry Gnr. 166989 28 yrs.
    Harry Wallis was my Grandfather, and in 2016, I acquired a copy of a page from the Walsall Observer and South Staffordshire Chronicle dated Saturday 27th of April 1918. On it, is a list of local people 'Killed and/or missing'. Harry is listed as killed. There was a little write-up, which goes as follows:

    Gunner Harry Wallis, whose parents Mr. and Mrs. Geo Wallis, 281 Darlaston Road, have received information from the Chaplain who conducted the Burial Service, was killed on April 9th, while serving in France, with the Garrison Royal Artillery. An extract from the Chaplains' letter, reads as follows:- "He and the whole Battery did wonderful work that day. The enemy had pressed back our line and was firing on them with shells and machine guns, yet they showed magnificent spirit and stuck to their guns all the time. Eventually they had to retire, but they brought their guns with them, and continued to fight all night and the next day. Nobody could have died more bravely than your son". Twenty-eight years of age and a widower, with one child. Gunner Wallis joined the Colours in June 1917, and went on active service the following October.

    Peter Harry Wallis




    245243

    Pte. Herbert Rickell 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    Herbert Rickell is buried in Ramicourt Cemetery.

    Ian Rickell




    245241

    BSM. James George Brennan 3rd (Capes) Overseas Battery

    <p>

    My Great Granddad James Brennan was originally from Surrey England born 1886. He joined the Canadian Artillery and the date of his attestation was 4 November 1915. After the war he returned to London England and was killed in a motor accident in 1935.

    Below is a typed copy of the Daily Orders.

    Daily Orders No7 By Major E.G.M. Cape Officer Commanding Troops On Board S.S. Missanabie. At Sea, December 24th 1915

    Duties

    Orderly Captain for tomorrow, Lieut. W.F.F Stacey, 34th Battery C.E.F. Next for duty, Lieut, T.I. Findley, 39th Battery C.E.F

    Orderly Subalterns for tomorrow, Lieut. N.R. Mack Jost, 51st Battalion, Lieut. P. Sheard, C.A.S.C. Next for duty, Lieut. E.R.W Hebden, 3rd Siege Battery, Lieut. V.R. Sutherland, 5th Regt. C.G.A

    Detachment on Duty tomorrow, 5th Regt. C.G.A Trumpeter on Duty tomorrow, Trumpeter Pauline

    Discipline. Tomorrow morning the ship will enter the Danger Zone. Commencing tomorrow morning every N.C.O. and man must have his life preserver with him at all times, except when he is in bed, when it will be hung beside his bed. The ship's lights will be extinguished, and it is absolutely imperative that the ship be kept in total darkness. The utmost care must be taken that all port-holes are completely covered and the no flashlights or matches be lighted on the deck. These regulations are necessary for the safety of the ship, and any infractions of them will be most severely dealt with. The Officers Commanding Units are responsible that the men in their commands are instructed accordingly. In case of emergency alarms will be sounded and every man will immediately make his way to his allotted place on deck.

    Sunday. From tomorrow morning Armed Guards will be placed fore and aft and on the boats as detailed. The 79th Cameron Highlanders, Mr. a Sullivan, Commanding Officer, are detailed for this duty.

    Ips Police.

    Acting Sergt. Sladen Smith is relieved of the appointment of Provost. Sergeant, Br. Brennan, 3rd Battery, C.G.A. is appointed Acting Sergt. and carry out the duties of Provost Sergeant for the remainder of the voyage.

    EGM Cape Major. Officer Commanding Troops On Board S.S. Missanabie.

    James George Brennan, with his wife Alice and daughter Winnifred

    Alison Kennedy




    245240

    Cpl. Henry Scott MM 4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Jul 1916)

    <p>Daily Mail, 16th August 1916

    My Great Grandfather Henry Scott lived on Hessle Road and died on 22nd of July 1916 on the Ypres Salient aged 25. He left a wife Irene and 3 children, Harry, Lily and Muriel who was my Grandmother. He received the Military Medal during his service. He went to enlist with his best friend Albert Taylor who could not enlist on medical grounds. He said to Albert that if he never came back, would he look after Irene and the children and after the war Albert married Irene and they had 4 more children.

    Gary Bartlett




    245237

    Pte. Henry North 13th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    Henry North was my Grandmothers eldest brother, I remember her saying she never really new him as he went to war when she was a little girl of about five years of age. He was the eldest son of Henry and Mary North who lived in Leicester when he died in 1918. I have recently discovered he died in or around Arras and is Remembered on the Arras Memorial. I would love to know more if any one can help.

    Dave Smith




    245236

    Pte. James Martin 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.15th September 1916)

    <p>James Martins grave marker in LesBoeufs Guards Cemetery

    James Martin served with the 9th Btn. The Rifle Brigade.

    Dale Martin




    245230

    Pte. Cyril Robert Fleetwood 7th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.30th September 1918)

    On the 4th August 1914 Cyril Fleetwood joined the 7th (Extra Reserve) Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Initially stationed at Finsbury, London and then moved to Falmouth, Cornwall. On 24th of July 1916 they mobilized for war and landed at Havre, where he joined the 190th Brigade of the 63rd Division and remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war engaged in various actions including:-

    • 1916:- The Battle of the Ancre.
    • 1917:- The Operations on the Ancre, The Second Battle of the Scarpe, the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Arleux, The Second Battle of Passchendaele, the Third Battles of Ypres, The action of Welsh Ridge and the Cambrai operations.
    • 1918:- The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Albert, the Second Battles of the Somme, The Battle of Drocourt-Queant, the Second Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of Cambrai, the Final Advance in Picardy.

    Grand Uncle Cyril was killed on Monday 30th of September 1918 during the final advance in Picardy. At 19 years old and having fought in countless battles I can think of no sadder tale than his death weeks before the war ended on 11th of November 1918 in Belgium, Harveng south of Mons.

    Alan Steven Fleetwood




    245222

    Lt. Leonard George Humphrys 11th Btn Sherwood Foresters

    Leonard Humphrys was one of three Ilkeston brothers serving in WW1. The others were Captain CC Humphrys with the Royal Naval Reserve and Lieutenant Colonel HJ Humphrys CBE DSO MC of 7th Black Watch, 179th and 251st Tunnelling Companies, Royal Engineers and 8 Royal Scots (as CO).

    Leonard served with the 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, he was severely wounded in 1916 and transferred to the Royal Engineers (home service) developing offensive gas units. He was a gas engineer by profession.

    Charles Kenyon




    245220

    Sgt. William Fredericks Northamptonshire Regiment (d.18th February 1917)

    William Fredericks started in 1903 as a Private with 1st Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. He was sent to France in 1914 where he was wounded in the same year.

    At some point he transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment and fought at the Battle for Boom Ravine. He was wounded again on the 17th February 1917 and died from his wounds the next day on the 18th February 1917. He is buried at Varennes Military Cemetery.

    Michael Mason




    245212

    Pte Alfred Boryer 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Alfred Boryer is my Grandfather. I do have a photo

    Richard Boryer




    245211

    Spr. Harold Hawkin 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company. (d.18th June 1918)

    Harold Hawkin was the 32 year old son of John Horsley and Anne Hawkin, of York and husband of Millicent Hawkin, of 4 Langdale Rd., Scarborough. He married Millie (nee Beastall) during the war. Born in York, England, in 1886, Hawkin was attested in April 1915 and embarked for France in July where he was taken on strength of 171 Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers and then transferred to the 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company. He is commemorated on the St Paul’s Church War Memorial, Holgate and in The King’s Book. His medals are held by the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and appear on their website.

    Harold died on 18th of June 1918 of Erysipelas. Millie related the story that Harold had been badly gassed earlier but had been sent back into action before he had enough time to fully recover. She blamed his subsequent death on his poor health and his body's inability to fight off the infection that took his life. Harold died at No. 14 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, France and is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France. Erysipelas is a type of skin infection usually caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. The bacteria may travel to the blood in some cases. This results in a condition called bacteremia. The infection may spread to the heart valves, joints, and bones. Erysipelas is now a treatable disease.

    David Hawkin




    245210

    Pte. Walter Wright 3th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.7th November 1914)

    My great uncle Walter Wright, was my nans half sibling. His father's name was Joseph and his Mother's name was Eliza. His siblings were Joseph b1883 also died in 1917, Harry b1886, Ellen b1894, Harriet b1890, Herbert b1897 and William b1898. Half siblings from his dad's second marriage were George b1915, Mary b1920, my nan Hannah 1920 and Archibald b 1924, Archibald, William and Ellen all died in infancy. Sorry this is all I know, we have no photo to give Walter a face.

    anita howell




    245208

    Pte. John Conroy 25th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Conroy was born in Fermoy, Co. Cork on Dec 15th 1880. His brother Harry served with the Royal Munster Fusiliers and was wounded on four occasions, but survived the war. Both were professional soldiers, having joined the army before 1914. Harry was my grandfather.





    245206

    Pvt. Thomas Peter Brennan CO I. 307th Infantry Regiment

    Thomas Brennan returned on a hospital ship from France with wounds of shrapnel and gas. Assigned to General Hospital number 38 Eastview in New York for another six months. He had already spent six months at American Hospital in France. He was with the 77th Division, 306th Infantry Regiment, Company I. An Irish boy from New York City.





    245205

    Pte. George Wishart

    <p>

    My grandfather, George Wishart, was born on 10th of Feb 1889, in Orphir, Orkney Isles. He went to Canada, then USA, about 1906. On 5th of June 1917, in Kellogg, Idaho he joined the United States Army and returned to Europe to fight in the trenches. He remarked that the trenches were dirty and full of lice. After the War he was dismissed and visited Orkney, where he found out that his brother William had died and his father needed someone to take over the farm. He stayed and did not return to the USA.

    Norman Pope




    245204

    Pte. William Wishart 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.8th May 1917)

    Billy Wishart was killed in action in Mesopotamia on 8th of May 1917. He is buried in Amara Cemetery in Iraq. He is mentioned in the Book of Remembrance in Edinburgh Castle.

    Norman Pope




    245203

    George Tindall Royal Artillery

    Not much is known about my grandfather George Tindall's WW1 service other than photos in his uniform. He was born in Ryhill, West Yorkshire on the 2 July 1894. He did, however, live in Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire for most of his life. My Grandfather survived WW1 but was severely injured in an explosion down the pit in the twenties. He was blind for the rest of his life! He died in 1974 at the age of 80.

    Alan Randerson




    245201

    Cpl. William Allen 2/4th Btn. C Company York & Lancaster Regiment (d.28th March 1918)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, William Allen, was the son of John and Alma Allen. Born in Kimberley, Nottinghamshire. He had 2 brothers and four sisters. His two brothers, John and Horace also served in WW1. Previous to WW1 he was a Pony Man in the mines.

    His mother and father received a letter on the 7th of April 1918 from his pals and written by his friend, Corp. H V Coyne (540616) who were serving with him in the trenches. The letter reads:

    Dear Mr.s Allen

    No doubt you will wonder who this letter is from, and with being pals of your son, Corporal William Allen, we thought it our duty to write to you. It is with the deepest regret we have to inform you of the sad news of your son, who was killed Thursday last by a sniper, after we had been over the top, and I must say as his death was instantaneous, as he was hit through the head.

    I must add that he was well liked by all who knew him, and he was always cheerful at all times, whatever was happening, and he died like a true British Soldier, fighting to the last. We have known him since he joined the Army as we were in the same Co., and I can tell you we all miss him very much, and hope God will comfort you and help you to bear the loss.

    (540616) Cpl H V Coyne, C Comp 2/4th Yorks & Lancs (with signature)

    William (left) with brother Horace and John William with his parents John and Alma Allen, sisters Rachel (left), Sarah, Eleanor (my Grandma) and Florence.

    Alan Randerson




    245200

    Pion. Andrew Rourke 1st Labour Btn. C Company Royal Engineers (d.5th October 1916)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, Andrew Rourke, a Pioneer with The Royal Engineers. He arrived in France on 23rd of August 1915. He lived at 5 Monteith Road, which was off Old Ford Road in Bow, London. The property was, I believe, a block of flats and was demolished in the 1960's. Andrew was a Roadsweeper for Poplar Council.

    As a Pioneer on the 4th October 1916 he was working in C Company making repairs to the Guillemont to Ginchy Road. A shell burst killed one Pioneer, and severely wounded four others, including Andrew. Two more were slightly wounded. They were taken to number 34 Casualty Clearing Station (if the information about the numbering that I have is correct) The Casualty Clearing Station is a distance today of 18.5km and 19 minutes by car from Guillemont. It might have been more direct in 1916, but I'm sure by horse drawn ambulance it would have taken several hours. I have seen a photograph of an Advanced Dressing Station on the Guillemont Road in September 1916, but this was at the time of the battle. It might not have still been there.

    Andrew died of his wounds the following day along with two other Pioneers. Andrew is buried at Grove Town Cemetery.

    There are some photographs of the Guillemont Road area in the IWM. I wonder if the one of the troops repairing the road includes my Great Grandfather!

    THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME, JULY-NOVEMBER 1916

    © IWM (Q 4250)

    Paul Bradford




    245184

    Cpl. William Atkinson 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, William Atkinson served with the 7th Yorkshires. I know little about his wartime service except for a copy of a newspaper cutting which quotes from a letter home.

    Extract from letter home

    David Eaton




    245180

    Nathaniel George Lewis Mona Queen

    Nathan Lewis was a Fireman on board SS Mona Queen in 1918.

    Julie




    245175

    Pte. Eustace Webb 13th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.30th November 1917 )

    Eustace Webb was my great uncle, uncle of my grandmother Vera Kidman nee Webb. His brother Percy Webb was my great grandfather. Born in the 1st quarter of 1878 and baptised on the 17 February 1878 at Burwell, Cambridgeshire, he was one of six children, four surviving at the 1911 census, born to Jesse and Rebecca Webb of Ickleton, Cambridgeshire. In 1906 he married May Dyer of Brookhampton Street, Ickleton, and they had 2 children, daughters Sheila Eileen Webb and Kathleen Webb. He was a bellringer and worked as a carter for a builder before enlisting.

    Eustace Webb, served with the 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment, he enlisted at Saffron Walden. He died on the 30 November 1917 age 39 and is commemorated at Cambrai Memorial at Louverval in France. It appears that his three brothers, Percy, Charley and Jesse, all served during the Great War and survived.

    Chris Cockel




    245174

    Pte. Edward Maurice McCarthy 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Edward McCarthy, was born on 29 September 1899. He enlisted on the 22nd of March 1917 aged 17 years and 6 months. His service with the Middlesex regiment reckoned from the 30th of October 1917 when he had turned 18.

    On the 18th of December 1917 he was in a Training Reserve Battalion. Then on the 1st of March 1918 he transferred to 52nd Graduated Training Battalion, on the 21st of April 1918 he was posted from the 21st Battalion to the 1st Battalion.

    Records show that on the 7th of May 1918 he was treated by the 99th Field Ambulance with a medical condition, he then rejoined his Battalion. He was wounded on the 30th of September 1918, rejoining his unit on the 26th of October 1918. On the 9th of November 1918 he was again wounded, shrapnel left arm. He returned to England on the 22nd of November 1918 on the SS Panama and was sent to the 4th London General Hospital. On the 15th of April 1919 he was Discharged from Service. Total days in service 755.





    245173

    Pte. Albert Edward Smithers 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th June 1915)

    Killed in action in the 2nd Battle of Ypres, Albert Smithers is listed on Menin Gate Memorial

    John Michie




    245172

    Pte. Monthem Frank "Monty" Wood Royal Fusiliers

    Monthem Wood was born at Harlesden, Middlesex on 16th May 1896, the eldest son of Thomas and Emily Wood.

    He enlisted together with with a cousin, George Wood, at 35 Bond Street, Ealing in west London on 2nd May 1915, just a week after his 19th birthday. Official records show that he was known as Frank Wood throughout his war service. He was recruited into the Signals and sent to Hounslow Heath for training. It is also known that as a carpenter by trade he served in the Royal Engineers, according to records held by The Royal Fusiliers it is established that he served in The Balkans from 7th of August 1916 until 3rd June 1918 when he was discharged with wounds. He had in fact contracted malaria from which he suffered all his life. His father Thomas Wood had died at home on 29th May 1918, shortly before his discharge back into civilian life.

    April Wood Ashton




    245167

    Pte. James Avis Bertie 4th Battalion Black Watch (d.3rd November 1915)

    James Bertie is my great grand father. He was one of 4 brothers from Dundee who all served in the 1914-1918 War. Unfortunately, James died in Edmonton Hospital London after being wounded in France. His brother was with him when he died. He is remembered in the war graves in Totingham Cemetary and is on the roll in Perth at home of the Black Watch.

    Sadly missed but never forgotten

    Douglas Sloan




    245162

    Pte. Claude Stevenson 1st Btn, 9th (Hawkes Bay) Coy. Wellington Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Claude Stevenson was wounded by a bayonet in his thigh and was sent to Haigh Lawn and Annexe Assembly Rooms Altricham to recuperate. He wrote home in July 1916 that he was recovering well and thoroughly enjoying himself. He returned to the front and sadly was killed the following year.

    Duncan Fogg




    245161

    Pte. John Donoghue 1st Btn. Scots Guards (d.27th November 1917)

    <p>

    John Donoghue was an uncle who died in WW1 leaving behind his parents, 2 younger brothers and 3 sisters. He was predeceased by 2 infant brothers. He is remembered by the family each year and visits have been made to Cambrai where he is memorialized.

    Sheila Darkin




    245141

    Sgt. John "Snap" Doran 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    John Doran served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He earned the 14/15 Star.





    245140

    Gnr. George Mathias Davies MM. 114th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    George Davies joined Royal Garrison Artillery formed in Pembroke Dock in 1916. His Military Medal was reportedly awarded for Vimy Ridge and was published London Gazette 29 of September 1917. He survived the war and died in 1964.





    245139

    Pte. John Dalgleish 2nd Battalion Royal Scots (d.7th June 1918)

    John Dalgleish was a relative who was killed in action in France. traced my ancestry to Edinburgh, Scotland. And was struggling to find John who was killed in action in France. Finally, I found his resting place.

    We remember you Private John Dalgleish.

    Tanya




    245135

    Pte. Joseph Belford Grassick 2nd Battalion Royal Scots (d.30th November 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Grassick served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots.

    Maxine Dundas




    245130

    Pte. Leonard Alfred Thorpe 13th Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    My grandfather, Leonard Thorpe was aged 16 when he signed up at Wandsworth on 13/07/1915 to the East Surrey Regiment. He was immediately assigned to the 13th (Wandsworth) Battalion. Moving to Le Havre in April 1916.

    During action on 24th of April 1917 he is shot in the right wrist, leading to amputation. He is sent home on the Hospital Ship Essequibo on 1st of May 1917 before being honourably discharged on 17th of May 1917. It is believed that he saw action at the Battle of Ancre and was wounded on the assault of the town of Villers Plouich. He died in 1977. May he rest in peace, never forgotten. He earned the Silver War Badge, Victory Medal & British War Medal

    Paul Thorpe




    245129

    Cpl. William Henry Phillips 9th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd November 1918)

    Harry Phillips served with the 9th Gloucestershire Regiment.





    245124

    Lt. Hugh Bankhead 10th Battalion Border Regiment

    Hugh Bankhead was a student at University of Glasgow. The entry in the University's Roll of Honour 1914-1918 is the only reference to him that I have found.

    Matt Bankhead




    245122

    Gnr. Percy Alfred Vincent 133rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Percy Vincent was my grandfather and he served in the Royal Garrison Artillery during the First World War. Whilst serving with 133rd Siege Battery in France he suffered a serious head injury whilst on R&R. Ironically, he had moved forward from his normal operating area to take R&R near Ypres and it was here that a German aircraft dropped a bomb which hit the tent in which he was resting. The bomb killed everyone in the tent except my grandfather who, although seriously injured with a shrapnel wound to the head, survived for many years. He received an honourable discharge due to his wounds on 1st of December 1917 under PARA J92 XVI of King's Regs. He enlisted originally on 3rd of December 1915.

    He was treated and had a metal plate inserted in his head which, when I was a little boy, he used to use to stick paper notes to his forehead using a magnet much to my delight. After the war he recovered from his injury and continued to work as a pit-head brakeman at Wigan Colliery until his retirement in the 1950s. He subsequently died in 1968 after a short illness. His wife, Helen, pre-deceased him in 1967.





    245121

    2Lt. Joseph Snee MC. 25th (2nd Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    My great granddad, Joseph Snee, served in the Territorial Army pre WW1 and by the start of the war he was a Sergeant. He enlisted with 4th East Yorkshire Regiment in 1910 and he went to France on 17th of April 1915.

    He was admitted to the Canadian Field Ambulance on 30th of April 1915 suffering from a gun shot wound to the back. He was admitted to hospital at Rouen on 2nd May and returned to the UK on the 6th. He was then commissioned to Northumberland Fusiliers on 23rd of January 1916. He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on 20th of October 1916. His MC was gazetted on 18th July 1917.

    From what I have found out on line he died in 1967 in Lewes, Sussex, England. Sadly, I have no photos of him as his military paperwork and MC has been lost or destroyed, all I have found out has been from on line records.

    Hannah Pacifico




    245119

    Rflmn. George Henry Woodey 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>

    George Woodey was born in Warrington in 1893. He was the 4th child of Thomas and Ruth Woodey of 89 Catherine Street. As a boy, he attended the Heathside Primary School and attended the services at the Working Mens Mission on the corner of Lilford Street and Hoyle Street (a building which still stands today). By all accounts, he was a keen footballer and played for the Mission team.

    On the outbreak of the war and at the age of 21 years old, he left his job at the Warrington Wire Rope Works on Bewsey Road and on the 2nd of September 1914 at Warrington Public Baths, he signed up to join the Army. George joined the Rifle Brigade and was entered into the 2nd battalion. His attestation states that he was 5' 3" tall and weighed 106 lbs. (about 7 stone). He had a 35 inch chest which expanded by 2". The following day, 3rd of September1914, he arrived at Winchester Barracks. After a period of training, he was posted to France on the 17th of February 1915, joining the rest of the 2nd Battalion at Estaires.

    Between the 10th and 14th of March 1915, he took part in the battle of Neuve Chapelle in which a total of 12 officers and 365 other ranks were killed or wounded in the regiment. The regimental diary states that the remaining men took part in operations to recover the wounded and bury the dead; all of which was completed by the 16th.

    April 1915 was spent in various trenches and billets around Sailly-sur-la-Lys carrying out small attacks, resting and repairing and reinforcing the trench systems

    Then in the early morning of the 9th of May 1915, George and his fellow soldiers embarked on what, for many of them, would be their last day. The Battle of Aubers Ridge was underway. The bombardment by the British artillery opened up at around 05:30 in the morning and many of the shells fell short, killing and wounding many of our own lads. At 05:40, the first line advanced and captured the German trench, followed by the second line of the regiment. Many heavy losses were reported in the regimental diaries at this point. By 08:00, almost all of the company officers were either dead or wounded. Between 12:00 & 14:00 about 50 additional men were sent to reinforce the soldiers in the captured trench, but only about 20 survived the crossing of no-mans land. By 19:50 the Germans counter-attacked but were beaten back, partly due to the commanding officer of the RB using a captured German machine gun to repel them. Another counter-attack at 03:00 on the 10th May forced the British to relinquish the trench and retreat back to their own lines.

    At 05:00 on 10th of May, 3 officers and 195 men marched back to their billets. 77 men & 9 officers were dead. 340 men and 18 officers were wounded and 194 men, 9 officers were missing. George Henry Woodey was one of those 194 who were missing, presumed dead.

    Barry Jones




    245115

    William Gregory Long Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    William Long served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 36th Ulster Divison.

    Oonagh Fairgrieve




    245112

    Capt. Robert Archibald Colley 74th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.27th Feb 1917)

    Robert Colley is the uncle of my Mother, he died in action in France.

    Susanna garcia




    245111

    Pte. Frank Graves 11th (Lonsdale) Btn. Border Regiment

    My father, Frank Graves was transferred from Lonsdale Battallion of the Border Regiment to the 4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 30th of March 1918. I don't know the circumstances but it would be interesting to find out.





    245106

    Pte. Richard William Morden 19th Btn. London Regiment

    Richard Morden was my grandfather he served with the 19th London Regiment. He experienced a gas attack and suffered with his lungs after the war. He was captured by the Germans and worked on a farm in Germany as a POW. Where he said he was well treated.

    David Arter




    245093

    Sgt. J. Horsburgh 9th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    <p>

    Sgt Horsburgh of the 9th Royal Scots won the all ranks relay race, while he served in France 1917.

    Stephen Hodgkiss




    245092

    Pte. Charles Dell 16th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.4th October 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Dell is my great great uncle and I have been researching him for many years. I recently came across a newspaper article written about him on 12th November 2017. The church, where he was a bell ringer during his younger years, rang their bells in his memory as he died on 4th of October 1917 at the Battle of Broodseinde. He was in the 16th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.

    Matt Dell




    245091

    Rowland Ernest Smith SS Turcoman (d.29th October 1917)

    SS Turcoman arrived in Montreal Bay on the 26th October having been a member of Convoy OQ13 which had departed Queenstown on 13th October 1917.

    Ernest Smith, as he prefered to be called, was rostered to clean the side of the ship. Sadly, the rig that they were using collapsed and Ernest and his crewmate were thrown into the sea. Ernest died on the 29th October 1917 and is buried in the Mont-Royal Cemetery which overlooks the bay. The name and fate of his fellow crew member is not known.

    Andrew




    245090

    Pte. Jack Diamond Harris 8th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.27th March 1918)

    Jack Harris was born in Westhouses, Blackwell Parish. His parents were William and Lizzie nee James, and Jack had 2 brothers, Albert Henry and Samuel James. His mother passed away after 1901 and father remarried Elizabeth Forsey in 1905 at Blackwell.

    Originally, 55482 Pte Harris of the Sherwood Foresters, at the time of his death on 27th March 1918, he was 32052 Pte Harris with the 8th Btn The Lincolnshire Regiment. Jack's name is on the Memorial at Tyne Cot, near Ypres, as he has no known grave. Jack is also commemorated on the War Memorial Plaque at St Werburgh's Church Blackwell.

    Tony Mellors




    245087

    Pte. John Thomas Allen Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    I have not been able to find anything of the war history of my father John Allen, known as Jack. Unable to find his regiment no. or whereabouts he served in trenches in France, or when he received shrapnel wound in his arm. He signed up at Normanton Barracks and seemingly in the Sherwood Foresters (with Harold Allen who was not a relation). His medals may have been sold possibly in early post war years along with my Uncle, James Percival Turner's MM and Bar, maybe at the same time, to a private collector or could be in a museum. I would be pleased if anyone could give any information, most of all John Thomas Allen's regiment no. My father was born in 1899 and lived in Long Eaton, Derbyshire and later owned a garage there.





    245075

    Pte. Richard Fox 2nd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.30th Nov 1917)

    Richard Fox was my Great Uncle and enlisted in the Army in Birmingham on 20th Sep 1905, aged 17, following the untimely death of both his parents (my Great Grandparents) the year before. During WW1 he was rated as a first class machine gunner and died of his wounds at 101st Field Ambulance in Flanders on 30th of November 1917.

    Sheila Fox




    245072

    Pte. Albert Craggs 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th March 1915)

    Albert Craggs died age 17. He is buried in Mickley (St. John) Churchyard, the cause of his death is unknown.

    Keith Craggs




    245067

    Stkr. James Hoey HMS Aquitania

    James Hoey served in the Royal Naval Reserve for 20 years (1909-1929). His service in the Royal Navy began August 1914 when called out by proclamation. After service on HMS Vengeance and a number of other vessels he joined Aquitania, which was a converted trans-Atlantic liner, both during it's service as a hospital ship in the Dardanelles campaign (Gallipoli) and as a troop carrier taking United States troops home from Europe until January 1919.

    Stan Hilton




    245059

    2nd Lt. Herbert W. Fuller 14th (London Scottish) Battalion London Regiment (d.21st August 1918)

    <p>

    Herbert Fuller was the oldest son of William J. Fuller and Fanny M. Fuller (nee Johnson) of Gravesend, husband to Elizabeth M. Fuller (nee Waller)of Thanet, father to Herbert Fuller.

    Barbara Jarrett




    245052

    Pte. Daniel Holding 96th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps.

    <p>

    Daniel Holding served with 96th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.

    D John Holding




    245043

    Pte. Percy Bealey 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.8th October 1918)

    <p>

    My great-uncle, Percy Bealey, was killed in the Somme five weeks before the end of the war. He was only 19 years old.

    My father and I visited his war grave to pay our respects in 1997 at the Forenville Military Cemetery, France. Very moving. We have no details about his service record or the events that led to his death. Thank you Percy for your sacrifice. He earned both the British War and Victory Medals





    245040

    Arthur Roberts 2/5th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.27th November 1917)

    2/5th KOYLI arrived at Bertincourt on 27th of November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. Eighty-five men of the battalion were killed here today. One was Private Arthur Roberts, aged 18. Reaching that birthday earlier this year, he was called up. He immediately married his girlfriend Eliza Hedges. Today was his first, and last, day in action.

    Philip Stevens




    245032

    Pte. David Anderson 12th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>

    David Anderson served with 12th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

    Lisa Glover




    245018

    Pte. John Gillies MM. 9th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    My grandfather, John GIllies, won his Military Medal for bravery in the field (wounded and gassed) during the taking of the chemical works during the Battle of Arras on 17/18th of April 1917. He survived the war. He died in a pit accident (gassed) in 1930. I sometimes wonder what can be done to honour the men that came back and helped put the country back on its feet.

    Arthur Gillies




    245014

    Pte. Jeremiah James McCarthy 2/28th (Artists Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.20th December 1918)

    Jeremiah McCarthy died at Coombe Lodge War Hospital of influenza and pneumonia following appendicitis. Aged 18.

    David Adams




    245013

    Pte. Frederick Jones 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>

    On the 6th of May 1916, while serving with 1st KRRC, Frederick Jones was "Buried by shell explosion" and "knocked unconscious for about 3 hours". The 1st KRRC War Diary notes of a bombardment probably responsible for his injuries, it says A Company had 5 killed and 2 wounded.

    After X-Rays to his lower back in France, he was transferred to Epsom for further examination. After further treatment at Epsom and The Infirmary, Birmingham, Medical Board decided he was "Permanently unfit for any kind of Service." On the 15th of Dec 1916 he was discharged, wounded and awarded Silver War Badge No 99941. He died on 24th of May 1923. Frederick was my wife's maternal grandfather.

    Bob Marshall




    245011

    Pte. Thomas Rourke 9th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.21st Aug 1915)

    My Grandpa's Uncle, Tom Rourke, who was very dear to him, was killed in action during the Balkans Campaign WW1. We honour his memory.

    Nerissa Hall




    245009

    L/Cpl. Joseph Weale 12th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>Joseph Weale

    Joseph Weale was born in March 1889 in Shipton, Shropshire. He moved to Bromborough, Cheshire in the early 1900s.

    He enlisted on 1st of September 1914 in Chester. He was appointed Lance Corporal 15th of July 1915 sent to France 6th of September 1915. He was badly wounded by shrapnel on 14th of May 1918 and discharged 10th of June 1919 and died in 1948.

    He lost his younger brother Thomas Weale on 5th of September 1916 who was serving with the Shropshire Yeomanry who were attached to the Cheshires at the time, he is remembered on the Cenotaph in Eastham.

    Thomas Weale





    245006

    Pte. Alfred Bellis Essex Regiment (d.31st October 1914)

    <p>

    Private Alfred Bellis has no grave. Alfred was in the Essex Regiment. I have recently learned of my great grandfather who is my family hero. I have learned that he left a pregnant wife when he was killed.

    Jacqui Yapp




    244999

    Marine. Albert Edward Elliott Royal Marine Light Infantry

    Albert Edward also served in WW1 with the Royal Marines Light Infantry. Family history indicates his ship was sunk and he became a P.O.W.

    In WW2 he was also a Royal Marine in H.M.S. President III according to service records. He was then a gunner on a steam ship Bassa out of Liverpool family believes, the ship was attacked by German U32 and sunk on 29th of September 1940. Albert did not survive. We have no further records of service events but continue to search. We have no photos.

    John




    244998

    Cpl. Charles Lynch 1st Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers

    My great uncle, Charles Lynch, was a professional soldier who had served with 1st Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers in India and Burma prior to the Great War.

    He was taken prisoner at Ypres on 30th of October 1914, and spent most the remainder of the war in Camp 1 of the P.O.W. camp at Munster in Westphalia, being eventually repatriated to England in March 1918. I am not sure why he was repatriated before the war's end, but suspect that it may have been for health reasons, and am currently searching records on the internet in an attempt to obtain more information. From family verbal history, I gather that he died of cancer in about 1920, at approximately 39 years of age.





    244997

    Pte. Sidney Powell 11th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    <p>

    Sidney Powell served with the Transport section, 11th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry.

    transport 11th Somerset Light Infantry

    Clare Friend




    244996

    Pte. Thomas Hewison 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.5th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Tommy Hewison was killed on the 5th of Nov 1916 during the ferocious assault on the Butte de Warlencourt, Somme. He was a 21 year old miner from Beamish, County Durham. Thought to have left the trench to lay a telephone wire. His ID tag was removed after death but his body was subsequently lost to recovery. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

    Ian Shaw




    244993

    Boy1. William Walter George Pollard HMS Clan McNaughton (d.3rd February 1915 )

    William Pollard was 16 when he died, serving as a Boy 1st Class. He was one of the 737 WWI Lowestoft Casualties listed on St. Margaret's Church, Lowestoft War Memorial. Son of William A and Florence Pollard

    Arthur Sparkes




    244992

    Pte. William Docherty 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles

    William Docherty married my grandmother Sarah in 1920, it was her third marriage, She was previously married Patrick Sweeney in 1916 who died in 1918. Her first husband was my grandfather George Ronaldson, who was soldier in the 2nd Scottish Rifles he served under the false name of James Ewing and was killed in 1914. William Docherty was also in his battalion and I believe Patrick Sweeney was too. I am trying to find about the subsequent marriages of Sarah Ronaldson, who had three children to George. Was it just by chance or did these two men seek her out to offer her comfort as she was a widow of someone they knew as a comrade?

    Archie Kennedy




    244990

    Pte. Owen Howden 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.10th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Owen Howden went missing on the 21st of March 1918, and was later reported as having died as a POW on 10th of April 1918.

    Mark Howden




    244989

    PO Stkr. William John Mannell HMS Glorious

    William Mannell, my great grandfather, served in the Royal Navy from 1916 to 1945 as a Stoker. His main ships included HMS Glorious in WWI and HMS Sirius in WWII. He also served on submarines between the wars. After WWII he settled in Portsmouth and is buried in Kingston Cemetery, not far from The Battle of Minden pub which he and my great grandmother owned at one point. I do have his service record and some diary entries and technical notes but there's quite a lot there and some of it is almost unreadable.

    Andy




    244988

    Cpl. Ernest Edwin Fisher 6th Btn. Dorset Regiment (d.13th Apr 1917)

    Ernest Fisher was born in 1895 in Melbury Abbas. He was the son of a stonemason. At the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 he was living in Hardings Lane, Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in his local Dorsetshire Regiment and at the time of his death held the rank of Corporal. He served in France and Flanders and was posthumously awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 13th of April 1917 and was buried at Duisans British Cemetery in Etrun. He is remembered on the Cann War Memorial, Shaftesbury.

    William Proctor




    244987

    Pte. William James West 1/4th Btn. King's Own Regiment (d.20th Nov 1917)

    My Great Grandmother Clara Roberts was William West's wife. I wouldn't be here if he hadn't sacrificed his life. Clara remarried to have my Grandmother.

    Emma Bryer




    244982

    Harry H. Reynolds 1st Batallion Essex Regiment (d.15th July 1916)

    Harry Reynolds is my great grandfather and was married to Clara. His parents were Thomas and Maria Reynolds. He is buried at Mesnil Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Alex




    244981

    Pte. William Charles Hackman 26th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    William Hackman enlisted on the 7th of September 1914 in the 3rd Wessex RAMC (TF), leaving for France on 5th of November 1914. He was wounded on 1st of August 1917 (GSW right thigh) and invalided unfit for service 24th of July 1918.

    R Hackman




    244980

    Pte. Wilfred Frederick Crane 88th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Wilfred Crane was wounded in both legs on the 28th of June 1916, he returned on HMS Panama and was invalided out of the army.

    Marian Thornley




    244979

    Gnr. Edgar Leonard Yarworth 199th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Grandfather, Edgar Yarworth, enlisted at Lydney, Glos, aged 20, on 9th December 1915. As a 'Group 7 Butcher' based at 43 Newerne Street, Lydney, he was attested for duty at No.3 Depot RGA, The Citadel, Plymouth on 21st of March 1917.

    He embarked at Folkestone for Boulogne on 10th of September 1917. Two months later on 12th of November 1917 he received a shrapnel wound to his left leg and was returned from the Canadian Hospital in Boulogne to the Duchess of Russia's Hospital, Harrogate (part of the East Leeds War Hospital) where he remained for 82 days making golliwogs and black cats for therapy over Christmas 1917.

    He returned to France with 199th Siege Battery, disembarking on 22nd of October 1918. On 15th of February 1919, with service for the duration complete, he returned to his parent's farm at Breams Cross and his wife and daughter Mary at Myrtle Cottage, Alvington. He had received the usual Active Service in France WW1 medals and was transferred to 'Class Z Army Reserve with a medical category of A1.





    244978

    Bmbdr. Patrick Kerins 14th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st April 1917)

    Patrick Kerins, my grandfather, died when my mother was only 4 years old. Her only memory of him was of being distraught when he had to return to the war after being home on leave, he had given her a penny and she lost it. Someone offered her another penny but she wanted her Daddy's penny.

    Michele Harriott




    244977

    Pte. John William Norton 1/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.18th July 1916)

    <p>

    John Norton is a great uncle on my father's side of the family. Born in Burton on Trent he signed up as a Private in the 1/6th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment based in Burton on Trent, Staffordshire. He fought at the Battle of Gommecourt in July 1916 and was wounded. He was repatriated to the UK but died of his wounds at Stockport, Manchester on the 18th July 1916.

    I was able to visit his grave on the anniversary of his death in July 2016. The photos accompanying this text show his grave in Burton on Trent Cemetary and an obituary published on the 100th anniversary of his death. A mention of my uncle can be found in the following book A Lack of Offensive Spirit?: The 46th (North Midland) Division at Gommecourt 1st July 1916. by Alan MacDonald, which describes how he was wounded and his repatriation to the UK.

    100th Anniversary Obituary

    Roger Goult




    244973

    Private Albert Edward Lawton 10th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (d.13th Jan 1916)

    I was unaware that I had ancestors who had died in WW1 until I started to research my family tree. Albert Lawton is my great-great uncle, his sister Annie was my great-grandmother. It transpires that she named my grandfather after her late brother, a fact that my father was not aware of - this was a very poignant memory for us.

    Clare Stubbs




    244969

    Cpl. Ernest Charles Manning 8th Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.8th May 1917)

    Ernest Charles Manning was my paternal Great-Uncle.





    244962

    L/Cpl. Harry Christopher Sparling 10th/11th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.3rd Nov 1917)

    Harry Sparling was the youngest of three brothers to go to war. He and the eldest brother were both killed in action. The only surviving brother was a prisoner of war and made it home to become my great granddad.

    Rosalind Scott




    244961

    Pte. Johnny Cole 6th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.15th April 1915)

    Johnny Cole was a Prisoner of War in Gustrow (prisoner 1315) he died on 15th of April 1915. He had sent a letter to his sister Ellen on 30th of March 1915 asking for bread and dripping to be sent to him but he died before it reached him.

    Hilary McGrath




    244956

    L/Cpl. William Albert Evans 1st Btn. Herefordshire Regiment (d.17th Mar 1917)

    William Evans, 1st Btn. Herefordshire Regiment is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial.

    Anita Wyatt




    244948

    Pte. George Lancelot Holliday 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.7th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    George Holliday served with 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    S.J. Holliday




    244947

    Gnr. Edward Hugh McNally 38th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Edward McNally, was born on 6th June 1879 in Poonamallee, Madras India (as were 4 brothers & a sister) to John & Louisa (Moran) McNally. His father was a 3rd Class Master Gunner, with G Battery, 6th Brigade RFA. Edward enlisted on the 5th of Sept 1893 with 72nd Battery, 38th Brigade RFA in Kirkee India. At some point he went to Ireland and in 1907 married Ellen Mary Cuddihy. Went back in 1907 and was stationed in Cork, Waterford & Belfast. According to a letter by my great Aunt he got "Sick & Tired" of the "Black & Tans" and so he got stationed back in Waterford RFA. Then to France in 1914, he received the 1914 Star with Clasp. He transferred to 291st RFA, then was Gassed sometime in 1917, I believe it was Aug-Oct timeline and discharged 7th of June 1918, with Silver War badge #411157. He died 3rd of July 1925 in Waterford Hospital Ireland.

    All I have of Edward McNally is a painting of him done in India abt 1896. When I checked with the Records Department they said his records were destroyed yet my Great Grand father's are completely furnished to me. The records I do have are the War Badge, Medal Index, Roll of Individuals, 1911 Census Waterford, Ireland & Birth, Death & Marriage Documents.

    Howard Rogers




    244946

    Pte. Alexander Baird 7th/8th Btn. B Company. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.14th May 1917)

    <p>Alexander Baird with Janet and Jenny.

    Alexander Baird served with B Coy. 7th/8th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers with 46th Brigade, 15th Division. He earned the British Army Medal and 14 - 18 Star.





    244943

    Sgt. Harry Kemmis 1st Btn. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.22nd Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Kemmis is my Great Grandfather, he was Irish born and served in the British Army during WW1 in the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was stationed in India at Wellington Barracks where my Grandmother was born. He was sent to Mesopotamia and was killed during the Battle of Ctesiphon on 22nd of November 1915.

    Harry Kemmis & fellow troops

    Sean Patrick Mulroy




    244941

    Sgt. William Ernest Knight Canadian Army Medical Corps

    Grandfather, William Knight was a Pharmacist and served on Hospital ships Letitia, Araguaya and Llandovery Castle as well as with 13th Field Ambulance in France. I have his diary from January 1916 to October 1918 which I hope to turn over to National Archives.

    Alan Knight




    244940

    Pte. Joseph Loftus 10th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.9th May 1917)

    <p>

    Joe Loftus was killed in action on the 9th May 1917 at the Battle of Arras. He was the brother of my maternal grandfather Jack Loftus. They identified Joe by a letter he had written to my grandfather which was found in the pocket of his tunic. He had just turned 23. He spent his birthday in the trenches and was killed a week later.

    Bridget Brennan




    244935

    Pte. Ronald Anderson 13th Btn. Black Watch

    Ronald Anderson served with the 13th Black Watch and 3rd Scottish Horse. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Brian Hill




    244933

    Pte. Johnson Newton 1st/5th Btn. B Coy. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.10th Apr 1918)

    Johnson Newton was killed in action on 10th April 1918. His body was not recovered for some time but was eventually identified and buried at Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Dr Andrew Newton




    244931

    Pte. Henry Gee 24th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    Henry was killed in action during the Arras offensive on the 9th April 1917. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. He is one of the hundreds who have not been remembered well and very little information about him has been recorded.

    Dr Andrew Newton




    244928

    Nurse Jane Burke

    Nurse Jane Burke was with Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service during WW1. Jane was my Grandaunt. She returned from the war to Ireland and then went to New York.

    Mary Burke




    244917

    Christopher Quigley 12th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th September 1915)

    Christopher Quigley is my great grandfather. I would love a picture of some kind. He was killed in action his memorial is at Loos memorial in France.

    Katherine




    244916

    Gnr. George Henry Streets Royal Garrison Artillery

    George Streets was a Professional Footballer who played for Sheffield Wednesday and later for Notts County after the war

    Nick Beeley




    244914

    Pte. Harold Denham 5th Dragoon Guards (d.28th October 1918)

    Prior to the War Harold Denham was working with Great Western Railway in the Signal Department, Taunton and is remembered on their roll of honour. One of the original BEF, he enlisted with 5th Dragoon Guards, service number D/152. He was att. Cavalry Brigade when he died of broncho pneumonia in hospital at Rouen on 28th of October 1918.

    His younger brother, Wilfred, was killed in 1915. Buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen and remembered on Seafront Memorial and St. James Church Window, Teignmouth.

    Heather Roche




    244912

    Bmndr. Thomas Jepson Royal Field Artillery

    My late grandfather Thomas Jepson was treated at Moss Bridge Auxiliary Hospital in Darwen after he was injured at Cambrai on the 5th of September 1918. I knew he had fought in the War but as I was very young when he died I knew nothing of his service during WW1. I have managed to now get hold of some information and I believe he arrived at this hospital from Queen Mary's Military Hospital in Whalley and previously 22nd General Hospital Etaples. I have a photo of him on horseback.

    Adene Hall




    244908

    L/Cpl. John Corri Royal Irish Regiment (d.23rd August 1914)

    <p>

    John Corri served with the Royal Irish Regiment at Mons. He is remembered on the Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial.

    Patrick Holland




    244906

    Pte. William Corri Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Wiliam Corri earned the British War Medal.

    Patrick Holland




    244904

    Cpl. Thomas David Morrison 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.22nd August 1918 )

    <p>

    Thomas Morrison of 7th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment went missing in action on the 22nd of August 1918.

    Betty Gray




    244903

    Pte. Alexander George Vickers 5th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.23rd May 1918)

    <p>

    Alexander Vickers of the 5th North Staffordshire Regiment died 23 May 1918 aged 18. Son of Albert Edward and Eliza Mary Vickers, nee Crooks and brother of Albert Harold who also died in the Great War. In 1911 he was living with his parents and siblings at 29 Violet Street, Derby. At rest in Nottingham Road Cemetery, Derby

    He joined up aged 17 years and 361 days on the 27th of February 1917 and was posted to the Army Reserve. He was born on the 31st December 1899 and lived with his parents and siblings at 29 Violet Street, Derby, occupation, clerk. He was mobilized 9th of February 1918 and posted to the depot of the North Staffordshire Regiment. On the 23rd of May 1918 he died of tuberculosis meningitis at the City Hospital, Leys Road, Lincoln.

    Alf Beard




    244901

    Pte. John Thomas Gibson 8th Battalion (d.18th August 1918)

    John Gibson began his tour of duty on 3rd of January 1918. Ten months later he died after being wounded on the 2nd day of the Battle of Amiens. He was 21 years old.





    244900

    Pte. Stanley Wise 1st Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    <p>

    The photo includes Stanely Wise from Longleavens in Gloucester, who died in Flanders in 1918 age 21. It's not certain which soldier is Stan.

    Janet Keat




    244897

    Cpl. Albert James Barrett 2/12th (Rangers) Battalion London Regiment (d.9th August 1918 )

    I have just learnt today that Corporal Albert James Barrett was my Great Uncle and I'm so very proud of him. Godbless.

    James Hoar




    244895

    Pte. John Boardman 5th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment

    <p>

    John Boardman is my great grandfather whom I never met. He served at Arras in France.

    Dave




    244890

    Pte. Hugh Beattie 7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.5th September 1916)

    Hugh Beattie joined the war as part of Kitchener's second new army. On the 5th of September 1916, with his colleagues, Hugh dug in at Falemont Farm, a German stronghold taken that day. They prepared to assault the nearby energy Combles Trench.

    As the Battalion struggled through a waist-high cornfield and dense weeds, they encountered wire entanglements hidden within and as they struggled forwards, German machine guns cut them apart. Another attempt was made that evening only to be further decimated and with their final casualty figures for the day resting at 273 men. Hugh's body was never recovered and his name is carved into the Thiepval Memorial.





    244887

    Pte. Edward Francis Fowell Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandad, Eddie Fowell, always said he was sent to the front for borrowing a weekend pass. He enlisted with the Queens Royal Regiment (West Surrey) and at some point he was transferred into the Lincolnshire Regiment. He was wounded by shrapnel on 9th of April 1918, age 21, whilst stretcher-bearing in or around the churchyard at Bailleul in France. Eddie survived the war and died aged 88 in 1986.

    Simon Hunter




    244880

    Lt. Arthur Douglas Hogan 21st Battalion (d.9th October 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Hogan was born on 30th of November 1886 in Sydney, NSW, Australia. He was an optician and jewellery salesman by trade, and prior to enlisting in April 1915, had been living in the Riverina town Wagga Wagga for three years. There, he was employed by the town's oldest business, Messrs. Hunter Bros. (which still exists today), as Manager of their jewellery department. He was almost 29 years old when he enlisted.

    He undertook his basic military training at Broadmeadows Camp in Victoria, where he also attended the 6th Officer's School of Instruction. After receiving his Commission (2nd Lieutenant) on 16 July 1915, he sailed from Melbourne aboard the 'Nestor' on 11 October, arriving in Suez two months later.

    As part of the 5th Battalion, he was stationed in Egypt for the next three months. In February 1916, he was invalided back to Australia for 3 months' change, having contracted paratyphoid fever. On his arrival back in Australia, he returned to Broadmeadows, and transferred from the 5th Battalion to the 13th. On 3rd of July 1916, he once again left Australia, this time, bound for the battlefields of the Western Front.

    On 11th of December 1916, Arthur was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, serving with the 21st Battalion. In March 1917, during the fighting around Bapaume, Arthur was shot through the left thigh. Although a severe injury, he was lucky that it hit neither nerves nor bone. 8 days later, he was admitted to the 8th General Hospital at Rouen, before being shipped back to England and admitted to the Kitchener Military Hospital at Brighton. In May 1917, Arthur was transferred from Brighton to Cobham Hall, an Australian convalescent hospital in Kent. He was discharged from Cobham Hall in June 1917, and from there, travelled to Perham Downs near Tidmouth, where he finished his convalescence.

    On 3rd of July 1917, Arthur returned to France. On 10 August, he was appointed Bombing Officer with the 6th Brigade.

    Early on the morning of 4th of October 1917, the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge began. A large operation, involving 12 divisions, the Australian troops involved were shelled heavily on their start line, and one seventh of their number became casualties even before the attack began. The cost of this battle for the Australians was high, with Australian divisions suffering 6,500 casualties.

    Arthur fell on 9th of October 1917, most probably shot by a sniper. His Battalion Commander wrote, in a letter to his mother: 'I happened to be in command of the attack on 9th of October and unhesitatingly chose him for my central commander. He fell gallantly leading the attack on the German positions over Broodseinde Ridge between Dairy and Daisy Woods. He leaves a great gap in the battalion where he was admired, respected and even loved by all ranks. He had previously done splendid work for the battalion on the Somme and was certain to have secured fitting recognition for this work. He was a gallant soldier and met a gallant end.'

    Michelle A. Maddison




    244876

    Pte. William Hawkins 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.2nd August 1917)

    My Great Grandfather William Hawkins enlisted in March 1915 with the 10th battalion West Yorkshire Regiment as Private 19944. In March 1916, he suffered a superficial gunshot wound to the head. On return from 3 days in hospital, he joined 10th Cheshire as Private 52341. William was wounded on 31st of July 1917 at Pilkem Ridge. He died on 2nd of August 1917 of wounds and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

    Dean Stobbart




    244875

    Pte. Frederick Gilbert 2nd Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.24th Mar 1918)

    Fred Gilbert is commemorated on the Pozieres memorial. He was killed in action.





    244874

    Pte. Leonard William Carver 2/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.30th November 1917)

    <p>

    Leonard Carver served with the 2/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment.

    David Pannell




    244872

    Gnr. John Abernethy Dickson 122nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.27th Aug 1918)

    John Dickson was aged 41 years at the time of his death in 1918, he served with 122nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was the son of (the late) James and Isabella Dickson of Littletown, Cluny (Aberdeenshire) and husband of Williamina Knight Dickson of The Cottages, Station Road, Udny, Aberdeenshire. He was the father of five children.





    244871

    Pte. Arthur Attwell 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.20th June 1917)

    Arthur Attwell was my great grandfather (maternal). He was killed in action on Wednesday, 20th June 1917, age 28. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Ieper,. He was serving with 13th Btn., Middlesex Regiment, 73rd Brigade of 24th Division. Arthur was the husband of Mrs Martha A. Attwell. He was born in Great Bridge and enlisted in Tipton, his home town. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive. Arthur is commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial.

    Bryan Hanner




    244870

    Cook's Mate. Percy Stevens H.M.S. Mohawk (d.27th October 1916)

    Percy Stevens is my great uncle. We don't know much about him although he was in the crew of H.M.S Mohawk in 1915.

    Paul Stevens




    244869

    Bmbdr. Alfred Stephen Talbot 114th Brigade, B Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Alfred Talbot served with B Battery, 114th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Janice O'Halloran




    244868

    Rflmn. Frank Deadman 16th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.25th October 1917)

    Frank Deadman is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery.

    William Norton




    244867

    Pte. William Hamilton Mitchell 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    My Grandad, William Mitchell served with 10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

    John Mitchell




    244865

    Pte. George William Johnson 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.4th July 1917)

    <p>

    My Grandfather, George Johnson served with 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, he is buried at at Etaples sur Mer.

    David King




    244862

    Pte. Donald Desmond Geary 36th Btn. (d.10th Jun 1917)

    Donald Geary was the son of James Joseph Geary, my great grandmother's brother, my paternal grandmother's first cousin. He was killed by a shell at Messines on 10th of June 1917 whilst covering a trench digging section with a Lewis gun, he has no known grave.

    John McFadden




    244860

    Pte. Joseph Boyd 9th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    Joseph Boyd was my granddad, I have been trying to research his war and I have found records with the Red Cross when he was a POW at Cottbus.

    Simon Boyd




    244856

    Mjr. Gerald Arthur Stacey DSO. 2nd Battalion London Regiment (d.9th October 1916)

    Major Gerald Stacey of 2nd Battalion, London Regiment was killed in action during operations around Lesboeufs, France on 9th of October 1916, during the Battle of the Somme.

    Stephan




    244855

    Pte. J. R. Fosbrooke 2nd Btn. A Coy. London Regiment (d.22nd Nov 1915)

    Pte Fosbrooke died of wounds.





    244854

    Pte. Charles Henry Humphreys 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.19th May 1915)

    Charles Humphreys died from wounds sustained in the Battle of Festubert. He is buried in the nearby Chocques Cemetery, a small cemetery attached to a casualty clearing station. In the battle, he was with the 1st Battalion, having been posted to it from the 3rd Battalion on 1st of November 1915. He was one of five brothers, my uncles (not great uncles), who fought in WWI.

    Raymond Humphreys




    244850

    L/Cpl. Albert Stephen Twin 9th Battalion, D Coy. Essex Regiment (d.11th October 1915)

    <p>

    Albert Twin served with D Coy. 9th Btn. Essex Regiment.

    Stephen Twin




    244848

    Pte. Samuel Forster Army Service Corps (d.30th Aug 1917)

    Samuel Forster was my great uncle. He was an ambulance driver originally with horses and serving in France with the 138th Field Ambulance. Sam contracted appendicitis while on active duty and was thought to be recovering well, unfortunately several days later he contracted peritonitis and died and is buried in France.

    Gillian Walsh




    244847

    Pte. James Thomas Sapsford 4th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Tom Sapsford served with 4th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps.





    244846

    Pte. William Hodgart 6th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.17th July 1916)

    William Hodgart was the 2nd son to be lost in the war. I presume he was reported missing in action. I have no photographs. The memorial at Thiepval, France states that he died at age 30 on the 17th of July 1916. His Father was William Hodgart and his Mother was Anne Maxwell.

    His other brother James is buried at Stane cemetry, Shotts Lanarkshire, Scotland in a war grave. James was in the Royal Scots Greys and died 19 March 1919 age 36. So sad to find out two sons lost in war and I am sure it must have been the same for many families.





    244844

    Pte. William George Pales Royal West Kent Regiment

    Bill Pales was my father. He was gassed when he served in the trenches during WW1 but luckily survived although he had a severe cough all his life. I have a small brass bell which he gave to my Grandmother when he came back from Ypres. My father would never talk of his experiences.





    244840

    L/Cpl. Arthur Edward Bevins 1st/4th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1917)

    Arthur Bevins was my great grandmother's nephew, the son of Thomas Northover and Jane Long Bevins. His grandfather was James Bevins of Leicester. My great grandmother, Sarah Anne Bevins Nichols, emigrated to the US in 1875.

    Linda Sheldon




    244839

    ERA4. Arthur Clark HMS Cambrian

    <p>

    Arthur Clark served in HMS Cambrian with 4th Light Cruiser Squadron.

    On Iceland Patrol

    David Clark




    244835

    L/Cpl. Joseph Watt Durham Light Infantry

    Joseph Watt served with the Durham Light Infantry and 174th Tunneling Company, RE.

    Gary Pitts




    244833

    Francis Fillary 12th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.31st July 1917)

    I believe Francis Fillary is my great, great uncle. I was adopted at birth and my research is in it's infancy. I have found Francis listed on on The Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Barrie Hall




    244830

    Pte. George Thomas O'Hara Welch Regiment

    My Grandfather George O'Hara served inthe Welch Regiment, from enlisting on 4th of July 1917 until discharged on 29th of August 1918. He was wounded and lost an eye, hence an early discharge. He had been a builder and farmer both before and after his army service. He died, at our home in Lumb, Rossendale, Lancashire in September 1965.

    His father and uncle also served in the army. He and his wife Elsie had 3 sons, the eldest, my father, Tom served in RAF in WW2, his middle son, Donald served in the Royal Marines and his youngest, Kenneth, did National Service in the Army serving in the Suez crisis.

    Kevin O'Hara




    244827

    Pte. William Wallace 6th Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.15th Jun 1915)

    William Wallace died on 15th of June 1915 in Festubert, France, aged 18 years.





    244826

    Pte. John Rowland Hammond 12th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.5th Apr 1917)

    On the night of 5th of April 1917 my great-grandfather, Private John Hammond, was in the cookhouse on the reserve line at Dikkebus, near Ypres. The line came under heavy fire between 8.45 and 10.15pm and during that bombardment the cookhouse took a direct hit, a shell exploding through the roof. He was killed instantly. He left behind a widow and three children, the oldest of whom was Amelia, my grandmother. She was nine years old when the family was informed. John had volunteered aged 39 in 1915, a few weeks later and he would have been exempt. He, along with many men from the 12th East Surreys, had survived The Somme, having fought at the terribly challenging battle of Flers-Courcelette, but sadly didn't make it home, like so many thousands of others.





    244821

    Pte. George W. Lewis 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards

    <p>

    My grandfather, George W Lewis served in the Great War. I have a photograph of him with the 4th Battalion of Grenadier Guards 1917. I have been searching for information and would love to know more.

    Pam Lewis




    244816

    Cpl. William Stewart 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.27th March 1916)

    <p>

    William Stewart was born on 9th February 1896 in Dundee Scotland. He was the eldest son of Robert Myles Stewart and Martha Clark Stewart (nee Brown). He had three younger sisters and a younger brother. His family recalled him as an artistic and musical young man.

    He enlisted in January 1915 and was killed on 27th March 27th 1916. His name is recorded in the Scottish War Memorial Hall in Edinburgh Castle and also on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He has no known grave.

    An article appeared in The People's Journal on the 8th of April 1916: Merchant's Son Killed in France, A very large circle of friends will be grieved to learn of the death in action of Corporal William Stewart, of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, eldest son of Mr B. M. Stewart, merchant, of Meesrs David Lowe & Co., and residing at 9 Inverary Terrace, Dundee. Corporal Stewart was in his 20th year, and received his education at the High School. Ho joined the colours in January 1915. and before Enlisting he was identified with his father in business. Deceased was a most likeable young man, and was engaged as an officers orderly.

    William Stewart and his family





    244812

    Pte. William Scatterty 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.5th March 1917)

    William Scatterty was killed in action and is remembered with honour at Roclincourt Valley Cemetery in France.

    Lorna Garden




    244811

    Pte. Ernest Sanderson 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th October 1917)

    <p>

    My colleague was presented with the Passchendale commemorative poppy for Ernest Sanderson and I'm trying to find out more about him. He was from Bolton and has no known grave, but is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    Nicola




    244810

    Pte. James Robertson Army Veterinary Corps (d.20th July 1919)

    James Robertson was born in 1880 at Leggat, Spynie, Elgin, Morayshire and died at 121 Land Street, Keith, Banffshire of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

    Lorna Garden




    244809

    Pte. Alfred Gibson 11th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th April 1918)

    Alfred Gibson was one of four brothers who enlisted and served with the Durham Light Infantry. Alfred died on the 16th of April 1918 and his memorial is placed in Foreste Communal Cemetery in France.

    His brothers all returned safely from the conflict although one, Jack was never the same, having been gassed in the trenches.One of the brothers was a cyclist who took messages along the lines. Medals belonging to the brothers and photographs of the brother that was gassed remain as testimony to the bravery of these four loved sons and brothers. The two who lived to old age, spoke at length of the war and their hope to one day visit their brothers grave, sadly they never made the journey.It is therefore my intention as their great niece to keep faith with the deceased and I will visit Foreste Cemetery on the 100th anniversary of Alfred's death next year.

    Julie




    244808

    Pte. Riley Arthur 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.25th January 1918)

    Arthur Riley was the step brother of Mary Ann Marsden (the grand-mother of Patricia Mews nee Spencer). He was a weaver in Nelson, Lancashire and was married to Sarah Brown. He was born on the 8th January 1889 to James Riley and Hannah Marsden.

    Called up in 1916 from his home in Branch Street, Nelson, he was sent to Salonika, Northern Greece and was wounded in 1917. Having died on the 25th of January 1918 he was buried at the Sarigol Military Cemetery in Kriston.

    Graham Mews




    244805

    Pte. Harold Watson Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment

    Harold Watson served with the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment. He married Gertrude Bilbie on 23rd of July 1919.

    Mavis Webster




    244804

    Pte. Joseph Denton 9th Btn. Duke of Wellington (West Riding) Regiment (d.5th July 1916)

    Joseph Denton was my great uncle (my paternal grandmother's brother) who I sadly never met. My grandmother had to deal with his death at the tender age of 11 which affected her all her life, held closely to her heart. If anyone has any photographs of this Battalion I would be forever thankful. Joseph was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme. Gone but never forgotten.





    244797

    Pte. William Henry West 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>

    William West of 7th Gloucestershires was wounded by a shell.

    P West




    244795

    Pte. Patrick McAuliffe MM. 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment

    Patrick McAuliffe was born in Cork, Ireland 1885. He attested to 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment in 1903 at the age of 18 years 6 months. He served in Mauritius for one year and India 4 years before returning to Ireland in 1911. He moved with the Battalion to Southampton and sailed to St.Nazaire landing on the 10th September 1914.

    Simon Mcauliffe




    244791

    Pte. George Samuel Hewitt 7th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, George Hewitt served on the Western Front with 7th Northamptonshire Regiment. He was hospitalised for 2 years with neurasthenia or shell shock. He took the life of a young German man to save his own, an act he never forgot and regretted all his life. He died, aged 68 years, in April 1968.

    Jackie




    244788

    WO. Arthur Frank "Frederick" Wildman DCM 14th Battalion Tank Corps

    My Grandfather Arthur Wildman never spoke of the War or of his decoration so I have researched this and it's accuracy is therefore dependent on that alone.

    He firstly joined the East Kent Buffs Regiment (no. 200866) and then transferred to the East Lancs. Regiment (no. 235357) prior to 1916 He then joined the Tanks Corps and to quote the "Tank Corps Book of Honour" helped in the capture of Rosieres, France. To do this as an N.C.O. and as a commander of his tank he worked his way around the rear of the battery of two field guns which had been holding up the tanks and had already accounted for one tank. He opened fire on this battery and accounted for most of the crews, putting both guns out of action. He then proceeded to Rosieres village, where he cleared a considerable portion of the village machine-gun nests. Though severely wounded he brought his tank out of action, reporting to his section commander before proceeding to the dressing station.





    244778

    Pte. William Morris 1st Battalion. D Coy. Gordon Highlanders (d.26th September 1917)

    William Morris was born in 1891 to William Samuel Morris and Elizabeth Birchall Morris (nee Booth}. His brother Harold George Morris was born in 1894 and served with 1st Bucks Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. Harold was killed on 19th August 1917.

    The brothers were both killed at the 3rd Battle of Ypres, Passchaendale, and their names are remembered with honour on the Tyne Cot Memorial as their bodies were never found. They were my great uncles on my mothers side of the family. They are remembered with pride and sadness.

    Heather Golding




    244777

    Sgt. Arthur Stanley Welham 120th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Arthur Welham served with 120th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He died in 1966.

    Marian Thornley




    244776

    Walter Pryce Davies 23rd (Welsh Pioneers) Battalion Welch Regiment

    My grandfather Walter Davies served with the Welsh Pioneers.

    Rosemary Morris




    244774

    Pte. Bertram Whitlock 7th Battalion London Regiment (d.2nd December 1917)

    Bertram Whitlock was killed in action on the 2nd of December 1917 at Bourlon Wood near Cambrai, France. He is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval France. Survived by wife Rose later Rose Salter, and 2 sons Sidney Bertram and William.

    Peter Whitlock




    244773

    Sgt. Herbert Edwin Gough Wiltshire Regiment

    My late husband, Herbert Gough, was working in London when World War 1 broke out. He was 15 years old but put his age up to 18 years and joined the Wiltshire regiment. He fought at the Battle of the Somme he later was a Sergeant in the Military Police. He was one of only two survivors out of 17 young men who joined from his village.

    Patricia Gough Fraser




    244772

    Rflmn. Samuel James Wethers 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.10th April 1917)

    My Great Uncle, Samuel Wethers served with the 16th Royal Irish Rifles. I have researched him and followed his path during WW1. He went to France & Flanders where he served his country. He was killed in action on 10th of April 1917 at the tender age of 20. He was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, 1915 Star

    Lesley Wethers




    244771

    Pte. W D Stewart 2nd Battalion, A Coy. London Regiment

    Pte W Stewart was wounded whilst serving with the 2nd Londons.

    stephan




    244770

    Pte. J E Miller 2nd Battalion, B Coy. London Regiment

    Pte J E Miller was wounded whilst serving with 2nd Londons.

    stephan




    244768

    Pte. J Thorpe-Tracey 2nd Battalion, D Coy. London Regiment

    Pte J Thorpe-Tracey served with D Coy. 2nd London Regiment.

    stephan




    244767

    Pte. Christopher Carter 13th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Christopher Carter's date of enlistment into the Kings Regiment is not known but he married Margaret Isabel Davies on 17th of June 1916, he was at that time already a soldier stationed at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry. He was killed in action on the 28th of March 1918 serving with the 13th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment. He has no known grave and is commemorated by name on the Litherland War Memorial and also at the Arras Memorial. He is also listed on the Roll of Honour for Kings (Liverpool) Regiment located in the Museum of Liverpool City Soldiers Gallery.

    Below is the transcript of the Battalion War Diary of the day, 28th of March 1918 "After a bombardment of great violence," state the official despatches, "three fresh German divisions advanced to the assault along the northern bank of the Scarpe River: they were supported by the two German divisions already in the line. The enemy's immediate objective was to gain the general line Vimy-Bailleul-St. Laurent-Blangy. On the following day three special assault divisions were to carry the Vimy Ridge. Immediately south of the Scarpe four German divisions were engaged, to two of which were assigned the tasks of capturing Arras and the heights overlooking the town. This assault, the weight of which fell on the 3rd and 15th British Divisions, was supported by powerful attacks in which eleven hostile divisions were engaged along our whole front southwards to beyond Bucquoy.

    In this great assault the methods adopted by the enemy on the 21st of March were employed once more. But the fog which had then blinded our artillery and machine gunners was now absent and, as a consequence, the advancing lines of the Germans were met everywhere along the whole front by a merciless fire which decimated their ranks and shattered their attack. Though in one place (north of the Scrape) the enemies infantry advanced in solid masses almost shoulder-to-shoulder and six lines deep, all that he accomplished was the capture in a few places of our outpost line; in no place did he enter our front line.

    A second attack, north of the Scarpe, launched during the afternoon after another heavy bombardment, was also completely repulsed and, broken and disappointed, the enemy fell back to his original line. The 1st King's were still in support in Englebelmer on the 28th. They were so weak in strength that they were temporarily joined to the 2nd South Stafford's under Major W.C.Smith, Colonel Murray-Lyon going to the transport lines for a rest. The 29th saw the battalion moving up to the front line in Aveluy Wood, which they took over after dark. Thus the enemies great attack on the 28th March did not involve the 1st King's in active operations . The 13th King's however, were heavily engaged by the enemy's great attack on the 28th of March.

    The 9th Brigade Narrative of Operations prefaces its description of the battle with the following words "The story of the battle which followed is one of desperate fighting, a soldier's battle in which the order of 'no retirement' was literally carried out until 5pm, both flanks being in the air and a serious attack on the Green Line that day being awaited, orders were issued for the remaining troops of the brigade to withdraw behind the Green Line."

    The battalion story relates that at 4:30 am the enemy put down an intense barrage on the whole of our sector. The trench mortar barrage on the front line was more intense than anything previously experienced. The Reserve Line was barraged with field guns and heavies. Under cover of this barrage the enemy launched a terrific attack with masses of troops. In spite of the intensity of the bombardment the front line stood firm and poured a devastating fire into the enemy whose attack was beaten off with colossal casualties to the attackers. The value of this steadfastness against tremendous odds cannot be estimated; it gave the enemy his first check at a point where he was to be subsequently checked throughout the day. The enemy came back again in a second attack with even greater numbers. The Battalion on our right were pressed back and the enemy poured in behind "C and "D" Companies from the right flank. What happened on the left flank is not known. All that is known is that these two companies, attacked on all sides, mounted the parapet and fought to the finish on the ground on which they stood. Under cover of the barrage the enemy came on up the hill to the reserve lines. Owing to the nature of the ground, he could not be observed along most of the battalion front until nearly on our wire. The barrage lifted and in dense waves the Germans swept onto our lines, it was the beginning of a fierce battle which lasted until 2pm. The coolness, courage and endurance of the garrison were beyond praise. Every rifle and Lewis Gun brought a tremendous volume of fire to bear on the approaching masses. In spite of his losses the enemy continued to push on until the thin line, wavering could go no further and turned down the slope again. Our men mounted the parapet to keep him under fire as long as they could keep him in sight. The first attack on the first line had been beaten off and our line was everywhere intact.

    The 13th King's were in touch on the right with the with the 7th Shropshires, and on the left with the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers. The enemy now resumed his barrage on our position by firing green lights. An intense barrage came down for 10 or 15 minutes. As soon as it lifted the enemy immediately came on to another attack, this also was repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy. Our flank and our left flank was becoming exposed. Twice again the enemy fell back, each time bringing down the barrage on our position with green lights and pushing on his attack as soon as it lifted. About midday the enemy's fourth attack penetrated on our right. A block was immediately made and maintained about 150 yards from the Road on the southern side approximately N.25.d.7.4. A defensive flank was put out and a few men lined the banks of the of of Neuville Vitasse Road to guard our rear as far as was possible. During the morning one company of the 4th Btn Royal Fusiliers had come up to reinforce and was distributed with two platoons on the SW side of the Menin Road, and two platoons, and two platoons near the St. Martin-sur-cojeul Road in N.25.a.

    From midday onwards only about five or six hundred yards of the reserve line remained in our hands, the troops on both flanks having fallen back some hundreds of yards. It was evident that when the next hostile attack came the position would inevitably be surrounded and would hold out no longer. However it was decided to hold on, though the Brigade message informed us that no reinforcements were available. At 2pm a message from Brigade instructed us to rendezvous in N.24. central (about seven hundred yards east of Wancourt) if withdrawal became necessary. Withdrawal to support of the 4th Royal Fusiliers in the Green Line was then decided upon and orders were issued for an immediate withdrawal. It commenced at 3.30 pm, the movement from the front line being covered by small posts and blocks and the defensive flank on the right remaining in position until all the garrison of the reserve Line had moved off to the SW of Neuville Vitasse Road By The Sugar Factory. The enemy moving forward for another attack severely harassed the withdrawal, and it was only by great gallantry and initiative by individuals that the enemy was warded off until the line was clear. By 5pm all troops had passed through the Green Line with all wounded evacuated and without anyone being cut off. The Battalion re-organised under cover of the ridge in N.24.Central and at dusk moved back into Brigade Reserve and occupied trenches in M.22.C (about 1,200yards north West of Mercatel).

    On the 29th the 13th King's remained in brigade reserve, the situation then being quiet. At 11pm the battalion was relieved by Canadian troops and marched back to Monchiet. Thus, south of Scarpe, the enemy had made a very small advance, but it was valueless for his purpose and not at all worth the huge casualties he had suffered. So far as the enemy was concerned the First Battle of Arras, 1918, was a complete failure, disastrous to him in every way.

    Arras Memorial Inscription

    Litherland War Memorial

    Inscription Litherland Memorial

    Christopher G. Carter




    244764

    L/Bmdr. Gustavis Lambert Webber 61st Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th Apr 1918)

    Gustavis Webber was the son of Alfred and Rosina Webber of Launceston, Cornwall. Alfred was Superintendent of Police at Launceston. Gustavis was married to Kate and had a daughter Mollie.

    Martin Kelland




    244763

    Capt. Walter Hoad 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Captain Walter Hoad was wounded with the 23rd Battalion on the 13th July 1916.

    William Cooper




    244762

    Cpl. William Russell MM. 52nd Battalion

    William Russell was captured near Amiens on the 13th of August 1918. He survived the war and lived until the 1970's.

    Matt Russell




    244761

    Pte. Arthur Brown 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.5th Apr 1916)

    Private Arthur Brown was killed in action in Mesopotamia, he was my Great Grandfather. Not much is known of him other than when he died his brother Albert took over the family and became the husband to my Great Grandmother. I am seeking his WW1 death Penny sold some years ago by a family member. It's taken years of research to find out these details and now he can rest in peace. He is buried in Basra, my son who is a current serving Officer in the RAF, took part in the Iraq war. He telephone me one night saying he had visited a war memorial of WW1 soldiers. Little did we know that his GG Grandfather's name was on that memorial.





    244759

    L/Cpl Richard Rodgers 1/6th Btn. C Coy. Duke of Wellingtons Regiment (d.14th Oct 1917)

    Richard Rodgers died of wounds inflicted to both arms during fighting on the 9th of October 1917. His grave can be found at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    Janet Hancock




    244758

    Pte. Thomas Pearson 8th Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    Thomas Pearson served with the 5th and 8th Battalions, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was discharged on the 5th of February 1918, after being wounded from the 2/7th Northumberland Fusiliers at the 74th Territorial Force Depot with a silver war badge.

    Brian




    244757

    Pte. Thomas Mooney 6th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.10th Sep 1916)

    Tommy Mooney was married to my great-grandmother's sister Bridget of 21 Fahan Street in Derry. He was killed in the Balkans on the 10th of September 1916. He stayed at his post until his comrades and officers where safe. He is buried at Struma cemetery in Greece. A few months before his death he and another soldier from Derry wrote a poem to the Derry Journal in which they spoke of the bravery of their comrades and officers at Neuve Chapelle.

    RIP Tommy.





    244755

    TE. Harvey Lester Crane C Coy. 106th Engineer Regiment

    Harvey L. Crane was working in Detroit, Michigan when called to service in May 1918. His new wife of that year, Laura Woodman Crane, was worried for him his entire duty in Europe. He sailed from Hoboken, NJ USA on 16th of September 1918 to Liverpool, England on the HMAT SS Balmoral Castle. He was assigned to the 106th Engineers who were primarily repairers or builders of bridges and other structures necessary for military use in war-torn Germany and France. His main craft was welding all kinds of different metal. He returned to the states safely but, Laura would years later tell their two adult daughters, "Don't ever marry a military man before he goes off to war".

    Stuart




    244752

    2nd Lt. Charles Horace Larkins 16th (Public Schools) Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.21st Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Larkins and his brother Ernest joined up in 1914. Charles joined the 16th Battalion (Public Schools) brigade of the Middlesex Regiment.

    He served as a Private at the Battle of the Somme and survived. He was sent back to England for Officer Training and returned to his old Battalion in 1917. He died of wounds on his 21st birthday.

    It is not known which Public School he attended as he came from a working family in the east end of London. It is likely that he was picked out as being intelligent at an early age and sponsored by either a benefactor or the Church to attend a Public School. Before the war, he worked at the factory which employed his father, Charles worked in the office.

    Charles with his brother Ernest and younger brother Ernie probably taken soon after he had signed up.

    Family Home

    Basil Larkins




    244751

    Pte. William Graves 55th Protection Coy. Royal Defence Corps

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather William Graves served with the East Yorkshire Regiment and 55th Protection Coy. Royal Defence Corps. I didn't know anything about him until my family found his Death Penny in a deceased relatives personal effects. I found his grave in Hull. He survived the War but was struck down on his return from a pandemic of flu that actually killed a lot of people just after Armistice Day. William Graves was entitled to a War Grave as although everyone thinks the end of WW1 was 11th of November 1918, that was when the guns fell silent. WW1 wasn't officially over until the Treaty of Versailles came into force on 10th Jan 1920.

    Paul Barker




    244744

    CSM. William Edwards 68th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Bill Edwards is my lovely father who joined up in 1900 and survived the Great War. He came out with many honours including the Cross of Karageorge presented by the King of Serbia. He also served in the Somme and the Dardanelles. He did not tell us of his heroic plights but I have all his papers.





    244737

    Cpl. Frederick Maddison 9th (Service) Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.7th Jan 1916)

    <p>The Helles Memorial

    Frederick Maddison had previously served in the Gloucestershire Regiment and the Royal Fusiliers in France, South Africa and India. He also served in the 9th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment. He received the British Medal, The Victory Medal and the 15 Star Medal. He was killed in action on 7th of January 1916 in Gallipoli and is buried there. He is recorded on the Helles Memorial.

    Madeleine Hinchcliff




    244726

    Pte. Frederick Knott Brewer 8th (Liverpool Irish) Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.5th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Brewer was my Grandfather. Killed in Action on 5th of October 1918.





    244725

    Pte. W Hanslow 12th (East Anglian) Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.19th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    I purchased one of the Somme 100 brass poppies last year after spending 4 days on self-arranged Somme Battlefield tour. I was fortunate to receive the poppy with a card to say that the pin commemorates the life of Pte W Hanslow. He is commemorated at the Noeux-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery.

    Paul Raven




    244720

    Sgt. Thomas J. Bullivant MM. 216th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Tom Bullivant served with 216th Siege Battery, RGA in WW1 and survived the War. As an Acting Sergeant, he was gazetted for the Military Medal on 18th of June 1917.

    I can find no record of his citation or other information online or via the National Archive to confirm the family story that he was awarded the bravery award for saving his commanding officer from capture by German troops, the story being that he removed his CO's leg with a pen-knife at the request of the CO (after another man had refused) as his leg was trapped, and he could not escape otherwise. As a butcher's boy before the War, it has some semblance of truth.

    Mike Alabaster




    244719

    Cpl. John Mossop Stephenson 20th (1st Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916 )

    My great-grandfather John Stephenson was killed in the Battle of the Somme at La Boisselle.

    Steve Turnbull




    244715

    Pte. Thomas Francis Peam 17th (North Eastern Railway Pioneers) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th May 1919)

    <p>

    Thomas Peam served with the North Eastern Railway Pioneers Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Andy




    244713

    Pte. Thomas Alfred Grainger 4th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    Thomas Grainger enlisted on 14th of September 1914 and served as part of the British Expeditionary Force but was discharged on 27th of September 1916 due to severe shell shock. His discharge form lists his service as well conducted.

    Martin




    244708

    Pte. James Brown Low 1/6th (Perthshire) Btn. A Coy. Black Watch (d.31st Jul 1917)

    For a number of years given the horrendous cost of human lives lost in WW1, I felt everybody must have lost someone. A recent attempt at a family tree has found the one my family lost. David Low served with 6th Battalion, Black Watch. He enlisted at age 16 and died aged 19 there is no known grave. He died during the 3rd Battle of Ypres and is remembered on the Ypres Memorial (Menin Gate) in Belgium.





    244705

    Pte. John Morris 11th (Service) Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.8th Jan 1916)

    John Morris was my grandfather. He died of his wounds 8th Jan 1916 aged 24 and is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord. I have more or less no knowledge of John except what I have found on the internet and a little through now passed on family. He lived at 9 Bright St, Leigh in Lancashire as did my father. Any help contacts or advice would be welcome.

    David Morris




    244704

    Pte. Alfred Bradley MM. 54th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.6th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Alfred Bradley was the second son of the family to have been killed in WW1, his younger brother James was killed in Egypt in August 1916.

    Whilst Alfred was serving with the Gordon Highlanders he was awarded the Military Medal. He later joined the 54th Company, Machine Gun Corps, and was killed in Arass on 6th June 1917. He is buried in France.

    Alfred and brother James were my mother's uncles and my Great Uncles. Prior to joining the army he lived and worked on the family farm and was also a carter for the local cotton mills.

    Kevin O'Hara




    244702

    Pte. James Bradley 1/5th Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.4th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    James Bradley, son of Thomas Bradley and Eva Emma, lived and worked on the family farm in Whitewell Bottom, Lumb Rossendale, Lancashire. He was born in 1896 in Kington, Yorkshire. He died, from wounds, whilst serving with Kings Own Scottish Borderers, in Egypt on 4th of August 1916. He is buried in Egypt.

    Kevin O'Hara




    244700

    Pte. John Naylor 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.20th Aug 1916)

    John Naylor was admitted to the 1st Canadian Clearing Station in Bailleul on the 19th August 1916 suffering from severe wounds to the back and abdomen which were deemed too bad to treat. He died the following morning and is buried in Bailleul Cemetery Extension North.

    R Draper




    244698

    Pte. Francis Samuel Matthews 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.11th Aug 1915)

    Frankie Matthews was a maternal uncle I never knew.

    C Grant




    244697

    Pte. Albert Cast 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.8th June 1917)

    <p>1917 Mar Albert & Harrys last day at home

    From the memories of Harry Cast about his twin brother Albert Cast.

    While on the Hindenburg Line I had a letter from my father informing me that they had received news from the War Office that my twin brother Albert was reported missing. I only remember one phrase of that letter, the only one I had from him, this was the old Victorian phrase: Keep a stiff upper lip my lad. It was sometime in July that I received a letter from Mother telling me that they had received notice from the War Office that brother Albert had been killed in the German counter-attack on 8th of June 1917. This news really rocked and shocked me.

    Albert was only 19 when he was killed. There was no body, his name is on the Menin Gate at Ypres. Harry survived the war, having been badly injured twice, and in later life wrote down his memories and these were edited and published in 2015. The Cast family of 5 brothers all served in the Great War, as did their father.

    Barbara Cast




    244695

    Sgt. Albert John Holmes Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Albert Holmes embarked on the 17th of March 1916 on SS Alexandra from Southampton and disembarked at Rouen. He was assigned to a CCS on 23rd of March 1916 and was Posted to No57 CCS on the 5th of April 1917.

    Jan Bazell




    244691

    Pte. Thomas Bateman Parker 11th Battalion Border Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Parker was my grandmother's brother and, like so many, his body was never found, he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Hazel McLoughlin




    244686

    Dvr. Wilfred Gilbert Earnshaw 29th Brigade, 30th Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.10th February 1917)

    My husband was told as a child he was named after a relative who died in the First World War, but until now we have been unable to find him. Now through my research I have been able to tell him about his Great Uncle Wilfred Earnshaw who is buried at the Bray Military Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, died of wounds on 10th of February 1917. Through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website we have found his grave location, and plan to visit it next year.

    Patricia Earnshaw




    244679

    Rflmn. Henry Coughlan 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th Aug 1917)

    My Great Uncle Henry Coughlan was the son of Henry Coughlan and Rebecca Coughlan (nee Twomey) and Youngest sibling to Rebecca, Jerome, Catherine and Mary. Henry was killed in action on 16th of August 1917. Age 22 years. Interred at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. May he rest in peace knowing he is not forgotten.

    G. Sheehan




    244674

    Pte. Robert Peel 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.5th Nov 1918)

    Robert Peel was a great uncle. He served with the 9th Sherwood Foresters.

    Stephen Peel




    244673

    Pte. George Roddick 9th Btn. Black Watch (d.24th Mar 1916)

    George Roddick was my Great Uncle, Mum used to tell me about him although his life was cut short before she was born. It was one of many great stories of sheer bravery that George Roddick and indeed many more brave young men had told about them by family and friends and allowed our generation to remember them as the Heroes of the Great War. I feel honoured that the name George made its way down the family to myself.

    George Slack




    244667

    Pte. Walter Stanley Jordan East Kent Regiment

    Piecing together details of my grandfather Walter Jordan's service with the East Kent Regiment, he served in India, where he was shot in the shoulder and returned to England to recover. While waiting transport, he trained as a groundsman. He landed at Basra and moved up to Baghdad where he used his groundsman skills to grow food for the city. He returned to Margate and got a job as a keeper at a country estate. The tied cottage is now known as Jordan Cottage. My mother and her six elder siblings were born there, they moved to Filton, Bristol during WW2 and Walter died in 1975. I remember that every Sunday, he would polish his Christmas 1914 brass tin, along with his three WW1 medals and his WW2 Home Defence Medal.

    Paul Collins




    244663

    Pte. William O'Hara 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Willie O'Hara was born in October 1880 in Dean, Lumb, Lancashire to Patt and Mary O'Hara, who had moved from Co Mayo, Ireland to Dean, near Lumb, they worked in the local cotton mill. Willie was one of nine children, one died shortly after birth and another at age 7. Willie married in 1908 to Clara Chamley, they had one child, William, who died after a few days and is buried in Lumb Baptist grave yard. Willie and Clara lived in Terracotta Cottages in Water, a small hamlet near Lumb and worked as a warehouse man.

    I think he enlisted in Bacup and joined the 1st Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment. He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and he has no known grave. Willie was my Great Grand Uncle.

    Kevin O'Hara




    244661

    L/Sgt. William Mackey 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th May 1917)

    William Mackey died on the Somme on the 26th May 1917.

    Ray Mackey




    244659

    L/Cpl. Arthur Warrington 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.30th October 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Warrington served with the 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Dave




    244657

    Rflmn. Jack Gargini 7th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.11th May 1917)

    I believe Jack Gargini must have been a relative of my grandfather, possibly a cousin, but I am still investigating. Gargini is a rare name and my family came from Genova in Italy. My Great Grandfather was Italian. I am looking into the history of my ancestors. My grandfather was Remo John Gargini who also served in the First World War and survived, his brother called Giacomo Gargini (nicknamed Jack), also survived the Great War.

    Jack Gargini was born in St Pancras, Middlesex. He was killed in action in France and Flanders and was in his early twenties. I believe he was an only child, I am a mother of one son and can only imagine the heart break that must have been felt by his parents. It is a privilege to remember and honour his memory.

    Marie




    244655

    L/Cpl. Frank Sagar 7th Btn. B Coy. East Lancashire Regiment (d.17th October 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Sagar is my Great Uncle Frank, he died of wounds on 17th of October 1916. Age 21. Will not forget.

    Iain Macmilllan




    244651

    Pte. John Hutchinson Findley 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th October 1915)

    John Findley enlisted on 21st of September 1914. He was sent to Halton Park, Aylesbury for training and then went to France on 11th of September 1915. He was wounded at Loos on 26th of September 1915. John was killed in action at Loos. He was 40 years old and left a widow Harriet (nee Sharp) and six children.

    Kevin Bell




    244643

    Pte. Henry Tull 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.25th May 1915)

    Henry Tull was my great uncle

    Iris Reynolds




    244638

    Pte. Albert Edward "Alfred" Power 142nd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Albert Power, Nickname Alfred was my Great Uncle, the brother of my fathers father, Frederick William Power. Albert was born on 11th of July 1899, his father, Charles Power, was 26 and his mother, Louisa Power (nee Rice), was 28. He was born and raised in Ontario Street, Southwark. He married Rosina Elizabeth Hughes in September 1928 in Southwark, Surrey. He died in June 1976 in London, at the age of 76. Albert was a Motor Driver in civilian life.

    Albert enlisted on 2nd June 1917 just shortly before his 18th birthday on the 11th July, at the Central London Recruiting Depot, Whitehall. He was single at the time. He started in the 102nd TR Bn and then transferred to The 61st Grad Bn TR Middx Regiment. He then served with the Royal Army Medical Corp 142nd Field Ambulance. He was Demobilized on 31st March 1920

    Steven Power




    244637

    Robert Rothwell DSC. Battery F 10th Field Artillery Regiment (d.26th Jul 1918)

    Whilst having a walk in St Peters Churchyard, Halliwell, Bolton, England I came across a US soldiers grave. It was the grave of Robert Rothwell, apart from Roberts name the only other inscriptions on the grave were, New Jersey, Corpl, 10 Field Art, 26th of July 1918. At first I thought that Robert was American born. Research has discovered that Robert was born in Bolton in 1889, he served in the Royal Field Artillery in the British Army for a number of years. He emigrated to the US at some time and enlisted in the US army shortly after America entered the Great War. Due to his military experience he was involved with training his comrades prior to their arrival in France.

    He was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, posthumously, the second highest gallantry award that could be bestowed on an American Soldier. The citation reads. 'The President of the United States of America, authorised by Act of Congress, July 9th 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross(Posthumously) to Corporal Robert Rothwell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Battery F, 10th Field Artillery, 3d Division A.E.F. near Greves Farm, France, 15th of July 1918. Responding to a call for volunteers, Corporal Rothwell, with eight other soldiers, manned two guns of a French battery which had been deserted by the French during the unprecedented fire after many casualties had been inflicted on their forces. For two hours he remained at his post and poured an effective fire into the ranks of the enemy'.

    Robert's brother, Thomas Rothwell had Robert's body re-interred in St Peters Churchyard on 11th of February 1922.

    Michael Carroll




    244634

    Pte. John Henry Robert Beament 22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.17th Sep 1916)

    My Great Uncle John Beament is listed on the Thiepval War Memorial in France.

    Trudy Waite




    244633

    Pte. Samuel Carter 2nd/5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.26th Sept 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Carter served with the 2nd/5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment.

    Oliver Lill




    244632

    Sgt. Alexander Butler 11th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.6th October 1918)

    Alexander Butler was my great uncle. He died in Salonica of the Spanish Influenza that raged for 3 months from September 1918. He is buried in Kirechkoi-Hortakoi British Military Cemetery in Thessaloniki, Greece.

    Always proud of him.

    Ellen Coventry




    244623

    Pte. Shadrach Corbett 1st Btn. Welsh Guards (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Shadrach Corbett was a distant relative of mine who lived in the next village to my grandparents who were miners. He was killed at the Battle of the Somme at the age of 26 and was an only child. Other than that I do not know.

    Neil Corbett




    244617

    Nurse. Sarah Ann Bartlett

    <p>

    Sarah Ann Bartlett was my Great Grandmother. She was born 16th of February 1872 in Blaenavon, Monmouthshire. By 1891 She had left her home to train as a nurse. Throughout her working life she worked in various Isolation Hospitals and at the time of WW1 she was employed at Dunstable Isolation Hospital. For a period of six months, from 25th of February 1918 until 1st of August 1918, she worked as a fulltime Night Nurse at Wardown Hospital, after which she returned to Dunstable. She lived and worked in Dunstable for the rest of her life. She died at the age of 75 in 1948.

    Elizabeth Wilson




    244615

    Pte. Joseph Rigby 2/4th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

    Joseph Rigby served in France from Jan 1916 to Jan 1919, he had enlisted on the 17th of November1915. A farmer and potato dealer before and after his service.

    Graham Rigby




    244610

    Pte. John Major Lambie 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    John Lambie was born in 1885. He joined the 8th Seaforth Highlanders at age 28 in late 1914. John was known as The Major, from his middle name. He saw action at Loos in Sept 1915, on the Somme in Sept 1916 at Pashendale in 1917 He was twice shot and was blown up at Hill 60 in 1917 He was discharged in 1919 and would never talk about it, too horrendous! I wear the Seaforth Tartan in a heavy military weight kilt in his memory.

    Robert Edwards




    244603

    Pte. Thomas Henry Watts 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Thomas Watts, was born in Thornaby, Stockton On Tees in 1894 and was of mixed Welsh and English parentage. On leaving school he worked in the shipyards and also the iron foundries. It was a hard life with little reward. In July 1913, at the age of 19, he enlisted in the army, perhaps seeing it as a way to better his lot in life. Work was getting scarcer at that point in the North East of England and joining the army would at least ensure shelter and food. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, then known as Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own Yorkshire Regiment. He saw active service in France between 1914 and 1917. In April 1917 he suffered gunshot wounds and was sent to the pioneering 1st Eastern General Hospital in Cambridge for treatment. He was considered unfit for further war service and was discharged from the army in July 1917. As well as gunshot wounds he was also exposed to toxic gas. He suffered thereafter with lung and heart problems and died from related disease in 1928 at the age of 34.

    Elizabeth Greathead




    244601

    Pte. Charles Cornelius Quick 21st (Reserve) Btn. A Coy

    Charles Cornelius Quick was born in La Salle, Illinois 8th of December 1893. His father Ernest Alexander Quick and mother Theressia Jeffery Quick were originally from Kingsville, Ontario. Charles' siblings were Ernest Jr., Effie, Betta, Thomas and Maurice.

    He was enlisted in Calgary, Alberta on the 22nd of February 1918 with the First Depot Battalion 13th MD Alberta Regiment. He embarked from Halifax, Nova Scotia on 9th of April 1918 on the HMS Metagama and arrived in Liverpool on 20th of April 1918 (upon there joined the Canadian 21st Reserve Btn., A Coy). In his records it indicates that he was hospitalized at the 12th Canadian Bramshott Hospital as he acquired the Mumps.

    Charles was later transferred to the 10th Battalion on 3rd of October 1918, and arrived in France 4th of October 1918. He acquired influenza on on 2nd of December 1918. (His brother Maurice Quick in Monarch, Alberta died on 25th of November 1918 of influenza, his obituary stated that he had a brother Charley who was in France). He was with the 10th Battalion when he left for Canada on the Empress of Britain on 26th of April 1919.





    244599

    Pte. Alfred Worrall 6th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry (d.20th Sept 1917)

    Grandfather, Alfred Worrall served with the 6th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

    John Moore




    244598

    Gdsm. Frederick Nicholson Grenadier Guards

    <p>

    Frederick Nicholson served with the Guards.

    Donna McHenry




    244596

    Pte. Herbert Hall 5th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Bert Hall was my grandfather. He died in Droylesdon, Manchester in 1963. I don't know much about his war service, I am still looking into the history of his time as a soldier. He enlisted on the 7th of January 1915 and fought in France. I remember he suffered the rest of his life from the effects of Mustard Gas used during WW1.

    Bert was mustered from Tunnelers Mate to Platelayer Proficient on 5th March 1917. He was a quarryman before enlisting.

    Karen




    244595

    Pte. Harry Cooper 2nd Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.26th September 1944)

    Harry Cooper is buried in the Mierlo War Cemetery in Holland.

    Chris Skingsley




    244594

    Pte. Thomas Fisher 4th Battalion. C Coy Middlesex Regiment (d.14th October 1914 )

    Thomas Fisher was my great grandfather. He had been a regular and was a reserve. He went to France with his best friend. He was married to Caroline Kate Fisher and they lived in Balham Hill in London. When he was killed his best friend returned from France and married Caroline taking on Tommy's children. True friendship.

    Lisa Durrant




    244593

    Pte. Walter Arnold "Curly" Wright Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada

    All I know is that Walter Wright served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada from 1939 till 1945.

    Fay




    244589

    Richard White HMS Newcastle

    I am the youngest sister of Dick White, from a large family of ten. I was only aged 1 when he was in the war. I know he received a medal but didn't collect it. I still have his cap band from the HMS Newcastle.

    Jean Tidswell




    244588

    WO1. Henry Davison MC, MM. 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders

    My grandfather Henry Davison was born on 8th May 1882 in Canterbury before the family moved to Faversham where he worked as a Printer Engineer for the local newspaper. On the 8th May 1905 he joined the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards in London with the army number of 6047. He was attached to the Lincolnshire Regiment and the Royal West Kents as a gymnastic instructor. This was just prior to the outbreak of WW1 and he held the rank of L/Sgt. Whilst in Maidstone with RWK he married Alice.

    They prepared for war and on 1st June 1915 sailed for France. He served with 2nd Battalion until 17th January 1917 when he transferred to the 6th Gordon Highlanders with the number 2865546. On 27th of October 1916 he was gazetted having been awarded the Military Medal and was gazetted on 1st of January 1917 having been awarded the Military Cross. He returned with his regiment to the UK on 23rd of March 1919 having served on the Western Front for 3 years and 296 days. In August 1918 he came home on leave to get divorced (I have a copy of his divorce papers from the High Court in London).

    Upon returning to Glasgow with 2nd Battalion he met and married my grandmother and soon after my father was born. By this time he was RSM of the depot in Aberdeen. He retired on the 7th May 1926 having completed 21 years service. The family returned to Faversham where he worked at a local printers. During WW2 he was the Senior ARP warden for Faversham. He passed away on 12th September 1953.

    Two of his younger brothers both served, Alfred with South Lancashire Regiment and Frank with 332 Seige Battery RGA who died of wounds on 26th September 1917 and is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery in Belgium. With my 2 sons and my youngest brother we went to his grave 100 years on from his death and shared a drink with him (well poured it over his grave).





    244587

    Pte. Thomas Little MM. 7th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment (d.28th August 1918)

    Thomas Little was awarded the Military Medal in January 1918. He is buried at Dartmoor Cemetery, Somme, France.

    Tracy Jensen




    244586

    Sgt. Frank William Hill Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    Dad, Frank Hill, never talked about his experiences during WW2. When he died in 2003 he left me all his army records. He enlisted at Tottenham on 26th of July 1940 and was posted to the Yorkshire Light Infantry where he stayed until 9th of March 1943 when he joined the Royal Signals. He was demobbed at Reading on 26th September 1946.

    I know he was in Burma, Hong Kong and Bombay at some stage as I've found photographs of all three. I'd love to know more about where he was posted and what he faced. The only story he would tell was being home on leave at Alexander Palace in North London watching the skyline "the night they bombed the docks".

    Peter Hill




    244585

    Pte. Harry Padmore 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.29th September 1918)

    <p>Harry Padmore and Violet Lillian Bore.

    Harry Padmore served with the 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment.

    Gerrie Jones




    244584

    LSBA. John McLeod Dodds HMS Nelson

    My father John Dodds never spoke much about his war service. There is one story, verified in the book "Battleship Nelson" about the crew getting shore leave from Gibraltar. My father, like many of the crew bought bananas to take home. Since he bought ripe bananas by the time he got home they had gone black. Only one was still edible. When he peeled it he found it contained 2 small bananas so my brother and sister were able to get one each. The banana was such a novelty that my brother nailed the banana skin to the wall of the garden shed (It was actually a wash house) and all his school pals came round to look at it.

    David Dodds




    244583

    L/Cpl. Alfred Exley 10th Battalion Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.18th October 1917)

    I found Alfred Exley's memorial plaque when clearing the house of a deceased relative, Derek Weston, in Bury Greater Manchester. I have no idea who Alfred is or what the connection to Derek and Marion (nee Holt) Weston was. I now live in what was the West Riding of Yorkshire myself in Hebden Bridge and would love it if anyone can claim Alfred!

    Ann Holt




    244580

    Pte. John James Turner 1st Battalion Black Watch (d.27th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, Pte John Turner, 1st Btn of the Black Watch, fought at the Battle of the Selle. He was gassed on the 25th of October 1918 and succumbed on the 27th of October 1918 from complications from the gassing (usually noted at this time as Pneumonia). His Father was William Turner and Mother Rosa Turner. John was buried at Vadencourt.

    Paul Spresser




    244578

    Pte. Walter William Wood 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards (d.14th November 1916)

    Walter Wood is my great uncle. He had no wife or children when he died.

    Paul Wood




    244576

    Pte. Leonard Broadbelt 2/7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.4th March 1917)

    Leonard Broadbelt death is well recorded and he has a grave at Puchvillers in France. He died prior to the battle of Arras, on 4th of March 1917 at age 22. No enlistment records can be found for him. His father was Sam Broadbelt and his mother was Jane Emily Broadbelt (nee) Nettleton. He had nine brothers and sisters, one of whom was my grandmother, Ruth Ann. He and his father have sometimes been recorded under the surname of Broadbent.

    Marilyn Myers




    244571

    Pte. George Edwin Hunt 101st Field Ambulance, X Coy. Royal Army Medical Corps

    George Hunt was a Salvation Army Bandsman at Reading Citadel and worked as a gardener at Langley Park before WW1. He served with 101st Field Ambulance, X Coy. training at Bulford Camp. He proceeded to France on the 16th of November 1915. He was posted to No2. Stationary Hospital at Abbeyville on 24th of March 1919 and demobed at the end of June. George went on to marry and have one daughter named Vera who still survives, he died in 1981. Four grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren are descended. After the war he moved back to Reading and worked as a caretaker at a hospital and continued his mission in the SA. He lived out his days with his daughter and son in law in Cockfosters. There are not any stories relayed from WW1. However, his daughter was not allowed to become a nurse because of the things that he witnessed in WW1.

    Claire Borlase




    244568

    Pte. Leonard Brown 11th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.5th April 1918)

    Leonard Brown is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. He was the uncle of my husband who was born many years after Leonard's death but was named after him.

    Kay Brown




    244562

    L/Cpl. George Wright 1st/4th Btn. D coy. Royal Scots (d.23rd August 1918)

    George Wright was the eldest son of my grandfather, from Frank Wright's first marriage to Lily. They lived at 43 Ramsgate Street, Broughton. Buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France.

    Andrea




    244556

    L/Cpl. James Newby 1/6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

    James Newby was taken as a wounded prisoner. James died on the 27th of May 1918, as the result of a gun shot wound to the bladder. He is buried in Lille Southern Cemetery.

    Robert Edwards




    244553

    Cpl. Edward Clayton 2nd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.31st May 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Clayton was my great uncle. He was unmarried, but much loved by his two sisters Martha and Elizabeth, both of whom were married with young families at the time of Edward's death in action in 1918. My mother, his niece, was 6 years old at the time Edward was killed and has a clear memory of her mother's grief when her grandmother came to tell the family of his death. She remembers my grandmother trying to get on with her chores with tears streaming down her face. Edward is buried in Engelbelmer Cemetery in France.

    The original cross now replaced by headstone





    244552

    Pte. James Hynes 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.30th Apr 1916)

    James Hynes died of gas poisoning on either 29th or 30th April, (official records give both dates). He is buried at Villers Communal Cemetery in France.

    Simon Shiel




    244548

    Pte. Thomas Booth 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.22nd Apr 1916)

    Thomas Booth was my Gt-Grandfather, born 6th January 1879 in Heanor. He was a Coal Miner and enlisted voluntarily at the outbreak of war with other miners. On 7th of August 1915 his battalion, 9th Sherwood Foresters landed in Gallipoli and served there until December 1915. They then went to Egypt which is where Thomas died on 22nd of April 1916 and is buried in Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery. He was 37 years old, married with 4 children, the eldest William, aged 14, was my Grandfather. We do not know what he died of as there is no death certificate.

    Barbara Ash




    244546

    Pte. William J. Gillings 12th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.21st Dec 1917)

    Will Gillings was married to my paternal Grandmother's cousin, Florence Carne. What information we had suggested that he was in Ireland with The Lancers for his military training. It is only now that I have found his death record from WW1 that I have discovered he was in the Kings (Liverpool Regiment) when he fought in France. He was buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery. I have yet to find out which battle he was killed in. Before he went off to France, he made a model of an officers cap using an old penny and some copper, which he gave to my Grandmother. I inherited this after my father died.

    Bian Brooks




    244545

    Able.Sea. Ralph Lawrence Pretoria Carpenter HMS Daffodil IV (d.23rd Apr 1918)

    <p>

    In 1918, Daffodil was a Mersey ferry which was requisitioned for war service and became HMS Daffodil. She was towed to Zeebrugge to take part in a raid to made by a demolition party. As the attack began, Daffodil was hit in the engine room by two shells, but was able to maintain her position. One member of the ship's crew died during the raid. This was AB. Ralph Carpenter.

    Lyn Fisher




    244541

    Pte. George Richard Piercy 2nd/5th Btn. B Coy. Duke Of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (d.21st Jul 1918)

    <p>

    George Piercy served with B Coy. 2nd/5th Btn. Duke Of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment.

    Kay Piercy




    244540

    Pte. Pitt 2nd Battalion, B Coy. London Regiment

    Pte Pitt of B Coy was wounded in Nov 1915.

    stephan




    244539

    Pte. A J Mills 2nd Battalion, C Coy. London Regiment

    Pte Mills was wounded whilst serving with C Coy. 2nd Battalion, London Regiment.

    stephan




    244538

    L/Cpl. J. H. Dawson 2nd Battalion, B Coy. London Regiment

    L/Cpl Dawson was wounded whilst serving with B Coy. 2nd Battalion, London Regiment.

    stephan




    244537

    Pte. John Robert Stappard 9th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    John Stappard served with 9th Btn. Highland Light Infantry.





    244536

    Pte. A. R. Lumley 2nd Battalion, C Coy. London Regiment

    Private A R Lumley was wounded whilst serving with 2nd Battalion, London Regiment.





    244532

    Pte. Thomas "Curly" Graham 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.28th Sep 1918)

    Thomas Graham enlisted in the 5th Durham Light Infantry in 1915 and served throughout till July 1918 when he transferred to the 2nd South Staffs. Thomas died of wounds on the 28th of September 1918 and is buried at Grevillies near Bapaume, aged 35.

    Tom O'Hara




    244530

    Pte. Stephen Tweddle 4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th Nov 1916)

    Stephen Tweddle served with the 4th Yorkshire Regiment, I was given this information by my great uncle before he died. His name is on the memorial plaques outside Albert Park in Middlesbrough. Tweddle is my mothers side of the family.





    244529

    Pte. Enoch Owen 23rd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.27th Jul 1916)

    Enoch Owen was born into a family of 9 children, only 4 boys survived to adulthood and all 4 entered the Army to serve in WW1. Enoch was my Great Uncle, he was also the eldest and being under 5 foot 3 inches tall he entered the 23rd Manchester Bantam Regiment. He served in France and on the 27th July 1916 he died from wounds received in the Battle of the Somme and is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery, France, he was 32 years old. I have a copy of his 'Informal Will' written just 3 months before his death while 'In actual military service'. His Mother, Sarah Owen had inscribed on his gravestone 'He had one life and that he gave all in exchange for a Soldier's grave'. His 3 brother's (including my Grandfather) all survived.

    Sandie Waite




    244528

    Sgt. William Wilson Wright King's Royal Rifle Corps

    My grandfather William Wright joined up in 1915 in Rotherham into the KRRC. I don't know which battalion. He fought at Loos, Hill 70 where he was shot 4 times in September 1915 and recorded as dead. He was cited for a VC for defending Hill 70 and already having got shot, rescued his officer. He always claimed he had one. I found his photo in a VC parade in 1952 in London in front of the Queen and the name was listed as Cpt A.W.Wright. He was by trade a dynamite man in the coal mines and my father thinks he was a mole in the war. My grandfather always talked about being laid in a metal cage for months in a hospital which was owned by a tea plantation owner from India. I suspect this was in North London. He had only 1/4 lung left when he died at 72. He returned from war in 1916 and found an Irishman living with his 'widow' in his house and threw him through the window. He recovered partially and trained officers up to 1919 as Captain. My father says he always spoke about the war as a big adventure, getting lost, hiding under a bush as Germans marched past.

    It would be useful if anybody knew the battalion he was likely to be in. As a child I remember putting my fists into the holes in his back. I have found no evidence he had a VC. We know he was brave, he once rescued a miner in a pit fall by carving off his leg. We knew the miner personally in later years.

    Ann Henderson




    244523

    Pte. Heber Robinson 10th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th Apr 1918)

    Heber Robinson enlisted on the 28th of August 1914. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. Aged 29, he lived at Lyndon Cottage School lane in Norley with his wife Janet who he had married in Nov 1911, they had one son Harold born in 1912. A plaque with his name is on Norley's Wildflower Memorial Walk.

    Phil Gifford




    244521

    Pte. James Garstang 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.15th Feb 1916)

    James Garstang was killed at the Battle of the Bluff.

    Margaret Garstang




    244518

    L/Sgt. R. V. Thomas 2nd Battalion, D Coy. London Regiment

    L/Sgt R Thomas served with D Coy. 2nd Londons.





    244517

    Pte. J. Cooper 2nd Battalion, A Coy. London Regiment (d.10th Nov 1915)

    Private J Cooper served with A Coy. 2nd Battalion, London Regiment.





    244516

    Pte. M. J. Carney 2nd Battalion, A Coy. London Regiment

    Pte M J Carney served with 2nd Battalion, London Regiment.

    stephan




    244515

    L/Cpl S. Cantin 2nd Battalion, A Coy. London Regiment (d.8th Nov 1915)

    L/Cpl S Catin lost his life serving with the 2nd Battalion, London Regiment.

    stephan




    244514

    Pte. Walter Ashcroft 1st Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.10th Nov 1918)

    Walter Ashcroft was my paternal grandfather's elder brother, his name lived on in our family. I believe he was a builder and painter in civilian life and that he died in France of 'Bronchial Pneumonia'. I believe it was the Spanish Flu in fact on 10th of November 1918 and his family received the telegram with this news on 11th of November 1918. He is buried in Etaples Cemetary. I believe that he was in the Labour Corps at one time but I have no details of his activities during his service. I would very much welcome any leads so that I can learn more about this young man.

    Margaret Huggon




    244513

    Pte. Howard Clifford Johnston 31st Battalion

    The following information was gleaned from a pocket diary, service records, the History of the 31st Battalion C.E.F., and letters & postcards.

    After the Canadians succeeded in taking Hill 70, a strategic high ground overlooking Lens France, from the Germans in August of 1917, the 31st Battalion was brought to the hill to hold it against German counter attacks.

    On 27th of September 1917 during an intense night of shelling, Pte Howard Johnston was buried in his trench when an exploding shell caused the trench to collapse. He was dug out and sent back to an aid station. After a few hours of recovery time Howard was sent back up to the line. Howard was in a forward bombing post around 11:30 that night with three others when a shell fell among them. The other three were killed, but on the 28th Howard found himself in the 5th Field Ambulance. The following day, the 29th, he was in the 39th Stationary Hospital. On October 24th, he was transferred by train to the 2nd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Outreau.

    Finally on November 1st, Howard's diary states, "Marked for Eng. Hooray!" and on the 2nd, "Start for Eng 6:30". Records show he arrived at 1st Western General Hospital in Liverpool on 4th November 1917, where he remained until he was relocated to the Convalescent Camp in Epsom on December 15th. His diagnosis included, Rheumatism, Sev Q, Shell Shock, Perforated left eardrum

    Brett Johnston




    244508

    Pte. Percy Todd 7th Btn. The Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.30th Sep 1918)

    Percy Todd was my Uncle. He was killed in action at the battle of St Quentin Canal on 30th September 1918. He is buried at Louverval Military Cemetry Doignies.

    Anthony Green




    244502

    Stkr1. Albert Victor Cooksey HMS Brisk (d.2nd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Cooksey was the son of Charles Harry and Alice Margaretta Cooksey of North London. He was married to Emily Ann Cooksey. They had one son, also named Albert Victor, who was just 12 months old when his father was killed. He was killed by a mine explosion off the Irish coast on HMS Brisk. His name is on the war memorial at Chatham.

    Barbara Carr




    244500

    Pte. Reginald Lovis 1st Btn. Welsh Guards (d.10th Sep 1916)

    Reginald Lovis died and is buried in Ypres, Belgium

    Ian B Hendry




    244499

    Sgt. William Anstiss MM. 8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    William Anstiss was a carpenter in Southall Middlesex and volunteered for the army in 1914. He was awarded the Millitary Medal in 1914. After going over the top, his commanding officer had been severely wounded in no mans land, and whilst under heavy fire, Corporal Anstiss picked up his fallen officer on his own, and managed to get him back into the trench to a first aid station.

    William was promoted to Corporal and then to Sergeant which is when he was awarded his bar to the M.M. The bar was for action in the trenches. During a big push by the enemy all the commanding officers in Sergeant Anstiss's trench had been killed by shell fire or gunfire. He alone rallied his men, took command and asked that "every man to stay where he is, keep your heads down and fight on until help arrives". They held the line, giving time to get reinforcements to the trenches. He was wounded and for his bravery and leadership was awarded the bar.

    Sergeant Anstiss was twice mentioned in dispatches, he was demobilised in January 1919. In civilian life he carried on as a carpenter and in later years as a caretaker in a school in Southall. He died peacefully in 1963 aged 73.

    Kenneth Anstiss




    244498

    Pte. Albert Victor Burdock 96th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.3rd December 1917)

    Albert Burdock was a bell ringer in Holy Trinity Church, Guildford prior to the 1st World War, though it appears his home town was Derby. He joined the RAMC (service No. 72906)and was later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, 96th Company, attached to 96th Brigade, 32nd Division. He was killed in action 3rd Dec 1917 in Ypres Salient, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He is also remembered on a small memorial in the bell ringing chamber at Holy Trinity, Guildford.

    Rod Pierce




    244494

    LAC. John Russell Craig 433 Squadron

    <p>

    John Craig was aged 19 when he enlisted in Toronto. He took training in Toronto, St Thomas. His specialty was the Sperry Gyroscopic Gunsight and he primarily worked on Halifax bombers of the 433 Squadron in the latter part of his stay in the UK. He saved pretty much everything including the newspaper he held up in 1945 in front of his barracks "This Is It... VE Day". I still have the photo and the newspaper.

    David Little




    244493

    Pte. George Wesley Chaney 1st Battalion

    George Chaney served with the 9th and 1st Battalions, Canadian Expeditionary Force.

    Alan Green




    244488

    Pte. Thomas Holden 10th Bn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.25th September 1915)

    Thomas Holden was killed in action at the Battle of Loos on 25th of September 1915.

    John Calvert




    244487

    CSM. Leonard Burt MiD. 2nd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.26th October 1918)

    Leonard Burt was born in Croydon in 1885, he enlisted in Liverpool in 1906, aged 21. After training at Winchester he joined 2nd KRRC in 1906 for service in India. There he saw active service, and was wounded. He returned with the battalion in 1910 to Winchester.

    In July 1914 he was promoted to Sergeant in anticipation of an immanent return to India. However the War intervened and he landed at Le Havre on 13th of August 1914, part of 1st Infantry Division, BEF. He received shrapnel wounds in the withdrawal to the river line and was invalided home.

    On his recovery he was posted to Sheernenss, as Acting CQMS and then Acting CMS, training the new Army 6th (Service) Battalion, KRRC. He rejoined the 2nd KRRC on the Western Front, serving there until his death in late October 1918.

    In December 1917 he re-enlisted 'in the field' and was confirmed as CSM. his records show that his conduct was described as Gallant and that he was Mentioned in Dispatches. He served through the German Spring offensives of 1918. He was in a Reserve trench at Englefontaine when the German artillery blitzed the reserves. Leonard and others were killed and wounded. He is commemorated on the Memorial Panels in the Vis-en-Artois Cemetery.

    He had been awarded the India General Service Medal, the 1914 Star with clasp, the British Victory Medal 1914-18, the British War medal 1914-18. Additionally posthumously 91919) he was awarded the rank of Knight of the Order of Leopold II with gold palm by the King of the Belgians 'for services to the Belgian people', the award was reported in the London Gazette.

    Patricia Burt




    244486

    Pte. E. Waters 2nd Battalion, B Coy. London Regiment

    Pte E Waters served with B Coy 2nd Londons.





    244483

    Pte. J. H. Wate 2nd Battalion. B Coy. London Regiment

    Pte Wate died of wounds.





    244482

    Pte. Henry John Dowden 6th Battalion Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.10th August 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Dowden served with 6th Battalion, Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment.

    Trudy Crew




    244479

    Pte. A. B. Riley 2nd Battalion, D Coy London Regiment (d.7th Nov 1915)

    Pte A B Riley served with D Coy, 2nd Battalion, London Regiment.





    244478

    Pte. Francis Richard Townson 7th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.20th July 1918)

    Dick Townson was born in 1888 and came from the small town of Low Bentham then in the West Riding of Yorkshire close to Lancashire. Basic records can be found in the historical book Cravens Part in the Great War.

    He is wrongly reported as being a POW after a gas attack, and dying in captivity. He was transferred to another battalion after the 7th was disbanded, not sure which but given that he is buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery between Peronne and St Quentin, and the date of death is recorded as 20th of July 1918, he was involved in the Battle of the German Spring Offensive when Tincourt and other villages were overrun and may have been initially buried elsewhere. He was aged 30.

    Allan Hartley




    244477

    L/Cpl. D. J. James 2nd Battalion, B Coy. London Regiment

    L/Cpl D J James of B Coy, 2nd Londons was wounded in November 1915.





    244476

    Cpl. F. Murphy 2nd Battalion, B Coy. London Regiment (d.5th Nov 1915)

    Cpl F Murphy F served with B Coy, 2nd Battalion London Regiment.





    244474

    Pte. Arthur Davies 9th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1916)

    My great uncle Arthur Davies died in WW1.

    Ben Barnes




    244473

    Pte. David Mitchell Royal Scots Fusiliers

    David Mitchell of the Royal Scots Fusiliers was in 1915 captured and held at Suder Zoll Haus POW Camp and Gustrow POW Camp.

    Brian Lee




    244465

    Pte. William Hewart 19th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.24th Feb 1917)

    It's not long since I discovered my great uncle William Hewar was killed in WW1. This is just the beginning of a long journey for me and, I hope to return to this page and reveal the journey that he made in his short life.

    Len Hewart




    244462

    Cpl. Dan Phillips 10th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1916)

    Dan Phillips was my great-uncle on the maternal side of my father's family. I am still in the process of establishing his full service record but I have found that at this time he would have been mortally wounded on the assault on Delville Wood, there is a reference to a specific attack on Lonely Trench but I have been, as yet unable to find a further reference to this.





    244454

    Pte. Charles Fredrick Hall 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.8th Feb 1915)

    My great uncle Charles Hall enlisted before the start of the first world war and was sent to Bermuda. He returned to fight in Belgium and France during 1915 and was mortally wounded in February 1915, dying on the 8th February. He is buried at Rue Petillon Military Cemetery at Fleurbaix, France. Uncle Charlie was buried under the wrong name and remained this way from 1915 until 2007, when after extensive research by my Brother Ronald and my Dad William, he was finally found and identified. This was a great relief for my Dad who always promised his Mum that he would find her brother. The War Graves Commission finally recognised the research done by my family and changed all records to reflect where he was and giving him a new grave stone. We still honour him every year by wearing his medals and laying a wreath on the local memorial on the 11th November. We involve the families young children in this so that his memory remains.

    Denise Dyer




    244453

    Pte. Edward Conway Stevens 5th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regt (d.22nd Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Stevens served with the 5th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment.

    Rachel Yarworth




    244452

    Pte. Horace Hull 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    I never knew my great uncle, Horace Hull. I was told he lied about his age to go and fight for his country. He was 20 when he was killed in action. I have been to Coombles Cemetery to see his grave. We took his 94 year sister who also never met her brother.

    Claire Bates




    244450

    Gnr. Willie Marston Hemingway 47th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillary (d.23rd September 1917)

    Willie Marston is my great grandmother's brother's son. I know he is buried in the Bedford House Cemetery. He is the son of Emily and the late Harry Marston Hemingway and husband of Florrie Hemingway (Nee Carter). I'm hoping for the possibilities of finding out more about his life and army service. I know his brother Harry Blackburn Hemingway also died in WW1

    Andrew Moys




    244449

    Pte. R. Wright 2nd Battalion, D Coy. London Regiment

    Pte Wright R of D Coy was killed by a sniper.

    stephan




    244446

    Bandsman. M. Green 2nd Battalion, D Coy. London Regiment (d.4th Nov 1915)

    Bandsman M Green lost his life to a sniper.

    stephan




    244445

    Pte. William Carr 11th Btn. Border Regiment (d.24th Jun 1917)

    William Carr's name appears in graffiti on the wall of a tunnel, excavated by the La Boiselle Study Group's archaeology. He was serving in the 11th (Lonsdale) Battalion, Border Regiment in March 1916. He was killed in June 1917 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion and is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery near Bapaume.

    Paul Frazer




    244443

    Pte. A G Wise 2nd Battalion, A Coy. London Regiment

    Private AG Wise was wounded in November 1915.

    stephan




    244442

    Pte. J R Fosbrooke 2nd Battalion, A Coy. London Regiment

    Private J R Fosbrooke was wounded in November 1915.

    stephan




    244441

    Pte. James W. Cole 2nd Battalion London Regiment

    Private J W Cole was wounded in November 1915.

    stephan




    244439

    Pte. Nathan Farbe 8th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment

    My grandfather Nathan Farbe left Russia and came to England some short time before the First World War. He lived in London. In 1916 he joined the British Army. He served in France from the later stages of the Battle of the Somme and continued on the western front through the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He saw out the war on the Italian front. He was demobbed in Malta. In 1919 he was awarded Britain citizenship. His naturalisation papers contain a curious point. He had come to Britain from Lodz which before the war was Russian but after Versailles became Poland. His papers have his nationality as Russian crossed out and replaced with Polish. I am very proud of my grandfather who came as a refugee and fought for Britain.

    Malcolm Goldwater




    244436

    Joe Sekel

    Dads WWII Story

    History had recorded times when a man's selfish ambitions has given him control over his fellow man and subjugation of nations. Adolph Hitler was among the worst having conquered all of Europe. England was rapidly losing the ability to defend itself. Its supplies of food and energy were nearly depleted.

    Here in America we were going about our usual who cares way of life. Our leaders knew that we had to do something. Sooner or later it would impact us. The attack on Pearl Harbor galvanized us into action and as time would tell, we mobilized the greatest arsenal of war in the shortest time in history.

    Suddenly, everything was rationed. You had to have coupons to buy anything; gas, tires, sugar, you name it. People had to register (I don't know where) to get coupons. Those with need got adequate coupons. Farmers, those that had to drive a lot, got enough gas allotments. Victory gardens sprang up everywhere. Schools and kids had scrap drives for everything and that is the way the home front operated.

    It so happened that I was the right age (draft age was 18 to 30) to become a part of the effort. I was working in Cleveland in a factory and rooming with my brother, Mike. When the war erupted, Mike enlisted in the Army Air Corp. I didn't seem to have any aim or direction or ambition in life. I moved to the East side and roomed with a Buffalo friend, Emil Scrapjansky. Shortly afterwards, we decided to join the service. A downtown Cleveland building housed all the enlisting offices. Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard turned us down for silly defects (I had an overbite). The top floor had a Merchant Marine office, totally foreign to us. We applied and were informed we would be sent to New York that evening. That stopped us cold. What kind of an outfit was this? Later we found out German subs were having a field day on our East Coast. "Hell no" Emil says. "We have to go home and hoe corn first." So we quit our jobs and went back to Buffalo (Ohio) for a couple of weeks, then back to Cleveland. By way of Akron, we found Maurice Williams, my life long friend and the three of use were on a train that night on our way to New York and the US Maritime Service on Hoffman Island for a three month training period that would make us experienced seamen (not a big joke, just a little joke).

    he seriousness of war had not gotten through to me as yet. The military part wasn't bad. We marched, drilled in lifeboats, gunnery, studied ship stuff, got time off in town to booze up, etc. I got sick on the parade field and wound up in the Marine hospital on Staten Island for 16 days for appendix surgery. When I got back to Hoffman, my class had been shipped out including Emil and Maurice. I was sent to the Seaman Institute to await a ship. This was in the coldest part of winter when I was assigned to a ship being overhauled. I was the first crewman on a totally dead ship, no heat or anything. There may have been officers that were already assigned, but not present.

    At first, I had to commute from the institute 'til we got heat. Gradually it came to life. More people came aboard. I spent my time down below in the engine room and fire room and it was a new strange environment. I was to work under the Second Assistant Engineer. The ship was the U.S.A.T. Colorado a converted lake vessel for sea duty. It had been outfitted to include refrigerated cargo.

    It would soon be time to take the required shakedown cruise out in the harbor to insure every thing was sea worthy. This would take about two hours. This event took place on my watch. A short description of my duties is needed to explain the event. The ship's routines at sea were set at sea watches of four hours on and eight hours off. The First Assistant Engineer with his crew worked the four to eight shift. The Second Assistant Engineer and his crew was twelve to four and the Third was eight to twelve. The fireman's duties were to maintain steam at all times. There was a red mark on the steam gauge at 180 pounds and you were to keep the needle exactly there at all times (I never read that in the fine print) and that was no easy task. Sudden engine speed-ups depleted the steam as sudden slow-downs did the opposite. The fireman, racing back and forth between two boilers with four burners each, opening and closing valves and watching the gauges, had a busy time. This was mostly when the ship was port maneuvering, etc.

    Out at sea everything held pretty steady. The fuel oil was similar to that sprayed on roads for dust control. It had to be heated to a certain temperature to burn. But I've gotten ahead of my story. A couple of days before the trial run, the Second Assistant instructed me to light up the dead boilers and gradually bring them up to steam. This was done by opening valves, starting the pump, and filling the boiler till it showed in the gauge glass. In a cold boiler, the fires were started manually with a lighted kerosene soaked torch and inserted through a port to ignite the fuel oil as the burner was turned on. All the burners were alternately lit one at a time. After some time had elapsed, the Second Assistant came by to see my progress. Water should have been showing. He started checking and I heard a huge, very loud yell from back of the boiler. "You S.O.B.!! You're supposed to open valves!" There is a shutoff and a check valve in each line. I forgot one of them. What a blow to my self esteem. Anyhow, I finally got the steam up. The trial run was performed on my watch.

    As I said, all the activity was new, the engine running, the telegraph ringing commands from the Bridge. I guess we got out into the harbor. Again I was being yelled and hollered at. Even the Chief Engineer came down to the engine room. We were belching a huge black cloud up and down the harbor and the Port Authorities were raising hell about the smoke. I couldn't help it. The fuel oil was not hot enough and the air supply was not right. All of this was fixed in time and that was what the trial run was for. I was finding out that this was not going to be a pleasure boat ride on Seneca Lake. Also, there was no such thing as quitting your job if you didn't like it!

    The ship with a full crew including a Navy gunnery crew was ready to start its voyage. No streamers or confetti or a band playing. We just left silently in the night and were heading south to Charleston, SC, to load up. A new experience, being out on the vast expanse of the water all alone and for the first time, getting that feeling that someone was watching you. The ocean was getting a little choppy and the ship started rolling. Another new experience, without warning I was seasick, an awful feeling. Your guts come out through your mouth. But, you know, I got over it and never had another bout with it.

    We pulled into Charleston, docked and all the confusion of loading began. The cargo consisted of huge Block Buster bombs on the bottom of the hold. Then progressively smaller bombs until the fore and aft holds were half full. Then drum after drum after drum of high-octane gas filled the holds. On deck, many crates of jeeps, air craft, train engines, and metal runways all piled high with cat walks built on top for us to get around. Also, our refrigerator was filled with frozen turkeys.

    Our duty watches in port were 8 hours on and 16 off. The weather, from snow bound frigid New York to balmy, sunny, warm South Carolina over night was strange. For about a week that we were there, I tried every which way to reach my brother Mike who was training at the air base in Greenville, some 50 odd miles away. Not allowed to leave the area, I exhausted all my options and failed to reach him. Later, I learned that he got to the dock less than an hour after we departed.

    We were leaving port and headed to Key West, Fl to form a small convoy to cross the deadly Caribbean with a stop off at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A breakdown of our steering engine caused us to return to Key West and a few days later we were on our way again in another convoy. We later found out that the convoy we aborted was annihilated by the subs. I don't remember the length of time it took to cross what was called Suicide Alley. The German subs were concentrated in all of the Caribbean as it was the center of shipping lanes to the Mediterranean, Africa, South America, etc. All of this area was called Suicide Alley. All the guys (myself included) dreaded going below to stand our watch. On my watch as I relieved the fireman, we were to exchange okays before being relieved. He was gone. He had zipped out of there before I could say, "Hi. Well, I didn't see any fireworks", but the noise was thunderous. The pipes and equipment, in fact, the entire area banged, clanked, and vibrated. I guess all the ships in the convoy zigged and zagged to evade the torpedoes. What I was hearing was depth charges exploding all around. There is no way to describe one's emotions. You watch your gauges, water, steam, and fuel in a detached way. Every explosion makes you jump with you- 4 - expecting the worst. If this ship blew up would you know it? Be aware of it? So I would sing hymns and pray. The longest 4 hours of my life finally ended and I, too, zipped out of there and on to the deck. No orderly convoy was seen, just ships going in different directions. The escorts were still dropping depth charges. All subsided as Guantanamo came into view. I never ever found out what the convoy casualties were.

    As we pulled into the tropical port, would you know it, we ran onto a sand bar. We were stuck on it until next high tide and received a pull from a tug. No damage to our bow, but as luck would have it, our engine room caught on fire, the most dreaded thing at sea. Everyone had a station. Mine, of course, was the engine room. I put on my gas mask and headed below. On the way, was the First Assistant Engineer screaming through his mask, "I can't breathe!" I told him to take it off and go outside. (He was a little old Greek guy). Down below, the bulkhead (sidewall) was on fire. The fire was one side of a fuel oil storage tank and many coats of paint fueled the fire. We quickly put it out. If that steel wall had gotten red hot and ignited the oil behind it, the explosion would have been heard all over Cuba.

    A short stay there at anchor was really appreciated. Balmy weather, clear water, locals in boats selling stuff, and the guys on deck with ropes and buckets hanging over the side made us forget there was a war going on. Cigars, porno picture packages, rum and souvenirs were purchased at very low prices. We left there on our own for Panama on a very rough and windy trip. This made it safer from submarines, but the thought of them lurking nearby would always remain with me.

    It was hot in Panama - very hot! We docked for 2 days while waiting our turn through the canal. On the Atlantic side of Panama, the cities were Crystobol and Colon (American). The Pacific side was Balboa. Going into town was another new experience. The people were Indian descendents. There was a hooker district a full 2 blocks. The crew would go ashore and get boozed up. The ship took on a load of bread. It was loaded on skids, stacked like blocks, not wrapped and winched on board. It made the best toast I've ever eaten. I'd eat it when I got off watch at 4am and fixed it in our crew mess room.

    We went through the canal, an all day job, tied up with a submarine, which was my first. Hot!! The Army had soldiers swarming over the ship as it went through. They watched and questioned each move for sabotage actions. At that time the Canal was U.S. Government property and operated by the Army Engineering Corp. No huge aircraft transports existed then, so the Canal was very vital. They were armed and menacing. The hot is what I remember. It was 120 degrees in some places. Now the fire room had 2 pipes about 2 feet in diameter that went up to the top deck and Bridge area. There, it became funnel-shaped, 90 degrees with the pipe. This funnel could be rotated from the fire room to hunt for the wind flow. These pipes (ventilators) also had rope ladders up through them for escape purposes. Now, as I mentioned, the ship would go through the canal starting and stopping many times requiring constant firing changes. When the ship moved, we would get some wind even though the outside temperature was around 100 degrees. When we stopped, the heat hit you like a hot flame. All this time a soldier is running with me and I'm yelling what I'm doing as any fool could plainly see. You had to keep moving to keep the heat from burning your feet right through your shoes. Anyone that's ever gotten a hot foot can relate to this. Now, the steam popoff valve was near the smoke stack on the top deck near the Bridge. I confess to letting the steam gauge go past the red mark and popping that valve. I again caught hell, but enjoyed the commotion I caused. "Go ahead and fire me!"

    That evening we were anchored at Balboa in the Pacific. Finally, cool breezes. Every one had sweat enough to fill that canal. I'd like to insert a couple of information points here to help all of you that intend to become fireman. After the boilers get heated up, the combustion chamber lined with a ceramic coating, gets red hot and shutting off a burner to replace with a clean one or whatever, a torch is not needed to relight it. Just spin the valve open. Caution! This, only when the chamber is red hot. To repeat, the boiler is a large steel box. The bottom part is the combustion area. Above, the area is filled with water pipes all connected one to the next and so on that allows water to flow through and become steam. At the top is a dome or chamber that super heats this steam as it flows through. When it goes to the engine, it is a very hot, highpressure invisible gas. One other item before I get on with the trip, in rough seas as the ship rolls, the water level in the gauge glasses rises and falls with the roll of the ship. Sometime this happens so quickly that you only get a glimpse of the water. You try to judge how long the gauge is empty to how long it's full in comparison to the length of the roll. There are times that this can get hectic.

    eaving Balboa, we headed North to Salina Cruz, Mexico. We found out later that the orders were to head south to the coast of Chile and then west to Australia. The Captain, being an old coal burning ship sailor, wanted to stop at Salina Cruz, an old coaling port for old times sake. This was a bad move on his part, because later, as soon as we docked in Sydney, Australia, two MPs came aboard and led him off the ship and a new captain came aboard. The Pacific was very calm compared to the Caribbean. In the moonlight the water would glow in streaks from the phosphorus in the water. By day, flying fish by the thousands were all around us. We were to sail all alone to Australia.

    In Salina Cruz, a small town with dirt streets and huts and not much more, those not on watch went ashore and found a cantina. Before going to the cantina, we all found the Post Office and bought cards and mailed them. All except me. I got the card for home written ok, but for the life of me, I forgot Mike's address. I always remembered it before. That card was written and I kept it for many years. Later on I found out, after arriving in Sydney and the mail finally reaching us, that Mike had already died in a plane crash. The owners of the cantina quickly rounded up a couple of musicians, both playing a long stringed instrument and the tequila flowed and we got zapped. I was to relieve the fireman on watch. That thought must have poked through my foggy brain and I headed back to the ship. How, I don't know. In total darkness and 3 or 4 turns in direction along the way, I got down to the fire room, not even seeing the fireman I was to relieve. There was a pipe crossing the boiler area that I would hang on by my hands and as I fell asleep, my hands would relax and I would drop and jar myself awake. Singing, "On top of Old Smoky" as loud as I could kept me going. Or so I thought. I awakened some time later behind the engine and rushed to look at the boiler gauges. The steam was down, the water was very low and the generators had slowed down just a little. I proceeded to get everything back to normal. I found my glasses in the shaft alley, bent but usable. Luckily no one came checking on me. I think the entire ship was drunk and asleep. I still shudder when I think of what could have happened. The catastrophe would have made world headlines.

    Many times as I go through life I reflect on how an entire crew depends on one person doing his job right. A pilot of an airliner comes to mind as an example.

    We left Mexico and the Americas next day, still alone for Hawaii without incident and docked in Honolulu on a beautiful day. The signs of war were evident, barb wire everywhere, total blackout, curfew. The Port Captain welcomed us and said they had followed us all the way. Our Captain says, "You're a damned liar!" Just like that. "We aren't even supposed to be here!" Which was true. If we had sunk or something, no one in the world would have known it. The two or three days while in Honolulu were spent walking the streets. Nothing going on. I remember Diamond Head in the distance, the King Kameamea Statue, and the Aloha Tower. We would swim in the harbor, dive off the ship until I saw a turd floating by and that ended swimming. We left Honolulu with a rainbow reaching from shore to our ship. The farther we went the longer the rainbow got. We hoped it was a good omen.

    We plodded along at a top speed of about 10 mph and I keep saying, all alone, heading southwest in super balmy weather, nothing to show that there were any more humans on the planet. All we saw were the flying fish and huge areas solid with jellyfish. Sometimes we saw faint outlines of South Pacific islands on the horizon. We moved our sleeping stuff outside on top of all those crates. Rain squalls would make us scramble back inside. Now we were finding out that the Captain's decision to go the long way was almost disastrous. Our water supply was nearly depleted. It was shut off for everything except cooking and the boilers. We flushed toilets with buckets of seawater as well as tried to wash in it. There was a tank in the engine room that used steam to boil sea water and make fresh water. This was called an Evaporator (of course). It replenished some water, but two days out of port the boilers exhausted their supply and the Chief Engineer gave the order to start using sea water. An ominous condition now existed. The salt in the sea water caked the pipes. This took more heat to make steam. The pressure started dropping, engine slowing down, boiler tubes began to warp and twist. We knew that a disabled ship so close to land was easy prey to subs. Also, if the boiler tubes cracked; well, it did not happen and we limped into Sydney harbor, shut off everything and the tugs docked us for a 6 week stay to repair the boilers.

    Sydney was a great city, full of our service men and women there for R & R. There were many things to do and see. Theaters, botanical gardens, pubs, restaurants, great beaches, and very friendly people made us welcome. Very few Australian men in the city. They were in the jungles fighting Japs. I could write a book on our activities there. I'll touch on a few things, in no order, as I think of them. I can't recall when, but along the way I received a slight promotion and became an Oiler (a new ballgame for me). Some of our crew went back to the States and were replaced by Aussies. Tom Shearman replaced me in the fire room; we became close friends.

    We made several trips to New Guinea with usually the same kind of cargo. The rear end of the ship, stern, fantail or any other name, had a one-floor deck (poop deck) and that was where the Firemen and Oiler's living quarters were. Above, on deck was a 50mm gun tub and a Navy sailor stood watch there full time at sea. One of these Navy sailors was a Kentucky guy and from the time we left dock until we returned, he was very seasick. I could hear him dry heaving all night. I sure felt sorry for him. He was never replaced. I often wondered how those supplies got to Australia in the first place. Such huge amounts and Australia was not that industrialized. We would head north through the Great Barrier Reef in small convoys and come back empty and alone. An empty ship in rough seas is really something. Pretend you're a bug in a sealed bottle and on one of those white water rivers! You get the picture. On one of those return trips we were being escorted part way by a small military plane when it suddenly dropped into the water. We circled for quite awhile looking for the pilot (I think there were 2 crewmen), but nothing ever surfaced. I don't remember if it was on this return trip or another one that stirred us up again. It was a dark night around 10 pm that suddenly the night was made bright as day. Someone on another ship had fired a couple of signal flares and they were floating above us. You can bet everyone except those on- 8 - watch was on deck and expecting the worst. Then a distant ship signaled us to identify ourselves by signaling back a certain word from a page of a code book.

    One, our signal man (also radio operator) could not be found. That ship kept repeating its request. Finally locating our man, the answer was made. A Navy ship then came along side and someone there on a bull horn informed us that we were very lucky. As we went our separate ways I realized how suddenly things could happen. I guess that was a U.S. destroyer out prowling the seas in pitch black darkness looking for the sub or subs that was giving us fits (the subs surface at night to recharge their quipment). You can appreciate how very dangerous it was to sail in total darkness. We were always glad to get into the reef and safety from subs. Each convoy going north would get attacked by a sub. Nearly every convoy would lose a ship. I remember the S.S. Port Morsby. She was sister ship to the Colorado. Identical in every way. She was right across from us in the next line of ships and carrying the same cargo as we were. Those of us on deck at that time (it was nearly sundown) saw the huge explosion and fireball that went skyward. The ship disappeared just like that. A Navy LST (Landing Ship Transport, larger than a barge that landed troops on shore) also got hit and sank. In no time, the black smoke was way behind us on the horizon. About 80 crew members and 25 on the LST went just like that. There's no answer to why it was them and not us. A decision of the sub captain.

    Or, another time we got into the shallows of the reef and wound up on a sandbar, stuck there 'til tugs from the nearest port freed us. In the meantime, we suffered from hoards of mosquitoes. No one on the ship slept a wink. Then there was the time while unloading at Salamoa, New Guinea, a Lightening Pursuit twintailed fighter plane, crashed and burned on a hillside about a mile away. We went there and gathered small pieces of aluminum and short lengths of the plane's machine gun ammo (35mm or 50cal). We took the live rounds to our engine room and pulled off the bullets and dumped the powder and fired off the cap and reassembled the shells. I still have 3 of them, including a tracer round. An Oiler's duty was to keep all equipment in the engine room in operating condition. As the name suggests, all pumps, engines, controls, etc. had to be lubricated and maintained, steam glands tightened and (in port) repaired. Each Oiler had his squirt can (the kind that has a spout and a flat bottom that your thumb presses). We would polish the bottom with emery paper until it was paper thin and very touchy. We could squirt a shot of oil 30 feet easily. Well, the 3 cylinder reciprocating engine stood about 3 floors high, the cranks rotated at about a 4 foot diameter circle, all in the open. The piston rods, bearings, crank shaft parts, all had to be oiled every hour in operation. The Oiler would hold on to a rail and lean into the engine and reach into the bearings to make sure no black burnt oil showed. Then with his trusty squirt can, squirt oil into moving parts as they whizzed by. This had- 9 -to be done no matter how rough the seas. One moment the engine is hovering above you and the next moment you are on top of it. I shudder at the times when I think of those hot oil slick hand rails and rough seas. How easy it was to slip, squashed like a bug by the revolving cranks.

    I would like to take a little time to blow my own horn a little. I became proficient with the machinery. Replacing steam packing glands, remaking Babbitt bearings, and doing repair as required became natural to me. One time I came to the Third Assistant,s aid in adding water to a boiler, which had to be done by a steam injector. This is a unit of pipes that allows a jet of steam to flow across an orifice and suck water through a pipe into the boiler. The steam had to flow at the correct velocity. He wasn't getting the right flow. He thanked me over and over for doing it. The Third Assistant (I can't remember his name) was a nervous wreck from the beginning of the trip. He lost his voice and never regained it the entire trip and just used a loud hoarse whisper to converse. He begged me to transfer to his 8 to 12 watch, but I wouldn't do it. To this day I am sorry for not doing it. I could have helped him regain his self-confidence and his voice.

    he Second Assistant was a boozer. He would stock up a full supply of beer, etc. at the Officers Club in Sydney (only available to officers). Out at sea, we would get off watch at 4am and go to the crew's mess room. There, he and his cronies would play poker and I would stay and watch. I was his errand boy. He would say, "John, go snare me a gopher." I would go to his cabin (top deck of ship), get a quart bottle of beer, tie a cord to the neck, take it below to the refrigerator hold and put it into the brine tank for the maximum time of 6 minutes. It was then ice cold. At 7 minutes the bottle would crack - you can bet I was very careful after this happened once and go back to the poker party. The guys would give me a tip out of every pot. I didn't do too badly! As you can guess, the Second and I became close friends. As I think back to the time he chewed me out for not knowing how to fill a boiler with water, I also think of how I saved his (A--) neck, by really sticking mine way out. We had finished being loaded up and ready for orders to sail. I was on watch and the order came from the Bridge to leave in a half hour. Now, that is the time it takes to warm up the engine. So, since it was the Oiler's duty to go and awaken or alert the next crew for their watch, I would rush up 7 flights of stairs to call the Second. He was out like a light because he was boozed up, just muttering. Back down. I told the Fireman to start getting steam up. I started turning on engine valves, purging moisture from the cylinders, then back up to get the Second Assistant, and no luck. I go back down and start slowly turning the engine over; then back up and really shaking the Second. Back down, now the telegraph rings a command. I answer it and start the engine. The telegraph is a brass circular plate marked in- 10 -segments (commands) with a handle that pivots around it. The Bridge and Engine room have their units connected together. As the Bridge moves the handle to a segment (command), the Engineer responds similarly. The Bridge sent down commands: slow ahead, STOP, slow astern, STOP, half ahead, full ahead. All of those commands were executed. Then stop and secure the engine, finished the operation, and we were at anchor out in the harbor waiting for a convoy. A short time later the Second Assistant came down and asked where we were. "At anchor," I said. "How'd we get here?" "I did it, I couldn't get you awake." He never said one more word. He knew he could have lost his license and I had no authority to operate a ship engine. It was illegal and now about 60 years later I wonder where I got the nerve to do that. It wasn't a motorboat. The engine, as large as a house, had tremendous power. What if it had stuck on full speed? The ship, going in circles or slamming into a pier is okay on television, but not funny to think about.

    Another time I nearly got into trouble by over-stepping my limit and it was that Evaporator again. I can't remember why we had to operate it. I was checking it out and realized it was dangerously hot! I immediately opened a valve to exhaust it to the atmosphere, this being on the top deck near the boiler popoff valve. This opened valve, being almost as loud as the popoff valve, caused the Chief Engineer to again rush to the engine room. After checking, he found out that we were in shallow water and as a result, sediment had been entering the unit. Yes, it could have blown.

    I started writing this story and am surely getting wound up, so many things I could say, but I've got to stop somewhere. A Merchant Marine crew signs articles for a trip, in our case, a year. This was the time to re-sign or payoff. All except 2 guys elected to go home. Just like other activities, we gathered our personal stuff and quietly left the ship, got on a train and to Brisbane where the troop ship S.S. Matsonia (a former luxury liner) would take us to San Francisco. It was loaded with returning service people including many pregnant nurses. I guess they were over zealous in their care for the wounded. It was quicker from Brisbane to San Francisco than it was from 'Frisco to New York by rail. Back home it again was a cold winter from the heat of Australia. In later years I would think back. What if I had stayed on the Colorado? I am positive I could have gotten an Engineer's license. I would have been an Officer on the ship and staying in Australia. Or, could have been sunk the next trip! My life would not have been what it is, my family not existent. Ah, destiny! At any rate, I visited home for a short time and then on to New York and Philadelphia for another ship. I never had any leave coming. Sea duty was constant. Each time my tour ended and I left a ship, draft greeting were sent to me to report for induction. I simply reported to a seamen's hall and registered for the next available ship.

    After Australia, I made 6 trips across the Atlantic on Liberty ships (same type of ship before, but now larger and more modern) to France, England, and Mediterranean with all kinds of cargo, mainly food rations and of course, always bombs and ammunition. Also, I encountered all sorts of crew members. Engineers that were Horses A's and also good guys. I reunited with Maurice Williams and we sailed together (he was the Fireman on the same watch with me. Our escapades, some really classics, could fill a book, so we'll leave them out of this.

    The Atlantic was always rough. I dreaded the return empty run because the ships bobbed around like corks. Those Liberty ships did stand a lot of punishment. The bunks always lay left to right, not front to back (not seamen,s words). As the ship would roll, I would waken up standing on my head, waiting for the longest time for it to roll the other way and I'd be standing on my feet. What a way to try to sleep. We never even took our clothes off and we didn't dare bathe as we kept our life preserver always handy. Eating was a chore as we chased our utensils up and down the table. Sitting on the pot was done as fast as possible (no reading magazines), you'd hang on to hand rails and the water in the commode would slap you on your butt as the ship rolled. Fun! The convoys were getting bigger. Newer Victory ships were replacing the Liberty ships. They had turbine engines that were much improved over the reciprocating engines I was familiar with. However, I never had a chance to sail on one of them.

    The Grand Banks of Newfoundland covered many square miles of the Atlantic. Most convoys went through them to avoid the subs. On one trip, we came out of the fog and not a ship in sight (we were expecting to be in the convoy). Boy, a feast for a ub. Maybe the subs were tailing the convoy. Anyhow, we got to England on our own. As it were, the submarine threat there was subsiding. My last trips were in convoys of 200 ships (unbelievable!). This time we joined the thousands (true) of ships in the English Channel preparing for the Normandy invasion. When the invasion happened, we waited our turn and were unloaded partly at Omaha Beach,s temporary docks and onto ducks (those amphibious vehicles) - then a fast dash back to the States for another load. The next time back, all the ships were gone. We could go ashore at Cherbourgh and view the abandoned German fortifications. I had a lot of stuff for souvenirs, but all was confiscated by the Customs in New York. Soon afterwards the war in Europe was over. The troops were being sent to the Pacific to bring that to a close. Then these men and women were being discharged and were returning home. Again, no big fanfare or bands present. As they left for war, they returned the same way, quietly taking up where they left off, getting a job, getting married, raising families, and gradually getting older. I worked odd jobs like highway construction, railroad gang.

    Joe Sekel.

    Dana Brown




    244431

    Pte. William Joseph "Will" White 11 Field Company Australian Engineers 34th Battalion

    <p>

    Will was a patient from 25.06.1917 to 30.07.1917. He had ongoing problems with haemorrhoids which were not able to be adequately addressed while he was in France at the Battle of Messines where he was seconded to 11th Field Company Australian Engineers. During this time his company was heavily shelled and suffered gas attacks.

    His military record shows 'piles slit' at Southwark - presumably a sphincerectomy following the lack of success of anal dilation at Etaples. This surgery was not a success. Will was subsequently discharged as medically unfit and returned to Australia on 10.01.1918. He subsequently rejoined the Australian Infantry Force twice and had surgery in Australia.





    244430

    Pte. Arthur Slatford 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.18th January 1944)

    <p>

    Arthur Slatford was the first husband of my mother's sister Joan Browning. My mother kept two scrapbooks of all sorts of newspaper clippings from June 1944 to June 1945 and I found this newspaper clipping with a photo of Arthur.

    Doris Yateman




    244428

    William Eric Stephen Williams

    <p>

    William Williams served with the Auxiliary Fire Service.





    244427

    Stkr1. James Fields HMS Pintail (d.10th June 1941)

    <p>

    James Fields was a Stoker 1st Class in HMS Pintail.

    Tony Fields




    244426

    Gnr. William Charles Davis Royal Garrison Artillery (d.8th May 1918)

    William Davis served with a Siege Battery.





    244425

    Pte. Clifford Greenwood 1st Btn. Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment (d.27th Jun 1944)

    Clifford Fisher was one of two brothers killed in this war. His brother was Ronald Greenwood they were my mothers cousins.

    Kevin Fisher




    244424

    Sgt. Frederick William Day 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Fred Day served from around 1932 until 1940 in the Far East, Hong Kong, Shanghai and in India. He returned to UK in 1940 and transferred to Small Arms School Corps in 1943. He retired in 1953 after 22 years with the colours. He passed away in 1976.





    244422

    Pte Cecil Stephen Hawkins 2nd/7th Btn Duke of Wellington Regiment (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    Cecil Stephen Hawkins worked as a clerk prior to joining up. His family worshipped at Stranton All Saints Church where he is remembered on the Roll of Honour.

    George Bainbridge




    244421

    Pte. W. H. Hansey 2nd Battalion, D Coy. London Regiment

    Private W H Hansey was wounded while serving with the 2nd Battalion, London Regiment.

    stephan




    244420

    Pte. R Holland 2nd Battalion London Regiment

    Private R Holland was wounded whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, London Regiment.

    stephan




    244419

    Pte. A Fair 2nd Battalion London Regiment (d.8th Nov 1915)

    Pte A Fair died of wounds on the 8th Nov 1915.

    stephan




    244417

    Pte. Fred Atherall 2nd Btn. East Kent Regiment

    Freddy Atherall was captured on 26th of May 1915 at Wittes Poort Farm, during the 2nd Battle of Ypres, Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge, after his battalion made an unsuccessful attempt to counterattack the Germans. Fred was held at Hamelin, Germany. A friend of Fred's recieved a picture of a few prisoners of war in March 1918. Fred was shown alive and well. An article was placed in Kent and Sussex Courier on Friday 29th of March 1918. Fred was released and returned to England during 1918.

    He never married and died in Saffron Walden, Essex in 1956 aged 63. Fred also had three brothers in WW1, two of whom are commemorated in Langton Green, Kent.

    Natasha




    244415

    Pte. George Borthwick Scott 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.23rd August 1918)

    George Scott was born in Greenock Renfrewshire on 10 November 1893. He was the son of David Scott and his wife Jeanie Borthwick. He was one of ten children. His siblings were Mary, Thomas, Jean, David, Malcolm, John, James, Robert and Catherine.

    George died on 23rd of August 1918 aged 24 years while serving with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders and is buried in Warry Copse Cemetery, France in the village of Courcelles-le-Comte. My grandfather went to visit the cemetery. I visited the cemetery with my mother in 1995. George was entitled to the Victory and British War Medals under army orders 266 and 301 of 1919, dated Perth 27th May 1920. His name was inscribed on the War Memorial in Gordon Park Church, Whiteinch. I have been unable to find the whereabouts of the memorial after the church closed and became a furniture showroom and now a nursery. His name is also inscribed on the Roll of Honour in Edinburgh Castle and Glasgow City Chambers. I have no photographs of him.

    Catherine Craig




    244405

    Pte. James Humphrey 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.31st July 1918)

    James Humphrey was 26 when he died of wounds in France, serving in the 36th (Ulster) Division. He is buried in Mont Noir Cemetery, St Jans Cappel. He is survived today by his half-brother Robert Humphrey and half sisters Kate and Lily.

    Sandra Johnston




    244398

    L/Cpl. George William Jackson 10th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.7th August 1916)

    George Jackson was a Lance Corporal with the 10th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. He was killed in action on 7th of August 1916 and is buried in the Zouave Valley War Cemetery, Souchez, France, he was 28 years old at the time of his death. He was my great uncle.

    Stuart Jackson




    244392

    Pte. Herbert James Charleton Burton 43rd Battalion

    My grandfather, Herbert Burton, was injured in Belgium at Ypres and was repatriated to Eastbourne around 3td of July 1917. He had severe gunshot wounds to his shoulder, and to his leg, which was subsequently amputated. During his convalescence he was visited by his brother Stanley Charles Burton while he was on leave. It was the final time the two brothers were to meet as Stanley died on the battlefield later that month in France.

    Judith Nicholson




    244390

    Pte. Harry Archibald Howarth West Yorkshire Regiment

    Harry Howarth served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and the West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Deborah John




    244373

    Cpl. Edward Frank Biggs 1st Btn., C Coy. Dorset Regiment (d.5th May 1915)

    Frank Biggs was born in Odd Down on 12th February 1893 to Walter George Biggs and Amy Emily (nee Savage). He was the third of eight siblings, and before the war he worked as a railway contractor's labourer. He died as a result of gas poisoning on Hill 60 at Ypres.

    Nick Powley




    244372

    Sgt. Robert McLean 10th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th September 1917)

    Robert McLean came from a large mining family and worked as a putter underground at the time of the 1901 census. By 1911, he had left the mines and was working as a waiter at Seaton Terrace Social Club, in Northumberland. He was married to Margaret Emery Brown. They had no children.

    Nick Powley




    244371

    Pte. Thomas William Wild 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.16th July 1916)

    Thomas Wild was the only son of Charles Frederick and Mary Wild and the brother of my great grandmother Clara Emma Lovack nee Wild. He was a casualty of the Battle of the Somme and is remembered in Doullens Communal Cemetery, France.

    Patricia Graydon




    244366

    Sgt. Charles Milbourne Wright 11th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    So far it's unknown when Charles Wright signed up but he was born abt 1899 Leicester, Leicestershire to Francis William Wright and Jessica Allan Ross Frazer who was born in Nova Scotia, Canada to a Scottish Family. From what I have found, he was an only child but had a lot of Frazer cousins in England, Scotland and America. Charles served with the 11th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment and was commissioned into the Queen's West Surrey Regiment on 4th of May 1917.

    I am still trying to find more information on Charles and his military career but I will keep searching. Thank you for the information you have provided about the 11th Leicestershire Regiment.

    Beverly Peer Lackenbauaer




    244365

    Gnr. Alexander David Black Davidson 123rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd December 1917)

    Alexander David Black Davidson was born at Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland in 1877, the eldest of 2 sons born to Agnes Davidson nee Muirhead native of Urr, born 1850, father deceased. In 1881 they were living at 7, Station Road, Urr but by 1891 they had moved in with her widowed mother Jane Moorhead (64) and her brother Hugh (43) along with Andrew Gairley and son James and James Stewart at Nither Glenlair, Knockvennie, Castle Douglas, where Alexander attended school, ages 13 years. Between 1891 and 1912 he left Scotland to settle in the north east of England. He was married in the district of Sunderland in 1912 to Lillie E. Lawrence with whom he had a son William J. L. Davidson born 1913.

    On the outbreak of war he enlisted at Sunderland assigned as Gunner 337416 to the 123rd Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action Monday, December 3rd 1917 and interred at Level Crossing Cemetery, Fampoux, in France. He was 40 years of age, recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Rest In Peace.

    Pauline




    244354

    Pte. William David Diver Jacobs 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    Bill Jacobs served with the 7th, 1/4th and 2nd Battalions, Royal Sussex Regiment.

    Barbara Tidy




    244352

    Pte. Bernard Gill 4th Battalion Essex Regiment

    Bernard Gill guarded the Suez Canal. He was wounded in 2nd Battle of Gaza and strapped on camel to be taken back for medical treatment, but swas hot in backside by Turkish sniper while being so carried. He said, however, that the most dangerous thing was using the latrines.

    Bernie Cooper




    244348

    Pte. Ernest Alfred James 7th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.18th May 1918)

    Ernest James enlisted in mid-July 1915 into the 12th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment at the age of 39. He was wounded at the Battle of Boars Head on 30th of June 1916. He returned later firstly to the 8th Battalion and then the 9th.

    On 5th of April 1918 on the Somme he was shot in the chest and captured as a POW. He was taken to a military hospital at Vallancienes, where he died of his wounds 18th May 1918. He left a wife and 3 children. The youngest aged 6.

    Ron James




    244347

    Sgt. Thomas Cooper 16th Btn. Royal Scots (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    Not much I can say about my father's brother, Thomas Cooper. He was born in Bridgeton, Glasgow in 1880s, son of a cobbler. He was a barber and tried to improve himself by spending many hours in the Mitchell Library. He married a nurse.

    He appears to have joined the Highland Light Infantry in the first instance but must have been transferred to the Royal Scots at a later stage in the war. He is one of the very few who have a name on their headstone at the Commonwealth Graves Commission Cemetery in Poelkapelle, Langemark, Belgium, which is kept in immaculate condition.

    John Cooper




    244337

    Pte. Thomas John Webb

    Thomas Webb served in the Great War.

    S Chapman




    244336

    Pte. Edwin Hurren 3rd Btn. Royal Fusilliers (d.14th April 1915)

    Edwin Hurren is remembered on the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres.

    Sarah Chantler




    244334

    Pte. William Cope 15th Battalion Royal Scots Lothian (d.26th August 1917)

    William Cope married Sarah Jane Reeve on the 24th of December 1892 St Mary's Church, Ilkeston, Derbyshire. His father was Willouhby Cope and mother Emma nee Stokes. William worked as Coal Miner/Hewer for the Mapperley Colliery Company, at Simon Pit, Mapperley in Derbyshire, before enlisting. He died of wounds on the 26th of August 1917.

    Roger Wood




    244333

    Tpr. Charles Alfred Mills 9th Lancers

    My grandfather, Charles Mills, joined the Army on 14th August 1902. He served with the 9th Lancers in South Africa and India, before being garrisoned at Canterbury (my home town), where he met and married my grandmother. Of his service and life I know very little, as he died when my father was only 4 years old.

    He did fight at the Battle of Mons and was wounded and captured on 24th of September 1914, so I can only assume he took part in the Charge at Audregnies. He was shot (in the chest) as part of that brave action. He was a POW for 4 years and 4 months, being released in 1919. After his capture it was some months before his name was listed, so, for all that time my grandmother scoured the casualty lists, hoping the "Missing believed killed in action" would be proved wrong.

    He was discharged 23rd of March 1919, as "surplus to requirements, having been wounded in action". The family settled in Canterbury, where surgeons refused to remove the bullet, as it was in too dangerous a position. However, in 1927, he became very ill and died in hospital, after his heart enlarged and burst on the German bullet. He was just 44 years old. The Government insisted his illness killed him, not the bullet, and denied my grandmother a War Widows Pension, leaving her to raise 7 children on her own. It also meant his name would not be shown on the 9th Lancers Memorial, in Canterbury Cathedral, as Died of Wounds. The 9th Lancers Old Comrades Association arranged a full military funeral for him, with a gun carriage supplied by the Royal Horse Artillery, who were garrisoned in Canterbury at that time. He loved being a Lancer.

    Michael Mills




    244314

    Pte. George Knagg 7th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.17th September 1915)

    George Knagg was born on 28th March 1880 at Collyhurst in Manchester. His occupation was a cotton dyer at Murray's Mill in Ancoats, Manchester. George married Emma Louisa Sapseid on 28th May 1903. By 1913 there were six children, the youngest was only 20 months old at the date of George's death. His widow never remarried, dying in 1967 at the age of 86. Apparently, she remained fiercely loyal to his memory and liked to be known as "Mrs George Knagg".

    A younger brother was killed on the Somme in 1916 and George's brother-in-law was lost in 1918. Another brother, in the RAMC survived and was awarded the DCM in January 1916 for conspicuous gallantry. One cousin survived, but came home badly burnt and as an amputee. Another brother-in-law also survived, but had been subjected to a gas attack and lived as a semi-invalid, dying in 1926. I think of them all often.

    Lynda Sutton




    244311

    Cpl. Robert Elphinstone 203rd Field Company Royal Engineers

    As a child I remember my grandfather, Robert Elphinstone telling me stories of his time in the trenches, I believe in northern France. I recall one funny story of the crossing of a river on a felled tree when the bagpiper slipped off and my grandfather saw his kilt floating on top of the water as he walked above him, looking down and laughing, he looked like a mushroom! Another story was of being terrified on guard duty in a wet and muddy trench late one evening. He heard slow footsteps in water at the trench bottom coming towards him. After what seemed like forever, a mangy, skinny, scared German Shepherd dog appeared.

    I also recall that he was proud of the fact that, as a Royal Engineer, he built more things than he destroyed during the war. He was wounded near Shrapnel Corner on 20th of September 1918 and returned to duty. He was wounded much more seriously on 28th of September 1918 during Final Advance on Flanders. I just begun researching his service and was surprised to learn he was wounded twice. As a child I recalled him telling me about him getting wounded in thigh. I believe he told me he was assisting artillery when he started feeling dizzy and looked down to see shell casing or something in his leg. At that point he knew he'd been hit. On that day he was one of 7 who were wounded and 3 were killed or died of wounds.

    He emigrated to the U.S. in 1923 and worked at GE. His best friend there was a German who, after years of knowing each other, found out they were in same general area opposing each other during the war!

    I would love to learn more about his unit's involvement after 1916.

    David Delamotte




    244310

    Pte. Francis Frederick Crabb 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.19th November 1917)

    <p>

    Frank Crabb served with the 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment. He was my great uncle. He died on 19th of November 1917, aged 22, killed in action at Langemarke, Belgium. He is buried at Cement House Cemetery, Belgium.

    Annette Best




    244306

    Sgt. Francis Anthony Reynolds 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th April 1916)

    <p>

    My great grandfather was a career soldier. Francis Reynolds came from Bishops Street, Dublin, and was married to Sarah Reynolds, and they had three daughters. He survived a gas attack early in 1916, then when walking down the trench he and some colleagues were blown to bits by a shell.

    He has no known grave, bless him, but he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    Jacqueline Camfield




    244305

    L/Cpl. Thomas Codd 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    Thomas Codd was wounded at Mons on 25th August 1914, by a gunshot to his left knee. Amputation of his left leg above the knee was carried out while he was a POW.

    Robert Reid




    244304

    Pte. Thomas Bowles 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.7th February 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Bowles served with the 9th Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    Jackie Silvester




    244303

    Pte. William Arthur Dean 6th (Service) Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.17th February 1917)

    William Dean was married to Nellie Maud Rance on September 6th, 1913, at the Parish Church, Great Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire, England. He was a Painter at the Chemical Works, at Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire, England before the war. His parents were Joseph Dean and Elizabeth Matilda Cook both of Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire.

    May he rest in peace where he lay, never to be found at the end of day, his dear wife so she mourned at hearing his death, they gave her 13 shillings 6 pence his only effects. William was missing after enemy shelling.

    Anton Gerhad




    244302

    Pte. Patrick Connelly 5th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.30th September 1915)

    Patrick Connelly landed with the Battalion at Boulogne on 10th May 1915. He died of wounds received at Hohenzollern Redoubt during the Battle of Loos, aged 25.





    244295

    Pte. Ernest Richard Smith 2/7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.18th August 1918)

    <p>

    Ernie Smith served with the 2/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment.





    244293

    Pte. Joseph Kane 1/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.26th October 1917)

    It is 100 years since Joseph Kane's death, and it upsets me to think that no one who knew him in life has ever been to visit his memorial listing at Tyne Cot. This feels so incredibly sad so during November 2017 his grandson William aged 82, great granddaughter Helena aged 52 from Australia and great great grandchildren Gabriella & Kurt will pay their respects.

    If I can find more on his story I'll submit it here. Thank you for this site.

    Helena Cain




    244290

    Clarence Duckworth 2nd Btn. D Coy. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Sep 1918)

    My great uncle Clarence Duckworth was in the 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, he was killed at the age of 23. If anyone has any info please contact me, thank you.

    Jane




    244287

    Rflmn. George Wright 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.31st Jul 1917)

    George Wright was home on leave during 1916 or 17 where he met his son, my father, for the one and only time. He was slightly wounded in early 1917 and killed on the 1st day of Passchendaele (3rd Battle of Ypres), on 31st July 1917. He is named on the Menin Gate at Ypres.





    244278

    Pte. Elwin Graham Young Company H 309th Infantry Regiment

    Elwin Young served with Company H, 309th Infantry Regiment in 78th Division. He was captured and held as POW number 82238, released in Dec 1918

    Stephen Young




    244275

    Pte. Joseph Edwin Hartwell 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.21st April 1918)

    Joseph Hartwell was the son of Thomas and Edith Ann Hartwell of The Follies in Whittington, Worcester. He died of his wounds and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    James Newcombe




    244271

    Pte. Arthur Warne 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.16th September 1916)

    Arthur Warne served with the 9th Suffolk Regiment. I know very little about my great uncle except that he was born into a Suffolk farming family and died unmarried, at the age of 25, in the Somme. He is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial.

    Pat Blanchet




    244270

    Drvr. Benson Fogg Army Service Corp

    Benson Fogg served with the Army Service Corps from 17th August 1914 to 12th August 1919 and then the Royal Army Medical Corps from 13th August 1919 to 12th August 1920.

    Tom




    244269

    Pte. Charles William Naughton 19th Btn. (d.3rd May 1917)

    Charles Naughton was my great uncle, he grew up on a dairy farm at Rawdon Island in the Hastings River near Wauchope NSW. He departed Australia on HMAT Euripides on 9 September 1916. He died in the Second Battle of Bullecourt on 3rd of May 1917.

    Brian O'Donnell




    244268

    Pte. Peter Redmond 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.5th August 1917)

    <p>

    Peter Redmond was my paternal great uncle.

    Maureen Surman




    244252

    Capt. Charles William MacFarlane 5th Bataillion Warwickshire Regiment

    Charles William MacFarlane was born at Aden (Arabia) 21.01.1898





    244251

    DH. Alfred Thomas Cook (d.29th March 1917)

    Alfred Cook is a casualty named on St.Margaret's Church WW1 Memorial. One of 373 names. He was the son of Joseph and Sabina Cook of 16 Waqveney Terrace, Whapload Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk. He died at age 18

    Arthur Sparkes




    244243

    Gnr. John Thackray Byers 157th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th November 1917)

    <p>

    Jack Byers served with 157th Siege Battery, RGA.





    244242

    Pte. Thomas Hind 24 Protection Company Royal Defence Corps (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Thomas Hind died aged 46 of gall stones & toxaemia.

    B Williams




    244238

    Pte. George William Wood 5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    George Wood served with the 1/5th Lincolnshire Regiment.

    David Kilvington




    244232

    Gnr. Louis David Bradshaw 171st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.28th Oct 1917)

    Grandpa, Louis Bradshaw died waiting to come home on leave at 15.10 hrs. I remember seeing his watch stopped at the exact moment after it was returned to my grandmother. I found myself living in France many years later and came looking for him out of curiosity. We looked in several cemeteries but it quickly became apparent it was a hopeless task without consulting the CWGC which was shut. We were heading back to France tired and disappointed when something made me try one last cemetery. There he was. So tomorrow is the centenary of his death and we are here in Ypres with a bottle of Essex beer for him. He'll be our guest of honour at the restaurant tomorrow. Sadly his place will remain vacant.

    Stephen Bradshaw




    244231

    Sgt. Thomas Simpson 6th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.18th Jul 1917)

    Thomas Simpson was one of 4 brothers, his eldest brother George was held Prisoner of War in Stendal Camp. His brother William was unfit for service but was a Munitions Officer responsible for feeding all the munition workers in the North West of England. His brother Frank was a Sergeant in the Royal Marines.

    Thomas married Elizabeth Pittaway on the 6th December 1916 and just 7 months later he was killed in France and is buried in the Duisans Cemetery in Etrun, France. His widow never remarried.

    Barbara Campbell




    244221

    Pte. James Connell 4th Btn. Black Watch (d.25th September 1915)

    <p>

    James Connell served with the 4th Black Watch, he was listed as missing.

    David Day




    244220

    Pte. David Gellatly 4th Btn. Black Watch (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>

    David Gellatly died of wounds.

    David Day




    244219

    Rflmn. Charles Day 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.9th May 1915)

    Charles Day was born in Battersea, London. He was killed in action on the 9th of May 1915 at Aubers Ridge and is buried in the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy.

    David Day




    244218

    Robert Fleming 1st Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    Robert Fleming enlisted in December 1903. He married Eleanor F. Wenham in Fulham London in 1914. he was born in 1884 in Christchurch, Hants

    David Day




    244210

    L/Sgt. Joseph Boylan 6th Btn. York and Lancashire Regiment (d.9th October 1917)

    Brendan Jennette




    244208

    Pte. Henry Albert Denyer-Radford 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.2nd July 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Denyer-Radford served with the 4th Middlesex Regiment.

    Sarah Thomas




    244207

    Gnr. Horace Frederick Miller 144th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.28th November 1917)

    <p>

    Horace Miller was my grandfather, and he died in action leaving my grandmother Violet Kate Miller a widow, with five children. The youngest, my mother Zena Miller was only two years old.

    Linda Pitkin




    244196

    Gnr. Ephraim Henry Bradshaw 143 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My grandad, Harry Bradshaw, was presented with a silver cigarette case by Lady Haig during a visit to Bermondsey Military Hospital in 1918. It was this case that gave direction to my search. I always believed he'd been wounded at Ypres.

    He's shown in one record as having enlisted on 8th December 1915 at Ashton under Lyne. We have a photo of him leaving Stockport for Gosport in 1916, but don't have more. The record shows him as serving with 143 Heavy Battery, which would be in Salonika on discharge 1st of February 1919, when he was aged 33 years. This battery was in France in 1916. He is also shown as being in 141 Heavy Battery, which comes up as East Ham Pals Battery in France in 1916.

    Peter Bradshaw




    244192

    Pte. Albert Harris 37th Btn. Australian Infantry (d.12th November 1917)

    Albert Harris is buried in Cromer Cemetery. He came from Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia. He died at the Red House Hospital.





    244188

    Pte. George Edward Jenkins 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (d.22nd August 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle, George Jenkins served in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots and was fatally wounded on the Somme battlefields. He died in hospital in Boulogne on 22nd of August 1916 aged 18 years and is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery but I am not sure in which battle or incident he sustained his injuries. My father believes from conversations with his in-laws that he was not hospitalised for too long and that it may have been a sniper shot outside of a main battle event. I know that his mother received notification that he was hospitalised and began packing to travel to him but of course that was not possible. I believe she went to the grave with Alice my great aunt at the earliest opportunity after the war and they returned every year before her death. He was their only son and I am told she went to bed for a year.

    His memory lives on, we have a beautiful oval gilt-framed sepia picture of him in uniform that hung in my great aunt's bedroom until she passed. I have his medals, pictures and the entry of death posted in the Manchester paper by my great grandfather and grandmother and his sisters. (my great aunt and grandma)

    My wife and I went to Boulogne in 2012 and found his grave. The last visit prior to ours was about 1969 when I went with my parents, great aunt and grandma. We are off to France again in November 2017 to visit the battlefields and his grave at Boulogne. George was greatly loved.

    David Pitty




    244187

    Pte. Frederick Vickers Jones DCM. 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    My grandfather Fred Jones had won the DCM in First World War. I would love to find out where he was when he won this,it was on 5th December 1918.

    Lesley Gibson




    244185

    Rflmn. Arthur Sheldon 8th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.11th October 1917)

    Arthur Sheldon left for the front one last time, leaving behind him happy memories for a little girl who was his cousin. He spent as much time as he could with her, knowing all the while that this was the last time he would be home. His whole family always felt that though the chair was empty he was still there with them, something that that little girl always remembered and spoke of often. It is now a century on and that love is still felt.

    L A White




    244177

    Lt. Andrew Hunter Herbertson 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th May 1917)

    In 1992 I worked for Cumbria County Council as a care worker. An elderly lady, Dr Margaret Herbertson, told me of her sadness losing her brother Andrew Herbertson. He died serving with the 7th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps and is buried in Arras British Cemetery. She was one of the first female students to qualify in medicine from Oxford and was later to become a GP at the birth of the National Health Service. Andrew's father was the first Professor of Geography at Oxford - Andrew John Herbertson. Andrew was his only son.

    Mr P Holborn




    244176

    Sgt. George Sheldon 8th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.30th September 1916)

    George Sheldon was born in Attercliffe in Derbyshire, then moved to Yorkshire. He enlisted in K1 8th Duke of Wellington's Regiment in 1914 and did his training. Then he set sail to Gallipoli. He was evacuated from there and he was then sent to the Western Front in 1915.

    He was married to Mary-Anne Sheldon. They had three daughters, of which my grandma was the eldest child. She was 10 years old when George was presumed killed in action. He was 36 years old.





    244174

    Stkr1. Harold Arthur Downing

    Harold Downing served in the Royal Navy from July 1915 till August 1919.

    Kevin Andrews




    244171

    Sgt. Thomas Maugham 11th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Thomas Maugham enlisted with the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment on 16th of November 1914. He was posted to the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 15th of December 1916 and transferred to the 8th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. On 26th January 1917 he was transferred to the 11th Battalion, other wise known as the Accrington Pals. On 13th November 1917 he was wounded, receiving a gun shot wound to his left thigh. Thomas was sent home to the 3rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield and was eventually demobbed on 21st January 1919.

    Peter Maugham




    244170

    Pte. James Mawson 3rd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1918)

    My Great Uncle James Mawson joined up in 1916 aged 18. We have no records other than his death certificate dated 1th of July 1918 showing that he committed suicide by drowning in the river Wansbeck near Ashington. He was in the 3rd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Would love to know why. He is listed on all of the local war memorials.

    Ian Mawson




    244168

    Pte. William Andrew Locke 1/8th Btn., B Coy Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    William Locke served with B Coy. 1/8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.





    244165

    Sgt. Thomas Lovatt MM. 5th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    Thomas Lovatt came from Tunstall near Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and saw service during the Great War as a Private later Sergeant (No.19443) with the 5th Pioneers Battalion, South Wales Borderers. Seeing service on the Western Front from 17th of July 1915, his Battalion, formed as part of Kitcheners 2nd New Army, came under the orders of the 58th Brigade, in the 19th (Western) Division, and had originally been converted to a Pioneer Battalion back in January 1915. Lovatt had arrived on the Western Front with the main body of his battalion which would land at Le Havre on 16th July 1915.

    Lovatt was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field in the London Gazette for 29th August 1918, which indicates an award won during the period of the German Spring Offensive during March to April 1918. Lovatt was subsequently discharged to the Class Z Army Reserve on 22nd February 1919.

    Evonne Randall




    244164

    Pte. Thomas McKain 1st Btn. Canterbury Regiment (d.23rd Jul 1915)

    Thomas McKain of the 1st Btn. Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F. is buried in Malta. My family moved to Malta and as my father visited during the summer and we made a project to complete. As there are a large number of ANZACs interned here in Malta we wanted to commemorate them through a visual format. I am hoping to upload the powerpoint slide pack as a slide show to youtube soon. Hopefully it will give a virtual experience of the graves of ANZACs here in Malta.

    Tanya Dillon




    244149

    Pte. Bertie Thomas Webb 2nd Btn. Berkshire Regiment (d.25th September 1915)

    Bertie Webb is my relative who died in the First World War and I want him to be remembered in all the ways he can be. I want all soldiers, past and present, to be remembered for their sacrifices and hard work.

    Charlotte Webb




    244148

    Pte. Brian Cragg Machine Gun Corps

    Brian Cragg served with the East Surrey Regiment, Kings Liverpool Regiment and the Machine Gun Corps.

    Christine Ryland




    244147

    Rflmn. Alfred William Dowling 2nd Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th July 1917)

    <p>

    Alfred Dowling was reported missing presumed dead and the last time he had been seen was at a river when they were under attack and retreating. As he couldn't swim, it is thought likely that he had drowned in the attempt to cross the river.

    Marjorie Dowling




    244146

    Pte. Hubert Frederick Boston 8th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.24th July 1916)

    My great grandfather Hubert Boston was invalidated out of the Royal Navy, whilst serving in HMS Pembroke.

    He joined the King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment and went to France in 1915 with the 8th Battalion. He served in Flanders and the Somme. He died on 24th July 1916. His remains haven't been found, so he's commemorated on Thiepval memorial. A small group of his comrades who died on the same day are buried at Flatiron Cemetery, which was a field hospital receiving casualties from the Longueval area of operations.

    Stephen Bridge




    244145

    Lt. Donald Maciver 5th Btn. Queen's Own Highlanders

    Donald Maciver was born and brought up in Maryhill, Glasgow. He was a keen footballer and played for Shakespear Street School when he was a pupil. Later he played for Cambuslang Rangers where he was highly acclaimed as a defender.

    Angus Maciver




    244136

    Cpl. Leonard Rochford 23rd Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Leonard Rochford was my great uncle, the sixth child of eight children, five boys and three girls. He landed in France on the 14th of March 1915 He volunteered for service and was not conscripted, the 23rd London Regiment was at Festubert, Loos, Somme, Lille, Tournai, Messines and Ypres between 1915 and 1918. He would have joined for the Duration of the War and therefore probably served in all the above places.
    Angie Welton




    244126

    Pte. John Wainwright 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.10th October 1916)

    John Wainwright is my great uncle who died, aged 22, on the Somme. John had joined up about 1911, he had followed his brother Thomas into the army. Thomas was a Grenadier Guard who was killed in Belgium in 1914 aged 29. John married Mary Ann Degnan in 1914 before being sent to France. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Never forgotten.





    244125

    Pte. William George Haynes 8th Btn., B Coy. York & Lancaster Regiment

    William Haynes served with the 8th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. He was admitted to hospital on the 25th of May 1918 suffering from Inflammation of connective tissue, legs. I am looking for any information, photos and/or stories about my grandad. He died in 1944 when his children were young, so very little is known about him.

    Carle Haynes




    244104

    Pte. Reginald Algernon Jones 6th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

    Reg Jones enlisted in the DCLI on 6th of May 1915, aged 20 years and 9 months. He was wounded on 22nd of August 1917 and discharged from service on 16th of March 1918 after serving 2 years and 334 days.

    Jack Graves




    244103

    Stok. George Alton Cherry HMS Yarmouth

    George Cherry served on HMS Yarmouth. I have his war records which say he also served on HMS Cressy but know little else. He must have been a clever man as he built steam engines in his spare time and built a large merry go round but sadly these are only my mum's stories.

    Lee Sapsford




    244098

    Pte. Oscar Owen Williams 14th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    My maternal grandfather Oscar Williams was a Lewis Gunner in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, he served from Feb 1915 until the end of the war. He was haunted by his vivid recollections of the horror of war and particularly of his experiences at the Battle of Mametz Wood on the 10th of July 1916, serving in Ypres 1917 and the comrades he lost. He returned an embittered young man in his mid 20's. He returned to his Summerhill, Wrexham family home and to his job as a coal miner. The war was his only visit to mainland Europe, surprisingly he never saw the attraction of crossing the channel again in his lifetime. His name appears on the Roll of Honour inside Holy Trinity, the parish church of Gwersyllt, Wrexham alongside all those from the local area who served their country with such bravery in 1914-1919.

    Stuart Davies




    244097

    Pte. Jesse Roy Hammond 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.25th March 1917)

    Jesse Hammond was my uncle, about whom I only knew had died in WW1. I have found his date of death, 25th March 1917 and see that he died 100 years ago. He apparently died of his injuries and I presume he was repatriated as I know he was buried in his home village.

    Dennis Roy Hammond




    244090

    Pte. George Hatfield Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    George Hatfield escaped from a pow camp and made it back to England.

    Warren Hatfield




    244077

    Sgt. Ernest Courtney MM. 2nd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle Ernest Courtney was born in Cardiff in 1889. He was the 6th child (3rd son) of a family of 13 children. Ernest joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1907 aged 18yrs with the regimental number 9353. He was posted with his regiment to Roberts Barracks, Quetta then in India.

    In August 1914 the battalion embarked from Portland to France as part of the B.E.F. During the early part of the war he served at the Battle of Mons. He continued to serve with his battalion and on the 11th October 1916 was awarded the Military Medal, and was promoted Sergeant. At about this time he received a chest wound (shot in the chest) and was invalided home.

    Ernest returned to France and Belgium following his recuperation, and was killed in action at Polygon Wood during the Passchendaele offensive of 1917. He is buried in the Tyne Cot Military Cemetery, Zonnebeke.

    Wreath laid in Tyne Cott War Cemetary, 29th July 2017

    Alan Griffiths




    244068

    Pte. Henry May 2nd Btn., A Coy. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    <p>

    Henry May was my grandfather. He was taken prisoner on 27th August 1914 at Ligney-En-Cambresis at the retreat from Mons. He received a gunshot wound to his left knee and a shrapnel wound to his left elbow and remained a POW for the duration of the war.

    He had enlisted in 1900 at Naas, Co Kildare aged 17 but stated that he was 19. He served in S Africa, Malta, Eqypt and France. Henry was demobilized on 28th March 1919. He passed away in 1942 in Dublin.

    Harry May




    244067

    2nd Lt. George Mitchell Sutcliffe 237 Battery. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st October 1917)

    <p>

    George Sutcliffe was the only surviving child of John Sutcliffe, a coal merchant who lived in Greetland near Halifax, and his wife Sarah. They married in 1883, but it was not until 1887 that their first child Samuel was born, followed by George on 15th September 1889. Both boys were given their mother's maiden name Mitchell as a middle name. Tragedy struck the family when Samuel died in 1894 aged seven. When George was thirteen in 1902 he went to Bradford Grammar School for two years in Forms Fourth and Fifth Modern. His best subject was German, in which he came close to the top of his class. His daily journey must have been a tiresome one, by tram and/or train. He left in July 1904 and went on to train as an architect. From June 1913 he was on the professional staff of the Inland Revenue in Halifax as an architect and surveyor.

    He was still a single man when he volunteered in early November 1915, enlisting in the artillery. It was likely his knowledge of surveying which made him suitable for the Royal Garrison Artillery. He rapidly gained promotion to Bombardier, then to Corporal. He went to France with 103rd Siege Battery on 29th May 1916. This battery operated two of the largest calibre British heavy guns, 12-inch railway mounted howitzers, and throughout the Battle of the Somme it served at Gommecourt.

    Sutcliffe had obviously impressed his superiors for in mid-November he was sent home on leave prior to joining an Officer Training Battalion at Trowbridge in mid-December. He received his commission in March 1917 and proceeded to France to join the recently arrived 237th Siege Battery which was armed with four 6-inch howitzers.

    In April he returned home to marry Constance Rothera who lived near to Greetland in Hebden Bridge. There were no children.

    In September Sutcliffe was hospitalized at 8th General Hospital with diarrhoea. On his recovery he was sent to a Base Camp where he was seriously wounded during a German bombing raid and died of his wounds the same day.

    Nick Hooper




    244064

    L/Cpl. Richard Osmond 10th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.22nd March 1917)

    Richard Osmond of the 10th Welsh Regiment was killed on the 2nd of March 1917. I do not know what happened but the war cemetery at Bard Cottage has a large number of graves with the same date carrying the names of soldiers from the 10th Btn Welch Regiment. All I can find is that there was an action which resulted in the decimation of the 10th and which took a year for them to recover to full fighting strength. The date does not correspond with any major battle, such as any of the Somme battles, Passchendaele etc. Can anyone shed any light on this please?

    Richard Osmond




    244063

    Pte. William Edward Salter 1/8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.16th August 1917)

    William Salter joined up in 1914 and married my great aunt Maud in January 1917. He was killed at the Battle of Langemark on 16th August 1917. His name is on a panel at Tyne Cot.





    244053

    Pte. Henry Charles Hinton 10th Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.22nd October 1917)

    Henry Hinton was born in Henley in 1877. He had one son. He was called up in 1917 at the age of 40 and was trained at Lines Naval Camp. He travelled to Belgium with the 10th Battalion DCLI and was wounded on the Ypres - Zonnebeke Road on 21st of October 1917. He was taken to the 61st Casualty Clearing Station where on 22nd October he died from his wounds. He is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery in Popperinge.





    244048

    Pte. William Owen Jenkins 13th Btn. Welsh Regiment

    William Jenkins was my father-in-law whom I believe enlisted 2 Dec 1915 with 13th Welsh Battalion and received a medical discharge on 26th of July 1917. Received British Medal, Victory Medal and Silver Badge. I believe he was wounded in France.

    Jim Robinson




    244041

    Maj. Gilbert Charsley Williams Artist's Rifles (d.23rd December 1944)

    Major Williams was the son of Edward Percy and Mary Ann Williams, husband of Mollie Scott Williams of Hutton Mount. Essex. He was a solicitor aged 36 when he died and is buried in the Born Roman Catholic Cemetery, Limburg, Netherlands.

    S Flynn




    244032

    Pte. John Thomas Wilcox 7th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.22nd July 1917)

    My great grandfather John Wilcox died near Ypres when my grandmother was a few months old. His body was never recovered so his name is inscribed on the Memorial at the Menin Gate. I will be visiting there to remember the great sacrifice our forefathers made for our freedom.

    My great grandmother was widowed with three daughters while her male cousin was widowed with children. They married out of necessity to keep the family together. All three daughters became nurses (to keep a roof over their heads) and my great aunt was the midwife at my birth. My grandmother never knew her father but he will always remain in our hearts in gratitude.

    Sophie Redfern




    244031

    Pte. William Joseph Hyslop 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade

    William Hyslop served during World War 1 in The Rifle Brigade with the 2nd and 13th Battalions and with the 11th Kings Royal Rifle Corps from Nov 1914 till Feb 1919. At some time, he suffered from a gas attack, and in the last weeks of the war was captured. His details are part those records lost in 1942 due to enemy action.

    Unable to find work on discharge, he volunteered to join the BEF intervention in Russia, to fight the Bolsheviks. This campaign ended in Sep 1919. He received a copy of Bolos & Barishynas, the doings of the Sadleir-Jackson Brigade. In his copy he has written details including 45th Batt Royal Fusiliers Reg. No.128992. No.1 Machine Gunner.

    Several years later in civilian life, his health started to deteriorate as an effect of gassing. However, according to his family, his application for a pension was rejected on the grounds he could not prove the effect resulted from gas attacks in World War 1. As his grandchild I can recall the agony suffered by the destruction of one lung and the slow decay of the other. He died in 1951.

    Bob Hyslop




    244025

    Pte. Alfred Long MM. 17th (2nd Leeds) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>Alfred Long in 1916

    Alfred Long died in 1972 aged 76. I was aged 8 years old at the time and the youngest of his 6 Grandchildren. My only memory of him was his short stature, kind wrinkley face and sitting on the floor next to his rocking chair whilst he rocked gently and puffed cigar smoke towards me. I was always told never to ask Grandad about the war as it was too terrible for him to recall. In later years my cousin, who lived with my Grandparents for a couple of years, told me how Grandad would not allow vinegar in the house and that no-one was allowed vinegar on their fish and chips as a result of being a victim of a gas attack.

    I was told that Alfred Long was in the KOYLI's but once I started to investigate I found that he was in the 17th (2nd Leeds) West Yorkshire Regiment. At 5' 3" he was only able to join the newly formed Bantam regiment. Army form z21 states that he was in the Army Cyclist Corps.

    Alfred was was taken prisoner at the Somme. Again a story told to cousin said that he charmed and befriended a prison guard which ensured relatively good treatment and enabled a degree of trading to take place. He received the standard repatriation letter from the King (which stated he was in the 11th Cyclist Corps. I have not been able to find which P.O.W. camp he was at or the date of his capture. He was awarded the Portuguese Military Medal.

    Alfred Long's Repatriation letter

    Alfred Long's Portuguese Military Medal

    Ian Long




    244024

    Pte. George Leslie 2nd/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Leslie was born 13 Mar 1876 in Ballycessy, Co Antrim, Ireland to Andrew Leslie and his wife, Ellen nee Dobson, the 6th of 10 children. He was a member of St Aidan's Church of Ireland in Glenavy as well as the Loyal Orange Lodge. Plaques in both record his participation in WW1 as being a member of the 2/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. His name is also engraved on the Glenavy War Memorial as a Survivor.

    Sometime before 1901 George moved to Scotland and from Census Records he was employed first as a Navvy in Beath, Fife, Scotland, In 1911 he is in Coatbridge, Lanark, Scotland working in the Ironworks. It is unknown exactly when he enlisted with the Northumberland Fusiliers. On 18th of February 1929 George died at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow from Rheumatoid Arthritis. He had never married.

    George Leslie is my great uncle and this is the information that I have learned of him through my ancestry research.

    Sharon Grocholski




    244021

    Pte. John "Jock" Dunlop 9th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.3rd Mar 1918)

    I just know my great uncle John Dunlop was called up for the big push, he was wounded in September or October 1917. He died of wounds in March 1918. My Uncle Jock is buried in Potijze Grounds Cemetery near Ypres.

    William Dunlop




    244008

    Pte. Harold Ford 111th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Harold Ford served with 111th Field Ambulance, R. A. M. C.

    Birthday Card Sent to Harold Ford

    Elaine Burgess




    244004

    Dvr. Nicolas Lannan 2/1st South Midland Field Ambulance

    Nicolas Lannan served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to the 2/1st South Midland Field Ambulance as a driver aged 20 and did 2 years service.

    Sue Barker




    243998

    Able Sea. Ernest Houghton HMS Zealandia

    <p>

    Ernest Houghton, my paternal grandfather was placed in TS Mercury on the River Hamble, Southampton in 1906 at the age of 13 and trained as a boy sailor. He was there for 3 years and went straight into the Royal Navy at the age of 16 years and was placed in the training establishment HMS Impregnable at Devonport. His first ship was HMS Donegal followed by Jupiter, Cochrane, Excellent, Eclipse and Garry. A spell with HMS Victory at Portsmouth followed.

    At the outbreak of WW1 he was part of the crew of HMS Zealandia and served on this ship for 2 years 9 months. After this he had a spell in barracks in HMS Pembroke, Chatham. Then followed a short spell back at HMS Victory. His last three ships before he was demobbed in 1920 were HMS Agincourt, HMS Hercules and finally HMS Wivern ending his naval career on 12/1/1920. In total he spent just over 14 years in naval service. He was on HMS Cochrane when it escorted the Royal Yacht - Medina (taking the King & Queen to India) in 1911 for the Delhi Durbar in which he took an active part in. He was chosen as 'King's Bugler' for some of the formalities of the Durbar. I have his Delhi Durbar medal to this day which I treasure. He died in 1965 when I was 20 so I remember him very well.

    Keith Houghton




    243990

    Pte. Henry Victor Collier 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Sep 1918)

    Henry Collier is my Grandmother's cousin. He was born in Heywood in 1897 and died on the 19th of September 1918. He is buried in Doiran Military Cemetery in Northern Greece on the Macedonian border. His parents are Solomon and Elizabeth Collier and lived at 27 Walter St., Brierfield, Nelson at his death.

    Richard James




    243985

    Pte. Harold Bradley 10th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.19th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    When Harold Bradley was born on Saturday 5th of November 1892, in Brazil, his father, Thomas was 25 and his mother, Annie was 22. He had two brothers and one sister.

    Harold died of his wounds on Thursday 19th of August 1915, on the hospital ship HMHS Galeka. Harold was buried at sea off the coast of Turkey. He was 22. He is remembered at the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli in the section for Soldiers Buried at Sea.

    David Preston




    243980

    L/Cpl. Michael Welsh 12th Btn. Black Watch (d.20th July 1917)

    Michael Welsh served with the 12th (Labour) Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) he transferred to 6th Labour Company, Labour Corps April 1917 Michael died at the 5th Northern General Hospital in Leicester.

    David




    243979

    Pte. Fred Ardern 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.24th March 1915)

    Fred Ardern married his wife Gertrude in 1914 just before joining the 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment and fighting in Belgium during the First World War. He was killed on 24th March 1915 and is buried in Dranouter Churchyard. Fred and Gertrude, a widow, had had a relationship for three or four years before they married in 1914. The relationship had produced two children, a boy and a girl. Fred's son died on 16th February 1915 aged two years and four months, just 36 days before his father. Gertrude lost her son and her husband in just over five weeks.

    Ron McConville




    243974

    Sto. J Hunnam HMS Pembroke (d.10th May 1918)

    <p>

    J. Hunnam was a stoker onboard HMS Pembroke, he is buried in Westoe Cemetery in South Shields, Tyne and Wear. I am researching the war graves there.

    Jack




    243969

    PO. William Pollard HMS Barham

    Bill Pollard served in HMS Minotaur and HMS Barham.

    Bettie Kaye




    243968

    Pte. Francis Charles Biggs 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.14th January 1915)

    Francis Biggs served with 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.

    Janis McCahill




    243953

    Pte. T. H. Milne 9th Btn. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.14th October 1915)

    Private Milne is buried in Heath Cemetery in Harbonnieres, Somme.





    243950

    Pte. Frederick Charles Voyce 5th Btn. Essex Regiment

    Frederick Voyce served with the 4th and 5th Battalions, Essex Regiment.

    Kerry Smith




    243937

    2/Lt. W. E. Ogilvie 9th Btn. Border Regiment (d.27th September 1915)

    Second Lieutenant Ogilvie died on 27th September 1915 and is buried in Hangard Communal Cemetery Extention. He was aged 21 when he died. He was the son of George and Harriet Ogilvie.





    243934

    Pte. Thomas Clements 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.18th April 1915)

    Thomas Clements arrived in France on 2nd of April 1915 and 16 days later was killed in action on the 18th of April 1915. Research is continuing to confirm actual place of death, but his unit was engaged in successfully defending Hill 60 on this date.

    David Rosewarne




    243933

    Mjr. Baker-Carr Rifle Brigade

    Major Baker-Carr served with the Rifle Brigade.





    243932

    Capt. B. O'Grady 12th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Captain O'Grady ran the 22nd Division Grenade School at Guillaucourt in the autumn of 1915.





    243929

    Pte. Fred Yates Coldstream Guards

    Fred Yates was my grandfather. I never met him. He died in 1949 and is buried in Aston Cemetery, Rotherham and was living in Fence prior to his death.

    Stephen Yates




    243925

    Pte. Robert Masson White 7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Robert White is believed to have fought in Festubert, Givenchy, Battle of High Wood with the 7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. He was killed at the Somme 13th November 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Ian Nuttall




    243923

    Pte. William Atherton 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.12th October 1918)

    <p>

    William Atherton served with the 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, he was awarded the British war medal and Victory medal.

    David Stephens




    243922

    Pte. George Simpson 1st Btn. London Regiment

    George Simpson was born at 21 Wardlaw Place in Edinburgh on 11th September 1899. At the arrival of the war, he was working as a turner for the foundry at Alex Mather & Son on Dalry Road.

    He was in the 1st London Regiment. In among the paperwork is a personal letter of a friend we assume he met during his time in the army, named Harold "Harry" Edgington, residing at the Hope and Anchor Pub on Crowndale Road in Camden Town. We do not have much history on where he served, but one letter does refer to time in France, and we have photographs of the battalion in Mons.

    Ross H




    243918

    Lawrence Gaines 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.4th October 1917)

    Lawrence Gaines of the 12th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment died, only 18 years old, tragic.

    John Gage




    243916

    Sgt. Edward Kelly 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    Edward Kelly was born in 1899 to William and Martha Jane Kelly (nee Dollar) in Lisburn, County Down, Northern Ireland. He is buried in the Amerval Communal Cemetery Extension in Solesmes, France.

    Robert




    243915

    Pte. Walter Thomas Franklin 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.12th October 1917)

    As a result of a string of coincidences during the past five years, we have started research, in earnest, into my Great Uncle's part in the Great War, his name was Walter Franklin and he served with the 8th East Surrey Regiment. We were very fortunate to win tickets in the ballot for Passchendaele 100 at Tyne Cot in July this year and we were given information beyond our wildest dreams by the incredibly helpful archivists at the Memorial Museum in Zonnebeke. On our return and following yet another random internet search, I was completely stunned to find my Great Uncle's medals and memorial scroll for sale at a specialist dealer.

    Not untypically, there is little information in our family, my paternal Grandfather was Great Uncle Walter's youngest sibling and himself died in the late 1960s. My father knows no more than the fact that his Uncle went away and never came back, other than anecdotal evidence to suggest that he might have signed up under age.

    My Great Uncle died 100 years ago tomorrow (I write this on 11th October 2017) at the age of 19. I am committed to finding as much as possible to complete his story.

    N Franklin




    243904

    L/Cpl William Ezra Timperley 3rd Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.6th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    William Timperley served with the 3rd Cheshire Regiment. I found him on my Family Tree Research. He died in the hospital and is buried in Weaste Cemetery in Salford. He is also recorded on the Memorial in Regent Square, Salford

    Dave Timperley




    243900

    Sgt. George Prowse 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.13th Aug 1915)

    George Prowse was 41 when he enlisted in the Army for the second time on 12th of August 1914, he had seen previous service with the Devonshire Regiment. At the time of his enlistment George was living in Ramsay House, Church Path, Acton, London along with his wife Esther, his daughter Vera and his sons George and Arthur and was working as a groom.

    On 14th Aug 1914 he arrived at Winchester and a few days later was appointed L/Cpl. On the 24th Aug he was posted on to the strength of the 7th Btn KRRC and promoted to Cpl on the 30th Aug. George must have proven himself a very capable, experienced soldier resulting in him becoming a Sjt on 1st Dec 1914.

    George embarked for France with his Battalion in May 1915 arriving in the area East of Ypres where following a period of instruction in trench warfare etc he, along with the Battalion settled into the front line routine. On 29th Jun the Battalion took over trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm from 43rd Infantry Brigade for a period of 9 days. Whilst in these trenches on 8th July George was wounded in action. The Battalion war diaries state that 'The whole of this tour of duty in the trenches was marked by considerable German artillery activity'.

    On 20th July George was again wounded this time it was considerably more serious receiving gunshot wounds to his neck, legs and arm. George died of his wounds on 13th Aug 1915. He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Ray Luckett




    243899

    Lt. Arthur Howard K. McCallum 25 Squadron

    <p>

    Arthur McCallum was held in Schweidnitz POW camp.

    Susan McCallum




    243898

    Pte. Ernest William Shephard 4th Btn. B Coy. Suffolk Regiment (d.2nd Nov 1916)

    Private Ernest Shephard died on the Somme 2nd November 1916, age 33, and has no known grave. He served with B Company, 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment and his name is on the Thiepval Memorial. Ernest was my father's uncle and died when my father was about 6 years old, he was never spoken of and I do not know whether my father knew he had a uncle killed in WW1.

    I discovered Ernest when I was researching the family history and visited Thiepval Memorial in 2015 with my daughter and my grandchildren. We all stood in silence in respect when we found his name on the memorial, a deep sadness came over us but I am so pleased we found him and he will now never be forgotten. Rest in Peace, Great Uncle Ernest.

    Patricia French




    243896

    Rfmn. Alfred Edward Treeves 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd Aug 1915)

    Alfred Treeves was a wood machinist by trade, the son of George and Agnes Treeves of 72 Distillery Rd, Old Brentford, Middlesex. He is commemorated at Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Ray Luckett




    243895

    L/Cpl. Harry Skeel Duncan Dempster 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd Aug 1915)

    Harry Duncan Dempster was born in Bromyard, Herefordshire in 1889. The son of Robert Duncan Dempster and his wife Margaret. Prior to enlistment on 2nd Nov 1914 he was employed as a clerk. He was sent to the Rifle Depot at Winchester and was posted on strength of the 7th Btn KRRC on 10th of Nov 1914. Harry was promoted to L/Cpl on 28th Apr 1915 a month before the Battalion embarked for France.

    According to telegrams sent to Winchester from the War Office on 3rd Aug 1915 Harry was a patient undergoing treatment at No. 24 General Hospital in Etaples and is reported as being dangerously ill following a gunshot wound to his head. This telegram is timed as received at 9.45am and suggests that his relatives were informed. A second telegram received at 1.31pm states that Harry had died from his wounds.

    Harry was unmarried but on his death left behind his father, mother, 4 brothers and 5 sisters. L/Cpl Dempster is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery. His father had the following inscription carved on the cross that marks his grave 'Until The Day Dawns And The Shadows Flee Away'.

    Ray Luckett




    243873

    Pte. Arthur Robert Walker DCM, MM & Bar. 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Arthur Walker served with the 1st Middlesex and was decorated for his actions.

    Jason Walker




    243869

    RSM. Arthur Stratton 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Sep 1916)

    Regimental Sergeant Major Arthur Stratton was killed on the 26th September 1916 at the Somme and his name is marked on the Thiepval Memorial. He did not know that his son (aged 19 months) Ronald Ernest Stratton died of tubercular meningitis two hours earlier at their home in Portsmouth. My grandfather, Army Chaplain, Rev. Herbert Butler Cowl (attached to Portsmouth Garrison) buried the little boy. It is not known if Arthur Stratton had ever seen his son.

    Sarah Reay




    243861

    Sgt. William Owen Roberts 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.15th Nov 1918)

    Serjeant Roberts was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, of 88, Henllan St., Denbigh; husband of Marie Roberts, of 5, Ringsend Rd., Dublin. Born in Wales. Served in the South African War. (In the same grave is also buried Mrs. Paulina Catherina French.). His brother Edward Roberts also fell.

    He was 39 when he died and is buried in The Hague Roman Catholic Cemetery in the Netherlands.

    S Flynn




    243860

    Sgt. T. Dolan 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (d.13th May 1918)

    Serjeant Dolan was the Son of Patrick and Mary Dolan; husband of Helen O'Donnell Dolan, of 29, Albert St., Edinburgh. Born at Berwick.

    He was 34 when he died and is buried in The Hague Roman Catholic Cemetery in the Netherlands.

    S Flynn




    243859

    L/Sgt. George Patrick Diprose 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment (d.29th Sep 1918)

    Lance Serjeant Diprose was the son of Joseph and Myra Josephine Diprose, of 48, Sun St., Waltham Abbey, Essex. Born at Rochester, Kent.

    He was 33 when he died and is buried in The Hague Roman Catholic Cemetery in the Netherlands.

    S. Flynn




    243858

    2nd Lt. Gilbert Thomas "Gore" McMicking Cambridgeshire Regiment (d.11th Nov 1918)

    Second Lieutenant McMicking was the Elder son of Gilbert and Gertrude McMicking.

    He was 24 when he died and is buried in the Orthen Protestant Cemetery in Noor-Brabant, Netherlands.

    S flynn




    243856

    Sgt. Charles Barnet 2nd Btn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.16th May 1915)

    Charles Barnett was my grandfather. I have a letter from CQMS Beare, A Coy, 2Bn Oxf&Bucks (the letter is not in good condition) which describes how my grandfather died.

    Phillip Davies




    243855

    C.R.E. Walter Stokes H.M.S. Hogue (d.22nd Sep 1914)

    Walter Stokes was the son of the late Henry and Anne Stokes of Southsea, Hants, husband of Edith M. Stokes of Hoe Garden House, Plymouth. He was aged 40 when he drowned when the Hogue was sunk and is buried in the Haarlem General Cemetery, Noor-Holland, Netherlands.

    S Flynn




    243854

    Pte. Timothy Thomas Moynahan 2nd New Zealand Entrenching Battalion

    Private Moynahan died on the 15th January 1919 and is buried in the Enschede Roman Catholic Cemetery, Overijssel, Netherlands.

    s Flynn




    243853

    Sailor Ali Mosulin

    Sailor Mosulin died between 01/08/1918 and 31/08/1921. He is buried in the Didam Protestant Cemetery, Gelderland, Netherlands.

    S flynn




    243852

    Pte. F. G. Starling 8th Btn. B Coy. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.2nd Dec 1918)

    Private Starling was the son of Mrs. Ellen Starling of 18 Almington St. Tollington Park, Finsbury, London, and the late W. H. Starling. He was 19 when he died and is buried in the Didam Protestant Cemetery, Gelderland, Netherlands.

    S flynn




    243851

    Pte. Charles Panton Wain Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My Grandfather, Charles Wain never spoke of his war horrors, but my mother told me that he was gassed and I was told by my cousin that he was taken prisoner in Belgium and was made to serve his army time after being released in 1918.

    Michael Fathers




    243848

    L/Cpl. Daniel Lourie 13th Btn. 3 Platoon Royal Scots (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    Daniel Lourie was posted missing on 22nd of August 1917 and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial. He was a miner's son and brother to John Lourie who also served in the First World War but survived. A photo record of Daniel is to be found in the Imperial War Museum archives.

    Jean Hands




    243847

    Pte. David Moyes 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    David Moyes was my 2nd great grandfather. He was awarded the British and Victory medals and also the 15 Star. When he was killed, my family was presented with the death penny and my grandmother still has this in her home. He was in the 10th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Donaghadee) and went to France on 15th of December 1914. He was killed on 23rd of August 1918 and is buried in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, Somme.

    Lisa Mcknight




    243844

    Pte. Jesse Green 11th (Accrington Pals) Btn. B Coy. East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Jesse Green was an original Accrington Pal enlisting in Sept 1914, aged 16. He is listed in the Accrington Observer on 23rd Feb 1915 as serving in B Coy.

    After training he went to guard the Suez Canal on the 25th Dec. 1915, then to France on the 2nd March 1916. Jesse was promoted to Sergeant on the battlefield but this is not recognised by the MOD.

    Jesse went over the top at the Somme on the 1st of July 1916. He was wounded in the left thigh and the bullet exited his lower left calf. The wound was Class 1x1. The date for admission of ailment was 4th July 1916 and he was transferred for a sick convoy on 4th July 1916 on the good ship Panama. On recovery he was posted to the 7th Btn. and later to the 2nd Btn. At some time Jesse was gassed and was possibly taken prisoner. Jesse received payment in German Marks whilst a POW.

    Mark Green




    243842

    Pte. J. Riley 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.14th Jan 1919)

    Private Riley died on the 14th January 1919 and is buried in the Amersfoort Roman Catholic Cemetery, Utrecht, Netherlands.

    S. Flynn




    243825

    Rflmn. William John Kinnear 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd July 1916)

    William Kinnear was born in Ballymacarrett, Belfast, the eldest son of the family. He enlisted in Belfast. William was killed in action on the 2nd of July 1916, Battle of the Somme aged 21 years. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. He was my father's eldest cousin.

    Penelope Maud Kinnear




    243823

    Pte. Charles William Fox 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Charles Fox was the son of Thomas and Sarah Anne Fox of Kettering. He enlisted in Wellingborough, Northants and is buried in Dantzig Alley, Mametz, France.

    David Fox




    243820

    Sister. Elizabeth Lawrence Horne

    Elizabeth Horne was a Sister in the Australian Army Nursing Service. In September 1917 she was posted as sister in charge of HS Vita with a staff of 4 nurses and 25 orderlies for Basrah.

    Kirsty Harris




    243816

    Capt. Abraham Jassinowsky (d.23rd October 1918)

    Captain Jassinowsky was the Son of Moses and Lena Jassinowsky, of Philip's Town, Cape Province. Born at Augustov, Russian Poland.

    He was 29 when he died and is buried in the Windhoek Jewish Cemetery in Namibia.

    S flynn




    243810

    Pte. Joseph Sykes O'Hara 2/7th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment) (d.27th Nov 1917)

    Joseph O'Hara was born on 27th February 1894 at Causeway Foot, Lingards near Slaithwaite, son of Roger and Maria O'Hara. Before the war, he worked at the Slaithwaite Spinning Company. He enlisted at Milnsbridge on 16th November 1915.

    The 2/7th Btn went to France in January 1917. The Battalion was involved in the Battle of Cambrai. On 20th November after the tanks had left their hiding place in Havrincourt Wood, the 2/7th proceeded to Havrincourt village, Graincourt, Anneux and were close to Bourlon Wood when the Battalion was relieved on 22nd November.

    The Battalion returned to Bourlon Wood on Sunday 25th November. On 26th November orders were received for an attack on Bourlon village the following day. The objective for the 2/7th was the easterly arm of the village bounded on the north by the railway line. The Battalion progressed to reach two factory buildings at the eastern end of the village. Heavy machine gun fire from the railway cutting made further progress impossible and the Commanding Officer decided to withdraw to a spur in the wood immediately behind the factories and remained there until 3.45pm when the Germans launched a counter-attack from the west and the north. When this position became untenable the Battalion withdrew into the body of the wood.

    During the course of the action on 27th November 1917, Joseph Sykes O'Hara was killed. He was 23 years old.

    Joseph has no known grave and is one of 7048 soldiers commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing at Louverval. His name is also recorded on the Slaithwaite War Memorial, in the Book of Remembrance at the Regimental Chapel in York Minister and on the Rolls of Honour at the Holy Family Church, Slaithwaite and St Paul's Drill Hall, Huddersfield.





    243808

    CST James Merckle Fraser (d.11th Nov 1918)

    Constable Fraser was the Son of James Merckle Fraser; husband of H. S. H. Fraser, of Wolhuterskop, Rustenburg, Transvaal.

    He was 30 when he died and is buried in the Outjo Cemetery in Namibia.

    S Flynn




    243807

    Sgt. S. S. Wepener (d.13th Nov 1918)

    Sergeant Wepener is buried in the Outjo Cemetery in Namibia.

    S Flynn




    243804

    Pte. Alexander Wood 6th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.14th Jul 1916)

    I believe Alexander Wood was my great uncle but surviving military death record only states, killed in action and parents, Mr and Mrs Wood of 3 Stanwell Street, Leith, but gives no parents first names to allow me to check that he is not from another family living in the same area. Trying to check family history.





    243803

    Pte. William Russell 13th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    William Russell is my recently become known great-uncle, who the living members of his family were unaware of his existence. He joined up late 1914 or early 1915 only to be killed in action on 13th of November 1916 aged about 22 years. His resting place is somewhere on the Somme, he is remembered at his home village in two churches and named at the Thiepval Memorial in France. R.I.P.

    David Lamb




    243801

    Cpl. J. O'Dea (d.2nd Mar 1917)

    Corporal O'Dea was the Son of John and Johanna O'Dea, of Montague St., George, Cape Province. Born at Mossel Bay, Cape Province.

    He is buried in the Ondangwa Cemetery in Namibia.

    S flynn




    243800

    CST C. Jacobson (d.20th Oct 1918)

    Constable Jacobson is buried in the Luderitz Jewish Cemetery in Namibia.

    S flynn




    243799

    Dvr. H. L. Davidson (d.22nd Nov 1915)

    Driver Davidson was buried in the Keetmanshoop Jewish Cemetery in Namibia.

    S Flynn




    243798

    Uffz. Albert Molzahn (d.8th Jul 1915)

    Unteroffizier Albert Molzahn is buried in the Gaub Mission Station in Namibia.

    S Flynn




    243796

    Sgt. Johan Schwarzott (d.23rd Apr 1915)

    Sergeant Schwarzott is buried in the Berseba Cemetery in Namibia.

    S Flynn




    243792

    Capt. Coventry William Woodhouse MC Attn. East African Forces Special List (d.1st Nov 1918)

    Captain Woodhouse was the Son of Mrs. Mary C. P. Woodhouse, of 47, Upper Rock Gardens, Brighton.

    He was 34 when he died and is buried in the Maputo Cemetery in Mozambique.

    S flynn




    243788

    Stoker1. Clifford Frederick Hyam HMS Inflexible (d.22nd Aug 1919)

    Clifford Hyam was born 16th of May 1894 at Copford. He enlisted 17th June 1912 for 12 years, previously working as a farm labourer. He served on HMS Inflexible from 5th of November 1912 until 31st of July 1915. He last served at Pembroke II and was invalided due to tuberculosis on 18th of August 1915 and died in 1919 He was the son of Albert & Georgina Hyam. Clifford's brother, Harold, died 1916 whilst serving with the Middlesex Regiment.

    Alison




    243785

    Pte. Charles James Menzies 6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.9th Apr 1918)

    My grandmother's brother, Charles Menzies was killed in France on 9th of April 1918 in the La Bassee region during the German Spring Offensive of March and April 1918. He served with the 6th Seaforth Highlanders. His best friend also died around the same time and place, they had been choir boys in church in Perth, Scotland. Two candlesticks bearing each of their names are still on the altar in the church where they were in the choir, in Perth.

    Fred H. Goodwin




    243777

    Pte. William Barrett 1/6th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regt. (d.18th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    William Barrett was serve with 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment when he lost his life.

    Malc Way




    243773

    Sgt. William Henry Evans MM. 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    <p>

    William Evans served with the 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment.

    Richard Evans




    243746

    Pte. Samuel John Robert Edwards 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment

    My granddad, Sam Edwards, survived the Battle of Aubers Ridge, on 9th of May 1915, but received a serious bullet wound to the head. The result was deafness and dizzy spells for the rest of his life. Unbelievably, despite his grave but not fatal wound, on recovery he was sent back to serve again. He was a printer in the newspaper trade and his deafness was a boon when he returned to his job after the war, as he could tolerate the excessive noise of the printing presses.





    243742

    Pte. A. C.V. Dyer Royal Army Medical Corps (d.4th May 1917)

    Private Dyer was the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Dyer of 13, Ridgway Terrace, Paignton, Devon. He was 22 when he died and he is buried in the Monaco Principality Cemetery in Monaco.

    S flynn




    243741

    Pte. Frederick Rouxelin

    Private Frederick Rouxelin was the Son of Marie Ange Eudoxie Rouxelin, of La Croix St., Forest Side, Mauritius. He was 20 when he died on 1st September 1921. He is buried in the Port Louis New Western Cemetery in Mauritius.

    S flynn




    243740

    Sgt. Gaston Potie A Coy.

    Serjeant Gaston Potie was the Son of Jean Leonce Potie and Marie Heloise Monty Potie. He was 34 when he died on 6th May 1920 and is buried in the Port Louis New Western Cemetery in Mauritius.

    S flynn




    243736

    Lt. Alexander William Hewson Lillie H.M.S. Pretoria (d.10th Oct 1917)

    Lieutenant Alexander Lillie was the Son of the Rev. Gordon Lillie of Whitby, and the late Elizabeth Lillie, husband of Marion Lillie of Strathroy, 4, Mayfield Rd., Whitby, Yorks. He was aged 44 when he died and is buried in the Port Louis (Roche-Bois) Eastern Cemetery in Mauritius.

    S Flynn




    243735

    Pte. Frederick Humberger (d.22nd Jan 1918)

    Private Humberger was the Son of Frederick and Louis Claire Manas Humberger.

    He was 32 when he died and is buried in the Port Louis (Roche-Bois) Eastern Cemetery in Mauaritius.

    S flynn




    243733

    Pte. Albert Ernest Beechey 8th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Albert Beechey enlisted at 19 years old in St. Albans on 2nd of September 1914. He embarked from Folkestone on 29th of July 1915.

    Andrew Beechey




    243723

    Pte. Thomas Costello 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    My Son who has joined the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers had a pin badge given to him.The badge was made from the artillery that was found at the Somme. With the badge came a card with a soldiers name, rank and date of death and the cemetery he is buried at. The badges are made for each soldier that died at the Somme so that they are never forgotten. I felt I needed to find out more about Private Thomas Costello and his life so that he will never be forgotten and I am in the process of doing this. Thomas was buried at Guards' Cemetery Lesboeufs. He was possibly the Thomas Costello born in 1882. In 1901 he lived with his widowed mother Catherine and by 1911 he was married to Maria and had two children; Thomas S. and Marion. He was employed as an Iron Turner.

    Ann Hardman




    243713

    Pte. Cyril Robinson 9th Btn. London Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    Cyril Robinson is commemorated on The Great War Memorial in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Corringham, Essex. I am researching all the names recorded and Cyril is one of them.

    He was born in Ashford, Kent in 1895 and was living there with his family in 1911 when the census was taken. He must have moved to Corringham after this time. When he died a War Gratuity of £4 14s 5d was paid to his widow Kathleen. I have found a marriage of a Cyril Robinson to a Kathleen M. Walter in Newark, Nottinghamshire in 1917.

    Peter Craggs




    243712

    Pte. James Dawson Hill 6th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.14th Jul 1917)

    Private James Hill was killed on the 14th of July 1917 and is buried along side some of his regiment in the war grave located at Oostaverne Wood near Ypres, Belgium.

    stephan




    243710

    Pte. James Robertshaw 2nd/4th Btn. Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment (d.21st November 1917)

    Jim Robertshaw was my great uncle. We have letters he wrote to my grandma and great grandma while serving in the Great War. One was written while having a short rest in an orchard. He spoke of having come across friends from the same village while in a battle and witnessing them being killed. He described the farms and land and expressed a wish to be able to farm similar land after the war, when he got back home. No matter how many times we read them, we cry, it is so sad. Unfortunately, he was killed on 21st of November 1917 at the Battle of Cambrai. He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, I am visiting Cambrai and the memorial to pay my respects a day or two before the 100th anniversary of his death. He will always be remembered.

    Jennifer Holding




    243709

    John Kerrigan 179th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.13th July 1917)

    John Kerrigan of the 179th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery is buried Dickesbusch New Military Cemetery Extension.

    David Adams




    243699

    2nd Lt. Owen Stirling Melhado 5th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th Dec 1915)

    Second Lieutenant Melhado was the Son of Reginald and Irene Melhado, of Devon House, Half Way Tree, Jamaica, British West Indies. He was Commissioned on the Field and died at age 23 whilst attached to the 11th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. He is buried in the Marsa Jewish Cemetery in Malta.

    S Flynn




    243696

    Gnr. Michael Abela No. 3 Heavy Bty. (d.5th Oct 1915)

    Gunner Abela was the Son of Luigi Abela; husband of Helena Abela, of 12, Strada Parrochiale, Casal Dingli, Malta.

    He was 46 when he died and is buried in the Maria Addolorata Cemetery, Casal Dingli, Malta.

    S Flynn




    243695

    Sgt. Agostino Pace No. 1 Heavy Bty. (d.5th Oct 1915)

    Serjeant Pace was the Son of Lorenzo Pace, of Casal Zebbug; husband of Maria Anna Pace, of 49, Strada Reale, Casal Zebbug, Malta.

    He was 38 when he died and is buried in the Casal Zebbug Church in Malta.

    S Flynn




    243683

    Able Sea. B. W. Tilson H.M.S. Malaya

    Able Seaman Tilson died on 15th February 1921 and is buried in the Taiping (All Saints) Churchyard in Malaysia.

    S flynn




    243675

    Pte Houghton 7th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.12th Feb 1918)

    Pte Houghton served with the 7th Northamptonshire Regiment.

    Stephan




    243670

    Sto. James Litford H.M.A.S. Fantome (d.2nd May 1915)

    Stoker Litford is buried in the Sandakan Christian Cemetery on the island of Borneo in Malaysia.

    S Flynn




    243668

    Able Sea. B. W. Tilson H.M.S. Malaya

    Able Seaman Tilson died 15th February 1921 and is buried in the Taiping (All Saints) Churchyard in Malaysia.

    S Flynn




    243655

    Sea. George Allen HMS Amphitrite (d.25th May 1915)

    Seaman George Allen is buried in the Funchal British Cemetery in Madeira.

    S Flynn




    243652

    Ch.Shpt. Elias Mann HMS Argonaut (d.22nd Jun 1915)

    Chief Shipwright Elias Mann was the son of Elias Mann, R.N., and Emma A. Mann of Plymouth, husband of Sarah Gilberd Mann of 38 Barton Avenue, Keyham, Devonport. He served in the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 and the Somaliland Campaign of 1902-4. He earned the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He was 45 when he died and is buried in the Funchal British Cemetery in Madeira.

    S Flynn




    243646

    Pte. James Tench 1st Btn. Scots Guards

    <p>

    On the 13th of August 1914 at the age of 47, James Tench re-enlisted in his old Regiment, the Scots Guards, putting his age down to enlist. On 13th of September 1914 he embarked for France as part of the British Expeditionary Force becoming known as The Old Contemptibles. He saw action in and around Ypres taking part in 2 operations for which he received 2 silver rosettes and the First Battle of Ypres.

    On 7th of August 1915 he returned to England, his service record notes him as sick, being transferred to the 3rd Battalion and admitted to Adelaide Hospital Dublin the nature of his illness is unknown. On 11th August 1916 James is transferred to the Guards Depot Caterham Barracks where he is discharged from the Scots Guards on 14th of August 1916. He was awarded Chelsea Special Invalid Board Pension on 15th August 1916 finally being discharged from the Army as medically unfit (disability Myalgia) on 29th of August 1916.

    James Tench was awarded the following medals; 1914 Star with Clasp & Roses, British War Medal and Victory Medal, along with the Silver War Badge and the Kings Certificate.

    Gordon Tench




    243639

    Fireman Charles Thomas Curtress

    My Father Charlie Curtress served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers through 1914 to 1918 was gassed and badly wounded. However, he was among the first to give up his job and join the AFS in WW2. He was based on the London docks and survived the Blitz and saw the finish of the war blooded but unbowed. He was London and London was my Father. Inseparable. One of the so many unsung heroes





    243638

    L/Sgt. Horace Brooke 38th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    My neighbour's Great Uncle, Horace Brooke was recommended for the DCM for actions on the 20th of October 1918 whilst serving with D Coy. 38th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.

    Don Weiler




    243636

    Pte. Joseph Eke 4th (Extra Reserve) Btn. B Coy. South Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    I recently purchased some WW1 training manuals at auction. Two were stamped 4th South Staffords Regiment, and the third had the handwritten details of Pte Joseph Eke, 9027 stating that his address at the time was The Grand Hotel, St Heliers, Jersey. (It's highly likely that all three manuals once belonged to Private Eke). This all ties in very nicely with the information contained in your website that the 4th South Staffs Regiment were based in Jersey at some point in the war.

    Jon




    243635

    Sgt. Frederick Barrett 18 Squadron

    In the early days, when the Squadron was in France with the Vickers FB5 Gunbus, they had pilots but no gunners. My grandfather, Frederick Barrett was ground crew but would be grabbed to do the job as he was very light (around six stone on enlistment) and short and a good shot with excellent reactions. They later got trained gunners.

    Pilots would also often test fly the planes by taking mechanics into the air. It apparently improved the focus of the ground crews.

    In 1916 they began night operations and had to light the field for returning aircraft. The landing lights were jam tins with oil and rags. When they recognised a returning aircraft by engine noise, they had to rush out and light tins to guide the aircraft in, and then extinguish them afterwards. Apparently, the planes were outclassed for daylight operations and they had suffered excessive casualties.

    In the occupation at the end of the war, my grandfather told me the Sergeants could leave camp after their morning duties. Local German women were suffering privation and would wait outside the camp some with prams and young children. He said the men, like him, would get a loaf of bread and other food and take their pick. He would then be welcome to their homes for a couple of hours and even get a homecooked meal if he had brought the makings. He found it hard to feel animosity toward ordinary Germans like himself who struggled to feed their families after that. He came from a poor East End background himself and did not pass up the opportunity of being able to meet the locals. One was a captain's wife and a number were very middle class, posh to him but hungry. He often wondered if troops taking advantage of the occupation helped create the underlying sense of injustice that fostered support for extremist politics among women in Germany. He got a silver medal in boxing for the squadron.

    Fred Barrett




    243634

    Pte. David William Bennett 1/7th (Merioneth & Montgomery) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th Mar 1917)

    Bill Bennett, eldest son of William and Mary Bennett was killed in action aged 18 at the First Battle of Gaza on 26th March 1917.

    His father, Gunner William Bennett of the 259th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, was killed in action on 18th April 1917 in Arras, France. William was the brother of my great-grandmother.

    Gareth Hill




    243633

    Gnr. William Bennett 259th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.18th Apr 1917)

    William Bennett was appointed to the Royal Regiment of Artillery on 29th of July 1916. He left with the British Expeditionary Force for France on 12th of February 1917, serving with the 259th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was wounded in the Battle of Arras on 17th April 1917 and died the following day, aged 37.

    He was survived by Mary Bennett (my great-great grandmother) and children Mary Elizabeth (my great-grandmother), Matthew George, Sarah Ann and Thomas Leslie. Eldest son David William Bennett was killed at the First Battle of Gaza on 29th March 1917.

    Gareth Hill




    243628

    Pte. Charles William Knight 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    Charles Knight signed up in 1913 and when the war broke out in 1914 was eager to serve his country. My Grandfather, his much younger brother, remembers cheering and watching the soldiers marching through London to the station. Charlie was injured on the first day of the Battle of Loos with a gunshot wound to the head, however, he bounced back and was in service again without being sent home, a lucky shot I suppose as his regiment suffered heavy losses that day to be hit in the head and get up again was typical of him! He continued fighting until he was injured again during the Battle of the Somme at High Wood when he received a gunshot wound to the groin on the 15th of September 1916. He was sent home on the 22nd of September 1916 where he made a recovery and married his sweetheart, Evelyn.

    My grandfather could never understand why Charles and Evie hadn't had children despite knowing she longed for them, it would appear that his now released war records show that although he was one of the lucky ones that escaped with his life, he did not return unscathed. He was 17 when he signed up for service and by the age of 20 had suffered two significant injuries, the last severe enough to end his service with two years of the war still to run. I can only feel immensely proud of him and of my grandfather who went on to also be severely injured in WW2 when he served as a Desert Rat.

    Amanda Wilkinson




    243627

    Pte. Arnot Ramsay Batchan 5th (Service) Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.19th Jul 1918)

    Arnot Batchan was born on the 11th December 1891, in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.

    Having enlisted into the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) on the 4th of September 1914, Arnot was transferred to the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders on the 6th November 1914. Arnot returned to Edinburgh to marry Elizabeth D. White, at St. Mungo's church, on the 23rd March 1917. He returned to the 5th Battalion and is listed as 'Killed in action, somewhere in France or Belgium' on the 19th July 1918.

    Ian B. Duncan




    243626

    Lt. Robert Grierson Combe VC. 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion (d.3rd May 1917)

    Lt. Robert Combe was a native of Aberdeen, Scotland who enlisted in the CEF in April 1915 at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He was treated for rheumatism and lumbago at Miss Pollock's Hospital in July 1916.

    He was killed in action on 3rd of May 1917 leading his company in a trench assault and was subsequently awarded the VC posthumously.





    243617

    Gnr. John William Sadler 28th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    John Sadler enlisted in the British Army in November of 1914, he was wounded on four occasions before being discharged following the Armistice on the 11th November 1918. His army records show that he served with the 28th Siege Battery for most of his enlisted term but appears to have been transferred to a heavy Battery sometime during 1918.

    Only two amusing anecdotes were often related within the family, as follows:

    During the first days of training a new Sgt Major was gathering many hundreds of troops on the parade ground, as the men almost settled into their respective alphabetical groups, determined by the first letter of their surname, the Sgt Major eyed one man dashing about trying to locate his group, and barked out what was his surname, the man replied 'Phillips' Sgt Major, to which the Sgt quickly pointed to a group and shouted "the F's are that group there man".

    After Armistice day there were millions of men waiting to be transported back to England, and the army was not going to have men idle and it was determined to keep them occupied during the waiting period. Officers from their respective battalions were told to organise men under their control into a variety of work parties, filling in shell holes on the roads or clearing destroyed buildings and the like. The group of men from Gnr Sadler's Siege Battery were being called to gather around an officer who then asked were any musicians among the troops, many hands were raised and men called out the instrument they played, and the chap standing next to my grandfather told him to put up his hand, if the officer asked what instrument he played, simply tell him he played the triangle, after all it was better than filling in shell holes or similar hard work. Having collected about a dozen so called musicians, the officer marched them to the home of a local mayor where they were told it was not their musical talents that were required, it was to physically move an iron frame Grand Piano two hundred yards to the village hall for use in an up-coming official gathering by the locals to say thank you and goodbye to the troops.





    243614

    Pte. Frederick William Savage MM & Bar. 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers

    <p>

    Frederick Savage was on the S.S. River Clyde at Gallipoli V Beach landing and was amongst the first to go ashore where he survived unhurt. He was present for virtually all of the campaign being wounded twice and suffering severe frostbite. The second wound was towards the end of the campaign when he was hit in the back by a bullet whilst lying in prone position. He always blamed the fact that they wore a polished metal disc on their backpacks, which caught the sun's rays giving the Turks a good target to aim at. When wounded he was placed in a tent near the beach with the other wounded. The weather turned very cold. They were in the tent for several days without much nursing attention resulting in him being the only survivor. He returned to his regiment in France in June 1916 and served out most of the war. He was awarded the Military Medal for attending the wounded under heavy shell fire and also received two Hickies Medals, one in November 1916 and the other in November 1917. He served in the Home Guard during WW2.

    Private F.W. Savage, M.M., collected two 'Hickie citations' during his service in France. Major-General Hickie appreciated the effort put in by the men of the 16th Irish Division in the heavy fighting of 1916. When no official recognition of gallantry was made, he arranged for a Parchment Certificate to be handed to all who excelled in battle. The quick-witted Irishmen did not take long to nickname the citations, and they became known as 'Hickie's Medals'. The parchment was headed The Irish Brigade in Celtic script, and a later issue was surrounded by a border design.

    Frederick in Home Gaurd uniform with RAF F/Sgt Son Terrence

    Hickies Medal 1

    Hickies medal 2

    Graeme




    243611

    Pte. Laurence Mcloughlin 10th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.15th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    Laurence Mcloughlin was killed in action at the Bluff. He was buried at Spoilbank Commonwealth War Cemetery.

    John Buckley




    243604

    Pte. William Ralph Upshall 2/4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

    <p>

    Will's War is a true story based on facts, dates and place names discovered in an old diary kept by my grandfather, William Upshall, passed on to his son Eric Upshall and transcribed by me some 80 years later. The diary describes the life of Will and his close family in the village of Evercreech in Somerset and then Will's experiences during the Great War of 1914-18. At 16 years of age Bill makes a brave decision to lie about his age in order to enlist in the Army and joins the Somerset Light Infantry. His observations provide a fascinating personal view of the world during this eventful period of history.

    Wallet with Will's diary & photographs

    Jeanette Upshall




    243601

    Sgt. Richard Edmonston Ewen 4th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Richard Ewen is my great grandfather who was killed in action on the 25th of September 1915 and has no known grave. His widow brought me up and I bear his name. He was a regular soldier and fought in earlier campaigns in the north west frontier and several other battles. As far as I know he reached the rank of sergeant and was in the T.F. when the war started. Unfortunately I no longer have his medals, death coin or the one and only photograph my great gran had. To me his photograph was exactly the figure in the camp coffee bottle down to a tee.

    I have visited and viewed his name on the Menin Gate and in the Scottish roll of honour in Edinburgh Castle. Fortunately the Gordon Highlanders museum provided me with copy of his war records including the dairy of the day he and his squad were killed.

    Richard E.E. Forbes




    243595

    Pte. Anthony Frazer 1/4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Anthony Frazer enlisted in the 4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers on 3rd September 1914 and embarked for Boulogne on the 20th of April 1915. The Battle of St Julien was their first taste of action on 26th of April 1915. On the 28th of June 1915 he was granted sick furlough, suggesting he was wounded at St. Julien and returned to the reserve battalion at home. He was posted to A Company on the 14th of June 1915 Between 12th and 26th of July 1915 he was granted leave for haymaking. On the 23rd of July he was granted 2d/day kit allowance. Between 9th and 16th of August he was again granted leave for haymaking and then granted weekend leave from the 21st to 23rd of August. From the 25th of August to 6th of September 1915 he was granted leave for harvesting and from the 8th to 11th of the same month granted four days furlough. On the 19th he was drafted for BEF reinforcement and from the 25th is no longer included in 4th Reserve Battalion at home.

    Following being wounded for the first time at St. Julien, Anthony returned to France or Belgium in September 1915. At some point he was given the new number of 200433 and was promoted to Corporal. And then in the Newcastle Journal on 29th of November 1917 he is listed as wounded. He survived the war.

    Paul Frazer




    243591

    Pte. Tom Robson 17th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps.

    My grandfather, Tom Robson, was born in Oldham, Lancashire, in 1882. He served in RAMC in South Africa between 1901-03 before returning to the UK, based in Mullingar Barracks in Ireland. There he met an Irish girl, Catherine Reilly, fell in love, married, left the Army, settled in Dublin as a cook/waiter and had 4 children (1 died aged 1) before rejoining RAMC to go to France in September 1914 with 17th Field Ambulance. A fifth child, my father Tom, was born in January 1915. His family continued to live in Dublin but moved to Dover some time after the Easter Rising in 1916. Tom returned from the war to father two more children in 1919 and 1926.

    My father said his father never talked about his time in RAMC and was happy to live life with his family in Dover. I think he worked for some time as a cook/waiter on the cross-channel ferries. He died of lung cancer in a hospital in Manchester on Christmas Eve 1944, possibly having stayed with his extended family away from the 'front line' in Dover. Catherine was with him at his death.

    My grandfather is not a hero in the recognised sense, but, to his family and like many who served, he is someone who did his duty when called upon despite his strong family commitments.

    Any information about Tom's service would be welcomed by his family.

    Jim Robson




    243590

    Pte. Joseph Derbyshire Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    Joseph Derbyshire served with the Sherwood Foresters.

    Steve Derbyshire




    243584

    Rfmn. Arthur George Hawley 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Jul 1915)

    Rfn. Arthur George Hawley was born in Birmingham and was employed as a cabinet maker. He enlisted in the Army on 22nd Aug 1914 and joined the 7th Btn. KRRC. He was sent to France with his Btn on 19th May 1915 and was eventually occupying trenches in the Ypres area. Rfn. Hawley was killed in action in the trenches to the North of Sanctuary Wood near the Hooge Crater on 30th Jul 1915 during a day of intensive fighting. He is one of the 114 members of 7th Btn KRRC killed on that day and is commemorated along with others of his Btn on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Ray Luckett




    243580

    L/Cpl. John Henry Badetscher 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Jul 1915)

    John Badetscher was born 11th Jul 1885 the son of John Badetscher a butler of Swiss nationality and Annie Giblin. He volunteered to join the Army on 14th Aug 1914. He was posted as Rfmn. upon transfer to B Coy, 7th KRRC on 31st Oct 1914 in Winchester. Following promotion to L/Cpl. on 29th Jan 1915 he embarked for France with his Btn on 19th May 1915 and after a period of training in trench warfare the Battalion was sent to the area of Ypres.

    At 3am on 30th Jul 1915 the Germans attacked the Allied positions along the Ypres front in force. B Coy was occupying trenches G2 and G3 near Hooge to the North of Sanctuary Wood. This attack was the first time flamethrowers were used against British troops and the effect was devastating. Very soon the 8th Btn, Rifle Brigade who were holding the trenches to the left and rear of B Coy broke and withdrew. This left B Coy in a position whereby they were coming under enemy fire from the front, left and rear. They defended their position throughout the day slowly being pushed along the trenches towards Sanctuary Wood. Sometime in the early afternoon elements of 8th Btn, KRRC arrived and helped the remnants of B Coy hold the position. It was during this period of fierce fighting that L/Cpl Badetscher was killed whilst laying mines to defend B Coys position. Available records show that his body was eventually recovered by a detachment from 1st Btn Royal Fusiliers and buried but unfortunately it would appear that the location was lost as he has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Ray Luckett




    243578

    Pte. Edwin Lindop 5th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    Edwin Lindop served with the 5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.

    Paul Modern




    243574

    2nd Lt. Richard Willingdon Somers-Smith 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Jun 1915)

    2nd Lt. Somers-Smith was the eldest son of Robert Vernon Somers-Smith and M Gertrude Radcliffe. He was born 27th Oct 1882. He was educated at Eton and Merton College Oxford where he was a distinguished athlete representing both at rowing and running. On completion of his education he left the UK for Ceylon to work within the tea plantation industry.

    At the outbreak of WW1 he returned to the UK and was offered a commission as a 2nd Lt. in the 7th Btn KRRC. On 30th Jun 1915 whilst occupying front-line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm, East of Ypres enemy artillery fire hit the trenches his men were occupying burying several of them. 2nd Lt. Somers-Smith ran forward to assist in digging his men free and was killed in the attempt.

    He is buried beside a fellow 7th Btn Officer, 2nd Lt. H Grew in the Bedford House Cemetery.

    Ray Luckett




    243573

    Pte. James Holder Grimes 18th (2nd South East Lancashire) Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.15th Apr 1917)

    James Grimes was born in July 1879 in Dursley, Gloucestershire. He married Elizabeth Margaret Powell on 22nd April 1908. He was 37 years old when he died on 15th of April 1917 in France.

    Amy Stokes




    243558

    Pte. W M Jones Cheshire Regiment

    My mother died last year, November 2016, and in her effects were various medals relating to my father and an odd solid silver WW1 medal inscribed on the rim: 38338 Pte W M Jones Cheshire. This may relate to her Uncle Will Jones. I am attempting to verify.

    Gerald Barlow




    243550

    Cpl. Leonard Walter Louden 3/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Leonard Louden volunteered to serve in January 1916 at Mansion House. After a short time with the Essex Regiment, he transferred to the 3/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He trained in Goojerat Barracks, Chelmsford where he rose to Lance Corporal.

    The Battalion was sent out to France in March 1917 and took over a stretch of the front line in Givenchy, near Festubert where they had a relatively uneventful time. Lance Corporal Louden was promoted to Corporal.

    In July the 3/5th were moved to Nieuwpoort on the Belgian coast where Operation Hush, a major advance was planned, but events conspired to make the attack impossible to launch. However on 28th September, Lance Sergeant Louden was wounded, probably by an exploding shell. After an operation at No.36 CCS in Zuydecoote, when he was well enough to travel, he went to Lidwells Auxiliary Hospital in Kent to recuperate. He was never fit enough to return to the front and left the Army in 1918.

    Mark Greenwood




    243549

    Rfmn. Joseph George Dowden 7th Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.18th Jul 1916)

    Joseph Dowden was born about 1889 in Marylebone London, a grocers assistant when he was 28 years old, he enlisted in the Army in 1914. He was married to Lilian who was 23 and pregnant with his second child, they already had a 4 year old son Edward and were living at 8 Cumberland St, Westminster.

    On the 21st of August 1914 George arrived at the Rifle Depot Winchester to begin training and was posted on strength of the 7th KRRC serving in C Coy on 25th Aug 1914. 13 days later tragedy struck. Sadly on 7th Sept 1914 Lily died as a result of giving birth. Her death is attributed to her pregnancy and puerperal septicemia. George was given leave to bury his wife and make arrangements for his children. From available records the children were cared for by the Children's Aid Committee from this period.

    George went absent from duty on the 31st Dec 1914 returning to the Battalion 15 days later on the 14th Jan 1915 and was fined 15 days pay. On the 24th Jan 1915 George again went absent without leave and was declared a deserter. He was struck off strength of the Regiment on 16th Feb 1915 following a Court of Inquiry carried out at Hindhead presided over by Capt. HM Gosling and 2nd Lt's. N B Fuller and J H Roe after evidence was heard from 1542 L/Sjt Pickup 7th KRRC. Despite all that had occurred George voluntarily returned to the Battalion on 2nd Mar 1915 and following a disciplinary hearing was awarded 28 days field punishment No. 2a which would possibly have been forced hard labour and secured when not working to prevent further escape.

    On the 19th May 1915 he embarked for France with his Battalion. After a period of training in trench warfare 7th Btn KRRC moved into the front-line trenches east of Ypres. He is recorded as being admitted to 16 General Hospital on 27th Jul 1915 with a distal radius fracture of his left arm. After a period of recovery in Rouen and light duties in 14th Division base area he returned to C Coy on 4th Sept 1915.

    On the 29th Sept 1915 he was injured again and was admitted to the 13th and then the 25th General Hospital for treatment. After a further period of convalescence and light duties he returned to his Battalion on 25th Feb 1916.

    On 1st Jul 1916 he was taken to No.30 Casualty Clearing Station with a serious gunshot wound. He died following treatment on 19th Jul 1916.

    There are several documents available showing that his children were still being cared for under the Children's Aid Committee the last known address for his son Edward being 22 East Stratton, Micheldelver, Winchester where on 29th Nov 1917 hiss personnel effects were sent. They consisted of 1 watch, 1 disc, 2 photographs a photograph case and a birth certificate.

    Ray Luckett




    243548

    Pte. Cecil Charles Lubbock Royal Army Medical Corps

    My grandfather Cecil Lubbock was a dental surgeon living and practising in South West France. He was mobilised with the RAMC on the 9th of May 1918 and was demobbed on the 3rd of April 1919. Whilst at the RAMC depot No 4 Camp in Blackpool, he was billeted in Tent No 8, C Line, K Company.

    D N Lubbock




    243546

    Pte. Charlie Fillis 6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.6th November 1916)

    Charlie Fillis returned to England on the outbreak of war from Michigan USA. He was was wounded at Gallipoli serving with 5th Wiltshires and transferred to the 6th Battalion. He died of Wounds at 44th CCS at Puchevillers and is buried Puchevillers British Cemetery in France. He was originally from Church Walk, Devizes, my maternal grandmother's uncle.

    David Adams




    243540

    Rfmn. Arthur Agnew 7th Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.19th Aug 1916)

    Arthur Agnew, the son of Alice Agnew of 47 New Road, Chilworth, Guildford, and the late Thomas Agnew was 19 when he enlisted in the Army on 3rd Aug 1915 arriving at the Rifle Depot Winchester on 5th Aug 1915. He was initially posted to the 6th Btn on 14th Aug 1915 but after arriving in France he was posted to the 7th Btn on 2nd of February 1916.

    He died on 19th of Augusr 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Ray Luckett




    243528

    Rfn. Joseph Briley 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. (d.9th Sept 1914)

    Rfn Joseph Briley is the first casualty suffered by the 7th Battalion, KRRC during WW1.He was 30 years old when he re-enlisted in the KRRC on 29th Aug 1914 having previously served as 3328 Rfn Briley for a short period from 1900 at age 19 during the Boer War.His trade is listed as a Brass Moulder on his enlistment documentation and the 1911 census shows he was working manufacturing taps. Joseph, the son of Harry married Ellen Briley nee Hill on the 11th Sept 1909 in Birmingham. They had a daughter Ellen a year later.

    Joseph is listed as posted from the Depot in Winchester on 5th Sept 1914 to 7th Btn KRRC. Tragically he is also listed as attempting suicide for an unknown reason on the 6th Sept 1914. Rfmn Joseph Briley died on the 9th Sept 1914 at Chatham Hospital. He is buried in Fort Pitt Military Cemetery, Kent.

    Ray Luckett




    243527

    Pte. Matthew Frazer 1/4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Matthew Frazer was one of five brothers who joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, Durham Light Infantry and the Border Regiment. Matthew with his brother Anthony and nephew William all embarked on 20th of April 1915. All three were wounded shortly after at the battle of St. Julien on 26th of April.

    After returning to France, Matthew also fought at Flers Courcelette in September 1916. He was killed in action on 26th October 1917 at Turrenne Crossing on the first day of the final battle of Passchendaele. His brothers were all wounded in various battles but survived the war. The family received the sum £14 as a war gratuity.

    Paul Frazer




    243524

    Rfmn. William Frederick Partridge 2/10th (2nd Hackney Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Sep 1918)

    Don't really know too much other than William Partridge was only 18 when he died, his twin brother Bertie and two elder brothers survived the war. It must have been so hard for the parents to have four sons at the front. Would love to know more about this great uncle of mine that died so young.

    Chris Partridge




    243522

    Lt. Col. Philip Laurence Kington-Blair-Oliphant CMG DSO 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.6th April 1918)

    Lt Col Blair-Oliphant served as the Commanding Officer of 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and also of the 11/13th Battalion. He later served in the 22nd (Entrenching) Battalion of the same Regiment.

    He died of wounds and was buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen in Grave B.8.13.





    243517

    Pte. J. W. Crockson 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.27th Jun 1917)

    Private Crockson is buried in the Vittener Cemetery in Lithuania.

    S Flynn




    243516

    Pte. A. Bunting 22nd (7th City) Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.13th Dec 1918)

    Private Bunting was the Son of Charles Bunting, of Manchester; husband of Effie Bunting (nee Young) of 19 Shakespeare St., Ardwick, Manchester. He was 33 when he died and is buried in the Vittener Cemetery in Lithuania.

    S Flynn




    243513

    Pte. Donald Stewart Pettigrew 11th (1st South Down) Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.25th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    My great uncle Donald Pettigrew was born 7 September 1892 in the village of Horton cum Studley, Oxfordshire. He enlisted with the 9th Surrey Regiment on 8th of September 1914. He later served with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. He died on 25th of September 1917 during the Battle of Menin Road Ridge.

    Hooge Crater Cemetery

    Roger Weaver




    243512

    Cpl. George William Furnevel 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Apr 1918)

    Willie Furnevel served with 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry.

    Mel Lamb




    243505

    Lt. Ezekiel Vance 11th Btn., C Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.15th July 1916)

    Lt. Vance is buried in Caudry Old Communal Cemetery. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Suffern Vance, and the husband of Annie Morton West Vance of Antrim. He was 45 years old when he died.





    243500

    Lt. F. R. Webb 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Lieutenant Webb served with 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles.





    243499

    L/Cpl. Joseph Webb 11th Btn., B Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.30th September 1916)

    Joseph Webb was 21 years old and the son of John Webb of 2 Richardson's Row, Hilden, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, and the late Annie Webb. He is buried in Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Cemetery Annexe.





    243498

    Rflmn. Robert John Watt 11th Btn., C Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th February 1916)

    Robert Watt was killed on 29th of February 1916 and is buried in Mesnil Ridge Cemetery. He was 30 years old when he died. He was the son of Mrs Agnes Watt and was married to Elizabeth Ann Watt of Portglenone, Co. Antrim.





    243496

    Rflmn. William Watson 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.8th June 1917)

    William Watson was killed in action on 8th June 1917 and is buried in Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery, Grave B.5. He was 36 years old when he died.





    243494

    Lt. L. Waring 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Lieutenant Waring served with 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.





    243493

    Rflmn. James Banks Waring 11th Btn., B Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.23rd May 1917)

    James Waring is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery. He was the son of Mr & Mrs James Waring of 6 Church View, Dunmurry, Co. Antrim.





    243492

    Rflmn. J. Waring 11th Btn., D Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.26th October 1916)

    Rifleman J. Waring died of wounds on 26th October 1916 and is buried in Calais Southern Cemetery, Plot F, Row 1, Grave 9.

    He was the brother of Mary Waring of Copeland, Donaghadee, Co. Down and was 38 years old when he died.





    243491

    Rflmn. James Waring 11th Btn., B Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.30th June 1916)

    James Waring died of wounds and is buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery, Grave I.A.10.

    He was the 24-year-old son of Samuel and Mary Anne Waring of Dunmurry, Co. Antrim.





    243488

    Rflmn. Samuel Ward 11th Btn., A Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st September 1916)

    Samuel Ward died on 1st September 1916 and is buried in Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Cemetery Annexe, Grave II.C.25.

    Samuel was the 18-year-old son of Matthew and Mary Ward of 8 Sandymead, Longstone Street, Lisburn. Co. Antrim.





    243487

    Rflmn. S. H. Walker 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th May 1917)

    Rifleman Walker died on 29th May 1917 and is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery, Grave O.18. He was aged 29.

    He was the son of William and Agnes Jane Walker of Rough Fort, Mallusk, Co. Antrim.





    243486

    2/Lt. Wagner 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    2/Lt Wagner arrived to serve with the 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles on 8th October 1916.





    243484

    Rflmn. H. Toman 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Rifleman Toman is buried in Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval, Grave III.D.5.





    243483

    2/Lt. F. B. Thorneley 11th Btn., B Coy. Royal Irish Rifles

    Second Lieutenant Thorneley served with the 1st and 11th Battalions, Royal Irish Rifles.





    243481

    Rflmn. W. H. Thompson 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.31st May 1917)

    Rifleman Thompson was the son of Mrs J. Thompson, 126 Grand Street, Low Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.

    He is buried in Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery, Grave I.I.15.





    243480

    Cpl. David Tate 11th Btn., A Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.24th June 1916)

    David Tate is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery Extn. He was the son of David and Charlotte Tate of Lisburn and was aged 26 when he died.





    243479

    Cpl. P. M. Stewart 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Corporal Stewart was killed in action on 1st July 1916 and is buried in Cerisy-Gailly French National Cemetery, Grave I.C.18.





    243478

    Rflmn. H. H. Stewart 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.5th September 1917)

    Rifleman Stewart was killed in action on 5th September 1917 and is buried in Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery British Extn., Grave I.F.2.

    He was 21 when he was killed and was the son of Mrs Mary Stewart of Carricknaveagh, Saintfield, Co. Down.





    243477

    Lt. Somers 11th Btn., A Coy. Royal Irish Rifles

    Lt Somers served with 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.





    243476

    Rflmn. W. J. Smyth 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.19th August 1916)

    Rifleman Smyth was the husband of Mrs K. Smyth of 43 McNeill Street, Glasgow.

    He died on 19th August 1916 and is buried in Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Cemetery Annexe, Grave III.B.8.





    243474

    Rflmn. W. W.W. Slater 11/13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd December 1917)

    Rifleman Slater is buried in Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery British Extn., Grave III.F.1.





    243473

    Rflmn. W. Sinclair 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.10th May 1916)

    Rifleman Sinclair was the husband of Annie Sinclair, 37 Beech Street, Donegall Pass, Belfast.

    He was killed on 10th May 1916 in Elgin Avenue and is buried in Authuille Military Cemetery, Authuille, Grave C.17. He was 38 years old.





    243471

    Rflmn. Henry Scott 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.8th June 1917)

    Henry Scott was aged 26 when he died on 8th June 1917. He is buried in Lone Tree Cemetery, Grave II.A.2.

    He was the nephew of David Scott of Ballynadolly, Upper Magheragall, Lisburn.





    243468

    Capt. Arthur Purefoy Irwin Samuels 11th Btn., C Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.24th Sep 1916)

    Captain Samuels was aged 28 when he died of a machine gun bullet wound.

    He was the son of the Rt Hon. Mr Justice Samuels of Clogheeren, Howth, Dublin, and the husband of Dorothy Gage Samuels (nee Young), Millmount, Randalstown, Co. Antrim.

    Arthur Samuels is buried in Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Cemetery Annexe, Grave I.B.25.





    243466

    Rflmn. J. A. Robinson 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st September 1916)

    Rifleman Robinson died, aged 24, on 1st September 1916 and is buried in Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Cemetery Annexe, Grave II.C.26.

    He was the husband of Jane Robinson of 2 James Street, Harryville, Ballymena, Co. Antrim and the son of Robert and Martha Robinson, also of Ballymena.





    243465

    Lt. W. E. Reid 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Lieutenant Reid joined the 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles from Base Depot on 28th March 1917.





    243464

    Rflmn. J. Reddick 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd December 1917)

    Rifleman Reddick is remembered in Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery British Extn. on Memorial 3.





    243463

    Rflmn. D. Pyper 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st September 1916)

    Rifleman Pyper was aged 20 when he died on 1st September 1916. He was the son of Maggie Pyper, Clastry, Kircubbin, Co. Down.

    He is buried in Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Cemetery Annexe, Grave II.C.24.





    243462

    2/Lt. Dyker Stanton Priestley 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Second Lieutenant Dyker Priestley served in D Company, 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He was attached to the 108th MG Company when he was killed in action on 1st July 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.





    243461

    Sgt. Leonard Dean 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Leonard Dean's mother and father Emily and George would visit his grave in La Clytte Military Cemetery every year, until they were too infirm to travel. I have visited his grave on several occasions. His war will left all his possessions to his father.

    George and Emily lost other sons in the Minnie pit disaster 21 Jan 1918, Harry and Jesse.

    Visiting sons grave

    Paul D Dean




    243457

    Lt. Alexander Charles Paul 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd October 1917)

    Alexander Paul was the 20-year-old son of Charles and Mary K. Paul of Glenvale, Howth Road, Clontarf, Dublin. He is buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery in Manancourt.





    243456

    Rflmn. A. M. O'Sullivan 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.8th June 1917)

    Rifleman O'Sullivan was the son of Michael and Mary A. O'Sullivan, 12 Avon Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

    He was killed in action on 8th June 1917 and was buried in Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery, Grave B.12. He was 29 years old when he died.





    243454

    Lt. Reginald H. Neill 11th Btn., B Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Lieutenant Neill was the 21-year-old son of Reginald and Geraldine Neill of Sheena, Craiganad, Co. Down. He was killed in action on 1st July 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Panel 15A and 15B.





    243453

    2/Lt. J. McC. Napier 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    2/Lt Napier joined the 11th Battalion on 10th September 1916, having previously served with the 18th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.





    243452

    2/Lt. C. R.B. Murphy 11th Btn., C Coy. Royal Irish Rifles

    2nd Lieutenant Murphy served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.





    243451

    Rflmn. Samuel Moffett 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.15th March 1916)

    Samuel Moffett died of wounds on 15th March 1916 and was buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery Extn., Plot 1, Row A, Grave 14.

    His parents were Elizabeth and the late Thomas Moffett of Clandeboye, Ireland. He was 29 when he died.





    243444

    Maj. Arthur John Byng Wavell MC. Welsh Regiment (d.9th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Wavell was killed in action on 9th January 1916 near Mwele, British East Africa defending a position guarding the Uganda Railway while in command of the Arab Rifles a force raised to protect Mombasa. He is buried in the Mwele Ndogo Military Graveyard in Kenya.

    S Flynn




    243443

    Lt. John Lachlan Mackintosh Arab Rifles (d.9th Jan 1916)

    Lieutenant Mackintosh was the son of Mr. R. L. Mackintosh of Inshes, Inverness. He was 22 when he died and is buried in the Mwele Ndogo Military Graveyard in Kenya.

    S Flynn




    243442

    Lt. Frank Dawson-Smith Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry

    Lieutenant Dawson-Smith was the Son of the Rev. Charles and Mrs. Katie Dawson-Smith, of Nash Rectory, Stony Stratford, Bucks, husband of Lavinia Dawson-Smith. He was 33 when he was killed, whilst attached to the 1st/5th King's African Rifles, on 11th January 1920 and is buried in the Wajir Cemetery in Kenya.

    S Flynn




    243441

    Lt. H. Bird 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.12th Apr 1919)

    Lieutenant Bird was attached to the 1st/5th King's African Rifles when he died on the 12th April 1919. He is buried in the Wajir Cemetery in Kenya.

    S flynn




    243440

    Capt. Edward Gerald Mytton Thornycroft 4th Bn. African Rifles King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.12th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Captain Edward Thornycroft was the son of Frances A. H. Morris (formerly Thornycroft) of New Place, Tiverton, Devon, and the late Rev. J. Mytton Thornycroft. He was 28 when he was killed in action and is buried in the Kisii Boma Military Graveyard in Kenya.

    S flynn




    243439

    Capt. Mackenzie Hamilton Fraser Seaforth Highlanders (d.26th Jun 1919)

    Mackenzie Fraser died on 26th June 1919 and is buried in the Mumias Cemetery in Kenya.

    S Flynn




    243438

    Cpl. Harry Clement Seates Royal Army Medical Corps (d.29th Jan 1919)

    Harry Seates was the son of Mr. C. A. and Mrs. K. A. Seates of Fairview, Chedworth, Glos. He was 22 when he died on 29th January 1919 and is buried in the Muranga (St. James and all Martyrs) Churchyard in Kenya.

    S Flynn




    243436

    Sgt. H. S.V. Graham British West Indies Regiment (d.4th Jan 1917)

    Serjeant Graham was the Son of Rev. J. W. Graham, M.A., and Gertrude A. Graham, of Spanish Town, Jamaica. >He was 22 when he died and is buried in the Siloah St. Barnabas Churchyard in Jamaica.

    S Flynn




    243435

    Pte. D. Willock Jamaica Contingent British West Indies Regiment (d.8th Feb 1917)

    Private Willock is buried in the Montego Bay Cemetery in Jamaica.

    S. Flynn




    243434

    Pte. J. Walker Jamaica Contingent British West Indies Regiment (d.8th Feb 1917)

    Private Walker was the Son of Richard and Rosa Campbell Walker, of Lucea, Jamaica. He was 20 when he died and is buried in the Lucea Cemetery in Jamaica.

    S. Flynn




    243433

    Sgt. J. E. Carter Jamaica Contingent British West Indies Regiment (d.4th Mar 1918)

    Serjeant (Instructor) Carter is buried in the Half Way Tree St. Andrew Church Cemetery in Jamaica.

    S. Flynn




    243431

    Pte. Charles Samuels British West Indies Regiment (d.13th Feb 1917)

    Private Samuels was the Son of Edward and Mary Samuels, of Ipswich, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. He was 24 when he died and is buried in the Falmouth Cemetery in Jamaica.

    S flynn




    243427

    Thomas Letts Worcestershire Regiment

    Thomas Letts was my Great Uncle and brother of my Grandfather who also served in The Worcestershire Regiment. He was injured, sent home and re-enlisted on 29th May 1917. Thomas was never really well after returning home and died a few years later.

    Eileen Weaver




    243424

    Gnr. Ben Varvill 15th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Ben Varvill served with 15th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.





    243422

    Cpl. Richard George James Dee 10th (Kent County) Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    Richard Dee, my Grandfather, joined up in Dec 1915 and was mobilised in Apr 1916 serving with the Buffs. He was sent to France on 23rd Sept 1917 on arrival at the 38th Infantry depot at Etaples he was transferred to 10th Battalion, Royal West Kents. He served in Italy and returned to the Western front early 1918 with his Battalion. He was a sniper, and was promoted to L/Corporal and then Corporal until being de-mobbed and returning to Herne Bay in Feb 1919.

    He married and had two sons, both served in WW2 in the RAF. Sadly he died in 1943. He was a lucky man he survived the Great War.

    Richard Dee




    243421

    Pte. Thomas Fowley 4th (Extra Reserve) Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.18th Oct 1915)

    Thomas Fowley of the 4th Connaught Rangers died of illness and is buried in Ballynakilla Cemetery.

    David Adams




    243420

    L/Cpl. S. Millar 11th Btn., C Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    L/Cpl Millar died of wounds on 1st July 1916. He is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery Extn. Plot 2, Row A, Grave 9.

    He was the son of Alexander and Mary Millar, 52 Larne Street, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.





    243418

    CSM. Mearns MC. 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    CSM Mearns MC served with the 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles.





    243417

    Capt. F. W.L. May 11th Btn., C Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.8th June 1917)

    Captain May died of wounds on 8th June 1917 and was buried in Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Grave I.J.36.





    243416

    2/Lt. Wesley Maultsaid 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.12th November 1916)

    Second Lieutenant Wesley Maultsaid is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery. He was the son of W.J. Maultsaid of Londonderry and was 28 when he died.





    243414

    Rflmn. David Martin 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.17th June 1916)

    David Martin was 17 when he was killed in action on 17th June 1916. He is buried in Authuille Military Cemetery, Authuille, Grave C20.

    David was the son of David Martin, 122 Longstone Street, Lisburn.





    243413

    2/Lt. Marshall 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    2/Lt Marshall served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.





    243412

    Rflmn. Charles Dunlop Marshall 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Charles Marshall was the husband of Elizabeth Marshall, 16 Portland Street, Belfast, and the son of Joseph and Matilda Marshall, Primrose Villa, Ballylesson, Co. Antrim.

    Charles has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15A and 15B.





    243411

    Rflmn. A. McLean 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th May 1917)

    Rifleman McLean was the son of Hugh and Ann McLean, Bracknamuckly, Portglenone, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

    He was 19 when he died and is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery, Grave O17.





    243410

    L/Cpl. Robert McKnight 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.24th July 1916)

    Robert McKnight died of wounds on 24th July 1916. He is buried in Caudry Old Communal Cemetery, Grave A.3.

    Robert was the 25-year-old son of Robert McKnight, Derryogue, Kilkeel, Co., Down.





    243408

    Rflmn. R. McKibben 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Rifleman McKibben died of wounds and was buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery Extn., Plot 2, Row B, Grave 15. He was 27 years old when he died. He was the son of James and Mary McKibben of Belfast.





    243407

    Rflmn. D. McKenzie 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.19th May 1916)

    Rifleman McKenzie is buried in Authuille Military Cemetery, Grave C.11.





    243406

    Rflmn. James McGimpsey 11th Btn., D Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    James McGimpsey was killed on 1st July 1916 and was buried in Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval, Grave VI.C.4. He was the 19-year-old grandson of Martin McGimpsey, Loughries, Newtownards, Co. Down.





    243404

    Pte. Stuart Morrison 3/14th (3rd Scottish) Battalion London Regiment

    My grandmother, Doris Maude Sinclair married Stuart Morrison on 23rd of July 1915. Stuart was killed in action at the end of 1915. His Father was William Henry Morrison, who worked at Woolwich Arsenal.

    Michael Lewis




    243403

    Rflmn. W. McDowell 11th Btn., D Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Rifleman McDowell was killed in action on 1st July 1916. He is buried in Cerisy-Gailly French National Cemetery, Grave II.A.11.

    He was the son of James and Ellen McDowell, 2 New Street, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.





    243402

    Rflmn. T. James McClure 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st September 1916)

    Rifleman McClure was the son of Sarah and the late Lazey McClure of Lisburn. He was the husband of Margaret McClure, 25 Ballynahinch Road, Lisburn.

    He was 20 years old when he died and is buried in Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Cemetery Annexe, Grave II.C.24.





    243401

    Rflmn. Robert McCauley 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.17th June 1916)

    Robert McCauley was the son of Mary Elizabeth McConnell (formerly McCauley), 2 Hill street, Dunmurry, Belfast and the late James McCauley.

    He was aged 20 when he died and is buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extn., Grave III.A.7.





    243400

    Rflmn. Hector McAndrew 11th Btn., C Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.3rd March 1916)

    Hector McAndrew is buried in Mesnil-Martinsart Cemetery. He was the 18 year-old son of John and Sarah McAndrew of Glasgow.





    243399

    L/Cpl. Richardson Long 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.8th December 1917)

    L/Cpl Long was aged 37 when he died. He was the son of Richardson and Mary Long, Lambeg, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.

    He was buried in Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery British Extn., Grave III.C.3.





    243398

    L/Cpl. Hugh Lindsay 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th June 1917)

    L/Corporal Lindsay was aged 21 when he died. He is buried in Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery, Grave D7. He was the son of Mr and Mrs David Lindsay, Main Street, Crumlin, Co. Antrim.





    243397

    Capt. D. C. Lindsay 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Captain Lindsay served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.





    243394

    Sgt. William Lavery 11th Btn., A Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.24th June 1916)

    Sgt Lavery has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15A and 15B.





    243393

    Rflmn. William Lamont 11th Btn., A Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    William Lamont was 25 years old when he died. He is buried at Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Cemetery Annexe, Grave II.C.24.

    He was the husband of Sarah MrKearney (formerly Lamont), 23 Canal Street, Lisburn and the son of Robert and Lizzie Lamont, 42 Gregg St, Lisburn.





    243392

    Rflmn. J. Kyle 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.28th June 1916)

    Rifleman Kyles was the son of Samuel and Agnes Kyle, Castle Street, Antrim.

    He died on 28th June 1916 and was buried in Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval, Grave VI.C.5.





    243391

    Pte. George Saunders 18th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.24th Nov 1917)

    George Saunders was my great uncle on my mother's side, one of 3 children to George and Ellen Saunders of Mountain Ash. Prior to joining the regiment in April 1915 he worked at Nixon's Navigation Colliery.

    George served in the 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment and was believed killed in action aged on 24th November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. Like countless others his body was never recovered. He is honoured at the Loverval Military Cemetery to the south west of Cambrai.

    Saunders




    243388

    Pte. Alex Bennett Jamaica Contingent British West Indies Regiment (d.1st February 1917)

    Private Bennett is buried in the Buff Bay Cemetery in Jamaica.

    S Flynn




    243385

    L/Sgt. Alfred Shaw 21st Btn., A Coy, 2nd Plt. Manchester Regiment (d.4th Oct 1918)

    Alfred Shaw was the eldest of six children, all from New Mills. Before joining, he was a law clerk; his father James was somewhat disabled due to an industrial injury. James kept the local post office in New Mills.

    Two of Alfred's brothers also served in the Great War, but they survived. Alfred's brother Fred happened to be at home in October, and he had a dream in which he saw one of his brothers lying dead on a battlefield. He couldn't tell which brother, as the man was lying face down and they looked alike from the back.

    Judith Crocker




    243381

    Pte. William Taylor 2/8th (Liverpool Irish) Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    I have William Taylor's Great War pair (1914-1918 War and Victory Medals). He served in the Liverpool Irish and died on the 20th of September 1917 during the Battle for the Menin Road. His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. I've had this fellow's medals for over 30 years now and wish I knew more about him. I think of him every September 20th and long to know more about him.

    R.D. Van Sluys




    243378

    Mjr. A. P. Jenkins 11th Btn., A Coy. Royal Irish Rifles

    Major A. P. Jenkins served with A Coy. 11th Royal Irish Rifles.





    243377

    2/Lt. Jackson 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Second Lieutenant Jackson served with 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles.





    243376

    Rflmn. Victor Jackson 22nd (Entrenching) Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th March 1918)

    Victor Jackson died, aged 19, on 29th March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial. He had previously served with the 11/13th Battalion. Victor was the son of Robert Jackson of 240 Cambrai Street, Belfast.





    243375

    Rfn. R. Blair 13th (1st Co. Down) Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.10th Dec 1917)

    Rifleman Blair was 40 years old when he died. He is buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt. He was the son of Thomas and Eliza Blair, Clodrurn, Killeshandra, Co., Cavan.





    243371

    2/Lt. Stewart Carlile 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    2nd Lieut Carlile served with the 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.





    243370

    Mjr. G. F. Cavendish 11th Btn., C Coy. Royal Irish Rifles

    Major Cavendish Clarke served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.





    243368

    2/Lt. E. Daniel 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    2nd Lieut. Daniel joined the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles from base on 28th April 1916.





    243364

    J. Cartwright 1/1st Essex Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    I have a silver hunter wrist watch with the following engraving: J. Cartwright, 1/1 Essex RGA, Heavy Battery Wrist watches were not commonly used by men until the First World War. This watch is typical of the time and has a black face with luminous Arabic numerals. The watch was not owned by a family member.

    Alan Watson




    243361

    Pte. Fred Govan 5th/6th Btn. B Coy. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.14th April 1917)

    Fred Govan was a great uncle of mine, who was 21 when he was killed at Arras. Sadly, I am unaware of any photographs or stories about him, as the family are all gone. I am a piper and knowing my great uncle gave his life, has inspired me to do more research and also play at war memorials.

    Arthur Govan




    243356

    Pte. Thomas Conley 1/8th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.17th May 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Conley served with the 8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, he was killed at Arras in 1917.

    Arras Cemetery France

    Thomas J Conley




    243354

    Pte. William Thomas Chorley 12th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

    Will Chorley was my father who, tragically, died three months before I was born. Formerly of the West Somerset Yeomanry, William Thomas Chorley enlisted at Taunton on the 11th of November 1914, and I am aware that with the Yeomanry he served in the Middle East participating in the various campaigns in this theatre, he was in Jerusalem in January 1918 for I have in my collection of his papers his certificate of confirmation, signed by the Bishop of Jerusalem on the 17th of January 1918. His discharge paper shows he transferred to the 12th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry and, I assume, would have arrived on the Western Front in May 1918.

    My late mother, told me that while in France he was quite seriously wounded in the thigh and although on his discharge he returned to prewar work as a farm labourer, he walked with a limp for the rest of his relatively short life. His actual discharge is dated 3rd of March 1919, as being no longer physically fit for military service; the document is markerd 'Wound Stripes' One, Chevrons 3 Blue. Any information that you may be able to impart relating to his military service - particularly the actions involving the 12th Battalion in France, will be most welcome.

    William R Chorley




    243353

    2/Lt. G. N. Hunter 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    2/Lt Hunter served with the 11th Royal Irish Rifles.





    243348

    2/Lt. N. C.P. Graves 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    2/Lt Graves served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.





    243347

    Rflmn. J. Gow 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.27th September 1916)

    Rifleman Gow died on 27th September 1916 and was buried in Aveluy Wood Cemetery (Lancashire Dump) Mesnil-Martinsart, Grave I.A.10.





    243346

    Rflmn. W. Gill 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.9th August 1916)

    Rifleman Gill was the son of Mrs E. Gill, Ballyskeagh, Lambeg, Lisburn.

    He is buried in Ration Farm Cemetery (La Plus Douve) Annexe, Grave III.B.5.





    243345

    Capt. Matthew Henry Gibson MC & Bar 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th October 1918)

    Matthew Gibson died, aged 28, while serving with the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. He was buried in Duhallow ADS Cemetery. Matthew was the son of David and Annie E. Gibson of 1 Chestnut Gardens, Cliftonville, Belfast.





    243344

    2/Lt. D. Gamble 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    2/Lt D. Gamble served with the 11th Royal Irish Rifles.





    243342

    Rflmn. A. Galway 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.17th June 1916)

    Rifleman Galway died of wounds on 17th June 1916. He was the son of John and Mary Galway, Balloo, Antrim and was 21 years old when he died.

    He was buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extn., Grave III.A.6.





    243341

    2/Lt. W. R. Foster 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    W. R. Foster arrived as a reinforcement for this battalion on 3rd October 1916.





    243340

    Rflmn. A. Foster 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.17th March 1916)

    Rifleman Foster died on 17th March 1916 and was buried in Mesnil Ridge Cemetery, Mesnil-Martinsart, Grave I.3. He was the husband of M. Foster, Cloughhogue, Cuddy, Randalstown, Co. Antrim.





    243339

    2/Lt. W. J. Flood 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Second Lieutenant Flood served with the 1st and 11th Battalions, Royal Irish Fusiliers.





    243338

    Capt. A. G. Ferrier 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Captain Ferrier served with 11th Royal Irish Rifles.





    243337

    2/Lt. Ferguson 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Second Lieutenant Ferguson served with this Battalion from 8th October 1916 when he arrived as a reinforcement.





    243323

    Pte. George David Coker 20th (3rd Public Schools) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.12th Jul 1917)

    George Coker was mortally wounded at the Battle for High Wood on the Somme and died aged 28 'Thy Duty Done'. Currently resides at the Kensal Green (All Souls') Cemetery, London.

    Mark Coker




    243320

    Sgt. Joseph Webster DCM. 5th Battalion Black Watch (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Webster served with the 5th Battalion, Black Watch.

    Philip Morrison




    243316

    Dvr. Luigi Rabaiotti 656th Ambulance Coy. Royal Army Service Corps (d.2nd January 1946)

    Driver Rabaiotti was the Son of Giovanni and Maria Rabaiotti, nephew of Giuseppe Rabaiotti, of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. He was 26 when he died and is buried in the Bardi Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243315

    Pte. George Timberlake 1st Veterinary Hospital Royal Army Veterinary Corps

    George Timberlake was 34 when he died on 21st February 1919 and is buried in the Voghera Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243313

    Pion. George Henry Rose No.6 Telephone Construction Coy. Royal Engineers

    Pioneer Rose was the Son of John and F. Rose, of 46, Villas Rd., Plumstead, Kent.

    He was 27 when he died 22nd February 1919 and is buried in the Voghera Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S flynn




    243312

    Sgt. Henry William Holmes Heavy Repair Shops M.T. Royal Army Service Corps

    Serjeant Holmes was the Son of Mr. H. W. and Mrs. V. R. Holmes, of 18, Larkhall Lane, Clapham, London.

    He was 36 when he died on 1st March 1919 and is buried in the Voghera Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S flynn




    243311

    Pte. R. Dawson 1st Vet. Hospital Royal Army Veterinary Corps

    Private Dawson is buried in the Voghera Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S. Flynn




    243310

    Pte. R. McLachlan 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd March 1918)

    Private McLachlan was the Son of Robert and Jessie McLachlan, of Scotland, husband of Susan McLachlan, of 41. Grove St., Coventry.

    He was 37 when he died and is buried in the Villafranca Padovana Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243309

    Pte. Alfred Rowland Matthews 10th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.25th September 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred Matthews was born on 16th August 1893 to Frederick and Clara Matthews, at 12 Normal Terrace, Cheltenham. Alfred joined in the Gordon Boys Brigade in Cheltenham as a lad, with a push from his mother I believe. His brother were also in the Brigade, and I think they delivered messages around the town.

    He married Edith Isabel Turner on 26th December 1914 and went to France the following year. He was killed in action, on 25th of September 1915 at the Battle of Loos, never being able to see his infant son, who was 6 months old at the time. His widow did remarry about 5 years later to Samuel John Bennett, and they had 6 children, continuing to reside in Cheltenham.

    Debra Coleman




    243308

    Rflmn. W. Ellis 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.5th September 1917)

    Rifleman Ellis served in "A" Company. He died on 5th September 1917 and is buried in Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery British Extn, Grave I.F.1.





    243307

    Rflmn. S. Easton 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Rifleman Easton was the son of Mrs Agnes Easton, 65 Matchett Street, Belfast. He was 27 when he died and is buried in Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval, Grave XII.B.1.





    243306

    2/Lt. R. C.B. Eagan 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Second Lieutenant R. Eagan served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.





    243305

    Rflmn. David Drennan 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st September 1916)

    David Drennan was aged 37 when he died. He is buried at Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Annexe, Grave II.C.27.

    David was the son of James and Eliza Drennan of Belfast, and the husband of Hester Drennen, 42 Vernon Street, Belfast.





    243304

    Sgt. J. H. Doyle 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Sgt Doyle served with the 11th Royal Irish Rifles.





    243303

    Rflmn. R. Douglas 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st September 1916)

    Rifleman Douglas was the son of John and Agnes Douglas, 13 Eversleigh Street, Belfast. He was 20 years old when he died and is buried in Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Cemetery Annexe, Grave II.C.27.





    243302

    Rflmn. Samuel John Douglas 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th May 1917)

    Samuel Douglas died on 29th May 1917, aged 24, and is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery, Grave O.16.

    He was the son of James Douglas, Ravarnette, Lisburn, Co. Down and the late Agnes Douglas.





    243301

    2/Lt. O. R. Darling 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Second Lieutenant Darling joined the 11th Battalion as a reinforcement on 20th January 1917.





    243300

    Rflmn. J. H. Cunningham 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.26th June 1916)

    Rifleman Cunningham died of wounds on 26th June 1916, aged 32. He served in "A" Company. He is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery Extension, Plot 1, Row E, Grave 3.

    He was the son of the late James and Sarah Cunningham, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim.





    243299

    Capt. C. C. Craig 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Captain Craig served in B Company, 11th Royal Irish Rifles.





    243298

    L/Cpl. H. Corkin 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.17th May 1916)

    L/Cpl Corkin died on 17th May 1916 and is buried in Grave C12 in Authuille Military Cemetery.

    He was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Corkin, 83 Gregg Street, Lisburn. Co. Down.





    243297

    2/Lt. John Henry Connolly 6th Btn. Attchd. 11th Btn Royal Irish Rifles Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.1st September 1916)

    John Connolly was gassed on 1st September 1916 and died on that day, aged 19. He is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extention, Grave II.F.67.

    He was the son of John M. and E.J. Connolly, Ganagh Hill, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry.





    243296

    Rflmn. John Clay 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.28th March 1916)

    John Clay died of wounds on 28th March 1916, aged 18. He is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery Extention, Plot 1, Row A, Grave 6. He was the son of Mrs Clay and the late Thomas Clay, Lambeg, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.





    243295

    L/Cpl. W. Darby S.S. Calliope (d.5th April 1917)

    Lance Corporal Darby is buried in the Trapani Town Cemetery in Italy.

    S. Flynn




    243293

    Rflmn. John Chambers 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    John Chambers died on 1st July 1916 and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.





    243292

    2/Lt. J. C. Carson 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Second Lieutenant Carson served with the 11th Royal Irish Rifles.





    243290

    2E Denis Patrick Owens S.S. Brodholme (d.10th June 1918)

    Second Engineer Owens was the Son of John and Sarah Owens. of Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny; husband of Maud Owens, of 32, Hamstel Rd., Southchurch. Southend-on-Sea.

    He was 30 when he drowned when his ship was hit by a German U-Boat. He is buried in the Syracuse Communal Cemetery, Sicily, Italy,

    S. Flynn




    243289

    Rflmn. J. Cairns 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st September 1917)

    Rifleman Cairns is buried in Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery British Extension, Grave II.C.20.





    243288

    Cpl. E. Cairns 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Corporal Cairns is buried in Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval, Grave XIV E8.





    243287

    FF Ah Ching Chu S.S. Brodholme (d.10th June 1918)

    Fireman Chu was drowned when his ship was attacked by a German U Boat. He is buried in the Syracuse Communal Cemetery, Sicily, Italy.

    S flynn




    243286

    Rflmn. Samuel Bushe 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Samuel Bushe was serving with "D" Company when he was killed on 1st July 1916. He was aged 36 and the son of the late Mrs Ellen Ferris and the husband of Mrs Emily Bushe, 20 Helen Street, Crumlin, Co. Antrim.

    Samuel has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Panel and Face 15A and 15B.





    243285

    Rflmn. W. Brown 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd June 1916)

    Rifleman Brown died of wounds on 2nd June 1916, aged 19. He was the son of William and Annie Brown, Lisnamulligan, Rathfriland, Co. Down. He was buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery Extension.





    243284

    Lt. Henry Batten Keable HMS Manxman (d.11th September 1918)

    Lieutenant Henry Keable was the Second son of Rev Robert Henry Keable and Margaret Clarke of Kensington, London. He was 30 when he died and is buried in the Syracuse Communal Cemetery, Sicily, Italy.

    S. Flynn




    243283

    2/Lt. T. T. Bramall 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Second Lieutenant Bramall joined the battalion on 14th May 1916.





    243282

    Sgt. Brady 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Sergeant Brady was wounded on 31st of October 1916.





    243280

    Frmn. Fook Ng S.S. Brodholme (d.10th June 1918)

    Foreman Ng was drowned when the S.S. Brodholme was attached by a German U-Boat. He is buried in the Syracuse Communal Cemetery, Sicily, Italy.

    S. Flynn




    243279

    Rfmn. David Boyd 11th (South Antrim) Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    David Boyd died of wounds on 1st July 1916, aged 19. He was the son of David and Mary Boyd of Derryboy, Co. Down. He is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery Extension.





    243278

    Capt. Walter Charter Boomer MC. 12th (Central Antrim) Btn. D Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Oct 1918)

    Captain Walter Boomer died of wounds on 1st October 1918 while serving with the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. He is buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery. He was aged 27 when he died. He was the son of Richard Walter and Jane Armstrong Boomer, Knockmore Cottage, Lisburn.





    243275

    Rfmn. James Bell 11th (South Antrim) Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th May 1917)

    James Bell was the son of James Murdoch Bell of Ballybracken, Doagh, Co. Antrim and the late Jane Graham Bell. He died on 29th May 1917, aged 19, and is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery.





    243274

    Rflmn. William Beers 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.22nd March 1917)

    Rifleman William Beers was attached to 108th TM battery when he died on 22nd March 1917 at the age of 28. He was the son of Robert Beers, Belfast Road, Comber, Co. Down. He is buried in Kemmel Chateau Cemetery.





    243273

    2/Lt. James Hamilton Barr 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st September 1918)

    James Barr arrived as a reinforcement and joined the battalion on 8th October 1916. He was killed in action on 1st September 1918 when he was attached to 7/8 Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. He is buried in Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery, Grave IV.C.13. He was 21 years old when he was killed. James was the son of Mr and Mrs William Barr, 9 Aubrey Street, Londonderry.





    243272

    2Lt. J. H.M. Andrews 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    2nd Lieutenant Andrews served with A Company,11th Royal Irish Rifles after joining the battalion on 19th of June 1916. He was slightly wounded on 25th of July 1916.





    243271

    Rflmn. J. Aicken 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st September 1916)

    Rifleman Aiken was the son of Maggie Aicken, 8 Agnew St, Larne, Co. Antrim. He died on 1st September 1916 and was buried at Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Cemetery Annexe, grave II.C.27. He was aged 21.





    243270

    2Lt. J. S. Adair 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    J S Adair joined the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles as a reinforcement on 10th of January 1917.





    243267

    Pte. John Edmund Worrall 11th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1917)

    John Worrall was my Great Uncle on my mother's side of the family.





    243258

    Rflmn. Robert Archibald Brown 5th Btn. London Regiment

    My grandfather Robert Brown was wounded on 10th of September 1916, his leg was amputated and he was discharged on 3rd of March 1917.

    Lilian Brown Mullane




    243255

    Pte. Edwin Potts 22nd Battalion Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, Edwin Potts, was married to Mary Alice Hopkinson. The following story is from memories written down by my Great Aunt Ethel Delany, one of Edwin's 7 children. There is nothing about his time in the army, but probably like many returned servicemen, he didn't talk about them, especially to the younger children. Edwin was a cabinet maker & was in partnership with his brother in a small factory. They sold furniture from their shop, where they also sold crockery, gramophones, records, hardware etc.

    Unfortunately one year after returning from the War, Edwin accidentally fell off a tram and died a week later. He was 40. Three years later his wife emigrated to New Zealand, where some of Edwin's sisters had already settled. with the 7 children on the ship, Ruahine. They settled in Nelson.





    243254

    Pte. George Edward Farr 12th Btn. Royal Scots (d.12th Oct 1917)

    <p>George & William Farr

    George Farr was my grandmother's cousin. He was born in Saddleworth in 1891. He was in 12th Battalion, Royal Scots having formerly served as private 4595, Manchester Regiment and 22175, Loyal North Lancashire Regimentt. He was killed in action on 12th October 1917 at Passchendaele and is buried at Tyne Cot.





    243253

    William Henry Brown 12th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.16th June 1917)

    <p>

    William Brown was my Great Great Uncle.

    Joshua Makoul




    243249

    Pte. William Leonard Neal 91st Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.23rd November 1917)

    William Neal was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Neal of 16 Huxley Rd., Upper Edmonton, London. He was 21 when he died and is buried in the Stradella Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243248

    L/Cpl. William John Taverner 1/6th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.4th Oct 1918)

    Lance Corporal William Taverner was the Son of George and Ellen Taverner, of 34, Birch Rd., Southville, Bristol. He was 23 when he died and is buried in the Sirmione Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S flynn




    243246

    Spr. James Ward 303 Road Construction Coy.

    My Great Uncle James Ward joined the WW1 Army Reserves in 1915 as a reservist in the Lancashire Fusiliers but was quickly attached to the 336th Road Construction Company and in 1917 left Southampton for Le Havre. Formerly a civilian labourer according to his enlistment papers he had in fact been a night soil man (emptying domestic latrines) just prior to joining up. It could be that his 23/- a week (£75 by today's money) was less attractive than the Army pay under those circumstances!

    Prior to his discharge he was back on home shores serving with the 303rd RCC and was now a Sapper (Pavior). Interestingly, three of his brothers, as well as his father, had all been (and remained) road pavers, which may well have influenced the army decision?Apart from losing a day's pay for insubordination (disrespectful language) in 1917, to an NCO his record was complimentary and his character rated as 'proficient'. James survived the war intact.

    Allen Ward




    243245

    Pte. Adolphus Davey 15th (2nd Birmingham) Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>

    Adolphus Davey served with the 2nd Birmingham Pals.





    243235

    Gnr. Alfred Walter Robert Ross 307th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th Mar 1918)

    Alfred Ross was the husband of Ethel M. Ross of 5 Chester Park, Fishponds, Bristol. He was 34 when he died and is buried in the Sandrigo Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243234

    Dvr. Frank Belshaw 241 Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.13th Dec 1917)

    Frank Belshaw was the Son of Frank and Jane Belshaw of 1 Timm's Yard, Holland St., Coalpit Lane, Nottingham. He was 30 when he died and is buried in the Sandrigo Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243233

    Lt. W. H. Scott Royal Engineers (d.20th Nov 1917)

    Lieutenant Scott was the Son of Mr. W. D. Scott of 13 Rosaville Rd., Fulham, London. He was 28 when he died and is buried in the San Remo Town Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243232

    Pte. G. A. Matthews Army Service Corps (d.6th Dec 1917)

    Private Matthews is buried in the San Remo Town Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243231

    A/Bmbdr. William Bingley SS Umballa (d.25th Dec 1917)

    Acting Bombardier William Bingley was the Son of Richard John and Emily Mary Bingley, of Islington, London. He was 43 when on December 25th, 1917, Umballa, on a voyage from Karachi & Syracuse to Naples with a cargo of barley, was sunk by the German submarine UB-49 (Hans von Mellenthin), 8 miles SWxW of Cape Scala, Gulf of Policastro. 15 persons were lost. He is buried in the San Nicola Arcella Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243227

    Pte. Ernest Walter Jones GHQ Reserve Coy. Army Service Corps (d.13th Nov 1918)

    Ernest Jones was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Jones,of Bristol, husband of Florence Eugenia Jones of 1 Addison Rd., St. Anne's Park, Bristol. He was 29 when he died and is buried in Salvatronda Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243226

    Lt. Cyril Robert "Howard" Jackson 139 Squadron (d.16th Aug 1918)

    Cyril Jackson was the son of Alfred Howard Jackson of Dubarry Estate, Pollibetta, Coorg, India. He was 20 when his plane was shot down over Italy. He is buried in the Romagnano Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243225

    2nd Lt. William Frank Keepin 139 Squadron (d.16th Aug 1918)

    Second Lieutenant William Keepin died at age 20. His plane was shot down over Italy and he is buried in the Romagnano Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243224

    Cpl. William Stephenson 13th Reinforcement Coy. Royal Engineers (d.21st Sept 1918)

    William Stephenson was the husband of Rita Laura Stephenson of 28 Victoria St., Dunston-on-Tyne. He was 25 when he died and is buried in the Riccione Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243220

    L/Cpl George Caleb Gore 1st (Garrison) Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.24th Sept 1917)

    George Gore was killed in India. Buried at Quetta Government Cemetery no 2538, now in Pakistan.

    Alan Glanville




    243215

    Pte. Charles Frederick Fisher 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Charles Fisher lost a leg in 1915 and was invalided out.





    243214

    Lt. Henry Gillam HMS Egmont (d.7th Apr 1918)

    Harry Gillam was the Son of Harry and Sarah Gillam of Emsworth, Hants; husband of Ada M. Gillam of 2 Woodcote Rd., Portswood, Southampton. He was 42 when he died and is buried in the Porto Empedocle Communal Cemetery Sicily, Italy.

    s flynn




    243213

    FM. James Cavanagh HM Yacht Paulina (d.7th Aug 1918)

    James Cavanagh is buried in the Pesaro Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243212

    Pte. George Burt 68th MG Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.11th Nov 1917)

    George Burk is buried in Pegli Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243211

    DeckH. Frank Norman Oliver HMT John Abbot (d.16th Sept 1918)

    Deck Hand Frank Oliver was the Son of Henry George and Harriet Oliver, of Dorking, Surrey. He was 18 when he died and is buried in the Palermo British Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243210

    Able Sea. J. C. Ellen HMS Lapwing (d.14th May 1918)

    Able Seaman Ellen was 18 when he died and is buried in the Palermo British Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243209

    Dvr. John Carey Alexander Taylor 7th Divisional Signal Coy. Royal Engineers (d.10th Dec 1918)

    John Taylor was the Son of John and Alice Taylor of 3 Back, 20 Northumberland St. Vauxhall, Birmingham. He was 22 when he died and is buried in the Oulx Communal Cemetry in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243206

    PO. Harold Victor Maton HMS Rocket (d.17th Oct 1918)

    Harold Maton signed up for the Navy in 1910 before WW1. He died of influenza and pneumonia aged 30. His widow was Florence May Maton (nee Taylor) they had in married 1915.

    Carly Reigler




    243202

    Pte. Henry Tull 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.24th May 1915)

    My great uncle.

    Iris Reynolds




    243197

    SSgt. Ernest Reason 25th Field Bakery Army Service Corps (d.14th Jan 1919)

    Ernest Reason was the Younger son of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Reason, of Mile End, Portsmouth, husband of E. E. Reason, of Romanville, Twyford, Winchester. He was 35 when he died on 14th January 1919 and is buried in the Montecchio Maggiore Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S flynn




    243196

    Pte. Joseph Styles 1/6th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.11th April 1918)

    Private Styles was the Son of James and Mary Styles, of Evesham, St. Peter Bengeworth; husband of Eliza Ann Styles, of 29, Port St., Bengeworth, Evesham, Worcs.

    He was 42 when he died and is buried in the Montecchio Maggiore Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243195

    Pte. E. Packham 19th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.2nd December 1917)

    Private Packham is buried in the Montagnana Town Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243194

    Pte. George Reginald Sweeting 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.11th December 1917)

    Private Sweeting was the Son of George Elia and Alice Sweeting, of 10, Carrington Rd., Ashton Gate, Bristol. Old Boy of St. Nicholas and St. Leonard's School, Bristol.

    He was 20 when he died and is buried in the Montagnana Town Cemetery in Italy.

    S flynn




    243193

    Spr. William Leslie Wright 35th Signal Coy. Royal Engineers (d.27th November 1917)

    Sapper Wright was the Son of Albert Wright, of 48, Dover Rd., Folkestone; husband of Dorothy Wright, of "Kildare," 43, Whitefield Rd., Tunbridge Wells.

    He was 24 when he died and is buried in the Montagnana Town Cemetery in Italy,

    S flynn




    243188

    Rflmn. Henry William Barnes 5th Battalion, C Company, 10 Platoon Rifle Brigade (d.11th May 1917)

    My grandfather, Rifleman Bill Barnes was killed in France. Searching where the cemetery where he is buried so I can visit this September and pay my respects.

    Editors note: Your grandfather has no known grave, he is remembered on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.

    Margaret Ashton




    243184

    Lt. Reginald William Bartlett Farmer HMAS Torrens (d.9th Oct 1918)

    Reginald Farmer was the Son of William and Clara Farmer, of Montrose, Musgrave St., Mosman, Sydney, New South Wales. He was 30 when he died of Pneumonia in the Military Hospital in Messina and is buried in the Messina Town Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243183

    Lt. Gilbert George Reginald Sackville HMS California (d.16th Dec 1915)

    Lieutenant Sir Gilbert Sackville, 4th Earl of de la Warr was the 8th Earl De La Warr. Son of the late Reginald Windsor Sackville, 7th Earl De La Warr and husband of Hilda, Countess De La Warr (later Mrs. John Dennis). He was 46 when he died at sea while on active service and is buried in the Messina Town Cemetery in Sicily.

    S Flynn




    243182

    Ord.Sea. J. Lamont HMS Diana (d.2nd September 1917)

    Ordinary Seaman Lamont was the Son of William Lamont and Janet Smith. He was 26 when he died and is buried in the Messina Town Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243175

    Capt. Dennis Edward "Daddy" Waight MC. 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My father, Colonel Dennis Waight, fought in both WW1 and WW2 and went to France with the 12th Northumberland Fusiliers. He served as a Platoon and Coy Comander in the trenches until early 1918. During which he won the Military Cross. He then became a Bristol Fighter Observer with 22nd Squadron RFC. He became an observer ace having downed 12 German aircraft. He became a regular officer during his time with the Btn. and after the war left the RAF.

    He rejoined the Fusiliers serving in India, Persia, Iraq and at Fenham Barracks in Newcastle, first as adjutant of the Northumberland Fusiliers and DLI depot and later as training major of a TA Btn.

    At the outbreak of WW2 he joined a regular battalion at Bordon, Hants went to Palestine with it and served with it in the first battles in the Western Desert, Sidi Barrani as a company commander. He was promoted and joined Cheshire Regiment in Malta and served during the seige. On relief, he was promoted and ran a officers school in Haifa and returned to England to command a wt school near Guildford and then a wosb at St Albans and later near Brussels.

    After the war ended he ran a prison for hard core Nazis at Harsewinkel, near Gutersloh as an officer of CCG. Many felt he deserved greater recognition for his and the Cheshires performance in Malta. His father was a soldier, so was I and my son.

    Robert Waight




    243172

    Pte. Thomas Victor Merrick 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.12th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Merrick served with the 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

    Alan William Ellis




    243168

    Spr. William Howard Lewis 246th Base Park Coy. Royal Engineers

    William Lewis was the Son of John and Mary Ann Lewis of 50 Brunswick St., Swansea. He was buried in the Meana Di Susa Communal Cemetery in Italy. His grave was lost and he is commemorated by Kipling Memorial in same Cemetery. He was 41 when he died.

    S. Flynn




    243167

    Lt. William Lennox Vorster 139 Squadron (d.23rd July 1918)

    William Voster was the Son of Hendrik Adriaan Vorster and Anna Susanna Vorster of Vereeniging, Transvaal, South Africa. He was 24 when his plane was shot down. He is buried in the Mattarello Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243165

    Sgt. Herbert George Frow 139 Squadron (d.23rd Jul 1918)

    Herbert Frow was the son of George Holyoake Frow and Edwina Frow of 24 Christchurch Rd., Tulse Hill, London. He was 19 when he was shot down by a German plane and is buried in the Mattarello Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243162

    Pte. G. H. Hope 1/4th Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.13th Dec 1917)

    Private Hope is buried in the Mantova Town Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243161

    Pte. Percival Hook Green Army Service Corps (d.19th November 1917)

    Private Green was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Green, of Valley House, Branksome, Bournemouth.

    He was 25 when he died and is buried in the Mantova Town Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243160

    Pte. Charles William Cullum G.H.Q. 2nd Echelon Royal Army Ordnance Corps

    Private Cullum was the Husband of Henrietta Maud Cullum, of 38, St. Andrews St. South, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.

    He was 38 when he died on 31st January 1919 and is buried in Mantova Town Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243159

    Pte. Aaron Randles 3rd Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.13th September 1918)

    Aaron Randles served with the 3rd Cheshire and was transferred to 196th Coy. Labour Corps. He was the husband of Ann Jane Randles of 35 Cottage St., Birkenhead. Aged 42 when he died, he is buried in the Lugo Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243158

    FM. Gee You SS Calliope (d.5th Apr 1917)

    Fireman You is buried in the Levanzo Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S flynn




    243157

    Pte. Walter Carey 1st (Garrison) Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.19th Mar 1918)

    Walter Carey was the son of Joseph and Mary Carey, of Cork. Previously wounded in France. He was 31 when he died and is buried in the Legnago Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S. Flynn




    243155

    Able Sea Robert Barkley S.S. Tudor Prince (d.6th November 1918)

    Able Seaman Barkley died at Leghorn Hospital from Pneumonia following Influenza and is buried in the Leghorn British Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243154

    FM Harry Bailey S.S. Trefusis (d.6th July 1917)

    Fireman Bailey is buried in the Leghorn British Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243153

    SPO Henry William Saunders H.M.S. Earl of Peterborough (d.22nd April 1918)

    Petty Officer Stoker was the Son of Albert and Mary Ann Saunders, of 38, Bridge St., Osney, Oxford.

    He was 35 when he died and is buried in La Spezia (Boschetti) Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243152

    SPO Henry William Saunders H.M.S. Earl of Peterborough (d.22nd April 1918)

    Petty Officer Stoker was the Son of Albert and Mary Ann Saunders, of 38, Bridge St., Osney, Oxford.

    He was 35 when he died and is buried in La Spezia (Boschetti) Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243151

    Gnr. Alexander Edminstone McMurdo 175th Brigade Army Service Corps (d.10th December 1917)

    Alexander McMurdo was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. John McMurdo of Kirkland Neuk, Renfrew, husband of Maggie Hamilton McMurdo of 805 Dalmarnock Rd., Glasgow. He was 27 when he died and is buried in the Isola Della Scala Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S flynn




    243149

    2nd Lt. Augustus Paget DFC. 66 Squadron (d.30th August 1918)

    Augustus Paget was the son of George Lewis Paget, of Kenilworth Farm Bromham, Wilts. He is buried in the Fontanafredda Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243146

    Claude Vincent "Mick" Partridge 70/73/77 Sqds. Wing

    Claude Partridge served with Nos. 70, 73 and 77 Squadrons.

    Mike




    243142

    Pte. Cecil Henry Symons 6th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.3rd Oct 1917)

    Cecil Symons was born in Bradford on 2nd August 1894, the second child of Henry Octavius Paul Symons (known as Harry) and Eliza Cooke. Cecil's grandfather was a civil engineer who constructed railways all over England, including the Settle-Carlisle line. He settled his family in Bradford during the 1870s. Harry had been born in Hampshire. He started work as a clerk, as did two of his brothers, and he rose to become cashier to a wool-combing company. In 1890 he married Eliza, the daughter of a Bradford tailor. They had five children, four of whom survived infancy. Cecil showed promise from an early age and he went to Bradford Grammar School shortly after his eighth birthday in 1902. He would be a pupil there for seven years, leaving shortly before he was fifteen. Throughout his school years, he did well at French and also Maths, History, Geography and in his final year, Physics. From school, he went like his father to work in the wool trade as a clerk with wool merchants Messrs. Francis Willey and Co. in central Bradford.

    When the war began Cecil was twenty and a single man living with his parents, near Toller Lane. He did not volunteer during the first year of hostilities but when the government moved towards conscription in November 1915 Cecil attested his willingness to serve when called upon. Although the place of his attestation was Bradford, he was assigned to the 2/5th Battalion, East Kent Regiment. He was duly mobilized in April 1916 and travelled to Tonbridge in Kent. His medical inspection reveals that he was 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed a little over nine stones and his chest measured 36 inches. He received eight months training before he was sent to 38th Infantry Base Depot in France at the end of December, where he was posted to D Company, 6th Battalion East Kent Regiment (6th Buffs).

    In 1917 Symons survived going over the top twice during the British Spring Offensive around Arras. On 9th April 6/Buffs successfully took their objectives for relatively light losses. On the disastrous 3rd May, the battalion lost 360 men for no gain at Monchy-le-Preux. The 6th Buffs were then withdrawn to refit and train in the new attack methods the B.E.F. was adopting. At the end of June Symons went down with trench fever, caused by infected lice bites, and was eventually taken to a hospital at Boulogne. He was not discharged until 4th September, and he was then at 38th Infantry Base Depot before returning to his unit on 24th September. A few days later on 3rd October, the 6th Buffs were in the front line at Monchy when a neighbouring battalion launched a raid on the German trenches. In retaliation the Germans heavily shelled The Buffs trenches, causing 33 casualties. Cecil Symons was one of six dead who were buried in the same row at Monchy British Cemetery.

    Cecil's sibling Horace had volunteered before his elder brother, in January 1915. He served with the Royal Field Artillery and the Royal Engineers and survived the war. Their parents dedicated a window in St. Chad's, their parish church just off Toller Lane, to Cecil's memory.

    Nick Hooper




    243141

    Gnr. Emanual Robert Harber Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather Bob Harber was lead driver of a team of horses pulling 60 pounders, and although he never uttered one word about his time in France, my grandmother told me that his favourite horse was blinded by mustard gas and that he was allowed to bring it home after the war. I would love to think that this is true.

    Ian Harber




    243140

    Pte. James Jewell 1/4th Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

    James Jewell was the Son of William George and Avis Jewell of 36 Lower Rd., Helston, Cornwall. He was 24 when he died on the 19th February 1919 and is buried in the Foggia Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243139

    Stok1. Alfred Charles Moy HMS Adamant (d.5th Jun 1918)

    Stoker 1st Class Alfred Moy was aged 22 when he died, heis buried in the Fiorenzuola d'Arda Communal Cemetery in Israel.

    S Flynn




    243137

    Bkr2. Edward Knight HMS Bayano (d.11th Mar 1915)

    Edward Knight was born on Belvedere, Kent in 1887 On the 1911 Census he is living at 18 Florence Road, Abbey Wood, with his parents, George Binfield & Caroline Knight nee Ayers. Edward joined the Merchant Marine and still had that status at time of death.

    EDF




    243133

    Pte. Isaac McPhee 3/5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

    Isaac McPhee is my great great granddad who was posted into the 3/5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders on 16th of July 1916 to 22nd of November 1916 before being discharged for re-enlistment into the Machine Gun Corps.





    243127

    Pte. Henry Abraham Vigus 214 Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.20th September 1917)

    The Battle for Menin Road Ridge began on 20th of September 1917, the day my Grandfather, Henry Vigus, was killed. It lasted for 7 days until 26th of September 1917 resulting in a victory for the British. He was 26 years of age and one of so many brave young men who lost their lives in the conflict. He is remembered at the Tyne Cot memorial, Zonnebeke, Ypres Salient, Belgium.

    He was married to Cecelia Emma (nee Butler) and had 3 children. My father, Henry Frederick, his brother Charles Ernest and a girl, Rose Cecelia Louisa (born 8th January 1916 but who sadly only survived around 1 year).

    John Vigus




    243125

    Lt.Col. Robert Cecil Smith 20th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st December 1917)

    Lieutenant Colonel Smith was the Son of Maj. Gen. C. H. Smith, C.B. (Royal Artillery), and Tryphosa Smith, of Cecil House, Great Missenden, Bucks.

    He attended 11th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

    He was 33 when he was killed in action and died of wounds. He is buried in the Falze Communal Cemetery, Trevignano, Italy.

    S. Flynn




    243124

    L/Cpl. George Ernest Smith 139th Field Amb Royal Army Medical Corps (d.31st December 1917)

    Lance Corporal Smith was the Husband of Annie E. Smith, of 4, Clive Villas, Pickersleigh Rd., Malvern. Worcs. Born at Great Malvern.

    He was 34 when he died and is buried in the Falze Communal Cemetery, Trevignano, Italy.

    S. Flynn




    243123

    Pte. Howarth Ambrose Castle "D" Coy. Honourable Artillery Company (d.25th July 1918)

    Private Castle was the Son of Edward Ambrose and Catherine Castle, of 1, Littlestone Rd., Littlestone-on-sea, New Romney, Kent.

    He was 19 when he died and is buried in the Egna Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243122

    L/Sgt. R. Langley 1st/5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.15th July 1918)

    Lance Serjeant Langley is buried in the Egna Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S flynn




    243121

    Pte. G. W. Weston 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Private Weston is buried in the Creola Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243119

    2nd Lt. Arthur Edgar Sissing 66 Squadron (d.1st Nov 1918)

    Arthur Sissing was the son of Ebenezer Francis and Caroline Sissing, of Social Farm, Rondebosch, Cape Province, South Africa. He was 21 when he died and is buried in the Corva Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243118

    2nd Lt. William George Francis 66 Squadron (d.10th March 1918)

    William Francis was the Son of Arthur and Emilie Francis of Elmsleigh, Moat Croft Rd., Eastbourne, Sussex. Educated at Eastbourne College. He was 19 when he died and is buried in the Conegliano (San Giusseppe) Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S. Flynn




    243117

    Pte. Charles Warren 1/4th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.15th Dec 1917)

    Charles Warren was 33 when he died and is buried in the Cerea Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    s flynn




    243116

    Pte. William Walter Daniel Ryan D Coy. 1st (Cape of Good Hope) Infantry Regiment

    My grandfather, William Walter Daniel Ryan fought in Egypt in Jan 1916. His Regiment was decimated at Delville Wood in France and he was wounded there on 16th Jul 1916. He was evacuated to England for medical treatment, returning to his Regiment in Belgium in early 1917. He was wounded in the right arm near Frezenburg as part of the 3rd Battle of Ypres on 20th Sept 1917 and again evacuated to England for medical treatment. On his way home to Cape Town after medical discharge, their ship, Galway Castle, was torpedoed on 16th Sept 1918 and he was rescued from the Atlantic Ocean. He did eventually reach Cape Town after the war on 10th Dec 1918. Recipient of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Michael Ryan




    243113

    Pte. Harry William George Butler Northamptonshire Regiment (d.12th Sept 1917)

    My paternal great-uncle Harry Butler lived in Egham, Surrey but joined the Northamptonshire Regiment in Woolwich in 1915. His record shows some of the horrors these men went through. In 1916 he suffered pleurisy, paratyphoid and gastritis and was sent home briefly but returned to France in 1917. He was also wounded. His records show he suffered a GSW head, which presumably means a gunshot wound to the head. He was repatriated to the Kitchener Hospital in Brighton but died there on 12th September 1917. He is buried in the WW1 section of Bear Road Cemetery in Brighton. He left a widow but probably no children.

    Pam Bartlett




    243109

    Pte. Edward Samuel Rickard 15th (Service) Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    Edward Rickard was wounded twice whilst serving on the frontlines. In August 1918 he received a gunshot wound to the face and was sent to recover in Runcorn. Only 2 months later he suffered a severe gunshot wound to the leg and was sent to recover in West Bridgeford. He was said to have been an excellent shot, and something that his wife could never reconcile she called him a wicked man!

    Edward re-enlisted after the war and spent time in Turkey as part of the occupation army.





    243108

    Pte. Donald McAlpine 15th Btn. Royal Scots (d.11th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Donald McAlpine served with the 15th Royal Scots.

    Donald McAlpine

    Gordon Robertson




    243104

    Capt. Thomas Vicars Hunter 66 Squadron (d.5th December 1917)

    Thomas Hunter was the Son of Henry Charles Vicars Hunter, J.P., and the Hon. Mrs. Hunter, of Abermarlais Park, Llangadock, Carmarthenshire. He had previously served with the 5th Btn. Rifle Brigade. He is buried in the Carmignano di Brenta Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243103

    Gnr. Ernest Lilley Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th August 1916)

    I came across the grave of Ernest Lilley in Kimberley, Nottinghamshire, cemetery whilst researching Military burials in our local cemetery. The headstone reads:- In loving memory of Gunner Ernest Lilley, son of Enoch and Mary Ann Lilley, who died Aug 16 1916 in 1st. Military Hospital Fazakerley, Liverpool aged 21 years. Rest after weariness, peace after pain.

    Roy Plumb




    243101

    Sgt. Joseph Scarsi 3rd Motor Ambulance Coy. Army Service Corps (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Serjeant Joseph Scarsi was the husband of S. A. Scarsi of 82 College St., Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. He was 41 when he died and is buried in the Acqui New Communal Cemetery in Italy.

    S Flynn




    243094

    L/Cpl. Herbert Stanley Joseph Jones 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.19th Nov 1917)

    My Gt Gt Uncle Herbert Jones enlisted in the British Army at the Guildhall in the City of London in 1915. He was originally placed in the 2/8th Essex Regiment, before being sent to France mid-1916 and later drafted into the 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment in preparation for the Somme offensive. It was sometime during 1916 that he was made Lance Corporal after taking part in such battles as Albert, Bazentin, Pozieres and Flers-Courcelette.

    After fighting at Lens in 1917, the Regiment fought in the latter stages of the battle of Passchendaele, and it was at Irish Farm on 19th of November that a German shell exploded killing two men outright, and wounded several others, one being Herbert. The wounded were sent to the casualty clearing station behind the line at Mendinghem, where Herbert later died of his wounds. He is buried in the Mendinghem Cemetery.





    243090

    Pte. George Brookes Hughes 14th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    In November 1914 George Hughes joined 14th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers at Llandudno, part of Kitchener's new army. At time of enlistment, George lived at 11 Kings Road, Llandudno. In August 1915 the Battalion moved to Winchester for final training. On the 1st December 1915 they marched from Winchester to Southampton, the majority of officers and men embarking on the SS Empress Queen for "an extremely rough passage during the night, of 6 hours duration" to Le Havre, Normandy. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on the Somme and the Battalion suffered heavy casualties.

    Allan Stevenson




    243089

    Pte. Ernest Arthur Green 13th (West Ham Boys) Btn. Essex Regiment (d.31st Jul 1916)

    Ernest Green served with the 13th (West Ham Boys) Battalion, Essex Regiment. I have only recently discovered the identity of my Great Grandfather on my Mother's side 100 years after his death in Flanders.

    Gary Richmond-Wells




    243086

    Pte. Mervyn Francis Moffat 1St Australian Auxiliary Hospital Army Medical Corps (d.10th Oct 1916)

    I don't know much about Mervyn Moffat's personal life, as he was my cousin 3x removed, and I only have current records to go on but I would like to tell what I know as it is so very sad, especially for his mother. When Mervyn Francis Moffatt was born in 1897 in Yass New South Wales, his father, Robert Benjamin Moffat, was 22 and his mother, Maria Harrison, was 23. He was the eldest son and had three brothers and one sister. He was a motor mechanic by trade when the family moved to St Leonard's, NSW.

    He enlisted in WWI with the Army Medical Corps on the 29th Mar 1916 and either contracted Cerebro-Spinal Fever (meningitis) or, as they finally diagnosed on autopsy, that he suffered from a Cerebral Hemorrhage either shortly after arriving in England or on the transport hospital ship HMAT Kanowna itself. He died on 10th Oct 1916 in the Australian Auxilliary Hospital in Uxbridge, Middlesex, England at the age of 19, and was buried in Harefield Churchyard, Aus. Section on the 13th Oct 1916.

    If this was not tragic enough this boy had enlisted knowing that his father had died in the trenches in Gallipoli 28th July 1915. We can only surmise that his mother thought if he was in the Medical Corps he would be safer than his father was but he was to die of an illness within 6 months of enlisting. To add to her woes the army would not issue his mother his medal even though she was listed as next of kin. They wanted to know if Mervyn had any "nearer blood relations" such as a father, Widow, eldest surviving son, eldest surviving daughter... Maria needed to advise his father was dead in Gallipoli and the Army needed to confirm that fact before they would send her anything from her son's service.

    War was tragic not only for the loss of life of our young men but also for the women left behind.

    Kim Denyse




    243078

    Pte. G. Berkovitz 40th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.9th Feb 1919 )

    Private Berkovitz died on 9th February 1919 and is buried in the Haifa Jewish Cemetery, Israel.

    S. Flynn




    243076

    Pte. Nahum Gelman 38th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Nahum Gelman was 28 when he died on 20th March 1920. He was the Son of Braha Gelman. Native of Kiev. He is buried in the Tel Aviv Jewish Cemetery, Israel.

    S Flynn




    243074

    Maj. Evelyn Achille DeRothschild MID Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry (d.17th Nov 1917)

    Evelyn De Rothschild was the Son of Leopold and Marie de Rothschild, of Ascott, Wing, Bucks. He was 31 when he was killed in the Battle of Mughar Ridge and is buried in the Richon-le-Zion Jewish Cemetery, Israel.

    S flynn




    243060

    Rfmn. B. Rush 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Jul 1915)

    B. Rush signed up for service with the Army and was sent to Winchester to begin training and was eventually taken on strength of the 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He embarked for France on 19th May 1915 travelling by train through France into Belgium where his Battalion took up positions in the Ypres salient.

    He is listed by the CWGC as having died on 6th July 1915 whilst the Battalion was manning front line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm to the East of Railway Wood. He is buried at the Ypres Town Cemetery Extension.

    Ray Luckett




    243059

    Rfmn. Eli Miller 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Jul 1915)

    Eli Miller, a tailor from Birmingham signed up for service with the Army and was sent to Winchester to begin training and was eventually taken on strength of the 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He embarked for France on 19th May 1915 travelling by train through France into Belgium where his Battalion took up positions in the Ypres salient.

    He is listed as having died on 6th July 1915 whilst the Bataliotn was manning front line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm to the East of Railway Wood and is Commemorated at Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Ray Luckett




    243057

    Rfmn. Alfred Burdett 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Jul 1915)

    Alfred Burdett, a carter from Birmingham signed up for service with the Army on 18th Aug 1914 aged 22. He was sent to Winchester to begin training and was eventually taken on strength of the 7th (Service) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 21st Aug 1914. He embarked for France on 19th of May 1915 travelling by train through France into Belgium where his Batttalion took up positions in the Ypres salient.

    He is listed as having died on 6th July 1915 whilst the Battalion was manning front line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm to the East of Railway Wood. He is Commemorated at Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. From information available his next of kin, his mother Sarah Ann Burdett for whatever reason never accepted or not received his medals as they appear to have been returned unopened.

    Ray Luckett




    243053

    L/Cpl. John Robert Swinbank 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John Swinbank served with the 15th Durham Light Infantry.

    Jonathan Hamilton




    243052

    Pte. Frank Skaife 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    Frank Skaife was captured at Vimy Ridge on the 29th May 1918, he was transferred to Rethel Military Hospital. Sadly no other details are known.





    243049

    Piper. Peter Farrell 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment

    My grandfather joined the British Army before the Great War despite having received an educational scholarship. He was a piper in the 2nd Leinsters. He was injured at some point with an injury to his head. Following the disbandment of the Regiment he received a British Army pension, however, he lost this due to his involvement with the fight for Irish independence (something I still feel angry on his behalf about). He married my grandmother and they had 12 children. He died in 1969. He is mentioned a few times in a publication called Stand To. A diary of the trenches by Captain F.C Hitchcock.

    Carmel McKenna




    243047

    Capt. Harris Rendell Oke MC and Bar, MID. 11th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)

    T./Capt. Harris Oke, R. Scots was awarded a Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading a successful counter-attack during a critical moment of the withdrawal in March 1918. By his efforts, heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy, and a lost position was reoccupied. It was while encouraging his men that he was wounded, but he did not leave the field until arrangements were completed. Throughout the whole battle, he showed great energy and courage. 26th of Jul 1918 The London Gazette (Suppl 30813) page 8830.

    After recovering from a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, Oke served in the North Russia Relief Force during the Archangel Campaign in 1919 for which he was he awarded a Bar to his Military Cross. T.f Li, Harris Rendell Oke, M.C., llth Btn. R. Scots. attached to 45th Btn. R. Fusiliers. His skilful handling of his platoon was largely responsible for the gaining of all objectives. By opening fire on the enemy's river craft he saved the column a large number of casualties. Two steamers and one gunboat put up the white flag. Subsequently, in conjunction with an officer, he formed a defensive line at a critical time. He did excellent work (M.C. gazetted 26th July 1918). 22nd Jan 1920 "Awarded a Bar to the Military Cross" The Edinburgh Gazette. page 233.

    CJ Klein




    243036

    Sgt Mjr. John Burke Royal Garrison Artillery (d.28th March 1917)

    <p>

    John Burke served with the Royal Garrison Artillery.





    243034

    Stok. John Robert Ireland HMS Tedworth

    John Ireland thought he was born in Scarborough but he was actually born in Hull, I have his birth certificate. His family moved to Scarborough when he was 1 year old. His father Robert was a Shoemaker and died in 1899 aged 46 when John Robert was only 9. His death caused hardship, John Robert was separated from his mother and siblings and placed into a Boys Home in Staffordshire (his younger brother Frank into a home in Chester). John remained in Standon Boys Home until he was 16 years old, he was then placed with a Farmer in Derbyshire. In 1911 he was living and working as a railway fitters labourer in Coalville, Leicestershire.

    The next we know he had signed up with the Royal Navy on the 18th August 1915. Victory 2 (presume this was training) until January 1916, then Ark..... (cannot make out the rest of the name) 1916 to 1917, then back to the Victory 2. Finally he served on the Hunt Class Minesweeper HMS Tedworth from 18th October 1917 to 7th February 1919 after which he was granted 28 days leave and then demobbed.

    He married whilst he was in the Royal Navy on the 4th of January 1919 at St Andrews Church, Deptford, Sunderland. He remained in Sunderland and had 5 sons. After his wife died he spent some time in Carnforth before ending his days and passing away in 1977 Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

    Alan Kenyon




    243033

    Bmdr. Thomas Leonard Beattie MM. 35th Siege Battery

    My father, Thomas Beattie, was a professional soldier enlisting at Gosport, Hants in 1911. At the outbreak of WW1 he was a trumpeter at Gibraltar in a company of the RGA. Later mustered in the 35th Battery RGA and posted to France as Acting bombardier in 1915. He served in the Ypres Sector where it is believed he won his Military Medal. Later transferred to the Somme 1917.

    On return to UK he was at Bulford Camp as a Sergeant married at St Leonard's Church in 1923. He then served in Egypt, India, Afghan frontier and held the GSM with Waziristan clasp. Promoted to Battery Sergeant Major serving at RA Headquarters Woolwich early 1920s, later RSM and commissioned as Lt (QM) 6th Regt. RA at Deepcut Frimly Hants.

    Sent to France with the BEF at HQ Arras he later became a Dunkirk Veteran (holds the Dunkirk Veteran medal) after being knocked out on a beach and stripped of his uniform whilst unconscious! He returned with reminisce of the 6th Regiment to Aldershot to be part of the HAA for London at Bromley Kent (Sundridge battery). After service at Wolverhampton he was presented his MBE by King George at Buckingham Palace 1940 in attendance with myself and his wife.

    He embarked at Liverpool for the Middle East but arrived at Singapore just before its surrender. Then off to Sumatra to destroy oil fields and on to Java after the loss of the regimental guns. Served as infantry to protect RAF airfields and captured by Japs in March 1942.

    Then shipped to Japan as POW to Fukuoka Camps 1/12 and others. Liberated by Americans in September 1945 in poor physical shape but was rehabilitated by them and sent to Vancouver, Canada for transfer over land to New York, USA. He was then Capt. Beattie passenger on troopship as was the liner Queen Mary. The QM arrived at Southampton, Hants in November 1945 where she was met on the dock by my mother and I. Then back to Aldershot for debrief and to help his recuperation posted to Royal Artillery 457 Regt. TA as their Major QM at Portsmouth Hants (we were living over the ferry in Gosport!). This was interesting as it turned out that a few of the CCF officers/schoolmasters of my school in Portsmouth also were TA officers of the 457!

    The family left Gosport in 1949 as father had been promoted again earlier to become Lt._Col (QM) at HQ RA Woolwich where he was RSM prior to WW2. After retiring there in 1953 father and us lived in our permanent retirement house at Kidbrooke, Blackheath, London. Unfortunately dying there in 1965. So a veteran of WW1,WW2, Dunkirk and Jap POW thus serving all of 42 years as a typical professional holding two gallantry medals giving a total of 13 plus his Dunkirk French Corporation commemorative medal.

    Peter D Beattie




    243032

    Cpl. Henry Levi Downes 1st Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    Henry Downes enlisted on 30th Aug 1908 and was discharged with wounds on 11th of May 1917 with Silver war badge number 174735. I cannot find what Battalion he was with. He was the brother of my wife's late Grandfather, 6904 Pte Arthur Downs, Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Gerald Bates




    243022

    Bbdr. Percy James Harris 2/1st Home Counties Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather Percy Harris served in the Territorial Force with the Royal Garrison Artillery and spent most of the war in England. He was at Mundesley in Norfolk from May 1916 to late November 1917 and went to France probably in early 1918. His last postcard home was in late April 1918.

    A list of places where he served or was based includes (no dates are given):

    • RGA Base Depot BEF (I think this was at Harfleur).
    • 21st Siege Battery RGA BEF.
    • 4th Army School, Bouchon, France.
    • Ward 6, 6th General Australian Hospital.
    • Hospital, Rouen, France.

    Mark Harris




    243013

    Rfn. William Henry Hughes 11th (South Antrim) Btn. B Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.27th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My Uncle William Hughes was born in Lisburn in 1896 joined 11th Btn Royal Irish Rifles serving in B Company. He was a Lewis Gunner. The family all died not knowing his date of death, thinking he was just missing.

    He had actually transferred at some time to the 12th (Central Antrim) Btn, Royal Irish Rifles. It was not until 2003 I found him in my internet searches. The family all died expecting him to come home, sad that after all this time, he was buried in France.

    David Connor




    243010

    Rfmn. William James England 10th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.18th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    William England was one of ten children, two of whom died at a very young age William George aged just 5 months on the 26th Aug 1890 from an inflammation of the cerebral membranes. Edward England died on the 27th Jul 1899 of dysentry. Alfred England died in France on 15th May 1917. Their parents were Thomas & Mary England. Sadly Mary passed away on the 5th Sept 1918 having lost four of her son's. My late father Frederick was the youngest of these children. He was born on in Dec 1905 and died in Jan 1973.

    Carol Dodson




    243009

    Pte. Alfred England 3/1st Btn. London Regiment (d.15th May 1917)

    Alfred England was one of ten children, two of whom died at a very young age William George aged just 5 months on the 26th Aug 1890 of inflammation of the cerebral membranes and Edward England who died on the 27th Jul 1899 of Dysentry. William James England died in France on 18th Jun 1918. Their parents were Thomas & Mary England. Sadly Mary passed away on the 05th Sept 1918 having lost four of her son's. My late father Frederick was the youngest of these children. He was born in Dec 1905 and died in Jan 1973.

    Carol Dodson




    243004

    L.Sea. Edward James Goodall HMS Almanzora

    <p>

    Jim Goodall served in HMS Almanzora.

    John Knights




    243001

    Pte. Ernest Martel 2nd Btn. Royal Guernsey Light Infantry (d.30th Mar 1919)

    <p>

    Ernest Martel served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Guernsey Light Infantry.

    Don Knibbs




    242999

    Pte. Michael King 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Jan 1915)

    Michael King was born 8th February 1891 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumberland. A son of William John King and Isabella (nee: Spoor). Sadly, this couple also lost another son, Charles Thomas King, to the Great War. Michael was killed in action at Ypres in Flanders. He was survived by his wife, Emily Annie (nee Driscoll) and his son, Thomas King.

    Patricia King Hughes




    242998

    Pte. Charles Thomas King 25th (2nd Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Apr 1917)

    Charles King was born 4th Dec 1894 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumberland. A son of William John King and Isabella (nee Spoor.) Sadly, these parents also lost another son, Michael King, in the Great War. Charles never married.

    Patricia King Hughes




    242997

    Pte. Luke Albiston 16th Btn. B Coy. 14th Platoon Cheshire Regiment (d.22nd October 1917)

    Luke Albiston was the eldest son of Joseph and Elizabeth Ann Albiston of 68 Aberdeen Crescent, Stockport. In the 1911 census, he was shown as aged 13 and at school. His younger siblings were Ethel, Jennie, Joseph, and Reginald. His paternal grandmother Rachel also lived with the family.

    Luke was reported wounded and missing on 22nd October 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres. His parents placed an advertisement in the Stockport Express on 6th December 1917 asking for any news of him. There appears to have been no replies as his name is on Tyne Cot Memorial. Luke's name appears on the memorial to Stockport Corporation Employees killed in World War One, which is in the foyer of the Town Hall. It has not been possible to ascertain his occupation. The memorial is a replacement to the original (now lost) and stands on a wall adjacent to a similar memorial for World War Two casualties.

    Terence Jackson




    242996

    Pte. Arthur Harvey Howes 1st Btn Devonshire Regiment (d.2nd May 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Howes served with the 1st Devonshires.

    Neil Harris




    242995

    Pte. Patrick Mulhall 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.11th August 1915)

    Patrick Mulhall was my great-grandmother's first cousin. He was killed in action in Gallipoli. He was posthumously awarded the Victory Medal, the 1915 Star and the British War Medal.

    Alison Cassidy




    242994

    Pte. Alfred William Burwood 1st Division

    Alfred Burwood lied about his age to enlist in 1915. He was embarked on the RMS Osterley. One day while on the front line a bomb went off then he was thrown into a pit of rocks and stuck there for 2 day's until being found by friendly forces. He later on died of his injuries.





    242992

    Pte. James Catlin 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.6th Sept 1916)

    James Catlin was my great uncle. The ironic thing was that when he was killed on the Somme in September his brother John Patrick Catlin was being held a prisoner in Frognoch Camp for his part in the 1916 Easter rising.

    John Catlin




    242991

    Gnr. Charles Thomas Blowman 1/1st Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.6th Jul 1917)

    I do not know where Charles Blowman was when he was killed, he has no known grave and his name is on the Menin Gate. He was the only son of my great uncle Tom Blowman and was a cousin to my mother. I would love to know where and what he was doing when he was killed.

    Sue Gascoyne




    242981

    Pte. George "Douglas" Elliott 10th (Stockbrokers) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.9th Oct 1918)

    My great grandfather George Elliott, also known as Douglas was with the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He died during the war and is buried in the Beaulencourt British Cemetery Ligny-Thilloy, France.

    He was married in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to Irene Vincent while stationed there. He moved her to England where they had 4 children. My grandmother was the 4th child, Irene Elliott. Upon his death, my great grandmother and her 4 children moved back to Canada settling in Newfoundland around Woody Pointe. My great grandmother married a Mr Cultler and went on to have 10 more children.

    I am so very interested in the Elliott side of my family. No one ever kept in touch with the Elliotts from England.

    Linda Yurcich




    242979

    Pte. James Lamboll Lancashire Fusiliers

    James Lamboll served with the Lancashire Fusiliers. I bought this brave chaps medals and I am trying to research his service. I know he later joined the Labour Corps Reg No. 482728

    Biffo




    242977

    AM1 James Francis Leafhead Royal Flying Corps

    Frank Leafhead never talked about it, but he once told me they had DH9s.

    John Leafhead




    242962

    Pte. Thomas George Skipper 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    His service history is missing but we know that Thomas Skipper was killed during the 3rd Battle of Ypres on 26th of September 1917 and is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    He was born on 21st September 1897, the second of nine children of Thomas Skipper and Alice Marian Skipper nee Rudd. On the 1911 census, he was listed as a farm labourer, living in Elsing Road, Lyng, Norfolk.

    Tom Davis




    242961

    L/Cpl. Albert Ernest Baldwin 18th (2nd Glamorgan) Btn. Welsh Regiment

    Albert Baldwin was captured on 9th April 1918 near Lavantie. He was shipped to Gardelegen P.O.W. camp. During his imprisonment there he was kept underground in complete darkness as a punishment. I do not know whether this was because of an escape attempt. He said that coming out of the dark, dragged into bright sunshine, damaged his eyesight permanently.

    Tina Westmi




    242959

    Maj. Edward Fairlie 17th (British Empire League) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Mar 1918)

    Edward Fairlie was born about 1882 the son of William Fairlie, J.P., D.L., of Holms, Ayrshire. He was the husband of Marjorie Fairlie. He joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps during August 1914 and was commissioned into the 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He arrived in France with his Battalion during May 1915 and is recorded in the Battalion War Diaries on 11th June 1915 as a Captain who was wounded in the area around Gordons Farm near Ypres.

    At some point Edward was promoted to the rank of Major and was killed in action on 30th March 1918 whilst on attachment to 17th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.

    Ray Luckett




    242956

    Pte. Alfred Richard Morley Royal Irish Fusiliers

    <p>

    At the time of his discharge from Grove Military Hospital, Alf Morley was still only 19 years and 2 months old, surviving the war, he went on to marry and have 5 children, as far as we know he served as an ARP in Islington during WW2 and moved out to Watford in 1949 with his company where he lived the rest of his life.

    Discharge papers





    242955

    Pte. Eugene Daly 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers

    <p>

    Born 1881 in Tralee, Eugene Daly joined the local militia in 1896. In 1902 he joined the Army Service Corps as a regular soldier. In February 1912 he re-enlisted in the 2nd Btn Royal Munster Fusiliers. At the outbreak of WW1, he embarked for France as part of the BEF landing in Le Harve in August 1914. He took part in the Battle of Mons and was wounded in September 1915 receiving a gunshot wound. In March 1916 he was posted to the 6th (Service) Btn. During September 1917 his Btn arrived in Ismail taking part in the Palestine Campaign where at some point he was diagnosed with malaria. He along with his Btn left Palestine arriving back in France in June 1918. In October 1918 he was wounded by a shell burst at Le Cateau, France and taken to an American hospital then on to Dover to recover.

    He again re-enlisted in the 2nd Btn in April 1919 and was sent to Egypt arriving in November 1919. On 15 July 1922, he was finally discharged due to a reduction in establishment. In 1923 he was awarded a pension for 30% disablement. In 1925 he appealed the low pension decision by submitting a report detailing the last injury he received in 1918. During 1946 Eugene joined the RMF old comrades association. On 16th Nov 1954 Eugene died at St Michaels hospital Linlithgow, Scotland.

    Eugene wrote various letters from the front that were published in both Kerry and Cork newspapers one particular letter was mentioned in the Cork Weekly Examiner on 1st May 1915 entitled 'Two Tralee heroes at La Brassee'. His brother Denis was killed in action at Aubers Ridge, France in May 1915.

    James Taggart




    242953

    Pte. William Adam Horsman 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    My great uncle, William Horsman is listed on the Addingham war memorial, Yorkshire. Willie was 19 years old when he was killed in action. He is also remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Malcolm Horsman




    242952

    Pte. James Albert Traynor 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.10th Oct 1917)

    James Traynor volunteered in August 1914 at the tender age of 16 years old. He embarked for France in July 1915 and was involved in heavy fighting in Armentieres and ultimately in the third battle of Ypres in 1917, where he died as a consequence of a bomb from an enemy aeroplane. His memory, along with all those who fought so courageously, is truly cherished with pride.

    Angela Reasbeck




    242951

    Pte. Norman Bernard Vernon Rothery 8th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd Nov 1917)

    The Rotherys had 12 children and divided their time beetween Kirkby-in-Furness, where Mr Rothery was 'inspector of railway material' on the Furness Railway, and their second big house in Chambres Road, Birkenhead. They lost two sons in the First World War: Eric died in the Merchant Service in February 1917, and Vernon Rothery died in Mesopotamia in November of the same year. Both brothers are commemorated on the war memorial at St Cuthbert's Church, Kirkby-in-Furness, now in Cumbria.

    The History of Kirkby-in-Furness Group website has much more information about the family and their sacrifice.

    Roger Rushton




    242949

    Sgt. William Matthew Cooke 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Billy Cooke enlisted into the Rifle Brigade aged 20 years of age, on 31st of August 1914. He was the son of Alfred and Ellen Caroline Cooke of 145 Latchmere Road, Battersea, London.

    He fought in many of the major offensives, including Ypres, Somme and Arras etc. He quickly attained the rank of Cpl and was later promoted to Sjt in the field. After the Armistice was signed he came home for a short visit and had a photograph of himself taken in his uniform and signed it "Yours Ever.... Billy" on 15th of January 1919 he then returned to France and Belgium to "Clean the Trenches Up", sadly he contracted Influenza and was taken to the 55 Clearing Station at Charleroi and on 2nd of February 1919 he died, he was 24 years of age. He is buried at Charleroi Communal Cemetery and his family had inscribed at the base of his grave stone the words "Till we meet again".

    A letter that Billy wrote along with a pressed poppy was discovered preserved in between the pages of a Brigade Book that the family had kept. The letter dated Friday 16th of June 1916 is faithfully copied below:

    This day last year are full of memories for me

    Dear Dad, I received your usual weekly letter last night, I was beginning to wonder, when it was coming. I get to expect it more and more. I am so glad that you were cheered up by my letter and to note the cheerful tone of yours, that is the way old sport, don't give way, but keep smiling the good day that is coming is getting nearer and nearer. I thought Gran would be pleased with the cards. I saw them on a little shop out here and they put me so much in mind of Gran and her old occupation of darning socks that I couldn't resist buying them. I am glad to hear Bert is getting on ok. I have not heard from him again yet, I send him a card every other day and have written him two letters, so that it is his turn to write to me and I am anxiously looking forward to hearing from him. I hope he is transferred to the RGA but I expect it is one of the camp rumours that are always floating around. I am afraid there is not much news from this end. The weather is hardly what one would expect for the time of year, very raw and damp. We have got a decent size rat trap and put it outside the dugout door, we captured 65 in two days and a half. They had a glorious death. First of all we got them out of the trap into a sand bag then drowned them in the urine tub with plenty of Chloride of Lime added. The rats are in mourning round our way now I can tell you.

    I have been collecting a few wild flowers from the old trenches round about which I enclose I hope Mum will like them, I will get some more specimens if I can. Many thanks for the trouble you have taken with regard to the bacca I will let you know when I receive it. I think I can manage it all myself unless a pale runs short and I oblige by selling him a tin cheap. I believe it is put up in 1/4lb tins. You see it will keep ok in the tins. Before we came up this time Johnny and I bought 1lb in 1/2oz packets between us and we are drawing near the end. I should think it would last about 1 month. I will let you know when to order the next lot. It is most extraordinarily cheap. I will send you a P.O. in the near future, say about 2 weeks, D.V. so don't get the wind up if you get a registered envelope.

    Well Dad I can't think of much else so will wish you farewell. Yours Billy

    P.S. I can always sell a tin of Nougling. If I want to easy --- they jump at it. what!

    Is Wakeling up yet.

    Love to all

    Billy was often spoken about by the family and deeply missed yet always remembered.

    Sandra Cooke




    242946

    L/Sgt. Daniel Phillips 13th Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.10th July 1916)

    Daniel Phillips was killed aged 21 in Mametz Wood Somme, he was my Great Uncle lost to the Great War.

    Lynne Langstaff




    242938

    Sjt. Arthur Thomas Holtham 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.25th Mar 1918)

    Arthur Holtham's daughter, Nora Margaret Holtham, was only 6 when her daddy went away to the war. We haven't been able to find his service record online and the only information Nora's son had about his Grandfather Arthur was a letter to his Grandmother in 1923 which explained that his body had been moved to Honnechy British Cemetery.

    I am researching this family for Arthur's grandson who is now over 80 years old and it just seems so sad that he knows so little about his Grandfather. He does not even have a photograph so really appreciates any information I am able to find.

    Elsa Gribbon




    242931

    Walter Coleman 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    Walter Coleman left for Gallipoli in 1915 but was shot in the neck early after landing. He was sent to Alexandria for treatment then back to the UK to recover. The bullet was never removed and moved around his neck and head for the rest of his life. He died in 1965. His eldest son was called Stafford, after his Regiment.

    Peter Coleman




    242919

    L/Sjt. Sam Jackson 1/4th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Sam Jackson was the son of William and Margaret Jane Jackson, of Royd Square, Hebden Bridge. He was interred at Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval in France. There is a memorial to him, his mother and brother in Wainsgate Chapel graveyard, Old Town, Hebden Bridge).

    Chris Barnett




    242913

    Pte. Alexander Stuart Roberts 1st Btn. Black Watch (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Alexander Roberts lost his life while serving with the 1st Black Watch. His older brother Peter Jackson Roberts died on 7th June 1917 at the Battle of Arras.

    Peter Davis




    242904

    Dvr. William Tierney 182nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Will Tierney was a son with 10 brothers and sisters at the time, he enlisted with his dad and at least two other brothers in 1914.

    During the war, while riding his horse, an enemy artillery shell landed right in front of him. Luckily, for him at least, the horse stood up on its hind legs and took all of the impact throwing Will to safety. The horse didn't survive.

    Mike Lewis




    242898

    Gdsmn. Robert Barbour 2nd Battalion Scots Guards (d.31st July 1917)

    Robert Barbour was born 18th March 1886 at Balmaclellan, Kirkubrightshire, Scotland, the son of William Barbour, a shepherd, and Elizabeth Isabella Shankland. He worked as a farm labourer prior to the War in Kirkubrightshire. He was my 2nd cousin, twice removed.

    Colin Young




    242892

    Pte. Bertie Thomas Crump 1/9th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.31st Aug 1916)

    Bertie Crump was my great uncle. He died as a prisoner of war in Yarbasi, Turkey aged 20 and I wish I knew more about him.

    Susan Bates




    242879

    Pte. Oswald Trevor Thomas 13th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.16th Nov 1918)

    Private Oswald Thomas was my uncle who died from his wounds while at Etaples Field Hospital on 16th of November 1918.

    I have traced his medals to a family member living in America and have copies for myself. I am a member of the Veterans Association, Pontypool, South Wales. I wear the medals with great pride at all military functions in honour of him. RIP Uncle Oswald.

    Roy Thomas




    242875

    L/Cpl. Frederick W. Moulding DCM. 18th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    Frederick Moulding was awarded the DCM. His citation reads: 201711 L./Cpl. F.W. Moulding, 18th Btn. Glouc . R. (Stapleton) For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This non-commissioned officer, with 6 men, was in charge of a Lewis-gun post in the outpost line when posts on both his flanks were surrounded and driven in. He held on to his post, which was completely isolated, until dawn, when he retired under fire, and rejoined the new outpost line,He had been out with his post under sniping and shell fire for 48 hours, with no food but his own rations, He showed great determination and endurance (5.12.18)

    According to family relatives he also collected some wounded on the return visit and a prisoner but this is not detailed in writing.

    Robert Wathen




    242874

    Pte. Leonard Sydney Thomas Pays 2/1st Btn. Bedfordshire Yeomanry

    My Dad, Leonard Pays Served with the 2/1st Btn. Bedfordshire Yeomanry. I am trying to find information. He died in August 1972

    Graham Pays




    242873

    A/L/Cpl. Ruben John Corner 13th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.9th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    When Reuben Corner was born in 1885 in West Ham, Essex, his father, Henry, was 32 and his mother, Mary, was 31. He married Jessie Florence Yexley in 1907 in West Ham, Essex.

    Reuben was part of The West Ham Boys of 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment and a true hero. He died on 9th of August 1916 at the age of 31 and was buried in Somme, France.

    Suzanne




    242867

    L/Cpl. Norman Hawling 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th April 1918)

    <p>

    Norman Hawling is my uncle and he was one of three Hawling brothers who fought in the Great War. He was serving attached to the 5th Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry when he lost his life.

    His brother Thomas Albert known as Bert was commissioned as a 2nd Lt and he died whilst serving with the 9th Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on the 4th of November 1917. He was a Pharmacist, his father was head Pharmacist at Oldham Royal Infirmary and the family also had a chemists shop in Yorkshire Street which Norman ran. The third brother, my Uncle Cyril Hawling, was in the Medical Corps. He was gassed and returned home an invalid. He never worked again although he served as a wireless operator for the Post Office during WW2. My grandfather was so devastated by the loss of two sons that he retired.

    John Holroyd




    242862

    Pte. John Thomas Mashiter 15th (Salford Pals) Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Tom Mashiter served with the 1st Salford Pals, he died in 1963.

    Stewart Mashiter




    242857

    Madeline Jamieson Scottish Brigade

    <p>

    Madeline Jamieson served with the Scottish Brigade of the British Red Cross.





    242849

    L/Cpl. Frederick Herbert Steward MM. 12th Btn Royal Fusiliers (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Steward enlisted at Stamford Hill, London aged 16 years. In July 1916 he was awarded the Military Medal for recovering a wounded officer from No Mans Land. He was subsequently killed at age 18 on 31st of July 1917,the first day of the 3rd Battle of Ypres, and has no known grave. His name can be found on the Menin Gate.

    J Brewer




    242848

    Cpl. Frederick Noel Herbert 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Sorry to say Frederick Herbert's story is all lost in time. He was my Grandad's brother, killed in action on the first day of the Somme.

    Carl Rooke




    242846

    Pte. Robert Harcourt Hawker 201st Btn. Machine Gun Corp (d.19th Jun 1919)

    Private Robert Harcourt Hawker 155424 drowned on active service in the River Divina, North Russia 19th June 1919 age 19 years

    Lyn Hawker




    242840

    Arthur Sidney Jelf 18th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Sid Jelf was gassed, he was then discharged due to bronchitis.

    Matt Jelf




    242835

    Pte. Nicholas Cawthorn 1/5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.11th April 1917)

    <p>

    Nicholas Cawthorn was born at Knottingley, West Yorkshire, on the 7th September 1883, the fourth of seven children of Nicholas and Fanny Cawthorn (nee Dawson). His father was a Keelman, owning the 60 ton Barge Mary, conveying coal and lime between Hull, Wakefield, Leeds, Knottingley and Sheffield. The Cawthorn family lived and worked on the barge although by 1901 they were residing at 11 River Head, Driffield, East Yorkshire. The 1911 census records the family had moved to the neighbouring house at number 10. Nicholas worked with his father as a Keelman until the outbreak of the Great War.

    On his 31st birthday, 7th September 1914, he enlisted at Driffield in D Company of the 1/5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, at this time part of the York and Durham Brigade in the Northumbrian Division. His attestation papers record that he gave his age as 29 years (he clearly choose to take two years off his true age) and that he was 5 feet 7 inches tall. His address was 10 River Head, Driffield. He was passed medically fit for service in the Territorial Force and the same day joined at the Regimental Depot at Scarborough. Following the issue of uniform and initial induction he joined his battalion at Newcastle where the whole Northumbrian Division was billeted. They remained at Newcastle until the following April and there followed a period of intense training.

    At 11.00am on the 17th April 1915 the Northumbrian Division left Newcastle by train arriving at Folkestone at 10.00pm, where they immediately embarked on H.M. Transport Onward for France. They arrived in Boulogne at 1.50am the following morning, 18th April. That same night the Division left by train, arriving at Cassel at 06.00 on the 19th April. They then marched to billets outside the village of Steenvoorde where they were able to rest for three days. At midnight on the 22nd April the Division proceeded by motor buses to Vlamertinghe and from there marched to Ypres.

    Second Battle of Ypres (22 April to 25 May 1915)

    The arrival of the Northumbrian Division in Ypres coincided with the start of the Second Battle of Ypres. On the 22nd April the German Fourth Army carried out a surprise attack against two French divisions holding the Allied Front Line on the northern sector of the Ypres Salient. On that day the warm, sunny spring afternoon was suddenly shattered at 5.00pm with a devastating and frightening new development in modern warfare: a cloud of poisonous gas. German gains during the fighting of 22nd and 23rd April were considerable and represented an enormous slice of the northern and north-east sectors of Ypres' outer defences - markedly changing the configuration of the Salient and making it even more constricted and difficult to defend.

    The 1/5th battalion was held in Corps Reserve at Ypres during the day of 23rd April and was placed on ten minutes notice to move. The York and Durham Brigade was separated and two battalions (the 1/4th Yorkshire Regiment and the 1/4th East Yorkshire Regiment) proceeded almost immediately to the battlefield.

    Battle of St. Julien (24 April to 5 May 1915) The 1/5th Battalion fell in at 1.15am on the 24th with orders to occupy the west bank of the Yser Canal north-east of Ypres. The position allocated to the battalion was the extreme left of the British line, the troops to the left being the 2nd Algerian Zouaves of the French Army. On arrival just before daylight the battalion lined the canal banks under the shelter of a ridge, the men shortly afterwards digging themselves into shelter holes.

    At 4.00am on 24th April, a few miles to the east, the Germans launched another attack (forestalling Allied plans of a counter-attack) directed against a newly formed and vulnerable northern projection of the line held by the Canadians to the north of St Julien. Following an intense bombardment and the release of cloud gas on the exposed apex of the readjusted Allied line, Canadian and British forces withstood repeated enemy assaults on their positions. The defenders, with only the most makeshift protection against the gas, were steadily driven back and by the afternoon the Germans were past St Julien.

    The pattern of fighting established in the previous two days was now repeated. A whole series of desperate British counter-attacks, notionally in conjunction with delayed and often ineffective French support sought to dislodge the Germans from their newly won ground. The immediate response to the loss of St Julien included the attack of the 1/4th Yorkshire Regiment and 1/4th East Yorkshire Regiment of the York and Durham Brigade (supported by Canadian artillery batteries) which forced the Germans back to the edge of the village and effectively ended any further German progress on 24th April. Secure in the knowledge of their dominance in artillery fire-power (equally effective in supporting them in attack and defence) the Germans were content to halt, dig-in and consolidate their gains and repel the British counter-attacks. The Northumbrian Division had had its baptism of fire, amongst those killed being the Commanding Officer of the 1/4th East Yorkshires.

    Meanwhile, the 1/5th Battalion, in their positions on the Yser Canal bank, had their first experience of shell fire in the forenoon of the 24th but sustained no injuries. In the afternoon the battalion was ordered to cross the canal by a pontoon bridge and support the Canadians at Potizje Chateau, where it reported at 3.00pm being subject to rifle and shell fire en-route. From Potizje it was ordered to proceed to Saint Jean to support the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade. This village was soon in flames and the battalion skirting its rear, skirmishing across open country under heavy shelling to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade Headquarters situated to the north of Wieltje. The battalion attempted repeatedly to get into touch with the other two battalions of the York and Durham Brigade, but could obtain no reply. It was taken over by a Canadian General and reinforced one of the Canadian trenches with orders to counter-attack should it be necessary. The War Diary records that it rained constantly all night and several men were wounded and one killed by shellfire.

    At 3.00am on Sunday 25th April the battalion received orders to proceed to Fortuin. En-route they passed many refugees and disorganized troops in retreat. At 05.00am the battalion arrived at the rendezvous point in company with 1/5th Bn. Durham Light Infantry and met the Yorks and Durham Brigade Commander. B and C Companies occupied a line of reserve trenches to the left of the 1/5th Durhams, but no shelter was available for A and D Companies except the bottom of hedgerows on the roadside.

    About 6.00am these latter Companies were ordered to advance in support of 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers during 10th Brigade's counter-attack across open field against St Julien and Kitchener's Wood. 10th Brigade was 'called on to attempt the impossible. Without adequate artillery preparation and support, on ground unknown and unreconnoitred, they were sent to turn an enemy well provided with machine-guns out of a position which had ready-made cover in houses and a wood, and splendid artillery observation from higher ground behind it.' (Military Operations, France and Belgium, 1915 [Volume I], Brigadier-General J E Edmonds and Captain G C Gwynne, London, Macmillan, 1927, p 240).

    The Brigade's highly visible advance had calamitous consequences and its destruction moved the British Official Historian to a poignant description of the aftermath of battle: 'A few men tried to crawl back into cover, but the majority of those in the leading lines never returned; mown down like corn, by machine-guns in enfilade, they remained lying dead in rows where they had fallen.'

    The War Diary of the 1/5th Battalion recorded that leading parties obtained the objective when the order was given to retire as Royal Irish were falling back. In this movement A and D Companies suffered severely, losing 8 killed and about 40 wounded. The total number of casualties (killed, wounded or missing) sustained during the 10th Brigade counter-attack on the 25th April was 73 officers and 2,346 other ranks.

    One of the 1/5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment casualties of the day was Private Nicholas Cawthorn of D Company. During the attack he received severe shrapnel wounds to the right side of his face (shattering his jaw) and to his shoulder. He was fortunate enough to be evacuated from the battlefield and then became one of the many wounded soldiers of the Battle of Second Ypres who started the journey along the Army Medical Services evacuation route back to hospitals in England.

    He was first transported to the 3rd Field Ambulance Hospital at Vlamertinghe where he was admitted the same day he was wounded. His stay here was brief and the following day, 26th April, he arrived by ambulance train in Boulogne, a journey that involving a short stop en-route at No. 4 Stationary Hospital at St Omer. On arrival in Boulogne he was admitted to 11 General Hospital, 98 Boulevard Saint-Beuve. On the 28th April he was transferred to the Hospital Ship Salta, subsequently to the Hospital Ship Valdivia, which brought him to England where he arrived on 29th April.

    Following the failed 10th Brigade attack on 25th April two further major counter-attacks took place during the Battle of St Julien on the 26th and 27th April. The costly failures of the ensuing British counter-attacks moved General Smith-Dorrien to recommend a withdrawal to a more tenable line.

    Sir John French replaced Smith-Dorrien and appointed General Plumer as overall commander of British troops in the Salient. Plumer saw the logic of a better defensive line though a move back was postponed following Foch's plea to Sir John French on 28 April not to give ground. The failure of a French counter-attack eastward from the Yser canal-line on 1 May finally convinced the British of the necessity of falling back. Amidst continuing German pressure, including another gas attack on 2 May, the remaining battle-weary British forces were withdrawn from forward positions to take up to the east of Ypres by 3/4 May. This line established by Plumer remained, despite further and repeated German attacks in 1915, roughly the same until the great British offensives began in late July 1917.

    For Nicholas Cawthorn, his short period of only 12 days service overseas was over and he would never rejoin his colleagues of the 1/5th Battalion again. Back in England he must have spent many months in hospital and suffered greatly.

    On the 13th November 1915 he was subject to a medical board as a result of which he was discharged from the Army on 16th December 1915 being found no longer physically fit for war service. His disability was described as followed:

    G.S. Wound Temporo Maxillary Ankylosis (R)

    In action on 25th April 1915 at St Julien. Struck by piece of shrapnel on right side of face. Almost complete ankylosis of right jaw, unable to masticate and has to live on liquid nourishment. Still a lodgement of shell below left inferior maxilla. A second operation advised but unreasonably refused.

    Medical Board 13-11-15:- Result of Active Service. Permanent.

    In non-medical terms, he could no longer move his jaw. This would have affected his ability to talk properly and he could not chew solid food. He was granted a pension and returned to his home in Driffield, a facially disfigured and broken man.

    Many of the limbless ex-servicemen could disguise their disabilities. For the facially disfigured, which Cawthorn undoubtedly was, the return to civilian life must have been far more conspicuous and unforgiving. Many of the facially disfigured became socially marginalised. While a few wore special custom-made masks to conceal their missing noses, ears, mouths and jaws, others simply withdrew from normal civilian life by abandoning parents, wives and children upon whom they were often dependant for tube or spoon feeding. Many others killed themselves or died in suspicious accidents.

    Richard Cawthorn was one who never recovered and he contracted tuberculosis, his body being weakened by his existing medical condition. He died at his home, 10 River Head, Driffield, on 7th April 1917. His death certificate records his cause of death as Tubercular Disease of Lungs following wounds of face and neck on active service. The Driffield Times records that he was buried with full military honours in Driffield Cemetery on Wednesday 11th April 1917.

    Nicholas Cawthorn's grave in Driffield Cemetery

    Darren Howlett




    242832

    Pte. William "Phil " Mytton South Staffordshire Regiment

    We believe that William Mytton met his future wife in Filey. A nurse called Annie Mabel Whilton. They married in 1918. We don't know precisely when he was at Filey.

    David Mytton




    242830

    Francis Graham 23rd Battalion Manchester Regiment

    Francis Graham served with the 23rd Battalion Manchester Regiment. I'm researching gallant Grahams from my own family as an artist and as a private person. I'm creating a family tree and have an interest in the development and importance of democracy.

    Ruth Graham




    242829

    Pte. John Mead 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.13th October 1918)

    My 2x great grandfather John Mead was born in Markyate, Hertfordshire, in 1885. Having a wife and 4 young children (all under ten), when WW1 broke out he enlisted at Luton, Bedfordshire. He was a private in the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He was unfortunately killed on 13th of October 1918, in France and Flanders. He us buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. I'm sure he was a brave, young father, like many other men, just trying to do his bit for the country.

    Zara Mead




    242824

    Pte. Rupert Victor Cooke Norfolk Regiment

    Rupert Victor Cooke is my great grandfather who I met when I was very young, he died in 1982. He served in the British Army between 1914-1920. I'm trying to track down if he had a brother who died in the First World War. I can remember a Memorial Plaque in his home that someone told me was for his brother, that's all I can remember. I don't know if they would have joined up in the same regiment.

    John White




    242823

    Gavin Lambie 10th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.9th April 1917)

    Gavin Lambie is my great great grandfather who was killed in action in Arras in 1917, He is remembered on the Arras Memorial in France. Unfortunately, I have never seen any photos of him so if there are any for the 10th Battalion I would love to see them.

    Lesley McDerment




    242814

    Pte Joseph Henry Robinson 16th Battaliom Lancashire Fusiliers (d.10th Aug 1918)

    Joseph Robinson was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Robinson (nee Greener), born Blackhall Mill, Co Durham, died 10th August 1918, aged 19. Remembered on memorial at Vis en Artois,France.

    Coleen Smith




    242810

    L/Cpl. George Beason 1st Btn Leinster Regiment (d.22nd February 1915)

    George A Beason was born on 29th July 1890 in Barking, Essex. He lost his life on the 22nd of Feb 1915 fighting in France & Flanders. The son of William & Jane Beason.





    242804

    Pte. Robert John Chalker 6th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.13th June 1917)

    Originally from Staffordshire, Robert Chalker was a field medic attached to the Regimental Field Ambulance Service of the 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.

    He was killed during the battle of Messines Ridge in June 1917. No further details of the incident in which he died have yet come to light. Robert was married with a 2-year old daughter at the time of his death.

    Richard Stephens




    242802

    Pte. Arthur Tewkesbury 9th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.23rd March 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Tewkesbury previously served in the East Surrey Regiment No. 6055, before joining the Essex Regiment.

    Linda




    242800

    Pte. William Oakes 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.3rd June 1918)

    William Oakes joined up in late August 1916, aged 32. A bricklayer by trade, as detailed in his joining papers, his record shows that he qualified as a bomber. He died of wounds and is buried at the cemetery near Signy-Signet.

    Mike Waring




    242794

    Pte. Thomas Brown 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.30th Sep 1918)

    I found out that my grandmother had lost her first husband in WW1 so I was determined to find out about him. As a sign of respect I wanted to commemorate him. After nearly two years of searching I now know he was called Thomas Brown, born Newcastle upon Tyne in 1891 or 92 (his birth certificate eludes me), married my grandmother 1914 at the age of 22 and died in Belgium September 1917 aged 25 or 26. RIP

    Lorraine Stoker




    242788

    AC2. William Attrata O'Brien 210 Squadron (d.18th Sep 1939)

    Aircraftman 2nd Class William O'Brien was the Son of Peter and Sarah O'Brien, of Ballynoe. He is buried in the Ballon Catholic Churchyard, Ballon, Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242776

    L/Cpl. David Purves Campbell Rodger 5th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.18th Jul 1916)

    My great uncle S/18599 Lance Corporal David Rodger was killed 18th July 1916 aged 19 years at Delville Wood and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He was born 8 September 1896 at Tennant Street, Leith, Midlothian the son of William Cochrane Rodger and Isabella Fraser Brand Campbell. His medal card shows he entered the Theatre of War in France on 11th of October 1915.

    His brother, my grandfather Thomas Rodger served with 7th Royal Scots and was involved in the Gretna Train Disaster on 22nd May 1915. Fortunately, he was one of the few who survived. He had a foot injury. He served in the Dardanelles and in France, however, was transferred to the Labour Corps because of the injured foot.

    Margaret Denholm




    242775

    Cpl. William Albert Free 8th Btn. C Coy. King's Regiment (Liverpool)

    William Free was captured on the 31st of July 1917 near Ypres and held as a prisoner of war at Dulmen Camp.

    Mark Jones




    242769

    Bdr. Albert Bertram Johnson 63rd Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    My paternal grandfather, Albert Bertram Johnson was born in Peterborough on the 15th November 1886 to William and Elizabeth Jane Johnson.

    He worked on the railways before enlisting on 8th August 1914 as one of Kitchener's New Army. He joined the Royal Artillery 63rd Brigade C Bty., part of the 12th Eastern Division and was posted to France on the 1st June 1915. He spent the majority of the war years in France, fighting in the first and second battles of Ypres. He was wounded in action on the 4th May 1917 but no details noted on his record.

    He contracted influenza in July 1918 and was admitted to Graylingwell Hospital, Chichester on the 1st August 1918 from Number 11 Stationary Hospital at Rouen. On the 17th August 1918, he was admitted to a convalescent hospital at Eastbourne, possibly Summerdown. He was discharged on the 7th December 1918 and returned to his Unit on the 16th December 1918.On the 3rd February 1919 he was sent to a dispersal centre and on the 5th March 1919 he was transferred to Class Z Army Reserve. He was demobbed on the 31st March 1920 and his address was given as 116 GN Cottages, New England, Peterborough, He was 31.

    He had married Rose Hannah Webb on the 5th November 1917 at Northampton. They had two children, Bertram Walter born on the 4th April 1920 and Muriel born 1924. He returned to work on the railways at Peterborough as a shunter but was tragically killed in a shunting accident at the East Station, Peterborough on the 5th November 1929, his 12th wedding anniversary.

    Vanessa Christie




    242767

    Pte. George Schofield 3rd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.11th Jan 1918)

    George Schofield is buried in the Youghal (St. Mary's) Collegiate Churchyard, Yaughal, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242766

    Capt. C. Hawkes Bolster 9th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.8th Dec 1914)

    Captain Hawkes Bolster is buried in the Youghal (St. Mary's) Collegiate Churchyard, Yaughal, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242765

    Pte. Michael Riordan 3rd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.9th Jul 1915)

    Michael Riordan is buried In North part of the Youghal (North Abbey) Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242764

    Pte. C. O'Brien 3rd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.22nd February 1915)

    Private O'Brien is buried in the Youghal (North Abbey) Cemetery, Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242762

    Gnr. James Connors Royal Garrison Artillery (d.2nd Nov 1914)

    Gunner James Connors is buried in the South part (left of main path) in the Youghal (North Abbey) Cemetery, Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242761

    Pte. J Scott 3rd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.4th Dec 1918)

    Private Scott is buried In the South-East part of the Willmount Cemetery, Killora, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242760

    Pte. Jeremiah O'Connor 2nd Garrison Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.7th Nov 1918)

    Private O'Connor is buried In the South-West part of the Whitechurch Cemetery, Whitechurch, Co. Cork, Ireland.
    S Flynn




    242759

    L/Sgt. Joseph Jones 3rd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Joseph Jones was the son of Mrs. B. Jones of 11, Upper Quarry Lane, Clarence St., Cork. He was 35 when he died and is buried in the South part of the Whitechurch Cemetery, Whitechurch, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242758

    L.Stok. B. Drew HMS Ramillies

    Leading Stoker Drew died the 2nd November 1920 and is buried in In the South-East part of the Whitechurch Cemetery, Whitechurch, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242757

    Pte. Robert Edward Henry Griffiths 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.18th Jul 1916)

    Robert Griffiths was one of two brothers born 1879 in Haggerston, Middlesex to George a railway guard, and his wife Harriet Griffiths, he was christened Robert Edward Henry Griffiths but sometimes called Richard. He left his family around 1901 and enlisted in the Army at Peterborough. He is commemorated on Framlingham Suffolk War Memorial and is buried in Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery.

    His brother Lance Corporal Charles Probert Griffiths (wrongly named on the War Memorial as E.C.Griffiths) of the Suffolk Regiment died 29th of July 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Their nephew died in 1919 at home a returned P.O.W. Pte. Robert Probert Simmons, born in Leyton. originally 22137, 10th Btn. Suffolk Regiment then 17515, The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment was captured and sent to a German P.O.W. Camp. He died following an operation just after discharge in 1919 to pension and SWB from pneumonia. George Probert Griffiths lost three members of his family in WW1.





    242747

    Deck Hand. Edward Holiburton Symers Shepherd HMS Colleen (d.25th Nov 1918)

    Edward Shepherd was the Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Shepherd of 38 Hotspur St., Maryhill, Glasgow He was 27 when he died and is buried in Grave 2053 in the Waterford Protestant Cemetery, Waterford, Co. Waterford, Ireland

    S Flynn




    242746

    Pte. John Edward Briggs Scrowston 2/1st Btn. East Riding Yeomanry (d.2nd Nov 1918)

    John Scrowston was the son of C. E. Scrowston of 12 Gilbert St., Hessle Rd., Hull. He was 20 when he died and is buried in the Waterford Protestant Cemetery, Waterford, co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242745

    Pte. Christopher Nash 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Christopher Nash is buried in the Waterford Protestant Cemetery, Waterford Protestant Cemetery, Waterford, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242743

    John H. Jephson (d.22nd Dec 1918)

    Clerk 3rd Class John Jephson is buried in the Waterford Protestant Cemetery, Waterford, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242742

    Col. Robert Thomas Carew Leinster Regiment (d.11th Feb 1917)

    Colonel Carew was the husband of Mary Carew of Ballydavid, Rossduff, Co. Waterford. He was 56 when he died and is buried in the Waterford Protestant Cemetery, Waterford, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242741

    Pte. J Bannon 4th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.12th Dec 1917)

    Private Bannon was the Son of Michael Bannon, of Urlingford. He was 22 when he died and is buried Near the South-West boundary of the Urlingford Old Graveyard, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242740

    Pte. Joseph Hinchliffe 3rd (Reserve) Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Joseph Hinchliffe was transferred to hospital on the 29th December 1917 with an inflamed middle ear. He was finally discharged on 14th May 1918.

    Heather Ashton




    242735

    CH. STO. John Flavin H.M.S. "Seal." (d.16th April 1916)

    Chief Stoker Flavin is buried South of the East end of the ruins in the Upper Aghada Cemetery, Aghada, Co. Cork, Ireland

    s flynn




    242733

    Pte. Michael Coulter 3rd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.14th August 1914)

    Private Coulter was the Son of Mrs. M. Coulter, of Ballyhair, Fahy, Offaly.

    He is buried in the South-East part of the Upper Aghada Cemetery, Aghada, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242732

    LS William Barry J/1194 (d.2nd April 1916)

    Leading Seaman Barry was the Son of Frances Barry, of 35C, Halidon St., Homerton, London, and the late Edward Barry.

    He was 24 when he died and is buried in the North-West part of the Upper Aghada Cemetery, Aghada, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242731

    Pte. J. Callaghan 14th Btn. Canadian Infantry (d.27th November 1918)

    Private Callaghan is buried Between the pathway and the Church in the Tyholland (or Tehallan) Catholic Churchyard, Tyholland, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242724

    Pte John Sculley

    My granddad was at Wharncliffe at the beginning of his service





    242717

    Pte. Walter Martin 8th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th June 1917)

    My great grandfather, Walter Martin served in the 8th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles however, CWGC and some other sites have him down as Marten instead of Martin.





    242716

    Pte. Clarence Wells 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Clarence Wells was wounded in WW1 discharged on 9th August 1917. He was treated at Stanwick Park Auxiliary Hospital. Whilst there he met Lavinia Langton Lindsay of Aldbro St John. They were married at Stanwick Church on 18th of May 1918.

    Glen Appleyard




    242713

    Ch.Art. Hugh McCully HMS Liffey

    Hugh McCully is my Great Grandfather. His daughter from his first marriage was my Grandma Hunter (Christina Finlayson McCully). He was married at the time of his service (on his marriage certificate was dated 1918) his wife was Christina Harley and she was a tailoress. His parents and two older siblings came from Dromore, County Down in Ireland after his sister Jane was born in 1874. They are shown on the 1911 census, without their parents. Who I think has passed away by then. After Hugh's first wife passed away in 1930, he remarried a Sarah Josephine Roger. They divorced in January 1944. And he re-married again that year, to a lady called Isabella Robb Don (who was the help). They were married until his death in 1956. I don't know if he had any more children after my Grandma.

    I am trying to trace his service records and I think this is his service number but I am yet to find confirmation of this - Z2475C I will be happy to share any more information I find.

    Gwen Hunter




    242705

    George Ernest Bramley 1st Battalion

    Three Bramley brothers enlisted. George Ernest Bramley was the second eldest of four sons. Born to William Thomas Bramley and Emily Caroline Pike, in Randwick, NSW. He was a farmer when he enlisted 28th of August 1914. He sailed on the HMAT Afric and fought at Lone Pine. He was wounded 5th of April 1915, a bullet wound to the forehead. He returned home 23rd of October 1918. He married and had a son. The son never married. His brothers, 2114 Frank Albert Bramley was listed as missing then found killed in action, 7th of December 1915 at Lone Pine and 3019 Charles Frederick Bramley, enlisted 17th of October 1916. He was wounded but returned home.

    I have no photos of them. My interest is I am writing the Bramley history. There are no descendants coming from William and Emily. Their youngest fourth son died of Spanish Flu after they returned home.

    Vivienne Jones




    242704

    2nd Lt. Edgar George Rees 19th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusilliers (d.23rd November 1917)

    Edgar Rees, my great uncle, was killed in action at Cambrai aged 26. He fought at the Battle of Ancre. His death is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, France.

    Helen Dawson




    242693

    Pte. Lawrence Peterson 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th Aug 1917)

    Today I received a pin I purchased from the Royal British Legion commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Passchendaele. Each pin identifies the life of a soldier who was a casualty on the battlefield and mine belongs to Private Lawrence Peterson. So far, this is all I know of him. His name is included on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the missing.

    Judith Cooke




    242688

    S/Smth. Michael Reilly South Irish Horse (d.29th June 1916)

    Shoeing Smith Reilly was the Husband of Agnes Reilly, of 32, Regent St., Bagnalstown. He was 34 when he died and is buried Close to the East wall of the Tullow (The Abbey) Cemetery, Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242687

    Cpl. John Cosgrove 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.7th November 1914)

    Corporal Cosgrove was 49 when he died and is buried in the North-East corner of the Tullow (The Abbey) Cemetery, Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242686

    Pte. W. Bryne 2nd Garr. Bn. transf. (275868) Labour Corps Royal Irish Regiment

    Private Bryne was the Son of William and Eliza Byrne; husband of Mary Anne Byrne, of Tullowbeg St., Tullow.

    He was 53 when he died on 1st April 1919 nd is buried in the Tullow (The Abbey) Cemetery, Fennagh, Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242685

    Pte. Mathew Halton 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.8th June 1916)

    Private Halton was 34 when he died and is buried in the Tullaghanoge Old Graveyard, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242684

    Pte. Stephan Holain 2nd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.24th June 1915)

    Private Holain was 26 when he died and is buried In the South part of the Tuam New Cemetery, Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242683

    Pte. Charles George Blake 5th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Private Blake died on 13th February 1919 and is buried In the North-East part of the Tuam New Cemetery, Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242682

    Spr. H. Teskey Royal Engineers (d.26th November 1918)

    Sapper Teskey was the Husband of Mrs. L. Teskey, of 2, Castleview Terrace, Lower Glanmire Rd. Cork.

    He was 33 when he died and is buried In the North-East part of the Tuam (St. Mary) Cathedral Churchyard, Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242679

    STO William Raher H.M.S. "Vivid." (d.9th November 1918)

    Stokeer Raher was the Husband of B. Raher, of 77, Lower Yellow Rd., Waterford.

    He is buried In the North-East part of the Tramore (Holy Cross) Catholic Churchyard, Tramore, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242678

    Capt. Charles Palmer King's Shropshire Light Infantry (d.15th January 1916)

    Captain Palmer was 30 when he died and is buried In the South-East part of the Tramore (Holy Cross) Catholic Churchyard, Tramore, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242677

    Maj. Thomas Henry Trimby Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.19th June 1916)

    Major and Quartermaster Trimby was the Husband of E. Trimby, of Rathbane Cottage, Limerick.

    He is buried in the West side of the Protestant plot in the Tralee New Cemetery, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

    In the 1911 census, Henry Tom Trimby was a 55 year old retired "Army Major", living at Rathbane North, Co. Limerick. He had been born in England. He had been married to his wife Elizabeth for 27 years. 9 children had been born, 6 of whom had survived, and 4 of whom were living with them, ranging in age from 26 to 10.

    s flynn




    242676

    Pte. Stephen O'Loughlin 3rd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.15th November 1917)

    Private O'Loughlin is buried in the Middle of R.C. plot in the Tralee New Cemetery, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242674

    Sgt. William Bartley 52nd Btn. (d.16th October 1916)

    Sergeant Bartley is buried in the Protestant plot, near the main path of the Tralee New Cemetery, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242673

    STO.1 J. Corcoran R.F.R. Dev. A.4150 H.M.S. Colleen

    Stoker 1st Class Corcoran died on 28th February 1919 and is buried in the South-East part of the Tracton Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242666

    Bmbdr. John V. Kerr 121 Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.30th April 1918 )

    John Kerr of 121 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery died of wounds on the 30th of April 1918.

    David




    242663

    Pte. Herbert Edgar Law 11th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Bertie Law was killed on the 1st of July 1916.

    Lorraine Foster




    242661

    Pte. Daniel Somers 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.28th October 1915)

    Private Somers is buried in the Tomacork, Cemetery, Tomacork, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242660

    2nd Lt. T. A. McClure Connaught Rangers (d.28th May 1918)

    Second Lieutenant McClure was the Son of Mrs. McClure, of 7, Burdett Avenue, Sandycove, Dun Laoghaire.

    He is buried About 4 yards West of the East path in the Toberclare Catholic Churchyard, Kilkenny, Co. West Meath, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242659

    Rflmn. John Pierce 4th Btn. A Coy. New Zealand Rifle Brigade (d.19th July 1916)

    John Peirce was the Son of William and Elizabeth Pierce, of Ballycale, Gorey. He was 27 when he died and is buried in the Family plot about the centre of the Toberanierin Protestant Cemetery, Liskinfere, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242658

    Gnr. Bert Hodgson 149th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Bert Hodgson was just a regular guy doing his duty, my grandad and all his batallion. To me they were all brave men. Many of whom never returned home. For whatever reason my Grandad Bert never ever talked about any of experiences. I've got his medals and his bayonet and scabbard of which I'm proud to own. I also have a sepia panoramic photograph of grandad and the whole battalion hanging on my wall showing the regimental mascot a little black and white terrier. I would like to learn more about Grandad Bert but being as he didn't want to talk about the war perhaps it's best left alone.

    M.R.Hodgson




    242654

    Pte. John Charles Herbert 7th Battalion Leicester Regiment (d.14th July 1916)

    John Herbert was my paternal grandmother's brother. He was killed at the Battle of the Somme on the 14th July 1916 and has no known grave but his name is on the war memorial in Lutterworth and also on the wonderful memorial at Thiepval which I have visited. Unfortunately, I do not have a photograph of him but would dearly like to know what he looked like.

    Hazel Smith




    242650

    Pte. Robert "Dot" Kerr 13th Battalion Royal Scots

    <p>

    Robert Kerr served with the 13th Battalion, Royal Scots.

    Hugh Kerr




    242649

    Pte. Walter Francis Nunn 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

    <p>

    Walter Nunn served with 6th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

    Bruce




    242648

    William Mills Black Watch (d.31st October 1914)

    Willam Mills was my grandfather. He was wounded by shrapnel on 31st of October 1914 and died on the way to the hospital. He left behind my grandmother Agnes and two small small boys. My father was just a baby.

    Kathleen Mills




    242636

    Pte. John Perry 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.4th April 1918)

    Private Perry is buried About the the centre of the South part of the Tipperary (St. John's) Famine Graveyard, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242634

    Pte. F. McMenamin 2nd Bn. transf. to (585518) Labour Corps Royal Irish Regiment

    Private McMenamin was the Husband of Bridget Russell (formerly McMenamin).

    He was 26 when he died on 5th March 1919 and is buried Adjoining the road boundary of the Tipperary (St. John's) Famine Graveyard, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242633

    Pte. Edmund Collins 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.7th November 1918)

    Private Collins was 32 when he died and is buried In the South-East part of the Tipperary (St. John's) Famine Graveyard, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242632

    Pte. Martin Geoghegan 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.5th August 1917)

    Private Geoghegan was the Husband of Johannah Geoghegan, of Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny.

    He was 24 when he died and is buried East of the ruins in the Tinnahinch (St. Michael's) Cemetery, St. Mullens, Co Carlow, Ireland

    s flynn




    242631

    Pte. John Rafferty 2/8th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.9th October 1916)

    John Rafferty died as a result of head injuries sustained in a motor accident in Woking and is buried at Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey.





    242628

    Pte. William Dickens 4th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.1st Nov 1917)

    William Dickens, born 1895 in Newton, was one of 14 children of Isaac Dickens and Ada nee Else. His siblings were Fred, Sarah, Mary Ann, Ethel, Alfred, Arthur, Gladys, Alice, Frank, Henry and Doris. 2 others had died as babies. In 1911 aged 16 William was a Pony Driver, probably at Tibshelf's Babbington Collieries.

    William's Army Service record has not survived, but we know from the Army Records of Soldiers Effects he was serving with 4th Btn, Sherwood Foresters as 18927, Private William Dickens and had been repatriated from France to the Womens Auxiliary Corps Hospital in Sunderland where he died on 1st November 1917. There were 5 Voluntary Aid Hospitals in Sunderland, and there is no record of which William was admitted to. William's body was returned to his family and he is buried in St Werburgh's Churchyard,Blackwell.





    242627

    Lance Corporal David Crawford 11th Battalion Royal Scots

    <p>

    My grandfather David Crawford was in the 11th Battalion, Royal Scots. He served in France during WW1 and was discharged due to being shot through the left wrist, possibly during the battle of Loos. He was shipped to the Mater Infirmorum Hospital in Belfast on 4th of Oct 1915. He was unable to use his arm and was rounded with this all his life; there is a record of him being a day patient at Erskine Hospital until 1924. He survived until 1965.

    Alma Baxter




    242626

    Pte. George Haigh Wilce 10th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27th Mar 1918)

    George Wilce was my mother, Dorothy's, brother. Their mother, Ruth, died in 1912, aged 50 when my mother was eight and George was thirteen. As members of a typically large family in those days he became her guardian angel while much older siblings were comparatively distant. She idolised him, which was the term she always used when telling me about him many years later, always with a tear in her eye.

    It is difficult to imagine the grief she experienced when, at aged nineteen, when she was only fourteen, he failed to return from France. He died on 27th March, 1918 and is buried in Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension in the Somme, eight kilometres south-west of Albert, which I have visited, although my mother, sadly, never managed it.

    We will remember them.

    Peter Hay




    242622

    Bmdr. James Edward Mariutto 138th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Jim on the left

    James Mariutto was one of the sons of Giovanni Mariutto, an Italian from Cavasso Nuovo, Udine, who came to London to run the company Diespeker & Co., on behalf of Luigi Oderico - they were specialists in mosaics and terrazzo. His mother was Sarah Matilda Webb, who came from Littlebury, Essex, and was in service in London, where she met Giovanni. James was born in Holloway, on 10th November 1893. In the 1901 Census the family were living at 45 Queen's Head Street, Islington.

    In the summer of 1915, he was a Customs Officer, but then enlisted with the 138th Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery the Hampstead Heavies. He was allocated to the Sub B (right) section. After being in action around the area of Bethune, they were transferred to Ypres, and the Battery was located in what was left of the town, between the Cloth Hall and the Prison. As detailed in the War Diary, he received a bad shrapnel wound to the upper left leg over the night of 7th/8th June 1917, this was at the time that the Battle of Messines Ridge was in progress. After initial dressing, he was later repatriated via a casualty clearing station.

    Following further treatment in the UK, he was sent to a Red Cross auxiliary facility, Adelaide Hospital, in Blackpool, Lancashire. This was a former small hotel, his wife-to-be, Gertrude Mary Daniel, was the daughter of the owner. They married in the second quarter of 1921 and had two daughters. The family name was changed to Marriott in the late 1920s.

    James never fully recovered from his leg wound, but was initially able to gain employment with Blackpool Corporation, as a tram driver. After WW2, he was only able to work part-time, as an office cleaner. The couple moved to a sheltered ground-floor flat in 1974, from which time he was always in a wheelchair. He died at the end of 1980, in Rossall Hospital, Fleetwood.

    Steve Broomfield




    242613

    Pte. John Chadwick Heywood 17th (2nd City) Btn. Manchester Regiment

    My great grandfather John Heywood was in the Battle of the Somme. He signed up on the 10th of November 1914 at 17yrs and 6 months old and was discharged on the 5th of May 1919. He received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Clare Locke




    242608

    Pte. Aubert Charles Smith 4th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.29th Dec 1917)

    Aubert Smith was married to my 2x great aunt. Unfortunately, there are no living relatives who would remember her marriage to him. He was born in 1893 and married Lucy Cox in 1915, when he was just 22. His only child, Aubert Richard Smith, was born in March 1917. Sadly, Aubert (snr) never got to see his son grow up as he died shortly after, in Dec 1917. I have no record of exactly how Aubert died, only that he died in Fulham Military Hospital. From this I have assumed that he died from an injury sustained in campaigns abroad.

    Lucy later remarried and, with Aubert junior, emigrated to Canada.

    Jessica Cox




    242607

    POS R. Hooper H.M. Submarine P.39.

    Petty Officer Stoker Hooper was the Husband of Kate Hooper, of Rathanker, Rochestown.

    He was 42 when he died on 16th January 1920 and is buried South of the East end of the Ruin in the Timoleague (Old Abbey) Graveyard, Timoleague, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242605

    Pte. William Donnellan 2/5th Battalion Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    William Donnellan was my great uncle and I'm sorry to say I know very little about him. I have discovered most details whilst researching my family tree. William was born 20th October 1896, son of John Donnellan and Ellen, nee Dunstan, at 10, Watergate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. His older sibling, John (Jack) Donnellan, who was my granddad, fought in India during WW1. I never heard him speak of his brother but he died when I was quite young.

    William married Nellie Owens at St Patrick's Church, Huddersfield on the 3rd April 1915. The marriage certificate states William's address as Union Workhouse, Derby. I've learned that the trainee soldiers were billeted there. I think William joined up in 1914 but am not certain. He was a private in the 2/5th Battalion, Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment.

    William was listed as missing, presumed dead on the 3rd May 1917, aged 19, at the 2nd battle of Bullecourt. His name appears on the Faubourg D'Amiens Memorial in Arras, France. He has no known grave. I have no photographs of William but he's in my heart forever.

    Ann Laycock




    242604

    Pte. Edmund Brindle 23rd (1st Sportsmans) Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    Eddie Brindle was my grandfather, born 17th April 1891 and died 1961. He was brought up in the Isle of Man and returned there after the war, spending some time with relatives in Dublin immediately after the war. I remember relatives saying he didn't want to speak about his war experiences, but used to have terrible nightmares for a full 2 years after the war crying out in his sleep. I just about remember him as a gentle giant, he died when I was 4 years old. I wish I knew more.

    My mother was born in 1930 and she desperately tried to get him to talk about his experiences. My Mum was a literature student winning many prizes for her poetry and won a scholarship based on a project she did on World War 1 poets. She told me in more recent years - she only followed this line of study in the hopes of finding out about her father's experiences, but he never opened up.

    Linda Hoskins




    242603

    Pte. William Peet 2nd Battalion Royal Scots (d.26th September 1917)

    William Peet was my father's half-brother (my father would have been 7 at the time of his death) and he was enlisted into the Army Reserve on 10th December 1915 and was mobilized into the 3rd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters on 5th of February 1916. On 14th April 1916 he was further posted to Royal Scots. After having 3 days leave from 9th to 12th September 1916 he returned to his unit for a short period before being "released for farm work" on 20th December 1916.

    He rejoined on 2nd February 1917 and it is recorded that he embarked Folkstone to Bolougne on 5th of June 1917 to join 20th Infantry Base Unit. He joined 2nd Battalion (B Company we believe) Royal Scots and was killed in action on 26th September 1917 - we believe during the advance on Hill 40 as part of the first day of the Battle of Polygon Wood.

    William has no known grave but is one of the 33,000 plus remembered on the Memorial Wall at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke. Whilst the younger members of my father's family new nothing of William until a few years ago, my brother, me and our spouses have been to Tyne Cot 4 times previously to pay our respects to an uncle we never had an opportunity to know. On 26th September 2017 we shall be attending the dawn service at Polygon Wood, leaving a Poppy Wreath to commemorate the centenary of his death and attending the Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony that evening. Respect.

    Philip Peet




    242601

    Pte. David Wallace 1/7th Btn. Black Watch

    David Wallace was my Grandfather, he served with his brothers L/Sgt Alexander Wallace and Sgt Andrew Wallace in the 1/7th Battalion, Black Watch during World War One. His other brother Charles Wallace served in the 16th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. I have been able to locate some information about Alexander, Andrew and Charles but no information or records about David's Service.

    David was the only brother to survive the war, Alexander and Andrew were killed at the Somme and Charles was killed at Gallipoli.

    Roger Sweetman




    242598

    Gnr. John Gardner Hayes 90th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.4th October 1917)

    <p>

    I discovered my Grandfather's grave in Voormezeele Enclosures No's 1 and 2 near Ypres by accident when attending a conference in Ypres in 2003. Since then I have visited his grave 5 times and will take part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Menin Gate on 4th October 2017 commemorating his death 100 years ago.

    In 1899 John Hayes enlisted with 2nd Battalion of the London Rifle Volunteers to serve in the Royal Army Medical Corps and served overseas in South Africa during the second Anglo-Boer war. He was awarded the service medals, the Queens South Africa Medal 1899 with bars, Transvaal, Orange Free state and Cape Colony and the King’s South Africa Medal 1902 with bars South Africa 1901 and 1902. After the war ended in 1902 he can be seen stationed in Tipperary. After his twelve year period in the army he can be found in the 1911 Census living in Wokingham, Berkshire as a boarder with two others at 13a Havelock Road, and working as a postman. In 1912 he married Kathleen Ellen Smith and lived at Wokingham. They had a son Percy Alfred born on 14th June 1914. In 1916 he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery and served as Gunner with the 90th Heavy Battery in Belgium.

    Robert Hayes




    242597

    Pte. Ernest Harry Scott 2/8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Ernest Scott received multiple injuries in June 1916, this was reported in the Southall-Norwood Gazette. He spent from the 3rd of July 1916 to 21st of August 1916 in hospital.





    242596

    Pte. M. Touhy 2nd Garrison Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.20th March 1917)

    M. Touhy served under the name of Ryan. He is buried Between the Church and the East boundary of the Thurles (st. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242595

    Cpl. Patrick Cunningham 1st Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.4th June 1915)

    Corporal Cunningham is buried South of the West end of the Church in the Thurles (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242591

    Boy.Tel. George Percival Oldaker HMS Formidable (d.1st January 1915)

    George Oldake was killed when HMS Formidable was torpedoed by the German submarine U24 in the English Channel whilst on patrol and exercise with the 5th Battle Squadron. The first torpedo hit on the starboard side near the forward funnel and the order to abandon ship was given soon afterwards. Counter-flooding stabilised her but about 45 minutes after the original attack a second torpedo hit and she sank rapidly with the loss of 547 crew. The 5BS had been steaming slowly (10knots), not zigzagging and were without destroyer escort and the Admiral in charge Lewis Bayly was dismissed from his position over the loss.

    Suzanne Dunsmore




    242590

    L/Cpl. Frederick Thomas French 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.30th October 1917)

    <p>

    Born in 1888, Fred French was the eldest child of George and Alice Ellen French of Ashbourne Derbyshire. In 1915 he married Mary Dransfield Beeston in Kirk Ireton. Fred had moved to Newton for employment as a green grocer before 1915. Fred and Mary had a daughter Kathleen, born in 1916, just a few weeks before Fred was posted to his regiment and shipped to France.

    Fred enlisted at Tibshelf in July 1915 with the 7th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment and entered France in December 1916. Wounded in July 1917, he was promoted to Lance Corporal on 1st October 1917, having been put in charge of a Lewis Gun. He was killed in action just 29 days later on 30th October 1917.

    Tony Mellors




    242587

    Gnr. William "Scott" Bloxham 41st Brigade, 9th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.4th November 1918)

    William Bloxham was my grandfather, he died when my father was only 4 years old.

    I am a family history addict and am constantly looking for records of him so that I could see a photograph of him. Just one photo would make me so happy.

    Deborah McAlister




    242583

    Lt. Robert Aslin HMS Kavirondo (d.2nd Dec 1915)

    Lt Robert Aslin RNR died of wounds received in action on HMS Kavirondo at Victoria, Nyanza. He is remembered on a Memorial in Crowborough Cemetery, East Sussex. He had also served on HMS Hyacinth.

    John Bailey




    242580

    L/Cpl. Cyril John Lennings 1st Btn. No 3 Company Hertfordshire Regiment (d.27th September 1917)

    Cyril Lennings was just 21 when he died. He was the youngest of four brothers who served in WW1 and he was the second of the four to die. His brother George died a month before him. While George's body was never recovered Cyril is buried at the Divisional Collecting Post Cemetery and Extension. Both were serving in Flanders and both were casualties of the Battle of Passchendaele, the Third battle of Ypres.





    242579

    Pte. John Patrick Ryan 2nd Btn. Reserve Cavalry Regiment (d.8th December 1915)

    Private Ryan is buried in Thornback Churchyard, Thornback, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242577

    Gnr. Timothy O'Leary Royal Garrison Artillery (d.4th January 1918)

    Gunner O'Leary is buried In the South-West part of the Templeusque Graveyard, Glanmire, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242576

    Pte. George William Jennings 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.11th August 1917)

    George Jennings was one of four brothers who served during the Great War. He served with the 1st & 2nd Btns. Royal Fusiliers. Only two of the brothers returned home in 1918, both George and his brother Percy died during the Battle of Passchendaele the Third Battle of Ypres. Georges body was never recovered, probably a victim of the Flanders mud during this terrible battle.

    Peter Jennings




    242574

    Stkr. Gordon Klemp HMS Illustrious

    Gordon Klemp was born on the 1st of Feb 1890 in Manchester. In 1908 he was working as an Ironfitter when he joined the Royal Navy. He is recorded as being 5 ft 9 and three quarters tall with dark brown hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion. He transferred to Devonport on the 20th of July 1913 and served on HMS Illustrious from 18th of August 1914 to 26th of November 1915. Gordon gave H.M.S. Illustrious as his residence when he married Eliza Fowler on 2nd of August 1915 in Morton by Bourne Parish church, in Lincolnshire. Further service was on a series of ships, Vivid II, Vengeance, Vivid II again and finally the Aurora from which he was demobilised on 17th of March 1919, Rank Leading Stoker.

    Gordon is not a family member; his marriage is one I have transcribed from the Morton parish register for FreeREG.

    JPS




    242569

    Pte. Alfred Groucutt Royal Army Medical Corps

    Alfred Groucutt, my 3rd great uncle, was transferred to Class P. Army Reserve to resume employment as an attendant at Merryflats Asylum. By the look of the service record. he was transferred due to gunshot wound to his chest and face including a fractured jaw.

    Gemma Norton




    242568

    Pte. Edward Tynan 8th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Edward Tynan was buried alive by a collapsed trench after a German shell exploded close by in October 1917. He was rescued by his fellow soldiers after wisps of smoke were seen drifting up from the area where the trench collapsed. Edward was able to move around slightly under the earth. A piece of timber had protected his head and body so he was able to light his pipe. Probably thinking I might as well have a last smoke before I die. The pipe smoke attracted his buddy's and they eventually were able to release him from his near death experience. Edward would receive an honourable discharge in June 1918 after being found unfit for further military service due to sickness. This was caused by a German gas attack.

    J Tynan




    242566

    DH Thomas Fyfe H.M. Trawler "George Milburn" (d.12th July 1917)

    Deckhand Fyfe was the Son of John Lees, of 4, Helen Row, Cowie, Stonehaven,

    On July 12th, 1917, George Milburn was sunk by a mine from the German submarine UC-42 (Otto Heinrich Tornow), off Waterford, 1.5 miles south of Dunmore Point. 11 persons were lost.

    He was 27 when he drowned and is buried Between the Church and the North boundary of the Templetown Graveyard,Templetown, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242565

    Pte. Michael Joseph O'Connor 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.27th September 1916)

    Private O'Connor was the Son of William O'Connor; husband of Margaret O'Connor, of 135, East Main St., Annadale, West Lothian.

    He was 30 when he died and is buried in Plot 2 in the Templemore Catholic Cemetery, Templemore, Co. Tipperay, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242564

    Sto. Patrick Fermoyle HMS Roberts (d.17th december 1916)

    Stoker Fermoyle was the Son of the late Catherine Fermoyle, of Graffin, Clonmore, Templemore.

    He was 20 when he died and is buried in Plot 2 in the Templemore Catholic Cemetery, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, Ireland

    s flynn




    242563

    Pte. George Henry Bushnell 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.22nd Sep 1914)

    George Bushnell was born in Wexcombe, Wiltshire to parents Albert and Fanny Bushnell. He died at the Valley of Aisne. George is buried at Vailly Cemetery, France and is remembered on the War memorial plaque in Fyfield Church, Hampshire.

    Tracey Piper




    242562

    Spr. Mathew Carroll Inland Waterways and Docks Royal Engineers (d.17th February 1918)

    Sapper Carroll was 23 when he died and is buried in Plot 2 in the Templemore Catholic Cemetery, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242561

    Gnr. Thomas Whitfield Saxon 33rd Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Thomas Saxon was gassed at some stage while serving in the 33rd Seige Battery, Royal Artillery. On return to UK he did not work again and died at the age of 44years in 1923 as a result of his damage done to his lungs in the gas attack.

    Brian Thomas Saxon




    242558

    Pte. William Kershaw 56th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.14th July 1916)

    <p>

    Willie Kershaw of Rossendale was just 21 when he was killed while carrying wounded on the field. Attached to the Royal Army Medical Corp 56th Field Ambulance, he was hit by a shell and died instantly in July, 1916. Information of his death was first received by his aunt, Miss M Kershaw of 3 Paradise St, Waterfoot, who had brought him up. Miss Kershaw found the official letter from the Record Office behind the door when she returned from holiday.

    The officer commanding the 56th Field Ambulance also wrote to his father George, who worked at Messrs J Tricketts clog-iron works, in Waterfoot. "It is with sincere regret that I write to inform you of the death of your son, Pte Kershaw, who was killed by a shell whilst carrying wounded on the field. His death was instantaneous. Pte Kershaw always proved himself a good soldier and was very much liked by both officers and men, on whose behalf I tender my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement."

    Prior to enlisting, Willie worked at James Taylor's dye works, Roebuck and was a scholar at Newchurch Wesleyan Sunday school, where he had taken many prizes. He went out to France in July, 1915 and had never been home on leave. He celebrated his 21st birthday in the trenches in September of that year. Willie had two brothers, Joseph and George, who also fought in and survived the Great War.

    Barry Kershaw




    242555

    Pte. Frank Chew 12th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    Frank Chew is my great uncle Frank. I came about this information while researching my family tree and found he had been killed in the Great War on the 7th of July 1916. I think it was the Battle of Albert were he fell and traced him to the Thiepval cemetery and monument were I think that his name is on.

    I was confused because my father was also called Frank and never mentioned him. When my father passed I found a medal from the First World War and I think they call it a death plaque and a note from Buckingham Palace. That's as far as I have got but will try to find more. Last year someone laid a wreath and photograph of him at the house in Austerlands where he lived but couldn't find out who did this. So anyone who reads this I would be most appreciable if they could forward me more information.

    Bryan Chew




    242553

    Pte. Hugh Dalzell 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Pte Hugh Dalzell, 9th Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers was my great great uncle and I am keen to make sure his service is recorded. He joined the Army on 17th of March 1916 and arrived in France on 30th of June 1916 and was posted to D Coy 9th Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 16th of August 1917 during the 3rd Battle of Langemark. Gone but not forgotten - Faugh a Ballagh!

    JB




    242550

    Sgt. Daniel Crichton MM. 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Daniel Crichton, my grandfather, was born in 1885, no records exist regarding him within the family because his home in Finsbury was bombed in the Second World War. My grandfather was very ill from the effects of his war effort and the family were in difficult financial circumstances. We have tried for the past 30 years to accumulate records. It has become easier with digitalised versions of the records today. But we still do not have one photograph of him.

    My father is nearly 80 and has been searching for information about his father all his life. I want to redress the balance between the information available regarding officers in war diaries and other material and include my grandfather's name wherever possible so anyone else looking for him will know that there are people he belongs to.

    Lorna Bourke




    242548

    Pte. John Purdie 11th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.1st July 1918)

    John Purdie is a long distant relative who has come to "life" as it were, in a heap of photographs and letters stored here for many years without really being viewed. Now we find the card announcing his death to his wife. We know where he is buried and, as we journey often to northern France, we find him and pay our respects.

    Ray Chandler




    242547

    Pte. Daniel Lewis Davies 15th (Civil Service Rifles) Battalion London Regiment

    <p>

    Daniel Davies served with 15 Platoon, Civil Service Rifles, I am trying to find out the details of my Grandfather's war service as I believe he was injured and was treated at a hospital in Lamlash, Isle of Arran, Scotland. I would like to know the injuries he suffered and when he was discharged and if possible where he went to live and when he died.

    15 platoon civil service rifles

    Graham George Davies




    242541

    Rflmn. Irwin Baldwin 2nd Battalion NZ Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Irwin Baldwin was born in Steeton, near Keighley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire in 1884. He served in the police force in Goole in the East Riding of Yorkshire until 1909 when he contracted rheumatic fever and left the force. In 1910 he emigrated to New Zealand and settled in Palmerston North, where a cousin was already living. He worked as a driver for the Swan Dairy Company and then an engineer for the NZ Dairy Union. In 1914 his younger brother Thomas Edward Baldwin joined him in New Zealand.

    Both brothers volunteered for the armed services in 1915, but Irwin was refused, probably on account of having had rheumatic fever. His brother, Tom, was accepted and was posted to the NZ Rifle Brigade.

    Irwin applied for a second time and was attested on 4th September 1917. He joined 'D' Company, 35th Reinforcements. His regiment embarked on the SS Tofua on 2nd March 1918 and after a short break in Suez arrived in Southampton on 15th May 1918. On 19 June 1918 he was transferred into the reserves for the Rifle Brigade and on 27th of August 1918 was detailed for course instruction at Brocton Camp in Staffordshire. He qualified as a Lance Corporal and joined 'B' Company, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade on 17th September 1918.

    It is probable that Irwin was stationed at Brocton Camp shortly after his arrival in England in May 1918. He was finally posted to the Front on 21st September 1918.

    On 4th November 1918 he took part in the attack on the old fortress town of Le Quesnoy in northeastern France. He was severely wounded in the shoulder, right buttock and right leg when a shrapnel shell burst nearby. His right leg was amputated. He spent some months recovering at the New Zealand hospital at Walton on Thames and eventually embarked for New Zealand on board the SS Arawa on 5th October 1919.

    His younger brother, Tom, fought at Flers on the Somme Front, Messines and Passchendaele. He was wounded in both knees on 12th October 1917 during the attack on Passchendaele. He also had his right leg amputated.

    Irwin served for a second time with the New Zealand armed forces during WW2, in a clerical capacity and died in Palmerston North in 1962. His brother Tom died in 1966 and is buried in Steeton Cemetery.

    Robin Longbottom




    242540

    Pte. Frederick James Tait 10th Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.25th April 1917)

    My Grandfather, Fred Tait, the only son of Elizabeth Tait, was married to Mary and had two sons and a newborn daughter when he was killed during the Battle of Arras. A letter to his widow informed her that he had been killed by a shell and there was "no mark upon his body". "He was buried where he lay, near the front line". His body was not found and his name is inscribed upon the Arras Memorial. RIP.

    Before he enlisted, he worked as a horse-van driver for McEwan's Brewery in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. His name is upon the Arras Memorial and upon the Fountain Brewery plaque at Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh.

    Margot Tait




    242536

    Cpl. John Charles Robinson 9th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    John Robinson was born in Drogheda in 1877. His father, Robert Robinson, was from Ligoniel and was a mill engineer. The family moved back to Belfast and John married Elizabeth Moody in 1905. The couple had 8 children and at the outbreak of WW1 were living at 171 Conway Street, Belfast. John fought in and survived the fighting on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He later became a Military Policeman. He returned to Belfast and lived at 333 Cupar Street. He belonged to Albert Street Presbyterian Church. He died aged 75 in 1952.

    Stephen Johnston




    242534

    Sgt. John Potts DCM, MM & Bar. 23rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    John Potts was awarded the DCM, Military Medal and Bar.

    Ken Potts




    242533

    Pte. Albert Cooper 1st Battalion. D Company East Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

    Pte 12191, Albert Cooper of D Coy. 1st Btn., East Yorkshire Regiment died on 9th of April 1917, agde 26. He was the son of William Henry and Charlotte Cooper of 7 Edward's Square, Edward's Place, Commercial Rd., Hull





    242529

    John Edward Wormall 2nd Btn. Border Regiment

    Private Wormall was 25 when he died on the 13th March 1920 and is mentioned on a Special Memorial (South-West part) of the Templemore Churchyard, Templemore,Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242528

    Pte. G. P. Raynham Northamptonshire Regiment

    Private Raynham was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Raynham, of Mildenhall, Suffolk.

    He died on the 20th February 1920 and is buried In the South-West part of the Templemore (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242527

    Pte. Oliver Havens 3rd Btn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) (d.27th November 1918)

    Private Havens wasthe Husband of A. Havens, of 9, Manson Place, Queen's Gate, London.

    He was 39 when he died and is buried Right of the Church from the entrance of the Templemichael Church of Ireland, Templemichael, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242526

    Thomas Maddock 3rd Btn. Devonshire Regiment

    Thomas Maddock enlisted as Private 15733 Devonshire Regiment and was posted to the 3rd Btn on 3rd of March 1915. His last unit was 251st Provost Coy, Royal Defence Corps, service number 49524. He was also a posted to the 2nd (Home Service) Garrison Btn Devons, which became 5th Btn RDC. On enlistment he stated that he had previously served with the RMLI for 6 years between 1886 and 1892.





    242521

    Pte. H. Myerscough Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    I'm afraid I don't know anything about Pte. H Myerscough apart from he may have been called Henry and he was treated at Nethercourt toward the end of 1917. I have been given an autograph book which has fond messages from servicemen who were treated at the hospital by a Nurse Angela Ongley. They are servicemen from many Regiments and to place them all here would be a huge undertaking, however I have attached a picture of Pte H Myerscough's message.

    Craig Dooley




    242520

    Pte. George Fairbairn 1st Btn. Black Watch

    George Fairbairn was my grandfather. He was in the 1st Black Watch and was reported as wounded on 29th of December 1917, shot in the upper arm in the Battle of Cambrai, France. Before that, he was in 1/2nd Scottish Horse. He arrived in Gallipoli (Suvla) on 2nd of September 1915 and was evacuated to Egypt on 20th of December 1915.

    Anne Higgins




    242517

    Pte. Joseph Swindells 10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st December 1915)

    Joseph Swindells is buried in Chapelle-D'Armentieres New Military Cementery. He was the husband of Lilly Swindells of 70 Devonshire Lane, Sheffield and the son of Sam and Eliza Swindells.

    Richard Swindells




    242515

    Pte. William Edgar Wormald 4th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.11th September 1918)

    Private Wormald was the Son of William Henry and Nellie E. Wormald, of 44, Faraday St., Everton, Liverpool.

    He was 18 when he died and is buried In the far right hand part, near the right boundary of the Templebreedy Cemetery, Templebreedy, Co. Cork, Ireland

    s flynn




    242514

    Sgt. F. Murphy Royal Engineers

    Serjeant Murphy was the Husband of E. Murphy, of Tory Top Cottage, Fennell's Bay, Crosshaven.

    He died 26th November 1919 and is buried on the Far side of the Church in the Templebreedy Cemetery, Templebreedy, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242513

    Ch.Sto. Maurice Lane HMS Colleen

    Chief Stoker Maurice Lane was the husband of Mary Lane of 9 Harbour View, Queenstown. He died on 7th September 1919 and is buried on the Far side of the Church in the Templebreedy Cemetery, Templebreedy, Co. Cork, Ireland

    s flynn




    242512

    Cpl. Henry Edgar Hardyman Royal Garrison Artillery (d.31st August 1914)

    Corporal Hardyman is mentioned on a Special Memorial in the Templebreedy Cemetery as his grave cannot be located, Templebreedy, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242511

    Dvr. James Reilly 91st Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.24th Nov 1917)

    Driver James Reilly was 35 when he died and is buried North-West of the ruin in the Teltown Old Graveyard, Teltown, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242510

    Pte. Charles George Brake 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment

    My father Charles Brake originally joined the 8th Battalion the Somerset Light Infantry during the early part of 1917 and was transferred to the 1st Battalion the Wiltshire Regiment and demobbed on the 5 March 1919.

    Despite being injured on two occasions he was one of the very lucky survivors and lived to the age of 75 years. His war service was never discussed and sadly the precise details of his service and experiences are unknown despite extensive research my myself. Many will be aware that the majority of service records were destroyed during World War 11 and so I have relied on the available books published in relation to both Battalions and extracts from the war diaries.

    I have been able to establish the activities and movements of both Battalions during this period also the various Battles including the 3rd Battle of Ypres, Passchendale where interestingly both Battalions were in action and in close proximity with very heavy casualties so perhaps that is when his transfer occurred.

    Anthony Brake




    242508

    2Lt. Arthur Bradley MM. 6th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.24th August 1917)

    Arthur Bradley was a pre-war Territorial. From his address, and the 1917 6-digit number, he was most likely in 1/4th Battalion. His Medal Index Card shows he disembarked in France 13th of April 1915, so was with 148th Brigade. He was a Lance Corporal, but was soon promoted to Sergeant. He was awarded the Military Medal in 1916. He was recommended for a commission, to which he was discharged 29th of June 1917. He was posted to 6th Battalion, KOYLI and was killed in action at the Menin Road 24th of August 1917.

    Nick Hooper




    242502

    Stok1. Charles Ceiley HMS Bonetta (d.3rd Apr 1915)

    Stoker 1st Class, Charles Ceiley served on HMS Bonetta. My wife's maiden name was Ceiley and according to the CWGC this gentleman was the only casualty of either WW1 or WW2 with the same spelling of this name.

    Eric




    242501

    Gnr. C. Prendergast Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner Prendergast was the husband of Bridget Prendergast. He is buried Near the right boundary from the entrance of the Tallow Catholic Graveyard, Tallow, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242500

    L/Cpl. James Hearne 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars (d.19th Mar 1915)

    Lance Corporal Hearne was the Husband of Mrs. A. Hearne, of 16, Charlemont Villas, Ranelagh Rd., Dublin. He is buried in the South east part of the Tallaght (St. Maelruan) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Tallaght, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242499

    Grdsmn C. Forde Irish Guards

    Guardsman Forde was the Son of Charles and Mary Forde, of Oldbawn.

    He was 24 when he died on the 21st January 1920 and is buried in the Tallaght (St. Maelruan) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Tallaght, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242498

    Rflmn. H. Delap 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.25th July 1918)

    Rifleman Delap was the Son of William Delap, of Bohemabreeda, Tallaght. He was 22 when he died and is buried in the South east part of the Tallaght (St. Maelruan) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Tallagh, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242497

    Pte. William Reilly 12th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.15th May 1918)

    William Reilly was the Son of Mrs. A. J. Reilly, of Bridge End, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal. He is buried in the South-West part of the Stranorlar (St. Anne) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal, Ireland

    s flynn




    242495

    Pte. Owen Foy 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.4th Jul 1918)

    Owen Foy is buried adjoining the South boundary of the Strade (Old Abbey) Cemetery, Templemore, Co. Mayo. Ireland.

    s flynn




    242494

    Able Sea. Julian Paimal SS Pinewood (d.17th Feb 1918)

    Able Seaman Paimal was the Son of Karl Paimal. Born in Esthonia. He is buried East of the Church in the Stradbally Church of Ireland Churchyard, Stradbally, Co. Waterford, Ireland

    s flynn




    242493

    Lt. R. B.C. Kennedy Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.10th August 1917)

    Lieutenant Kennedy is buried in the Family plot in the North-East part of the Stradbally Church of Ireland Churchyard, Stradbally, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242490

    Pte. William Robert Palmer 717th Mechanical Transport Coy. Royal Army Service Corps (d.25th Apr 1918)

    William Palmer of the 717th Mechanical Transport Coy. Army Service Corps attached to IX Corps Heavy Artillery was killed in action on the 25th of April 1918. He is buried at Klein Vierstraat British Cemetery in Belgium Born in Southampton and resident in East Ham, he enlisted at Grove Park. Son of Thomas and Thirza Palmerm husband of Margaret Josephine Palmer of 18, Sutherland Gardens, East Sheen, London.

    Colin




    242489

    Pte. Arthur Tom Munden 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.19th Apr 1917)

    Arthur Munden of thee 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment, enlisted Whitehill, Hampshire. He was the Husband of Rose Ellen Munden of Butts Rd., Haylands, Ryde, Isle of Wight. Arthur died from wounds and is buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun He is remembered at St. Matthew's Church, Blackmoor and Whitehill War Memorial, Ham: Arthur Thomas Munden Died in Flanders 19 April 1917

    From a booklet published by the then rector, W.H. Laverty of Headley Parish, Bordon, Ham-in Autumn 1919. Listing our Sailors and Soldiers whom we lost in the Great War 1914-1918: Deadwater Hill, Munden, Arthur Thomas, 4th Hants. Died in France of gunshot wounds, head and face, 19th April, 1917, aged 31. Left widow and child.

    Colin




    242486

    Pte. Thomas Fitzpatrick 16th Btn. Canadian Infantry

    Private Fitzpatrick died on the 2nd October 1920 and is buried In the North-East part of the Staghall Catholic Churchyard, Drumlane, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242485

    Pte. Owen Carroll Res. Btn. Irish Guards (d.20th February 1915)

    Private Carroll is buried in the Middle of the South part of the Stabannon Cemetery, Stanbannon, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242484

    Pte. John O'Sullivan Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th October 1918)

    Private O'Sullivan is buried Near the South boundary of the Srugreana Old Graveyard, Killinane, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242483

    Sto. Daniel O'Brien HMS Drake (d.26th Oct 1916)

    Stoker Daniel O'Brien was the Husband of Bridget O'Brien, of Ballycricken, Co. Waterford. He is buried Right of the path between the entrance and the Church in the Slieverue Catholic Churchyard, Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242482

    2nd Lt. John Stanley Palmer Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Oct 1916)

    Second Lieutenant John Palmer, was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Palmer, of 36 East Sheen Avenue. He was educated at Kings College, Wimbledon, and entered Guys Hospital in 1910. He qualified L.D.S. of the Royal College of Surgeons, Eng., in 1913, and was appointed dental house surgeon.

    He served for five years in the Artists Rifles and entered Sandhurst in May 1915 being appointed to the Durham Light Infantry in October 1915. He went to the front in May 1916 and became sniping and intelligence officer, being complimented for his work by Divisional Headquarters. He was acting adjutant when wounded. He died of his wounds on 18th of October 1916 aged 26. He is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte. He is listed in the Guy's Hospital Memorial of those members of staff who died during WW1

    Colin




    242480

    Pte. Laurence Nolan 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.31st December 1916)

    Private Nolan is buried In the South-West part of the Sleaty Old Burial Ground, Sleaty, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242479

    Pte. William Hoar 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Private Hoar was the Son of E. Hore, of Kilree St., Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow.

    He was 32 when he died on 4th November 1920 and is buried In the South-West part of the Sleaty Old Burial Ground, Sleaty, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242478

    L/Sgt. Charles Brien 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.10th May 1917)

    Lance Serjeant Brien was the Son of Mrs. Sarah Brien, of 5, Sleaty St., Graigue-Cullen, Carlow.

    He was 24 when he died and is buried Near the North boundary of the Sleaty Old Burial Ground, Sleaty, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242477

    Cpl. William Harold Wheddon 15th (Civil Service Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1918 )

    William Wheddon aged 27 was a Corporal in the 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles). He was the son of William Harold and Maria Louisa Wheddon, of Kynton, Longdon Wood Avenue, Keston Park, Kent. William was buried in Peronne Communial Cemetery Extension, Somme, France

    Colin




    242476

    Lt. Victor George Henry Francis Coyingham 7th (South Irish Horse) Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.9th November 1918)

    Lieutenant Coyingham was the 5th Marquess of Conyngham. Eldest son of the late Henry Francis, 4th Marquess Conyngham, and his wife Frances Elizabeth Sarah Eveleigh De Moleyns, of Slane Castle, Co. Meath, Ireland. He was aged 35 when he got pneumonia in the trenches and died he is buried in the Slane (St. Patrick) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Slane, Co. Meath,Ireland.

    s flynn




    242475

    Lt. James Alfred Charles Hasslacher 20th Battalion London Regiment (d.29th Dec 1917 )

    James Hasslacher the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hasslacher of 3 Kensington Park Gardens. A/Lieut. in the London Regiment of the 20th County of London Battalion died 29 Dec 1917, killed in action in Syria and buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery.

    Colin




    242473

    Pte. Frederick Harold Clarke 7th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.7th June1917)

    Frederick Clarke enlisted on 10th December 1916 and was assigned to the 7th Leicestershire Regiment. He was living at at The Furlongs, Barkby Road, Syston, Leicestershire and was employed in the Family Market Gardening business owned by his Father Robert Clarke together with his 2 brothers. Frederick was 24 years 6 months old and was 5 feet 8 and a quarter inches tall. His next of kin was his father Robert Clarke. He was mobilised on 27th January 1917 and after training was transferred to the 10th Cheshire Regiment and sent to France on 3rd May 1917. He was killed in action on 7th of June 1917 in Belgium at the Battle of Messines and is buried in the Messines Ridge British Cemetery. He was a private and his regimental number was 50871. His records list his father Robert Clarke, Fanny Clarke, his mother, his 2 brothers, Arthur Bernard Clarke and George Edgar Clarke all living at The Furlongs, Barkby Road, Syston, and his sister Ethel Kate Allen of 23, Sidney Road, Leicester. He was born in 1891 in Burton Bandalls, a hamlet near Burton on the Wolds, Leicestershire and was not married.

    Frederick Harold Clarke was the grandson of Robert Clarke, my 2 times Great Grandfather and cousin to my Grandmother, Elsie Lowe nee Parnell.

    Susan Lomas




    242472

    Pte. John Rome 91st Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.30th March 1917)

    Private John Rome of the 91st Coy Machine Gun Corps was aged 29. He is buried in Euston Rd., Cemetery, Colincamps Somme, France. He is remembered in a Memorial Inscription at Rigg Cemetery "John Rome who died of his wounds in France 30th Nov 1917 age 29"

    Colin Sagar




    242471

    Cpl. Arthur Green 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.12th April 1918)

    Arthur Green was born and raised in the Hampshire town of Whitchurch. He enlisted with the Hampshire Regiment and served for 3 years as a regular soldier before returning to his home town where he worked as a groom and barman in local hotels and public houses. He married and started a family but was recalled as a reservist at the very outbreak of the Great War. He fought alongside his comrades in the 1st Hampshires throughout 1915 And into 1916 when, on the terrible first day of The Battle of the Somme, he was seriously injured on Redan Ridge and evacuated to England. Having recovered Arthur was rebadged and was soon at the front again with 1st Wiltshires. April 1918 found him in front of Plugstreet Wood as a Corporal facing the onslaught of what was to be the last desperate attempt by the Germans to achieve victory on the Western Front. We can only assume that Arthur was wounded in this battle and captured as he was buried in a German cemetery at La Basse Ville, Warneton, close by a German hospital and several miles in the rear of their front. Corporal Arthur Green now rests in The Strand Cemetery proudly remembered by his succesors and their extended families.

    Peter Bailey




    242470

    2nd Lt. James Coulthaite 5th (Service) Battalion Border Regiment (d.5th Aug 1917)

    James Coulthwaite was the son of John Coulthwaite of Waterside, Middleton, by his wife Mary daughter of Thomas Wilson. James was born in Middleton nr Kirkby Londsdale on the 29th of April 1896 and was educated at Haversham School, Milnthorpe. He was captain of the football & cricket teams at school. He took School Exhibitions for Queen's College, Oxford, he was hoping eventually to take Holy Orders and joined the Inns of Court O T C in Jan 1916.

    He obtained a commission on the 1st of March 1917, served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders as a 2nd Lieut with the 5th Border Regiment. He was was killed in action on 5th of August 1917 while on patrol duty. Buried in Mory Abbey Cemetery, north of Bapaume.

    James Coulthwaite is recorded on a memorial plaque at the Church of the Holy Ghost, Middleton.

    Colin Sagar




    242467

    Pte. George Gallagher 7th (Blythswood) Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.25th August 1915)

    <p>

    George Gallagher enlisted in Glasgow, before the outbreak of war. He was serving with the 7th (Blythswood) Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry when he was killed in action on 25th August 1915 at Gallipoli. He was 20 years old. According to reports he volunteered to go for water and was shot by a sniper. Private George Gallagher has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial at Gallipoli, Turkey

    From the Belfast Newsletter dated 20th September 1915: The parents of Private George Gallagher, who reside at Hillhead, Castledawson, have been notified by the War Office that he was killed in action at the Dardanelles on 25th August. Private Gallagher, who is not yet 19 years of age, was in the 7th Battalion Highland Light Infantry.

    George was the son of William and Margaret Gallagher. George Gallagher was born on 1st February 1895 in Bellaghy, County Londonderry. The family lived in Leitrim, Castledawson, County Londonderry. By 1911 George had left school and was working as a weaver like his brother and mother. His father was a labourer. George Gallagher enlisted in Glasgow, before the outbreak of war. The family were listed on the census as: William Gallagher, Margaret Gallagher, William Gallagher (born about 1891), Hugh Gallagher (born 30th April 1893), George Gallagher (born 1st February 1895), Mary Gallagher (born 18th April 1897), Margaret Gallagher (born 28th December 1899), Elizabeth Jane Gallagher 10 (born 26th February 1902), Bridget Gallagher 7 (born 1st May 1904).

    From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916: Gallagher, In loving memory of our dear son, Private George Gallagher, No. 2225, 7th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, who was killed in action, 23rd August 1915.

    • I oft times sit and think of him, I cannot think he's dead.
    • I little thought when he left home, it was his last farewell.
    • Days of sadness still are over us, hidden tears do often flow,
    • Memory keeps our loved one near us, though he died one year ago.

    Sonia Spiteri




    242463

    Pte. Joseph Hill 462nd Protection Company Royal Defence Corps (d.10th Oct1918)

    Joseph Hill was my Grandfather. He had been wounded in France having served with the Lincolnshire and West Yorkshire Regiments and was no longer eligible for front line service. He was posted to Ireland and was returning home on leave aboard the SS Leinster. The ship was torpedoed and was killed. He is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Cabra, Co Dublin.

    Phillip Hill




    242459

    Pte. William Henry Tarr (R.F.R. B.168). Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.29th May 1917)

    Private Tarr was the Husband of Minnie Tarr, of 20, Clyde St., Ford, Devonport.

    He is buried in the North-East part of the Skull (or Schull) Graveyard, Skull, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242457

    Cpl. Robert Hall 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Robert Hall was the husband of Miriam and his home address was 10 Francis Street, Hartlepool. His parents were Robert and Mary Hall who lived at 7 Stephenson Street, Central Estate, Hartlepool. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France. He is also remembered on the Redheugh Gardens War Memorial Wall, Cliff Terrace in Hartlepool.

    Ruth Savage




    242455

    Pte. Edward Heal 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Sep 1915)

    Edward Heal was born and lived in Hartlepool, though he enlisted with the 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment at Wallsend-on-Tyne. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France and remembered on the Redheugh Gardens War Memorial Wall in Cliff Terrace, Hartlepool.

    Ruth




    242453

    Drvr. P. Hickey Royal Field Artillery (d.16th November 1918)

    Driver Hickey was 26 when he died and is buried In the South-West part, on the South boundary of the Skibbereen (Abbey) Graveyard, Skibbereen, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242452

    Pte. Patrick Collins 2nd Garrison Bn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.12th August 1916)

    Private Collins was the husband of Ellen Collins, of 2, Clark's Lane, Skibbereen.

    He was 39 when he died and is buried In the East part of the Skibbereen (Abbey) Graveyard, Skibbereen, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242446

    Pte. Richard Thompson 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th June 1916)

    <p>Richard Thompson 1883 to 1916 buried at Norfolk Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, Somme, France

    Richard Thompson was my Great Grandfather and he will be forever remembered. He was born 18th Oct 1883 in Whitby, Yorkshire. He was the son of William Pounder Thompson and Elizabeth Steel. By 1901 he was living and working in Hartlepool, Durham, England and in 1909 he married Elizabeth Ann Cannon. They had 3 sons, the youngest born just a month before his father was killed.

    When Richard signed up he was working as a Shipyard Labourer at Hartlepool Docks and living at 7 Sussex Street, Hartlepool, Durham, England. Richard is buried Norfolk Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, Somme, France and is remembered on the Redheugh Gardens War Memorial Wall in Cliff Terrace, Hartlepool.

    Ruth Savage




    242442

    Cpl. Samuel Pryke DCM 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Samuel Pryke, was awarded the DCM but refused to go to London to be awarded it. He settled for Middlesbrough Town Hall but would not have any fuss nor would he discuss it. He was gassed with mustard gas.

    Evie Beattie




    242431

    Cpl. J. Caddle Machine Gun Corps (d.1st Nov 1918)

    Cpl J Caddle of the Machine Gun Corps died on 1st of November 1918. Aged 41 years. The 19th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers records show him as formerly Pte, 19/1702, J, Caddle. Perhaps he transferred upon promotion to the Machine Gun Corp. He is buried in Westgate Hill Cemetery, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Son of James and Elizabeth Caddle of 5 William Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne and husband of Elizabeth Caddle of 40 Diana Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242429

    Pte. Gilbert James Edmondston 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Gilbert Edmondston, 19th Northumberland Fusiliers died on 28th November 1918. Aged 26 years. Battalion records show him as being attached to 14th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers. He is buried in Seaton Hirst (St John) Churchyard, New Biggin Road, Northumberland, directly behind the church building. His gravestone is inscribed "Blessed are those that die in the lord". He was the son of Gilbert and Agnes Edmondston, of 61, Ariel Street, Ashington, Northumberland.

    Also commemorated nearby is Pte T.W Curry 36221 from the East Surrey's who died on the same day 28th Nov 1918.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242428

    Pte. Herbert Crone 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Crone of 19th Northumberland Fusiliers died on 15th November 1916. Aged 28 years. He is buried in Lamesley (St Andrew) Churchyard, Durham. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Jane Crone, of 4, Victoria Terrace, Low Fell.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242427

    Pte. George Edward Cotterill 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    George Cotterill died of pneumonia whilst on leave on 2nd November 1918. Aged 21 years. He was a member of E company, 19th Northumberland Fusiliers. He is buried in South Shields (Harton) Cemetery, Co. Durham. He was the son of George and Hannah Cotterill of 35, Imeary St South Shields. Born at Thornaby-on-Tees.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242418

    Pte. Walter Edmond Titcombe 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment

    My great grandfather, Walter Titcombe, fought at the Battle of Mons and at some point was taken captive. He was sent to Germany and spent the rest of the war as a POW. He became allocated to a local farm as a source of free labour. He cut tiny slithers from the turnips he was harvesting and ate them raw as like other POWs he was extremely malnourished. By all accounts he was a very quiet man after the war and didn't like to talk of his experiences very much.

    Jamie Titcombe




    242414

    Capt. Donald Eastwood 6th (Rifle) Btn. Kings Regiment (Liverpool). (d.20th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Donald Eastwood was my great uncle who died in the Battle of Menin Road aged 25 and was buried in the field and a map reference was taken but his body was never found and he is commemorated at Tyne Cot. His Commanding Officer wrote the following to his parents, who had lost another son almost 2 years to the day earlier as a result of Gallipoli.

    23/9/1917

    Dear Sir, It is with great sorrow that I have to tell you that Captain Eastwood has been killed in action. He was first wounded and was continuing to lead his men when he was shot through the head. We were all fond of him and his loss is a great personal one to myself, especially as we had served together so long in the war. He died at the head of his men showing the same courage which he had often showed before in other battles. I wish to express my very deepest sympathy. I hope to be able to let you know more later.

    Yours sincerely, J E McKaig

    Lt. Col. Kings Liverpool Regt

    Diana Williamson




    242411

    Pte. Keith Thomas Johnson D Coy. 24th Battalion

    <p>

    Keith Johnson joined the AIF in July 1915 one week after his 17th Birthday. He boarded the Osterley in Melbourne Australia and met up with the 24th Battalion in Egypt after they had evacuated from Gallipoli. Pte Johnson then went to France where he was in the trenches at Armentieries before moving to Pozieres.

    On 29th of July 1916 Pte Johnson received a shell wound to the leg, he was transported to a Casualty Clearing Station and then to the British 26 General Hospital in Etaples where his leg was amputated 4 inches below the knee. Pte Johnson was then transported to Calais and boarded the HS Newhaven and admitted to Egginton Hall Hospital for recuperation. He underwent another two operations where his stump was further shortened to above the knee. He was then transported to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hosptial.

    Jenny Clow




    242408

    Pte. Herbert Bramley 1/4th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Herbert Bramley was my Great Great Uncle, the son of Henry and Robina Bramley of Whixley, Yorkshire and one of seventeen children. He was born at Whixley in 1893 and became a Drayman. During the Great War, living at 44 Union Street, South Halifax and unemployed he enlisted into the British Army Territorial Force with the 1st/4th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) at Halifax on 18th December 1914 as a Private with regimental number 3527.

    He embarked the SS Invicta at Folkestone on 14th April 1915 and was with the British Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders serving on the Western front from 15th April 1915. On 2nd June 1915 he was admitted to No.7 Casualty Clearing Station at Merville northern France where he was treated for sickness and discharged to duty on 10th June. Herbert was killed in action and died of wounds on 19th December 1915 aged 22. He was posthumously awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Herbert is buried at Talana Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

    Shaun L Wilson




    242403

    2nd.Lt. R. E. Ford 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Second Lieutenant Ford joined the 173rd Brigade RFA on 19th of December 1916.





    242402

    Lt.Col. R. Wheatley 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Lt. Col. Wheatley brought the 173rd Brigade RFA out from England to France in November 1915. He served with the 173rd Brigade until 12th April 1916 when he handed temporary command to Bde.Mjr A.D.Murray, pending the arrival of Major (later Lt. Col) H.C. Simpson, who took command of the Brigade on 26th April 1916. Lt. Col. Wheatley left to serve with the Royal Horse Artillery.





    242401

    2nd.Lt. N. T. Simpkin 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Second Lieutenant Simpkin served with B Battery, 173rd Brigade, RFA.





    242400

    Mjr. C. A. Reid DSO. 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Major Reid Scott served with D Battery, 173rd Brigade RFA.





    242399

    Capt. A. G. Parsons 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Captain Parsons served with B Battery, 173rd Brigade RFA. He was wounded on 30th November 1917.





    242397

    Capt. C. L. Chapman MC. 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Captain Chapman served with D Battery, 173rd Brigade RFA.





    242396

    Lt. W. Burgess 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Lt. Burgess served with 173rd Brigade RFA until 19th October 1916, when he transferred to 11th Heavy Artillery Group, 2nd Army.





    242391

    L/Cpl. David Orrells 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.9th August 1917)

    While filming a corporate project in Ypres earlier this year relating to the disposal of unexploded ordnance, I found David Orrells name on the Menin Gate Memorial. I subsequently learned he was in fact my great great uncle. He was killed by shellfire with 5 others in the afternoon of Thursday 9th August 1917 according to the war diary of 3Bn Rifle Brigade.

    His is currently not listed on any war memorial in the UK and I am trying to get interest from Rhondda Cynon Taff Council to add his name to the memorial at Gelli where he was living when he enlisted in 1912. Regrettably I have no photos of him.

    David Orrells




    242388

    Cpl. George Winters 16th (Cardiff City) Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.19th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Corporal George Winters aged 21, died 100 years ago tonight near Boesinghe, a small village north of Ypres. The war diary entry says "Quiet day. Some shelling of the Canal Bank during the night. Casualties killed 2OR." George 23676 and Private Tom McCarthy 23683 were those 2 other ranks, but only officers had their names recorded in the diary.

    He was my Grandfather's younger brother and in 1911, aged 14 he was living at home and working down the mines alongside his 71 year old father and his 2 older brothers. In 1915 aged 19, he joined the Cardiff City Pals, the 16th Welsh Btn. He had survived heavy fighting in 1916 on the Somme and 1917 in Ypres. They fought under Major-General C G Blackader at Pilkem Ridge from 30th July until 5th August.

    Very little was spoken about the war and there were no photographs, stories, letters or mementos in our house. My Grandfather was very bitter and he would not stay in the same room as a German throughout his life.

    Karen Griffiths




    242387

    Pte. Lambert Jack Bignell Worcestershire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Lambert Bignell was my great uncle on my mother's side of the family. He died of wounds (yet to be established how incurred or where) aged 19. We visited his war grave in Bailleuil on the anniversary of his death 100 years ago.

    Jon Vaile




    242385

    Capt. Robert Anthony Eden MC. 21st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps

    Robert Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG MC PC served with the 21st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps in the Great War. He was Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957.

    Ross Thomson




    242384

    Pte. Alfred Edwards 6th (Service) Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Alfred Edwards was a family friend to my gran and mother. He was born on the 25th February 1894 at 100 Much Park Street, Coventry. He was a coremaker at the Daimler foundry. He enlisted in September 1914 at Nuneaton and was killed on the 3rd September 1916 attacking Guillemont Farm. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme, France.





    242381

    Rfmn. Robert Barnett 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.19th Dec 1914)

    5509 Rfmn. Robert Barnett of the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade was one of the youngest soldiers to be killed during WW1 at the age of 15 years and 6 months.

    He, like so many others of his age got caught up in what some in 1914 were terming as 'The great adventure of their time'. Lying about his age and name he managed to enlist in the Army at the very start of the war just after his 15th birthday, which was made easy by the floods of volunteers to be processed, the fact that proof of age was not a requirement at the time and that the final decision was down to the judgement of recruiting officers.

    Robert died during an action in the area of Ploegsteert Woods and is buried alongside others from his Battalion in the Rifle House Cemetery, Belgium.

    Ray Luckett




    242380

    RSM. William Hourigan 18th Queen Mary's Own Hussars (d.1st Oct 1918)

    Regimental Serjeant Major William Hourigan was the son of Richard and Johanna Hourigan of 3 O'Connell Rd., Tipperary. He is buried About 28 yards North-East of the gate in the Shronell Old Graveyard, Shronell,Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242379

    Rfmn. John Wright 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.13th Jan 1915)

    Rifleman John Wright was 31 when he died and is buried About the centre of the Graveyard in the Shanlis Old Graveyard, Shanlis, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242378

    Pte. Michael FitzGibbon 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.1st Jul 1918)

    Michael FitzGibbon was the son of Mrs. Jane Fitzgibbon, of Kilbolane, Milford, Charleville. He is buried In the South-West part of the Shandrum Cemetery, Shandrum, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242377

    L/Cpl. Harry Willis 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd Nov 1914)

    Harry Willis was my Great Uncle. He was killed on the 23rd of November 1914 by a sniper whilst protecting the railway and canal near Warnave and Commenes.

    My Father, sister and I traveled to the area in 2014 it being the 100th anniversary of Harry's death. He is commemorated on the Ploegstreet Memorial. We visited a small cemetery in Le Toque which was the first cemetery used at the beginning of the war. We found an unmarked grave next to marked graves of people that we had traced who died on the same day as Harry. We felt and believed that we had actually found where he was buried. We are going back in October and hope to trace the trenches where he was guarding the rail tracks and canal when he died.

    Jenny Harvey




    242376

    Lt. William Henry Forrest 4th (Hallamshire) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    William Forrest enlisted before the war. He won various shooting awards during competitions at Bisley Ranges. During 1915 whilst fighting in France he was wounded at Armentieres. William was commissioned 2nd Lt in 1917. He joined the Royal Army Flying Corps as a pilot towards the end of the war. He crashed his plane 15th of October 1918 and sustained no injury. He finally left the military 1922 as a Lt.

    Peter




    242375

    L/Cpl. George Webster 7th (Service) Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    George landed at Suvla Bay on 7th August 1915 and as noted on his Soldiers Effects Record as Died of Wounds on or since 9th August 1915 aged 25, possibly during the attack on Hill 70 Chocolate Hill. George is noted on the Gallipoli Memorial as there is no known grave. I have been advised that the 9th August is noted as his date of death as this would have been the last day he would have officially been seen alive by someone in the Regiment.

    George left behind a young wife Annie, and two small children. He was the younger brother of my Great Grandfather CSM Frederick George Webster DCM of 2 RWF who was one of the Old Contemtables, fought all through the war and survived.

    If anyone has any further info or photos of George please let me know.

    Don Oliver




    242372

    Able Sea. Harold Richard Phillips HMS Prince George

    My Grandfather Harold Pool sailed as an Able Seaman from Plymouth on the Prince George. I have his extensive diary of the Gallipoli Campaign. He was one of the seamen landed on 6th of August 1915, he served in the trenches for 3 months, then returned to his ship after a few weeks hospitalized with dysentery. He was a gunner on deck.

    Here's what he wrote of 29th of April 1915: "Our ship had a pretty warm time of it, shells raining down past our gun ports to starboard. I was standing at a gun and I can say it made you duck your head! You can hear them come from a long way off, wondering where they will hit. We heard two great crashes in our ship and found out later we had been hit twice by shells. To the starboard aft our Number 2 casemate was struck. It's like a steel room containing the 6-inch guns. The muzzle of Number 2 was hit twice but suffered minor damage. A plate was knocked out of the ship's side, flooding a bunker, making us list. The pinnace was holed on the boat deck and wire stays were shredded on the torpedo nets. But the French troops got their artillery in and did some splendid firing up and down the row of the Turkish trenches. Great effect"

    Jennifer Phillips




    242370

    Pte. John Campbell Anderson Sinclair 8th Btn. Black Watch (d.14th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John Sinclair served with the 8th Battlion, Black Watch.





    242368

    Sto. George Budden HMS Furious

    My grandfather George Budden told many stories of his time on HMS Furious during WW1 but also of the ship being in the Far East, especially Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore. I have since discovered from reliable sources (I think) that Furious never went to the Far East! If this is correct could he have been loaned drafted to another ship whilst it was undergoing conversion at the end of the war? My mother (his daughter), is adamant that he went to the far east but there are no photos of him in tropical uniform.

    As an ex RN myself, I am hoping that he wasn't just spinning dits if so they were more than convincing. Any help would be appreciated maybe other Furious relatives with similar doubts or confusion.

    Brian Hutchings




    242365

    Pte. David Horgan 3rd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.24th Jul 1915)

    David Horgan is buried in the South West corner of the Shanagarry (Kilmahon) Graveyard, Kilmahon, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242364

    Y.Sig. Thomas Harding HMS Lion

    Yeoman of Signals Thomas Harding was the son of the late Thomas and Mary Harding of Ballycotton, Co. Cork. He was aged 30 when he died on 6th January 1920 and is buried on the East part, South side of the cross path in the Shanagarry (Kilmahon) Graveyard, Kilmahon, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242362

    Gnr. Michael Joseph Walsh HMS Vivid. (d.3rd Oct 1917)

    Michael Walsh was the husband of Mrs. Walsh, of Cappa Pier, Kilrush. He died of an illness and is buried Near the South boundary of the Scattery Island Graveyard, Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242361

    Rfmn. William Black 1st Btn. B Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.13th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    William Black was first buried in the German Military Cemetery at Deerlyck, later his grave was moved to Dadizele New British Cemetery, where only a remembrance stone remains as the original grave is missing. He may have been a Prisoner of War because on the date he died Deerlyck was still occupied by the German Army.

    Annick Labeeuw




    242360

    Gnr. Rody McNamara 50th Reserve Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.27th Mar 1916)

    Rody McNamara was the son of Daniel and Catherine McNamara of Waterpark, Scariff. He was 34 when he died and is buried South East of the ruins in the Scariff (Moynoe) Cemetery, Moynoe, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242357

    Pte. Denis O'Neill 6th (Service) Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.31st Jan 1918)

    Denis O'Neill was the son of C. O'Neill, of Gurtharrs, Berehaven. He is buried about six yards east of the Church in the Rossmackowen Catholic Churchyard, Kilconenagh, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    SB Flynn




    242354

    2Cpl. Patrick McGuinness Royal Engineers (d.23rd Oct 1915)

    Patrick McGuinness was the Son of Thomas McGuinness of Kiltyclogher. He is buried About 16 yards South of the entrance gate in the Rossinveer Old Graveyard, Rossinveer, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.

    SB Flynn




    242353

    Able Sea. John Hayes HMS Victory (d.6th Jan 1916)

    Able Seaman John Hayes is buried about 15 yards beyond the ruins of the Ross Carbery (The Abbey) Graveyard, Ross, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    SB Flynn




    242352

    Gdsm. Frederick Bennett Irish Guards

    Frederick Bennett was 24 when he died on 19th December 1920 and is buried North-West of the middle path of the Roscrea (St. Cronan) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    SB Flynn




    242350

    Pte. J. Kelly Army Service Corps (d.18th Feb 1919)

    Private Kelly was the Son of William Kelly of Helvick, Ring, Dungarvan. He was 28 when he died on 18th February 1919 and is buried South-East of the Church in the Ringville Catholic Churchyard, Ringagoragh, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    sbflynn




    242349

    AM3. Bartholomew McCarthy Airship Training Wing (d.21st November 1918)

    <p>

    Air Mechanic 3rd Class Bartholomew McCarthy of the Airship Training Wing at Cranwell is commemorated on a panel at Grangegorman Memorial Dublin and is buried East of the ruins in the Ring (Ballintemple) Graveyard, Templeomalus, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    sbflynn




    242347

    Pte. Michael Noonan 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.11th December 1917)

    Michael Noonan was the Husband of Mary Noonan of 140 Barrack St., Waterford. He was 32 when he died and is buried near the south boundary of the Regina Caeli Cemetery, Mooncoin, Pollron, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    sbflynn




    242345

    L/Cpl. Michael O'Callaghan 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.16th April 1918)

    <p>

    Michael O'Callaghan served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

    Dessie




    242344

    Pte. Henry George Newsum 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.23rd October 1917)

    My uncle Henry Newsum served in WW1 with Northamptonshire Regiment 24536, The Wiltshire Regiment 203518, and Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry 204281. He was injured twice and was killed in action in Flanders on 23rd October 1917 whilst serving with the 6th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry.

    He is remembered in: St Michael's & All Angels Church Walthamstow, St Martin's Chapel, Wells Cathedral and on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium.

    J H Wells




    242336

    Pte. Edwin Hercules Fardell C Company 2nd Battalion (d.9th August 1915)

    <p>

    Edwin Fardell known as Neddie, was born in 1892 at Orange NSW, son of Thomas Fardell and Martha Ellen Fardell. He enlisted at Randwick on 14 Aug 1914 in the A.I.F. Ned age 24 was 5" 6' tall with fair complexion, brown eyes and light brown hair. His older brother, Claude, went missing in 1913 and his younger brother Aubrey was excused from service. His father died while Neddie was in Egypt in Jan 1915 and his mother lived until 1939 when she died at home the night WW2 was announced.

    Neddie was wounded by shrapnel in the neck on the landing at Gallipoli on 25th of April 1915, witness thought his head had been severed. He survived and spent a month in hospital in Cairo before returning to Gallipoli to fight again. His older first cousin, Sergeant Farrier George Fardell, was with the 4th Field Ambulance on Gallipoli.

    The 2nd Battalion was chosen to take part in the initial assault at Lone Pine. After gaining possession of the main enemy line, the Australians were subjected to a series of determined counter-attacks which would last the next three days, which, although successfully repulsed, proved very costly for the Australians. The 2nd Battalion suffered considerably. Having started the action with 22 officers and 560 other ranks, they lost 21 officers and 409 other ranks killed or wounded. Among those killed was its commanding officer, Scobie, who was shot dead while attempting to repulse a counter-attack on 7th of August. Neddie was seriously wounded in the stomach and legs on 7th of August 1915. Sergeant Cookson was there and saw the occurrence and helped to carry Fardell to the Casualty Clearance Station. Gangrene set in and he died on 9 Aug 1915 on the H.M.H.S. Delta and was buried at sea.

    Prior to enlisting in the Army, Edwin had trained with the Orange Infantry. He played Rugby League and a member of the Orange club. Neddie worked in the family general store Fardell & McIntyre in Byng Street, East Orange. His brother-in-law Eddie Daisy McIntyre played in the first 1908 Wallaby Team.

    Neddie was lovingly remembered by his mother Martha, his sisters May, Grace and Ada, his brothers Claude and Aubrey, his brothers-in-law, Eddie McIntyre, James Ryan and Paddy Power. Ned was remembered by his loving friend Kathleen Ryan. The Orange Rugby Leagues Club and the Methodist Church held Memorial Services for him and other members that were died or wounded.

    Noni Brown




    242335

    Pte. Otto Gerrard Rus Durham Light Infantry

    My great grandfather Otto Rus served in the Great War.

    Debbie Wilson




    242333

    Pte. Arthur Felgate 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Arthur Felgate served with the 8th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment.

    Julie Felgate




    242332

    Pte. Patrick Mahoney 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.20th August 1914)

    Private Mahoney was 41 when he died and is buried In the North-East part of the Redcity Graveyard, Redcity, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242330

    Pte. Edward William Farrell 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.29th September 1916)

    <p>

    Edward Farrell is the younger brother of John James Farrell of the 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment. Edward was fighting in France when he received a gun shot wound to the head. Surprisingly he survived and was shipped back to the UK. He died on 29th September 1916 in hospital in Bootle, Liverpool. His official cause of death is listed as follows on his death certificate: 1. GSW to the head 2. Meningitis.

    Edwards death penny

    Memorial in Bootle

    Claire Murphy




    242329

    Sgt. John James Farrell 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    John Farrell is my 2nd great uncle. He joined the 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment around 1904 when they were stationed in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 2nd West Yorkshire's were stationed in Malta when WW1 broke out. They were shipped back to England before embarking ships to France.

    The West Yorkshire Regiment were involved in some of the bloodiest battles during WW1. Jack somehow came through the whole war and decided to re-join the Regiment after the war. He was awarded a GSM with the clasp Kurdistan in 1920's with his new rank of Sergeant. The family is unsure what happened to him after his army service.

    Claire Murphy




    242326

    Pte. Edmund Nolan 7th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Private Nolan is buried South-West of the Church in the Rathtoe Catholic Churchyard, Rathtoe, Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242325

    Pte. Michael Brophy Depot Royal Irish Regiment (d.19th September 1914)

    Private Brophy was the Son of the late John and Brigid Brophy; husband of Brigid Lawless (formerly Brophy).

    He was 39 when he died and is buried South-East of the Church in the Rathtoe Catholic Churchyard, Rathtoe, Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242324

    Cmdr. Fitzmaurice Acton CMG H.M. Coast Guard

    Commander Acton was the Husband of Ruby Acton, of Acton Round, Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

    He was 46 when he died on 7th August 1920 and is buried Near the road boundary of the Rathmullan (Old Abbey) Graveyard, Rathmullan, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242322

    Pte. Thomas Burns 866th H.T. Coy. Army Service Corps (d.12th April 1918)

    Private Burns is buried In the South-East part of the Rathmore Church of Ireland Churchyard, Rathmore, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242320

    Pte. J. Flynn Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Private Flynn was the Stepson of James Sheridan, of the County Home, Newcastle West.

    He was 40 when he died on 5th March 1919 and is buried in Grave F. 279 in the Rathkeale (St. Mary) Catholic Churchyard, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242319

    L/Cpl. J. Williams 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Lance Corporal Williams died on the 16th April 1921 and is buried East of the North-East corner of the Church in the Rathdrum (St. Saviour) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242318

    Pte. Edward Henry Edge 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.14th February 1916)

    Private Edge was the Son of David Edge, of Ballinderry, Rathdrum.

    He was 17 when he died and is buried In the North-East part of the Rathdrum (St. Saviour) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242315

    Pte. Ernest Weller 11th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.3rd June 1916)

    Ernest Weller was my paternal grandfather's youngest brother. My grandfather told me that following a family row involving harsh words he had enlisted. My grandfather and his parents had huge regrets about this.





    242314

    Cpl. Ernest W. Gout 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.12th July 1915)

    <p>

    Ernest Gout was my father's older brother. He was wounded in Ypres and returned home for a time and then returned to the war and wounded again and died in a hospital in Bailleul. He lies in Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France.

    Certificate sent





    242313

    Pte. George Thomas Phillips 2nd/6th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.9th October 1917)

    We have found George Phillips funeral details on a plaque found under the floor boards of our local club, called the Tonge Social and Bowling Club, Manchester and are trying and trace any descendants, if possible, and return this memorial to them. I am a member of this club.

    Alan Shenton




    242308

    Pte. Richard Geaney 3rd Bn. Leinster Regiment (d.13th January 1915)

    Private Geaney is buried In the outh-West part of the Rathcormac Church of Ireland Churchyard, Rathcormac, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242307

    Major A. E.H. Fetherstonhaugh 14th (King's) Hussars

    Major Fetherstonhaugh was the Son of Capt. and Mrs. Fetherstonhaugh, of Bracklyn, Westmeath; husband of Janet Gordon Fetherstonhaugh.

    He was 33 when he died on the 20th March 1919 and is buried About 16 yards North-West of the in the Rathconnell Church of Ireland Churchyard, Rathconnell, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242306

    Pte. James Brown 24th Btn. Canadian Infantry

    Private Brown was the Son of Samuel and Mary Jane Brown.

    He was 23 when he died on 30th September 1920 and is buried Immediately right of the main gate of the Raphoe (St. Eunan) Cathedral Burial Ground, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242304

    L/Cpl. Joseph Allen 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.25th July 1916)

    Lance Corporal Allen is buried in the South-West part of the Raphoe (First Presbyterian) Churchyard, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242301

    Pte. Arthur Wylie East Yorkshire Regiment





    242297

    Pte. M. Crowe 8th (Reserve) Bn. (d.29th March 1918)

    Private Crowe was the Son of Patrick Crowe, of Querin.

    He is buried in the North-West part of the Querrin (Temple Made) Cemetery, Moyarta, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242296

    Pte. James Green 3rd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.20th May 1916)

    James Green is buried in the West corner of the Puttlehall (St. Michael) Catholic Churchyard, Clonmany, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242295

    Engn. George Richard Jacobs H.M. Trawler "Bradford." (d.26th October 1916)

    Engineman Jacobs was the Husband of Nellie Jacobs, of 168, Patrick St., Grimsby.

    He drowned when his ship was lost of Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland,

    He is buried In the North-East part of the Pulla Graveyard, Ardmore, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242294

    Pte. John Parnell Darmody 26th Btn. (d.24th August 1916)

    John Darmody was the Son of John and Catherine Darmody, of Willoon, Ipswich, Queensland.

    He is buried East of the Church, near the East boundary of the Powerstown (St. John) Catholic Churchyard, Killgrant, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242290

    Pte. George Edward Hickson 10th (Service) Btn. Duke Of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.20th Sep 1917)

    George Hickson was my Great Uncle and his grave is in the Tyne Cot Memorial. There is also a memorial located in St. Giles Church, Langton By Wragby.

    John Patterson




    242285

    Pte. Thomas Walker 5th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.6th Sep 1915)

    Thomas Walker from Annan was treated at Netley Hospital in 1915, for wounds received in action at the Dardanelles on 12th July but later died from his wounds. He served alongside his brother James who died at Cairo. They both died within days of one another, which would have been difficult for the family. I knew their nephew Jock Walker who fought in the Home Guard in WW2. Jock told me of their gallantry during WW1, and his families loss.

    Thomas Burgess Handley




    242281

    L/Cpl. Frederick Archibold Hodgkins MM. 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.20th November 1917)

    Frederick Hodgkins is my great uncle and came from Nottinghill, London.

    Danny Albert Hodgkins




    242278

    Sgt. John William Earnshaw 8th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Today I became the custodian of my great grandad's medals (Pip, Squeak and Wilfred). They were awarded posthumously after the war. My Grandfather was only 3 months old when his father was killed so he never knew him. In 1939, my grandfather attempted to sign up to avenge the death of his father, but being a coalminer and reserved occupation, his application was denied. The only closure he got was when I took him to the "Adanac" cemetery in France, ironically, the date by pure chance was July 1st.

    Holly Ruston




    242276

    Gnr. William Weir 4th Res. Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.14th May 1917)

    William Weir was the Son of William Weir of Ballyross, Enniskerry. He was 24 when he died and is buried in the Powerscourt (St. Patrick) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242274

    Capt. Alexander Norman Galbraith Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps (d.16th Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Alexander Galbraith was born in Co. Wicklow, Ireland and died in Cairo, Egypt. He is buried in Powerscourt (St. Patrick) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242273

    Pte. John Gaffney Royal Army Medical Corps (d.8th Dec 1917)

    John Gaffney is the Son of Andrew Gaffney, of Drumcrow, Corlismore, Cavan. He was aged 28 when he died and is buried in the North-East of the entrance to the Pottahee Catholic Churchyard, Ballintemple, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242270

    Pte. Oswald Foster 12th (Bristol) Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.10th Oct 1917)

    Oswald Foster was the only son of Elizabeth & Oswell Foster of Barton-on-Humber. His father was a sailor.

    Jill Cliffe




    242269

    Pte. Wilfred Ewett Holmes 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Wilfred Holmes served with 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    Jan Holmes




    242268

    Dvr. Percy Fox 135th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.13th Jun 1918)

    Percy Fox was the nephew of Lawrence Arthur Smith, who married Mary Elizabeth Crabtree. They both worked at Menston Asylum as did his brother-in-law George Frederick Fox who married Lawrence' sister Annie Elizabeth Fox. Lawrence and Annie were born in Batley Yorkshire.

    Nadine Crabtree




    242258

    Pte. George Bentley 10th (Service) Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.16th Oct 1917)

    George Bentley was born 17th Nov 1882 in Cleakheaton, district of Bingley, Yorkshire. He was the son of Sam Bentley and Ann (nee Durkin, Sam's third wife). It seems George may have lied about his age in order to be accepted for service, as on his service record his age is recorded as 27 years, however, he was 32 yrs old at enlistment. He was married to Daisy (nee Atkins) and they lived in Rotherham, Yorkshire. Their children were George Henry Bentley born 1906, Lily Bentley born 1909 and Alexander Atkin Bentley born 1911.

    George Bentley died on 16th October 1917, missing, presumed dead at Passchendaele. He was my great grandfather.

    Jackie Fletcher




    242256

    Pte. Edward Harold Elliman 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st Nov 1917)

    Edward Elliman was my great, great Uncle. Unfortunately, I don't know much about him, only that he served in 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment, died in November 1917 and is buried at Aire Communal Cemetary on the Pas de Calais. As the Highland Casualty Clearing Station and the 39th Stationary Hospital was based at Aire, I can only assume he died from wounds obtained on the battlefield.

    Helen Wakefield




    242254

    Pte. Victor Albert Ayers 37th Btn.

    Victor Albert Ayers enlisted in the 4th Battalion AIF in late 1914 and landed at Gallipoli as part of the second wave later in the morning of 25th April 1915. He returned home sick in late 1915 and was medically discharged. He re-enlisted and served a second tour with 37th Battalion.

    One of 3 brothers who served in ww1, Victor was the only one to return home at the end of the war. Another brother Charles enlisted in the 55th Battalion in Aug 1915 and was later killed in action at Polygon Wood in Belgium in Sept 1917. And the third brother Sydney enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps in Sept 1916 and was shot down near Cambrai in Nov 1917. He survived the crash in no mans land however was hit by shrapnel in the stomach running towards friendly lines and died the next day.

    John Waugh




    242251

    Sgt. William Henry Wood MM. 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment

    Will Wood served in the Second Battalion of the Leinster Regiment, firstly in India where life was quite pleasant. He returned home with a collection of Benares-ware, a bracelet of Indian annas, and a pair of sunglasses with thick lenses and side pieces designed for the Indian sun. He returned to the Regiment's base in Cork and returned to England to leave the Army and marry his childhood sweetheart.

    When WWI broke out he was on the reserve list and found himself in France quite quickly. He just had time to see his newly born son before he left. The Second Battalion was made up of regular soldiers and remained in France and Belgium throughout the war.

    William Henry Wood was awarded the Military Medal in 1916. His name appeared in the London Gazette Supplement of 11 October 1916 and he was mentioned in despatches on 13 November 1916. The Regimental history of the Leinsters provides some details of its engagements and also comments on the heavy drinking of the Irish, who seemed to enjoy their rum ration. Who could blame them! William Wood became a heavy drinker in civilian life.

    William Wood was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in the London Gazette Supplement of 17 June 1918, possibly for length of service. He also received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal with Oak Leaf, the latter being awarded to those mentioned in despatches, issued on 8 August 1919. His 1914 Star with Clasp or Mons Star was approved in 1917 and awarded to all who served in France and Belgium between 5 August and 22 November 1914: fewer than 400,000 were awarded. By June 1918 he was Acting Quartermaster Sergeant attached to the 73rd Infantry Brigade at Crawley Barracks.

    William Wood never spoke about his experiences but it appears that a bullet passed between his legs and lodged in his greatcoat. He certainly experienced gas attacks and it seems probable that these had long term effects on his health.

    After the war, William Wood refused to give his consent to his son's joining the army and would not allow him to read 'The History of the Great War'. I remember him as a fat man who sat with his nose bleeding over a bowl for a very long time. There was no trace of the somewhat arrogant-looking young soldier who was photographed with his horse 'somewhere behind the lines' in 1916.

    Paula Bryars




    242240

    Pte. Samuel Wells 2nd Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.15th Sep 1915)

    Samuel Wells was in Mesopotamia and on catching beri beri was transfered onto the hospital ship HMHS Madras on the way to India for better treatment where he died on 15th of September 1915.

    Samuel's younger brother served with 8th Battalion where he was killed in action so it left my great great grandma losing two of her sons

    Shannon Taylor




    242239

    Gnr. James Stirling 122nd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.4th August 1917)

    James Stirling was my great uncle, being the youngest brother of my maternal grandmother, Catherine Cassidy, nee Stirling. He grew up in a boisterous hardworking family of Irish and Welsh decent. His mother, Bridget Stirling nee Donovan, moved from South Wales with her father, after her own mother disappeared, and they settled in the north east, in Stockton on Tees. There is a shared industrial heritage between the areas, with iron works, mining and shipping being undertaken in both regions. Bridget was married to Daniel Stirling but was widowed young and I imagine James had to go out to work pretty young - he was a forker in the local ironworks. He was a single man who still lived with his mother before going to war, and helped her run her own business, an off licence in the Portrack area of Stockton.

    The family story is that Bridget was desperate to keep him out of the war, and when he attested at Middlesbrough she was angry and frightened and they disagreed strongly. That infers that he had a choice about going so I am assuming he enlisted in 1916 before conscription or was in a reserved occupation or both. Anyway Bridget was so upset that to apologise, she sent him a pair of silver spurs at the front. We don't have them, so hope that he was buried in them perhaps. We also understood that he was a groom and primarily looked after the horses. He was killed in action on 4th of August 1917 at the age of 27 whilst serving in the 122nd Heavy Battery at the Third Battle of Ypres, and is buried in the Belgian Battery Corner cemetery, about a mile away from the Menin Gate: we understand from records at the cemetery, that there was a dressing station in a cottage nearby and many of the boys in the cemetery would have come from there.

    We have had the opportunity to visit the grave this week as part of the centenary Commemorations - he is lying under a lime tree with a fellow RGA chap next door but one, who perished on the same day. Bridget never recovered from his death, but looked after her brother Kelly who was gassed on the western front, until her death in 1930.

    Katherine Crallan




    242233

    Cpl. Joseph Purdy 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th December 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Purdy died of injuries on 12th December 1918, age unknown. He is buried in Delaval (Church of Our Lady) Churchyard, Blyth. Cpl Purdy's headstone is set within a family grave which is inscribed: Rhoda wife of Joseph Purdy died 22nd Nov 1959 aged 69 years.

    19th Btn History shows his service number as 19/1849. No parent or address details are shown. (From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.)

    Dave Willis




    242232

    Cpl. William Jordan Charlton 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th May 1918)

    <p>

    William Charlton died of sickness on 15th May 1918, aged 29. He is buried in the Tynemouth (Preston) Cemetery. His headstone is inscribed: Elizabeth Ann wife of the above Died 14th Sept 1918 At Rest. He was the son of William and Isabella Charlton, of 48 Morton St, South Shields and the husband of the late Elizabeth Ann Charlton. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission shows him as a member of the 3rd Btn NF, it is believed this is incorrect or he was attached. (From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.)

    Dave Willis




    242230

    Pte. Archibald Hetherington 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th June 1915)

    <p>

    It is believed that Archbald Hetherington died in a training accident on 19th June 1915, when he was aged 23 years. He is buried in the south-west part of Masham (St. Mary) Churchyard, St Mary's Church, Centre of Masham, Yorkshire. Archibald was the son of Peter (a cabinet maker and painter) and Jane Hetherington, of Cross Keys House, Allendale, Northumberland and was the husband of Emily Hetherington of Northumberland.

    He joined the 19th Northumberland Fusiliers which formed at Newcastle in November 1914. After training throughout 1915, the battalion moved to France in late January 1916, but Archie was not among them. He died in June 1915, perhaps in a training accident, and is buried at Masham in Yorkshire.

    Archie's brother Cecil did return to Allendale, after surviving the sinking of the SS Jacona a mere two months after the death of his brother. Cecil struggled to a drifting lifeboat and, after reaching it, managed to return to rescue the other nine survivors floundering in the water. Among other awards, he was presented with the Stanhope Medal for bravery; the Stanhope is all the more prestigious because only one medal is struck each year. (From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.)

    Dave Willis




    242228

    Cpl. Thomas Casey 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.31st October 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Casey was killed in action on 31st October 1917, aged 30 years. He is buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Headstone is engraved: Deeply mourned by his wife and two daughters. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Casey and husband of Elizabeth S. Casey, of 1 Darrell Street, Dinnington Colliery, Northumberland. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records show his service number as 19/247, however Battalion records show it as 19/217.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242227

    Cpl. John Joseph Embleton 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th September 1918)

    <p>

    Corporal John Embleton was killed in action on 28th September 1918, aged 23 years. He is buried in Hagle Dump Cemetery, Brandhoek. John was the son of Joseph and Ann E. Embleton of 19 Trewitt Rd, Whitley Bay, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242226

    Pte. John James Graham 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th September 1918)

    <p>

    John Graham was killed in action on 28th of September 1918, aged 19 years. He is buried in Hagle Dump Cemetery, Brandhoek. John was the son of John and Mary J. Graham of H. East 3 Township, Gretna, Dumfriesshire. He was born at Carlisle.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242225

    Pte. F. Arthur 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th September 1918)

    <p>

    Private F. Arthur was killed in action on 13th September 1918. His age is unknown. He is buried in Hagle Dump Cemetery, Brandhoek. Unfortunately, no family details or address are available.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242216

    Drvr. Harry George Carter 66th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.31st August 1916)

    Harry Carter was a labourer before the war. On the Royal Engineers return of those entitled to the 1914-15 Star, he is recorded as "Died" rather than "Died of Wounds" or "Killed in Action". He is buried in the Lahana Military Cemetery, Lachanas, Greece. He was survived by his mother and father, an older sister and a younger brother.

    Harry is commemorated on the Bitterne War Memorial inside the Church of the Holy Saviour, Bitterne, Southampton, England.

    PD Seal




    242213

    Pte. Arthur King 14th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.8th October 1917)

    Arthur King was my great grandad, so I never knew him. He was killed in an accident at Foxhall Heath near Ipswich. He also served in the Leicestershire Regiment No 22886. He is buried with honours at Sileby cemetery. He left a wife and five children.

    Alan Dawson




    242212

    Sgt. William Thurlow 8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Sergeant William Thurlow left Southampton for Gibraltar aboard the SS Caledonia in September 1914. Also on board was his son, Private Harry Thurlow. On 26th April 1915 he wrote to his wife to tell her that "we have lost our boy." In May 1915, he writes "It is terrible out here, you get no rest night or day." A letter from France in January 1918, states "We are having a lot of snow, I have not seen so much before. It is very cold up on top of this hill."

    William survived the war and returned to his home in Staines. He died in 1946.

    Sheila Watson




    242211

    Pte. Harry William Thurlow 8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.25th April 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Thurlow was a soldier in the 8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Territorials)- he was aged 18 when he joined. He was a distant relative and his letters sent home during the war are now in my possession. The first was sent from Sittingbourne to his family in Staines. He says "We have been told that we are for the Mediterranean but whereabouts I do not know ... We are billeted in a large empty house which they say is haunted but have not seen a ghost yet ..." From October 1914 to January 1915 several letters were sent from barracks and hutments in Gibralter. His next letter was sent "somewhere near the fighting line ... the last three nights we have been digging trenches." Another letter states "we are billeted in a loft over some stabling." Generally his letters talk about the people back home and do not reveal the true horrors of his experience. In a letter sent from Belgium, he says "I spent my Easter Sunday in the trenches, it is not too bad as they do everything they can for us." In one of his last letters he says "I was just thinking how a nice piece of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, some greens and potatoes will go down when I can get it. Will write another letter tomorrow as I am rather tired now and am just going to sleep. Hope you are in the best of health, from your terrior boy."

    The next letter was sent from Harry's father, William Thurlow who was in the same regiment. It reads:

    "My Darling Wife. I am sorry to have to write and let you know that we have lost our Boy. He was killed on Sunday. A shell blast in the trench and killed nearly all of them. Harry was asleep at the time so he did not feel any pain. It is awful out here, it is simply murder. We have not got hardly anyone left in our regiment. Thank God I am alright at present, from your heartbroken Hub, Will xxx. God Bless you and help you in this trouble."

    Private Harry Thurlow.  Photograph taken at Sittingbourne.  Harry crouched on one knee, front row, far left.

    Private Harry Thurlow.  SS Caledonia postcard sent home.

    Private Harry Thurlow (left) and friend.  Postcard

    Private Harry Thurlow.  Field post card dated 22nd April 1915 sent to his mother three days before he was killed.

    Sheila Watson




    242209

    Pte. William James Ritchie 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.21st February 1918)

    William Ritchie was my great-uncle (my grandfather's brother), born in Westminster, London. I knew that one of granddad's brothers had been killed in the Great War but it was not until researching my family's history in recent years that I have been able to discover a little more about him.

    Having joined up with the Middlesex Regiment, William's war service began in October 1915, serving in France on the Western Front. He was killed in action near Ypres on 21st February 1918 and is buried in Poelcapelle British Cemetery. He was just 30 years old and left a widow and two small children.

    When I was much younger I heard a family story that my grandfather John Ritchie, who by the end of the war was serving on the Western Front in the Labour Corps, actually came across his brother William's grave. Sadly, I never took much notice then, but now I wish I'd listened more to the reminiscences of older family members and the precious memories they shared.

    We owe so much to William and his generation for the huge sacrifices they made in the service of their country.

    "We will remember them".

    Janet Ritchie




    242206

    Pte. Jeremiah O'Connell 250th Tunnelling Company East Surrey Regiment on detachment to the Royal En (d.6th Oct 1916)

    Shay O'Connell




    242205

    Pte. William Isaiah Parkes 10th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.6th October 1917)

    My Uncle, Billy Parkes joined the Royal Worcestershire Regiment as part of Kitcheners New Army. He was initially given the number of 4329 - this was subsequentely changed to 201838.

    After taking part in various assaults - this culminated in the 3rd Battle of Ypres - known as Pashendaele - which began on 31st July 1917 for a period of 3 months. Consistent rain and mud together with the constant bombardment of warfare created 'Hell on Earth'. This culminated in my Uncle being involved in the Battle of Broodseinde and he was wounded on the opening day of this battle - 4th October 1917 - he was taken to a field hospital where he sadly died two days later on the 6th October 1917.

    After doing some research I could find no trace of his memory within the family other than his name on Memorial Plaques in St. Marks Church, Pensnett, Staffordshire, so I contacted the Royal Worcestershire Regiment - which are now re-named the Mercian Regiment, at Imjin Barracks, Gloucester, and they kindly sent me details they had on the 10th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment to which he belonged. They also confirmed his date of death and gave me his Commonwealth War Grave details - he is buried at Outtersteene Communal Cemetary Extension, France and was 22 years old when he died.

    They also disclosed that his two Medals were sent out to his home address in March 1922 but were returned, they suggested probably because his mother had either died or had moved. However, I have discovered that neither was the case - I can only think that my Grandmother was so bereft and maybe felt that she had sacrificed her first born and eldest son and that the glory attached to the medals was superficial. I never knew my grandparents, both died some years before I was born, and I can only imagine just how devastated they and millions of others must have felt.

    My Dad (George Henry Parkes) was 18 years younger than William. Therefore, my Dad would have been 2 years old when he joined up and only 4 years of age when William died therefore my dad would have had no real recollection of his brother and other than what he told me of Williams' name on the Memorial Plaques in Pensnett.

    This was all I know, and the rest of the family of that generation have long passed away. I did ask the Mercian, Worcestershire Regiment and MOD if, as a living close relative of William if as his original medals were never claimed by my grandparents, I could claim them now. However, I was told that no further issues of First World War Medals were being made. I was so sorry to be told this as I would have liked William's Medals and details to have been framed and hung on my wall next to my Dad's (his 'baby' brother) who served for 13 years in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment from 1933 until 1946, whose medals include the Burma Star. This sadly cannot now happen.

    Sheila O'Reilly




    242203

    Gnr. Benjamin Jackson 190th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.24th October 1917)

    <p>Ben Jackson with his wife Rose.

    Benjamin Jackson was born on 28th of January 1888. Before the war he was a house painter. He married Rose Ellen Cleaton on 1st September 1913 in St Pauls Church, Dolfor, Montgomeryshire, Wales.

    Letter to his wife Rose Ellen Jackson.

    B.E.F., France. 27.10.17

    Dear Mrs Jackson

    I am very sorry to have to send you very bad news, and I fear it will be a terrible shock to you to hear that your husband Gunner B. Jackson was killed by a shell about 11.30am on Wednesday 24th. The Battery was being shelled at the time and he was in a dugout with two other men, when a direct hit destroyed the dugout killing Gunner Jackson instantly, also another gunner and the third gunner severely wounded. Although he had not been long with the Battery, he was doing good work, and is a great loss to me. He was buried at the Military Cemetery at Dichebush (Dickebusch) by the Chaplin and as many of his comrades as possible were present. His effects will be returned to you in due course. Please accept my deep sympathy and that of the whole Battery.

    Believe me yours truly Francis I. Ryan Major R. G. A.

    Ben is buried at the Huts Cemetery, 6km south west of Ieper, West Flanders, Belgium. His wife never remarried and died in 1967. She was may mother's aunt and I always knew her as aunty Rose in my childhood.





    242199

    L/Cpl. William Strahan 4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.17th May 1917)

    <p>

    My great great uncle, William Strahan, fought in the war and died at the age of 21. He is buried in Calais South Cemetery. May he rest in peace with our eternal gratitude.

    Paul Elliott




    242196

    Gnr. Thomas Brooker 352nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th August 1917)

    Whilst doing my family tree I discovered that my great great grandfather lost a grandson, Thomas Brooker, in the First World War in Belgium. To cut a long story short I discovered that he was buried in Canada Farm Cemetery so I organized a trip to the Cemetery with my grandson and a friend. I had found his grave reference, we visited the grave and planted a red rose then we went down into Ypres for a lovely meal and a look around the town and drove back home to Herstmonceux. A memorable day was made. He was wounded in action and died in Woesten Field Hospital.

    Richard Brooker




    242195

    Pte. Charles Frederick Parker 34th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    Charles Parker was my Grandfather, my mum, who was 9 years old when he was killed, always held him in some mythical awe. There is a fairly comprehensive article about him on stockwellwarmemorial.org

    Ray Coleman




    242194

    Sgt. Albert Edward Victor Taylor MM. 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy.

    Albert Taylor was awarded the Military Medal for action during the Battle of Messines. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on the 10th of November 1917 and then to Lieutenant.

    Gary Steele




    242193

    Pte. Clarence Edward Jennings 71st Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Clarence Jennings lived at 130 Knighton Lane, Leicester. He joined the army on the 24th of May 1915 as Private 22508 with the RAMC. Je was posted to the 1st Birmingham War Hospital Redal, Birmingham. He applied to serve overseas on the 11th of April 1916 and embarked from Southampton on the 3rd of March 1917, disembarking at Rouen the following day. On the 18th of March 1917 he was posted to 71st Field Ambulance. Clarence returned to England on the 25th March 1919 and was demobilized.

    Gordon Caldecott




    242187

    Pte. Harry S. Davison 26th (Banker's) Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    Harry Davison enlisted in late December 1915 in 26th (Banker's) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers. His decision to volunteer with bank colleagues as patriotic duty included a visit to wartime London. From December 1915 to early December 1916 he trained at the School of Cookery, at Camberwell and sent letters home describing training as cook. He then joined the Royal Fusiliers at the training camp, Aldershot, undertaking duties as company cook. Harry married shortly before embarkation. He continued to write home from the Western front, his letters cover the period of the Somme offensive, but without place names. Around Christmas 1916, Harry was under treatment for treatment for chest ailments and returned to England by hospital ship. Between January and March 1917 he was in two hospitals in Essex, the Military Hospital, Colchester followed by convalescence at Ardleigh Hospital. In April 1917 Harry was in Ireland at the Royal Fusiliers Depot, Tipperary, under medical supervision as convalescent and working as clerk to Depot Dental Surgeon. He was accepted for commission and posted to cadet school, and joined the Officer Cadet Battalion at Hertford College, Oxford as an Officer cadet.

    After discharge from active service, it appears that 2nd Lieut Davison was transferred to the territorial battalion of the Suffolk Regiment. This regiment would have had a base near the Davison married home in Woodbridge, where he resumed his banking career and where his two sons were born.

    The Rumbling Of The Guns. When a Portsmouth Bank Clerk Went to War - An article in the Portsmouth News.

    There is nothing heroic about my action. I am going away and if necessary I offer my life for my country, simply because it is the smallest thing I can do to exhibit my manhood and my patriotism.

    In these words my father in November 1915 explained to his wife-to-be his motives for volunteering to enlist in the armed forces. As a clerk with Lloyds Bank in Portsea Harry Davison joined, with many of his colleagues, the Bankers’ Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers – one of the many Pals’ Battalions in which so many groups went to war with the camaraderie of their shared profession. The discovery of a collection of letters written by my father to my mother over the following two years has given me a fresh insight into the life of an ordinary soldier on the Western Front.

    Bank staff were, it seems, eager recruits. In his November 1915 letter my father refers to fellow-volunteers named Love and Pierce, from the bank’s King’s Road branch: so you see it won’t be too horribly dull and I shan’t be quite on my own. Then again: another member of our staff joined up last week, leaving only two out of five now. Private Love was later to be the victim of a near-fatal incident alongside my father in the trenches.

    A succession of letters between December 2015 and February 1916 describe three months of training with the Royal Fusiliers in Aldershot; then came news that required a rapid and important decision. We have received orders to shift off abroad. We have no idea where we are going: France, Mesopotamia, Ireland . . . I have come to the conclusion that we must be married before I go to the Front . . . I am confident I shall return, let us hope uninjured.

    After a hurried marriage to his sweetheart Olive, who also worked at Lloyds Bank, and a weekend honeymoon, Private Harry Davison in May 1916 proceeded to France with the Bankers’ Battalion, which saw action at the Battles of Flers-Courcellete and the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. From the Front, my father’s frequent letters tell a story in which descriptions of hardships in the trenches contrast with glimpses of everyday French country life not far behind the lines.

    We are accustomed to images from the First World War that show the battleground as a quagmire of mud under ceaseless rain. It wasn’t like that all the time, however:

    The weather keeps most gloriously fine. The sun shines all day long and it’s very, very hot, writes Private Harry Davison in June, 1916. We have another spell of delightful weather and I am walking around with just a shirt and trousers on, and even that seems too much . . . Today is warm and the sun is lovely and hot and this life is more like a picnic if it were not for the rumbling of the guns. The daytime has been too hot for either side to show much energy.

    Gradually the heat of the day subsides. The best and quietest time has been about 6 to 9 at night, we generally get our pipes out and chat to our hearts’ content. During a period of rest from the trenches in the autumn there is even the opportunity to visit a nearby town, passing through open countryside on the way. The harvest is in full swing . . . I don’t think I ever saw more wheat in my life. It runs for miles without a hedge.

    As winter comes on, the picture changes for the worse. The mud and rain the last few days have been terrible. . . Yesterday during a thunderstorm the rain was absolutely torrential, and the mud made the roads nearly impassable . . . Will you please send me a pair of Anderson’s trench waders as advertised in London Opinion; the water is very bad indeed, and I think they will combat the evil of trench feet. This request was quickly answered. The mud is simply appalling, knee deep in many places. Those waders have proved most useful and are really waterproof.

    In October came the accident that befell my Father’s colleague from Portsmouth. Poor old Love is back with us again after a few days in hospital. He had the misfortune to be buried alive under 5ft of earth and needless to say when dug out was not in the best of health or temper. It has altered him a lot, but I expect he will be himself again after a while. At the present moment he is sitting with me in my billet in a French ‘chateau’ where we are resting for a few days while on the march to a fresh position. However, a few weeks later all is apparently not well. Love keeps most cheerful but at the same time he is not the same as before his terrible experience. It seems to have affected his nerves.

    ‘. . . . if it were not for the rumbling of the guns’. The ever-present background to these letters is the desperate struggle in progress, in this year of the terrible Battle of the Somme. A severe bombardment has been in progress for the past 12 hours on our left, so expect to hear of some gains in a day or two . . . Our period at the Front line would I suppose by the authorities be called comparatively quiet; however I am not anxious to be there when it is really noisy. About nine the machine guns get busy and the Very lights start going up. Our artillery are all around us and Mr Fritz with his artillery keeps trying to find ours.

    In the intervals between spells in action there is a welcome normality about everyday life. After securing a new pair of trousers I went over to –––, a large town about 5km away. After having a good tea and inspecting the various places of interest we returned in the evening. . . I had the misfortune to lose my wrist watch, but am waiting to go into town to replace it.

    The troops took what relief was afforded them when they could. It takes very little to excite one out here, and even the prospect of an evening in some shelled village with bacon and eggs and very mild beer causes as much pleasure as a real bash at home.

    Parcels from home were eagerly awaited and seem to have arrived regularly. Your parcel containing biscuits, socks etc just to hand. Thanks awfully. The biscuits are a treat . . . It was fortunate you sent out my spare pair of glasses, as a short while ago I lost my other pair in the dark . . . In the next parcel will you send please one towel and some cocoa, coffee or tea cubes. Some cake would be acceptable too . . . You might send a few pairs of socks and one or two handkerchiefs.

    With the parcels came news from the home front, and from other theatres of war, to which my father responded: The various restrictions prevailing in England must be hard . . . England seems to have solved the Zeppelin problem, now perhaps the Zepps will not be such frequent visitors . . . What good work the Russians are doing. If we hold our own until they move up great events will take place, I think.

    Of the naval Battle of Jutland [May 31, 1916], the first news we had came from the Germans over the trenches and was of course exaggerated. Since then we have had our own official news and after all we were victors, but what awful sacrifice of valuable lives. Clearly, though, the newspapers of 1916 erred on the side of optimism. Everything in the papers seems to point to an early peace, and personally I think another two months will see us back in dear old England.

    Some upbeat messages were perhaps designed to cheer my mother in her lonely vigil at home, but knowing as we now do the conditions our troops suffered it is not hard to read between the lines. We are equipped for the winter now and you should see me in full war paint: gum boots up to the waist and heavy leather jacket over tunic with cap comforter under tin hat . . . I managed to get a fair night’s sleep last night in a disused trench . . . We expect to go into the trenches very shortly but have no fear, it’s much safer in the trenches than outside them . . . We have some very decent dugouts; mine in fact is one of the best I have ever had, as you can stand up in it.

    The prospect of leave is a recurring theme. As Christmas 1916 approaches, the only topic of conversation in the camp is England and our prospects of leave. And then, hopefully, there is a possibility of my being in England for Christmas. But it was not to be. On Christmas Eve my father writes: It seems impossible to think tomorrow is Christmas Day. The weather – well, ’nuff said. A terrific wind prevails, and the rain has been really appalling. Now I must shut up. All the others in the dugout are asleep. It’s getting cold and my last candle is nearing its end, and I must save some for tomorrow morning.

    My father’s next letters are from a military hospital in Essex in February 1917. He had been invalided home – not wounded, it appears, but suffering from some acute respiratory complaint. Could it have been the effect of gas? We shall never know. Anyway, it rescued him from the trenches; he lived to the age of 60 and fathered two sons. He never spoke to us of his war experiences. A century later I am at last beginning to understand why.

    Michael Davison




    242185

    Pte. Frederick William Rolfe 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    Frederick Rolfe fell at the Battle of Pilkem, on the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres. He appears to have no relatives remaining in the area and we would love to know more about him, especially how he came to be in an Irish regiment. We are researching all the men of Godmanchester who died during the Great War.

    Mal Cohen




    242184

    Sgt. Robert Willacy MM. 7th Btn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.13th March 1917)

    One of three brothers to enlist, Robert Willacy was the middle brother and married with 2 young children. Robert enlisted in Clitheroe, Lancashire but wasn't allocated to a local regiment. He was idolised by his younger brother who ran away to join up aged 15. His mother got him back twice but gave up at his third attempt. Both his brothers served in local Lancashire regiments and survived the war. A hundred years on Robert is still remembered by his family.

    Graham




    242181

    Pte. George Chesters 1st Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.30th April 1916)

    My great grandad George Chesters sadly, was killed and is laid to rest in Dranoutre Military Cemetery. I hope to find a picture of him.

    Alwyn Chesters




    242178

    Cpl. James "Digger" Mallaby 46th Coy Machine Gun Corps

    This fine chap was my grandad, James Mallaby. Digger was the nickname given to him by the Australian soldiers he fought alongside in the MGC. Digger fought in the Somme and at Arras and was gassed and shot several times whilst on the stretcher to evacuation in June 1918. He survived the war and died in 1980 when he was 90. I have all my grandad's military records service, etc.

    I remember him as a funny man with no hair and no eyebrows who loved a pint of a bitter at the Bruce Army in Masham, where he is still talked about to this day. I miss him and my mum both so much. God bless.





    242176

    Sgt. James Davis 2nd Btn. Royal Scots

    When my father died he left me things about his time in WW2. I also found my grandfather's things from WW1. I found a medal for service and a football medal of the 6th Corps Football Tournament. On it says "Winners Sgt J Davis 2nd Royal Scots" and it is dated 26th of January 1918. With this medal, wrapped in a cloth, was a Leonidas Swiss-made army pocket watch with the crows foot filed down. I wound the watch and, to my amazement, it started to tick and from that day it has kept excellent time. The only fault is that the glass has shrunk and worn, but the mechanism is perfect. My grandfather, James Davis survived the war and died aged 83.

    Steve Davis




    242174

    Private Harold John Landy 9th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    Harold Landy was my grandfather, he served in the Salonika campaign. He died in 1957 but as I was very young cannot remember very much about him. No photos have survived of him either. He was born in 1888 in Liverpool. He married in 1922 and had one son, my father Eric. He was with 9th battalion and then joined 78th brigade of 26th division and moved to Cheltenham from Bristol. April 1915 moved to Longbridge Deverell, 21 September 1915 mobilised for war and landed in France. November 191 moved to Salinika and served at Battles of Horseshoe Hill in 1916, Battle of Doirn in 1917. 4th of July 1918 left the 26th Division returned to France on 17th of July 1918 at Serqueux and joined 198th Brigade of 66th Division. Sounds like a very brave man to me, wish I could have known him better.

    Diane Mills




    242173

    Pte. Sydney Pridmoresy Brown 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.6th May 1917)

    Sydney Brown was born and lived in the Leicestershire village of Sapcote with his father John, a quarry worker, and his stepmother, Harriet. He was a member of Sapcote Methodist Church. Sydney worked at a boot factory in the nearby village of Earl Shilton before joining up.

    Sydney died when the shelter he and three others had made in the side of a trench collapsed in the night and smothered them. At the time he was an officer's servant and was in a less dangerous part of the line because his officer had been wounded. After Sydney's death a court of inquiry was held, the verdict being accidental death. Sydney was one of three first cousins killed in WW1 all from the same village. He was 21 years of age when he died.

    Valerie Clark




    242172

    L/Cpl. George Cyril Stanley Mann 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.9th August 1917)

    George Mann was my great uncle, he served with the Machine Gun section.

    Suze Page




    242167

    L/Cpl. Charles Burton 1/4th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.14th April 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Burton was born in Huddersfield and at the time of his death his wife, Mary Sarah nee Chadburn and infant daughter Alice lived in Pontefract. He served in the 1st/4th Battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. They were part of 148th Brigade which were themselves part of the 49th (West Riding) Division from May 1915. The Division fought through the Somme and Passchendaele into 1918 and Charles was killed in action on the 14th April 1918 during the many battles near Ypres. His name is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.





    242166

    Lt. John Hubert Clowes Middlesex Regiment

    My grandfather, John Clowes was wounded at Passchendaele on 31st July 1917. I have in my possession his memoirs of that time. They give a very detailed account of his experiences as well as a very succinct record of what happened.

    Penelope little




    242162

    Pte. Robert William Putterill 6th (Service) Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Robert Putterill's name is one of the many on the Menin Gate at Ypres. He was my great, great grandfather's great nephew.





    242161

    Pte. Frank Spence 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.1st Aug 1917)

    Frank Spence is my Great Uncle who died at the Battle of Pilkem Ridge, 1917. I found out about him when his sister, my Grandmother died. She always sat with his Death Medal hanging on the wall beside her. On her death when family gave me this medal I was surprised as to his name, as my Grandmothers maiden name is Baptista. It then came out that when WWI started Frank like so many others joined up, but somewhere along the line he deserted. Guilt made him sign up again under a false name into the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. On the War Graves Commission website, it states that his Next of Kin is my Grandmother and her address in Wandsworth London.

    David Hazel




    242160

    Pte. J. Iliffe 19th (2nd Tyneside Pioneers) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    J Iliffe, Private, 267138 was killed in action on 14th October 1918. Aged 35 years, he is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium, next to Sjt 19/4287 Donohoe. He was the son of Mr. G. Iliffe of New Plough Hotel, Leicester Rd, Hinckley, Leicestershire. The Commonwealth War Graves commission has his service no recorded as 267136, 19th NF Battalion history shows it as 267138.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.





    242159

    Pte. Percy Smith 2nd Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.14th May 1917)

    Percy Smith was my Great Great Uncle. I didn't know anything about him until I visited St. George's Church in Ivy Church Romney Marsh Kent and saw a Percy Smith on the memorial in the church. I also saw his name in the remembrance book in Canterbury Cathedral. I don't remember any of my relatives talking about him. He died when my grandmother Florence Annie Smith was 12 years old. My mother, was his Great Niece.

    I did some research and found out the following: He was born in 1889 in Ivy Church and enlisted in Ashford, Kent. He was the son of William and Harriet Marie Smith of George Street, Brenzett. He died on the 14th May 1917 and is buried at Struma Military Cemetery in Greece

    Lesley Griffiths




    242157

    Sgt. David Donohoe 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    David Donohoe, Serjeant, 19/4287 was killed in action on 14th of October 1918. Aged 34 years, he is buried in the Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Thomas and Elinor Donohoe of North Shields, husband of Jennie Donohoe of 1 Dissington Terrace, North Shields.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242156

    Pte. Frederick Smith 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusillers (d.14th February 1917)

    <p>

    Fred Smith was my great uncle. I would like to know what battle he was killed in. I know only the 8th Battalion fought in Iraq.

    Lynn Humphries




    242155

    Pte. Rolf Van Essen 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Rolf Essen was killed in action on 8th of October 1916. Aged 28 years, he is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) memorial in Belgium. Rolf was the husband of Barbara Ellen Scott Essen of 3 Adamson Buildings, North Shields. he Commonwealth War Grave Commission have his service number recorded as 1166 and him shown as a member of the 11th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers, however this is believed to be an error and should be 19/1166. The 19th NF Battalion history records him as one of theirs.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242153

    L/Cpl. Samuel Battensby 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.31st Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Battensby, Lance Corporal 19/1230, was presumed killed by a bomb whilst attending a Gas Course at Poperinghe on 30th October 1917. Aged 35 years. He was a member of Y company. Remembered on the Tynecot Memorial in Belgium he was the son of the late John and Catherine Battensby, of Bridge Row, Swalwell, Co. Durham and husband of Martha Battensby, of Collingwood Cottages, Ponteland, Newcastle-on-Tyne. The Commonwealth War Grave Commission have his service number recorded as 19/1213, this is believed in error and should be 19/1230.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242152

    Pte. Fred Priest 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Fred Priest was killed in action on 26th of October 1917. Aged 29 years. At the time of his death he was attached to 7th Battalion, in B Company, 1st/7th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers. He is remembered on the Tynecot Memorial, son of the late Jonah and Priscilla Priest.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242151

    Pte. Arthur Ernest Daglish 19th (2nd Tyneside Pioneers) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Daglish, Private 19/417, was killed in action on 26th of October 1917, aged 27 years. At the time of his death, he was attached to 1/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Remembered on the Tynecot Memorial, Ypres, Belgium, he was the son of Charles Pearson Daglish and Margaret Henzell Daglish of 218 Doncaster Road, Sandyford, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    242149

    Cpl. Edwin Paget 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.24th October 1914)

    Edwin Paget was one of 5 brothers to serve in WW1. Fred, Colin, Ted and Lawrence all served with the Army and Gus served with the RFC and RAF. Only Fred and Lawrence survived. The other 3 brothers, Tom, Ernest and Roland were farmers and were not called to enroll. Ted was killed during a German onslaught on Ypres 24th of October 1914, he is remembered on the Menin Gate.

    Clive




    242142

    Pte. George Hiram Westgarth 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1917)

    In 1965, aged 15, I sat with my grandmother Gladys Chapman nee Westgarth and her older brother Albert Westgarth - who had served in Gallipoli and Passchendaele - as they told me about the Great War.

    Gladys told me, about her frightening experience just before Christmas 1917. She was walking along the footbridge crossing the main Cardiff to London railway line, at Adamsdown, when her brother George Westgarth came walking toward her. She said "Hello George, I thought you were still in France. Are you on leave?". With that she told me: "He just stared at me, smiled and walked straight through me...later we learnt that he had been killed at Passchendaele on the night of 15th/16th December 1917, with his brother Albert alongside him. Gladys then recalled her father, Henry Philipson Westgarth, waiting for his "three boys" to return from the war, but dying from flu before only two returning.

    George, a collier in South Wales, had originally signed up with the Welsh Regiment, returned to mining in South Wales, and then joined the Durham Light Infantry in June 1917 and was killed 6 months later at Spree Farm, Ypres.

    Albert Westgarth then recounted some of his memories of that night. He told me that they had saved some of their rations of beer. He had crawled from his position to meet his brother George. He told me that night a barrage came across and they were hit, lying alongside each other. When Albert came to and woke up the following morning he said "George was gone, dead". Albert took his brother's blood soaked papers - his only memento. When I asked Albert more about his experiences he gave a long hard look and said: "I have seen, experienced and smelt things I hope that you never have to". When I asked him "what smell?", he gave me a far away and haunting look and said: "Rotting flesh. Men and horses. Rotting stinking flesh.".





    242137

    Pvt. Emmit Miller Coy. K 106th Infantry Regiment (d.28th Sep 1918)

    Emmit Miller was drafted in September 1917 and was eventually assigned to Coy, K, 106th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division (O'Ryan's Division). He sailed in USS Matsuma on 6th of June 1918 from Norfolk News, VA. He was a replacement troop.

    On 28th of September 1918, he was declared missing in action and a year later was declared dead. His name is on the monument of unrecovered losses at Bony, France. He was my grandfather's cousin.

    Roy Miller




    242135

    2nd Lt. William Henry Baynes MM. 1st Btn. Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (d.12th Oct 1918)

    William Baynes was my Great Uncle. Unfortunately, I never met him but have completed some research. William signed up for the war in 1914. On 10th of November 1916 he appeared in the Gazette for London and Edinburgh as he had received the Military Medal, he was a Serjeant at the time. Later he was made a Second-Lieutenant.

    He appears in the War dairies on 29th of June 1917 during the Battle of Arras. During an operation aiming to clear Kitten trench of the enemy. William and others began to move into their appointed places in Lump Lane ready for the action. Conditions included knee deep mud from heavy rain the evening before. The ground between Lump Lane and the objective was nothing but a mass of shell holes. Only the right wave of the advance succeeded, a small party of bombers led by William. It became evident that the enemy was present in strength and the surprise attack had failed and it was decided not to proceed. William and the four men with him became isolated having run out of bombs or grenades. 2nd Lt. Ashpitel was sent with a party of picked men to cover Williams' withdrawal to Lump Lane which was successful.

    Shortly after, during the Third Battle of Ypres 2nd Lt. Baynes was listed as injured. I have traced my Great Uncle to Netley Hospital, Southampton where he died on 12th October 1918.

    Heather Gittings




    242131

    Pte. James Joynson 11th (2nd Gwent) Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Great Uncle James Joynson died on 31st July 1917 during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. He was 22. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

    Last Letter Home

    Menin Gate

    Rebecca Davison




    242130

    Pte. Peter Douglas MM. 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Peter Douglas was a comrade of William Beasley VC who was awarded the Military Medal for the same action at Bucquoy for taking a German position under extraordinary circumstances, he was awarded the Military Medal for his part in this action. Peter was wounded in the leg, something he referred to as a bee sting. He never spoke about the details of the war and died aged 93.

    A beautiful father to my Mother, Father in Law to my father, Grandfather to my Brother and I but sadly Alzheimer's robbed him of the joy of his twin Great Granddaughters that he would have loved dearly as the man he was. Sadly I have been unable to find his service records and have only found this incredible history by research. He started active service in May 1915.

    Rest his beautiful soul.

    Steven Halkerston




    242129

    Pte. James Galley MM. 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.16th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    James Galley worked at Bradford Coal Pit in Manchester for 15 years before joining up at the outbreak of War. He was married to Harriet Dance and they had a daughter who died young. He lived at Thomas St Miles Platting Manchester.

    James initially went to Gallipoli and was 33 when he died during the Battle of Langemarck in the area of Passchendaele.

    Jessica Martini




    242128

    L/Cpl. John Alexander Munro Samuel 1st Btn. B Coy. Cameron Highlanders

    Jack Samuel suffered from shell-shock and could not resume work as an auctioneer after the War. He was my grandfather and a gentleman. I have no photos of him.

    Jennifer Turner




    242127

    Pte. Joseph Charles Pearce 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th Feb 1917)

    Joseph Pearce is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery in France

    Sue Davenport




    242119

    Sjt. Charles Henry Holmes 3/8th (Leeds Rifles) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.30th Jan 1916)

    Charles Holmes is buried in New Wortley Cemetery in Leeds.





    242117

    Pte. Samuel Hope 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1917)

    Samuel Hope was the eldest of the 6 children of Samuel and Margaret Hope of Maybank Road Birkenhead. He had been employed as a chauffeur for a local doctor until he volunteered for the army.

    Dave Pickles




    242113

    Sgt. Archibald Hood 2/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    <p>

    My Grandfather Archibald Hood was serving in the regular army before the First World War started. He enlisted on 14th March 1911 aged 17. He was a Sergeant when he fought in the war. I know very little about his wartime experiences as he never really spoke about them. From his army pay book, it shows that he was shot twice. Once in the leg on 22nd September 1917. He also sustained a shell injury to his lip on 25th of March 1918. He used to say that the bullet went in through his lip and out of his neck, missing all his vital organs.

    Christine Hood




    242112

    Pte. Walter Charles Notscheid 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    My Great grandfather was born Karl August Notscheid in 1877 in London of German parents. He enlisted during Dec 1915 under the name Walter Notscheid after being goaded into proving his Englishness by a relative.

    He was killed in action at Fricourt on the 1st of July 1916 whilst serving in the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He is buried in the Gordon Dump Cemetery, at Ovillers La Boisselle.

    A German relative was serving in the German Artillery on the Somme at the same time and survived the war.

    Glyn W Calvert




    242110

    Pte. Charles Hilliard 1st Btn.

    Charles Hilliard joined the Royal Irish Fusiliers before WW1 and we think was a reserve in 1914, he was called up immediately at the start of the war leaving for France in August 1914. Amazingly he served throughout the war returning home in 1918 with only an injury to his foot. We don't know very much about his army life except he participated in cross country running competitions which he often won and we have a Wedgewood bowl that was one of his prizes. He died in the late 1960's having never discussed his army life.

    Julie




    242107

    Pte. Robert Ashworth 8th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    From family verbal memories of my mother (Robert's younger sister), Robert Ashworth was born into a Lancashire Mill Working Family. He was sent to work in the Mill on leaving school at 14, but hated the life, ran away from home. He found work as a Farm Labourer in nearby village of Sabden and loved the life. My mother remembers that Robert used to bring his Pony and Trap over from his farm in Sabden on a Sunday to take his mother & little sister on country runs. His mother said she felt like The Queen.

    Robert enlisted in 8th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment in Feb 1917. After initial training, he was sent to Belgium. He was killed in battle on a Tuesday in July 1917 most probably on the 1st day of Passchendaele. Remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, which bears the names of men lost without trace. Sadly, after Robert's death, he was never ever mentioned in the family again.





    242106

    L/Cpl. Charles William Ede 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Charles William Ede was a member of a large family. His mother had 13 children of whom only 8 survived childhood. He was born in 1891 between April and June (his official registration of birth is filed in year quarters.) So far it has not been possible to find a record of an exact date of birth (or a Christening which was certainly the usual practice for that family). His life story is not fully known except that he was a porter in the retail boot trade at the age of 19.

    He died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and is buried in Y Ravine Cemetery Beaumont Hamel, France. His effects and pay were sent to his father, Charles. It is not known why he joined this particular Regiment, The South Wales Borderers when he was from London. Various of his family members were saddlers and carters and a Cavalry or Artillery Regiment may have been a more obvious choice.

    However, that is a matter of serendipity and pride as the descendant writing this and researching his and her family tree came unexpectedly to live in Monmouthshire and has been there for a lifetime.

    Fiona Wilton




    242102

    Ellis Jones 16th (1st City) Btn Manchester Regiment (d.18th Aug 1917)

    Ellis Jones was my great grandfather but his parents and siblings never knew he had a daughter.





    242100

    Pte. William Allan 8th Btn. Black Watch (d.25th Apr 1916)

    William Allan was one of two brothers who both died in World War 1. There is a memorial in Largs with their name on it. I am his great niece.

    Hazel




    242099

    Lt. Nicholas Cardwell 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Nicholas Cardwell was my granddad, he fought in the Lancashire Fusiliers in the 10th battalion. He survived the war and died in his home town of Blackpool in Dec 1969. I would not be alive if he had lost his life in this war, I realise how lucky he was and how lucky my mum and I are to be here.

    Valerie Eddleston




    242097

    Pte. Richard Cartwright 9th (Service) Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.20th September 1917)

    Richard Cartwright was the youngest son of John Cartwright, journeyman cordwainer (fine shoemaker), and his wife Sarah, who lived in Wallasey Village, Cheshire. John had died shortly after Richard's birth in 1896, leaving the family then at home (Sarah, daughter Beatrice, son Robert and youngest son Richard) in reduced circumstances. Sarah managed as a washerwoman but died in 1907.

    Robert (my grandfather) joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a regular, in 1911. Young Richard ran away to London and is recorded as living in a home for destitute boys, learning a trade as a carpenter. He volunteered to join the Welsh Regiment and survived the Somme. Along with many comrades in his Section, he was killed by hidden German machine gunners on the first day of the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge (part of the battle for Passchendaele), 20th September 1917, aged 21. His body was not found but his name lives on, at Tyne Cott Cemetery, at St. Hilary's Church War Memorial, Wallasey, and - in memory - in the first name of his great nephew.

    Richard Alan Cartwright




    242093

    Pte. Ernest William Ball 7th Btn Lincolnshire Regiment (d.12th June 1918)

    Ernest Ball was my first cousin once removed. He died in hospital from wounds received in action and is buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery, Berlin.





    242092

    Alfred George Harris Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Alfred Harris served with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

    W.Weston




    242091

    A/Capt. James Milton Constable MC. 4th Battalion Oxfordshire And Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    James Constable served as a private with the 1/10th London Regiment and was commissioned into the Ox and Bucks





    242089

    Pte. Walter Herbert Wilson 10th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.4th Oct 1917)

    My great uncle, Walter Wilson, known by his middle name, Herbert was the younger brother of my grandad, both served in WW1. Herbert initially joined the Northumberland Fusiliers I think but is recorded as being in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at the time of his death. He was a Middlesbrough area lad possibly enlisted Skelton, Marske or somewhere like that. I am trying to find out some information about him as we have no photo. He was serving in the 10th Battalion KOYLI and was killed on the 4th of October 1917. His body was never found.

    I don't have a photo of him and my grandfather's possessions were thrown out by my aunt in the 60s so desperate to know something about him so we can keep his name alive in the family. It's our duty to do so.





    242086

    Pte. Robert Gray Gunning 2nd Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.2nd October 1915)

    Robert Gunning was my mother's brother who died aged 19. He is buried in Meville Cemetery in France.

    Catherine McPherson




    242082

    Lt. Harold Madoc Jones MID. 17th Battalion, C Coy. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.31st July 1917)

    Lt. Harold Jones was amonst the names on the list of casualties published in the The Times on Thursday, 30th of August 1917

    Harold was serving with the 17th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, killed on 31st of July, he was the son of the late J.R. Jones, J.P., of Bodfeirig, and of Mrs. Jones, of Bryn Cadnant, Anglesey. He was educated at Christ's College, Brecon, and afterwards gained a scholarship at the University College of Wales, Aberysrwith, where he graduated with classical honours. He took up teaching as his profession, and was very successful and popular as a schoolmaster.

    At the outbreak of war he was on the staff of Cardigan County School, and from there he enlisted in a battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (University Company). In March, 1915, he obtained his commission in the same regiment, and left for the front early in December of the same year. Then henceforward he had been almost continuously on the line. He spent two winters in the trenches, and was mentioned in dispatches. His commanding officer writes: "He died painlessly and gallantly. A more gallant gentleman I have never met."

    Andrew Deacon




    242081

    Pte. Arthur Rowland Jones 23rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.17th Apr 1918)

    Arthur Jones is a long lost member of the family now found.

    Philip




    242073

    L/Cpl Arthur W. Concannon MM. 1st Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    Arthur Concannon, along with his brother John, joined up before WW1 and served in India in 1910 with the Regiment. Arthur was married three weeks before his death. He is still missed by his family. John went to serve in the WW11.

    Mark




    242071

    A/CSM. Ernest Harris Royal Engineers

    I have two records of my grandfather Ernest Harris being a patient at the 32nd Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, France. The first copy of a letter sent to my grandmother, to inform her that he was suffering from nervous exhaustion. This was dated 15th September, 1916. I do not know how long he was there. The second time he was admitted for what they describe as a Poisoned Head, dated 12th April, 1918.

    Brenda Jean Lewis




    242070

    L/Corporal John Norman Gover 21st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th July, 1917)

    John Glover is my great uncle who was killed on the 30th of July 1917. He was serving alongside his brother Sydney, who survived that day, unsure of all the circumstances... He was just 24 years of age.

    Kathryn Clary




    242068

    Pte. Thomas Henry Clarke 6th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Thomas Clarke was the son of Isaac & Sarah Ann (nee Marriott) of Eastwood, Rotherham. He is buried in Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, France.





    242064

    Pte. Wallace William Wilkinson 6th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry (d.10th August 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle, Wallace Wilkinson, entered France with the 6th Battalion, KSLI on 8th of August 1915 and was killed just over a year later at Courcelles on the night of 10th of August 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. He is buried at Sucrerie Military Cemetery at Colincamps near Albert. The Battalion War Diary shows that he was one of eight men killed in a working party on the front line. I have visited his grave and it appears from the dates of the neighbouring graves that all the men were buried beside one another.

    Before the war Wallace Wilkinson was a railway worker in Crewe and lived with his family at 2 Shrewsbury Road, Darlison, near Whitchurch in Shropshire. My grandfather, Allen survived WWI having served with the Manchester Regiment and the Notts & Derby Regiment (the Sherwood Foresters).

    I first visited Wallace's grave in 1998 and then returned again on 10th August 2016 to be there on the 100th anniversary of his death. He is not forgotten by his family.

    Sybil Ruscoe




    242062

    Pte. James Clay 5th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.17th May 1918)

    James Clay, my uncle, was one of 4 brothers to serve, the other 3 all belonging to the KSLI. Sadly Jim was the only one of the 4 to be killed in action. His other brothers survived the war but sadly Samuel died from pneumonia on his return home. Joseph and George both survived and had long rewarding lives.

    James' name is on the war memorial in his home village of Cound in Shropshire. Gone but never forgotten.





    242049

    Pte. Stafford Church Gaston 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Stafford Gaston is my great uncle. He joined the Young Citizens Volunteers. He served in France with the 14th Royal Irish Rifles from 20th of November 1915 and was discharged on 14th of December 1918. He died in 1939 in Belfast Northern Ireland.

    Eve O'Connell




    242048

    Sgt. James Lynch 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.3rd November 1918)

    Serjeant Lynch was the son of Mrs Sarah Lynch of Carrick Hill, Portmarnock.

    He was 33 when he died and is buried in the middle of the north part of the Portmarnock (St. Marnock's) Old Cemetery, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    242047

    Dvr. Christopher Lynch 547th H.T. Coy Army Service Corps (d.16th November 1918)

    Driver Lynch was the son of Mrs Sarah Lynch of Carrick Hill, Portmarnock.

    He was 37 when he died and is buried in the middle of the north part of the Portmarnock (St. Marnock's) Old Cemetery, Portmarnock, Co. Cublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242046

    Gnr. William Power 6th Reserve Btn. Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd June 1915)

    Gunner Power was the husband of Catherine Power of 7 Carrick Rd., Portlaw.

    He was 43 when he died and is buried in the north-east part of the Portlaw (St. Patrick) Catholic Churchyard, Clonagam, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    242045

    Pte. William George Wilkins HMS Formidable (d.1st January 1915)

    William Wilkins was born in 1889 in Brinklow, Warwickshire and his family moved to Coventry soon after. He joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry at a young age and his service record indicates he joined and was station at Chatham barracks.

    On 1st January 1915 he was serving on HMS Formidable when it was torpedoed at 02:20 by U-24. William was one of 512 men who died that day from a ship's company of 780. His record notes that his medals were sent to his mother. He was my great uncle.

    Martyn Wilkins




    242041

    Pte. James Charles Hammond 12th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.15th August 1918)

    My great grandfather, James Hammond, tried to enlist in 1914 but was refused. He was finally accepted on 3rd August 1915 and spent the war in France and Flanders. He was wounded on 17th July 1918 and died exactly a month later of his wounds.

    Vanessa Coombs




    242039

    Pte. Willie Hirst 15/17th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th April 1918)

    <p>

    Willie Hirst was the son of William and Ruth Elizabeth Hirst of Clarke Lane, Meltham, Huddersfield. He lost his life aged 19.

    Beverly Tivey




    242038

    Pte. Edmund George Carter 5th Btn. C Coy. Royal Irish Regiment

    My paternal grandfather, Edmund Carter, joined the 5th Royal Irish Regiment because the Somerset Regiment was full, he was determined to fight for his country and the Irish Regiment was recruiting. He was badly wounded as he reached the beach at Suvla Bay on 16th of August, 1915. It was another 2/3 days before he was found barely alive and transported to a hospital ship. He was very lucky, the men who found him thought he would not survive, he had been stripped of any personal belongings, ring, watch etc and he was identified only by his dog tag (which I still have). His injuries were severe, bullets and shrapnel were removed from his stomach. I still have some of the bullets.

    He was taken to a hospital in Ireland and then, as his condition improved, he was brought back to England and spent over two years recovering at the Winsley Chest Hospital in Somerset. I still have his autograph book which he started at the hospital. In it he drew and painted many of the Regiment badges and flags which would have been so familiar to him, and there are poems and rhymes written by other patients who were casualties of the war. His autograph book means a great deal to me and my family. He never talked much about what happened to him, but his injuries had a lasting affect on his health and, for the last 17 years of his life, he was confined to a wheelchair. He was a kind and gentle man who lived in Midsomer Norton all his life, he married and had four children and three grandchildren who loved him very much. He died of pneumonia at the age of 77.





    242037

    Pte. Ernest Cooper 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.26th December 1917)

    Ernest Cooper was wounded at Pilkem Ridge in July 1917 and came home with a Blighty wound. He returned to the front in October 1917. On Boxing Day 1917 his section were in support trenches supporting soldiers of the Rifle Brigade in the front line. He volunteered to collect water from a dixi-cart and was killed by a German sniper. He was initially buried but subsequent bombardment pulverised hid grave. His name is on the memorial wall at Tyne Cot Cemetery near Ypres.

    Ian Cooper




    242036

    Sgt. George Thomas Brown DCM 17th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    George Brown DCM served with 17th Company, Machine Gun Corps.

    Christine Kelly




    242034

    Pte. Robert Douglas 2nd Btn. Borders Regiment (d.26th October 1914)

    Robert Douglas was the son of John and Ellen Douglas, brother of Helen (my great grandmother) and Alexander. The family lived in Annan.

    He joined the Borders in 1906 in Carlisle. By 1914, he was living in Blaydon near Gateshead. He was unmarried but his sister and brother had also moved from Scotland to the north-east. He died three weeks after arriving in Belgium in the First Battle of Ypres. He was 31. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Elaine Riley




    242033

    Trpr. Arthur John "Laddie" Greenfield D Squadron, Folkestone Troop East Kent Mounted Rifles

    Arthur Greenfield, at the outbreak of WW1, was serving in the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles in D Squadron, Folkestone Troop. He served for a period at Maresfield Army Camp, prior to the dismounting of the Regiment. Early in 1916 he was transferred into the East Kent Regiment. Arthur served in France and at Ypres. He was based in Dover Castle in 1918.

    Mark Greenfield




    242032

    Pte. Harry Bowes Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    Harry Bowes was wounded twice, once in the face and again in the arm. We think he was in the DLI but are unsure. He is pictured in the middle of the front row in hospital blues at Welburn Hall (Convalescent Hospital), Kirkbymoorside. The photo is dated 1918.

    Linda Knight




    242030

    Pte. Herbert Marshall 2/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.20th September 1917)

    <p>

    On the 1901 census, Herbert Marshall was based with 107th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, at the London barracks. He lost his life on the 20th of September 1917 whilst serving with the 2/5th South Lancashire Regiment.





    242024

    BSM. George Whitehouse Smith 216 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.11th Nov 1918)

    George Smith was my grandfather. He died of wounds at Premont Military Hospital on Armistice Day 1918. He was 31 years of age and left a wife and three small daughters. By trade he was a boilermaker. He was a member of the territorial army.

    Johnson




    242023

    2/Lt. George Allen Pitts 1/4th Btn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    George Allen, my granddad, arrived with a new commission in the 1/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, at Tincourt, Peronne on 27th March 1917. The Battalion fought through the towns of Roisel and Ronssoy before arriving at Duncan Post on a crest above the Hindenburg Line. On 24th April 1917, granddad reported sick with pains in legs and general malaise. He entered 2nd Southern General Hospital circa 15th May 1917 diagnosed with PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin - fever and fits), later trench fever. His board of 3rd August 1917 recommended transfer to the Southmead section of this hospital and later recorded 'Still running temperature at night. Still complaining of pains in legs, general malaise and a feeling of nausea in the morning. He is tremulous & greatly debilitated and is not yet fit to leave hospital. He sleeps badly, runs an evening temperature 99.8 & 99.4 degrees the last two nights. Gets easily tired. He vomits occasionally after food & is still tremulous. Degree of disability 70%.'

    He was transferred to Furness Auxiliary Hospital, Harrogate where neurasthenia was diagnosed. Granddad reported having three nervous attacks before enlistment, so he was discharged in 1918 with his Silver War Badge.

    Richard Crompton




    242021

    L/Sgt. George Hendrie 2nd Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    George Hendrie enlisted in Finsbury, London. He was a Lance-Serjeant with 2nd Battalion The Devonshire Regiment and was killed in action on 31st July 1917. This was the opening day of the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, the opening attack of the Third Battle of Ypres.

    At 0350 on the 31st of July, the 2nd Devons attacked from Railway Wood. That morning their Colonel was killed and 12 of their 20 officers and 230 of their men were killed or wounded. Amongst them was George. The CWGC records his name and he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing.

    Colin Hendrie




    242019

    Pte. James Martin 5th Btn. Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry (d.19th August 1917)

    James Martin was invalided out of the 5th Battalion of the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry Regiment with shrapnel wounds deep in his chest. He was not fit to serve but nevertheless was recalled in the summer of 1917. He said goodbye to his young brother Arthur (my father) on the platform at Long Hanborough station in Oxfordshire and said he would never return. A few weeks later on 19th August 1917 and aged just 23 years he was killed in action at the Battle of Passchendaele. He is remembered at Tyne Cot cemetery near Ypres. My second name is James in his proud memory.

    Peter Martin




    242018

    Pte. Alex Agnew Wilkie 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.17th June 1917)

    <p>

    Alex Wilkie served with the 1st Gordon Highlanders.

    Barbara Armstrong




    242016

    Capt. James Henry Webster Hay 9th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.30th November 1915)

    <p>James Hay with his son Douglas

    James Hay is my grandmother's father who served in the Sudan Campaign and then on the Western Front in WWI. She remembers as a small girl seeing the drummer boys at Fort George sleeping with their drums in alcoves in the fort walls. My aunt has letters written to my grandmother by him from the Western Front in 1914 and 1915.

    Rosie Edge




    242014

    Pte. Harold Edwin Rosevear 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    Harold Rosevear enlisted on 8th December 1915. He was initially posted to the 2/5th battalion of The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. He embarked at Folkestone on 12th September 1917 and disembarked at Boulogne. He was then posted to 3/4th Battalion, arriving at the infantry base in Etaples. He was then posted to 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment and was noted as in the field on 16th September 1917. On 3rd October 1917 he was wounded in action, receiving gunshot wounds to the head and leg.





    242008

    Pte. William James Campbell 1st/6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.31st July 1917)

    My paternal grandmother's younger brother, William Campbell, was posted missing, presumed killed after being wounded in both legs. His brother-in-law, Harry Merchant, was going up the line with the Cameron Highlanders, and saw Will being carried past on a stretcher. He called out, "I've got a Blighty" meaning he would be sent home to the UK for treatment. After that, said Harry, there was a heavy shelling, and Will was not seen alive again. He was 19 years old.

    Frances Houston




    242007

    Pte. Michael "Ginger" Overs Rifle Brigade

    My father, Michael Overs, was wounded but went back to the lines. He was born on 16th August 1890. He always told us how garlic prevented a lot of infection amongst his comrades. He went in as a Jack-the-lad and came out a confirmed atheist and philosophical person after having to listen to all the rubbish about "God being on our side".

    Louis Overs




    242003

    Pte. Joseph Hillas 2/7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th March 1918)

    None of my family are alive who may have met my great uncle, Joe Hillas. His medals and death plaque have, sadly, long left the family and we have no photos of him. But I always remember him on 27th March. He has no known grave, but I have been to see his name on the Arras Memorial Bay 4. RIP great uncle Joe.





    242002

    Pte. George Albert Mason 1st Btn. Herefordshire Regiment (d.6th November 1917)

    I only know that my grandfather's body lies in Beersheba War Cemetery. It would never have been visited by any family, as my father was his only child and he did not know any details of George's army life, only that he died in WW1. It appears that George Mason went to war when his wife was pregnant with my father, but I am unable to ascertain whether he even knew she was pregnant when he left. I cannot find out when he left Hereford. He was killed in the Battle of Beersheba.

    Christine Rose Smith




    242001

    Sgt. Mornington Wisdom Sutton Army Veterinary Corps

    Mornington Sutton was born on 21st May 1888 in Hastings, East Sussex. He was married to Annie Stammers and worked as a groom at Silverhill in or near Hastings. In WW1 he was in the Army Veterinary Corps. He lived in 18 Aldborough Rd, Hastings and he was my great grandfather. I met him several times and have photos of him, he died in the early 1960s. His son, Mornington William Ian Hamilton Sutton, was born on 25th September 1915 and fought at Monte Cassino in WW2 where he was injured.

    Stephanie Russell




    242000

    Dvr. Albert Wright 35th Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery

    Driver Wright was the son of the late John and Elizabeth Wright of Kilmalogue, Portarlington.

    He was 24 when he died on 26th June 1919 and is buried in the east part of the Portarlington (St. Paul) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Clonyhurk, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241999

    Gnr. A. Oakley Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd November 1918)

    Gunner Oakley was the son of Mrs Hopkins (formerly Oakley), of Small Heath, Birmingham, and the late Charles Oakley; husband of Esther Oakley of Kilmalogue, Portarlington.

    He was 25 when he died and is buried in the north east part of the Portarlington (St. Paul) Church of Ireland, Clonyhurk, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241998

    Pte. Edward Trimble 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.4th November 1918)

    Private Trimble was the son of John and Julia Trimble; husband of Mary Trimble of Bog Lane, Kilmalogue, Portarlington.

    He was 31 when he died and is buried in Grave A.1.91 in the Portarlington (St. Michaels) Cemetery, Clonyhurk, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241997

    Pte. J. O'Neill 4th Btn. Leinster Regiment

    Private O'Neill died on 17th May 1919 and is buried in Grave S.3.18 in the Portarlington (St. Michaels) Cemetery, Clonyhurk, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241996

    Sgt. Thomas Davidson 184 Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.24th February 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Davidson was killed by a sniper. He was the father of three girls, one being my grandmother.

    Mark Armstrong




    241995

    Pte. John Flynn 2nd Garr Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.2nd June 1916)

    Private Flynn is buried near the south east boundary of the Owning Catholic Churchyard, Owning, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241994

    Chf Officer Joseph Chandler (d.5th February 1916)

    Chief Officer Chandler was the son of Mrs Chandler of 4 Windsor Terrace, Whitehead, Co. Antrim.

    He is buried near the south-west boundary of the Omey (Christ Church) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Omey, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241992

    Pte. Robert Sim 5th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.12th October 1917)

    <p>

    My great uncle, Robert Sim, was killed on 12th of October 1917 on the first day of the battle for Passchendaele, during Third Battle of Ypres. He is commemorated at the Tyne Cot memorial. Sadly, there was very little left of him due to the terrible conditions and the fierce bombardment that the soldiers were facing.

    I believe Robert had returned to the front after a break from duty. I am pretty sure that he was directly hit by artillery fire (possibly a howitzer round). Also his personal belongings were, unfortunately, lost so there s not much information to go on - just notes that were passed to me from my late aunt Margaret before her death around 2011. We went to visit her for the last time at her house in Harrogate.

    He was in the 5th Battalion of the Cameron Highlander's (known as the Queen's Own Regiment). This was predominantly made up of Canadian infantry. Robert lost his brother Walter "Wattie" the year before in the Battle of the Somme. He is commemorated at Thiepval.

    I went to both memorials to pay my respects in February 2016. Such a solemn experience that I will cherish forever. Without these men's actions we would not be living in a free democracy.

    David Sim




    241991

    Pte. George Munro 2nd/6th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.17th June 1917)

    Private Munro was the husband of Mary Hyslop Munro of 70 Crosbie Rd., Troon, Ayrshire.

    He was 37 when he died and is buried in the Protestant Secion 3. F. 3. of the Oldcastle Cemetery, Oldcastle, Co Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241990

    Pte. Michael O'Shaughnessy Depot Royal Irish Regiment

    Private O'Shaughnessy died on 12th January 1919 and is buried in the Old Kildimo Graveyard, Co. Limerick, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241989

    Rough Rider. L. Monaghan 2nd Remount Depot (Woolwich) Royal Army Service Corps

    Rough Rider Monaghan was 39 when he died on 23rd February 1919 and is buried close to the north-west corner of the ruin in the Old Kilcarne Cemetery, Kilcarne, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241988

    Spr. William Skelton Railway Operating Div. Royal Engineers

    Sapper Skelton was the son of Mr and Mrs Skelton of 8 Church Terrace, Bray.

    He was 27 when he died on 3rd March 1919 and is buried at the nearest corner of the ruin in the Old Connaught Burial Ground, Little Bray, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241987

    Pte. John Kavanagh 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st March 1918)

    John Kavanagh who served as P. Ashford, was the son of William and Annie Kavanagh of 6 Back St., Little Bray. John was aged 25 when he died and is buried on the far side of the ruin in the Old Connaught Burial Ground, Little Bray, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241981

    Sgt. John George Boyle 11th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Jack Boyle served with 11th Battalion, Rifle Brigade.

    Philip Boyle




    241972

    Pte. William John Broom 7th Btn. D Coy. Somerset Light Infantry

    William Broom volunteered in September 1914, aged 17 years and 3 months. He landed in France in July 1915. He suffered shrapnel wounds in the build up to the Battle of Guillemont and was brought back to Epsom Hospital. William then returned to the 7th SLI.

    He was taken prisoner of war at Fountaine les Clerc on 21st March 1918 on his way back to his unit after some home leave. William was taken to Giessen POW camp in Germany and sent down the coal mines to work. He returned to the Rhondda in 1919 and went back to the coal mines.

    Paul Evans




    241970

    Spr. J. Murray Royal Engineers

    Sapper Murray was 24 when he died on 28th July 1920 and is buried in the north-east part of the Oakvale Cemetery, Stradbally, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241969

    Gnr. L. Dunn II Corps Heavy Art. HQ Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner Dunn died on 1st December 1919 and is buried in the north-east part of Nicholastown Burial Ground, Tankerstown, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241968

    Pte. A. Coyle South Irish Horse (d.27th August 1917)

    Private Coyle is buried in the in north-west part of the Nicholastown Burial Ground, Tankerstown, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241967

    L/Cpl. Michael Kelly 5th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.18th April 1915)

    Lance Corporal Kelly is buried close to south boundary in the Newtown Forbes Old Graveyard, Clongesh, Co. Longford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241966

    Capt. Edwin Boyers Royal Army Medical Corps (d.25th October 1918)

    Captain Boyers is buried in a Private Plot, in front of the church in the Newtown Forbes (St. Ann) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Clongesh, Co. Longford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241964

    Stwd. Ann O'Callaghan SS Formby (d.16th Dec 1917)

    Stewardess Ann O'Callaghan was the Daughter of Mrs. Alice O'Callaghan of 41 St. Joseph's Terrace, Green St., Waterford, and the late John O'Callaghan. She was 52 when she died and is buried East of the middle path in the Newtown (All Saints) Catholic Churchyard, Rossmire, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241963

    Cpl. John J. Scanlan Postal Section Royal Engineers

    John Scanlan was the son of John and Ellen Scanlan, of Bishop St. Newcastle West. He was aged 34 when he died on 5th February 1919 and is buried in line with the gate in the Newcastle West (Church Town) Cemetery, Newcastle, Co. Limerick, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241959

    Helen Selby Steele Town Close Lodge Hospital Voluntary Aid Detachment

    Helen Steele joined the British Red Cross in November 1915 and served part time clocking up 2968 Hours in total, in VAD 62 at the Town Close Lodge Hospital until 31st of Dec 1918. She was awarded a Voluntary Medical Service Medal with a Geneva Cross second award bar.

    Brian Hill




    241956

    Pte. Herbert Wilson 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Wilson was enlisted in the 10th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry in May 1917. No photo of him in uniform was taken. He transferred to France after 6 weeks training.

    During the 3rd Battle of Ypres, 10th DLI advanced to Inverness Copse in late August. Herbert was killed on the 22nd August and has no known grave. His name is on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    David Lowe




    241953

    2nd Lt. William Bernard Spice 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment

    William Spice was my grandfather and I have a picture of him in his uniform. He was born in 1893 and died in approx. 1973. He was in the Dorset Regiment, 5th Battalion which I believe was a volunteer battalion (Kitchener's Army). I knew that he had fought on the Somme but it looks like he was in Gallipoli, Passchendaele and the 100 days offensive as well. This was not something that he spoke to anyone about to my knowledge. I would like to know more.

    I would have thought that to be a 2nd Lieutenant fighting in the above battles he would have to have done well to get through it.

    Trevor Langton




    241952

    L/Cpl. Albert Henry Standing 11th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.28th Nov 1917)

    Albert Standing disappeared when the Germans counterattacked at the Second Battle of Cambrai on 28th of November 1917. Unfortunately, Albert's sister, my grandmother Emmeline Ada May Standing, was placed with the Barnardo Homes in 1904 and she was sent to Canada in 1908, and never saw him again. She learned of his death, at some point in time, but by whom and when we do not know.

    Sadly, I cannot locate either living relatives or a photo of Albert.

    Richard Bates




    241950

    L/Cpl. Murdo Macrae 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry

    My Grandfather Murdo Macrae joined the 6th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry in 1908. In 1914 his call up was delayed because his wife died giving birth to his son Duncan Macrae. Grandfather was recalled in 1916 and while on the ranges in France was shot in the head. He was demobbed in 1917 and become a shell inspector in Beardmore Foundry Parkhead. He lived until 1959 despite being told by the army doctors that he may not live 6 months or go blind.

    Daniel Macrae




    241949

    Pte. Joseph Thornton Proctor 10th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.17th September 1917)

    Joseph Proctor was the husband of Ellen Proctor.





    241946

    Sgt. Thomas Robins DCM. 4/5th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    Thomas Robbins was awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as platoon sergeant when in command of his platoon in an attack on 15th of September 1917. Although wounded three times, he continued on duty until forced by exhaustion to go to a regimental first aid post. On his way there he assisted three wounded men under heavy shell fire. He had previously served with the East Surrey Regiment.

    Les Amos




    241945

    Pte. Richard Harold Royall 1/6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Dick Royall is supposed to have joined up at 15, originally with 1/6th Welch Regiment.

    Charles Gordon Clark




    241941

    Sgt. James Murphy 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.22nd December 1914)

    James Murphy was my Great Uncle. He was a brother to Private Patrick Murphy. Jim is remembered at Le Touret Memorial, France





    241940

    Pte. Jeffrey Lupton 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.25th September 1915)

    Jeffrey Lupton has no known grave.

    John Bell




    241934

    Pte. Harry Robinson 2nd/4th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.27th July 1917)

    Harry Robinson was born in Reagill, Morland, Westmorland in 1897 and baptised at Long Marton, the home village of his father. His parents were John & Agnes (nee Bird) Robinson. The Robinsons were a large farming family living in various farms in the Eden Valley, including Reagill Grange and Eden Vale, Warcop, where Harry was living when he enlisted into the Border Regiment. He was later transferred to the East Lancs.

    His Battalion were based near the Belgium Coast when Harry was killed in action 27th of July 1917 age 19. His family who were living at Barwise Hall, Hoff, Appleby at the time, were informed of his death. Harry is buried at Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium. His name is on the Warcop War Memorial.

    Andrew Wright




    241932

    Pte. Sidney James Richardson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th March 1918)

    Sidney Richardson of the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action on 29th of March 1918. Aged 32 years. Buried in the Serre Road Cemetery No.2 Somme, he was the son of the late James and Rebecca Richardson; husband of Nellie Beatrice Richardson, of Monxton, Andover, Hants.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241931

    L/Sgt. James Lincoln 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th July 1916)

    <p>

    L/Serj James Lincoln of the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action on 8th of July 1916. Age unknown. Buried in the Serre Road Cemetery No.2. No Family details shown.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241930

    Sgt. William H. Johnson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th July 1916)

    <p>

    Serj William H Johnson, 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action on 8th of July 1916. Aged 36 years. Buried in the Serre Road Cemetery No.2 He was the husband of Barbara Sarah Johnson of 61 Langhorn St., Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241929

    Cpl. John Martin Huntsman 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th July 1916)

    <p>

    John Huntsman was killed in action on 8th of July 1916. Aged 24 years. He is buried in the Serre Road Cemetery No.2. The 19th NF Battalion historical records show him as buried at near Beaumont Hamel. He was the son of John Thomas Braddly Huntsman and Catherine Huntsman of Martindale Bungalow, Low Westwood, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241928

    Cpl. Alfred John Axtell 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    John Axtell was killed in action on 24th of August 1916. Aged 28 years. He is remembered on the Thiepval memorial. The 19th NF Battalion historical records shows him as buried at 100 yards north of Hardecourt Aux-Bois. He was the son of Alfred and Martha H. Axtell of 19 Biscot Rd, Luton.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241927

    CSM. Thomas Chester Smyth 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Company Serjeant Major Thomas Smyth was killed in action on 30th July 1916. Aged 29 years. He is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery, Somme, son of James William and Susannah Smyth of The Gardens, Hartford House, Bedlington, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241926

    Pte. Joseph Brown 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Brown was killed in action on 28th July 1916. Aged 20 years. He is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery, Somme. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth A. Brown of 18 Blagdon Terrace, Seaton Burn, Dudley, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241925

    Pte. Reginald Davison 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Reginald Davison was killed in action on 27th July 1916. Aged 32 years. He is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery, Somme. Son of Robert and Mary Davison.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241924

    Pte. R E Gibson 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Pte RE Gibson British Army 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th July 1916)

    Gibson, RE, Private, 19/1272, Killed in action on 28th July 1916. Age unknown.

    Buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery, Somme, in grave C. 15.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241923

    Pte. P. D. Gibson 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Pte P D Gibson, 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action on 29th of August 1916. Aged 24 years. He is buried in Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery, Bray-Sur-Somme. He was the son of Fanny Lawson (formerly Gibson) of 21 Aged Miners Homes, Harton, South Shields, and the late Matthew Gibson.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241920

    Pte. Harry Grenfell Peach 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd August 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Peach was killed in action on 22nd August 1918, aged 19 years. He is buried in Arneke British Cemetery, Nord.

    Harry was the son of William and Alice A. Peach, of 27 Gloucester Rd., Chesterfield, Derbyshire. He was formerly an official of Thos. Firth and Sons, Ltd., Sheffield. Harry was born at Brimington, Chesterfield.

    Dave Willis




    241919

    L/Cpl. William Collingwood 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th August 1918)

    <p>

    William Collingwood was killed in action on 9th August 1918, aged 38 years. He was a member of Z Company. William is buried in Arneke British Cemetery, Nord.

    He was the son of the late William and Joan Collingwood of Lemington, Scotswood, Northumberland and the husband of Beatrice Ann Collingwood of Hedley's Buildings, New York, Shiremoor, Northumberland.

    Dave Willis




    241910

    Pte. Samuel Morris 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.19th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Morris was the young brother of my Grandmother Marian and the son of Sarah and Joseph Morris of Field House, Chelmarsh, Shropshire. Apart from one photo of him in his ASC uniform on a horse when he was a driver with No2 Coy, 22nd Division ASC, we knew little about him until I began to research our family history other than the fact he had died during the war. He was gassed on the 17th of November while on a working party at Shrapnel Corner and died on the 19th.

    My Grandmother's second son, born on the 17th of November 1917 was to be called Samuel, a family name passed down, but the family didn't know where Samuel was.

    Mike Brown




    241907

    L/Cpl. Richard Newby MM & bar. 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Lance Corporal 24483 Richard Newby of the 13th Cheshire Regiment was twice awarded the Military Medal

    Valediction: "I have read with great pleasure the report of your Battalion and Brigade Commander regarding your Gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field on 9th August 1917 at Westhock Ridge Ypres". Signed:- E.G.T. Bainbridge Major General, Commander 25th Division

    There is an additional handwritten note that is enclosed in a brass embossed plaque headed 13th Battalion The Cheshire Regiment. This title surrounds the Oak Leaf of the Cheshires, the only regiment entitled to this honour.

    Presented to 24483 Lance Corporal R. Newby "In recognition of his gallant conduct and Constant devotion to duty in the face of the enemy. By his bearing and deeds he set a glorious example to his comrades and worthily upheld the Honour and Tradition of his Regiment"

    Signed:- J.P. (unreadable) Lieut Col., Commander 13th battalion, The Cheshire Regiment. Dated - May 21st 1917

    On the reverse side of the above printed Valediction is the following handwritten comment:- "On Sunday 16/17 1917 during a minor operation carried out by the Battalion, this N.C.O. behaved with great coolness and contempt for danger, making several journeys across No man's land. His services were of great value to the Officer in charge of the operation." Initialled J.P.

    My grandfather lost his arm in conflict and was invalided out of the army.

    Elizabeth Jennings




    241904

    Pte. Richard Dillon 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th February 1917)

    Richard Dillon was my great great uncle who was born in Sheffield in 1884. He served with the Northumberland Fusiliers during the Great War. He died in February 1917 and is buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres in France.

    Graham Denman




    241896

    Lt. Leonard Haydon Taylor 16th (Canadian Scottish) Btn.

    From my grandfather, Leonard Taylor's memoirs:

    "I commanded the Signal Section for quite a long while, when, unfortunatelty I took sick with nephritis which affected the kidneys. I was moved out of the frontal area, and was sent to hospital. This was where I met the girl I eventually married, Ruth Dawn. (Lieutenant Ruth Dawn, Canadian Military Medical Corps, operating room nurse serving in Le Treport France). When I left this hospital (Le Treport) I was transported by hospital train to LeHavre, and was loaded onto a hospital ship, the Lanfranc. I was dressed in pyjamas and dressing gown. Soon afterwards a hospital orderly woke me up and asked permission to put on a lifebelt, we having left port some time back. I should explain that I was in a lower berth in the cabin, and opposite me, in the other berth, was a British officer, who had had his foot off. To make matters short, the ship was torpedoed out of the sight of land. I woke up and looked out into the passage to see if any help was coming, and when I could see that there was none, I asked the other chap whether he could walk with my help. I got him up on deck where the crew were putting everybody into the lifeboats. By this time the ship was stopped and she was rolling from side to side. One could try and drop into a lifeboat as it hit the ship's side, and there was an attempt apparently to lower it into the water. By some mishap, however, one end of the boat was lowered and the other remained stationary, plunging all of us unfortunate men into the sea, many feet below. The group of men stayed together, although the sinking ship was drifting further and further away from us. It was now getting dark, and I, for one, thought I was a goner. But some distance away there was a British destroyer, which lowered lifeboats. One of the sailors leaned over the bow and picked me out of the water by the scruff of my neck. That was the last I remember until I woke up on the deck of the destroyer.

    Eventually another sailor, noticing I was just shivering with the cold, brought me a glass of rum and took me down to the engine roon, where it was warmer. We landed at Southampton and I was taken to Netley Hospital, where I was put to bed, with a pair of dry pyjamas etc. Although nephritis was dangerous to the kidneys and I was supposed to avoid catching cold, I suffered no ill effects from my mishap.

    Upon being discharged from the hospital I was sent up to London for a medical board. The doctors were more interested in my experience in being torpedoed, and one asked me how much leave I would like to have, and he gave me a month. I had lost all of my kit in the water of course, and the people at military headquarters gave me a new kit allowance. After completing my leave I went to Tidworth where the reserve company of my regiment was. There I was given command of the Company of Signallers."

    Dorothy Taylor




    241895

    Pte. Lawrence Smart 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.30th July 1916)

    My mother, a niece of Lawrence Smart, died two years ago aged almost 105, the last person to have known him. Her memory of him was clear, as was her memory of the distress to his widowed mother and five siblings at his loss. Until three years ago, the only information the family had was that he was killed in action. Thanks to Forces War records I found out where he is buried, the date of his death and the details of the battle at Guillemont in which he was killed, aged 26. This meant a great deal to my mother, even after nearly a century and, before she died, I visited his grave on her behalf.

    She remembered him packing a kitbag before returning to France and wrapping puttees over his trousers. She asked him what they were for. He laughed and said it was to stop the rats running up his legs. Until near the end of her life she thought he was just joking with a little girl. Sadly, there is no photo of him, only her description.

    Brock




    241894

    L/Cpl. C. W. Hunt 2nd/12th (The Rangers) Btn. London Regiment (d.23rd May 1917)

    I found mention of Lance Corporal Hunt 2nd/12th Battalion, London Regiment in France at Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Mory. I was researching my grandmother's brother, Rifleman Herbert William Alland of 2nd/12th London Rangers, who was killed that same day. They must have known each other. I also found that 471880 Rifleman Arthur Charles Foulsham and 471845 Rifleman Wilfrid Leslie Bradley of 2nd/12th London Regiment also died that same day, presumably in the same action at Arras.

    Clive Hunt




    241892

    Pte. Charles Bishop 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.30th May 1918)

    Charles Bishop was my Husbands great uncle, we have been trying to find more information about him. His name is on the Soissons Memorial.

    Heidi Andrews




    241888

    Pte. J. Woods 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Private J Woods of the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action on 1st November 1917. He is buried in Dozinghem Military cemetery, Poperinge. No family details shown.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241887

    Pte. S. Watson 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Private S Watson of the 19th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action on 23rd of October 1917. Age 21 years. He is buried in Dozinghem Military cemetery, Poperinge. Son of Jenny Watson of The Club House, Briar Dene, Whitley Bay, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241886

    Sgt Robert Orwin 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Serjeant R Orwin served with 19th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 24th of November 1917. Age 37 years. He is buried in Dozinghem Military cemetery, Poperinge. Son of Catherine and the late James Orwin, husband of S. H. Orwin, of 43 Breamish St, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241885

    Pte. E. Troop 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Private E Troop served with the 19th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action on 25th of November 1917. Age unknown. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241884

    Cpl. Charles Ernest French 7th Battalion Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.27th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Charles French was one of four brothers who died in battle during WW1. Two served in the BEF and two in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Sadly, their deaths so weighed on the family that these gallant brothers were rarely mentioned after the war. My grandmother Josephine was their sister.

    Alan Smith




    241883

    2nd Lt. Richard Dellow 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Jul 1919)

    Second Lieutenant Richard Dellow of the 19th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers died of sickness on 8th of July 1919. Aged 25 years. He is buried in Gateshead East Cemetery with a Family Gravestone, not a CWGC one, in the Catholic side of the cemetery. Take the path from the rear of the Catholic chapel, take 2nd left and it's just on the left. He was the son of Richard and Theresa Dellow of 7 High West St, Gateshead.

    The 19th Battalion records show that 2nd Lt Dellow, joined the Battalion in France on 15th of February 1917 and was later evacuated to England as he was sick. He died on 8th July 1919. From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241880

    Pte. Ernest Whittaker 20th (5th City) Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Ernest Whittaker was my father's brother, I know very little about him only a roll of honour from Levenshulme Congregational Church saying: "Served with His Majesty's forces in the Great war of 1914-18"





    241877

    William Roberts Royal Army Service Corps

    My Grandfather, William Roberts, born 1899, Ruthin, Wales, was in the Royal Army Service Corps in the battle of Dunkirk. He was captured by the Nazi and spent five years as a POW, in Poland. He was also in the Army in 1918 in Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry but this part of his war records have not been located by us.

    Kevin Carroll




    241874

    Pte. Robert Smith 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.21st May 1918)

    My dear grandad Robert Smith, may he rest in peace, was killed in what was known as the big push on the 21st of May 1918. My grandma, now deceased, was understandably very reluctant to tell me anything about the war but did say that on my grandad's last leave he told her that he didn't think he would be coming home. Of course, she told him not to say such things but this turned out to be true.

    Further info from some surviving colleagues suggests that the story was that my grandad and others went to advance over the top and under heavy artillery fire, they dived for cover in a shell crater but a shell from big bertha gun followed them in.

    So sad, but we shall remember him and all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice with love and gratitude. May they all rest in heavens peace.

    Gerry Francis




    241870

    Lt. Maurice Willoughby Tweedy Army Pay Corps (d.29th Oct 1917)

    Lt. Maurice Tweedy died in hospital.

    David Adams




    241865

    Matron Alma Louisa Bennett HMHS Herefordshire

    Alma Bennett was Matron in charge of nursing on the HMHS Herefordshire, when it was a hospital ship, between Bombay, India and Shatt Arab on the Tigris River in May and June 1917.

    Heather Lane




    241863

    Pte. Alexander Hill 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.16th August 1917)

    Private Alexander Hill is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Robert




    241862

    Pte. Richard Robinson 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.10th November 1914)

    Richard Robinson was my grandad's brother. I never knew him. He died at Flanders (no details) age 32. I believe he was in the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment and he originated from Walsden, Todmorden but lived in South Africa. He is laid to rest at Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck. If anyone has any more information it would be much appreciated.

    Nancy Laverty




    241859

    Spr. Alfred James Richards 255 Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers

    My grandfather, Alfred Richards, enlisted in the Army on 3rd July 1914, into the 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. His rank was Private, and his Army Number 12411. Some time after this he transferred to the Royal Engineers, Tunnelling Company No. 255. His new Rank was Sapper and his Army Number 151541.

    The 255th Tunnelling Company was formed in January 1916 by taking some officers and men from the 173rd Tunnelling Company, and moving into the Red Lamp Neuve-Chapelle sector. They were relieved in the area by the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company early in spring 1916. Alfred was engaged in digging subways to the Vimy Ridge front early in 1917. The 255th also constructed two underground 50,000-gallon water reservoirs for use of troops in the upcoming battle for Vimy Ridge of April 1917. Late in 1917 part of the company was working in tunnels near Givenchy. They were forced to move from camp at Boeschepe in April 1918, when the enemy broke through the Lys positions. The 255th were then put on duty that included digging and wiring trenches over a long distance from Reninghelst to near St Omer.

    He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    Fred




    241856

    Rflmn. James Ewing 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.28th December 1914)

    <p>I think James Ewing is in the middle. Taken prewar in Malta, where 2nd Batt were garrison troops

    My grandfather was George Morrison Ronaldson, born in 1872. He was married to Sarah Casey, and had 3 children - Mary (my mother), Elizabeth and James. George was with his family in Glasgow, working on the tramcars in April 1911, according to the 1911 census. However, sometime after that he joined the Army under the name James Ewing. He enlisted in Hamilton, the Regimental depot just outside Glasgow. I have a photo of him in a group of 5 soldiers taken I believe in Malta, where the 2nd Battalion were garrisoned, when war broke out.

    His age (42 in 1914) to me seems a bit old for a married man with small children to become a soldier. So the questions I have are - why did he change his name when joining up? Was it because he was married and married men were not allowed to enlist? Was there a scandal he was involved in and had to leave the family home?

    Anyway, James Ewing (aka George Donaldson) was wounded in the head on the 27th December 1914, at the front, at a place called La Flinque, Chapigny in northern France. He made it to No 11 General Hospital, Boulogne on the 28th December but died that evening. The sister who nursed him was given his address in Glasgow and wrote to Sarah his wife about his last words, his wounds, and his death. So George had at some time communicated to his wife Sarah, and had exchanged letters, I presume, but as far as the Army was concerned he was James Ewing. I know the details of his battalion in December 1914 as I have a transcripted copy of the War Diary compiled by the Adjutant of the 2nd Scottish Rifles.

    My grandmother Sarah maried William Docherty in 1920, it was her third marriage, she was previously married to Patrick Sweeney in 1916, he died in 1918. William was also a soldier in the 2nd Scottish Rifles, Patrick possibly was too.

    Archie Kennedy




    241855

    Rflmn. Herbert William Alland 12th (The Rangers) Btn. London Regiment (d.23rd May 1917)

    <p>

    My grandmother was heartbroken when she was given the news that her brother, Herbert Alland, had been killed during a targeted artillery barrage whilst he and a small section were coming down from the front-line after having survived some of the very worst of the fighting at Arras. My grandmother told me he had been allowed leave that day, so would have been looking forward to seeing his family, once he had made it off the line.

    Herbert has no grave, I understand that he and his fallen comrades were hastily buried and the burial site was subsequently churned by further artillery action. Like many other young men, only a faded inscription at the Arras Memorial. Pas de Calais, remains to record his sacrifice and untimely death at just 22 years of age.

    Clive Hunt




    241841

    Pte. Ernest Whittaker 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.9th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest Whittaker served with the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Sharon Cunliffe




    241838

    Helen Fairchild No.4 Casualty Clearing Station Voluntary Aid Detachment (d.18th Jan 1918)

    VAD Helen Fairchild arrived to serve at No.4 Casualty Clearing Station in the Ypres Sector on 22nd of July 1917. During the November fighting she was exposed to mustard gas and developed severe abdominal pains. Helen continued to work but just before Christmas a Barium meal X-Ray revealed a large gastric ulcer obstructing her pylorus. Doctors suggested that it had probably been worsened by exposure to poisonous gas. She underwent a gastro-enterostomy operation on 13th of January 1918. Initial recovery progressed well but on the third day she began to deteriorate and after going into a coma she passed away on the 18th of January 1918.





    241837

    Sjt. Walter Ernest Hennah 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.28th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Hennah was my Great Uncle. He was born on 28th September 1889 in Tottenham, London. His parents were Albert and Sarah Hennah (nee Manning) of 14 Scales Road, Tottenham. Walter had three brothers and three sisters. In 1907 at the age of 18 he enlisted at Stratford and joined the Border Regiment.

    The Border Regiment was stationed in Burma (now Myanmar) when war was declared and returned to England in 1915. In April of 1915 his Battalion was sent to Gallipoli. Sadly, Walter was killed in the first battle of Krithia on 28th April 1915. His name appears on the Helles Memorial as there is no known grave. Walter was much loved by his family.

    Colleen Britto




    241834

    Pte. Edmund Gallagher 18th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Edmund Gallagher was my great-grandmother's cousin. He was born in Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe in 1887, and worked as a flannel raiser in the cotton trade until he joined the army on 8th of December 1915 at the age of 28 years and 10 months.

    His service record shows he lived in Heywood with his sister Fanny at his enlistment, and that he was in 20th Welch Regiment from 4th March 1916, then transferred to 18th Cheshire on 17th March 1916. On 3rd April 1916 he was posted with them to France, where he served until 14th February 1919 (2 years 318 days). He returned to England on 15th Feb 1919, and was apparently demobbed on 16th March 1919 (to the Army Reserve). Edmund lived until 1960.

    Anne Nichols




    241829

    Samuel John Rowe

    <p>

    Samuel Rowe was my Great Great Uncle.

    Rebecca Harris




    241826

    Sgt. Charles Jones 24th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.27th August 1918)

    Charles Jones was born in 1881. He died on 27th August 1918, listed as died in action. He left a wife and three children - two boys and a girl. The girl, named Hilda, is my grandmother.

    Christopher Williams




    241822

    2nd Lt. Robert Douglas French 1/6th Btn. London Regiment (d.15th September 1916)

    Douglas French went to Epsom College and then to the London Hospital as a medical student. He was killed by machine gun fire leading his men at the battle for High Wood on the Somme on 15th September 1916. He was only eighteen.

    His CO wrote to his parents to tell of his selfless courage, carrying on when first wounded because all his fellow officers had already been killed. His name is inscribed on the Thiepval Monument.

    C McBride




    241820

    Sgt. Alfred James Cross DCM. 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    Great uncle Alf Cross was one of 8 children. He signed up with the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles when he was 18 in 1914. He was the son of Charles William and Harriett Cross, Ellen's Lodge, Ditchley, Enstone.

    He saw action in The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and the action of Bois Grenier (a diversionary attack coinciding with the Battle of Loos) in 1915, The Battle of Albert (the first phase of the Battle of the Somme) in 1916 and the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in 1917. On 18th June 1917, in the run up to the Third Battle of Ypres he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led out a patrol and established two posts about 70 yards from an enemy strong point. He set a splendid example of courage and initiative."

    He was killed on the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres aged 21.





    241818

    Gnr. Cecil Harley 76th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th July 1917)

    <p>

    Cecil Harley was fatally injured whilst with 76th Siege Battery, who were preparing a new position.

    Beverley Massie




    241816

    Pte. George Albert Summers 10th Btn. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    Bert Summers was killed in March 1918

    Anne Johnson




    241812

    CSM. Victor Thurling 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade

    I have a photograph of my grandfather, Victor Thurling, at Allan House where he convalesced after having been wounded. I do not know the date or his rank at the time. He joined The Rifle Brigade in 1912 and I think started he war as a Rifleman and finished in 1919 as a Company Sergeant Major.





    241808

    Austen E. Gryst 12th Australian Field Ambulance

    Austen Gryst was my Great uncle

    M G Versteeg




    241798

    L/Cpl. Thomas Walter Davenport 10th Btn, B Coy. Cheshire Regiment (d.19th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Davenport, born 1894 in Northwich, Cheshire, died from wounds at Etaples Military Hospital on the 19th of July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. He is buried at Etaples. He had enlisted at Northwich, on the 3rd of September 1914 and trained at Chester and Aldershot.

    He fought at the Battle of the Somme where he was severely wounded near La Boiselle in the shoulder and carried back by his pals to safety. He was transported to Etaples Military Hospital where he died from his wounds a few days later. The Matron of the hospital and his immediate officer wrote to his parents.

    On 20th of June 2014 his remaining photographs, documents, War Office correspondence (from his officer and matron to his parents), Northwich Guardian obituary, personal effects etc. were part of an exhibition at the Peoples' History Museum Manchester, A Land Fit for Heroes: War & the Working Class 1914-1918 which was opened by Tristram Hunt MP and lasted for seven months.

    He is remembered on a monument erected in his home town of Northwich, Cheshire, erected in 1925.

    10th Cheshire Regiment B Company, 3rd row from top 5th from the left

    Memorial card

    Shrapnel from his wound and dog tag.

    Martin Faulkner




    241797

    Pte. Joseph Martin 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    Joseph Martin served with the 13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    Jean Kimber




    241796

    Sto. John William Little HMS E36 (d.19th Jan 1917)

    Stoker John Little died when the submarine he served on, HMS E36, was lost with all hands in the North Sea following a collision with HMS E43, another submarine whilst on patrol.

    Andy Jensen




    241793

    Pte. William Thomas 10th (Pioneer) Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

    I recently bought a copy of The Illustrated War Record. Hand written in the front is: 'William Thomas. Born 1882. Died 1938. Served 1914-1915 in Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. Wounded in leg at Abbeville France on July 25th 1915.'

    Research suggests his service number may be 24288.

    Peter Jones




    241784

    Pte. John William Cotton 12th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.24th Aug 1916)

    John Cotton was born in Salford Manchester in 1888. He married Georgina Wilkes in 1906 and they had three children before he went off to war, they were John William born 14th Oct 1908, Isabella born 12th Aug 1911 and Gladys born 14th Sep 1914. Whilst doing his army training he was put on a charge for being drunk in charge of government property, this earned him 10 days confined to barracks. He embarked for France on 24th of July 1915 I am uncertain of his whereabouts after that but on 24th of August 1916, he was wounded. He died of his wounds the same day. His widow Georgina received twenty shillings and six pence a week widows pension.

    David Edwards




    241780

    Pte. Richard Makin 18th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.22nd October 1917 )

    <p>

    Richard Makin was posted as missing, body was never recovered. He was 22 years old. He is remembered with Honour on the Tyne Cot Memorial

    Colin




    241777

    Pte. William Fredrick Beauchamp 1st Reserve Coy. Army Service Corps (d.23rd Nov 1918)

    My grandfather William Beauchamp was born Grantham and spent his early years living in Doncaster. In 1911 he went to Ruskin College Oxford leaving during 1913. He joined the Army in 1916 aged thirty years and served on the Western Front. He died 23rd Nov 1918 in the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich and is buried in Doncaster Old Cemetery, Yorkshire.

    Sandra Spark




    241775

    Cpl. John George Morrison 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.22nd May 1918)

    My grandfather John Morrison joined the 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during 1914 and died on 22nd of May 1918 whilst fighting with the Fifth Army. He has no known grave but is remembered on The Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.

    Sandra Spark




    241767

    Pte. Edward Looby 66th Field Bakery Army Service Corps (d.30th October 1918)

    Private Looby was the husband of Annie Looby of King St., Clonmel.

    He was 50 years old when he died and is buried on the east boundary of site of the old Church in the Newcastle Old Catholic Graveyard, Templetenny, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241765

    Capt. Arthur William Scrivener MC. 1/10th Btn. London Regiment (d.2nd November 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Scrivener was born in 1894 and attended Dartford Grammar School and some of his deeds were recorded in the school magazine, the Dartfordian. He wrote to the magazine in 1916 to describe the fighting in Gallipoli and his subsequent evacuation to Egypt, and then again in 1917 to describe his experiences in Egypt describing his work alongside Indian camel cavalry and the Bedouin. He was awarded the MC in 1917 and the following description of his achievement was published in the Summer 1917 Dartfordian:

    "Capt. Scrivener was at Dartford Grammar School from January 1908 to December 1910, and was a keen member of the OTC. Shortly after leaving school he became interested in a newly raised batt. of the London (Territorial) Regt. and even designed its regimental badge. He was gazetted captain prior to the war and we believe, we are right in saying, that at that time he was the youngest captain in the Imperial Forces. In July 1915 Capt. Scrivener's regiment proceeded to Gallipoli and on withdrawal of the troops from the peninsula went to Egypt and was for a time on the Western Frontier. It again went into action with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Palestine and at the battle of Gaza where he won the MC Capt. Scrivener was wounded. We are glad to state that he has now fully recovered and has rejoined his regiment."

    Scrivener was killed at Gaza on the 2nd of November, and the following obituary appeared in the Winter 1917 Dartfordian:

    "Scrivener was at Dartford Grammar School from January 1908 to December 1910, and was an enterprising member of the OTC. He joined his regiment, a London territorial one, on leaving school, and gained his captaincy before war broke out, when he was only 19 years old. In July 1915, the regiment went to Gallipoli where they suffered heavily. On the withdrawal of the troops from the peninsula, Capt. Scrivener served for a time on the Western Frontier of Egypt, during which period he learnt to speak and write Arabic fluently. From Egypt he went to Palestine and won the MC and was wounded in front of Gaza last April. After a brief spell in hospital he returned to the Battle of The Gate (Gaza) and was killed in action on November, 3rd, four days prior to the fall of the city for which he had fought so long, a fortnight after his 23rd birthday."

    The CWGC records show that he was the son of Edith Mary Scrivener of Sidcup, Kent. To this day the prize for the yearly house competition at the school is the Scrivener Shield, a trophy presented to the school by his mother and which has the badge from his cap set into it.

    The letters written by Scrivener are as follows:

    Spring 1916 Dartfordian:

    A copy of the magazine came from Dines this morning, and I read it; it was absolutely refreshing to hear of the old school again, although there are so many strange names.

    We left England on the 29th of July, and arrived at Mudros on the 3rd of August. We came out on the Aquitania, and had a very good voyage. The Battalion went up to the Peninsula on the 10th of August, but I was left at Mudros with 200 men until the 16th, when I joined them at Suvla.

    It was pretty tough going there, we lost 400 men in one afternoon, during an advance against the Anafarta Hills. After this we dug ourselves in as best we could, but it was nearly all rock where our line was, so we could only get down a couple of feet at the most, and we had to lie absolutely flat during the day, unable to move without a squall of shrapnel being turned on us. As we were enfiladed by snipers from the Kiretch Tipe Sirt, and could get no water at all till dark, and then only a bottleful, it was very unpleasant, especially as it was between 90 and 100 degrees in the shade during the day, and there we had no shade.

    At the end of August we shifted to the Sari Bair at Anzac, and we were there till the 4th December. I got a dose of gastroenteritis, and did not rejoin until the 14th, so I missed the Anzac show.

    They've sent us to Egypt now; we were at Sidi Bishi, near Alexandria, for a week or so, and are now somewhere on the Western Frontier, where there have been one or two raids, but nothing has come our way as yet.

    We are close to the borders of the Libyan Desert, within a three hours march, in fact. The country is absolutely dead flat, and there is a strong salt deposit. Water has to come from Alexandria by rail to the nearest town, 20 miles away, and from there by a ramshackle light railway falling to bits with age and neglect.

    The native villages are for the most part filthy beyond description; we've had very heavy rains, and when we march through them, we're over our boots in sewage and filth, and all the stinks known to science come to greet you. H2S is a fool to them! Of course, it is not known how long we shall be here, or where we shall go to next, but, as they say here, It is on our foreheads.

    The fateful day on which 400 British soldiers are noted as being killed would be the 15th of August 1915, a day on which the CWGC lists 437 men as having died at Gallipoli, including 44 from the 1/10th London Regiment.

    Spring 1917 Dartfordian, letter dated 12/01/1917:

    I was jolly pleased to get a copy of the mag to-day, and to see the various changes. It seems a long time since I left, fellows who were in the First then are now in the Sixth! It must be nearly a year now since I wrote last: during the whole of which time we've been in the Desert of El Tib, in Sinai. It has been rather a rough time, particularly in May and June, when the daily temperature averaged 120degrees in the shade, and the Khamsim was blowing. The Khamsim is a strong south westerly wind, which invariably brings a sand storm with it, and the heat is like a blast from a furnace.

    The monotony of the last ten months has been rather wretched, in endless succession of long camel patrols with the Bikanceri and desert marches, the only relief being an occasional raid on wells away in the hills. The only fellows we've been up against are the Bedouin, the more reckless of whom sided with the Turks. They seem to be pukka men too, and must have a pretty rotten existence, wandering from oasis to oasis, with nothing but this awful desert in between.

    They're mostly of an exceptionally fine physique, and trek along with their scant herds and families. The hills our way were occupied by the Anhad Ali. Their agricultural implements are very primitive, and the only attempts at cultivation I've seen so far have been a few melon patches near the wells, and in a few of the Wadis.

    The desert in our sub-section is very undulating, with vast areas of ever changing dunes, rising from sea level at the canal bank, to about 1400 feet, thirty miles or so to the east, then comes to an abrupt ridge of limestone hills, well over 2000 feet high, and extending in a tangled mass half way to Kalaat-En-Nakhe. We've been down in the extreme southern end of the desert posts the whole time, and so missed the scrap at Romani. The Bedouin are first-class fellows when on their own ground, and don't give a hang for anyone. They sometimes have unpleasant methods with captured wounded though.

    It is rather hard to appreciate the tremendous difference between the operations in France and out here. Here, the distances are so vast, and the desert so immense, and in France, we seem right on top of each other. Our fellows are in first-class trim, and if pushed can cover their thirty miles in a day over loose sand, in fighting order.

    We had a very interesting trek last September, when we went out to Bir El Tawaal, and took the wells from the Bedouin. We covered rather over ninety miles during the week we were out, dislodging the enemy from his positions and followed him over a range of hills well over 2000 feet high for some miles. At one time we were down at Ayan Musa (Moses Wells), which is the place the Israelites first halted at after the trek from Egypt. We got a pretty big job coming off very soon, and we may with luck go to another fighting front further south. Gallipoli, Sinai, and who knows?

    With kindest regards to you all.

    Scrivener was one of more than 270 pupils from Dartford Grammar School who served in the First World War, 46 of whom were killed.

    Winter 1917 Dartfordian

    The Scrivener shield

    Scrivener's Cap Badge

    D P Barrett




    241764

    Sgt. P. Regan Irish Guards

    Sergeant Regan was the son of Mrs Kate Regan of Curraghtown, Brownstown, Navan.

    He died 30th January 1919 and is buried in Grave A. 189 in the Navan New Cemetery, Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241762

    Pte. J. Carroll transf. to (487906) Labour Corps Leinster Regiment

    Private Carroll died on 6th May 1919 and is buried in grave A. 710 in the Navan New Cemetery, Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241754

    Cpl. Louis Henry Summerfield 2/6th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.2nd September 1917)

    Louis Summerfield was born in the slums in Aston, Birmingham. He was one of four children. His father died in 1912, leaving his older brother, Albert to become head of the household.

    Louis joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment Territorials aged 18, whilst working at Dunlop Rubber Co. By 1917 the 2/6th Battalion were posted in Belgium preparing for the front line. Louis died at Pachaendale on 2nd September 1917 aged 21. Listed as killed in action. His name is engraved on the wall at Tyne Cot Cemetery. He is remembered on the De Revigneys Roll of Honour.

    There are no known remaining photographs of Louis or of any family momentos as the family home took a direct hit from a stray bomb during WW2. Louis Henry Summerfield was my great great uncle. I am posting his story in memory of the 100th anniversary of his death. Poppies will always grow in Flanders fields. We will remember them.

    Karen Bath




    241751

    Sgt. John MacKay Seaforth Highlanders

    John MacKay is on the Roll of Honour in Lewis and this states he was wounded five times.





    241745

    Gnr. Charles Hagan 180th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.2nd August 1918)

    Charles Hagan was killed in action at Salonika, serving with Balkan Forces. He is buried at Karasouli Military Cemetery.

    Stephen Turner




    241743

    Able Sea. Henry Cavanagh HMS Canada

    Henry Cavanagh was on HMS Canada during the Battle of Jutland. He was born in Duncannon Fort, Co Wexford, Ireland. He survived the war and died in Manchester.





    241741

    Pte. Thomas Holmes 2nd Btn., A Coy. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd March 1915)

    Thomas Holmes served in India in 1903, returning to England the following year. At this time he was placed on the reserve and discharged in 1907. August 1914 saw Thomas recalled back to the colours. At the time of his recall the 2nd Battalion was in India.

    The regiment sailed for England and landed in December 1914. The 2nd Battalion was then sent to France. After two months of illness, on 11th March 1915 Thomas returned to A Company in the Ypres Salient. Twelve days later he was killed by a rifle bullet.

    Andy Holme




    241740

    Cpl. Robert Roberts 17th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    As far as I can ascertain my father, Robert Roberts, was serving with the Denbighshire Yeomanry at the outbreak of WW1. At some point thereafter he became involved with 17th Royal Welsh Fusiliers and in September 1917 was reported as having been wounded in action.

    He survived the war but never talked to me about his service nor the severe wound he suffered in combat. How I wish I could talk to him now about his experience, which I am fairly certain involved his presence at the Third Battle of Ypres.

    Robert Roberts




    241738

    L/ Cpl. George Howells 3th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    George Howells served from 9th of November 1910 to 22nd of January 1923. He fought in Gallipoli, was gassed in France and also wounded (stabbed) in hand to hand combat.

    In 1923 he joined the North Staffordshire Regt. and served until 1934. He emigrated to Canada after WW2 in which he served in the Military police and Royal Marine Police Special Reserve.

    Derek Squirell




    241731

    Lt. Cecil Francis Blacker 2nd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.6th September 1914)

    Cecil Blacker was the Son of Major F.H. Blacker. At the start of WW1 he was severely wounded at the Battle of Mons on the 23rd of August 1914 and evacuated to Netley Hospital in England but died from his wounds on the 6th September 1914. The hospital has a military cemetery within the grounds, but Cecil was brought back to Ireland for burial. He was aged 25 when he died and is buried in the South-East part of the Naas (Mauldings, or St. Magdalen's) Protestant Cemetery, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241730

    Pte. T. Corcoran 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Private Corcoran was the son of Mr T. Corcoran of Kill, Tullow.

    He died on 14th March 1919 and is buried South-West of entrance to the Mullawn (St. Bridget's) Cemetery, Tullow, Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241726

    Pte. Thomas Manderson 42nd Btn. (d.9th July 1917)

    Thomas Manderson was a 26 year old laborer from Gin Gin, Qld. He enlisted 26th of October 1915 with his brother Charles (428), who was also killed in action while serving with the 42nd. Thomas embarked from Sydney 5th of July 1915 aboard HMAT Borda. After further training in England Thomas went onto France to join the 42nd Battalion in November 1916. According to witness accounts Thomas was killed by a shell along with three others at Messines, Belgium on 9 July 1917 and was buried with the other men in the Bethleem Farm West Cemetery, Belgium. Those killed alongside him were 1843 Hawthorn, 518 Johnson and 289 Chadwick

    Kathy




    241724

    Pte. Reginald Bowman Pattinson MC. 23rd Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>London Gazette Supplement 7th November 1918

    Reginald Bowman Pattinson was born on 5th July 1892 in Penarth, Glamorganshire. He was the son of Richard and Jane Pattinson. Reginald worked as a bank clerk before the war and lived in Wanstead, Essex. He was unmarried on the 1911 census.

    He joined the 23rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers as a private. He was in theatre from 23rd July 1916 to 11th June 1917. On 27th of November 1917 he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant (from Officer Cadet). [London Gazette 21st December 1917] Reginald was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and good leadership. He was now a 2nd Lt serving with the 8th Battalion, London Regiment.

    On 28th May 1919 he was promoted to Lieutenant while serving with 8th Battalion, London Regiment [London Gazette Supplement 6th June 1919]. It is assumed that they were demobilised about this time, but the date has not been confirmed. On 23rd January 1923 he transferred from 8th to 7th Battalion, London Regiment TA. [London Gazette 26th January 1923] On 15th December 1935 he transferred from 7th Battalion City of London Regiment TA Reserve to the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers, retaining rank and seniority [London Gazette 14th January 1936]. On 4th June 1941 he resigned his commission, retaining rank (Reg no 42824) [London Gazette 3rd June 1941]

    After the end of WW1, he married and resumed his banking career. He died on 20th May 1970.

    Bill Swift




    241717

    Stok1. William Jackson SS Parracombe

    William Jackson served from 26th Nov 1915 to 18th Dec 1915.

    Martin Manfield




    241714

    Gnr. Ralph Taylor 116th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Ralph Taylor served with 116th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Nichola Robinson




    241711

    Pte. John Gray 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.26th July 1916)

    Private Gray is buried near the North boundary of the Muff Church of Ireland Churchyard, Muff, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241710

    Pte. Patrick Kelly 5th Stores Depot (d.25th October 1918)

    Patrick Kelly was the son of James and Annie Kelly, of Foley's Lane, Tullamore. He was 18 when he died and is buried near the South-West corner of the Mucklagh Catholic Churchyard, Lynally, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241708

    Pte. J. Reilly 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.12th January 1918)

    Private Reilly was the son of T. Reilly, of Wagstown, Trim.

    He was 26 when he died and is buried about 11 yards beyond the ruin in the Moymet Old Graveyard, Moymet, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241707

    Pte. P. Mulligan 5th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.12th August 1917)

    Private Mulligan was the son of Laurence and Anne Mulligan, of Buckley's Lane, Maynooth.

    He was 25 when he died and is buried in the North-East part of the Moyglare Church of Ireland Churchyard, Moyglare, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241706

    OS3 Patrick Maloney HMS Vivid (d.10th February 1917)

    Officer's Steward 3rd Class Maloney was the son of Mrs D. Maloney, of Gortnamore, Moycullen.

    He is buried in the South-East part of the Moycullen Catholic Churchyard, Moycullen, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241705

    L/Cpl. J. Bannon 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Lance Corporal Bannon was 35 when he died on 28th May 1919 and is buried North-West of the Mount Temple (Holy Trinity) Cemetery, Ballyloughlon, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241704

    Pte. Joseph Dunne 5th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.4th July 1917)

    Private Dunne is buried in the North-East part of the Moorechurch Graveyard, Moorchurch, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241703

    L/Cpl. William Anderson 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.18th July 1916)

    Lance Corporal Anderson was the son of Joseph and Jane Anderson, of 12 Barrack St., Londonderry.

    He was 37 when he died and is buried in Grave VII. 8. in the Monreach Presbyterian Churchyard, Taughboyne, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241689

    Pte. James William Stibbards 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.26th May 1915)

    Pte James William Stibbards was my paternal grandfather's brother.

    Lorraine Lecoche neé Stibbards




    241687

    Pte. A. McBride 9th Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th June 1918)

    Private McBride was the Husband of Mrs. M. McBride, of Main St., Edenderry.

    He is buried Near the South-West boundary of the Monasteroris Old Graveyard, Monasteroris, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241686

    Pte. James Carroll 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th February 1916)

    Private Carroll is buried North-East of the ruin in the Monasteroris Old Graveyard, Monasteroris, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241685

    Gnr. W. Smyth Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner Smyth was 43 when he died on 2nd November 1920 and is buried In the South-East part of the Monasterevin (St. John) Church of Ireland, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241684

    Pte. W. H. Edghill 7th (South Irish Horse) Bn. Royal Irish Regiment

    Private Edghill was the Son of Mr. W. Edghill, of Cloneygath, Monasterevin.

    He died on 21st February 1919 and is buried In the South-East part of the Monasterevin (St. John) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241682

    Pte. Thomas McAleer 7th Bn. transfd. to (372946) Labour Corps Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.24th February 1918)

    Private McAleer was 50 when he died and is buried In the North-East part of the Monaghan (Latlorcan) Catholic Cemetery, Latlorcan, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241681

    Pte. John Hughes Depot Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.3rd November 1918)

    Private Hughes was 33 when he died and is buried in the Monaghan (Latlorcan) Catholic Cemetery, Latlorcan, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241680

    Sgt. P. Horan 3rd Bn. transfd. to (86917) Royal Defence Corps Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Serjeant Horan died on the 21st March 1919 and is buried In the South-East corner of the Monaghan (Latlorcan) Catholic Cemetery, Latlorcan, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241676

    George Frederick Lyons HMS Greenfly

    My father served as a steward on the gunboat HMS Greenfly in Syria. We have learnt that this boat had a very eventful life in Mesopotamia. He rarely spoke but he did speak to us about his travels as he was sworn to secrecy. Hestated that, at one point, the gunboat was sold to the Arabs with a lot of loss of life, but later recaptured. Is there any truth in this or information you might have which would help our family who are compiling our family histories? Thank you in advance for your help.

    Norman Lyons




    241674

    L/Bdr. James Winchester CdG. 169th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    James Winchester served with 169th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. We have been trying to research my grandfather's war history. We knew he had the French and Belgium Croix de Guerre and also the Order of Phillip, but only recently found his R.G.A. battery number.

    Richard Winchester




    241673

    Pte. John Banks 2nd Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.27th August 1917)

    My Gran's brother, John Banks, was born in Ireland on 27th June 1898. He worked as a trolley boy on a bus in Manchester. He lived in Miles Platting, Manchester. John was working one day when some women passengers showed a white feather to the driver and John. The driver stopped the bus and they both went and joined up. John joined up on 17th October 1915, he was under age being only 17 years old. He gave his age as 19 yrs and 4 months.

    He lost his life whole serving attached to the 13th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. He is buried in the Dorian Military Cemetery. He is also remembered on the plaque outside Queens Rd Bus Depot in Manchester, Lancashire.

    Jose Johnson




    241668

    L/Cpl. Thomas Macgregor Sharp 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.17th Sep 1916)

    My grandmother's brother Thomas Sharp died in the Somme Battle and is buried at Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension in France. The grave inscription is "Not dead to me who loved him dear not lost but gone before".

    Helen Pellatt




    241661

    Lt. Reginald Charles Hope "Roy" Bewes 7 Squadron (d.23rd May 1915)

    <p>

    Reginald Charles Hope Bewes was my great uncle. Known as Roy within the family, he was educated at Clifton College (South Town and Smiths House) in Bristol, and at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He joined the 1st Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment in October 1910, and was promoted to Lieutenant on 11 September 1913. At the outbreak of the 1914 - 1918 War, Roy was seconded for service with the Royal Flying Corps, and appointed Flying Officer in the RFC on 6th of August 1914. He served in France from September 1914 until 27 December 1914, and then had seven weeks sick leave. He then joined No 7 Squadron at Netheravon, and flew from Folkestone to St Omer on 9 April 1915.

    As a Lieutenant at the age of 24, he was killed when on reconnaissance duty, along with his observer Lt Frederick Hunter Hyland, on Pentecost Sunday, 23 May 1915, his RE-5 falling at Vieux Berquin in France, where he was buried in the village cemetery. He had gained for himself a first-class reputation for gallantry in the air. One of his enterprises in dropping bombs on St Andre Station, near Lille, was particularly meritorious. At the time of his death he was engaged to be married. His name is recorded in the War Memorial Arch at Clifton College.

    My wife, Nicola, and I visited Roy's grave on the centenary of his death, I paid for a pair of RFC wreaths from the British Legion and we took them over. Roy's observer, 2nd Lt Frederick Hunter Hyland, who was 23, from the Yorkshire Regiment, was also killed in the crash. I would guess that the relationship between pilot and observer would have necessarily been close and it seemed fitting that we should remember them both, so we laid wreaths on the two graves, which are beside one another. We were met at the main church of Vieux-Berquin (which was bombed by the British in WWII, though only because it was being used by the Germans at the time). Our reception party was 3-4 councillors from the town council of Vieux-Berquin, about a dozen or more members of Histoire Locale de Vieux-Berquin and about half a dozen veterans from the local veterans association including two flag bearers, plus the President of the French equivalent of the British Legion. Finally, to round it all off, there was a local journalist. At the cemetery, I laid a wreath on Roy's grave and Nicola laid the other on Frederick Hyland's. I then spoke for about 5 minutes - why we thought it was important to come over on that particular day, an explanation of the poppies (the French use a different flower) and an explanation of why they each had a Regimental name as well as RFC. Gerard Pique (retired English teacher) was thankfully there to translate. When I explained how moved we were that so many people turned up when all we were expecting was someone to unlock the gate, Gerard replied for them all that they were all still very appreciative of the sacrifice Roy and his observer made in the defence of France. He later explained that they honour all the war graves every 11th November, just like we do. Gerard's brother-in-law, Bernard Roussel, then suggested a minute's silence, which we then observed. We then repaired to the local municipal centre near the church where a presentation took place, comprising some words of welcome from the deputy mayor and a presentation of the historical society's research. In it, he explained the context in which the crash took place (the stage of aeronautical development, the dispositions of the allied and enemy forces, where Roy would have been flying from etc), plus what was known about Roy.

    He explained that there are actually Three accounts of how the crash happened: The first, described as a school of thought in the only source we know of, suggests it is a theory and not much more than that, this is the one that says it was a grenade on board that exploded. The second was from a French Army interpreter, who was working with the British; his account was the one about the pure white smoke of British Artillery; this fits with the positions of opposing artillery at the time and also with the observed circles the plane flew in as it came down. Also, it was an interpreter's job to pay attention to detail, so this is probably the most likely explanation and might account for why a school of thought came up with the grenade idea. The third was the one given in the local paper Le Cri Des Flandres, namely, engine failure, this does not fit with a plane circling down as a pilot's instinct would be to dive to achieve some speed before gliding to a field to land. We were given copies of the research in French and English, a book of the history of Vieux-Berquin and one of the two remaining copies of Le Cri Des Flandres of 30th May, with the report of the crash highlighted.

    Bernard Roussel, who had done much of the research, then drove us to Le Pont Rondin. The plane came down close to this bridge. Bernard, his sister Cecile and her husband Gerard then took us both for a late but very nice lunch at a restaurant in Hazebrouck.

    Wreaths laid on the 100th anniversary of the death of Lt RCH Bewes & Lt FH Hyland

    French veteran colour party, at the wreath-laying for Lt RCH Bewes & Lt FH Hyland

    Officers of 7 Squadron, including Lt RCH Bewes, before flying out to France No 7 Sqd RFC at Folkstone 8th Apr 1915.
Back row: Capt Small, Lt Bewes, Lt Spratt, Lt Wynne, Lt Broder, Lt Anne, Capt. Smith
Front Row@ Lt Rutledge, Capt Mills, Lt Adams, Capt. Moore, Capt Mansfield, Lt. Hunt. source: Flight Magazine 23rd April 1915

    Colin Bewes




    241657

    Cpl. John Salmon Army Service Corps (d.26th December 1917)

    Corporal Salmon was the Husband of Bridget Salmon, of Ballymurry, Co. Roscommon.

    He was 43 when he died and is buried In the South-East part of the Mohill Cemetery, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241656

    Pte. Michael Reynolds Connaught Rangers (d.5th March 1915)

    Private Reynolds is buried in the South-East part of the Mohill Cemetery, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241655

    Pte. B. Reynolds Connaught Rangers (d.8th October 1916)

    Private Reynolds is buried In the South-East part of the Mohill Cemetery, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241652

    Pte. William Edward Nicholas 8th Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

    <p>

    William Nicholas served with 8th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. He was awarded the pip, squeak & wilfred medals.

    Janette Johns




    241651

    Ldg Tel Robert James Packham HMS Marigold

    Robert James Packahm served on HMS Marigold 03 July 1918 to 18th December 1919.





    241645

    Pte. T. Hunt 8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Private Hunt was the Son of James Hunt, of Grangebarry, Fethard.

    He was 23 when he died on 1st January 1919 and is buried South-West of of the church in the Moglass Catholic Churchyard, Killenaule, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241644

    Pte. Patrick Carrigan 5th Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.2nd November 1918)

    Private Corrigan was the Son of James and Kate Carrigan, of Burnchurch, Killinauld; husband of Ellen Carrigan, of 15, Nowell Avenue, Harehills, Leeds.

    He was 31 when he died and is buried South-West of the church in the Moglass Catholic Churchyard, Killenaule, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241636

    Gnr. John Delaney 45th Trench Mortar Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.26th March 1918)

    <p>

    Don't know much about this uncle I never knew except bits Dad told me a long time ago. I just know it's getting to be 100 years since this young man. John Delaney, was killed along with his cousin and uncle whose names I cannot furnish here. I was told Johnny was a heavy gunner. My dad, James Wilfred Delaney, managed to see him by chance just before he got killed in France. He was my dad's older brother. My dad was the only one of the four family members who came back alive, surviving three telegrams home to his mother, and recovering from each shrapnel wound or bullet.

    He refused to talk about it much, married my mum and fathered nine children. I understand now it was his way of coping. He used the word "Combien" instead of "How much" for the rest of his life.

    Judi




    241633

    Capt. James Garfield Crawford MC. 2nd New Zeland Field Ambulance Medical Corps

    James Crawford was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at Messines.

    Tim Crawford




    241629

    Major. Gordon Galbraith 11th Battalion Worchester Regiment

    Gordon Galbraith was my grandfather. My mother had a typed carbon copy of a report of the Battle of Doiran, Macedonia. After reading it over, and searching on-line for the various names mentioned, I have found its source to be the "Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War" (1928) book. However an extra page has been inserted into the chapter on the 1917 Macedonia conflict: A living survivor of the Battle of Doiran, Major G.M Galbraith (then Lieutenant Galbraith, Platoon Commander of No.3 Platoon, A Company, 11th Battalion,) writes:

    "My platoon was detailed to carry barbed wire and stakes to wire in front of Point 06 after capture. Platoons 1, 2, and 4 were to proceed first. We were to follow. Platoons 1 and 2 went forward but no sign of No.4 Platoon, so I ordered my men to dump everything and follow. I felt that a gap in the attack might be bad. Proceeding down the slope toward the enemy trenches, a 5.9 shell burst at my right rear, killing my Platoon Corporal, and batman, and causing numerous casualties in my Platoon. My leading men were blasted back on top of me, and I could not get free until Captain Cooper rushed up and pulled them free. The blast burned the back of my neck and I was dazed.

    Gathering the remainder of my men, I went forward to the bottom of the Jumeaux Ravine, to find it well wired. I cut a path and about eight of my men crept through. The barrage was intense, but we were able to line up until a rocket went up a few minutes later. We charged forward, took that portion of the enemy trench directly in front, dug out a small post and mounted a Lewis Gun.

    We were immediately attacked from our left, but drove the enemy back with bombs. We had collected several buckets of bombs from our wounded who were sent back. I sent Private Auden with a message to Colonel Barker stating that we were hanging on, but required help. Several Gloucesters got through the barrage and reported to me. One by one however, we lost our men, sending the wounded back, retaining their ammunition and bombs.

    We were on the extreme left of Point 06 and enemy forces tried again and again to dislodge us, but we showered them with bombs until finally a Platoon of Bulgars by-passed us in the direction of 4 Platoon. Pte Sellman was about the only man left at this stage. We carried some buckets of bombs in their rear, and he steadily mowed them down with deadly accuracy. All was confusion.

    Finally Sellman was wounded at about the time that word was passed along to withdraw. We staggered back to our trenches, to find utter chaos. When I was able to get my men rounded up, we found that 29 out of 41 had been killed or wounded.

    At one stage of the enemy's counter attack, I fired my Very light pistol (green-yellow etc) asking for Artillery support. There was no response. What a difference a half a dozen 18-pounders mounted on our parapet firing point blank at their lines would have made. A creeping barrage up the mountain side would have been priceless.

    One felt lucky to be alive."

    Robert McAuley




    241628

    Sgt. James Somers VC. 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.7th May 1918)

    James Somers was the son of R.W. Somers of Cloughjordan.

    An extract from the supplement to The London Gazette, dated 31st Aug., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 1st-2nd July, 1915, in the Southern Zone of the Gallipoli Peninsula, when, owing to hostile bombing, some of our troops had retired from a sap, Serjeant Somers remained alone on the spot until a party brought up bombs. He then climbed over into the Turkish trench, and bombed the Turks with great effect. Later on he advanced into the open under very heavy fire and held back the enemy by throwing bombs into their flank until a barricade had been established. During this period he frequently ran to and from our trenches to obtain fresh supplies of bombs. By his great gallantry and coolness Serjeant Somers was largely instrumental in effecting the recapture of a portion of our trench which had been lost."

    He was 24 when he died in Ireland from the effects of gas and is buried West of the Modreeny Church of Ireland Churchyard, Modreeny, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241627

    Pte. Charles Merrit Depot Royal Irish Regiment (d.19th May 1915)

    Private Merrit is buried South of the Modreeny Church of Ireland Cemetery, Modreeny, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241624

    Pte. Leslie Price 18th Btn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.26th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    Aigburth Pal Killed.

    Information has been received that Private Leslie Price, of the 18th Service Battalion (2nd Pals) King's (Liverpool Regiment) was killed by a sniper in France. Private Price was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. John Price of 3 Ashbourne-road, Aigburth, and was twenty-two years of age. He was educated at the Liverpool Institute, an had been in the employ of the Liverpool Gas company for about seven years, being in the treasurer's department.

    He joined the Pals, on 31st of August 1914, and went to France with his regiment on November 7th last. Private Price was greatly liked by all who knew him, being popular with his comrades.

    In a letter to his parents, Captain Brocklebank writes- "Your dear son fell at his post on duty. Death was practically instantaneous, and in any case he suffered no pain. He was shot through the head. It might console you to know how highly he was thought of by all the officers, N.C.O.'s, and men in his company. He was never the slightest trouble, always willing, cheerful, and ready to do any work that was wanted. No one had had any easy time in the trenches lately, and the weather has been bad, but I never heard your son once complain. We have lost a splendid soldier and a Christian gentleman".

    A chum of Private Price's, Private John Irving of Mersey-road, Aigburth, who was with him when he was killed, was wounded the following night in the neck, and is now in hospital at Manchester.

    During his training Private Price won the silver spoon of his battalion in a rifle competition at Salisbury Plain last October.

    Article from Liverpool Echo on the 21st of March 1916

    Tim Gillard-Stapleton




    241623

    Private Walter William Waldram 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Walter Waldram, my grandfather was born on 26th of January 1896. He returned to Eston when he was discharged from the 20th Btn DLI on 1st of January 1919 from South Camp, Ripon. He married Edna Mary Muriel Leng on 22nd of November 1919 and they immigrated to Australia in 1924 with their children Enid and Alfred. He lived and worked in Kersley and Cessnock in New South Wales. He passed away in 1969. I remember him singing and whistling the DLI anthem when I was a child.

    Anne Haberman




    241622

    Pte. Wilfrid Batey 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.7th June 1917)

    Wilfrid is commemorated on this memorial. His parents were Walter & Annie Batey, who lived at 31 Oak Street, Haverton Hill. I am not related to Wilfrid Batey but I have uncovered his details during my research into the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial.

    Martin Dunnill




    241619

    Capt. Eugene John McSwiney Royal Army Medical Corps (d.26th December 1916)

    Captain McSwiney was the son of Dr. Morgan McSwiney and Margaret McCarthy McSwiney of Carrickboy, Co. Cork.

    He was 26 when he died of pneumonia at Devonport, England.

    s flynn




    241618

    Pte. John F. Hickey 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.26th January 1918)

    Private Hickey was 51 one he died and is buried in the South East part in the adjoining path in the Millstreet Churchyard, Millstreet, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241617

    Pte. Edward Gavin 8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.28th December 1914)

    Private Gavin was the Son of Edward and Kate Gavin, of Stoneyford, Dalystown, Mullingar, Co. Meath.

    He was 27 when he died and is buried In the North-East part of the Meedian Catholic Churchyard, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241616

    Pte. Michael Fursey O'Neill 5th Reserve Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.5th November 1918)

    Private O'Neill was the Son of John and Julia O'Neill, of Ballycomane, Durrus, Co. Cork.

    He was 35 when he died and is buried to the right of the entrance, beyond chapel in the Maulinward Burial Ground, Durros, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241607

    Cpl. Harry Saunders 9th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.5th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather Harry Saunders served with the 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment.

    Amanda Moger




    241604

    Pte. Alexander Hutchinson 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st May 1918)

    Private Hutchinson's sister lived in Manorcunningham.

    He was 19 when he died and is buried in grave 24 in the Manorcunningham (Errity) Presbyterian Churchyard, Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241603

    Pte. J. Barnhill 27th Btn. (d.14th August 1916)

    Private Barnhill is buried in Grave 81 in the Manorcunningham (Errity) Presbyterian Churchyard, Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    His brother, Robert, lived in Manorcunningham.

    S Flynn




    241602

    Pte. K. Meade Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st December 1918)

    Private Meade was 34 when he died and is buried in the South-West part of the Manor Kilbride Old Graveyard, Manor Kilbride, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241601

    Spr. Michael Clifford Inland Water Transport Royal Engineers (d.1st November 1916)

    Michael Clifford was 47 when he died and is buried in the North-East part of Mallow (St. Joseph) Catholic Cemetery, Mallow, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241600

    Pte. Patrick Roache 4th Btn. transf. to (412977) Labour Corps Royal Irish Regiment (d.2nd October 1918)

    Private Roache was the husband of Bridget Roache of 11 Cottage, Green St., Callan, Co. Kilkenny.

    He was 39 when he died and is buried in the South-East part of the Mallardstown (Whitechurch) Cemetery, Mallardstown, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241598

    Boy Alfred Henry Boucher (d.10th October 1918)

    Boy Boucher was the son of W. Boucher of Coastguard Station, Rush, Co. Dublin. He is buried Behind the Malahide (St. Anddrew) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Malahide, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241597

    Sto/1 Christopher Cronin HMS Swindon

    Stoker 1st Class Cronin died on 30th November 1919 and is buried near the road boundary, right of the entrance of the Lyre Catholic Churchyard, Knocktemple, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241596

    Rflmn. Peter Casey 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.6th October 1916)

    Rifleman Casey was the son of Mrs B. Casey of 6 Albert St., Clarkmore St. Dublin.

    He is buried in RC. 332A (on the West boundary) of Lucan New Cemetery, Lucan, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241594

    Kathleen Carroll Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps (d.19th July 1918)

    Kathleen Carroll was the daughter of Francis Carroll of Mullavalley, Louth.

    She was 27 when she died and is buried on the site of the old Monastery in the Louth Old Graveyard, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241592

    Pte. T. J. Smyth Irish Guards (d.10th August 1918)

    Private Smyth was 20 when he died and is buried in the South-East part of the Loughrea (St. Brendan) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241591

    Pte. J. Hession Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

    Private Hession was the husband of Mrs Hession of Cosmona, Loughrea.

    He died on 15th May 1920 and is buried In the North-East part of the Loughrea (Garrybreda) Cemetery, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241590

    Pte. John Casey 2nd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.11th March 1915)

    Private Casey was 22 when he died and is buried near the North boundary of the Loughrea (Garrybreda) Cemetery, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241589

    Pte. Patrick Barrett 5th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.13th August 1917)

    Private Barrett was the son of Mrs M. Barrett of Bridget St., Loughrea.

    He was 24 when he died and is buried in the North-East part of the Loughrea (Garrybreda) Cemetery, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241588

    Lt. T O'Neill 1/1st Queens Own Dorset Yeomanry (d.29th May 1919)

    Lieutenant O'Neill died on the 29th May 1919. He is buried in the North-Eastern part of the Loughcrew Church of Ireland Churchyard, Loughcrew, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241587

    Lt. Thomas Butler-Stoney 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.30th September 1917)

    Lieutenant Butler-Stoney was the son of Walter Charles Butler-Stoney and Ellen Cattley Kemble. He died aged 42, from wounds received in action.

    He is buried in the family plot, by the entrance of the Lorrha Old Cemetery, Lorrha, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241586

    Cpl. D. Daly Depot Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.26th December 1918)

    Corporal Daly was 26 when he died and is buried eight yards West of the main path in the Listowel Cemetery, Listowel, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241581

    Pte. M. Robinson 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th June 1918)

    Private M Robinson was killed in action on 16th June 1918. His age is not known. He is buried in Senlis Communal Cemetery extension, north west of Albert. The Battalion history shows his initial as "W". No family details are shown.

    Dave Willis




    241580

    Pte. William Atkinson Henderson 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th November 1916)

    <p>

    William Henderson was killed in action on 27th of November 1916. Aged 26 years. He is buried in Faubourg D'Amiens cemetery, Arras. according to the the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour. he was the only son of Isabella Henderson, of 1, Queen's Rd., Wooler, Northumberland, and the late James Henderson, husband of Annie Mary Henderson.

    Dave Willis




    241579

    Pte. Robert Halliday 19th Btn., X Coy Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th November 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Halliday was killed in action on 25th November 1916, aged 28 years. He was a member of X Coy. Robert is buried in Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras. He was the son of William Linsley Halliday and Mary Halliday; husband of Mary T. Halliday of 22 Claremont Place, Gateshead-on-Tyne, according to the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241578

    Pte. Abraham Chalder 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th November 1916)

    <p>

    Abraham Chalder was killed in action on 24th November 1916, aged 23 years. He is buried in Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras. Abraham was the son of Eleanor Chalder of 5 Burnside Cottages, Newbiggin-by-the-sea, Northumberland according to the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241577

    Pte. John Duxfield Bell 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th November 1916 )

    <p>

    John Bell was killed in action on 25th of November 1916, aged 28 years. He is buried in Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras. He was the son of Charles Bell, of 20 Beaumont St., Newcastle-on-Tyne, and the late Isabella Bell, according to the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    241575

    Drvr. Richard Jones Royal Field Artillery

    Richard Jones was a young man of 26, born into the mining world of the valleys of South Wales and felt a passion to defend his country against oppression. He enlisted and, after doing his 3 months training in Newcastle at No 1 Depot RFA, was sent to France on 26th December 1915. He was housed at Number 2 Royal Field Artillery General Depot at Havre.

    From there his movements are sketchy but it is believed that he was assigned to a Royal Field Artillery Unit that may have been in the 23rd Division and the 102nd Brigade Battery with connections to horses. He survived the war and returned back home. A badly damaged left knee during an engagement where he was kicked by a horse may well have saved him from being killed.

    He was a proud and dignified person who never forgot the values of life and the sacrifice that others gave for their country.

    Gregory Counsell




    241573

    Pte. Hugh D'Arcy 6th Battalion Leinster Regiment

    Hugh D'Arcy was my grandfather and I would like to find out any information on him (if possible). He served in Egypt and I think Bulgaria. We have a campaign medal, the 1914-1915 star and would extremely appreciate it if you had any more information.

    Stephen Shaw




    241570

    Pte. John Harold Pateman 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.22nd April 1917)

    Our own family history tells that Harry Pateman (born on 17th October 1897) was one of the boy soldiers who signed up before reaching the permitted age. His exact date of enlistment is unclear but is thought to have been 1914. What is known is that he died aged 19 years. His name is featured on the Thiepval Memorial and also on a memorial outside his parish church in Bedford, commemorating all those of the parish who died in the war.

    John Rentle




    241568

    Spr. John Munday 80th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.8th August 1918)

    <p>

    My grandfather, John Munday, was a Sapper in the Royal Engineers. He died of wounds at the dressing station run by No. 56 Field Ambulance, on the Querrieu-St. Gratin road, near Heilly, Picardie, France on 8th August 1918. He is buried at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    John Munday was born on 5th May at Havant, Hampshire to John James Munday and Kate Elliot. He was a carpenter by trade and married my grandmother, Amelia Grace Winslade, on 17th November 1912 in Portsmouth. Amelia's mother, Amelia Sarah Clarke and her eight children had moved to 135 Stamshaw Road in 1905 after the death of her husband. John and Amelia lived with her there. John and Amelia had three children, Edna May born on 6th April 1913, Doris Grace (my mother) born on 14th August 1914 and John James born on 27th May 1916. My grandmother was widowed at the age of 31 with three children under the age of six years. She worked hard to support them on her widow's pension.

    When my brother was stationed in Belgium with the R.A.O.C. he found out where our grandfather was buried and took our parents to visit his grave. I too have visited my grandfather's grave.

    Jean Crankshaw




    241567

    Gnr. Patrick J. Hickey 187th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.11th March 1917)

    Gunner Hickey was the son of Patrick and Mary Hickey, of Upper Bishopstown, Lismore.

    He was 24 when he died and is buried Near the South-East corner of the Lismore Old Catholic Cemetery, Lismore, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241566

    SN John Holland HM Trawler Holdene (d.2nd February 1917)

    Seaman Holland was 36 when he died and is buried South of the Lislee Church of Ireland Churchyard, Lislee,Co. Cork.

    On February 2nd 1917, Holdene was sunk by a mine from the German submarine UC-11 (Benno von Ditfurth), east from the Shipwash lightvessel. 7 persons were lost.

    S Flynn




    241565

    Pte. J. Cooney 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.21st April 1917)

    Private Cooney was the husband of Mary Cooney, of Church Rd., Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

    He was 35 when he died and is buried Near the North side of the cross-path in the Lisbunny Cemetery, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241564

    Pte. Martin Brindley 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.14th February 1916)

    Private Brindley was the husband of M. Brindley, of 165, James St., Dublin.

    He is buried In the South-East part of the ruins in the Lisbunny Cemetery, Lisbunny, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241563

    2nd Lt. William Brabazon Owens 35th Field Coy Royal Engineers (d.25th June 1916)

    Second Lieutenant Owens was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs W H Owens. His brother Lieutenant Charles Arnold Owens, West Yorkshire Regiment also fell.

    He died of his wounds and is buried near the Bridge Street boundary of the Limerick (St. Mary) Cathedral Churchyard, Co. Limerick, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241558

    Firemn. Dennis Cannon HM Tug Flying Buzzard (d.21st January 1915)

    Fireman Dennis Cannon was the son of J. Cannon, of Meenacurrin, Lettermacaward. He was 31 when he died and is buried in the North-East part of the Lettermacaward Catholic Cemetery, Lettermacaward, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241557

    Gnr. T. O'Shea Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner O'Shea was the husband of Ellen O'Shea, of Kilrush, Co. Clare.

    He died on 3rd January 1919 and is buried Near the West boundary of the Labasheeda (Killofin) Cemetery, Killofin, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241556

    S/Sgt. T. J. O'Connor Royal Garrison Artillery

    Staff Serjeant O'Connor was the son of Mrs Catherine O'Connor, of Castlecolumb, Knocktopher. His brother James also died on service and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, France.

    He was 28 when he died on the 23rd February 1919 and is buried about 10 yards North of the ruins in the Knocktopher (Old Abbey) Graveyard, Knocktopher, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241555

    Pte. Cornelius Hartigan 3rd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.28th November 1917)

    Private Hartigan is buried ten feet South of the ruins in Knockmourne Cemetery, Knockmourne, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241554

    Spr. P. Fitzpatrick Royal Engineers

    Sapper Fitzpatrick was the husband of Teresa Fitzpatrick, of Rathdrina, Beauparc.

    He died on the 29th December 1919 and is buried in the South-East part of the Knockcommon Cemetery, Knockcommon, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241553

    Pte. Bernard McEvoy 15th (The King's) Hussars (d.23rd October 1918)

    Private McEvoy was 40 when he died and is buried near the South-West corner of the Knockaroe Catholic Churchyard, Aghaboe, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241552

    Pte. George Watson Army Service Corps (d.29th July 1918)

    Private Watson was the husband of H. M. Watson, of Hillcroft, Clonallon Rd., Co. Down.

    He is buried in Knawhill Cemetery, Knocktemple, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241546

    Lionel Douglas Terry Hampshire Regiment

    From papers and medals and pictures I have I know my father, Lionel Terry, born 1897, served in Mesopotamia from 1915 (volunteer) till around 1920, transferring to the Hampshire Regiment and later to the police. He ended up in the Civil Service in London. I know he was a Lewis Gunner and had some special duties because of his languages which included Arabic. I know he entered Jerusalem with the Army because he sent the book with pictures and pressed flowers presented to British soldiers to his mother and now I have it. He told stories of a battle against Turkish troops where the goal was to control a field of water melons. He apparently escaped from captivity in a knife fight and he did have scars all over his body. At one stage he was blown up which I learned when I was about 15 because whuile he was shaving a opiece of shrapnel came out of a pitted scar neaer his ear and blood ran down his face and aseed-like bit of metal came out. Unforunately he didn't talk a great deal about the war but when I was about 6 I visited the regimental museum with him and he wore a Dorset tie. For a time he was in a mounted unit, I have a very old brown photo of him sitting on a horse which had what looks like a short sword under the saddle and another in which he had a large looking pistol on his hip, this in Basra.

    Christopher Terry




    241544

    Seaman Joseph Barrett HMS Briton

    Joseph Barrett was born in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, 8 November 1895. He trained on the HMS Calypso (12 Nov 1914 - 17 Dec 1914). Then, I believe, was trained/housed on The Vivid in Davenport (18 Dec 1914 - 2 Feb 1915). From there he was stationed on the Prince George (3 Feb 1915 - 9 Mar 1916) - The Dardanelles, HMS Pembroke (10 Mar 1916 - 26 Mar 1916). Lastly HMS Briton (formerly the Calypso, (26 Mar 1916 - 7 Apr 1916). His records then state - Completed Engagement.

    Marlene Stewart




    241543

    Pte. David Dixon 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    David Dixon died on the first day of the Battle of Somme. He is buried at Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval.

    Steve Hawrylack




    241542

    Ella Menniss

    <p>Ella Menniss, standing left.

    My great grandmother, Ella or Ellen Menniss, was, according to records, a part-time cook on night duty working at Berehill House, an auxillary hospital in Whitchurch Hants in WW1 from Nov 1914 to Nov 1917.





    241541

    Maj. James Arthur Pratt East Part Special List (d.25th June 1915)

    Major Pratt is buried In the East part of the Kinsale (Ringcurran) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241540

    Bdmn. Frederick John Gilkes 3rd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.6th Sep 1916)

    Bandsman Frederick Gilkes is buried against the west boundary in the Kinsale (Ringcurran) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241539

    Pte. R. Blair Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.6th December 1918)

    Private Blair is buried in the east part of the Kinsale (Ringcurran) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241537

    Pte. Charles Henry Thompson 4 Eastern Coy. Non Combatant Corps (d.24th August 1917)

    Private Thompson is buried in no. 68 in the North-East part of the Kilworth Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilworth, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241527

    Pte. Stanley Parr 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    I'm not sure when my grandfather, Stanley Parr, joined the British Army; whether he volunteered or was conscripted. He would have joined from his home city of Sheffield but it is uncertain how he found himself in the second battalion in the Royal Fusiliers, a Regular British Army formation.

    His older brother, Herbert Parr, a Private in the 9th KOYLI, died of wounds in early May 2017. His grave is at Warlencourt Halte, between Arras and Doullens.

    Both brothers are named on the Eccleshall War Memorial in Sheffield.

    We know Stanley was captured after being gassed and wounded, probably in late 1917. He spent some time in a POW camp, Fort MacDonald near Lille, evidently with many Portuguese POWs, before being transported east to Poland where he was put to work in a salt mine. On release at the end of the war he evidently wandered eastern Europe, probably with other POWs attempting to get home. He contacted Spanish 'flu in Switzerland but was nursed back to some form of health in a Red Cross hospital there. He returned to Sheffield in 1919. We have a small silver medallion he received from the City of Sheffield indicating he was a POW 1919.

    Stanley couldn't work properly because of his war injuries. He died in 1931 and is buried at the Eccleshall cemetery in Sheffield

    Tony Parr




    241523

    Pvt. Richard Jackson Douglas 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th September 1918)

    <p>

    Richard Douglas was my great granddad. He was a lay preacher. He had four daughters but every time a son was born he died so he threw away his cross and his Bible and stopped preaching. A neighbouring family died and left a young boy orphaned so grandad took him in and brought him up as his own son.

    War broke out and the boy was called up for war grandad asked his wife what should I do, she said you best go with him and make sure he comes home. Well, they landed in France together as part of Kitchener's 2nd Army in France 1915 and grandad was killed on the 18th of September 1918 and the boy returned home safe.

    B Fairclough




    241522

    Pte. Edward Lewis 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.3rd October 1917)

    My mother, born in 1911, remembered Eddie Lewis on leave in his uniform. She was very fond of him.

    Mererid Hunt




    241520

    Rflmn. John Loughran 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.9th July 1916)

    Rifleman Loughran was the Son of Felix Loughran, of 5, Euston St., Greenore.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried in the North-East part of Kilwairra Old Catholic Churchyard, Cooley, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241519

    Pte. J. Carroll 57th Btn.

    Private Carroll was the Husband of Ellen Carroll, of Doocastle, Ballymote.

    He was 38 when he died on 20th April 1919 and is buried in the South-West part of the Kilturra Cemetery, Kilturra, Co. Sligo, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241518

    VAD Sophia Violet Barrett Voluntary Aid Detachment (d.10th October 1918)

    Nurse Sophia Barrett is buried right of main path in the Kilternan Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilternan, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    She was a casualty of the Great War, Sophia was a Voluntary Aid Detachment member through the St. John Ambulance Brigade. She was a victim of the sinking of R.M.S. Leinster. The Royal Mail Ship Leinster, owned by the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company, was torpedoed in the Irish Sea, 16 miles east of Dublin, shortly before 10am on the morning of 10th October 1918, on its outbound journey of 68 miles from Kingstown [now Dun Laoghaire], Dublin, to Holyhead, Anglesey, North Wales.

    s flynn




    241517

    Pte. Patrick Costelloe (d.9th September 1915)

    Private Costelloe was the Son of Edmond Costelloe, of Boolteens, Castlemaine.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried in the North-East part of the Kiltallagh Catholic Churchyard, Kiltallagh, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241516

    Sgt. John Richard Jones DCM. 1/16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    My father John Jones served in the QWR throughout the war. He received the DCM in 1917. He was wounded in the war but I have no details as he rarely spoke about WW1.

    At the end of the war he returned to Whiteleys where he worked as an accountant but eventually left to enter the National Provincial Bank rising to manager quickly.

    Eirian Jones




    241509

    Pvt.2 Patrick Kirby (d.30th October 1918)

    Private 2nd Class Kirby was the Husband of Mrs. M. Kirby, of Broom Lane, Mallow.

    He is buried in the Kilshannig Cemetery, Kilshannig, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241508

    Eng. William Young H.M. Drifter Speedwell V (d.28th October 1916)

    Engineman Young is buried South-East of the Kilscoran Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilscoran, Co. Wexford, Ireland. His body was washed ashore at Rosslare after his vessel was torpedoed, driven aground and wrecked in St. George's Channel. Ten souls lost

    s flynn




    241506

    Ch.Off. William Stanmore Glover SS Mesaba (d.1st September 1918)

    Chief Officer William Glover was the son of William and Mary Ann Glover, of London; husband of Esther Mary Louise Glover, of 21, St. Paul's Avenue, Cricklewood, London. He was 39 when he died and is buried South-East of the Kilscoran Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilscoran, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    His body was washed ashore at Rosslare after his vessel was torpedoed without warning and sunk by German submarine UB118 in St. George's Channel, 21 miles north of Tuskar Rock while making a convoy voyage from Liverpool to Philadelphia in ballast. Twenty souls were lost.

    S Flynn




    241505

    Tmr. George Geddes HM Drifter Speedwell V (d.28th October 1916)

    George Geddes was the Son of Margaret Jane Geddes, of Tarwathie, South Pringle St., Buckie, Banffshire, and the late G. Geddes. He was 18 when he died and is buried in the South-East of the Kilscoran Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilscoran, Co. Wexford, Ireland. His body was washed ashore at Rosslare after the HM Drifter Speedwell V was torpedoed, driven aground and wrecked in St. George's Channel with ten souls lost.

    S Flynn




    241504

    Skipper. George Geddes HM Drifter Speedwell V (d.28th October 1916)

    George Geddes was the husband of Margaret Jane Geddes, of "Tarwathie," South Pringle St., Buckie, Banffshire. He was 45 when he died and is buried in the South-East of the Kilscoran Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilscoran, Co. Wexford, Ireland. His body was washed ashore at Rosslare after the vessel was torpedoed, driven aground and wrecked in St. George's Channel with ten souls lost.

    S Flynn




    241503

    Cpl. J. Carolan Leinster Regiment (d.13th November 1918)

    Corporal Carolan was the son of Andrew Carolan, of Mayne, Castlebellingham

    He was 32 when he died and is buried in the North-West part of the Kilsaran Old Graveyard, Kilsaran, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241502

    Pte. Michael Kilduff 3rd Btn. Irish Guards (d.11th November 1918)

    Private Kilduff was the son of Mrs Mary Kilduff, of Doonally, Ballydawley, Collooney, Co. Sligo.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried about the centre of the Kilcross Graveyard, Kilcross, Co. Sligo, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241501

    Pte. Thomas Towey 13th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.25th April 1916)

    My great grandfather, Thomas Towey, was killed in the First World War, probably at the time of the St Eloi craters. The story in the family was that he died of bayonet wounds. He left a wife and six children. He was the only person of the name Towey who came from Liverpool who was killed in WWI. He was born in 1871 in Liverpool and served in the King's Liverpool Regiment for around 17 years. He also served in the Boer War from 1900 to 1903.

    On his grave headstone it has his age at the time of his death as 54. This is wrong, it should be 45 years old. His son, Michael Towey, was killed in WWII - again, the only person with the name of Towey killed from Liverpool.

    M Towey




    241500

    Pte. Arthur Edward Rosling 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    Arthur Rosling is remembered on a plaque in Langtoft Village Hall listing men from the village who served and returned after the war.

    Nick Carr




    241496

    J. Scott Royal Field Artillery

    <p>J Scott in 1919

    My grandfather, J Scott, was in the Royal Field Artillery and was in the first Battle of Mons. He was retreating with his gun carriage and team but they were sent back to pick up some ammunition. He and another gunner were thrown off the gun carriage when it went over a narrow bridge and the carriage ran over his legs. His comrade was killed when it ran over his back. The battery continued with him on the vehicle but he felt he hadn't been that badly hurt so got down to walk then discovered that he couldn't. His battery continued and they lost him, so he crawled through fields until he met a Scottish fusilier who had been shot in the leg. They crawled further and were picked up by a general service wagon and taken to a field hospital in Mons. This was too dangerous and they were told to get out if they could. They were lucky enough to meet a French farmer also fleeing the battle who gave them a lift. Eventually the Red Cross got them to Amiens and from there he got to Netley Hospital.

    He was a policeman before the war and rejoined in 1918 and at some point was interviewed by the local paper, probably the Northern Echo.

    During the retreat from Mons, the gun on which he was serving was ordered to pick up some ammunition that would otherwise have been left behind. This was plied on the limbs along with a sack of corn for the horses. As the gun crossed a narrow bridge where there was a sharp jolt, the strap fastening the corn sack broke and allowed the sack to slide. This knocked Gunner Scott and Barr who had been sitting beside him off the limber. They were both pitched head foremost between the gun and limber and one of the wheels went ova Scott's left leg. Gunner Barr was lees fortunate as one of the wheels went over his back, and he died in Rouen. Both wen were picked up almost immediately by the battery Sargent Major who was following his battery. After having been carried a few yards. Scott thought his leg was alright and decided to got down to rejoin his battery and take part in whatever fun was going on. He had not gone more than ten yards however, when he found he had made a tremendous mistake. He was not able to walk another yard, but it was now too late to rejoin his battery, or any other British unit, as they had all proceeded on their way in the retirement. He had heard that the German cavalry was only half a mile behind, and there were many tales of the treatment meted out to captured soldiers by the enemy. He did his best to get away. He dragged himself over a turnip field and then over a corn field. At the far side of the latter he fell in with a Scottish Fusilier who had been shot through the knee. They crawled some distance together then rested beside a haystack. While there they were seen by the men in a British general service wagon, by whom they were taken to a temporary hospital in Mons. There Scott was given a cup of something hot, and then lost consciousness. He was awakened about half past one the next morning and the wounded men were told that the place was not safe, and they had better clear out. This information was given to them by a Sergeant in the Army Medical Corps, but he could give them assistance. The two men got on a waggon driven by an aged civilian who was endeavouring to make his escape from the neigbourhood of the battlefield it turned out that they were very fortunate, as the temporary hospital in which they bad been sheltered was blown up by the Germans three quarters of an hour after they left it. After having enjoyed the hospitality of the old man for a time the soldiers were picked up by a Red Cross waggon in which they were taken to Amiens. One of the first people Scott met there was Captain Bostock RAMC for whom he had acted as clerk while with the colors at Aldershot. From Amiens he was taken to Rouen and invalided to England and admitted to Netley Hospital Asked what was the thing that struck him mow about his trip. Scott made the unexpected reply. 'The cheerfulness of our men'. He had never seen such a happy let of fellows. The men in his battery especially were the happiest lot he had ever seen in his life. Even in the midst of battle when shells were bursting all over then, they cracked jokes, and had to be restrained from exposing themselves too much. It was all in the days week when they got warmed up. They were well treated by the French after they landed, and the officers of his battery were very good. His Major, who was a namesake, was married two days before he left England, being, away from the battery only a few hours for the ceremony. Bully beef, biscuits, and cheese were the staples of their diet while in France. His leg is nearly better now. But in his efforts to walk to rejoin his battery he strained himself and will have to undergo an operation. This he hope will not delay his return to the dront more than a month at the outside, and then he is anxious to rejoin his old battery to which he appears to have become very much attached in the short time he had had with it and he does not want tojoin any Other battery, and he will tell those responsible what his view are on the subject. He is not grumbling of course, but be gently remarked that from being mobilized on August 4th he has up to the present received the large sum of 8s Army pay. On the 21st of April 1915 he returned to France. On the 9th of March 1916 he returned to England where on the 14th April he was discharged from the army on termination of his period of engagement. He served 7 years 38 days at home and abroad Although discharged from the army in 1916 he did not rejoin the police until December 1918. Marked on his file that this time does not count towards his pension. He may have been involved in other war work, in munitions for example. In 1916 he married Alice McCormick at Chester le Street They had five children during their marriage Mariam (b 1917). James (b. 1918), Bridget (b. 1919). John (b 1920), & Teresa (b 1926).

    He returned to the war after having an operation - presumably at Netley in 1915 where he lasted another year but was invalided out in February 1916. He lived until 1960 and had 5 children and 10 grandchildren. I only knew him for a short while but he never talked about the war.

    Alice Potter




    241495

    Pte. John Herbert Millard 4th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    John Millard was taken prisoner in Salonica, ib April 1918, but after his release he lived to see his 100th birthday in October 1983.

    Ian Taylor




    241491

    L/Cpl. Ted "Wilson" Ryan 1st Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.13th March 1915)

    <p>

    Ted Ryan is my great uncle who I found while researching my ancestry. He went to war under a different name. I'm incredibly proud to have this brave man in my family history. God rest his soul.

    Kristina Stepp




    241485

    Pte. James William Fogarty 5th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.21st June 1917)

    James Fogarty was born in Liverpool in 1892. His parents came from Loughmore, Tipperary. He was one of 17 children. Five children did not live into adulthood. Of the 12 that did, only 2 were boys - James and his older brother Patrick. Both died in WW1. Patrick Fogarty died in 1915 in Belgium and James in 1917 in Salonica. Although they died 100 years ago they are still remembered by their family.

    Cath Palk




    241483

    Pte Samuel Forster 138th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.30th August 1917)

    Samuel Forster was a driver with the 138th Field Ambulance. Samuel had appendicitis and had surgery and seemed to be recovering well but later developed peritonitis and died on 30th of Aug 1917 he was 20 years old. Samuel had originally worked with the horse ambulances.

    Gillian Walsh




    241482

    Pte. William Peet 2nd Btn., B Coy. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.26th September 1917 )

    On 26th of September 1917, Private William Peet, a member of B Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) took part in the attack on Hill 40 at Zonnebeke, Belgium during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He was one of the 66 members of the Battalion reported "Missing, believed Killed In Action" in addition to the 44 known fatalities killed in the attack. He has no known grave.

    David M. Peet




    241481

    Pte. Gilbert Armitage 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

    My Father, Gilbert Armitage, was taken prisoner at Ploegsteert, Belgium in April 1918. After the Armistice he served with the East Yorkshires in Ireland.





    241478

    Pte. William Barrett 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.23rd April 1916)

    <p>

    William Barrett is my great grandfather. He worked as a glass blower in a bottle factory in Bristol, before joining up in August 1914. Serving as Private 10241 of the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, his unit sailed to France on 21st May 1915. He was wounded at the Second Battle of Bellewaarde, a diversionary attack to the east of Ypres for the larger offensive at Loos between 25th and 28th September 1915.

    William was evacuated back to the UK and on recovery was re-deployed to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, Pte 16207. The Battalion he was to have joined was already besieged at Kut Al Amara in Mesopotamia (Iraq). William was part of a group of reinforcements attempting to break through and relieve the British forces trapped in Kut. The last attempt to break through the Turkish lines was the Battle of Sanniyat. British artillery had failed to keep the Turkish troops away from their lines, who were able to fire directly into the advancing British forces struggling over open and flooded ground. Their attack failed with terrible losses. Kut surrendered on 22nd April 1916.

    William died from wounds on 23rd of April 1916, leaving his wife Sarah and daughter (my grandmother) Florence aged 6.

    Chris




    241477

    Pte. Daniel Canty 1st Bn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.8th May 1916)

    Private Canty was Husband of Margaret T. Shiel (formerly Canty), of Ardanoon, Rosslare Harbour.

    He was 28 when he died and is buried in the North-East part of the Kilrane Catholic Churchyard, Kilrane, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241476

    Pte. Patrick Francis MacNamara 42nd Btn.

    Private MacNamara was the Son of Mrs. MacNamara, of Quarry Rd., Thomond Gate, Limerick.

    He died on 4th March 1919 and is buried in the North-East corner of the Kilquane Cemetery, St. Patrick's, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241475

    Lt. Patrick Maurice O'Connell (d.15th October 1918)

    Lieutenant O'Connell was the Son of J. P. O'Connell, of Caherdaha, Macroom, Co. Cork.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried South of the Church in the Kilnamartyra Catholic Churchyard, Kilnamartyra, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241474

    Pte. George Ernest Coxon 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.19th September 1915)

    <p>

    George Coxon was killed by a sniper (family information). His brothers, Thomas and Robert, survived the war.

    Tony Hold




    241473

    Spr. J. Laffey Royal Engineers (d.16th November 1918)

    Sapper Laffey is buried in the North-East part of the Kilmoylan Cemetery, Kilmoylan, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241472

    Mjr. Cecil George Leslie MC. 3rd Dragoon Guards

    Cecil Leslie was aged 40 when he died on 11th August 1919. He is buried in the Old ground in the South-East part of the Kilmore Church of Ireland Cemetery, Castlegrain, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241460

    Lt. Alban John Benedict Hudson MC. 3rd Btn. B. Coy Worcestershire (d.7th June 1917)

    My Cousin Alban Hudson lost his life on the 7th of June, he was with B Company, 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, he formerly served with A Company, 11th Battalion. He is remembered on the WW1 Pershore Website. If anyone has any information about the circumstances of my cousins action, death or citation, I would much appreciate it. Thank You.

    Hugh Bailey




    241459

    Pte John McClatchey 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    John McClatchey served with the 16th Battalion and signed on in Lurgan I think. He left the family home on Barban Hill Dromore after the war around 1920 and never returned and his whereabouts was never known.

    In a book at home the following description is written in his own hand - but it is hard to decipher: "904 Pt John McClatchey 16 B g B No1 Comp 4 Platoon B E 7 feanel x"

    Neil McCartan




    241458

    Sgt. Charles Thomas Airey MM. 7th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.12th October 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Airey served with the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.

    Sue Rudd




    241457

    Pte. Urban Eclipse "Clip" Carpenter 11th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.4th January 1917)

    Urban Carpenter was a stretcher bearer as he refused to use weapons due to his Christian beliefs.

    Stephen Carpenter




    241456

    Rflmn. John Insley 10th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.14th August 1917)

    <p>John (2nd right) with his brothers

    I understand that my uncle John Insley joined the 11th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters at Derby, presumably in September 1914. At some point during the war he and many others of the battalion were transferred to the 10th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. To date I have not discovered when and why this occurred.

    I had no idea where he had been killed until I took a party of cubs and scouts to Ypres and the Menin Gate in the 1990s. Whilst there I said to my son that I had a feeling that he was there somewhere. We searched the local regiments Notts & Derby, South Staffs etc, with no luck. The guide informed us that to find out where relatives were buried we could contact the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. This I did to be told that he was on panel 40 of the Menin Gate under the Royal Irish Rifles.

    Roger Yeomans




    241452

    Lead Sea. Alexander Hermann Dundas DSM HMS Alcantara (d.29th February 1916)

    Alexander Hermann Dundas joined the RFR on leaving the Royal Navy prior to WW1. He joined the Metropolitan Police on 25th February 1907 and was mobilised on 2nd August 1914. He was lost when HMS Alcantara was sunk on 29th February 1916. He was awarded the DSM, presumably for his conduct during that action.





    241451

    LS Lawrence Roche SS Garmoyle (d.10th July 1917)

    Leading Seaman Roche was the husband of Mary Roche, of Ballyask, Kilmore.

    He was 31 when he died and is buried about 2 yards North of the ruin in the Kilmore (Grange) Graveyard, Kilmore, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241450

    Able Sea. John Amos Askew SS Dalewood (d.26th February 1918)

    Able Seaman Askew was 34 when he died and is buried near the North-East corner of the Kilmore (Grange) Graveyard, Kilmore, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241449

    PO. James Leach HMS Rocket

    Petty Officer Stoker Leach was the husband of Mrs Henneberry (formerly Leach), of Kilmokea. >He died on the 2nd April 1921 and is buried about 25 yards South-West of entrance to the Kilmokea Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    241448

    PO. Timothy Sheehan (d.20th Dec 1917)

    Petty Officer Stoker Sheehan was the Son of John Sheehan, of Kilbrown, Goleen, Co. Cork. He was 32 when he died and is buried near the south west part of the Kilmoe Burial Ground, Lissagriffin, Kilmoe, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241447

    Pte. Alfred James White 4th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.27th March 1918)

    Alfred White enlisted in the 4th Special Reserve Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment. He was my great uncle on my mother's side of the family. He died of wounds. Apparently someone who had served with Alfred visited his mother some time later reporting that Alfred was injured in the trenches trying to warn others. How true this is I cannot say.

    His mother and sister later petitioned to have his name added to the Cannock War Memorial, as it was originally missed off. He is thought to have been wounded at Bucquoy-Ablainzeville-Essarts-Adinfer Wood and is buried at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery.

    Carole Hiscock




    241446

    POS Patrick Griffin HMS Colossus (d.9th August 1918)

    Petty Officer Stoker Griffin was 37 when he died and is buried near the east boundary of the Kilmoe Burial Ground, Lissagriffin, Kilmoe, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241444

    ASto I William Love HMS Vivid II

    Acting Stoker 1st Class Love was the son of Michael Love, of Atlantic House, Ballydevlin, Goleen.

    He was 20 when he died on the 6th March 1920. He is buried near the north boundary of the Kilmoe (St. Brendan) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilmoe, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241443

    L/Cpl. Michael Sullivan Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Lance Corporal Sullivan was the son of Mary Sullivan, of Maugha, Kealkill, Bantry.

    He was 25 when he died on the 3rd of May 1919. He is buried near the south corner of the ruins in the Kilmocomoge Cemetery, Kilmocomoge, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    241441

    Pte. William Thomas Gould 1st Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.28th February 1917)

    <p>

    William Gould served with 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment.

    Colin Bull




    241432

    Pte. Albert Bartrup 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.28th April 1917)

    Albert Bartrup was one of ten brothers, five of whom are known to have served in WWI, four in the Army and one in the Merchant Navy. Albert (born 1881) served with the 10th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He was killed in action at the Battle of Arras on 28th April 1917.

    His younger brother Walter (born 1898) of the 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment died two weeks earlier on 14th April 1917 from wounds sustained at the Battle of Arras. Alfred (Walter's twin brother) served with the 16th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, Prince Consort's Own and was killed in action on 5th August 1917 at Ypres. Frederick (born 1896), the fourth Bartrup brother serving in the Army (Rifle Brigade), survived the war.

    Peter Foreland




    241419

    Pte. John Henry Wade 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.28th May 1916)

    My great grandfather, John Wade served with the 1st East Surrey Regiment. he died on 28th of May 1916, age 24. He was the son of Mrs E. M. Webber (formerly Wade) of 615 Garwood Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

    He is remembered with honour at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez.

    John Wade




    241418

    Sgt. Thomas Joseph Russell 8th Bnt., B Coy. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th April 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Russell is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Thomas Russell death in newspaper

    Barry Russell




    241412

    Cpl. Charles Fullerton Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Charles Fullerton was my grandfather. He served in WW1 and WW11. I am currently trying to find more information.

    Frances Faulds




    241409

    Pte. John Gracie 10/11th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.18th August 1916)

    John Gracie was a father, grandfather and great grandfather who never saw his family grow.





    241406

    Pte Thomas Henry Taylor 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Thomas Taylor was killed in action at the Battle of Messines on the 7th of June 1917 aged 25. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, also on the Crewe War Memorial and the L&NWR Crewe Loco Depot WW1 Memorial. He was a former pupil of Bedford Street School and was then employed as a Pipe Fitter in the Crewe Steam Sheds. He enlisted on the 17th of February 1916 and went to France on the 16th of July 1916.

    Paul Taylor




    241404

    Private William Harrold 11th Brigade 41st Btn.

    My Great Grandfather William Harrold Served in France and was shot twice. He was repatriated back to Australia. He passed away in 1959 at Morisset NSW.

    Glenn Harrold




    241397

    Nurse. Mary "Scottie" Etchells

    Mary Etchells was my great aunt. She originally nursed at Guys Hospital, London before coming to Sussex Lodge in 1915 (I think). She married a chap called Etchells, her certificate recognising her wartime service in the Red Cross has her as Mrs Mary Etchells.

    My mother is long deceased and lost touch with Mary until the 1970s when she was found to be living in Helensburgh in Scotland, in rather poor circumstances, I believe. She moved to a little cottage in Girvan where she lived quite happily for a number of years and was regularly visited by my mother and father and me and my mother`s sister. They also spoke almost daily on the phone with her so that she was never really alone.

    She is buried in Old Monkland Cemetery in Coatbridge, beside her late husband, who, according to the headstone was a descendant of an Archbishop of Canterbury. Amongst her meagre possessions was her Red Cross Wartime Certificate and a leather bound album full of autographs, poems, drawings and cartoons written by the soldiers, all officers she had nursed. This is probably my most prized possession.

    Grant Cullen




    241393

    Pte. Reginald Thomas Kerslake MiD. 34th Battalion

    Reginald Kerslake was the son of John Charles Kerslake and Alice Maude Wolrich. He enlisted on 14th of December 1915 and was assigned to the 34th Battalion.

    He sailed on the HMAT Horatio which left Sydney on 2nd of May 1916, arriving at Plymouth on 23rd of June 1916. He was admitted to Fargo Military Hospital on 18th of September 1916 suffering from bronchitis, until he rejoined his unit on 15th of October 1916.

    He was promoted to Sergeant, then 2nd Lieutenant, then Lieutenant. He was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of 16th of March 1919 which was promulgated in the London Gazette No. 31448 of 11th of July 1919.

    His brother was Charles William Kerslake, Regimental No. 3580 (33rd Australian Battalion,11th reinforcement. Both returned home.

    Joan Nichols




    241374

    Pte. Harry Randolph Allsopp 13th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.15th November 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Allsopp served with the 13th Battalion, Royal Scots.

    Joseph Watkinson




    241370

    Pte. John Robert McDougall 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company

    John McDougall was born on 2 April 1883 at Westville, Nova Scotia, son of Roderick and Katherine McDougall. The family moved to New Aberdeen, where Roderick, John and a brother were coal miners. John was working in a mine at Glace Bay when he enlisted in the 246th Battalion at Aldershot on 29th of August 1916. Upon arrival in England in June 1917, he was transferred into the 185th Battalion. When it was also broken up he was transferred into the 17th Reserve Battalion, then into No 3 Tunnelling Company on 25th of April 1918. He then went to France and served until being hospitalized at Boulogne with a hernia on 6 October 1918. He was sent back to England and returned home in March 1919.

    Brian Tennyson




    241368

    2nd Lt. Reginald Smith 18 Squadron (d.20th December 1916)

    Reginald Smith was killed in Air Combat on 20th of December 1916. Flying in a FE 2b serial number 4884 when attacked near Beugny, shot down in flames and burning fiercely at 12.55 hrs near Velu, by an aircraft from Jasta 2. Both he and all the crew were killed in action.

    Michael




    241366

    Pte. Frederick Street 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.23rd June 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Street attested under the Derby Scheme and was mobilised on the 30th of March 1916, on the 4th of April 1916 he was posted to the 3rd South Staffordshire Regiment from which he was transferred on the 14th of April to the 2/5th KOSB and renumbered as private 5078.

    On the 14th of January he was disembarked in France and on the 15th of January he was at the 21st Infantry Base in Etaples, France, on the 5th of February he transferred to the HLI and was renumbered as Private 41944 and posted to the 12th Battalion who on the 8th of April were in field, Frederick was wounded on the 9th at the beginning of the Arras Offensive at the First Battle of the Scarpe.

    Frederick was sent to Govan Hospital where he died on the 23rd of June 1917 in the presence of his sister, he was buried with full military honours at Belper Cemetery.

    Memorial Park Belper

    Danielle Spencer




    241363

    Pte. William Robertson 3rd Dragoon Guards (d.30th May 1915)

    <p>

    William Robertson served with the 3rd Dragoon Guards.





    241361

    Sgt. James O'Grady 553rd Agricultural Coy. Labour Corps

    Serjeant O'Grady died on the 2nd April 1919 and is buried south of the main path in the Kilmeena Cemetery, Kilmeena, Co. Mayo, Ireland. He previously served with the Royal Irish Rifles.

    s flynn




    241359

    L/Sgt. William O'Reilly 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.6th January 1917)

    Lance Serjeant O'Reilly is buried west of the church in the Kilmainhamwood Old Graveyard, Kilmainhamwood, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    s flynn




    241358

    Pte. Herbert Edward Lynes Archer 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Archer served with the 4th Battalion Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment.

    Ella McGill




    241357

    Pte. Charles William Archer 23rd (2nd Football) Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.24th March 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Archer served with the 2nd Football Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.

    Ella McGill




    241354

    Pte. William Warford 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment (d.13th June 1917)

    I have two postcards written in 1907 to my paternal grandmother, Kate Barrow, from her brother, William Warford, of Chew Stoke, Somerset. I knew she had two sisters but was unaware of her brother.

    In researching William I discovered he was born in 1882 in Chew Stoke but I was unable to find a record of his death. The 1891 census showed William, age 8, was in Chew Stoke. In 1901 he was a house servant at Axbridge, and in 1911, now aged 28, he was a labourer back in Chew Stoke. In 1915 he married Victoria Grant at Axbridge, Somerset. For many years I could not find more information about him. When Military Records and Army Casualties WW1 became available on line I entered his name and was astonished at the information on the screen.

    William Warford, was killed in action 13th of June 1917 in France, Flanders. Enlisted Taunton. Private in 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment Nr,19330. Formerly 25872 Somerset Light Infantry. His grave is in Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery in Belgium. His war gratuity was paid to his widow and sole heir Victoria in 1919. I have never found his name on any war memorial. The 5th Battalion was in action at Messines Ridge in May and June 1917. Maybe my grandmother's brother was at the Battle at Messines.

    All this because of postcards he wrote in 1907, and has been kept in the family for 100 years.

    John Barrow




    241353

    Pte. George Alfred White 15th (Service) Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.8th August 1916)

    George White was killed in action with the Hampshire Regiment. He is buried in Kemmel Chateau Cemetery in Belgium.

    Lesley Auger




    241351

    Pte. William Thomas Taylor 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.20th April 1915)

    My mom's great great grandad, William Taylor, served with the East Surrey Regiment. He died on 20th of April 1915. He was awarded the 1914 Star, British Medal and the Victory Medal He is buried in Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery near Ypres in Belgium.

    Geoffrey Paine




    241350

    Pte. Job Wilson 2nd Battalion Ox & Bucks Light Infantry (d.8th October 1918)

    <p>

    Job Wilson joined the Army in summer 1915, under intense pressure from society for all fit men to enlist. Job was 32 years old and had a wife, Rose and two children, Rosa (4) and George (2). He went to Oxford to join up, being given the number 18561 in the 2nd Battalion of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. Remarkably, Job Wilson survived for three years of horrific combat, when most of the men around him were being killed or wounded. He experienced many episodes of intense trench warfare including the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. By the following year he had become officer's batman (a personal servant) and is credited with saving Second Lieutenant P H R Whitehead, 'his' officers life when he was seriously wounded on 28th of May 1917. He then became batman to Captain G Field MC, who became Major Field in charge of the Regiment.

    Job would have had very little leave, but he did return to Great Missenden to see his family for a few days leave in early October 1918 and on his way back to the front line he wrote immediately to his wife Rose to try to cheer her up. "I am not surprised at you feeling a bit down, but chin up, better days in store, tell Rosa and George to cheer up, dad is alright, best and fondest love from your loving husband xxxxxx". By the time she read it, he had been blown up by a German bomb and died of his wounds very soon after. The war was all over only a month later, on 11 November 1918.

    Sending the sad news of his death, Major Field wrote to his widow Rose "I miss him very very much indeed. As you probably know he had been my servant for the last 3 months and a more cheerful, hard-working, excellent fellow would be very difficult to find." Rose remained living at Office Cottage (now known as Peppercorn Cottage) in Great Missenden for 40 years and worked hard to provide for Rosa and George both eventually went to Grammar School.

    Job was buried in a war cemetery in France. No-one from the family has ever visited Job's grave in Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery, but this is planned for the centenary of his death. And on Sunday 8th October 2017 the "ghost" of Job Wilson will be seen again in WW1 uniform in the village of Great Missenden, around the church and High Street war memorials, the station, and his cottage, re-enacted by his great-grandson, Mark Smith.

    postcard from training in Cosham, 16 August 1915

    Pte Job Wilson in uniform

    Pte Job Wilson's GWGC grave in France

    Name on War Memorial at Great Missenden church

    Mark Smith




    241349

    L/Sgt. Herbert North MM. 10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment

    Herbert North served with the 10th Battalion and 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. He died on the 21st March 1919





    241348

    Gnr. Alexander William Ross 10th Mountain Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st October 1918)

    Alexander Ross was a ploughman and had been granted exemption from fighting but still joined in 1917. His battery was engaged in sharp fighting in Gaza, Jerusalem and Jericho, but it was crossing Jordan he contracted malaria and died in hospital. He is buried in Haifa War Cemetery.

    Helen Minto




    241340

    Able Sea. John William Hudson HMS Cochrane

    We know very little about my grandad's, John Hudson, life in the Navy. He lost many friends on other ships that were hit. He was trained as a rope man. He helped with medical issues.

    The only thing we have is a medal he won for boxing dated 1916. It says on it: ABS J W Hudson. Featherweight Boxing. HMS Cochrane. I would love to know more but no one has ever found anything about him.

    Corinne Henderson




    241337

    Dvr. Richard Jones 102nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Richard Jones joined the Royal Field Artillery on 17th August 1915 and was assigned to the 102nd Brigade as a Driver in the RFA. He embarked to France in December 1915. The 102nd Brigade fought under 23rd Division war.

    He went to Italy in December 1917 and fought at Montello and was injured during the time when the 23rd was rested and the 41st Division took over for eight days. the 102nd remained and fought alongside the 41st and it was about this time that he was injured kicked by a horse, deranged left knee. On the 22nd of February he was transferred to 70th Field Ambulance and then on the 25th February to No 18 Ambulance Train. He was discharged from the Army suffering from wounds.

    Gregory counsell




    241336

    Pte. Walter Speight 8th Battalion, 13 Company, 6 Platoon Kings Own YorkshireLight Infantry (d.10th June 1917)

    Walter Speight enlisted on the 1st of February 1912 and joined the 5th Battalion. K.O.Y.L.I.

    Extracts from his Soldiers own diary: 2nd time out 1917 Battle of Messines.

    27 April 1917: Left Folkstone, England for Boulogne, France

    28 April: Left Boulogne, France for Etaples (15 Miles March)

    29 April - 12 May Training in Etaples

    13 May: Landed near the Front line at Abeele rest camp

    16 May: posted to KOYLI B Company 6 Platoon 3 Section (all decent boys!)

    17 May: Training for Attack near Watou

    20 May: Sent to rest Billets too ill with Flu Temprature 100.2

    24 May: Left rest Billets for railway dugouts behind the front line

    25 May: Night Working party St Peter’s Street

    26 May: Trenches first left of Hill 60 very hot quarters. Man Named “Smith” who came out with me was killed

    27 May: Bombardment

    28 May: Bombardment continued 7 Casualties

    29-30 May: Straffing pretty freely both sides

    31 May: Going to M camp near Poperinge (NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN)

    1 June: 3am Exciting night dodging shells under gas clouds (good days rest)

    2 June: spent most of the day writing letters

    3 June: Day in Poperinge buying presents for family

    4 June: Went to Assembly trench waiting for time to mount

    5 June: Assembly trench off St Peter’s Street (nothing Doing to pass time)

    There are no More details in the Diary. Walter died of Wounds on the 10th of June.

    John Wood




    241333

    Lt. James Vesey Stanford 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.25th September 1915)

    James Stanford was born in 1894 at Coleford in the Underberg district of Natal, South Africa. He was the only son of James and Mary Caroline (Hayden) Stanford. He had an older sister, Mary Adeline Stanford born 29 July 1892 also at Coleford. In 1897 his father took occupation of the farm Melissa. Melissa is the western neighbour of Coleford. The Ndwana River forms the southern boundary of both farms. James father was the dipping inspector at Ndwana Drift. The farm was thus also known as Stanfords Drift. James attended the Bulwer School, which is a primary school and his name appears on its Old Boys Roll of Honour. This can be seen in the Himeville Museum. His sister married Augustus (Alexandre) Vlasto in Durban, Natal on 30th of June 1913. Augustus Vlasto worked for Ralli Bros. Mary and Augustus lived in England.

    James was a Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion of Seaforth Highlanders, when he was killed on 25th September 1915 at Loos, France. He was 21 years old. His name is inscribed on the War Memorial in Himeville, KwaZuluNatal, South Africa. Himeville is a neighbouring village of Underberg. After his death his parents went to live in England. His father died in 1930.





    241332

    Pte. William Henry Pocock 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.13th May 1917)

    <p>

    William Pocock was at Dartford Grammar Sschool between 1908 and 1910. He enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps (Supply) on 31st March 1916 and transferred to the 2nd Suffolk Regiment in February 1917. He was sent to the front in France in March 1917. His regiment was part of the 3rd Division and was involved at the battle of Arras, particularly the battles around the River Scarpe and at Arleux. He was killed on 13th May 1917 in the Arras area and is buried in Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt.

    The Summer 1917 Dartfordian included the following obituary: "We much regret to report the death in action of yet another Old Boy, William Henry Pocock of Eynsford, who was at the school from 1908 to 1910. After leaving school W H Pocock entered his fathers business and became manager of the Eynsford branch. Early in the war he enlisted in the ASC (Supply) hoping to be able to turn his trade to good account there, but being disappointed in this he transferred to a battalion of the London Regiment and went with it to France. He was killed in action during a recent big advance. All at DGS wish to convey their deep sympathy with his sorrowing relations."

    Dave Barrett




    241322

    Ralph Barraclough MM. 177th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    We have conflicting information about Ralph Barroclough and he is mentioned in the War Diary of 46th Brigade RFA, but with Royal Engineers also mentioned on his MiC.

    Tricia




    241321

    Private Harold Selwyn george "Mick" Swain 1st Otago Btn. (d.15th June 1917)

    Harold Swain was born in Brisbane, Queensland on 26 August 1885. Parents were William John Cowling Swain and Grace Elizabeth Swain (nee Carpenter). The family moved to Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand around 1905. Mick worked in a menswear shop in Hastings (Reardon & Wright).

    He enlisted on 7 March 1916 and departed from Wellington on 26th of June 1916, arriving at Devonport on 22nd of August 2016. He arrived at Sling Camp on 23rd of August 1916 and moved to Etaples on 27th of September 1916. On 14th of October 2016 he was in the field until he was killed in action on 15th of June 1917. He is listed among the missing at the Messines Ridge (New Zealand) Memorial, Belgium.

    Brian Bray




    241320

    L/Cpl. Michael Joseph Toole 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.16th March 1916)

    As the train pulled out of Bray station Michael Toole sang "When the fields are white with daisies I'll return". He never came back. (This was reported in the local newspaper at the time.) He died in Etaples Military hospital and is buried in the cemetery there.

    Julie Garvin




    241318

    Pte. Joseph Hillas 2/7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th March 1918)

    My great uncle, Joseph Hillas, died in Bucquoy on 27th March 1918. Accounts say he died with an officer, but neither body was found. He is remembered on Bay 4 of the Arras Memorial. Joe was the elder brother of my grandfather, Alfred James who, luckily, was too young for the war.

    Paul Donnelly




    241315

    Sgt. Robert Bucktrout MM & bar. 1st Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    Robert Bucktrout was my great grandfather. He was a reservist at the beginning of the war, also working as a fireman for the Yorkshire Main Colliery. He served 17.5 years in the army, having been called up straightaway. He was discharged from the army on 12th March 1919.

    He landed in Belgium on 7th of August 1914. Robert served throughout the war and was gassed twice at Hill 60 and Albert. His medical records show that he was hospitalised on Christmas Day 1914 for a gunshot wound. He was also hospitalised on 27th April 1915 for a gunshot wound to his right hand and a bayonet wound to his ankle.

    He was awarded the MM in 1917 (I think, when he was lance-corporal) and the bar later that year (Gazette date - 21st August 17, p8642). His brother, George, was also the recipient of an MM.

    Robert died in 1925 from the effects of gas poisoning (his brother George, having been invalided out of the army and awarded the Silver War medal predeceased him by four years).

    Debbie Lawrie




    241314

    Cpl. Frederick James Wickham 7th Btn. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.21st July 1917)

    Corporal Frederick Wickham is remembered on the War Memorial in the porch of the parish church of St Martin of Tours, Chelsfield in Kent. He was killed in action on 21st July 1917 and is recorded on the Menin Gate memorial at Ypres. He was married to Alice Rosina Tomkins and his parents were the Mary Ann and the late Thomas Wickens. The 1911 census records that he was a farm labourer before he joined up in November 1914 and his attestation papers show that he had served in the army for six and a half years in the territorials.

    Philippa Rooke




    241308

    Sgt. Charles Lloyd MM. 2nd Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers

    "On recovering from his wound, Lieut Bernard S Marshall MC S.W.B. applied for transfer to the Royal Flying Corps and was gazetted in December 1916. After about 6 months training, he took his Wings and was immediately ordered to France again on the 1st of June 1917. His career as a Flying Officer was a short one for on 7th June while on his second flight that day he failed to return and was reported missing. Some months later his observer was found to be a prisoner in Germany and he reported that while on an offensive patrol they attacked a flight of enemy machines and an anti aircraft shell bursting near them hit Lt Marshall in the head and killed him instantaneously, the machine, a FE2B, was also extensively hit and crashed into a canal near Lille, the machine sank and Lt. Marshall's body was not recovered."

    The observer, my grandfather, Charles Lloyd, although injured by the crash, managed to reach the bank with the help of two Germans and was immediately taken prisoner. He then received extensive surgery for his injuries. My grandfather told my aunt that a part of the AA shell had passed through the Lieutenant and wounded him. However, he amended the above account, which he had told Lt. Marshall's family by saying that though mortally wounded the pilot came round and recovered control of the aircraft to crash land it in the canal. After his release from the German hospital, he eventually finished the war as a POW working on a farm and became fairly fluent in German. They were both Swansea men.

    In the 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers which granddad had joined in 1913, he was part of one of the battalion's Vickers MG crews.

    Robert Fisher




    241304

    Pte. Harold Percy Price 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.25th May 1918)

    <p>

    Harold Price served with 6th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry.

    Mike Jackson




    241303

    L/Cpl. William Jotcham 12th (Bermondsey) Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.25th March 1918)

    William Jotcham came originally from Wotton-under-Edge. He was one of four brothers serving in WW1 - the others being Herbert, Fred and George. Only George was to survive.

    William moved to London in his early 20s and married Agnes Croft. He lived at Caernarfon Road, Woodford Green and had one daughter (my mother Olive, born in 1914). He saw action in France and Belgium serving as a signaller.

    He was involved in the Somme battles at Fricourt and Fleurs in 1916 and also Mametz Wood. He was also with his battalion in the Ypres Salient, but was sent back to Blighty to Aldershot Hospital suffering from cerebro spinal fever caught in the trenches. He recovered and returned to France but on 21st March a great German offensive opened and the 12th East Surrey Battalion moved from Halloy to Savoy Camp.

    On 22nd March they moved towards the front line north east of Sapignies. Later that day they took up their places in the front line on the Baupaume-Vraucourt Road. They remained in the front line for three days, being continually shelled by the Germans and also undergoing aircraft fire. On the night of 24th March they had to dig new trenches but were attacked soon after dawn on 25th suffering severe losses. At this time William Jotcham was killed. He was reported missing in May after a six-week period.

    It took more than a year before his parents were formally informed that the army authorities had concluded that he had died in action. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial for the Missing, Bay D.

    His brother Herbert had already died of wounds in October 1917 - he was serving in the Royal Army Medical Crps (1/2 North Midland Field Ambulance) and suffered severe injuries when a bomb fell on the hospital where he was serving. Despite undergoing surgery he died within 24 hours, being buried in Fouquieres Churchyard Extension, France, Plot 2, Row D, Grave D1.

    William and Hertbert's other brother, 2nd Lt. Fred Jotcham, served in the Royal Engineers, 4th Special Company. Wounded in 1915 he recovered and returned to active service only to die of subsequent wounds on 27th September 1918 - a terrible blow to his parents Frederick and Elizabeth Jotcham who had still not received formal confirmation of the death of William in March of the same year.

    Janette Tibbett




    241302

    Pte. William McCabe MM. 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    "Drogheda soldier wins the Military Medal. We congratulate Private William McCabe of the Royal Irish Rifles, whose people reside at the Rope Walk, Drogheda, on having been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on the battlefield. This young soldier has seen a good deal of fighting, having fought at the Dardanelles, where he was one of the fortunate few to escape injuries; also in France and Flanders for over a year and nine months. It was as the result of his daring act of bravery on the 21st July last that he won the distinguished honour. During a severe charge by the enemy one of his officers was severely wounded, and Young McCabe, seeing his dangerous plight, rescued him from falling into the enemy's hands, and carried him for over a mile amid a fusillade of bullets, from the zone of fire. Pte McCabe has just returned to France after a short visit to his sisters, Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Carolan, in Drogheda." Drogheda Argus, 8th of September 1917.

    Sarah McCabe




    241292

    Pte. Ina Manock 4th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Ina's story, from the available records, shows the following: The 1911 census shows 19-year-old unmarried shop assistant Ina Manock living with his 43-year-old widowed mother Hannah Maria and three female boarders at 80 Moss St, Rochdale.

    The Medals Rolls show Pte. Ina Manock (Regt. Nos: 75901, 27562). His attestation papers state that he was born between July and September 1891 in Middleton Junction, near Oldham, Lancashire. A single moulders labourer, living at 10 Hardman Rd, Rochdale, Ina joined the 4th Lancashire Fusiliers on 8th December 1915 at the age of 24 years 4 months. (He later served with the 2nd, 3rd and 15th Battalions, too.) On enlistment, Ina is described as 5' 7" tall; weighing 132lbs. Shortly after, he gave his new wife Ethel (nee Wilson) of 81 Moss St, Rochdale, as his next-of-kin. The couple were married in St. Peters Newbold, Rochdale, on 20th March 1917.

    Ina was in the UK from 26 January 1917 to 17th April 1917. He went to France on 18th April 1917. On 9th January 1918 he was transferred to the UK on the Hospital Ship St. Patrick. He was admitted to VA Hospital in Northam, north of Bideford, with trench fever on 10th January 1918. He spent from 14th February until 27th March 1918, being treated for the same thing, in Exeters No. 3 War Hospital.

    On 15th May 1918 he was wounded (described variously as a shell abrasion, a gunshot wound and an abscess) in his right knee, for which he was treated in the 21st General Hospital, Etaples. He also spent from 7th September to 2nd December 1918 being treated for an infected blister to his right ankle (malleolus).

    On 14th September 1918, he was transferred to the UK via the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen. On 15th January 1819, Ina applied for a pension on the basis of weakness/swelling following the healing of drainage wounds to his right heel/calf. A 20% disability was agreed. He described his last job, before joining the army, as that of a brass finisher working for the Brierley Brass Works, Hill St, Rochdale. Ina was discharged from the army on 26th January 1919.

    In 1922, Ina and Ethel were living at 81 Moss St, Rochdale. Ina died in Rochdale between January and March 1963 aged 71.

    Sue Rugg




    241291

    L/Cpl. Thomas Laing 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Tom Laing was my Great Grandfather.

    In uniform

    Mark Dutton




    241285

    Gnr. Robert Alexander Lambie 47th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    I know very little about my grandfather, Robert Lambie's, war service, only what I've been able to glean from his War Record. His record says he was posted to B.E. France but isn't specific about where exactly. He was injured on 10th November 1917 but, as he was returned from hospital to his unit on the same day, it was clearly not serious.

    He was a member of Queen's Park Football Club in Glasgow, played in the 1st Eleven in 1898/99 and later served on the committee. Several of his colleagues were killed in the Great War. John Lambie, one time captain of the Scottish football team, and William Lambie, also a QPFC player, were his older brothers.

    Alison Orr




    241283

    2nd Lt. Arnold Wilson 5th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    Arnold Wilson was killed during the attack on Bourlon Wood and is remembered on the Arras Memorial. He was the son of John and Ruth Wilson, 22 Tennyson Road, Wibsey, Bradford.

    Tricia




    241282

    Pte. Leonard Hudson 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    My grandfather, Leonard Hudson, was born in Bradford, Yorkshire in 1889 and worked in one of the city's many mills when he was a young man. In May 1915 the Seaforth Highlanders visited Yorkshire on a recruiting campaign, and he decided to enlist. He crossed to France in November 1915, and four months later his wife Gladys was informed that he had been wounded and admitted to Le Tréport hospital with gunshot wounds. On 20th March 1916 he was invalided to England and taken to the military hospital at Abbot's Barton in Canterbury.

    He was wounded again in 1917 (once) and 1918 (three times), and I have five official notifications that were sent to his family in Bradford. My grandmother appears to have kept all the documentation she had relating to his military service, and I have since inherited various forms and letters.

    I knew him when I was growing up in Bradford in the 1950s, and I remember him as a mild-mannered man who loved to reminisce about Fort George in the Scottish Highlands, where he had been stationed. In 1956 he achieved his ambition of going back for 'one last look' when he and his wife Gladys went on an eight-day coach tour of Scotland and stayed at nearby Nairn. The brochure is among the documents that I have inherited, and they paid eighteen and a half guineas each.

    In the 1950s he worked in the time-office of a printers and box makers in Lidget Green, Bradford and this was followed by a spell as a school crossing 'lollipop man' outside my primary school in Lidget Green.

    Phil Hulme-Jones




    241275

    Pte. Joseph Campbell Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Joseph Campbell was my grandfather. He was discharged from duty due to a gunshot wound to the leg on 4th January 1917 "being no longer physically fir for for war service". He served 2 years and 68 days until discharge. We understand he had a brother, John Campbell, also enlisted in the same regiment. He died in battle. However, we have not been able to find out full details as yet. We would appreciate help with our story.

    Fiona McGeady




    241274

    Pte. George William Sweeting 2/5th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.1st Nov 1918)

    George Sweeting is my great uncle. When I was a child of five years old, I would look at this photo of a man in uniform. Many years later I asked my grandmother who he was. She said he was her brother who had died in the Great War, he was only 23 years old.

    It was many years later when I decided I needed to find him. I searched and found him in France in the Cross Roads Cemetery, Fontaine-au-Bois, with the inscription `Abide with me'.

    Sue Morgan




    241268

    Pte. Edward Semper 11th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    Edward Semper was shot in the arm on the 7th of June 1917, transferred to a hospital ship on 11th June.

    Philippa Semper




    241266

    CQMS Archibald William Croome 101st Field Company Royal Engineers

    Archibald William Croome was my grand father he was presented with a silver tankard in recognition of his services to the Company

    Peter Croome




    241263

    Dvr. Gordon Lonsdale 233rd Ripton Field Company Royal Engineers

    Gordon Lonsdale is my grandfather who I never met as he died as a result of being gassed in WW1. My grandmother, who I knew, woke up to a dead body beside her in bed. My father was 5 years old. He was in the 233rd(Ripon) Field Company, Royal Engineers and was in action in 1916. I have his medals from the War.

    Before and after the war he was a heir hunter. I have one picture of him which sits on a wall at my parent's home. I am looking for more information about his service in time for my father's 90 birthday.

    Helem




    241256

    Pte. William Doyle 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    William Doyle was awarded the following medals: 1914/1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, General Service medal 1918 - Clasp Iraq.

    Michael J W Morgan




    241255

    Sgt. John O'Brien 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.22nd March 1915)

    <p>

    John O'Brien served with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment.

    Brian Phelan




    241243

    Sgt. Walter Charles Clayton 4th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    Walter Clayton was born on 12th March 1898 at 61 Little Street, Rushden, Northamptonshire. He attested on 7th June 1916, and was called up for service on 24th October 1916 to the 25th Training Reserve Btn. He was transferred to 51st (G) Bedfordshire Regiment as Cpl Clayton W.C. He qualified as a battalion (1st class) instructor in anti gas, whilst attached to 212th Infantry Brigade.

    During 1918, he was transferred to 4th North Staffordshire Regt. Sergeant Clayton Walter Charles and on 21st August 1918, 4th North Staffs 35 Division, was at the X Corps Gas School on Course 23 with the following remarks: V. Good, suitable for Battalion Gas NCO.

    On 10th April 1919 Walter was attached to 239 POW Coy., and on 14th May 1919 Walter was attached to 113 Labour Coy. Walter's length of service was 3 years 3 months, service in the field was 1 year 8 months.

    55106 Sgt Clayton W.C. 4th North Staffs Regt

    Brian Clayton




    241233

    2nd Lt. James Dunsmoor Elliott MID. 16th (Birkenhead) Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.22nd October 1917)

    <p>

    James Elliott was a Lieutenant in the 16th (Birkenhead) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. James was born at 43 Lady Lane, Paisley, the son of John (a smith's hammerman and councillor) and Susan Sennett Elliot, resident of 5 George Street, Paisley. He was educated at Camphill School and was a member of George Street U.F. Church. Formerly a music hall artiste, he enlisted in December 1915. James was promoted for bravery during the Somme fighting to Sergeant Major and was mentioned in Sir D. Haig's dispatches. He was commissioned in February 1917.

    James was killed on 22nd October 1917 aged 25. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium and on his local war memorial.

    Steve McGinnigle




    241230

    Pte. William Vearer 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.16th September 1916)

    William Vearer was my granddad's brother. He was killed at the Battle of the Somme. He was never found, but his name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    D.B.Vearer




    241229

    Pte. Albert Charles Cornish MM Suffolk Regiment

    Albert Cornish was my wife's granddad. I am not sure in which battle he got his MM. It could have been for the 1st April attack on Guenappe (124 casualties) or 13/18th June attack on Infantry Hill (250 casualties). He was gazetted on the 14th August 1917. We think he was demobbed in 1920. Albert also served in the Leiston Home Guard in WW2.

    D.B.Vearer




    241228

    Pte. Peter Conway 8th Division Heavy Trench Mortar, V Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.27th April 1918)

    Peter Conway was my mum's cousin, and I have in my possession a 1914-15 Star which my mum passed to me many years ago. I believe there were other medals, but this is the only one I have.

    Jim McLaughlin




    241207

    Pte. John Francis Merrigan Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    John Merrigan, who was a Catholic, served with the Royal Enniskilling Fusiliers and the Royal Irish Regiment. It could well have been the 10th (Service) Battalion (Derry). He enlisted in Derry on 26th August 1915 and his service number was 25845. John left for France on 23rd March 1916 and returned from the war on 15th November 1917. I'm told he was wounded at a battle on 29th, think it was the Battle of Cambrai (not sure of the exact month, it may have been April 1916). There is a date stamp on the section of the form I have which was sent to his parents informing them he had been wounded with a date of 19th May 1916. It also states he was not seriously wounded, I think he may have been gassed as I know he had lost an eye. After he was wounded he was transferred to the Labour Corps, with the service number 109671, where he served until he was discharged from the Army at the end of the war in Nottingham on March 8th 1918.

    John Merrigan was serving in France during the First World War when he got the news of his mother's death via a friend who had gone home on leave and returned to France with the sad news.

    He was provided with a character reference based on his military career, which states he served with the colours for 2 years and 195 days. He was honest, sober and steady and his disability was due to active service. John was 5' 4" tall and had brown eyes and brown hair when he left the colours in 1918. He received a pension of thirteen shillings and nine pence a week plus ten shillings a week for four children. That's about £1.18 a week, not much in today's money.

    Steve Merrigan




    241202

    Pte. Arthur Riley 9th Btn. East Lancashire Reg (d.25th Jan 1918)

    Arthur Riley was born in Nelson, Lancashire the son of Hannah Riley (nee Marsden) and James Riley on the 8th Jan 1889. He was a weaver and married Sarah Brown on the 13th March 1909. He joined the East Lancs Reg in 1916 and was posted to Salonika. Wounded in 1917, he died of his wounds in 1918 and is buried in Sarigol Military Cemetry Kriston. He was 29.

    Graham Mews




    241198

    Sgt. John Moss Cope D Coy. 53rd Pioneer Infantry Regiment

    <p>

    USS Mongolia took Sgt John Cope and the 53rd Pioneer Infantry Regiment, 1st Army Corps to France sailing on 5th of August 1918 and arriving on 18th of August 1918.

    Sgt Cope fought in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel (12th to 15th of September 1918) and the Meuse Argonne Offensive (26th September to 11th November 1918). His unit was cited for performance in No Man's Land. The unit came home on the battleship USS Hampshire.

    Chablis, France 1919

    Just before they left for France

    Joseph Cope




    241197

    Pte. Felix McFadyen Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Felix McFadyen served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers and in the Labour Corps.

    Allison Elsokary




    241193

    Pte. Cecil Hilliard 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.10th September 1916)

    Cecil Hilliard and two of his brothers fought in the Great War. Cecil died of his wounds aged 21 and is laid to rest in the Millencourt Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Kim Brown




    241186

    Pte. Alexander Jordan 10th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.4th April 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Jordan was my grandfather's brother. Unknown to me, I gave my eldest son a middle name of Alexander. We visited his grave in 2015.





    241184

    Pte. Isaac James Ritson 2/4th Battaion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.10th August 1917)

    <p>

    Isaac Ritson was born on 13th of July 1887 at 6 Doctor St, Habergham, Lancashire to Mary Ann Barclay, age 24, and William Ritson, age 24. He lived in Habergham Eaves, Lancashire, England, in 1891. His mother Mary Ann passed away on 10th January 1899, in Burnley, Lancashire, England, at the age of 35. By 1901 Isaac and his father William have moved back to Burnley, Lancashire, England. They have returned to live with William's father Thomas Ritson; also a widower. Isaac is now 13 years of age and working as an apprentice moulder. By 02 April 1911 Isaac and his father are living at 6 Back Albion St., Burnley. Isaac has changed jobs and is now a labour in a brickyard. On 15th June 1912, when he was 24 years old, Isaac married Ethel May Stephenson in the parish church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, in the parish of Brierfield in the county of Lancaster, England. In attendance were Bertram Stephenson the bride's brother, and Dorothy Avrail Bailey. On the 30th November 1912 a son was born to Isaac and Ethel in Burnley, Lancashire, they named him Herbert Wallace Ritson. His father William passed away in March 1916 in Burnley at the age of 53.

    On 12th of December 1915 Isaac James signed up for service in the British Army as can be seen in the Short Service Attestation papers for the British Army. Isaac had received a notice for enlistment received from J J Brown PPR. He was assigned to the 2/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, once certified by the approving officer, on 5th of October 1916. He was assigned the service number 6944 and later 203172.

    Isaac reported for duty on 5th of October 1916 with the 2/4 Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. While away Isaac James wrote to his son Herbert. For Christmas of that year the men of the 2/4th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were given a regimental photograph. According to the regimental diary the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left England for France near the end of February 1917.

    203172, Private Isaac James Ritson serving with the 2/4th Battalion (Territorial Force)., Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was killed in action, France & Flanders, 10th of August 1917 Born: Burnley, Lancs, Enlisted: Burnley.

    A letter from an NCO or officer in charge of the company wrote Ethel a letter explaining and detailing the nature and circumstances pertaining to the death of her husband. The following is my best recollection as to the nature of the letter. This letter being lost by a family member who had borrowed it to have the letter copied. Pte Isaac James Ritson was killed in action on 10 August 1917 when a horse landed on him. Reading the regimental diaries, they tell us that there was artillery fire almost every day as a common occurrence.

    An excerpt from Moina Belle Michael's poem:

    • And now the Torch and Poppy Red
    • We wear in honor of our dead.
    • Fear not that ye have died for naught;
    • Well teach the lesson that ye wrought
    • In Flanders Fields.
    • In Flanders Fields we fought.

    Isacc is remembered on the World War 1 Memorial inside The Salvation Army in Burnley.

    Larry Ritchie




    241174

    Pte. Harry Reed 5th Btn. 7 Platoon Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th Dec 1915)

    Harry Reed left home to join his cousin who enlisted in the 5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment at their Driffield Drill Hall in 1914. My grandmother did not know of his death for months as her father would not tell her.





    240964

    Pte. Dugald McMillan 9th Btn Scottish Rifles (d.3rd May 1917)

    My Grandfather, Dugald McMillan was killed in battle on the 3rd of May 1917 at the age of 36. My grandmother Elizabeth Boyd McMillan gave birth to her 8th child, my father, on 6th of June 1917. It was a difficult and painful time for so many.

    Elizabeth W. Pedersen




    240848

    Pte. Richard Brenton Bate 6th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.31st July 1915)

    <p>

    I know very little about Richard Bate, though I do know he served in Ypres in 1915, with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. I believe his main task was to secure and safeguard the Hazebrouck-Poperinghe railway line, which became vital in June 1915 for British Casualty Clearing Stations.

    He died on Saturday, 31st of July 1915 at the age of 34, and my family is forever grateful for his service and sacrifice.

    Jacob Richard McGinn




    240847

    Capt. Edward Thomas John Milton 13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Sept 1915)

    <p>

    Captain Edward Milton was my grandfather who was killed at the Battle of Loos 1915 age 28.

    Captain Milton's Unit 13 Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Sims-Davies




    240842

    Pte. John Edward Trickett 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    My father, Jack Trickett, signed up in 1914 and was soon thereafter sent over to France with the Sherwood Forresters. Hit and wounded on 14 Feb 1916 at the Battle of the Bluff, he regained consciousness to see German boots running by the dead and wounded. He did not know whether to call out for help or to lay silent and decided on the latter. Soon, he was picked up by a German medical corps and treated on a stretcher (with no anaesthetics) to remove shrapnel from his body.

    He was transferred to the prisoner of war camp in Merseburg, where he was to remain until 1919. He was made to work in a stone quarry nearby and survived the worldwide flu epidemic of 1917.

    During those hard years, he kept a German diary, still in the family's possession. In the diary, he reported about the food and otherwise parcels that he received - sometimes with items missing. One entry states that he wrote to the commanding officer of the camp to demand an explanation. At the end of his entries, he would commonly add 'expect answer' - this one was no exception! He mentioned letters sent home and also received 'asking for cigarettes and clothing'. One such entry asked his mother to ensure that 'my brother Bill is not to wear my best suit'.

    His entry for the 11th of Nov 1918 was 'fighting ceased this day' and every entry thereafter expressed his hope to be home by Christmas. That was not to be, as he finally was repatriated via Denmark and the North Sea in Jan 1919. His war was still not over as the North Sea was heavily mined. Finally he reached British soil and got to see a family he had not seen for over four years.

    He eventually married the widow of his best friend, Harry Strawther, who had been fighting at the Battle alongside him and probably received the direct shell, from which the shrapnel hit my father and others. Hannah Strawther was left with two small children. My sister and I were born later.

    As a small child, I remember discovering his blood-stained khaki uniform in an army kit bag stored away in a cupboard. He would never speak of the war and his memories until he was in his eighties.





    240839

    Cpl. Robert Whitlock MM. 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.31st October 1918)

    My great grandfather Robert Whitlock died on 31st October 1918 while saving an officer. The 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment had reached the Scheldt River by then and so I am assuming that this was just after the Battle of Courtrai, which ended on 22nd October 1918. I am not sure when Robert joined up, but I am guessing he would have been at the Battle of the Bois des Buttes in May 1918, which was the 2nd Battalion's bloodiest action.

    Robin Whitlock




    240835

    Cpl. John Gilmor Magee 14th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.22nd March 1918)

    <p>

    John Magee was a son of Alexander & Sarah Ann Magee of Toberlane, Cookstown. He was employed with his father at Wellbrook Beetling Mill until early 1916 and was a prominent member of The Ulster Volunteers and The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland at Orritor. He then went to work in The Caledonian Railway in Glasgow and also joined The Cameronians, (Scottish Rifles) Regiment and was later transferred to The Highland Light Infantry.

    He was sent to France in June 1916 and fought in Cambrai and Arras. During his secondment he returned home on leave twice. On his final day which was either on the 22nd or 27th day of May 1918, (there are conflicting records as to the exact date), he had been on duty in the front line at Arras, France and had just finished his shift when an enemy aeroplane came over the trench firing its machine gun and he was killed instantly.

    Letter to Mother

    Morag Bates




    240833

    Sgt. George Baker Godsland 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Btn. B Coy. London Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    George Godsland was aged 55 when killed in action on 9th of May 1915. He is buried at Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy. A comrade wrote "Greatly loved by all in B Co., Always cheerful, and ready to help in whatever task was needed."

    For 21 years he was in the employ of Welch, Margetson & Co., of Moor Lane. A member of Crownfield (House) Club and one of the best shots in the City. Also a member of the London Devonian Society.

    Evelyn M Empson




    240830

    Fireman. Prospher Charles Colman SS Memphian (d.8th Oct 1917)

    Prospher Colman's grave is in Borth church cemetery. Born in Belgium, he was the husband of Poldine Colman Caluco of 37, Kluis St. Merssein, Antwerp.

    Roland Hayward




    240828

    A/Sgt. George Ernest Miles Machine Gun Corps

    George Miles was born in Rotherwick, Hampshire in 1879. We have no information regarding his Army service apart from the information on the Medal Index and Roll.

    George survived the war and went on to be the head groom for the Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon.

    Alan Davis




    240824

    L/Cpl. John Clarke 12th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.19th Aug 1916)

    Just grateful that when Jack Clarke came back home on leave he told my Grandad to stop at home on the farm. Because he said he wouldn't be coming back... and he was right.

    Jack was also a little bit annoyed that during the 1915 campaign he left the trenches in broad daylight and brought back a wounded mate. His commanding officer said he would recommend Jack for the Military Medal, but the next day a sniper killed the officer. So of course the citation died with him.

    Pre-war Jack worked on the railways. He enlisted in Wigan, and was born in Eccleshall, Staffordshire, but joined a Scottish Regiment. I guess he enlisted with a mate, maybe I will find out the reason why he joined the H L I some day.

    Neil




    240822

    Pte. Herbert Richard Crouch 14th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Herbert Crouch was a Private in the London Scottish Regiment and served in France and later the 30th London Regiment. He was wounded in France, the rest of his company being killed in the same artillery barrage. He recovered in England and was then reassigned to a POW camp in Massachusetts, USA, where he met his first wife. They were married in 1920 and initially lived in England, but then moved to Weston, Massachusetts. He married Grace Bentley from Cohasset, MA.

    She died in 1941 and he remarried my mother, Mary Alice Bailey in Weston, MA. Herbert died June 25, 1975, in Hill, New Hampshire. He was born at Cranmore Cottage, on Cranmore Lane, in West Horsley, Surrey, on 3rd of March 1897, son of Frank Crouch, a local grain merchant. I am one of his two sons and live in Tucson, Arizona, USA, but was born in Boston where he lived his entire adult life after leaving England. I have met his three sisters in England and cousins in Australia.





    240819

    Pte. John Wainwright Sumner 8th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    Jack Sumner served with 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment.

    Louise Campbell-Laing




    240815

    Driver Thomas Mercer 101st Field Company Royal Engineers

    Thomas Mercer is my 2x great grandfather, a marine salesman from Kensington. He was the eldest son of Thomas A Mercer and Alice Heath, enlisting when he was 36, leaving behind a 4 month pregnant wife Louise and 3 children Thomas (15), Lillian (12), Rose (4).

    Chris Carpenter




    240813

    Spr. Joseph Henry Kingsland 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    Joseph Kingsland was born in 1878. He enlisted age 37 in the 222nd Tottenham Company Royal Engineers and was engaged in tunnelling attached to 33 Division. He transferred to 171 Tunnelling Coy on the 12th of August 1916 and served to 13th of April 1918 when he was honourably discharged after being gassed.

    David Pairpoint




    240811

    Lt. Harold Riley MC. 250th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers.

    Harold Riley enlisted in the Duke of Cornwalls L.I. on 2nd of Sept 1914. He had previously served in the London University O.T.C. and was awarded a BSc Hons (Engineering). On 24th of Sept 1914, he was promoted to Lance Sergeant and on 12th of Feb 1915 to Sergeant. He left the DCLI in France on selection for a commission and joined the RE on 21 Oct as Lieutenant in the 250th Tunnelling Company.

    Harold was wounded on 20th 1917 and underwent an operation to his hand at the London General Hospital, Wandsworth. He rejoined his unit on 8th of Jan 1918. Harold was badly wounded on 21st of March 1918 when his company (now the 172 Tunnelling Company was occupying trenches near Flucquières. Harold was awarded the Military cross, gazetted on 1st Jan 1918.

    On 6th of Dec 1918 his wounds were assessed to be permanent and he was awarded a war wound gratuity and pension. He left the army on 8 May 1919.

    Harold Riley's full war history was researched in 2006 by Chris Wesley.

    Cerdic Warrillow




    240810

    Pte. Herbert Dunn 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Herbert Dunn has no known grave and is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.

    The Leigh Journal reported: "Mrs Dunn, Leigh, received official news on Friday morning of the death of her husband, Private Herbert Dunn, Lancashire Fusiliers, during the Messines advance on June 7th. Private Dunn, who was 36 years of age, leaves a wife and two children. Before joining the Army last August he was employed as a packer at the Mather Lane Mills where he had worked for 24 years. He is on the Roll of Honour at Pennington Church. Private Dunn and Private Hayward of Orchard Lane, Leigh, who was reported killed last week, both went up in the same group on the same day. They were put in the same regiment, went through their training together, and were both killed on the same day’."





    240804

    Pte. Allen Rowley 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Allan Rowley was killed in action on the 15th Nov 1915





    240803

    Cpl. William Gething 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    William Gething was discharged on the 31st of March 1916 as time expired





    240802

    ASgt. John Henry Davies 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.4th Jul 1916)

    John Davies was killed in action on the 4th of July 1916





    240801

    CSgt. John William Siddall 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    John Siddall was discharged on the 32nd of April 1916





    240800

    Pte. Arthur Rangley 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.10th Nov 1915)

    Arthur Rangley died of wounds on the 10th of November 1915





    240799

    Sgt. Frank Long 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.20th Oct 1915)

    Frank Long died of wounds on the 20th of October 1915





    240798

    Sgt. Arthur Mallinson 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Aaron Malinson was discharged on the 15th of May 1916





    240797

    CSgt. Francis James Cooke 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Francis Cooke was discharged on the 31st of March 1916 as time expired





    240746

    Robert Taylor Garside 22nd Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Robert Garside served with the 22nd Manchesters, his brother Paul with 2nd Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment. Their father was Thomas Douglas Hamilton Garside, political speaker & journalist, co-author with James Myles Hogge MP of the book War Pensions And Allowances published 1918.

    Rebecca




    240739

    Pte. John William Johnson DCM. 5th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.2nd Aug 1916)

    My uncle John Johnson DCM was killed in action 2nd of August 1916 at Oxford Copse. The war diary records that the Valley was shelled by 8 inch Howitzers for 15 minutes, at 8am and again at 2p.m. Casualties:- 15 Killed, 17 Wounded.

    Phil Johnson




    240738

    Dr. Thomas Walcot

    Thomas Walcot was the Medical Officer of Camberley Military Hospital in 1915 and was named in the New Years Honours list.





    240710

    Millicent Eva Ash

    Millicent Ash was a VAD Nurse working at Abbeyfields hospital, she recalled that there were a number of suicides amongst patients at Abbeyfields, who were unable to recover from the trauma they had suffered.





    240709

    Rene Plaskett

    Rene Plaskett was a nurse at Abbeyfields Hospital in Sandbach alongside her mother. Her father Rev. William Plaskett was the hospital chaplain.





    240707

    Spr. H. Savage Royal Engineers

    Spr H Savage, Royal Engineers was wounded at Loos. "We were subjected to a severe bombardment but we took no notice of that & went on with our work. It was only when someone gave the gas alarm that we stopped & put our helmets on & in about 5 minutes the gas was so thick I could hardly see my hands. Quite a lot of the chaps were suffering from the gas & lie gasping for breath. I started choking once myself & thought I was going under, as soon as the gas was finished the Germans came."





    240706

    Sister. Dorothy Huggins

    Dorothy Huggins served at the Slough Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital.





    240705

    Pte. G. Frew

    Pte G Frew, New Zealand Infantry was treated at Slough Auxiliary Hospital. He wrote of Gallipoli "While we were fighting in the trenches for about two days, the Maori boys were sent up to releave us, they had just landed and they did not know which trench we were in or which one the Turks was; so as soon as they saw us they must have thought we was them for began to charge. We did not know what to do for we could not stop them and the officer just gave us the word to fire on them when they saw their mistake."





    240704

    G. Wilfred Foster 47th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Dvr. G. Wilfred Foster, 47th Field Ambulance, RAMC wrote of Loos "At six-thirty the Guns ceased, ten minutes later the boys mounted the trench, some mad with excitement others half drunk with Rum they had given them to raise they [sic] spirits, but very few went far, they were mowed down, with heavy explosives, whizz-bangs, and terrible Machine Gun fire... Two hours later they were in Loos, having taken the Towers and the village and still advancing. It was at this point that our Guns Killed Hundreds of our own men, and that the Horse Ambulances where called on the battle field, a sight which I never hope to see again, there were Hundreds calling for us but we could not do anything to help them...the Enemy Observation saw us, immediately We were set at a Gallop but was caught, over came three High Explosives all together and smashed us up, with the exception of three... We loaded our Wagons, twenty-five in Each than waited until three Artillery Guns came past at the Gallop then returned, having to pass over dead bodies, Horses and broken Wagons, it was just over the same Hill returning, that the Germans put there Machine Guns on us.





    240703

    Mary Ethel Long Innes

    Mary Innes served in with the Red Cross as a nurse at Bisham Abbey Auxiliary Red Cross from December 1914 to May 1915, also at Highfield Hall Hospital, Southampton and from August 1916 at Woodcote Auxiliary Hospital Oxfordshire.

    Jean Hollis




    240692

    Cpl. Percy Albert Fletcher 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Percy Fletcher was killed in action on the 19th of December 1915





    240691

    Cpl. Frank Wright 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.16th Oct 1915)

    Frank Wright was killed in action on the 16th of October 1915





    240690

    Pte. George Henry Stott 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.21st Nov 1915)

    George Stott died of wounds on the 21st of November 1915





    240689

    Pte. Harold Stead 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.8th JUl 1916)

    Harold Stead was killed in action on the 8th of Jul 1916





    240688

    Pte. Albert Smith 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Albert smith was killed in action on the 3rd of September 1916





    240687

    Cpl. Harry Cliff 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Harry Cliff was killed in action on the 3rd of September 1916





    240686

    Sgt. Jack Smith 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.20th Dec 1915)

    Jack Smith was killed in action on the 20th of December 1915





    240685

    Sgt. Herbert Briggs 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.20th Dec 1915)

    Herbert Briggs died of wounds on the 20th of December 1915





    240684

    Pte. Edward George 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Edward George was killed in action on the 19th of December 1915





    240683

    Cpl. Frank Chappell 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Frank Chappell was killed in action on the 19th of December 1915





    240682

    Pte. Jack Dent 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.16th Oct 1915)

    Jack Dent was killed in action on the 16th of October 1915





    240681

    Pte. Arthur Whitbread 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1916)

    Arthur Whitbread was killed in action on the 2nd of September 1916





    240680

    Pte. George Balmforth 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.19th Jul 1916)

    George Balmforth accidentally drowned on the 19th of Jul 1916





    240679

    Cpl. Norman Hirst 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.14th Aug 1916)

    Norman Hirst was killed in action on the 14th of August 1916





    240678

    Pte. William Preston Wood 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    William Wood was discharged tme expired on the 10th of March 1916





    240677

    Pte. Ernest Glover 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Ernest Glover was discharged time expired on the 23rd of April 1916.





    240676

    Sgt. James Stanley Crossley 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    James Crossley was killed in action on the 3rd of September 1916





    240675

    Pte. George Waite 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Georges Waite was discharged on the 29th of May 1916 time expired





    240674

    Pte. George Birks 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    George Birks was discharged on the 9th of May 1916, time expired





    240673

    Pte. Lewis John Mallinson 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Lewis Mallinson was discharged on the 10th of May 1916, time expired





    240672

    Pte. Joe Crossland 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Joe Crossland was discharged on the 3rd of April 1916, time expired





    240671

    Pte. George Metcalfe 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    George Metcalfe was discharged on the 8th of April 1916, time expired





    240670

    CSgt. Charles Southern 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Charles Southern was discharged on the 31st of March 1916, time expired





    240669

    Pte. Milford Naylor 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.9th Nov 1915)

    Milford Naylor was killed in Action on the 9th of November 1915





    240668

    Pte. Walter Alfred Smith 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Walter Smith was discharged on the 27th of March 1916, time expired





    240667

    Cpl. William Balmforth 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.15th May 1915)

    William Balmforth died of wounds on the 15th of May 1915





    240666

    Pte. Ernest Atkinson 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Ernest Atkinson was discharged on the 27th of March 1916, time expired





    240665

    Cpl. Harry Barker 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Harry Barker was discharged on the 7th of February 1916, time expired





    240664

    Pte. Albert Hargreaves 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Albert Hargreaves was discharged on the 31st of March 1916, time expired





    240663

    Pte. Clifford Earnshaw 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Clifford Earnshaw was discharged on the 31st of March 1916, time expired.





    240662

    Pte. Tom Longbottom 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Tom Longbottom was discharged on the 29th of March 1916, time expired





    240661

    Sgt. Fred Millard 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Fred Millard was discharged on the 6th of March 1916, time expired





    240660

    Pte. Robert weir 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Robert Weir was discharged on the 19th of March 1916, time expired.





    240659

    Sgt. Albert Henry Hughes 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Albert Hughes was discharged on the 19th of March 1916, time expired.





    240658

    Sgt. Charles Akroyd 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Charles Ackroyd was killed in action on the 19th of December 1915





    240657

    Pte. Owen Mitchell 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.24th Dec 1916)

    Owen Mitchell died of wounds on the 24th of December 1916





    240565

    Pte. John Eastwood 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    John Eastwood was discharged on the 29th of May 1916 time expired





    240564

    ACpl. Albert Illingworth 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Albert Illinggworth was discharged on the 25th of May 1916, time expired





    240563

    Pte. Harry Halliday 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Harry Halliday was discharged on the 13th of March 1916, time expired





    240562

    Pte. Ernest Sheffiled 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Ernest Sheffield was discharged on the 17th of February 1916, time expired





    240561

    AWO. Thomas Henry Greenwood 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.17th Sep 1916)

    Thomas Greenwood was killed in action on the 17th of September 1916





    240560

    Pte. Charles Brook 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Charles Brook was discharged on the 10th of April 1916, time expired





    240559

    Cpl. James Barker 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    James Barker was discharged on the 20th of April 1916, time expired





    240558

    Sgt. Irvene Robertshaw 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Irvene Robertshaw was discharged on the 18th of April 1916 as time expired





    240556

    Sgt. Charles Edward Whitely 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Charles Whitley was discharged on the 10th of March 1916 as his enlistment period had been completed





    240553

    Pte. John Murphy 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Joseph Murphy was discharged on the 31st of March 1916 having completed the time he had enlisted for





    240551

    WO2. Vernon Stanley Tolley 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.1915-10-16)

    Vernon Tolley was killed in action on the 16th of October 1915





    240550

    Cpl. Edgar Wormald 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.1st Nov 195)

    Edgar Wormald was killed in action on the 1st of November 1915





    240549

    Sgt. Marshall Jagger 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.20th Dec 1915)

    Marshall Jagger was killed in action on the 20th of December 1915





    240548

    Cpl. Norman Angus Rymer 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.10th May 1915)

    Norman Rymer was was killed in action on the 10th of May 1915





    240547

    Pte. Harold Barraclough 4th Btn. West Riding Regiment

    Harold Barraclough was discharged on the 31st of March 1916





    240545

    Pte. Peter Evans 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Peter Evans has no known grave and is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.

    The Leigh Journal reported: "Father of Seven Killed. Mrs Evans, Plank Lane, Leigh received news last weekend of the death of the husband, Private Peter Evans, South Lancashire Regiment, during the recent advance in France on June 7th. A friend in the same company writing to Mrs Evans says, ‘I am very sorry to have to inform you of your husband’s death. He was killed by shell fire on June 7th. He suffered no pain. Before going into action he handed me ten franc notes, telling me to forward them to you in case anything happened to him. I enclose them, please let me know if you receive them alright. His death has cast a gloom over the whole Company for he was a cheery fellow and well liked by everyone.’ Private Evans, who was 36 years of age had been in the Army two years. He leaves a wife and seven children, the youngest three weeks old. Before the war he was employed as a collier at the Plank Lane Collieries."





    240540

    Pte. Reginald Thomas Sanders 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    On 22nd of August 1914 my grandfather, Reginald Sanders, aged 19, volunteered for service in the armed forces.‏ He was recruited in Stoke on Trent and then travelled to Hounslow where he joined the 8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers which was part of Kitchener's First New Army.

    For the next nine months he was in training at various camps in England and on the morning of 31st May 1915 he left Aldershot and at 10.30pm the same day he landed in Boulogne, France. On 12th June he went into the trenches for the first time near Armentieres. For the next 22 months, except for a home furlough in October 1916, he was in the trenches in the Aisne, Nord and Pas-de-Calais Departments of France.

    On 29th April 1917 at Feuchy he suffered a wound to his right hip whilst returning from a working party and on 4th May 1917 he was transferred to Edmonton Hospital in England. I don't know how long he was in hospital but he was granted a furlough from the 12th to 21st June 1917.

    He was then sent to Shoreham in July 1917 and on 8th September 1917 he left for France and joined the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers near Arras. Excepting for a spell at 3rd Army Infantry School in Auxi-le-Chateau he was in the trenches until, on 27th March 1918, he was again wounded in action, this time a gunshot wound to the head. On 6th April 1918 he was transferred to Epsom Hospital. I don't know how long he was in hospital for but he was granted a furlough to visit his family in Newcastle under Lyme from 17th to 26th July.

    On 29th July 1918 he was posted to the 5th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers at Dover where he stayed until 22nd September when he took a trade test at Woolwich Arsenal and he subsequently transferred to the Royal Engineers. He spent the rest of the war mainly in Hampshire and was demobbed on 31st March 1919 in Halifax.

    Stephen Clarridge




    240539

    Pte. William Denby 10th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (d.20 Sept 1917)

    <p>

    William Denby was my great uncle he is one of the lost souls still waiting to come in from the cold

    Andrew Parker




    240538

    A/2Cpl. Jack Henry Hart Gittens Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Jack Gittens joined the Royal Engineers on 12th of February 1915 and was billeted in Seaford, Sussex. He was on the Somme in 1915 and also later in Salonika. He was injured and honourably discharged on 1st February 1919.

    Denise Watkinson




    240535

    Pte. Theodore Bertram "Jack" Lax 6th Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    Jack Lax was my paternal grandfather, although I never knew him. After the war he continued his musical career and played in ship's bands. He deserted my grandmother in 1927 and is believed to have run away to the USA with another woman. No trace of his death has been found.

    Ken Lax




    240534

    L/Sgt. Harold Reevely Bonsall 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th September 1916)

    <p>

    Harold Bonsall served with 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps.

    Harold Bonsall

    Gerry Mcpartland




    240520

    Pte. Arthur D. Bell Royal Scots Fusiliers

    I have just found a WW1 medal belonging to Mr. Bell. Any information most appreciated.

    Max Engellenner




    240518

    Pte. George Jefferson 76th Field Ambulance, B Sec. Royal Army Medical Corps

    Our father George Jefferson enlisted in the Army when war broke out in 1914. He joined the Medical Corp and served as a stretcher bearer with B Section, 76th Field Ambulance on the Somme.

    Although he did talk to our husbands of those war years, he spoke very little to his 2 daughters. I do remember a couple of stories Dad did relate to us girls. One where he was billeted in a farmhouse. He awoke one night and could hear this enormous rustling noise. He jumped out of bed and lit an oil lamp. To his horror, one whole wall of the room was covered in cockroaches. He didn't get any more sleep that night.

    The other story he told us was of arriving back from the front for R and R. The men were told to strip off all their clothes and leave them in a pile. Jump into the nearby swimming pool. Swim the length of the pool. Get out the other end and put on clean uniforms and underwear. He reckoned it didn't do much good though. Within days the troops were all flea-ridden again. They used to sit on their bunks at night running a lit candle up and down the seams on their uniforms, cracking lice eggs and killing them.





    240513

    Pte. William Richard Grainger 2nd Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment

    <p>William Grainger and Cathleen Brown, Coventry 1915

    William Grainger was my maternal grandfather.





    240512

    L/Cpl. James Derrick 210th (Leeds) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.16th May 1917)

    <p>

    James Derrick served with 210th (Leeds) Field Coy. Royal Engineers.

    John Peaker




    240508

    Sgt. William Boiling 2/4th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.19th April 1918)

    William Boiling was born in Thame, Oxfordshire in 1889. After a very brief stint with the Royal Navy in 1907, he enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment, and served with the 2nd Battalion in India. When they were recalled to England at the start of the Great War, he embarked with them to France, before being posted to the 2/4th Battalion. This was a second line territorial unit, needing men with experience to help with their preparation for war. They want to France in May 1916. In April 1918 William Boiling died of wounds received when the battalion were on the front line near Robecq in northern France. He is buried in Aire Communal Cemetery.

    Allan Hickman




    240506

    Trevor Miles Roper 1/6th (Glamorgan) Btn. Welsh Regiment

    <p>Trevor Roper, right.

    Trevor Roper served with the 1/6th (Glamorgan) Battalion, Welsh Regiment.

    Debbie Weeks




    240504

    Pte. Alfred Pond 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.6th November 1915)

    My great uncle, Alfred Pond, joined Kitchener's Second New Army in September 1914 aged just 19 years and weighing only 8 stone with a height of 5ft 4". He was killed in action in little over a year later - not much of a life for a young lad. So sad!

    My uncle wrote home regularly to his sister (my grandmother) then Kate Pond (or Kitty to her friends). She later married another Alfred and became Kitty Barker. She had a market stall on Norwich Market until the time of her death in 1973.

    Karl Barker




    240500

    A/WO1. Thomas John Watkins 84th Sanitary Section Royal Army Medical Corps (d.21st Oct 1918)

    Thomas Watkins lived at Kimla Cottage, Aberffrwd Road, Mountain Ash, Glamorgan. He was Acting WO1, aged 26 at time of his death from disease.

    Ray Davies




    240495

    Pte. Arthur Watson 10th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th July 1917)

    Arthur Watson was my Great Great Grandfather! I've just been to Ypres to tend his grave for the first time. I've discovered he was injured and died in the field hospital at poperinge! Still looking to find out more.

    Ian Dunn




    240494

    Cpl. Frederick George Hall 7th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.16th August 1915)

    <p>

    Frederick Hall served with the 7th Royal Munster Fusiliers.

    Ashley Miles




    240487

    Pte. James Blake 8th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    James Blake previously enlisted on 22nd of July 1901, 18 days after his 17th birthday and served in the Wiltshire Regiment. After several years service he returned to civilian life as a builder's labourer in his home town of Salisbury. He remained on the reserve list and at the outbreak of WW1 he was called up in August 1914, joining the RAMC. He was shipped out to the front immediately and saw engagement in the Retreat from Mons within the same month.

    His role as a stretcher bearer took him into the front lines of all major battles for the next three and half years. His last leave home was a few days in January 1918 when he was reunited with his wife Jennie and daughters Hilda 7, Edna 4 and Phyllis who had been born July 1916. He was racked with bronchitis but insisted on returning to the front to allow the other boys their turn for leave.

    Only weeks after, on the 21st March, Jim was killed in action during the first day of 'Operation Michael' when for the first time the German Army launched their new tactic that opened their attack directly on the centres of command as opposed to the front line - no doubt the field ambulances where all at the back expecting to move forward after the first strike...

    There is no known grave for James Blake, the grandfather that his 5 grandchildren never knew - but we have found him commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais. His name can still be found on the War Memorial in the town centre of Salisbury (my mother Hilda, then aged 9, was on the platform wearing his medal on the day it was opened by the town's dignitaries) and his name can also be found in the RAMC's Golden Book of Remembrance that is kept close to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey.





    240486

    Pte. James Thomson 2nd Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.10th February 1915)

    James Thomson was born in Glenboig, the son of Agnes Anderson Archer from Old Luce, Wigtownshire and Alexander Thomson from Glenboig. His father died young and his mother moved to Caledonia Road, Hutchesontown, Glasgow with her three children to find work. James was a telegraph messenger and a plater's helper before the war as well as a reservist.

    He was killed at Neuve Chappelle and not found on 10th March 1915. He was the brother of my maternal grandmother Agnes Archer Thomson, later Ross and Harris. He was in the 2nd Btn, Scottish Rifles





    240481

    Dvr. Robert Henry Munns 76th Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.19th August 1916)

    Robert Munns was born in 1888 to Alfred and Ellen, he had five siblings. In 1891 he was living with his parents and siblings at Woolmer's Lodge Hertingfordbury. In 1901 he was living with his parents and siblings at East Barnet, Hertfordshire. In 1908 he joined the Army, The Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery service No 59687, on the 17th December 1909 he converted service 6 years with the Colours and 6 years in the Reserves. On the 29th November 1911 Robert was serving with the Regiment in India.

    On the 19th of August 1916 Robert died. This date was accepted as the official date as he was a prisoner of war in Turkey at the time.

    Neil Plumridge




    240475

    Ernie Bradbury Worcestershire Regiment

    <p>

    I have a letter from and photo from Ernie Bradbury sent to my great Aunt's sister, Jessie Reeves, written from the A 7 Ward, Ninian Park, 3rd Western General Hospital Cardiff. Date unknown. I am trying to find out who Ernie Bradbury was.

    Richard Vines




    240473

    Cpl. Joseph Albert Picton No 25 Coastal Fire Command Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Joseph Picton joined up age 34 years, 29 days in 1915, he originally hailed from Latchford, Lancashire. When he signed up he was a coal miner at Deep Navigation Colliery, Treharris, Mid-Glamorgan and was previously a grocer's shop owner at Blaenau Ffestiniog North Wales, who lost his business after extending credit to striking slate miners.

    After he enlisted he was billetted with Mrs Evans, Lily Dale, Marine Road, Old Colwyn in North Wales during training operations. He returned safely from WW1 where his name is listed on roll of honour in St Mathias Church, Treharris. I do not know anything of his military service at this stage, but would love to know more.

    Rodger Wells




    240471

    2nd Lt. Lewis Digby Mansell Beard Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) (d.19th October 1916)

    Second Lieutenant Beard is buried in the Kilmainham (St. James) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Dublin City, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240470

    Pte. E. John Beale 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.13th April 1918)

    Private Beale was the husband of Mary Beale of 2 Shannon Terrace, Old Kilmainham, Dublin.

    He is buried in the Kilmainham (St. James) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Dublin City, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240469

    Pte. Arthur Warner 2n/8th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.27th April 1916)

    Private Warner was the son of Arthur and Gertrude Warner of Sanatorium Lodge, Mansfield, Notts.

    He was 19 when he died and is buried in the Other Ranks section of the Kilmainham (Royal Hospital) Graveyard, Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240468

    Pte. Harry Phillips 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.25th April 1916)

    Private Phillips was the son of Wintour Tom and Mary Ann Phillips of Rosebank Cottage, Whitminster, Glos.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried in the Other Ranks section of the Kilmainham (Royal Hospital) Graveyard, Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240467

    Pte. Patrick Leen 5th Royal Irish Lancers (d.1st May 1916)

    Private Leen was 22 when he died and is buried in the Other Ranks section of the Kilmainham (Royal Hospital) Graveyard, Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240466

    Rflmn. Cornelius Duggan 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th April 1916)

    Rifleman Duggan was the son of Bridget Duggan of Calhane, Anagry, Co. Donegal.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried in the Other Ranks part of the Kilmainham (Royal Hospital), Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240465

    Pte. Ernly Wray 19th (4th City) Btn. A Company, 3 Platoon Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    There seems nothing but love and goodness written and spoken of Ernly Wray. Even after all the horrendous experiences of WW1. He never lost his faith in God, his church, family and friends. Indeed he went on to make great contributions to his family and for his community. Like many of his generation he died young - before his parents.

    Ernly Died in September 1931 aged 35. He was buried on 29th of September at Philips Park Cemetery. His son Albert said of his fathers death: .When he died, he was laid in state in All Souls Church, Ancoats, all night, with some of his comrades staying with him. Lots of people came to pay their respects to him, and many hundreds lined the streets. All Souls Brass Band which he used to play in and help set up, played all the way to Bradford Cemetery and the graveside. His great friend Nora Bowan wrote a beautiful poem for his Eulogy.

    Invalided out, wearing SWB, false eye and trench foot

    Lily Hodgkinson, the nurse he married

    Wedding Day

    Three Sisters, father in law and.....





    240464

    Pte. Percy Laurence Thompson 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th August 1917)

    Percy Thompson was my grandfather. He died during the Third battle of Ypres serving his country, leaving behind twin baby girls. As part of the 8th Division he advanced and they achieved their objective. Unfortunately, the right and left flanks stalled and the battalion took a pounding, suffering many casualties. My grandfather was one of them. Although I never knew him I am proud of him and am commemorating the centenary of his death.

    Brian Lawrence Baldwin




    240463

    Pte. John William Flintoft 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.6th February 1915)

    John Flintoft was born in Lastingham in November 1891. His father John was a stone mason and married Mary Jane Ward in Lastingham church in 1883. His brother, George Albert, was also killed in the war, thankfully their third son, Charles Francis, did return home safely.

    John enlisted with the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards in Hull on 7th of September 1914 and was posted to France on 22nd of January 1915. He died in the No 1 Casualty Clearing Station, Chocques on 6th of February 1915. So his war was very short, but very tragic. He is remembered in the Chocques Military Cemetery.

    His brother, Gunner George A Flintoft, 252 Bde RFA, was killed in action at Mametz, France on September 17th 1916, aged just 19. He is remembered in the Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France. Both brothers are also remembered on the War Memorial in St Mary's Church Lastingham in North Yorkshire.

    Andrea




    240461

    Pte. Henry James Goodwin 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    Henry Goodwin is remembered at Thiepval, pier and face 7 B.





    240459

    Capt. Archibald Swinton Hog 5th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.20th August 1915)

    Archie Hog was my great uncle. He was wounded at Gallipoli and died on board ship returning home. He is buried in Malta.

    Michael Keene




    240455

    Mjr. John Barnwell DSO, MC, MID. 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment

    John Barnwell was born near Birr, Co Offaly, in 1885. He joined the Leinster Regiment at Crinkle in 1902 and rose through the ranks. John served in India from 1911 to 1914. He returned to Crinkle to help train Kitchener's Army.

    John fought in Gallipoli as part of the 29th Brigade from August to October 1915. He is mentioned in Bryan Cooper's book "The 10th (Irish) Division in Gallipoli" as a Lieutenant leading a night-time bayonet attack on Rhododendron Ridge on 9th August.

    He served later in Salonika and Serbia. He joined the Machine Gun Corps on its formation and was appointed to command the 29th Company. He fought in Macedonia, Egypt and Palestine. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross for engagements while with the Machine Gun Corps and was Mentioned in Dispatches three times.

    After the War he returned to Birr to command the Depot Company. He retired from the army with the rank of Major, aged 37, when the Leinster Regiment was stood down in 1922 on the establishment of the Irish Free State. He died at his home in County Wexford in 1976, aged 91.

    Des Nix




    240452

    Pte. William G. Kittle 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd October 1916)

    <p>

    Our family history has it that William Kittle was killed, along with four others, when an enemy five-inch shell landed among them. My grandfather always added "and he just disappeared". However, since he has a grave, I'm assuming some remains were found.

    Gerald A Perrett




    240450

    Cpl. John Victor "Darky" Watson 5th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    <p>Training at Aldershot 1917

    John Watson served with the 5th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.

    Helen Evans




    240445

    Cpl. Ernest Crook DCM. 17th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Ernest Crook served with 17th Middlesex Regiment. He was shot and wounded on 1st December alongside Captain McReady-Diarmid in the battle at Cambrai. He was awarded the DCM for his conspicuous bravery.

    Yvette Papps




    240443

    Pte. William John Musslewhite 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.29th April 1917)

    William Musslewhite was 37 years old and a father of five small children when he was killed on 29th April 1917 in an attack on Greenland Hill in the Battle of Arras. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.





    240439

    CQMS J. Coyle DCM 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.30th April 1916)

    Company Quartermaster Serjeant Coyle is buried in the Other Ranks part of the Kilmainham (Royal Hospital)Cemetery, Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240438

    L/Cpl. Thomas Henry Chapman 2/8th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.27th April 1916)

    Lance Corporal Chapman is buried in the Other Rank Graveyard in the Kilmainham (Royal Hospital) Cemetery, Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240437

    Pte. Joseph Heggadon 3rd Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.5th June 1917)

    I came across Joseph Heggadon's grave which was scruffy and uncared for in the Freshwater All Saints churchyard and wondered who he was and why he was buried here.

    Google searches provided the information and although he is on the Petrockstowe War Memorial he has now also been remembered at his permanent resting place. He was, like so many, only 19.

    Chris Richards




    240432

    Pte. James Horace Bradford 2/7th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.5th May 1916)

    Private Bradford was the son of William and Mary Bradford of Gladstone Terrace, Alfreton, Derbyshire.

    He was 19 when he died and is buried in the Other Ranks part of the Kilmainham (Royal Hospital) Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240431

    Lt.Col. Charles Harold "Peter" Blackburne DSO MID attd. HQ Staff, Dublin 5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) (d.10th October 1918)

    Lieutenant Colonel Blackburne was the son of the late C.E. Blackburne and Mary Blackburne; husband of Emily Beatrice Blackburne. He was drowned when the Royal Mail Steamer Leinster was torpedoed in the Irish Sea. His wife survived but two children, Beatrice Audrey and Charles Bertram, died together with a governess, Miss de Pury. He is buried in the Officer's Ground in the Kilmainham (Royal Hospital) Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240428

    Pte. James Harte 2/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.31st August 1918)

    Private Harte was the son of Thomas Harte of Sandymount, Templeboy.

    He is buried south east of the church in the Kilmacshalgan (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilmacshalgan, Co. Sligo, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240427

    Pte. P. Bolger 15th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.25th October 1918)

    Private Bolger was the son of Mrs Mary Bolger, of Byrne's Lane, Wexford.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried in the middle of the east part of the Kilmacree Old Graveyard, Kilmacree, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240426

    Pte. Patrick McNally Army Veterinary Corps (d.25th May 1917)

    Private McNally was the husband of Mary Anne McNally of Carrowmore, Cloverhill, Sligo.

    He was 39 when he died and is buried in the north-west part of the old ground in the Kilmacowen Cemetery, Kilmacowen, Co. Sligo, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240425

    Gdsmn. James Sullivan 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.26th August 1917)

    Guardsman Sullivan is buried in the Kilmachunna Graveyard, Lusmagh, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240421

    L/Cpl. Robert John Anstiss 9th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.6th September 1916)

    I know little about Robert Anstiss apart from the fact that his grandmother was my great grandmother. Robert was born in Ivybridge, Devon to Robert and Elizabeth Jane Anstiss. Robert had a younger brother Frederick who was born in 1901. Robert was killed in action at Ginchy on 6th of September 1916, aged 25. So very young.

    In 2013 I visited his grave in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, France.

    Rest in in peace Robert.

    Julia




    240420

    Pte. William Bourhill 7th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

    William Bourhill is my great grandfather, who served in the 7th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders from the start of WWI. He fought with his battalion right through until being captured, and was sent to labour in a salt mine in Austria. He would never discuss his experiences in the trenches or the salt mines with the rest of the family.

    Up until the death of his eldest daughter (my great aunt), we had his Glengarry, medals, and other regimental paraphernalia, along with some other pictures and letters to my great grandmother. Sadly, however, these have been lost with her second husband's family clearing the house.

    Alan Brockie




    240418

    Pte. Sidney Charles Morgan 1st Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.31st Oct 1914)

    Sidney Charles Morgan was killed during the Battle of Gheluvelt, which began at 6.00am on 31st of October 1914. As planned, the Germans opened a ferocious bombardment with their artillery and followed it with a massed infantry advance. The British defenders, the 1st South Wales Borderers gritted their teeth and repulsed this initial assault, but the Germans regrouped and, under the cover of the heaviest barrage of the battle thus far, attacked once more. The sheer weight of the attack was too much for the thin British line. It first cracked and then crumbled as the Germans poured through. The fighting was close ranged and desperate; many British units fought to the last man.

    Lee Morgan




    240415

    OSig. Thomas Walsh HMS Magic (d.10th April 1918)

    Ordinary Signalman Walsh was the son of R. Walsh of 2 Granby Ope, Devonport.

    He is buried about 4 yards from the South-East corner of the ruins in the Killygarven Catholic Graveyard, Killygarven, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240414

    Pte. Thomas W. Roberts 10th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.10th November 1917)

    Tom Roberts died in France.

    Cath Langdon




    240413

    P/O Thomas Francis O'Connell HMS Indus

    Petty Officer O'Connell was the husband of Margaret O'Connell of Pier Rd., Rathmullen.

    He was 59 when he died on 14th July 1919 and is buried near the south boundary of the Killygarven Catholic Graveyard, Killygarven, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240412

    Able Sea. Jeremiah Mehigan HMS Magic (d.30th April 1918)

    Able Seaman Mehigan was the eldest son of Catherine and Jeremiah Mehigan, of Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.

    He was 30 when he died and is buried about 2 yards from the South-East corner of the ruins in the Killygarven Catholic Graveyard, Killygarven, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240411

    Able Sea. Robert Bernard Chessman HMS Magic (d.10th April 1918)

    Able Seaman Chessman was the son of Thomas and Mary Chessman of Topcliffe Farm, Tingley, Wakefield.

    He was 25 when he died and is buried about 3 yards from the South-East corner of the ruins in the Killygarven Catholic Graveyard, Killygarven, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240410

    L.Tel. William Leo Carroll HMS Beagle (d.3rd November 1917)

    Leading Telegraphist Carroll is buried in the north-west corner of the Killygarven Catholic Graveyard, Killygarven, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240401

    DH Frank O'Hara HMS Colleen (d.4th October 1917)

    Deck Hand O'Hara was the son of John O'Hara, of Killybegs.

    He is buried about 12 yards West of the Stile entrance of the Killybegs Catholic Churchyard, Killybegs, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240399

    A/Cpl. Albert E Clifford MM. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Albert Clifford was awarded the Military Medal some time in 1917.

    David Preece




    240398

    Pte. Edward Brian O'Connor 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Ned O'Connor served in France and Afghanistan.

    Karen O'Connor




    240395

    Pte. Herbert Jollyman 6th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Extract from one of Herbert Jollyman's letters home in 1916: "After dinner we had more skirmishing drill for an hour & a quarter & then marched off for our first lesson in firing on the miniature range. There were some fine results I can assure you. I got 2 hits on the card but there was no sign of the other 3. Several got none at all, other remarks from our instructors were most illuminating! After we had all finished, they took up the rifles & showed us how we ought to do it. Out of 5 shots each, they got 1 hit! & they came to the conclusion the rifles were not sighted properly."

    Herbert served with the Machine Gun Section of 6th Middlesex Regiment.

    Emily Gillatt-Ball




    240394

    Pte. James Catlin 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    James Catlin was killed in action on 6th September 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Monument. James left his widow, Helen Catlin.

    John Catlin




    240391

    Pte. John Banger 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.24th April 1917)

    <p>

    John Banger fell at the Battle of Arras at the age of 26. His body was never found but he is remembered with honour on the Arras Memorial.

    John Seaton




    240390

    Pte. Arthur Downs 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    When Arthur Downs entered service in August 1914 he already had a baby daughter and a wife pregnant with another and she was born in February 1915. The name Downes was spelt without the e and this was how it was on the medals. His daughter born in February 1915 also had the surname spelt without the e. He had another two daughters and two sons. The first born of the two sons, Arthur Downes (called the same name after his father) served in the Second World War with the 1st Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry and won the Military Medal in October 1944 whilst acting as a stretcher bearer on Monte Cece. His army number is 5125135. He is my wife's late father. His second son, William Downes, served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. His number is 596123.

    Gerald Bates




    240389

    Capt. Jack Lee MC. 6th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    My grandfather, Jack Lee, was the eightth child of William Lee, who from poor beginnings had founded a successful Manchester Clothing Company, Kay & Lee Ltd., and his wife Isabella.

    At the outbreak of war Jack had joined the Manchester Regiment with his older brother Bert (who was killed at Gallipoli on Christmas Day 1915), but he then trained to be an officer and was commissioned into the Cheshire Regiment in January 1915. He was posted to Aberystwyth for training where that summer he met and fell in love with a university student, Nancy Erskine. Shortly after they met, her brother Tommy was killed in action on the Western front at Hooge in Belgium. In an act of incredible courage, he had tried to break into a German pill-box with an axe. He had previously been awarded the Military Cross for bravery, and his family believe that his final act was recommended (without success) for a Victoria Cross.

    At Christmas Jack bought Nancy an engagement ring. They were married the following year, and on 15th February 1917 she gave birth to William Jack Barrie Lee, my father. Jack was able to take leave for the week of the birth before leaving Carlisle when the baby was two days old. He spent a couple of days at the family home in Wilmslow before travelling south to rejoin his regiment. However, his sailing was cancelled due to enemy submarines in the channel and he was able to make the lengthy journey back to Carlisle for another brief visit, finally sailing for France on 24th February 1917.

    Jack Lee never saw his son again. Five months later the Cheshire Regiment took part in the Third Ypres offensive which began on 31st July with an action known as the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. In a letter written to Isabella Lee after he was released from captivity at the end of the war, Corporal F Burch of the 1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment described the events of that morning:

    Streatham SW

    17/1/19

    Dear Mrs Lee,

    I hope you will not think badly of me for not answering your lovely letters before, but really my time seems so full that I have had to neglect my correspondence. Miss Rendell certainly did wonder why you had not answered her letter, but was sure you had a good reason for it. We are both deeply sorry that it was the death of your sister-in-law, and pray that God in all his goodness has given you strength to bear this additional sorrow. (A reference to Aunt Bessie who had passed away in December 1918.) I am so pleased that you liked the photo group so much, the dear old Dad has gone nearly white-haired since it was taken but Miss Rendell and myself have not altered in the least.

    Now to the best of my ability I will tell you about that fateful July 31st. Some of the things that happened I have forgotten, but the majority are of course impressed on my memory. You know of course that the 6th Cheshires and 1st Herts were brigaded together, so that by reading what my regiment did you will know what Captain Lee's did.

    Our Brigade had to go over last of all in the Division as our objective, called the Langemark Line, so that we had to pass through the first two Brigades on our way. At about 4.15 am we received our order to go over the top, and away we went. The sight which met our eyes I shall never forget, but it was also one which I cannot describe. All went well with us until we reached the half-way line, where we had to rest two hours just behind a ridge, after which we had a rather warm time, but with only two casualties. We had to take Kitcheners Wood which the Germans were shelling heavily but we got through all right. A little further on we came to the River Steenbech which we crossed with only two more casualties although we were swept with heavy machine gun fire from the right flank. From that point we had to advance in open order, the Black Watch on the left, Herts in the centre, Cheshires on the right, and as I was in charge of the extreme right section in our regiment, I was in touch with the Cheshires all the way afterwards. Our next job was to capture the village of St Julien, the Herts and the Cheshires taking a half each, and it is needless to say that we got it. But now our real task was in front of us, the taking of the Langemark Line, and we saw that it was a stiff task for we had to advance over 500 yards of completely flat open country and the trench was in the form of a semi-circle, simply packed with Germans. We were immediately subjected to severe machine gun and rifle fire, and to make matters worse our own barrage was falling all amongst us and not touching the Germans. But even then all might have been well if one single British aeroplane had been above us to see what was happening. We all looked in vain though and kept on pegging away.

    Hundreds had fallen or were falling, but we managed to get within 50 yards with every officer shot and almost every NCO. It was just before that that I saw your son lying in a shell hole, a shallow one, but strict orders had been issued that we were not to stay and assist wounded men as it would hinder our advance, so I had to go on. When we found we hadn't enough men to continue, we thought that the best thing to do was to get into shell holes and wait for the supports to come up, but on looking behind us to see where they were we could see only Germans - they had got in behind us and cut us off. Just at that point the order every man for himself was passed down the line so we started trying to get back, at first in a group but men were falling so fast that it soon became ones and twos. At one place there were three of us in a small shell hole and we decided to try for one farther back. The other two were killed and I reached the hole alone, almost falling on top of your son who said hello corporal straight away.

    I set to work to see what was wrong with him and found he had been hit in the small of the back in the region of the right kidney. The wound had stopped bleeding but I could see he was badly hit internally and by the shape of the wound it was shrapnel. He told me he felt no pain whatsoever but on looking into his face I saw he was too far gone to feel anything so I cut his equipment off and removed a khaki covered steel plate which the shrapnel had penetrated, and then made a pillow for his head out of his respirator so that he could lie as comfortable as possible. Then I saw that he had begun to write a letter to his mother, it was on the back of a torn photograph of German trenches taken by one of our aeroplane observers. He finished the letter but the latter half was unintelligible and I only glanced at it as I put it in my pocket. I cannot remember any actual sentences but I know it was to the effect that he was thinking you at the time, that he had done his bit and you were to have the M.C. he had won at Ypres a month before. About his wife and child I saw nothing. I did not know he was married until I received your letter in Germany, but he may well have put a message for them in the part I could not read through. If I had had the time I might have been able to decipher it. He told me to take the little gold ring off his little finger (I remember it was so tiny I would not go on me, so I put it in my purse and if I remember rightly it had the date 1915 on the inside). Next he asked me for a drink and when he had had that he told me to take his revolver, field glasses and an electric torch, and also a couple of correspondence books which were in his pack, and send them all with the ring and his letter to you. He then asked me if we had taken the final objective as it seemed to be so much quieter, which it was - I told him we were waiting for reinforcements to come up first. More than once he asked me for a drink, and repeatedly said he felt no pain. I don't think he did but he was so brave I could have cried over him. While I was with him the Germans singled us out, and one big shell burst within a foot of my head, but by a miracle we both escaped. Bullets flew all round us but we were unhurt by them, and my belief to his day is that your son was hit by one of our own shells. So many were the Germans couldn,t hit us.

    After I had been about a quarter of an hour with him I looked down to see that he had gone and so peacefully that I had not noticed it. After that I tried the almost impossible task of getting back and, getting into one hole after another, I at last found a comrade in the shape of a lance corporal of the Cheshires. We stayed together shooting Germans all around us until four of them got quite close without our noticing them. We immediately jumped out after them to make a fight for it and actually reached them before we saw there were scores of Germans lying in shell holes all around us. The Cheshire with me took the rifle out of my hands almost before I knew it and I remember I laughed and he and I shook hands. The Germans (they were Saxons) were jolly decent and only took your son's revolver from me, but everything else I had to leave behind except the ring and letter in my pocket. I saw a few more men captured round about but you will be pleased to know that none of us put our hands up.

    We were escorted through no man's land and along a trench to some headquarters. Here an officer who spoke excellent English was joking with us so, being afraid everything would be taken off me, I asked his advice with regard to the letter and the ring. He was full of sympathy and said he would see that you got them within three weeks if I left them with him. I could see that he was speaking the truth so I gave them to him, writing a letter to you myself to go with them. Your address I memorised and I was not likely to forget it. We had to be moved quickly after that as our gunners began knocking the whole place to pieces with high explosives and my belief is that he must have been killed because I know he meant to keep his word, that is probably the reason why the ring and letter did not reach you.

    These are all the facts I can at present think of Mrs Lee of what happened on 31st July 1917, and I tender you my deepest sympathy on losing such a brave tender son and to Mrs Jack Lee on losing a husband who was loved so much by his men. All that I have written is true, not just to show you what I did, but to tell you everything that happened as it happened, for your son's men went through I as well as myself. A man of the 6th Cheshire whose name I have forgotten but who lives near you was captured on the same day as myself, and he told me all about Captain Lee, saying how he was well loved by his men and considered the best officer in the battalion.

    Any questions you like to ask I shall be only too pleased to answer to the best of my ability, and please do not think you are causing me any trouble. I am sorry I cannot give you a definite date just now for my visit to Wilmslow as I am awaiting orders for my discharge but be assured I shall manage to see you during February. With sincere regards from Miss Rendell and myself,

    I remain, Yours sincerely,

    F.G.Burch 1st Herts Regiment

    PS I may mention that only one sergeant, 2 corporals and 56 men out of my regiment and only one corporal and myself with the men were captured. Everyone else (including officers) were killed.

    Jack on motorbike 1916

    Jack Lee with his mother 1916

    Robert Lee




    240388

    Asst.Kel. Reginald Edward Charles Styles HMS Paxton (d.20th May 1917)

    Ship's Steward Assistant Styles was the son of Annie Eliza Styles of 19 Linden Avenue, Kensal Rise, London.

    He is buried in the Killybegs (St. Johns) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Killybegs, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240386

    Engn. Robert Simpson HMS Colleen

    Engineman Simpson was the husband of Janet Simpson, of 19 Emma's Terrace, Marmaduke St., Hull.

    He is buried close to the north boundary of the Killybegs (St. Johns) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Killybegs, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240385

    Gnr. P. Brien Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner Brien was 36 when he died on the 4th April 1919 and is buried north of the ruin in the Killoughy Old Graveyard, Killoughy, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240384

    2nd Lt. Robert Assheton Biddulph 2nd Btn. Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) (d.19th November 1916)

    Second Lieutenant Biddulph was the son of Florence C. Biddulph, of Pan's Garden, Warnham, Sussex, and the late Assheton Biddulph.

    He was 25 when he died and is buried in south-west entrance of the Killoughy Church of Ireland Churchyard, Killoughy, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    240381

    Gnr. William Summers 158th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.2nd January 1917)

    William Summers is not related to me but I found a record of his death in the 158th Siege Battery War Diaries. He was buried on 3rd of Jan 1917 at Combles Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Susan Ahlburg




    240376

    Sto1. Wilfred Vasil "Pincher" Martin HMS Skirmisher (d.18th August 1918)

    Wilfred Martin did not die through enemy action and is buried in Pireus Naval Cemetery, Greece.

    Paul Morris




    240373

    Stk1. Alfred Walter "Mont" Morris HMS Skirmisher

    Alfred Morris served aboard HMS Skirmisher as a stoker, between 7th of October 1913 and 18th of Sepetmber 1918. His best mate aboard was another stoker, William Vasil Martin known as Pincher.

    Paul Morris




    240357

    L/Sgt. Robert William Shields

    Robert Shields was my grandfather. He survived the War but died when I very young. He was reported missing on 30th of November 1917. (I have the letter from the War Office to my grandmother). I know he was kept a prisoner of war but I don't know where. After the war he lived in Folkestone, Kent.

    I would love to find out the position of his battalion when he was taken POW. My dad, before he passed away, said that Robert Shields was Mentioned in Dispatches but I have not been able to find any records of this. I would also like to find out which POW camp he was at in Germany. Any help would be much appreciated.

    Jon Shields




    240354

    L/Cpl. Christopher Grieves 24th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. B Coy, 5 plt. Northumberlad Fusiliers

    Dad served in WW1 initially in the 1st Tyneside Irish, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was wounded in action on the Somme, France on 1st of July 1916.

    It is likely that Dad was wounded more than once because I know he had been wounded in the leg, had shrapnel in his neck and had lost a finger. He told a story about being wounded, and said that on one occasion he was separated from his battalion and took shelter in a shell hole in `no-mans land'. He took three days to crawl to the safety of a first aid station and during this time he suffered severe frostbite to the arm with the lost finger. This obviously happened in winter, so it was a different occasion to him being wounded during the summer offensive in 1916 at La Boisselle.

    In 1916-17 he was with the 3rd Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    At the end of the war, Dad was a Second Corporal in the Royal Engineers Special Brigade P Company, 4th Battalion 74th Section. He was involved with gas cylinders and gas warfare.

    Tom Grieves




    240351

    Pte. Walter Whittingham Vernon 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th August 1918)

    Walter Whittingham Vernon died of wounds in hospital at St. Omer, France. He is buried at Aire Communal Cemetery, Aire-sur-la-Lys, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Walter was the fourth son of James Henry Vernon and Harriet Vernon of Hulme, Manchester. He was 21 years old, unmarried, with no children.





    240350

    Pte. A. Kay 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st September 1918)

    Private Kay is a relative of my cousin.

    David Harrison




    240348

    Pte. William Palmer 9th Coy., 5th section Labour Corps

    I know nothing about my father's family but we have an old postcard addressed to Daddy Palmer from Alice. The address is 8774 Private W Palmer 5th sec 9th Labour Company. GPOS 20 asc.

    Carol Willis




    240344

    Pte. Bertram Allen Ward 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.14th February 1916)

    <p>

    Bertram Ward served with the 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters.

    Elaine Ward




    240336

    Sgt. Harry Page 104th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Harry Page was my great grandfather and he served as a Private in the Machine Gun Corps during WW1. He signed up while he was under age and at 16 participated in the Battle of the Somme during the battle for Arrow Head Copse and Maltz Horn Farm.

    He was sent to the regimental depot in Camiers when it was discovered that he was underage. He signed up again when he was 18 and went to Italy with the 7th Battalion, MGC where he received a letter thanking him for his conspicuous bravery during the Battle of Vittorio Venetto (reasons unknown).

    After the war he transfered to the newly formed Royal Tank Corps and served in Russia, Iraq and India. During WW2 he was in the reserve army until 1945 in Bovington, Dorset. If you ever visit the Tank Museum there you will see wooden panels with regimental colours painted on them. The Panel for the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards was painted by Harry.

    Medals

    Royal scots dragoon guards panel

    Jeremy




    240331

    Pte. George Craggs 4th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.18th August 1917)

    George Craggs who died aged aged 19, was my grandmother's brother. He fought at the Battle of Langemarck on 16th August and extended the front line from Signal Farm to Cannes Farm. He was killed by enemy artillery fire on the 18th near General Farm, Boesinghe while in reserve.

    He is buried at Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boezinge next to his Captain H.J.Paddison also aged 19. This year is the centenary of the Battle of Langemarck and I am posting this in respect of all the gallant and brave men whose lives were the price of victory.

    Andrew Donald




    240329

    Pte. Harry Potter 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    To commemorate the Centenary of the Great War we are researching the 100+ names on the War Memorial at St Mary's Plaistow, Bromley, Kent. Some men we know a lot about, but for Harry Potter only what is in the record.

    Jo Clark




    240327

    Pte. Joseph Herrington 12th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    My grandfather Joseph Herrington joined up to serve in WW1. I'm not sure when. At the time he was 37 and had four young boys aged from 11 to 3. Therefore he went to war as a volunteer rather than as a conscript. He was a joiner, the son of a pub landlord in Harrogate, and married my grandmother in 1903 when she was working as a maid of all work in the same town. The couple moved to Redcar around 1906 and Joe obtained work as a council joiner, working on a new batch of streets that adjoined the railway at one end and the stables of Redcar Racecourse at the other. They were named after council Aldermen - Scott, Soppett, Hanson, Herschell, Holder and Elton. The couple already had two sons when they arrived in Redcar, Joseph Stanley and Arthur Reginald - but soon after my father, Albert Edward was born followed by George Ernest. Unusually, for someone of his class and income level, Joe was able to buy one of the houses he had worked on, number 37 Scott Street, and this house remained in the family for over 50 years.

    Joe went to war and returned damaged and unable to work. He was with the Teesside Pioneers in some of the fighting on the Somme and received a stomach wound. He was discharged and to my knowledge - as I only have this information from my father - he never worked again. He kept up his trade union payments, probably knowing this would help funeral bills and he died in 1928, after eleven years of illness. My grandma kept going. She had four working sons - at least until the depression hit. She put the sons in the outhouse in the back yard in the summer months. They slept there whilst their two bedrooms were given over to bed and breakfast guests. She seems to have been a Trojan and Joe, from what I know, was a quiet, kind man. A man who went to war voluntarily, a bit of a hero in my eyes.

    Josie Bland




    240324

    Pte. Robert Holmes 9th Btn., B Coy. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) (d.7th June 1917)

    Robert Holmes was in a reserved occupation but volunteered at the age of 41. An anecdotal story is that he was ordered to retreat but elected to carry two wounded comrades back to their lines. Unfortunately, he was shot in the leg and sent to hospital, where he had his leg amputated. The hospital was shelled, killing him.





    240323

    Capt. Jack Loudon Strain MID. 214th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    Captain Jack Strain, Second in Command of 214 Siege Battery, was killed in action near Ypres on 31st July 1917 at the age of 20.

    In the run-up to the 100th Anniversary of his death we have put together a website to commemorate Jack. The website, which is at www.jackstrain.co.uk and includes letters that were sent to his parents following his death from the battery.

    Iain V




    240322

    2nd Lt. James Alec Stewwart Rattray 5th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.23rd Sep 1917)

    Alas, we know very little about 2nd Lieutenant James Rattray other than he served in 5th Siege Battery of the R.G.A. and died on 23rd September 1917 and was subsequently buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, Boesinghe (Nr Ypres).

    If anyone has any additional information or photographs, we would dearly love to see them.

    Simon Ewers




    240318

    SRN. Annie Fitzgibbon

    <p>

    My grandmother Annie Fitzgibbon worked alongside Red Cross nurses after she trained and during WW1 she nursed a soldier from the East Lancashire Brigade called Francis J. Tobin. They married in 1918 in Grangetown, Middlesborough. Annie became a community nurse and midwife and as Nurse Tobin was well known around the Saltburn, Lingdale and Ormesby area of Middlesborogh.

    Frances Ellis




    240306

    Pte. George Edward Richings 8th Battalion

    George Richings was my grandfather, and my mother was the sixth of his seven children. He worked as a winchman labourer when he enlisted on 11 October 1916 at Melbourne, when he was 42 years of age.

    On 19th of February 1917 he embarked on HMAT Ballarat. The troopship was torpedoed by a German submarine as it entered the English Channel but all 1725 souls on board were rescued. The ship sank off The Lizard at the southern tip of Cornwall.

    By 16th of September 1917 George was a patient at the Fargo Military Hospital, suffering from lumbago, and was discarged to the 2nd Trig Depot at Weymouth ten days later. On 8th of November 1917 he was returned to Australia on HMAT A68 for discharge, due to suffering from chronic rheumatism, and on 5th of February 1918 he received his discharge certificate from the Australian Imperial Force.





    240305

    Pte. James Green 78th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    I have the War medal, Victory medal and Star in my possession relating to James Green from Wigan. Before the war he was a tram conductor.

    Sean




    240303

    Sgt. Charles Edward Johnson 2/1st Btn., B Coy. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.22nd August 1917)

    <p>

    All I know is that Charles Johnson was my great uncle and that he was killed on 22nd of August 1917 at Ypres. He is remembered with honour at the Tyne Cot Memorial. I have but one photo and treasure it very much. I wish that I knew more.

    Mary Andrews




    240300

    2nd Lt. Patrick Chillingworth Stearns 5th Btn. att 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifles (d.4th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    2nd Lt. Patrick Stearns served attached to 7th Kings Royal Rifles.

    Ian Harrison




    240296

    Pte Harry Mather 8th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    Harry Mather is remembered on the Basra Memorial. He was the husband of Margaretta Mather of 7 Syddall St. Hyde, Cheshire.

    Sharon




    240293

    Pte. Harold Robert Gibbons 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

    Harold Gibbons was my grandfather who joined the 10th Battalion East Yorks Regiment, the Hull Commercials in September 1914 in Hull. He served the whole war in the same Regiment and survived the war.

    Pamela Westland




    240292

    Pte. John Alexander Bardrick 29th Brigade Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Alec Bardrick served in the 29th Brigade, Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and transferred to 12th Gloucestershire Regiment. Then transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    David John Mortimer




    240291

    Capt. Geoffrey Foster Griffith 9th (Queen Victoria's Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.26th September 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, Geoffrey Griffith, served with the 9th Battalion Queen Victoria's Rifles, London Regiment and lost his life at the age of twenty-six on 26th of September 1917 in the Battle of Polygon Wood, the Third Battle of Passchendaele. His body was never found. He is remembered at the Tyne Cot Cemetery in Ypres.

    He was the son of Dr Walter Spencer Anderson Griffith CBE and Mary Ann Kinder of 96 Harley Street, London. She died from cancer at the end of 1915. Geoffrey's brother Harold Kinder Griffith was a Major serving on The Front with the Royal Army Medical Corps. Harold had married three months before the outbreak of WW1. He and his wife Helena went on to have six children before my grandfather signed up for service in WW2.

    Geoffrey regularly wrote home and I am in possession of seven of his letters. They are either typed or in green ink or pencil. His style of writing was fairly constantly upbeat and he always noted with appreciation clothing or food parcels that had been sent out to him by family and friends. Socks and matches were essential requisites!

    Letter to Geoffrey's brother Harold:-

    "Dec 5th 14 (Hand written green ink and pencil)

    Dear Harold

    We have had our first go in the trenches. About 5 miles from our billets where we go to as soon as we come out. We have to tramp (?). The first 3 miles along a road till we come to a ruined village which the Germans shell continually and then across fields, ditches and streams wading over one's ankles in mud. Snipers the whole way up. They apparently find out where the troops move up, sight their rifles by day and fox them in a vice and fire off continually, of course in front of the trenches they aim at anyone they can see and also to make one keep one's head down. Well, we filed into the trenches after coming down a line of willows and found that theory is not always followed by practice. The trenches had been shelled the same day I adit (?), but there was practically no effective head cover, no traverses and very poor loop holes. The ground was very wet and so the bank was rather sloped, in consequence of which the trenches were about 4 ft wide in places. The idea of keeping them as narrow as possible is of course what you want but as soon as the rain comes, the banks collapse and we had to dig every night to keep ourselves protected. Our company was very lucky in that we were not shelled at all. B. Company whom we relieved rather caught it but had no casualties. Our artillery opened fire on the German trenches which were only 100 yds in front of ours so that we have an idea of what shell fire is like. We think that they keep practically no-one in their front trenches especially at night, but only snipers. It is a quaint sensation in the trenches, continual sniping at one, and the continual booming of artillery either near or far off. Food is brought up at night by orderlies to last for 24 hours. One manages to keep fairly comfortable but to keep warm is the chief difficulty especially one's feet. The trenches fill with water as soon as there is any rain and so one has to keep dry if possible. A difficult job too. As far as I can make out if the line advances each man digs himself in as fast as he can and then you convert it afterwards. That I suppose accounts for the lack of traverses as you want your fire trench as soon as possible (??). But the shere (?) practice of digging is good for the man being excellent exercise. Well, this letter is very disjointed, I am afraid, but one really gets very tired in the trenches as one is up all the night and most of the day and so you must excuse it.

    I expect we shall get accustomed to it and not mind it so much in the future and then think nothing much of it. Bring out everything warm and waterproof as far as possible. I believe you have a pair of knee boots which are good for your job. We never had our kit weighed and so I do not think you need keep yours down to the 35 lbs weight. You are always billeted out here or (?) in the trenches, so you can guess what you want.

    Dec 6th (Same letter)

    Still in billets after the trenches. A fair number of men suffer from diarrhoea which seems rather prevalent. I should think it comes from eating food which is mixed with dirt from the bottom of the trenches. The trenches stink in places as they have been occupied for six weeks and so the earth one eats is not of the best kind. What I really think we need is someone to show us how best to repair these trenches and not, certainly at this moment how to make new ones. How to pack sandbags, put in fascines, how the men should dig their dugouts and how they should not.

    In diagram I, the usual method of cutting is shown. The man starts at A and cuts out to B. This usually leaves only 1 ft of earth about to the top of the trench with the result that the whole banks falls in. You should make them start at C in diagram II and cut in about 1 ft and slightly down and then gradually work up to D1 and D2 leaving as much thickness as possible above that. The idea is that the man should sit in them and not lie in them so you can understand what sort of shape they are. Then if you have time you dig back and make dug outs where you can lie down. They are roofed in with timber and about 1 ft of earth on top, or more if possible. Our trenches are simply awful and, we've had to dig the whole time as they simply collapsed time after time, no comforts about at all. There is one thing more. All the troops out here are inundated with tobacco and cigarettes and so if you know of anyone sending things out here, get them to send chocolate, potted meats, cake, toffee etc.

    Best love to you and Helena, Geoffrey"

    He earned the 1914 Star, General Service Medal and Victory Medal.

    Panel 151, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium

    Diagram from letter home from the Front

    Letter from War Office

    1914 Star awarded posthumously

    Vanessa Griffith




    240290

    L/Cpl. Duncan Alexander MacDonald 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry

    <p>

    Duncan MacDonald served with 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.

    LCpl Duncan and Betsy MacDonald with son James.

    Duncan MacDonald




    240285

    Stker 1st Cl. Alfred Walter "Mont" Morris HMS Larkspur

    Alfred Morris served aboard HMS Larkspur from 18th November 1918 to 12th March 1919.





    240283

    Cpl. Walter McMullen 155th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>libry1

    Walter McMullen was born on 7th January 1889 in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. He took a boat back from America where he was living to join the British Army in 1917. He was in the 155th Siege Battery and was present for the Battles of Messines Ridge and 3rd Ypres. He survived the war. He returned to Ireland, married, moved to Scotland and then back to New York. He died in 1968. He is the middle figure in the attached picture of five men seated around a table.

    Walter McMullen 155th Siege Battery

    Dennis Mahoney




    240277

    Cpl. Thomas Adamson 2nd Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.11th May 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Adamson was born in Cardross in December 1891, one of eleven children to Robert and Marion Adamson. Thomas worked as a bank clerk for the Bank of Scotland. Thomas was killed on 11th of May 1915 aged 23. He served in the 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.

    Thomas, along with his brother Gunner Archibald Adamson of the Royal Field Artillery who was killed in 1917, is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres. They were my great-uncles on my paternal grandmother's side.

    Nicola Musgrave




    240272

    Pte. Duncan Campbell 8th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Duncan Campbell was my uncle and he came from the crofting community of Silvercraigs about three miles from Lochgilphead. He did not talk about his time with the Argylls, but indicated the names of some of the locals who had served with him, including Jimmy Aitken, the postman, who had lost an arm but still pedalled round the district delivering mail from his bike (he once put me on his handlebars and gave me a lift from Achnaba which is about 3 miles).

    Duncan took a bullet through the jaw at, I think, Beaumont Hamel. He spent many years in rehab. and returned to his home where he worked as a mason, fisherman, and crofter. He died in 1966, one of the many unsung heroes who gave their lives and who lived with their battle scars, uncomplaining members of society who made Argyll what it is.

    Many of these heroes, who gave us the standard of living which we enjoy, lived uncomplaining lives giving God the Glory and thanks for the fact that they survived when so many of their friends did not. Duncan died in 1967. It is my honour to be able to record Duncan's service. I am sorry I do not have any photos.

    Dugald Campbell McNab




    240267

    Pte. Charles Banks 12th Btn., A Coy. South Wales Borderers (d.6th May 1917)

    Charles Banks was killed in action at La Vacquerie, he was 19 years old. He died assisting a comrade. His nephew was named for him and died in WW2 in Thunderbolt submarine.

    Sharon Taylor




    240262

    Rflmn. Henry Thomas William Slater 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Btn London Regiment (d.6th May 1917)

    <p>

    On 24th of February 1917, Territorial Soldier, Rifleman Henry Slater of 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment was attached to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who were then in the trenches at Hill 60 sub sector.

    At the age of 25 years, Rifleman Slater died on 6th of May 1917 and is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery. He was was posthumously awarded the British War and Victory Medals. The medals were dispatched to his father, Henry Slater of Camberwell, on 28th December 1921.

    Tim Lewcock




    240259

    CQMS. Leopold John Jordan 6th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.4th November 1916)

    <p>

    Leo Jordan was among those killed in the Battle of the Somme. His name appears on the Thiepval Monument in France as well as on the Cenotaph in his hometown of Chippenham. He was a beloved son, brother and uncle. He was known to have won several awards for shooting prior to the war.

    Carol Salmon




    240258

    Pte. George H. Carver 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.29th May 1917)

    Private George Carver is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery, just outside Ypres, grave reference O.15.

    Jeanette G. Hallett




    240256

    Pte. Frances Samuel Appleford 7th Btn. London (City of London) Regiment

    Frances Appleford was a distant relative of mine. He survived the war, but sadly he died in 1925 from the after effects of four years' active service with the 7th City of London Regiment. He left behind a wife and two very young children. He is buried in Forest Gate, London.





    240253

    Gnr. Alfred Batty 213th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.11th May 1917)

    Alfred Batty was killed in action on 11th May 1917. No. 4 Gun took a direct hit whilst in action south-east of Henin sur Cojeul, firing on trenches south-west of Fontaine-les-Croisilles. A total of 5 men were killed and 2 wounded. He is buried in Henin Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Paul Gibbins




    240250

    Pte. James Wilde 205th Coy. 5th Battalion

    My father James Wilde was called up April 1918 and joined the Border Regiment but transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. In the Borders he had done some training at Altcar Range. I was there 39 years later with the REME. After training he went to France. On their first day they walked 11 miles in the sunshine but on the second they did 26 miles because it was raining. He was 29 years old. In the trenches they were nearly always in water and sometimes slept in more than a foot of water. They had very little food and once their daily amount was half a loaf and a jar of jam between 6 of them. They broke the bread up added water and the jam and boiled it up like soup. It was too sweet to eat.

    Some time in the middle of Oct. He was working his way through the tranches, he fell back and trying to rise he thought he had sat in water and then knew it was his blood. A slinter shell had exploded near him and removed 4 inches of his femur. In Grantham Hospital he was 11 months on his back with pulleys and sand bags waiting for his bones to grow together.

    They needed money to spend so 200 of them lined up for 10s. My father wanted to read what they were signing for but the quarter master would not give them time and later they all found they had signed for a pound. Most of the men also found out that they had all been charged for loosing their uniforms in France. He did not get out of the army until 1920. He had constant medicals on his leg which was as thick as my wrist in his thigh and it would not be any different so he refused to take further medicals so they reduced his pension from 100% to 60%. He was qualified unfit for work. At 65 he applied for the OAP. He was told because he had no stamps on his card he did not qualify. He died in Dec. 1963

    James Colin Wilde




    240249

    L/Cpl. Arthur George Stiff 13th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.9th July 1918)

    Arthur Stiff was born at Capel St. Mary, Suffolk, 3rd child of Harry and Alice Stiff, one of nine. He left home for Walthamstow 1901 and worked as a flooring paviour. Arthur married in 1897, Jane Agnes Gilson and had two children, Alice and William, 1909, 1911.

    Arthur joined thee 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment and arrived France on the 17th of November 1915. He became an Acting Corporal in 13th Battalion, and transferred to the 11th Battalion later in the war as Lance Corporal. Arthur is remembered with honour after his death 9th of July 1918. at Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinge, Ypres. Awarded the 1915 Star, British War and Victory medals. His widow lived at 6 Albtion Road, Wood Street, Walthamstow, London.

    Evelyn M Empson




    240247

    Pte. John Alfred Lawrence Portsmouth Division

    Jack Lawrence had previously tried to join the East Surrey Regiment, but lied about his age, and when this was discovered, he was sent packing back to his parents. He didn't learn his lesson, and on 10th November 1902, he enlisted in the Royal Marines in London, and was sent, first to Deal, then Portsmouth to receive his training, at which time they discovered his deception, but retained him, and just docked his service by 141 days.

    He served right through until 8th June 1921, by which time he had married, had a son, his namesake, then tragically lost his wife during childbirth. His daughter survived. He served on 13 different vessels, from Fire Queen, the Admiral's yacht at Portsmouth, to HMS Topaze, his final ship. During the Great War, he also served on HMS Britannia, HMS Inconstant, and HMS Glory, but he was lucky to be on shore leave back in Portsmouth for Jutland, and the Dardanelles campaign, plus he missed the sinking of the Britannia.

    A complex and misunderstood man, I believe now he suffered from PTSD. His was not an easy war; not that there is such a thing..

    Roger Stubbings




    240245

    L/Cpl L. Henderson MM. 41st Divisional Signals Company Royal Engineers

    I own the Military Medal awarded to L/Cpl L. Henderson of 41st Divisional Signals Company, Royal Engineers.

    Mike Barnes




    240237

    Pte. Murdoch Gillies 6th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.3rd May 1917)

    Murdo Gillies left behind a pregnant wife, Jessie, when he went to fight in France. He never met his daughter, Catriona, who was born in March 1917.





    240235

    Pte. James William "Shen" Meaburn 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    James Meaburn is my father, who survived the war being wounded once was demobbed on 23rd of March 1919.

    Edward Meaburn




    240234

    Pte. Harold Herbert Murfin 2nd/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.10th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Murfin was born in Hucknall Torkard, Nottinghamshire to Edward, a Miner, and Martha Murfin. He had two brothers, Frederick and Edward and two sisters, Elizabeth and May. He was a sickly child, suffered with asthma. He didn't sign up straightaway because of his health, but received a white feather in an envelope posted to the family home. He then signed up. He died aged 19, in 1917 and is buried in the Rocquigny-Equancourt Poad British Cemetery, Manancourt, France. His family had the following quotation on his gravestone, "Christ will link the broken chain, Tighter when we meet again." But as far as I know they never visited the grave. His niece and I, (a great-niece) with our husbands have visited his grave to pay our respects.

    Fiona Slater




    240233

    Pte. Wilfred Roberts Moorhouse 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.20th December 1917)

    My Grandfather, Wilfred Moorhouse served as a private in the West Riding Regiment, number 13016 from 19th April 1903 until 30th May 1905. He was a member of the Reserve Force until he was recalled to colours on 4th August 1914. He served in France with the 2nd Battalion until 9th October 1914 when he was returned home classified unfit through illness. He died on 20th of December 1917.

    J H Moorhouse




    240232

    Pte. George Frederick Davies 18th (3rd City) Btn. Manchester Regiment

    George Davies was my grandfather and was a private soldier in the 18th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. He was captured during the battle of Zillebeke on the 14th of December 1917 and held at the Dulmen Prisoner of War camp.

    Sian




    240230

    Pte. Hugh Pentland B Coy.1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Hugh Pentland was a farmer's son from Ballyworkan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. He did his training at Shorncliffe, but after disembarkation in France on 22nd August 1914, the British Army was immediately engaged by the Germans. Only five days later Hugh was captured and he spent the remainder of WW1 in the Prisoner of War camp at Minden, Germany. According to the ICRC records, Hugh was not wounded. After repatriation, in 1919, he received Victory and 4 Star decorations. He moved to Canada, where he spent a quiet life as a bachelor in beautiful Peachland, B.C., Canada.

    Alison Pentland




    240229

    Rfl. James Millington 2/8th (2nd P.O.Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.30th October 1917)

    <p>

    Rifleman 375312 James Millington, 2nd/8th Battalion, London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) was killed in action in Belgium on the 30th October 1917, aged 41. He is Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. he was the son of Joseph and Harriet Millington, Husband of Minnie Maria Millington [nee Wilson] who he had married on the 16th of September 1901 at Hartshill. James was born 19th Sep 1876 and Baptised 11th Oct 1876 at Nuneaton. In 1901 he lived at 61 Bothill Street, Nuneaton, employed as a Postman and on the 1911 census is listed as living at 50 Poolbank Street, Nuneaton, employed as a Postman, he was appointed to the British Postal Service on 13th June 1895.

    Ian Shuter




    240227

    L/Cpl. William Cresswell 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    My great uncle William Cresswell was one of 58 Essex soldiers who were gassed in May 1915 in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He returned home wounded.

    Maurice Cresswell




    240225

    L/Cpl. Thomas Smith 7th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.20th August 1917)

    According to local newspaper, Lance Corporal Thomas Smith was killed by a raider while lying wounded in hospital.





    240224

    Pte. Joseph Tew 1/7th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.11th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My Grandmother never saw her father Joseph Tew, she was not born until January 1919 and Joseph had been killed in October 1918.

    In the 90s my Grandmother went to France to see her fathers grave and was upset that there was no cross on his gravestone. I contacted CWGC and explained this, and a couple of years later we had a photo showing they had put a cross on his grave. She was a happy lady.

    Original (No Cross)

    With Cross added

    Glynn May




    240222

    Pte. Francis Warrender 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th June 1917)

    Francis Warrender is my second great uncle on my fathers side that I've been uncovering information about.

    Rebecca Wright




    240221

    Pte. John William Norman 2nd/9th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Having obtained the medal card for my great uncle John William Norman, it states that his medals were returned by his family. I can understand the bitterness of relatives as he was one of three of my relatives from the pit villages of County Durham, killed in WWI and whose bodies were not found. Their names are on the Tyne Cot and Thiepval memorials. God Bless them.

    Geoffrey E. Dixon-Hamilton




    240216

    Pte. William Doy 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.22nd October 1917)

    <p>

    William Doy was born on 24th August 1894 in Colkirk. His father's family came from Brisley, Norfolk and his mother's family came from Gt. Ryburgh, Norfolk. William's mother was Harriet Doy nee Ainger and his father was Arthur Doy. He was the couple's only son, he had five sisters: Bertha born 1889, Ruth born 1890, Thurza born 1891, Emma Laura born 1892, and Bessie born 1897. William's mother died in childbirth in 1901 when he was only 6 years old. His father was unable to care for his children and they all went to live with different relatives. William lived with paternal aunt and uncle, Samuel and Georgina Nelson at 48, Fakenham Road Gt. Ryburgh. Also living in the Nelson household were the couple's sons, one of their sons, Ernest Nelson also joined up and was killed in WW1. William attended Gt. Ryburgh School. He left school and worked on a local farm until he enlisted 3rd September 1914. William enlisted only a month after war was declared and initially for one year.

    He joined the 8th (Service) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment in September 1914 . The Norfolk Regiment was raised at Norwich in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. In October 1914 the Battalion moved to Colchester and then moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. On 25th July 1915 the Battalion mobilised for war and landed at Boulogne.

    Since 14th October 1914 French and English troops had occupied the area around Ypres. The British and French put up a defence to block the route for the German Army through Ypres to the ports on the French and Belgian coast. The Allies and the British Army remained in Ypres for four years from October 1914 to the end of the war in November 1918. Ypres never fell into German occupation during the war.

    In 1916 William saw action with The Norfolk Regiment on The Somme in The Battle of Albert,capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge,including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights, playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench, and the The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Regiment took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, they fought during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Third Battle of the Scarpe, Then moving to Flanders.

    On 22nd of October 1917 after serving from July 1915 on the front line William was killed in action, his body is buried in Leper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

    Mary Carden




    240212

    Cpl. Ernest Francis Sykes 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment

    <p>Ernest Sykes just before he went to France

    Ernest Sykes was my great uncle, he was called up he was in a reserved occupation at the Daimler Works, Coventry. He had training with 3rd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment based at the Isle of Sheppey. He was posted to the front in September 1916, spent a few days at L infantry Base Depot on the French coast before being posted and joining the 6th Northamptonshires on 23rd of September 1918. He fought at Bois Mormal Forest, he was seriously injured on 4th November, shot in chest & below knee amputation and was repatriated to Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport and discharged from the army in 1920.

    John Willgoss




    240208

    Pte. William Middleton 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.9th April 1917)

    William Middleton, 6th Gordon Highlanders, was killed on the 9th of April 1917 on the first day of the Battle of Arras. Buried in the Highlander Cemetery at Rollincourt and his brother Pte John Middleton, 7th Gordon Highlanders, is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial. After only 47 days on French soil, John was killed in a road by the battlefield. They were my father's paternal cousins, from Tarland. Three of his maternal cousins, who were an Aboyne branch of Deeside Middletons, were also killed. Charles Middleton, Pte 422290, 8th Manitoba Regiment, born Birse, died 14th of June 1916, remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium . His father John of 'Alberta, Golf Road, Aboyne had 7 sons in WW1. 3 were killed.

    Sheena Booth Middleton




    240204

    Capt. Fred W.C. Hinings 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th September 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Hinings served with 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, he was a well know Rugby player.

    Michael Ray




    240202

    Cpl. Stanley Leonard Hall Medical Corps

    Stanley Hall is my Grandfather, he was a medic at Brocton Camp and was discharged in 1919 from the Military.

    Robyn Alexander




    240200

    2nd.Lt. Albert Perkins 197th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.4th October 1917)

    <p>

    Taken from Local Newspaper:-

    "Loughborough Town Clerk's son killed".

    "Much sympathy was felt in Loughborough with the Town Clerk (Mr. Harry Perkins), who on Tuesday evening received official notification of the death of his second son second Lieut. Albert Perkins, of the Machine Gun Corps, which took place on Oct.4th from wounds. Second Lieut. Perkins was 27 years of age, and married. He was articled to the late Mr. A. E. King, architect, and on his death joined Mr. Haynes in carrying on the business. He enlisted in September 1914, with a number of Loughborough young men. In the Public Schools Battalion, and went to France In November 1915, returning to England the following March to take his cadet's course for a commission. The deceased officer was then attached to the 149th Machine Gun Corps, with which he continued until he had to go into hospital for sickness from which he recovered in about a month, and was then transferred to the 197th M.G.C. and stationed near the Flanders coast."

    A letter of Sympathy was received by Mrs. Albert Perkins from the Captain of the Machine Gun Company to which her late husband, Second Lieutenant Perkins, was attached. The writer expresses the deepest sympathy of his brother officers, and says-

    "Although he only joined this company a week ago, we were all beginning to have a very warm regard for him, and I am sure that he had not been so unfortunately taken from us we should soon have learned to love him. His bright cheery disposition and companionable ways makes us feel his loss keenly. This being so with us, who only knew him for one short week, makes it very easy for us to have some little idea as to your feelings at the loss of one who must have been dearer to you than life itself". The writer goes to say he was with Second Lieutenant Perkins when he died. During a terrible bombardment a shell burst just outside their shelter and a splinter struck him on the right breast, and in five minutes he passed away, quite peacefully and painlessly. The letter adds: "He died a soldiers death- to my mind the most glorious death to die- but he was young and fair, cut off in his prime, which is always so sad. He showed all the qualities of a gallant soldier and a gentleman, which though, I hope will cheer you when you think of the departed dear one."

    Chris Robinson




    240196

    Bertie Leveridge 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.21st Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Bertie Leveridge was the son of William and Emma Leveridge. He was born in 1890 and baptised in Letheringsett on 22nd June 1890. Bertie enlisted in Cromer with the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment and fought in France and Flanders. He was killed, aged 28 on 21st of August 1918 in France. He is remembered with honour at the Gommecourt British Cemetery No 2 Hebuterne.

    Lynne Pavey




    240194

    Pte. Joseph Letters 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.8th Feb 1918)

    Joseph Letters was born in Glasgow of Irish parents in 1886. Joseph married Catherine Cassidy in Glasgow in 1908. By the time Joseph left for the war in 1915, he and Catherine (Kate) had 4 children, Jane (Jeanie), Joseph, James and Elizabeth (Lizzie). After his death in 1918 Kate never sang again and remained a widow till her death in 1970. Lizzie was the only one of their children to stay in Scotland, Jeanie, Joe and James emigrated to the United States of America.

    Kate Marshall




    240178

    Gnr. Edgar Borley 182 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Edgar Borley served with 182 Siege Battery. He is buried In Wimereux and had been born in Suffolk.

    Peter Mercer




    240176

    PO. Thomas Seth Bray HMS Exeter (d.28th Feb 1942)

    <p>

    Seth Bray was a Petty Officer Stoker on HMS Exter when he lost his life.

    Tom Cory




    240175

    Pte. George Gordon Favell 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.10th May 1917)

    George Favell lived in Hemingford Grey, St Ives, Hunts and was the son of William & Sarah Jane Favell. He joined the Suffolks at the start of hostilities when he was only 16 years of age. He was invalided home in 1916 with shell shock and loss of speech from which he recovered in three or four months and was again sent out. He was killed on the 10th May 1917 aged 19 years at the Battle of Arras (Bullecourt). Researching history as part of Every Man Remembered.

    Mike Robinson




    240173

    Cpl. Frederick James Cowling 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    Frederick Cowling served with the 9th Suffolk Regiment.

    Nicole Patience




    240170

    VAD. Cathryn Young London 52 Voluntary Aid Detachment

    Lady Cathryn Young of Audley Hall served with the Voluntary Aid Detachment, British Red Cross Society in the American Women's Hospital at 98-99 Lancaster Gate, London W., from March to September 1917 in the Pantry. A redcross enquiry yielded an index card listing 300 hours of volunteer work. Previously, Mrs Young had served 1915-1916 in Le Bourget, France at Directress of "Les Contines du Dames Anglaises" according to the same source.





    240165

    Rifl. Alec Spry 1st/16th.(Queens Westminster Rifles)Btn. London Regiment (d.13th August 1917)

    I have recently discovered Alec Spry is my relative (3rd Great Uncle) and I will be making the trip to the Menin Gate in May 2017 to pay my respect to him and his brothers in arms. He died three days before the 3rd Battle of Ypres.

    I did not realise that I had any relatives who fought or were involved in the Great War and I am humbled by the fact that my family were there. I do not have any photo's of my relative and cannot give much more information.





    240159

    Pte. Thomas Walker 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    Thomas Walker was my Grandfather's brother, my mother's uncle and so he is my great uncle. Thomas died on the third day of the Battle of the Somme. His name is engraved on the Thiepval Monument.

    Peter Savage




    240156

    Pte. James Glen 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    James Glen was my wife's Grandfather. No more details of his service are known. He passed away in 2016.

    Jack Rase




    240152

    Pte. Clifton Harold "Lou" Roat 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment

    Clifton Roat joined the 1st Essex Regiment at the age of 22 years old. His first posting, on the 9th of October 1915 was to the Balkans, with the 2nd Battalion. On the 13th of January 1916 the Essex Regiment was evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Egypt, where they stayed for 2 months. Later he was sent to France, where he was badly wounded, after he recovered in a military hospital he was sent back to the front line.

    Then in April 1917 Clifton and his Battalion moved to Arras, where they were ordered to relieve the 87th Brigade at Monchy le Preux. On the 14th of April 1917, 208 men from the 1st Essex, including Clifton, were captured and taken prisoner. He then spent the rest of the war in a Prisoner of War camp at Gustrow in North East Germany.

    On the 28th of March 1919 he was discharged as a class Z Reservist.

    James Roat




    240145

    2nd.Lt. Rowland Woosley Adams

    Rowland Adams was wounded on 31st July 1917 at Wambeke. He was picked up on 1st August, taken to Lump Farm Advanced Field Dressing Station and onward to 53 Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul by about midnight. An operation was carried out on 2nd August before Rowland was moved to No 20 General hospital. A bullet was subsequently removed on 4th August.

    He was returned to England in September and on 2nd August 1918, he was discharged from the army by a medical board, surviving until 4th September 1921 when he died at Turf Hotel, outside Exeter.

    E J Adams




    240144

    RSM. Albert Edward Pollard MM. 6/7th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Pollard was my great grandfather. I have just retired after 39 years with the Royal Navy. I and my siblings would like to honor the bravery and sacrifice in this the 100th anniversary of his death at the 3rd battle of Ypres. May he and his fallen comrades be blessed by gods eternal love for always

    Kirk Douglass




    240141

    Pte. Joshua Pollard Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment

    Joshua Pollard is the grandfather I never saw. He survived the war and I have a few mementos of him, a photograph of him in uniform, a signal trench map tracing, decorated shell case and his medals. He survived the war but died in the late 1920s when my father was very young.

    My two sons and I are driving to the Somme to explore the places in his map and to try and imagine what they went through.

    David Pollard




    240140

    Pte. Frederick Harry Smart 2/4th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.4th April 1918)

    Private Frederick Smart was the husband of S.A. Smart of 32 Samuel Street, Leicester. He died, aged 26, on 4th April 1918 at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers and is buried in Grave XI.E.11 at Grevillers British Cemetery.





    240139

    Pte. J. Brown 25th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st March 1918)

    Private J. Brown died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 21st March 1918. He is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XI.E.12.





    240138

    Cpl. Thomas Cornelius Ward 95th Seige Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Corporal Thomas Ward was the son of Henry Edward and Jane Ward. He died, aged 28, at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 21st March 1918. He is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XI.E.14.





    240137

    Pte. G. Gemmel 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.23rd March 1918)

    Private Gemmel died of gunshot wounds to his head on 23rd March 1918 at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers. He is buried in Grave XI.E.5 at Grevillers British Cemetery.





    240136

    Pte. H. Kilvert 1st Btn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry (d.21st March 1918)

    Private Kilvert died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 21st March 1918. He is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XI.E.6.





    240135

    Gnr. William Cornes 6th Trench Mortar Bty, "Z" Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd March 1918)

    William Cornes was the son of the late Mr and Mrs Thomas Cornes of Kirkby Lonsdale, Yorkshire. William died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 22nd March 1918, aged 27. He is buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XI.E.17.





    240134

    Pte. E. Wood 51st Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    Private E. Wood died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 21st March 1918. He is buried in Grave XI.E.3. at Grevillers British Cemetery.





    240133

    Pte. M. Gillingham King's Liverpool Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    Private Gillingham had transferred from the King's Liverpool Regiment to the 87th Company Labour Corps (Service No. 51765). He died on 21st March 1918 at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers and is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XI.E.2.





    240131

    Pte. John Sanderson Hurdman MM 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd March 1918)

    John Hurdman was the son of Mrs Rebecca Hurdman of 14 Zion Street, Sunderland. He died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 22nd March 1918 and is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XI.E.8.





    240130

    Gnr. Frank Bridger 131 Seige Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Gunner Frank Bridger died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 21st March 1918, aged 21. He was the son of Joseph and Eva E. Bridger who lived at Chorley Road, West Wycombe. Frank is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XI.E.9.





    240129

    2nd Cpl. R. A. Howes 509th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.21st March 1918)

    Second Corporal Howes was the son of William and Caroline Howes and the husband of A.E. Howes of 47 Hunsden Road, New Cross, London. He was aged 33 when he died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 21st March 1918. He is buried in Grave XI.E.10 at Grevillers British Cemetery.





    240128

    Pte. T. Capper 17th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    Private T Capper had transferred from the 17th Btn. Cheshire Regiment to the 87th Company Labour Corps (Service No. 51694). He died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 21st March 1918 and is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XI.E.15.





    240127

    Pte. John Ritchie 51st Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    John Ritchie was the son of David and Mary Kennedy Ritchie of Belvedere, Redgorton, Perthshire. John was 20 years old when he died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 21st March 1918. He is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XI.E.16.





    240126

    Gnr. Alexander John Thomson 113th Bgde. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Alexander Thomson was the son of John and Mary Thomson of Strath Campfield, Glassel, Aberdeenshire. He was 21 when he died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 21st March 1918. Alexander is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Graive XI.E.18.





    240125

    Pte. W. Brotherton 51st Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    Private Brotherton died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers on 21st March 1918. He is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XI.E.13.





    240124

    Lab. Hsien T'Ing Lu Chinese Labour Corps (d.23rd September 1918)

    Hsien T'Ing Lu, a labourer with the Chinese Labour Corps, died of accidental abdominal injuries at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Gezaincourt on 23rd September 1918. He is buried in the Chinese Plot at Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave 3.





    240123

    Pte. R. N. Mansfield 110th Seige Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st April 1918)

    Private Mansfield was the son of Stafford and Annie Kate Mansfield of Queniborough, Syston, Leicestershire. He was 23 when he died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Gezaincourt on 1st April 1918. He is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave II.H.15.





    240122

    Pte. Lindsay Gordon Millwood Richards 42nd Btn. Infantry (d.1st April 1918)

    Private Lindsay Richards died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, aged 20, on 1st April 1918. He was the son of Martin and Susannah Richards of Watson Street, Charleville, Queensland, Australia. Lindsay is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave II.4.13.





    240121

    Pte. M. Kennedy 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.31st March 1918)

    Private Kennedy was aged 36 when he died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Gezaincourt on 31st March 1918. He was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, the son of James and Ellen Kennedy who lived at 5 Halifax Lane Fold, Luddenden, Yorkshire.

    Private Kennedy is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave II.H.11.





    240120

    Pte. George McCrovie Dickie 13th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.24th April 1918)

    Private George Dickie was the son of Matthew and Agnes Campbell Dickie of 115 Oran Street, Maryhill, Glasgow. George died of gunshot wounds, aged 20, at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Gezaincourt on 24th April 1918. He is buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt in Grave I.C.29.





    240119

    Sub-Lt. Jack Clifford Morley Hood Btn. Royal Naval Div. (d.10th October 1918)

    Sub-Lieutenant Jack Morley was 21 years old when he died of wounds at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux on 10th October 1918. He was the son of William and Mary Morley of Holly Bank, Woodley, Stockport. Jack Morley is buried in Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny in Grave I.C.3.





    240118

    Sub-Lt. Joseph Orlando Harris DSO Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Div. (d.10th October 1918)

    Sub-Lieutenant Joseph Harris DSO was aged 31 when he died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux.

    He was the son of Augusta Harris of Tottenham and the late William Haris and the husband of Ada Healy (formerly Harris) of Bartlett House, Rockmount Road, Plumstead.

    He is buried in Delsaux Farm Cemtery, Beugny in Grave I.C.17.





    240117

    PO John Bruce Johnston Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Div. (d.9th October 1918)

    Petty Officer Johnston was the son of the late William G. and M.B. Johnston of Glasgow. He died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux on 9th October 1918 and is buried in Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny, Grave I.D.24.





    240116

    PO R. Russell DCM Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Div. (d.9th October 1918)

    Petty Officer Russell died aged 25 at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux on 9th October 1918. He was the son of Robert and Martha Russell of 7 East View, Bolden Colliery, Co. Durham. He is buried in Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny in Grave I.D.11.





    240115

    Ldg. Sea. A. S. Athroll Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Div. (d.9th October 1918)

    Leading Seaman Athroll died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux on 9th October 1918. He is buried in Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny in Grave I.D.15.





    240114

    Ldg. Sea. F. C. Gardner Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Div. (d.9th October 1918)

    Leading Seaman Gardner was the son of James Gardner of 143 Wellington Bldgs, Ebury Bridge Road, Pimlico, London. He was 23 when he died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux. He is buried in grave I.D.5 at Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny.





    240113

    Able Sea. J. G. Clark Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Div. (d.9th October 1918)

    Able Seaman Clark was the son of Joseph and Annie Clark of 7 Tenches Bldgs, California, Winlaton, Co. Durham. He was 21 when he died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux on 9th October 1918. He is buried in Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny, Grave I.B.16.





    240112

    Able Sea. H. Cotton Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Div. (d.10th October 1918)

    Able Seaman Cotton died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux on 10th October 1918. He is buried in grave I.C.5 at Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny.





    240111

    Pte. J. Crook 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.9th October 1918)

    Private Crook is buried in Grave I.B.11 at Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny. He died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux on 9th October 1918.





    240110

    Able Sea. A. C. Laird Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Div. (d.9th October 1918)

    Able Seaman Laird died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux on 9th October 1918. He is buried in Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny, Grave I.B.28.





    240103

    Pte. George Williams 10th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>10th North Staffords at Greystone, Okehampton

    George Williams is at the front with the dog.

    Leonora Flower




    240102

    L/Cpl. Clarence Durell Nicolle 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.9th October 1918)

    Clarence Nicolle died, aged 27, at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux on 9th October 1918. He was the son of Elias and Jane Nicolle of Jersey, and the husband of Lilian E Nicolle, 15 Devonshire Lane, St Helier, Jersey.





    240101

    Pte. Ernest Francis Brooks 2/6th Btn. Warwickshire Regiment (d.11th November 1918)

    Ernest Brooks was the son of Mr and Mrs Brooks, 38 Ashton Gate Road, Coronation Road, Bristol. He was aged 19 when he died in 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux. He is buried in Grave III.A.14 at Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny.





    240100

    Pte. Wilford Henry Carver 7th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.11th November 1918)

    Wilford Carver was the son of Albert and Mary Jane Carver, Chesterblade, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. He was 21 years old when he died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux. He is buried in Grave III.A.11 at Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny.





    240099

    Pioneer Duncan Reginald Coleman 234th Lt. Railway Coy. Royal Engineers (d.11th November 1918)

    Pioneer Coleman was born in Wardington, Oxfordshire. He was the son of George and Emily Coleman, 102 Dunsmore Terrace, Lawford Road, Rugby. Duncan Coleman died, aged 25, in 29 Casualty Clearing Station at Delsaux on 11th November 1918. He is buried in Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny, Grave III.A.17.





    240098

    Pte. J. Millington 9th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.11th November 1918)

    Private Millington died on 11th November 1918 at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Delsaux Farm. He is buried in Grave III.A.12 in Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny.





    240097

    Pte. R. Bradley 9th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.6th October 1918)

    Private Bradley died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station on 6th October 1918. He is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XVI.C.5.





    240094

    Dvr. Percy Pidd 155th (West Yorkshire) Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    On Thursday 15th April 1915 Percy Pidd set out from his parents small terraced house at 55 William Street, Swinton, in what was then the West Riding of Yorkshire, and travelled the couple of miles that separates it from the neighbouring town of Mexborough. He was 23 years old, single and a coal miner. The war had been going on for over 8 months and Percy was determined to do his bit. p>The nations coal miners had indeed responded magnificently to their countrys call to arms. Right from the outbreak of war the previous August, they had flocked to the colours in huge numbers. In the month of August 1914 alone 115,000 miners from all parts of the country had volunteered to fight, and in the less than a year that number was to double leaving many mining communities virtually emptied of their young men. But this exodus from the mines was having a damaging effect on the war effort. In an attempt to stem the flow of miners and other essential workers the Government raised the minimum height for recruits from 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 6 inches in September 1914. That was bad news for Percy who had found he was not only too short to join up, but even his chest measurement was now below the minimum required.

    Heavy war losses soon forced the authorities to lower the minimum height, first to 5 feet 4 inches in mid October 1914 - still too tall for Percy - and then on 5th November 1914 back to the original 5 feet 3 inches. The way was again clear for Percy to join the ranks. He need not have done so, of course, conscription was a long way off and in any case as a miner he would probably have been exempt. However, enthusiasm for the war had not yet evaporated and most of its real horrors were still to happen. Not that there was long to wait for a taste of things to come as exactly one week after Percy joined up poisoned gas was used for the first time in the war, the Germans discharging 168 tons of chlorine into the Ypres Salient in Belgium to horrific effect. On the other hand recent war news had been encouraging with early successes in British naval attacks on the Dardanelles, shortly to be followed by landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula and the, albeit short-lived, hope of early victory.

    Any doubts about Percys height were quickly swept aside, with the doctor examining him stating, with somewhat suspicious precision, that he was a clear five eighths of an inch above the minimum. His physical development was found to be good, he had a 35-inch chest when fully expanded and a three-inch range of expansion. His eyesight passed too with 6 over 18 being recorded for his right eye and 6 over 12 for his left eye. The Doctor also noted four vaccination marks, dating back to his childhood, on his right arm. Finally Percy tipped the scales at a trim 120 pounds. As it turned out Percys small stature would not have stood in his way for much longer. Just over a month later Lord Kitchener called for an additional 300,000 volunteers and the minimum height dropped once again, this time to 5 feet 2 inches.

    He enlisted in the new 155th (West Yorkshire) Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery and was given the number 18828. The Brigade was just being formed as part of the 31st Division of one of Lord Kitcheners New Armies. The day after he became a soldier, Percy joined his Brigade at Wetherby. He was allocated to B Battery as a Driver and his training began. Eventually the Brigade moved to Lindrick Camp a couple of miles west of Ripon where the 31st Division, of which it was a part, was training at South Camp. The 31st Division was composed of units mainly from Yorkshire and Lancashire. Appropriately enough the Divisional badge showed two overlapping roses, one red, the other white. The badge worn by Yorkshiremen, such as Percy showed the white rose of York overlapping the red rose of Lancaster. The men from the other side of the Pennines reversed this on their badge with red rose on top. Their camp was in a beautiful location adjacent to the steep sided valley of the River Skell in which lay the famous 18th century water gardens of Studley Royal and the magnificent ruins of the 12th century Cistercian monastery Fountains Abbey. Percy recalled that he regularly watered the horses in his care in the river here. In this idyllic landscape not just the men, but also the horses - the remounts - were shaped into an effective fighting unit.

    It was whilst still based at Lindrick Camp that Percy married his sweetheart Amy Florence Womersley. Percy and Amy Florence were married on Monday 11th of October 1915 in the United Methodist Church in Middle Dean Street, West Vale, Greetland on the southern outskirts of Halifax. The couple had little time to enjoy married life together. In little over ten weeks time Percy left for France and there is no evidence that he ever saw his new bride again in the three long years he served there.

    On 29th December the Brigade left Fovant and made its way its way to Southampton for embarkation to France. The major task of loading the 155th Brigades 16 guns, 56 limber wagons, 9 GS wagons (general service vehicles for ammunition and so on), 11 carts, 4,032 18-pounder rounds of shrapnel and 451,110 rounds of small arms ammunition, 729 horses, 728 other ranks (including Percy) and 24 officers on board ships at Southampton was accomplished between 6pm and 9pm on the evening of 29th December. A Battery and the Brigades Ammunition Column arrived in Le Havre early on the morning of 30th December. Percys B Battery together with C and D Batteries and the Headquarters staff arrived next day, New Years Eve 1915. It also turned out to be the very last day on which it was possible to qualify for the award of the 1914-1915 Star. The medal that Percy subsequently received was clearly highly prized because his father had it gold plated!

    Eight days after arriving on French soil B Battery fired its first shots in anger. On 7th January 1916 the Brigade took its place in the front line which lay well to the north west of Argoeuvres. They formed part of the left group of the 32nd Division facing the Germans in that part of Picardy known to us as the Somme. Their zone extended from Beaucourt-sur-Ancre to Martinsart and followed a line 500 yards south of Authville to Martinsart. B Battery found itself near the village of Mesnil, which it shelled heavily for the next two days.

    Percy continued to see action before taking part in the Battle of the Somme. On 26th June they moved to The Bluff at Authuille, their final position ready for the start of the battle. The job of their 18-pounder field guns was to cut the barbed wire and shell the enemy communication trenches and strong points. They shared their position with A and C Batteries and with an observation point. It was a very dangerous spot as Lt. Col. Sheppard noted the following day in the War Diary. Although A, B and C Batteries were in an exposed position and ammunition was brought up to them every evening during the preliminary bombardment, the battery position and approaches to them were under intermittent heavy machine gun and artillery fire, the casualties sustained were very small. Mercifully Percys battery escaped without a single casualty.

    And so dawned the fateful day when the Battle of the Somme finally began: Z Day Saturday 1st of July 1916.The 155th Brigades War Diary for that day reads simply: "Authuille 1st July 1916. All batteries took part in a heavy bombardment of the enemy lines prior to the attack by the 96th Infantry Brigade on Thiepval and trenches south of Thiepval. Bombardment started 65 minutes before zero time. Zero time was 7.30am. Infantry attacked at 7.30am supported by barrages on enemy support and reserve lines. Infantry entered enemy lines and many went on to support lines, but were unable to hold any enemy trenches in front of this sector". The battle continued with Percys Brigade supporting an attack by the 25th Divisions infantry south of Thiepval on the 3rd July. The 25th Division, which was commanded by Major General E.G.T. Bainbridge, had been moved up from reserve to join the X Corps for the assault. All the batteries heavily bombarded the enemy strong points and communication trenches from 1.15am to 3am and then again from 5am to 6.15am when the infantry attacked, supported by barrages from the artillery. But, of course, the Somme turned out to be a disaster and Percy was heavily involved throughout.

    His next major engagement the Battle of Arras in April 1917. The 155th (now officially referred to as the CLV Army Brigade) had been brought in together with the CL Army Brigade to reinforce the 30th Divisional Artillery. Their job was to support the attack by infantry of the 21st and 89th Brigades of the 30th Division, whose objective was to capture the villages of Heniel and Wancourt. The plan was for the artillery to create a creeping barrage covering 100 yards in three minutes, with pauses as objectives were reached, then finally reducing to 100 yards in six minutes for the final assault on the two villages. Unfortunately things did not go exactly according to plan. The qualified success of the British at Arras was in sharp contrast to the disastrous showing of the French in the so-called Nivelle Offensive which was launched on 16th April, the day after the Battle of Arras ended.

    The 155th Brigade, in common with virtually all available artillery, having moved north into Belgium to join the 2nd Army now found itself in the Ypres Salient. This was the most hotly contested area of Flanders. Facing them were formidable German trenches, dugouts and fortifications in the Klein-Vierstraat area on the strategically important Messines-Wytschaete Ridge a few miles south of the city of Ypres itself. Percy was about to fight in the Battle of Messines. The Brigades initial role was to keep up constant barrages. On 1st June 1917 the Brigade tried out a special Test Barrage on the enemy front line and support trenches at 6pm for ten minutes. They were also subject to enemy fire and on 2nd June B Battery had one soldier killed and five more wounded after being caught in heavy shelling. Three hundred Royal Flying Corps aircraft and eight balloons of the 2nd Kite Balloon Wing assisted the British gunners by carrying out artillery observation. Percys Battery was supporting the 19th (Western) Division under Major-General C D Shute positioned north of the Vierstraat to Wytschaete road facing what little remained of two woods, the Grand Bois and the Bois Quarante which were on and behind the German front line. Three mines in this sector at Hollandscheschuur helped the infantry composed of the 58th and 56th Brigades together with Welsh, Cheshire and Lancashire battalions easily overrun a particularly difficult salient known as the Nags Nose on an outlying spur of the main ridge. The Divisional Diary noted: "there was little resistance from the Germans, who either ran forward to surrender or if they could do so ran away, very few of them put up a fight". At 3.10pm, New Zero according to the War Diary, the 155th opened fire again to support a further advance to Odonto Trench and this final objective was taken easily.

    In the six weeks that followed the victory at Messines, men and equipment were poured into the area around the once beautiful, but now utterly devastated, City of Ypres. Amongst them was Percys 155th Brigade which moved north on the 23rd June to Steentje and became attached to the 39th Division, part of the 5th Armys XVIII Corps. It was whilst still at Steentje on 29th July that the Brigade suffered its first recorded casualties as a result of enemy gas attacks. First to be gassed were two officers - one of them, 2nd Lt. E. Leet, from Percys B Battery. Neither died, but it was an ominous prelude of the real horrors soon to come. Just two days after the gas attack in which 2nd Lt. Leet was injured Percy and his comrades were plunged into the Third Battle of Ypres, a battle that has become synonymous with all that was most ghastly, barbaric and futile about the Great War. A battle better know as Passchendaele.

    Early on the morning of 31st July the Brigades HQ moved to the Canal Bank. By 3am the entire British 2nd and 5th and French 1st Armies were in position ready to attack. Then as Lt Col. H. Allcard wrote in the 155ths War Diary came Zero Hour - 3.50am. A, B and C Batteries fired in a creeping barrage and D Battery in a standing barrage under the orders of Right Group 39th Divisional Artillery in support of an attack on the enemy trench system by the 116th Infantry Brigade. As Lt Col Allcard was forced to record in the 155ths War Diary: "During the afternoon it transpired that the infantry had not attained their final objectives". As withdrawal followed withdrawal the Brigade did its best to cover the retreat in very difficult circumstances. Lt Col Allcard had to admit, "The situation is a bit obscure, the infantry apparently holding the line of the Steenbeek."

    In terms of casualties, July 1917 had been the worst month of the whole war so far for the 155th Brigade. Ten men were dead, 2 officers gassed and 43 men wounded, a total of 55 casualties out of the Brigades establishment of around 750 men. Even the Brigades Commanding Officer Lt Col Allcard was temporarily hospitalised. During his absence from 8th to 21st August command was in the hands of Major H K Saddler. Percys Brigade had advanced as far as the Steenbeek only later to be pulled back again to the banks of the Yser Canal. Fortunately the Germans concentrated their subsequent artillery bombardment further to the south causing heavy casualties amongst the men of the II and XIX Corps between Stirling Castle and St Julien. For the XVIII Corps things remained comparatively quiet for the time being. However as a Driver, Percy had to endure special dangers as the Official History makes clear. The wagon drivers and emergency carrying parties, even though they moved only by night, had continually to run the gauntlet of German artillery fire, because in the darkness the enemy shelled in particular, frequently with mustard gas, the mass of wheeled transport and pack animals which had to pass through the road bottleneck at the Menin Gate of Ypres. In this horrible conflict even the horses wore gas masks. An important part of Percys responsibilities as a Driver was, of course, to care for the animals in his charge. At the alert he had to ensure that not only his own crude and uncomfortable gas mask was in place, but that he quickly fitted the special equine masks to the noseband and headstall of the frightened and confused horses who were so vital to his battery. But there was little that could be done to protect the horses from the terrible skin blistering which mustard gas also caused. The suffering of horses in action particularly upset many soldiers who witnessed it. Just how many of the 155ths horses died as a result of gas, bullets, shellfire or other injuries is not recorded, but official figures show that by the end of the Great War a total of 484,143 animals had been killed or died in service with the British forces.

    The next phase of the conflict saw Percy fighting in the Battle of Langemarck. Percys Brigade had two officers and five men killed and two officers and 44 men wounded during August, a month during which, as their War Diary records, they were constantly in action. Then came the Battle of Menin Road. By the end of September 1917 the monthly toll for Percys Brigade was another eight men dead, 38 wounded and two officers wounded.

    Percy fought on to the bitter end of the war in 1918, but his luck held and he evaded injury throughout, except that is for the day he was grooming one of the battery's horses which suddenly kicked out and Percy found himself in the field hospital for a few days.

    Howard Pidd




    240091

    Capt. Daniel Brian Byrd DSC, MC. F Coy. 119th Infantry Regiment

    General Orders No. 50. First Lieutenant Daniel B. Byrd, Co F, 119th Infantry.

    During the advance in the St Benin and Escaufort Area, where the resistance was so obstinate that our front line was momentarily unable to advance, Lieutenant Byrd's detachment was cut off and in great danger of annihilation. By his prompt and accurate placing of automatic rifles, he successfully covered the movements of his detachment and made possible their interrupted return to its company. During this manoeuvre, he was painfully wounded by shrapnel but remained with his men until later ordered to the rear for treatment.

    He was one of Eleven Americans who were decorated during that period with both the Distinguished Service Cross and the British Military Cross. This was personally presented by King George V. He also received the Victory Medal with three bars, each representing participation in a major offensive. He was cited for the Victoria Cross, but was ineligible for that honour because it is bestowed only on British subjects.

    Nick Lamia




    240090

    Sgt. Nathaniel Joshua Everard 86th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Nathaniel Everard was born in Clerkenwell in 1884 to Edward William Everard and his wife Emma. He enlisted in Holloway in WW1 but was already a soldier in 1911, formerly 11375, Royal Fusiliers as a Private and served in India. He married Sophie Elizabeth Fluin in January 1915 at St. Paul's, Pancras.

    He transferred to the 86th Company, Machine Gun Corps as Sergeant, 20929, and was killed in action on 9th October 1917. He is remembered with Honour on Tyne Cot Memorial. His soldier's effects were left to widow Sophie, who lived to a great age and died in Hampshire. He earned the 1915 Star, Victory and British War medals for service in WW1.

    Evelyn M. Empson




    240088

    Pte. John Armit Stewart 1/7th Btn. Black Watch

    John Stewart was captured near the village of Beugny, which lies between Cambrai and Bapaume, on day one of the Spring Offensive. Records show that he was not wounded at the time of capture and that he was sent to Parchim camp, although he may also have passed through Friedrichsfeld at some point.

    Until his death in 1966, he barely spoke about the war, although my father recalled him talking about gathering nettles to make soup.

    Alan Stewart




    240082

    L/Cpl. Percy Seymour Dobbs Jordan 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.16th June 1916)

    A Grocers Assistant from High Street in Lydney before WW1, my Great Uncle, Percy Jordan, volunteered for service at the age of 21. Cast into service with the 10th Battalion Gloucester Regiment.

    Awarded the 1914 Star, he would have fought at Loos in Oct 1915, and survived that battle only to be cut down by enemy shell fire in June 1916, during skirmishes after a British mine had been blown on the Double Crassier overlooking Loos village.

    I wasn't aware of his existence until a few years ago, when his younger sister, my grandmother, passed away, and his medals and associated paperwork were discovered in a plastic bag at the back of a wardrobe in her house. From those, we were able to piece together what little info we now know. His name is inscribed in Lydney Parish Church and also on the Towns War Memorial. Although I never knew him, I am immensely proud of what he did, volunteering his services and paying the ultimate sacrifice. We should never forget..

    Robert Stewart




    240081

    Spr. William Dingle Hollow 61st Divisional Signal Coy. Royal Engineers (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    William Hollow lost his life on the 21st of March 1918.

    C Hollow




    240074

    Pte. Arthur Wood 24th (1st Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th April 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Wood served with the 1st Tyneside Irish Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Martyn Roberts




    240073

    Pte. Alfred J. Dowse 1st. Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment

    Alfred Dowse was a brother of my maternal grandmother, who sadly I only ever met just before he died. He served with the 14th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, was wounded (we think with shell shock) in October 1916 and was repatriated to England. His Medal Roll index indicates that he returned to active service,but this time it was with the 1st. Battalion, Dorset Regiment

    Derek Gibson




    240072

    Dvr. George Edward Ritter D Bty. Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    George Ritter was the son of my Great Grandmother, Ellen Clode, and her first husband a Mr George Joseph Ritter of German extraction living in London near Regents Park. George had served in the Royal Horse Artillery from 1902-1905,he rejoined in May 1914 serving in Flanders throughout the war and was demobbed Jan 1919.

    My Great Grand Mother was remarried to my Great Grand Father Mr Fredrick Albert Hinton (born to Belgian extraction with the surname Van Der Stock). He served in the 18th Hussars. They had a son, my Grandfather on my mothers side, Fredrick Alfred Hinton, George's half brother. This information was taken from Gmy Grandfather's notebook. The picture is from my late mothers collection of pictures.

    William Cornthwaite




    240071

    Thomas Wilbur 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) (d.7th August 1917)

    Thomas Wilbur was blinded whilst sheltering in a farmhouse which came under attack. He died from his horrendous injuries. Married to Annie and had 1 daughter, Maud. His brothers and father also fought in this war.

    Jane Harrison




    240059

    2nd Lt. Edmund Tiplady 1/1st West Riding Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Edmund Tiplady (Seated) with his brother Guy

    Edmund Tiplady joined the Territorial Force, West Yorkshire Artillery Regiment during August 1912. The war started when they were on their annual camp in August 1914, which meant that he was in uniform right from the beginning until he was discharged on March the 25th 1919.

    He first saw action during the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915, where he was injured during one of the first chlorine gas attacks. He served in France and Belgium right through the war, first with the West Yorkshire Artillery Regiment, before being seconded to the Royal Flying Corps as an aerial artillery observer. He was commissioned in the field on 22nd of July 1918, before returning to England to undertake pilot training.

    Although Edmund had a fairly good war compared to a lot of his contemporaries, he suffered with the after effects of being gassed for the rest of his life and finally succumbed to a lung infection on May 23rd 1955. It only took 40 years, but the German gas killed him in the end. I know of the above due to my late Grandmother Gwendoline Tiplady.

    Edmund Tiplady in RAF uniform with his wife Florence

    Philip Brotherton




    240054

    Lt. Arthur Victor Knox 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th June 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, Arthur Knox of 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, attached to 1st Battalion, was killed in action on the 6th of June 1917 in France. His body was never recovered. Remembered at Arras Memorial, France.

    St George's Gazette 1917

    Christopher Knox




    240051

    Pte. Alfred Charles Henry Manning 2nd Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.10th Aug 1917)

    My Great uncle was Alfred Manning, son of John Henry and Edith Emily Manning, whose name is immortalized on panel 21 at the Menin Gate. I have always remembered the sacrifice Alfred made and the courage he must have shown at such a young age. He will go on through generations of my family being remembered and never forgotten. I believe his final resting place are the fields where he fell,may his soul rest in peace for eternity.

    At the going down of the sun we will remember them. Lest We Forget

    Jackie Hart




    240050

    Cpl. Charles James Powell 10th Btn. East Surrey Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather Corporal Charles Powell was injured in Villers-Bretonneu. He was 23 years old when he was attestated on the 12th of December 1915. He was made Kings Corporal in the field of Battle in WW1. He survived the war and died in 1955. Lest we forget. RIP.

    Amanda Rope




    240048

    Rfl. John James Woodrow 1st/18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.7th April 1917)

    My Great Grandfather Rifleman John Woodrow was killed in action in Villers-Bretonneux on the 7th April 1917. His body was never found. His memorial is at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Lest we forget. RIP.

    Amanda Rope




    240045

    Sgt. George Frederick German 2/6th (City of London Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.21st May 1917)

    <p>

    George German served with the 2/6th Londons.

    Jordan Gregory




    240043

    Rfl. John George Parker Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Rifleman John George Parker was mobilized in 1914 being sent to France, he was captured at Ypres in 1917 and spent the remainder of the war at Parchim Prisoner of War camp until Nov 1918.

    Richard Williams




    240038

    Lt.Col. Roger Casement Royal Field Artillery (d.21st December 1917)

    Lieutenant Colonel Casement was the husband of Catherine Isabel Casement of Cloragh House, Ashford, Co. Wicklow. He was aged 53 when he died and is buried about 10 yards South-West of the Church door in the Killiskey Church of Ireland Churchyard, Killiskey, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    240037

    Bmdr. P. Nolan Royal Garrison Artillery (d.30th July 1917)

    Bombardier Nolan was 30 when he died and is buried in the south west part of the Killinure Old Graveyard, Leagh, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    s flynn




    240036

    Pte. D. Murphy Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Private Murphy was transferred to the Labour Corps. He was the Son of Mrs. D. Murphy, of 85, Barrack St., Cork. He died on the 3rd March 1919 and is buried near the south west corner of the Church ruins in the Killingley Old Graveyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    240032

    Pte. William Cecil Burleigh 9th Btn. London Regiment

    William Burleigh was a Bank Clerk, born in 1881. He served in 9th Londons in France/Flanders from 29th June 1915 until transferred to Royal Flying Corps in August 1917. Commissioned into RAF in April 1918 and served with 57th Squadron in France in the summer and autumn 1918, until released in Jan. 1919. He returned to work as bank clerk after war and died in London in Dec. 1939.

    Peter Duckers




    240030

    2nd Lt. C. E. Butt 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.4th April 1918)

    <p>

    We have family in Gloucestershire with surname Butt and we came across this headstone for C.E. Butt in the cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux in France in 2014. We would love to hear from anyone who knows more about this gentleman.

    Elizabeth Prebble




    240028

    Pte. William Shields 11th Battalion

    <p>

    William Shields, (a sleeper cutter in the forests of SW Western Australia), enlisted from Blackboy Hill, Western Australia at the outbreak of World War 1 on the 23rd September 1914.

    As a member of the Australian Imperial Force 11th Battalion, Bill, after training in Egypt, landed on the beaches of Gallipoli on 25th April 1915. After much sickness and injuries he was admitted to Heliopolis on the 28th November 1915, to the 1st Australian General Hospital in Egypt, whereupon a telegram is sent to William's mother Mary in Tasmania informing her that her son is dangerously ill and series of correspondence issue hence forth.

    On the 19th December 1915 Bill is reported to be out of danger, and is invalided to Australia embarking on HMS Commonwealth at Suez, to return to Australia for 3 months change. Bill disembarked at Fremantle on the 22nd February, 1916 and was discharged on 9th June 1916 after serving 298 days.

    He re-enlisted at Blackboy Hill on the 10th September 1917, Regimental No 8042 (previously 983) with the rank of Private in the 11th Battalion, 27th Reinforcements. His age was recorded as 26 years 8 months, and marital status single. William endured the battles and life on the Western Front in Belgium and France until once again injured wounded in action on the 26th August 1918 with a bayonet wound to the left thigh and was invalided to the United Kingdom on the same day, admitted to Boscombe Hospital, Hants.

    William Shields embarked for Australia per Morvada on 4th January 1919, after Armistice had been signed and he had repatriated in an English hospital. William Shields or Bill as he was known to his mates was awarded 1914/1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial plaque

    William Shields and Mate on Cheops Pyramid 1914 11 Battalion AIF

    Denise Moore




    240024

    2nd Lt. Humphrey Warwick Arden Royal Field Artillery (d.6th Jun 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Humphrey Warwick Arden, Royal Garrison Artillery died of wounds at Balleul. He was aged 25, the son of the Reverend William Henry Arden, vicar of Whiteparish, Salisbury, Wiltshire.





    240022

    Pte. John Scullion 23rd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Scullion was the brother of my nanna.





    240015

    Pte. George William Stout 5th Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    George Stout's daughter was born on 15th Jul 1915 and he was shown on her birth certificate as being a private in the 5th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. I have information to suggest that he was attached to a Tunnelling Company from 26th Jun 1916 until 25th Aug 1916 and then to the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company from 28th Oct 1916 until 2nd Mar 1916. He was then attached to VI Corps from 6th Jun 1917 until 22nd Jul 1917. He was admitted to hospital on 16th Mar 1918 and returned home on 31st Mar 1918.

    Mike Stout




    240010

    Spr. Walter Thomas Hadley 235th Army Troops Coy. Royal Engineers

    Walter Hadley died on the 18th of February 1919 in Stockton on Tees of Toxic Influenza, having served 3 years 3 months, in France from 9th of March 1916 to 7th February 1919.

    Martin Peagam




    240009

    L/Cpl. Thomas Bennett 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.13th March 1917)

    My Great Grandfather, Thomas Bennett, was killed in action on the 13th of March 1917. His grave is in a cemetery in France.

    John Bennett




    240004

    Gnr. Patrick Scanlan 1st Bute Mountain Battery (d.1st May 1918)

    <p>

    Patrick Scanlan was my late grandmother's older brother. He was shot in the head, and taken to 15th General Hospital, Boulogne, France, where he later died of his wounds. He was 37 years of age. He left behind a widow and six young children. He is buried in Boulogne Cemetery.

    Lynn Tibbitt




    239997

    RAEM. William Wallace Keir

    William Keir graduated MB ChB from the University in 1898, and became Surgeon Rear-Admiral of the British Royal Navy.

    He was born in Shimla, India, son of William, a medical missionary of the Auxiliary Medical Services. Keir served as a medical officer on board several ships during and after the First World War, including minelayer Iphigenia, and hospital ships Rewa and China. Keir was made Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1918 and was a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. After the war, Keir was squadron medical officer of the First Battle Squadron and the Battle cruiser Squadron, and was later in charge of the hospital ship Maine. He was later stationed in China where he was put in charge of the Hong Kong Naval Hospital.

    In 1932 he was transferred to the Haslar Royal Naval Hospital, England. In 1934 he was appointed honorary surgeon to the King, retiring in 1935. He was also a recipient of the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935. Surgeon Rear-Admiral William Wallace Keir died on the 12th June 1949.

    John Neal




    239996

    Pte. Royce Steels 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Red Cross Prisoner of War records show my greatgrandfather Royce Steels was present in Crefeld, Senna II [Sennelager], and Dulmen camps.

    Philippa Lindsay




    239995

    A/Bmbdr. Albert Edward Gooding 51st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.20th September 1917)

    Albert Gooding enlisted on the 16th of July 1915 aged 19 years for the duration of the war. Wounded in the field, he died from wounds at Ypres Belgium on the 20th of September 1917 aged 21. He was unmarried.

    Susan Gooding




    239994

    Pte. Alexander Lindsay Sheridan 9th (Glasgow) Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.29th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Private Alexander Sheridan received a Letter of Commendation. He served with the Queens Own Yeomanry and was attached to the 9th (Glasgow Highland) Bn. Highland Light Infantry.

    Zachary Driscoll




    239991

    Gnr. Frederick Paul Roberts MM 92nd Battery, B Coy. Royal Field Artillery (d.9th July 1918)

    <p>

    Gunner Frederick Roberts was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in assisting to remove artillery guns during the German offensive of March 1918. Unfortunately, Gunner Roberts died of wounds caused by gas, on 9th July 1918, before the presentation of his award and his son, Frederick George L Roberts, was presented with the Medal by a General, and the young lad saluted.

    Gunner Roberts' son with his Military Medal

    Paul Manning




    239989

    Pte. Frederick Budd 7th Btn. East Surrey Regiment

    Thomas Budd served with 17/21st Lancers and was later Captain 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. A regular Soldier from 1899 - 1919. He was the middle of 3 Brothers who Served in WW1 in France Frederick served with the 7th Service Battalion, East Surrey Regiment and Arthur who served with 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment.

    Michael Budd




    239988

    L/Cpl Arthur Benjamin Budd 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    Arty Budd was wounded on the 16th of July 1916 at the Somme. he suffered Gunshot wounds: Right Leg, Left Leg, Right Arm (Dangerous Position), Left Arm, Left Side and a Fractured Right Ankle.

    He was one of 3 Brothers who Served in WW1 in France. Thomas served with the 17/21st Lancers, later Captain 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, a regular Soldier from 1899 to 1919. Frederick served with 7th Service Battalion, East Surrey Regiment.

    Michael Budd




    239983

    Pte. Marion Joseph "Mario" Losco 47th Infantry Regiment (d.31st July 1918)

    <p>

    Mario Losco entered military service on 29th March 1918 at Camp Jackson, South Carolina. One month later he shipped to Camp Mims on Long Island. On 10th May 1918 he was part of a troopship movement to Brest, France. He is buried in the Oise-Aisne American Military Cemetery in France. Age at death was 25years, he was single, the 4th oldest of 13 children born to his parents. His Occupation was farmer.He was awarded the Marne Campaign medal.

    Paul A Ghiotto




    239980

    Spr. Horace Frederick Bradbury 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company

    <p>

    Horace Bradbury born 25th of September 1877, signed as willing to serve on the 28th of December 1915 and he stated his home was at 196 Kaleigh St. in Chatham Ontario where he resides with his wife Jane. He stated that he was born in Sheffield England and in 1915 he was a laborer and stood 5 ft 2&3/4 inches tall and listed his religion as Salvation Army. He had a dark complexion and his eyes were brown and he had dark hair. Witnessed by J.C. Grant.

    According to the “Canadian Expeditionary Force 70th Battalion Nominal Role Of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men”, Private Horace Frederick Bradbury was Taken on Strength 28th of December 1915 at London, Ontario. He embarked from Port Halifax onboard the SS Lapland for England, arriving on the 5th of May 1916. On the 6th of July Horace was transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion at South Cliffs at West Sandbury.

    He arrived in France on the 14th of January 1917 and on the 3rd of February he left the Canadian Brigade Depot to join the 1st Canadian Tunneling Division being attached to the 1st. Canadian Tunneling Coy. Horace was wounded at Ypres France on the 23rd of September with a severe Gunshot Wound to his left knee, X-rays were done the same day. On the 25th he was admitted to No.5 General Hospital at Rouen and transferred to No.3 Southern General Hospital at Oxford on the 7th of October. Paperwork dated 28th of November shows Horaces wife Jane resided at 51 Scane Street Chatham. On the 15th of December 1917 Horace was transferred to Cowley Section Hospital and on the 18th of January to the Canadian Orthapedic Hospital. On the 27th of March 1918 Horace was transferred to Convalescent Hospital Woodcote Park, Epsom and on the 31st of May sailed from Liverpool heading back to Canada, boarded Ship Goorka sailing from Avonmouth to Halifax. On the 13th of June was posted to the Hospital Section at London Ontario and granted furlough with subs. But on the 14th was admitted to Hospital with potential influenza. On the 11th of July Horace was granted permission to wear 3 Blue Chevrons at London Ontario and was discharged from hospital on the 1st of August. On the 15th of October he was admitted to LMCH with influenza and he was discharged on the 24th. On the 8th of January 1919 Horace was posted to Casualty Coy from Hospital Section LMCH and the following day was discharged from as Medically Unfit. At this time he had a 8 inch long scar on his left poplietel area and a 2 inch long scar on his Poplietel area and a 2 inch long scar on his left inner thigh (lower 1/3).

    Frederick Leonard Bradbury




    239965

    Rflm. Stanley Howard Crowle 1st/8th (P.O. Rifles) Btn. 3 Coy. London Regiment (d.22nd April 1917)

    Stanley Crowle was one of my paternal grandfather's brothers and my late father was named after him. From what I can remember my grandfather loved his elder brother dearly but his war service and death were seldom mentioned apart from the fact that he was buried in a war cemetery somewhere in France or Belgium. A few years ago and due mainly to records being computerised, I was able to find out more about this young man, a distant relative, and via the internet have been able to see a photo of his grave. Stanley died of gunshot wounds to his abdomen and left arm, in no.3 Canadian CCS (Aveluy) at the age of 21. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

    Jane Booth




    239964

    Pte. A. Collins 47th Btn.

    Pte. A. Collins of 47th Battalion, AIF was wounded in the left forearm and elbow at Messines on 8th of June 1917, he was admitted to 9th Field Ambulance, then to 1 Australian Casualty Clearing Station at Steenwerck and was sent on to No.11 Stationary Hospital at Rouen.





    239959

    CSM. Frank Schofield 18th Btn. (d.14th Oct 1917)

    Company Sergeant Major Frank Schofield (801) was a tailor from Linthwaite in Huddersfield who had previously served 8 years with the Royal Marines.

    Whilst in Sydney, Australia he enlisted in the 18th Battalion Australian Imperial Force on the 15th January, 1915 at the age of 32 years and 6 months. He served on Gallipoli and then with the Australian 5th Training Battalion in England.

    Frank Schofield died of tuberculosis at the Fargo Military Hospital on the 14th October 1917 and was buried with a Military funeral in the Linthwaite Churchyard Cemetery, Huddersfield on the 17th October, 1917. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth and daughter Bessie.

    Warren Baker




    239958

    Pte. George Alexander Forbes 11th Ser.Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.22nd August 1917)

    George Alexander Forbes was born on 20th October, 1889 in Thurso, Caithness, Scotland. His parents were William Alexander Forbes and Margaret (Maggie) Polson. He had three brothers: William Alexander Walker, David Alexander and John Sinclair. He married Margaret Dallas on 21st August, 1916 in Glasgow.

    George served with the 5th Seaforth Highlanders but enlisted with the 11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on 10th December 1915. He served in France and Belgium, where he died during the Third Battle of Ypes on 22nd August 1917. His body was never recovered, probably due to the horrendous weather conditions that turned the battlefields into a quagmire. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, stone no. 142.

    His brother, John, also served with the Seaforth Highlanders in France, surviving the war.

    Anne Forbes




    239957

    Pte. William Richard Way 7th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.14th Feb 1918)

    William Way is shown as having enlisted at Torquay, first with the Devonshire Regiment and then the 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. He was killed in action on 14 February 1918, aged 37. A Death Grant and War Gratuity were paid to his brother Frederick.

    The Way family has been recorded in some detail from Peter Way (1754-1836) and Patience Bishop with eight children, including Francis Way (1778-1854) who married Elizabeth Baker in 1800. The line then passed via Mary Ann Way (1809-1893) to Francis Way (1827-1910) who married Grace Baker in 1849. Francis Way was an agricultural labourer and had been born in Bow, between North Tawton and Copplestone. Their family in 1861 was living at Hills Buildings, Bow Village with their first six children, including William Way who was born in the Oct-Dec quarter of 1858 and married Jane Brown (born in Bridport in 1856) in the July - Sept quarter of 1880 . In 1881 they were living at back of 5 Queen Street, Dawlish and William was an agricultural labourer. There is a birth reference for William Richard B Way in the April-June quarter of 1881. By 1901 William had died and his widow Jane was still living in Tormorhan, this time at 4 Spring Steps, Spring Place, Pimlico with William, now 20, and Frederick, 13. Jane Way is shown as a general hawker, William as a general porter and Frederick as a paper boy/hawker.

    Robert Vickery




    239955

    Pte. Sarn Singh 42nd Btn.

    Sarn Singh, a Sikh born in Jallundur, India in 1893, enlisted in Adelaide in May 1916. He served with 43rd Battalion and was killed near Messines on 10th of June 1917.





    239949

    Pte. Fred Allen 3rd Btn. Scots Guards

    <p>

    My Great Uncle Fred Allen served in World War 1 and survived. I have recently discovered this owing to some drawings he did in my Grandmother's autograph book.

    Joke amongst soldiers

    Longing for home

    Tessa Gill




    239945

    Pte. Thomas Hill 44th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.6th July 1916)

    Thomas Hill was my grandfather Harry Hill's brother. Thomas was the son of Samuel Hill and Ellen Reed of Kingsthorpe, Northampton. He was killed on Thursday, 6th of July 1916 whilst serving as a Private with 44th Company, Machine Gun Corps. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France.

    Margo Clarke




    239943

    Sepoy. Khadim Shah Syed 129th Duke of Connought's Own Baluchis (d.16th Dec 1914)

    <p>

    Sepoy No-268 Khadim Shah of 129 Baluchis, Duke of Connought's Own Baluchis is remembered on a scroll and plaque for his valour, brave conduct and commitment he displayed during WW1. This thread will be further glorified once embedded with the historical documents, medals and scrolls by the worthy members to acknowledge the services of those who are not amongst us but this forum has provided an opportunity to share what they left to be cherished. This continent is famous for the gladiatorial personalities who chose the soldiery for Chivalry.

    Haider




    239942

    Pte. Frederick Triggs Morrish 8th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.9th May 1917)

    Private Frederick Morrish served with the 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment.





    239941

    Pte. Henry Rose 14th Btn. Durham Light Infanty (d.20th April 1917)

    Henry Rose was born in Sunderland, the eldest son in a family of 4 brothers and 6 sisters. All 4 brothers served in the army during the Great War, 3 of whom including Henry being killed.

    Henry joined the army in late 1916 and was posted to the 14th DLI in January 1917. He took part in the Battle of Arras when the 14th Battalion attacked near Lens on 20 April 1917. When the battalion came out of the line on 22 April 1917, Henry was missing. His body has never been identified and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial near Lens.

    Philip Chisholm




    239940

    L/Cpl. William Henry McNulty 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1914)

    Lance Corporal William McNulty served with the 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Rob




    239939

    Cpl. George Ivor Blakeborough MM. 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Corporal George Blakeborough served with the 9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Rob




    239938

    2nd Lt. George Alfred "Limmie" Limouzin 26 Squadron

    <p>

    George Limouzin, generally known as Limmie, joined the South African Army as a lieutenant in the First City (Grahamstown) Regiment which was soon thereafter amalgamated with the Queenstown Rifle Volunteers and incorporated into the new Union Defence Force as the 4th Infantry (First Eastern Rifles).

    He was in Britain in August 1914, possibly seconded to the Royal Garrison Artillery on a training course, because he returned to South Africa having seen action with the British Expeditionary Force at Mons and, possibly, Ypres (for which he was later entitled to wear the 1914 Star). On his return to South Africa he spent several months in what was German South-west Africa (now Namibia) as a flying observer or artillery 'spotter' until the German capitulation in July 1915. At that point he had been invited by Capt. Allister Miller, to join the nascent Zuid Afrikaanse Vlieenier Korps (the predecessor to the South African Air Force) which was to be amalgamated with the Royal Flying Corps to increase the air-power in the European theatre.

    George passed his flying licence in a Farman bi-plane at the military school airfield at Shoreham and was awarded an aviator's certificate (No. 2419, dated 29 January 1916) by the Royal Aero Club. He was posted to No. 26 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, an essentially South African unit with a motto in Afrikaans: In Wagter in die Lug. The squadron was sent to East Africa and, operating from rough temporary airfields, flew their Farman FE2's on reconnaissance and occasional bombing missions against the German forces in what is to-day Tanzania.

    It appears that in early 1918 George, who had been gazetted as a full lieutenant in 1916, fell ill with malaria and had to be shipped home - ironically his route was via the Cape. He was admitted to a military hospital in St.James in the Cape in June 1918, and to the London General in August and, finally, to a military hospital in Colchester in November 1918.

    26 Squadron had, however, been disbanded at Blandford in July 1918, so George returned to the Royal Garrison Artillery at Winchester until the end of the war, and was thus entitled to wear the Inter-Allied Victory Medal. He remained with the Royal Garrison Artillery until he relinquished his commission (with the right to retain his rank) on 12 June 1919, entitled to add the 1914/18 General Service medal and the British War Medal to his decorations. He was still in London when the victory was celebrated in July 1919 (and he later recalled drinking champagne at the Cafe Royal at nine pence a glass).

    George Limouzin remained on the British Army records and an entry in 1931 shows that he had returned to south Africa at about that time. Precisely what role he played in WWII has not been determined, but his sister, when writing to him in May 1941 addressed the envelope to George as 'staff sergeant' at an address in Pretoria. George Alfred Limouzin died, aged 96, in Pretoria, in 1977; he had willed his body to science so has no memorial.

    Peter Duby




    239936

    Pte. Edwin Earlam 2/4th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.22nd August 1917)

    Edwin Earlam enlisted at the commencement of the war and was initially attached to the Cheshire Regiment. At some point he was transferred into the Royal Berkshire Regiment. On 22nd August 1917 he was killed at the battle of Passchendaele and is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery. He left a widow, Ann, and a son, also named Edwin. His brother John Henry Earlam was also killed on 18th April 1918 in France.

    Kevan Cooper




    239930

    Pte. William Pritchard 4th Btn. (d.6th Aug 1915)

    When I was growing up I always knew that my paternal grandfather, William Pritchard, had died in the First World War; my father was completely unapproachable about the subject.

    The years went by, my father died in 1983; my life continued as lives do, but sometimes I would ask myself, who was my grandfather? I knew his name, William Pritchard the same name as my father, but that was it, just a name.

    Then along came the Internet and with it the ability to search the First World War records, so off I started my research. First I tried the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour website. There were lots of Pritchards, but none killed on the Somme. There was one killed at Gallipoli, but the next of kin was wrong, I was looking for my grandmother Ada Pritchard. Many long nights followed, coffee made by my husband Steve left to go cold, and then I would give up for a few months. When I looked at my father's family tree, it was just my father and my grandmother and his half sisters. His mother (my grandmother) had remarried in the 1930s but there was no father for my father, and then I would start searching again. I would sit down at my computer and say, " ... right granddad tonight I am going to find you" then, nothing.

    The search went on in this way for five years. I emailed the Australian authorities but they said they had no record of the pension. I even started to wonder did this man ever exist, but he had to have existed. Talking to the family, no one knew anything, my three aunts in Australia knew nothing. However, I never gave up hope of finding him. I tried birth records, but there was the problem of trying to find someone with the name of William Pritchard when you are not quite sure when or where they were born, and there were a great many people with the same name. I also looked for the record of his marriage to my grandmother, but found nothing. I was actually starting to feel quite down, but always in the back of my head was the War Pension from Australia, so they had to be married.

    Then one night I was sitting there staring at the census records yet again, and I realised that I was looking at things the wrong way round. I should be looking for my grandmother marrying my grandfather, and 'bingo' the first search came up with the record of their marriage. Overjoyed, I immediately sent away for the marriage certificate and waited, it seemed to take ages to arrive! The marriage certificate arrived and I found out that my great grandfather was called James and where he lived. If I said it once I must have said it a hundred times that night to my husband "... did you know that my great grandfather was called James" - he would just smile and nod.

    I was getting so frustrated. I emailed everyone on a website who had a William Pritchard born in London, hoping that although I may not have the full story, perhaps they might have further information. Most people responded, but of course it was all negative. But I had the wedding certificate and knew who my great grandfather was, so I started emailing everyone again, and that is when I got the reply back saying yes it looks like we are related. I explained to her about my grandfather but she did not have any information either but she said she would try and help me as I had made her curious, but I needed my grandfather's birth certificate. I got that and yes, I had finally found part of my grandfather's family. So in the space of 2/3 weeks I knew the names of my great grandfather and my great grandmother, I knew where my grandparents had married, I knew where they both lived before they were married, and from this relation I found all of the names of my grandfather's brothers and sister. My father's side of the tree was now getting full, but there was still the question of grandfather's death in the First World War.

    Late that day the family member that I had found emailed with a link to the Australian Service records and said look at page 10. When I did I found the next of kin James Pritchard crossed out and in red ink Ada Pritchard added. I then went through the documents that she had found on line for me and on page 25, there it was, Widow Ada Pritchard, dependent William Joseph Pritchard (my father). It even told me how much pension they received, which was £1 every other week for my father and £2 every other week for my grandmother. So why did she tell my Mother that my grandfather was killed at the Somme? I just sat looking at the screen - it had been there all the time, but of course how was I to know. I must be honest, I cried, really cried tears of joy. I had done it, I had found him.

    He was born in Brick Lane, London in 1890. He was 25 years old when he joined the 4th Battalion, A.I.F (yes this was the Battalion that went on the rampage in Cairo!) and served in D Company. He enlisted at Liverpool Camp, New South Wales on 6th November 1914 and left Sydney on the HMAT Seang Bee for Egypt, as a 2nd Reinforcement, on 11th February 1915. This was the day before my father's first birthday. He left Alexandria on 5th April 1915 on T.S.S. Lake Michigan for Gallipoli. He was killed between 6th and 9th August 1915 during the attack on Lone Pine, and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial. There was a Court of Enquiry at a place called Fleurbaix, France, which confirmed his death in action but when I asked the Australian Government if they had the papers, they said unfortunately they have no other papers on my grandfather.

    It is unclear whether my grandfather travelled to Australia to enlist certainly I was told this by my mother... he joined the Australian Army because they paid better than the British Army, and if he was killed, then my grandmother also got a better pension" - and one must remember that £6 a month in 1915/16 was a lot of money in those days. However, he could have gone to Australia in 1914 to seek a new life and employment on the land, but the war upset his plans. My feeling is that he intended that my grandmother and my father would settle in Australia with him. I suppose the thought of a bright new future in Australia was very appealing. The family row, oh well that was because his father - James Pritchard wanted some of the pension money! It is unclear why my grandfather put his father, James, down as next of kin on the Attestation Form. Perhaps he did so in case the Australian Army would not take married men from England. But that is something else for me to look up.

    My grandfather's death in the period 6th to 9th August occurred when the 4th Bn. of the 1st Australian Division were engaged in bitter fighting at Lone Pine - an action in which seven VCs were awarded. The attack is well chronicled, C E W Bean devotes no less than 40 pages to it in The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918. He records that the attack began at 5.30pm on 6th August, on a narrow front with the first troops filing into tunnels, which extended some fifty yards beyond the front line. The attacking troops reached the Turkish front line but found it roofed over with heavy logs, which the Australians tried to remove while others went further forward and then worked their way back along the communication trenches. Much of the fighting took place in semi-darkness with attacks and counter-attacks that lasted until 9th August.

    Another author, Alan Moorhead, comments in his book Gallipoli, "... it is really not possible to comprehend what happened. All dissolves into a confused impression of a riot, of a vicious street fight in the back alleys of a city, and the metaphor of the stirred-up ant heap persists ..."

    What we do know is that 1st Australian Division lost over 2,000 men during the battle. The 4th Battalion, in which my grandfather served, went in with 20 officers and 722 other ranks and suffered the loss of 15 officers and 459 other ranks killed wounded or missing (63% of those engaged).

    After years of wondering and searching I now have answers to my questions.

    Carole Sach




    239928

    Pte. Septimus Joseph Dawson 10th Btn. B Coy. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    I remember my dad telling us a story about his father, our grandad Septimus Dawson, and that when they were enlisting for WW1 my grandad lied about his age and made himself older so he would be able to enlist. He was assigned to B Company, 10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    On 21st of May 1915 they were mobilised and landed at Boulogne and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including, The Battle of Loos, German gas attacks near Hulluch, The defence of the Kink position, The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Le Transloy. The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Second Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Pilckem, The Battle of Langemark.

    On the 13th April 1917 he was admitted to hospital for a Gunshot wound to his scalp and discharged back to his battalion on 14th April 1917. He was entrained at Warlincourt and detrained at Abbeville.

    For WW2 he lied again and made himself younger so he could re-enlist. So when he died in the 70s they could not issue a death certificate because nobody knew his proper age or date of birth. He also only had half a thumb on one hand and he always told us a mouse bit it off, but really it was shot off during the war.

    Septimus J Dawson - WW2

    Josie Dawson




    239921

    Robert Edward Whybrow Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather, Robert Whybrow, was in the Machine Gun Corps. All I know is that he was on the Western Front and used to mention Ypres. He was awarded the British War Medal and the allied Victory Medal. He lived till he was 92 years old. I am trying to find out more about him.

    Susan Edwards




    239915

    Pte. Walter Jackson 18th Btn. Welsh Regiment

    I have been trying now for a number of years to find my granddad's service records, who I believed served in the Welsh Regiment. The only real evidence I found was a photo of him, with who I believed to be my uncle - also named Walter - (as a small child).

    After getting information from the side of his medal from his daughter (my aunt) I found that was correct, but I was still unable to find anything about him until I visited the National Archives recently. After some hours researching I came across his name mentioned in the War Diary for the 18th Battalion of the Welsh Regiment on 27th June 1917 at Dessart Wood near Sorel Le Grand. The Diary reads as follows: "The c/o presented the following men with Medal Ribbons 28580 Corporal Newman M. D.C.M., 28544 Private Morgan D. Military Medal, 27552 Jackson W. Certificate for Gallant Conduct."

    What a surprise it was. I just wish my father was alive today, because he was a 6 year old when my grandfather passed away after suffering the affects of mustard gas in 1938.





    239911

    Gnr. Walter E. Page DCM 5th Brigade, O Bty. Royal Horse Artillery

    Years ago I bought some bric a brac at an auction, in the lot was the pip squeak and wilfred and a DCM awarded to Gunner W E Page 61501, O battery, 5th Brigade RHA. Sporadically researching the medals, I've found that the DCM was awarded following the Battle of Wells Farm on 25th of September 1915, part of the Battle of Loos.

    Searching attestation records, he joined up in 1910, survived the war and was discharged on 8th May 1922. He was born in Newbridge Ireland and lived in Camden Town.

    There is some confusion as to whether his name was Walter Ernest Page, or Walter Edward Page. His act of courage was reported (I think) by a Lieutenant Myburgh. His discharge papers show him being wounded twice but I can find little else about him.

    D. Carter




    239909

    Cpl. Cecil Henry John Waite 3rd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    Jack Waite enlisted aged 18 on 6th of November 1911. He served seven years with the Colours and five years in the Army Reserve. Jack trained as a sharpshooter. His service was as follows:
    • Gibraltar 1st January 1914 - 3rd September 1914
    • Embarked 5th October 1914
    • Wounded by a shell at Ypres on 24th October 1914
    • Returned to the front on 28th April 1915
    • Promoted to Lance Corporal on 5th June 1915
    • Demoted for using threatening language to an NCO on 18th October 1915
    • Promoted to Lance Corporal on 28th April 1917
    • Wounded in the right hand by a bullet on 5th August 1917
    • Volunteered for Army of Occupation
    • Discharged 24th December 1919

    Orr Colin




    239906

    Pte. Charles Palmer Crombie 1st/7th Btn. Black Watch Regiment (Royal Highlanders) (d.31st October 1916)

    My father frequently spoke of his uncle Charlie Crombie who died age 19 in the Somme. I think of him as 'my' uncle and feel very sad when I think of his family, of which he had been the youngest child. He is still remembered 100 years later.

    Fiona Graham




    239901

    Pte. Magnus Mackay 11th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.19th March 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle Magnus Mackay was the second youngest son of Alexander and Isabella Mackay who had a croft in Scullomie in Sutherland. Two sisters had died in childhood but he had eight brothers, six of whom served in the forces during WW1.

    Aged 16 and lying about his age, Magnus enlisted in November 1914. His friend Peter Burr from Tongue signed as his witness. He initially joined the 13th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders but was sent to France late in 1915 and transferred to the 11th Battalion.

    In March 1916 the 11th was in reserve trenches near Loos village, probably feeling relatively safe. Magnus and four others who were guarding a bomb store were killed when enemy shellfire hit the store. Magnus was buried in Loos British Cemetery with his comrades. His grave is P9, Row G, Gr20.

    Sadly two other brothers died later in the war - Donald in Egypt in February 1917 and Angus in Darmstadt Hospital, Germany in May 1917 from wounds received at Arras. As his parents Alexander and Isabella had lost three sons in the war they were asked, along with Mrs Robert Mackay and Mrs Burr (who had each lost two sons) to unveil the war memorial in Tongue in 1921. (This information is from Never More by Alasdair Sutherland.)

    Grave of Magnus Mackay in Loos

    Joan McCulloch




    239900

    Pvt. Juan Tobias Garcia

    Juan Garcia registered for the draft on 5th of June 1917 in Mora, New Mexico. Born in Genova, New Mexico, Juan Tobias lived in Wagon Mound, New Mexico with his adoptive parents Jose Vencelao and Decideria Garcia. Once drafted, it is not known exactly where he went through training. He may have trained at Camp Cody in Deming, New Mexico.

    Tobias left for Europe from Pier 61 in NYC aboard the SS Lapland on 28th of June 1918 at 9:35am. He joined the Company 14 from Camp Kearney, California on with the June Auto Replenishment Draft Infantry. After about two weeks of travel, the SS Lapland landed in England.

    Tobias would come back to the United States in February of 1919 and landed in Hoboken, New Jersey.

    Thomas




    239896

    Rflmn. Alfred Holeyman 18th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.13th June 1917)

    Alfred Holeyman was my great uncle.

    Chris Gilham




    239894

    Rfm. Albert Arthur Sibley 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.7th June 1917)

    Although we are not directly related, my great grandmother married Albert Sibley in 1914 before he left to fight. His loss affected her so badly, she rarely spoke about him only saying that the love of her life died in the Great War.

    He was born in Fulham, and met my nan while he worked as a gravedigger. Ironically, the very cemetery he worked in would become the place where many of his relatives would be buried. These relatives, chillingly, died during bombings of London in WWII.

    In her possessions upon her death, we found his memorial plaque (often nicknamed "death pennies"), and a locket with his photo in it. We also caught that when she remarried her second husband, she never told him - and named their son Albert Arthur.

    Sarah Jacquie




    239893

    L/Cpl. Charles Henry Adams 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Charles Adams lost his lower right arm during battle in 1916, due to a gunshot wound and a fractured arm.

    Warren Smith




    239891

    Pte. Arthur Millward 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.14th July 1916)

    Arty Millward served with the 7th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment and was killed in action whilst attacking Bazentin-Le Petit wood and the village beyond on 14th of July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and his body was never found. He is remembered on the Thievpal Memorial to the missing.





    239890

    Pte. John Boyd 21st Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.4th October 1917)

    John Boyd was my uncle and was killed during the third Battle of Ypres (Battle of Passchendaele) and is remembered on the Manchester Regiment Panel at the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    My father Herbert Boyd, was the younger brother of John. They would both been in the 21st Btn when John was killed but, as my father never spoke about his wartime service or his brother John, I do not know if they met up again prior to this sad event.

    Chris Boyd




    239888

    Pte. Albert Carter 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

    My granddad, Albert Carter, 16477, of the Scottish Rifles was injured in World War 1 on the Western Front. He was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital at Reading for treatment and then demobbed due to his injuries to his leg. He was awarded the lapel badge the silver cross to show that he had served in the war and so that he would be spared from receiving the white feathers (for cowardice) from over-zealous war enthusiasts of the day. He walked with a stick for the rest of his life.

    Penny Gough




    239885

    Gnr. Robert William Hewlitt Royal Garrison Artillery

    William Hewlitt was a qualified Gunlayer.





    239871

    Pte. Horace Moulds 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.23rd July 1916)

    Horace Moulds arrived in France on 10th February 1915 and was killed in action on 23rd July 1916, aged 21 years old. Horace was buried in 1932 at Thiepval Anglo-French Cemetery.

    John




    239868

    Pte. Thomas Ebdell 5th Battlion, B Coy. South Wales Borderers (d.8th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Born on 15th May 1899 Tom Ebdell was too young to join up when the first world war broke out. So he lied. On 19th August 1915 Tom enlisted as 3606, Private, in the 4th King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment, 2nd/4th Battalion, B company. But on February 26th 1916 he was discharged for being under the age of 17.

    There is no record of Tom going home. He had been training in Wales at the time of his discharge, maybe this is why he then almost immediately became Private 49552 of the 5th Battalion South Wales Borderers.

    MJ Ebdell




    239861

    Pte. Herbert Dutton 10th (Service) Btn. C Coy. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

    <p>

    Lancastrians in the Trenches...

    Postcard from the front.

    Below is a letter from a soldier in the First World War sent to my grandfather, Herbert Dutton of Atherton, Lancashire, who was buried by a shell and wounded twice in France. Herbert enlisted on 29th December, 1914 in the King's Own Lancaster Regiment the age of 33 and served with the 10th Battalion of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and also the Suffolk Regiment and the Lincolnshire Regiment. A picture I have shows him as a corporal with a hammer and tongs insignia over the stripes.

    A Recruiting Pass was issued by Harold Thorp (R.O. Leith) stating that recruit Herbert Dutton would be proceeding by LNW Railway from Leigh, Lancashire to Lancaster to enlist.

    His age was given as 33 years and 59 days with a height of 5 feet 5 inches and in civilian dress. He was not in possession of a Great Coat but a Ration Allowance had been paid him. Actual date of starting in the Army and from which paid was given as 2nd January, 1915.

    "This Pass must be given to each Recruit as he takes his seat in the train, or embarks, with instructions to be careful to deliver it, on arrival at his destination to the Serjeant who meets him; if from the distance to be travelled he receives subsistence beyond the date of starting, it should be stated".

    A Permanent Pass was issued on 13th May, 1915, stating that "No 16721 Pte Dutton of C Company 10th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Lancaster Regiment is granted permission to be absent from his quarters daily until 10-00pm." Signed Lieut. Colonel J Bonomi. Kingsbridge

    (Info from the internet - 10th (Reserve) Battalion Formed in Saltash, October 1914, as a Service battalion, part of K4 October 1914: attached to 99th Brigade, original 33rd Division April 1915: became a second Reserve battalion (after the 3rd Bn) September 1916: became 43rd Training Reserve battalion of 10th Reserve Brigade.)

    13.11.15 - Granted an additional sixpence per day whilst employed as a clerk under Article 898 Pay Warrant. Recommended by Captain C Cartmell Officer Commanding C Company.

    Joined 3rd Suffolks on 25th November, 1917. He was being paid around 10 shillings a week on average. Service Number 51856 is on the side of his service medals Pte H. Dutton Suff.R. On 22nd April 1918 he left for overseas and joined the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. From his notes about his war in France made in a little cloth-bound diary:

    • Calais - we arrived 24.4.18. Left on 26.4.18. L. Infantry Base Depot.
    • 26.4. Billeted near Roubeke. Joined unit 30.4.
    • 4.5. Marched 21 kilometres.
    • 28.5. In Pevy
    • 29.5. In Sapicourt
    • 29.5. Bouvancourt and Cormicy
    • 1.6. Banks of the River Marne
    • Dormans - left on 8th June
    • Troissy - there for two days and left on the 17th June
    • Vassimont on 17th and 18th June
    • 17-18.6. In action.
    • Haussimont
    • Somme-Sous
    • 20.6. Arrived Andainville. Then to Fresnerville. Marched 20 miles arrived at E...k. Stayed overnight and marched 18 kilos to Villy-le-Bas. Stayed 7 days then left 7th July and marched 12 kilos to the railhead (Longroy-G...aches). Entrained in cattle trucks for Boken. Arrived at Abbeville.
    • Stayed in bell tents in a wood 3 days and nights then marched to Varqueses - 17.7.

    24.7.18 He was in the firing line opposite Beaumont Hamel for 17 days. Went to Acheux. Came back to support trench. Went over the top on 21st August and was under continuous shell and machine gun fire for 72 hours opposite River Arne. Wounded 23.8.18 and buried by a shell. Went down the line to the dressing station then to convalescent camp.

    On September 5th, a form had been sent to Mrs Dutton to the effect that Pte Dutton had been admitted to Number 2 Stationary Hospital, Abbeville suffering from gunshot wounds to the hand and left leg. On September 14th, 1918, Lieutenant W Scott of the Lincolnshire Regiment informed Mrs Frances Dutton that her husband was admitted to Number 5 Convalescent Depot at Cayeux on August 29th and that any further information as to his condition would be at once notified to you.

    Stayed 4 weeks then left for base depot. Arrived on 28th Sept 1918.

    Convalesced until 28.9.18 then went to base depot until 5.10.18 when he left on a 24-hour train journey with no tea and no bread, arriving at Havringcourt. Stayed with Divisional wing for 3 days then proceeded to join unit on 9.10.18, marched 25 kilometres to Walincourt where they were billeted and left 13 days later to the front line where he was wounded on 24.10.18.

    (From the Regimental Diary: On 23rd October, near the village of Ovillers and the River Harpies, the attack began. The jumping-off line for the attack was the road along the eastern bank of the Harpies. The 1st Battalion Lincolnshires were on the left flank of the 62nd Brigade.

    The two battalions assembled in the valley north-east and north of Amerval and by 9-30am were able to go forward to the line of the River Harpies - one of the main objectives.

    The advance of the 2nd Battalion was opposed by heavy shellfire and machine gun fire from Poix. There were a large number of enemy machine guns which were captured at a later stage. The 1st Lincolnshires pushed on beside their comrades of the 2nd having first cleared the line to the River Harpies and the south-west portion of Vendegies-au-Bois. They pushed on to the next objective - a line betwenn Vendegies and Poix where they were held up by enemy shellfire and dug in for the night having lost 15 men and 50 wounded. At 4 am on the 24th, the 1st Battalion attacked under a heavy barrage. A Company on the right; C on the left with D in support and B in reserve. The attack was entirely successful and by 6am Poix and the road running from north-west to southeast beyond it was captured with the Lincolnshires taking over 100 prisoners. It was during this battle that Herbert was wounded and came down the line and arrived at Number 2 Canadian General Hospital. He was "Marked for Blighty" on 28th October, 1918.

    (On 7th November, 1918 Mrs Frances Dutton was informed by the Infantry Record Office at Lichfield that Pte Dutton had been admitted to the 2nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport on October 25th with a gunshot wound which had caused a fracture to the left arm.) Sailing from Le Havre he arrived in Southampton at 6am on 3.11.18. Reached Liverpool 8pm. Convalesced in Belmont Auxiliary Hospital.

    He was demobilised from the Lincolnshire Regiment on 24th January 1919 and received a war gratuity of GBP23, less one pound kept back but payable on return of military greatcoat. Transferred from 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment to Reserves on 20th February, 1919. Place of Rejoining in Case of emergency - Harrowby Camp, Grantham.

    Herbert originally worked in Prestwich Parker's Foundry in Atherton as a very young boy. In a photograph showing him there, he looks about 8 or 9. He started work as a miner at Cleworth Colliery, Tyldesley, on 7th February, 1919.

    First six days' pay was GBP3-11s-8d. His pay varied from GBP5-6s-9d on May 2nd to GBP4-9s-0d on May 9th after working through dirt 4 feet thick. On June 13th, this improved to GBP6-9s-0d for six days and on June 21st of that year, he attended a Miners' Demonstration in Blackpool. On March 24th, 1920, started at Chanter's Colliery, Atherton (Arley Mine) earning from GBP6-12s in May to GBP6-17s-6d on August 14th. Shortly after, he moved to Gib Colliery (Arley Mine) and received GBP6-10s for 4 days' work, rising to GBP9-5s on December 13th. In between there was a three week-long strike during which time he received no wages. His notes of his wages end on 14th January, 1921 when he earned GBP7-11s for five days at Fletcher's Gib Arley Mine.

    Herbert died of pneumonia in 1935 aged 53, his lungs probably weakened by his time in the foundry, the pit and the trenches.

    I have the original letter below. It brings home the full horror of the First World War. If you are ever in Lancaster, be sure to visit the Regimental Museum which is part of the main museum and is absolutely brilliant.

    Letter from Cpl T Whittaker of Burnley, Lancashire to his friend and fellow soldier Herbert Dutton of Atherton, Lancashire. Herbert Dutton of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Rgt.

    May 29th, 1916 Monday.

    Dear Old Pal,

    I now take the Pleasure in writing you a few lines as I know how you will want to know my experiences in the boxing ring. Them were the days Dutton. Well, I have been in hospital with swollen feet but it was with standing in the trenches up to the knees in water. You know 8 days is a fair while to be stood up and we never got to close our eyes all the time. You might not believe it but it is true enough and the Germans sent their gas over and 78 were gassed and when the artillery start, they don't send shells, they send foundries over.

    What a life Dutton. I could not make you believe what it is like. There was some mines blown up and believe me, I thought it was lights out and the ground trembled like a jelly. We were only 25 yards from the German trenches, so you will understand why we had no sleep. I had a private in my sentry group. It got on his nerves to such an extent that he went stone mad. Directly after, a shell came and hit a fellow from Nelson but he was in fragments and I picked up his top lip with his tash on. So you will have an idea of what it is like here.

    Harper is here and he is no friend of the men. They do not like him. Swallow is here and Wright. As regards my first coming out here we landed at a place and stayed there about a week and we were sent up the line to another place on the 2nd of April which was a Saturday and on the Sunday, we joined the battalion and at about 4-30 the O.C. came and said we had a trench and crater to take and at 6-30 we set off to our task.

    When we had gone so far, we had to get our faces blackened and off we went again. At 2-10 on the Monday morning, we had got to where we had to make the bayonet charge and before I knew where I was, I had fallen into a German trench and of course, I was a bit dazed but I soon jumped up when I heard someone shout "Mercy Comrade". It was dark and I had a job to find out where the noise was coming from, so I felt with my hand on the floor and I could just feel the head of the German. He was buried all but his head - wait for it - and then seven came walking towards me with their hands up asking for mercy but they got it. I can assure you Dutton it is no picnic going into a bayonet charge. It is not like charging sacks. Then after the charge comes the bombardment. That is worse than the charge.

    Remember me to Bob Jones 42 and Sgt. Major and the Q.M., I mean Hulton. Is French with you yet?

    I will draw this letter to a close with best wishes for your welfare. I will tell you what Dutton, I could do with some tackle to clean my buttons as we have to clean them when out of the trenches. So no more this time from your old pal Whit. Buck up. Write back soon Dutton as I shall not be here long. Address as follows.

    Cpl T. Whittaker 16731 K.O.R.L. Regt., No 1. Convalescent Camp, Boulogne. (Cpl Whittaker lived at 3, Barnes Court, Burnley)

    David Dutton




    239859

    L/Cpl. Lewis Earnshaw 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    This photograph was found in my parents' papers. I identified Lewis Earnshaw by comparing it to a photograph of him printed in the Huddersfield Weekly Examiner on 5th August 1916. I believe he was a neighbour of my great grandparents. In 1911 he was a warehouseman for a cotton spinner.

    Sandra Stocks




    239857

    Pte. John Whittaker MM. 5th Battalion Border Regiment

    Jack Whittaker was my great uncle. He joined the army in 1915 under the Lord Derby scheme. He won the military medal for valour when he captured a German machine gun trench.

    Eric Wilde




    239856

    2nd Lt. Sydney Thomas Stidolph 74 Squadron

    <p>

    Sydney Stidolph served with 74 Squadron.





    239847

    Sydney Houghton 10th Btn. Notts and Derbyshire Regiment (d.28th October 1917)

    From Gainsborough News (Lincolnshire) "Houghton - in loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Sydney Houghton, 10th Notts and Derbys, who fell in action October 28th 1917"

    John Bradley




    239843

    L/Cpl. Alexander Bayneham Smith 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.17th Sept 1916)

    Alexander Smith served with B Company, 5th Battalion, DLI. His name is on the original roll dated 17th of April 1915. He was born and enlisted in Stockton on Tees.





    239841

    Pte. Edward Charles Vale Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Edward Vale was born in 1890 at Ely, Cambridgeshire, son of William and Ellen Vale. He previously served with 2nd Royal Fusiliers and 2nd and 6th Battalions Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry before transferring to the 1/4th Battalion. His name appears on the War Office Daily Casualty List (Wounded), 24th September 1917, Edward died at Knightshayes V.A.D. Hospital, near Tiverton, Devon, of wounds received in France, 9th of October 1917. Buried in Chevithorne (St Thomas) Churchyard, Devon, he is remembered on the Stretham, Cambs War Memorial.

    Colin Green




    239837

    Pte. Edward Cameron 10th (Lovat's Scouts) Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

    Edward Cameron,served with his brother, Alexander Cameron in the 10th (Lovat's Scouts) Battalion. He served with honor and distinction and was Honorably Discharged on the 26th of June 1919.

    Ronauld Cameron




    239835

    2Lt. Fred Hall 18 Squadron (d.22nd September 1916)

    Fred Hall is interred in Guillemot Road Military Cemetery. He had previously served with the Dorset Regiment.

    Michael Hall




    239834

    Rflmn. Roy Maurice Bland 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.28th Oct 1918)

    Roy Maurice was the son of Annie Bland (nee Jewitt) and George Bland. He was born April 1886 in York. He had one brother Henry Radcliffe Bland who was born in 1898. He signed up on 13th of January 1916 and died 28 October 1918. It seems of illness and his theatre of war was put as home. His younger brother had died 25th of October at home of influenza. It is possible that Roy Maurice was on leave and contracted the Spanish Flu from his brother. Or he was sent home ill and gave it to his brother. Annie and George only had the two sons - it must have been devastating.

    Anne Strachan




    239831

    Pte. James Albert Law 8th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) (d.12th May 1917)

    <p>

    James Law was the elder brother of my paternal grandmother, Dorothy Law. In his earlier life he made several trips to Brazil along with his parents and sister as the family had an interest in a cotton mill there. He subsequently married Susannah and set up as a hairdresser. He was much loved and admired by my grandmother who subsequently named her only child (my father) after him.

    Richard West




    239825

    Pte. Alfred Moffatt 8th Btn. Royal Scots (d.12th April 1918)

    Last year I discovered by accident that my great great uncle Alfred Moffatt was killed in action on 12th April 1918. He joined the 8th Battalion, Royal Scots in late 1916 in Consett, Co. Durham although there is some suggestion he may have attested in December 1915. I guess from there he went to Haddington before going to France. He was 32, single and a coal miner.

    I cannot be sure, but I assume he was involved in the Battle of Arras in early 1917. In September 1917 he was listed as wounded by The Scotsman newspaper but there was nothing about how or when he was wounded. He obviously recovered and returned to his Pioneer Battalion. I am assuming that he was killed, on 12th April 1918, when his Company or Battalion HQ was overrun during a German advance at the Pacaut Front. The Battalion seemed to have retired or retreated to Mont Bernenchon, then the Paradis Position and finally reformed in Busnes. The war diary for that day does not mention his name but four officers were captured and were POWs until the end of the war. I am confused by the fact he is seems to have died in France during the Battle of Lys but is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Comines-Warneton, Belgium. His original service number was 8301 but changed to 335617 later.

    Any further information provided to clarify his service and death would be greatly appreciated.

    Steve Moffatt




    239817

    Gnr. George Edward Gunn 21st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.23rd July 1917)

    My mother's father, George Gunn, was 38 when he was killed in action while serving in the 21st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He is buried in the Canada Farm Cemetery, but I have failed to discover the battle in which he died. My best guess is the Third Battle of Ypres, but I have no details.

    I know little about my grandfather, other than he was a professional organist. As I child, I recall seeing a photograph of him in uniform and being shown his medals. I do not have these items nor know where they are. I am planning to visit his grave on the centenary of his death, and hope that by then I will know more about how and where he died.

    Bill Sinclair




    239815

    Sgt. George Bamber 61st (South Midland) Division Royal Engineers

    My grandfather George Bamber fought with the Royal Engineers and was captured by the Germans in France and gassed. He was temporarily blinded and left permanently with weak lungs. He joined up in 1914 when he was a mature 34. I never had the privilege of knowing him since he died of a stroke when my mother was in the early stages of pregnancy with me.

    He left school at 14 and became an apprentice engineer, finally ending up as a factory inspector. George was a talented cornet player and played solo in front of Queen Victoria. A mark of his talent is that he must have only been 20 when he performed before her since she died in 1901. He lost three sons in infancy. The next arrival was Hilda in 1910, Leonard in 1912 and finally my father Ronald in 1916. These tragedies left their mark and he took to drink. He was always sloping off to the off-licence to buy bottles of Guinness before band practice or rehearsing in his bedroom. But he cured himself of alcoholism; and when he died, my grandmother found a crisp 50 pound note in his pocket. He was a good-natured man and despite his travails had a well-developed sense of humour.

    At one stage Grandma got a telegram from the War Office that ran something along the following lines: "This is to inform you that your son/father/husband/brother George Bamber has been killed in action/captured/wounded (strike out as applicable)." But nothing had been struck out. She immediately hotfooted it to the police station where the duty sergeant licked his pencil and said something like "Right missis, nothing we can do about it at this hour. Have to wait till morning when they're open." So poor Grandma was left having kittens.

    Shortly afterwards as my grandmother was walking through Bristol with the pram carrying two-year-old Leonard and holding four-year-old Hilda's hand she was approached by a gypsy woman bearing a sprig of heather. She merely said "He's all right and is coming home soon." And he indeed did.

    When he was captured by the Germans they were being marched through a remote village, and a local woman took pity on them and tried to give them food. If they were caught doing this, then the food was confiscated and the woman beaten. One of them succeeded in giving Grandpa a baked potato which he surreptitiously put down his trousers, giving himself a serious burn.

    He was the oldest of eight children of George Bamber and the indomitable Mary Anne Freeth, who ruled the family with a rod of iron. What she said went. Grandpa George had to lock his trunk so that Mary Anne couldn't pawn his clothes.

    John Bamber




    239813

    Mch/Dvr. Augusta Mary McMahon att Army Service Corps (d.28th October 1918)

    Mechanic Driver McMahon is buried about five yards south of the church in the Killeshin Church of Ireland Churchyard, Killeshin, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239808

    Pte. Samuel Seacy 15th Btn. Royal Scots

    My great uncle Samuel Seacy wrote a letter home on 3rd of May 1917 when he was out for a rest and I'm trying to find out what specific action from the Battle of Arras he was referring to.

    He wrote: ... "We came out on the 1st; we were about 130 so we had some left out of about 900 - not so bad (ironic comment I assume!). We were cut off and had to fight for it, the others were taken or killed. It was awful - talk about Mons. It was hell Piddy (nickname of his sister, my grandmother) so don't tell mother. I thank God I got out - they were killing the wounded..." Great Uncle Samuel was injured on 28th of August 1917 with what was described as "gunshot, severe".

    Grateful for any information you can provide on Samuel's service history and details on the action he would have been participating in when he was wounded.

    Doug Wilson




    239806

    Gnr. Alfred James Chessman 142nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.30th May 1917)

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Alfred Chessman was born in 1881 and died 30th May 1917 of burns, which were inflicted a week earlier on 23rd May, in or near Arras. Alfred had five children, my father being his youngest son, who was born 4 months after Alfred was killed.

    We do not know much about his service or deployment in the RGA, apart from where he is buried, near Bethune, France. His Service Records were apparently part of the 'burnt documents' that were lost in the London bombings of WW2. We don't have any medals for him, only the Death Plaque, which has survived even though there is no box or certificate.

    I wish I had known this brave man and as it is the Centenary of his death this year, I shall be visiting his grave on 30th May in France.

    Noeux_les_Mines_Cemetery, Nr Bethune, France - Chessman, Alfred J.

    Chessman, Alfred J. - In Uniform

    Headstone - Alfred J. Chessman

    Joan Powell




    239802

    2nd Lt. John George Lawrence MC. Norfolk Regiment (d.22nd Jan 1918)

    John Lawrence, a native of St Margarets, Kings Lynn, served with the Norfolk Regiment in S.Africa and WW1. He was mentioned in Gallentry Award recommendation from Field Marshal French in the London Gazette 18th Feb 1915 and his award of the Military Cross was published in the Edinburgh Gazette on 23rd Feb 1915, one of the first CSMs to gain this award.

    In early 1918 he was promoted with a field commission to 2nd Lieut. and was sent east to train and bring back the W. India Regiment which was associated with the Norfolk Regiment. En route he contracted malaria and died of pneumonia complication on 22nd of January 1918 at the age of 38.





    239801

    Pte. Joseph Gribben 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Joe Gribben was born in Clayton le Moors, Lancashire on the 14th February 1890 to Peter Gribben and Ellen McNally who were from County Down, Ireland. He married Mary Kneafsey on the 14th November 1911 at Saint Mary's Clayton le Moors. They had a daughter Alice in 1912, she was my maternal grandmother.

    Joe signed up for the 6th East Lancashire Regiment in 1914 and fought in Gallipoli from 7th of July 1915 until evacuation on 18th of December 1915. He then fought in Mesopotamia, arriving in Basra on the 6th of March 1916. He would most likely have been involved in the second attempt to relieve Kut and perhaps some of the later battles in Mesopotamia.

    Joe transferred to the Liverpool Regiment Garrison Regiment in Egypt around February 1917. This regiment was for men considered permanently unfit for service but fit enough to man a garrison.

    After the war Joe was badly shell shocked. He could no longer work in the weaving sheds because of the noise. He retrained as a chicken farmer. He and Mary had a son also called Joseph in 1920. Sadly their son was captured in France in 1942 and taken as a POW to Torun in Poland (Stalag XXa) and was murdered by a guard at a workcamp in Upper Silesia in 1942.

    Alison Shorrock




    239799

    Rflmn. Philip Archibald Nicholas Lowry 1/9th (Queen Victoria's Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.14th April 1917)

    Philip Lowry was the younger of two brothers to join the Queen Victoria's Rifles. He was killed in action aged 21 years and is ommemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    TJ Gaitt




    239797

    A/Cpl. Clive Douglas Taylor

    I know Clive Taylor was out in the desert and Afghanistan, he also met up with his brothers on a war field in France (Sydney and ?) He was wounded and convalesced in Brighton hospital.

    Beverley Davies




    239794

    Pte. Oliver Charles Storer 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.23rd July 1916 )

    My Great Uncle, Oliver Charles, joined the 2nd Royal Warwicks in February, 1915. He went first to the Isle of Wight. From there he went to France in February 1916.

    He had been wounded seriously in the left arm and right leg, and he had been transferred to Queen Mary's Military Hospital at Whalley. Septic poisoning supervened and he died from tetanus on Sunday morning July 23 in he presences of his mother and sister. His body was sent by the Military Authorities to Polesworth on Tuesday July 25th where it was met by a party of the 20th Coy R.D.C. stationed at Polesworth, and conveyed home.

    On Thursday, the funeral was given military honors. The service at the Parish Church was taken by the Rev. Canon Trotter, Vicar, and the Rev.F.M. Maydew, Curate. The Polesworth Band was in attendance. The R.D.C. providing a firing party and a bearing party was sent from Lichfield consisting of a sergeant and 12 men of the North Staffs. Regt.

    He earned the British War and Victory Medals

    Catherine Smith




    239793

    Sig. Joseph Henry Pitcher

    Joseph Pitcher, my geat grand father, served in the Jutland Battle. He died before I was born.

    His son, Henry Robert Pitcher my father, flew with 44 Squadron RAFVR

    Mary Pitcher




    239787

    Pte George Alfred Moore 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.7th June 1917)

    George Alfred Moore was my Grandfather. No other details are known.

    David Cleaver




    239786

    Pte. Alfred George Spurling 1st Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.15th April 1917)

    Alfred Spurling enlisted in Ipswich in November 1915 at the age of 37 years and 9 months. He was 5'8" tall, weighed 138 lbs and his chest measurement was 36" with a 2" range of expansion. He was a Private in the 1st Battalion The Buffs East Kent Regiment, an infantry regiment and one of the oldest in the British Army, posted to France on 10th of October 1916.

    Alfred was killed in action on 15th of April 1917 and is named on the Loos Memorial which commemorates over 20,000 servicemen who have no known grave.

    From his records we know that in 1918 his widow, Rebecca, received her husband's articles of private property consisting of letters, three photos, Testament, steel mirror, wallet with addresses and cutlery. Her pension was 18/9 shillings a week.

    Alfred was born in Rushmere in 1878 and by 1891 his family had moved to Tattingstone living near the White Horse. In his early twenties he worked in Spearmans Yard, Ipswich as a cart driver - this was in the St Matthews area of town and was named after a Mr Spearman who had a dye works there. Ten years on and Alfred was back in Tattingstone, married with one son, living on Lemons Hill and working as a gardener. He had married Rebecca Clarke in 1903, she was a dressmaker, from the Wherstead Road area in Ipswich. By the time of her death in 1938 she had moved back to Ipswich to Bramford Lane. Their only son, Alfred Augustus, became a police constable and at the time of his death was living in Middlesex.

    Jane Kirk




    239783

    Cpl. Ernest Albert Surman 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.21st July 1916)

    My mother once asked my grandfather Albert Surman, about his father's WW1 service. He told her when he was 10yrs old he awakened early one morning to hear boot steps walking from the entryway, he looked out of his bedroom window and saw his father in uniform walking away from the house up Eadie Street. He added that was the last he saw of him. He then told her "He got blown up, I don't want to talk about it ever again!" Ernest Surman left behind his widow and seven children.

    Micheline Hill




    239782

    Pte. Samuel John Wason Scots Guards

    <p>

    My grandfather, Samuel Wason, enlisted with the Scots Guards on 8th of June 1911 aged 19. He served before the war, for 3 years, during which he served for 9 months in Egypt. He was then transferred to France in August 1914 to fight in the First World War.

    He lay wounded on the battlefield for 6 days, near the German cannons before being taken prisoner on 29th of August 1914. He had been fighting for less than 3 weeks. He had become deaf due to the immense noise and, despite an operation in Switzerland while a prisoner, his hearing deteriorated and he was discharged in 1918, after his release as a POW, he had been held for 3 years.

    He applied (and failed) in his appeal for a pension based on his hearing disability. His case was dismissed on the grounds that his condition was aggravated by, not attributable to, the war. From then on, he could only perform a basic job as a glass packer in a warehouse. He died in 1971 aged 78.

    Samuel Wason and his wife Edith

    Phil Wason




    239781

    Pte. Walter Speight 8th Battalion, 13 Company, 6 Platoon Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.10th June 1917)

    <p>

    Walter Speight recorded:
    • 27 April 1917: Left Folkstone, England for Boulogne, France
    • 29 April - 12 May Training in Etaples
    • 13 May: Landed near the Front line at Abeele rest camp
    • 16 May: posted to KOYLI B Company 6 Platoon 3 Section (all decent boys!)
    • 17 May: Training for Attack near Watou
    • 20 May: Sent to rest Billets too ill with Flu Temprature 100.2
    • 24 May: Left rest Billets for railway dugouts behind the front line
    • 25 May: Night Working party St Peter's Street
    • 26 May: Trenches first left of Hill 60 very hot quarters. Man Named "Smith" who came out with Walter Speight was killed
    • 27 May: Bombardment
    • 28 May: Bombardment continued 7 Casualties
    • 29-30 May: Straffing pretty freely both sides
    • 31 May: Going to M camp near Poperinge (NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN)
    • 1 June: 3am Exciting night dodging shells under gas clouds (good days rest)
    • 2 June: spent most of the day writing letters
    • 3 June: Day in Poperinge buying presents for family
    • 4 June: Went to Assembly trench waiting for time to mount
    • 5 June: Assembly trench off St Peter's Street, nothing Doing to pass.
    On the 10th of June Walter died of wounds.

    John Wood




    239780

    Pte. William Albert Knight 1st Btn. South Staffordshire (d.13th May 1917)

    I am a member of the Rugby Family History Group researching some of the men whose names are on the Rugby War Memorial Gates. One of these is William Albert Knight, named as Albert in the 1901 census.

    He was born in Northampton in 1895, the second of the four children of George Walter and Sarah Dudley (nee Markham) who were married in Northampton in 1892. They were living at 6 Richmond Street, but moved to Rugby some years later, probably when their eldest son started work, and were at 107 Winfield Street in 1911. By this time their father was an invalid, but Albert and his brother George were working for British Thompson Houston (BTH) in Rugby as respectively capstan hand and armature winder.

    Albert enlisted in Rugby before conscription was introduced as his medal card states he was sent to France in December 1915. His Regiment was heavily involved in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and he was probably killed in the Action at Bullecourt on 13 May 1917, although he may have been wounded prior to this as he was buried at Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, which from April 1917 according to the CWGC had been occupied by a couple of Casualty Clearing Stations.

    He is commemorated on the BTH memorial in Rugby as well as the Memorial Gates.

    Ann Luntley




    239778

    Pte. Jack Rushton 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.8th May 1915)

    Jack Rushton was 18 years when he died, having joined up in March of the same year.

    He is my great uncle on my mother's side of the family. He was the second young member of our family as the following day the 9th May 1915 on my mother's side of the family they lost Thomas Drinkwater aged 17 years. He died at Aubers Ridge, with the Royal Irish Rifles. I still think of them although I never knew them. We must never forget what all these brave men did for us and perpetuate their remembrance. Thank you.

    Patricia A Croll




    239770

    Pte. William George Flett Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    William Flett was my father. Born 1897 in Portknockie, Scotland. I still have his kilt, Glen Garry, medals etc. He fought at Vimy Ridge in France. He was late in getting married and having children. Like many veterans he did not wish to discuss the war.

    Beatrice Flett McAteer




    239768

    2nd Lt. William Glass 6th Btn. Black Watch (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>

    William Glass was born in Belfast and worked for Barker & Dobson, the confectionery firm. He married Harriet Phoebe Sheeran (1886-1960. They lived in Glengormley, Belfast, where their four sons were born.

    He was one of the old Scotch Volunteers and was one of those instrumental in forming groups of Volunteers for the 6th Battalion Black Watch Territorial Force, in which he served as a private and non-commissioned officer. He took a keen interest in welfare of boys and was identified with the Boys Brigade, serving with McClure St Sabbath School of Fitzroy Avenue Church. He organised a company of the B.B. at Balmoral Industrial School. He was one of the original Y.C.V. members and on the formation of the U.V.F. he acted as honorary drill instructor for several city companies.

    With the outbreak of war in 1914, William was commissioned into the Black Watch regiment and stationed in the East of Scotland. In 1916 he received his commission and proceeded to France. Lieutenant Glass was killed in action on 23rd April 1917 near Souchez, Pas de Calais and lies buried in the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery at Arras in Northern France. In a letter from his colonel it was stated that he fell while leading his men into action. He died aged 36.

    War diary extract: Monday, 23rd April 1917. A Black Monday. The Brigade was to jump off astride the Cambrai Road which ran diagonally across our front. Scots on left, Argylls on right with a creeping barrage. An echelon type of attack. Up at 4.30 to see the strafe (from Bn. H.Q. about 800 yards behind the front line). Loud and heavy firing. Noticed loud and terribly ominous, quick and heavy retaliation on to our front line - and feared the worst. Then the usual rumours began. Ferguson of 'A' Coy. back wounded and with bad news. C.O. would not let me go forward to see what was happening. He allowed Muirhead to go instead. Muirhead got a very bad time of it. Our attack was a failure. The barrage was too fast and of the wrong nature and our men were mown down by guns and by M.G. fire. All the officers except Tobermory, A.G.Cameron and G.H.Mitchell were either killed or wounded.

    Helen




    239764

    Pte. Starkie Pate 2/4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.10th October 1917 )

    <p>

    Starkie Pate died on Wednesday, 10th of October 1917.

    Nigel Pate




    239760

    Pte. Harold Edmondson 7th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Harold Edmondson was my mother's half brother. Prior to serving in Flanders he had already served in Palestine, according to the newspaper report of his death at the age of 21.

    I have been told by a guide at the 'In Flanders Field Museum' in Ypres, that he and many comrades were killed when the mines which they had been laying, exploded early. All the comrades are buried in Croonaert Chapel Cemetery.

    Linda Henderson




    239757

    Rflmn. Alfred Bissmire 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Alfred Bissmire served for two years and seven months in the 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade. He then enlisted into the 4th Btn. when the 13th was disbanded. This Btn. went to Quetta, Karachi, India. He returned after three years and was demobbed in 1922. He died in 1975 aged 81.

    Alfred was born in Hoxton Old Town, London in 1894. His family had five sons in France during the war. One brother, Harry Bissmire, was killed during the Somme battle in 1916 serving with the 7th Essex Regiment.

    Peter Bissmire




    239755

    Pte. Thomas Willoughby 1/8th Btn. Worcester Regiment (d.24th April 1917)

    Tom Willoughby was my great uncle - an ordinary man, who was an agricultural labourer, but he joined the war to do his duty.

    My mother, aged 3 in 1916, could remember rolling his puttees for him when he was due to return after leave.

    He was killed in 1917 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, having no known grave. My husband and I are the only relatives to have visited the site. A very impressive place and an extremely emotional day.

    Helen Heath




    239753

    Cpl. Henry Cohen 38th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    This is what I know of my father Hank Cohen;s history. He was known to enlist under age and I am trying to track his military history. He was in Egypt on 22nd of Dec 1919

    Chuck Cohen




    239752

    Pte. Ernest Harold Bennett 8th Battalion, D Coy. Gloucester Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather Ernest Bennett survived WW1 but died on Christmas day 1944 whilst my father was in prisoner of war camp in Germany (Poland). I am trying to make a record of my family's history and whilst I knew my grandfather served in WWI I was not aware of his service details until I found these photos after clearing my family home following my mothers passing. I am trying to put together facts regarding service of both. I am not sure why my grandfather is in the group photo was in Ireland. It may be R&R following a period in France or maybe deployed to Ireland due to Independence troubles? I would like to know how I find out his story. He has written on the back: A few lads of 2 Hut, D coy Ballyvonare Camp, Co. ork, Ireland 30th Jun 1917. Standing left to right, Pte. Daniels, Pte. Jones, L/Cpl. McKnight, Pte. Law, L/Cpl Greer, L/Cpl Avant. Sitting, Pte. Osborne, L/Cpl Ann, Pte. Anflick, Pte. Chandler. Lying Pte Bennett, Ptes Savage, Pte. Devlin. All Gloucester Lads whohave seen active service in France.

    The second photo is of my grandfather (sitting) and his brother Seymour who appears to be in uniform of a different regiment. Again I am interested in ascertaining rank & regiment. Unfortunately I have no living relatives that can help.

    Seymour & Ernest Bennett

    Robert Bennett




    239750

    Pte. Robert Air Smart Anderson 19th Battalion Royal Scots

    My Grandad Robert Anderson served in the 19th Battalion, Royal Scots at the Battle of Arras. Two days after the Armistice 11th November 1918 while still in France he received the news that his wife, my grandmother, had died in a house fire in Dundee.

    Davy Meikle




    239747

    2nd Lt. William Joseph Francis 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd March 1918)

    William Francis attested 6 June 1916, and was initially in the Artists Rifles (28th London) as a private. In Jan 1917 he applied for a commission, listing his present address as "D 'Coy' Hut no.1, 2nd Artists Rifles OTC, Hare Hall Camp, Romford, Essex." OTC is "Officer Training Corps".

    He initially served as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 12th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, but in Jan 1918 this battalion was "rationalized" as part of a move to reduce the number of under-sized battalions, and the men were dispersed to other battalions, Francis ending up in the 11th Battalion.

    When the Germans launched their major offensive known as Operation Michael (March 21st 1918), the 11th Battalion found itself under heavy pressure, and made a fighting retreat to take up defensive positions just south of the town of Jussy, behind a canal, reaching their position about 10pm.

    At dawn on the 22nd they reported having units of mixed detachments holding their left flank, and the 7th Bedfords on the right, with the 6th Northants in support. The bridges had not been effectively destroyed in the words of the unit diary of the 11th Battalion, and German attacks began at noon. A general assault began at 3pm, and the position held by the Bedfords was briefly taken before a counter attack by the Northants drove back the Germans and reestablished the front by 6pm. (The junction between the 11th Battalion and the Bedfords & Northants was the railway bridge.) The Germans made determined efforts to cross the canal in the night but were beaten back. Although they didn't know it at the time, by dawn the Germans had succeeded in forcing the canal at Jussy on their left flank. At 6am on the 23rd they came under flanking fire from Jussy, forcing them off the canal bank. By 8.30am it became obvious that their left flank had been left completely in the air. An officer scouting on his own reported that the enemy had penetrated to a depth of a mile on their left flank, and held Holnon Wood.

    Recorded under the entry for 10am, the unit diary says This retirement from close contact with the enemy who was pressing the Battalion from front and left flank was a very difficult operation. In covering the withdrawal of Bedfords & Northants the right flank also became exposed. The enemy pressing closely in large numbers cut off many of our men and very few were enabled to get back under heavy MG fire from both flanks. Capt. Brookling was here wounded and cut off after behaving with the greatest gallantry throughout the action.

    At some point on the 22nd or 23rd March 1918, William Francis lost his life. His body was never recovered, and his military file contains extensive documentation of attempts to determine the date and cause of death. It was initially ruled that he was killed on the 22nd, based on the testimony of a private John J Goodman hospitalized in London, who stated that Francis was his platoon commander and that he had seen the body blown up by artillery, but with the face clearly visible. He is commemorated at the Pozieres War Memorial as having died on the 22nd.

    However, subsequent correspondence from Capt Brookling from his POW camp in Germany would cause a reassessment. The German Red Cross Evidence Form contained the following: Date and place of disappearance: 23rd Mar 1918 Jussy. In a shallow trench near the Canal bank at Jussy. Was he killed outright? Yes. And by whom was he buried? The enemy overran the position a few hours after his death consequently he was not buried by British troops at all. Can the witness (state the names) of other witnesses? Several men near must have seen but unfortunately I cannot state any names.

    William Francis Snr (Lt. Francis father) then investigated further. Correspondence to the War Office from Francis Snr stated that he had visited Private Goodman in hospital, and after talking with him and showing him a photo of his son, was convinced that Goodman was mistaken about the identity of the officer he'd seen killed. He also stated that he'd spoken with his son's fellow officers in the hospital, and one (not named) stated he'd been sniping with Francis the morning of the 23rd and another (2nd Lt Spence) had spoken to him on the telephone that morning.

    Captain Brookling's father would forward a letter from his son to Francis Snr stating I am sorry to say that 2/Lt Francis was killed about 2 hours before I was captured, he was shot through the head; Francis did splendidly that day, he was a fine & gallant officer and I liked him immensely. Give my deepest sympathies to his people.

    Based on the above, it appears that William Francis was probably killed on the morning of the 23rd as the battalion tried to extricate itself from close contact with the enemy.

    William Francis left a widow (E. Maud) and a baby daughter (Eleanor). On Jan 1st 1919, his elder sister Margaret would marry a New Zealand corporal, and shortly thereafter his entire family would move to New Zealand.

    Jonathan Markley




    239744

    2nd Lt. Harry Edward Jones 22nd Squadron (d.12th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Jones was wounded on 11th September 1917 and died in a hospital in London, on 12th October 1917. He is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery. He was the son of William and Lizzie Jones of Picton, Ontario, Canada.

    Gravestone at Brookwood

    Shirley Stone




    239743

    Pte. Robert Akid 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.16th August 1917)

    Robert Akid would have been my great uncle. All we know of his death is that he was allegedly shot by a sniper. He left a wife Bertha and a child, Peter, who died.





    239733

    Pte. Henry James Gould 1st Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.23rd October 1914)

    In memory of my great uncle Harry Gould who was among the first Brits reported missing in October 1914, presumed dead and never found. We never met, but I always feel I know you from the stories your younger brother, my beloved granddad Frank Gould, told his children and grandchildren. RIP - we love you! xx

    Yvonne Gould




    239732

    Pte. William Alfred Hodson 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th August 1915)

    <p>

    William Hodson was my great uncle, my paternal grandma's brother. He died at Gallipoli on 9th August 1915. He is commemorated at the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. We paid our respects in October 2016, at Helles with my father who is now 88 years of age.

    William Alfred Hodson bottom row 2nd on right

    Postcard from Egypt

    Rachel Gilmore




    239731

    Pte. Reginald Herbert Gilbert 4th Pioneer Btn.

    Reginald Gilbert was invalided from Calais to England aboard HS Brighton with influenza. He was admitted to High Beach Hospital on 1st September 1916.





    239728

    Pte. John J. Tennant 1/8th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.20th April 1917)

    John Tennant is buried in St Nicolas British Cemetery, near Arras in France. He was married to Jeannie Tennant, 18 Front Street, Prestonpans, Midlothian, Scotland and is named on both Tranent and Prestonpans War Memorials, as he was born in Tranent, Midlothian, Scotland. I think he was my gran's cousin as her brother John Tennant was in the Black Watch and was killed in action on 12th October 1917, he is also named on the Tranent War Memorial.

    Lorraine Pease




    239727

    2nd Lt. Pervical Charles Hugh Grist 6th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Pervical Grist enlisted as a private in the 25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion, The London Regiment. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with the 6th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.

    Percy circa 1916

    David Greeley




    239726

    2nd Lt. Peter Godfrey Delahunt 4th Battalion Royal Highlanders (d.28th August 1918)

    <p>

    Peter Delahunt was the younger brother of my grandfather, one of five sons, all of whom served in The Great War but the only one to enlist in the Black Watch. I don't know much more than that he died from wounds received possibly at the Battle of Amiens and was buried beneath the green fields of France, Ligny-Saint-Flochel. I would be interested in any information available about his battalion's activities around the time of his death that might give me a better idea of how he died.

    John M. Anderson




    239724

    Pte. Reginald Roy Quin 3rd Signal Company Royal Engineers (d.6th June 1918)

    <p>

    Reginald Quin died on 6th of June 1918 and is interred at Pernes, Pas-de-Calais, France.

    Lesley Quin




    239723

    Seaman Frank Elwood Ford USS Mongolia

    <p>

    Frank E. Ford served on the Gun Crew that fired the first shot on the Mongolia at a German U-Boat and sunk it on 19th of April 1917.

    Bruce Bley




    239719

    Pte. William James Bosustow 22nd Battalion (d.3rd May 1917)

    I will be in France at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial to pay my respects to Jas Bosustow and his fellow comrades on the 29th of April 17. It will be a few days short of his passing. If there are any family members of William Jas Bosustow who could share some light of his life and family I would really appreciated it.

    Michael Robert Bosustow




    239718

    Sgt. William James Dickinson Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    Born 18th July 1894, Bill Dickinson was in the Royal Horse Artillery during WW1 and certainly served in France in 1918, and maybe before. He made the rank of Sergeant, but declined a Commission.

    He never talked about his wartime experiences. All I know as a fact was that he was in Bois Montigny, Montigny-en-Ostrevent, France in 1918. He survived the war, and later joined the Liverpool Police. In 1911 he lived at 43 New Park Street, Shrewsbury. He married Ivy Kirkpatrick in Bootle, Liverpool in 1922. He died in 1969.

    Can anyone help identify which unit he was in, or any other details?

    Left John (Jack) Dickinson and right William Dickinson

    William Dickinson, 11th August 1919

    Martin Baker




    239715

    Pte. John Brayshaw Kay MBE. 202 Company Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    John Kay was born 6th of October 1897 in Warrington, Cheshire. He enlisted in the Civil Service Rifles in 1915 & was tranferred to the MGC. Whilst in action on 21st of March 1918, he was captured at Hargincourt in a gas attack & sent to Crossen-an-der-Oder POW camp in eastern Germany (now Krozno in Poland since 1945). He survived his time in the camp, working as a farm labourer and was repatriated home in early 1919.

    Whilst in the camp, he was befriended by a French Corporal called Etienne Saint Paul who gave John a small painting he had done of the Watchtower at Crossen camp. We still have the painting in the family today. After repatriation, John went back to the Civil Service and was subsequently awarded the MBE in 1955 for his long service in public office. He married in 1921 & had four children. John died in 1973. I am proud to be one of John's 16 grand-children.

    Crossen Watchtower

    Cathy Shepherd




    239709

    Off.Stwd. Frederick Westlake HMS Sir John Moore

    Whilst looking through papers from my late father, I found a birth certificate stating my grandfather, Frederick Westlake's, profession. I knew he had been in the Navy but not which ship he had served on. The birth certificate was dated 1st February 1917, and names his profession as Officers servant Royal Navy HMS Sir John Moore. We also know that he served on HMS Repulse. We are not sure when his service began but have some documents dated August 1922 and June 1923. We have looked up who served on Repulse and his name isn't included, but we have original documented proof of his service.

    Phil Westlake




    239705

    L/Cpl. John Thomas Denford 1/3rd Btn. B Coy. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.29th Dec 1915)

    John Denford was born in Redcliffe, Bristol, Gloucestershire and enlisted at Abergavenny. He resided at 6 Brynmorgan Terrace, Cwmtillery and was the son of Francis and Florence E. Denford of Bristol, Gloucestershire, brother of Thomas George Denford who also gave his life for his country.

    John died on 29th December 1915, age 22, and is buried at Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, Elverdinghe. He is commemorated on the Abertillery Central Memorial, Somerset Street, Abertillery, and also in the publication With Rifle and Pick, pictured in the South Wales Argus dated 24th of June 1915 and also pictured in the South Wales Gazette dated 25th of February 1916.

    Melanie




    239701

    L/Cpl. Frederick Seal 9th (Service) Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Frederick Seal, was a miner. He came from Nuneaton, Warwickshire and was married to Elisabeth Seal. He was a family man but never the less volunteered serving with the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment which was raised at Warwick in August 1914.

    Along with the 39th Brigade part of 13th Division they were part of Kitchener's New Army. In June 1915 they moved to the Mediterranean landing at Mudros in preparation for Gallipoli and the landings at Cape Hellesdon. The 13th Division landed at Anzac Cove. He fought in the Battles of Sari Blair, Russells Hill, Hill 60 at Anzac then Suvla Bay. He was a L/Cpl at the beginning of the war but somewhere in the middle he was demoted and strapped to a cannon and flogged in sight of the enemy. My guess is he probably used his Seal common sense and got into trouble for using his initiative. However, he regained his rank back pretty soon in the battles that awaited him.

    This story was related to me by my father, who also served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment before volunteering for No 2 Commando 11th SAS 1st Parachute Battalion, 1st Parachute Brigade Colour Sgt Eric Seal. As I was the third generation to have served 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and 4 Para 16th Independent Pathfinder Company, I did not want this story lost.

    Scott Seal




    239697

    Pte. Robert Leatherby 5th Btn Machine Gun Corps (d.27th September 1918)

    Robert Leatherby lost his life on the 27th of September 1918

    Pete Roper




    239691

    Pte. Walter "Spud" Mills VC. 1/10 Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.11 December 1917)

    <p>

    On Monday 7th of September 1914 the Battalion received orders to move to Egypt (not France to the disappointment of many) via Southampton and on the Wednesday night left on two trains. The right half of the Battalion went first under the command of Lt Colonel Rye VD and the left half of the Battalion, under the command of Major Bamford followed in the second train. The battalion arrived in Southampton at about noon on Thursday the 10th September 1914 and straight away embarked on HMT Avon which left Southampton that night. Walter Mills was not a regular soldier but he was in the Territorials, the 1st/10th (Oldham) Battalion of the Manchester's and he volunteered to serve overseas.

    He was born in June 1894 in Oldham and had married Ellen Britt in 1913. They had a daughter, also called Ellen, born in 1914. His battalion, part of the East Lancashire Brigade, had started training at Bury in August and went out to Egypt in September 1914, with the other Territorials.

    His battalion first saw action in May 1915, in the Gallipoli landings. In December 1915 they were evacuated from Gallipoli. Three months later, in March 1916, and they were fighting in France. Almost 2 years later, in December 1917, at the age of 23, Walter would earn his Victoria Cross, at Givenchy.

    His citation reads:

    "A strong enemy patrol endeavoured to rush our posts after a gas attack which had caused the garrison to be overcome. In spite of being badly gassed himself, he met the attack single-handed, continuously throwing bombs until reinforcements arrived, remaining at his post until the enemy attack had been driven off. Whilst being carried away he died from gas poisoning. It was solely due to his exertions, when his only chance of personal safety lay in remaining motionless, that the enemy was defeated, and the line retained intact."

    Kim Belsten




    239689

    Pte. Stephen Caulfield 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.17th April 1917 )

    <p>

    Stephen Caulfield was born in 1897 (Listed as being born in Kilclooney on his death certificate) In 1911 Census he was A Private in the Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 1st Battalion, A Coy. He was killed in action on the 17th of April 1917 aged 22 and is buried inAthies Communal Cemetery Extension, France. In April and May 1917 the 1st Battalion took part in the Battle of Arras, taking heavy casualties.

    Laura




    239688

    Pte Alfred Clarke 7th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.17th Apr 1918)

    Alfred Clarke was my great uncle from Ashton-u-Lyne, his wife Mary Clarke lived at Granville terrace Ashton-u-Lyne.





    239686

    Sgt. Ben Roberts 45th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.5th Jan 1920)

    <p>

    Ben Roberts served with 45th Btn. Royal Fusiliers





    239684

    Pte. William Croft Taylor Plymouth Divison

    <p>

    William C Taylor, RMLI Plymouth Div. at Royal Marine Depot, Deal 1918. (Rear Row, 4th from the left). William died on remembrance day 1988 in Edmonton, Canada.

    Wayne Taylor




    239683

    Rflmn. Sidney Charles Millson 12th (The Rangers) Btn. London Regiment (d.27th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Sidney Millson is my maternal grandfather. His daughter Eleanor (Nellie) was my mother. As was the style in those days, he or information on my mother's upbringing was not talked about. But I do know that Sidney's death left his wife, Florence, my mother's older sister Marjorie, in dire circumstance. War widows received a pittance on the death of their husbands.

    War time photo of Sidney Millson, shortly before he was killed at Cambrai, France, Nov 27, 1917

    Peter




    239678

    Pte. Herbert Bottomley 11th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    Herbert Bottomley was born in 1889 and died in 1918, age 29, during WWI in Greece. Herbert joined the King's Liverpool Regiment on 10th of November 1914 age 27 and was probably later transfered to the 11th Btn. Welsh Regiment. He died on the 18th of September 1918 age 29 son of Margaret Bottomley of 2 Ridehalgh St., Colne, Lancs, and the late James Bottomley. Herbert is buried in Doiran Military Cemetery, Greece is situated in the north of Greece close to the Yugoslav frontier and near the south-east shore of Lake Doiran.

    John Bottomley




    239677

    Pte. Fred Ingham 1st/5th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.2nd August 1917)

    Fred Ingham was born in 1879 and grew up in Thornton, Bradford, West Yorkshire. He married Esther Foster from Denholme, and they had two sons, Granville (my husband's grandad) and Ernest. He was a gas inspector when he joined the war. He died on 2nd August 1917 but we have no idea of the circumstances of how or why.

    All we know is that he was killed and missing in action. We only discovered the Nieuport Memorial in Belguim a couple of years ago with his name on it. We had found, after the death of Granville, a black and white photo of the memorial. Until I found the memorial on a website we had not realised its significance. We believe that Fred's wife was sent this picture after the memorial was dedicated to those who died. Granville had no recollection of his father at all. He must not have visited home in all the years in the war until his death and Granville was only young when he left. There has never been a photo found of him.

    Carol Whittam




    239672

    Rflmn. Albert William Robinson Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    My great grandfather, Albert William Robinson, was born in Bridlington, Yorkshire, England on 12th March 1878. Albert was said to be one of the first motor mechanics in England, and during his army career with the Yorkshire Rifle Brigade, he was a driver for army officers during his tour of Egypt and France in WW1. Albert's war records were lost in the 1941 fires during WW2, but I do have his pension paper (stamped weekly) and photos of him in uniform. On 24th of September 1915, Albert was at Tring Mill in Hertfordshire, from where he sent two postcards to his daughter Nellie. He mentions going to Uxbridge on the following Sunday.

    On 18th August 1903, at the Registry Office, Long Lane, Bridlington, he married Victoria Adelaide Robinson. During the war years Victoria ran their home 'Ailsa Craig' in Bridlington as a boarding house. Albert and Victoria had three daughters: Mabel Mary born 7th July 1904, Nelly born 25th April 1906, and Phyllis born 26th October 1909. Albert, Victoria and their three daughters immigrated to Australia from 'Ailsa Craig', 8 Clarence Road, Bridlington, Yorkshire, England. The family arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia on the 'Orvieto' on 31 March 1921. They settled on a farm in Mt Barker, WA and planted an apple orchard. The property was on Wilson Road, south of Kendenup. The property is now known as 'Noojee', mainstay is now sheep.

    I have been told that Albert and his family came to Australia as he had health problems with his lungs after being gassed during the war. His doctors felt the climate in Australia would be healthier for him. Unfortunately, this was not to be, as Albert died on 25th March 1935 from carcinoma of the stomach and cachexia. He was only 58 years old. Albert is buried in the Mt Barker Cemetery.

    Obituary in 'Denmark & Mt Barker Record' for Monday 8th April 1935: 'The death occurred at Mt Barker on Monday, March 25, of Mr Albert William Robinson. The deceased was 58 years of age and was born at Bridlington, Yorkshire. He came to this state 14 years ago and settled at Kendenup. Subsequently he sold that property to acquire another at Forest Hill. This was later disposed of, and he again returned to Kendenup. He was a quiet living man and a respected citizen. The funeral took place at Mt Barker on Tuesday, where he was interred in the Methodist portion of the Cemetery. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and medals gained while the late Mr Robinson was a member of the British Forces. The pall bearers were Messrs. H Lock, A H Ahern, J Wragg, and K J Honey, while the service was conducted by the Rev N Inwood. Mr Robinson is survived by his widow and two married daughters.'

    Albert idolised his three daughters, and must have been devastated when his first born Mabel Mary died in December 1934, four months before his own death. Albert's wife Victoria died on 27th September 1939, and is buried in the Old Albany Cemetery.

    Albert William Robinson Pension Paper Front

    Albert William Robinson Pension Paper Back

    Wendy Bloomfield




    239671

    Pte. Charles Cockett 24th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    Charles Cockett served with the 24th Btn. Royal Fusiliers.

    Elwin




    239667

    Pte. Michael Toohey DCM. 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers

    My grandfather, Michael Toohey, served in 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers, then went into the Machine Gun Corps. His service numbers were 10323 and 13458. After the war he remained in the British Army and joined the Tank Corps where he was a ssgt/wo.

    He never talked about why he was awarded DCM. He died before I was born, and never talked to anyone about his war service. I would like to find out for what act of bravery he was awarded the DCM.

    Sandra Toohey




    239665

    Pte. J. O'Neill 3rd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.20th April 1916)

    Priate O'Neill was the husband of Mary O'Neill of 3 Gracefield Rd., Portarlington.

    He was 38 when he died and is buried in the north west part of the Killenard Catholic Churchyard, Lea, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239664

    Pte. Patrick Keenan 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.1st September 1916)

    Private Keenan was 31 when he died and is mentioned on a special memorial in the Killeevan (St. Livinus) Catholic Graveyard, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239663

    Cpl. J. McCormack 361st Res. Emp. Coy. Labour Corps (d.25th December 1918)

    Corporal McCormack was the son of Mrs M. McCormack of 10, Richmond Cottage, Summerhill, Dublin.

    He was 46 when he died and is buried in the Killeek Old Graveyard, Killeek, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239662

    AC1 Martin Croke

    Aircraftman 1st Class Croke was the son of Thomas and Ellen Croke of Waterford; husband of Kathleen Kearns (formerly Croke of 121 High St., Brentford, Middx.

    He was 34 when he died on 5th August 1919. He is buried in the Family Plot, just inside the entrance to the Killea (Holy Cross) Catholic Churchyard, Killea, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239661

    Cpl. John Bowen 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My grandfather, John Bowen, had been married for only two and a half years when he enlisted for military service on 29th May 1915, at Newcastle, England. He joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, was posted to the 19th Battalion, and served with the British Army. He saw overseas service in France as part of the British Expeditionary Forces from 16th December 1916 to 11th September 1917 and again from 24th September to 9th November 1917.

    He was mustard gassed by the Germans and returned to England for rehabilitation. He was discharged on medical grounds on 4th July 1918.

    John Bowen obtained the rank of Corporal and received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    William Ferrett




    239656

    L/Cpl. James Wallace 18th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.15th July 1916)

    James Wallace was under 5ft 3 inches tall, and was married to Mary Williamson. His son James was born in 1912. Two daughters, Mary and Margert, both died in 1915 and 1916 respectively. His wife gave birth to a third daughter six weeks after his death, Eliza Jane Wallace, who was born on 27th August 1916.

    James was one of four men killed and three wounded (one of the wounded died of his wounds on 27th July 1916) when the Germans sent twelve shells over in the area of Montauban.

    G W Marsh




    239653

    Sgt. F. Blythe 12th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Sgt Blythe suffered a bullet wound on the 28th of March 1918 during the 12th Sherwood's withdrawal as the enemy advanced. He was treated at the Tranmere Auxiliary Military Hospital in Birkenhead.





    239652

    Pte. Arthur Sheers 7th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Arthur Sheers served with 1st/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as a private. He also served in the 932nd Area Employment (Garrison Guard) Company of the Labour Corps, before the latter was absorbed into the 44th (Garrison) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.





    239650

    Pte. Alexander Lyon 5th Btn. D Company Seaforth Highlanders (d.6th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Lyon served with D Company, 5th Seaforth Highlanders.

    Tony




    239648

    Pte. Norman Wallace Goodwin 37th Btn.

    Norman Woodwin joined the 37th Btn AIF on 22nd January 1916. He was born on 6th June 1899 and was 16 at the time of enlistment. He lived at West Alberton and went to France, arriving on 22nd of November 1916. Norman was wounded in action on 21st of January 1917. He disembarked in Melbourne on 12th February 1918 and was discharged on 28th March 1918 as medically unfit.

    Peter Thistlethwaite




    239644

    Pte. Herbert Woollen 3rd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    Herbert Woollen was born in Sheffield in 1885. He served in 1902 with the 3rd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment service number 3752. In 1903 he served with the 15th Foot East Yorkshire service number 7466. During WW1 he served again with the 3rd Battalion service number 16232.

    David Taylor




    239640

    Pte. Francis Henry Crowson 9th Btn. Essex Regiment

    I believe Francis Crowson (my grandfather) joined in 1914 and went through WWI leaving in 1920. A mustard gas attack affected his breathing for the rest of his life. I believe he was not recognised or mentioned at all. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    He later joined the home guard as a sergeant in WW11 stationed at Perkins factory in Peterborough. He died in 1955.

    maurice Crowson




    239637

    Pte. Charles Chowler 4th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    My great grandfather, Charles Chowler, joined the Army 4th HLI 15th March 1915 he fought in WW1 and was injured in battle. He returned to London St Pancras to recover and was sent back to war as a medical attendant until he left the army in 5th Oct 1918.

    He was sent to a hospital in Jersey where he worked as a gardener he lived in the hospital. His family in Northamptonshire believed him to have died. During the German occupation he is registered as living in the hospital. He died in the 1970's with his family never knowing of his existence.





    239633

    Gnr. Jesse Stanley Turner 126th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Jesse Turner was born 29th Jan 1886 in Ashbocking. He married Agnes Revell on the 14th of June 1916 in the local register office, giving his occupation as gunner, it is believed they got married because he was going to France. Jesse caught Tonsillitis on the 12th of January 1918 and was transferred to sick convoy on 21st of March 1918 from 3rd Highland Field Ambulance to base. He survived the war and died in 1950.

    Richard Turner




    239628

    Pte. Robert Ellis Johnson 1/5th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.22nd Sep 1915)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, Robert Johnson was killed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, Turkey on 22nd of Sepetmber 1915.

    Shane Kinnair




    239625

    L/Cpl. John William Perkins 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.15th July 1917)

    Willie Perkins was killed whilst serving with 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    Graham Clarkson




    239624

    Drvr. Henry James Southam Royal Horse Artillery

    Harry Southam was my grandfather. He died in 1953 when I was eight years of age. I remember him telling me about the Hills of Moab and the flies in his soup in the desert.

    He was born in 1877 and was probably a little too old for front line service, so was assigned ambulance driver duties. I have his dog tag which reads Dr. H.J. Southam R.H.A. C.E. 216704. He brought back a few souvenirs including two Egyptian banknotes from 1917 which are now worth more than just a bob or two.

    Pride of place in his front room display cabinet was a decorated ostrich egg. On the wall there was a flintlock pistol, probably liberated from one of the unruly natives; and two coshes each with a wooden ball at the end linked to a handle by a tight leather sheath made flexible with stuffed horsehair and doubtless used to quell said unruly natives. There was a coin which had been most likely used as a medallion, as a hole had been drilled through it. The coin showed two dates, the lower date on the coin which looks like irrr is Arabic for 1223, which equates to 1823 AD/CE. This is the year in which the reign of Ottoman Sultan Mahmud 11 began in Egypt. The upper date - which looks like r7- is Arabic for 26. This coin was, therefore, issued during the 26th year of Mahmud 11s reign. Add 26 to 1223 and the date becomes 1249. This equates to 1849 AD/CE which was the year the coin was issued.

    After the war Harry returned home to his wife and daughter and continued in his trade as a carpenter and joiner using some of the tools that had once belonged to a nephew who had been killed at Ypres.

    Roger Emptage




    239622

    Harry Mycock DCM. 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    My great uncle Harry Mycock was injured in the war. He lived into his 80s. He was with the 41st Brigade, 14th Division from 20th of May 1915. He never talked about his time there, so we do not know much about this. Also my grandad was with him and he never said anything either.

    Lesley Underwood




    239617

    Pte. Robert Vandal 11th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.23rd April 1917)

    When the Great War broke out in 1914, my uncle, Robert Vandal, and his elder brother George joined up to serve in the Sixth Territorial Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

    Robert caught influenza in 1916, was wounded on 30th of July 1916 and gassed 20th of August 1916. On his recovery, Robert appears to have returned to France with the 11th Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. On the 23rd of April 1917, he was killed in action during the Battle at Arras when the British Army suffered 10,000 casualties during the attempt to capture the village of Guemappe.





    239613

    L/Cpl. John Cyril Whiting MM. 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade

    As a child I was brought up by Grandma and Granddad Jack Whiting, he passed away when I was only nine so I never got to talk to him about anything really but I was always with him. He collected me from infant school every dinner time wearing his black beret and khaki trench coat.

    It was only when I got older and saw his medals that I started to have an interest in what he had done. To this day I'm still trying to find out about how he won his Military Medal all that he had ever said to the family was as he said it "Having a shit under shell fire". I have recently found a letter from Lt-General Sir Aylmer Hunter Weston, Commanding VIII Corps congratulating him for his gallant conduct during the period 17th to 19th November 1917.

    He also never spoke to the family about where he came from or his family, all that they knew was he had run away to join the Army. With more research I have found he was from a family of land workers living in Berkshire. From an early censor I found that there were five in the household Isaac (Grandfather Draymen) Christmas (Father Yes, Isaac had him christened with that name. Engine Driver plough shuttle), Rosina (Mother). They had three boys John (my grandfather)1896-1966, William 1898-1914 and Donald 1900-1905. John was a gifted musician and won a scholarship to a college when and where I don't know, it was from here I think he ran away to join the Army.

    William was in the Royal Berkshire Regiment when he was wounded in a retreat (again I have no information). He succumbed to his wounds at the Military Hospital in Aldershot, Hants.

    Little Donald (I have no information at all).

    I was told the he did go to visit his parents in Wallingford either during leave or post war, but wasn't welcomed according to family he never contacted them ever again. At some point he was promoted to staff sergeant and became the Bandmaster of the 2nd Btn. The Rifle Brigade, until around 1936. He was called up again in 1939 this time to the Royal Tank Corps as a training NCO in Warminster, Wiltshire. Post WWII he worked for the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. Granddad Passed away in October 1966.





    239609

    Rflmn. William Grantham Beard 7th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.30th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    William Beard died in the action at Hooge in July 1915. He is remembered on the Menin Gate.

    Laura Beard




    239605

    Pte. William Christopher Dunkley 10th Btn. Welsh Fusiliers (d.8th April 1917 )

    My Grandfather William Dunkley served with the 10th Battalion, Welsh Fusiliers. I know from my grandmother that William was one of those brave men who captured a machine gun post with a Lewis gun. She would always tell me the story when I was a young lad, now I tell it to my grand daughter who is studying WW1 at Newtown High. I also know William was killed on his first wedding anniversary.

    David J.Dunkley




    239603

    Sgt. Alfred Whitfield 22nd Btn. London Regiment

    Alfred Whitfield was entitled to 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals





    239601

    Gnr. George Laing 91st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    George Laing was my grandmother's brother. He survived the whole war. He married at the end of the war and emigrated to America in 1926. My grandmother's brother was killed in action in April 1918. My grandmother's husband, John Hutton, was in the First Life Guards and Machine Gun Regiment and also survived the war.

    Doug White




    239594

    Pte. Samuel Loudon Rodgers 5th Btn Cameron Highlanders (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>Samuel Loudon Rodgers Grave

    During 2016 a group of army cadets visited the WW1 battlefields - prior to going they were tasked to nominated a soldier killed during the conflict this soldier could be a relative, someone who came from the same town, or possibly the same surname as themselves but whoever they selected would be Their Soldier with the view they would visit their soldiers grave or memorial and lay a remembrance cross and say hello, one of the cadets Mel Rodgers told us of a relative killed during the conflict, Pte SL Rodgers 5th Cameron Highlanders aged 22 killed in May 1917

    In Scotland 51 Brigade (Army) hold a competition annually called the Alban Sodger allowing cadets to do a presentation the Great War. Mel and a fellow cadet Connor Mullen used her relative as their named soldier as part of the competition they won the initial selection for the Glasgow and Lanarkshire Battalion which put them forward to the main competition, which was held in Edinburgh Castle. Their presentation won them first place on the brigade competition.

    A point was made that we would visit Pte Rodgers grave whilst we were on the tour, the grave was at Duisans Military Cemetery, Etrun near Arras, after being diverted due to road works we arrived at the location. We had compiled a folder on her soldier including copies of the 5th Bn Cameron Highlanders War Diary covering the events leading up to the attack when Samuel was killed. On arrival we debussed and visited the grave, it was quite emotional but our aim had been achieved. Mel positioned her cross and large poppy on Samuels grave and this was the chance for Mel to eventually say hello to Samuel on behalf of her family, this was a lovely closure from finding out about Samuel, using him for her presentation, winning the Alban Sodger competition to finally visit his grave.

    Medals Awarded to Pte Samuel Rodgers for service in World War One were Victory Medal and British War Medal

    Submitted by SMI R Bell, Glasgow Lanarkshire Army Cadet Force on behalf of the Rodgers family

    Raymond Bell




    239591

    Pte. William Stephens Peacock 15th Btn. Yorks & Lancaster Regiment

    William Peacock served with the 15th Btn. Yorks & Lancaster Regiment, he transferred in from the 12th Battalion, Sheffield Pals.

    Tim Peacock




    239588

    Sto1. W I Gale HMS P46

    <p>

    I found the grave of W Gale in the church graveyard in Avebury, Wiltshire. He died 12th September 1920. Anyone interested please get in touch.

    Adrian Waller




    239586

    Pte. James Ernest Arnold 13th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    James Arnold is on my family tree. I discovered he has no memorial apart from his name on a plaque in France on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial which I found after a great deal of effort on the CWGC website. I hope to get him added to Stockport's men to be remembered. My connection to him is only by a sister of his who married a widower on my tree.

    Kathryn Newton




    239583

    Pte. Ernest Cook 14th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regimen (d.27th October 1917)

    Ernest Cook died on a "quiet day" in the dying embers of the Battle of Paschenndale. Memorialized at Tyne Cot but still remembered by his sisters family and his 90 year old nephew.

    Paull Woodham




    239581

    Pte. Robert Charles Judge 1st Btn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.23rd February 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Judge died whilst being held as a prisoner of war.

    Scott




    239579

    Pte. William Smith 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    These postcards were sent by William Smith to his sister, my grandma.

    Mrs W Birch




    239573

    Pte. Ernest Edgar Sawyer A Squadron Bedfordshire Yeomanry (d.31st March 1918)

    <p>

    Ernest Sawyer served with A Squadron, Bedfordshire Yeomanry.

    1917 Private E E Sawyer

    Jenny Copley-Forster




    239566

    L/Cpl. Reuben John Wells 14th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Lance Corporal Reuben Wells was lost when the Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) County Dublin, Ireland to Holyhead, Wales mail boat RMS Leinster was torpedoed and sunk by UB-123 on 10 October 1918. He is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin.

    Philip Lecane




    239563

    Sgt. Edward Garland 7th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.16th December 1918)

    Edward Garland was a regular soldier in the Wiltshire Regiment prior to the outbreak of the First World War. He served in South Africa in the Boer War and also served in India.

    Having left the army he moved to Chesterfield, where he became a porter on the Midland Railway. He remained at that job for five years. He then went to work at The Malt House (Maltkins) in Langwith, Derbyshire, although his home was at Brimington, near Chesterfield.

    He was wounded on 18th October 1918 in the drive to the Hindenburgh Line, he was transported to No 9 Hospital in Rouen where he succumbed to his injuries on 16th December 1918.

    Bill Bryan




    239557

    Cpl. Henry George Amblin MM 59th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    33157 Cpl Henry George Amblin MM, Royal Field Artillery is my great grandfather. He enlisted in the Army in 1896, initially in the Wiltshire Regiment and then transferred to the Royal Field Artillery whilst in British India.

    He was deployed from India to France in August 1914 as a member of 59 Battery RFA of the 3rd Lahore Division. Throughout the remainder of the War his unit was transferred to both Canadian and British Divisions. He served at Passchendaele and remained in France until he completed his military service in 1919. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field for an action in France in September 1918 at the Battle of Canal Du Nord.

    He lived happily and successfully until the 1950s and was proud to have been one of the original 'Old Contemptibles'.

    Neil Clifford




    239556

    Gnr. Cecil Edward North 86th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.7th June 1918)

    Gunner Cecil North was the son of Mrs Sarah North of Killashandra, Co. Cavan.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried close to the North boundary of the Killashandra Cemetery, Killashandra Co. Cavan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239555

    FM James Lynch (d.25th August 1918)

    Fireman James Lynch was 44 when he died and is buried in the Killarney (Muckross Abbey) Cemetery, Grave AB, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239554

    Capt. J. O. McElroy 14th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Captain McElroy was the son of Mrs McElroy of Guilmore, Gorteen.

    He died on 4th March 1919 and is buried in south west part of the Killaraght Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilfree, Co. Sligo, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239553

    Pte. John Joseph Collins 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.23rd April 1917)

    John Collins was married to Eleanor Collins and had two boys - John (Jack) Joseph (my grandad) and Terence Collins. The family were originally from St Helens in Lancashire but had moved to Glasgow for work. John Collins worked as a glass blower at the time of enlistment when he was in his thirties. He died age 35 and my grandad, age 4 at the time, remembered the day the the telegram arrived and listening to his mother sob into her apron at the table in the room where they lived. John died in the 2nd Battle of Arras on 23rd April 1917 and is buried in the Heninel-Croiselles Road Cemetery.





    239552

    Gnr. Walter Cole 36th Siege Bty. (d.28th May 1917)

    Walter Cole was born in Little Wenham, Suffolk in 1896. He initially joined Essex & Suffolk RGA (T) No. 297.

    Walter died in France on 28th May 1917.

    His parents, Walter and Hannah Cole, were living at 11 Queens Road, Great Wenham, Colchester, Essex at the time of their son's death.





    239550

    Tel. William Herbert Ashcroft HMS Mignonette (d.17th March 1917)

    I have recently started to look into my family history. I have never met any of my relatives as I was placed into care at a very early age. William Ashcroft is one of many of my relatives who have served their country at a young age. This is true to both the world wars. I have a Griffiths side to my family on my mother's side, and some of them are also listed as having served in the various services and perished.

    Barry Ashcroft




    239549

    Pte. Thomas Sloan 1st/8th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.16th May 1917)

    Tommy Sloan died on 16th May 1917 at Roeux, at the end of the Battle of Arras. His brother Edward (Jack) died on 9th May 1917 at the Battle of Doiran aged 19.





    239548

    Pte. Edward "Jack" Sloan 10th Btn. Black Watch (d.9th May 1917)

    My great uncle Edward Sloan died during the Battle of Doiran on 9th of May 1917 aged 19. His brother Thomas died on 16th May 1917 in the Battle of Arras aged 22.





    239540

    2nd Lt. E. M. Cunningham 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Second Lieutenant Cunningham was wounded on 28th April 1918.





    239532

    2nd Lt. H. W. Bodger 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Second Lieutenant Bodgerwas wounded in January 1918.





    239527

    Capt. G. W. Lee 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery

    Captain Lee also served with `B' and `D' Batteries during the war.





    239526

    Mjr. W. Arnold 173rd Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Major Arnold served with `A' Battery in 1917 and `C' Battery in 1918.





    239525

    Lt. E. G. Studd 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Lt. E. G. Studd was wounded in June 1917.





    239519

    Lt-Col. H. C. Simpson DSO 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Lt.Col. Simpson was the Commanding Officer of 173rd Brigade in France and Belgium.





    239514

    Lt. G. A. Rickards MC 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery

    Major Rickards had previously been with `C' battery, before moving to `D'Battery. He was wounded in March 1918.





    239510

    2nd Lt. H. M. Achilles 173rd Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Second Lieutenant Archilles was wounded on 28th April 1918.





    239498

    2nd Lt. F. J.H. Hunt 173rd Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Second Lieutenant Hunt was wounded on 28th April 1918.





    239484

    Pte. George Keech 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1917)

    Private George Keech of the Leicestershire Regiment was my grandfather. He was a father of 4 and a wife named Ada. His 4 sons were named Lesley, Bernard, George and Walter. He lived in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire. His widow lived there the rest of her days untill her passing.

    George was a member of the Northamptonshire Territorials. He went off to summer camp where he was shipped off to war. He came home once for rest period that was the last time he saw his children. My father was one year old at the time, he was three when my grandfather died.

    Raymond




    239482

    L/Cpl. George Thomas Anstey Christopher 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment (d.14th September 1918)

    The son of George and Kate Christopher of 2, Railway Terrace, Brockenhurst, Hants. Remembered at Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

    Philip




    239481

    Cpl. Andrew Kirkwood 9th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.11 Nov 1918)

    Andrew Kirkwood was my great great uncle. He enlisted on 17th March, 1915, age 31 years and six months. He died in France on the last day of the war from Influenza. He left behind his wife and six children ages: 14, 13, 11, 8, 6 and 4 years old. His wife received 33 pounds, three shillings and sixpence from the British Army. Two of his brothers-in-law were killed in action at Flanders.

    Elizabeth Yorkshades




    239477

    Pte. William Henry Cozens 8th Btn East Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    William Cozens was my uncle. My mother remembered him leaving home for the last time. He would never allow family to go to the railway station - always biding farewell at home. William Henry Cozens left a widow (Elizabeth) and a nineteen-month old son, William Albert.





    239476

    Rflmn. Frederick Alfred Barrett 7th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Following my uncle's death, information has been found on his step brother's Dad, Frederick Barrett. He first entered France as Private 5332 with the 7th Battalion, London Regiment on 6th of June 1916, and served with it until 13th of June 1916. This short period of time means that he remained at the base depot and was never posted to the field with that unit. After which he transferred to the 12th Battalion (where he was renumbered to 7904) date given was on the 14th July 1916 and remained in the 12th until his death on 7th October 1916.

    CWGC has his name placed in stone at the Thiepval Memorial, France. Information found shows that he lived in Kensington, which together with Soldiers' Effects and Results show that he was killed in action and indicates that he left a widow, Elizabeth and a child (Elizabeth who I knew as my Nanny Nicholls, The Old Lady) and the child as (Big Fred) from her first husband Frederick Albert Barrett.

    The war diary only records entry, that at 1:45 pm they attacked Dewdrop Trench, and references a report attached. 1/12th Rangers were in 56th Division and were fighting near Les Boeufs on the Somme on 7th October 1916.

    On the 7th of October 1916 the XIV Corps objective was a trench line from 100 - 500 yards away and on the right flank the 56th Division (Major-General C. P. A. Hull) attacked with two brigades. On the right, in the 168th Brigade area, the 1/14th Battalion, London Scottish found it difficult to maintain contact with the French on the right, who advanced eastwards rather than north-east. The Scottish captured a southern group of gun pits and pushed on to the south end of Hazy Trench 200 yards (180 m) beyond. The 1/4th London was stopped by machine-gun fire from the northern gun pits and tried to outflank them on the right. On the left, the 1/12th Londons advance was stopped short of Dewdrop Trench to the north-east of Les Boufs,

    I have located a memorial to his unit in London, The Rangers, 12th County of London Regiment War Memorial, is in Chenies Street, London

    Barratt Brothers WW1, after Fred enlisted but his brothers had not joined up yet.

    David Nicholls




    239475

    Drvr. Jonah Flack 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Jonah Flack was 27 when he died. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Simon Flack, Mill Road, Lakenheth, Brandon, Suffolk. Jonah is commemorated on the Giavara Memorial, Italy.





    239474

    Shoeing Smith Clifford William Wyncoll 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd November 1916)

    Clifford Wyncoll was aged 18 when he died. He was the son of Mr T. and Mrs E.E. Wyncoll, Church Cottage, Peldon, Colchester. Clifford is buried in Longuenesse (St Omer) Souve Cemetery, Grave IV.A.74.





    239473

    Gnr. H. G. Woodward 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.26th October 1918)

    Gunner Woodward is buried in Divisional Collecting Post Cemetery, Grave I.Q.12.





    239472

    Gnr. John Edward Woodfine 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    John Woodfine is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239471

    Bmbdr. Thomas Wood 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.15th May 1917)

    Thomas Wood was 24 years old when he died. He was the only son of Harry and Elizabeth Wood, 321 Worsley Road, Winton, Manchester. He was killed when `A' battery was heavily shelled. Thomas is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Grave III.B.146.





    239470

    Gnr. G. D. Wilson 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd August 1917)

    Gunner Wilson is buried in Potijze Chateau Lawn Cemetery, Belgium, Grave D.5.





    239469

    Drvr. Andrew Willox 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Andrew Willox is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239468

    Drvr. William Henry Wiffen 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.12th January 1919)

    Driver William Wiffen died aged 24. He was the son of Henry and Susanna Wiffen. His wife lived at 52, Goodwin Buildings, Marshalsea Road, Borough, London. He is commemorated on Birmingham (Lodge Hill) Screen Wall Ref B10.9.662.





    239467

    Drvr. John Warren 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.28th September 1919)

    John Warren was 44 years old when he died. He was born in London and was the son of James and Elizabeth Warren and husband of Mary Jane Warren, 4 Lybrook Street, Limehouse, London. He is commemorated on City of London & Tower Hamlets Screen Wall R.1596.





    239466

    Drvr. J. T. Walsh 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.18th February 1919)

    Driver Walsh was the son of Mrs Ellen M. Walsh, 43 Courthouse Street, Otley. He was 23 years old when he died and is buried in Otley (Newall-with-Clifton and Lindley) Cemetery, Grave G.26.





    239465

    Bmbdr. George Walter Victor Walker 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    George Walker is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239464

    Gnr. W. E. Vickery 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.18th July 1917)

    Gunner Vickery is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.G.19.





    239463

    Gnr. H. Vick 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.5th April 1918)

    Gunner Vick is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Belgium, Grave P.IX.Q.6B.





    239462

    Gnr. Henry Mostyn Tyler 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.12th August 1917)

    Gunner Henry Tyler is buried in Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.A.10. He was the husband of Violet Tyler, 127 Ley Street, Ilford, Essex. Henry was 31 when he died.





    239461

    Drvr. George Smith 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.7th October 1918)

    George Smith is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XXX.A.24.





    239460

    Mjr. Robert Lloyd Thompson MC 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.1st December 1917)

    Major Robert Thomson was 29 when he died. He is buried in Hermies Hill British Cemetery, France, Grave I.A.4. He was the son of James Armstrong and Sara Thompson, Penrhyn, Strandtown, Belfast.





    239459

    Gnr. T. Thomas 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd December 1917)

    Gunner Thomas was the husband of Maud Thomas, Trewoon, St Austell, Cornwall. He was 39 years old when he died. He is buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road Cemetery, France, Grave VI.E.14.





    239458

    Drvr. David William Sullivan 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.16th August 1917)

    David Sullivan was 20 years old when he died. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave VI.E.5. He was the son of James and Evelyn Sullivan, Southwark, London.





    239457

    Drvr. J. Stone 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd August 1917)

    Driver Stone is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XVIII.B.16. He was the son of John Stone, 9 Jackson's Cotages, Mays Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire.





    239456

    Drvr. W. J. Spooner 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.28th October 1918)

    Driver Spooner is buried in Moorseele Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave A. 13. He was the son of Mr W. Spooner, 178 Penn Road, Wolverhampton.





    239455

    Gnr. Cyril John Spink 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.19th July 1918)

    Gunner Cyril Spink was aged 24 when he died. He was the son of Mr G and Mrs A Spink, 20 Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds. He is buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, France, Grave II.A.4.





    239454

    Drvr. Robert James Smith 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.31st July 1917)

    Robert Smith is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium. Grave VI.A.2.





    239453

    Gnr. R. J. Ross 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.29th July 1918)

    Gunner Ross was 20 years old when he died. He is buried in Germany in the Berlin South West Cemetery. Grave Ref. I.D.13.





    239452

    Drvr. George Robertson 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Driver George Roberts is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239451

    Fitter W. V. Roberts 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.29th June 1917)

    W.V. Roberts is buried in Hazebrouk Communal Cemetery, Grave III.D.7.





    239450

    Drvr. Alfred George Roberts 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Driver Alfred Roberts was 26 when he died. He was the son of Alfred George and Fanny Roberts. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239447

    Drvr. T. Rees 173rd Brigade, A Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.9th November 1918)

    Driver Rees is buried in Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois Grenier, France, Grave D.79.





    239446

    Drvr. W. Read 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.9th August 1917)

    Driver Read is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XVII.J.1.





    239445

    Drvr. E. J. Preston 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.12th December 1917)

    Driver Preston was aged 20 when he died. He is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery, France, Grave II.B.27. He was the son of Mrs M. Preston, 116 St Mary's Road, Lower Edmonton, London.





    239444

    Act. Bmbdr. George Arthur Porter 173rd Brigade, A Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.9th August 1917)

    Acting Bombardier George Porter is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave V.D.31.





    239443

    Gnr. E. S. Plumstead 173rd Brigade, A Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.15th October 1918)

    Gunner Plumstead is buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.C.35.





    239442

    Bmbdr. R. C. Pearson 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.31st July 1917)

    Bombardier Pearson is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave VI.A.5.





    239441

    Drvr. C. Pearton 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.20th April 1918)

    Driver Pearton is buriedin Lijssenhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XXVI.G.19A.





    239440

    Gnr. Arthur Pearce 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.14th June 1918)

    Gunner Arthur Pearce was aged 21 when he died. He was the son of John Edward and Jane Pearce, Marhamchurch, Bude, Cornwall. He is buried in Premont British Cemetery, France, Grave IV.A.38.





    239439

    Gnr. H. Paxton 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.11th August 1917)

    Gunner Paxton died aged 24. He was the son of James and Eliabeth Paxton of Stockport. He is buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave VI.B.8.





    239438

    L/Bmbdr. Harry Parsons 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.11th May 1918)

    Lance Bombardier Harry Parsons was aged 28 when he died. He was the son of Mrs Mary Ann Parsons, 76 Green Hill Grove, Manor Park, London. He is buried in Woodgrange Park, East Ham, London, Grave 23.7224.





    239437

    Sgt. Harry Leslie Charles Page 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd July 1917)

    Sergeant Harry Page was 24 when he died. He is buried in Lone Tree Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.A.2. He was the son of Harriet Jane Page and the late William George Page, 24 Park Road, Bowes Park, London.





    239436

    Lt. Edward Farquharson B. Orr 173rd Brigade HQ Royal Field Artillery (d.24th March 1918)

    Lieutenant Edward Orr was aged 22 when he died. He is buried in Ham British Cemetery, Muille-Villette, France, Grave II.D.25. He was the son of James and Mary Orr.

    At the time of his death he had been assigned to 173 Brigade's HQ. Previously he had been assigned to `D' Battery (on 15th September 1916).





    239435

    Drvr. Nathaniel Halford Newman 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd May 1918)

    Driver Nathaniel Newman was the son of Joseph William and Isabela Newman and the husband of Lillie Jane Morris (formerly Newman), 28 West Road, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire. He was 36 when he died and is buried in Foreste Communal Cemetery, France, Grave I.B.3.





    239434

    Cpl. James Nash MM 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd September 1917)

    Corporal James Nash MM was aged 32 when he died. He is buried in North Weald Bassett (St Andrews) Cemetery, Grave 24.1. He was the son of James and Sarah Ann Nash, 10 Woodfield Terrace, Thornwood, Epping, Essex.





    239433

    Gnr. Charles James Munday 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.1st February 1917)

    Gunner Charles Munday was the son of Richard and Emma Munday, 9 Bakers Hill, Mount Pleasant Lane, Upper Clapton, London. He was aged 20 when he died. He is buried in Berks Cemetery Extension, Grave I.N.15.





    239432

    Drvr. F. Moran 173rd Brigade, A Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.1st August 1917)

    Driver Moran is buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave II.D.3.





    239430

    Gnr. William James Maltby Mitchell 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.27th April 1918)

    William Mitchell was the husband of Hannah Mitchell, 34 Creeting Road, Stowmarket, Suffolk, and the son of William and Ellen Mitchell, 26 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket. He was aged 27 when he died and is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery, Belgium, Grave IV.A.29.





    239429

    Drvr. D. Mills 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.5th November 1916)

    Driver Mills was the husband of Elizabeth Livings (formerly Mills), 134 Cumberland Road, Plaistow, London. He is buried in Brentwood (London Road) Cemetery, Grave C.709.





    239428

    Drvr. Walter Midgley 173rd Brigade, A Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Walter Midgley is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239427

    Drvr. Charles John Merrett MM 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Driver Merrett was the son of Arthur H Merrett and husband of Agnes Eva Merrett, 20 Inworth Street, Battersea, London. He was aged 29 when he died. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239426

    Gnr. F. Meiners 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.1st December 1917)

    Gunner Meiners is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery, Grave I.Q.32.





    239425

    Drvr. Walter Maxwell MM 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Walter Maxwell is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239424

    Gnr. Stanley Mason 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Stanley Mason was aged 22 when he died. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Mason, 120 Southwoodside Road, Glasgow. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Panel 7-10.





    239423

    Gnr. W. J. Marsh 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd July 1917)

    Gunner Marsh is buried in Lone Tree Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.A.3. He was the husband of Mrs H.E. Marsh, 34 Peacock Street, Newington Butts, London.





    239422

    Lt. Theodor John Lewis Mann 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.28th April 1918)

    Lieutenant Theodor Mann was 35 years old when he died. He is buried in Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, France, Grave I.A.39. He was the husband of Constance M. Mann, 41 Chelsea Gardens, London, and the son of Lucy Elizabeth Mann and the late John Pidsley Mann QC.





    239421

    Drvr. John James Mandale 173rd Brigade, A Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.31st July 1917)

    John Mandale was the son of Robert and Mary Ellen Mandale, 17 Scurgill, Egremont, Cumberland. He was 26 when he died and is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave VII.A.3.





    239420

    G James Morris McNess 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.6th March 1917)

    James McNess is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France, Grave III.A.4.





    239419

    Gnr. Gregor Alexander MacGregor 173rd Brigade, A Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.30th November 1917)

    Gregor MacGregor was the son of Mrs Mary MacGregor, 11 Bangor Road, Leith. He was aged 21 when he died. Gregor is buried in Hermies Hill British Cemetery, France, Grave I.A.2.





    239418

    Gnr. James McCarthy 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.6th September 1918)

    James McCarthy was a native of Glasgow. He was the son of Mrs Annie McGregor McCarthy, 150 Mathieson Street, South Side, Glasgow. James was aged 34 when he died. He is buried in Neiuwkerke (Nueve Eglise) Churchyard, Grave Z.3.





    239417

    Gnr. Percy Harold Leonard 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.18th July 1917)

    Gunner Percy Leonard was aged 19 when he died. He was the son of George and Elizabeth Leonard, 7 Warwick Street, Swindon, Wiltshire. Percy is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.G.18.





    239416

    Gnr. Graham Lee 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd April 1918)

    Graham Lee was aged 34 when he died. He is buried in Ebblinghem Military Cemetery, France, Grave I.B.9. He was the son of John and Emma Lee, Shepreth, Royston, Hertfordshire.





    239415

    2nd Lt. Frank Roland Lebish 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.25th July 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Frank Lebish was aged 20 when he died. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XIV.A.1. He was the son of George and Georgina Lebish of West Norwood, London.





    239414

    Gnr. D. W. Lane 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd September 1916)

    Gunner Lane is buried in Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.H.12.





    239413

    Gnr. F. Lally 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.27th April 1918)

    Gunner Lally is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery, Belgium, Grave IV.A.28.





    239412

    Gnr. J. Kirkland 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.25th March 1918)

    Gunner Kirkland was aged 30 when he died. He is buried in St Sever City Extension, France, Grave P.VI.F.12A. He was the son of Robert and Helen Kirkland, 10 Riverbank Street, Newmilns, Aryshire.





    239411

    Drvr. John Kimmins 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Driver John Kimmins is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239410

    Drvr. William Kelsey 173rd Brigade, A Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    William Kelsey is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239409

    Gnr. F. F. Joyce 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.20th July 1917)

    Gunner Joyce was aged 20 when he died. Born in London, he was the son of Frederick and Mary Joyce, 6 Sugar Loaf Walk, Bethnal Green, London. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave IV.H.12.





    239408

    Sgt. Lenard Lewis Jones 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.28th March 1918)

    Sergeant Lenard Jones is buried in St Souplet British Cemetery, France, Grave I.H.24.





    239407

    Sgt. H. A. Johnston 173rd Brigade, A  Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.7th July 1916)

    Sergeant Johnston is buried in Aveluy Communal Cemetery, France, Grave F.60.





    239406

    Gnr. John Walington Jeal 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.8th October 1918)

    John Jeal was aged 32 when he died. Born in Epsom, Surrey, he was the son of William and Louisa Jeal. John is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XXX.B.2.





    239405

    Gnr. John William Jackson 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.14th August 1917)

    Gunner John Jackson was the son of John George and Kate Martin Jackson, 22 Edith Avenue, Lloyd Street South, Manchester. He was 22 years old when he died. John is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panels 5 and 9.





    239404

    Gnr. Leslie Stoner Inman 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.26th October 1918)

    Leslie Inman was aged 24 when he died and was buried in Divisional Collection Post Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.Q.17. He was the son of Henry and Clara Inman, 12 Squire Lane, Girlington, Bradford.





    239403

    2nd Lt. H. Iddon 173rd Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd August 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Iddon is buried in Penwortham (St Mary) Church, Lancashire, Grave 353.





    239402

    Sgt. J. L. Howroyd 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.4th July 1917)

    Sergeant Howroyd is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France, Grave III.D.194.





    239401

    Drvr. T. B. Howe 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.27th May 1915)

    Driver Howe was the husband of Mrs M L Howe, 85 Hooper Road, Custom House, London. He was 34 when he died and is commemorated in East London Cemetery at Plaistow on Screen Wall 1396.





    239400

    Gnr. William Henry Holliday 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.18th June 1917)

    Gunner William Holliday was 28 years old when he died. He was the son of William and Emily Holliday, 235 Gidlow Lane, Wigan. He is buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave II.H.27.





    239399

    Gnr. H. Holland 173rd Brigade, C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.4th December 1917)

    Gunner Hollandis buried in Hermies Hill British Cemetery, France, Grave I.A.13.





    239398

    Gnr. Harold Hindle 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.6th February 1917)

    Harold Hindle was 23 when he died. He is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Grave II.C.14A.





    239397

    Sgt. Percy Sydney Patrick Hill 173rd Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.30th June 1917)

    Sgt Percy Hill had previously served in the Boer War, the Zulu Rebellion and in German West Africa. He died, aged 36, in Belgium on 30th June 1917 and is buried at Lone Tree Cemetery, Grave I.D.A. He was the son of Arthur and Theresa Hill.





    239396

    Drvr. George William Harris 173rd Brigade, A Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Aged 24, Driver George Harris died on 21st March 1918 and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10. He was the son of Mrs Isabella Harris, 71 New Elvet, Durham.





    239395

    Drvr. F. J. Hampton 173rd Brigade, A Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.15th October 1918)

    Driver Hampton is buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.C.34. He was the son of Mr W J Hampton, 30 Downs Park Road, Hackney, London.





    239391

    Cpl. Alfred George Hagen 173 Brigade, D  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.27th April 1918)

    Corporal Alfred Hagan was aged 30 when he died. He was the husband of Louisa Hagen, 38 Somerset Buildings, Churchway, Euston Road, London and the son of Christian and Henrietta Hagen of London. He is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery, Grave IV.A.26.





    239390

    Drvr. Thomas William Green 173 Brigade, A  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Gunner Thomas Green is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239389

    Gnr. E. Graham 173 Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.27th July 1917)

    Gunner Graham was born in Belfast. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Edward Graham, The Whitehouse, Whitehouse Park, Whitehouse, Co. Antrim. He was aged 19 when he died and is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium Grave VIII.B.13.





    239388

    Gnr. J. Gough 173 Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.15th October 1918)

    Gunner Gough is buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Belgium, Grave III.D.3.





    239387

    Bmbdr. E. W. Goodwin 173 Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.1st August 1917)

    Bombardier Goodwin was aged 21 when he died. He is buried at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave II.C.12.





    239386

    L/Bmbdr. H. B. Godfrey 173 Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.15th October 1918)

    Lance Bombardier Godfrey is buried at Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.C.33.





    239385

    Gnr. Arthur Goddard 173 Brigade, C  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.27th April 1918)

    Arthur Goddard was 29 years old when he died. He was the son of Sarah and the late Wilfred Goddard of Handsworth, Sheffield, and the husband of Hengie Goddard, 57 Wales Road, Kiveton Park, Sheffield. Arthur is buried at Canada Farm Cemetery, Belgium, Grave IV.A.23.





    239384

    Cpl. Frank George Bausor Freeman 173 Brigade, A  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Frank Freeman was the son of the late George and Ada Freeman and husband to Daisy L. Freeman, 10 Stag Lane, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. He was 30 years old when he died and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Panel 7-10.





    239383

    Gnr. Wallace Flixon 173 Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.19th November 1918)

    Wallace Flixon was born in Chaddesdon, Derby. He was the son of Charles Hillier and Catherine Flixon, 80 Franchise Street, Derby. Wallace was 27 years old when he died and is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Germany, Grave VII.A.14.





    239382

    2nd Lt. Mervyn Fellows 173 Brigade, C  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.25th August 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Mervyn Fellows was aged 27 when he died. He was the son of Peter and Louisa Elvira Fellows, Hurst Hill, Bilston, Staffs. He is buried in Lijssenhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XVI.A.17.





    239381

    Cpl. Edward Harry Elner 173 Brigade, D  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.4th August 1917)

    Corporal Edward Elner is buried in Lijssenhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XVII.G.4A.





    239380

    Gnr. William Herbert Elliot 173 Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd March 1917)

    Gunner William Elliot was the son of Ada Elliot and the late Henry S. Elliot of Ecclesbourne, Church Road, Epsom, Surrey. He was aged 18 when he died and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Grave III.A.7.





    239379

    Mjr. George Richard Owen Edwards DSO 173 Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.17th June 1917)

    Major George Edwards died of wounds, aged 42, on 17th June 1917. He was the son of Mrs H.O. Edwards of Durban, Natal. He is buried in Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave II.J.1.





    239378

    Wheeler S. Easthoe 173 Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Wheeler Easthoe is buried in Grand-Seraucourt British Cemetery, Grave VI.H.11.





    239377

    Drvr. Goudie Easdale 173 Brigade, A  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Aged 20, Goudie Easdale died on 21st March 1918. He was the son of Martha F. Easdale, 2 Chapel Brae, Ayr. Goudie is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Bay 1.





    239376

    Gnr. C. J. Dobson 173 Brigade, A  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd December 1916)

    Gunner Dobson is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Grave III.A.186.





    239375

    Drvr. W. H. Davis 173 Brigade, C  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.8th August 1918)

    Driver W. H. Davis is commemorated on the City of London and Tower Hamlets Screen Wall, R. 1484.





    239374

    Cpl. Charles Candy 50th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.4th May 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Candy served with the Norfolk Regiment and 50th Company, Machine Gun Corps.

    Tom




    239373

    Gnr. William Arthur Davies 173 Brigade, B  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd December 1917)

    Gunner William Davies was aged 25 when he died. He was the son of the late Arthur Davies and Sarah Jane Davies, 54 Hewerston Street, Newport, Monmouth. He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval, Panel 1.





    239372

    Drvr. Harry Lister Dale 173 Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd December 1917)

    Harry Dale was aged 26 when he died on 23rd December 1917. He was born in Sowerby, Leeds and was the son of Nancy Mary and the late John Smith Dale, 25 Grove Hall Drive, Dewsbury Road, Leeds. He is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, France, Grave V.D.3B.





    239371

    Drvr. George Alfred Dale 173 Brigade, C  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.4th October 1917)

    George Dale died on 4th October 1917 and is buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road Cemetery, France, Grave I.D.27.





    239370

    Drvr. Charles Joseph Crossley 173 Brigade, A  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Charles Crossley was the son of Mr and Mrs C. Crossley, 78 Tetley Street, Poplar, London. He died on 21st March 1918 and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Panel 7-10. He was aged 21 when he died.





    239369

    Lt. F. V. Coupland-Smith 173 Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd July 1917)

    Lieutenant Coupland-Smith died on 2nd July 1917 and is buried in Lone Tree Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.D.1. He was the son of Mr F.G. Coupland-Smith, The Slades, Cleeve Hill, Glos.





    239368

    Gnr. B. Cooper 173 Brigade, `B' Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.17th August 1917)

    Aged 28, Gunner Cooper died on 17th August 1917. He was born in Bristol, the son of Mr and Mrs Cooper. He was the husband of Florence Cooper, 48 Thomas Street, Russell Town, Bristol. He is buried inLijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XVII.H.3A.





    239367

    Lt. F. T. Chapman 173 Brigade, C  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.18th December 1917)

    Lieutenant Chapman is buried at Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery, France, Grave II.C.2.





    239366

    Mjr. Charles Lancelot Chapman MID, MC 173 Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd August 1917)

    Major Charles Chapman was killed, age 25, when a shell hit his dugout. He was the son of Henry and Dora Chapman, Westhoe Village, South Shields. He is buried in Lijssenhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XVI.A.13.





    239365

    Drvr. A. W. Carter 173 Brigade, A  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd April 1916)

    Driver A.W. Carter was aged 19 when he was killed whilst providing support for a raid undertaken by 29th Division in the Hamel Sector. He was the son of Thomas Alfred and Ada Carter, 21 Ickworth Park Road, Walthamstow. He is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery, Plot 1, Row B, Grave 11.





    239364

    Gnr. Donald Alexander Cameron 173 Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.24th July 1917)

    Aged 22 when he died, Donald Alexander Cameron was the son of the late Donald and Charlotte Cameron. He was born in Cromdale, Morayshire. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave VIII.A.7.





    239362

    Gnr. W. Buttle 173 Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd December 1917)

    Gunner Buttle was the son of Mrs E Buttle, Church Lane, Thornfalcon, Taunton, Somerset. He died on 3rd December 1917 and is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, France, Grave VIII.D.5.





    239360

    Drvr. Victor Bryan 173 Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.5th December 1917)

    Victor Bryan died, age 22, on 5th December 1917. He was the son of Joseph and Mary Ann Bryan, Sycamore Farm, Morton, Alfreton, Derbyshire. He is buried in Hermies Hill British Cemetery, France, Grave I.C.16.





    239359

    Gnr. E. W. Brown 173 Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.27th April 1918)

    Gunner E.W. Brown died on 27th April 1918 and is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery, Belgium, Grave IV.A.27.





    239358

    G A. Brown 173 Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.14th August 1917)

    Gunner A. Brown died on 14th August 1917 and was buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XVII.F.18A.





    239357

    Gnr. F. Box 173 Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.30th October 1918)

    Gunner Box was buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel, Germany, Grave VIII.B.19.





    239356

    Sgt. Thomas Bond 173 Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st July 1917)

    Thomas Bond was 21 when he died. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave I.H.21. He was the son of George and Catherine Bond, 131 Crwys Road, Cardiff.





    239355

    Sgt. A, Bliss 173 Brigade, D  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd August 1917)

    Sergeant Bliss was the son of William Henry and Elizabeth Bliss and the husband of Elizabeth Bliss, 4 Grove Street, Widnes, Lancashire. He was born in Burton-on-Trent. He died on 2nd August 1917, aged 36, and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave XVII.E.6A.





    239354

    Drvr. Frederick James Blake 173 Brigade, A  Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Driver Frederick Blake was the son of William and Mary Blake, 134 Downsell Road, Stratford, London. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, Panel 7-10.





    239353

    Gnr. R. H. Billings 173 Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.1st February 1917)

    Gunner Billings died on 1st February 1917 and is buried in Berks Cemetery Extension, Belgium, Grave I.N.14.





    239352

    Bmbdr. Arthur Joseph Backhouse 173 Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.17th October 1918)

    Bombardier Arthur Backhouse was aged 23 when he died. He is buried in Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, Belgium, Grave No. IV.H.17.





    239351

    Drvr. Charles Ayton 173 Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd December 1917)

    Driver Charles Ayton was the son of Andrew and Charlotte Ayton, 89A Packington Street, Essex Road, Islington, London. He died, aged 22, on 2nd December 1917 and is buried at Rocquigny-Equancourt Road Cemetery, France.





    239350

    Drvr. W. T. Ascott 173 Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.8th August 1917)

    Driver Ascott died on 8th August 1917 and is buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Grave VIII.D.6.





    239348

    Capt. F. W. Watson 8th Battalion East Kent Regiment

    I have in my possession a leather-bound Chambers English dictionary (1899) with a printed label inside from Gutersloh pow camp, Haus 8. It has inscribed names and dates inside as follows:
    • J M Watson, Royal Artillery, 1890.
    • Freda M Watson, St Helen's College, Southsea, September 1913.
    • Captain F W Watson, 8th Buffs, Havant 24/1/16 followed by Offisier Kriegsgefangenlager, Gutersloh.
    • Cpl McGillycuddy, Depot HQ, RAF Innsworth, 1943.
    • S/O N McGillycuddy, PA's Office, RAF Hendon.

    The dictionary has been rebound (post-war I should say) in leather, as if it was a prized possession, with the stamped initials N.B.H. in one corner. I wonder if any surviving relatives of the above named could add any personal details to the bare bones of this story.

    David Harris




    239346

    L/Cpl. James Battle Ritchie 17th (2nd City) Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>

    My Grandfather, James Ritchie, who unfortunately I never knew, was born on 23 November 1878 in Chorlton, Manchester.

    He was a member of the City Pals, 17th Battalion, Manchester Regiment as a Lance Corporal. He died on 23rd April 1917 while fighting during the 1st Battle of Arras. His body was never found. His name is marked on The Arras Memorial at Faubourg-D Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France.

    James was a renown baritone in the Manchester and surrounding areas, winning 1st Prize at the 'Preston Musical Festival of 1907' for his Solo Baritone performance. Before the Great War James worked for The Great Central Railway as an Accounts Clerk, leaving to join the British Army when war broke out. Manchester GCRJ gives his service number as 396.

    Joseph Battle Ritchie




    239345

    John Percy Warne Durham Light Infantry

    After an IRA attack on Ebrington Barracks the previous summer in 1918, my great uncle Percy Warne died of Tubercular Meninigitis at Londonderry Military Hospital on 23rd of February 1919

    Martin Warne




    239338

    Pte. John Charlesworth 2/8th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.16th May 1916)

    Private Charlesworth was the Son of E. Charlesworth, of 5, Broomhill Lane, Mansfield.

    He is buried between the Cathedral and the Oratory in the Killaloe (St. Flannan) Cathedral Graveyard, Killaloe, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239337

    L/Sgt. John V. Durkan 4th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.22nd April 1916)

    Lance Serjeant Durkan was the Son of P. W. Durkan, of Church St., Killala.

    He was 18 when he died and is buried in the south east part of the Killalla (St. Patrick) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Killala, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239334

    Capt. John Limrick Keene OBE. SS Melville

    <p>

    Captain John Keene, OBE, was my grandfather. He was the master of the SS Melville. He retired to Lourenco Marques in Mocambique in 1923. He then moved to Swaziland until 1932, then to Johannesburg where he died in 1957.

    John Keene




    239333

    Jasper "Jack" Huggett 1st Battalion Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, Jasper Huggett, volunteered for the Army at the age of 19 on the 14th November 1914, enrolling into the 1st Battalion, The Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment. He arrived in France two months later on the 22nd January 1915 and was initially stationed at Le Havre base for a week before entering the trenches in the Cuinchy area.

    He was present at the battalion's actions on 10th March (Neuve Chapelle); 9th May (Aubers Ridge) and 28th May (Festubert), before being wounded in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos (25th September 1915. The wound was sufficient for him to be invalided home on the 2nd October, from Le Havre to Southampton aboard the Asturius.

    Jasper had recovered sufficiently to attend a Buckingham Palace garden party on 22nd March 1916. Between the 3rd July 1917 and January 1919 Jack served with the Labour Corps (Unit 326, HS Works Co.) as a carpenter. Jack Huggett was discharged to the Class Z Reserve on 14th March 1919.

    During the Second World War, Jack served with the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Reg. No. 1917269), he was abroad between the 13th May and 14th December 1940 in Iceland with the NWEF. He enlisted on 18th January 1940 and was discharged on 13th May 1941.

    It is known that five of Jack's brothers also fought in the Great War; William (Joe) served with the 17th Royal Fusiliers and was killed in action on the Somme on 27 July 1916; Richard enlisted into the Army on 27th July 1915 and served during the Great War with the 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was discharged (due to sickness) on the 19th February 1919; Leonard Huggett served with the 1st Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in Mesopotamia; Percy served with the 12th (Bermondsey) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment and was awarded a DCM during operations at Flers, on the 15th September 1916 and John enlisted into the Army Cyclist Corps 22nd November 1915, giving his name as Jack and age as 19 years and 2 months, when in fact he was only 16 years and 5 months old. He went overseas on 19th December 1916 to Salonika and remained there for the nearly 3 years, returning to the UK on 2nd July 1919. John was discharged on 29th August 1919.

    Jasper was born on the 4th November 1895 at 13 Oakwood Road, Thornton Heath, West Croydon to Daniel and Annie Huggett. He first went to Boston Road Infants School on 5th June 1899, before joining the Boys school from 6th April 1903 until 26th March 1909, when he left to become a labourer.

    Daniel and Annie had 13 children in total (Daniel also having 6 children from previous marriages). By 1911 the family had moved to 72 Donald Road, West Croydon. Jasper became engaged to Hilda Emmeline Lane (born 2nd August 1896) on 21st May 1918 and they married in St. John's Church, Red Lion Square, Holborn, London on 9th January 1921. Jack and Hilda initially lived at 33 Lime Grove, New Malden, Surrey for ten years raising three children, Peggy, Peter and John.

    The family later moved to 16, Ebbisham Road, Worcester Park but were forced to move from there to rented accommodation in 1935 when they moved to 4, Carlton Crescent, North Cheam, Surrey, the house that became his home for the rest of his life. Jasper died at home on the 17th February 1957 of chronic bronchitis and cardiac failure at the age of 61 years. He was buried in Cuddington Cemetery, Worcester Park.

    Mick Huggett




    239330

    Cpl. Samuel Tudor Hudson 1st Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.8th May 1915)

    Samuel Hudson was my great great uncle, son of John and Eliza Hudson.





    239322

    2nd Lt. Thomas Harry Warwick 9th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    Great Uncle Thomas Warwick joined the 1st Bedfordshire Regiment in France in July 1915. He was commissioned in September 1915 and transferred to 9th (Pioneer) Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment the next year as a 2nd Lieutenant.

    He was killed on Saturday 28th April 2017 at the Battle of Arleux, and is buried in the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery.

    MaggieP




    239321

    Pte. Thomas Norman Thomson 87th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    My father, always known as Norman Thomson, shared little with us about his war experiences. We know that he joined the RAMC in Liverpool in July 1914 and his first posting was Gallipoli with the 29th Division which landed at Cape Helles. He was a stretcher bearer with the RAMC, 87th Field Ambulance.

    After the evacuation from the Dardanelles in January 1916 he went with his unit to France where he was wounded and had the lower half of his leg amputated. We don't know at which battle this happened, it could have been the Somme. Our friends were allowed to stick a drawing pin in his leg, he always made sure it was the artificial one, he used the same method to hold up his sock. As children we used to nibble at a standard issue army biscuit when no one was looking. All his personal records have been lost together with his medals. He was discharged according to Medal Role Index Card on 28th Feb. 1920.

    When we were bombed during WW2, in Wallasey, Cheshire, we saw the devastating effect on him when hearing the bomb explosions again, which we as children did not understand. He died at the age of 70 in 1959 with a heart attack and damage to his lungs due to being gassed. His elder brother, Douglas, also served in the Army but died in 1922, probably from the effects of being gassed.

    He renewed his occupation as a draper after the war and was employed as the buyer manager at T. J, Hughes, discount store in Liverpool, until probably 1930 when he opened up his own Gents Outfitters business in Wallasey until he retired. He was married to Meg Rogers in 1922, who was also employed at T. J. Hughes and had two children, Beryl and Alex. Despite his disability he made the most of life and was well respected by all who knew him.

    I was able on Sunday 15th March 2015 to lay a wreath at the 29th Division Memorial Centenary Commemoration, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, Warwickshire, which said: Thomas Norman Thomson, 87th Field Ambulance, 29th Division, who served in the Gallipoli Campaign, 1915-1916 And also in Memory of all those Of RAMC who served with him By His son T.A.Thomson, on behalf of the family.

    Alex Thomson




    239320

    L/Cpl. Joseph Morrell MM. 1/5th Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment (d.3rd October 1918)

    Joseph Morrell served as a Lance Corporal in the 1/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. He was the son of George Morrell, of Ripley, Derbyshire. He was billeted at Tollesbury, Essex in 1915 (presumably when the unit was stationed in nearby Braintree) where he met his wife Eva Kate Morrell (formerly Frost). They had one son, Joseph Morrell, named after his father, born in 1916. (I don't know if he ever got the chance to meet him)

    He went to France in July 1916 and was killed by a shell on the 3rd October 1918, aged 25, while attacking the village of Ramicourt during the Battle of the Beaurevoir Line In a letter to his vicar, his commanding officer wrote: "I knew him well. He was a good soldier, brave in action and always willing and able" He was buried in the Ramicourt British Cemetery, Aisne, France.

    He was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for "Conspicuous bravery and gallant conduct when in Lewis Gun" during the battle of St Quentin Canal on the 29th September 1918. He is mentioned in the book, "C Company, 1/5 Sherwood Foresters in the Battles of the 100 days" by C.N.Littleboy

    James Prior




    239318

    Pte. James Pitch 6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    James Pitch was severely wounded and had to have his leg amputated. After he returned home, he slipped and fell on the stump, gangrene set in and he died. He was 23.

    Mary-Anne Pechet




    239317

    Pte. Thomas Cooney 23rd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.10th March 1917)

    My Great Uncle Tom Cooney was born in Hammersmith London in 1898. He enlisted, we think, in 1916 and was in the 1st Sportsman Regt - 23rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers. His army number was G/10159. The family have a photograph and all his medals and papers associated with his death which occured on 10th March 1917 in a small battle called the Battle of Grevillers Trench and Lady's Leg Ravine. Tom's body was exumed in 1920 and re intered in Adanac Military Cemetery.

    My great uncle was killed together with 7 of his commrades. I have done a massive amount of research and eventually found the exact place (within a few hundred yards) where he and his commrades fell. In 2007 on the 90th Anniversary of the battle, we his family, erected a commemoration plaque on the site of the battle, with the permission of the French land owner.

    Steve Cooney




    239314

    A/Sgt. Thomas Henry Rose 3rd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    My great grandfather Tommy Rose joined up on 28th August 1914 and was discharged as no longer physically fit for war service on 17th September 1917. He was shot in the lung at Gallipoli. He survived the war and died in 1940.

    Dean Wood




    239312

    Pte. Ernest Stokes 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.6th September 1916)

    Ernie Stokes died of his wounds on 6th September 1916 age 24, and is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport.





    239311

    Pte. John Thomason 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.29th August 1916)

    In 1914 John Thomason enlisted and was sent to Gallipoli. We are told that the 7th battalion of the South Lancs were in the first wave of troops at Gallipoli - amongst the first and amongst the last to be rescued by the New Zealand and Australian forces on Anzac day. He was made a Sergeant during the battle in which he suffered a serious head wound.

    John Thomason spent six months in the Royal Manchester Hospital and was discharged from active service.

    In September 1915 John Thomason re-enlisted at the rank of private with the 7th Battalion South Lancs. He was killed on 29th August 1916 at Ypres. We understand that he is remembered on the Menin Gate.

    Neill Gatley




    239306

    Pte. Francis Long 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.9th July 1916)

    Private Long was the son of John Long of Mullains, Buckless, Co. Donegal.

    He is buried in the Killaghtee Old Graveyard, Killaghtee, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239305

    Capt. Richard Bewley Caton MC 4th Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    I have been trying to find out the circumstances of Captain Caton's Military Cross award, Palestine 1917, received at the 1918 New Years Honours List.

    Bob




    239302

    Robert Wallace Royal Horse Artillery

    Robert Wallace - my grandfather - was a canny Scotsman. He was a horse trader and they lived behind our sweet shop in Ormskirk, Lancashire.

    Granddad was in the Royal Horse Artillery in the 1914-18 war. Granddad went right through the war in France and Belgium. His horses all received wounds from shrapnel and he nursed them all back to health to continue their work in the war.

    After the war the British Army had a policy of leaving most of their horses in France as food as the times were desperate. Robert Wallace was not going to have that. He said I have nothing against the French people but they are not going to slaughter my horses and so his fight with Army and Navy red tape began. He bought the horses from the Army and had them shipped to England, where they spent the rest of their lives at peace in his beloved green fields. I was forever proud to be his grandson and regarded him as my hero. He was a casualty from mustard gas on the Western Front which, in the end, took his life before his time.

    Clive Sharrock




    239299

    Pte. John W. Barnett 3rd Btn. London Regiment

    I came across a medal in my deceased fathers collection of coins. I have no idea where it came from or how he came by it. It is the 1914/15 star. I would love to find out more about this medal and J Barnett possibly leading to returning this medal to its rightful family.

    Paul W. Clarke




    239298

    Cpl. Frederick Donald Pewtress 6th Btn., C Coy. Wiltshire Regiment (d.2nd July 1916)

    <p>

    I do not know much about Frederick Pewtress. But I recently came across his memorial scroll from World War 1.

    Dean




    239297

    William Stewart Thomson 2nd Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

    My great grandfather, William Thomson was born in Paisley, Scotland on 22nd of November 1870. The information I have is from his attestation papers. A newspaper clipping (no date or publication information) indicates "Mr. Thompson is a graduate of Glasgow University and served throughout the South African campaign with the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars (Mr. Winston Churchill's regiment). Immediately on the outbreak of the present war he enlisted in Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and was one of the small band of twenty-five whom the late Colonel Farquhar dispatched on the 28th February 1915, to route the 23rd Bavarians out of their trench at St. Eloi. The attack was entirely successful. Mr.Thomson was hit by a machine-gun bullet, but returned to the front in time for the operations in front of Ypres when the regiment was practically annihilated."

    He survived the war and had a career as a chartered accountant in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

    Cam Burns




    239295

    Gnr. Wilfred Alexander Eli Hares 32nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Wilf Hares was born in Devon in 1889. He served in the Royal Garrison Artillery, as Lance Bombardier with 250 Seige Battery, and, under 2nd Lieut George Warwick, with 32 Seige Battery as Gnr 117162 W A E Hares, attested 21st of May 1916, arrived in France 31st of January 1918. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.

    He married Nora Prowse in 1924. Wilf passed away in 1942 at the age of 52 from spinal cancer as a result of shrapnel in his spine. Nora emigrated to Canada with their daughter Muriel and baby granddaughter Carole in 1945.

    Linda Grant




    239293

    Pte. John McDonald 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.3rd June 1915)

    Private McDonald was the Son of Timothy McDonald, of 5, Crofton Parade, Kingstown.

    He was 27 when he died and is buried in the South-West part, Just West of ruin, in the Kill of the Grange Old graveyard, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    sflynn




    239292

    Pte. James Tobin 4th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.4th January 1917)

    Private Tobin was the Son of Mrs M Tobin of Garden Row, Kilkenny.

    He is buried in the north west part of the Kilkenny New Cemetery, Kilkenny, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239291

    Sgt. James Kavanagh 4th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.31st January 1918)

    Serjeant Kavanagh was the Husband of Mary Kavanagh, of 11, Wolfe Tone St., Kilkenny. His brothers Edward and Thomas also fell.

    He was 32 when he died and is buried in the south east part of the Kilkenny New Cemetery, Kilkenny, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239290

    Sgt. C. Meehan 3rd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.20th December 1918)

    Serjeant (Drummer) Meehan was the Husband of Julia Lawlor (formerly Meehan), of 29, St. Finbarr's Place, Cork.

    He was 36 when he died and is buried near the north boundary of the Kilkenny (St. Maul's) Graveyard, Kilkenny, Ireland.

    sflynn




    239289

    Pte. J. Morrison 3rd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Private Morrison was transferred to (669811) Labour Corps.

    He was 32 when he died on the 29th March 1920 and is buried north of the north east door of the Kilkenny (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilkenny, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239288

    Gnr. Alexander Mark Duke "A" Bty. 7th Reserve Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.30th October 1918)

    Gunner Duke was the Son of Mrs. Helen Duke, of 21, William St., Kilkenny.

    He was 27 when he died and is buried in the south west part of the Kilkenny (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilkenny, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239287

    Capt. Mona James Nathanial McCreery 3rd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st October 1918)

    Captain McCreery was 26 when he died suddenly of pneumonia in Grimbsey Military Hospital and he is buried close to the north entrance of the Kilkenny (St.Canice) Church of Ireland Cathedral, Kilkenny, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239286

    Pte. Thomas Dalton 2nd Garrison Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.31st March 1916)

    Private Dalton was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Dalton, of Patrick St., Dungarvan.

    He was 50 when he died and is buried in the north west part of the Kilgobnet Catholic Churchyard, Kilgobnet, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239283

    Pte. Isiaih Byfield 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.17th August 1917)

    Isiaih Byfield was born in Walsall and he was married to Bennitta Bowler. He worked at Sherwood Colliery, Mansfield. He was in the Balkans from 30th December 1915. Isiaih was wounded in the neck by a shell at Ypres. He died at Passchendaele on 17th of August 1917 and buried at Artillery Wood Cemetery.

    Leslie Smith




    239276

    Pte. Eric H. White MM 16th (Church Lads) Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

    Eric White was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry while serving with the 16th Church Lads battalion, K.R.R.C.





    239273

    Able Sea. William James Cox SS Hazelwood (d.18th October 1917)

    William Cox served on HMS President and SS Hazelwood, a defensively armed merchant ship.

    Mike Hemmington




    239268

    John Coffey

    My father told me my grandad John Coffey was badly disfigured the face by an exploding mustard gas shell in WW1. He was taken by train into the Lord Derby Hospital in Winwick. He then worked on the Collieries first aid and rescue team in Sutton, St Helens, and helped establish a local British Legion Club. In 1953 he won the maximum £75,000 on Littlewoods Pools but was dead within twelve months.





    239267

    L/Cpl. Alfred Herbert "Chalky" White 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    Alfred White served with the Royal Irish Rifles.

    Andrew Davies




    239264

    James Cooper Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    James was the son of the late John and Mary Ann Cooper of Bakewell, Derbyshire. James was 41 years old when he died





    239255

    Pte. Richard Franey 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    <p>

    Richard Franey served with the 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment.

    J Freaney




    239253

    Pte. David Harradine 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.21st October 1916)

    I have recently found out about David Harradine and his sacrifice from researching my family tree. He was my great uncle, my grandmother's brother. David lived most of his life in Northwich, Cheshire. He went to school at Dane Bridge and was enrolled there by his father, Thomas Harradine. He came from quite a large family, nine children in all.

    His name is on the Thiepval monument, which is for soldiers missing and killed in action, with no known grave. The inscription is, Here are recorded the names of officers and servicemen of the British armies who fell at the Somme battlefields July 1915-February 1918. But to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial, given to comrades in death.

    Christine Walsh




    239249

    Maj. Hubert Maxwell Lenox-Conyngham DSO MID Army Veterinary Corps (d.15th March 1918)

    Major Lenox-Conyngham D.D.V.S. was born in Dublin. He was the son of Col. Sir William and Lady Lenox-Conyngham; husband of Eva Lenox-Conyngham (nee Darley), of The Paddocks, Kilsby, Rugby. He served in the Somaliland Campaign (Mentioned in Despatches).

    He was 47 when he died and is buried in the north west part of the Kilgobbin Burial Ground, Kilgobbin, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239244

    Walter "Pte." Maiden 8th Btn. Yorks and Lancs Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Pte Walter Maiden took part in the Battle of the Somme and was killed in action on 1st July 1916, aged 23. His body was found in 1932 and his wrist watch and dog tag sent to his mother in 1932.

    Walter was the son of George Edwin and Susannah Maiden of 2 Berwick's Yard, Holly Bush Street, Rotherham.

    Tommy




    239243

    Walter "Pte." Maiden 8th battalion (d.1st July 1916 )

    Pte Walter Maiden took part in the Battle of the Somme and was killed in action on the 1st July 1916. His body was found in 1932 and his wrist watch and dog tag were given to his mother in 1932. Son of George Edwin and Susannah Maiden, of 2,Berwick's Yard, Holly Bush Street, Rotherham.

    He was 23 when he died.

    Tommy




    239241

    Engineman John Bowie H.M. Drifter Morning Star IV. (d.14th June 1917)

    Engineman Bowie was the Husband of Mary Rodger, of 37, Gordon St., Buckie, Banffshire.

    He was 29 when he died and is buried in the near left part (from McCurtain Hill entrance) of the Kilgariffe Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilgariffe, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239240

    TR. CK. James Bowie H.M. Drifter Morning Star IV (d.14th June 1917)

    Trimmer Cook Bowie was the Son of George Bowie, of 5, James St., Buckie, Banffshire.

    He was 20 years old when he died and is buried in the near left part (from McCurtain Hill entrance) of the Kilgariffe Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilgariffe, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239239

    CPO Myles Mahoney H.M. Coastguard Station, Seafield (d.23rd May 1916)

    Chief Petty Officer Mahoney was Husband of Annie Mahoney, of 36, Appach Rd., Brixton Hill, London.

    He is buried in the New Ground. 1. 1. 9. in the Kildeema Burial Ground, Kilfarboy, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239235

    Pte. John "Jock" Syme 2nd Btn., No. 2 Coy. Cameron Highlanders (d.24th April 1915)

    John Syme grew up in a rural area of Midlothian, Scotland, son of a grieve who worked on the farms near Dalkeith and Penicuik. Jock's mother died when he was young. He followed his father into agricultural work then joined the Cameron Highlanders, 2nd Battalion. He served in Puna, India, sending insistent requests to his family for regular supplies of "baccy and bisquits".

    When the Great War broke out, the Battalion were sent to Ypres, where Jock fought in the battle of Hill 60 in April 1915. He was killed there on 23rd or 24th April 1915 and is buried nearby at the Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery, Ypres. Jock was survived by his father, stepmother, sister and half-siblings, who were by then working on the Binns Estate, West Lothian, Scotland and living at Merrilees Cottage, near Linlithgow.

    Dr Tomes




    239233

    Sgt. Wilfred Beard 1/5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.27th July 1916)

    Wilfred Beard died on 27th July 1916 as a result of wounds received on the Somme.

    Andrew Richardson




    239232

    Pte. Frederick Ingleby 15th Battalion (d.18th Feb 1918)

    Frederick Ingleby served with the 15th Battalion, AIF. I am searching for information about him.

    Sue




    239228

    Rflmn. Joseph Henry Cosford 9th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    Our granddad, Joseph Cosford, volunteered to join the 9th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. The word 'service' meant a battalion made up of volunteers to the war effort ie Kitcheners Army which, I understand, landed at Boulogne-sur-Mer as part of the 42nd Brigade in the 14th (Light) Division in May 1915 for service on the Western Front, and saw action in the same battles as the 7th and 8th battalions.

    We know that he died at the Battle of St Quentin on 21st March 1918 at the age of 42. He is remembered at Pozieres Memorial, The Somme, France. He left a wife and five children Edie, Reginald, Frederick (our father), May, and Frank.

    Angela Cosford




    239226

    Pte. William Henry Honour 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (d.6th September 1914)

    Private Honour is buried about 7 yards from the west boundary of the Kildare (Grey Abbey) Cemetery, Kildare, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239225

    Sgt. Henry Jeanes 59th Bty., 39th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.14th November 1916)

    Serjeant Jeanes was the son of Mr and Mrs J. Jeanes of Waverley Cottages, Curragh; husband of A. T. Martin (formerly Jeanes) of 45 Abbey Gardens, St Johns Wood, London.

    He was 26 when he died and is buried in the south part of the Kilcullen (Abbey) Cemetery, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239224

    Pte. J. Doyle Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Private Doyle was transferred to (547290) Scottish Command Labour Centre, Labour Corps.

    He was the son of James Doyle of Convent View, Kilcullen. He died on 17th January 1919 and is buried in the south part of the Kilcullen (Abbey) Cemetery, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, Ireland. He was 36 years old.

    S Flynn




    239221

    Pte. Frank Herbert 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.13th April 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Herbert served with the 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment.

    Lee-Ann M Bryan




    239219

    Rflmn. William Albert Watson 1st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th July 1916)

    Rifleman William Watson, who was my grandfather, was a fatal casualty on 27th July 1916, during the Battle for Delville Wood. Interestingly though, as far as I can tell from scrutiny of the Delville Wood, Longueval British Roll of Honour, July-September 1916, he was the only 1st Battalion KRRC soldier of their 144 fatal casualties, to be buried in the Bernafay Wood Cemetery. (I've often wondered why.)

    Chris Watson




    239218

    Lt. Richard Clarke Lyons MC, MID. 157th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Richard Lyons was Mentioned in Despatches three times.

    Iain




    239214

    Cpl. Donald McLean 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.21st October 1914)

    <p>

    My grandfather, Corporal Donald McLean, 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, is commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing. He is the first name for 1914 on the Rothesay War Memorial, Bute-shire.

    He was promoted to Corporal from Lance Corporal after saving the life of Captain Stirling who was wounded by shrapnel. He left behind his seven months' pregnant widow (the baby was my father, also named Donald) and four other children. He had just had his 34th birthday the day before he died on 21st of October 1914 in Flanders.

    Heather McLean




    239213

    L/Cpl. Albert Edward Cozens 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.28th April 1917)

    Albert Cozens was my grandfather, he died of wounds received in the Battle of Arras. He was aged 29 and left a wife and three small sons.

    C Saunders




    239209

    Pte. A North 23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.26th February 1917)

    A. North was a gunner with the R.F.A and a private with the 23rd London regiment.

    Volunteering in August 1914 he fought in many parts of the line. Owing to ill-health he returned to England and was discharged unfit in February 1916. He re-enlisted, however in the London Regiment and proceeded to the Western Front where he was in action in many engagement of note. In February 1917 he was killed by a sniper, and lies at rest at Ypres.

    He was entitled to the 1914-15 star, and the general service and victory medals. Thinking that remembrance, though unspoken, may reach him where he sleeps.

    Thomas




    239207

    Pte. James Morrissey 3rd Btn. Irish Guards (d.2nd June 1918)

    Private Morrissey was the son of Mrs M. Morrissey of Castlequarter, Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford.

    He is buried about the centre of the Kilcreggane Graveyard, Kilgoran, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239205

    Bdr. John Shine 2nd Coy. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th February 1916)

    Bombardier Shine was the husband of E. Shine of Kanturk, Co. Cork.

    He was 39 when he died and is buried about the middle of the Kilcororan Cemetery, Kilcororan, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239204

    Rflmn. Thomas Donohue 8th Btn. London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) (d.12th June 1917)

    Rifleman Donohue was the husband of Mrs Donohue of Eskers Athenry, Co. Galway.

    He was 33 when he died and is buried in the north east part of the Kilconierin Catholic Churchyard, Kilconierin, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239203

    2nd Lt. George Gerald Pasley (d.19th December 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Pasley was the son of Mrs M. Pasley of "The Mount," Tinahely.

    He was 19 when he died and is buried in the north west part of the Kilcommon Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilcommon, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239202

    Drvr. William Wyse Royal Field Artillery

    Driver Wyse attended the 4th Field Survey Coy. Royal Engineers.

    He was 17 when he died on the 22nd February 1919 and is buried near the north east corner of the Kilcommon Cemetery, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239201

    Pte. Patrick Clare 3rd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.1st March 1916)

    Private Clare is buried near the south west corner of the Kilcommon Cemetery, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239200

    Cpl. Peter McGrath 5th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.26th March 1916)

    Corporal McGrath was the husband of E. Daly (formerly McGrath), of Kilcommock, Kenagh.

    He was 40 when he died and is buried in line with the gate in the Kilcommock Old Graveyard, Keenagh, Co. Longford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239199

    Sgt. D. Smith 8th Btn. King's Royal Irish Hussars (d.18th November 1918)

    Serjeant Smith was the son of Henry Smith of Courtown, Kilcock.

    He was 33 when he died and is buried near the south boundary of the Kilcock (Whitetown) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilcock, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239198

    CSM William James Whitton MID 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.1st November 1918)

    Company Serjeant Major Whitton was 32 when he died and is buried in Grave 654 in the Kilcock (St. Joseph's) Cemetery, Kilcock, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239197

    Pte. James Baxter 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.4th May 1915)

    Private Baxter was the son of James Baxter of School St., Kilcock.

    He was 35 when he died and is buried in Grave 649 in the Kilcock (St. Joseph's) Cemetery, Kilcock, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239191

    Pte. Henry George Langley 6th Btn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry

    I have in my possession the Victory Medal of Henry Langley. After research, it is established that he was from Whitchurch in Shropshire. He also served in the 2nd Battalion of the South Wales Borderers.

    Geoff Bourne




    239189

    Pte. Henry O'Grady 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.1st May 1915)

    He died at the Battle of Gallipoli

    Aubrey Cierans




    239184

    Pte. Francis John Hallett 36th Btn. (d.10th June 1917)

    Francis Hallett is not a relative but is named on the War Memorial in our village in Somerset. An article will be published on the Facebook page for The Charltons Historical Society on 10th of June 2017 to commemorate the centenary of his death and the following is from that text:

    "Francis John Hallett was born in Charlton Mackrell and baptised on 11th December 1892. He would have attended the school at West Charlton and at the time of the 1901 census he was aged 8 and living with his father Frank 44, who was a shepherd, mother Emily 43; brothers Edwin J. 14, Percival H. 10, William A. 4 (died in WW1) and Roberts P. 10 months (died in WW1); sisters Emily J. 6 & Louisa 2. In 1911, Francis was a carter on a farm and living at home on Windmill Road (now Somerton Lane) with his mother and four siblings, but his father Frank was working away from home as a labourer.

    On 2nd May 1912, aged 19, Francis (and at least one other farmhand from The Charltons, Arthur E Dyer) sailed from London on the P&O ship Commonwealth for Sydney via Cape Town. He took a reference written by Archdeacon F A Brymer on 16th January 1912 to assist him with obtaining work in Australia. Sadly, his father was buried at Charlton Mackrell less than a week later, on 8th May 1912.

    Francis settled in New South Wales and was working as a baker and already in the Emmaville Rifle Corps when he enlisted in Sydney on 7th January 1916 and susbsequently served as a Private [service no 472] in B company of the 36th Battalion (9th Infantry Brigade) of the Australian Imperial Force.

    On 13th May 1916 they embarked at Sydney on the Beltana, arriving in Devonport on 9th July, so it is to be hoped that Francis had leave during training in England to visit his family and friends in The Charltons before he sailed with the 36th Battalion AIF for active service in France on 22nd of November 1916.

    When his battalion was in action during the battle of Messines from 7th June 1917, Francis was initially reported wounded in action but four days later it was confirmed that he had been killed in action on 10th June, probably as the result of artillery fire during a night attack on La Potterie farm at Messines.

    By the middle of 1917, his mother Emily had lost her husband and four of her 12 children - Ernest Frank aged 7 in an accident in 1887; her eldest son Henry James who died of illness in April 1901 on the voyage home from the Boer War; and the first two of the three sons who died during WW1. Before WW1 other children had moved to work in South Wales from where one son and one daughter married and had also emigrated - but to Canada. So it is remarkable that she wrote a letter of condolence on 1st August 1917 to Miss Doris Reynolds, the Australian fiancee of her son Francis John (who called him Jack). Although his service records include letters in July from a Miss Reynolds in Emmaville enquiring about the fate of her fiancee whose name had appeared in a printed casualty list, the Australian side of this story has only been established through correspondence with the Australian grandson of Doris Reynolds who married someone else after the war but never forgot her fiance from Somerset. On a visit to The Charltons a few years ago, her grandson read the letter of condolence in Charlton Mackrell church and fortunately also recorded it in the visitors' book.

    Jack Hallett is commemorated by name on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, where in 2016 we laid a wreath (including his photograph in AIF uniform from the Comrades of the Great War collection displayed in the Reading Room) on behalf of The Charltons parish."

    Celia Mycock, The Charltons Historical Society




    239182

    Lt.Col. Thomas Barnes Futcher Orpington Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps

    Thomas Futcher, M.D., was my grandfather. He was raised in St. Thomas, Ontario, the son of farming family. Went to medical school in Toronto and became one of Sir William Osler's chief medical residents at the newly founded Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, USA. My grandfather, who had a successful private medical practice in Baltimore in 1917, at Dr. Osler's urging, I believe, (or perhaps he was drafted, I don't know. He would have been 46 years old at the time) joined the Canadian Forces in England and became medical director at Orpington Hospital No. 16 from Oct. 1917 through much of 1918. He was a colleague and friend of Thomas McCrae, MD, who preceded him as medical director, and I believe he knew T. McCrae's brother Col. John McCrae, who wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields" and died in the war.

    I have some of the letters my grandfather wrote to his wife and his two sons from Orpington during his service there. He talks very little about the war and the patients he treated, who no doubt had many heart-wrenching medical problems. But he talks eloquently about the farm animals and the natural delights he experienced on his Sunday walks through the country roads of Orpington.

    If you know more about what it was like to serve as a nurse or physician or to be a patient at Orpington No. 16 during WWI, please contact me. Thanks! I am writing a novel inspired by my grandfather and his experiences during the Great War.

    Jane Futcher




    239180

    Pte. Connell Boyle 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.3rd June 1918)

    Private Boyle's brother lived in Kilcloony.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried near the north boundary of the Kilcloony Catholic Churchyard, Inishkeel, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239179

    Pte. H. G. Beamish Royal Army Medical Corps (d.15th August 1916)

    Private Beamish is buried near the right hand part of the Kilbrogan Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilbrogan, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239178

    Spr. James Dower Royal Engineers (d.6th July 1918)

    Sapper Dower was the Husband of A. Dower, of Ballinamona, Ferrybank, Waterford. Born at Kilea.

    He was transferred to (348305) 653rd Home Service Empl. Coy. Labour Corps. He was 48 when he died and is buried in the north west part of the Kilbride Graveyard, Kilbride, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239176

    Master Robert Valentine Kearon S.S. "Jane Williamson" (d.12th September 1917)

    Master Kearon was the Son of Robert and Anne Kearon, of Beulah, Ferrybank, Arklow.

    He was 40 when he drowned and is buried in the Old Ground, Grave 30 in the Kilbride Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilbride, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    The SS Jane Williamson was a sailing vessel, 197grt, 10 September 1917, 20 miles NNE from St Ives, captured by submarine, sunk by gunfire, 4 lives lost including the Master.

    s flynn




    239175

    Pte. Timothy Buckley Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

    Private Buckley was the son of Mrs Mary Buckley of Shinagh, Dunmanway, Co. Cork.

    He died on the 15th February 1919 and is buried in the south west part of the Kilbarry Graveyard, Fanlobbus, Co. Cork.

    S Flynn




    239168

    Pte. Johnnie Harrison 2/4th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (d.20th July 1918)

    Johnnie Harrison was the son of William and Mary Ann Harrison. He married Kathleen Barron on 30th December 1916. They had no children.

    Johnnie Harrison died on 20th July 1918. He is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial. His final resting place is unknown.

    Gemma Barron




    239163

    Pte. William Gilbert Bailey Dowsett 6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.28th August 1918)

    Gilbert Dowsett received a Military Discharge on 10th March 1917, after injuries suffered in a gas attack.





    239160

    L/Cpl. Frederick Dodd 1/5th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.4th October 1916)

    Frederick Dodd is my wife's great uncle. We found him when researching her family. None of her living relatives knew about him. Since finding him we have able to contact more distant relatives and now have photograph of him in service uniform. He is now remembered by all.





    239159

    Edward John Titcomb 12th (The Rangers) Battalion London Regiment

    Ed Titcomb was my Grandfather. He volunteered in WW1 at the start. He was in The Rangers, eventually, he fought in the Somme. He was severely injured and I have the original letter from the Matron of the hospital on the Somme and then again when he was repatriated for recovery and recuperation in the UK. I have another original letter from the Matron telling us when he was going back for repatriation, and to his mother, and again sending him back to the Fighting Fields.

    My Grandfather survived WW1 and then again signed up for ARP and Home Guard for Whiteleys Store back in 1939. He did once put out a fire, strangely enough he met a mate on the roof when Firefighting, with whom he served in WW1. They became best mates and loved each other. My Grandad told me all about the battles as a little girl, he fought the Somme, Ypres, etc and I learnt so much from him. Without him in my life I would not have visited the graves of Ypres, The Somme, Paschendale etc. I will be always be grateful with total love for my beloved Grandad being in my life.

    Heather Vipers




    239155

    Edgar Lewis Brimacombe 44th Battalion

    My great uncle, Edgar Brimacombe, was born on 26th January 1895 in Exeter, Ontario, Canada and migrated with his family to a farm just north east of a small hamlet, Hargrave, Manitoba in the early 1900s. He enlisted with the 12th Manitoba Dragoons at the time of WW1. He was part of the 181st Battalion formed in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada and was shipped over to England in early 1917. He was transferred to the 18th Reserve Battalion for training in England, and then transferred to the 44th Battalion CEF Company A.

    He was shipped to the front and was injured with shrapnel in his left at the disastrous and fateful attack on the Green Crassier at Lens in France in August 1917. Edgar was shipped back to England to recover.

    Once Edgar recovered from his injuries, he was shipped back to France with the 44th Battalion, A Company. He was shot through the face during the attack near Amiens in August of 1918. Edgar was sent back to England for recovery from injuries and finally sent back to Canada in 1919.

    Glen Carruthers




    239153

    Dvr. Ronald John McEachen 156th Coy. Royal Engineers (d.29th June 1916)

    Ronald McEachen was killed on the Somme, two days before the "big push".

    David Mayo




    239151

    Pte. Patrick Devine 3rd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.23rd May 1915)

    Private Devine was 24 when he died and is buried in the north east part of the Kells (St. John's) Old Burial Ground, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239150

    Pte. F. Brady 2nd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.12th August 1915)

    Private Brady was 31 when he died and is buried in the south east part of the Kells (St. John's) Old Burial Ground, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239149

    Pte. John Bailey 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.17th June 1916)

    Private Bailey was the son of James and Elizabeth Bailey of 40 Strand St., Tralee; husband of Honoria Bailey, of Keel Castledrum, Castlemaine, Co. Kerry.

    He was 29 when he died and is buried twelve yards west of the entrance to the Keel Burial Ground, Kilgarrylander, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239148

    2nd Lt. R. W. Norris (d.20th October 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Norris is buried in the south east part of the Julianstown (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Julianstown, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239147

    Pte. John Dooley 5th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.5th February 1915)

    Private Dooley was the son of Patrick and Johanna Dooley of Columbine Cottage, Thomastown.

    He is buried in the Jerpoint Abbey (Hunt's Church) Old Graveyard, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239146

    Cpl. T. Murray Army Pay Corps

    Corporal Murray died on the 30th March 1919 and is buried in the north east part of the Jamestown Cemetery, Kiltoghert, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239145

    Gnr. James Carr 250th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.17th August 1918)

    James Carr was the son of Mrs Maria Carr of Carrick-on-Shannon.

    He was 29 when he died and is buried in the north east part of the Jamestown Cemetery, Kiltogheert, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239144

    Pte. James Mulgrew 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.23rd June 1915)

    Private Mulgrew was the son of Mrs Mulgrew of Ballynamarroge, Islandeady.

    He was 27 when he died and is buried north of the old chapel ruins in the Islandeady Graveyard, Islandeady, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239143

    Pte. John O'Grady Army Service Corps (d.19th May 1918)

    Private O'Grady was the son of John and Margaret O'Grady of Chapel St., Cloyne, Co. Cork; husband of Margaret Sweeney (formerly O'Grady) of 74, Gairymore, Clonmel.

    He is buried near the east boundary of the Inishlounaght Church of Ireland Churchyard, Inishlounaght, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239142

    Pte. D. O'Leary 3rd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Private O'Leary was the Son of Mrs. K. O'Leary, of South Douglas Rd., Cork.

    He was 21 when he died on the 18th February 1920 and is buried in the south west part of the Inishkenny Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239140

    Harold Lewin George Hazell

    Harold Hazell was a ships stoker.

    Richard Hazell




    239137

    Col. Edward Sidney Grune MID. 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Edward Sidney Grune was born in Putney in 1887 and baptised in Putney Church. He was educated at Lancing College and at 17, in defiance of his father, ran away and enlisted as a private soldier in a regiment that was about to leave for West Africa, the "White Man's Grave." His maternal uncle, Maj. Hampden Chawner, was horrified and was instrumental in his obtaining a commission in the Bedfordsire and Hertfordshire Regiment in 1905. He joined the Battalion in Gibraltar where he met his future wife and married her in 1910. As he was only a subaltern and had no private income, this made life difficult. On its return to England the regiment was stationed at Colchester, where the young couple lived in a cottage in a cherry orchard. Meeting up with his brother-in-law, Claude, home from Malaya and rubber planting, he was fired with the idea of joining him in this remote and little known country. Somehow he persuaded officialdom to allow him to leave the regiment without actually resigning and off he and his young wife went to an isolated life in the middle of vast Dutch owned rubber estates in the Kuala Lumpur district. A year later, in January 1914, a daughter was born to them.

    It was only some months after the outbreak of war that news reached him and he immediately set about returning to his regiment. He reached Dover in October 1914, just in time to participate in the campaign in Salonica. Wounded in the ribs on 9 December 1914, he was eventually sent to Malta and from there on 1 March 1915 to Alexandria. After much badgering of HQ he was transferred to the 1st Essex Regiment and travelled by sea and rail to Ballincourt and Abbeville. He was in front line action when in 1918, owing to casualties amongst officers, he was transferred to the Northamptons and promoted colonel in the field. He remained with them until the end of the war and led the parade when the regiment received the freedom of the City of Northampton. At Ypres he was in the same trench as his cousin Meredith Chawner who was killed beside him. His other cousin, Alain, brother to Meredith, was also killed, a few days later.

    According to Services of Military Officers: arranged alphabetically corrected to December 1920. Polstead, Suffolk: J.B. Hayward & Son: E.S.C. Grune commanded 13th Batallion, Middlesex Reg. 8 Aug. - 11 Sep. 1917 and 7th Bat. Northumberland Reg. 27 June 1918 France, Belgium 16 March - 11 Nov. 1918 Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Aegean islands Oc - Dec. 1915; wounded twice; despatches: London Gazette 8 July 1919 Order of the White Eagle 5th Class. (This is the military service class of this Serbian decoration instituted in 1883 - HT Dorling, Ribbons and Medals, Naval, Military, Air Force and Civil, London: Philip, new ed. 1960, p. 254.)

    After the war he returned to the Beds and Herts and went with them to Ballyshannon in Ireland, on one occasion in 1922 sitting in a train with a man who had been sent to shoot him. When volunteers were asked for to go and police Palestine, he applied and spent two years on the edge of the Sea of Galilee. On rejoining the regiment, he spent two years in Aldershot before the batallion was ordered to Malta in 1926. After a little more than a year there was trouble in China and the battalion was sent to guard the coal mining area of Weiheiwei, which was a British concession. Two years later they were posted to India to Mhow, a station in the Central Provinces.

    Although he was a first class soldier, he was not an ambitious man. Promotion was slow in the Bedfords, so his commanding officer recommended him for transfer to the Royal Welch Fusileers. He returned to England, to Tidworth, for six months, prior to a tour of three years in Gibraltar, during which his daughter got married. Next the battalion went to Hongkong. Here the sins of his youth found him out. Because he had given the wrong year of birth on enlistment, being still under age, he had to retire a year early and missed out on commanding his battalion.

    He arrived back in England just when the RAF were selecting recently retired officers to train for administrative work in order to release men into the air. On 1 September 1939 he was commissioned as Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He had a useful and satisfying Second World War career as his organizing ability was used to the full. This included getting a new airfield started at Morpoth in Northumberland, organizing the balloon barrage around Glasgow and Edinburgh, coordinating the biggest hotels in Blackpool to form the No 1 Airmen's Convalescent Depot, and converting one of the Rothschild houses into part hospital and part training depot, particularly for Polish officers and apprentices smuggled out of Poland.

    Just after the war he had a short spell with the Navy in the radar station at Haslemere. He worked briefly as an official of the High Court in what was then Salisbury in Southern Rhodesia before retiring to Sidmouth in Devon. He died in the Exeter Hospital on 6 July 1960, aged 72 years [Exeter First District, Col. 434].

    Lt Grune, Beds Reg., 3rd Bat., promoted to Captain 13 June 1915 (London Gazette 12 June 1915)

    Lt.Col apptd Squadron Leader (Acting Wing Commander 26 April 1939 (London Gazette 27 Oct., 39) WO 339/6884

    After service in WWII he retired to Sidmouth

    John Boje




    239136

    2nd Lt. Henry Thoreau Cullis 15th Btn. att. 12th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.10th Dec 1915)

    I have come across the name of 2nd Lt Henry T Cullis in a Memorial Plaque at the Bengal Club, Calcutta, India. I would like to have some more information about this officer. Prior to the war he served in India, possibly Calcutta as an Imperial Civil Service officer. There are 15 other names on whom the search is on.

    Any help will be much appreciated - so that they are not merely names. Perhaps their descendants/living family members would like to know about it.

    Tuhin K Roy




    239129

    Pte. Walter Thomas Wickers MM. 45th Btn. (d.7th June 1917)

    Private Walter Wickers has no known grave. He was awarded the Military Medal.

    Jaclyn Seles




    239128

    Rflmn. Thomas James Patton 10th (South Belfast) Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Tommy Patton is the grandfather of my step uncle. He is buried in Connaught Cemetery. When he was killed, aged 36, he left a wife Jane, and five children (4 boys and 1 girl).

    Gordon Hull




    239126

    Sgt. William Joseph Wilson 14th Field Ambulance (d.25th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    William Wilson was born about 1875 in Kolkata (Calcutta), India. He was educated St Josephs Convent, Subiaco. He enlisted aged 40 in Perth, WA, on the 7th of February 1916. He is described as 5feet 6inches, 125 lbs, Fair complexion, Brown eyes, Brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England. His usual occupation was as a Blacksmith for the Western Australian Railways, and he lived in Brooke St, West Guildford, WA. He gave his next of kin as his wife, Edith Evelyn Weston, they had married in 1899 in Fremantle, WA and had children Evelyn, Thelma, Alwyn His Parents were George Robert and Phoebe, he had a brother Edward Charles Wilson and sister O W Roberts (nee Wilson)

    William embarked from Fremantle, onboard A39 Port Macquarie on the 13th of October 1916. On the 4th of January 1917 he proceeded overseas to France from England, on the Princesse Clementine and on the 9th of January 1917 was posted to 1st Australian General Hospital. He transferred to the 14th Field Ambulance on the 13th of September 1917. William was wounded in action suffering from the effects of gassing (Laryngitis and acutely inflamed eyes) on the 16th of October 1917 and was transferred to England for treatment. He rejoined his unit in France on the 16th of April 1918, but only a few days later was sent to to hospital sick suffering from Enteritis. He was treated an swiftly returned to his unit.

    On the 25th of September 1918 he was killed in action at, Bullecourt, France, 11:30am (aged 42 years), whilst stretcher bearing. Effects returned to wife were a pocket book, devotional book, hat badge, collar badge, wound stripe, cards, menu. William is buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery (4.5 miles from Peronne, Bellicourt, France). He was thought of as brave, most daring and conscientious soldier who always did his duty.

    Rhonda Hogan




    239124

    L/Cpl. Charles Harral Clayton 16th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Feb 1918)

    Charles Clayton was great grandfather of my wife. We do not have a photo of him. He is remembered at Heath Hayes gates and Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Charles Harrall Clayton was born in 1883, the son of George and Sarah Clayton from John Street, Chadsmoor. Before the war Charles was a miner and a pit pony driver. In the winter of 1912 he married Elsie Poxon and the couple moved to a property in Hednesford Road, Heath Hayes. In 1915 Charles enlisted with the 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 27th of February 1918. He left a widow and two children. After his death his Superior Office wrote to his family saying ’Charles was one of the keenest and most hard-working soldiers I have met and he was liked by all his comrades’.

    His daughter Lillian took part in the opening ceremony of the Heath Hayes War Memorial in 1927, when she presented Mrs Harrison (wife of Colonel Harrison – Chairman of Cannock Chase Coal Owners Association) with a bouquet of flowers. After Armistice the Silver jug (pictured here) was presented to St. John’s Church, Heath Hayes. The engraving on the back reads: ‘To the Glory of God & in memory of: W. Cockin, W.T. Archer, A.E. Morris, E. Yates, J.H. Shirley, C.H. Clayton & J. Tooth – who died on active service in France 1914-18. Also as a thanks offering, for the safe return of sons from the war and for the blessing of Victory and Peace. May 1919′. It is still used in weekly services at St. John’s Church on Hednesford Road, Heath Hayes.

    Philip Wakeman




    239123

    Rflmn. William Peter Blake 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.22nd June 1915)

    When going through my father's estate in 2007, I discovered a death penny in honour of William Blake. I'm quite sure that my father was interested in the penny and purchased it in Windsor, Ontario for its interest and historical significance. It seemed appropriate to include his name in your archives.

    Charlotte Colautti




    239122

    Lt. Leroy John Duthie 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company

    My grandfather, Lieutenant Leroy Duthie, joined the C.E.F. in the summer of 1916. After sailing to England in September 1916, he joined his fellow Tunnelers on the Western Front in February 1917. He remained with this team through the Battle of Messines Ridge (7th of June 1917) and until disbandment of the unit in June 1918. Lt Duthie demobilized in Toronto, Canada, in February 1919. He raised a family of five children in Weston, Ontario (now Toronto), and died in 1963 at the age of 74.

    Rob Martin




    239120

    Pte. Michael McCormack 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.20th January 1916)

    Private McCormack was the son of William McCormack of Holycross, Thurles.

    He is buried in Grave 111 in the Holycross Public Cemetery, Holycross, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239119

    Pte. P. Hayes 3rd (Res.) Btn. Irish Guards (d.27th May 1917)

    Private Hayes was the son of John Hayes of Holycross.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried 7 yards south of the entrance of the Holycross Church of Ireland Churchyard, Holycross, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Fynn




    239118

    Pte. Thomas Southwell 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.18th April 1916)

    Private Southwell was the son of Michael Southwell of Barristown, Slane.

    He was 28 when he did and is buried about 22 yards North of the entrance in the Hill of Slane Cemetery, Slane, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239117

    Pte. B. L. Martin 1st Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.1st March 1919)

    Private Martin was the son of the late Christopher and Catherine Martin of St Mary's Cottage, Martin's Row, Chapelizod, Dublin.

    He was 30 when he died and is buried in Grave 89 in the Hibernian Military School Church of Ireland Churchyard, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    239116

    Pte. John Woodford 1st Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.30th October 1914)

    John Woodford was my Great Uncle and I researched his service when tracing my ancestry.

    Rob Woodford




    239101

    Gnr. James Wright 113 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.27th Feb 1919)

    James Wright was my great uncle. I know very little about him and would love to know more. He joined the Royal Garrison Artilery in 1915, and caught Malaria somewhere. He married in January 1918. He survived the war and came home to Scotland very ill during Christmas 1918. He went back to rejoin his unit at Maroilles, France in January 1919, but was taken by a French ambulance to Fourmies where he died. He is buried in Fourmies Community Cemetry. I would to love to know where his unit went during the war.





    239097

    Sgt. James McParlane 10th Battalion Scottish Rifles (d.23rd April 1917)

    James McParlane was my great uncle who was killed in action in Arras. No known resting place. He is commemorated as a private on the Arras Memorial, so have to assume he was promoted in the field

    Kathleen Cameron




    239095

    Pte. Joseph Hickson 1st/4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regimant (d.27th March 1916)

    Joseph Hickson lost his life aged 18, he either signed up lying about his age or died within 3 months of joining up.

    Mick Button




    239092

    Sgt. Claude Kingston Osborne 10th Battalion Highland Light Infantry

    <p>

    Claude Osborne served with 10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.

    Grace Osborne




    239084

    Pte. James Neate Dark A Coy. 36th Battalion (d.7th June 1917)

    James Dark was my father's cousin and brother of Hubert Finlay Dark (also recorded on this site). He was born in 1896 and enlisted in the 36th Battalion AIF at Broadmeadow (Newcastle, New South Wales) on 15th May 1916. He originally joined C Company but transferred to A Coy in August 1916. His enlistment record says he was 5ft 7.5 inches tall with fair hair and blue eyes.

    His father, Stephen, was Shire Clerk in Dungog where James grew up. James and his brother both embarked for overseas on 17 October 1916 on the ship HMAT Borda A30. They disembarked at Plymouth on 19th January 1917. James travelled from Folkstone to Etaples in France on 26 April with the 3rd Australian Division, before marching out of Etaples on 30 April and joining his unit at the front on 3rd May 1917.

    James was killed, hit in the head by a snipers bullet, on the first day of the Messines push, 7th of June 1917 - there are a number of reports in the Red Cross records of the circumstances. One report says "he was killed at Prowse Point and buried at Dead Horse Corner", another says he was buried in No Mans Land and the Divisional Burial Officer's statement of November 1917 says "place of burial is 1 mile SSW of Messines Village and 30 yards west of Messines Road (map reading U8c)." The official Army record states "Map location of grave Section 4B Unit 28 Div U.8.C. Buried ASP 1072 HQ 2nd Anzac".

    James' father received his personal effects in April 1918. They consisted of "2 discs, wallet, diary, 3 religious books, mirror, charm on chain, photos, letters, cards". His medals (14/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal) were also forwarded to his father in later years. A newspaper from Wingham, nearby to his home town, published an obituary on 13 July 1917 including the mention that James was "a prominent footballer", probably Rugby League.

    Jan Dark




    239081

    Sgt. Fred Gustavus Tunnicliffe 16th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>

    Fred Tunnicliffe was married to Marion Grace (Field). They had one son, Kenneth Fred, my father. Before the war he was a tailor and made hunting jackets for a number of Leicestershire hunts. He joined the 16th Battalion, KRRC at Denham in September 1914, just after my father was born. He was 29 years 270 days old when he volunteered. He played cricket for the regimental team and there is a photograph of him together with other team members.

    He was killed in action on 23rd April 1917 in the Second Battle of The Scarpe. He has no known grave and his name is on the memorial at the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery in Arras. Records appear to show that he had served in the Army for 3 years in 1906 before he was married.

    Fred Gustavus in the regimental cricket team .

    In uniform at home

    In uniform at home in Leicester presumed to be the back yard at their home in Melbourne Road Leicester

    Kenneth Ian Tunnicliffe




    239078

    Pte. Albert King 16th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.31st May 1917)

    Albert King was born in Rhymney, Wales on 23rd December 1893 to Rees Benjamin King and Elizabeth (Davies) King. Attended Pengam school, St David's College school Lampeter (1911-1912) then St David's College Lampeter (1913-1914).

    He enlisted in the Army on the 31st of December 1914 joining the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was commissioned into Monmouthshire Regiment (TF) in August 1915 as 2nd Lieutenant.

    He died in Monchy Le Preux, on patrol by shell in 31st May 1917. He earned the Star medal, Victory medal and the British War medal.

    Shannon




    239077

    John Dawson Royal Army Medical Corps

    I never knew my paternal grandfather John Dawson as he died in 1930, I believe from the effects of the First World War. Other than the fact he served in the RAMC, I know nothing of his service. I would love to know something of him if possible.

    Peter Dawson




    239075

    Pte. Ernest Bothamley 26th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th August 1917)

    I never met my Grandad Ernest Bothamley, I am researching my family history and I was able to get some information from my cousin. Grandad died in hospital from wounds received in the war and is buried in Sheffield. He was only 35. He earned the British War Medal and the Victory Medal

    Lee Bothamley




    239074

    Pte. William Towns 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (d.25th Nov 1914)

    William Towns is, I believe, the first husband of Emma Hancock who became Emma Towns and afterwards Emma Dilley after a marriage to Charles Henry Dilley. I believe William was born in 1879 aprox. in Carlton, Beds. he married Emma Towns in 1899. I am a descendent of one of Charles Henry Dilley and Emma Towns children Emma Dilley.





    239059

    Pte. Edward McCormack 2nd Battalion Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.27th Nov 1916)

    I know Edward McCormack served with 2nd Btn Cameronians Scottish Rifles.

    Raymond Bell




    239058

    Hilda Brownrigg

    Hilda Brownrigg, VAD, passed the British Red Cross Society's exam in 'Home Nursing' in September 1914, and was re-examined successfully in October 1914 for 'First Aid to the injured', when based at the Chelsea VAD. Hospital. She was posted to France from January to May 1915 to the Hopital de l'alliance at Yvetot as a probationer, and received a certificate of thanks from the Committee of the Allies Hospital Benevolent Society. From June to August 1915 she was posted to another military hospital in France, when based at her home in Surrey, and spent the rest of the war working at the Admiralty. A fluent French speaker, she may have served in France for only a shortish period because she was near the upper age limit for VAD nurses abroad.

    Another sister, Norah, worked for the Italian Red Cross, and the youngest sister, Helen, was a VAD Nurse at stationary hospitals in Harfleur and Étaples from 1915-19. The daughters of a doctor in General Practice, none of the sisters ever married. Hilda and Helen continued with their nursing work until after World War 2 and lived together for about thirty years in London and Guildford, Surrey, where they died in the 1960s - they are buried in Milford Cemetery.

    Hilda and Helen were my courageous great aunts whose memory should be honoured.

    John Brownrigg




    239055

    Painter 2/Cls. Walter Willie John Rowley HMS Arbutus (d.17th Dec 1917)

    Walter Rowley is buried at Ford Park Cemetery Plymouth. He died of wounds received when HMS Arbutus sank after being torpedoed by a U-boat. A few months before, he had served on Q-ship Underwing, May-Jul 1917.

    Vivien Warne




    239052

    Pte. Robert William Pearse 3rd Veterinary Hospital Army Veterinary Corps (d.1st Aug 1915)

    Robert Pearse was born in Exeter, Devon in 1876. He and several of his brothers went to Cardiff, Wales in the 1890s to find work. He and his brother George were particularly fond of horses and the family story has it that they used to provide rides along the beaches near Penarth. He met his wife Agnes and married in Cardiff around 1900. It is not surprising that he joined the Veterinary Corps. According to the war records he drowned in Hardelot, France in August 1915 aged 39. I would appreciate any information others might be able to add.





    239050

    Pte. Sidney George Stiddard 12th Btn. Tank Corps (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    Sidney Stiddard initially served as a Private in the 14th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment before being transferred to the 7th Btn., Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment) and then with the 12th Battalion of the Tank Corps. He was killed on Monday 2nd of September 1918 during the latter stages of the Second Battle of the Somme.

    David




    239048

    Dvr. David James Daniel 5th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    David Daniel Enlisted in September 1914 and went to Flanders in July 1915. He went home on leave to Aberystwyth in 1917 where the local paper reported that Dvr Wm Davies and Dvr David Daniel "they were well, after two years in France and were unscathed" before returning to France and then discharge in February 1919.





    239047

    Spr. Stephen John Taylor 153rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.17th July 1917)

    I have very little information other than my great uncle, Stephen John Taylor, was buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.





    239044

    Capt. H. R. Wilcox 18th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.13th Feb 1919)

    Captain Wilcox was the husband of Ellen Wilcox of Delgany, Heswell Hills, Cheshire. He died 13th February 1919 from sickness contracted on active service in France 1917 aged 30 years and is buried in the Greystones (Redford) Cemetery, Delgany, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239042

    Ord.Sea. Harry Alfred William Vallance HMS Racoon (d.9th January 1918)

    Ordinary Seaman Vallance was the Son of H. Vallance, of 70, Bridge St., Greenwich.

    He was 20 when he died and is buried in the south east part of the Greencastle (St. Finian) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Lower Moville, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239041

    Gnr. L. McDonnell 73rd Coy. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner McDonnell was the Son of Mrs. A. McDonnell. He died the 5th January 1920 and is buried in the south west corner of the Grangegeeth Old Graveyard, Grangegeeth, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239040

    L/Cpl. Mathew Sherry 1st Bn. Irish Guards (d.17th June 1918)

    Lance Corporal Sherry was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Sherry, of Leixlip.

    He is buried near the north east corner of the Grange William Graveyard, Laraghbryen, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    239035

    Fred Winterburn South Lancashire Regiment

    The below is taken from the obituary page of the Warrington Guardian, Saturday 8th of June 1940.

    Mr Fred Winterburn, 6 School St, Warrington, who has died at the age of 68 years, served 21 years in the Army, during which period he was a member of the Guard at Queen Victoria's funeral, and also was present at the unveiling of the Colonel O'Leary monument in Queen's Gardens.

    Born in Harrogate, he enlisted in the South Lancashire Regiment in 1890, and served in the Boer War. He took part in the relief of Ladysmith and battle of Tugela Heights. After completing 21 years' service, he again enlisted, and served for three years in the Great War, receiving his discharge in 1917.

    He then worked at intervals as a night watchman in the employ of Warrington Electricity Department.

    The Funeral

    The Rev. J.E. N. Coleman(St James) officiated at the interment, which took place at Warrington Cemetry on Monday.

    The mourners were:

    • Mrs Winterburn(widow);
    • Fred, George and Harold (sons);
    • Violet, Mary and Elsie(daughters);
    • Annie (stepdaughter);
    • Mrs Owen (mother-in-law);Mrs H Winterburn,
    • Mrs Butler, Mrs Worrall (sister in law);
    • Mr Muckley (sonin law);
    • Mesdames Taylor, Hickinbottom, Reay, Spencer, Sylvia and Sarah.

    Wreaths

    Floral tributes were received from: Wife and family; Fred and Olive; Harold and Elsie; Violet and Joe; Harold and Elsie; All at 57 New Road; Mrs Butler and family; Mr Owen and family; Mrs Wells and family; Mr and Mrs Hershall; Mr and Mrs Williams; Royal Oak Branch; also from the ladies and othr customers; Miss A Preston; Mrs Hickinbottom; Mrs Reay; Mr and Mrs Rigby; and the Leigh Arms Mersey St; Mrs Bennett; Mrs Geraghty, Mrs Taylor; Lowden Wells Ltd of Foundry Street had complete charge of the funeral arrangements.

    Ian Piers Dakin




    239034

    Frank Earnest Edward Barber 146th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.8th August 1917 )

    My Great Uncle Frank Barber, was my grandmother's dear brother who died for his country. I have been doing the family tree and found these articles, so interesting and yet so sad. These soldiers were so brave. I just wish I could meet my great uncle. If I could, I would tell him he will never be forgotten.

    Christine Theobald




    239033

    Pte. Joseph Cecil Warren King's Own Scottish Borderers

    <p>

    Joseph Warren served with The King's Own Scottish Borderers.

    David Harvey




    239030

    Arthur John Castle 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.22nd Oct 1916)

    Arthur Castle was killed in action with the 7th Btn, Royal Irish Rifles, WW1. He is buried in the Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.





    239029

    Pte. Harold Charles Henry McKenna Manitoba Regiment 43rd Battalion (d.25th Jan 1919)

    <p>

    Harold Mckenna ran away from home and enlisted in the Canadian Army at the age of 16. By the time his parents found him he had already completed his basic training so his parents let him stay with the understanding from the Commanding Officer of the 43rd Battalion that he would go to England with his unit but would not go to the Continent to fight.

    Unfortunately, he did make it to the Continent and in mid October of 1918 he was shot through the right leg during the Second Battle of Cambrai. His leg was amputated below the right knee and he was eventually transported to the First Eastern General Hospital located in Cambridge. He died on 25th of January 1919 having just turned 18 years of age, and he is buried in the Cambridge City Cemetery. His parents received the news of his death just after burying three children who died during the flu epidemic in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

    His younger brother Stewart Alexander Mckenna (Alex), who was 12 at the time of Harold's death, would visit his grave several times during WW2. Alex, who was a fire fighter, enlisted in the Corps of Canadian Overseas Fire Fighters and arrived in England in December 1942 and manned National Fire Service fire stations in Portsmouth and Southampton thus replacing fire fighters so that they could be used in other locations. Alex served in England until May of 1945. As the son of Alex Mckenna I grew up to become a fire fighter and served for 50 years in various positions in the Ontario Fire Service. My wife Louise and I travelled to England on vacation in 2012 and travelled to the city of Cambridge and the Cambridge City Cemetery were we visited my uncle's grave. It certainly was an emotional experience to see not only his grave but the graves of so many young men and women who died in two wars.

    Harolds grave just after burial

    Grave as it is today

    Alex McKenna




    239028

    Pte. George Featherston MM. 10th Railway Company Royal Engineers

    Supplement to the London Gazette 4th February 1918. 1611

    His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for bravery in-the Field to the undermentioned Non-commissioned Officers and Men: 202029 Spr. G. Fetherston, B.K (Sprotborough).

    Dennis Richards




    239024

    Lt.Col Arthur Beddoe 4th Btn. Welsh Regiment

    I remember my Uncle Arthur Beddoe who served with 4th Welsh during the First World War. I stayed with him in Pembroke and recall that he still had his horse, Nelson. I think which he kept it in a paddock behind my grandparent's home in Pembroke. He was very much a military man.

    John Beddoe Hardwicke




    239020

    George Bernard Downing 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    My Great Uncle, George Bernard Downing, was born in Walsall, Staffordshire in 1895. He joined the 8th South Staffs Territorials, and on the outbreak of war was mobilised. He died at the Battle of Arras on 23rd of April 1917 with no known grave. He left a wife and a baby son named Bernard.

    Erica McPoland




    239019

    Pte John Pretswell 1st Btn. Scots Guards (d.14th Sep 1914)

    John Pretswell is an ancestor I found through genealogical research into my birth mother's family. I was placed for adoption in Glasgow when I was an infant. He would have been part of the original British Expeditionary Force and an early casualty of the Great War. He died in the First Battle of the Aisne. His grave is located in the Villers-En-Prayeres Communal Cemetery in France.

    Miranda Vand




    239016

    Mjr. Cyril Francis Larn MC, MID. 47th Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    Major Cyril Larn was my father. Prior to joining up as a volunteer he worked as an accountant trainee with the Norwich Union. In 1914 he joined the Norfolk Regiment Cycle Corp, serving with time in Norfolk until his 18th birthday when he joined up as a private, presumably with the Norfolk Light Infantry. In 1915 he transferred to the Machine Gun Corp, was made a Lieutenant, and fought at Ypres and both Battles of the Somme. It was at the Second Battle, now a Major, Commanding Officer of the 47th Battalion, that he was awarded a Military Cross.

    Suffering from severe shell shock he was in and out of military hospitals, remaining in the Army as a senior Machine Gun Instructor at Grantham, until 1923, when he left the service. He married in 1924, to Pansy Vincent, from Berghapton, Norfolk, had two children, and started a cherry farm at a village called Aplington. He continued to have mental problems and was in and out of nursing homes and mental hospitals until June 1932 when he took his own life by hanging.

    Because suicide was a crime at the time 'Against God and the Crown' my mother was refused permission to bury him in Alpington churchyard. In desperation she sought a meeting with the Bishop of Norwich and pleaded with him for permission. He refused whereupon she broke down and went down on her knees, sobbing. The Bishop eventually relented and said, "Alright Mrs Larn you have my permission to bury your husband in the churchyard but, the grave must be round the back where no one can see the grave, and I will not allow a headstone." The family got round the headstone by installing a marble kerb round the grave plot on which his name still shows, but no mention of his military rank or Military Cross for exceptional bravery. Thank God the world has moved on since then.

    Richard Larn




    239013

    Pte. Frederick Joseph Hearn 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.5th Aug 1917)

    Fred Hearn enlisted in December 1915, his battalion was a part of 41st Division 122 Brigade and took part in the Battle of Flers on the 15th of September 1916) as a part of the Somme Offensive that had commenced on 1st July 1916. The village was taken with the help of four tanks. The Battalion suffered nearly 300 casualties. The 15th Battalion were further engaged in the Somme area before being transferred to the Ypres sector on 20th October 1916.

    Frederick Hearn was killed with the Battalion whilst engaged at the 3rd Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele, on 5th August 1917. The Battalion's objective was the village of Hollebeke, Fred would have 'gone over the top' at 3.50 am on the 31st of July 1918, advancing behind the artillery creeping barrage the objective was the village of Hollebeke. The village was taken; the battalion were able to occupy trenches in the immediate vicinity of the village. The Battalion War Diary gives an account of attempts by the Germans to re-take Hollebeke on 5th August under cover of a thick mist, successfully taking nearby Forret Farm.

    A counter attack was put in by the 15th Hampshire and 12th East Surrey regiment, the counter attack was a success and some 17 prisoners taken. What is clear from the war diaries is how depleted the above Battalions were after 6 days of fighting.

    Fred is commemorated on the Menin Gate, his body was never recovered. I was able to visit the Menin Gate in 2015 and pay my respects. Fred was 23 years old at the time of death. He was my great uncle on my mother's side.

    Martin Fox




    239009

    2nd Lt. Hubert Everard Clifton MC. 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.4th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Hubert Clifton's appointment as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant was gazetted on 11th December 1914 and he was formally commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Special Reserve of Officers with effect from the Thirtieth day of December 1914. He was posted to the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment and embarked for France in June 1915. At some point, we are aware that he was wounded, but appears to have recovered fairly

    It seems likely that he was in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, a subsidiary offensive in the Battle of the Somme. On about the 20th of September 1916, he was wounded in the forearm, which caused a severe haemorrhage and brought back to England. He became so ill on the hospital train that he was taken off the train and transferred to Fort Pitt Military Hospital, Chatham. Pneumonia supervened and 2nd Lieutenant Hubert Everard Clifton died on Thursday, 4th October with his parents present at his bedside. He is buried in Torquay.

    Dickon Sandbach




    239008

    Dvr. Thomas William Thomas 35th Bty, 32nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Thomas served as a driver with the RFA. He had enlisted on the 17 October 1907 and served four years in India before the war, completinghis service in october 1913. In august 1914 he was mobilized and joined 35th Battery, 32nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery as a driver at Woolwich. He was discharged as no longer physically fit for war service on the 1st of June 1915. Thomas died at home on 22nd January 1917.

    Allen Murray Thomas




    239007

    Elijah Ellis 1st Btn Border Regiment (d.18th June 1915)

    Elijah Ellis is remembered on the Helles memorial.

    David Ellis




    239003

    Pte. James Hulme 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.28th Jan 1917)

    James Hulme was my great grandfather, who was killed in action aged 38, leaving behind his wife and 6 children including my grandmother. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Scott Hulme




    239002

    A.L/Cpl John M. Taylor 6th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry (d.6th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    John Taylor was born 4th February 1895, the third of seven children to Joseph and Emma (nee Brown) Taylor. He married Annie Rogers on 22nd of July 1915 in Wellington, Shropshire. Aged just 21 years, on 6th of September 1916, at the Somme, France he was to make the ultimate sacrifice. His remains were never recovered and he is remembered Thiepval Memorial.

    His memory lives on forever.

    Sandra M Smith




    239000

    Pte. Thomas Pattenden 13th (Kensington) Btn. London Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    Thomas Pattenden was my great gramma's brother. He lived in Seven Oaks, Kent. I have not any pics of him but would love some, anyone with relatives from this regiment have photos? He was lost at war. My grannie immigrated to Canada and married at Eaton.

    D Christianson




    238999

    Pte. William Robert Harry Goodacre 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.14th July 1917)

    William Goodacre was wounded at the Battle of Arras in April 1917. He was then captured and taken as a POW and transported to Kassell. The first communication with his family from the POW camp was on 30th of May 1917 to inform them that he had been interned at Kassell. During his time in the camp, he was cared for by Second-Lieut Roebuck & Sergeant Windham. William died of the injuries he received to his thigh on the 14th July 1917 and was buried at the cemetery on the 15th July. His funeral was led by Sergeant Windham who also formed a choir of NCO's.

    Rhianon Selby




    238997

    Pte. William Thomas Wiggins 9th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.16th Aug 1916)

    William Wiggins served with the 9th East Surreys. He landed in France on 4th of November as part of a draught sent over it make the battalion up to strength after Loos. William saw action at Ypres in November 1915 and was gassed at Wulverghem in March 1916. He was, as with most British troops, based mainly around Ypres, Hooge, Poperinghe and the infamous Ploegsteert. William was killed in at Guillemont in August 1916.

    Geoff Belson




    238995

    Sgt. Edward James Pratt 11th (Finsbury Rifles) Battalion London Regiment

    <p>Edward Pratt in the middle

    Edward Pratt is my great uncle. My aunt told me he died in Egypt but was not killed in action. She wouldn't say any more. I would like to know what happened to him.

    Edward making boots

    Chris Williams




    238991

    Rflmn. William Cresswell 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.28th June 1915)

    William Cresswell is my great uncle. I know nothing about him would but would love to know what battles he was in and how he died. He had brothers who survived the war.





    238989

    Spr. Thomas Clinton Inland Water Transport Royal Engineers (d.22nd April 1918)

    Sapper Clinton was the Son of John and Rose Clinton; husband of Margaret Reilly (formerly Clinton).

    He was 50 when he died and is buried in the North-West part of the Granardkill Catholic Churchyard, Granard, Co. Longford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238988

    D.H. Joseph Conroy HMS Vivid (d.17th November 1918)

    Deck Hand Conroy was the Son of Mrs. Honor Conroy, of Roundstone, Co. Galway.

    He is buried about 9 yards from the East boundary of the Gorteen Graveyard, Moyrus, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238987

    Lg.Btn. Percy James Cornick HMS President IV (d.26th November 1918)

    Leading Boatman Cornick is buried in grave 597 in the Gorey (Christ Church) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Kilmakillogue, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238986

    Capt. Seymour Livingston Vincent 168th Company Machine Gun Corps

    2nd Lt Seymour Vincent, originally of the 1/13th London Regiment (Kensingtons) was evacuated from Le Havre on 5th July 1916 suffering from shell shock and shrapnel wounds to the right foot and left arm. He returned to France in May 1917 and served in Salonika with the 82nd Company, Machine Gun Corps. He was was born in 1890 and lived in Loughton, Essex.

    He was seconded to the 168th Machine Gun Company on 16th March 1916. He died in strange circumstances in May 1921. He had been transferred to the 2nd Brigade, RFA, in December 1920 and had been serving at Fermoy in County Cork. He had applied for a transfer to the Army Educational Corps, before the war he was a teacher, and had then asked to resign his commission. He then disappeared without trace on 23rd May 1921. It was not until an anonymous letter was sent to the British Government in June 1924 containing details of the burial of a British officer in Lenihans Bog, Glenville, Co. Cork, that further investigations took place.

    At the time of his disappearance the Colonel commanding the 16th Infantry Brigade based at Fermoy basically accused Vincent of lying about his intentions of going on leave but, within a week, another report, regretting several errors in the first, was issued which noted that Vincent had appeared somewhat disorientated before going on (approved) leave. It went on to report that five days after he left, three members of the 2nd Brigade of the IRA raided Fermoy Station and, breaking into the office there, had stolen various items from Vincents luggage, including a service revolver. Although the Royal Irish Constabulary were informed nothing was ever discovered about his whereabouts. It is thought that he, and possibly another man, were murdered by the IRA and buried at Lenihans Bog. Vincents body was later re-interred in Glenville Church of Ireland, Glenville, Co. Cork.

    s flynn




    238982

    Pte. Enoch Oneill 1st Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment

    Enoch Oneill is my great grandad who served in the 1st battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment. Enoch married my great grandmother Mary Blake in 1909 and they had two daughters and a son. Grandad served and was then honourably discharged with a war injury. He received the silver star medal.

    After the Army grandad went to work as a coal heaver in Leigh, Lancashire. He died in 1939 and is buried in Leigh cametery. God bless you and sleep tight grandad xxxx.

    Cheryl Oneill




    238977

    Benjamin Thompson South Staffordshire Regiment

    Benjamin Thompson was brother to Joseph Thompson. Both were gassed. Joseph died, Ben (my grandfather) survived.

    Pam Thompson




    238971

    Gnr. Clement Albert March 197 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My granddad, Clement March, came home from WW1 and died in 1964. Before the war he worked at the Woolwich Arsenal making munitions. His family came from the Gloucester area to work in the Woolwich Arsenal, as did his wife's family.

    After the war, he went back to the Arsenal but had a fall on cherries in the market square outside the Arsenal main gate. He broke his hip or leg and it wasn't put right. He had a big built-up boot and a bad limp. He could no longer work in munitions and cleaned the toilets instead. He then took up shoe mending, shoe making, and making cricket balls. He did this through the 1950s and 1960s. I remember his shed and the sheets of leather for the soles. My nan (also in the photo) mended shoes. They lived in Plumstead all their married life and were married over 50 years. They had two girls - my mum (who also worked in munitions in WW2). My dad was also in the Royal Artillery in WW2. I have great memories of granddad. I was born in 1950. He let me get away with so much, I remember him repairing shoes so much I used to do my own. He did say he went to Italy and brought back two lovely brooches made of tiny, tiny stones in patterns/flowers, and a pretty silk hankie. I asked his daughter (my aunt) if he ever spoke of the war, but no he didn't. But I now know what he must have seen and went through. I do remember he had a great respect for horses that came on deliveries to the door and he always had a look and a pat or a carrot.

    Susan Mickleborough




    238970

    2nd Lt. Charles Lingard Davidson 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.6th Aug 1915)

    <p>Lostwithiel 1915

    Charles Davidson was born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1885. He studied Engineering at the School of Mines & Industries in Adelaide before travelling to England in 1910 to further his studies. His mother's sister lived in Marple Bridge, Stockport, Derbyshire and Charles based himself there before enrolling in Loughborough University.

    In August 1914 when war broke out he applied for a commission. In the September he was appointed second lieutenant with the 13th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. In the December the battalion was moved to Lostwithiel in Cornwall.

    Charles must have transferred to the 9th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters the following year as he with them when they sailed to Gallipoli from Liverpool in the July of 1915. He was killed in action in the landing at Suvla Bay on 6th August 1915 and his body was never found. His name is listed on the Helles Memorial in Cannakale, Turkey. His parents, being on the other side of the world in Adelaide, had the most terrible time gaining information on what had occurred and it wasn't until 1920 that the official death certificate was issued in Adelaide. Meanwhile his heartbroken mother, who had lost her only son, had died at the age of 60 years on Armistice Day 1918 never knowing the fate of her son.

    Charles on left

    Joy McPherson




    238969

    Pte. George Wilson Tate 26th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    George Tate served with the 26th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers and lost his life on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Mark Edward Tate




    238968

    Pte. William Stewart Liddell 1/12th Btn. Royal Scots (d.10th May 1917)

    William Stewart Liddell was born in 1894 in parish of Livingstone, Linlithgowshire (more likely to be Blackburn, West Lothian) to Robert Liddell and Mary Stewart. He was one of nine children: Mary was born 1887, Maggie 1889, David 189?, William 1894, Robert 1896, Henry 1898, Thomas 1899, Euphemia 1902 and Jessie 1906. His will is dated 3rd April 1917 and he died 10th May 1917, aged 23 years.

    Aileen Liddell




    238967

    L/Cpl. George Webster 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.9th August 1915)

    George Webster landed at Beach "B" Suvla Bay on 7th August 1915 with the 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. He died of his wounds on 9th August 1915, leaving behind a wife, son and daughter.

    George was the son of Frederick and Clara Webster of Birmingham, younger brother of CSM Frederick Webster DCM 2nd Bn RWF (my great grandfather) who survived the war.

    It is not known if George was buried on land or at sea, but he is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Panel 135 to 137, at (what was) Gallipoli.

    Don Oliver




    238966

    Fireman. Lawrence Nanton USS Calamares

    I have very little information about Lawrence Nanton's (my grandfather) time on the USS Calamares. I have his discharge papers, which state that he served on the ship from 17th of March 1918, to 1st of April 1918. The reason for the discharge is that the ship was taken over by the Navy.

    Steven Nanton




    238964

    Pte. J. Nixon Royal Army Medical Corps (d.1st May 1918)

    Private Nixon is buried in the north east part of the Glennan Presbyterian Churchyard, Donagh, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238963

    Pte. John Gaule Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) (d.4th July 1918)

    Private Gaule was the son of Richard Gaule, of Haggard, Glenmore.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried on the south east boundary of the Glenmore (St. James) Catholic Churchyard, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238962

    Pte. John Quinane 45th Btn. Infantry (d.19th June 1918)

    Private Quinane was the son of Elizabeth Quinane, of Warrini, Victoria, and the late Michael Quinane.

    He was 29 when he died and is buried South-West of the ruins on the West boundary of the Glenkeen Old Graveyard, Glenkeen, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238960

    Maj. George Thomas Acton Drought Royal Field Artillery (d.15th June 1915)

    Major Drought was the husband of Louise L. Palmer (formerly Drought), of Ash Priors, Cheltenham, Gloucs. He was 34 when he died in London of wounds and is buried near the left corner of the Glenealy Church of Ireland Churchyard, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238959

    CQMS H. C. Spruce Royal Army Service Corps

    Company Quartermaster Serjeant Spruce died on 27th October 1919 and is buried in the south west part of the Glasnevin (St. Mobhis) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238958

    Pte. S. F. Miller Royal Army Service Corps

    Private Miller died on 13th November 1919. He was the son of J. A. Miller, of 6 Gracepark Gardens, Drumcondra.

    He is buried in the north west part of the Glasnevin (St. Mobhis) Church of Ireland, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238957

    Pte. Sidney Hopkins 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.13th March 1915)

    Sidney Hopkins is my great great uncle. I have his WW1 Victory Medal and Plaque.

    Graham Lowe




    238956

    Rflmn. R. Manly 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.10th July 1915)

    Rifleman Manly was the husband of C. Manly, of 84, Botanic Rd., Glasnevin, Dublin.

    He was 46 when he died and is buried in the south east part of the Glasnevin (St. Mobhis) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Glasnevin, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238953

    Pte. Frederick William Heppell 24th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Frederick William Heppell enlisted on 27th January 1915. He went to France on 15th November 1915, and was discharged wounded on 7th August 1916.

    Nick Reeve




    238950

    Pte. Frederick William Dey 24th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.8th March 1916)

    Frederick William Dey was born in Exmouth. He enlisted at Paignton, Devon. Frederick was killed in action and is buried in Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, French Extension, France.

    Nick Reeve




    238949

    Pte. Ernest William Ingram 1st Btn., D Coy. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.12th May 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest Ingram served with D Coy. 1st South Staffordshire Regiment.

    Jenny-Louise Kirk




    238944

    L/Cpl. Alexander Green 1st Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander Green served with the 1st Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    Jan Green




    238943

    Pte. John Draycott 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.23rd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Private John Draycott died in Nancy (Eastern France), probably of disease, after the end of the war. He was buried at Jarville-la-Malgrange with three Indian labourers.

    Jerome Janczukiewicz




    238942

    Pte. Arthur Bunting 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>

    My great grandfather Arthur Bunting was in charge of the donkeys at the Somme. After his return he never told anyone about his time in the war.

    John Goulder




    238940

    Pte. James Edward Greenwood 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment

    Jimmy Greenwood was shot in the back during the Battle of Lys in the French town of Armentieres on 10th of April 1918. He survived the injury and the rest of the war.

    David Hicks




    238938

    L/Cpl. James Bernes 12th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.17th Aug 1917)

    Lance Corporal James Bernes, of the 12th Battalion, King's Regiment(Liverpool) died on the 17th of August 1917, aged 28. He was the son of Mrs Margaret Hamilton (formerly Bernes) of 48 St Georges Hill, Everton, Liverpool. James is memorialized at Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke in Belgium. His body was never recovered.

    Jeffrey A Williams




    238934

    Ord.Sea. Richard Frid Dennett HMS Weymouth (d.19th March 1917)

    Rufigi River Hero, The Son Of A Leyton Amition Worker.

    We are asked to state That Richard Frid Dennet the heroic seaman of H.M.S. Weymouth who refused to sign a declaration of neutrality and in consequence died a prisoner of war in German Fast Africa was not the son of a widow as reported by a news agency. His father is Mr James R. Bennett of 27 Waterloo Road Leyton Essex who is a munition worker. Richard Bennett was serving on a tug reconnoitering at the mouth of the Rufigi River in German East Africa in 1915 when the vessel came under the fire of a German shore battery and was struck in the engine room. The tug drifted ashore and Dennett who was badly wounded in the abdomen was taken prisoner. He was looked after by the wife of the captain of the German cruiser Konigsberg and for eight months he lay in hospital at Dar-es-Salaam. He was then removed to Magdawa. There were no means of extracting the bullet there and the Germans offered to release him if he would sign a declaration of neutrality. Dennett a true hero persistently refused to sign and paid for his fidelity to the flag with his life.

    Extract from the Star. 24th Dec. 1917

    David Fox




    238931

    Pte. Henry John Higgins 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.5th Dec 1915)

    Harry Higgins was born in 1882 in Poplar, East London. He married Sarah Ann Moore in 1903. He had three daughters, the eldest my grandmother at 9 years old, and the youngest was only 1 when he enlisted in April 1915.

    He was sent to Gallipoli as a reinforcement for the 2nd Battalion, he received a gunshot wound to the head on landing and died on board HMHS Delta on 5th of December, the same day he arrived. He was buried at sea.

    Jane Day




    238928

    L/Cpl. Joseph Henry Pepperdine 7th Field Ambulance Canadian Army Medical Corps

    Joseph Pepperdine signed up in April 1915 and was shipped out to the Marne, Belgium. He came back home in the fall of 1919. He served as a medic during the war (stretcher carrier). He sent home $10 per month to his family in Calgary. Colonel McRae was his commanding officer of 7th or 8th field ambulance.

    I do not not have any other information but would be interested in finding out more about him because he was my grandfather.

    Pam Moore




    238919

    Pte. Henry Sporforth Dobson 331st Road Constructions Company Royal Engineers

    Henry Dobson is my maternal grandmother's father who was born in 1872. At the outbreak of WW1 he went along to the recruiting office in Hull but was turned away by the Recruiting Officer with the words,"Go home Grandad, we don't need you." He finally received a notice in May 1917 and returned to the recruiting office in Hull. At this time he was 44 years of age. He was almost rejected from service on medical grounds because he wore dentures but according to my grandmother he told them, and I quote, "I am going there to fight, not bite the buggers!" This was very typical of Henry because he was quite a character.

    He was recruited into the Royal Engineer's 331st Road Construction Company and sent to France. In May 1918 he was poisoned by a gas attack and sent to the Wharncliffe War Hospital in Sheffield before moving on to the the Military Convalescent Hospital at Ashton in Makerfield near Wigan. He left this establishement in August 1918 and returned to service. Henry was demobbed in March 1919 and returned home to his family in Hull where he continued to live until his death in January 1939 at the age of 66 years. He was the father of 13 children, the youngest of whom was my grandmother.

    Julie Cumming




    238918

    SM. Charles Bull CdeG. Warwick Battery Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    I have just come across this photograph of my paternal grandfather, Charles Bull of the Warwick RHA, with the inscription WK RHA 1914 men Cologne 1919 in the top left hand corner. I believe he is standing on the far left hand side of the photo, second row from front. The inscription on the reverse says: "The men who landed in France with our Battery Oct 1914". He is featured in the book "Brookes Battalion".

    Derek Bull




    238913

    Pte. Thomas Harris Royal Defence Corps (d.18th January 1919)

    Thomas Harris previously served as Pte. 3925, 1/17th London Regiment and entered France on 6th December 1915. He died and is buried at Netley Hospital.

    Alison




    238908

    2nd Cpl. David Small Bruist 548 Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    David Bruist served with 548 Field Coy and 554 Troops, Royal Engineers

    Les Hurt




    238905

    BSM. Jabez Edwin Bonfield MSM. 38th Briagde, 24 Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Jabez Bonfield joined the army in 1905 at the age of 19. He signed on initially for 12 years, then extended to 21 years, and further extended his service until he was discharged from the Army with the rank of RSM on 10th July 1929.

    Jabez later became a manager with Shell Mex and BP in Derbyshire. He died at his home in Dove Holes, near Buxton, Derbyshire in December 1965.

    Trevor Bonfield




    238902

    Pte. John Williams 1st Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1918)

    John Williams is buried at Granezza British Cemetery in Italy. He was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Williams, 16 Camden Grove, Hulme, Manchester.

    Steve Randles




    238901

    Pte. Victor William Hovell 10th Btn., D Coy. Sherwood Foresters (d.13th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My grandfather was named after Victor William. He had two brothers who also served in different regiments, Harold Edwards Hovell and Ronald Albert Hovell. Both survived, but Harold had severe shell shock when he came home. Their mother never got over Victor's death.





    238898

    Pte. John James Hamlett 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.8th June 1917)

    John Hamlett died on Mount Sorrel (Hill 60) the day after the huge explosion instigated by the Australians.

    Ron Garner




    238897

    Midship. John Bottomley "Jock" Storrs HMS Orbita

    According to John Storrs (my father) naval war records he was on the Orbita during WW1.

    Roger William Storrs




    238892

    Pte. William John McCormick 2nd Btn. Inniskilling Fusiliers

    William John McCormick, my grandfather, was taken prisoner of war in March of 1918.

    Red Cross records show: 26456 William McCormick, 2nd Inniskilling Fusiliers, captured 21/3/1918 at St Quentin. Father William J. William told us that prior to being captured he suffered the affects of mustard gas and had been left temporarily blinded. William died in Birmingham, England in 1953.





    238891

    Spr. John William Brayne 4th Seige Coy (Royal Monmouth) Royal Engineers (d.7th April 1916)

    <p>

    John Brayne (our Johnny) was my great great uncle. He died aged 22 of gunshot wounds at the trenches of St Eloi. He survived for a week before he died. I believe the trenches of St Eloi is where the Battle of the Craters was fought.

    He left behind his father Thomas, mother Mary Anne and little sister Mary Elizabeth, my great great grandmother. He grew up on a small-holding in Ruyton XI Towns, Shropshire and was very good at drawing.

    Elizabeth Evans




    238889

    Pte. Robert Steenson 16th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.16th May 1918)

    Private Steenson was 24 when he died and is buried in the south west part of the Glaslough Church of Ireland New Cemetery, Donagh, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238888

    Cpl. C. Farrell 7th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    Corporal Farrell was the son of James Farrell of Ballyarthur, Fermoy.

    He was 19 when he died on 11th July 1919 and is buried south of the old church in the Glanworth Old Cemetery, Glanworth, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238887

    Pte. E. A. MacLean 43rd Btn. Canadian Infantry (d.11th May 1916)

    Private MacLean was the son of Allan L. MacLean, of 479 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

    He is buried about 6 yards left of the church in the Glacknadrummond Methodist Churchyard, Clonca, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238886

    Pte. Martin Maloney 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.13th March 1917)

    Private Maloney was the husband of Ellen Maloney of Castlemitchell, Athy.

    He was 33 when he died and is buried in the south west part of the Geraldine Old Graveyard, Kilberry, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238885

    Pte. James Joseph Daly 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers

    Private Daly was 20 when he died on the 2nd November 1920 and is buried in the Geoghegan Roman Catholic Graveyard, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238884

    D.H. George Norman HMS Victory (d.2nd June 1915)

    Deck Hand Norman is buried near the east boundary in the Galway (Forthill) Graveyard, Rahoon, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238883

    Dvr. James Quinn Royal Field Artillery (d.21st August 1918)

    Driver Quinn (served as Heggarty) was the son of Mary Quinn, of Drimconer, Mount Charles.

    He is buried north of the church in the Frosses Catholic Churchyard, Inver, Co. Donegal.

    S Flynn




    238882

    Sgt. William Charles Brown MM. 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.8th Sep 1917)

    Charlie Brown was awarded the Military Medal, he served with 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment.

    Ian Collier




    238881

    Stkr.1st Cl. Frank Astell HMS Thunderer

    My great-uncle Frank Astell served as a stoker in HMS Thunderer from 26th September 1916 to 4th March 1919.

    Steve Astell




    238876

    Pte. William James Martin 8th (Service) Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.27th March 1917)

    The full story of Will Martin and his fiancee, Emily Ellen Chitticks has been the subject of books and as part of a television drama-documentary The Great War - the People's Story.

    James Toone




    238873

    Able Sea. Henry Owen Williams Hawke Battalion

    Harry Williams enlisted with the 5th Battalion RND at Crystal Palace on the 18th of May 1915. On the 23rd of September 1915 he joined the 7th Reserve Battalion at Blandford from Crystal Palace. On the 10th of May 1916 he transferred to 2nd Reserve Battalion and was loaned to the Anson Battalion, in 2nd Brigade, which he joined on the 28th of June 1916 until the 31st July 1916 when the joined 3rd Reserve Battalion.

    On the 9th of October 1916 he was posted to to Hawke Battalion (1st Brigade) with the B.E.F. in France. On the 12th of April 1917. Admitted to 2nd Field Ambulance suffering from Influenza and the following day was admitted to No 1 Convalescent Depot, at Boulogne. On the 15th of April he was admitted to No 10 Convalescent Depot at Escault and then to 3rd Large Rest Camp, Marlboro at Boulogne. On the 22nd May 1917 Harry rejoined Hawke Battalion on the 22nd of May.

    On the 4th of August Harry joined No 1 Divisional Train and two days later was severely wounded by a Gas Shell. He was admitted to No. 3 Stationary Hospital at Rouen on the 10th where after two days treatment he was invalided to England on board the S.S Kalyan. On the 13th of August he was admitted to the War Bradford Hospital.

    By the 10th of October 1917 Harry had recovered and returned to France landing at Boulogne to rejoin his Brigade. On the 24th of May 1918 Harry was at Etaples at the Command Depot and was sent back to England where on the 25th of June 1918 he transferred to RN Depot at Chatham.

    Alan Griffiths




    238872

    Yeo Sig. William Henry Courtney HMS Topaze

    William Courtney was born on the 20th May 1885 in Cardiff, his father was William Courtney and his mother was Sarah Ann Evans. He was christened on the 10th August 1885 in St Margarets Church, Roath Cardiff. He joined the Royal Navy in Portsmouth on the 20th May 1903, his 18th birthday, for a 12 year enlistment. William married Florence Augusta Rean between January and March 1908 in Merthyr Tydfil. The 1911 census shows William in Clarence Barracks, Spithead. His wife Florence and their daughter Phyliss Stella aged 7 months are resident at 18 Percy Road, Gosport.

    When war broke out in 1914 William was serving on HMS Topaze, a Gem Class Lt Cruiser of 3,000 tons, launched in 1904. In August 1914 she joined the 5th Battle squadron based at Portland, and from January 1915 this squadron was based on the Channel station. In June 1915 she sailed from Dover to Gibraltar and then on to Malta. In July 1915 she sailed from Malta to Taranto (Italy) and then on to Brindisi (Italy). From January 1916 until December 1917 she was attached to the Italian fleet serving in the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas. She was variously based at Taranto and Brindisi throughout 1916 for patrols in the Adriatic calling in at Valona and Corfu. She set sail for Gibraltar on the 4th of June 1916 arriving on the 7th June 1916. She was based in Gibraltar until the 27th July 1916, when she returned to her base at Brindisi arriving on the 1st August 1916. From this base she continued her Adriatic patrols calling in at Valona, (Vlore,Albania) and Port Dukati until 22nd October 1916 when she returned to Taranto. She remained based in Taranto performing various patrols until the 18th March 1917. She set sail from Taranto on the 19th March 1917, she passed Port Said and transited the Suez canal on the 23rd March 1917 to arrive in Aden on the 26th March 1917. From her base in Aden she performed patrols taking in Makalla (Sokotra patrol), Ahwah and Shukra, she returned to her base in Aden on the12th April 1917. From Aden she contined her patrols taking in Ras Sellen and the Zubair group of islands including Centre Peak island and Kamaran island she passed through the Kamaran passage on the 13th June 1917 and returned to Aden. She continued her patrol work until the 28th June when she rendesvous off Abu Ail for an attack on Hodeidah which took place on the 29th June 1917 sending landing parties ashore. She stayed at Hodeidah until the 7th July 1917 returning to Aden to continue patrolling until the 31st July 1917. She then set sail from Aden to Bombay (now Mumbai) India arriving in Bombay on the 8th August 1917. She remained in Bombay until the 20th October 1917, making the return trip to Aden arriving there on the 28th October 1917. From her base in Aden she continued her patrols to Perim, Kamaran, Juba, Ras Haram and Jebel Zukur island until the 19th January 1918. On the 20th January 1918 she set sail from Aden to Suez remaining there until the 1st February 1918. She sailed to Port Said from Suez and returned to Aden to resume patrols, these patrols took in Perim, Khor Ghuleirfaka, Suyul Hannish and southward to Abu Ail she returned to Suez on the 27th March 1918, and from here William Henry Courtney returned to the UK, being dicharged to shore establishment Victory in Portsmouth. On the 11th of July 1918 he was sent to Gibraltar, PulCastle until the 26th of July. He joined HMS Europa on the 8th of September 1918 until 22nd of April 1919 and was tranferred to the Royal fleet reserve on the 21st of June 1919.

    Alan Griffiths




    238869

    Pte. James Conway 1st Res. M.T. Depot Army Service Corps (d.1st September 1916)

    Private Conway is buried near the south west boundary of the Ferrybank Catholic Churchyard, Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland,

    s flynn




    238868

    Pte. P. Sheehan Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

    Private Sheehan was 24 when he died on 17th November 1919 and is buried the south west part of the Fenor Catholic Churchyard, Co. Waterford, Ireland,

    s flynn




    238866

    Pte. William Kingston 10th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.23rd November 1918)

    Private Kingston was the son of Samuel and Fanny Kingston, of Keelinga, Leap, Co. Cork.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried in the north east corner of the Fanlobbus (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Fanlobbus, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238865

    Pte. J. Daly 1st Garrison Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    Private Daly was the son of Mrs Bridget Daly, of 18 Lower Newtown, Waterford.

    He was 36 when he died on 13th November 1919 and is buried in the north east part of the Faithlegg Catholic Churchyard, Faithlegg, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238864

    Pte. Patrick Tooher 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.16th April 1917)

    Private Tooher was the husband of Bridget McDonald (formerly Tooher), of Dromakeenan, Brosna.

    He is buried in the south west part of the Ettagh (St. Mark) Churchyard, Kilmurrayely, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238863

    Pnr. Andrew Jones 12th Labour Btn. Royal Engineers (d.24th June 1916)

    Pioneer Jones was the brother of P. Jones of Upper Jail St., Ennis, Co. Clare.

    He is buried near the south boundary of the Ennis (Clare Abbey) Cemetery, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238855

    Pte. Harold Thomson 1st Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry Royal Naval Division (d.26th October 1917)





    238853

    Bmbdr. Albert Edward Farvis Packer 173rd Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.27th Dec 1917)

    Albert Packer enlisted on the 6th of June 1916, he served in France from 30th October 1916 until 11th December 1917. He died of pneumonia whilst on leave to get married on 17th December 1917. Albert died on 27th of December 1917 at 2nd Southern General Hospital (Military Wing), Bristol. His father was Francis Edward Packer, and his mother was Eliza Septima Farvis. Dorothy Beatrice Flower was his wife.

    John




    238817

    Capt. Arthur Kellas 89th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.6th Aug 1915)

    Captain Arthur Kellas was killed by a sniper's bullet at Lancaster Landing, Gallipoli on 6th August 1915.

    I have come across letters to his mother and brother (obviously originally hand-written but subsequently typed some years later) sent by one "Thos Fraser". There is also a handwritten "In Memoriam" poem in his honour written by one George Stephen in August 1917. There is also an envelope with some colours in it. My mother passed away six years ago aged 96 and these were in a bundle of her family papers. Her maiden name was Ross. Her forebears came from Caithness and Halkirk. Her grandfather sailed to Dunedin, New Zealand in 1861. The name Kellas does not feature in the Ross family tree but there may have been some connection as the above papers are contained in a handwritten envelope post-marked "Aberdeen 4 JA 17" (which I take to mean 4th January 1917) addressed to "Miss Zeala Ross, Morven, Newington Ave, Dunedin, New Zealand." Zeala was my great-aunt. There is no reference to "Thos Fraser" in any family records I can find.

    The purpose of this message is to see if there is any record of descendants of Captain Kellas to whom I can send the papers and, perhaps, find out what the connection was.

    Mick Hollyer




    238810

    Pte. Charles Joseph Henry Bennison 12th (Bristol's Own) Battalion, B Coy. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Charles Bennison was born in 2 Clare Cottage, Kew Place, Cheltenham in 1891 to Benjamin and Alice Sarah A. Bennison (nee Lewis). From 1901 to 1911 the family was living at Lewis Villa, Teewell Hill, Staple Hill. By 1911 Charles was working as a store manager in a motor works.

    He enlisted in Bristol and served as Private 14242 in B Company, 12th (Bristol's Own) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment and left for France on 21st. November 1915 and was killed in action on Sunday 3rd of September 1916 during the latter stages of the First Battle of The Somme when aged 25 years. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

    Charles's father Benjamin was sent his son's personal effects - £2.4s.10d. - on 20th March 1917 with a War Gratuity of £9.0s.0d following on 10th November 1919. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory medal and the British War medal





    238809

    Pte. Samuel George Turvey 1st/20th (Blackheath & Woolwich) Battalion, London Regiment (d.23rd August 1918)

    Born in Richmond Road, Mangotsfield in 1899 to George Henry and Emma Turvey (nee Skuse), Samuel Turvey was christened on 1st October 1899 at St. James' Church, Mangotsfield.

    He first served in The Queen's (Royal West Kent Regiment) as Private G/29188 and was then posted to the 1st/20th (Blackheath & Woolwich) Battalion, London Regiment before being killed in action on 23rd of August 1918 during the Battle of Albert. He is buried in the Beacon Cemetery, Sailly-Laurette in Picardie in Northern France and was posthumously awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.





    238805

    Able Sea. Evan David Williams Hood Battalion (d.4th June 1917)

    Evan Williams enlisted in the Royal Naval Division at Bristol on the 9th of January 1915 amd was posted to the 2nd Reserve Battalion, at Blandford for training. On the 6th of May 1915 he was rafted to the Collingwood Battalion, at Blandford. (Musketry Class). On the 2nd of August 1915 he was drafted to Hood Battalion and went overseas. Evan was admitted to 1st Field Ambulance in the Dardanelles with Abdominal Enteritis on the 9th September 1915 and on the 13th was admitted to No.1 Canadian Stationary Hospital M.E.F, Dardanelles. He was then transferred on the 21st of September 1915 from No.1 Canadian Stationary Hospital M.E.F. Mudros, to S.S. Orsova for transport to Military Hospital Citadel in Cairo. He arrived in Egypt on the 24th of September and was transferred at Alexandria to Military Hospital Citadel in Cairo, suffering from Diarrhoea. He was discharged on the 13th October 1915 to Rest Camp Abbassia and on the 16th to duty at Base Camp Mustapha.

    On the 1st of November 1915 he was posted to 15th General Hospital, Alexandria for duty until the 17th when he returned Base Camp Mustapha. On the 13th December 1915 Evan embarked at Quay 44 Alexandria for Overseas and rejoined his unit, the Hood Battalion (2nd Brigade) at Gallipoli.

    On the 1st of January 1916 he reported to No. 11 Casualty Clearing Station suffering from Jaundice and the following day embarked on H.M.H.S Gloucester Castle, for transport to Malta. Arriving on the 8th of January 1916 he was admitted to Royal Naval Hospital Bighi Malta suffering from Jaundice. He was invalided to England on the 25th January 1916, transferred on H.M.H.S Soudan to Chatham Naval Hospital where he was admitted on the 3rd of February 1916 suffering from Dystentery. He was discharged to Depot duty on the 19th of February 1916 and taken on strength of the 2nd Reserve Battalion, from his Division. On the 1st of March 1916 he transferred to 7th Reserve Battalion at Blandford where on the 11th of April 1916 he became Camp Staff.

    On the 6th of October 1916 Evan transferred to 3rd Reserve Battalion and then on the 4th of December 1916 he was drafted to Hood Battalion who were now with B.E.F. in France. He saw action on the Ancre, from the 20th January to 27th February 1917 with Hood Battalion in 189th (RN) Brigade. and on the 3rd February in the taking of Puisieux trench, then the actions of Miraumont, on the 17th-18th of February 1917.

    On the 15th of March 1917 he was admitted to the Field Ambulance and returned to his battalion on the 26th of March 1917. Evan then took part in the Battles of Arras, 9th April to 4th May 1917 with Hood Battalion, and the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe, the Battle of Arleux, 28th and 29th April 1917.

    On the 4th of June 1917 Evan was killed in Action. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.

    Alan Griffiths




    238801

    Sgt. M. Kennedy 12th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.24th March 1915)

    Serjeant Kennedy was the Husband of Jane Kennedy, of Cloneygowan Rd., Portarlington. He was 49 when he died and is buried in the Emo (St. Pauls) Roman Catholic Churchyard, Coolbangher, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238800

    Pte. Joseph Flynn 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.24th October 1915)

    Private Flynn was the son of Mrs Hannah Morrissey of Clonkeen, Maryborough.

    He was 18 when he died and is buried in the north east part of the Emo (St. Pauls) Roman Catholic Churchyard, Coolbanager, Co. Leix, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238799

    Pte. M. Henry 4th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.28th June 1918)

    Private Henry was the husband of Annie Henry of Mount Sally, Birr.

    He was 49 when he died and is buried about 2 yards south of the main path in the Eglish (Holy Trinity) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Eglish, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238796

    Drvr. William King 4A Res. Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.17th December 1915)

    Driver King was 24 when he died and is buried in the south east part of the Edgeworthstown Cemetery, Mostrim, Co. Longford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238795

    Pte. Walter Ashby 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.10th Feb 1918)

    Pte Walter Ashby 242422 was killed in Action on 10th February 1918, the only regimental casualty in that operational area on that day. The entry in the War Diary for that day provides no other details. It is believed he was on the front line to the east of Mazingarbe. He was laid to rest at the Philosophy British Cemetry, Mazingarbe.

    David Earl




    238794

    Pte. Herbert William Johnson 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    Herbert Johnson is one of my relatives who lost their lives in the Great War. I am a history teacher originally from Essex, now living in Pembrokeshire; and I am researching my relatives who served in the world wars for my grandparents. All information shared comes from things they have kept such as marriage, death certificates and old photos etc. He was the son of Emily and William Johnson, and he married Annie Elizabeth Johnson around 1903. They lived in Lindens cottage, Fyfield, Ongar, Essex.

    Herbert was a private in the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment. He served in France and was sent home from the war injured, but was nursed back to health in England and was sent back to France, where he is reported to have died missing in action. He was 37 when he died on 23rd March 1918, and was reported missing in action, but his body was reportedly never found.

    My grandparents have letters Herbert sent to his wife and letters that Annie sent to Herbert in return. In these letters is a document from the headquarters sent to Annie explaining that any possessions of Herbert's found would be sent to her, but nothing of his was ever found.

    After brief research on Herbert, I have discovered that he is remembered on the Arras memorial cemetery in France, which I strive to visit one day. I have medals of his and also photos of him and Annie and letters sent between them. I thank him and all other men and women who served and lost their lives in the wars for fighting for our country. Rest in peace.

    Jessica Bailey




    238791

    Cpl. William Bell 9th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.8th March 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle William Bell served with the 9th Btn Royal Irish Rifles (West Belfast Volunteers), 36th Ulster Division. He died from his wounds on Tuesday 8th of March 1916. William Bell is buried in Bertrancourt Military Cemetery in France. He was brother to my Grandmother.

    Samuel McCrory




    238786

    Rflmn. James McCarroll Royal Irish Rifles (d.24th March 1918)

    <p>

    James McCarroll is Remembered with Honour on the Pozieres Memorial.

    Keith Hartwell




    238785

    Cpl. Percy William White 1/5th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    Percy White was with 1/7th Robin Hoods until break up, then went to 59th Division. He was wounded in front of Baillieul on the 17th of Apr 1918. Recovered and went back to the 5th Battalion Sherwoods. He was wounded on the Somme on the 17th of Oct 1918, in front of Bohain. Sent back home and discharged on 5th of March 1919.

    266590 Cpl Percy William White

    John White




    238778

    Captain Claude Montague Castle MC 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    Captain Claude Montague Castle MC was awarded the Military Cross in 1916. The exact wording, taken from the 6th March 1918 Gazette, is as follows: Awarded the Military Cross - "Capt. Claude Montague Castle, R. Ir. Rif. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as Divisional Salvage Officer. He guided stretcher parties through heavy fire and brought back wounded."





    238777

    Pte. Daniel Stewart MacDonald Highland Light Infantry (d.15th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Daniel MacDonald was my grand uncle, the brother of my grandfather. He was killed in action at age 32 in Nieuport, West Flanders, Belgium. He is memorialized in Belgium but no one in the family knows where he was laid to rest. My grandfather kept the photo of Danny for the rest of his life.

    Tammy Lenski




    238776

    L/Cpl. Albert Richmond Beaver 8th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire (d.27th May 1917)

    R. Beaver is commemorated on the Mangotsfield War Memorial but there is no man of that name from Mangotsfield recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. But, there is an Albert Richmond Beaver from the village so it appears he was probably better known as Richmond Baber as indicated on the Electoral list of 1914?

    Hewas born in 1890 in Mangotsfield to Albert and Amy Keziah Beaver (nee Baker) who were married on 25th December 1888 in Christ Church, Downend. In 1891 they were living in Staple Hill and ten years later Richmond was residing in Salisbury Avenue, Two Mile Hill, St. George with his step father William Gingell who had married Richmond's mother Amy in 1895 following the death of Richmond's father Albert in 1892. When he enlisted in 1909 Richmond was employed as a box making machinist in a printing works living at 11, Burchell's Green Road, St. George with his step father who had also been widowed, with Richmond's mother Amy passing away in 1910.

    Richmond enlisted for ten years on 3rd June 1909 in Bristol as Ordinary Seaman Bristol 3/788 in the Royal Naval Division with his records showing he was 5' 6" tall with dark brown hair with grey eyes and had a small tattoo smudge on his right forearm. However his service appears to have been cut short or 'Incomplete' according to his service record. Despite having reached the level of A.B. (Able Bodied Seaman) it also states that his service onboard H.M.S. Spartan (a Second Class Light Cruiser) was cancelled and demoted to ships cook. Clearly he left the Royal Navy as the 1914 Electoral Register has Richmond living in 9, Court Road, Kingswood, with his wife Elizabeth.

    He formerly served as Lance Corporal 27193 1st/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment (based upon his service number), enlisting some time after 1915 and later posted as Lance Corporal 34329 to 8th (Service) Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (25th Division) for Kitchener's Army which had landed in Boulogne on 16th September 1915, the division concentrating in the area of Nieppe and on 26th October it was transferred to 7th Brigade. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights

    Richmond was killed in action on 27th May 1917 near Neuve Eglise in the Battle of Messines during the attack between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads and is buried at the Dranoutre Military Cemetery, 11.5 kilometres south of Ypres, Belgium. Strangely there is nothing untoward in the Battalion's War Diary to indicate there was any figthing with the enemy ..24th - 28th May. The 7th Infantry Brigade relieved the 74th Infantry Brigade in the Wulvergheim sector. The 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment going into the trenches. 8th Loyal North Lancs in brigade support at Neuve Eglise and the two remaining battalions in reserve at Aldershot and Bulford camps. However the Diary states that during the night of the 28th ...the enemy bombarded our front trenches, the damage done being inconsiderable (negligible).... so how was Richmond killed? He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War and Victory medals





    238773

    Pte. William Carter 8th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th March 1917)

    <p>

    My great uncle William Carter died on the 30th of March 1917. After the Battle of the Somme memorial weekend I decided to finally trace William. He was courting my grandmother and they would have no doubt married if he had returned from the war. When he didn't, my grandfather who was in Gallipoli and won the DCM, swept her off her feet on his return to Blighty. They married in 1922. William survived the Somme and then got killed just before the Battle for Arras. The only casualty that day. It's been an emotional few days as he really did die for me. I wouldn't be here now ( or any of the Carter family) if it hadn't have been for William. I wonder if he knew his brother Francis fancied his girl?

    Dawn Vaughan




    238770

    Pte. Frederick William Brown 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    I never met my great grandfather, Fred Brown, although I have made up for it ever since. We have not a lot of information on his military career. All I know is he was shot in the stomach whilst being rescued by an Anzac soldier who received, I believe, the Military Medal. Any additional information would be great to see.

    Steve Hiscox




    238769

    A/Sgt George William Davis 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    Speaking with my father one time, he mentioned that his uncle, George William Davis's, medals had been handed down to him, so I immediately asked to see them. What I found was a little treasure trove, because it wasn't just the medals, but a small package with lots of goodies inside. In addition to his medals, there was something I had never seen before, a silver War Badge and the certificate to match it by name and serial number: B38666.

    The package also contained his Soldier's Small Book with his enlistment and discharge details, an Active Service Testament with a date of 21st January 1915, a book titled Trench Orders British Salonika Army, a book titled A Short History of the Fifth Fusiliers from 1674 to 1911 and a book titled Balkan Army Uniforms. Plus a pack of playing cards advertising Scissors Cigarettes. Additionally, there were two letters, one detailing the formation of the Fifth Fusiliers Old Comrades Association, dated 15th November 1913 and the other dated 30th March 1950 from Depot Fifth Fusiliers thanking George for donating items to the Museum.

    Also included were two postcards, the first unsent is a tale of Brocton Camp (research tells me this was in Staffordshire), which was used as a staging camp during the war. The other is dated 25th August 1916 with a stamp saying On Active Service. This was sent to his wife living in Kings Langley at the time.

    So now I turned my attention to the medals and War Badge, and what a fascinating collection it is. From left to right there are: North West Frontier 1908, India; 1914 Star with clasp 5th August to 22nd November 1914; British War Medal; Victory Medal; Defence Medal 1939-1945.

    George enlisted on 23rd December 1903 at Woolwich, hence the 1908 medal, and was discharged on 5th November 1918. So the Defence Medal was for service in the Home Guard, and I've still to do that research. The medal ribbons were in a very poor state, so I arranged with my Father to have the medals remounted and placed in a display box. The original medal ribbons were returned to us, and a good job too. When I pealed back the old ribbons, I found the original ribbon bar underneath. The 1914 Star with clasp entitles the recipient to wear a silver rosette on the medal ribbon bar when not wearing their medals and there was the rosette! The Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom and the British Empire to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness from military service in World War I. The serial number is stamped on the back of the badge and in this instance matches the certificate dated 29th November 1918 issued to G W Davies. And this is part of the problem of ancestry research, because his surname is spelt Davis. The problem doesn't stop there either; some of the medals have his name spelt Davies as well! No wonder ancestry research can be so frustrating, but I will keep on digging.

    GW Davis Medals

    Bob Cotter




    238768

    Gnr. Robert Dodson 188th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Dodson is buried in Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery.

    Michael Cooper




    238764

    Stkr. George Edward Arthur Long HMS Myrtle

    Stoker George Long was wounded when HMS Myrtle was mined on 15th July 1919 while undertaking operations with HMS Gentian in the Gulf of Finland against Bolshevik forces.

    Sandra Talbot




    238762

    Pte. Bernard Crossan 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.22nd March 1918)

    <p>

    Bernard Crossan was killed in action on the 22nd of March 1918.

    Monique




    238760

    Pte. Francis Edward Tuohey 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Frank Tuohey served in the 14th Battalion and 17th Battalion, Irish Rifles.





    238758

    Pte. James Readman 6th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.28th August 1915)

    Private James Readman was the son of John Thomas and Sarah Readman of Thornaby-on-Tees. James is remembered with honour, buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Steve Randles




    238755

    VAD Mary Rendell Voluntary Aid Detachment

    Mary Rendell from Newfoundland served at Ascot Auxiliary Hospital.





    238754

    VAD Ruby Ayre Voluntary Aid Detachment

    Ruby Ayre, from Newfoundland served with the Voluntary Aid Detachment at Ascot Auxiliary Hospital.





    238751

    Able Sea. James Alfred Lowe HMS Offa

    <p>James Alfred Lowe (HMS OFFA) 1917

    My grandfather, James Lowe, was posted aboard HMS Offa from 13th July 1916 to 30th November 1918. He had previously served aboard HMS Spitfire from 24th November 1915 to 10th June 1916. This ship was part of the 4th Flotilla and was badly damaged in the Battle of Jutland in a battle collision with the German Boat SMS Nassau on 31st May 1916. HMS Spitfire returned to port where my grandfather was posted to Portsmouth (HMS Victory) and then to HMS Offa in July.

    Malcolm Lowe




    238747

    Cpl. James Bloomfield Morris 10th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.30th Nov 1917)

    Jim Morris was my great uncle. He fought at Ypres and the Somme and was missing believed killed in action at Cambrai, France on 30th of November 1917. He was 21 years old and is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval, France.

    James was my grandmother's closest brother. He wrote to her regularly and also to his parents from the front line. My mother now keeps these letters safe along with some pictures and postcards.

    Hilary




    238745

    Act.Ldg.Stkr. Frank Woodey HMS Anchusa (d.16th July 1918)

    <p>

    Acting Leader Stoker Frank Woodey was the brother of Albert Woodey and was born in Mangotsfield on 3rd October 1893 to John and Sarah Woodey (nee Pitt). He was baptised on 3rd December 1893 at St James Church. Frank was employed as a clay miner in 1911 residing in Shortwood Lane.

    He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 9th October 1911 for a period of 5-7 years. His medical report stated that he was 5' 61/2" tall with brown hair and blye eyes with a fresh complexion and with a scar on the l.h.s of his chin.

    He first served on HMS Vivid from 9th Oct 1911 to 3rd Nov 1912 before transferring to HMS Europa from 4th Mar 1912 to 11th Apr 1912. His next ship was HMS Monmouth from 12th Apr 1912 to 1st Jan 1914 and then HMS Leander from 30th Jul 1914 to 13th Nov 1914, followed by HMS St George from 14th Nov 1914 to 5th Nov 1915. He then served on HMS Wellington from 6th Nov 1915 to 21st Mar 1917 before serving on HMS Vivid II from 22nd Mar 1917 to 29th May 1917. lastly, he served on HMS Anchusa from 20th September 1916 where he was promoted to Acting Leading Stoker on 16th March 1918.

    David




    238744

    Stkr PO Samuel Charles Iles HMS Arabis (d.10th February 1916)

    Stoker Petty Officer Samuel Charles Iles was born on 26th July 1882 in Mangotsfield to Tom and Eliza Iles and was christened on 1st October 1882 at St James Church. By 1901 he was a coal hewer in a local pit. He joined the Royal Navy on 12th August 1903; the 1911 Census shows him as a Stoker on HMS Vivid in the China Seas and the East Indies. He married Lilian May Nicholls on 29th July 1908. They had one child in their marriage, daughter Lilian Mary, born on 13th January 1910 ; they all lived in St James Place.

    The final vessel that he served on was HMS Arabis, an Arabis class minesweeping sloop which he joined on 11th December 1915. She was built by D. and W. Henderson and Company of Glasgow at yard No. 497 and was launched on 6th November 1915.

    Admiral Reinhard Scheer took command of the German High Seas Fleet in 1916 due to the illness of Admiral Hugo von Pohl and immediately began to take a more offensive strategy in the North Sea. This resulted in more frequent raids and incursions into British dominated areas. One of these occurred on 10th February 1916 when the Germans sent the 2nd, 6th, and 9th Torpedo-Boat Flotillas to the Dogger Bank in an attempt to intercept Allied shipping. At least 25 torpedo boats were deployed. The only British vessels operating in the area were the British 10th Minesweeping Flotilla, consisting of HMS Arabis, Poppy, Buttercup, and Alyssum.

    The Arabis-class sloops were armed only with two 4.7 in (120 mm) guns as well as two 3-pounder anti-aircraft guns and were little match to the large numbers of German torpedo boats. Arabis - along with the other three sloops of her division - had been engaged in sweeping a clear channel east of Dogger Bank when they were sighted by a large number of German torpedo boats. The Germans at first hesitated in attacking them as they were not familiar with the new Arabis-class vessels and thought they were much more powerful cruisers. However, with their numerical advantage the Germans decided to launch their attack anyway. The British attempted to flee back to the safety of the coast with Poppy, Buttercup and Alyssum succeeding. Arabis was not so fortunate. She was caught and engaged by three of the German torpdeo boats. After fighting off this attack, Arabis was attacked by six of the German boats and finally went down after being struck by a torpedo. Thirty of Arabis' crew were pulled from the sea by the Germans, but four of them died shortly afterwards due to exposure to the elements. The British caused some minor damage to a few of the German destroyers and the only losses from the action was HMS Arabis along with 56 of her crew killed (amongst them being Samuel Charles Iles) and another 24 captured by the Germans





    238742

    Pte. Frank Crowther 2/6th Btn., D Coy. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.11th April 1917)

    Frank Crowther was born on 24th July 1897 in Bradford. He was from a mill family and after school he became a worsted spinner.

    He joined D Company of the 2/6th West Yorkshire Regiment and arrived in France in January 1917. Frank was killed in action during the First Battle of the Scarpe, near Arras, on 11th April 1917. He was 19 years old. In his Will, dated January 1917, he left the sum of £10 to be divided equally between his father and stepmother. He has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    Gareth Owens




    238739

    Pte. John Tyrrell 4th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.8th February 1916)

    Private Tyrrell was the son of Patrick Tyrrell of Barrack St., Tullamore.

    He was 19 when he died and is buried in Grave Z.31 in the Durrow (St. Columbcille) Catholic Churchyard, Durrow, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238738

    Pte. T. Lawlor 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars (d.29th November 1918)

    Private Lawlor was the son of Mr Lawlor of Barrack St., Tullamore.

    He is buried in grave L.32 in the Durrow (St. Columbcille) Catholic Churchyard, Durrow, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238737

    Sgt. John Deely 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.9th October 1915)

    Serjeant Deely was the son of the late John Deely of Rathkeale, Co. Limerick: husband of Mary M. Deely of Webbsborough, Ballyfoyle, Co. Kilkenny.

    He was 48 when he died and is buried about 27 yards west of the entrance to the Dunmore Catholic Churchyard, Dunmore, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238736

    Pte. Job Booth 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.20th August 1916)

    Private Job Booth is buried at the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece.

    Nicholas M. Ward-Willis Esq.




    238730

    Pte. Reginald Rickard 103rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.1st July 1916)

    Reginald Rickard served with the Devonshire Regiment, number 20551 then transferred to 103rd Coy Machine Gun Corps, new number 13502. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme

    Reginald has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. He was aged 26 when he died and was the son of Rhoda Rickard of 7 Pym Street, Morice Town, Plymouth and the late John Rickard.

    Mark Collins




    238723

    Sgt. James McCusker 4th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    James McCusker was my great grandfather born in County Fermanagh in 1890. He enlisted with the 4th Battalion, Special Reserve, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1913. From what I gather from his records he was sent out in the 3rd and 2nd Battalions, respectively, to France with the British Expeditionary Force between 14th of April 1915 and the 18th of July 1916, and then again with the British Expeditionary Force to France between 7th of December 1916 and the 21st of March 1918. He was captured and was a Prisoner of War at Giessen in Germany from 22nd of March 1918 to 3rd of December 1918. He was repatriated on 20th of December 1918.

    He suffered a gun shot wound to the left side during his time in France and was in two or three base general hospitals during his time there. He went up in rank from a Private to Lance Corporal; then Corporal after four months and then on to Sergeant after another seven months during 1917. He was discharged medically unfit (20%) on 22nd of December 1919. He was awarded the British Medal; Victory Medal and 1914/15 Star. He went on to live till 47 years old and died in 1939 in Lisnaskea Brookeborough - his lifelong home.

    Kev




    238722

    Pte. Ethelbert Bibby Nicholls 2/1st Btn. Hertfordshire Regiment (d.14th April 1917)

    Bibby Ethelbert Nicholls was born 1st September 1878 in Bromley, Kent. His death certificate indicates that he died at 6th VAD Hospital, Woodside, Darlington. Edith Petter was present at the time of his death, although she is not believed to be a relative and it is not known whether she worked at the hospital and cared for Private Nicholls at the time of his death.

    Robert




    238721

    Pte. Arthur Charles Ellis 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.26th May 1917)

    Arthur Charles Ellis was the elder brother of my grandmother. When renovating my grandmother's house I discovered Arthur's photograph, medals, widows' penny and commemorative letter.

    Ian Small




    238717

    Pte. Harry Martin White 6th Btn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment (d.14th October 1915)

    Harry White was killed at or near Gun Trench by shellfire, his body was never recovered. His name is on a panel at Dud Corner Cemetery.





    238715

    1st Stwd. John Farmer HMS Anchusa (d.16th July 1918)

    Jack Farmer was born in November 1890 in Plymouth, Devon. He had an elder brother - Frederick, who later married Esther Pearce. He also had a younger brother, Claude Melnott, and two sisters, Maggie, and Emily (and Winifred?). He married Olive, and they had a son called Donald.

    HMS Anchusa was torpedoed by a German submarine off the north coast of Ireland on 16th July, 1918. The majority of the eighty officers, men and boys were lost. Jack is remembered on the War Memorial on Plymouth Hoe, and also on the Exminster War Memorial.

    Daphne




    238714

    Gnr. Gilbert Stanley Turnbull 214th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My father, Gil Turnbull, was taken prisoner on the first day of the Great German Spring Offensive on 21st of March 1918 and held in Giessen POW Camp.

    Clive S Turnbull




    238713

    Maj. M. A. Tynte Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.7th December 1918)

    Major Tynte is buried in the family plot in the west wall of the Dunlavin (St. Nicholas) Church, Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238711

    Pte. James Hurley 4th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.20th December 1915)

    Private Hurley was the husband of Sarah Hurley of 33 Costelloe's Lane, Waterford.

    He is buried in the south east part of the Dungarvan (St. Mary) Catholic Churchyard, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

    S Flynn




    238710

    POS Michael Veale HMS Vivid (d.15th July 1915)

    Petty Officer Stoker Veale is buried in the south west part of the Dungarvan (Ballinroad) Catholic Graveyard, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238709

    L/Cpl. John Holton 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.5th November 1916)

    Lance Corporal Holton was 26 when he died.

    He is buried near the south east corner of the ruins in the Dunfierth Graveyard, Dunfierth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238708

    Pte. James Robinson 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.23rd June 1915)

    Private Robinson was the son of Mrs C. Robinson of Tullynavin, Redcastle.

    He is buried in the south west boundary of the Drung Catholic Churchyard, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238707

    Pte. T. Cassidy 5th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.1st May 1918)

    Private Cassidy was the husband of Mrs M. A. Cassidy of Church St., Drumshanbo.

    He is buried in the north east part of the Drumshanbo Catholic Churchyard, Kiltoghert, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.

    S Fynn




    238706

    Pte. Alfred Ring Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)

    Great uncle Alf Ring suffered gassing and shell shock. He died in 1958.





    238700

    L/Cpl. Frederick Francis Seiffert 18th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Frederick Seiffert served with 18th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment.

    Mary Ryan




    238699

    Pte. Robert William McLaughlin 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.2nd Nov 1914)

    My grandmother, Annie McClellan, married Robert Mclaughlin in 1908 in Carlisle. They quickly had two children in two years and were living in Swansea in 1911 where Willie is recorded as a nickel worker. The family came back to Carlisle and when war broke out in 1914, Willie quickly enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment. He was 29 years old (born July 1885.) He died on 2nd of November 1914 and his name appears on the Menin Gate.

    A Maddick




    238696

    Gnr. P. Connolly 299 Seige Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.30th November 1918)

    Gunner Connolly is buried north east of the entrance to the Drumgoon (Middle Chapel) Catholic Churchyard, Drumgoon, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238695

    Pte. P. Sheridan Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.9th December 1918)

    Pte Sheridan was formerly with the North Irish Horse. He was the son of James Sheridan of Drummuellin, Farnham, Co. Cavan.

    He was 22 when he died and is buried in the south west part of the Drumcor Catholic Churchyard, Kilmore, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238694

    Pte. R. Sillery Labour Corps

    Private Sillery was 40 when he died on 23rd March 1919 and is buried in Grave E.322 in the Drumconrath New Catholic Cemetery, Drumconrath, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238693

    Pte. Thomas McHugh 6th Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.29th April 1917)

    Private McHugh was the son of Mrs S. McHugh, of Derreen, Aghacashel.

    He was 30 when he died and is buried in the near far corner from the entrance of the Drumcong Catholic Churchyard, Kiltubbrid, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238692

    Mst.Arms. Richard Edward Magee HMS Pathfinder (d.5th Sep 1914)

    My Grandfather was Ted Magee, I am very proud of him and HMS Pathfinder. His medals, Death Penny and letters were loaned to The Historic Dockyard, Chatham. Also on display is the painting of the sinking of HMS Pathfinder.

    On the 100th Commemoration I travelled to Eyemouth and boarded the dive boat belonging to Marine Quest. I joined with members of the BSAC. A wreath and Union Flag were placed on the wreck. When the divers returned, as principal guest of honour, I gave the eulogy above the wreck and placed a wreath on the North Sea. The divers presented me with the Union Flag. In the afternoon the Royal Navy arrived above the wreck and held a service. At 15.50 hours his great grandson Andrew placed a wreath at the Naval Memorial at Chatham. I have since commissioned a painting of HMS Pathfinder.

    John A Magee




    238690

    Norman Healing Barger 3 Squadron

    <p>

    Norman Barger was called-up on 18th of March 1917 aged 38. He had a wife and a 1 month old daughter at the time of his enlistment. He was a driver with 3 Squadron RFC He served in France from 15th of June 1917 until 12th of January 1919. He was transferred to the RAF Reserve on 14th of February 1919 and finally discharged on 30th of April 1920. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    3 Squadron Concert Party (NHB front row far left)

    M E Davies




    238689

    Gnr. Charles Slaughter Trench Mortar Bty.

    My Grandfather, Charles Slaughter, was awarded an Italian medal for Gallantry in 1918. I don't have much information about the medal awarded to my grandfather, for his action during WW1 in Italy, although I do have this medal with all the written provenance in Italian. My understanding is that he saved the life of an Italian officer whilst under heavy enemy fire without any regard for his own life. I think this is quite a rare medal and would love to have more details of his war participation. Like all WW1 soldiers spoke nothing about his experiences and, as his surviving Grandchild, I feel I would like to have his name recocgnised in this country for his achievement.

    I have often wondered if the Italian officer or his family have wished to have known about the English soldier who saved a member of their family. May be recorded somewhere in Italian archives perhaps someone may know some snippet of information.

    Jacqueline Cawood




    238679

    Pte. John Campbell 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.16th May 1915)

    <p>

    John Campbell was one of 11 siblings and was born in Liverpool. At the time of his death, his parents Mary and Henry Campbell lived at 48 Sterne Street in Liverpool, but the family had at some point in the past lived briefly in Bolton, Lancashire.

    John originally served in the Wiltshire Regiment for about 11 years before coming back to civilian life just prior to the First World War, and rejoined the Army as part of a draught in the second Border Regiment around March 1915 and by May 1915 he was with his unit at Festubert and was part of an attack on the 16th May in which he was killed in action. He is commemorated on the wall at Le Touret Military Cemetery as his body was never found and he has no known grave.

    Ian Campbell




    238675

    RSM. Albert Owen James MSM. 11th Btn. Army Cyclist Corps

    <p>

    RSM Bert James MSM was my grandfather and was taken prisoner in Italy during the First World War. He was senior NCO at the Cottbus POW camp and I am seeking more information on his battalion.

    Sketches of inmates at Cottbus POW camp





    238673

    Pte. James Alphonsus Kavanagh 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.3rd June 1916)

    James Kavanagh enlisted in Galway under age. He was born in 1900 in Cork and was a resident of Eyercourt, Galway.





    238672

    Pte. John Haxton 6/7th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.13th Oct 1918)

    John Haxton's parents were John Haxton and Margaret Heggie of Markinch, Fifeshire, Scotland. John was my grandmother's brother, and was aged 35 when he died on 13th October 1918. He was killed in action in France during WW1 and is buried in Avesnes-le-Sec Communal Cemetery. I am still researching the details, eg where he was killed, whether he left a wife and family etc. He was in 7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, which amalgamated with 1/6th Battalion to form the 6/7th Battalion on 6th October 1918.

    S Jones




    238668

    Pte. James William Holden 7th Field Ambulance

    James Holden married my great, great aunt, Ellen William from Wagin WA.





    238663

    Pte Emmanuel Hankey 9th Btn Cheshire Regiment (d.20 September 1917)

    Pte Emmanuel Hankey was my great-uncle, from Northwich, Cheshire. He died, along with 2 of his brothers Thomas and Samuel in the Great War. My grandfather John Hankey (also known as John Brown) survived.

    Karen Kitchener




    238662

    Drmr. James Joseph McCullagh 1st Signal Coy. Royal Engineers (d.9th May 1917)

    Drummer McCullagh was the son of Charles McCullagh, of 3, Tolkca Cottages, Drumcondra.

    He was 20 when he died and is buried in Section 5 Grave 4 east of the church in the Crumcondra (St. John the Baptist) Churchyard, Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238660

    Pte. Robert Hussey 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.13th August 1916)

    Private Hussey was the son of Robert Hussey, of Charleville, Dunleer, Co. Louth.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried north of the church in the Drumcar (St. Fintan) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Drumcar, Co. Louth.

    S Flynn




    238658

    Pte. George Duff Chalmers 2nd Btn. Royal Scots

    Private Chalmers was the son of the late Alexander Watson Chalmers and the late Martha Chalmers, of Edinburgh.

    He was 18 when he died on 10th June 1921 and is buried in the Drumaun Isolated Grave, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238657

    Pte. Robert Andrew Kenna 3rd Btn. Irish Guards (d.3rd November 1916)

    Private Kenna was the son of the late James and Mary Anne Kenna, of Deanery St., Belturbet, Co. Cavan.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried north west of the church in the Drumalee Catholic Churchyard, Annagh, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238654

    Spr. Michael Casey Royal Engineers

    Sapper Casey late (3/6316) Royal Munster Fusiliers was the son of Mrs Mary Casey, of Cromane, Killorglin.

    He was 35 when he died on 18th June 1919 and is buried near the south boundary of the Dromavally Burial Ground, Killorglin, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238652

    2nd Lt. Edmund John Hibbard 12th (The Rangers) Btn. London Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

    <p>

    My great uncle Jack Hibbard died on 9th April 1917 leading attacks against Neuville-Vitasse just outside Arras. He led his men over the top three times and was wounded each time; the last one was fatal. He's buried in the London Cemetery at Neuville-Vitasse and I had the honour of lunching with him there in May 2014. The CWGC do a wondrous job maintaining these memorial cemeteries.

    David Cobb




    238645

    Sgt. Frank Pollard 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.23rd August 1918)

    Frank Pollard was a Christmas Day baby, born five months after his father's death in a train crash. He was looked after by his sister who was six years older than him as their mother had to go to work after her huband's death to support her four children. Frank was reported missing in action and the family never really knew what had happened to him. In fact, he was shot by a German sniper en route from Achiet le Petit to Achiet le Grand, part of the final push against the Germans.

    Elaine Scarlett




    238644

    Pte. J. McGrane Depot Northumberland Fusiliers

    Private McGrane was the son of Bridget McGrane, of 1, Mill Row, Drogheda.

    He was 48 when he died on 3rd December 1919 and is buried in Grave 4.820 in the Drogheda (St. Peter's) Catholic Cemetery, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238643

    A.M.1 Francis McCullough Depot (Halton)

    Air Mechanic 1st Class McCullough was 65 when he died on 22nd February 1919. He is buried in grave 764 in the Drogheda (St. Peter's) Catholic Cemetery, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238642

    Ld.Sea. Laurence Mackin SS Highland Glen (d.14th December 1918)

    Leading Seaman Mackin was the son of J. Mackin, of 6, James Terrace, Scarlett, Drotheda.

    He is buried in Grave 4.464 in the Drogheda (St. Peter's) Catholic Cemetery, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238641

    Lt.Col. Oliver Goldsmith Ievers Irish Censor Department (d.12th Feb 1916)

    Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Ievers was formerly with the Indian Army. He was the son of Capt. Henry Rogers Ievers (Royal Artillery) and Eliza Anderson Rehe Ievers; husband of Jane West Babington Shaw Stewart Ievers, of Combe Lodge, Alcombe, Minehead. He was 53 when he died of an illness and is buried in the Drogheda (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238632

    Pte. Stephen Bishopp MM. 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.7th May 1918 )

    Stephen Bishopp died in a POW camp.

    Neil Bishopp




    238631

    Asst.Stwd. Daniel McArthur HMS Bayano (d.11th March 1915)

    <p>

    Daniel McArthur served as an assistant steward on HMS Bayano.

    Raymond




    238624

    Cpl. Felix Cassidy 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.19th Apr 1918)

    Felix Cassidy was my Great uncle. He served with the 8th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment.

    Fred Hurley




    238623

    Cpl. Authur Maurice Gidden 24th Btn. Welsh Regiment

    My Grandfather Cpl Arthur Gidden saw service in Egypt between 1916 - 1918 as part of the Glamorgan Yeomany and then as part of the 24th Welsh Regiment. I have read that they were then sent to France during 1918 I cannot find out if he did go to France or was sent back to the UK I would be interested to hear what if any battles he took part in. After the war he when back to his old job as an Electric Tram Driver with Cardiff Tram Company. He died in 1938

    Richard Jenkins




    238622

    Pte. Percy Frank Moore 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    Percy Moore enlisted on 2nd February 1910 at Aberdeen. He stated his place of birth as Aberdeen, probably in the hope it would sound more desirable for the Gordon Highlanders than his actual birth place of Guernsey. His age on enlistment was 19 years and 5 months, his service numbers were 405, and later as a reservist 2865163 - which he was from 11th April 1921 to 7th April 1926.

    Percy was taken a Prisoner of War. He was captured near the village of Bertry south of Le Cateau, France on 26th of August 1914. Sadly, my Grandfather talked very little about his experiences, in fact my mother says it was a taboo subject all of her childhood. She was amazed to find that he talked a little more openly to his grandchildren, my brother and I during the 1960/70s.

    All that I remember him saying was that if it wasn't for a shrapnel wound to his leg he would have managed to escape the Germans. By the accounts above some soldiers did make it out of the conflict at Le Cateau. Cruelty - I remember so clearly that when I was about 7-8 ish my grandfather told my brother and I about the time he nearly lost an eye. "A German soldier was bullying us British and he took a particular dislike to me, he followed me and when I entered a room on my own he came at me with a pen-knife and said he was going to remove my eye with it. I believed him and was very frightened! Luckily for me and just in the nick of time a higher ranking soldier came in and stopped him." There is probably so much more to this story, but as with many of my fellow genealogists I just wish I'd asked the right questions and recorded the stories at the time, but in fairness I was only 7 years old at the time.

    Another anecdote Percy told was that he was imprisoned with the entertainer Maurice Chevalier. All these years later I am able to verify that Maurice was indeed imprisoned in WW1, and in two of the same camps as Percy. How well he knew him I cannot be sure, but my mother was sure that he shared quarters with him.

    Percy worked as a personal butler for Rupert Keppel after the war. My mother told me that they met whilst imprisoned, and remained in contact on their repatriation. In what capacity a bond developed - a friendship, or in service I cannot be sure, but they were both taken prisoner a day apart Landrecies and Le Chateau. I suspect their association started shortly after capture. Records suggest that prisoners of officer ranks were held in different camps to other ranks and it is difficult to decipher from the Red Cross records whether they were in the same camps at the same time, thus placing them together during their internment. A bond between them certainly did occur, because Percy worked for Rupert Keppel as soon as he got married and came back from Switzerland. I assume his employment terminated soon after the annulment of Keppel's marriage in 1921. My Grandfather was very respectful of Hon. Rupert Keppel and later named his son Derek in his honour.

    From all that I have read, it would seem that Percy would have been sick or injured to be transferred to Switzerland. I know that he received a leg injury during the retreat of the Battle at Le Cateau, but I always assumed he recovered from that quite well - he never limped or used a walking stick in later life. Infectious disease were rife in the camps, and by 1918 Percy had had three and half years of internment so it would be no wonder that he was susceptible to some infection - a lung problem perhaps, or malnutrition. Whatever it was there is no mention of it in his postcards to Hilda, and in general afterwards. I have also learned that it became every prisoners' goal to get to a neutral country. All manner of bribery and trickery was employed (understandably) to get the authority to be moved.

    Another reason to be moved was if the Rt. Hon R Keppel was moved to Switzerland and he persuaded the authorities to let him take Percy too as a valet, I have read that other officers did this - just my theory. I always assumed from what my mother told me that they were together in Leysin, but I have not found any evidence to this end. Further research revealed mention that prisoners in Germany of four years or more could apply to be transferred to Switzerland, so maybe that was reason enough!

    At present I don't know where Percy returned too in December 1918. Newspapers in Aberdeen listed returning soldiers and their names, but his is not on those lists.

    He would have no reason to want to return to Scotland because his parents were now living in Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire, and Hilda would be living with his sister Lily in Coventry. He may have been received back to Barracks in Colchester, Plymouth or Aldershot. Whether or not he was then confined as he puts it in one of his cards I'm not sure, but I should imagine he would have wanted to get straight to see Hilda for her birthday on 15th December. In any case, it couldn't have been long because they were married in Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire on 1st January 1919.

    Carole Chiverton




    238620

    Jack Smith 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    I don't know much about my grandfather, Jack Smith, as he died before I was born. My uncle told me that he was a post man who joined the Post Office Rifles during WW1. He must have lied about his age to enlist as he was born in 1898/99. Luckily he survived the war.

    Keith Smith




    238615

    Rflmn. David Washington Craig 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.15th August 1916)

    Death recorded on 15th August 1916. Buried in Le Plus Douve (annexe) Cemetry Ypres beside Ration Farm.

    John Craig




    238613

    Pte. Sydney Lancelot Wood 2/4th Btn., H Coy. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    This information was sourced from the Red Cross website of POWs, CWG Commission and military documents that I own.

    Sydney Wood served with the Colours from the 26th June 1908 to 3rd August 1914 (6 years 2 months). He was in South Africa from the 1st January 1909 to 1st December 1910 (1 year 11 months). In Hong Kongm 2nd December 1910 to 17th January 1913 (2 years 1 month) then in Singapore 22nd January 1913 to 14th January 1915 (2 years).

    During War he served with the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry from 4th August 1914 to 23rd March 1919 (4 years 8 months) when he became Army Reserve Class B. He reenlisted on the 24th of March 1919 and served until 5th February 1920 (10 months) He served in France from 15th January 1915 to 24th October 1915 (9 months) in Egypt from 25th October 1915 to 30th November 1915 (1 month) then in Salonica from 1st December 1915 to 18th August 1917 (1 year 9 months) He returned to France on the 15th of March 1918. He was taken POW on the 27th March 1918 and held until to 30th November 1918 (8 months)

    His POW card reads: A55516 Wood S. Pte 9757. KOYLI Missing 27th March 1918 France. Rep. Mrs A Wood (mother) 34 Wodehouse St, Norwich, Norfolk, England According to a letter send to the family dated 28th June 1918, he is a prisoner in Germany. PH 40751 15 November 1918 Wood Sidney 9757 Pte 2/4th KOYLI H Coy born 14th March 1888, Norwich taken 27th March 1918 Sommecourt, unwounded. Transferred from Parchim POW camp to Freidrichsfeld POW camp.

    Miranda Tindle




    238607

    Pte. Daniel O'Halloran 2nd/10th Bn. Royal Scots (d.24th July 1918)

    Daniel O'Halloran is buried in plot C.369 in the Drogheda (Calvary) Catholic Cemetery, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238604

    Sto1 Alexander Davis HMS Foyle (d.15th March 1917)

    Stoker 1st Class Davis was the husband of Mary F. Martin (formerly Davis), of 12, Lissant St., Edgehill, Liverpool.

    He was 42 when he died and is buried in plot D.153 in the Drogheda (Calvary) Catholic Cemetery, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238600

    Pte. Christopher Burke 1st Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.28th August 1915)

    Private Burke was the son of Thomas and Anne Burke, of 16, Marsh Rd., Drogheda.

    He was 22 when he died of wounds and is buried in plot M.36 the Drogheda (Calvary) Catholic Cemetery, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238598

    CG Daniel Regan HMS Dreadnought

    Chief Gunner Regan was the husband of Mary Regan, of Glenview, Leap, Co. Cork.

    He was 44 when he died on 6th July 1919 and is buried Between the tower and the East corner of the Drinagh Old Graveyard, Drinagh, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238597

    Pte. J. Mahoney Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Private Mahoney was transferred to the (364010) Labour Corps.

    He was 43 when he died on 9th April 1919 and is buried near the west boundary of the Drimoleague Old Graveyard, Drimoleague, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238595

    Gdsmn. Timothy Killeen Irish Guards

    Guardsman Killeen was the brother of George Killeen, of Doonbeg, Co. Clare.

    He died on 31st July 1919 and is buried between the entrance and the church in the Doonbeg Catholic Churchyard, Doonbeg, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238594

    Pte. Christopher Sexton Army Service Corps (d.24th October 1918)

    Private Sexton was the son of Mrs Bridget Sexton, of 9, Moyland Place, Cork.

    He is buried in the north west part of the Donoughmore Catholic Churchyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238591

    Pte. Jerome Joseph Murphy Otago Regiment (d.19th October 1918)

    Private Murphy was the son of William Murphy, of Acres, Dripsey, Co. Cork.

    He was 20 when he died and is buried in the north west part of the Donoughmore Catholic Churchyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238590

    Capt. Joseph Lynch Coakley Labour Corps (d.19th Oct 1917)

    Captain Joseph Coakley, late Rifle Brigade, is buried near the north east boundary of Donoughmore Catholic Churchyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238588

    Pte. William Garlick Neville 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    My great uncle William Garlick Neville was killed on the first day of the Somme - 1st July 1916 - and is buried at Redan Ridge Cemetary No 2 in Beaumont Hamel. He came from Mortimer in Berkshire and was my grandad's younger brother. Before the war he was the postman for the village and a local bell ringer. He is also commemerated on the web page for the Central Council of Bellringers and on the war memorial in Mortimer.

    Carole Sheppard




    238583

    2Lt. Leslie Robert Tilley Royal Garrison Artillery

    Leslie Tilley's recollections of Defending the Tyne





    238581

    Sub Lt. Rupert Gray MID Howe Btn. Royal Naval Division

    Rupert Gray was a CPO in the RN before joining the Royal Naval Division as an experienced old hand. He served in the Defence of Antwerp and Gallipoli with the Howe Battalion. During the Gallipoli campaign CPO Gray was MID in October 1915 during a fierce encounter at Worcester Barricade. He was commissioned in the field as a Sub lieutenant and returned to the UK for further training and leave. He rejoined the Howe and participated in the taking of Beaument Hamel on 13/14th November 1916. He was severely wounded and buried alive by an exploding shell. He survived but suffered from neurasthenia (shell shock) and was sent as a special case to Lord Knutsford's Red Cross Hospital in London. He then came to Templeton House Hospital before going on to several other convalescent hospitals, mainly at Silwood Park, Sunningdale and Martineau Hospital, Holyport. He was eventually discharged in August 1918 with traumatic neurasthenia.

    Rupert Gray served on HMS Medina during the Dehli Durbar Coronation in 1911 and received the medal and a RN Long Service Medal. No information is available as to his later years and how he was able to cope with his disability. His next of kin was given as Brother 'Thomas' Central Hotel, Wood Street, Northampton.

    Andrew Marsh




    238580

    Pte. William Fry 53rd Battalion (d.26th Jul 1916)

    William Fry was a miner from Llanebidian, Wales, he tried to enlist in 1914 but was under height. He emigrated to Australia and enlisted in the AIF.





    238579

    Pte. John Thomas Frank Northumberland Fusiliers

    My maternal, Grandfather John Thomas Frank, served in both the Northumberland Fusiliers and the Labour Corps during World War 1.

    He was taken as a prisoner of war in 1918 after having been gassed. Family legend has it that he was badly treated by his captors, due to his German surname, but he was Geordie born and bred, and his family were at least 3rd generation British. Surprisingly he was fourty four in 1914, but I believe he was called up because of his previous military experience. John had been a Northumberland Fusilier during the Boer War.

    John Thomas survived both these conflicts and was still alive during World War 2, but unfortunately was run over by a bus and died as a result of his injuries. The accident occurred during the black-out while he was on his way home from the pub.

    David Darling




    238576

    Pte. George Mitchell Fryer 9th Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.1st Feb 1917)

    George Fryer died near Thiepval. His body was never recovered. Fighting at the time was minimal due to extremely cold weather.

    R M Barrett




    238574

    Gnr. Charles Alfred Hunt 123rd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.8th May 1915)

    Charles Hunt was my grandfather who I never met. He left a widow, Edith, who died reputedly of a broken heart four or five years later, leaving a school-age family of three girls and two boys, one of whom was my father.





    238573

    Pte. Frank Kendrick 12th Btn., A Coy. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.5th June 1918)

    Frank Kendrick served with the 12th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment in WW1. We do not know very much about him but he was my Great, Great Grandfather. We have found out that his special skill was tunnels and trenches. He was killed in action in France on 5th June 1918 and is buried in Thiennes British Cemetery.

    Lyn Fox




    238572

    Rflmn. Thomas W. Wells 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.27th April 1915)

    Thomas W. Wells was the brother of my maternal grandfather, Percy Wells, who served in the Second World War in the Troop Transport Ships and then in the Royal Navy Reserve in a Minesweeper.

    I am aware that Thomas was a Rifleman (No 745) in the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) killed at Ypres Salient, France on the 27th April 1915, but know little else about him. I have a photograph that is purported to be him. However, the uniform he is wearing does not seem to match any that I have been able to find for his Battalion on the internet.

    If anyone is able to enlighten me as to where I may find details of his service, it would be most appreciated, as I live in Australia, and I think I am the only one endeavouring to piece together the Well's family story.

    Brian Russell




    238567

    Pte. William Charles Green 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.30th Aug 1915)

    William Green died on 30th August 1915 aged 29 while serving his country. He is buried in the Hop Store Cemetery at Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium. He was my great uncle.

    Gillian Carter




    238566

    Frederick Charles Goulding 134th Army Troops Company Royal Engineers

    Frederick Goulding was born circa 1873. His military service record dates from 1915, (aged 42) with the 134th Army Troops Company of the Royal Engineers. He was husband to Ethel Gertrude Wells, and father to Frederick Maxwell and Sydney Goulding at the time of his service.

    Josephine Weller




    238564

    Rflmn. John Ryan 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.3rd June 1915)

    Rifleman Ryan is buried to the Left (East) side of main path in the Doneraile (Old Court) Cemetery, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238563

    J. Cahill Army Service Corps (d.27th Oct 1917)

    Shoeing Smith J. Cahill was the husband of Sarah Cahill of 22 St. Patrick's Terrace, Navan. He was 52 when he died and is buried in the south west part of the Donaghmore Old Graveyard, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238562

    Pte. Frederick Magan 8th Btn. (King's Royal Irish) Hussars (d.27th February 1915)

    Private Magan was the Son of Mrs. M. J. Magan, of Main St., Celbridge.

    He is buried in no. 51 in the new ground of the Donaghcumper Cemetery, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238561

    L/Cpl. Fred Augustus Hinch Depot Royal Irish Rifles (d.28th November 1916)

    Lance Corporal Hinch was the Son of William and Susan Hinch, of Celbridge.

    He was 26 when he died and he is buried in no 98 in the new ground of the Donaghcumper Cemetery, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238560

    Rflmn. Thomas Collins 3rd Reserve Btn. New Zealand Rifle Brigade (d.27th December 1917)

    Rifleman Collins is buried in the Dolla Old Graveyard, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238559

    Dvr. Norman Hunter B33 DACB Echelon Royal Field Artillery

    Norman Hunter enlisted on the 26th of April 1915. He lived in Beverly and joined up in Hull. He survived the war also served in 32nd DAC. I have both of his active service pay books from covering 1915 to 1917.

    Andy Broadhurst




    238558

    Pte. John McCallum 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.28th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    I have inherited John McCallum's medals and would like to return them to his family if possible.

    Tracey Robinson




    238557

    Able Sea. John Connor HMS Vivid

    Able Seaman Connor was the Son of Eileen Connor, of Killelane, Dingle.

    He died on the 12th March 1920 and is buried on the south boundary of the Dingle (St. James) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238554

    L/Cpl. Herbert Douglas 4th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Lance Corporal Douglas was the son of Mrs Louise Douglas, of Shantonagh, Ballybay.

    He was 19 when he died on the 29th March 1919 and is buried in the north east part of the Derryvally Presbyterian Churchyard, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238553

    Boy Tel. Arthur William James Parry HMS Ganges (d.21st December 1916)

    Boy Telegraphist Parry was the son of Mrs E. J. Mills, of Market St., Cootehill.

    He was 16 when he died and is buried east of the church in the Dernakesh Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238549

    Pte. James Adams MM. 2nd Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment

    My grandfather Jim Adams died in 1954, before I was born, unfortunately. I was only told that he had been a prisoner of war during the First World War and marched across a desert. He never talked about it, like many survivors from that time. I know that he apparently had a huge tattoo of St George and the Dragon on his chest. He was part of the Seige of Kut where they were eventually forced to surrender as they were dying from starvation. They were then force-marched from Kut in Iraq to Bagtsche, Turkey where he was held as a prisoner for two years.

    It wasn't until recent research that I discovered that he was awarded the Military Medal and was one of the survivors from thousands enduring unspeakable hardships. Finally there were only 70 of 350 captured who came home from his regiment.

    He was a very brave man of whom I am extremely proud.

    Jo Mortimer




    238545

    Pte. Thomas Ellis 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.1st Dec 1917)

    Thomas Ellis was my paternal grandfather, about whom I new nothing until three weeks ago. I have his service records from the Coldstream Guards, and his burial details from the CWGC. He died at the battle of Cambrai, during the German counter offensive, on 1st of December 1917, age 28. He is commemorated at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, and my wife and I are due to visit his grave in a little over four months time. It will be emotionally difficult, but no more than he deserves. He will not be forgotten.

    Stephen Ellis




    238540

    Ac2 Robert Johnstone (d.12th November 1918)

    Robert Johnstone is buried west of the main path in the Delgany (Christ Church) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238539

    Pte. J. W. Byrne 4th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.11th December 1918)

    Private Bryne was the son of Charles Byrne, of 6, New Cottages, Killincarrig, Delgany.

    He was 40 when he died and is buried in the north west part of the Delgany (Christ Church) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238538

    Pte. R. Bohan Royal Army Service Corps

    Private Bohan was 27 when he died on the 13th of April 1919 and is buried south east of the ruin in the Danestown Graveyard, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238537

    Worker B. E. Geoghegan Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps (d.29th November 1918)

    Worker Geoghegan was the daughter of Mr P. Geoghegan, of Glencree, Enniskerry.

    She is buried near the east boundary of the Curtlestown Catholic Churchyard, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238536

    2nd Lt. Bertram Bloom 3rd Btn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.30th June 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Bloom is buried in the west part of the Currykippane Jewish Cemetery, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238534

    Lt.Col. Gerald Hugh Charles Madden MID 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.12th Nov 1915)

    Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Madden of Hilton Park, 1st Batt. Irish Guards, was severely wounded in the fighting near Bethune on 11th of October 1915, from the effects of which he died in hospital in London. He is buried in the south west part of the Currin Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238533

    Gnr. Bertie A. Harber 15th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th Sep 1917)

    Bertie A. Harber, I don't really know who this young man was, but his name was brought to my attention while looking at the Every Man Remembered memorial site. I was simply glancing at men with my same surname. He caught my eye because we share the same initials, B.A.H., and so I began scouring the internet for more information about him.

    According to his Medal Record, Bertie entered the war theatre in France on October 12th, 1915. He served as a Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery, 15th Siege Battery. His medal card also lists his date of death as September 26th, 1917, however; I found that there were six casualties on the 25th, all buried at Tincourt (where he is also buried), so I suspect he may have been one of them. From other sources on forums and bulletin boards, I've learned that in September 1917, the 15th Siege Battery was a part of the 21st HAG in Villers-Guislain. The battery was split and two Howitzers sent south the Epehy, leaving two in Villers-Guislain; I don't know which location Bertie was at.

    Though I only share his initials and surname, I have no reason to suspect any actual relationship. However, I still feel a strange sense of connection after looking him up. I hope this brief account helps to remember one more soldier, someone's son. May they all, and all they gave, be remembered. Godspeed, Bertie.

    Benjamin Andrew Harber




    238530

    Pte. George Dimmock 11th Btn. Notts & Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters)

    George Dimmock joined up on 26th October 1914, at Longton, Stoke on Trent. He was married on 4th August 1907. He was posted to the 11th Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment.

    George was posted to France on 27th August 1915. Battles he fought in during 1915 were: Neuve Chapelle, Aubers and action at Bois Grenier and, in 1916, at the Battle of Albert. He was wounded on 1st July 1916 and returned to the UK on 9th of that month. He was at home until 13th December 1916 - 157 days. He returned to France on 14th December and remained there until 31st March 1917. George returned to the UK on 1st April 1917 and was invalided out on 3rd December 1917. He was awarded the Silver War Badge with the 10th Battalion.

    Donald McLean




    238522

    Pte. John Threlfall 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.9th Nov 1917)

    John Threlfall was transferred from the Cheshire Regiment to the 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment. He died at Passchendaele and is buried at Poelcapelle British Cemetery outside Ypres.

    David Buckwell




    238518

    Pte. Walter William Jones 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.10th March 1915)

    Walter William Jones was born in Southwark in 1888. His family moved to West Ham in the early 1900s. All I know about him is from research and the bronze "Widow's Penny" given to me by my late father when he was 90 years old in 1996 and I was told that this was my grandfather. This was the first I had heard of him.

    Walter William was in India in 1911 at the time of the Census with the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, his service number was 641 at this time.

    I am not sure where he was between 1911 and 1914 but by then he had joined the 2nd Battalion (service number 8383). I believe that the 2nd Battalion were in Bermuda in 1914. They left Bermuda in August 1914 for Halifax, Nova Scotia then on to England on 3rd October 1914, arriving in France - landing at Le Havre - on 6th November 1914. The 2nd Lincolns were attached to the 25th Brigade, 8th Division.

    I presume he was a regular soldier by now as I have read that the 2nd Battalion were mainly regulars.

    He was killed at the Battle of Neuve Chappelle on 10th March 1915. He has no known grave and is listed on the War Memorial at Le Touret Military Cemetery.

    Irene Sankus




    238517

    Cpl. Albert Richardson 12th Btn., C Coy. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    Albert Richardson served as a signaller with C Coy. 12th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    From left - Albert, his father John Richardson, his mother Elizabeth Sessford, brother John Richardson.  Small boy is grandson Thomas Albert Richardson, child of John and Elizabeth's deceased daughter.  The photograph was taken in Kent in August 1915 before the 12th Durham Light Infantry went to France.

    Louise Post




    238506

    Sgt. James Stanton 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.17th February 1917)

    James Stanton was my grandfather. He was killed in a trench raid at Ploegsteert, Belgium along with about 50 others. He is buried at the Berks Extension cemetery. He left a widow and a three year old daughter, my mother. His Captain described him as a brave man and a popular and well respected sergeant. My two brothers and I visited his grave on 17th February this year, 2017, the hundredth anniversary of his death.

    Peter Leigh




    238505

    Cpl. James McArther Bird 12th Service Btn. Royal Scots (d.25th Sep 1915)

    James Bird enlisted on 9th September 1914 in Edinburgh (an Army reservist, with previous service of 2 years in the Royal Scots). His detailsa re listed as Height: 5'4 1/4". Weight: 118 lbs. Chest: 36". Eyes: Grey. Hair: Black. Girl tattoo on right forearm. Religion: Presbyterian. He jointed the 12th (Service) Battalion, formed at Edinburgh, in August 1914, as part of Kitchener's 1st New Army. He landed in France in May 1915 and went into action at the Battle of Loos.

    On the 25th of September 1915 James was reported wounded and missing in action. It was not until the 9th of October 1916 that it was "Accepted for offical purposes as having died on or since 25th September 1915". Posthumously he was awarded the Great War Medal, received by his wife Agnes 11th April 1920, and the 1914-1915 Bronze Star, also received by his wife Agnes on 4th December 1920.





    238499

    Dvr. John Keil 71st Field Company Royal Engineers

    John Keil is named on the St. George in the East War Memorial, I am researching all those listed. His WW1 Service Record is one of the few to have survived and it states that he was sent to the Special Military Surgical Hospital, Church Lane, Tooting on 6th of May 1919. He also served briefly with the Royal Navy (enlisting 1910).

    Alison Cook




    238498

    Sgt. Walter Burnett Springer 2nd/6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Walter Springer served with the 2nd/6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters and the Machine Gun Corps.

    Helen Springer




    238493

    Act. Sgt. Harry Kilmister 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    Harry Kilmister fought at Gallipoli including Chunik Bair, and was evacuated along with his comrades to Egypt in January 1916. After that, he was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps, with 20% disability.

    Wayne Finch




    238489

    Pte. M. Rahilly 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.6th June 1918)

    Private Rahilly served as O`Rahilly. He is buried in the north west part of the Cullen Old Cemetery, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238487

    Sto1 J. R. Wood HMS Racoon (d.9th January 1918)

    Stoker 1st Class Wood is buried in the north east corner of the Culdaff Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238485

    Pte. Arthur Tilling 75th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.8th February 1917)

    Arthur Tilling was called up as a special reservist on 28th August, 1914, aged 40 years and rejoined his old Corps - the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was posted to the 75th Field Ambulance which was part of the 25th Division. The unit embarked for France from Southampton on 24th September. Arthur was killed in action in France on 8th February, 1917. He is buried in the Nieppe Communal Cemetery in France. Grave Ref: IV.B.5

    He was the son of Henry and Charlotte Tilling of Barnsbury in Islington and the husband of Daisy Jane Tilling of 20 Arundel Square, London, N1.

    Paul Bourton




    238484

    Pte. William Thomas Fosbrook 7th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    William Fosbrook was my maternal grandfather. He was sent to France around December 1916 having just turned 18. He was taken prisoner at Albert on 27th March 1918 and moved through various POW camps and hospitals before returning to London from Danzig (Poland) via Leith in December and marrying my grandmother in 1920. He bore the effects of frost bite and mustard gas all of his life until he died aged 72. He was a lively and mischievous grandad who loved to tell stories. I wish I'd have been old enough to ask him about his. In loving memory.

    Lorraine




    238482

    Rflmn. Arthur Edward Felix 11th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

    My grandfather, Arthur Felix, joined the 11th KRRC, I think during the last stages of the 1918 war. He was greatly affected by the memories and often had nightmares, so my mother says.

    He would tell me about the trench foot and how horrible gas attacks were but otherwise he did not say much about his experiences. He was a good tailor and he said he would often alter friends' uniforms, so that they would fit better because army policy was 'one size fits all'. He died in 1976. This is a short account but still relevant to us as a family.

    Teresa Gooderson




    238480

    Capt. Thomas Hall Waugh MC. 22nd Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusilliers (d.6th June 1917)

    Thomas Waugh served with the Tyneside Scottish. I own his Military Cross and during my research but cannot find any information about him, his cause of death and why he received his medal.

    Nick Hingston




    238478

    Pte. William Briggs 9th (West Belfast) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    William Briggs, was the brother of my Grandfather John (Stoker RN,) both resided at 13 Elizabeth Street, Grosvenor Road, Belfast.

    William joined the 9th Royal Irish Rifles on the 21st of October 1914 at the age of 21.5 yrs. He remained at home training at various locations both in Ireland and England until the 1st of October 1915 before deploying to France. His war time service was up until the 7th of March 1916 when he was returned home to convalesce at the Bangour War Hospital, Edinburgh after losing his index finger and thumb on his right hand as a result of a detonator. He returned to Ireland on light duties until his honorable discharge as unfit for war service on the 25th of July 1916.

    He later married and lived off the Donegal Road, Belfast, but both a son and wife died early. William lived until 1968 passing at the age of 75yrs.

    Brian Scott




    238471

    Pte. Clifford George Gingell 5th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment

    My Grandfather Clifford Gingell served in the 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment throughout WW1. I remember him being sent a little box of shamrocks every St Patricks day. My uncle told me they were from his army pal, Mr Chris Kelly of Tiperarary Ireland.

    He seldom talked about his experiences but did say on the boat going ashore during the Suvla Bay Landing, he decided to follow right behind an officer when they reached the beach, a man next to him stood on a mine.





    238470

    Pte. Thomas Henry Chapman 1/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters

    Harry Chapman was my grandfather and he served throughout World War I. He only spoke to me once about the war, which was when I told him I was going to join the Women's Royal Naval Service in 1974. He said that if he had his time over again he would join the RAF. I asked why, as he had never expressed this idea before. He said that when he was in the trenches, he used to look up and see the men flying above and think, "God, I wish I was up there."

    Elaine Taylor




    238467

    Pte. John Fogarty 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.27th December 1918)

    Private Fogarty was the son of Thomas Fogarty, of Corbally, Quin, Co. Clare.

    He was 25 when he died and is buried near the north west boundary of the Crusheen (Kylwince) Cemetery, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238466

    Pte. Thomas Lynch 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.6th September 1916)

    Private Lynch was the son of Patrick Lynch, of Derrylea, Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan.

    He is buried in the west part of the Crosserlough Catholic Churchyard, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238464

    Pte. Andrew Delaney 13th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.31st May 1915)

    Private Delaney was the husband of Elizabeth Mackey (formerly Delaney), of Ballitore, Co. Kildare.

    He was 35 when he died and is buried in the Crookstown Catholic Churchyard, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238463

    Pte. Walter Henry Platt 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.14th April 1917)

    My grandfather, Walter Platt, died at the Battle of Arras on 14th April 1917. He left behind a wife and five children - four girls and the eldest a boy who was my father. He was taken to a field hospital but died of wounds. I am going to visit the Warlincourt Halte Cemetery in March of this year, 100 years almost from the date of his death to stand by his grave. The grandfather I never knew.

    Valerie Maling




    238462

    Pte. Augustine Clews 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.30th Oct 1916)

    We only discovered our great uncle Augustine Clews existing a few days ago. My father was looking through some documents which his mother had left him at the time of her death and came across a death notice for Augustine Clews, South Staffordshire Regiment, 8th Battalion, died on the 30th of October 1916, aged 20, as a result of gassing. After some research we discovered Augustine is buried in Bilston Cemetery, although some websites claim he is buried at Hemley Cemetery in Stoke on Trent. We have found his grave, which is in surprisingly good condition.

    It seems Uncle Gus was a taboo subject in the family, maybe due to his untimely death. It is sad to think he has been there all along, only a few miles from where we live. Now we know where he is laid he will never have a forgot Remembrance Day again. As a family we are carrying out further research to see if his name is on any war memorials and the location of his death.

    Tanya




    238461

    Frederick Roberts HMS Neptune

    Frederick Roberts was born in 1899 is remembered in memorials in St Wilfrid's Church, Buckland, Portsmouth. The record gives his role as 2 Canteen Ass., HMS Neptune. He died apparently in the first quarter of 1917 (England & Wales deaths 1837-2007). A note in the church records adds that he died after being invalided. He is not listed by CWGC, and the cause of death is not known.





    238457

    VAD. Bertha Body Kent 20 Voluntary Aid Detachment

    <p>

    Bertha Body from Gibbets Oak Farm, Tenterden nursed Jim Barr, a Canadian soldier at Tenterden VAD Hospital. She married him in 1919 and moved to Canada.

    Tenterden VADs

    Ivor Body




    238450

    L/Cpl. John Reynolds 1st Battalion Irish Guards (d.15th Sep 1916)

    John Reynolds served with 1st Battalion, Irish Guards. He was my great uncle I would love if someone had some stories or photographs of him to share.

    Bevin Savage




    238444

    Pte. Frederick Burberry 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Frederick Burbery signed his attestation Paper on the 18th of Feb 1907 to join the Army and was assigned to the West Yorkshire Regiment. Regimental No. 8376.

    He was an Officer's servant (valet) for 3 years and of good character. He married Selina Barker on the 16th of August 1913

    A Court of Inquiry 9 October 1909 found that: On the 13 September 1909 Private Frederick Burbery, was on army manuoeuvres on a bicycle with other members of his unit, when the front wheel broke off and he was thrown over the handlebars hitting his head and bleeding from his ear. Found not to be at fault.

    Fred was mobilized on the 5th of August 1914, and went to France on the 8th of September 1914, He was reported missing killed in action in Sept 1914 according to his soldier's papers. But he was later reported as a POW in Oct 1914. Taken prisoner 20 September 1914 and confirmed held at Kessel POW camp, from ICRC and was released and arrived on 9th January 1919 to the UK.

    He was transferred to 46th Labour Corps, Regimental No. 27086, and received back pay of 64 pounds 6 shillings and 6 pence, which was used to purchase Saving Certificates (84). He was discharged on the 31st of March 1920 and received his war medals, the 1914 Star and clasp Aug - Nov, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Martin Smith




    238442

    Able Sea. M. Heron HMS Eaglet

    Able Seaman Heron died 9th February 1920 and is buried west of the entrance in the Crooke Old Graveyard, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238441

    Pte. John Henry Payne 13th (1st Barnsley) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.24th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My Great Great Uncle Jack Payne served with the Barnsley Pals.

    Elizabeth Tayler




    238440

    Pte. J. Shore Royal Irish Regiment

    Private Shore died on the 3rd November 1920, age 31. He was the Husband of Mary Shore, of Courtnacuddy.

    He is buried About 6 yards North-West of the entrance in the Courtnacuddy Catholic Churchyard, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238439

    Lt. Maurice Penrose-Fitzgerald 7th Btn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.26th July 1916)

    Lieutenant Penrose Fitzgerald was the Son of the late James H. B. Penrose Fitzgerald, of The Grange, Midleton, Co. Cork; husband of Louisa J. P. Penrose Fitzgerald, of Hillside, Milford-on-Sea, Hants.

    He died of wounds, age 23, and is buried North of West end of the Church, in the Corkbeg Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238438

    Act/L/Sto. Jeremiah O'Brien H.M.S. "Vivid II." (d.26th March 1917)

    Acting Leading Stoker O'Brien was 22 when he died and is buried Near the East side of the ruins in the Corkbeg Church of Ireland Graveyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238436

    Pte. J. H. Waterfall Royal Army Medical Corps

    Private Waterfall is buried three feet left of the path from Summerhill South entrance, near end of path in the Cork (The Friends') Cemetery in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238432

    Pte. Leonard William Phipps 21st Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    Leonard Phipps was an uncle I never knew.





    238430

    Pte. George Elsden Mears Coldstream Guards

    George Mears was a prisoner at POW camp Mersburg 1915-1918.





    238424

    Drvr. Harry Joseph Underhill 518th Coy. 60th Divisional Ammunition Column

    <p>

    Joe Underhill married Edith Rose Hill on 18th of December 1915 and was conscripted under the 1916 Military Services Act. He was called into the colours to join the 7th Artillery Training School at Winchester on either 27th or 28th April 1916 and posted to Divisional Ammunition Column as a Driver. This was part of the 60th Divisional Ammunition Column in which 518th Company Army Service Corps, RFA and RASC Drivers would have been employed. As most small-arms ammunition was .303 calibre, it seems that Harry was involved in the passage of these stores from rear echelon ammunition dumps to the front areas for use by the infantry. According to the Long Trail website, orders were received on 14th June 1916 to send advance parties to Le Havre (15th June) and Boulogne (18th) to prepare for the Division to cross to France. The crossing was completed by 29th June and the Division concentrated in XVII Corps area.

    On 1st November, the Division received orders to reorganise in preparation for a move to Salonika, Macedonia and it was about this time that Harry received news of the birth of his daughter Eileen, (16th October 1916). Units entrained at Longpre, France between 14th and 25th November and, going via Marseilles and Malta, they assembled at Salonika, Macedonia, on 25th December 1916.

    Harry was hospitalized in the early part of 1917 and as family tradition has it that he was thrown from a horse, this could well have been the reason. We know he also contracted Paratyphoid A and possibly Malaria, while serving in Salonika, and was transferred to No. 3 Convalescent Depot on 9th April 1917. He returned to service on 29th June 1917.

    The Division then remained in Salonika and took part in many engagements. After the Battle of Sharon in September 1918, the Divisional mounted units were engaged in pursuit of the broken enemy, while the rest of the Division remained on salvage and similar work. Divisional HQ moved to Mulebbis on 24th September and thence to Auja in early October. It moved (after the Armistice) on 3rd November to Lydda, then five days later a longer move via Qantara to Alexandria commenced. By 26th November the whole Division was at Alexandria. Demobilisation commenced. By 31st May 1919 the Division ceased to exist.

    Sadly, shortly after returning home from the war, Eileen contracted whooping cough and broncho pneumonia and passed away on Sunday 16th November 1919. Harry suffered greatly during WWI and lost his elder sister Nellie, to dinitrophenol poisoning due to exposure to chemicals used in the munitions factory where she worked. He also lost his older brother Jack, (John George Underhill) on 15th October 1918 to disease contracted while still serving in France, but his greatest loss was undoubtedly Eileen, his first child who he hardly got to know.

    Steve Jones




    238421

    Pte. Reginald Henry Culpin 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.15th Jul 1918)

    Harry Cuplin signed up in the Leicestershire Regiment and for some reason transferred the the Durham Light Infantry.

    Larry Parker




    238415

    Pte. Christopher Blankley 1/6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Christopher Blankley was born in 1894 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. He enlisted in April 1912 and became a private in the 6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), a unit of the Territorial Force. At the outbreak of war they were part of the Notts and Derby Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division and had their HQ at 10 Corporation Street, Chesterfield. They were mobilised for war service on 5th August 1914.

    He arrived in France with the 46th Division in February 1915. Chris was wounded on 5th May 1915 at Kemmel, eight of his battalion were killed, most were from his home town. He was hospitalised until December 1915 when he rejoined his unit.

    He was captured by the Germans in March 1917 at Gommecourt and was a POW at Misden and Munster POW Camps until the end of war. Chris returned home and continued in his battalion until March 1919. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Christopher Blankley married Lizzy and had six children with three surviving. He continued his pre-wartime occupation, and lived in Chesterfield all his life and died in March 1963 aged 68 years. He never mentioned his wartime experiences. I am his granddaughter and now live in South Australia. I remember my granddad very clearly as a kind generous and friendly man and loving father and grandfather.

    Valerie Elliott




    238414

    Stwd. Percy Standing SS Duquesa

    Percy Standing served in the Merchant Navy from 1918 to 1944. His last ship was the "Duquesa" when she was sunk by the surface raider Admiral Scheer in 1940. Percy was made a POW and later exchanged in 1943.





    238412

    Sto. John Sweeney HMS Vivid (d.1st September 1917)

    Stoker Sweeney was the husband of Mary Anne Sweeney, of Main St., Tramore.

    He was 40 when he died and is buried near the north-east corner of the Corbally Catholic Churchyard, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238411

    Pte. Henry Carney 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Private Carney died on the 24th April 1919. He is buried right of the entrance gate near the boundary wall in the Cootehill (Holy Trinity) Churchyard, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238410

    Pte. Edward Aylward 3rd Btn. Irish Guards (d.28th October 1918)

    Private Aylward is buried in the north-east part of the Coon Catholic Churchyard, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238409

    Pte. Patrick Minogue 4th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.11th March 1915)

    Private Minogue is buried in the north-east corner of the Colmcille's Graveyard, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238408

    Pte. T. Matthews 4th Bn. transf. to (174810) Labour Corps Royal Irish Regiment

    Private Matthews died on 15th June 1920 and is buried in the west part of the Colmcille's Graveyard, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238407

    Gnr. Richard Walsh 32nd Anti Aircraft Coy. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner Walsh was the son of John and Johanna Walsh; husband of Julia Walsh, of 55 St. Mary's Rd., Midleton. Born at Cloyne.

    He was 46 when he died on 4th January 1919 and is buried twelve yards from the South boundary of the Cloyne (St. Coleman) Cathedral Churchyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238406

    Capt. Matthew Murphy Royal Army Medical Corps (d.10th October 1918)

    Captain Murphy drowned in the Irish Sea. He was on board the Royal Mail Ship "Leinster" which was sunk on the morning of 10th October 1918, whilst enroute from Kingstown [now Dun Laoghaire], Co. Dublin, to Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales, after it had been hit by 2 torpedoes fired from a German Submarine.

    He is buried east of the Cathedral in the Cloyne (St. Coleman) Cathedral Churchyard.

    S Flynn




    238405

    Pte. Martin Nevin 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.12th November 1916)

    Private Nevin was the son of Francis and Mary Nevin of Frolic, Carney; husband of Ellie Nevin of Prospect, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

    He was 24 when he died and is buried in the Cloughprior Cemetery, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238404

    Capt. Peter Francis Ward Royal Army Medical Corps (d.12th Sep 1915)

    Peter Ward was the son of Thomas W Ward of Tuam, Co. Galway. He is buried in the Cloughanover Graveyard, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238403

    Cpl. Ernest Thornton MM. C Coy. Tank Corps

    <p>

    Ernest Thornton served with C Coy. Tank Corps.

    Jennifer Holding




    238400

    Pte. Edward Albert Thorne 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Following the war, my grandfather Bert Thorne was secretary to the Old Comrades Association for the rest of his life, for which he was awarded an MBE. Memorabilia from that time is housed in a display cabinet in the regimental museum, Winchester and there is a plaque to his memory in the chapel.

    Val Long




    238398

    Pte. Ernest Bradley 10th Btn. Northumerland Fusiliers (d.16th June 1918)

    <p>

    Ernest Bradley served with the 10th Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Russell Martin




    238395

    Pte. Albert Dawson 17th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.28th May 1917)

    Albert Dawson was killed near Fresnoy in France. His death is recorded in the regimental War diary as follows:

    "On the 28th, the enemy retaliated for the shelling of the previous night. During the day his guns waxed furious and swept the Brigade area with shell of all calibre. Yet, though he battered the defences, blew in dug-outs and in places turned the trenches of the Fusiliers into a sorry spectacle, only one man was killed and two had to be sent down suffering from shell shock."

    Jean Leech




    238394

    Pte. William Healy 3rd Garrison Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.21st October 1917)

    Private Healy was the son of William and Ann Healy of Cloonslanor, Strokestown, Co Roscommon. His brother James also fell.

    He is buried in the south-east part of the Cloonfinlough Old Graveyard, Co. Roscommon, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238393

    Gnr. Denis Barry Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd November 1918)

    Gunner Barry was the son of Darby Barry of Cloonfinlough, Strokestown.

    He is buried in the south-west part of the Cloonfinlough Old Graveyard, Co. Roscommon, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238392

    L/Cpl. Eustace Addison Holt 10th Btn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.4th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Eustace Holt's name appears on the war memorial in All Saints Church, Deganwy. His parents, Rev. George Owen Holt and Mary Jane Holt, lived in Deganwy. Eustace was buried in the St Sever Cemetery, Rouen. I have recently received a photo of Eustace Holt which was found in the cemetery. The reverse of the photo says '23.6.15 Eustace Addison Holt, Died 4.10.16, we remember you'.

    Pat Chapman




    238391

    Gnr. Percy Alfred Cooper Motor Machine Gun Corps (d.11th March 1916)

    Percy Cooper died at Beechcroft Military Hospital of acute meningitis aged 21.

    Chrissy Giles




    238390

    Pte. John Henry Burton 15th Btn., D Coy. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Private John Burton, 16th Platoon, D Company, 15th (1st Salford Pals) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was killed in action, at the Battle of Thiepval on 1st July 1916. He was a miner working for the Clifton & Kearsley Coal Company at Astley Colliery. He was aged 20 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Neil Thompson-Burton




    238384

    Gnr. Fredrick Henry Chandler 335th Seige Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    I have my grandfather Frederick Chandler's Soldier's Own Diary. He was in France and Belgium in 1919, prior to that we believe he had been in Malta.

    His brother was also in WWI and joined up in 1914. He embarked to Boulogne in July 1915 and was killed in action on 20th March 1916. This as Percy, 12th Btn., King's Royal Rifle Corps. My grandfather's diary makes several references to days, when presumably he had no duties, when he would walk to either Vlamertinghe or Poperinghe to view the military memorial registers for news of his brother. His comments after these visits was usually "no luck". Percy's memorial is at the Menin Gate. I am sure my grandfather and my father did not know this before they died.

    John Chandler




    238383

    Gnr. Harold Todd 256 Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Todd was born on 10th June 1893 and died on 3rd October 1917. Harold enlisted on 31st of August 1916 in York for duration of the war. He was a Wesleyan. He embarked at Folkestone on 8th of February 1917, and disembarked at Boulogne.

    Harold was wounded on 3rd October 1917 and sent to a field hospital, where he died from wounds on the same day. He is buried in a First World War Cemetery at Duhallow A.D.S., West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. There is also a headstone dated 1924, in Darlington Cemetery where his death was recorded on his parents' headstone.

    Anthony P Hadley




    238382

    Pte. Richard Garley 5th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.9th April 1917)

    Richard Garley was my great uncle, my grandfather's brother. He and his other brother Tom Westray Garley both fought in WW1 and both died in 1917, Richard on 9th April and Tom on 22nd December. My grandfather was too young to fight in WW1. They are both commemorated on the War Memorial in Disley, Cheshire and in Lyme Hall, Cheshire.

    Michelle




    238380

    Sgt.Mjr. A. E. Moring Military Provost Staff Corps (d.7th December 1918)

    Serjeant Major Moring was the husband of Ellen Moring, of Donnycarney House, Malahide Road, Dublin.

    He was 37 when he died and is buried in the North-West corner of the Clontarf (St. John the Baptist) Cemetery in Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238379

    Spr. Michael McGinley Royal Engineers

    Sapper McGinley was the husband of Mary McGinley, of Larganreagh, Mevagh.

    He was 40 years old when he died on the 12th April 1919. He is buried in the South of South-East corner of the Church in the Clontallagh (Mevagh) Graveyard, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238378

    Pte. Edgar Wood 15th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.8th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Edgar Wood served with the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment.

    Jan Jones




    238377

    Lt. Hubert Malcolmson 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.16th September 1916)

    Lieutenant Malcolmson died of wounds and is buried in the south west corner of the Clonmel Friends' Burial Ground, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238374

    A. John Rodgers Royal Army Medical Corps

    My great grandfather, Jack Rodgers joined a hospital ship as a volunteer on June 30th 1917 at Greenock in Scotland after being assigned to it due to being declared unable to fight on the front after injuries sustained while serving in France. He kept a diary while on this ship and describes his duties and life aboard ship. There are many harrowing tales of injured service personnel, of all nationalities and faiths. His last entry is on 5th of May 1919 when it arrived in Gibraltar.

    Pam.Birch




    238357

    Pte. Frederick Charles Driver 7th Btn. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment

    <p>Frederick Charles Driver on right with fellow POW's

    The following transcription is of an oral interview recorded in 1972, in which Frederick Driver related to his Grandson Robert his experiences during the First World War, with the help of his wife Dorothy. Many thanks to his great-granddaughter Angela Scott for taking the time and trouble to listen to the tape and type out the following account into a readable document for future generations to read.

    Track one: Joining Up

  • Dorothy: Tell him why you joined up.
  • Frederick: Why I joined up? I did, that's all.
  • Robert: Why did you volunteer?
  • Frederick: Just so we could go in the regiment of our choice, see.
  • Robert: Yeah.
  • Frederick: Then we get a choice of regiment, see.
  • Dorothy And your brother was in.
  • Frederick: If you waited later on, till 1916, you'd[ve] been forced to go. So you might just as well volunteer, you see. And I'd been used to horses and went on to the cavalry.
  • Robert: Surely you knew all about the people that were being killed in Flanders in '14 and '15.
  • Frederick: Yes. Well, we knew of course, of course you did. But you didn't know how many, did ya?
  • Robert: You didn't.
  • Frederick: No.
  • Robert: You thought it [was] just sort of a side-show,
  • Frederick: Pardon?
  • Dorothy: Well, you really, you really went in because Jack was in it, didn't you?
  • Robert: Yeah, yeah.
  • Dorothy: So he could get in the 5th Lancers.
  • Robert: Yeah, but you know, I've heard stories about women at the time, I mean, blokes who are walking around the streets without a uniform they were, er...
  • Frederick: Well, you're thinking about the white feather business.
  • Robert: That's it, yeah, the white feather.
  • Frederick: No, never see none of that.
  • Dorothy: Not in his time.
  • Robert: No?
  • Dorothy: No.
  • Robert: Yeah, but when conscription came in, that ended all that didn't it? I mean, you had to go anyway.
  • Dorothy: Yes, you had to go where they like to send ya. And them all in, in Ipswich and that, see, had to go in the Suffolk regiments.

    Track two: Dublin Uprising

  • When we got down to the town, the middle of Dublin down Sackville street opposite the post office, the General post office they opened fire on us, see, rotten shots all they hit was three men and three horses and as soon as they opened fire the old captain says about turn and went back to barracks and he said we're going out as soon as we can dismounted so we went out as infantry more or less just with bandoleers full of ammunition rifles we went and routed them out of the post office in the morning see before dinner, and in the mean time artillery were ordered up from the Curraugh and they brought the guns into the dock at Sackville street right opposite the lawcourts, they were in the lawcourts as well these Sinn Fieners in the post office and the lawcourts, lawcourts were at the bottom of the Sackville street and they opened fire and knocked the lawcourts down the artillery from the Curraugh and in the meantime we went and took up positions some in the old Jacob's biscuit factory and and all the places they were likely to be in you see, took them over and simply rounded them up., And within a fortnight we'd got them all rounded up look and there they still carrying on we quieted them down in a fortnight.
  • : - Yeah.
  • Yeah then after the war was over cause they started again that's when they formed the black and tans they're volunteers you know from England the black and tans were. And they had to clear em up again in the meantime they're clamouring for home rule and they got it see cause Ireland was partitioned wasn't it the south from the north.

    Track Three: The Western Front

  • Yeah, but when you, after you had joined up and that, I mean, what,
  • Robert: When did you first go over to France then?
  • Frederick: Umm. August 1916. August '16. We went over and we joined the Queens out there, you see, the Queens regiment. The 7th Queens. That was, the 55th Brigade. The 18th division we come up in.
  • Robert: What sort of ship did you go over in?
  • Frederick: Ooo, don't know, well, er, old freighter thing, you know.
  • Robert: Yeah?
  • Frederick: Yeah. From Folkstone we went, to Folkstone, to Boulogne.
  • Robert: And then you went up. Did you go straight to the front?
  • Frederick: And then we went...No, we had to go to...we stayed the night in Boulogne, up on the camp there. And the next day we had to go join the Queens. They were up, um, near Albert, place called Albert, out at rest at the time. Then we done some, done joined the battalion, you know. I was put on headquarters battalion, with Machine gun, headquarters machine gun. By going to headquarters They could put us anywhere, you know what I mean? To any company.
  • Robert: Yeah.
  • Frederick: See? A, B, C or D company. We could go anywhere. They could put us in the line, you see, or, which company was ever in the line you'd have to be with 'em, you see?
  • Robert: Can you, visualise now what it was like? I mean, can you visualise what it was like at that time?
  • Frederick: Well, plenty of shells dropping around. In as soon as you got in range, you know?
  • Robert: Yeah?
  • Dorothy: What about the time when you all pinched the bread from the bakers?
  • Frederick: Oh yes. Yeah, yeah. Well, we were going right up, right up into the, up in the front line, you see. We're going up right, going into the front line and we was way back at rest, and we was put in a billet, in an old bakery, you know? A bakery. One what was using, they were still in use; French bakery, see. And the old Baker he used to bake his bread, you know, during the night time, ready for sale the next day. And my brother, and another: an ol' Kelly, watched the old baker leave and then went and pinched his bread. We got the gun: we'd got gun limbers for Lewis gun, you know, and the guns had gone up on the horse limbers, you know? A horse wagon like. Our guns had gone up with them so our little gun carriages were empty. Two wheeler gun carriages, see, for a gun, carry the Lewis guns and ammunition see, plenty of ammunition. And they were empty. So what old, what my brother did, and the old Irishman, they stole the bread and went and put it in the trucks, empty trucks. They were all lined up beside a wall, you know, and they filled them up with bread. And the old Froggie come in daybreak and found his bread all gone. Played up merry Hell. French Police, he called the French Police up and our Police, you know; Military Police. Played up the Devil, he did. They looked everywhere. They searched our billet and everything. Packs - everything. Never found a loaf. And they were right in front of their noses, in the, in the gun trucks. Full of bread they were, yeah. Robert: What did you do with all that bread then? Frederick: We had a good feed. And the next day we got on the march up to the line, you know? And as soon as we got under shell fire the young captain he says, "Halt!", you know, "Fall out on the left of the road." And we opened up our gun trucks, you know, and out come the bread [laughs]. So, one of the boys picked up a loaf; "Would you like a piece, sir?", you know. We was all under shell fire then - only about two miles from the line. Yeah. And nothing was said about that. Never got into trouble over it at all, 'cause he never reported us, you see?
  • Dorothy: He asked, he asked where you got it from, didn't he?
  • Frederick: He knew. He knew, didn't he. All the officers knew, all the blokes knew, didn't they. But as soon as they was opened up it was a laugh. Everybody was eating the French toopang, you know, long loaves. Dorothy: See, didn't you get some cheese from somewhere for them?
  • Frederick: Pardon?
  • Dorothy: Didn't you get some cheese?
  • Frederick: Cheese?
  • Dorothy: Yeah.
  • Frederick: Oh, we had plenty o' cheese. Half the blokes wouldn't eat the cheese, you know. It used to lay about in the billets.
  • Robert: Where did you first go into action, then?
  • Frederick: Erm. When?
  • Robert: Where.
  • Frederick: Up at Thiepval. Thiepval on the ridge, at Thiepval. Thiepval, Mericourt, Grandcourt.
  • Robert: You was in all them places were you?
  • Frederick: Lotacourt. In front too,
  • Frederick: Yes, in front of that, we were cause.
  • Robert: Yes.
  • Frederick: 'Cause, April, when they went over, the Vimy Ridge, see, we was in front of that. Yeah.
  • Robert: What did you do in the line?
  • Frederick: Well, we just had to hold the line, you see - go in t' the front line. Plenty o' shellin' an' all that business, you know? On our way up he was dropping shells, gas shells of one sort or another. You know, all sorts.
  • Frederick: Several times we laid out in the shell hole, you know, with the old gun, between the two lines. Didn't mind it, and used to like it because the shells were going right over us, like that, see?
  • Robert: Yeah?
  • Frederick: All the heavy stuff, and light stuff an' all, goin' right over. If you was in No Man's Land you was the best off. Through that winter, anyhow.
  • Frederick: If you laid quiet a German patrol would pass you, perhaps. Bullets would be whizzing over the top of your heads. Zip, zip, zip, zip, you know. Just lay doggo for the night. Bloomin' cold though, frozen.
  • Dorothy: Jack got wounded?
  • Frederick: Oh yes he did, and a night or two before that.
  • Dorothy: Yes.
  • Frederick: When we were laying in support a shell came over: A whizz-bang. And we were in a fairly big trench, and... Both together in the front line, look, and a whizz-bang came over. What they call a whizz-bang - that was their light artillery. Good guns they were, similar to our twenty five pounder. And a shell - I could hear it coming. It hit the top of the parapet and burst. It blew my rifle right out of my hand. My brother got a bullet, behind his ear here in the neck.
  • Robert: Yeah?
  • Frederick: Yeah. Got back to Blighty with that. I took him back to the end of the trench. The old Sergeant Major, they were in the dugout there, I said, "Well, I'll take him back." He say, "You won't. You won't.", he say. "You'll stop in the front line" [laughs] So, he got back to Blighty, look. Another few days after that, then, I was captured.
  • Robert: You were captured in 1916 then?
  • Frederick: No, '17.
  • vRobert: When?
  • Frederick: 1917. February 1917. February '17.
  • Robert: Yeah?
  • Frederick: And that was a place called, er, Irles. I.R.L.E.S, Irles and that was too...we was... See, which I tell you what was happening: The Germans were falling back at that time, which they used to do. They'd pulled back on to better ground and that, you see - leave you in the muck and mire and shell, you see [laughs]. And (pause) Oh, a dawn patrol. When they were falling back, see; "Any volunteers for a dawn patrol?", so we all volunteered, with the old gun, you know, and just a rifleman or two, see, to go out before dawn, an hour before dawn. We was to go up the communication trench into Gerries front line; a village. And part right along the front of the village, a place called Irles, I.R.L.E.S., and went past the front of it and up his communication trench for about a mile, see. Never saw, never saw anything of them. They kept doggo, you know, they laid quiet, they let us come. And and all of a sudden they jumped. Some of them jumped out the trench, and we let the old, I let the old Lewis gun let 'em have it, you know, as they ran way. Then the old gun blocked, you know, which they would do, a Lewis. They used to jam. Two bullets used to. A couple of cartridges used to try to get in the [barrel at once], and that'd block, you see. Tried to get up the barrel. So when the old, stopped, and we were in their communications trench he simply come round us, you know, they come up from other trenches, 'cause they knew the trenches better than we did, you see. We was in their communications trench, therefore they got, they got, surrounded us, and just cut us down in the trenches as we were...see? They could get right, they could get forward or to the side of us or behind us - which they did do. Got right behind us, because we was through their lines, see. through their front line about two miles.
  • Frederick: ...A funny thing, where you used to talk about what would, what would happen to us. When we was in support, or quiet, or back at rest, used to think about what would happen to us. Somebody would say, "I shall get killed, I know I shall.", see, and they used to too... I said, I thought I wasn't. Something told me. Well, I didn't know what was going to happen, you know. What I mean, I wasn't going to get killed but I couldn't fathom out what was going to happen to me. But I was nearly a deader mate, I was nearly gone.
  • Dorothy: They saved his life.
  • Frederick: Yeah. Germans saved me life.
  • Robert: Yeah?
  • Frederick: You know, by binding up, you know. The blood was coming out in a stream like that out of my stomach here. They simply got my doings, you know, bound me up tight and that. And still the blood was coming through. So he took the...
  • Dorothy: Off another...
  • Frederick: Yeah. Another fella who was shot beside me, he weren't...he's right next to me. Right there, in the temple. And they took the bandages of his, you know, bound me up double lot, you know, really bound me up tight.
  • Dorothy: Didn't they put a stone in to stop it?
  • Frederick: No, not a stone. No, no. They bound it down solid, you know. That stopped the bleeding. And they... I wondered what the Devil they were going to do with me, you know. They took me out [of] the trench, lugged me out the trench, and they put me [on a] couple of oil sheets, laid a couple of oil sheets down and laid me in it, and they brought the sheets together, you know, at the top, and laced them through, and then put a pole through. That's how they carried me back, Germans. Good idea that, was no waiting for the stretcher bearers. They were smart in the trenches... They'd all had medical [training] and all that, they know exactly what to do. We lost a lot of lives through that you know, because our chaps didn't know what to do, you know. They'd all been trained in medical [first aid] you see, and I, I, pretty thirsty, I kept asking for water. They, they, you know what they done? Got a bit of bandage and dipped it in their coffee, you know. They'd coffee in their, they used to carry coffee instead of water in the water bottle. They dipped the bandage in the coffee and let me suck it. They wouldn't give me a drink you know, it would've been fatal, see. Although I'd lost a lot of blood, must o' done, 'cause I was sinking, you know. Felt I was.
  • Robert: You was wounded with a bullet?
  • Frederick: Pardon?
  • Robert: You was wounded with a bullet?
  • Frederick: Yeah, yeah. Bullet, yeah.
  • Robert: When you was surrounded, didn't you surrender or anything then?
  • Dorothy: Well, you didn't know, did you?
  • Frederick: No need mate, no need. No, no need to put your hands up or anything. Just taken over. You're, ain't it, you're finished, you know that, and the Gerry knows it too.
  • Frederick: Well, if you get into their lines anything could happen. Same thing would happen with a German patrol. They was pinched as well, just the same and that. That was only done so that each side should know where the others are, that's what they wanted to know
  • Dorothy: That was nothing for you to be up to your waist in water and mud was it?
  • Frederick: Cor, if you slipped off the duck board you was in it, you know. ..My feet were swollen so much they cut the boots off, and the trousers. They were rotten in blood, you know. They just tore that off, leggin's too, yeah.
  • Frederick: ou know that took us some a day and two nights to dig a bloke out.
  • Robert: Yeah?
  • Frederick: Yeah. To dig him out! The more you kept digging the deeper he kept sinking, you know. The water and the mud, we kept throwing it out. Dig behind him, we used to dig down behind him and put a blanket under the backside when you got him over. So you pull him back and lift him out with this blanket, see, 'cause the old mud and ooze and stuff was all...it used to hold you like glue. Just like glue.

    Track Four: Prisoner of war

  • Frederick: They took me into a dressing station you know, the Gerries did and that, and then into a horse ambulance, you know, course they were nearly all horses in them days see. And then we went up an old disused railway, you know, that had been cleared away and that. Was in a sunken, sunken road for about three or four miles up towards Cambrai. They took the rails up and used that as a road, see. And that un and that was deep, about as deep as this house perhaps, you know.
  • Robert: Mmm.
  • Frederick: Between two banks they used to use that for ambulances to go up and down, see, from the front line up to Cambrai. And even then they went, they took me from Cambrai up to Mons by train, you know.
  • Robert: Mmm.
  • Frederick: And their hospital there, what they call reserve hospital. Prisoners and Germans all went into the same hospital, see, in the clearing station like. Big clearing station; Mons. I remember I was operated on in that same evening. I laid there for a day or two before they moved me right up north to Munster, in an old Monastry that was supposed to be a hospital. We had our beds, was three boards with a straw mattrass on it. Bag o' straw, that was hospital, look [laughs].
  • Robert: What did you do there?
  • Frederick: I was in there several weeks. They kept the wound open for weeks. They used a bandage, you know, a sterilised bandage, used to tuck in, like that cause that was septic.
  • Dorothy: Did that turn septic?
  • Frederick: I reckon it did because I..., weeks and weeks they were poking this, these bandages in every day, see.
  • Dorothy: Yes.
  • Robert: Where did you go to prison camp, then? Where was you a prisoner of war?
  • Frederick: Pardon?
  • Robert: Where was you a P.O.W. then?
  • Frederick: All over, in different camps, you know. Er, from...Parsham was the name of one. Frankfurt, Franfforter, Maine. The, all different places, you know. Doblemann was another camp. And I used to volunteer to go out on the... It wouldn't do to stop in camp, you know, to, no. Volunteer to go out on working parties, see, on the farms or anywhere else.
  • Dorothy: What about the time you went where there was some ducks?
  • Frederick: Oh yeah, yeah. On a big farm we had, they had four ducks there. We managed to get them.
  • Dorothy: You was with... You was with Russians, weren't ya?
  • Frederick: We used to live in a big room, in a lock up, you know. Big room with a big old stove in, with twenty or thirty prisoners. [Among] twenty [of us there] might have been only four Englishmen and a few Frenchies, you know, and Russians, chiefly Russians. And Poles, yeah. So, two Englishmen, they took the, they took the bars apart, you know, from the window, and went out and got, pinched these ducks off the pond. They were locked up in a duck house on the pond, big pond, you know. And they went round the field so they shouldn't follow the feathers. and that, you know. Got 'em in a sack and brought 'em home. This old sentry had gone out, Saturday night it was. He'd gone down the town to have a drink, see, only one sentry. And we got a bucket and cooked these ducks, you know. Drawn, plucked 'em and put them in a bucket and boiled 'em up.
  • Dorothy: Ah. but how did you get rid of the innards?
  • Frederick: Ay?
  • Dorothy: You burnt all the innards.
  • Frederick: Buried the feathers and stomach and that, you know. Buried them.
  • Robert: How did you get on with the Germans in general then, at that time?
  • Frederick: Pretty well, you know. Yeah.
  • Dorothy: Bar once when you couldn't eat the potato soup.
  • Frederick: Oh yeah, yeah. That was on one job, couldn't drink the soup. It'd got maggots floating about on it. Potato soup, and a little bit o' meat here and there, but maggots. Seventeen Englishmen on that job, and we none of us, us Englishmen, wouldn't touch it, you know, wouldn't look at it. And so the old Sergeant Major what was in charge, German Sergeant Major, you know, he say, "You won't drink it?" "No, we're not going to have that!". He lined up seventeen sentries [and] he lined up us seventeen, here. He said, "If you don't, if you don't have the soup I'll shoot yer." See? One man: [One] sentry, we knew he doesn't do that, not on a big job like that, you know. We was, "No!" He stood, lined us up, he lined us the post, his sentries up, you know, and seventeen against seventeen. We stood there about half an hour. He got fed up. Thought what he would do I suppose, "You'll all get punishment. You'll all be confined to ground for twenty four hours." No blanket or nothing see. They had some underground, er, sort of barrack, you know what I mean? Purpose [built] for the job. So they put us down there for twenty-four hours. Just a drink of water. Coo.
  • Dorothy: And you had to go on sleepers, didn't yer?
  • Frederick: Ay?
  • Dorothy: Railway sleepers?
  • Frederick: Oh yes. Sent us up on the, sent us up on a job on railway sleepers, you know, iron sleepers they were.
  • Frederick: Pick them up beside the railway, about a foot of snow. As you picked them up so the blinkin' skin come off yer hand, frozen, you know what I mean? Sort of pulled the skin off your hands. Another rotten job, that was. But on the farm it was decent. The German people themselves hadn't got nothing to eat. That was all sent to the front line, see. They were actually starving beginning 1917, they were. The cows weren't getting any food, they couldn't give much milk. British people didn't know that, no. Nor did the troops at the front. If they.. .All the stuff used to go to them, see. The civilians weren't getting much. Children were as thin as rakes, all with rickets, you know. Then they wouldn't give in, see, not even right up to 1918 they wouldn't.

    Robert Scott




  • 238356

    PO.Stkr. Wilfred Westoby Chilvers HMS Inflexible

    Wilfred Chilvers was a Petty Officer Stoker and served on HMS Inflexible at the Battle of the Falklands Islands 1914, at the Dardanelles in 1915 and at the Battle of Jutland May 1916

    Mick Barham




    238354

    Gnr. John Wilson (d.3rd October 1917)

    Gunner Wilson was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Wilson, of Cleagh, Clonmany.

    He is buried near the East boundary of the Clonmany Catholic Churchyard, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238353

    Pte. Andrew Paterson 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.10th September 1917)

    Private Paterson is buried Near East boundary of the Clonmany Catholic Churchyard, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238351

    Pte. Sidney Humphris 4th (Res.) Bn. Devonshire Regiment (d.3rd October 1918)

    Private Humphris is buried about 7 yards North of entrance gate in the Clonmany (St. Columba) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238350

    Pte. Francis Thomas Skelton 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.8th June 1916)

    Private Skelton is buried in the North-West part of the Clones (St. Tighernach) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238349

    Pnr. Joseph Beatty Special Bde. Royal Engineers (d.8th November 1916)

    Pioneer Beatty was 27 when he died and is buried North-East of the main path in the Clones (Sacred Heart) Catholic Cemetery, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238347

    Lt.Col. Theodore Montgomery Archdale DSO MID Royal Horse Artillery (d.10th October 1918)

    Lieutenant Colonel Archdale was the son of the late Nicholas M. Archdale, of Crock-na-Crieve, Co. Fermanagh; husband of Helen Archdale.

    He was 45 when he drowned. He was a passenger on board The Leinster, which was sunk by torpedoes in the Irish Sea, enroute from Kingstown [now Dun Laoghaire] to Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales, on the morning of 10 October 1918.

    He is buried in a private plot On the North-east side of the new ground in the Clondalkin (St. John) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238342

    Gnr. William James Cann Royal Field Artillery

    William James Cann was a member of the Territorials for several years before WW1 started. He undertook training in camp for a few weeks in August each year on Salisbury Plain, money which his family much needed.

    He was called up to service for WW1 three days after war began. He was a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery. He served in France and Belgium. In his home letters it was recorded he had trench rot in his feet, and was unable to take his boots off. When finally they came off, he had no skin left on his feet or lower legs, and the skin, although treated, never recovered properly and caused him much discomfort. During WW1 he experienced the Christmas Day truce and had some German daggers which were exchanged for chocolate bars and tobacco. He said the German troops spoke English very well and were mostly very young rural village children, who did not want to fight. He was surprised how young they were. He was also amazed at the skills shown by these German troops in producing what we call today 'trench art'.

    He was sent from Europe directly in 1918, to Northern Ireland, returning home to Cardiff and his family in 1920. There are some terrible stories passed down about his time in Ireland which troubled him greatly, more so than the horrors he experienced on the battlefields of Europe.In particular it was the orders to shoot families,being ordered to go down streets from house to house. He said the troops used to knock loudly on the doors of Irish homes, count to ten and give them enough time to escape from the back of their properties.Some of the officers were not so kind, and it was the scenes he came upon of men, women, children and babies massacred in their homes that upset him so much.He was a very sensitive, kind man, who had simply enough of bloodshed.

    He had many medals including one for Gallantry, Victory and Long service, as well as a Silver Medal.

    He died tragically as a result of a railway accident in March 1939, whilst trying to save the life of his work colleague who was crossing the line and did not hear the coming steam train. Both were killed. The local newspapers record in detail the manner of his death, with pictures of the scene. He was given a military funeral as he was still in the Territorial Army. Crowds lined the streets to Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff to show their respect and the last post was played over his grave. The priest at the funeral said of him, 'No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his friend'. After all he experienced in WW1, it was so tragic he died the terrible way he did, but his bravery in both wartime and civilian life deserves remembrance.

    William James Cann was my grandfather. I never knew him, but his memory is very precious and his life story passed down in my family.





    238341

    Thomas Emanuel Webb Sheephaven Station

    Coastguardsman 2nd Grade Webb died on the 17th October 1919 and is buried near the North boundary of the Clondahorky Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238340

    Pte. John Alexander Johnstone 7/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.5th March 1918)

    Private Johnstone was the son of Parland Johnstone, of Ballymore, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal.

    He was 32 when he died and is buried Near South-East corner of the Church in the Clondahorky Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238339

    SM James O'Brien 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.26th February 1917)

    Serjeant Major O'Brien was the husband of Annie O'Brien, of Townley Hall Cottage, Drogheda.

    He was 56 when he died and is buried South of South-West corner of ruin in the Clogher Old Graveyard, Co. Louth, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238338

    Lg.Btn. Edward Huxford HMS President IV

    Leading Boatman Huxford was the husband of Catherine Huxford.

    He died on the 2nd December 1919 and is buried in the Cleggan Graveyard, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238336

    Robert Greenhow Thackray Road Construction Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Robert Thackray served with a Road Construction Coy. in the Royal Engineers

    Robert Baptie




    238335

    Pte. John Pattison Kinnard 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd March 1918)

    John Kinnard is remembered at the Pozieres Memorial, France.





    238331

    Sgt. Henry Bragg DCM 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Harry Bragg served 22 years, first with the 1st Battalion (Boer War) and then the 2nd Battalion (WWI). He received the Queen's South Africa medal, King's South Africa medal, and the Distinguished Conduct Medal (WWI), "For conspicuous gallantry. When the enemy exploded a mine, burying him and four men, he dug his men out under a hot fire, manned the crater and held it all day. (15th of May 1916)"





    238330

    Rflmn. Edward James Westwood 1/17th Battalion London Regiment

    Rifleman E.J. Westwood, my mother's father, was sent to France in October 1915, he joined his Battalion in the Loos sector. He served with the Battalion until 22nd of March 1918. The battalion was part of the 140th Infantry Brigade of the 47th (London) Division, Third Army.

    On the 21st of March 1918, the Battalion was serving in the front line near Villiers Plouich, a village in the Flesquieres salient first great 1918 Offensive, codenamed Operation Michael, against the British 3rd and 5th Armies. The battle began with an intense 5 hour artillery bombardment from 10,000 guns and mortars, which fired 1.2 million shells during that period using a mixture of High Explosive and Gas shells.

    The weather over the sector was still and foggy, the smoke, fumes and gas from the shells combined with the fog to limit visibility to almost zero, this greatly favoured the attacking German Storm Troops, who succeeded in breaking the British lines in many areas.

    The 1/17th Londons and neighbouring battalions were forced to retreat after stiff resistance, to a defensive position about 5 kilometres to the SW at Metz-en-Couture. Here they suffered a heavy gas bombardment and forced to retreat again.

    The German P.O.W records show that they captured a wounded Rifleman Westwood in Metz, he was gassed and had a head wound and was taken to a German Field Hospital. He was later sent to the Zerbst P.O.W Camp in Saxony-Anhalt in NE Germany. This camp had 100000 registered prisoners but only held 15000 prisoners, those not in the camp worked in factories and on the land, my grandfather worked the rest of 1918 on a German farm. He was repatriated in early 1919 under the Danish Scheme. He lived until 1955 having experienced and survived 29 months on the western front only to lose two sons killed on active service in WW2

    V. Hall




    238329

    Sgt. H. Davies DCM 171st Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers

    H Davies is no relative, but I am the owner of a prismatic compass bearing his name.

    V Ballard




    238328

    Pte. William Kett 3rd Garrison Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1917)

    Private Kett was the Husband of K. Kett, of Clashmore.

    He is buried left of the church at the entrance in the Clashmore Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238325

    Pte. Harry Cooper 12th Service Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.14th April 1918)

    Harry Cooper was the son of Mr and Mrs Hartley Cooper of Wheathead Farm, Whitewell Bottom, Rossendale, Lancashire. He was employed as a butcher's assistant before the outbreak of WW1. The local paper (The Rossendale Free Press) reported that he died of severe gunshot wounds in Etaples, France where he is buried. Harry's death is recorded on the family grave stone in Lumb Baptist Churchyard Rossendale with the inscription "none knew him but to love him".

    Marilyn Grainger




    238320

    Pte. A. Redfern 1155th M.T. Coy. Royal Army Service Corps

    Private Redfern died on the 18th April 1920 and is buried south of the ruin in the Claremorris (Ballinsmaula) Catholic Cemetery, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238319

    Pte. J. Henderson 1165 M.T. Coy. Royal Army Service Corps

    Private Henderson was the Son of John and Margaret Henderson Best.

    He was 31 when he died on the 29th July 1913 and is buried south of the ruin in the Claremorris (Ballinsmaula) Catholic Cemetery, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238318

    Pte. P. Lannon 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.26th March 1916)

    Private Lannon was 46 when he died and is buried in the north-east part of the Clara Old Graveyard in Co. Kilkenney, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238316

    L/Cpl. William Wright 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.26th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    William Wright enlisted in Edinburgh in April or May 1916 and following basic training joined the 2nd Battalion in France in the autumn of 1916. He was in the offensive against the Hidenburg Line on 7th May 1917 at Bullecourt.

    William fought in the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) which started on 31st July 1917, the Battalion was not involved until the attack on Broodseinde Ridge on 4th October in conjunction with Australian forces. Advancing under artillery barrage the Battalion soon achieved its objectives but in turn came under intense German shellfire during the next three days that it occupied the captured positions and suffered correspondingly heavy casualties. A further adverse factor during this time was the terrible weather especially the rain which made movement off the duck boards all but impossible and conditions almost unbearable with the resulting mud causing death to both men and pack animals.

    After a few days rest the Battalion was tasked to take part in the capture of the ruined village of Gheluvelt where it had experienced terrific fighting years earlier. In short, the attack, on 26th October was stopped in its tracks by intense artillery and machine gun fire but most of all by the mud which clogged or jammed most of the men's weapons.

    The Regimental War Diary for that day recorded 73 killed in action; 480 wounded; and 117 missing. However, subsequent research has shown that the fatalities, including those who subsequently died of their wounds shortly thereafter, amounted to 203 which included practically all of those originally recorded as missing in action.

    William was recorded as missing in action and his body was never recovered. He was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his services and his parents received the Memorial Plaque (Dead Man's Penny) and commemorative scroll which went to all families of men who died in the war. William is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Jon Bond




    238304

    Pte. Wright Firth 7th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.12th October 1917)

    <p>

    Wright Firth served with the 7th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders.

    Stephen Warriner




    238302

    L/Cpl. William George Smith 5th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.17th Nov 1917)

    William Smith left a widow and a daughter. He was aged 36 years.

    Mary Anne & Dave Clark




    238299

    Pte. David Johannes Gottfried Anderson 4th Machine Gun Coy.

    My grandfather, David Anderson, was born on the 2nd of July 1889 in Ronne, Bornholme in Denmark. He was naturalized as an Australian on 28th January 1915 at Hobart and joined the 4th Machine Gun Corps late 8/16th Battalion. On 26th of August 1915 he boarded the ship RMS Morea and departed from Adelaide.

    He served in the war as a machine gunner and was injured several times on different occasions. He was retired as medically unfit due to gun-shot wounds to his right leg whilst on active duty. He served for three years and 2 days (138 days). He signed off at Keswick Barracks in South Australia on 22nd of April 1918 at the age of 25 years from 4th Machine Gun Company. He received the 1914 -1915 Star, The British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He passed away in 1957 at the age of 67.

    Ken Brand




    238295

    Pte. Edward Samuel Hughes Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

    Sam Hughes served with the Black Watch.





    238291

    Tptr. Frederick Carver 190 Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Frederick Carver was my grandfather. He lived in Leytonstone, East London. He survived war despite being gassed and lived until 1960.

    Trevor Kilminster




    238288

    L/Cpl. Henry A. Woods 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>

    My grandfather, Harry Woods, was a Lewis gunner in the Seaforth Highlanders. He described landing in Basra as one of the most beautiful places he ever saw. He was wounded in the legs by shrapnel and contracted malaria in Mesopotamia.

    I have a photo of him in uniform in Cairo. His unit took part in the campaign in Gaza and Palastine. North of Jerusalem his unit was charging a trench when he took shrapnel through his open mouth, knocking him down and paralyzing him. Field medical units placed him in a pile of dead. When he was being stripped of his gear and clothing it was noticed that he had tears in his eyes and so was still alive. He was eventually brought to a hospital in Alexandria where he was recuperating on Armistice day. A very, very lucky man.

    Tom Woods




    238286

    Cpl. Charlie Wilbraham 15th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Charlie Wilbraham served with 15th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Oscar Baldomero




    238282

    Spr. Gordon Thomas Bell 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company

    Gordon Bell was the eldest son of the Bell family who came from Ontario to Alberta in 1905. By 1916, when Gordon joined, he was 21 years old. He signed up for the CEF in Vermillion, Alberta and was assigned to the 151st Overseas Battalion for training, before embarking for England in the fall.

    In England, at Shorncliffe, he was transferred to the 11th Reserve Battalion and from there to the Canadian Engineers Training Division for training at Crowborough, England. He was taken on strength with the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company on December 8, 1916 and joined the unit in the field on December 11, 1916. He served with the Company until struck off strength and transferred to the 5th Battalion, Canadian Engineers 11th of July 1918.

    Gordon survived the war. He married in England and returned to Canada where he took a land grant from the Government in northern Alberta. My father, who spent time with Gordon at his homestead in Flat Bush Alberta, remembers Gordon attempting to dig a basement beneath his house. Whether this was typical homesteader construction practice, or a more eccentric approach to adding a basement arising from his experiences during the war are unclear. Gordon died in Edmonton Alberta July 5, 1976.

    His service record at Library and Archives Canada.

    Kevin Bell




    238279

    Pte. Francis Joseph Wales 10th Btn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment (d.7th June 1917 )

    Francis Wales, sometimes known as Frank by his family, was born in Tottenham, London in 1888 but when his mother married (long story) he moved to Broadstairs in Kent. Eventually he married Kathleen Mary Pollard in 1912. They ended up having three children although, sadly, the third child was born after he died. He worked at various times as a plumber although he was part of a very well known family of fishermen and members of the local lifeboat crew.

    Francis joined up on 3rd September 1915 in Ramsgate. Although we have no written records it would appear he did training in Aldershot then was sent to France/Belguim.

    We know he died on the first day of the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917. He was initially recorded as missing, but after a short time this was changed to killed in action and his body was buried under a hedge along with two other people. One was an officer from the 23rd Middlesex Regiment, the other an unknown sergeant. In Sept 1919 his body was recovered and buried at Voormezeele Enclosure 3, near Ypres in Belgium. We plan to visit his grave on the 100th anniversary of his death.

    Ray Young




    238274

    Rflmn. Bertram George Harris 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Bert Harris was wounded in the left arm and discharged from the Army on 24th April 1917.

    Peter Denyer




    238273

    Sgt. William Dickers MSM 68 Bty. 14th Brigade

    <p>

    My grandfather, Sgt. William Dickers, 68th Battery RFA was wounded in December 1914 at Rouen. He was was the Battery Sergeant Major of B Battery, 83rd Brigade RFA from 1916 to 1919.

    Rob Dickers




    238272

    S/Sgt. George Lewis Basinger Royal Army Ordance Corps

    Staff Sergeant (Armourer) George Basinger was a member of the (Royal) Ordnance Corps attached to the 10th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment.

    He saw action on the Western Front at the Somme, Arras, Cambrai and Lys. In 1917 the Battalion was rapidly move to northern Italy to repel the Austrian army and he saw action at the Battle of the River Piave and Treviso. During the Italian campaign he captured an Austrian officer's walking stick as a memento. He was also greatly moved by the miserable sight of the poor young wretches, some of whom were barely children, who had suffered terrible injuries fighting with the Austrian army.

    In 1919 the Battalion was in Rome, Italy, awaiting demobilisation and return to England. When the Prince of Wales visited the Battalion in Rome they arranged a concert for him during which Staff Sergeant (Armourer) Basinger, who was a good baritone, gave a performance.

    John Basinger




    238267

    Pte. Arthur Bannard Bester 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th June 1915)

    Arthur Bester found himself on the front line near Ypres in Belgium with the 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. The Regiment's war diary speaks of the appalling conditions the soldiers face, but Arthur never mentions these in his letters home. Presumably he doesn't want his wife to fret. With three children to care for she has enough to worry about.

    He's probably been there for about four months when, on a summer's day in 1915, he and his colleagues find themselves doing unexpectedly well during a push. It appears he and his comrades are so eager to move forward when attacking, and so successful in doing it, that they advance quicker than predicted. They reach the second and third line German trenches ...and, tragically, are hit by friendly fire artillery that lands where British soldiers are not expected to be.

    Arthur died of his injuries on 16th of June 1915, he is only 30 years old. It clearly happened during an intense period of fighting. The following day, the Regiment's war diary tells of 50 men dead, 205 wounded and 114 missing. Perhaps in the confusion and immediacy of war - perhaps, to be honest, because the extent of injuries made identification difficult - Arthur is buried in the German section of Menin Communal Cemetery, close to the Belgian French border.

    It is on 28th of June 1915 that a letter reveals Arthur has been killed in action at Ypres. Pay due to him is sent in October - one pound, 15 shillings and three pence with stipulation that one-third must be spent for the benefit of the children, according to authorities.

    Arthur's death isn't the only wartime tragedy his own parents must endure. His sole brother, William, is killed a couple of weeks before Christmas 1917 and is buried in France.

    In 1928 Bella, Arthur's wife, receives a letter from the War Graves Commission to tell her that Arthur's body has been exhumed and moved to Harlebeke New British Cemetery. His name is on a plaque in the church, among about 20 other men who were reburied. Today the Commission says Menen (it used to be Menin) was in German hands for much of the First World War until being taken in the autumn of 1918. Over the years there will be chatter within the family that the military dogtag sent to his widow couldn't be Arthur's because his had little Elizabeth's (his daughter) teethmarks on it. But who knows the truth?

    Taken from East Anglican Daily Times - Saturday, June 18th 2016

    Our great grandfather Arthur Bannard Bester, born 1885 in Northamptonshire, England.

    Dominic Shadbolt




    238250

    Drvr. John Holt 86th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Dec 1917)

    I am so proud of my great uncle, John Holt. I was named after him.

    John Marsland




    238232

    Mjr. Charles Elliott Sutcliffe 54th Squadron (d.6th June 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle Charles Sutcliffe enlisted in WWI in Ottawa Canada in 1916 and was seconded to the RFC for training as a pilot and was attached to the 54th Squadron on 3rd of May 1917 to fly the new fighter, Sopwith Scout. They engaged in daily fights with the enemy.

    On 6th of June 1917, Charlie failed to return from a combat flight (although the only 54 Squadron Combats In Air Report for that date does not list his name.) The Squadron was flying escort to F.E.s and encountered Hostile Aircraft.

    His file records indicate that on 18th of June 1917 "The following information regarding this officer has been obtained from a German message dropped in to our lines "Slightly wounded. Prisoner of War". This has been scratched out and replaced with "Reported Dead." He was shot down near Cambrai, behind enemy lines and was buried in a civilian cemetery at Epinoy, in a privately owned vault, three miles from Cambrai. The Germans had, apparently, given him a full military funeral with honours.

    In 1925, contrary to the Canadian War Graves Commission and in violation of a wartime decree, his body was repatriated to Canada for reburial in the Sutcliffe Family Vault (an exact replica of the vault in France) in Riverside Cemetery, Lindsay, Ontario. There is a lot of mystery surrounding how the family got permission to bring him back to Canada but it is believed they somehow convinced authorities that he was an American. There is more to this fascinating story and I will be travelling to Epinoy in the spring of 2017 to find out more.

    Charles Elliot Sutcliffe

    Cynthia Sutcliffe




    238224

    Pte. Henderson Dent 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Jan 1916)

    Henderson Dent aged 33 years, a widower survived by one step son, a son and a daughter, died of wounds at 12:05am on 27th of January 1916. His right arm was amputated.

    Jan Pearson




    238223

    Pte. J. Robbins Remount Depot (Ormskirk) Royal Army Service Corps

    Private J Robbins died on the 20th January 1919. He was 49 years old and is buried in the north west part of the Clara Monastery Old Graveyard, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238222

    2nd Lt. William Desmond Guthrie Lotan (d.10th Dec 1916)

    Wiliam Lotan was the son of Mr G. W. Lotan of 25, South Circular Rd., Dublin. He was aged 27 when he died and is buried in Grave 35 in the Clane (St. Michael) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238221

    AMC2 John O'Connor Recruits Training Wing (d.27th Oct 1918)

    John O'Connor was the son of Mrs M. O'Connor of Gurteen, Ballyhooly. He was aged 22 when he died at the Recruits Training Wing at Blandford and is buried in the Churchill Cemetery in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238219

    Pte. Arthur Bexon 10th (Service) Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Bexon served with the 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment.

    Clare




    238218

    Capt. Ayre George H. Lees Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.6th Aug 1914)

    Ayre Lees was aged 24 when he died in the Military Hospital in Cork. He was the only son of Henry Lees 16 Lord Street, West, Southport. He is buried near the south west corner of the Chapelizod (St. Lawrence) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238216

    Pte. George Mitchell Fryer 9th Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.1st February 1917)

    George Fryer was my uncle. He died near Thiepval and his body was never found. As he died, and was not killed, it is odd that he was not found, as at the time military action was minimal due to bad weather. A comrade reported seeing him sitting at the roadside and this was the last we know of him.

    R M Barrett




    238215

    Spr. W. S. Dawson Royal Engineers

    Sapper SWDawson was 33 when he died on 4th November 1920. He is buried in the north east part of the Chapelizod (St. Lawrence) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Dublin, Ireland. His brother lived in Chapelizod.

    S Flynn




    238213

    AMech. 2 C. J. Sheridan

    Air Mechanic 2nd Class Sheridan was the son of Mrs Mary Sheridan, of 91, St. Ignatius Rd., Drumcondra.

    He was 21 when he died on 16th August 1921 and is buried near the north-west corner of the Celbridge (Tea Lane) Graveyard, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238212

    AMech3. Thomas McCarthy (d.16th Mar 1918)

    Air Mechanic 3rd Class Thomas McCarthy is buried in the south-west corner, close to the gate of the Castletown Kinneigh Cemetery, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238211

    L Sto N. Murray HMS Valkyrie (d.22nd Dec 1917)

    Leading Stoker Murray was the son of Margaret Murray of Moneynacrohy, Enniskean, Co. Cork. He was aged 42 when he died and is buried in the main part of the Castletown Kinneigh Cemetery, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238210

    L/Cpl. Cornelius Murray 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.13th June 1917)

    Cornelius Murray was the son of Mary Murray, of Crumlin, Moneygill, Co. Tipperary. He is buried in the Castletown Cemetery in Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238209

    Brevet Col. Henry Hendley Bond DSO. 53rd Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Henry Bond was the son of Mrs M. E. Bond, of The Manor, Castlelyons, Fermoy. He died on 10th November 1919 and is buried in the north-east corner in a private family plot in the Castlelyons Graveyard in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238208

    Sea. Daniel Cahalane

    Daniel Cahalane died on 2nd of May 1919 and is buried in the Castlelands (Ringrone) Graveyard in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238196

    Pte. Albert Walker York and Lancaster Regiment

    <p>

    Albert Walker was discharged on 19th September 1918 being no longer physically fit. He suffered gunshot wounds to the back, chest and right arm. He lived the rest of his life in Sheffield and owned a fruit and vegetable shop in Walkley.

    Barbara Walker




    238195

    Pte. Richard Uren 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.21st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Richard Uren was born in October 1884 at Skinningrove, North Yorkshire, the only son of Thomas Henry and Lemenia Uren. He died on 21st of August 1915 in the Dardanelles. Richard is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

    Jackie Rushton




    238192

    Rflmn. Robert Irvine 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Robert Irvine was a rifleman serving in the 11th South Antrim Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. I am looking for any information on him. Thanking you in anticipation.

    David Irvine




    238191

    Shoeing Smith George Sampson Alvey 171st Tunnelling Company Sinfin (d.14th July 1916)

    This is my great, great uncle George who was a blacksmith by trade and became part of the 171st Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers as a Shoe Smith. He is buried in Berks Cemetery Extension in plot I.F.16 We visited his grave at the end of August, as part of a 4 day trip to the WW1 battlefields

    Carol Sheppard




    238189

    Sapper charles James Read 11th Btn. Royal engineers Hampshire Regiment

    Charles Read was born 25/7/1888 in Hesting Winchester Hampshire. He married in 1912, and had 6 children. He emigrated 1960 to new zealand died there in 1973 and his war grave states he served 1914 to 1918.

    sue read




    238188

    Private Ernest Frederick Warner 10th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Son of late George and Mary Ann Warner. Ernest Warner was born, enlisted and lived in Colchester. He was killed in action on the 20th of Sep 1917, aged 22. He has No known grave and is Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Nick Forder




    238178

    Sgt. Harry Scargill 13th (1st Barnsley) Btn. A Coy. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Harry Scargill was a draper by trade in Eldon Street, Barnsley at the age of 27. One of the first to join the newly formed 1st Pals Battalion on 21st September 1914, he put a notice in the Barnsley Chronicle newspaper advising customers that he had joined Kitchener's Army and that his sister, Annie, would look after his trade and that he hoped to be back before too long.

    On 1st of July 1916, aged 29 and a Sergeant in A Company of the 13th (Service) Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment, he went over the top into No Mans Land with the clearing-up party following the second wave of the Accrington Pals attack against the German trench defences at Serre on the Somme at 07.40am.

    Amongst the murderous shellfire and hail of machine gun bullets Harry was killed in action and is buried today in Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps. His parents are buried in Barnsley Cemetery and their headstone is inscribed recording his death.

    Euston Road Cemetery

    Alastair McFarlane




    238177

    Spr. Reginald Wright 227th (Stockton on Tees) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.28th March 1918)

    <p>

    Reginald Wright is buried at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres.

    Graham Wright




    238175

    Mjr. Percival Havelock Acheson Army Service Corps (d.29th April 1916)

    Percival Acheson was the husband of Mrs P. H. Acheson of Ive-le-Bawn, Fermoy. He is buried in the north east part of the Castlehyde Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Cork, Ireland. Major Acheson was serving with the Army Service Corps, he was shot on 29th of April 1916, when he failed to answer a challenge by a sentry at a road checkpoint at Grange, Fermoy, Cork, during the Uprising.

    S Flynn




    238173

    Spr. R. Ryan Royal Engineers (d.6th Nov 1918)

    Sapper Ryan was the husband of A. Ryan of Kilkenny. He is buried near the south boundary of the Castlegannon Catholic Church in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238172

    Pte. Adam McLucas 4th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    Adam McLucas was 34 when he died and is buried near the north west corner of the church in the Castlefin (St. Mary) Catholic Churchyard in Co. Donegal, Ireland. He was the brother of George McLucas of Lifford, Co. Donegal.

    S Flynn




    238171

    Pte. Thomas McCullagh 7th/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.13th April 1918)

    Thomas McCullagh was the son of Mrs McCullagh, of Blairstown, Castlefin. He died of wounds and is buried near the north-east corner of the church in the Castlefin (St. Mary) Catholic Churchyard in Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238170

    Cpl. Frank Lord Yorkshire Regiment

    Frank Lord died on the 27th of September 1919 and is buried in the North part of the Castlecomer (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. He was aged 20 when he died and was the son of Henry and Sarah Annie Lord of Bury, Lancs.

    S Flynn




    238169

    Pte. George Heppenstal 2nd/1st Btn. Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry

    George Heppenstal died on 26th September 1919 aged 22. He is buried in the North part of the Castlecomer (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238168

    Maj. Harry Francis Chadds MID, MC. 2nd Btn. Border Regiment

    Harry Chadds survived the war but was killed in a flying accident at Castlebar on 23rd of August 1920 and is buried in the Castlebar Church of Ireland, Co. Mayo, Ireland. He was born on 30th October 1890 in the Curragh, Co. Kildare.

    S Flynn




    238166

    Pte. Clarence Elbourne D Coy. 36th Battalion

    <p>

    Clarence Elbourne served with D Company, 36th Battalion.





    238164

    L/Cpl. Robert Arthur Head 6th Dragoon Guards (The Carabiniers) (d.31st Oct 1914)

    Robert Arthur Head was killed in action on 31st October 1914. He enlisted in the 13th Hussars on 15th February 1911 and was discharged by purchase on 4th of February 1913. Robert re-enlisted in the 6th Dragoon Guards on 26th November 1913.

    Enquiry on his death reads: 353 Pte E T Webb 6th Dragoon Guards "On the night of 31st October 1914 I was in a trench with L'Cpl Head, during a lull in the German attack I heard Capt. Hartley ask him if he knew where the trench of A Squadron was. He replied that he did, as he had been there the evening before. Capt Hartley asked him if he would go and try to find out if the trench was still intact. He said he would, about 2 minutes after he left fresh parties of the enemy advanced up the ledge between A and C Squadron trenches. I never saw him again."

    Tom




    238159

    Pte. Benjamin James Smith 1st Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment

    My Great Grandad, Benjamin Smith, enlisted on 25th of February 1916. He served in the 1st Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment for just over a year, until he was injured just before the Battle of Passchendaele. The injuries he received were a gunshot wound which shattered his face and caused him to lose his right eye. He spent quite a few months in hospital before finally being discharged from the Army on 2nd of July 1917. He was passed as medically unfit for active duty but was allowed to transfer to the Army reserve. After recovering from his injuries he joined the Royal Air Force on 11th of September 1918. He had the rank of AC2 and his service number was 294887. He was a batman to one of the officers. He was finally discharged from the RAF on 18th December 1918.

    Benjamin J Smith received the British War Medal, the Allied Victory Medal and, as he was injured during active service, the Silver War Badge.

    He married in 1921 and went on to have two sons and two daughters, the eldest being my Grandfather. At the time of writing, his youngest son is still alive and is now 90 years old.

    Stephanie Butler




    238157

    Pte. Albert Frank Gurney 7th Brigade Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    Albert Gurney served with 7th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery.

    Josh Williams




    238154

    Pte. James Hamrouge 1st Btn. North Staffs Regiment (d.25th March 1915)

    Jim Hamrouge was killed in the trenches at L'Epinette by a sniper. When his family were informed of his death, due to an admin error, two letters were sent by mistake.

    John Collins




    238150

    Gnr. William Charles Chenery 208th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Charles Chenery is top right.

    My grandfather Charles Chenery was an agricultural worker and after the War was a docker at Ipswich docks. He used to turn up daily to see if there was work that day! I know nothing of his war experience, nor do living relatives. I want to find more on this unit to see if any info.

    Michael Chenery




    238149

    Pte. William Henry Ellis 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.21st Mar 1918)

    William Ellis fought at the Somme, he was registered missing, presumed dead. His Widow was paid £21.

    Katy Wheatley




    238139

    Pte. Willie Earnest Cadreman 8th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Billy Cadreman was a Lewis gunner. He was captured at the Battle of St Quentin on the 21st of March 1918. He lost a brother, Fredrick Cadreman of the 4th Royal Fusillers at the Battle of Bellewarrde in 1915.





    238137

    Pte. Harry Higgins 335th Road Construction Coy. Royal Engineers

    Harry Higgins had a twin named George, their father was Joseph Higgins and mother Elizabeth. He was born in Coleshill, Warwickshire in 1885. I would like to know if anyone else has more information.

    Sheila Owens




    238133

    Pte. Joseph McHale Connaught Rangers

    Joseph McHale was transferred to the Labour Corps. He was the Son of Thomas and Annie McHale and was aged 34 when he died. He is buried in the left part of the Old Ground in the Castlebar Catholic Cemetery, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238132

    L/Cpl. Vincent Livesey 2nd Btn. Border Regiment

    Vincent Livesey was the Son of John Thomas and Mary Livesey of 16 Collins Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston. He was aged 19 when he died on 28th April 1920 and is buried in the lower part of the New Ground in the Castlebar Catholic Cemetery, Co.Mayo, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238131

    Pte. T. Callaghan 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers

    Private T. Callaghan was the Husband of M. Callaghan of 43 John Knox St., Clydebank, Dunbartonshire. He was aged 43 when he died on 13th May 1920 and is buried in the lower part of the New Ground in the Castlebar Catholic Cemetery, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    s flynn




    238129

    L/Cpl. Robert Percy Howard 10th (Stockbrokers) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.17th Nov 1916)

    Robert Howard's name appears in the Holy Trinity Church, Bow, and I am carrying out research into his and all the names thereon.

    Elaine Palmer




    238128

    Sgt. George Edward Yates DCM 20 Company RGA and 23rd Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My great grandfather George Yates enlisted in the RGA on 8th January 1903 in Portsmouth. He was posted to No.2 Depot at Fort Rouner then to 20th Company RGA (Jersey) in February 1903. He Married Ethel Elizabeth Minchinton on 3rd March 1906 and a son George Arthur (who would become a Capt. RASC) was born 19th August 1906.

    George was posted to 88th Company RGA and saw foreign service in Hong Kong and Peking from October 1911 to November 1914. He was posted to 23rd Siege Battery RGA in February 1915 and deployed to France in August 1916. He was awarded the DCM (London Gazette 3rd of June 1918) and was posted to 2nd Army Artillery School on the 8th of June 1918. He was posted 36th Fire Command on the 8th of February 1920. George was awarded the medal of Jersey Humane Society for gallantry in the attempted rescue of a man overcome by poisonous gases in the town sewers in Jersey. He was discharged from the Army on 7th of January 1924 having Served with the Colours of 21 years.

    The Citation for his DCM reads: 13955 Sjt. G. E. Yates, R.G.A. (Jersey)

    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This reliable and capable non-commissioned officer has set a fine example of steadiness under fire and of disregard of danger at all times. He has taken part as No. 1 of a detachment in all the fighting in which the battery has been engaged for the last three years.

    He was awarded the DCM, 1914-15 Star, British War, Victory, Long Service and Good Conduct medals.

    Sgt George Yates - about 1920 in Jersey

    Sgt George Yates - with Humane Society of Jersey medal for gallantry

    Sgt George Yates with his wife Ethel

    Sgt George Yates on promenade at Havre des Pas Jersey

    Marc Yates




    238118

    Cpl. Samual Watkinson E. Lancs Div. Supply Col. Army Service Corps (d.27th January 1915)

    Samual Watkinson served as a Farrier with the East Lancashire Division Supply Column.





    238114

    Pte. Harry Eyre 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.19th September 1918)

    Harry Eyre's remains were interred in the Chambieres French National Cemetery, Metz. A headstone erected in his hometown of Crowle suggests he died when he was a prisoner of war.





    238113

    Rflmn. Sidney Harry Hart 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Sidney Hart is my grandfather. My father was only 3 when his father was killed and, as far as I can tell, there are no photographs of him. My brother and I have visited his grave and plan to attend on the 100th anniversary this June.

    Linda Hart Corbett




    238111

    Sgt. George Beresford Palfreyman 219th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th Jan 1918)

    George Palfreyman, was born 19th September 1894 and was the son of George and Martha Palfreyman of Gorton. He died as a result of gas in January 1918 at the No 6 General Hospital, Rouen. According to the 1911 census he was an auxiliary postman.

    C Giles




    238109

    George Albert Eaton

    My grandfather's brother George Albert Eaton was probably in same regiment as my Grandfather, but he was older so conscripted earlier. He was a sniper.

    Jack Eaton




    238108

    Pte. William Arthur Eaton

    William Eaton, my grandfather, told me that he was at Arras, he also mentioned Charleroi. My father told me that for many years he grew a bulb in a German army helmet.

    Jack Eaton




    238107

    William Creed Hall 10th (Hackney) Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    William Hall served with 10th (Hackney) Battalion, Rifle Brigade.

    Michele Snook




    238101

    L/Cpl. Percy John Aylett 32nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.4th Sep 1919)

    Percy Aylett was the son of Mr and Mrs George Aylett of The Borough, Downton He enlisted in the army on 30th May 1912 and was discharged Sick, 23rd December 1918 from 32nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He died 4th September 1919, aged 22 and is buried in Downton Churchyard.





    238096

    Sgt. William Frederick Rayner DSC, MID. 112th Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    45759 Sgt. W. F. Rayner, B/112th Bde., R.F.A. (Battersea, S.W.).

    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 28th August 1918, near Maricourt. When the battery was under heavy shell fire and only three guns were in action, he volunteered with one gunner to work his gun, while the remainder took cover. He worked for five hours, most of the time in a gas- mask, and during this time the three guns had knocked out a section of enemy field guns. (Taken from Supplement to the London Gazette 10th Jan 1920 453).

    William Rayner was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Mentioned in Despatches 13th November 1916 - Winston Churchill.

    WF Rayner DSC citation

    WF Rayner Mentioned in Despatch Churchill

    Fergus Wootton




    238094

    Cpl. David Wood 1/6 Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.10th April 1917)

    <p>

    David Wood was born in 1889 at Lossiemouth in Scotland, the son of William and Catherine Wood. He was a baker to trade. He enlisted in November 1914 at Elgin in Morayshire. He was killed in action on 10th of April 1917 aged 27 and is buried at Aubigny Military Cemetery in Northern France.

    Steve




    238093

    Able.Sea. Alexander Reid "Sandy" McMartin HMS Marlborough

    My grandfather Alexander McMartin served in the Royal Navy for 12 years and survived the Battle of Jutland aboard the Marlborough, then served on HMS Vivid. After the war he emigrated to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to be with the rest of the family who had emigrated there in 1910. He passed away in 1947.

    Teresa MacMartin




    238084

    Pte. William "Old Beaver" Wright 1/4th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers

    When Grandpa, William Wright, joined the King's Own Scottish Borderers to fight in the First World War, he thought it would be fun. But after a time he thought it was better at home, so he packed up his bags and went home. But for some reason they came and said `Naughty boy, you're in for the duration'.

    After training he went off to Egypt where he was involved in the Second Battle of Gaza. He was in a listening post when nature called. He went back down the trench and was just leaving the latrine when a mortar landed in it. Poor grandpa was hit with shrapnel and what ever was in the loo. As he was knocked out and bleeding, his comrades came along thinking `Old Beaver' was dead. They ran off to inform the NCO. In the meantime, Grandpa came to and said to his buddies that he was not dead. He was evacuated to Alexandria. After recovering he was sent off to the western front. His job was that of a stretcher bearer.

    He survived the war and emigrated to Canada. Grandpa had a metal piece in his head for the rest of his life. During the Second World War he joined the Veterans Guards of Canada. He spent the war as a guard for the POWs in Canada. After the war he was on escort duty to repatriate the prisoners to Germany.

    Bill Wright




    238083

    Spr. J. Percival Dickson 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy.

    All I have is a postcard sent from Belgium on 3rd of November 1916 to his Aunt Maude and Uncle Walter and a small card with No 415 Spr J.P. Dickson 1st Australian Tunnelling Company. On active service abroad.

    Sheryl Hooley




    238082

    Pte. George Robert Baber 2/2nd Btn. (d.22nd Sep 1918)

    George Baber served with the 2nd Royal Fusiliers before being posted to 2nd/2nd Battalion, London Regiment.





    238080

    Rflmn. John George Ansell 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.18th April 1917)

    <p>

    Jack Ansell was mortally injured in the assault of Monchy le Preux on Wednesday 11th April 1917. He was transferred from the battlefield to Etaples for treatment.

    He was his mother's first child, just 19 years old. She received a message that he was badly injured and travelled to Dover to catch the first available ferry in order to see him. Sadly, the weather was too unfavourable and the ferry was delayed. When she did finally arrive at the field hospital in Etaples he was no longer alive in the ward, he had died on 18th of April. His mother had to identify his body lying outside covered in a tarpaulin, awaiting burial. His grave can now be found in the Etaples cemetery.

    The brigade chaplain, Lieutenant Chamberlen's "Account of Arras", written in 1932, records the progress of the 13th Rifle Brigade from 9th to 15th April, during which only 40% of the battalion survived alive or uninjured. Using the trench maps one can trace the route taken by the battalion during this assault.

    Michael Ansell




    238065

    Pte. Thomas Henry Waterman London Regiment

    Thomas Waterman was my maternal grandfather. He survived WW1 and died in West Wickham aged 70 in 1968.





    238058

    Pte. Joel Firth 6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd March 1916)

    <p>

    Joel Firth served with the 6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Richard Jackson




    238056

    Pte. Thomas William Studd London Regiment

    I don't really have any stories of Great Grandad, Thomas William Studd. I have searched for my relatives and found that both Great Grandfathers were posted abroad during WW1, Would love to find out more.

    D




    238052

    L/Cpl. Harry Wiseman 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    I am in possession of WW1 pair for Harry Wiseman. His service record shows he was listed as Missing from 21st to 31st March 1918, then as a POW at Limburg.

    C Giles




    238044

    Pte. Peter Dolan 8th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th Mar 1916)

    Peter Dolan is buried in Bois-Carre Military Cemetery in France. He was my grandfather on my mother's side.

    James Kenny




    238043

    Pte. Claude Thomas Bicker Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.1st June 1917)

    <p>

    Claude Bicker was born in Carlisle, Cumbria in 1895. He initially enlisted in the Kings Liverpool Regiment on 11th of January 1915 aged 20. His battalion left Formby in July 1916 for France. Sometime around August 1916 he was transferred to the 8th Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment under the new service number 29979. On 1st of July 1917, Claude was killed whilst attached to the Machine Gun Corps aged 22. I believe he was attached to the 7th Coy. Machine Gun Corps when he died. Their War Diary confirmed that they were in the Wolverghem sector and that three men were killed and two were wounded at North Midland Farm.

    Wargrave

    Leanne Roberts




    238042

    Pte. George William Trumpess 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.16th January 1918)

    <p>

    Taken from newspaper report following his death:

    "Pte G.W. Trumpess, of the Coldstream Guards, son of Mr and Mrs George Trumpess of 4 Albany-terrace, Chase Street, Wisbech was killed in action in France on Jan 16th. The deceased soldier, who was 19 years of age, was buried by a shell in the front line on his first night there. Amongst several letters received by Mrs Trumpess we extract the following: A.H. Collier writes: "I really don't know how to write you, for it was such a big blow to me when I heard of George's death, but, of course, that is nothing in comparison to what it must be to his loved ones. He met his death on his first night in the line, just as he was passing along to his post. It was a minnewaufer that came over, and three were killed at the same time".

    Second-Lieut Ronald Griffin writes "Pte G. W. Trumpess was buried by a shell while in the front line. He must have died instantaneously and quite without pain, as the trench fell in completely. His death is a great loss to his comrades and officers, as he was one of the best soldiers and most popular men we had".

    The late Pte George Trumpess joined up on Feb. 15th of last year, and went out to France at the end of October. In civil life he worked as a shoemaker for Mr Ward, Norfolk-street, and after that establishment was closed was employed with Mr Kingston's Blackfriars Bridge."

    Lynne Pavey




    238035

    2nd.Lt. William Raymond Corley 9th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    William Corley served with the 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment and was killed in action on the 27th of March 1918. Aged 23, he was the son of William and Marian Corley, of 2 Selby Avenue, St. Albans. He had been Mentioned in Despatches. Having no known grave he is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France and on the St Albans war memorial.

    Helen Whittle




    238034

    Pte. William Rea 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916 )

    William Rea was educated at Monmouth School Monmouth and is referenced in the school magazine Pro Patria. He was born 30th February 1890. His father was William Joseph who died before him and his mother was Susan.

    He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and is also being commemorated in a project, Monmouth A Town at War, which is being delivered by Monmouth Museum and a group of volunteers.

    Kay Potts




    238031

    Pte. William Laurie 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.20th July 1916)

    My great uncle, William Laurie, who lived at 51 Bromley St, West Hartlepool, was killed in action at the Somme on 20th of July 1916, possibly during the Battle of Delville Wood. It was two days after his 24th birthday. He left behind his wife, Selina (Codling), and their one-year old son, William. My mother, Ada was also only one-year old when he was killed. Although she never knew him, she still refers to him as Uncle Will. He fought with the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment and is reportedly buried near Thiepval.

    Bob Bryant




    238030

    Mjr. Constantine James Phipps MC, DSO. 2nd Divisional Signals Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Major C.J. Phipps, was a Company Commander with 2nd Divisional Signals and had spent most of the war with unit, he died of the flu in February 1919 and was buried in Duren. Jack Laburn kept his photo and obituary with his own war memorabilia.

    Helen Whittle




    238023

    Pte. Thomas Bishop 4th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.25th March 1915)

    Thomas Bishop was aged 61 when he died and is buried in the middle of the Cashel (St. John the Baptist) Catholic Churchyard in Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    238021

    Pte. Joseph Edgar Wilson 8th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (d.6th May 1918)

    My grandfather, Joseph Wilson, a hero of the Boer war who died in the first world war.

    Peter Wilson




    238020

    Pte. Lawrence Chaisty Machine Gun Corps

    Lawrence Chaisty served with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and the Machine Gun Corps.

    Lynne Fornieles




    238018

    Pte. Harry Clitheroe 8th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment

    <p>

    I thought I would try and piece together my great grandfather Harry Clitheroe's World War 1 and World War 2 history. I'll be happy to receive any input from people.

    Harry was born in 1898. In 1917 he is 18 years old and he joined up and was at 60th Training Battalion, 20th Welsh Regiment, Kimmel Barracks, North Wales. (Not sure what date he joins up for here.) But he then joins the 8th Battalion King's Liverpool (Irish) Regiment, enlisting at Preston on 24th February 1917. (I will be looking at which battles he took part in.) He was a private and his service number was 88329.

    Harry was discharged after service on 18th February 1919: remarks 2 Blue Chevrons in France. The day after - 19th February 1919 - he enlists in the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, as a Private, with the service number 3435140. He served for 2 years and 41 days and was discharged on 31st March 1921. He was a 1st Class rifle shot and 1st Class Lewis Gunner.

    When World War 2 started he found himself with the RASC in Belgium. When the Germans invaded he narrowly escaped and had to get to Dunkirk - some 20 miles away.

    John Melling




    238017

    Capt. Alick Dunbar Trotter MC. 9th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    Captain Alick Trotter MC was killed at the second Battle of Doiran on the Greek Macedonian border. He is remembered on Malton War Memorial and in St Michael's Church and is also commemorated on the Doiran Memorial in Greece.

    J Howard




    238016

    Nurse. Mercy R. Challoner

    Mercy Challoner served as a part time Red Cross Nurse at Tesdale House Auxiliary Hospital in Abingdon with Berkshire 36 VAD.





    238015

    Pte. Joseph Wilson Hebson 5th Btn. Border Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    Joseph Hebson worked as a porter and signalman at Threlkeld Station on the CKPR. He was killed on the Somme in 1918 and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial and on the CKPR tablet on the south side of the war memorial in Keswick.

    Pete Armstrong




    237976

    VAD. Margaret Trevenen Arnold No. 16 Stationary Hospital (d.12th March 1916)

    Margaret Arnold, VAD, died on 12th March 1916 and is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery.





    237939

    Sister. Gower No. 16 Stationary Hospital

    Sister Gower served at No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport and No 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux.





    237918

    Florence Treadgold

    Florence Treadgold volunteered as a ward help for the Red Cross and worked throughout the war at the Cintra Terrace and Wordsworth VAD hospitals.





    237916

    Bdm. John Robert O'Neill 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    We only know John O'Neill was admitted to St George's Mental Hospital in January 1933. He died there in December 1940

    Katie Hewitt




    237915

    Pte. George Ernest Humphries 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    George Humphries was gassed at some point during his service in France and for years after his return, would suddenly pull his sleeves up and scratch furiously at his skin on his forearms, trying to relieve the burning sensation that still troubled him. He returned to work in the Post Office in Wandsworth after the war and worked there until he retired in 1951. He died in 1962.

    David Humphries




    237897

    Ordly. Malcolm Norman

    Malcolm Norman served as a Red Cross Orderly at the Cottenham Red Cross Hospital Hospital. He died on the 23rd of October 1916 aged 18 years and is remembered on the on the Cottenham war memorial.





    237877

    Sgt. Joseph Henry Newman 2/7th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.5th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Newman was my great uncle who was born in Poole, Dorset. He joined up, and was killed in the Battle of Cambrai in December of 1917. He left behind his wife and small child.

    Joseph Henry Newman is in the middle front.

    Brothers, at the back is William George who served in the Navy, on the left is Joseph Henry and on the right is Harry Newman

    Angie M. Kitcher




    237874

    Nurse. Winifred Sutton

    Winifred Sutton was awarded the Royal Red Cross 1st Class Decoration for her work at the Vicarage Auxiliary Hospital in Runcorn, Cheshire.





    237862

    L/Cpl. Matthew Michael Carroll 34th Btn. (d.8th June 1917)

    Matthew Carroll was a carpenter in Cessnock before he enlisted. Matthew was killed in action on 8th June 1917. He and his mate from Cessnock, Frank Howard, died together on that day side by side. His body was never found and no grave exists for him or Frank.

    Barbara Batey




    237857

    VAD Fletcher No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Miss Fletcher served at No 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux and No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport.





    237854

    VAD. Dorothea Crewdson MM ARRC. No. 32 Stationary Hospital (d.12th March 1919)

    Dorothea Crewdson, served at No 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, No 16 Stationary Hospital at Le Treport and No 46 Stationary Hospital at Etaples. She died on 12th March 1919 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.





    237850

    VAD. Bownes No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Miss Bownes served at No 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux and No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport.





    237844

    Sister. Reay No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Sister Reay served at No 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux and No 46 Stationery Hospital, Etaples.





    237841

    Sister MacDonald No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Sister MacDonald served at No 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux and No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport.





    237840

    Sister Keay No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Sister Keay served at No. 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux





    237839

    Sister. Harrison No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Sister Harrison served at No. 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux





    237837

    Sister Garrett No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Sister Garrett served at No. 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux.





    237836

    Sister. Garnett No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Sister Garnett served at No. 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux and No. 16 Stationery Hospital at Le Treport. She moved to No. 19 Casualty Clearing Station in September 1915.





    237835

    Sister. Fuller No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Sister Fuller was based at No. 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux





    237834

    Sister. Donaldson No 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux

    Sister Donaldson served at No. 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux





    237833

    Matron Congleton No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Matron Congleton served at No. 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux.





    237832

    Sister Buckham No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Sister Buckham served at No. 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux





    237831

    Sister Beardsmore No. 32 Stationary Hospital

    Sister Beardsmore was based at No 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux





    237829

    Sister. Andrews No. 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux

    Sister Andrews was an Asstistant Theatre Sister at No. 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux





    237827

    Gnr. Francis James Whitecross 7th Brigade Australian Field Artillery (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Francis Whitecross is buried in Strand Cemetery in Ploegsteert.

    Anny Beauprez




    237819

    Pte. Richard Hardstaff 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Richard Hardstaff was born in January 1895 in Bakewell Derbyshire. He joined up on 9th April, 1915, leaving his home in Parade View, Matlock Bath. He died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was 21 years of age. He is buried in Fonquevillers CWGC sharing his grave with two others. He clearly was wounded and died of his wounds later on 1st July, 2016 at the Casualty Clearing on this site.

    Anna Davies




    237817

    Pte. John Wesley Amos 10th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    John Amos enlisted in Ilkley.

    Peter McCune




    237815

    Pte. George Harrison 2/5th Btn. D.Coy Lincolnshire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    George Harrison was the husband of Laura (nee Youell) He was reported missing on the 26th of September 1917 near Ypres and officially reported killed on 22nd of June 1918, age 23 years.

    Robert O'Toole




    237814

    Dvr. W. Ryan Royal Field Artillery

    W. Ryan was the Husband of E. Ryan, of Friar St., Cashel. He was 47 when he died on 22nd July 1919 and is buried in the North-West angle of the Cathedral in the Cashel (Rock of Cashel) Graveyard in Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237813

    Pte. John O'Donohue 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.11th Jan 1917)

    John O'Donohue was also known as Pte. John Donohue was the son of John and Catherine O'Donohue, of Camas Riad, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. He served in the South African Campaign and on the North West Frontier of India. He was aged 52 when he died and is buried in the North-West angle of the Cathedral in the Cashel (Rock of Cashel) Graveyard in Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237812

    Dvr. James Francis O'Brien 5th Reserve Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.16th Dec 1915)

    James O'Brien was the Son of J. O'Brien, of William St., Cashel. He is buried north of the north tower in the Cashel (Rock of Cashel) Graveyard in Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237810

    Pte. M. Cunningham Royal Irish Regiment (d.29th September 1919)

    M. Cunningham served with the Royal Irish Regiment, then with the Labour Corps and Royal Defence Corps. He is buried north east of the Cathedral in the Cashel (Rock of Cashel) Graveyard in Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237809

    Pte. Allen Nield 6th Btn. E Coy. Cheshire Regiment

    Taken from postcards to his brother and sister.

    E.Company, 6th battalion, Cheshire Regt. Territorial bat.

    Allen Nield. (WR/203603)

    12th August 1914 We are all packed up for a 12 mile march to Church Stretton tomorrow, starting possibly in the dark (eg 3.30 am) Saturday. We might find tents (up or down or none at all). We have to be ready to kip under hedges with nothing but what each man carries in shape of food and shelter. Food is good and plentiful but rough. Yrs Allen.

    1915 photo of Fountainblue

    Tuesday 16th.

    We are up near the scene of the advance near La Bassee and have just been engaged in clearing the wounded from where they lay in the open. Some since Wednesday Our forces captured 3 lines of trenches in 12 minutes but paid a hellish price. The shell fire here is horrible. I am going back to barracks today. Allen.

    S Rayner




    237808

    Dvr. Ernest "Jumbo" Hughes 37th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Ernest Hughes was a driver with 37th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    William Sprigings




    237805

    Gnr. William Henry Ibbotson 297th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Portrait in uniform 1917

    William Ibbotson enlisted in Dec 1915 but was not mobilised until March 1917 where he initially served with 399th Siege Battery RGA then was posted to 297th Siege Battery in Aug 1917. It is believed he was posted to Ypres where he provided artillery support for the 3rd Battle of Ypres and Passchendaele. He was a gas casualty in Aug 1918 losing 30% lung capacity and was eventually discharged on the 20th of Nov 18. He died in 1960.

    Postcard from France

    RGA Forget Me Not

    Robin Ibbotson




    237803

    Pte. Gerald Joseph Egan 3rd Btn. 12th Coy. Canterbury Infantry

    The New Zealand government started a campaign to provide for sale, at favourable prices, lots of farming land in the Nelson locality on South Island. This involved the break-up of large 25,000 acre, sheep farms. In 1910 William Egan, Maltster, and fourth eldest son of Henry Egan, merchant, Tullamore decided to take advantage of the scheme and emigrated to Marlborough, Blenheim, South Island, at the age of 28. William J. settled and first farmed in the Atatere Valley having lodged at the Marlborough Hotel, Blenheim. As a pioneering farmer, the Awatere was a tough environment and upon hearing of pip fruit orchard land for sale, decided to sell and move further North to Neudorf, Upper Moutere, near Nelson. By now he owned under mortgages both a small hotel in Cape Campbell/Marlborough as well as an apple farm in Neudorf. Around 1912, he was joined at Neudorf by his younger brother Gerald Joseph Egan, a student in the bank in Ireland and sixth son of Henry Egan, at the time aged 20.

    The menace of war was on the horizon in Europe and the young six foot tall and fit Gerald J. enlisted at Nelson on the 18th August 1914, three weeks after Britain declared war on the Germans. He joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. After 88 days of training drills Private Gerald Joseph Egan bade farewell to his brother William for the last time as he was shipped off to Egypt. He was to spend 3 years and 155 days in action in the Great War. It was not Private Gerald Egan who was to die prematurely, but sadly, his older brother William who died of heart failure at Moutuka Hospital interred therein for seven days suffering pneumonia. William had spent six years in New Zealand and at the tender age of 34 passed away on the 18th November 1916.

    From Alexandria, Gerald served time with the ANZAC forces, having fought and survived at the Dardanelles, as well as at Mudros and Imbros and Galapolli in 1915. He was discharged to base at Alexandria, suffering dysentery, and later jaundice. Once discharged from hospital, he was then shipped to the Western front in Belgium after training at 2nd Army Sniper school at Sling, Wiltshire. As part of the 3rd Canterbury Infantry Battalion he was to serve and survive the brutality of the Battle of Messiers, a prelude to the Battle of Ypres. In taking the strategically important and well-fortified German held village of Messiers, Egan sustained a gunshot wound to his right knee and was removed via field ambulance to the South African field hospital on the 7th June 1917. Between 1st and 14th June ANZAC forces lost 4,978 men and the Germans lost 23,000.

    He was transferred to Abbeville, Rouen in France and onto Bathurst and lost his right leg to amputation on the 22nd Jan 1918. He was declared unfit for further action on 28th January 1918 and was shipped back to home-base through Liverpool bound for Mauaganui, New Zealand on board the Encouibo.

    He was decorated with three medals: the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Gerald Joseph was discharged on army pension on the 16th April 1918. He died unmarried and alone on the 31st January 1959 at 44 Austin Street, Wellington. The Coroner conducted a post mortem but decided, under the circumstances, not to conduct an inquest. His remains are interred at Karori, Wellington.

    Maurice Egan




    237801

    CQMS Frederick Vincent Ashforth 1/8th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.21st April 1918)

    Frederick Vincent Ashforth, born 1884, is my second cousin twice removed. He was born in Sheffield, the last of three boys and his father died when Frederick was about two years old. His two older brothers died at ages 2 years and 10 months and the other at age 10. Frederick's mother married again in 1889 and she and her new husband moved to the Leeds area of Yorkshire.

    Frederick married Hannah Binks in 1909 and then when war broke out he enlisted in the West Yorkshire Regiment {Prince of Wales Own). He was made Company Quarter Master Sergeant in the 8th Battalion. He fought in France, dying at the age of 34 and is buried at Bienvillers Military Cemetery.

    I have no photo, no papers except the certificate which one can download from the War Graves Commission website. Frederick and Hannah appear to not have any children, and on the certificate she shows her living place as Morecambe in Lancashire. However, I do have a photo where his name has been added to his father's and brothers' headstone in the City Road Cemetery in Sheffield.

    Carole Naylor




    237798

    PO Edmund Henry Walker HMS Victory (d.8th October 1917)

    My great uncle, Edmund Walker, was on the ship in the lookout tower when he fell to the deck below. I have been unable to find out more but his wife Ada T Walker died in July 1959 aged 82 years. Edmund had three stripes. I have a picture of him in uniform.

    Julian Edwards




    237796

    Gnr. James Watson 36th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    My grandfather James Watson was a teamsman (horse man) on a farm, according to my mother he said "if the young ones can go to war so can I" and then he enlisted. He was killed by German artillery at Athies and buried in the local communal cemetery.

    Barry G Plunkett




    237793

    Rfl. Charles John Pitches 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.19th June 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather Chas Pitches died in a field hospital as a result of injuries received in the line of duty. His grave is in Grevillers. Somewhere in the family, there are some letters from the Matron to my Great Grandmother advising her of his progress and prior to that a handful of touching letters to her from my Great Grandfather whilst on active service.

    Rifleman Charles  Pitches headstone

    Deborah Pullen




    237790

    Pte. Michael Dwyer 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.9th March 1915)

    Michael Dwyer died of wounds and is buried in the south west part of the Cashel (Hore abbey) Graveyard in Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237789

    Sgt. Robert O'Keeffe 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.17th April 1917)

    Robert O'Keefe was the husband of Ellen O'Keeffe of Carrigallen. He was formerly with the Connaught Rangers. He was aged 58 when he died and is buried near the south boundary of the Carrigallen Catholic Churchyard in Co. Leitrim, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237786

    Sgt. James Blythe Robinson MM 2nd Btn., A Coy. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    James Robinson was with 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment when it was called back from Malta in September 1914. He embarked for France with the Regiment on 4th November 1914 - arriving in Le Havre on 5th November. James served in action in France from 13th November 1914 until wounded by gunshot in the lower body in the Battle of Albert in July 1916. He was treated at the 3rd Casualty Clearing Unit on 2nd of July. Above and beyond usual service medals James was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in the field - notification appearing in the London Gazette in November 1916. James survived the war and lived in England until his death in 1968.

    Don Byfield




    237784

    Sgt. Thomas John Collins 12th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    Thomas Collins was born in Salford in 1886. He joined the 12th Battalion, Manchester Regiment in 1914. He was then part of the 52nd Brigade 17th Division a bigger unit. He was killed in action on 7th July 1916 during the Battle of Albert.

    Christopher Newton




    237780

    Spr. Reginald William Hancock Z Special Coy. Royal Engineers (d.25th June 1918)

    Sapper Hancock served with Z Special Company, Royal Engineers, which handled chemical weapons. He died on 25th June 1918, aged 22, and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France.





    237779

    Pte. A. P. Morgan 13th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.4th January 1916)

    Private Morgan succumbed to wounds and died on 4th January 1916, aged 19. He is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France.





    237778

    2nd Lt. Peter Ferguson "Old Bill" Bayley 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.23th March 1918)

    Before becoming commissioned Peter Bayley served as a Corporal in the 12th Highland Light Infantry with the service number 4034. He became a temporary 2nd Lt on 26th June 1917. He joined his battalion in France on 5th December 1917.

    Peter was wounded (gun shot, right thigh) at Passchendaele on 13th December 1917. He rejoined his battalion on 11th February 1918. He was reported as missing in action between 22nd and 24th March 1918 at Flavy-Le-Martel. Later, because his father was in denial about his son's death, as it was presumed he was POW. However, having contacted his son's fellow comrades he found out his son was killed on 23rd March 1918 due to a wound to the leg. He had told his men not to wait with him as it was part of a retreat. Rest In peace. Brave soul.

    James




    237777

    Pte. Bertie Moore 5th Btn., "D" Coy Leicestershire Regiment (d.6th August 1915)

    Bertie Moore died of wounds on 6th August 1915 and is buried at Le Treport Military Cemetery, France. He was 19 years old when he died.





    237776

    L/Cpl. Harold Jackson 7th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.9th July 1916)

    Harold Jackson served with the Sherwood Foresters, 7th battalion. He died of wounds on 9th July 1916 and is buried at Le Treport Military Cemetery, France.





    237775

    Pte. P. Guy 6th Btn., D Coy. Sherwood Foresters (d.8th August 1915)

    Private Guy died on 8th August 1915 from wounds he suffered at Sanctuary Wood. He is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France.





    237774

    Pte. William J. Patching 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment

    William Patching was the eldest of three brothers who were professional soldiers. He seems to have been out of the army in 1914 (he had enlisted in the 2nd Btn in 1906) and was recalled into the 1st Btn Northamptonshire Regiment. Wounded in 1915 he was discharged on 25th November 1916 with the Silver War Badge. The middle brother Bertie J was in 6th Dragoons L/Cpl D/4701 and the youngest Arthur served with the 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment. All three survived the War.

    D Patching




    237772

    AC3. Frank William Allardyce (d.29h Dec 1918)

    Frank Allardyce is buried in the south-east part of the Carrickmacross Church of Ireland New Cemetery in Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237771

    Pte. W. A. Laird 14th Battalion (d.18th April 1917)

    Private Laird was 35 when he died and is buried near the entrance gate in the Carrick-on-Shannon (St. George) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Leitrim, Ireland. His brother lived in Carrick-on-Shannon.

    s flynn




    237770

    Bmdr. Robert Cecil Littlewood 314th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Robert Littlewood served with the No 7, Lancashire and Cheshire Royal Artillery and 314th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

    Jenny Fowler




    237769

    Nurse. Ivonne Fitzroy

    Ivonne FitzRoy volunteered as a nurse from September 1914, she worked 8 hours a week at Morley Manor Red Cross Hospital and Egginton Hall Red Cross Hospital.





    237768

    Pte. John Ward 5th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    Some years ago, when my grandfather died and we cleared his house, we found a page from an old newspaper. It was a report on the actions of some of the members of my family during the First World War. My grandfather was the Pte. John Ward mentioned in the last section.

    John




    237766

    Rflmn. Robert James Funnell 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.9th Aug 1917)

    My Great Great Uncle Robert Funnell. We believe he was conscripted in early 1916. Killed by artillery near Hooge at the beginning of the 3rd Battle of Ypres. Remembered on the Menin Gate.

    John Watson




    237759

    Pte. William McGivern 9th Battalion (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    William McGivern, 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers was killed on the 1st of July 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

    Bill Wallker




    237757

    Pte, Alfred Bebbington 1/7th Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    Alfred Bebbington served in France with the 1/7th Cheshire Regiment in 1918. He was gassed and returned to England. He was treated at Macclesfield Hospital and later married Ivy who was his nurse. They were happily married until their deaths in the 1970's. He had many stories to tell, one he did mention was that after recovering he was sent to Egypt. He was awarded both the British War and the Victory Medal

    Sandra Wynn-Evans




    237755

    2nd Lt. Leslie Wilson 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Leslie Wilson, the son of Samuel T. Wilson, manufacturer (of unknown address) was married to Mabel Beatrice Harding on 29th of January 1916. His address at the time was 23 Trinity College, Dublin and his occupation is described as 2nd Lieut. 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

    The only other history I have is taken from War Office Medal Rolls WO/372/22 which show that his application for '(a) Badge' was 2nd Oct 1916 and that the file number (presumably of the application) was 112496/3. No date for discharge is shown. Finally, his address is shown as 'The Homestead, Menston-in-Wharfedale, via Leeds.

    David Evans




    237748

    Pte. Ernly Wray 19th (4th City) Battalion, A Coy, 3 Platoon. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Ernly Wray fought on the Somme, with the Manchester City pals he lost an eye to shrapnel and suffered Trench Foot. His company was decimated within 3 weeks. After recovery he became a stretcher bearer but was invalided out in 1916 aged 17. He was unemployed, the promise to keep his job open was not honoured. His war Pension was cut from 8 shillings, then to 7 shillings, then to 6 shillings. He died in 1931.

    Harold Ousby




    237741

    Pte. T. Mulhall 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.19th January 1918)

    Private Mulhall was the Son of David and Mary Mulhall, of Bridewell St., Carlow; husband of T. Mulhall, of Brewery Lane, Carlow.

    He was 45 when he died and is buried in the South-East corner of the Carlow Old Cemetery in Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237740

    Pte. P. Mulhall 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.14th January 1917)

    Private Mulhall was the Son of David and Mary Mulhall, of Bridewell St., Carlow.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried on the North-East boundary of the Carlow Old Cemetery in Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237738

    Lg.Btn. Fred Ward (d.2nd May 1915)

    Leading Boatman Ward was the Husband of A. M. M. Hearn formerly Ward), of 29A, Holmans Buildings, Northcorner, Devonport.

    He was 39 when he died and is buried north-east of the church in the Carlingford (Holy Trinity) Church of Ireland Churchyard, in Co. Louth, Irleand.

    s flynn




    237737

    Tptr. Edwin Righton Carter 1st King Edward's Horse (d.3rd November 1916)

    Trumpeter Carter was the Son of R. A. Carter, of 13, Somali Rd., Cricklewood, London.

    He is buried north-east of the church in the Carlingford (Holy Trinity) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Louth, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237736

    Pte. Patrick Ryan 2nd Garrison Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.28th October 1918)

    Private Ryan was the Son of P. Ryan, of Cappamore.

    He was 19 when he died and is buried in the North part, near East boundary of the Cappamore (Tower Hill) Old Graveyard in Co. Limerick, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237734

    Pte. J. M. Doyle 17th Battalion (d.5th March 1915)

    Private Doyle is buried south of the ruins in the Cam Cemetery in Co. Roscommon, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237733

    Drvr. Eatwood Wilson "C" Bty. 74th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.20th June 1915)

    Driver Wilson was the Son of Nathan Wilson, of 6, Park St., Ossett, Yorks.

    He is buried Between main path and west boundary in the Cahir Military Plot in Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237731

    Gnr. Albert E. Smith 232nd Bty. 74th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.11th January 1915)

    Gunner Smith is buried Between main path and west boundary in the Cahir Military Plot in Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237730

    Lc.Bmdr. B. C. Shreeve 129th Bty. 42nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery

    Lance Bombardier Shreeve died on 9th February 1920 and is buried Between main path and west boundary in the Cahir Military Plot in Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237729

    BQMS Thomas Craig 232nd Brigade, 67th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd Jan 1915)

    Battery Quartermaster Serjeant Thomas Craig is buried in the Cahir Military Plot in Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237728

    PO. John Flynn HMS Colleen (d.23rd Dec 1917)

    Petty Officer Stoker John Flynn was the Husband of Eliza Flynn of 13, Kelleher's Buildings, Cork. He was aged 49 when he died and is buried about the middle of the Caherlag Churchyard in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237727

    Gnr. Valentine Harte Pinchen 110th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th August 1918)

    I am researching the Cley next the Sea war dead from WW1. I can find nothing about Gunner Valentine Harte Pinchen. Any information would be wonderful.

    Update: He was the son of Robert and Alice Pinchen of Cley, Norfolk; husband of Grace Alice Pinchen of 5A Allington Rd., Kilburn Lane, London. Valentine is buried in Tourgeville Military Cemetery, Calvados, France.





    237724

    Asst.Cook. Mabel Ellen Standing

    Mabel Standing worked as a full time assistant cook at the Hamilton Convalescent Hospital in Thorpe Bay, Southend.





    237716

    Dvr. Ernest Filby 161st Brigade, A Bty. Royal Fiield Artillery (d.13th July 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest Filby was born in Hull circa 1880 and he had siblings: Francis b.1888, George William 1892-1964, James Harold b.1894, Wilfred 1896-1971, Fred Rubert b.1901, Annie b.1907 and Stanley Filby b.1909.

    Ernest Filby's first job about 16 years of age was with G Elvin & Co. Printers and Stationers, Hull. The 1911 Census shows Ernest to be 21 years of age and living at 72 Rosemead Street, Hull, East Yorkshire. He was employed in the shipyard as a Labourer Fitter.

    Ernest joined the Royal Field Artillery and on 13th July 1917, aged 27, he died of his wounds and is buried at Adinkerke, Arrondissement Veurne, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium.

    His brothers George William Filby served in the Labour Corps on short service attestation and Wilfred Filby served in the Navy from 25th Marrch 1916 his first sShip was HMS Victory II and his last service date was 26th April 1919 on HMS Hecla.

    Ernest Filby circa 1911

    Headstone. Adinkerke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium





    237715

    RSM. Arthur Charles Herbert Byfield DCM MID 17th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Arthur Byfield served with the 17th Middlesex Regiment and 6th Entrenching Battalion.

    Scott Scherer




    237714

    Bmbdr. Thomas Freeman Middleton Royal Field Artillery

    I have only recently found out this information about my mother's father, Thomas Middleton who served with the Royal Field Artillery I have yet to find a picture of him. I never had any relatives growing up, they were dead before I was born. I would really love to know more about my grandfather.

    Ruth Stephens




    237710

    Pte. John Isherwood 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st February 1917)

    John Isherwood was the third of three sons born in Prestwich, and died in WW1.

    Jon Bleasdale




    237707

    2nd Lt. Willliam Montague Wormald 209th Sqdn. (d.2nd September 1918)

    William Wormald was shot down over St Quentin on 2nd September 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, France. He was 19 years old.





    237706

    L/Cpl. George Harry Wordsworth 26th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.25th October 1918)

    George Wordsworth served with the 26th Battalion Middlesex Regiment in Greece. He died on 25th October 1918. George was 22 when he was buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece.





    237705

    Pte. Henry Dodd Wilson 10th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.5th July 1916)

    Henry Wilson was wounded during the Somme offensive and died of his wounds on 5th July 1916. He served with the 10th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. Henry, aged 24, was buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France.





    237704

    Pte. Hector A. Wilson 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.10th September 1916)

    Serving with the 12th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, Hector Wilson was killed in action on 10th September 1916. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. Hector has no known grave.





    237703

    2nd Lt. Fred Brookfield Wilson 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.7th August 1917)

    Fred Wilson served with the 12th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. He died on 7th August 1917 and is buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France.





    237702

    Mjr. Charles F. Willis 1/5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.8th March 1918)

    Major Willis served with the 1/5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment and was killed in action on 8th March 1918. Charles Willis is buried in Polygon Wood Cemetery, Belgium. He was 35 years old.





    237701

    L/Cpl. Reginald Leslie Williams 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.26th September 1915)

    Wounded at Hill 60 near Ypres, Reginald Williams died on 26th September 1915. He served with the 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He is buried at Rotherham (Moorgate) Cemetery.





    237700

    2nd Lt. Sidney Tucker MM 20th Btn. London Regiment (d.11th August 1918)

    Sidney Tucker, MM, died of wounds on 11th August 1918. He was aged 37. Sidney served with the 20th Battalion London Regiment. He was buried at Pernois Military Cemetery, Halloy-les-Pernois, France.





    237699

    2nd Lt. Ronald Thomson 185th Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers (d.27th January 1917)

    Ronald Thomson served with the Royal Engineers, 185th Tunnelling Company. He died of wounds on 27th January 1917 and was buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France. He was aged 30 when he died.





    237698

    Pte. Jack Stansfield 1/15th Btn. London Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    Fighting at the Second Battle of Bapaume with the 1/15th London Regiment, Jack Stansfield was killed in action on 22nd August 1918. He was buried at Bray Military Cemetery, France. He was 19 years old.





    237697

    Pte. Ernest William Smith 7th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.3rd Feb 1917)

    Ernest Smith died of wounds on 3rd February 1917 while serving with the 7th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in France. He is buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. He was 28 years old.





    237696

    2nd Lt. Sydney Thomas Shaw 12th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.11th May 1916)

    Second Lieutenant Sydney Shaw served with 12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment and was attached to the 10th Battalion when he died of wounds on 11th of May 1916. He was 24 years old. Sydney was buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France.





    237695

    Gnr. Frank B. Rodgers 234th Seige Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.30th March 1918)

    Frank Rodgers served with the 234th Seige Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was aged 40 when he was killed in action on 30th March 1918. He is buried at La Targette British Cemetery, Neuville St Vaast, France.





    237694

    Spr. William G.G. Reyner 15th Airline Section Royal Engineers (d.12th Feb 1918)

    Serving with the 15th Airline Section, Royal Engineers, William Reyner died in Palestine on 12th February 1918. He was 25 years old. William is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery.





    237693

    Pte. William S. Playle 17th Btn. Royal Fusiliers Regiment (d.27th March 1918)

    William Playle died of wounds, aged 19, on 27th March 1918. He was serving with the 17th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He is buried at St Hilaire Cemetery, Frevent.





    237692

    2nd Lt. Athelstan Pearson 5th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.13th June 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Athelstan Pearson was killed in action on 13th June 1917 while serving with the 5th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.





    237691

    Pte. Clarence G. Ottaway 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.2nd June 1918)

    Clarence Ottaway died of wounds, aged 21, on 2nd June 1918, while serving with the 1st Btn Royal Scots Fusiliers. He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery.





    237690

    2nd Lt. Samuel Oakes Z Special Coy. Royal Engineers (d.6th May 1917)

    Samuel Oakes served with Z Company of the Royal Engineers, a specialist section dealing with chemical weapons. For a fuller picture of Z company activities on the night of 5th/6th May 1917, this page about L/Cpl Grey (also of "Z" Coy), which explains how Oakes's death, and the death of his comrades, came about.

    Samuel was 21 when he was killed in action. He was buried, along comrades who also fell, at Beaulencourt British Cemetery, Ligny-Thilloy, France.





    237689

    Pte. Lionel B. Newsum 14th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.24th April 1917)

    On 24th April 1917, Lionel Newsum was killed in action serving with the 14th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was 20 years old. Lionel has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.





    237688

    Pte. Ernest Millward 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Ernest Millward was killed in action on 1st July 1916. He served with the 8th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. Ernest is buried at Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authville Wood, France.





    237687

    Bmbdr. Adam J. McGibbon 306th Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.27th Nov 1917)

    Adam McGibbon was serving with C"Battery, 306th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery as a Bombardier when he was killed in action on 27th of November 1917. He was 20 years old. Adam is buried at Orival Wood Cemetery, Fresquieres, France.





    237686

    Pte. Hugh Marshall 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.17th March 1916)

    Private Hugh Marshall saw service during WWI in Egypt with the 12th battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. He died on 17th March 1916, aged 23. Hugh is buried in Port Said War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.





    237685

    Asst.Pay.M. Raymond Allen Liversidge HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    Raymond Liversidge served on HMS Invincible during WWI. Raymond was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916. He has no known grave but is commemorated on both the Portsmouth Naval Memorial and Rotherham Grammar School's Roll of Honour.





    237684

    2nd Lt. Ernest A. Leetch MM. Royal Horse Artillery

    Second Lieutenant Ernest Leetch was awarded the Military Medal. He served with both the Royal Field Artillery and the Royal Horse Artillery. He died in March 1919.





    237682

    Pte. James William McLaughlin AM. 5th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    Willie McLaughlin served in the First World War in the 1st/5th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders attached to the 157th Trench Mortar Battery.

    In August 1918, he was examining the fuse on a French mortar round when it ignited. James was able to save nine lives by dealing with the lit mortar and in the process lost his hand. For his selflessness, he was awarded the Albert Medal for bravery. He was tragically widowed in 1943 but not before having 3 kids with his wife, Mabel.

    Myles McLaughlin




    237681

    Sgt. William "Bill" Oldham 1st Garrison Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

    <p>

    Sergeant William Oldham of the 1st Garrison Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers was my Grandfather. He served in India from around 1916 to 1919. What I know of his story with RSF follows. My details are at the end of this document.

    Bill was born on the 21st of September 1891 in Chorlton, Lancashire, England. His trade before enlistment is unknown. He enlisted around sometime during 1915 (uncertain) and went to India evidenced by a letter dated 29th June 1920 and signed as: REW Baird (Major) Late Lieut Col Cmdr 1st Garrison Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Now Dep Governor HM Prison Barlinnie, Glasgow. The letter is a reference and states that Sgt W Oldham served under his command from early 1917 until the battalion returned to Scotland at the end of 1919. The letter says that Sgt Oldham remained behind in staff deployment until July (? letter damaged) 1920. Major Baird mentioned that the last 2 years of service were in the Railway Transport Establishment. A letter from the Station Master (M Lloyd?) at Jhansi dated 16th of March 1920, also a reference, says the he acted in the role of Railway Transport Sergeant Major. I have further reference dated 10 March 1920 signed by Major RJ Lamb of the Somerset Light Infantry who was Dy Asst Dir Railway Transport at the time, reiterating the above information.

    Also I have a group photo from his time in India and I notice he has been made Lance Corporal. The other photo I suspect is not long after his enlistment. The only other things that I know of his time in India is that he developed a taste for curries, and he contracted malaria. I have his cap, it is in reasonable condition but lacks a badge and a small piece of animal fur (in very poor condition) attached.

    I'd be very interested to know more about the activities of the 1st Garrison Battalion and my grandfather.

    Pte Oldham, RSF 1915

    Letter from Major REW Baird

    Letter Major Lamb, Prince Alberts

    Stuart Forbes




    237677

    Stkr1. John Thomas Bennett HMS Tigress

    My paternal grandfather, John Bennett, was awarded £5 on 21st Oct 1920 from the Navy prize fund for the destruction of the Breslau. Service record shows a total of 4 payments awarded, but only one mentions the amount. He joined the Royal Navy on the 9th of March 1916 for the period of hostilities. He was demobed on the 19th of March 1919.

    Geoff Bennett




    237674

    Pte. William McPherson Reid McNeil 8/10th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.9th Sep 1916)

    William McNeil enlisted on the 3rd of November 1914, and was assigned to the 8th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. He was killed on 9th of September 1916 in Bazentin le Petit. He is buried in Flatiron Copse Cemetery in Mametz, France.

    Roderick McLellan




    237672

    Gnr. James Smith 136th Heavy Field Artillery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.2nd June 1918)

    James Smith was my maternal grand-father. He was born in Cork on 20th March 1883 and died on 2nd June 1918 and is buried in Flanders at Canada Farm Cemetery. He was married to Mary O'Flynn, known as Molly and had two children, Edward and Margaret who was my mother. Before the war he was a salmon fisherman on the River Lee in Cork.

    He had four brothers-in-law, one of whom was Michael O'Flynn Irish Guards who died during a training excercise at Poperinge and is buried at Watou Churchyard Cemetery. Another brother-in-law Robert O'Flynn was in the 2nd Battalion Cork IRA, some contradiction in the family.

    Anthony Daly




    237667

    Sgt. Melvin Law 9th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Sgt Melvin Law served in the 9th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. During the Somme offensive on 1st July 1916, Sgt Law was killed in action. He has no known grave but is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.





    237666

    Pte. Sydney Knowles 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.19th December 1916)

    Sydney Knowles served with the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died of wounds on 19th December 1916 and was buried at Allonville Communal Cemetery, France. He was 19 years old.





    237665

    Pte. Arthur C.E. Jubb 7th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.21st April 1918)

    Arthur Jubb was serving with the 7th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment when he died of wounds on 21st April 1918. He was 20 years old. Arthur was buried at Varennes Military Cemetery, France.





    237664

    2nd Lt. Charles W. Hobkinson 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.23rd August 1915)

    Charles Hobkinson, serving with the 6th Btn York and Lancaster Regiment, died of wounds on 23rd August 1915. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial.





    237663

    2nd Lt. William Henry Hirst 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st August 1918)

    William Hirst served as a 2nd Lt with the 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 1st August 1918 and is buried in Harponville Communal Cemetery, France.





    237662

    2nd Lt. William Bertram Hirst 4th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.22nd April 1915)

    While serving with the 4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, 2nd Lt Wilfred Hirst died of wounds on 22nd April 1915, aged 25. Wilfred was buried in Dranouter Churchyard, Belgium.





    237661

    Act. Bmbdr. John E. Hicks 20th Bgde. Royal Horse Artillery (d.26th October 1918)

    John Hicks was 25 years old when he died in Egypt on 26th October 1916. He served with the HQ of 20th Brigade Royal Horse Artillery. He is buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.





    237660

    L/Cpl. George Hague Hatfield 24th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.30th July 1916)

    George Hatfield served in the 24th Btn Royal Fusiliers. He died of wounds on 30th July 1916 and is buried in Abbeville Cemetery, France.





    237659

    Capt. Stanley Gummer 5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Stanley Gummer served with the 5th York and Lancaster Regiment in France. He was killed in action, aged 27, on 9th of October 1917. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial and has no known grave.





    237658

    Cpl. Harvey Gray 6th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.23rd July 1918)

    Serving with the 6th Btn Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in France, Cpl Harvey Gray was killed in action on 23rd July 1918. He was buried at Raperie British Cemetery, Ville Montoire, France, aged 22.





    237656

    Sgt. Leonard Garrison 7th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st May 1917)

    Leonard Garrison served as a sergeant with the 7th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. On 1st May 1917 he was killed in action and was buried at Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras.





    237655

    Pte. Ernest Victor Ferguson 29th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.20th Feb 1917)

    Ernest Ferguson served with the 29th Coy. Machine Gun Corps. He died of wounds on 20th February 1917 and is buried in Struma Military Cemetery, Greece.





    237654

    Pte. Percy Raymond Davy 3rd Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.31st August 1918)

    Percy Davy was a private in the 3rd Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps. He served in France and died on 31st August 1918. Percy is buried in Bac-du-Sud British Cemetery, Bailleuval, France. He was 19 years old.





    237653

    Pte. Cyril Crompton Davy 6th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.18th July 1917)

    Cyril Davy served as a private with the 6th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. He died of wounds on 18th July 1917 and was buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. He was 20 years old.





    237652

    Pte. Horace Damms 2/4th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (d.28th Sep 1917)

    Horace Damms served with the 2/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment. On 27th September 1917 he died of wounds and was buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, France. He was 26 years old.





    237651

    L/Cpl. Edward Stanley Curwen 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Edward Curwen was killed in action on 1st July 1916 while serving with the 12th Battalion, York and Lancashire Regiment. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and has no known grave.





    237648

    Sgt. C. H. Cundliffe 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Sgt Cundliffe served with the 12th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. On 1st July 1916 he was killed in action. He is buried at Railway Hollow Cemetery, Hebuterne.





    237647

    Pte. Vincent Cleeves 7th Battalion (d.24th April 1915)

    Vincent Cleeves was born in Rotherham but emigrated to Canada where he joined the 7th Battalion Canadian Infantry. He was killed in action and is buried at Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Belgium.





    237646

    2nd Lt. Wilford Bamforth Clarkson 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.20th June 1918)

    Wilford Clarkson served as a 2nd Lt with the 2nd Btn York and Lancaster Regiment. He was 27 when he died. Wilford is buried in Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, France.





    237645

    Sub-Lt. William A. St. Aubyn Clarke 223rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.30th Dec 1917)

    William Clarke served in the 63rd Royal Naval Division, 190th Brigade, 223 Coy, Machine Gun Corps. He was killed on 30th December 1917. He was laid to rest in Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery.





    237644

    2nd Lt. Charles St Aubyn Clarke 74th Btn. Punjabis (d.30th July 1918)

    Second Lt. Clarke served in France with the Machine Gun Corps and then transferred to the Indian Army. He died on 30th July 1918 and is buried at Agra Cantonment Cemetery in India. He was 20 years old.





    237643

    Able Sea. W. H. Chappell Hawke Btn. (d.25th December 1917)

    Able Seaman Chappell served with Hawke Battalion. He died of wounds on 25th December 1917, aged 27. He is buried at Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt, France.





    237642

    2nd Lt. Samuel Edward Carson 103 Sqdn. (d.20th July 1918)

    Samuel Carson was killed in action on 20th July 1918. He is buried at Strand Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium.





    237641

    Gnr. Thomas A. Cable 108th Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.26th June 1917)

    Thomas Cable served with D Battery, 108th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He died on 26th June 1917 of wounds. He was aged 21. Thomas Cable is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.





    237640

    Rflmn. William Phillips 1st Btn. A Company King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Feb 1917)

    William Phillips was my Great Uncle. He was 26 when he died. A red cross representative recorded the following details of his fate.

    "He came from Chelsea & was a mucking in chum of mine. He was lying near me when he was killed. We were in shell holes. They counter attacked and we fell back into some short pieces of trenches. Two bodies were dragged back as we fell back. Then I saw S/Bs taking the papers off them and I asked who they were, it was Phillips and I think Myers, or a name like that. I knew him very well but they were so covered with mud that I could not recognize him but I saw his pay book and had no doubt about him. I helped to pull him through, out of the mud. And I saw him buried in a shell hole at Miraumont It was practically in the line and I do not suppose that I could find the place again myself. The other man was buried with him. He used always to be talking to me about his Mother and Sisters. He was a very nice quiet fellow who would share everything with you. I have shared many of his parcels a very decent fellow. There were not many of us Londoners in the Company so we naturally drifted together. He lived at Norman Road, Kings, Road, Chelsea." Informant Rfn. James 25306 On Ambulance Train. Calais 9 xxx (page torn)

    Robert Regan




    237639

    L/Cpl. Robert John Bradbury 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.2nd March 1916)

    Robert Bradbury served in the 7th Btn Lincolnshire Regiment. He was killed in action, but has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.





    237638

    L/Bmbdr. Raymond Wright Boulton 165th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.12th April 1918)

    Lance Bombardier Raymond Boulton served with the 165th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. On 12th April 1918 he was killed in action, aged 32. He is buried at St Amand British Cemetery.





    237637

    2nd Lt. William John Board 130th Brigade Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Sep 1918)

    William Board died of wounds on 22nd September 1918 he had been serving attached to 31st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He is buried at Sarigol Military Cemetery, Kriston, Greece.





    237636

    Pte. Stanley Beckett 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.14th June 1917)

    Stanley Beckett served with the 6th Btn York and Lancaster Regiment. At the Battle of Messines, Stanley was killed in action. He is buried at Derry House Cemetery No. 2, Belgium.





    237635

    Lt. Henry Ball 3rd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th January 1916)

    Henry Ball served in the 3rd Btn East Yorkshire Regiment, attached to 180th Tunnelling Coy., Royal Engineers. On 13th January 1916, when he was 21, he was killed in action. He is buried in Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy.





    237634

    Pte. Thomas Freeth Allen 6th Btn. Prince of Wales Own (West Yorks) Regiment (d.6th Jan 1917)

    Thomas Allen served with the 8th Btn York and Lancaster Regiment, transferring later to 6th Btn Prince of Wales' Own (West Yorks) Regiment. He died of wounds on 6th January 1917. He is buried at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery.





    237633

    Pte. Arthur Holgate Allatt 22nd Btn. (d.26th August 1916)

    Arthur Allatt was born in Rotherham, but emigrated to Australia. He served in Gallipoli and in France. He was killed in action in France on 26th August 1916 and is buried in Pozieres British Cemetery.





    237632

    Rflmn. John H. Aizlewood 5th Btn. London Regiment (d.10th Aug 1918)

    John Aizlewood served with 5th London Regiment. He was killed in action on 10th of August 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial and on Rotherham Grammar School Roll of Honour.





    237629

    Spr. Henry Wood Roberts 1st Australian Tunneling Company

    Harry Roberts was my grandfather on my mother's side. It is quite possible he was at Hill63 and Ploegsteert. He was definitely at Hill 60 as he told me this. He spoke to me of other things to which I am unsure how it fits in with things.

    I was in Ypres last year and that helped me understand some of what he told me. I never got to Ploegsteert but I plan to return to the area next year with my brother. We would like to find photos if possible of him. I also know he helped the people in Ypres as well

    William Gunter




    237627

    Pte. Alfred David Crawford Smith 7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    Alfred Smith, known as Fred was born on 27th of November 1898 in Glasgow and, during the early part of the war, was training to be a certified accountant. He was conscripted on 12th of September 1917 and served on the Western Front as a private in 7th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders from 5th of December 1917 to 16th of August 1918 and 10th of September 1918 to 20th of October 1918. He was gassed (Mustard Gas, I believe) on 17th of May 1918 and wounded again on 12th of October 1918 this time a shrapnel wound to the leg. He was medically discharged on 5th of May 1919 and subsequently received a 30% disability pension.

    After the war, he prospered as an accountant, eventually managing a practice in London. He died in 1972 at Worthing, East Sussex.

    Stuart Smith




    237624

    2Lt. John Cockburn 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.2nd April 1915)

    John Cockburn was born in Malta in 1890 the son of Charles James Cockburn & Kate and brother to Charles Cockburn, who was killed in Mesopotamia in 1916 He was the Second cousin to my great-grandmother.

    Daniel Benest




    237623

    L/Cpl. Michael Daly 3rd Btn. Irish Guards

    Lance Corporal Daly died on the 2nd February 1919 and is buried in the south-east part of the Caherciveen (Killavarnogue) Cemetery in Co. Kerry, Ireland. His sister lived in Caherciveen.

    s flynn




    237622

    Pte. John Burke 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.15th September 1917)

    Private Burke is buried In the South-East part of old catholic ground in the Cahercibeen (Killavarnogue) Cemetery in Co. Kerry, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237621

    Pte. Louis Nunn 10th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    I have a postcard to my grandmother from her brother informing her of contact details: Private L Nunn, D company, 10th battalion, 14 platoon, Yorkshire Light Infantry, British Expeditionary Force, France. He immigrated to Canada after the war to farm very successfully.





    237620

    Marguerite Maude McArthur (d.13th February 1919)

    Miss Marguerite McArthur died of pneumonia on 13th February 1919, aged 26 at No 46 Stationary Hospital, Etaples, France. She had been working with the YMCA when she caught flu, which developed into pneumonia. Marguerite was the daughter of Allen Gordon McArthur JP, and Emma Maude Finley McArthur. She is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Grave XLV. B. 7.





    237619

    Pte. T. Lee 6th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.10th July 1916)

    Private Lee was aged 45 when he died at No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport, France on 10th July 1916. He was the son of Edward and Maria Lee. Private Lee is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, Plot 2, Row L, Grave 4.





    237618

    Rflmn. G. Lee 5th Btn. King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.4th July 1916)

    Rifleman Lee was aged 26 when he died at No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport, France on 4th July 1916. He was the son of William and Sarah A Lee of Liverpool. He is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, Plot 2, Row L, Grave 7C.





    237617

    Pte. D. W. Cross 5th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.23rd June 1916)

    Private Cross died of disease at No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport, France on 23rd June 1916. He was the son of Albert and Emma Cross, Chevington, Bury St Edmunds. Private Cross is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France, Plot 2, Row K, Grave 3C.





    237616

    Rflmn. G. H. Greenaway 16th Btn. London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles) (d.25th June 1916)

    Rifleman G H Greenaway was aged 19 when he died of wounds at No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport, France on 25th June 1916. He was the son of Alfred and Maria Greenaway of Loughton, Essex. He is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France, Plot 2, Row L, Grave 7A.





    237614

    Pte. Philip Prior 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.23rd September 1915)

    Private Philip Prior died of wounds at No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport, France on 23rd September 1915, aged 29. He was the son of John and Ellen Prior of Wigan. Philip is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France, Plot 1, Row J, Grave 4.





    237613

    Rflmn. W. J. Pritchard 10th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.26th August 1915)

    Rifleman Pritchard died of wounds on 26th August 1915 at No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport, France. He was 26 years old and the son of Walter and Alice Pritchard of West Bromwich. He is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, Plot 1, Row H, Grave 6.





    237612

    Member Margaret Trevenen Arnold No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport Voluntary Aid Detachment (d.12th March 1916)

    Margaret Arnold was aged 31 when she died of double pneumonia at the 16th Stationary Hospital in Le Treport, France where she served as a member of the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD).

    She is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, Plot 2, Row O, Grave 22. Margaret was the daughter of Edward and Minnie Arnold, Pook Hill, Chiddingfold, Surrey.





    237611

    Pte. P. Riley 11th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.29th March 1916)

    Private Riley died on 29th March 1916 and is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France, Plot 2, Row K, Grave 4.





    237610

    Pte. M. Blair 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.1st February 1916)

    Private Blair died of wounds at No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport, France on 1st February 1916, aged 21. He was the son of Matthew and Martha Blair of Springburn, Glasgow. Private Blair is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, Plot 2, Row K, Grave 5A.





    237609

    Pte. J. M. McGugan 13 Btn., "B" Coy. Royal Scots (d.1st October 1915)

    Private McGugan was the son of James and Agnes McGugan of Glasgow. He fought at the Battle of Loos, where he was wounded. He died of those wounds at No. 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport on 1st October 1915. He was aged 20. Private McGugan is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, Plot 1, Row K, Grave 4a.





    237608

    Trpr. F. J. Parks 9th Btn. Queen's Royal Lancers (d.31st August 1915)

    Trooper Parks died, aged 20, on 31st August 1915 at No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport, France. He was the son of Isaac and Mary Parks of Brighton. He is buried in Plot 1, Row H, Grave 6A at Le Treport Military Cemetery, France.





    237607

    Pte. James Lancelot Huntley 8th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.3rd Aug 1915)

    James Huntley was aged 17 when he died of wounds at No. 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport, France on 3rd August 1918. He is buried in Plot 1, Row F, Grave 3A at Le Treport Military Cemetery, France. He was the son of William and Eleanor Huntley of West Hartlepool.





    237605

    Pte. Frederick Philip Bridge 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.7th July 1915)

    Frederick Bridge died of his wounds, aged 21, on 7th July 1915 at No 16 Stationary Hospital, Le Treport. He is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France. He was the son of June Ellen Bridge Reynolds.





    237603

    L/Sgt. Harry Neville Evans 2nd/1st Btn. Norfolk Yeomanry (d.3rd June 1918)

    Harry Evans was the husband of Mrs. E. Evans of Warlington House, Mildenhall. He is buried right of the main path in the Bushfield Cemetery in Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237600

    Pte. William Franklin 6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th April 1918)

    Little is know about William Franklin other than that he served with the West Yorkshire Regiment in the Ypres area and was reported as being killed in action on 25th April 1918, aged 31 years. His body was never found and he is remembered with honour at the Tyne Cot Memorial. His widow Maud Franklin and two year old daughter continued to reside at 136 Harehills Lane Leeds until 1968. I am his grandaughter.

    K.A. Harland




    237595

    2nd Lt. Jack Richards 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.15th March 1918)

    Jack Richards is my great uncle. He joined in 1915 and was killed 1918. Jack is buried at Erquinghem-Lys. My grandmother, his sister, has passed photos, medals etc to me.





    237593

    CPO Henry Birch HMS Contest (d.18th Sep 1917)

    Henry Birch was married to my great aunt Jane Georgina Barnett in 1915 Galway, Southern Ireland. They had only been married two years when Henry died. Research is on going about what happened to Jennie then.

    Carol Flanagan




    237589

    Pte. Harry Crowther 6th Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.22nd August 1917)

    Harry Crowther was my great uncle. I never knew him but he deserves to be remembered.

    Pete Wilson




    237586

    Capt. Hurleston Vesey Wells 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.12th April 1918)

    <p>

    Hurleston Wells is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Peter Vesey Wells




    237585

    Pte. Herbert Walton 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.18th August 1916)

    Herbert Walton is remembered at the Ploegsteert Memorial.





    237584

    Capt. George Stamer Browning General Service Corps (d.25th Feb 1916)

    Captain George Browning's next of kin was his brother who lived in Bruree, Co. Limerick. He was 57 when he died and is buried north of the church in the Bruree Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Limerick, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237583

    Gnr. Duncan Munro Shiels 5th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.30th September 1917)

    Duncan Shiels is buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, north of Ypres, Belgium. He was 28 years old when he was killed in action. He is commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

    Richard Kent




    237582

    Pte. J. J. Hickey 60th Btn. (d.27th January 1918)

    Private Hickey was the nephew of Thomas Hickey, of Ballybrack, Kilmore, Limerick.

    He is buried east of the church in the Bridgetown Catholic Churchyard, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237581

    Pte. J. F.T. Cramphorn 2nd/1st Btn. Sussex Yeomanry (d.18th December 1918)

    Private Cramphorn is buried in the south-west corner near the entrance to the Boyle Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Roscommon, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237580

    L/Cpl. P. Meara Irish Guards (d.25th Sep 1918)

    Lance Corporal P Meara was 24 when he died and is buried in the north-west part of the Borrisokane New Cemetery, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. His mother lived in Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary.

    S Flynn




    237577

    L/Cpl. Horace Bartlett Rowe 13th Kensington London Regiment (d.21st May 1917)

    Horrie Rowe was wounded at the Battle of Arras in April 1917 (the First Battle of the Scarpe), dying of wounds on 21st of May 1917 he is buried at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais.

    Gavin Rowe




    237576

    Able.Sea. Richard Mann HMS Africa

    My Dad Dick Mann was transferred from the HMS Africa when his ship went for a refit. He got wounded at the Battle of Jutland. Can you help me and tell me which ship he was transferred to?

    Richard.B.Mann




    237573

    Pte. Desmond Dunne-Hannon 7th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    I have a war medal for Desmond Dunne-Hannon and want to return it to his family. I have been researching him but cannot find much information.

    Suneet Bakarania




    237572

    Pte. Percy Capon 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    Percy Capon died at the Battle of Aubers Ridge. He was never found and was reported as missing, presumed dead.





    237570

    Pte. George Pannell att. 116 Siege Battery Amm Col. Army Service Corps (d.26th May 1918)

    George Pannell joined the Army Service Corp (Motor Transport) as a driver on 6th of June 1915. He was attached to 116th Siege Battery (Ammunition Column), Royal Garrison Artillery and was last seen during heavy hostile fire and sudden German Advance on night of 26th/27th of May 1918. He was posted missing, presumed killed. George is remembered on Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    Vince Pannell




    237569

    Pte. Walter Duffy Leinster Regiment (d.7th July 1918)

    Private Walter Duffy is buried in the north-east part of the Bodenstown Old Cemetery, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237568

    Cpl. William Romaine Renshaw MM 17th Division, D Company Manchester Regiment

    William R Renshaw was my father. He served with the 12th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. He survived the war but suffered the effects of gassing until his death in 1973. He said little about the war apart from tales of making their own grenades and shells and macabre tales of hanging coats and hats on limbs of the dead sticking out of the sides of the trenches.

    He was awarded the Military Medal but for most of his life would not say why he was awarded the medal. He always said 'It was my turn. It came through in my tea ration'. Not long before his death he described how he had been involved in an attack on the German trenches. He remained behind when others retreated and radioed back information about German occupancy of the trenches.

    Linda Parton




    237565

    Pte. Albert Edward Wheeler 11th Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment (d.16th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Wheeler was my Grandfather. He was born 21st June 1887 and died 16th Jan 1917 somewhere near Ypres, it is thought he was killed by shell fire while on sentry duty. He is buried in the Railway Dugout Burial Ground at Ypres in Belgium. His brother George, a Grenadier Guard died at Ginchy the previous September.

    Albert, and his wife Harriet, and three sons Bertie, Frank and Geoffrey had emigrated from Derbyshire to Canada in April 1912. He kept a detailed diary of the journey in which he writes about seeing icebergs and then hearing that the SS Titanic has hit an iceberg and gone down with some people on board. Unfortunately, my Grandmother Harriet did not like life in Canada and the family returned to Derbyshire in 1914 with tragic consequences. Albert enlisted in the Army in 1915 and was posted to the Western Front. He never returned.

    Geoffrey Wheeler




    237562

    Pte. Thomas Ivor Davies 101st Company Machine Gun Corps

    Thomas Davies also served in the Cheshire Regiment from 1921 to 1927 at the rank of Corporal.





    237557

    Pte. Rowland Hollington 24th (1st Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    I have discovered that my Great Uncle, Rowland Hollington died with many others during the Battle of the Somme. We have always known of my Great grandfather who survived the Somme in the Grimsby Chums, but not his brother, who joined the Tyneside Irish from a Cyclist Regiment and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Antony Jagger




    237551

    Pte. John Thomas Ludlam 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.1st Nov 1916)

    John Ludlam is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Dave Bayer




    237547

    CSM Edward Garland 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion

    Company Sergeant Major Edward Garland was the son of George and Margaret Garland, of Main St., Blessington. He died on 2nd February 1919 and is buried in the north-east part of the Blessington (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237544

    Gnr. John Cummins 10th Coy. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.20th June 1915)

    John Cummins was 37 when he died and is buried south-east of the church in the Blarney Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237543

    DH. Alexander Ritchie HMDrifter Barbara Cowie (d.4th Oct 1916)

    Deck Hand Alexander Ritchie was the husband of Jessie Ritchie of 39 West End, Whitehills, Banffshire. He is buried in the south-west part of the Blackwater (Killila) Graveyard in Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237542

    Pte. Thomas Paget Sudlow 11th Btn. (d.12th August 1916)

    Thomas Sudlow was the Son of Henry William and Rachel Georgina Sudlow. He was aged 32 when he died of wounds and is buried in the Blackrock (St. Michael) Church of Ireland Graveyard in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237539

    Drvr. Dennis Edmund Horgan Royal Field Artillery (d.20th Nov 1918)

    Dennis Horgan was the Son of Dennis and Anna M. Horgan, of 55, Woodvale St., Belfast. He was aged 20 when he died and is buried in the Blackrock (St. Michael) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237538

    Lt. George Ernest Healy Royal Army Service Corps (d.3rd March 1919)

    George Healy was the son of the Rev. Canon G. W. Healy, B.D., and Eva Healy, of Rhakista, Birchington, Kent. Born in Cork. B.A., T.C.D. He was aged 23 when he died of pneumonia following malaria on service in Solonika. He is buried in the Blackrock (St. Michael) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237537

    Sgt. Stephen Horace Mole 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade

    At Aubers Ridge on 9th of May 1915 Stephen Mole was shot and wounded. He lay for three days and was rescued by a German officer and taken to their hospital. His leg was saved. He was returned to Britain where he served until 1921. He died in 1970. He saw his great grandson born, who went on to serve as an officer in Iraq.

    Roger Sparks




    237536

    CERA Joseph Wilkinson HMS Lucia

    Joseph Wilkinson knew my father in the 1980s and gave him his medals. The information above was obtained from these medals. No further details.

    Mike




    237531

    Sgt. H. Whyte Leinster Regiment (d.13th August 1914)

    Serjeant H Whyte is buried in the Birr Military Cemetery in Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237530

    Pte. James Golding 1st County of London Yeomanry (Middlesex Yeomanry) (d.2nd November 1918)

    James Golding is buried in the Birr Military Cemetery in Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237529

    QMSgt. Thomas William Allen 1st County of London Yeomanry (d.29th March 1919)

    Thomas Allen was the son of Edward and Janet M Allen, husband of Daisy Evelyn Allen of 100 Elphinstone Rd. Hastings. He was 27 when he died and is buried in the Birr Military Cemetery, Grave 46, in Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237528

    Mjr. William Edward Parsons Irish Guards (d.10th June 1918)

    The 5th Earl of Rosse, Major Parsons was the son of Laurence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse, husband of Countess of Rosse (nee Frances Lois Listerkaye). He was aged 44 when he died from wounds received in action and is buried in the family plot in the Birr Old Graveyard, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237527

    A.L/Cpl. James Brown Storey Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th March 1916)

    James Storey was born and enlisted at South Shields. He landed in France on 9th of September 1915 serving with the 10th Yorkshire Regiment. He died of his wounds on 17th of March 1916 and is buried in South Shields (Harton) Cemetery.

    Darrell Storey




    237526

    Pte. Christopher White 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.23rd Feb 1915)

    Christopher White is buried in the Birr (Clonoghill) Cemetery in Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237525

    Gnr. J. Ward Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner J Ward was the son of Mrs. R Ward of Crinkle, Birr. He died on the 26th of February 1920 and is buried in the Birr (Clonoghill) Cemetery in Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237524

    Drvr. Walter O'Connor Army Service Corps (d.11th July 1917)

    Walter O'Connor was the husband of Elizabeth O'Connor of Chapel St., Birr. He is buried in the Birr (Clonoghill) Cemetery, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237522

    Sgt. Gordon McNeill Brooker Leinster Regiment

    Serjeant Gordon Brooker was 33 when he died on the 11th March 1919 and is buried in the Bir (Clonoghill) Cemetery in Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237521

    RSM Nicholas Walsh MC MID 49th Bn. (Alberta) Canadian Infantry (d.24th September 1916)

    Regimental Sergeant Major Walsh was 48 when he died and is buried in the south-west part of the Bennettsbridge Catholic Churchyard, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    Walsh was seriously wounded and evacuated to the 2nd Northern Special Hospital, Leeds where he died on the 24th of September 1916

    His brother lived in Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny.

    s flynn




    237520

    Cpl. W. R. Jacobs 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Corporal Jacobs was the Son of Mrs. Jacobs, of 13, Granville Rd., Kilburn, London.

    He died on 29th August 1921 and is buried south-east of the church in the Belturbet Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237519

    Rfl. James Toft 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.4th Oct 1915)

    James Toft was killed by a German shell near Railway Wood East of Ypres in Belgium. He is remembered on the Menin Gate as there is no known grave.

    Peter Toft




    237518

    Boy2. Harry Freeman HMS Revenge

    Harry Freeman joined the Navy at 14 years of age .





    237516

    Lt. Allan Poland H.M. Submarine V4

    Lt. A. Poland - Commanding Officer of H.M. Submarine V4 in 1916. The boat was part of the 8th Submarine Flotilla based at Great Yarmouth. The depot ship was HMS Alecto.

    David Hallas




    237515

    Pte. Thomas Baxter Norfolk Regiment

    Thomas Baxter was born in 1875 and first saw combat whilst serving with the 9th Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War. He was demobbed in 1901 having been wounded at the battle of Modder.

    He rejoined the Army in November 1914 and immediately saw service in France. By the end of the war he was a broken man, badly gassed and unable to hold down a decent job.

    He was bombed out of his house during the Second World War and went to live in Wales with in-laws where he died in 1941.

    Mark Payne




    237508

    Capt. R. C. Metge 5th Btn. Leinster Regiment

    Captain Metge was 33 when he died on the 4th October 1919. He is buried in the north-east part of the Bective (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Meath, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237507

    PO.Stkr. D. O'Neill HMS Colleen

    Petty Officer Stoker D O'Neill was the Husband of Helena O'Neill of Currabinny, Crosshaven. He was aged 39 when he died on the 5th February 1920 and is buried in the south-east part of the Barnahely Cemetery, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237506

    Gnr. Thomas Curren Royal Field Artillery (d.17th Dec 1917)

    Thomas Curran was the son of Mrs Kate Curran of Raleigh Row, Galway. He was 21 years old when he died and is buried about 13 yards from North boundary of the Barna Old Churchyard, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237502

    Trm. Leonard Gray Armed Trawler 817 (d.19th May 1917)

    Trimmer Leonard Gray was the son of Mrs. Hannah M. Gray of 25, Hollies St. Grimsby. He is buried near the west boundary of the Bantry Abbey Cemetery, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237501

    Gsr. Ernest Forrest S.S. Stonecrop (d.24th Sep 1917)

    Greaser Ernest Forrest is buried near the west boundary of Bantry Abbey Cemetery, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237497

    Pte. Ernest Pond 10th Battalion, B company Sherwood Foresters

    Ernest Pond first saw action on the Ypres Salient at the Bluff, 10th Battalion lost nearly a third of its number on 15th Feb on the Bluff due to German mines. Ernest was wounded on the attack on Quadrangle Support trench on 2nd of July 1916, sent back to England to recouperate, later joining the 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was gassed at Passchendaele in Oct 1917 and sent back to UK where he again recouped. We have a picture of him in hospital blues at Thorseby Hall dated 1st of January 1918. He survived the war and died of lung complications in the 40s

    David Hewitt




    237495

    PO. Charles Henry Herbert HMS Negro (d.21st Dec 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Herbert served on HMS Negro.

    Charles Henry HERBERT, Family memorabilia

    Trish de Clifford




    237487

    Pte. Frank Wood 8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.15th April 1918)

    Frank Wood is my great uncle. He enlisted in the Army in 1915 in Sheffield aged 18. He served in the 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He was wounded during the Battle of Ancre on the 5th of April 1918 and sent to Etaples Military Hospital where he died of his wounds on the 15th of April 1918. He is buried at the Etaples military cemetery.

    Thomas Whittaker




    237481

    Pte. Henry Francis Holloway 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    Henry Holloway was my Uncle and Aunt's father, found while researching our family tree.

    Brian J Holloway




    237480

    Cpl. Edgar Heeds 1st Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.13th Apr 1915)

    Edgar Heeds was the son of John and Jane (Marshall) Heeds of 40 Ollerton Road Retford Notts.

    Geoff Wheeler




    237479

    Pte. John William Mason 1st Battalion Yorks and Lancs Regiment (d.30th Sep 1915)

    John Mason's parents were Henry and Alice (Shaw) Mason

    Geoff Wheeler




    237477

    Pte. Thomas Henry Britton 7th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry (d.14th July 1916)

    Thomas Britton died with his neighbour, John Elliott Brazier, and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Thomas had been employed at the (famous) Maw & Co. Encaustic Tile Manufacturer of Jackfield and is also remembered on the company's very beautiful War Memorial within the Ironbridge Gorge Museum's Jackfield Tile Works site.

    Hanet




    237476

    Private John Elliot Brazier 7th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry (d.14th July 1916)

    John died on the same day as his neighbour Thomas Henry Britton, their bodies were never recovered and they are both remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.





    237470

    L.Cpl William Benson MM 16th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Grandfather, William Benson won the Military Medal during 1915, as cited in the London Gazette, but never spoke of it, he passed away in 1965, and there are no details of why he was awarded the medal.

    Colin Benson




    237469

    Pte. Richard Peers 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.28th Oct 1918)

    All I know is Richard Peers died in the war. He is buried in Aulnoy Cemetery in France. I don't know how or were he died but would love to find out.

    Tony Peers




    237464

    Pte. James Edwards 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.8th March 1917)

    James Edwards is buried between entrance and ruins in the Bannow Cemetery, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237461

    Ord.Sea. J. Donoghue HMS Vivid I

    Ordinary Seaman J Donoghue was the son of F. Donoghue of Convent Hill, Bandon. He died on 8th April 1920 and is buried in the Bandon (St Patrick) Catholic Churcyard, in Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland

    s flynn




    237457

    Pte. Sydney John Holmes 147th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.13th April 1918)

    <p>

    Sydney Holmes from Acomb York, served in Army Service Corps initially then was chosen to serve in MGC from 1st Jan 1917. He was killed in action on the 13th of April 1918. His letters from the front line trenches have been kept and I am currently producing them into a book.

    J Mackfall




    237456

    Pte. Henry Rose 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.20th-22nd April 1917)

    Henry Rose was reported as missing during the Battle of Arras, his body was never found and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. He was born in January 1887 in Sunderland. 2nd of 4 brothers, all of whom served in the Army during WW1. His eldest brother John Rose born Sunderland 1891 served as a Private 2/8th Lancashire Fusiliers, died 23rd of November 1917 in a German POW camp. He is buried in Cologne. The fourth brother George Rose born Sunderland 1894, served in the Durham Light Infantry and was killed on the 26nd of March 1918 during the Kaiserschlacht, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres memorial. The third brother Charles Rose served in France in the Royal Garrison Artillery. The surviving son, he was posted back to UK in April 1918 and survived the war.

    Philip Chisholm




    237452

    William Glass 2nd Highland Field Ambulance

    William Glass was born on the 7th of December 1891 in Broughty Ferry, Forfar, Scotland, the son of William Glass and Eliza Ritchie. He married Maggie Nora Webster on 29th of December 1916 in Aberdeen, Scotland. At the time of his marriage, William was serving as a mechanical engineer in the 2nd Highland Field Ambulance and living in Springburn, Glasgow, Scotland. William and his wife had three sons and often vacationed at the seaside in Aberdeen during the 1920s.

    Maureen Brady




    237447

    Spr. Thomas Dillon Inland Water Transport (d.12th Feb 1917)

    Thomas Dillon was the Husband of Bridget White (formerly Dillon) of Cork Rd., Bandon. He was aged 30 when he died and is buried 21 yards north of the gate to the Bandon (Kilbrogan) Catholic Graveyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237446

    Cpl. Patrick McLoughlin 9th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.22nd Sep 1915)

    Patrick McLoughlin is buried about 13 yards south-west of the ruin in the Banagher Old Graveyard, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237445

    Pte. Frank Sayer 70th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Frank Sayer was assigned to 70th Field Ambulance on 17th of May 1917. On 6th of June 1917 he and Private Prestcott were wounded whilst en-route from Lanbouver Farm to Advanced Dressing Station Bund, near Zillebeke, Ypres. Frank sustained a severe gunshot wound to the leg and on 14th of June 1917 he was sent to the No.6 British Red Cross Hospital in Etaples. He was evacuated back to England on 15th of June 1917, arriving at Merry Flats War Hospital in Scotland. He was discharged on 3rd of February 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal

    Martin Sole




    237439

    Sgt. James Rennie 129th Battalion (d.9th Apr 1917)

    James Rennie was born in Rothesay, Scotland on 23rd of October 1893 the only son of Robert and Jeanie Rennie. He emigrated to Canada in 1911 and lived first at McGowan Farm in Scarborough. He then lived at Aldershot and later on Hess Street in Hamilton with his sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Jack Morrison. His girlfriend at the time was Jeanie Gardener.

    He enlisted in Dundas, Ontario on 14th of April 1916 in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was known for his ability as a boxer and long distance runner and represented the 129th Battalion in army sporting contests. He once ran against Tom Longboat of 107th Battalion, the famous Six Nations' distance runner, who became a dispatch carrier during the war and survived. He was a friend of Ronald McKinnon and a photo taken in March 1917 of them has appeared in the journal "Stand To! No 84" in an article entitled Princess Patricia's Pals by Gordon McKinnon. Both Ronald and Jimmie died at Vimy Ridge. It is possible that they both were in the first wave.

    James Rennie was first listed as Wounded in Action then Wounded and Missing, then Wounded and missing after action and finally Killed in Action 9th of April 1917. A fellow soldier visited the family after the war and said that he saw James wounded but thought he would be all right and was surprised to find that he had died. His body was not found. James Rennie is listed on the Vimy Memorial.

    Beverley Fazakas




    237436

    Pte. Harry Rutherford 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.10th June 1917)

    Harry Rutherford is my Great Uncle. All I know is a story related via my father from his father (Harry's brother). Apparently the brothers (being in the same regiment) crossed paths as Harry was going up to the line and Albert, my grandfather, was returning from the line and Albert warned Harry in what we assume to be a jocular way to "be careful of the Belgians, they're bloody big buggers!"





    237435

    Ch.Ck. T. Wingett SS Minnehaha (d.11th Sep 1917)

    Chief Cook Wingett was the Husband of Martha Louisa Wingett of 22, Arundel Gardens, Goodmayes, Essex. He is buried north of the ruins in the Baltimore (Tullagh) Graveyard in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237434

    Capt. Frederick Charles Goulden Cdg. Railway Detachment (d.28th March 1915)

    Captain Frederick Goulden was the husband of F. H. Goulden of Crossgate, Bishop's Teignton, Devon.

    s flynn




    237433

    CPO James Driscoll HMS Vivid I (d.30th Nov 1915)

    Chief Petty Officer James Driscoll is buried in the south part of the Baltimore (Tullagh) Graveyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237432

    LDH. John MacAuley SS Kenmare (d.2nd March 1918)

    <p>

    Leading Deck Hand MacAuley was the Son of Donald and Peggy MacAulay of 7, Islivig Miavig, Stornoway, Lewis, husband of Catherine MacAulay of Breanish, Islivig, Stornoway. He was aged 37 when he died and is buried north of the church in the Balrothery (St Peter) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237431

    Pte. Nicholas Keegan 7th/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1918)

    Nicholas Keegan is buried in the north-east part of the Balrothery (St. Peter) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237430

    Pte. John Coady 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.1st Dec 1917)

    John Coady was the son of Margaret Coady of Chapel St., Ballinakill, and the late Michael Coady. He was aged 3 when he died and is buried in the south-east part of the Ballyouskill Catholic Churchyard, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237429

    Gnr. Michael Smythe 256th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.26th May 1918)

    Michael Smythe is buried west of the church in the Ballynarry Catholic Churchyard, Co Cavan. His aunt, Mrs. Smythe of Ballynarry was his next of kin.

    s flynn




    237428

    2nd Lt. Robert Newport Dobbyn (d.23rd Nov 1916)

    Second Lieutenant Robbin Dobbyn is buried in the south-east boundary of the Ballynakill House Private Burial Ground, Co Waterford, Ireland. He was the brother of Mrs Clarke of Ballynakill House, Co Waterford.

    s flynn




    237427

    Sgt. M. Roche 3rd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.14th Dec 1918)

    Serjeant M Roache was the husband Bridget Roche of Chapel St., Cloyne, Cork. He was aged 36 when he died and is buried Between ruins and South boundary of the Ballyncorra Graveyard in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237426

    Capt. Francis James Slattery 8th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Francis Slattery was the son of Thomas Slattery of Fergus View, Darragh, Ennis. He died on of 9th January 1919 and is buried in the north-east part of the Ballynacally (Kilchreest) Cemetery, Co. Clare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237425

    Pte. Michael O'Hara 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.11th May 1915)

    Michael O'Hara was the son of Mrs. Marcella O'Hara of Harristown, Brannoxtown, Co. Kildare. He was aged 22 when he died and is buried in the north-west section of the Ballymore Eustace (St. John) Churchyard, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237416

    WT1. Timothy O'Leary HMS Defiance

    Timothy O'Leary died on the 26th of May 1919 and is buried in the north corner of the Ballymodan Old Graveyard in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237415

    Pte. Daniel Chambers 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.6th Nov 1917)

    Daniel Chambers was aged 32 when he died and is buried in the near west boundary of the Ballymodan Old Graveyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237414

    Lt. George Rufane Talbot Mayne MC. Army Service Corps (d.10th Nov 1918)

    Lieutenant George Mayne is buried six yards east of the church in the Ballymacormick Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Longford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237412

    L.Sto. P. McCarthy HMS Bellerophon

    Leading Stoker P McCarthy died on the 19th January 1919 and is buried in the east part of the Ballymacoda (the Hill) Old Graveyard, Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237411

    Col. Henry Edward Maxwell DSO Black Watch

    Colonel The Honourable Henry Maxwell was the son of the late Hon. Richard Maxwell. Husband of Lady Edith Maxwell (nee Cosby)of London. Served in the South African Campaign. He was 61 when he died on the 2nd March 1919 and is buried in the south-west part of the Ballymachugh (St. Paul) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Cavan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237410

    Pte. Michael Daniel Biggane Canadian Army Service Corps (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Michael Biggane died in the sinking of the Leinster and is buried in the north-east corner of the Ballylaneen (St. Anne) Catholic Churchyard, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237409

    Pte. N. Kehoe 3rd Btn. Irish Guards (d.6th March 1918)

    Private N. Kehoe was the son of Mr. N. Kehoe, of Leighlinbridge, Carlow. He is buried south of the church in the Ballyknocken Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237408

    Pte. R. E. Morrow att. Scottish Horse Royal Army Medical Corps (d.15th Feb 1916)

    Private R Morrow was aged 28 when he died and is buried At West end of walled enclosure in the Ballyjamesduff Presbyterian Cemetery, Co. Cavan, Ireland. He was the brother of James Morrow of Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan.

    s flynn




    237407

    Lt. W. H. J. Harris 13th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Lt. W. H.J. Harris, 13th Siege Battery, R.G.A. is named on a piece of trench art recently acquired, along with various battle honours: Richbourg 9 May 1915; Festubert 16 May 1915; Loos 25 Sept 1915; Vimy Ridge 20 May 1916; La Boiselle, Ovillers; Thiepval, Poziere; Courcelette, Beaumont Hamel.





    237406

    Ch.Eng. William John Steele SS Essequibo

    William Steele was Chief Engineer on the Essequibo when it sailed for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company from Southampton. When it was pressed into service during WW1 the crew were taken on too.

    Jayne Roff




    237405

    Pte. Harry Simon 1st Btn. 4 Coy. Coldstream Guards (d.1st Aug 1917)

    Harry Simon served with 1st Bn. Coldstream Guards and lost his life on the 1st of August 1917. Aged 22, he was the son of Henry and Ada Simon of 6, West Park Terrace, Healey, Batley, Yorks.

    Marcus Simon




    237404

    Stkr. Frederick Thomas Charlton HMS Romola

    Fred Charlton, my grandfather, was born 20th of October 1899. He joined the Navy in late 1915 or early 1916 after advice from his elder brother Alfred who was serving in the Army on the Somme (he died 1st July 1916). He lied about his age in order to join so avoiding the call up to the army.

    He was a stoker on the HMS Romola I believe stationed at Southend as with many others. He didn't talk much about the war, only saying they spent most of their time chasing shadows around the North Sea. I do know that at the end of the war he was stationed at Scapa Flow and was either part of the the group that escorted the German fleet to Scapa or at Scapa when they arrived - he commented that he was shocked by the poor state of the German ships. He was also present when the Germans scuttled their fleet in 1919 saying it was one of the saddest things he ever saw.

    I would be very happy to learn more of the Romola's activities during the war At the time the Romola was a very modern ship and those who served in her must have felt they were at the forefront of the future.

    V Gareth




    237403

    Gnr. George Myers 125th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    George Myers joined up on the 1st of September 1914 when he was 18 years old. He embarked on 9th of July 1915 as part of the 125th Battery, Royal Field Artillery and was there during the Battles of the Somme, the First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, Third Battle of Ypres where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. He was hospitalised with shrapnel wounds on 31st of October 1917. Between the Battle of Aras and Ypres, he returned home where he married Margaret in June 1917.

    He then was part of the Royal Engineers as a sapper, he was medically discharged with sickness on 31st of January 1919. His wife gave birth to their son Robert Victor on 16th of February 1920, but three months later she sadly died. George was devastated and didn't cope well with her death. His son was adopted by Margaret's sister who lived in Guisborough, North Yorks. He returned to West Yorkshire and eventually stopped visiting his son and all contact was lost and he never got to meet his two granddaughters and seven great grand children.

    Wife's death

    Susan McGlade




    237402

    CSM William Shooter Cheshire Regiment

    William Shooter was awarded the Albert Medal.

    Richard Johnston




    237401

    Pte. Elijah Carpenter 11th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.9th July 1916)

    Elijah Carpenter was my great great uncle. He was 25 yrs old when he died in action. I don't have any more information.

    Thomas Carpenter




    237399

    Rflmn. Charles William Blampied 7th Bn. Jersey Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.23rd July 1915)

    Charles Blampied is buried in the south-east corner of the Ballyhooly (Christ Church) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Cork, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237398

    Pte. Austen Hopkins 41st Agricultural Coy. Labour Corps

    Austen Hopkins was the son of Mrs. Helen Hopkins, Larganbay, Ballyharris, Co. Mayo. He died on the 1st June 1919 and is buried south-west of the Abbey in the Ballyhaunis (Abbey) Cemetery in Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237397

    Gnr. Madigan Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner Madigan died on the 23rd June 1920 and is buried in the Ballygunner (St. Mary) Catholic Churchyard in Ballygunner, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237395

    Sgt. William Clarke 3rd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.29th May 1915)

    Serjeant William Clarke is buried in the Ballygunner (St. Mary) Catholic Churchyard in Ballygunner, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237394

    Gnr. William Barron 38th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.17th July 1917)

    William Barron was the son of Mrs. James Barron of Ballyellin, Goresbridge. He was 24 years old when he died and is buried in the in North-West corner of the Ballyellin Cemetery, Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237390

    Pte. Alexander Burke 4th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.12th Dec 1916)

    Alexander Burke was the husband of Mrs Bridget Burke, of Lady Abbey, Ardfinnan, Co Tipperary. He was aged 42 when he died and is buried south-west of the ruins in the Ballydrinan Old Graveyard, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237389

    Pte. E. P. Moran 1st Btn. Connaugt Rangers (d.29th Sep 1919)

    Private E Moran was the son of Mrs. Mary Moran, of Orchard House, Ballycumber, Co. Offally. He is buried about 11 yards east of the church in the Ballycumber (Liss) Churchard, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237388

    Venice Clementine Henrietta Hackett (d.13th Oct 1918)

    Venice Hackett was the Daughter of Edward A. Hackett, of Castletown Park, Ballycumber. She is buried in the south-west part of the Ballycumber (Liss) Churchyard in Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237386

    Cpl. Michael White 2nd Battalion, A Coy. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Michael White was born in Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland on March 16th 1882. In April 1900 he enlisted as a private in the 2nd Battalion of the RDF at the battalions depot in Naas. His Service record for the RDF shows that at some stage previously he had joined the Royal Irish Regiment but had been dismissed for being under age. Michael served with the RDF during the second Boer war in South Africa and was awarded both the Queen's and King's South Africa medals with clasps. After the Boer war he also served in peacetime at Malta, Crete and Egypt with his regiment. In April 1908, when his 8 year's service was up, he transferred to the army reserve.

    With the outbreak of WW1, as a reserve soldier, he was called up to the RDF and mobilised on 6th of August 1914. With the rest of the second battalion he sailed from Southampton for Boulogne and then travelled by train to Le Cateau. His regiment, along with the rest of the British Expeditionary Force, was hurredly thrown into action in an attempt to stop the German advance through Belgium into France.

    The battalion first engaged the advancing German forces during the retreat from Mons on August 26th, suffering many casualties and loosing many men as prisoners of war. Michael White was wounded twice during the chaotic fighting and retreats during the battle of Le Cateau. He was sent home to Naas to recover and during his recoevry there he was interviewed by the local Kildare Observer newspaper. The article is below: Extract from Kildare Observer Sept 1914:

    Wounded at Cambrai - Naas Soldier Back From the Front 19th September 1914.

    Private Michael White, "A" Company, Royal Dublin Fusilier, was in the firing line at Cambrai in the retreat from Mons on August 26th and was in the fighting line three days before he was rendered Hors-De-Combat by two Germans bullets. His wounds have now healed and he has been granted 14 days' Furlough. He is at present in his home at Rathasker Road, Naas, none the worse for his wounds. "I was one of four platoons of the 'Dublins'," He told me, "sent to hold the hills at Cambrai at all costs, but ten times our number could not have performed the task, as we soon found out when we saw the numbers against us. I was in the fourth platoon under Lieut. Mackey, who was afterward captured by the Germans and is now a prisoner, I believe. I tasted the lead of the German twice. The first wound I believe was here" - holding up his right hand, the third finger of which bore a recently healed scar. - "I paid no heed to that. It was nothing, and I got back into the ranks and fired away after I had got a bandage tied around it to keep the blood from bothering me. We were retiring all this time, and I asked Captain Clarke where I could get me hand bound up when the blood was troubling me. He told me to go back to the village - Cambrai - and I would find No.2 Red Cross Hospital there.

    "I had got my finger bandaged when a German aeroplane buzzed right over the Church, which had been turned into a temporary hospital. The people in the aeroplane dropped a black disc suspended by a cord over the church for the purpose, I suppose, of giving the range to the artillery. A few minutes' later the steeple of the church came tumbling down and some French doctors and nuns were killed amongst other. This is not hearsay, as I saw it with my own eyes. We - some wounded - were told to clear out, as the place was about to be shelled and we lost no time in going, those of us who could look after ourselves.

    "As I have told you, I re-joined my comrades, who were at this time retreating and some four or five hours' later, while we were fighting on our retreat some miles from Cambrai I got another bullet - this time in the groin that knocked me over, and I was sent to the field hospital at Rouen.

    That night we had to clear off from there and got on board a ship which came through the Seine. We disembarked at Southampton, and a lot of us were sent to Plymouth Hospital, which was in charge of civilians and territorials. They fed you well and looked after you but did not bother to enquire further about you. That was the reason why, although I was wounded on August 26th, my name did not appear in the casualty list until a couple of days ago. It's the same with hundreds of others. They do not bother about reporting you as being wounded or in the hospital until you are fit to leave, and then they inform the authorities and you are sent to Naas or wherever you regiment may happen to have come from. I was discharged the day before yesterday - on Tuesday - and was the only one of the wounded sent to Naas.

    "Yes" he said replying to a question I asked him as to whether he had seen any of the German brutality we hear so much about. "I saw two of our bands men - Private Flannery and Ives Flannery was from Tipperary and we called him "Tipp", and Ives is an Englishmen) go out with the stretcher from them and turned them back. I met them on the road and Flannery's hand was bleeding. He told me the Uhlans had broken his fingers with a slash of a sword. The Germans are all right now to our fellows when they are being forced to retreat themselves, but when they were marching on us they murdered all before them. I believe they are told if they meet a British soldier to shoot him or he will shoot them. "Yes, I'm feeling quite fit again now", said the private. "When my fortnight is up I'll go back to my regiment, and hope to be sent to the front again. I want to get some of my own back off those fellows".

    Michael returned to France in January 1915. On 21st of March 1918, the German Army made its final major push in an effort to end the war. The RDF was heavily engaged during the German spring offensive and suffered significant casualties. At some point, Michael's company (A Company) was isolated and Michael was taken prisoner. He spent the rest of the war a POW. Michael was finally repatriated after the war had ended in December 1918. He was demobilised in February 1919.

    John Power




    237385

    L/Sgt. William Henry Pitts 23rd Company Machine Gun Corps (d.22nd June 1917)

    William Pitts was the son of Edward and Mary Ann Pitts. In 1901 his parents had moved to Duckaller Cottage, Port Road, Dawlish and William Henry, 13, Leah L, 11 had been joined by Albany J, 7, born in Dawlish. The other children had moved away and one of their number had died, as recorded in the 1911 census when the parents with Albany John Pitts were living at Westwood, Cofton, Starcross. William was born St Thomas district, surrounding Exeter and including Kenton Oct-Dec 1887. He joined the Devonshire Regiment with a service no. 7882 and was stationed in Malta with the 2nd Battalion at the time of the 1911 census. It is possible that he was discharged before the outbreak of war and then re-enlisted with the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). At the time of his death he held the rank of Lance Sergeant with service number 17565. The Army Registers of Soldiers Effects show that William was serving with the 23rd Company of the Machine Gun Corps at the time of his death on 22nd June 1917. His name is inscribed on the Main Gate at Ypres.

    In early 1914 William had married Ethel Beatrice Westcott (Born in Lambeth, in 1890,) in Exeter. After William's death Ethel married Alfred Bowles in Oct-Dec 1920 at Dartford and the CWGC website records her address as 8 Battle Road, Erith, Kent.

    Robert Vickery




    237383

    Drvr. Hugh McHugh Army Service Corps (d.7th March 1916)

    Hugh McHugh is buried near the south-east boundary of the Ballybrack (St.Mary) Catholic Churchyard, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237382

    Pte. Samuel Shiels 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Samuel Shiels was the Son of Andrew Shiels, of 10 Glenfield St., Dennistoun, Glasgow. He was aged 26 when he died and is in the Ballybay First Presbyterian Churchyard in Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237381

    Pte. W. Mills North Irish Horse (d.30th November 1918)

    Private Mills was the Son of J. Mills, of Carnaveigh, Aughnamullen, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan.

    He was 20 when he died and is buried in the north-east part of the Ballybay First Presbyterian Churchyard in Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237376

    Pte. Edmund Albert Coker 11th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.17th Oct 1916)

    Edmund Coker, my great great Grandad on my Dad's side, died at 43 leaving a widow and 5 children. All entered the workhouse. I never knew his story and only just beginning to uncover it. I am very proud of him. Laid to rest in Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, Northern France.





    237372

    2nd Lt. Robert Newman Hall 3rd Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    My father-in-law, Robert Hall, served with the Cheshire Regiment in WW1. He served in France, was gassed and suffered shrapnel wounds. He was invalided home and whilst in hospital was volunteered into the R.F.C.

    His training was at Drome Airfield, Montrose, Argyll, Scotland. He was there during 1918/1919. Peace was declared before his training to become a pilot was completed, therefore, he never received his wings. His rank was 2nd Lieutenant. His home address was Halton, Runcorn, Cheshire. Unfortunately, we do not have his service number. However 100/FC/4?3 is listed on his certificate as fit to train for a pilot. This also states 3rd Cheshire Regiment.

    If you have any information on Robert I would be delighted to receive it. I have been engaged in the family genealogy for some years now but to date have drawn a blank on Robert's war record.

    Anne Hall




    237371

    Sgt. Augustine Bowles 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.10th Sep 1918)

    Augustine Bowles was the son of the late Joseph Bowles and Elizabeth Bowles. He had previously served with the 1st Connaught Rangers.

    Adam D'Arcy




    237370

    L/Cpl. Herbert Sydney Cason 2/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.8th Dec 1917)

    Sydney Cason was my paternal great uncle. Born 1885 in Longham Norfolk, he is buried in Orival Wood Cemetery at Flesquieres, France. He is listed on plaque in St John the Baptist Church Mileham, Norfolk.

    Janice Pallett




    237369

    Pte. Arthur Leslie Vernon Lewis 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

    Arthur Lewis joined up in Scarborough in September 1914, whilst on holiday. Although he joined up at the local cavalry depot, he was assigned to the East Yorkshire Regiment. He fought at Loos in September 1915 and was wounded, being shot in the ankle. He was sent to Dublin to convalesce. Back in action, he fought on the Somme, and was captured on the first day of the final battle, in November 1916. He spent the rest of the war as a prisoner, and was sent to work on a farm in the village of Hornerkirchen, north of Hamburg. He died in 1984, aged 91.

    Roger Lewis




    237366

    Lt. Marwood Mintern Munden CdeG. Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Born at Ilminster, Somerset on 13th of June 1885, Marwood Mintern Munden (always called Mintern by the family) was the seventh of eight children, and third son, of Dr Charles Munden and Jane Lucy nee Poole, of Silver Street, Ilminster. His father was a General Practitioner and Surgeon: Mintern had three brothers, all four of whom fought in France during WW1, one in the RAMC, one driving ammunition trucks, and the third with the Somerset Light Infantry. Three of the four, including Mintern, returned home safely. His unusual names came from a previous family surname (a distant relative Thomas Cuff married an Ann Mintern in 1773) and from the name of the doctor (Dr Charles Hawkes Marwood Mules) to whom Mintern's father was articled when first training in the late 1850s.

    The 1891 Census shows Mintern still living at home with his parents, aged 5, described as a scholar. By 1901 he was attending (with his brother Henley, also later a doctor in the RAMC) the Misses Alston and Rawes Boys and Girls Preparatory School, at Mary Street House in Taunton (this was also the school that his two other brothers Charles George and William Poole Henley attended, as noted in the 1891 Census). He later attended Crewkerne Grammar School before deciding to follow his father into the medical profession . I have an address for him, from the address book of his brother, Charles George Munden, which shows him at Medical School, living in Honour Gate Park and then Stondon Park, in London SE23. In 1911, Mintern completed his medical training at Guys Hospital (as had his father in the 1860s), qualifying MRCS Eng. and LRCP (London), and registering as a Medical Practitioner on 10 November 1911, becoming a house surgeon. In 1912 he married with Alice Archer, daughter of Mrs Emily Keith Archer and the late Henry Archer of Alfaxton, Holford, Somerset, taking up a general medical practice at Chalford, Gloucestershire in 1912 - though the 1913 Medical Directory still shows his address as Silver Street, Ilminster.

    Mintern and Alices first child, Charles Harry Munden, was born on 10 May 1913, but died before his first birthday, on 18 March 1914. Kellys 1914 Directory shows him as physician and surgeon, medical officer and public vaccinator Sapperton District, Cirencester Union and 5th district, Stroud Union. His address was Wickham Grange, Chalford: a photograph of him and his two sons (see following page), taken in c1919, appears to be on the steps at the front of the Grange, suggesting he lived there for some years. A second child, Richard Cuff Munden, was born on 22 October 1915. (Richard died in Egypt in 1950 ).

    In 1916 (according to family stories) Mintern joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in France in 1916 and went to France with the Royal Fusiliers though the Army List and the London Gazette show he was commissioned Temporary Lieutenant on 12 February 1918 and resigned his commission on 20 December 1918. We know very little about the specific detail of his time in the Army. The Guys Hospital Reports records that he served in the 89th Field Ambulance (29th Division) in 1917 and with 2nd battalion of the Royal Fusiliers from 1917 to 1918 (again, I have been unable to confirm these details. Although I have obtained access to copies of the War Diary for 2nd Royal Fusiliers, there is no mention by name to Mintern. I have yet to obtain access to the War Diary for the 89th Field Ambulance.

    A short description of the functions of the Field Ambulance, and the movements of the 29th division, to which the Royal Fusiliers belonged, is detailed at Appendix 1 to this document).

    During this time he won the Belgian Croix de Guerre, reportedly for evacuating Belgian wounded under shell-fire (but note that I have not been able to find official corroboration of this award being made). This award had been instituted on 25 October 1915 to recognise formally acts of heroism performed by individuals of any of the Allied powers during World War I, whilst on Belgian soil. The medal was awarded for Mention in Dispatches by differing levels of command, which was shown by the attachment to the ribbon (bronze palm = awarded by the army; bronze lion = regiment; gold lion = land forces). The ribbon was red with five green stripes.

    After the War, Mintern returned to Chalford. As rents had increased considerably, he bought �The Triangle� at Eastcombe, modernising it to incorporate a new surgery. This property had previously been a small-holding with a number of outbuildings and the new surgery was actually built from a converted pigsty. His telephone number was Brimcombe 45. Two further children were born after the War: John Mintern Munden on 23 April 1918 and Lucy Joyce Munden, on 17 January 1921. Both were born at Chalford.

    As well as running the practice on his own, Mintern kept up an interest in sport. A family photograph in 1893 shows him with a cricket bat; in 1908 he played three matches for Somerset (Wisden shows 3 matches, 5 innings, total 31 runs, highest score 11, average 6.2, but no bowling figures); he had played rugby and cricket for Guy�s and had toured overseas with its rugby team. After the war he ran the Gloucester Gypsies cricket team, recruited from Cheltenham College, and used to take them on a fortnight�s tour of the West Country, playing club and ground at Taunton and Devonshire Dumplings at Plymouth. He was also a member of the Stroud Cricket Club which he captained for some years and was President after he finished playing; and was a founder member of the Cheltenham Steeplechase Club.

    He also had an interest in field sports: a fine fly fisherman, he held various stretches of river in the district, enjoyed shooting over farms of patients and syndicates and also went on fishing holidays with the family. In the early 1930s he was whipper-in for the South Cotswold Beagles and the family used to walk beagle puppies. During this time he collaborated with Dr Patrick Playfair Laidlaw, who had been at Guy�s Hospital with him. Dr Laidlaw was awarded the Royal Society�s Medal in 1933 for his work on diseases due to viruses and who started the inoculation for distemper in dogs (see Appendix 1 for a description of this work). Mintern used to inoculate all his own dogs, and those of his friends, as well as the Cotswold Beagles� pack, and would advise Dr Laidlaw of the results. He was also a Freemason, and according to his family practised his speeches in the bath. From 1939 to 1945, Mintern was President of the local British Legion and Medical Officer to the local Home Guard.

    Mintern died on 8 March 1952 at Eastcombe, Gloucestershire, aged 66, having worked in the practice until a few days earlier � he had always said that he would never retire. His estate was announced in the London Gazette on 22 April 1952. His wife and two of their four children survived him: one son had died young in 1914, and another son (in the Gloster Regiment) died of polio whilst serving with the Army in Fayid, Egypt, in 1950. After Mintern�s death, his wife built a bungalow on some land adjoining the practice and lived there with her daughter Joy. Mrs Alice Munden died in 1973.

    James Mintern Munden




    237363

    L/Sgt. Michael Farrell Res. Bn. Irish Guards (d.18th May 1917)

    Lance Serjeant Farrell was the Son of Mrs. Kate Farrell, of Ballintogher, Monasterevin.

    He was 27 when he died and is buried about 10 yards from the entrance of the Bally Bracken Cemetery, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237362

    Pte. John O'Brien 5th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.28th September 1914)

    Private O'Brien is buried near the south-west corner of the Ballintra Cemetery in Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    He was the husband of Mary Moore, Patrick Street, Armagh.

    s flynn




    237361

    Pte. E. S. McGaughery 3rd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.6th March 1919)

    Private McGaughery was 25 when he died and is buried in the north-west corner of the Ballintra Cemetery in Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237359

    Pte. John McLeod 5th Bn. A Company Seaforth Highlanders (d.5th Dec 1916)

    John McLeod was born in Kildonan, Sutherlandshire in 1881. John enlisted in Golspie, Sutherlandshire and was in A Company, 5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. John died on the 5th of December 1916 along with 9 other men during a night work party outside of Aveluy, France.

    Dennis Buckley




    237357

    Pte. William Anderson Moodie 16th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    William Moodie received a bad leg injury he was captured on the 18th of November 1916 at Mailly on the Somme and became a prisoner of war. In February or March 1917, William as POW was in the War hospital in Cambrai, (Krg. Laz. Bay 6 Cambrai) being treated for a broken ankle or thigh. William was re-repatriated from Germany on the 5th of May 1918 and admitted to King George Hospital, Stamford Street, Waterloo, London with a shot gun wound, ankle left, shrapnel wound. He was discharged from Army on the 12th of December 1918 as no longer physically fit for war service and awarded the British War Medal and Victory medal.

    On the 10th of 1929 William Moodie, aged 45 (passenger 175071), previously of 5 Hill Road, Arbroath, departed from Port of Greenock on the Canadian Pacific ship, Montrose, heading to port of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada (Third class passenger, No 57).

    James Anderson




    237354

    Alan S. Thomas

    Alan Thomas was treated at the Royal Naval Hospital at Edensor (Chatsworth) Derbyshire. I am transcribing the entries in an Autograph Book from a Nurse who served there during WW1 and following up on the signatories.

    James Houghton




    237337

    Pte. John Joseph Reilly South Irish Horse (d.13th March 1916)

    John Reilly is buried in the south-west part of the Ballintemple Old Graveyard in Co. Offaly, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237336

    Pte. Patrick Kidney 3rd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.21st April 1916)

    Patrick Kidney was the husband of M. Kidney, of 23 Malachy's Lane, Gill Abbey St., Cork. He is buried in the North part, near right side of path in the Ballintemple Cemetery, Cork, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237335

    Sgt. E. H. Schilling 10th Btn. Royal Scots (d.20th Feb 1919)

    Serjeant E Schilling is buried in the south-west part of the Ballinrobe (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237334

    Pte. Patrick Lyons Royal Irish Regiment (d.26th Oct 1914)

    Patrick Lyons was 32 when he died and is buried in the north-east part of the Ballingarry Old Graveyard in Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237333

    Pte. John Hanrahan 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.30th Jan 1917)

    John Hanrahan was 22 when he died and is buried on the east boundary of the Ballingarry Old Graveyard in Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237332

    Pte. John Butler 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.26th Feb 1916)

    John Butler was the son of William Butler, of Ballincurry, Thurles. He was 26 when he died and is buried near the south-east corner of the Ballingarry Old Graveyard, in Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237331

    Pte. M. Ward Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.15th Jan 1919)

    Private M Ward was the son of Mrs Jane Ward of Harbour St., Ballinasloe. He was 25 when he died and is buried in the north-east part of the Ballinasloe (Creagh) Old Graveyard, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237328

    Pte. Albert Ellis 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.13th August 1915)

    Albert Ellis died in the Royal Edward, sunk by a German U-boat.

    Barry Ellis




    237327

    Tpr. Richard Ernest Bryant 4th Irish Dragoon Guards

    Dick Bryant joined the Irish Dragoon Guards around 1911 at Preston Barracks and with regiment was part of the BEF. He was in Captain Hornby's section at the Battle of Mons on 22nd of August 1914 when they were the first British troops to engage the German Troop of Uhlans.

    He was gassed and badly wounded in 1917 at Arras while a mounted runner - needing a metal plate in his skull. He received an honourable discharge in 1920 and eorked for Southern Railway after the war as a ticket collector. He died in Horsham in 1923 of TB.

    Neil Bryant




    237325

    Sgt. Leonard Gilding 6th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.23rd Aug 1917)

    Leonard Gilding was the son of John Henry and Mary Ann Gilding and the brother of Oonah, Gerty, Joseph, Thomas, Alfred, John Henry, Rose Jane and John Henry Gilding. In 1911 they lived at 40 Goodhead Street, meadows Nottingham. He died of wounds 23rd Aug 1917 at the age of 24 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. He was a colliery labourer working the coal mines in Nottingham before the war.

    Laura Hamilton-Harding




    237324

    Able Sea. Michael Kelly Drake Battalion (d.14th Nov 1915)

    Michael Kelly was the Son of Mrs. M. Kelly of Cornamuckle, Ballymoe. He is buried in the Ballinakill Graveyard, Co. Galway, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237323

    L/Cpl. Albert Arksey 10th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th March 1917 )

    My wife's grandfather Albert Arksey is remembered on the Memorial Wall at Arras. We know very little of his service in the Army, suffice to say he was registered as missing in action.

    Colin Johnson




    237322

    Sgt. Daniel Beary DCM 467th Protection Coy. Royal Defence Corps (d.4th December 1918)

    Daniel Beary (listed as Berry on CWGC database) was the Husband of Bridget Beary, of Barna, Pallas-Grean, Limerick. He was aged 48 when he died and is buried in the Ballinaclough Cemetery, Co. Limerick, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237321

    Pte. W Delaney 2nd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.29th Nov 1920)

    Private W. Delaney was 44 when he died and is buried East of the church in the Ballinabrannagh Catholic Churchyard in Co. Carlow, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237320

    Capt. William Walsh Royal Army Veterinary Corps (d.27th Feb 1919)

    William Walsh was 26 when he died and is buried in the north-east part of the Ballina Catholic Cathedral Churchyard, Co. Mayo, Ireland. He was the son of F. Walsh of Ballina, Co. Mayo.

    s flynn




    237318

    Pte. Paul James Courtney Royal Army Service Corps (d.26th July 1920)

    Paul Courtney was the Husband of Mrs. Courtney, of Ballina, Killaloe, Co. Clare. He is buried in the Ballina (Templehollow) Graveyard, Co Tipperary, Ireland.

    s flynn




    237313

    Pte. Thomas Harkin 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.18th March 1916)

    Thomas Harkin is known to me through the stories my mother used to tell me. Her mother, my grandmother, was a Harkin. According to the stories she told me it seems that Thomas wanted to become an engineer. He was told by the recruiter that he would be trained as an engineer if he joined up. He had some military training in Ireland and then shipped out to France. A few months after he arrived, he was killed. According to what my mother told me, he was gassed. I have since been able to confirm some of the details. Not many of his direct family are still alive and apart from my direct relatives I have only met one other (now elderly) person who now lives in England near Manchester. I have visited the memorial in France where his name is recorded at Dud Corner near Loos.

    Brendan O'Flaherty




    237312

    2nd Lt. Terence O'Neil William Kelly 4th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>

    Terence Kelly was born on 20th of August 1893, in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, the only son of William and Ellen Mary. He married Vaurie Ross (Vaevria) Fraser in 1912 in Old Machar, Aberdeenshire. They had one child during their short marriage, Terence who was born 28th August 1917, four months after his father's death in France on 2nd of May 1917, at the age of 23. He was a 2nd Lieutenant with the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and his wounds were sustained in action on 23rd April. Prior to enlisting he was a mining engineer in South Africa.

    Peter Wright




    237305

    Pte. Christopher Murray 4th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.23rd April 1918)

    Christopher Murray was the son of Mary Murray, of Brook St., Ballina. He is buried in the western part of the Ballina (Old League) Cemetery in Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237304

    Cpl. John Lyons 5th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.4th April 1915)

    John Lyons is buried in the south-east part of the Ballina (Old League) Cemetery in Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237302

    Pte. William Dockrey Machine Gun Corps (d.5th Oct 1917)

    William Dockrey formerly served with the Royal Munster Fusiliers. he is buried in the Balla Old Catholic Cemetery, (although his actual grave cannot be identified) in Balla, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237299

    Able Sea. Thomas McDowell HMS PC61 (d.4th May 1919)

    Able Seaman McDowell is the son of Elizabeth McDowall of Skate, Portwilliam, Wigtownshire. He was 23 when he died and is buried in the Aughaval (Holy Trinity) Church of Ireland Graveyard, in Aughaval, Co. Mayo, Ireand.

    S Flynn




    237298

    Able Sea. Charles Wilson Hearne HMS PC61 (d.4th May 1919)

    Able Seaman Hearne was the son of George Hearne of 159 Clarendon Place, Dover. He was 29 when he died and is buried in the north part of the Aughaval (Holy Trinity) Church of Ireland Churchyard in Aughaval, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237292

    Pte. Edwin Marsden King's Own Scottish Borderers

    Edwin Marsden was blinded in France.

    Jennifer Mosley




    237291

    Pte. Christopher Frank Smith Dorset Regiment

    Christopher Frank Smith was a corporal of horse in the Battle of the Somme.





    237284

    Able Sea. Michael Moylan HMS Centurion (d.23rd August 1916)

    Able Seaman Moylan was 28 when he died and is buried in the Ardmore (Old Abbey) Graveyard in Co. Waterford, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237283

    Gnr. Leonard Stevens 9th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.27th July 1917)

    Leonard Stevens is an ancestor of mine. He is the grandson of Thomas and Fanny Stevens of the Thatch, Barcombe, Sussex. He died on 27th July 1917 in the Ypres Salient. They were a large family and I think Thomas and Fanny lost five sons during WW1.

    Karen Ball




    237282

    William Patrick Brewer 60th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    William Brewer joined up in 1915 and was wounded in action, gassed on 14th of August 1917.

    Paul




    237281

    Gnr. Richard Thomas Fewings 251st Brigade, D Coy. Royal Field Artillery (d.18th April 1918)

    Mrs R. Fewings of Quay lane, Exeter has been notified of the death of her husband, Gnr. R. Fewings. RFA. In a letter to the widow, Lieut. Richard Atkinson, one of the battery officers says: "Your husband's death occured while taking his first real rest after four weeks' heavy fighting. It was quite instantaneous, and he felt nothing, as he was killed by a shell which came in through the roof. We have buried him in the British military cemetery near here. We mourn a gallant comrade, who was ever ready in time of danger, and always cheery in times of great discomfort and misery. He was a general favourite with all the officers and men. I offer you, on behalf of the commanding officer, officers and men of the battery, our sincere and heartfelt sympathy." (30th April 1918)

    Gunner R.T. Fewings 52505 D Bty. 251st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery is remembered on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. He was awarded three medals: the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and The 1914 - 1915 Star. Gunner Fewings lived at 3 Horse Lane, Exeter, Devon, England at the time he married Winifred Mary Waymouth.

    War Diary 251st Brigade; Royal Field Artillery WO95/2819.

    18th April 1918: Gonnehem.

    • 1.00 am: An intense bombardment by the enemy commenced over whole area occupied by the batteries, which lasted one hour.
    • 2.00 am: A pause lasting 15 minutes was followed by an intense bombardment of forward areas.
    • 3.15 am: Enemy attacked, and our advanced posts were withdrawn. During the night batteries fired on SOS lines, in response to signals, at varying rates, and barraged rides through Pacquet Wood.
    • 4.40 am: A/251 ordered to continue on SOS lines and remaining batteries to stand down. Enemy attempts to cross the canal frustrated with heavy losses to the enemy.
    • 07.00 am: Batteries engaged enemy seen near Bois du Pacquet and La Panniere.
    • 8.20 am: Road between Bois du Pacquet and La Panniere, houses in W.4a, houses and roads Q34a and La Panniere fired on by batteries.
    • 9.50 am: C/251 ordered to fire on Q34.c; B/251 on ride Q33c and houses and roads Q33b. Continuous firing during afternoon with observation on enemy posts in Q34a between wood and houses.
    • 8.15 pm: A barrage was heard on the left and on SOS signal being observed. A/251 fired at a very slow rate on SOS lines whilst remaining batteries stood by.
    • 9.10 pm: All batteries stood down. Information received that Riez du Vinage had been retaken by us. Lieut C St Nevill (C/251) killed in action whilst on duty at Brigade Observation Post. Some casualties sustained by batteries, especially D/251, 13 killed and 76 wounded.

    His daughter, Joyce Hetty Fewings, was born on 20th November 1917 and grew up wthout her father. She did, however, present him with nine grandchildren.

    Chris Palmer




    237280

    Pte. Thomas Foye 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    Thomas Foye was killed in action at the Battle of Arras. He was involved in a series of actions in the area of Fampoux and lost his life along with 391 men on the same day as they went over the top on the 3rd of May 1917. He was a Grenadier with the 2nd battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regt.) There were no remains but Thomas is honoured for his bravery with his name on the monument at the British graveyard in the town of Arras, northern France.





    237276

    Lt. Christopher Patrick Domegan (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Christopher Domegan was the son of Mrs Catherine Domegan of 29 North King St, Dublin. He previously served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was 22 when he drowned in the Irish Sea whilst on the RMS Leinster. He is buried in the Ardcath Graveyard in Co. Meath, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237275

    Pte. A Hancock 1st Btn. Gloucester Regiment

    <p>

    When I was a young soldier back in the early 70s, I would trawl around the pawn shops on the look out for old medals etc. One of the medals I found was, Pte. Hancock's Mons Star, with date bar.

    Nigel Grant




    237270

    2nd Lt. Thomas Richard Beamish Lloyd Army Service Corps (d.20th February 1916)

    Second Lieutenant Lloyd was the husband of Marion G. Lloyd, of Cartown, Kildimo, Co. Limerick.

    He is buried fourteen yards south of the entrance to the Ardcanny Churchyard, Co. Limerick, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    237268

    Pte. Thomas Edward Sleet Queens Regiment

    Thomas Sleet was an Old Contemptible.

    Paul Branch




    237267

    Sea. Robert West HMS Albemarle (d.31st March 1916)

    This is the story of how the tragedy of the death of an only son during the First World War started a link between two families which has lasted for over 100 years.

    Robert West was the only son of Robert West, fisherman, of 6 Beacon Terrace, Ferryden, Angus. He joined the Royal Navy during the First World War and served in HMS Albemarle, a Duncan Class battleship. He was invalided ashore in Newport, Gwent and died in hospital there on 31st March 1916. His father visited him in hospital and was befriended by a Welsh family, Mr and Mrs Griffith. He attended the military funeral at St Woolos cemetery, Newport . The West family in Ferryden kept in touch with the Griffith family in Newport and after their death with the next generation. Betsy Paton (nee West) sister of Robert West, continued to write every Christmas until her death in 1977.

    In 1997, Daniel Paton, son of Betsy Paton (West) visited the grave of Robert West at Newport and noticed a poppy cross on the grave. In 2001 Mrs Mary Bramley of Caerlon Gwent, niece of Mrs Griffith, wrote to the Montrose Review to enquire about surviving relatives of Robert West. Daniel Paton, who now lives in the house in Ferryden where Robert West lived, replied and the correspondence between the families resumed and continues over 100 years since Robert West died.

    Daniel Paton




    237255

    Pte. John "Jock" Scott 5th Btn. Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    In December 1914, five months after the start of the Great War, my grandfather, John Scott, known as Jock, volunteered for service as a private with the 5th (Service) Queens Own Cameron Highlanders a new battalion, formed as part of Kitchener's Army. He was immediately posted to Aldershot for training and was later transferred to France as part of the 26th Brigade in the 9th (Scottish) Division. He first saw action at the Battle of Ypres in April and May 1915.

    Four months later, Jock was posted to Loos where he sent a postcard to his fiance, Nan Wighton, on 16th of September 1915. The words were brief and simply read: "Just a P C to let you know that I am getting on all right and keeping well. Hope this finds you keeping well. Jock"

    Following the commencement of the Battle of Loos on 25th of September 1915, the 5th Camerons were heavily involved in the early fighting, particularly in the assault on Hohenzollern Redoubt. However, the attack went badly wrong and they suffered horrific casualties. Jock was hit in the leg by a large piece of shrapnel and had to crawl over a mile back to the allied lines. However, he would later say that he was one of the lucky ones, since many of his friends and comrades either didn't survive or were maimed for life.

    Following field surgery in France, Jock was returned to the United Kingdom for further treatment and recuperation at Swinton Grange Red Cross Hospital in Malton in North Yorkshire. After he was wounded, Jock was no longer fit for combat duties but his war was not over. He was assigned to the Cameron Labour Corps, which carried out a whole range of defence works duties in the UK and in overseas theatres, especially in France and Flanders.

    John Scott (Front Centre) at Swinton Grange Red Cross Hospital, Malton in 1916

    Postcard from John Scott 16 September 1915

    Text of postcard from John Scott to his fiance

    Bill Scott




    237252

    Cpl. James Sharp 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    James Sharp was my 2x great uncle. He came from London and was killed on the Somme. I know nothing more about him but have a photo that I believe is him.





    237249

    1st Lt. Ruben Shirley O'Neal No. 34 Casualty Clearing Station

    Ruben O'Neal of the US Army Medical Corps was assigned to the British Army and served at No. 34 Casualty Clearing Station.





    237247

    Sapper Edward Flanagan transf. to (291501) Labour Corps Royal Engineers (d.13th August 1918)

    Sapper Flanagan was the Husband of Mary Flanagan, of Latnakelly, Annayalla.

    He was 52 when he died and is buried in the south-west corner of the Annayalla (St. Michael) Catholic Churchyard. Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

    http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/663185/FLANAGAN,%20EDWARD

    S Flynn




    237245

    Cpl. John William Marples MM. 9th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment

    Corporal John William Marples of the 9th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment was awarded the Military Medal in 1919.

    His Citation reads: "Conspicuous gallantry during the advance on 29th October 1918, in the Piave Battle. His platoon was held up by an enemy machine gun. This N.C.O who was in charge of a Lewis Gun Team pushed his gun forward into action against the enemy post which enabled the remainder of the platoon to outflank and capture the post. During the advance he set a splendid example to his men"

    Brendan Marples




    237244

    Sgt. John William Atkinson MM. 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    My great grand father, John Atkinson, also known as Jack, served in the 5th Battalion the Durham Light Infantry 1914- 1918. He was a coal miner from Trimdon Colliery in County Durham and worked at Deaf Hill pit.

    He entered the theatre of war on the 31st of October 1916 and went on to be wounded on the 17th of September 1916 during the battle of Flers Courcelette. He returned to active service in June 1917 and won the Military Medal during the Battle of Estaires on the 9th of April 1918. On the 27th of May 1918 he was taken prisoner during the third battle of the Aisne and was incarcerated in Damstadt POW camp. After repatriation he returned to the mining industry and passed away in 1951 aged 68.

    I believe J W Atkinson is seen on a photo supplied to this site by J Miller of Durham Light Infantry prisoners of war- bottom left front row.

    Trimdon British legion with J W Atkinson fifth from right middle row.

    Lee Randle




    237243

    Rflmn. Richard Thomson 10th Batt Royal Irish Rrifles (d.28th August 1916)

    My grandmother's first husband Richard Thomson was wounded in 1916 and died in Graylingwell War Hospital, Chichester on 28th of August 1916. He is buried in City Cemetery, Belfast.

    Janette Keers




    237235

    BSM. Douglas McPherson Ford 141st Brigade, No2 Battery. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Douglas Ford served with 141st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Neill Ford




    237234

    Nursing Sister Francis Lillian Holly

    My great aunt Lil Holly was a nursing sister at a hospital in WW1. I have her autograph book with messages from officers there.





    237232

    Driver Thomas O'Neill Army Service Corps (d.14th October 1915)

    Driver O'Neill (Served as NEALE). Son of Richard O'Neill, of Coolenane, Cappagh, Co. Waterford.

    He was 30 when he died and is buried in the south-east part of the Affane Old Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Waterford, Ireland

    s flynn




    237231

    Pte. William O'Keefe 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.4th November 1918)

    Private O'Keefe was 22 when he died of malaria and is buried in the Affane Old Church of Ireland Churchyard in Co. Waterford, Ireland. His grave is Eight yards South-East of main path.

    s flynn




    237230

    L STO Denis Driscoll H.M.S. "Venerable." (d.3rd May 1919)

    Leading Stoker Driscoll is the son of William Driscoll of Burrin South, Kilbrittain, Co. Cork. He is buried in the Abbeymahon Old Graveyard, Co. Cork, Ireland on the site of the old Abbey.

    S. Flynn




    237229

    Pte. James Phelan 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.8th November 1915)

    Private Phelan was the son of Mrs Mary Phelan, of Blackhill, Abbeyleix.

    He was 28 when he died and is buried in the Abbeyleix New Cemetery in Abbeyleix, Ireland, his grave is at the south-west of entrance gate.

    S Flynn




    237227

    Cmdr. Bertram Ramsay HMS Broke

    On 3rd of November 1918 the destroyer HMS Broke was escorting the hospital ship Princesse Elisabeth across the Channel. Owing to a signalling mix-up, they had a minor collision while entering Dover Harbour. No casualties. This date is outside the dates given above for this ship's service as a hospital ship, if she is the same one. A court of inquiry held the captain of HMS Broke, Cmdr Bertram Ramsay, to blame, which he bitterly resented.

    Andrew Gordon




    237223

    Pte. John Hopper The King's (Liverpool Regiment) Depot (d.14th March 1918)

    Private Hopper was the Son of Mrs. Hopper, of Abbeyleix.

    He was 332 when he died and is buried in the Abbeyleix Catholic Churchyard in Ireland, South of middle path.

    s flynn




    237221

    Cpl. Leslie Clarence Hills 57th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Leslie Hills signed his Attestation on the 5th of September 1916, he was sent to France on the 13th of February 1917. He was wounded on the 17th of October 1917, discharged as unfit on the 14th of August 1918. He appears to have served with 19th (Western) Division, 57th Brigade before being moved to the 14th Machine Gun Battalion in February 1918.





    237219

    2nd Lt. Tom Freeman 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.17th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Tom Freeman served with the 6th Northamptonshire Regiment. Little else is known I'm afraid.

    David Freeman




    237197

    Pte. Harry Foster 8th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.17th Feb 1917)

    Harry is Foster buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq (Mesopotamia). He gave his next of kin as Mrs. Eunice Foster of 105 Thorndon Road. Sheffield.

    Christopher Orme




    237195

    Gem Wilfred Brown Machine Gun Corps

    My Grandfather, Wilfred Brown, fought at Saint-Quentin and was captured in the German Spring Offensive, date of capture 21/3/1918. Detained in Standal POW camp. Moved to Merseburg camp, repatriated at the end of the War, via Hull.

    All above information supplied by ICRC.

    Russell Evans




    237192

    Rflmn. William Oswald Stones Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.25th July 1916)

    William Stones did not have to go, at 36 years old, he was exempt because of his age. He enlisted at home in 1915. William was killed in 1916 in Delville Wood. He is one of the last burials in Carnoy Cemetery which was closed at the end of July 1916. In the cemetery his name was listed as Jones, then corrected in red ink to Stones. Coincidently his great grand daughter's married name is Jones.

    Keith




    237187

    Pte. Frederick William Lawrence 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    Frederick Lawrence is my grandad. He did not speak of WW1 except to answer my question upon returning from a holiday in Spain in 1965, "Have you ever been abroad Grandad?", to which he replied "Only once and I didn't much care for it!" He became a mounted policeman in Liverpool and died in 1978 at the age of 83.

    Alan J. Lawrence




    237186

    Pte. Reginald Lisher 1st Btn., 3 Coy. Coldstream Guards (d.14th Sep 1914)

    Reginald Lisher was killed in action on the Marne on 14th September 1914, aged 18. He was the son of James and Ellen Lisher of Ivy Cottage, Lancing. Reginald was born in Lancing and enlisted in Brighton. He is commemorated on the La Ferte-Sous-Joarre Memorial.

    He was my first cousin once removed (my grandfather's nephew). His story is told on a website written by a local historian who has researched all the men from Lancing who served and died in WW1.

    Mary Connaughton




    237185

    L/Cpl. S. P. Tripp Suffolk Regiment

    In 1974 I bought Lance Corporal Tripp's 1914-15 Star medal in a shop while visiting Lowestoft in Suffolk and like to think it keeps his service in the living memory of a stranger. All I know about L/Cpl Tripp is from the medal: he may have been one of the Old Contemptibles (B.E.F.) and would have been a volunteer/regular. The medal came as a set along with the British War Medal and Victory Medal referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. I do not know if L/Cpl Tripp survived the war.

    Paddy McQ




    237184

    Gnr. Alfred Pester 8th Divisional Artillery Column Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Alfred Pester served with the 8th Divisional Artillery Column, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Stephen Pester




    237180

    Pte. S. A. Hobkirk Hyderabad Rifles (d.25th February 1920)

    Private Hobkirk is buried in the Secunderabad European Roman Catholic Graveyard in India, Plot B, Grave 35.

    S Flynn




    237179

    Pte. A. Herft Hyderabad Rifles (d.24th May 1920)

    Private Herft is buried in the Secunderabad European Roman Catholic Graveyard in India.

    S Flynn




    237178

    Capt. W. R. McArdle Indian Medical Department (d.28th August 1921)

    Captain McArdle is buried in the Sanjauli Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    237177

    Major C. J. Hewitt Supply and Transport Corps Army Service Corps (d.21st July 1921)

    Major Hewitt was 60 when he died and is buried in the Sanjauli Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    237176

    2nd Lt. William Ernest Trueman attd. 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Sappers and Miners (d.30th October 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Trueman was the son of Henry and Lily Trueman, of 29 Douglas Rd., Handsworth, Birmingham.

    He was 30 when he died and is buried in the Sabathu Cemetery in India, Grave 111.

    S Flynn




    237175

    2nd Lt. W. G. Quigley Officers School of Instruction (d.2nd November 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Quigley is buried in the Sabathu Cemetery in India, Grave 110.

    S Flynn




    237174

    Pte. Montague Arthur Mitchell 2/7th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.14th October 1916)

    Private Mitchell is buried in the Sabathu Cemetery in India, Grave 112.

    S Flynn




    237173

    Pte. Leonard Herbert Fletcher 6th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.3rd November 1918)

    Private Fletcher was the son of William and Jemima Fletcher, of 17 Porchester Rd., North End, Portsmouth.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried in the Sabathu Cemetery in India, Grave 109.

    S Flynn




    237172

    2nd Lt. Reginald Elgar Colborne (d.6th November 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Colborne was the son of Francis William and A. Colborne, of 79 South Rd., Bournemouth, Dorset.

    He was 25 when he died and is buried in the Sabathu Cemetery in India, Grave 90.

    S Flynn




    237171

    L/Cpl. Archibald Millman 1st Garrison Btn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.25th October 1918)

    Lance Corporal Millman was the son of George James and Emma Millman, of 71 Springfield Rd., Cotham, Avon.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried in the middle of the Ramandrug Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    237170

    Pte. George Holbrook 1st Garrison Btn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.30th August 1918)

    Private Holbrook was the son of John and Hannah Holbrook, of 19 Norton Rd., Pelsall, W. Midlands.

    He was 26 when he died and is buried in the middle of the Ramandrug Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    237163

    Pte. Robert Millican Goldie 21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers

    We udnerstand that Private Goldie was captured by the Germans and became a POW

    Martin Alexander




    237159

    Maj. Sydney Dawson Moray Alexander Indian Ordnance Department (d.14th January 1917)

    Major Alexander is buried in the Raichur Railway Cemetery in India, Grave 251.

    s flynn




    237158

    Pte. R. White 26th Bn. Hyderabad Rifles Indian Defence Force (d.1st November 1918)

    Private White is buried in the Purna Roman Catholic Cemetery in India, Grave 731.

    s flynn




    237157

    Pte. W. Francis 26th Hyderabad Rifles Indian Defence Force

    Private Francis died on the 5th April 1920 and is buried in the Purna Roman Catholic Cemetery in India, near the front wall left of the path.

    s flynn




    237156

    Pte. Victor Herbert Marsh 1st/5th Btn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.26th September 1918)

    Private Marsh was the Son of Herbert J. and Harriet Marsh, of Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey.

    He was 25 when he died and is buried in the Puri Cemetery in India, Grave 148.

    s flynn




    237155

    Pte. William Stent 1st/4th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.13th October 1918)

    Private Stent was 24 when he died and is buried in the Purandhar Cemetery in India,Plot D. Grave 35.

    s flynn




    237154

    Pte. Christopher Dixon 2nd Garrison Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st August 1917)

    Private Dixon was the Husband of Alice Dixon, of 180.5, Station Rd., Ashington, Northumberland.

    He was 28 when he died and is buried in the Purandhar Cemetery in India, Plot D. Grave 32.

    s flynn




    237153

    Cpl. Stanley Albert Bray 2nd Garrison Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th October 1918)

    Corporal Bray was the Son of Elijah and Eliza Jane Bray, of 7, Cooperative Terrace, Haydon, Radstock, Avon.

    He was 27 when he died and is buried in the Purandhar Cemetery in India, Plot D. Grave 34.

    s flynn




    237152

    Sgt. James Henry Abraham 2nd btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.5th July 1918)

    Serjeant Abraham was 29 when he died and is buried in the Purandhar Cemetery in India, Plot D. Grave 33.

    s flynn




    237148

    Pte. John A MacCallum 13th (Lanark and Renfrew Scottish) Btn.

    John MacCallum was with the first group of the Lanark and Renfrew Regiment to enter Germany, having been captured near Ypres. Uncle Jack was reported missing and was held as a prisoner of war at Giessen. He was taken prisoner and sent to the salt mines. After three unsuccessful escape attempts, he was sent to a farm in Germany. He was prisoner for three and a half years. He was beaten with a rifle butt and during one escape attempt, he was crawling through a furrowed field and had the pack on his back shot off. He received a handwritten letter from George V for those who served in the prison camps for the duration.

    Jack re-enlisted in the 48th Highlanders and worked as a barber at Camp Borden, Ontario. He passed away in 1957, he was my grandmother's brother.

    Michael Beattie




    237144

    Gnr. Arthur Ashworth 179th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th June 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Ashworth served with 179th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Linda Renny




    237143

    Pte. S. R. Helps 1st/6th Btn. attd. 8th Reserve Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.5th April 1919)

    Private Helps is buried in the Poonamalee Cemetery in India, Row 13, Grave 46.

    S Flynn




    237142

    Pte. John Blackman 1st/5th Btn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) (d.16th October 1918)

    Private Blackman was the husband of E. L. Nye (formerly Blackman), of 124 Magpie Hall Lane, Bromley Common, London.

    He was 36 when he died and is buried in Poonamallee Cemetery in India, Row 33, Grave 688.

    S Flynn




    237140

    Pte. Harry Evelyn Barnett Army Service Corps (d.3rd January 1918)

    Private Barnett was the Son of Henry W. and Mary E.G. Barnett; husband of Edith E. Barnett, of Weybridge, Surrey.

    He was 29 when he died and is buried in the Poonamallee Cemetery in India, Grave 116A.

    s flynn




    237139

    Lt. E. J. A. Hay 2nd Btn. 41st Dogras (d.5th September 1918)

    Lieutenant Hay is buried in the Palampur Churchyard in India, Plot 1. Grave 1.

    s flynn




    237138

    Pte. Ernest Jones Devonshire Regiment

    Ernest Jones took the Queens shilling at Palatine buildings in Manchester. Volunteered Sept 1914. Believed to have served as a regular soldier prior to WW1 with the Devonshire Regiment. Saw action in Gallipoli and landed at Anzac beach. Took part in fierce fighting and was severely wounded at Suvla bay (most likely awaiting evacuation when the Turkish snipers and artillery took advantage of the exposed troops). Believed to have been rescued by an ANZAC and carried to safety. He was invalided to Cairo and returned to England. Then served in the Labour Corps and one news article at time of his death says he was wounded at Poperinghe, France. Unsure if this is a mistake in the article or not.

    He holds the 1914-15 Star, General Service and Victory medals. Also the silver war badge. Mum and her sisters remember dressing his knee wounds which weeded until his death aged 92 in the 1970s. He was a very tough man always immaculately dressed and wore a glove. Mum says he was so soft and warm hearted and very kind but had a tough side which required 3 men to get him into an ambulance as he fought so hard.

    His son, also Ernest, married a German girl aged 19 and he took her as his own and taught her English when all other women refused to speak to her. Funny story of him marching off to the butcher and threatening him as he refused to serve my German Gran. He was a dedicated Christian and carried a prayer written by his Vicar on the back of a card of 2 tommies in uniform walking down a road when the Angel of Mons appears. A cross is formed in the clouds.

    A newspaper article on his death says 'he saw service in many lands' and "after toasting the Monarchs health several times with the colour sergeant still had twopence change." Wished I could have met and heard his stories.

    David Baylay




    237137

    Pte. Robert Halsall 7th West and Cumberland Yeomanry Border Regiment (d.18th September 1918)

    Robert Halsall was reported missing at Gauche Wood, France. Later he was presumed dead. His body was never found. He is Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, Franc.





    237133

    Sgt.Mjr. C. W. McLagan 20th Nilgiri Malabar Btn. Indian Defence Force (d.21st June 1919)

    Serjeant Major McLagan is buried in the Ootacamund (St. Thomas) Cemetery in India, Plot F. Grave 151.

    S Flynn




    237132

    QMS F. J.T. Lloyd 2nd Bn. Attn. Corps of Military Staff Clerks Royal Fusiliers (d.26th September 1915)

    Quartermaster Serjeant Lloyd earned the King George's Delhi Durbar Medal.

    He is buried in the Ootacamund (St. Thomas) Cemetery in India, Plot F. Grave 125.

    S Flynn




    237131

    Pte. Alexander MacFarlane 2nd Garrison Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th Sep 1919)

    Alexander MacFarlane was 44 when he died and is buried in the Nicholson Cemetery, Kashmir Gate, Delhi, India.

    S Flynn




    237130

    Brig.Gen. Herbert Alexander Kaye Jennings CIE. Royal Artillery (d.15th Jan 1921)

    Brigadier General Jennings in remembered on the Special Memorial E in the Nicholson Cemetery, Kashmir Gate, Delhi in India.

    S Flynn




    237120

    Pte. John Tinlin MID 2nd Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.18th April 1915)

    <p>

    John Tinlin was a Private in the 2nd battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers. He died on Hill 60, Ypres during WW1.

    Rebecca Harrison-Mace




    237114

    L/Cpl. William Meehan 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.16th Dec 1916)

    My grandfather William Meehan, was serving in the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment when he was killed in December 1916. In October 1916, the battalion was moved from the Somme area in France to positions south west of Ypres. Their camp was on the Kemmel-Poperinge road near La Clytte. They remained in that area until mid March 1917. According to the official history, they were in "brigade reserve" and "the routine was four days in front line trenches, four days in support line and eight days in reserve". My grandfather was 1 of 3 officers and 14 men killed during the period October 1916 to March 1917.

    According to another historical document I have on the RIR war dead, my grandfather was killed in action on 16th of December 1916. He enlisted in Clonmel but I don't know when. He is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery which makes sense given the location of the 6th Battalion in December 1916. I've not yet had any luck in locating the official war diaries of the 6th Battalion for December 1916. If and when I do, I think there's a good chance of finding out how he died.

    Richard Carroll




    237112

    Pte. Albert Butler 1st Battlaion The King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.1st July 1916)

    Albert Butler was my maternal grandmother's first husband, marrying in Aston, Birmingham 1913. Not sure how he came to sign up with the KOSB, but it would seem that he enrolled at Rugby, near Coventry before being shipped off to Gallipoli in 1914 before being shipped with his regiment to France.

    The 1st Battalion were one of the first units to go over the top at the Somme on July 1st 1916 and Albert Butler was killed in action, with no known grave.

    His name is featured on the Thiepval Monument and on the Bilston, West Midlands War Memorial. It's assumed that his wife, Edith (my grandmother) had moved there whilst Butler was serving in the forces

    Kevin Evans




    237109

    Cpl. James Stewart 1st Garrison Bdn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th May 1916)

    Corporal Stewart is buried in the Nagpur (Takli) Cemetery in India, Plot A. Row D. Grave 2.

    s flynn




    237108

    Pte. Bernard Ricketts 2nd Garrison Bn. Essex Regiment (d.10th November 1917)

    Private Ricketts is buried in the Nagpur (Takli) Cemetery in India, Plot O. Row D. Grave 4.

    s flynn




    237107

    Pte. William Cameron 1st Garrison Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.20th May 1916)

    Private Cameron is buried in the Nagpur (Takli) Cemetery in India, Plot A. Row C. Grave 2.

    s flynn




    237106

    Pte. R. Harry Brett 2nd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.30th August 1914)

    Private Brett was the Son of William and Charlotte Brett, of 150, Albert Rd., Buckhurst Hill, Essex.

    He is buried in the Nagpur (Takli) Cemetery in India, Plot O. Row A. Grave 6.

    s flynn




    237105

    Pte. Wilfred Reid 2nd Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.2nd July 1918)

    Private Reid is buried in the Mussoorie General Cemetery in India, Plot X. Grave 3.

    s flynn




    237104

    Capt. Arthur Singleton Hobbs Indian Army Reserve of Officers (d.16th October 1918)

    Captain Hobbs was 48 when he died and is buried in the Mussoorie General Cemetery in India, Plot X. Grave 10.

    s flynn




    237103

    Pte. Donald Victor Cloke 2nd Btn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

    Private Cloke was the Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. E. Cloke.

    He was 19 when he died on 19th September 1920 and is buried in the Mussoorie General Cemetery in India, Plot X. Grave 48.

    s flynn




    237102

    Pte. William John Lawrence 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.15th August 1915)

    Private Lawrence was the Son of William and Annie Maria Lawrence, of 9, Chamberlain Rd., Ealing, London.

    He was 35 when he died and is buried in Mount Abu Cemetery in India, Grave 371.

    s flynn




    237101

    Gnr. Charles James Bragg 228th Bty. 4th Wessex Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.25th August 1915)

    Gunner Bragg was the Son of Godfrey and Elizabeth Ann Bragg, of "Malpas", 1, Littlegate Rd., Paignton, Devon.

    He was 20 when he died and is buried in Mount Abu Cemetery in India, Grave 374.

    s flynn




    237100

    Cpl. Harry Eccles William Bradshaw Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) (d.17th July 1919)

    Corporal Bradshaw was 36 when he died and is buried in the Mount Abu Cemetery in India,Plot E. Grave 387.

    s flynn




    237099

    Gnr. William Barrett 3rd/4th Wessex Bde Royal Field Artillery (d.8th August 1918)

    Gunner Barrett was 25 when he died and is buried in he Mount Abu Cemetery in India, Grave 370.

    s flynn




    237097

    Pte. Christopher Chisholm 5th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.2nd September 1915)

    He served in Gallipoli





    237096

    William Howells MM. 2/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    A letter William Howells wrote to his parents in August 1916. This portion was published in the Amman Valley Weekly Chronicle and East Camarthen News on the 25th of August 1916.

    The following is a portion of a letter which was sent by Private Willie Howells, attached to the Royal Warwick Regiment, from Somewhere in France to his parents, who reside at Llwynon, Clarence Road, Landilo. Referring to Private T. Lewis of Manordello, who was killed in action on July 17th he writes:— "I dare say that Tommy Lewis' people have got to know that he was killed in action. Poor fellow, If found him in the line unconscious, and immediately started bandaging him, he had been wounded in the head and when we had finished bandaging him, I had to take charge of the stretcher on which he was placed. The German artillery were shelling our communication trench like h. and it was almost certain death to go down into it. I asked the three chaps who were with me if they would go down, and the appeal I used was Will you give Tommy a chance of life by taking him down now, or wait till the bombardment dies down?' and they all said, ' We will give him the best possible chance.' So down we went and we had to pass under terrible shell fire, but eventually reached the aid post, where I handed Tommy to the doctor's care. When I got outside. I had to cry, the relief was so great. All the way down I had been worrying over him and wondering over him, whether he would live or die, so that it was not surprising that I should find myself in tears.

    Chris




    237093

    Pte. Thomas Tormay 1st Btn. Leinster Regiment

    Private Tormay was the Son of Hugh and Mary Tormay, of Railway St., Kells, Co. Meath, Republic of Ireland.

    He died on 26th August 1921. He is buried at the main gate in the Malappuram (Christ Church) Cemetery in India.

    s flynn




    237091

    Pte. John Thomas Parker 2nd Btn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) (d.26th September 1914)

    Private Parker is buried in the Malappuram (Christ Church) Cemetery in India.

    s flynn




    237090

    Pte. E. Kennedy 1st Btn. Leinster Regiment

    Private Kennedy is buried by the main gate in the Malappuram (Christ Church) Cemetery in India. He died on 26th August 1921

    s flynn




    237089

    SSgt. F. J. Paice 2nd Bn. attd. Military Grass and Dairy Farm East Surrey Regiment (d.23rd July 1915)

    Staff Serjeant Paice is buried in the Madras Wesleyan Cemetery in Chennai, India, Plot 2. Grave 3.

    s flynn




    237088

    Gnr. Harold Hulmes 208 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.17th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Hulmes was born in the Manchester district of Hulme and spent his early years there. He was the second son of Herbert, a dairyman and grocer, and Emma. His older brother was called Herbert after their father and would also serve in the army. By the time of the War, the family had moved to 114 Wellington Road South, Stockport and Harold was working locally for a firm of iron merchants Herbert Parkes and Nephew at their St Petersgate premises.

    Harold enlisted into the army at Stockport in October 1915 and was assigned to the artillery. His original unit was the 145th (Stockport) Heavy Battery, a Territorial unit of the Royal Garrison Artillery. His original service number was 4175 and he must have served with the Battery until at least early 1917, as his six-digit number was not issued until then and is one associated with the Battery. It is not known when or why he was transferred to the 208th Siege Battery although most transfers were as a result of a man being wounded or otherwise away from his unit due to sickness for a considerable while. When he was fit enough to return to duty, the new unit will have been in greater need of replacements.

    The Siege Batteries fired the heaviest weapons in the British arsenal and were used to batter enemy strongpoints. In mid-September 1917, the Third Battle of Ypres had been under way for several weeks and Harold's Battery would have firing to support the infantry attacks. One of his comrades wrote home to tell Mr and Mrs Hulmes what had happened. The night that he volunteered to take the despatch, he was severely wounded and although in that condition he acted as only a true British hero would do for he delivered his despatch and was then admitted to hospital where he eventually passed away and was laid to rest beside his dead hero comrades.

    The hospital that his comrade mentions will have been the Dressing Station at Reninghelst staffed by the Royal Army Medical Corps. It was situated a little way behind the front line. Its job was to do no more than patch a man up sufficiently to allow him to be further evacuated to a field hospital perhaps some 20 miles away. Clearly, there was nothing to be done for Harold.

    Harry Hulmes




    237086

    Rfm Maurice Needleman Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    I have my grandfather's honourable discharge certificate, dated 23rd March 1918.





    237081

    Pte. Todd Wilson 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Oct 1917)

    Todd Wilson is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing. He served with the 6th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment.

    Todd




    237080

    Pte. Percy Benwell Welsh Regiment, 9th Btn. Army Service Corps (d.23 October 1918)

    Very little is known about my Great Uncle, Percy Benwell,other than he was born in 1894 in Oxfordshire, England, son of George and Ellen Benwell. His date of death was 23 October 1918 in Northern France and the fact that he is buried at Canonne Farm War Cemetery.

    Carol Edwards




    237078

    L/Sgt. Reginald Francis McCann MiD. 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    Reginald McCann enlisted in 1908 and served with the 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders in India and China 1909-1914 and was in India when World War One broke out, stationed at Poona, India. The Battalion, embarked for England from Bombay on the 16th of October 1914 arriving at Devonport, Plymouth and then moved to Winchester joining the 81st Brigade of the 27th Division. On the 20th of December 1914 they landed at Havre and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including The action of St Eloi during The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 29th of November 1915 they embarked for Salonika from Marseilles and engaged in various actions against the Bulgarian Army including The capture of Karajakois, The capture of Yenikoi, The Battle of Tumbitza Farm, The capture of Homondos, The capture of the Roche Noir Salient, The passage of the Vardar river and The pursuit to the Strumica valley. They ended the war at Izlis N.W. of Doiran, Macedonia.

    In 1919 Regimald enrolled in Nottingham into a unit formed to clean up the Western Front and moved to Australia in 1921.

    Kelvin McCann




    237077

    2nd Lt. James Matthes Bourne (d.17th June 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Bourne was the Son of Henry and Ellen Bourne, husband of Hilda Bourne of Northgate, Ditchling, E. Sussex. He was aged 42 when he died and is buried in the Madras (St. George's) Cathedral Cemetery in Chennai, India.

    s flynn




    237076

    Gnr Lionel Henry Gibson Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner Gibson died on 15th June 1920

    s flynn




    237075

    Lt. William Ramsey Carson Callander Indian Army Reserve of Officers (d.7th February 1918)

    Lieutenant Callander is buried in the Madras (St. Andrew's) Cemetery in Chennai, India, Grave 607.

    S Flynn




    237072

    Sgt. A. Alexander Tank Corps

    I have somehow acquired the war medal of Sgt. Alexander of the Tanks Corps. I think it may have been put into a Poppy Appeal collecting tin which I counted. I have tried to trace him to no avail. By putting his name on this website, at least there is some small acknowledgment of his existance and the hope that someone will have more success than I in tracing him and possibly his descendants who may be able to have his medal back.

    John Hawthornthwaite




    237070

    L/Cpl. Charles Few 1st Battalion Essex Regimenr (d.20th Nov 1915)

    My great grandfather Charles Few, died on a ship on the 20th of November 1915 and was buried at sea. I believe he died of pneumonia but am not aware of how and why he was aboard the hospital ship. May He Rest in Peace.

    Tina




    237068

    L/Cpl. Louis Hurst 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th August 1916 )

    Married with one son Louis Hurst fought in Gallipoli and Egypt before being sent to France where he died from battle wounds. He is buried in Avesnes le Comte cemetery.





    237067

    RSM Henry O'Leary 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.3rd November 1915)

    Regimental Serjeant Major O'Leary was the Son of the late John and Ann O'Leary; husband of Mary O'Leary, of 5, Fortview Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

    He was 41 when he died and is buried in the Madras (Kilpauk) Cemetery in Chennai, India, Plot A. Row 12. Grave 697.

    s flynn




    237066

    Pte. William Thomas Nobel Norris 6th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.19th February 1919)

    Private Norris was the Son of William Thomas Noble and Eliza Norris, of Mortlake, London.

    He was 20 when he died and is buried in the Kotwa Military Grave in India.

    s flynn




    237065

    Pte. William Worley 2nd Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.15th July 1917)

    Private Worley is buried in the Kharagpur Cemetery in India, Plot 6615.

    S Flynn




    237064

    Bdr. R. W. Morgan 4th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.29th April 1919)

    Bombardier Morgan is buried in the Kharagpur Cemetery in India, Plot 2122. Grave A.

    S Flynn




    237063

    L/Cpl. Walter Linfield 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sep 1916)

    I found a WW1 death plaque for Walter Linfield among my late father's possessions and traced him to having died during the Battle of Flers Courcelette on 15th of September 1916 aged just 24. I think that this battle was the first in which tanks were used during the war, but without great success. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Greg Linfield




    237059

    Major. John Cowan Browning DSO. A Battery, 210 Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Jack Browning was a member of the Territorial Force and served with A Battery, 210 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    John Browning




    237058

    Pte. Joseph Bell 1st Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.25th September 1915 )

    Joseph Bell was my second great-grandfather (his daughter, Margaret Gibson Bell was my great-grandmother). Although I do not recall exact stories, I do know she spoke of him. I am only just beginning my quest of finding my ancestry and learning of his history.





    237056

    Pte. Frederick George Young 5th Btn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) (d.4th June 1914)

    Private Young was the son of Robert A. and Clara Young, of 41 Rodney St., Ramsgate, Kent.

    He was 18 when he died and is buried in the Kamptee Roman Catholic Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    237055

    Pte. Richard McVey 1st Garrison Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.14th July 1917)

    Private McVey is buried in the Kamptee Roman Catholic Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    237054

    Dvr. Harry MacDonald 112 Bty., 24th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd November 1920)

    Driver MacDonald was 21 when he died and is buried in the Kamptee Roman Catholic Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    237050

    Gnr. Melville May 74th Trench Mortar Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.8th June 1917)

    Melville May was the son of Thomas Fenton May and Canadian Mary Jones born June 1880 in Moncton Barracks, where his father was in the military. He had met his wife on service in Canada. His uncle Peter May was also in the military. Melville was educated in Aberdeen, Scotland, where his father worked as the city's chief sanitary inspector. Melville married Margaret Ann Ross, also from Aberdeen, in Lambeth in 1905 and he was a colonial merchant buyer before enlisting.

    Melville May was in Kitchener's Army and most likely died in the Messines offensive, as records show 5th, 6th or 8th of June 1917 as date of death. His widow was awarded 17 shillings for herself and their children (born 1907 and 1912) and £7 widow's pension.

    Eileen May




    237047

    Mjr. Charles Allix Lavington Yate VC. 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.19th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Charles Yate was born in Madeley, Shropshire on 14th March 1872, and graduated from the Royal Military College Sandhurst in 1892, thence posted to 2 KOYLI based in Bombay (Mumbai), India.

    At the outbreak of WW1 Major Yate was 42 years old, and a company commander in the 2nd Battalion KOYLI, and was amongst the first to land in France. During the retreat from Mons, 2 KOYLI deployed two companies to act as rearguard whilst the remainder of the battalion fell back in good order. They held the line against fierce attacks by the enemy throughout the day until their ammunition was exhausted. By this time, only Major Yate and 19 soldiers remained in action and, no ammunition remaining, he and his men fixed bayonets and charged the enemy. Major Yate V.C. was captured by the Germans and, because of repeated attempts to escape from his captors, was sent to Torgau prison in Lower Saxony.

    He broke out of Torgau but was found by factory hands on their way to work who saw through his disguise, and although fluent in German, he was unable to convince them of his identity. Dressed in civilian clothes, Major Yate knew that he would be probably executed as a spy, and before the workers could arrest and subdue him, he cut his own throat and committed suicide rather than be taken.

    He is buried in the CWG cemetary, Stahnsdorf, near Potsdam, and his death is marked on the war memorial situated on The Green, Madeley. He left a widow but no children. His V.C. is on display as part of the KOYLI exhibits at Doncaster Museum, South Yorkshire.

    Jeff Pearson




    237046

    Pte. Harold Bates 2nd/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.19th July 1916)

    <p>

    Harold Bates was my great grandfather, he never returned from the war and his body was never found. His daughter died 81 years later still knowing nothing about her father.





    237041

    Pte. Albert George Mason 2nd Garrison Btn. Essex Regiment (d.10th July 1919)

    Private Mason is buried in the Kamptee Roman Catholic Cemetery in India, Grave 34.

    S Flynn




    237040

    Pte. Peter Farman 1st Garrison Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.21st May 1916)

    Private Farman was buried in the Kamptee Roman Catholic Cemetery in India, Grave 32.

    S Flynn




    237039

    Pte. George Hoskin 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.14th Feb 1916)

    George Hoskin was my great uncle, who at 21 married my father's aunty Hannah (Wright). He was a miner in a small village, Calow, about a mile from Chesterfield, Derbyshire. My grandfather and his brothers drove the ponies working the pits around Calow, as did George Hoskin. He and Hannah had a baby girl, Muriel, who at only 2 years old saw her father for the last time as he left for Flanders Fields with the 10th Sherwood Foresters.

    He was deployed on 14th July 1915 and was immediately sent to the front at the Ypres Salient. He endured that hell hole for six months to the day and was killed in action on 14th February 1916 when a German mine was detonated under his trench at 5:40 that evening. No remains were recovered and he is memorialised on the Menin Gate for this reason. His widow and baby daughter received a gratuity of £6. He was awarded the Victory, British and Star medals for gallantry and service to the Empire. George Hoskin was 23 when he was killed and lies buried in a Belgian field with his mates and brothers in arms.

    Dean Wright




    237035

    Rflmn. Hedley Ridout 12th (The Rangers) Btn. London Regiment

    Hedley Ridout was my maternal grandfather. Sadly, he had died before I was born. I remember my mum telling me that he had been gassed during the war and as a result completely lost his sense of smell. Would love to know more if there's anyone who has a story.

    Caroline




    237034

    Sgt. Arthur Sistern 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th August 1914)

    Sergeant Sistern is buried in the Kalka Cemetery in India, Grave 82.

    S Flynn




    237033

    Sgt. J. Clarke Supply and Transport Corps Army Service Corps

    Serjeant Clarke died on 11th February 1921 is buried in the Kalka Cemetery in India, Grave 5.

    S Flynn




    237032

    Pte. P. Russell 1st Garrison Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.27th November 1918)

    Private Russell is buried in the Jhajha Cemetery in India, Grave 43.

    S Flynn




    237031

    Pte. Walter Bolton 1st Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.23rd November 1918)

    Private Bolton was the son of William and Mary Bolton.

    He was 36 when he died and is buried in the Jhajha Cemetery in India, Grave 42.

    S Flynn




    237030

    Pte. Thomas William Lewis 1/1st (Brecknockshire) Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.7th November 1918)

    Private Lewis was the son of Mr and Mrs William Lewis, of 44 High St., Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil.

    He was 41 when he died and is buried in the Indore New Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    237029

    Pte. Bertram Walsh 1st Garrison Btn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.3rd January 1919)

    Private Walsh was 35 when he died and is buried in the Igatpuri Cemetery in India, Grave 381.

    S Flynn




    237028

    L/Sgt. John Brown 2nd Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.26th September 1914)

    Lance Serjeant Brown was 27 when he died and is buried in the Igatpuri Cemetery in India, Grave 87.

    s flynn




    237027

    Cpl.Whl. Albert Ernest Templeman "B" Bty., 6th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.4th November 1918)

    Corporal Wheeler was the son of Robert Thomas and Ellen Templeman, of "Sumatra", 27 St. Ledger's Rd., Bournemouth, Dorset.

    He was 29 when he died and is buried in the Hoshiarpur (Christ Church) Churchyard in India, Row 1, Grave 10.

    S Flynn




    237026

    Gnr. A. Crayston 1093 Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd November 1918)

    Gunner Crayston was the son of Mr and Mrs Alexander Crayston, of Russell's Farm, Wennington, Lancashire.

    He was buried in the Hoshiarpur (Christ Church) Churchyard in India, Row 1, Grave 11.

    S Flynn




    237025

    Gnr. Harry Cobb 13th Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.1st November 1918)

    Gunner Cobb is buried in the Hoshiarpur (Christ Church) Churchyard in India, Row 1, Grave 12.

    S Flynn




    237020

    Lt.Col. George Frederick Handel Marks Royal Army Medical Corps (d.3rd May 1915)

    Lieutenant Colonel Marks is buried in the Dalhousie Civil Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    237019

    Pte. Thomas McFarlane 596th M.T. Coy Army Service Corps (d.23rd July 1917)

    Private McFarlane was the Son of the late William McFarlane and Jessie McKissock McFarlane.

    He was 27 when he died and is buried in the Cuddapah European Cemetery in India.

    s flynn




    237018

    CSM Henry Tuttle 1st Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.21st July 1915)

    Company Serjeant Major Tuttle is buried in the Chikmagalur Cemetery in India.

    s flynn




    237017

    Pte. William Pratt 9th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.21st February 1917)

    Private Pratt is buried in the Cannanore General Cemetery in India, Plot 36. Grave 21.

    s flynn




    237016

    Sgt.Maj. A. Tyler 2nd Bn. Norfolk Regiment (d.1st August 1919)

    Serjeant Major Tyler was 31 when he died and is buried in the Calicut New Beach Cemetery in India.

    s flynn




    237015

    Pte. Arthur Ishmael Pepler 2nd/4th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.16th April 1915)

    Private Pepler was the husband of Elizabeth Pepler, of 13 Claverton Buildings, Widcombe, Avon.

    He was 37 when he died and is buried in the Calicut New Beach Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    237014

    S/Sgt. J. McAdam attd. Bihar Light Horse Indian Army 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards (d.8th March 1920)

    Staff Sergeant McAdam is buried in the Bettiah Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    237011

    L/Cpl. H. Ross 1st Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.30th November 1920)

    Lance Corporal Ross is buried in Benares Cantonment Cemetery in India, Plot K, Grave 15.

    S Flynn




    237010

    Pte. Frederick William Noble Pocock 2nd/4th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.22nd December 1918)

    Private Pocock was the son of Frederick and Harriet Pocock, of Basildon, Berkshire; husband of Clara Marian Pocock, of 14 Council Houses, Lugershall, Andover, Hampshire.

    He was 43 when he died and is buried in Benares Cantonment Cemetery in India, Plot L, Grave 38.

    S Flynn




    237008

    Pte. Michael Taylor 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd October 1917)

    Michael Taylor was a regular soldier, he enlisted in 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in 1911. In 1916 he was a lance corporal. He was discharged in the summer of 1916 but he re-enlisted on Christmas Day 1916 and joined 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Michael Taylor was killed in action on 22nd October 1917 at Ypres. He has no known grave and is listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    John M Smith




    237005

    Pte. Harry Martin 2/4th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.28th November 1918)

    Private Martin was the son of Mrs Francis Martin, of Bishopsteignton, Devon.

    He was 33 when he died and is buried in Benares Cantonment Cemetery in India, Plot K, Grave 16.

    S Flynn




    237002

    Pte. Thomas Edward Perry 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.25th Sep1915)

    <p>

    My mother was five years old when her father, Thomas Perry, died at Loos in 1915. I know little about him except what birth, marriage and census records tell me. My mother left me this photograph, on the reverse of which it says "the church where my dad's name is" but with no clue as to its location. I assume the church contains a memorial to some of those who were lost in WW1 including my grandfather. For several years, I have tried to trace the church in Berkshire, Wiltshire (county of birth and marriage) and elsewhere but to no avail. It would be a great success if someone could update this record with some certainty of the church's name and location.

    Alfred Moule




    236999

    Pte. Arthur Edward William Harrington 14th Reserve Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Arthur Harrington went to France in 1917. He was on the wrong end of the German spring offensive; he didn't speak much about the war but he did mention an overwhelming German push in the last year of the war. He took part in many trench raids with a Captain who offered to take him to South America as a mercenary after the War, but Arthur had seen enough war already.

    He was part of the Army of Occupation. We still have a small model of Cologne cathedral that he brought back. He was gassed twice and on one occasion he teamed up with a soldier from the Cameron Highlanders to help each other out(one could see and the other was more mobile). They swapped cap badges and we still have the Cameron Highlander's cap badge.

    Graham Harrington




    236998

    Sgt. George Sidney Carter 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.2nd Dec 1916)

    <p>

    On 21st of April 1915, in Islington, two best friends, George Sidney Carter and William Albion Bernard Hart signed up to fight for their country. They were each given their service numbers 27414 and 27415 in the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. It is likely they arrived in France with the Battalion on 4th December 1915. The 16th spent the winter and spring of 1916 in and out of the front line trenches before training for the great offensive on the Somme. The 38th Division, including the 16th Bn RWF took part in the attack on Mametz Wood which became a byword for its horror. William Hart, in later life, could not stand the twilight as it reminded him of crawling over dead bodies in Mametz Wood ("Metz" as it was known to them). Like so many they saw and experienced some horrific sights, George rose to the rank of sergeant and certainly William, was gassed and later on in life suffered from this exposure.

    The Battalion later went back to Flanders and the Ypres area and again took its turns in and out of the front line and here, in the early hours of 2nd December 1916 (12.15am), a hostile party entered the trench. The enemy retired after a stay of only a few minutes but George Sidney Carter was blown-up and killed right next to his best friend. George was 26. His friend managed to retrieve his French-English Dictionary and this has been cherished and passed down through our family with great pride. Not only will the little brown dictionary be treasured but the memory of the fallen and, in particular, George Sidney Carter will not be forgotten.

    Caroline Young




    236996

    Spr. Robert Cook 409 Lowland Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Robert Cook served with 409 Lowland Field Coy. Royal Engineers.

    Garry Crittall




    236994

    Pte. George Gow 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.30th May 1916)

    Private Gow was the son of John and Ann Gow, of Walton, Liverpool.

    He was 39 when he died and is buried in Benares Cantonment Cemetery in India, Plot K, Grave 17.

    S Flynn




    236993

    Cpl. George Arthur Andrews 1/5th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.29th May 1915)

    Corporal Andrews was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Andrews; husband of Norah Kathleen Andrews, of 46 Westwood Rd., Southampton.

    He was 29 when he died and is buried in Benares Cantonment Cemetery in India, Plot K, Grave 18.

    S Flynn




    236992

    Pte. William Scarff 5th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd Feb 1915)

    William Scarff is buried in an isolated military grave in Barkacha, India.

    S Flynn




    236990

    Pte. Horace John Norton MM. 11th Btn., D Coy. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Horace Norton, known as Jack to his family, was born in Ashford in Kent. His father was George Christopher Norton and his mother was Annie Norton. He had older siblings at the time of enlistment, Charles James Norton (32), Alice Elizabeth Page (30), Fredrick George Norton (28) and Albert Edward Norton (26)

    He enlisted in the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles on 5th of June 1915 at Canterbury in Kent. He was transferred to the 11th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment 11th October 1916 where he was employed as a runner. He was killed on 20th September 1917.

    This is a letter sent to the family on Jack's death:

    11th Service Battalion, Royal West Kent Regt Nov 12th 1917

    Mr F. G Norton, 5 Sydney Street, South Ashford, Kent

    Dear Sir, in reply to your letter of the 4th instant, reflecting your brother, No 18472 Pte H J Norton I very much regret to have to confirm the news already received by you by the chaplain of the 14th Hampshire regt. Your brother went into action with his battalion on the 20-09-17 and after the battalion was relieved was reported missing. Some days afterwards his pay book and other effects taken from his body were received from the 14th Hampshire Regt. These have been sent to the base and you will receive them in due course. Please accept our deepest sympathy.

    Yours Faithfully

    R. O. Russell, Lieut A Adjt, 11th Batt RWKR

    Page 2 (the other side of the paper in pencil)

    Your Brother came to France with me from the E. K. M. R. he has done some very gallant work. I find the last time he was seen alive by any one of the Battalion was on Sept 22nd when he left Brigade. H. 2 to return to his Company. He must have been killed by shell fire on his way back. I am more than sorry as he was invincible cheerful & brave beyond words you have my deepest sympathy in your loss

    John C Beadle L Col, Comd 11th RWKR"

    He was also mentioned in a book: The History of the 11th (Lewisham) Battalion, The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, written by Captain R O Russell, MC. Prominent other ranks Page 124 excerpt reads: "Other runners who deserved a mention were Ptes. H. J. Norton, H. Packman and P. Taylor. Only those who have done duty as runners can conceive what it means to carry messages continuously to and fro across a shell torn, bullet-swept, wastes between company and companyor back to Battalion or Brigade Headquarters. Sergt. Major Johnson, to whose splendid training we chiefly owe the wonderful efficiency of our runners, used to greet the newcomers to his class with "So you're going to be a runner are you?" "Yes Sir." "Oh! Why? Do you think you want a cushy time?" "I Don't Know, Sir." "Well take it from me, theres one of three things a runner is sure of in this war; do you know what they are?" "No Sir," very meekly. "The most likely is an R.I.P., the next a blighty, and the others a decoration. And another thing you can get into your head is this: a runner can count on getting no rest, he'll find himself on duty all the time!" How many runners discovered the truth in those words."

    Others Who displayed Fine Qualities, Page 147 1st 2 paragraphs, excerpt reads: "Those respecting Pte. H. J. Norton are perhaps the fullest. A D Company Runner, quite a boy, it was not long before he found he was the only one left to carry messages, the sole means of communication between his Company and Battalion Headquarters. He made repeated journeys to and fro (and as they had to be done over the top he was in full view of the enemy all the time) keeping going until the end of the tour. When he went back and guided up the incoming unit. Incidentally, one may mention here, Norton had promised to get his C.Q.M.S. a souvenir on the 14th June and he kept his word, bringing back a very fine pair of field glasses. He had joined us at Ribemont with the yeomen and showed exeptional bravery on all occasions, until he was killed in the attack on Tower Hamlets."

    Derek Godden




    236988

    Sgt. Henry James Walters att. H Coy. 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Sappers. Royal Engineers (d.20th Nov 1918)

    Henry Walters was the son of Henry and Mary Walters, husband of Jane Emily Walters, of 40 Countess St., Walsall, W. Midlands. He was aged 39 when he died and is buried in the Bangalore Cantonment (Kulpully) St. John Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    236987

    Sgt. Louis Charles Higgins 7th (Queen's Own) Hussars (d.25th Feb 1918)

    Louis Higgins was buried in Arogyavaram Pothapole Union Mission Sanitorium Cemetery in India, he was serving attached to the Supply and Transport Corps when he lost his life.

    S Flynn




    236986

    Boilermaker Thomas Evans SS Mongolia (d.23rd June 1917)

    Boilermaker Evans was the son of Stuart and Margaret Evans; husband of Bertha Maud Evans, of 35 Whitehall Rd., Grays, Essex.

    He was 60 when he was killed by a mine explosion and is buried in the Alibag Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    236985

    Cpl. John Thomas McKenna MM 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    John McKenna served with 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry, he was awarded the Military Medal and presented with a pocket watch by his colleagues at Heworth Colliery.

    John McKenna




    236984

    Lt. Thomas Augustine O'Brien Army Veterinary Corps (d.6th Oct 1918)

    Thomas O'Brien was buried in the Ajmer New Cemetery in India.

    S Flynn




    236980

    CSM. Donald Robert McColl 10th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.15th Dec 1918)

    Company Sergeant Major Donald McColl was my grandad. He drank poisoned water while in France, came home, then died. There was full military funeral with gun carriage on Smithdown Road. He is buried in Toxteth Cemetery, Smithdown Road, Liverpool. I'd like more information if possible.

    Keith McColl




    236977

    Pte. Alfred Deadman 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.9th September 1916)

    Alfred Deadman who died, age 42, on 9th September 1916 was the son of the late John Deadman of Northfleet, Kent. Alfred is remembered with honour in the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval.





    236970

    Rflmn. John Fullerton 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th Aug 1917)

    My great uncle John Fullerton served with 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.

    Stephen Hodgett




    236963

    Pte. Herbert John Barham 1/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Herbert Barham was my great grandfather and was from Aston. He was living in Lozells in 1913 with his wife and 3 children. Unfortunately, his service record is lost, what I can work out is that he enlisted in October 1914 to the 1/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and went to France in March 1915. He was still serving with the 8th Btn when the Territorial Force was renumbered in March 1917. He was demobbed in March 1919.

    Although I know little about his active service, family anecdotes are that he was greatly affected by the war, possibly shell shock and it is thought this contributed to him tragically taking his own life in 1953. My wish is that his service and the traumas he suffered are not forgotten.

    P Harrison




    236960

    Pte. Joseph Barr 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.7th Nov 1914)

    My Grandfather Joseph Barr, 7134, 2nd HLI was killed on 7th of November 1914, near Ypres, when his trench was invaded by a large number of Germans. He was one of a small number of casualties. He and his fallen comrades are buried in Oosttaverne Cemetery. This event was the one when Lt. W.L.Brodie won his VC, widely and wrongly reported as 11.11.1914 the day when 2HLI's CO recorded the full event in his diary. It is a big story and can be found on the Scotland's War website under the section Lanarkshire War.

    Joe Barr




    236959

    Pte. Henry Prescott South Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather was Henry Prescott. I believe that he served in the British Army in India until around 1908 - he believed that he witnessed the last public flogging in the British Army. He returned to his home town of Maghull in Lancashire (now Merseyside) working as a cellar man in the Punch Bowl pub in Sefton.

    He re-joined the army for the Great War in the South Lancashire Regiment. He was injured in the Balkans and shipped off in a hospital ship. This was damaged or sunk and he was picked up and taken to Malta (by the Japanese Navy?). Upon recovery he was sent to France where he was again wounded (family legend is that he was blown up when using the latrine) and was sent to Scotland for recovery. My understanding is that he was part of a machine gun team. In Scotland, he met a young nurse, Minnie Thomas who he married, she became my grandmother. He settled in Melling working as a farm labourer on Glovers Farm and living in a tied cottage. He had 2 sons and 2 daughters.

    WW2 was not totally uneventful for Henry as he also served in the local Home Guard and the cottage that the family lived in was hit by a German Bomb which failed to explode. He retired at the age of 75 in 1959, passing away at the age of 84 in 1968. He was laid to rest in the grave yard at St Thomas's church in Melling.

    Ian Cross




    236956

    WO1 (RSM) Henry Davion MC MM 2nd Battalion Scots Guards

    My grandfather, Henry Davison, served in WW1 as did his 3 brothers, William, Alfred George and Frank. Henry enlisted into 2nd Battalion Scots Guards in 1905 and completed various courses including a Physical Training course from which he was attached to the Lincolnshire Regiment as a PT Instructor (L/Sgt).

    He returned to the Guards before leaving UK for France in June 1915. He fought at the Battle of Loos winning the Military Medal. Very soon after this he took over as RSM of this battalion. In the New Year honours list he was awarded the Military Cross.

    On 17th January 1917 he took over as RSM of 6/7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders. He continued to serve with the Gordons eventually serving as depot RSM from where he retired in 1926 and returned to Faversham.

    Whilst researching our family history I noted that he had been married and divorced in August 1918. Whilst going through his regiments war record it states that in August 1918 the 'RSM on leave'.

    After the war ended he took over as RSM of 2nd Battalion Gordons and was based in Glasgow where he married my grandmother whose husband had been KIA whilst serving with the Argyles. It was after this that he was posted to the depot who were based in Aberdeen and this is where my father was born. After he retired the family moved back to Faversham. During the 2nd WW he was the Chief Air Raid warden in Faversham.

    He passed away in September 1953 just as I was starting school, my other grandfather passed away on Boxing day the same year.

    Ian Davison




    236953

    Pte. Kenneth Hague 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Ken Hague was killed in action on 1st July 1916 in France. He left behind him a wife, Alice, and four girls, Alice, Ethel, Christiana and Marjorie. He was born in Sheffield in 1879 and married Alice Sayers on 29th January 1899. Before joining up, he had worked as a file cutter. Why he volunteered for the Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry is not known, but he left Sheffield and went out with them to South Africa to fight the Boer War in March 1901. He came home in May 1902 and settled down to family life. He and Alice and the two younger girls moved to Filey in North Yorkshire, where Alice was originally from.

    Ian Ollman




    236952

    A/Capt. Richard Bertram Evans MC. Royal Welch Fusiliers

    Richard Evan commission was announced on the 28th of March 1917: R. W. Fus. The undermentioned cadets to be temp. 2nd Lts. (attd.)
    • Alfred Reginald Brownson.
    • Richard Bertram Evans.
    • William Whittaker Goulding.
    • Percy Caynton Hughes.
    • Llewelyn Jones.
    • Frank Archibald Stringer.
    • Henry Lloyd Williams.

    The citation for his Military Cross reads: "T./2nd Lt. Richard Bertram Evans, R.W. Fus., attd. Welsh R. (Salonkia) On the 18th of September 1918, in the attack on The Knot, he behaved with conspicuous coolness and gallantry in rallying and leading his men forward when they had come under very heavy machine-gun and trench mortar fire in crossing a ravine. Later, though wounded, he continued to lead his men, showing them a very fine example of devotion to duty. During the preparations for the attack this officer had done most valuable work in reconnoitring routes and cutting gaps in our wire, and was of the utmost assistance to his company commander throughout."

    Richard Evans




    236951

    John Young 7th Battalion Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers (d.6th April 1916)

    James and John Young were two brothers, my great-uncles, signed up and served together in the 7th Battalion of the Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers in WWI. James went to hospital to see to a wound he had received. When he returned to the trench, his brother John and the rest of the men in his group had been killed by a mortar shell. I have been unable to find any records other than the memoriam and the record of his grave at the Loos Memorial.

    Linda Kasenow




    236949

    Pte. Francis Joseph Wales 10th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    The following is from record of war memorial site of Holy Trinity Church Broadstairs, where Frank Wales is remembered: Possibly Francis Joseph Wales. Private G/9882. 10th Battalion, Queens Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Killed in action 7th of June 1917, aged 28 years. Husband of Kathleen Mary Wales of 31 Bloomsbury Road, Ramsgate, Kent. Born Brixton, enlisted and resident Ramsgate, Kent. Buried in Voormezeele Enclosure No 3.

    Ray Young




    236946

    2nd Lt. Robert Locke Stewart 1st Mountain Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.18th October 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Stewart was the son of Hugh and Elizabeth Stewart. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland.

    He was 34 when he died and is buried in the Agra (Havelock) Cemetery in India, Grave H19.

    S Flynn




    236936

    Pte. Cecil Frederick Kybird 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    When I asked my grandfather, Cecil Kybird, about the war as a boy, he just said there was a lot of mud! Recently I received information from the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum about my grandfather.

    "From references in our records we hold in the collection I am pleased to say that we can provide the following information. From a Casualty Book which lists wounds and sickness: Pte C F Kybird, 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment was treated for Seborrhoea 27.4.1917 at Boulogne. Effects of Gas 15.5.1918. admitted to Field Ambulance then treated for Gas and Shell wound at No. 2 Canadian Hospital, Rouen 21.10.1918. From the 9th Battalion war diary he is listed as wounded, Gas at Ypres Canal Iron Bridge May 1918 and Wounded in Action in October 1918."

    Ypres Iron Bridge was a bridge over the Ypres - Comines Canal. It was 2 km south of the Ypres Lille Gate, very close to the road running south of Ypres to St.Eloi, the canal was never used due to problems with making the ground stable.

    Jack Kybird




    236933

    Pte. Charles Farrington 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1914)

    Charles Farrington was born Charles Parringon in East Dulwich, Surrey in 1889. At that time his family, consisting of his father Charles, mother Edith, and three sisters Harriet, Elizabeth and Ellen lived at 9 Landals Road, E. Dulwich. At some point the family name became Farrington and this is the name he enlisted under. My grandmother recalled that he joined the army at about age 15 and was a drummer boy for a while.

    His records show that he served in India with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. However, in 1914 we believe he was stationed in Kinsale, Ireland with the 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. The 1st Battalion was called into service almost immediately, and was in France by September 1914. Charles lost his life on 27th of September 1914 at Soupier, France. He is commemorated on a memorial monument at La-Ferte-Sous-Jouarre, France. No body was ever found. Charles was never married and to my knowledge had no offspring. In his will he left all his belongings, pay and gratuities to his sister Ellen. She took possession of his belongings and medals in London in 1915.

    Donna Day




    236932

    James Alexander Shaw 3 Squadron

    <p>

    James Alexander Shaw (Ally as he liked to go by) was a friend of Tommy Byers. They both lived on Earlswood Road in East Belfast, Ireland. Ally Shaw was in house 81 and Tommy Byers was in house 188. Ally Shaw worked in the Linen Trade in 1911 and he was 18 years old at the time. I have some photos of Ally Shaw that Tommy had acquired from him. Both Ally Shaw and Tommy Byers made it through the war.

    This is a studio photo of Ally Shaw taken in April 1917 at age 24. Ally Shaw came over to Canada in 1912 with a close friend names Harry Chisam who also became a Pilot in the #3 Squadron RNAS.

    This photo is Harry Chisam his comrade during the war. Ally Shaw and Harry Chisam got their Flying Certificates on the same day in Augusta, Georgia in December 1915. Harry Chisam was No. 385.

    David Michael Donatelli




    236931

    Pte. William Cassidy 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My Grandfather was William Cassidy and he served between 1919 and 1921 as a Rifleman with the Royal Irish Rifles in postwar Mesopotamia. He received his General Service Medal for this service, in Hamilton, Scotland in 1924.

    More than fifty years ago, my grandfather gave me Private Alexander Palmer's 1914-15 Star. Ashamedly, I lost the young soldier's service medal some years back, but the mystery of how my grandfather came to have it haunts me to this day. Alexander Palmer was killed on the first day of the Battle of Loos, 26th September 1915. On that day, my grandfather would have been fifteen and a half, far short of the official age for joining the Army. But family legend has it that William, eldest of thirteen children, lied about his age, enlisted with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, and had a glorious reputation as a runner in the trenches until a massive explosion left him deaf in one ear. None of which is likely to have happened during his three years service in Mesopotamia, where there was little trench warfare and limited artillery barrage. Grandpa did have two Army numbers, however: his regimental number and his post-1920 seven-digit new number. His earlier service records appear to have been destroyed in the 1940 London blitz. Did he and Alexander meet in France? A question I would love to be able to answer.

    David May




    236929

    Pte. George Price 5th Btn. A Coy. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    George Price was my Grandfather Richard's older brother, they enlisted together. They both came from a large family who lived in Wall Heath Staffordshire. I have my grandfather's three WWI service medals, a photo plus a moving letter he wrote to his parents on the 19th October 1915 which in a round about way breaks the news to his parents that George has been killed. My grandfather would have been about 17 years of age and George was 19. George was killed in action on 13th October 1915 at the Battle of Loos. He has no known grave.

    Ian




    236922

    Pte. Walter Huison 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th June 1917)

    Walter Huison died during the Battle of Messines.

    Lee Huison




    236920

    Cpl. George Christopher Huison 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    George Huison was captured on 27th march 1918 near Rosieres (Rosieres-en-Santerre) east of Amiens and south of the Amiens-St Quentin road. He was captured during the German spring offensive (Kaiserschlacht) and was sent to Gustrow. George was released in November 1918.

    Lee Huison




    236912

    CQMS. Sidney Broadhead 2/5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    My great grandfather, Sidney Broadhead, was born in Grimsby in 1886. Despite my great grandmother being pregnant with my grandad, he joined up in 1915, and was posted to Ireland to put down the Easter Uprising. I have many old photographs of him and his division in Ireland. I believe that he was then sent to France.

    Sidney's cousin, Frank Broadhead, joined the newly formed RAF but was killed three months before the end of the war in 1918 in a training accident in Sussex.

    Sidney Broadhead

    Mark Doig




    236911

    Lt. Basil Gold Watney DSC HML 236 (d.28th October 1919)

    Lieutenant Watney is buried in the Rakoskeresztur Hungarian National Cemetery in Hungary, Plot 42, Row 1, Grave 1.

    He was awarded the DSC For distinguished services in connection with operations on the Danube.

    S Flynn




    236910

    DH Malcolm MacLeod HM Motor Launch "368" (d.9th July 1919)

    Deck Hand MacLeod was the son of Donald and Maggie MacLeod, of 2 Habost Lochs, Stornoway.

    He was 22 when he died and is buried in the Calvaria Cemetery in Hondorus, in the 'Heroes' section, Grave 1.

    S Flynn




    236909

    Ord.Sea. Ernest Stacey Lawrence HM Motor Launch "368" (d.29th July 1919)

    Ordinary Seaman was the son of Arthur Stacey Lawrence, of 75 Philip Sidney Rd., Sparkhill, Birmingham.

    He was 19 when he died and is buried in the Calvaria Cemetery in Hungary, in the 'Heroes' section, Grave 2.

    S Flynn




    236901

    Pte. Thomas James Kernaghan 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.4th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Kernaghan was my great uncle. He was 20 yrs old when he passed on. He was wounded in battle, but died of his wounds in a field hospital. He is buried in Rouen in France. This story was told to me by my brother.

    I can't imagine what this young man was thinking when he went to war at such a young age, but we are extremely grateful for his valour and sacrifice not only to his King, but his family and friends. So many who died are not remembered, so, it is up to us, future generations to remember all who sacrificed there lives so we can have peace in ours.

    Lest We Forget.

    Stephen Kernaghan




    236893

    Pte. A. J.J. Lindsay (d.17th June 1919)

    Private Lindsay is buried in the Madang Cemetery in Papua, New Guinea.

    s flynn




    236892

    Pte. F. Howes (d.24th January 1915)

    Private Howes was buried in the Madang Cemetery in Papau, New Guinea, Grave 1.1

    s flynn




    236891

    Pte. Joseph Read (d.11th February 1915)

    Private Read is buried in the Kieta Cemetery, Bougainville, New Guinea, Grave 1. 2.

    s flynn




    236890

    Pte William John Roberts 10th Battalion Welch Regiment (d.2nd Aug 1917)

    <p>W J Roberts notification of death

    William Roberts served with the 10th Battalion, Welch Regiment.

    W J Roberts notification of burial

    W J Roberts receipt for grave inscription

    Amanda Hall




    236889

    Capt. Guy Owen Manning 1st Btn. (d.18th June 1915)

    Captain Manning was buried in the Kavieng European Cemetery in New Guinea, Grave 14.

    s flynn




    236888

    Pte. William Thomas Addis 4th Btn. (d.13th January 1917)

    Private Addis is buried in the Kavieng European Cemetery in New Guinea, Grave 13.

    s flynn




    236887

    Maj. R. S. Turton Royal Army Medical Corps (d.15th December 1919)

    Major Turton was buried in the Guatemala City British and Commonwealth Cemetery in Guatemala, Grave Land lot, Number 9-10

    s flynn




    236886

    Cpl. J. S. Mercurius (d.27th June 1918)

    Corporal Mercurius is buried in the St. George's (River Road) Cemetery in Grenada, Centre Cem. Grave 257

    s flynn




    236881

    Sub.Lt. Rupert Chawner Brooke Hood Battalion (d.23rd April 1915)

    Sub-Lieutenant Rupert Brooke was the Son of the late William Parker Brooke and of Mary Rutte Brooke of 78 Dunchurch Rd, Rugby. Rupert Brooke was a published poet as early as 1911. Suffused with patriotism he was happy to die for his country in battle. He died, not in battle but of acute blood poisoning and was buried on the Greek Island of Skyros. Brooke left his royalties to his friends, namely Lascelles Abercrombie, Wilfrid Gibson and Walter de la Mare, providing them with literary independence for the rest of their lives.

    s flynn




    236878

    L/Cpl Thomas Graham Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    Thomas Graham's war story started when he was selling a horse in the Springfield horse market in Dublin in the year of 1914. He said he was sick and tired riding the 8 miles from his job in Lucan, and having to walk home after the sale of the horse. So on one of those days he enlisted in the British Army who were recruiting in the market place. Thomas when on to see action in Greece & Belgium,was wounded in June 1916 and again in September 1917. As a result he was discharged on the 14th May 1918. Thomas returned home to Lucan where he married and raised 7 children, living into his 70's.

    Edward Grahame




    236869

    Pte. Reginald George Albert William Sutherley 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Missing in action in the area of Furdan House, Ypres. So far nothing else known. My wife's Great Uncle.

    Geoff Jeal




    236868

    Pte. George Robinson 11th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th July 1916)

    George Robinson was in France for nine months before his death. He was the eighth child of the eleven children born to Edward and Lizzie Robinson. He was born on 1st July 1894 in Boston Spa, Yorkshire. On the 1911 census when he was 16 he was living with his parents, twelve year old brother Arthur, ten year old brother Alfred and his occupation was butchers assistant.

    He enlisted at York into the 11th Battalion, the West Yorkshire Regiment formed in September 1914 as part of Field Marshal Kitchener’s massive recruiting campaign. In the summer of 1915 he was in training at Bramshott, before leaving for France at the end of August. Bramshott is a hamlet on the border of Hampshire and Surrey and during the first World War~ Tin Town grew up around it.

    In May 1916 George wrote to his class leaders at Boston Spa Methodist Church

    “I have put myself fully into His hand, to use me as He will, as he knows what is best for me and I can face the dangers of war cheerfully”

    At the first Battle of the Somme, when so many soldiers perished, it was only the regular 1st and 2nd battalions of the West Yorkshire who fought. George’s battalion was behind the lines just north of Amien. On the 3rd July the Battalion relieved the 16th Royal Scots in Scots Redoubt and the adjacent trenches. The Battalion diary records that on the 4th July “ Attacked the enemy’s lines during the afternoon and obtained our objective. We were forced to retire, so fell back on our own lines”

    According to a history of the West Yorkshire there was constant bombing attacks by both sides but no important alteration of the line took place. However, nineteen soldiers died on that day all with their names recorded on The Thiepval Memorial as having no known grave including George just three days after his 22nd birthday.

    Janet Werner




    236865

    Capt. Henry Thornton Camden Wheeler 3rd Btn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.30th Oct 1916)

    Captain Wheeler was the son of Luke and Margaret Elizabeth Wheeler, husband of Mabel Wheeler of Ardentallan, Upper Sea Rd., Bexhill-on-Sea. Born at Torquay, Devon. He was aged 42 when he died whilst serving attached to the Gold Coast Regiment and is buried in the Gambaga European Cemetery in Gambaga, Ghana.

    S Flynn




    236864

    Cpl. Hezekiah Gordon O'Brien 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    <p>

    Hezekiah O'Brien was my great-great uncle. He was born in Auckland NZ and lived his early years employed as a bushman clearing the dense NZ forest into farmland. He removed at some point to New South Wales around 1914. His mother, Margaret Morgan O'Brien, emigrated to NZ in 1875 from Glamorgan, Wales, as did her future husband William O'Brien from Dublin, Ireland.

    Hezekiah went to Wales at the outbreak of the war to take up mining and settled in his mother's home town. When war broke out he enlisted in the Welch regiment at Merthyr and rose to the rank of corporal.

    He died of wounds on 23rd March 1918 at age 29, most likely inflicted during the Battle of Saint Quentin. He is buried in a marked grave in Mont Huon Military Cemetery at Le Treport in Normandy, France. A memorial headstone can also be found at the O'Brien family plot in Auckland next to his parents and siblings.

    Philip O'Brien




    236860

    L/Cpl. Walter Sydney Warren 4th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.13th October 1915)

    L/Cpl. Syd Warren was killed on 13th October 1915 along with his brother Sgt. Frank Warren during the final days of the Battle of Loos. Neither his nor his brother's remains were ever identified but both are commemorated at the Loos Memorial.

    David C Warren




    236859

    Sgt. Frank Warren 4th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.13th October 1915)

    Sgt. Frank Warren was killed on 13th October 1915 along with his brother L/Cpl. Walter Sydney Warren (Syd) during the final days of the Battle of Loos. Neither his nor his brother's remains were ever identified but both are commemorated at the Loos Memorial.

    David C Warren




    236834

    Rflmn. Jack Ford 17th Battalion London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    My Great Uncle Jack Ford was killed in action at High Wood during the Somme Battle

    G Russ




    236833

    CSM. Arthur William Ellen 5th (City of London) Battalion London Regiment

    Arthur Ellen was the third and youngest and only surviving child of John Ellen and his wife Alice (nee Stone). Born on 22 July 1885 at 87, Corranes Road, Brixton, South London.Arthur was baptised on 4 October the same year at Christ Church, Brixton. The Census of 1891 shows him living with his parents at 85 Cornwall Road, Lambeth and the Census in 1901 records him still living with his parents at 20 Winterwell Road, Lambeth. Census 1911 shows him as a visitor at 90, Dunton Boat House, Weybridge, Surrey where he gives his occupation as a tailor, so he has followed in his father's footsteps.

    On 20th of May 1915 he is described as being a Company Sergeant Major in the London Rifle Brigade, and is being nominated for Freedom of the City of London. He was also a member of the Freemasons' London Rifle Brigade Lodge, which he joined on 17th of October 1913, and so clearly his military (probably voluntary) service began before World War One. Married Ethel Eleanor Mundy on 25th of April 1914 at St James's Church, Weybridge. Both give their address as 1 Oxford Villas, New Road, Weybridge (Ethel's family address) and Arthur gives his occupation as being a tailor. There were two children of the union, William (b.1916) and Mary Ellen (b.1920).

    He continued to serve in the Army during World War On and was wounded in fighting near Arras in April 1918. He was originally listed as missing in action on 28th of March 1918 but was subsequently found among a group of prisoners. He was later transferred on 12th of June 1918 from a camp at Pamur to a camp known as Munster II.

    Electoral Registers show that they continued to live at New Road until 1922 when they moved to 47, Church Street, Weybridge. They remained there until at least 1929, the latest records I can currently locate. He died at 26 Ashby Road Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire on 31st of August 1941 leaving an estate of £2327.15s.5d. although his home address was 79 Warren Drive, Tolworth, Surrey. It also to be noted that at the time of his death he was a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Ordinance Corps, Service number 100800. He was buried at Weybridge Cemetery, Surrey.

    Brian Barber




    236831

    Albert Short 20th Btn. London Regiment (d.8th April 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Short served with 20th Battalion, London Regiment, he was killed in action on the 8th of April 1917 and his name appears on the Stockport Town Hall memorial for Corporation employees killed in the Great War.

    Although there are no direct links to employment there, he appears to be the only man of that name with links to Stockport. In 1901 his parents George William and Sarah ran the Lord Nelson Pub 108 Love Lane, Stockport. Albert was 5 (1896) with older siblings Thomas, William, Frederick, and Ada. (plus a house maid A. Green). It appears the pub closed due to competition from the Church Inn at 110 as by 1911 the family had moved to the Traveller's Call, Bredbury, Stockport (Still trading). Albert, then 15, was an apprentice fitter.

    The only London connection is that his father was born in Pimlico. His mother was born in Glossop and the children in Heaton Norris, Stockport.

    There appear to be no service records for Albert and his very short obituary in the Cheshire Year Book, 1918 states he was 21, in a Trench Mortar Battery. He was living in Levenshulme, Manchester and was formerly of Bredbury. He is buried in Bedford House Cemetery.

    Terrence




    236825

    CSM. Pete Watson 4th Battalion Black Watch

    All I know is these were my grandmother Mary Watson's two brothers that served in the 4th Dundee Battalion, Black Watch. Pete Watson was company Sergeant Major and Joe was a private, they both died in France. When my grandmother married John Cartmill around 1918-20 they lived at 32 Lawson Place in Dundee, my grandfather was a Captain in the Salvation Army in Wishaw. I received a photo from my cousin recently found in the estate of my recently deceased uncle. Any information you can give me would be appreciated including the place of Pete and Joe's death and burial if that is known.

    Paul Cartmill




    236823

    Pte. Charles John More 6th Btn. London Regiment (d.29th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Charles More was born in 1893 in Camberwell, London He died in the Battle of Loos serving as a Rifleman with the 6th Battalion, London Regiment known as "the cast iron sixth". He is buried in the Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, Northern France where he is remembered on the special memorial 18. The is also possibly a plaque in Rye Lane Chapel in Peckham, London. This is all I have at present. I am putting this on for a fellow church member to see if we can find any descendants.

    Wendy Mortimer




    236822

    L/Cpl. Isaac Carlin 6th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.31st Dec 1916)

    Isaac Carlin was in the 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment he was killed in action on the 31st of December 1916. His body has never been found and his name is on the Thiepval Memorial, he was 39 years old leaving a wife and 7 children

    Julie Pickard




    236821

    Pte. Arthur Broxup Feather 4th Battalion West Riding Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Arthur Feather was my Great Uncle one of the many Bradford Pals who lost their lives in the Great War. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.

    Charles Wood




    236819

    Sowar Ranjha Khan 36th Jacob's Horse (d.21st May 1917)

    Ranjha Khan was the Son of Khan Muhammad, of Kalra, Shahpur, Punjab. He is buried in the Munster Haus Spital Prisoners of War Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236818

    Capt. Ernest Raphel Capper MC. 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.24th Dec 1917)

    Ernest Capper was the son of Henry and Sarah Friedlander, husband of Doris Capper of 50 Pembroke Crescent, Hove, Sussex. He was aged 35 when he died and is buried in the Koblenz Jewish Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236817

    Rflmn. Kharak Sing 1st King George's Own Gurkha Rifles (d.24th June 1915)

    Rifleman Kharak Sing is buried in the Hasenheide Garrison Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236816

    Sepoy. Sher Dil Khan (d.5th Aug 1918)

    Sepoy Sher Khan is buried in the Gottingen Military Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236815

    Sepoy. Raghunath Singh 9th Bhopal Infantry (d.24th Dec 1917)

    Sepoy Raghunath Singh was the Son of Bikhari Singh of Jasu, Derapur. He is buried in the Gottingen Military Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236814

    Ord.Sea. George Thomas Watts HMS Anchusa (d.19th July 1918)

    George Watts was killed in action on HMS Anchusa on 19th of July 1918. R I P

    W Wood




    236813

    Rflmn. H. Karasek 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.16th Oct 1916)

    Rifleman H Karasek was the Son of Bertha and the late Isidore Karasek. He was 21 years old when he died and is buried in the Gottingen Jewish Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236812

    Pte. A. Levinson Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Private Levinson is buried in the Giessen Jewish Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236811

    Gnr. Ram Lal 1st Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Artillery (d.18th Jan 1918)

    Gunner Ram Lal is Buried in the Euskirchen New Town Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236810

    Dvr. Kishn Kawar Eastern Divsion Ammunition Column RoyalField Artillery (d.1st Sep 1919)

    Kishn Kawar is buried in the Euskirchen New Town Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236808

    Rflmn. Aubrey Fraser 5th Btn. London Regiment (d.9th July 1916)

    Aubrey Fraser was the son of Israel and Fanny Fraser of 1-4 Argyll Place, Regent Street, London. He was aged 18 when he died and is buried in the Deutz Jewish Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236807

    Gnr. Phul Singh Lowland Divsion Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Oct 1919)

    Phul Singh was from Pempore, Aligarh. He was buried in the Bonn North Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236806

    Driver Panna Singh Eastern Division Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.21st August 1919)

    Panna Singh was the son of Ilekha from Punjarja, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Punjab. He was buried in the Bonn North Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    236805

    Lt. Cmdr. Christopher John Francis Eddis CdeG. HMS Scimitar (d.19th Oct 1918)

    In early 1918, Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Eddis was the Captain of HMS Pigeon. It came to the rescue of American soldiers who had been sunk by U Boat off Islay, from the SS Tuscania, a White Star Liner being used as a troop ship. The US survivors sent him a medal that is in the Maritime Museum, Greenwich. He died at sea on HMS Scimitar, there is no record of any action causing his death. His wife's name was Kate or Katie Povah from Devon.

    Mike Hoare




    236804

    Pte. Bell Hargreaves 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    Bell Hargraves died when my granddad was 3 years old and my Grandad never spoke about his family. He had enlisted in Leeds and served with the 13th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment.

    Trudi Bown




    236803

    Sig. David George Dudding Royal Signals

    <p>

    Dad, David Dudding, never spoke much about the war it was too painful. He had an excellent army record. He was in Italy for a good time. The one memory that stuck in his mind was being given some eggs from a farm he was billeted on in Wales and he worried all the way home on the train he was going to break them. But he got them home in one piece and his wife and daughter were thrilled to bits. After the war he became a television engineer.

    Dorothy James




    236801

    L/Sgt. Frank Stocker 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.27th October 1918)

    My great uncle, Frank Stocker, was taken POW, reported missing on 12th of May 1918 & confirmed POW in Germany on 17th of October 1918. He died in the Gembloux Communal Hospital on 27th October 1918, his death certificate does not state cause of death. I should love to know more of his story during the war.

    Ann Reid




    236799

    Special Constable. Gwynfryn Daniel Evans Essex Constabulary

    My grandfather Gwynfryn Evans told me that he was a member of the Essex Special Constabulary War Reserve, he gave me his badge, which my previous partner kept as part of his Police Badge collection. He was too old to rejoin his old regiment, the Welsh Guards, but wanted to participate in the war effort.

    Lisa Parker




    236798

    Cpl. Clifford Charles Bunn MM. 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    Clifford Bunn enlisted in the Army on a short service engagement and was attested at Felixstowe on 12th of September 1914 and passed his medical at Lowestoft on the following day. On 25th of September 1914 he was posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, based at Felixstowe for basic training.

    When he joined the Army he was 17 years old (his army records him as 19) and a fisherman. He was 5 feet 6 inches inches tall, weighed 143lbs and his chest measurement was 35 inches fully expanded. He had a fair complexion, brown hair and brown eyes.

    On 26th of January 1915 he joined the B.E.F. as a private (No. 15426) in the 2nd Bn., Suffolk Regiment, and was posted to the battalion which was holding the sector of the Allied Line in Belgium between Ypres and La Bassee in the Vierstraat area. The battalion formed part of the 8th Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division. During early 1915 the battalion saw very little action nevertheless it sustained 140 casualties in March alone. On 11th of April the battalion was withdrawn from the trenches and was in billets in Westoutre.

    It was in the Vierstraat area that Clifford was wounded by a sniper. He received a gunshot wound to his cheek and jaw on 18 April 1915 and was taken to No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station at Westroute and was transferred to a military hospital at Wimereux the same day and thence on to the No. 8 Clearing Hospital at Bailleul. On the 25th of April he was sent back to England on the hospital ship St. Patrick.

    He remained in England recovering from his wounds until 3 October 1915 when he was transferred to the 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment, 71st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division and returned to France.

    On 25th of September the battalion had taken part the battle of Loos only twenty-five days after landing in France and had suffered heavy casualties. After the battle it was withdrawn to Proven to rest and reorganise. It was here that Clifford joined it on 4th of October 1915 as a replacement. The following day it marched with the 71st Brigade to Brandhoek where, on 11th of October, the brigade was transferred to 6th Division.

    From October until the end of the year the battalion occupied the line at Forward Cottage trenches or at St. Jean. When not in the line it was ator near Poperinghe furnishing night time working parties. On 19th of December while in the trenches in front of St. Jean the battalion was subjected to a gas attack in the early hours of the morning followed by a very heavy bombardment which lasted 24 hours resulting in over eighty causalities. On 15 December Clifford had 1s 3d stopped from his pay for losing a clasp knife!

    Christmas was spent resting at Poperinghe, moving back into camp behind Ypres on the 30th of December after a spell in the trenches at St. Jean.

    The battalion remained in this sector until 5th of April 1916 went it moved back to Calais for R & R. It remained here for 10 days and was back in its old camp near Poperinghe and back in the front line around St. Jean and Forward Cottage. It came out of the line again on 18 May 1916 to a camp behind Ypres, returning to the trenches around Forward Cottage early in June. The end of the month saw the Battalion back in camp near Poperinghe until 3 July when it marched to Bollezeele, moving a few days later to Houtkerque for recuperation and training in open warfare. On July 22nd it took over billets in Ypres.

    On 4th of August the battalion marched to Albert and took over trenches in front of Mailly-Maillett Wood where they were given the task of clearing the battlefield of the dead of the Ulster Division.

    The 28th of August saw the battalion moving to Mericourt l'Abbe on the Ancre and thence into the Sandpit area on the south-eastern edge of Ginchy where on 11 September it took over the trenches of 4th Bn., Coldsteam Guards.

    On 13th of September the battalion took part in the attack by the 6th Division on the Quadrilateral between Ginchy and Bouleux Wood but it was stopped by fierce German resistance. The attack recommenced on the 15 September, this time involving 11 British Divisions (including the 6th) during the attack the battalion suffered heavy casualties losing over 100 men dead or wounded and was withdrawn into the support trenches on 17 September. The Quadrilateral was captured by the 6th Division the following day but it had suffered over 3500 casulaties. On the 19th September the battalion marched to Ville-sur-Ancre.

    Between 25th and 28th of September the battalion took part in the Battle of Morval when the villages of Morval, Gueudecourt and Les Boeufs were attacked, the latter being captured by the 6th and Guards Division.

    From the 3rd of December 1916 to 22nd of December Clifford seems to have been at a Base Hospital in Boulogne. 26th of December 1916 he was in Beaumarais. On the 23rd of January 1917 he Rejoined his battalion in the field. On the 6th of May 1917 he was appointed acting Corporal. and on the 18th of July 1917 he was gazetteered for the Military Medal 16th of February 1918 he was posted to 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.

    On 19th of February 1918: Canon Bignold writes "Corporal Clifford Bunn, M.M., has just been to see me and looks very well, but the drum of one ear is destroyed. He is off again for the Front this evening and is very cheery."

    Clifford was Posted missing on the 21st of March 1918 and on the 17th of April 1918 his Father was notified that he had "died on or since 21 March 1918" His total service was reckoned to be 3 years 191 days and on the 19th of November 1918 his mother was granted a pension of 7s 6d to be paid from this date.

    Ivan Arthur William Bunn




    236795

    Pte. James Goodwin 7th Btn. Black Watch (d.16th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    James Goodwin is my maternal grandfather's brother, killed in action on 16th of October 1915. I have several letters he wrote home, including one composed on the day he died. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Gordon Wilkie




    236792

    L/Cpl. William Dixon 9th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.25th January 1917)

    William Dixon was killed in action on 25/01/1917 in Mesopotamia aged 23.

    Val Farley




    236790

    Drvr. Keso Singh Eastern Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Horse and Field Artillery (d.26th May 1919)

    Driver Singh was the son of Ganpat Singh of Misri Nagar, Rampur, United Provinces.

    He is buried in the Bonn North Cemetery in Germany, Grave B. 53.(Near north corner of North Cem).

    S Flynn




    236789

    Cpl. I. Moses MID The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.26th February 1919)

    Corporal Moses was transferred to (82659) the Labour Corps.

    He was the son of Solomon and Jane Moses of 67 Teesdale St., Bethnal Green, London.

    He was 27 when he died and is buried in the Bocklemund New Jewish Cemetery in Germany, Grave V. 23.(Little right of the entrance).

    S Flynn




    236788

    Rflmn. Jacob Carvalho MM 6th Btn. London Regiment (d.10th March 1919)

    Rifleman Carvalho served as Rifleman Bentley and was the son of Aaron and Rachel Carvalho; husband of Ethel Carvalho, of 61 High St. Strood, Kent. He was 30 when he died and is buried in the Bocklemund New Jewish Cemetery in Germany.

    S Flynn




    236785

    L/Cpl. William S. French 18th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.4th Oct 1916)

    William French was killed by a mortar along with three men and one officer at Roclincourt, France.

    Stephen Hesketh




    236784

    Pte. Emmanuel Hankey 9th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Emmanuel Hankey was my great uncle and one of three sons of Mrs Phoebe Hankey who died in the Great War, the others were Samuel Hankey and Thomas Hankey. He fought in the Battle of Menin Ridge which took place between 20th and 25th September 1917 and was killed on the first day. I have only just started to research Emmanuel and his brothers, so if anyone has information or photos they could share, I would be very grateful.

    Karen Kitchener




    236781

    Pte. Leonard P. Smith 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Aug 1917)

    Leonard Smith was my great grandfather. My mother and I have been researching him and his story. He was a Private in the Durham Light Infantry 10th battalion. He died in the 3rd Battle of Ypres on 23rd of August 1917. I have a picture of my great grandfather. My great grandmother gave birth to my nan in May 1917 but unfortunately Leonard was already deployed when my nan was born and he died on 23rd August 1917, so never made it home to see his daughter (my nan). Leonard's name is on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Mark Malicki




    236779

    2nd Lt. James Morris Glamorgan Yeomanry (d.27th Dec 1917)

    Jim Morris was educated at Neath County School. He played rugby for Neath, Glynneath and scored on his Neath debut v Glynneath. He was seconded to the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment and died in the Middle East.

    M Price




    236778

    2nd Lt. Alexander Provan (d.25th Sep 1918)

    Alexander Provan was the Son of David and Lizzie Provan, of 409, Langholm St. (formerly 2, Walter St.), Yoker, Glasgow. Born at Paisley. He was 19 when he died and is buried in the Bad Bergzabern Cemetery.

    S Fynn




    236777

    Lt. Leonard Stopford Brooke 110 Squadron (d.25th Sep 1918)

    Leonard Brooke was the son of Leslie and Sybil Brooke, of 14 Marlborough Hill, St John's Wood, London. Gazetted to King's Royal Rifle Corps in March, 1915. He served in France with Army Cyclist Corps November to March, 1917. Born in London, he is buried in the Bad Bergzabern Cemetery in Germany.

    S Flynn




    236776

    Rflmn. Gurung Kami 1st Btn. (d.1st Jan 1915)

    Rifleman Kami was the son of Birbhan Gurung of Hinjacket, Kaski, No. 3 West, Nepal. He is buried in the Aachen Military Cemetery in Germany.

    S Flynn




    236775

    2nd Lt. Jack Ernest Walker 209th Sqdn. (d.17th September 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Walker is buried close to the French War Memorial in the Abscon Communal Cemetery in France.

    S Flynn




    236774

    Rflmn. William White 17th Btn. London Regiment (d.29th Nov 1917)

    William White died aged 23 at the Battle of Cambrai.

    Claire White




    236770

    Lt. A. R. Wilkins Royal Field Artillery (d.10th February 1921)

    Lieutenant A Wilkins is buried in the Suvo Old Cemetery in Fiji.

    S Flynn




    236767

    Cpl. Edgar James Gilbert 16th Btn. Welsh Fusiliers (d.7th July 1916)

    <p>

    Edgar Gilbert was my great uncle, my maternal grandmother's brother. His body was never found after the first day of fighting at Mametz Wood. His name is on the memorial at Thiepval.

    Hugh Tebay




    236766

    Spr. McIntyre Shields Pelan MM. 126th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    My grandfather McIntyre Pelan signed up on 30th November 1914 and was not released by the military until 24th April 1919 as he was required to dismantle the war machinery. He was awarded the Military Medal although I have been unable to find out what for.

    Evelyn Hamill




    236765

    Pte. Horace Augustus Girling 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.3rd Aug 1917)

    Horace Girling is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    David Girling




    236754

    Pte. George William Jones 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.29th July 1917)

    George William Jones served with the 2nd Btn Wiltshire Regiment. He died on 29th July 1917, aged 34. He is remembered with honour on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    His regiment was involved in the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), based in the small village of Hooge, 4 kilometres east of Ypres. The British reclaimed Hooge Chateau on 31st July 1917 and held Hooge for nine months.

    George was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Jones of Banbury, Oxon, and husband of Annie Louise Jones (my paternal grandmother). George was father to five children.





    236751

    Pte. William Doig 2nd Btn., A Coy. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    William Doig served with 2nd Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.

    Laura Ashby




    236750

    Pte. Augustine Fitzgerald 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st June 1917)

    Aggy Fitzgerald was still a kid when, in 1913, he had been arrested for stealing toy guns from a crate at Hull Docks. He joined up in 1914 and instantly regretted it, his service record is one long list of AWOLs and drunk and disorderly. In 1916 he had an accident while cleaning his rifle, and he shot himself in the foot for which he received 3 months field punishment No.1.

    He was killed by shellfire while bringing up water to the front for another regiment. A sad tale of a boy who thought he wanted to go to war, and when he did found it wasn't for him, but it was too late.

    Andy Smith




    236744

    ERA1 Robert Banks HMAS Encounter (d.27th Feb 1915)

    Engine Room Artificer 1st Class Robert Banks received the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He was the husband of Sarah Elizabeth Banks of 57 High St., Portsmouth. He was born at Hull and had served in the South Africa Campaign. He was 42 when he died and is buried in the Suvo Old Cemetery in Fiji.

    S Flynn




    236742

    Cpl. William Harding 7th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.London)

    <p>

    William Harding was born on 7th July 1889 in Purandhar, India where his Father was CSM in the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers. The family returned to England just before the start of the Boer War, as William Snr had finished his period of service. They lived in various addresses in the Kensington area of London. William Jnr was apprenticed to a firm of printers as a compositor. In July 1908, he joined 2nd Battalion, 1st London Brigade of the Royal Field artillery. This was as a Territorial soldier and he served until July 1912, reaching the rank of Bombardier. He re-joined the TA in Sept 1913 agreeing to serve abroad with the 7th (Imperial Service) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. He was promoted Corporal in Feb 1914 and was posted to Gibraltar between Sept 1914 and Feb 1915. After a brief spell in England, he was posted to France on 12th of March 1915.

    He was wounded in the leg on 10th July 1915 and evacuated to England on 22 July 1915. He was promoted Sergeant in Dec 1915 and recuperated until Oct 1915 when he was declared fit for duty. He served in England until August 1917 when he was promoted CQMS and posted to the Labour Corps where he served until Feb 1919 when he was demobilized. He returned to London and lived in Bromley, marrying and having three children. He returned to his printing job until he retired. He served in the Home Guard in WW2 and died in 1968. My mother was his eldest daughter and he was the upright military grandfather I loved as a child.

    Adrian Hadden




    236740

    WO2. Thomas Monaghan Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Grandfather, Thomas Monaghan, was born in Stirling in 1879. As a teenager he ran away from home to join up but as he ran only as far as Stirling Castle his mother was able to buy him out. Next time he ran away to Fort William and joined the Garrison Artillery. I know he was posted to Southampton before 1900, went to Hong Kong in 1899, was, I think, in China with the international troops to relieve the siege of Peking, was in Ireland, then Gibraltar and afterwards Bermuda, where he and the family remained until 1919 or 1920. I think he may have been training troops for the Western Front. He never served on the Western Front. I do not know when he was demobbed but he returned to live in Stirling and was later employed at Queen Victoria School, Dunblane.

    During WW2 he was a security guard in Birmingham and then returned to Scotland where he died in 1953 of heart disease in Bannockburn. Four of his five sons were regular army and served in WW2 with the Royal engineers. Two later became Majors.

    Katherine




    236737

    Nurse Daisy Pratt

    Daisy Pratt was a Nurse. She kept an album she used to get patients to sign. It includes pictures, cartoons, poems and photos. I am trying to find more information on each service men listed and more information on the Hill House Hospital.

    Mark Smith




    236734

    Matthew Bowes 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    William George Bowes a Framwellgate miner served with Durham Light Infantry He left behind his wife and three children and joined the Durham Light Infantry in 1915. He arrived in France during 1917 as part of the 22nd battalion. Also in his battalion was his younger brother Robert, aged just 19. William was killed in action on the 26th of March 1918 at the Battle of the Somme. His younger brother was killed just four days later on the 30th of March. Both men are commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France and on Saint Cuthbert's Church, Durham, Lychgate on the Durham Town Hall plaque and on the Durham City Comrades Club, plaque (now missing)

    I would like to know more about them three but I would like to know what happen to Matthew Bowes?

    James T Teun




    236732

    Sgt. Carey Foster Page 7th (Service) Btn. Lincolnshire Regoment

    Carey Page received a bullet wound to the right buttock on the 27th of August 1918.

    Philip Young




    236731

    Pte. Harry Murphy MM. 6th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.31st Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Murphy's original service number, 2337, suggests that he was a pretty war territorial or enlisted in the first few days of war breaking out. At some point in his service, Harry won the Military Medal although it is not know when he undertook his act of bravery but he did receive a letter from the general to express his "appreciation and gratitude of his gallantry and devotion to duty when you preformed admirable work as Battalion runner under the most difficult and dangerous conditions". Harry's brother, James Murphy, was also awarded the Military Medal in June 1918 but, unfortunately, there is no account for when he undertook his act of bravery.

    On 28th of August 1918, Harry and James were with the Battalion in front line trenches at Locre, 10 kilometres south west of the town centre of Ypres. The Battalion's War Diary only records "Situation very quiet. Weather very inclement". What probably happened during the day is that an enemy shell landed in the trench killing a lieutenant and wounding 7 other including Harry and James. Although from personal records they say that "as they were marching to the front line a shell exploded and cut through the line of men killing the lieutenant and then wounding the men behind. Although it is unknown how accurate this is. However we do know that the shrapnel landed in James' side and wounded him but miraculously managed to survive. However, Harry received shrapnel in his foot and was excavated 30 kilometres to a casualty clearing station in the town of Arneke where military surgeons amputated his foot. A letter for a sister at the clearing station said that there was little hope of him surviving. And on the 31st of August 1918 Harry died from gangrene. He is buried at Arneke British Cemetery.





    236728

    L/Cpl. James McKenzie MM. 9th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    Jim McKenzie enlisted in the Royal Highlanders most likely in the 8th Battalion of the Black Watch. He married in Co Durham in 1922 and died in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1965.





    236726

    Cpl. Robert Anderson 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th July 1915)

    Robert Anderson died when a German mine was detonated under the trench where he was situated. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Menin Gate memorial.

    Christopher Stevens




    236720

    Rflmn. John Walker 1st Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.8th October 1918)

    John Walker was my great, great grandfather's brother. He was buried at Sequehart British Cemetery No 1. And the inscription on his head stone reads "Gone But Not Forgoten".

    Helen Nelson




    236714

    Capt. Thomas Alexander Brown MiD. S.S. Elba. (d.8th Aug 1917)

    Captain Thomas Brown was the Son of Thomas Brown, husband of Jane McGill. Mentioned in London Gazette of 7th August 1918, as being "Commended for Services." He was 48 when he died and is buried in the Kuressaare Town Cemetery in Estonia.

    s flynn




    236704

    2nd Lt. Kenneth James Ritchie 2nd Btn. Hertfordshire Regiment

    Kenneth Ritchie, born 1896, served as Lieutenant Acting Captain in the Bedfordshire Regiment, and later as Second Lieutenant in the Hertfordshire Regiment. He fought in the battles Passchendaele and Pilckem Ridge, the Battle of Ypres, in 1917. He was wounded whilst being caught in barbed wire, but luckily survived.

    Katie Endacott




    236703

    Leslie Green 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Ive just received some of my grandfather Leslie Green's bits and bobs and his paybook is included.

    Peter Chilcott




    236702

    Pte. John Bolam MM. 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Bolam is my great granddad. He was a regular soldier before the Great War and was posted to Hilsbrough Barracks in Sheffield were he met my great grandma Jessie around 1910.

    Not 100% sure on what happened during the war years as he changed battalions with in the Northumberland Fusiliers around 6 times, my guess is because of the heavy losses. He was also a military medal winner and it was published in September 1917 in the news paper. From 3rd party information family it was for taking out a gun position on his own because everyone was killed on the journey.

    I'm currently researching information on him to build up is journey Would be great to find the whole truth and his journey on the western front I'm also a soldier and have served in the recent wars and I have a lot of respect for these guys my experiences are nothing compared to these guys.

    Nick




    236687

    Pte. W. T. Bate 5th Btn. (d.15th Dec 1918)

    Private W Bate was the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Bate of Haygrove Cottage, Millpool, Cardinham, Cornwall. He was 27 when he died and is buried in the Viborg Cemetery in Denmark.

    S Flynn




    236681

    Pte. Henry Claude Thatcher 17th Btn. London Regiment

    My granddad, Henry Thatcher, joined the Territorial London Regiment in 1911. His father had served in the Army, so I think this was expected of him. He went on to serve in France. He was buried in mud for three days (under his horse and a wagon?). After three days was found by another division. He was, I believe, gassed and lost his ear drums, so was profoundly deaf and suffered all his life from terrible giddiness. He had very bad shell shock, too, and suffered from this for the rest of his life. His worst memories and nightmares consisted of hearing the horses screaming. He said that that noise was a worse memory than those concerning his mates.

    I think this War haunted him all his life and, despite fire watching in WW2 in the East End, he never got over his time in France. He hated his medals. He was discharged from the Army in 1922, according to his pension. He was a very lovely, gentle man.

    Sandra Blakebrough




    236680

    L/Cpl. John Tennant 8th Btn. Black Watch (d.12th Oct 1917)

    John Tennant served with the 8th Btn. Black Watch, I only found this information recently as the family never talked about the First World War. John's three brothers also served with the Black Watch and survived with wounds. My great uncle John has no grave but is named on the Memorial Wall at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium. I hope that I will be able to visit one day.





    236679

    Pte. Patrick Joseph Donegan 13th Btn. King's Regiment (Liverpool)

    Patrick Donegan, my grandfather, served with the 13th King's Regiment (Liverpool) in France during the First World War and was wounded three times with bullet wounds to his left and right arms and left thigh.

    He was born in Drogheda, Ireland in 1878. He married in 1901 in Pendleton, Lancashire and fathered nine children, six of whom survived to old age. Patrick Donegan survived the war and died at the age of 79 in 1957.

    Patrick McGowan




    236677

    2nd Lt. John Vincent Fitzsimmons 11th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Wounded in January 1918, John Fitzsimmons was taken by ambulance to a casualty clearing station in Ballieul. He had been laying wire and came to in the CCS. The medics reckoned he was a goner but he survived. John had piece of shrapnel in his side and a wound in his forearm. When he joined up in 1915 as a private, his father had given him a silver hip flask and silver cigarette case. They were stolen from him by the medics.

    Andrew Matthews




    236674

    Pte. William Francis Hazell 11th Btn. Nottingham & Derbyshire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Bill Hazell was my great uncle. His sister Florence Hazell was my paternal grandmother. He was a fishshop assistant and lived in Child's Hill, north London (between West Hampstead and Golders Green). I have been told that my grandmother was much affected by her young brother's early death at the age of 24. I have visited his memorial which is on the Menin Gate and it is a very sad and moving place. I note that his date of death coincided with the explosion of mines before the Battle of Messines and am interested in knowing if he was killed as a result of the blasts or in the fighting which took place subsequently.

    Hellen Martin




    236672

    Spr. John Coupe 431st Field Coy Royal Engineers (d.27th March 1918)

    <p>

    This is a letter from my great grandmother Nellie to her husband Jack Coupe who was fighting in the First World War. He was Sapper 440288 and he died on 27th March 1918 and is commemorated at Harbonnieres. This letter depicts home life and bringing up a family, and rations in WW1. The letter refers to Beatrice and her upcoming 10th birthday which was on 3rd April 1918. It also refers to Easter in 1918, which means that this letter may have crossed paths with a telegram announcing his death or it may have been received and returned following his death.

    Sarah Green




    236670

    L/Bmbdr. Sidney Walker Law 154th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    "Poor Sid was killed instantly about 10.30 on the morning of the 21st March 1918. You will be grateful to know he did not suffer at all. In the evening, we buried him just before receiving the order to retire, placing a rough wooden cross over the grave. The grave is situated behind the village of Beaumetz, about 1000 yards from the Bapaume-Cambrai Road and behind the gun pits". An extract from a letter to Sid Law's mother from Bombadier Leslie Henry Fisher MM number 147103 of the same battery sent in January 1919.

    Alan Brooks




    236669

    Gnr. William Husband MM. 110th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Willaim Husband was my great uncle, I am doing research prior to a visit to Ypres on the 100th anniversary of his award in 1917.

    Ray Luke




    236668

    Pte. William Ewart Cox Coldstream Guards

    William Cox was my maternal grandfather. He was born on 6th of October 1891 at Thame, Oxon. He returned from WW1 and served as a Police Officer with the Oxfordshire Constabulary. He died on in 1957. I have no knowledge or information concerning his service time during WW1.





    236667

    Pte. John William Hewitt 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    John Hewitt was my paternal grandfather. He was born on 10th of September 1891 in County Cork, Ireland. He was the son of a professional soldier posted to Ireland to maintain order. His father died in June 1900 in Blomfonteine, South Africa during the Boer War. As a result of this, John with his siblings and mother were brought back to England. I have no further information concerning his life before and during WW1. He returned to England and worked as a postman in Henley on Thames until his death in 1962.

    Jeff Hewitt




    236665

    Pte. George Henry Hunt Surrey Yeomanry

    Harry Hunt was my grandfather and served in WW1 as a member of the Surrey Yeomanry. He survived the war but came back a changed man. He would never really talk about the war, or his experiences, and never went abroad again, and indeed never wanted to. He obviously suffered from shell shock, or PTSD as it is known today. Whenever there was a thunderstorm, he would shake and hide in a room, away from family members. He just wanted to live a simple life, after all he had experienced during the war, and did so until he died in his eighties. He was truly a gentle man, in the true meaning of the term.

    Carol Fletcher




    236654

    Pte. David Robertson 9th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.13th July 1916)

    <p>

    David Robertson was born in Dull, Perthshire but moved to Burbage, Leicestershire and was employed to work on the Waterworks Scheme, where he was a foreman. David was married to Hilda Louisa Wright of Burbage and they had a baby daughter, Hilda Jessie when he enlisted.

    He served with the 9th Battalion, the Leicestershire Regiment and died of wounds on 13th July 1916, having lost both legs some hours earlier in a blast. He was buried with full military honours on 14th July 1916 at Mericourt L'Abbe cemetery, near Amiens.

    Sadly, his widow and child never managed to visit his grave, but in more recent years a number of his grandchildren and great grandchildren have visited to pay their respects, including a visit this year, to mark the 100th anniversary of his death.

    David had three younger brothers who also served in the War, including George Robertson who won the Military Medal with Bar for bravery in the Royal Navy. Thankfully, his brothers all survived the war.

    David Robertson's grave - August 2016

    Rachael Hall




    236649

    Pte. Henry Morley 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th April 1918)

    Henry Morley's name appears on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Flanders. I am trying to find out any information about this soldier.





    236648

    Rflmn. William Ellett 1st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.9th Oct 1916)

    William Ellett died in the Battle of the Somme in the German trenches during hand to hand combat with a number of Germans. He died of a knife to the head but put up a valiant fight.





    236639

    Sgt. John Abraham Glover 4th Btn., D Coy. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.19th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John Glover was born on 10th August 1891 in Bolsover, Derbyshire, the son of Thomas and Alice Glover. His mother Alice died on 19th October 1893, his father Thomas was left to bring John and his brother Isaiah up alone. Thomas eventually remarried Elizabeth Anglesea and moved to Clowne in Derbyshire. When John was in his late teens he and his brother Isaiah moved to Thurnscoe near Rotherham to live with their uncle William Glover at Shepherd Lane, Thurnscoe. All were employed at Hickleton Main colliery.

    John married Eliza Davies at Bolton on Dearne church on 25th December 1914. It was around this time that John joined his local regiment the 2nd/5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment enlisting at Wath upon Dearne as a territorial. His regimental number given as 3825 (later to change to 241361). He was promoted to Corporal. He and Eliza had a son, John Thomas born on 5th February 1916 at No. 10 York Terrace, Thurnscoe. John joined his battalion on summer camp in June 1916 at Flixton Park and volunteered for overseas service some time after this.

    The Battalion sailed from Southampton to Le Havre on 5th January 1917 on transport ships and were accommodated after disembarkation at No. 2 rest camp. John fought through all the major engagements with his battalion against the Germans in France. Due to the heavy losses of the battalion in November 1917, it was decided to disband the 2nd/5th York and Lancaster's and draft the remaining members into 2nd/4th York and Lancaster and 1st/4th York and Lancasters. John joined D Company as Sergeant of the 1st/4th York and Lancasters.

    During the German spring offensive John and his unit were captured by the enemy at Neuve Eglise on 15th April 1918. He was recorded as a prisoner of war at Friedrichsfeld, Wessel, Rhineland, Germany. No word was heard of John by his family until October 13th 1918 when they received a postcard from him through the Red Cross. His family were later informed that John had died while a prisoner of war of Spanish Flu on 19th of October 1918 (by strange coincidence on the same date as his mother) whilst in a war hospital at Erquelinnes in Belgium. He is buried in Erquelinnes Communal Cemetery with a number of his comrades, all interred by the Germans.

    His name is remembered on the war memorial in Thurnscoe. John's wife went on to remarry on 2nd March 1920 to Bernard Moulton of Thurnscoe, but sadly died of a miscarriage on 25th March 1920. John and Eliza's son John Thomas was brought up by other family members and went on to be a headmaster of a school in Wakefield.

    John A Glover Memorial

    John A Glover

    Alwyn Whitehouse




    236629

    Pte. John William Hodgson 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.14th Apr 1917)

    John Hodgson enlisted in Mexborough, South Yorkshire. He was killed in action on 14th of April 1917. I believe near St Quentin, France. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Nr Albert, France. At the time of his death he was approximately 30 years of age. Pre-war he was an ironworks labourer.

    John Moss




    236627

    RSM. Frederick Bowden 11th Btn Sherwood Foresters

    Fred Bowden was a stonemason with Great Western Railways and a Territorial before the War. He served for the entire war including the first day of the Somme at Authuille Wood near Albert. He is the only name mentioned in the Regimantal Diary in the planning for the Sommes battle. "Lance-Corporal Fred Bowden to take charge of prisoners". He won a Military Medal at San Sisto Ridge, Asiago in Italy in 1918, no citation exists.

    In the final weeks of the war a shell took out one inch of his shin and he spent several months in Scotland convincing surgeons not to amputate his leg. He wore special shoes from this time on due to his shorter leg. He finished the war as a Regimental Colour-Sergeant and a photograph exists of him wearing a red sash over his uniform.

    David Bowden




    236623

    Pte. Horace William Perkins 103rd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Horace Perkins survived 24 months at the front, but never recovered from it. Never spoke about his experiences to his wife or his son, my father.

    Rupert Perkins




    236622

    WO2 Robert Smith MM. 1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance Royal army Medical Corps (d.1st Aug 1916)

    <p>

    My grandfather Robert Smith had three brothers all of whom served with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. He enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers Voluntary Force in 1901 being redesignated to the Northumberland Field Territorial Force on 1st April 1908 and transferred to the RAMC on 13th June of that year. His service number was 9 and he rose to the rank of Quarter Master Sergeant (WO Class II). He was awarded the MM but for what reason remains a mystery.

    On 1st of August 1916, he was found lying by the side of the road near Canada Corner with a head wound. He was taken to No.8 Casualty Clearing Station but died later that day. The Court of Enquiry found that he had been thrown from his horse when it may have slipped or been startled by a passing vehicle or exploding shell. He is buried at Bailleul. He left a widow with three children under the age of five.

    M R Smith




    236617

    L/Sgt. Reginald Wigzell 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.5th June 1917)

    Reginald Wigzell was born in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland in 1887. His father, my great grandfather, John Wigzell born in Seven Oaks in Kent was a sergent in the British Army and was stationed in Clonmel. Reginald had a nephew named Reginald Heap,3rd radio officer on ship called Llanashe, who was killed in the 2nd World War when ship was torpediod in 1943.

    Reginald O'Toole




    236615

    Pte Joseph Reginald Riggs 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    Joseph Reginald Riggs is my paternal grandfather. He died in 1972. Joseph served in WW1 as a soldier in France. My dad says Joseph never spoke of his time in France. It must have been a terrible time for them all.

    In WW2 Joseph served as part of the local Home Guard. He was very proud of this role. I was 12 when my granddad died and I can remember him very clearly. He was a quiet, wiry man with piercing blue eyes. He loved his garden and grew many vegetables.

    Debbie Fenemore




    236611

    Dvr. William McKenzie 242nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    William McKenzie was my grandfather. He was born in October 1899 and enlisted at the outbreak of war in 1914, at only 14 years old. His parents found out from his friend what had happened and contacted the War Office. William was found and, like Saving Private Ryan, was sent home. A few weeks later he re-enlisted and was attached to 242nd Brigade RFA.

    He saw action across France and at the Somme where he contracted malaria. We believe he was convalescing in Belgium after the war and won a medal in the football league which was organised there. The medal is silver, plain generic design and bears the inscription "243 Bgd de RFA, AF League, Belgium 1919". He survived the war and the convalescent home and died in June 1942.





    236604

    L/Cpl. Thomas Henry Bullock 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.16th September 1916)

    I found Thomas Bullock's death plaque and did some research to find he died during the Battle of the Somme - the attack on Gird Trench on 16th September 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. I do not have any further information. Maybe someone else does?

    Karen




    236598

    2nd Lt. Enrico Ferdinando "Puss" Catani 21st Btn. (d.29th July 1916)

    <p>

    Eric Catani was a grazier from Kyneton Victoria. He was the second son of Carlo Catani (a noteworthy civil engineer) and Catherine. He was born in 1891. The family were of Italian origin. Eric enlisted in April 1915 and embarked aboard HMAT A38 Ulysses from Port Melbourne on 10th of May 1915. He served at Gallipoli. His unit were moving through the village of Pozieres towards the front line. This was part of the battle of the Somme. He was killed in action on 29th of July 1916.

    He was buried at Cemetery Post Station, near Pozieres. However, in 1932 the body of an 'unknown' soldier was exhumed from another location and this was identified through the identification disc and other personal effects to be Enrico Catani. There are a series of letters in Enrico's Military file between the Australian War Graves Service and Enid Catani regarding this discovery. In the end Enrico was buried again in the Serre Road No 2 Cemetery near Beaumont Hamel, in France.

    A memorial to his death read: Catani. A tribute of esteem to the memory of Lieutenant E. F. ("Puss") Catani, killed in action on the 29th July 1916, in France. His many acts of kindness will never be forgotten. "Grammar to the fore."(Inserted by E. R.)

    Eric Catani is 2nd row from front, 5th from left

    Rhiannon Urquhart




    236592

    Rflmn. John David Appleford MM 1st (Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    John David Appleford signed up at Flodden Road, Camberwell, London. He received the Military Medal aged 19 on 10th May 1916.

    He survived the war, but shot himself in the chest with a service revolver in January 1919, being unable to get work. John took 10 months to die in hospital in Peckham, London. The coroner's verdict was "suicide whilst of unsound mind".

    Steven Bishop




    236591

    Pte. Edwin Brettell 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Edwin Brettell was a twin, both he and his brother enlisted. Edwin enlisted in the army for WWI on 24th April 1916 and joined the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was 21 years and 9 months old when he enlisted at Sunderland 19th of April 1916. He transferred to the 10th Battalion in France on 22nd of August 1916 and died on 16th of September 1916 at Gird Lines near Gueudecourt. All we know is that his sister Minnie was absolutely devastated and each year it affected her on Remembrance Day. His great niece Stephanie (my mother) always thinks of her grandmother Minnie and she remembers her being upset thinking about her brother. Unfortunately, we don't have any photos and, sadly, no stories to tell.

    Keren Hayles




    236588

    Pte. Frederick Robinson 2/6 Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Fred Robinson traveled to Bradford from Leeds, Woodhouse district in 1915 to volunteer, though he was not called up until January 1916. He went to France with the battalion in January 1917 and saw active service.

    He was rated as a sniper with a crossed rifle badge on his forearm. At some time he was wounded, probably from the 8 inch scar, by shrapnel and evacuated to England for treatment. One day, as we passed through Milton on Sea, he informed us that he had spent time recovering there. He transferred to the York and Lancaster Regiment when the 2/6th was disbanded.

    Chris Willby




    236585

    Pte. George Edward Shepherd 89th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.12th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    George Shepherd was born in Hightown, Lancashire on 16th of August 1896, was the son of James Francis Shepherd and his wife Lilian May Shepherd (nee Herring), and was a pupil at King William's College, Isle of Man from January 1910 to December 1912. He was a private in the 89th Coy Machine Gun Corps, and was killed in action on 12th of October 1916. George is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Alison Schreiber




    236583

    Pte. William Edward Boddy 7th Btn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.17th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    I'm afraid my research into William Boddy's service hasn't brought me very much information. Apparently the WW2 bombs destroyed a lot of Military Service records and I suspect that my Great Grandfather's records were included. I do have a postcard with the Bedfordshire Regiment coat of arms stitched into the front. My GGrandfather had sent it to my Nana when she was very little. It's my understanding that if he was killed in August of 1917 it would likely have been the attack made by the 7th Bedfords at Ypres.

    J Thackwray




    236578

    Pte. Alexander Massarella West Yorkshire Regiment

    Alexander Massarella served with the West Yorkshire Regiment and the Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Paul King




    236575

    Spr. Alfred Harris 1st/1st (South Midland) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.14th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    My great grandfather, Alfred Harris lived with his wife Eliza Amy at Rock Court, Clifton, Bristol. Alfred was injured on 12th of November 1916 and died of his wounds on 14th of November, aged 48. He is buried at Dernancourt Cemetery near Albert.

    Simon Bambridge




    236572

    Pte. David Raymond Johnston 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    David Johnston served with the 14th Royal Irish Rifles.

    Keith Johnston




    236570

    CSM Samuel Molyneux 9th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Molyneux was born in Penketh, Warrington, Lancashire, in 1883, moving to Litherland near Liverpool as a very young child, he had a twin brother Enoch who we think may have served in the same regiment. Sam joined the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in September 1914. The Regiment was transfered to Sailsbury Plain for training and deployed in France on 26th of September 1915. Before joining he worked at Liverpool Tanning company. He was a keen member of the bowls team and was well respected by all who knew him. He was a member of the 4th VB Kings Liverpool Regiment He went to France in 1915 and was involved in many battles finally arriving in Flanders to face the Messine Ridge. He was Mentioned twice in Dispatches for gallantry and it is said he would have received medals had he lived. The Captain commanding his company said, "he was brave to a fault when there was danger and was always willing to do hours of work."

    I have nothing of Sam's, only the memory. Sam was my great great uncle forgotten by everyone until I researched my family history. Sam was one of Kitchener's Army. he volunteered in September 1914. He fought in a number of battles, including Vimy Ridge, the Battle of Albert, the Battle of Bazentin, the Battle of Pozieres, the Battle of the Ancre Heights. Sam was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917. Sam was killed instantly by a shell, his body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Menin gate.

    Menin Gate panel 41

    Chris McLaren-Edge




    236560

    Pte. Robert Chadwick 4th Btn., C Coy. East Lancashire Regiment

    My grandfather, Robert Chadwick, was a POW for 10 months in the Munster II POW camp. He survived the war and emigrated to Canada in 1920.





    236557

    Gnr. Daniel Albert Morse 256 Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Albert Morse was born in 1888 in Chedworth. His parents were Lambert Morse and Clara Juggins. He enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery on the 13th of November 1915.

    The son of farmer Lambert and Clara Morse of Pinkwell, Albert enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) in November 1915. The most numerous arm of the artillery, the horse-drawn RFA was responsible for the medium calibre guns and howitzers deployed close to the front line and was reasonably mobile. It was organised in brigades.

    We have no detailed record of Albert's service with the RFA, except the certain knowledge from the following newspaper report that he was wounded in a battle at Givenchy on the 18th April 1918. "Mr and Mrs L Morse of Pinkwell received the news that their son, Gunner Albert Morse, was badly gassed and burnt on April 18th in a battle near Givenchy in France. He was in a battery of the RFA 55th Division, and had been on active service for over two years. All his relatives and friends will be glad to hear that he is making good progress in the War Hospital, High Barnet." The battle was known as the Battle of the Lys where the 55th Division defended some 5 miles of the front against an all-out attack by 3 German divisions. During the battle British casualties were heavy, amounting to 163 officers and 2,956 other ranks, killed, wounded and missing. Whilst the rest of the Division was withdrawn for a brief rest, the Field Artillery and Trench Mortar Batteries remained to assist the 1st Division, and earned the gratitude of the Corps Commander, which was most freely expressed as follows:- "From Lieut.-General Sir A. Holland, K.C.B., M.V.O., D.S.O., Commanding 1 Corps 21/4/18. The Corps Commander wishes to place on record his high appreciation of the work done by the Trench Artillery of the 55th Division during the attack on Givenchy on the 18th April. The detachments, by their heroic stand, assisted materially in the retention of the Givenchy position, and have added another page to the glorious history of the Royal Regiments of Artillery."

    Albert eventually recovered and he returned to live at the Rookery in 1920 and 1921, subsequently moving away. Albert also served with 256 Brigade, D battery. He was wounded about 19 April 1917 and treated by 2/1st Highland Field Ambulance, 12th Ambulance Train and a Hospital Ship. We have a photograph of him in uniform and have copied his issued small book. He married Effie Ada Winifred May in 1919 in Croydon.

    An extract from Chedworth Remembers the Great War

    Albert D Morse

    Mike Tovey




    236554

    L/Cpl. Thomas Henry Bradshaw 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st October 1918)

    Thomas Bradshaw was killed in action.

    Jill Lindsay




    236550

    Pte. John Clarence 6th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    John Clarence was killed whilst serving with the 6th Battalion,Royal Berkshire Regiment on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Rob




    236547

    Pte. Patrick Flannigan 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th September 1916)

    Patrick Flannigan originally joined the 1st Scottish Rifles in 1915. He was wounded and hospitalised in 1915. Both he and other soldiers from 1st Scottish Rifles seem to have been transferred to the 1st battalion East Yorkshire Regiment in 1916. Patrick died in action on the Somme in September 1916. His brother Patrick died in the same month in the following year.

    John James




    236545

    Pte. Robert McEvoy McEvoy East Yorkshire Regiment

    Robert McEvoy is my great-grandfather. He passed away in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1957.

    Christopher McEvoy




    236544

    Pte. George William Awty 7th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    George Awty was born in 1899 and joined up in 1915. He was the holder of the silver war badge.

    Valerie Beach




    236543

    Pte. Francis Donnery 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.16th August 1917)

    Francis Donnery was my grandfather's cousin. I found out through researching the family tree that he was killed at Langemarck and is buried in Tyne Cot cemetery.





    236541

    Sgt. James Albert Reece Royal Engineers

    All we know is that my grandad, James Reece, died in 1942, after a long illness from war wounds, and sickness sustained during the First World War. He was awarded the British Medal and the Victory Medal. He also served in the Gloucester Regiment.





    236534

    Pte. Samuel Colbenson 13th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.16th Jan 1918)

    Samuel Colbenson was born in Liverpool on the 31st January 1895, I am not sure why he ended up in Yorkshire but think he may have been a miner. There is a family story about Samuel being caught messing about in a warehouse with his cousin, his cousin I think was sent to Australia to work on a farm and later joined the army, dying in the war with Samuel.

    Margaret Osborne




    236520

    Rflmn. Eward Ross 10th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th June 1917)

    Edward Ross was 15 years old and lied to get into the Army. He died with his best friend who also lied about his age.





    236519

    Pte. Cyril Gordon Wigglesworth 4th Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    Cyril Wigglesworth is my grand father. Cyril enlisted on the 3rd of May 1915 and was discharged on the 11th of January 1917 due to sickness. I only know of this information due to the online resources. I am shocked as I always thought my grand father served in Europe along with his two brothers. I didn't realise he served in Gallipoli. Sadly, I have no other information too add apart from God bless and thank you.

    Paddy




    236516

    A/Sgt. William Barnes 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    William Barnes served with the 2nd Middlesex Regiment.

    John Smith




    236515

    Gnr. John Bendle 124th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Grandfather, John Bendle, served with the attached regiment. He had his leg blown off and was returned home to the UK. What I do not know is where in France this happened? was it at the Somme or Ypres?

    Kevin Bendle




    236513

    L/Cpl. William Worthy 10th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.28th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    William Worthy was Nan's half brother.

    Simon




    236511

    Pte. William John Ikin 18th (1st Public Works) Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    I believe William Ikin was gassed at the Battle of the Somme and spent 6 months in the Middlesex hospital before being transferred to the Labour Corps in October or November 1917, he was demobbed on the 11th of June 1919

    John Ikin




    236508

    L/Cpl. Joseph Swalwell 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.21st March 1918)

    My great uncle, Joseph Swalwell was born in 1896 and was killed in action on the on the Somme on the 21st of March 1918.

    Steven Orley




    236506

    Rflmn. William Tovey 17th Btn. London Regiment

    Grandad, William Tovey never told much of his war. He was medically discharged in October 1916, suffered from shell shock for the rest of his life.

    Stephen Tovey




    236505

    Rflmn. Frank McDonald Archer 8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.24th May 1915)

    Frank Archer was my grandmother's cousin. He was his mother's only child and his father committed suicide when he was 7. Frank was then admitted to the Alexandra Orphanage. He joined the GPO as an internal messenger in 1911, aged 14, based in Goodmayes, East London. He is remembered by the Royal Alexandra and Albert School

    Sarah Gibson




    236504

    Pte. Enoch Round 5th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.21st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Enoch Round served with the 5th Connaught Rangers.

    Adrian Ball




    236501

    Pte. George Round 1st Btn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    George Round served with the 1st Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

    Adrian Ball




    236500

    John "Jock" Cambridge HMS Ramellies

    I know my grandad John Cambridge was on HMS Ramellies when my dad was born in 1922 and my brother has his service medals. He died in 1974

    John Cambridge




    236498

    Pte. John Booth B Battery, 92 Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Little is known of the service history of my Great Uncle John Booth of B Battery, 92 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He returned from WW1 in a poor mental condition and turned to religion for comfort until death. I can't find any more information or war diaries and reformation of the army into sub groups and number changes makes it difficult to determine where he was during the war.

    Bob Jones




    236497

    Dvr. Ephraim "Ginger" Dempster 7th Battalion Queens Own Royal West Kent (d.23rd Jan 1917)

    Ephraim Dempster is buried at Ovillers Military Cemetery.

    Barry Ralph




    236488

    Gnr. R. Mahon 49th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner R. Mahon is recorded in a memorial book to the men who had worked previously at The Parkgate Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. in Rotherham.

    Alyn Hodgson




    236482

    Pte. William Reid Wards 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.28th July 1918)

    William Wards was my great uncle who has no known grave but is commemorated on the Larecekirk War Memorial

    Michael Duncan




    236481

    Pte. Percy Frederick George Bayes 6th Btn Somerset Light Infantry (d.6th June 1918)

    Percy Bayes was a joiner in peacetime. He was known to be in a Construction Corps and served with the 6th Somerset Light Infantry based at Montrescourt. He was captured at Moy de l'Aisne on 21st of May 1918 during the German attack called Operation Michael and died as a POW at German Military Hospital 21D. He was buried at Bohain then re-buried in the 1920's at Premont Military Cemetery.





    236480

    Pte. Archibald James Shanks Morrison 2nd Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.23rd May 1918)

    <p>

    Jimmy Morrison served with the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.

    Peter Morrison




    236479

    Pte. Herbert Stirman 1st Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.15th April 1917)

    Private Herbert Stirman was born in Huddersfield, where his parents lived briefly during their long journey from Edingthorpe in Norfolk, via Newark in Nottinghamshire eventually settling in Birmingham - they came from a long line of agricultural labourers and all eventually settled in the Midlands with new industrial trades.

    There are few details of Herbert's service, but his final journey was on HT Arcadian, going from Salonika to Alexandria when it was torpedoed by a German submarine in the Aegean Sea on 15 April 1917, the ship sank in 6 minutes. There were over 1300 troops and crew on this ship, but 277 perished, including Herbert, listed as drowned at sea. He is commemorated at Mikra Memorial Cemetery in Thessaloniki, Greece. He was 34 years old.

    Sarah Stirman




    236469

    Pte. John Henry Mallender 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.23rd June 1916)

    Private John Henry Mallender, 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action on 23rd June 1916, age 24. He was a cousin of my maternal grandmother, Doris Bowles nee Mallender, and the son of James and Emily Mallender, 39 King Street, Worksop, Nottinghamshire. John is buried in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, Albert, Somme, France. "A corner of a foreign field that will be forever England."

    Donna Sleight




    236455

    Rflmn. Samuel Cronin 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.10th April 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Cronin was born in Dublin, 1882. He was the husband of Nellie (Ellen Benjamin) and father of Francis, Patrick and Mary, and brother of Theresa, William, Joseph, Mary and Lizzie, son of Theresa (nee Mullally) and Jeremiah Cronin of County Cork.

    Samuel was killed in action at Messines during the Battle of the Lys.

    Celine Marshall




    236453

    Gnr. Walter Reed No.6 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My father, Walter Reed, was born in Plymouth on 24th January 1893 and became a railway clerk. On 11th November, 1915, when living in Southampton, he enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery, Dover. On 26th of July, 1917, he was sent to France with the BEF in the 6th Siege Battery. He returned to England on 13th of December 1917, and was discharged on 27th of March, 1918, unfit for further service through neurasthenia. He never spoke to me of his experiences in the war.

    Royal Garrison Artillery

    137596 Walter Reed

    Barbara Cole




    236448

    Pte. Frank Lewis 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Frank Lewis was a young man who was scared of thunder and lightning but wanted to serve his country. He served with 2nd and 5th Battalions of the Lincolnshire Regiment.

    Anita Campsill




    236447

    Rflmn. James William Halford 10th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.21st Feb 1916)





    236445

    Gnr. Charles Thomas Purvis 14th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Charles Purvis served in 14th Heavy Battery RGA. He was born in Easington, County Durham in 1892. He was a family man and animal lover and was employed in the collieries where he looked after the pit ponies.

    Charles joined up in 1914 and served through to 1918. One of his famous engagements being attached to 2nd Canadian Div and was instrumental in the taking of Vimy Ridge in 1917.

    On return from the war he went back to the pits until the outbreak of WW2 where he volunteered his services again but was deemed too old but was allowed to join the Home Guard which he served in for the 6 year duration of WW2. Returning to the colliery again after the wars to continue his employment. He died in 1948 and was survived by his wife and three children Annie, John and Eliza Mary (my grandmother). I am his Great Grandson and I too followed his example and also joined the Artillery. 74 years later in 1988 I marched off the same square in Woolwich as my great grandfather did in 1914.

    James Crook




    236433

    Rflmn. Solomon Jonas 9th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.31st March 1918)

    Solomon Jonas served with the 9th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps which was raised at Winchester on 21st August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Petworth in November, returning to Aldershot in March 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on 20th May 1915.

    They fought in the the Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in the Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in the Battle of Delville Wood and the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, the Battle of Langemark and the First and Second Battle of Passchendaele.

    On 2nd February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade, still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during the Battle of St Quentin and the Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On 27th April, the 9th KRRC was reduced to a cadre and on 16th June they transferred to 34th Division. On 27th they joined 39th Division. The 9th KRRC was disbanded on 3rd August 1918.

    Bella




    236430

    Lt. Henry Edmund Bulbeck 16th Btn., att. 20th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.6th Nov 1916)

    Teddy Bulbeck as my mother's cousin. He was wounded at Gallipoli in June 1915 while serving with the 2nd Royal Fusiliers. He was shot through the head and buried where he fell between Lesbouefs and Transnoy whilst manning a bombing post.





    236427

    Pte. George Joseph Suckling 17th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    George Suckling served with 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Photograph taken on 20th July 1916 at Hilders war hospital. Joe as he was known, would have been eighteen years old at this time. He afterwards transferred to the Devonshire regiment.

    Karen Coles




    236422

    Walter Ernest Fowler 330th Coy Army Service Corps

    Whilst taking munitions and food to the front line, there was a troop marching forwards. In-coming shellfire developed and the troop dived into the roadside ditches. The officer ordered Walter Fowler to do the same. He replied "If I leave these horses alone I will be deserting my post and they will shoot me." He therefore stood in position as the shells came down to tend to his horses.

    Lloyd Holman




    236415

    Pte. Aaron Longden 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters

    As a grandson of Aaron Longden, I have his military records. He enlisted in January 1915. He was injured while fighting on the Somme in 1916 and was invalided out of the army.

    William Harrison




    236414

    L/Cpl. Albert Edward Picton 7th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment (d.12th April 1917)

    Lance Corporal Albert Picton of 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment was killed in action on the 12th of April 1917, aged 29. He was born and in enlisted Watford, his residence is given as Brixton Road, Watford. He was the son of Albert and Jane Picton of 20, Brixton Rd., Watford, Herts.

    Debbie




    236411

    William Henry Pont 18th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Bill Pont served with the 14th and 18th Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Ed Cooper




    236407

    John O'Toole 7th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers

    John O'Toole served with the 7th Royal Munster Fusiliers and the Royal Irish Rifles

    Ann




    236406

    Pte. John Pagett 23rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.21st Sept 1917)

    Pte John Pagett was my Great Grandfather.

    It's taken 99 years for his family to find out exactly what happened and where he is buried. He will always be honoured for his sacrifice and the sacrifice of his friends.

    Mark Pagett




    236402

    Gnr. Harry Webber MM. 295th (North Midlands) Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Harry Webber was my Grandfather, he arrived in Australia in 1924 with his family in tow, with my Grandmother, Aunty and Uncle. He was a strong but gentle man, they worked hard to survive and had 3 more children. The country they settled in is some of the toughest country to establish a farm in. They ended up retiring to the city 30 years later. I heard a lot of stories from my grandmother, about my grandfather. He was tough, stubborn, and lead from the front. I was told he did the same in WW1 and was demoted as often as he was promoted. But I was told by a gentleman that he was respected by all, including his officer at the end of the war. A proud era in time, such a sad loss of life to go with it. He died in 1972

    Kathy Webber




    236387

    Henry Scoble Royal Army Service Corps. (d.6th December 1918)

    My grandfather, Henry Scoble, lost his life on 6th December 1918. He was a driver with the Royal Army Service Corps.

    Josephine Mann




    236385

    Pte. Spencer Ball 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.9th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Spencer Ball served with 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment.

    Fiona Hammond




    236374

    Sgt. Peter McIntosh MM. 255 Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather, Peter McIntosh never spoke of the war. During the duration, he had received the Military Medal for bravery in the field. He never spoke of this to anyone. We are trying to find any information regarding how he had gained this. On the side of the medal it has his name and number. Any information would be wonderful to share with the other family members. His name also appeared in a supplement to the London Gazette on 23rd of July 1919 on page 9350. In other information I have it states that it was for "acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire".

    Peter Talbot




    236371

    Gnr. James Patrick Cassidy 33 Coy Royal Garrison Artillery

    James Cassidy was my great grandad.

    Zoë hunter




    236370

    Pte. Ronald George Young 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Private Ronald Young was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme attacking the Quadrilateral Redoubt (Heidenkopf) on Redan Ridge.

    On the 1st of July 1916 at 7.30am the 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry part of 11th Brigade, 4th Division, went over the top just north of Beaumont Hamel, following a week long artillery bombardment which stopped at 7.20am to allow a large mine to be detonated. This allowed the Germans to come out of their deep bunkers knowing an attack was imminent. The wire had not been effectively cut and the men attacked in line formation and were funnelled though such narrow gaps as existed and were cut down by the German guns.

    Ron was amongst 58,000 of his comrades killed that day. His body has never been found, but may well be one of the unknowns at buried in Serre Road No.2. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and in Burnham-On-Sea.

    Ian




    236367

    Pte. Arthur Farrand DCM. 6th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    "12006 Private A Farrand, 6th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. For conspicuous gallantry on 27th November 1915 at Chocolate Hill, Gallipoli Peninsula, when, after being partially buried by a shell, he extricated himself and at once went to the rescue of two comrades and extricated them under heavy fire." The London Gazette.

    I'm proud to say Arthur Farrand is my grandfather. I'm sorry to say I never knew him,or the honour he bestowed on my family until recently. I would love to have had photos, stories or medals to pass down to my grandchildren in remembrance to his gallantry in action.

    Sue




    236365

    Pte. Arthur Turner 2nd Battalion London Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Grandad Arthur Turner, served in the London Regiment in World War 1. He was injured at the Battle of Arras in 1917 and taken to a hospital to have his wounds treated. A German plane dropped a bomb on the hospital. Arthur never came home. My Nan had no father from the age of 4. Just one year later the war was over. "Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten". Not forgotten Arthur. Rest in Peace.

    The certificate sent to my Nan

    Arthur and his pals. Arthur was marked with an X by my Nan.

    Graham Pink




    236364

    Sister. Isabel Marion Mackintosh (d.10th July 1918)

    Isabel Mackintosh was a Scottish born nurse who served in France at the outbreak of war, working with the British and the French Red Cross. From 1917 she served in Bermondsey Military Hospital firstly as night superintendent and then as sister. She was known by patients and colleagues as Sister Mac. She was awarded a Red Cross decoration which was presented to her by the King on 20th of April 1918. Sadly Isabel died shortly afterwards on 10th of July 1918 of acute influenzal pneumonia. She is buried in Nairn Cemetery and is the first name on the Nairnshire War Memorial.

    As she was born in Greenock we have her noted on the local website under the Unsung Heroines section.

    Isobel McCully




    236362

    Stkr.1st.Cl. William Pascoe Hender HMS Monmouth (d.1st Nov 1914)

    <p>

    William Hender was born on 6th of June 1891, the first of 13 children born to Richard and Edith Hender in Torpoint, Cornwall. He was apprenticed to his father, a butcher in Fore Street. On the 1911 census William is described as being feeble minded since birth. When he was 18 years old he spent 10 months in Bodmin Lunatic Asylum and was discharged as recovered in 1909. Two years later he joined the Royal Navy and was on HMS Monmouth when he was killed at the Battle of Coronel, in the Pacific Ocean. His ship, one of four older weaker British vessels, engaged with five modern German vessels with greater fire-power and HMS Monmouth was lost with all hands on 1st November 1914. William's younger brother, Charles, also in the Royal Navy, was killed less than three months earlier. William's father was so distressed at the loss of his two sons that he later took his own life. William's name is on the Plymouth Naval Memorial on Plymouth Hoe.

    Shirley Blake




    236361

    Pte. Frank Kershaw MM. 10th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Frank Kershaw received the Military Medal for bravery in the field near Mount Sorrel during the Battle of Messines in 1917. He was a stretcher bearer and was helping a wounded soldier.

    Ian Addy




    236360

    Able Sea. Charles Richard Hender HMS Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    <p>

    Charles Hender was born on 12th of November 1894, the second son and one of 13 children born to Richard and Edith Hender in Torpoint, Cornwall. He was apprenticed to his father, a butcher in Fore Street.

    Charles was the first of his family to be killed in WW1 while serving on HMS Amphion while on duty in the English Channel, aged 19. His ship hit a mine previously laid by a German ship and went down on 6th of August 1914, just a few days into WW1. His older brother, who was also in the Royal Navy, was killed and lost at sea less than three months later. His father was so distressed at the loss of his two sons that he later took his own life. Charles name is onthe Plymouth Naval Memorial on Plymouth Hoe.

    Shirley Blake




    236357

    Pte. William Rushton 7th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.7th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    William Rushton served with 7th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment.

    Jayne Weaver




    236353

    Pte. Frank Ernest Newton 6th Battalion Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.8th May 1917)

    Frank Newton was my great uncle who died aged 19 near Monchy le Preux.

    Pete Hill




    236351

    Pte. James Joseph Southeran 1/6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    Other than the fact of his service I have little to tell of James Southeran. He left with the battalion on 16th of April. He was promoted to Sergeant in the field and his photograph appears in the book produced after the war on the history of the 1/6th West Yorks Regiment. He was married at Bradford Cathedral whilst on leave in 1916. He died in 1964.

    Peter Southeran




    236346

    Pte. Alfred Foulger 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.17th May 1917)

    Alfred Foulger is my Great, Great, Grand Uncle. I am researching my family history and discovered he died in France in 1917 while serving under the Norfolk Regiment. However, I am interested where they were in May 1917. He was in the 8th Battalion.

    He is commemorated in Arras, sadly without a grave.

    Tracey




    236342

    2nd Lt. Reginald John Burton 8th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.15th April 1918)

    Reginald Burton was posted as wounded/missing on 14th April 1918 during, I believe, the Battle of Bailleuil (probably at or near Neuve Eglise/Nieuwkerke on the French/Belgian border). He died of abdominal wounds, aged 25, the following day as a PoW in a German field-hospital near Kortrijk/Courtrai, Belgium. Reginald is buried in Kortrijk/Coutrai (St.Jan/St.Jean) Communal Cemetery, at the junction of Meensesteenweg and Zwingelaarsstraat.

    Mike Gill




    236336

    Pte. Joseph Simms Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Joseph Simms was in the Expeditionary Force in France. He survived the war but remained in ill health until he died young at 59.

    Jacqueline Simms




    236335

    Pte. Henry Ernest Bateman 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1918)

    My great uncle Henry Bateman was a private in the 6th Btn Dorsetshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 4th of November 1918. He was 19 years old.

    Jacqueline Simms




    236327

    Pte. Ernest Bothamley 26th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th August 1917)

    Ernest Bothamley served with 26th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Jill Grierson




    236323

    Pte. Alfred Flack 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.8th June 1917)

    A dead man's penny for Alfred Flack has come into my family and I am trying to find out how he fits into our family.

    P Bywater




    236311

    Sgt. Benjamin Norman Terry 2nd Btn. East Kent Regiment

    Sgt. Benjamin Terry was my great uncle, and I do not know anything about him. Except that he was a very quiet man, and did not attend family functions. He died in 1975.

    John Terry




    236302

    Flt.Sgt. John Leslie Stone 57 Squadron (d.8th March 1945)

    Jack Stone was married to my late sister-in-law, Phyllis and they had a son David. At the time of his death Jack did not know that his wife was pregnant and a second son, John, was born after his father's death.

    His Lancaster was on a raid over Hamburg on 6th March 1945 and his sortie failed to return and was recorded as Missing. I have not discovered any reports of how the plane was lost although the common thought seems to be that it crashed into the North Sea on its return flight.

    Jack was well over six feet tall and it was often a cause of comment of how on earth he managed to get into the rear-gunner's turret. He was a rear and mid-upper gunner. He had completed a previous tour and had managed to find his way home following a prior ditching in enemy-held territory and was eventually helped to find his way home via Sweden. Undaunted, Jack volunteered to do another tour on Lancasters which proved to be fateful and was posted Missing. His death is recorded as 8th March 1945 on the Runnymede Royal Air Force Memorial. RIP.

    Peter Walters




    236300

    Rflmn. Joseph Strangeway 1/8th (Leeds Rifles) Btn. Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment (d.8th November 1915)

    Rifleman Joseph Strangeway was my fourth cousin four times removed. He is buried at Essex Farm Cemetery, Ypres. He was a railway labourer and was single. He had seven Sisters and three brothers.





    236296

    Cpl. Edward Dawson 39th Brigade, 46th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.8th April 1916)

    Edward was the son of Richard and Hannah Dawson and husband of Lucy Drake. He had two sons, Thomas and Frederick. He died aged 28 and buried Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery.

    B. Brown




    236287

    Pte. Thomas Cotton 4th Btn. Royal Tank Corps (d.23rd July 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Cotton was killed in action, France and Flanders, 23rd July 1918 aged 29. He is ommemorated on the Arras Memorial and also on the Glascote and Poleworth War Memorials in North Warwickshire. Thomas was the son of Henry Cotton. He was a market gardener before the war.

    Photograph from Tamworth Herald held on British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).  All rights reserved.  Imagelocal World Limited/Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of The  British Library Board.

    Ian Shuter




    236286

    Pte. William Henry Forshaw DCM. 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    <p>

    William Forshaw served with 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was awarded the DCM for his actions on Messines Ridge on the 7th of June 1917 where he captured an enemy strong point.

    James Forshaw




    236284

    Pte. William Bale 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Sadly, William Bale was one of a hundred men recorded on the War Memorial in St Mary Magdalene Church, Taunton. William was born in Taunton, the youngest of four children born to Edward and Rose nee Cridland. Prior to enlisting William worked as a clerk in an Insurance Office. The Church was the one attended by the men of the SLI whose barracks were just up the road.

    Jenni Llewellyn




    236279

    Rflmn. James Robert Dry 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifles (d.20th Sep 1917)

    My grand father, James Dry served with the 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifles, was sadly he was killed in action on 20th of September 1917. I have been researching for a few years the whereabouts of my Grand father's grave and in November 2014 visited his grave in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall) just outside Ypres. Such a sad and first meeting in nearly 100 years, by one of his ancestors. My father (a veteran of the Burma campaign in WW2) never met his father, as he was born a few months after my grand father was killed in action.

    Unfortunately, my father passed away some time ago taking with him all the horrific memories that he had from the WW2 and any information as to the circumstances of where in the Ypres area the 7th Battalion KRRC were engaged and how my Grand father paid the ultimate sacrifice. I intend to return to his grave with my children to pay our respects next September being the centenary year of his death. If any one could guide me as to where the information would be stored as to that fateful day (20.09.1917)so I can complete my record of ancestry that I want to make sure my family and grand children never forget the sacrifices that were made in both the world wars of the 20th century, so that we can enjoy freedom.

    'Lest we forget'

    Howard Dry-Parker




    236275

    Pte. James Robertson 14th Field Artillery Brigade

    <p>

    My grandfather James Robertson emigrated from Glasgow to Queensland in 1909 aged 16, together with his widowed father and younger brother. He married in 1913 and his first daughter was born in 1914. Both he and his younger brother volunteered and enlisted in September 1915. They were first shipped to Egypt aboard the "Kyarra" in January 1916, disembarking at Alexandria in February 1916. Both were 'taken on strength' at Serapum. I believe that they took part in what's described as the 'never-to-be-forgotten' march from Tel-el-Kebir to Ferry's Post. They were shipped to France in August 1916 and the records suggest James fought at Fromelles. In January 1917 James was reported having 'oedema of the foot' and was shipped to England. He was at Southwark Military Hospital from 1st February until 17th February 1917 and then taken to Larkhill on Salilsbury Plain. Altogether he was out of action for 18 months and only returned to France toward the end of the war. On 31st January 1918 it is reported he was a gunner attached for duty with Permanent Cadre of Reserve Brigade Australian Army, Heytesbury, Wiltshire.

    On 8th October 1918 he left Southampton for France, on 2nd November 1918 he was wounded in action and reported as being gassed. As we all know, nine days later the war ended. However, not until 30th March 1919 did he leave France for England. And not until 15th May 1919 did he finally sail, aboard the Orontes back to Australia. My mother was born in 1923.

    In 1946 my grandfather obviously had not had enough of war and he put his age down by nine years and volunteered again. This time he was made a POW of the Japanese in Singapore and shipped to Siam where I can only assume he took part in helping to build the Siam-Burma railway. Amazingly, he survived WW2 also and lived to be 66 years old. He never lost his strong Glaswegian accent and, to my knowledge, he never spoke about what he'd seen or done.

    The postscript to this story is that I moved from Australia to England in 1973 and have lived in East Dulwich since 1991. I had no idea that my grandfather had been in East Dulwich until a year ago and still can't quite believe it.

    Karen Chessell




    236273

    2nd Lt. Ernest Edward Bean Norfolk Regiment (d.11th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    2nd Lt. Ernest Bean served with the Norfolk Regiment and lost his life on the 11th of November 1918.

    Stan Green




    236269

    Cpl. Charles Frederick Cooper 5th Dragoon Guards

    Charlie Cooper was my grandfather. He was serving in India when the regiment was recalled and sent to France in August 1914. He was in action at the battle of Mons, La Bassee and Neuve Chapelle, being seriously wounded in the battle at Neuve Chapelle he was invalided back to England. After prolonged hospital treatment, he was discharged as medically unfit for further service. He holds the Mons Star, and the General Service and Victory medals. Charlie worked as a painter and decorator until his death in 1954 at Roehamton Hospital and buried at Streatham Vale Cemetery, where buglers of the Royal Horse Artillery, with whom he served in India and France, sounded the Last Post.

    Peter Cooper




    236268

    Pte. Thomas Cameron 1st Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.8th March 1916)

    <p>The small woman is Margaret Cameron., Thomas' wife.

    Remembered at the Basra Memorial, it seems highly likely that Thomas Cameron was killed during the attack on the Dujaila Redoubt. This was on the march to Bagdad which led to a section of the British Army being cut off at Kut. He was 38 years old when he died and left a wife, Margaret and 7 children at his home in Great Hamilton Street, Paisley.

    Intimation in the Glasgow Evening Times

    Paul Cochrane




    236260

    CSM. H. Barlow 7/8 Btn., B Coy. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    I own CSM Barlow's binoculars. The details above are inscribed on the bottom of the case. If anyone knows about him I'd appreciate more information.

    Ian Sutherland




    236259

    L/Cpl. George Edward Benefer 1/5th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.14th July 1918)

    Unfortunately, my great uncle George Benefer was killed in action. Research has shown that this happened in the Egyptian theatre of war, maybe Palestine? Sadly, he was never found. I am seeking information about my uncle and the history of his battalion.

    Amanda Brindle




    236249

    Pte. George Bentley 10th Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.16th Oct 1917)

    My great grand-father George Bentley lost his life at the battle of Passchendaele, a month before the battle of Passchendaele ended. His body was never found and he is memoralised at Tyne Cot on the wall of the lost. I hope one day to visit the cemetery and pay my respects. I never knew about him until I started to research my family tree some 12 years ago. I only knew about my grandparents (his child and family).

    I am so proud of him, that he gave his life so that generations since had a free life to live. We all owe him, and men like him, so much. We should do all we can to uphold this freedom.

    Jackie Fletcher




    236245

    Dvr. Albert Victor Adam Fiddes 82nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Albert Fiddes was born on 30th July 1897 in Toxteth Park, Liverpool. Both parents died in December 1904 and Albert and his sister were put into an orphanage where they stayed until they were 16 years old. After leaving the Orphanage Asylum Albert stayed with his aunt and uncle Mr and Mrs Adams in Aberdeen and started as pattern maker working for Trawlowners & Traders Engineering Co.

    He joined the artillery and was sent France. On return he was sent to Pewsey, where his future wife lived, but he did not meet her until he went to London where she worked as a maid. They met at St John's Wood, London. Following the war he returned to his job at Aberdeen. As he hadn't finished his apprenticeship he had to go back on apprentice wages so he only stayed until June 1920. Albert's records are among the 60% of the burnt series covering war survivors and war dead. These records were destroyed by enemy action during the Second World War.

    Louise Genge




    236241

    Gnr. Horace Edward King 53rd Battery. 2nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Horace King served with 53 Battery, Royal Field Artillery.

    Giles Latcham




    236238

    James Serginson Kirkby 1/5th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.3rd May 1915)

    <p>

    James Kirkby was born and enlisted in Carnforth. He died on 3 May 1915 whilst serving with the 5th King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment.

    The Lancaster Observer of the 14th of May 1915 reported on page 5: "Kirkby J S Sergeant 5th Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment killed in action 3 May, 1915. Secretary of Carnforth F C, and Carnforth Cricket Club and a member of the church choir and Choral Society. First Non-Commissioned Officer in Carnforth to be killed."

    Extract from the Battalion War Diary: 3rd May 1915 Frezenberg, Heavily shelled. C Coy in the morning sent to support Rifle Brigade. Lost heavily from shell fire and got held up. Proceeded on left on road. B Coy attached to East Yorks and York & Lancs in afternoon. Proceeded on right of road via Zonnebecke. Got close to trenches laid down and waited for dark. After dark ordered to dugouts as trenches were to be evacuated.

    Lancaster Observer of the 14 May 1915 also reported "Private Tom Ryan writing to Mrs Watson of North Road, Carnforth, states that Sgt James Kirby had been killed and his brother Sgt H H Kirby wounded in the head. He also said that Private J Watson, Mrs Watson's husband had again been wounded in the right hand after being wounded in the head on Apr 13; he had only just returned to the firing line.

    In a letter to Sgt Kirby's sister at 93 Market Street, Sgt W Simpson, whose home is at Crag Bank confirmed that Sgt Kirby had been killed; he had carried Jim back and buried him in the corner of a small churchyard.

    A letter had been received from Sgt Kirby that, on the Sunday before he was killed they were to come out of the trenches and not going in again. Several interesting letters had been received from Sgt Kirby and published in the Observer. He was a prominent footballer and had figured prominently at half back for Lancaster, Carnforth and the Warton elevens. Writing from Ypres to Kirby's sister, Captain Evans said: " . . . . Sgt Kirby was killed whilst assisting in an advance by the Rifle Brigade who were in sore need of help. At the moment of his death he had been treating a wounded comrade; he had been hit in the neck by a shell and had died instantaneously. Colonel Lord Richard Cavendish has asked me to express his deepest sympathy. I cannot express to you any words which measure our sorrow at the loss of a true comrade, hero and friend. We laid him to rest in a soldiers grave in Verlorenbock; the Colonel said a service. It must be some consolation to you that he gave his life to save you all at home from the horrors of this sorrowing land.""

    Gary Tyson




    236233

    Harold Baugh 1/4th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.29th Sep 1918)

    The only information we hold regarding my great uncle Harold Baugh is that he is buried in La Baraque British Cemetery, Bellenglise, France. I will be scanning photos my cousin has recently found, but unfortunately there are no names on the back of any of the pictures, so I am unsure what our uncle looks like. Hopefully, people may recognise some of the pictures and it will help others, if not ourselves. The pictures are lovely and show many young men, it would be fantastic if it helped other families.

    Diane Palmer




    236230

    Pte. Alfred Salt 15th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Sadly for Alfred Salt, he has no known grave and is therefore commemorated on the Thiepval memorial. I have recently received information regarding my great uncles who served in the first world war. I also have many photographs that my cousin has found with soldiers, but unfortunately I have no names on the photos. I will get them scanned and upload them onto this site, which may help me but also they may help other families who recognise anyone they know.

    Diane Palmer




    236215

    Drvr. William Wroe 74th Brigade, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    William Wroe served with B Battery 74th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.





    236213

    Cpl. Albert James Barrett 2/12th Btn The Rangers London Regiment (d.9th August 1918)

    Albert Barrett was reported missing in action. He was killed on 9th August 1918.

    John




    236212

    Rflmn. William Walter McCullough 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    William McCullough was my great great uncle. I am just discovering what happened to him. He served with the 15th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and was killed on the 1st of July 1916 aged 28. Son of the late Matthew and Margaret McCullogh, of 9, Fleet St., Belfast and husband of Frances Kelso McCullough, of 19, Sandfaulds St., South Side, Glasgow.

    James A. McCullough




    236211

    Sgt. Frederick Alfred Esquilant 12th Btn., C Coy. Rifle Brigade (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    Frederick Esquilant was born in 1875. He married Amelia Jane Suttle in 1892. When he entered the army he had four children: Amelia, Nelly, Ivy and Frederick.

    Frederick entered the war at age 40. He became a Sergeant in the latter part of the war. He died on 2nd of December 1917. He was possibly killed in the Battle of Cambrai, as that was where the 12th Rifle Brigade fought during 1917. That battle was fought between 20th November 1917 and 8th December 1917.

    Julie Edward




    236204

    Pte. Robert Bruce 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    My great uncle Robert Bruce served in WW1. He was a prisoner of war for two and a half years. I don't have much more information on this but I do have his letters from the War office.

    Jackie Dixon




    236196

    L/Sgt. Richard Whiting 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.23rd October 1916)

    Lance Sergeant Richard Whiting was my paternal great-uncle, my grandfather's eldest brother. My grandfather, Isaac, was around 10 years old when Richard died. Richard was 33 years old when he was lost in battle. He was married and left a wife, Alice, and at least one young child (possibly three children). He is listed online as being memorialised at Thiepval. We would love to know more about him and we are currently trying to research about him and confirm as much information as we can.

    Ruth Bates




    236189

    L/Cpl. Thomas Monk 1st/6th Battalion Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Monk was born in Settle in 1897 to his parents Thomas and Lavinia Monk. He continued to live in Settle until he went overseas. At the age of 13 he worked as a Quarryman at the Delaney Horton Limestone works close by. In May 1913 he joined the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment (a Territorial Battalion). He served with them through to 1915 when in April he and his Battalion crossed to France as part of the 147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade within the 49th (West Riding) Division.

    He served through the Battles of Aubers Ridge in May 1915 as well as the Defence against the Phosgene Attack on 19th/20th December 1915. He was injured (gassed) during this attack and was taken to No.12 CCS at Hazebrouck and then on to the St. John Ambulance Base Hospital at Etaples. From there he was returned to a hospital in the U.K. Before he returned to France in June 1916 he married a young lady named Lilly Watson at Settle.

    He returned to his Battalion at Forceville. From there the Battalion moved up to the Front near Authuille to the Support Trenches arriving in the early hours of July 1st. The Battalion did not participate in the first days fighting but took part in the subsequent Battle of Albert, Battle of Bazentin Ridge and Battle of Flers - Courcelette. On 14th September the Battalion was called to the Front lines near Leipzig Salient to relieve the 32nd Infantry Brigade. Just as the relief started the Germans made a bombing attack on the line. D Company was sent in to reinforce the line but Thomas was killed by shrapnel just after 09.10 hours on the 15th. He is buried at Blight Valley CWGC Cemetery at Authuille Wood.

    Lilly Monk (nee Watson)

    Tony McGarrigle




    236188

    Spr. Sydney Thomas Smith 226th (Tottenham) Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Sydney Smith volunteered in 1915 as a qualified paviour (layer of paving slabs). His father was in The Buffs for many years so he came from a military background. He lived in Edmonton with his wife. They had no children at this time as sadly their three babies had all died shortly after birth. He served until July 1917 when he was invalided out. The reason given was 'disordered action of the heart'. Research suggest this was caused by shell shock and/or trench life. After he left the Army, he became a bus driver. He and his wife eventually had 4 children. He died after suffering a thrombosis on the top deck of his bus during his break in 1953.

    Louise Smith




    236176

    BQM Sgt. John Henry Rayner 210 Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    John Henry Rayner was my grandfather. He served in WW1 and saw action in Gallipoli, Egypt and France. He was wounded by being heavily gassed at Passchendaele with his unit in 1917. His white horse in the war was called Dolly. John sadly died when I was only 1 year old in 1971. I never got to talk to him but got some stories from my mum and dad.

    He finished his service in 1920 and was the BQM Sergeant for the unit towards the end of the war. Some stories came to me - one being that he was given a commission on the battlefield, probably like many men, but he turned it down as he didn't want to leave his men. Lucky in many ways as he survived the war. He served for eight years enlisting in 1912.

    John was born in Salford but eventually moved to Blackburn and married Nellie Binns in Blackburn in 1920. He worked at the Aerospace Facility in Samlesbury, Preston New Road for most of the remainder of his life. John has always been very dear to my heart even though I didn't get to know him.

    Mark Croasdale




    236171

    Pte. Arthur Douglas Smith 9th Btn. London Regiment

    My grandfather, Arthur Smith, was a rifleman in the 9th London Rifles. He was living in Chelsea at the time and my grandmother told me he was gassed and was at Ypres. They met at Dovercourt, Suffolk and in March 1918 she came down to London to marry him; he was still in the Army. She told me when he returned from the war he used to have nightmares at night and died as a result of the gassing at the age of 38. He was born in 1896 and left a wife and three young boys. She said that after he died her children were tested every year for lung illnesses.

    Suzanne Sleight




    236169

    Pte. John Davies 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.15th March 1918)

    As far as we know John Davies was killed while on stretcher bearer duty before going on leave.

    Andrea Parry




    236162

    Pte. Willie Bolton MM 9th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.26th April 1918)

    Willie Bolton was killed in action.

    Michael Heppenstall




    236159

    Sgt. Arthur William Medhurst 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th July 1915)

    Arthur Medhurst died of wounds, probably inflicted by German flame throwers which were used for the first time on 30th of July 1915. He was a regular soldier attested in 1898.

    P B Bird




    236153

    Pte. David Higham 8th (Service) Btn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry

    David Higham was my grandfather. He left work in the cotton mill in Blackburn at the age of 19 and enlisted in 1915. He was small at enlistment. He was only 5 Ft 1 and a half inches tall, which would have prevented his earlier enlistment until there was a relaxation of the minimum height requirements. He enlisted in the South Wales Borderers before joining his intended unit the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. My grandmother came from Shropshire so that may have encouraged that. He served in Salonika with the allied expeditionary force there and, after seeing active service, suffered a common fate there as he was invalided back to Malta with illness. He spent some time in Malta recovering (he had fond memories of his time there) before being discharged on 20th of Novemeber as no longer fit for war service.

    Howard Thomas




    236152

    Pte. George Thomas 12th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.12th April 1918)

    George Thomas was the youngest child of a family of 10 girls and 1 boy (George) from the cotton town of Blackburn in Lancashire. The family story was that George enlisted following pressures from other mill workers in 1917. He went to France and within a few weeks was in action in the last big German offensive, with the 12th Suffolks being engaged in bitter fighting around Nieppe on 11/4/1918. The unit then withdrew to La Creche and moved on to Strazelle where they dug in. George was killed on 12/4/1918 at the age of 19. The fighting flowed backwards and forwards and George was never recovered into a named grave and is now remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial. Sadly, his mother Edith never managed to travel to France to see that memorial.

    Howard Thomas




    236150

    Pte. G. Scott 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    I have a photograph of G.Scott found with Thomas William Moore's memorabilia. The details on the back of the photograph give the soldier's name and regiment. Finner Camp 8th of March 1918 is also written on the back of the photograph.

    John William Mccleary




    236149

    G. Anderson 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    I have a photograph of G.Anderson found with Thomas William Moore's memorabilia. G. Anderson was killed on 1st of July 1916 during the battle of the Somme. Thomas William Moore found a photograph in G. Anderson's breast pocket pierced by shrapnel, it is of G. Anderson's girlfriend.

    Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 11th battalion. G.Anderson is on the back row on the Right.

    John William Mccleary




    236148

    Pte. Thomas William Moore 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    After the war Thomas Moore emigrated to Johannesburg, South Africa. This was owing to the political situation in Ireland. His family never heard from him again.

    11th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Thomas William Moore is on the back row 3rd from the Left

    John William Mccleary




    236140

    Lt. Walter Albert "Toby" Yeulett DFC. (d.19th July 1918)

    <p>

    Lieutenant Toby Yeulett is buried in the Norre Havrvig Churchyard in Denmark.

    s flynn




    236133

    Pte. Charles William Muckell 1st (London) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.5th April 1918)

    Charles Muckell was baptised on the 25th of Sep 1889 at Battersea, St Saviour, Wandsworth in London, only child of Charles Muckell and Alice Mary Atterton. He enlsited with the Cyclist Battalion, Sussex Regiment. Whilst serving with the 1st London Battalion, Royal Fusiliers he was killed in action on 5th of Apr 1918.

    Charles is my 3rd cousin twice removed. We can never do enough to honour our fallen heroes. With him being the only child of grieving parents, I want him to be remembered for his ultimate sacrifice.

    Amanda Churchill




    236121

    Able Sea. E. V. Mason H.M.S. Q36 (d.30th March 1917)

    <p>

    Able Sea. E. V. Mason served on H.M.S. Q36.





    236120

    L/Cpl. Ernest William Newcombe 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment (d.11th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest Newcombe served with 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment.

    Peter Newcombe




    236113

    CQMS. Frederick George Green 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.28th Aug 1914)

    Frederick Green was my great grandfather. He was killed in the Battle of Mons, among the very first to be killed, he left a wife and an unborn son, my grandfather Fred, who also made sergeant in the 8th Army in WW2. Little of Frederick is known apart from that he was in the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, why he was in this regiment I do not know as he was born in West Ham in Essex. I do know that he joined the Army years previously to WW1 as I have his service record. Unfortunately, his medals were sold by a sibling and also his dress uniform, both of which I am very upset about. I do, however, have his obituary medal in pride of place in my den, and on being given this along with other memorabilia from my aunt and uncle I was moved to tears, strange how never meeting a relative can have a profound effect on a person.

    I am proud to be a relative of Frederick but also very sad that a young man with all of his life to look forward to was snuffed out in a blink of an eye, but without him , I and my family would not be here. This of course applies to many thousands of families.

    Company Quartermaster Serjeant Frederick George Green 5722 is buried in Frameries Belgium.

    Gone from this world but never forgotten.

    Tony Pammen




    236104

    Pte. Robert Stephenson Baxter 8th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    Bob Baxter served with the 8th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.

    Den Jones




    236101

    Pte. Andrew Graham MM. Machine Gun Section Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>Andrew Graham (left) December 1914 prior to his departure to France 
and Donald Martin who lived a half mile up the road from Andrew Graham's home. The tartan they are wearing is Seaforth MacKenzie.

    Andrew Graham of the Seaforth Highlanders was a member of the first tank Crews in 1915-1916, and a machine gunnery instructor at Bovington Camp, Dorset 1917 where he met his wife, Margaret Palmer, a cook from Bovington Camp. A copy of Margaret Palmer's diary from Bovington Camp was provided to Bovington camp Military Museum, Dorset along with her Bovington service discharge papers. Also provided are photos of Andrew Graham (Sergeant) and Margaret Palmer (cook), taken at Wool, Dorset.

    Andrew was the son of Alexander Graham, whilst serving with the Machine Gun section Seaforth Highlanders he was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty. He recaptured a Lewis gun which had temporarily fallen into enemy hands, turned it on them, held them at bay and finally brought the gun safely within British lines.

    Andrew and Margaret emigrated to New Zealand in 1920s and had two daughters who have many descendants in New Zealand, USA and Canada.

    Andrew Graham

    Margaret Palmer

    Peter Stevens




    236097

    Pte. F. C. Davies 10th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (d.21st Sept 1917)

    Pte. F.C. Davies served in the 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment. There is a photo of shared grave and cross on the Australian War Memorial website. He probably died at 10th Casualty Clearing Station at Poperinge on 21st of September 1917. Both the 3rd Australian Infantry Battalion and 10th Battalion had been involved with the Battle of Menin Road and the subsequent Polygon Wood Battle. My relative, Private Les Brooks, was wounded by shrapnel likely before relieving the front line troops at Glencourse Wood on Thursday 20 September 1917 and died the following day.

    Kevin




    236095

    Sgt. Stephen Alfred McQuillin 23rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Sgt McQuillan was a regular with 2nd Btn Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) based in Mtarfa Barracks, Malta in 1914 and on notice to move to Alexandria. When hostilities started to escalate, the move to Egypt was cancelled and the battalion moved back to UK on Indiamen ship along with other two battalions in Malta.

    They arrived in Southampton in September and marched to Baddersley Common before moving to Hursley Park to form part of 23rd Brigade in the 8th Division.

    They moved to France on the SS Cornishman in early November 1914. Stephen must have been SNCO in charge of 2 Scottish Rifles machine guns as he was moved to MGC on its formation. He remained with the corps for the rest of war, but returned to the Cameronians after the war.

    His step brother, Private Alfred Holman, was killed three months after arriving in France as a private in the Royal Field Artillery in May 1916 (he is buried at Dud's Corner). Alfred's son Alfred was born eight days before his father's death. Stephen married his step-brother's widow, the family moved to India (Quetta) with the Regiment and had three further children, in addition to Alfred and his elder sister Phyllis, in India and a sixth child (my father) when back in England. Stephen spent a period of the war convalescing in England after shooting off one of his knuckles in what was supposedly an accident with a recovered German Luger pistol.

    Keith McQuillin




    236094

    Lt. John Walton Bamber 10th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    John Bamber was born in Ladysmith in 1886 and was present as a 13 year old boy with his family at the siege of Ladysmith.

    He was accepted at St. Augustine's Training College, Canterbury, England in 1912 for training as an ordained missionary but suspended his training and signed up when war broke out. He went to Halton Camp and from there was billeted in Maidenhead where he became engaged to a local girl.

    He sailed for France in September 1915 and was in the Battle of Loos and then the Battle of the Somme where he was killed by machine gun fire during the first assault.

    He is commemorated on a plaque in All Saints Church, Maidenhead, and also in Durban Cathedral and Pietermaritzburg Boys' College.

    Ken Smith




    236092

    Margaret Bessie Palmer

    <p>Margaret Palmer

    Margaret Palmer served as a cook at Bovington Camp, here in 1917 she met her husband Andrew Graham who was a machine gunnery instructor. Andrew and Margaret emigrated to New Zealand in 1920s and had two daughters.

    Her husband, Andrew Graham

    Peter Stevens




    236091

    Pte. James Francis Perry 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.11th September 1916)

    James Perry was killed at the Battle of the Somme (died of wounds). I have his medals.

    Dave Panting




    236089

    WO2 John Albert Harding MID, MSM. 111th Railway Coy. Royal Engineers

    John Albert Harding was attested on 18th November 1914 at the age of 35 and served in France during WWI. He was a foreman plate layer, most probably employed by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway. His railway experience was the likely reason for him being sent to the Royal Engineers Rail Corps. At home, he had a wife Amelia and four children (John Henry, William Frederick, Elsie Amelia and Amelia Ive).

    According to his military record, he was Mentioned in Despatches twice with one entry stating "Mentioned in the Despatch of General Sir D Haig. Published in the London Gazette 4 Jan 1917". General Sir Douglas Haig directed the British portion of the Battle of the Somme from 1st July to 18th November 1916.

    There was a period during the latter part of 1914, between 29th November and 1st December where John was promoted from Sapper to 2nd Corporal to Corporal and to Sergeant. One can only imagine why this rapid elevation in rank occurred, perhaps due to colleagues being killed or due to his own actions during the campaign?

    He was demobilised on 28th March 1919, having attained the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 (Company Sergeant Major). He returned to working on the railways, latterly becoming Superintendent of Permanent Way for Southern Railway (Permanent Way was a name for the rails).

    David Watson




    236088

    Pte. Henry William Brooks 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.25th November 1916)

    Henry Brooks was the second of four children born to Wilfred Brooks and Ellen (nee Sharp). He was born on 17th June 1894 at home at 3 Meon Road Acton the house is still there. By 1911 the family had moved to Strand-on-the-Green near Chiswick to 29 Geraldine Road again the house is still there. Coincidentally the next road to their home at this time is Brooks Road. Anyway, back to Henry. Sadly his service record did not survive the enemy bombing of the War Office which destroyed around two thirds of WW1 service records. It is fair to assume that he was conscripted under the 1916 Conscription Act sadly Henry was of the right age (over 19 and single) and he joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) attached to 29 Division, 86 Infantry Brigade.
    Nigel Brooks




    236086

    Pte. James Hennessey 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.8th August 1915)

    Pte Hennessey is mentioned on the war memorial at Dosthill, Warks as he worked at local Pooley Hall Colliery.

    He is buried at the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France.

    Ian Shuter




    236085

    Pte. William Henry Brown 12th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.16th June 1917)

    <p>

    William Brown was my great great uncle, brother to my great grandfather.

    Joshua Makoul




    236081

    Pte. Thomas Forrest 9th Light Horse Regiment

    We found Thomas William Forrest, 9th Light Horse Infantry, 22nd Reinforcement, on Embarkation Roll number 10/14/5. We discovered Thomas William 'by accident' whilst researching our ancestors, the Hawkes family from England who had assisted passage to Adelaide in 1853. The Hawkes family married into the Forrest family. We do know he was the son of Thomas and Margaret Forrest. His brother Private James Charles Forrest was in the 27th Battalion Unit, 14th Reinforcement. Embarkation Roll Number 23/44/4. He Returned to Australia 15th May 1919.





    236079

    Able Sea. William James Fuller HMS Blanche

    William Fuller was employed as a warehouseman until December 1916 when he became eligible to serve his country. He enlisted in the Royal Navy for hostilities only and completed basic training at HMS Pembroke (Chatham). He was then posted as an ordinary seaman to HMS Blanche, a Blonde class scout cruiser, which had served at the Battle of Jutland. The ship was converted to a fast minelayer and took part in operations in the North Sea and also laying the Northern Mine Barrage. During her service she came under attack from surface ships and Zeppelin airships according to William's recollections.

    William was paid off from his duties on 12th April 1919 and in 1923 received a share of the Royal Navy Prize Fund. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.

    Douglas George Gray




    236078

    Stew. Henry Salter SS Raranga

    <p>

    In 1919 my father Henry Salter was a steward on board SS Raranga when it transported some Australian diggers from England to Australia. I have no other information but thought you may be interested in the photo which I believe shows some of the Australians on the ship. My father is in a sailors uniform at the back of the photo.

    Robin Salter




    236076

    Pte. John Robert Nelson 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.1917)

    I know John Nelson was 18 when he was killed according local records of service of members of New Brancepeth working men's club. According to these he was killed in Italy in 1917. I can't find any record of him at all regarding his service or Commonwealth War Graves but he is on the war memorial in New Brancepeth a former mining village just outside of Durham City.

    His eldest brother, James, was also in the 20th Battalion DLI and was killed on 28th July 1917 by artillery fire alongside one officer and 4 others. The officer has a grave and James is commemorated on the Menin Gate as well as the aforementioned memorial.

    If anyone could provide more information about John Robert Nelson I would be eternally grateful.

    Kevin Nelson




    236075

    Pte. James Hislop Easson C Coy. 31st Battalion

    665 Pte James Easson served with C Company, 31st Battalion AIF, 8th Brigade, 5th Division. He embarked from Melbourne on board the Wandilla on 8th November 1915. James trained in Egypt for six months before being transferred to France. He suffered a GSW (gun shot wound) back in an attack on the German trenches, near Fleurbeur, south of Armentieres on 21st July 1916.

    "I was most fortunate to get out of it as I did and experienced the pleasure of lying in a shell hole in no man's land for two days. I was unable to move at all when first hit, and only hunger and a keen desire to live induced me to crawl on all fours and eventually reach our lines. Old Fritz did his best to complete the job, but the nearest little bit of lead lodged in my tunic pocket. Quite a good shot, but not good enough". Flemington-Kensington Church News, July 1917.

    Nick Bertram




    236074

    Rflmn. Frank Pues 8th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.18th Aug 1917)

    Frank Pues was the fourth son of Arthur and Eliza Pues of County Down to lose his life in the Great War. He was just 18 years old at the time of his death. Young Frank succumbed to battle wounds sustained earlier. He is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey.

    Cora Pugh




    236072

    L/Cpl. William Henry Walstow MM Royal Engineers (d.20th May 1918)

    William Walstow is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave in the Cemetery of St Laurence, Wormley, Herts.





    236070

    Cpl. Henry Edward Withers 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    I am not related to Corporal Withers but have bought my husband a Somme poppy. The poppy commemorates the life of Corporal Henry Withers and I would like his name added to the list of those who fought and perished for their country.

    Karen Riddle




    236062

    Pte. Harry Yates 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.24th March 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Yates served with the 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters.

    Inscription

    Stuart Yates




    236061

    Pte. Alexander Macdonald 5th battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.12th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    My great uncle, Alexander Macdonald, was 17 years old when he joined the Army. He had tried when he was only 16 years old, but his mother found out and he had to wait until he was 17.

    Alexander was born at Culloden Ross & Cromarty, he was one of twelve children. His parents were Hector Macdonald of Skye & Christina MacRae. Alexander left many memories his time in service and we have many photographs of him alone and also with his unit during his years from 1913 to 1917. One comment on a photo with his unit " Aye smiling"

    First he joined the Lord Lovat Scouts, then transferred to the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. He was called Sandy by his family. His brother Kenneth also died in 1917 from war wounds, at least his mother was able to say goodbye to Kenneth, he was her first born child. He was 25 and married. His daughter, Ivy, was born three months after his death. Alexander was one of 200 men who died on that dreadful day at Passchendaele, Belgium on 12th of October 1917. His name appears in the Roll of Honour page 543 at the Cameron Highlanders Museum. Alexander is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial Cemetery, the largest War Cemetery in the world, where almost 12,000 souls are buried.

    Alexander was 21 years old when he died, he was greatly loved by his family, his many photographs, in particular, the one on his horse was on display in his parents home alongside one of his brother Kenneth, for future generations to admire and give eternal thanks to their sons and the many many brave men & women who gave their lives, to enable us to have the freedom we have today.

    Their memories will live on forever. I have inherited all the photographs, my cousin has his medals

    Flora Macdonald Kelly




    236057

    Pte. Richard William Henry Prout 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.21st Sep 1916 )

    Harry Prout is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of The Somme.

    Joanne Knight




    236048

    Pte. William Charles Wills 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.27th August 1918)

    William Wills was my grandmother's cousin.





    236045

    Pte. Maurice Flymm 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Maurice Flynn was born at Kilworth, near Castlelyons, Fermoy, County Cork on 9th December 1882. His father was a farmer and his mother died when he was young. His father (David) had re-married, his mother Hanah Lyons being his second wife. He had two half sisters one being Mary who married a Michael Bane, who like the husband of the other sister was in the Army. After Maurice's mother died he went to live with his sister Mary in Fermoy, but as the house was "too regimental", he left and became a groom for the Rices in the town.

    At the age of 15 years he joined the 9th King's Royal Rifle Corps, having given his age as 17 years. The 9th KRRC was the Old North Cork Militia Regiment which had its headquarters in Mallow from 5th December 1899. The Boer War commenced in 1899 shortly after he completed his training and he was drafted to South Africa with this Regiment. It is believed that he joined up with his best friend who died within two weeks of his arrival in South Africa.

    The one story he tells of this period relates to an incident when he was out scouting alone and came upon a group of Boers in a Wadi. These he single-handedly captured and led back to his camp, but prior to entering he was reminded that they still held guns in their saddle holsters and should be disarmed. They were obviously starving and glad to be captured in order to get fed.

    Also whilst in South Africa he was wounded, and spent some time convalescing there. He often spoke of Table Mountain in Capetown, as it was so impressive to him. During the campaign he is reputed to have saved the life of an officer. Although there is no documentary evidence of this heroic deed, Pte. Flynn was presented with a colt pistol by the grateful officer. This is now held in the museum at Fitzgerald's Park in Cork. Whilst in South Africa he appears to have travelled much, as he listed the following places under the heading 'My Travels in South Africa'.

  • 1. Cape Town
  • 2. Grun Point (Green Point)
  • 3. Warm Baths.
  • 4. Fourteen Streams.
  • 5. ( ) Naaupoort.
  • 6. (Tibus) Clifton's Farm-not found.
  • 7. (Stainburg) Reit River - not found.
  • 8. Bethany.
  • 9. (Arundel) Bethulie Bridge.
  • 10. Orange River.
  • 11. Kilmounts (charge with bayonets)- not found.
  • 12. Krugers Dorp.
  • 13. Newcastle.
  • 14. Dannhauser.
  • 15. Dundee.
  • 16. Lady Smith.
  • 17. Orange River Colony (Station).
  • 18. Glencoe.
  • 19. Modder River (Island & Hotel).
  • 20. Sunnyside.
  • 21. Colenso.
  • 22. Kimberley.
  • 23. Wittebergen.
  • 24. Springfontein.
  • 25. Reitfontein.
  • 26. Dreifontein.
  • 27. Jagerfontein.
  • 28. Colesburg.

    He returned to England on 7th July 1900 and on 13th July 1901 was listed as being entitled to the Queen's South African Medal with both the Cape Colony and Orange Free State Clasps. The above regiment was disbanded in Mallow in 1908. No soldier's papers were found in the thefiles at the Public Records Office. This is as expected, because he continued to serve in the Great War and the above papers are for those who were discharged to pension before 1913.

    Maurice is known to have spent some time in India and whilst there he contracted malaria. He suffered from bouts of this all his life which included the usual shivering and high temperatures. It is also known that he claimed to have often swum in the Ganges, and also spoke of being on service at the Himalayas. At some stage around this time he was stationed at Gosport, Hants., and operated there as a P.E. instructor. It is also known that he served in Duncannon Fort, Co. Wexford and Charles Fort in Kinsale Co. Cork, which he was very familiar with, particularly the stables.

    On his returning to Ireland he met up with Mary Sommerville whose father was an engineer in Co. Galway, and it appears that she was born out of wedlock. Mary was orphaned or given when young and went to live with relatives, the Rices at Bank House in Fermoy, the same family that Maurice had been groom to some years earlier. Mary was a live-in servant to the Rices and her cousin Sr. Veronica (Susan) Rice, was to become the Rev. Mother (later transferred to Youghal). Maurice and Mary were married in Mallow on 30th September 1905 and they went to live at Chapel Hill in Fermoy. The wedding was never approved of by Mary's relatives and, after they eloped, the Rices stopped any inheritance she may have been entitled to, including property in Taylor's Hill, Galway and did not contact her for many years. There were a few brief meetings eventually when they were living in Glaunthaune. Mary Sommerville had eight children,listed below.

  • William Anthony born on 22nd August 1906, died on 19th April 1958.
  • Maurice Christopher born on 23rd November 1907, died on 7th May 1908.
  • Eileen born on 8th March 1910 in Glasgow, died on 28th June 1976.
  • Maurice Joseph born on 27th November 1911, died on 9th December 1911.
  • David Benedict born on 4th January 1913, died on 4th December 1914. (Buried with military band in Tralee near the barracks.)
  • Ruby Harriet born on 9th March 1915, died on 7th January 1924.
  • Maureen Veronica born on 4th June 1918.
  • Hannah born on 9th March 1924, died on 12th March aged 3 days.

    David was interred at the Military Cemetery in Tralee (Killerisk) on the following Saturday after his death, attended by many members of the Regiment (3rd Battalion), he was a very popular little boy with the regiment and the band played "The flower of the forest" at his grave side. His death was caused by food poisoning after eating contaminated 'bully beef' obtained from the Army stores, something Maurice never forgave the army for. On 9th March 1915, Ruby Harriet Patrica was born and she was baptized in Tralee on the 14th March 1915, she died in the fever hospital of diphtheria. They were living in Glounthaune, the local doctor was called but was drunk on arrival. Mary Flynn ran to Beamish's, Ashbourne House and they rang for an ambulance from Cork. They also contacted Maurice at Ryan's where he worked and William at O'Gilvie and Moores, Parnell Place, Cork. By the time she got to hospital she had choked to death. Combermere Lodge is just across the road from the rear entrance of Ashbourne House and Willie was very friendly with Richard (Dickie) Beamish, the son of the owner of Beamish's Brewery in Cork. They lived at Chapel Hill in Fermoy until 1910, when they moved to Glasgow. Maurice worked for Lever Bros, the soap manufacturers. The family lived at 4 Harrington Street, Maryhill, Glasgow.

    By 1913 he was again back in Ireland. Unfortunately the smog and cold of Glasgow had a detrimental effect on the health of the eldest child Willie, consequently he returned to the Army. He joined the Royal Munster Fusiliers at Ballymullan, Tralee, Co. Kerry. The ex-servicemen and reservists were mobilized on 4th August 1914 and as he wore 3 Good Conduct Chevrons, he must then have served over 12 years with the Army. The soldiers generally enlisted for 12 years - 7 years with the Colours and the final 5 years in the reserves.

    His 12 years were up therefore, certainly by 1911. However he entered the Special Reserves after his return from Scotland, thereby joining the Royal Munster Fusiliers. Upon mobilization he was Pte 6663 with the 3rd Royal Munster Fusiliers who moved to Cork during October/November 1914. They moved to Aghada in East Cork in May 1915, which consisted of a camp on the grounds of Hadwell House. The 3rd Battalion R.M.F. were a Special Reserve, and were to be used to replenish the dead or wounded of the 1st or 2nd R.M.F. Battalions on active service

    On 19th April 1916 he sailed for France by ferry from Folkestone to Bologne in a reinforcing draft. (It is also possible that he may have been to France/Flanders on a previous occasion as he wore four blue chevrons representing 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918 on active service.) Here he joined the 1st Battalion on active service, recently returned from their disastrous near annihilation on 'V' Beach. He was wounded shortly before 2nd August 1916 whilst with the 1st R.M.F. They served with the 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. This wound appears not serious (flesh wound in the leg) as a silver wound badge was not recorded as having been awarded. He appears to have served the remainder of the war in France and Flanders and suffered the after effects of a gas attack, something which was to plague him all his life. The only story he told of killing the enemy relates to a German sniper operating from a tree who had killed five of his colleagues. He waited until dark when he could identify the position of the sniper by the flash from his gun to shoot and kill the slayer of his mates. All his life subsequently he smoked his cigarette with the lighted end towards the palm so as not to show a glimmer at night.

    A story is told that whilst on active service he struck up a friendship with a young soldier, the son of an Anglican Minister. Pte. Flynn wrote a letter to the soldier's family after his death, detailing the circumstances. In return, the family presented him with a pocket watch, and a ring as mementoes. The family kept in touch with Maurice for many years after the War.

    Fergus Britton




  • 236032

    Pte. James Killeen 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.15th September 1914)

    When tracing my family history, I located this man, James Killeen, who was my great uncle. He died, aged 28 years, on 15th September 1914 during the Retreat from Mons whilst serving as a private with the Coldstream Guards. There's an old photograph somewhere in our family of a soldier in a red tunic. I have just a poor photograph of that photograph, and understand no one knew who he was. The configuration of the buttons on the tunic seems to indicate Coldstream Guards.

    His age, home, city, address, date of death and marital status all matches. He was apparently married to a lady named Jane, but they had no children. I have no idea what happened to her, she's not known in our family, so far as I know.

    James is buried in a church cemetery in the village of Soupir, in France, and I'll make sure I visit next year to pay my respects, take a photo and leave a tribute. I am left with an infinitely sad feeling that he's somehow managed to come home into our family memory after all these years. I am immensely grateful for his sacrifice, courage and our freedom. James won't be forgotten again, and I will research more and make sure of that. We will certainly remember James, and if I can locate the photograph I will try to upload.

    Dennis Killeen




    236021

    Cpl. Cyrille Leblanc 44th Artillery Regiment

    My Grandfather Cyrille Leblanc returned from service in France on the 4th of Feb 1919. He served in France from 16th of September 1917 as an Artilleryman during several major engagements including St Mihiel,

    John C Leblanc




    236017

    L/Cpl William Patrick Lewis 4th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    <p>

    I never knew my grandfather William Lewis as he passed away in 1937 from illness. I only ever knew the story as told in the newspaper clipping about the death of his brother Thomas Frederick Lewis.

    Paul Lewis




    236016

    CQMS Charles Arnold 2nd Composite Btn., No 1 Coy. Border Regiment

    Company Quarter Master Sergeant Charles Arnold served at Mustapha Camp, Alexandria, Egypt in December 1915. The camp was on the sea. Despite having endured the worst Christmas dinner of his seven in the army by that time – the lack of Xmas pudding and walnuts was remarked upon – Charlie would happily have spent the duration of the war there. He was an Old Contemptible who had been badly wounded in August 1914 during the retreat from Mons. Sergeant Arnold was my grandfather and I am transcribing letters he wrote during the Great War to his future wife, my grandmother.

    Stephen Royle




    236010

    Pte. William Button 1/4th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    William Button served with the 4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.

    Kevin Smith




    235998

    Rflmn. Stephen James Jones 1/9th (Queen Victoria Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.29th Sep 1916)

    Stephen Jones served with the Queen Victoria Rifles, he was attached to 169th Trench Mortar Battery when he was killed. His son was born on 4th September 1916. It is not known if he was aware of the boy being born.

    Wayne Millard




    235997

    Pte. Thomas Purvis 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, Mum's dad, Thomas Purvis was wounded in 1917. He lost a leg and fingers, also head wound at Passenendale. When wounded he heard bagpipes playing. That's all I have known about his army life. Died about 1968.

    Dave




    235996

    Pte. J Ives MM. 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Pte Ives was my wife's grandfather. He was awarded the Military Medal. The Citation reads: "On 29th of September 1918 in front of Villers-Guislain, when his company attacked and was met by heavy machine gun and rifle fire, this man took command of a section which he led with marked success. He set a notable example of courage and initiative under fire to the men around him, and was largely instrumental in gaining and maintaining ground on one portion of the front. Awarded the Military Medal. Signed by. Lieut.-Colonel Commanding 1st Bn. Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment"

    Brian Ellis




    235995

    Sgt. Samuel Edward Hibbert 12th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Sam Hibbert served with 12th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment

    Simon Roberts




    235994

    Pte. George Petticrew 13th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.10th April 1918 )

    George Petticrew was my great uncle. We know nothing of his service except that he was killed on 10th April 1918 and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    James Petticrew




    235991

    Cpl. Herbert Chadwick Wilkinson 137th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Herbert Wilkinson served with the 137th Field Ambulance at the rank of corporal for the duration. Herbert was born on 23rd February 1894 in Bolton, Lancashire. His father, William, was 41 and his mother, Maria, was 38. He married Edna Hardman on 21st June 1924 in Bolton, Lancashire. They had two children during their marriage. He died on 6th December 1955 in Blackpool, Lancashire at the age of 61.

    Mike Wilkinson




    235984

    Lt. Maurice Stanley Craike-Pickering MC. 25th Machine Gun Battalion Machine Gun Corp (d.14th April 1918)

    My Great Great Uncle, Lieutenant Maurice Stanley Craike-Pickering MC. was son of Seth Pickering and his wife Mary Craike of Beverley East Yorkshire. He was born at Beverley in 1886 and educated at Beverley Grammar School. In 1901 he began work as an apprentice Cabinet Maker to his father who was a cabinet maker and shopkeeper in Beverley. He was Initiated into Constitutional Lodge No 294 Province of Yorkshire North and East Ridings and was a Joining Member of Maguncor Lodge. Later he became a Rubber Planter in Dutch Borneo.

    Commissioned and Gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant 13th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry 7th April 1915; transferred to the Machine Gun Corps 26th November 1915; served with the Expeditionary force in France and Flanders from March 1916. He was awarded the Military Cross (London Gazette 14th November 1916) "For conspicuous gallantry in action. with his machine gun with great courage and determination, repulsing an enemy counter-attack at a critical time".

    The husband of Jean Craike-Pickering of 29 Braidburn Court, Edinburgh, he was wounded at the First Battle of the Somme on the 15th September 1916. He died of his wounds in the Herbert Samuelson Hospital Brighton on the 14th April 1918 aged 32. Remembered with Honour in Brighton and Preston Cemetery. Sussex.

    Sarah-Louise Pegden




    235981

    Pte. G Cornock 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    My friend gave me a box of things he wasn't interested in keeping and in there were his family's decorations. I asked if he wanted them back and he said no, so I'm looking into finding anything I can and will give it all back whether he wants it or not. I do believe that G Cornock had a brother who is Cpl. A. Cornock who was a boxer and runner-up for the middle-weight Burma Divisional Tournament 1913. I have already found more information about his uncle who was on the HMCS Hood.

    If you are able to help with anything on G. Cornock or A. Cornock I would be very grateful.

    Larry Taverner




    235980

    Pte. Jacob David Beaver 39th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Jacob D Beaver was my grandfather. He enlisted into the 39th Fusiliers as a non-national American as he was attracted to the concept of Zionism. He was transported to Canada Nova Scotia to begin training. Eventually he was transported with the rest of the American contingent to Palestine where he did see combat but avoided injury. He was a simple man with very strong convictions as he originally was from Russia where being a Jew brought many hazards for simple being a Jew. He always felt those childhood prejudices and pogroms would end if the Jews had a homeland. I was lucky enough to visit the museum near Netanya in Israel and see and feel his service during World War I.

    Kenneth Lewis




    235977

    Pte. Thomas Edward Beaver 2/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.15th April 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Beaver was my great uncle. He was born at Langley Mill, near Heanor, Derbyshire on 5th May 1899, the eighth child (of eleven) of Charles Beaver (a coal miner) and his wife, Mary (nee Williamson). A coal miner himself after leaving school, he enlisted in the 3rd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters on 18th September 1915 and received the number 30924. However, he was discharged at Sunderland on 16th of November 1915 "having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment". However, two years later at the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters again and received the number 42886.

    Arriving in France at the beginning of April 1918, he and his unit were immediately transferred to the 2/6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Unfortunately, however, he was reported missing presumed killed during the Battle of Bailleul on 15th April 1918. His distraught mother always believed that he would come home and was suffering from shellshock. She even sought to make her way to France to find him herself. However, the Germans had overrun the British positions at Bailleul in their last major offensive in the West, and his body was not recovered until after the war. He is buried at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension. He was unmarried.

    Shane Beaver




    235973

    Pte. John Crawford DCM. 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    <p>

    John Crawford was wounded in action in France. He was awarded the DCM "For conspicuous gallantry on many occasions in conveying messages under heavy shell and rifle fire and for zeal and coolness in the performance of his duties".

    Stuart Crawford




    235970

    Capt. Harry King 11th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Capt. Harry King of the 11th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment was attached to the 3rd Kings Hussars when he was killed.





    235960

    Pte. Herbert Walker 8th Btn., C Coy. East Surrey Regiment (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Herbert Walker was one of a number of former pupils from Ipswich School who were killed in WW1. He has no grave but his name is on the Tyne Cot Memorial near Ypres.

    Alasdair Ross




    235939

    Gnr. Charles Herbert Cannon 48th Brigade, 155 Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Apparently, my grandfather, Charles Cannon volunteered on the 4th of August 1914 aged 19. Before the war he had worked as a gardener, but his father was a drayman in Hertford for the McMullen Brewery, so he was familiar with horses, hence I believe his recruitment to the RFA. The 48th Brigade was part of the 14th (Light) Division that was sent to France in May 1915. From the available material he would have seen action several times, including the Somme. The Brigade left the Division in January 1917 to form a new Army Brigade, but I have been unable to trace him after this time. However he was in England in December 1917 when he married my grandmother in Hertford. He returned to civilian life as a gardener in Ingatestone and for the Colchester Parks Department. He died in 1957.

    Steve Cannon




    235937

    Rflmn. Ernest John Orchard 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.2nd August 1917)

    Ernest John Orchard was born on 7th September 1890 in Camberwell, Surrey. His parents were George Henry Orchard and Sarah (nee Pyke). Ernest was the eldest of three sons. His brothers were William and Edwin George, he also had three sisters - Annie, Amelia and Amy Kate. The address on the Baptism page is 23 Alma Terrace, the family were still at this address in 1891 (census). Alma Terrace was later renamed Redan Terrace. Ernest was baptised on 7th June 1891 at St James the Apostle Knatchbull Road, Lambeth.

    By 1901 the family lived at 3 Gordon Grove, Lambeth and by the 1911 Census they were living at 21 Redan Terrace, Flaxman Road, Camberwell. in the 1911 Census Ernest was employed carman at a laundry. (A carman was a driver of horse drawn vehicles for transporting goods.) The nearest laundry at the time was Walton Lodge Laundry Cold Harbour Road.

    In 1915 (in the Jan/Feb Mar quarter) Ernest married Charlotte Sarah Glanville in Lambeth. Their daughter Violet K was born in (in the Jan/Feb Mar quarter) 1916.

    By May 1915 Ernest had volunteered for the military, and enlisted with the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own), his Regimental number was S/28912 with the rank of rifleman. After completion of his training he was posted to the Western Front. The National Roll of the Great War, 1914-1918 states Ernest was killed in action at Messines on 31st July 1917, but the Register of soldiers' effects and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cite his death as 2nd August 1917. He, along with his brother, are inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

    Maggie Orchard




    235933

    Pte. Isaac Thompson 19th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    I only found out about great uncle Isaac Thompson when I was researching our family tree. My granddad his older brother who also fought at the Somme in the Border Regiment, but survived.

    P Hetherington




    235932

    Pte. Frederick Thomas Savage 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

    Frederick Savage served in Malta until the outbreak of WWI. He was brought home and sent to the front with the British Expeditionary Force. He was gassed near Bethune and spent the remainder of the war in hospital.





    235929

    Pte. Charles Albert Huntington 15th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    Charles Huntington originally served with the Essex Regiment then through amalgamations in 15th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He served in KOYLI as part of BAOR in 1919. Charles survived the war and died aged 87.

    Charles Albert Huntington 15th KOYLI on left. Soldier on right is unknown





    235926

    Pte. Richard James Eddy 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.19th July 1916)

    Richard James Eddy's brother, William Lewis Eddy, died in March of the same year in Mesopotamia at the battle of Dujalah Redoubt. His brother Reginald [Sidney] survived.





    235923

    Gnr. William Thomas Colloby 16th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    William Thomas Colloby was a coal miner by trade. His 'burnt' records show that he signed for General Service on 12th December 1915, a month after the birth of his first child, and was assigned to the reserves, as a Private, on 13th December 1915. He was posted, as a gunner, to the RGA on 16th March 1917; posted to the BEF on 8th May 1917 and to the 16th Heavy Bty on 24th May 1917. He was wounded in action on 4th September 1917 with a gun shot wound to the right foot and was sent to the General Hospital in Boulogne on 7th September 1917, casualty list HA 13901. Next of kin were informed on 18th September 1917. He was discharged, back to base depot, on 8th December 1917 and then reposted on 14th December 1917. He was recorded as having leave to the UK, from 7th to 21st February 1918. His records were processed by the RGA on 30December 1918; he proceeded to Chisledon discharge centre on 1st January 1918. His papers show that he was transferred to Class 'Z' Army Reserves on demobilisation on 31st January 1919 for release as a miner. He returned home, to Wilnecote, to his wife Alice and his daughter Brenda (my gran). On 29th November 1921 William signed to acknowledge receipt of the British War and Victory Medals.





    235921

    Pte. William Bradley 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.13th February 1915)

    William Bradley enlisted with the National Volunteers following John Redmond's call to fight for other small nations. Just under 300 nationalists from Derry answered this call and they were led by Redmond's brother, who had already been imprisoned twice for his Irish Nationalist ideals. William Bradley was one of the first to die, succumbing to illness at the Fermoy training camp in Cork where he was buried. His brother Fred joined at the same time and managed to survive for another year before dying of wounds received in Belgium.

    Mark Gillespie




    235919

    Sgt. Maurice Fleetwood Williams 104th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Sgt. Maurice Williams served with the Royal Engineers, 104th Field Company. He was taken prisoner on 22nd March 1918 and was imprisoned in Gustrow, Mecklenberg, Western Pomerania, Germany. Maurice left the camp on 11th January 1919.

    Mark Richardson




    235911

    Cpl. William Pearson 4th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1916)

    I found out about my great uncle, William Pearson, from an old photo of a girl named Sarah (whose surname I am withholding so as not to upset any living relatives). On the photo she sent to him was his rank and army number 12129, also his battalion, the 4th Worcestershire Regiment. He joined before 1911 as he was at Dover Castle with his regiment for the 1911 census. He was wounded on 20th October 1916 and died of wounds on 22nd October 1916.

    I am lucky that, with the help of my computer and that of all the organisations that put so much time and effort into gathering all this information, I could find out about him. Thanks to you all. Neither my father nor any of my family never spoke about it, so thank you Sarah for sending William that photo of yourself and all the information with it. I am writing this on the 17th October 2016 and will be remembering him on that day as I may be, at the age of 75, a direct descendant of him.

    Geoffrey Pearson




    235906

    L/Cpl. Fred Buckley 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1914)

    Fred Buckley was not his real name, his name was Abraham Wolstenholme. He lied about his age as he thought he would not have to enlist. He was a married man with three children; Lydia was his wife, and the children were Eva, Marjorie and Betsy (known as Bessie).

    His name on the Dewsbury War Memorial is A Wolstenhome, but his name on but his name on the Memorial on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial is Fred Buckley. He was my Great Grandfather

    Lynne Pike




    235905

    Pte. Robert Ferguson 1/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    <p>

    Robert Ferguson served with the 4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers.

    Robert Ferguson




    235903

    Rflmn. William Walter Hewett 18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn., C Coy. London Regiment (d.5th April 1918)

    <p>

    William Hewett served with C Company, London Irish Rifles.

    Keith Helliwell




    235902

    Sgt. John William "Jock" Boss MM. 42nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    With the outbreak of the WWI, John Boss enlisted in the Royal Scots on the 16th of December 1914, and was assigned to B Company of the 1/8th Battalion. B company was located at Tranent, and had their drill station at Ormiston. His battalion initially took up position on the Scottish coastal defences. John received his six week gunnery training at the Training Centre at Belton Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire, and served in the Machine Gun section of the 1/8th Battalion. He was then sent to France around early to mid 1915 to join up with the battalion.

    On the 24th of July 1916 John was compulsorily transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and was based temporarily for further training at the MGC base in Camiers on the northern coast of France. In early 1917, he was transferred to the 126th Brigade Machine Gun Company. On the 23rd of Feb 1918, the 126th Brigade Machine Gun Company, along with the 125th, 127th and 268th Brigade MG companies combined to form the 42nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps, attached to the 42nd Division of the British Army. Combining the machine gun companies took place to more efficiently utilise the Vickers guns and men. This allowed them to be moved quickly and placed where they were most needed, instead of remaining attached to specific brigades. It also allowed the division to develop and use sophisticated MG tactics, which became the hallmark of the MGC in 1918.

    At this point the 42nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps was about 800 strong with 64 Vickers guns. The Battalion was divided into 4 Companies (A, B C and D), with each Company consisting of several Platoons. Each Platoon contained 8 sergeants, and each sergeant led a Section. By now a Sergeant John was in D Company, which was affiliated with the 126th Infantry Brigade, and he had charge of four Vickers machine guns and 24 men.

    During 1918, Sergeant Boss with his 42nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps was heavily engaged in the battles along the Western Front. And it was near Solesmes, during the Battle of The Selle in October 1918, that She was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. His citation read:

    No. 44491 Sgt. J.W. Boss, 42nd Machine Gun Corps Awarded the Military Medal: For great gallantry and devotion to duty near Solesmes on 20th of October 1918. During the advance of his unit, one of his guns came under heavy fire with some of the team wounded. He personally mounted the gun and continued to fire until the "spare numbers came up". His magnificent conduct and gallantry during the operations have been a fine example to the men under him. Signed: A. Solly-Flood, Major General, Commanding 42nd Division.

    With shells, both explosive and gas, accompanied by strafing machine gun fire from the German 25th Division. The decision had been made for a surprise night attack by the Third Army, at 2am on the morning of the 20th of October. However, before it could make the all-important thrust forward, the 42nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps and 42nd Division were tasked with the operation to push the allied line to the west, beyond the River Selle. It was during this action that his bravery won him the Military Medal.

    The section of the Selle that the Third Army had to contend with was more difficult terrain than that further north and south, and heavily defended. The river was about 30feet wide and 6-8feet deep and all bridges had been destroyed, making advance of the Third Army impossible. Along the eastern side of the Selle was a railway embankment with branch lines forming an elongated triangular plateau, an ideal defensive position where numerous German machine gun posts had dug in. Above that was a very steep ridge providing the German 25th Division with the high ground covering the north, south and west.

    On the evening of the 19th of October, D Company along with the 126th Infantry Brigade, moved into assembly positions west of the Selle River. The situation of the front during the day was relatively normal, with hostile artillery and machine gun activity. At 2am on the 20th of October, the offensive resumed. Conditions were dark with heavy rain and the slopes on the eastern side of the river muddy and slippery. The 42nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps was crucial in providing a barrage for the assault, as well as moving forward with the 42nd Division across the Selle. C company along with the Auckland NZ MG company provided the machine gun barrage cover for the 126th Infantry Brigade who, along with A and D companies of the 42nd Battalion MGC, pushed across the Selle River. Intense fire from enemy machine guns could be seen raining down onto the river while John in D company and A company carried their Vickers across with pack animals. Once the plateau was taken, both companies set up their HQs in the railway cutting. A and D companies proceeded to attack the ridge. During this operation they encountered hostile patrols, dug-in infantry and machine gun posts. Once the ridge and high ground to the east had been secured, A and D companies dug in to defend their position. From their positions, during the morning in very dull conditions with fine rain, they provided the barrage cover for the 127th Infantry Brigade, who pushed forward and leapfrogged the 126th Infantry Brigade. During this assault they fired 57,000 rounds fired from their Vickers. At around 13.00hrs, D company consolidated their position and A company took up fresh positions to protect the right flank, owing to the neighboring Division to the right of the 42nd Division not having been able to take the high ground. Later that afternoon, A and D companies provided barrage cover when the neighboring division re-attacked with the assistance of the 127th Infantry Brigade to gain and secure the high ground on the right flank.

    The official war diaries of the 42nd Battalion MGC states "Throughout the day hostile artillery and MGs displayed great activity. The whole area was consistently shelled". The assault by the 42nd Division on the 20th of October paved the way for heavy artillery to be brought forward ready for the final assault on the 23rd October, through the town of Solesmes and onto Maubeuge.

    John Boss survived the war, and soon afterwards immigrated to Mildura in Victoria, Australia. With the outbreak of WWII he enlisted in the Australian Army, served as a machine gun trainer and attained the rank of Warrant Officer II. He died in Mildura in 1975.

    Sergeants of the 42nd Batallion MGC. John William Boss is second from the right, back row.

    Wal Collins




    235900

    Cpl. Edward Wilson 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My Grandfather Edward Wilson fought with the BEF and was with the 1st Royal Irish Rifles though all its battles. Was wounded 3 times and returned to Belfast to get married and become a tram driver.

    Edward Wilson




    235899

    Pte. Thomas King 17th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.22nd May 1916)

    Thomas King was killed on the 22nd of May 1916. He was 32 years old, son of Thomas and Eliza King of Keyworth, Nottingham, husband of Lydia H. King of 10, Allen St., Hucknall, Notts.





    235897

    Sgt. Edward Arnold 11th Battalion Royal Warwickshire (d.17th Nov 1916)

    Edward Arnold is my great grandfather, I believe he suffered wounds on 13th November 1916 at the Battle of Ancre on the Somme and died four days later. I really would love to find out more. He was formerly with the Lancers. and I really do not know much more than that.

    Melanie Missin




    235895

    Pte. Joseph Henry Bratt 9th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.15th May 1918)

    Joseph Bratt was the son of Cyril and Edith Bratt of Pool End, Rudyard, Leek, Staffs.





    235894

    Pte. John Parker Horse Transport Army Service Corps (d.24th Sep 1918)

    John Parker (known as Jack) was my great uncle. He was born at Crow Trees Farm, Whitechapel, Lancashire on 23rd December 1893. His service numbers are 36010 and 57178. He was assigned to the Horse Transport ASC part of the West Yorkshire Regiment. I have found pieces of his service record which states he went to Egypt, the Mediterranean and France. I have a copy of a letter from my Great Granddad mentioning Jack being in the Dardanelles and a couple of pictures of him in uniform, one on his own and another with a small group at Catterick Camp.

    Jack was 20 years and 10 months old when he enlisted. He was 5ft 7" tall, weighed 130lbs (9st 4lb)had a fresh complexion, brown eyes, light brown hair, was C of E and was found fit for service in the Army Service Corps Horse Transport Division.

    He died on 24th September 1918 aged 24 and is now buried in Chapelle British Cemetery, Honlon, West North West of St. Quentin. I have a letter from the War Office informing my great grandmother that his body has not been found but if they find it they will contact her with the details.

    Denise Shuttleworth




    235892

    Rflmn. Sidney Henry Nobbs 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    Sid Nobbs is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Paul Owen




    235891

    Pte. George Owens 7th Battalion, C Company Wiltshire Regiment

    George Owens was my granddad on my mother's side. He served with the Wiltshire Regiment in C Company, 7th Service Battalion. George was discharged from the Army on the 23rd of April 1918, due to a gunshot wound to his left arm he received in France on the 23rd of August 1916. He was sent back to England by ambulance train. Admission no. 8850 ward designation SS. George received the British War Medal, the Victory Medal, and a Silver war badge no. 360906.

    Janet Ridgway




    235887

    Pte. Charles A. Pasterfield Essex Regiment British Army

    Charles Pasterfield joined Essex Regiment in 1910. He was discharged on 25th of July 1916 due to injuries received, being shot through the shoulder thus losing the use of his arm and hand.

    Leslie Woolmer




    235881

    Lt. John Cutcliffe 9th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Aug 1918)

    John Cutliffe was born in Dawlish in 1887. He died 26 August 1918, aged 31. He was a lieutenant in the East Yorkshire Regt, 2nd Battalion, attached to Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regt, 9th Battalion.

    It is not clear where John Cutcliffe was for the 1911 census and he may have joined the Army and been serving abroad. There is a record at the National Archives, Kew, which contains copies of telegrams, as follow:

    • 18-9-16 to Mrs Cutcliffe, 16 Camden Gardens, Uxbridge - Beg to inform you that 2nd Lieut J Cutcliffe, 2nd East Yorks, admitted 42 General Hospital, Salonica August 31, sick, any further news will be sent.
    • 10-10-16 to Mrs E Cutcliffe, 82 Holland Park Avenue [London W] Beg to inform you that 2nd Lieut J Cutcliffe, 2nd East Yorks discharged from 42 General Hospital, Salonica Sept 25 after treatment for malaria.
    • 16-12-16 to Mrs E Cutcliffe, 82 Holland Park Avenue [London W] Beg to inform you that 2nd Lieut J Cutcliffe, 2nd East Yorks transferred to Insulanfa Military Hospital Malta November thirtieth for treatment for dysentery following malaria.
    • 12-1-17 to Mrs E Cutcliffe, 2 Batoun Gardens, West Kensington Beg to inform you that 2nd Lieut J Cutcliffe, 2nd East Yorks left Malta for England Jan seventh.
    • 31-8-18 to Mrs E Cutcliffe, 2 Batoun Gardens, Deeply regret Lt J Cutcliffe, East Yorks attached 9th West Ridings killed in action August 26th. Army Council expresses sympathy.
    Dawlish WW1 Project

    Robert Vickery




    235871

    Pte. George William Allcroft Royal Fusiliers

    George Allcroft was captured during the Germany's Operation Michael on 21st March 1918. He told his daughter after the war, that he had been taken prisoner while tending to an injured soldier in a dug-out.

    Douglas Johnstone




    235869

    Pte. Arthur Charles Brown 18th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.26th March 1918)

    Arthur Brown was from Millwall, Isle of Dogs. He was conscripted aged 18 into the 18th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers. Arthur was described by my grandmother, who died in 1998 aged 98, as 'a really lovely boy' and she mourned him until she died. He has no known grave but is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, panel.

    John Stone




    235868

    Cpl. James Henry Coulson 2nd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st October 1915)

    My great grandfather, James Coulson served with the 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, I am desperately looking for any photographs taken during his service.





    235867

    Pte. Horace J Chapman 2nd Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.10th May 1915)

    Horace J Chapman was my maternal grandmother's nephew, who is remembered on the Menin Gate memorial to the Missing in Ypres. I was looking, if possible, for more information about him, and any possible photos. I have a newspaper photo from our local paper The Ross-Shire Journal, which isn't very good. I would dearly love to know more about Horace.

    Marcelle Ross




    235865

    Sgt. William McDougall MM. 32nd Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    William McDougall was originally with the 6th Btn Seaforth Highlanders before transferring to the M.G.C. on the 12th of October 1916. He won the Military Medal in France but I can not find the citation. He was Gazetted March 17 1919 and also qualified for the British War Medal (which I have) and the Victory Medal. If anyone can add more information it would be appreciated.





    235864

    L.Sto. George Stamp Dartnell HMS Grasshopper

    <p>

    George Dartnell joined the Royal Navy in 1909 as a stoker. He signed on for 12 years at Chatham, Kent. He mainly served on destroyers. The photo attached shows him in his naval uniform as a leading stoker with one long service strip and hat band with HMS Grasshopper. Dating this photo taken between March and April 1914, according to his service records. He was demombed in June 1921.

    Michael Robinson




    235860

    L/Cpl. Alexander Allan Donaldson 2nd Battalion Queens Own Cameron Highalnders (d.11th May 1915)

    <p>

    Lance Corporal Alexander Donaldson was killed on the 11th May 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres. He was involved in fighting near the small village of Hooge, his body was never recovered, he left behind a daughter who was less than one year old. He had previously worked in the Singer sewing machine factory in Clydebank.

    Greg Robinson




    235854

    Pte. Albert Bous Tranberg 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Albert Tranberg served with the 5th, 6th and 6/8th Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers

    Lesley




    235850

    A/Cpl. Frederick Whitwham 9th Btn. (d.13th Dec 1917)

    Fred Whitwham is a relation of my husband, I came across him while researching my husband's family history Thought it would be nice to add his name in remembrance. He was just 21 years old in December 1917, when he died.

    Rosemary Whitwham




    235631

    Pte. Ernest Charles Robert Brown 2nd Btn. Linconshire Regiment

    Ernest Brown first enlisted as a regular soldier in 1910 and in 1911 was serving with the Battalion in Victoria Barracks, Portsmouth. His service records were among those destroyed in the WW2 Blitz destruction of Army Records, so his details are not available. His medal record cards indicate that he disembarked in France with the BEF on 5th of November 1914 and served with his Battalion in a number of actions until wounded in August 1915.

    He sustained considerable damage to his right hand and arm and back, which effectively disabled him from his previous profession as a time-served carpenter, although he was able to work on small jobs at a home workshop. He was discharged as unfit for further military service on 28th February 1916. He was awarded a disability pension in 1921. He was awarded the War Medal, Victory Medal and the 1914 Star.

    He died at home in Charlton, Kent on 17th April 1954, survived by his wife Lily and five adult children and his grandchildren.

    Ernie Feasey




    235617

    Pte. Arthur Cameron 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.15th July 1916)

    Arthur Cameron was my grandfather. He was killed at the Somme on 15th July 1916. He lay in a shallow grave on the battlefield before being re-exhumed, along with another three Argylls on 31st July 1919, and interred in Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz.

    Richard Cameron




    235612

    Sgt. Richard Carter Flattely 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th June 1917)

    We don't know very much about Richard Flattely, but have been researching for my daughter's history project.

    Born in 1888, formerly a general labourer, he joined the the Durham Light Infantry in 1914. He died of wounds on 28th June 1917 aged 28 and is laid to rest in Etaples, Flanders, France.

    Roger Povey




    235610

    L/Cpl. John Humphrey Dodgson 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    My great grandad, John Dodgson, was born on 20th February 1885 at St Peter's, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne. He joined the 8th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers on 18th of August 1914 as Private 4501, and by the end of his service on 24th January 1919 he had been promoted to Lance Corporal.

    He saw action in Gallipoli with his regiment who took part in the invasion of Suvla Bay on 6th of August 1915. I assume he was injured at some point during the Gallipoli campaign as he was dicharged from the 8th Battalion and redeployed to the 21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish) at the Somme in France, some time between July 1916 and December 1917. Unfortunately, we don't know any more details of his service with the 21st Battalion who he served with until he was demobbed. He returned to his home on River Street, St Peter's, Byker, Newcastle, working as stone quarry labourer and died of chronic bronchitis on 24th December 1930 at the age of 45.

    John Dodgson on right





    235605

    Gnr. Charles Alfred Ridgley 170 Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st March 1918)

    Charles Ridgley is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France.

    Jon




    235601

    Dvr. William Charles Taylor Royal Field Artillery

    William Taylor was born 3rd December 1882 in Brighton, Lewes, Sussex, England. He served as a driver with the Royal Field Artillery and spent time with his regiment in India. He married Evelyn Florence Wright on 18th July 1925 in South Australia and died 9th January 1933 of typhoid fever in South Australia. His first daughter was born in 1922 in Lake Wangary, South Australia therefore he must have travelled from England before this year. My elderly friend, his son, is searching for information with my assistance. So far I am unable to find anything and have come to a dead end.

    Gianna Sudholz




    235597

    2nd Lt. Leslie Stewart Cole 3rd Btn. att. 2nd Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Second Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion attached 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Killed in action at Loos 3 October 1915. Aged 24. Son of Henry Alexander and Rhoda Cole, of The Homestead, Vyner Rd., Bidston, Cheshire. Educated at Uppingham School and Clare College, Cambridge. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918: "Cole, Leslie Stewart, 2nd Lieut., 3rd (Reserve), attd. 2nd (22nd. Foot), Battn. The Cheshire Regt., eldest s. of Henry Alexander Cole, of The Homestead, Bidston, co. Chester, by his wife, Rhoda, 19 May, 1891; educ. Uppingham School, and Clare College, Cambridge; subsequently joined his father's firm, Messrs. Henry A. Cole & Co. Ltd., Liverpool and Birkenhead, of which he was the prospective head; volunteered his services on the outbreak of war, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. 3rd Cheshire Regt. 15 Aug. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from May, being then attached to the 2nd Battn. as Machine Gun Officer, and was killed in action at the Hohenzollern Redoubt, during the Battle of Loos, 3 Oct. 1915, while in command of the machine guns. A brother officer, who was wounded in the same action, wrote: "He was always cheery and welcomed wherever he went. His men had the greatest regard for him, and would have followed him anywhere. I had not seen him in real action until we met in the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and I was struck by his remarkable coolness and bravery under the terrible ordeal. He was working his guns with deadly effect to the attacking enemy, and holding them in check, completely stopping their rushes and for a time saving our line from being surrounded. He died in a noble attempt to save his comrades.""

    I am researching the names on the 1914-1919 War Memorial in my local church (St Oswald's, Bidston).

    Ian Sword




    235577

    Capt. Edward Roy Taylor MC. 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.23rd Oct 1918 )

    <p>

    Captain Edward Taylor was killed in action in Sambre Canal, just north of Catillion.





    235575

    2nd Lt. Lewis George Bates 6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.24th May 1916)

    Lewis Bates was the eldest son of George Edwin and Annie Emma Bates of Dartmouth, Devon Born 1896. He died of his wounds on 24th May 1916 aged 21. He is buried at Baghdad's North Gate Cemetery. He is listed on the Dartmouth War memorial, which is located in the Royal Avenue Gardens in Dartmouth. He is also listed within St Saviour's Church, Dartmouth on The War Memorial Board therein & again on the Torquay secondary school 1914 - 1918 war memorial plaque where he had been a student. Sadly I do not have any more information to give about my Great Uncle.

    H Bates




    235571

    L/Cpl. Stanley Arthur James Vollans 8th Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    Stanley Vollans was called up on the 6th of October 1916. Originally he served with the 218th Machine Gun Company, which amalgamated into the 8th Battalion MGC on the 20th of January 1918. He was wounded and captured on the 24th of April 1918 at the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux and was repatriated to London on the 4th of December 1918.

    Robert David Herbert




    235561

    Pte. Ernest Cordes Didsbury 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.24th Aug 1918)

    While researching The Didsbury family I noticed the relative - Ernest Didsbury. He was only 16 years 10 months old when he signed up, although he stated he was 17 years 10 months. After training he was passed fit for overseas on 11th June 1918. He died two months later on the Western Front. He was 5'4 3/4", 112 lbs, golden hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion and in good physical development. He was vaccinated on 5th November 1917 - could you tell me what for? He is buried in an unmarked grave at Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, France. His father John received £4.6.11 gratuity, a letter and a photo after his death.

    I would be most grateful for any further information.

    Shaun Kay




    235551

    L/Cpl. Arthur Edward Oakley 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company (d.10th Aug 1917)

    Arthur Oakley was detached from the 14th Australian Infantry Battalion to the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company from 8th of Oct 1916 to 15th May 1917. He died in a forward observation post that was hit by a HE shell. If you have any other information about Arthur it would be appreciated.

    Dean Oakley




    235549

    Pte. William Henry Parrott 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    Bill Parrott possibly signed up in November 1916. He served in France with the 8th Battalion from February 1917. Also served with the 9th and 1/4 Battalions. Possibly wounded whilst during battle. Later transferred to Labour Corps and Royal Fusiliers. He was demobilised in May 1919. Prior to (and after) the war he was a miner. Bill died in 1980.

    Mark Keeling




    235547

    Cpl. Frank Finden 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Finden served with the 15th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment.

    Kevin




    235533

    Pte. David Elliott 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th Sept 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle, David Elliott, was born in 1897 at Charlaw, Sacriston, County Durham. He was the son of Mary Jane Elliott of 1 High Pottery Yard, Newbottle and the late Robert Elliott. David's normal occupation was a coal miner.

    He enlisted at Houghton-Le-Spring on 28th of November 1914. David transferred to 6th Yorkshire Regiment from the 11th Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in action at Authuille, France on 15th September 1916. David is buried in Lonsdale Cemetery Authuille France.

    Dennis Cutts




    235525

    L.C.C. Richard James Lobb HMS Highflyer (d.26th Aug 1914)

    <p>

    There is a plaque dedicated to Leading Carpenter Crewman Richard James Lobb at Port Isaac, Cornwall in what was the Methodist Chapel but is now a shop and cafe. It reads: "In loving memory of our dear son Richard James Lobb L.C.C. who was killed in action on HMS Highflyer off the west coast of Africa, 26th August 1914."

    Lynne Freeman




    235523

    L/Cpl. Herbert William Castling 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th April 1918)

    <p>

    Herbert Castling was my great grandfather, the only son of my great great grandmother Mary and great great grandfather William of Gladstone House, Hesleden, County Durham. He himself had only one son, my grandfather, Herbert William Castling who was aged 7 when his father was killed on 8th April 1918.

    Headstone Trois Arbres

    Herbert's wife and son, my grandfather

    Ian Hogg




    235522

    Pte. George Ritson 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    George Ritson was born on 29th December 1890 and joined the 5th Militia Lancashire Fusiliers on 13th January 1908 service number 3133. He joined the regiment in the 2nd Battalion as a private on 6th March 1908 at 17 years and 3 months. His army record shows 18 years and 0 months. His service number was 1400.

    He sailed for France on 20th August 1914 as part of the BEF and saw 4 years and 1 month service during the war. He transferred to the Royal Engineers as a motorcycle dispatch rider on approximately 22nd March 1918 service number 359642. In April 1920 he was transferred to the reserves and discharged after completing 12 years service. He had the 1914 Star with the rose on his ribbon, also the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He continued in the reserves until April 1929. He was present at some of the greatest battles of the First World War. He died in Troon, Scotland in 1954.

    1918 as a Dispatch rider

    Discharge certificate

    1918 Dispatch rider

    Lancashire Fusiliers

    John Ritson




    235519

    Pte. Alban Cheetham 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.14th July 1917)

    Alban Cheetham was from Ancoats in Manchester. He originally joined the 8th Battalion Welsh Regiment on 20th September 1915 and served in the Balkans at Gallipoli. He died on 14th July 1917 "of accidental wounds" whilst serving with the 9th Battalion Welsh Regiment in the Passchendaele area. Alban is buried at Ballieul Communal Cemetery Extension Nord.

    Anthony White




    235516

    Pte. Bernard Rodgers 14th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.25th September 1916)

    From family stories Bernard Rodgers was killed by a mortar shell whilst attending to the injured during The Battle of Morval and is buried at Guillemont Road Cemetery.

    Both myself and my parents were the first family members to visit his grave since his death on the 100th anniversary of his death on 25th September 2016.





    235515

    Pte. Albert Edward Roberts 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.21st September 1915)

    Albert was born in India on 15th November 1878 and baptised on 18th December 1878 at Morar,Gwalior, India. He was the son of George and Mary Ann Roberts. (George was in the 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment for 22 years and stationed in India).

    The family returned to England and set up home in Durham where George became a prison warder and Albert became a miner. Albert married my grandmother Margaret Lewis on 26th April 1913 at Hebburn, Co Durham and my father was born on 20th April 1914. I don't have a date but he enlisted at Jarrow, Co Durham and died of dysentry in Malta. He is buried in Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.

    Albert Roberts




    235506

    Pte. Arthur George Mules 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1917)

    Arthur Mules is Remembered with Honour at Hooge Crater Cemetery. He served with 2nd Battalion. Royal Welsh Fusiliers and died on 26th of September 1917 aged 26 He was the brother of Mrs. Amy Martin, of 5 John St., Penarth, Cardiff. In Memory of Arthur Mules only he knows what happened.

    Peter




    235505

    Sgt. Joseph Smith MM. 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th May 1917)

    Joseph Smith was my wife's great uncle. He died on 12th of May 1917 and is remembered on the Arras memorial, having no known grave. We believe he was killed during the battle for the chemical works at Roeux. He had been awarded the Military Medal earlier in the war. We do not know where or why he was awarded this medal





    235504

    Ord.Sea. Thomas William Payne H.M.S. Turbulent (d.1st Jun 1916)

    Ordinary Seaman Payne was the Son of Charles and Ann Payne, of 24, Gough St., Woolwich, London. He was aged 18 when he died in the Battle of Jutland and is buried in the north-east of the church in the Skallerup Church Yard in Denmark.

    s flynn




    235503

    AE Charles Edgar Rees (d.31st May 1915)

    Artificer Engineer Rees was the Husband of Mary Rees, of Penzance Villa, St. Budeaux, Plymouth.

    He was 34 when he died and is buried in the Skagen Cemetery in Denmark, Grave 159.

    s flynn




    235499

    Able Sea. Norman Parkhurst Kemp HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    Norman Kemp was the son of Norman and Sarah Eleanor Kemp of 112 Faraday Rd., Wimbledon, Surrey.

    He was 20 when he died at the Battle of Jutland and is buried in the Skagen Cemetery in Denmark, Grave 161.

    S Flynn




    235497

    Pte. George Kerslake 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.29th Sep 1916)

    George Kerslake died of his wounds at Contay Clearing Station on 29th September 1916.

    Gerard Kerslake




    235496

    Pte. Lionel Barker 10th (Service) Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment

    My great great uncle, Lionel Barker, was wounded at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. His records show that he suffered a gun-shot wound to the arm. This resulted in amputation.

    I never knew the man, but proudly keep his service medals and Silver Wound Badge. My grandmother knew him well and spoke about him. Sadly, he struggled to accept his injury and would take to walking the back-streets to avoid people, rather than walking proud as a man who selflessly served his country. I suspect that this story is echoed by many veterans of WW1. I am proud of him and am honoured to be the custodian of his medals.

    Matthew Spedding




    235495

    Lt. W. A. Yeulett DFC (d.19th July 1918)

    Lieutenant Yeulett is buried in the Norre Havrvig Church Yard in Denmark.

    S Flynn




    235487

    L/Cpl. Henry Oscar Hendry MM. 1/7th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

    Henry Hendry was my great grandmother's brother. In 1911, aged 20, he lived with his parents William and Elizabeth at 1 Aline Road, West Ham, Essex and worked as an accounts clerk. He enlisted with the 1st/7th City of London Battalion as a Private, at Sun Street (date unknown).

    On 7th of October 1916 his battalion, part of the 47th Division, attacked the Butte de Warlencourt, during the Battle of The Somme. Henry was reported 'Missing presumed dead' after the attack and his name is carved on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Tina Pentney




    235486

    Cpl. Joseph Samuel Humphrey 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    Joe Humphrey served in the 4th and 11th Battalions of the Suffolk Regiment. He survived the war but had a damaged arm from the Battle of Arras. He died aged 33. He did not marry.

    Joe Third from Right

    Pauline Dodd




    235484

    Pte. Albert Woolford 11th Btn. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    I know very little about Albert Woolford other than he was one of my great uncles and was born in Croydon. His name is on the WW1 memorial in Dorking and on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

    Cliff Woolford




    235481

    Bmbdr. Frederick "Nobby" Clarkson 66th Company Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Frederick Clarkson was stationed in Jamaica with No. 66 Company RGA, when war broke out, he then went to France where he saw out the rest of the war, he re-enlisted in 1919.

    Tony Stothart




    235479

    Pte. Benjamin West 4th Regiment (d.7th Aug 1918)

    Pte Benjamin West, who was born at the Moravian Mission Station Genadendal in South Africa, was a tailor by profession who worked for Mr J Browning of Worcester in South Africa when he joined the army.

    He was wounded during May 1917 and spent May and June in the hospital in B.I Ward, South African Hospital, Richmond, Surrey. Between the 18th and 20th March 1918 he was gassed and sent to 9 General Lake Side Hospital near Rouen. After he was seriously wounded, he was admitted to the 18th C.C.S. in France on 19th July 1918 and died at 1.50 in the morning of 7th August 1918. He was buried at Longuenesse Souvenir Cemeterey, St Omer.

    Jaco Coetzee




    235475

    Pte. George Alexander Edwards 16th Btn. Royal Scots

    George Edwards served with the 16th Royal Scots. After the war he and his wife ran a grocery business in Downfield and was an active member of the local golf club.

    Scott Chambers




    235467

    Pte. Harold Wright 148th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.17th Nov 1917)

    In 1911 Harold Wright was living at 3 Canal Street in Openshaw with his mother and was a machine brush-maker for a velvet dyers firm - J and J.M Worral Ltd. He married Mary Milne in 1911.

    He was wounded while fighting in a machine gun company. He died of wounds and may have been wounded during the Battle of Poelkapelle on 9th of October. The War Diary for the 148th MG Company records that during November 1917 they, 148th MG Company, were in the line just to the north of Polygon Wood. They were using three sections for barrage fire and and one section for anti-aircraft. There was considerable aircraft activity during the mornings and subsequent heavy accurate shelling at night. This resulted in loss of four guns and many men and may have been when Harold was wounded. He is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery near Ypres.

    Paul Taylor




    235460

    Pte. William Noonan 13th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    William Noonan was born in Clonmel on 14th April 1873. He moved to Manchester and married Elizabeth McDonald on 20th August 1895, in Hulme, Manchester.

    On 8th September 1914 he joined the Army. He said he was 35, but we know he was 41. He lied about his age, maybe he was too old. His Army record shows: Army Reserve (special reservists) he completed three years service. Due to ill-health he was discharged on 9th July 1917. He had been posted to France from 07/09/1915 to 13/12/1916. He died six years later in Stockport of tuberculosis on 8th February 1923.

    Gary Noonan




    235453

    L/Sto. F. J. Jenner HMS Fortune (d.1st June 1916)

    Leading Stoker Jenner died in the Battle of Jutland and is buried south of the church in the Hvidbjert on AA Churchyard in Denmark.

    S Flynn




    235452

    Able Sea. Edwin Frank Herage HMS Fortune (d.1st June 1916)

    Edwin Herage was the son of Joseph and Kate E. Herage of 1 Railway Cottages, Union St., Farnborough, Hants.

    He was 22 when he died in the Battle of Jutland and is buried south of the church in the Hvidbjerg on AA Churchyard in Denmark.

    S Flynn




    235451

    Sto/1 W. H. Burgess HMS Tipperary (d.1st June 1916)

    Stoker 1st Class Burgess died at the Battle of Jutland and is buried south of the church in the Hvidbjerg on AA Churchyard in Denmark.

    S Flynn




    235438

    Cpl. Walter Street 13th (Barnsley Pals) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    My grandfather was Walter Street of Hope Street, Mapplewell, Barnsley. He was born in 1895 and was a miner. He enlisted with the Barnsley Pals on 7th of October 1914. His Commanding Officer was J Hewitt. He trained at Ripon and Cannock Chase Camps in Staffordhire. Below are the dates from his service records:
    • 28/1/15 Embarked for M.E.F. to Eygpt from Devonport
    • 11/3/16 Embarked for B.E.F. to France
    • 28/12/16 Married Sarah A Wright in Pontefract
    • 31/5/17 From O.C. Gold add pay @ 1/- (Tailor)
    • 23/9/17 From O.C. Unpaid acting Lance Corporal in the field
    • 30/9/17 From O.C. Appointed paid Lance Corporal
    • 13/12/18 Depot Posted Corporal - Medical sent home from France
    • 19/12/18 Furlough (unpaid) issued from Ripon Camp.

    Walter served four years and 102 days. He remarried in 1937 to Florence Preston who died 1951. He remarried in 1952 to Marion Isles. He was never divorced from my grandmother Sarah Ann Wright with whom he had two children.

    Mary Baker




    235436

    Cpl. Mark Silver King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.16th July 1916)

    Mark Silver was the father of Sergeant Fred Silver and Bugle Major Ruebin Silver also Band Sergeant Monnie Silver all Regulars of the KRRC and then Rifle Brigade.

    Fred Silver




    235434

    Pte. Samuel Mogg 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby) (d.12th October 1917)

    Samuel Mogg is included on the memorial tablet in St. Michael and All Angels, Alvaston Parish Church.

    Ian Webb




    235431

    Pte. Ivatt Wright 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th September 1917)

    Ivatt Wright was my uncle. He often visited his brother and family whenever he came home on leave during the Great War. Once he told my mother `I will see you again Ethel on your eighth birthday'. He never did, did he?

    John Boak




    235426

    Pte. George Thomas Kirk 8th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    George Kirk was my great uncle. We know very little about him although I have recently been in touch with Qube who are carrying out some research on the men named on the park gates in Oswestry. I have some paperwork sent from the War Office, including telegrams advising that he was missing and another confirming his death. I also have the death penny and scroll and a photograph and a painting. There are very few of us left now and nobody to ask for information.

    Paul Roberts




    235425

    Pte. Thomas Clifford 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    My maternal grandfather, Thomas Clifford joined the East Kent Regiment in 1916, despite being only 17 years of age. Also, he left home in Marylebone London, and travelled to Kent to join up, so that he could be sure his family would be unable to trace him. He was captured on 16th September 1917 at Poelcapelle and spent the rest of the war in Friedrichsfeld POW Camp, near Wesel in Germany.

    Terry Lomax




    235424

    Pte. Thomas Watson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th September 1917)

    Thomas Watson was killed and is buried in St Patrick's Cemetery, Loos.

    Susan




    235423

    Cpl. Bertie Barnard 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.14th Apr 1917)

    Corporal Bertie Barnard, of the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment was aged 32 when he died. I am his grandson looking for his memorial in the UK.

    Editor's note: Your grandfather is commemorated on the Attleborough War Memorial. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    Alan Barnard




    235422

    Capt. Francis Akenhead 5th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Francis Akenhead of Morgan and Co, Solicitors, Newport, Monmouthshire was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant of the 5th Battalion Manchester Regiment and attained the rank of Captain. He survived the Great War.

    David Akenhead




    235421

    Pte. Arthur Teeson 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.18th Nov 1916)

    Arthur Teeson was born in Ramsey, Huntingdonshire. He served in the 7th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). He died on Saturday, 18th November 1916 during the Battle of the Ancre.

    Bryan Teeson




    235420

    Spr. Richard Finighan 128th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.4th July 1917)

    My great-grandfather, Sapper Richard Finighan 65976 of the 128th Field Company Royal Engineers was killed. He is remembered on the Menin Gate memorial.

    Ally Finighan




    235418

    Pte. George Pearson Stothard Scots Guards

    An uncle of mine, George Pearson Stothard, was evacuated from France to the UK aboard the Mona`s Queen on 30th Sept 1918. He had suffered a `gunshot wound to the back` I have a copy of his war record.

    Charles Kewley




    235417

    Pte. Thomas Francis James 2nd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment

    Private Thomas Francis James served with the 2nd battalion Monmouthshire Regiment, service nos. 11569 and 267481. He was a soldier who served and survived the First World War only to die by drowning in a local feeder pond after a bout brought on by the effects of gas at Passchendaele.

    Terry Gravenor




    235416

    Horace Lloyd 2/5th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    My father, Horace Lloyd, 2/5 South Staffs T.F., is listed as wounded on the War Office Weekly Casualty List, Aug. 14th 1917, but in France 4.9.1916-28.7.1917. A shell landed in his trench. Three other men sitting around a card table with him were killed - he was blown into no-man's land then invalided to UK. I would like to know where the 2/5 S. Staffs were fighting at that time. He later became Pte 39868 Worc. Regiment.

    Norman Lloyd




    235415

    Rflmn. Joseph Hillas 2/7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th March 1918)

    I have just returned from helping to dedicate a memorial to the Bradford Pals in Bus Les Artois, but while out there I was privileged to lay a cross at the site of the trench outside the Village of Bucquoy in which my great uncle, Joe Hillas 241178 of the Prince Of Wales 7th Leeds Rifles, was killed. His body was never found and he is mentioned on the Arras Memorial.

    Paul Donnelly




    235414

    Pte. Joseph Victor Roe 1st Btn. West Kent Regiment

    My grandad Joseph Victor Rowe was in the 1st Battalion of the West Kents. He'd only rejoined them on 14th August 1914, he was a Reservist having been in the Army 1904-1907.

    He was reported missing on 24th August 1914, presumably at Mons. He spent the next 4 1/3 years in a prison camp in Germany, only returning to England in December 1918.

    Grahame Rowe




    235413

    Charles Bunn 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.8th Mar 1916)

    My Great Uncle Charles Bunn was killed on this day and is remembered on the Al Basra Memorial. I'd like to know where he was was he when killed. Did he die instantly or was he hospitalized first?

    Betty Dobson




    235402

    Sapper John Cattlin Lenehan 1st Australian Tunneling Company (d.6th Nov 1918)

    Our great great uncle John Lenehan served in the war. I believe he was at Hill 60 and Hill 63 by what I have followed in the War Diaries. He was injured on the 2nd if October 1918 and died on the 6th of November 1918 and was buried in Birmingham, England on the 11th. My sister and I will be trying to follow in his foot steps in Oct and Nov 2018. I you have any thing on him it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

    Chrisatine Bee




    235401

    Pte. Richard Thomas Stoddart 1st Battalion Scots Guards (d.10th Oct 1915)

    Richard Stoddard is remembered on the Loos Memorial. He had two brothers who were also soldiers and they died around same time.

    Irene Campbell




    235399

    Lt. James Wesley Mackenzie 9th (Service) Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    James Mackenzie was a medical student at Cambridge when he enlisted on 3rd September 1914 and was sent to France in May 1915. He was wounded twice in France and finished up being demobbed in 1920 in Egypt from where he joined the Palestine Police. It was in 1922, as assistant district commander of Galilee, that he drowned in the flooded River Jordan trying to save an Arab Inspector. He is buried in Palestine.

    Margaret Penfpold




    235397

    Sgt. Henry Percy Harris MM 8th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.17th November 1917)

    This is an extract from the book "For Our Tomorrow" about Combpyne-Rousdon in the First World War.

    Henry Harris was born in Combpyne in the spring of 1893, the first child of Eli and Amelia (Minnie) Harris, who went on to have a further ten children together. The Harris’s were long time residents of Combpyne having been in the village since at least the beginning of the nineteenth century. The family lived at Little Bulmoor Farm where Eli was a carter. By 1911 Henry had left home and lodged with coachman Charles Honeybun and his family in Chard Street, Axminster, working as a farm labourer. At some point Henry moved to Rose Cottage in Whitford and began work on the Rousdon Estate (39). No record of a marriage has been found but between 1911 and 1914 Henry decided to become a regular soldier and joined the 1st Battalion the Devonshire Regiment. He was with his battalion in Jersey when war was declared and entered the ‘theatre of war’ on 22 August 1914. His regimental number, 9430, suggests he joined up in 1912, possibly initially as a territorial.

    The 1st Devons landed at Le Havre on 22 August, where they joined ‘lines of communication’ defence troops, part of the BEF. Henry was rapidly in combat however as the battalion took part in the Battle of Le Cateau on 26th August, helping to hold up the German advance into France, and the Battle of the Marne in the second week of September which pushed back the Germans from the outskirts of Paris. Later in the autumn the battalion saw action at La Bassée and took part in the stand at Festubert.

    My research has found that he received the Military Medal for gallantry on the Western Front where he was wounded, repatriated to England to recover, which was when he died.

    Christine Needham




    235396

    Sgt. Thomas Whelan MM. 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>Thomas Whelan and his brothers

    Thomas Whelan MM served with 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire.

    Wendy




    235395

    William Frederick Hardley 26th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    William Hardley served with 26th Bty. Royal Field Artillery.

    Mike Hardley




    235392

    Pte. James Robert Seddon 11th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    James Seddon enlisted in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 11th November 1914 when he was 20 years old; he had worked down the mines as a collier from the age of 13 and thought that signing up to do his bit would be a great change and an opportunity not to be missed.

    He fought and was wounded three times at Ypres and the Somme. He was discharged at the end of the war but due to his injuries he was not able to go down the mines again and worked as a general labourer and later a postman. By the autumn of 1930 his health had started to deteriorate both physically and mentally and he spent an increasing amount of time out of work and in convalescence homes recovering from neurasthenia or shell shock.

    Finally in October 1930 he asked if he could have a War Pension this was refused and on the back of the envelope which held the letter refusing his pension he drafted this letter, where I cannot read the writing I have put x's.

    a) 15th November 1916 Mailly-Maillet in the fight for Beaumont Hamel I was sent to General Hospital at Le Havre and from there I was sent to XXX Hospital in Le Havre where I was x rayed and a piece of shrapnel was taken from xxx left eye. I stayed in hospital in Le Havre about a month and then I was xxxx xx Royal Infirmary Edinburgh then on to convalescence at Clifton Park House B/pool (King's Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital, Clifton Park, Blackpool. Under orders of Western Command, for men whose homes were in Lancashire or who belonged to Lancashire regiments from any command, Blackpool). Rejoining Reg(iment) May 1917

    c) As I was able to follow my employment I never xxx but I have always suffered from pain.

    He was again refused his War Pension but then his local Labour MP Alexander Haycock,heard of his story and intervened and one month later he got a letter awarding him his pension of 12 shillings (about 60 pence) per week.

    Jackie Seddon




    235388

    A/Cpl. Sidney A. Elwell 237th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    My maternal grandfather, Sidney Elwell, trained in Reading in November 1915 as a driver. I have a digitised copy of his diary, but part of it is missing. It begins in October 1916 and then jumps to May 1917. It mentions places: Poperinghe, Vermozeele, Booserenge, Hill 60, Pheasant Wood, St. Eloi and many more.

    He survived the war and returned to work at Stuarts Crystal Glassworks in Wordsley. He was foreman of the glass cutting shop and took me around the factory many times.

    Peter Barber




    235386

    Pte. William Osborne 51st Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.3rd July 1917)

    There is not much known about William Osborne, but he's my great uncle.

    Andrew Osborne




    235379

    Drmr. Roy Stuart Dundas 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.16th Nov 1916)

    Roy Dundas was a Drummer with the 7th Btn, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs). He was killed in action near Grandcourt, the Somme, France on 16th of November 1916, aged 19.

    Hugh Dundas




    235378

    Pte. Edward Clarke 48th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Edward Clarke was the brother of my grandmother Ellen Clarke. His mother wrote her a letter in 1917 giving this information. That's all I know about him.

    Margaret Van Dyke




    235376

    Cpl. Percy John Keen 216th (Nuneaton) Army Troops Coy. Royal Engineers (d.4th June 1917)

    <p>

    A brief description of the manner of Percy Keen's death and an idea of the part that he might have played in the Great War, is described in the text of "With the Rank and Pay of a Sapper" by James Sambrook as described to him by his father Arthur, along with the memories of a handful of members of 216th (Nuneaton) Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers, according to their various diaries and written reminiscenses. "At the end of May the Company went to Neuve Eglise, where the eglise was only a rag of a tower. There they occupied a few huts in a large camp established near the remains of the village, on a hill overlooking the quaint old fashioned town of Bailleul to the west. Their eastward view was dominated by the not so quaint Wytschaete-Messines ridge, described by John Buchan at this time as, a low hillside seamed with white trenches, and dotted with the debris of old woods, a bald, desolated height, arid as a brickfield, rising from the rank grass and yellow mustard of no-man's land. The landmarks on it were the ruins of the White Chateau at Holbeke, the dust heap which once was Wytschaete village, and the tooth of the ruined church of Messines.

    During the Great War the duties of the Royal Engineers were many and various not least in the course of preparations for the Battle of Messines. Among these was the construction of canvas reservoirs and the pipelines connecting them to the troops and services to the front line. The 216th had been sent to Neuve Eglise as part of the plan for the coming battle at Messines Ridge. They were placed at the disposal of the Chief Engineer of II Anzac Corps, whose headquarters was at Bailleul. They shared their present camp with a battalion of the 3rd Australian Division, commanded by Major-General Sir John Monash, a distinguished engineer in civilian life and one of the ablest new soldiers thrown up by the Great War. Monash was a careful planner and considerate commander, as too was the cautious, methodical, imperturbable General Sir Herbert Plumer, Commander in Chief of the Second Army of which II Anzac Corps now formed a part.

    The 216th Company was kept busy on several projects. For about a fortnight before the attack, which started on 7th June, they laid corduroy tracks in places where the ground was soft. These were made of slabs, chiefly of elm or beech, ten to twelve feet long, one foot across, and three inches thick, cut by forestry companies of Royal Engineers in the rear areas. The ground was prepared by digging side drains and filling shell holes with the spoil and any available rubble and wreckage; four or five slabs were laid lengthwise as runners and the others, laid crosswise and spiked to the runners, made the surface; half-round pine logs along each edge made a kerb, intended to keep wheels on the track. The work was done at night, all materials cleared away and the track camouflaged before daybreak. In the unending struggle against mud and shellfire, which constituted warfare in Flanders, these rapidly laid timber roads were essential for the movement of ammunition, guns, rations and material.

    Closer to zero day the 216th strung white tapes on stakes to guide the walking wounded back from the front-line trenches to the casualty clearing system, a couple of miles of reasonable track. The Company's main work, the work that Percy was involved in, as the author's father recalls, was to put in water pipes in readiness for the transport supply wagons of the division which would capture what was left of Messines after the mine beneath it had been exploded. The water supply for this was drawn from the reservoir the company had excavated on the reverse slope of Kemmel Hill and we put in stand pipes and wooden water troughs in places near the entrances to the communication trenches, which were not seen from the German lines. Water troughs were required for artillery and supply column horses and mules and for the cavalry.

    The company laid two pipelines from the Kemmel Hill reservoir towards the ridge, one in the direction of Wytschaete, the other, further south towards Messines. The southern line went over very low ground, through Souvenir Dump, St. Quentin Cabaret, and Stinking Farm, where the land was so wet that trenches were, perforce, sandbagged breastworks built up above ground level and known as the Chinese Wall.

    During May an artillery barrage was hurled against the German wire entanglements, roads, camps, and supply dumps, so that the ridge was steadilly stripped of any traces of summer greenery. From the end of the month the barrage became even more intense; then in the days before the infantry assault on 7th June, gas shells were sent over in order to compel the Germans to wear masks and lose sleep. Needless to say, the Germans responded in kind. Their guns were outnumbered by the great weight of artillery deployed by General Plumer but they still had excellent observation; they knew the roads and duckboard tracks along which men, ammunition, and supplies travelled at night; they duly dropped their shells along them, working backwards and forwards. Three days before the attack (Monday 4th June 1917) a section of the company, with a working party from the 4th New Zealand Infantry Brigade were carrying water pipes forward to Stinking Farm, on the front just below Messines village, when they were machine gunned from the German positions on the ridge as well as being shelled as usual: Corporal Percy Keen was killed and Sapper Gilmour was wounded. The party carried Percy's body with them when when they took cover behind the ruins of the farm buildings near to a communications trench, and then brought him back to camp on a stretcher. He was buried in a cemetery near Neuve Eglise next morning, sewn in his blanket. Percy had been invalided home after an accident the previous November and had returned to the Company at the end of January, thanks to a routine order which enabled men to return to their own unit.

    At about 3.10 am on the morning of the 7th June the mine under Messines Ridge was blown (at that time the biggest bang in history) immediately followed by a massed artillery barrage all along the front line north of their position towards Ypres. The Battle of Messines was a complete victory, with its tremendous artillery bombardment and record explosion of land mines containing almost a million pounds of high explosive it was a triumph of organisation and of co-operation of the artillery and the engineers with the infantry and although Percy did not live to witness it the pre-arranged water supply was of great importance. In the months before the attack over 180 miles of pipeline were laid in the area of the Second Army, with reservoirs and pumping stations capable of supplying a million gallons of treated drinking water a day, together with half a million untreated gallons for animals."

    Martin Keen




    235371

    Pte. Daniel O'Brien 2nd Battalion, A Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.17th June 1915)

    Daniel O'Brien was born in James's Street area of Dublin on 4th May 1892 to James O'Brien and Brigid Ford. From his service number he appears to have been in the regular Army before WW1 started. He died of wounds on 17th June 1915 and is buried in Bedford House Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium. He had a sister, Rosanna, who married Joseph Fitzpatrick.

    Donal Malone




    235365

    Pte. D. Johnson H.M.S. Cressy (d.22nd November 1914)

    Private Johnson was the Son of Mr. G. Johnson, of North Willingham, Market Rasen, Lincs.

    He was 45 when he died and is buried Seventy feet South of South-East angle of Church in the Husby Churchyard in Denmark.

    s flynn




    235364

    Sto1 J. McGrath H.M.S. Shark (d.31st May 1916)

    Stoker First Class McGrath was the Husband of Mrs. Gilchrist (formerly McGrath), of 118, Victoria Square, Liverpool.

    He is buried west of the church in the Hune Churchyard in Denmark.

    s flynn




    235361

    CPO Robert Lethbridge Stone MID H.M.S. Recruit (d.9th August 1917)

    Chief Petty Officer Stone was the Husband of Laura Stone, of 2, Whistley Cottages, Ashburton, Devon.

    He was 43 when he died and is buried in the north-west corner of the Harboore Churchyard in Denmark.

    s flynn




    235360

    Able Sea. Harry Gasson H.M.S. Castor (d.31st May 1916)

    Able Seaman Gasson was the Son of William and Abbey Gasson, of 100, Church St., Ore; husband of Charlotte B. Lepper (formerly Gasson), of 148, Church St., Ore, Hastings.

    He was 32 when he died and is buried in the Esbjerg New Cemetery in Denmark, Grave VIII. H. 1.

    s flynn




    235359

    L.S. H. L. Fromm H.M.S. Fortune (d.1st June 1916)

    Leading Seaman Fromm was the Son of William and Emily Fromm, of 109, Crocus Rd., Lodge Rd., Welling, Kent. Born at Paddington, London.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried behind the church in the Borsmose Churchyard in Denmark.

    s flynn




    235358

    Asst.Paymstr. Francis Hugh Bacon HMY Aries (d.31st Oct 1915)

    Assistant Paymaster Francis Bacon was the Son of the late Rev. James Bacon, of Colombo, Ceylon, husband of Fanny Bacon of Ashdene, Regent's Park, Southampton. He was aged 46 when he died and is buried in the Borsmose Churchyard in Denmark, the grave is situated behind the church.

    s flynn




    235347

    Mjr. Campbell McNeill McCormack MID, MC & 2Bars. 15th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.22nd Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Born in Lisburn, Belfast, Campbell McCormack was the youngest son of farmer William McCormack of Hillhall House. He got a scholarship to high school, Wallace High School and to Queens University, Belfast to study medicine and qualified as a doctor in June 1914.

    He was a member of the OTC at Queens and joined the RAMC for training at the end of June 1914. From Dublin he embarked for France in August 1914 and was involved in action mainly in France until his death on 22nd September 1918. He was awarded the MC three times for various acts of gallantry and conduct.

    • Capt. Campbell McNeil McCormack, M.B., R.A.M.C., Spec. Res. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations. He directed the stretcher-bearers under heavy shell fire with the greatest coolness and courage. He succeeded in entering a village which had been heavily shelled, and, with another captain, a serjeant and four men, collected the wounded into a dug-out and succeeded in getting them back later. He has frequently shown great courage." London Gazette 22nd of September 1916
    • Capt. (A./Maj.) Campbell McNeil McCormack, M.C., M.B., R.A.M.C. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an important engagement he organised the evacuation of the wounded with great skill and devotion to duty, proceeding frequently himself in charge of bearers, through heavy shelling, to the rear aid posts. It was largely due to his able organisation and fine example of self-sacrificing gallantry that the numerous casualties were evacuated so expeditiously. (M.C. gazetted 22nd September, 1916.)" London Gazette, 15th of October 1918.
    • Capt. (A./Maj.) Campbell McNeil McCormack, M.C., 15th Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During various attacks this officer supervised the collecting of wounded over a large part of the divisional front. He closely followed the advancing troops with his stretcher-bearers, evacuating the wounded skilfully and speedily. On one occasion during a retirement he personally, under heavy fire, reconnoitred the ground where the wounded lay, and by his dispositions of the stretcher-bearers undoubtedly saved their lives and the lives of many of the wounded. (M.C. gazetted 22nd September, 1916.) (Bar gazetted 15th October, 1918.)" London Gazette 11th January 1919.

    He was killed at the age of 27 with his friend Lt Col Frederick Bradley DSO by a shell as they rested. They were killed near Bus and buried beside each other in Barastre. They are not forgotten.

    MC citation

    MC 1st bar citition

    MC 2nd bar citition

    Michael McCormack




    235341

    L/Sgt. Thomas Sheldon 8th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Sheldon served with 8th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment.

    Kevin Gilmore




    235338

    Pte. Claude George 2nd Btn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.17th Dec 1918)

    Claude George was the son of the late Henry and Jane George, husband of Harriett George of Kelvistow, 6 Garsington Rd., Cowley, Oxford. He was born in London. He was 32 when he died and is buried in the Prague (Olsany) Cemetry in the Czech Republic. His grave is located in the main Cemetery and is commemorated by a grey slate headstone.

    S Flynn




    235336

    Pte. James Docherty 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Scots (d.22nd August 1918)

    James Docherty was buried in the Troodos Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 64.

    S Flynn




    235335

    Pte. Hugh Divers 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Scots (d.8th June 1916)

    Private Divers was buried in the Troodos Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 62.

    S Flynn




    235334

    Foreman H. Cope attd. Depot, Army Ordnance Department (d.30th August 1916)

    Mr Cope was the foreman in the Depot of the Army Ordinance Corps. He is buried in the Troodos Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 63.

    S Flynn




    235332

    Pte. H. Plaice 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.11th November 1915)

    Private Plaice was the son of Robert and Mary Elizabeth Plaice of Westgate St., Shouldham, Norfolk. His brothers Bertie Plaice and Arthur Edward Plaice also fell.

    He was 18 when he died and is buried in the Polemidia Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 63.

    S Flynn




    235331

    Pte. T. Nicholson 8th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (d.19th November 1915)

    Private Nicholson was buried in the Polemidia Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 64.

    S Flynn




    235329

    Pte. C. F. Lanning 4th Btn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) (d.18th January 1916)

    Private Lanning was buried in the Polemidia Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 65.

    S Flynn




    235319

    Pte. George Frederick Catton 2/4th Btn. Black Watch

    <p>

    Fred Catton joined up giving a false date of birth so he could go in place of his father of the same name. It was not discovered until over a year later, when he was then discharged according to Para 392VIA King's Regulations `Made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment'. He was given a very good discharge reference in spite of this.

    Janet Catton




    235317

    Pte. Arthur Goreham 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    Arthur Goreham was killed during the Monchy Wood attacks. He was an ex-employee of Colmans Mustard. Arthur is one of 66 on the Memorial Wall at Arras.

    Colin Mackenzie




    235316

    Pte. William Edwell Baston 1st Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.1st Jan 1918)

    William Baston was with the 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment but was attached to the 14th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. He was servant to Lt J W Griffin.

    'Your husband was killed only a few yards from me, and was hit by a small piece of shell in the throat, lost all consciousness almost immediately, and died in my arms only a few seconds afterwards, at about 7.45am' Lieutenant J W Griffin MG.

    David




    235315

    Pte. David Adams 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.29th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    My great grandfather, David Adams, was the oldest boy of six in a family of nine children. He worked in the local colliery before being called to war, by which time he had married and had two children, a daughter and a son. He never really got to know his children, particularly his son, Joseph, my maternal grandfather, who was born very shortly before David was sent to France and he sadly never returned.

    Grandad Joe never forgot his father despite his mother marrying again shortly after the end of the war. As proof of this remembrance he sported a homemade tattoo on his arm with David's death date on a cross. It was not until I was doing the research that I understood the significance of this date as it was not something spoken about in the family. My mother is currently in possession of David's Victory war medal having received it when Grandad died.

    David Adams in uniform

    Neil Smith




    235309

    Drvr. Robert Henry Stubbs Army Service Corps (d.2nd December 1917)

    Driver Stubbs was buried in the Nicosia British Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 2.

    S Flynn




    235308

    Pte. Robert Howare 1st Garrison Bn. Royal Scots (d.2nd July 1918)

    Robert Howare was buried in the Nicosia British Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 2.

    S Flynn




    235306

    Pte. Josiah Neal Machine Gun Corps (Heavy)

    <p>

    I believe my grandfather, Josiah Neal, was taken prisoner of war in the 2nd Battle of Gaza and held at Afion in Turkey.

    Teresa Murphy




    235303

    Pte. Frederick Leigh 2nd Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    I was trying to discover who from my family had served in the First World War and I found that I had two great uncles - Frederick Charles Leigh and William Edward Leigh - who had served. Both were serving at the outbreak of the war, Frederick in the Gloucesters and the William in the Royal Marines. My plan is to put together their story to pass on to my children and grandchildren.





    235301

    L/Cpl. E. Abela 1st Btn. King's Own Malta Regiment (d.7th July 1915)

    Lance Corporal Abela was buried in the Limassol Roman Catholic Cemetery in Cyprus.

    s flynn




    235300

    Pte. J. Williams Royal Army Medical Corps (d.26th September 1919)

    Private Williams is buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 22.

    s flynn




    235299

    Pte. J. Tompkins 1st/7th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.1st August 1919)

    Private Tompkins was the Son of Arthur J. and Arabella C. Tompkins, of 18, Meadow Lane, Ellesmere Port, Birkenhead. He was 22 when he died and is buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 21.

    s flynn




    235298

    TR J. Skinner H.M. Trawler Comrade (d.6th July 1918)

    Trimmer J. Skinner was the Son of Ralph and Caroline Skinner, of Heatherlea Lake Rd., Hamworthy, Dorset. He was 38 when he died and is buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 10.

    s flynn




    235297

    Cpl. Willis Ridler 22nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.28th April 1916)

    Willis Ridler was the Son of William Ridler, of Chudleigh, Devon; husband of Olive Muriel Ridler, of Seaton, Devon. He was 36 when he died and is buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 3.

    s flynn




    235296

    Pte. William Rennie 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Scots (d.17th Sep 1918)

    William Rennie was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus.

    s flynn




    235295

    Pte. G. Ramsey 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Scots (d.18th June 1919)

    Private Ramsey was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus.

    s flynn




    235294

    L.Tel. Charles O. Roland Nugent HMS Duke (d.15th December 1918)

    Leading Telegraphist Nugent was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Nugent, of 13, Western Rd., Aldershot, Hants.

    He was 20 when he died and is buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 14.

    s flynn




    235293

    Pte. William McEachin 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Scots (d.4th May 1914)

    William McEachin was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus.

    s flynn




    235292

    Pte. James Muir 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Scots (d.11th Nov 1917)

    James Muir was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus.

    s flynn




    235291

    Pte. W. Maiden 1st Garrison Btn. King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.23rd Sep 1916)

    Private Maiden was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus.

    s flynn




    235290

    Pte. J. Love 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Scots (d.26th Jan 1919)

    Private Love was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus.

    s flynn




    235289

    Pte. Cecil Edward Hartley Suffolk Regiment

    My Grandfather's brother, Cecil Hartley, served from 1914 to 1919. He earned the 1914 star and spent the rest of his life in Fulbourn Mental Hospital until he died in 1972 ....nobody ever spoke about him.... not the done thing.

    Shaun




    235281

    Pte. Edwin Sagar 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.1st Sep 1916)

    Sadly I have no further information on my great uncle, Edwin Sagar, apart from the fact that he was 23 years old when he died and came from a farming family in Lumb in the Rossendale Valley.

    Mary




    235277

    Gnr. William Arnold Cooper 306th Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.11th Aug 1917)

    Willie Cooper was the son of Walter and Emma Cooper of 50, Dinorwic Rd., Birkdale, Southport. He is buried in Wieltje Farm Cemetery.

    Geoffrey Dyson




    235276

    Pte. T. Lawley 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Scots (d.1st June 1919)

    Private T. Lawley was 44 when he died and is buried in the Famagusta Militay Cemetery in Cyprus.

    s flynn




    235275

    Pte. Malcolm Gillies 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Scots (d.11th Nov 1917)

    Malcolm Gillies was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus.

    s flynn




    235274

    Capt. Harry White Gilhespie M.T. Royal Army Service Corps (d.3rd Nov 1919)

    Harry Gilhespie was the son of Henry and Mary Elizabeth Gilhespie of 11, West Hill Rd., East Putney, London. He was 27 when he died and is buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus.

    s flynn




    235273

    Pte. James Duffy 1st Garrison Bn. Royal Scots (d.15th November 1918)

    James Duffy was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 11.

    s flynn




    235272

    Sgt. Edward Dickerson 1st Garrison Bn. Royal Scots (d.8th April 1917)

    Edward Dickerson was the Son of G. and B. Dickinson, of Bowness-on-Windermere; husband of Mary Dickinson, of Marlors, Arundel Avenue, Bispham, Blackpool.

    He was 35 when he died and is buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 6.

    s flynn




    235271

    Pte. James Henry Hewins 7th Battalion London Regiment (d.9th Aug 1918)

    James Hewins was the son of Charles and Eliza Hewins of The Windmill, Llantwit Major, Cardiff. He is buried in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France.





    235268

    Pte. George Wood 2/7th Btns Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    My much loved grandfather, George Wood, served in both the 2/7th Warwicks and the 14th Worcesters. He told me that after the war had finished, they were left in the trenches because there were not enough troop ships to get them home and he spent his days with big lumps of cheese on his bayonet shooting enormous rats and throwing grenades.

    He was demobbed in April 1919 and then worked for the Clifford covering Company at Wharfedale Road, Tyseley, Birmingham for the next 46 years, he was given a pound for every year he had worked when he left! He lived to the grand old age of 88 and died in Dudley Road Hospital within yards of the Workhouse he was born in in 1899. Never heard him whinge, only spoke of the war when I asked him and strangely, he loved corned beef until the day he died.

    Dean Wood




    235267

    Dvr. James McCarron 285th Brigade, A Bty. Royal Artillery (d.25th Aug 1917)

    James McCarron was the Grandfather I never met, he was the father of my mother who never met him either. He went to war when his wife was pregnant with my mother. He died before my mother was born. I pay for a cross to be placed every year in the Remembrance Garden, so that he will never be forgotten whilst I, or my sons are alive.

    Bob McCarron




    235266

    Pte. Albert Victor Hewitt 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Albert Hewitt was my Granddad's older brother. He never mentioned him to me. I think people rarely spoke of those lost. Too painful. I found a box of precious memories which contained Albert's posthumous medals and a letter to his sister detailing what happened to Albert (very poignant as all such letters are) after my Granddad died and became determined to ensure that it came to me and I would look after these things.

    I don't know much more about him, he was only 18, though I've worked out he must have died at Flers-Corcelette. I can't so far find any evidence of any kind of grave marker for him (I know his name isn't on the Thiepval memorial), but I've barely begun that search. I plan to get his name carved somewhere if it isn't. It's one hundred years ago today that he died and I thought I'd make a page on FaceBook to commemorate him and put up photos of the few records of his life that I have.

    Mark Giles




    235265

    Pte. Hyman Kurtzman 1st/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th September 1916)

    Corporal Hyman Kurtzman, the brother of William Mack DCM. (Family changed name to Coutts/Mack) 1st/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, born at Edinburgh in 1897, was the son of Barnet Maurice Kurtzman, a shoemaker, and Esther Sander Kurtzman, of Ashley Buildings, High Street, Edinburgh, then 71 Rose Street, Glasgow, and later 24 Waverley Buildings, Edinburgh.

    He enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was killed in action on 15 September 1916, age 19, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

    E Wilson




    235264

    Sgt. William Mack DCM 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.30th May 1917)

    Sergeant William Mack (birth name W. Kurtzman, but served as William Mack) DCM, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, was the son of Barnett Maurice Kurtzman, a shoemaker, and Esther Sanders Kurtzman, of Ashley Buildings, High Street, Edinburgh, then 71 Rose Street, Glasgow, and later 24 Waverley Buildings, Edinburgh. He married Catherine Goldberg, daughter of Lazarus Goldberg, jewellery traveller, and Rachel Woolfe, on 22 March 1915 at Edinburgh. He enlisted at Edinburgh. He died of wounds on 30th May 1917 and is buried in St. Pol Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France.

    E Wilson




    235263

    Pte. Andrew Dunn 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Andrew Dunn was one of eight children (five girls, three boys) born in 1895 to Robert and Margaret Dunn (nee Buchanan). He signed up in St. Johnston in 1914, and was shipped to training and then to France where he fell on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st of July 1916 at the age of 21. It is to be noted that his paperwork was not correctly recorded as they have dying at the age of 26. Andrew has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, and in his family's church, Ballylennon Presbyterian. Sadly, the family has no photos of Andrew.

    Andrew's death devastated the family, and was a driving force in their decision to immigrate to Canada in 1926, in which through his death, they were entitled to the Soldiers Settlement Act which provided them with a parcel of land in Manitoba. Interestingly enough his older brother Robert, who had emigrated to Canada in 1912 joined up in 1914 as well with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

    Sarah




    235256

    Pte. Joseph Stanton 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Joseph Stanton was my great grandfather. He was killed in action 100 years ago today. He was 34 years old, lived in Sheffield and was a plasterer by trade; he was married with four children who included my grandfather who was six years old at the time. His battalion was transferred to the 64th Brigade 21st Division and attacked the enemy at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette on 15th of September 1916. The battle is notable for the first use of tanks in warfare by the British army.

    My grandfather bequeathed me his father's medal just before he died and I shall be taking it over to Flanders this coming Armistice Service day November 1916. I have his service records and a poignant note is recorded: Forfeits 5 days pay for Absence without leave 24/12/1915 (Christmas Eve) to 28/12/1915 I would like to think he did enjoy his last Christmas with his family back home in Sheffield.

    Darren Gray




    235250

    Sgt. John Speed 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st Oct 1918)

    John Speed was born in Derby, England in 1890 and he was killed in action at Epinoy, France, on 1st October 1918 aged 27 years. He left one orphaned child Nellie Speed. John Speed's wife, also named Nellie, had died before him.

    Deborah Gibson




    235245

    Pte. Alfred Ernest Grove 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.17th May 1915)

    I am researching the Grove family and Alfred Grove is the great great uncle of my friend. Alfred's older brother Herbert also joined the Hampshire Regiment in September 1914, but served in Salonika and was discharged after contracting paratyphoid. Critically ill, he eventually recovered and was shipped home. He passed away in 1934. Both brothers had followed their father in their occupation as butchers in the Teddington area.

    Beverley




    235244

    Pte. William Henry Phillips 2/8th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    My great grandad William Phillips was captured while serving with the 2/8th Worcestershire Regiment at Fayet on 21st of March 1918. He was held at Stendal POW camp until the end of the war.

    Ian Hartwell




    235243

    Pte. William Spence Smith 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Jan 1916)

    My mother's uncle Bill Smith was a merchant seaman before joining up in 1914 when he was in his late thirties. He was born in Middlesbrough and enlisted there, when home from sea he stayed with his brother's family in Normanby. He was killed on 13th of January 1916 when the Somme was a quiet sector. In the war diaries nothing of note happened that day. He is buried in the Carnoy Military Cemetery and his name is on the Normanby Village Memorial.

    David Sample




    235241

    L/Cpl. Frederick William Sample 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    My uncle Fred Sample was killed on 14th of September 1916 during the night attack on the Wonderworks strongpoint above Authuille. He was a machine gunner and had spent time guarding the Suez Canal in Egypt and on the front line near Arras in July and August. The Battalion moved to the Somme on the 3rd of September. Letters from his comrades say that he was buried "at a point East of Authuille" but the grave was lost during the subsequent fighting. His name appears on the Thiepval memorial.

    He was born in Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire in September 1895 and worked with his father as a boot, shoe and clog maker from the age of 13 until joining the army in 1914. His mother opened a cafe, used during the war by soldiers recuperating at Welburn Hall near to Kirkbymoorside. All his letters and other material are in the North Yorkshire County Record Office at Northallerton.

    Fred Sample's parents Louisa & James in door of their cafe,used during the war by soldiers recuperating at Welburn Hall near to Kirkbymoorside.

    David Sample




    235235

    Pte. John Hearn 16th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.2nd Sept 1918)

    John Hearn from Bideford was in the Devonshire Regiment in 1915 at Gallipoli in conflict against the Turks and also fighting against flies, disease and dysentery until Dec 1915. Then to Egypt just in time for 1916 New Year celebration and fighting the Turks again.

    In January 1917, at Moascar, Egypt the two North Devon Regiments, The Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry and the Royal North Devon Hussars were amalgamated into one unit and renamed the 16th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. John and the 16th Devons were sent to the front at Gaza fighting against the Turks in the Invasion of Palestine, and the Second and Third Battles of Gaza, including the capture of Beersheba and the Sheria Position.

    They left Egypt in April 1918 and arrived in France in May. By August 1918 John Hearn, in the 16th Devons was taking part in some of the Battles on the Somme, and from 21st August to 3rd September 1918 they were fighting at what becomes known as the Second Battle of Bapaume second phase of the battle of Amiens.

    In the evening of 1st of September 1918 the 16th Devons, attached to 229th Brigade, 74th Division, took over trenches from the 58th Division east of Bouchavesnes. They had orders to attack the German lines at 5.30 the next morning. Next morning, 2nd September, at zero hour the West Somersets led the attack with the Fifes and Forfars in support. A and B Companies of the 16th Devons were to follow them up, and as they passed Moislains the Devons were to veer off to clear the village, believing that little opposition, if any, was there. But as they went forward the West Somersets and the Fifes and Forfars were enfiladed with gun-fire from trenches near the village and suffered terribly. As A and B Companies of the Devons went forward they ran into a hail of machine-gun fire, and they too suffered terribly and were stopped at the outskirts of Moislains.

    This was the day that John Hearn was killed. He has no known grave but is Remembered with Honour at the Vis En-Artois Memorial in France. His widow Edith was left with their three young daughters. Edith remarried and had another four children, but soon after the birth of her youngest, both mother and baby died. They are buried together at East-the-Water, Bideford, North Devon.

    Mervyn




    235234

    Lt. Gerard Irving Grozier 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.28th June 1920)

    Gerard Grozier was the Son of James and Sarah L. Crozier, of 26, Montpelier Hill, Dublin. He was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery, Grave 26.

    Gerard was badly wounded and went to Cyprus to recuperate. He never recovered, but died there after the war had ended. His name was not included on the High School War Memorial, as he died after it was erected, but steps are under-way to have this error rectified.

    s flynn




    235233

    Pte. S. Cooke 2nd Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st June 1920)

    Private Cooke was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 25.

    s flynn




    235232

    Pte. Samuel Cochrane 1st Garrison Bn. Royal Scots (d.29th October 1919)

    Private Cochrane was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 12.

    s flynn




    235231

    Pte. F. G. Allen 1st/7th Btn. (d.25th November 1919)

    Private Allen was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus, Grave 24.

    s flynn




    235230

    Pte. Reginald Goatham 7th Battalion East Kent Regiment

    Reginald Goatham was my Great Uncle, my paternal grandfather's older brother. He signed up to serve in November 1914 and was killed in action on the Somme in October 1916. Reginald has no marked grave, but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    I inherited a large number of letters that he wrote home to his parents and siblings during this period, and also have the robe that he was christened in in 1893 or 1894. Due to ill health and some spells in hospital, he remained in southern England with Kent Cyclists Battalions until July 1916, when his Battalion was sent to France. Not long after arrived, these Cyclists seem to have been transferred to the 7th Battalion, East Kent Regiment.

    My favourite letter is one that he wrote to thank his mother for sending him some of her home-made jam and a pair of boots. The only problem is that she packed the jam inside one of the boots, but the lid came off and he received one very sticky boot.





    235229

    Lt. Reginald Theobald MC 11th Btn., C Coy. Suffolk Regiment (d.10th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Reginald Theobald was my great uncle, the much loved older brother of my maternal grandmother, Kathleen Hilda Poles nee Theobald.

    When war broke out he was about to go to Cambridge from Mill Hill School, on a Maths scholarship but never got there. He enlisted as Private 962 in the Royal Fusiliers and served in France and Flanders. He was a great sportsman, representing the school in cricket and hockey and being a good boxer. He also enjoyed joking and having fun with the family. He took a box brownie camera to the war (not allowed!) and I have an album of his photos of the time.

    He was awarded his Military Cross in 1917 "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He did valuable work in cutting wire, and also carried out an important reconnaissance. Later, while mopping up, although badly wounded, he got his party together, regained his company, and went on to the final objective." He apparently held his post for 10 hours whilst wounded. He returned to England to be treated at St Marks College Hospital Chelsea in January 1915, for wounds received at Vimy Ridge. He also had Enteric Fever.

    He died aged 23 at the Battle of Lys at Erquinghem sur Lys near Armentieres in France on 10th of April 1918, leaving behind a fiancee and recently widowed mother. The delightful museum in Erquinghem sur Lys has information and photos of him and the small CWG cemetery there at La Rolanderie Farm has his grave.

    Reginald Theobald grave CWG at La Rolanderie Farm, Erquinghem sur Lys France

    Reginald Theobald medals

    Marilyn Longden




    235228

    Lt.Col. Alan Roderick Haig-Brown DSO. 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.25th Mar 1918)

    Col Alan Haig-Brown, Commanding Officer, 23rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, as seen by his adjutant Capt George Smith.

    An infantry colonel gives orders: his adjutant sees that the orders are carried out. With a good colonel it is, perhaps, the best job in the army: with a bad colonel, who doesn't back you up, it can be hell.

    I was lucky. Haig-Brown was all that is implied in the term gentleman. I wasn't alone in almost worshiping him. The men loved him, he believed that they should know the reason for orders and treated them as human beings, not just cannon fodder. He was always available to hear protests or complaints from anyone at all. The fact that under Colonel Ash, he had been attached to higher commands paid handsome dividends. He knew the people there personally and was popular with them too. When we got some damn fool order, as too often we did, he could pick up the phone to Brigade, Division, or Corps and say, "Is that you, Bill? What the deuce is this last foolishness?" and get it ironed out in a matter of minutes.

    There was always a certain competition to go round the trenches with him during the day and again at night, we called it The Bus: the call would go out, "Who's for The Bus?" and various members of H.Q. would join us. I went as a matter of course, it was my job. I've seen him look into a mirror, put his tie and hat straight as he said, "Dammit. If we're going to be killed well die like gentlemen!" He hated wearing a tin hat, wore it on his elbow, hanging by the strap, to be quickly whipped onto his head if something burst too close, holding it there until the bits had finished falling. He was welcome everywhere and usually left the men laughing.

    Out of the trenches he believed in battalion drill as the best way of getting the men to feel, after the isolation of the trenches, that they belonged to a unit. On parade, if I did something daft, he would damn me to hell in front of everyone: afterwards, in the mess, he would put his arm round my shoulders and say, "Sorry, Georgie, but you were a damn fool, weren't you," and there were no hard feelings. I think he had run the O.T.C. at Lancing. Anyway, he knew his job. And he could handle English: his letters were a joy.

    Once we got a complaint from the Brigade School that the explosion of a Bangalore torpedo had broken the windows in an adjoining farmhouse and asking that we pay for the damage. He raised his eyebrows at me and asked, "Is that anything to do with us?" I said, "Nothing whatever, sir." "You're sure?" "Quite sure, sir." He replied courteously, regretting the accident, but saying that he "could no more accept financial responsibility than if an S.O.S. rocket fired from the East Coast had landed on the roof of The Crystal Palace", ending as usual "I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant". We got an abject apology in a matter of hours.

    Graham Haig-Brown




    235226

    Capt. W. J. Loudon General List (d.23rd January 1921)

    Captain Loudon was the son of Mr. J.S. Loudon of Alexandra Apartments, University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.

    He is buried in the Havana (Colon) Cemetery in Cuba.

    S Flynn




    235223

    Pte. Charles Digby "Dig" Planck 1/7th Btn. London Regiment

    Charles Planck was my grandfather, and served with the 7th City of London Regiment in Belgium and France from 1916 to 1918. He was at the Battle of Messines and the capture of the "White Chateau" amongst numerous other actions, and acted as a stretcher bearer on some occasions. In his diary of WW1 he records marching past the ruined Cloth Hall in Ypres, and described other well known parts of the Western Front.

    In March 1918, CDP was at an area in France known as Welsh Ridge, near the town of La Vacquerie, when he was wounded and taken prisoner. From Red Cross postcards sent to his family, it would seem that they didn't know whether he was alive or dead for several weeks. After his wounds had healed, he was sent to work on a farm in Germany. When the war ended, CDP and 8 other prisoners walked out of the farm to the nearby town of Romhild, and with the help of some Lifebuoy soap, managed get train tickets to Frankfurt then Paris, arriving back home on Boxing Day.

    C D Planck later compiled "The History of the Shiny Seventh" and was presented with a gold half hunter pocket watch by the Regiment, which is still treasured by his family.

    John Walker




    235222

    Pte. Samuel Wilfrid Sidebotham 1/7th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Samuel Sidebotham served with the 7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers.

    J Bell




    235221

    Pte. William Henry Clark 1/8th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Private William Clark embarked for France with the Leeds Rifles in April 1915. After several bouts of trench fever he was medically discharged in early 1918.

    Jonathon Clark




    235217

    Lt. Robert Christopher Morris Douthwaite 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.19th June 1919)

    Robert Douthwaite is buried in the Kuzala Cemetery, Rijeka, Croatia.

    S Flynn




    235216

    Pte. Thomas Elliott 12th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps. (d.19th September 1916)

    <p>

    Hartley Wespall Military Funeral, 30th September 1916

    On Saturday afternoon the mortal remains of Pte. Thomas Elliott, King's Royal Rifle, were laid to rest in the churchyard of his native village with military honours. He had been on active service for the past 11 months and was severely wounded in the head on the 5th inst.; after preliminary attention at the Base Hospital he was removed to the Duchess of Connaught's Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Taplow. Subsequent reports gave ground for hope of recovery, but he gradually grew worse, and passed away on the 19th inst. Owing to indisposition the Rector of Hartley was unable to conduct the service, and this duty was kindly carried out by the Rev. J. B. Barker, Rector of Sherfield. There was a large concourse of people, practically the whole parish, where the deceased was very well known and popular, showing their sympathy by attending the sad ceremony. The deceased, previous to joining the Army, had been an enthusiastic member of the Hartley Boy Scouts and enlisted in the Army although under age. This token of bravery, which has culminated in giving his life for his country's cause, has brought forth expressions of admiration on all sides. The body, borne by soldiers, ten of whom attended, enered the church whilst the organist (Mr. R. N. Ruddle) played the air O rest in the Lord. The hymn On the resurrection morning was sung during the service, and the Nunc Dimittis was chanted as they left for the grave, which is situated under the shadow of the church where the deceased had been accustomed to attend. At the conclusion of the service the Last Post was played by two buglers, and was very impressive.

    The mourners included Messrs. Ernest, Charles and John Elliott, Mrs. C. Elliott, senr., Mr. and Mrs. Wingrove, Mrs. Cummins; Misses Edith, Ethel and Agnes Elliott, and there were also present Mr. and Mrs. Durnford, Miss Durnford, Mrs. J. B. Barker and many others. There were numerous wreaths of especial beauty from Joe, Charlie and John; Mrs. Wingrove and Charlie; Edie; Mrs. Cummins; Ethel, Agnes and Mother; Mrs. Sewry; Ed. and Willie Coring; Mr., Mrs. and Miss Vass; from the staff at hospital; Dick Cummins; Misses F. A. and E. Lawrence; Mrs. Armsworth; Mrs. Leadbetter; Mr. and Mrs. Hoare; Mrs, Willis and Mrs. F. Hoare; Mrs. Hall: Miss Barter; Mr. and Mrs. L. Smith; Mrs. Lomer; Mr. and Mrs. Durnford; his loving friend Flo; Mr. and Mrs Mulford and children.

    Next of Kin Memorial Plaque

    Mike Dawson




    235183

    Pte. Ernest Bawdon 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.16th September 1916)

    Ernest Bawdon is my third cousin. He was shot by a German sniper whilst tending to an injured officer in no-man's-land on 16th September 1916.

    Neil Bawdon




    235182

    Pte. George Alexander Trotter 12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandad George Trotter joined the 12th Yorkshire Regiment. His family lived in Middlesbrough. He was discharged with trench foot later years was the standard bearer for the Royal British Legion. This is all I know

    John Trotter




    235180

    Sgt. William Bernard McMahon 16th (St Pancras) Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.7th Oct 1916)

    Sergeant McMahon was born in 1889, the son of James and Agnes McMahon of 50 Howland Street, Tottenham Court Road, London. He was the husband of Elsie Louise (later Mallows of 73 Stanhope Street, Euston Road, London.)

    He was in one of the so-called Pals Battalions, the 16th (St Pancras) Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. This Battalion arrived in Le Havre, France on 8th March 1916 and fought in the Battles of the Somme. He died from his injuries on 7th October 1916 aged 27 years. RIP

    Dawn Burrows




    235178

    Pte. John Charles Heywood 9th (Pioneers) Btn. G Coy. Gordon Highlanders (d.26th Sep 1915)

    John Charles Heywood's Battalion, the 9th Pioneer Gordon Highlanders, assisted the Cameron Highlanders in capturing Hill 70 on 26th September before having to withdraw under great pressure. The Hun used artillery fire and JC's body was never found. RIP

    Denis Haslam




    235164

    Pte. Henry William Sturman Labour Corps

    My grandfather enlisted in the Royal Engineers at Camberwell in May 1917. At that time he and his family were living in Lewisham. He had nine children. He was 41 years old. From July 1917 to February 1919 he saw service in France as a Sapper. Prior to going to France he was appointed to the Inland waterways and docks at Sandwich Kent.

    Henry was discharged in June 1919, and immediately signed on for Short Service with the Labour Corps at the Buffs Depot in Canterbury. He was 43 years old. He had a new regimental number 696787.

    During this period he returned to France and was finally discharged in March 1920.

    Clara Richards




    235163

    Pte. Leslie Hyde Atwill 13th (2nd Rhondda) Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.30th January 1917)

    Leslie Hyde Atwill was one of three brothers who served and died in the First World War. His parents came from Devon and moved to Cardiff before their sons were born. His two brothers moved to Australia and when war was declared they joined up and both died at Gallipoli, Turkey. They were Percy Gerard Atwill and Thomas Alfred Atwill. Their father died before them so their mother was left with just one daughter.

    Leslie died at the battle of Ypres, Belgium. He was a draper working for his brother in law in Cardiff.

    Christine Faulkner




    235143

    Capt. G. Williams 8th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.15th November 1918)

    Captain Williams is buried in the Lubumbashi Cemetery in the Congo.

    S Flynn




    235133

    Mjr. Boyd Alexander Cunninghame MiD 5th Btn. attd. Northern Rhodesia Rifles Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.16th March 1917)

    Major Cuninghame was the son of William Boyd Cuninghame and Marion Harriett Cuninghame (nee Paterson); husband of Elsie Cuninghame (nee Burrell, now Lady Baker, of Ranston, Blandford, Dorset). Served in the South African War. (Mentioned in Despatches.)

    He was 46 when he died and is buried in the Lubumbashi Cemetery in the Congo.

    S Flynn




    235118

    Pte. William George Bezley 1/7th Btn. London Regiment (d.10th Apr 1917)

    Private William Bezley 350096, was in a trench beside my grandfather, Charles Digby Planck (compiler of The History of the Shiny Seventh) in the area known as The Spoilbank, beside the Ypres-Comines Canal, on 10th April 1917, when he was accidentally shot and killed when another soldier dropped then caught his rifle. The accident is noted on Page 109 of "The History of the Shiny Seventh" (Original hard back version.) Pte. Bezley was 20 years old, from 41 Kenway Road,Earls Court, London, and is buried at Chester Farm Cemetery near Ypres.

    I would like to commemorate in some way the centenary of Bezley's tragic death which of course will fall on 10th April 2017, and am trying to trace any living relatives. William Bezley had a sister Edith May Bezley (1898-1976), who I think may have married Arthur W Mann in 1933 at Camberwell, when she would have been about 35. William also had a number of uncles and aunts: George W Bezley (1864-1938), Mary A (b. 1866), Edward (1876-1943), Elizabeth (1878-1961) and Arthur (1881-1963). I would be grateful for any help with this enquiry.

    John Walker




    235107

    Pte. Frank Beaumont 10th Btn. West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons) (d.7th June 1917)

    Frank Beaumont was my great uncle. He was the son of Charles and Annie Beaumont and the brother of Laura, Henry and Amy.

    Tony Ellis




    235105

    Pte. William Anthony Machin 16th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.24th November 1916)

    I do not know too much as yet about William Machin. I am researching Moseley men whose names appear on memorials in the Moseley area, and he is one of them.

    So far, I have discovered that he worked in his father's paper business as a commercial traveller. He was one of twins in a family of six children.

    Jim Hone




    235102

    Pte. Albert Jackson 10th Btn. West Yorks Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own) (d.1st July 1916)

    Albert Jackson and his brother Fred joined up on the same day. They fought in the Battle of the Somme and were both killed on 1st July 1916. Their mother received telegrams within an hour of each other saying her sons had been killed in action.

    Albert is my great uncle and Fred is my grandfather. Their father George was a Methodist Preacher at Wistow Methodist Chapel.





    235101

    Pte. Fred Jackson 10th Btn. West Yorks Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own) (d.1st July 1916)

    On 1st July 1916 Fred Jackson's wife, Elizabeth (my Nan), went into the best room and saw a vision of Fred with his foot up on a small buffet. He told her he was going to have to leave her and to be strong for their two girls. The telegram arrived soon after that same day saying he had been killed in action.





    235099

    Sgt. Reginald Hercules Allen MM. 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment

    Reginald Allen was the unknown grandfather of my husband, who died watching Birmingham play in Sheffield 1956. Reginald served with the 1st and 6th Battalions, Dorsetshire Regiment, received the MM and was clearly a brave man, but sadly nothing is known about his war nor what happened to his medals. His son, my husband's father, never talked about him nor his own experience of army life in the Second World War. There is no family surviving who would know. However, Reginald deserves to be remembered for his part in that terrible war.

    Alison Allen




    235081

    Sgt. Archie James Barrett MM. 6th Battalion, B Company East Kent Regiment (d.13th Sep 1916)

    For many years we only knew that our Gt Uncle had been killed in WW1 with the suggestion he lost his life during the Battle of the Somme. After a family conversation in early 1997 it was suggest Archie had a medal, so with no family records, the medal card was sourced at the PRO in Kew to show he had been awarded the M.M. Other than a gazette entry to confirm the medal we could find no other information, the war diaries revealed little.

    Several years ago some further information was located in the, by now digitised service records, via a family website. This helped paint a picture of the uncle we never knew. The papers included his attestation papers so, unlike is younger brother and others in the family all who were relatively short, Archie was 6" 1'. He joined up in August 1914 joining the 6th Buffs and from other papers found online he had risen to the rank of Sergeant by October 1915. We also know he was sent back to the UK with a scalp wound in March 1916, before returning back to his unit in France a few weeks later.

    In September 1916 the battalion were in trenches in the Arras area and we are assuming he was the chap killed, as recorded in the diary, on the 13th of that month.

    Maybe the most poignant tribute to Archie by his Commanding Officer and as recorded in the Roll of Honour as follows:- "He was the most tactful fellow during the most trying and desperate times and his gallant conduct and conscientious work won for him brotherly love from all ranks. His good work had been noticed throughout the battalion and had he been spared he would shortly have achieved greater greatness. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the field during the operations on the Somme."

    We'll never know much about Archie but this eptiaph means much to a family who never knew their uncle.

    Roger Barrett




    235063

    Pte. Albert Webster 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1918)

    Albert Webster was the son of Son of the late Elizabeth Webster.

    F Webster




    235060

    Pte. William Pindar 12th Btn. B Coy. East Yorkshire Regiment

    William Pindar served with 12th East Yorks adn was captured at Oppywood on the 3rd of May 1917 and was held as a POW at ET. Kdtr. Douai

    Mike




    235049

    Pte. George Lascelles 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.6th October 1918)

    George Lascelles was killed in action. He served in France and Flanders. He was the son of Ralph Henry Lascelles and Annie Lavinia Wilberforce.

    Donna Aston




    235047

    Gnr. Arthur Haseley 1st East Lancs Brigade, 1/5th (Church) Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.15th June 1915)

    Arthur Haseley was killed at Gallipoli by a bullet; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. He was aged 16.

    Peter Duckers




    235044

    2nd Lt. Frederick Leslie Ballard MC 103rd Bgde. Royal Field Artillery

    Frederick Ballard was my grandfather. He joined the Royal Marine Force in 1914 then was commissioned in January 1917 and moved to 103rd Brigade. He was an electrical engineer, and I have intelligence photos of Asiago plain dated March 1918 with the German front line marked on them.

    Rachel Patterson




    235036

    Pte. Thomas Sloan 1st Btn. Scots Guards (d.15th September 1916)

    Thomas Sloan was one of four brothers killed in WW1. His other brothers were: Donald Sloan killed in Arras, Robert Sloan killed in Ypres, William Sloan killed unknown.





    235035

    Pte. Robert McCallister 8th Btn. Royal Scots Fusilers (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Bobby McCallister was the younger brother of my grandfather Joe McCallister. Originally I understand he was in a different unit to Bobby but later he transferred to the same unit to join him. Bobby was killed at Pip Ridge during the Battle of Doiran in Greece. Family stories say that both brothers attacked together on that day but it was only when my grandfather returned that he found out his younger brother had been killed. He allegedly was shot in the neck, but I think that was often said as a way of thinking they hadn't suffered. Both brothers went up the hill but only one came down. Days later the enemy abandoned their positions and a couple of weeks later the war was over.

    Bobby's penny

    Memorial Service

    Bobby's Glengarry

    Ian




    235029

    Pte. Joe Greenwood 1/4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    My great grandad was Joe Greenwood. I visited his grave at Wancourt near Arras. It's inspired me to dig deeper to try and find out more about him and the Regiment.

    I also had the pleasure of serving with The 1st Battalion The Duke Of Wellington's Regiment and the Prince of Wales Own Regiment of Yorkshire.

    Nick Hindle




    235027

    Pte. Thomas Frederic Farrier 5th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.17th May 1915)

    Thomas Frederic Farrier was my great uncle. He was originally a staff sergeant in the Blacklands Company of the Hastings Church Lads' Brigade before he enlisted into the Royal Sussex Regiment as a private around September 1914. He went to the Tower of London with the regiment around November 1914, whereby the regiment took over the guarding of the Tower from the esteemed Guards Division, who had already left to fight in France at the beginning of the war.

    Thomas Frederic Farrier had two brothers serving in the armed forces, who also lost their lives. A further brother also served in the army, losing an arm in the battle of the Somme.

    Thomas lost his life, with two fellow soldiers on 17th May 1915, whilst guarding a number of captured German troops in a commandeered tobacco factory in Bethune, Northern France. A shell hit the building, killing Thomas and his two comrades, whilst ironically no prisoners were killed. I have visited his grave, and those of his two comrades, a number of times now and always feel an immense sense of pride when I stand before it.

    Mike Farrier




    235023

    Dvr. Thomas Lacey Anderson 39th Brigade, 54th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.13th Dec 1915)

    Thomas Lacey Anderson forever rests in Lillers Communal Cemetery. He was aged 25 at the time of his death.

    Roger Dixon




    235016

    Drvr. Walter Henry Ascott 223rd Brigade, D (H) Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.18th Oct 1918)

    Walter Ascott died on 18th October 1918 whilst serving attached to 63rd (RN) Division and is buried in Montigny Communal Cemetery, France. I have recently bought an item belonging to Walter and I am researching his history.

    Graham Evans




    235015

    Pte. Frank Walsh MM. 7th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Frank Walsh and his brother Edmund both won Military Medals at the same time with two other men whilst serving with 7th Field Ambulance.

    Keith Hartwell




    235014

    Pte. Edmund Walsh MM. 7th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Edmund Walsh and his brother Frank both won Military Medals at the same time with two other men whilst serving with 7th Field Ambulance.

    Keith Hartwell




    235013

    Sgt. Michael Reddin Royal Irish Regiment

    My great grandfather, Michael Reddin, was born in Limerick, Ireland in 1870. He served with the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment in the Boer War as a corporal. He left the Army in 1902 and lived in Manchester with his wife Ellen and children, and was employed as a railway checker.

    Michael was an army reservist with the Royal Irish Regiment at the outbreak of WW1 and re-enlisted on 1st September 1914 with the immediate rank of corporal. He was 44 years 11 months old at this time - quite old for an infantry corporal. He was promoted to sergeant during this time, and served in the Balkans with the Royal Irish Regiment. He received the Queen's South Africa and King's South Africa medals, along with the 1914-15 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal. Michael died in Manchester in 1925, aged 55.

    Michael Carr




    235011

    Pte. Albert William Birch 4th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.19th June 1915)

    <p>

    Albert Birch was the eldest of seven brothers, the family were all agricultural hay dressers. Albert joined the Worcestershire Regiment in 1907 and served in India and Burma before arriving at Gallipoli on 25th of March 1915. His regiment was decimated in the following weeks and Albert was among the last survivors of the original battalion. He was finally killed while his section was attempting to retake a trench from the Turks in the dark at 2.00 am.

    He has no known grave and is remembered on the Helles Memorial. His younger brother Jim was also killed in France in 1918.

    Charles Birch




    235009

    Sgt. Samuel Needham Brocklehurst 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.12th March 1918)

    Sam Brocklehurst was a farmer. He served with the 8th, 2nd, 3rd and 12th Battalions, North Staffordshire Regiment. He left behind his wife Flo and their six children aged 12 to 3. He has no known grave but his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

    Joan Fleet




    235004

    L/Cpl. George Golding

    George Golding went to Salonika in October/November 1916 after leaving the port of New Haven. He suffered twice from malaria and subsequently had reactions from this for the rest of his life, although he was pronounced 100% fit while serving in Salonika. George departed for England in 1919.

    George was in Salonika for over two years. There was no leave to return in all that time, considering he was newly married just before he embarked for the long war service in Salonika.

    Clive P Robinson




    234993

    Pte. James Thomas 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    James Thomas, who is my great gran Elsie Richmond's cousin, was born in Manchester in 1886. He was the second son of Charles and Catherine Thomas. He worked as a checker at London Road goods depot in Manchester before he volunteered to join the Army. He joined the 20th Battalion Manchester regiment around 1914/1915. After his training he went to France. He was killed on 1st July 1916 and is buried at the Dantzig Cemetery near Memetz. I would love to be in touch with anyone who has any more information or pictures.

    Gina Louise Towler




    234987

    Pte. John Arthur Lofthouse 7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    John Arthur Lofthouse is my maternal grandfather who served in both World Wars. He enlisted in 1916(?) and saw action at Ypres but never spoke of his time in the Great War.

    He was under age, as were many others, but joined up with his friends, having worked in the coal mines from the age of 12.

    Jayne Eyre




    234978

    Rflmn. William John Young 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.3rd November 1916)

    Rifleman William Young was born and lived in Ballroney, just outside Banbridge. He was killed in action on Friday 3rd November 1916 and is buried in St Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery, Grave I.C.33. He is also remembered on Bambridge War Memorial.

    William was the youngest son of Mr John Young. He joined the 16th battalion on its formation in 1914 and went with the 36th Ulster Division to France in November 1915. Prior to this, he served as apprentice with his cousin, Mr Young in the Arcade, Banbridge.

    After being in France for some time he was invalided home suffering from blood poisoning after a severe encounter with barbed wire. He spent a lengthy period in hospital and then a few weeks convalescing at home before he returned to France in mid October, just two weeks before he was killed. He had only been in the trenches for three days.

    Arthur Lacey




    234975

    Spr. John Chapman Royal Engineers (d.2nd June 1916)

    John Chapman's enlistment date is not known. He married Louisa Perkins in 1914 and was sent to France in November 1915. John was presumably gassed in the trenches, and returned to England after weeks in hospital in Bologne. He was admitted to Forest Park Hospital in Lymington, Hampshire where, alas, he passed away as a result of injuries sustained in France. The cause of death was bronchial pneumonia.

    John left a widow and a young daughter. His widow remarried and eventually became my grandmother.

    Mike Hiscox




    234974

    Pte. Isaac Brown 10th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.27th Aug 1917)

    Isaac Brown is my great great uncle and it is recorded on his father's gravestone that Isaac lost his life at the age of 35 in France on August 27th 1917. His name is also recorded on the Pensnett War Memorial. I know little more about my relative, but I am still immensely proud of his sacrifice to this day.

    David Oliver




    234963

    Pte. Charles Frederick Cox 8th Btn. West Surrey Regiment (Queens)

    My grandad, Charles Cox, died before I was born and I've been researching him for the past two years. I only know his military numbers and regiment from his medals card. He came from the fens near Ely, Cambs and then moved to Stapleford, Cambs where he was on the trains at Great Shelford.

    I have no joining or leaving dates but he moved to the ASC after the Queens. He apparently spoke of being in the trenches and he is listed as a driver in the ASC with his profession as horse keeper. I am desperately trying to find anyone who knows someone that spoke or wrote of him.

    Shaun Brown




    234962

    Rflmn. Henry William Houchin 13th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd April 1917)

    Henry Houchin was my wife's maternal great uncle.

    Robert Raley




    234961

    Pte. Charles John Crampton 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Charles John Crampton, was a school teacher who joined the army aged 38, which seems quite late for someone in a profession to be joining up. He joined the Army Cycle Corps which again seems an unusual unit to join at that age. I have inherited his war diary which tells us of some of his comrades who were injured or killed in WW1 between June 1916 and 26th Jan 1919. I would like to learn more about him as I never knew him.

    Mary Crampton




    234949

    Capt. Alan Gwyn-Jones DSO 1st Btn., C Coy. Cheshire Regiment

    Captain Alan Gwyn-Jones was awarded the DSO on the Somme in 1916 for action at the Battle of Guillemont, Falefont Farm.

    Everett Sharp




    234947

    Pte. William Smith 2nd Btn., "B" Coy. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th May 1915)

    Willam Smith died of wounds and is buried in Poperinghe Old Cemetery.

    Georgina Coldwell




    234944

    L/Cpl. W. Bailey 4th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

    L/Cpl. Bailey appears to have been sent to Holmfirth Auxiliary Military Hospital possibly via Royds Hall or Huddersfield War Hospital to recover from his injuries. A poem he wrote is an entry in the Holmfirth Auxiliary Military Hospital Album on 17/6/1916. This is currently held and is on display at the Tolson Museum, Huddersfield. The poem appears to be inscribed on the date that Lance Corporal W Bailey was discharged.

    Holmfirth Auxiliary Military Hospital




    234938

    Pte. Thomas Pepperd 10th Btn. A Coy Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27th February 1916)

    Thomas Pepperd was born in 1883 in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Lancashire, the son of Patrick & Mary. His marriage to Agnes Wright was registered in Warrington, Lancashire in 1906. They had 3 children Jane 1906, Annie 1908 & John 1910. He was a coal miner & lived in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire & also in Ashton-in-Makerfield. He died of wounds "at home" on 27th of February 1916, his death being registered in St George, Hanover Square, London. He was buried in the churchyard at St Oswald's Roman Catholic Church, Ashton-in-Makerfield.





    234937

    Act.Bmbdr. Albert Smith 10th Brigade, 63rd Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.28th Aug 1916)

    My great uncle Albert Smith was born in Tooting, Surrey on 16th May 1883. He became a domestic gardener and eventually moved to work as a gardener in Worplesdon near Guildford. Albert was not married when he joined up in Guildford. He was captured by the Turks at the siege of Kut-el-Amara and marched through Mesopotamia to work on the Berlin to Baghdad railway. Albert died of enteritis on 28th of August 1916 and was originally buried near the modern town of Islahiye. After the war the International Red Cross reinterred his remains to the Baghdad North Gate War Cemetary. Albert's war medals were eventually passed to my grandfather who was his next of kin.

    David Street




    234936

    Pte. Samuel Trim 68th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.24th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    Samuel Trim enlisted voluntarily at Taunton between 10th and 12th January 1915, joining the 8th Somerset Light Infantry. He was then transferred to the MGC training school at Belton Park near Grantham on 1st January 1916 and on completion was attached to the 68th Company MGC, in 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. The 68th MGC landed in France on the S.S. La Marguerite on 25th February 1916.

    The war diary describes how the Company moved into the trenches after a period of rest, on 6th December 1916. The guns took up positions in the Armagh Wood - Vince Street sector of line, which is south east of Zillebeke near Ypres. It was a relatively quiet tour.

    Over the next days, German artillery was active and the Company positions were shelled. The diary is rather matter-of-fact about it all and mentions no casualties. On 22nd December the Company was relieved and began to move out of the trenches for rest at Erie Camp, west of Ypres. As it moved through the ruins of Zillebeke around 6pm, heavy shellfire fell.

    It is reasonable to assume that Samuel was a victim of this shelling, and that he may have been hit in Zillebeke. He was evacuated, making it as far as the medical facilities at Remy Farm (No 3 Canadian CCS) in the hamlet of Lijssenthoek, west of Poperinge. He succumbed to gunshot wounds to the Shoulder, thigh, elbow and side (shrapnel) on 24th December 1916 and is buried in Lijssenthoek military cemetery.

    His brother L/Cpl Ernest Frank Trim 12156 8th Bn Somerset Light Infantry was killed on 28th April 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the missing.

    Shane Russell




    234935

    Capt. G. Williams 8th Btn. Welch Regiment (d.15th November 1918)

    Captain Williams is buried in the Lubumbashi Cemetery in the Congo.

    S Flynn




    234934

    Mjr. Boyd Alexander Cuninghame MID 5th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.16th March 1917)

    Major Cuninghame was the son of William Boyd Cuninghame and Marion Harriett Cuninghame (nee Paterson); husband of Elsie Cuninghame (nee Burrell, now Lady Baker, of Ranston, Blandford, Dorset). He served in the South African War and was Mentioned in Despatches. He was 46 when he died and is buried in the Lubumbashi Cemetery in the Congo Democratic Republic, he was serving attached to the Northern Rhodesia Rifles.

    S Flynn




    234914

    Sgt. John Durrant McIntosh 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.3rd March 1918)

    Sgt John Durrant McIntosh was my Great Uncle.

    Andy




    234909

    Bugler Tulsa Singh 74th Punjabis (d.29th January 1915)

    Tulsa Singh was the son of Nihal Singh, of Paunshta, Phagwara, Jullundur, Punjab.

    He was cremated and his name is recorded on a white granite obelisk in the Hong Kong Hindu and Sikh Cremation Memorial in Hong Kong.

    S Flynn




    234908

    Bearer Summai 74th Punjabis (d.7th September 1914)

    Bearer Summai was cremated and his name is recorded on a white granite obelisk in the Hong Kong Hindu and Sikh Cremation Memorial in Hong Kong.

    S Flynn




    234907

    Sepoy Sapuran Singh 36th Sikhs (d.3rd April 1915)

    Sapuran Singh was the son of Buta Singh, of Chakrala, Jullundur, Punjab.

    He was cremated and his name is recorded on a white granite obelisk in the Hong Kong Hindu and Sikh Cremation Memorial in Hong Kong.

    S Flynn




    234906

    Sepoy Sain 40th Pathans (d.10th November 1914)

    Sepoy Sain was the son of Rangi, of Gaghial, Akhnur, Jammu, Kashmir.

    He was cremated and his name is recorded on a white granite obelisk in the Hong Kong Hindu and Sikh Cremation Memorial in Hong Kong.

    S Flynn




    234905

    Follower Ram Saran 25th Punjabis (d.26th January 1916)

    Ram Saran was cremated and his name is recorded on a white granite obelisk in the Hong Kong Hindu and Sikh Cremation Memorial in Hong Kong.

    S Flynn




    234904

    Sepoy Ishwar Jaganath 26th Punjabis (d.12th September 1914)

    Sepoy Jaganath was cremated and his name is recorded on a white granite obelisk in the Hong Kong Hindu and Sikh Cremation Memorial in Hong Kong.

    S Flynn




    234903

    Sepoy Bogha 74th Punjabis (d.28th June 1918)

    Sepoy Bogha was the Son of Bir-Bal, of Balak Rupihar, Palampur, Kangra, Punjab. He was cremated and his name is recorded on a white granite obelisk in the Hong Kong Hindu and Sikh Cremation Memorial in Hong Kong.

    S Flynn




    234902

    Gnr. Arjan Singh Indian Army Royal Garrison Artillery (d.25th August 1916)

    Gunner Singh was cremated and his name is recorded on a white granite obelisk in the Hong Kong Hindu and Sikh Cremation Memorial in Hong Kong.

    S Flynn




    234900

    Pte. Peter Farrell 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.25th Aug 1916)

    Today 25th of August 2016 is the 100th year anniversary of my great uncle's death. He died on 25th August 1916 at the Somme, killed in action. Peter Farrell, Private 10089, 2nd Leinster, died under military age. We do not know how old he was. RIP.

    Barry Farrell




    234893

    Richard J. Vine 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    L/Cpl RJ Vine was blinded on 1st July 2016 at Fricourt. He enlisted on 4th September 1914 into the 10th West Yorks. A draughtsman before the war he retrained as a basket maker and later a telephonist. He was married and had two sons - they fought in the Second World War and came home safe and uninjured. His wife died in 1982. Below is one of his many poems. They are hauntingly beautiful.

    The Eve of Call Up.

    How lovely is the night; this final night of free resolve and clear, unfettered thought; these percious hours are mine in lone delight to pleasure joyful memories life has brought.

    The night is mine; those silver stars that shine shattering the dark despondency above, will shine with steadfast light in days to be when all my soul shall crave one spark of love; and the friendly moon shall I see full and serene, spreading a glorious sheen over the heaving bosom of the sea. A glittering chain of restless, golden light; while sea-borne airs will gently breathe into my heart caresses of the night.

    These are my friends; each in its fashion lends a lasting gift of lovely memories.

    And other friends there be whom I revere whose goodly company will grant release from life's insistent tumult pressing near.

    So shall I know, wherever I may go, to what far distant land my fortune leads, in lonely, quivering nights and hideous days, and fighting, fight again with desperate deeds till blind endurance fail and judgment cease, when faith burns low and hope has lost its glow, and in the days to come when sordid ease would seek to undermine my very soul, when evil men and women vainly please, who sear the flesh, yet leave the spirit whole.

    Then shall I know the beauty of this hour so close will I enfold it to my breast; and friends shall crowd my thoughts with pleasant fare, firming resolved and granting perfect rest.

    The night is mine, its beauty is my power.

    RJV. Blind Veterans Review magazine that dating from July 1915 for those blinded in the First World War.

    Catherine Goodier




    234892

    Sgt. Henry Millman 9th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.16th August 1917)

    Sgt Henry Millman was formerly 5980 Pte East Yorks in Boer War. Ent QSA KSA.

    Kay




    234889

    2nd Lt. Rowley Chaplin "Chips" Snowden 5th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    <p>

    We have in the family a very rare and precious memento, my great grandfather Rowley Chaplin Snowden's hip flask engraved with his name and Thiepval. The flask is also engraved with the date 27th August 1916 and has a bullet hole passing clean through one side. Crucially, the bullet left no exit hole. I've been trying to find out more about Rowley's time in service as we approach the centenary of this date as we will be going to Thiepval as a family to pay our respects. Any help you are able to offer would be greatly appreciated.

    Harry Chaplin Lang




    234885

    Pte. James Percival Trotter 1/5th Btn. Border Regiment (d.1st October 1918)

    James Trotter was born to Charles Trotter and Jemima Smith in the final quarter of 1897 in Rye, East Sussex. He was the son of a timber carrier. He enlisted in Hastings, East Sussex and served as 3081 and 290849, The Royal Sussex Regiment. He had two brothers, Robert Lionel and Charles Theadore and a half sister from the father's previous marriage, Edith Grace Voice whose mother died in 1886.

    He was killed in action, I think in the Battle of Canal du Nord, (part of the battle of the Hindenburg Line). He is remembered with honour on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, situated between Arras and Cambrai.

    Patricia Donoghue




    234884

    Pte. James Nathan Dixon 11th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.24th Mar 1918)

    James Dixon was born in 1894 at Macclesfield, son of Nathan and Sara Ellen Dixon, 7 Alderley Street. In 1911, they were living at 137 Chester Road, and James was working as a house painter.

    James attested at Macclesfield, his service record shows his first theatre of war was the Balkans, going with the Cheshires to Gallipoli on the 8th of August 1915; this was not with the 11th Battalion. Having survived here, he was then drafted to the Western Front. The Battalion were engaged in battle at St. Quentin, they moved on the 21st March 1918 from Bihucourt at about 9a.m. to Favruil, and on to a point east of Beugnatre. At approximately 5 p.m. on the 22nd it was ordered to occupy a position near Chaufours Wood, and the road running south from Marchies, which it did after making a short attack with the assistance of some tanks. Heavy casualties were caused by enemy shelling. At about 8a.m. on the 23rd the enemy renewed his attack. The Battalion were compelled to withdraw to Beugny, and then to the Army Line near Sapignies.

    Private James Nathan Dixon is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

    Robert Nathan Dixon




    234881

    Pte. Edgar Hoult 1st Btn., B Coy. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.17th Oct 1918)

    We have no real data other than the minimal data to be found from the surviving records. Not even sure of his date of signup. What is sure is that Private Edgar Hoult fell on 17th October 1918, near Le Cateau in the Battle of the Selle, less than one month before the end of the war.

    I have been scouring the web to find more information, there are no family members that I am aware of that might help with more information, but I feel it would be nice if his name were included on your website along with those of his comrades.

    John Millard




    234874

    Cpl. Arthur Haigh 2nd/4th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.27th July 1918)

    Cpl Arthur Haigh died of wounds received in action in France. He is remembered with honour in the Marfeux British Cemetery at Marne, France in plot III-H-8.

    Erica Kalaitzis




    234872

    Pte. Tom Harry Hall 11th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.26th Sept 1915)

    I know nothing much about Tom Hall, he was my mother's uncle. He was unmarried and was killed in France in 1915 and is buried there. His name appears on the honours board in Fotheringhay Church.





    234871

    Ord.Sea. A. Munro HMS Kent (d.25th August 1915)

    Ordinary Seaman Munro was the Son of the late Roderick and Henrietta Munro. He was 35 when he died and is buried in the Talcahuano No. 1 Cemetery in Chile.

    s flynn




    234870

    Sto.2 A. Phipps HMS Bristol (d.26th March 1915)

    Stoker 2nd Class Phipps was buried in the Magallanes Fiscal Cemetery in Chile.

    s flynn




    234869

    Lt. T. B. Storey HMS Otranto (d.11th Sep 1915)

    Lieutenant Storey was the Son of Frederic Samuel and Amy Storey, of Cambridge, husband of the late Margaret Storey, of Armagh. He was 29 when he died and is buried in the Guayacan Protestant Cemetery in Chile

    s flynn




    234868

    Sto.1 Thomas Burns HMS Lancaster (d.1st Feb 1918)

    Stoker 1st Class Burns was 37 when he died and is remembered in the Antofagasta Cemetery in Chile.

    s flynn




    234863

    Pte. George Burdett Derbyshire Yeomanry (d.23rd Aug1915)

    Trooper 1961 George Burdett of the Derbyshire Yeomanry died of wounds on Monday 23rd August 1915 in Gallipoli. Hill 10 is a low remote hillock to the north of a salt lake. It was taken by the 9th Lancashire Fusiliers and the 11th Manchesters on the early morning of 7th August 1915.

    Extract from the Derbyshire Yeomanry History 1914-19.

    "I remember no more gallant case than that of Private Burdett as told by the Doctor in charge of the Brigade dressing Station on August 21st. Private Burdett came to the dressing station (a mud hut through which bullets were passing fairly plentifully), having suffered a severe face wound - the wound was sufficiently bad to attract the Doctor's attention, but on being told to come and have it dressed he refused to do so until several others had been attended to first. After waiting half an hour he allowed himself to be attended to, and was just departing, the dressing having been completed, when the Doctor asked whether he had been hit anywhere else? "No" he said "only a little one here" pointing to his stomach. In spite of his assurance that it was nothing much the Doctor insisted on further investigation and to his amazement discovered that poor Burdett had been cut clean open. Nothing could be done and he died three days later without a murmur or complaint".

    He is buried in the Hill 10 Cemetery, Turkey. The cemetery was made after the Armistice by the absorption of graves from nearby sites and from the 88th Dressing Station, 89th Dressing Station, Kangaroo Beach, B Beach, 26th CCS and Park Lane cemeteries.

    George was born in Belper and enlisted in Belper in October 1914. He was resident in Belper. He was the son of Mr and Mrs George Burdett of Dale View, Derby Road, Belper. Before joining up he was employed at James Beresford Butchers shop on Bridge Street, Belper.

    Harry Pitt




    234858

    Pte. John Henry "Mad Jack" Horton 6th Btn., "D" Coy. Somerset Light Infantry (d.25th September 1915)

    John Henry `Mad Jack' Horton was my great grandfather and was a glass blower by trade. His name is amongst many of his Battalion on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    John Morgan




    234857

    Pte. Allen Steel 11th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th June 1918)

    Allen Steel was killed by his own side. He was part of a troop advancing behind a creeping artillery barrage, some of the shot fell sort of target. Allen, along with many others, was blown to bits by his own side. His body was never found and he has no known grave. His name is on the Ploegstreet memorial to the missing.

    Gordon Jameson




    234850

    L/Sgt. Percy Marshall Spice 1st Btn. The Buffs (East Kent) Regiment (d.5th March 1916)

    Percy Marshall Spice was married to Emma Florence Cooper Spice and they lived in 3, Charlemont Row, Harcourt Rd., Dublin. He was wounded in France and Emma went out to see him, as she came home there was a telegraph waiting saying he had died of his wounds. She never married again! I would think that Percy was stationed in Ireland before the war and this is how they met. I heard family stories of how he would collect to go dancing in a posh car. They were in love and her loss lived with her all her life.

    I have tried to find out where the 1st Battalion was on the days before he died. He died three days after he was wounded, so he was wounded on 2nd March 1916. I really don't have any more information and would be so grateful for any information you can offer me on the areas the 1st Battalion served during the war.

    Jennifer Ward Scott




    234846

    Pte. Reginald Burke 14th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    Reginald Burke was born in Winchester in 1888 and first joined the Hampshire Regiment in 1903. In the 1911 census he is shown as a private, serving with the 1st Battalion at Aldershot. Shortly afterwards he was kicked out for 'misconduct under King's Regulations'! His crime could not have been that serious, as he rejoined in the 14th and was medically discharged on 10th September 1918. He married my great aunt Nellie White in 1913 and died at Winchester during the first quarter of 1939.

    Peter Phillips




    234842

    Charles John Debenham 63rd Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery

    Charles Debenham was accidentally gassed on 27th of August 1917. Upon his return home he suffered with what we now call PTSD.

    Katrina Feakes




    234841

    Lt. Ernest Wilfred Rupert Finch 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.7th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest Finch was the older brother of Capt. Aubrey Finch, also of the 4th Seaforths. He was promoted to Captain on the battlefield, but did not live long enough to receive papers to that effect and is buried at Puchevillers Military Cemetery, France.

    Peter Finch




    234840

    Capt. Aubrey Cecil Malcolm Finch 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.7th July 1919)

    <p>

    Aubrey Finch is believed to have been promoted on the battlefield, due to extremely high casualties. Aubrey married Mabel Dorothy Glover (approx) 1st June 1918 at Woolwich, Kent while on leave. The family has lost track of her. Apparently, he then left immediately aboard RMS Olympic, bound for New York, arriving there on 8th June 1918. He was part of an elite international force sent to Arkangelisk and was killed in action on 7th July 1919.

    His older brother, Lt. Ernest Wilfred Rupert Finch, also in the Seaforths, was killed in action in August 1916. He, too, had been promoted to Captain on the field, but did not live long enough to receive papers to that effect.

    Inscription, Arkangel Cemetery

    Peter Finch




    234837

    Pte. John James Diver 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.21st August 1916)

    Private John James Diver, 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was killed in a night raid on a German trench on the Western Front near Loos on 21st August 1916. The war diary entry mentions the raiding party using Bangalore Torpedoes, which were explosive charges placed within tubes and used to clear obstacles like barbed wire whilst under fire. Officers who were killed that night are named in the diary, Lieutenants Fitzgibbon and Byrne. Five ‘other ranks’ were killed, among them my great uncle John James Diver. His unit was moved from the frontline the next day. He left a young widow and children back in Derry, Ireland. My grandfather William Diver (John James’ younger brother) was also in the 6th Battalion and in a field hospital being treated for shell shock when his brother was killed. He survived the war, and in June 1940 whilst then serving in the Royal Engineers was evacuated from Dunkirk which is only about 50 miles from where his brother was buried 24 years previously. He was later captured by the Germans on the island of Crete in 1941 and spent four years in a POW camp in Germany.

    Gerard Diver




    234835

    Henry Alfred Green Attchd 5th Btn. Machine Gun Corps King's Royal Rifle Corps

    Henry Green is my great grandfather. On 27th June 1917 he was called up to join the King's Royal Rifles. However, because he was over 30 years old (born in 1886), he was attached to the Machine Gun Corps, 5th Battalion. He was discharged from the MGC on 20th August 1919, but Henry remained as battalion cook until 18th November 1919. He recieved his official Army discharge on 20th December 1919. Henry died on 30th March 1960 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery in London.

    Michelle Bowen




    234832

    Pte. Thomas Allsopp 6th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Thomas Allsopp was born in 1892 at Berners Street, Birmingham. He served with the 6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (a territorial unit). The regiment mobilised on 5th August 1914 and was deployed on 19th March 1915. The regiment arrived in Le Havre on 22nd March 1915.

    Thomas experienced a gas attack on 22nd and 23rd April 1915, was again under gunfire and gas attack at Ypres on 24th May 1915 and enemy attack on 28th May 1915. On 17th July 1915 Thomas was in hospital. He was discharged from hospital to duty on 22nd July 1915. He subsequently died of a brain tumour on 26th November 1929, aged 37.

    Jane Allsopp




    234829

    L/Sgt. Kenneth Nicholas 13th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Kenneth Nicholas served with 13th Btn. Welsh Regiment.

    Denise Benger




    234824

    Pte. Thomas Hick Arnot 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Arnot was my great grandfather. He volunteered in 1914 and died, aged 37, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916. He left behind his wife Emily and eight children: Ada (15), Annie (my grandmother)(13), Thomas (11), Emily (9), Edmund (7), James (6), Mary (4) and Lily (2). They lived at 46 Cookson Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. His youngest daughter Lily, (my great aunt) died in 2014 aged 100.

    Christine Darling




    234822

    L/Cpl. Joseph Smith 6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    According to the Moray Roll of Honour my grandfather, Joseph Smith, enlisted in Elgin on 13th of October 1914. As he was born on 4th June 1899 that would have made him 15 years 4 months & 9 days old at the time. The Roll of Honour only states that he served in France. I would really like to know what such a youngster could have been doing to have earned a promotion to L/Cpl before he was demobbed. One thing is for sure, he enlisted as a boy but demobbed as a man.

    George J. Smith




    234821

    Pte. Charles Gridley 2nd Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.2nd Aug 1915)

    Charles Gridley was born about September 1872 in Richmond, Surrey, the son of a bricklayer. He joined the 31st and 70th Foot at the age of 18 years and 5 months on 16th February 1891 (Service Number 3370) and served in the East Indies and in South Africa during the Boer War. He had a total of 12 years service up to his discharge on 12th February 1903. He was awarded the SA Medal and the QSA Medal. Charles married Adeline Annie Barnett on 1st June 1903 at Christ Church, Richmond, Surrey.

    He served with the East Surrey Regiment, 2nd Battalion and the Regiment diaries provide an overview of events:

    • January 1915 - arrived in France and joined the 28th Division.
    • Ypres salient.
    • Battle of St Eloi.
    • May 1915 - Second Battle of Ypres.
    • From July to September 1915 the battalion was in trenches at St Eloi and Wulverghem in Belgium.

    Charles died on 2nd of August 1915 and is buried at Wulveringem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery in Belgium. (His name was entered as G. Gridley on the CWGC website. A correction has been requested.)

    Irene Scrivener




    234818

    Tomas Kirkbride Routledge 1st/1st Btn. C Squadron Dorset Yeomanry (d.9th June 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Routledge was a trumpeter with the Dorset Yeomanry.

    Sandra Tyson




    234814

    Sgt. Thomas William Stanley 7th Brigade Royal Horse Artillery

    Great uncle Will Stanley lived in Carlton Road, Birmingham. I have all his medals from WW1, bibles and a book on the roll of honour in Birmingham.

    Rhodes




    234810

    Pte. William Wallace Rough 4th Btn. Royal Scots (d.2nd November, 1917)

    William Rough was killed on 2nd November 1917 and is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery.





    234806

    Pte. Robert Wingate Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Wingate was part the first reinforcements to arrive after the Big Push at the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. He left the Somme in November 1916 with trench fever. He was later to return to the front at Nieuport in 1917 where he was with the 257th Tunnellers and received a gunshot wound to his hand. He was transferred back to England after spending some time in hospital at Boulogne.

    Guy Wingate




    234804

    Dvr. Henry Bibbins MM. 27th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather Henry Bibbins served as a Driver with 27th Battery RFA and was shipped to France in 1915 as I think his regiment was held back in case of a German invasion. He served in many campaigns according to the records including The Somme and Paschendale. He was awarded the Military Medal at Cambrai. I have the page of the war diary for that period. Being a very modest man he would never mention the war and would not be involved in any discussions. I have a letter asking if he would like an official presentation of the MM but preferred it to be delivered by registered post. Now here is the irony of the story. When he received the medal he placed the citation in the fire and refused to discuss it. I think he wondered why he had been awarded the medal as he had seen so much bravery and why some of his compatriots had been overlooked. Sad to say his Royal Artillery records were destroyed in WW2 bombing raid. Any more info would be appreciated.

    Reg Bibbins




    234803

    Ch.Sto. A. Tooza HMS Highflyer (d.13th July 1915)

    Chief Stoker Tooza was buried in the Mindelo Municipal Cemetery in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, Grave 97.

    S Flynn




    234802

    Pte. H. Osmond HMS Albion (d.26th October 1914)

    Private Osmond was the son of Alfred and Julia Osmond, of Stourton Caundle, Stalbridge, Dorset.

    He was 39 when he died and is buried in the Mindelo Municipal Cemetery in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, Grave 106.

    S Flynn




    234801

    Able Sea. T. A. Nicklen SS Doric (d.10th August 1919)

    Able Seaman Nicklen was buried in the Mindelo Municipal Cemetery in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, Grave 116.

    S Flynn




    234799

    Able Sea. E. J. Hole HMS Highflyer (d.19th September 1915)

    Able Seaman Hole is buried in the Mindelo Municipal Cemetery in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, Grave 104.

    S Flynn




    234797

    Sea. T. Henderson HMS Donegal (d.12th November 1916)

    Seaman Henderson was the son of Mrs E. Henderson, of Stoneybrake, Levenwick, Shetland, and the late John Henderson. He was born at Nethertown.

    He was 17 when he died and is buried in the Mindelo Municipal Cemetery in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, Grave 128.

    S Flynn




    234796

    S/Sgt. John Alfred Eric Crawford (d.16th September 1916)

    Staff Sergeant Crawford was the son of Mrs S. M. Cowen, of 82 St Vincent Place, South Melbourne, Victoria.

    He was buried in the Mindelo Municipal Cemetery in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, Grave 115.

    S Flynn




    234789

    Sgt. James Cairns 2nd Btn. Argyll & Southern Highlanders (d.20th Jan 1916)

    Dominic Fusco was my grandfather's brother, my great uncle, He joined the army under an assumed name, James Cairns because his name was Italian. His brother Antonio Fusco also went through WW1 in the Scots Guards as James Ramsay but he survived the war.

    Ann Jordan




    234787

    Drvr. Wilfred Godfrey 139th Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Wilfred Godfrey appears in the 1911 Census at Bulford Hut Barracks, Bulford Camp, Salisbury, Wiltshire. His rank is given as Driver, and he is single, aged 22 years and was born in Derby.

    C Dixon




    234786

    Pte. Albert Godfrey 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.18th June 1918)

    Pte Albert Godfrey died as a result of illness during his time as a prisoner of war at Peronne in France.

    Colin T Dixon




    234782

    Pte. John Davies 9th Btn. Welch Fusiliers (d.7th June 1917)

    I am not a relative of John Davies but am researching all the men who died in the war. Our history group have erected a memorial stone in the village and now want to compile a book with the info so that we can donate it to the local school.

    Sue Lloyd




    234778

    Pte. Albert George Orford 18th Labour Coy. Army Service Corps (d.13th Aug 1915)

    My great great Grandfather Albert Orford was taken from my great great nan Sarah Charlotte and their 12 children on 13th August 1915. He was on the Prince Edward which was torpedoed and sunk of the coast of Turkey, Gallipoli Canakkale, Turkey. Confirmed as lost at sea on 25th September 1915

    He has a plaque at the Helles Memorial which I will visit one day. He was delivering supplies to the troupes. Always remembered

    Michala Loe




    234777

    Pte. Joseph Victor Rowe 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment

    My Grandad, Joseph Rowe, was in the army from 1904 to 1907. I'm not sure whether he joined in Dublin or Rochester. I always thought that he and his family had spent some time in Dublin so it may have been there. Possibly he left the Army to get back to Kent but he was down as a Reservist from 1907. So he was mobilised from the start of WW1. He joined the 1st Battalion of the West Kents on 14th of August 1914 in France.

    He was reported as missing on 24th of August after the BEF started retreating at Mons on 23rd August. He was in a German prison camp for the duration of the war. He was repatriated to West Kent Depot on 16th of December 1918 and received the Silver War Badge and a £20 war gratuity in May 1919.

    Grahame Rowe




    234771

    Stkr. G. Mather HMS Astraea (d.24th April 1919)

    Stoker G. Mather was buried in the Limbe European Cemetery in the Cameroons.

    s flynn




    234769

    C.Sgt.Maj. Samba Saracouli Sierra Leone Battalion The West African Frontier Force (d.20th December 1914)

    Company Serjeant Major Samba Saracouli was buried in the Limbe Botanical Gardens Burial Grounds in the Cameroons.

    s flynn




    234764

    Pte. Arthur Lewis Cruickshank 8th Btn. King's Liverpool (d.8th Aug 1916)

    My great great Uncle, Arthur Cruickshank was born in Sherbrooke, Canada to an Irish mother, Louisa Kinkead. My daughters and I just visited the Thiepval Memorial in Flanders, and saw his name on the memorial.

    Oddly, we have records showing that he enlisted in the US Army in 1901 and then must have joined the 8th King's for the war. He was killed in an attack on the village of Guillemont.

    Judy




    234758

    Pte. John Warman 6th Btn. (d.21st May 1917)

    John Warman enlisted in the London Regiment and went on to served with the 6th Somerset Light Infantry.

    All




    234755

    Arthur Albert "Bud" Patching 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    Three Patching brothers were all professional soldiers before the war. All landed at La Havre in 1914 or 1915. One wounded at Mons sent home and discharged July 1916. Other two, Arthur and Bertie served throughout the war being demobbed in 1918 and 1919.





    234754

    Pte. Moma Offa 4th Btn. Nigerian Regiment (d.23rd November 1918)

    Moma Offa was buried in the Limbe Botanical Gardens Burial Grounds in the Cameroons.

    s flynn




    234752

    Pte. Boamu Ohegbe Ijeh African Pioneer Corps (West Africa), (d.1st April 1942)

    Ijeh Boamu Ohegbe was buried in the Limbe Botanical Gardens Burial Grounds in the Cameroons.

    s flynn




    234750

    Capt. Charles Reginald Thompson Hopkinson attd. 3rd Bn. Nigeria Regiment, W.A.F.F. East Surrey Regiment (d.6th September 1914)

    Charles Hopkinson was the Son of the late Mr. C.R. Hopkinson and Mrs. E. Hamilton Hurst, of Hurst Grove, Bedford; husband of Beryl Hopkinson. Served in the South African Campaign.

    He was 34 when he died and is remembered on a special memorial in the Limbe Botanical Gardens Burial Grounds in the Cameroons.

    s flynn




    234749

    Lt. Alexander Charles Holme 1attd. 3rd Bn. Nigeria Regiment, W.A.F.F. Gloucestershire Regiment, 1st Btn. (d.6th September 1914)

    Alexander Holme was the Son of Charles H. Holme, of Rawburn, Duns. His brother Second Lieut. R.H.P. Holme also fell.

    He was 25 when he died and is commemorated on a special memorial in the Limbe Botanical Gardens Burial Grounds in the Cameroons.

    s flynn




    234748

    Pte. Alfred Kemsley 7th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.11th July 1916)

    <p>

    Alfred Kemsley joined the East Lancashire Regiment at the beginning of the war. He went to France on 18th July 1915. He fought in the battle of the Somme in July 1916 and died of wounds on the 11th of July. He lies in Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Cynthia McVey




    234746

    Albert George Dicks HMS Bryony

    My great grandad Albert Dicks was one of the men who served on the Bryony when she was used as a Q ship. He served from 19th of December 1917 to 1st of August 1918.

    Heidi Murray




    234742

    Tpr. Bertram Meakin C Squadron Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry

    Bertram Meakin enlisted on the 25th of August 1914. He was discharged sick on 15th of February 1917 under KR XVI 'no longer fit for service'. I believe he had been gassed. He was a semi-invalid for the rest of his life although he returned to Newton-le-Willows where he lived until 1973. RIP





    234740

    Pte. Acton Balloch 3rd Btn. E Coy. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Acton Balloch was my maternal grandfather. I have his pay book and medals that show his service number as 3/7164. His wife, Rose, died after giving birth to his son Charles. He died after the war from his wounds and they left four orphans, Annie, James, Cathy [my mum] and Charles. Rose's mum cared for them even though she had a shell shocked son to care for as well. His name was Charlie Sweeney [22359] and he lied about his age when he enlisted. I don't know in which unit he served.

    Like so many other young men of that generation Acton joined up on 5th of August 1914, the day after Great Britain declared war. He was discharged on 26th of May 1919 as being no longer physically fit for war service Para 392 KR.

    David Reid




    234739

    Arthur M. Watson 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.17th Nov 1917)

    Arthur Watson was the son of John William and Sarah Ellen Watson of 222 Blackburn Rd., Accrington. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.

    P M Hinchy




    234737

    Pte. Benjamin Bullman 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.16th Aug 1916)

    <p>Benjamin Bullman is listed on the Thiepval Memorial

    No Known Grave - The Story of Benjamin Bullman

    When I was a small boy I remember being taken to the cemetery in Stretham, Cambridgeshire, to pay respects to ancestors who had been laid to rest there. The visit would always end by viewing the war memorial commemorating those who had fallen in the First and Second World Wars. On one face of the memorial is the name, Benjamin Bulman. I can't remember how old I was when my father produced a large bronze medal, The Memorial Plaque. And so for many years, as I grew up, I thought of what had happened to my Great Uncle, how he might have lived and died in the trenches.

    I have read articles of many long lost heroes of the Great War, they all sport fantastic stories of fighter pilot aces, company commanders who lead their troops into battle and men decorated for their gallant acts in conditions that we can only try to image, along with pictures of them and their medals. So what of Benjamin Bullman, was he one of these few that have a story that can be collated and put in the history books? Starting with a name and date of death I set about the task of putting together his history. With the Internet at my fingertips I began my search, my first stop being the War Graves Commission where I found details of his regiment, battalion, service number and date of death.

    Further searches turned up more references in his commemoration: Stretham Memorial in Cambridgeshire, Kenny Hill Memorial in Suffolk, Mildenhall Memorial in Suffolk and Thiepval Memorial in France.

    So, he has been remembered in so many different places and remembered on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month ever since. I had found a wealth of new information including his regiment, battalion, serial number and how old he was when fell. But what of his history, when did he enlist, fight, die and where was he buried? There is No Known Grave.

    Like millions of others who fought and died from all the nationalities in the First World War, Benjamin Bullman was not a fighter ace, a commander leading his troops into battle or a decorated hero. He was another ordinary man thrust into the horrors of modern warfare, the likes of which had never been seen before. Like millions of others there are no photographs, obituaries or personal details, just carvings of a name in stone.

    Even so, here is his story from the records and accounts that are available. Benjamin Bullman was born in Kenny Hill, his birth and baptism in 1890 was recorded in Mildenhall, the son of Charles Bullman and Anne Maria Dorkings. The 1891 Census records Benjamin at the age of 1 year old living in Soham and the 1901 Census records him in Mildenhall in Suffolk. From my father's research into his family history I can presume that Benjamin would have led a humble life as his parents worked the land as farm workers.

    At the outbreak of war Benjamin would have been 23 years old, and fighting commenced across France and Belgium as both sides dug in. It is impossible to date Benjamin's exact enlistment date due to 70% of the military records being destroyed in the blitz of the Second World War. Benjamin would have received basic training at the Suffolk's deport in Bury St. Edmunds. Although training times to moving to France could vary from regiment to regiment and the need for infantrymen during the war, the general opinion seems to be a basic training of 12 weeks, and a further 4 weeks before joining a battalion in France. As he was not awarded the 1914 - 15 Star which would indicate that he arrived in France after 1916, but the exact date is unknown.

    The 2nd Battalion were part of the regular army which formed the British Expeditionary Force in France in 1914; The BEF was badly depleted in the Battles of Mons and The Marne so the volunteers of Kitchener's New Army were used to replenish their numbers. During 1916 the 2nd Suffolks took part in the actions of The Bluff in February and St Eloi Craters in March. The fighting was not only the familiar trench warfare of attacks and counter attacks, but mines and gas attacks too.

    In March the 2nd Suffolks moved to The Somme. They were stationed at the depot at St Omer for training in open warfare in preparation for the Big Push of The Somme offensive. On July 1st, the first day of the battle, the 2nd Suffolks set out from St Omer for the Somme. They arrived at the front on July 8th, where they bivouacked in Carnoy (known as Death Valley) and were placed in reserve, and then on July 14th they were moved into the southern end of Caterpillar Valley, to the east of Albert.

    Two companies of the 2nd Suffolks were sent to support the attack on Longueval and Delville Wood, the scene of many weeks of bitter fighting, attacks and counter attacks from both side. During this time the 2nd Suffolks took many casualties of which some are laid to rest at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval. This is also where the South African Memorial is located. Abandoned German trench in Delville Wood. The War Diary of the 2nd Suffolk Regiment notes there were around 30 casualties taken at this time.

    On the 25th July they were relieved by the Staffordshire Regiment and they moved back to Mountauban, then Bois De Tallies on the 26th July and finally to Mericourt on the 28th July.

    n early August the 2nd Suffolk Regiment undertook elementary training, route marches and made up working parties on the corps line between Montauban and Bernafay Wood. They left Mericourt on the 11th August for The Sandpits (near Meaulte), just south of Albert. Here they were reinforced with a draft of 116 O.R. (other ranks). The Regimental diary at this time states: Practiced company in extended order, & once in attack, their knowledge of either was practically nil.

    On 14th of August they moved up the line through Bois De Talus, where they were shelled and took casualties, then probably through Chimpanzee Alley and into the front line trenches.

    The Regimental diary states:

    Relief completed by midnight and work carried on until Stand To at 3.30am, in widening and deepening trench, and connecting up the left of Shute and left of Assembly. Battalion was disposed as follows:-

    • 2 Platoons of Z.Coy. in Shute Trench (left)
    • 2 Platoons of Z.Coy. in Assembly Trench(left)
    • 2 Platoons of Y.Coy. in Shute Trench (Right)
    • 2 Platoons of Y.Coy. in Shute Trench (Right)
    • W. Company in Duncan Alley
    • 3 Squads of Bombers in Extension of Cochrane Alley
    • H.Q. at junction of Maltz Horn and Duncan Alleys

    During the 15th of August the Suffolks continued to improve the trenches under very difficult circumstances; Also the carrying of water and ratios and removing the dead and wounded was no easy matter. The officers surveyed the ground in front of the front trench to familiarised themselves with the ground for the attack and a patrol party was sent out to locate the German trench which was reported to be about 100 yards in front and to the left of Shute Trench.

    16th August 1916. Dawn Attack.

    Information from the Regimental Diary:

    The battalion was deployed for the attack with two platoons each of the Z and Y companies in the front line, followed by a further two platoons 50 yards behind in support. X company were in the second line and W company, held in reserve, moved from Duncan Alley to Edward Trench. 3 squads of bombers were to rush the German block in Cochrane Alley and 2 squads were to move in support of the first line as clearing parties. Snipers were detailed to snipe at machine guns and the company Lewis guns were positioned on the flank to support the line. At zero hour the battalion moved forward closely following the barrage. Z company, on the left, progressed 120 yards but were met by machine gun fire and lost all its officers and platoon commanders; in total they lost 3 officers and 90 other ranks. The remainder of the company remained in shell holes and retired to Shute Trench after dark. The right company were also met with machine gun fire. One platoon of X company and one platoon of Y company were sent to connect up with the French down Cochrane Alley and they were able to dig a trench to the left of the French. The remainder of Y company fell back after dark to Cochrane Alley which was consolidated as a firing line. Y company casualties were 1 officer and 85 other ranks.

    The gain of the attack was about 250 yards of Cochrane Alley and the capture of six Germans of the 124th Regiment.

    Account from Wikipedia:

    On 16 August the French 153rd Division advanced north-west of Maurepas and into Maurepas ravine, before being repulsed by a counter-attack at 10:30 p.m. The 3rd Division had relieved the 55th Division on the night of 14/15 August, ready to attack at 5:40 p.m. on 16 August, which dawned bright and hot. On the right of the 76th Brigade, a battalion quickly cleared Cochrane Alley to the Hardecourt to Guillemont road and took the trench along the road, despite machine-gun fire from Lonely Trench, which was too close to the British front line to be bombarded by artillery. A Stokes mortar bombardment on it failed and attacks by the left-hand battalion of the 76th Brigade and right-hand battalion of the 9th Brigade were defeated, despite several more attempts. The left-hand battalion of the 9th Brigade was also stopped soon after beginning its advance. After dark, the British withdrew on the right, only the ground in Cochrane Alley being retained.

    At some point on the 16th August 1916 during this battle, Benjamin Bullman was killed. In early August 2016 we visited the site of the battle and surrounding area in memory of his loss. Longueval and Delville Wood

    During the war the dead, if recovered, were buried in many small clusters of graves near to where they fell. After the war many of these graves were moved to larger, nearby cemeteries. Most of the dead found around the Guillemont area were relocated to the Guillemont Road Cemetery. In this cemetery are a few known men from the 2nd Suffolks who died on the 16th August 1916, but out of the 2,263 Commonwealth burials 1,523 of the burials are unidentified, some of them citing Suffolk Regiment on the headstone.

    We placed a tribute of remembrance to Benjamin Bullman, 18966, 2nd Suffolk Regiment who was killed in action on the 16th August 1916, at the foot of the memorial in Guillemont Cemetery as he has no known grave.

    March to the front line and into the trenches 14th August 1916

    Maltz Horn Farm trench map 1916

    View across the fields where Cochrane Alley, Assembly Trench and Shute Trench were situated

    Tribute to Benjamin Bullman

    Ian Bullman




    234734

    William McCoy 215 Caterpillar Section Royal Garrison Artillery

    I have a photo of the section on the Caterpillar tractor in Le Cateau. I have no date nor any other leads as to regiment although it is likely to be one from the Manchester or East Lancashire area

    Maire Leese




    234733

    Pte. Arthur Douglas 56th MT Company Army Service Corps (d.10th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Douglas was my Great Great Grandfather. He came home on leave, conceived my Great Grandmother and returned to France and was killed before ever meeting his daughter. We found him through the CWGC and took my Great Grandma out to his grave shortly before she passed away.

    He was a driver in the ASC and was badly wounded when his truck laden with ammunition exploded when it was hit by shellfire. He subsequently died in a Canadian casualty clearing station at Duisans. We have visited it several times and have taken our children there to keep his memory alive.

    Andy Wilson




    234732

    L.Stkr. William Edward Tiltman HMS Derwent (d.2nd May 1917)

    <p>

    William Tiltman served on HMS Derwent.





    234729

    Bdr. Robert Williams 1st/1st Welsh Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th June 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Williams was my Great Uncle. His Sister Margaret was my Nain. Originally from Angelsey later of Bangor when he joined up with his brother in 1914.

    Robert went through training and was posted to Fort Scoveston near Milford Haven. From there he went across France after traveling via Northampton, Cambridge and out via Southampton where he crossed to France. Once in France they traveled to near Arras and where involved around this area and Lens. I have much more information on places he was moved to.

    Eventually on the 25th June his Sixty Pounder misfired and ignited cordite in his gun position he and his three comrades where badly burnt, two dying from wounds on the 25th and Robert passing away with his other comrade on the 26th of June. Robert is buried in Chocques Cemetry with 2 other comrades side by side and the 4th is buried in Fosse No 10 cemetery extension at Sains En Gohelle.

    Richard Owen




    234726

    Pte. John Brown Fish 11th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.20th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    John Fish, sadly killed in action on the 20th February 1917.

    Tim




    234725

    Pte. George Langley 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.1 July 1916)

    George Langley was born in Lurgan, Co. Armagh in 1888, the son of John Langley and Margaret McMahon. His parents were married on 21 May 1882 in St Peter’s RC Church in Lurgan. George was a linen weaver like his father before enlisting in the Army.

    According to his medal card, George was enlisted in the 5th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers and served at Gallipoli in 1915.

    He was serving with the 1st Battalion when he was killed on the first day of the Somme Offensive, 1 July 1916. George has no known grave and is commemorated on Pier and Face 15A, Thiepval Memorial, France and also on the Lurgan War Memorial.

    It seems likely that George joined 5 RIF as a volunteer when it was formed as part of Kitchener's New Army in September 1914 and later transferred to 1 RIF. He may have been with the Irish National Volunteers before enlisting.

    Kevin Langley




    234721

    Sgt. J. Dennis The West African Frontier Force Royal Field Artillery (d.6th September 1914)

    Serjeant Dennis is remembered on a special memorial in the Limbe Botanical Gardens Burial Grounds in the Cameroons.

    s flynn




    234710

    Pte. Walter H Adams Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.5th June 1916)

    The parents of Private Walter Adams received a post card to say he had survived the Battle of Jutland on board HMS Hampshire with Lord Kitchener, but the ship had already been sunk by a mine. He is buried in the Naval Cemetery in the Orkneys.





    234709

    CSM. Arthur Howe Bond MID 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    CSM Arthur Bond was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Arthur was twice mentioned in dispatches.





    234708

    Sgt. Thomas Percy Bond 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.19th December 1914)

    Thomas Bond was one of three brothers and a father who served in WW1. He was killed in action in Ploegsteert Wood just prior to the Christmas truce.





    234707

    Pte. Norman Dunstan Allan 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.23rd April 1917)

    Extract from the Morayshire Roll of Honour: "Allan, Norman Dustan. No. 8447, Pte., Seaforth Highlanders; born at Cullieshangan, Keith, 1892; residing at Braes of Enzie Bellie, for 2 years; joined at Elgin, April, 1915; served in France; killed 23rd April, 1917. Son of Alexander and Anges Stewart Allan, Blinkbonny, Portgordon. Occupation, farm worker."





    234701

    Pte. John William Handley 1/7th Btn., A Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    John Handley was my great grandfather, who was born on 28th February 1893. He married Amy Hill in 1912. My grandad was only a tiny baby when John was killed in the war, so he never knew his dad. John served with A company, 1/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers service Number 4491. He died on 15th September 1916 age 23. I am only just finding all this out for myself, so don't have any other information. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    M Godley




    234699

    Pte. William Henry Nicholson 1/5th Btn. Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment

    William Henry Nicholson joined the North Eastern Railways Pals battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Upon arrival in France he was transferred to 1/5th Yorkshire and Lancaster Regiment, probably around September 1916. At a later point he was transferred to the Durham Light Infantry and was demobilised from there.

    He returned home to work for what had become the London and North Eastern Railway. He married and had three sons, all of whom served in the Second War. He died after years of pain from rheumatoid arthritis which he ascribed to his years spent in the trenches of the First World War.

    S.Nicholson




    234693

    Lt. Donald Lynott Daly 3rd Btn. Nigeria Regiment (d.12th April 1915)

    Donald Daly was the son of E. D. Daly, of Dalkey, Co. Dublin.

    He was 25 when he died and is remembered on a special memorial in the Limbe Botanical Gardens Burial Grounds in the Cameroons.

    S Flynn




    234689

    Pte. Arthur Tomes Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Arthur Tomes, my Grandfather, served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was in Rouen, France in October 1917and 1918 carrying his National Bible of Society of Scotland. He came home in 1920, having been injured, to Wootton Waven Auxiliary Hospital at Wootton Hall.

    June




    234684

    S/Sgt. Frederick Wade attd. West African Regiment, WAFF Army Ordnance Corps (d.8th October 1914)

    Staff Serjeant Wade was buried in the Douala Cemetery in the Cameroons, Grave 21.

    S Flynn




    234683

    Lt. Samuel William Street Supply and Transport Corps (d.9th November 1915)

    Lieutenant Street was the son of Samuel and Rhoda Street, of Exmouth; husband of Edith Perry Street of 50 Egremont Rd., Exmouth, Devon.

    He was 34 when he died and is buried in the Douala Cemetery in the Cameroons, Grave 19.

    S Flynn




    234682

    Lt. H. H. Schneider Survey Dept. Royal Engineers (d.5th December 1914)

    Lieutenant Schneider was the son of Theodor and Ida Marian Schneider of "Sunnydene" West Hill, Sydenham, London.

    He was 27 when he died and is buried in the Douala Cemetery in the Cameroons, Grave 3.

    S Flynn




    234680

    Lt.Col. George Pope Newstead attd. Sierra Leone Battalion. Suffolk Regiment (d.4th March 1915)

    Lieutenant Colonel Newstead was buried in the Douala Cemetery in the Cameroons.

    S Flynn




    234679

    Gnr. Alfred Hilton 141st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Alfred Hilton enlisted in March 1916. He fought at 1st Battle of Cambrai and was injured in the leg when three comrades were killed in action. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Alfred was demobbed in January 1919, but died in 1924 aged 39 when he fell off scaffolding during the building of Lewis's store in Manchester, leaving a widow and six children.

    John Ross




    234677

    Pte. James Alexander Meddings 8th Btn.

    Pte. James Meddings of the 8th Infantry Battalion, AIF sailed from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 14th of April 1915. He married Stewart Easton Morgan on 13th December 1916 at Gateshead. James gave his address as Whinney House, Gateshead, which was an Auxiliary Hospital. He had returned to England on the 14th of June 1916, having been hospitalised for a Gun Shot Wound to his arm. At that time he was meant to be under Field Punishment No. 2 for 56 days from about 5th of May 1916. James returned to Australia on the 6th of November 1918.

    Seven months after the marriage, on 26 April 1917, Stewart married another Australian soldier Claude Milne, she didn't bother to divorce James Meddings first. Stewart went on to marry Vernon Collins, a New Zealand soldier, in 1918. She didn't bother divorcing her second husband either. Quite a story? Claude Milne went on to marry another seven times, all without benefit of divorce.

    Deborah Watson




    234676

    Pte. John Daly 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.6th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    John Daly died in the battle to take Guillemont, Somme.

    Martina Carey




    234672

    Sgt. Thomas Davidson 8th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.15th July 1916)

    Thomas Davidson was injured and listed as missing on 1st July and became a POW. He died of his wounds on 15th July 1916, and was buried in Caudry Old Communal Cemetery on 17th July 1916.

    Peter Osborne




    234668

    Able Sea. F. Nelms HMS Astraea (d.1st October 1915)

    Able Seaman Nelms was the son of Mrs. C. Nelms, of 1 Orchard St., Belgrave Gate, Leicester.

    He was buried in the Douala Cemetery in the Cameroons, Grave 18.

    S Flynn




    234667

    Stkr.1st Cl. W. J. McKenna HMS Astraea (d.4th July 1915)

    Stoker 1st Class McKenna was buried in the Douala Cemetery in the Cameroons, Grave 15.

    S Flynn




    234666

    Cpl. Cuthbert William Woodhouse 22nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Bill Woodhouse joined the British Army, Royal Field Artillery in January 1909 aged 14 years and 9 months. At the beginning of WWI he was a member of 22nd Brigade. Early in WWI he became a corporal. He fought through many battles (later details sadly as yet not known) and was wounded in action, a piece of shrapnel hit him in the helmet, shattering his skull. He was Blightied out and at some point later he had a steel plate in his head replacing the shattered bone. He eventually left the British Army after a period of convalescence and recovery in January 1918, and lived into his eighties.

    E Woodhouse




    234665

    Col.Sgt. Hector McGuirk attd. West African Regiment, WAFF King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.8th October 1914)

    Colour Serjeant McGuirk was the son of Mrs. E. Cardis, of 23, Blackburn St., Blackburn.

    He was 33 when he died and is buried in the Douala Cemetery in the Cameroons, Grave 17.

    S Flynn




    234664

    Sgt. H. E. Lucia Cameroons Expeditionary Force, Works Dept (d.17th December 1915)

    Sgt. Lucia was buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroons, Grave 23.

    S Flynn




    234663

    Gnr. Albert Edward Lewis HMS Challenger (d.8th March 1915)

    Albert Lewis was the husband of May Elizabeth Lewis, of 26 Beatrice Rd., Bermondsey, London.

    He was 32 when he died and is buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 9.

    S Flynn




    234662

    L/Cpl. Joseph Amos MM. 5th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    Joe Amos was my father. I regret I have no written or photographic records of his service with the South Lancs but from what he told me (war stories) he was amongst it. He was awarded the Military Medal but never discussed it with me. I am now 94 years of age and would like to see my father's name recorded.

    Harold Amos




    234658

    Pte. Thomas Patrick Smith 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th May 1915)

    Thomas Patrick Smith was born in 1885 in Sunderland, Co.Durham, England. Thomas was the third of the six sons of Michael and Myram (nee Wilkinson) Smith and enlisted in 1903 in the 3rd Durham Light Infantry. In the 1911 census he was serving in Nasirabad Rajputana, India. He married Eppleina Green in Sunderland in 1913. Thomas died, aged 30, on 16th May 1915 whilst serving in France and Flanders.

    Susan Archer




    234652

    Col.Sgt. Frederick Charles Lake 1st Btn., Attchd. Gold Coast Regiment, WAFF Norfolk Regiment (d.1st April 1915)

    Colour Serjeant Lake was the husband of Mabel May Lake of Soham Cottage, College Rd, Watton, Norfolk.

    He was buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 4.

    S Flynn




    234651

    Sea. S. Hunkin HMS Challenger (d.12th October 1914)

    Seaman Hunkin was buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 1.

    S Flynn




    234650

    CPO F. J. Holmes HMS Challenger (d.14th March 1915)

    Chief Petty Officer Holmes was the son of John and Elizabeth Holmes; husband of Elizabeth Holmes, of 7 Grove Crescent, Teignmouth, Devon.

    He was 46 when he died and is buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 10.

    S Flynn




    234649

    Stkr.1st Cl. B. Green HMS Dwarf (d.6th November 1914)

    Stoker 1st Class Green was the son of the late Edward and Mary Ann Green.

    He was 26 when he died and is buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 5.

    S Flynn




    234648

    Sub.Lt. R. Elliott HMS Lagos (d.15th September 1915)

    Sub Lt. Elliott was buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 16.

    S Flynn




    234646

    Capt. Campbell Hackworth Dinnen attd. (as Staff Capt.) West African Regiment, W.A. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.4th March 1915)

    Captain Dinnen was buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 13.

    S Flynn




    234645

    Able Sea. J. I. Diggett HMS Astraea (d.16th June 1916)

    Able Seaman Diggett was buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 14.

    S Flynn




    234644

    Pte. H. Cox HMS Astraea Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.31st January 1916)

    Private Cox was buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 25.

    S Flynn




    234643

    Sea. Arthur Courtis HMS Challenger (d.2nd November 1914)

    Arthur Courtis was the son of William and Sophia Courtis, of Polperro, Cornwall.

    He was 31 when he died and is buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 2.

    S Flynn




    234642

    Able Sea. John Francis Collett HMS Astraea (d.28th January 1916)

    John Collett was the son of Mr. W. H. and Mrs. E. Collett of 50 Lawn Rd., Hampstead, London.

    He was 20 when he died and is buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 24.

    S Flynn




    234641

    Capt. Ernest Stanley Brand Attch. West African Regiment, WAFF Royal Fusiliers (d.8th October 1914)

    Captain Ernest Brand was buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon, Grave 20.

    S Flynn




    234640

    Pte. T. W. Boyle HMS Challenger Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.2nd March 1915)

    Private Boyle was buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon in a joint grave No. 7-8.

    S Flynn




    234639

    Able Sea. William Bird HMS Challenger (d.26th October 1914)

    William Bird was the husband of Mabel Alice Bird, of 25 Ash Rd., Horfield, Bristol.

    He was 31 when he died and is buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroon Grave 6.

    S Flynn




    234638

    Pioneer Charles Arthur Beak Wireless Section Royal Engineers (d.30th November 1915)

    Charles Beak was the son of John Arthur and Anna Mary Christina Beak of 46, Rylett Rd., Shepherd's Bush, London.

    He was 18 when he died and is buried in the Douala Cemetery, Cameroons, grave 22.

    S Flynn




    234637

    Lt. A. W. Battersby 4th Bn. attd. Nigeria Regiment, WAFF Connaught Rangers (d.8th June 1915)

    Lt. Battersby was buried in the Douala Cemetery in Cameroon, Grave 11.

    S Flynn




    234634

    John Machin 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.19th Sep 1915)

    My great uncle Jack Machin was with the 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment. His hat badge was sent home when he died. He was shot through the head and the badge has the damage caused by the bullet. My aunty still has the badge in the family and I have photos of it. My grandma is a Machin. She married a Fillingham.

    Dawn




    234614

    Sig. P. Bittleston HMS Almanzora (d.7th July 1918)

    Signalman P. Bittleston was buried in the Santos (Filosofia) Cemetery in Brazil, Grave VI. A. 677.

    S Flynn




    234612

    L.Sig. A. R. Wilson HMS Weymouth (d.20th April 1917)

    Leading Signalman Wilson was buried in the Santo Amaro british Cemetery in Brazil, Grave 308.

    S Fynn




    234600

    Pte. Robert William "Geordie" Murray 9th (Service) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    I have two letters from Robert Murray (Geordie) which have survived, both are undated, but I think are around Christmas 1917.

    Dear Mother, Just a few lines to know that I am getting on alright and keeping in the best of health and spirits. You will also be very pleased to know that I have been recommended for the Military Medal in the big advance last week. I came through alright and had some narrow escapes. I have received 1 postal order and two letters with tabs in and I was very pleased when I got them. You say that you have sent two postal orders but I have received only one. I will make enquiries about it you want to go to the post office with the number and you will get the money back. I am also waiting for another parcel as I haven't tasted bread for over a week we have been on biscuit rations. You have sent one last Friday and I think I will get it in a day or two's time. We are out of the trenches for a well earned rest after our famous victory perhaps you have read it in the papers. Well I don't think I can get my photo taken as there is no place to get it taken here. I think Reggie Lang must be swinging the lead I think he will be enjoying himself. I think he must be shell shocked.

    Dear Father, Just a few words to let you know I am getting on champion and that I got a registered letter that you sent with the five shillings in. It came in very handy as I was skinned at the time. We are still out of the trenches we are going back on the 28th of this month. I have enjoyed myself a treat the time I have been out, we had a whist drive for matches and we had a supper the other night. We had rabbits, geese and plum pudding, it reminded me of the old days. I played two matches for our battalion we won one and lost one, we beat D company of our battalion 7-2 and I had the pleasure of scoring three goals. The machine gun corps beat us 2-1 with the other match. We all had new strips we played in black and red shirts and white pants the same colour Blaydon school played in. We are having a very quiet Xmas here I hope you are having a better one in England. I wonder if Newcastle are playing on Monday I would like to see them playing Sunderland again. I have seen Tommy Rickaby and Dinning they have been transferred to the Irish, I think they will have had enough of it by now. Rickaby has went down a lot since he was wounded, I met him at the YMCA. Well I think I will have to close now wishing you a merry Xmas and a very happy new year from your loving son Bob.

    Anthony Murray




    234596

    Spr. Austin John Lusmore 255 Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.2nd September 1916)

    Sapper Austin Lusmore was killed in action in Arras, France on 2nd September 1916, and is remembered at the Arras Memorial at Faubourg-D´Amiens Cemetery, Arras.

    Peter Lusmore




    234595

    Ch.Sto. R. G. Verey DSM HMS Amethyst (d.23rd December 1917)

    Chief Stoker R G Verey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Verey; husband of Olive B. Verey, of 119 Newcome Rd., Portsmouth. Born at Portsmouth.

    He was 38 when he died and is buried in the Gamboa British Cemetery in Brazil, Grave 762.

    S Flynn




    234593

    Able Sea. Harry Sims HMS Macedonia (d.2nd December 1917)

    Harry Sims was the son of Charles and Polly Sims; husband of Lily Maud Sims, of "Glencairn", Penpole View, Avonmouth, Bristol.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried in the Gamboa British Cemetery in Brazil, Sect. AA. Row 1. Grave 4.

    S Flynn




    234592

    Able Sea. Harry Sims HMS Macedonia (d.2nd December 1917)

    Harry Sims was the son of Charles and Polly Sims; husband of Lily Maud Sims, of "Glencairn", Penpole View, Avonmouth, Bristol.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried in the Gamboa British Cemetery in Brazil, Sect. AA. Row 1. Grave 4.

    S Flynn




    234590

    Gsr. Allan Keith Robathan HMS Otranto (d.6th June 1916)

    Greaser Robathan was the son of Arnold and Laura Searle Robathan, of The Mount, Teignmouth, Devon.

    He was 23 when he died and is remembered on Sp. Mem. 985. in the Gamboa British Cemetery in Brazil.

    S Flynn




    234589

    Carp. W. W. Kean HMS Patuca (d.15th June 1918)

    Carpenter W W Kean was buried in the Gamboa British Cemetery in Brazil, Grave 716.

    S Flynn




    234587

    CERA 1st Cl. G. E. Humphries HMS Amethyst (d.20th February 1918)

    Chief Engine Room Artificer 1st Class G E Humphries was buried in the Gamboa British Cemetery in Brazil, Grave 889.

    S Flynn




    234586

    Tr. J. Graham HMS Almanzora (d.10th July 1918)

    Trimmer Graham was the son of Patrick and Mary Graham, of 36 Caledonian Rd., Jarrow-on-Tyne.

    He was 21 when he died and is buried in the Gamboa British Cemetery in Brazil, Grave 710.

    S Flynn




    234585

    Gsr. Albert Alexander William Smith Giles MFA Ooma (d.30th December 1917)

    Greaser Giles was the son of Richard and Fanny Giles, of Hastings, Sussex; husband of Edith Harriet Giles of 5 Gatwick Cottage, Povey Cross, Horley, Surrey.

    He was 40 when he died and is buried in the Gamboa British Cemetery in Brazil, Grave 1306.

    S Flynn




    234583

    POS B. Bradley HMS Macedonia (d.23rd June 1917)

    Petty Office Stoker Bradley is buried in the Gamboa British Cemetery in Brazil.

    S Flynn




    234582

    Ord.Sea. Francis Norman Bell HMS Glasgow (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    Francis Bell was the son of William and Mary Bell; husband of Edith Bell of 17 Wharfedale View, Addingham, Ilkley, Yorks. He was 24 when he died and is buried in the Gamboa British Cemetery in Brazil.

    S Flynn




    234581

    Pte. Charles Samuel James 13th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>

    My great great uncle Samuel James died during the First World War and is buried in France in a war cemetery, Chili Trench. His name is also listed on the war memorial in Teddington, Middlesex.

    Louise Long




    234573

    Sgt. Arthur Henry Boyce MSM. 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Arthur Boyce, 2nd Btn KOYLI, was wounded at Le Cateau. He was with Major Yate and must have been one of the 19 survivors with him taken prisoner. He was repatriated in 1917. Arthur continued his service with the KOYLIs and was promoted to WOII. He was awarded the MSM in 1920 for services to the King.

    Tony Boyce




    234569

    Pte. John William Marsden 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    John Marsden was my grandmother's brother therefore my great uncle,

    Ian Michael Topham




    234564

    Pte. George Thomas Glynn 11th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.8th Au 1916)

    <p>

    George Glynn was born on 19th June 1882 in Islington. He married Sophia Hannah Martin on 2nd August 1903 at Chingford Hatch and had nine children, of which seven were still alive when he joined the 11th Battalion Middlesex Regiment. It is believed he was wounded during the battle for Pozieres Wood and subsequently died of his injuries on 8th August 1916. He is buried at Abbeville Cemetery, France.

    George Thomas Glynn Gravestone

    Gail Whiting




    234562

    Pte. Lewis McGuinness 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Lewis McGuinness enlisted in the East Lancasshire Regiment in 1902. He was in WW1 at the outbreak from August and was wounded in 1915. He lived in a charity house built by public subscription and the East Lancs Ret at Upper Sales St, Burnley until his death in October 1938.

    James Stewart Johnson




    234561

    Pte. Daniel Currant 2nd Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    Daniel Currant volunteered in 1914 and was sent to the Western Front in early 1915. He served throughout the First World War on the Western Front and was demobilised in November 1919.

    Neil Currant




    234560

    Pte. Edward Willie Nobbs Royal Sussex Regiment

    <p>Bil Nobbs, Labour Corps on left

    Bill Nobbs served with the Royal Sussex Regiment and the Labour Corps.

    P Butler




    234559

    Pte. A. E. Ford 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.30th March 1918)

    <p>

    I live in the city of Evreux, Normandy, France where A.E Ford is buried. I am doing some research about him.

    Joel Legout




    234557

    Pte. Albert Cowie 6th Btn. Black Watch (d.21st March 1918)

    Albert Cowie is listed on the cenotaph at Farnell, Scotland. He was the son of John and Mary Cowie of Forebank Cottage, Kinnaird Castle, Brechin, Forfarshire. The date of his death differs in various records, either the 21st or 31st of March 1918. He was my grandmother Ann's, youngest brother.

    Bryan Hamiilton




    234553

    Sgt. Ernest Greenslade 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    Ernest Greenslade enlisted in July 1907 and retired on 17th July 1914 as a Lance Sergent. He was remobilised in August 1914 at the start of WWI and promoted to the rank of Sergent in the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards.

    Ernest served in the 2nd Battalion (4th Brigade) around the Ypres Salient in Belgium, Gheluvelt, Nonne Bosschen, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers and Festubert in 1915 as well as at Loos, Mount Sorrel. He also fought with the 1st Guards Brigade, Guards Division in the Battle of the Somme.

    Sgt Greenslade was wounded on 19th November 1914 during the 1st Battle of Ypres (Flanders) defending Klein Zillebeke: he suffered a gunshot wound to his left forearm. He was wounded again on 15th September 1916 on the first day of the third phase of the Battle of the Somme (historically the first day that large numbers of tanks were used).

    His medals include: 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge and King's Certificate.

    Ernest had two daughters, Marjorie and Cissie, but both died during the war, aged two and one. He was discharged in August 1917 as no longer fit for war service.

    Graham




    234552

    Pte. William Robert Clegg 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    My grandfather, William Clegg, served in India with the 2nd Btn East Lancs until December 1913. He was recalled and was captured at Le Cateau in August 1914. It is known that he was at Chemnitz and Doberitz POW camps.

    John Neal




    234549

    Pte. James Murray 8th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    James Murray died in 1922 as a result of war wounds.





    234548

    Pte. Albert Darlington 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.19th May 1916)

    Albert Darlington was killed aged 18 during the 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment action at Vimy Ridge. He is buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-Saint-Eloi.

    Helen Newall




    234547

    L/Cpl. Richard Russell Telfer MM 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    My great great uncle, Richard Russell, was born on 15th April 1885 at Haywood, Carnwath, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His father was Charles Telfer, who was born on 15th August 1826 at Kirkurd, Newlands, Peeblesshire, Scotland; he died on 2nd March 1895 at Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland. His mother was Janet Sommerville, who was born in 1842 in the Parish of Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland; she died on 17th November 1904, at Calderhead, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

    In the 1891 Census for Calderhead, Lanarkshire, Scotland, he was age 5, living with his parents and siblings at Torbothie Row, Parish of Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His father Charles Telfer died on 2nd March 1895, at Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland.

    In the 1901 Census for Calderhead, Lanarkshire, Scotland, he was age 15, a pit labourer, living with his mother and siblings at Torbothie Row, Parish of Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

    On 11th January 1904, he enlisted at the age of 18, at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to the 2nd Btn Seaforth Highlanders. His Service Record did survive and is available to read on the Ancestry website.

    On 5th November 1907, he married Margaret Hudson Scott at Edinburgh, Scotland. On the marriage record he shows his address as Edinburgh Castle. His battalion was stationed there at the time.

    He was mobilized on 5th August 1914, and arrived in F & F on 23rd August, 1914. He was appointed L/Cpl on 20th October 1916.

    On 11th November 1916, he was awarded the Military Medal. The War Diary of the 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders for November 1916, shows a list of those rewarded for gallantry. L/Cpl 8669, Telfer, R., is shown as awarded the Military Medal for two (2) 'Dates of Action' on '25.4.15 and 2.5.15'.

    His MIC shows he was awarded the M.M., Victory, British, 14 Star, and Clasp of Roses IV 1760. His MM MIC shows the date of the Gazette as '11.11.16'. The London Gazette 29819, page 10931, shows the award to L/Cpl 8669 R. Telfer. The Edinburgh Gazette 13010, page 2041, also listed the entry of the award.

    The Military History Sheet of his Service Record shows that he was awarded The Military Medal. It also shows he was asphyxiated by 'Gas Fumes' on '6/5/15'. He was invalided back to the UK on 15.5.15. He rejoined his Battalion on 31.7.15.

    On 30th October 1916 he was injured by "Foreign body - Eye". He was moved to 21 Casualty Clearing Station, then 5 General Hospital at Rouen. He was eventually evacuated back to the UK on 25.11.16. He was discharged on 31st March 1917, having served 13 years and 80 days with the Colours.

    He emigrated to Australia on 15th May 1922, with his wife and three children, and died in Lily, Victoria, Australia in 1966 aged 81.

    Tom Lang




    234471

    Gnr. Albert Bartle 187th Bgde. Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather Albert Bartle was in France in 1916 when my mother was born. I know nothing else other than what I have been able to trace on the internet.





    234444

    Pte. Benjamin Hollst 2/23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.30th Aug 1916)

    Benjamin Hollst died on 30th August 1916, two months into the Battle of the Somme. It is said he died of his wounds. There is a rumour or story which has been passed down the family from my great grandma who would be Benjamin's cousin that he was either part of a firing squad or he was shot by firing squad but it was hushed up, and somehow a brother was involved too. I have found no evidence of this yet, but if anyone does know anything please do get into contact.

    Elise Goodman




    234443

    Pte. A. C. Gray 3rd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.10th Nov 1918)

    After many years of searching, I have still been unable to find out what my uncle, A C Gray, died on the last day before WW1 ended.

    John Summerfield




    234442

    Pte. Charles McVea Buckner 98th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    McVea Buckner, an American eye-ear-nose and throat specialist, felt it his duty to volunteer to serve with the British Army in World War I. My grandmother, his young bride, traveled with him to Washington, DC, to send him off to war.

    My grandmother never spoke of his war-time experiences except to say that my grandfather was horrified beyond measure at the immense suffering and extreme loss of young lives. My grandmother had a lovely voice and, as child, I would listen to her singing war-time songs that she must have sung to calm her own nerves, worrying whether her husband would return home. Charles McVea died in 1936, aged 49.

    When my grandmother passed away, I found amongst her possessions a lovely Christmas greetings from the 98th (G.P.) Field Ambulance, dated 1917, Lt. Col. J.R.C. Greenlees, D.S.O. Commanding. The card is decorated by both motorized and horse-drawn ambulances, with a long poem ending: "So here's a Happy Christmas, and a peaceful year to follow. And a rollicking re-union, when the long, long trail shall end."

    Dorothy Buckner Wessels Boer-Stallman




    234439

    Pte. Evelyn Graham Ingham Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps (d.11th October 1918)

    Private Ingham was the son of John Frederick and Mary J. H. Ingham, of Warwick West. Bermuda.

    He was 29 when he died and is buried in a private vault in the St. George's Military Cemetery in Bermuda.

    S Flynn




    234438

    L/Cpl. Herbert Arthur Virtue Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps (d.8th October 1918)

    L/Cpl. Virtue was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Virtue, of Bermuda.

    He was 31 when he died and is buried in a private vault in the St. George's Military Cemetery in Bermuda.

    S Flynn




    234436

    Sgt. G Turner Bermuda Militia Artillery (d.18th April 1916)

    Sgt. Turner is buried in the St. George's Military Cemetery in Bermuda, Grave 434.

    S Flynn




    234435

    Gnr. Thomas Thompson 95th Coy. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.31st August 1917)

    Gunner Thomas Thompson was the son of Thomas and Ann Thompson; husband of M. A. Thompson, of 3, Dukinfield Place, Hillgate, Stockport, Cheshire. Thomas was born at Bolton.

    He was 44 when he died and is buried in the St. George's Military Cemetery in Bermuda, Grave 422.

    S Flynn




    234434

    Pte. Michael Synnott 2/4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th October 1918)

    Private Synnott was the son of Michael and Mary Synnott; husband of Mary Ann Synnott, of 1, Lower Sandwill St., Great Brunswick St., Dublin. He was born at Arklow, Co. Wicklow.

    Michael was 38 when he died and is buried in the St. George's Military Cemetery in Bermuda, Grave 20.

    S Flynn




    234433

    Gnr. Wardell Smith Bermuda Militia Artillery (d.24th February 1916)

    Gunner Smith was 18 when he died and is buried in the St. George's Military Cemetery in Bermuda, Grave 441.

    S Flynn




    234427

    Pte. John Nicholson 21st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th June 1916)

    John Nicholson died from the effects of gas in the military hospital at Rouen and is buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen. He had two daughters, the youngest he saw only once as his wife was pregnant when he went to France. He got compassionate leave to see her.

    He was born at Sherrif Hill, Gateshead. His brother James, died the following day, July 1st, on the attack near La Boiselle and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial as his body was never found.

    Simon Nicholson




    234426

    Pte. Arthur Hainsworth 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.15th April 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Hainsworth was born in Leeds on 17th August 1893, the eldest of four children of Fred and Ethel Hainsworth. After school, he became an apprentice compositor in the printing industry. He married Alicia Jupp from Burley in Leeds on 27th November 1915.

    During the war, Arthur enlisted in the 16th Btn West Yorkshire Regiment. He was transferred to the 12th Btn West Yorks and served with them in France until the battalion was disbanded after suffering heavy casualties on the Somme during the German counter-offensive of March 1918. He was transferred again to the 6th Dorsetshire Regiment and served with this unit until 15th April 1918, when he was killed, aged 24, by a German gas attack in the vicinity of Englebelmer. He is buried at Martinsart British Cemetery.

    Gareth Owens




    234424

    Cpl. Francis Samuel Bailey South Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Sam Bailey enlisted on the 11th March 1914, with the South Staffordshire Regiment. He was a Lewis machine gunner and later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. On 29th June 1917 he took control of his unit due to his DCO being wounded. He overran the enemy and held the position whilst reinforcements were brought in. He was awarded a medal for Bravery In The Field. His demob was in Feb 1919. I have all his medals, enlistment form, active service pay book and demob notice. Along with this there are photographs, notice from his CO of his award and a newspaper notice.

    Iain Bailey




    234423

    Pte. Thomas Lloyd Jones 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.30.10.1972)

    <p>

    My grandfather never spoke of his time during WW1. He was honorably discharged on 15th of January 1919. Thomas Jones was gassed and spent months in a hospital in Birmingham. We have his diaries from his last battle. We also have his discharge certificate and medal records.

    Diary Enties.

    • 30th. January Discharge from hospital for convalescent camp.
    • 22nd.February left Bayexu for base.
    • 23rd February Arrived Rouen 9.0am proceded to C E B D.
    • 26th.February Left Rouen for Rein Depot.
    • 27th.February Left depot via Bologne Calais & St. Omer
    • 6th. March Placed to do Pioneers work at camp.
    • 27th.March Left camp for unit. Arrived at 3pm.
    • 28th. March Fatigue at Weiltye.
    • 29th.March Fatigue at Krownfring.
    • 30th.March Moved from Red Rose camp to junction camp.
    • 2nd.April Moved from junction camp for Brake camp sick.
    • 8th. April Left Brake camp for Road Camp
    • 9th. April Left Road camp for Merville
    • 10th.April Arrived at Merville 7am. Went up line and dug a support trench.
    • 11th. April Division in front of us retired. Enemy held up by us but broke through on our left, nearly cut us off. Unable to shell us he bombed us out of the trench. Arrived at 17 CCS.
    • 12th.April Left 17 CCS in (?Us30AJ) for Camaet arrived in afternoon. Placed in ward (F7) 22nd. Can Gen.
    • 13th.April Marked Blighty by Doctor.
    • 14th.April .Moved to F3.
    • 15th.April Removed by ATX1 arrived at Calais in afternoon. Crossed over to Dover by (?saotia) Left Dover for Birmingham.
    • 16th.April Arrived Birmingham 3.00am.
    • 18th.April In afternoon visited Uncle and Aunt down town. Interview with specialist.
    • 20th.April Removed from G to B Block.
    • 4th. May Jack and Auntie Sarah came over to Birmingham.
    • 8th. May Letter from Dad.

    Lesley Woodbridge




    234421

    Pte. Cecil Maurice Ridewood 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.10th April 1917)

    Cecil Ridewood was killed in action at the Battle of Arras, aged 19. I cannot find his service record, although I have found his medal record.

    Cecil was born in 1897, one from the youngest of 15 children. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Bay 4, Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery.





    234420

    Pte. Wilfred Lawson Campsall 1/5th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.5th June 1915)

    Private Wilfred Campsall served with the 1/5th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, he was killed in action on 5th June, 1915, aged 19. Wilfred was born at Medge Hall in 1895, to George and Emma Campsall (nee Singleton). Around 1899 the family moved to Scunthorpe. His father was an iron ore inspector at the blast furnaces, whilst Wilfred was a press-boy at a brickworks.

    Wilfred enlisted as a territorial soldier in the Lincolnshire Regiment at Scunthorpe, possibly before the outbreak of war and most likely with the 5th Battalion who were the nominal territorial battalion for the north of the county. He was transferred to the 1/5th Battalion Manchester Regiment. The 1/5th Manchester moved to Gallipoli on 6th May when they landed with 42nd Division at Helles Beach. On 26th May they became part of 127th Brigade in 42nd Division.

    On 4th June, the 42nd Division, alongside the 29th Division, attacked the Turkish trenches in the hills above Cape Helles in an attempt to break out from Helles Beach. Consolidating their position over the next two days, the 1/5th Manchesters defended it against several Turkish counterattacks. Wilfred was one of the casualties of these counter-attacks. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. Wilfred is also remembered on the Scunthorpe Roll of Honour.

    Chris Campsall




    234418

    Pte. Arthur McConaghy 9th (Tyrone) Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Arthur McConaghy was the son of John and Margaret Jane (Sproule) of Sion Mills, Co. Tyrone, Ireland. He enlisted in the 9th (Service) Battalion (The Tyrones) Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 29th September 1914, Service No. 13880.

    He was discharged while still at Finner Camp, Co. Donegal on 17th October 1914. Discharged under "Para 392 ECK Reg 1912".

    John McConaghy




    234416

    Pte. Samuel McConaghy 9th (Tyrone) Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    Samuel McConaghy, youngest son of John and Margaret Jane (Sproule) of Sion Mills, Co. Tyrone, Ireland enlisted in the 9th (Service) Battalion (The Tyrones), Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1914, Service No. 13190. He took part in the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916, and was wounded. He survived the war and returned to live in Sion Mills

    John McConaghy




    234415

    Pte. John McConaghy 9th (Tyrone) Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John McConaghy, oldest son of David and Mary McConaghy of Sion Mills, Co. Tyrone, Ireland enlisted in the 9th (Service) Battalion (The Tyrones) Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1914, Service no. 16330.

    He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme – 1st July 1916. He has no known grave and his name is inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial, France. He was 34 years old and had married Margaret Elvin, of Sion Mills on 10th July 1913.





    234414

    Pte. Henry McConaghy 9th (Tyrone) Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Henry McConaghy, was the youngest son of David and Mary McConaghy of Albert Place, Sion Mills, Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Henry enlisted in the 9th (Service) Battalion (The Tyrones) Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1914, Service No. 13938.

    He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme – 1st July 1916 and is buried in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France. He was 21 years old.





    234413

    Pte. Robert George McConaghy 9th (Tyrone) Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.6th December 1917)

    Robert George McConaghy, was the younger of two sons of William and Martha McConaghy of Sion Mills, Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Robert enlisted in the 9th (Service) Battalion (The Tyrones) Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1914. He took part in the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916, and came through without wounds.

    He was killed in action at the Battle of Cambrai on 6th December 1917. He has no known grave and his name is listed on the Cambrai Memorial, Louvreval, Nord, France

    John McConaghy




    234412

    Sgt. John McConaghy 9th (Tyrone) Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    John McConaghy, was the elder of two sons of William and Martha McConaghy of Sion Mills, Co. Tyrone, Ireland. He enlisted in the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, The Tyrones, on 2nd October 1914.

    He took part in the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916, receiving machine gun bullet wounds to his right arm extending from elbow to wrist. These wounds left him unsuitable for front line service and after recovering in a hospital in Sheffield he was eventually transferred to the Labour Corps Serial No. 627449, where he served as a Guard with No. 200 P.O.W. Coy. He also served in the Royal Defence Corps and the Monmouth Regiment. On 9th December 1919 he was transferred to the Army Reserve with the rank of A/C.S.M.

    I well remember, as a child sitting on my father's knee, running my fingers down the groove left by the bullet wounds on his right arm, he never talked about it! He died, at the home of his eldest daughter, in Kidderminster, Worcs., England on 19th May 1950.

    2 unknown NCO's & A/CSM John McConaghy

    Pencil Drawing of 14516 John McConaghy

    John McConaghy




    234411

    Pte. Isaac Jackson 8th Btn., A Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Issac Jackson was killed on the evening of 29th of September 1916 after his Company had carried out a bombing raid on the Flers Line. The Battalion came under sustained heavy fire from the direction of Le Sars some distance away and my uncle was hit. His body was lost in the ensuing fighting and he is commemorated at Thiepval.

    James Jackson




    234409

    Pte. Christopher O'Brien 1st Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.14th February 1915)

    Christopher O'Brien was the son of Martin and Bridget O'Brien of Williamstown, Youghal, Co. Cork

    He died aged 20 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper, Belgium.

    Maryborough




    234408

    Gnr. H. Simmons Bermuda Militia Artillery (d.24th July 1920)

    Gunner Simmons is buried in the St. George's Military Cemetery in Bermuda.

    S Flynn




    234407

    Pte. Arthur Harold Le Grice A Coy 29th Btn (d.16th September 1917)

    Private Le Grice was the son of Jeremiah and Leah Le Grice, of Morningside, Auckland. He was born in England.

    He was 40 when he died and is buried in the St. George's Military Cemetery in Bermuda, Grave 442.

    S Flynn




    234406

    Sgt. William James Fowler Bermuda Militia Artillery (d.17th February 1915)

    Sgt. Fowler was the son of Julia Caroline Fowler, of Queens St., St. George's, Bermuda, and the late William James Fowler.

    He was 46 when he died and is buried in St. George's Military Cemetery in Bermuda, Grave 421.

    S Flynn




    234400

    J. J. Watson British West Indies Regiment (d.5th April 1916)

    Private Watson was the son of Mrs. Sarah T. Watson.

    He is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Grounds in Bermuda, Grave 18.

    S Flynn




    234399

    Pte. Arthur Jubb Veal 2/4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd October 1918)

    Private Veal was the son of George William and Georgina Veal, of 81, Clarendon St., Spring Bank, Hull.

    He was 20 when he died and is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Grounds in Bermuda, Grave 29.

    S Flynn




    234398

    Pte. C. Morrison British West Indies Regiment (d.13th April 1916)

    Private Morrison was 22 when he died and is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Grounds in Bermuda, Grave 22.

    S Flynn




    234397

    Pte. Albert Miley 2nd/4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th Dec 1916)

    Private Miley was the Son of the late Rev. John Miley and Elizabeth Miley, of Middleton, Manchester; husband of Ellen Heeds Miley.

    He was 38 when he died and is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Ground in Bermuda, Grave 21.

    S. Flynn.




    234396

    Pte. James Kenefick 38th Btn. (d.12th December 1915)

    Private Kenefick is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Ground in Bermuda, Grave 17.

    S Flynn




    234394

    Pte. C Hanson British West Indies Regiment (d.11th April 1916)

    Private Hanson was 20 when he died and is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Ground in Bermuda, Grave 21.

    S Flynn




    234393

    Sgt. A. Fox Bermuda Militia Artillery (d.15th October 1918)

    Sgt. Fox was the son of Alfred and Sarah Catharine Fox, of Bermuda; husband of Lillian E. Fox, of Southampton West, Bermuda.

    He was 32 when he died and is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Ground in Bermuda, Grave 30.

    S Flynn




    234390

    Pte. Walter Joseph Wilkes 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.9th Aug 1916)

    My great uncle, Walter Joseph Wilkes, served with the 9th Btn, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own). Walter was the son of John Wilkes of Herbert Road, Small Heath, Birmingham by his wife Ann Wilkes, dam of John Rotherham. He was born in Birmingham on 20th November 1897 and educated at Small Heath Council School. Walter was employed at Webley & Scott and enlisted on 13th March 1915.

    He deployed to France in July 1915 and was killed in action at Hooge on 9th August 1916. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate. His brother was 1658 Sgt William Wilkes, A Battery, 110 Brigade, 25th Division, Royal Field Artillery who was wounded at Plogsteert around the same time, losing a leg.

    Lest we forget.

    Richard Wilkes




    234386

    L/Cpl. Joseph Young 4th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.15th April 1917)

    Joseph Young died at sea. Sadly, I am unable to find any record of why he should have been at sea, as his battalion was in action in Mesopotamia (Iraq, Baghdad) at the time.

    Paul Young




    234379

    Pte. James Darty 2nd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th February 1915)

    Private 4858 James Darty of the 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in action on 16th February 1915. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres Memorial, Belgium.





    234377

    Cpl. Sydney George Hindom 24th (2nd Sportsmans) Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Sydney Hindom was the south coast high diving champion and gave lots of exhibition dives at fetes etc. In those days it was called fancy diving.

    He joined up late in life and was wounded and captured at Guillemont on 1st August 1916. He was imprisoned at Hamelberg and was repatriated in June 1918.

    He married in 1920 and had one son and two daughters and one stepdaughter. He died in 1939 as a result of his war wound.

    Alan Jackson




    234375

    Cpl. John Joseph Haynes 18th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th Sept 1916 )

    <p>

    John Joseph Haynes was born in Nether Heage near Belper, Derbyshire, one of four brothers and a sister. He learnt his trade but wanted more to join the Army. He enlisted in Derby and was sent to Winchester for training but he was under age so he was kept there until September when he reached 18. He and others then set sail from Folkestone on the HMS Golden Eagle to France. Sadly he wasn't out there long,not quite a year, when he was killed at Flers. The battalion had followed the very first tanks of the war into Flers. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was 19 years old.

    A Blount




    234371

    Sgt. John William Gibson 16th (Salford Pals) Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.25th Dec 1916)

    John Gibson was my great uncle but of course I never knew him. Records state he died of heart failure on 25th December 1916 and is buried in the Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Jill Russell




    234368

    Mjr. Francis William Loveday DSO 230th Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Major Francis Loveday was in command of the 230th Battery in 1917. He died in the Spanish 'flu epidemic that followed the war.

    John Ross




    234367

    Pte. John Hocken Hancock 12th Btn. East Surrey Regiment

    My grandfather, Jack Hancock, served with the 12th Battalion East Surrey Regiment for one year. He was a Lewis gunner. He got an extra 2/6d in his pay packet for being a Lewis gunner. This was danger money as the gun was so heavy you found it hard to run fast when carrying it and so were a sitting target.

    He was mustard gassed on 4th September 1918. I think this happened near Bois Quarante which is 11km from Ypres. He never returned to the battlefield. He died in 1985.

    Dave Hancock




    234360

    Pte. Samuel Nicholson 7th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.13th July 1916)

    Samuel Nicholson served with the 7th Btn Royal Sussex Regiment, part of the 12th Brigade, 36th Div. Sussex.

    Luc Pottiez




    234359

    Pte. William Swanney 9th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment (d.10th Nov 1917)

    William Swanney died serving in WW1. He was a private in the 9th Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment. William died on 10th November 1917, age 20, in Wandsworth Military Hospital, London, England and is buried in Edinburgh Eastern Cemetery.

    He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Swanney of 7 Iona St., Leith, Edinburgh. William was born on Shapinsay, Orkney Isles, Scotland. His siblings were: Thomas, Izat L., William and Elizabeth.

    Suzanne Swanney




    234358

    Pte. George Smith 10th Btn. Yorks and Lancaster Regiment (d.12th Aug 1917)

    George Smith signed up on 6th October 1915 at Wath-upon-Dearne. He was 30 years and three months old and a miner. He needed some dental work to join the 11th (Reserve) Battalion in Pontefract. By 26th October 1915, he was at Cannock Chase. On 17th January 1916 he was transferred to the 7th (Pioneer) Battalion, as he was a miner in his civvy life. He went overseas on 16th March 1916 into the 17th Division. They worked on trenches in the front line and were billeted in Voormeezle in Belgium.

    On 1st April they moved to Bailleul. While they were there, they dug bomb pits for training purposes. On 1st May, George was injured in training when a training officer threw a bomb and he was too slow to take cover. In an enquiry it was found that the fuse in the bomb was set short, so causing an early explosion. He was sent to a casualty clearing station and then home on 6th May. He suffered metal fragments in his right arm.

    While he was at home, he moved between the Regimental Depot, the 11th reserves and the 3rd battalion. It appears he was transferred to the 21st Works Company (Durham Light Infantry) on 1st December 1916. He was again transferred to the 3rd (Reserve) battalion in February.

    On 26th February 1917 he embarked for Folkestone with the 10th (Reserve), then to France after being reclassed as being fit for frontline duty. They arrived at the 34th Infantry Brigade depot at Etaples. He went through the infamous bull ring camp (I wonder if he was there when there was a mutiny?).

    On 4th August 1917, he was sent to Wakefield Camp, at Olocre. The 10th were in a support line at Passchendaele. They were to supply fatigue parties for the front line and also ration parties consisting of up to 400 men. It was on one of these parties that George was mortally wounded. He was transferred to 53rd CCS in Bailleul and he died of his wounds on 12th August 1917. George is buried there in the communal cemetery. Such a sad story, not much luck. He left a wife and two children, one of them just an infant.

    Wayne Thacker




    234349

    James Simpson 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Jack Simpson transferred to the 2nd battalion in January 1918. He was severely wounded on 21st March 1918 in the last Battle of the Somme.

    Colin




    234348

    Pte. William Brown 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.13th March 1915)

    William Brown was my great uncle and I only knew about him by doing family research. His story was rather sad. He had a son early on in the war but he died. He must have got leave before going over to France and his wife Dora had a baby girl who was named Williamina. William died at the Battle of Neuve-Chapelle. Unfortunately, his daughter died when she was three years of age. His wife remarried and William's direct line came to an end.

    Jessie Sword




    234342

    Pte. George Brindle Wilson 4th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment

    George Brindle Wilson was blown up by a grenade at Gallipoli in 1915. He was rescued at night by one of his comrades from Darwen. He spent around 12 months at a military hospital in Edinburgh before being transferred to Moss Bridge at Darwen in 1917. He suffered from shrapnel working its way to the surface of his legs up till his death in 1955.

    Hal Wilson




    234341

    L/Cpl. Thomas John Roberts 1st Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.9th December 1916)

    Thomas John Roberts joined up under age.

    Horace Roberts




    234340

    Pte. Archibald Campbell 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.8th April 1919)

    My great grandfather, Private Archibald Campbell, of the 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Irish Regiment, service number 5727 was killed in Egypt on 8th April 1919 in what has been described as a, 'native disturbance'. In Egyptian history, this period is known as, 'The Revolution'. The death toll, ran into thousands.

    He was 47 years old, and left a wife and five children. Many years ago I visited his grave at the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery. Next to his grave, was the grave of Brigadier General John Charles Campbell V C. Killed the 26th Feb. 1942. I put flowers on both graves. I have found it absolutely impossible to find out anything surrounding the circumstances of my great grandfather's death. I have tried endless avenues and found them all to be cul de sacs. Amazingly, Archibald Campbell has one grandchild still alive; possibly two. I'd love to resolve this matter.

    Thomas Denis Costello




    234338

    Pte. Thomas William Jones 20th Btn., D Coy., 14th Platoon Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Born in Rossendale in August 1898, my grandfather Thomas William Jones enlisted in the 4th Salfords on 22nd June 1915, giving his age as 19 years and 2 months, (he was actually 16 years and 10 months). My mother knew that he had served in WW1 but nothing more, as men of his generation never spoke about it. I think he enlisted in the bantams because of his small size at that age, probably thinking he would get away with it, which he did.

    He fought in all the major battles, The Somme, Ypres, Passchaendale, being wounded twice, the first time on 22nd October 1917 during the attack on Houthulst Wood and the second time on 10th August 1918 during the advance along the Amiens-Roye road.

    In August 1916 his father John Jones wrote to the battalion in an attempt to have Thomas removed from the front line as he was not yet 19 years of age even offering to pay, but I doubt that with his poor background it was unlikely he could afford to. Thomas William transferred to the 15th battalion when the 20th was disbanded and remained with them until 1919. After the war he married and had two daughters. He served in the Home Guard in WW2. He died in 1958.

    Thomas Jones in 1918

    Peter Hardman




    234335

    Pte. John Dillon 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.10th March 1915 )

    John Dillon was a casualty at Neuve Chapelle and his remains were never found. He is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial.

    Hugh Mcneill




    234333

    Pte. Sidney Russell Brenton 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th October 1916)

    Sidney Russell Brenton is remembered on the Menin Gate and Guisborough War Memorial.





    234321

    Paul Hamilton Douglas Garside 2nd Btn. Berkshire Regiment

    Paul Garside served with 2nd Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment, his brother Robert Garside with the 22nd Manchesters. Their father was Thomas Douglas Hamilton Garside, political speaker & journalist, co-author with James Myles Hogge MP of the book War Pensions And Allowances published 1918.

    Rebecca




    234319

    Pte. Richard Henry Harvey 2nd Battalion (d.1st July 1916)

    Richard Harvey was Killed in a Action. France & Flanders. Battle of the Somme.





    234315

    Pte. Thomas Dugdale 11th Btn. Border Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Dugdale served with the 11th Btn. Border Regiment.

    D Jarvis




    234313

    Pte. William Dawson 10th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.8th Apr 1917)

    My great uncle, William Dawson was killed in action on the 8th of April 1917, at Arras. I have been collecting as much information about him as possible. Fortunately, I have the location of his grave in Faubourg D'Amiens. I will keep searching for his dog-tag and any other information.

    B Dawson




    234311

    Pte. Henry John Williams 9th BTn. Cheshire Regiment (d.24th June 1918)

    Harry Williams was my grandmother's nephew. I remember as a small child in the late 1940s, seeing his photo on the mantelpiece at his family's home. He is on the Roll of Honour in Pendeen, also his name appears on the War Memorial in Penzance. I am trying to locate a photo of him but have not yet been able to do so. He enlisted in Penzance, as a Private. He sadly died of wounds in a Rouen Hospital and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension.

    Pamela Urquhart




    234309

    Pte Leonard Thomas Scarlett 9th Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.24th Aug 1916)

    Leonard Thomas Scarlett died during the Battle of Delville Wood on 24 August 1916.

    Peter Scarlett




    234304

    Pte. Morris Edward Pass 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    My Great Uncle, Morris Pass transferred to the 9th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Regiment on 17th February 1915 and sailed to Gallipoli on the Empress of Britain on 1st July 1915. He was killed in action on the 9th August 1915 at Suvla Bay. he has no known grave but is commemorated on the Helles memorial.

    Jill Allsop-Martin




    234302

    Pte. William George Carden 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.20th Sep 1917)

    My grandfather William Carden joined the army in 1914, he was a clerk and served in the Pay Corps in Lichfield. In May 1917 he was compulsorily transferred into the fighting forces, joining the Durham Light Infantry in Flanders on 30th of August 1917. He was killed in action on 20th of September1917 during the Battle of Menin Road, when his battalion were involved in trying to secure a hill nicknamed Tower Hamlets. A bit ironic since he came from Bermondsey. His family understood he had been killed by a shell, but given the number of casualties and the sheer mess of battle it is hard to be sure.

    William was 28 when he died and left behind his wife, Charlotte, a son aged 4 and two daughters aged 2 and 10 months. My father remembered the telegram arriving to notify his mother of his father's death, he recalled clinging to her leg saying "don't cry Mummy, don't cry". William's remains were exhumed in 1921 and he is now buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery near Ypres. I gather from the records that it took more than 2 years for my grandmother to get a war pension, she was a milliner but with three young children I'm not sure how she managed to earn enough to feed them. She returned to Ramsgate where she had family, her husbands father was still living and I think he helped.

    This is a very unremarkable story but I suspect a very common one. So many men did not last long once they were sent out into the field of battle and so many children were raised without a father by a mother grieving for her husband. When I was 9 my parents took us to Belgium to see our grandfathers grave. Even then I remember being stunned by the acres of gravestones and the ages I read on the memorials of his fellow soldiers. When my own sons were 18, 21 and 22, Tyne Cot was still in my mind and I was so so grateful there was no war going on to so savagely claim and annihilate them.

    Anne Etchells




    234300

    Pte. Wilfred Pearce 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    Wilfred Pearce was killed in action in the Battle of the Somme at La Boiselle. He is remembered at the memorial to the missing at Thiepval.

    Kenny Pearce




    234297

    L/Cpl. William Alexander McDonald Portlock 13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Aug 1918)

    William Portlock served with the 12th and 13th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Mark Bowman




    234296

    Pte Joseph Little Ferguson 8th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Joseph Ferguson lost his life whilst serving with the 8th Durham Light Infantry. He had formerly served with the 1st Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Glen Ferguson




    234295

    L/Sgt. John Thomas Gilpin 53rd (Young Soldier) Btn Leicestershire Regiment

    John Gilpin was a Lance Sergeant with the 53rd (Young Soldier) Btn Leicestershire Regiment, he was formerly a Corporal with the 2nd Battalion, Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment.

    David Faulkner




    234294

    Gnr. James E. Rooney 5th Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    I have just received James Rooney's medals into my private museum. They have been donated by his grandson. The Mons Star, War Medal and Victory Medal, engraved on the Mons star, Aug Nov 1914 plus the bar and rose on the ribbon, 5176 GNR. J.E.Rooney R.F.A. the other two medals just R.A. not R.F.A.

    James's son Joe served throughout WW2 with the Royal Ulster Rifles and the London Irish Rifles and survived. He fought in North Africa and Italy, one of the D Day Dodgers.

    Clive Higginson




    234290

    Gnr. Christopher French MM. 117th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.11th Jan 1917)

    Christopher French was in attendance during a funeral party on 2nd of January 1917. The group came under fire and apparently Gunner French protected his ammunition from fire, sustaining injuries from which he died on 11th of January 1917. He was my great uncle and was 22 years of age when he died.

    Heather Jones




    234289

    Sgt. Edward Albert Cottingham 4th Btn London Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Edward Cottingham served as a regimental policeman with 4th Btn. London Regiment.

    Sonya Mills




    234287

    L/Cpl. John Twigger 7th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.21st Mar 1918)

    My great uncle John Twigger is remembered with honour at the Arras memorial





    234281

    L/Cpl. Thomas Barrie Muirhead 1st Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.16th March 1917)

    Thomas Muirhead was born at Lochmaben and lived at High Creoch, Gatehouse of Fleet. On the 1891 Maybole Census, he is recorded at Cutroy Bridge: Thomas Muirhead aged 6, born Lochmaben with father Alexander (46, unemployed shepherd), mother Jane (44) and 3 sisters. In 1901 on the Kirkcudbright Census, he is recorded at Greatcross Bothy, Thomas Muirhead aged 16, assistant gamekeeper, born Lochmaben with gamekeeper William Stitt. On the 1911 Girthon Census, at Laghead, Thomas Muirhead aged 26, gamekeeper, born Lochmaben was a boarder with the Caig family.

    He enlisted at Dumfries in September 1914, joining the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders and transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He served on the Western Front (Loos, Neuve Chapelle, Somme) and was killed on the Somme on 16th March 1917. He is remembered on the Anwoth and Girthon War Memorial, at Gatehouse and on the Girthon Church Memorial. He is buried in Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu, Somme, France.

    He was awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star medals which were applied for by his brother on the 27th March 1923 and sent to Mr J. Muirhead, Dungarg Cottage, Castle Douglas.

    The Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser reported on the 30th of March 1917 "Thomas Muirhead (previously gamekeeper at Cally when he lived at High Creoch) was killed on 16/03/1917. A letter to his sister in Kirkmahoe says that he was struck by a shell and killed instantly. He said that the whole company mourned the loss of one of their gallant comrades and that he would be missed as a brother. He had enlisted on 28/08/1914 in the Argyll & Southern Highlanders but later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He was one of the first men from Gatehouse to enlist. He was 31 years old. In more than 2 years at the Front he had never been ill. He was a very popular man."

    Sue Colville




    234277

    Rflmn. Joseph O'Neill MID. Royal Irish Rifles (d.6th Sep 1918)

    Joseph O'Neill joined up with the Royal Irish Rifles, he was posted to the London Irish Rifles. He was killed on the 6th September 1918.

    Marianne Cohn




    234276

    Cpl. Stanley Raymond Carter 1/10th (Liverpool Scottish) Btn. Kings (Liverpool Regiment) (d.9th August 1916)

    Stan Carter was my uncle. He was a jeweller in Liverpool aged 22 when he died at Guillemont. An early Pals volunteer he died as a stretcher bearer assisting Noel Chavasse VC. His body was never found but his name is at Thiepval.

    Alan Sutton




    234270

    Pte. Alfred George Harris 7th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.16th-18th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Alfred George Harris was my great grandfather. He lost his life between the 16th and 18th of October 1918. He left behind his wife Annie and their young family.

    Alfred George Harris with wife Annie (nee Wilby) and childred Violet, Florence, Nellie and Alfred and sister Louis

    Alfred George Harris Grave

    Adrian Phillips




    234269

    Lt. Alfred Gordon Porter 85th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Alfred Porter served in the 85th Siege Battery from 1916 to 1918.

    Paul Tyler




    234266

    Pte. Harry Alexander Nobbs 11th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Harry Nobbs was my grandfather, born in 1877, he died at Arras on the 9th April 1917, leaving a widow and 5 children. Harry has no grave, he is commemorated on the wall at Arras and at St Mary's church, Hampton Middlesex. I have never seen a picture of Harry and would love to see what he looked like.

    Howard Nobbs




    234264

    Pte. Haworth Gregory 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.2nd Apr 1918)

    Haworth Gregory was killed during the German 'Michael' offensive in 1918, which opened with the most massive bombardment of the war, the Germans firing 3.5 million shells in 5 hours, including mustard gas, chlorine and tear gas shells. Many units were wiped out resisting the onslaught of the German stormtroops. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.

    Haworth's brother William had been killed in 1917 in Mesopotamia.

    Paul Guirey




    234263

    Pte. James Hunt

    James Hunt was my fathers brother and served in France until badly wounded he was one of the early people to have plastic surgery he lived and worked as a postman until the 1960`s. as far as I know all members of his family are now dead. I would like to learn more about his treatment if possible. His address at time of enlisting was Kings Road, Tysley Birmingham.

    Raymond Hunt




    234262

    Cpl. Henry Beattie Brown 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.11th Apr 1917)

    Henry Brown was born on the 5th of March 1896 at Whitehill Colliery Stables, Rosewell, Midlothian, Scotland. Son of William and Grace (nee Paul) Brown. He died at the Battle of Arras. He was my Great Uncle, his sister, Leezie was my Grandmother.

    M Woodhouse-Doig




    234261

    Gnr. Herbert George Edward "Pop" Ross 325th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Herbert G E Ross joined up on the 7th of May 1917 in London and was sent to Cannock Chase for training. I haven't found out yet where he ended up, but he was gassed and convalesced in Dalgeish Castle in Scotland. When he was better, he returned to the fighting and was gassed again and sent home never to return to the fighting.





    234256

    L/Sgt. Charles Napier Mitchell MM & Bar. 13th Btn. Kings (Liverpool Regiment) (d.21st Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Mitchell was my great uncle - my grandmother's brother. His father was Thomas Mitchell, and he lived at 36 Caradoc Road, Liverpool before the War, and worked as an employee of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. He joined the 13th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment on November 12th 1914 and went to France with them in November 1915. My Uncle, Jack Knowles, remembers that he was a machine gunner. According to the Merseyside Roll of Honour, he was wounded 3 times and was killed in action on 21st of August 1918. He is buried in a small cemetery called Warry Le Copse, near Arras - and I understand from other sources that he was posthumously awarded the Military Medal and Bar. There is a second headstone in Liverpool, which serves as the final resting place for 3 of his younger brothers, William Henry, Robert Christian and Frederick Mitchell, who died of the Spanish Flu in October 1918 and January 1919.

    Headstone in Liverpool

    Roberta Matulja




    234253

    Pte. William Arthur Dixon A Coy 52nd Btn. (d.9th June 1917)

    As far as I know, Private William Dixon was in the attack of the 7th of June 1917 at Messines Ridge and was hit by either a sniper's bullet or a shell blast. He was seen to be lying in a shell hole along with a Pte Laidlaw, George Carmichael and another man named Wall. Research from the Red Cross archives states that he was buried in dugout on the Ridge but CWGC has recorded him as having no known grave, and his name is on the Menin Gate Memorial as well as our own Australian War memorial in Canberra.

    All I know about him is what I have read from his file (also in Canberra) stating that he was a well digger and that he enlisted in 1915. He left for duty in the HMAT Ceramic in 1916. My father, his brother, never spoke of him and it was only when I was doing my family tree that I discovered my late uncle. William died aged 45 or 46.

    I will in the future go to Belgium to try and get a feel for the horror that unfolded there, albeit nearly 100 years ago. Lest We Forget.

    Raymond Charles Dixon




    234252

    Bdr. Leonard Jesse Ounsworth 144th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Leonard Ounsworth served as a signaller with 124th and 144th Heavy Batteries RGA. Listen to his recollections





    234250

    L/Cpl. Ernest Frank Trim 8th Btn Somerset Light Infantry (d.28th Apr 1917)

    At the Battle of Arleux Ernest Trim attacked with the Somerset's on the 28th Apr Their objectives were Wish and Whip Trenches,running along the Plouvain to Gavrelle Road. Ernest has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    His brother (my Great grandfather) Pte 5548 S Trim 68th Coy MGC also fell, succumbing to his wounds on the 24th Dec 1916 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.





    234248

    Pte. George Wicks 9th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.10th Aug 1915)

    George was a Timber Porter in civilian life, working in the London Docks.

    John Brittain




    234245

    Drvr. Albert Edwin Shepherdly 155th Field Coy Royal Engineers

    My grandfather, Albert Shepherdly, was born on 9th October 1894 at Chiswick and married on 11th April 1914. He served with the 155 Field Coy. with the 16th Irish Division from 1915 to 1919.

    I have some short memoirs of his war which mentions places he was at in the war. After the war in the 1930s he was OC The Legion of Frontiersmen, Hounslow Unit.

    Colin McDonald




    234244

    Pte. Norman Moyer 1st Btn. Canadian Tunnelling Company

    I interviewed Norm in 1993 about his experiences in WW1.

    Private Norm Moyer, Tillsonburg District Hospital, April 8th 1993 by Laurel A. Beechey

    Norm was born on 13th October 1895 and lived in Mt. Elgin on a farm. Enlisted at 19 years in Ingersoll, 12th April 1916 to Comp. B, 168th Battalion, Oxford's Own. He trained in Ingersoll from 26th April to 31st May and went to Camp Francis in London until 9th July, then to Camp Borden for 27th October to Halifax leaving on 30th October 1916 on HMS Lapland.

    Norm was put in a lower bunk above the driving gear and became very seasick, "not eating for 3 days because of the vomit left by former passengers. Sgt. Newton Chambers moved Norm up to his room nearer midship, which saved his life." Reached West Sandling Camp on 11th November, and the battalion was broken up on 5th December into the 12th and 39th reserve battalions. Moyer was sent to 1st Canadian Tunnelling Co.

    While in England for enjoyment "he borrowed Gordon Clines kilts and went roller skating at Folkstone."

    Training was completed in December and he was sent to LeHavre in France, loaded with 39 other men to a freight car and taken to St. Eloi, Belgium. This was uncomfortable, as the car had previously held 8 horses and their waste was frozen solid.

    Norm was a sapper. (The object of mining in WWI was to place large amounts of explosives under the enemy's front line, blowing it up at a predetermined moment and utilizing the confusion so caused to occupy part of the enemy's front line at a cost in life far lower than would have been involved in a frontal assault. The technique developed in the war was to dig an open trench, know as a sap, usually in a zig-zag pattern forward of the front line to a point as near to the enemy's lines as possible. This distance was usually the range to which a grenade could be thrown. From this point, a tunnel or mine would be dug towards the enemy's line. The tunnel was normally lined with wood. When a position under the line had been reached, an explosive charge or mine would be placed at the end of the tunnel and tamped in such a way that most of the blast would be directed upwards into the opposition's front line trench. From the charge, electric cables were laid to a safe position and at the appointed hour the mine would be fired. The foregoing description supposes the enemy to have remained in ignorance of the mining operations. This was, however, unlikely as he would have been listening for such activity with the use of an unaided ear or a geophone, an instrument similar to a doctor's stethoscope. If he detected mining in operation, he would dig a tunnel of his own, a counter mine, and try to dig into his opponent's tunnel undetected and then destroy it. If this countermine were in turn detected the opponent would await its arrival and then attempt to beat the enemy in a fight in the tunnel or use a device known as a camouflet. This involved pushing a long tube towards the enemy's countermine, and when it had reached a position fairly close to it, detonate an explosive charge at its tip. This was usually sufficient to cause the collapse of the countermine.)

    Messines Ridge - some of the tunnels were almost 200' down countermine under countermine. It was here on 7th June 1917 that Norm helped in loading 80 tons of ammonal in the mine S.P.14. This was an explosive more volatile than dynamite. At 3.10am 19 mines, spread over 8 miles, were blown all at the "same second", rolling out huge mounds of earth and chalk the size of a city block - 933,000 pounds in all.

    The miners also had to pump water out of the mines. Norm admitted to being very scared while in the mines as it was a very high risk job.

    The men's shift was six hours in the mines and 12 hours out. They would dig their 4' tunnels, filling sandbags with the dirt and dragging them out to be used in trenches, bunkers etc. They would lug timber in to shore up the mines. And they would lug 40lb pails of explosives in, all the while trying to be quiet so the "Fritzies" would not hear. Often they would have to sit quietly in a tunnel listening for Fritzie. They could not tell where the Germans were and all of a sudden they would be in your tunnel and blow them up.

    Norm went to Vimy where he stayed until end of war. He helped to plant mines at Vimy, although he was not there for the initial battle. (You must remember that this battle went on "for ever".)

    The Germans had an intricate underground system to house and transport men and goods.

    The Canadians were called "Crazy Canadians" because the Canadians would go into battle and win where others before would not. They seemed fearless.

    Norm could recall artillery barrages where the wheels of the guns touched each other for what seemed like miles. He also recalled mules tied to a rail, then a shell came and killed them all. Mule skinners were so named because they would push the mules so hard they would "skin the hide off". Because of the mud, the mules' harnesses would rub them raw.

    Norm was at the front a lot, although he did get some leave. He went to Scotland to see where his mother came from.

    Norm returned to Canada on HMS Olympic on 25th March 1919 and was home by the 29th.

    When asked if people ever asked him about the war he said: "People at home didn't know what was happening over there, they never understood unless they were there."

    Laurel A. Beechey




    234242

    Cpl Thomas Walter Read 15th (Carmarthenshire) Btn Welsh Regiment (d.28th Sep 1918)

    Thomas Read sometimes spelt Reed was my great uncle .





    234241

    Pte. Joseph Grealey 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.25th Aug 1916)

    Joseph Grealey was a great uncle of mine of Irish decent who lived with an extended family in Kidderminster in Worcestershire. His medals were sold for 150 pounds in 2013. I only found out after the event, unfortunately. He died near the Hindenburg Trench during the Battle of Pozieres in 1916, having fought from Mons in 1914 through to the Somme.

    Andrew Jackson




    234239

    Pte. Thomas Radford 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Thomas Radford came from a large family and lived on New High Street, in Buxton, Derbyshire. He went to enrol in Derby with his brother and brother in law. His brother Samuel survived as did John Clearly who was gassed and brought back to England. Uncle Tommy unfortunately died on the 1st day of the Somme, aged just 28.

    Lindsey Kadzevski




    234237

    Pte. Philip Alan Gale 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.23rd/24th Jul 1916)

    Philip Alan Gale was the son of William and Annie Gale of 108 High Street Marlborough in Wiltshire. In the 1911 census Philip is listed as an apprentice in an outfitting business, and his father, William, as a printer. There is a memorial brass plaque to Philip in Christchurch, Marlborough. which states " wounded and missing on the Somme whilst endeavouring to succour wounded comrades."

    David Du Croz




    234227

    Pte. William Carter 8th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Mar 1917)

    William Carter, my Great Uncle, was sweet on a lovely lady Dorothy in London where he lived and worked as a grocer. They would have married on his return from France. Sadly William went off to war in France and his brother Francis went to Gallipoli. Sadly William was killed after 6 short months. Francis came back and married Dorothy, my grandmother. After 100 years William was lost in France somewhere and I have recently found him.

    Dawn Vaughan




    234225

    Pte Sidney George Mills 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    Sidney Mills last resting place is Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Traport.

    Kenneth Mills




    234224

    Pte. John Edward Wilding 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.25th Aug 1918)

    John Edward Wilding (born in 1901) was a soldier in the 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in the 52nd Brigade of the 17th (Northern) Division. He was killed in action, aged 16, during the second Battle of Bapaume, a phase of the second Battle of the Somme in August 1918. He is buried at the Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, France.

    Penny




    234221

    Cpl. Henry George Amblin MM. 18th Briade Royal Field Artillery

    Henry Amblin enlisted in the the Wiltshire Regiment on 1st of Apr 1896 . He was trained at the Regimental Depot at Devizes and then posted to the 2nd Battalion on 8 Jul 1896 who were serving in Guernsey before transferring to 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment on 22nd of Feb 98 with whom he was posted to India after serving 1 yr 327 days in Britain. Whilst serving in India with the Wiltshires he transferred to 30th Battery Royal Field Artillery with effect the 30 Nov 1903. Whilst in India he also served with 44th Brigade, 59th Battery RFA, of the 3rd Lahore Division. He served in India for 16 yrs and 185 days and remained in India until being sent to France at the start of the Great War

    He arrived in France on 26th of Aug 1914 and remained there until 25 Jan 1919 serving in France for 4 yrs and 123 days when he returned to the UK and was discharged on the 23rd of Feb 1919 with 22 yrs 329 days service. During his time in France he was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field on 27th of September 1918 for an action in or near the village of Moislains on the first day of the Battle of Canal Du Nord, this was published in the London Gazzette on 11th of Feb 1919.





    234220

    QMS. John Bentley Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    John Bentley (born 22nd March 1890) joined the RFA in France in 1915 as a bombardier and was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant. He may have been in the 49th (West Riding) Division, which saw action at The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette (all phases of the 1916 Battles of the Somme). After the war he returned to his job as a school headmaster and he and his wife Elsie had three children. He died aged 84 in March 1974 in Todmorden, Yorkshire.

    He didn't talk much about his time in the trenches. However, his son David related these stories:

    In a skirmish during the Great War, presumably after the officers had been killed, an NCO colleague of Dad's, surname Julian, countermanded the orders which led to a successful result. However, to avoid a court martial for insubordination, Julian was promoted straight to Lieutenant Colonel Julian.

    On an occasion when Dad was coming home on leave he found himself at a railway station in Manchester in the middle of the night. The driver of a coal train saw him, stopped, asked him where he was going, and as the train was going through Todmorden anyway, invited him to ride in the engine. Approaching Todmorden, the driver stopped the train by the row of houses where Dad lived for him to alight. When Dad knocked at the door of his house, his father, Sam Bentley wouldn't let him in until he'd undressed outside because, as with all soldiers from the trenches, he was infested with lice.

    One dark night he heard some movement close by his trench, and clobbered this Jerry over the head with his rifle butt only to discover that he'd brained a badger - and as a keen naturalist he was most upset about it.

    John Bentley surveying the battlefield

    John Bentley, 1917, painted by an army colleague in the trenches

    Penny




    234219

    Pte Edward Martin Smith 10th (Liverpool Scottish) Btn. King's Regiment (Liverpool)

    Edward Martin Smith (b. 19 Jan 1893) was posted to the Front on 1 March 1917. He was captured and taken Prisoner of War on 30 November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. He arrived at a POW camp in Munster, Germany on 4 December 1917, where he remained until 7 December 1918, having sustained severe beatings. His last place of internment was in Liege, Belguim. After the war he returned to his job as a foreman painter in Liverpool and he and his wife Elizabeth had 8 children, 4 of whom survived childhood. He died aged 42 in Liverpool on 27 January 1935 from a brain tumour (rumoured to have been a result of the beatings he received as a POW).

    Penny




    234218

    Pte. Alfred Bentley 9th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.25th April 1917)

    Alfred Bentley was killed in action during the Second Battle of the Scarpe within the Battle of Arras, aged 38. His name appears on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens British Cemetery, Arras, France, and in the Todmorden Garden of Rememberance, Todmorden, Yorkshire.





    234212

    Pte. William Hazzelby Jones 23rd Btn., C Coy. Welsh Regiment (d.1st Dec 1916)

    <p>

    William Jones died of malaria and is buried in Lahana Military Cemetery, Thessaloniki, Greece. His wife was Elizabeth Jones.

    Glyn Jones




    234199

    Pte. Arthur Arnold 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Arthur Arnold joined the British Army as a Regular on 28th December 1899. He was working as a clerk and had won prizes for his ace marksmanship in competitions. He and his friend Augusto Walston Arturo Blackbory Bampkin Davis from Montevideo, Uraguay (better named as Arthur Blackburn Bamkins), served then onwards in South Africa, India and Malta. They were held in reserve in August 1914 before shipping to Le Havre. They went straight into battle at Le Cateau. They were in action through every major battle from 1914 to 1918 and Arthur ended service 1919.

    Arthur came home and then worked at De Havilland in Hertfordshire. He loved his football and looking after his chickens. He had four daughters and one son, and lived in Letchworth Garden City and Stotfold. He was a member of the Old Contemptibles and made regular trips to the Cenotaph and the WWI battlefields and cemetery sites.

    Rodney Collins




    234196

    Pte. James Thomas Clee MSM. 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    James Clee was a serving member of the South Staffordshire Regiment when war broke out, stationed in South Africa. He arrived in France in October 1914. He was an army boxer and won many boxing medals in service. James survived a gas attack in the early part of the war and this affected him greatly in his later years. He was machine gunned in his leg and captured by Germans, not sure when but think it was during the battle of the Somme in 1916. German doctors inserted metal plates into his leg which saved him losing it.He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, in May 1919, for devotion of duty and valuable services rendered whist a prisoner of war, as recorded in the London Gazette, January 1920, as well as the Pip, Squeak and Wilfred medals. (British War Medal, The Victory Medal and The 1914 Star). After the war he returned to Bradley, Bilston, then part of Staffordshire, but because of injuries sustained from the war was never able to work properly again. James died from lung problems in 1949 aged 55 years.

    Alan Baldwin




    234195

    Capt. Kenneth Duncan Cameron Macrae MC. att. 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers Royal Army Medical Corps

    Kenneth Macrae, a doctor in the Royal Army Medical Corps, joined up and was attached to the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers from April 1915. The 8th Battalion was formed at Newcastle in August 1914 and to moved to Grantham to be part of 34th Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. From there to Witley, Surrey, in April 1915, and sailed for Mediterranean in July 1915. The Battalion landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli 6th August 1915. After evacuation they went to Egypt in January 1916, then to France in July of that year to join the offensive on the Somme (1st July to 18th November 1916). The battalion remained in France until Armistice Day 11th November 1918.

    His first action was at Gallipoli in 1915. Landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli as part of 11th (Northern) Division, which had made the initial landing on the night of 6th of August, in order to take Scimitar Hill. The 10th (Irish) Division, landed the following morning, and together they did not advance from the immediate environs of the beach until 8th August, by which time they were already exhausted from lack of water and being under constant shrapnel and sniper fire. Allied casualties in the Scimitar Hill action reached some 5,000, many of which were incurred after British artillery shrapnel resulted in surrounding bush catching fire. Turkish losses were put at 2,600. They were evacuated in January 1916.

    Later in France Kenneth Macrae was awarded Military Cross for actions between 9th and 18th April 1918 at Armentieres. On April 9th, Germany launched second Spring offensive, the Battle of the Lys, in the British sector of Armentieres. The allied line is forced back to Wytschaete, Messines Ridge and Ploegsteert; Armentieres was evacuated with practically no loss. His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He constantly attended to wounded under machine-gun and shell fire. He also maintained an aid post on the line of the enemy's artillery barrage. By his devotion to duty many lives were saved."





    234193

    Pte. Alfred Hague 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Jul 1916)

    Alfred Hague enlisted on 13th July 1915, leaving at home his wife Lily and their children Nellie aged 4 and George who was 2. Sadly George died in 1919. Alfred died of his wounds in the field on 10th July 1916. He is buried in Dartmoor Cemetery at Bercordel-Becourt.

    Chris Stockdale




    234191

    Pte Arthur Robert Peat 2/6th Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.22nd Jul 1916)

    Arthur Peat was my Grandmother's first cousin and they were very close, both being only children and living close by. Arthur's father - also Arthur - was a butcher in Midhurst and had a shop there. Arthur Jnr. volunteered for service and was sent to France on the Western Front. I believe he saw action at Fromelles where he was wounded and subsequently died of his injuries on 22 July 1916. He is buried at the Merlville Communal Cemetery in France.

    Susan Begley




    234190

    Pte. David Nesbitt DSM. 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    David Nesbitt served with the 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles and 4th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.

    Linda Alwert




    234187

    Pte. William Steele Barnes 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    William Barnes was the husband of Mrs Harriet Barnes and they had three children (my Uncle Billy, Aunts Bertha & Maude). William & Harriet were both born in the Bristol area, but later moved to County Durham after their marriage. Their family home was at Lower Dyke Street, Trimdon Colliery, County Durham. He was killed in action on 1st day of the Somme Battle on 1st of July 1916 and his grave is situated at Mailly Wood Cemetery, at Mailly Maillet, France.

    (As far as I am aware) William and my grandfather were best mates- volunteering at the same time at Trimdon Colliery as part of Lord Kitcheners volunteers. William later transferred to the 1st Battalion, Border Regiment & my gandfather went into 5th Battalion, Connaught Rangers as Pte 5003 John A Bradley & survived the war My grandfather, upon returning home to Trimdon Colliery after being demobilised in 1919 learnt that his mate had been killed. His widow Harriet married my grandfather in 1920. Unfortunately I do not have any photographs of William and I do not know his date of birth.

    Andrew Bradley




    234185

    Pte. Charles Rowley 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.17th Oct 1915)

    My great uncle, Charles Rowley, was killed in action.

    Carole Gonsalez




    234184

    Pte. Herbert Sydney Smith 1st Btn. Norfolk (d.30th Mar 1917)

    Herbert Smith is a relative of my wife and I am trying to piece together the circumstances of his death. From what I have found out the Norfolk's where in the Festubertand area of the line in March 1917 before moving in April. Now comes the sketchy assumption bit. At this period of time the 5th Division which the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment was connected to was in the sector preparing defensive positions south of the River Omignon. As he died of wounds on the 30th of March, I am assuming he was severely wounded during the german attack of 21st/22nd of March 1917. I will try and get more detailed information but if anyone has any leads I would be grateful as we intent to visit his grave in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery on the 100th anniversary of his death with his Granddaughter (my wifes mother)

    Ben




    234182

    Sgt. Samuel James Catterall MM CdeG 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.8th Aug 1917)

    Samuel was a Lancashire coal miner. He served with the 8th Btn Border Regiment and 75th Trench Mortar Battery. He was survived by his wife Betsy (nee Atherton) and children Wilfred, Mathew, Thomas and Edna. On behalf of the public of Ashton-in-Makerfield Lady Mary Gerrard presented an inscribed gold pocket watch to Betsy. This watch remained in the family until About 1975 when in the temporary custody of Mathew's wife Hilda it and the Belgium medal was either lost or stolen and has never been recovered

    James Edward Catterall




    234181

    Sgt. Henry Munn 11th Btn. B Coy. Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    Henry Munn served with B Coy. 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Trevor Kirkwood




    234176

    Marie Annie Parry

    My grandmother Marie Parry (pronounced Marry) served in the WAAC during the Great War from 1917 to 1918 so far as I can ascertain. She was very reticent, as were many, to speak about her service but stated that after her fiance was killed at the Somme (he was in the Liverpool Pals) she decided she needed to do something more than act as a housemaid for Lord Derby, at Knowsley Hall.

    She therefore took herself off, alone and joined the WAAC when it was created and the only thing she would tell me was that she was stationed at Audricque, and that there was a German prisoner of war camp nearby. She spoke of the beautiful German voices singing Christmas carols, probably 1917, and how the sound of it really touched her. I have photographs of her and WAAC colleagues, together with postcards of Audricque but that is as much information as I have.

    Jill Revill




    234172

    Pte. Robert Price Saunderson 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.31st July 1916)

    Whilst we were going through an old box of photos (some from my husband's birthplace of Dundee), we came across a small photo and on the back was pencilled Robert Saunderson, K.O.S.B. Reported missing Delville Wood, August, 1916 in uniform and wearing the cap with badge of the K.O.S.B. We googled his name and found he died on 31st of July, 1916 and is listed as missing at the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. My husband's connection is his Grandmother was Catherine Price Saunderson and Robert Price Saunders may have been her brother.

    Carole Boyd




    234168

    Pte. Thomas Baily Ward 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    My Grandfather Thomas Ward served some time in Dubin with the KOSBS, where he met my grandmother. I dont have much to go on but I would like to know more about his time with the 2nd Btn. I understand that in August 1914 he was sent to France. He made it though the war. He passed away sometime in the 70's.

    Norman Ward




    234167

    Pte Ernest Henry Linge 2nd Btn Essex Regiment (d.29th Jan 1915 )

    Ernest Henry Linge born 1889 in Althorne Essex. Son William Linge and Alice Copsey, brother of Arthur James Linge also served in 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment. Entered France on 12th January 1915 dying from wounds on the 29th January 1915. Left a widow Isabella Amelia Harvey and two daughters, Dora Mary and Ivy May both under 3 years old at his time of death. He is buried at Strand Military Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium, about eight miles south of Ypres near the village of Ploegsteert. Along with his brother Arthur James Linge who died as a result of his wounds on 24th November 1914 the Great War also claimed his brother-in-law Edward George Harvey 10th (service) battalion Essex Regiment killed in action 5th May 1917.

    Kathy Leslie




    234160

    Pte. Louis Harvey Bardell 12th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.6th Nov 1917)

    Louis Bardell was a Birmingham lad. He attended KE VI Camp Hill School in Birmingham before becoming a clerk. He enlisted in Birmingham in 1916 and served in the EEF. He died in 1917, the last survivor of a Lewis Gun team.

    A J Bulloch




    234158

    Pte. Charles Frederick Barham 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Charles Frederick Barham was killed in action and buried in Zillebeke, Belgium at The Railway Dugouts Burial Ground. Charles married Eva Mary in 1911 and then left for training in 1914. They didn't have any children and Eva never married after he was killed. She died in 1977. This is in memory of them both and their love for each other and their country.

    Nicola Hart




    234155

    Capt. Walter Raynes Gamble MM, MC. 9th Btn Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th Jun 1917)

    Walter Gamble was commissioned from ranks following award of Military Medal. He was part of BEF from 1914 and won his Military Cross at Contalmaison. He was shot by a Sniper near Caterpillar crater and Hill 60. I visited my Great Great Uncle this year where he is buried at Lijssentoek and tracked down a number of letters at the Imperial War Museum donated by another branch of the family to whom I am very grateful.

    Paul Sadler




    234152

    Pte. Stephen Young 5th Btn Cameron Highlanders (d.16th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Stephen Young served with the 5th Btn (Queens Own) Cameron Highlanders.

    Anne Young O'Leary




    234151

    Stkr. Theodore Whitehead HMS Minion

    <p>

    Theodore Whitehead served as a Stoker on HMS Minion.

    Stephanie




    234147

    2nd Lt. Henry Stobbs 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle Henry Stobbs was known as Harry to friends and family. He came from a family who had a strong connection with the Primitive methodist movement in Weardale. Harry's father came from a Lead mining family in the upper dale but became a teacher and was Head teacher at St Johns Chapel Primary School during WW1. Uncle Harry attended Wolsingham Grammar School where apparently he was known for his skills in wrestling. He trained to be a teacher at Sunderland Training college around 1911. Prior to him enlsiting with the Durham Light Infantry in 1914 he was a teacher at Fencehouses near Houghton-le-Spring. He served with the DLI for 18 months as a Private, Lance Corporal and then Sergeant, fighting in the Battle of the Somme. He became a temporary 2nd Lieutenant in Jan 1917 and later that year he returend home to complete his Officer training. In August 1917 he received his commision and headed back to France as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 1/4th Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in the 2nd Battle of Paschendaele at Holthust forest on 26th October 1917 aged 26 years. Harry is buried at Poelcapelle British Cemetry and is remebered on the war memorial at St Johns Chapel in Weardale. He has a memorial Oak tree with his name in the grounds of Wolsingham school.

    Headstone at Poelcapelle British Cemetry

    War memorial at St Johns Chapel

    Uncle Harry at Tynemouth shortly beofre returning to France with the Northumberland  Fusiliers.

    Susan Elliott




    234142

    Pte. Walter Roland Underwood 23rd (2nd Football) Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    My Grandfather Walter Roland Underwood was born on 29th October 1890 in Berry Green Yard Finedon and was married to my Grandmother, Ethel Violet Felce on 5th August 1911. He was a shoe hand as was his father before him and he enlisted in Finedon on 4th December 1915. His Army number was admission number was given as T29067 band and his service number was 204527. He received a gunshot wound to the shoulder and was transferred to a sick convoy on 31st July 1917 being later transferred to 139th Field Ambulance in the No12 Ambulance Train thereafter. He was taken prisioner on the 21st February 1918 and was taken to Germany and worked in a coalmine in the Essen area.

    He was dishcharged honourably from the Army on the 7th May 1919, and thereafter worked in the shoe factory he left on enlistment for the rest of his working life.

    He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal but never wore them. In never talked about his army service although he did have a breakdowm towards the end of the second world war which was said to have been caused by his experiences during the first world war. He died on the 1st January 1969 in the yard where he was born having left 3 children and 10 granchildren of which I was the eldest.

    Brian Binley




    234135

    L/Cpl. Joseph Arthur Fisher 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Joseph Fisher was one of my paternal grandfather's cousins.

    Christine Dickinson




    234134

    Pte. Thomas Morris 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.10th Apr 1917)

    Very little is known about Thomas Morris. We are trying to find out more. He is buried at Essex Farm Cemetery.

    John Jones




    234129

    Pte. Arthur Farmer 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.28th Apr 1917)

    Arthur Farmer was born in 1885 near Ludlow. He moved with the family to Wednesfield about 1900 and worked on a farm. He married in 1908 and moved to Brewood working as a wagoner on a farm. He had a young son and daughter when he went off to the Somme in summer 1916. He fought at Arras in April 1917. He died from his injuries at Etaples Military Hospital and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Edward Harbord




    234128

    Pte. Joseph Johnson Dickinson 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Joseph Dickinson served with 14th Battalion DLI. His younger brother Reuben was also in the DLI Artillery in WW2.

    Ann Delafuente




    234126

    Gnr. Frank Murphy 113th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    This brave man, my great great uncle, Frank Murphy survived this horrific war but sadly died in 1919 of influenza and TB. Sadly, his wife had died in childbirth 6 years previously so when Frank died, he left his two young children orphans to be brought up by their aunt.

    Gina Mayers




    234125

    Cpl. Frank Charles Allcroft 13th (Kensington) Btn. London Regiment (d.6th Nov 1918)

    My Great Uncle Frank Allcroft, enlisted 1st Btn London Regiment in November 1914. He was with the London Regiment throughout and was killed in action in Angre, Belguim on 6th of November 1918. This was the units last day on the front line before the war ended.





    234123

    Pte. Archie Wightman 9th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.28th June 1917)

    Archie Wightman was my grandfather's brother. One of six brothers in the Army. He enlisted into the Gordon Highlanders at Berwick, Nov 1914. I have a letter written to my grandfather from Archie dated 13th of June 1917. Archie died 28th of June 1917 aged 23. He was laid to rest at Menin Road South Cemetery.

    Lindsay Wightman




    234120

    Pte. Patrick Healy Highland Light Infantry

    My grandfather Patrick Healy was a patient at the Dunlop Auxiliary Hospital having been gassed whilst on active service. My grandmother, Jeanie Moffat McGuire was the daughter of the head gardener James McGuire, at Dunlop House, living at West Lodge. She used to walk up to the big house and write letters for the soldiers resident there. She met my grandfather there and they later married. He died when my mother was 10, due to the effects of the gas.

    Rachel




    234119

    Pte Bernard Richard Lowe 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.15th Sep 1916)

    I am told that my Great Grandfather Bernard Lowe's army records state that he died in Mons on 15th Sept 1916 but Mons was occupied by the Germans on that date. I have been to Mons today and verified that fact. Yesterday I went to Albert on the Somme where on the 15th September 1916 there was a big offensive at Ginchy, apparently involving The Guards. I have seen Bernard's name on the monument at Thiepval. I have his picture in uniform.

    Editor's Note: Bernard's battalion fought at Mons in 1914, perhaps someone has confused this with his death during the Battle of the Somme?

    Gilly Appleton




    234117

    Pte. John Almond 2nd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.19th Aug 1916)

    On the 31st May 1915, when the first Zeppelin bombs were dropped in London only half a mile from his home, John Almond, aged 17 and his brother Alfred aged 20, travelled to Holborn, London and enlisted as volunteers with the Hampshire Regiment. The brothers were given consecutive service numbers 18143 & 18144.

    John was clever, good at mathematics, and quickly selected for training for the regiment's machine gun team. The Machine Gun Corps (MGC) was created by Royal Warrant on14th October 1915, by Army Order. Later that same year, John was informed he was to be compulsorily transferred to the new unit, thus separated from his elder brother.

    On 26th January 1916, he joined his new Regiment at the highly secretive MGC Training Centre in Belton Park, Grantham, where he was issued with a new service number MGC 26764. Here, he undertook 6 months of specialist training on Maxim and the newly introduced Vickers Machine Guns.

    After leaving Folkestone on 13th July, John crossed the Channel to Boulogne, France and joined 2nd Company MGC, in the field, on 18th July. On 14th August, the 2nd Company War Diary records the following: They were in front at Mametz Wood, Somme and on 18th August, the 2nd Coy moved up to the Intermediate Trench to the west edge of High Wood in support of 2nd Infantry Brigade. During a series of attacks on the afternoon of 18th August by The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, The Kings 4th Liverpool and 4th Suffolk, John was in a forward machine gun position. With increasing casualties and orders to retire, the machine-gun section was also ordered to pull back to the support line, which was done under fire, their guns mounted to cover the edge of the wood so as to give some protection to the retreating wounded. John was seriously wounded sometime during the actions of that day at the west edge of High Wood, and was reported dead on 19th August 1916, aged 18.

    John Almond was listed as missing and would have remained, as such, except that when his remains were, eventually, found he had on him a spoon, a shaving brush and razor that were engraved with his Hampshire service number, HTS 18144. These items, together with his MGC cap badge and buttons, were enough to identify him. John's remains are buried in a named grave at the High Wood Cemetery, London Extension, Longueval, Somme, France.

    Tony Almond




    234114

    Pte. Louis Henry Smaje 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Louis Smaje served with the 8th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, he was killed on the 16th of August 1917, he was aged 26 and is remembered on the Prescot Roll of Honour, on the Memorial at St Luke's Church, St. Helens and on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    In 1901 the Smaje family lived at 2, Chester Street. The family comprised parents David, 38, an Electrical Cable Capper and Mary, aged 37, along with their children David (17) and Thomas (16), both General Labourers, Simon (12), Louis (9), Ethel (5), Arthur (3) and Herbert (2 months). Louis was born in Liverpool

    Louis married May Whittle in the first quarter of 1913 in Prescot. The had two children Frank (1913) and Harold (1915) both born in Prescot. He enlisted in St Helens, Lancs and had previously served as No. 5417, Royal Field Artillery.

    His Medal Index Card records that his first Theatre of War was the Balkans, where he arrived on 22nd of September 1915, entitling him to the 1914-1915 Star in addition to his British War Medal and Victory Medal. The 8th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers did not serve in the Balkans, and so it is safe to assume that Louis served there with the Royal Field Artillery. It is not clear from the surviving service information exactly when Louis transferred from the artillery to the infantry.

    The 8th Battalion had been formed in 1914 at Omagh before moving to Tipperary. After training, they finally moved to England in September 1915 then onwards to join the British Expeditionary Force in France in February 1916.

    In Flanders in the summer and autumn of 1917, a series of battles took place which collectively became known as the Third Battle of Ypres. The action in which the 8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were involved in mid-August was the Battle of Langemarck.

    Third Ypres was supposed to have as its strategic aim the liberation of the Belgian Channel ports and their denial to U-boat operation. One imperative that did exist was the need to attack the Germans and take the pressure of the French Army, which was beset by mutiny; another was Haig's need to secure a victory before the Americans arrived. The immediate tactical aim of the offensive was the recapture of higher ground from which the German artillery could observe and accurately bombard any target in the vicinity of the last Belgian town in Allied hands, Ypres. In the end its most significant result was its sucking in and pulverisation of the majority of the divisions of the German Army, in relentless and bloody attrition that fatally weakened its ability to wage grand war.

    The British attacks in the summer and autumn of 1917 took place in the wettest weather in seventy-five years. The vital drainage channels of this low-lying area of Belgium were pounded out of existence by the British and German artillery. The water table of the Ypres salient turned into the sea of mud and blood that became known as Passchendaele, after the village that crowns the horseshoe of ridges that lie to the east of Ypres. The village is only 6 miles from the offensive's start line near Ypres but it took the Allied forces four and a half months to reach that goal, at a cost of over three hundred thousand casualties, including Private Louis Smaje.

    The Battle of Langemarck began on the morning of 16th August 1917 at 4.45, with a tremendous artillery barrage. Not only were the many German strongpoints bombarded, but a creeping barrage was laid to keep the defenders' heads down as the British infantry advanced. The speed of the barrage advance would have been calculated to be the same as the infantry's pace. An enemy counter-barrage fell behind the British front line and was not a problem for the 8th Inniskillings, but a furious storm of machine-gun fire and snipers' bullets met them shortly after they had begun their attack.

    The fortification in front of the 8th battalion was Borry Farm. This was a strongpoint consisting of three concrete dugouts linked by a breastwork. It was garrisoned by at least 100 men and five machine-guns. Both Beck House and Borry Farm were covered from Hills 35 and 37, and from the Potsdam and Bremen redoubts near Zonnebeke.

    A and B companies of the 8th Battalion outflanked Borry Farm and managed to advance about 800 yards, keeping in contact with the 7th Inniskillings on their left. A German counter-attack inflicted heavy casualties on these companies, killing, wounding, or capturing all but 30 men.

    C company launched frontal and flank attacks on Borry Farm and were reduced to a remnant that took cover in shell holes 50 yards to the west. Increasing German pressure led to the withdrawal of all survivors of the Battalion to their original positions. The battalion had suffered over 60% casualties. At the end of the day, the 16th Division was back where it had started. In his report of the operation the battalion commander attributed the failure of the attack partly to poor communications. German snipers appear to have particularly targeted messengers.

    Louis Smaje has no known grave and is commemorated Cot Memorial near Passchendaele.

    The Parish Magazine of 25th March 1918 reported that in addition to the already long list of men of the parish who had fallen, six additional names were to be added. Included in them was Pte. Louis Henry Smaje, 25, Enniskillen Fusiliers, killed 16th August 1917, of 36 Scotch Barn Lane, leaves a widow and two children, now living in St Helens. Probably as a result of his widow and children moving to St Helens, Louis Smaje is commemorated on the memorial at St Luke's church in St. Helens.

    Tom Potter




    234112

    Pte. William Frederick Kerr 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    William was 31 when he was killed in action, the son of William Henry and Amy Kerr, of Wellington House, High Street, Wroughton and husband of Esther formerly of No4, High Street, Wroughton, Wiltshire. He has no known grave but is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 64. He enlisted at Malmesbury.





    234111

    Fireman. John Thomas Nolan HMS Princess Royal

    <p>

    John Nolan was my wife's grandfather. He joined in The Royal Navy in 1912 and finished his service in 1929. Over this time he was involved in a number of battles:
    • Date 5th Aug 1917 Paid Prize bounty for sinking of the Blucher 24th Jan 1915
    • 21 Jan 1918 Paid prize bounty Heligoland Bight 28th Aug 1914
    • August 1918 - 1914 1915 1916 1917 Cheveron Arwarded
    • Dec 1923 - 1918 Chevron Awarded
    • 20 Aug 1921 paid 5s 1d Jutland Battle Prize bounty

    bottom of Page2

    Tom Potter




    234109

    Pte James Taylor 57th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.8th Oct 1918)

    Jim joined up first with the Northumberland Fusiliers, but at some point ended up in 57th MGC. He was married, a father of a son James born October 1916. Before the war he was employed at Cookson's in North Shields.

    Jim was one of 6 sons of James and Elizabeth (Duffy) Taylor. The eldest, John Francis (Frank), died at the Somme on July 1 1916. The youngest, Ben, died at home 3 days after Frank. The remaining 3 sons all emigrated to Canada after the war, 2 dying within about a decade of the war's end. Jim was my great uncle. Given the common last name I have not yet confirmed war records of 2 of his brothers, but it is possible at least one (Thomas William) was also in a MGC.

    At the time of Jim's death, his widowed mom had remarried Mr Michael Thomas. From the Tynemouth World War One project:

    Shields Daily News, 22 May 1917, p4, c3. Private J. Taylor, wounded in action and in hospital in France. Serving with Machine Gun Corps. Son of Mrs Taylor, 86 Hudson Street, North Shields. Previously employed at Cooksons.

    Shields Daily News, 28 October 1918: Deaths. Taylor - Killed in action in France on October 8th 1918 Private J. Taylor, Machine Gun Corps, dearly beloved husband of Mary Taylor nee Davidson. Though death divides still memory clings. Deeply mourned by his sorrowing wife, father and mother, sisters and brothers. R.I.P.

    Shields Daily News 28 October 1918: Taylor - James. Killed in action 8th inst, husband of Mary (nee Davidson), 38 Hudson Street, 4th son of Mrs. Thomas Taylor of 7 Walker Place, North Shields.

    Shields Daily News 28 October 1918. James Taylor of North Shields, killed in action October 18th 1918, aged 25. Husband of Mrs. Taylor, 38 Hudson Street, North Shields.

    Shields Daily News 28 October 1918: News of Local Men. Pte. Jas. Taylor Killed. Mrs Taylor, 38 Hudson Street, has received word that her husband, Private James Taylor, M.G.C., was killed in action on October 18th. He was 25 years of age, and was 4th son of Mrs Thomas, 7 Walker Place, who lost a son in the war two years ago.

    Shields Daily News, 29 October 1918, Taylor, James Killed in action in France, October 8th, beloved pal of Thomas Kennedy.

    Sharon Taylor




    234108

    L/Cp. Robert Henry Hammond 7th Btn. Border Regiment (d.7th Aug 1916)

    Robert Hammond lived in Runhall Norfolk at the outbreak of war. He was a team master on a local farm and married to Laura Amelia Hurrell. They had 5 children, the oldest being my father John. He enlisted in Norwich with the Norfolk Regiment and was transferred in 1916 to the 7th Border Regiment. He was involved in a suicidal attack at 4.30 pm on the 7th of August 1916 in Delville Wood, the same attack as Harold Cope who's tunic is on display at the IWM. He was listed as missing and has no known grave. I have seen a letter in our local paper from his wife asking if anyone knew of his whereabouts, with a picture. He is commemorated on a plaque in Runhall church and also on the board for hymn numbers.

    Tim Hammond




    234107

    L/Cpl. Arthur James Painting 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.5th Dec 1916)

    How Arthur Painting ended up in the KOYLI is a mystery. He enlisted in Birmingham his home town. It is possible he was recruited during the divisions move from Pontefract to Bordon during 1915. It is believed he landed in Boulogne in around Aug 1915 and found himself in the 8th Battalion in the November of that year.

    The only information we have to go on is his medal card and the regimental war diary which lists him as died of wounds on 5th of December 1916 (after the end of the Somme). We do not know when or how he was wounded. He is buried at Hop Store Cemetery. No known photograph of Arthur has yet been found. His medals and death plaque have survived and are owned by the family.

    Ken Turley




    234105

    Rfm. William Turk 9th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.24th Aug 1916)

    William Turk was killed in action at Delville Wood.

    Brian Oldfield




    234103

    Rfm. William Evans 9th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    William Evans was my grandmother's first husband who died in 1917 leaving her with three young children under the age of three. I remember seeing the embroidered cards he sent her written in pencil. He is buried at Tyne Cot.

    Sue Allwood




    234100

    Pte. Francis Evetts 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Frank Evetts was one of five brothers involved in the Great War; dying aged 21 at Beaumont Hamel. On his gravestone For King and Country. Finding the death penny led me to research with the guidance of the Tamworth Ancestral Club.

    P Taylor




    234099

    Pte. William Lucas 4th Battalion Royal Welsh fusiliers (d.5th February 1917)

    All I know about my great uncle, William Charles Lucas, is that he was wounded on the Somme where he was between July and September 1916. He was shipped home to the UK and in early February 1917. He died and is buried at St.Asaph Church Cemetery in North Wales, he was 27 years old.

    I have so far been unable to verify if he died from his wounds as I've been unable to trace any medical records for him.

    William Nigel Cooper




    234098

    Pte. Ernest Percy Andrews 138th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Ernest Andrews was born in 1890. He was employed as a Leather Manufacturer in Northampton when he enlisted on the 21st of October 1915. He went to France in May 1916. Ernest was discharged on the 3rd October because he was no longer physically fit for war service. Not sure what happened to him, but think he may have been gassed.

    Harry Fell




    234096

    Pte. Edward Augustus Sharpe Bennett 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment

    Gus Bennett was my step-grandfather. He fought on the Somme and was wounded but survived. His army service was from 1914-1919. He fought in France and Flanders.

    Victoria Walker




    234095

    Pte. Percy Lucas 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th February 1915)

    All I know about my great uncle Percy Lucas is that he was taken prisoner at Ypres and died as a prisoner of war and he was buried in Berlin.

    William Nigel Cooper




    234092

    Pte. Edward Phillpott 6th Btn East Kent Regiment (d.1st Apr 1918)

    Edward Phillpott was my 2nd Great Grand Uncle and the only relative I know of who served and died in WWI.

    Andy Herring




    234087

    Pte. Jesse Heaton 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    Jesse Heaton served with the 19th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers. He was later transferred to the 10th Sherwood Foresters. He was was gassed and shelled on the 30th of August 1918 and sent to Rouen to the 8th General Hospital.

    Jesse Heaton in uniform with Ethel Alice, Walter Vernon, Levi [seated], James Barton, Mary Alice Barton (Heaton)[seated] and Margaret Heaton (Shaw) in 1918

    Bill Dixon




    234086

    2nd Lt. Jocelyn Murray Victor Buxton 6th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Jocelyn Buxton served with the 6th Btn Rifle Brigade attd 25th Coy Machine Gun Corps. He was the son of the late Sir T. F. Victor Buxton, 4th Bart. and Lady Buxton, of Warlies, Waltham Abbey, Essex. He was educated at Broadstairs and Marlborough and gained a History Exhibition at Trinity College, Cambridge.

    Eric Henderson




    234083

    Pte. Harry Lapping 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.1st Aug 1917)

    Great Uncle Harry Lapping is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Theresa Carthy




    234082

    Pte. Joseph Stead 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.19th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Stead of the 9th Battalion KOYLI was captured possibly in May 1918 and listed as being held at Friedrichsfeld POW camp. He died in the German military hospital in Charleville of heart disease, and was buried in the town cemetery in the section reserved for military casualties. He was reinterred in 1962 at Terlincthun British Cemetery.

    We were initially informed by my Great Grandmother (his wife) that he had been shot for refusing to help the Germans. However this does not seem to be the case.

    Josephs grave at Terlincthun

    Tim Waterhouse




    234079

    Pte Albert Victor Cowles 1st Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Albert Victor Cowles was my grandfather's brother. Albert was 19 years old when he was killed in action on the Somme. He has no grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Monument. The 1911 Census states that Albert was 14 years of age and at that time, was working as a Pony Driver at Tinsley Pit, Sheffield. One of Albert's older brothers - David - was killed in 1915 at Gallipoli. My grandfather John survived the war, but as he suffered the effects of gassing in the trenches, he was never strong again and died in 1935 aged 45 years - as much a casualty of WWI as his brothers.

    Kathryn Hulley




    234077

    L/Cpl. Alfred Thomas Edwards 10th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    On 14th July 1916 Alf Edwards suffered a gunshot wound (shrapnel) to his right arm, rendering his hand almost useless. He went on to return to his job as a French Polisher and later as a Postman for over 25 years. During that time he also acted as a A.R.P. Warden during WW2.

    Barry J. Davies




    234074

    Sgt. Albert Edward Rowe 28th Brigade, 122nd Howitzer Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Bertie Rowe was born in Ramsgate in Kent. He served with the Royal Field Artillery in the British Army. While stationed in Tipperary. he married a local woman Mary Ladrigan. They moved to live first at the Curragh Camp, Kildare and later to the British Army Barracks in Dundalk where the lived with his family in Barton Cottages, Barrack Street, Dundalk.

    Now a Battery Sergant with the 122nd Howitzer Battery of the Royal Field Artillery, he left with his Battery to join the British Expeditionary Force on 14 August 1914 at the outbreak of the Great War. They embarked from the docks in Belfast. He saw action at Le Cateaux in August 1914 and was awarded a Mons Medal for his service.

    His daughter recollected that he was a 'spotter' for the battery. He fought at Ypres and Paschendale and possible the Somme. He was injured by shrapnel twice in April 1917 possible during the Battle of Arras and was cared for by the Canadian Field Hospital medics. He returned to recuperate in Wharnfield Hospitall, Sheffield and later in Dublin Castle in 1917.

    He also contracted Trench Nephritis from lying about in wet ground. Due to his failing health he was retired from the Army and took up work on the Great Northern Railway in Dundalk as part of the Breakdown Gang. He died in his 40s from TB in 1925. His wife was was denied a Widow's pension. His wife Mary died of a heart attack in her 40's leaving 4 children. Relatives in Ramsgate and Tipperary were unable to take in the children. As a result the four Rowe children were dispersed between domestic service, the Merchant Navy, The Royal Drummond Orphanage in Bray and St. Brigid's Asylum in Ardee, County Louth. He was known as Whistler Rowe and was a keen gardener.

    Bertie Row photographed with his family

    Trish




    234072

    Sgt. George Philpott 8th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.2nd May 1916)

    George Phillpot died two months before the birth of his daughter Elizabeth. He left behind a widow and 3 children (including Elizabeth). She grew up never knowing a father.

    George Niven




    234069

    Pte Griffith Thomas Hughes 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Griffith Hughes served with the 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, he lost his life on the first day of the Battle of the Somme whilst trying to save his officer, Lt. Telfer.

    Richard Jones




    234066

    Pte. George Henry Woods 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    George Woods served with 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers with the MEF. He was formerly Pte 67 with the 1/1st Welsh Horse Yeomanry. His medals were lost or stolen.

    Anthony Woods




    234064

    Pte William Davies 14th (Swansea) Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.27th Jul 1918)

    William Davies was my husband's grandfather. My husband had an aunt named Verdun, named by her father because that is where he was when she was born. My husband's father, Raymond Davies, could not remember his Dad. My husband and I visited his grave, it is in the British cemetery at Contalmaison Chateau. He died on 27th July 1918

    Helena Davies




    234062

    Dvr. Albert Greenfield 39th Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    I have recently started collecting postcards of my home town Of Hemel Hempstead. I bought one recently which is a picture of a beautiful old mansion house called Gadebridge House. No mention was given of what was written on the reverse.

    It is dated 10th Feb 1917 and says: My dear Lassie, Just a line to let you know that I am quite well Trusting this may find you both quite well and to say that we are not gone away today, don't know what day we are going, Yours affect. Bert (He goes onto say -) My new number is 197302 don't put my old no on the letters again. F Sub 39th Batty RFA Gadebridge Camp, Hemel Hempstead

    What a bonus! A card that is 99 years old, and from one of our brave boys, Albert Greenfield. I know there was a huge army camp based in Hemel Hempstead, he was obviously part of this group. There are pictures of the camp on line of this era. Did he survive? He obviously had family, as he says 'find you both well'. I now understand that sections of the army were formed together with other sections, hence my old number. I would love to know more. This card is one of my treasured possessions.

    Soldiers going over a bridge in Gadebridge Park this bridge was built in 1915 especially for their use.

    The same above bridge.

    Their horses. Apprently they sold the manure to local farmers!

    Soldiers in the park

    Sharon Forbes




    234061

    Pte. Walter Bartrup 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.14th Apr 1917)

    Walter Bartrup (my wife's great grandmothers brother) was one of ten brothers. Aged 19 he died of his wounds on 14th of April 1917 and is on the Arras memorial. 14 days later his older brother Albert of the 10th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers was killed in action at Arras. On 5th of August 1917 Walter's twin brother Alfred of the 16th Battalion Rifle Brigade Prince Consorts Own was killed in action at Ypres.

    Peter




    234057

    Pte. Frank Draper 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.11th Nov 1919)

    Frank Draper died after the war. He joined up on 13 August 1919 aged 17yrs and 255 days 5ft 3 and 108 Lbs (he was small. He was posted to 2nd Btn Lincolns 22 Feb 1915 and was wounded in Action 12 March 1915, returning to the UK for convalescence.

    He returned to France on 6 July 2015 and joined 1st Btn Lincolns He was again wounded in action on 18/05/16 and spent 8 days sick before re-joining his Unit. He was Gassed on or around 15/16 July 1916 and was sent back to the UK on the HS St Denis on 29th July 1916. He was discharged from Service on 29/09/2016 and attended medical boards reviewing his condition. 07/02/17, 16/08/17, 27/02/18 the last one being 22/01/19. His pension Chelsea No 64594 for dated 22/Nov/1919 showed he died 11/11/19, 1 year after the end of WW1.

    Frank is not on any memorial, but he also was a victim of WW1

    Mark Beard




    234056

    Gnr. Ernest Sidney Emptage 145th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Ernest Emptage signed up in 1914 for the Royal Garrison Artillery along with his two brothers. All 3 returned, the brothers unscathed but my Grandad had to have his left lower arm amputated.

    My father said that he only ever told him one detail about how he got his injury. He had told him that his gun crew had received a direct hit, and that every other member of the crew had been killed bar him. This story was always the one we regailed when people asked.. until I found his war records. Yes, it states he had his left lower arm amputated, but there in black and white it clearly says GSW... Gun Shot Wound! Certainly doesn't ring true of the often quoted story. How could he get a gun shot wound miles behind the lines, unless it was an accident? Friendly fire? Delving deeper into his records, I noticed that he was transfered to a couple of Trench Mortar Batteries also. These were very much closer, if not on the front line. This could have been when he received his injury.

    Editors Note: GSW is used to denote penetrating injuries caused by shell fragments as well as bullets, so if his gun was hit by an enemy shell and he was wounded then his medical notes would record this as GSW.

    Tony Emptage




    234054

    L/Cpl Richard Dearing 7th Btn East Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Richard Dearing served with 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    Ian Fleming




    234052

    Pte. John Pearce MM. 11th Btn. Welsh Regiment

    John Pearce survived the war and raised a family, he died in the 1920s, possibly due to lung weakness from gas attacks in the trenches.

    Cathi Pearce




    234051

    2nd Lt. Wilfred Alan Smith 3rd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    From: 2nd Lieut. W A Smith, No 10 Platoon, C Company,2nd K.O.Y.L.I. 2nd July 1916 To Adjutant 2nd K.O.Y.L.I. "I have the honour to bring before your notice the splendid and heroic work carried out by Corporal Dobson of my platoon in action on July 1 1916. Corporal Dobson organised attacking by bombing the German strong points on our left and if it had not been for the splendid and heroic work done by this gallant N.C.O. we should probably have been surrounded. He went forward in shirt sleeves and was throwing bombs from 8.30 a.m. until he was unfortunately hit in the back about 5.00 p.m. that evening by a German bomb. He died a few minutes after being hit. His loss will be felt keenly by all the platoon. He was a capable N.C.O. always cheerful and fearless and always had a cheery word of encouragement for the recruits. >This being my report, I have the honour to be, your obedient servant, W.A Smith 2/Lt. No 10 Platoon 2nd K.O.Y.L.I."

    Wilfred Alan Smith was my grandfather. He survived the war, at the cost of his sight - he was war blinded before its end - and died peacefully in 1960.

    Corporal Dobson was George Jones Dobson. He was twenty-eight years old when he died and is buried, on the Somme, at Blighty Valley Cemetery near where he fell.

    Richard Loweth




    234040

    Pte. Arthur Liloup Donald (d.9th April 1916)

    Private Donald was the Son of Willoby Witcomb and Margaret James, of Port Henderson, Rosemary Castle, Jamaica. Born at St. Catherine.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Grounds, Grave 19, in Bermuda

    flynn




    234039

    Sgt. John Barnfield DCM. 20th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Jack Barnfield was my grandfather's brother-in-law. They served together in the 20th Field Ambulance throughout WW1. Jack was awarded the DCM in January 1915 for 'leading his stretcher bearers in a fearless manner at La Bouteillerie' near Ypres in October 1914. My grandfather was one of those stretcher bearers.

    Ceinwen Scales




    234038

    Gnr. Charles Wentworth Dill (d.17th February 1915)

    Gunner Dill was the Son of Clarence Wentford Dill and Luvina Estelle Dill, of Pembroke North, Bermuda. Born at Devonshire Parish.

    He was 29 when he died and is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Ground, Grave 12

    flynn




    234037

    Pte. Milton Crowther 2nd/4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd May 1918)

    Crowther was the Son of James and Susannah Crowther; husband of Helena Crowther of 104 Molesworth St., Rochdale. Born at Nelson, Lancs, he was 41 when he died and is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Ground in Bermuda.

    flynn




    234036

    Pte. Bertie Pitts 20th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>Bertie Pitts back row second left

    Bertie Pitts was my grandfather. He arrived in France with the 20th Field Ambulance on 21st August 1914 and survived the war. He arrived in time for the retreat from Mons, was in Ypres several times and I believe on the Somme. They were on summer camp with the Territorials in Aberystwyth when war broke out and were immediately mobilised. They weren't even allowed to go home to say goodbye to their families apparently.

    He served in the 20th Field Ambulance with his brother-in-law, Jack Barnfield, and his best friend from childhood Bert Button. He died in 1958 of cancer 2 years before I was born.

    Ceinwen Scales




    234035

    Gnr. Joseph Butterfield (d.17th February 1915)

    Gunner Butterfield was the Son of Angelina Butterfield of Ely's Harbour, Sandys Parish, Bermuda, and the late Thomas William Butterfield.

    He was 33 when he died and is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Ground in Bermuda.

    sflynn




    234034

    Pte. J. E Barrett British West Indies Regiment (d.10th Apr 1916)

    Private Barrett was the Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Shittlewood (formerly Barrett), of Bethel Tarvin, Westmoreland, Jamaica. He was 20 years old when he died and is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Ground in Bermuda.

    s flynn




    234031

    Pte. William Ernst John Davis 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment

    William Davis was my Grandfather, he died in 1970, he was married to Emma Ann Davis (nee Parker).

    Chris




    234028

    Gnr. Thomas Smith 15th (Howitzer) Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.19th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Gunner Thomas Smith was killed in action on the 19th of August 1916.

    Gordon Rodgers




    234025

    Fireman. James Joseph Beggins HMS Baralong

    My Grand-Uncle James Beggins had served in the Royal Navy from 1900 to 1912 and was honourably discharged at completion of his agreed Service Term. He of course was then tied into being in the Royal Naval Reserves. HE held a civilian job in the Northern Counties Railway, which then operated a cross-channel service from Belfast to England (could have been Heysham.)

    He was called upon to serve in the Naval Reserves at the outbreak of WW1, and was injured whilst serving on HMS Baralong in 1915. We his family have no knowledge of how or where he received those injuries. He was returned to his relatives in Belfast in late 1915, and never made a recovery, dying in 1919 from whatever happened whilst serving with the Baralong. Understandably we were restricted by the 100 year thing regards disclosure of events aboard the Baralong. I am fully in the picture, so to speak, about the subsequent events, well up to a point, and seek to discover as to where he received his Wartime injuries on the Baralong. James Beggins was the brother of my Grandmother.

    Peter McCready




    234023

    Pte. Charles Robert Levett 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Charles Levett enlisted in territorials in 1912. He was mobilised on the 5th of August 1914 and posted France on the 22nd of August 1914. Wounded sometime in late 1915 or early 1916 by bullet lodged in right shoulder, he was discharged as no longer fit for duty on the 18th of July 1916.

    Greg Chuter




    234021

    CSM William Ernest "Wig" Wigley DCM MID 2nd Btn York & Lancaster

    I was too young to understand what my Grandfather must have endured in WW1. My mother said he would never talk about it, but when my Mother and Uncle died I inherited all my Grandfathers militaria including newspaper clippings articles from the Tiger & Rose and a box full of post cards every single card that my Grandfather wrote to my Grandmother during the War. Amusingly he would always say "from me to it, I am alright, somewhere in France" (they could never give their exact location). I have managed to piece things together as best I can. He served with the 2nd Battalion Yorks & Lancs but at the start of the War he embarked with the Battalion from Ireland to France where he then joined the 1st Battalion and first saw action in the Ypres Salient after a period of rest they were then moved to the Somme then back to the Ypres salient and Salonika. During this period he was mentioned in despatches 27/11/1917, received the 1914 Star, BWM,VM, DCM (18/02/18), French Silver Medal of Honour with swords. It didn't stop there , 1919-21 saw him in Mesopotamia and NW Persia, where he received the GS Medal with clasp. At the outbreak of WW2 he had the task of mobilising the Reservists, the formation of the ITC and eventually the formation of the. ATS Training Centre. After retirement my Grandfather (now a Major), joined the civilian staff of the Regimental Depot at Pontefract as Museum Curator and was entirely responsible under various Depot Commanders for setting up the new Museum in the old Depot Sergeants Mess. I know, from what my Mother and Uncle have said, he was very proud of the Yorks & Lancs, having enlisted in 1906, and kept in touch with them right up until his death in 1974 and I am very proud to be his Grandson, I know he lost a lot of friends in France during WW1 and I always shed a tear when I try to imagine what they must have Gone through. They will never be forgotten.

    Paul Scatchard




    234020

    Pte George Hull 8th Btn Yorkshire Regiment (d.6th Jul 1916)

    George Hull was my mothers uncle, we are currently in possession of his medals, death penny, dog tag and notification of death.

    Ian holdstock




    234017

    Rfm Joseph John Marchant 16th Bn Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.24th Aug 1916)

    To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme, I want to share with you a letter received by my great-grandparents in October 1916. It was from a complete stranger who had buried their son's body. My great-uncle Joe was 20 years old when he died on the Somme on August 24th 1916. His sister (my lovely Nan - Violet Eames nee Marchant) was 5 years old the day the telegram arrived and, all her life, she told me how she could still remember her mother's screams coming from the kitchen. He was S/15523 Rifleman Joseph John Marchant of the King's Royal Rifle Corps. He was one of 419, 654 British soldiers to die during the long battle. God bless every one of them. I'm so proud of him. The two letters found on him were to his parents and to his fiancee, Gracie Pennington. She grieved for him for over 20 years before she finally asked permission, of my great-grandparents, to marry.

    From 1st Southern General Hospital, Kings Heath, Birmingham on 22/10/1916 P2078 Lance Corporal Ernest Norris of the Mounted Military Police writes "Dear Friends, Just a few lines to tell you that on the 9th inst whilst I was crossing the battle field in France I saw a dead comrade laid some distance from the firing lines and he had been missed by the burying party. I looked in his pockets for his pay book to find out what he belonged to and found he was 15523 Joseph Marchant 16 KRR 9 Platoon. There was also two letters which he had wrote ready to be posted. One was to Mr & Mrs Marchant 59 Cowper Road Stoke Newington London and one to Miss Pennington 145 West Green Road Seven Sisters Road Tottenham London. I thought I had better write to you as you may not know what had become of your son. I may say that I buried him at night and made him a good grave. He had some photographs but I considered to put them in the poor lads grave as they had been spoilt with the rain. He must have been killed about six weeks or two months ago by his appearance and the dates on the letters he had written in his pay book. I didn't bury him in a cemetary as there was not one near and it was a risky job as the Germans had a clear view but the nearest village to his grave is Flers on the Somme district. I got a bullet wound the next morning at 8am and have been sent to this hospital. Friends I trust I have not brought any bad memories back to you but thought it was best to write to you as you would be wondering what had become of the poor boy. You have my deepest sympathy at your great loss. I remain yours respectfully Cpl E Norris PS I will furnish you with more information if you require it"

    What a wonderfully generous act of humanity and bravery to risk his own life to bury a stranger and then to take the trouble to write to his family. I wish with all my heart I could thank him. I have tried, many times over the years, to trace his family but to no avail. I would love them to know what he did for my great-uncle.

    Penelope Anne Brayley




    234015

    Pte. Alfred Simpson Skeen 15th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.4th October 1918)

    Alfred Skeen was my great grandfather. He had moved to the USA in 1903 but returned to England and was the only one of 5 brother's who didn't return from WW1.

    Two brothers travelled from the USA to Canada to join the Canadian Forces and two registered with the American Forces. He left 7 children including my grandfather David who was the third child aged just 11 years old. My father has Alfred as his second name but didn't know why, now he knows.





    234014

    Pte. Henry Weaver 60th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.21st Nov 1917)

    My Grandfather, Frederick Weaver, saw his brother Henry, loose his life when he was hit by a shell, which decapitated him. He was buried at Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt.

    Keith Jones




    234011

    John Thomas Magee 24th Army Veterinary Corps

    Bartley Green History Group is gathering information on all the men who are listed on the Absent Voter Lists for WW1.

    Maureen Surman




    234010

    Rfmn. Charles E. Pearson 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.25th Aug 1916)

    Rifleman Charles E Pearson was my father's eldest brother, and my uncle. He was wounded by a gunshot to his right forehead during the main attack on Delville Wood on the 24th of August 1916, and died of his wounds the following day, he was aged 32. He is buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

    Michael H Pearson




    234009

    Pte. John Boyd 21st Btn. Manchester Regt. (d.4th October 1917)

    Private John Boyd was my uncle and brother of my father, Private Herbert Boyd, also listed on this site.

    My father was wounded during the first week of the Somme conflict and repatriated to England where he was hospitalized. On returning to France on 19 September 1917 he was posted to the 21st Battalion, the very same Battalion in which his brother John was serving when he was killed in action one month later on 4th October.

    My father never ever spoke about his war service and never about his brother John. The information I now have I obtained only recently through research.

    Chris (aka Joseph) Boyd




    234008

    Cpl. Allan Dowey Werrill MM. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    "News has been received by the relatives of Corpl. A. D. Werrill, of the Royal Field Artillery, whose home address is in Lower Ince, Wigan that he has been awarded the Military Medal. Corporal Werrill, who is 20 years old and single, enlisted in February 1915 and was last employed at Abram Collieries as a haulage hand. At Loos on the night of 16th October, 1917, Corporal Werrill was in charge of three ammunition wagons proceeding to his battery position. On arrival at the battery they suddenly came under heavy shell fire, one wagon being hit and eight men injured. Corporal Werrill showed great presence of mind and gallantry. Having extricated the team and taken them to a more sheltered spot, he returned and superintended the removal of the wounded men. Throughout the whole time intermittent shelling continued, and the conduct of Corporal A. D. Werrill, the official record states, was most cool and courageous." The Wigan Observer, 1st December 1917

    Andrew Werrill




    234006

    Pte. Robert Furness 6th Btn. B Coy. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.3rd March 1917)

    <p>

    From humble beginnings in a Northamptonshire hamlet, Robert Furness had traveled, effectively, 28 miles in the first 33 years of his life. With the onset of World War One, Robert had no real option over the next 2 years but to travel, effectively, 260 miles to his death in Cable Trench in Cherisy, France. In 1916 he was in action in The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The Battle of Trones Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights, The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 during Operations on the Ancre, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Third Battle of the Scarpe.

    Ken Brawn




    233998

    Pte Frederick Shaw 6th Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.5th Sep 1917)

    Recently found a medal whilst clearing out my dads house, I googled the number that was on it and found out it was for my great uncle, Frederick Shaw who served with 2nd and 6th Battalions, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, brave chap, he ended up being killed on the 5th of September 1917 by the Germans dropping a bomb on the hospital that he was recovering in.

    R.I.P Fred Thanks for giving your life so that others can live. I wish I had a photograph to put up

    James Shaw




    233991

    L/Cpl. Gilbert Henry Williams Somerset Light Infantry (d.23rd May 1915)

    My mother investigated Gilbert Williams from a death penny that had been handed down the generations. She found that Gilbert had served in the Cyclist Corps and died in West End Hospital in London on 23rd May 1915. We don't know how he died or where he is buried or if he is recognised on any memorial. We would love to hear if anyone has any information on this.

    Stephen Williams




    233988

    2nd Lt. Henry Thomas Bayard "Bay" Smith 4th Queen's Own Hussars (d.25th March 1918)

    Thomas Smith started his military carer in the RN and at some time went to Sandhurst where he passed out as a 2nd Lieutenant. At some point he was attached to the 9th Tank Battalion in Whippet tanks. He was killed in action on 25th March 1918 (sniping at the enemy at Pozieres). His body was never recovered, but he is remembered by his great nephews and nieces every year at Pozieres Memorial.





    233982

    Samuel Williams 103rd Field Company Royal Engineers (d.24th December 1917)

    Samuel Williams, my grandfather, was killed in action at Flanders, I'm looking for more info

    Hugh James




    233978

    Lt. Hugh Alexander Broadway MID 5th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.30 March 1915)

    Hugh Alexander Broadway was wounded on 10 March 1915 in Neuve Chapelle and died of those wounds on 30 March 1915. He was Mentioned in Dispatches. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Alex Broadway of Garh Maharaja, District Jhang, Punjab, India. He is buried in Plot 2, Row B, Grave number 24 in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Rue de Dringhen. The Commonwealth War Graves plot is located down the western edge of the southern section of the cemetery.

    Bob Broadway




    233977

    Pte. Thomas John Thursfield 5th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th March 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Thursfield served with 5th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment.

    Bruce Ross




    233971

    Pte. Charles W. Burnett 1/4th (Hallamshire) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.19th Jul 1917)

    My Great Grandfather Charles Burnett was well into his thirties when he joined the Battalion. Before he went off to war he was a Confectionary Labourer working at I think either Bassets or Trebor in Hillsbourough, Sheffield. He was married to Louisa and lived at 44 Walkley Road, Sheffield. My father has a picture of my Great Grandmother standing by Charles' grave at Coxyde Cemetery but I dont think there is a date. I dont really know much more about the family apart from his son, my Grandfather Clifford so impressed a local businessman at a Y.M.C.A camp in Derbyshire that he gave him a job in the wholesale markets in Sheffield and he eventually took over the company.

    Thank You Charles for making the ultimate sacrifice for everything you held dear to you.

    Simon Burnett




    233965

    Charles Dexter 17th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.27th June 1917)

    <p>

    Charlie Dexter served with the 17th Btn. Middlesex Regiment.





    233963

    Pte William Baum 10th Btn Cheshire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1917)

    My Grandmother did not know her father, she was 4 years old when he was killed in the war. By chance I typed in his name in Google Search and his obituary came up. It had his parents name, his wife's name and their address which I was able to confirm through birth certificates. My Grandmother unfortunately had passed away before I found this information and my Mother has since passed but this year I will visit Ypres Menin Gate as I travel from Australia to deliver my hand made Poppy to honour his sacrifice for his country. Unfortunately, there is no grave for our brave Great Grandfather but it is comforting to know his name stands with many on the wall of Menin Gate.

    Debra Tilley




    233960

    Sgt. John Thomas Johnson 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    Jack Johnson was my great uncle, brother to my grandmother on my fathers side. He was born in June 1898 and believed to have joined the Seaforths as a fifteen year old, as recalled by my Gran. He was killed on 22nd of August 1917 aged 18/19 and is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery. His body was identified by tag and was found at grid ref D26.a.30.40. I believe these figures refer to a British army trench map, and if anyone reads this and can shed light on the figures I would be obliged.

    Steve Mather




    233959

    Pte. Frederick William Saxton Herefordshire Regiment (d.18th Aug 1917)

    I have been looking for family of Pte Frederick William Saxton. I bought his medals and death plaque some 40 odd years ago from a

    He served in the Herefordshire Regiment attached to 6th Bn Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (these are all from what I have found online) Service No 237898. When he died he was, I believe, with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Service No 35269. He is listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Belgium Panel 154. Someone found his effects lists which said grandma Ellen Saxton. I hope someone recognizes this name and can help me.

    Barbara Smith




    233956

    Mjr. Eric Seymour Conner MC & bar. 107th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My father Eric Conner served in the 106th and 107th brigades RFA. I don't really know much more but he won the MC and Bar and I have the citation for the Bar but not original MC. I would love to know what he did to win the MC. He survived the war and left the Army with the rank of Major (he was only 25 in 1918) and he returned to India and became a Tea Planter. He married and had 3 daughters.

    He returned to join up in 1940 and joined the RA and because he could speak several Indian dialects he was, after training in London, appointed Commandant of a Transit camp in Southern India. He stayed in the Army after the war on a short service commission and was based in Okehampton, Devon and also Woolwich where he helped plan the ceremony for the addition to the RA Memorial on Hyde Park Corner. On leaving the army in 1948 he met and married my mother and had me in 1956 and then we moved to East Africa to help my father's brother run his coffee estates. He died in 1969 aged 75 following a car accident. I was only 12 and we never spoke of his WW1 War experiences but I have many photos, some paper work and his medals.

    Shaun Conner




    233955

    A/Cpl. Alfred Ernest Cornwell MM & bar. 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    Alf Cornwell was relieved from his post and when he returned 5 minutes later the man was dead. He and another Private captured a machine gun nest full of Germans alone. He earned the Military Medal and bar He also had shrapnel in his right index finger so that he couldn't straighten it. He also had a large scar from a wound that had to be sewn up: He had gone out into no man's land to bring back one of the wounded and a shell had gone off behind him and the resulting shrapnel caused the slice.

    He died in 1963. He fell asleep in front of the fire in his favourite chair. He had been reading a book on cowboys and still had his reading glasses on his nose when he was found.

    Sarah Young




    233954

    CSM. Fred Green DCM. 9th (Service) Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    On 7th July 1916 members of 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment were in action around Contalmaison during the Somme offensive. A week earlier the British army suffered its' bloodiest day ever, with over 19000 men killed on a single day. During the action at Contalmaison a number of troops from Fred's company were wounded. Word has it Fred was wounded, but stayed with the company until a lull in the fighting allowed him to carry out one of the roles of CSM, that of evacuating casualties. He gathered a stretcher party to take the most severely wounded back to the Regimental Aid Post and a German shell landed within a few feet of the party as it weaved its' way to the relative safety of the medical station. Fred Green was killed instantly.

    Company Sergeant Major Fred Green D.C.M killed in action at Contalmaison 7th of July 1916.





    233953

    Pte. William "Gragga" Mara 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment

    William Mara served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, he died in March 1955.

    John O`Meara




    233952

    Sgt. Jeremiah "Victor" Podd MM. 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    My grandfather Jeremiah Podd, died the year before I was born, so I never knew him. Recently, I've done some research and managed to locate his final resting place, something which was unknown to the rest of my family.

    Nigel




    233950

    Pte Frederick Percy Clark 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Frederick Clark is my Great Uncle he was born on 6th Nov 1894 and was only 24yrs old when he died. His name is on the war memorial on the green at Horton, Berkshire. His is also remembered in St Thomas' Church in Colnbrook Village.

    Shirley Clark




    233948

    Pte Stephen Morris 16th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.14th Jul 1916)

    Stephen Morris was born in Bolton, in August 1897 and was the son of Stephen and Lavinua Morris of 40 Chapel Rd. He was the third child, having an older sister and brother, Edith and Stanley and three younger sisters, Beatrice, Ivy and Irene. The family had previously lived in Rainsough Brow, Park Lane West, Pendlebury, where Stephen was connected with St John's Sunday School. Prior to enlisting he was employed at Agecroft colliery.

    He enlisted in Salford in November 1914. On the 15th November 1915 his battalion sailed from Folkestone for Boulogne. In May 1916 he was wounded by shrapnel, but after a short spell at a base hospital he rejoined the battalion. Between the 11th and 14th July 1916, the battalion occupied positions at Ovillers on the Somme, on the 14the July being in support positions at Donnet Post. Stephen was killed in action on the 14th July aged 18 years.

    The Eccles Journal of the 11th May 1917 reported that Stephen has been officially confirmed killed on the 14th July 1916, having previously reported as missing since that date. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. His address is listed on the Roll of Honour as 16 Rainsough Brow.





    233947

    Pion. Patrick Best 345th Field Company Royal Engineers

    Patrick Best was my maternal great grandfather. His daughter was my maternal grandmother Elizabeth. She was named next of kin on his enlistment forms. Patrick was 50 when he enlisted on 9th of May 1917, too old to join the regular Army. Luckily, his service record still survives unlike his son's. Patrick lost his son John in the same war. John was only 18 when he was killed in action on 15th of March 1915, just a few months after he joined the army. John Best is also mentioned on this website under the Royal Leinsters. Patrick's other son also joined the army and served in WW1 in the 8th Hussars. Patrick's grandson my uncle Tommy also spent many years in the army first the British and then the Irish Army.

    Johanna Anderson




    233945

    L/Cpl. Richard Addison 8th Btn. C Coy. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    Richard Addison was born in Preston in 1886 and was the eldest son of Richard and Charlotte Addison (nee Foreman/Forman). Richard`s parents were married on 29 July, 1883 at St. Saviour with St. James Church, Preston. Richard and Charlotte Addison had another eleven children. The others being Alice A (1883), Margaret Alice (1885), Robert (1889), Lizzie (1892), Betsy Ellen (1894-1894), Archibald (1895), Mary Jane (1898), Betsy Ellen (1900), Frederick (1903), Walter (1904) and Joseph (1906). In 1901 the family were living at 17 Tennyson Road, Preston. Richard`s father was working as a grinder in the card room of a cotton mill. According to his service papers Richard married Elizabeth Johnson on the 22 September, 1906 at St. Ignatius RC Church, Preston. On the 20 December, 1907 Richard and Elizabeth had their first child, a daughter and they named her Alice Ann. Eighteen months later she was followed by another daughter Elizabeth who was born on 6 June, 1909. In 1911 Richard, Elizabeth and their two daughters were living at 9 Hopwood Street, Preston. Richard was working as a lap piercer in a local cotton mill and Elizabeth was at home looking after the two girls. On the 8 May, 1913 a son was born and they named him Richard.

    On the 5 September, 1914 Richard went off to enlist at the age of 28 years and 1 month. His occupation at the time was a labourer working for Messrs. Irvin and Sellers a Wood Turning and Shuttle Manufacturers in Preston. Richard confirmed that he had no previous military experience. The Medical Officer noted that he was 5`5" tall and weighed 116 lbs, he had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was posted into C Company of the 8th Battalion and allocated the service number 13466. The 8th Battalion stayed in England for a year training and growing in strength until the 24th September, 1915 when they embarked for France. Richard was appointed Lance Corporal (paid) on the 11th of July, 1916 when the 8th Battalion had been in action on the Somme. The previous day the Battalion had lost a total of 247 Officers and men who had either been killed, wounded or missing in the area around Ovillers.

    On the 12th of October, 1916 Richard was wounded in action and was admitted to No. 22 General Hospital with gunshot wounds. The wounds he received resulted in the amputation of one of his legs but sadly he did not recover and he died at 1 am. on the morning of the 23rf of October 1916.

    Richard Addison




    233943

    Pte. George Holland 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1915)

    George Holland was killed in action on the 11th July 1915 in or around the Ploegsteert Woods area. Any further information about his time in service or how he was killed, I would be very thankful for.

    James Holland




    233941

    Pte Mark Vincent Farrell 11th Squadron Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) (d.2nd Jul 1917)

    Mark Farrell is my relative, he is buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetary, St. Quentin in France.

    Paul Bauress




    233938

    Lt Leonard Priestley CdeG, MID Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Leonard Priestley was my grandfather, my mother's father. He joined the British Army in 1899 as a 15 year old. He went on to become a Lieutenant and fought in the Front Line in France in WW1. He won four medals, including the Croix de Guerre from the French Government for acts of bravery. He is mentioned on a Despatch from the King and signed by Winston S Churchill. He survived the war and came back to live in Cork in Ireland to his wife, Bridget, and brought his horse with him. He died aged 53 in 1938, allegedly of shaking disease, probably a brain tumour as he had many injuries during the war. I have his war foot locker, his medals, his despatch document, his field binoculars, two bayonets, one French and one German that he brought home as souvenirs and his pickle fork, cheese knife and nutcracker that he brought with him all through the war. I have copies of some of his war records

    Bridget Barrett




    233935

    L/Cpl Harry Joy Hill 7th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment (d.25th Nov 1917)

    Harry Hill is my maternal grandmothers brother. He was born in Belfast on 8th June 1886 and in the 1901 census he was working, aged 15, as a domestic servant and in the 1911 census he was a moulder in a factory. He joined up on 19th August 1914 and for an unknown reason ended up in D Company, 7th battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. His older brother David served in the Royal Irish Regiment and another older brother Johnny served in the Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War.He was killed during fighting in the Cambria operations on 25th November 1917, his body never recovered. The family was told he was hit by a shell.

    Glenn Millar




    233933

    A/Capt. Arthur Stoyle Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Arthur Stoyle served with the Royal Field Artillery attached to the Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Claire Shepheard




    233932

    Pte. William Moorwood 9th (Service) Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    William Moorwood joined the 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment on the 12th August 1915 at the age of 19. His Regiment was sent to Gallipoli as part of the failed August Offensive. During 1915 he landed at Helles, Anzac Cove and Suvla bay. He was wounded in August during the battle of Sari Bair and evacuated. He rejoined his Battalion until the withdrawal of the Allied forces from Gallipoli. The Battalion were sent to Mesopotamia and saw action in several harsh battles including the failed attempt to break the Seige at Kut Al Amara. In April 1916 he was severely wounded and again evacuated, during his 'convalescence' he contracted malaria and scabies. He survived his wounds and the war. He passed away aged 88.

    David Breakwell




    233928

    Pte. Bertie Sumner Randall 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.16th August 1915)

    Bertie Randall was buried in Spoilbank Cemetery, Ypres.

    Elaine Smith




    233926

    Sgt. John McLarty 1st/5th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.25th Dec 1915)

    My Great Grandfather, John McLarty, served and died during the Galipoli campaign. He was married, my grandfather, his son was the only boy. I believe he had some sisters. John McLarty died at age 25.

    Dean McLarty




    233924

    Pte. Fred Vitty 14th Btn., D Coy Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Sep 1916)

    Fred Vitty enlisted in the 14th Service Battalion DLI with his brother George at Bishop Auckland on 9th September 1914. Fred was age 17 and George 23. They were both miners working with their father, William Vitty, for Harperley Collieries at Fir Tree Drift Mine. They both survived the 19th December 1915 Gas attack, George bringing home a poem written about the attack called "Division 49", George lost his right arm at Ypres at Easter 1916. Fred was killed in action leading a patrol near the Quadrilateral at The Somme on the 18th September 1916.

    John S Alderson




    233922

    Pte John Sparling MID 168th Coy Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    John Sparling served with 168th Coy. Machine Gun Corps and was Mentioned in Despatches on the 17th of November 1917.

    Alan Sparling




    233921

    Pte. Thomas Hagan 7th Battalion West Riding Regiment (d.13th July 1916)

    Thomas Hagan was my Great Grandmother's brother. He was the first generation of Hagans born in Oldham, Lancashire after his father came over from Ireland for work. Most of his family found employment in the textile industry in Lancashire. Thomas was the first of 3 brothers to join the army during the war years. He joined the 1/7th Battalion, West Riding Regiment in November 1914, aged 20, in Milnsbridge, Yorkshire. His brother James would follow in 1915 and thereafter the youngest of the family, Frank. After initial training the Regiment was deployed to France, from Folkestone, on 15 April 1916, arriving at Boulogne. Records show he was punished a few times for drunken and rowdy behaviour soon after arriving in France but he would soon be in action. He fought in the Battle of the Somme and was shot in the knee, on the 5th July 1916. Repatriated to the general hospital in Colchester, he arrived on the 11th July but unfortunately died of his wounds 2 days later, on the 13 July 1916. Thomas posthumously received the Star and Victory medals and is buried in Colchester cemetery.

    Saul Thackeray




    233918

    Lt. Montague Forwood Ainslie 12th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.17th Apr 1916)

    <p>Montague Forwood Ainslie

    Lieutenant Montague Forwood Ainslie was the son of Richard M. Ainslie and Mabel Bower Forwood, and brother of Dorothy, Margaret and Ruth Ainslie, of Childwall Vicarage, Liverpool. Before the war he worked as a bank clerk. He died aged 23 in Boesinghe, Belgium, as a result of amputation due to grenade splinters in his leg. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. He is also commemorated on a cross in Windermere burial ground erected by his officers; is named on the Childwall Church, Sedbergh School and Martins Bank war memorials, and on a panel in the Liverpool Town Hall of Remembrance.

    Kate Forwood




    233914

    Pte. Louis Slimmer 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd March 1918)

    <p>

    Louis Slimmer was my uncle. His father was Victor Slimmer of 245 St Georges Road Hull. Louis joined the 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment in 1916 following his brother Harry who joined in 1914. He served at Ypres and on the Somme before transferring to the Machine Gun Corps in 1918. He died in the German offensive around Arras on 23rd of March 1918 and has no known grave but his name is on the Arras Memorial.

    Lesley Clark




    233913

    A/Cpl. Jack Pezaro 11th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.8th Oct 1916)

    Jack Pezaro signed up with his brother Harry in about 1914, when he was 19. He served as Acting Corporal. He fought at the Somme and was killed in action there alongside his brother.

    They are remembered on the Thiepval Monument.

    P A Morris




    233911

    Pte. James Albert Squires 1st Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment

    James Albert Squires was my maternal grandfather. He joined 1st Kings Liverpool and entered France on 7th of March 1915 and saw most of the War on or around the Somme. He received the 15 Star and the 3 Commemorative War Medals. He was a private throughout the War. After sustaining injuries, he re-enlisted to support the Pals. He survived the War and lived until 1966 in Ramsgate, Kent, England with his family.

    Nigel




    233909

    Joseph J. Brady Mechanical Transport Army Service Corps

    <p>

    Joseph Brady who enlisted aged 44 to serve in the Army Service Corps in Calais delivering to the Somme.

    Joseph Brady

    Liosa McNamara




    233908

    Pte. Bertie Wilson 1/8th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Bertie Wilson survived the war and was disembodied on the 10th of April 1919. I don't know a lot about him.

    Rob Hansen




    233907

    L/Cpl. Rudolph Muscat 20th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Rudolph Muscat served with the 20th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers and formally served in 65th Divisional ASC. He was killed in action on the 22nd of October 1917 and was posthumously awarded the British War Medal, the British Star and the Victory Medal. These medals have not survived in the family.

    Rudolph Muscat was born in London in October 1888, the eldest son of German parents, his father had moved to England in 1872, his mother was born in Germany, they married in England is 1885. The 1911 Rudolph was living with his mother in Aldershot, working as a general carman. In 1912 he married Ethel Clifford in Farnham and joined the army in August 1914. In 1915 his only child was born, but the infant died, aged 3 months. Rudolph served first in the ASC and later transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was killed in action in Flanders on 22nd October 1917, the day after his 29th birthday. His body was later found on a war site and identified. He was reburied in the Cement House War Graves cemetery at Langemark-Poelkapelle, Belgium.

    Shortly after Rudolph's death his mother died, it is said she died of a broken heart. Rudolph was one of three brothers who fought for England. His brother Edward died of injuries in Salonika in October 1918. The youngest son Paul was injured three times and survived the war. Family history talks of cousins fighting cousins. In fact the WW1 War memorial in the home village of Grossengottern Germany, shows that one of their German cousins was also killed in the war.

    Jo Coulson




    233903

    Capt. William Herbert Monson MC. 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusilliers (d.7th Sep 2016)

    Captain Monson, 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, died of wounds received in action on 7th September 1916 near Guillemont.

    On the outbreak of the war he volunteered and was attached to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, receiving his promotion in December 1915. He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty at Hulluch during a Gas Attack by the Germans (killing 800) on 27th of April 1916. He had also served in the South African War, and received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps.

    Bryan Monson




    233902

    Cpl David Ogilvie 12th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers

    David Ogilvie was my grandfather. He survived the war, but I never met him. He died in 1953, when he was 54. He joined the Northumberland Fusiliers in 1915, when he was 16, and was sent to France in early October 1915, just after the Battle of Loos. He served with the 12th Battalion NF at the Battle of the Somme and took part in the capture of Fricourt, of Mametz Wood and several other actions in that part of the line. He was promoted to corporal on 23 October 1916. Just before the Battle of Arras in April 1917, he was sent home with a very nasty case of trench foot. He was discharged on 12 October 1917, officially 21 years old, but actually 18. He later joined the RAF. After the war, he married my grandmother and settled in Lincolnshire, working as a policeman. Emotionally, he was broken by his experiences on the Western Front and, by all accounts, he was very difficult to live with. My grandmother left him in the 1940s and he moved to Liverpool, where he died.

    I have always been a bit obsessed with my grandfather and would love to find out more about him.

    Ray Monk




    233901

    Pte Joseph Francis Ross 6th Btn Kings Regiment (Liverpool)

    <p>Joseph Ross

    Joseph Ross served with 6th Btn, Kings Regiment (Liverpool).

    Mark Fuller




    233898

    Pte. George Robert White 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    George White was killed in action, attempting to take the village of Fricourt. He attacked at 0730hrs in one of the first two company's that made it over no mans land to their objective at Konig Trench. Unfortunately he was isolated along with other members of his company as their backup, the third and fourth company's were cut down by machine guns. They continued hand to hand fighting and bombing throughout the morning, but George was unfortunately killed. He was originally buried in Hare Lane Trench and was moved after the war to Dantzig Alley. Always remembered. RIP.

    David White




    233896

    Pte Robert Daglish MM 12th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    My Great Great Grandfather, Private Robert Daglish 18240 served with the 12th battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the great war.

    Born in 1895, he worked as a coal miner at South Moor. After the outbreak of the war he answered the call and joined Kitchener's new army at Newcastle in September 1914.

    The 12th Battalion along with the 13th joined the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division and my ancestor waa assigned to A company, 12 Battalion, Durham Light Infantry moving to Aldershot, Hampshire in November, then to Willesborough, Kent in February 1915 and went on in May to Bramshott. He then proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 26th of August and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers, whether my ancestor was part of this, sadly I will never know. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battle of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. It was here that my ancestor worked as a company runner, running between the lines carrying vital messages from HQ to the front. During the third battle of Ypres he received the Military Medal for actions unknown and was mentioned in the London Gazette in January 1918. My grandfather always told me that it was during the third battle of Ypres that my great great grandfather received a shrapnel wound and was brought back to England and his medal card supports this as it shows that he received the 1915 star, British war medal, Victory medal and the Military Medal and his only theatre of war was France. After the war, he moved to Burnhope and worked as a miner until his death in 1954. Sadly I never met him and have been unable to find any photos or records of him other than his medal card. However I have inherited his identity bracelet which he wore through out the great war and this shows his name, service number, company, battalion and regiment. It is also engraved with the intials MM supporting that he was awarded the military medal. I would however be grateful if anyone can share any more information about him or show me a photograph as i have never seen what he looks like. It would be dream come true if by any chance anyone knew of the where abouts of his medals.

    Ryan Daglish




    233893

    Pte. Patrick Roach 1st Btn. B Coy Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.14th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Patrick Roach served with B Coy. 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashires.

    N G Roach




    233889

    Pte. Charles Walter Gurney MM 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, Charles Walter Gurney MM, lost his leg during an act of bravery which involved attempting to rescue another St Helen's fellow soldier, who sadly died of his wounds. Grandad was a stretcher bearer, he was medically discharged 16th June 1917. His award of MM was announced in the London Gazette 14th Sept 1916.

    J Gurney-Craig




    233888

    Pte. Thomas Kitchingham 6th Battalions East Kent Regiment

    Thomas Kitchingham was born on 20 April 1897 at Place Farm, Hartlip, Kent. Unfortunately, we do not have the Service Records to confirm precisely when he joined and his precise service information, and we only have the medal card and medal roll to refer to. It would seem he initially joined the 6th Battalion East Kent Regiment before being transferred to the 7th Battalion, dates and details not known. It is understood from what his younger brother has mentioned, he was at the Battle of the Somme. Tom survived the war and eventually died in 1978 in Gillingham, Kent.

    Peter Kitchingham




    233887

    Gnr. William Robert Kerr 238th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather, William Kerr signed up in December 1915, much to the anger of my grandmother, who felt he should stay at home because of his three children. However, he signed up at nearly 38 and just before conscription for that age group was introduced, which meant that as a volunteer, if he was killed, his wife would receive a pension.

    He arrived in France in August 1916. He served with 238 and 353 Siege Batteries. He was injured in June 1918 when a shell was dropped on his finger, he was hospitalised in Edinburgh and discharged in February 1919.

    He hardly ever talked about the war but the records of 353 Siege Battery are in the National Archives, so we have been able to find out about some of his service. He did talk about being with Australians and was amazed at the way they spoke to their British commander, General Birdwood, he never got over them calling him 'Birdy' to his face! He also said that he never forgave Haig for what he saw happening to young men in the infantry at Passchendaele.

    Before he died he lived with his daughter and her family in Hove. He brought with him his wartime binoculars and a hand grenade. My mother was persuaded that it wasn't safe. A friend took it out to sea, pulled the pin, tossed it out & swore that it exploded, forty years after WW1 ended! William died in 1957.

    Jenny Watts




    233886

    Cpl. William Henry Balcombe 122nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    William Balcombe was my grandfather. He signed up to the territorials before the start of WW1 and served at Newhaven Fort in the Sussex Royal Garrison Artillery manning the 6" guns in the early part of the war.

    One night there was a commotion in the harbour and he gave the order to fire a warning shot, the gun layer asked where to aim as they could not see anything, he ordered the breech to be opened and he put his ear to it as the gun was traversed, when the noise was loudest they loaded and fired and ended the noise in the harbour. The next morning they discovered a couple of drunks had stolen a rowing boat and tried to get across the harbour, one of them was in hospital with the rifle marks from the shell burnt across his buttocks!

    William transferred to the 122nd Siege Battery RGA and served in France. I have a drawing he made of his gun at Riviere in July and August 1916 and know he continued to serve until the end of the war. After the war he became a commercial artist living in Brighton, he died in 1963.

    Dave




    233884

    Pte. Arthur James Lake Royal Engineers

    Arthur Lake served with the Army Cyclist Corps, Kings own Scottish Borderers and the Royal Engineers.





    233883

    Pte. William Drew 9th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.24th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    William Drew was born on in 1885 to John and Ann Maria Drew (nee Hayward). He was born and lived in West Bromwich at 25 Farley Street near Great Bridge. He was a Moulder on the 1911 Census.

    He was only awarded the British War and Victory Medal, not the Star so he could not have seen active service before 1916. The British War Medal is still held by the family as is his Death Plaque, the Victory Medal is, unfortunately, lost. He possibly saw conflict at Mametz on the Somme as he is buried in Croissilles Railway Cemetry. He was just 32 years old. He is commemorated on the St Peter's Church Memorial along with his brother, James who is commemorated at Thiepval and Gloucester Pier.

    His parents had already lost their younger son, James at the battle of the Somme in 1916. Their other son, Joseph (Joe) served in the RFC (Royal Flying Corps) as it was then and survived.

    Yvonne Richards




    233881

    Pte Frederick James Eagle 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Eagle served with the 1st Btn, Essex Regiment.

    Andy Eagle




    233880

    Pte. William Blair MID. 5th Btn . Cameron Highlanders (d.16th Jul 1916)

    William Blair was Mentioned in Dispatches 31st of May 1915. He died of wounds on the 16th of July 1916.

    Peter McKain




    233875

    Spr. Richard Finighan 128th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.4th July 1917)

    Richard Finighan was my great-grandfather. I went on an armistice tour in 2011 and only heard about my relative the day before. It was very emotional with this new found knowledge, being at the Menin Gate memorial at 11am on 11th November and finding my great-grandfather's name on the monument. Especially as my father is also named Richard.

    Ally Finighan




    233874

    Lt. William Armel Yearwood 122nd Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Armel Yearwood left Barbados for England in order to enlist with the British Army in 1915. I have found his enlistment dated 29th July 1915. He was first sent to the Army Ordinance Corps as he had had experience in handling mules. He grew up on a sugar plantation in Barbados. He transferred to the 122nd Machine Gun Corps and made a Temp Lieutenant 1st November 1916.

    He was invalided out on 21st July 1917 with Trench Fever. He only rejoined the regiment a year later on 4th July 1918. He was wounded in action on 24th September 1918. On this occasion a shell landed near him. He regained consciousness and thought he had lost his leg. Fortunately, only his boot was blown off by the blast. The gentlemen riding next to him died, as did both horses.

    Victoria Brennan




    233873

    Pte. Thomas Taylor 9th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.21st August 1915)

    Thomas Taylor was my grandmother's brother and was born in Darlaston, Staffordshire. He fought in the Battle of Gallipoli and the family received a telegram to say that their son/brother was wounded and missing, presumed dead. His body was never found but his name is listed on the Helles Memorial at Gallipoli, Canakkale, Turkey: Panel 58 to 72 or 218 to 219.

    Remembered with love, pride and respect by his great-niece. On behalf of all your family, RIP uncle Tom, we honour your name with pride.

    Elizabeth Degnen




    233870

    Pte. Tom Hardwell 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters

    Tom Hardwell was my grandfather, it seems he was moved about from 2 other battalions 1st Gloucesters then to Sherwood Foresters cyclist division then to the 4th Cyclist Corps then to the 11th battalion, Sherwood Foresters. He survived the war returning to Bristol.

    Julie Croft




    233865

    John Edward Norton Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers

    My father, Eddy Norton, served in the Tyneside Scottish regiment. I don't know anything about his time in the First World War, only that I've heard from a relative that he was a sniper. Going through some old photos I've came across him as a patient or orderly in Bermondsey Hospital. Some of the patients are in two-toned jackets. My father in one colour-toned jacket. Can anyone give information on this?

    Editors note: The jackets are known as Hospital Blues, worn by patients instead of their uniforms.





    233864

    Sgt. Arthur Whittle MID 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.22 February 1915)

    Arthur Whittle served and Mentioned in Dispatches, Boer War at Kimberley, volunteered for WW1.

    Peter J Railton




    233863

    Pte. William Railton 4th Battalion (d.2nd Sep 1917)

    William Railton died of injuries received at the 61st Casualty Clearing Station on the 2nd September 1917, after joining in or around October 1916 in Colne, Lancs.

    Peter J Railton




    233861

    Pte. Frederick Alexander Bond 50th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Frederick Alexander Bond, Private, Machine Gun Corps; Regimental No. 26085, listed on 11th December 1915 and was discharged on 29th March 1918. After his enlistment he was drafted to the Western Front in the following July. Whilst in this theatre of war he took part in the heavy fighting on the Somme and at Ypres, and in various other engagements. He was blown up and buried by a shell, but was fortunately rescued. Later, he was seriously wounded on the Somme and invalided home, and in March 1918 was discharged as unfit for further military duties. He holds the General Service and Victory Medals.

    Machine Gun Corps Record Office: 26085 Pte, Bond F.A. 50/MCG late 3 E Surr. Trench Feet Sev Adm 10 Gen Hos Rouen 27th December 1916.

    Frederick Alexander Bond died on 16th May 1970 at Hither Green Hospital.

    Felicity




    233860

    Sgt. William Henry Jeavons 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    William Jeavons enlisted 13.5.1914 Lichfield, South Staffordshire Regiment, number 9548. He later rransferred to 1st Bn Notts and Derbys number 67098. William served in France from 19.1.1915 to 19.7.1916. At Home 20.7.1916 to 7.11.1916. Then returned to France 8.11.1016 to 20.3.1920. He was held as a Prisoner of War from 21.2.1918 to 10.12.1918. After being discharged to the B Reserve on the 7.6.1921 he was re-engaged Sec D Reserve for 4 yrs 13.5.1928 and was discharged 12.5.1930. He also served 4th South Staffordshire Regiment Special Reserve with number 4758. He died 23rd February 1964.

    Roy Bladen




    233858

    Pte. Arthur Miller Manchester Regiment (d.4th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Miller was a 40-year-old Yorkshireman from Otley in the West Riding, father of six children, the youngest 2 years old. His work had taken him to Manchester where he answered the call to arms, enlisting in the Manchester Pals. On 4th August 1916, he was reported 'missing, presumed killed'. No known grave but his name is recorded on the memorial at Thiepval, as well as in Otley parish church.

    Nan Miller




    233856

    Pte. Richard Leopold Kent 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    My great uncle Leo (Richard Kent) and his brother, Edward Kent, were killed in the Great War.

    Helen Kent




    233852

    Pte. Albert Ernest Westwood 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd April 1918)

    Albert Ernest Westwood, son of Eliza Westwood of 37, Summer Lane, Lower Gornal, Dudley, moved to 38, New Row, New Delavel, Newsham, Northumberland to live with his elder brother John. Albert is buried in Denain Cemetary, Nord, Nord-Pas-De-Calais, France, and commemorated on war monument in Blythe, Northumberland.

    Ian Preene




    233851

    Pte. Thomas Finch 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.7th July 1916)

    Thomas Finch was my great grandfather. He died after being blown up. He was 35 years old and left behind a wife and three sons. They never found his body and he doesn't have a grave. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Caroline McCann




    233850

    Pte. Jeremiah O'Connell 9th Btn., att. 250th Tunnelling Coy., Royal Eng. East Surrey Regiment (d.6th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Jeremiah O'Connell served with the 9th Btn. East Surrey Regiment and was attached to the 250th Tunnelling Coy., Royal Engineers.

    Kyle O'Connell




    233849

    Pte. James William Crowe 17th Btn. King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.12th July 1916)

    James Crowe and his younger brother John (Coldstream Guards) both fought in France in WW1. James was killed in action on his 30th birthday on 12th July 1916. John (married to Ethel, with son John) was killed in action on 27th September 1918, he was just 28.





    233847

    Pte. Charles Delplanque 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.21st October 1914)

    Charles Delplanque was a shirt cutter from Dublin and was 34 years of age when he was killed.

    Kavan Graney




    233846

    BSM. Henry John Hartnett MSM. 114th Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.18th Feb 1919)

    <p>

    Henry John Hartnett was born on 3rd March 1884 in Preston, Lancashire. Following in his father's footsteps, he joined the army on 23rd July 1901 at the Royal Field Artillery Barracks at Bulford in Wiltshire. And, like his grandfather, father and some years later, his son, he lied about his age which he gave as 18 years and 10 months. He was actually two years younger than that. Henry had blue eyes, dark brown hair and was 5'6". He would most certainly have spoken with a Lancashire accent.

    Henry served in India for six years from January 1904 and worked his way up through the ranks and by 1913 he had made sergeant. Back in England he was stationed at the Chapeltown Barracks in Leeds. Henry John went on to become a Battery Sergeant Major, a rank he attained on 7th February 1915. Why Henry was in Glasgow is still unknown but it's where he met Jennie Beveridge and married on 27th January 1914 in the Kelvin district in Glasgow.

    Stationed now in Dorset, Henry and Jennie had another son on 31st July 1915, also named Henry John Hartnett (my father). He was born at No. 4 Bell Street, Shaftsbury near the Codford military training camp in Dorset. Two months later Henry was on his way to the Western Front in France but it wasnt long before his Brigade, along with the rest of 26th Division, was shipped to Greece to fight on the Macedonian front.

    Henry must have been granted home leave at some point, as on 5th August 1917, Francis Simmons Alban Hartnett was born. Jennie was living at 6 Exmouth Road.

    His Division began demobilization in February 1919 but like so many soldiers in the Salonika campaign, he died of disease on Tuesday 18th February 1919 at the age of 35. Just a few days before he died, Henry John was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He probably never knew. He is buried in the Mikra Military Cemetery in Kalamaria in Greece. His trunk and personal effects were sent home but, over time, have been sadly lost to the family. His widow, Jennie, was sent £75 and 3d being the money owed by the Army to Henry at the time of his death. He is the grandfather I never knew but he is always remembered.

    Henry looking on his baby son circa 1915

    Henry's grave in Selonika

    Julia Hartnett




    233845

    Sgt. Lawrence Gordon Coe Ox and Bucks Light Infantry

    <p>

    Lawrence Coe served with the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry.

    Geoff Coe




    233844

    Pte. Jeremiah J. Glennon 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.9th Sep 1916)

    My paternal great uncle, Jeremiah Glennon, of Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. He died at the Battle of Ginchy on 9th September 1916, having survived both Hulloch and Guillemont. He is buried in a mass grave, with so many others, and memorialized at the Thiepval Memorial. The 6th Btn. of the Royal Irish Regiment was formed in Clonmel, Ireland on 6th of September 1914.

    Kathleen M Glennon




    233843

    2nd Lt. Harold Theodore Emerson 8th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.10th July 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle Harold Emerson was originally in the Royal Engineers and he qualified for his 1914-1915 Star Medal when he went into a theatre of war on 5th November 1914.

    He was later commissioned into the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was killed in action serving with the 8th Bn. Loyal North Lancs on 10th July 1916, during an attack towards the rear of the village of Ovillers la Boiselle (Somme). The 8th Bn were fighting along a trench towards the rear of Ovillers and were counter-attacked several times and made little progress, resulting in casualties of 247. One of these would have been 2nd Lt H T Emerson. His body was never found and he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He died aged 18.

    Harold T Emerson

    Wendy Bailey




    233842

    L/Cpl. Albert Isaac Hutchinson 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.17th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Isaac Hutchinson was my maternal grandfather. My mother was born in February 1916 and, as far as I am aware, Albert only saw his youngest daughter once. My mother often spoke about finding his grave - all she knew was that it was in Belgium. It was not until after she passed away in May 2000 that I managed to find where he is buried, and my own daughter and I are going to visit his grave in August 2016. I have discovered only today that his record contains very little personal information - I do not know his date or place of birth for example, and the cemetery record does not have any detail of his wife, Ettie Alexandra Hutchinson. The home that he shared with Ettie and their two daughters was in the Leicester area.

    Alec




    233841

    L/Cpl. Benjamin Newham 2/5th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

    Ben Newham was the son of Robert and Rebecca Newham and was born in 1895. He enlisted at Loughborough. He was a sniper and was very proud to serve his King and country.

    The battalion had been in Ireland preparing to joining their comrades in France. After embarkation leave they proceeded to France via Southampton, arriving at Le Havre on 24th February 1917. They were sent to the Somme area where the enemy were retreating to the Hindenburg line. They made their first attack on the villages of Hesbecourt and Hevilliers on 31st March 1917, capturing both villages and suffering a number of casualties. Ben was one of the casualties. He died on 9th April 1917 and is buried at Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. He left two brothers and two sisters, all younger than him.

    Sue Grundy




    233838

    Pte. Ernest Harmson 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest Harmson was born in York to Esther and George Harmson and lived at 118 Poppleton Road, York. He worked on a farm at Stillingfleet prior to the outbreak of WW1. He died on 1st July 1916 at the during the Battle of the Somme.

    Carol Leyland




    233837

    Sgt. Stephen Lee 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.28th April 1917)

    <p>

    Stephen Lee served with the 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade.

    Paul Collins




    233833

    Rflmn. Thomas Vizard 9th (Queen Victoria's Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    I discovered through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the memorial to Thomas Vizard (my mother's cousin) inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial. My daughter was fortunate to partake in a school visit to actually see the inscription and to envisage the horror of the Somme.

    Christine Chadwick




    233832

    Pte. Henry Hull Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    My grandfather, Harry Hull, served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusaliers. His medal index shows 1914/1920. He was transferred to the Labour Corps, when or why we do not know and have no idea where he served. I remember him as an old man who suffered from shell shock. If anyone can offer more information we would love it.





    233830

    L/Cpl. Richard Riley Sager Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Grandfather, Richard Sager was injured at Mametz Wood on the 10th of July 1916. He died in 1978 aged 86.

    Robin Sager




    233829

    Pte. Frederick Ebdy 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    They say that they gave their lives so that we could have ours. In this case, it is true. Fred Ebdy was married to my grandmother, Mary Annie. If Fred had not lost his life on the Somme, then she would not have remarried and my mother would not have been born. Then, of course, I would not be here now writing this.

    Allen Burdon




    233826

    L/Cpl. John H. McGowan 9th Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.22nd August 1917)

    L/Cpl John McGowan is commemorated on a memorial within Westcoats Primary School, Cambuslang.

    Campbell Thomson




    233825

    Pte. Ernest Colley 8th Btn. North Staffs Regiment (d.9th August 1916)

    Ernest Colley has no known grave and I am still trying to find out where and how he went missing and in which action. Ernest was the son of John and Alice Colley of Longton.

    David Young




    233821

    L/Cpl. George Edward Thomas Waller 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    George Waller served with the Royal West Kent Regiment in the Boer War. He resigned from the Army in 1908, but was recalled in 1917, following which he served as a Lance Corporal in the 9th Battalion, the Essex Regiment. He was killed in action on 22nd August 1918, the second day of the Second Battle of the Somme, and is buried in the extension to the Ribemont Communal Cemetery.

    Nick Waller




    233818

    Pte. Edgar Frederick Tompkins 11th (Cambridge) Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Fred Tompkins was born in Northampton in 1883 and moved with his parents George and Emily and his younger sister Harriet Emily to the village of Swavesey, Cambridgeshire, in around 1890. The 1901 census shows him living with his parents and working as a farm labourer. He married in 1905, Sarah Jane Norman from Swavesey; the couple had no known children and lived apart within a few years of their marriage sometime before the 1911 census, when Fred was again living with his parents and working as a farm labourer.

    Fred joined the 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment as a volunteer on 5th October 1914. He served in the battalion until 5th February 1917, when he was discharged as medically unfit for service Wounds P. 392 (xvi) King's Regulation 1912. He was awarded the Victory Medal and Silver War Badge (No: 20272). No other details of his military service are known to me.

    Following his discharge, Fred Tompkins returned to Swavesey and resumed his occupation locally as an agricultural labourer. Fred moved into Cambridge probably in the early/mid 1930s. He was employed by Chivers at Histon as an agricultural labourer. On the death of his estranged first wife, in 1955, Fred married his long-term partner Beatrice Odell. Fred died on 21 June 1961, leaving no known descendants. His spouse survived until 1976.

    Diane Bennett




    233816

    Pte. Ernest Wall 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    All we really know about Ernest Wall is the day he died and that his two brothers also died in the war. The only thing we have is the picture postcard of the memorial cross for him and eight others.
    • Pte T Macaulay - 11119
    • Lce Cpl A Hodgson - 15123
    • Pte B Whitworth - 17334
    • Pte E A Stewart - 3/6356
    • Cpl J B Parker - 11459
    • Pte T Ferrell - 111621
    • Pte E Wall - 11880
    • Pte W Hicken - 16952
    • Pte A J Brett - 3/6738

    Nic Sarginson




    233815

    Pte. Jonas Dodson 11th (Cambridge) Btn. Suffolk Rregiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Jonas Dodson, from Swavesey, Cambridgeshire, enlisted in the 11th Battalion (Cambridge) Suffolk Regiment on 9th November 1914, voluntarily, as a private. He served in France from 9th January, 1915 and was reported as killed in action on 1st July 1916 during the attack towards La Boiselle which began at 07:30 on that day. On his death, at the age of 39 years, Private Dodson left behind a wife and at least eight surviving children aged from under two years to 16 years. Private Dodson, who is understood to be buried on the battlefield, is commemorated on the memorial at Thiepval, Somme, France, and on the Roll of Honour at Swavesey War Memorial Hall. Their Name Liveth for Evermore.

    Diane Bennett




    233814

    Cpl. Joseph Connolly 6th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.4th Oct 1916)

    Joseph Connolly was killed in the Balkans. His younger brother Thomas witnessed his much adored brother's head blown off before him in the trenches. Thomas was very young, maybe 16. Thomas survived and returned to Dublin. He married May Byrne and they had one child named Mary, my mother. Thomas had ill health due to gassing and died aged 38. His wife remarried, his child grew up knowing very little about her father. It is so sad. She is almost 80 and still wondering. No photos, no medals, nothing. I am trying to find out some information for her.

    Karen Finn




    233810

    Pte. James Henry Drew 1st Btn. South Staffs Regiment (d.14th July 1916)

    James Drew was born on 7th September 1894 to John and Ann Maria Drew (nee Hayward). He was born and lived in West Bromwich at 25 Farley Street near Great Bridge. He was a glassblower by trade, a highly skilled craftsman in our area, which is famous for its crystal glassware.

    He enlisted on 20th December, 1915 and was awarded the 1915 Star, as well as the British War and Victory Medals. He married Lilian Ellen Gough on 5th December 1914 and they had a little boy James H, born in the Jul-Sept Quarter of 1915. He died at the Somme on 14th July 1916 and is commemorated at the Thiepval Cemetery in France. He was just 22 years old. His parents were to lose another son, William in 1917 to the War. Joseph served in the Royal Flying Corps as it was then and survived. Unfortunately, I do not have any images of James - only of his parents. James was formerly with the Royal Scots, 26557.

    Yvonne Richards




    233809

    Gnr. Andrew Gibson 147th Brigade, 10th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.6th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Andrew Gibson was probably a bit of an adventurer and risk-taker at heart. At the age of 19 in 1901 he volunteered to go and fight in the Anglo-Boer War. By the time he arrived in South Africa the conflict was largely being conducted on horseback - the life of a trooper largely consisted of chasing across miles and miles of scrub to find on arrival that the Boers had all ridden off. Violent interaction was limited but perhaps he gained a love of horses and this influenced his decision to join the RFA. When he signed up in October 1914 the RFA was all about canons being towed hither and thither across the battlefield by teams of horses supporting infantry and cavalry attacks. By 1915 the war had turned into the industrial, entrenched conflict we all know about today. I imagine the transformation and the growing realisation that the fighting was going to go on a lot longer than he had imagined weighed heavily with him, as it did many others.

    He enlisted for WW1 at the age of 31, as a married man with four children and another on the way. He was destined never to see his fifth child Margaret, who was born when he was in Egypt, just a week or two before he embarked for Gallipoli. Soldiers were occasionally permitted leave, not often and not for long but being far from home, logistical difficulties and the fear of desertion probably condemned him to spend any leave he did get abroad.

    He was killed on the Somme on 6th of November 1916 but he had very nearly died the year before. On the trip from Egypt to Gallipoli his brigade consisting of 650 men was on board the troopship SS Manitou when it was intercepted by a Turkish gun boat. They were given a few minutes to evacuate but they only had lifeboats for a third of them. The Turks made three attempts at torpedoeing the Manitou before being chased off by HMS Minerva. It seems like a farce, they were, after all, at a standstill in the water but in the panic to evacuate, one of the lifeboats broke and spilled its contents into the water and 50 men were drowned.

    Despite the carnage elsewhere, Andrew was statistically unlucky to have died since only 16 members of the 147th were killed in WW1 post-Gallipoli. The daily war diary entry for 6th November 1916 reads as follows: Weather unsettled. A normal day. 2 shells pitched into 10th Battery low position. The second of these wounded 2 Other Ranks. No.108662 Gnr Cummings R. and No.40635 Gnr A Gibson. Andrew is recorded elsewhere as having died of his wounds later that day and he is buried in Bernafay Wood Cemetery near Montauban.

    Robert Cummings, who must have been a mate of Andrew's, survived the shelling that day and indeed the remainder of the war. He returned home to Lancaster where he married and had two children, dying there in 1967 at the age of 77. On his medal card it states: Returned unclaimed.

    Rod




    233808

    Pte. Thomas Yates Smith 8th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    Private Smith served in Gallipoli.

    Ibel Hamilton




    233804

    Pte. Harry Taylor 2/10th Btn. A Coy. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Harry Taylor served with the 2/10th Btn. Manchester Regiment.

    Timothy Soar




    233803

    Cpl. William E. Wiltshire 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1916)

    <p>William E Wiltshire, Somerset Light Infantry

    William Wiltshire was born in Bath, Somerset on August 15th 1893 and was the eldest of 11 children. When he left school, he took a job as a blacksmith striker in Bath. His father was a Bugler Sgt Maj, in the Somerset Lights, so it wasn't hard to believe that the boys would follow in his footsteps.

    Bill joined up in 1914, from Lower Bristol Rd, Bath, Somerset. On the out break of war and was deployed after training to France, with the 11th and 4th Somerset Light Infantry. They took to sea on the HMHS Braemar and landed at Le Havre on 22nd Aug 1914.

    He had a couple of lucky escapes during his time over seas that ended in him being in a field hospital, after an explosion went off near him. The horrors he must of seen and experienced must of been total confusion for such a young lad from rural Bath. From what information I can gather he went home on leave just one time, to visit with his family. He wasn't married and as far I know he had no children. He gained rank and fought hard. But, on August 9th 1916, sadly William fell foul to drift gas, he died at 630am at Remy Siding, in the company of the 3rd Canadian Clearing Station. He was laid to rest with his fellow brave pals at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium. He was survived by Bugler Sgt Maj William John Wiltshire, Bugler Herbert Frank, Bugler Harold Ewart, and Bugler Reginald Rupert.

    William was my Great Uncle. I am so very proud to have his photo, and the medals he received. He gave everything for King and Country. He gave his life. Such a brave and selfless young man. One of many that gave all. May he rest in eternal peace and know he is not forgotten.

    Sue Zdanowicz




    233799

    Pte. Henry Rivers Burr 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.18th Oct 1918)

    Harry Burr is said to have joined up before he was of eligible age. Possibly in 1916. Sadly, he was killed in action in Belgium just before the end of the war. There is also an article in the local newspaper saying that at some stage he was taken prisoner but managed to escape. I am still searching for the details of this. He is remembered with honour at the Vis-En-Artois Memorial.

    Valona George




    233796

    L/Cpl. Kenneth Campbell Lowrie 1/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.13th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Kenneth Lowrie was my grandfather's half brother, the son of John and Kate Lowrie of Helensburgh. He enlisted originally with the Highland Light Infantry in Glasgow (service no 31288) The family story is that he was too young to enlist so lied about his age. He was killed in action in Palestine in 1917 and buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, supposedly aged 19. However he was not born at the time of 1901 census, and was therefore aged about 16 when he died.

    Jenni Lowrie




    233794

    Pte. William George Clark 1/8th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    William George Clark was born on 5th January 1889 in Reading, Berkshire. In the 1911 Census, he was living with his parents, brothers and sisters in Willesden, London NW. His date of attestation is 13th February 1916 at just one month before his 27th birthday. His first regimental number was 24144 with the 7th Norfolk Regiment and then he was transferred to the Worcestershire Regiment, 1/8 Battalion and his regimental number was changed to 260029.

    The book that I have is a record of his pay dating from 16th June 1917. The first pays are 5 or 10 shillings per week and the place given is “in the field” and then on 5th December 1917 they change to lire in varying amounts, still “in the field”. This continues until the last two payments in the book, which are 15 francs on 24th September 1918 and 10 francs on 14th October 1918 when the book is full. Pencilled in the back of the book is Date of Embarkation June 15, 1917 and “Leave – Nov 3, 1918. From the UK, WW1 War Diaries (France, Belgium and Germany), 1914-1920, the typed note at the top of the front page is: 25th Division, 75th INFY BDE, the centre of the page shows 1/8th BN Worcestershire Regt, Sep 1918 – Feb 1919. Also, there is a pencilled notation on the front page (from 48 Div. 144 Bde, Italy) and (1915 Apr – 1717 Oct France, same Div and Bde). There are very detailed day-to-day descriptions of the activities including “improving trenches, programme of training, tactical exercises as well as Battalion movements, tactical plans, operation orders in detail, secret orders and reports of the operations, including lists of dead, wounded, prisoners.

    After the war, he continued to live with his parents in Willesden and worked with his father as a master plumber until he married Elsie Millicent Breed on 30th April 1922, when they lived in Paddington. Soon after the birth of their daughter, Will went to stay at the Douglas House Convalescent and Holiday Home for Ex-Service Men in Southbourne. He continued to stay there on and off, especially during the winters and the damp days of spring, until shortly after the birth of his son in 1933, he passed away from tuberculosis, contracted as a result of the poor sanitary conditions in the trenches in WW1.

    Janice Bragg




    233793

    Rflmn. Charles Fredrick Fenn 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.24th March 1918)

    Charles Fenn was born Westminster in 1881 to Charles Robert Fenn and Janie McIlwraith Fenn. The family owned a chemist's shop and lived at 83 Regent Street, Westminster. Charlie was the only son, among seven sisters. Formerly R/17436, K.R.R.C. He also served in the South Africa Campaign. An official letter dated 1st March 1919 was sent to his father, CR Fenn, reporting Charlie as missing. His body was not recovered. He was later declared to have died between 21st and 24th March 1918, aged 34; and his effects, which consisted only of the sum of £19 4s 8d due to him, were forwarded to his father.

    Charlie is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial with honour under service number S/25928. He is presumed to have died on the Somme.

    Beth




    233792

    L/Cpl. Harry Roberts MID 41st Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Harry Roberts was my grandfather. He joined up in August 1914, when he had just turned 18 and was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps from the 7th Rifle Brigade on 18th February 1916 where he remained until his discharge in April 1919. He was Mentioned in Dispatches on 24th December 1917 after Passchendaele. Immensely proud of him, although he passed away before my brother or I were born. His memory will live on.

    Helen Roberts




    233791

    Pioneer Ernest Edward Chapman 11th Hampshire Regiment

    Ernest Chapman joined up in 1914 and had the 14/15 Star. He was a Lewis gunner, badly gassed in the Battle of the Somme and discharged unfit for war service. He was awarded the Silver War disability Badge but subsequently served in the Merchant Marine and was awarded the Mercantile Marine Medal. Together with Pip Squeak & Wilfred this must be a rare combination of medals. His son Tony Chapman served in the ARP & Royal Navy in World War Two and is the author of War of The Motor Gun Boats, which details his service in Coastal Forces.

    Tony Martin




    233790

    Pte. Frederick Ernest Clutterham 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1916)

    Great uncle Frederick Clutterham died serving his country on the battlefields of the Somme in October 1916. He was 25 years old. His name can be found on the North and South Pickering War Memorial as well as the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Allison Morgan




    233788

    Pte. Albert Nelson 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    My great grandad, Albert Nelson from Hull, served with the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and 41st Labour Corps, 717 Company. He enlisted on 27th February 1917 aged 37 and embarked on 12th March at 1917 Folkestone. He disembarked on the 12th at Boulogne and saw action in France and Germany. He was demobilised at Coln on 5th March 1919.

    Albert died in 1927 in Sculcoates, Hull, East Yorkshire.

    Allan Emmett




    233786

    Pte. Arthur Fenwick 24th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Fenwick was killed on the first day of the Somme along with his brother George and Thomas (died later from wounds) who were in the 15th battalion Durham Light Infantry. He is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery near La Boisselle. He died advancing on the village of La Boisselle near to the mine that was detonated, now a crater called Lochnagar.

    Neil Fenwick




    233783

    Pte. Thomas Fenwick 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.20th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Fenwick took part in the attack on the first day of the Somme along with his brother Arthur (who was in the Northumberland Fussiliers, Tyneside Irish). Another brother, George, was also fatally wounded on the 1st. Thomas was moved to a field hospital at Heilly near to La Boisselle where he was wounded. He is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery near Heilly.

    Neil Fenwick




    233782

    Pte. George Fenwick 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    George Fenwick was killed on the first day of the Somme along with his brother Arthur (who was in the Northumberland Fusiliers, Tyneside Irish). Another brother, Thomas, was also fatally wounded on the 1st and died later of his wounds on the 20th September. George is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery near La Boisselle. He died near to the crater called Lochnagar.

    Neil Fenwick




    233781

    Pte. George Archibald Hallett 11th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.9th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    George Hallett served with the 11th Btn. Hampshire Regiment.

    Sheila Andrews




    233779

    Pte. John Foyster 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.1st May 1917)

    John Foyster was wounded at the Somme in 1916 and evacuated via Australian Hospital to hospital in Cardiff. He returned to the front. He was killed in action on his last day in the trenches by a direct hit on the dugout. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    Dave Ellis




    233778

    L/Sgt. Malcolm Grant MID 15th Btn. Attchd. 107th Trench Mortar Bty. Royal Irish Rifles (d.3rd January 1917)

    Malcolm Grant was my grandfather. He left three children behind, one of whom was my father. I am so proud of what my grandfather did. I am trying to find out as much as possible about him. The one thing I don't have is a photograph, but I will keep searching.

    Alison Grant




    233777

    L/Cpl. Henry Jones 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.19th Nov 1916)

    Henry Jones was a telegraphist in the North Staffs Regiment. He died whilst serving on the frontline between Thiepval and Bouquet Farm. Specifically he was killed in the battalion attack at 06.10 hours on 18th November from Regina trench to Desire trench. 17 officers and 317 other ranks became casualties and the attack completely failed. Henry Jones's body was never identified and he is listed as missing.

    Ian Price




    233776

    Pte. John Victor Leadbeatter 15th (1st London Welsh) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    <p>

    Jack Leadbeatter served with the 1st London Welsh.

    Ray Leadbeatter




    233774

    Sea.2nd.Cl. Lewis Earl Watson USS Arcadia

    <p>

    Radioman Second Class Lewis E Watson reported aboard USS Arcadia and transited the Atlantic five times, carrying cargo and troops in both directions during 1919.

    Roderick Watson




    233772

    Pte. Charles Robertson Helmrich 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.6th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    The 15th Btn DLI was involved in trench warfare in the Ridge Wood area near Ypres on 6th of Oct 1917. Pte. Charles Helmrich has no named grave. His name is inscribed on the memorial wall at Tyne Cot.

    There is a family story that one day in October 1917 William Helmrich was moving away from the trenches with his Company. He met his brother Charles Helmrich on the road. Charles' Company was going to the trenches. The two brothers shook hands and spoke for a moment before going on their way. William was a private in the Northumberland Fusiliers and Charles was fighting in the Durham Light Infantry. A third brother, George Frederick Helmrich, was also fighting in the Seaforth Highlanders Regiment. It was the last time the two brothers saw each other as a few days later Charles was killed.

    Charles Helmrich




    233771

    Unknown Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    I have no information on this fellow. I found the picture in an old cigar box of family pictures. The picture seems to have been taken in Bangalore, India. The RFA were in action in Bangalore during The Great War. The only possible connection is my Grandfather, Adam Stephens, Sgt. in the Welch Regiment, owned the cigar box. But the picture has no notes on the reverse.

    Jeff Stephens




    233770

    Pte. Thomas Henry Ward 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Aug 1916)

    My Grandad Thomas Ward was a miner from Consett Co,Durham. Married with one son who was born in May 1916 and he never saw.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Never forgotten

    Thomas




    233769

    Dvr. George Henry Hall D Battery Royal Field Artilery (d.14th September 1918)

    Apparently, George Hall was killed only six weeks before the end of the War.

    His brother, James Hall, was with him when he was killed. Born in 1890 and 28 when he died. He was my father's oldest brother by 10 years. I understand that his body is buried in France, but I have just received a letter from a lady living in Pembrokeshire informing me that there is a memorial plaque/stone in Castlemartin Church honouring him with two other men.

    This memorial was originally in Warren Church (very close to Merrion his home village) and transfered around 1968 to Castlemartin. My father was Stanley John Valentine Hall and I am his only son, James. I wrote a letter to "Pembrokeshire Life Magazine" many months ago asking for any information on the Hall family from Merrion Village and the above arrived today July 2nd 2016.

    James Hall




    233768

    Lorraine Lax 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

    <p>

    My great granddad, Lorraine Lax, survived WW1, including Loos, the Somme and being shot in head at Arras. But did not survive British justice.

    Kevin Lax




    233764

    Rflmn. James William Wheatley 10th Battalion (d.9th Oct 1916)

    James William Wheatley was my Grandad's brother, my great Uncle. The only thing I know about him is the fact that he died from his wounds on 9th Oct 1916, but unfortunately I don't know which battle he was in or what actually happened to him. He is buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen.

    Sue Burnham




    233758

    Pte. Robert Mack 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Robert Mack enlisted with many of the UVF volunteers and fought bravely with the South Antrim Volunteers at the Somme in July 1916. He was also one of the luck few who survived, although he sustained a leg injury.

    David




    233757

    Cpl. Frank Augustus Markin MM 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.28th July 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Markin served with the 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment.

    Helen Calver




    233755

    Pte. Patrick McElligott 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.2nd July 1916)

    7525 Private Patrick McElligott served with the 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment and was from Tipperary Town. He died on 2nd July 1916 of wounds received while fighting in the Battle of the Somme and is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Merricourt-L'Abbe, France. Grave reference I.G.8.

    John Power




    233754

    Sgt. William Mabbott CdeG. 12th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    Will Mabbott joined the Army in 1900, 2nd Battalion North Staffordshire, aged 18. He was drafted to South Africa a year later, and from there he was transferred to India. He served in India for approximately 10 years with the 1st Battalion North Staffordshire. He was discharged in 1912.

    At the start of the Great War he re-enlisted as part of Kitchener's third army. In 1914 he was promoted to Sergeant in the 12th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. William fought at Loos, Ypres, Messines, Somme and Cambrai. He was awarded the Croix De Guerre (Belgium). In 1918 he was badly wounded and discharged from the Army. Due to the severity of his injury he lost his right leg. He returned to Mansfield Woodhouse and died there in 1928.

    Kathryn Bennett




    233752

    Pte. James Gallacher 11th Btn. No.6 Platoon Scottish Rifles

    <p>No 6 Platoon, 11th Scottish Rifles in Salonika

    James Gallacher served with the 11th Scottish Rifles.

    Portrait of james Gallacher front left

    James Gallacher centre front

    Suzanne




    233751

    Pte. Frederick James Howell 3rd Btn. South Wales Borderers

    My grandfather, Frederick Howell, volunteered for the South Wales Borderers in March 1915 in Newport, he was just 17. He told me that when he was in the trenches the men either side of him were killed by snipers' bullets, he couldn't understand how he survived. He talked about the conditions in the trenches and how he was lucky to have been invalided out, having lost some of his toes as a result of frostbite. He walked with a drunken lilt for the rest of his life and counted himself lucky. He talked about Ypres (which he called Wipers) and sang Mademoiselle from Armentieres to me!

    Glynis Jones




    233750

    Drvr. Richard Ward 277th Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Richard Ward was my maternal great-grandfather. Very little is known about him. It stated on his marriage certificate that he was a driver in "B" Battery, 277th Brigade, RFA. He received Pip, Squeak and Wilfred medals.

    Nicki McNeilly




    233746

    Pte. Patrick McShane 23rd Mobile Section Army Veterinary Corps

    Paddy McShane was my grandfather. He was 23 when war broke out and working in Birkenhead docks. I know he kept a horse as part of his job, hence AVC23. He might be considered young for this unit so he must have been good with horses. I know he was at Woolwich in the run up to leaving for Alexandria via Malta in March 1915, sailing from Avonmouth with, I think, the 29th Division. He survived the war but was never really well again. He died in 1936 of malaria. I have his 14-15 Star but my dad said he threw the others on the fire in 1936 when he was aged 12.

    Daniel Mcshane




    233745

    2nd Lt. Francis Edward Howkins 28th Btn. London Regiment

    Francis Howkins served with the 253rd Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers and 28th London Regiment.

    Peter Farrow




    233744

    Pte. Michael Hartley 2/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.31st March 1918)

    <p>

    Michael Hartley served with the 2/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment.

    Alan Barry




    233741

    CSM Alexander Rae Thomson 205th (1st Dundee) Coy. Royal Engineers

    Sandy Thomson was my father. He was discharged from the Army on 28th February 1919 due to weak lungs from being gassed.

    Harold Thomson




    233740

    Pte. Reuben Giles Bashford 13th Btn., 39th Div. Royal Sussex Rgt. (d.30th June 1916)

    Reuben Bashford was living with his widowed mother Emily and sister Lucy at 16 Chapelfields (known as back of Portland Road) in a five-roomed house. He was a fisherman.

    He has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, which forms the side and back of the Dud Corner Cemetery, which stands on the site of a German strongpoint on the Lens Road redoubt, which was captured by the 15th (Scottish) Division on the first day of the Battle of Loos. It is located on the west of the village on the N43, the main Lens to Bethune Road. Reuben is commemorated on panel 69 to 73.

    He is also in the book of remembrance in the Royal Sussex Regiment chapel in Chichester Cathedral. Reuben was born and enlisted in Worthing.





    233738

    Cpl. James Greenwell Hugill 104th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.17th July 1918)

    James Hugill became a bricklayer and is believed to have been apprenticed to his Uncle Isaiah - a stonemason. After serving his apprenticeship he moved to Redcar and remained in the trade until he signed up with the Royal Engineers at the local recruiting office on 8th September 1914 for the duration of the war. He never married.

    Army records indicate James was 5' 7" high, weighed 146 lbs, had a chest size of 37" expanding to 38.5" and was vaccinated in infancy. His record is good with only two traceable charges, one of which (overstaying his pass by 4 and 3/4 hours on 11th June 2015) was "Not to be entered on his conduct sheet." The other was for being "Drunk In Town" (29th June 1917) for which he received seven days.

    Corporal J. G. Hugill was captured at the battle of St Quentin, France, on 22nd March 1918 and taken as a Prisoner of War to Essen where he died of "Gastric and Intestinal Catarrh, Influenza" on 17th July 1918 at 10.45 a.m. This was the cause of death of a great many POWs just before the end of the war. He is buried in Cologne.

    He was awarded Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. These are the affectionate names given to the three WW1 campaign medals - The 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal respectively.





    233737

    L/Cpl. James Bernes 12th Btn. Kings Rgt. (Liverpool) (d.17th Aug 1917)

    Lance Corporal James Bernes served with the 12th Battalion, the Kings (Liverpool) Regiment and died on 17th August 1917, age 28. He was the son of Mrs M Hamilton (formerly Bernes) of 48, St. George's Hill, Everton, Liverpool.

    Jeffrey A. Williams




    233735

    RSM Francis John Gorman MID, MSM 6th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.6th March 1919)

    Frank Gorman was my great grandfather and I have only discovered anything about him a matter of weeks ago. Today is the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, and it is only right that he should be remembered with pride by his family. He joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at 15 years and 6 months old in 1891, and served for 21 years 203 days finishing on 8th January 1913, returning to fight in the Great War. He died on 6th March 1919 leaving behind my great grandmother, Isabella, whom he married in 1900, as well as five daughters and two sons. I have no photos.

    Paula Holmes




    233733

    Sgt. Joseph Henry Joel MM. 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    Joseph Joel served with the 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers during the Great War. My Grandfather appears to have been in various battalions of The Royal Fusiliers over the years.

    He was in the1st Battalion for Tibet in 1903-4 and by 1911, he was definitely in the 2nd Battalion in India for the 1911 Census.

    He got married to my Grandmother in Colchester on 1 Dec 1914, so it looks like he returned to England earlier than the rest of the 2nd Battalion

    His medal card shows that his first theatre of war was France and he arrived there 1st June 1915. (The dates indicate that he was probably in 8th Battalion after he returned from India) which is backed up by his record card which shows a discharge date of 5th Dec 1918 as a Sgt and his unit is showing as 8/R. Fus

    My Grandfather was awarded the MM. Whilst we have found the entry in the London Gazette where the MM was awarded, we haven't yet found the citation.

    It appears in the London Gazette dated 19th March 1918 (published on 15th March 1918). A very brief entry on page 3465. If anyone could help me track down the corresponding citation I would be hugely indebted to you.

    Gerry Chandler




    233732

    Pte. James Wilfred Priest 45th Field Ambulance (d.25th Aug 1917)

    Wilfred Priest was my great uncle. We believe he was 17 when he died. He spoke some German and was the youngest of five children. He was the only son of Luke and Sarah Priest. We have no photos of him or know any details of his death. He is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery.

    L Darby




    233731

    Pte. William Hunter 236th Coy. Army Service Corps

    <p>

    My grandfather, William Hunter would never talk about his service in France. He was a farm ploughman and was assigned duties as a driver of a horse-drawn ambulance. He was wounded in his shoulder by shrapnel and returned home around 1917 where he married and started a family.

    B Hunter




    233729

    Pte. Sidney Victor Swan 2/16th Btn. London Regiment

    Sidney Swan served with the 2/16th Btn. London Regiment

    Mark Swan




    233726

    Leonard "Jock" Mason Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    Leonard Mason served with the Royal Horse Artillery.

    Leonard and his family in 1916





    233724

    Spr. George L. Bogle 219th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.2nd February 1916)

    There is no other information relating to my mum's relative, George Bogle, and what he was doing at the time of his death, aged 33. All we know is he was a sapper. We are not sure if he was engaged in tunnelling work or not. My mum vaguely remembers having his service photograph in her possession but which has gotten lost over the years. She always remembers the family never having spoken much about George but she does remember as a child being taken to visit a woman who she believed to be George's wife at that time.

    We want to find out bit more about what George was doing at the time of his death as we know he was a sapper though don't know any more about his background regarding whether he was an engineer in civvy street or what.

    Stephen Murray




    233723

    Pte. Walter Searle 12th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.19th October 1916)

    Walter Searle died on H.S. Western Australia, France.

    John Taylor




    233720

    Pte. Charles Richard Hewitt 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Charles Richard Hewitt was my great-grandfather. He was born in Hull in the East Riding in 1875, and moved with his wife and son to Shipley, in the West Riding, probably to find work in the woollen mills. We believe that he lied about his age when he volunteered. He would have been 39 in August 1914, but told the army he was 35. It is possible that he underwent some of his early training at Green Lane Barracks in Shipley. He spoke of service near Poperinge, and on the Somme. We believe that he may have been wounded there, a knee injury. Part of his recovery took place at a hospital in Hampshire. He was discharged from service in January 1918. The cause given was "wounds". He was awarded a Silver War Badge and the record gives his age at discharge as 38 and 6/12, thus supporting our belief that he had fudged on his age. For the rest of his life, he wore shoes with a special spring in the heel which allowed him to walk normally.

    Stephanie Miller




    233719

    Lt. John Lyttle HMS Duke of Albany

    <p>

    My grandfather, John Lyttle, was on the Duke of Albany which was taken into the Navy in 1914 as an armed boarding steamer, stopping neutral shipping to search for contraband headed for Germany despite the blockade. She was torpedoed on 25th August 1916 off the Pentland Skerries by UB27. Many crew died but he survived and lived through a second torpedo sinking in 1918 on the Lord Charlemont. We have a cup, saucer and plate monogrammed 'HMS Duke of Albany' with my grandfather's initials JL in gold on the cup.

    Interestingly, my great grandfather, Robert Lyttle, who sailed in the same ferry company that had the Duke of Albany built in 1907, also sailed in this ship. We have his Master's certificate from 1885 and the licenses starting in 1892 he held for taking specified ships across the Irish Sea. The last ship on that list is the Duke of Albany.

    Duke of Albany

    crew of the Duke of Cornwall, with my great grandfather Robert Lyttle third from the left on the second row

    Robert Lyttle third from left in centre row

    John Lyttle




    233718

    Pte. Richard Henry Matthews 8th Btn., D Coy. Middlesex Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Dick Matthews, a former labourer and motor driver, was my Grandmother's brother. He was born in Kensington, but for most of his short life lived at 2, White Street, Southall, Middlesex, next to the gasworks. His parents were James and Annie Matthews.

    He enlisted in the Territorial Force on the first of January 1912 and served in the 1/8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, D Company, first in Gibraltar and then in France. A letter home to his brother Jack said that he had joined the trench mortar course.

    He was reported 'missing believed killed' on the first day of the Somme Offensive 1st of July 1916. He was 21. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial. The only thing that my Grandmother told my uncle about him was that he wept before being sent back to the front.

    Carol Williams




    233716

    Pte. John Samuel Garside 14th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.4th November 1918)

    Recently I have started to research my father's family history, very late in my life. My father was orphaned at a very early age and brought up by "aunty Garside" who I never knew. I had always thought she was a sister of my father's mother but it turned out she was the widow of John Samuel Garside, a brother of my father's mother. John sadly died on 4th November 1918 just seven days before cessation of hostilities. He has no headstone so obviously his body was never found. But he is named on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial. I have no idea why he was in the Welsh Regiment or what action he was in when he met his death.

    He was a bricklayer in civilian life according to his marriage certificate. He and his wife had no children. They lived in Dukinfield/Ashton under Lyne. My father was born 1919 so must have been named John after his late uncle. I also carry John as a middle name.

    David John Rhodes




    233712

    Pte. Arthur Willie Buckthorp 9th Btns. Sherwood Foresters

    Arthur Willie Buckthorp enlisted in February 1900 in Lincoln where he lived. He requested to join a Derby Regiment and this was granted. He served in South Africa, China, France and the Mediterranean with the 1st, 3rd and 9th Btns.





    233711

    Pte. Herbert Campbell 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    As a family we discovered in 2012 that our great-great uncle Herbert Campbell is remembered at Tyne Cot Cemetery. He was missing in action presumed dead on 22nd August 1917 aged 21 years. We are hoping to pay our respects and visit Tyne Cot for the Centenary in August 2017.

    Louise Walters




    233710

    2nd Lt. Louis Vionnet Godwin 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.23rd October 1916)

    <p>Second Lt Louis V Godwin

    Louis Godwin is one of three of my great uncles who served in the Great War and none survived. He was 20 years and 8 months old when was killed in action and had attended Taunton School. I know very little about them as my family never spoke about any of them except that "Three of Pa's brothers were killed in the war and another was washed over board in a storm."

    Through researching my family's history I discovered that two of the brothers died within five miles of each other (Samuel and Louis) Herbert and Samuel died within two days of each other. Louis Vionnet Godwin (died 23rd October 1916) is one of the missing and is commemorated at Thiepval. Samuel Vionnet Godwin, Border Regiment, (died 12th February 1917) is buried at Meleaut War Cemetery. Herbert Vionnet Godwin, Royal Artillery (died 11th February 1917) is buried at Kimberley War Cemetery, South Africa.

    Remember them.

    Samuel V Godwin

    Herbert V Godwin

    M V Godwin




    233708

    Gnr. James Andrew Harkins 291st Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    James Harkins served with D Bty, 291st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    James as a young boy

    Marie Bunce




    233707

    Cpl. Alfred J. Callard 13th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.22nd November 1916)

    Alfred J. Callard is one of three sons of Annie Callard of Walworth who had been totally deaf from childhood. Her husband had left her many years before the war. Alfred signed up at Southwark Town Hall on 10th September, 1914. He was 5ft 5ins tall and was a tea packer. He was 24 years, 245 days old.

    Alfred was wounded in his arm and left leg on 16th November, 1916 (the last day of the Battle of the Somme) and died of his wounds in Rouen on 22nd November.

    His brother Harry W. Callard of the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment signed up at Kingsway RO, London when he was 22 years and and six months. He was a printer. He was presumed missing on the Somme on 30th July, 1916.

    Alfred had a third brother, Leonard, who signed up on 12th November, 1914 aged 18. He was a driver in the Royal Field Artillery and survived the war.

    Sue Clarke




    233706

    Pte. George Hall 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Rgt. (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.1st July 1916)

    George Hall was the son of Robert and Dorothy Hall of Fulwell, Sunderland. He was the brother of Robert Hall. He is buried in row D1 of the Fricourt New Military Cemetery.





    233704

    Pte. Henry Edward Veale 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th April 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Veale was killed in action on 14th April 1918 in Flanders, aged 23 years. He is remembered with honour on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Alan Davies




    233701

    Pte. Thomas Johnson 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.13th April 1918)

    Thomas Johnson was born in Black Bourton, Clanfield, Oxfordshire in 1893. He was the son of Thomas and Ester. In 1915 he worked as a railway porter for the London and South Western Railway at Templecombe. He was 6 foot 1 1/2 according to records.

    He married Violet Kate Burrows on 17th March 1917. She was originally from Gloucestershire but they met in Black Bourton when she worked as a domestic servant.

    Five days after their marriage Thomas was released for military service from the railway. On 25th December 1917 their son Thomas Henry was born. On 13th April 1918 Thomas was listed as missing presumed killed in action. His name is on the Victory Arch at Waterloo Station.

    R. Bullock




    233699

    Pte George Henry Barton Royal Fusiliers

    George Barton is my Maternal Grandfather and I know little about him except what I have gleaned from online research and family anecdote which suggests he may have been a Bomber in a tunneling team at some point of the war. I was told that he had been discharged because the chemicals he handled in the course of setting explosive charges had caused him ill health but he was not discharged until 26th March 1919 which would probably have been his natural discharge date on a short service attestation.

    David Owen




    233694

    Pte. Charles William Cope 18th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.30th July 1916)

    <p>

    I only recently learnt of my great uncle Charles Cope's service in WWI, but I'm very proud. His body was found in a shell hole by Private J. Collier 1/4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at Guillemont during the Battle of the Somme.

    Remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Thiepval Memorial

    David Cope




    233692

    Dvr. Ernest Holland 455th West Riding Field Company Royal Engineers (d.24th Apr 1917)

    <p>driver ernest holland

    Ernest Holland was the son of G H Holland of 70 Forres St, Sheffield.

    Ernest is back row left along with other members of 455th West Riding Field Company Royal Engineers.

    driver ernest holland

    driver ernest holland

    driver ernest holland

    Driver Ernest Holland

    Phil Unwin




    233691

    Pte. Joseph Zaleski 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards

    <p>

    Joseph Zaleski served with the 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards

    Trevor Zaleski




    233688

    Pte. Ralph John Hoare 1st Btn. The Rifle Brigade (d.31st October 1916)

    Ralph Hoare was my father's cousin. He was born out of wedlock and, by the time he went to war, his mother had passed away. In his informal will he left everything he owned to his friend Mr Harry Lane Bedington, Oxfordshire, his next door neighbor. A sad end to a young man who had never really lived.

    Robert Hoare




    233687

    Pte. Michael Moore 11th Btn. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Michael Moore is my grandad. He volunteered in 1914 and went to France on 26th August 1915. He took part in the fighting at Ypres, La Bassee, Lens, Armentieres and lastly the Somme. He was badly wounded at the Somme, taking a bullet in his head. Michael was declared unfit in 1916 and discharged. He later rejoined for 12 months and was engaged on important duties in connection with the Graves Registration Department. He held the 1914-15 Star and General Service and Victory Medals.

    Christine Stringer




    233683

    Pte. William Campbell 10th Btn. The Derrys Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.11th August 1917)

    William Campbell went into action on 1st July 1916 at the Somme. He was wounded. He went into action again in Flanders on 11th August 1917 and was killed. His name is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres.





    233682

    Pte. Charles Henry Barton MM 10th Field Ambulance, 4th Div. Royal Army Medical Corps

    Charles Boston was awarded the Military Medal for eight hours hard work dressing wounds in no-mans land at Redan Ridge where, although badly injured by shrapnel, he managed to drag back a badly wounded comrade to British lines. He was stretchered to an aid post and shipped back to hospital in England. Charles survived the battle and died at home in the Isle of Man in 1947.





    233680

    2nd Lt. Cecil Newton 6th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.15th Spetember 1916)

    I have just found my great uncle, Cecil Newton's, will on Scotland's People website and it states the date of his death in France. I know very little else I am afraid.

    Ian Hards




    233679

    Pte. Stanley Pepper 8th Btn. Suffolk Rgt.

    Stanley Pepper was gassed in the trenches.





    233677

    Pte. William Radcliffe 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.23rd September 1917)

    William Radcliffe was shot and suffered severe injuries. He was sent to hospital in Rouen but was unable to be returned home until August. On returning he was sent to Southampton hospital but by then he was suffering from gangrene of the lungs due to a chest wound.

    His wife was informed but denied permission to visit him. Later she was sent a telegraph telling her he had died and she could now have his body to return to Aberdeen. He was 31 and he left three small children. William was my great uncle and he had two other brothers who also lost their lives WWI.

    Yvonne




    233676

    Pte. John Jolly 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.31st Dec 1915)

    Jack Jolly was my uncle, my father's eldest brother. There is a family history of him being a crackshot sniper. John is buried in Chocques Military Cemetry, Bethune in France.

    Lynda Claridge




    233672

    Pte. Thomas McLaren 10th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.21st Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas McLaren lost his life on the 21st of August 1916.

    Callum McLaren




    233671

    Rflmn. Leonard Maunders 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.25th September 1914)

    <p>

    A letter sent to Leonard Maunders' family from a comrade who was with him when he died:

    "You know by now the sad news that awaits you. It is very hard for you. How I have thought about you all. If you remember there were four of us at Cambridge, well I am the only one left. Poor Leonard, Cox and Stillwell all went in about 5 minutes. We went into action about 4.45 on the morning of 25th of September and I lost all three chums by 5 o'clock. It was very hard for me. We brought Leonard back and buried him peacefully. I cannot tell you how I felt. His wish was that he would meet you in a better land. I hope it will soon be over. Bear up as much as you can ... remember me to Mr Maunder I hope I shall be with you all again soon.

    PS Since waiting to post this letter your letter has come to hand with two packets of fags. I am returning the letter."

    Leonard Maunder 1883-1914

    Tracey Maunder




    233669

    Alexander Montgomery Cameron Highlanders

    My uncle Alec Montgomery served in the Cameron Highlanders in WWI and survived the war. Sadly, he died several years later of a burst appendix, and I never knew him. I had his C.H. badge for many years. I am the daughter of Arran natives, born in the U.S. in 1933, and the last of our Montgomery line.

    Janet Chandler




    233666

    Cpl. Alfred John Hussey 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    Alfred Hussey survived the war as a POW.

    Colin Hussey




    233664

    Cpl. Walter George Nicholson 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Rgt.

    I have very little information about my grandfather, Walter Nicholson, apart from a copy of the medal roll. I understand he fought at the Somme but didn't talk to anyone about his experiences which were obviously horrendous. I think he may have been serving at Gallipoli as the medal roll mentions he served in the Balkans. I understand he was a member of 6th battalion The Lincolnshire regiment. After the army he worked as a printer on The Nottingham Evening Post and later as a weigh bridge clerk at Clifton Colliery in Nottingham.





    233663

    Pte. Percy Harold Harwood 7th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.9th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Percy Harwood and his brother Thomas Trott, were conscripted, their services numbers were just two digits apart. They were brothers-in-law who were on the reserved occupation list as farm workers. An army captain was injured and sent to Chard near Forton to recuperate, when he was deemed fit for work he was sent to oversee the works at Manor Farm, Forton where Percy and Tommy were working moving timber with their horses for the war effort. The state of the land was awful and Percy's father argued with the captain that the mud and heavy work were killing the horses. The captain retaliated by telling Percy and Tommy they would see a lot worse in the trenches. A short time later both Percy and Tommy received their conscription papers. They were sent to fight and were killed within a week of each other; Percy on 9th August 1917 and Tommy on 16th August 1917.

    Lynnette Field




    233662

    Pte. Joseph Lewins Wilkinson 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Joseph Wilkinson was my grandfather's brother who was killed in action on the first Day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Colin Wilkinson




    233660

    2nd Lt. William Henry Baynes 1st Btn. Queens Royal West Surrey Rgt. (d.12th October 1918)

    William Henry Baynes is my great uncle. He lost his mother when he was only 11 years old and was one of six children. His father Henry went on to look after the children who had not left home, one of whom was my grandad. I found William while reserching my family history. Although my mother knew of him and told me the family did not want him to sign up, he did and was in France by October 1914.

    William is mentioned twice in the WW1 war diaries of the Queen's Royal (West Surrey) Regiment. He was a bomber trying to take enemy trenches at Lump Lane (Somme). These trenches were in places nearly knee deep in mud and water from the heavy rain of the previous evening and the going was very heavy. This was not a successful attack and William and four men became isolated in a shell hole having run out of bombs or grenades, but luckily they were covered by a small party sent to help and made a withdrawal. He was later wounded at Menin and sent to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, Southampton where he died on the 12th October 1918.

    He received the 1914 star and British War Medal and Victory Medal. William is named on the Great War Memorial outside Canterbury Cathedral.

    Heather Gittings




    233659

    Pte. Edward D'alton 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.1st July 1916)

    My uncle Edward D'alton was killed in action at the Somme on 1st July 1916. He was originally from Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) County Dublin. He was my mother's brother. Her name was Christina. His parents names were Patrick and Catherine D'alton. I would love to have some background on Edward if possible.

    Peter Kelly




    233657

    Sgt. Joseph John Timmins 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment

    <p>

    Joseph Timmins, my grandfather, left his wife and three sons to enlist in Fermoy (why Fermoy? He lived in Belfast) on a short service engagement on 20th November 1914. He was immediately posted to the 7th Battalion, Leinster Regiment. He transferred to the Army Cyclists Corps and was posted to the 16th Battalion on 16th January 1915. He then transferred to the Royal Inniskilling Fuseliers and was posted to the 7th Battalion. Posted to no. 54 POW company of the Labour Corps on 15th April 1917 as a corporal. He was promoted to sergeant on 15th July 1918.

    Joseph was discharged due to ill health. He died of rheumatic fever on 29th August 1919 at a military hospital in Hilden, Lisburn. He caught the fever in the trenches. Joseph had different service numbers at different times - 4820, then 29533, and finally 569393. It was recalled that at his funeral, his coffin was draped with the Union Jack on a gun carriage and the last post was played at his graveside. He is buried in Milltown cemetery. His reasons for joining up are a mystery.

    Catherine Timmins MacMahon




    233656

    Sgt. Alfred Oliver Clarkson 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Alfred Clarkson was my grandfather; prior to joining the Scots Guards he served with the Liverpool City Police. I knew nothing about him until I began researching my family tree about 30 years ago. My mother (his daughter) never talked about him, neither did my grandmother. He was killed in action on 15th September 1916.

    Police Constable Alfred O Clarkson

    Ernest Bullock




    233654

    Pte/Cpl Albert Ackerman 11th Btn. Manchester Rgt.

    Albert Ackerman, my grandfather, joined the 11th Manchester Regiment in August 1914. He received the Military Medal - Three Blue Chevrons, the Victory Medal, the British Medal and the 15 Star. His specialist military qualifications was the Lewis Gun. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 25th March 1919.

    Denise Gillespie




    233652

    2nd Lt. Thomas Lines DCM, MC. 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd April 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Lines served with the 10th Cheshires as a Company Sergent Major and as a 2nd Lt. with the 16th Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Chrystyna Schlapak




    233650

    Pte. Thomas Edward Jinks 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.5th July 1916)

    Thomas Jinks was my maternal grandmother's older brother whom she loved dearly and grieved for all her life. He is remembered on the Theipval Memorial. He was 32 when he died leaving a widow and five children.

    Christine Bibb




    233649

    Pte. John Henry Houghton MM. 7th Battalion King's Regiment (Liverpool)

    <p>John Haoughton on the left.

    John Houghton is my grandad who I sadly never got to meet. He was wounded and sent back home to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh. He received a gun shot wound to his left hand. He was 19 when he signed up on the 6th December 1915.

    We have some copies of his service record but they don't give much detail of where he was sent during the war but we know he was in the trenches because he was reprimanded on 4/5/1917 for not having the proper equipment and boots and the trenches are mentioned in the offence report. He was admitted to hospital on the 15/10/1918 and stayed there till 31/12/1918 with the gun shot wound to his hand. He was awarded the Military Medal on the 14/09/1918.

    Karen Lydiate




    233647

    Pte. Cyril Frank Vivian Jones 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.30th Sep 1916)

    CyrilJones was my uncle and his death had a devastating effect on the family. His mother went mad and my father had to take over the family business for which he was ill-equipped. My mother used to use the expression "steady the Buffs" to settle us if we were too excited - now I know where it comes from.

    Shelagh Duffy




    233645

    Pte. William Hamilton 22nd Battalion London Regiment (d.8th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    William Hamilton served with the 22nd Battalion, London Regiment.

    Ian Phillips




    233643

    Pte. Frank Phillips 12th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd July 1916)

    Frank Phillips was 24 yrs of age. His name is on the Thiepval Monument. His younger brother went to war also as a shoe smith and was killed in April 1918. Their other brother survived the war, badly injured and mentally scarred, he died in 1978.

    Sue Forsyth




    233642

    Pte. Robert Swindlehurst 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.15th Apr 1917)

    Robert Swindlehurst was my great-grandfather on my mother's side. We presume he was conscripted after Military Service Act was passed in March 1916, and extended in 2nd Act to married men in May 1916. He became Pte. 28797 East Lancs Regt, 1st Btn and died of wounds on the 15th of April 1917(aged 39). Possibly during Battle of Arras. He is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. Robert's widow Ada Jane lived till 1968. She received the 2 standard medals, (along with an army medal chit) which I have. I don't have any known photographs of him (just unknown soldier pictures that could be him, but no-one survives to confirm it. I do have a picture of his temporary cross over his grave in France.

    Nicholas Tolson




    233641

    Bomdr. William Weston 169th Bgde., 400th Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    William Weston was an old soldier having run away from home and enlisted in the Army in 1897. He lied about his age to enlist and joined the 77th Battery RFA. He served in the Boer War (seeing action at Wittenberg, Transvaal and Cape Colony) as well as in India. He left the army when he was a member of 46th Battery RFA in England in 1909.

    When the war broke out in 1914 he re-enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery and deployed to France in 1914. It's unclear which units he served in, however we know from his discharge papers that he was in 400th Battery RFA, 169th Brigade RFA at the end of the war. He was busted at least once during his Victorian service and again at the end of his WW1 service, being a Bombardier at his peak, but leaving the army for the final time as a gunner.

    The family story goes that he ran away from home after being caught by his headmaster fishing rather than being at school. He was expelled and was apprenticed to an undertaker and was given such a fright by the first body that he saw that he ran away from home and joined up.

    He was a short man and an ardent supporter of Russia (although not a party member etc) in his views, fervently believing that the Russians looked after their elders. We think this was in part due to his experiences in WW2 when he was ruled too old to enlist (to which he took great offence). The Americans stationed nearby were also rather flash, rude etc and he took a dislike to them. During WW2 he was strafed whilst ploughing a field by a low flying (possibly crashing?) German aircraft and he bore a grudge as a result. Ironically, he was also fiercely loyal to the crown but when he spoke of the queen he meant Victoria. He had a long life and lived to see the moon landings.





    233639

    Pte. William Gardiner 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    William Gardiner served with the 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment.

    Steve




    233638

    Pte. Robert Thompson Geddes 8th Btn., D Coy. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.19th Sep 1918)

    Bob Geddes was killed at the Battle of Salonika. He is buried in the burial regional unit of Kilkis Central Macedonia Northern Greece (Dorian Cemetery). His parents were Agnes (nee Thompson) and William Geddes. According to my granny (his sister Catherine Geddes) "Bob left home in secret to join up, I saw him leave and waved him off". She was about 6 or 7 years old at the time. Bob's mother never actually believed that Bob had been killed and always expected him home soon.

    Catherine Stephens




    233636

    Pte. Henry Heatley 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My grandfather Henry Heatley told me of being at Salisbury Plain in WWI and seeing the first tanks there.

    Celia Mainland




    233635

    2nd Lt. George W. Dimery 15th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th April 1917)

    The only thing I know is that George W Dimery is buried at St John's Churchyard in Moor Allerton. He was my mother's Uncle, my great uncle.





    233634

    Pte. Harry Maltby Cooke 8th Btn. Black Watch (d.3rd May 1917)

    My great uncle, Harry Cooke, enlisted in the Yorkshire Regiment on 6th June 1914 (No 10478) and was discharged on 27th November 1914 as be "not likely to be an efficient Soldier". At some later date he re-enlisted in the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) 8th Btn. and died near Fampoux during the Third Battle of the Scarpe. Details of his service in the Black Watch appear to have been destroyed.

    Gordon Brooks




    233632

    Rflmn. Thomas Miller 21st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Thomas Miller, my grandad, used to tell me about fixing cheese to the end of his bayonet and waiting for rats to nibble it and then firing his rifle. He never spoke about the horrors of it all, but mentioned how proud he felt when walking beside the tanks. Thomas joined on 31st January 1916 and was wounded in September 1916, losing his right eye. He was discharged on 4th May 1917.





    233631

    Pte. William Whitmore 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.18th April 1915)

    My grandfather, Pte William Whitmore served with the 2nd KOYLI. I found he is buried in Oosttaverne Wood Cemetery but I can't find any mention of action in 1915 for this battalion. I am trying to find information.

    Chris




    233629

    Pte. Robert Maxwell 11th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.21st October 1915)

    My great grandfather, Robert Maxwell, enlisted with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in October 1914. He was sent to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on 29th July 1915. He was killed in action on 21st October 1915 at the Battle of Loos. He is included on the Loos Memorial (panel 126) in Dud Corner Cemetery.

    Granda left a wife and five children to volunteer to fight for king and country and I feel very proud to be a descendent of his. So, from myself and all the Maxwells that followed you, I'd like to say thank you for giving us life! RIP Robert Maxwell.

    Stephen Maxwell




    233626

    Pte. George David Price Essex Regiment

    <p>

    George Price joined the Essex Regiment on 8th March 1915. He was wounded in battle and lost a leg, but not sure where. His record states that he served overseas. Other than the details above I cannot add any further detail.

    Bernard Price




    233624

    Pte. James Gardiner 5th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    <p>

    James Gardiner served with the 5th Btn. East Kent Regiment.

    Steve




    233623

    Act Col Sgt. William Johnson 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.18th November 17)

    William Johnson was an acting colour sergeant in the 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment. He died of wounds in Cambrin, where he is buried.

    Roy Johnson




    233622

    Rflmn. Edward Ross 10th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th June 1917)

    Edward Ross was only 15 years old and lied about his age. He and his best friend joined up at 15 years old. They went to Ballykinler, then France. Edward suffered trench feet and ended up in hospital in France. His body was never found. I don't know the name of his friend but I have the origional letters from him to his mother.

    Debby Reith




    233621

    Pte. John Lyall 16th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    John Lyall returned to Glasgow from Argentina to join the 16th Btn. Highland Light Infantry, a Pals battalion of the Boys Brigade. He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Obituary

    John Lyall

    David Yates




    233620

    Pte. James William Austin 8th (Service) Btn. Kins Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.8th October 1916)

    Our great grandfather, Private James William Austin of Goole, died of wounds on 8th October 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. He rests in peace at Dernancourt Cemetery, near Albert, France.

    Peter and Greg Austin




    233618

    Gnr. Percy John Reynolds 114 Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    My father died when I was four years old and my mother remarried and lost touch with my grandparents so I know little about my grandfather, Percy Reynolds, apart from what I discovered on Ancestry. Percy joined up in October 1912 before the First World War and he was stationed in Malta and in Antioch, but there does not seem to be a lot of information on this part of the war.

    He did receive the British Silver war badge and medal for action in France, but I cannot find out where this was. He left France in February 1916 after 16 months of action and was drafted out as medically unfit for military service (shell shock?)in January 1917. The doctor's statement was "Even if he recovered he would be worse than useless for the army". According to my mother and father's wedding certificate in 1938 he was a butler. If anyone has any further information about him I would like to know.

    Ray John Reynolds




    233616

    Pte. Robert McGawley 20th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.25th July 1916)

    Private Robert McGawley was my late grandfather. He was killed in action and left behind a wife and young children. My late father was two years old at the time of his father's death.

    God bless my grandfather, may he rest in peace. And thank you for giving your life for the freedom of future generations. We will never forget you and all the brave men who fought alongside you. God bless them all.





    233615

    Pte. Ernest Carter 8th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.24th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle Ernest Carter was killed in action on the Somme on 24th November 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    David Roach




    233611

    Pte. Thomas Gibson Collinson 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Rgt. (d.1st July 1916)

    My great-grandfather, Thomas Collinson, was killed on 1st July 1916 at the Somme. He was a professional soldier. His remains were not found/identified and his name is listed on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Dave Collinson




    233610

    L/Cpl. William Green 11th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    William Green served with 11th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps.

    Kate Thomas




    233609

    Pte. John Thomas Brown 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    Private John Thomas, 20622, served with the 2nd Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment). He was killed in action on 8th July 1916, aged 23. John was born in Crakehall and enlisted in Leyburn. He was a resident of Patrick Brompton, Bedale. He was the son of Joseph and Ellen Brown of Patrick Brompton, Bedale, Yorks. John has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. May he rest in peace.

    Diane Watts




    233608

    Pte. Harry Pratt 4th Btn. Green Howards

    My grandfather, Harry Pratt, enlisted with his friends in Northallerton, Yorkshire when war broke out on his birthday 4th August 1914. He was a Private in the 4th Battalion Green Howards and was trained and posted to France. He subsequently ended up on the Somme. He was lucky he survived but many of his friends didn't. He told me that he and his friends were sent 'over the top' and there was a lot of shooting, he saw his friends go down one by one and then he felt what was like a 'punch in the face', he was injured (end of his nose shot off) but he "was lucky, many of his friends weren't", my grandfather's words.

    It took him a long time to talk about the war, but when he did he remembered a lot of the good times of laughing and joking, trying to keep jolly and blotting out what was happening around him. He was close to tears telling me. He was sent back to the front after being patched up, only to join people he didn't know, when he looked around his friends had gone. After a while he began to smile and remembered what he and his friends had got up to...before the guns went off. He said he was relieved to get home when the war finished and he was glad he did because he married my grandmother - his grin turned into a big beaming smile at this point. I gave him a big hug. My granddad.

    Sue Wilkinson




    233607

    L/Cpl. Reginald William Poole 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Reginald Poole served with the 8th Royal Berkshires.

    Vicky Hummell




    233606

    Drvr. Charles Joseph Seston 7th Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Charles Seson was a seasoned soldier by the time World War I broke out. He was married with a daughter. He experienced the worst of Ypres, the Somme and Loos. Riding the horses, as he had before becoming a soldier, only this time dragging cannon behind him. He was found in 1917 wandering around no mans land in Passchendaele in a state of total disassociation. Had he been found like this only months before he would have been shot for leaving his post for cowardice, but thankfully shellshock was now recognised and his PTSD was highly evident.

    Marie Seston




    233600

    Pte. Joseph Donley 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.15th November 1916)

    My grandad - Joseph Donley, served with the Highland Light Infantry, 2nd battalion. It is sad that my father did not have his father in his life, and I also regret not knowing him. His son, my father, was only three years old when grandad was killed in action on the Somme in the Great War on 15th November 1916. His beloved horse was also taken taken for use in the war. His other children Annie Hastings Donley was two years old and a baby, Elizabeth, was just three weeks old when he was killed. I wish I had a photo of my grandad. R.I.P my grandad. I honour you.

    June E Donley




    233599

    Pte. Nicholas Quinn 13th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.30th June 1916)

    <p>

    Nicholas Quinn served with the 13th Gloucestershires.

    Leila Al-Hindawi




    233598

    Pte. Reginald Morden Dibsdale 7th Btn.

    My grandad, Reginald Dibsdale was a butcher by trade in the district of Kensington, London, then the Great War was announced. He enlisted and was drafted to the King's Royal Rifle Corps at Winchester. He was sent to France, Ypres, and fought there with his fellow soldiers. He was wounded in the face and was discharged because of those injuries.

    I never met him. Unfortunately, he died from his injuries a few years later. However, I would like to understand his time in the Corps a little better. His son (my dad) Ronald Morden Dibsdale, fought in WW2 in the RAF, and was out in Egypt with Monty. I know his dad would have been proud of him. If there is anyone who can give me any more information, I would love to hear from them.

    Mandy Russell




    233597

    Pte. Harry Weightman 11th (Lonsdale) Btn. Border Regiment

    My grandad, Harry Weightman, served with the 11th (Lonsdale) Btn. Border Regiment. He was wounded during the war in his elbow. Harry died of lung cancer in 1966. I was only seven at the time, so I didn't get to know him well, but I'm very proud of him.

    Brian Robertson




    233596

    Pte. Harry Meanwell 2/6th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>

    Harry Meanwell served with the 2/6th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

    Harry's Medal Card

    David Meanwell




    233595

    Cpl. Thomas Oswald Austin 1/7th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Corporal Thomas Oswald Austin served with the 1/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action in France on 15th of September 1916, aged 19, during the Battle of the Somme. He was the son of Mrs Martha Dempster of 4 Station Cottages, Tweedmouth and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Thiepval, Somme, France. He fell in an attack on German positions near Mametz Wood which was only partially successful and cost the Battalion heavily. Three officers and 40 other ranks were killed and seven officers and 219 Other Ranks were wounded. In addition 74 other ranks were posted missing. He had been wounded three times previously. Before the war he had been employed as a miner at Scremerston.

    Graham ter Morsche




    233594

    L/Cpl. Frederick Samuel Fentem 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.19th June 1915)

    Derbyshire Courier, 3 July 1915

    Another Matlock Loss.

    Lance-Corporal Fentem Killed.

    Mr. and Mrs. T. Fentem, of Matlock, were notified on Tuesday that their son, Lance-Corporal F. S. Fentem, had been killed in action. Deceased, who was 27 years of age, joined the Ist Sherwood Foresters seven years ago last October. He had been at the front virtually since the beginning of the war. He spent five day's leave at home last summer.

    The intimation was in the form of a letter from Lance-Corporal Lee, which reads as follows: "I sadly write to inform you of the death of your son, who was killed outright by a shell, along with two more poor souls. It happened at about 5p.m. on 19 June. The whole company send you their deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved one, for he was liked by all".

    (Lance Corporal Fentem, Service No. 10227, died on 19th June 1915. He was buried at Neuve-Chapelle British Cemetery, Pas de Calais. His parents lived on Underwood Terrace, Smedley Street. His name is shown on Darley Dale's War Memorial.)

    Jane Blofield




    233593

    Pte. John Henry Dransfield 7th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.22nd April 1918)

    John Henry Dransfield was killed at Forceville in France during hostile shelling by 105mm guns. This started at 11.00 am on 22nd April 1918 and John Henry was one of two soldiers of the 7th battalion to lose his life. John is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery in plot 4, row B, grave 4.

    He also lost his cousin, Bruce Vernon Dransfield who died on 10th July 1916. He was with the 1/5th Btn. Yorks and Lancs, service number 5/3401. He is buried in St Peters Cemetery in Hoyland Nether.

    These two brave men were the cousins of my grandma who was then called Elizabeth Dransfield. Elizabeth married Harry Cassell who also served in WWI with the 4th Yorks and Lancs and was injured during 1915. His service number was 5/1890.

    During WWI eleven of my extended family served, of whom seven survived and four were killed.

    Harry Blackham




    233591

    Cpl. George Whittaker 6th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, George Whittaker, previously served in the Indian Army and during WW1 signed up with the 6th Cheshire Regiment at St Margaret's Camp, Heaton Park, Manchester. My mother told me that he was poison gassed in France in 1918 and came to convalesce at Dalmeney, Ramsey, Isle of Man. He went on to live in Hightown, near Southport, and, because of his health, had to work outside as a gardener.

    Sheila Macaulay




    233590

    Pte. James Foy 4th Btn. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.20th Nov 1917)

    James Foy, Private 28023, served in the 1/4th Btn. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and is remembered on the Malton War Memorial (Sadlers). James was born on 15th November 1877. He married Mary Ann Ward on 1st July 1908 and between 1909 and 1916 they had five children.

    On 28th February 1917, James was called up and enlisted at Newcastle and he was posted to 80th TR Battalion. On 1st March James joined 80th TR Battalion (Preston?.) On 8th June of that year, he embarked at Folkstone and on the same day disembarked at Boulogne. On 9th June he joined the BEF at Etalpes (80th TR Batt). On 23rd June James transferred to 1/4th Kings Own Royal Lancs ("B" company?), and on 15th July he joined the battalion.

    On 31st July 1917 the battalion was involved in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. On 20th September they took part in the Battle of Menin Road Ridge. On 1st November the 1/4th was at Lempire east of Peronne under Lt Col G.B. Balfour. On 3rd November they were at Longagavesnes (playing football and training up to the 19 November). 20th November saw the battalion involved in the Battle of Cambrai. Zero hour was set at 6.20.am. At 6.22 A, B, and C company went over the top. At 6.37 A coy tried but failed to contact B coy. By 12.40am it was all over, with 81 reported missing, 11 dead and 120 wounded. James Foy was recorded as missing in action. He had served 267 days. On 28th November his disc was forwarded to the Central Office for effects by the battalion of an infantry regiment. A request to London from Preston for any personal possessions to be forwarded to Mary was made on 8th January 1918. On 26th January James was listed on the official German list of the dead (Y.78172). The next day Mary was informed but told his death had to be confirmed as fact. On 4th July 1918 Mary received notice of a pension award (£37/11s a week to commence on 22nd July 1918). (NB James is still officially missing.) James's ID Discs are forwarded from Preston on 26th November 1918 and on 28th November 1918 Mary acknowledges receipt of Discs.

    Kevin Eland




    233587

    James Townsend Sutcliffe MM. 10th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment

    My grandfather, James Sutcliffe, who I never met, was awarded the Military Medal on 14th September 1916. He was wounded retrieving a comrade from No Man's Land. Subsequently he was transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps and ended his war service in the RFC then RAF in the latter part of 1918. Sadly, I know nothing else about him and the only photo I have of him is from the local newspaper announcing him receiving the Military Medal and reproducing the letter he wrote to his mother obviously embarrassed about all the fuss!

    My grandparent's marriage ended in separation c.1945. He had joined up again to fight in WW2, met someone else and left the family. Family history research by me has uncovered some of his story but after 1952 he was never seen again and nobody spoke of him in any great detail.

    How anyone who went through two world wars could have come out the other side psychologically unmarked is difficult to understand. My own feeling is that these terrible events left him unable to function on a normal level again and he ended up just living for the moment and grabbing whatever chance of happiness came his way. To me he is a hero though and with the help available today perhaps things might have been different.

    Lynne Edwards




    233584

    Pte. Albert Edward Ward 9th Btn., 2nd Platoon Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th April 1918)

    <p>

    Albert Ward is buried in Rest and Be Thankful Farm, Estaires, France.

    Married in 1911

    Robert Ward




    233582

    Pte. Albert Edward Skeggs 9th Btn. Rifle Bgde. (d.2nd January 1917)

    Albert Skeggs was born in Shoreditch, London, the son of John and Eliza Skeggs. He was my grandmother's younger brother, one of two who both were killed in action just months apart in 1917. Albert was 28 when he died and is buried in Le Fermont Cemetery, Riviere.





    233580

    Pte. Joseph Jackson 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    My grandad, Joseph Jackson, joined the Camerons in 1915. He went to Inverness to train, then down to Ripon and became a full booted kilted jock. He was put on draft and transferred from the 3rd Camerons to the 6th Gordons. He arrived at Delville Wood in 1916 and went through all the fighting to the end of the war. He went over the top 21 times at Beaumont Hamel rock, Arras chemical works, Ypres, Bapaume - that was just a few. "Life was no picnic, I was a signals scout with a storming division of the 51st Highland Division. We had some hectic times. After four years I was demobbed having, I must say, a charmed life. Incidentally, I got a dose of gas but I was immune from any serious injury." He led a full life and died in 1959 indirectly from the "dose of gas" sustained in the war.

    Janice Coulbeck




    233578

    Sgt. Joseph C. Loveridge 14th Btn. Royal Hampshire Regiment

    Joseph Loveridge was my great grandfather who fought in France between 1916 and 1918. He survived the war but suffered greatly as a consequence. Before his involvement in the Great War he was a successful confectioner and owned a cafe and chocolate shop at the top of Winchester High Street. On returning from France in early 1918 after the 14th Btn. were disbanded his circumstances were very different. His business was collapsing due to the recession and I suspect PTSS had taken a strong hold. Sadly on 8th July 1922 he committed suicide. None of our family knew what he had experienced and I do not think he spoke about it to anyone. I am glad we started researching his life three years ago and last year traveled to France and back to Winchester to remember him and all he did to give us our freedom today.

    Thank you Joseph. RIP

    Katherine Marks




    233576

    Pte. Victor Thomas C. Carter 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.29th May 1917)

    <p>

    Victor Carter served with the 1st Btn. Royal Berkshires.

    D Gibbs




    233575

    Pte. Samuel White 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.24th March 1918)

    Samuel White was my grandfather, his son Samuel my father, my brother Samuel his son. I did not know any of my father's relatives so, if there are any out there with photos? He married Jane White, they lived on New Chester Road, Port Sunlight and all worked at Lever Bros. His name is on the war memorial in Port Sunlight.

    Pam White




    233573

    Pte. Thomas Flanagan 2nd Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers

    Thomas Flanagan was shot during the Battle of Oppy Wood in May 1917, he was picked up by the Canadian field ambulance a day later, he spent months recovering in Alder Hey hospital before being reassigned to the border regiment. He had bad lungs after being gassed earlier in the war and still suffered from physical effects from the gunshot wound he sustained in 1917, he was found unfit for military service and sent back to Oldham.

    In 1921 he committed suicide by kneeling in the road and refusing to move, he was struck by a motorcar, suffered a fractured skull and died in hospital later that night, leaving behind a wife and 4 children.

    Danielle Davies




    233572

    Lt. Donald Morton Brown 7th Btn then 1st Btn Cameron Highlanders (d.17th October 1918)

    Donald Brown corresponded with Helen Isabella Wilkie throughout the war period having known each other at university. His last correspondence was dated 26th May 1918.





    233571

    Pte. Samuel Bathard 6th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    My great grandfather Samuel Bathard was the son of Alfred and Annie Bathard. He served with his brother Lance Corporal James Bathard and both died on 25th September 1915. Samuel and James are remembered on the Loos Memorial in France.

    Eileen Norvill




    233570

    L/Cpl. John Exon 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Nov 1917)

    My great uncle John Exon died when the East Yorkshires were fighting at Passchaendale. He was just 18 years old.

    Fiona E




    233564

    Pte. John Wetherall 2/6th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.13th April 1917)

    John Wetherall was my great grandfather who apparently died of shrapnel wounds under medical care, not on the battlefield. This is information that has been passed down to me through my family and is all I know. I have begun to research him and will visit his grave with my family at the Cambrin Military Cemetary this summer on our way to Disneyland Paris.

    I would like to learn more about him and especially his service, I have come up against a bit of a brick wall and don't know where to go next. If anyone could point me in the right direction, I would be eternally grateful.





    233562

    Gnr. Richard Seaward Royal Marine Artillery

    Richard Seaward served from 13th October 1899 to 12th October 1920.

    Richard E Seaward




    233561

    Cpl. James Henry Bailey Royal Engineers

    When Henry Bailey was tunnelling at Ypres, he told an officer that he could hear the Germans tunnelling, but was told to go about his business. The Germans blew up the trench and there were no survivors. The British had broken through into the German tunnel, and there was hand to hand fighting in the tunnels.

    M Swift




    233560

    Pte. Benjamin Brennan 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.26th January 1916)

    This is a story handed down in the family. My great Uncle Ben Brennan was wounded and left on the battlefield. My grandad John Brennan, also in The Rifle Brigade, was told his brother was wounded and went onto the battlefield and carried his younger brother to the field hospital, but sadly Ben died from his wounds. Ben was just 22 years old.

    Sandra Smith




    233559

    Pte. Joseph Edwards Eddon 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Eddon served with the 7th Battalion, The Buffs.

    Craig Porritt




    233557

    Pte. Charles Richard Taylor 14th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    My grandfather, Charles Richard Taylor (born on 15th January 1895) and his younger brother Thomas (born on 7th December 1896) joined the Gloucestershire Regiment. (Their mother died of consumption in 1898 and they lived for a time in a children's home until their father remarried.) They were in the shipment of 'bantams' sent to France who were medically deemed not to be 'A1', i.e. they weren't strong like the miners and field workers who initially made up the Bantams. Consequently, they were transferred to 194th Coy of the Labour Corps. Thomas died in front of his brother Charles's eyes on the battle field. There is no record of my great uncle Thomas Taylor. His family and I would dearly like to find where he is placed to rest and make an honorary visit to his grave site.

    Shae




    233553

    Pte. Fred Wilson 21st Btn., Platoon B Coy King's Royal Rifle Corps

    Fred Wilson was my father. He was wounded in 1916 with shrapnel in his head. He had an operation and they put a silver coin in his head. He was offered a pension, he used to say of 8/6d per week, or a lump sum of £80. He took the pension and lived until he was 76. He always said it was the best decision he had made.

    He spoke very little about the war, he lost a brother, George Wilson, and his name is on the war memorial in St Barnabas Church in Bromborough, Wirral.

    I have a platoon photo, presumably taken after training in Aldershot, which is too big to scan.





    233548

    Pte. Bertie Jeffries 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    I don't know much about Bertie Jeffries, just know he was killed on first day of the Somme, he is on the Thiepval Memorial wall and thought maybe he should be listed here with his brothers.

    Brian Jeffries




    233546

    PO/Stoker Frank Levi Fisher HMS Amphion (d.6th August 1914)

    Frank Fisher was born in Box, Wiltshire in 1874. He married in Plymouth in 1899 and had four children that I know of between 1901 and 1913. He was Leading Stoker on HMS Amphion, and was killed by a mine in the North Sea on that ship which was the first British Naval loss of WWI. He is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, panel 2. He was my second cousin and although four times removed, he is on my family tree and is remembered.

    Carole Fisher




    233544

    Pte. William Stewart 6th Btn. Black Watch (d.30th July 1916)

    William Stewart was my great-uncle. Born 1st of October 1898 in Stanley, he enlisted when he was 15 years old. His regimental number was 1945. William died at the Battle of the Somme before he reached his 17th birthday. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial and the War Memorial in Stanley. He was the only son of my great grandparents. He had nine sisters.

    James Bisset




    233542

    Capt. Robert Norman Yeld 15th (1st Salford) Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Norman Yeld was my grandfather. Born in 1892, and living in Withington, Manchester, he worked as a cotton salesman and calico printer. He enlisted in the TA in the Duke of Lancaster's Yeomanry in 1910. In Sept ember 1914 he was accepted for a temporary commission as 2nd Lt. in the 15th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers, otherwise known as the 1st Salford Pals. His platoon went over the top on 1st July 1916 on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and he somehow survived, despite most of his platoon being wiped out. It was his duty over the following weeks to write to their next of kin and the guilt he felt at having survived, when his men didn't, lived with him for years, driving him to drink in the 1920s in order to sleep. Thankfully he came through this and survived to have two sons. He died in 1970 in Milford on Sea, Hampshire.

    Toby




    233539

    Pte. James William Whelan 7th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.11th July 1916)

    <p>

    James Whelan served with the 7th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment.

    Ellen Gardner




    233536

    Rflmn. Reginald Percy Barrell 21st Btn. att. 41st Machine Gun Corps. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.26th March 1918)

    <p>Rifleman R P Barrell with his niece Hilda Clara

    My great uncle, Reggie Barrell, was the youngest brother of my grandfather (my mother's father). He was a farm labourer and had 13 siblings. His mother Annie Elizabeth couldn't write so signed the birth certificate with an X. The family worked the land and lived in a hamlet in Baylham, then Nettlestead, in Suffolk. My grandfather eventually came to London and became a master butcher owning his own shop and Uncle Reggie came to visit and probably stayed with his brother in Camberwell when he joined the army, possibly going on to Aldershot, as my grandfather owned property near there.

    Uncle Reggie and his regiment was posted to Italy and then sent back to France where he was killed at the Somme aged 22 years. He is laid to rest in the CWG St Hilaire Cemetery, Frevent, France. RIP dear uncle Reggie.

    Rifleman R P Barrell in Platoon

    CWG St Hilaire, Frevent

    Carole Evans




    233534

    Pte. Arthur Harry Roland Casey 2nd/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd September 1917)

    Arthur Harry Roland Casey was my granddad's cousin and he was the son of Arthur Harry Roland Casey and Annie Elizabeth Casey of 132 Anthony Road, Saltley, Birmingham. He died on 3rd September 1917 in France, aged 23.

    His brother Albert Edward Casey also died three years earlier in 1914 in France, aged 21.

    Jayne Casey




    233533

    Pte. Albert Thomas Oliver 16th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    Albert Oliver was in the Colliery Band at Ty Mawr Colliery, Hopkinstown, Nr Pontypridd. He enlisted and as a musician, he became a stretcher bearer. He is buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz. France. He died three days prior to his brother Ernest being killed, doing the same job just a few miles away.





    233531

    L/Cpl. Albert Edward Casey 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.26th August 1914)

    Albert Edward Casey was my granddad's cousin and he was the son of Arthur Harry Roland Casey and Annie Elizabeth Casey of 132 Anthony Road, Saltley, Birmingham. He died on August 26th 1914 in France aged 21.

    His brother, Arthur Harry Roland Casey, also died three years later in 1917 in France, aged 23.

    Jayne Casey




    233528

    Pte. Ernest Oliver 16th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.10 July 1916)

    Ernest Oliver was in the Colliery Band of the Ty Mawr Colliery, Hopkinstown, Nr Pontypridd. He enlisted and apparently as a musician, he became a stretcher bearer. He is buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz. France.

    His brother Albert died just a few miles away, doing the same job, for the same reasons I understand, three days earlier.

    Robert Murphy




    233524

    2nd Lt. John Richards 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.15th March 1918)

    Jack Richards was my great uncle who joined up in 1914.

    Alan Humphreys




    233523

    Pte. Robert Radcliffe Rock King's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

    My grandfather, Robert Rock, served with the King's Own Royal West Kents 1914-18 during WW1. I would like to know more about him and his regiment.





    233522

    Sgt. William Herbert Westall 61st Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.23rd March 1918)

    William Westall was the son of William Thomas and Emma Westall of Keeper's Lodge, Selsdon Park, Croydon.

    Pam Heath




    233519

    Pte. Charles Rowley 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.17th October 1915)

    My great uncle Charles Rowley was killed in action in Northern France. He is buried in Cambrin Churchyard.

    Carole Gonsalez




    233517

    Pte. Frederick McShane 6/7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.4th June 1916)

    We never knew about our great uncle Fred McShane who is buried at Vermelles British Cemetery, France & Flanders. He was born 19.03.1887 in Coatbridge and was living with his married sister in Airdrie when he enlisted in 1914. He died June, 1916 aged 28. He did not marry, he left all his effects to his sister. His name is on the Airdrie War Memorial. God rest your brave soul Fred.

    Ann Jackson




    233516

    Pte. Robert Greatrix 2/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.17th April 1918)

    My Great Uncle's name, Robert Greatrix has been known since I was old enough to read the local War Memorial. I have never found out what he was doing to get mortally wounded.

    B Greatrix




    233515

    Pte. Edward Turner 3rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.13th March 1915)

    My Great grandfather Edward Turner was killed age 31. He was the husband of Jane Elizabeth Turner (nee Elvine), father of 7 children and son of Mr Turner of 42 Fredrick St St. John's Wood London. I still have his death penny.

    Terry Pottinger




    233512

    Sgt. Harry William Wright 7th Btn. A Coy. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.1st July 1916)

    Harry Wright was 35 years old when he was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was the oldest son of William and Annie Wright of Dorking Surrey. Harry is buried at Combles Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Lest we forget.

    Sarah Collins




    233510

    Pte. Harry Clifford Wood 20th (5th City) Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Harry Clifford Wood was my grandfather, he died in 1958. I believe he was wounded by shrapnel and hidden by a farmer somewhere near Bethune. He was also in the Labour Corps, number 277075. I assume he was transferred due to his injury.

    Gillian Warr




    233509

    Pte. Herbert Smith MM. 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington (West Riding) Regiment

    The original recommendation for the Military Medal reads:

    "No 11837 Private Herbert Smith Has done invaluable work in charge of the Brigade Pigeon section. On 7th June during the attack on Hill 60 he was detailed to carry pigeons forward in rear of the assaulting lines to the Brigade Forward Post. Though the rest of the party were scattered or became casualties he reached his objective and waited there alone with his pigeons for over an hour under heavy fire. Finding no-one he ultimately returned through the barrage to report to Headquarters. He has, on previous occasions, shown remarkable coolness under fire. At Contalmaison on 10th July 1916 by his Le Sars on 7th October 1916 he did very valuable work. Military Medal H.C. Owen, Capt for Lieut Colonel, A.A. and Q.M.G., 23rd Division"

    G Whiteley-Savage




    233508

    Rfmn. Arthur Prestidge 9th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Arthur Prestidge was aged 21 when he lost his life. Son of Daniel and Sarah Maria Prestidge of Moreton Pinkney, Rugby, he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Jon Bazeley




    233507

    Pte. Alfred Frederick Wright 11th Btn. B Company. Essex Regiment

    It has only been recently that I discovered my paternal grandfather, Alfred Wright fought on the Somme, was wounded, received medical attention and returned to the battlefield. He was one of the fortunate ones who survived the Battle but he died prematurely at the early age of fifty, his war wounds cited as the main reason for his early demise. On the centenary of the battle, I have registered this note in honour of his memory.

    From your grateful grandson that you never got to meet.

    Alan Wright




    233505

    Pte. Henry Garner 1st Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.15th September 1916)

    Henry Garner was my uncle. I only found out about him after my father's death. Henry was born in 1898 and died in 1916 in France. My father was born in January 1917, so never knew his brother and never told me anything about him either. It was during some genealogy research that I found an additional member of the family.

    Henry was killed in action and is buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery.

    Barry Garner




    233502

    L/Cpl. Thomas Henry Staniforth 10th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    I came across Thomas Staniforth while researching my family tree. Although he was my father's cousin, his death was nearly 20 years before my father was born. The commemoration of the Somme brought Thomas to mind and I thought it was right to add his name to this website.

    Julie Hukins




    233498

    Pte. Edward George Turrell 7th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    Edward George Turrell was my great great uncle. I only found out about him very recently whilst researching my family history. This is all I know really except he was born in 1878 in Lowestoft. He was one of eight children and he came from a fishing family. I found his name on the war memorial in St Margaret's church in Lowestoft. I feel now I have found him it is important for our family to remember him.

    Anna Thatcher




    233497

    Pte. Ernest George Furnaess 8th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.29th August 1916)

    Ernest George Furnaess was my grandmother's brother. He was born in Pembroke Dock in 1887. He was killed in action in the village of Thiepval in the Somme, aged 28 years on 29th August 1916. He had married Susannah Jones in February 1915 and they lived at 42 Victoria Road, Rhyl. I know nothing more about him.





    233496

    Rflmn. Matthew Clayton 9th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.22nd November 1915)

    Matthew Clayton was the son of Matthew and Caroline Clayton and the husband of Elizabeth Clayton of 91 Whittington Hill, Old Whittington, Chesterfield. Matthew died of his wounds and is remembered with honour at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

    Gary Spooner




    233495

    Pte. Alfred James Chandler 11th Btn. Border Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Alfred James Chandler, my great uncle was killed in action in the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 2016, aged 21 years. As a child in the 1950s I remember my grandma, his sister Lily Chandler, giving me a large bronze penny to play with. Little did I know then that this was a death penny given to her mother Ellen Hannah Chandler when her son Alfred was killed. I have no idea where this went but if anyone comes across this I hope it is in safe hands.

    Janet McNiffe




    233494

    Sgt. Albert Pinkett 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Albert Pinkett served as a Sergeant with the 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment.

    Jade Peasely




    233493

    Pte. Tom Dickinson 363rd MT Coy, att 248th Siege Bty RGA Army Service Corps (d.31st July 1918)

    <p>

    I know little of my uncle Tom Dickinson but have memories of my mother talking to me about him. She knew that he was killed in action in France but did not know exactly where. I found out a few years ago by going on line and searching the Army Records. Then my wife and I visited his grave in the Hedauville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. God bless all those who died there. To see the thousands of graves is very sad indeed.

    Robert Smith




    233491

    Pte. Harold Edgar Parnaby 6th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.15th September 1916)

    Harold Edgar Parnaby was born 1880 at Sherburn in Elmet, North Yorkshire (former North Riding). His father, who later became Stationmaster (1894 – 1922) at Robin Hood's Bay, was Joseph Edgar Parnaby and his mother was Emily Parnaby (nee Clark). Harold worked on the railway and was a signalman. He enlisted at Doncaster and his rank was private when he was killed in action on 15th September 1916. Harold is commemorated in the Guards Cemetery at Lesbouefs, he was 36. His name appears on both the Sherburn in Elmet and Robin Hood's Bay war memorials.

    Lynn Patrick




    233490

    Pte. George William Horton 1st Btn., C Coy., 9th Platoon South Staffordshire Regiment (d.14th July 1917)

    This was my great uncle, Willy Horton, who was killed in action on 14th July 1917, I believe in Bullecourt, Arras whilst fighting with the 1st South Staffordshire Regiment. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Pas De Calais Cemetery on the Boulevard du General de Gaulle on the South of the road to Doullens.

    Peter Ingram




    233489

    Pte. Alexander Main 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.23rd November 1916)

    Private Alexander Main was killed on 23rd November 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 15B and 15C.

    Neil MacLennan




    233488

    Pte. William Thomas Riley Burfield 6th Btn., D Coy. Somerset Light Infantry

    <p>

    William Burfield was born on 1st of October 1877 in Blaenavon in Wales, but moved to Taunton (and later Yeovil) as a boy with his family. In 1903 he married (Florence) Ethel Hockey in Norton-sub-Hamden and they had five children: Wilfred b.1903, Daisy b.1906, Leslie b.1910, Nora b.1914 and (Stanley) Norman b.1919.

    William was a painter and decorator by trade and signed up for the Yeovil Territorials before WW1 started. The Yeovil Territorials were incorporated into the 6th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry when war broke out and, despite already being 37 years old, William joined up (he may have lied about his age and claimed to be 34 in 1914 and not 37 as he really was). William was a very fit man for his age and he first saw action in France in August 1915 in D company, and he fought on the Western front for two years before being invalided out of the Somerset Light Infantry in August 1917 at Ypres at the age of 39.

    Thereafter he served out his time in the Labour Corps before returning home to Montacute where he died of pneumonia on 1st March 1921, aged just 43. According to his son Wilfred, William's lungs were damaged in the Great War (presumably by gas) and this may have been a contributory factor in his death at what was a relatively young age.

    John Burfield




    233487

    Pte. Arthur Kew 1st Btn. Border Rgt. (d.27th January 1917)

    Arthur Kew was my great uncle. He was born in 1892 in South Stoke near Oxford. Before joining the army he was a waggoner on a local farm. He was one of at least three brothers who served during WW1.

    Arthur's brothers served in local county regiments but Arthur enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery before transferring to 1st Btn. Border Regiment. On 27th January 1917 he was part of an attack on Landwear Trench, south of le Transloy. The attack was successful but Arthur was killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.

    Michael Kew




    233483

    L/Cpl. Henry Appleby 23rd (4th Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Henry Appleby was my great grandfather. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Neal Appleby




    233482

    Sgt. Robert Kett 2nd Battalion Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.4th May 1915)

    We believe that Robert Kett was killed at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, he is buried in the Military Cemetery at Rue-Petillion, Fleurbaix which is located south of Armentières.

    Stephen Kett




    233481

    Pte. Albert Southall South Staffordshire Regiment (d.10th July 1916)

    Albert Southall is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial - Pier and Face 7 - B

    Richard Hopwood




    233479

    Cpl. John Ritchie 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire (d.1st July 1916)

    My Great Uncle, John Ritchie was killed first day of the Battle of the Somme 1st July 1916. I remember my Grandfather talking with great pride about his older brother. I have all of his letters home to my great grandmother, Mary box, hip flask and medals.

    We will never forget you.

    Ian Backhouse




    233476

    George Aldous 8th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment (d.16th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    My great great grandfather, George Aldous, died on the 16th of June 1916 and is the only one from his regiment buried in Bray Military Cemetery. We recently visited his grave 3 days before the 100th anniversary of his death to pay our respects. We unfortunately have no photos of him so if anyone has any photos of his battalion we would love to see them. Many thanks

    Lest we forget.

    Katy Arnold




    233473

    Saddler Sgt. Ernest Lindop 124th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Ernest Lindop was born in Chester, Cheshire, England on 24th October 1880. He was one of thirteen children born to William Bufton Lindop, (saddler and harness maker) and Elizabeth Cooper. The family resided in Chester. He was my great grandmother Mary Emma Lindop's younger brother.

    My interest, in addition to the family connection, was a Field Post from Sgt Lindop sent to my great grandmother, who after marriage, had emigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The Field Post was reflective of his physical state indicated by striking out negative phrases (i.e. I am sick, I am well, etc). The post card bore the Royal Arms and had been a treasure to me with my interest in the military at the time, and subsequent service in the US Army for 21 years.

    Ernest was initially a member of the Cheshire Yeomanry, also serving as a saddler sergeant, service number 541. He subsequently was posted to the 124th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and entered France on 22nd November 1915. He served through to the end of the war, and received the 1915 Star Medal and the Victory Medal. I was extremely fortunate to be advised a couple of years ago that Sgt Lindop's medals were for sale, by auction, on an internet site in the United Kingdom. I obtained his medals and afterward reported to my third cousins in the UK that the medals were on the way to America.

    After the war, Ernest Lindop was employed as a saddler to the Duke of Westminster in Cheshire. He was married to Mary Ann Vickers in 1910. Ernest visited my great grandmother with the idea of emigrating to the United States but, after a short visit, returned to the United Kingdom. Ernest Lindop died on 28th April 1960 in Chester. A proud and honoured soldier of the Great War.

    Wm. Lloyd Harris




    233469

    Pte. Michael Haughey 27th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Mick Haughey joined up when over age, and he need not have gone to war. He was the English-born son of an Irishman from Tyrone and he worked at the Consett Iron Company. He was killed on the first day, but he was never found. Mick is remembered on memorials at Leadgate, Consett and at Thiepval in France. His widow died within six months, leaving three young boys and a girl who also died soon after. One of the orphaned boys, Jimmy, is my father, and I took him and my son to the Somme on my dad's 91st birthday to the battlefield where Mick Haughey's remains lie.

    Michael Cooke




    233468

    Pte. Clifford C. Went 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Clifford Went is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.

    Nicola King




    233466

    Pte. Robert Arthur Newberry Essex Regiment

    My grandfather Robert Newberry, whose own grandfather then his father ran the off-licence which was the family home, joined the Essex Regiment at 18 and subsequently fought against the Turks in Mesopotamia. He used to tell me tales of the front, including one I remember where his unit used to pass a dead Turk on leaving their trench, whose hand was raised in rigor mortis. Each of his comrades would shake the hand as they passed, a piece of typical Cockney black humour. I believe this has become a kind of urban myth but he was not one to exaggerate or tell untruths. Another tale was of a wounded Turk not far from his trench crying out to them for help, whom he felt sorry for, but his sergeant gave an order to shoot dead this enemy individual.

    He survived the war and eventually took over the off-licence until his retirement around 1970. His most memorable time was during the Blitz in WW2, when the locals all used his cellar as an air-raid shelter. After retirement he and his wife moved into a local flat where they remained until his death in the mid-1970s.

    Ken Duke




    233465

    Pte. William Merrilees 1st Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

    My grandfather was William Merrilees. He enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) on 15th February 1915 and served in France. He took part in the Battle of the Somme and, in particular, the attacks on the Bazentin Ridge on 18th of August 1916 and in High Wood on 3rd September 1916. It was during this latter engagement he was taken prisoner of war, probably as part of the company of the 1st Black Watch who captured the mine crater and held it isolated for a couple of hours before being overrun in the German counter-attack.

    He remained in captivity until the end of the war when he was repatriated via Calais to Dover on 20th November 1918. He appears on the Red Cross repatriation list R52028. For his war service he was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1915 Star and was demobilised to the Special Reserve list on 25th February 1919.

    Gordon Jackson




    233464

    Pte. Edward Pearson Nicholson 2nd/4th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.9th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Nicholson served with the 2nd/4th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    Donna McHenry




    233459

    L/Cpl. Alfred James Dymott 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.24th March 1918)

    <p>

    Alfred James Dymott was born in 1895 in Plumstead, South East London. He was the youngest of five brothers born to Henry and Eliza Dymott (nee Whiskin), and he was known as James or Jim, rather than Alfred. His brother and my grandfather, Arthur, lived at 101 Conway Road from 1914 until Arthur died in 1972. In 1911 James is recorded on the census as being employed as a 'house painters boy'.

    He joined up in the autumn of 1914 disembarking at Le Havre on 17th March 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal and died on 24th March 1918 whilst serving in a new support line at Boiry St. Martin, Ficheux. He was killed outright, along with three comrades, during a withdrawal of the battalion to a new support line near Boiry-St.-Martin during the German Spring Offensive. Another 13 being wounded on that particular day. He is buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux. His headstone reads: Gone from us but not forgotten never shall thy memory fade. He was 22 years old.

    Jacqueline Taylor




    233456

    Cpl. James Henry Francis Potter 20th (5th City Pals) Btn. Manchester Regiment

    James Henry Francis Potter, he preferred to be called Frank, joined up on 17 November 1914 and went to France a year later, in November 1915. He joined the 20th Service Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, otherwise known as the 5th City Pals. His Regiment saw intermittent action during 1916 until the major action at the Somme. He gained a field promotion to corporal on 20th March 1916 after action on the front line at C2 Sector.

    He was injured on the first day of the battle and family knowledge suggested he was buried by a bomb which exploded by him. He was reported as being deaf and dumb when found, regaining both senses later in hospital after a nightmare. His casualty form at the time suggested that he was admitted to hospital in Rouen with shell shock on 3rd July 1916 and evacuated to England on 6th July 1916. The records don't suggest that he saw further active service although he was re-inoculated on 6th December 1916, presumably as a preparation for service.

    Richard Ian Vass




    233455

    Pte. Sydney Durber 8th Btn. Warwickshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Sidney Durber was born in Birmingham. He joined the Territorial Army. Sadly, he was posted as missing in action, 1st July 1916. He was the son of Margaret and Frederick Durber of 157 Denen St. Vauxhall, Birmingham.





    233453

    L/Cpl. George Frederick Swales 217th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.23rd Sep 1917 )

    George F Swales was my Grandfather. Sadly, he was killed before my mother was 3 years old, so she nor I, never knew him. He married my Grandmother in Sept 1914, and a few months later she gave birth to my mother in early December 1914, a few days before her own 18th birthday. Obviously this was a scandalous event in 1914, made worse by the fact that she was a washerwomen's daughter and he was the son of a cabinet maker and undertaker in a well established family undertakers business in Hull. Some class differences may have been at work but I do not know. I was always aware that my real Grandfather was killed in the war and my mother never knew him, but I was never aware of any of his family visiting us, perhaps strange considering that, although their son had been killed, he had left a child, their grandchild, my mother. I believe that they maybe did visit at first but perhaps became estranged when my Grandmother remarried in about 1922.

    I feel strongly that his descendants, especially me as one of his grandsons, should make an effort to remember the ultimate sacrifice he made for King and Country. I am saddened that he has no grave and I cannot find out more about his death, which I know is listed as 23rd of Sept 1917. I believe he must therefore have been killed during the Battle of the Menin Road, called the Third Battle of Ypres, because that is where the 217th Coy of the MGC was at that time. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, I will remember him.

    Graham Cook




    233452

    2nd Lt. Cecil John de_Beaurepaire 13th (Wandsworth) Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    <p>

    In 1914, Cecil at 14 was already 5'11", and had achieved success on the football and cricket fields at a representative level. This enabled him in August 2015 to enlist and he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the 13th (Wandsworth) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment at the age of 15. He was the youngest officer in the British Army for WW1. He did not lie about his age. Cecil's brother, Percival was also a Lieutenant in the 13th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment and was wounded.

    Cecil should have been in Year 9 at school, instead he managed to survive, and lead fully grown men, for nearly a year at the front (including the Battle of the Ancre during the Somme Offensive) before being wounded in April 1917. He was initially hit by a machine gun, on advancing upon German trenches at Villers-Plouich. We presume that whilst wounded he was also gassed. Overcoming very long odds of gas and gunshot wounds to survive through rear aid centres he was repatriated to England where he spent a year recovering in one of the many hospitals established to receive the 100,000s of wounded.

    During this time, he not only managed to nearly memorise the dictionary which gave him a lifelong edge in Scrabble, he also met his wife (and nurse) Gladys. Gladys like many young women throughout the Empire enlisted as a nurse and looked after Cecil during his year in hospital. Gladys was the daughter of William Taylor, Queen's Grand Bargemaster of The Worshipful Company of Watermen and Lightermen and owner of one of England's largest barging businesses at the time. As the story goes, he did not approve of the match between his very eligible daughter and a disabled youth of 18, whose education had ceased at 15. Suffering from the English cold and damp with half a lung, Cecil and Gladys left for Bermuda and ultimately came to Australia. He passed away in 1975.

    Centre Front row at 14 years of age

    Will de Beaurepaire




    233448

    A/Sgt. Joseph Harold Wilson 29th Brigade, 143rd Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Joseph Harold Wilson - Back row on the left sitting on the wheel of an 18 Pounder Field Gun

    My grandfather, Joseph Harold Wilson, served with the Royal Field Artillery and the Labour Corps throughout the First World War. He was born in Leeds in 1888, the son of Thomas and Margaret Elizabeth Wilson. He enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery about 1905 aged seventeen as a regular soldier (presumably for the standard period of twelve years). In 1911 he was with 143rd Battery, RFA stationed at Royal Artillery Barracks, Aldershot, Surrey, as a Gunner Fitter.

    His medal card indicates he was a Fitter serving with 29 Brigade, RFA a unit of Britains pre-war regular army under the command of 4th Division which went to France as part of the expanded British Expeditionary Force in late August 1914. He was a lance corporal (probably at the outbreak of the war) and became a full corporal in August 1915. His medal card also indicates he was attached to the Labour Corps, presumably sometime during or after 1917, with the rank of acting sergeant. He was wounded in the leg by shrapnel in 1916 which might be why he was transferred to the Labour Corps and was eventually demobilised from the army in 1919. He received the 1914 Mons Star, British War and Victory Medals.

    On the outbreak of the Second World War he rejoined the Royal Artillery with the rank of sergeant and served with the home forces until he was invalided out in 1942. He had married Ethel Georgina Barker of Hampsthwaite at Hampsthwaite Parish Church in December 1910 and had eight children, the youngest being my father. Joseph Harold died at Hampsthwaite in October 1967.

    The extracts were published in the Harrogate Herald in 1915 referring to Joseph Harold:

    3rd March -

    Fitter Wilson, whose home is at Hampsthwaite, is "fit" and joined his depot on the 2nd March.

    H Breare (Editor) letter:

    Fitter Wilson, of Hampsthwaite, called in to see me on Friday. He is invalided home with a bad throat. He belongs to the artillery, and those chaps are not billeted in the towns and villages, therefore they have to get in where they can and rather further away from the comforts of civilisation. You know what the weather has been and how much there has been of it. Well, he had to sleep over an intensely rural pig sty that had not received attention for - well - ages. He has never had trouble with his throat before, but under these conditions it came, an abscess formed. He was so bad they sent him to a Manchester hospital, where he had an operation. He is nearly well now and will be returning to the Front by the time you read this. Wilson is thoroughly enthusiastic about the artillery, and remarked that if the young men at home only knew the life and conditions of the artillery branch of the service they would rush for it. No trench business. It is life. Full of excitement and satisfaction. Like the rest of the boys he was chock full of admiration and good feeling towards his commanding officer. It was with a regretful voice he told me they were losing him. He has been made a colonel. They had met with very few casualties. This he attributed to the extreme care the officer took of his men. They could and would follow him anywhere. It was nice to hear Wilson speak thus of his major, and he said it with all the enthusiasm of conviction.

    "If any man tells you he wants to go back to the Front, don't you believe it; he's trying to make himself think so. Now, I wouldn't be kicked out of the artillery. I like it; but I'd rather be at home, and so would any man if circumstances permitted it".

    The above is what Wilson said to me. I quite understand it. You boys have no wish to creep out of your responsibility. You are, like every other Briton; determined to see the thing successfully through. Like everybody else, you will be glad when it is over; but you are not going to say you prefer war to peace, or the battlefield to the dear home for which you are fighting. You also know that upon your success depends not only the peace and prosperity of the world, but the freedom and protection of the weak against the strong.

    22nd December -

    Corporal Fitter H Wilson writes:

    I take the greatest of pleasure in writing you a few lines to thank you once more for your paper, which I have received regularly every week. You will see that I have been made full Corporal. I was promoted last August. Since my last letter some months ago we have had some rough times of it at Ypres and Neuve Chapelle. The last "scrap" our Division was in was at Loos, and we got a severe bending. Since then we have been moving about getting reorganised, as you will see by the change of address. We shall be going up amongst it again very shortly. Xmas is drawing close. I never thought last Xmas that I should have another one out here, and I am afraid we shall have a few more on service somewhere yet. Anyhow, the first five years will be the worst. Probably I may be home on short leave in a few weeks' time, so I will call in and tell you more then, as they are getting stricter in censoring our letters. Do you mind obliging me by thanking the people at my village for a very nice, welcome parcel I received from them, and a card enclosed. It was from the people at Hampsthwaite. I thank every one of them for their kindness to us who are doing our duty either at home or abroad or on the sea or land, or in the air, and may they all have a merry Xmas and a very prosperous New Year. Anyhow as happy as may be expected in this terrible crisis. Thanking them once more for their kindness as it shows we are not forgotten. I will close, wishing you and your paper every success, also with the old Yorkshire saying, "A merry Xmas and a prosperous New Year to you".

    Joseph Harold Wilson - Second from the right holding paint tin.

    Shaun L Wilson




    233444

    L/Cpl. Edgar Edward Lynn 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.28th June 1916)

    <p>

    Lance Corporal Edward Lynn's entry to the war was on 11th August 1915. He was killed in action on Wednesday 28th June 1916, three days before the Battle of the Somme. He is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery.

    In Purfleet, while waiting to be shipped to the front line in France, Edgar Edward Lynn wrote his will on a scrap of paper on 9th August 1915. A witness to this will was A.J.Saville. The day after, on 10th August another will was written, also in Purfleet, by Pte E E Lynn G/8126 10th Battalion East Surrey Regt witnessed by L/C S. ???? and Pte C.Franklin. On 23rd August 1915 a draft of 100 NCOs and men arrived in France from the 10th Battalion and joined and became the 8th Battalion. One of these men was E.E.Lynn.

    He was married to Hilda Kathleen Edwards on 19th October 1907 at Wandsworth Register Office. They had three children. E E Lynn (no birth certificate can be found for this name - family mystery?) is also believed to be E E Rowland who was born 19th February 1887 in Wandsworth to Arthur Rowland and Kate Elizabeth Haley. (Unfortunately this cannot be verified.)

    Roll of Honour for Lance Corporal E E Lynn, East Surrey Regiment was read at the Tower of London on 21st October 2014. Gone, but never forgotten.

    Joan Jackson




    233443

    Lt/Capt. David Tudor Jones MC 49th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    David Tudor Jones was born in Liverpool in 1889. He enlisted in August 1914 and served in the ranks of the Shropshire Yeomanry in Palestine in 1916-17. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and was commissioned in 1917. He was awarded the MC whilst serving in the Ypres Salient in April 1918 with "C" Company, 49th Battalion and was later appointed 2 i/c of "B" Company. David served with this MGC battalion until 1919 when it was finally disbanded at Douai.

    Between the wars (and after WW2) he worked for Courtaulds in Flint. In WW2 he was recalled and commissioned into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. David served on UK defences and then to RAF for work guarding airfields in South Wales and as draft conducting officer at sea. He died in 1961 in Flint.

    Peter Duckers




    233442

    L/Cpl. Thomas Albert Noel Milledge 6th Btn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.3rd May 1917)

    Thomas Milledge was in the Royal West Kent Regiment and was shot in the neck in 1914. He was sent to a hospital in Carmarthen, Wales and, when he recovered he went back to his unit. He was posted missing presumed dead on 3rd May 1917. No body has ever been found, so he has no grave, just his name on the Arras Memorial. He was just 21 years old.

    Jennifer Bridged




    233439

    L/Cpl Alfred Waterworth Hamilton 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.21st March 1918 )

    <p>

    My great grandfather, Alfred Hamilton, was never found. He was killed in action on the Somme.

    Caroline Mccafferty




    233438

    Pte. Arthur Womersley Worth York and Lancaster Regiment

    <p>

    Arthur Worth served with the York and Lancaster Regiment and the Durham Light Infantry.

    Lilian Worth




    233436

    Pte. Alexander Cruickshank 5th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.14th July 1916)

    Alexander was the son of James Emslie Cruickshank and Isabella Smith Cruickshank (nee Jamieson) of 146 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, Forfarshire. He was one of eight children. He was the only one of the family to die in the war. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Elizabeth Merchant




    233434

    Rflmn. Harold Bicknell 13th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.19th November 1916)

    Harold Bicknell was my great uncle. He died of wounds, possibly suffered at the Battle of Morval (Somme) in September 1916. He was 23.

    Jonathan Bicknell




    233433

    Spr. Percy Haycox 184th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Percy Haycox served with 184th Tunnelling Company, RE.

    Graham Lloyd




    233432

    Pte. Alfred Sidney "Sonny" Mercer 11th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.29th Apr 1918)

    Alfred Mercer was not yet 16 when he enlisted in Aldershot or Guildford in September 1916. He was the eldest of seven children born to a working family in Farnham which had its roots in Dorset, Kent and the Surrey-Hampshire borders.

    The 11th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment were quickly in the thick of things on the Western Front. Their involvement in the Battles of the Somme in 1916 included: fighting on the Ancre (Hamel); Battle of the Thiepval Ridge; Battle of the Ancre Heights; capture of the Schwaben Redoubt; capture of Stuff Trench; Battle of the Ancre, and in 1917: Battles of Ypres (3rd Ypres); Battle of the Pilckem Ridge; Battle of Langemarck; Battle of the Menin Road Ridge; Second Battle of Passchendaele.

    In 1918 the 11th were at the Battle of St Quentin; part of action on the Somme crossings; at the Battle of Bapaume and the Battle of Rozieres; the Battles of the Lys including fighting on the Wytschaete Ridge; the First Battle of Kemmel Ridge; the Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge. On 29th April Sonny fought in the Battle of the Scherpenberg, where he was killed, aged just 19, along with many hundred other men in the battalion.

    His name is on the memorial at Tyne Cot Cemetery, and on a more modest, but certainly heartfelt, memorial in Gostrey Meadows in the centre of Farnham, only 500 yards or so from where he was born and raised. We have no portrait of him; therefore our only photographic memories are of these two memorials.

    It is almost beyond our modern comprehension to understand what this young man, like so many others, would have endured in his short but fiercely-lived life. His family remembers him with love and respect.

    Mercy for Sonny Mercer

    Barbed wire buried

    deep in the fields I am grown in,

    enmeshed roots, sods, earth,

    bound tight,

    scented loam

    holding light and rain and warmth,

    rusting the wire,

    burnishing...

    Sap rising

    Sap quenched

    BarbBitingFlesh

    Devouring

    Me.

    by Julia Birch, 1916

    Julia Birch




    233431

    Pte. William Morgan 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.6th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    William Morgan was killed at the Battle of the Somme.





    233430

    Gnr. Ambrose Richard Alick (d.17th February 1915)

    Gunner Alick was the son of Richard Thomas and Louisa Burch Alick, of Devonshire Parish, Bermuda.

    He was 23 when he died and is buried in the Somerset Military Burial Ground in Bermuda, Grave 13.

    S Flynn




    233429

    Pte. Arthur Percy Bridges (d.25th February 1918)

    Private Bridges was the son of Alfred Joseph and Mary Emmeline Bridges.

    He was 25 when he died and is buried in the family vault in Sandy's (St. James) Churchyard, Bermuda.

    S Flynn




    233427

    Pte. Thomas Charles Albrighton 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1918)

    My grandfather Thomas Albrighton, my dad's dad, was killed in the last couple of months of the war. He left his wife pregnant after home leave and my dad was born in April 1919. We think it's doubtful if he even knew his wife was pregnant but he certainly never got to know he had a son. He was a postmaster in Baddesley Ensor before the war and was married to Annie (nee Chetwynd). My dad served in the RAF in WWII but always missed not having a father. His childhood was difficult we believe. What a waste and a tragedy.

    Lindsey




    233426

    Pte. Hugh Sutcliffe 13th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.3rd July 1918)

    Unfortunately, there is very little to relate about my great uncle Hugh Sutcliffe. My first memory of him was his name inscribed on a wooden plaque of War Dead in the dining hall of my primary school. At that time I didn't even realise he was actually related to me, I'd pretended that he was my uncle without even realising he actually was. I started researching my family history in about 2000 and soon discovered when and where Hughie was born (28 May 1898 in Oldham, Lancashire). He had one surviving sibling, my grandfather James Townsend Sutcliffe and through my research I was able to put together where the brothers lived and when they joined up.

    I am incredibly lucky to have Hugh's service record which helped me get a better picture of Hugh's life. All I have of him is a faded photo from the local newspaper, telling of his death and that his brother had been awarded the Military Medal. I honour his service every year and plant a cross in the Field of Remembrance and though I never met the man, I like him and feel very proud of him. I intend to travel to France and 'meet' my great uncle for the first time. He is buried at Mesnil Community Cemetery Extension. I can actually see his grave on google maps, he lies next to his friend, who fell the day after. It actually mentions that fact in the newspaper clipping. No medals remain, no photos and nobody alive from that generation who mourns his passing. Just me, his great niece, who discovered his story and just wants someone else to know that he hasn't been forgotten.

    Lynne




    233425

    Sgt. Wilf Tame 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    My grandfather, Wilf Tame, joined to fight in the Boer War. He also served in France and Gallipoli. His brother Charles Tame was killed in WW1 and he was in the same regiment.

    Steven Tame




    233424

    Pte. John Clarke 9th Btn. Border Regiment (d.12th October 1916)

    John Clarke was the son of James and Robina and the husband of Emily. He was also the father of Alice, Henry and Walter.

    Treena Hutchins




    233421

    CSM. James "Johnny" Coyle MM and Bar. 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    James Coyle (my grandfather) joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1905. He was stationed at Fort George near Inverness when WW1 began and acted as Officers' Mess Sergeant. The unit travelled by train, then by ship, to Boulogne shortly after the declaration of the war. They took part in the unofficial truce in Christmas 1914. He saw action in both open and trench warfare on the western front throughout the war. He was awarded the Military Medal in 1917 and a bar to that medal in 1919. On the sporting front, he was a notable footballer and men's hockey player for the regiment.

    After WW1, he left the Officers' Mess and became a duty Colour Sergeant and Company Sergeant-Major. On retirement, he was employed as Mobilisation Storeman at Stirling Castle and then on the Recruiting Staff. Lastly, on the outbreak of WW2, he joined the clerical staff at the Ordnance Depot at Forth side. He died in 1964.

    Alan J McKenna




    233418

    Pte. John Willie Barlow 6th Btn. Yorks and Lancs Rgt. (d.20th October 1918)

    I did not know my grandfather John Willie Barlow. My father remembered being in his mother's arms as they said their farewells at the railway station. It is sad that so many fine men went to their deaths in this 'War to end all Wars'.

    I would love to have known him, all I now have is a picture of him in a bathing costume. It is equally sad that so many men died of wounds so late in the conflict.

    In this day and age, all I can say in the current parlance, is 'Respect', for without your sacrifice, the world would be a different place today.

    Andrew G Barlow




    233414

    Pte. Robert Walter Park 4th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.26th Mar 1917)

    Robert Walter was my husbands grandmothers brother the first of two brothers killed during WW1 he died in Palestine. His name appears on the Jerusalem memorial.

    Agnes Woodfield




    233413

    Pte. Samuel Walter Bolch 1st Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Samuel Bolch served with the 1st Btn. Coldstream Guards.

    Niel Howrd




    233411

    Pte. James Fenwick Hawthorn 17th Battalion, A Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    James Hawthorn served with the 17th Northumberland Fusiliers.

    With his pals in Flanders

    R Pollard




    233407

    Sig. P. Bittleston HMS Almanzora (d.7th July 1918)

    Signalman Bittleston is buried in the Santos (Filosofia) Cemetery in Brazil.

    S Flynn




    233404

    Pte. Henry James de_Carteret 6th Btn., D Coy. Royal Irish Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Henry de Carteret was attested by Cpl Richards (RGLI) and Officer 2nd Lt E Cowley G&A Recruiting Dist on the 9th of February 1915. He gave his previous occupation as a fisherman for Mr Luscombe and recorded his previous service with the Royal Guernsey Militia. He was Shipped to Fermoy for training with some 300 men-240 men of D Company. Of these, 35-40 were trained as Machine Gun Section. Henry joined the Expeditionary Force in France on 17th of December 1915. He was listed missing pressumed dead on 3rd of September 1916. His total service was 208 days. He was killed by the same shell that killed his cousin, Peter de Carteret, whose number was 3188. They had joined on same day.

    Michael J de Carteret




    233403

    Sgt. Alfred Sanders 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>The Sentinel newspaper spelt his name as Saunders, when in actual fact it was Sanders.

    My relative was Alfred Sanders. He was born in 1895 in Longton, Stoke on Trent. He joined the colours in 1914 and the census records states he lived in Heaths Passage. He joined the 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment. On July 3rd he went over the top under the command of Major Cecil Wedgwood. Wedgwood and many others died. Alfred survived the Somme Campaign then on the last day, 18th November, took part in an attack against Grandcourt. There was a blizzard and bitter fighting took place. 173 men from Stoke were killed. Alfred was presumed dead. Then in March 1917, he appeared in the archives as being a prisoner of war in German hands. I have found the German records stating which camps he was in and his medal index card shows he returned home in 1919. He died in 1951 and is buried in Longton Cemetery.

    His older cousin born in 1892 was my great great grandad and also called Alfred Sanders. He served with the 7th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment in Gallipoli and was wounded in July 1916. He went on to the 1st South Staffs Regiment and served at Ypres in 1917 when he was discharged for being wounded in October 1917.

    Callan Chevin




    233402

    Pte. John Crawford Moore 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.8th May 1915)

    John Moore was the son of Mary Moore, of 123 Dumbarton Rd., Glasgow, and the late William Moore. John was born at Cairncastle, Co. Antrim, and served with the 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment. He died on 8th May 1915. John is remembered in Cairncastle Presbyterian Church, Cairncastle, Larne, Co Antrim.

    John Hoy




    233401

    Pte. James Lucie 1/8th Btn. Middlesex Regt (d.23rd April 1915)

    James Lucie was 39 and the father of seven, married to Louise Spooner. His family had come over from Ireland in the potato famine to settle in the Whitechapel area. He was a tram driver at the time the war broke out. His name is on the Menin Gate at Ypres and he died in the Second Battle of Ypres.





    233400

    Pte. Cecil Albert Hallums Machine Gun Corps

    In July 1917 Private Cecil Albert Hallums was injured whilst taking part in an organised football match. He appears to have suffered from a gas attack on 27th May 1918 - during which he received gunshot wounds to his hands and left thigh - the place is illegible on his records. He suffered from Pulmonary TB which led to his life being considerably shortened.

    David Hallums




    233395

    Pte. J. Younger 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Younger was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    233393

    Pte. George Young 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Young was wounded in December 1916 and transferred to Royal Defence Corps.

    Lynne




    233392

    Pte. George Young 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Young was wounded in April 1916

    Lynne




    233391

    Pte. Edward Young 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Young was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    233390

    Pte. Frederick Yallop 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Frederick Yallop was woundedin the left hand and left leg

    Lynne




    233389

    Pte. Charles Yallop 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5thApril 1917)

    Charles Yallop was wounded in the left arm. He is burried in Savy British Cemetery

    Lynne




    233388

    Pte. Charles Wylie 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Charles Wylie is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233384

    RQMs. Frederick Wright 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.31st May 1917)

    Frederick Wright is buried in St. Nicholas Cemetery

    Lynne




    233382

    Pte. R. Woof 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Woof was discharged in 1917 due to wounds

    Lynne




    233381

    Pte. J. Woods 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Woods was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233378

    Pte. William Wilson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Discharged 1918 Gunshot wounds

    Lynne




    233377

    Pte. W. Wilson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Wilson was discharged in 1917 due to wounds

    Lynne




    233376

    Pte. R. Wilson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Wounded October 1916

    Lynne




    233375

    Pte. P. A Wilson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P Wilson was discharged in 1917 due to injuries

    Lynne




    233374

    John Wilson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Wilson was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    233373

    Pte. J. W. Wilson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Wilson was wounded in July and Dec.1916

    Lynne




    233372

    Pte. J. Wilson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Wilson Served with the Tyneside Irish and transferred to the Royal Engineers

    Lynne




    233371

    Pte. J. Wilson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Wilson was discharged 1918 due to wounds

    Lynne




    233370

    Pte. H. Wilson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Wilson was wounded in 1917

    Lynne




    233369

    Pte. George Wilson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    George Wilson is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233368

    Pte. G. Wilson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Wilson was wounded in September 1916

    Lynne




    233366

    Sgt. William Williamson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Williamson was a Reserve Company Sergant Major

    Lynne




    233365

    Pte. Thomas Williamson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Williamson was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    233362

    Pte. Thomas Williams 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Williams was discharged in 1915 sick

    Lynne




    233360

    Pte. J. Wilkinson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Wilkinson was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    233359

    Pte. C. Wilkinson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    C. Wilkinson was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    233358

    Pte. George H. Wilkes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Wilks was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    233357

    Pte. C. Wilkes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    C Wilks served with the Tyneside Irish and transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

    Lynne




    233356

    Pte. William Widowson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Dec 1915)

    William Widdowson is buried at West Rainton

    Lynne




    233355

    Pte. W. Whittle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Whittle was wounded in November 1916

    Lynne




    233353

    Pte. Jonathan White 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Jonathan White was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    233352

    Pte. J. White 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J White suffered a Gunshot wound in Oct. 1916

    Lynne




    233351

    Pte. H. White 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H White was wounded in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    233349

    Pte. J. H. Wheatley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Wheatley was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233345

    Pte. W. Welsh 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Served with the Tynside Irish and the Military Police

    Lynne




    233341

    Cpl. James Welsh 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Stretcher Bearer James Welsh took part in the trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th of June 1916. He was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    233339

    Pte. A. Webster 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Wounded July 1916 Thigh wounds and Shellshock

    Lynne




    233336

    Pte. T. Waters 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Waters was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    233335

    Pte. J. Warwick 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Warwick was wounded in July-August 1916

    Lynne




    233334

    Pte. John T. Warren 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Warren enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233333

    Pte. G. Wardle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Dec.1918)

    G Wardle is burried in Heworth, St.Marys church yard. He was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233331

    Sgt. R. T. Walton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Walton was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233330

    Pte. Arthur Walton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Signaller Arthur Walton took part in the Trench raid on the night of the 25-26th of June 1916. He was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233326

    Pte. Frederick Walker 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Frederick Walker was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    233325

    Pte. Luther Wales 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Luther Wales was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    233324

    Pte. W. Wake 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Wake was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    233323

    Pte. Mathew Wake 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Mathew Wake was born in Blyth. He is buried in Ovilliers Cemetery

    Lynne




    233321

    Pte. Albert Wainwright 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Albert Wainwright is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233320

    Pte. John Wadham 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Wadhams photo is in Irish heroes. He was discharged in 1918 sick

    Lynne




    233319

    Pte. S. Vout 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    S Vout suffered Gunshot wounds in 1916

    Lynne




    233318

    Pte. George Vinton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Vinton suffered a wound in the leg in 1916

    Lynne




    233316

    Pte. M. E. Vasey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Vasey was discharged in 1918 suffering from shellshock

    Lynne




    233315

    Pte. Mathew Turner 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Mathew Turner was discharged in 1916 sick

    Lynne




    233314

    Pte. J. Turner 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    J Turner is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233311

    Pte. William Turnbull 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Turnbull is buried in Wickham St.Marys

    Lynne




    233310

    Pte. W. J. Turnbull 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Turnbull was discharged in 1917 due to wounds

    Lynne




    233309

    Pte. W. Turnbull 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W. Turnbull was wounded in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    233308

    Pte. J. S Turnbull 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Turnbull suffered Gunshot woundsto his face and hands

    Lynne




    233307

    Sgt. J. M Turnbull 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Turnbull was discharged in 1918 due to wounds

    Lynne




    233306

    Lcpl. W. Tunley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    W Tunley is named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233305

    Pte. Thomas Trueman 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Trueman took part in trench raids on the night of the 25th-26th of June 1916

    Lynne




    233304

    Pte. J. T. Trotter 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Trotter was wounded in 1916. He was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    233303

    Sgt. J. Trotter 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Trotter was wounded in 1916. He was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    233302

    Pte. Thomas Traynor 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Traynor took part in trench raids on the nights of the 5th-6th of June 1916

    Lynne




    233300

    Pte. George Toward 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Toward was wounded in March 1917

    Lynne




    233299

    Pte. George Toner 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    George Toner is buried in Roclincourt Valley Cemetery

    Lynne




    233298

    Pte. H. Toman 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Toman was discharged in 1917 sick

    Lynne




    233297

    Pte. Oliver Todd 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Oliver Todd served with the Tyneside Irish and the Kings own Scottish Boarders

    Lynne




    233296

    Pte. Dan Todd 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th August 1917)

    Dan Todd is buried at Villers Faucon

    Lynne




    233292

    Pte. John Tilley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Tilley was listed as missing in July 1916 nut later returned to his battalion.

    Lynne




    233290

    Pte. Patrick Tierny 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Patrick Tierny was discharged in 1917 due to wounds

    Lynne




    233288

    Pte. Edward Thurlaway 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Edward Thurlaway is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233287

    Pte. Thomas Thubron 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Thubron was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233285

    Pte. Joseph Thornton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Joseph Thornton was wounded in Nov. 1916

    Lynne




    233284

    Pte. Thomas L. Thompson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th May 1916)

    Thomas thompson is buried in Becourt Military Cemetery.

    Lynne




    233282

    Pte. Patrick J. Thompson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Patrick Thompson was born in Washington. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233281

    Lcpl. J. Thompson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Thompson was discharged in 1918due to wounds

    Lynne




    233280

    Pte. George H. Thompson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Thompson was wounded in May 1918

    Lynne




    233279

    Pte. George H. Thompson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Thompson was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    233278

    Pte. G. Thompson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Thompson was wounded in Aug and Oct.1916 He was still serving in 1920

    Lynne




    233277

    Pte. Bruce Thompson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Sep 1916)

    Bruce Thompson is buried at Bailleul

    Lynne




    233276

    Pte. Samuel Thomas 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Samuel Thomas is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233273

    Pte. A. Temple 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Temple was discharged in 1917 due to injuries

    Lynne




    233272

    Pte. N. Telford 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Telford was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233271

    Pte. W. H. Taylor 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Taylor was discharged in 1918 due to shellshock

    Lynne




    233270

    Pte. Ralf Taylor 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Ralf Taylor was a Battalion Bomber, he took part in June 1916 trench raids and was wounded in September 1916

    Lynne




    233269

    Pte. E. Taylor 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    E Taylor was wounded in September 1916

    Lynne




    233268

    Pte. A. Taylor 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Taylor was discharged in 1917 due to wounds

    Lynne




    233267

    Pte. John Talbot 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5thApril 1917)

    John Talbot is buried in Savy Brit. Cemetery, he was aged 31.

    Lynne




    233265

    Pte. Michael Tait 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th July 1917)

    Michael Tait is buried in Dickebusch Cemetery

    Lynne




    233264

    Pte. James Sweeny 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Sweeney did not serve overseas, he was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    233263

    Pte. James F. Swan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Swan was discharged in 1919 due to wounds

    Lynne




    233261

    Pte. George Sutherland 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    George Sutherland is buried in Rollincourt Valley

    Lynne




    233260

    Pte. W. Summerville 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1918)

    W Summerville is buried in Gouzeaucourt Cemetery

    Lynne




    233255

    Sgt. James Sullivan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Sullivan was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    233254

    Pte. A. Straker 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Straker was wounded in July 1916 and November 1917

    Lynne




    233253

    Pte. William Stokoe 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Stokoe was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    233252

    Pte. T. Stoker 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Stoker was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    233251

    Lcpl. Stockhill 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    L-Cpl Stockhill was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    233250

    Pte. John Stobbart 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Stobbart was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    233249

    Pte. A. Stewart 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Stewart was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    233248

    COMS. T. Stephenson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    T Stephenson is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233247

    Pte. T. Stephenson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Stephenson was wounded in December 1916

    Lynne




    233245

    Pte. Richard Stanley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Richard Stanley is buried in Ovilliers.

    Lynne




    233244

    Pte. John Staff 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st July 1916)

    John Staff is buried in Abbeville, France

    Lynne




    233242

    Pte. Andrew Spoors 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Andrew Spoors was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    233241

    Pte. W. Spinks 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Spinks enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233240

    Pte. Edward Spinks 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st March 1918)

    Edward Spinks is named on the Arras Memorial

    Lynne




    233238

    Pte. Aaron Spencer 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Aaron Spencer was demobbed in 1919

    Lynne




    233234

    Pte. P. A. Snee 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d. )

    P Snee was buried in Heilly Station Cemetery. He was aged 22 years

    Lynne




    233233

    Pte. T. Smith 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Smith was wounded in Sept.1916

    Lynne




    233232

    Sgt. Patrick Smith 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Patrick Smith was wounded in 1915

    Lynne




    233231

    Pte. John G. Smith 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Smith enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233230

    Pte. John Smith 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Smith was wounded in 1916. After recovering he was transferred to the Royal Fusiliers

    Lynne




    233229

    Pte. J. T. Smith 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J smith took part in all June 1916 night time trench raids. He was wounded in 1917

    Lynne




    233228

    Sgt. J. R. Smith 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.Jan.1919)

    J Smith was wounded in 1916. he is buried in Blaydon

    Lynne




    233226

    Pte. J. Smith 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Smith was discharged in 1918 Sick

    Lynne




    233225

    Pte. Frank. Smith 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Frank Smith is buried in Ration Farm Cem.

    Lynne




    233224

    Pte. A. T. Smith 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Smith was a Battalion Signaller and took part in trench raids on the night of the 5th-6th of June. He was wounded in Nov.1916

    Lynne




    233223

    Pte. A. Smith 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Smith was wounded in Oct.1916

    Lynne




    233222

    Pte. Smith 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Pte Smith took part in trench raids on the night of the 5-6th June 1916 as a Bayonetman

    Lynne




    233221

    Pte. S. Slowther 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    S Slowther was wounded in 1916. He was demobbed in May 1919

    Lynne




    233220

    Pte. J. Slowther 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Slowther was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233219

    Pte. L. Sloan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.Oct.1916)

    L Sloan is burried in Bailleul Com.Cem.Ext.

    Lynne




    233218

    Pte. Thomas Slater 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Slater was wounded in 1916 He was discharged in 1918 Sick

    Lynne




    233217

    Lcpl. T. Slater 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Slater was wounded in 1917

    Lynne




    233215

    Sgt. Frank Skinnan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.01-10-17)

    Frank Skinnan is buried in Tynecot cemetery

    Lynne




    233214

    Pte. J. W. Skelton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Skelton took part in trench raids on the nights of the 5-6th and 25-26th of June 1916. he was wounded in 1916 and transferred to depot

    Lynne




    233211

    Pte. W. Simpson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Sinclair was discharged in 1916

    Lynne




    233210

    Pte. T. Simpson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Simpson was transferred to 30th Battalion and was discharged in 1915

    Lynne




    233209

    Pte. J. Simpson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Simpson was wounded in July and Oct.1916

    Lynne




    233208

    Pte. Charles Sheeve 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Charles Sheeve was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    233207

    Pte. E. Shields 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    E Shields was wounded in Oct.1916 and transferred to the Labour Corps

    Lynne




    233206

    Pte. H. Shield 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Shield was discharged in 1915

    Lynne




    233204

    Pte. John Shepardson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Shepardson was wounded in July 1916 and transfererd to the Labour Corps.

    Lynne




    233203

    Lsgt. A. Shepardson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Shephardson took part in the trench raids on the night of the 25th-26th of June 1916. He was wounded in Oct.1916

    Lynne




    233201

    Pte. Edward Shern 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Shern was Gased and was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    233199

    Pte. W. L. Shea 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Shea enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233197

    Pte. J. Sedgewick 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Sedgewick was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233192

    Pte. James Scott 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Scott served with the Tyneside Irish and Inniskillin Fusiliers

    Lynne




    233190

    Pte. Michael Scanlon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael Scanlon was wounded in 1916 and 1918

    Lynne




    233189

    Pte. W. G. Saxby 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Saxby was wounded in July 1916 and discharged 1919 Also listed as Cyclist Division

    Lynne




    233187

    Pte. James Saunders 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th July 1916)

    James Saunders is buried in Boulogne

    Lynne




    233186

    Pte. J. Sampson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Wounded July 1916

    Lynne




    233185

    Pte. J. Ryder 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Transfer to Training Reserve

    Lynne




    233184

    Pte. W. Ryan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Ryan was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233183

    Pte. Stephen Ryan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Stephen Ryan was wounded in November 1917

    Lynne




    233182

    Pte. P. Ryan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P Ryan served with the Tyneside Irish.

    Lynne




    233181

    Pte. Michael Ryan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Michael Ryan is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233180

    Pte. John Ryan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Ryan enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233179

    Pte. J. W. Ryan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Ryan was discharged with wounds

    Lynne




    233177

    Pte. M. Rutter 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Rutter was wounded in 1916 in the left knee

    Lynne




    233176

    Pte. T. H. Russell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Russell served with the Tyneside Irish and the Labour corps.

    Lynne




    233175

    Sgt. Robert Rusk 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Russell was still serving in 1920

    Lynne




    233174

    Cpl. Reginald Rose 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Reginald Rose is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233173

    Sgt. F. Ruane 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    F Ruane was wounded in the left ear

    Lynne




    233172

    Pte. William Rowell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    William Rowell is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233170

    Pte. T. Rowell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Rowell was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    233169

    Pte. Frank Rowell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Frank Rowell was a Stretcher bearer and took part in the trench raids in June 1916

    Lynne




    233168

    Pte. James Rourke 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233167

    Pte. George Rought 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th May 1916)

    George Rought is buried in Becourt Millitary Cemetery

    Lynne




    233166

    Pte. John Ross 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Ross is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233165

    Pte. E. Ross 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    E Ross was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    233164

    Pte. T Rooney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Rooney was wounded in 1916 and twice in 1918.

    Lynne




    233163

    Pte. George Rooney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th May 1916)

    George Rooney is buried in Mericourt Cemetery

    Lynne




    233162

    Pte. W Ronan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Wounded October 1916

    Lynne




    233161

    Pte. John Rogers 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Rogers was wounded in the left thigh, he was evacuated on the 5th of July 1916

    Lynne




    233160

    Pte. Martin Rogan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Martin Rogan is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233158

    Pte. Joseph Rodgers 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Joseph Rogers was demobed in May 1919

    Lynne




    233156

    Sgt. J. Rodgers 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Rodgers was discharged in 1918 due to Gunshot Wounds

    Lynne




    233155

    Pte. Frederick T. Rodgers 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Frederick Rodgers was discharged in September 1916 Wounded

    Lynne




    233154

    Pte. Peter Roche 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Peter Roche was discharged in 1915

    Lynne




    233153

    Pte. William Robson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Robson went AWOL in 1915

    Lynne




    233152

    Lcpl. T. Robson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Robson was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233151

    Pte. S. Robson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Robson was discharged in 1917 Wounded

    Lynne




    233150

    Pte. Matthew Robson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Matthew Robson is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233149

    Pte. John Robson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Robson was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    233148

    Pte. Henry T. Robson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Henry Robson was wounded in March 1916

    Lynne




    233147

    Pte. A. W. Robson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Robson suffered wounds to his back and abdomen

    Lynne




    233146

    Pte. Robert D. Robinson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    J Robinson is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233145

    Col.Sgt. J. Robinson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Robinson was demobbed in 1919

    Lynne




    233144

    Sgt. Charles Robinson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Charles Robinson was wounded in December 1916

    Lynne




    233143

    Cpl. B. Robinson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    B Robinson served with the Tyneside Irish and the West Yorkshire Regiment

    Lynne




    233142

    Pte. J. Robertson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Robertson did not serve overseas

    Lynne




    233141

    Pte. Tom Rimington 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Tom Rimington is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233140

    Pte. W. Riley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Riley was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    233138

    Pte. F. Riley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    F Riley was discharged in 1916 sick. He did not serve overseas

    Lynne




    233137

    Pte. William Rigg 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Sep 1918)

    William Rigg is burried in Pieta Millitary Cemetery Malta

    Lynne




    233135

    Pte. John Ridley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th April 1918)

    John Ridley is buried at Ryton

    Lynne




    233134

    Pte. William Ridell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th April 1918)

    William Ridell is named on the Ploegsteert Memorial

    Lynne




    233132

    Sgt. S. C. Riches 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    S Riches was wounded in October 1916. he was still serving in 1920

    Lynne




    233131

    Pte. E. Riches 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    E Riches was discharged in 1918 sick

    Lynne




    233130

    Pte. Tom Richardson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Tom Richardson is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233128

    Pte. J. Richardson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Richardson was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233127

    Pte. J. Richardson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Richardson was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233125

    Cpl. W. Richards 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Richards was discharged in 1917 due to wounds

    Lynne




    233124

    Pte. Henry W. Richards 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Aug 1918)

    Herny Richards is burried in Ligny-sur-Canche Cemetery

    Lynne




    233123

    Pte. C. Richards 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    C Richards was wounded in June 1918

    Lynne




    233120

    Pte. Thomas A. Reynolds 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Reynolds enlisted in Nov. 1914

    Lynne




    233119

    Pte. R. Reynolds 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Jan 1918)

    R Reynolds is buried at Wancourt

    Lynne




    233118

    Pte. M. Reynolds 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Reynolds was discharged in 1917 sick

    Lynne




    233117

    Pte. Joseph Renwick 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.31st March 1916)

    Jospeh Renwick is burried in Bailleul Cemetery

    Lynne




    233116

    WO1 J. Reidy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Reidy was discharged in 1919 sick

    Lynne




    233114

    Pte. D. L. Reid 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    D Reid was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    233113

    Pte. John Regan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John regan was a Stretcher bearer. He took part in the trench raids on the night of the 25-26th June 1916. he is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233112

    Pte. Edward Regan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Regan enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233110

    Pte. John Reed 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Reed and his brother of George both served with the Tyneside Irish.

    Lynne




    233109

    Pte. George Reed 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Reed was discharged in 1919. His brother John also served with the same Battalion

    Lynne




    233106

    Cpl. Jack Reardon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Jack Reardon was wounded in July and Oct.1916,

    Lynne




    233104

    Cpl. Alexander Ramsey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Alexander Ramsey is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233102

    Pte. R. Rainey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Rainey was wounded in Oct. 1916

    Lynne




    233101

    Pte. Alexander Railton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Alexander Railton is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233100

    Pte. R. Raffle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Raffle was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    233098

    Pte. William Quinn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Quinn served with the Tynside Irish and later transferred to the Labour Corps.

    Lynne




    233097

    Pte. Patrick Quinn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th July 1916)

    Patrick Quinn is burried in St.Sever Cemetery, Rouen

    Lynne




    233096

    Pte. James Quinn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Quinn was wounded in Sept. 1916

    Lynne




    233095

    Pte. Isaac Quinn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th May 1918)

    Issac Quinn is named on the Sossons Memorial

    Lynne




    233094

    Pte. D. Quinn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    D Quinn was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    233093

    Pte. D. Quinn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Joseph Quigley was wounded in Oct. 1916

    Lynne




    233092

    Pte. Joseph Quigley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Jospeh Quigley was wounded in Jan.1917

    Lynne




    233091

    Pte. Joseph Quigley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Jospeh Quigley is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233088

    Pte. John Joseph Pye 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Pye enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233087

    ACPL. Samuel Purvis 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Samuel Purvis enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233086

    Pte. G. Purvis 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Purvis went missing in 1916 but rejoined the battalion.

    Lynne




    233085

    Pte. William Purdy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd July 1916)

    William Purdy is buried in Warloy Millitary Cemetery

    Lynne




    233084

    Pte. G. Purdy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Purdy was wounded in Jan. 1917

    Lynne




    233083

    Pte. R. Punshon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Punshon suffered Shellshock in Dec.1916

    Lynne




    233081

    Pte. H. Prior 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Wounded Oct.1916 left foot

    Lynne




    233079

    Pte. Tom A Price 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233078

    Pte. Mathew Price 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Mathew Price was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233076

    Pte. J. T. Prest 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Prest was wounded in Oct. 1916

    Lynne




    233075

    Pte. J. G. Powton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Powton was wounded in Sept and Dec.1916

    Lynne




    233074

    Pte. M. Power 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Power was wounded in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    233073

    Pte. J. T Powell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Powell was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    233071

    Pte. Tom L. Pitts 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Tom Pitts is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233070

    Pte. G. S. Pitts 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Pitts was discharged in 1918 Sick

    Lynne




    233069

    Pte. B. Pitt 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    B Pitt was discharged in 1917

    Lynne




    233066

    Pte. George Philipson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd July 1916)

    George Philipson is buried in Meaulte Millitary Cemetery

    Lynne




    233065

    Pte. William Philbin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    William Philbin is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233064

    Cpl. Henry Perry 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Henry Perry enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233063

    Pte. C. Perry 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    C Perry was discharged in September 1916

    Lynne




    233062

    Pte. A. Perry 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Perry was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233061

    Pte. John Pepper 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th June 1916)

    John Pepper is burried in Heilly Station Cemetery

    Lynne




    233059

    Pte. Joseph Pears 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Joseph Pears was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    233058

    Pte. Patrick Payton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Patrick Payton is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233055

    Cpl. Charles T Parkin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Charles Parkin was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233054

    Pte. William Palmer 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    William Palmer, age 19 years is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233053

    Pte. M. Palmer 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Palmer was discharged in 1917 sick

    Lynne




    233051

    Lcpl. C. Pallan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    C Pallen took part in the June 1916 trench raids.

    Lynne




    233050

    Pte. S. Paisley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    S Paisley was discharged in 1918 due to a knee injury

    Lynne




    233049

    Pte. John Padden 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    J Padden is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233048

    Pte. T. Oxnard 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Oxnard was discharged in 1916

    Lynne




    233047

    Pte. J. Oxley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Oxley was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    233044

    Wo1 P. Otoole 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P OToole was discharged as being over age, he was aged 60 years

    Lynne




    233043

    Pte. J. L. Otoole 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J OToole is buried in Ford RC Cemetery in Liverpool

    Lynne




    233042

    Pte. J. Otoole 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J OToole was discharged in 1918 due to Gunshot wounds

    Lynne




    233040

    Pte. W. Ord 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Ord was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233039

    Pte. J.G. Ord 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Ord was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    233038

    Pte. S. Oakley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    S Oakley was discharged in 1918 after suffering Bronchitis

    Lynne




    233037

    Pte. Thomas OReilly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd March 1918)

    Thomas OReilly is named on the Arras Memorial

    Lynne




    233035

    Sgt. Stephen ONiell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    Stephen ONiell was admitted to Hospital on the 8th of July 1916. He is burried in Bailleul Road St. Laurent. Blagny Cemetery

    Lynne




    233034

    Pte. Michael ONiell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael ONiell enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233033

    Pte. Joseph F. ONiell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233031

    Pte. Alf E. ONiell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th April 1917)

    Alf ONiell is buried in Browns Copse, Rouen

    Lynne




    233029

    Pte. M. OMara 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M OMara was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    233027

    Acpl. Patrick OKane 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Enlisted 1914

    Lynne




    233026

    Sgt. James OHare 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    James OHare was born in Liverpool. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233025

    Sgt. William Henry OHalloran 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    William OHalloran is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233024

    Pte. M. OFarrell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M OFarrell was discharged in 1917 due to Mialga

    Lynne




    233023

    Pte. H. ODonnell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H ODonnell was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233022

    Pte. J. OConnor 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J OConnor was wounded in his left leg, and was discharged in 1917

    Lynne




    233021

    Pte. Patrick OConnor 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Patrick OConnor enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233020

    Pte. P. OConnor 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P OConnor was discharged in 1917 Sick

    Lynne




    233018

    Pte. William Norton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Norton was discharged as Inefficient

    Lynne




    233016

    Pte. W. Norman 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Norman was discharged in 1916 Sick

    Lynne




    233015

    Pte. R. Noon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Noon was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233014

    Sgt. P. Noon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P Noon suffered wounds to his leg and chest in 1916

    Lynne




    233013

    Lcpl. James Nolan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Nolan served in the Machine Gun Section, he took part in the trench raids on the nights of the 5th-6th and 25th-26thof June 1916. He was discharged in 1917 due to Gunshot wounds.

    Lynne




    233010

    Pte. R. Nixon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Nixon was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    233009

    Pte. W. Nimmons 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Nimmons was a Bomber who took part in the trench raids on the nights of the 5th-6th and 25-26th of June 1916. He was wounded in 1916 and 1918

    Lynne




    233008

    Pte. William Nightingale 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Nightingale was wounded in 1917

    Lynne




    233007

    Pte. Matthew Nightingale 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Sep 1916)

    Matthew Nightingale is buried in Flat Iron Copse Cemetery

    Lynne




    233005

    Pte. Andrew Nightingale 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Took part in June 1916 trench raids Wounded October 1916

    Lynne




    233004

    Pte. Scott Nicholson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Scott Nicholson was wounded in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    233003

    Pte. Robert Nicholson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Nicholson enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    233002

    Pte. Norman Nicholson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1917)

    Norman Nicholson is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    233000

    Pte. W. Newton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Newton was discharged in 1916 due to Arthritis

    Lynne




    232999

    Pte. E. Newton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    E Newton suffered Gunshot wounds in 1917

    Lynne




    232998

    Pte. W. Nevins 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Nevins was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232995

    Pte. Patrick McVeigh 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Patrick McVeigh enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232994

    Pte. Joseph McVeigh 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Joseph McVeigh suffered wounds to his chest and was discharged in 1917

    Lynne




    232993

    Pte. A. McTaggart 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A McTaggart was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232992

    Pte. John McSloy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John McSloy was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232991

    Pte. James McSherry 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James McSherry is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232990

    Sgt. D. McShane 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d. October 1916)

    D McShane is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232989

    Pte. George McRoy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1918)

    George McRoy is named on the Ploegsteert Memorial

    Lynne




    232988

    Pte. J. McQuillan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J McQuillan was discharged in 1917,Debility

    Lynne




    232987

    Lcpl. B. McParlin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    B McPartlin was wounded in 1917 and 1918

    Lynne




    232986

    Sgt. J. McNulty 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J McNulty was discharged in 1915, unfit

    Lynne




    232985

    Pte. Thomas McNamara 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas McNamara is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery

    Lynne




    232984

    Pte. F. McNally 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    F McNally was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    232982

    Pte. John McMahon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John McMahon was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232981

    Pte. D. McLaughlin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    D McLaughlin was wounded in Ocober1916

    Lynne




    232979

    Lcpl. P. McLaughlin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P Mclaughlin was discharged in 1917 due to Gunshot wounds

    Lynne




    232978

    Pte. James McLaughlin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Mclaughlin is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232976

    Pte. Charles F. McLanaghan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Charles McLanaghan was discharged in 1918. He died of Gas Poisoning and is buried in Gateshead

    Lynne




    232974

    Pte. William McItterick 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    William McItterick is buried in Roclincourt

    Lynne




    232972

    Pte. William McKie 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1917)

    William McKie is named on the Tynecot Memorial

    Lynne




    232970

    Pte. Thomas McKever 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas McKever suffered Gunshot Wounds in December 1916

    Lynne




    232967

    Pte. James McKenna 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James McKenna was wounded in January 1917

    Lynne




    232966

    Pte. Charles McKenna 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Charles McKenna enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232965

    Pte. John McKeating 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John McKeating is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery

    Lynne




    232964

    Pte. Peter McKay 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Peter McKay was wounded in August 1917

    Lynne




    232963

    Pte. James McKay 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1917)

    James McKay is named on the Nieuport Memorial

    Lynne




    232961

    Pte. James McIntyre 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James McIntyre enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232960

    Pte. Joseph McHugh 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Joseph McHugh is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232959

    Pte. Thomas McGurk 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas McGurk suffered a Hernia and was discharged in 1916

    Lynne




    232958

    Pte. J. McGurk 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J McGurk suffered Shellshock and was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    232955

    Pte. William McGrath 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    William McGrath is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232954

    Pte. Thomas McGrath 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas McGrath is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232953

    Pte. Michael McGrath 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Sep 1917)

    Michael McGrath is buried in Z Uydcoote Cemetery

    Lynne




    232951

    Pte. P. McGinty 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P McGinty was discharged in July 1916

    Lynne




    232950

    Pte. F. McGinn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    F McGinn was wounded in January 1918

    Lynne




    232949

    Pte. John McGill 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John McGill is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232948

    Pte. James McGill 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Mar 1918)

    James McGill is named on the Arras Memorial

    Lynne




    232947

    Pte. T. McGee 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T McGee was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232945

    Pte. W. J. McGearey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W McGearey was discharged in 1917 Sick

    Lynne




    232943

    Pte. William McGarr 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Took part in trench raid 5-6th June 1916 Wounded July-October 1916

    Lynne




    232942

    Sgt. M. McElphone 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M McElphone took part in trench raids on the night of the 25th-26th of June 1916

    Lynne




    232941

    Pte. James McDonough 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James McDonough was discharged in 1917 Sick

    Lynne




    232940

    Sgt. Johnathan McDonnel 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Jonathan McDonnel was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232938

    Pte. T. McDonald 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Macdonald came 1st in the three legged race at Alnwick sports in 1915. He was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232937

    Pte. F. McDonald 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    F McDonald was wounded in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    232936

    Pte. James McQue 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James McQue enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232935

    Pte. Thomas McCoy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas McCoy is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232934

    Pte. Alexander McCoy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Alexander McCoy was wounded in 1916 and discharged in 1917

    Lynne




    232933

    Sgt. H. McConville 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H McConville was discharged sick in 1917

    Lynne




    232932

    Pte. John McComb 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1916)

    John McComb is burried in Flat Iron Copse Cemetery

    Lynne




    232931

    Pte. Bernard McCarty 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Bernard McCarty was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232930

    Sgt. Robert McCartney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    Robert McCartney is buried in Rollincourt Valley

    Lynne




    232927

    Pte. Thomas McCabe 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas McCabe was discharged in 1914 as Inefficient

    Lynne




    232926

    Pte. Patrick McCabe 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Patrick McCabe is buried in Ovilliers and named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232924

    Pte. Bernard McCabe 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Bernard Mccabe was discharged in 1917. he is buried in Jesmond

    Lynne




    232923

    Pte. Arthur McAvoy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd July 1916)

    Arthur McAvoy is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery

    Lynne




    232922

    Pte. G. McArthur 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G McArthur was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232921

    Pte. P. McArdle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P McArdle was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232920

    Pte. Owen McAndrew 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Owen McAndrew is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232919

    Lcpl. W. W. McAllister 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W McAllister suffered Gunshot Wounds to his thigh.

    Lynne




    232918

    Pte. Robert McAllister 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Oct 1918)

    Robert McAllister is buried in Awoingt British Cemetery

    Lynne




    232917

    Pte. Frank McAllister 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Frank Mcallister is buried in Bapaume Cemetery

    Lynne




    232915

    Pte. J. Myhill 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Myhill was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232914

    Pte. H. Murthewaite 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Murthwaite was evacuated on the 5th of July 1916

    Lynne




    232913

    Pte. W. F Murray 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd July 1918)

    W Murray is buried at Warloy

    Lynne




    232911

    Pte. Michael Murray 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Nov 1918)

    Michael Murray was a Strecher bearer, he took part in the raid on the night of the 25th-26th of June 1916. He is buried at Les Baraques, Sangatte

    Lynne




    232908

    Pte. Peter Murphy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd July 1916)

    Peter Murphy is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery

    Lynne




    232907

    Pte. Patrick Murphy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Patrick Murphy was wounded in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    232906

    Pte. Joseph J. Murphy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Joseph Murphy was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232905

    Pte. J. E. Murphy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Murphy was wounded in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    232904

    Pte. F. Murphy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    F Murphy suffered Shellshock, and was evacuated on the 5th of July 1916

    Lynne




    232903

    Pte. Edward Murphy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Murphy was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232902

    Pte. A. M. Murphy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Murphy was wounded and evacuated on the 2nd of July 1916

    Lynne




    232900

    Pte. G. Murdy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Murdy was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232898

    Pte. James Mulvey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Mulvey is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232897

    Pte. Daniel Mullinger 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Daniel Mullinger is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232895

    Pte. John W Mullen 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Mullen was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232894

    Pte. Edward Mullen 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Mullen was wounded in January 1918

    Lynne




    232893

    Pte. M. Mullarkey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Mllarkey was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232892

    Cpl. W. Mulkeen 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Mulkeen was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    232889

    Pte. W. Mountjoy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Mountjoy was discharged in 1918 due to wounds

    Lynne




    232888

    Pte. J. Morrison 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Morrison was discharged in 1914due to Dropsy

    Lynne




    232886

    Pte. H. Morgan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Morgan was discharged in 1916 sick

    Lynne




    232885

    Pte. George Morgan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Morgan is buried in Longbenton

    Lynne




    232884

    Pte. George Mordy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Mordy is buried in Boulogne

    Lynne




    232883

    Pte. John Moran 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Moran took part in the trench raids in June 1916. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232882

    Pte. Andrew Moralee 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Andrew Moralee was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232878

    Pte. William Moody 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Moody was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232877

    Pte. Robert T. Montgomery 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Montgomery enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232875

    Pte. Hugh Managhan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Hugh Monaghan was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232874

    Pte. John T. Molloy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Molloy is buried in Sierre Rd.No. 2 Cemetery

    Lynne




    232873

    Pte. P. Mochree 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P Monchree was wounded in January 1917

    Lynne




    232871

    Pte. James Mitchell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Mitchell is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232870

    Pte. T. Mirley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Aug 1917)

    T Mirley suffered Gun shot wounds to his right thigh. He is buried in Ramscapelle Rd. Cemetery

    Lynne




    232869

    Pte. G. Millward 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Millward was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232868

    Pte. William N. Miller 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    William Miller is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232866

    Pte. John Miller 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Miller is buried in Peronne Cemetery

    Lynne




    232865

    Pte. J. W Miller 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Miller served with the Tyneside Irish and the D.L.I.

    Lynne




    232864

    Sgt. J. Miller 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Miller served with the 24th and 30th Battalions Northumberland Fusilers.

    Lynne




    232863

    Lsgt. Cuthbert Miller 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Cuthbert Miller suffered Shellshock in 1916

    Lynne




    232861

    Pte. Ern. Milburn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232860

    Pte. Wilf. Middlemass 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Wilf Middlemass is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232859

    Pte. W. Metcalf 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Metcalf went AWOL in 1915.

    Lynne




    232856

    Pte. Henry Meek 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Henry Meek was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232855

    Pte. Pat. Meehan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Pat Meehan was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232854

    Pte. John Meehan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Meehan was wounded in November 1916

    Lynne




    232852

    Pte. T. Mee 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Mee was wounded in 1917

    Lynne




    232849

    Pte. Martin May 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Martin May is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232848

    Pte. John T. May 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John May was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232847

    Pte. Harle. Mavin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Harle Mavin was wounded in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    232846

    Lsgt. John Maughan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Apr 1917)

    John Maughan is named on the Arras Memorial

    Lynne




    232845

    Pte. W. Mathewson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    W Matthewson is buried in Ovillers Cemetery

    Lynne




    232843

    Pte. Sid. Masters 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Sid Masters was wounded in 1918

    Lynne




    232841

    Pte. R. Mason 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Mason was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232840

    Pte. Thomas Martin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Sep 1916)

    Thomas Martin is named on the Artois Memorial

    Lynne




    232839

    Pte. Thomas Martin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Martin is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232838

    Pte. J. Martin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Martin was discharged in 1917 after suffering Gunshot wounds

    Lynne




    232837

    Pte. G. W Martin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Martin was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232836

    Pte. G. H. Martin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Martin went AWOL in 1915.

    Lynne




    232834

    Pte. J. T. Marrow 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1917)

    J Marrow was a Signaller, he took part in the trench raid on the night of the 25-26th June 1916. he was killed in 1917 and is buried in Saint Laurent Blagny

    Lynne




    232831

    Pte. A. Mansfield 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Mansfield was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232830

    Pte. Stephen Manning 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Stephen Manning was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232829

    Pte. J. Manning 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Manning was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232828

    Lsgt. J. Malpas 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Malpas served with the 24th Northumberland Fusiliers and later the Cameron Highlanders

    Lynne




    232827

    Pte. R. Maloney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Maloney was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232826

    Pte. Patrick Maloney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Patrick Maloney went AWOL in 1915.

    Lynne




    232825

    Pte. Patrick Maloney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Patrick Maloney is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232824

    Pte. L. Maloney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    L Maloney was discharged in 1915 as unfit

    Lynne




    232823

    Pte. John Malone 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Malone is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232822

    Pte. Martin Mally 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Martin Mally was wounded in December 1916

    Lynne




    232821

    Pte. P. Malloy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P Malloy was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232820

    Pte. Patrick Malia 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Patrick Malia is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232819

    Pte. Martin Malia 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Martin Malia was wounded in June-July 1916

    Lynne




    232817

    Pte. G. Malia 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Malia was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232816

    Pte. Peter Machin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Peter Machin was wounded in 1917. He is buried in Rollincourt Millitary Cemetery

    Lynne




    232814

    Cpl. R. Mackie 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    R Mackie is buried in Ovillers Cemetery

    Lynne




    232813

    Sgt. J. Machin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Machin was discharged in 1917 due to wounds

    Lynne




    232811

    Pte. T. Lyons 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Lyond was discharged in 1917 after suffering Shellshock

    Lynne




    232810

    Pte. Hugh Lynn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Hugh Lynn was wounded in July-August 1916

    Lynne




    232809

    Pte. Hugh Lynch 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Hugh Lynch is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232806

    Pte. W. Luke 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th February 1916)

    W Luke is buried in Ration Farm Cemetery

    Lynne




    232805

    Pte. M. Lowrie 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Lowrie came 4th in the quarter mile St.Patricks day race.

    Lynne




    232804

    Pte. J. T. Lowden 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Lowden was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232803

    Sgt. Matthew Love 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Matthew Love was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232801

    Pte. J. Loftus 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Loftus was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232800

    Cpl. W. Lofthouse 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th July 1916)

    William Lofthouse died on board the hospital ship St.George. Aged 24 he is buried at Saint Nicholas in Durham

    Lynne




    232799

    Pte. Allan Lockwood 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Allan Lockwood was discharged in 1917 due to foot wounds

    Lynne




    232798

    Pte. John Lockey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Lockey is buried in Newcastle

    Lynne




    232796

    Pte. George Lister 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Lister had a brother in the Royal Navy

    Lynne




    232795

    Pte. Thomas Liddle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Liddle is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232793

    Pte. John H. Lewis 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Lewis was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232791

    Lsgt. James Leighton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Leighton took part in the trench raids on the nights of the 5th-6th and 25th-26th of June 1916. he was wounded in November 1916

    Lynne




    232789

    Pte. James Leach 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Leach was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232786

    Cpl. J. Lawler 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Lawler was a Signaller, he took part in trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th of June 1916. He was wounded in July-August 1916

    Lynne




    232785

    Pte. John Laverick 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Laverick was discharged in 1916

    Lynne




    232783

    Pte. William Largue 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Largue was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232781

    Pte. Peter Lamb 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Peter Lamb was a Battalion Bomber, He took part in the trench raid on the night of the 2th5-26th of June 1916. he was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232780

    Pte. Lawrence Lamb 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Lawrence Lamb is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232777

    Pte. M. Lally 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Lally had his leg amputated, he lay on the field for three days

    Lynne




    232776

    Pte. A. Lally 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Lally was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232774

    Pte. George W Lacey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Lacey was wounded in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    232773

    Pte. William Knox 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    William Knox is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232772

    Pte. Thomas Knox 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Knox was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232771

    Pte. W. Knighton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Knighton was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232766

    Pte. John Kirkup 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Kirkup was discharged in 1915 due to Deafness

    Lynne




    232765

    Pte. Thos. King 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas King is buried in Fabourg dAmiens

    Lynne




    232764

    Pte. Michael Killian 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael Killan was admitted to Hospital in Rouen in July 1916

    Lynne




    232762

    Pte. John Killgallon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Killgallon was wounded in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    232761

    Lcpl. Edward Killgallon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Killgallon was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232760

    Pte. M. Kiernan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Kiernan was discharged in 1917

    Lynne




    232758

    Pte. E. Key 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    E Kay suffered facial wounds in France

    Lynne




    232757

    Pte. Alf. Kettle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Alf Kettle is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232756

    Pte. James Kenworth 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Kennworth suffered Gunshot wounds in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    232755

    Pte. William Kennedy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232754

    Pte. Hugh Kennedy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Hugh Kennedy enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232753

    Pte. Charles Kendal 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st March 1916)

    Charles Kendal is buried in Erquinghem Cemetery

    Lynne




    232751

    Pte. Terry Kelly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Terry Kelly enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232750

    Pte. Samuel Kelly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Samuel Kelly is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232749

    Pte. Patrick Kelly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Patrick Kelly is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232748

    Pte. Patrick Kelly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Patrick Kelly was wounded and admitted to Hospital in July 1916. He was discharged in 1917

    Lynne




    232746

    Pte. Joseph Kelly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Enlisted 1914.Discharged 1916

    Lynne




    232745

    Lcpl. James Kelly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th April 1917)

    James Kelly was an Army Cyclist. He is buried at Etaples

    Lynne




    232743

    Sgt. J. Kelly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    2nd in quarter mile race on St.Patrick day sports Wounded July 1916

    Lynne




    232741

    Pte. J. Kelly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Kelly was wounded in November 1916

    Lynne




    232740

    Pte. Samuel Kellet 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Samuel Kellet suffered Gunshot wounds

    Lynne




    232739

    Cpl. Owen Kehoe 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th April 1917)

    Owne Kelloe was a Battalion Bomber,he took part in the trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th of June 1916. He is named on the Arras Memorial

    Lynne




    232736

    Pte. John Keegan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232733

    Pte. Thomas Kearsley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Sep 1917)

    Burried Templeux

    Lynne




    232732

    Pte. George Kean 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st November 1916)

    Burried Bailleul Cemetery

    Lynne




    232731

    Pte. Peter Kaneney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232729

    Pte. William Joyce 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    William Joyce is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232728

    Pte. John Joyce 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Joyce is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232726

    Pte. J. J. Jordan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Jordan was discharged, Inefficient

    Lynne




    232724

    Pte. W. Jones 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Jones took part in the trench raid on the nigh of the 5th-6th of June 1916. He was wounded in December 1916

    Lynne




    232722

    Sgt. C. Jones 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    C Jones was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232721

    Pte. W. F Johnson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Johnson was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232720

    Pte. W. Johnson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Johnson was a Bayonetman in the trench raid on the night of the 25th-26th of June 1916.

    Lynne




    232716

    Pte. Richard Johnson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Richard Johnson was discharged in 1918 after suffering Trenchfoot

    Lynne




    232715

    Pte. R. Johnson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Johnson was wounded in March 1916

    Lynne




    232714

    Pte. James W. Johnson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1918)

    James Johnson is buried in Merville Cemetery, Exeter

    Lynne




    232713

    Pte. J. Johnson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Johnson was wounded in 1916 and 1918

    Lynne




    232711

    Pte. George H. Johnson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Johnson was discharged in July 1916

    Lynne




    232710

    Pte. Henry Johns 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Henry Johns was wounded

    Lynne




    232708

    Pte. Ernest Jenkins 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Ernest Jenkins was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232706

    Pte. Charles Jeffery 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Charles Jeffery is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232705

    Sgt. Joseph Jameison 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Joseph Jamison took part in the trench raid on the night of the 25th-26th June 1916. He is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery

    Lynne




    232704

    Pte. William Jackson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    William Jackson is named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232703

    Pte. James W. Jackson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Jackson is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232702

    Pte. J. E. Jackson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Jackson was discharged in April 1919

    Lynne




    232700

    Pte. G. Jackson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Jackson was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232699

    Csm. W. F Isaac 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Issac was discharged in 1918 sick

    Lynne




    232698

    Pte. C. Irvine 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    C Irvine was discharged in 1917 wounded

    Lynne




    232697

    Pte. John Iley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Iley took part in the trench raid on the night of the 25th-26th of June 1916. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232696

    Pte. J. Igo 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Igo was wounded in December 1916

    Lynne




    232695

    Pte. W. Hutchinson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W. Hutchinson was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232694

    Pte. Charles G Hurst 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Charles Hurst is buried in Benfieldside Cemetery

    Lynne




    232693

    Pte. Philip Hurson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th April 1917)

    Philip Hurson is buried in Rollincourt Valley

    Lynne




    232692

    Pte. James Hurneyman 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Hurneyman was wounded in 1918

    Lynne




    232690

    Pte. William Hunter 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Hunter was discharged in 1915. He is buried in Wingate.

    Lynne




    232689

    Pte. Isaac Hunter 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Issac Hunter was wounded in 1917, he is buried in Bedlington

    Lynne




    232688

    Sgt. G. H Hunter 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Hunter is mentioned in the battalion war diary on the 2nd of Sept. 1916

    Lynne




    232686

    Pte. Henry Humphries 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Henry Humphries was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232684

    Pte. M. Hughes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Hughes took part in the trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th June 1916

    Lynne




    232683

    Pte. Joseph Hughes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th-6th June 1916)

    Joseph Hughes was killed during a trench raid. He is buried in Becourt Military Cemetery.

    Lynne




    232682

    Pte. John Hughes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Oct 1918)

    John Hughes is buried at Sailly la Bourse

    Lynne




    232681

    Pte. J. Hughes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Hughes was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232678

    Pte. Charles A. Hughes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Charles Hughes was a Battlion Scout,He too part in the trench raids on the nights of the 5th-6th and ,25th-2th of6 June 1916. He was reburied in Ovilliers Millitary Cemetery in 1920

    Lynne




    232677

    Pte. A. Hughes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Wounded August-October 1916

    Lynne




    232676

    Pte. J. W Huddard 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Wounded 1916

    Lynne




    232675

    Pte. John G Hubbard 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Hubbard was wounded in 1916, suffering fractures

    Lynne




    232674

    Lsgt. W. Howey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Howey took part in the trench raids on the night of the 5th-6th of June 1916

    Lynne




    232673

    Pte. John Howey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Howey is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232671

    Pte. Alf Howey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd March 1918)

    Alf Howey is named on the Arras Memorial

    Lynne




    232670

    Pte. John Howarth 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Howarth is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232669

    Pte. William Howard 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Howard was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232668

    Pte. S. Howard 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    S Howard suffered a bayonet wound to the left arm in September 1916

    Lynne




    232667

    Pte. T. Horwood 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Horwood was discharged as being an Inefficient Soldier.

    Lynne




    232664

    Pte. James J. Hopkins 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Hopkins enlisted in November 1914

    Lynne




    232662

    Pte. Peter Holms 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Peter Holms is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232661

    Pte. Fenwick Holloway 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28thApril 1917)

    Fenwick Holloway is named on the Arras Memorial

    Lynne




    232660

    Pte. R. Hillington 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    R Hillingtin is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232659

    Pte. Richard Holden 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Richard Holden is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232656

    Pte. Alexander Hogan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Alexander Hogan was discharged in 1917

    Lynne




    232655

    Pte. Ralf Hodgson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Aug 1918)

    Ralf Hodgson is buried in Ecoust Cemetery

    Lynne




    232651

    Pte. M. Hobin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Hobin was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232650

    Sgt. William Hobbs 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Hobbs was discharged from the Battalion due to an ear inflamation

    Lynne




    232649

    Pte. Thomas Hindmore 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Hindmore lies in Cerissy Gailly Cemetery

    Lynne




    232648

    Pte. A.R. Hill 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Hill was wounded in 1917 and discharged

    Lynne




    232646

    Pte. Samuel Higgins 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Sep 1916)

    Samuel Higgns is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232645

    Pte. J. Higgins 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Higgins was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232643

    Pte. J. Herwood 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Herwood was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232642

    Pte. George Herbert 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Herbert was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232640

    Pte. Thomas Henderson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Aug 1916)

    Thomas Henderson is buried in Caberet Rouge

    Lynne




    232639

    Pte. John E. Henderson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Henderson was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232638

    Pte. Edward Hedley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1917)

    Edward Hedley is buried in Roisel Cemetery

    Lynne




    232636

    Sgt. James Healey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Healey is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232634

    Lsgt. W Hastings 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Hastings suffered Shellshock in 1916

    Lynne




    232633

    Pte. Samuel Hastings 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Samuel Hastings is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232632

    Pte. J. Haslem 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Haslem enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232631

    Pte. J. Harwood 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Harwood enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232629

    Pte. E. Harvey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    E Harvey is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232628

    Lpcl. Henry Hart 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th April 1918)

    Henry Hart took part in the trench raids of June 1916

    Lynne




    232627

    Sgt. Frank Hart 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Frank Hart was wounded in 1917

    Lynne




    232626

    Lpcl. John Harrold 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Harrold took part in the 25-26th of June trench raids. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232625

    Pte. W. Harrison 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Harrison is buried in Dioch Farm Cemetery

    Lynne




    232624

    Cpl. Robert Harris 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Harris was wounded in July 1916 and January 1918

    Lynne




    232623

    Pte. C. E. Harrald 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    C Harrald was wounded in November 1916

    Lynne




    232622

    Pte. K. B. Harmer 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    K Harmer was discharged in 1917 after being wounded

    Lynne




    232621

    L-Cpl. Adam Harland 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Lcpl. Adam Harland took part in the trench raid on the night of the 25th-26th of June 1916. he was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232620

    Pte. Henry Hardy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Henry Hardy is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232618

    Pte. R. Hardcastle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Hardcastle enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232617

    Pte. J. Hanson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Hanson was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232616

    Pte. C. Hanson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd July 1916)

    C Hanson is buried in Mieaulte Cemetery

    Lynne




    232615

    Aw02 J. B Hannah 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Hannah was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232614

    Pte. J. Hann 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Hann was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232612

    Pte. Michael Hanley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Michael Hanley is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232611

    Pte. Joseph Hanley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th June 1921)

    Joseph Hanley is buried in Redhills R.C. Cemetery, Durham

    Lynne




    232610

    Pte. R. Hamilton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Hamilton was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232609

    Pte. J. D. Hamilton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Hamilton was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232608

    Pte. William Hall 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    William Hall is buried in Ovillers Cemetery

    Lynne




    232606

    Pte. Richard Hall 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Richard Hall was wounded on the 16th of October 1916

    Lynne




    232604

    Pte. Issac Hall 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Issac Hall is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232603

    Pte. John Halfpenny 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th April 1917)

    John Halfpenny is named on the Arras Memorial

    Lynne




    232602

    Pte. H. Halfpenny 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Halfpenny was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232601

    Pte. Peter Hailey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Peter Haley is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232600

    Pte. D. Hagan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    D Hagan is named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232598

    Lpcl. Tom Grieve 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    Tom Grieve is buried in Tilloy

    Lynne




    232597

    Pte. Thomas Greener 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1918)

    Thomas Greener is buried in Addolrata, Malta

    Lynne




    232596

    Pte. W. Green 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W. Green was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232594

    Pte. H. Green 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1917)

    H Green had served with the Durham L I during Boer War. He is buried in Durham Road Cemetery in Stockton

    Lynne




    232590

    Lpcl. J. Gray 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Gray was a Battalion Scout, he took part in the trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th of June 1916

    Lynne




    232588

    Pte. George R. Grantham 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    George Grantham is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232587

    Pte. John Grant 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Grant is buried in Leadgate

    Lynne




    232586

    Rsm. J. Grailey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Grailey was a Signaller, he took part in the trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th June 1916

    Lynne




    232585

    Cpl. J. T. Graham 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Graham took part in the trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th of June 1916 He was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232584

    Pte. J. Graham 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Graham suffered Gunshot wounds in 1916

    Lynne




    232583

    Pte. Charles Graham 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th July 1916)

    Charles Graham is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery

    Lynne




    232581

    Pte. James Goundry 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Goundry suffered gunshot wounds, he was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    232579

    Pte. William Gormley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Gormley was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232578

    Pte. Patrick Gordon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Patrick Gordon was discharged in 1917 suffering from Shellshock

    Lynne




    232577

    Asgt. E. Goode 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    E Goode was wounded in 1916 and 1918

    Lynne




    232575

    Pte. James Gilroy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Gilroy transferred to the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Lynne




    232574

    Pte. Hugh Gilroy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    High Gilroy took part in the trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th of June 1916. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232571

    Pte. T. C. Gildea 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Gildea was discharged in 1918 sick

    Lynne




    232570

    Pte. William Gibson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th March 1917)

    William Gibson is buried at Bailleul

    Lynne




    232569

    Pte. John Gibson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John gobson was wounded in 1916 and 1917

    Lynne




    232568

    Sgt. James Gibson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Gibson was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232567

    Pte. James Gibson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Gibson is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232566

    Pte. Henry Gibson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Henry Gibson was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232565

    Pte. Daniel Giblin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Daniel Giblin was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    232564

    Pte. P. Gibbons 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P Gibbons was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232562

    Pte. John Gettings 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Gettings was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232561

    Pte. Charles Gettings 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1917)

    Charles Gettings is named on the Tynecot Memorial

    Lynne




    232560

    Pte. Patrick Geraghty 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Patrick Geraghty was wounded in 1917

    Lynne




    232559

    Lpcl. Thomas Gee 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Gee was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232557

    Pte. J. Garside 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Garside was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232556

    Pte. Benjamin Garrett 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Benjamin Garrett is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232555

    Pte. E. Garrahan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    E Garrahan was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232554

    Pte. E. Garner 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    E Garner was wounded in December 1916

    Lynne




    232553

    Pte. Michael Gardner 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael Gardner was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232552

    Pte. James Gardner 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Gardner is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232551

    Pte. Thomas Gardener 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Gardner was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232550

    Pte. Aaron Gardener 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th July 1917)

    Arron Gardener is buried at Achiet le Grand

    Lynne




    232549

    Cpl. John Gallagher 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Gallagher suffered Gunshot in wounds 1917

    Lynne




    232548

    Pte. J. Gallagher 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Gallagher was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232547

    Pte. H. Gallagher 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Gallagher was discharged in 1918 sick

    Lynne




    232546

    Pte. Daniel Gallagher 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Gaffney was wounded in June-July 1916

    Lynne




    232544

    Pte. Robert Gaffney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Robert Gaffney is buried in Tynecot cemetery

    Lynne




    232543

    Pte. John Fryer 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Fryer is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232542

    Sgt. B. Friell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    B Friell was discharged Sick in May 1916

    Lynne




    232541

    Pte. Edward Fremson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Fremson was wounded on the 1st of July 1916

    Lynne




    232539

    Pte. James Foster 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Foster is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232535

    Pte. Abraham Foster 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Abraham Foster suffered Gunshot Wounds in 1917

    Lynne




    232534

    Pte. William Forster 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Forester was wounded in April 1916

    Lynne




    232533

    Pte. Joseph Forster 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Oct 1917)

    Joseph Forster is buried in Tynecot cemetery

    Lynne




    232532

    Pte. James Forster 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Forster enlisted in November 1914

    Lynne




    232531

    Pte. Hugh Forster 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Hugh Forster enlisted in November 1914

    Lynne




    232530

    Pte. John Fordy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Fordy was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232527

    Pte. Edward Foley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Edward Foley is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232526

    Pte. T. Flynn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Flynn was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232525

    Pte. James Flynn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James lynn transferred to the Medical Corps.

    Lynne




    232524

    Pte. James Flynn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Flynn enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232523

    Pte. George Flintham 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Flinton enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232521

    Pte. J. Fleming 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Flemming was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    232520

    Cpl. Alf. Flatt 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1916)

    Alf Flatt is buried at Divion

    Lynne




    232519

    Pte. Thomas Flannaghan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Flannaghan was wounded in 1916 and 1918

    Lynne




    232518

    Pte. James Fitspatrick 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1917)

    James Fishpatrick is buried at Ramscappelle

    Lynne




    232517

    Pte. James Fitsgerald 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Fitsgerald was wounded in January 1915. He is burried in Heaton .

    Lynne




    232515

    Pte. W. Fisk 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Fisk was wounded in 1916. He is buried in Southmoor in England

    Lynne




    232513

    Pte. J. Fisher 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Fisher was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232512

    Sgt. T. Finneran 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Finneran was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232510

    Pte. William Finlay 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Finlay was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232509

    Pte. Harry Finlay 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Harry Finlay was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232508

    Pte. Arthur Fenwick 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Arthur Fenwick is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery

    Lynne




    232507

    Pte. Joseph Fennelly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Nov 1916)

    Joseph Fennelly is buried in St.Sever Cemetery at Rouen

    Lynne




    232503

    Pte. Patrick Fallon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Patrick Fallon was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232501

    Pte. Edward Fallon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Fallon is buried in Brewery Orchard Cemetery

    Lynne




    232500

    Pte. Robert Falcus 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Falcus was discharged in 1917 sick

    Lynne




    232499

    Pte. Joshua Falcus 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Joshua Falcus was wounded in March 1916

    Lynne




    232498

    Pte. Matthew Fairhurst 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Matthew Fairhiurst is named on The Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232497

    Lpcl. Patrick Eyre 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Sep 1916)

    Patrick Eyre is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232496

    Pte. George Ethrington 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Etherington was discharged in 1918 wounded

    Lynne




    232494

    Csm. J. Erett 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Erett was wounded in March 1916

    Lynne




    232493

    Pte. W. English 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W English was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232492

    Pte. Michael English 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael English was wounded in June-July 1916

    Lynne




    232491

    Lpcl. Alexander English 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Alexander English is buried at Contalmaison Chateau

    Lynne




    232489

    Pte. Edward Embleton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Embleton was wounded in July and December 1916

    Lynne




    232484

    Pte. W. Egan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Egan was wounded in October 1916 and in 1918

    Lynne




    232483

    Pte. W. Egan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Egan was discharged in 1918 sick

    Lynne




    232482

    Sgt. R. Edmonston 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Edmonston was discharged in 1917 sick

    Lynne




    232481

    Pte. Matthew Eaglesham 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Matthew Eaglesham was wounded in 1st July 1916

    Lynne




    232479

    Sgt. John A Duprey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Duprey was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    232478

    Pte. George Dunn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Dunn was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232476

    Pte. Philip Duighan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Philip Duighan is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232475

    Pte. Michael Duggan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Michael Duggan is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232474

    Pte. Tom. Duffy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Apr 1917)

    Tom Duffy is named on the Arras Memorial

    Lynne




    232471

    Sgt. Mathew Duffy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Mathew Duffy is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery

    Lynne




    232470

    Pte. John Duffy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Duffy was wounded in 1917

    Lynne




    232469

    Pte. John Duffy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Duffy was wounded in 1918

    Lynne




    232466

    Pte. James Duffy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Feb 1917)

    James Duffy is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232465

    Pte. J.W. Duffy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Duffy was discharged in April 1918 sick

    Lynne




    232463

    Pte. Arthur A Duffy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Arthur Duffy was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232462

    Pte. Robert Duffy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Duffy enlisted in October 1914

    Lynne




    232460

    Pte. Thomas Doyle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Doyle is buried in Abbeville in France

    Lynne




    232459

    Sgt. Henry Doyle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Henry Doyle was commisioned into the 26th Battalion

    Lynne




    232458

    Pte. John W. Dourish 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Dourish is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232457

    Lpcl. James Dourish 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Dourish was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232455

    Pte. John J. Douglas 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Douglas was wounded in June and December 1917

    Lynne




    232452

    Pte. John Dorrian 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Dorrian is buried in Malta

    Lynne




    232451

    Pte. Corn. Donavan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Corn Donavan is buried in St. Josephs, Cork

    Lynne




    232449

    Sgt. Lawrence P. Donnelly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Lawrence Donnelly is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232448

    Pte. J.E. Donnelly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Donnelly was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232445

    Lpcl. J. Donaghy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Donaghy was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232444

    Pte. Henry E. Dodsworth 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Henry Dodsworth enlisted in October 1914

    Lynne




    232443

    Pte. William Dodds 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Dodds was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232440

    Pte. T. Dodds 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Dodds was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232439

    Pte. J. T. Dodds 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Dodds was discharged in September 1918

    Lynne




    232438

    Pte. Hugh Docherty 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    High Docherty was discharged in April 1919

    Lynne




    232437

    Pte. J. Docherty 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Docherty was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232436

    Sgt. G. Docherty 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Docherty was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232435

    Pte. Charles Docherty 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd July 1916)

    Charles Dixon was wounded on the 1st of July 1916. He is buried Punchevilliers

    Lynne




    232434

    Pte. W. Dixon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Dixon was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232433

    Pte. Peter Dixon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Peter Dixon was wounded between August and October 1916

    Lynne




    232432

    Cpl. John W. Dixon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Apr 1917)

    John Dixon is buried in Roclincourt

    Lynne




    232431

    Pte. John Dixon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Dixon enlisted in October 1914

    Lynne




    232428

    Pte. G. Dixon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Dixon was discharged in 1917 after suffering gunshot wounds

    Lynne




    232426

    Pte. F. Dibden 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    F Dibden was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232425

    Pte. V. Diamond 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    V Diamond was discharged in 1918 suffering from shellshock

    Lynne




    232424

    Pte. Michael Diamond 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael Diamond was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    232423

    Pte. F. J Devlin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    F. Devine was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232421

    Pte. James Devine 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Devine is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232420

    Pte. Hugh Devine 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Hugh Devine was discharged in 1917 sick

    Lynne




    232419

    Lpcl. Patrick Derrick 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Pattrick Derrick was a Battalion Bomber, he took part in the trench raids on the night of the 5th-6th of June 1916.

    Lynne




    232418

    Pte. L. Dennis 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    L Dennis was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232417

    Pte. Timothy Delaney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Timothy Delaney suffered Shellshock in 1917

    Lynne




    232413

    Pte. Matthew Dawson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Matthew Dawson was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232412

    Pte. J. W. Dawson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Dawson suffered gunshot wounds in 1917

    Lynne




    232411

    Cpl. Michael Davison 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael Davison was wounded in March 1916

    Lynne




    232410

    Pte. William Davison 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Apr 1917)

    William Davison suffered wounds to his hip and back. He is buried at Roclincourt cemetery.

    Lynne




    232409

    Pte. Edward Davies 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Edward Davies is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232408

    Pte. W. Daglish 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    W Daglish is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232406

    Pte. F. Curry 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    F. Curry was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232405

    Pte. Peter Cunningham 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Peter Cunningham was wounded in 1917

    Lynne




    232404

    Cpl. Alfred Cunningham 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Alfred Cunningham enlisted in October 1914

    Lynne




    232403

    Pte. J. W. Cummings 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    J Cummings took part in trench raids on the nights of the 5th-6th and 25th-26th of June 1916. He is buried at Ovilliers

    Lynne




    232402

    Sgt. Corma Comeskey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Corma Comesky was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232400

    Pte. James Crouden 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Criuden is named on the Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232397

    Pte. James Crompton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Crompston took part in the trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th June 1916

    Lynne




    232396

    Pte. John W. Creighton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    John Creighton took part in the trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th June 1916

    Lynne




    232395

    Pte. John W. Crawly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Crawley enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232393

    Pte. A. Craigie 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Craigie was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232391

    Pte. Joseph Craggs 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Joseph Craggs was discharged in October 1917 sick

    Lynne




    232390

    Sgt. John Coyle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Coyle was discharged in June 1915

    Lynne




    232389

    Sgt. S. Cox 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    S Cox suffered Shell shock

    Lynne




    232388

    Cpl. Edward Cowel 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Cowel enlisted in November 1914

    Lynne




    232383

    Pte. John Corrigan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Corrigan enlisted in November 1914

    Lynne




    232380

    Pte. John Cooney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Cooney was wounded in June 1918

    Lynne




    232378

    Pte. J. A Cook 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J A Cook was discharged in 1917 afetr being wounded

    Lynne




    232375

    Pte. Bernard Conway 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Bernard Conway was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232374

    Pte. Hugh Convery 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Hugh Convery was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232372

    Pte. J. Connor 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Connor was discharged in June 1918

    Lynne




    232369

    Pte. John Connolly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Connolly enlisted in November 1914

    Lynne




    232368

    Sgt. John Connolly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Connolly was wounded in 1916. he is buried in Heaton Newcastle

    Lynne




    232367

    Pte. J. Connolly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J connolly was a Battalion Bomber and took part in the trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th of June 16. He was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232366

    Pte. James Connolly 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Connolly enlisted in October 1914

    Lynne




    232363

    Pte. J. Conlin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Conlin was transferred to Scottish Riffles

    Lynne




    232362

    Pte. M Comerford 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Comerford was discharged in November 1916 sick

    Lynne




    232361

    Pte. James Comerford 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Comerford enlisted in November 1914

    Lynne




    232359

    Pte. J.P. Collins 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J P Collins was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232358

    Pte. Thomas G Coleman 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Coleman is buried in Tynecot Cemetery

    Lynne




    232356

    Pte. Michael Colby 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael Colby was discharged in 1916

    Lynne




    232355

    Pte. J. Codia 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J. Codia took part in the trench raids on the night of the 25th-26th June 1916. He suffered gunshot wounds in 1918

    Lynne




    232354

    Pte. J. W. Cochrane 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J W Cochrane was wounded in June 1917

    Lynne




    232352

    Pte. P. Clifford 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    P Clifford was wounded April 1916

    Lynne




    232350

    Pte. J. Cliff 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Cliff was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232348

    Pte. Thomas Claughan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Claughan was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232346

    Pte. John Clarke 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Oct 1917)

    John Clarke is buried in Tynecot Cemetery

    Lynne




    232344

    Pte. F. Clark 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    F. Clark enlisted in October 1914

    Lynne




    232339

    Pte. L. Cheeseman 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    L Cheeseman was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232338

    Pte. J. S. Cheeseman 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J. Cheeseman was wounded in July 1917

    Lynne




    232336

    Pte. J. W. Chatt 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Chatt was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps

    Lynne




    232335

    Cpl. Robert J. Carters 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Charters was wounded in 1917

    Lynne




    232334

    Lcpl. Peter Charters 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Peter Charters took part in trench raids on the nights of the 5-6th and 25-26th June 1916 . He also served as a bomber with 9th Batt.

    Lynne




    232332

    Pte. Robert Charlton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Charlton was discharged in 1918

    Lynne




    232330

    Pte. Jacob Charlton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Jacob Charlton was wounded in May 1916

    Lynne




    232328

    Pte. H. Chaplow 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Chaplow was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232326

    Pte. T. Cavanagh 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Cavanagh was wounded in March 1917

    Lynne




    232325

    Pte. Thomas Cassidy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Cassidy discharged 1917

    Lynne




    232323

    Pte. H. Cassidy 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Cassidy wounded Nov 1916

    Lynne




    232321

    Cpl. John B. Cass 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Cass was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232317

    Pte. Peter Carroll 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Peter Caroll was wounded in 1917

    Lynne




    232312

    Pte. J. Carrick 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Carrick took part in the trench raid on the night of the 25th-26th of June 16

    Lynne




    232311

    Pte. Thomas R. Carr 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Carr enlisted in 1914

    Lynne




    232308

    Pte. Nelson Carr 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Nelson Carr was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232307

    Cpl. M. Carr 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Carr was discharged in 1917 sick

    Lynne




    232306

    Pte. John Carr 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Carr was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232303

    Pte. George Carr 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    George Carr is named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232302

    Coms. Jos. D. Carney 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Jos Carney was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232301

    Pte. Thomas Carlin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Carlin was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232298

    Pte. W. Calvey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    W Calvey suffered Gunshot Wounds in 1916

    Lynne




    232295

    Pte. Thomas Callerghan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th May 1917)

    Thomas Callerghan is buried in Etaples

    Lynne




    232294

    Sgt. William Caldwell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Caldwell was evacuated to the Victoria Hospital, Netley on the 11th of July 1916

    Lynne




    232293

    Pte. Owen Cairns 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Owen Cairnes took part in Trench raids on the night of the 5th-6th June 1916

    Lynne




    232291

    Pte. James Cairns 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James cain was discharged in 1917

    Lynne




    232290

    Pte. Edwin Cain 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edwin Cain was wounded in December 1917

    Lynne




    232289

    Pte. D. Cain 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Wounded July 1916 Took part in Trench raids 5-6th June 16

    Lynne




    232288

    Pte. Michael Burn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael Burn is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery

    Lynne




    232287

    Pte. M. Burn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Burn was wounded in July 1916 and discharged in 1917 sick

    Lynne




    232286

    Pte. Alex Butterfield 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Alex Butterfield was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232285

    Sgt. Patrick Butler 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Patrick Butler took part in Trench raids on the night of the 5-6th June 1916. He was killed on the 1st of July and is buried in Ovillers Cemetery

    Lynne




    232282

    Cpl. A. F. Burton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Burton was admitted to Rouen Hospital in July 1916

    Lynne




    232280

    Pte. James Burn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Burn was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232278

    Sgt. William Burke 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Burke was wounded in May 1917

    Lynne




    232275

    Pte. M. Burke 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Burke was discharged sick in 1917

    Lynne




    232273

    Pte. V. Burgess 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    V Bugress was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232271

    Lcpl. Rob. Bulmer 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Rober Bulmer is buried in Tynecot Cemetery

    Lynne




    232270

    Pte. Robert Buddle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Buddle was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232267

    Lcpl. G. C Bryden 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G C Brydon suffered a septic foot

    Lynne




    232266

    Pte. W. Brown 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    W. Brown is named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232264

    Pte. Thomas Brown 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Brown was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232263

    Pte. Thomas Brown 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Brown is named on Thiepval Memorial

    Lynne




    232262

    Pte. Thomas Brown 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Brown was discharged in 1917 due to wounds

    Lynne




    232261

    Pte. Thomas Brown 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Brown took part in the Trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th June 1916

    Lynne




    232259

    Pte. J. R. Brown 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J R Brown was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232258

    Pte. J. Brown 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Brown was wounded and evacuated from the battlefield on the 2nd of July 1916

    Lynne




    232257

    Pte. Edward Brown 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Edward Brown is buried in Serre Road No.2 Cemetery

    Lynne




    232251

    Cpl. Alexander Brodie 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Alexander Brodie took part in the Trench raid on the night of the 5th-6th June 1916. He was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232249

    Pte. Joseph Brierley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Joseph Brierley took part in Trench raids on the night of the 5th-6th June 1916. He was discharged in 1918 sick

    Lynne




    232246

    Pte. Daniel Brannen 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Daniel Brannen was discharged in 1917 due to illness

    Lynne




    232245

    Pte. William Brady 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Brady transferred to the Millitary Police

    Lynne




    232242

    Pte. M. Boynes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    M Boynes enlisted 1914

    Lynne




    232239

    Cpl. Richard Boyle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Richard Boyle took part in trench raids on the night of the 25th-26th of June 1916

    Lynne




    232237

    Pte. Joseph Boyd 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Joseph Boyd was discharged in 1917 after suffering gunshot wounds

    Lynne




    232235

    Cpl. L. Bowman 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    L Bowman was wounded in August 1916. He was taken as a Prisoner of War in 1918

    Lynne




    232234

    Pte. Anthony Bowman 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Anthony Bowman was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232233

    Pte. Thomas Bowes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Bowes was wounded in May 1916

    Lynne




    232231

    Pte. John Bowes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Bowes was discharged to become a Munitons Worker

    Lynne




    232227

    Pte. S. Booth 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    S Booth was discharged in 1915 due to illness

    Lynne




    232226

    Pte. Richard Booth 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Richard Booth died of Gunshot Wounds, he is buried in Beaufort War Hospital Cemetery, Bristol

    Lynne




    232223

    Pte. A.G. Bonas 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Bonas suffered Gunshot wounds in 1918

    Lynne




    232220

    Pte. George Blagdon 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Blagdon transferred to the Royal Medical Corps

    Lynne




    232219

    Pte. F. Blades 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    F Blades served as a Bomber, he took part in the trench raid on the might of the 5th-6th June 1916 and was wounded.

    Lynne




    232218

    Pte. James Blackwood 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th August 1918)

    James Blackwood was a POW at the time of his death, he is buried in Rathiel French Millitary Cemetery

    Lynne




    232216

    Pte. J. Blackburn 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J. Blacknburn was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232211

    Lcpl. J. Birkett 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Birkett was discharged in 1918 due to illness

    Lynne




    232208

    Pte. H. Beveley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Beverley was wounded in September 1916

    Lynne




    232206

    Pte. Alexander Berry 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Alexander Berry was discharged in 1917 due to illness.

    Lynne




    232205

    Pte. John M. Beresford 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Beresford was discharged on 31st of August 1918

    Lynne




    232198

    Pte. Mark Bell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Mark Bell was wounded in September 1916

    Lynne




    232196

    Pte. J. Bell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Bell was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232194

    Pte. Henry Bell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Henry Bell suffered Gunshot Wounds

    Lynne




    232191

    Pte. G.W. Bell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G W Bell was wounded in September 1916

    Lynne




    232190

    Pte. A.W. Bell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    A W Bell was wounded in August 1916

    Lynne




    232189

    Pte. E. Becket 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    E Becket was wounded in March 1916

    Lynne




    232187

    Pte. J. Beattie 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Beattie was discharged in June 1915 due to illness.

    Lynne




    232185

    Pte. C. Bayley 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    C Bayley was wounded jim the right elbow and was discharged in 1919

    Lynne




    232184

    Sgt. Michael Bayles 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael Bayles was discharged on the 22nd of August 1917 due to illness.

    Lynne




    232183

    Pte. William Baxter 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Baxter served in Malta

    Lynne




    232181

    C.S.M. Nicholas Batty 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Nicholas Batty was wounded in September 1916





    232180

    Pte. J.W. Batey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J W Batey transferred to the Scottish Rifles

    Lynne




    232175

    Pte. R. Barr 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    R Barr also served with the Cycling Coy

    Lynne




    232174

    Pte. T. Barnes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Barnes was wounded in September 1916

    Lynne




    232172

    Pte. Richard Barnes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Richard Barnes was discharged on the 31st of January 1919

    Lynne




    232170

    Pte. G. D. Barker 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G D Marker transferred to 30th Btn. Depot.

    Lynne




    232168

    Pte. Adam Ballentine 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Adam Ballentine enlisted in 1915

    Lynne




    232167

    Pte. T. Ball 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Ball was wounded in May 1916

    Lynne




    232166

    Pte. Robert Baldwin 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Baldwin was discharged in February 1916

    Lynne




    232165

    Pte. James Attey 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    James Attey was wounded in 1918

    Lynne




    232162

    Pte. John Atkinson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Atkinson was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232161

    Pte. J.T. Atkinson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J T Akinson was evacuated from the battlefield on the 3rd of July 1916. He was discharged 10th April 1918.

    Lynne




    232158

    Pte. John Atherton 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Atherton enlisted on the 29th of October 1914

    Lynne




    232156

    LPCL. H. Ashburner 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Ashburner suffered a gunshot wound.

    Lynne




    232155

    LPCL. H. Arnell 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Arnell was discharged on 6th of June 1918

    Lynne




    232153

    Pte. John R. Armstrong 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Armstrong was discharded on the 5th of Dec. 1918

    Lynne




    232152

    A-CSM. J.E. Armstrong 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Acting CSM J Armstrong was wounded in 1916

    Lynne




    232151

    Pte. G. Armstrong 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    G Armstrong was wounded in Nov. 1917

    Lynne




    232149

    Pte. William Arkle 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Arkles was discharged in 1915 due to a Heart condition

    Lynne




    232148

    Pte. J. Appleby 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    J Appleby was wounded in September 1916

    Lynne




    232147

    Pte. T. Angus 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    T Angus received Gunshot wounds

    Lynne




    232144

    Pte. Walter Anderson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Walter Anderson was wounded in March 1917

    Lynne




    232143

    Pte. Thomas Anderson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Anderson was wounded in October 1916

    Lynne




    232140

    Pte. Richard Anderson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Richard Anderson was wounded in July 1916

    Lynne




    232137

    Cpl. H. Anderson 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    H Anderson was wounded in the right knee and evacuated in July 1916. He was aged 21

    Lynne




    232133

    Pte. Michael Allen 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Michael Allen transferred to the Royal Engineers

    Lynne




    232132

    Pte. Ed. Allen 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th Aug 1916)

    Ed Allen is buried in Caberet Rouge Cemetery

    Lynne




    232131

    Pte. John Allan 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Allan enlisted on the 12th of Nov. 1914

    Lynne




    232115

    Gnr. Frank Edward Cranton 127th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Frank Cranton was a gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery, 187/ 291240. He was awarded the Victory and British Medals for Service in the Great War.

    The following notes are a summary of events taken from Frank's Great War notebook kept by my father until his death and then passed onto me. The front cover of the thin notebook notes his service number as 187 (crossed out) and replaced with 291240. His rank as Gunner F. Cranton of the 127th Bristol Heavy Battery, RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery). If found return address of his father's abode in Brixton. This is quite sad as he must have written this thinking that if anything happened to him his notebook would at least be returned to his father.

    Initially, he had problems getting the GWR to release him but he eventually signed up on 17th April 1915 at Ashton Gate Bristol about 15 miles from where he was working as a railway porter at Mells Rd on the Somerset and Dorset line. Basic training was given at Cleadon Meadows in August 1915. His notebook then gave his weight from when he was enlisted until 1917. He went from 11 stone 4lbs to 14 stone, so food couldn't have been too scarce.

    On 19th April 1916 after a year of training his battery was moved to Bordon Camp, south of Basingstoke, pending transfer to France. He sailed from Southhampton to Le Havre in May 1916 followed by a 22-hour train journey to Nieppe (NW of Armentieres). On 31st May 1916 he was attached to the Army Service Corps Mechanical Transport Division. Frank was returned to his battery on 7th August 1916.

    On 24th August 1916 his battery was transferred to the Somme but Frank was left behind, being attached to 9th Corps HA HQ at Locre Chateaux on 6th September 1916. My understanding for the reason why Frank was kept back from the front and assigned to HQ was his understanding of shorthand which he had learnt on the railway. This was probably a fairly unique skill for a male and found to be useful for message taking. He was temporarily assigned to 49th HA at Nieppe from 28th Oct 1916 but returned to 9th Corps on 4th November 1916.

    On 7th June at 3.10am Frank witnessed the Battle of Messines Ridge. His notebook reads "Seen, Felt & heard by me." If Frank was still at Locre, the battle was a good 10km away.

    His brother, Arch, walked from Ypres where he was based to see Frank on 10th September 1917, a distance of about 12km. Frank walked half the distance back with him later in the day.

    Richard Cranton




    232114

    Rflmn. Henry Thomas Welch 16th Btn (Prince Consort's Own) Rifle Bgde (d.1st October 1916)

    Henry Thomas Welch was my grandfather. I visited his grave and found it a very emotional time. I do not know any more but would very much like to.

    Rosemary Tedaldi




    232112

    Pte. Jesse Platt 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.30th July 1916)

    <p>

    Jesse Platt served with the 10th Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Stephanie Oliver




    232111

    Pte. Horace Stanley Cork 9th Btn., A Coy. Rifle Brigade

    Horace Cork was conscripted in 1916. In early 1917 he was moved to France. The unit was in action during April and May at Arras. On the morning of 3rd May the unit carried out a pre-dawn attack which was to follow a rolling barrage, the objective was Triangle Wood. It was a disaster. "A" Company suffered 75 per cent losses, with Horace Cork being taken prisoner at some point during the battle. He was moved to Dulmen POW camp via Douai, and at a later time moved to Soltau POW camp, where he spent the rest of the war.

    Pete Cork




    232104

    Pte. Bert Rogers Kings Liverpool Regiment

    My Grandfather Bert Rogers returned from Canada and signed up on the docks in Liverpool. He returned to join the British Army rather than join the Canadian Army. He was severely wounded during Battle of the Somme.

    E Rogers




    232098

    Gnr. Archibald Adamson 232 Brigade, B Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.30th July 1917)

    <p>

    Archibald Adamson was born in Cardross, Scotland, but enlisted in Derby, England where he was working as a railway clerk. Born in 1888 Archie was killed on July 30 1917 aged 28. Archibald enlisted in November 1915 and, shortly before he was called up in March 1916, he married Beatrice Mills, a school teacher at Ashbourne Road School, who lived at 60 Statham Street, Derby with her mother. They married on 26th February 1916 at Green Hill Presbyterian Chapel, Green Hill, Derby - sadly their all too short marriage did not result in any children.

    Archie was initially posted with the North Midland Howitzer Brigade (part of the Royal Field Artillery), but in July 1916 he was transferred to 232 Brigade B Battery, Royal Field Artillery and posted to Northern France.

    Archie, along with his brother Cpl Thomas Adamson of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Nicola Musgrave




    232097

    Pte Edwin Thomas Howell 8th Btn Somerset Light Infantry (d.31st July 1917)

    My Nan never knew her Dad, Edwin Howell, she was born in 1916 and he died on 31st July 1917. I know little of his actual death; only the officers seem to get mentioned in the war diaries so he is not mentioned by name.

    Fuzz




    232095

    Pte George Edward Brock 8th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.12th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    George Brock from Keswick just outside Norwich, joined the Norfolk Yeomanry in December 1915. He crossed the channel to France in September 1917, and within days was transferred to the York & Lancaster Regiment. He took part in the First Battle of Passchendaele on 12th October 1917, where he was listed as missing. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, to the north-east of Ypres. He received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    John Brock




    232085

    Pte Samuel Charles Mace 2nd Btn Coldstream Guards (d.2nd Aug 1917)

    Samuel Mace was born 20th Dec 1888 in Leicester and joined the Coldstream Guards on the 7th May 1906 in that city. His trade before entering the army was a moulder. His education within the Army took place at the Duke of York's Royal Military School; Royal Hibernian Military School; Industrial School under Home Office or Local Government Board. He obtained a Certificate of Education 2nd Class on 6 July 1906 and also passed swimming in 1906 and passed Ambulance Class at Aldershot on 19th March 1907. He married Mabel Cove on 25th December 1911 and they had three children - Eileen, Samuel Alan (known as Alan) and Joan born in 1916 the day after Samuel returned to the front.

    His military history sheet shows that he served at home from 7th May 1906 until 25th August 1914. From 26th August 1914 until 14th December 1914 he was with the Expeditionary Forces Overseas. Between 15th December 1914 and 8th August 1916 he was serving at home. From the 9th August 1916 until 2nd August 1917 he was with the Expeditionary Forces Overseas. His wounds were: Shell wound shoulder - Routed 6.11.14 and a Gun shot wound to the head at Bolsinghe.

    He died on 2nd August 1917 from this second wound in No. 46 Casualty Clearing Station, France and Mabel was notified on the 8th August (the day before Joan's first birthday). He is buried at Mendinghem British Cemetery 4 1/2 miles NW of Poperinghe - Mabel was notified of his burial place on 19th November 1917. His total years of service was 11 years 88 days.

    Mabel received 26/3d a week War Widow's Pension from 11th Feb. 1918. Sam's Service Record doesn't indicate whether there was any backdated pension to August 1917. Mabel received Sam's posthumous campaign medals in 1922 - a 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.





    232082

    Pte William Henry Levey 17th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.1st Oct 1917)

    William Levey arrived in France on 13th Feb 1917 and joined 17th Middlesex Btn on 2nd March. He was taken prisoner during the Battle of Oppy Wood France on 28th April 1917. He died as a P.O.W. from Dysentry in No.5 Dysentry Section in the forward or field Regiment, Douai or Denain on 1st October 1917. He was buried in Denain Communal Cemetery.

    Paul Leveyt




    232078

    Dvr. Edward Gatland 8th Btn. London Regiment

    We have just begun researching our Great Grandad, Edward Gatland, who was a member of the Royal Mail before and after WW1. He married just before the War and joined the RFA in Nov 1914 and later transferred to the 8th London Regiment. We have many silk embroidered postcards that he sent home during his time away.

    Judith Taylor




    232077

    S/Sgt. John Cowan "Jock" Stevenson MM. 1st Australian Tunneling Company

    John Stevenson had served with the 8th Battalion, Royal Scots Regiment for 5 years before coming to Australia. During the Great War he served with the Australian Imperial Force. He was my father-in-law. I had known Jock for four years prior to his death in 1957, just four months before his fourth grandson was born. Three of Jock's medals were lost in a house fire in 1930 in Nundah, Brisbane, however the Military Medal was found very burnt and the ribbon discoloured and the bar gone. This medal is the way I have been searching for more info. My granddaughter will be attending these commentary services and wearing replica medals. He was a very dear and a gracious gentleman, I have missed him for nearly 60 years now but my memory of him holds wonderful memories of a brave soldier who never wanted to talk about the war and it is only in my latter years have I have sort more information for my children and grandchildren.

    Shirley Louisa Stevenson




    232073

    Pte. Harry Skidmore 7th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.10th May 1916)

    Harry Skidmore was my great great grandfather. He died when my nan was a baby so she never got to know him. By all accounts he was very unlucky as I believe that he was hit by shrapnel at a time when they were not fighting. His pocket watch could have helped to save him had it been in a different position. He was by all accounts a lovely and brave man.

    Rachel Dunseith




    232070

    Pte. Edward Saunders Murray 6/7th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    <p>Edward Murray

    Edward Murray served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers.





    232068

    Pte. Thomas Reece MSM. 33rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather, Tommy Reece, was injured during WW1 and sent to Clifden for convalescence. He met my grandmother, Ida Clarke, who was working at the hospital at the time and they married in 1919. He earned the Meritorious Service Medal.

    David Reece




    232067

    Pte. Arthur Bielby 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Bielby served with the 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment.

    Rupert Denby




    232065

    Spr. Henry Hatch 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company

    Henry Hatch was my grandfather. He was From Hartbury, Gloucestershire, Born in 1887. He served 8 years with Gloucester Regiment (anecdotal evidence that served in 4th Battalion Gloucester Regiment, St Helena guarding Boer POW's. Also said to have served in India) From his Attestation paper and war record, he signed up on 22nd October 1914, in London Ontario and joined 18th Battalion CEF and arrived in England 29/4/15 on S.S. Grampian He embarked to France on 18th of September 1915 On the 10th of April 1916 he was attached to 2nd Tunneling Company then on the 30th of June became attached to 1st Tunneling Company. On the 7th of August he returned to 2nd Tunneling Company then on the 3rd of March 1917 he was again attached to 1st Tunneling Company. On the 29th of June 1917 he was admitted to 2nd Eastern General Hospital in Brighton with a slight wound to his right shoulder. On the 8th of August he returned to 1st Tunneling Company. On the 1st of March 1918 he was hospitalised at Epsom suffering from weakness and irregular pains. On the 13th of June 1918 he transferred to C.E.T.D then to 1st C.E.R.B. On the 9th of April 1919 he was demobilized and elected to remain in England.

    Nick MIddleton




    232059

    Pte. Cyril Harry Lister 10th Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment (d.20th Aug 1918)

    Cyril Lister is no relation to me but my Dad found a WW1 plaque in a piece of furniture he bought from a jumble sale. The plaque relates to the death of Cyril Harry Lister who is buried at Bagneux Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France. We would dearly like to re-unite the plaque with the Lister family but have had no luck in tracing them to date. Any help appreciated.

    Angela Samuel




    232055

    Pte. Percival Erle Dickinson No 2 Training Depot Medical Corps (d.13th October 1918)

    Private Dickinson is buried in the Pembroke Wesleyan Cemetery, Bermuda, Grave 129.

    S Flynn




    232053

    Gnr. Albert James O'Reilly 52nd Battery, 15th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.7th Sep 1916)

    Albert James O'Reilly was my mother's uncle and was born in Birkenhead, one of 12 children, to my great-grandparents James and Esther O'Reilly. Prior to being called up to fight in World War 1, he worked as a post office telegraph messenger. I never knew him and, in fact, neither did my mother, as she was born in 1920, four years after he was killed on the Somme aged just 19. All that the family knew about him was obtained from my grandmother, Albert's older sister - but it was very little, so the online records have been invaluable in tracing where exactly he was buried.

    We knew he was a gunner and died in Battle on the Somme in 1916 - I still have his Great War Medal passed down to me by my mother and to her by my grandmother. I now hope, with my brother, to visit his grave in France in July 2016 to mark the centenary of his death - the first occasion anyone in the family (as far as I am aware) has made this visit. We should always remember all those killed in action so that others might live. God bless you Uncle Albert - rest in peace.

    Ralph Quigley




    232049

    Pte. Frederick George Kyme (d.24th February 1918)

    Private Kyme was the son of Thomas James and Mary Ann Kyme of Pigeon Villa, Middle Rd., Devonshire, Bermuda.

    He was 42 when he died and is buried in the Pembroke (St John) Churchyard, Bermuda.

    S Flynn




    232047

    L/Cpl. James Edwards 1st Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Rgt.

    I have a number of postcards from USA, Russia and France sent during 1910/11 to Pte/Lcpl Edwards when he was stationed in Ambala, India with the regiment. Whilst I understand that the regiment remained in India for the duration of the war I also have a copy of his medal record card which shows he was a full corporal and received the Victory and Star medal and was also a prisoner of war.

    R Crowshaw




    232046

    Pte. Stanley Hylton Butters 23rd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Stanley Hylton Butters was my grandfather. I know he fought at the Somme in 1916. I remember going to see him once on the first of July and he told me "today was the day so many years ago we went over the top at the Somme. thousands were killed around me but they didn't get your granddad". I know he was wounded and ended up in hospital as I have seen his war records on line thru ancestry.uk.com.

    At school, studying the First World War, he wrote me a little note about the war, telling of life in the trenches and how how he used to bathe his feet in rum - something he drank until his death in 1990. I remember he finished his little precis for me with the words "and all for a shilling a day".

    Michael Butters




    232045

    2nd Lt. Sydney Charles Wilby 7th Btn. Northamptonshire Rgt.

    Charles Sydney Wilby was born in Finedon, Northamptonshire on 1st July 1896, and his birth was registered on 6th July 1896. When he applied for a duplicate birth certificate after the end of the First World War, he put Sydney Charles Wilby on it. All his military records are listed as Sydney Charles Wilby.

    He enlisted in the Army on 14th September 1914, having attested that he was aged 19 years 2 months, not 18 and that his trade was engineering. On his enlistment papers it states that he was 5ft 3 inches tall, of sallow complexion with dark eyes and hair and was a Wesleyan.

    He was posted to the 7th Northamptonshire Regiment on 15th August as a Private and appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal on 1st December 1915 and (paid) Lance Corporal on 24th December 1915. On 18th September 1916, he was promoted to Corporal. On 30th October 1917, he was discharged to a commission in the Northumberland Fusiliers.

    The 7/Northamptonshire were formed at the behest of Edgar Mobbs an England Rugby International who was killed in WW1.

    Sydney Charles Wilby was first sent to the Western Front on 31st August 1915 and remained on active service until 11th May 1917, when he returned to England for officer training, going back to France in November 1917. He took part in the Battle of Loos in September 1915. The regiment then moved up to Ypres in early 1916.

    On 29th April 1916, he was wounded in action, probably at Hell Fire Corner at Ploegstraat, Belgium. His wounds included a shrapnel wound to the face. He was admitted to a field hospital and transferred to the Military Hospital in Boulogne on 30th April before being moved to Etaples. He was then transferred to the Canadian Field Hospital in Boulogne, where the Doctor was Lieutenant Colonel John McRae, who wrote the famous poem ‘In Flanders Field’. Lance Corporal Wilby was discharged to base on 13th May and returned to duty in the field on 20th May 1916.

    The 7th Northants were not present at the start of the Battle of the Somme, but moved there in early August 1916. They were ordered to take the village of Guillemont, attacking east from Trones Wood, which had been captured in July. Other attacks to take Guillemont had failed, as did this one. The casualties were as follows: 45 killed, 49 missing and 258 injured. In September the regiment did another tour at the front, near Delville Wood before moving away from the Somme to Vimy, where they were remained in the trenches for a few weeks and raided German lines. Lance Corporal Wilby was promoted to Corporal on 18th September 1916. In October 1916 the regiment moved back to Loos where they stayed until March 1917, when again they moved back to Vimy, taking part in the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917.

    On 11th May 1917 he was sent to England for appointment to a cadet unit and returned to the front on 30th October 1917 as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. During his time with the Northumberland Fusiliers, he took part in the defence of Operation Michael – the German offensive to push the British back from St Quentin to Amiens in late March 1918. He was wounded again on 31st March 1918 in the jaw. The casualties on the British side were high, and the battalion was sent to Givenchy, near the river Lys, to rebuild. However, they were hit by Operation Mars, a second German offensive in early April 1918. Again there were large numbers of casualties.

    After this, the battalion was sent to Notre Dame les Dames on the Aisne, and fought there on 27th May 1918. By now, the battalion was so severely depleted that it was broken up and the remainder transferred to the Lincolns.

    He joined the Lincolnshire regiment on 19th June 1918 being posted to D Company on 25th June. During the latter part of 1918, he took part in the final advance on Albert, on the Somme in August 1918, Epehy in September 1918 and Cambrai in October 1918.

    On returning to England he was transferred again to the Northumberland Fusiliers and relinquished his commission on 21st December 1920, but retained the rank of 2nd lieutenant.

    He was finally notified that as he had reached the ‘age limit of liability’ on 20th November 1945, he could finally relinquish his commission.

    Christina Cazalet




    232039

    Pte. William Thomas Read 1st Btn. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Rgt. (d.10th Feb 1917)

    William Read was killed in action during the raid on Givenchey, 10th February 1917.

    Peter James Read




    232038

    Gnr. W. G. Richardson

    Gunner Richardson died on 15th August 1920 and is buried in the Paget(St. Paul) Churchyard, Bermuda.

    S Flynn




    232034

    Cpl. F. O'Connor (d.19th January 1918)

    Corporal O'Connor was the son of Frederick and Susan O'Connor, of St. Davids Island, Bermuda; husband of Julia Louvinia O'Connor.

    He was 64 when he died and is buried in the Chapel of Ease Churchyard in Bermuda.

    S Flynn




    232033

    Pte. L. Roy (d.2nd April 1915)

    Private Roy is buried in the Calvary (Prospect) Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bermuda, Grave 85.

    S Flynn




    232032

    Pte. A. Provencal 163rd Btn. (d.30th August 1916)

    Private Provencal is buried in the Calvary (Prospect) Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bermuda, Grave 88.

    S Flynn




    232026

    Pte. A. Blouin 163rd Btn. (d.25th Aug 1916)

    Private Blouin is buried in the Calvary (Prospect) Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bermuda.

    S Flynn




    232019

    Gunner Jesse Philip Balch 7 Depot Royal Field Artillery

    Gunner Jesse Balch was my Great Grandfather he was born in 1866 at Minterne Magna, Dorset to William and Elizabeth Balch. In civilian life he was a Coachman/Groom and Royal Horse Artillery Pensioner. He was married with children. He enlisted as a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery in the Army Reserve at the age of 48 in 1914. He served with 7 Depot which were based at Frome and Romsey and was discharged on medical grounds (KR 392.xvi) in 1917. He was awarded the Silver War Badge (No' 170496) for his service. Michael Robert Nottage.

    Michael Nottage




    232016

    Pte. Neily Jenkins 15th Btn.

    It appears from the WWI service record, that Neily Jenkins was taken from the 55 CCS in the field to the 8th General Hospital at Rouen on 24th December 1917 with rheumatism.

    Bob Jenkins




    232014

    Lt. Alvaro Druce Gomes 3rd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Alvaro Druce Gomes was commissioned into the 3rd Royal Berkshire Regiment on 6th May 1915 and was subsequently seconded to the 39th Machine Gun Corps in Grantham on 14th March 1916. While training at Grantham, he learned that there was an urgent requirement for a detachment to travel to Baghdad as part of a force being assembled to go to the immediate relief of General Townsend at Kut-al-Amarah. He later related:

    "The 13th Division had been moved to Mesopotamia to strengthen the force being assembled for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. The troops readied to fight their way up both banks of the river Tigris consisted of Royal Engineers, Gloucesters, Worcesters, Warwicks, South Staffords and the Machine Gun Unit, plus Artillery Units and Indian Cavalry and Infantry.

    On the right bank of the river we advanced towards the enemy in open line formation, in slightly undulating country of sand, with the river on our right and flooded marshes about a mile away on our left. On the left bank we were entrenched with the original force, but no advance could be made as the enemy was far superior in numbers and guns. The relief force therefore decided to attack on the right bank so as to relieve the left bank and then a final attack would be made simultaneously by both forces.

    Suddenly, as we were going over from one cover to another in sections, the enemy opened fire. They were entrenched about three to four hundred yards away. We were ordered to dig in and continued throughout the night in spite of flares. Our main body dug in too and we finally had a nest of trenches connected up. We next started digging out towards the enemy and it did not take us very long before we were within striking distance as it was easy digging in the sandy soil. Of course, we suffered fairly heavy casualties during this operation but we had gained valuable ground and realised that we could no longer advance in the open. We were eager to engage the enemy as General Townsend was invested since December 1915 and it was now about the end of March 1916.

    In the meantime, our divisional heavy artillery was engaging the enemy’s German heavy guns and especially two long range guns which gave us a great deal of trouble. Our light artillery only came into play when we were about to attack. With the light artillery in position, and with our machine guns firing overhead, we provided good cover for our advancing troops.

    The enemy attacked us as we were completing our advanced trenches and that night, after we had repulsed the enemy’s attack and with great loss to them, we were walking over the dead bodies of our comrades, about three deep in the front trench. We evacuated the dead and wounded as quickly as possible in case of another attack.

    After a couple of days, we attacked but unfortunately our artillery had not destroyed the enemy’s machine guns. Our men were caught by their machine gun cross fire but we rallied, got into their trenches and captured most of the machine guns. Backed by the overhead fire from our own artillery and machine guns, our infantry inflicted very heavy loss on the enemy and gained a good deal of ground. We advanced fairly rapidly on the right bank of the river Tigris and captured the enemy’s position not far from Kut-al-Amarah; several counter attacks by the enemy were repulsed. However, luck was against us as floods impeded any further advance and the garrison capitulated on 29th April 1916, after all their supplies had finished.

    In February 1917, we eventually captured Kut-al-Amarah after very intense fighting, with the Turks who were assisted by German troops. After we forced the Turks from the right bank of the river to the left bank at Kut-al-Amarah, they blew up their bridges. While we were making a pontoon bridge across the river, they repeatedly sent their planes over to bomb it, in order to cover their retreat. Their infantry made a very orderly retreat in spite of the terrific shelling and machine gun fire we were pouring into their ranks from across the river.

    After we crossed the river, the Turks left a strong force to fight a rear guard action. The Turks sent General Townsend to Turkey for safe custody. The Turks are exceptionally good fighters, especially at close quarters, and were supported by very accurate German artillery.” During these operations, we had to wear our spine pads and helmets at all the times otherwise one went down with sunstroke. The temperature in the shade reached 120 degrees, and there was no ice until after the capture of Baghdad."

    Mike Watkinson




    232012

    Pte. Ernest Hilton 95th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Ernest Hilton was transferred into the Machine Gun Corps from the 5th Battalion, City of London Rifles, a Territorial regiment. He enlisted into the 5th battalion on 1st March 1915, agreeing at the same time to serve outside the United Kingdom. He transferred into the Machine Gun Corps on 26th July 1916, being posted to the BEF in France on 13th August that year. He joined the 95th Company, MGC on 21st August 1916 and remained in France until 11th October 1916, during which period the company saw action on the Somme as part of 95th Brigade, 5th Division. After a period at home, he was posted to the 224th Company MGC, BEF, France on 25th April 1917, remaining out there until 17th September 1917, during which period the company saw action around Arras as part of the 63rd (Naval) Division.

    He spent the remainder of the war in Britain, being posted to 15th Company, MGC on 14th March 1918 and posted Category Bii on 29th August 1918. A short attachment to 421 Agricultural Company, Labour Corps, Warrington then followed (26th September to 27th November 1918) before he was posted to 6th Reserve Battalion, MGC on 22nd February 1919. After transfer to the Army Z Reserve on 5th April 1919, he was discharged from the MGC on 20th April 1921, under paragraph 392 (xvia) of King's Regulations "being surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since entry into the service." He was later awarded a pension, backdated to 5th April 1919, for Neurasthenia (a common diagnosis for "shell shock"), attributable to his war service, with the "degree of disablement" being given as 50%. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    Anthony Jordan




    232011

    Pte. Lewis Phelps 19th Btn. A Coy West Yorkshire Regiment

    I bought a YMCA New Testament Bible in the 1980's from an antique collectors fair in Morley, Leeds. It includes Lord Robert's message to troops and has Pte Lewis Phelps name written by hand, serial no. and West Yorkshire Regiment draft 839, A coy attached to 19th West Yorkshire. Also the name of Ada Boyes, Moor Lane, Gomersall, Leeds hand written as well - presume sweetheart/fiancee. Also contains a photo presume of Ada Boyes and so mamy small cards with bible quotes inserted to different pages.

    Andrew Gilmour




    232009

    Staff Sgt. Herbert "Yang Yang" Sealy 219 Coy. Army Service Corps

    I am trying to find out what my grandfather, Herbert Sealy, did in Egypt in the First World War. He was a leather worker and had his own horse. I have quite a few photos and negatives of pictures he took while there. He was also in Palestine and France. He talked of walking with his horse to help it.

    Ray Howe




    232004

    Pte. Thomas McKeown 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.16th August 1917)

    Thomas McKeown is my great uncle. I don't know much about him. His younger brother Robert was in the 9th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and died six weeks earlier than Thomas.

    Sarah Clarke-Feltham




    232003

    Pte. Robert McKeown 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.25th June 1917)

    I don't know a lot about Robert McKeown, but he is my great uncle and had an older brother in the 12th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who died six weeks after Robert.

    sarah clarke-feltham




    232002

    Pte. Frank Brindle 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th April 1918)

    My great uncle Frank Brindle was the youngest son of my grandma's family. He was 18 years and 1 month old when he enlisted at Chorley on 15th September 1917, he was posted to the Army Reserve until the 16th September 1917 He was then mobilised and was posted on 19th October 1917 to the 6th (Res) Lancashire Fusiliers - there are two numbers S/170266 and 45794 - then he was transferred to the Durham Light Infantry from 53rd (YS) at Scarborough on 9th January 1918, service number 81384. He was killed in action in Flanders on 25th April 1918. Frank is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is remembered with honour.





    232000

    Pte. Hugh John Powell 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th Jan 1917)

    Hugh Powell died of wounds in Mesopotamia

    C Powell




    231998

    Rflmn. Charles William Webb 2nd/8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

    Charles William Webb was the eldest son of William John and Mary Ann Webb, and was born on 5th February 1896 in Staines, Middlesex. He was the eldest of seven children. He never married. He was posted into the Post Office Rifles on 1st September 1916. He was killed in action at a skirmish at the Butte de Warlencourt in France on 7th October 1916. Family stories and recently found records show that his body was only identified due to a partially found identification tag which luckily stated his service number and surname.

    Jodie Webb




    231996

    Cpl. Louis Pettitt 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.20th July 1918)

    <p>

    Louis Pettitt enlisted in the 8th Btn Middlesex Regiment in December 1915 and transferred to the 13th Btn in September 1916.

    On 19th July 1918 the battalion entered the front line in the Hill 70 Sector, Loos in the area of Gravel Pit Trench, Hugo Trench, Hythe Alley. Louis was killed with two others on 20th July by the detonation of a single shell on a day which was, comparatively, a very quiet day in the trenches.

    Kevin Pettitt




    231994

    Pte. David Willy Jones 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    I am trying to trace more information about Pte David Jones as I have his Somme 100 Poppy.

    Glen Smith




    231989

    L/Cpl. George Smithers 233rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    George Smithers served with 233rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers.

    Pat




    231988

    Pte. William Pritchard 4th Btn. (d.6th-9th Aug 1915)

    It took me five years to track down my grandfather, as my nanny had lied about where he died, due to family reasons. There had also been a family row (which my dad remembered) and my dad never saw his father's family again. My grandfather was killed in action between 6th and 9th August 1915 at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. Why he joined the AIF I have no idea. He was born in Brick Lane, London in 1890, married nanny in Bethnal Green in 1913 and my dad was born in 1914.

    William Pritchard enlisted in the AIF at Liverpool Camp, Australia in November 1914. He landed at ANZAC Cove on 25th April 1915 between 11 and 12 pm. The first time I went to see him, (and I was the first person to go there in 90 years to see him) I made him a promise that I would be there at ANZAC on 25th April 2015, as everyone had seemed to forget about him except me.

    I was there on the 26th, as on the 25th ANZAC was closed to the public, but was able to cruise past ANZAC about 9am that morning. That is a trip I will never forget nor the atmosphere at ANZAC and Lone Pine on the 26th April 2015.

    Lone Pine! Lone Pine! Our hearts are numbly aching For those who come no more,

    Our boys who sleep the sleep that knows no waking,

    Besides the Dardan's shore.

    Through all the years, with glory sad and sombre,

    Their names will deathless shine;

    No bugle call can wake them from their slumber:

    Lone Pine! Lone Pine!

    Sleep on my brave heart, found at last, William Pritchard (my grandad).

    Carole Sach




    231982

    Edward Makinson 5th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.30th Nov 1917 )

    Edward Makinson's body was never found and he has no grave we believe he died on this day.

    Teresa




    231980

    Pte. Thomas Watson 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1917)

    Thomas Watson was my Great Uncle, my Grandmother's Brother. And my Uncle was named after him. Thomas joined the Army with my Grandfather Robert Gray who was his friend and the rest is history. My grandfather survived the Somme.

    Susan




    231979

    Pte. Maurice Flynn 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Maurice Flynn served with the 1st & 3rd Battalions, Royal Munster Fusiliers.





    231978

    Capt. Harold James Page MBE. 106 Battery, 22nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Harold James Page born 1890 joined up in 1914 and fought in Ypres and then in France. By July 1916, he was fighting in France as a Captain of 106 battery of 22nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery in the lead up to and during the Battle of Mametz Wood

    On 10th July 1916 he was acting as a Forward Observation Officer (FOO) on top of Caterpillar Wood, south of Mametz Wood, looking out towards Flat Iron Copse and positioned south of the Hammer Head part of Mametz Wood. Caterpillar Wood had been occupied in the weeks before by the Germans who had left piles of ammunition there as they retreated. On 10th July 1916, the German guns were firing towards Caterpillar Wood and at about 9.50 pm on the evening of 10th July 1916, a shell fell near where Harold Page was observing, blowing up a pile of ammunition. A sliver of red hot shrapnel pierced Harold's left lower jaw passing straight through and out the other side exiting just under his left ear. Although it shattered his jaw and teeth, it did not kill him. He was treated initially at a dressing station near Caterpillar Wood and then evacuated via The Loop, The Triangle and Minden Post to the village of Morlancourt where he remembers waking up in an old church which was being used as a Main Dressing Station. He was sent back to England immediately to Guys Hospital, London and took no further part in military operations.

    Despite his dreadful wounds he resumed working for the war effort in London and was awarded the MBE for his services in July 1917. He became one of the earliest of Dr Gillies patients having his face reconstructed. He made a full recovery and went on to live a full and happy life , he married and had 4 children - I am his granddaughter. Harold died in January 1972.

    Judy Barradell-Smith




    231971

    Sgt. Norman Edwin Godwin 26th (3rd Wessex) Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Norman Godwin served with the 26th (3rd Wessex) Field Ambulance.

    Mark Godwin




    231968

    Pte. Gordon Craig 3rd Battalion London Regiment (d.30th May 1918)

    <p>

    Gordon Craig was the son of Charlotte Craig and the late Graham Craig of 8 Norfolk House, Euston Buildings, Euston, London. He served with 3rd Battalion, London Regiment and 49th Coy. Labour Corps

    Daniel Hayward




    231966

    Sgt. Robert Simon Bruce 9th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.20th May 1917)

    Robert Bruce's great great great grandfather, Robert Mackay, fought with the 93rd (Sutherland) Regiment of Foot at the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815. This regiment later became the "thin red line" of Crimea fame. He served with them from 1800 to 1823, and left them at the age of 49. He died in Clyne, Sutherland, Scotland in 1855.

    Robert's nephew, Alexander McLaren, landed on D-Day at 0725 in a Sherman Flail tank of the Westminster Dragoons as part of the 79th Armoured Brigade and served until the end of WW2. He died in Glasgow, Scotland in 1965.

    I am his great nephew and served in the Merchant Navy for 41 years, latterly as Captain.

    D. McLaren




    231965

    Pte. Patrick Dunne 6th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Patrick Dunne served with the 6th Btn. Connaught Rangers. This is all the information I have regarding my grandfather, who was killed in the capture of Guillemont at the Battle of the Somme on 3rd September 1916. My father (an only child) was only one year old when his dad was killed.





    231962

    L/Cpl. Harold Allemby 14th (Barnsley Pals) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916 )

    Harold Allemby was one of the first over the top on the tragic day of 1st July 1916. His body was never found. He was the only son of Walter and Mary Allemby who owned the Manx Arms on Sheffield Road. Walter had only died just a few weeks before his son. Mary must never have got over her losses so close together, but lived on until 1934.

    Dave Allemby




    231960

    Pte. Leonard Ernest Salisbury 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>Leonard Ernest Salisbury

    Leonard Ernest Salisbury served with the 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment he was discharged on the 26th of September 1919.

    Paul Salisbury




    231959

    Rflmn. Albert John Miles 16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Albert Miles was the son of Enos and Harriet Miles of Well Hill, and husband of Sarah Harriet Miles. He was a servant in a house in Hanover Square when he joined up, and is remembered on the war memorial at St Martin's Church, Chelsfield, Kent.

    Philippa Rooke




    231955

    Rflmn. William Frederick Moore 20th Btn., C Coy. King's Royal Rifle Corps.

    This soldier was my grandfather.

    Julie H Osborne




    231951

    L/Cpl. James Thomas Harbridge MM. 183rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    James Harbridge was born in Great Barrow, Cheshire, 1894, and died in 1917, aged 23. His military enlistment records were destroyed and the only surviving records found to date are his Military Medal award roll and record card, his soldier military effects record and the Commonwealth War Graves records. The information on these records vary in so much as some show he was a private and on others a lance corporal.

    He was killed missing in action, serving with 183rd Machine Gun Corps in December 1917. His death is recorded on the Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, and the Great Barrow, Village War Memorial.

    James was not married and the census records do not tell us what his occupation was prior to his enlistment. His parents and grandparents worked in the farming industry and perhaps James followed in their footsteps.

    George Hall




    231950

    Pte. Frank Shaw 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.12th April 1918)

    Frank Shaw is my uncle (my mother's brother) he joined the army aged 16 on 19 Nov 1915 serving with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry with number 2345. His father, (my grandfather) wrote to the War Office including Frank's birth certificate proving that he was only 16 at the time of enlistment. The Army had no choice but to transfer him to class with army reserve, and send him home.

    Frank wrote to his former battalion prior to his 18th birthday reminding them that he was due to report, however, he was sent a mobilisation order sending him to the 2/9th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, it was now he became private 50839.

    On 28th March 1918 he finally sailed for France He was transferred to the Royal Scots Fusiliers renumbered to 41355 and joined the 1st battalion on 2nd of April 1918 and was killed a week later west of Locan near the Basses Canal.

    Frank was never found but he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. The names of the missing are carved into regiment panels that run around the inside of the memorial. One of them is a young man, so keen to join the army that he falsified his real age of 16 and once spotted wrote to remind the army to recall him. Once with his battalion in France, he served for exactly a week before losing his life.

    Rod Sheard




    231948

    Able Sea. Sidney Herbert "Bertie" Stainer HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    Bertie Stainer sailed on HMS Black Prince.

    Denise Stainer




    231946

    S/Sgt. John Leis Richardson MID. Royal Army Medical Corps

    John Richardson was my father, gave wrong age. I own a notebook setting out where his ship was from May to January, troops carried, ports of call. No year is mentioned. For example.
    • November. Allied Fleet sailed past on route to Constantinople. 45 ships.
    • December 20 Sailed from Malta as Ambulance Transport
    • December 22 Arrived Taranto.





    231939

    Pte. Daniel Walter Lee 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Daniel Lee was born on the 8th of September 1881 in Birmingham, Warwickshire. He married Amelia Rook (b.1882 in Broom, Bedfordshire) in 1907 in Biggleswade. They had three children, John Frederick b.1907, Walter b.1910 and Margaret A. b.1913 in Barnsley. Daniel served with the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment and lost his life on the 1st of July 1916 aged 35 years. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, the Monk Bretton War Memorial and the St Paul's Church, WW1 Memorial Tablet and WW1 Memorial Book Amelia went on to marry to John Walsh in 1919 in Barnsley and lived until 1967.

    Phil Gregg




    231936

    Sgt. George Washington 12th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    George Washington was my grandfather and was born February 20th 1889 I never knew him only what I have stated and my mother (his daughter) born 1919 never knew him either.

    Helen Bowker




    231927

    W. Robins Royal Garrison Artillery

    My husband has a large (1.6" diam.) silver wristwatch in his collection. He says it is from the period of WW1. On the back of the case is roughly engraved (by an amateur): 177310 WRobins RGA. We assumed that RGA meant Royal Garrison Artillery all our searches on online free sites have failed to find any records of this man. The manufacturers information inside the case says that it was made by the Philadelphia Watchcase company and is guaranteed 925 fine sterling. There are Hallmarks but I cannot match them to any charts. Please can anyone help? Did the British Army issue American watches at this time?

    Lesley




    231925

    Pte. Edward "Punch" Edwards 303rd Road Construction Comany Royal Engineers

    I don't know too much about my Great Grandfather except before the Great War he worked for the local council as a carter moving flints around for the local roads. I guess this is why he ended up in a road construction company but I would be interested to know why he joined up as he would have been in his late 40's.

    He was injured on the 31 October 1917 (A communication Trench is mentioned) and suffered hearing loss. He was treated at the 47th Casualty Clearing Station which appears at that part of the war to be at Lozinghem in the Pas De Calais.

    As a child my mother remembers him sitting in their house next to the fire where he would mutter "Tres bien" and she felt he suffered from shell shock. After the war he appears to have been employed by the local council and ended his days as a road sweeper.

    Wayne Batchelor




    231919

    Pte. Thomas Godfrey 12th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.9th Oct 1916)

    Thomas Godfrey was my Grandfather. His last postcard came via France, it was addressed to my mother.

    David Sagar




    231918

    A/Cpl. Reginald Garnet 16th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Reginald Garnet was my great-uncle's brother-in-law. He was a viola player in the London Symphony Orchestra. He survived the war and died in 1969 in Worthing, Sussex, England, aged 81.

    B. Thompson




    231910

    Pte. Frederick Pavey 22nd Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Private Frederick Pavey was my great uncle who died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, along with countless others in his battalion. He was 20 years old.

    Samantha Daynes




    231908

    Pte. Joseph William Johnson 17th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    Joseph William Johnson, My Grandfather volunteered in 1914 at the age of 26, due to the new Bantam Battalions and being a man of small stature he was finally able to serve his country , Joseph joined the 17th Battalion, Prince of Wales own West Yorkshire Regiment in 1914. After training he went to the Western front and took part in the Battles of Ypres, Loos and the Somme where he became wounded in battle on three occasions. Joseph gained the 1914/15 star and the service and victory medals. Unlike so many brave men, he survived the war and was demobilised in February 1919 and lived on to the ripe old age of 81.

    Dawn Royston




    231905

    Ldg Sea. Allan Gordon HMS Vivid (d.30th Nov 1919)

    Allan Gordon died of drowning while serving aboard the HMS Swindon. He is buried in the Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse Cemetery.

    Aries588




    231902

    2nd Lt. Henry Keith Sanger 10th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th April 1918)

    Henry Sanger was born on 11/09/1898, at Knighton Lodge, Rydens Rd, Walton-on-Thames; son of Henry (Wholesale Chemist) and Leila Somers [Thorpe] Sanger; (This was Leila's parents address; her father was a Rtd Lt Col). Herny was Baptised on 16/10/1898 at Oatlands, St Mary while according to the Baptism Record the family were actually living at 35, Ridgemont Gdns, WC. He grew up at varying addresses as in 1901 the family were living at 14 Horbury Cres, Notting Hill Gate; and in 1901 Henry was at Cholmeley House Boarding School, Eastbourne, Sussex. Between 1911 and at least 1918 the family were living at Ecclesbourne, Rydens Avenue, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey but again Henry is away at Marlborough College.

    Information is scanty but his medal card states that he had been a Private in the 28th London Regiment with a temporary posting to the East Yorkshire Regiment as an officer. Outtersteene was captured by the Germans on 12/04/1918. Henry was listed as missing in action on 12/04/1918 and recorded killed in action 13/04/1918, he was aged 19. Commonwealth War Grave Commission data states that he left behind his parents, Henry and Leila Somers Sanger of 258 Euston Rd., London.

    Hilary Brooks




    231900

    AB Willie Wilson HMS Uryalus

    Willie Wilson was called up, aged 37, from the RNVR on 2nd August 1914, and posted to HMS Euryalus. The ship was at the Battle of Heligoland Bight 28 August 1914. While serving on the Euryalus his son was born in London in November 1914.

    On 25th April 1915, the Euryalus was the flag ship at the Gallipoli landings. Willie was one of the sailors rowing the Lancashire Fusiliers ashore in the landing boats. He told us that he was the only one on his boat left alive. The soldiers were packed in so tightly, that when killed they didn't fall down.

    Willie remained with the Eurylaus until 7 February 1916. After 6 months at HMS Pembroke I, he was posted to the newly finished HMS Repulse on 8 August 1916. He served on the Repulse until 27 Feb 1917. He was posted once more to HMS Pembroke 1 where he remained for the rest of the war.

    Audrey Boucher




    231899

    Pte. Fred Blackburn Townend 13th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.17th June 1916)

    Fred Townend served with the Barnsley Pals and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Margaret Knapton




    231892

    Pte. Frederick Pond 2/15th Btn. and 3rd Btn. London Regiment and Rifle Brigade

    Frederick Pond (my paternal grandfather) served with 2/15th Btn London Rgt. (Prince Of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles) from June 1916 to October 1919 when he transfers to The Rifle Brigade. Frederick saw action as part of 179th Infantry Brigade of 60th (London) Division.

    He took part in the Third Battle of Gaza, and the battles of Beersheba and Jerusalem in 1917 and in 1918 with attack on Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt and battles of Megiddo, Sharon and Nahr el Faliq.

    Fred survived the war although was wounded and later moved to Epping Green in Essex

    Malcolm Pond




    231890

    Sgt. Frank Bertram Barnes 1/4th Btn. Essex Regiment

    Frank Barnes (my maternal grandfather) served in Egypt and Palestine taking part in the first Battle of Gaza as part of 54th Division. Frank survived the war and later served as an ARP warden from 1939

    Malcolm Pond




    231886

    L/Cpl. Herbert Preston 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers

    My grandfather, Herbert Preston, was born in Glascoed, North Monmouthshire, Wales on 23rd April 1890. He is listed on the 1911 Return of Military Personnel aged 21 as a Lance Corporal of the South Wales Borderers. I believe that he was stationed at the Artillery Barracks in Pretoria South Africa. I do not know the date he enlisted but his occupation is listed as a miner.

    According to the Medal Card, Herbert was in the Royal Field Artillery and served in France from 30th December 1915. He was commissioned as an officer, 2nd Lieutenant on 20th October 1917. Herbert was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and 1915 Star and completed his service on 23rd May 1920. Herbert married in South Africa in 1922 and died in 1937

    Briony




    231880

    Pte. Richard James Pryce 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.13th April 1918)

    My great uncle Richard Pryce was the only boy of a family of eight children. I visited his grave in May 1915 at beautiful kept cemetery in Vieux-Berquin in France.

    Joan Pritchard




    231874

    James Lloyd Kay

    Jim Kay was born in 1898 and grew up in Nebraska. His father was a doctor and his mother had died when he was very young. At the age of 16, he lied about his age and got work on a merchant ship that was bound for Europe.

    When he arrived in England, the Great War had just begun, it was 1914 and he and his companions decided that with all of the technological advances in weaponry, the war would only last 3 months and if they wanted to be part of it, then they should enlist. Jim lied about his age again and joined the Canadian Air Force. He started as a mechanic on the airplanes and worked up to a gunner sitting in the seat behind the pilot and firing a Lewis machine gun from the shoulder. He was shot down (the pilot was killed) and eventually became a pilot.

    The U.S. didn't get into the war until the last year and he transferred to the U.S. Army and was shot down during that time period and spent the rest of the war in the hospital.

    After he returned to the states he flew mail from Omaha, NE. to Gillette, Wy. The descriptions he gave and the stories he told make me realize the intuition, bravery, and dauntless courage our ancestors had when faced with adversity and how many took advantage of the opportunities offered to them. He died in 1989. He received no military funeral nor recognition. His records were destroyed in a fire years earlier and the government left it at that. He has no children to carry on his name or legacy.





    231872

    Pte. Brandon Platt 21st (Pioneer) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    Brandon Platt walked with his best friend Thomas Hilditch from his home village of Denshaw, Saddleworth, this being in Yorkshire they went to Triangle and rode the tram to Halifax to join a Yorkshire Regiment, were inspected and joined the army at the former tram depot at Highroad Well in Halifax then were sent home until called for. (Pioneers had an extra 2d per day pay over the normal 1/-shilling.)

    Training was at Skipton and also Ripon, certainly North Yorkshire as both Hilditch and Platt took a long weekend and were late on parade, this was 'glossed over'. They were then to be sent to Egypt but the 'big push' changed all that and they were sent to France.

    During the 4th Division attack the next wave to go over was 21st WYR when the attack was called off, so he was in the front trench it was necessary for the 21st West Yorks to hold the line for quite a few days until they were able to be relieved, certainly they were still in the area as of 9th July

    Thomas Hilditch and Brandon Platt served together and on the evening of 8th July 1916 Hilditch was selected as part of a work party and Platt volunteered to go too, as they waited in the rear area to go into the trench system to work on the trench walls a shell fell to the right of Hilditch and Brandon Platt on his left fell dead, a passing RMC Captain was on scene and he immediately examined Pte Platt but found no wound however it transpired that a piece of shrapnel had penetrated the neck and heart causing his immediate death.

    Brandon is buried at Colincamps (Sucerie) Cemetry near Mailley Maillet on the Somme.

    Christopher Hilditch




    231871

    Cpl. William Stewart MID 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.25th November 1914)

    Cpl William Stewart, my grandfather, fought in several battles in the early part of WW1. He was seriously wounded and was treated at Poperinghe Hospital in Flanders where he died of his wounds. He is buried in Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery, remembered with honour.

    My father, who was age 7 when his father died, told us the story that the night before he was sent off to war his father, William Stewart, climbed over the barracks wall in Glasgow to see his wife and 3 children before returning. The family never saw him again.

    Don Stewart




    231866

    Pte. George Martin Craggs 22nd Btn. C Coy Manchester Regiment

    George Craggs served with C Coy 22nd Btn. Manchester Regiment.

    Harry Craggs




    231863

    Pte. John Edward O'Kell 8th Btn. Black Watch (d.18th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    John O'Kell served with the 8th Black Watch and is remembered on the Theipval Memorial to the Missing.

    Judith Gill




    231859

    Surgn.Lt. Horace Lake Lowis Camberley Military Hospital

    While researching a property in Camberley that may have been used as hospital accommodation during WW1, Red Cross records show there was a Camberley Auxiliary Military Hospital with reports of several large houses in Camberley used as hospital accommodation: Heatherbank which is now a B&B, Fairlanes which has been demolished and Windlesham Moor which was used as a hospital/care home over a long period.

    The London Gazette in 1919 & 1920 also identifies the following people as receiving awards in relation to Camberley Military Hospital: Surgeon-Lieutenant Horace Lake Lewis (surgeon in charge) 30th May 1920 and Miss Annette May Hawkins (sister) 6th August 1919

    Trefor Hogg




    231854

    2nd Lt. Stuart Laurence 10th Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.17th Sep 1917)

    Stuart Laurence was killed in action on the second day of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette.

    Steve




    231853

    Pte. William George Chafer VC. 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    On 3rd/4th June 1916 east of Meaulte on the Somme, during a very heavy bombardment and attack on our trenches, a man carrying an important written message to his commanding officer was half buried and rendered unconscious by a shell. Private Chafer, at once grasping the situation, on his own initiative, took the message from the man's pocket and, although severely wounded, choking and blinded by gas, ran along the ruined parapet under heavy shell and machine-gun fire. He just succeeded in delivering the message before he collapsed from the effects of his wounds. For his actions William Chafer was awarded the Victoria Cross.

    Ian Chafer




    231850

    Rflmn. William John McClelland 13th Battalion, B Company Royal Irish Rifles

    William John McClelland served in B Company, 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in the 36th (Ulster) Division. According to his battalion's war diary, he was reported missing following the Battle of the Somme on 1st of July 1916. Records show he had been shot in the neck and was taken prisoner by the Germans at Thiepval. He was held at the Minden POW camp.

    Kim Murphy




    231846

    Pte. William Martin 13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My great uncle Bill Martin served with the 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in the 36th (Ulster) Division. A farmhand from Newtownards, he was 17 when he enlisted on 22nd of February 1915. He fought alongside his cousins and friends in France. He was wounded with shell-shock and was hospitalized in France and England before being discharged for medical reasons on 15th of June 1917. He returned to Newtownards and worked outdoors on farms, which was recommended to ease his nerves. In 1928 he emigrated to Toronto in Canada, where he later married and had one daughter.

    Kim Murphy




    231842

    Pte. Charles Edward Radford 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.19th Nov 1917)

    Charles Radford was the son of Frederick and Sarah Radford living at 52, Graham Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire. He was killed in Action 19th November 1917 in Belgium and is buried in Solferino Farm Cemetery, near Ypres.

    He worked as a miner for the Mapperley Colliery Company, Park Hall Lane, Mapperley, Derbyshire. One of 66 men who died in the First World War from the company. Charles is named on the Mapperley Colliery War Memorial located in the village of West Hallam, Derbyshire, placed near the church gates of St. Wilfrid's church next to the village main war memorial. He is also named on the Ilkeston Cenotaph in Derbyshire.

    Roger Wood




    231838

    Pte. Thomas Lynch 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Thomas Lynch enlisted into the Middlesex Regt at Hounslow Barracks on the 16th of Dec 1902. He was posted to 3rd Battalion and served with them from 23rd of December to 8th of June 1903, a home posting. He was mobilised on the 5th of August 1914 and became Pte 8289 Thomas Lynch posted to 1st Bn. He returned to the UK on the 11th of December 1915 and was discharged as no longer fit due for military service on the 22nd.

    William Hounsome




    231835

    Spr. Joseph John Laidler 344th Road Construction Coy Royal Engineers (d.27th Oct 1918)

    Whilst out taking photographs I stumbled across the grave of Joseph John Laidler in a forgotten corner of the churchyard of St Mary's Church at Shincliffe, Co Durham, the details I have added to this site have been taken from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site. I felt that it was the least I could do to make sure that Mr Laidler was not forgotten and that his sacrifice had not been in vain.

    Stuart Thomas




    231825

    Pte. Tom Gains 21st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Sep 1916)

    Tom Gains was one of a large farming family who lived in the country around Knaresborough. He was called up in 1915 at the age of 18 and joined the 21st Yeomanry Battalion being trained at Helmsley and then on to Salisbury Plain and France.

    The battalion undertook later operations on the Somme Battle and was engaged in an attack on Flers Courcellette in September 1916. Tom died in the attack and has no known grave but is included on the Somme Memorial at Thiepval

    David Watts




    231823

    PO. Wilfred Boley HMS Turbulent (d.1st June 1916)

    <p>

    Wilfred Boley served on HMS Turbulent.

    James Boley




    231822

    Pte. Alexander Shepherd 10th Battalion Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.18th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    From family information we know that Uncle Alex Shepherd was a born and bred Liverpuddlian. He worked as a fruit porter and used to bring home many unusual fruits for the family as they often came from the ships at Liverpool docks. Alex was clearly a very loving man who left his mother and wife a picture of him in a locket each along with a lock of his hair, which has now been handed down to me.

    Alex served with the 10th Battalion of The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). On the 18th of August 1917 in France as night fell and whilst sleeping in tents, the battalion was attacked by an enemy air raid, completely unawares, and a lot of the men were killed, including Alex who was 36 years old. Alex now rests at Bertenacre Military Cemetery, Fletre in France which overlooks the beautiful surrounding countryside.

    Emma Byrne




    231821

    Pte. Albert Edward Smith 23rd Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Smith served with 23rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment

    Rosemary Beardmore




    231819

    Pte. Joseph Skillen 7th/8th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    Joseph Skillen is listed as receiving the Victory Medal, British War Medal, the Star was only issued to men who arrived in a Theatre of War in either 1914 or 1915, so I assume that he arrived in Theatre of War in 1916 or later. Red Cross records confirm he was taken prisoner outside St Quentin in Ronssoy on the 21st of March 1918 during German Operation Michael, Western Front Offensive 1918. He was held prisoner in Cassel.

    J Skillen




    231818

    Pte. Sidney Beardmore MM. 16th (1st Battalion Bradford Pals) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Sidney Beardmore originally enlisted with 16th West Yorkshire Regiment (1st Battalion Bradford Pals) as private 16/1103. He departed from Liverpool in December 1915 after a year of basic training as part of the 93rd Brigade. They sailed on the Empress of Britain a Canadian steamship and docked at Port Said on 22nd December 1915 with orders to protect the Suez Canal. However as this theatre of the war was quiet the 93rd Brigade was ordered to France, departing Egypt 1st March 1916. The Brigade disembarked at Marseilles 6th March and traveled to their destination of Bertrancourt arriving 29th March. The time between then and 1st July was taken with preparations for the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Private Sidney Beardmore took part on the attack of Serre on 1st July when the Pals Battalions were virtually wiped out in the bloodiest day of the war for the British Army.

    Sidney remained with the 16th West Yorkshire Regiment until the Battalion was disbanded in France in February 1918. He transferred to 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and continued to act as a regimental stretcher bearer. During 1918 the 12th/13th Battalion were in the thick of the action first defending against the German "Spring Offensive" and then as part of the "100 Day Offensive" pushing the German Army back to the German border. Sidney was exceptionally busy as stretcher bearer and first-aider when the fighting of 1918 became open warfare. The Battalion suffered hundreds of casualties and Sidney was rescuing wounded comrades during periods of heavy fighting risking his own safety. He was wounded 18th September 1918 and returned to England for convalescence at Beacowood VAD hospital, Rednal, Worcestershire. He was awarded the Military Medal for his devotion to duty repeatedly rescuing comrades under fire. (Gazette issue number 31142 MM, Gazette date 21/1/19 page 1216). Sidney returned to France just prior to Armistice Day, ending the war with 25th Battalion Northumberland fusiliers who were located protecting lines of communication at Aumale. He ended the war as A.R. Class Z still a private.

    Elizabeth Hill




    231816

    Pte. James William Holt 14th Btn. B Coy York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    James William Holt was my Great Uncle. He was born in 1892, Old Town, Barnsley Lancaster. He joined the 14th York and Lancaster Regiment, B Coy.

    Geoffrey Marshall




    231815

    Stkr1. James McGrady HMS Gaillardia (d.22nd March 1918)

    James McGrady was 24 years old when he was killed in action, his brother William McGrady was killed the year before on 30th June 1917 when his ship hit a mine. William was 26. They were the sons of John McGrady and Ann Jane (McGonigle) McGrady of 55 Grove Street Belfast, Northern Ireland. The brothers were remembered dearly by their sister Catherine Leonard.





    231813

    Bmdr. Charles Alley Tattam 29th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.18th Nov 1918)

    Charles Tattam was the second son of Frederick Tattam and Mary Ann Rebecca Alley. Charlie was born in St Albans, Hertfordshire and grew up on Sopwell Farm, where his father was a shepherd. Sadly Charlie's father died in 1901, aged 35, when Charlie was only ten years old. His mother re-married and two of his brothers emigrated to Canada. His 3 brothers and one sister all died in the 1970's. Charlie's sister, Lucy Alley Tattam, was my stepfather's mother. In the late 1970's some of my stepfather's cousins came over from Canada to visit, but I don't know if they knew about Charlie, or not and sadly my stepfather died in 2001, so I can't ask him.

    Lesley Bowman




    231811

    Pte. Henry Miles Pereira 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.5th June 1916)

    <p>

    Whilst researching my family tree and chatting to my mother who is aged 84 and nee Pereira, the question came as to why my uncle's middle name was Miles. Mum explained it was following the death of her uncle during the first world war. Henry Miles Pereira's death in France on the 5th June 1916 was never really discussed by Mum's family she explained. I have since attempted to find out more; I have established very little if anything about his death in service, other than being shot in the thigh and this wound proving to be fatal; he was a "bomber" which I understand to be a hand grenade thrower during trench attacks. I would be very interested to find out more. He is buried at Beuvry in the Gorre British Cemetery. I located his death plaque, medals, death scroll and more importantly letter from his CO to his mother, all on an auction web site. Sadly this was post-auction and I was unable to secure these family heirlooms. I hope they are proudly displayed in another distant relative's home.

    Simon Beare




    231810

    2nd Lt. Arthur Ivor Griffiths 12th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.3rd Aug 1917)

    Arthur Griffiths is buried in Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-Le-Grand.

    Penelope Austin




    231807

    Pte. John George Forrester 26th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    Jack Forrester served in the 3rd Tyneside Irish, 26th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers and transferred to 10th Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in Feb 1918. In WW2 he served with the Auxiliary Fire Service.

    John Broughton




    231802

    2nd Lt. Reginald Pentonvil Weekes 10th Squadron Royal Flying Corps (d.7th May 1917)

    Reginald Weekes was killed aged 19 flying a BE2 after a bombing run. He trained with the 11th Btn, Inns of Court OTC at Pirbright.

    Col Matthew Botsford




    231801

    Pte. Robert Franklin Plato Brinkley 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th July 1917)

    Robert Brinkley joined the 2nd Btn West Yorkshire Regiment aged just 15. He lied about his age as many did. He was killed on the 24th July 1917 age 18. The youngest son of Alice and the late Plato Brinkley.

    Ann




    231800

    Pte. Norman Currie Tyrer 46th (Victoria) Battalion (d.8th June 1917)

    <p>

    Pte. Norman Currie Tyrer, 2001 46 Btn AIF, a tailor by trade, of Footscray VIC, b.3/10/1894 Malvern VIC, Australia; joined AIF 3/4/1916; embarked 5/6/1916 on HMAT Borda A30; Killed at Messines 7/6/1917.

    Norman Tyrer, was killed in action in Green Trench (front line and final objective) at Messines on the afternoon of 8th June 1917. The 4th Australian Division including the 46th Battalion had leap-frogged the New Zealand Division, which had taken Messines. Relief was due that evening by a British Divison. At about 5.30pm in the afternoon, a high explosive shell landed in the trench, killing five soldiers instantly including Norman Tyrer.

    Red Cross reports later compiled by unit eyewitnesses varied. Some stated that remains were blasted into no-man's land; and others that death was from concussion and bodies were unearthed and buried in unmarked graves at Gooseberry Farm. Several of those who gave Red Cross statements were from Footscray and knew him personally and of his family. One visited the family after the war. It was reported that Private Tyrer had "been in the thick of the fighting" since arriving in France with reinforcements. On the day of his death he had been on stretcher bearer duties and had brought up the rations.

    Norman Tyrer was my grandmother's twin-brother.

    Perry Matthews




    231799

    Dvr. Jesse Howard 103rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.1st Aug 1918)

    Driver Jesse Howard was based at Somerleyton, Lowestoft with D Battery, 310th Brigade in June 1916, signing a visitors book at the time. We have not found his service record but we know that in Jan 17 he was hospitalised at Arques with Scabies, serving with the 103rd. We also know that he died with the 103rd in Italy in 1918, buried at Dueville Communal Cemetery Extension, Italy. Reasonable to assume he was with 103rd at Messines. He was Born in Churwell, Yorkshire 1898, living in Morley before signing up, learning to weave in a Cloth Mill (1911 Census) He is not a relative but part of our research project at www.peterboroughww1.co.uk.

    Nick Carr




    231798

    Sapper Richard Campbell 1st Australian Tunneling Company

    My Grandfather, Richard Campbell, was at Hill 60, survived the war, returned home, passed away 1952.





    231797

    Pte. Albert Edward Smith 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment

    Albert Smith served with the 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment.

    Stephen Smith




    231793

    Pte. Ralph Pinkney 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My granddad, Ralph Pinkney, was wounded in September 1916 and evacuated back to UK. He was then transferred to the Liverpool Regiment for the remainder of the war. He ended his days as a market gardener in Cambridgeshire as he was no longer fit for coal mining (his pre-war role) following his injury.

    Angela Thomas




    231790

    Tpr. Gilbert Dennis att. 9th Lancers Hampshire Yeomanry (d.21st Aug 1918)

    Great grandfather Gilbert Dennis, from what I have been told went to Italy with his unit after which he was moved to France in 1918 or before, he was then attached to the 9th Lancers who saw action in the Villars Bretonneux to hold of the German break through I believe. The sketchy details we have was that he received a direct hit from a shell and body never recovered.

    Richard White




    231789

    Pte. Ernest William Marchant 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards

    Recently a small parcel arrived in the post from England. In it was a box, well made of thick cardboard with metal reinforcement at its edges. It is a spectacle container designed to be sent, as is, through the post. On the top are Grandpas address and the senders details: F.I. Tovey, Optician, New Bond Street, Bath. It cost threepence to send and is postmarked 15th November 1920. Within the box are several things, the most important being a small army-issue notebook. It is a diary written by my grandfather during the Great War of 1914-1918 and covers the period September 1917 to just after hostilities ceased. There are daily entries and, jotted on the last few pages, some little bits of soldiers philosophy written in the style of those times.

    He enlisted on February 23rd, 1915; a married man aged 36 and five months, a master mason and father of five small children. I assume enlisted means what it says on his attestation form for it seems improbable that conscription could have gathered him up so early in the war. However, the squire held a majority in the Coldstream Guards and had a company raised almost exclusively of men from the parish, so peer pressure probably accompanied the general euphoria of the day. That grandpa was military-minded is undoubted - his army papers show him as serving in the militia, 1st Volunteer Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment so I think the chance to go to war might well have been impossible to deny. His motives could have been patriotism, adventure or escape. Most likely it was a combination, or rationalisation, of all three.

    The Guards being what they are, it would have taken most of the year to turn him into a proficient soldier despite his service in the reserve, for this was well before the tragedy of Haigs half-trained boys. The Coldstreamers were proud and a man had to prove himself before he was shown the enemy.

    I look across the lush green lawn at the toddlers, screaming and dancing with delight as they push one another under the sprinkler then throw themselves, chubby arms linked, into the paddling pool. For today, Armistice Day, is seasonably warm. The barbie is nearly ready and I must feed my grandchildren and their parents.

    Life at the front was the usual mixture of boredom, discomfort and terror. Of plum-and-apple [jam]; Pass the grease [margarine]; Stand to! then, all too often, Over the top!

    Whatever it was really like he endured; fighting in the mud, on the firing step or crouched fearfully in a funkhole as enemy howitzers blasted his trench. He was in the front line for somewhat over six months. It probably felt like a lifetime.

    • Life is a duty - bear it
    • Life is a burden - bear it
    • Life is a burden - wear it

    Bond St, Rotten Row, St Julien, Metigny, Morlancourt were his battlegrounds, and Mealthe, Flers, Lavantic and Mailly.

    A true countryman, he would have been comforted by the copses and undergrowth, before they were bombarded into water-filled craters, that formed the woods known as Magnet, Trony, Deville Pozieres and, with grim irony, Sanctuary. Side by side with his mates he defended trenches at Martinpuick, Coulitte, Les Boeufs and what he records as Ypres St Jean. In the front line they learned the hard way to be philosophical about their predicament

    • My belongings leave to my next of kin
    • My purse is empty - theres nothing in
    • My rifle, uniform, pack and kit
    • I leave to the next poor devil itll fit
    • But if this war I manage to clear
    • Ill keep them all for a souvenir.

    On rare occasions he was plucked from the front line and sent home to England to freshen up. No showers, no change of clothes. My grandmother would scrub him clean in the big tin bath in front of the fire then wash and press his uniform. The days off were a nicely calculated minimum to get him ready to return to battle.

    • Life is a game of cricket
    • Mans the player, tall and stout
    • Standing to defend his wicket
    • Lest misfortune bowl him out.

    For Grandpa it was a minenwerfer shell, surely with each of their names upon it, that entombed his whole Section. His comrades were all killed, I hope instantaneously. It took two days to find Grandpa and dig him out of the collapsed trench.

    A few years back, my Uncle Basil, at 78, made the journey to Australia to visit us. He told me that Leslie, his eldest brother and my father, was alone in the cottage in 1916 when the postman - their uncle - toiled up the steep incline of Staples Hill to deliver a War Office telegram. My whole remembrance of Dad clicked into a different perspective when Basil recalled that ten year old Les kept the dreaded Missing in Action to himself. The first my grandmother knew was when, three days later, a telegram of reassurance arrived to say her husband had been found alive. The diary merely records that he was clouted out. This was at Le Transloy, on the banks of a gentle if muddy stream called The Somme. The official record is equally succinct: GSW Legs 20/11/16, in the Field. To the War Office, GSW [gun shot wounds] obviously covered a multitude of injuries.

    November 1916 marked the end of the first great Somme battle, where nearly a million men were lost for an advance or retreat of a derisory few muddy yards. Grandpa had served the whole of the campaign

    As a Blighty his wound was effective; for nine months he stayed in bed in a military hospital in the north of England. He lost no limb but, just as he had carved many a headstone before the war and many a trench on the Somme, so did France gouge his whole being.

    From then, he says, 'it was all downhill.'

    The garden is quiet now; the littlies have gone to bed, their parents are off to a party and grandpa is babysitting. On the patio I lean back in the old cane chair and think. So much about war. Yet my father was just too old for 39-45. As a Nasho I missed Korea by one training course. Vietnam was not applicable in UK. Perhaps young people will start to judge for themselves when the recruiting sergeants start to sing their siren song. Perhaps the future for my grandchildren is looking better and better. Its certainly more secure than in the past, when people really did believe their leaders were, by definition, right.

    He was eventually transferred to Windsor Castle on light duties. These comprised duty as usual (unspecified in the diary), haircut parades, blanket-shaking, coal-carrying, Church Parade on Sunday and, every fortnight, a visit to the MO for TMB. It seems this was a medical board to determine his progress, and thus his fitness to return to the front.

    In the event, he remained B3 for eighteen months, enveloped in a tedium of convalescence.

    • Mans ingress - naked and bare be
    • Mans progress - trouble and care
    • Mans egress the Devil know where.

    The post, which was the only method of long distance communication available to private soldiers, provided some respite. Every day he wrote to my grandmother and every day he received a letter by return, sometimes folded within his local newspaper. On occasion the children, Marjorie, Les, Bill, Reg or Basil, would add a word or two or even send a card to the father they were beginning to forget.

    Grandpa inevitably posted his letters at the Main Gate of the barracks. Then, if the evening were fine, he would continue his walk to Oakley Green to call in at the Nags Head.

    The monotony was interspersed by occasional weekend visits home, each journey recorded in meticulous detail: left Windsor 2.40 p.m.; Paddington 4 p.m.; arrived Freshford 7.17 via Trowbridge. The children of course were all there, so seven in the tiny thatched cottage must have been a bit of a squeeze. I can just remember visiting my grandmother some thirty years on and recall in detail the tiny kitchen in which she cooked on a Primus stove making, endlessly it seemed, jams, cakes and pies, and the cramped surroundings where on four needles she knitted socks, always grey. The weekend, therefore, would be taken up in strolls. By our standards they were all prodigious walkers, simply through necessity - cars or even horses were not for the working class. Around Freshford the Avon valley is extremely steep and destinations along level roads are very few.

    Nevertheless, the diary records double three-mile trips to Westwood on Sundays for morning and evening chapel service. I think my Grandmother, the believer in the family, went to witness her unfailing gratitude. Grandpa, I suspect, just went.

    There were walks to Iford with six year old Basil to stand on the little stone bridge that was adorned with the statue of Britannia (Boer War?) then perhaps another precipitous mile down to Avoncliffe where as a stonemason Grandpa had worked for Mr Jordan. He even made the six mile hike to Bradford-on-Avon to buy a new watch to replace that broken by a billiard ball in the Windsor Barracks YMCA. Then, when the children were bedded down, there would be a short stroll with Agnes before turning in. But, come Monday morning, it was always back to barracks, the journey recorded, train time by train time.

    If anything these weekends heightened his fear of being sent back to the Western Front. From Windsor Castle he was allowed home reasonably often but never is there any indication that the War Office was about to give him his freedom. In England the philosophy that God was on the side of the big battalions died hard. Get them well, get them back! was the cry. It doesn't go unrecorded in the diary: Last night all men recalled off leave. Confined to barracks. Got the wind up.

    He sees drafts of B1 men leaving for France at midnight and towards the end the diary entry is a stark regraded B2. Obviously there was nothing more to say. The constant and near tangible spectre of trenches, rats, lice, mud and the Hun bombardment hovered above him.

    • The fortunes of war
    • Be you ever so bold
    • Is a mound of earth
    • Or a stripe of gold

    It didnt happen, though. Time and time again he was passed fit only for light duties and remained on the roster at Windsor Castle. Presented arms to the Royal family. Opened the gate for Prince of Wales. King arrived castle by motor.

    All this is noted, as is knocked out Bandsman Blake (but no explanation). More often now, Roll on or Roll on my three appears at the end of each days entry. The Hun, he says, is still on the run stuff to give them! He can sense the end of things - in a barracks the right information has a way of trickling through.

    On October 13, 1918: The Huns shouting Kamerad. But on the first day of November yet another huge draft of men leaves for France. Then, suddenly it seems, its all over: 8/11 Hun peace envoys over lines. 10/11 Hohenzolleren abdicates.

    The next day: ARMISTICE DAY - war over, town [Windsor] beflagged. Then, at the end of the page three years nine months service today. But they still wouldnt let him go home. I dont know how my grandmother coped. Perhaps her gratitude to her God for her husbands survival overcame all hardship. He was kept on duty at the Castle throughout that Christmas:

    Xmas Eve, Roll on. Napoo...

    Indeed, il ny en plus.

    At last, in February 1919, he was demobilised via the Dispersal Centre at Fovant, near Portsmouth. Here, apart from the administration of his release, they gave him very little - a suit, five pounds [$10] and a rail ticket home. He arrived in Freshford at 10.30 p.m. (train times diligently recorded, as usual) and for the next few days was able to record tres bon times as he enjoyed his furlough.

    But all too soon it was back to Avoncliffe to work as a mason for ninepence an hour: went fairly well, very cold, hands not used to mallet and chisels. Then after work and at the weekends there was the cottage to whitewash, the garden to re-establish and a family to be cared for in a land fit for heroes.

    • What is life?
    • A little gush
    • A little rush
    • A little hush

    Perhaps the light duties, standing guard at Windsor Castle, were easier for a man to take than what he perceived to be his future at home. Perhaps the mateship of the battalion and the sense of away-ness from the need to assume total responsibility for his growing family, in the most honourable manner of course, made life in uniform again appear more attractive.

    I have been unable to discover any subsequent diary - he probably couldnt see any point in continuing to record his what, mundane? lifestyle - and the saddest part of the notebook comes at the very end, just over five months after peace broke out.

    He has received one pound, seventeen shillings and sixpence (less than $5) for 55 hours work as a stonemason. In what little spare time available to him he has had to augment this paltry sum by looking after the schoolmasters garden. Ding-dong existence no change same old routine miss the Old Brigade.

    Slipped between the pages of the diary there are three snapshots. First is dated December 1915, when he became a trained Coldstreamer. It is a studio portrait, and he poses self-consciously. He is in full uniform, puttees, cheese-cutter cap and swagger stick. He looks very confident and his waxed moustache adds an air of arrogance.

    The second tells me he must have recovered, to the extent possible, from his terrible injuries, for this photo sees him in uniform once more. But it is not the dashing, tailored, tight-fitting guardsmans outfit that he now wears. No; although its again a suit of khaki, the baggy trousers and a shapeless blouse signal the army surplus garb that in 1939 was handed out, with scant resort to measurement, to ex-soldiers. The Local Defence Volunteers they were called, a name as dull as its uniform. Churchill hated LDV so gave it some oomph as the much more newsworthy Home Guard. Its fame now rests with the TV program Dads Army, which depends for its humour on laughing at the antics of the old-timers. I note, though, that in this picture Grandpa is shouldering a Lee Enfield .303, the rifle that had been his friend. Nevertheless, he looks as if hes well aware of the difference in his appearance.

    The third picture has Grandpa in civvies. Here he once again stands straight and severe as befits a guardsman but now he is wearing a countrymans baggy tweeds and flat cap. Five years old in my new sailor suit, I am sitting on the carrier of his sit-up-and-beg bicycle. It is Easter 1940. He died at end of that the year, of cancer. With what we know now its not inconceivable that the seeds of his death were sown on the battlefields of France. Im sure, though, that he would have considered that notion in some way insulting to his dead comrades.

    At the bottom of the spectacle box, tucked beneath the notebook and wrapped in ancient tissue paper, are his three service and campaign medals, one of them engraved: The Great War For Civilisation 1914-1919. These gewgaws were dismissed with contempt as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred by millions of unemployed veterans in the immediate postwar years, when the struggle for survival was almost as desperate as any spell in the front line.

    At the end of the diary, written on the inside cover in a very continental hand perhaps in an estaminet quite late at night by who I like to imagine was a compassionate and pretty mademoiselle is Le Bon Temps Viendra. Alas, for Grandpa it was a brave but hollow hope.

    Vale, 15544 Private Ernest William Marchant, Coldstream Guards, shelled in the front line at the very end of the disaster known as the First Somme campaign and buried beneath stinking mud, thence to return home to pain, hardship and poverty.

    But Im sure he would deride all that. After all, he would have said, in just twenty weeks a million soldiers from both sides died in that battle - and I didnt.

    Roger Marchant




    231788

    Bombadier Thomas Howard 216 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Thomas Howard was my great grandfather - my father's mother's father and I have his diary from 1917 when he was in France. He survived the war, but I know much else about him. Time to do some investigating!





    231785

    David Kerr HMS Avenger (d.14th June 1917)

    My great grandfather David Kerr was the only person killed on the Avenger when it was hit by a submarine torpedo on the 14th of June 1917.

    Thomas Kerr




    231783

    Stok1. James Powell TB13 Royal Navy (d.26th Jan 1916)

    James Powell was born in Plymouth in 1876, he had 5 sisters and 2 brothers (1 died in infancy). His mother (Selina) died when he was 15 and at that time along with his father George snr and brother George (my great grandfather, another stoker in the navy) lived just off union street in Octagon cottages, East Stonehouse, Plymouth. James was noted in every census' when an adult as a sailor, in the 1911 census he was in the navy shore establishment HMS Vivid, Plymouth as a stoker 1st class.

    That was his rank when he died at the age of 39 early in 1916 when his ship TB13 was in a collision in the North Sea. His older sister Selina was informed of his death as his father had passed away and brother George was in Liverpool, because of this we have to assume that James never married. My great uncle, James Powell, is remembered at the naval war memorial on Plymouth Hoe.

    Brian Woodward




    231779

    Spr. William Thompson Allen 121st. Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Willie Allen was severely wounded by shrapnel during the Somme offensive in 1916. As an older man and a very heavy smoker, he was diagnosed as having lung cancer following an X-ray. As he appeared to be recovering, a further X-ray showed the cancer to be shrapnel which he was still carrying from 1916! Like many men who served in the trenches he rarely spoke about the war, however, during a bout of fever my father remembers him reliving the worst of the trenches as if it was happening all over again.

    Fortunately, I still have his tunic buttons, cap badge, wounded stripe and lots of photos of him taken during the war. My most precious keepsakes, however, are several panoramic pictures of his Company (121st. RE, 36th Ulster Division) taken during training and a lovely piece of shellart produced by a German POW which he appears to have become friendly with in France.





    231778

    Pte. Thomas William O'Brien 2nd Battalion Border Regiment (d.26th Sep 1915)

    Thomas O'Brien is remembered on the Loos Memorial to the Missing.





    231775

    Stkr1. John George Brentnall HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    From the Heanor Observer 16/06/1916:

    A Marlpool Tar Goes Down on the Inivincible

    Another local loss in the great sea fight off Jutland was Seaman J. G. Brentnall, of Marlpool, who went down with the Invincible. He had served eight years in the Navy, and early in the war fought in the Heligoland Bight engagement and at the Falkland Islands. He was also under Vice-Admiral Hood at the great shelling of the Belgian Coast. On leave at home a month ago, he returned to meet with a true British sailor's death. To his relatives as to all the mourners in this sad time we tender the truest sympathy of the townspeople, and can only point again to the divine words - Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.

    B. Sheridan




    231774

    Albert Edward Wilmot 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.19th May 1915)

    Albert Wilmot died in action near Ypres.

    Amanda Burford




    231773

    Rflmn. Hedley John Byrne 10th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    My Great Grand Uncle, Hedley John Byrne was reported missing in action on the 3rd of September 1916, during the Battle of Guillemont. He is remembered on the Thiepval War Memorial. RIP.





    231770

    2nd Lt. William Henry Whisson 1st/7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.6th May 1917)

    Lieutenant William Henry Whisson, of the Middlesex Regiment, who died of wounds on May 6th, was the eldest son of Mr. W. H. Whisson, 25, Arundel Road, Croydon, was born on March 19th, 1896, and was educated at the Whitgift Middle School.

    In April, 1913, he joined the London Scottish, and when the war broke out he volunteered for foreign service. He went to France on September 15th, 1914, and was badly wounded in the leg at Messines on October 31st. He resumed duty in May, 1915, and was gazetted Second Lieutenant in August, 1915. He was appointed regimental musketry instructor, and carried on in that capacity until October, 1916, when he was transferred to another battalion and went to the front again on October 24th, 1916. He was made second in command of his company in January, 1917.

    During an action in April his commanding officer was hit, and he took over the command, and was so successful that he was recommended for the Military Cross. After being wounded his chaplain (not thinking the wound was so serious) wrote a very reassuring letter, in which he said "May I congratulate you on the very excellent behaviour of your son whilst with the regiment and express the hope that it will not be long before he is with us again." On May 6th he died at the casualty clearing station, at which he had arrived in such a dangerous condition that all efforts to save him were unavailing. Officer friends, writing to Mr. Whisson, tell how, when he was brought in, he insisted on the wounded men who were brought in with him being attended to first, and his old head master (Rev. G. A. Jones) speaks of him, in a note to the Croydon Advertiser, as "one of the finest types of a public school boy". The Mid-Whitgiftian July 1917

    Mark Gardiner




    231769

    Pte. Wallace Hedge 7th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Wallace Hedge served with 7th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and is remembered at Tyne Cot.

    Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium

    Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium

    Janet Lawrence




    231768

    William Gardiner HMS India

    <p>Crew of HMS India in Prion Camp

    William Gardiner served as a Blacksmith on HMS India and was held as POW.

    HMS India Blacksmiths At Norway Camp

    HMS India Football Team at Noway POW Camp

    Ian Morris




    231766

    Cpl. Benjamin Latter 91 Squadron

    Benjamin Latter (born Barnet Latter in Manchester on 12 Apr 1895) trained as a watchmaker before WW1. In 1911 he was living with his parents at 84 Cheetham Hill Rd, Manchester. His parents, Simon and Mary, were first generation Jewish immigrants from Latvia. They had arrived in England some time before 1871 and took British Citizenship in 1899. Simon had his own business at 84 Cheetham Hill Rd as a grocer.

    Benjamin joined the 1/7th Manchester Regiment with regimental number 295047. His military records do not appear to have survived. His RAF records state that he served with the Manchesters from 2 Feb 1917 to 11 Aug 1917 but his Army medal roles indicate that he may have served much earlier in the war. A separate section of his RAF record states that he served 'man service' with the Manchesters at age 21 years one month from 22 Mar 1916 for Duration of War. He clearly served in France as he was admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital in Rouen on 13 Aug 1917 with trench fever, moving 4 days later to Leith War Hospital.

    Benjamin transferred to the RFC on 10 Nov 1917 with regimental number 34498. He was enlisted as an Instrument Repairer, probably selected as such as a result as a result of his pre-war training and experience as a watchmaker. He was posted to 91 Sqn RFC. He transferred to the RAF on 01 Apr 18 with service number 107189. He was transferred to Heston on 23 Aug 1918 and was discharged to the RAF General Reserve on 09 Apr 1919.

    After the war Benjamin became, with his younger brother Ellis, a jeweller and watchmaker in Manchester. He married Dolly Solomon on 24 Mar 1924 and passed away in Manchester in 1977. His family are very proud that, as a second generation immigrant, born a British citizen, Benjamin was able to so faithfully serve his adopted country.

    Roger Bent




    231763

    2nd Lt. Norman Lindley Watt (d.27th July 1917)

    Norman Lindley Watt was a Rhodes Scholar at Pembroke College, Oxford, as was his younger brother Bill. He was born in the Orange Free State at the town of Lindley. Their father, an Irish doctor, had been a Boer Medical Officer in the Boer War, including the siege of Ladysmith. Medical officers were non-combatant but he had been captured by the British. Norman Watt, like many Southern Hemisphere soldiers, joined King Edward's Horse, and then later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, as did his brother. Norman was killed in July 1917; he is remembered by inscriptions in Rhodes Hall and in St. Columba's church in Oxford. Bill survived the War although he was badly wounded. Many mementoes of Norman Watt have been kept by his sister, Fay and her family.

    Euan Nisbet




    231755

    Pte. George Hugill Excelby 20th Hussars

    George Exelby was one of four sons of George and Elizabeth Excelby of Levenside, Stokesley who served in the Great War.

    Angela




    231754

    Gnr. Joseph Hugill Exelby Royal Field Artillery

    Joseph Exelby was one of four sons of George and Elizabeth Exelby of Levenside, Stokesley to serve in the Great War. He went to France on the 7th of July 1915

    Angela




    231753

    Dvr. William Hugill Exelby 72nd Field Ambulance Corps Army Service Corps

    William Exelby was one of four brothers to serve during the Great War. He attested at Stokesley on 6th January, 1915, stating his occupation as farm labourer. He was 20 years and 9 months old, 5'9" and weighed 136.5lb with a chest measurement of 37.5" and good physical development when he enlisted in January 1915. William trained as a driver with the Army Service Corps at Bradford and he was posted to France as an ambulance driver, leaving Southampton for le Havre where he arrived on 1st September 1915. He served 72nd Field Ambulance, attached to 24th Division. After the war William returned home to Stokesley.

    Angela




    231752

    Pte Albert Hugill Excelby 5th Btn. Border Regiment

    Albert Hugill Exelby, was one of four sons of George Exelby and Elizabeth Hurworth who served in the Great War: William (b 26/3/1894), George junior (31/3/1895), Joseph (20/4/1896) and Albert (22/5/1897). They also had two daughters, Mary (b 16/4/1899) and Jane (b 26/3/1901

    Albert joined the Territorials on 1st April, 1914 giving his age as 17 years, though he was only 16. His medical examination records him as 5 foot 10 and a half with a 36" chest, good physical development and good vision. He spent two years in the 4th Yorkshire (Reserve) Battalion, before being transferred to the 3rd Border Regiment on 4th July, 1916, and was sent to France on 12th July. Two days later he was transferred to the 5th Battalion. On 19th September 1916, Albert received a gunshot wound to his left arm and was sent back to England, Albert was for a time a patient in the VAD hospital in Stokesley Manor House. He returned to his unit in France in December and was wounded on three further occasions, April 1917, October 1917 and May, 1918. He was officially demobed in February 1919, aged 21 and received an enhancement of 20% to his pension due to disability caused by a gunshot wound to the left thigh giving him a pension of 8 shillings and threepence per week.

    Albert married Eliza Hindmarsh, nee Green in August 1922. Eliza had two daughters from a previous marriage and she and Albert had two more: Beatrice in 1923 and Margaret in 1929. Albert Exelby died in Middlesbrough in 1950.

    Angela




    231750

    Commandant. Ann Gatenby Gjers

    Ann Gjers was the wife of Lawrence Gjers, JP for Middlesbrough and the North Riding of Yorkshire, Colonel and Commandant of the North Riding National Reserve. Her father Issac Fidler was an alderman in Middlesbrough and had laid the foundation stone of Middlesbrough’s new town hall on 24th October 1883 when he was Mayor. was Vice President of the North Riding branch of the British Red Cross Society and Commandant of the Red Cross Hospital, set up at the Manor House in Stokesley, where she worked alongside her daughter Olga. She later was awarded the OBE. Her son Lawrence was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme.





    231749

    VAD Nina Forbes Yorks 42

    Nina Forbes was brought up at Springfield Villas in Stokesley, North Yorkshire and worked as a governess. During the Great War she worked as a VAD at The Manor House Hospital in Stokesly. after the war she worked as a musician and lived until 1958. Her two younger brothers lost their lives, Alec died at Ginchy on the Somme whilst serving as a Captain with the Warwickshire Regiment William died from wounds in September 1918 whilst serving as a Major with the Royal Garrison Artillery.





    231748

    VAD Olga Gjers Yorks 42

    Olga Gjers, born in 1895, lived at Busby Hall, a country house near Stokesley and was the daughter of Mrs Ann Gjers, Vice President of the North Riding branch of the British Red Cross Society and also Commandant of the Auxiliary Hospital at The Manor House in Stokesley, where Olga worked as a member of Yorks 42 Voluntary Aid Detachment. Her father Lawrence was JP for Middlesbrough and the North Riding of Yorkshire, Colonel and Commandant of the North Riding National Reserve, a member of the Iron and Steel Institute, and Vice President of the Cleveland Institute of Engineers. Her brother also named Lawrence served with the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders and lost his life at Passchendaele.





    231745

    Pte. Andrew Bryson Forrest MM. 17th Battalion Highland Light Infantry

    I copy the citation verbatim describing the valour of Private A.B. Forrest from what appears to be a small typed sheet produced on a camp typewriter and now in his descendants' possession with the Military Medal that was awarded to him:

    "No. 40899 Private A.B. Forrest, 17th High.L.I. This man is a messenger. On the 10th July, 1917 this man's Company were garrisoning the Pres'Quille Defences. He himself carried up all the meals for his platoon which was in the area most heavily shelled, besides carrying many messages with regard to the situation from the platoon to the Company Headquarters. Whilst taking one of these messages he found a party buried in one of the communication trenches. He immediately dug them out himself and after having done this under most intense artillery fire he lad the men to part of the line where he knew thickening was required through casualties having occurred. This man's behaviour was most gallant through the entire action. [Handwritten signature indecipherable: G.Q Roching ?] Capt. Staff Captain 97th Inf. Bde. 1st August, 1917"





    231742

    Gnr. Jesse Stanley Turner 126th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Jesse Turner of 126th Siege Battery RGA suffered Tonsillitis on 12th Jan 1918 treated 1st/3rd Highland Field Ambulance then moved to base then sick convoy 21st March 1918.

    Richard Turner




    231740

    Rfmn. Henry "Sollie" Solomons 17th (Popular and Stepney) Btn. London Regiment

    Henry received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, he joined the Popular and Stepney Rifles.

    Paul Hersey




    231739

    Pte. William Garside 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.14th Dec 1915)

    In researching my family history I found William Garside, my great grandfather's brother, from Kelloe. Along with: H Simpson from Haswell Plough, Fredrick Morgan from Washington and Alfred Adams were killed on 14th of December 1915. They all served with 14th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and are buried in the Potijze Burial Ground near Ypres.

    Paul Garside




    231738

    Pte. Robert Ellis Hughes Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather, Robert Hughes, served from 28th November 1914 to 23rd July 1919. He saw action in the Gallipoli campaign and afterwards in the Palestinian Campaign. There is very little known about him as his war records were destroyed during the blitz WW2.

    He was in the Machine Gun Corps during this time. My grandfather survived the war, but it has always been known or thought that he was gassed, he died on the 10th April 1927 age 33yrs.

    William Jones




    231734

    Pte. Arthur Parr 10th Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.25th Sep 1915)

    I came across Arthur Parr whilst researching my family tree. Unfortunately, I only have the one record of his death and nothing regarding his enlistment papers etc. However, I will keep searching; a sacrifice for his country at such a young age should not be forgotten.

    Gary Parr




    231730

    Sgt. Bernard Foley 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.14th Oct 1918)

    Barney Foley was part of the 15th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, one of the Bantam Battalions. He was pony driver underground in the Ryhope Pit before joining the War. He lived with his mother, father and sister Mary in Ryhope, Sunderland. As he was unmarried he left his keeper ring with his mother when he left for the war. Unfortunately, he was never to return and collect his ring. His mother passed it to his sister Mary, who then passed it to her daughter Margaret (Peggy), my Nana. She is 92 and still has it today.

    Claire Bell-Smith




    231726

    L/Cpl Patrick Dooner Gordon Highlanders

    Patrick Dooner is my great grand uncle, served throughout WW1, originally joining up in 1913 with the Leinster regiment was wounded discharged then re-enlisted as a Territorial and joined the Gordon Highlanders. Was discharged December 1918.

    Martin McGrath




    231723

    Cpl. Alexander Potter 9th (Service) Battalion Black Watch (d.9th Apr 1917 )

    Cpl Alexander Potter died at Arras on 9th April 1917.

    Georgine Faulkner




    231722

    A Miles London Regiment British Army (d.1st Jul 1916)

    I purchased a commemorative poppy made from British shell fuses dug up at the Somme. Each one is dedicated to a soldier killed during the Battle of the Somme. Mine is dedicated to this gentleman, A Miles of the 16th Battalion, London Regiment. I am intrigued to find out more about him.

    John Shonfield




    231718

    Gnr. Charles Richard Warner 108th Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    My grandfather Charles Warner died at the battle of Albert on 22nd August 1918 aged 41.

    Valerie Saunders




    231716

    Pte. William Crook 17th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    William is my Great Grandfather, he was a member of the Bantam Battalion because he was under the regulation height of 5ft 3". He was killed by a sniper and was buried in France in the Sauchy-Cauchy Communal Cemetery extension. Before the war he was a coal miner in Bolton Lancashire. He left behind a wife and four children.

    Hilary Spencer-Peet




    231711

    Pte. William Paterson Halliday 15th (1st Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.22nd Sep 1917)

    <p>

    William Halliday was born in Berwickshire, Scotland in 1897, the eldest child of William and Eliza Halliday. He enlisted in the British Army's Highland Light Infantry, and was a member of the 15th (1st Glasgow) Battalion, regimental number 1138. He was killed in action in Flanders on 22nd of Sept 1917, and is buried at Coxyde Military Cemetery, Koksijde, Belgium.

    James Halliday




    231710

    Cpl. Joseph Arthur Sargeant 5th Btn. Notts & Derby Regiment

    Joe Sargeant was conscripted into the 2nd/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. He later marked up a copy of The Green Triangle (a history of the 2/5th during WW1) by W. G. Hall. From which it is seen that he took part in fighting against the Irish Rebellion of Easter 1916, in B company stationed at Island Bridge garrison in Dublin. At one point his best ever billet was in the Guinness brewery. He was detailed to command an escort party taking prisoners to Wandsworth Jail in London.

    On the 20th of July 1916 Joe left the Battalion, then billeted on the Curragh, to join the 21st Battalion at Walton-on-the-Naze. He went to France with them. Then he joined the 15th Battalion in France during September 1917.

    Joe was home to marry Lillian Hancox on 11th of January 11th, wearing a blue hospital uniform. It is not known where he was injured, shrapnel in his legs and trench feet, but he spoke of being on the Somme, at Vimy-Ridge and at Passchendaele. Then having been stuck in a shell hole for three days, with only a chocolate bar as iron rations. A Mr. Clifton of Long Eaton is said to have pulled him out, across duck boards, by attaching him to his belt.

    Back to the Green Triangle; Joined the 5th Battalion 28th September [1918], C Company . The remnants of the 1/5th and 2/5th had moved up as an integral part of the 5th, The Robin Hood Rifles, with whom Joe saw it through to the end; after which he was put in charge of a Chinese working party.

    Joe served again for WW2 in The Home Guard.

    E Sargeant




    231706

    Pte. Rowland Otto Ashton 16th (1st City Pals) Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Signallers Rolly Ashton and his pal Harold Ross were both killed in action near Montauban on 1st July 1916.

    Henry Edwards




    231704

    Pte. Harold Ross 16th (1st City Pals) Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Signallers Harold Ross and his pal Rolly Ashton were both killed in action near Montauban on July 1st 1916.

    Henry Edwards




    231701

    Pte. Harry Blanksby 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.7th Jul 1916)

    Harry Blanksby died at the Battle of the Somme.

    Ann Waters




    231699

    William Charles Farr 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.9th Oct 1917 )

    My Great Grandfather Charlie Farr who died in service aged 24. I am going to visit his memorial at Tyne Cot and would love to know about any related information.

    Rebecca Butler




    231696

    Pnr. Albert John Brandwood 201st Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.22nd June 1916)

    <p>

    Albert Brandwood joined the 201st Field Coy Royal Engineers, on the 22nd June 1916, aged 43. Our family history talks of our great Grandfather being killed by a sniper on 22nd June 1916 (8 days before the Battle of the Somme) whilst asleep in a trench. It was most likely he was involved the construction of the Russian Saps.

    Peter Brandwood




    231693

    Pte. Francis Kelly 1st Btn. Black Watch (d.25th July 1916)

    Frank Kelly, was the eldest of four brothers, all to join the Black Watch, Royal Highland Regiment. He had previously served during the Boer War 1899-1902. He became a Territorial Soldier, and joined up full time in 1914 when war was declared. He was killed in action on 25th of July 1916, during the Somme Offensive. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Andrew Coltart




    231686

    Pte. Edwin Earlam 2nd/4th Btn. E Coy. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    Edwin Earlam is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery.





    231685

    2nd Lt. D. Rooney 37th Btn. London Regiment

    I have inherited a canteen of cutlery which was presented to 2nd Lt. D. Rooney commemorating date 26.6.1915 by his brother officers of the 37th Battalion the London Regiment. This person does not belong to my own family tree. The inscription does not say why it was presented to him. I would like to find out if it was presented as a mark of valor.

    Lesley Brandwood




    231683

    L/Cpl. Charles Frederick Fleming 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Aug 1916)

    I discovered the details of this gentleman when researching the family tree of my son in law. Charles Fleming was his Great Great Grandfather. I have yet to find anything more on this chap but I am astounded at the bravery of a 67 year old man fighting for his family and country.





    231681

    Pte. Ernest Richards 10th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>I have always been told that this is Ernest Richards, but the cap badge is not the KOYLI

    Ernest Richards served with the 10th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    Ernest Richards Death Plaque

    A letter referring to Ernest Richards Medal

    Tony Laking




    231680

    Stwd. Frank Eastman Nicholson HMS Avoca

    Frank Nicholson served as a steward aboard HMS Avoca from 1916 to 1918, we know no other information.





    231676

    Pte. Sidney George Frederick Hoare 14th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.30th June 1916)

    Sidney Hoare was my Great Uncle. He was born and lived during his early years in Lyme Regis, Dorset. His father was a Coastguard. The family later moved to Portsmouth, where they lived at the date of his death.

    Sid was 23 when he died, he had no wife or children to remember him. I am writing this memorial to say he is not forgotten. Although, we never met. Sid is remembered by my brother and I. He was also remembered by his immediate family throughout their lives. There was always a photo of him, in pride of place in our Grandmother's (his sister) house.





    231674

    Margaret Spracklen Voluntary Aid Detachment

    <p>

    My grandmother was Margaret Spracklen, she was a VAD working at Morant Hall Hospital at Brockenhurst. She is in the middle of the back row in Staff Photo 1 and 5th from the left in the back row on Staff photo 2. She was born in June 1889, so would have been 26 when these photos were taken in 1915.

    Alan Evans




    231673

    Pte Albert Edward Griffin 22nd (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th April 1918)

    Albert Edward Griffin was the younger brother of my Grandfather, Francis Griffin. Francis also fought in WWI and survived. Sadly, Albert, did not and died on 10th of April 1918, his body was never found. His name can be found on the Ploegsteert Memorial, in Belgium.

    A Merlin




    231672

    Pte. Albert Norgrove 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.30th Sept 1916)

    My Great Grandfather Bertie Norgrove volunteered for military service in August 1915, he enlisted into his local Infantry Regiment, the South Staffordshire Regiment, carrying out his basic training at Lichfield before joining the 7th (Service) Battalion. He initially deployed to the Balkans, sailing from Liverpool and landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 15 September 1915. He took part in Many Important Engagements before being evacuated with his battalion in December the same year, travelling to Egypt via Imbros.

    The Battalion then deployed to the Somme, France in July 1916. He took part in several actions, finally fighting at the Battle of Thiepval Ridge between the 26th and 30th September 1916. The Battalion, as part of the 11th Northern) Division, 33rd Brigade fought decisively around the Stuff, Schwaben, and Zollern Redoubts but should have been relieved by elements of the Cheshire Regiment around this time. Unfortunately, their relief was late to arrive and consequently, Bertie was lost in action on the 30th September and has no known grave.

    M Malin




    231670

    Pte. John Brayshaw Kay 15th (Civil Service Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, John Kay, was recruited into the Civil Service Rifles in 1916; he had been employed as a clerk in the Civil Service from 1915, aged 18.

    He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, and was captured in March 1918. From the date given on the Red Cross POW record card - 22nd of March, it seems likey that he was captured during a gas attack in the St Quentin area. He awoke on board a train having been stripped of his ID. Two days later he arrived at Crossen-an-der-Oder POW camp in Eastern Germany (now Poland). He remained a POW until the end of the conflict.

    When he returned home, he brought with him a small painting done by a fellow prisoner, a Frenchman named Etienne St Paul, showing the watchtower at Crossen camp. The painting remains in our family to the present day.

    Crossen POW Camp Watchtower

    Prisoners at Crossen POW Camp

    Cathy Shepherd




    231669

    Pte. Joseph Shepherd King's (Liverpool) Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, Joseph Shepherd, enlisted in 1916 into the King's (Liverpool) Regiment. He subsequently transferred to the Labour Corps. He was injured in late 1918 or early 1919 whilst working in the Labour Corps on clean-up operations on the battlefields by an unexploded bomb going off. He lost a finger & suffered severe shrapnel wounds to his leg. He was invalided out and sent to Shotley Bridge Hosptital in Durham suffering from his injuries and Neuresthenia.

    Cathy Shepherd




    231666

    BSM. Thomas Alexander Neill Ayrshire Battery Royal Horse Artillery

    Thomas Neill enlisted 28/9/1910 and was Discharged 10/3/1919

    Irene Noakes




    231661

    2nd Lt. David Barr MC 12th Btn Royal Scots Fusiliers

    David joined the Gordon Highlanders and the was in the 5th Battn Royal Scots Fusiliers and then was attached to the 12th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

    According to Gazette No. 31680...He was awarded the Military Cross.

    On the 31st October 1918 during an attack south-west of Audenarde, after early losing his company commander, he continued the advance, and when checked by machine gun fire from an enemy post he worked around the flanks of the position and rushed the post, capturing two machine guns. Throughout the operations he set a fine example of courage and initiative to his men.

    David immigrated to Australia in the 1920's and was living in Maryborough, Victoria at the time of his death on 11 August 1970

    Barry Goodall




    231660

    Pte. John Eaden Cook 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.20th July 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle, John Cook of Denby Dale nr Huddersfield, Yorkshire, was a Private in the 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers.

    The 20th Battalion were part of the 19th Brigade assaults on High Wood near Martinpuich, Somme, France on 19th - 21st July 1916 and he is listed as 'Presumed Dead' dated 20th July 1916. John Eaden Cook is listed on the Thiepval Memorial and also on the war memorial in Denby Dale, along with his brother Frank Eaden Cook who was killed in action in 1918 and buried at Belle Vue British Cemetery, Briastre, France.

    Denby Dale war memorial

    Tim Cook




    231657

    Fireman Edward George Perkins H.M.S. Bostonian (d.10th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Perkins is commemorated on the War Memorial plaque in the Church of St James, West Tilbury, Essex.

    Geoffrey Gillon




    231656

    Pte. Frederick Lamble 11th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.30th July 1916)

    Frederick Lamble's grave is at the Warloy Ballion War Graves cemetery in the Somme. It was discovered and visited by his great niece on July 16th 2014.

    Linda Collis




    231655

    Gnr. William Jacob Westerland 335th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My grandfather William Westerland was born in 1894 and was of Finish origin. I heard stories of him being gassed during WW1 so would be interested to find out when this happened. I have extracts of his diary.

    Mary




    231654

    Sgt. Harry Wild 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.12th April 1917)

    Harry Wild was a mill worker who joined the 5th E. Lancs as a territorial around 1905. By the outbreak of war in 1914 he had risen to the rank of Serjeant. He was also a chorister at Higham Church in Lancashire.

    He saw service with 5th East Lancs in Egypt in 1914 before landing at Gallipolli and fighting at Krithia Vineyard. He was wounded, in the arm I believe from family stories, and invalided to Egypt. He returned to Padiham and was discharged as time served, returning to mill work in 1916.

    After a few months, and seemingly missing military life, he re-enlisted in 1st East Lancs and was shipped to France in late 1917. The 1st E. Lancs were a reserve unit at the 1st Battles of the Scarpe, part of the Battle of Arras/Vimy Ridge and sometime on 10th April he was wounded. He was evacuated to the Casualty Clearing Station at Aubigny where he died of wounds two days later on 12th April, aged 32. He is buried in the Aubigny Community Extension cemetery.

    He left a son, then aged 5, my father, who died never having visited his father's grave. I visited first in 1991 and a number of times since researching my grandfathers last days.

    He is commemorated on the Padiham War Memorial and also on the small memorial in Higham churchyard. He was my grandfather and, with his great granddaughter, hope to commemorate the centenary of his death in April 1917 in Arras.

    Mike Wild




    231648

    Pte. Norman Crabtree Studley 27th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th April 1917)

    <p>

    Norman Studley was my maternal granddad who barely got to know his two young children, Peggy and Roy. Norman was the husband of Lily, my grandma. My mum Peggy died in 2013, just three weeks short of being 97. She was only around 13 months old when Norman died.

    He was killed on 28th of April 1917 when his unit was involved in assaults as part of the Battle of Arras, France. His name is honoured on the Arras Memorial, Northern France, as well in his own county on Rolls of Honour at Saltaire Nab Wood, Saltaire Wesleyan Methodist Chapel and St Paul's Church, Shipley, West Yorkshire.

    He was greatly mourned by many, and all those that knew him had good words to say about him. He was a pianist and organist and enjoyed many styles of music and entertaining at local chapel concerts in Shipley and Saltaire. Norman was known as a cheerful, positive, kindly and reliable man.

    Catherine Parker




    231645

    Pte. Charles Albert Richard Kaine Army Cyclist Corps (d.29th July 1917)

    Charley Kaine lost his life on the 29th of July 1917.

    Susan Casey




    231643

    William Henry Dwerryhouse Burke 6th (Rifles) Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment

    William Henry Dwerryhouse Burke served in the First and Second World Wars - old enough for the First, and not too old for the Second. He died in 1967.

    Helen Tovey




    231641

    Pte. Arthur Homer 5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment

    Arthur Homer enlisted at Barnsley on the 2nd November 1914 and joined 5th Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment. His address at that time was Masons Buildings, Shaw lane, Carlton, Barnsley. He was Married on the 28th of March 1915 to Lilly Thompson of Cudworth. He survived the war despite being wounded on two occasions.

    David Stones




    231638

    Sgt. Stephen Carroll 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1915)

    In Memory of Sergeant Stephen Carroll No 2594 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment Age 42. Killed in Action at Gallipoli on the 22nd of August 1915. I was going through my father's things to help him move and he gave me a box of old letters. I have no photo or any other information.

    David




    231635

    Pte. Charles Frederick William Green 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    Charles Frederick William Green was born in Clapham on 6th May 1898, the only son of Charles and Clara Green. His mother was the former Clara Neplina Ruler, who was born in Geelong in the colony of Victoria, during 1854, at the height of the Australian gold rush. He had a sister Pollie Elizabeth born 1898. Up until the outbreak of WWI, he worked as a shipping clerk for the Edinburgh & London Shipping Company at Wapping Wharf.

    At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Territorial Force, later to be renamed the Territorial Army, to train as a rifleman in the 1/21st London Division, First Surrey Rifles. When England declared war on Germany the battalion was in Salisbury for its annual training fortnight. They returned first to HQ at 4 Flodden Road in Camberwell, and then on to St. Albans for battle training.

    1/21st London Division (First Surrey Rifles) disembarked at Le Havre on 16th March 1915, only the second TF Division to be sent to France to bolster the BEF. They fired their first shots from the trenches near Bethune on the evening of 2nd April. After 331 days in France, serving on various fronts, including Aubers Ridge, Festubert and the Battle of Loos on the Somme, Rifleman Green was returned to England as part of the 47th Division, which left Le Havre on 8th February 1916, having completed the four years of service he had signed up for. He was not yet 23 years old. Charles re-enlisted in July 1916 in the Royal Horse Artillery at Woolwich. He was attached to the Army Reserves in 1920. He was married to Dorothy Annie Saxby in 1938 and died in London on 1st September 1961.

    If anyone has any information on Charles's service with the RHA, I would be most grateful to learn of it.

    Yvonne Allison




    231629

    Sgt. Joseph Lynch MiD. 58th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandfather, Joseph Lynch was mentioned in despatches whilst serving with 58th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.





    231628

    CPO. Charles Higgs HMS Prince George

    <p>

    Charlie Higgs was the step-father of my mother, Jessie Sinclair. I have in my possession Charlie's certificate of Royal Navy Service from the time he entered the service as a boy 2nd class in August 1915 up to the date he retired from the service in October 1945. He was awarded his LS & GC medal in 1933. He was a torpedoman by trade, being promoted Petty Officer in October 1928 and Chief Petty Officer in September 1938.

    Mark Scrivens




    231621

    Dvr. W. Steel 63rd Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Driver W Steel was beseiged at Kut El Mara from the 5th of December 1915 to the 29th of April 1916.





    231619

    Pte. Arthur Robert Norman 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Norman served with the 13th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.

    Paul Norman




    231618

    Off.Stew.3. Edgar Davis HMS Drake

    My father Edgar Davis was aboard HMS Drake when she was torpedoed by U79 and towed into Rathlin Sound. That is all I know of his wartime experiences.

    John Davis




    231613

    Joseph Brown 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.21st May 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Brown was born in Carlisle on 17th of July 1879. He married Catherine Duff from Ayr in 1905 while stationed at Ayr Barracks with the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He retired from the army, had 4 children (3 of which survived) and rejoined the Royal Scots Fusiliers 2nd Battalion, arriving in France in September 1914. Joseph's battalion suffered grave losses at the 1st Battle of Ypres, and Joseph was sent home with 'stress of active service' in November 1914. He was declared insane and died in Garlands Asylum, Carlisle on 21st of May 1917 aged 37.

    Joseph was accepted for commemoration by the Commonwealth Grave Commission in May 2015, after the In from the cold project presented his case. A gravestone was erected in 2016, almost 99 years after his death.





    231612

    Rflmn. John Cooper 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.28th July 1915)

    My Great Great Uncle John Cooper, is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres. I cycle almost every year with my Dad and pay our respects at the Gate.

    Steve Cooper




    231611

    Cpl. Alexander Richardson Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Alexander Richardson was a signaller with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

    Alan Malcolm




    231608

    Pte. Edward Boyle 97th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.28th June 1917)

    My grandfather, Edward Boyle was born in Newcastle in 1897 and, at some time, moved to Richmond in Yorkshire. He worked on a farm. He was in France about two weeks after the war started. I don't know how as, even if he had been in the Territorial Army, he would have needed military training. For about the first year of the war he was in the Remounts Division of the Army Service Corps, acquiring and training horses. Perhaps, as it wasn't a combat role, he didn't need any army training. He may have been sent to France so early because of a need for men trained in handling horses. He was killed in action when his son, my father, was a few months old. His grave is in the Ramscappelle Road Military Cemetery near Nieuwpoort in Belgium.

    Martin Boyle




    231602

    Gnr. Henry Robert Ward 82nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.20th Oct 1917)

    Harry Ward served with 82nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

    Sue Casey




    231599

    Able Sea. William Joseph Lyne HMS Moresby

    My father Billy Lyne had a lifetime of service in the Royal Navy.

    John Lyne




    231595

    Sgt.Maj. John Drake MID Motor Mechanic 83 Sqd.

    My father told me that his father was in charge of engineering (Warrant Officer/Regimental Sergeant Major).

    John Drake was Mentioned in Dispatches and worked as a mechanic on Le Rhone engines.





    231589

    Pte. Eustace Nelson Heath 16th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.10th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Eustace Heath joined up when he was only 16 years old. He went to France with the battalion on 17th of November 1915, and was killed on 10th of January 1916 near Cuinchy when a shell landed on the billet he was in. He was killed before he ever went into action. Eustace Heath is buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery, Calais.

    Cathryn Corns




    231577

    Sgt. Arthur Robert Heath 128th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Arthur Heath served with 128th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Cathryn Corns




    231575

    Pte. Joseph Asbury 17th Battalion The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.12th Oct 1916)

    Joseph Asbury is my great uncle. Fortunately I inherited his WW1 War Medals and an original photograph of him in uniform. Long Gone but Not Forgotten.

    David Asbury




    231568

    Cpl. Herbert Hawkins 144th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.8th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Corporal Herbert Hawkins served in the 144th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery. Herbert was killed on 8 October 1917 and is buried in grave VA4 at the Bard Cottage Cemetery, in the northern area of the Ypres Saliant where artillery sections such as Herberts were moved to only weeks before he died.

    Herbert was 29 and the son of William and Hannah Hawkins who lived in Waleswood. The family, which included ten siblings, lived at 45 Waleswood Colliery, his father and two elder brothers, Albert and George were all coalminers. Before being sent to war Herbert was a police constable for Sheffield City police. When he died, Herbert was married to Annie Hawkins and they lived at 36 Tavistock Road, Sheffield. Herbert is also remembered on the Police and Fire War Memorial in Sheffield Cathedral and also in St. Peters Church, Abbeydale.

    Sam Hawkins




    231567

    2nd Lt. Henry John Snell 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Henry Snell lost an eye on 11th July 1916 at Le Touquet (I believe).

    Sue Tsirigoti




    231566

    L/Cpl. Dominic Martino Yorkshire Regiment

    Dominic Martino was my Grandfather. He served with the Yorkshire Regiment 11 April 1915 to 2 September 1918.

    He was crippled in the right arm and right leg by German machine gun fire which left bullet hole and notches in his ear as the machine gunner traversed his body with fire. He was listed as KIA and his wife Maria received a telegram to that effect. After discharge from a hospital he was declared unfit for future military service and received an honourable discharge.

    He arrived home unexpectedly to everyone's surprise one day. His name is spelled both Martin and Martino on his records and medals. His regimental number (23282) is the only fixed factor.

    Worse was to come for my beloved Grandmother when their only son, Kenneth Albert Martino joined the Royal Navy and he was a radio operator on North Atlantic convoy in WWII being on HMS Hardy torpedoed off Murmansk, he was saved when the appointed destroyer made the single sweep by to pick up survivors and one of his shipmates hanging off the pickup net grabbed him by the hair and pulled him inboard. Dad was hospitalised in Russia and yet again my Grandmother received a telegram to the effect that her only son (five daughters) had been KIA. He too was to arrive home unexpectedly to a grieving family.

    Posted to the Pacific Theatre of war for a brief period he met and married my mother, an Australian. They had only one child, me! I was lucky enough to be drawn out of the ballot when conscription was introduced during the Vietnam war. I returned from Vietnam in receipt of a Totally & Permantly Disabled Soldiers pension.

    It could be said that the three Martino's had a charmed life in defence of this democracy which the average citizen takes foolishly for granted. I do not wish to see my sons, grandsons or my great grandson devoting any of their time at war, although the way the world is going with the terrorist menace I don't feel too confident about that if we are to maintain a democratic way of life.

    I am currently in the process of making a plaque with wartime photographs, medals and hat badges of the three generations of Martino's who have served, offering their all to a blasé population who take the sacrifices of Veterans for granted.

    Paul Kenneth Martino




    231560

    Pte. Thomas Gothard 1st/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment (d.13th April 1918)

    Thomas Gothard was born in June 1893 in Derbyshire and was the son of Thomas and Ellen Gothard. He had 2 brothers and 4 sisters, one of whom was my grandmother.

    Wendy Dodds




    231558

    Pte. Reginald Clement Francis DCM. 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.16th Dec 1914)

    <p>Menin gate

    Reginald Clement Francis and his brother Frederick Benjamin Francis are both recorded on the war memorial in the village of Fordham, Essex.

    Reginald Francis served with the Special Reserve attached to the 2nd Battalion. He was awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry on 15th December 1914, near Kemmel, in voluntarily taking a message over very dangerous ground. His destination was 150 yards in front and he was killed after covering 80yds of the distance. He was killed in action at Le Cateau on the 16th December 1914. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial Ypres. Reginald was one of seven children liiving in Bradfield, Essex and Hadleigh, Suffolk. In 1911, the rest of the family including brother Frederick were living in Clare Suffolk. In 1915/1916 their father Benjamin and his family are recorded on the Occupier's List in Plummers Green, Fordham, Essex. When the village war memorial was built in 1919, the Francis brothers were included.

    His brother Frederick Francis died on the 20th of October 1918 age 21, he was a prisoner of war and is buried at Szcztpiorno P.O.W. Cemetery. He was with the Royal Scots 12th Battalion, Service number: 353210.

    Wendy Shepherd




    231557

    Pte. Edward Lister 10th Battalion Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Edward Lister was killed at the age of 19. Prior to the war he lived in the Belle Vue area of Carlisle. He also had a brother, David Lister who enlisted in Border Regiment and was also killed during WW1.

    Vicky Coope




    231556

    Pte. George Penfold 2nd Battalion Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (d.14th July 1916)

    <p>

    George Penfold, my great uncle, was baptised at St John's, Redhill on the 18th January 1880, the youngest son of John and Mary Penfold of Meadvale, Redhill, Surrey. In 1911 he was living with his parents and was a bricklayer. He seems to have been a keen sportsman, playing for both the village football and cricket teams.

    When World War 1 started he enlisted at Guildford in the 2nd Battalian, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment. He was killed on the 14th July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme but has no grave and his name is listed on the memorial to the missing of the Somme at Thiepval.

    In 1993, shortly before their deaths, his nephews, my father and uncle then both in their late eighties, remembered how he had cried when he had to return after his last leave because he did not want to go back.

    Mourning card

    Reverse of mourning card

    Joan Whyte




    231555

    Boy1. William Alfred Manning HMS Genista (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    <p>

    My family's Great Uncle, William Alfred Manning, H.M. Royal Navy Boy 1st Class was killed in action 23rd October 1916 on board H.M.S. Genista, that was sunk by the German submarine U-57 in the Atlantic, whilst Genista was minesweeping off the west coast of Ireland. Genista, which had only been launched on the 26th of February 1916, sank rapidly and out of 73 crew, only 12 survived. William's body has never been recovered. He is commemorated on the Naval Memorial, Portsmouth. William was born on 30th January 1900. When he was killed in action he was only 16.

    Tom White




    231552

    Sgt. Picton Prater 15th (1st London Welsh) Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.26th May 1916)

    <p>Sgt. Picton Prater

    Picton Prater,was born 17th July 1891 and was killed in action on the 26th of May 1916, Aged 25. Picton was born in Maesteg, Glamorgan and served his apprenticeship in the drapery trade with his uncle, Richard Jones, at the Bridge Shop, Bridgend. He then moved to London, working as a buyer in a large drapery establishment, subsequently enlisting in the 15th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers.

    Pte 21813 Fred Langdon of the Battalion wrote in a letter to a mutual friend in the weeks following Picton's death: "In training he was a splendid fellow, always genial and never disturbed. His qualities showed themselves out here especially, he rose to the occasion splendidly. Under fire he was always cool and level-headed, a splendid leader of men. For a long time our platoon were without an officer and he was in sole charge. He was remarkably just in his dealings with everybody. I can honestly say nobody had a bad word for him, or dare speak against him. A thoroughly capable and efficient Sergt. and a splendid character indeed. Surely such qualities must be fitly rewarded in the world to come. I was very near him when he was hit, he fell a victim to a wonderful piece of sniping. He had been chatting to me only two minutes before and we were laughing over some past experiences. He left me to speak to our Officer and a Corpl. All three stood together talking and just at that point the parapet was very low. We were about 400 yards from the German front line, so you can understand how we marvelled at his being hit. I saw him fall and it was my affection for him that simply rooted me to where I stood and I was so upset that I could not render any assistance. However, others were on the spot and he received every attention possible. He was never conscious, that we can be very thankful for and he died about one and a half hours afterwards, about 7:30 in the evening. Out here we have to steel our hearts to losing comrades, but in this case it was different. Everybody was affected by the loss of one to whom we mutually agreed was the best man in the trench. He was buried the next day and it was unfortunate that we left this part of the line before it was possible for us to arrange anything like a fitting monument for one we admired so much."

    In the letter to his mother, the Nonconformist Chaplain of the 15th Battalion wrote: "He was beloved by all his men. His cheerfulness was the inspiration of his company and he proved himself a most capable NCO and a brave and fearless soldier. His Company Commander, Capt. Howell and several men of the company came specially from the trenches as a mark of the deep respect in which he was held by the battalion. It was a glorious spring morning when we laid him to rest in the beautiful British Cemetery."

    Sgt Picton Prater21526 15th Batt RWF

    Tom White




    231546

    Pte. Robert Hepburn Middlesex Regiment

    Robert Hepburn was my Grandmother's brother and therefore my Grand Uncle. He had five brothers and three sisters. He was a potter by trade, living with his mother aged 27 and never married.

    He returned from the war with what I believe to be 'Shell Shock'. He lived in Tottenham for a few years moving from place to place. Eventually taken into Napsbury Military Hospital. He did try to escape a couple of times, but was caught by the police and returned. He died in Napsbury in 1951 aged 65. I and my siblings attended his funeral, although not realising at the time as we played in a meadow with an aunt.

    Vicki Pluckrose




    231543

    Pte. William M. Warriss 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    William Warriss was my great uncle who was killed during the Battle of Fricourt. Lest we Forget.

    William was born in 1894. Lived at 36 Bailey Street Sheffield, a silversmith apprentice (1911 census). His Father was John Warriss and Mother Florence, his siblings were Sarah, Lily, Millie, Alice, John. William is buried in Fricourt Cemetary in France.

    Simone Jeffcock




    231538

    Capt. William Wesson Frith CdeG. 169th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Captain William Frith, my grandmother's cousin, was posthumously awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre and made a Chevalier of the Order of Leopold but finding out why has proved difficult. He was the son of William Longhurst Frith and Mabel Anna Frith; husband of Daisy Alice Frith, of The Cottage, Beaverwood Road, Chislehurst, Kent. He was aged 35 when he was killed in action in Belgium, and is buried in Steenkerke Belgian Military Cemetery.

    Stephen Carter




    231535

    Pte. James Henry Sowman 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Harry Sowman served with the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment.

    Darren Russell




    231532

    Pte. Sidney Abraham Oram 1/17 (Stepney & Poplar) Btn. London Regiment (d.25th March 1918)

    Sidney Oram was my mother's father and served in France from 1916 to his death during German advance on 25th of March 1918.

    Peter Boon




    231520

    Pte. Walter Stanley Gregory 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    One of the tasks of the 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry on 1st July 1916 was to assist in the capture of Lozenge Alley and part of Lozenge Wood. Private Gregory was killed north of Fricourt on that day in action with the 21st Division. It seems that 144 soldiers of his division were killed that day.

    He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was one of 168 Old Boys of Taunton School who gave their lives in the Great War - three of whom died on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Somme. They will be especially remembered at the School Commemoration this year, which falls on 1 July, the centenary of the battle. Unfortunately, few details of Walter Gregory's schooldays are known and there is no photograph. He attended Taunton School, probably as a boarder, from 1896-98 when the school was still known as Independent College.

    John Brown




    231519

    Pte. Angus Duncan "Dunc" McCallum 16th Battalion

    <p>

    Great Uncle Dunc (as he was known) was born on 10 September 1880. Before the Great War, Dunc McCallum worked as a soap maker, clerk and labourer. He tried to enlist on 27 July 1915 but was rejected because of weakness of the heart and cardiac murmur.

    He re-applied in March 1916 and was enlisted on 21 August that year at the age of 35. After basic training at Blackboy Hill, he was assigned to the 20th Reinforcements of 16 Btn and the unit finally departed Fremantle on the HMAT Suffolk on 13th of October 1916. After a short training period in the UK the unit crossed to France on the Princess Clementina on 28th of December 1916 where they undertook more rigorous training.

    Finally Dunc was taken on strength in the field on 11th of February 1917 at Bazentin. The 16th Battalion were in the thick of things at the Battle of Bullecourt (the black day of the AIF) on 11th of April 1917. There were significant casualties killed and wounded with 300 captured. Total 16 Btn losses on that day alone were 17 officers (from a total of 20) and, 623 other ranks (from a total of 797). Dunc was one of those casualties, having been wounded by shrapnel in his left knee. He was interned firstly in Dulmen POW camp until August and then transferred to Hembahn, Munster II Camp where POWs were assigned to work on farms and forests and often enjoyed a superior diet to the civilian population.

    After the Armistice, Dunc was allowed generous leave in the UK until he was repatriated to Australia on 5th March 1919 and arrived in Albany on the SS Nevasa on 13 April. He spent 6 days in the sick bay suffering from myalgia on the journey home and was discharged as medically unfit on 3rd June 1919. He married Whilemina Denyer later that year, joined the WAGR (keeping it in the family) and was on the staff at Swanbourne Station as a railway porter for 16 years. He was described as a man of remarkable personal charm with a kindliness of character which won him close friendships. Dunc passed away peacefully after a long illness in 1950. He was buried at Fremantle Cemetery in a non-military grave. The Office of the Australian War Graves Commission recently have commissioned an official plaque in the Garden of Remberance plus a small plaque to be placed on Dunc's existing grave.

    Postcard sent from Dunc to his Brother Alex McCallum MLA

    back of postcard

    AWM plaque

    Wendy Mahoney




    231518

    Capt. William Anderson "Anson" Cowie MC. 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.30 May 1918)

    <p>

    I am researching William Cowie as he appears on a memorial at my local church in Scotland. I just wish to put a face and story to a name.

    Andrew Bates




    231505

    Gnr. J. Vincent HMS Eileen (d.13th Feb 1919)

    Gunner Vincent was the Husband of Fanny Vincent, of Horndean Hill, Horndean, Hants. He was 39 when he died. He is buried in the Westbury Cemetery, St. Michael, Barbados, Section FA.

    s flynn




    231504

    Pte. M L Taitt (d.30th August 1919)

    Private Taitt is buried in the Westbury Cemetery, St. Michael, Barbados

    s flynn




    231503

    Pte. D. Roachford (d.2nd November 1919)

    Private Roachford is buried in the Westbury Cemetery, St. Michael, Barbados

    s flynn




    231502

    Pte. R. Lopez (d.15th April 1920)

    Private Lopez is buried in the Westbury Cemetery, St. Michael, Barbados

    s flynn




    231501

    Pte. Laurie Greaves (d.16th October 1919)

    Pte. Greaves is buried in the Westbury Cemetery, St. Michael, Barbados

    s flynn




    231500

    L/Cpl. F. Grandison (d.13th May 1919)

    Cpl. Grandison is buried in the Westbury Cemetery, St. Michael, Barbados.

    s flynn




    231499

    Capt. Thomas Scott Syers MC. 147th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.14th Nov 1918)

    Thomas Syers joined the Bedfordshire Regiment on the 22nd of Mar 1901. He Commanded 147th brigade RFA during the landings at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, on the 25th of Apr 1915 and later commanded the 29th Divisional Trench Mortar Battery He was wounded on the 8rh of July 1915 and sent home to the UK where he died from his wounds 4 days after the war ended 14th of November 1918 His Military Cross was gazetted 29 Oct 1915





    231494

    Pvt. G. Gittens (d.24th November 1919)

    Private Gittens is buried in St. Philip Churchyard, Barbados.

    s flynn




    231493

    Pioneer C. Yard (d.13th November 1918)

    Pioneer Yard is buried in St. Matthew Churchyard, St. Michael, Barbados.

    s flynn




    231492

    Pte. F. Griffith (d.24th November 1919)

    Private Griffith is buried in St. Lucy Churchyard, Barbados.

    s flynn




    231491

    Pte. C. Bascom (d.5th March 1921)

    Private Bascom is buried in the St. John's Parish Cemetery, Barbados.

    s flynn




    231490

    Pte. S. J. Raper (d.3rd February 1919)

    Private Raper is buried in the St. James Parish Cemetery, Holetown, Barbados

    s flynn




    231489

    Cpl. W. V. Buyer (d.25th August 1921)

    Cpl. Buyer is buried in the St. Barnabas Churchyard, St. Michael, Barbados

    s flynn




    231488

    Pte. P. Archer Jamaica Contingent (d.26th July 1918)

    Private Archer is buried in the Boscobel (St. Philip the Less) Chapel Yard, St. Peter, Barbados.

    s flynn




    231482

    Pte. Soloman S. Roker Bahamas Contingent (d.8th June 1918)

    Private Roker is remembered on the Nassau Memorial in the Bahamas.

    The Nassau Memorial commemorates Commonwealth servicemen of both World Wars who lie buried in cemeteries or churchyards, but whose graves have become impossible to maintain.

    s flynn




    231478

    Pte. Herbert N. Grant Bahamas Contingent (d.7th May 1918)

    Private Herbert Grant is remembered on the Nassau Memorial in the Bahamas. The Nassau Memorial commemorates Commonwealth servicemen of both World Wars who lie buried in cemeteries or churchyards, but whose graves have become impossible to maintain.

    s flynn




    231477

    Sgt. Donald MacGilvray 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    My (elder) Uncle, Sergeant Donald MacGilvray, joined up at Dunoon on the first day of WW1. He was gassed at some point but served till the end of the war.

    I believe he was possibly at Delville Wood and probably at Beaumont Hamel.

    Donald R Smith




    231475

    Pte. Harry Bladon 1/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    In 1901 Harry was living at his sister Ann's home in Burton on Trent, together with his widowed father Leonard, and siblings Ernest, Mary and Albert. Only Harry had been born in Blackwell, Derbyshire in 1887. It seems that the family were in Blackwell for only a short time between 1881 census and 1889 when Harry's younger brother Ernest was born in Burton. Private 4425 Harry Bladon of the North Staffs. (Prince of Wales ) Regiment 1st/6th Btn, was killed in action on July 1st 1916; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Tony Mellors




    231461

    L/Sgt. Percy Harold Adams 19th Battalion Royal Welch Fusliers

    Percy Adams served with the 9th and 19th Battalions, Royal Welch Fusiliers and as a Platelayer with the 298th Railway Construction Company, Royal Engineers

    D Adams




    231460

    Pte. Roy Louis McGuire (d.24th July 1918)

    Private McGuire was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. McGuire, of Taabinga, Queensland. He is buried in the Albany Quarantine Cemetery, Australia.

    s flynn




    231459

    Pte. William Francis Baragry Australian Infantry Base Depot (d.22nd Aug 1916)

    Private Baragry was buried in the Adaminaby General Cemetery, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    231458

    Spr. G. Smart Royal Engineers (d.28th Feb 1920)

    Sapper G. Smart was buried in the Rosario Protestant Cemetery, Argentina.

    s flynn




    231449

    Sgt. Herbert Tonge 25th Battalion Manchester Regiment

    Herbert Tonge served with the 25th and 21st Battalions, Manchester Regiment

    Marjorie McGiffen




    231446

    2nd Lt. John Winter Little MC.

    Jack Little was my great grandfather, I know a few disjointed snippets of information about him. He survived the war, but was taken prisoner in Italy, escaped and made his way back to England. He was court marshalled for disobeying orders but then reinstated and given the Freedom of the City of Carlisle - I have his gold pocket watch inscribed on being honoured by his home town. I also have his swagger sticks. Any further information regarding his service career would be most welcome.

    Judith Morrison




    231444

    Pte. Thomas Ashworth 343rd Road Construction Company Royal Engineers (d.5th Aug 1917)

    Thomas Ashworth is buried in the Huts Cemetery southwest of Ypres. The Cemetery takes name from line of huts along the road used by field ambulances.

    Chris Openshaw




    231442

    Able Sea. William Henry Jones SS Royston Grange. (d.10th Nov 1918)

    William Jones was the son of Mrs. Sarah Jones, of 13, Tydfil Terrace, Troedyrhiwr, Glam. He was 29 when he died and is buried in the Buenos Aires (Chacarita) British Cemetery in Argentina.

    s flynn




    231435

    Herbert James "Bert" Lloyd Glamorgan Yeomanry

    I have my grandfather's diary written during his time in the Holy Land. He saw Laurence of Arabia being presented with a white camel and speaks of how rare white camels were. Every block house they stayed at he lists the dimensions and talked of all the flies. As a child he told me many stories of this time. Learning to ride on Sherringham Beach being allocated a grey mare. Out in Palistine they were aware of the, as he called them, "fuzzy wussys" stealing kits. The troops would only take off one boot to sleep and tied the other to it so they couldn't be stolen.

    At what he called the Bahrain Oasis they joined in with a Trible wedding. I have the jewelry he was given that day. The saddest day seems to be when they got to Alexandria. The men were refusing to hand their horses over to Arab horse traders before the men set sail for France. They had seen the way the Arabs treated their animals and couldn't bear to give them over. He said that some men shot their own horses but never said what happened to the men because of this. He carried all his mementos in a black cat tobacco tin which I still keep them in.

    Carol Anderson




    231423

    2nd Lt. Ewart Gladstone Blackmore 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    <p>

    Ewart Gladstone Blackmore was born on Saturday 21st May 1898 at 3, Northcote Road, St. George, Gloucestershire and was one of eleven children born to Frederick Charles and Augusta Susan Wesley Blackmore (nee Smith); he was christened on Wednesday 7th February 1900 at St. George The Martyr, St. George, Bristol.

    Because of the need for junior officers in the Great War it was routine during war-time for men to be selected to attend Officer Cadet Units or Officer Cadet Schools. Ewart would have been compulsorily conscripted on or about his 18th birthday and would have trained as a recruit. He must have shown leadership potential enabling his commanding officer to put his name forward for officer selection. As a private soldier becoming an officer he would have been struck off the strength of his original unit and added to the officer strength of his new unit. There is no record of the unit that Ewart had originally served in before being selected for officer training. The London Gazette of 19th April 1918 listed Ewart as being appointed a Second-Lieutenant from an Officer Cadet Unit with effect from 27th March 1918 and joined up with the 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (Territorial Force) on 3rd October 1918. He was subsequently seconded to the 6th Battalion Wiltshires for recruiting and reconstruction purposes following huge losses it had sustained during the fighting in France and Flanders where it was reduced to cadre strength.

    On the 27th of September Ewart, along with 151 Other Ranks, left England to join the Battalion, eventually joining up with them on 3rd October 1918 at the Divisional Reception Camp near Villers-Guislain in time for the planned assault on the Beaurevoir Line; Battalion HQ was based at Kitchen Crater. Ewart and the Wiltshires pushed on and occupied part of the Hindenburg Line at Rancourt Farm with the 7th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment on the left, the 33rd Division on the right and the 6th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in support. The 64th Infantry Brigade was holding the front line at Montecouvez Farm. The Wiltshires took up a position east of the farm for an attack on an enemy position in the Beaurevoir Line. The companies were to rendezvous on the eastern edge of the Rancourt Copse at 22.45 hrs. Owing to it being a very dark night and the amount of barbed wire to be passed through, the rendezvous was not completed until 23.30 hrs. The companies then moved off in column of route with increased distances via the tracks and roads and sunken roads. Due to the darkness and state of roads and other traffic the companies did not reach the predetermined point until 00.45 hrs. They were formed up as follows - Front Line - C Company on the right, D company on the left. Support Line - A Company on the right, B Company on the left.

    On the 7th October Ewart was involved with the attack on the Beaurevoir Line following a heavy bombardment by the Allied artillery. The casualties taken by the 1st Wiltshires in the assault were 2 Officers and 11 Other Ranks killed; 3 Officers and 78 Other Ranks wounded and Other Ranks Missing 2. Captures comprised 81 enemy Other Ranks, one T.M.B. (Trench Mortar Battery) and two Machine Guns. On the 23rd October the Wiltshires prepared themselves for their night attack on Ovillers situated on the left of the Albert-Bapaume Road which was one of the front line villages held by the Germans, situated on a spur which gave it an excellent view over the British lines. On the opposite side of the valley stood La Boiselle, It was another equally heavily fortified village that commanded the north side of what was called 'Mash Valley'. This attack was a phase of the Battles of the German Hindenburg Line.

    The Wiltshires succeeded in taking all of its objectives and held them until 6th Battalion, Leicestershire Regt and 62nd Infantry Brigade went through to capture further objectives. The Wiltshire Regiment casualties during the attack were

    Officers Killed; 2nd Lieuts H R Palmer, H B Cooper. Other Ranks 23 Wounded Officers: Lieut.W.J.E Ross, 2nd Lieuts E.G. Blackmore and H. Aston.

    Other Ranks 120. Missing Officers Nil. The Battalions War Diary states that Ewart suffered a gunshot wound to the left eye and after first receiving attention at the Regimental Aid Post and then the Advanced Dressing Station, the was sent to the 34 Casualty Clearing Station at Grevillers on the 24th October. A day later he was admitted to the officers surgical ward at No.3 General Hospital at Le Treport roughly 20 miles north east of Dieppe.

    Ewarts case was clearly more serious than the CCS could attend to so was sent to No.3 General Hospital at le Treport. He was evacuated to England on 5th November aboard the Hospital Ship Carisbrook Castle. She had previously been used as a troop ship in the Boer War and regularly sailed in the Cape mail service for the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Line during peacetime. The Carisbrook Castle would have docked at Southampton with being Ewart transported by train to Bristol Temple Meads Station before being transferred to the 2nd Southern Area Military Hospital (the Bristol Royal Infirmary) for rehabilitation. Before he was discharged the Armistice was signed by the warring factions so Ewart was never to see active service again.

    David Blackmore




    231421

    Pte. Handel Richard Blackmore No. 9 Casualty Clearing Station Royal Army Medical Corps

    Handel Richard Blackmore was born on Monday 21st November 1887 at 44 Drury Lane, Chadderton, Lancashire. He was the son of Walter Henry and Lydia Rachel Blackmore (née Farvis), brother to William Walter Blackmore, and first cousin once removed to Frederick Charles Blackmore and second cousin to Frank Wesley Blackmore. As a boy he had worked as a Cotton Mule Piecer (they had to lean over the spinning-machine to repair the broken threads) and later as a Cotton Spinner Operative. In 1911 Handel was living with his widowed mother Lydia at 750 Oldham Road, Failsworth, Lancashire.

    During the war, Handel was assigned to the Royal Army Medical Corps as Private 42554 and was sent to France on 23rd December 1914. Unfortunately Handel's service papers were burnt in the WWII Blitz but based upon other soldiers' service numbers which appear in the same sequence it is fairly safe to assume that Handel enlisted on 23rd October 1914 and served in No.9 Casualty Clearing Station.

    The unit left Southampton on 21st December 1914 on board the SS Georgian that arrived at Le Havre at 3 a.m. Handel served with No. 9 Casualty Clearing Station at Lycée, St. Omer and Lillers. Along with No. 4 Casualty Clearing Station, No. 9 left for Italy on 1st November as part of the Third Army, British Expeditionary Force.

    Handel Richard Blackmore survived the war and was subsequently discharged on 17th March 1919 but placed in 'Z' reserve in case the war should recommence. After the war he worked as a self-employed Draper and died in June 1966 in Middleton, Lancashire fifteen months after his wife Ada had passed away.





    231419

    Pte. Frank Wesley Blackmore No. 6 Stationary Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>F. W. Blackmore

    Frank Blackmore was born at 14 Worrall Road, Clifton, on Saturday July 19th 1890. He was the son of Frederick Charles and Augusta Susan Wesley Blackmore (nee Smith), who were lodging there at the time. He was later educated at Summerhill Council School, St. George, Bristol and by 1911 was working as a clerk in Packers, a local chocolate factory in Greenbank. He enlisted in Bristol on Monday 8th February 1915. At the time he was still living with his parents at 'Fillwood', 334 Church Road, St. George, Bristol.

    His medical records show that Frank was 24 years 6 months of age, 5 feet 8 inches tall with a 35 1/2 inch chest. He was appointed Private 52165 in the Royal Army Medical Corps and would be paid 1s. 2d. per day. He was sent to Llandrindod Wells, Wales in April 1915 for two anti-typhoid inoculations and to commence his basic training. Before being posted abroad Frank received additional proficiency pay of 4d. per day as from 11th May 1915. He was to land in Le Havre, France on Wednesday 9th June 1915 with No. 6 Stationary Hospital, RAMC, part of the British Expeditionary Force along with Lieutenant A. Jamieson and other volunteers who were placed in No. 6 Ward.

    On 25th February 1917 he applied to join the infantry and was sent to No. 16 Officer Training Battalion at Kimnel, North Wales. In their 28th November 1917 edition the London Gazette announced that as of 31st October 1917 Frank Blackmore had been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. He was later to be attached to 4th (Reserve) Battalion, "The Queen's" Royal West Surrey Regiment. He never saw active service again and was demobilized on Saturday 22nd March 1919.





    231416

    Lt.Col. Algernon Hastings Campbell Neale 8th Btn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)

    Lt.Col. Neale was the husband of Katherine E. Neale. He was 57 when he died of wounds and was buried in the Relizane Communal Cemetery in Algeria.

    S Flynn




    231415

    1st Mate. Thomas Cundy Row SS Tremorvah (d.29th Apr 1917)

    First Mate Thomas Row was 34 when he died and was buried in the Constantine European Cemetery in Algeria.

    S Flynn




    231414

    Able Sea. Alexander Hughson Johnston SS Wiltonhall (d.24th Jul 1916)

    Alexander Johnston was the son of Janet Johnston, of Bush Aith, Lerwick, Shetland, and the late John Johnston. Born at Nesting, Shetland. He was 46 when he died and was buried in the Cherchell Communal Cemetery, Algeria.

    s flynn




    231413

    Pte. Thomas Cyril Turner 2nd/1st Notts and Derby Field Amb. Royal Army Medical Corps (d.24th Nov 1915)

    Thomas Turner was buried in the Arzew Communal Cemetery, Algeria.

    S Flynn




    231412

    Pte. Alexander Holmes 1/4th (Hallamshire) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.22nd May 1918)

    Alexander Holmes died Of wounds In Flanders

    Gerald Holmes




    231411

    Ldg.Stkr. R. W. Stephenson HMS Assistance

    Leading Stoker was buried in the Algiers (Boulevard Bru) European Cemetery, Algeria. His grave is marked by a wooden cross supplied by the ship.

    S Flynn




    231410

    Pte. Sydney George Moore 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.17 Feb 1917)

    Sydney George Moore was born in 1898, in Geddington, Northamptonshire, son of Mary Jane and Harry Moore. He died on 17th February 1917 during an assault on Boom Ravine near Miraumont.





    231409

    Pte. H. Draper SS. Kyno (d.16th Nov 1917)

    Private Draper is buried in the Algiers (Boulevard Bru) European Cemetery, Algeria with a wooden cross marking his grave.

    s flynn




    231386

    Pt.e William John Scott 2/5th Battalion Leicester Regiment (d.30th Sep 1917)

    My Grandfather William Scott volunteered in April 1917 when he was 40 years & 8 months old. His only daughter was born in June 1917. He spent the early part of his service in England and was sent to Belgium immediately after leave to see his daughter after her birth. He was apparently killed by a blast from a mine while in a rest area 3 months later. There is no grave. His name is recorded on the memorials at Zonnebeke, Belgium

    Andrew




    231384

    Capt. Frederick Lewis Vernon DCM. 26th (3rd Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Vernon was born in Monmouth, Wales in 1885, the son of David Hunter Vernon and Martha (nee, Morgan). He joined the 26th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, the 3rd Tyneside Irish in January 1915 and was transferred to France in 1916. He died on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He left five children, Edna, Dorothy, Marjorie, Frederick and Patricia. Frederick never saw his sixth child, Sydney Morton Vernon who was born 24th December 1916. Sydney went on to be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal during World War Two.

    Ian Vernon




    231378

    Pte. Albert Hilton Gate Westmoreland & Cumberland Yeomanry

    <p>

    My grandfather, Albert Gate didn't talk too much about his war. He was one of three stepbrothers from an estate on the Solway Forth in Cumberland. He was born on 28 March 1899 and on the outbreak of war joined up and, coming from a farm with horses, joined the mounted Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry. At some stage he was dismounted and joined the 2nd Lincolns. The next part of the story I know was that he was in Dublin during the Easter uprising and was a sniper and at some time was on the roof of the Post Office doing his job.

    He moved to France and I know he was gassed three times and shelled and injured three times. One of the times he was shelled in no-man's-land and was wounded in the arm by an exploding whizz-bang. The guy next to him was killed. The last solid thing I know was he was transferred to what became the 3rd Battle of the Aisne positions and was one of the 30 survivors after the German attack. On page 302 of his book "Battle of the Somme" he has recorded this in the margin. He and his two stepbrothers all went to war, all were wounded and all survived. I met both of them with my grandfather at a family funeral in the 1970's.

    David Barnett




    231373

    Gnr. Stuart Henry Quick 5th Battery Royal Canadian Artillery

    On September 26, 1914, just six weeks after Britain had declared war on Germany, Stuart, a printer working with the Newmarket Era newspaper in Newmarket, Ontario, had voluntarily enlisted in the Canadian Army in Quebec City, Quebec. One of the first group of Canadian soldiers (known as the First Contingent) to be sent to Flanders, Gunner Quick as he became, was assigned to the 5th Battery, 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division Canadian Field Artillery. He sailed for Europe with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on October 3 on the Cunard liner RMS Ivernia, amongst an armada of 31 transport ships carrying 83,000 troops from the Dominion, the largest military force that has ever crossed the Atlantic at one time.

    After disembarking at Plymouth on October 20th, he travelled to Amesbury by train the next day, thence on to Westdown North Camp, to undergo training in England, at the Canadian military training base on Salisbury Plain. There, in canvas tents, they spent one of the worst winters on record in England. In early February, Stuart's regiment was sent to France and in March took part in his first action in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. Soon after he took part in the Battle of Ypres and experienced the horror of the Germans chlorine gas attacks. Somehow he managed to survive this and for the next 15 months, he was up to his neck in mud and gore in the trenches of Flanders exchanging high-explosive shells with the German troops who probably didn't want to be there either.

    Early in the morning of 6th of May 1916, Stuart's luck ran out. Whilst out on a night-time reconnaissance patrol at the front with two comrades, a German shell exploded a few feet from them, killing Stuart instantly and badly wounding his friend Sid Williams. His other chum, Signaller George Arthur McClintock escaped with a hole in his cap, a rip in his coat sleeve and minus part of his trousers. All of these three were First Contingent men, who up until then had managed to come through some serious action, including, without a scratch. Today, Stuart's remains are buried in the Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Reninghelst, a short distance from where he was killed.

    Alan Bartlett




    231372

    Pte. Michael Mulgrave 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.10 May 1915)

    I have recently discovered Private Michael Mulgrave through investigating my ancestors. He was my grandmother's brother and, therefore, my great uncle. From the information I have been able to find he was already in the Army on the 1911 census aged 24 years. He was killed in action in 1915 in Flanders.

    I have also seen a picture of his name engraved on the Menin Gate, Ypres. I feel very privileged and happy to have found him especially as I have no other living relatives I can talk to about him which is also quite sad too.

    I am going to continue to try to find out more about him and his life. It all feels like I already know him in some strange way. I can't explain it in words. Anyway I feel like there is someone left to remember him and the ultimate sacrifice he made.

    Dee Jackson




    231370

    Sea. William Henry Chafe HMS Clan McNaughton (d.4th Feb 1915)

    William Chafe was the son of Henry and Hannah Chafe, of Forest Pond, The Goulds, St.John's West, Newfoundland. He gave his life for King & Country while serving on the HMS Clan McNaughton, aged 20, on 4th Feb. 1915. Originally from Petty Harbour, NL, he is commemorated on the War Memorial there. Chafe is a common surname in Petty Harbour to this day.





    231369

    L/Cpl. James Miller 10th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    James Miller Joined the 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Aug 1915. He deployed to France on 5th Oct 1915 where he served with the Battalion. He was discharged on 15 Aug 1916, believed due to injuries (possibly from Gas - not confirmed).





    231367

    Sgt. Walter Edward Cowles 9th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.25th Sept 1915)

    Walter Cowles was born in Wymondham. He enlisted in the 9th King's Royal Rifle Corps in Norwich. He served in France & Flanders from 21st May 1915 and was killed in action on 25th September 1915. He is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial and on the Wymondham War Memorial. He was a resident of Wymondham.

    This paragraph is from the Royal of Honour and records the names of those killed in WWI and WWII whose names are on the Wymondham War Memorial in Norfolk. Detailed Information compiled by Chris Clarke in 2014

    Walter was my mother's great uncle and his sister, my mother's maternal grandmother, never forgot her favourite brother and mourned him till she died. In fact she named her first born son Walter in his memory. After being wounded Walter was sent home on leave to recuperate. Just before he was sent back to the front he met my mother's mother, his 8 year old niece, in Wymondham and told her that he was going back to the war and that he would not return. His body was never found.

    In August 2014 I took my 84 year old mother to Ypres so that she could leave a poppy cross at the panel on the Menin Gate, where his name is recorded, and another poppy cross at one of the graves of an unknown soldier (that may have been his) on behalf of herself and for her grandmother.

    Julia Reid




    231364

    Pte. Charles Henry Cadwallader 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.20th September 1917)

    Charles Cadwallader died in Passchendaele. He is remembered with honour at Tyne Cot Memorial

    Ozzy




    231361

    Sgt. William Rosendale 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.22nd January 1915)

    My paternal grandfather's brother. He died 3 weeks before his brother Sydney - who was in the same Regiment, who also died on 3 Feb 1915.

    We are visiting their graves in May 2016 to pay our respects

    Jeanette Mansworth




    231360

    Pte. Sydney Rosendale 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.22nd January 1915)

    Sydney Rosendale was my paternal grandfather's brother Sydney died 3 weeks before his older brother William - a sergeant in the same regiment.

    We are off to visit their graves in May 2016

    Jeanette Mansworth




    231359

    Pte. Herbert Prestwich 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.30th Sep 1918)

    Pte Herbert Prestwich died of his wounds on 30 September 1918. He is buried at Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery near Poperinghe, Belgium, he was 20 years old.





    231356

    Pte. Albert Mugridge 6th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.27th March 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Mugridge served with the 6th Btn. Essex Regiment.

    Ken Mugridge




    231352

    Pte. William George Bowes 22nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th March 1918)

    <p>

    William Bowes served with the 22nd Durham Light Infantry, he is remembered on the Poziers memorial.

    Joanna Patey




    231351

    Sgt. William James McQuillan 11th Btn. D Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.19th May 1916 )

    William McQuillan was my Great Uncle, and died when he was 21 from his wounds. I only found out when I started our McQuillan Family Tree in 2004.

    Marian Hunter




    231350

    L/Cpl. William Lancaster 6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th April 1918)

    William John Lancaster and his brother, Herbert John Lancaster, were born in Scarborough. Both served in the West Yorkshire Regiment, William in the 6th Battalion Herbert John in the 21st Battalion. Both were killed in action in 1918. Herbert John on 28th March and William on 20th April. I can't begin to imagine what it was like for my Great Grandparents receiving the dreaded telegrams just weeks apart. The two brothers are buried 40km apart in Pas de Calais. I'm going to the Euros in June and plan to visit the graves.

    William's wife Annie Isabella was pregnant at the time of her husbands death, she named her son Harry after my grandfather (William's brother), my middle name is also Harry. Young Harry served in WW2 and the story (unconfirmed) is that he was killed in action whilst his wife was expecting their first child - a sad case of history repeating itself.

    Tony Lancaster




    231349

    Gnr. William Morgan Royal Field Artillery

    William Morgan enlisted on 25th June 1915 and was discharged on 7th March 1918. He was born in 1887 and lived in South Wales - perhaps in Treorchy.





    231347

    Pte. Jack Ainger Davey Essex Regiment

    Jack Davey was my next door neighbour. He was born in 1880 and joined the Essex Regiment Volunteers. He volunteered for service in the Boer War and fought with the CIV, and stayed for further service in South Africa with the Bechuanaland Police before returning home. He was mobilized in 1914, went to Egypt in 1915, and later transferred to the Royal Field Artillery so did not go to Gallipoli with the Essex Regiment. He was demobilized at the end of 1919 and lived to a ripe old age, eventually dying in the early 1970s.

    Gary Cootes




    231345

    Sgt. John Ashton Parsons MSM. 207th Norwich Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Jack Parsons is my Grandfather. He had three brothers, Fred, William and Ben. All four fought in, and survived WWI. In The Gazette on the 3rd of June 1919, it was noted that Jack had been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Pre-war, Jack had been a Private Secretary at Norwich Cathedral and post-war he had a career at Armstrong Cork Company. Jack died shortly after retirement in 1965.

    David Buckden




    231342

    Capt. W. H.M. Pierson MC, CdG. 3rd Btn. att. 2nd Btn South Wales Borderers (d.21st Nov 1917)

    Captain W. H. M. Pierson, MC, CdG, seems to have sailed from Brazil to serve. He was born in 1881, in England, from what I have found, but is remembered in Sao Paulo, as a WW1 veteran and casualty. I do not know the causes of his dismise, but he was awarded the Military Cross and the French Croix de Guerre 14-18. He was killed on the 21st November 1917, 36 years old and is remembered at Marcoing Cemetery. RIP. I would like to obtain more details about him.

    Adriano Silva Baumgartner




    231339

    Spr. Arthur Elgar Taylor 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.17th Oct 1917)

    All I know is that my grandfather, Arthur Taylor and grandmother went back to England where they were both born. He was with the Royal Engineers, 249th Field Coy., and died 17th of October 1917 and is listed as Commonwealth War Dead. He is buried in La Brique Military Cemetery No. 2 in Belgium. I am trying to find out about his company and where they fought in the war.

    Marjorie Culver




    231337

    Sgt. William Gilbert MM 26th Btn. (3rd Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusilliers

    My Gradfather William Gilbert married into an Irish immigrant family in Newcastle and as a consequence when he joined up he chose the Tyneside Irish pals battalion of the Northumberland Fusilliers. He was awarded the Military Medal for action during the Battle of the Somme but I do not know the details of the action for which the MM was awarded.

    Colin Bell




    231335

    Pte. John Thomas Ward 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd July 1916)

    John Ward was the Brother of my Husband's Grandma. John Thomas Ward, or John T as he was sometimes known, was a soldier at the time of his marriage to Miss Lillian Link in February 1916. A few months later he was injured in Flanders and died of wounds on 23rd July 1916. He is buried in Abberville Communal Cemetery in Somme, France. He was posthumously awarded the British War and Victory Medals on 31st of March 1920. According to that medal roll, John Thomas also served in the 5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

    It would be great to find out more information about John Thomas, so we could know more about him. I have no photos.

    Julie Holmes




    231334

    Pte. George Arthur Scott Labour Corps (d.9th November 1918)

    George Scott was buried at St Michael's Church, Horton, Berks on 11th November 1918. He enlisted at Slough, Bucks and died aged 24 years, at home on 9th November 1918. He appears on the Horton War Memorial, The Green, Stanwell Road, Horton.

    He was born c 1895 at Hounslow, Middlesex and before the war worked as an assistant to his father, Arthur Scott, in the plant nursery business. (A E Scott and Son 1907 - 1915) George was formerly in the Beds. Regiment, number 8150.

    Fiona Snowdon




    231331

    Pte. William Henry Prudence 2nd Btn. Queen West Surrey Regiment (d.31st Oct 1914)

    I have only very recently discovered the loss of my Great Uncle William Prudence at the first battle of Ypres. I am going to Belgium this June to pay my respects and visit the spot where I believe he was killed.

    Michael Boulton




    231330

    Rflmn. Henry Kenneth Weatherhead 16th Btn. C Company. London Regiment (d.10th Sept 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Weatherhead was the son of Henry (a bank manager for Barclays) and Florence Esther Weatherhead, of 'Naunton', Holland Rd, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, He was born in Colchester on 10th Sept 1892. He attended Felsted School May 1906 to Dec 1907 and then worked in the Bank of England as a clerk. He was granted war leave from 6th Jan 1916 and enlisted in the 16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, serving in C Company.

    On the 10th September 1916 after 7am D Company 16th Londons closed on its left and C Company was formed on the right of D each attacking in waves of Platoons in line. D Companys leading Platoon were ordered to swing to their left to attack the sunken road trench on the N. side of the Combles - Leuze Wood Road and half the H.Q. Bombers were also given to Officer Commander D Company for the purpose of helping in the attack on this trench. 2nd Lieut Johnston and a patrol from C Company reconnoitered the direction of the attack for C Companys attack. The casualties during the night were heavy. 2nd Lieuts Aspergis and Johnston being killed and some 40 soldiers of C and D being killed or wounded. This could be the moment when Henry Weatherhead was killed though initially reported as missing and presumed as killed in action 10th September 1916. He is buried at Combles Communal Cemetery Extension, and also remembered by the Bank of England War Memorial bronze plaque.

    Jules Wallis




    231327

    Pte. Ernest John Bitterlich 23rd Btn. (Welsh Pioneers) Welsh Regiment (d.28th Feb 1918 )

    Ernest John Biterlich, known as John or Jack, was born May 1882 or 83 in Islington, Middlesex. His great Grandar was a Polish sailor. Jack was a plasterer having served a 6 year apprenticeship with his father. Aged 27 he fell in love with 19 year old Gertrude Ella Norris and married her, moving in with his in-laws in Swansea. The census of April 2nd 1911 shows "Ernest John Biterlich, plasterer/builder working for an employer, lived at 1 Thomas Street Swansea, with his wife Gertrude Ellen Biterlich, daughter of Head of Household aged 21, their son Ernest Biterlich 9 months old". They lived with her parents: Joseph Norris aged 57 who is described as an Employer, working as an Assisting Agent for an Auctioneer with his wife, Sarah a dressmaker in own account. The house had 4 rooms including the kitchen and housed 6 adults and a baby of 9 months; Jack + wife Gertie + son Ernest, Father-in-law Joseph Norris & his wife Sarah, plus Thos. J Norris, their unmarried children, 18 year old son and 23yr. old daughter Sarah Annie Norris.

    Baby Ernest died in infancy. Jack & Gertrude had 3 babies that didn't survive prior to having their son, Arthur Joseph Henry Biterlich in 1913 followed by daughter Gertie in 1915 at 24 Thomas Street, Swansea.

    Jack signed up for Service October 10th 1914 in Swansea, to the 14th Swansea Battalion. His Short Service Attestation Certificate (Enlistment) gives his details: his first reg. no. was 17354. Age 31 years +5 months, 5' 7.5" tall, 125 lbs, 35" chest +2" expansion. Fresh complexion Blue eyes Light brown hair. 5 tattoo marks L arm, 2 Tattoo marks right arm, mole in middle of back. Church of England. 1 wife, 1 child, Trade: Plasterer, British, No criminal record. Declared Fit for Army, he joined Swansea Battalion Welsh Regiment Oct 10th 1914. However he was discharged 101 Days later on 18/1/15: Reason: Likely to become an inefficient Soldier. Signed by C/O 14th Welsh.

    Whilst back home in Swansea he fathered a daughter, Gertrude Louvain Bitterlich, and then re-Enlisted on 13/12/15. He served in France with 23rd Welsh Pioneers until on 6/4/16 he was invalided out to a London hospital. His daughter Gertie recalled that he never came home again, they rarely visited him in the hospital as it was so far away. He suffered with possibly either Shell-shock or Gas? The family myth is that he was at The Somme but I have no evidence if he was. He never recovered from his War & died in February 1918. He was awarded a badge & Silver War Medal.

    His wife remarried two years later. His daughter Gertie grew up in Swansea, married a sign-writer, Stanley Broad, in St Albans and they had a daughter, Sylvia. Gertie later returned to Wales as a widow and she died in Llanarth in 2002. She has one grandson & six great-grandchildren including 2 great-grand-daughters born & bred in Ffarmers, Caio, Carmarthenshire.

    Helen Whittle




    231326

    Pte. Albert Cawthorne 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Aug 1918)

    Albert Cawthorne served with 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Linda




    231325

    Richard Fredrik Goodwin

    My great grandad Richard Goodwin served in ww1 he served 2 years in France leaving Folkstone to Boulogne He was shot and wounded and treated at No.5 Australian field hospital in Abbeville France and after 3 months was sent back to the front line he also had a birthday on Christmas Day twice I believe whilst in France he was from my understanding a fusilier to start then ended up in Dorset to Bovington camp and trained to be a tank driver / mechanic I am trying to find out more about his time in hospital and his injury he had .

    Mark James




    231321

    Capt. Ewan Jack Lloyd 9th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    Jack Lloyd was commended for the Romanian Award.

    Sam Harcourt




    231311

    Cpl. Sydney Smith Spence MID. 12th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    My dad, Sydney Spence never spoke of the war but after his death little bits came out. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 7th November 1917 no more information came to light. He also reenlisted in WW2 were my mother said he gained a commission and awarded the Military Medal but verified as we don't have his number only the Pioneers. My dad finished the war in the Home Guard due to some incident in a POW camp in Scotland. He's medals were lost/stolen we've only got a certificate of his MID signed by Winston Churchill Secretary of State.

    I was so proud of him I joined the Coldstream Guards and that pleased him greatly. Born in 1890's he altered it that many times to get in army he died not knowing his right age. I think my dad served his country to the full. Well done pops RIP.

    William Spence




    231308

    Pte. Albert Edward Wahlstrom 36th Infantry Battalion

    <p>

    Albert Wahlstrom served with 36th Infantry Battalion AIF (6th Reinforcement).

    Grave of Albert Edward & Ruby Lillian (nee Anthes) Wahlstrom. Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park Cemetery, Matraville NSW

    Mark Wahlstrom




    231299

    Gnr. Charles William Victor Taylor 112th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd Aug 1917)

    Charles Taylor, eldest son of Richard and Miriam Taylor, of Ailesworth, joined the army on May 10th 1916. He was aged 20 when he was killed in action in France. He is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Ypres.

    The Peterborough Standard reported on the 1st of September 1st 1917.

    Gunner Charles William Victor Taylor, Howitzer Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Taylor, of Ailesworth, was killed in action in France. Official notice of the sad event has not yet arrived, but on Thursday, August 23rd, the following letter was received by Mrs. Taylor:

    Dear Madam, - Enclosed please find a few letters, etc, of your son, Gunner C. W. Taylor. I regret the delay in sending them to you although the letters have only just been found. Please accept the deepest sympathy of all ranks of his battery. Your son, like a number of others, has been badly missed by us all. It was while doing his duty bravely against great odds, that he was killed. A grave was provided, and the Chaplain, as is usual, conducted a service. Again sending you my deepest sympathy. - I remain, yours sincerely. Bdr. R. W. D. Summers.

    The sad news, caused great grief in the village, for Gunner Taylor was a great and general favourite with all who knew him. Though only 20 years old, he was a tall, fine-looking fellow and showed great promise. He was of a most amiable and cheerful disposition and very intelligent. After leaving school he was telegraph boy at Castor Post Office for several years, and so quick, willing and obliging was he, that everyone was sorry (in one sense), when he was promoted to Peterborough Post Office. Here again he became very much liked and soon won promotion. He was always so trustworthy and did his work so well, that there is no doubt he would have attained a good position in post office work had not the war stopped his career. He joined the Army quite voluntarily on May 10th, 1916, and soon became a brave and gallant soldier, much liked and esteemed by his comrades and officers. Wherever he went (and he was stationed some time in the North of England and Scotland), he always made friends, and his death will be deeply regretted by many. A staunch Churchman, he was a regular attendant and communicant wherever he was stationed. Whilst living at home he was a member of the Parish Church choir, and a member of the Rectory Bible Class, and for some time belonged to the Castor Scouts. He was always ready to do a good turn to anyone, and his bright and cheerful face and pleasant manner endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. He leaves a bright memory behind him, which must be a great comfort to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and family in their sad bereavement. A memorial service was held in the Parish Church on Sunday and was well attended by relatives, friends and parishioners. Mr. and Mrs. R. Taylor (parents), Mr. and Mrs. W. Taylor (grandparents), the Misses B. and G. Taylor (aunts), Mr. F. Taylor and Mr. J. Taylor (brothers), Mr. and Mrs. C. Allen (Peterborough), and many others were present. Canon Hulbert preached a helpful and comforting sermon and spoke most highly of deceased’s many good qualities. The hymns chosen by the parents were:- “Rock of Ages”. “Nearer my God to Thee,” and “Lead kindly light.” The service throughout was most solemn and impressive. Many letters from sympathising friends have been received by Mr. and Mrs. Taylor. Over the Roll of Honour in the Church porch some beautiful flowers were placed on Sunday in memory of the deceased. They bore the following inscriptions; “In ever-loving memory of our darling boy,” from his sorrowing father and mother, brothers and sisters, grandad and grandma, and aunties Lizzie and Gertie - “Gone, but never forgotten” : “In loving remembrance of Charlie Taylor, and with deepest sympathy with his parents,” the Rosary, Ailesworth: “In loving memory of “Charlie Taylor,” from H. Q. Deceased was for several years agent at Castor for the Peterborough Standard.”

    Simon Ellis




    231298

    Sgt. Fred Noel Stephens Kings (Liverpool) Regiment

    Fred Stephens was born in 1890 and lived in Liverpool. He was 24 years of age when war started and was already serving with the Kings Liverpool Regiment. He went to Aldershot and became an Army Gymnastic Instructor, and then served at Sefton Park Hospital, Liverpool, where his senior officer was Captain Smith, Royal Army Medical Corps.

    M. Craven




    231296

    Pte. Patrick Dorsey Second Battalion Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire (d.7th April 1916)

    Four generations will visit Patrick Dorsey's grave in June to commemorate his great sacrifice. It will be the centenary of this tragic loss of life. A wasted generation of men who fought courageously so that freedom would be ours.

    Peter Leech




    231295

    2nd Lt. George Henry Gameson 8th Batallion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th March 1917 )

    George Gameson was 24 years old when he died





    231294

    George Ulyatt 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    George Ulyatt was my great aun'ts first husband. He died in 1921 and was never well after being gassed in the War according to his obituary

    Denise Dunstan




    231291

    2nd.Lt. Robert Deacon de Quincy Child 1st Btn. East Kent Regiment

    My relative's name was Robert Deacon de Quincey Child, a soldier of WW1 in the East Kent Regiment and the RAF who was wounded in my country, France in 1916. He died in 1929

    O. Thomas




    231290

    Pte. John Alexander Sawyer MM. Royal Irish Regiment

    My Grandfather John Sawyer was awarded the Military Medal.

    Derek Connor




    231289

    Sgt. Samuel James Catterall MM. 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.8th Aug 1917)

    Samuel Catterall is buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. He was awarded the Military Medal by Major General Bainbridge of the 25th Anzac division following the Battle for Messines Ridge June 7th 1917 where he was apparently employed as No 1 in a 3" Stokes Mortar Detachment. He was later awarded a Belgian Croix de Guerre. His unit moved near to Ypres in early August 1917. He was killed by an exploding shell whilst riding a bicycle to transport some supplies on August 8th 1917.

    He was survived by his wife Betsy (nee Atherton)and sons Wilfred ,Matthew and Thomas. His name is inscribed on the Roll of Honour in St Thomas Church Ashton-in Makerfield. Sometime later Lady Mary Gerrard presented Betsy with an inscribed memorial pocket watch as a token of thanks from the people of Ashton-in- Makerfield. This watch and the Crois de Guerre medal were stolen about 1974 whilst they were in the keeping of Hilda Catterall (Wife of Matthew decd). These items have never been recovered and rightfully belong to Hugh James Catterall the Great grandson of Wilfred.

    James Edward Catterall




    231282

    Bmdr. Sidney George Lee 6th Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.1st Dec 1915)

    Sidney Lee was my great uncle, the brother of my paternal grandfather. He was one of four brothers who served and one of three that fell. Brother Harold fell at the Battle for Loos and Leslie was wounded in France and died and is buried at Bristol. My grandfather had emigrated to Canada in 1913 and served as an engineer in the Canadian expeditionary force 7th Brigade 3rd Division. He was awarded the MM for action during the Battle for Vimy Ridge 9th of April 1917 and the bar to the MM for action 8th of August 1918 at the Battle of Amiens during the last 100 days.





    231280

    John Dunphy 96th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    John Dunphy served with 96th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.

    Gary Parkin




    231277

    L/Cpl. James Alban Charles "Jimmy" White 15th (2nd Portsmouth Pals) Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    <p>

    James White enlisted in the 15th (2nd Portsmouth Pals) Btn, Hampshire Regiment at Winchester on 9th Feb 1915. After training the Bn moved to France on 2nd May 1916 as part of 122nd Brigade in 41st Division and moved to the La Creche area where they started instruction in the trenches in parties of about 100 with other units on the 10th May. The Bn continued to operate in the area between Hazebrouck and Bailleul until Sep 1916 when it moved to the Somme area.

    On 15th Sep 1916 the Battalion took part in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, which was the first attack using tanks. A major advance (in WW1 terms) was achieved and the village of Flers was captured by 122nd Brigade with the support of the tanks. However casualties were high, mainly due to the German artillery barrage, but also to three machine guns on the Battalions left. 8 officers and 31 men were killed, 5 officers and 188 men wounded and 60 men were missing.

    James White was one of those wounded, and left some notes and a map of the action. It shows he reached the 3rd German line at the edge of the village, where he says the line was consolidated, and he may have gone further on with a party under Lt Smith. His map shows he was wounded in the second German line, but does not indicate if this was on the way forward or later. However the Battalion War Diary records that the German barrage was very heavy and many messengers were killed or wounded trying to get messages to or from Battalion HQ to the men in Flers. It may be that James White was one of these. He suffered severe wounds to his legs from a shell.

    He records that he manged to get to a Field Ambulance in a sunken road running from Longueval to Flers and was then evacuated back. He spent a long time in Whitchurch Military Hospital (Cardiff), Netley Hospital and the Royal South Hants Hospital and was discharged as unfit for military service on 22nd Nov 1917.

    James Alban Charles White died in 1926, ten years after he was wounded, from septicemia caused by his wounds.

    James White in 1917 in Hospital Blues

    James White with his daughter in approximately 1924

    Alan Evans




    231273

    Pte. James Pitch 1/6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.20th Aug 1920)

    <p>

    James Pitch entered the war on 5th March 1915 when he was about 18 years old. He was badly wounded in the leg which was amputated but later got gangrene anyway. James was so angry when he arrived home, he pulled the grandmother clock off the wall, took it out and sawed the eagle off the top. He eventually died of it on 25th August 1920, age 23. He at least got to die at home with his devoted mother and brothers around him and not alone in the mud of the battlefield.

    War Memorail in St.Chad's Church, Lichfield, Staffs

    Mary-Anne Pechet




    231272

    Pte. Samuel Tysoe 2nd/4th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Tysoe was the elder brother of Catherine Moore (nee Tysoe). He joined the 2nd/4th (Hallamshires) York and Lancaster Regiment during WW1 and was first drafted to France in August of 1918. His regiment took part in the battle for Havrincourt on the 12th/13th of September 1918, during this battle he was wounded. It was as a result of these wounds that he subsequently died.

    Kenneth Moore




    231267

    L/Cpl. Douglas Blewett "Brum" Brumley 46th Btn. (d.12th July 1917)

    L/Cpl. Douglas Brumley served with the 46th Btn. and 29th Btn.

    Susan Thomas




    231266

    Pte. Charles Clement "Clem" Cavanagh 42nd Btn. (d.7th June 1917)

    Fifth of Edward James and Sarah Cavanagh's eleven children, Charles Clement Cavanagh enlisted after his brother, Matther Bernard Cavanagh, returned from basic training in Enoggera, Queensland, paralysed on one side of his body after contracting meningitis in the camp.

    Clem Cavanagh departed Australia on HMAT "Marathon" at the end of October 1916. He died in the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917.

    I have recorded his story in "Private Charles Clement Cavanagh and his Cousins in the Great War" - booklet of just under 100 pages. Copies have been lodged with SLQ and NAA.

    Tony White




    231265

    Pte. Frank Vivian Davies 36th Btn.

    Frank Davies was a taylor and cutter in Coolamon NSW near Wagga Wagga. Frank was the eldest child in his family and joined the Army aged 26yrs old. Frank was also the President of the Coolamon Gun Club. Frank was mildly wounded but remained on duty at the battle of Villers Bretonneux in which he had been reassigned to the 33rd Battalion.

    Frank survived the war and joined the Army again during World War 2 as a taylor. His youngest brother followed in his footsteps and fought in WW2 in Malaya

    Gaye Carroll




    231264

    Cpl. Alban Laurence Hicks 177th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.30th Mar 1918)

    Alban Hicks was a Corporal in C Battery, Royal Field Artillery of 177th Brigade, attached to the 16th (Irish) Division from 22nd of February 1916. Among numerous other battles during this time, including, the Battles of Guillemont and Ginchy in 1916, he was in action during the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917.And later the Battles of St. Quentin and Rosieres in the beginning of 1918.

    He was killed in action on 30th of March 1918 during the Second Battle of the Somme 1918 and was buried in Adelaide Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux.

    Rachel




    231262

    Pte. Broughton Abbott 1st and 3rd Bt. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.26th July 1917)

    My Great Uncle Broughton Abbott landed at Gallipoli with the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, he was wounded in the legs and eventually sent back to England for recuperation with the 3rd Battalion.

    He later rejoined the 1st Battalion in France/Flanders where he was once again wounded very badly in the legs, after having one leg amputated he finally succumbed to his wounds and died in the hospital in Calais and is buried in the Calais cemetery.

    Gordon Abbott




    231257

    Rflmn. Joseph Henry Smitheringale 12th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.26th November 1918 )

    Joseph Henry Smitheringale was my Grand Uncle, my Grandfather having married his sister, Alice Leah Esther Smitheringale. My Grandfather was William Elliott who came from Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

    Unfortunately, I do not know anything about Joseph except that he died on November 26th 1918, aged 29. He was not killed in action but died of influenza. I do not know where he is buried but he is remembered on the Nottingham Road War Memorial, Eastwood.

    Alan Mycock




    231255

    Cpl. George Morton Royal Field Artillery

    George Morton was my grandfather I only have the above info from military records.

    Maree Terita




    231249

    Christopher Saltmer Army Service Corps

    Christopher Saltmer served as a Wagoner with the Army Service Corps.

    Geoff King




    231239

    Pte. Thomas Low 1/3 3rd Highland Field Ambulance (d.29th Jul 1916)

    Thomas Low was my grandmother's cousin. He was born in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland in February 1900 and died of his wounds on 29th July 1916. He is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, France and his grave number is 11E35. He . He joined up in Dundee, Scotland, and was involved in the Battle of the Somme.

    Pat Kennedy




    231231

    Capt. George White 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Capt. White led his men in the British advance on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was wounded in the side but continued to lead his men. He was then killed by a shot to the head. He is remembered at the Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, and there is also a memorial plaque attached to the White family grave in the Higher Cemetery, Exeter.

    Plaque attached to family grave in Exeter Higher Cemetery

    Bill Parrott




    231229

    Pte Walter Smith (d.11th Jan 1918)

    Walter Smith is remembered in Dean Road Cemetery, Scarborough





    231222

    Cpl. Sydney John Pengelly "D" Battery, 75th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.5th June 1917)

    Sydney Pengelly was one of 9 brothers, 5 of whom were old enough to enlist and did, all were injured, sadly, Sydney was killed.

    Part of the huge Artillery force set up to crush the German resistance they were possibly moved forward at the end of May.

    The 75th Brigade RFA set up gun positions north of Wulverghem on either side of the Wytschaete Road,under heavy German fire including Gas. The Howitzers of "D" Battery replied with gas the next day 6th June. At some stage the Germans replied and he was hit. The crew were taken to the ADS at Kandahar Farm and, then sadly, to the cemetery next door.

    He rests alongside a

    • Sgt Sidney Jackson 4611, who died the same day and two more "D" Battery boys
    • Gunner Ernest Corns 1811
    • Driver Alexander Stevens 4487 who died the next day, possibly part of the same Gun crew.

    Sadly not mentioned on the Newbridge Wales War Memorial

    Paul Pengelly




    231220

    L/Cpl. George Harry Painter 2nd Btn., A Coy. Border Regiment (d.29th April 1916)

    <p>

    George Painter served with 2nd Btn., Border Regiment, A company, grenade platoon.

    Margaret Evans




    231219

    Pte. James Bell Welsh 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.18th August 1916)

    James Bell Welsh was 23 when he was killed attacking the village of Guillemont with the 13th Middlesex.

    Mark Welsh




    231216

    Pte. John Simeon "Akky" Atkinson 2/7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.19th March 1917 or 19th November 1917)

    There is some discrepancy with the CWGC on date of John Simeon Atkinson's death as with his middle name as it is Simeon or Lineon. The Buslingthorpe Road Church Memorial at St. Michaels said John S. Atkinson 265907 which does bear in with all the facts from my aunt who is still alive to date(19/4/16).

    His brother, Harry, survived the Great War but when questioned he simply said you don't want to know about that.

    Their future brother-in-law, William Kirkley, is on the same memorial of St. Michaels which got demolished in the early 1960's, so the memorial was then placed in St.Marks Church Woodhouse, Leeds.

    A. AtkinsonN




    231201

    Capt. James Strang MID. 12th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

    James Strang was the step-father of my late father-in-law Peter Pascoe and I have found Captain Strang's certificate of Mentioned In Despatches signed by Winston Churchill. I am trying to find out more details of the action in which he was MID.

    Aidan Cuddington




    231199

    Ernest Victor Butler HMS Lord Nelson

    Ernest Butler served in the Royal Navy as an Officers Valet.

    David Butler




    231195

    Pte. James Patrick 14th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.24th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    James Patrick was the second son of Thomas and Isabella Patrick who resided in a small mining village - Mavis Valley Bishopbriggs. I have not yet found how or when he enlisted but do know he was killed on 24th of November 1917 aged 24. He was killed in action in France and he is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial Louverval.

    Annette M. Glen




    231185

    Bmdr. Reginald Charles Evans MM. D Battery 276 Brigade

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Reginald Evans won the M.M. on 30th November 1917 when serving with D Battery, 276 Brigade, 55th West Lancashire Division R.F.A. The action took place at Little Priel Farm during the Battle of Cambrai, and he was one of 12 men awarded medals, Sergeant Cyril E Gouley winning the V.C.

    He transferred to the 190th London Brigade and was a member of the Army of Occupation in Cologne. On 28th June 1919 he was one of the Gunners who took part in the 101 Gun Salute on the bank of the Rhine in Cologne, to come rate the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

    Wayne




    231184

    Cpl. William Littler 12th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.7th Oct 1918)

    William Littler died of wounds received, aged 28, and is buried in the Mikra British cemetry in Kalamaria. His younger brother John (23) died in France, on the 23rd of November 1916 near Ancre (Somme) serving with the 8th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment. The family came from Cheshire.

    Austin Hayward




    231183

    Pte. P. Lackey Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.14th July 1920)

    Private P. Lackey is buried in the north-west part of the Ballina (New League) Cemetery, Ballina, Co. Mayo.

    s flynn




    231182

    Dvr. James Geever Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd Nov 1919)

    Driver James Geever was 27 when he died. He is buried in the Ballaghaderren Graveyard, Kilronan, Co. Roscommon. He was the son of Thomas Geever, of Castlemore, Ballaghaderreen

    s flynn




    231181

    Pte. William Dockery Machine Gun Corps (d.5th Oct 1917)

    Private William Dockery is buried in the Balla Old Catholic Cemetery, Balla, Co. Mayo. His grave cannot be located and he is mentioned on a special memorial. He was formerly with the Royal Munster Fusiliers

    s flynn




    231180

    Pte. John Brodie Kerr 10th Btn. Royal Scots (d.30th Nov 1918)

    Private John Brodie Kerr was Born at Cupar, Fife. Son of Peter and Margaret Kerr. He was 26 when he died and he is buried in the Balla (Holy Trinity) Church of Ireland Graveyard in Balla, Co. Mayo, Ireland

    s flynn




    231178

    Pte. John Watson 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.30th Oct 1918)

    Private John Watson was the son of Mrs. Anne Watson, of Connaught St., Kilcock, Co. Kildare. He was 23 when he died. He is buried in the Balfeighan Cemetery, Co. Meath.

    s flynn




    231176

    Able.Sea. Thomas McDowall HMS PC61 (d.4th May 1919)

    Able Seaman Thomas McDowall was 23 years old when he was accidentally drowned in a boating accident. He was the son of Elizabeth McDowall, of Skate, Portwilliam, Wigtownshire. He is buried in the north part of the Aughaval (Holy Trinity) Church of Ireland Churchyard, C. Mayo.

    s flynn




    231165

    Pte. Thomas Crichton Johnstone

    I know my grandfather Thomas Johnstone served in the First World War, as I have received information from the Tullis Russell archives, he was injured in 1917 with shrapnel to the back, and then in 1918 with a gunshot to the shoulder, I have tried to get his regimental number and other details of his service with no avail, I am wondering if his records were destroyed during the blitz. I am interested in any information about his war exploits.

    Robert Biggar




    231164

    Lt. C. H. Noble-Campbell 38 Squadron

    Lt CH Noble-Campbell, a New Zealander, had served in Gallipoli where he was wounded in action prior to joining the RFC. He was one of two 38 Squadron pilots who took part in the pursuit of the German airship L 62 during a raid on the night of 12th/13th of April, 1918. He and his colleague, Lt W.A.Brown, followed a similar path into the night sky over Coventry whilst tracking the German airship L62. They failed to intercept the Zeppelin and both crash-landed within a few hundred yards of each other in Coventry.





    231163

    Lt. William Alfred Brown 38 Squadron

    William Brown was born on the 4th of December 1899 in Newcastle upon Tyne and was educated at Ushaw College. He joined the Northumberland Fusiliers and was wounded in action on the Somme on the 1st July 1916 whilst serving in the Tyneside Irish. He subsequently joined the RFC and was posted to 38 (Home Defence) Squadron. Lt.Brown and his 38 Squadron colleague, Lt CH Noble-Campbell, followed a similar path into the night sky over Coventry on the night of 12th/13th April 1918 whilst tracking the German airship L62. They failed to intercept the Zeppelin and both crash-landed within a few hundred yards of each other in Coventry.





    231155

    Ab.Sea. Charles Wilson Hearne H.M.S. "P.C.61" (d.4th May 1919)

    Able Seaman Charles Wilson Hearne was the son of George Hearne, of 159, Clarendon Place, Dover.

    He was 29 when he died. He is buried in the north part of the Aughaval (Holy Trinity) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Mayo, Ireland

    s flynn




    231154

    Pte. Michael O'Brien 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.26th December 1917)

    Private Michael O'Brien was 27 when he died. He is buried in the south-west part of the Athy (St. Michael's) Cemetery, Grave No. 3.

    s flynn




    231153

    L/Cpl. J. Lawler Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.3rd October 1918)

    L/Cpl. J. Lawler was the husband of Elizabeth Dunne (formerly Lawler), of Ardree, Athy

    He was 37 when he died. He is buried in the west border of the Athy (St. Michael's) Cemetery, grave #5

    s flynn




    231152

    Pte. Martin Hyland 3rd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.19th September 1916)

    Private Martin Hyland was 29 when he died. He is buried in the south-west part of the Athy (St. Michael's) Cemetery.

    He was the husband of M. Hyland, of Offaly St., Athy.

    s flynn




    231144

    Pte. Thomas Flynn 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.26th February 1915)

    Private Thomas Flynn was 28 when he died. He is buried in the west part of the Athy (St. Michael's) Cemetery, Co. Kildare.

    s flynn




    231143

    Pte. James Dwyer 793rd H.T. Coy. Army Service Corps (d.31st March 1918)

    Private James Dwyer was 39 when he died. He is buried in the South-West corner of the Athy (St. Michael's) Cemetery, Co. Kildare, plot No. 2.

    s flynn




    231142

    Pte. M. Byrne 1st Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.21st November 1918)

    Private M. Byrne was transferred to the Labour Corps #568645.

    He was 27 years old when he died and he is buried in near the North-West corner of the Athy (St. Michael's) Cemetery, Co. Kildare

    s flynn




    231133

    Bvt.Col. Anthony Arthur Weldon CVO, DSO, MID 4th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.29th June 1917)

    Brevet Colonel Sir Anthony Arthur Weldon was the 6th Bart. Husband of Lady Winifred Weldon, O.B.E., of 17A, Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London. Served in the South African war. Mentioned in Despatches. Educated at Charterhouse and Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A.); D.L. Queens Co., J.P. Queen's Co. and Co. Kildare; Vice-Chamberlain to Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (the Earl of Aberdeen), 1906. State Steward and Chamberlain to Lord Lieutenant since 1908.

    He was 54 when he died. He is buried in the family vault in the Athy (St. John's) Old Cemetery

    s flynn




    231132

    Pte. Patrick O'Driscoll 4th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.13th April 1921)

    Private Patrick O'Driscoll (served as Driscoll) is buried in the Athnowen (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyardin Ovens, Co.Cork

    s. flynn




    231128

    Dvr. Francis Carroll 307th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.20th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Carroll was born on 18th August 1885 at 12 Court 4 House, in the slums on Brearley Street, Birmingham. His parents, James, aged 40, and Ellen Carroll (nee Reading), aged 37, had two children beforehand, Richard and Annie. Frank was baptised on 12th September 1885, at 25 days old. In 1889, his mother gave birth to two twins, a boy and a girl, who both sadly did not survive infancy. By the age of 6, he and his family had moved to 14 Court 18 House, New Summer Street, and, a few months later, in 1892, Frank's father died at the age of 46. In another 6 years for his mother to die along with her husband, at the age of 50. These tragic losses would cause Frank and his brother to move in with their sister's family at 26 Court 1 House, New John Street; Annie having married Walter Hicks the very same year her mother died.

    By the age of 14, Frank was working as a pottery bottler, as he had left school, and would continue to do so for the next 16 years. However; on 17th of October 1900, he enlisted with the 6th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. He lied about his age, telling the Captain that he was 17 years old. He was accepted, underwent training during 1901, and was embodied on 9th December 1901 as 6077 Private Frank Carroll. He was shipped off to South Africa with the rest of his regiment and served there mainly manning blockhouses in Cape Colony, from 21st December 1901 to the 9th October 1902.

    The year after, at the young age of 17, he married Nellie Gertrude Bunford at St Stephen's Church on 3rd August 1903; coincidentally, Nellie lived on New Summer Street at the time. Given that every street Frank had lived on were close in proximity of each other as well as Nellie's, it is possible that he knew her as a neighbour beforehand. By 1905, the pair had moved to 45 Witton Street and had their first child, Albert William Carroll, on 10th January 1905. A few months beforehand, Frank was discharged from the army after being declared medically unfit. Two years later, on 25th May 1907, they had their second and final child, named after his father, Frank. In about 1908, Albert and Frank were abandoned on the steps of an orphanage by their mother. During their time at the orphanage, the two brothers were beaten and whipped and made to do labourious tasks.

    On 15th March 1915, Frank re-enlisted with the army, this time with 3rd Brigade, South Midland Division at Stoney Lane, Birmingham. He was embodied the same day, as 2124 Driver Frank Carroll, and was soon transferred to the 3rd Brigade of the second line. Months later, he was appointed the role of Shoeing Smith and continued training. In May 1916, he and his division, now named the 307th Brigade were shipped off to France. In 1917, he was assigned a new regimental number, 835979.

    During the Battle of the Selle on 20th October 1918, a shell landed near Frank as German artillery bombarded the town of Haussy. He was wounded in the left arm and buttocks by shrapnel and was evacuated to 29th Casualty Clearing Station, which had set up at Delsaux Farm near Beugny, by a motor ambulance of the 59th Field Ambulance corps. Although he survived the 30 mile journey there, he did not survive the stay and died of his injuries.

    He is buried at Delsaux Farm Cemetery, built on the site on which 29th CCS set up. His surname is misspelt and his appointed role is given, rather than his rank, on his headstone. CWGC are currently working on rectifying the mistakes.

    His military career awarded him 3 medals; the Queen's South Africa Medal, for which he also received the Cape Colony and South Africa 1902 clasps; the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    In 1919, his wife, Nellie, married William Fisher, having 3 children together. In 1921, at the age of 16, his eldest son, Albert, now known by his middle name, William, was sent to Ireland by his orphanage, working as a doctors chauffeur. His brother stayed behind in Birmingham. In Ireland, William met Nora Margaret Duffy and had 12 children together. Sadly, only half survived infancy. In 1973, William and his brother were reunited after 52 years apart, through the Salvation Army. 4 years later, however, Frank passed away at the age of 70.

    Luke Stephenson




    231120

    Pte. P. Kane Leinster Regiment (d.3rd March 1919)

    Private P. Kane was transferred to (119546) Labour Corps.

    He is buried in the North-West corner of old church in the Athlumney Old Graveyard, Cp. Meath.

    s flynn




    231119

    Pte. Henry Mills 10th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.29th June 1916)

    Henry Mills was the son of Mr. J. Mills, of 4, Ardmore Terrace, Cootehill.

    He was 17 when he died. He is buried in Ashfield Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Cavan, Grave #22.

    s flynn




    231118

    2nd Lt. T. C. Stuart (d.12th December 1918)

    2nd Lt. T.C. Stuart was the son of Mr. S. Stuart, of Beechgrove, Arklow. He is buried in the Arklow Cemetery, North. 2 A. 70 West.

    s flynn




    231116

    Ld.Str. W. Phillips HMS Vivid (d.3rd June 1917)

    Leading Stoker W. Phillips was 40 when he died. He is buried in the Arklow Cemetery. He was the husband of Husband of Annie Phillips, of 1, Ferry Bank, Arklow.

    s flynn




    231115

    Pte. J. McDonald 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.3rd Sep 1919)

    Private J. McDonald was the son of Mrs. Mary Anne McDonald, of 4, Wexford Rd., Arklow. He was 18 years old when he died. He is buried in the Arklow Cemetery.

    s flynn




    231114

    Seaman John Kenny HMS Laurentic (d.25th Jan 1917)

    John Kenny was the son of James Kenny, of 32, Fair Green, Arklow. He was 22 when he died. He is buried in Arklow Cemetery.

    s flynn




    231112

    Pte. P. Doran 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.29th May 1916)

    Private P. Doran is buried in Arklow Cemetery.

    s flynn




    231111

    Pte. John James Donohue 3rd Battalion Irish Guards (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    John James Donohue was the son of Andrew Donohoe, of Cabul House, Ferrybank, Arklow. He was 22 years old when he died. He is buried in Arklow Cemetery.

    s flynn




    231107

    Pte. Frederick Lewis Bond MID 2/7th Btn. Warwicks

    Frederick Lewis Bond joined up on 2nd Dec. 1915. He went to France on 22nd May 1916 with 2/7th Royal Warwickshire Regt. He was Mentioned in Dispatches in the Battle of Fresnoy le Petit in April 1917 for courage and devotion to duty.

    He received gsw beetween the legs on 17th April 1918 in the Battle of Kemmel or Mount Kemmel. He had time to recover and finished WW1 service south of Valeciennes 11/11/1918.

    He was a great chap, my grandad. He was always happy considering what he and many others went through. He lived till he was 86 years old died in 1980.

    He went into hospital in Coventry for a minor operation on his leg were they found parts of bullet casings from WW1 when he was wounded. The bullet fragments had been in his leg all that time from 17th April 1918. When they removed the brass bullet casing from his leg he got gangrene in it. He always used to say "I would have got better treatment in a battle field hospital".

    Anthony Bond




    231106

    Cpl. C. Baker 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.6th Feb 1919)

    Corporal C. Baker is buried in the Arklow Cemetery, Co. Wicklow.

    s flynn




    231105

    Captain Richard Hutchins 4th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.13th April 1915)

    Richard Hutchins was the husband of Isabel A. E. Hutchins, of Ardnagashel, Bantry, Co Cork. He was 39 years old when he died. He is buried on the private grounds of his estate near the North Shore of Bantry Bay.

    s flynn




    231104

    Abe.Sea. Michael Moylan HMS Centurion (d.23rd Aug 1916)

    Michael Moylan was 28 when he died. He is buried in the adjoining west boundary of the ruin in the Ardmore (Old Abbey) Graveyard

    s flynn




    231103

    Sapper Daniel Looney Royal Engineers (d.12th June 1917)

    Daniel Looney was the husband of Catherine Looney, of Chapel St., Ardfert. He is buried in the north-east corner of the Ardfert (St. Brendan) Catholic Churchyard.

    s flynn




    231102

    Pte. J. Sharkey 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.12th November 1918)

    Private J. Sharkey was the son of Mrs. Bridget Leavy (formerly Sharkey), of Blackstick, Currabeg, Ardee. He was 19 years old when he was killed. He is buried in the north-west part of the Ardee (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard.

    s flynn




    231101

    Pte. J. Callan Labour Corps (d.12th July 1920)

    Private J. Callan was the husband of Mary McKenna (formerly Callan), of Railway St., Ardee.

    He is buried in the south-east corner of the Ardee (St. Mary) Church of Ireland Churchyard. He was 32 when he died.

    s flynn




    231100

    Pte. Daniel Joseph Whelan Army Service Corps (d.12th October 1918)

    Daniel Joseph Whelan was transferred to (298351) 662nd H.S. Employment Coy. Labour Corps. He was 41 years old when he was killed and is buried Near the cemetery wall, South-East of the ruins of the Ardcroney Old Graveyard, Co. Tipperary

    s flynn




    231099

    Lt. Christopher Patrick Domegan (d.10th October 1918)

    Christopher Patrick Domegan was with both the Royal Air Force and the Irish Fusiliers. He was 29 when he was killed and is buried in the South-West part of Ardcath Graveyardc Co. Meath.

    He was the son of Mrs. Catherine Domegan, of 29, North King St., Dublin

    He was a military passenger on board R.M.S. Leinster which was sunk by torpedoes from a German submarine in the Irish Sea, 16 miles east of Dublin, shortly before 10am on the morning of 10th October 1918, on its outbound journey of 100km [68 miles] from Kingstown [now Dun Laoghaire], Dublin, to Holyhead, Anglesey, North Wales.

    s flynn




    231098

    Gnr. P. Connolley Royal Field Artillery (d.19th March 1920)

    P. Connolley died at age 29 and is buried In the South-West part of the Ardcath Graveyard, Co. Meath.

    s flynn




    231097

    Nurse Margaret Annie Cox 2nd Western Field Hospital, Manchester (d.7th February 1919)

    Margaret Annie Cox was the daughter of Mrs Bridget Cox of Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim. Died of influenza at age 35 and is buried in the South-East part of old ground of the Ardcarne (St. Beo-Aedh's) Old Graveyard, Co. Roscommon.

    1919 Nov 11. Mothers letter to the War Office. The late Annie Cox. Staff Nurse, T.F.N.S. Died (at home) February-1919. Sir. May I respectfully bring to your special notice-my case (as mother of deceased) Staff Nurse Annie Cox. She contracted Lethargic Meningitis after Influenza. Was ordered complete rest and change. She arrived home practically to die as she went to bed next day from which she never rose and died 06-February-1919. She cost me more than I could afford, comforting her, and funeral expenses. She was buried 08-February-1919. May I beg that at least the funeral expenses be refunded to me. She was a great loss to me in every way. Are Nurses on some ----------as soldiers?----some kind of allowence? Mrs B Cox. Mother. (£38-9-5 was later sent to Mrs B Cox. )

    s flynn




    231096

    2nd Lt. Thomas Richard Beamish Lloyd Army Service Corps (d.20th February 1916)

    Thomas Richard Beamish Lloyd was the husband of Marion G. Lloyd, of Cartown, Kildimo, Co. Limerick. He is buried about fourteen yards South of the entrance to the Ardcanny Churchyard, Mellon, Co. Limerick.

    s flynn




    231095

    Pte. T. Bradley Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.29th January 1920)

    T. Bradley was the husband of Anne Bradley, of Bridge St., Navan. He is buried in the north-east part of the Ardbraccan (St. Ultan) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Meath. He was 66 when he died.

    s flynn




    231094

    Pte. Patrick Walsh South Lancashire Regiment (d.6th October 1917)

    Patrick Walsh was transferred to the Labour Corps. He is buried in the South-West part of the Ardagh Old Graveyard, Co. Cork.

    s flynn




    231092

    Maj. John James Fitzgerald Harris OBE 1st Regiment South African Infantry (d.20th January 1920)

    Major James Fitzgerald John Harris was aged 43 when he died. He is buried in the Annash Cemetery in Co. Cork in the South-West part, near the gate.

    He was the Husband of Beatrice-Fitzgerald Harris, of Feirm Bawn, Doughcloyne, Co. Cork.

    s flynn




    231091

    Pte. John O'Meara 4th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.28th July 1917)

    John O'Meara was 20 when he died. He is buried in the North-West part of the Aglish (or Aglishclohane) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Co. Tipperary. He was also known as Meara. He was the son of Mrs. Kate O'Meara, of Main St., Borrisokane.

    s flynn




    231090

    Pte. Patrick Dowd 3rd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.25th November 1917)

    Patrick Dowd was 33 when he died. He is buried in Agharra Graveyard, Co. Longford near South West corner of ruin. He was the husband of Elizabeth Dowd of Harbour Street, Ballynacangy, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

    s flynn




    231089

    Drvr. Thomas O'Neill Army Service Corps (d.14th October 1915)

    Thomas O'Neill was 30 when he died. He is buried in the South-East part of Affane Old Church of Ireland Churchyard. He was the son of Richard O'Neill, of Coolenane, Cappagh, Co. Waterford. He served as Thomas Neale.

    s flynn




    231088

    Pte. William O'Keefe 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.4th November 1918)

    William O'Keefe was 22 when he died of malaria. He is buried eight yards South-East of main path in the Affane Old Church of Ireland Churchyard

    s flynn




    231087

    Pte. Thomas Nolan 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.26th December 1918)

    Thomas Nolan's next of kin was his cousin Thomas Daly Esq. of Abbeyshrule, Co. Longford. He is buried in the east part of Abbeyshrule Graveyard in Co. Longford. He was 44 years old.

    s flynn




    231086

    Ld.Stkr. Denis Driscoll H.M.S. Venerable (d.3rd March 1919)

    Denis Driscoll was the son of William Driscoll of Burren South, Kilbritain, Co. Cork and is buried in the Abbeymahon Old Graveyard

    s flynn




    231085

    Pte. James Phelan 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.8th Nov 1915)

    James Phalen was the son of Mrs. Mary Phelan, of Blackhill, Abbeyleix. He died age 28 and is buried in the Abbeyleix New Cemetery South-West of entrance gate.

    s flynn




    231082

    Pte. John Hopper The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.14th March 1918)

    John Hopper was the son of Mrs. Hopper, of Rathmile Road, Abbeyleix, Co. Leitrim. He died on 14th March 1918 aged 32 and is buried in the Abbeyleix Catholic Churchyard, south of the middle path.

    s flynn




    231073

    Pte. William Wallace Edmund Messenger Clark 14th (London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment. (d.1st July 1916)

    I work in the archives at Sherborne School and I am researching former pupils who died in WW1, one of whom was William Wallace Edmund Messenger Clark (1895-1916). I believe William was born on 15th of November 1895 in Lambeth, London, UK, the son of Edmund Francis Clark and Georgina Clark. William first attended Sherborne Preparatory School and in September 1911 was enrolled at Sherborne School. The admission register gives his parents names and address as Edmund Francis Clark and Mrs G. Clark, Gool Mansions, Bombay, and his guardian as Miss Clark, Benares. I have just found out the Edmund Francis Clark was born around 1869 and died around 1919. He was a hotel manager and a member of the Lodge of Fraternity & Perseverance in Benares (a member of the Masons).

    William left Sherborne School in December 1913 and in December 1915 joined the London Scottish Battalion, London Regiment, as a despatch carrier. He was last seen on 1 July 1916 in the fourth line of the German trenches. In 1919, William's mother, by then Mrs Holmes of Mall View, Mussorie, wrote to the School informing them of her son's death. William is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial at the Somme, and on the Sherborne School War Memorial. I wondered whether someone might know if he is also commemorated in India? Details from our Book of Remembrance are available online.

    Rachel Hassall




    231071

    L/Cpl. John Albert Hollingsworth 19th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    John Hollingsworth served with the 19th and 2/8th Battalions, Lancashire Fusiliers.





    231070

    Lt. Arthur Joseph Steele 6th Btn. East Yorkshire Rgt. (d.22nd September 1915)

    Arthur Steele was my great uncle and an engineer. He was killed retiring from a trench on 22nd September. A letter about his death was written to his mother by a fellow soldier and friend W Bray. I have that letter and Lord Kitchener's telegram advising his mother of his death.

    John Steele




    231069

    Pte. George Henry Davis 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th July 1916)

    My great grandfather, George Henry Davis, joined the 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers in January 1915. He attacked on 1st July 1916 the village of La Boisselle. He was wounded and transported to Number 11 Hospital in Rouen where he died and is buried in St Sever War Cemetery.





    231065

    Pte. James Brown 1st Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    In 1913, while serving with the 1st North Staffordshire Regiment in Buttevant, Co. Cork, Private James Brown bought an Irish Terrier puppy, which he called Prince, after his Regiment (Prince of Wales Own). The dog became devoted to his new master, a devotion that literally knew no bounds.

    In August 1914, the 1st North Staffordshire Regiment, including James Brown, were mobilized, landing in France in September as part of 17th Brigade, 6th Division. Meanwhile Prince went with Mrs Brown to stay with her relatives in London. On 27th September 1914, Prince went missing. Within two months Prince turned up in Armentieres to report to his Regiment and his beloved master Pte James Brown.

    Although this story at first glance seems unbelievable, there is too much corroborative evidence to draw any other conclusion than that the story is true. Even during his early days with the regiment, Prince was well known and loved; in 1923 an article about their old pal appeared in the regimental journal, China Dragon: "...There are still one or two of us left who remember his [Prince's] travels during the time the battalion was stationed at Buttevant in Ireland. We remember well how he would run alongside the column on the march; first across one side of the road into the corn, and then across to the other to explore the furrows of a ploughed field. We still remember how fresh he would arrive at the end of the march, although he must have travelled four times the distance, whilst our shoulders ached and our feet felt heavy. We didn't realise at that time, that his fondness for the sight of khaki clad figures would make him famous..." F.B.T. China Dragon Vol XV Xmas 1923 No 5 Page 163.

    The story of Prince finding his master in the trenches seems to have first appeared under the headline, Dog Goes To Front To Seek His Master, on 27th November 1914 in the Evening Telegraph and Post only two months after Prince had disappeared from London: "The story of a dramatic meeting at the front between a Hammersmith soldier and his dog is told in a letter received by Mrs Brown of 1 Airedale Cottages, Hammersmith from her husband, a private of the 1st Northamptonshire Regiment. Private Brown went with his regiment to the Continent in August, and on 27th of September Mrs Brown missed the dog, a shaggy haired Irish Terrier named Prince - from her home at Hammersmith, and on the following day reported her loss at Hammersmith Police Station. She heard nothing more of the animal until yesterday morning, when she received a letter from her husband, in which occurs the following passage:- I am sorry you have not found Prince, and you are never likely to while he is over here with me. It is a very strange thing I should have got him. A man brought him to me from the front trenches. I could not believe my eyes until I got off my horse, and he made a big fuss of me. I believe he came across with some other troops. Just fancy him coming here and finding me. He is quite settled down with me, and I have made him a coat out of some of our old great-coats, which will keep him warm. He is the pet of the regiment. The Evening Telegraph and Post, Friday, 27th of November 1914. The Regiment in the report should have read 1st North Staffordshire Regiment; the paper seems to have misreported it, it was corrected in subsequent reports.

    By Saturday 28th of November 1914, the story of Prince's miraculous journey appeared in local newspapers right across the country, from The Cornishman in the south, to The Newcastle Journal in the north, eventually even getting picked up by the Nationals. Several of the papers added extra information. In the report, A Dogs Devotion, in the Newcastle Journal, a further extract from James's letter appeared which helps explain how the story made the papers so quickly. "...I believe Colonel De Falbe is going to report the circumstances to the papers; in fact, they may already have it as the dog has been with me five days". [Extract from Pte Brown's letter, The Newcastle Journal, Saturday, November 28, 1914 p.6]

    All of the media coverage brought the story to the attention of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who thoroughly investigated Prince's miraculous appearance in Flanders and were able to establish its authenticity beyond doubt. But how did Prince manage to travel almost 200 miles from Hammersmith to Armentieres in France on his own? No one really knows, but the men of the 1st North Staffordshire's had an answer. At first we looked upon his arrival in the battalion in Flanders as something approaching impossible... ...The problem was eventually solved.

    The Queen's Westminsters had marched through Hammersmith on the way to the station for entraining for a port of embarkation during the month of November, and all the old memories of the times in Ireland must have come flooding back to Prince, for it was then that he said to himself I will go on this march.- The march, however, was a short one, and the ride long, for he stuck to his newly-found khaki clad acquaintances until their arrival at Erquinghem not far from the scene of operations and well within the sound of the guns. Here the unexpected happened for on that day Prince's old master, also passing through and seeing a dog that looked very much like his own, called to him and was quickly assured that it was none other than the old friend of the Battalion.- F.B.T. The China Dragon Vol XV Xmas 1923 No 5 Page 163. The Queen's Westminster Rifles landed in Le Havre on 3rd November 1914 and joined 18th Brigade, 6th Division at Armentieres.

    News of Princes arrival at Armentieres spread through the regiment like wildfire, the next morning Private Brown had to parade with his pet before the Commanding Officer so that he could, in his words, "believe his own eyes". Prince became a universal favourite with the regiment and was adopted as the battalion's pet, where he soon settled down to life on the front line. James and Prince remained constant companions, serving alongside the men of the 1st North Staffordshire Regiment, who delighted in teaching him tricks and appreciated his natural skills. "...perhaps his best trick was to balance a penny on his nose while the names of other regiments were called out. No matter how long the list or in what way it was presented, Prince always recognized the item "The 1st North Staffordshires" and tossed up the penny, caught it and barked for his reward."... ...but his real delight was ratting. He was known to kill 137 rats in one day." (Animal Heroes, p 3. Peter Shaw Baker 1933) Peter Shaw Barker's mother, a famous animal artist of the period, had earlier painted Prince's Portrait for the RSPCA, although not all of the facts in his book appear to be correct, he may have received some anecdotes from the Brown family.

    Prince and James both survived some of the most infamous battles of the war - Passchendaele, Vimy Ridge, Messines, Cambrai - as well as their frequent travels through the notorious and aptly named Hellfire Corner: "Hellfire Corner and many other notable spots have been negotiated by him in company with his master, who is employed on transport and whose job it was to bring rations nightly. For Prince the sound of bursting shells meant little, and many of his comrades who had been badly mauled received a little of Prince's sympathy in the shape of a lick, whilst many a dead comrade was similarly treated." F.B.T. The China Dragon Vol XV Xmas 1923 No 5 Page 163. James wrote, "Whenever a heavy shell came over, he never failed to take cover" (Evening Telegraph and Post, p.7 October 29th 1919).

    At 11 o'clock, on 11th November 1918 the Armistice eventually came. After four years of hardship spent in the front line, thoughts now turned to how to get Prince back home, it wouldn't prove to be quite as simple as his journey out. The enforcement of quarantine laws meant that Prince would have to spend six months in kennels, at a cost of £14, (over six months' pay for a private in the infantry). However, Prince's faithfulness to his master and devotion to the men of the 1st North Staffordshire's hadn't gone unnoticed. "Like one or two humans, Prince started and finished the campaign, and the question of getting him home after the Armistice troubled his master not a little. His devotion to his master and the battalion did not go unrewarded for the RSPCA having heard of Prince's faithfulness during the four years of war, brought him home and placed him in quarantine at their own expense, and afterwards returned him to his old master, Private Brown. F.B.T. The China Dragon Vol XV Xmas 1923 No 5 Page 163.

    At the cessation of the war the RSPCA had set up "The Soldier's Dog Fund" to help meet the cost of keeping animals in quarantine; and built over 500 kennels at Hackbridge, Surrey, to house the dogs. Prince, partly due to his celebrity, was one of the lucky ones to be brought home and returned to his master. News of Prince's remarkable journey and safe return, were once again headline news across the country.

    "Irish Terrier's Extra-ordinary Sagacity - Made Journey to France On His Own and discovered his Master. An Irish Terrier with a 'sixth' sense has just returned to this country from France, and is now impatiently kicking his heels in quarantine cells at Hackbridge, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The officials of the Society, who have thoroughly investigated the episode, have interviewed the owners of the dog, who are satisfied that the case is authentic. They say that in September, 1914, James Brown went to France with the North Stafford Regiment, leaving behind him in Buttervant, Ireland, his wife and his Irish Terrier, Prince." (Extract from The Evening Telegraph, Wednesday 22nd October 1919 p.7)

    The four years at the front seemed to have taken their toll on him and on 21st July 1921, only nine years old, Prince sadly died. Once again, Prince's name appeared in the newspapers, but this time the news of his amazing adventure, went as far as the US, with reports in The Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon.

    Prince's final appearance in the news seems to be 30th September 1921 in The Mercury, which ran a story about the presentation of a portrait of Prince, painted by Georgina Shaw Baker, to the Browns. The pastel drawing was presented to the Browns, on behalf of the North Staffordshire branch of the RSPCA, by Lord Dartmouth. "Stafford's Famous Dog Presentation Portrait of Prince On behalf of the North Staffordshire Branch of the R.S.P.C.A., Lord Dartmouth, at the annual meeting of the branch, held in the County Council Buildings, Stafford, on Wednesday afternoon, presented Mr. and Mrs. Brown, S. Wolverhampton Road, Stafford, with a picture of their famous Irish Terrier dog, Prince.

    It will be remembered that during the war Prince got lost in London, and traced and joined his soldier master, who was serving with the North Staffordshire Regiment in the trenches near Armentieres. He was brought safely home again, but died a few months ago, to the great sorrow of his master and mistress and many admirers. The picture is in his memory. Lord Dartmouth said he undertook the duty of presenting it with very great pleasure. The incident in which Prince was so conspicuous a figure was one of the most marvellous things in dogs lives ever known, and worthy of the special recognition they were giving it. He thought the society had done well in taking particular interest in the occasion, because he could not conceive anything that would appeal more strongly to the public generally than the knowledge of what this dog had done.

    It was a matter of regret that Prince was no longer alive, but he thought it was a satisfaction to all of them who loved animals, and especially to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, that he had found a comfortable home in the hereafter in what a little girl, in describing the Zodiac, had called a "kind of heavenly zoo to which animals go when they die". (The Mercury, Friday 30th September 1921) The drawing "Prince, an Irish Terrier, Mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment in the Trenches in France" is now held by the Council of the National Army Museum, London.

    It only seems right that his comrades who shared the hardships, during his life in the First World War, with him should have the last word in Prince's remarkable story. "Had not his death taken him so soon, he might have ended his days with the battalion for we were in correspondence with Pte Brown after the war with the view to getting him back in the Battalion... ...It is still possible to look at the original picture published in this issue as a reminder of those times when Prince taught us the value of an animal's faithfulness." (F.B.T. The China Dragon Vol XV Xmas 1923 No 5 Page 163).





    231062

    Pte. James Francis Burke 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    My grandfather, James Francis Burke, joined the 2nd Worcestershire Regiment before WW1. His name is in Worcester Cathedral on a panel listing all the 2nd battalion men who left from there. Previously he was in India with the regiment.

    He was wounded at one point and evacuated to England, thus missing the famous action in Gheluvelt, and I have his metal 'wound stripe' along with his other medals and items. As an original BEF man, he was put in battles again and again. He told my father he was gassed by his own side - we are not sure where. A good marksman, he was a sniper at one stage. I also have his copy of the WW1 Regimental History - a huge green book. He was very proud to have served with the Worcesters.

    He survived the war and worked in the London Docks as a crane driver. He lived at 28 Tillman Street, Shadwell with his wife and children until the family were moved to Becontree in the 1930s. He died of cancer during WW2 so, sadly, I never met him. I only have stories from my father (also James Francis) who has also passed away.





    231059

    Sgt. John William Money MM. 64th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.31st July 1916)

    John William Money was born in Burton-on-Trent in 1885. He was a professional soldier serving in the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers before transferring to the Machine Gun Corps. His wife and child were living in Corby, Northamptonshire during the First World War. He was wounded on 17th July 1916. He was transferred back to England but died in Regents Park Hospital, Southampton on 31st July 1916. The London Gazette no. 29719 (23rd August 1916) indicates he was awarded the Military Medal.

    Paul Goult




    231051

    Pte. Harry Mather 8th Btn. Cheshire Regiment. (d.9th April 1916)

    <p>

    Harry Mather served with the 8th Btn. Cheshire Regiment.

    Sharon Floyd




    231050

    Capt. Edward Boulding 5th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    <p>

    Edward Boulding, born at Parsonage Farm in Bonnington near Hythe in 1882, was the eldest of four children. His father, a farmer, died very young while Edward was only six or seven years old. As the eldest of the children he helped his mother work the farm and must have learned self-reliance at an early age. In 1900 he became an apprentice blacksmith and wheelwright at Bilsington. He remained at the village forge until he was mobilised as a Territorial at the outbreak of the 1914-18 war. He served in India and Mesopotamia where he was injured at the Battle of Kut (Sheik Sa'ad, 7th January 1916) and later was one of the first British soldiers into Baghdad when it was taken by the 5th regiment the Buffs in March 1917.

    After service in Mesopotamia, after which he was commissioned as a Captain, in 1920, two years after the end of the war he returned to England and decided to embark on a teaching career. My late father recalled that his father Edward was at Shorncliffe army training camp when he was born in September 1914. As a baby of a few months old when Edward went off to war he did not know his father until he was eight years old when he returned from the Mesopotamia. My father remembered being taken around the village by a man in uniform to visit aunts and uncles.

    After the war Edward Boulding spent two years at Goldsmiths College, London, after which he was appointed assistant master at Pembury. In 1927 he moved to Sandhurst as headmaster living at Windmill Cottage and later buying some land and building Windyridge where he lived until his death in 1960. Edward seemed to be involved in just about every local activity that you can imagine: He was a member of Cranbrook Rural Council and of the parish council and often presided at committee meetings. He helped in negotiations for which he secured the playing field for Sandhurst village. He became a member of the West Kent Div Executive Committee of the KEC. He was governor of Cranbrook School and chairman of the governors of Cranbrook County Secondary School for Boys. Capt. Boulding was also made a foundation governor of the Mary Sheafe School, Cranbrook. His activities in the world of music were so many they could not all be listed. In addition to being church organist, he trained several choirs and was a leader among choral societies and also a keen bell ringer. Among the many village tasks in which he took a pride was keeping the clock on time by winding it regularly. In the last war he was head of the local Special Constabulary.

    Signal School Baghdad July 1918 Edward Boulding is officer 2nd from right Back row: Sgt Brown, Cpl Shelley, Hardie Tomkin, Millar, Reeves, CQMS Blunt,  ______ , Chimes, Teape, Hayes,. Boulding, Sgt Paine. 2nd row: Rippon, Marriott, Marwood (instructor British), Worsdell (Commandant), Sellick (Instructor Indians), Dawson, Salmon.

    David




    231046

    Capt. Ernest Leslie Ferry 11th Btn. Scottish Rifles (Cameronians)

    Ernest Leslie Ferry went to France in August 1914 as a second lieutenant with A Company, 1st Cameronians. He was wounded on 9th September 1914. Ernest subsequently served in Salonika with the 11th Battalion in 1918.

    Andrew Ferry




    231041

    Pte. Fred Lawley 10th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th November 1918)

    Fred Lawley was born 1896 in Widnes, Lancashire, one of 5 children, his parents were John Lawley and Selina C. Lawley. In 1911 he was a wooden box maker in a soap factory in Widnes.

    He enlisted September 1914 into 12th Bn. and landed in France 5 September 1915, he did not go with the 12th Bn. to Greece but was transferred to 10th Bn. I have no record of where in France and Belgium he served, but was killed in action on 4 November 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France. His family was sent his medals (1914/5 Star, BWM and Victory plus his Memorial Plaque and scroll). The Memorial Plaque is in the possession of a relative Anthony Lord in Perth, Western Australia.





    231037

    Pte. Henry Townson 22nd Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    In the 1911 Census Henry Townson is recorded as a Police Constable living in Manchester with his wife Alice (nee Bradshaw) and two daughters. He was born in Garstang and they had married at Lancaster in 1906.

    He had previously served in the Scots Guards in the Boer War. He was killed in the assault on Bucket Trench on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

    The Commonwealth Graves Commission reports he died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme when the 22nd Battalion is part of the 7th Divison attacking Mametz. The CWGC reports that his widow had moved to Morecambe at the time of his death, her home town.

    Steven Capstick




    231033

    Sgt. Ernest George Shepherd 112 Brigade Royal Artillery

    My Grandfather, Ernest George Shepherd, was a teacher before the War. It is said that he was teaching in Dortmund, Germany and that is where he learnt to speak German.

    His attestation was sworn in Buxton, Derbyshire on the 18th September 1914. He went to school in New Mills, Derbyshire - there is a strong Methodist link and my Grandfather was a staunch Primitive Methodist. There is a hymn "What a friend we have in Jesus" which was probably sung by both sides, as the Germans have a hymn using the same tune.

    It appears that he served at the Battle of Loos in 1915 and it is said that he suffered from the Chlorine Gas which was used. He was gravely injured during the War. My Mother said that it was thought that he was dead, but then there was a flicker of life. In his Military papers there is a very faint note that his left leg was amputated at the thigh on the 3rd of June 1918 in the Field Hospital, Rouen. The family story is that he joked about it, saying that now he would only have one boot to clean. He was awarded a pension and left the service in 1919.

    Jonathan Shepherd




    231030

    Rflmn. Gordon Alexander High 21st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.8th Aug 1916)

    Gordon High is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery.

    Kenton High




    231025

    Pte. Patrick Flynn 6th Battalion Connaught Rangers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Patrick Flynn died in the battle at St. Emilie. The battalion was almost completely wiped out. An order had been issued to retreat, however, it did not reach them in time.

    Patricia Marino




    231023

    Pte. John Fairbairn 7th/8th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.5th Dec 1918)

    <p>

    John Fairbairn was a 42 year old father and husband when he was conscripted into the Kings Own Scottish Borderers in 1918. Restrictions on who could be called up were lifted due to the horrific losses suffered during the previous three years. He survived the war but fell victim to the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 and died on the 5th of December 1918. He is buried in Lille Southern Cemetery. He was my Grandad William's father on my mother's side.

    Michael Alexander




    231022

    Pte Michael Alexander 6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.22nd Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Michael Alexander was born in Lanark, Scotland on the 5th of November 1897. He enlisted in 1916 before conscription was introduced. He died aged 19 in the battle of High Wood near Thiepval and his body was never identified, so his name is on the Thiepval Memorial. Opposite High Wood is the London cemetery. There are un-named graves within that have the bodies of Cameronians, but no identification. It may be he is buried in one of these graves. His younger brother John was my Grandad.

    Michael Alexander




    231016

    Pte. Frederick John Mayer D Coy. 3rd Pioneer Battalion

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, John Frederick Mayer, enlisted on the 2 Feb 1916 leaving his wife Jessica and 6 children home alone in Country, Victoria, Australia. He embarked on 6th of June 1916 on board H.M.A.T Wandilla. He was sent to France on the 14th of November 1916. On the 29th of June 1918 while in France he was admitted to Hor-War hospital for shell gassed. He returned to Australia on board the ship Karagola on 27th of July 1919 were he lived until 7th July 1946, old enough to see his three sons serve Australia again World War 2

    Services Records

    Service Records

    Fred Mayer




    231011

    Sea. Samuel Websdale HMS Almanzora (d.21st July 1916)

    <p>

    Samuel Websdale was the son of Harry and Emma Websdale of 54 Essex Road, Lowestoft Suffolk, he died aged 21 years and is buried at Wallasey (Rake Lane) Cemetery.

    V. Savage




    231009

    Capt. Henry Clifford Stroud 61 Squadron (d.8th March 1918)

    On 8 March 1918 Capt Alexander Bruce Kynoch 231008 from No 37 Sqn RFC and Duke of Wellington's Regiment was flying a BE 12 C3208 from Stow Maries aerodrome, and Capt Henry Clifford Stroud of No 61 Sqn RFC and the Royal Engineers was flying an SE 5a B679 from Rochford aerodrome on a mission to intercept a German bomber raid. Many sorties had been grounded that night because of the weather. The aircraft collided in the darkness over Shotgate and fell into a field on Dollymans Farm

    Capt. Kynoch, who had served in Gallipoli, Egypt and Macedonia is buried in the St Pancras and Islington Cemetery in north London. Capt. Stroud is commemorated on a memorial in the field near Rayleigh where his aircraft fell, and is buried at Rochford Parish Church adjoining the airfield from which he flew.





    231008

    Captain Alexander Bruce Kynoch 37 Squadron (d.8th March 1918)

    On 8 March 1918 Capt Alexander Bruce Kynoch from No 37 Sqn RFC and Duke of Wellington's Regiment was flying a BE 12 C3208 from Stow Maries aerodrome, and Capt Henry Clifford Stroud of No 61 Sqn RFC and the Royal Engineers was flying an SE 5a B679 from Rochford aerodrome on a mission to intercept a German bomber raid. Many sorties had been grounded that night because of the weather. The aircraft collided in the darkness over Shotgate and fell into a field on Dollymans Farm

    Capt. Kynoch, who had served in Gallipoli, Egypt and Macedonia is buried in the St Pancras and Islington Cemetery in north London. Capt. Stroud is commemorated on a memorial in the field near Rayleigh where his aircraft fell, and is buried at Rochford Parish Church adjoining the airfield from which he flew.





    231007

    2nd Lt Frederick Augustus Crowley 37 Squadron (d.26th Feb 1918)

    2nd Lieutenant Frederick Augustus Crowley, Royal Flying Corps. Died on 26th February 1918 aged 20. Son of Matthew and Mary Crawley, of Adrigole, Bantry, County Cork. Frederick Crowley crashed behind the Cricketers pub during a training flight.





    231006

    2nd Lt. Sidney Armstrong 37 Squadron (d.17th Feb 1918)

    2nd Lieutenant Sydney Armstrong, Royal Flying Corp and Royal Field Artillery, died on 17th February 1918 aged 18. Sydney Armstrong crashed in Tolleshunt, Darcy after his aircraft was damaged whilst engaging a Gotha Bomber on its way to bomb London.





    231004

    Pte. Edward Broughall 1st Btn Cheshire Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    Edward Broughall was the youngest of 3 brothers. William served in the KSLI from Sept 1915 to the end of the war. Middle brother George, my great grandfather, also served in the KSLI between September 1914 and the War's end.

    Simon Lewis




    231002

    Pte. Edgar Walter Matthews 2nd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.12th Apr 1918)

    I only know a small amount about Edgar Walter Matthews. I am researching my family history, if you know any more I would be grateful to know.

    Darren Matthews




    231000

    Bmdr. William Henry Jaundrill 113th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.31st May 1917)

    William Jaundrill was the son of William Henry Jaundrill. He was born at St. Helens 1883. He enlisted at St. Helens on 10th of December 1915 and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery, he was killed on 31st of May 1917 and was buried Mindel Trench Cemetery, St. Laurent. At the time of his death he was married to Annie and had two sons and a daughter





    230999

    Rfmn. Charles Ernest Cable 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.22nd Apr 1917)

    Ernest Charles Cable was one of four siblings who left Limehouse to fight in Flanders at the Somme, Ypres etc. He lived at 3 Eastfield Street. He was attached in 1916 to the 9th Company Machine Gun Corps and died in action at the 2nd Battle of the Scarp. He was the only one who died in the family, the others being unscathed in the Navy, one captured in 1918 and one wounded by Shrapnel.





    230998

    Sgt. Reginald Pierce 24th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.10th Nov 1918)

    Sgt. Reginald Pierce was a former police officer at Wrexham Police Station. He enlisted at Wrexham on the 13th of December 1915, he was posted with the 2nd Battalion to France on the 4th of July 1916 then posted back to United Kingdom because of illness. He was posted to 24th Battalion on the 16th of February and then to Eygpt, where he was wounded. On recovery transferred with Battalion to France in June 1918. The Battalion entered the line at Ingoyghem on the night of the 29th/30th of October 1918 and advanced on the 31st, being heavily shelled and engaged with rifle and machine gun fire, in the advance Sergeant Pierce was badly wounded and moved to the 3rd Australian Clearing Station where he died on the 10th of November 1918.





    230997

    Able.Sea. George Albert Owen HMS Sparrow Hawk

    Albert George Owen enlisted 13th of August 1915 at Portsmouth. After training he joined HMS Sparrow Hawk, 4th Destroyer Flotilla at Scapa Flow. He saw action at Battle of Jutland. The Sparrow Hawk was badly damaged by the German battle fleet, she finally sank. The survivors were taken off by HMS Marksman. He returned to Portsmouth, then posted to HMS Medina at Greenwich and a succession of other destroyers with the Grand Fleet. Finally being discharged on 21st of April 1919.





    230996

    Pte. Oswald Pierce 4th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Oswald Pierce enlisted on the 20th of March 1912 at Wrexham. He entered theatre of operations with his battalion, in November 1914. He was wounded during German attack on the battalion's front in January 1915 and is mentioned on bases wounded list dated 2nd of February 1915. He was discharged because of wounds on the 16th of February 1916.





    230994

    Gunner Robert Froggatt 94 Brigade, B Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.15th July 1916)

    Robert Froggatt was a coal miner in April 1911 according to the 1911 Census. He was married with 3 children, Ernest, Mellisa and Hilda.

    Dawn Pillans




    230993

    Frederick Percy Welsh 275th Siege Battery Royal Garrision Artillery

    I have been searching for information about a Frederick Percy Welch from St Austell in Cornwall who died in WW1. Records have been lost but there is a P F Welch recorded as being 275th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. He was known by his middle name Percy so it is conceivable that his initials were inverted. Also Percy's younger brother Wilfred Ernest Welch joined the Devonshires just as Lewis did so it looks like your records have led me to find the man I have been searching for so long. Percy is one of eight St Austell Baptist Church boys who died in WW1.

    Peter Bishop




    230988

    Pte. Leonard Hunter Bramley 11th Battalion, B Coy. Border Regiment (d.13th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Leonard Bramley was born and bred in Preston but at the start of the war he was working as a Marine Stoker. His brother James was also killed in WW1 when his ship HMT Strathrannock was destroyed by a mine off St Abbs Head.

    R Jefferson




    230987

    L/Cpl. George Bernard Masterman 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    George Masterman was born 17 March 1889 in Westgate (Westow), Old Malton to John and Elizabeth Masterman. He married Ann Moody on 14 September 1916 at the Parish Church, Huttons Ambo, Yorkshire. In 1911 George was 22 years old and a Waggoner on a farm in Mennethorpe. He was a Lance Corporal of the 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. His Service Number was 28476. George died on 26th of September 1917, in Flanders aged 28. There is a memorial reference to him at the Tyne Cot Memorial. There is also a memorial in Westow which includes George's name.

    Christine Saunders




    230985

    Sgt. Robert Kenny MM 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    Robert Kenny received his Military Medal for action in the Gallipoli Campaign. Held the rank of WO2 and following the campaign was promoted to Sergeant He died of wounds at the Battle of Cambrai France on 2nd of December 2017 and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France.

    Carl Anthony Bailey




    230981

    L/Cpl. Robert Henry House 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Robert House was born in August 1894 in the Curragh Amy Camp, County Kildare in Ireland. His father was Robert Charles House, a sergeant based at the camp in the Army Service Corps.

    Robert enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on the 2nd of July 1914. He married his sweetheart, Sarah Jane McCord, at the Pro Cathedral in Dublin on the 7th of December 1914. He landed in France as part of the British Expedition Force on the 3rd of January 1915. On the 29th Lance Corporal Robert Henry House while on active service at St.Yves in Belgium was wounded. He received gun shot wounds to his chest, upper left arm and his two feet. The wounds to his feet fractured his first, second and third metatarsals bones. While at General Hospital Boulogne he is diagnosed with rheumatism and bronchitis. He was transferred to H.S. Carrisbrook Castle on the 10th of February and sent back to England arriving at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley. At the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Depot, Robert Henry House is discharged from the British Army deemed No Longer Physically Fit for War Service on the 6th of August 1915.

    This brave young 19 year old man's army career was short, only lasting 13 months. He was unlucky to be badly wounded but very lucky to survive them. He went on to have a large family, marrying twice and lived in Dublin, Ireland until 1971. Robert Henry House late of 63 Kildare road, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland died at St. Jame`s Hospital Dublin. Having survived his serious War Wounds in January 1915, it was Cancer of the Stomach and Lungs which was the cause of his Death. This man was a True Hero to his generation.

    John




    230980

    Pte. Michael Quinn 7th Batt. Leinster Regiment (d.21st February 1917)

    Michael Quinn was my great grandfather. He died during WW1 and is buried in France at the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. He fought in the 7th Batt Leinster Regiment.

    Bernard Quinn




    230970

    Pte. Charles Frederick Gaydon 4th (City of London) Btn. London Regiment (d.11th Aug 1918)

    Charles Gaydon was my great-grandfather. He died aged 35 and is buried at Beacon Cemetery, Sailly-Laurette, France. He left a wife Sarah and two daughters, 11 year-old Jane and 3 month-old Louisa. He lived at 10 Sidney Street, London.

    Zoe Crocker




    230969

    Pte. Bernard Peter Neill 32nd Btn.

    Bernard Neill was taken POW on 20th July after the Battle of Fromelles. His brother, Daniel Edward, fought in the same battle and was wounded. He had his leg amputated and was captured on the same day but located to a different camp/hospital.

    Noella McPhee




    230966

    Pte. Robert Sandison 1st Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.11th January 1917)

    Robert Sandison was my great uncle. He was the younger brother of my grandfather, John Sandison.

    Elizabeth Alasi




    230965

    Gnr. Andrew Wingate 252nd Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.20th July 1918)

    Andrew Wingate was the first husband of Lizzie Shaw Mcgarrigle.

    Elizabeth Alasi




    230964

    Spr. Alfred Wilson Smith MM. 82nd Field Coy.

    Wilson Smith served from 1st September 1914 to 14th December 1918. He received the Military Medal (London Gazette, 9th November 1916) following night raid action on 15th September 1916 at Romarin, France during Battle of the Somme.

    Hodge




    230963

    Pte. George Harry Nelson 16th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    George Nelson served with the 16th, 15th & 1st Battalions, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

    John Nelson




    230960

    Pte. Sidney Charles Tyers 2/4 Btn. Leicestershire Rgt. (d.30th November 1917)

    Sidney Tyers died aged 22; he was the baby of the family, much loved of my grandmother and his mother was said to be broken hearted, never quite recovering. He was sent to Dublin as part of the force putting down the Easter uprising in 1916; he sent home a postcard, commenting that Dublin was full of rubble, something of an understatement.

    He died at Cambrai, on the day of the major German counter-offensive, when British losses were very high. He has no grave, his body was never found and his name is recorded only on the Cambrai memorial.

    Susan De Val




    230959

    Pte. Henry Reardon 9th Btn., Att. 1st Army Infantry School Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th June 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Reardon was born in Dublin city in 1896 (birth date estimated), where he lived with his family in his early years in the Guinness Trust Buildings, New Bride Street. He came from a family of tailors. By 1911, Henry had emigrated from Ireland and was living in Liverpool. Within a few years he enlisted in the 9th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

    Unfortunately Henrys military record did not survive. Private Henry Reardon, regiment number 27435, attached The First Army Infantry School. We know from his army index card that Henry fought in the Western European theatre of war. His medal roll index card indicates Henry was awarded the Victory medal and the British War medal. He died in France on 29th June 1918. Henry did not die in action, but in the 25th General Hospital Hardelot from bronchial pneumonia. He was 22 years old. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission cites Henrys burial place as Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas de Calais, France.

    While Private Henry Reardon commenced his army service in the 9th Battalion RDF, according to his death certificate by 1918 he had transferred to the 1st Battalion RDF.

    Henry's story was lost to our family and only recently have we been able to piece together some details of his life and death. Remarkably for us it was his first cousin Michael O'Reardon (who fought as a young 17-year-old in the Dublin Brigade of the Irish Volunteers at the Four Courts in the 1916 Rising and lived till 1982), who kept in touch with Henry's surviving family in Liverpool and had the family memorial card and Death Memorial Plaque in his effects when he died. It is with great pride that we, as an Irish family, remember both cousins Henry and Michael in this special year of centenaries 2016.

    Memorial Plaque

    Therese O'Reardon Burke




    230951

    Pte. Frank Irwin Fuller 2nd/14th (London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>Frank and Dorthy Fuller on their wedding day, September 1918

    Frank Irwin Fuller was born on 9th of December 1895 at Hythe Kent, the son of Ernest Fuller and Maria Isaac. His father had been a military clerk of works at Chatham; and his grandfather was in the Ordnance Survey serving in Ireland, Gibraltar, Adelaide and the New Territories of Hong Kong.

    After a short period working in his uncle's furniture factory in South London, he started work as a clerk at the Anglo-American Oil Company at Queen Anne's Gate, London. He joined the 2/14th London Scottish Regiment along with a number of his work-mates on 10th of January 1916. by that time the London Scottish no longer looked for any Scottish connection in their recruits. He trained at South Veny on Salisbury Plain and specialised as a semaphore signaller. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of June 1916, landing at Le Havre. At some point in 1916 Frank was caught in a gas attack and suffered minor chest damage that affected him for the rest of his life. Nevertheless he was with his battalion in November they were sent to Macedonia. Sailing from Marseilles via Malta, they arrived in Salonika on Christmas Day 1916.

    In April and May 1917 he saw action in the Battle of Doiran against the Bulgarian Army, an unsuccessful attempt to open a new front against the Ottoman Empire. In July 1917 they moved from Greece to Egypt where he was in hospital with an illness for a time. While he was there he proposed by letter to his girlfriend, Dorothy Mayell, in London, and they agreed by post that they would get married the next time he should get leave back home. Frank had some leave in Egypt to visit the Pyramids (by camel) and also made a number of water colour paintings of his surroundings.

    He was involved in the Battle of Gaza and the capture of Jerusalem where he spent Christmas 1917 and made more water colour paintings. In 1918 he was involved in operations into Jordan. But in July 1918 his battalion handed over their positions to a division of the Indian Army (from whom he picked up a smattering of Hindi) before returning to the Western Front. In September 1918 he obtained leave in London. He was met by his fiance and her sister at Waterloo station and they were married before he even went home to visit his parents.

    After the Armistice Frank was deployed as a guard at the Port of Dunquerque (or maybe Calais) for 3 months and learned some French from the town residents. He returned to London and was demobbed on the 13th March 1919 and rejoined the Anglo-American Oil Company. In 1927 Frank became area distribution manager for Anglo-American (now part of Esso) and the family moved to Winchester. During 1944 he had some responsibility for oil supplies to the army in advance of the invasion of Normandy and as result he was provided with a high security pass and was able to move freely through the troop assembly areas. After D-Day he continued to have some involvement in the shipment of oil supplies to France. After the war he was fuel Distribution Manager for the Channel Islands until his retirement in 1960. He died in Sussex in 1965.

    Peter Fuller




    230945

    Sgt.Mjr. Jesse Lane 1st Btn. Devonshire Rgt.

    The 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was in Jersey, Channel Islands during August 1914 when WWI broke out. Jesse Lane married my grandmother on 15th August 1914 in St Helier, Jersey and the 1st Battalion shipped out to France on 21st August 1914. He was gassed in the trenches but survived the War.

    Hilary Kaye




    230940

    Pte. Richard Frederick Edwards 7th Btn. King's Liverpool Rgt. (d.6th September 1916)

    Richard Frederick Edwards is my great uncle and was one of three brothers. He lived in Bootle with his wife and family and served with the King's Liverpool Regiment. He was killed in action in September 1916.

    His brother, William Edwin Edwards, served in 11th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment and was killed in action in March 1917.

    David Bowyer




    230939

    Gnr. Edwin Atherton Vernon 77th Seige Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    I have been given the diaries that my great grandfather, Vernon Atherton, compiled during 1916-1917. They can be difficult to read given they were written in pencil. I also have his whistle. There are only two locations of note that I have found to date and they are from his Army Pay Received in France records, they are Bouvac and Sailly au Bois. After the war he became a police officer in Manchester reaching the rank of chief inspector and he died in service.





    230931

    Pte. Thomas Fagan 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th March 1915)

    Thomas Fagan was my great grandfather and he was from Dublin, not Glasgow as suggested. He had two daughters, Rosemary and Annie. He had never seen Annie, who was just a few months old when he died. The family history is that he was hit and killed by a shell, and there is some suggestion that he was decapitated by that shell. He is buried at Ration Farm, on the outskirts of Ypres and on 29th March 2015 three generations of the family visited his grave on the 100th anniversary of his death.





    230930

    STO PO Timothy Crowley DSM HMS Moorsom

    Born 28th May 1878, Timothy Crowley joined the Royal Navy in 1897. He received the China Medal in 1900 and the DSM in 1916 while serving on HMS Moorson at the Battle of Jutland.

    The Gazette reads: "For the efficient way he took charge of his stokehold, when the Oil Fuel tank, which was in use, got holed, and changing over with quick despatch, the ship being going full speed at the time."

    He was demobilised from the Navy in November 1919.

    Geraldine Niven




    230928

    Pte. William Clarke 5th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    William Clarke was born about 1874. His wife was Mary Hannah (nee Edwards) who was born about 1871. They had six children. William was employed at Nasmyth and Wilson, Bridgewater Foundry, Patricroft, Eccles as a labourer and crane driver. He volunteered for Army service at the Drill Hall, Cromwell Road, Eccles, and joined the Lancashire Fusiliers as Private No. 5056. He transferred to the 5th Manchesters and was renumbered 4197.

    He embarked on the Empress of Britain to Egypt via Gibraltar arriving on 17th September 1916. William had various postings around Egypt. He left Egypt for the Western Front in March 1917 and saw action at Arras, Ypres, Passchendaele and various engagements during the retreat and advance in 1918.

    William was demobilised in April 1919 with no injuries. He was awarded two medals: the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, which he received in 1921. He returned to his family at Eliza Ann Street and resumed work with Nasmyth Wilsons.





    230927

    Pte. James Bowerman 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Rgt. (d.7th August 1917)

    James Bowerman joined the RASC as a baker in 1915, and transferred to 6th Btn Northamptonshire Regiment in May 1917. He was killed in action on 7th August 1917.

    Private Bowerman is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres, on the Preston, Lancs Harris Museum Roll of Honour, and within Preston Remembers and on Lives of the First World War websites.

    R. Jefferson




    230925

    Pte. Patrick Mulvaney 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.7th September 1916)

    Patrick Mulvaney was killed in action on 7th September 1916.

    C. Lambert




    230923

    Pte. Sidney Richard Medler 1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment

    <p>

    Sidney Medler was born 25 Jan 1897 in Ringland to Farmer Walter James Medler and wife Elizabeth (nee Craske). He was the 3rd son and one of 6 siblings. He enlisted on 25th July 1916, aged 19 into the Royal Norfolk Regiment. He arrived in France on 23rd November 1916 to join the 1st Battalion.

    I know he was present at the Battle for Vimy Ridge as my grandfather (Sidney's son) told me. This is probably were he received shrapnel wounds to his right leg. He left for England and convalescence on 19th May 1917.

    I have a photograph of the Canadian Hospital HRH Duchess of Connaught Hospital so he may have stayed here. Wherever it was, he was gravely ill for a while with septicaemia and his parents were sent for to say their "goodbyes". However, he did not die, but family lore says that 2 nurses nursing him caught the infection from him and died at that time. Sidney recovered to be discharged from service because of disablement on 21st December 1917 and to receive a war pension. He also received the Victory and the Silver Star Medal. Sidney and his two brothers survived the war.

    Paula Vernon




    230922

    Joseph Paterson Finnie 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.11th July 1916)

    Joseph Finnie was my grandfather's brother and 20 when he died in WWI. We visited the War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle in 2010 and saw an entry about his death. "Joseph Finnie 19281 was born in Calton, Glasgow, and killed in action F & F 11/7/16. 2nd Bn."

    Also from Scotland's People website I found a death record "Statutory Death 135/AF 0013 on 11 July 1916 for a Joseph Finnie age 20, killed in action from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers".

    My grandmother's sister reported to us that Joseph died in Argonne, France.

    Teresa Van Horn




    230921

    Sgt. Arthur Head 1st Btn. East Surrey Rgt.

    My grandfather Arthur Head joined the British Army in 1905 and served until he was discharged in 1920 and then he left for Canada in 1928. In 1911-12 he was definitely posted in India and received the Abor expedition medal, 1911-12. His service book showed he learned Hindustani.

    During WWI he served with the 1st Btn of the East Surrey Regiment. In 1916, while on leave in London, England, he saved the life of a man who was drowning in the River Thames. For this action he received the Royal Humane Society Life Saving Medal.

    Don Head




    230918

    Pte. Victor Tom Brooks Att. Ox & Bucks Light Infantry Royal Army Medical Corps

    My great uncle Victor Brooks enlisted in the RAMC on 7th August 1915 in Leeds, West Yorkshire (formally West Riding of Yorkshire). He was attached to the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry and deployed with them in October 1915 to Salonika where the British Army objective was to assist the Serbs in their fight against Bulgarian aggression.

    He was wounded on 10th April 1917 and the following is the transcript of a letter sent to his mother from the Chaplin L. Whitcombe, dated 11th April 1917.

    Dear Madam,

    You will have heard from the War Office that your son Pte. Brooks R.A.M.C. attached to the O.B.L.I. has been wounded. He came through this ambulance A.D.S. 80th field ambulance, Salonika Army, last night and though badly wounded in several places he never once murmured. He asked me to write and let you know that he was being sent down to a general hospital at the Base.

    You will be glad to hear that I gave him his Easter Holy Communion while he was waiting to go on after his wounds had been dressed.

    He was hit by a shell which burst near his boys camp. He is seriously wounded and has lost much blood, but I think if we pray for him he will recover and be home before he otherwise would have been. His bones I believe are not broken.

    He is a good boy and wonderfully patient.

    God bless both him and you.

    Yours Faithfully

    L. Whitcombe c-f

    C of E.

    Subsequently my great uncle was transferred to a hospital in Malta and returned to England in early 1918. The accompanying hospital ship was sunk as they sailed home. He was discharged from the army on the 2nd May 1918 as surplus to military requirements. He had received gun shot wounds to both thighs and lower legs as well as his right shoulder and left arm. I recall him having to wear a built-up boot on his left leg because of his injuries. He received a War Pension assessed at 40% for the rest of his life. Despite his resultant disabilities he was able to continue as a painter and decorator during his working life and was happily married and a father to two children.

    Elizabeth Hill




    230917

    Pte. Thomas Henry Hopkins 2/7th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.26th Sep 1917)

    Henry Hopkins was my great uncle on my mother's side of the family. He was killed in action on 26th of September 1917 during the attack on Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres, probably somewhere near Saint Julien. He died during the day when, reputedly, the Germans fired their biggest barrage of WW1 - 1.6 million shells I believe. He is buried in Wieltje Farm Cemetery on the outskirts of Ypres.

    Karl Baker




    230907

    Drvr. Herbert Smyth Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My Grandfather Herbert Smyth enlisted on the 25th of November 1914. He was in hospital in 1918.

    James Wesley Johnston




    230903

    L/Sgt. James Low 1st Battalion Black Watch (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>James Low on his wedding day with his wife Nellie (Hoare)

    James Low was my great grandfather. His address was 3 Yeamans Alley, Lochee, Dundee. He was the son of Mary Jean Scrimgeour but was raised by his Grandmother, Mary Low aka Granny Booth, who married John Gibson Booth after she gave birth to Jane. James's father was never in the picture along with Jane's father so he went by his grandmother's maiden name which was Low as she was Low when she gave birth to James's mother Jane. Neither his grandmother nor his mother married but neither of those men were blood relatives to James hence why he went by his Grandfather's surname.

    He was in the 1st Battalion of the Blackwatch (Royal Highlanders) service number 874. While serving in Ireland he met my great grandmother Nellie Hoare. Nellie became pregnant with my granfather Patrick Low and James and Nellie got married on the Isle of Wight on the 12/01/1914.

    James joined the war with the Blackwatch on the 14/09/1914. They fought in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. It was on the 09/05/1915 during the Battle of Aubers Ridge when he died. James won the WW1 Victory Medal.

    Blackwatch leaving aldershot to fight in WW1

    Declan Lowe




    230902

    Rfn. Thomas Frederick Harvey 10th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.12th Aug 1917)

    My granddad, Thomas Frederick Harvey, served with 10th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Still trying to find out more as most records of this time were destroyed during WW2.

    Alan Harvey




    230901

    Spr. Arthur James Atkinson 518 Field Company Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Arthur James Atkinson served with 518 Field Company, Royal Engineers





    230897

    Pte. George M. Begg 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.22nd August 1917)

    On the day in question, according to "Passchendaele, the Day-by-Day Account" by Chris McCarthy, the 8th Battalion went into action on the left of 44 Brigade (15th Division) along with 7th Camerons. Both suffered heavily from machine-gun fire.

    It appears they went into action from the Pommern Castle position, attacking towards Hill 35, which is the slight rise in the field to the left of the road from Zonnebeke to Langemark, between Dochy Farm Cemetery and "Bombarded Crossroad" - the crossroads where there is a turn right towards Gravenstafel and Varlet Farm.

    Private George M. Begg is buried in the Dochy Farm New British Cemetery. He was born in 1895, the son of Alexander and Elizabeth Begg of Wick, Caithness, Scotland.

    Dave Murray




    230894

    Rifleman David Lindsay Pountney (d.3rd November 1917)

    David Lindsay Pountney is buried in the British Military Cemetery in Gaza, Palestine. This is my paternal grandfather.

    Michael Pountney




    230888

    Capt. Alfred Christopher Pearson 9th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.4th April 1919)

    This is based on information received from Kevan Darby researching 9th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment: Alfred Christopher Pearson had just taken his degree in Theology at Oxford when the First World War broke out. He abandoned plans to be a missionary and was commissioned into the 9th (Service) Royal Warwickshire Regiment. This was one of Kitcheners New Army battalions and consisted almost entirely of volunteers.

    Lieutenant A. C. Pearson landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 13th July 1915, and was wounded in action on the 10th August at the Farm, Anzac. Pearson was promoted Captain in 1916 and, after recovering from his wounds, he rejoined his Battalion in Mesopotamia in June 1916. By December the British had succeeded in pushing the Turks back and by March 1917 Baghdad was taken. The Warwickshires attacked Turkish positions and, despite heavy shrapnel, captured objectives and took 100 prisoners. Casualties were heavy with 10 Officers and 140 other ranks being killed or wounded. Amongst the wounded was Captain Pearson. Once again.

    During his convalescence Pearson had time to ponder over his aim in life and he decided to apply for a transfer to the Government's Political Department. He had decided, while at school in North Yorkshire, he would become a missionary and political duties in Mesopotamia would be an introduction to the work. So he learned the language and customs of the Arabs. Pearson was appointed Assistant Political Officer and Deputy Military Governor of Basra on March 26th, 1918. He became respected by many Kurds and other tribes and, in December 1918, he was transferred as Political Officer to Zakho where a small garrison had been deployed.

    In March 1919 the Goyan tribe appealed to Alfred Pearson to pay them a visit with a view to their enrolment in the list of tribes within the sphere of British military occupation. They were perhaps the wildest of the tribes with whom Pearson had to deal. The valley in which they dwelt was particularly inaccessible. The courageous 26-year-old Political Officer was, however, devoted to his task and had already shown great skill in negotiations with Kurdish and other tribes. He wanted to reassure the tribesmen of British intentions and, in return for supplies of seed and grain, he hoped to persuade them to stop plundering their neighbours. That would constitute an important step towards pacification of the whole region. But on his way to the rendezvous accompanied by a Kurdish orderly and a few men of the Goyan, Pearson was ambushed and killed on 4th April 1919. The loss was a salutary lesson in dealing with Kurdish tribes without adequate support. Following the murder an attempt was made to penetrate the area with a military escort. But a large number of tribes had joined against the British. The whole area had become unstable. A fellow Political Officer told the family that the only reason for the murder of Captain Pearson was a fanatical hatred of a Christian. Captain Pearson's body was recovered and buried in North Gate War Cemetery, Baghdad.

    Ian Pearson




    230884

    L/Sgt. Thomas James Green 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.24th Dec 1914)

    My great uncle, Thomas Green, was missing for years from my family history. I found (by accident) a soldiers' enlistment poem which mentioned Sergeant Instructor Green, the father of Thomas Green of the Grenadier Guards who died on Christmas Eve 1914.





    230878

    Pte. Andrew Peel Innes MM. 1/9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Andrew Innes served with the 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Andrea Ward




    230872

    Officers Stwd 3/Cl. Charles C. Devenny HMS Tornado (d.23rd December 1917)

    My uncle, Charles Devenny, served aboard HMS Tornado. He was the son of Dennis and Helena Devenny of Airdrie, Scotland. Charles was killed aboard the Tornado on 23rd December 1917 when it ran into a minefield in the Dutch North Sea. The ship sank with only one survivor.

    Denise McFarlane Osowick




    230870

    Pte. Thomas Backhouse 9th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    Thomas Backhouse was my great uncle. He died aged 21 and was married to a local girl. His name is on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 64-67. He enlisted in Birkenhead, Wirral.

    Sheila Scarisbrick




    230869

    Rflmn. William Lawrence 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    William Lawrence was born on 5th November 1896 in Mile End Old Town, the son of Matilda and Frederick Lawrence. At the start of the Great War in August 1914 he enlisted as a Rifleman in the 17th London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles). Then on mobilisation the 17th moved to St Albans, Hertfordshire. While in training he met a local St Albans girl called Violet Clark who he later returned to and married at St Albans Abbey on 2nd July 1917.

    In 1915 his unit proceeded overseas landing at Le Havre on 10th March 1915. During his service on the Western Front he fought in many engagements, and was wounded in action at the Somme. On recovery he returned to the firing line and took part in the fighting at Ypres, and was again wounded at Arras in 1917. He was invalided back to England and, after receiving hospital treatment for a gun shot wound to the arm, he was discharged as medically unfit for further service in December 1917. He won the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory medals. Violet and William started married life at 7 Queen Street St Albans. They went on to have five children.

    Kim Lawrence




    230868

    Pte. Michael Rouhorn 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Rgt. (d.28th November 1915)

    Michael Rouhorn 1873-1915 (spelt many ways over the years) was the son of William Rouhorn 1836-1912 b. Mayo Ireland and Rose Stanton 1841-1883. He was married to Mary Hannah Northcup in 1904 and left two children that I found. He had served before at least twice in the 4th North Staffs Regiment, the second time rejoining in 1903 just before his marriage.

    He died in Gallipoli on 28th November 1915. All records for November for the 7th North Staffordshire Btn seem to have been lost. The regiment left Gallipoli early in December 1915. (What a horrific waste of life. Look at the War Diary for the 7th North Staffs Regiment 1915.)

    My interest was through my father who was named Albert Michael Fisher in 1918 after his uncle. His mother Agnes Rouhorn (Fisher) was his sister.

    My father served in Burma in WWII, and never forgot the experience. He was always interested in what had become of his uncle and I am only sorry that he passed away without being able to trace his uncle through the generations due to the many spellings of the surname.

    Michael - I have spent a long time trying to trace your story and have put as much information as I can on the Ancestry Website and hope that some family members will look for you in future years.

    Pauline Hicks




    230866

    George Henry Ellis 2nd Lancashire and Cheshire Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather would never talk about his war, only to say he was lucky that he was not in mud but in the sand. He mentioned Palestine and Mesopotamia. When we were going through his things we found a certificate in Italian which seemed to say he was an honorary member of the Italian Army, but this was lost when a relative was trying to trace what it was about. I'm still checking that.

    He told me about the trip on the train to Marseille and how the train was bombed and the last three carriages were destroyed - the carriages in which the sergeants travelled. Also, when in Egypt visiting the pyramids, something he would not have seen without the army. He had a bag of photos of his army days which have been lost during research.

    Neil Ellis




    230863

    Pte. William Arthur Town 14th Btn. Welch Rgt. (d.10th July 1917)

    William Town was an engine cleaner from Swansea. He was reported missing, presumed dead at the battle of Mametz Wood on 10th July 1917.

    Alan Wyke




    230857

    Sgt. Henry Jarvis 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Henry Jarvis apparently rejoined, having been in the army earlier. He married in 1908 and was a cycle maker by trade. Henry was wounded at Festubert (daily list 21st June 1915) and he was gassed (daily list November 1915).

    He was killed on the first day of the First Battle of the Somme and left a wife and four children under six years old (sadly, the littlest one also died). Henry is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. My father's earliest memory was of his mother receiving the telegram to say his father had died. My father was four years old.





    230856

    Capt. S. C.W. Cruickshank Royal Tank Corps

    <p>

    7423 Pte S.C.W. Cruickshank served with the 8th Royal Scots. He entered the War early and fought in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. I have the 1914-1918 Medal trio for Capt. S.C.W. Cruickshank. His medal index card shows him with two different numbers, for 8 R Scots. They are: 7423 and 335090. The number 7423 appears on the rear of his 1914 Star. The BWM and the AVM both show him as an officer, therefore there are no numbers.

    His medal index card shows him as a 2/Lt Tank Corps. But he was later promoted to A/Captain, and then to Captain. The actual medals are engraved as follows:

  • 1914 Star: 7423 Pte. S.C.W. Cruickshank 8/R.Scots
  • BWM: Capt S.C.W. Cruickshank
  • AVM: Capt S.C.W. Cruickshank

    There is no "Mons" Bar on the 1914 Star. This is because, I am reliably informed by another correspondent of mine, Cruickshank was with the 8th Battalion, Royal Scots, who were a Territorial Force battalion at the time and that they arrived in France (as the first Scottish battalion to do so) on 5th November, joining the 22nd Brigade of the 7th Division on 11th November. That they did not qualify for the "Mons" bar (5th August-22nd November) was very probably because they only saw action much later, that is, only on 10th to 13th March 1915 at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.

    Cruickshank transferred from the Royal Scots to the Royal Tank Corps in 1917. There are a number of London Gazette entries showing his promotion from temporary 2nd Lt through to A/Captain and Captain. His Great War medal trio are part of the David Bennett Collection.

    David Bennett




  • 230853

    Pte. John William Whappshott 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards

    <p>

    My grandad, Jack Whappshott was lucky - he was injured at Ypres on the first day of the battle. He had his arm shattered but it meant that his time in the war was over. His brother was not so lucky. He died a few days before his 16th birthday.

    Annemarie Pallister




    230852

    Cpl. John Joseph Welsh 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th June 1916)

    <p>

    After a long search for my maternal great grandfather, Joseph Welsh, I have found two newspaper clippings.

    Letter from the Colonel

    Derek William Burgess




    230850

    Gnr. William Benjamin Starling 152 (Hackney) Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My father William Starling spoke little about the War. He did tell a tale one of how they would quickly take out their knives when a horse was killed, to have some fresh meat. And he also told of his end of the War, when he was stationed in Germany as part of the occupying force. He had by then risen to the rank of Sergeant. A more senior Sergeant (probably a Warrant Officer) was drafted out to take charge of them, one who had spent his war in England. This did not sit well with my father, nor did the man's old army ways, so my father, having got drunk one night, put him in hospital - for which he received the usual punishment, reduced to ranks, time in the 'glasshouse' (which he did not mind as the MPs were sympathetic) and dishonourable discharge. He was asked to join a new unit being put together to serve in Ireland, whilst in the prison, but just did not fancy joining the Black and Tans.

    Christopher Starling




    230839

    Sgt. Frederick Leonard Smith 2nd/6th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    Frederick Smith served with the 2nd/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment.

    Frank Charleston




    230838

    William Ferrier 7th Btn. Black Watch (d.7th July 1916)

    William Ferrier was the eldest and only son of William and Margaret, and my mother's brother. Now lying in Aubigny Military Cemetry, France. "Rest beloved, rest until the day dawns."

    Ross Watson




    230836

    2nd Lt. Frank Wesley Blackmore 4th Btn. Royal West Surrey Regiment

    <p>

    In their edition of 28th November 1917 the London Gazette announced that as at 31st October 1917 Frank Blackmore had been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment from his Officer Cadet Unit, which entitled him to the princely wage of 7s. 6d. per day. 3rd Btn. Sussex Regiment was a depot/training unit and remained in the UK throughout the war. During his officer training he contracted influenza due to strain and exposure, causing him to complain of "general weakness, coughing and night sweats". The Medical Board's Report on 29th August 1918 indicated that he had become anaemic and had lost weight; there was also a patch of "tubular breathing below clavicle on left side". Tubular breathing could be recognised by placing the the stethoscope over the trachea and listening to the patient as they breathe in and out with mouth open. What you would hear is a "tubular" sound similar to air being blown through a tube.

    As there had not been any noticeable improvement in his health, Frank was instructed to report back for duty with his regiment. He had by then been gazetted to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment which had been formed as the 4th/4th Battalion (Terriorial Force) in July 1915 at Croydon before moving to Windsor and Purfleet. On 8th April 1916 it became the 4th (Reserve) Battalion and moved to Crowborough, East Sussex where it remained until October 1916. Then it moved to Tunbridge Wells where it remained as part of the Home Counties Reserve Brigade of the Territorial Force. They were responsible for the training of new recruits and of men returning to duty after being in medical care or away for any other reasons. They were often called "The Mutton Lancers" due to their lamb and flag cap badge. Presumably Frank was no longer considered fit for active front line service because of his medical record and was thus given the responsibility of assisting in the training of the men in his battalion.

    David Blackmore




    230833

    William Sawdon Welburn 17th (North Eastern Railway) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    William Welburn served with the 17th North Eastern Railway Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers

    Mark Coates




    230830

    L/Cpl. John Albert Hollingsworth 2/8th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    My granddad, John Albert Hollingsworth, joined the 2/8th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers in 1916. Having been part of the home guard up to 1917 the battalion was sent to France as part of the BEF. Landing at Le Havre they were soon moved to the western front and involved in battles near St Quentin. During the German spring offensive the battalion was overrun and my granddad was captured on 21st March 1918 by the advancing German Army. The details on the IRC website state he was captured in Roisel.

    I would like to confirm which camp he was sent to. If anyone has any relatives who served in the 2/8th Lancashire Fusiliers please contact me.





    230829

    Sgt. Robert Palmer MM. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Palmer went to France with the Northumberland Fusiliers. He wasn't there long before he was wounded and sent home. A piece of shrapnel went through his front side and out the back, missing his ribs. This soon healed and he was sent back to the front but this time with the East Yorkshire Regiment. He rose in the ranks, becoming a sergeant.

    He received another wound but this time it was a bad one. A piece of shrapnel went in the front of his face on the bridge of his nose and exited at the back below his ear. It took the sight of his left eye, the roots of his teeth, some sweat glands and his sense of taste. Another soldier carried him on his back to a dressing station. He had a red label tied on him, which meant he was not expected to survive. However, he did, and landed up in Edinburgh.

    Albert Palmer




    230828

    Pte. Henry Francis Thundercliffe 5th Btn. D Coy. 13 Pltoon. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    203120 Private Henry Francis Thundercliffe of D Company, X111 Platoon, 1st/5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) was wounded on the morning of 9th of October 1917 during the assault on Peter Pan/Wolf Copse D.4.c.9.7 during the Battle of Passchendaele. He was found about 24 hours later in a shell hole at the bottom of the ridge and was taken toward a dressing station still under fire but had to be left in a shell hole about 80 yards from the dressing station due to mud and heavy firing. He was never seen again.

    Here is an extract of the letter sent to his mother by The British Red Cross and Order of St John.

    Dear Madam,

    In reply to your enquiry, we have received the following report. Corp. C. Mitchell 202162. D Coy: now in France says; "We found Thundercliffe about 24hrs after our first advance at Passchendaele on 9th October. He was lying in a shell hole about 30yards from the bottom of the ridge. This was at night. He called out to us. We went to him and two of us took him back about 60 yards towards the Dressing Station. There we had to leave him in a shell hole. We could not go any further because of the mud and heavy firing. He was wounded but quite cheery. The spot we left him was about 80yards from the 1st Aid Post. I knew him well. He came from Hull." This report must leave your son's final fate still uncertain.

    His body was never recovered and his name is engraved on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Mick Knott




    230827

    L/Cpl. Harry Robert Heaver 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Harry Heaver is listed as wounded in December, 1915. He died in Epping, Essex on 15th September 1916, very likely in St Margaret's Hospital and probably from wounds sustained in France or Belgium.

    Ken Hatfield




    230823

    Pte. Ronald Percy Allen Royal Sussex Regiment

    <p>

    Ronald Allen was my great grandfather. He was a baker in Bognor Regis before the war. From his letters home he seems to have been a kind, gentle and loving man to his wife and children. He was made a prisoner of war in 1917 and, while a prisoner, accused of throwing another prisoner off a cart, which my grandma could never believe.

    He came home after the war and the family planned to emigrate to Canada via Liverpool but he was discovered to have TB and turned away. He may have contracted this in the war. He died in 1926.

    Ronald Percy Allen

    Bryony Voller




    230819

    L/Cpl. Thomas McDermott 11 Sqdn. Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) (d.1st Dec 1917)

    Tommy McDermott served with the Machine Gun Corps Cavalry having transferred from the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons. He died on 1st of December 1917 at the Battle of Cambrai, France. His body was never recovered, but he is mentioned on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval.

    As part of the British Third Army, 11 Squadron fought with the Mhow Brigade of the 1st Indian Cavalry. An attack on 1st December 1917 by 11 Squadron to repel attacking German forces resulted in a total loss - 2 officers, 53 other ranks, 84 horses, and 4 guns (Vickers Machine Guns) were all lost.

    Timothy Beer




    230817

    Pte. Harry Giles Ives 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.19th May 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Ives served with 5 Platoon, X Coy. 1st Btn. Essex Regiment.

    Robert Ives




    230813

    Spr. John Small Laburn 7th Divisional Signals Company Royal Engineers

    <p>

    At the outbreak of World War I on July 28 1914, the Austro-Hungarian Empire invaded Serbia, beginning a world war that would last four years, result in millions of casualties and change the world irrevocably. Jack Laburn was a GPO telegraphist who lived at 8 Bellefield Ave. Dundee, Angus with his wife Eva (nee Bell: funny if you are a telegraphist!) and his baby son Jimmy (born in May 1914). Jack was born Oct 21st 1884 in Dundee to John & Margaret Laburn, the 2nd of 5 children. He attended the Harris Academy and had a good job as Post Office Telegraphist & later as Post Office Supervisor. Jack married Eva Laburn, and they had son James Bell Laburn (May 30th 1914) & later Eva Margaret Laburn.

    Jack joined up aged 32 in December 1915, after the 1915 Registration Act & Derby Group Scheme made it clear that conscription was just round the corner. He was placed as a Telegraphist Sapper with 2nd Signal Company, Light Signal Corps. Royal Engineers (although only named the Light Division in 1919). I presume he trained at Chatham Training Depot, Kent with his regiment the Royal Engineers, finished basic training & was posted January 1916. He saw action in Flanders, on the Western Front in France throughout 1916-1917.

    Whilst on Active Service Overseas Jack sent postcards home to his son Jimmy from:

    Postcard: July 10th 1916 Flanders/Western Front (Photo of artillery-wrecked villa taken in 1914) Field post office D7BOC9: This will give you some idea of the havoc wrought by the Huns big guns. I passed this place some weeks ago. Am quite well & hope you are ditto. Best Love J L 10th July No Letter today yet. - FPO D7. postmark. (I am no expert on FPOs, but D7 appears to indicate 7th Division HQ, so he may have initially been with 7th Div Signal Coy.)

    Postcard: Frevent 26th April 1917 (British Expeditionary Force: Casualty Clearing station at Frevent. Was he wounded or working?? NB He doesn t say he s OK!) - Dear Jimmy, I havent had a letter from Mamma for two or three days so I dont have anything to write about. Many thanks for your last letter. I am very glad to know you are looking after Mamma and Aunt Ruth. We are having a day of rain after some nice mild days. I hope you are all quite fine. Kiss Mamma for me, Love to you both from Daddy.

    Newspaper report: Volunteers held up, factories out & shipyards supplies hampered. PO mail delivering train from Perth. British Gazette

    Postcard: Hautment: Rue de Maubeuge 20.11.1918 - En Route for Germany walking all the way across Belgium, should cross border in next few days trek. Weather not too bad am OK & hope you are both ditto Best Love JL - Rue de Maubeuge was probably the road of that name in the town of Hautmont on the River Sambre.

    Postcard: Koln am Rhein 18th Feb 1919 Picture of Deutscher Ring, palace & fountains - Dear Jimmy, What do you think of this pretty place? I got your nice letter this morning and am glad to know you are well. I hope you are looking after Mamma all right? Please write again soon. Kisses from Daddy.

    Bruxelles book of cards; Namur book of cards; Spa Korsaal book of cards: German Imperial Army Headquarters was in Spa in occupied Belgium, 5 x Beautifully embroidered cards: Flowers from France, 1917 embroidered in allied flag colours Richt is might, embroidered in allied flag colours Message to my wife, Remembrance.

    Jack joined 2nd Signal Coy from signal depot (presumably Abbeville) 29th Sept 1916, at which time the Company HQ was at a village called Couin in the Somme sector, where they had been since August 21st after 2nd Division relieved the Guards Division. On 12th October he got a pay rise, becoming a Telegraphist (Office). By this time, the Company HQ had moved 15km south to Hedauville. Now Jack was an office telegraphist it could mean that he was probably assigned to work in the Company HQ section although it is possible that he could also have still been posted from time to time to one of the 3 Brigade sections, whose HQs were closer to the front line. The way army signalling was organised, the Royal Engineers Divisional Signal Companies comprised 4 main sections: HQ and No.1 Section was responsible for communications to the rear between Division HQ and higher echelons, and forward to the 3 Brigades of the Division and the Divisional artillery. No.2, 3 and 4 Sections were based at Brigade HQs and were responsible for maintaining links to the front line. Front line signalling was the responsibility of the infantry, not the Royal Engineers. Later in the war, a wireless section was added as were separate sections to link with the Royal Artillery and Machine Gun Corps. Jack might have seen some action round about at Cambrai, Baupaume & Sambre, judging from his letters & cuttings.

    On 20th November 1918, the Company HQ was at Maubeuge and it marched through Belgium, Naumur, into Germany, with the last of the Cavalry units, arriving at Duren near Cologne on 15th December as part of the BEF Occupying Force. On a rather sad note, the Company Commander, Major C.J. Phipps, who had spent most of the war with unit, died of the flu in February 1919 and was buried in Duren. (see Picture & obit)

    On 20th April 1919, 2nd Division became the Light Division, and the 2nd Signal Company became Light Division Signal Company. Jack returned to Britain in April 1919 to RE base at Chatham, Kent and was discharged into the Reserves in May 1919 returning to his home, 8 Bellefield Ave. Dundee from No 1 Dispersal Unit Kinross with total pay of £20 15S 6d and a Military greatcoat (worth £1 if returned to army). He was awarded 2 medals: Victory medal & British War medal for service abroad. According to his granddaughter Jack never talked about his war, he returned to his wife & children in Dundee and continued his life as Post Office supervisor. Jack died in 1956 aged 72 in Dundee. Angus Scotland, he now has four proud great grandchildren.

    Below is Transcript of Newspaper cutting found with Jacks effects: I wonder if he was among the brave signallers mentioned?

    A great Fight: British Heroism near Cambrai (1917) An account of the operations of the 47th London Territorial Division, the 2nd Division & the 56th London Territorial Division in the neighbourhood of Bourlon & Mouvres on November 30th last which we have received from an authoritative source, states that the story of the fighting is so brimful of heroism that it deserves to take its place in English history for all time. The most determined attacks of four German divisions, with three other German divisions to support were utterly crushed by the unconquerable resistance of the three British Divisions in line. After a bombardment of great intensity the German offensive began shortly after 9am, large numbers of the enemy being seen coming over the ridge to the west of Bourlon Wood against the junction of the 2nd and 47th Divisions. Our artillery barrage caught this advance but in spite of their losses the German infantry pressed on. The left of the London Territorials was being forced back. Four posts on the right of the 2nd division were wiped out. The situation was critical. As the enemy's infantry appeared over the crest of the hill, however they were engaged with direct fire by our field artillery. Machine guns in position in a sunken road south-west of Bourlon Wood and in the sugar factory in the Baupaume-Cambrai road swept their advancing lines. The survivors of the 2nd Divisions posts succeeded in getting to shell holes farther back and held out. While the artillery of both British Divisions maintained a constant and accurate fire, rifle, Lewes gun and machine gun fire inflicted enormous losses on the enemy, held up his advance and eventually drove him back after three hours hard fighting.

    A REARGUARDS SACRIFICE

    Farther west the enemys advance broke upon the 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, 2nd Division which was in the act of withdrawing from an advanced sap & trench, judged too exposed to be maintained in the face of so powerful an attack. Owing to the enemy being concealed in some dead ground the attack developed with unexpected speed and the company holding the advanced position was ordered to leave a rear-guard to cover the withdrawal of the remainder. Captain W.N. Stone, who was in command of the company sent back three platoons and himself elected to remain with the rear-guard along with Lieutenant Benzecry. This rear-guard, assisted by our machine guns held off the whole of the German attack until the main position of the 17th Battalion Royal fusiliers was fully organised and THEY ALL DIED TO A MAN WITH THEIR FACES TO THE ENEMY. Before midday the enemy again attacked on the whole front of the right brigade of the 2nd division but was once more hurled back with great slaughter. Early in the afternoon large messes of the enemy attacked on a front of nearly a mile with Bourlon Wood and on the left of the 47th Division a gap was formed between the 1st and 6th Battalions and the 1/15th Battalions London Regiments. This gap was closed by the prompt action of the officers commanding these battalions who with a reserve company and the staffs of their respective headquarters, including runners, signallers, orderlies and cooks led immediate and successful attacks. The garrisons of the three posts on the front of the 2nd Division fell fighting to the last and when the line at this point was restored such a heap of German dead lay in and around the posts it was impossible to found the bodies of our own men. In this locality five other posts held by a company of the first Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment repulsed all the enemys attacks and maintained themselves until our reinforcements had restored the situation. The casualties of this company were 46. They claim to have killed over 500 of the enemy. During the afternoon a strong hostile attack was made upon the 141st Brigade on the right of the 47th Division. The enemy was again hurled with heavy losses. A distinctive feature of the defence was the gallantry of the Lewis Gunners, who when the attack was seen to be beginning, ran out with their guns in front of our line and from positions of advantage in the open mowed down the advancing German Infantry. The ATTACK AT MOEVRES Similar events were happening meanwhile on the left of the 2nd Division and on the right of the 56th Division. I this fighting in the Mouvres area Captain AMC Mc Ready Diarmid of the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment greatly distinguished himself. When the enemy had penetrated some distance into the position and the situation was extremely critical he led his company forward through a very heavy barrage and drove the Germans back at least 500 yards. On the following day the officer again lead a bombing attack against a party of Germans who had broken in against our positions and pressed those back 500 yds. On the following day this officer again led a bombing attack against a party of Germans and pressed them back 300 yards himself killing 60 of the enemy. The Battle of Cambrai ranks as one of the most thrilling episodes of the whole war. Tanks at last came into their kingdom. The notion that the Hindenburg Line was impregnable was exploded.

    Unit card

    Coy. C O Major CJPHIPPS OBIT

    Coy.C.O.Maj CJ Phipps

    Helen Whittle




    230811

    Pte. Walter James Broad 9th Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.10th Oct 1917)

    My great great grandfather, Walter Broad, was born Nov. 1883 Woodford Bridge, Essex. Walter married Emily Elizabeth Barnard 13th Sept. 1903 at Woodford Bridge, Essex. Their only son, Stanley, was born in 1913. Walter enlisted at Bedford, he was resident 32, Castle Rd., Fleetville, St. Albans and the bus ran to Bedford from the end of his road.

    G/32330 Private Broad served with 1st & 9th Battalions East Surrey Regt. His Regimental number seems to show a mid-November 1915 enlistment and is prefixed with G/. shows a wartime short attestment as men enlisting with the East Surrey Regiment for wartime service only were given numbers from a separate series prefixed with the letter G/. He was killed in action aged 35 between 2nd July 1917 -10th October 1917: Maybe at Passchendaele, 3rd Battle of Ypres as his death date is noted as 10th October 1917 which was the last date of the Battle, presumably missing in action before then (see note on effects ledger.) His remains are buried in Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Emily never remarried & was fortunate that her only son grew up, avoided the 2nd War by being in a protected profession. Stanley married Gertie (who also lost her father in the war). Stanley was my partner's Grandad.

    As far as I've been able to ascertain so far, 1st Battalion landed at Le Havre 15th August 1914, remaining in France to 12th January 1916 in 5th Division. November 1917 moved with the Division to Italy but returned to France in April 1918.

    The 9th (Service) Battalion East Surrey was formed at Kingston-upon-Thames in September 1914 as part of K3 and came under orders of 72nd Brigade in 24th Division.They were moved to billets in Worthing & in April 1915 to Shoreham & Blackdown, Aldershot in June 1915, landing at Boulogne 1 September 1915 & straight into battle at Loos with heavy casualties for green novice troops. The Battalion remained on Western Front until the Armistice.

    I may be wrong though so any help or tips on tracing his war very much appreciated.) I have traced some documents but have no pictures of him...yet Walter James Broad is listed on the St. Albans City World War 1 Memorial in St Peter's Street which lists 634 names of men who died from St. Albans in the Great War.

    Unrelated but also commemorated on St Albans memorial: William Raymond Corley, Second Lieutenant, 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 27 March 1918. Aged 23. Son of William and Marian Corley, of 2, Selby Avenue, St. Albans. Mentioned in Despatches. No known grave. Commemorated on Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.

    Helen Whittle




    230808

    Pte. Ernest John Biterlich 14th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.28th Feb 1918)

    Ernest Bitterlich, known by his middle name of John or Jack, was born in Islington, London in 1882. He time-served a six-year plasterer's apprenticeship with his father. When he was aged 27 he fell in love with 19-year-old Gertie Ella Norris, moved to Swansea to marry her, and moved in with his in-laws in Swansea. They had a son, Arthur Joseph Henry in 1913.

    Jack signed up for service on 10th October 1914 in Swansea, but was discharged after 101 days as "Likely to become an inefficient Soldier". I have a copy of his Short Service Attestation Certificate (Enlistment) Details: "1 child, 1 wife, 6 years apprenticed to father as Plasterer, British. No criminal record, age 31 years 5 months. 5' 7.5" tall 125 lbs 35", chest +2" expansion. Fresh complexion. Blue eyes. Light brown hair. C of E, 5 tattoo marks L arm, 2 Tattoo marks right arm, mole in middle of back. Declared Fit for Army joined Swansea Battalion Welsh Regiment Oct 10th 1914. Discharged 101 Days later on 18/1/15 Reason: "Likely to become an inefficient Soldier" signed C/O 14th Welsh."

    He fathered a daughter, Gertie and then joined up again on 13th December 1915. Jack served with 23rd Welsh Pioneers until 6th April 1916. He was invalided out to a London hospital. His wife and daughter visited, but his daughter recalled that he never came home and they rarely visited, she speculates that her mother divorced him (she did not, she is listed as a widow in his will, but remarried quickly). He was awarded a badge and a Silver War Medal, possibly suffered from shell-shock or gas. He never recovered and died 28th February 1918 Stratford, West Ham. I am still learning about him. His great grandad was a Polish sailor and his daughter Gertie was my partner's nan.

    Helen Whittle




    230804

    Pte. John W. Andrews 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.22nd Sep 1917)

    My great grandfather John Andrews was killed in action at the Battle of the Menin Road on 22nd September 1917, whilst serving with 23rd Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment.

    Roy Bate




    230802

    Mildred DSO.

    I found this man's old book of pictures in my uncles stuff. I don't know anything about this man, his significance, why my uncle had his book, but I'm so interested in his story. In the photo, the man is in the second row, sitting down, fifth from the right. Please help me if you have any idea of how I could obtain more information about this individual. I don't know where to start.

    Brittany




    230799

    2nd Lt. Thomas Warren Purves 23rd Btn. Middlesex Rgt. (d.7th June 1917)

    We are researching all the old boys from our school who died in WWI. We have little information but would like our brave soldiers, of whom Thomas Warren Purves was one, to be remembered.

    Alison Houghton




    230791

    Stkr/1 Henry Thomas Bennett HMS Pembroke II

    Harry Bennett also served on HMS Seal from November 1917 to December 1918. He was based on the Harwich station, with cruisers HMS Boadicea and HMS Antrim possibly acting as depot ships. I have a good deal of further information about him.

    Eddie Bennett




    230790

    Sgt. Thomas Maurice Davies MID 8th Btn. Welsh Rgt. (d.23rd April 1916)

    Thomas died on 23rd April 1916 while fighting in Mesopotamia and was Mentioned in Dispatches. He is remembered with honour on the Basra Memorial, Panel 24.

    Janette




    230789

    Pte. Charles Oxlade 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Rgt. (d.4th March 1917)

    Charles Oxlade was the son of Charles and Jane Oxlade. Before the war he was a french polisher. He died on 4th March 1917 aged 38 and is buried at Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu.

    William Blackett




    230788

    Cpl. Thomas Blackett 7th Btn. Green Howards (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Blackett was born in 1896 to Richard William Blackett and Frances Ellen Stonehouse. In the 1911 census he is listed as a pony driver in a pit. He joined up and died on the first day of of Battle of the Somme during the capture of Fricourt. He is believed to be buried in a mass grave at Fricourt British cemetery and he is listed on the Ryhope war memorial.

    William Blackett




    230787

    2nd.Lt. W. Turnbull 53 Squadron (d.12th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Looking for help to solve a mystery. We have here in the museum FAS at Wevelgem, Kortrijk Airport, east of Ypres, a engine Daimler from RE8. This engine was found in the soil of a farmer to Wijtschate back in 1972. The farmer is an uncle of my father. While editing the land with his machine bunched on this engine. The bomb service of the army came along and said that is was no bomb but an engine. The uncle of my father knew he was a private pilot, so my father went to collect that engine. While digging up the engine, it was damaged at the 12 cylinder. Now the engine is at the museum.

    Facts : The engine was found in 1972 at Wijtschate, south of Ypres. The airplane was a RE8. It came down in 1917, told by the grandparents of the farmer, too bad we can ask nothing more, the are all dead. The only references that we have are those on the engine self, such as : Engine no: 12180 RAF Engine type No.4A MainFD by Daimler My question : Can you tell me the following : The serial number of the aircraft ? Who was the pilot and co pilot or gunner ? At which this unit flew ?

    The Australian War Memorial informed us: "It is possible that your engine is from A4207, an RE8 of No 53 squadron RFC with crew of Second Lieutenant W Turnbull (pilot) and Lt WB Protheroe,(observer) both of whom were killed. A4207 aircraft was shot down by Vfw K Wittekind of Jasta 28, at 11.00am on 12 June 1917. This information comes from Norman Franks, Frank Bailey and Rick Duivens book The Jasta war Chronology - A complete listing of claims and losses August 1916-November 1918. This book is the most comprehensive source I know of for determining aircraft losses on both sides. As far as I could see, only one aircraft was listed as having crashed at Wijtschate during that year. However, a casualty report in AIR 1/968 lists the site of the crash as reported by the British as being at Warneton, some 5km south east (still pretty close). I am afraid I do not know of a listing that matches engine numbers with the aircraft in which they were fitted."

    Engine Plate

    Lorenzo Deschodt




    230786

    Pte. Samuel Mundy 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.9th Sep 1918)

    Samuel Mundy was born at Shipton, Hampshire in 1899. Samuel served in the 8th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment and was killed in action on 9th of September 1918, 336 days after Samuel's brother, Walter, who died in action on 10 October 1917.

    At enlistment at Andover, Hampshire, Walter went with his younger brother, Samuel, to enlist in the British Army. In the queue at the enlistment table, Walter deliberately stood directly in front of his younger brother for processing, giving all his details for the enlistment form. Walter's service number was 22384 and Samuel's was the number directly after ie. 22385. It is interesting to note that the brothers were mobilsed into different regiments, Walter in the Hampshire Regiment and Samuel in the Gloucestershire Regiment.

    Samuel fought in The Battles of the Somme, 1916; operations on the Ancre, 1917; the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, 1917; flanking attacks in Battle of Arras (Bullecourt and Lagnicourt), 1917; Third Battles of Ypres, 1917; First Battles of the Somme, 1918; the advance in Flanders, 1918 and at Ypres and Cambrai, at Polygon Wood and the Menin Road, at Passchendaele and at Saint Quentin. He fought under General Sir William Birdwood, Commander of the Fifth Army.

    John Hancock




    230780

    Pte. David Robertson Gordon Highlanders

    David was born in 1881, fought in the 2nd Boer War, then worked in a local iron foundry before joining the 821st Area Employment Company of the Gordon Highlanders. My research indicates this was 1917, but I have been unable to verify this without a nominal roll. David married in 1918, and moved to Australia in 1924, where he lived until his death in 1947.

    Dianne Robertson




    230779

    Sgt. Albert Thompson 17th Btn., B Coy. Sherwood Foresters (d.2nd Jan 1918)

    <p>

    Sgt. Albert Thompson served with B Coy., 17th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    P. Thatcher




    230778

    Pte. Walter Stones Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Walter Stones signed up, following the death of his brother William Eccleston who was wounded at Gallipoli and later died aboard the Hospital Ship Devanha and was buried at sea. Walter was not called into service until 1918, he joined the Machine Gun Corps and was wounded within three days of going to the front, he was brought back to England aboard the Hospital ship St. Andrew.

    Jacqueline Freegard




    230773

    Col.Sgt. Edward Roughley 14th (London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment

    Edward Roughley was a 1st Class Instructor at the School of Musketry. He was wounded by a gas shell in August 1918 and evacuated to England.

    Robin Moore




    230772

    Pte Horace Skinner 2nd Btn. C Company

    Horace Skinner apparently served Crete, Malta and China before the war. He became a prisoner of war in 1914 and was sent to Gefauguen Lager at Dobertiz in Germany. He was wounded on the 4th of October 1914 and was repatriated on the 26th of December 1918.

    Jim Humphrey




    230771

    Dvr. Edward George Street MM MID. 27th Brigade, 121st Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My father, Edward George Street joined the RFA at Oxford, England in January 1913. He was in France and Belgium for the whole of the war, never seeing England until January 1919.

    He is listed as having been wounded on 15 occasions, reduced in rank for disobeying a direct order twice, one when he was Mentioned in Despatches in 1914 and again when he was awarded the MM in 1916. His artillery battery was in the front line (50-100 yards behind the trenches) from the first day of the war until the 27th Brigade was relieved and sent to the rear in December 1916, although my father was still in the front line, according to records, in May 1917. He is also listed as being at Passchendaele, Ypres in 1917.

    For those who may be interested, I have a copy (only 500 copies were made) of Sir John French's Despatches 1914 to December 1916. It relates the exact despatch sent to the King and the names of all the soldiers mentioned in the despatch. If anyone wants a copy of a Despatch, I am happy to provide it, free of charge, and post it to you anywhere.

    Colin Street




    230770

    Pte. Thomas Breedon Sharpe 4th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.18th May 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Sharpe joined up in Wrexham on 8th February 1915 and was posted to 3/4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers on 20th February 1915. He was then posted to 1/4th Battalion on 28th March 1915. Thomas was killed in action on 18th May 1916. He died by a shot to the head from a machine gun while working in a mine crater east of Souchez, France. He was first buried in Ablain Saint Nazaire, then in 1921-22 exhumed and reburied at Caberat-Rouge Cemetery, France.

    Peter Sharpe




    230768

    Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker MH. 94th Pursuit Squadron

    Eddie Rickenbacker, was a successful race car driver. As a pilot he became an ace with twenty-six aerial victories in only two months of combat flying.

    s flynn




    230767

    Sgt. Joseph B. Adkinson MH. Company C. 119th Infantry Regiment

    Joseph Adkinson's citation reads: "When murderous machine gun fire at a range of 50 yards had made it impossible for his platoon to advance, and had caused the platoon to take cover Sgt. Adkinson alone, with the greatest intrepidity, rushed across the 50 yards of open ground directly into the face of the hostile machine gun kicked the gun from the parapet into the enemy trench, and at the point of the bayonet captured the 3 men manning the gun. The gallantry and quick decision of this soldier enabled the platoon to resume its advance."

    s flynn




    230763

    L/Cpl. James Lawrie Hill 13th Btn. Royal Scots

    James Hill was my grandfather. He was a coal miner from the age of 13. He was taken prisoner at Pilkem. After the war he returned to mining. He served in the home guard in the Second World War and died in 1972.

    Lennie Hill




    230762

    Mjr. James Cameron "Chalky" Whyte 10th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My grandfather, James Cameron Whyte, served for five years from 1913 until he left the force in 1919. He started as a private and left as a major. He was up-graded to 2nd lieutenant for bravery in the field.

    Robert Whyte




    230761

    Pte. Ernest James Cane 1st Btn. A Coy. Leicestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Ernest Cane served with 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment and was captured in 1918.

    POW card for Ernest Cane May 1918





    230754

    Henry Savage 17th (Football) Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Henry Savage is my great grand uncle - just discovered tonight. He was in the football battalion.

    Jo Heartfield




    230747

    L/Cpl. Joseph Archibald Leech 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.21st July 1917)

    As a 'ladies man' Joseph Leech adopted the middle name of Archibald, to increase his status. He was posted to France on five separate occasions. Before leaving for his fifth and final time, it was said, he went round the family saying his, 'goodbyes' as he believed that he would not return this time. He died from the wounds of battle on 21st July 1917 aged 26. He is buried in Lissjenthoek Military Cemetery.

    John Howard




    230745

    Rfmn. Patrick Lynch 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Patrick Lynch was originally listed as killed on 13th April 1916 and is on the Thiepval Memorial, but after investigation was found to have been posted as missing presumed dead after the attack on Pond Farm, nr Langemarke, in the 3rd Battle of Ypres on 16th August 1917. He was one of 70 that were recorded as missing on that day.

    Steven Drumm




    230744

    Pte. Sidney Marcus Bristow 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Sidney Bristow was born in London in 1880, but by the 1911 census was living in Haddenham, Cambridgeshire with the Russell family, where he worked as a gardener. He was very much involved with the local community, singing in the church choir and taking an active role in the local branch of the Church of England Men's Society. He applied for exemption from military service in March 1916, which was refused as he did not attend the hearing, and joined the 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment in April 1916, arriving in France on 23rd May 1917.

    In a letter from his brother, Mrs Russell heard about Sydney's death on 26th September 1917. He had been killed in action by a shell, instantaneously. Not long before, Sidney had sent a copy of his will to his brother with a note to say that he had a presentiment that something would happen. His name is recorded on the Haddenham War Memorial.

    Rosemary




    230737

    Sgt. William James Denton Milson DCM. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th July 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle Wil Milson won his DCM whilst the 2nd Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment were near Bethune in the Loos sector,in November 1915, an area full of mine works.

    The Regiment's history notes that both the British and the Germans were attempting to explode mines under each other's trenches. At midnight on the 29th the 2nd Battalion were busy endeavouring to explode mines before the Germans exploded theirs, and laid charges timed to explode at 4am on the 30th and then they planned to move up across quickly, given the torrential rain, a very muddy No Mans Land. As there was no response after the explosions for several hours an advance party of some 30 men went to consolidate the trench taken from the Germans only for the Germans to blow another small mine which buried about 25 men. My Uncle, assisted by a Corporal Wilson, organised a rescue party under heavy shell fire and supervised and assisted in rescuing the men, despite German sniper fire and a heavy bombardment. They worked so well that 19 of the men were rescued although 6 remained missing.

    The 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire regiment were part of the 21st Brigade of the 30th Division at the Battle of the Somme at the southernmost sector, whose objective on the 1st July 1916 was to capture Montauban from the Germans. The Battalion were in support of the advance party, who were the 2nd Liverpool and 4th Manchester Pals. Given the effectiveness in this sector of the preliminary Artillery barrage before the attack, the advance party had little opposition as it crossed No Mans Land. However when the 2nd Battalion of the Yorkshire regiment advanced a German machine gun unit positioned to their left in the Railway, or Carnoy, Valley created an enfilade fire which cut to pieces the 2nd Yorkshires to the point that very few managed to get across No Mans Land. Amongst those was my Great Uncle, Sergeant Milson, who was badly wounded. He was sent to a Casualty Clearing Station behind the lines, at Corbie, where he died from his wounds on 4th July. He is buried at Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Not long after he enlisted aged 14 yrs and 7 months at Beverley, Yorks with his father in 1904

    Andrew Hume Voegeli




    230733

    Pte. Henry William Barber Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Henry Barber died on the 24th of November 1920. He served with the Dublin Fusiliers and the Labour Corps.

    Ann Farrow




    230725

    L/Cpl. Gervase Litton 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.11th Jan 1917)

    Gervase Litton was a postman. He joined up in May 1916 and commenced his duty with the 4th Manchester Battalion. He wrote his will at the end of that month. He appears to have then been attached to the 11th Manchesters with whom he crossed to France. Sadly, there is no further information about him until notice of his death in January 1917. His body remains unfound and my grandfather is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial - one of the 72000 missing on the Somme. He died, it would seem, in a late skirmish on the Ancre, along with 82 other soldiers that day, all lives wasted. When I see the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, I dream it could be him. Gervase was 34 years old and the father of four children, my father, Francis Gervais, being the youngest.

    Kathryn Fox




    230724

    Spr. Joseph Reginald Cussens 1st London Field Company Royal Engineers

    <p>Joseph Cussens in hospital, he is in the front row in a wheelchair

    Sapper Joseph Reginald Cussens served with the 1st London Field Co (TF) of the Royal Engineers during WWI. His record shows:
    • 12th Dec 1914 - Landed in France, aged 19. Sapper in 1st London Field Company, Royal Engineers.
    • 17 Apr 1915 - Wounded in scalp at Armentieres and admitted to 18th Field Hospital.
    • 19 Apr 1915 - Admitted to No. 14 General Hospital, Wimereux.
    • 21 Apr 1915 - Transferred to Hospital Ship Salta.
    • 22 Apr 1915 - Sails to Southampton.
    • 25 Apr 1915 - Admitted to 4th London General Hospital, (Royal Army Medical Corps), Denmark Hill.
    • 18 Jan 1916 - Discharged; no longer physically fit for war service.

    Chris Cussens




    230717

    Sgt. William Martin 4th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    William Martin is my grandfather. I do not know much of his war years and am trying to find out more. He was a pioneer farmer in Western Australia.





    230714

    Pte. William John Macdonald 4th Btn. Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    William Macdonald served with the 4th Cameron Highlanders.

    George Macdonald




    230712

    Pte. John Robert Hockley 8th Btn. Lincolnshire Rgt. (d.3rd July 1916)

    Pte John Robert Hockley was my great uncle, one of three brothers. John died during the Battle of Somme and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Unknown to myself until carrying out research, he was in the same regiment as my grandfather Sgt William James Childs.





    230708

    Pte. Arthur Westwood 3rd Btn. Wiltshire Regment

    Arthur Parker was my grandfather and was born in 1892 at Meriden Workhouse. His height was 5ft 21/2 inches when he joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 27th of August 1914. His Regimental Number was 3/1864. He then transferred to the 3rd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment, where his Regimental Number was 19878.

    On the 15th of August1915 he was hit by shrapnel in back, but did not report sick. On the 25th of September he was buried by explosion of shell, he went on for 10 days, but was obliged to report sick, suffering general tremors and loss of power in legs, becomes dizzy and falls down after walking short distance. Complains of severe pain in head and back and occasionally becomes faint and unconscious. Result of active service and shell shock. On the 15th December 1916 he was no longer fit for active service.

    He went to various medical centres between 1917 and 1922 in Coventry and Birmingham for check ups and assessments. This, I believe, was to do with his pension. On leaving, he gave his home address as 16 Duke Street, Nuneaton. He joined up using the name Arthur Westwood, unfortunately he is the only one who knows why.

    Bryan Roberts




    230705

    Gnr. James Frederick Burling 6th Seige Bty., 12 Coy Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner James Frederick Burling enlisted on 12th December 1915. He arrived in France on 13th August 1916. He was repatriated to the UK on 6th September 1916 because he had been injured after a shell attack on his gun position.

    Steve Burling




    230694

    Pte. Albert Bray 1/4th Hallamshire Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.13th June 1915)

    My great grandfather Albert Bray served with the 4th Yorks and Lancs. I am piecing things together bit by bit and I am looking for a photograph, if I can find one.

    John Bray




    230693

    Pte. Robert Davies 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    I don't know a lot about my great grandad Robert Davies's experience of war - he never spoke about it. He joined the army originally in 1896 and attested for the militia on 14th April 1896. He enlisted at Warrington Barracks and was assigned Service No. 4662 and posted to the South Lancashire Regiment. Then he signed up for the regular army and was posted to the 2nd Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment with Service No. 5643.

    He spent the first two years on home duty in England, then in 1899 at the British Garrison in Malta. He attended an instruction course and was assigned to the 17th mounted infantry section. He was stationed around Malta, Gibraltar and Crete. In 1904 he went to South Africa. He was now married with children and living at 19 Hughes Street, Liverpool and working as a dock labourer.

    He re-enlisted in 1914 at Seaforth Barracks and was given Service No. 3689 and posted to the 3rd Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (his old regiment). He was reposted to the 1st Btn. and embarked for Le Havre and went to Flanders. He then went to Ypres and Givenchy. He was reported missing in December 1914. But it was not until 1915 that his family learned that he was a prisoner of war at Wittenberg. He was transferred to Zerbst in July 1917, but I don't think it was much before 1920 that he saw home again.

    He suffered from very bad shell shock and had really bad shakes. He came back very thin and the family said he wasn't the same man. He never spoke about his experiences. He never claimed his medals. I think it must have been very traumatic for him.





    230692

    Pte. Davis J. Oram 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.10th Aug 1917)

    Davis Oram was one of three great uncles of mine lost in the Great War.

    Howard J Farr




    230684

    Pte. Richard Frank Price 5th Btn. A Company, 4 Platoon South Staffordshire Regiment

    Richard Frank Price was my grandfather. Both he and his older brother George enlisted together. They both came from a large family who lived in Wall Heath Staffordshire. Their father's name was Reuben and I think his wife's name was Jessie.

    I have my grandfather's three WWI service medals, a photo, plus a moving letter he wrote to his parents on the 19th October 1915 which in a round about way breaks the news to his parents that George has been killed. My grandfather would have been about 17 years of age and George was 19. George's number was Pte. 8648 George Price, A Company, 1st/5th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 13th October 1915 Battle of Loos, he has no known grave.

    Ian




    230670

    Pte. Gilbert Ewart Hale 9th Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    Gilbert Hale served with the 9th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.

    Martin Talling




    230669

    Boy Sea. Harry Green HMS P54

    <p>

    Harry Green was born 1902 in Cardiff and became a boy seaman in about 1915. Early photos show him with a 'Naval Brigade' cap band. The photo of Nov.-Dec. 1917 with his 18-year-old brother in Manchester Regiment uniform, shows Harry in Navy rig with cap band for HMS P54, an inshore sloop.

    In October 1919, Harry transferred to the merchant navy as a steward's assistant on the 'Great City', a Reardon Smith tramp steamer under Admiralty commission. It is believed to have supplied the Allied Army of Intervention in the Russian Civil War (Murmansk and Archangel) up to March 1919.

    Harry Green (seated right) with brother Arthur (standing left) Dec. 1917

    Harry Green on Great City late 1918

    Clinton Green




    230668

    Pte. Harry Wealleans 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Oct 1917)

    Harry Wealleans was born in Guisborough, Yorkshire and enlisted in Middlesbrough. He died in France or Flanders on 18th October 1917 from wounds.

    Michelle Wolfenden




    230665

    Sgt. Arthur Varney MM. 11th Btn, B Coy. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Rgt. (d.4th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Sergeant 32110 Arthur Varney MM, 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters was killed in action by shellfire at St Quentin on Friday 4th October 1918, aged 20, just over a month before the war ended. He was also wounded on Saturday 1st July 1916 during the first day of the Somme when the Battalion attacked the Leipzig Salient.

    Arthur is buried in the Prospect Hill Cemetery Gouy, Aisne, France. He was awarded the Military Medal on 15th June in the field for gallantry in action fighting the Austrians on the Italian front. Arthur enlisted in Belper on Sunday 7th November 1915 aged 17 and he was the eldest son of Arthur and Zipporah Varney, of 4, Field Row, Belper. His Military Medal Citation reads as follows: "Varney Arthur. Corporal 32110. 11th Battalion: London Gazette 21.10.1918. For gallantry and devotion to duty when in an attack at San Sisto Ridge, Italy 15.6.1918."

    Kevin Varney




    230659

    Pte. Alexander Palmer 12th Btn. Highlight Light Infantry (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    More than fifty years ago, my grandfather gave me Private Alexander Palmer's 1914-15 Star. Ashamedly, I lost the young soldier's service medal some years back, but the mystery of how my grandfather came to have it haunts me to this day. My Grandfather was William Cassidy and he served between 1919 and 1921 as a Rifleman with the Royal Irish Rifles in postwar Mesopotamia. (He received his General Service Medal for this service, in Hamilton, Scotland in 1924.) By then, however, Alexander Palmer had been dead for almost a decade, killed on the first day of the Battle of Loos, 26th September 1915. On that day, my grandfather would have been fifteen and a half, far short of the official age for joining the Army. But family legend has it that William, eldest of thirteen children, lied about his age, enlisted with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, and had a glorious reputation as a runner in the trenches until a massive explosion left him deaf in one ear. None of which is likely to have happened during his three years service in Mesopotamia, where there was little trench warfare and limited artillery barrage. Grandpa did have two Army numbers, however: his regimental number and his post-1920 seven-digit new number. His earlier service records appear to have been destroyed in the 1940 London blitz. Did he and Alexander meet in France? A question I would love to be able to answer.

    David May




    230657

    L/Cpl. Charles Herbert Lewis 8th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    Bert Lewis served with the 8th Buffs. I know little about my father's war exploits, only what I can read of the history about his regiment/battalion campaigns in France and Belgium. Having joined up in 1914 and posted to France in August 1915, he must have taken part in numerous battles. He did receive serious injuries in the Somme, March 1918 in a short three-day battle at St. Quentin. The last information I have (in the form of certificate) is when he was honorably discharged on 6th May 1919.

    Michael




    230655

    Capt. James Williams 18th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.22nd July 1916)

    James Williams was born on 31st March 1896, the only son of James and Josephine Anne nee Matthew, of Dessmuir, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. He was at Charterhouse School from 1910 until 1913.

    In the Great War he volunteered for a commission in the New Army. He died on 22nd July 1916 of wounds received in action near Trones Wood, during the Battle of the Somme. His grave is in La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie.

    Eric Webb




    230646

    L/Sgt. David Stewart McCarren 15th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    My grandfather, David Stewart McCarren, joined the 15th Battalion HLI when it was formed in 1914, mostly of volunteers from the the Glasgow Tramways. He was a tram driver, and before that a journeyman plumber, before he volunteered.

    He was injured twice during World War 1. In 1916, from which he must have recovered, as he was injured again in 1917, and this time lost his right leg. I believe this happened at the 2nd Battle of Arras, where the 15th HLI were fighting. He was invalided out, and subsequently later named the bungalow where he lived, Arras. This was where I also lived with my parents when I was a child. That is as much as I know. My grandfather never spoke of the war, as many others never did.

    Kath Cox




    230644

    Lt. Henry Jackson Epworth DSC. HMS Petard

    <p>

    Henry Jackson Epworth was born in Goole, Yorkshire in 1881. He started his naval career as a seaman in merchant ships before enlisting in the Royal Navy at age 15. By all accounts, he was a popular and accomplished sailor, becoming a navy boxing champion while serving in the China fleet, and often being in demand to entertain his shipmates, playing the banjo or mandolin. He was also diligent in learning his chosen profession, a fact noted by his commanding officer, who recommended him for further training. In 1912, he passed the necessary exams and was appointed a gunnery officer.

    On 31st of May 1916 the British admiralty directed more than 100 warships to sail from their bases on the North Sea. Many sailors assumed they were on routine manoeuvres with little prospect of action. They were wrong: They were heading into The Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of WW1. The British ships had sailed following on the interception of decoded wireless signals that suggested the German High Seas Fleet was about to leave its base. The ships included the destroyer HMS Petard, part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet from Rosyth, led by Admiral David Beatty. Her torpedo officer was Henry Epworth.The fight itself began when one of Beatty's ships didn't notice a signal ordering it to change course. Shortly afterward, sighting a German destroyer in the distance, it fired the first shot of the battle at 1415 hrs. on May 31. Beatty had run into the German battle cruiser fleet, a scouting group for the High Seas Fleet, which was still out of sight over the horizon. The German ships turned South and Beatty gave chase, opening fire at a range of nine miles. In the ensuing long-range duel, two of Beatty's cruisers were lost after being hit by German shells. As the two fleets raced South, 12 destroyers, including HMS Petard, dashed from the British line to launch a torpedo attack. Simultaneously, German destroyers headed toward the British cruisers with the same intention. The two destroyer flotillas charged towards each other at a combined speed of more than 65 miles an hour with guns blazing and black smoke belching from their funnels. Torpedoes launched by HMS Petard and HMS Turbulent sank the German destroyer V29 and ripped a 40-foot hole in the hull of the battle cruiser Seydlitz. For the rest of his life, Henry Epworth claimed to have fired the first successful torpedo of the battle. As the destroyer attack ended, Beatty saw the main body of the German High Seas Fleet approaching. Immediately, he changed course, hoping to lead the German ships towards Britain's Grand Fleet, led by Admiral John Jellicoe, which was 40 miles to the North. Vice-admiral Reinhard Scheer, Commander-in-Chief of the High Seas Fleet, pursued Beatty's ships, assuming they were an isolated force he could easily destroy. At about 6 p.m., apprised of the situation by Beatty, Jellicoe sighted the approaching German armada. He must have been elated that the battle of the two great fleets he had been seeking was about to begin. But it was late in the day and time was against him. Jellicoe concentrated a devastating fire on the leading German ships. As the battle progressed, Scheer's fleet was silhouetted against the western sky while all he could see in the gathering darkness to the east were stabs of orange flame rippling across the horizon, accompanied by the constant thunder of guns. As night fell, he prudently withdrew. Jellicoe was unconcerned, confident that he was between the German fleet and its home base and that he could resume battle in the morning. While Jellicoe steamed South, Scheer decided to head straight for home, come what may. By chance, he passed to the rear of the British fleet, meeting little resistance. Along with six other ships in its group, HMS Petard had unknowingly become attached to a different destroyer flotilla. The commanding officer of this flotilla assumed he was at the head of a column of five ships when, in fact, there were 12. He tried to lead his column across the bows of what he thought was the British battle fleet when, in fact, it was the German battle fleet. The first 10 destroyers crossed safely, but the commanding officer of Petard, the next in line, suddenly saw, towering over him in the mist, the German battleship Westfalen on a collision course. He managed to cross ahead of the huge ship, putting Petard in a perfect position to launch a torpedo attack at point blank range. But Petard had already used all her torpedoes, the only destroyer in the group to have done so. She was unable to take advantage of the opportunity to maim or sink one of the most powerful battleships in the German fleet. Petard was now running for her life, and six shells from Westfalen's guns found their mark before she was out of range. Nine crew members were killed and six others wounded, including Henry Epworth who was hit in the left arm by a shell fragment. The next morning, on the 1st of June, Jellicoe searched in vain for the German battle fleet. Finally, he received a signal giving him the German fleet's position, a few miles from safety and too far away for him to intercept it. With no hope of a renewed engagement, he turned toward home. Jellicoe hadn't achieved the overwhelming victory the British public wanted but he had achieved a strategic victory, maintaining the fleet's command of the seas. For his role in the battle, Henry Epworth received the Distinguished Service Cross from King George V. Henry Epworth retired from the navy in 1931 and died in 1938.

    Mike Watkinson




    230643

    Pte. James England 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.23rd June 1916)

    <p>

    James England of 15 Sherwood St, Newton died of his wounds on 23rd June 1916. He was the only child of Herbert and Frances England. A colliery banksboy at Tibshelf Colliery in 1911, he enlisted with the Royal Army Medical Corps on his 19th birthday on 20th February 1915 at Chesterfield. Having passed his nursing class in May 1915 he transferred to 3rd Battalion, Border Regiment and in January 1916 to the 2nd Battalion, disembarking in France that same month. He was serving with the 2nd when, on 19th June 1916, he received a gunshot wound to his chest from which he died four days later. His parents travelled to see his grave in 1920 on a pass from the Foreign Office.

    Parents of James England

    Tony Mellors




    230642

    Pte. David Slater Lawson 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th July 1916)

    Private David Slater Lawson is my second great grandfather. He was part of the 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment who fought in WW1 in France. I know from hospital records that he was hospitalised for nine days from 2nd June 1916 to 11June 1916 with a fever of an unknown cause and then released to his line of duty. He was killed in action on the Somme Battlefields on 10th of July 1916 and his name is commemorated on the memorial in France. Private David Slater Lawson was married to Mary Louisa Shield and he lived in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, Co. Durham and had two children, Hannah and Leonard Lawson. His regimental number was 16699 and I know that he received medals for his duty.

    I am currently researching his history and would like to find more information about his life. I am arranging a visit to meet his only living granddaughter to see if I can gather some pictures and history of his life and service. I would be happy to update any further information or pictures that I acquire and would love to know if any other person has any information or stories about him and if they would be kind enough to share this information.

    Rebecca Hancock




    230641

    Pte. Albert Christopher Dennison Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Albert Dennison was my great grand uncle, his father Carson and brother Tom were both killed by the Black and Tans in 1921. Carson was a shopkeeper in Drunkerren, and it was here that both men were shot. Albert's mother died in 1919, and his younger sister Gladice also passed away at the age of four.

    K Parkes




    230640

    L/Cpl. William Brown 30th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    William Brown is commemorated as a member of St Austell Baptist Church who died in WW1

    Peter Bishop




    230639

    Pte. Harold Thomas Richmond 57th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    Tom Richmond served with the 57th and 33th Battalions, Machine Gun Corps

    Alan Cook




    230635

    L/Cpl. Albert R. Small 15th Divisional Engineers Royal Engineers

    Albert Small served with the 15 Div. Royal Engineers.

    Shirley Waines




    230634

    Cpl. Michael Berry 1st Siege Company Royal Engineers

    Michael Berry was my husband's grandfather. His family came to England from Ireland in the mid 1800s. With his father from Belfast, and mother from County Mayo, he spent his entire life living in Blackpool until his death in 1945. He was part of 1st Siege Coy, Royal Engineers during World War 1, becoming a corporal in his unit of sappers. We don't as yet know much about his military career apart from the fact that he was injured in 1918 and treated in a hospital whose whereabouts is unknown. He married a local girl, Olive Taylor and had two children, Henry 1914 and Catherine 1919. Sadly, his wife died on the eve of their daughter's third birthday in 1921. He found it hard to manage and left his daughter to be brought up by a good neighbor. Eventually, he remarried when his daughter was older and went on to have a second family. He died at the age of 55 with his daughter by his side. All this information his been gained through hard research and good luck, so far. We aim to add more to Michael's story as time goes on.

    Jess Pearce




    230629

    Gnr. William John Atkins 190th Brigade, C Coy. Royal Field Artillery (d.27th March 1918)

    William Atkins was born on 21st April 1892 in Broad Lane, Hersham, Surrey the son of William John (General Labourer) and Emma [Adams] Atkins. William lived and grew up in 21, Arch Road, Hersham with his parents, brothers and sisters: Wm John (Labourer) and Emma Atkins, children - Wm John aged 8, Rose Amelia, Bertha Jane, Elizabeth May and Arthur Henry as listed on the 1901 census and in 1911 he has work as a gardener while continuing to live at home. William John (Sewerman) and Emma Atkins, children- William John aged 19 [gardener - domestic], Elizabeth May, Arthur Henry, Mabel Emma and George Edward.

    William enlisted in London and, served in Italy and France and the CWGC data states that he left behind his parents, William John and Emma Atkins, of Arch Rd., Hersham, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. His is one of 117 names being researched because they are on the St Peter's Hersham Roll of Honour.

    Hilary Brooks




    230628

    Pte. James Hughes 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    James Hughes had five children, he signed up in 1915 thinking, as he was 35 and married, he would not be called up, but a few months later he was. He trained for the following summer and was sent to war. We are told he was near or at a large gun when his comrades were blown up and died and he sustained shrapnel down his spine. We do not know what hospital he was taken to but he was given a clerk's position with a quartermaster. The shrapnel was near his spine and he found it difficult to continue. He was discharged ten months later, from where we do not know. He spent the rest of his life in pain taking any work he could find to support his family without any pension from the army. He dragged his leg and young men laughed at him. He died at the age of 59 with shrapnel still growing out of his back and thigh.





    230625

    Pte. John Thomas Walters 7th Btn. Gloucester Regment (d.8th Aug 1915)

    John Thomas Walters was a slipper maker by trade, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great grandfather before him. They were a Welsh family, but moved around during the 1860-1890s until they settled in Clapham, Kingsholm area of Gloucester. He was nicked named Slipper Tommy or Tom by his family and friends. This was because all the oldest males in the family were called John and were all Cordwainers (shoe or slipper makers). Even though a slipper maker by trade, Tom had also a record of being in the army. He was in the Boer War and joined the 3rd Btn. Gloucesters 1899-1901, but stayed on the army list to be called back right until 1911. He had married Sarah Brannan, who was a girl originally from Wrexham, Wales, but her parents came over from Ireland during the potato famine. Sarah and Tom had seven children (including my grandfather Jack Walters). They lived in Suffolk Street and later Columbia Street; I think they had several addresses around the Clapham.

    John Thomas Walters was killed in action on 8th of August 1915. Records seem to have his death date wrong and his age, but after searching for months, I did manage to obtain a death certificate for him. We have no photograph of Tom and would love to put a face to the name. So proud of him.





    230620

    Pte. Charles Littlehales MM. 10th Btn. Gloucester Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Charles Littlehales won the Military Medal for bravery on the field with ten other recipients with the tenth Gloucestershire Regiment during September 1915 at Loos

    David Littlehales




    230617

    L/Cpl. John McKechnie 2nd Battalion, F Company Scots Guards (d.16th May 1915)

    <p>

    John McKechnie was the elder brother of my grandfather James, sons of Walter and Christina. John was born at Airdrie Hill Farm, New Monkland, Lanarkshire on 6th March 1890. He became a member of the Chapelhall Boys' Brigade, the Chapelhall Cricket Club and the U.F Choir. He was a baker by trade.

    In late 1914 John enlisted with the Scots Guards and was sent to Caterham for his basic training. John was killed at Festubert on the morning of 16th May 1915 aged 25 years.

    A letter received by his parents following his death stated that John's body was found some time later by some of his pals who placed his body in a marked grave. However, if this was so this grave was later lost as he has now has no known grave and is commemorated in the Le Touret Cemetery.

    John was part of the action that led to the story of the 'Immortal Eighty'. The story goes that one of John's comrades faced a Field General Court Marshal on 26th March 1915 at La Gorgue where he was convicted of desertion and was executed on the 9th April at Laventie. It is recorded that John was called to submit evidence at this Court Marshal. The story continues that following this execution members of his company met at a local estaminet (a cafe) and decided to fight to the last man to regain their honour. Just over a month later, at the attack at Festubert, John's company lost two officers and eighty other ranks, one of who was John, fighting to the last man having been cut off. Although the facts of this action are never likely to be proven due to the fog of war and the possibility of some embellishment by recorders after the action, the sacrifice of these men impacted on the course of the battle, breaking up a German counter attack and leading to the surrender of a local strong point known as the Quadrilateral.

    John's younger brother James survived the war, met my grandmother Lucy in London on being demobbed, married her and set up a blacksmith's shop in Old Dover Road, Blackheath. James had a photo of his brother in uniform but this was destroyed when a V2 demolished the shop late in World War 2 killing many people in the street but, luckily for me, all my family survived one of whom was my mum Joan, who was 18 at the time.

    Notice of John's death

    Peter West




    230615

    Pte. Herbert John Hill 12th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.27th Dec 1917)

    Herbert John Hill is listed on the Creech St Michael war memorial. I am researching all the names as the parish has no record of the men who served in the armed forces and I want to fill an important gap in the history of the village. Can anyone provide any information.

    Eric Chown




    230608

    Pte. Charles Speak 2/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>Charles Speak 1915

    Charles Speak was my great uncle. He served in the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was wounded in the leg in Lille in 1917.

    Richard Holt




    230557

    Pioneer Frederick Louis Mengham 312th Road Construction Coy. Royal Engineers (d.28 October 1917)

    Frederick was born in 1886 in Bedhampton and married Sarah Jane Williams in 1910. At the beginning of the 1914-18 War he was working in the local brickyard a labourer.

    He was called up in early 1917 to serve in the 312th Road Construction Coy., Royal Engineers and embarked for France on 18 February 1917. He was killed near Ypres on 28 October 1917 aged 31. Frederick was buried in the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. He left a widow Sarah and a daughter Winifred under two years of age.

    David Proud




    230554

    Sgt. Francis Alfred Morrison MSM 110th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Frank Morrison served with 110th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps in 36th Division.

    Francis Alfred Morrison

    14/6/1919 Discharge Reference for Francis Alfred Morrison

    Hazel Morrison




    230552

    Pte. William Frederick Drughorn 10th (Stockbrokers) Batallion Royal Fusiliers (d.15th July 1916)

    William Frederick Drughorn (b Rotterdam 8th July 1895) signed up, as a private, soon after war was declared on 4th August 1914, presumably in the City as he joined 10th (Stockbrokers) Battalion, service no STK76. By 21/8 there were 210 men rising to 1,600 by 27/8.

    He was working for his father, (my great grandfather) John Frederick Drughorn (JFD), who was a prosperous shipowner (of Rhine barges) and shipbroker. Father and son had moved from Rotterdam c1901, Drughorn Senior abandoning a wife and a daughter but with his new companion and their four daughters plus William and two sons from the first marriage. Originally they lived in Beckenham together, had a house in Piccadilly and bought Ifield Hall c1913; I have his naturalisation certificate signed by Home Secretary Reginald McKenna. In 1915 JFD was prosecuted for trading with the enemy (probably stitched up by competitors) and fined 1/-; he lost all his Rhine barges to the Germans.

    William was killed in action at Pozieres, Somme on 15th July 1916, aged just 21.

    In 1922 his father, JFD, was knighted for his considerable charitable work but probably paid Lloyd George's honours broker Maundy Gregory a large sum of money for a baronetcy; that contributed to the collapse of the last ever Liberal government. Why he wanted a baronetcy is a mystery as all his sons were dead by 1922 (I assume he was trying to divorce his wife, who had lost an infant boy to meningitis in 1907 and expected his mistress to marry him and produce a son and heir - he was cited in a highly publicised divorce case); He had married his Dutch girl ((my great grandmother Elizabeth) only in 1906 presumably because the first wife held out for more money in Holland)). The first wife died in Sobibor within a few days of Sir John passing in his bed at Ifield aged 80 in 1943; the Dutch daughter and her husband survived Sobibor and Aushwitz to claim against the estate from 1945 to 1951 as he had left large estate. Two mistresses also claimed!!

    William's death caused Lady Drughorn to live apart from Sir John, she in Beckenham and he at Ifield; JFD also had a love nest called the Wigwam in Gorleston on Sea where he built a golf course, still open. He also built Ifield golf course and was a great benefactor of Crawley. William is commemorated six times! His war grave at Pozieres Military Cemetery, the sundial that was at Ifield Hall is now in the family's possesion, on the war memorial in Ifield Church, on the war memorial plaque at The King's School Canterbury, on the Memorial gates to the park in Crawley town centre and on the gravestone of his three brothers (two who predeceased him and one who died in 1919) in Beckenham Cemetery.

    Douglas Denham St Pinnock




    230541

    Lt. Edward John Bowie 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    Edward John Bowie was my maternal grandfather He was born 31st December 1892, Ely Place, Holborn, of Scottish descent (parents alleged to have walked from Rosehearty to London 1891). He would have been educated locally to homes in Hammersmith and then Chiswick. His father was a shop manager. In 1907/08 joined the Crown Agents in the City of London, aged 15/16. On the 15th February 1912 left the Crown Agents with a certificate of exemplary service after four years. and worked from 1912 as Bank Clerk at Alexander's Discount House, 24 Lombard Street.

    On the 17th of October 1914 Edward joined the RNVR AA Division based at HMS President, St Katherine's Dock, service no AA97 and served in the Anti Aircraft Corp of Royal Naval Air Service. Rank unknown. He may have spent time serving in The Dover Patrol (discharge papers addressed from Connaught Barracks, Dover). On the 8th of June 1915, he was discharged from RNVR having being commissioned in the Army. Character VG. On the 29th of June 1915, commissioned, 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. He was in 2nd Royal Fusiliers, part of the 29th Division. served in Gallipoli and was wounded. I have photographs of him in Suez dated 1915 though whether before or after Gallipoli I cannot say; nor can I say if he left Gallipoli in January 1916 with the 29th Division and travelled directly to France or not.

    In 1916 he was in France with the 29th Division and on the 15th May 1916 he was promoted to lieutenant. After this, on the Somme, he received a very serious head wound (which resulted in him having steel plate for rest of his life) and was buried alive; he was dug out and at first taken for dead He suffered from severe claustrophobia for the rest of his life. He was in Ward B Millbank Hospital, London in July 1916 (again I have photographs). On the 19th November 1917, he was invalided out of army due to his wounds. I have photographs of him in uniform on horseback convalescing at Torquay in November 1917. He returned there on honeymoon in 1922.

    In 1917/18, he returned to Alexander's Discount House and by WWII was the general manager. During WWII, as the head of a discount house, he was in a reserved occupation under the Bank of England. Because of claustrophobia he could not travel on trains; he used a gas powered car (with a balloon on top) to drive to London. After Alexander was blitzed in November 1940 he lived in the rubble of the office for a few days to protect the premises (more photos). My Mother and her sister were evacuated to the home of Edward's brother, Douglas Bowie, in Canada in July 1940 a few weeks before SS Benares was torpedoed. Their house in Wallington, close to the fighter station at Croydon, was badly bombed in late 1940 and a tree in the garden took a direct hit from a doodlebug on 11th December 1944, blowing Edward out of bed and the ceiling collapsing on my grandmother. Edward died on 22nd January 1946 in St George's Hospital from pancreatic cancer and the long term effect of his wounds; this was three days before the girls got back from Canada. They were told on the boat and Edward was buried before they got home.

    Douglas Denham St Pinnock




    230523

    A/Sgt. Valentine Marcel Christian Guillaume Vanden "Will" Dyck 175 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Will Dyck was shell shocked, wounded in the right knee, and invalided out in 1919. He was with tanks which went to France in August 1917 then 25 Heavy Battery RGA





    230515

    Sgt. Thomas G. Llewellyn 11th Btn. C Coy. South Wales Borderers (d.7th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    As I was growing up, I became aware that my paternal grandmother lost her brother during WW1, but knew little else other than no member of the family had ever been to France to find his grave, as he didn't have one. He was Sgt Thomas Llewellyn 21590, 11th South Wales Borderers.

    In 2008, during a family holiday to Picardy, I decided to find out a little more about him. Being aware he didn't have a marked grave I visited the Theipval Memorial and found his name. Following a little research I discovered that he had been killed on 7th July 1916, during the Battle for Mametz Wood. As it wasn't far away I decided to try to find it. Following local directions, I drove down a small country lane to be confronted by a huge Welsh dragon memorial. I'd found Mametz Wood. I realised that I was the first family member to be here since he'd been killed, and that his body may still lie here, it was quite emotional.

    He was only 19 years old and already a sergeant, but was killed on the first day of the Mametz Wood offensive, probably cut down by machine gun fire, with no opportunity to recover his body as the battle rumbled on for days.

    I obviously never met him, but feel a close link, and don't want his memory to be forgotten, and the sacrifice he made to be not recognised. I will be travelling to Mametz Wood next July and standing next to that Dragon on 7th July 2016 on the centenary of his heroic death. He won't be forgotten.

    Nick Williams




    230479

    Pte. Solomon Llywarch 9th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Solomon Llywarch was my great uncle and joined at the same time as his brother John Llywarch (18065). Solomon was unfortunately killed in action, however John survived the war and was demobbed on 26th March 1919.

    Kevin




    230461

    Rflmn. Charles Edward Hurley 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.18th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Edward Hurley served with 7th Btn. The Rifle Brigade.

    William C.E.Hurley




    230458

    Pte. George Hetherington 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.30th Nov 1916)

    Goerge Hetherington was killed in action in France in 1916.

    Yonas Roper




    230446

    Cpl. John Whitelock 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st April 1917)

    <p>

    Corporal John Whitelock was my great great uncle. I know very little about him, other than he was my grandmother's uncle and he came from a coal mining family. His father, Joseph Whitelock, was from Glasgow, so this is probably why John ended up in the Tyneside Scottish battalion. He is buried in Faubourge D'amiens Cemetery, Arras in France.

    Lynda Eoberts




    230438

    L/Cpl. William Price DCM 1/5th Btn. King's Regiment (Liverpool)

    My grandfather, L/Cpl William Price of 1/5 Btn Kings received the DCM on 24th February 1920 for gallantry at "Ere, France" on 6th November, 1918. The oddest thing is, I don't think he was told about his medal. If he did, he never told his family. The problem is, I cannot find any history of the regiment being there. He was in Kings 1/6 Liverpool reg. I am obtaining a medal and making a display for my father. Any ideas?

    Gillian Price




    230405

    Pte. Benjamin Brooks 19th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.24th April 1917)

    Benjamin Brooks was my Great Grandafather and I am hoping to visit grave site in Laventie Military Cemetery La Gourge. Benjamin was the father of two sons who also served in the First World War with 1/8th Lancashire Fusiliers Territorials.

    Ronald Brooks




    230382

    L/Cpl. William Glenn 4th Btn. North Staffordshire Rgt.

    William Glenn was a music hall performer, who was popular under the name of Billy Glenn. He died in Rochford, Essex, in March 1962.

    Mike Green




    230352

    Pte. Ernest Hollings 3rd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Ernest Hollings is my paternal grandfather. He was born in Leeds in 1898 and died in Leeds in 1971. The National Roll of the Great War states the following: "He joined in October 1916 and in the following month proceeded to the Western Front, where he served in various sectors. He took part in the Battles of Arras, Bullecourt, and Passchendaele and many other important engagements, and was wounded in action at Ypres. He was in hospital in France and Wales before being invalided from the Army in March 1919, and holds the General Service and Victory Medals."

    Additionally Ernest was awarded the Silver War Badge. His badge number is B280254. I understand that he was shot through the hand though this has yet to be confirmed. My research at this point is very much a work in progress.

    Peter Hollings




    230351

    Sgt. Walter John Mittell 9th Btn. Royal Sussex Rgt. (d.18th August 1916)

    I am collating information for the County who are creating a database of all service personnel and the memorials themselves for posterity. In trying to get an insight into Walter's last days I came across this site, and felt it only right and proper that Sergeant Mittell's name was included with his comrades in arms.





    230323

    Bombdr. Harold "Nutty" Turner 190th Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery

    Harold Turner was featured in the Wandsworth newspaper with troops leaving for France. He took his clarinet with him and was playing it awaiting departure.





    230282

    Gnr. Alfred Harold Holman 182nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.11th May 1916)

    Alf went to war in February 1916, leaving his wife Emily pregnant with their second child. His son, Alfred John, was born on 3rd May. Eight days later Alf senior was killed in Loos.

    The Holmans and McQuillins were clear close families, and after the Great War Emily married Stephen McQuillin, who was a regular soldier and had served throughout the Great War in France. Remaining in the Army, Stephen, Emily and the children, including a new baby daughter, went to India with the 2nd Scottish Rifles, where two more children were born. A sixth child was born after they returned to the UK.

    Alf is buried in Dud Corner Cemetery.

    Keith McQuillin




    230259

    Cpl. Alfred Redall MM Military Foot Police Army, attd to 3rd Worcs

    My grandfather, Alfred Redall, was a sergeant at Atherstone. He joined up in the Great War in 1917 in the Military Foot Police, attached to the 3rd Worcester Regiment. He underwent training at Nechells and was then sent to Messines, France and the Third Battle of Ypres. His medals were the Star Defence and Military Medal for bravery in the field. He was mentioned in the London Gazette in the honours list.

    He went on to become Curator of Birmingham Town Hall for 30 years and lived at the Judges Lodgings, 46-47 Hagley Road, Birmingham. He was champion heavyweight boxer for Birmingham Constabulary in 1915 and 1916.

    Dr Paul Redall




    230210

    Pte. Christopher Walsh 18th Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather, Christopher and his brother Martin Walsh, signed up for service in Dublin, Ireland. Both boys grew up without a father, who went to America, and my great grandmother, Mary Walsh put them in a boys' home. Christopher received a wound in the left arm and my mother recalls the little bullet hole there. My mother said that her father rarely talked about the war but tried to enlist again in the Pioneer Corps in 1941.

    Patricia Earls




    230165

    Gnr. Archibald James Hunter 181st Seige Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th June 1917 )

    <p>

    Archibald James Hunter died from wounds on 7th June 1917 and was buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Poperinge. He was 29 years old. His wife was Margaret McNeill Duncan and he had a daughter, Mary McNeill Hunter (born 24 Sept 1912), and a son, John Hunter (born 14 March 1915).





    230159

    Pte. Reuben Ruffler 9th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    Reuben Ruffler was my great-uncle, my grandmother's brother. He was killed at the Somme, but his body was never found. My mum used to say that her mum (his sister) used to always hope he would turn up long after the war and in the twenties, ex-soldiers who had been badly injured or had lost their memory used to occasionally knock on their door begging or asking for help and her mum would rush to the door in the vain hope that it would be her brother.





    230114

    Bombdr. Charles Henry Alford 298th Bgde., D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.18th April 1918)

    I am currently compiling a family history and have discovered that this person is related to me. He was 24 at the time he joined the Royal Field Artillery on 29 May 1916. He was killed in action on 18 April 1918 and was buried at Chalto Lane Cemetery south of Corbie. He was re-interred at Adelaide British Cemetery, Villers - Bretonneux. His war medals were the British War and Victory medals. That is all I know.

    Graeme Alexander Geary




    230105

    Pte. Robert Richard Edwards 23rd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.8th October 1918)

    Robert Richard was previously in The Border Regiment (203704). He was a self-employed salesman and was born in Liverpool in 1888. He was married (1909) to Sarah Alice Dalton.

    His mother (Ellen Fahey) and father (John William Edwards) died in 1910 and 1906 respectively. Robert Richard had to look after orphaned siblings.

    Anthony McCarthy




    230074

    Samuel Bunting "Paddy" Waterworth

    Anyone out there remember my dad Samuel Bunting Waterworth known as Paddy? He was stationed at quite a few airfields in WW2. He was a real character with several fiancees so may well be remembered.

    Sheena Batey




    230018

    David "Jack" Johnson

    About 10 years ago, my grandad, David Johnson, gave me his two medals, a 1939-45 star, and a France and Germany star. I was too young then to ask questions about them. Grandad died in 1992, so I never got to talk to him about his part in the war. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what these medals were for, and maybe even what the campaigns were like? I don't even know what the GRJ VI on the stars is.

    I believe he was a tank engineer, and that his tank was last over one of the German bridges before it blew, but that's all I know. If anyone can help me, please email me.

    Kat Johnson




    229998

    Gnr. Stanley Mostyn Mathias 48th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.25th Dec 1915)

    Stan Mathias died at Mont St Eloi aged 19 and is buried at Louvencourt Cemetery.

    Audrie Mills




    229997

    Pte. Harry Bayliss Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.11th May 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Baylis was born in Birmingham on 3rd November 1879. His name has been incorrectly listed as Bayliss on most of his Army documentation. There is confirmation of his death, reported as killed in action on 11th May 1915 near Warwick Farm outside Ypres. Regimental records do not actually record this fact, but is detailed on his death certificate. His body has never been recovered. He is listed on the Menin Gate memorial and also on the War Memorial in Stratford upon Avon.

    John Richards




    229996

    Sgt. Joseph Eugene Smith Company I 28th Infantry Regiment

    My grandfather, Joseph Eugene Smith, did not talk much about his life during the War. We know nothing of his life pre war enlistment 1913. From his discharge papers, after he passed away we learned a lot more about his time in the War. He enlisted November 6th, 1913, Ft Slocum, NY, was Sergeant of Company D, Twenty Eighth Infantry. company I. Discharged 7 years later, 14th October 1919, for reasons of re-enlistment. His battles include; Moutdidier-Noyan, Aissie Marrie, St Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Sommerviller, Ausairville, Saizerais, and Cautigny. He was gassed 2nd of October 1918, which we knew nothing of.

    Citations G.O.I., 1st Division dated January 1st, 1920, Service overseas; France and Germany. Sailed from the US June 14th, 1917 on the then Corporal Joseph Smith sailed to France with Company I on the SS Tenadores, left Hoboken on June 14, 1917. His captain at the time was Hilden Olin; Company I was the second American unit to step on French soil, following Company K, which left the ship on June 26. Company I was detailed to police the port of St. Nazaire, and later joined the rest of the 1st Division for training through fall and winter at Gondrecourt, with a 10-day stay in the trenches in November, 1917. Return to the US September 5th, 1919. He Re-enlisted October 15, 1919 as a Private 1st Class at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky for one year. Discharged 14th of October, 1921 because of expiration from service.

    Karen Smith




    229988

    Capt. Roy Cecil Phelps HMHS Grantully Castle

    <p>

    My great uncle was Lieut. Col Roy. C. Phelps. From stories he told us many years ago I knew that at one point he was a doctor on the hospital ship Grantully Castle. From the University of Toronto's records I found a record of his early days of service. He then spent many years in Burma and was the Medical Superintendent in Rangoon before the second world war began.

    Lois McNally




    229986

    Cpl. Ernest George Chapman 59th Brigade. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Ernie Chapman went straight into the Army at the start of WWI at the age of 21. He was one of the guys that broke in the horses and trained them. When he went to France he had two horses - Boxing Day Mary and Walleye. Mary had killed a stable lad and was going to be destroyed, but Ernie took her and trained her. He took them both out to France and brought them both home again.

    When he was out in the trenches he was mentioned in despatches many times. He was recommended for the Victoria Cross for the time he drove the gun carriage back across no-mans land with a wounded officer on the back under fire. Unfortunately, Ernie heard about it and went for a drink with friends and was late back. As he had fallen asleep it was not given to him and he received a punishment. He did get the 1914 star as they did if they survived from 1914 to 1918. Ernie was a soldier through and through and was proud to serve his country. Ernie was also a boxer at flyweight. He won many bouts.

    Sandra Ward




    229932

    Pte. William Harry Murrison 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.21st October 1918)

    William served with the 5th (Service) Battalion. Formed at Inverness in August 1914 as part of K1 and came under orders of 26th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division. Moved to Aldershot and in February 1915 went to Bordon. Landed at Boulogne on 10 May 1915.

    Melissa




    229928

    Sgt. William Scott King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    I am looking for information on my grandfather Sgt. William Scott, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in WWI. I know little about him.

    Sheila Scott




    229925

    Lt. Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson MC 17 Sqdn.

    Harry Robinson was the eldest son of railway clerk Henry and his wife Dorothy, and was born on 25th December 1898. Harry was educated at Mr Scott’s High School for Boys in York Road, Hartlepool and at Durham Grammar School.

    He joined the Royal Flying Corps in March 1916 and by August, was flying over the German lines on the Western front in a Sopwith Pup with No. 46 Squadron, the squadron was soon re-equipped with Sopwith Camels. In May 1917 he was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps and, following confirmation of his rank, became a flying officer in July 1917 with No. 17 Squadron. In December 1917 Harry scored his first aerial victory, capturing a German reconnaissance aircraft. In his second victory, on 11th March 1918, he drove down a German Albatros DV. Harry secured six further victories between the 21st and 24th March and was appointed a flight commander, moving to No. 70 Squadron. He took two more victories in April and May. He was awarded a Military Cross which was gazetted on 3rd of May for showing “conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty” in an aerial attack, while running out of petrol.

    Harry remained in the RAF after the war and saw active service in Iraq in 1921, where he won the Distinguished Flying Cross. He went on to become a lecturer and instructor in bombing and gunnery at RAF Eastchurch in Kent, but fell ill in late 1925. Harry died on 2nd June 1926, at a sanatorium in Norfolk. He was just 27 years old and left his wife Erica and a daughter.





    229923

    Pte. Frederick Jesse Coster Mills 54th (East Anglian) Coy Army Cyclist Corps (d.30th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Freddy Mills originally joined the Middlesex Regiment at Ealing in 1915 but was transferred to the ACC. And in 1915 found himself aboard ship heading toward Alexandria in Egypt. He was not a well man and soon became dogged with skin problems. Several diagnoses later he was in hospital several times. Eventually, he contracted malaria, which was his final illness. He is buried in Haifa in Israel.

    Headstone

    Bernard Mills




    229922

    Valentine James Anderson 12th Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regimet (d.7th April 1916)

    <p>

    My story goes back to 45 years ago. As a young boy in Staffordshire, my grandfather used to tell us about his brother, Private 20743 Valentine James Anderson, who was in the Army but died in the War. After a few years my family moved to Australia and I forgot about this story. Then in 1971 we went back to the UK but my family moved back to Western Australia. In my late twenties I started into looking into Val. He was the son of James and Ada Anderson from Little Bridgeford, Staffordshire. I started looking for records of his service. The first stop was the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Weeks later I had some information. The next stop was the family, but no luck because no one remembered him and there were no medals or photos, only a name, number and grave. Then come the computer age and the internet and I could access his records. He enlisted on 8th December 1915 and was posted to South Staffs no 20264; then he was posted to the 12th Labour Btn, West Riding Regiment on 25th March 1916, no 20743. He embarked for France on 1st April 1916 and disembarked on the same day. Valentine James Anderson died on the 7th April 1916 at Queen Alexandra Red Cross Hospital St.Malo, France of cerebral spinal meningitis. He was awarded the British war and victory medals.

    As years have gone by a family member in England died and photos where found of my late great uncle. Sad to say my grandfather never got to see what I had found out about his brother. (My grandfather was in the Home Guard but that's another story.) Over the years, photos of Valentine James Anderson's grave have come to light, almost a 100 years this year. May he rest in peace.

    Mike Buckless




    229918

    Pte. Arthur Henry Carcary 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.6th July 1915)

    <p>

    Although Arthur Carcary was from Kent, he enlisted in Taunton. He died, accidentally drowned, believed in Yser Canal, on 6th July 1915. His name is inscribed on the Menin Gate, Ypres. He was the son of David and Christina Carcary.

    Dan Green




    229917

    Leading Stoker Samuel Hanagan

    Hanagan joined the Mine Clearance Service in 1919 after service in the Merchant Navy.

    Michael Johnson




    229916

    Henry "Buz" Guest 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    Grandad, Henry Guest was captured on 31st August 1916 at Delville Wood, aged 22. He was sent to Munster I POW Camp. He survived the war and died in 1962.

    Susan Kilvert




    229913

    Pte. Arthur William Barber East Yorkshire Regiment

    My grandfather, who had moved to America to find employment a couple of years earlier, felt compelled to fight for England in WWI. He returned to England and enlisted with the Royal Engineers on 20th October 1916. He was transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment for a short time. While with this regiment he sustained a severe gunshot wound to his back, but survived. He was transferred to the Royal Engineers and served proudly through until 25th March 1919.

    Linda Dutcher




    229910

    Pte. George Tebb Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    My grandfather, George Tebb, was born on 27 Jan 1896 in St Helens, Lancashire to George Tebb and Frances Jane (nee Ashcroft). His family were devout Salvation Army members, his father a bandsman, band leader and a Professor of Music. My grandfather, too, was a pianist and also played the cornet in the SA Band. He worked in the local glass factory by day and involved himself with the SA in all his spare time. My grandfather was a pacifist but knew that he had to join up at the outbreak of war. So, he decided to join the RAMC - the Medical Corps, probably feeling that this would not compromise his pacifist beliefs but no doubt aware that he would often be in the 'thick of it' for much of his service.

    I think that although he survived the war and went back to glass making and piano tuning (as a side-line) and remained with the Salvation Army to the end of his life, he was terribly affected by his war-time service. He was a man who suffered from mental problems on and off for the remainder of his life with spells in hospital. Thankfully, he had married my grandmother, Minnie Tebb, an immensely practical woman who often had to keep the family together (they just had one daughter, Eileen, my mother) and they had a boarding house in Blackpool so that granddad's recurring illnesses could be covered by income from the business. It was his music that kept him going for much of the time - although after an accident in the glass factory that severely damaged his right hand he could no longer play the piano, sadly. However, for his services to brass bands he was recognised by Sir Malcolm Sergeant in 1964. George died in Blackpool in 1969.

    George Tebb Brass Band Award

    Gill Chesney-Green




    229909

    Sgt. Arthur Goodman Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Arthur Goodman, my grandfather, was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire on 2 Aug 1892 to his parents William Goodman and Alice (nee Lea). He had two older brothers, Fred and Frank and two younger sisters Alma and Gladys. Presumably life was quiet for him and his family and he worked as an assistant boot salesman while the family lived at 16 Clifford Street. As far as I understand it at the outbreak of war he joined the King's Shropshire Light Infantry but them went on to join the Machine Gun Corps.

    My father (William Edward Goodman) wrote of him: "Dad was a native of Shrewsbury, where he had commenced work as an assistant in that branch of boot and shoe retailers, G & W Morton, for whom he worked throughout the whole of his working life, except for Army service during the First World War. My father's army service was with the Machine Gun Corps, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major. The M.G.C. appears to have been something of a suicide squad in that they were to the fore in major actions, or bearing the brunt of spirited offensives against our lines. Whilst a Sergeant he received the congratulations of Major General C.E. Pereira, CB,CMG, Commanding 2nd Division on his "Splendid leadership and example to those under him.""

    After the war he married my grandmother, Lavinia Barfoot, and had two boys my father and his younger brother, Ronald Clive. He died in Maidstone on in 1958.

    Gill Chesney-Green




    229905

    Pte. James Green 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.15th Sep 1916)

    James Green was the son of Thomas and Emma Green and was born in Great Bardfield, Essex. He was the husband of Florence, with whom he lived in Leyton, Essex. He died during the Battle of the Somme and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France. He served with the 3rd battalion, Coldstream Guards.

    Ruth Walker




    229873

    Sgt. Ernest William Snell 5th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Ernest Snell was my grandfather.

    Ruth




    229866

    Martin Doyle MC, VC. Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Martin Doyle enlisted with the British Army when he was 15 and saw service in India before joining the Royal Munster Fusiliers in 1914. He was involved in all the major battles. He was gassed, bombed and wounded. He won the Military Medal and the Victoria Cross for two notable acts of bravery and killed several German soldiers while rescuing the crew of a British tank that had come under heavy military fire.

    s flynn




    229863

    Gnr/Bombdr James Henry Dorrell 32nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    James Dorrell was born in 1884 in Homerton, London. He joined the Garrison Artillery in 1904 and served in Belfast until late 1911. James then transferred to B Reserves on his marriage and moved to Stanley, County Durham, where he worked at the West Stanley coal mine until recalled in 1914. His former unit 15th Company was remustered and became numbers 31 and 32 Siege Batteries. Jim was in No 32 and went to France on 1st October 1915. He served at Kemmel, Ypres and on the Somme. James was taken prisoner on 30th November 1917 during the German counter-attack at Vellers-Guislain during the Battle of Cambrai. He arrived at Munster II POW Camp on 22nd January 1918. James returned to Stanley after the war and later moved to Southend on Sea in Essex. He died in 1975.

    Paul Dorrell




    229858

    Pte. Tom Paginton 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    Tom Paginton was my great grandfather who was wounded at the Battle of Mons. I have found some information but not a lot. He was eligible for 1914 Mons Star, clasp and SWB dated as 28th August 1914. I cannot find any other information or his medals. Also cannot find any information about his enlistment which due to his number would have been between January 1909 and March 1910.

    Chris Wilson




    229855

    Mjr. Gerald Sopwith MC. Durham Light Infantry

    Gerald Sopwith was my grandfather and am afraid I know nothing.

    David Connell




    229850

    Pte. Edgar Shearman 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.6th Dec 1914)

    Private Edgar Shearman 7021, of the 1st. Norfolk Regiment, was killed in Belgium on the 6th. December 1914 near Ypres. He was born in Graywood and later moved to Scunthorpe in 1912. He was the father of one child, but no details are known. He is named on the Menin Gate Memorial. Aged 32, Edgar was the husband of Jane of Wanfords Cottages, Wood St. Kings Lynn. He was twice posted missing during fighting around Ypres. He is believed to be buried at Poelcapelle Cemetery, Belgium. Unfortunately his headstone reads “ An Unknown Soldier of The Norfolk Regiment 6:12:1914.” along with so many others. Also named on the commemorative stained glass window situated in All Saints Church South Lynn alongside his brother Edward Thomas.

    Christine Jones




    229848

    Ldg.Tel. David Ballard HMS Neptune

    <p>

    David Ballard was born in Belfast in 1899, his father had been stationed in Ireland with the Rifle Brigade and married a local lass and, upon discharge, had settled in Belfast. However, David was just a few months old when his father was called back to the colours and sent on one of the first ships to South Africa upon war breaking out with the Boers, as with unusual foresight, the Military had sent him from Dublin, in 1895, to Aldershot for training as mounted infantry. David, and brother Louis, born in Aldershot in 1897, did not see their father again for nearly three years. With the end of the war, the family settled in Aldershot and David was a "shop boy" when he enlisted in 1914 in the Royal Navy, as a boy seaman, at the minimum age of 15.1/2. He required written permission from his father, together with his birth certificate. He trained as a Telegraphist and progressed through the grades. Two years later, he was aboard the Dreadnought Battleship HMS Neptune at the Battle of Jutland, where one of his friends, Boy Cornwall, earned a posthumous VC aboard HMS Chester. He served the rest of the war on a destroyer and a cruiser. After the war he served on seven more destroyers and two light cruisers before serving on the River Gunboat HMS Gnat on the River Yangtse for two years. He served on an aircraft carrier and a patrol boat before joining the Cruiser HMS Durban on a 2.1/2 year good-will cruise around South America and the West Indies. He next was aboard another cruiser and the famous battleship, HMS Nelson, and a depot ship before discharge upon completion of 22 years service in 1939. David was awarded the 1914/15 Star, War Medal, Victory Medal and Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He was a Leading Telegraphist and had three Good Conduct Stripes.

    Brian




    229835

    Pte. James Albert Larkin 8th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.20th Dec 1916)

    I have no connection to James Albert Larkin, however I am part of the creation of the database for all service personnel who gave their lives and the memorials where they are remembered, and in researching an action around his death date and wanted to add him to this roll of honour.

    Patricia Donoghue




    229833

    Gnr. Edgar Ernest Parkes Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Edgar Ernest Parkes known as Ernie, or Snowy (blond hair) was born in 1898 to quite a poor family of eight siblings in Dawlish Rpad, Selly Oak, near Birmingham. His father was a watchmaker called Walter-Henry, who died young, and Ernie was very attached to his mother Sarah-Ann, hence the inscription on the photo he sent home from the WWI photo-pose.

    He enlisted straight away in 1914 aged 16 in the RFA as a gunner, and I found his pink record card at Kew which indicates he landed in France in March 1915. Initially, he was trained to ride a horse, the ones which pulled the gun carriages. He must have been terrified. Near St Quentin, on one sortie towards the front he was blown off his horse and had lots of shrapnel lodged near his eye, he passed out in a muddy shell crater, and woke to find himself being ferried on a stretcher behind the lines to a nursing station. If I could find the family of the medics who saved him I would shake their hand!

    Ernie spent three months in recovery, I think in Norfolk, where his sweetheart Lottie visited. The eye was removed and later he had a set of glass eyes to use. He and Lottie married in 1921 and stayed happily in Kings Heath Birmingham where he grew all his own vegetables and fruit in a lovely garden. He was never able to drive a car but had a motor bike and side-car and worked at the Ariel motorbike factory (now the site of Birmingham University student halls of residence). He loved football and founded Selly Park FC. He used to go to all the Aston Villa home games. Ernie was always happy, optimistic, strong, very musical. He had a great voice, taught me as a child all the marching songs from WW1 ("Hinkey Dinky Parlez vous?") and my Dad, his son Gordon, learned piano, so we always had a lot of fun. I remember aged about five asking him what was the bump on his forehead? He replied they couldn't get all the shrapnel out so they left it in and I am here to tell you the tale! He died aged 68 in 1966 but my lovely Nan Lottie made it to 95 years old so we relived his story many times. I have his medals and the blazer badge from the RFA "Quo Fas et Gloria ducunt" - where Right and Glory lead.

    Jenny McFadyen




    229825

    Sapper David John James 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.28th Dec 1917)

    This man was not a relative of mine, but I am a medal collector and I have his three 1st WW medals, plus memorial plaque and scroll in an old frame, together with his picture. I have recently purchased these. I have over 60 pages of documents on his army career.

    Ceri Stennett




    229782

    Pte. Edmund Robert Armstrong 1st/21st Btn London Regiment (d.3rdJune 1918)

    I am trying to trace details of medals awarded to Private Edmund Robert Armstrong Serial No. G/36901, 1st/21st Bn. London Regt. (First Surrey Rifles). Edmund was a POW and died on 3rd June 1918, and is buried in Germany. Have searched the Medal Roll on the National Archives site, with no result. Can anyone assist?

    Bernard McIver




    229780

    Archibold Brown 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.22nd January 1917)

    I am trying to locate anyone who has information about the 1st Hampshires. My great grandad died in 1917 in France. I know that the 1st Hampshire Regiment was in France with the 298th brigade RFA.

    J Longhurst




    229779

    James Worthington Scottish Rifles

    Does anyone know anything about my grandfather James Worthington? I know for sure that he served with the Scottish Rifles in WW1. He was born in Stoke-on-Trent, went to war but never returned to his family. He was still living in the 1980s somewhere in Scotland. I have his cap badge given to my mother in 1914. I would welcome any information as I have not been able to find anything at all about him. I do have a photograph.

    Joan Cooper




    229777

    William James New East Surrey Regiment

    My grandfather, William James New, was in the East Surrey Regiment and fought in WW1. Just wondered if anyone knew anything about him? Would be grateful if anyone has any photos or memories to share with me.

    Kerry Danaher




    229776

    Pte. William Clift 13th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    The 13th Reserve Battalion of the Prince of Wales Volunteers, South Lancashire Regiment formed at Oswestry, Shropshire in September, 1915 as a "local reserve battalion". I always thought that my father, 154918 Pte. William Clift had served in WW1 in the Machine Gun Corps but I have a photograph in which he is plainly wearing the uniform and cap badge of the Prince of Wales Volunteers, South Lancashire Regiment. He lived in Shropshire so it is logical that he initially enlisted into this regiment as I understand he was a volunteer. The 13th Bn however was absorbed into the 16th Reserve Brigade in 1916 and this formation remained in this country but provided troops for other units. I have a newspaper cutting from the time of my father's death confirming that he served in the MGC in France and that he was wounded. I would be very grateful if anyone can throw any light on movements from the POW Volunteers South Lancs and from 16 Brigade during WW1 as I am trying to trace his date of enlistment and postings etc and engagements that he was in. Perhaps someone could tell me if I am clutching at straws or if it is worthwhile pursuing.

    Michael Clift




    229775

    James Arthur Appleton Manchester Regiment

    I have been researching my great grandfather who fought in WW1. I have a copy of his death certificate which states that he died of paraplegia, gastritis and heart failure and was wondering what kind of injuries he would have had to cause death. He was in the Army for two years (1913-1915) and, after being injured, was discharged as being unfit. He died sometime in 1922. I would really appreciate any information about him or what happened.

    Clare




    229710

    L/Cpl. Joseph Llewellyn Hullah Machine Gun Corps (d.20th Oct 1917)

    Joe Hullah was my great Grandmother's brother so I guess he would be my great great uncle. I understand he was initially with the DLI then joined the Machine Gun Corps. Joe was killed together with two pals who, I believe, were also from Consett on 20/10/1917 while setting up their machine gun prior to an advance. His body was never recovered and still remains over seas covered in mud. He is remembered on the Tyne cot memorial and Consett's memorial. I only know these limited facts due to reading letters sent home by his CO after his death.

    In 1979 I left school and started work as an apprentice HGV fitter. A long time friend was also serving his time with me. One day during conversation I mentioned Uncle Joe and my mate realised he too was the same relation to Joe. What were the chances of that? Very big families in those days.

    I do not have any photographs of Joe. As a result of my investigations I have found out that he too was a mechanic before the war and was married shortly before his death. My great grandmother often talked about him when I was a child. RIP Joe.

    Arran Field




    229692

    Cpl. Charles Henry Brown 71st Sanitary Division Royal Army Medical Corps (d.29th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Henry Brown was my great uncle. The following is an excerpt from a family history written by his sister Rosie in 1950:

    Charles joined the R.A.M.C. Sanitary Division and was sent to Egypt, and then on to France. In 1918 he decided to apply for a commission, but before he could return to the U.K. for training, he had to spend one month in a combatant corps. He was transferred to the West Ridings in April 1918. On the last day of that month, volunteers were called for a particular job. He volunteered and was killed outright.

    Grave of Charles Henry Brown, La Clytte Cemetery, Nr Ypres, Belgium

    Peter Jewitt




    229691

    Pte. John Pocknell 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.4th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    John Pocknell served with the 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    Paul Pocknell




    229689

    Pte. Thomas W. Robinson 11th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.1st July 1916 )

    <p>

    Tom William Robinson was from Eccleston near Chorley in Lancashire. Before joining the 11th East Lancashire Regiment as a "Chorley Pal" he worked as a weaver at Carrington & Dewhurst's Mill in the village.

    On 1st July, 1916 Tom, along with the other members of "Y" Company, Chorley Pals, 11th East Lancs Regt went over the top from Campion & Monk trenches to attack the German defences on the outskirts of the French village of Serre. The German defenders alerted by the previous waves of the British advance by "W" Company (Accrington Pals) and "X" Company ( Accrington & District) laid down heavy and accurate machine-gun and rifle fire rifle onto "Y" Company as soon as they went over the top. Tom barely reached more than 20-30 yds before he suffered a direct hit from a German shell. Pte.15841 Richard "Dickie" Barrow, saw Tom get "blown to bits by a shell" and said there was "nothing left of Tom to find". In the same advance Pte Barrow was seriously wounded after being hit in his head by German fire. Although badly wounded Pte Barrow managed to crawl back to the British lines from no-mans land. Tom is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Thiepval, Northern France. Tom Robinson was my grandfather's elder brother.





    229683

    S/Sgt. Joseph William Heaver Artillery

    I am doing my family tree and trying to find all the information I can about Joseph William Heaver. On his son's birth certificate his occupation is 'Staff-sargent Canadian Artillery (train conductor)'. This is very confusing, as his son was born in Folkestone, Kent, in 1916 to my great-grandmother. Can anyone explain this puzzle.

    Janet Clarke




    229672

    Pte. Frederick Benjamin Moulder 9th Btn. London Regiment

    Frederick Moulder served with the 9th Btn. London Regiment.

    Douglas Lynn




    229667

    James Moffett HMS Mantua

    <p>

    James Moffett was my grandmother's brother and there is no one left alive to help me find out more about him. He was born around 1899/1900 and I believe he died in the 1920's, shot dead by the IRA. He was from Belfast and the only record I have of him is on a census form from 1901 when he was shown as 1 year old. I have one photograph showing him in Royal Navy Uniform and the name of the ship on his cap band is HMS Mantua. That is all I know of him.

    Robert McEwan




    229656

    Pte. Alfred Edwin Morris 28th Field Ambulance

    My father, Edwin Morris, later Archbishop of Wales, wrote this:

    I was posted to the 73rd General Hospital at Trouville and given the job of telephone orderly. As I had never used the telephone before, this was an odd appointment, but I soon got the hang of it.

    In the early autumn of 1918 we had a lot of fatal cases of influenza at the hospital. Big strong men would die of this within a very few days, and the doctors seemed to be at a loss how to deal with it. Somehow it seemed worse that soldiers should die of a civilian illness in a safe area than of wounds on the field of battle.

    It was while I was telephone orderly at the 73rd General Hospital that rumours of a possible armistice began to circulate, and on the morning of November 11th I received the official message that at 11 a.m. the hostilities would cease. I took it to the Colonel, who could hardly believe it. He rang through to confirm it, and then authorized the release of the news to the hospital. The effect was magical. The hospital began to empty immediately. Discipline went to the winds and patients who had been confined to bed poured out and went down to the town in their hospital blue, where they were given free drinks in the estaminets. It was three or four days before we got them all back.

    Geoffrey Morris




    229655

    L/Cpl. Thomas Bevan 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

    <p>

    Thomas Bevan served with the 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. He was injured in lower leg by shrapnel on the 29th of May.

    Darran Hughes




    229653

    Pte. Arthur Walsh 1st Battalion, D Coy. Cheshire Regiment

    Arthur Walsh served with D Company, 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. He was admitted to Divisional Rest Camp on 22nd of April 1915, the first day of Second Ypres Campaign with 'not yet diagnosed fever'. He had previously served in India for several years.

    David Goodman




    229651

    Pte. Fred Cook 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.19th Sep 1914)

    Fred Cook joined up at Burnley, on the 21st of November 1910, age 20 years 9 months. He was born in New Mills, Derbyshire and the family moved to Sabden. His father Samuel Cook was calico printing foreman in the cotton mill. His father moved to Brazil to find work when the factory burned down.

    Fred was at the Guards Depot at Caterham and was mobilised in London on 7th of August 1914, he was posted to France on the same date. He died of wounds on 19th of September 1914. He was buried in Troyon Churchyard, the grave marked with a wooden cross. His remains were later removed to the Vendresse British Cemetery nearby. His father was advised in Brazil of his death.

    T. Neil Cook




    229649

    Pte. Simeon Davies 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.16th April 1918)

    Simeon Davies is a distant relative. He was b.1878 in Ashton under Lyne and married Lucy Johnson in 1906 at Christ Church, Tintwistle. They had 5 childrenL Charles Harry b.1907; Annie b.1908; Ethel b.1910;Fred b.1912-14 and Simeon b.1915.

    Sue Bates




    229647

    Pte. George Timothy Herron 12th/13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th May 1918)

    George Herron is my great uncle. Commemorated at Soissons Memorial in France.

    Helen Wallace




    229645

    Pte. William Manfield Fairman 9th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>49th General Hospital Salonika

    William Fairman was born on 8th January 1898 to William Francis and Emma Jane Fairman (nee Manfield)in Kingsdown, Bristol. Known as Billy to his family and attended Stokes Croft Endowed School, Bristol. He moved with his family to Horfield, Bristol in about 1912.

    Billy enlisted at Horfield Barracks on 11th December 1915 giving a false date of birth. He was assigned to the 9th Service Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment. His employment prior to his enlistment was a Grocer (canteen work. His height was 5'2" with a chest measurement of 34" when expanded. Billy was at home 24 Filton Road, Horfield from 5th September 1916 to 18th January 1917 as his mother was ill. Emma dies of pneumonia in the last quarter of 1916.

    From 19th January 1917 he was part of the Salonika Campaign with his battalion. He fought at the Battle of Dorian in Salonika and suffered gunshot wounds to the face and head on 24th or 25th April 1917 and spent 2 months in an army hospital. Upon his discharge from the hospital he suffered fainting attacks but never actually fainted and never felt "quite strong". He was then transferred to the 49th General Hospital in Salonika arriving on 18th August 1917 whereupon they found he had a heart problem - an aortic valve problem. One of his doctors was a Captain Tomlinson. Billy was at the 49th GH until 9th October 1917 when he was transferred to the 50th General Hospital at Kalamaria in Salonika. Finally on 27th November 1917 he was recommended for invaliding and he was sent to Valetta, Malta to await a hospital ship to transport him back to England. He apparently loved the people and Malta during his time there. He was transferred from Malta on 21st February 1918 aboard HMHS Wandilla arriving back in England on 24th February 1918. His medical transfer certificate signed by Captain J C Scott RAMC shows Billy had VDH - vascular disease of the heart.

    Billy was finally discharged unfit from the Army on 3rd May 1918. His Field Medical Card shows he served for 1 year and 242 days in the Army and was a good steady intelligent man. The time spent during the First World War never left Billy's mind although he would very rarely talk about his experiences. He married, had a child and had a happy but short life dying of heart disease in 1949 aged 51

    50th General Hospital, Salonika

    Carol Morgan




    229634

    Sgt. John Hodgson 101 Sqdn. (d.29th July 1944)

    ABC Lancaster SR-V2 (LM462) from 101 Squadron, Ludford Magna was shot down near Orleans, France 28/29th July 1944

    All the crew were killed in action on this mission and are buried in Rebrechien Communal Cemetery. The crew were:

  • F/Sgt C.E. Smith - navigator
  • Sgt J. Hodgson - flight engineer
  • Sgt E.R. Brown - airgunner
  • Sgt T. Crane - airbomber
  • Sgt W.H. Engelhardt - wop
  • P/O P.J. Hyland - pilot
  • Sgt J.T.V. Moore - wop
  • P/O A.W. Turri - airbomber





  • 229627

    Gnr. Frederick Dacre 202nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.20th April 1918)

    <p>

    Fred Dacre was the second of 7 children born in 1891 to John & Mary Jane Dacre. In the 1900s the family moved from Old Farm, Lower Holker, Cartmel, where John had worked as a farm labourer, to Barnoldswick, a rapidly growing cotton town in search of work in the mills for their children. Fred became a weaver working for H Pickles and Bros at Long Ing Mill. In 1909 at the age of 17 he volunteered as a part-time recruit in the new Territorial Force established to defend the UK in case the Regular Army became involved in a European war. He attested to serve for 4 years in the Territorial Army (6th West Riding Regiment).

    After his marriage to Mary Emma Dodgson in January 1912 he continued to work as a weaver. However, instead of volunteering to join the army at the outbreak of war, he became a policeman with the City of Liverpool Constabulary. Though in an exempted occupation, he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery. He served as a gunner in the 202nd Siege Battery for 6 months before he was killed on 20th April 1918 during the German Spring Offensive on the Somme. He is buried in La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie, the site of a Casualty Clearing Station.

    In the In Memoriam column of the Craven Herald of April 1920 Mary Emma Dacre continued to grieve:- Two years have passed since they laid you to rest. In a grave I may never see; But while my life and memory last I will remember thee.

    The inscription on his gravestone, chosen by his widow, reads Ever true. Waiting for you

    Poignantly, Fred had not long to wait, as Mary Emma died at Morton Sanatorium near Keighley, probably of TB, on 21st March 1921.

    Fred Dacre's story in a sense illustrates the patriotic attitudes of the time coupled with the wish to escape the humdrum life of the weaver, first joining the Territorials, then serving as a police constable before enlisting as a gunner. Yet it also serves to emphasize the tragic impact that the loss of every soldier had on every family. Did Mary Emma indeed die of a broken heart?

    Fred Dacre's Grave, La Neuville Cemetery, Corbie

    Ken Wilkinson




    229624

    Pte. Thomas William Coates 2nd/5th Btn. Lincolnshire (d.11 April 1917)

    Private Thomas William Coates was killed in action on 11 April 1917, aged 19. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.





    229621

    Sgt Jack Conway Miners 2nd Btn Worcester Regiment

    Jack Miners was the son of Clara Arnold through her second marriage to Harold Beverley Miners. The couple married in Kidderminster (Clara's home town) in 1886 but moved to London shortly afterwards. Jack was born in Pancras, London circa 1890 and was educated at Wellington House School. In 1911 he was a general merchant.

    He enlisted in 10th Btn Royal Fusiliers (Stockbrokers Battalion) in 1914 and went to France with the unit in 1915. In March 1916 he was commissioned into the Worcestershire Regiment and served the rest of the war in that regiment's 2nd Battalion.

    Rod Arnold




    229615

    A/Sgt. Charles Fitzgerald DCM. 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusilers

    <p>receiving his medal from George V

    Charles Fitzgerald was a sniper, and was awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry when he took charge of his section when his corporal was wounded. He was also in command of a squad of snipers and did 'invaluable' work.





    229610

    Rflmn. Adam McCandles 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.30th Aug 1915)

    Not much is known about Adam McCandles and exactly where he served or in fact was killed. From the family research it would appear that he was killed in action in the battle for Hill 60 at Gallipoli on 30th of August 1915. He also has a brother, Joseph McCandless who also fought in the war and was medically evacuated. He was born in 1888/1889 and from family conversations he had a huge scar down the front of his chest, which was most likely caused by shrapnel. He lived at Little Grosvenor Street to Distillery Street in Belfast. Any information on either of these family members would be greatly appreciated as this is the 100 anniversary of the battle for Gallipoli.

    Philip Mannus




    229591

    L/Cpl. Maurice William "Knocker" Reeves 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    <p>I found this old postcard of my grandfather sent from Stendal POW camp, he is on the left.

    Maurice Reeves was my grandfather. He joined the Wilshires in 1907. He got wounded and became a POW very early on in the War. He was interred in Friborg, Switzerland at the end of 1917 and was demobed in 1919. If any one has more on him or photos I would love to make contact.

    John Reeves




    229590

    Gunner James McGuigan 258th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My father, Gunner James McGuigan 49090, served in the Royal Garrison Artillery. During 1914/15 he was in Turkey and then served in Europe. On 05/10/1918 he was admitted to No. 34 Casualty Clearing Station, Ailment - Gassed, shell (mixed), with the following comments: Transferred to Sick Convoy 06/10/1918, 2nd. New Zealand Field Ambulance, No. 11 Ambulance Train. He suffered from the effects of Gas poisoning until his death 48 years later in 1963.

    Terry McGuigan




    229573

    Fred C. Green 7th Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment.

    My father, Fred C Green, was in the 1/7th Battalion, Duke of Wellington Regiment and we have a letter sent during the war informing his family that he had been wounded on 21st June 1944 (I think in France) and had been returned to hospital in Epsom.

    Barrie Green




    229565

    Gunner Edgar Ernest "Snowy" Parkes

    Edgar Ernest Parkes was my much loved Grandpa. He was always called Ernie, and also known to friends as Snowy, presumably since he had very fair hair! We are all inheritors of that blonde gene in the family.

    Ernie signed up immediately along with a couple of pals, in late summer 1914. He would have been 16 then so I think he lied about his age. He had only recently met Charlotte, called Lottie, who was to become his wife in 1921 and was from a miserable home background, she had moved into a room in a friends house in Bourneville to have a better quality of life, and that was how she met Ernie. Her friend was "walking out" with his friend! The girls must have been devastated to learn that the boys were signed up for war in France... Or maybe they were proud.

    Ernie trained to ride a horse and is pictured in his uniform with riding crop and spurs in a photo inscribed "with love to mother and all" just before they were shipped in early 1915. He was one of 8 siblings and his father had read quite young so mother meant the world to him.

    Ernie rode the gun carriages and pulled the ammo up to the front. It must have been a shock to the boy from a leafy working class suburb of a Midland's city. He used to tell me he could speak some French after being there... Which consisted of the song Hinkey Dinkey Parlez Vous? And the phrase San fairy Ann (ca me fait rien) ... " no worries // That doesn't matter" I became a French teacher so always smile when I remember that!!

    Anyway, Ernie was thrown from his horse at St Quentin and semi conscious, wounded very badly. He had lost an eye. Amazingly he must have been rescued from the shell crater and stretchered off behind the lines, as my Nan told she had a telegram saying he was recuperating I think it was in Norfolk.

    He was re- enrolled months later they were so desperate, but somehow made it home to Lottie in the end. His mother had to hose him down in the yard and cut him out of his uniform it was so filthy. All his life he had a lump on his forehead where the shrapnel was lodged. I remember him letting me touch it and telling me the tale. He would sing "the happy wanderer" and taught me to whistle the tune. Never sad, always busy, he embraced life back home, planting a lovely garden where he grew all his own vegetables, and founding a local football club, Selly Oak FC.

    He adored my Dad, his only child, and insisted he learn piano. The house was always full of music and Grandpa had a fine voice. He loved Christmas! He was a heavy smoker, Park Drive or Capstan ever at his side. He was employed at the Aerial motor cycle factory until it closed in the 1930s( now the site of Birmingham University halls of residence) never allowed to drive a car, he wore either an eye patch or a glass eye in the empty socket and had a motorbike and side car! What a character, what a life.

    I am so grateful he made it back from the trenches, I found his pink metal registration card in the records at Kew. Ernie passed away in 1966 aged 68. My eldest son looks just like him if you pop a cap on his head it is Ernie in the 1915 photo. When I read any novel set in WW 1 it makes me reflect on what he went through and shed a tear or two, I only regret he didn't live a bit longer so I could have asked him more... And finally taught him some French!

    Jenny McFadyen




    229519

    Michael Joyce 170 Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers

    My great uncle, Michael Joyce, was a sapper in the Royal Engineers in 170 Tunnelling Company.

    Gwen Joyce




    229495

    Gnr. Ishmael Blackwell 162 Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.11th July 1918)

    Ishmael Blackwell was born in Northop, Flintshire during 1898. The 1911 Census tells us that the family resided at Top Borth Ddu, Halkyn, Flintshire. The head of the family was Joseph Blackwell aged 48, who was employed as a Lead Miner at the Halkyn Lead Mines. His wife Alice Blackwell aged 44, a dressmaker and their three sons Ishmael Blackwell aged 13, Baden Powell Blackwell aged 10 and John Blackwell aged 4 years. They also had two daughters Alice Blackwell aged 8 and Dilys May Blackwell aged 6.

    During May 1917 Ishmael enlisted as a Private with the Royal Field Artillery at Wrexham Barracks. Following the death of his elder brother Ishmael, Baden Powell Blackwell who was then aged 18 enlisted as a Stoker in the Royal Navy on 1 August 1918. He completed his training at Devonport aboard the Base Ship HMS VividII and then served as a Stoker on RMS Aquitania, which was at that time in service as a Troopship. Baden Powell was honourably discharged on 7 March 1919. He died in Flintshire on 7th June 1939, aged 39 years.

    The County Herald Newspaper : Death of another local soldier: We are informed that Mrs Blackwell of Roseneath, Bagillt received information on Tuesday morning of the death of her son Private Ishmael Blackwell. The deceased was well known to a number of Bagillt, Flint and Halkyn residents and sympathy is expressed with his bereaved mother and relatives.

    Philip Blackwell




    229477

    Nixon "Mimi" Peggy

    My mum served in the WLA from 1947 to 1948 at Hasketon. I have a pic of her in uniform. She was at Little Manor Hostel.

    Sylvia Finch




    229470

    Pte. Stephen Albert Fox Argyle & Sutherland (d.20th August 1918)

    Stephen was killed shortly after arriving. Died from his wounds and is commemorated at Five Points Cemetery, Lachelle

    David




    229468

    Pte. Reginald Atkinson Bell 2nd Battalion Border Regiment (d.14th July 1916)

    Reginald Bell was the youngest son of William Bell a watchmaker and jeweler of Lancaster, Lancashire. He worked as a watch maker in his father's shop prior to joining the Border Regiment at Carlisle on 20 July 1915. He was married to Clara and they had a daughter also called Clara. They lived in Main Street in the village of Wray near Lancaster.

    Reginald was 37 years old when he enlisted as a volunteer. He went Over the Top with the 2nd Battalion on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme which he survived.

    He went Over the Top for the second time in the early hours of 14th July 1916 at the Battle for Bazentin Ridge and was killed in action. His body was never found and he is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial.

    P. Holdsworth




    229441

    Pte. Charles Blower Army Service Corps

    I am trying to find out where my grandfather, Pte. Charles Blower, served during WWI. He was affected by mustard gas and came out of the Army due to sickness.

    Elizabeth Allen




    229439

    L/Cpl. Walter Wilkinson 2/7th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Walter Wilkinson is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Keith Wilkinson




    229433

    Pte. Henry Donnison Thompson 20th Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    I have the WW1 medals and Death Plaque of Henry Donnison Thompson as they have been passed down to me from my family. Henry he was my great grandfather's older brother and was born in 1893. Henry was a coal miner before serving, living in the North East of England.

    After researching my family history I found out that Henry's father, William Boston Thompson, also went to war at the age of 44 serving in the 5th Advanced Remount Squadron looking after the horses in France. William survived the war but Henry was killed in action on 1st July 1916 aged just 24.

    Colin Meads




    229410

    Sgt. Kenneth Royston Heron 514 Sqdn. (d.30th June 1944)

    Lancaster Bomber LL620 JI-T was brought down by flak near Villers Bocage on 30th June 1944. It is thought that the tail had been damaged. There were no survivors. The crew are all buried in Coulvain Churchyard, Calvados, France. They were:
  • F/O Douglas Austin Woods, pilot
  • F/Sgt Eric Charles Coles, flight engineer
  • Sgt Kenneth Royston Heron, wireless operator
  • F/O Francis Longson, navigator
  • F/Sgt Ernest Thomas Shanks, airbomber
  • F/Sgt William Charles Udell, airgunner
  • P/O Hilary Louis Doherty, airgunner





  • 229363

    Pte. Joseph Kirkham MM 8 Bn TC 5 Tank Bde Tank Corps

    Private Joseph Kirkham was my grandfather and throughout my life I was aware of a large picture frame hanging in his home. It contained a small piece of paper with the following text "I have read with great pleasure the report of your Commanding Officer on your energy and good work against the enemy near Morcourt on 8th August 1918. This reflects credit on yourself and the whole Tank Corps".

    Granddad died in 1958 when I was still in primary school and never spoke of his experiences in the war.

    When grandma downsized in the late 1970s she asked if I would like to have this and of course I accepted and I always wondered what Graddad had done that merited such praise. In those days, before the internet, and being a busy working mum I didn't know where to go to find anything out about it.

    A couple of years ago a friend suggested contacting the Tank Museum at Bovington and to my surprise they passed on the citation report from the commanding officer himself.

    The citation reads "For devotion to duty during the operation of 8 August 1918 against MORCOURT. Private Kirkham rendered invaluable assistance when his tank was ditched. By his energy in assisting to dig out the tank, when the unditching gear was ineffective, it was able to proceed with the action. Later he kept his guns continuously working and was greatly responsible for demoralising the enemy. Throughout he displayed courage and spared himself in no way".

    It is signed by LtCol J Bingham, cmdg 8 Bn TC and with a recommendation for an immediate award of the MM.

    It goes without saying that granddad was a hero to me even before my discovery but my task now is to find out more about his military history and to see if he ever collected his award, which I suspect he didn't.

    Sybil Turner




    229362

    Cpl. Alfred Mason 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.1st July 1916)

    777 Corporal Alfred Mason was my Great Uncle he enlisted in 1914. He was the son of Charles William and Catherine Mason. He was 29 years old when he was killed in action , he has no known grave but his name is on the Thievpal Memorial to the Missing.





    229349

    Pte. Charles Eaton 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.21st Sep 1917)

    Charles Eaton was killed at 3rd Ypres, almost certainly by shellfire prior to the Battalion advance on the mill at Zonnebeke. His body was not found and he is commemorated on the wall at Tyne Cott Cemetery. His medals are in the Suffolk Regiment Museum at Bury St Edmunds.

    M. D. Green




    229347

    Frederick William Walker 14th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

    Grandad, Frederick Walker, was a shopkeeper in the Streatham / Mitcham area of south London. His two older sons had both volunteered for the Army in 1913 and were both serving on the front line in France in 1916. That year, due the heavy losses on the battle front, an appeal went out for older men to join up for home duties in order to release younger soldiers. Grandad volunteered, was placed in the Suffolk Regiment, 14th Battalion and posted to Alexandra Palace (known to Londoners as Ally Pally). This grand building was being used as an internment camp for German and Austrian civilian aliens. Grandad was not a strong man, and after it was agreed he was not fit enough for guard duties he worked in the cookhouse for the rest of the war. Granny had to run the shop with help of my dad, aged 13, and two younger sisters. Dad's life story gives details of being able to visit his dad at Ally Pally on a regular basis. It also describes the fear when the Germans dropped their bombs from zeppelins, not knowing they were bombing fellow Germans.





    229346

    Pte. Frederick A. Simms 7th (Service) Battalion Royal Gloucesters (d.25th Jan 1917)

    My Great Uncle Fred Simms was killed in the Battle of Hai Salient on the morning of 25th of Jan 1917.

    Edwin Simms




    229341

    Able Sea. McIver

    My father joined the Royal Navy as a 16-year-old boy in 1907. In 1909, aged 18, he signed on for 12 years. However, in October 1912 he was discharged "shore free". In March 1915 he was signed on again with his original rating of AB, for the period of hostilities. He was discharged from the Royal Navy in February 1919 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve, being discharged "time expired" in 1938.

    His WW1 Service Medals and Long Service Good Conduct Medal are engraved with his original Service Number although the War Medals show him AB RN, and the LSGC as AB RFR. He did in fact have a different Service Number in the Fleet Reserve. I cannot find a definition for the term "shore free", but it appears to imply that he was released from active duty but retained on the register. Any information would be appreciated.

    Bernard McIver




    229316

    Spr. Walter Deas 179th Tunneling Company Royal Engineers (d.2nd Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Walter Deas served with the 179th Tunneling Company, Royal Engineers.

    David Ramsay




    229302

    Brig.Gen. George Arthur Rennie DSO MID 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My grandfather, George Rennie DSO, commanded 7 KRRC throughout much of the First World War. He fought at all the major battles and was one of the few to survive. He did not like Germans! I rember him well. He had 8 mentions in Dispatches as well as a DSO from the Boer War. Died in 1951

    Anthony Stansfeld




    229279

    Sapper Benjamin James 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.2nd July 1915)

    Benjamin is not a relative of mine, I am researching family history, his widow is my wife's grandmother, who re-married in 1919. At the time of Benjamin's death his wife was left with three young children.

    Colin Beynon




    229278

    Pte. Albert Edward Bailey B Coy 37th Btn.

    My grandfather Bert Bailey enlisted in Melbourne and sailed on the HMAT Persic. After training at Salisbury Plain under General John Monash, they sailed from there to France and as you already have the battle honours listed, I won't go into that. "Pop" was a Lewis Gunner and was on active service until he was gassed during an assault on the Hindenburg Line in 1918. While he was recovering in England, he met and married my grandmother. They both returned to Australia on board the Canberra in 1919.

    John Bailey




    229254

    Gnr. Peter O'Connor MM & Bar HQ Coy. 22nd Brigade

    Peter O'Connor's service record is still being researched. I understand his awards were in connection with re-establishing damaged communications lines in 'no-man's-land'.

    Peter Johnstone




    229253

    WO2. James Lawton Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.19th July 1916)

    My Grandfather James Lawton was born in Marylebone Middlesex in 1880 son of Joseph Lawton and husband of Annie Lawton (Nye) of 2 Weiss Passage,Ossington Street Euston Road London. Between 29th December 1896 and 28th December 1908 he served with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, service no.5049 Prior to enlisting he had been working as a bottle washer, he was 18 years old. James was posted into the 2nd battalion, then to the 1st on the 8th June 1901. He was promoted to Corporal for an act of gallant conduct in the field ( I have no other information). On 18th September 1902 he was posted back to the 2nd battalion between Dec. 1902 & June 1904 he was acting Lance Serjeant. At the time of his discharge, after 12 years service in 1908 he was rank Corporal For his time in South Africa he was fighting the Boers,on the Orange Free State, Cape Colony 1901 to 1902 clasps.

    He re-enlisted at Fulham in on the 5th of September 1914 he was 34 he entered as a private but was promoted to Corporal, then on the 11th March to Warrent officer. On the 31st July 1915 he sailed to France with the 10th Battalion N.L.R, he was wounded on the 29th of June 1916 by a gunshot to right leg he was evacuated to the Royal Victoria (Netley) Hospital on the 4th July 1916 but succumbed to his wound on the 19th July 1916. He is remembered in Paddington Cemetery screen Wall 3W.9814 age 39. May we remember.

    Mary Lawton




    229234

    Charles Sudders

    My grandfather, Charles Sudders, was in the Army of Occupation in the Bonn area c.1918/1919. I have a photo of him taken in Kessenich, a suburb of Bonn. I would like to find out where the barracks may have been or where I could check records pertaining to the Army of Occupation in this area.

    Marie Cartwright




    229233

    Sgt. Leonard Wilkinson Cooper CdeG. East Lancashire Regiment

    My grandfather, Leonard Wilkinson Cooper, fought in WWI. He was born in 1896. I think he was in the East Lancashire Regiment and I have photos of him in Egypt and France. He received a Belgian La Croix de Guerre in 1917. He is a sergeant and is pictured with J. Duffy, J. Gibson and Bill Heyes. Can anyone fill in the blanks for me?

    Wendy Dimitroff




    229232

    Sgt. Archibald Robert Moore East Lancashire Regiment (d.6th April 1915)

    My great grandad, Archibald Robert Moore, was a sergeant in the East Lancashire Rgt in WWI. He was injured in some way and died in 1915. He is buried on the Isle of Wight. My dad has kept all his medals and his death plaque, but we haven't any photos of him. It would be fantastic if anyone knows where we can find some photos or any more information about him.

    Joanne Moore




    229219

    Surgeon Comander B H Pain

    i dont know much but he is a surgeon commander i will find more info

    louie




    229215

    Pte. James Rooney 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.22nd Jul 1916)

    <p>Pte. James Rooney

    James Rooney was my great-grandfather, husband of Catherine and father of nine. As I've heard it, notification of the date James was to leave for his service arrived at the house and Catherine hid it. She did not want him to go. According to records, his service spanned one year and two days. He was killed at France and Flanders. In the family photo, Catherine is pregnant with child number nine. The boy standing in front of her is my grandfather.

    James Rooney Family

    Karen Williams




    229210

    Gunner William James Williams 153 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.16 September 1917)

    This is my grandfather, who, having been born in 1950, I sadly never knew. Tragically his widow, Rosa, my grandmother, was left alone with three young children and had to raise them on her small earnings as a seamstress. My grandfather died in a field hospital in Belgium. I plan to visit his grave in Belgium, hopefully, before I am much older.

    Rosa died when I was about six years old and I never learnt anything about my grandfather from her although my mother said that Rosa had admired William in his blue uniform.

    I have been unable to find out much about the 153rd. Siege Battery, for instance the guns they had. Als,o I have never seen a picture of my grandfather, perhaps there is a regimental photograph that a reader of this may have.





    229205

    Nurse Helen Fairchild (d.18th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    Helen Fairchild was a nurse from Pennsylvania who staffed a unit at the Western front at Passchendaele in Belgium. She died after surgery on a gastric ulcer due to the effect of mustard gas in January 1918.

    s flynn




    229172

    Pte. Joseph Clark Beedie 1st Battalion East Kent Buffs (d.17th March 1917)

    Joseph Clark Beedie (son of David Barclay Beedie and Helen Roberts Beedie) is buried at the Maroc British Cemetery Maroc in Grenay, France.

    His brother Charles Beedie (7th Btn, Bedfordshire Regt) also died 15th Aug 1917 and is remembered on the Menin Gate.

    His nephew William Adison Beedie (Black Watch) was shot in the ankle but survived the war

    Graham Beedie




    229158

    Frederick Edward Pym DSM, DDG, MDH Q7 HMS Penshurst

    HMS Penshurst was a Mystery Ship or Q ship (Q7) successfully used by the RN as decoy ships against German submarines. Their guns were concealed and the crew did not wear RN uniforms.

    Qy was sunk at 51° 43'.276 N 005° 40'.192 W (off The Smalls, Pembrokeshire, 21 miles off St. David’s Head) by U110 German submarine. Penshurst was one of the RN’s most successful Q-ships, fighting eleven engagements over a two-year period, and destroying two U-boats and damaging several others in that time

    rh




    229152

    Evelina Haverfield

    <p>

    Evelina Haverfield was a suffragette but she was also a prominent nurse, and devoted much of her life to helping those who were injured and suffering on the Serbian front. The daughter of a Scottish Baron, the upper-class Haverfield joined the suffragette cause in London and was arrested three times, once for hitting a policeman. When war broke out, though, Haverfield founded the Women's Emergency Corps to help the war effort in England, and promptly left for Serbia to help Elsie Inglis at her war hospital. Haverfield's devotion to the Serbian front lasted long after the war. She and Flora Sandes started an organization to give relief to the Serbian people, and she returned to Serbian territory after hostilities ended to found an orphanage for Serbian war orphans. She died there in 1920 of pneumonia.

    s flynn




    229151

    ALsea. Albert Wreford HMS Challenger

    J.A. Norton was one of seven friends from Topsham in Devon, all RNVR, who served on HMS Challenger during WW1 in E. & W. Africa (Cameroons campaign)

    R Hatch




    229150

    Maria Bochkareva 1st Russian Women's Battalion of Death

    <p>

    Maria Bochkareva was the leader of the Russian Battalion of Death, a woman-only group of 300 soldiers who fought on the Russian Western Front. Bochkareva herself had obtained Tsar Nicholas II's special permission to join the army, and earned three medals of distinction for bravery under fire. She led the Battalion of Death in one major battle, but was wounded, effectively ending her military career. After the Revolution, she narrowly escaped execution and fled to the U.S. but she decided not to stay away, and was recaptured when she went back to Russia. She was executed by the Bolsheviks in 1920.

    s flynn




    229149

    Sea. Frederick May HMS Challenger

    J.A. Norton was one of seven friends from Topsham in Devon, all RNVR, who served on HMS Challenger during WW1 in E. & W. Africa (Cameroons campaign)

    R Hatch




    229148

    Sea. George Edward Pym HMS Challenger

    J.A. Norton was one of seven friends from Topsham in Devon, all RNVR, who served on HMS Challenger during WW1 in E. & W. Africa (Cameroons campaign)

    R Hatch




    229147

    Sea. Ishmael L.B. Pym HMS Challenger

    J.A. Norton was one of seven friends from Topsham in Devon, all RNVR, who served on HMS Challenger during WW1 in E. & W. Africa (Cameroons campaign)

    R Hatch




    229146

    Sea. Joseph Allen Norton HMS Challenger

    J.A. Norton was one of seven friends from Topsham in Devon, all RNVR, who served on HMS Challenger during WW1 in E. & W. Africa (Cameroons campaign)

    R Hatch




    229144

    Seaman Thomas William Pym HMS Challenger

    Thomas William Pym was one of seven friends, all RNVR, who served on HMS Challenger in E. & W. Africa during WW1.

    R Hatch




    229142

    Sea. Charles Wannell HMS Challenger

    <p>

    Charles Wannell was one of seven friends, all in the RNVR, from Topsham in Devon who served on HMS Challenger in E. and W. Africa during WW1.

    R. Hatch




    229141

    Elsie Inglis

    <p>

    Elsie Inglis was famously told by a Royal Army Medical Corps officer, when she proposed the first-ever female-run war hospitals at the beginning of the Great War, "My good lady, go home and sit still." Fortunately, Dr. Inglis had no intention of doing anything of the sort.

    Inglis, who was also an active suffragist, didn't give up after the Royal Army Corps' rejection of her idea. She just asked the French the same thing. The French were a bit brighter and said yes, and the indomitable Inglis set off for France immediately to set up hospitals. Later, she headed to Serbia, where she focussed on curing typhus and maintaining a high standard of care in military hospitals, not an easy thing in those terrible trenches.

    She was captured briefly, but U.S. diplomats managed to secure her release only for her to head off to Odessa to set up a Russian arm of the women's medical corps. She died of cancer in 1917, but not before being awarded the Order Of The White Eagle by the Prince of Serbia.

    s flynn




    229140

    Helen Charlotte Isabella Gwynne-Vaughan Woman's Army Auxiliary Corps

    <p>

    Dame Gwynne-Vaughan made a huge contribution to botany, being a pioneer in the study of fungi genetics. She was named the head of the University of London's Botany Department in 1909 and was brought in to lead the Woman's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1917. She found herself at the head of a force that reached nearly 10,000 women across France, from nurses to aircraft technicians, and in 1918, she also became the head of the Women's Air Force.

    s flynn




    229139

    Capt. Flora Sandes

    <p>

    Flora Sandes was the only British woman to officially serve as a soldier in the trenches during World War I. How she got there is testament to a very determined character. A St John's Ambulance volunteer who'd once shot a man in self-defence, she went to Serbia to serve as a nurse; but when she was separated from her colleagues, she promptly joined the Serbian army as a soldier instead. This was, for a 40-year-old British woman and the daughter of a clergyman, completely unthinkable but Sandes did it anyway. Not only that, she fought alongside men (the Serbian army accepted women) so well that she became a sergeant-major. She was wounded by a grenade in the line of fire, and the Serbian Military gave her their highest honour, the Order of the Karadorde's Star.

    s flynn




    229138

    Col. Julia C. Stimson DSM. American Army Nurse Corps

    <p>

    Julia Stimson was a military nurse. She was also unstoppable: Born in Missouri, she volunteered for service in 1917, rapidly became superintendent of the entire American Army Nurse Corps in Europe, and was the first woman ever to become a Major in the U.S. Army. When World War II broke out she immediately came out of retirement to recruit nurses for the Allies. Cue a World War II Victory Medal, and a promotion to Colonel in 1948, shortly before she died.

    s flynn




    229136

    Edith Cavell Nurse (d.12th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Edith Cavell was British nurse who ran a Belgian clinic, she saved many lives on both sides. She also managed to smuggle nearly 200 British, French, and Belgian soldiers and military-age men out of Belgium, which was occupied by the Germans. When the plot was discovered, Cavell was put on trial by the German government and executed, despite worldwide outrage. Her death caused shock waves, helped a surge in British recruitment, and made her a martyr.

    s flynn




    229095

    Pte. Walter Thompson 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.13 July 1916)

    Brother of George Edward Thompson 2nd Devons KIA July 1st 1916 Sommme.

    Brother of William Henry Thompson KIA HMS Inefatigable Jutland 31 May 1916

    L.T. Watson




    229079

    Pte. George Barfield 8th Btn. East Surrey Rgt. (d.7th August 1916.)

    George Barfield served with the 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment during WWI. He was killed on 7th August 1916.

    Gareth




    229075

    Cpl. Harry Sidney Holmes 8th Btn, "C" Coy Royal Berkshire Rgt. (d.21st September 1916)

    I am trying to trace a memorial or information about my great grandmother's brother Harry Holmes who was in the Royal Berkshire Regiment and was wounded at Fricourt on 29th August 1916. He died from his injuries on 21st September 1916, aged 27 years.

    Update

    According to the CWG website, Harry Holmes is buried in Shaw Cemetery, Newbury, grave reference 2409.

    Barry Baker




    229064

    Pte. Herbert William Marple North Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    On 9th of June 1914, HerbertMarple, celebrated his 16th birthday by signing up to the North Staffordshire Regiment. He was too young to do active service, but two years later he was transferred to the Leicestershire Regiment, and like so many boys of his age, went off on an adventure to serve for his King & Country.

    He fought in the Battle of the Somme, but was captured and imprisoned. Whilst a prisoner, he had the bridge of his nose smashed in by a guard who found him scavenging for food in the prison bins. He escaped from captivity by hiding himself in a coal truck, and immediately returned to fight on the front lines at Ypres. After the war, like millions of other survivors he never spoke about his terrible ordeal, or of the horrific things he must have experienced as a POW or during battle.

    Herbert was my grandfather. Probably no different to millions of other teenagers who signed up to fight 100 years ago, a normal bloke. I never met him, he died before I was born, but by all accounts he was a thoroughly decent husband and father. I know he played the bugle as well as the drums, so I obviously share his likeness for loud, noisy instruments! Many of his other skills have been passed down through the genes, and show up in me at various times. Like his skill for escaping shows up in me whenever there is washing up to be done. His habit of scavenging for food, every time I walk past a Chip shop (I rarely walk past without entering). His impact on the world was probably not enormous, but I bet he would never have dreamt he would influence peoples lives for two minutes about a hundred years later. After all, if he had not escaped from that prison you wouldn't be reading this.

    Adrian Marple




    229056

    A/Cpl. Fred Chilmaid MM. 283rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery Royal Garrison Artill

    <p>

    Fred Chilmaid served with 283rd Siege Battery, RGA.

    Robert Chilmaid




    229055

    Rflmn. Leonard Grimley 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.28th April 1917)

    <p>

    Unfortunatly, not much is known about Leonard Grimley, but from what I can understand he was killed near Infantry Hill, South of Gavrelle. Weather conditions on that day was heavy snow. Heavy shelling and machine gun fire was present in the area where he was killed. Exact cause of death is unknown. I now visit his grave at least twice a year to honor him since tracing him 3 years ago. I only have photos of his wife so I would love any pictures of the 13th KRRC.

    Wayne Grimely




    228978

    Pte. John Dunnet 1st (Royal) Dragoons British Army (d.20th Jan 1916)

    John Dunnet was born in 1896 in Thurso, the son of John, who was a policeman, and Jessie Dunnet. His parents eventually moved to Edinburgh, where they lived in a tenement at 2, Orwell Place on Dalry Road. As well as John, the Dunnets had a further six children: four sons and two daughters. John joined the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) at Edinburgh on 3rd of January 1914 at the age of eighteen. At the time of his enlistment, he was employed as an apprentice fitter to a motor engineer, Messrs Mather on Orwell Terrace, and was also a member of the 1st Lowland Field Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force), which was also based in the city. Three days after his attestation, John was sent to No. 6 (Scottish) Cavalry Depot at Dunbar to commence his training. On the outbreak of war in August 1914, he was posted to York to join the 5th Reserve Cavalry Regiment. This unit had the role of training and providing drafts to both the Greys and the 1st (Royal) Dragoons. In May 1915, he was sent to France as part of a draft for the 1st (Royal) Dragoons, landing on the continent on 19 May. After barely three weeks on active service, Private Dunnet was in the trenches in Sanctuary Wood on 2nd June when he received shrapnel wounds to the right leg. He was evacuated to 4th General Hospital at Versailles. After treatment, he was then returned home and sent to hospital in Bangor. After recovering from his injuries, Dunnet was posted back to the 5th Reserve Cavalry Regiment.

    He was returned to the Royals in France on 10th of October 1915. In January 1916, a Dismounted Cavalry Division was formed from the three Cavalry Divisions that formed the Cavalry Corps. Each Cavalry Brigade was ordered to form a composite dismounted battalion, with each regiment of the formation contributing a company. The Royal Dragoons provided a company as part 6th Cavalry Brigade Dismounted Battalion to serve in the line in front of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. On 12th of January 1916, John was severely wounded and was evacuated to 33rd Casualty Clearing Station at Bethune, where he died eight days later. John Dunnet is buried at Bethune Town Cemetery





    228926

    William Ernest Lloyd East Surrey Regiment

    My grandfather served with the East Surrey Regiment in WWI. I would like to know which battalion he was in. Can anyone help?

    Ray Lloyd




    228925

    Pte. Albert Edward Bance MM 13th Btn. East Surrey Rgt. (d.26th November 1917)

    My great grandfather, Pte Albert Bance MM, served in the 13th Btn East Surrey Regiment in WWI. He died on 26th November 1917 in the Battle of Cambrai. I know he was fighting around Bourlon Wood and that's where I believe he was killed. I would like to find detailed information about this battle.

    Wade




    228924

    James Bennett 2nd Btn. Ox & Bucks Light Infantry

    My great grandfather, Bugler James Bennett, served with the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry between 1892 and 1919. He was appointed bugler on 5th May 1904 when he was with the 2nd Btn. I would like to trace a photo of him. Can anyone help?

    Joanna Haycroft




    228914

    Spr. Benjamin James 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.2nd July 1915)

    Benjamin James' widow is my wife's grandmother, who re-married in 1919. At the time of Benjamin's death his wife was left with three young children.

    Colin Beynon




    228910

    Pte. Stephen Brown 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.8 Jan 1915)

    My great uncle.

    Amanda Rowarth




    228905

    Rflmn. Lionel Fitzherbert Turpin York and Lancaster Regiment

    Lionel Turpin was 19 years old he enlisted in the British army and was sent out with the British Expeditionary Force to the Western Front in Europe. He was in the battles of the Somme and his army service ended in 1919 with two medals, two gas-burnt lungs and a shell wound in his back. Lionel died in 1929 from the after-effects of war-time gassing. Lionel's story is typical of many black and Asian colonials who came to the aid of the Mother Country during the First World War.

    s flynn




    228902

    Cpl. John Ash

    My grandfather nothing known.

    Durling




    228891

    Pte. Robert Norval Cunningham 1st/10th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Rgt. (d.2nd June 1917)

    Pte Cunningham was born in Scotland and was killed in 1917 at the age of 39. He is buried in Lijesenthoek Military Cemetery.

    By the strangest of coincidences we have found that another Robert Norval Cunningham, who joined the RCAF in WWII, is buried 10 miles away in Oostrvleteern Churchyard.

    Jean Fuhrer




    228826

    Pte. William Sloggett Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders

    My grandfather, William Sloggett was a private in the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders around the year 1916.

    Janis Roberts




    228784

    Major Geoffrey Carr MC, MID 8th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry

    I'm researching my grandfather who served with 8th Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry during WW1. He was Mentioned in Dispatches in November 1917 and was awarded the MC in the New Year's Honours list in 1918/19. If anyone has any information on my grandfather please let me know. Thanks.

    Sarah Townson




    228761

    Pte. George Wicks 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th April 1917)

    George Wicks was the an elder brother of my grandmother's. He was a married man who worked as a coal miner before the war. His wife was called Elizabeth. They lived in the York Road area of Leeds. He is buried at Orange Trench Cemetery in the Pas De Calais. He was killed in the 1917 Battle of Arras

    Chris Hough




    228760

    Pte. John White 6th Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.15 June 1915)

    He was killed at the Second Action Givinchy

    David Bryce




    228758

    Pte. Claude Ernest Pickard 5th Battalion Cameron Highlanders (d.3rd May 1917)

    My great great grandfather's brother was Claude Pickard, who was only 22 when he died in May 1917. As far as I know, he had a friend he enlisted with, and we know certain things about the family and our ancestors but for the most part his life remains a mystery, and how and exactly where he died are unknown to us.

    We know the basics, he was apparently born in Shafton, in Yorkshire, he was born in 1895 thereabouts, and also had a few brothers and lots of sisters. I would love to find out more about him, or any pictures if anyone knows of a relationship to him at all.

    Sophie Barton




    228675

    Pte. Harry Marriott 2nd Battalion, Machine Gun Section Border Regiment (d.25th September 1915)

    Died in heavy fighting during at Loos.

    David Marriott




    228672

    Pte. Richard Jones 2nd Battalion, C Coy. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.9th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Richard Jones was a colour mixer at a local wallpaper company, when he was called up for service through the Derby scheme in March 1916. He was single, and was boarding in a 4 room house with his sister Sarah Ann, her husband and 8 of their children. He served 19 months with the 2nd Bn of The Lancashire Fusiliers, before being mortally wounded during the battle of Poelcappelle. Richard died on 9th of October 1917 and is buried in Concrete House Cemetery.

    Stephen Jones




    228671

    Pte. Peter Arbuckle Taylor 13th Reinforcement 1st Pioneer Battalion

    Please see the AIF project for details. He died in 1928

    Avril Arbuckle




    228668

    Pte. Ernest Walton 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    My Great Great Uncle, Ernest Walton, was killed in action on the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Anthony Chapman




    228645

    Sgt. John Richard Taylor 337th Brigade, 340th Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Jack Taylor and Miss Petrie: A Love Recalled

    When I began to research my mother's family, the Taylors of Joseph Street, Bow, I was asked by various relatives who was Miss Petrie? The question was always posed with a smile. I learned from them that Miss Petrie, a society lady, had nursed my wounded grandfather, John Richard (Jack) Taylor, during the Great War. For some years after she visited his home and helped his family. Contact had been lost almost ninety years ago, and as the older members of the family had passed, there seemed to be little chance of finding an answer to the question. But in 2013, a chance reading of a family history magazine told me that the National Archives had recently made available records of army nurses from the First World War. I was fortunate that the nurse I was seeking had a less common surname and I soon found a Miss Susie Constance Petrie in the medal card index. Could this be the one? Some cross-checking against census and probate records showed that this Miss Petrie was from a wealthy family. And there was even better news when I found that a descendant was researching the Petrie family. After an exchange of e-mails and contacts with the wider Petrie family, they confirmed that Susie had indeed taken care of my grandfather in 1916, now exactly 100 years ago.

    John Richard Taylor had been born on 18 April 1887, the second oldest of the nine known children of John Taylor and Sarah Berry at 15 Crown Place, Mile End Old Town. Over the next decade the family moved to Dunk Street, Whitechapel and then back to Ernest Street, Stepney. Jack was just 17 when he married Mary Ann Maud (Polly) Wright, who was four years older, on 26 February 1905 at St Johns, Halley Street, Limehouse. The marriage was timely as Polly gave birth to Mary Ann Eugenie four months later, the oldest of up to thirteen children born or still born over the next 25 years (nobody is quite sure of the actual number). Sadly daughter Mary only survived for four months before succumbing to tubercular meningitis.

    In his civilian life Jack worked as a packer or wholesaler at a glass and china warehouse in Houndsditch. At the outbreak of the Great War he enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery at Canning Town. He was promoted from Driver to Sergeant on 26 August 1915, just before his first overseas assignment. Military records show that he initially served in France, where the family recalls that he had a horse called Polly. According to a recurring family joke, it is not certain if the horse was named after his wife, or his wife was named after the horse.

    He fought on the Somme, the largest battle of the First World War, where more than one million were wounded or killed. Jack was one of the casualties. He was hit by gunshot on Sunday 30 July 1916 at a place listed as HiM, although the Royal Artillery Museum could not decipher or find the exact location.

    Jack was treated in the field before being evacuated to England on 2nd August 1916 on HM Hospital Ship St David. Jack is recorded as being admitted to the 5th Northern General Hospital in Leicester on 3rd of August 1916 with GSW (gunshot wounds) to the left side of his face and head. He remained at the hospital until 5th of October 1916.

    Jack made sufficient recovery to be pictured with his Battery at Canterbury in March 1917. He embarked from Southampton for Alexandria in April 1917, arriving in Egypt in June 1917. He was to spend over a year in the Near East, fighting in Palestine, Gaza and Jerusalem with the 74th Division known as the Broken Spurs. He fought again in France in 1918 before being discharged in 1919.

    Jack applied for a disability pension and was examined in November 1919 at the Medical Board, 62 Conduit Street, London W1. Jack complained of headaches and general nervousness. The Doctor considered the wounds, including the gunshot wounds to the head, to be superficial, saying that scars on the back of the left side of head had healed. He said that while Jack had suffered impairment during his service, he had recovered, continuing that there were no bone injuries, no tremors and he had found the heart and lungs to be normal. His application for disability benefit was rejected.

    But Jack never did fully recover; his daughter Hetty remembered small pieces of shrapnel emerging from the side of his head for many years after the end of the war. And the family remembers that this was when Jack started drinking heavily; there was no recognition of post-traumatic stress in 1919.

    Susie Constance Petrie had been born in Hampstead in 1889, the daughter of an affluent Marine Insurance Broker. When her father retired the Petrie family first moved to Margate in Kent, but by the time he died in 1906 the family had moved to Westbury-on-Trym, where Susie was baptised in 1907, aged 17, shortly after her father's passing. In spite of great wealth within the family, which was confirmed by her father's will, Susie chose to work as a Governess to a private family and this is shown on the 1911 census. Soon after war broke out in 1914, Susie volunteered to be part of the Territorial Force Nursing Service as a Special Military Probationer. Her aim was primarily to care for her serving brothers, although in the end their paths did not cross. She served at the Northern General Hospital and was awarded a medal at the end of her service.

    Miss Petrie spent months caring for Jack who might otherwise have died. Both families recall that during this time Susie became very fond of her patient. Her niece thought that she had probably fallen in love with Jack as she spoke about him for decades afterwards. At this point life might have taken quite a different course. Jack could have abandoned his relatively poor family in the East End for a wealthy woman, who was in love with him. Susie, disappointed in love, might simply have walked away and forgotten him. Instead, and after discovering that he was a married man with a family, Susie became determined to help Jack and his children. Miss Petrie married a man twelve years her senior in 1920, but kept in contact with the Taylor family for many years. She made frequent visits to the East End, sometimes with her brother Lionel, who would also call at the family home at Joseph Street.

    Soon after the war, Susie was able to get Jacks two oldest boys, John Henry and Albert Edward, into service with families she knew and in 1928 Susie arranged a job for daughter Hetty (Harriet Lilian) at a French couturier in Bond Street, where she was a customer. But Polly, worried about her fourteen year-old daughter travelling up west by herself, found Hetty a less glamorous job locally as a radio assembler. The reasons for the visits to the East End by Susie and Lionel remained a mystery to the Petrie family until our exchange of correspondence in 2013. But they say this would have been typical of Susie; her niece recalls that Susie was one of the kindest and most generous women she knew.

    So Jack remained with his family and continued to work as a packer, until retirement after which he picked up occasional work as a night watchman or as a garage attendant. In later life, Jack suffered from chest complaints exacerbated by the Great Smog of December 1952. On the last day of that year he was again taken ill and passed away shortly after on 1 January 1953 at Mile End Hospital, just a few yards from where he had been born. He was 65. Polly was to die two years later in June 1955. And Susie passed away in 1966 at Clevedon in Somerset. All three are fondly remembered by the Taylor family.

    1917 John Richard (Jack) Taylor, bottom row, third from right

    Kevin Carter




    228643

    Pte. William Henry Mitchell 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.18th October 1917)

    William Henry Mitchell born 1888 died working as a stretcher bearer tending the wounded at Passchendaele. Lieut Gibson described him as being exceedingly popular with everyone. He was in 11th Battalion, The Notts & Derby Regiment (The Sherwood Foresters) 23rd Division. Died of wounds on the 18th October 1917. Aged 34. Husband of Mrs W.H. Mitchell of 3 Church Avenue, Haywards Heath. Left 3 children. Employed in provisions by Beeneys, Commercial Square, Haywards Heath. Born in Lewisham. Enlisted in Grove Park. Buried Menin Road (South) Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium B.72.

    His youngest sister (my grandmother) was deeply moved by his loss. She told me that she remembered that he came home to Haywards Heath, unexpectedly from the Front. He had somehow made his way through Europe and across to England, arriving from the train station. She did not at first recognise him as he was covered in mud, with sunken eyes and in shock. She said the mud on him was so thick that it was clogged in his eyelashes. He was covered in lice. He spoke very little but there was something mentioned about the bullets sounding like angry bees.

    He was AWOL and within a few days some MPs turned up to collect him. She recalls they all went to the pub on the way to the station and got him and the MPs drunk before putting them on the train. She claimed his little dog chased the train down the track. She also said that someone standing by said that they would never see William again and sometime later they did receive word he had died.

    David Phillips




    228382

    Unknown HMT Lobelia II

    <p>

    We found this photo in old family photos box from loft a picture of nine uniformed sailors on deck of what appears to be HMT Lobelia II. We know of no family connection but we live near the old fishing town of Milford Haven and since this craft was a requisitioned trawler, it could well be connected to the port. The family have fishing connections going back many years.

    John Everett




    228378

    L/Cpl. Eustace Tregear Stow 22nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.1st February 1916)

    Eustace Tregear Stow's male line has been traced back to circ. 1660's to Shoreham, Sussex with occupations such as shipwrights, Royal Navy, Customs & Excise and Post Office. With extensive research of this large family not many descendants exist today except through Eustace (and a few others). He died young but his family lives on.

    Vicky Nash




    228377

    Able Sea. Thomas Albert Rusholme HMS Termagant

    Served on the Termagant from 3 March 1916 to 19 November 1916. He joined the ship after surviving the torpedoing of HMS Cressy in 22 September 1914.

    Richard Rusholme




    228375

    Pte. Hugh Mcpherson Mylet 1/6 Btn. Argyll and Sutherland (d.30th August 1915)

    High McPherson Mylet of Paisley, Scotland, served with the Argylls in World War 1 and was killed in action in Corbie,France on 30 Aug 1915. He was my great uncle.

    Wayne S. Wallace




    228374

    2nd Lt. Melville Allen Duff Davis MC Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.28th May 1918)

    Melville Allen Duff Davis had a class 3 teaching certificate and taught locally circa 1914/15. He joined the University of Toronto O.S. Tr.coy then received a commission to the 1st Kings Royal Rifles. He reached France in May 1917.

    Military Cross:"Ypres-Menin Road, 21st to 25th Aug. 1917 for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of all carrying and ration parties up to the front line and carried out his task under very heavy shell fire with great success. During an enemy counter attack, when bombs were urgently needed in the front line, he led a carrying party with bombs up a road under an intense barrage, he also took command of his company, reorganized them and brought them out successfuly". Leg amputated. Died meningitis, Blackpool, England May 28, 1918

    Frances Fraser




    228362

    Asst. Stwd. Robert Henry Radford SS Cape Corso (d.2nd May 1942)

    Robert Radford lost his life when the SS Cape Corso was sunk.





    228301

    Cpl. Thomas Scott 21st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

    My grandfather, Thomas Scott, was a farmer in Cornhill and joined up in January 1916 (according to his short service record). He was wounded and returned to England for treatment in September 1916 at the Red Cross Hospital in Derby. He was later discharged in May 1917 due to the severity of his wound which caused him partial paralysis.

    Doug Scott




    228294

    Pte. George Moir Donald Machine Gun Corps

    George Donald was my grandfather who served in WW1 in the Machine Guns Corps. In 1918 he was badly injured in action, and as a result he was put in an Iron Lung Machine, but he was not expected to live. But with the care of his wife over a long period of time, he survived. He was a jute overseer for most of his working life, he died in 1965.

    M. Donald




    228280

    Nell "Bridget" Bridgewater

    I am looking for anyone who remembers Victor Eugene Smith, Tommy Rance, Robin Sharpe (WAAF) or my mum, Nell (Bridge) Bridgewater, who served at Honeybourne 1944-45.

    Rane Randall




    228275

    L/Cpl. George Edward Duke 1st/7th (Robin Hoods) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.1st July 1916 )

    <p>

    George Duke was my paternal great grand uncle, killed in action at the Battle of the Somme on the 1st July 1916 aged 20 years old. He is buried in Foncquevillers Cemetary, Pas De Calais Nord.

    Lance Corporal Duke was a pre-war Territorial soldier having enlisted in 1913. I also served with the last of the Territorial infantry line of the Robin Hood Foresters between 1974 and 1988 in D. Company 3WFR as had my father before me. I hope to be at Fonquevillers to pay my respects on the Centenary of his death on the 1st July 2016.

    Gary Crosby




    228208

    Sgt. Joseph Bertram Haley Royal Army Medical Corps

    Joseph Haley was my paternal grandfather born in 1885 in Tavistick Devon and died approx 1935 in Truro, Cornwall. He trained in either Lambeth, London or the Royal Victoria Hospital, Southampton pre war. Served WW1, in the 2nd General Hospital, Le Havre, and in Gallipoli.

    I'm still researching, but it seems that he moved around with his unit in France, before being sent to Imbros, Greece in August 1915, where he was involved subsequently in the Gallipoli conflict. He may have moved back and forth between England and Greece in the hospital ships.

    S. Haley




    228206

    Pte. Goronwy Cuffin Roberts MM. 1/5th Battalion Welsh Regiment

    Goronwy Roberts joined the 5th Battalion the Welsh Regiment on 15th of October 1915 three days before his 18th birthday. The following letter was sent from Hearson Camp before the battalion moved to East Anglia in November.

    Hearson Camp, Monday

    Dear Dad & Mam

    Just a line to let you know that I am all right hoping you are all the same. I have not received a letter from you yet how is that I have sent you my address? We are not having a bad time down here. We have a cooked dinner every day & a decent breakfast we had sausage on Saturday, bacon on Sunday & bread & butter & cheese Monday morning. The tea is a mixture of cocoa and coffee it is a toss up which it is. There was no church parade on Sunday & it did not seem like Sunday at all, but I went to a small Weslayan chapel with Dared Thomas on Sunday night. I am orderly for the day at our hut, this is I have got to get the food from the cookhouse & wash the dishes after the chaps have had it, everybody has to do it in their turn. I shall be very glad if you could send me some cakes and ask Maggie has she got any to give away she said she would send me some. There is a draft going from here to Cambridge to make up the division for the Dardanelles. West is going with them. I have no more to say now. Hope you are all right. Remember me to Jon and Mag, Mailys and Dyfan. Please write soon. I am, Your loving Son, Goronwy.

    Matthew Roberts




    228204

    Cpl. James Pope 3rd (Reserve) Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment

    <p>

    James Pope served with the Monmouthshire Regiment.

    Nigel




    228197

    Gunner Harry Cecil Ford 230th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.23th August 1917)

    In WW1, Harry Cecil Ford was a gunner, Army number 157389, with the 230th Siege Battery, 4th Army, Royal Garrison Artillery, having enlisted at Lewisham, Kent.

    He died on Thursday 23rd August 1917, and was buried at: Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Leper, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, Grave 11. C. 10/11

    Detail from War Diary WO 95/476 12 July 17 to 5 Sept 17:

    23.8.1917. Bty position at Zillebeke (Having come from rest Billets near Dickebusch on the 8.Aug). Time 2.40pm. A 5.9 Howitzer apparently registering on the Battery Command-Post House- the shell fell a little short. 3 men killed and 1 wounded. The other two men killed with 157389 Ford were 15697 Pigrem and 101954 Cottingham.

    Nick Ford




    228144

    Herbert George Paterson 8th Btn. East Surrey Rgt.

    My grandfather enlisted on 6th August 1914 and was with the 8th East Surrey Rgt on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Paul




    228142

    William Mummery 8th Btn. East Surrey Rgt. (d.30th September 1916)

    William was probably killed when the East Surrey Regt was attacking the Schwaben Redoubt.

    Steve Abbott




    228141

    Pte. Alfred Blower 8th Btn. East Surrey Rgt. (d.30th September 1916)

    I am trying to find information about the death of Private Alfred Blower who served with the 8th Btn East Surrey Rgt at the Somme and was killed on 30th September 1916, aged 42.

    Graham




    228139

    James Cleary

    My grandfather served in the Royal Navy during WWI. He took part in the Battle of Jutland. He was born in Dublin and died in the 1940s. Anyone know anything about him?

    Bob Torley




    228115

    Pte. George Fridlington 6th Btn. East Yorkshire

    George Fridlington was probably born on 16 September 1880 in Sculcoates, Hull. His parents were William James & Agnes Cordelia Fridlington. In 1881 he his living with his family and his Father a general labourer. By 1891 his father was a gas works labourer On the 28th of May 1896 George joined the East Yorkshire Militia (3rd Bttn. East Yorkshire Regiment) aged 17 years 6 months. At teh time he was employed as a labourer for a Mr Madden of Hull. He can sign his name He follwoing day a Medical was held at Beverley. He described as 5' 5" tall, weighs 8 stone and has blue eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion. During 1896 he took part in the annual militia training and then left to join the Royal Navy on August 19th 1896.

    George doesn't in fact join the Royal Navy until 16th of September 1897 when he signs up for 12 years. He has grown by an inch or so and now has grey eyes! He also has some tattoos now - 3 faint dots on his left forearm, a Maltese Cross on his right forearm and a sailor and flag on the back of his right hand.

    The Royal Navy quotes a different birth date of 16th September 1879. However his birth registration is Q4 1880, which ties in with census details, so 16th September 1880 is probably correct.

    He served on the following ships

    • HMS Caledonia - 18 August 1896 to 26 Oct 1897 -conduct very good.
    • HMS Pembroke I - 16 September 1897 to 18 January 1898 - conduct very good.
    • HMS Prince George - 19 January 1898 to 6 February 1899 - conduct good, but then spends 7 days in cells. 14 February 1899 to 26 June 1899 - conduct -fair.
    • HMS Pembroke I - 27 June 1899 to 5 September 1899 conduct good.
    • HMS Jupiter - 6 September 1899 to 9 November 1899 conduct fair.
    • HMS Majestic - 10 November to 17 November 1899 - no conduct rating, and he is back in the cells for 14 days. 2 December 1899 to 10 December 1899 no rating given.
    • HMS Jupiter - 11 December 1899 to 20 June 1900 no rating given. 21 June 1900 to 25 June 1900 now ranked as Able Bodied Seaman.
    • HMS Pembroke I - 26 June 1900 to 11 October 1900 - no rating given
    • HMS Colossus - 12 October 1900 to 4 November 1900 - no rating given
    • HMS Pembroke I - 5 November 1900 to 28 January 1901 - conduct good, then noted as Run. 3 December 1901 to 30 December 1901 conduct fair. 31 December 1901 to 21 January 1902 no rating given
    • HMS Grafton - 22 January 1902 to 11 May 1902 conduct very good, then noted as Run.
    • HMS Pembroke I - 12 July 1903 to 26 September 1903 conduct cant be deciphered, but record ends with Run again.
    On the 4th November 1903 he was discharged. In 1906 he marries Mary Ann Ryan. O the 2nd of April 1911 he is living at 5 Johns Place, York Street in Hull with his wife Mary Ann and children Emily and John. His younger brother, John, and a lodger are also living in the property, which consists of just three rooms.

    On the 14th of December 1914 George enlists in the 3rd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. He is now aged 34 years and two months, and is a coal trimmer. He has grown to a height of 5' 8". Now has two tattoos - hands and heart on his left wrist and a sailor on his right hand. His address is 7 Ash Grove, Dalton Street in Hull and the date of his marriage is given as 15th December 1906 and it took place at St Silas Church Sculcoates, Hull. He was two children are noted:- Emily Ryan, born on November 24th 1902. She is crossed out and a note has been added - illegitimate - she was born 4 years before the marriage. John Francis Fridlington was born on 25th of April 1907. On the 17th of December 1914 the vicar of St Silas Church certifies that Emily Agnes was the infant daughter of George Fridlington and Mary Ann Ryan, was baptised on 7th of December 1902, and their parents subsequently married, thus legitimising her. The Adjutant replies stating he must have actual birth certificate. Given the note mentioned above, it appears the original certificate was not forthcoming and thus a dependant allowance was not made for her.

    On the 28th of January 1915 George forfeits 6 days pay and was given 10 days detention due to absence from 23rd January 1915 to 24th January 1915 and from the 25th January 1915 to the 28th January 1915. On the 13th of February 1915 he deserted. But on the 30th of March 1915 he rejoined after being arrested and awaiting trial. On the 12th of April 1915 George was tried by the Divisional Courts Martial, and was convicted of desertion & deficiency of kit, and was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment (9 months remitted). All his former service is forfeited and entitlement towards pension now restarts from this date.

    On the 19th of August 1915 he returns to duty. He had presumably been released from prison before the end of his net 6-month sentence. But on the 17th of September 1915 he forfeits 6 days pay due to absence from this date to the 22nd of September. He is absent again and on the 6th of October 1915 he forfeits 8 days pay for a seven-day absence. Again on the 6th of November 1915 he forfeits 6 days pay for a three-day absence.

    On the 15th of November 1915 George is transferred to the 6th Battalion and moves with battalion to Gallipoli and then to France On the 30th of January 1917 he was posted to 3rd Battalion at Home Depot and on the 1st of March 1917 he was reported absent. On the 24th George was declared a deserter but on the 26th he returned and forfeited seven days pay for a six day absence. On the 18th of April 1917 he forfits thirteen days pay for a twelve-day absence and the following day was also awarded 14 days detention. On the 18th of June 1917 Georges was tried and sentenced to 56 days detention, forfeiting all ordinary pay for the same period, and also put under further stoppage of pay until he had made good the loss of equipment worth 3s 1d.

    On the 7th of July 1917 he was posted to the 6th Battalion. and on the 1st of November 1917 he transferred to the Labour Corps 753rd Area Employment Company the reason for transfer is given as benefit of service. On the 7th of July 1918 he is posted to 742nd Area Employment Company. On the 2nd of June 1919 he re-enlists for a further period in the Labour Corps for a short service until 30th of April 1920. On the 2nd of July 1919 he was posted to the Base Depot of the BEF as part of the 723rd Labour Coy., and then proceeds overseas as part of the Graves Exhumation team. On the 21st of October 1919 he was deprived of one days pay but no reason is stated on his records. On the 7th of November 1919 George embarks on the SS Princess Henrietta for transport to the UK as unfit . He is discharged on the 11th of November 1919. His conduct is quoted as indifferent. He gives an address of 6 Eleanors Terrace, Oxford Street in Hull. He also has rheumatism due to active service but it is not thought to be permanent. But on the 23rd of November 1919 he is granted a pension of 6s 10d per week for 72 weeks due to rheumatism (not attributable to military service). He has a 15% degree of disablement.

    George had served in the Mediterranean theatre from November 15th 1915 to July 2nd 1916 and then in France to January 29th 1917. After a spell back in the UK, he was in France again from July 7th 1917 to December 16th 1918 before returning to the UK through to June 1st 1916. He qualified for the 1915 Star as well as the usual British War & Victory medals.

    Unusually, transcripts of his trial are in his service record. It seems he was caught by a policeman whilst working in civilian clothes at Messrs Storey and Wittys Wharf at Wincolmlee. A corporal was sent to escort him back to the barracks and both of them and the receiving officer gave evidence. George opted to have no defence lawyer and asked the witnesses no questions , an air of inevitability, perhaps?

    Whilst on active service, he received treatment in the field (from a Field Ambulance) for piles, but a few days later he was admitted to the 11th Casualty Clearing Station at Le Treport in France suffering from haemorrhoids, which led to treatment at a military hospital in the UK.

    In October 1918 he was admitted to a medical post suffering from scabies George died in Hull in late 1940, just over a year after his wife.

    David Ingleby




    228096

    L/Cpl. George Frederick Hatty 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy (d.12th October 1917)

    I know next to nothing about George. He is on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel 31. He and three other soldiers were killed by a shell landing on them.

    Steve Berry




    228095

    John Hampton Stewart 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company. (d.14/7/1961)

    John Hampton Stewart was attached to the 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company from 12/3/1917 to 14/5/1917. He then returned to the NZ forces 2nd Field Company NZ Engineers.

    Tony Beard




    228093

    Sgt. Esli Jonathan Curd MM. 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Esli Curd was my great grandfather, we have the original citation and medals. He served with 122nd Trench Mortar Battery and 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Debbie Christie




    228034

    Dvr. William John Davies 148 Brigade, C Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>William and Mary

    William Davies was seriously injured on the morning of 25th March 1918 near Roye during the German Spring Offensive having served with 148 Brigade RFA since March 1915. He was first treated at 96th Field Ambulance and later the same day at 50 Casualty Clearing Station. It was here that he lost his left arm and left leg. Having been treated at No. 9 Hospital in France he arrived at the 3rd Western General in Cardiff on the 1st April 1918. He was later treated at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool where he lived.

    By 1919 he was employed selling newspapers outside the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool and continued for 17 years. He fathered a further 4 children giving a total of 10 all together. He had a house boat moored near Hilbre Island, West Kirby which he used to visit as often as he could and was a very keen gardener. He died in December 1949. A truly remarkable man.

    Gordon Davies




    228017

    Pte. Charles Henry Smith 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Henry Smith joined the Grenadier Guards at the age of 15, lying about his age. Apparently this was with the permission of his father. Harry as he was known was killed aged 16, weeks after the Battle of Loos. His name is on the Loos Memorial at Dud Cemetery and the Memorial in Ashby De La Zouch. The actual cause of his death is a bit of a mystery as according to the regimental diary his unit was behind the lines at the time of his death - but sporadic sniper fire was reported. He was a stretcher bearer at this time so could go some way to explaining what happened.

    Nicola Smith




    228015

    Pte. Alexander Morrison 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.4th June 1915)

    <p>

    My Dad, George Wm Morrison over the years has often spoken of an uncle he never met as this uncle, affectionately known as Sandy, went off to war and died in action as a young man about 9 years prior to Dad's birth. With age Dad speaks of all his uncles and recollects those he had fond memories as a child, teen or as a grown man. Sandy still gets honourable mention by my Dad who is 91 years of age. I have a photo of a young Gordon Highlander soldier but were unsure who he wass ...one of two possible relatives. Today I searched the Internet for uniform info and service records. So happy to find my Great Uncle Alexander Morrison. May he rest in peace knowing I admire the photo and his courage.

    June Morrison




    228014

    Pte. James Brown 1st Battalion North Staffordshire

    Private James Brown, 1 North Staffordshire Regiment and His Dog Prince Who Found His Way to the Front.

    In 1913, while serving with the 1st North Staffordshire Regiment, in Buttervant, Co. Cork, Private James Brown, did what many of us have done in the past. He fell in love with a puppy, which he called Prince (after the regimental name Prince of Wales's); and the Irish Terrier puppy became devoted to him. A devotion that would literally know no bounds. Even during these early days, 'Prince' was well known within the Regiment, in 1923 an article about "their old pal" appeared in the Regimental Journal.

    "...There are still one or two of us left who remember his [Prince] travels during the time the battalion was stationed at Buttervant in Ireland. We remember well how he would run alongside the column on the march; first across one side of the road into the corn, and then across to the other to explore the furrows of a ploughed field. We still remember how fresh he would arrive at the end of the march, although he must have traveled four times the distance, whilst our shoulders ached and our feet felt heavy. We didn't realize, at that time, that his fondness for the sight of khaki clad figures would make him famous..." [F.B.T. The China Dragon (North Staffordshire Regimental magazine)Vol XV Xmas 1923 No 5 Page 163.]

    The Story of ‘Prince’ finding his master in the trenches, first appeared, under the headline, "Dog Goes To Front To Seek His Master", on the 27th November 1914, in the ‘Evening Telegraph and Post’, only two months after ‘Prince’ had disappeared from London.

    The Evening Telegraph And Post Friday, November 27,1914

    "The Story of a dramatic meeting at the front between a Hammersmith soldier and his dog is told in a letter received by Mrs Brown. Of 1 Airedale Cottages, Hammersmith from her husband, a private of the 1st Northamptonshire Regiment.

    Private Brown went with his Regiment to the Continent in August, and on September 27 Mrs Brown missed the dog – a shaggy haired Irish Terrier named Prince - from her home at Hammersmith, and on the following day reported her loss at Hammersmith Police Station. She heard nothing more of the animal until yesterday morning, when she received a letter from her husband, in which occurs the following passage:-

    “I am sorry you have not found Prince, and you are never likely to while he is over here with me. It is a very strange thing I should have got him. A man brought him to me from the front trenches. I could not believe my eyes until I got off my horse, and he made a big fuss of me. I believe he came across with some other troops. Just fancy him coming here and finding me. He is quite settled down with me, and I have made him a coat out of some of our old great- coats, which will keep him warm. He is the pet of the Regiment.”

    Note: The Regiment in the report should have read 1st North Staffordshire Regiment, but the paper miss reported it.

    By Saturday 28th November 1914, the story of ‘Prince’ miraculous journey appeared in local newspapers right across the country, from The Cornishman in the South, to The Newcastle Journal in the North, eventually also getting picked up by the Nationals. Several of the papers added extra information (as well as correctly identifying James’ regiment). In the report, "A Dog’s Devotion", in the Newcastle Journal, a further extract from James' letter appeared, which helps explain how the story made the papers so quickly.

    “… I believe Colonel De Falbe is going to report the circumstances to the papers; in fact, they may already have it as the dog has been with me five days,”....

    [Pte Browns letter in THE NEWCASTLE JOURNAL, Saturday, November 28, 1914 p.6]

    All of the media coverage, brought the story to the attention of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), who thoroughly investigated Prince's miraculous appearance in Flanders and were able to establish its authenticity beyond doubt. But how did 'Prince' manage to travel almost 200 miles from Hammersmith to Armentieres, in France, on his own? The men of the 1st North Staffordshire's had an answer.

    "At first we looked upon his [Prince's] arrival in the battalion in Flanders as something approaching impossible... ...The problem was eventually solved.

    The Queen's Westminsters had marched through Hammersmith on the way to the station for entraining for a port of embarkation during the month of November, and all the old memories of the times in Ireland must have come flooding back to 'Prince', for it was then that he said to himself "I will go on this march." The march, however, was a short one, and the ride long, for he stuck to his newly-found khaki clad acquaintances until there arrival at Erquinghem not far from the scene of operations and well within the sound of the guns. Here the unexpected happened for on that day Prince's old master, also passing through and seeing a dog that looked very much like his own, called to him and was quickly assured that it was none other than the old friend of the Battalion."

    [F.B.T. The China Dragon Vol XV Xmas 1923 No 5 Page 163.]

    News of Prince’s arrival at Armentieres spread through the regiment like wildfire, the next morning Private Brown had orders to parade with his pet before the Commanding Officer for examination and verification of the story. The regiment adopted Prince as mascot and he stayed in France, with Private Brown where he soon settled down as an old campaigner. He was provided with a British Warm made from an old khaki tunic and he used to wear his master's identification disc and soon settled down to life in the front line. James wrote, “Whenever a heavy shell came over, he never failed to take cover” [Evening Telegraph and Post, p.7 October 29th 1919].

    Later, as they were awarded, he wore his master's medals too; the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal, and the British War Medal.

    James and ‘Prince’ remained together in Flanders throughout the four years of fighting, until the Armistice in November 1918, both surviving some of the most infamous battles, Passchendaele, Vimy Ridge, Messines, Cambrai, as well as their frequent travels through the aptly named “Hellfire Corner”.

    Prince was repatriated to Britain in 1919​​​, and quarantined in Shoreham, which was paid for by public donations, then returned to Mr and Mrs Brown. However, the four years at the front seemed to have taken their toll on him and on July 21st 1921 aged only 8 years old, Prince sadly died. Prince’s finale appearance in the news seems to be 30th September 1921 in The Mercury, which ran a story about the presentation of a portrait of Prince, painted by Mrs Georgina Shaw Baker, to the Browns. The drawing “Prince, an Irish Terrier, Mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment in the Trenches in France” is now held by the Council of the National Army Museum, London.

    James Brown was a driver at HQ

    Andy Rowlands




    228013

    Pte. James William Smith 8th/10th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.28th March 1918)

    According to information passed down to me, James was wounded during the German advance. He had to be left by his unit in a trench that was captured by the Germans. When they recaptured the trench James was missing, his body was never found.

    He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    James Barker




    227963

    Pte. Roy Walter Mennell 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.2nd Nov 1916)

    <p>

    The 10th West Yorks captured the Zenith Trench at Le Transloy Village on 1st November. My great uncle, Roy Mennell was killed the following day probably as a result of rifle, machine gun or artillery fire during daily routine as there were no recorded planned attacks on that day.

    I am taking my daughter to the Thiepval Memorial this year to remember Roy Mennell on the 100th anniversary of his death.

    Jan Stead




    227958

    Sgt.Mjr. John Edward March 22nd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    John March joined the Royal Army Medical Corps on 30th of Nov 1901 aged 19. He had previously served in the 1st Volunteer Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia). Prior to WW1 he served abroad in South Africa and in Aldershot.

    He progressed through the ranks and was promoted to Staff Sergeant (Sgt) on 10th Aug 1914 and joined the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in Belgium on 16th Aug 1914. The following year on 5th Jun 1915 he was promoted to 2nd Quartermaster Sgt (2QMS). On 16th Sep 1915 he joined No 22nd Field Ambulance, 7th Division in the Field . On 15th Oct 1916 he joined No 7 General Hospital in St Omer and then Boulogne and remained until 24th Mar 1919. On the 31st Dec 1916 he was appointed Acting Sgt Major for the duration of the War and on the 1st Jun 1918 he was promoted to Temporary Warrant Office (WO) Class I & appointed Temporary Sgt Major. On 20th Jun 1918 he was substantively promoted to WO Class II.

    John Edward March was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, which was promulgated in the London Gazette on 17th Jun 1918. On 12th May 1919 he returned to Depot RAMC Aldershot and on 1st Oct 1921 was promoted to substantive WO Class I and appointed Sgt Major. He was posted to the Mustapha Reception Station in Alexandria, Egypt and his family went with him. They returned to England on the 8th Apr 1927. He was discharged on 24th Sep 1927 after 26 Years Service.





    227957

    L/Cpl. John Hughes "Jock" Hughes 1/4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>

    My grandfather, Jock Hughes had a spirit of adventure. Before the Great War he had run away from home to work on steamer ships. As each ship was requisitioned by the Royal Navy, he was out of a job and enlisted on 1st September 1914 in the Seaforth Highlanders. He lived in Paisley, Scotland.

    Unfortunately, I do not know a lot about his war service and am unable to find any records. I do know that he fought in the Battle of Loos. I also know that he was injured twice. Perhaps this saved his life as he survived the war.

    He was injured the second time on 3rd August 1917 and was admitted to the No 3 Canadian General Hospital. He suffered burns from a gas shell. His throat and chest were damaged and he had burns to his arms and hands. He was rehabilitated but did not recover to return to active service a third time.

    As the Seaforth Highlanders were involved in many fields of conflict it would be really interesting to know where my grandfather fought.

    Vicki




    227956

    Angus O'Henley HMS Duchess of Hamilton (d.19th Sep 1915)

    My great uncle Angus O'Henley was lost aboard HMS Duchess of Hamilton on 19th of September 1915

    Maria Cole




    227955

    Pte. Daniel McConnell 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    <p>

    Daniel McConnell enlisted in the 12th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry at Hamilton on the 2nd of September 1914. He landed at Boulogne after training on 10th of July 1915. Unfortunately, on 28th of July 1915, only 18 days later Daniel lost a leg and his war was over. He was 21 years of age. Unfortunately, Daniel like so many of his brothers in arms, found it challenging to talk about the war and therefore no stories have been passed down through the generations to tell.

    Karon Brown




    227952

    Pte. Anthony Quinn 276 Brigade, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandad enlisted in August 1915. He arrived at Bolougne on the 4th of April 1916. He was part of D Battery 3rd West Lancashire Brigade, RFA. This merged into C Battery 278 Brigade on 24th of May 1916. Then A battery on 6th of October 1916. My grandad was posted to C/276th Brigade on 13th of February 1917.

    He was wounded in action on 25th of June 1917. It looks like he was in the battles of Messines, but need some further evidence of this. He got transferred back to the UK on the 16th of July 1917 for treatment for a gunshot wound to the chest. His medical records show he got shot in the back with an exit wound through his chest. He was disembodied from the Army in 1919. He also served with 78th Coy. Labour Corps.

    Martin Quinn




    227947

    Pte. Albert Fulwell VC 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.2nd July 1916 )

    This is my Great Great Uncle Albert Fulwell, our family war hero, from Aston, Birmingham. He was called to serve with the South Staffordshire Regiment, 8th Battalion and was sadly killed in action on the second day of the Battle of the Somme, July 2 1916

    He was posthumously awarded the Victoria cross a few years later RIP

    Tina Bristow




    227944

    2nd Lt. John Wright 18th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    We have no details of my Grandad, John Wright during his service. His son John Denholm Wright was born 9 months prior to John being killed on 26th March, it is unknown if he ever met his son.

    Gill Wright




    227909

    Pte. Frank Harold Matthews 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Frank Matthews, never spoke of his experience in the Great War. The only time he mentioned something was at his 50th wedding anniversary when a chance discussion uncovered that a party guest was related to one of his trench mates who died in his arms.

    Granddad enlisted in 1910 at Woolwich Barracks. He was in the 2nd Battalion and after training went to India. He returned to the UK with the Battalion and on 7th November 1914 arrived in France.

    My story gets vague from here. His medal roll shows he was with the 2nd Battalion for only a short time, and then with the 1st Battalion for the rest of the war. We all know he was injured 4 times, once he took a bullet and three times hit by shrapnel. We assume he was badly injured early on while with 2nd Battalion and was returned to the UK. When fit again he was sent back to France to reinforce 1st Battalion as in June 1015 the Times newspaper lists him in casualties with the 1st Battalion. All he would ever say is "I was at the Somme"

    Steve Matthews




    227908

    Pte. Andrew Philip Wood 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.28th June 1915)

    No photo's or stories. I found him while doing my family tree and I will remember him.

    Collette




    227883

    Sgt. James Hodge 6th Battalion Cameronians (d.2nd May 1916)

    <p>

    James Hodge was born in Whiteinch, Glasgow on April 29th 1886. He was the son of John Hodge and Annabella Hodge (nee McKenzie). James was a Sergeant in the 6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). He was killed in action in France on 2nd May 1916. (aged 30). He is buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension in France.

    His younger brother John who served in the 9th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) went missing in action in Flanders in 1918 (aged 27) They were my Grandmother's brothers.

    John A. Kelly




    227852

    L/Cpl. Terence McSherry 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.30th July 1916)

    L/Cpl Terence McSherry was my great uncle. My father was named after him although he never met him. Terence died during the attack on Guillemont on 30th July 1916 when the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers were all but obliterated.

    I am still trying to find a photograph of him.

    I will be visiting Theipval & Guillemont in July 2016 to mark the 100th anniversary of his death.

    Terence's older brother James 7th (Leith) Battalion, The Royal Scots was killed in the Quintinshill Rail Disaster, near Gretna on 22nd May 1915 whilst enroute to fight in Gallipoli.

    Both brothers were lost at the young age of 24.

    Carol Nowell




    227848

    Cpl. Joseph Lamb 22nd Btn. B Coy. 8Plt. Manchester Regiment

    Joseph Lamb was a stoker at Stuart St power station immediately prior to WW1 though he had previously worked in a cotton mill.

    On the 1st of September 1914 he attested with the 12th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps as a private No 531, but this was short lived as he was discharged 1 month later under Kings Regulation 392, 111 (unlikely to become an efficient soldier).

    Evidently, not put off by this hitch, he then joined the 22nd Manchester Regiment, "B" Company, VII Platoon as a Private on the th of January 1915. His initial training took place at Stretford Rd Barracks, Hulme, Manchester. During this period the 22nd Manchester's had no billets, uniforms or weaponry and in fact returned home at the end of each day's training. The Battalion then moved to Morecambe followed by Grantham and then Larkhill Camp, Salisbury Plain.

    They were then sent to France via Folkestone to Boulogne. Due to appalling weather they were billeted overnight until the sea calmed down though the sailing could not be described as calm. The battn then continued advanced training before tasting their first "active service" in trenches facing Thiepval (at that point a heavily defended German stronghold) under the watchful eye of the 1st Bttn Hampshire Regt.

    The 22nds remained in France and were billeted at Fricourt the night before the opening of The Battle of the Somme. On the opening of the battle they held trenches midway between Fricourt and Mametz and went over the top in an attempt to capture/liberate the German held village of Mametz. The objective was achieved and proved to be one of the few successes of the day which saw 60,000 allied casualties.

    The 22nds lost officers killed May, Bland, Mellor, Gomersall, Peak, Brunt, Swan, Nansen, Price and Gill. Officers Wounded: Lloyd, Worthington Prince, Cotton, Wood, >Workhouse and Riley wounded. 120 other ranks were killed and 241 others were wounded or missing.

    In late September Joseph Lamb was listed as wounded on The Times daily casualty lists though I can find no detail of the nature of the wound. They remained in the Somme region and took part in the Battle of Bullecourt in May 1917. This battle proved to be another fiasco largely due to the failure of British tanks to reach, let alone disrupt the enemy front line.

    My other grandfather was captured during this battle.

    The Battalion moved to Belgium in September 1917 to take part in the 3rd battle of Ypres (Paschaendale). On the 2nd of October 1917 Joe Lamb was in dugouts in a railway embankment west of Zillebeke Lake. On the night of the 3rd the Battlion marched up to Polygon Wood in preparation for the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge. The Manchester's attacked Broodseinde Ridge early on the 4th and he was hit by a shell and lay injured in a shell hole. A German soldier was in the same shell hole and managed to dress Joe's badly wounded leg. Upon the arrival of other British troops Joe Lamb managed to talk them out of shooting the German soldier who was subsequently taken as a POW.

    Joe Lamb was evacuated to Britain and spent some time at Colchester Military Hospital though by this time he had lost a leg 2 inches above the knee. He received further treatment at the 2nd Western Military Hospital on Whitworth St, Manchester. It was here on 1st of July 1918 that his artificial leg was "successfully fitted".

    He later returned to work for the Electricity Dept as a storeman. He was never a well man after the war and died aged 47 in 1943. His brother in law (another Manchester Pal) died in the same hospital on the same day with neither widow (sisters) realising the other was there. During his recuperation Joe took offence to a grocery boy's taunts aimed at the injured soldiers. When the boy entered the hospital Joe, regardless of his missing leg stole and hid the boys delivery bike. Try explaining that to your boss!





    227846

    Pte. Mortimer Hugh Harvey 1st Battalion Royal East Surrey

    Mortimer Harvey is believed to have been the son of the mayor of Kingston on Thames, which was the home of the East Surrey Regiment. He enrolled on April 9th leaving his five young children at home with his wife Florence Elebeck nee Lee.

    Mortimer lost a portion of his stomach following a poison gas attack at Ypres, and was discharged on July 7th, 1917. His family was surprised and Mortimer was overjoyed when his wife gave birth to Phyllis, his sixth child, born on May 2nd, 1920. He lived to enjoy his grandchildren and die of old age unlike many of his fellow soldiers.

    Noel Thompson




    227845

    Pte. Robert "Bobby" Taylor MID. 10th Btn. Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Robert Taylor joined in 1915 and spent the war in France and Belgium. He was at the Somme and Ypres and was wounded in the arm and taken Prisoner on 22nd March 1918 at St Quentin. He was imprissoned in Friedrichsfeld until the end of the war. Returning home after being discharged on 17th March 1919.

    Alan Bratton




    227842

    Pte. Norman Smith 1/7th Btn. West Yorkshire (d.26th May 1915 )

    Norman Smith is the son of my great great aunt, Mary Elizabeth Crabtree, her husband was Lawrence Arthur Smith. He was born in Batley. Mary was born in Warwickshire. They had Lucy and Norman.

    I am desperate to find a photograph of Norman Smith. It is important that this young man and all those who fought are never forgotten by us.

    Nadine Crabtree




    227825

    Pte. Arthur Reginald Jones 10th Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.8th October 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Jones served with the 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers

    Ken Golding




    227822

    Private John Hughes 2nd Battalion 4th Durham Light Infantry (d.19 November 1914)

    Private John Hughes fought in the Boer War and then went to France with the British Expeditionary Force during the early days of the First World War. He was killed in action (place unknown) on 19 November 1914, leaving a wife and six children.

    Linda Palfreeman




    227802

    L/Cpl George William Spencer 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    My Great Grandfather, Henry Gregory, served with the 13th Middlesex during WW1. He was one of the first to join the new Kitchener's Army along with his brothers. He was sent to France in 1915 and straight into the battle of Loos.

    He was eventually severely wounded by a gunshot to the head during the battle for Guillemont on August 18th 1916. From my grandfather I was told he was totally blind and his head covered in bandages. He sadly succumbed to his wounds on 1st November 1916 by cause of meningitis which at the time was common for head injuries.

    He is commemorated in Hammersmith Old Cemetery.I am lucky to have his medals. Which were sold by a family member in the 1980s an I managed to track them down 23 yrs later and are now back with my Grandfather's WW2 medals and my own medals from recent times.

    I would love to hear from anyone who has info or pictures regarding the 13th Middlesex Regiment

    Darren Mallalieu




    227801

    L/Cpl Henry Gregory 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.1st Nov 1916)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, Henry Gregory, served with the 13th Middlesex during WW1. He was one of the first to join the new Kitchener's Army along with his brothers. He was sent to France in 1915 and straight into the battle of Loos.

    He was eventually severely wounded by a gunshot to the head during the battle for Guillemont on August 18th 1916. From my grandfather I was told he was totally blind and his head covered in bandages. He sadly succumbed to his wounds on 1st November 1916 by cause of meningitis which at the time was common for head injuries.

    He is commemorated in Hammersmith Old Cemetery.I am lucky to have his medals. Which were sold by a family member in the 1980s an I managed to track them down 23 yrs later and are now back with my Grandfather's WW2 medals and my own medals from recent times.

    I would love to hear from anyone who has info or pictures regarding the 13th Middlesex Regiment

    Darren Mallalieu




    227794

    Pte. Joseph Metcalfe 5th Btn. West Yorks (d.3rd May 1917)

    My grandfather, Joseph, worked in a foundry in York and he was a keen fisherman. He was married to Margaret and had five children. The middle one was Violet while the other four were boys, in descending order of age, William, Joseph, Frederick and, my father, Edward who was born on the 8th December, 1913.

    It is reputed that when Joseph found that his city was being bombed by Zepperlins he volunteered for the West Yorks. He trained in the UK but I do not know where, except that Grandma is reckoned to have taken his children to wave goodbye to him as his train passed through York. It might, therefore, have been Colsterdale where he undertook initial training but there is also rumour that he completed training on Salisbury Plain.

    I don't know when or where he landed in France as the War Office tell me that records pertaining to him were lost due to bomb damage in WWII. He died on the disastrous advance from Arras on 3rd May 1917. He was one of the many 'missing believed lost' and a report, unsubstantiated, states that during the advance he took a direct hit from a shell to the head. His daughter Violet told of the many visits her mother made to the docks when she heard that repatriated troops were being landed at the docks in Hull.

    She later remarried and had another family and sadly some of Joseph's personal things 'went missing'. The saddest loss of all is the bronze 'Widow's Penny' which 'disappeared' in York following the divorce of his second son who was the 'keeper' of it. My father passed on to me Joseph's medals and watch, while my cousin, Frederick's eldest gave me a late framed photo of Joseph taken before the war and we have one of him in uniform.

    wrote an article in the York Press requesting readers to search to see if they acquired his bronze Widow's Penny but to no avail. I would dearly like to have it back in the family's possession. I have visited the Arras memorial where he is listed among the dead.

    Leon Metcalfe




    227790

    gunner Herber Henry "Bert" York 181 Battery RGA

    H H York enlisted in 1915 as H H York, but birth certificate states W H York, with his brother C York in the RGA 181 Heavy Battery. He served in Salonika and Palestine.

    Ivon York




    227789

    Cpl Joseph Richard Levett 1/5th Royal Sussex Regiment

    this was my great uncle. He died of wounds after the war. He played football for Hailsham Town and was wounded twice in action. He wrote a letter from the front thanking the town for sending cigarettes to the "Hailsham boys". I did have a newspaper article on A Company (Hailsham) 1/5th Battalion taken at Dover Castle before they went out to France. Joe is in this photo.... I would love to see a copy of the original

    Greg Chuter




    227787

    Pte Sidney Ralph Jacob 2nd/4th Btn Royal Berkshire Regment (d.7th Dec 1917)

    Sidney was the second son of Frederick Jacob to die in 1917. In August that year his elder brother also Frederick had died. From what I have ascertained, Sidney died of wounds suffered in the battle of Passchendaele. He was 23 years old





    227786

    Sapper Alfred Ernest Beal Royal Engineers (d.27th June 1916)

    Alfred is my 1st Cousin twice removed.

    Mike Edwards




    227785

    Pte William Harper White A sub section Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    My Grandfather, William Harper White, served during the 14-18 war mostly in France. He is sitting at far right hand side of the 2nd back row. He was the lead gunner (rode the first horse carrying the cannon). He saw action at the battle of the Somme. He also suffered a mustard gas attack which eventually led to his early death at only age 59.

    William Harper White (Gunner) Abt 1914

    John White




    227783

    Pte. Arthur Brown West Yorkshire Regiment

    Arthur Brown served with the West Yorkshire Regiment, I have Arthur Brown's medal. His two brothers Thomas Brown and J C Brown also enlisted with West Yorkshire Regiment at same time 1914, a picture of the three of them together has a notation they are all brothers. It appears only Arthur survived. So I do not know what battalion he served with, but he received his two medals for serving in the war. I am not a relative but believe he should be recognized.

    Sharon D Jackman




    227782

    Gnr. Stanley Mostyn Mathias 48th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.25th December 1914)

    Stanley Mathias volunteered for the Army in August 1914. After his initial training as a gunner he joined the 48th Heavy Battery in France. In December 1915 he was stationed at Mont St Eloi, Le Basset.

    His team mates were:

    • Bert Dolly and
    • Joseph Anderson.

    At Mont St Eloi most of the movement and maintenance of equipment and guns took place at night owing to the accuracy of sniper activity during the daylight hours. On Christmas Day 1915 Stan and Joseph went to a barn to catch up on their sleep; later in the morning a German bombardment began and Bert Dolly left the cellar he was sheltering in and ran to the barn to waken his mates. He arrived at the same time as a shell that hit the barn and all three men were mortally wounded. They were taken to Louvencourt Field Hospital where Stan and Bert died Christmas Day and Joseph died 2days later.

    All three are buried in Louvencourt Cemetary: Grave24:Herbert Dolly; Grave 25: Stanley Mathias; Grave 26: Joseph Anderson.

    They served together in life and lie together in death.

    Audrie Mills




    227778

    Pte. Walter Beardshall Beckett A Company 28th Division

    This is my great uncle. I do not know much about him or what happened in his life.

    After the War he did emmigrate to Western Australia in 1923 to Northcliffe. It was a group settlement scheme that was attractive to ex- soldeirs to start a new life.

    Linda Chapman




    227777

    Bdr. Stanley Gibbs MM. 64th Brigade, D Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.5th Aug 1917)

    Stabley Gibbs was the son of William and Eva Gibbs of 3 Ramsgate St., Dalston Lane, Hackney, London.

    Justine Gibbs




    227776

    Pte. Eli James Heald 2nd/6th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    Eli Heald enlisted in August, 1916, and served in France. Whilst in training he was a prize winner in shooting competitions, and was more than once offered promotion, but he preferred to remain a private. At the time of joining the Army he was a schoolmaster at Dulcie Avenue Junior Boys' School, having served his time at Trinity Wesleyan Market Street School. and attended Trinity Weslyan Church.

    He was listed in CWGC as "Heal" but this has since been corrected. The NMB data lists him with his number and also gives his date of death as 31/3/18. He was born and lived in Chorley. He Enlisted in Manchester. The Register of Soldiers' Effects notes "Death Presumed" 21-31/3/1918. It names his widow as Mabel A.

    The Chorley Guardian article of 26/10/1918 adds his age and occupation, with his address as Manchester, having been born in Chorley.

    The 1911 Census has him at 158 Heald Place, Rusholme, Manchester: Eli James Heald (25, Head, Certified Assisstant Teacher, Manchester Corporation, Born in Chorley), Mabel Alice Heald (25, Wife, Married 2 years with one child, still living, born in Nelson), Donald Heald (1, Son, Born in Manchester).

    Eli James Heald had married Mabel Alice Sellers at Trinity Methodist Church, Chorley in 1908 .

    The 1901 Census has him at 14 Colliery Street, Chorley: Ellen Heald (56, Head, Widow, Born in Chorley), Maggie Heald (26, Born in Chorley), Andrew Heald (22, Son, Letterpress Printer, Born in Chorley), David H Heald (20, Son, Joiner's Apprentice, Carpenter, Born in Chorley), Thomas Heald (18, Son, Joiner's Apprentice, Carpenter, Born in Chorley), Eli J Heald (15, Son, Pupil Teacher, Day School, Born in Chorley).

    The 1891 Census has him at 14 Colliery Street, Chorley: Andrew Heald (47, Head, Joiner and Builder, Born in Chorley) Ellen Heald (46, Wife, Born in Chorley), Elizabeth Heald (24, Daughter, Cotton Weaver, Born in Chorley), William Heald (21, Son, Joiner, Born in Chorley), Alexander Heald (19, Son, Painter's Apprentice, Born in Chorley), Margaret Heald (16, Son, Tailor's Assistant, Born in Chorley), Richard Heald (14, Son, Born in Chorley), Andrew Heald (12, Son, Chemist's Assistant, Born in Chorley), David H Heald (10, Son, Scholar, Born in Chorley), Thomas Heald (8, Son, Scholar, Born in Chorley), Eli J Heald (5, Son, Scholar, Born in Chorley).

    Eli James Heald was Baptised on 12/6/1885 at St George's Church, Chorley [England, Select Births and Christenings, FLH Film Number 1526077 p 243 n 1938]. His mother's maiden name was Taylor]. His parents, Andrew Heald and Ellen Heald were living at 14 Colliery Street. His father's occupation was given as being a Joiner

    Andrew Heald and Andrew Taylor were married at St George's Church, Chorley, in 1865 . The marriage took place on 16/9/1865: Andrew Heald (21, Joiner, Bachelor of St George's Parish, son of William Heald, Grocer) and Ellen Taylor (21, Warper, Spinster of St George's Parish, daughter of Richard Taylor, Postman). The witnesses were William Leigh and Margaret Heald.

    A. Cree




    227769

    Pte. Cornelius Kidger 10th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Cornelius died on the first day of the Somme. He is my wife's great uncle. I believe his memory will be honoured on the 100th anniversary of the Somme in Morley next year.

    Peter Franklin




    227768

    Pte. James H. Sanderson 7th Btn. Queens Royal West Surrey Regt. (d.1st July 1916)

    Pte. James H. Sanderson enlisted on 03.09.14, he was posted to the 7th Btn. "The Queens" Royal West Surrey Regt.

    James was killed on the 1st July 1916 during the opening attacks of the Somme offensive.

    He is buried in Danzig Alley CWWGC and commemorated on the parish War Memorial outside St Bartholomew the Great Church in Smithfield.

    William Hounsome




    227758

    Pte. James Black 6th Btn Cameron Highlanders (d.24th April 1917)

    James Black was working at the London Home of the Marquis of Ripon at the time of his enlistment.

    He is remembered on a Memorial in St Mary's Church Studley Royal, Ripon, the main home of the Marquis of Ripon.

    Trevor Kitchen




    227755

    Sgt. Daniel Joseph O'Mahony 1/Gr. Bn. R. Ir. Rifs. G/1085 Sgt.

    Researching my family tree and discovered this info about my Great Great Grandfather Joseph O'Mahon(e)y. Irish Rifles/Connaught Rangers - 1. Queens South Africa Medal - Bore War First Campaign. 2. Kings South Africa Medal - Bore War Second campaign. - Connaught Rangers - Reenlisted on 05 Sept 1914 to 13 Jan 1916 and was appointed Sargent and was posted to India in 1916 as part of the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. Was awarded the British War Medal in 1919.

    I am confused as to the connection between the Connaught Rangers and the Royal Irish Rifles. I cannot find any info on his time in India?? In South Africa he earned clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Tugela Heights and Relief of Ladysmith.

    believe he contacted malaria in India and subsequently earned a honorable discharge. I have paperwork and documents to back up all the above. I would love any photos or copies of any documents that you may have on Joseph or his battalion.

    John Joseph O'Mahony




    227754

    Pte. Frederick William Pozzi 16th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.3rd September 1916)

    I am distantly related to Frederick Pozzi, my 4 x gt grandfather Louis Pozzi born Rome 1760'ish, Papal Guard, married an English woman Elizabeth Ann Howell for the second time, in the British Embassy Chapel Paris in 1821. He came to London and had children Louis, William, Charles, Joseph, Ann, Agatha. There is a memorial to Frederick Pozzi in Ancre Cemetery and one erected by family in Edmonton Cemetery, London. He had a brother Albert Pozzi, rifleman P/1257 who died on the same date and is listed on the Thiepval memorial. There are attestations etc online giving details of family and addresses from TNA.

    Mandy Smith




    227749

    Pte. Reuben Lester 2/18th London Irish Battalion London Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1916)

    My father's name was Charles Reuben Lester and after his death I tried to find details of his 2nd World War service. I always wondered why he was given the name Reuben. After much research I discovered that he was named after my Grandfather's brother Reuben Lester who was killed with the 2nd Battalion London Irish Rifles, at a place called Maeton, France on the 22nd August 1916.

    The family all came from the World's End, Chelsea and he enlisted at the local recruiting office which was the Duke of York's Barracks, in the Kings Road, Chelsea. They landed at Le Havre, France on 23rd. June 1916. I found it very sad that none of my family knew of this man, no photographs, in fact nothing that even suggested that he even existed. I have since found his grave at the Ecoivres Military Cemetery.

    How many other families have forgotten heroes?

    David Lester




    227744

    Sgt. Claude Bradshaw MM 2/5th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    My grandfather never talked of his war-time experiences. We know that he had been subjected to mustard gas attacks. He never told us of the events leading to his being awarded the Military Medal (but citations are not hard to find. He was finally discharged on 9th January 1918 as unfit for further Army duties.

    We are every proud of him - his service, courage, bravery and the ongoing battles he may have fought personally afterwards.

    Michael Bradshaw




    227742

    Segt. Andrew Clark MM. 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    Andrew Clark was a career soldier who joined the regular 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders in 1907, and served in India and then on the Western Front.

    He arrived in France, direct from India, with the rest of his battalion and other regiments belonging to the Dehra Dunn Brigade of the 7th Meerut Division in October 1914. He was wounded some time in 1914/1915, and sent home to recuperate. He ended up at the depot in Cromarty. There he met and married Helen Gairn Finlayson.

    In May 1917 he was again sent to France, but this time to join the 8th Btn. which was one of Kitchener's new battalions. (His original Regiment, the 1st Seaforth had been sent to Mesopotamia in December 1915.) In July 1917, he was involved in a raid on German trenches as a result of which he was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field. However, on July 31st, which was the first day of 3rd Ypres, he was wounded by machine gun fire and lay in a shell hole for three days before being recovered. As a result, gas gangrene set in, and his right arm had to be removed. That was basically the end of his military career. He struggled thereafter to look after his wife and three surviving children but the stress and hardship was too much and he and his wife parted company in the 1920s.

    Hazel Clark




    227741

    Pte. Robert Jacob 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Robert Jacob is remembered on a tablet together with his brother George in the churchyard of St. Stephen's, Baughurst, a village in north Hampshire, close to the Berkshire border. He is also recorded on the local war memorial.

    He was typical of many young men who went to do his patriotic duty; he died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, aged 20. He is buried in the Ovillers Military Cemetery, five kilometres north-east of Albert.

    Robert's older brother also died during WW1. His sister Rose died from TB contracted whilst serving as a nurse, which she also passed on to their younger brother Frederick. All four children of his family died in the space of eleven years.

    Andrew Thompson




    227740

    Gnr. William Wright McLennan MM 2nd Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    My father enlisted at Edinburgh on 17th September 1903 for the Royal Garrison Artillery. He disembarked to France on 17th September 1914 with the 2nd Siege Battery. He was engaged in the Battle of the Marne, for which he received the Mons Star. Reference: the London Gazette dated 12th September 1916, page 9003, states he was awarded the Military Medal for firing an ammunition store to atoms. (Reference Edinburgh Bulitin dated October 1916.) I believe he was part of the 85th mobile Battery from 1916 to the end of the war.





    227738

    Pte. John Rutter 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.28th July 1916)

    My friend and I have for the past 18 months researched the 14 soldiers, including John Rutter, who died in WW1 and whose names appear on the Little Leigh, Cheshire War Memorial Plaque commemorating the soldiers from that parish. The memorial is in St Michael and All Angels church.

    Gill Hampton




    227735

    John Lesley Brown-King HMS Amphion (d.23rd August 1914)

    I am currently searching for details of a relative of mine, John Lesley McCutcheon Brown-King. He served in WW1 on the HMS Amphion. He was seriously injured and later died after seeing action against a German minelayer SS Konigin Luise. I do have some information on this subject, which includes a newspaper article about him being a hero for trying to save a comrade whom was injured by an explosion. There was a secondary explosion which sadly killed the man John was saving and injured John.

    The reason I am searching is because I have never been able to find his details on the Royal Navy website or other searches. Also in question was who fired the first shot of that war. According to friends of John who visited him in hospital (he was seriously injured, he lost his lower arms and most of his face) they supposedly told him that the HMS Amphion fired the first shot of WWI, even though records show it was one of the other two ships at the scene.

    Note: The name McCutcheon was in his name only, so I'm not sure if a mistake was made using McCutcheon as his surname. My great grandmother was his mother. There is a memorial plaque in his local church.

    If you have any information I would love to hear from you.

    Editor's update

    The Commonwealth War Graves site has details of a John Lindsay McCutcheon Brown-King, a Private who served in the Royal Marines. He died on 23rd August 1914, age 23. He served on HMS Amphion and is buried in RN Plot 17 in Shotley St Mary Churchyard, Suffolk. There is also a very short reference to him on the naval history website.

    Mr Mark Brown-King




    227716

    L/Cpl. Duncan McIlraith 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.13th Mar 1915)

    Duncan McIlraith was the eldest son of Robert and Maggie McIlraith of New Kilpatrick Bearsdem, and the eldest brother of James, William, Robert and David. His parents had both died by 1910 and he and his brothers were left on their own. Three brothers also joined the army, James, Robert and David and survived. David made a career of the army and moved to Aberdeen.

    Sue Kirton




    227713

    L/Cpl. Wainer Kirton 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1916)

    Wainer Kirton and his brother Charles enlisted in the 2/4th Lincolns together in October 1914. Charles stayed in the Lincolns but Wainer transferred to the 10th Essex Regiment. Charles survived the war but sadly Wainer did not and died on 22nd of October 1916. His name has been passed down first to Donald Wainer the son of Charles and then to to his son Paul Wainer. Also, Paul's elder brother Michael gave the names of Charles and Wainer to his son. So Wainer is always remembered within the family.





    227706

    Pte. Alexander Holmes 27th (Tyneside) Irish Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    My great uncle Alexander Holmes of Howick Street, Hendon, Sunderland, County Durham, husband of Annabel (nee Adams) was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Les Golding




    227705

    L/Cpl. Albert Reader 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    Albert Reader was taken prisoner between 19th and 24th October 1914 at La Bassee. His POW camp is unknown. He survived the war and was returned home on 20th November 1918. He passed away in 1954, aged 67.

    Paul Armstrong




    227701

    L/Cpl. Joseph Henry Stephenson 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Joseph Stephenson served in the 1/5th, 3/5th and the 20th DLI in Italy.

    Paul




    227700

    Pte. Robert William Golding 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd May 1917)

    My great uncle Robert Golding was serving with the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry when on 3rd May 1917 while advancing on the Hindenburg Line, Somme, Northern France, he was killed in action.

    Les Golding




    227696

    Lt. Roger Sayce CdG. 421st (W.Lancs) Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    I understand that Roger Sayce served through the entirety of the war, but afterwards never spoke about what happened with either his son or myself as a grandson.

    John Sayce




    227694

    Lt. Hillis McConnell 34 Sqdn.

    <p>Hillis McConnell 4th from left leaning on side

    Hillis McConnell served with 34 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.





    227683

    AbleSea. Richard Samuel Edwards HMS Bulwark (d.26th Nov 1914)

    Richard Samuel Edwards lost his life when H.M.S. Bulwark exploded whilst taking on ammunition at Sheerness on the 26th November 1914. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. A Memorial notice was published in the local paper, the Nottingham Evening Post on the 26th of November 1919: “Edwards - In loving memory of Richard Samuel, lost with H.M.S. Bulwark, November 26th, 1914. Sadly missed. - Brother Albert, sister-in-law Emily.”





    227680

    Cpl. Albert Williams 6th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    My great grandfather left for war leaving a pregnant wife behind (carrying my grandfather). He never returned and never met his baby boy. All we know is his name, Albert Williams and that he was a Corporal in the 6th Battalion South Wales Borderers at the time of my grandfather's birth (12/8/1915). Great grandmother never talked of her husband, so we know nothing about him.

    Lee CLithero




    227669

    Sgt. Arthur Frederick Curry 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.26th August 1914)

    Sgt. Curry was killed at Le Cateau on 26th August 1914.

    Kim Scratchley




    227586

    Mjr. Charles Alfred "Nobby" Clark DSO MC. 9th Btn. East Surrey Regiment

    My grandfather Charles Clark was born in 1878 in Bermondsey and first served in the Boer War, rising through the ranks to become Lieutenant Colonel after WW1. He retired from the army around 1930. The regiment was a 'pals' regiment and gained the nickname 'The Gallants'.

    During WW1 he served with with the well known author and playright R C Sherriff who wrote the famous war play "Journey's End", and they remained in contact for many years after the war.

    As Commanding Officer he was captured, badly wounded, after a valiant last stand against a German advance in 1918 and was one of only twenty or so survivors from the battalion. His war diary survived which details some of that period, including his time in captivity. He was highly praised in Arthur Conan Doyle's book "The British Campaign in France and Flanders" regarding this last stand:

    "On the morning of the 26th of March the new line had been occupied. The Seventeenth Corps had retired in the night to the Bray - Albert line, which left a considerable gap in the north, to the west of Frise, but this was filled up by an impromptu line made up of stragglers and various odds and ends from the rear of the army. It was in the south, however, that the attack was most severe, and here it soon became evident that the line was too long and the defenders too weak, so that it could not be maintained against a determined assault. Before the sun had risen high above the horizon it had been shaken from end to end, the Twenty-fourth Division being hard put to it to hold Fonches, while the Sixty-sixth were driven out of Herbecourt. At 9.30 the order was given to withdraw, and with their brave rearguards freely sacrificing themselves to hold back the swarming enemy, the troops -some of them in the last stage of exhaustion - fell back upon a second position. It was at this period that Major Whitworth, the gallant commander of the 2/6 Manchesters, stood at bay with his battalion, which numbered exactly 34 men. He and 17 of his men were dead or wounded after this last stand, and 17 survivors were alt that could be mustered that evening. Before the right wing fell back to Vrely there had been a good deal of fighting. The Twenty-fourth Division, which was now a mere skeleton, was strongly attacked in the morning of March 27, and Dugan 's 73rd Brigade was pushed back towards Caix, the 8th Sussex having very heavy losses, including Colonel Hill, and Bonham, the second in-command. The situation upon the other flank of the Twenty-fourth Division was also particularly desperate, and the 9th East Surrey, under Major Clark, sacrificed itself to cover the withdrawal of the 72nd Brigade. There were few more gallant actions in the war. Major Clark, writing from a German prison, gave a small account which enables us to get a glimpse of the actual detail of such a combat. The enemy's infantry were in force, he says, within 100 yards of his scattered line. "We managed to get back some hundred yards when I saw that our position was really desperate. The enemy were sweeping up from the south, and several lines of them were in between us and our next defensive line... We were seen and the enemy began to surround us, so I decided to fight it out. We took up position in a communication trench, and used our rifles with great effect. Grant was doing good work till shot through the head, and Warre-Dymond behaved admirably. It was a fine fight, and we held them until ammunition gave out. They then charged and mopped up the remainder. They were infuriated with us. My clothing had been riddled with shrapnel, my nose fractured, and my face and clothing smothered with blood. There are 3 officers and 59 men unwounded. The rest of the battalion are casualties. It was a great fight, and the men there simply splendid. I have the greatest admiration for them. It was a glorious end" Such were the class of men whom the East End of London sent into the New Army."

    In retirement he was appointed Chief Air Raid Warden for Folkestone, Kent, in WW2 and died in the town in 1971.

    Bryan Sharpe




    227499

    Sgt. Albert Hicks MM. 39th Battery

    <p>

    My Grandad Albert Hicks got to France just in time for the battle of Le Cateau with 39th Battery, XIV Brigade and the retreat to the Marne. He then fought his way back up to the Aisne. Later he transferred to Howitzers in 460th Heavy Battery and joined the 29th Division to fight in the Dardanelles. Then returned to finish his time on the Western Front.

    At the end of the war, he seems to have spent some time in Eastern command (the MOD will not release this part of his records yet), and it was during this time that he won the Military Medal.

    Gary Hicks




    227494

    2nd Lt. Edward Stokes-Hatte Royal Irish Rifles (d.15th/16th Aug 1917)

    2nd Lieutenant Edward Stokes Hatte was my grandmother's cousin and according to everyone a very nice chap. He grew up in Dublin and studied Medicine at the University (possibly Trinity College) for 2 years circa 1908-9.

    However, Edward decided that medicine was not for him and instead went out to Ceylon (modern day Sri-Lanka) to try his hand at tea-planting. He became a popular member of the Kelani Valley community where they were still experimenting with establishing new varieties such as Earl Grey.

    In August 1914 Edward joined the Ceylon Planters Regiment as a Rifleman. He served on General Birdwood's staff (according to his sister as ADC) and was wounded in Egypt, possibly in protection of the Suez Canal. He also helped with the evacuation at Gallipoli.

    Edward returned to Ireland after his first wounding and by the end of August 1916 had joined the Royal Irish Rifles as a 2nd Lieutenant. Sent to France he was only there about a week when his unit saw action in a fierce battle at Bernefray Wood on the Somme. Edward sustained severe leg injuries and was sent first to Le Touquet where they had transformed the old casino into a hospital. As his wound was so severe (possibly caused by a sniper) he was transferred on the Cambria to the Brook Hospital in London.

    There he met his girlfriend, Miriam Goggin, (a sort of "in-law" relative). By Christmas 1916 Edward was back in Dublin at the George V hospital. He went before a total of 6 military boards and by February 1917 was pronounced fit for combat. After rejoining his regiment he served at Messines. Edward was finally killed on the night of 15/16th August 1917 in a disastrous raid on Frezenburg near Ypres. The Rifles attempted to storm the ridge which was held by the German 7th Bavarian Infantry. There were no survivors as days of heavy rain had saturated the soil and the soldiers were caught in mudslides. Edward is remembered at Tyne Cot. His girlfriend Miriam descended into agoraphobia after his death.





    227490

    L/Cpl. William Oliver Twigg 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    I know very little of William. Only that we share a common ancester.

    D.Peeling




    227486

    Pte. Edwin Robert Rutherford MID 42nd Btn

    I don't know much about Edwin Rutherford as he died long before I was born, but I have his photo and his framed MID letter.

    Andrew Parcell




    227484

    L/Cpl. Thomas Murphy 1/6th Btn. Welsh Rgt. (d.1st October 1915)

    L/Cpl. Thomas Murphy was killed at the Battle of Loos on 1st October 1915. He has no grave, but is remembered on the Loos memorial.

    John Murphy




    227477

    Pte. H Cadden 2nd/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Rgt. (d.9th April 1917)

    I am looking for information about Private Herbert (or Henry) Cadden. Does anyone have any information about him?

    C. Cadden




    227422

    Gnr. Edward Lally 257th Seige Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th November 1918)

    Gunner Lally was my mother's uncle. He died in the UK at Eccelston Hall Sanitorium of an unknown cause.

    Peter Laughton




    227421

    Pte. Hope Reginald Croucher 1st Btn. (d.22nd April 1915)

    <p>

    Hope Croucher served with the 1st Battalion CEF.

    Dennis Loyer




    227419

    Cpl. Joseph James Cook 21st Btn. (d.23rd April 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Cook served with the 21st Battalion, CEF.

    Dennis Loyer




    227417

    LAC Harold Yates

    My father, Harold Yates, served at RAF Medicine Hat from approximately 1941 to 1944 as an LAC. He told me how friendly and helpful the Canadians were to visiting British servicemen.

    Malcolm Yates




    227404

    Pte. William Deakin 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Rgt. (d.19th April 1918)

    William Deakin was my great grandfather. He was the father of my father's mother. He came from Mossley in Lancashire near Ashton Under Lyne. To date, I know very little about him apart from the fact he was killed in action on 19th April 1918 and is buried at Tyne Cot military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Laurence Elliott




    227396

    Drvr. Robert Ballard 78th Brigade, C Coy. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st July 1917)

    Robert Ballard was my great uncle, brother of my paternal grandmother Alice Ballard. He was born on 29th November 1896 in Liverpool. His effects were returned to my great grandmother Charlotte Jane on 24th July 1918. Recently, I found a poem attached to a metal backing which Charlotte gave to her son to keep him safe. His death must have a profound effect on the family. Alice named her first born son Robert after her brother. He is buried in Point De Jour Miltary Cemetary, Athies.

    Dot Welsh Medway




    227390

    A/Cpl. WIlliam John Sorrell 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire (d.17th February 1917)

    William was killed in action at Baillescourt Farm, near Miraumont on 17th February 1917. He was my great uncle.

    Ian Kidd




    227389

    Sgt. Ernest Ingham 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    This is taken from an article in the local paper at the time:

    Sergt. E. Ingham (Y and L) - Mrs Ingham has received the following letter from a warrant officer in her husbands company:- It is with the deepest sorrow and with the utmost sympathy that I write these few lines to you, thus fulfilling a promise made to your husband. It grieves me to tell you that he was killed in action on July 1st, the morning of the great attack. It may be of some little comfort to you to know that hr died as he lived-a brave man, regardless of fear, always ready at the call of duty, and although men were falling all around yet he never wavered and led his men forward to what was almost certain death. It is men like him that have made Kitcheners Army the great success it has been. May God give His consolation to you and the dear kiddies in your great trouble. The battalion suffered terribly; no officers returned and only one sergeant. -D. Sheldon, Company-Quarter-Master-Sergeant.

    R Ingham




    227384

    Sub. Manta Singh 2nd Sikh Royal Infantry

    Manta Singh was born in the Punjab, northern India. In 1907, as soon as he left the village school, he joined the 2nd Sikh Royal Infantry. By August 1914, when the German army invaded Belgium and France, Manta held the rank of Subedar, and his regiment was part of the Indian Expeditionary Force sent to France.

    In March 1915 the Allies attacked Neuve-Chapelle and broke through the German front line. On the first day of the battle, British and Indian troops captured the town. Then the Germans counter-attacked with 16,000 reinforcements. In three days fighting, the British and Indian troops suffered 13,000 casualties. The Allies ammunition ran out, and the troops had to retreat. 5,021 Indian soldiers - about 20 per cent of the Indian contingent - were killed in heavy fighting, and Manta Singh was injured in action after helping to save the life of an injured officer, Captain Henderson. (In the Second World War, the sons of both of these men served side by side and became lifelong friends.)

    Manta Singh was sent back to England, to a hospital in Brighton. The doctors told him that he would have to lose both his legs, as they had become infected with gangrene. Manta refused to think about going back to India with no legs - what use would he be to his family? Unfortunately, he died from blood poisoning a few weeks later. He was cremated in a ghat, according to Sikh beliefs.

    In 1993 Manta Singh�s son, Lt Col Assa Singh Johal, was part of a delegation of the Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemens Association that visited the Indian war memorial at Neuve-Chapelle. Assa Singh said, "It was a moving visit of great sentimental value to us. We were able to remember and pay homage to the fallen in foreign lands."

    s flynn




    227383

    Sepoy. Khudadad Khan VC. 129th Btn. Duke of Connaughts Own Baluchi Regiment

    Khudadad Khan was born in the Punjab (now in Pakistan) in 1887. His family were Pathans who had moved to the Punjab from the North-West Frontier between India and Afghanistan. He joined the army as a sepoy or private soldier for the sake of regular pay and a chance of honour and glory.

    In October 1914, almost immediately after arriving in France, the 129th Baluchis were among 20,000 Indian soldiers sent to the front line. Their job was to help the exhausted and depleted soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) to prevent the advancing Germans from capturing the vital ports of Boulogne in France and Nieuwpoort in Belgium. If the Germans could manage to take Boulogne and Nieuwpoort, they would choke off the BEFs supplies of food and ammunition, and the Allies would lose the war.

    The 129th Baluchis, with whom Khudadad Khan was serving as a machine-gunner, faced the well-equipped German army in appalling conditions - shallow waterlogged trenches in which to take cover, a lack of hand grenades and barbed wire, and a dire shortage of soldiers to man the defensive line. They were also outnumbered five to one. When the Germans attacked on 30 October, most of the Baluchis were pushed back. But Khudadad Khan's machine-gun team, along with one other, fought on, preventing the Germans from making the final breakthrough. The other gun was disabled by a shell, and eventually Khudadad Khan's own team was over-run. All the gunners were killed by bullets or bayonets except the badly wounded Khudadad Khan. He pretended to be dead until the attackers had gone on - then, despite his wounds, he managed to make his way back to his regiment. Thanks to his bravery, and that of his fellow Baluchis, the Germans were held up just long enough for Indian and British reinforcements to arrive. They strengthened the line, and prevented the German army from reaching the vital ports.

    Sepoy Khudadad Khan recovered from his wounds in an English hospital, and three months later was decorated by King George V at Buckingham Palace in London with the Victoria Cross. He was the first Indian to receive the award. Khudadad Khan returned to India, and continued to serve in the Indian Army.

    s flynn




    227382

    Sgt. Adam el_Hashim 1/3 Btn. Kings African Rifles

    On 21st of October 1917, while defending Lukeledi Mission against a German assault, Sergeant Adam el Hashim of 1/3rd Kings African Rifles was sent at the head of a small detachment of soldiers into Lukeledi village to outflank the enemy. El Hashim's men stumbled on a whole company of Germans, and were driven back. Finding himself surrounded and cut off on his own, el Hashim drew his revolver, shot three officers who were trying to capture him, and managed to rejoin his men.

    s flynn




    227381

    Sgt. Kumani 1st Btn. Kings African Rifles

    On 7th of October 1914, Colour-Sergeant Kumani of the 1st Battalion, Kings African Rifles won the Distinguished Conduct Medal in a Battle at Gazi for his bravery in leading his company in a charge after all his officers had been shot down, and drawing off the enemy.

    s flynn




    227380

    Sgt. Miydiyo 4th Btn. Kings African Rifles

    On 13 September 1914, during a battle against German forces at Kisii, Sergeant Miydiyo of 4th Battalion, King�s African Rifles won the Distinguished Conduct Medal �for doing very good work and displaying great bravery when at close quarters with the enemy, although twice wounded�.

    s flynn




    227379

    Pte. Winston Churchill Millington DCM. British West Indies Regiment

    <p>

    Winston Millington was born in Barbados in 1893, he moved to Trinidad with his father, who was a teacher in 1897. In 1911 Winston started working at a secondary school in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad. He was one of the first to volunteer for B Company in Trinidad, which along with soldiers from Guyana, Trinidad, St Vincent, St Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica, the Bahamas and British Honduras would form the British West Indies Regiment. In December 1916 they sailed from England to Alexandria, in Egypt, on their way to fight in the Palestine Campaign. When the Turks attacked, the rest of his gun crew were killed by enemy fire, but Winston continued to fire his gun for several minutes. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry and coolness in action.

    s flynn




    227378

    Pte. Harold Moore 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.27th Sep 1916)

    <p>Pansy and Pocket Book of Harold Moore

    Harold Moore was born on 1st December 1897 and was the eldest son of Robert and Margaret Moore and, like his father and grandfather before him, worked in the local pit. His death certificate states that he 'died of wounds' on 27th September 1916, we believe during The Battle of Thiepval Ridge. He is buried in Millencourt Communal Cemetery Extension, 2 km west of Albert, France, and in 1985, his niece, her husband and their son placed a posy of purple flowers on his grave.

    The following piece was written after our visit and we had no prior knowledge about the pressed purple pansy found in his pocket book after his death.

    Once there was a young man, hot-blooded, eager to grasp life with both hands, but this was when the century was young, and opportunities were not available in a small pit village. Life was circumscribed and dull. His parents expected him to leave school at thirteen, go down the mine, marry some nice Chapel girl and raise a family. He left school and went down the mine. At first it was an adventure: he felt more adult, more the elder brother to his two younger brothers and his baby sister. But soon it was irksome and boring. What was the point of spending his precious youth in cold, dark discomfort, some weeks never seeing daylight, never seeing the purple pansies in the garden of his home? Was this all there was to life? Then the trumpets of war blew across his little world like a celebration, "Kitchener needs you." "Me?" "Yes, You...You...You...!" He signed up. He sailed away. And the pansies waved their heads in approval and farewell. But was the mud of the trenches any better than the darkness of the mine? His world had become smaller still. Only the irregular arrival of the mail brought any lift to his spirits. And one day, in a letter, came a pansy plucked by his baby sister. How he treasured it. He pressed it in his pocket book and kissed it every day. When would he see the purple pansies again? He never did. Some time after the dreaded telegram arrived at his home, a sad little parcel came from France. And in the pocket book they found the pansy.

    When the century was old, a little family entered a French war cemetery...

    And the child of the child of his baby sister placed purple pansies on his grave.

    Joan Margaret Davies




    227377

    Pte. Norman Smith 1st/7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th May 1915)

    Sadly, I know very little about Norman Smith. His mother was Mary Elizabeth Crabtree, who was born in Atherstone, Warwickshire in 1869. His father was Arthur Lawrence Smith, who was born in Batley, Yorkshire in 1867. His parents met and married while his mother was a nurse at Menston, Yorkshire. His father worked as a porter. He had a sister, Lucy, who was born in 1893. In the 1911 Census his father was church caretaker at Trinity Church House, Hillary Place, Leeds, Yorkshire. (This is now a nightclub, apparently.)

    On the date of Norman's death, his parents had moved to Albion Street, Leeds. Norman Smith joined up in 1914 at Leeds. I do not have any photographs of him, I wish I had, but do have one of his mother Mary Elizabeth Crabtree - her father William Henry Crabtree was my great great grandfather. Mary Elizabeth Crabtree was born to William Henry and Annie Watts. She had a sister, Ellen Crabtree, who married Thomas Bowcott. No one seems to know about Norman Smith, one of the sadly forgotten, but as his great great niece I wish him to be remembered. Norman was 19 when he was killed - he is buried in Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix.

    Nadine Crabtree




    227375

    Pte. Arthur Leonard Beedham 1st Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.6th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Beedham served with the 1st Btn. Worcestershire Regiment.

    Stuart Lee




    227360

    Pte. Thomas Edward Eccleston 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.20th August 1918)

    Thomas Eccleston was born in Wolverhampton on 17th May 1893. His father Alfred and mother Anne christened him at St Anne's Parish. Thomas was working in Coppice colliery known as the Fair Lady before enlisting. He was married in December 1914 to Emily Agnes Kathleen Horton.

    When he enlisted he was in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (23535) before being transfered to the South Wales Borderers (27655). I am lead to believe he had several near misses, one being his troop ship being torpedoed.

    He was killed in action on 20th August 1918 at Outtensteene Ridge. Thomas is buried in France and is commemorated on the Willenhall Memorial under the name `Eccleshall'. His wife remarried and left Heath for the Wirral. By the time the memorial was built in 1927 the locals couldn't remember Thomas's surname, hence the mistake. He left a daughter Dorothy and a son Frank Thomas George. I am his great grandson.

    K Moss




    227358

    Gnr/Drvr H. H. York 181 Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Father joined as H H York but his birth certificate states his name as W H York.

    I J York




    227345

    John Diamond 26th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    My 2x great grandfather John Diamond was born in Tennant Street, Hebburn on 4th March 1883 to an Irish father Andrew Diamond and local girl Sarah Diamond. At the age of 31, he joined the Tyneside Irish Battalion on 26th November 1914. He served as a Lance Corporal in the 26th Northumberland Fusiliers, 3rd Tyneside Irish. He survived the Battle of the Somme and didn't pass away until 4th May 1964 in his hometown of Hebburn, just streets away from where he was born, and is now buried in sadly an unmarked grave in Hebburn Cemetery.

    John Diamond's Enlistment form for joining the Tyneside Irish Battalion.

    Sarah Louise Robson




    227343

    Pte. Joseph Bradley 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.8th Sept 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Bradley served with the 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Colin




    227313

    Flamers RAF Habbaniya

    I was born on RAF Habbaniya in 1953 and have memories of the base, watching British aircraft take off. My father lived and served there with the British Levies until 1958.

    Nigel Flamers




    227293

    Pte. Percy Robinson 2nd Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.11th Mar 1915)

    Percy Robinson was born in the June quarter 1887 in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, the son of Benjamin (farm labourer) and Mary (n�e Hopkinson) Robinson. About 1890 the family moved to 14 Providence Square, Sleaford. (1891 Census RG 13/2578) Percy had an older sister, Florence, and two younger brothers, Walter and William. Ten years later (1901 Census RG 13/3048) saw the family much enlarged with the births of Joseph, George, Frederick, Mary A., Harold and Alfred, and a move to Knipton Houses, Ruskington. Another 10 years (1911 Census RG 14/) saw a further 4 children born to the family � Albert, Clarice Eveleyn, Arthur Edward and Ethel. The Census record of that year shows that Mary had borne 17 children, 3 of whom had subsequently died. By then, though, Percy had left home to join the Army in 1909. At that time he stood 5 ft. 3� ins. [1.61 m] tall, had a �fresh� complexion, grey eyes and fair hair, and weighed 10 st. 2 lbs. [64.4 kgs].

    Percy was a serving soldier at the outbreak of the war, having enlisted in the 2nd Btn. Leicestershire Regiment, in Lincoln, on 8th June 1909, aged 22. From that date to 6th December 1910 Percy trained with his battalion, before being posted to India, where he gained his 3rd and 2nd class certificates of education. In August 1914 the 2nd Btn. was in Ranikhet, part of Gharwal Brigade, Meerut Division of the Indian Army. Like several other battalions, fears of a rising among the native Indian population meant that it was not at once dispatched to France. However, mounting casualties among the BEF, and the growing realisation that this was to be a long war, prompted the Indian Government in September 1914 to offer an Indian Corps for service in France. The offer was accepted, and on 20th September the battalion sailed for France. On 12th October 1914 the Division arrived in France and by the close of the First Battle of Ypres, the Corps was in the trenches.

    For the next twelve months, as part of the Meerut Division, the 2nd Btn. endured hardships of cold and enemy fire as it fought at Neuve Chapelle in March 1915 (where Private William Buckingham gained a Victoria Cross, the first for the Regiment since the Crimea). Percy's Medal Index Card shows that he arrived in France with his battalion on 12th October 1914.

    Percy's service papers record his death as between 10th and 13th March 1915, which was the period of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. The Garhwal Brigade of the Meerut Division, Indian Corps attacked with all four battalions on a 600 yards (550 m) front, from Port Arthur to Pont Logy.

    On the right, the attack quickly collapsed, both companies losing direction and veering to the right. The attack confronted a part of the German defence not bombarded by the artillery and before the mistake was realised the two support companies followed suit. The Indian troops forced their way through the German wire and took 200 yards (180 m) of the German front trench, despite many casualties.

    During the battle the 2nd Btn. had 92 Officers and men killed in action. Only 19 have a known grave, the remainder, with Percy, are commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial. In total Percy had served 5 years 269 days with the Colours.

    Graham E Conway




    227292

    Pte. James Sines 2nd Btn. Cheshire Rgt. (d.8th May 1915)

    Jimmy Sines was a family member adopted by my 2x gt. aunt Lydia Emma (nee Greaves) and her husband James Sines, a regular Army veteran. A very childlike-looking lad of barely 21, he was lost without trace at the 2nd Battle of Ypres on 8th May 1915. His devastated parents received £11 in exchange for their boy.

    His name is known to those who remain in England, America and Australia. His photograph is cherished and his war medal photocopied and distributed amongst the family. He is remembered as 'poor little Jimmy Sines'. So few of his 2nd Btn. Cheshire regiment survived the pulverising German bombardment. Its remnants were combined with others and moved on to the next hell hole.

    Because Jimmy's friends were wiped out with him, no one was able to tell his parents exactly what happened. Poor Lydia and James were left believing Jimmy drowned in the mud and it haunted them all their days. I prefer to hope his sufferings were brief and he and his immediate comrades were blown to oblivion.

    The Sines family in the mid 1800s were travelling basket and chair makers, who were `on the tramp' round Surrey following the cycle of harvesting, making and hawking. By the later decades this branch of the family were settled around the Epsom Common area, seemingly escaping the harsher life of travelling, seasonal recourse to the workhouse and the vagrancy and semi-criminal life of some of the younger, more feckless cousins. Jimmy's father, James Sines, is believed to have been a relative rather than his biological father. However, they strongly resembled one another. James Snr. hardly spent any time with his parents and siblings and joined the Army, serving in two Burma campaigns. He spent much of his career hospitalised with a variety of fevers, malaria etc and the ubiquitous 'ague'. It is not known how he met my 2x gt aunt whose parents also lived in Epsom, but were slightly better off, being a bailiff officer of Epsom court and ex-metropolitan policeman. James Snr. was an upright Victorian man who wore his campaign medals on special occasions with pride, but must have known only too well what lay ahead for Jimmy when the boy enlisted for the Great War. James and Lydia never recovered from their loss.

    Joyce Greaves




    227290

    Pte. Reginald Foxhall 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.28th June 1918)

    <p>

    Reginald Foxhall was from Crofts Street in Cardiff and was employed by the Great Western Railway goods department. He originally enlisted in 1917, joining the Monmouthshire Regiment. At some stage he was drafted into the 12th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, serving with them in Italy and France before being killed in June 1918. His name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the missing in Belgium.

    Daniel Richards




    227286

    Pte. Stanley James Clough 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Although in the Kings Own, Stanley Clough mobilised with the 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers to France from Whitchurch, England on 7th of February 1917. He was wounded with shrapnel in his knee on 16th of July 1917 at Nevprit, Belgium and casualty evacuated to Braze Dune Hospital, Belgium for an overnight stay. By Christmas 1917 he had been over the top into action six times.

    He was later gassed with mustard (ulcers broke out on his ears, neck and thighs) at Ayette (between Arras and Albert) during the German offensive on 4th April 1918. He was taken to Roueu Hospital at Braze Dune, Belgium. He was returned to Base on 12th June and ended up the line attached to D Company, 15 Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 20th June 1918. His unit went on to take Heberteine.

    Pte Clough was later shot in the back and shoulder at Achiet le Grand, France on 22nd of August 1918 and was admitted to War Hospital Winwick, Warrington England on 26th of August. He was transferred to Billinge Convalescent Hospital on 30th Aug.

    At some point following a period of leave, he returned to France. On 22nd of August 1918 Pte Clough was wounded again, this time at Achiet le Grand during the Allies counter offensive in France. (He survived the war but his diary ends here.)

    Major Alan Taberner TD




    227285

    Pte. William Rodger Gow 1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.16th April 1917)

    A hero’s story.

    Private William Rodger Gow – service no. 40440, formerly of the Royal Scots – service no. 3673, age 33, 29th Division (the union division – one battalion from each home country - and last regular army unit to enter the war - under the command of Allenby), 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers, died on 16th April 1917 digging a new trench near Monchy Le Preux, a few miles east of Arras in northern France. The following text outlines all that I can find out about his death and location of his grave, it includes the following excerpt from the regimental diary for the 1st KOSB on that day. Location, firing line:

    At dawn A, D Coys moved forward and held the new line. All work during the day was ordered to widening fire-stepping and improving the trench. At night one Coy of the R. Irish Fus was placed at the disposal of the C.O. to dig the gap between A and D Coys thereby making a continuous line. The party moved forward at 8 pm under the order of Capt. Scott-Moncreiff. 1 Officer (slt J. Routledge) and 4 O.R. killed. 4 O.R. wounded.

    The grave of 2nd Lieutenant John Routledge, age 21 and the other four soldiers who died that day recorded as being unmarked, none have a headstone with a name, and all are remembered only on the Arras memorial, Bay 6. The names of the O.R. (other ranks) were Pt. James Penman, age 20; Thomas Prentice, Company Serjeant Major MC, age 32; Pt. William Humphrey, age not noted; and W. R. Gow.

    From the diary it is not clear whether the five men died during the day in sporadic incidents or en masse. His death could even have been related to the arrival of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at 8.00pm, when Capt. Scott-Moncreiff took over command of them. The family legend has it that W.R. Gow was a courier and was shot by a sniper. In speculation, perhaps he was sent with a message on behalf of Capt. Scott-Moncreiff from the Front Line to the HQ and was hit on his way. We will, I suspect, never know, although I wonder where this story emanated from?

    Moreover, each daily entry in the diary concludes with a list of the day’s casualties, and only commissioned officers are named. It is therefore not necessarily the case that the noted event and the deaths are related. It is interesting though that this order is deliberately and specifically laid out by the author as there are very few other examples of individual commands in the rest of the diary.

    The Commonwealth War Grave Commission reconfirms and tallies with the published obituary, below, as well as the diary entry. They show the full list of the names and dates as noted above. January 1917 was the coldest for many years, a short excerpt from the KOSB in the Great War by Captain Stair Gillon, gives a sense of challenges that this posed and sketches out the events leading up to the 16th on page 190 of the book:

    ‘The battalion was in for a rather trying time. Unless when actually working (under risky conditions) at a new firing trench nearly 600 yards in front of the one hitherto occupied or patrolling, they felt the cold in the absence of greatcoats and blankets. But the work was arduous and warming. After three nights’ digging and two days’ occupation and improvement, the battalion found itself in possession of a trench fully a mile long. The work and covering parties suffered casualties. Three second lieutenants were killed – D. H. Robertson and P.S. Mackay on 14th, and J Routledge on 16th. So was A/RSM Prentice, MC. O.R. casualties were continuous: 8 on 13/14th, 15 on 14th, 7 on 15th, 8 on 16th, 5 on 17th, 7 on 18th, and 8 on 19th April. 2nd Lieut. R.D. Peat had been wounded on the way up from Brown Line. To finish up, the relief was complicated in the extreme, no less than five battalions and two divisions occupying the sector.’ (Gillon, 1930)

    Of note, almost all of the other men that died in the days before and after the 16th were buried in unmarked graves, except for - P.S. Mackay – who is now buried at Wancourt British Cemetery just a couple of miles south of Monchy. This is a large cemetery that was increased in size from and original 400 or so to 1500 plus and used as a place of consolidation. Most of the graves here were reburied from other smaller graves from the nearby area, the men of the 1st KOSBies who died on the 14th April are amongst them, searching on the CWGC website confirms this. It is as a consequence reasonable to imagine that the remains of W.R.Gow are also here in one of the unmarked graves. Almost half of the graves at Wancourt are unnamed. A particularly large percentage, which perhaps indicates and reinforces the comments in the books that Monchy was a very very tough battle. Stair Gillon’s foot note, which reads ‘The sights and smells of Monchy, with its dead horses and men, beggar description’, gives some sense of the tragedy of this place (Gillon, 1930, p. 190).

    There is a chance that he may be at the actual Monchy Cemetery, which is closer, to the west of the town, but the general lack of KOSB graves there means it is less likely in my opinion. Particularly as the headstones are mainly Wessex and Canadian Soldiers who led the initial attack on horseback on the 11th April and were all but annihilated. As an aside, theirs is one of the most remarkable stories of the entire war, and resulted in one of the largest hauls of VCs in a single action ever.

    The story also takes a somewhat unexpected turn when we look deeper at whom Capt C.K. Scott-Moncreiff was at that time and was to become. On the 23rd April he was very badly injured in the leg and played no further part in active service duties. A quick look at the life of Scott-Moncreiff provides a rather sensational surprise, to say the least, he turns out to be amongst other things a spy, and the original translator of Proust into the English language. His biography was published in 2014. It includes excerpts from his war diaries, and gives a good and rounded sense of what was going on at and around this time, albeit from a much more privileged perspective.

    Returning to Monchy, it is also worth noting the comments of the Commander in Chief, Sir Douglas Haig in his Arras Despatch to the war office. He outlines the action on the 14th to 20th April below: On other parts of our line heavy counter-attacks developed on the 14th April, the most violent of which were directed against Monchy-le-Preux. The struggle for this important position (held by the 29th Division, Major-General Sir H. de B. de Lisle) was exceedingly fierce.

    The enemy's attacks were supported by the full weight of his available artillery, and at one time parties of his infantry reached the eastern defences of the village. To the south and the north, however, our posts held their ground, and in the end the enemy was completely repulsed, with great loss.

    These heavy German counter attacks were led by the elite Bavarian 3rd Infantry Division who outnumbered the 29th Division, which was made up of one battalion from each home nation, 3 to 1.

    Finally, it is noted in W.R. Gow’s obituary that he was put forward for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for some extraordinary act of bravery in January 1917.

    Mrs Gow, 21 Livingstone Street, Clydebank, has received information that her husband, Pte William Roger Gow (40440), KOSB, was killed by a sniper in France on April 16th. Pte. Gow, who was 33 years of age, was the eldest son of Mrs Gow, 35 Crown Avenue. He was a native of Renton, but had been resident in Clydebank for a good number of years. Prior to joining the colours on August 20, 1915, he was employed in dept. 17, the Singer Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Clydebank. He was well known as a prominent member of the Clydebank Burgh Band, in which he was a trombone player, and was one of the band who on numerous occasions distinguished themselves in the Scottish Championship contests. He is the fourth member of the band to fall. Pte. Gow had been at the front since August, 1916, and had seen a great deal of severe fighting. In January last he was recommended for the DCM, but nothing has since been heard of the matter. Of general unassuming disposition he was held in the highest of esteem by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and the utmost sympathy will go out to Mrs Gow and her two children in their sad bereavement.

    The DCM is a prestigious award which is ranked second only to the Victoria Cross. The action which was at the Somme on January 30th 1917 that W.R.Gow was involved is described in detail by Captain Stair Gillon, but I prefer to let you read the battalion diary entry for that day. 1 officer and 21 O.R. of the enemy were captured by B Coy in the morning. The party had come up to take over a position held by the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers two days previously. They lost their way and in the morning were seen between our most advanced post and the old front line. Six men volunteered to go out and attack them. After getting round the Geremans and throwing a few bombs, the enemy surrendered (the enemy were more active than usual with the artillery). 12 men killed, 16 wounded off R.D. Smith wounded, 28 men sent to hospital 1 man returns from hospital. The B coy was relieved by the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and marches back to Carnoy Camp. Hot tea and rum was prepared for the B coy at Guillemont Camp and hot soup prepared on arriving at Carnoy.

    2nd Lt. R.D. Peat, who we saw injured above at Monchy was the platoon commander of B Company. Stair Gillon notes on page 188 the captured men were dubbed “Peats Prussians”. The only member of the group that appears to have been given an award, which was in fact the DCM, for this act of bravery was the Company Serjeant Major James A. Battle.

    Stephen Best




    227283

    Sgt. Bert Clark 22nd Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    I don't know much about Bert Clark. He was my great uncle and was originally from Grantham in Lincolnshire. He was married to Annie Clark and lived at 16 Brunel St, Gateshead, Co Durham. He died, along with so many others, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. His brother Percy served as a Sgt. in the 1/4th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment and was killed in action on 31st October 1915.





    227250

    Pte. Alexander Ferguson 8th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd Nov 1915)

    Private Alexander Ferguson of the South Lancashire Regiment was killed by a fragment of a 'Whizbang', while in his fire trench in Ploegsteert Wood, Flanders, on the 3rd of November 1915. He is buried in Rifle House Cemetery.

    Colin Hawksford




    227247

    Pte. Thomas Clifford 7th Battalion East Kent Regiment

    My maternal grandfather, Thomas Clifford, ran away from his home in 1916 at the age of 17 to join up. To avoid being traced, he travelled by train to Kent where he joined the Buffs, whilst still under age for military service.

    He was captured during the misjudged advance through the quagmire at the Battle of Poelcapelle on 12th October 1917 and remained a prisoner of war until his release at the end of hostilities some 12 months later. My research turned up his POW record at Friedrichsfeld Prisoner of War camp, near Wesel in Germany. It shows that he was not wounded. Also his date of birth, 7.5.1899.

    He never spoke about his experiences in the War, but had a lasting dislike for Earl Haig which never left him. He would spit on the floor outside the Earl Haig pub in Hounslow and no amount of free porter would ever have been enough to tempt him inside. On a personal note, he never had any contact with the family he left and to this day I know nothing of them. I guess he was one of the lucky ones, to survive and see his grandchildren.

    Terry Lomax




    227244

    Pte. William Herbert Newman 1/8th Battalion Duke of Cambridge Own (Middlesex) Regiment (d.19th Oct 1915)

    William Newman was my great uncle so of course I never knew him although his younger brother, my late maternal grandfather did mention him a couple of times. I eventually found him listed in De Ruvignys Roll of Honour 1914-1919. I came across this collection by chance mainly because I had never heard of it before so I was curious. Apparently his father, William Harry Newman, paid to have a piece complete with a photograph inserted in the Roll of Honour. Which, of course, included the address where the family resided at that time.

    Back in the 1970's some of the family had gone to see the address and to see where great grandfather had been station sergeant in Southall. I really was pleasantly surprised to learn where he had worked and where he had trained before going to Gibraltar. Then learning where he had died. However, I haven't got a definitive answer to where he is buried. Just the info from the piece saying it was Y Farm that is a British war cemetery in France. Looking forward to paying my respects to him.

    Derek Eagles




    227241

    Pte. William Batchford MM. 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.21st Oct 1918)

    I am researching information on WW1 from the St Anns Well Rd area of Nottingham. The honour roll in the local church was destroyed during the 1970s, so I am working on a virtual memorial. I came across William Batchford during this search. He was awarded the Military Medal.

    Mavis Paskulich




    227235

    Pte. John James O'Hare 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th May 1916)

    My great uncle, John O'Hare, was killed on the 25th of May 1916 and is buried in La Laiterie Military Cemetery in Belgium. He died 5 weeks before my father was born. My father was named after his uncle. My grandfather was fighting alongside his brother-in-law when he died and he may well have been part of the burial team. There were 7 other men killed that day and they all lie side by side in this cemetery

    Unfortunately, I have no photographs of my great uncle but have not given up hope of finding one. My plan is to visit his grave on the 25th May 2016 100 years on from when he fell.





    227227

    Pte. Jeremiah Daly 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.20th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, Jeremiah Daly, from Tipperary Town in Ireland joined the Army in 1898. He served in South Africa for five and a half years then in Mauritius for a further year and a half.When he returned home he was discharged to the Army Reserve. In March 1911 he was married to Mary O'Donnell. They had two children.

    On the 5th of August 1914 he rejoined on mobilization. On the 12th of Sept 1914 he landed with the 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment in St Nazaire in France. On the 20th of Oct 1914 he was killed in the village of Premesque.

    A picture of the Cloth hall in Ypres on the 19th of October 2014 the Eve of the 100 Anniversary  of Jeremiah Daly's death.

    This was also donated by the In Flanders field Museum.

    Fred




    227225

    Pte. Francis Albert Corkett 2/7th (Leeds Rifles) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    My Grandfather, Francis Corkett, didn't speak much about his war but he did mention Etaples and that he 'much preferred to be in the front line than at rest in Etaples.' He also mentioned that when he was at Etaples that 'it was ringed with battle-hardened and armed troops.' He also mentioned, in passing, that 'they' 'must've been short of blokes because although I was gassed twice the buggers kept sending me back!'

    Andrew Corkett




    227221

    Pte. George Henry Payne 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    The above information is all I have been able to find out about my grandfather, who was killed in action on 20th September 1917, when my father was 13 months old. Dad went on to have 6 sons and one daughter. My oldest brother was named after my grandfather but we were never told this. It is only now that I have reached retirement age that I am able to do more research but as I live in Australia the only information I can garner is online.

    Update: Private Payne was the son of Henry Payne, of 2 Park Place, Abertillery, Monmouthshire, South Wales, and husband of Dorothy C. Payne (née Messer), of 8 Salisbury Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth. He was aged 31 when he was killed in action, most likely fighting the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge. He is commemorated on Panel 88 to 90 and 162 of Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, and on both the Abertillery Central Memorial and St. Michael's Church Memorial, Abertillery.

    Dorothy Payne




    227220

    Sdlr. Henry William Robert Barnes D Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Henry Barnes served as a Saddler in the Royal Field Artillery.

    David Barnes




    227205

    Capt. William Harry Carritt MC 2nd Battalion, C Coy. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    I research local history of expatriates here in Tianjin, North China and came across Harry Carritt's story in the magazine (College Echoes) of the school that he used to teach in here, Tientsin Anglo-Chinese College. A photograph and memorial to him are found in this magazine in School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

    Andrea Klopper




    227194

    2nd.Lt. George Territ Pickup 104 Sqd.

    <p>

    George Territ Pickup was my grandfather, he served with the Household Battalion, the RFC and in 104 Squadron RAF.

    J.Clippet




    227192

    Pte. Edwin Taylor 17th Btn. Kings (Liverpool Regiment) (d.22nd March 1918)

    I never met my grandmother (Edwin's mother) but my older sister tells me that every time she saw her she was crying over the death of her firstborn, Edwin.

    Elizabeth Bean




    227190

    Pte. Charles Frank Patience 7th Battalion Queens Royal West Surrey (d.21st April 1917)

    Charles Patience was in the 7th Battalion, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment and around January 1917 he was a prisoner of war at Maretz and he was shot for stepping out of the ranks to pick up a cigarette. That he was not trying to escape is shown by the fact that the bullet that killed him wounded two other men in the ranks.

    He died on 21st April, 1917 and was buried at Maretz Communal Cemetery German Extension and then reburied at the Honnechy British Cemetery. He had married in December, 1915 aged 20.

    Sylvia Hall




    227155

    SSgt. Joseph Bergin 2nd Btn. Irish Guards

    <p>

    Joseph Bergin was my grandfather and he joined the Irish Guards in Dublin on the 30th of January 1914. He trained at Warley Barracks and was drafted to France in August of 1915, initially to the guards division base which was at Harfleur near le Harve. He spent about 4 weeks with the 7th Entrenching Battalion operating near the Somme region, and then joined his battalion as he saw his first action at Neuve Chapelle in October 1915. He moved north for the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He got sick, 'disordered action of the heart' and came home for 1 year before going out again in July 1917.

    He saw action near Langemark at the crossing of the Broenbeeke river during October 1917, and was moved south with his battalion for the Battle of Cambrai in November that year. During that battle he was injured receiving gunshot wounds in his right eye and right leg during an offensive in Bourlon Wood about 4 miles from Cambrai. He was taken back to Southampton on board the hospital ship the Carisbrooke Castle and then on to another hospital in Cardiff for treatment and recovery. In November 1918 he was resuming training and preparing to go to the front for the 3rd time when the war was ended.

    I only knew him for a short time, I was 6 when he died. From what I remember he did not speak much about the war, but he did tell me that he once went into a wood with 12 comrades and only 2 of them came out alive. He must have been referring to Bourlon Wood, as the Irish Guards and other regiments of the Guards division took heavy casualties on that day 27th of November 1917.

    HOSPITAL SHIP CARISBROOKE CASTLE

    The carnage in Bourlon Wood after the Battle of Cambrai November 1917

    Kevin Bergin




    227152

    Thomas Knock Bessent HMS Forward

    Thomas Bessent served on HMS Forward.

    Suzanne Bessent-Rothwell




    227144

    Pte. John Alfred William Clarke 9th Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Kings Own Yo (d.16th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Alfred William Clarke was the son of Sarah Hannah Clarke from Wellington, Somerset. Alfred was born in London in 1897 and subsequently moved to Yorkshire in 1900 with his Mother and Step Father, Joseph Fenney. Nothing more is known of Alfred until his reported death in action, presumably at the battle of Flers in 1916.

    John B Clarke




    227143

    George Gaze Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    George Gaze served with the MGC in 89th Brigade.

    Michael Gaze




    227123

    Sgt. David McCann 9th Btn. Black Watch (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    David McCann served with the 9th Royal Highlanders

    Patrick Garland




    227098

    Pte. Robert Henderson 1st Btn. Black Watch (d.25th Sep 1916)

    Robbie Henderson was an office boy who lived in Love Street Paisley, who enlisted in the army at Dunkeld, Perthshire and was attached initially to 1771 Scottish Horse. He was killed aged 21 on 25th of September 1916 during an attack down Flers trench in support of an attack on Goose Alley. One of the missing of the Somme, his name is inscribed on the memorial at Thiepval, France, the largest war memorial in the world, containing the names of 72,000 men who fell on the fields of Flanders. He had five brothers and sisters, one of whom, Margaret Henderson, was my maternal grandmother.

    Stuart MacRae




    227096

    Gunner John Thomas Gibson 190th Siege Battalion Royal Field Artillery (d.1st April 1918)

    Gunner John Thomas Gibson is buried in the Bedford House Cemetery, Ypres alongside his friend Gunner E C Stevenson. They were both killed at the same time 1st April 1918.

    John T Gibson




    227095

    Pte. Alfred Albert Morss 7th Battalion Essex Regiment

    <p>7th Essex Football Club 1915 (Front row 1st left)

    Alfred Albert Morss served as a member of the 1/7th Btn the Essex Regiment having enlisted in 1915 and served until 1919. He was a keen footballer and played for the battalion football team. He played post war for a while in East London until receiving a serious leg injury and worked as a cabinet maker in East London, He never really spoke about his service - other than to relate that he only fired his rifle once in anger at the Ottoman Turks and that he worked in the field kitchens having been trained in the army as a butcher. His unit were part of the reinforcement at Gallipoli and then were transferred to help in the defence of the Suez Canal zone and may have been involved in the Battle of Gaza.

    During World War 2 he was too old for active service and remained with his family throughout the London blitz. A story from this period is that my aunt was on fire watch duty during a particularly heavy incendiary raid in 1940 and he was sent out to check that she was alright. He cycled down the road saw the factory was still untouched and reported back - all's well!

    His brother's served in units ranging from Finsbury Rifles, Royal Horse Artillery, Duke of Cambridge Middlesex Regiment and lost one brother, George who was killed in action on 20th September 1917 serving with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps on the opening day of the British offensive at Passcehendale (George is remembered at the Tyne Cot cemetery in Flanders)

    Alfred (In hat) with men from his unit at Giza, Egypt

    Alfred (Left) with his brother Arthur in Egypt (Arthur was a sharpshooter in the Finsbury Rifles)

    Keith Morss




    227082

    Pte. John Frederick White 3rd Wessex Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    My Uncle John White was born at 11 Woodlands Street, Kingston, Portsmouth. He was the eldest child of John Frederick White RN and Mary Ann White and brother to Grace Dye, my mother. John was better known as Jack to family and friends. He developed a passion for music and was talented in both piano and clarinet and took the later to war.

    He enlisted into the Royal Army Medical Corps on the 19th of August 1915 in the 3rd Wessex Field Ambulance with the regimental number 2375. The Territorial force was sent to France in November 1914, during the war it was renumbered as the 217th Field Ambulance RAMC. He was a Stretcher bearer After some weeks at the 1st Territorial base at Rouen he was posted to the 4th Field Ambulance, 8th division in France on 4th of October 1916. On the 10th December 1916 he was posted to the 26th Field Ambulance also in the 8th Division. His regimental number was changed to 461550 early in 1917 when all territorial force soldiers were allotted new numbers.

    Jack was killed in action at the battle of Pilckem. His mother, my grandmother, never forgot her son and remembered him every year up till her death in 1949 by placing a memorial in the Portsmouth Evening News. This is one of them.

    Short was your life my darling son,

    But peaceful be your rest.

    Your mother misses you most of all

    because she loved you best

    When all alone I sit and think

    I seem to hear you say,

    keep up your heart dear mother.

    we will meet again some day

    In all those dark days John experienced he made time to send many postcards and presents to his family. Wish I could tell him how proud the family are.

    Lynda Ibbotson




    227077

    Nurse May Benson

    <p>

    My distant Aunt May Benson was a V.A.D.at Cornwall Hall Hospital in Sevenoaks. Many injured soldiers left poems and sketches in her autograph book.

    Wendy Andrews




    227075

    Spr. William Duncan 250th Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers

    William Duncan was one of my grandfather's elder brothers. He enlisted in 1916 and was wounded in September, 1917. He married the same year, survived the war, immigrated to Australia where he died in the 1950s in poverty it would seem.

    John Duncan




    227074

    Spr. Arsene F. Cormier 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Coy (d.22nd October 1917)

    Arsene Cormier is my grandmother's half brother from St. Joseph du Moine, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. My grandmother is Luce Chiasson. Her father Arsenne Chiasson died one year after she was born. Her mother remarried Fred Cormier - Arsene F. Cormier is their son.

    Rhonda Poirier




    227072

    Joseph North 43rd Bty. Australian Field Artillery

    Joseph North was the son of Frederick George North and Ellen (Nellie) Maria Baker. He was born on 5th November 1895 at "Rosedale" Gootchie (District Childers), Queensland, Australia. He joined The Australian Imperial Forces on 19th December 1917 and left on the ship the SS Darwin. He came home on the SS Napier and was discharged on 23rd December 1919.

    Sylvia Rowe




    227051

    Pte. John Workman DCM 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.2nd January 1917)

    John Workman was awarded the DCM and a field promotion to Corporal.

    William Workman




    227050

    L/Cpl. Frederick Laing MM & Bar. 10 Btn. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

    <p>

    Frederick Laing was born in 1897 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. He died on 20 November 1920, Perth, Scotland. He is buried in Arngask New Cemetery, Glenfarg, Perthshire, Scotland, with a grey granite war grave pattern headstone, and I have always been intrigued as to how a man of Kent came to his grave in a small village in Scotland. Although he died after the conflict had ended, it seemed to me that he was as much a casualty of the war as those others who, like him, are buried far from their homes.

    His Commonwealth War Graves Commission graves registration documents note that it is a private grave and "Next of kin reside in Tunbridge Wells. The grave was purchased with deceased's own money, and deeds should be with Messrs Macgregor Mitchell & Co, solicitors Perth. Plan at the Inspector of Poor's office, Milnathort, Perthshire. (Sgd) H.G. McCoy Area Inspector Edinburgh Area".

    Frederick Laing was born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, the son of Fanny Saunders Laing who was the daughter of John and Ellen (née Hill) Laing, and who, herself, was born 26 October 1869 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Her son Fred Laing's birth was registered between July and September 1897.

    The 31st March 1901 census shows him living, aged 3, with his maternal grandparents John (aged 73, a retired gardener) and Ellen (aged 66, a launderer/washerwoman) Laing and with his mother, Fanny S. Laing (aged 31, also a launderer) at 9 Rochdale Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

    The next census, 2 April 1911, shows him, now aged 13, in the household of George Hillman (aged 49, a builder's labourer), whom Fanny Laing married in 1902. Fanny Hillman (aged 42) now has two other children, May and Dorothy Hillman aged 6 and 1 respectively, but Frederick is listed as Frederick Laing, not Hillman. Also living in the household is John Edward Laing (aged 34, town postman) described as 'brother': presumably Fanny's brother. They are living at 9 Rochdale Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent: the same address as his grandparents' in 1901.

    No enlistment records survive for Fred Laing, but at the outbreak of WW1 he would have been 17, possibly just 18, and therefore eligible to enlist. The 10th (Service) Battalion (Kent County) Royal West Kent Regiment to which Frederick belonged, was formed in Maidstone on 3 May 1915 by Lord Harris, Vice Lieutenant of Kent, at the request of the Army Council. It consisted of men primarily from the south of England.

    Firstly, in July 1915, attached to 118th Brigade in the 39th Division, it was transferred in October to 123rd Brigade in the 41st Division and moved to Aldershot in January 1916. The units of the Division moved to France between 1 and 6 May 1916 and by 8 May they were concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. It remained on the Western Front until, in November 1917, it moved to Italy and took over a sector of the front line behind the River Piave, north west of Treviso between 30 November and 2 December 1917.

    In March 1918 Frederick Laing's Division was back in France and on 23 March 1918 at Vaulx Vraucourt, near Bapaume (the battles of St Quentin, Bapaume and Arras – the first phases of the battles of the Somme 1918) during heavy fighting to hold back a German attack (the 'Spring Offensive'), L/Cpl Laing won his (first) MM.

    His medal record card "Awarding The Military Medal", shows that he was awarded a bar to that on 13th of November 1918. When the Armistice brought fighting to an end, Frederick Laing's division was selected to join the army of occupation and on 15th March 1919 was retitled the London Division. These units were gradually dissolved leaving, by February 1920, only regular army units in place.

    It seems that, on demobilisation, Frederick Laing went to Glenfarg, Perthshire, at the invitation of a Captain James Aubrey Lilburne Hopkinson to work for him as a groom at Duncrievie House, Duncrievie, Glenfarg. Capt. Hopkinson had himself served in WW1 with the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment and it is possible that the two men came across each other whilst on active service – both their regiments served as front line troops in the 123rd Brigade 41st Division.

    Whilst Capt. Hopkinson had been born in Kensington, London (Feb/March 1895), both his grandmother and mother (Charlotte and Mary Lilburne respectively) were born at Pittenweem in Fife and lived at Duncrievie House, Duncrievie, Glenfarg. In 1893 his mother married Samuel Day Hopkinson and he and his sister (Marian Charlotte Lilburne Hopkinson b. 3 May 1896) lived with their parents at 41 Campden Hill Road, Kensington, London W8. His father died in 1903 aged 44, and the 1911 census shows his mother and grandmother (both widows) at that address, but there is no sign of James. The London Gazette of 7 August 1914 notes the confirmaton of James A. L. Hopkinson's rank to Second Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment. Capt. Hopkinson's medal index card shows that he entered the theatre of war in France in May 1915 and in 1921 it records that he had changed address from 78a Lexham Gardens, London W8 to Duncrievie House, Glenfarg, and requesting that his medals be sent there.

    By that time however, Frederick Laing was dead. He died on 20th November 1920 in Perth Royal Infirmary of 'Sub-acute Nephritis and Uraemia'. His occupation was described as 'Barman' and his usual residence as The Glenfarg Hotel, Glenfarg.

    From the Perthshire Advertiser 1 December 1920, page 3:

    Military Funeral

    The remains of ex-Lance Corporal Fred Laing, West Kents, were laid to rest with military honours in Arngask Cemetery. Deceased, who was only 24 years of age, died in the Perth Royal Infirmary, after an illness of five weeks' duration. He was a native of Tunbridge Wells, England, and on being demobilized came to this district as a groom to Captain Hopkinson, Duncrevie [sic], and was latterly employed as a barman at Arngask Hotel. Corporal Laing was of a quiet and unassuming nature, and was much repected by all who knew him. The coffin was conveyed from Arngask Hotel to the Cemetery by a military escort, and after being lowered the piper played the lament, and the Last Post was sounded.

    Jen Lindsay




    227049

    William James Young 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.1st July 1916)

    Jim Young was the only brother of Nellie Stephenson (nee Young) and fought in the Boer War and probably saw action in Egypt, China and possibly even Gallipoli. He was born in 1880 at Wellingborough and in later life lived in Cardiff where his family moved to in the 1890s.

    Megan Jones




    227042

    Cpl. Percy Ketch MM. 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>Percy Ketch is bottom right.

    Percy Ketch, born 1898, is my grandfather in law. He died in 1964. He served with the 1/5th DLI and saw action as a machine gunner. He was injured in the shoulder whilst manning the machine gun for which he won the Military Medal.

    Shaun Ackerley




    227038

    Pte. David Williams 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    David was the son of Margaret and the late John Williams, 3 Glasfryn Terrace, Henllan Street, Denbigh; and husband of Margaret Williams, Factory Place, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227037

    Pte. Robert Albert Wynne MM 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.20th July 1916)

    Robert was the son of the late John and Elizabeth Wynne, 34 Henllan Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227036

    Pte. William Morris Williams 1st Btn. Welsh Guards (d.28th March 1918)

    William was the husband of Emily Williams, Love Lane, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227034

    Pte. Thomas Williams 15th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.31st July 1917)

    Thomas was the son of Mr and Mrs William Williams, The Castle, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227032

    Pte. Albert Edward MacDonald 12th Btn. East Surrey Rgt. (d.29th July 1917)

    Albert MacDonald was my great grandfather. Very little is known about him, as my grandmother never knew him. They lived in Leo Street, off the Old Kent Road. He married Emily Hamilton Butler, at St Judes Church in 1909.

    M Crook




    227031

    Chief Stkr Harry Coombs HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    Harry Coombs served aboard the HMS Black Prince which went down on 31st May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland.

    Geoffrey Coombs




    227030

    Pte. Richard Williams 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.16th May 1915)

    Richard was the husband of Margaret Williams, 10 Luke Street, St Asaph.

    Richard Roberts




    227029

    Pte. Martin Luther Williams 13th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.10th July 1916)

    Martin was the son of Catherine Williams, 22 Windmill Street, Denbigh, and the late Francis Williams.

    Richard Roberts




    227028

    Pte. Llewelyn James Williams 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.16th October 1915)

    Llewelyn was the son of Mr E R Williams, 46 High Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227027

    Pte. John Owen Williams 1st/10th Btn. The King's Liverpool Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    John was the son of John and Sarah Ann Williams, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227026

    Pte. Isaac Williams 10th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.21st August 1916)

    Isaac was the son of the late Edward and Sarah Williams.

    Richard Roberts




    227025

    Sgt. Edward Samuel Lloyd Williams 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.8th August 1915)

    Edward was the son of Edward Robert Williams, 46 High Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227024

    Pte. William Glyn Waters 17th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th September 1917)

    William was the son of Sarah Evans, Highgate, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227023

    2nd Lt. Arthur William Winterton Turnour 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.25/09/1915)

    Arthur was the son of Mrs A N Turnour, Grove House, Denbigh, and the late Rev. A H Turnour.

    Richard Roberts




    227022

    2nd Lt. Llewelyn Thomas 12th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.27th December 1917)

    Llewelyn was the son of John and Jane Thomas, Preswylfa, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227021

    Pte. John Price Thomas 4th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th January 1915)

    John was the son of Mr William Thomas, Park Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227020

    Rflmn. Goronwy Story 2nd/9th Btn. London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles) (d.27th September 1917)

    Goronwy was the son of John and Elizabeth Story, 5 School Street, Henllan, Denbs.

    Richard Roberts




    227019

    Pte. John Smith 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.14th June 1917)

    John was the son of Albert and Mary Smith, Johnson's Cottage, Denbigh; husband of Catherine Elizabeth Smith, Goppa, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227018

    L/Sgt. Richard Ernest Salusbury 14th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.20th March 1915)

    Richard was the son of Thomas Walter Salusbury and Mary Esther Salusbury; his brother was John Evan Salusbury who also fell.

    Richard Roberts




    227017

    CoyQMSgt. John Evan Salusbury 13th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.23rd April 1918)

    John was the son of Thomas Walter and Esther Mary Salusbury; husband of Mary Owen Salusbury, 1 Bridge Street, Rhyl.

    Richard Roberts




    227016

    Pte. Cyril Rutter 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.7th October 1918)

    Cyril was the son of Mr and Mrs Rutter, 25 High Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227015

    Pte. Robert Royles 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.17th April 1918)

    Robert was the husband of Margaret E Royles, 30 Water Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227014

    Cpl. William Owen Roberts 13th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.22nd April 1918)

    William Owen was the son of Mr Robert Roberts who was on the staff of the North Wales Asylum.

    Richard Roberts




    227013

    2nd Lt. William Roberts 7th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.18th Sept 1918)

    William was the son of William and Emma Roberts, 8 Clifton Terrace, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227012

    Pte. Wallace Roberts 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.26th April 1918)

    Wallace was the husband of Marie Roberts, 49 Chapel Street, St Helens.

    Richard Roberts




    227011

    Pte. Thomas John Roberts 13th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.10th July 1916)

    Thomas was the son of Mrs Elizabeth Williams, 123 Henllan Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227010

    Pte. Thomas Roberts 4th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th January 1915)

    Thomas was the son of Robert and Anne Roberts, Llanfwrog, Ruthin, Denbs; husband of Frances Jane Roberts and father to their six children, Henllan Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227009

    Pte. John Owen Roberts 24th (enbighshire Yeomanry) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.4th May 1917)

    John was the son of Owen and Ann Roberts, Chweffordd Farm, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227008

    Drvr. Elias Roberts 490th Coy Royal Army Service Corps (d.26th March 1919)

    Elias was the son of Elias and Mary Roberts, Highgate, Denbigh. He also served in the South African campaign with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    Richard Roberts




    227007

    Pte. Daniel Roberts 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.18th November 1916)

    Daniel was the son of Mrs E Roberts, 15 Maes-Y-Coed, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227006

    Pte. Walter Henry Rawson 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.7th June 1917)

    Walter was the son of Dinah Rawson, Steeple Street, Henllan, Denbs.

    Richard Roberts




    227005

    L/Cpl. Robert Price K Supply Coy. Army Service Corps (d.15th April 1917)

    Robert Price was the husband of Sarah Price (née Wright) of Henllan Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Owen-Roberts




    227004

    Pte. John Parry 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.16th May 1915)

    John Parry was the husband of Elizabeth Jane Parry (née Bassett).

    Richard Roberts




    227003

    Sgt. Edward Ernest Parry 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.5th April 1916)

    Edward was the son of Edward and Lucy Jane Parry.

    Richard Roberts




    227002

    Pte. John William Owens 1st Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.10th Nov 1917)

    John William Owens was the husband of Ellen Owens of 7 Greenbank Terrace, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    227001

    Pte. John Owens 16th Field Bakery Royal Army Service Corps (d.4th Nov 1918)

    John Owens was the son of Robert and Ellen Owens of Crebana, Denbigh and husband of Constance Owens of 7 South Avenue, Ermine Road, Hoole, Chester.

    Richard Roberts




    227000

    Pte. William Myddleton 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.17th March 1916)

    William was the son of William and Harriet Myddleton, 48 Post Office Lane, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226999

    Pte. Alfred Victor Burgess 3rd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

    <p>

    Alfred Burgess served with the 3rd Btn. Cameronians

    Ian Roy Burgess




    226998

    Pte. Thomas Edwin Morris 2nd/8th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.1st June 1918)

    Thomas was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Sarah Morris, Gwylfa, Castle Hill, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226997

    Cpl. David Robert Morris 24th (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.4th Sept 1918)

    David was the son of Edward and Phoebe Morris, Walmer Road, Birkenhead; husband of Gwendoline Hayes Morris, 73 Love Lane, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226996

    Sgt. Thomas "Amos" Morris 13th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.4 November 1918)

    Thomas was the brother of Miss A Morris, Fron House, Clay Street, Rhyl.

    Richard Roberts




    226995

    Pte. Robert Lloyd 13th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.10th July 1916)

    Robert was the son of David and Margaret Lloyd, Ruthin Road, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226994

    Pte. Robert Lloyd 24th (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.8th Nov 1917)

    Robert Lloyd was the son of William and Mary Lloyd of Elm Villa, Red Lane, Denbigh and husband of Claudia Lloyd of 25 Beacon's Hill, Denbigh. His brother Evan of the 10th Btn RWF also fell.

    Richard Roberts




    226993

    Pte. Evan "Evie" Lloyd 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.11th April 1917)

    Evan Lloyd was the son of William and Mary Lloyd of Elm Villa, Red Lane, Denbigh. Evan died between the 8th and 11th of April 1917.

    Richard Roberts




    226991

    Rfmn. Isaac Lake 1st Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.12th Sep 1918)

    Isaac Lake was the son of Horatio Nelson Lake and Margaret Catherine Lake of Wesley Place, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226987

    Cpl. Thomas Reginald Knowles 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Thomas Reginald Knowles was the son of Mr David Knowles of Arfryn, Park Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226986

    2nd Lt. William Robert Cyril Keepfer 3rd Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.4th Nov 1918)

    William Keepfer was the son of William Leopold and E Keepfer of Derwenfa, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226985

    Pte. William Harold Jones 18th Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    William Harold Jones was the son of Robert and Sarah Jones of Penbrynbach, Llanrhaeadr, Denbs.

    Richard Roberts




    226983

    Pte. Thomas Owen Jones 13th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.27th Aug 1918)

    Thomas Owen was the son of William Owen Jones and Sarah Jones of llysfryn, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226979

    Pte. Llewelyn Jones 14th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.6th July 1916)

    Llewelyn Jones was the son of Isaac and Ann J Jones of 4 Greenbank Terrace, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226978

    Pte. Leonard Maelor Jones 17th Btn King's Own Liverpool Regiment (d.30th July 1916)

    Leonard Jones was the son of the late Mr and Mrs W R Jones of Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226977

    Cpl. Elias A. Jones 4th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    Elias A Jones was the son of Elias and Martha Ellen Jones of Gwynfryn Lodge, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226976

    Pte. Elias Jones 1st Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.23rd Aug 1915)

    Elias Jones was the son of the late William and Jane Jones of 42 Henllan Street, Denbigh; husband of Elizabeth E Jones of 76 Henllan Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226974

    Pte. Edward Heber Jones 35th Bde Royal Field Artillery (d.21st April 1915)

    Edward Heber Jones was the son of Mrs J Jones of 76 Henllan Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226971

    Pte. David Chambers Jones 1st Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.14th Sep 1917)

    David Chambers Jones was the son of Mr and Mrs E Chambers Jones of Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226970

    Pte. David Jones 12th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.11th Sep 1915)

    David Jones was the son of Thomas and Jeminah Jones; husband of Winifred Jones of 95 Henllan Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226969

    Pte. Albert Edward Jones 19th Btn Manchester Regiment (d.23rd Jul 1916)

    Albert Edward Jones was the son of Thomas and Margaret Jones.

    Richard Roberts




    226968

    Pte. Anthony Jacob 13th Btn Welsh Regiment (d.24th April 1918)

    Anthony Jacob was the son of Maria and the late John Jacob; husband of Gladys May (née Wynne) Jacob and father of Percival Anthony Jacob of Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226967

    Pte. Aneurin Ingman 15th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.4th Sep 1917)

    Aneurin Ingman was the husband of Aileen Florence Ingman of 86 Wickham Road, London.

    Richard Roberts




    226966

    L/Cpl. William Owen Hughes 1st Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.16th May 1915)

    William Owen Hughes was the son of William and Maria Hughes of Love Lane House, Denbigh; husband of Sarah Jane (née Williams) Hughes of Love Lane, Denbigh and father of Mary Elluned Hughes.

    Richard Roberts




    226965

    Pte. William Hughes 6th Bn South Wales Borderers (d.12th April 1918)

    William Hughes was the son of John and Mary Hughes of Hazelwood, Richmond Terrace, Everton; husband of Bertha Lloyd of Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226964

    Pte. Robert Thomas Hughes 4th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th Sept 1915)

    Robert Thomas Hughes was the son of Robert and Sarah Hughes of Mill bank, Llanrhaeadr, Denbs.

    Richard Roberts




    226963

    Pte. Robert John Hughes 1st Btn Welsh Guards (d.21st June 1916)

    Robert Hughes was the son of Thomas and Jane Hughes of Henllan, Denbighshire.

    Richard Roberts




    226961

    Pte John Richard Hughes 1st Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.20th July 1917)

    John Hughes was the son of Richard and Mary Ann Hughes of Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226960

    Pte John Hughes 1st Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.3rd Sept 1916)

    John Hughes was the brother of Ellis Hughes of Denbigh, who was killed in action serving with the Royal Navy.

    Richard Roberts




    226959

    Gnr. John Edward Hughes 155th Heavy Bty Royal Garrison Artillery (d.2nd Nov 1917)

    John Hughes was the son of the late Mr E Hughes of Post Office Lane, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226957

    Pte. James Hughes 18th Bn Welsh Regiment (d.13th Apr 1918)

    James Hughes was the son of James and Jane Hughes of 3 Chapel Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226956

    Gunner Howell Tudor Hughes 245th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.14th Oct 1917)

    Howell Hughes was the son of John Thomas and Leah Hughes of Bronallt, Vale Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226955

    Second Lieutenant Horatio Clement Hughes 1st Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.18th Sep 1918)

    Horatio Hughes was the son of Richard David and Ellen Jane Hughes of Lyndhurst, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226954

    Pte. Evan Hughes 1st Bn King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.29th Oct 1915)

    Evan Hughes was the son of the late Mr Hughes, engineer, and Mrs Hughes of Park Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226953

    Pte. Edmund Tyrer Houghton 7th Btn Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    Edmund Houghton was the son of Henry and Lydia Houghton of Broadleys, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226952

    2nd Lt. Lionel James Heaton 3rd Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1918)

    Lionel Heaton was the son of Bernard and Lilian Gertrude Heaton of Trefeirian, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226951

    L/Cpl. William James Hardy 17th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.13th July 1916)

    William Hardy was the son of Benjamin Tilsley Hardy and Phoebe Selina Hardy of Ty Hyfryd, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226949

    Pte. John Owen Gilmore 1st Bn Scots Guards (d.27th Sep 1915)

    John Gilmore was the son of Mr and Mrs Owen Gilmore of 269 New Chester Road, New Ferry, Cheshire.

    Richard Roberts




    226947

    L/Cpl. William Evans 4th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.9th May 1915)

    William Evans was the son of John and Catherine Evans of 37 Love Lane, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226945

    Pte. John Victor Evans 15th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.24th March 1918)

    Son of John and Maria Evans, 60 Love Lane, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226941

    WO2 Thomas William Colbourne 14th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    Thomas William Colbourne enlisted in the army in January 1915, joining the newly formed 14th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, the 2nd Barnsley Pals. Information on the medal rolls shows he served with the 14th Battalion, the 6th Battalion, the 2nd Battalion and again with the 6th Battalion. Dates for periods of service are not known. Thomas attained the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2, his rank on transfer to Z Reserve in February 1919.

    David Colbourne




    226940

    Pte. Evan Ellis 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.3rd Sept 1916)

    Evan was the son of Robert and Catherine Ellis; husband of Margaret Ellis, Windmill Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226939

    Pte. Ellis Edwards 5th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.4th November 1918)

    Ellis was the son of Mrs Catherine Edwards, 6 Ysgubor Wen, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226938

    Pte. Edward Edwards 24th Denbighshire Yeomanry Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.9th March 1918)

    Edward was the son of John and Catherine Edwards, Llanrhaeadr, Denbs.

    Richard Roberts




    226936

    Sgt. Thomas Albert Davies 14th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.18th Sept 1918)

    Thomas was the son of John and Elizabeth Davies, husband of Jennie (née Cartwright) Davies of 12 Hennessey Terrace, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226934

    Pte. Richard Lloyd Davies 964th Mechanical Transport Coy. Royal Army Service Corps (d.1st February 1919)

    Richard was the son of Richard Henry and Catherine Cormac (née Bain) Davies, 33 Beacon's Hill, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226929

    Pte. John Davies 1st Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.1st November 1918)

    John was the son of David and Sarah (née Roberts) Davies, Carter's Well, Denbigh. He was born on 14th March 1899.

    Richard Roberts




    226928

    Pte. Goronwy Davies 19th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th November 1917)

    Goronwy was the son of Jonah and Mary (née Hughes) Davies of School Street, Henllan, Denbighshire. He was born on 28th August 1890 in Henllan, Denbighshire. He married Ruby Florence May on 13th November 1915, Hamstead.

    Richard Roberts




    226925

    Pte. Edwin Davies 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.11th Nov 1915)

    Edwin Davies was the son of John and Hannah Slater, husband of Catherine. His birth name was George Edwin Slater. He enlisted at Bargoed, South Wales under the surname Davies. His mother and wife had the maiden name of Davies.

    Richard Roberts




    226920

    Gnr. David Charles Davies 210th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th April 1918)

    David Charles Davies, son of David and Susannah Davies, 12 Bridge Street, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226918

    Sgt. Alfred Boyes 25th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.30th November 1917)

    Alfred Boyes was born on 26th November 1890. He was the son of John and Margaret (née Thomas) Boyes, Denbigh.

    Richard Roberts




    226906

    Gnr. George Cocksedge 177th Bde, C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.6th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    George Cocksedge was the fourth child of Jonathan and Annie Cocksedge of Conisbrough near Doncaster in Yorkshire England. Before he joined the army he worked in the coal mines with the pit ponies. His father Jonathan and older brother John Edward also fought in WW1, both returned home.

    George was killed in action on 6th of August 1917 aged just 20, he had his birthday a month before. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery.We only know when he was killed, but do not know exactly where.

    June




    226905

    Sarper Robert Thomas Hughes 400th Field Coy Royal Engineers

    Robert Hughes was my great grandfather who survived the Great War. He was married to Jane Ann at the Brooms Church in Leadgate. They had five boys then five girls.

    Lynne




    226904

    Pte. George Edward "Ned" Burridge Durham Light Infantry

    George Burridge was taken prisoner from the battlefields of Passchendaele and was sent to work in German mines, then transferred to local farms for health reasons.

    Lynne




    226901

    Pte. Percy Clarence Wright 12th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1918)

    Percy Wright is the father of my common-law grandfather; from the little family tree research we've done, we've discovered that he and five others were killed that day from the same battalion (five privates and a captain) in the battle of Courtrai and Ooteghem (push to Ypres). They are buried at Harlebeke British Cemetery in West Flanders. He was 26 years old but there is no age on his headstone and indeed he and two other privates from the 12th killed the same day were re-buried at Harlebeke on 14th June 1920 for some unknown reason.

    He had enlisted in December 1915 at Deptford, though the regiment was formed in Bermondsey in 1915. His son was four years old when Percy died. Family history recounts that his wife walked out upon hearing news of her husband's death and she was never seen again, leaving her sister to bring up my grandfather. However, we cannot find any record of their marriage, their residence in Croydon in 1910s nor of the birth of his wife.

    Tracey




    226899

    Pte. Joseph Rawstron 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.6th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Rawstron served with the 1st East Lancashire Regiment, 4th Division, 11 Brigade during WW1. He departed from Southampton on the 22nd of August 1914 on the ship Braemar Castle landing at Le Harve. Sadly, he died on the 6th of July 1915 whilst engaged in the Battle at Boesinghe when a shell landed in his trench killing Joseph and 5 of his regiment. His body was never found however his memorial plaque is displayed at Menin Gate along side his fallen comrades.

    Hargreaves Rawstron




    226898

    Cpl. James Boyes 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Feb 1915 )

    <p>

    James Boyes was a regular soldier with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in India from 1905. When the 1st Battalion returned to the UK, James remained in India with a cadre from the 1st Battalion to hand over to the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. James returned to the UK with the 2nd Battalion on 22nd of December 1914 and was garrisoned in Winchester. The 2nd Battalion landed at Le Havre on 18th of January 1915. James was wounded on 11th of February 1914 and died of his wounds on 22nd of February 1915 in hospital in Boulogne.

    John Gibbins




    226891

    Pte. Manus Alexander Costello 7th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Manus Costello, born in Bellaghy, County Londonderry, was the son of Patrick and Jane Costello (née Scullion). He enlisted at Omagh, and was aged 28 when he was killed in action on the first day of the The Battle of Messines. He is buried in the La Laiterie Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    Liz Costello




    226889

    Pte. Ernest Thompson 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Ernest Thompson was wounded by gun shot to his left arm on 25th of March 1918. The medical records I have says `on the Amiens front'. He had four operations to save it but was amputated on the 5th at the South African No.1 Hospital. I have no photo of my brave great uncle, but I am so pleased to have all his army records and his hospital records as well. He was taken back to England on the Cambria were he was fitted with an artificial limb at Roehampton. Unfortunately I never met him.

    Brian




    226884

    A/L/Sgt. Thomas Oswell Parry 2/2nd (Welsh) Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Thomas Parry enlisted in the army at Cardiff on the 18 February 1915. He underwent a medical examination that day at the Cardiff RAMC(T) Depot. He was a shop assistant aged 29 years and eleven months. He was 5'4 1/2" tall. His weight was not recorded. His chest, fully expanded, was 36" with a range of expansion of 3". His physical development and eyesight were good. He joined the 2/2 Welsh Field Ambulance Corps. His regimental number was 2236 but this was crossed out (at a later date?) and amended to 366250.

    On the 15th of March 1915 - He was at Aberystwyth with the 2nd Welsh Field Ambulance RAMC. Thomas arrived in France on the 20th of November 1915. He was subsequently awarded the 1915 star. (NB His unit was in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine so France may well be an error).

    In about 1916 He saw service with the RAMC in Egypt and Gallipoli and from the 11th of June 1917 to 22nd of February 1919 he was admitted to hospital at various times suffering from dysentery. On the 11th of April 1919 he was invalided to England and on the 20th was admitted to the Kitchener Military Hospital in Brighton suffering from dysentery On the 28 May 1919 - He was classed as Biii at dispersal and was discharged on the 27th of June 1919 as an Acting Staff Sergeant in the RMC, Reg. No. 366250. By the 14th of November 1919 he had been sent the British Silver War Badge (awarded to those who survived the war but were discharged from the ranks due to injury or illness).

    Adrian Parry




    226866

    Pte. Harry James Flack 11th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.5th December 1918)

    Harry Flack was born in Windsor Castle, where his father was a gardener, and after his father's death moved to Navestock in Essex with his mother and younger brothers George and Bertie. He was employed as a butcher's boy. He followed his brother into the army. Nothing is known regarding his death (due to no paperwork having survived and nothing verbal being passed down). He died on 5th December 1918 (after the armistice) and we can only assume he either died from wounds or during the Spanish influenza epedemic. He is, we believe, buried in Selridge British Military Cemetery, Montay.

    G W King




    226860

    Pte. Kenneth Cameron Murdoch 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.19th April 1916)

    Kenneth Murdoch was born in Aberdeen on 25th June 1883. By 1911 he had moved to Edinburgh and was employed as a brickworks labourer. At the time of his death in Flanders, he was married to Margaret to whom he left all his possessions. He has no known grave but is commemorated on Panel 11 of the Menin Gate.





    226858

    L/Cpl. William Green 9th Btn. B Coy Highland Light Infantry (d.29th Sep 1918)

    William Green was my maternal grandmother's older brother. I knew very little about him, other than his name and that he died in WWI. I was able to research his rank/serial number/company and battalion, that he married, in Stirling in April 1918, assume he was home on leave and was killed on 29 Sept 1918. There is no grave, however he is remembered with great pride on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Haucourt, Pas de Calais, France, which is about 10km south east of Arras. I don't know in which battle he was killed. In researching him, I discovered a great uncle of my husband's, whom he knew nothing about. He was a gunner with The Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery, he died on 8th October 1918 and is buried in Proville British Cemetery, France.

    I submitted both their names for last year's Roll of Honour at The Tower of London. Both names were read, close together, 'at the going down of the sun'. A very emotional and humbling ceremony.

    E Foley




    226856

    Pte. Jack Lee 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.8th Aug 1944)

    <p>

    My uncle, Private Jack Lee, 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, was killed in action in Normandy on 8th August 1944.

    He was my father’s youngest brother. He grew up with his father William, sister Maud and two elder brothers William and Raymond the eldest (my dad) who both served and survived in the army. They all grew up without their mother Florence, who died shortly after Jack was born. Everyone in my family used to say what a lovely kind man Jack was and we have some letters he wrote to his sister whilst on service. Now my grandson is named Thomas Jack in memory of him. He often asks me about his great-great uncle even though he is only six years old and as a Beaver proudly took part in the local Armistice parade. I am sure the memory of Jack and all the other casualties of war will live on.

    Brian Lee




    226855

    Pte. Peter Farrelly 9th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.28th March 1916)

    Peter Farrelly is named on Loos-en-Gohalle memorial, but name incorrectly spelled as "Farley". This is almost certainly because, to this day, people in his part of Ireland mispronounce "Farrelly" as "Farley". So when he was asked his name it would have been entered on his records incorrectly.

    Richard Raymond




    226854

    Pte. George Alfred John Flack 11th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.15th Oct 1916)

    George Flack was born in Windsor Castle (where his father was a gardener). After the death of his father, the family moved to Navestock in Essex, where he became a house boy on a farm. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Romford, Essex. He was killed during the Somme offensive at the battle of Transloy, during one of the many attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. His remains were never recovered and he is remembered with pride on the Thiepval memorial and by his descendants. His brother Harry (John) also died whilst serving in the same regiment on 5th December 1918, possibly from influenza, and is buried in Selridge British Cemetery, Montay, France.

    George King




    226846

    W. B. Young 119th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    My parents' house in Northern France has a chimney place in the attic with lots of different names of people engraved into it. Several of the engravings come from men serving in the 119th Machine Gun Corp. It would be really good to find the relatives of these men.

    Heidi Ward




    226842

    Col. Edward Montagu CBE Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    Col. Edward Montagu served with the Suffolk Regiment.

    Katharine Montagu




    226841

    Pte. Robert Bailey 20th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Bailey served with the 20th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Steven L. Wagner




    226836

    Gnr. Ernest Houghton 18th Div X Trench Mortar Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd July 1918)

    Ernest Houghton or, as my family calls him, Uncle Ernie, was a young man of 27 when he died on 3rd July 1918. He was the youngest son of Charles and Clara Houghton. Uncle Ernie was born in a small hamlet called Wardy Hill, Coveney, Cambridgeshire, England. He is my great great uncle, the only information I could glean from my great aunt Gertie was that Uncle Ernie was a talented violinist. He was a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery, his unit 18th X Trench Mortar Battery. He is buried in Brandenburg, Germany. My family sadly does not have a picture of this young man who sacrificed his young life so my children can have the freedom they do today. Never forgotten, always remembered. Rest in peace Uncle Ernie.





    226833

    Cpl. Arthur Frank Jones 8th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.4th October 1917)

    Arthur Jones died at the age of 21 at the Battle of Broodseinde.

    Julian Kidd




    226831

    Sgt. Richard Preece 9th Btn. Loyal North Lancs Regiment (d.5th Nov 1918)

    Richard Preece is my paternal great grandfather. He was born in Dudley on 23rd July 1887 to Richard and Harriet. On the 1901 census he is living with his parents in Dudley and is a labourer in an ironworks. By 1910 he has moved to Bolton, Lancs and is married to Maud Miller (from Bolton) aged 22. In the 1911 census he is living in Tong Street, Bolton with his wife Maud - he is a gravedigger and Maud is a drawing frame tenter. In 1913 they have their first child, a daughter Harriet Maud Preece (1913-1990).

    Sometime in 1914 he joins the war effort and arrives in France on 25th September 1915 with the 9th Loyal North Lancs just three months before his twin daughters are born (Emma and Sarah - 28/6/1915). Sadly Emma dies in July 1915. His battalion fought on the Somme in 1916 at Bazentin, Pozieres and the Ancre Heights, then in the Battles of Messines Ridge and Pilkem Ridge in 1917.

    As Richard's soldier's papers did not survive, we cannot be sure which of these battles he fought in. It is likely he was wounded at some stage, and was not sufficiently fit for front line duty on his recovery. He was transferred to the 14th Company, Labour Corps, which was a prisoner of war company, guarding prisoners of war. In late 1918 they were in the Conches-en-Ouche area, about 35 miles south of Rouen. The German prisoners here were engaged in forestry work.

    As Richard is recorded as having died it is possible that he was a victim of the 1918 influenza pandemic. He is buried at Conches-en-Ouche Communal Cemetery. He was 31 years old and left his wife Maud (32) and daughters Harriet Maud (5) and Sarah (3) - he never met either of his daughters.





    226823

    Bertie "Nugget" Kirkum 13th Btn. London Regiment

    Granddad, Bertie Kirkum, did not speak about the war, apart from one story about when he was wounded. He showed us the scars on his arm where a bullet had entered one arm, came out the other side and lodged in his other arm. I have often wondered how this happened, but can only assume that it was on the Somme and with the German machine gunners firing across the line of advance rather than directly straight at the oncoming troops. Therefore with his rifle in hand, left on the barrel and right on the trigger, he was hit. He never did tell us anything else, understandably.

    John Baldry




    226822

    Gnr. Thomas Hambridge 99 Company Royal Garrison Artillery

    Thomas Hambridge was born on 24th March 1888 in Braunston, Northamptonsire. His parents were Thomas Hambridge and Eliza Cole. Thomas was married in 1910 to Mary Ann Grantham. Prior to enlisting, Thomas worked as a coal and timber merchant in Fisher Row, Oxford. He enlisted on 3rd June 1916 in Oxford, possibly with a family friend, Abel Beechey.

    Thomas was posted to Malta with the 99 Company RGA in 1917. He survived the war and was demobilised in 1919, after serving in both India and South Africa.

    Andy Beechey




    226821

    Capt. Vidal Royal Army Medical Corps

    Captain Vidal, RAMC, was sent to Wittenberg POW Camp to help during the typhus epidemic in 1915.





    226820

    Able Sea Young

    Able Seaman Young was a prisoner at Reiskatte POW Camp, where he died.





    226819

    L/Cpl. P. Shipwright 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancastershire Regt (d.2nd April 1915)

    Cpl. Wright volunteered to help during a typhus epidemic at Wittenberg POW camp where he was a prisoner. Sadly, he died on 2nd April 1915, after contracting the disease. He is buried in Berlin South Western Cemetery, grave XIII.D.5.





    226818

    Pte. Worsfold Queen's Royal West Surrey Rgt.

    Private Worsfold was a prisoner at Gustrow POW Camp, where he died, reportedly from eating bad food.





    226817

    Pte. Wilson Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Private Wilson was a prisoner in Gustrow POW Camp, where he is reported dying as a consequence of eating bad food.





    226816

    Pte. J. Ward 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancastershire Regt (d.18th April 1915)

    Private Ward volunteered to help during the typhus epidemic at Wittenberg POW Camp. Sadly, he contracted the disease and died on 18th April 1915. He is buried in Berlin South Western Cemetery, grave XIII.D.3.





    226815

    Sgt. Billy Ward King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Sgt Billy Ward was a prisoner at Friedrichfeld POW Camp. He escaped to Holland.





    226814

    2nd Lt. Ernest Warburton 5th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Ernest Warburton was captured at Arras. He was imprisoned in Karlsruhe and Schwarmstedt POW Camps.





    226813

    Capt. Joseph S. Walter MC MID 7th Btn. Queen's Royal West Surrey Rgt. (d.21st May 1918)

    Captain Walter was a prisoner at Holzminden and Bad Colberg POW Camps. He was killed for escaping on 21st May 1918. He is buried in Neiderzwehen Cemetery, Kassel, grave III.N.3.





    226812

    Lt. C. E. Wallis Loyal North Lancastershire Regt

    Lt Wallis was a prisoner in Mainz POW Camp.





    226811

    Cpl. Walker 1st Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

    Cpl. Walker was a prisoner in Gustrow POW Camp.





    226810

    Mjr. Crofton Bury Vandeleur Cameronians Scottish Rifles

    Major Vandeleur escaped from Crefeld POW camp.





    226809

    2nd Lt. J. N. Tullis

    Lt Tullis escaped to Holland from Holzminden POW camp on the night of 23-24 July 1918.





    226808

    Capt. A. A. Sutcliffe Royal Army Medical Corps (d.12th March 1915)

    Captain Sutcliffe was sent to Wittenberg POW Camp to give medical help during a typhus epidemic. Sadly, he died on 12th March 1915 at the age of 33 after contracting the disease. He is buried in Berlin South Western Cemetery, grave XIX.C.4.





    226807

    Capt. J. B. Sterndale MC South Wales Borderers

    Captain Sterndale was taken prisoner at Lys and sent to Schweidnitz POW Camp in Silesia.





    226806

    Capt. C. M. Slack 4th Btn. Yorkshire Rgt

    Captain Slack was a prisoner in Koln POW Camp.





    226805

    2/Lt. A. T. Shipwright

    Lt Shipwright, a prisoner in Holzminden POW camp, escaped but was recaptured.





    226804

    Pte. R. Robinson 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Rgt (d.28th April 1915)

    Private Robinson was a prisoner at Gustrow POW Camp. He died when, because he was starving, he ate bad food. He is buried in Hamburg Cemetery, grave I.F.14.





    226803

    William Leefe Robinson VC (d.31st December 1918)

    William Leefe Robinson VC was a prisoner in Zorndorf and Holzminden POW Camps. Several times he tried to escape but was not successful. He was badly treated by the German guards. He died on 31st December 1918.





    226802

    2/Lt. H. Ringham 16th Btn. Manchester Rgt.

    Lt. Ringham was a prisoner in Mainz POW Camp.





    226801

    W. J. M. Rennells 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Rgt. (d.28th March 1915)

    Private Rennells was a prisoner at Wittenberg POW Camp. He died on 28th March 1915 during the typhus epidemic in the camp. He is buried in Berlin South Western Cemetery, grave XII.C.12





    226800

    Col. Charles Rathbone

    Colonel Rathbone was a prisoner at Holzminden and Schweidnitz POW Camps. He escaped from Holzminden on the night of 23-24 July 1918 and reached freedom in Holland. He had previously escaped from Schweidnitz. Colonel Rathbone was Senior British Officer at Holzminden.





    226799

    Pte. George Ramsay 1st Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlands (d.11th March 1915)

    Pte George Ramsay, aged 32, died of typhus pn 11th March 1915 during the outbreak at Wittenberg POW Camp. He is buried in Berlin South Western Cemetery, grave XIX.C.12.





    226798

    2/Lt. Stanley Purves

    Lt Purves escaped from Holzminden POW Camp to Holland on 23-24 April 1918.





    226797

    Mjr. Priestley RAMC

    Major Priestley was one of six doctors who were sent by the Germans to deal with the typhus outbreak at Wittenberg POW Camp between January and late July 1915.





    226796

    Sgt. A. J. Parsons 11th Btn. Rifle Bgde.

    Sgt. Parsons was a prisoner at Koln POW camp.





    226795

    2/Lt. F. J. Ortweiler

    Lt Ortweiler was a prisoner in Zorndorf POW Camp.





    226794

    Sgt. Patrick Oliver East Surrey Regiment

    Paddy Oliver was a prisoner in Reiskatte POW Camp.





    226792

    Capt. William Morritt MID 1st Btn. East Surrey Rgt (d.27th June 1917)

    Captain Morritt was a prisoner at Schwarmstedt POW Camp. He was shot dead ny guards on 27th June 1917 and is buried in Hamburg Cemetery, grave II.H.1.





    226791

    Lt. K. J. P. Oliphant Wiltshire Rgt.

    Lt Oliphant was a prisoner at Munden. He managed to escape on 22nd October 1916 but was recaptured.





    226790

    Lt. Mortimer-Phelan

    Lt Mortimer-Phelan escaped from Holzminden Camp, where he was being held as a POW.





    226787

    Pte. F. C. Monk Lincolnshire Rgt.

    Private Monk was a prisoner at Sennelager POW Camp.





    226786

    Sgt. Thomas Miller Highland Light Infantry

    Sergeant Miller volunteered to help medical staff at Wittenberg POW Camp, where he was a prisoner, during the typhus epidemic outbreak (from January to late July 1915). Sgt. Miller did not succumb to the disease.





    226785

    Capt. G. D. J. McMurtie 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    Captain McMurtie was a prisoner at Graudenz POW Camp.





    226784

    1st Lt. L. Dalzell MacLean

    Lt MacLean was a prisoner at Konigsberg POW Camp.





    226783

    Cpl. McKerdle Royal Marine Light Infantry

    Cpl McKerdle was captured at the Battle of Antwerp. He was sent to Munster II POW Camp.





    226782

    Pte. William McGraa 1st Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.8th December 1914)

    Private McGraa was a prisoner in Gustrow POW Camp. He died on 8th December 1914 as a result of punishment he received. He is buried in Hamburg Cemetery, grave III.B.10.





    226781

    L/Cpl. Arthur McDonald 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    A prisoner in Wittenberg POW Camp, L/Cpl McDonald volunteered to help the medical staff during an outbreak of typhus, which raged in Wittenberg Camp from January 1915 until late July 1915. Sadly, he contracted the disease and died on 1st June 1915. He is buried in Berlin South Western Cemetery, grave XIV.B.10.





    226780

    Capt. Matthews Worcester Rgt.

    Captain Matthews was a prisoner at Graudenz POW camp.





    226779

    James Martin 7th Btn.

    James Martin was captured at Ypres. He was sent with a work party to the Geiswand Iron Works in Westphalia.





    226778

    2nd Lt. Robert Macintosh

    Lt Macintosh was a prisoner at Clausthal POW Camp.





    226777

    Pte. MacDonald Gordon Highlanders

    Private MacDonald was a prisoner at Westerholt POW Camp, from which he escaped.





    226776

    Pte. Frank MacDonald 1st Btn. Canadian Mounted Rifles

    Frank MacDonald was a prisoner in Munster II POW Camp, after being captured at Sanctuary Wood on 2nd June 1916. He escaped to Holland from the Auguste Victoria coal mine, where he had been sent on a work party.





    226775

    Mjr. H. W. Long Royal Army Medical Corps

    Major Long was a prisoner in Torgau, Saxony POW Camp.





    226774

    L/Cpl. E. Long 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancs Rgt (d.31st March 1915)

    L/Cpl Long was a prisoner in Wittenberg POW Camp. He volunteered to help the medical staff during a typhus epidemic which ran from January to July 1915. Sadly, L/Cpl Long contracted the disease and died on 31st March 1915. He is buried in Berlin South Western Cemetery, grave XIII.D.1.





    226773

    Pte. John Gormley 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancs Rgt (d.10th March 1915)

    Private Gormley was a prisoner in Wittenberg POW Camp. He died on 10th March 1915 during the typhus epidemic which raged in the camp between January and July 1915. He is commemorated on the Wittenberg Memorial and also on the Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, Panels 27 and 28.





    226772

    Pte. Alexander Logan 2nd Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancs) Rgt.

    Private Logan was a prisoner in Bokelah3 POW Camp. He was bayoneted to death for refusing to work on 26th May 1916 and is buried in Hamburg Cemetery, grave III.D.14.





    226771

    Capt. E. W. Leggatt

    Captain Leggatt was a prisoner in Holzminden POW camp. He escaped on the night of 23-24 July 1918 and reached freedom in Holland.





    226770

    Lt. Lauder Royal Army Medical Corps

    Lt Lauder was one of six RAMC doctors who were sent by the Germans to help with an outbreak of typhus at Wittenberg POW Camp (January to July 1915).





    226769

    Lt. Gerald Featherstone Knight

    Gerald Knight was a prisoner at Strohen, Clausthal and Osnabruck POW camps. He escaped on 16th August 1917 and reached freedom in Holland.





    226768

    2nd Lt. Caspar Kennard

    Lt. Kennard was a prisoner at Clausthal and Holzminden POW camps. He escaped from Holzminden on the night of 23-24 July 1918 and successfully reached Holland.





    226767

    2nd Lt. Marcus Kaye

    Lt Kaye was a prisoner at Schweidnitz POW camp. He made at least one attempt to escape.





    226766

    Trpr. Walter Jowsey Royal Field Artillery

    Trooper Jowsey was a prisoner at Friedrichfeld POW Camp.





    226765

    Mjr. E. Jones

    Major Jones was a prisoner at Friedrichfeld POW Camp.





    226764

    L/Cpl. Andrew Jones 15th Btn. Division (Infantry)

    L/Cpl Jones was a prisoner in Beienrode POW Camp.





    226763

    Rflmn. H. Jeffrey King's Royal Rifle Corps

    Rifleman Jeffrey was a prisoner in Parchim POW Camp.





    226762

    Capt. Jarvis Royal Munster Fusiliers

    Captain Jarvis was a prisoner in Mainz Citadel POW Camp.





    226761

    Pte. W. Jackson 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.9th March 1915)

    Private Jackson was a prisoner at Wittenberg POW camp. He volunteered to help those who had contracted typhus during an outbreak of the disease. Sadly, he succumbed to this illness and died on 9th March 1915. He is buried in Berlin South Western Cemetery, grave XIX.D.2.





    226760

    2nd Lt. Gilbert S.M. Insall VC MC

    Lt. Insall VC was a prisoner in Strohen POW Camp. He made three bids for freedom, succeeding on 28th April 1917. After the war he received the MC for successfully reaching Holland.





    226759

    Lt. Humphries Army Service Corps

    Lt. Humphries was a prisoner in Mainz Citadel POW Camp.





    226758

    Pte. Joseph Hickey Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Private Joe Hickey was a prisoner in Sennelager POW Camp.





    226757

    Lt. Hamilton "Flossie" Hervey

    Lt Hervey was shot down in April 1917 and became a prisoner at Freiburg, Baden and Clausthal POW camps.





    226756

    2nd Lt. J. Milton Hayes MC 7th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Lt. Hayes was a prisoner of war in Mainz Citadel.





    226755

    Capt. Michael Harrison Royal Irish Regiment

    Captain Michael Harrison was a prisoner in Torgau, Burg, Strohen and Magdeburg POW Camps. He was a dedicated escapee making several bids for freedom, finally succeeding when he reached Holland.





    226754

    Lt. Jocelyn L. Hardy Connaught Rangers

    Lt. Jocelyn Hardy was an inveterate escaper, making a total of ten escape attempts during his time in Clausthal, Magdeburg and Schweidwitz POW camps. He finally succeeded and reached freedom in Holland, along with fellow-escapee Captain Willie Loder-Symonds.

    While he was a POW he was promoted and transferred to the Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers.





    226753

    Capt. David "Munshi" Gray

    Captain David `Munshi' Gray was a prisoner in Holzminden POW camp. He escaped on the night of 23-24 July 1918 and reached Holland and freedom.





    226752

    Capt. Gore MC

    Captain Gore was a POW in Dulmen and Holzminden POW camps during the war. He escaped from Dulmen and was recaptured. He was then sent to Holzminden and spent nearly two months in solitary confinement as a punishment for attempting to escape from Dulmen.





    226751

    Cpl. Alexander Fyfe Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

    Corporal Fyfe was captured in September 1914 and was sent to Giessen and Merseburg POW camps.





    226750

    Mjr. Fry Royal Army Medical Corps (d.17th March 1915)

    Major Fry was one of six RAMC doctors dispatched by the Germans to deal with the typhus outbreak at Wittenberg POW Camp. Sadly, he became infected with typhus and died. He is buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery, grave XIX.C.5.





    226749

    Capt. Field Royal Army Medical Corps (d.10th April 1915)

    Captain Field was one of six doctors who were sent by the Germans to Wittenberg POW Camp to deal with an outbreak of typhus. Sadly, he caught typhus and died in April 1915. He is buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery, grave XIX.C.3.





    226748

    Able Sea. James Farrant Division (Infantry)

    Able Seaman James Farrant was a POW in several prisons during WW1: Reiskatte, Gustrow and Doberitz, during which time he attempted to escape. He had been captured at the Battle of Antwerp in October 1914.





    226747

    Capt. A. J. Evans

    Capt Evans was a POW at two camps, Ingoldstadt and Clausthal. He was a dedicated escapee, making five attempts during his time as a POW.





    226743

    Sgt. Evan Jones Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.29th September 1918)

    Evan Jones was a Sergeant in WWI. He was in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 5th Bn. then transferred to (464420) 76th Coy. Labour Corps. He was killed in battle, hit by shrapnel from a shell. He is buried at Louverval Military Cemetery, Diognies in France. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    He was born in Flint, Wales, and worked as a labourer at an Ironworks. He was beloved by his sister Mary Elizabeth.

    Jenna Fullerton




    226739

    Capt. Walter L. Clinton 1st Btn. attchd. 2nd Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

    Captain Clinton was a prisoner at Graudenz POW camp. He escaped on 4th October 1918 and walked 190 miles to freedom. Sadly, he died in Belgrade on 22nd November 1918 and is buried in Belgrade New Cemetery, Grave 179.





    226738

    Capt. M. Esler RAMC

    Captain Esler was a prisoner at Stralsund POW camp.





    226737

    Pte. W. Elvin 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Private Elvin was a prisoner at Gustrow POW Camp.





    226736

    Drmr. Eaglefield Grenadier Guards

    Drummer Eaglefield was a prisoner at Gustrow POW camp. He lost both feet through frostbite, caused by outside Appells held in all weather.





    226735

    Pte. H. Drope Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

    Pte Harry Drope was a POW at Heilsberg. He walked 500 miles to Russia on after escaping on 13 June 1918.





    226734

    Capt. Downes South Staffordshire Rgt.

    Capt.Downes was a prisoner at Strohen POW camp. He was bayoneted through a lung by guards for `not moving quickly enough'. After hospital treatment he recovered. The incident was witnessed by G. F. Knight, another POW.





    226733

    Capt. Robert Dolbey RAMC

    Captain Dolbey had been captured at La Bassee in October 1914, when he was in charge of a field hospital. Subsequently, he was imprisoned at Sennelager and Crefeld POW Camps.





    226732

    Lt. T. J. Dobson

    Lt Donson was taken prisoner at Antwerp in October 1914 where he had been wounded in the arm. He was at the POW hospital at Koln, before transferring to Mainz POW Camp.





    226731

    Drmr. Joseph Dawson 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Drummer Dawson was captured at Ypres after suffering a head wound. He became a prisoner at Munster II POW camp.





    226730

    Pte. Cullen West Surrey (Queen's) Rgt.

    Private Cullen was a prisoner of war at Bokelah3 Camp. He was exchanged in 1915 and sent to Holland.





    226729

    2/Lt. M. R. Chidson

    2/Lt Chidson was a prisoner at Holzminden POW camp.





    226728

    Pte. W. Chambers 14th Btn.

    Private Chambers was incarcerated in Lichtenhorst POW camp (on the edge of Luneburg Heath).





    226727

    Lt. Colin Campbell Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    Lt Campbell was a POW at Torgau POW camp.





    226726

    Pte. E. Caine 1st Btn. Dorset Regiment

    Pte Caine was a prisoner in Gustrow POW Camp.





    226718

    L/Cpl. Gavin Arthur Wilson 1st/14th Btn. London Regiment (d.31st Aug 1918)

    <p>

    My great uncle, Gavin Wilson, died of wounds in Flanders on the 31st of August 1918, aged 19, following action at the Battle of Bullecourt. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website confirms his burial place as Bac du Sud British cemetery in Bailleulval which was the site, in August and September 1918 of the No. 46 Casualty Clearing Station.

    Gavin signed up to the London Scottish Regiment in Dundee in September 1916 as a volunteer, aged 18 years and 21 days. At the time he was an apprentice chartered accountant with Mackay, Irons & Co., Commercial Street, Dundee. According to my grandfather, he had been counting the months until he would be old enough to sign up. The Regimental Archivist has confirmed that Gavin trained with the 3rd Battalion in late 1916 and early 1917 at Hazley Down Camp in Winchester. His medical record indicates that Gavin was hospitalised with German Measles in April of 1917. He then sailed across to France on 1st October 1917 and joined the 1st Battalion London Scottish Regiment - also written as (1st/14th London (London Scottish) Regiment) or 14th Londons) - on 14th of October 1917 after final training and "battle inoculation" at Etaples. He fought through the Battle of Cambrai on 30th of November 1917 as lance corporal in charge of the Lewis gun section of his company.

    Gavin was wounded on 30th of August 1918 at the Battle of Bullecourt and taken to No 46 Casualty Clearing Station where he died of wounds the following day. A letter from the Matron of 46 CCS to Gavin’s father confirms that he was brought there on 30th of August with stomach wounds. In the matron’s words: ‘He seemed so happy and not the least frightened, and sent you his love.’

    Gavin was born in Newport, Fife on 10th of September 1898, the youngest son of Gavin Laurie Wilson and his second wife, Alison Johnston Russell. Gavin Laurie Wilson was the founder of the well-known Dundee department store, G.L. Wilson’s (The Friendly Store), situated at The Corner, Murraygate, Dundee. Gavin Arthur was the younger half-brother of Sir Garnet Wilson, Lord Provost of Dundee 1940-1946.

    Di Anderson




    226717

    Mjr. Frederick Salter Cubitt MC. 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

    Frederick Cubitt signed up November 1914 and was on active service throughout the war and with the Army of Occupation in Germany. After the war he went to Calcutta and became a jute broker. Later he became secretary of the Bengal Club and a member of the committee in India that raised £187,000 for British War Services in India. Frederick was an expert gardener who used hydroponic methods to raise vegetables in the 1940's when at the Bengal Club. He died in 1950

    Dr W.D. Cubitt




    226716

    Pte. George Saunders 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    My grandfather George had a short war. He was there where the first shots were fired at Mons and in the next three weeks fought in five named battles, during which his regiment lost half its men to death or wounds. George was badly wounded, pulled from a pile of dead bodies and sent home. His death certificate in 1968 refers to after-effects of his wounds, which he endured for 54 years.

    Despite its being only 13 miles from London, George was born and brought up in Old Bexley village, which was rural in those days. My mother says he joined the army, aged 17 in 1908 as a regular, to get away from a house full of women. Curiously, he enlisted in the 2nd South Lancashire regiment, who were based in Tidworth and recruiting in London.

    War was declared on 4 August 1914, his regiment was mobilised and 27 officers and 980 men left Southampton for France ten days later. On 22 August they arrived at Mons (battle honour) and that afternoon commenced in action for 36 hours. On 24/25th they were in the fighting retreat (battle honour) and on 26th they stood firm at le Cateau (battle honour) which allowed the other allied units to escape and regroup. 2nd South Lancashires were widely scattered and down to 500 men. They had marched 200 miles, much of which was in battle. Continuing their march they were in the Battle of the Marne (battle honour)on 6 to 8 September. From 10th to 12th they turned and were in pursuit of the Germans who were in retreat, having outrun their supply lines. The Germans entrenched north of the river Aisne and on 15th September, four weeks after arriving in France and three weeks since Mons, 2 South Lancashires gained their fifth battle honour for the first Battle of the Aisne. It was there that my grandfather was wounded. The battalion was 'withdrawn to safety' on 21st September, having been in almost continuous action for 31 days.

    Tankertonian




    226715

    Sgt. David Hynd Hart DCM. 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.2nd Mar 1916)

    <p>

    David Hart was my mother's grandfather and was from Mossend, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, S/2506. I can see from his medal card that France was the first theatre of war served in, and he first entered on the 18th of December 1914.

    David was killed in action at 22 years old on 2nd of March 1916, in 'The Actions of the Bluff' in Ypres. He was awarded the DCM for saving the life of his commanding officer. He was also awarded the 1915 star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    D Hart on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial

    Lorin Freeman




    226714

    Pte. Joseph Davies 9th Btn. Royal Welch Fusilisers (d.15th November 1918)

    Joseph Davies was my paternal great uncle, and served with the 9th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers. I am currently trying to piece his war history together, with some difficulty.

    Joseph was apparently transferred to the Labour Corps 258063 at some stage later in the war. He contracted pneumonia whilst serving in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Sadly he died on 15th November 1918 in Clonmel and is buried there in a war grave.

    Janet Lowe




    226713

    Pte. William Earnest Goulty MM. 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    Originally from Norwich, Pte William Goulty MM relocated to Rotherham, South Yorkshire after WW1, along with two brothers. The family story goes that he was a runner and he won his Military Medal for actions in 1916. No citation has survived, which was apparently written on a drum skin, his medals are in Norwich military museum.

    As was sometimes the case, the war was never mentioned, no stories have survived. Does anyone have any section/platoon/battalion photographs, newspaper cuttings etc of the 8th Battalion?

    M Horne




    226703

    Rflmn. Harold Brinley Edwards 1st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.7th Sept 1915)

    Rifleman Edwards died on 7th September 1915 and is buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery.

    Mike Metcalfe




    226701

    Pte. Keith Cuthbert Curry 2/4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th March 1919)

    <p>The Curry Family at home in Hull

    Keith Curry was from Hull.

    Stephen Bell




    226692

    Pte. W. Butcher 1st Btn. Royal West Surrey (Queen's) Rgt.

    Private Burrows was a POW at Gustrow POW camp in Mecklenburg. He was punished by the guards for stealing a loaf of bread. The punishment consisted of tying him to a post for three hours in the snow. This led to frostbite and amputations.





    226691

    Cpl. R. Burrows Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Corporal Burrows was a POW at Gustrow in Mecklenburg and also at Suder Zoll Haus Camp. He recorded that at Gustrow men died from eating bad food because the Germans refused to give them adequate rations. Out of desperate hunger, soldiers ate food that had `gone-off'. Burrows mentioned that Privates Worsfold (Queens Rgt), Robinson (Lincolns), Poulton and Wilson (both Royal Scots Fusiliers) all died.





    226690

    Cpl. John Brady King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Cpl. Brady was captured at Le Cateau on 26th August 1914, probably during the retreat from Mons. He became a POW at three camps: Sennelager and Minden, both in Westphalia, and at Munster II in Rhein.





    226689

    Lt. J. K. Bousfield

    Lt Bousfield was a POW in Holzminden in Brunswick. He escaped on the night of 23-24 July 1918 along with 29 other prisoners. He made it to Holland along with nine other escapees.





    226688

    Col. R. C. Bond King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Colonel Bond was a POW in Torgau camp in Saxony.





    226687

    2nd Lt. Cecil Blain

    Lt. Blain was a POW during WWI. He escaped from Clausthal in Harz, but was recaptured. Then he was sent to Holzminden in Brunswick, where he escaped along with 29 POWs on the night of 23-24 July 1918. He and nine other escapees made it to Holland and freedom.





    226685

    Pte. Bickerton Essex Regiment

    Private Bickerton was a POW at two POW camps, Freiburg and Baden.





    226684

    Pte. J. Barry 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.18th January 1918)

    Private Barry was a POW at Sennelager camp in Westphalia where he was shot dead by guards. He is buried in plot V.C.5 at Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel.





    226683

    Pte. Benjamin Whitworth 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Benjamin Whitworth was born in Wigan, Lancashire in 1895 and moved to Sheffield shortly after. He was employed for six years at Samuel Osbourn Works in Sheffield.

    In March 1915 he enlisted at Attercliffe, Sheffield in the British Army, joining 7th Battalion of The East Yorkshire Regiment and was sent to France in July 1915.He was killed on 1st July 1916 in the "Big Push" at the Battle of the Somme aged 21, and is buried in Fricourt New Cemetery.

    Fricourt New Cemetery

    Jacqueline James




    226680

    Lt. H. H. Baker Lancashire Fusiliers

    Lt Baker was a POW at Dulmen in the Rhine and also at Holzminden in Brunswick. While in Dulmen an escape attempt earned him seven weeks in solitary confinement at Holzminden where he had been sent after recapture.

    Pete




    226679

    Pte. Morris William Stearns 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.16th Sept 1916)

    <p>

    Morris Stearns served with the 9th Suffolk Regiment

    Maurice's Wife Ellen.

    Lynne Pell




    226677

    R.S. Baillie 14th (London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment

    Pte Baillie was incarcerated in Celle Schloss POW camp duirng WWI.





    226675

    L. J. Austin

    L J Austin was a doctor. He was a POW at three camps: Magdeburg, Koln and Torgau.

    Pete




    226674

    L/Cpl. P. Almond 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.2nd April 1915)

    L/Cpl. Almond was a POW at Wittenberg camp in Saxony. He died during the typhus outbreak which raged through the camp from January to July 1915. Sixty British POWs died, along with about 125 men of other nationalities. There were nearly 2,000 typhus cases in all. L/Cpl Almond is buried in Berlin Southwestern Cemetery.

    Pete




    226673

    Lt. A. B.W. Allistone 6th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Lt Allistone was a POW at Torgau camp, Saxony.

    Pete




    226672

    Lt. Joseph Allen

    Lt. Allen was a POW at Holzminden in Brunswick.

    Pete




    226671

    Pte. George Agnew Black Watch Rgt.

    Pte George Agnew was a POW at Friedrichfeld, Rhein. He worked at the Zeppelin factory at Freidrichshafen.

    Pete




    226670

    Cpl. Peter Joseph Ross MM. 20th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Peter Ross was my father.who received the Military Medal, I think for taking a machine gun post alone? He did tell me a few stories but not many. One he said he witnessed the first group to enter I believe the Hindenburg line. An officer he said was under reprimand and decided to do an act of bravery to retrieve his reputation ( I do not think this was the 20th Londons?) The officer got several volunteers, around a dozen and took off and the managed to get into a section of the impenetrable Hindenburg line. He was told the story by the only survivor who my father spotted walking backwards with some German prisoners to cover him from enemy fire. They had fought for quite a long time in a section of the line with the Germans throwing grenades into there section until he was the only survivor. Some how he managed to get these prisoners about 6? in front of him to protect him from the German fire and waked backwards to the British trenches. This was the point my father, very carefully as putting your head above the trench was very dangerous, observed this strange procession from quite some distance until they reached the trench where my father was waiting, with others of course, and heard the story from this very brave soldier All the rest of the volunteers he said including the officer were killed. My father said he believes this incident would never have been recorded as it was not observed by an officer and the following day after the incident a major battle happened that may have even killed the single survivor of that attack and many others.

    He also told me as he was a runner he would usually go over the top with and officer and one time a sergeant as well either side of him. A German Machine gun popped up and all three dropped to the ground, only my father survived.

    I would like to know why he was awarded the MM, it may have been something to do with a solo attack on a machine gun post but I am not sure. He did mention that he was also mentioned twice in dispatches.

    Paul Ross




    226669

    Pte. John Eardley Manchester Regiment (d.4th Jun 1915)

    Private John Eardley, Manchester Regiment, served on the Gallipoli Peninsula since the landings in April. In civilian life he was an avid autograph collector. After his death on the 4th of June 1915 a postcard was found in his trench which read: “A man who goes on calmly hunting autographs with all civilization crumbling around him, and the Turkish enemy not far below the horizon, really deserves to succeed. So here goes, G Bernard Shaw”.





    226667

    Pte. Leslie Malcolm Cotterell 16th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Leslie Cotterell was badly wounded in attack on the Somme July 1916, one of the stretcher bearers bringing him back was also shot. His parents were called when he arrived back in a Southampton Hospital as they thought he would not survive. He lost one lung at age 19 and was very fortunate to recover.

    Leslie Cotterell photographs and medals

    Edward Cotterell




    226631

    Pte Joseph McGarry 1st Btn King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.19 May 1915)

    Joseph was the son of Mrs Martha Jessop of Everton, Liverpool. He was killed in France in 1915 and was buried at Le Touret.

    Alan Bennett




    226629

    Pte William James Jessop 18th Btn King's (Liverpool Regiment)

    <p>

    William Jessop served with the 18th Btn King's (Liverpool Regiment)

    Alan Bennett




    226628

    Pte. Frederick Gustave Jarvis 10th Btn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.13th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Jarvis was the son of Harold and Julia Jarvis of Edge Hill, Liverpool. He was killed in France in August 1916 and is buried at Thiepval.

    Alan Bennett




    226626

    Pte Arthur Jackson Hilditch 18th Btn. Kings (Liverpool Regiment) (d.18th Oct 1916)

    Arthur Hilditch was the son of Mr & Mrs Henry Hilditch of Hunts Cross, Liverpool. He was killed in France in 1916 and was buried at Warlencourt Court British Cemetery.





    226607

    Pte. Charles Ernest Hadley 19th Btn. London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    My grandfather was killed in High Wood his name on the Thiepval Monument is spelt Hadly but should be Charles Ernest Hadley.

    Malcolm Hadley




    226606

    Pte. Joseph Henry Lapslie 18th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.30th Jul 1916)

    Pte. Joseph Henry Lapslie served with the 18th Battalion Lancs Fusiliers. He was killed in action on the Somme and is commemorated on the Thievpal memorial.

    Barry O'Sullivan




    226605

    Pte. Albert Matley 2nd Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd Oct 1915)

    The 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment were involved in the Battle of Loos. My great uncle Albert Matley (17469) was killed there and is commemorated on panel 49 in the Loos Cemetery.

    Stephen Bridgehouse




    226604

    Spr. Axel Hansen 1st Tunneling Coy Royal Engineers (d.17th April 1919)

    Axel Hansen, born was in Skive, Denmark. He served with the 1 Aus. Tunnelling Coy. He died on 17th April 1919 and is buried at Tidsworth Military Cemetery. On his gravestone in Danish is: "Tro mod sin slægt - Tro mod Danmark" (Faithful to his family - Faithful to Denmark).

    JÃ?rgen Flintholm Hansen




    226598

    L/Sgt. Frederick Alcock 2nd/5th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.30th September 1918)

    My uncle, Frederick Alcock, lived in Bedminster, Bristol, England and was 39 years old when he was killed in action in France. He is buried in the Rue-Due-Bois Military Cemetary.

    There was a fight at "Junction Post", SE of Fleurbaix on 30 September 1918 in which two officers of his unit were also killed - so I am assuming he could have been with them, though this has not been verified.

    Erica MacGilp




    226590

    Pte. Thomas Francis "Taff" James att. 258 Tunn. RE Monmouthshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Thomas James served during the first war with the Monmouthshire Regiment and his role, so I am led to believe, was that of a tunneller, infantryman and quite possibly member of a three man machine gun team.

    He suffered from the after effects of gas attacks but died in the early forties by drowning after a bout of coughing which caused him to slip into a feeder pond. He was a well known character in Nantyglo and was a ringleader in a resistance type movement which was set up to resist a local government action concerning the residents of a certain area within his hometown.

    I have a few pictures taken of him in uniform and I have one that is of particular interest to me, and possibly others, as it shows him and two of his mates outside a farm somewhere in the theatre of war. They are seated on chairs, presumably taken from the farm building to their rear. If anyone recognises the soldiers I would love to learn of their records and possible family members still alive. I am an active member of a forces charity and along with my wife and colleagues I visit the places where my grandfather served. I am fortunate because he kept a record in a series of handwritten exercise books. I also served for six years in the regiment that was formed out of my grandfather's regiment.

    Terry Gravenor




    226586

    Sgt. Charles William Ford 60th Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery

    I am searching for any information concerning Sgt. Charles William Ford, Regt. No. 970677, BEF, WWI. He was a sergeant with the Royal Field Artillery, 60th Divisional Ammunition Column, 12th Corps. He served in France, Salonika and Alexandria.

    He enlisted in the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) embodied Territorial Force on 18 November 1915 and transferred to the RFA on 11th March 1916.

    He served overseas in France from 25th June 1916 to 2nd December 1916; Salonika from 3rd December 1916 to 13th June 1917; Alexandria from 14th June 1917 to 14th September 1919. He was disembodied on demobilisation on 30th August 1919, and discharged on demoblisation on 31st March 1920. He last known address in 1947 was 105 Lilloet St. West, Apt 16, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.

    Ernest George Ford




    226578

    Pte. Bert Saunders 6th Btn. C Coy East Kent Rgt (The Buffs) (d.18th March 1916)

    My grandfather Bert Saunders was killed in action, aged 28, in Northern France in WWI. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    Claire Bracken




    226568

    Pte. James "Snow" Miller 3rd Btn. A Company Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    James Miller, is my Grandfather, born in Greenock, Scotland and immigrated to New Zealand in 1927. Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm all his records, due to the fire that destroyed records. All we have is this photo and the knowledge that he was gassed during the war which affected him for his remaining years. He died in Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand in 1961 after a happy and successful life.

    Adrienne Miller




    226553

    Pte. William W. Eldridge 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    My great-grandfather, William Eldridge, left his wife Florence and their baby son (my grandfather, Bill) when he enlisted. He died of his wounds in a casualty clearing station on 4th of November 1917. I don't know very much about his life, and I have been unable to find much. As a child, I remember his widow's penny being prominently displayed around photos of all the great-grandchildren. We were always reminded of the sacrifice my great-grandfather made in service of his country.

    As an adult, I have been able to find his grave site, he is buried at Duisans British cemetery, by using Google Earth and virtually walking along the country lane next to where he is buried. I was able to "look" over the hedgerow and find his actual grave. I hope to visit him next year, on the 100th anniversary of his death. I know from family anecdotes and personal experience that his death greatly affected my grandfather, Bill, who was raised by a single mother, as so many children were.

    As an aside, I am a writer and director in media, including video games. A few years ago, I wrote a game called The Darkness, in which I set a number of playable levels in a version of the trenches of the Great War. I was able to create two AI (Artificial Intelligence) characters carrying the names of my two great grandfathers who were lost in the war. And once the game was finished, I was able to move across that landscape and find Great Granddad Bill, and visit with him for a while. It was a very emotional experience, thinking that in some way I had been able to keep his memory alive.

    Paul Jenkins




    226545

    Capt.Adj. James Joseph Thomas Aloysius Carroll 6th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Capt. Joe Carroll was wounded on 8th August 1917 at Suvla Bay. He was repatriated to convalesce at Osborne House, Isle of Wight before being redeployed to the Training Depot in Dublin.

    Ian Foxley




    226537

    Gnr. Harry Leese 297 Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th March 1918)

    Harry Leese is buried in Duisans British Cemetery at Etrun, 9k west of Arras.

    L. Wood




    226536

    Lt. James Morgan Atkinson 4 Sqdn.

    My grandfather James Morgan served as an observer in No 4 Squadron of the RFC and was based at Abeele Aaerodrome in West Flanders in 1917. He and his pilot Wilfred Morgan were shot down in RE8 Plane Serial No B5040 behind enemy lines near Ypres on 12 Oct 1917.

    Wilfred Morgan died in a POW camp of his wounds. My grandfather - Morgan as he was known - survived in a POW camp in Baden and Heidelberg until his repatriation in August 1918. His gunshot wound in the back and hip severed his sciatic nerve and he suffered paralysis in his foot. He laterally had several amputations of his leg and ended up with a wooden leg below his knee.

    My granddad died in 1970 when I was 8 years old. He never spoke to any of us about his experiences but I do remember there was a picture of the gravestone of his pilot Wilfred Morgan on the mantelpiece on their small holding farm in Clonmore, Co Carlow in the Republic of Ireland. My aunt has spent many years researching our family tree and has produced a little booklet about Granddad's war years. One burning ambition is to try and find out more about his RFC time. He had started in WWI in the ASC Divisional Train - he loved horses.

    David




    226533

    Pte. Herbert Mash 195th (City of Regina) Btn.

    Herbert Mash was born in England in 1889 and emigrated to Canada in 1912. His Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force attestation paper is dated 29th March 1916. He sailed for England sometime in November 1916. On 11 November 1916 the 195th was absorbed into the 32nd Reserve Battalion. Reserve battalions provided replacements for those men who had been injured or killed in action, so Herbert could have ended up fighting anywhere in France or Flanders. According to one site I looked at, it is possible that he fought at or near Vimy Ridge, but I have not been able to confirm this. Herbert survived the war and died in 1962 in Vancouver.





    226525

    Pte. George Edward Barlow 11th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.4th Nov 1915)

    George Barlow was my great uncle. He was my grandfather's, Joseph Frederick Barlow's, elder brother. George served with 11th Bn Middlesex Regiment and was the son of Thomas Cornish Barlow and Kate Barlow of 11 Tower Street, Wolverhampton. He died on the 4th November 1915. Aged 24. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Terry Barlow




    226523

    Pte. Edward Rose M.M. 1/4th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Edward Rose was my Great Uncle. He was awarded the M.M. and was Gazetted on the 5th January,1917, for an action on the 22nd of October 1916, with the 1/4th Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at Hebuterne, where he was a Lewis Gunner. This was on the Somme. He also received The British War Medal and The Victory Medal. He served four years with the 49th West Riding Division Territorial Force before going to war aged 20 on the 1st of March,1915. He was born on 29th September 1894, at Crofton, near Wakefield, and died aged 31, on 6th of December 1925 in Wakefield Asylum (now Pinderfields Hospital) of Shellshock and Post Traumatic Trauma. A sad end to a very brave man.

    Barry Conway




    226515

    Pte. Fred Bell Godsmark Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Whilst doing a family history of my paternal grandmother name of `Godsmark` found several `Godsmarks` who had died in the 1st World War. Fred Bell Godsmark died on the Somme, he was 20 years old. Sad to say his older brother aged 22, William Edward Geady died earlier in the conflict on the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916





    226512

    L/Cpl. Alexander A Kirkpatrick 11th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander Kirkpatrick served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 36th Ulster Division and was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

    William Powell




    226511

    Pte. William Henry Baker 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    My great uncle William Baker died in the action at Bois Grenier aged 17. He left a battlefield will with the name of W Baker as legatee, also in 2nd Battalion Lincs Regt. Probably his father.

    Robert Baker




    226510

    Pte. Charles Bushell Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.6th Jun 1917)

    Charles Bushell was born March 1880, his parents being Henry and Caroline Bushell of Spring View, Lower Ince, Wigan. In December 1904, he married Margaret Blakeley (my great aunt) at St. Peter's Church, Hindley. A son, Joseph, was born in 1907. At the time of Charles' death, the family were living at 77 Higher Green Lane, Astley, Manchester.

    Charles was killed on 6th June 1917 and is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.

    Marilyn Mercer




    226503

    Pte. Charles Heasman 8th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    Private Charles Heasman from Kent. Served with 8th Battalion, East Kent Regiment. Died 18th August 1916. Charles was my great uncle. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial

    Linda Owen




    226502

    Sapper Charles Henry Claude "Claude" Blackmore 150th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.30th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Henry Claude Blackmore was the son of Frederick Charles and Alice Blackmore who were farmers. He was one of 9 children. He served as a Sapper in the 150th Company Royal Engineers in both France and Belgium. He died of his wounds on the 30th September 1918 at a clearing station near Ypres and is buried in Haringhe Cemetery, Bandaghem, Belgium. He was was 22 years old.

    All through my childhood he was spoken of, by my Grandmother Melvina Annie Blanche Manning (nee Blackmore), as he was her much loved younger brother. All his sisters had a poster-sized framed photograph of him on their walls. They were very proud of him but also very sad that he died so young. As far as I know no one ever managed to find out where he was buried.

    Last year I started looking for him and had great difficulty as there seemed to be no trace of him. This was probably because we were looking in records for Claude Blackmore the name he preferred to be known as, and not the correct name he enlisted by.

    Having discovered our mistake it was relatively plain sailing after this and in May 2015 my husband and I travelled to Belgium to visit his grave at the Military Cemetery of Haringhe in Belgium. It was a very moving experience and one none of us will forget.

    Haringhe Cemetery

    Judith Withycombe




    226439

    Lt.Col. Otto William Alexander Elsner MID, DSO. 27th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Otto Elsner was born in Ireland on 4th June 1871. He was educated at Galway Grammar School and studied at the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1897 he was employed as the Medical Officer for the building of the Ibadan to Ilorin railway in Nigeria. In 1899 he joined the RAMC and served throughout the South African war. He was awarded the Queen's Medal with 5 clasps. Between 1902 and 1905 he served in India, then returned to South Africa in 1910 returning to Britain at the outbreak of war in 1914.

    Otto went to France with the British Expeditionary Force in September 1914, and served with the 6th Cavalry Field Ambulance in Belgium during the First Battle of Ypres. In early 1915 he took over command of 27th Field Ambulance. In 1917, he was appointed Assistant Director Medical Services of 9th (Scottish) Division. He was mentioned five times in despatches, awarded the DSO in 1917 and appointed CBE in 1919. He retired from the Army in 1926 and died in 1953.





    226419

    John Thomas Harris 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.9th Jun 1917)

    John Harris joined up on the 18th of September 1915 as a volunteer. He had been born in 1877 and worked as a miner.

    Tony MacDonald




    226418

    John Jamison 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My father, John Jamison served with the 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles.

    Wtd. Jamison




    226417

    Pte. George Thomas Whitaker 11th Btn. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment

    <p>George T Whitaker is back row, right side. Taken either on Anglesey or Whalley where he recovering from being shot in the right arm in France.

    Dad, George Whitaker was born 14th Jan 1897, he was the son of George Thomas sen. & Ann Whitaker, youngest of 5 children. He married Gertrude Skeats at Burton-in-Lonsdale chapel 5th Jan 1928 & had 5 children.

    He enlisted at Lancaster in the Kings Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment and was later with the 11th Sherwood Forresters & was discharged on the 6th Apr 1920. He was wounded in his right arm, with a bullet wound from elbow to shoulder, which disabled him for the rest of his life, he was sent to a military hospital at Anglesey, later convalescing at Whalley. We wondered where he served in France

    Miss Whitaker




    226416

    Pte. George Dunnett 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    <p>

    George Dunnett served with the 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders.

    Elaine Hall




    226393

    Cpl. Edwin Richard Gray MID 1st Btn. Warwickshire Regiment

    Corporal Edwin Gray was 'Mentioned in Despatches' by General Allenby on 23rd of October 1918 for "gallant and distinguished services in the field". Unfortunately, we do not know or have any more details regarding the specific services for which he was given this award.

    Gaynor Oates




    226387

    Pte. David Sharp 6th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.12th July 1915)

    David Sharp was my Grandfather. My Mother was born three months after her father was killed. My Grandmother had a "Dead Man's Penny" she received with a letter from the King when David was killed but this sadly has long since disappeared.

    Patricia Caldwell




    226385

    Sgt. Richard Member "John" Betts DCM. 6th Btn. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry (d.40 Myatt Rd, Offenham, Evesham)

    Richard Betts was my great granddad. He took part in the Battle of Guillemont where he won the DCM for galantry charging down an enemy machine gun post and was shot in both arms during the act.

    John Betts




    226364

    Pte. Herbert Hibbitt 1/5th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Bert Hibbitt served with the 5th Leicesters.

    Sharron Hibbitt




    226357

    Capt. George Averil Read 3rd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.8th March 1917)

    George Read, served as a Captain with the 3rd Battalion Leinster Regiment, he was the elder son of Turner Oliver and Emily Marvelle Read of Dungar, Roscrea. George was killed in action while serving with the 7th Battalion at Spanboekmolen, Belgium on the Kemmel to Messines Road on the 8th of March 1917.

    sf




    226339

    Drmr. Edgar Joseph Sharp 8th Sherwood Foresters British Army (d.2nd Nov 1917)

    <p>

    My maternal Grandfather Edgar Joseph Sharp was born in Farndon, Newark, Notts on 14th January 1878 to Joseph and Jane (nee Aldridge) Sharp, one of five children. Between June 1880 and April 1881 the Sharps moved to King Street, Newark, and later to Mill Gate. Edgar married Edith May Hawksworth at Christ Church, Newark on 13th June 1909, and they had three daughters. They settled in Farndon Fields, and later moved to Parliament Street, Newark.

    Edgar signed up in the Territorials in Newark in 1908, and was mobilised for war service on 5th August 1914. The 8th Battalion proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 25th of February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. Drummer Edgar Sharp, was from the B Company 7 Platoon 1st/8th Sherwood Foresters. Later the 8th Battalion moved to Egypt, and then back to France in January 1916.

    It seems that he was posted on gas sentry duty above the Company HQ dugout shortly before six on the morning of 2nd November 1917. At five past six he was hit by a piece of shrapnel from a German shell, and died as a result. I have tried to pinpoint precisely where. I know from what I have seen that the 1st/8th were located on the left sub-sector of the Bde. Front of Hill 70, and an extract from diaries of the 1st/7th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters - who swapped duties with the 1st/8th Battalion - refer quite clearly our front line as being between Bois Ras and Bois Hugo. As my Grandfather's Company were covering the left sector, he was perhaps closer to Bois Hugo.

    Edgar is buried in the Philosphe Cemetery at Mazingarbe. His Company Sergeant Major, J F Rawding, wrote to my grandmother, and below is an extract from his letter: "I posted him myself on Gas sentry over Coy HQ dug-out, and at five minutes past six (a.m.) on the 2/11/17 he was hit by a piece of shell and I can say that he never suffered any pain. He was killed instantly. He was well liked by everyone in the Company, even his Officers thought a lot of Dr or Runner Sharp. I myself have known him as a soldier in the Newark Company for many years. He was one of my best runners who could always be relied upon to take a message. Only a few minutes before his death we were talking about the old times we used to have in Newark."

    Roger Boaden




    226338

    Rflmn. Walter Charles Bullock 11th Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th June 1916)

    Walter Bullock, born in Bristol, was the son of Mary Ann Eglinton and Walter Bullock. He died in The Battle of Mount Sorrel on the 17th June 1916. The effects that were sent back to his family after his death included 5 photographs and 2 locks of hair. So very sad

    Liz Costello




    226332

    2nd Lt. William James Beaton 174th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.24th Sept 1917)

    <p>

    William Beaton was the Assistant Librarian of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He was killed in action during 3rd Battle of Ypres on 24th of September 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the memorial at Tyne Cot, and also on the Roll Of Honour at the British Library.

    Syd Maclain




    226325

    Pte. John McQuade 20th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.20th Dec 1915)

    John McQuade was killed in action on the 20th of December 1915, age 40. At this point I have limited information about John.

    Andy Lewis




    226324

    Cpl. Francis Maskery 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.Aug 1915 )

    Francis Maskery had served in the Navy during the Boar War. He was married in 1905 to Hilda Buck and the couple had three daughters. During WW1 Francis served in the 9th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. He was killed in August 1915 in Gallipoli. He left a widow with 3 young daughters.

    I am his great grand daughter and in 2015 I am going to Gallipoli to see his name on the memorial there - 100 yrs after his death.

    Carol Beadle




    226323

    CQMS. Harold Vickerman Hanson 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    The Great War cast its shadow over my grandfather's life even before it began, because in August 1914 Harold Hanson went on a Cook's Tour of the Rhineland. It might be thought that this was not the best time to visit Germany, but the holiday had been booked months beforehand when the European situation had appeared quite stable. Everywhere the British party travelled they became increasingly alarmed at the sight of large-scale movements of German troops, which their German guide tried to reassuringly describe as 'just manoeuvres'. However, it was quite evident that Germany was mobilising for war, and the tourists were relieved when they left for home a day or two before the outbreak of hostilities, otherwise they would have faced spending the war in a Civilian Internment Camp in Germany.

    My grandfather, being a Yorkshireman, volunteered to join the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and passed his army medical examination as A1 - i.e. fit for combat duty, in spite of the fact that his eyesight was so poor he had resigned from his school cricket team at the age of 13 because he could no longer see the ball! My grandfather was sent to a huge army camp on Salisbury Plain for his basic training where he vividly remembers bayonet practice on rope-hung sacks of sawdust, and the drill sergeant barking out the order 'And before you withdraw the bayonet - give it a twist!' One winter's morning in the 1970's, I was volunteered by my office manager to help him light the central heating boiler when the stoker, a local man, hadn't turned up. My task was to chop firewood for which I was handed a World War One bayonet, which was so razor sharp that with very little effort I soon had a large pile of firewood ready. Remembering my grandfather's training, I shuddered to imagine thrusting this lethal weapon into a human body!

    Not long after the commencement of my his training, a very unpleasant event occurred. Fresh rations suddenly and mysteriously disappeared, to be replaced by what the army called hard tack - large square biscuits, nicknamed dog biscuits by the men. The absence of fresh food was entirely owing to the incompetence and indifference of the military authorities - after all, the recruits were not stationed in a remote outpost of the British Empire, but in south-west England! After a few days of this treatment, rioting broke out in one of the barrack huts which were grouped around a large square quadrangle. The riot quickly spread to all the other huts. Furniture and windows were smashed and the dog biscuits used as projectiles, being hurled around indiscriminately. My grandfather, not wishing to participate in the riot or to be hit by one of the fearsome biscuits, dropped to his knees. He had no sooner done so than one of his comrades received one of the biscuits full on the forehead, causing a deep gash from which blood spurted. The man was knocked unconscious by the blow, and fell to the floor at the side of my grandfather, who crawled to one of the windows. Looking out he saw a group of officers standing huddled together in the middle of the quadrangle, heads together, discussing the deteriorating situation. Every now and again, one of the officers would turn and look apprehensively at the huts full of rioting men. Eventually the officers dispersed without attempting to approach any of the huts to remonstrate with the recruits - they were obviously afraid to do so, the men being in such an ugly mood. However, the riot had the desired effect because first thing next morning there was fresh food for breakfast - and plenty of it! No disciplinary action was taken against any of the rioters - the military authorities preferring to pretend that the riot had never happened. Doubtless they realised that the men had been pushed too far - and they wouldn't want the newspapers getting wind of the affair!

    It was during this time that my grandfather's deficient eyesight was finally discovered - on the firing range! Each recruit had been given a numbered target to aim at, and the accuracy was plotted by monitors. My grandfather had been firing away for a few minutes when the Captain in command of the firing range came up behind him and demanded 'Which target number are you aiming at?'

    My grandfather looked round in some surprise and replied 'I'm aiming at my designated target - No. 2.'

    The Captain then said 'Well my monitors tell me that your shots are hitting target No. 4. You had better get along to the M.O. (Medical Officer) and have your eyesight tested.'

    The M.O. was going to write out a medical discharge there and then, but it had to be countersigned by a second M.O. who, being a brusque, no-nonesense type said “Oh there’s no need to discharge this man, he's quite fit enough for non-combat duties.'

    Accordingly, my grandfather's civilian record was examined and he was awarded the rank of C.Q.M.S. (Company Quatermaster Sergeant) and then posted to Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment a.k.a. The Green Howards. This meant that my grandfather had to bid farewell to the other 29 comrades in his barrack hut, everyone of which, my grandfather subsequently learned after the war, had been either killed or wounded. Not one had come through the war unscathed.

    As C.Q.M.S. my grandfather's duties were varied. On one occasion for instance, he was ordered to oversee a group of Conscientious Objectors who had been set to work digging latrines (toilets). On another occasion he was required to dispose of a huge quantity of discarded uniforms which were dumped on his quadrangle in large rotting heaps. This didn't please his Colonel who demanded 'What's all this bloody mess, Quarters?' My grandfather's response was to ask the Colonel to look more closely at the heaps, upon which he exclaimed 'Good Heavens, they're moving!' The heaps of rotting uniforms were so heavily infested with lice that the constant wriggling of the creatures was making each pile slowly and rhythmically rise and fall, which gives some indication of the appalling conditions in the front-line trenches. From time to time my grandfather received inducements to sell army supplies on the black market, but being a man of scrupulous honesty he always firmly rebuffed such overtures.

    With the declaration of the Armistice, my grandfather looked forward to demobilisation, and to be re-united with my grandmother, whom he had married a year previously. However, his hopes were dashed when he was told he was to be posted to Dublin for several months as part of the British Forces garrisoned there, in order to counter the activities of the Irish Nationalists.

    My grandfather found the atmosphere in Dublin was poisonous with hatred towards the British to such an extent that off-duty soldiers were under strict orders not to walk through the city streets in groups of less than three. Accordingly, one day he was walking along with two other sergeants when, passing two Irishmen on the pavement, one of the Irishmen made a derogatory remark about the British. Unfortunately, one of the other two sergeants had a quick temper and spontaneously lashed out with his fist, knocking the offending Irishman flat on his back. This was the signal for every Irishman in the vicinity to pounce on the three sergeants, and things would have gone very badly for them had not providence been on their side in the form of a Public House on the corner of the street which just happened to be full of off-duty Seaforth Highlanders, who liked nothing better than a good scrap, and on hearing the rumpus in the street outside, they piled out of the pub, and very soon the entire street was full of men knocking the daylights out of each other. My grandfather took this welcome intervention as an opportunity to make his escape because, although he was a good amateur boxer, he boxed at Bantam Weight, so he was no match for a burly Irishman. However, he was left with the prospect of making his own way back to the barracks along streets where every British soldier was a marked man, and he couldn't afford to hurry or look nervous - fortunately the journey passed without incident.

    Although my grandfather did not enjoy his sojourn in Dublin, there was one bright note. The food in the sergeants' mess was prepared by local women, instead of the usual army cooks, and I remember my grandfather telling me that these ladies cooked some 'wonderfully tasty meals' - so at least he was well fed!

    Following eventual demobilisation, my grandfather expected to get his old job back without any trouble because the Government had made it very clear to employers from the very beginning of the War that jobs of men serving in the forces were to be kept open for them on their return. However, in spite of having given exemplary service, my grandfather found his employers strangely reluctant to re-employ him. As my grandmother and baby daughter (my mother) had been living with my great-grandparents during the war, my grandfather had to find both a home and an income, and jobs at the time were hard to come by. Therefore he had to swallow his pride and turn to a Veterans' Association who were successful in applying pressure on his employers. He later learned that his job had been taken by a man who had not served in the war but was a relative of one of the Company Directors. This episode graphically illustrates the difficulties soldiers faced when returning to civilian life.

    While clearing out my grandparents' bungalow after their deaths within a month of each other, I came across a momento from my grandfather's army days - the casing of a hand grenade that both my mother and myself had played with as children. When a scrap metal dealer came, I tossed the grenade on to the pile of metal objects, remarking with a smile, 'Here's an extra bit of metal for you.' I laughed at his evident alarm and reassured him, 'It's quite harmless, it's hollow inside.' He still looked very dubious, but he took it with the rest and drove away. That same evening my mother received a phone call from a police sergeant who asked her if there was any more live ammunition lying around the property. Apparently the scrap metal dealer had handed in the grenade at a local police station and the Bomb Squad had successfully detonated it. As a child I had, from time to time, considered removing the pin of the grenade in order to ascertain how the pieces of the casing fitted together. I had always been deterred from this course of action by reasoning that the pin fitted so tightly that I might not be able to restore it to its original position. Of course, if I had pulled out the pin I should not now be writing this account, and many years after the signing of the Armistice, the Great War would have claimed yet another casualty.

    Certificate of Employment During The War (Front)

    Certificate of Employment During The War (Back)

    Farewell Notice





    226300

    Gnr. John Richard Challenger Royal Field Artillery

    John Challenger joined the Royal Field Artillery in 1913. He was posted to the British Expeditionery Force on 26th of November 1915 as part of 44th Brigade. He served throughout WW1, being wounded in October 1917 but recovered to be tried for insubordination in May 1918. He served in France for a total of 212 days in WW1. From November 1918 to March 1919, he was in a hospital for "mental unfitness". He rejoined the Royal Army Service Corps in August 1919, finally leaving the army in August 1921. He committed suicide in May 1922.

    Hazel Wallis




    226291

    Sgt. Frederick John Child DCM. 2nd Btn Royal Sussex Regiment

    Our Grandfather, Jack Child would never tell us the truth on how he won his Distinguished Conduct Medal. The story he told us made us all very proud to call him Pappy (our name for Granddad), it wasn't until sometime after his death that one of us decided to do some digging into our family history that we found his actual citation, this was achieved via the Regimental Museum. The following are the words on his citation: "G/4278 Pte F.J. Child 2nd Btn R Sussex R (Pulborough) (LG 2Dec 1919) For most conspicuous gallantry in the attack of the enemy position north of Gricourt on 24th September 1918. His platoon was held up by an enemy post on the flank. He immediately worked forward alone, killed several of the enemy, and forced the remainder to surrender. His splendid action saved this critical situation and throughout his courage, cheerfulness and ability to lead his platoon were most noticeable

    Our Pappy also served in WW11 as a Provo Sargent but we have no info as of yet. Pappy you are a still a true legend and sadly missed.

    Bob Child




    226290

    Pte. Frederick Garrington 13th (Forest of Dean Pioneeers) Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.12th July 1916)

    My great grandfather was Frederick Garrington, my maternal grand father's father. He was born in 1874 in Birmingham and was married with 6 children. Before the war he worked in the brass industry and lived in the Aston area of Birmingham. He enlisted on or around the beginning of March 1915 in Birmingham and was aligned to the 13th Gloucesters. After training during 1915 the 13th Gloucesters were assigned to the 39th Division as the Divisional Pioneer Battalion. He landed in Le Havre in France on the 4th 0f March 1916 along with his battalion and along with 39th Division, became the XI Corps in the First Army.

    In April 1916 he was probably involved in the construction of an extensive barbed wire defence between Gorre, la Hamel and Les Chaquax to La Basse Canal which is to the north east of the town of Bethune near Lille.

    At the end of June 1916 the 13th Gloucesters were involved in some fighting while supporting the 116th Battalion of the 39th Division near Neuve Chapelle.This was to be known as the Battle of the Boars Head. The Battalion's job was to dig communication trenches supporting the 116th brigade. It is not known when or whether he was injured during this attack but he died of his injuries on July the 12th 1916 aged 42, and his 19th wedding anniversary. He is buried in the town cemetery in Bethune.

    None of this information was known until I researched my family history. My grandfather never told any one, not only his own family, about his father's involvement in the 1st World War. I am going over to visit his grave next year [2106 the centenary of his death] the first person in his family to do so. I doubt if his family ever knew about his eventual outcome.

    Peter Thomas




    226284

    Pte. Albert George Meadows 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    My great uncle, Albert Meadows, was born at the end of 1897 to Charles & Elizabeth Meadows who lived at 44 Wolseley Street, Gateshead. In September 1914 he enlisted into the East Yorkshire Regiment lying about his age. He was only 16. After his training he was shipped to France and killed a year later at the Battle of Loos just before his 18th birthday.

    Loos Memorial, Dud Corner Cemetery

    Gordon Graham




    226266

    Gnr. Thomas Ebenezer Coram 29th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st Dec 1918)

    Thomas Coram was the son of Ebenezer and Annie Jayne (nee Bryant). He was born in Bristol in October 1883 and worked as a Warehouseman. Died in No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station and is buried in Tourcoing Communal Cemetery.

    Martyn




    226265

    George Wyndham Maunsell Corps of Engineers (d.23rd Feb 1917)

    2md Lt. George Maunsell B.A.I. T.C.D. was an Executive Engineer P.W.D. in India and served with the Sappers and Miners in the Indian Army. He was the only surviving son of Richard Maunsell, Island Magrath, Clare Castle and was killed in action on the Tigris on the 23rd of February 1917, Aged 27 years

    sflynn




    226255

    Sgt. George Grant MM. 27th Battery 32nd Brigade

    George Grant was my great uncle. He was born on 6th October 1896 at Sheppey, Kent, the fourth child and third son of Lewis and Fanny Grant. By the age of fourteen George had joined the Royal Field Artillery, 43rd Brigade, and was recorded at Woolwich Barracks in the 1911 census. He was a trumpeter. By the time the First War started he was in 32nd Brigade, 27th Battery, and also spent two years with the Brigade's Ammunition Column between 1915 and 1917. He received the Military Medal for bravery in the field, and the General Service Medal with Iraq clasp.

    After the war George married Minnie and had two sons, one of whom described him as "always the life and soul of the party". He died in Brighton.

    Zena Grant




    226253

    Gnr. Arthur John Bicknell 51st Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artilley (d.30th Sep 1916)

    I am just at the beginning of finding out about my great grand father, Arthur Bicknell but I know he died when my grandmother was only three years old and that he was buried in the Bernafay Wood British Cemetery, Somme, France. He is also commemorated on the All Saints Church War Memorial Warwick and the All Saints School Roll of Honour, Warwick.

    Sue Kyle-Ferguson




    226252

    Pte. William Banks Marine Light Infantry HMS Clan McNaughton (d.3rd Feb 1915)

    <p>

    I recall my grandmother telling me about the telegram which arrived and which she opened. She wandered into the parlour where her mother and grandmother were and said, "how silly, that the telegram said they'd "lost all hands", and how silly that was." William Banks was aboard the Clan MacNaughton, an armed merchant cruiser, lost, believed foundered off NW Scotland, there were no survivors.

    Patricia Donoghue




    226249

    Pte Thomas Mathew Burn 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    Thomas Burn was wounded in action, with shrapnel to his right arm.

    Chris Hendricks




    226224

    Sgt. Benjamin Gourlay 142nd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.18th May 1917)

    Sargent Gourlay originally of the Seaforth Highlanders joined up in 1908. He died at Messines, killed by shell fire during a raid prior to the main action.

    Gordon Gourlay




    226222

    Capt. Edmond Chomley Farran 3rd Btn. att. 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th June 1915)

    Capt Edmond Farran of the Royal Irish Rifles was killed at the Battle of Hooge on the 16th of June 1915 Aged 35 years.

    Edmond Chomley Farran, Captain

    s flynn




    226221

    Lt. Francis Campion Mulcahy-Morgan 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.6th Sept 1916)

    Captain Francis Mulcahy-Morgan of the Royal Irish Rifles was killed in action on the 6th September 1916 aged 25 years. He was the 4th son of Edward Campion Mulcahy-Morgan And Susan his wife. Formerly of Larkfield.

    "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life which the lord hath promised to them that love him."

    s flynn




    226220

    Capt. Edward Spread Mulcahy-Morgan 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.27th Oct 1914)

    Capt Edward Spread Mulcahy-Morgan in the Royal Irish Rifles was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle on 27th of October 1914 aged 25 years" He was the 2nd son of Edward Campion Mulcahy-Morgan and Susan his wife. Formerly of Larkfield. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life which the lord hath promised to them that love him."

    s flynn




    226219

    Lt. Eric Manly 82nd Bde. B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.18th July 1917)

    Lt Eric Manly died aged 21, killed in action near Ypres on the 18th of July 1917. "Ubique quo fas et gloria ducunt"

    s flynn




    226217

    Lt. Hastings G. Killingley 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    Lt Hastings Killingley served with the 2nd. Batt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, he was the eldest son of the Rev. D. F. Killingley, B.D., He died on the 23rd of October 1916. Aged 21 years. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace.”

    s flynn




    226215

    Capt. William J. Davis 8th Btn. Kings Royal Rifles Corps (d.31st July 1915)

    Captain William J. Davis was Adjutant of the 8th Battalion KRRC He was the elder son of General Sir John Davis, K.C.B. and Gertrude his wife. He was born 13th june 1882 and killed in action at Hooge, near Ypres on the 31st of July 1915 and is buried in the Hooge Cemetery. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”.

    s flynn




    226214

    2nd Lt. Herbert P. Peacocke 8th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    2nd Lt. Herbert Peacocke, 8th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment was killed in action at Thiepval on the 3rd of July 1916, Aged 20 years. "He sprang to Duty’s call, He stood the test."

    s flynn




    226213

    Herbert Henry MacMahon 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Herbert MacMahon, B. A., (T.C.D.) of the 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers was killed in action in France, 13th of November 1916, Aged 24 years. “Great heart that sprang to Duty’s call.”

    s flynn




    226211

    Gnr. Robert J. McGrane Royal Marine Artillery (d.11th Sep 1916)

    Robert Mcgrane died in German East Africa on the 11th of September 1916. R.I.P.

    s flynn




    226210

    Lt. George Brooke 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.7th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Lt George Brooke, Lieutenant died on the 7th of October 1914 of wounds received at the Battle of the Aisne. This cross was used to mark temporarily his grave in the Guards corner of the cemetery at Soupir. Gloria finis. A window in the church is dedicated "To the glory of God and in memory of George Brooke, Lieutenant, Irish Guards, Eldest son of Sir George Brooke, 1st baronet of Summerton. Born 10th June 1877."

    s flynn




    226209

    Mjr. George Francis Farran 88th Bde. A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.18th July 1916)

    Major George Farran was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme. 18th July 1916. Aged 34 years. he was the eldest son of Mr. G. H. Farran (late of High Court, Bombay) and Mrs. Farran of Georgeville, Highfield Rd., Dublin, husband of Susan F. Farran of 103 Cheriton Rd., Folkstone.

    A true and gallant soldier. A devoted husband and son. “until the day break and the shadows flee away.” a memorial was erected in his local church by his sorrowing wife and mother.

    s flynn




    226208

    Capt. William Arthur Verschoyle 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1917)

    William Arthur Verschoyle, Captain, 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, "who, though wounded, continued to lead his company in an assault and fell at the Battle of Arras on the 11th of April, 1917." Born 24 Sept. 1890

    s flynn




    226207

    2nd Lt. Francis Stuart Verschoyle Royal Anglesea Coy. Royal Engineers (d.25th April 1915)

    2nd Lt. Francis Verschoyle in refusing to retire and defending his trench to the last, gave his life at the battle of Ypres 25 April 1915. He was born on the 9th of April 1896.

    s flynn




    226206

    2nd Lt. William Stewart Collen 6th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.7th Aug 1915)

    2nd Lieutenant William Collen was klled in action at Suvla Bay on the 7th August 1915 aged 25 years.

    s flynn




    226195

    Gnr. Joseph Oswald Leete 38th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.30th Nov 1917)

    Joseph Leete was born at Docking, Norfolk on the 28th of October 1893 and was baptised at North Creake, Norfolk on the 10th of December. In the 1901 census he is resident in family home at 4 Room House, Burnham Road, North Creake, age 7. Also resident are his Parents Tempest & Minnie; Brothers: Ernest (17); Albert Edward (10); George William (2); Sisters: Rosanna (13); Daisy (5) In 1911 he is resident in family home still at ‘4 Room House’, Burnham Road, North Creake. Aged 17 and an unmarried farm labourer. Also resident: Father: Tempest Simeon Leete, Farm Labourer (born in Thorpe, Norwich, in 1861. Married 28 years. 11 children, of which 7 were surviving in 1911. He died in 1933); Mother: Minnie Leete (nee Grimes; Born Fakenham, Norfolk 1864. She died in 1937); sister: Daisy (15); Brothers: George William (12); Frederick Arthur (8. He died in 1943.)

    On the 16th of December 1915 38th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, embarked for Egypt, equipped with four 6” howitzers. and arrived on the 29th Joseph Leete being with them. On the 30th of March 1916 38th Siege Battery arrived in France to join the BEF.

    On the 30th of November 1917 the Germans counterattacked in the aftermath of the British offensive at Cambrai, pushing back the British infantry to the gun line. Unable to withdraw the guns in time, many were disabled by removing their breech blocks which were then buried. The crews joined the fight as infantry. Among these was 53193 Acting BQMS Tom Cordingley, from Irlam, Manchester, who helped hold back the advancing Germans with rifle fire. He received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for the action. Joseph Leete was one of the artillerymen killed on that day. His body was not identified and he has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Cambrai and North Creake Memorials. He was aged 24.

    Nick Forder




    226192

    Pte. Arthur Bedford 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.3rd Nov 1914)

    Arthur Bedford was my great uncle. All I know is he was born in 1883 and died 3 November 1914. He has no known grave but his name is inscribed at Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Olwen Howard




    226190

    Capt. Charley Vernon Leslie Poë 4th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.1st March 1915)

    Charley Poë fell gloriously after being twice wounded, when leading a night attack on the German trenches at St. Eloi, Belgium, on the 1st March 1915, Aged 34 years. He was the elder and dearly loved son of Captain George Leslie Poë, RN and Mary his wife.

    s flynn




    226188

    Capt. Thomas V.T. Thacker Neville 3rd Dragoon Guards (d.13 May 1915)

    Thomas V. T. Thacker Neville, Captain 3rd Dragoon Guards was killed near Ypres while in command of his Squadron on Ascension Day, 13th May 1915, Aged 34.

    s flynn




    226187

    Lt. George Ross McGusty 8th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.14th June 1916)

    George McGusty was the only child of George & Louisa McGusty, Of this city, Born the 12th july 1893. He died the 14th of June 1916 at Abbeville in France from wounds received in action on the Somme battlefield.

    s flynn




    226186

    Rflmn. John Henry Edward Turner 13th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    John Turner moved to Swindon in 1913 working as a tailor's apprentice. He joined up in 1914 serving with KRRC 13th Battalion arriving in France in 1915. Commended for gallant conduct during operations on the Somme 13th -18th Nov 1916 and wounded during the same time. Served throughout the rest of war.

    His mother received a very personal letter from his Sgt Major, CSM Edward Wimpey DCM commending him as the best soldier serving under him in Sept 1918.

    He returned to Swindon after the war keeping in touch with old mates and attending reunions. He worked for the same tailors in Gorse Hill Swindon becoming manager and eventually buying the business. He died at his home in the town in Jan 1968. I have many nice photos of him and CSM Wimpey.

    Mark Sutton




    226184

    Mjr. George Nichols 82nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    George Nichols served with 82nd Bde and was wounded in 1917. He returned in March 1918. He published his 1918 memoirs as "Defiance! Withstanding The Kaiserlacht". This was published in 1919 under censorship so a lot of information was redacted. The book has now been reissued by Pen and Sword Ltd and is one of the few in print histories of this Kitchener Second Army brigade.





    226183

    Welfare Officer. Ruth Hendry

    <p>

    In 1911 Ruth Hendry went to a dairying course at the Agricultural College in Kilmarnock. Being too young to take the National Dairy Diploma, she returned home to Biddenham, Bedfordshire, and studied chemistry during the winter. The next summer she went to Reading University and there took the National Dairy Diploma. She subsequently ran dairies in Ireland and in Devonshire.

    During the early part of WW1 she was an instructress at a farm school in Kent, then a lecturer in Lincolnshire where she travelled to many villages demonstrating the making of skim milk cheeses. In early 1918, she became a welfare officer for the Land Army. Ruth was appointed to the welfare of the counties of Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire which she travelled first on a bicycle and then on a motorcycle visiting and coping with the problems of the land army girls.

    In 1919 Ruth and a friend led the land army girls in the peace procession through the town of Bedford. The Land Army was then de-mobbed and Ruth had a variety of appointments in industry culminating with 25 years service as personnel manager with Yardley and Company in the east end of London until her retirement in 1954. In 1951 Ruth was awarded an MBE for her contribution to the welfare of employees in industry and during the wars.

    Ruth Hendry Certificate of service

    Philip Knight-Jones




    226182

    Pte. William Buckle 4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    <p>

    William Buckle was educatedat Ayresome School, Parliament Road, Middlesbrough and Middlesbrough High School In 1911 he became a Clerkat Salt Union Ltd and later at Messrs B Samuelson and Co Ltd. At Northallerton on the 1st of September 1914 he attested and joined the 4th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment (Territorial Force) for one Years Embodied Service at Home as Private Number 1999. He is described as being 21 years old, 5’ 9”, with black hair, grey eyes, fair complexion. On the 8th of September 1914 he signed Territorial Force agreement to serve overseas in event of National Emergency In Autumn 1914 the Northumbrian Division forms and his battalion trains in Newcastle area. In January 1915 the 4 Battalion are in the Cramlington area. On the 16th of Apr 1915 the Northumbrian Division (including 4 Ballation Green Howards) are ordered to the Continent. The following day the 4 Battalion Yorkshire Regiment take the 9am train from Newcastle to Folkestone and embarked for Boulogne At 2am on the 18th they arrived in Boulogne and the next day arrived at Cassel by train and marched to Godwaersvelde and were billeted. On the 22nd they embussed to Vlamertinge. At 5pm the German Gas attack begins in the 2nd Battle of Ypres and the following day the battalion are in on the West of the Yser Canal. On the 24th of April 1915 they are shelled and suffer their first casualties). At mid day they are ordered to cross Canal (under fire) and concentrate at Wieltje. They dug in outside Potijze Chateau but then were ordered to attack through Fortuin to St Julien. They took up positions 700m south of St Julien but were ordered to retire to Potijze (Wieltje Ridge) at about 10pm. Heavy rifle and MG fire resulted in 12 killed and 82 wounded. On the 25th of April they are in trenches near the Chateau all day and retired after dark to C Camp (N of Vlamertinge), west of Canal. On the 28th they occupied trenches astride the Fortuin Road where they were again shelled. They were first gassed on the 1st of May as they repulsed attacks (34 killed and 84 wounded.) On the 3rd of May 1915 they returned to C Camp. he next day they were shelled all day and after dark marched back to Steenvorde to billets. At 3pm on the 9th they were bussed to Brandhoek and lined Reserve Trenches. On the 13th of May the Battalion is in dugouts North of Vlamertinge. and at 3am on the 14th moved to the Lille Gate area of Ypres. At 8pm on the 15th of May they marched along railway to Railway Wood, North of Menin Road. 21 were wounded over next few days and on the 21st of May 1915 they were relieved after dark and moved to Camp A south of Vlamertinge. After dark on the 23rd they moved to trenches astride Menin Road at Hooge. and at 2am the next morning were subjected to a gas attack during Battle of Bellewaarde and a day of fighting. 32 were killed and 171 were listed as wounded or missing. They were relieved after dark to hutments in rear.

    On the 25th of May Pte Buckle was treated at No 5 Field Ambulance for gunshot wounds to right hip and right chest/shoulder. The following day he was treated at No 1 British Red Cross Hospital in Le Touquet and on the 28th was transferred to Military Hospital at Fort Pitt, Chatham. On the 6th of June Pte. Buckle was transferred to Lees Court Military Hospital at Faversham for 2 months.

    Mark Tovey




    226181

    Capt. Henry Maxwell 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.10th Oct 1916)

    Henry Maxwell was born on 22nd November 1895, the younger son of Thomas Henry and Isabella Maxwell of this city. A Captain in the 13th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, he was killed in action near Thiepval, 10th October 1916. His body rests in Mouquet Farm, Grandcourt, France.

    s flynn




    226180

    Lt. Lucas Henry St. Aubyn King 4th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.8th May 1915)

    Lt. Lucas King was the eldest son of Lucas White King, CSI, and Geraldine his wife. He fell at Ypres on the 8th of May 1915, aged 20.

    s flynn




    226179

    Capt. Bernard Digby Johns 10th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.17th Feb 1916)

    Bernard Digby Johns of the Royal Welch Fusiliers was killed in action in Belgium, on the 17th of February 1916, Aged 21. He was a step-brother of Charles and Claud French. The son of Honoria French (formerly Johns) of 3 Sion Hill, Clifton, Bristol, and the late A. D. Johns. Gazetted in Sept., 1914, Bernard had been a History Scholar at Oriel College, Oxford.

    s flynn




    226178

    Rflmn. Edgar George Crockett 15th (Civil Service Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.3rd Jan 1916)

    My great uncle Edgar Crockett of the 15th London Regiment (Prince of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles) died from his wounds on the 3rd January 1916 and was buried at St Omar. We are putting together his story, for our grand children and for their's, along with medals, 100th year poppy and photo, we are just one step from completing that but want to know where and what wounds did he received and died from, can anyone help?

    Brian M Crockett




    226176

    Capt. Claude Alexander French 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.1st June 1915)

    Claude French was the son of John Alexander and Elizabeth French.

    s flynn




    226175

    Lt. Charles Stockley French 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.25th April 1915)

    Charles French, of the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers was killed in action in Belgium on 25th of April 1915, aged 22. He was the son of John Alexander French, LL.D., and Elizabeth Mary French (nee Stockley), of St. Ann's, Donnybrook, Co. Dublin. He was educated at Shrewsbury School and Trinity College, Dublin. B.A., 1914. He had also been wounded near Armentieres in December 1914.

    s flynn




    226173

    2nd Lt. Charles Allen Learmonth (d.9th Oct 1917)

    2nd Lieut. Charles Learmonth, of the 1st/7th West Yorkshire Regt. (Leeds Rifles) fell in action at Paschendaele on the 9th of October 1917. He also served as a Volunteer in the Transvaal Scottish in the South West African campaign. He was of a lovable disposition and deeply regretted by his colonel and Brother officers.

    s flynn




    226172

    Pte. James William Pope 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.27th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Pte James Pope served with the 2nd Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Victor Bayliss




    226171

    2nd Lt. Ernest Edward Brannigan 1/7th (Leeds Rifles) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    2nd Lieut. Ernest Edward Brannigan, a native of Dublin, was the only son of Major J. H. Brannigan late RAMC. He fell in action on the Somme on the 3rd September 1916. The CO of the 49 division considered it was a great loss to the division and his colonel and brother officers deeply regretted him. He had also served as a volunteer in the South African War 1899-1902 receiving The Queen’s Medal and 6 clasps, the King Edward VII Medal with 2 clasps. In 1914 he served as a volunteer in the Transvaal Scottish he served under General Botha in the South West African campaign.

    s flynn




    226170

    Lt.Col. Charles Harold Blackburne DSO. 5th Btn. Dragoon Guards (d.10th Oct 1918)

    In memory of Lt.Col. Charles Harold Blackburne, DSO, born 20th May, 1876 and Charles Bertram (Peter) his son, born 3rd Sep. 1911 also of Beatrice, his daughter, born 4th June 1907. All of whom lost their lives in the sinking of R.M.S. Leinster by a German submarine on the 10th of October 1918

    s flynn




    226169

    Francis Ledwidge 5th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    Francis Ledwidge was killed in action at the Battle of Passchendaele during World War I on 31st of July 1917 aged 29.

    The Irish In Gallipoli.
    Where Aegean cliffs with bristling menace front
    The treacherous splendour of that isley sea,
    Lighted by Troy’s last shadow; where the first
    Hero kept watch and the last Mystery
    Shook with dark thunder. Hark! The battle brunt!
    A nation speaks, old Silences are burst.
    ‘Tis not for lust of glory, no new throne
    This thunder and this lightning of our power
    Wakens up frantic echoes, not for these
    Our Cross with England’s mingle, to be blown
    At Mammon’s threshold. We but war when war
    Serves Liberty and Keeps a world at peace.
    Who said that such an emprise could be vain?
    Were they not one with Christ, who fought and died?
    Let Ireland weep: but not for sorrow, weep
    That by her sons a land is sanctified,
    For Christ arisen, and angels once again
    Come back, like exile birds, and watch their sleep.

    Francis Ledwidge, France, 24th February, 1917

    s flynn




    226168

    Rflmn. Albert Beechey 9th Btn Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Albert Beechey was born in 1892 in Kensington London to Alfred George Beechey and Agnes nee Hutchby. He had a sister and three brothers one of which was my grandfather Walter. Before the war Albert lived with his family in Paddington and worked for the nearby Great Western Railway as a railway porter, along with his father and brother Walter.

    He enlisted to the 4th (that would become the 9th) Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) as rifleman, service number 4516, on 18th March 1912. In February 1915 he was posted to the Western Front with his battalion and fought at both Loos and Arras for which he was awarded the Star medal. His unit must have been back in England when he married as his home address is listed as Sheerness in Kent. He married Florence Jane Marlow in North Kensington, who in the 1901 census when they were aged nine lived only a few doors away in Victoria Dwellings, Ladbroke Road, Kensington. So it seems they would have been childhood sweethearts.

    Sadly just a year later on the 15th September 1916 he was killed in the battle of Flers–Courcelette part of the Somme offensive. He was never identified but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 16 B and 16 C. This battle is noted for the first ever use of a tank in warfare.

    His brother Walter was too young to fight in WW1 and too old in WW2 but he always said that he took his revenge when as part of a Home Guard unit he was responsible for a spy being captured trying to signal to enemy aircraft to bomb the nearby railway sidings.

    Keith Neuhofer




    226167

    L/Cpl. Alfred Langley 8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.14th May 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred Langley enlisted on December 11th 1912 at Brentford Middlesex. He died on 14th of May 1915 of wounds received and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. His medals were donated to the Regimental Museum by my uncle who also served in the Middlesex Regiment.

    Yvonne Carter




    226166

    Thomas Frederick Langley 8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    Thomas Langley attested aged 15 years and 6 months on 19th July 1912. On 5th August 1914 he was in Embodied Service but on 25th September 1914 he was discharged Medically unfit. I have been unable to find further details regarding Thomas.

    Yvonne Carter




    226161

    Pte. James Moore 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.2nd March 1915)

    James Moore was killed in action in the Battle of Ypres on the 2nd of March 1915 and is interred in Belgium

    s flynn




    226158

    Maj. Cyril H.R. Scholefield CDG 69th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.28th March 1918)

    Major Cyril Scholefield fell at Vimy Ridge, 28th of March, 1918, aged 22 years. He received the Croix de Guerre with palm and was made Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Couronne.

    s flynn




    226157

    2nd Lt. Laurence Elvidge 5th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.9th Aug 1916)

    2nd Lt. Laurence Elvidge gave his life for the empire at Ypres on the 9th of August 1916, aged 19 years.

    s flynn




    226154

    Lt. Thomas James Bowers 3rd Btn. Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment (d.7th Nov 1916)

    Lt. Thomas Bowers was killed in action outside the trenches at Grandcourt, France on the 7th of November 1916.

    s flynn




    226153

    Thomas J.E.B. Myles 14th Battalion (Royal Montreal Regiment) (d.25th June 1916)

    Thomas Myles was killed in Flanders on the 25th of June 1916.

    s flynn




    226152

    Valentine Douglas French 5th Btn King's Shropshire Light Infantry (d.16th June 1915)

    <p>

    Valentine French died of wounds in France.

    s flynn




    226151

    Maj. Charles John French Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.2nd July 1916)

    Major Charles French died of wounds in France on 2nd July 1916.

    s flynn




    226150

    2nd Lt. Arthur W.L. Nixon (d.1st June 1917)

    2nd Lieut. Arthur W. L. Nixon was killed in action in France on the 1st of June 1917 Aged 26 years.

    s flynn




    226149

    Maj. Herbert Arthur Herbert-Stepney 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.7th Nov 1914)

    Major Herbert Herbert-Stepney was killed at Klein Zillebeke, near Ypres on the 7th of November 1914 When in command of his regiment.

    s flynn




    226146

    2nd Lt. James Graves St. John Ellis Royal Engineers (d.11th Oct 1915)

    2nd Lt James Ellis died of wounds on the 11th of October 1915 aged 28. He is buried at Anafarta Sagir, Gallipoli

    s flynn




    226141

    Lt. Vivian Alfred Davis 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.4th Sep 1918)

    Vivian Davis was killed in action on the 4th of September 1918. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert E. Davis of 17 Oaklands Park, Ballsbridge, Co. Dublin.

    s flynn




    226140

    Edward Davey HMS Monmouth (d.1st Nov 1914)

    Edward Davey lost his life in defence of his country in the Battle of Coronel off the Chilean coast 1st of November 1914 on H.M.S. Monmouth aged 24 years.

    s flynn




    226139

    Lt. William Henry Coade 3rd Leinster Regiment (d.5th Nov 1918)

    Lieutenant William Coade, of the Leinster Regiment died on 5th of November 1918 of wounds received in action, aged 26 years.

    s flynn




    226137

    Joseph Pierce Murphy HMS Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    <p>

    To The Memory Of Joseph Pierce Murphy Of Thorncastle Place. The First Irish Man Who Died In World War I on HMS Amphion 6th August 1914, Age 25 Years. And His Fellow Ringsenders Who Died At Sea 1914 - 1918

    s flynn




    226136

    Lt. Claude O'Conor Mallins 2nd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.2nd Nov 1914)

    Claude Mallins was killed in action at Ypres, on the 2nd of November 1914, aged 20 years.

    s flynn




    226134

    Capt. Charles Edward Granville Vernon 5th Btn. B Coy. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.15th Aug 1915)

    Charles Edward Granville Vernon was killed in action at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 15th of August 1915,aged 31 years The dearly loved elder and only surviving son of Colonel Granville Vernon, Bedfordshire Regiment, and of Rosalie his wife.

    s flynn




    226133

    Pte. Stanley Lawrence 10th Btn East Kent Regiment (d.13th Aug 1918)

    Whilst researching my family tree I discovered that most of my relatives around the 1900s had lived in Wethersfield village in Essex. Along with my father and auntie I took a trip to the village to see if I could find any gravestones of the family. As we wandered around a small churchyard I noticed the church was open and no one was inside. We went in and had a look around. We discovered a marble memorial on the wall commemorating those from the village who had died in action in WW1. Two of my relatives were listed, one from the Machine Gun Corps and one from the Buffs. When I arrived home I did some research and found that they were my great grandfather's brothers. About 6 months later my father and I decided to visit their memorials in France, which we found very moving. I am now trying to find out which battle Stanley would have lost his life in.

    Stewart Lawrence




    226131

    Pte. Herbert Barnes 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1914)

    Herbert Barnes is remembered on the Menin Gate.

    Michael Ringer




    226129

    2nd Lt. George Stride Falkiner 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    George Falkiner fell at Frezenberg, Flanders on the 16th of August 1917 When, being left alone in command of his company, he continued to lead his men to the attack. Aged 19 years.

    s flynn




    226128

    2nd Lt. Frederick Ewen Baldwin Falkiner MC. Royal Flying Corps (d.21st Aug 1917)

    Frederick Falkiner served with the the Royal Irish Rifles and Royal Flying Corps, who also served with the 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers in Gallipoli and Serbia 1914 – 1916 and at the Battle of Messines. He died fighting in the air near Ypres 21st of August 1917, aged 22 years

    s flynn




    226126

    Capt. Robert Hornidge Cullinan 7th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.8th Aug 1915)

    Robert Cullinan was the son of John and Martha Cullinan of 6 Bendon St., Ennis, Co. Clare. He was a member of the Munster Bar.

    s flynn




    226125

    Lt. Ernest Lawrence Julian 7th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.8th Aug 1915)

    Ernest Juilan was killed at Suvla Bay in August 1915 He was the son of the late John and Margaret Julian, of Drumbane, Birr, King's County. He held the Reid Professorship of Criminal Law, Trinity College, Dublin and was educated at Charterhouse, and Trinity College, Dublin

    s flynn




    226124

    Donald McClean Jacob 27th Btn. (d.21st Aug 1917)

    Donald Jacob was the youngest son of A.H. Jacob, MD and fell fighting gallantly at Lens.

    s flynn




    226123

    2nd Lt. George Frederick Dobbin Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1915)

    George Dobbin was born Aug. 18th, 1894, and killed in action at Suvla Bay 16th of August 1915.

    s flynn




    226122

    2nd Lt. Ray Lancaster Bell Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.17th May 1915)

    The only child of Alfred and Annie Bell, Ray Bell was killed in action at Ypres on May 17th 1915 aged 19 years and is buried at Vlamertynghe.

    s flynn




    226120

    2nd Lt. Frederick O'Neill Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Frederick O'Neill was killed in action at Beaumont-Hamel, France on the 13th of November 1916. Aged 36 years

    s flynn




    226118

    Capt. Edward George Harvey Royal Flying Corps (d.16th Jun 1915)

    Capt. Edward Harvey of the Duke of Edinburgh's Wiltshire Regiment was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, and was killed in action near Hooge, age 32.

    s flynn




    226116

    Maj. Edward Victor Colley William Wellesley MC. 178th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.2nd Octo 1916)

    Edward Wellesley was accidentally killed in France.

    s flynn




    226114

    Pte. William Ewart Young 2/5th Btn. London Regiment (d.16th Aug 1917)

    William Young was the 5th son and 8th child of Charles and Joanna Young of Dalston, London. He was born 18th May 1898. It is unknown when he joined up. He was killed on 16th August 1915 From research carried out at IWM: "Objective for 16 August – 2/5th Rifles were to go to ”The Shelter” at Erman, proceed to Anzac Farm and Iron Cross Redoubt, close to Polygon Wood. There had been a thunderstorm, at 01.30 am the battalion assembled in shell holes at Surbiton Villas. At 0445 Barrage opened with artillery, machine guns were at Inverness Copse. It was a bright and sunny day after the storm. It appears they proceeded to Stirling Copse and Black Watch corner, SW of Polygon Wood. At some point they were surrounded by Germans who infiltrated from behind. A pigeon was released and took back the message “we are surrounded”. They fell back eventually to Glencourse Wood. All fighting was completed that day at 1700hrs. 24 men were killed, 147 missing, and 172 wounded.
    Christine Stratton




    226112

    Cpl. John William Wagstaff 1/7th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (d.1st Oct 1915)

    <p>

    John Wagstaff was born on the 5th November 1893, he was the son of Joseph & Emma of Cliffe End Longwood, Huddersfield and was educated at Lindley Church of England school. He was then employed as a finisher at J Crowther & sons Milnsbridge.

    He had been a member of the Territorials since 10th July 1911 and re-enlisted on the 23rd of October 1914. They embarked to France on 15th of April 1915, and he was killed in action, shot in the head by a sniper, on the 1st of October 1915. He is buried at Bard Cottage Cemetery, Boesinghe, Belgium.

    Geoff Turner




    226105

    Pte. Daniel McDermott 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.6th May 1916)

    Daniel McDermott enlisted in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in March 1908 in Glasgow. He was born in Derry in 1873. His father James McDermott of 10 Argyle St. Derry, and wife Margaret (O'Malley) Bridge St in Derry. Daniel was killed in action in France on the 5th May 1916 and is buried in Authiele cemetery.

    Yvonne




    226101

    Pte. David Toomath North Irish Horse

    <p>

    David Toomath was born on 13 Apr 1898 in Belfast Ireland. He served with the British Forces during WWI, at first with the North Irish Horse and later in the Machine Gun Company. His regimental number was 2315, then 105374.

    David married his sweetheart from Ireland, Ethel Maud Lyons on 13th of Dec 1923 in a Presbyterian Church located on Cowan Avenue in Toronto. The Church is now used by another denomination. The bride's parents were James and Margaret (nee Fitzsimons) Lyons. David and Ethel had one child together, a daughter, Margaret whom they called Marjorie. On records from the period, David gave his occupation as a jockey and horse trainer. David later accepted a position with U.S.L. Battery where he played an important roll in the development of the dry cell battery. He stayed with the firm for thirty-five years after which he retired and moved with his wife Ethel to California to live with their daughter Marjorie. David was a family favorite. Just about everyone in the family went to visit him at one time or another and all of them remember him fondly. David had brown hair and blue eyes. He died in California on 10 May 1980.

    David Toomath

    Brian




    226098

    Sgt. John Thomas Murphy 420th Field Company Royal Engineers

    My grandfather, Jack Murphy, grew up in Widnes, Halton, Cheshire, son of Irish immigrants and he enlisted in Army I believe before WWI. He served Egypt, Gallipoli and Macedonia. He was proud to have been a sapper and told many a story about pre-invasion time in Egypt, Achi Baba, trenches, erecting hand grenade screens. He was evacuated with dysentery. One story was that he was standing sentry duty outside a large tent in which the brass was having an officer's function with meat and alcohol. He could hear inside, one officer said to another "if the Turks could only see us now!" He would tell that story and others with a chuckle and some resentment until his death!

    He emigrated to US in 1920s and lived to be 96. Spending his last years in Rancho Cucamonga California. The San Gabriel Mountains 10,000 foot tall are right there. He would sit outside, smoke his pipe and drink his whiskey and reminisce about never getting to Achi Baba. I am trying to find info about his war service.

    Thomas Schrettner




    226097

    Pte. Ernest George Thompson 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Ernest Thompson was wounded in the left forearm on 25th March 1918, on the Amiens front and arrived at a CCS where wounds were dressed, and then he was sent to the No. 1 South African General Hospital. After 4 operations the arm was amputated and he was transported back to England on the Cambria to Roehampton were he was fitted with a artificial arm. He spent 4 months in hospital and when he left he set up home in Alfreton, Derbyshire were he owned a fruit shop for a number of years.

    He married in 1924, he moved to Derby, then down to Hastings, and finally passed away in a home in 1998. Unfortunately, I never met my great uncle nor have a photo of him, but I am so glad I got someone to research this history for me.

    Brian Thompson




    226096

    Pte. Frederick William Nice 2nd Btn Royal Fusiliers (d.24th April 1917)

    I discovered the name of Nice F.W. on the memorial at the Arras. Some very basic investigation has identified Frederick Nice as a distant family relative, that no one in living memory within my immediate family was aware of. A chance glance at a wall full of names of our brave boys lost 100 years ago, lest we forget.

    Vince Nice




    226094

    Pte. Samuel Hanna 8th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.4th May 1916)

    <p>

    Samuel Hanna served with the 8th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, in the 36th Division, comprising of 28 Battalions mostly of Irish Regiments. They arrived in France in February 1916 and were assigned to the Loos sector. The soldiers experienced trench warfare and suffered casualties during this early period in the front line. They were in the trenches at Hulloch when the Germans launched a gas attacks on 27th and 29th of April 1916. Of the 1980 casualties, 570 were killed and many of the wounded died later from respiratory diseases.





    226092

    Pte. Simpson Riach Ferguson 11th Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.16th Apr 1917)

    Simpson Ferguson died at the Reading War Hospital, age 21 years, and is probably buried in Paisley's Woodside Cemetery as he has his own marker there but is also named on the marker with his parents, Alexander Ferguson and Janet Reid.

    Linda Reid




    226091

    Pte. Edwin Percy Lott Horne 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.17th July 1917)

    <p>

    Edwin Horne served with the 1st Btn Somerset Light Infantry.

    Martin Reeves




    226089

    Pte. George Edward Shaw 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    George Shaw was born on 23rd of May 1897. He served in the British Army during WW1 and survived several major battles. He was wounded late on in the war and sent to Coventry Hospital to recover. A German bullet hit the back of his Benson silver pocket watch and undoubtedly saved his life. I still have the watch and his 3 medals. He was also gassed and lost his sense of smell as a result. This is as much as I know.

    Graham Shaw




    226084

    L/Cpl. Arthur George Hall 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    My Grandfather Arthur Hall had previously served in the Boar War at end of century and at some point he was in Belfast. But when war broke out he was in civilian life. We have established he joined up again on 12th of November 1914. He was shipped to France on 6th of July 1915. At this point we cannot find out what he did in France.

    However we pick up the trail in Switzerland where he was interned at Murren on 19th December 1916. The German and British governments had an agreement to intern prisoners of war in neutral countries. Arthur Hall had been a POW in Venant d'Ohrdruf Germany. When and how he became a POW we do not know. He was transferred to Switzerland end of 1916 with a wound to left hand. At some point my grandmother visited my grandfather in Switzerland. There was a charitable organisation which took soldiers' wives to see them when they were interned.

    He was discharged on 26th March 1919 by reason of "wounds". That year in December my mother was born on 30/12/19. We believed he was also gassed at some point during the war. He died as a civilian during WW2.

    Any information would be appreciated.

    Pip Evans




    226083

    Rflm. James Finlay 5th Btn. Scottish Rifles

    James Finlay enlisted on the 22nd of May 1915 in the 5th Battalion, Scottish Rifles and served throughout the war. After his death, his diary was recovered from his home, as no relatives could be located, it was donated to The Wartime Memories Project.





    226082

    Sgt. Reginald John Mason MM. 12th (Rangers) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Reginald Mason served with the 12th Btn. London Regiment.

    Christine Summers




    226081

    Sgt. Stanley Mason 12th (Rangers) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    My father, Stanley Mason served with the 12th Btn. London Regiment.

    Stg Mason's Platoon 12th London Regt in France 1918

    Christine Summers




    226079

    2nd Lt. Charles Edward Sherwood 3rd Btn. Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Sherwood served with the 3rd Btn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry

    John Snaith




    226076

    QMS. Francis Thomas McLintic Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    My grandfather Francis McLintic enlisted in Inverness in the Cameron Highlanders in 1906 and was injured at the Battle of the Somme. He was discharged due to shell shock and lived the rest of his life, as I understand it, in institutions of some sort until 1963 when he died in Edinburgh. His last residence was with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, although according to one of the nuns his last known address before that was "West House". I don't know where that is. I do not know where he stayed between being discharged and his ultimate death since his wife, my grandmother moved the entire family [my father and aunt and a couple of her younger sisters] down to England since her husband didn't recognize her any more. It is a sad story.

    By chance a few years ago I googled the name of my grandfather's sister and as a result came into contact with that side of the family. They too did not know much about their uncle Frank since their mother never visited him although she talked fondly of him. It was a veil of silence over both parts of the family and indeed, when I was a child I was told he had been killed in the First World War. I had no photos of him or my great grandfather since my grandmother had burned them all. As a result of my googling efforts though I received a wonderful surprise - the reconnected side of the family sent me photos of him and my great grandfather and great grandmother as well as other photos of my father and aunt. The stigma of mental illness, I suppose, was so huge that people could not bring themselves to admit they had a relative who suffered from it. My grandmother lived the rest of her days in England, a staunch member of the local church, pretending she was a widow.

    Anne McLintic Smith




    226075

    Pte. John Henry Wells 1st Btn, C Coy West York Regiment (d.16th Oct 1916 )

    Private John Wells was killed at Mealte in Picardie, France.

    Paul Wells




    226070

    Lt. Alfred James Knight MID. 9th Btn Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Alfred Knight joined up as a boy soldier in the Grenadier Guards and was later transferred to the 1st Gloucesters, with whom he saw much foreign service. Serving 12 years in India and then in the Boer War where he was taken prisoner. Upon his return to England he was stationed in various depots and was at one time recruiting sergeant for the Gloucesters in Stroud, before retiring from the service.

    On the out break of the Great War he rejoined the colours and accompanied the 9th Battalion to France, serving at a time when heavy losses were suffered. He was promoted to Warrant Officer in 1915. Subsequently he transferred to the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry where he obtained a commission as Lieutenant and saw service in the East. Upon his return to home on the 26th January 1921, he retired from the army but continued to be associated with the Territorials of Gloucestershire.

    James Smith




    226057

    Pte. Arthur Thomas Toogood 1st Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.12th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Arthur Toogood served with the 1st Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment.

    Kath




    226051

    Sgt. Ernest Brown 7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire (d.18th Apr 1917)

    My Grandfather Ernest Brown is my hero even though I never knew him. My father, Frank, was his youngest son, who was only 7 and a half when his father was killed. He had only 2 memories of him, the first, marching off to war from the Barracks in Coventry. And the other was when he came home on leave. He was lifted into the table by my grandfather and allowed to hold his rifle. My grand father before the war was a brick layer and a Coventry Godiva Harrier. He joined up in October 1914 after being given a white feather from a woman when he was on his way home from work one night.

    We have no photos of him and have no idea what he looked like, which is sad. I would have loved to have known my grandad. I would want him to know how proud I am of him

    Anne Thompson




    226049

    Pte. Herbert Victor Bishop 8th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    Herbert Victor Bishop served with 8th Btn. East Kent Regiment and was gassed (not known where), he died as result in 1933.

    Steven Bishop




    226047

    Capt. Richard Fielding Morrison MC, MID. 51st Brigade. D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.25th April 1918)

    Acting Major Richard Fielding Morrison M.C. & bar, served with D Battery, 51st Bde. RFA. He was born on the 30th April, 1890. He fell in action near Vierstraat, Belgium 25th April. Twice mentioned in despatches. He rests in the Military Cemetery at Haringhe nr Proven, Belgium.

    s flynn




    226046

    Lt. Maurice James Dease VC. 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd Aug 1914)

    Lt. James Dease was awarded the first Victoria Cross of the Great War 1914-1918 for exceptional heroism at Battle of Mons. He was killed on the 23rd of August 1914 at the age of 25 years.

    s flynn




    226045

    Captn. Henry Thomas Richard Somerset Wright 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.24th Dec 1916)

    Captain Henry Thomas was killed on active service at Dibbis, Soudan on 24th of December 1916. Aged 32 years.

    s flynn




    226044

    Mjr. William Stopford Sarsfield 2nd Btn Connaught Rangers (d.20th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    The wooden cross with metal plate bearing stamped inscription to William Starsfield, is almost certainly the cross which marked his grave in Vailly British Cemetery. This cemetery was fought over four times after 1914, and the damage is probably from bullet or shell fragment.

    s flynn




    226043

    Capt. Miles Henry O'Donovan 4th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.20th June 1916)

    Miles Henry O'Donovan was the second son of Morgan William O’Donovan and Mary Eleanor his wife of Liss ard Skibbereen Co. Cork and grandson of Henry Winthrop O’Donovan. He was born on the 26th of June 1895 and killed in action in France on the 20th of June 1916, buried at Mazingarbe.

    s flynn




    226041

    Capt. William Henry Madden 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.24th March 1918)

    <p>

    William Madden was the son of the Very Rev. S. O. Madden, Dean of Cork. He fell in France on Palm Sunday 1918 aged 33 years.

    s flynn




    226040

    Pte. Fred A. Hobart 5685 1/8th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.16th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Hobart was born on the 27th of May 1883 and was killed in Action in France on the 16th of December 1916.

    s flynn




    226039

    Brig.Gen. John Edmund Gough VC. General Staff (d.22nd Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Brigadier General John Edmond Gough, V.C., C.B., C.M.G., was A.D.C. to H. M. the King and Chief of Staff of the 1st Army British Expeditionary Force in France. He was the younger son of Gen. Sir Charles Gough, V.C., G.C.B. born Oct. 25, 1871, he died at Estaires on 22nd of February 1915 of wounds inflicted on the 20th of February and was created after his death a Knight Commander of the Bath, in recognition of his most distinguished service in the field.

    He served with distinction with the Rifle Brigade in the Campaigns in British Central Africa, 1896 and in Egypt and fought a great fight in France & Flanders from August 1914 until his death.

    s flynn




    226038

    2nd.Lt. Lestock Henry Reid New Zealand Pioneer Battalion (d.20th May 1916)

    Lestock Reid was killed in action at Armentieres on the 20th of May 1916. He was the husband of Muriel G. Reid, of Kilkefernan, Clonmel and eldest son of Arthur Ironside Reid and Mary Sidney Reid of 122 Richardson St., Opawa, Christchurch, New Zealand. He took part in the first landing on Anzac Cove, on the 27th of April 1915 and served in Egypt. He was gazetted in France on the 7th of March 1916. He is remembered on his wife's gravestone and is buried in Armentieres.

    s flynn




    226037

    George Lawless 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.15th Sep 1916)

    George Lawless was killed in France on the 15th of September 1916, aged 20 years.

    s flynn




    226034

    Capt. Edward Hammerton Kennefick 3rd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    Edward Kennefick was killed in action at the Somme aged 35.

    s flynn




    226033

    Michael Guilfoyle 7th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.9th Oct 1916)

    Michael Guilfoyle died of wounds on the 9th October 1916, and is buried in Mikra Cemetery, Salonika no. 1592

    s flynn




    226031

    Cpl. John McNeill 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders (d.4th Oct 1917)

    My great-great Uncle John McNeill of Rothesay, Scotland served in the 2nd Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders from the 10th of October 1915 to his death, on the 4th of October 1917. He won three medals: the British War Medal, the Allied Victory Medal, and the 14-15 Star. He was missed greatly by his mother and father, his three brothers, and his sister. He is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

    James MacConnachie




    226030

    Gnr. Sidney Jackson Legge 8th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Sidney Legge served with the 8th Seige Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.





    226029

    Cpl. Alfred Mason 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.1st July 1916)

    My Great Uncle Alfred Mason joined the Rifle Brigade on 15th October 1914 before conscription became compulsory. He died on 1st July 1916 and has no known grave, his name appears on the Thievpal Memorial for the Missing.





    226026

    2nd Lt. Maurice Cane 153rd Bde. 1st Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.4th August 1917)

    Maurice Cane was born Dec 22nd 1882 and was killed in action at Wieltje in Flanders, 4th of August 1917. He is buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery and was Son of Col. Claude Cane, and Mrs. Cane (nee Mackintosh) of St. Wolstans, Celbridge, Co. Kildare; husband of Hilda Jessie Bisset Cane.

    s flynn




    226025

    Lt. W. F Pollard-Urquhart 1st Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.8th April 1915)

    <p>

    Lt Pollard-Urquhart was the son of M. A. Pollard-Urquhart. He was killed in action near Shab-kadr, India on 8th April 1915, whilst trying to save wounded officers of an Indian regiment. He was aged 24 years.

    s flynn




    226024

    Pte. Patrick Feeney 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.22nd July 1915)

    <p>

    Patrick Feeney died on the 22nd July 1915 in France. He was the husband of M. Feeney of Castle St., Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

    s flynn




    226023

    Charles Moore 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.7th September 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Moore was killed in action in France on the 7th of September 1918.

    s flynn




    226022

    William Ellis Chadwick (d.2nd April 1916)

    <p>

    William Chadwick was the only child of James J. and Ellen M. Chadwick, William was killed in a munitions works explosion at Faversham, Kent on the 2nd April 1916, aged 35 years.

    s flynn




    226020

    Lt. Arthur Hone Wilson MC. 4th Bn. attd. 7th Bn. Royal Fusiliers (d.18th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Wilson was born on the 9th June 1895 and died 18th November 1916 from wounds received in action. He was the son of William W. Wilson of Carrickmines House, his two brothers also fell.

    s flynn




    226019

    Mjr. George Henry Wilson MC. 282nd Bde. D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.4th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    George Henry Wilson was born 13th January 1890 and was killed in action on the 4th Nov 1917. He was the son of William H. Wilson of Carrickmines House, his two brothers also fell.

    s Flynn




    226018

    Charles Robert Wilson MC 88th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.24th May 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Wilson was born 10th June 1886 and was killed in action on the 24th of May 1917. He was the son of William Henry and Emily Charlotte Wilson, of Carrickmines House, Carrickmines, Co. Dublin. His brothers George and Arthur also fell.

    s flynn




    226016

    Nathaniel Frederick Hone 3rd Bn. attd. 9th Bn Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    Nathaniel Hone was killed in the Battle of the Somme age 18 years.

    s flynn




    226015

    2nd Lt. Geoffrey Cecil Monck Hamilton 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.9th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Geoffrey Hamilton was the youngest son of Arthur and Alma Hamilton who gave his life for his king and country at the battle of Ginchy on the 9th of September 1916, aged 21 years.

    S Flynn




    226014

    2nd Lt. Harold George Stevenson 13th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.25th June 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Stevenson served with the 13th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment

    S Flynn




    226013

    2nd Lt. Archibald Hugh O'Farrell 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.27th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    2nd Lt. O'Farrell was killed in France, aged 19.

    S Flynn




    226010

    Capt. Edward Stafford-King Harman 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.6th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Edward Harman was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Stafford, Bart. He was killed in action at Klein Zillebecke, near Ypres on 6th November 1914.

    S Flynn




    226009

    Lt. John Frederick Healey 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd July 1916)

    <p>

    This wooden cross was erected at Thiepval, Somme, France now in St Philip and St James Church of Ireland, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. John Healey was killed 2nd July 1916 aged 19 years.

    s flynn




    226008

    Pte. Albert Webb 6th Btn. Warwickshire Regiment

    Albert Webb was on board a ship which transported soldiers during WW1. Unsure of the region or any more details. He died in Canberra Australia, from a illness related to working on these ships. A strong Yorkshire man, who left a wife and two sons, too early. Sadly missed father, grandad and husband who saw too much.

    Lynette Webb




    226006

    Pte. Samuel Burns 1st Btn, B Coy Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.27th Aug 1914)

    Samuel Burns, my Great Uncle, was born in 1892, the son of Mary Ann Burns (nee McKinstry) and John Burns. He served with 1st battalion Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) and was based in Shorncliffe, England at the outbreak of WW1. They immediately mobilised to York, then Harrow before travelling to Bolougne on 22 August 14. On arrival they then travelled by train to Le Cateau to support the BEF withdrawal from Mons. He fought at the battle of Le Cateau as part of the 4th Division 10 Brigade in the area of Haucourt during the day and night of 26th August 1914. They held the ridge between St Aubert Farm and Point 137. As the fighting went on it was clear that the German gun barrage was too overpowering and they risked being surrounded or flanked so the order was given to retreat South. It was during this retreat that Samuel was killed on 27th August 1914. His body was never found and he is remembered at the memorial for the missing at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre. He was originally posted as missing with his death confirmed by the War Office on 20th January 1916. In his will he wrote "In the event of my death, I give all my love to all those I leave behind. That's about all I can do. So they can go to the bank and draw. I leave breath and my money. They can spend it anyway". His brother Isaac was my Great Grandfather.





    226005

    Edgar Robert Marshall South Midland Div. Army Veterinary Corps

    <p>Edgar Marshall standing between two men in doorway.

    Edgar Marshall was born in Himbleton, Worcester on a cider apple farm. He trained as a vet and in January 1915 he joined the Army Veterinary Corps, South Midland Division. After the war he emigrated to New Zealand. Bob had a "gift" with horses.

    Edgar Marshall tending to a horse during WW1

    Attestation for Edgar Marshall

    Brenda Clark




    226004

    Pte. Leonard Norton "Dick" Gammidge 15th (Civil Service Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.25th Sept 1915)

    <p>

    Leonard Gammidge of the 15th London County Civil Service Rifles was killed at Loos, on the 25th of September 1915.

    Leonard Gammidge, better known by his family and friends as Dick, was at Haywardsfield from 1906-1910, and played for the School in the 2nd football team. After leaving Wycliffe he was articled to a London firm of land and estate agents, but joined the 15th Civil Service Rifles directly after the outbreak of war. This was one of the first of the Territorial Regiments to go to France, and Dick crossed with his battalion at the end of 1914. The Western Front in France and Flanders was not a health resort in 1915, nor, indeed, at any time, but during eight months' service the letters which Dick Gammidge wrote home were always cheery, with never a word of complaint.

    He was killed in the advance of 25th of September 1915, during the fighting which resulted from the capture of Loos. Two battalions which were assaulting the German trenches needed a new supply of hand grenades. His own No. 6 pla­toon volunteered to do the work. It was necessary to carry the bombs to a zone 300 yards wide, swept by German rifle fire and machine guns, and out of the party of twenty-six men who started, only four had returned when night fell. Leonard Gammidge was one of the ten who were killed, but it is said that unless these bombs had reached the forward battalions­ for others came back to take them from those who fell - the position which the British had captured could never have been held. He was twenty-one years of age when he thus laid down his life for his comrades. (From 'Wycliffe in the War', 1923.)

    Steve Arman




    226003

    Matthew Allsopp 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Nov 1916)

    Matthew Allsopp is my great uncle and was killed in Belgium or France. I would love to know where he is buried.

    Editors Note: Matthew lies in Pond Farm Cemetery near Wulvergem in Belgium.

    Phoebe Bannister




    226002

    Lt. Francis Sydney Mitchell Royal Army Medical Corps (d.15th Feb 1916)

    Lt. Francis Mitchell was killed near Ypres while attending the wounded on the 15th of February 1916, he was aged 26.

    s flynn




    226001

    Lt. William George Richard Geoghegan 2nd Btn. Inniskilling Fusiliers . (d.13th April 1917)

    William Geoghegan was born on 7th February 1897 and died of his wounds on 13th April 1917.

    s flynn




    226000

    Charles James Mills 108th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.24th Jan 1919)

    <p>

    Charles Mills died of wounds received in action on 24th January 1919

    s flynn




    225999

    Lt. Lawford Burne Campbell 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Lawford Campbell was born on the 4th of November 1895 and was killed in the Battle of the Somme on the 1st of July 1916.

    s flynn




    225996

    Maj. Richard Fielding Morrison MC, MID. 51st Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th April 1918)

    <p>

    Major Richard Fielding Morrison M.C. & bar, was twice mentioned in despatches, He Commanded "D" Battery, 51st Brigade, R.F.A. and fell in action, at Vierstraat, Belgium, aged 27.

    s flynn




    225995

    Lt.Col. Charles Edward Goff MC. 1st Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.8th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Goff was the youngest son of the late John Crosbie Goff. He was killed at Guillemont, France on the 8th of August 1916.

    s flynn




    225994

    Capt. John Rupert Frederick Lecky 7th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.29th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    The only son of John Rupert Robert & Florence Lecky, John Lecky was killed in action on 29th of September 1915 in front of Kut-el-Amara, Mesopotamia, while attached to the 2nd. Norfolk Regt. He was laid to rest at the village of Saffa on the bank of the River Tigris.

    s flynn




    225993

    2nd.Lt. Desmond Maurice Macartney-Filgate (d.30th May 1918)

    <p>

    Desmond Macartney-Filgate was killed while flying on the 30th of May 1918. Aged 18 years, he was the 3rd son of Charles Alexander Hume Macartney-Filgate.

    s flynn




    225991

    Lt. Ernest Dennis Ellis 4th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.27th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Lt Ernest Ellis was killed in action on the 27th of September 1918, whilst leading his company across the Canal du Nord, France and is interred in the British Cemetery, Noeuvres. He was the youngest beloved son of David A. Ellis and Annie Ellis. Aged 25 years.

    s flynn




    225989

    Bmbdr. James Benjamin Knights 272 Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    James Knights served with 272nd Brigade RFA.





    225988

    Pte. Harry Marshall 8th Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.25th Sep 2015)

    <p>

    Uncle Harry was not a Scotsman. He was born and lived in Nottingham. He was working in the North Notts coalfield at the start of the war . He joined up in Doncaster and for whatever reason he ended up in 8th KOSB.

    Harry Marshall was killed on the first day of the battle of Loos on 25th September 1915. He has no known grave but is listed on the memorial at Dud Corner just outside Loos.

    Bill Marshall Smith




    225982

    Rflmn. William Alexander Leighton 7th Btn Royal Irish Rifles (d.19th May 1916)

    Only seventeen years old, when he was killed in action, William Leighton was the son of James and Rosie Leighton, Islandeffrick, Coleraine County Londonderry.





    225981

    Pte. John Fox 2nd Btn King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.17th April 1918)

    My great grandfather John Fox joined the Highland Light Infantry in 1915. After suffering from kidney problems and hypothermia during training he was invalided out. It seems he immediately reenlisted with the King's Own Scottish Borderers in 1915. He died during skirmishes associated with the Battle of the Lys, on 17th of April 1918, and he is commemorated on The Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing. He left behind a wife and 13 children. I know very little of the KOSB's movements during 1918, and if anyone can point me in the right direction I would be grateful.

    Charles Fox Jnr




    225980

    Pte. James Smith McLauchlan 44th MGC Machine Gun Corps (d.18th Aug 1916)

    James McLauchlan served with the 10th Gordon Highlanders and 44th MGC. He was killed in action at the Battle of Pozieres in 1916, age 24. He was formerly a coal miner at Logan's Pit in Motherwell. He left all his worldly goods to his nephew and namesake, James Smith McLauchlan Blunn age 6. He was remembered in the Motherwell Times, on the 15th of September 1916 by his sister, Mrs Sophia Blunn and also remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Janice Baird




    225979

    Sgt. John Henry Allen 2nd Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Sgt. John Allen was invalided out in either 1917 or 1918. He had been blown up but survived.

    G.H.Allen




    225975

    Pte. Harry Percy Baulk 8th Btn. Queen's Royal West Surrey (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Harry Baulk, my maternal great uncle, was declared missing at the Battle of Loos and is remembered on the Memorial Wall at Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos.

    Mary King




    225974

    Pte. John McCann 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.29th March 1918)

    My great uncle John McCann was born and raised in Ballydrehid, Co. Sligo. The story goes that he was only sixteen when he left to enlist in the British Army. He was a soldier in the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards Regiment. He died on 29th March 1918. He is buried in Etaples. So far I have been unable to discover any more details or any photos.

    Catherine Kelly




    225973

    Pte. William Rogerson 25th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Private William Rogerson of the 25th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was my great uncle and died on 1st July 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was brought up in South Tottenham, London and moved to Nottinghamshire (from where the family had originated) to work on a farm for a cousin. Together with another great uncle (on the other side of the family), William Rogerson is on the Church War Memorial in Lambley, Nottinghamshire and his name is read out together with the casualties of both wars on Remembrance Sunday. I am now 70 and remember my pride as a child. When I can I attend the Remembrance Service. I have visited the grave of one uncle and also the war memorials. William's brother Charles was in the Middlesex Regiment and died on 12th April 1918.

    Christine Doughty




    225969

    Pte. Johnathon Raymond Wright 36th Btn.

    <p>

    Jonathon Wright, served with 36th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcements, 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, AIF. He was was born in Gazeley, Suffolk, UK in 1867. He was from Lagoon Flat, Bonshaw NSW, and was a tobacco farmer and a boxer. He was the father of eight children. His wife was Mrs Elizabeth Margaret Mary Wright (nee Daley: Toppers MT). Johnathon joined the AIF on 29th February 1916 at Inverrel, NSW, taking part in the Kurrajong march: second contingent.

    Jonathon's unit embarked at Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A72 Beltana on 13th May 1916. His job in the army on the Western Front was as a batman. He transferred to the 33rd Battalion in April 1918, and returned to Australia in November 1918. Johnathon died in Goondiwindi in 1957 aged 90, and is buried in Texas Old Cemetery.

    Johnathon also served in the British Army as a boy soldier during the Sudan War during the 1880s. He went to Gibraltar and served in Cairo in Egypt and is believed to have served in the Boer War with the British Army (1900/1901).

    In one of the 36th Battalion's earliest engagements Col Simpkins was killed in action by a bomb shell that hit the command post in January 1917. It is not known how close by Jonathon was, considering he was a batman to the officers. Johnathon was discharged from duty because of deep vein thrombosis on 24th August 1918, aged 52,

    The following is a story from the Inverell Times. `A warrior's return from the Western front, November 20th 1918. Bonshaw, NSW rejoices again.

    The little town of Bonshaw was the place of great enthusiasm on Friday when relatives and friends of Private Jonathan Wright met together to welcome the hero home, after two and a half years on active service. Town hall had been tastefully arranged for this great occasion, the union Jack was unfurled over live Honor Roll, setting it off. Was the guest of honor, his wife and family, when they were seated, the chairman, Mr.V. Gobbert, asked all to rise and sing 'Home Sweet Home'. The chairman impressed, in a feeling speech, how pleased he was to see the soldier back home again and looking so well, and with his wife Elizabeth and his family all around him and much more so on account of the glorious victory that the Allied Armies had won over the Hun. Private Wright was one who had helped to bring that great victory to fruition. Mr Norman Chisholm spoke in feeling words for the boys who had fallen. He also referred to the great pleasure it gave him to see the hero home. He gave his best wishes for the soldier's health and good luck in the future. It was a credit to the man for going away to fight for his country when he was leaving his wife and family of six children behind, while there were other young men with no families who would live on the land and go and return. Cheers.

    Mr Marsden of Lagoon Flat Public School, said he had not known Private Wright but had known Mrs Wright and their children, and all he could say was that as far as he could make out all his children were 'a chip off the old block'.'

    Bernie Delaney




    225964

    Pte. Frank Sidney Williams 19th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.6th Sep 1917)

    My grandfather was Frank Williams. He was 39 when he died in Ypres, Belgium on 6th of September 1917. My mother told me that he was called up into service in the summer of 1917. He died within weeks of arriving in Belgium. He left behind six children and a widow. Subsequently, his widow Emma Williams died in 1921 from disability caused by her husband's death (CVA), leaving six orphans behind.

    We have had no details of what happened to him and what battle he was at, other than being at Ypres, Belgium. I am finding it almost impossible to track what happened to him. There are no records of his date of being activated into service or any record of his dates of service. There is no mention of the 19th Battalion, Manchester Regiment being called in to service in 1917. Any help on shedding light on this would be helpful. It is shocking for me that there is no history of the individual battalion movements.

    Iris Jacobson




    225963

    Capt. Francis Morgan Field 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.31st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Francis Field was born in Dewsbury, United Kingdom in April 1894. He was the son of Amelia Elizabeth Gibson and George Henry Field. He died on March 31st 1918 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Calais.

    Emma Paley




    225962

    L/Cpl. Peter McGovern 1/5th Btn. C Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.24th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Peter McGovern served with C Company, 1/5th Btn, Durham Light Infantry.





    225961

    Pte. William McQuatter Stevenson 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.6th July 1916)

    My great-great uncle, William McQuatter Stevenson enlisted in the 9th Battalion, Cameronians in his hometown of Hamilton, Lanarkshire. He was killed in action on 6th July 1916, aged 30 years, during the Battle of the Somme (Battle of Albert). He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. We believe he was married to Grace. William was one of four Stevenson brothers who served in the Great War. His brothers John and Charlie also died, with only brother Alexander surviving to return home.

    Jayne Stevenson




    225960

    Pte. Samuel Percival Armfield 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Samuel Armfield was killed in action on Sunday, 26th September 1915. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    Wendy Harlow




    225957

    Pte. Alexander Herd Simpson 7th Battalion Black Watch

    <p>

    My grandfather Alec Simpson joined the Fife Territorial Battalion, the 7th Black Watch during WWI, he was probably recruited in St Andrews where he was living at the time and working as a golf club maker. He then went to Kinghorn Fort on the south coast of Fife near Kirkaldy for training and to assist in coastal defence and sent a photo home from there on 9th of April 1915 showing him dressed as an MP. While fighting near Festubert in France on about 24th May 1915 Alec was wounded in the thigh and the shoulder and spent the night in no man's land waiting to be rescued. He was then saved by Captain C.H. Maxwell and sent to Edmonton Military Hospital in Silver Street, North London. It was there he met my grandmother, a nurse and they fell in love and were later married. He had many operations on his leg and always walked with a limp and used a cane. My grandmother kept the newspaper clipping regarding his injury but I don't know what newspaper it came from. If anyone knows I would love to find out. I also have a group photo showing him dressed as an MP, maybe your family member is in the photo?

    The article reads: Another man who fared badly out in the open was Pte. A. H. Simpson, formerly a golf club maker with Messrs Forgan, St Andrews. Sergt. Cecil ? also a lad from the “Grey City”, saw him fall; but as Alick immediately lit a cigarette, it was thought that his wounds were slight. Next morning, however, while we were all busy at our allotted tasks, a faint cry was heard from "No Man's Land," and a soldier was seen to be lying a considerable distance in front of our line. Word was sent round to Captain C.H. Maxwell, our Anstruther officer, that there seemed to be one of our men lying out in the open. When next the call came, Captain Maxwell shouted in reply, "Hello, who are you?" "I belong to the 7th Black Watch." came the response.

    A Gallant Captain.

    Without a moment's hesitation the gallant Captain, calling upon someone to accompany him, jumped over the parapet, and made his way in the direction from which the call had come. Sergt. Douglas F. Adamson - "Big Dob" as we used to call our popular Cupar comrade - and Pte. William Winton, Milton of Balgonie, were close at Captain Maxwell's heels. Together they reached the wounded man, who proved to be Pte. Simpson. Captain Maxwell and Pte. Winton immediately carried him in, and as they raised him he pointed to a shell-hole nearby, where lay L/Cpl. W.B. Watson, a fellow-townsman of Captain Maxwell. Poor Watson had been severely peppered by machine gun fire, and succumbed to his wounds. Sergt. Adamson at once raised him on his shoulders, and he, too, was brought back into our own lines.

    The machine gun section, under Lieut. A. C. Westwood, had also been having their own share of the casualties, and the first Cupar member of our battalion lost his life here. This was Pte. John Pratt, previously an ironmonger, with Capt. T. J. Robertson’s firm. He had been out making a sap for the machine gun in front of the line, when a shrapnel shell came over. A fragment hit him on the head, and he died almost immediately. Two other Cupar men were wounded by the flying metal – Pte. William Smith, who, singularly enough, had entered the trenches on his nineteenth birthday, and Pte. David.

    Newspaper clipping

    Alec and Jack Graham at Edmonton Hospital

    H Simpson




    225956

    CSM. Ernest Keeling MC. 1st Btn North Staffordshire Regiment

    Ernest Keeling was married to my great-aunt Annie (nickname Nance) nee Bayliss . She was one of 12 children, 6 boys and 6 girls including my grandmother Ethel. The Bayliss family came from Park Village Wolverhampton but were originally from Wombourne Staffs.

    Peter Welsh




    225953

    Pte Matthew Henry Lunn 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    Mathew Lunn was born on 25 Aug. 1897 at Meltham. He was mobilised 6th November 1916 and sent to France on 5th Mar 1917, initially with 1st N. Staffs, but he transferred to 8th Btn on 26 March 1917. Messines was probably his Baptism of fire! Later on 11 August received a Blighty - a bullet/bayonet wound to right thigh - and was invalided back to UK. He was eventually discharged "No longer fit for Military Service" in November 1917. He received Silver wound badge & King's Certificate.

    Mathew Henry Lunn died at Meltham 18 Jan 1931 of tuberculosis. A short life but he did his bit!

    P.C. Potter




    225951

    Pte. S. Elliott MM. 2nd Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers

    Recently obtained Bravery in the Field medal has inscribed on the edge 8309 Pte. S Elliott 2/R.W. FUS.





    225949

    Pte. Charles Edgar Phillips 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917 )

    My uncle Charles Phillips was killed in action on the 9th of October 1917.

    Nicholas Phillips




    225947

    Pte John "Jock" Paterson 10th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.25th Sep 1915)

    John Paterson was my maternal grandfather. He was born in Banff on 2nd October 1878, the son of James and Barbara (nee Morrison), and spent his childhood and early adulthood in the town. On his mother`s side he came from generations of farmers in Auchterless who all enjoyed longevity; his great grandmother lived to 108! He left Banff around 1900 and moved to the industrial town of Bellshill to find work and be near his brothers and sister; he began work in the mines as a coal hewer. He married Elizabeth Steele on 23rd December 1911 and they went on to have three daughters - Elizabeth, Christina (my mother) and Helen. John`s first daughter died in infancy of whooping cough and he was haunted by the sight of his baby daughter lying in her white coffin. His wife Elizabeth`s family had moved to Bellshill from their small holding near Cullybacky in County Antrim and all her brothers served in various regiments in WW1 and two survived.

    John was recruited in Hamilton into the 10th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, part of the 15th Scottish Division S/5531. He cut quite a dash back home in his uniform; his nephew told me that there was no finer kiltie in Bellshill! He had a premonition that he would not be returning home and said his goodbyes before leaving for France, and making provisions for the care of his wife and daughters. Sadly, this was realised. He was struck by an enemy shell on the Loos Redoubt Road on the first day of the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915.

    John`s daughter Christina married George, the son of Samuel McGarrity - another soldier in the same division lost in the same battle on the same day. Christina and George had five children and there are grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren in England and the United States of America.

    Georgina McGarrity




    225943

    Gnr. Thomas Timms 58th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artilery (d.30th March 1917)

    Thomas Timms served as a Gunner with 58th Seige Battery and died on the 30th of March 1917 aged 26.

    David Harvey




    225942

    Dyson Timms Royal Inniskillin Fusiliers (d.27th Aug 1918)

    Born in Selston Notts, Dyson Timms left a wife Eliza and three children. He died on 27 August 1918 Age 36 and is recorded on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    David Harvey




    225939

    Capt. Edwin Stuart Travis Cole No.1 Sqn

    Edwin Stuart Travis Cole, the son of Reuben and Jessie Cole, was from Bristol and trained as a mechanical engineer. After taking flying lessons privately at Hendon and obtaining his pilot’s licence he joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 as 2nd Lieutenant and was posted to 60 Squadron. He scored his first victory flying a Nieuport scout, but was then transferred to 1 Squadron.

    On the morning of the 17th May he was part of a patrol of 4 Nieuport scouts of 1 Squadron when, at 12,000 feet somewhere east of Ypres they attacked a formation of 4 German Albatross scouts.

    Cole wrote in a letter to his parents: “The day before yesterday ... I did a long patrol before breakfast & nothing special happened, at 9.45 we had a long reconnaissance & at the end of this as we were crossing the lines I spotted a brilliantly red coloured machine with three other machines with him on our side of the trenches, all of us dived on them & a general scrap followed. The Capt. Brought one down but he managed to get back to hunland before crashing, in turn Capt was shot down by one of the hun, shots going right through his petrol tank. He came down in a spin but managed to right her before hitting the ground. Two more of our patrol were shot down & it left another pilot and myself to do our best, the other fellow was splendid & put up a splendid show. However after scrapping for some time two of the huns managed to get away & it left me with one fellow. He had a wonderful machine & the finest flyer I have been up against. We each tried to better the other from 12,000 to 800 ft & when we got near the ground I managed to get in some good shots & down he came, burst into flames just before hitting the ground & the machine went vertically into a pond. I landed in a field next to him & rushed over, thousands of tommies & people were watching & a cheer went up from all of them. However we got the poor fellow out the doctor found him with 5 shots through the heart so there was no chance for him It was all frightfully exciting. Fortunately I did not have a shot in my machine. The hun machine has been brought to the aerodrome & it belongs to their crack squadron & is the very latest type and most beautifully fitted up.” (Source: 'Airfields and Airmen: Ypres' By Michael O'Connor, Casemate Publishers, 23 Dec 2008]

    Cole’s victim was Alexander Kutscher of Jasper 28.

    Cole scored six more victories with 1 Squadron in only 6 weeks during the period known as Bloody April when the Germans had air superiority with more advanced aircraft. On 1 May 1917, he and fellow pilot Frank Sharpe captured a German Albatros D.III fighter at Roulers-Elverdinghe, and he received promotion to lieutenant the same day. Following this, Cole was withdrawn from action and returned to England as an instructor. In July 1918 he was promoted to the rank of Captain. At the close of hostilities he resigned from the RAF, but served again in World War 2.





    225938

    Pte. Horace Allen 2/6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>Horace Allen, with chums, bottom right.

    On 21st March 1918, the 2/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) were in positions west of Bullecourt, France. The German Spring Offensive commenced on that day and the 2/6 were in front of the main line of attack. My grandfather, Horace Allen, was wounded by shrapnel and then shot by a German with a pistol through the shoulder and left for dead. He was then treated for his wounds and sent to Münster II POW camp and later moved to Friedrichsfeld POW camp until the end of the war. In common with the local population, Horace was dreadfully malnourished and weighted little more than 7 stones when he returned to the UK.

    Paul Manning




    225937

    Pte. William Thomas Farmer 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.13th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    William Farmer was a member of the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. He died at the age of 18 aboard the Royal Edward on the way to Gallipoli, Turkey.

    According to authors James Wise and Scott Baron, the Royal Edward‍'s death toll was 935 and was high because the ship had just completed a boat drill and the majority of the men were below decks re-stowing their equipment. Since William never saw action in WWI, he did not receive a war medal for his service.

    Sue




    225935

    2nd Lt. Richard Thomas Dennis 2nd Btn. (d.19th Dec 1918)

    <p>

    Richard Dennis was the only son of Richard and Marianne Dennis of Balbriggan. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Montigny, 28th May 1918, and died at Wimereux on the 19th of December 1918 on his return from Rastatt, Germany, aged 19 years. Interred at Terlincthun Cemetery, Boulogne, France.

    S Flynn




    225934

    Pte Samuel James Sandercock 10th Btn Duke of Cornwall Light Infantary (d.31st July 1916)

    Samuel Sandercock was born in abt. 1884 in Luxulyan, Cornwall, Sam was a private in the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry 10th Battalion. He was killed in action on the 31st July 1916. His name is listed at Thiepval Memorial in France, indicating that his body was sadly not recovered from the field of battle. He is also listed on the Treverbyn, St Austell memorial.

    Steve Sandercock




    225932

    Lt. Richard Stapleton Barry Townsend 10th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Richard Townsend is remembered in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.

    s flynn




    225931

    Lt.Col. J. A.M. Lenox-Conyngham Connaught Rangers (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Lt.Col. Lenox-Conyngham is remembered in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.

    s flynn




    225930

    Lt.Col. Philip Edward Kelly Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.11th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Lt.Col. Philip Kelly was killed in action at Dardizeele, Flanders aged 29. He is remembered on the Kelly Memorial in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.

    s flynn




    225929

    2nd Lt. James Malcolm Inglis 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    James Inglis died in France of wounds received in action at Courtrai, Belgium on the 26th of October, 1918 aged 19 years & 3 months. He is remembered on the Inglis Memorial in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.

    s flynn




    225928

    Capt. Miles Bertie Cunninghame Carbery 1st Btn. C Coy. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.17th Oct 1914)

    Miles Carbery is remembered on the Carbery Memorial in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh

    s flynn




    225926

    Capt. Robert Maxwell-Pike (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Robert Maxwell-Pike is remembered on the Pike Memorial in All Saints Church, Aghade, Co. Carlow

    s flynn




    225925

    Capt. John Rupert Frederick Lecky 7th Btn. (d.28th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    John Lecky was killed in action on the eve of entering Kut-el-Amara, Mesopotamia while attached to the 2nd Norfolk Regiment. Aged 30 years.

    s flynn




    225924

    Albert Victor Ernest Corrigan 7th Btn. (d.27th March 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Corrigan was the youngest son of the late Thomas Corrigan. He died at Epsom on 27th March 1917 as the result of wounds received in action while serving with the Canadian Forces at Courcelette.

    s flynn




    225923

    Maurice FitzGerald Irish Guards (d.4th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Maurice FitzGerald served with the Irish Guards, he died of wounds on the 4th of September 1918

    s flynn




    225922

    Gnr. Edward "Big Ned" Byrne 108 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Edward Byrne was my grandfather, he served with 108 Heavy Battery, RGA.

    Edward Byrne




    225919

    L/Cpl. Terence McSherry 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.30th July 1916)

    Terence McSherry was my Great Uncle. My Father was named after him. I do not have a photograph of Terence, although I continue my search to find one.

    Terence's older brother, Pte James McSherry, 7th Battalion (Leith) died whilst enroute to Gallipoli in the Quintinshill Rail Disaster on 22nd May 1915.

    Carol Nowell




    225916

    Sgt. Henry Charles "Dick" Whittington 15th (Civil Service Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    My father, Henry Whittington was in the 15th Battalion, Civil Service Rifles, London Regiment, and wounded badly in the Battle of the Somme. I have a photo of him in uniform with others who I think must also have been members of the Civil Service Rifles. The names are printed on the photo in very small grey print but appear to be as follows:
    • G E White
    • S J S Fright
    • S O Shave
    • H C Whittington
    • S F Edser
    • F H Millman
    • F Holt
    • C J Andrews
    • G F Ive
    • J S Ruttle
    • P D J Kmightley
    • W J Saville
    • R Jobling
    • F H Bushnell
    • H Lewis

    The name Fred Bushell is a familiar one from my childhood - he was either a friend, or possibly the boss, at the PLA where my father worked as an accounting officer - it is possible that all those in this photo worked at the PLA. I have just discovered a note on the back of the photo cover which says 'Souvenir of the Controllers Office'.

    I also have a leather bound copy of a small volume of writings by Pte Edward Loxdale, also of the Civil Service Rifles, entitled 'A souvenir of a Soldier'. Some of the writings were published in the Territorial Service Gazette or The Star. My father has annotated the booklet at various points, including naming all the individuals on a photo:

    • Lew Martin
    • Jacobs
    • Hundleby
    • Coward
    • Loxdale
    • R J Thompson
    • Ern Kettle
    • Jack Rose
    • Sgt. "Nick" Nichol
    • Fred Ive

    At the end of the booklet it states that Pte Edward Loxdale was killed in the Hohenzollern Redoubt, 1st of January 1916. There is also a Sgt. Chick was killed at Vimy Ridge on 22nd of May 1916.

    MEMERS OF THE CIVI SERVICE RIFLES

    Barbara Crane




    225915

    Pte. William Alexander 6th Battalion Cameron Highlanders

    I always knew my grandfather, William Alexander, my dad's dad, was in the Cameron Highlanders and was in the 1st World War, but very little information was passed down. My dad was 22 when his dad died and he would tell us about our grandad and the Battle of the Somme and how he was shot in the shoulder. My dad only found out as a teenager when he asked his dad about the scars on his shoulder, the answer was "son they are there, so you will never have to have the same" and that was that.

    It wasn't until after his death that my grandmother spoke about my grandfather's injuries and the effects it had on him. He never spoke of it and never told any of his four children. He went on to have two billiard rooms in Glasgow, one in the Trongate up from the old C&A and one in the Great Western Road, near his beloved Glasgow Rangers. He and my grandmother also had a boarding house in Beach Way Largs for many years. He died in 1951 aged 61. I never met him as I was born 10 years later, but my dad said he was a wonderful, kind, loving man that everyone loved, a real gem. His mother was Clementina Shand Daniel, the daughter of the poet William Shand Daniel and they originated from Fraserburgh and the Shands of Craigellie. And old highland and patriotic family. I wish I had met him, I feel so honoured and proud of him.

    If anyone has anymore information on the 6th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, please could you let me know. Thank you.

    Maya Dixon




    225914

    Pte. William Hall 4th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.23rd Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Billy Hall is my 1st cousin once removed. All I had was his name and photo but managed to trace his family and eventually find his death record on Scotland's People, then on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site. He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.





    225911

    Pte. William Smith 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment (d.3rd Nov 1914)

    I think William Smith might be my great grandfather, I am trying to find more information to ascertain if it is my relation.

    Paul Williams




    225910

    Pte. Frank Reilly 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.25th July 1916)

    My Great Uncle, Frank Reilly, was killed in the Great War. I have his 1914 Mons Star medal which I treasure. I always remember my wee great granny McGregor talking about her brothers and how proud she was of them, she died in 1986 after I had joined the army. We will Never Forget!!





    225909

    Cpl. Richard Heague 9th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.16th July 1917)

    Richard Heague was often spoken about within the family as being a young man of 18 years of age who waved goodbye to his Mum and never returned, so young so brave!

    Kristine Heague




    225908

    Lt. Michael William Maxwell Windle 8th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Lieutenant Michael Windle was killed in action on 25th of September 1915. He was the eldest son of the Reverend W. H. Windle, Vicar of All Saint’s Church at Prince’s Park in Liverpool, Michael had been educated at Blundell’s School and Exeter College, Oxford, and was aged 22 when he died. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.





    225907

    Pte. George Henry Davis 21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Jul 1916)

    My Great Grandfather George Davis was born in Houghton le Spring and was a hewer in the coal mines in the North East. He moved from Houghton le Spring and went to Castletown in Sunderland in 1909ish. In January 1915 he joined up with his pals and enlisted in the Tyneside Scottish where over the next year with spent training on how to be a soldier. In 1916 they set of for France and moved up the line facing the villiage of La Boisselle where at 7.30am July 1st they went over the top and were cut down like sheaths of corn. My Great Grandfather was wounded in the attack and ended up in No. 11 Stationary British Hospital in Rouen where on the 9th July he succumbed to his wounds and was buried in St Sever War Cemetery in Rouen. I would love to see a photo of him unfortunately not been able to come across one so far.

    Graeme Robson




    225906

    Pte. Jacob Rita Key 1st Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.8th May 1915)

    Jacob Key was one of my grandmother's older brothers. Two others were also killed in action. She campaigned to have the plaque bearing their names salvaged when the church in which it had been put up was deconsecrated. She succeeded. She was also proud that he was commemorated on the Menin Gate. David, who died in September 1916 is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial and Frederick, died 8th August 1918, on the Ploegstraat memorial. None of their bodies were ever found. I have visited them all.

    As my grandmother was the daughter at home during the war, and the one who could read, which her parents couldn't, imagine how she had to deal with imparting the news contained in letters from the army.

    Rita Eustace




    225905

    Cpl. James Fairley Christie 10th Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    James Fairley Christie was my grandmother's cousin, making him my third cousin. Always remembered, never forgotten by his loving cousins.

    My late uncle, David Anderson Taylor and James Fairley Christie were friends who both grew up in Leith, Edinburgh. David's mother, Agnes Anderson Taylor, died in 1903. Around 1905, David's father, John, engaged as his housekeeper, Helen Aitchison Chapman, to help him look after his two sons. James Fairley Christie was Helen Chapman's cousin. Their mothers were sisters. John Taylor and Helen eventually married and had another four children together. The friendship between David and James thrived. They went on to marry sisters, Sarah and Bella Whitehead, respectively. When war was declared in 1914, James and David enlisted, on the same day, in the 10th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and were given consecutive service numbers 16095 and 16096. They enlisted together, served together and died together on 25 September 1915 at the Battle of Loos. Friends forever.

    Patricia Reid




    225903

    Pte. David Anderson Taylor 10th Btn. Cameronian (Scottish Rifles) (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    My late uncle, David Anderson Taylor and James Fairley Christie were friends who both grew up in Leith, Edinburgh. David's mother, Agnes Anderson Taylor, died in 1903. Around 1905, David's father, John, engaged as his housekeeper, Helen Aitchison Chapman, to help him look after his two sons. James Fairley Christie was Helen Chapman's cousin. Their mothers were sisters. John Taylor and Helen eventually married and had another four children together. The friendship between David and James thrived. They went on to marry sisters, Sarah and Bella Whitehead, respectively. When war was declared in 1914, James and David enlisted, on the same day, in the 10th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and were given consecutive service numbers 16095 and 16096. They enlisted together, served together and died together on 25 September 1915 at the Battle of Loos. Friends forever.

    David Taylor was my father's brother. Always remembered, never forgotten.

    Patricia Reid




    225901

    Pte. Thomas Thurlow 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1917)

    My grandfather found a medal commemorating the First World War and this gentleman's details are shown, Pte. T Thurlow 15700. I have no other information.

    Editor's Note. Thomas Thurlow is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. He was the don of William and Carrie Thurlow of Driffield, Yorks.; husband of Lily Thurlow of 2. Horner St., Hunslet, Leeds.





    225896

    L/Cpl. James Leonardi MM. 9th Btn. York and Lanccaster Regiment

    James Leonardi was born in 1874 and lived with his parents Frederick and Hannah at St Annes, Nottingham. A milk seller by occupation, he enlisted on 10th of September 1914. He went to France with the 9th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment on 27th of August 1915 as part of 70th Brigade, 8th Division. On 1st July 1916 the 9th Battalion took part in the Battle of the Somme and lost almost half the attacking force from machine guns sited in Thiepval Wood. Out of 25 officers and 736 other ranks, only 180 returned. Lance-Corporal Leonardi was awarded the M.M. (London Gazette 12th December 1917). He was discharged from the 13th Battalion on 18 February 1919 with a home address of 17 Wright Street, off Hewitt Street, Nottingham.





    225895

    Rflmn. John Oram Bardrick 11th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Nov 1917)

    I know very little about my relative John Bardrick, apart from seeing his details on a family tree. When I saw the date of his death I assumed he had been killed in WW1 and carried out some research. I have found his regiment and that he was killed at Cambrai and is commemorated there, but I would love to know some more details about his life and service record. I am however glad that I have been able to add his name to this record - lest we forget.

    Linda Southgate




    225894

    Arthur John Truett 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th May 1918)

    I know little of Arthur Truett (he is listed in one source as John Arthur Truett, but in the baptismal register as Arthur John Truett), but discovered him while researching family history - he is a first cousin twice removed. His parents were Thomas Charles and Rose Hannah Truett of Kibworth Leics. The family were originally from Felmersham, Beds. Arthur was only 19 at the time of his death (he was born on 9th June 1898), but I have no information about his enlistment or the circumstances of it.

    Rex Deighton-Smith




    225892

    Pte. David Lewis 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    David Lewis was born in Wales, was a steel worker and moved to Wigan where he settled, married and had a family. He served and died with a Scottish Regiment, on the 25 Sept 1915 at the Battle of Loos. From various accounts I believe the Scottish regiments were one of the first regiments 'over the top' in this particular offensive. David Lewis, left a widow, 3 young teenage sons and a daughter who never knew him.

    I just believe that all soldiers should be remembered, David Lewis was my granddad who I did not meet or know and I remember him on behalf of his widow, 3 sons and his daughter (all deceased).

    In Memory of Private David Lewis, 16879, 9th Bn., Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) who died on 25 September 1915 Remembered with Honour on the Loos Memorial. Everyone a hero. Thank you

    Cenotaph Plate, Wigan

    Howard Lewis




    225891

    Pte. Patrick Rocks 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Sep 1915)

    Patrick was the eldest son of Catherine Rocks and James Rocks (deceased). Before the First World War he was a coal hewer. He almost certainly lied about his age to enlist, as many did. He was killed in action on his second day at Loos. Never forgotten.

    If anyone has photographs of the 14th Battalion, D company - copies would be hugely appreciated.

    Natalya James




    225888

    Pte. Edward Thomas Sandell 13th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.1st Oct 1917)

    Edward Sandell was reported missing in action in Polygon Wood.

    Colin Stevenson




    225884

    Pte. Alfred Ireland 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.12th Jan 1917)

    Alfred Ireland was born in 5th August 1890 in Easton, Bristol. He was the son of Thomas Martin and Mary Ann (nee Mountain). Alfred worked at the Bristol Wagon Works. He died in Mesopotamia and is remembered in the Amara War Cemetery.

    Martyn Rundle




    225881

    Pte. Henry Bernard Robinson 8th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.23rd Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Henry Robinson died on the 23rd of September 1917 after being wounded the day before in a infamous Hill 60 shell burst in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He is buried in the Communal Cemetery extension at Outtersteene near Bailleul. He was a corn salesman before the war and did some part-time acting. He left a widow, Mabel and four children.

    M.Robinson




    225874

    Pte. Daniel Mulloy 11th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.17th Aug 1916)

    Daniel Mulloy was my great uncle. He saw action in the Boer War and also in the First World War. In September 1915, during the Battle of Loos, he sustained a severe head wound and survived, though incapacitated. He was sent home to his local hospital, Kirkcudbright Cottage Hospital, where, after many months recuperation, he was deemed fit to be sent home, but not fit to return to active service and was discharged.

    Soon thereafter he suffered a major epileptic seizure whilst out in the street, he was readmitted to the Cottage Hospital but did not regain consciousness and died later that day. This was reported in the local newspaper, which referred to him as a "Poor Old Soldier." He was 37 years old when he died.

    Lorraine Hamilton




    225873

    George Edward Moore 174 Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather George Edward Charles Moore was part of 174 Siege Battery. He seems to have joined up in 1916 when the government enlisted married men into the war effort. I have found a medal record card for him, but no enlistment documents. He survived the war with shrapnel wounds.

    D Moore




    225872

    Gnr. Arthur John Alexander 83rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.22nd March 1918)

    Arthur Alexander was my great uncle. He served with 83rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

    Roger Elmitt




    225867

    Pte. James Bottomley MM. 1st Btn. King's Own Royal Lancasters (d.18th April 1918)

    My Hreat Uncle was James Bottomley and about 15 years ago I discovered that he and five of his brothers served in the Great War, of which two were killed. His eldest brother Tom was killed in Basra. My grandad survived.

    James is buried in the Gonnehem Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France. He was awarded the MM for gallantry, but this was not on his gravestone, so I wrote to the CWGC and produced evidence and it was inscribed and a photo sent to me. I still visit my great uncle's grave every two years. R.I.P.

    Phil Jones




    225866

    Piper Peter Gordon McLintock 2nd Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.2nd Mar 1915)

    Peter McLintock was born in Glasgow on 17th May 1896. He went to school at Mossbank Industrial School, Glasgow. He enlisted on 3rd October 1911 at the age of 15 as a "boy". At the age of 18 he became a Private and on 6th July 1914 was appointed a Piper. He died on 2nd March 1915 and is buried at Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chapell-D'Armentieres. He was awarded 1914 Star, Victory Medal and British Medal. This information has been found in British Army WWI Service Records on the Ancestry website.

    Graham Seton Hutchison wrote "A Batmans Biography" which is about Peter McLintock. According to the story, Peter McLintock was batman to Graham Seton Hutchison. The story says Peter was an orphan, in reality, he lost his mother in 1903, but his father lived until 1931. An extract of the story appeared in the Western Mail (Perth) on 12th of October 1933.

    L Shaw




    225864

    L/Cpl. Joseph Henderson 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Joseph Henderson was my great grandmother's cousin. His mother died when he was three, and his father when he was five. He was brought up by his uncle George Franklin (my great granny's oldest brother) who just happened to be married to Mary Henderson, who was Joseph's dad's sister and so an aunt by blood and marriage. They had a daughter Margaret who was Joseph's age, and later his widowed grandfather (father to his own father and aunt Mary) came to live with them - he was a retired train driver also called Joseph Henderson.

    Having worked as a Despatch Clerk, Joseph joined up in 1916 at the age of 18 years and 2 months. He went missing in action on 21st March 1918, just days after his 20th birthday, and was accepted as dead from that date. Somehow his disc was recovered and sent back to his uncle and aunt who wrote letters to try to find out the circumstances of this discovery, and of Joseph's death. All they received was information that his remains were buried at Chauny Communal Cemetery, having presumably been moved there from their original burial place. His uncle and aunt received his British War Medal and Victory Medal on 7th September 1922.

    Ian Knight




    225859

    Pte. Bartholemew Dignan 7th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    My grandfather, Bartholemew Dignan, was 29 years old, a married man with five young children, and was living in Haddington East Lothian, when he joined the 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders on 10th May 1915. His brothers James and Patrick Dignan also enlisted, as did his nephew James. All saw service in France.

    Bartley was seriously wounded in 1916 and, as he lay on a stretcher waiting to be carried aboard ship, he saw another hospital ship blown to pieces as it left the dockside. Unfortunately,I have been unable to ascertain where he was wounded or the exact date of his discharge. He was taken to a hospital in Bangor, North Wales, and my grandmother - who had never been outside of East Lothian in her life - travelled with all of their five children to visit him there.

    Sadly, Bartley's injuries were so severe, he was disabled for the rest of his life. He died in Haddington in 1958 aged 72 years.

    Heather Dignan-Collins




    225857

    Pte. Richard Wiliam Dale 9th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    The note written on reverse of his photo by Richard Dale reads: "Photo taken while a prisoner of war in Germany (1918). Uniform lent to me by a `1914' prisoner. My own being in too bad a condition, also had a quick shave and a rough haircut by a fellow prisoner. The hair on both head and face being very thick after 9 months neglect, behind the lines in France and Flanders. R. W. Dale 37508 9th K.O.Y.L.I."

    Lawrence Dale




    225854

    Pte. George Edward John Gough Douthwaite 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Aug 1917)

    George Edward John Gough Douthwaite was my great uncle (my grandfather's brother). He joined the 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment in 1916 aged 18 years. He died on 16th August aged 19 years at the Battle of Langemarck, known as the Third Battle of Ypres, part of the Passchendaele battles.

    We have just returned from Belgium, visiting the Tyne Cot cemetery and memorial. There are nearly 12,000 war graves from WW1 and nearly 35,000 with no known graves named on the memorial panels. I'm pleased to say we found his name on the memorial wall, bringing home a nostalgic reminder of the sad events of WW1.

    Sandra Turner




    225853

    Pte. Joshua Thomas 9th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.22nd March 1918)

    Joshua Thomas was my great uncle. Unfortunately we never met. He was the youngest of three brothers who were killed during WW1.

    Colin Routledge




    225852

    L/Cpl. Thomas Stanley Davies 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Thomas Stanley Davies was born in 1896, and was killed in action, aged 20 years. He was the son of Joseph and Mary Meadows Davies of 8 Woodlands, Birkenhead (1911) later, Winterbourne, Storeton Road, B'head, and the brother of Harold and Margaret. He is remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, Picardie, France. It is highly likely that Thomas knew or was friends with Wilfred Owen.

    Les Highton




    225851

    Pte. Albert Henry Parkinson 36th Btn. (d.7th June 1917)

    Albert Parkinson was my great uncle. He was 38 years old when he died and he left a wife and children. His name is on the Menin Gate in Ypres. I have been there to see his name under the 36th Btn. His body was not found.

    David Parkinson




    225850

    Pte. Angelo Dai_Broi 132 Battalion

    A 100 anni dalla fine della 1 guerra mondiale ho trovato tutta la storia di mio nonno Dal Broi Angelo. Bellissimo sito vedere sito internet digitando

    100 years after the Great War I was delighted to discover the story of my Grandfather Angela Dal Broi who served with the 132nd Battalion, CEF and the 182nd Canadian Tunnelling Company.

    Barbaro Giorgio




    225848

    Rflmn. Andrew McCullough 2nd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.19th Oct 1918)

    Andrew's parents were Andrew McCullough (born 1867) and Sarah Jane Shaw (born 1868). His siblings were: Sarah Elizabeth (born 1892), Thomas (1900– 1911), John (born 1901), Martha (born 1902) and Rachel McCullough (born 1904).

    He was born in Lisburn, Ireland in 1897, wand was aged 21 when he was killed in action at the Battle of the Selle on the Western Front in France in the last few weeks of WW1. Andrew is buried at Cross Roads Cemetery, Fontaine-au-Bois France (3.B.5). He had previously served with the 11th and 1st Battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles.





    225847

    Captain John Aidan Liddell MC VC RFC 7 Squadron (d.31st August 1915)

    John Aidan Liddell was born in Newcastle upon Tyne on 3rd August 1888. He studied zoology at Balliol College Oxford. At the outbreak of war he joined the 2nd Btn, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, where he was appointed Captain in command of the machine gun section of the Battalion. He was in the front line at Le Maisnil, France. He was wounded and invalided home, and received the award of the Military Cross on 14th January 1915.

    Prior to the war Aidan Liddell had already obtained privately a flying certificate and, on being declared fit for further service, he joined the RFC. Ha was posted to No.7 Squadron in France on the 24th July 1915. On the 31st July, on only his second mission, his plane was attacked by ground fire during a reconnaissance patrol over Ostend in Belgium and he was seriously injured and the aircraft was badly damaged. Although he successfully returned to his base, and saved his observer Second Lieutenant R.H. Peck and his plane, his leg had to be amputated and he died of septicaemia a month later. For his courage and skill he was awarded the Victoria Cross.





    225845

    Pte. John Thomas Whitehead 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Oct 1915)

    John Whitehead died of wounds and is buried in a grave in France at Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension. We are still searching for a photo of him.

    Stephen Ford




    225840

    Sgt. J. Dillon 21st Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    I am not aware of this gentleman's story, however, I have been handed down his Victory Medal. I will continue to investigate his story.

    Al McGrath




    225835

    Gnr. Arthur Montgomery 173nd (East Ham) Brigade. Royal Field Artillery

    Art Montgomery was born in 1894. He enlisted in the British Army in May 1915. His service record states that he served `at home' from 26th May 1915 to 26th November 1915. He was posted to France from 27th November 1915 until 11th August 1918. Arthur's records show that he was on leave from 12th to 26th August 1918, although it doesn't state where he took that leave. He is recorded as being in France from 27 August until 20th February 1919. He was discharged from the army on 31 March 1920. He married Annie Low in 1918. They lived at Rainham where he worked as a farm foreman and had two children.

    There is only one story about his time as a gunner in the artillery. During a German breakthrough, he and his fellow gun team had to make a hasty escape on horseback, abandoning the gun. They had removed the firing mechanism from the gun to render it useless to the enemy. This was thrown in the nearest water-filled ditch as they went hell for leather for their retreating lines.

    I remember his comment when my brother, who was about six years old at the time, showed a great interest in the shotgun Uncle Art used for controlling vermin. `If you knew what damage guns can cause', he said, `you wouldn't be so interested in them.'

    Marian




    225829

    Pte. Harry Midgley 4th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.30th Sep 1918)

    Harry Midgley was my great uncle. He died aged 20 in Flanders and is buried in Zandvoorde Cemetery in Belgium. His brother (my grandfather) also fought in the Battle of the Somme. He was a Bradford Pal and survived the war.





    225827

    Pte. Edward James Myles 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Edward Myles served with the 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment.

    Mark Lewis




    225825

    Cpl. Dick Upex 17th (Footballers) Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Dick Upex joined the footballers battalion on the day it was formed in December 1914 at Fulham Town Hall. He was playing for Croydon Common FC at the time. He subsequently played for Clapton Orient, Tottenham Hotspur, Southend and Charlton. He survived the war and died aged 88 in 1979.

    Alan Thomas




    225824

    Pte. Alfred Rush 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.21st Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Alfred Rush served with the 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Alfred Rush (standing)with unknown

    Mark Lewis




    225823

    Pte. John Dobbin Robertson 10th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.30th Sep 1918)

    John Robertson was the brother-in-law of my great uncle.

    Paul Bowtle




    225818

    Lt. John Bell Martindale 2nd Btn. North Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st Aug 1918)

    John Martindale was born in 1887, the son of John Johnstone Martindale and Jessie Martindale, of "Lansdowne," Hawthorn Lane, Wilmslow. He died of his wounds on 1st August 1918 and is buried at Senlis French Cemetery at Oise.

    Shirley Ross




    225814

    Pte. George Moir Donald Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather George Moir Donald fought with the machine gun corps in WW1. He left his wife and two young sons on 11th december 1915 to go and fight for his country. He was badly injured by an exploding gun/shell which lodged in his chest, he was put in an iron lung machine and was not expected to live. His wife travelled abroad on her own, to bring him home.

    He was very ill for a long time, but my grandmother nursed him back to health. George was discharged from the machine gun corps due to his wounds on 1st October 1918. He suffered all his life with his wounds and the metal that was still inside his chest. He worked as a jute mill overseer in Dundee and died in 1965, aged 74 years.





    225812

    Pte. Frederick Hunt 3rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.2nd July 1915)

    Fred Hunt served in the 3rd Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Middlesex Regiment. He was killed in action on 2nd of July 1915 in Flanders.

    Chris Turner




    225811

    Pte. Frank Richards 12th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.30th June 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Richards was my uncle, my father's younger brother. He was born in 1895. He was a conductor working for the London and North West Railway when he joined, in November 1914, the 2nd of the three Southdowns Battalions that were raised by Col Claude Lowther of Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex. These battalions later became the 11th, 12th and 13th Battalions, Royal Sussex Regiment.

    After training all three Battalions were sent to France in early 1916. On 30th June 1916 they were involved in a diversionary attack at Richebourg where heavy losses were sustained, which included my Uncle Frank. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Chris Richards




    225809

    William Evans King's Liverpool Regiment

    <p>

    William Evans enlisted on 19th January 1916 and followed his elder brother Sgt Robert Evans MM (who was killed in October 1918) into The King's Liverpool Regiment. William was mobilised on 2nd of August 1916 and sent to France. At the beginning of July 1917, he suffered a shrapnel wound to the head. A nurse in the casualty clearing station wrote to let his parents know that he was very ill. He had a metal plate inserted in his skull and was discharged as being no longer physically fit for war service on 19th of October 1917. He was sent to Boscombe Military Hospital to recuperate. William's total service was 1 year 96 days, 247 days were served in France.

    William married May Hearn on 29th September 1934. He had a successful career in the Civil Service working in the Passport Office and then Customs Office in Liverpool. After the war he transferred to the then Ministry of Food and moved to Guildford. He never spoke about his experiences during WW1 except to show my sister Pauline and myself, as children, the ‘dent’ in his head.

    Mavis Peacock




    225807

    Able.Sea. Charles Gillon MM. Hawke Battalion

    Charles Gillon served with the Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Divison. I am trying to assist his son, an old neighbour (aged 90). There is little he can remember of his father's war service and I have told him I would assist as far as possible. He can remember that his father served in Gallipoli, was wounded there and was awarded the Military Medal, which was presented to him at an investiture in June 1918 by King George V. Any information would be useful.

    Peter Grady




    225806

    RSM. John Henry James Oatley MM. 16 Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    John Oatley (my maternal grandfather) joined the Army on short service on 8th July 1894 at the age of 18 years and 5 months. He was given the service number 5052 and joined the 5th Btn. Royal Fusiliers. After serving in the Boer war, he then served in WW1 rising up through the ranks and was discharged in Bermuda on 17th December 1920 with the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2, Battery Sgt Major.

    He was mentioned in dispatches three times: 10th September 1901, 16th August 1914 awarded the French Medaille Militaire for bravery and also on 14th December 1917. I am trying to find out what was the brave action.

    Derek Paul




    225805

    Pte. Arthur Frederick Easom 9th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.26th Apr 1918 )

    <p>

    Arthur Easom is the great great grandfather of my wife. He enlisted in Nottingham and served with the 9th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. We have his Bronze death penny that was inserted to a home built cenotaph in remembrance of him.

    Dave Dyson




    225801

    Pte. Arthur James Baldwin 1st/4th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.12th Nov 1918)

    Arthur Baldwin was born in Bedminster, Somerset in 1895. He was the son of Frederick Baldwin and Fanny (nee Wathen). He worked as a printer prior to the war. His mother died in 1914 and his father remarried in 1917 to Sophia Bush. Arthur is buried in Italy at Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Martyn Rundle




    225800

    Pte. Ronald Thomas Thompson Nixon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My grandfather was Pte. Ronald Nixon of the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. His full name was Ronald Thomas Thompson Nixon. He enlisted on 5th May 1914 aged 19years, his trade was a plumber, he served in the Expeditionary Forces Forces in Egypt for 89 days and France for 2 years and 43 days. He was shot in the head on the 15th of April 1918 and was admitted to 24 General Hospital Etaples, France.

    He was an amazing Grandfather although cantankerous and sometimes moody but never once told us of his days at war but at times as small children my Nana (Mary J Nixon) would say to us - leave Grandpa alone, he is in a place where only he understands. I guess in today's world he was having flashbacks, but he always dealt with them with the greatest of dignity. He did however tell us of fun times as a fire warden during the Second World War - always a wee dram at someone's house. His documents I have been found after the demise of my own parents, held very safe in a strong box.

    Alison Moses




    225799

    2nd Lt. Charles Edward Sherwood 3rd Btn. Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    2nd Lt. Charles Sherwood served with the 3rd Btn. Ox & Bucks Light Infantry

    John Snaith




    225796

    Pte. Harry Hewson 36th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My great uncle Harry Hewson joined the 35th Btn of the Northumberland Fusiliers during WW1 and was later transferred to the 36th Btn. He had previously served in The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry before joining the Northumberland Fusiliers. He must have ended the war in the Northumberland Fusiliers as this is stated on his war medals.

    Peter Clixby




    225795

    A/Maj. Cyril Hamilton Reid Scholefield CdG. 69 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.28th March 1918)

    My great uncle, Cyril Scholefield, was born on 12 April 1895. He studied at King William College, Isle of Man, from the age of 13 and then went to Woolwich. He was friends with Maurice Rogers at Woolwich - I have photos of groups of men at Woolwich, bridge building etc. In July 1914 he went to Gibraltar for a year.

    At the end of 1915 he went to train under Major Christian with 91 Siege Battery. In 1917 he was exchanged to 69 Siege Battery - a move that disappointed him as he had become close to Major Christian and 91 Siege Battery. He was made Battery Commander Acting Major. He was awarded the Croix de Guerr and made Chevalier de l'Ordre de l'Honneur. He died at Vimy Ridge on 28th March 1918 when a shell hit the hut he and Captain Howard were resting in.

    Amanda Stuart




    225794

    Pte. William Henry Speake 1/5th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    Bill Speake was my paternal grandfather. He was born 28th September 1896 and died 23rd July 1982. He was injured twice whilst serving on the Western Front during the war, but he survived and come home to marry and have four children. He and his wife eventually moved to America.

    Diane Main




    225791

    Sgt. William Bolton Coates 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th April 1915)

    <p>

    William Coates served with the 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry.

    Warren Lucas




    225790

    Sgt. Albert John Edwards 1st Btn. D Coy. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>libry1

    My great uncle Albert John Edwards was born in Edinburgh in 1888 and died, aged just 27 years, at the Battle of Loos. He enlisted in Dundee as a young man. At some point, Albert was transferred to the 1st Battalion, probably when they were sent to France for the "big push". (His medal card shows he was in the 1st Battalion when he was killed in action.)

    On 31st of March 1915 Albert married his sweetheart Emily at 39 South Street, Edinburgh. The marriage record shows Albert as a Sergeant - F Coy 3rd Black Watch, 27 years old and a bachelor. His usual residence is stated as stationed at Nigg, Ross-shire. Albert must have married Emily while on leave before he went off to fight in France, but was killed in action just six months later on 25th September at the Battle of Loos. Albert does not have a grave but is listed on the Loos Memorial.

    Jane




    225787

    Lt.Col. Louis Strange MC, DSO. 80th Wing

    Louis Strange was born in Tarrant Keyneston, Dorset where his family were land-owners and farmers. In 1912 he joined the Dorset Yeomanry but determined to become a pilot. He obtained a pilot’s certificate and became an instructor to the Royal Aero Club at Hendon, and also took part successfully in a number of air-races, before being posted to the RFC's Central Flying School at Upavon in May, 1914. Strange was formally commissioned as a second-lieutenant in The Dorsetshire Regiment on 30 July 1914 on attachment to the Royal Flying Corps. In August 1914 he was despatched to join No.5 Squadron RFC at Gosport and on 15/16 August the squadron flew to Maubeuge, France.

    Strange was noted for his inventive mind, variously devising mounts to enable Lewis and Vickers machine guns to be attached to aircraft, designing under-wing bomb racks and home-made petrol bombs that his observer would drop by hand from their biplane onto the convoys of German troops and transport. He invented a safety strap that allow the observer to "stand up and fire all round over top of plane and behind", and a bomb chute to drop 7-pound shrapnel bombs through a steel tube set in the floor of the Avro 504. In early 1915 he was promoted to Captain and posted to No. 6 Squadron as Flight Commander. He earned the Military Cross by carrying out one of the first tactical bombing missions.

    On 21st of September 1915 Louis Strange was promoted to Major and appointed commander of the new No. 23 Squadron RFC at Gosport, Hampshire. In March 1916 he was appointed to establish the No. 1 School of Air Gunnery at Hythe in Kent before being promoted again later in the year to Lieutenant-Colonel and to establish the No. 2 School of Air Gunnery at Turnberry. In April 1917 he became Assistant Commandant at the Central Flying School.

    On 26th of June 1918 Strange returned to active combat when he was given command of the newly formed 80th Wing, RAF, comprising seven Squadrons - two of which were Australian - tasked with undertaking massed raids on the enemy airfields. During the next five months he was to be awarded both the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Service Order. His DSO citation specifically mentions operations on 30 October 1918, when "he accompanied one of these raids against an aerodrome; watching the work of his machines, he waited until they had finished and then dropped his bombs from one hundred feet altitude on hangars that were undamaged; he then attacked troops and transport in the vicinity of the aerodrome. While thus engaged he saw eight Fokkers flying above him; at once he climbed and attacked them single-handed; having driven one down out of control he was fiercely engaged by the other seven, but he maintained the combat until rescued by a patrol of our scouts."





    225784

    Cpl. Leslie Thomas 16th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

    Leslie Thomas was my granddad who was just 22 years old when he volunteered in the "Church Lads Brigade" the 16th Battalion Royal Rifles in early 1914. Like many he never spoke about his experiences and all that I have managed to piece together was that he was wounded in the right knee while out on patrol in no mans lands on 10th June 1916 near Auchy. He is mentioned as "wounded" in the KRR's war diary for that day and my dad believes he was gassed not long before.

    His war medals, safety razor and medical records are all we have although we have managed to figure out where he was wounded, in no man land opposite the "Hight St" or "Back St" trenches to the left of Auchy.

    Neil Thomas




    225783

    Lionel Webb 8th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    Lionel Webb was in The 8th Buffs (East Kent Regiment), he died on the 18th of August 1916

    Sharon Webb




    225778

    Pte. James Whigham 1st Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.11th Nov 1914)

    James Whigham died fighting at the Battle of Nonne Bosschen.

    John Whigham




    225777

    Pte. Frederick Sample 8th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1917)

    I only know that at least 3 brothers of the Sample family from Beverley, Yorkshire died during the First World War. Frederick Sample was killed on the 9th of April 1917. The family were originally from Norfolk.

    Karin Constable




    225762

    Cpl. John Frederick Pascoe MID. 211th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather John Pascoe was a tin miner and so was exempt from Military Service in the 1st World War. Unfortunately, whilst drinking in his local pub, he was persuaded by a recruiting sergeant to volunteer. His training took place at St. Mawes Castle in Falmouth from where he was sent to join the 211th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Jack was wounded at the Battle of the Somme when his gun battery was over-run by the Germans and although he was wounded in the thigh he managed to carry the Chaplain, who was also wounded, to safety. For this he was mentioned in despatches. He got a certificate from Winston Churchill and also two weeks loss of wages for not carrying the chaplain to the nearest medical station (because he thought the Germans were going to overrun it). The wounded chaplain also survived and after the war he came to visit my grandfather once every year until my grandfather, who had gone back to mining, died from silicosis at the age of 61. The chaplain told my grandmother he believed that if my grandfather had been an officer he would have received the Victoria Cross.

    Peter Soloman




    225761

    Capt. Henry Ephraim Dunsmore MC. 16th Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Henry Dunsmore was my great-uncle, joining up when a student at Trinity College, Dublin in April 1915. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the West Yorkshire Regiment before transferring to the KRRC. He was awardrd the Military Cross and was decommissioned as a Captain in 1920. I have various scanned documents referring to his service, mostly from the London Gazette.

    David Marshall




    225760

    Pte. James Rhodes 9th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers (d.5th Dec 1916)

    James Rhodes was born in January 1892 in Bredbury, Cheshire to Catherine (nee Hunter), age 34, and Thomas Rhodes, age 30. James's father, Thomas, was a building contractor and publican. In 1911 James was 19 and worked as a boot-maker and clogger in Bredbury and, by the time he signed up, his family were resident at the Craven Heifer Inn. Catherine is known to have died on 24 May 1913, aged 56. Thomas died only a few days before his son, on 30 November 1916, aged 58. They are buried locally in St Chad’s Churchyard and their headstone also includes the inscription “In loving memory of James, their son, who was killed in action in France, Dec. 5th 1916, aged 24 years (at rest in a far off grave)”.

    James originally enlisted into the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (service number 22470). However, this does not appear on his medal entitlement records at the National Archives, confirming that he never served abroad with the KSLI. No doubt, he was transferred to the Fusiliers when he had completed his training.

    After a period in reserve, the Fusiliers moved back into the front line near the French village of Thiepval on 1st of December 1916. The village was in the centre of the Somme battlefield that had been the scene of so much fighting throughout the summer and autumn. Eventually the British had made headway, but at a very high cost in lives and the major attacks had petered out in November. The Battalion’s War Diary for the 4th & 5th December records only “Quiet on our front”. Quiet would always be a relative term and the British lines would always be subject to sniper and artillery fire. This day was no exception and eight men, including James, were killed.

    James Rhodes is listed as a private in the 9th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers (37309) who was 'killed in action' in France and Flanders on 5 Dec 1916. The Division engaged in various actions on the Western Front including the capture of the Wundt-Werk (Wonder Work), the Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the Battle of Thiepval. James's body was not found and he is remembered by an inscription on the Thiepval Memorial.





    225758

    Pte Henry Charles "Mick" Barrett 10th Btn. London Rifles

    My Grandfather Henry Barrett served in the Dardanelles, Gallipoli and Egypt. He enlisted September 1912 at 208 Mare Street Hackney - born March 1897 so was age 15 but his declared age was 16 years. On enlistment he joined the 1st/10th London Rifles (infantry). He was passed ‘fit for foreign service’. On 15th Aug 1915 he was sent to Gallipoli, and on the 26th August he was wounded, a gun shot wound to left shoulder. He was admitted to hospital, firstly by HMHS Ascania to St David’s Malta and then in the County of London War hospital, Epson between 15th September and 12th November 1915.

    Mick returned to regiment “B” 3/10 London Regiment and arrived Alexandria on 13th February 1916 at 54th division base at Sid I Bishr. He was posted to No 3 company division at Mena Camp on 22nd February. He was granted the Good Conduct (GC) Badge on the 25th November 1916. From the 10th December 1916 he was attached to 54 Division at Shallufa, and finally moved to Cairo 15th February 1919. He was discharged from the army on 7th April 1919.

    Mick joined the Home Guard in 1940 – T.E.M. AO Aug 1940





    225755

    Cpl. Fredrick Charles Hildred 2/6th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment

    My grandfather, Fredrick Hildred, was a corporal in the 2nd/6th Liverpool King's Own Rifles. He joined up in 1915 and went to France in January 1917 with the 2nd line battalion and I believe operated near the town of Armentieres. He was wounded by gas in August of the same year and invalided out of service. The basic dates of his service are listed with others in a book by a Cpt. Wurtsburge, but no specific details of his service and injury are mentioned. It would be nice to learn in greater detail of the events of the time and my grandfather's experiences, so if anyone has any other information it would be appreciated.

    Tim Hildred




    225751

    Pte. Charles Edward Johnson 2nd Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1914)

    Charles Johnson was only 25 when he was killed in France on 26th October 1914. He was the first soldier to die from Overton. His parents were Charlie and Annie and he had nine siblings. He is buried in Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue.

    J E Earburton




    225749

    Pte. John Charles Crowder 9th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th Sept 1917)

    Charlie Crowder of Macclesfield was my great grandmother's brother. After the Battle of Langemarck during the 'down time' in Dirty Bucket Camp, he was one of the fourteen from the 9th Battalion who were killed in a German air raid in the early morning. He was buried among those 13 brothers at Gwalia War Cemetery in Belgium. Fortunately, I, someone with high respect for such a man, have possession of his victory medal from the war. It is a treasured possession of mine. RIP Charlie.

    Robert Booth




    225748

    Rflmn. James Pike 10th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    James Pike was my great uncle. He was killed in action at the Battle of Guillemont and is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial. He was 20 years old.

    J Wright




    225743

    Rflmn. George Henry Joy 17th (Poplar & Stepney Rifles) Btn., B Company London Regiment (d.9th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    My grand uncle George Joy was born in the parish of Old Ford, Bow, London in 1897. His father, William Nicholas Joy, was a boot maker. His mother, Elizabeth Margaret Joy, was a fur sewer in the family business. At the outbreak of war four brothers enlisted in 17th Battalion London Regiment (Poplar & Stepney Rifles). The recruiting station was at Tredegar Road, close to their home on St Stephens Road. The oldest was William, then Thomas, followed by John, the youngest able to enlist was George. My grandfather Fred was only eight years old at that time. He enlisted in Royal Artillery in 1924 and served until 1953.

    3697 Rifleman George Henry Joy was wounded by trench mortar fire while in the line near Ypres with B Company of 17th Battalion, London Regiment (Poplar & Stepney Rifles). He was evacuated to the casualty clearing station at Remy Sidings, but he subsequently died of his wounds on 9th January 1917. He was nineteen years old. He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery near Poperinge, Belgium. He is also commemorated on the 1914-1918 memorial at the Church of St Paul on St Stephens Road, Bow, London with the men of the parish who fell.

    George Henry Joy St.Paul memorial

    Ralph Deacon




    225741

    Pte. William Longmore Montgomery 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.29th Jun 1915)

    My great uncle William Montgomery was a member of a regular battalion, the 1st Battalion Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers and was dispatched to Egypt but diverted to the Dardanelle Straits.

    He landed at X Beach, Gallipoli, on 25th April 1915. He was subsequently wounded twice in the head by a Turkish sniper or snipers. I am unclear about the exact circumstances of his death, but believe that the second shot to his head was sustained as he lay on the ground. The reason for this conclusion was evidenced by the presence of two distinct entry and exit holes in the pith helmet he had been wearing at the time. He survived his evacuation from Gallipoli and the sea trip home. He was treated for his wounds in the 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham, where he died, aged 18, from his wounds on 29th June 1915. He is buried in First Ahoghill Presbyterian Churchyard.

    S J Clark




    225736

    Pte. Shaw John 10th Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    John Shaw and his brother David are commemorated on our war memorial in Easthouses, Midlothian. David Shaw was a gunner and was killed at Ypres

    George Kidd




    225735

    Gnr. Walter Garfield Machin 56th Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    My granddad, Walter Machin, born in West Norwood, London, was a Gunner, part of the London 56th Divisional Ammunition Column driving/riding the horses to bring ammunition supplies to the front. Took part on the diversionary attack on July 1st and subsequent battles. Joined up Camberwell, London, 1915. Survived the war.





    225732

    L/Cpl. John Leonard Sheldon 17th (1st Football) Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.17th Feb 1915)

    John Sheldon served with the Footballer's Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. His three older brothers, James, Stephen & William Sheldon were also in the 4th Middlesex Regiment.

    Y.Griffin




    225730

    Rflmn. William David Girvin 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    William Girvin served with the 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles and was killed on the 1st of July 1916.

    Frank McDowell




    225716

    Pte. Leonard McGough 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Leonard McGough was one of seven brothers who served with the colours during WW1. His brother Owen died of wounds in 1915. William died of wounds in France in 1917, and Leonard was killed in action in 1916.

    Leonard McGough Medal roll

    Leonard Mcgough headstone

    Leonard McGough Death Notice From Local Paper

    Clipping taken from local newspaper 30th Jan 1915

    Julie McGough




    225715

    Pte. Arthur James Cyril Blackmore 6th Btn., 7th Pltn., B Coy. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.29th May 1915)

    <p>

    Arthur James Cyril Blackmore was born at 3, Northcote Road, St. George, Bristol on Saturday 10th. November 1894, the fourth son and the sixth of eleven children born to Frederick Charles and Augusta Susan Wesley Blackmore (nee Smith) and fourth youngest brother of Frank Wesley Blackmore. The 1911 Census shows the family had moved to 125, Beaufort Road St. George with Arthur being employed as a machine hand in a local chocolate factory (probably Packers like his brother Frank). He was well known in the east Bristol area being a member of the Redfield Wednesday Bowling Club and the St. Matthews (Moorfields) Bible Class and a keen player in its football team.

    Arthur volunteered for service on Sunday 1st November 1914 (3 months after the outbreak of the War) at the Bristol Colston Hall having met the same physical criteria as those in the Regular Army.

    Family myth has it that Arthurs platoon was digging trenches at Le Gheer, nr. Ploegsteert, Belgium on 29th May, and he allegedly struck a large stone with his entrenching tool thus alerting the attention of a German sniper who then shot him dead. Conversely a newspaper cutting stated that Arthur had sent a letter to his father Frederick Blackmore on the 30th May 1915 (a day after his reported death) saying that he was 'all right and was going into the trenches that night'. The same evening the paper reported he met his death under shell fire. This contradicts both the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's records that he was killed on Saturday 29th. May and not 30th. May, and also the Blackmore myth about him being killed by a sniper's bullet. However, the majority of battalion war diaries used figures compiled a day or two after the action, frequently by a junior officer who was more concerned with ascertaining how many men were fit for duty and were not subsequently corrected for the (often large number of) men who had been killed.

    However, the more accurate version of Arthurs death was as a result of the Germans blowing a mine in front of the Gloucesters lines at 8.15 p.m. on the night of the 29th May 1915 followed by an artillery bombardment by the enemy. The resulting crater extended from the edge of their wire into No Man's Land. Mines in those days were a novelty and this occurrence drew crowds of red-hatted spectators to view the crater. Following the mining attack, strenuous efforts were made by both sides to gain possession of the crater, which could be put to effective use as a new forward listening post. The enemy was found to be adept in gaining an advantage from their mining activities and it was thought that they might do so again so at dusk two parties from the Glosters, each under a subaltern, were ordered to seize and consolidate the crater.

    The two parties of Glosters, stood behind the trench's breastworks waiting for cloud cover to obscure the moon before tentatively working their way through the barbed wire and into the darkness beyond, armed with Mills Bombs that they had just been supplied with for the first time and rifles with bayonets fixed. Arthur's party was half way across No-Man's Land when a German machine gun opened up causing a few casualties as they set out to reinforce their side of the crater but were driven off by the combined Gloster consolidating parties who carried out their task successfully, throwing bombs (grenades) at the enemy as they retreated. Arthur's skirmishing party was led by 7 Platoon Commander, 2nd Lieutenant Wilfrid Henry Young, age 26, who was seriously wounded during the action and died the next day; he was the first officer of the Battalion to be killed in the war.

    During the attack on the advancing German's, Arthur was shot and died seconds later, suffering very little. Also killed in the fighting were 2433 Private Percy Baker, age 26 - also of B Company and 2601 Private Henry Pope, age 19. All four were temporarily buried in a recently consecrated field next to the medical dressing station that had previously been the East Lancashire Regiment's HQ. This was sited just off the Ploegsteeert Road that troops used to move between their billets in the hamlet of Le Gheer and the front line and well established beyond the furthest range of the German artillery. Two days later the 4th and 6th Glosters greatly improved the bomb crater and named it 'Bristol Trench' after their home city. This sort of construction work was mostly done at night and in the open with the parties hoping that they would not be detected and exposed to machine gun fire from the German's 'Birdcage'.

    Arthurs body would have been recovered by a burial detail and his corpse searched, and ID tag and papers taken for means of identification to enable them to report his name and location to a senior officer before his burial. Personal affects found on his body comprised a small quantity of money amounting to £3.9s.10d which was subsequently forwarded to his parents on 2nd October 1915. His temporary grave was given a rough wooden battlefield cross, with his name, army number and unit painted on it although this erroneously had an initial 'E' instead of an 'A' painted on it. After the Armistice, the 'Directorate of Graves Registration & Enquiries', a military organisation, had the responsibility to complete the work of securing the sites of battlefield cemeteries or isolated graves and recording their locations.

    At the War's end Arthur's body was exhumed from its temporary grave and transferred to the newly constructed Lancashire Cottage Cemetery which is located 8 miles south of Ieper (Ypres). The name of this area and of the nearby wood, is actually Ploegsteert, but to those Tommies who served there during the Great War it jokingly became better known as Plugstreet. Despite the Ploegsteert sector being somewhat quieter than some others, with no famous set-piece battles, a summary of the battalions losses for May was written up in their War Diary on 1st June, viz, "During May the weather, with the exception of one wet week, has been good. Strength of Battalion is 3 Officers and 118 other ranks below establishment. Casualties - Officers 1 Killed and 1 Wounded. Other ranks 14 Killed and 45 Wounded."

    David Blackmore




    225714

    Pte. Arthur Sean Patching 8th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    Arthur Patching was a groom at a racing stables before he joined the 8th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment.

    Tina




    225713

    Pte. Ernest Howard Hancock 11th Btn. London Regiment (d.17th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Ernest Hancock (or Tim as he was known in the family) was my great uncle. He served in 11th Battalion London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles) and was killed at Gallipoli on 17th August 1915. His regimental number was 1779. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Turkey. He was a sniper and I understand he was himself killed by a sniper bullet. I cannot verify the story but it is a story told by family members. Ernest was born in 1896. His brother Richard Walter Hancock (No. 1842/450294). Richard served in the same regiment as his brother, he was born in 1897 and survived the war, dying in Islington in 1960.

    David Whiting




    225712

    Pte. Leslie William Clarke 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.20th Nov 1918)

    The 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment had the Americans on one side and the Sherwood Foresters on the other, going from Fresnoy-le-Grand to liberate Brancourt-le-Grand on 8th October 1918. They were repelled near a sunken road and pinned down near a railway station where Leslie's legs were blown off. He was taken to hospital in Rouen for a while, then brought back to hospital in Whalley in Lancashire. Leslie Clarke died there on 20th November 1918, age 19, and was buried at Helpringham, Lincolnshire.





    225711

    Cpl. William Murray 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.31st Aug 1916)

    We know nothing about Willie Murray's war - just he was there as he was given as living in Kilburn, north of London on enlistment. And we know he was killed in action on 31st August 1916. He is the only WW1 serviceman on the Cumbernauld memorial who is not in a Scottish regiment. His sister Jane (my grandmother) carried the only surviving photo of him until she died.

    A M H Hamilton




    225701

    Pte. George Henry Dymott 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.26th/27th Sep 1917)

    George Dymott was married to Florence with a son aged three and a daughter Florence under a year old. He died of wounds aged 24 and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He was my Granddad's cousin.

    Jacqueline Taylor




    225700

    Sgt. Andrew Foster Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Andrew Foster is my great-grandfather, he served in the Royal Artillery before the Great War. In the photo, the badges on his cap and collar definitely show that he is in the Artillery, left side of the collar the insignia is a hair and an insect. This might denote a particular system in the artillery related with the field. He also has star badges on his right sleeve which indicate that he is in a Volunteer Artillery unit, the star on his lower sleeve denote 5 years efficient service, his rank Sergeant, 3 stripes, his medal might be long service or campaign medal, the volunteer long service medal (20yrs). They were like the TA of their time. The peaked cap he is wearing was adopted by the army c 1905. He is wearing the dress tunic; blue with red collar, which was discontinued around 1914 so the photo dates between 1905 and 1914.

    Andrew was born on the 10th of September 1868 and was married to Eliza Jane Henderson. He died 23rd of October 1915 and his death certificate states he was a corporal 2nd/7th Royal Highland Regiment, died Brighton, 2nd Eastern General Hospital.

    Andrew Foster regiment no 3509 Black Watch

    listings on his whereabouts Kirkcaldy according to a book The Register of the Fife Fallen in the Great War 1914-1919 by E.Klak & J. Klak

    Paul Kay Foster Mackenzie




    225695

    Pte. Joseph Tranter 7th Btn. (d.1st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Tranter as born in September 1895 at Stockend, Harescombe, Gloucestershire. He enlisted at Ross on Wye Herefordshire and was killed in action 1st October 1918 age 22, at the Battle of Cambrai. He served as a Stretcher bearer attached to Kings Shropshire Light Infantry service number 28246 and South Lancashire Regiment service number 45288. Joe is commemorated on Vis en Artois Memorial, as he has no known grave.

    Royce Tranter




    225689

    Cpl. Arthur George Cozens 1/4th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    Arthur Cozens served with 1/4th Battalion Territorial Force, on the 24th April 1915 moved to Cambridge and transferred to the 160th Brigade of the 53rd Division, and then moved on to Bedford. In July 1915 they sailed to the Mediterranean via Mudros and on the 9th of August 1915, landed at Suvla Bay and engaged in various actions as part of the Gallipoli campaign. In Dec 1915 he was evacuated to Egypt due to heavy casualties from combat, disease and severe weather conditions. The Division then engaged in various actions as part of the Palestine Campaign including; The Battle of Romani in 1916, The Second and Third Battles of Gaza, The Capture of Jerusalem and The Defence of Jerusalem in 1918. Then The battle of Tell'Asur in early 1918. In May 1918 he moved to France via Alexandria leaving the 53rd Division and on 30th June 1918 he joined the 101st Brigade of the 34th Division which engaged in various actions on the Western Front including: The Battle of the Soissonais and of the Ourcq, The capture of Baigneux Ridge, The Battle of Ypres, The Battle of Courtrai, The action of Ooteghem, and The action of Tieghem. Arthur Cozens was killed in action on the 2nd September 1918.

    Arthur George Cozens




    225680

    Pte. Walter Herbert Betts 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd Sep 1918)

    Walter Betts, of the 9th Royal Fusiliers died on the 23rd of September 1918, aged 23. He was the son of Edward Emmanuel and Eliza Betts. He is buried in Doingt Communal Cemetery, France. Gone but never to be forgotten.

    Janet Bullard




    225679

    Pte. John Ivor Herring 14th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    John Herring married my great aunt Kate Jennings, just a few months before he was killed in the assault on Guillemont. Born in Atherstone, Warwickshire in 1892, the son of a doctor, he worked as a bank clerk before joining the 14th Battalion, the 1st Birmingham Pals. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, alongside those thousands like him who simply disappeared. Unlike so many war widows, Kate's story had a happier ending. She married again and raised a family before dying at a good age, but the scar never faded.

    Peter Phillips




    225677

    Sgt. Robert Thornton Young MM. 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    On the evening of 10th of December 1916, 2nd Lieut R.H.C. MacDonald along with 8 men, attempted to enter the German trenches, at Cambrin, south of the La Basse canal in Northern France. The enemy were on the alert & opened fire. Most of the party were hit, the officer being mortally wounded. Sergt. Robert T Young & Corpl. T. Jaye recovered him & both received the Military Medal.

    Sue Smith




    225675

    George Brearley 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards

    Former miner George Brearley was a regular soldier, with the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. He had landed in France on 13th August 1914 and after heavy fighting on 1st September a wounded comrade visited his brother to tell him that he had seen a shell burst, “blowing him to smithereens”.

    As his family grieved, the reality was that George Brearley was alive, a prisoner of the Germans. Before they got to him he managed to scribble a note on a scrap of paper and placed it in a sealed bottle in the hope that someone would pass the message on to his family. “If this paper is found will you please write to this address – Mrs. Davis, Star Inn, Bulwell, Notts., England and tell them George is well.”

    As unlikely as it sounds, the message was picked up a couple of weeks afterwards by a French civilian after the Germans had been forced to retreat from the area. Dutifully, he forwarded the message to Cissie Davis who had the covering letter translated by a French teacher at the Coventry Road School in Bulwell.

    Despite this, George's family still doubted that he was alive and even when they received a postcard from him, it was thought that it was probably a forgery. However, the family was eventually convinced when they recognised him in a photograph of a working party in a German POW camp at Doeberitz, near Berlin. Somehow a newspaper published in Pennsylvania was sent to offices of the Dispatch. Staff there recognised George Brearley as the man, shovel in hand, digging a drainage ditch under the supervision of a German officer. Even then one family member did not believe that it was him.

    The story of the sighting of him in the newspaper photograph is almost as unlikely as a message written in a bottle being discovered on a battlefield. It is true nevertheless. George Brearley returned to Hucknall after the Armistice more than four years later.





    225672

    Pte. Matthew Caine 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.17th Aug 1917)

    Matthew Caine was a father of 4 who died aged 34. Before joining the army, he worked as a collier for the Wigan Coal and Iron Co. He enlisted in October 1914. He was a stretcher bearer with the Manchester Regiment. He was killed whilst trying to save one of his comrades, 17th August 1917. His body was never found. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Robert Howe




    225668

    Pte. Frederick Charles Beck 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

    Frederick Beck was my grandfather. He and three of his brothers John Samuel, the eldest born 1882, Charles and George. All enlisted together in Taunton on the 23rd September 1914. The four brothers were assigned to the newly formed 7/SLI.

    On the 24th July 1916, the Battalion moved by train from Amesbury to Southampton, sailing for Boulogne that evening. Of the four brothers on board the ship, all assigned to the Battalion's B Company, one would be killed within two months.

    On the evening of Monday 12th of September, the Battalion held the front line just east of Cordonnerie Farm, close to the hamlet of Petillon, and about five miles south west of Armentieres. This was the very first occasion on which 7/SLI held the line in its own right. The Germans exploded two closely spaced mines directly under the men of B Company, creating a forty yard crater. Five men were killed and seventeen injured. Intense shelling and mortar fire continued for the next three days, on 14th of September George Beck was killed. He was 29, and is buried in the Rue Petillon Military Cemetery, just a mile or so from where he fell.

    Frederick Beck was wounded in action on 1st of October, on which date 7/SLI made a daring advance at Le Transloy (Somme area). According to his medical record, Frederick was buried by a shell, suffering injuries to his wrist and knee, after long spells in hospital, Frederick was graded as 'C3' meaning no longer considered fit for active service overseas. He then served with Agricultural Companies of the Labour Corps, firstly with No. 449 Company. Then No. 445 Company.

    I don't know much about his brothers Charles and John Samuel, as their records were destroyed by fire. They both returned home to Somerset after the war. Frederick returned home to his wife and eight children. He passed away in 1974 age 91

    At the time his brothers sailed to France, Harry Beck their younger brother, still only sixteen, perhaps a wilful attempt to prove himself the equal of his brothers, had already enlisted himself. Drafted to join 8/SLI on 4 October. Amongst a contingent of 248 NCOs and men as that Batallion refitted in the French town of Borre. Surely reflecting on the wisdom of his decision to enlist. Knowing as he would have done of his brothers death. His father wrote a letter: I have a son in France, his age being sixteen. Perhaps you may kindly consider the case as all my sons(five) has been sent to the front, one being killed in France. Army bureaucracy meant that Harry was not finally discharged until 25th of February 1916.

    Andrea Beck




    225667

    Sgt. John Henry Philips (d.6th Sep 1916 )

    I believe that my grandfather, Serjeant John Henry Philips, who died in the 2nd battle of the Somme at BazantinRidge, rescued several injured and stranded comrades in no man's land whilst being under fire. I also believe that he was killed in the final run to rescue comrades. We know he was injured in the head when he was climbing out of the trench with his head above the parapet.

    I would love to know more about this man, ie what type of regiment he was in. I believe that my grandfather was an existing soldier prior to the start of WW1.

    Sue Pace




    225666

    L/Cpl. Henry Edward Atkinson 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.12th June 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Atkinson was stationed in Portsmouth with the Battalion prior to the war. Before leaving for France he was visited by his family at the Barracks. His younger brother Sidney remembered this visit, sitting round with the soldiers singing songs and making merry.

    Harry would have been at Mons, Frameries and Le Cateau. It is believed he stayed with the Battalion all the way through to June 1915. The Battalion were involved in an attack on Hooge Chateau Stables and an earth works. Here on the night of the 2/3rd Harry was wounded and captured by the Germans, taken at some point to a field hospital near Menin. Here he died of wounds on the 12th of June 1915.

    He has a memorial stone in the IWGC area of the cemetery in Halluin the French side of Menin. RIP uncle Harry.

    John Atkinson




    225661

    Pte. James McKeown 25th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. C Coy. Northumberland Fusilier (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>James with his brother and brother in law

    James McKeown enlisted in the 25th battalion with his brother John and brother-in-law Michael Lowery. James and Michael were both killed on 1st July; John, also in the 25th battalion, was wounded on 1st July - all at La Boiselle. John went on to fight, he is my great grand father.

    Michael Burdon




    225658

    Arthur Adams Army Service Corps

    <p>

    Arthur Adams didn't serve overseas during WW1. He served in the UK with the ASC (transport) because he had a club foot and had been kicked in the head by a horse before the war. It is said that he helped to recover the bodies after the Silvertown Explosion in London during WW1.

    Helen Taylor




    225650

    Pte. Thomas Robinson 7th Btn. Border Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    I found out about Private Thomas Robinson, my uncle, by accident, while researching my grandfather who was awarded the DCM while serving with the Royal Irish Rifles. It turns out they lived in the same street. Thomas was killed during the battle at Arras. I am at present trying to find regimental photographs for them if anyone can help. Just a small snippet of information but I hope it is of some interest.

    David Johnstone




    225647

    Pte. Job Rutter 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Dec 1915)

    Job Rutter was the son of John and Sarah Rutter of Ashfield Green, Newmarket, Suffolk and husband of Ada Lilian (later Dargue) of 84 Pierson St., North Ormesby, Middlesbrough.

    Katie Edwards




    225643

    Pte. Joseph Ernest Calver 11th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.26th Aug 1917)

    Joe Calver, Private 43434, 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was killed in action on 26th August 1917 in France & Flanders, aged 29. He enlisted at Lowestoft, formerly 2089, Suffolk Cyclist Battalion. He was the son of Charles and Mary Calver of 61, Crown St., Lowestoft, and husband of Sarah A. E. Calver of 14, Sparham's Buildings, St. Peter's St., Lowestoft. He has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Lydia




    225634

    2nd Lt. Clifford Abraham Moon 19th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Clifford Abraham Moon was left on the Ypres battlefield with a shot to his leg. No body was found.

    Kathleen Thompson




    225633

    Horrace John Chapman Cameron Highlanders (d.5th May 1915)

    Pte Horrace John Chapman, 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders was killed in action at Hill 60

    Marcelle Ross




    225632

    Samuel E. Fletcher 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.17th Apr 1918)

    My Great Grandfather Samuel E Fletcher serving with the 4th Grenadier Guards, 16th Platoon was captured near La Couronne on the 14th of April during the Battle of Hazebrouk. He later died on the 17th of his wounds to the spine.

    Rex Fletcher




    225631

    Pte John Gleave Cotterill 16th Btn. B Company Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st April 1917)

    <p>

    100 years on to the day John Cotterill died, I attended his grave at Savy British Cemetery near St. Quentin, France. I know everything about his life, I know it was a cold wintery day when he died, cut down by machine-gun fire. Unfortunately there are no known photos.

    He was was born in his grandparents house in High Street, Bollington on 26th of April 1881. On the 1891 Census, he is living in Water Street, Bollington. Aged 9 and a Scholar On the 1901 Census, living in Water Street, Bollington. aged 19, John is single and a Cotton Piecer In May 1904 he is aged 23 and Living at 22 Water Street, Bollington and was a Cotton Operator according to his own wedding certificate. His son William was born in 1906 when he was living at 8 Mount Street, Hurst, Ashton-Under-Lyne and working as a Cotton Self-Actor Minder. In 1908 when his daughter Lily was born he was living at 1 Bright St, Droylsden. On the 1911 Census, he is living at 28 Wharf Street, Droylsden. Aged 29 and a Cotton Spinner. Married for 7 years, he signed the census form. A son John was born at 17 Mees Square, Barton Eccles in 1912, Father John was a Labourer in Iron Foundry

    On the 6th of November 1914, John enlisted into 16th Battalion (2nd Salford Pals) Lancashire Fusiliers. In February 1915, his unit moved to Conway, North Wales For Training. and on the 23rd of November 1915 his unit moved to France were he served until his death. On the 1st of July 1916 in the Battle of the Somme, they attacked Leipzig Redoubt near Thiepval. Attacks by the 15th and 16th Lancashire Fusiliers (the first and second Salford pals) and by the 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on Thiepval itself achieved nothing except to cover the ground with corpses. As even the British official history observed, 'Only bullet-proof soldiers could have taken Thiepval this day'. On the 23rd of November 1916 they took part in the attack on Beaumont Hamel.

    On the 1st of April 1917 John was killed in action near Savy Wood, St Quentin, France, Aged 35, a private in The Lancashire Fusiliers, Regimental No 11552 (Death Certificate). His body was exhumed in 1920 and moved four and a half miles Savy British Cemetery, "west south west of St Quentin" as quoted in a letter from the war office.

    John's final resting place

    A Tribute of rememberance

    Greg Hargreaves




    225630

    L/Sgt. John William Russell 6th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.7th May 1918)

    Corporal John Russell, of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who lived at 12 Cook Street, Skipton, whose father was John William Russell (deceased) and who had been a boatman, married Dorcas Isobel Amy Gray, who lived at Devonshire, House, West Grove, Hersham, Surrey, whose father was William Day(deceased)and who had been a gardener. The marriage was carried out in Hersham Parish Church and the witnesses were members of the bride's family. John William Russell is listed as a 29 year old bachelor but his birth certificate, seen by me, reveals his age to have actually been 31. Dorcas Isobal Amy Gray nee Day is listed as a 22 year old widow. Her first husband was Walter Edwin Gray, a private in the 9th. Battalion, East Surrey Regiment who had been killed at the Battle of Loos in 1915, and she had a son, Walter James Gray aged just over 3 years. No information has become available as to how and when the couple met but the date of the wedding was after the Battle of Poelcapelle and John William Russell was presumably on leave. There are no known children from this marriage.

    Lance Sergeant Russell died in Farnham, Surrey, Military Hospital of wounds on the 7th of May from gunshot wounds to the chest & shoulder received in action 24 days earlier. He was buried in Skipton (Waltonwrays) cemetery on 11th of May 1918, where his grave is marked by a C.W.G.C. headstone. His widow, Dorcas Isobel Amy Russell, organised the burial and is presumed to have travelled from Surrey to Skipton with the coffin. This grave became a family grave, although only John William Russell's name appears, and his younger sister, Margaret Ann Dawson nee Russell, and his aunt, Margaret Smith nee Birtle, also lie here.

    David Larkin




    225629

    Sapper Alfred Frank Smith 18th Light Railway Train Crew Royal Engineers (d.14th June 1917)

    <p>

    Alfred Frank Smith was born in 1896 to Frank and Kate Caroline (nee Farley) Smith in 1896. One of 9 children, he had 6 sisters and 2 brothers. The eldest sister was Elsie, my Grandmother. They resided at 5 Bolney Street. Dorset Road, South Lambeth.

    He was a sapper in the 18th Light Railway Royal Engineers and embarked for France on the 6th Feb 1917. Alfred didn't see action for very long. He was killed in action on the 14th June 1917 on the last day of the Battle of Messines in Belguim West Flanders. He was just 21 years of age. He is buried at Saint Quentin Cabaret Militiary Cemetery Burial or Cremation Place: Heuvelland, Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium. Engraved on Alfreds grave: "Gone from us but never shall the memory fade."

    Brenda Mansworth




    225626

    Sgt Bernard Blackmore 1st/4th Glos. Regiment

    Prior to WW1 Bernard served in the 2nd. (Wessex) Field Company Royal Engineers but at the outbreak of the Great War he enlisted on 1st. September 1914 in Bristol as 2432 Private, 1st/4th Btn. Glos. Regiment. By 1915 he had attained the rank of 200538 Sergeant in the same Battalion. He was seriously wounded on 22nd August 1916 during the assault on the Leipzig Redoubt. His injuries were so serious that he never returned to active service.

    David Blackmore




    225618

    Pte James McGee 4th Btn Black Watch (d.28th Nov 1915)

    James and the 4th Battalion disembarked in Le Havre, France on February 26th 1915. Over the next seven months the Battalion fought in several battles and suffered heavy casualties. When the Battalion arrived in France they had 900 men, but by September 24th this had dropped to 423 fighting men. At the Battle of the Loos another 230 were killed or wounded. At this stage the Battalion had lost so many men it amalgamated with 2nd Battalion Black Watch.

    4th Battalion resumed their own identity on the 6th of November when they transferred to 139th Brigade, 46th (North Midland)Division. It was shortly after this that James was shot and captured as a POW, he was transferred to Wesel Military hospital on the 13th November. Red cross files indicate James had been shot in the right shoulder and later died in hospital due to Sepsis on the 28th November 1915

    James in now buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery, Nordrhein-Westfalen at grave reference XI. F. 5

    Stephen




    225617

    Pte Joseph Liney Mackinder MM 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.1st October 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph, like many of his family, was an Agricultural Worker before enlisting in the Suffolk Regiment. He was killed in action on 1st October 1918 - just six weeks before the end of the war. He was awarded the Military Medal and he is commemorated on the memorial at Vis-en-Artois (Panel 4)

    Charmaine Johnson




    225616

    Pte Charles Fred Anderson 9th Btn Suffolk Regiment (d.23rd November 1915)

    Charles Anderson worked as a farm labourer until enlisting in the Suffolk Regiment. He died of his wounds on 23rd November 1915 and is commemorated at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery (IID3).

    Charmaine Johnson




    225615

    Pte. Arthur Wainer 8th Btn. The York & Lancaster Regiment (d.2nd October 1917)

    This soldier is not a relative but used to live in the village where I now live. I am building a website to commemorate all the men on our local War Memorial.

    Graham E Conway




    225614

    Sgt. Edwin Bullock 8th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

    Sgt Bullock was killed in the events leading up to the firing of the explosives under Hill 60. His brother Thomas was a Royal Engineer (tunneller based also here). You can see both profiles with written biographies on the link provided. Feel free to copy any details of the bio.

    Eric Harry Daly




    225600

    Sgt.Mjr. Alfred Reynolds MC, MSM. 1st Btn. D Coy. Royal West Kent Regiment

    Alfred Reynolds was a Pre-War regular who had joined up in 1896 and fought in the 2nd Boer War earning a Queens Medal with 3 Clasps and Kings Medal with 2 Clasps.

    He fought with the 1st Battalion throughout the Great War and he was awarded the MC in Feb 1915: "As Sergeant Major of "D" Company, did exceptionally good work, especially when his Company was commanded by a very junior officer."

    He ended the war as a Warrant Officer 1st Class and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1918: "His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday, to approve of the award of the Meritorious Service Medal to the under mentioned Warrant Officers, Nora-commissioned Officers and Men in recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in Italy." He retired in 1920.

    Sami Williams




    225598

    Pte. Henry Leslie "Ted." Jasper Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    <p>

    My father Henry Jasper was born in 1899, he was a Lewis gunner and served first with The Monmouthshire Regiment (service number 60951) and later with The Royal Welsh Fusiliers (service number 90473). In 1974 My husband was posted to RAF Kinloss and when my father came to visit us he casualy mentioned that after being mustard gassed during WW1 he had woken up to find himself in hospital in Aberdeen, when he recovered he was sent to Ireland.

    This was the only information we had about his war service but at least in later years I was able to find his medal card although no other information at all so I suspect his records were lost during WW2 during the bombing.

    Xarifa Cooper




    225591

    Pte. Thomas Stenson Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Tom Stenson served in the military after enlisting in 1915 when he was 23 years old. He enlisted on 11th December 1915 in Buxton, Derbyshire into the 'Sherwood Foresters' Pte 33807. This followed the death of his older brother John who was killed at the Battle of Loos on 29th September 1915. Tom later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps as Pte 159633.

    Due to the difficulty of researching the MGC, apart from knowing that Tom served abroad which is stated on the SWB list we do not know as yet where he served. Tom suffered from 'Sickness' his war possibly over on 10th Aug 1917 and was finally discharged on 22nd March 1919, this information is from the SWB list and Tom's badge number was 271506.

    Tom went onto marry after the war in 1923 having a son in 1931. He was employed by the Co-operative Society as a Bread delivery man. Tragically he ended his own life in 1962 just after his 70th Birthday. We will never know the suffering he went through during the war or how much this affected his life afterwards.

    Medal Card

    Val Stenson




    225587

    Pte. Robert Devitt 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Robert and John Devitt were brothers who joined up in 1914. Robert Devitt joined the Yorkshire Regiment and John joined the Northumberland Fusiliers. They were both killed within two days of one another in September 1915 at the Battle of Loos. They had been in France less than three weeks. My granny Nora Brown nee Devitt (sister of R and J) recalled to me in the late 1960s that her mother Sarah received two telegrams on the same day informing her that her only two sons had been killed. Their father Edward, who was already an invalid, never recovered from the shock and died a couple of years later.

    Robert is buried in Noux les Mines, France but John has no known grave - he is remembered with honour on the Loos Memorial.

    Susan




    225586

    L/Sgt. Robert Bransby White MM. 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Robert White was awarded the Military Medal on 29th of July 1916. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Sue Lovett




    225585

    Sgt. William Henry Hands MM. 11th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th May 1917)

    Do not know very much at all about William Hands except that in the 1911 census he was still living at home aged 16, with dad, George and mother, Ellen (his father was a house painter). He was working at Cadburys as a chocolate moulder. He died of his wounds and was buried in the Military Cemetery at Lijssenthoek, 10 miles west of Ieper nr Poperinge.

    Diane Jones




    225583

    Patrick Philip William Braybrooke Royal Fusiliers

    Patrick Philip William Braybrooke, F.R.S.L., enlisted on the 21st of Sep 1915 in the Royal Fusiliers and first disembarked 14 Nov 1915. He was discharged 4 Mar 1919 whilst serving with the R.A.M.C. due to sickness. Family memory suggests that during his service overseas he had been subject to gassing, and that this experience continued to have some destabilizing effect throughout his life. His younger brother, though, himself a Sandhurst-educated military officer, considered Patrick as his definition of a hero. He was, after all, a poet, unintended for warfare and wholly unprepared, but this was no deterrent in answering his country's call without hesitation. The opinion was captured in a tape-recorded memoir. Other opinions were less favourable. Three times married, Patrick showed little or no support, financial or otherwise, to the issue of those marriages. His son, Neville Braybrooke, a noted literary critic and author, was the child of Patrick's first marriage, to Lettice Bellairs, who with his mother was abandoned by his father when he was but a toddler. Later, as an adult, Neville was to receive a note, passed along during a lecture he was giving; the note said, "I am your father. Can we meet?" Similarly, Patrick's daughter from a subsequent marriage knew her father very little.

    A talented author, Patrick Braybrooke later wrote a number of biographies and works which offer significant insights both into celebrities of the age and into the social history of his time. He was the youngest Fellow of the Royal Society of Letters, recommended, for one, by kinsman G.K.Chesterton whom he frequently visited at Top Meadow. Commentary on his literary career supercedes that of his military service. Perhaps this entry will serve to balance the scale a tad.

    Angela E. Galloway




    225582

    Pte William George Sibley 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.10th March 1915)

    William George Sibley was 21 when he was killed in 1915. He was awarded the Delhi Durbar Medal in 1911 so he must have joined the army at a very young age.

    Peter Sibley




    225581

    Pte. Albert Sambucci 11th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.3rd Jun 1916)

    My grandad Albert Sambucci was just 23 when he died near Cambrin, France. He is buried in Cambrin Church extension cemetery. Prior to enlistment he was working in the family ice cream business in Brighton. His family had come from Italy in the early 1800s. He was married and had a son, Loreto, who was only two when his dad was killed. He also had a baby daughter, Philomena, who was born after his departure for France so he never saw her.

    His letters speak of the cold and lice-ridden blankets. He also mentioned being made a bomber and trench raids. He said on one occasion it took him 2.5 hours to cover 120 yards from no mans land back to his trench. His last letter written just two days before his death said he was in the pink and hopeful of some leave. On the day that he was killed the Battalion diary states that three other ranks were killed when Sap15 was blown in, then an hour later two other ranks were shot by sniper fire, so we do not know the circumstances of his last moments.

    Linda




    225576

    Gnr. C. H. Skidmore 105th Bgde, B Coy. Royal Field Artillery (d.6th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    I have just returned from a visit to the Somme and noticed the headstone of Gnr. C H Skidmore with the inscription "One of the White men" and was searching for its meaning.

    Alan Johnson




    225575

    Lt. Frederick StGeorge-Yorke MC. Highland Light Infantry

    Frederick St George Yorke was my great grandfather. I don't have much information regarding his service record. I do know that he was injured, contracted gangrene, and one leg was amputated. He was awarded the Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry after an explosion which had destroyed a post. 2nd Lieutenant St. George Yorke led forward a small reinforcement under heavy fire and assisted in re-organising the defence' - in April 1916.

    David Delbecq




    225570

    George Brown 2nd Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    I know very little about George Brown, I understand that he was wounded, that's about it. I'd really love to find out more about him, I know who his parents were and siblings, who he married, his kids etc but I cant find out anything his WW1 army life. He died in Battersea in his early 70's.

    Kim Sabberton




    225569

    Pte. Henry Jenkins Black Watch

    Henry Jenkins was about 18 or 19 when he walked from Dunfermline to Perth to sign up.

    Jeanie Field




    225566

    2nd Lt. Francis James Pritchard 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.15th Nov 1917)

    Francis Pritchard is buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. He was the son of Samuel and Adeline L. Pritchard of 1 Fyfield Road, Walthamstow, London.

    Blake McCauley




    225562

    L/Cpl. Alexander McKay 16th (2nd Glasgow) Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.16th Aug 1916)

    Alexander McKay was killed in action and is buried at Cambrin Churchyard Extension. Cambrin is a village about 24 kilometres north of Arras and about 8 kilometres east of Bethune, on the road to La Bassee, France.

    DR




    225560

    Pte. Alan McFarlane 9th Btn Black Watch (d.26th Sept 1915)

    Alan McFarlane, my Great Uncle was killed in the Battle of Loos on 26th of September 1915, three weeks after his 21st birthday. He is buried in Noeux-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery, France

    Robert McFarlane




    225559

    Pte. George Edward Middleditch 12th Btn Lancashire Fusillers

    <p>

    George Middleditch was my Grandfather who died in 1980. George told a the story of when he signed up, he was terrified of horses so did not want anything to do with them. Being a bit green about the Army he plumped for the remounts..... where he had to break and train horses.

    George entered the enemy trenches at Dorian, Bulgaria in 1918. He was reported as missing but was actually in a prisoner of war camp and was repatriated in 2nd Dec 1918.

    Missing in action

    Repatriated

    Mary Wilde




    225549

    Sgt. John Gillespie Porter 18th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.27th March 1917)

    <p>

    My great uncle John Porter, first joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and then transferred to the 18th Btn Royal Irish Rifles. I'm assuming because of his wounds he was brought back from France to the Curragh Military Hospital near Dublin, where he died on 27th March 1917. He is buried in Belfast City cemetery.

    Bill Porter




    225548

    L/Cpl. Ernest Porter 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.3rd March 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest Porter is my great uncle, his name is mentioned on the Thiepval memorial so I assume his body was never found. He was 27 when he died.

    Bill Porter




    225544

    George Henry Wilkinson Calvert DCM. 19th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.19th Nov 1916)

    My Great Grandfather George Calvert DCM served in the 19th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps Service No.27773. Henry (as he was known) was born in 1877 in Bedlington, Northumberland and was killed in action on 3rd November 1916 He was buried at Guillemont Road cemetery.

    He was Awarded the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) and the citation reads as follows; "Henry entered the war in France on 3rd October 1915. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry while acting as one of the advanced stretcher bearers. He repeatedly made journeys across the open under intense shell fire to bring in wounded men, and exhibited the greatest coolness and courage in the performance of his hazardous duties".





    225543

    Robert William Calvert 1st Btn Coldstream Guards (d.29th Oct 1914)

    My Great Great Uncle Robert William CalvertT, was born in 1888 at Bedlington. He was younger brother of my Great Grandfather George Henry Wilkinson Calvert. He was in the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards and died on 29th October 1914 at Ypres aged 26. He is remembered at the Menin Gate.





    225542

    Thomas Summers Calvert Hawke Btn. (d.9th Sept 1915)

    Thomas Summers Calvert - born 12th September 1897 served with the Royal Naval Division, Hawke Battalion and was wounded in action at Gallipoli, Italy. He died aboard hospital ship Dunluce Castle and was buried at sea 9th September 1915. He is commemorated at Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. His brother James was also killed. They were the sons of John and Hannah Calvert of 11, Chapel Place, Seaton Burn, Dudley, Northumberland.





    225539

    Pte. Sidney Mitchell 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Sid Mitchell served with the 1/6th Battalion DLI. He was wounded (date not known) and after recovering, assigned to the 36th Labour Battalion Royal Fusiliers where he was wounded again. He finished his war service sometime after 1920.

    Ralph Halse




    225538

    WO2. John Williams 9th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    John Williams served with the 9th Lancashire Fusiliers.





    225536

    Sjt. Thomas McAllister 4th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderer (d.19th Apr 1917)

    Sgt Thomas McAllister was my grandfather. My mother died in 1987 not knowing who her father was, on her certificate she is shown as illegitimate. After her death I became a genealogist and uncovered such wonderful relatives. I would love to hear from anyone interested in my story. God bless you all.

    Barbara




    225533

    Pte. Henry Friend Russell 24th Btn. London Regiment (d.23rd May 1918)

    Nothing is known by his family about the circumstances of Henry Russell's death, so if anyone can help with information it would be very much appreciated.

    Paul Russell




    225532

    L/Cpl. Edwin McCullum 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    Edwin McCullum was killed in action. He is commemorated on the Commonwealth War Memorial at Arras.

    Carl Reason




    225525

    Pte. William Jarvis White 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1915)

    William White of the 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment died on the 19th of August 1915 Aged 26. He was the son of Jarvis White of Wootton Fitzpaine, and the late Amelia White; husband of Ellen Sarah Crate (formerly White) of The New Inn Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine, Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset.

    Peter John Mooney




    225523

    Pte. James Gault 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    My Grandfather, James Gault was a POW. As far as I can tell he was taken prisoner on the first day of the Battle of the Somme July 1st 1916. He also served in the Army in WW2.

    Tyrone Rees




    225519

    Pte. Joseph McLean 8th (Ardwick) Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Joseph McLean enlisted on 4th March 1912. At the outbreak of WWI he volunteered for overseas service and on 9th September 1914 they marched to camp in Littleborough, transferring to Southampton the following day, where they boarded a ship for Alexandria, Egypt.

    After months of training they were transferred to Gallipoli on 6th May 1915. He was reported injured twice, once in May and once in June, his name and number appear in both the Times newspaper and the Manchester Guardian. It was his second injury that forced him out of the war. He was transferred to Imtarfa Hospital on Malta to receive medical attention and to recover before being transferred back home. He was officially discharged on 13th March 1916. He died in 1925, aged 37.

    2nd Medal Card

    Report of 1st Injury

    Report of 2nd Injury

    1st page from Hospital letter

    Paul Taylor




    225515

    Pte. Charles Culverhouse 2nd/10th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.12th Mar 1918)

    There is a Memorial Plaque for Charles Culverhouse in Jerusalem. He is my Grandfather but unfortunately this is all I know about him. I am still looking for any further information.

    Patricia




    225511

    2nd Lt. Wilfred Horace Garratt 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Wilfred Garratt served with the 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Celia Taylor




    225510

    Sgt. Frederick Christian Richard Bennett 4th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Sgt Frederick Bennett is my wife's great grandfather. He was originally in the 2nd Battalion, but had left by the time war had broken out. Consequently, he was recalled to service and allocated to the 4th Battalion. He was promoted to sergeant and was responsible for training new recruits.

    Little is known of any further military service as his records were destroyed in WW2. However, we do know that on 9th August, two attacks on their position were made by the Turks and that in one of those he was killed. We have photos of his gravestone in Hill 60 cemetery and a family member has been there this year (2015). We know that somewhere in the family there is a photograph of him, but as yet it is untraced.

    Norman Hunt




    225508

    L/Cpl. Ernest Bert Foxall 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>

    Ernest Foxall was born in Birmingham in 1892 and lived on Camden Street. He joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1911. He was serving with the 2nd Battalion in Malta at the outbreak of WW1 and arrived in Belgium on the 4th of October 1914. He was wounded and taken prisoner of war in early 1915. Ernest was repatriated to Britain in August 1915 and this was reported in the Birmingham Gazette and the Birmingham Evening Despatch on the 30th of August 1915.

    He must have been returned by the Germans due to the severity of his wounds. Ernest was transferred to the 3rd General Hospital Wandsworth (the building still exists and is now a residential property called Royal Victoria Buildings - it is Grade 2 listed) and was eventually transferred to Chatham, Kent. At some point he was made an acting Sergeant. Ernest was still in Chatham in 1920 as my grandfather was born there on the 6th of June 1920.

    Ernest never fully recovered from his injuries (allegedly he was bayoneted and after being captured the Germans chained him to the wheel of a cart). He suffered with ill health all his life and died in 1948.

    Ernest Bert Foxall Service Card

    Evening Despatch Aug 1915

    3rd General Hospital WW1

    Men relax at 3rd General Hospital

    Craig Foxall




    225505

    Sgt. George Samuel Graham 6th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.17th Aug 1915)

    My maternal grandfather George Graham, served in the D Company of 1/6th Essex Battalion, 54th Division and according to the War Diary, was killed in action on 17th August 1915 near Jepson’s Post on the Gallipoli peninsula after landing at Suvla on 12th August at 0.30. He went missing and was later confirmed to have been killed. He is remembered on one of the panels 144 to 150 of the Helles Memorial with others of his battalion. He had joined the Territorial Army in West Ham, London, Essex in 1909 and had volunteered for the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

    He was born on 20th July 1881 in West Ham, London and married Sarah A R Stacey in 1901. In civil life he had worked for Tate & Lyle’s, together with his father. He left behind his wife and five children aged between 15 and 3 years.





    225504

    Colour Sgt. Benjamin Bichan Irvine 9th Btn. Royal Scots

    Benjamin Irvine, son of William Bichan Irvine and Euphemia Gray Cundill McIntosh, was born 26 October 1893 at 34 Caledonian Crescent, Edinburgh, and was working as a scientific instrument maker in the photographic department of A. H. Baird, 39 Lothian Street, Edinburgh when he enlisted in the 9th Royal Scots (Highlanders) Territorial Force on 14 September 1914.

    This battalion was known as “The Dandy Ninths”. After training in Scotland he left for active service in France on 23 February 1915. Bennie progressed through the ranks to become a Sergeant. He received a gunshot wound in the head on 27 May 1917 (latter stages of the battle of Arras) resulting in damage to his right eye.

    After he spent a few days in the Liverpool Merchant’s Mobile Hospital at Etaples, (No.6 Hospital British Red Cross) he was posted to the 835 Area Employment Company of the Labour Corps, based at Dannes, about 10 kilometers north of Etaples. This was a large ammunition depôt. Bennie was promoted Company Quarter Master Sergeant, later Colour Sergeant, and remained there until 3 February 1919 when he returned to the United Kingdom to be discharged on 6 March 1919 having served a total of 4 years and 174 days.

    Ben married Margaret (Meg) Hutcheon Munro, daughter of David Hutcheon Munro and Johanna Grace Mouat of 17 Willowbrae Road, Edinburgh, on 16 September 1927, at the Church of Scotland Manse in Duddingston, Edinburgh. At that time Ben was a photographic dealer and Margaret was a photographer. Margaret’s father, deceased at the time of the marriage in 1927, had been a photographer also, and it is possible that Ben and his wife carried on his business.

    Ben was living at 25 Craiglockhart Park, Edinburgh in August 1949 when he registered the death of his mother, and later in 1961 when he registered the death of his brother William. Ben died on 16 January 1968 at 1 Glenlockhart Road, Edinburgh, a rest home/hospital. His occupation was given on his death certificate as “X-ray Assistant (Retired)”.

    John Johnston




    225503

    Albert Fox 9th Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Albert Fox was killed in action on 1st July 1916 when serving with the 9th KOYLI. His name is on the Theipval Memorial.

    F Cooper




    225501

    2nd Lt. Alan Arnett McLeod VC. 2 Squadron (d.6th Nov 1918)

    Alan McLeod was born on 20th of April 1899 in Stonewall, Manitoba, the son of a doctor. He enrolled in The 34th Fort Garry Horse in 1913 at age 14, but when the war started in 1914 Alan was sent home, as under age. When he became 18 he enrolled in the Royal Flying Corps in Toronto. After obtaining his pilot’s licence at Long Branch near Toronto, he was sent to France on 20th of August 1917

    He was originally posted to No. 82 Squadron flying scouts, but then transferred to 51 Squadron on Home Defence duties, flying the B.E. 12 at night. However he was transferred back to France in December 1917 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, where he was posted to No. 2 Squadron flying from Hesdigneul in northern France.

    With Lt. Comber as his gunner, he was mentioned in dispatches for bringing down a Fokker and an observation balloon near Beauvin in January 1918. On 27th of March 1918 with his observer Lt. Arthur Hammond, in an Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 he destroyed an enemy triplane and but they were immediately attacked by eight more, three of which they brought down. However their plane was hit and burst into flames and both pilot and observer were wounded. McLeod, by side slipping steeply, tried to keep the flames away from his observer, and when the machine finally crashed in No Man's Land, the young pilot, despite his own injuries, dragged his comrade from the burning wreckage and under heavy fire carried him to safety. McLeod was wounded three times in the side and Hammond was wounded six times. Hammond lost a leg but was awarded a bar for his Military Cross. McLeod received the Victoria Cross. He returned to Canada to recuperate but sadly died from Spanish flu on the 6th November 1918.





    225499

    Sgt. George Edwin Clark 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    George Clark was the husband of Lily Clark, of 5, Banner Street, Wavertree, Liverpool. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

    Alan J Piatt




    225497

    Pte. Gordon Hornby 10th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.2nd Mar 1916)

    My great granddad, Gordon Hornby, joined up after the death of his brother Wilson Hornby in 1915. He got married joined up and was killed in action in little over 12 months and never got to see his daughter born (my grandmother.)

    Dave Fleming




    225495

    Rflmn. John David Pritchard 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    John Pritchard was my grandfather. He died just before I was born, so I never had the privilege of meeting him. He enlisted on 10th April 1915 but was discharged because of "sickness" on 23rd July 1916. He was married to my grandmother, Phoebe (nee Chatwin) when he enlisted.

    There is some confusion - his records say he did serve overseas, but his regiment, the 6th Btn. is recorded as spending the war in Sheerness.

    Editor's Note: John enlisted with the 6th KRRC but served overseas with the 7th Battalion.

    Glenys Adkinson




    225493

    Pte. Arthur Hubert "Bertie" Hibbett 1/5th Btn. 'A' Coy, No 2 Platoon South Staffordshire Regiment

    Elizabeth F. Hibbett Webb




    225486

    Sgt. Richard John Reeves 24th Div. Mobile Army Veterinary Corps

    <p>

    Richard Reeves served with 24th Division Mobile Army Veterinary Corps.

    Mike Walburn




    225485

    Lt. Arthur William Hammond MC. Royal Flying Corps

    Arthur Hammond was born on 29 August 1890 in Walton on the Hill, Lancashire. He was the son of Henry and Alice (née Kincaid) Hammond. His father was a Master Mariner. Hammond joined the Royal Horse Guards as a trooper, but in October 1915 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers and was attached to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer in the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 biplane. Whilst the prime purpose of his duties was reconnaissance, he was also the aircraft's gunner and engaged in ground attack.

    Hammond received the Military Cross for action on the 22nd of April 1918 “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When acting as observer on photographic work, though his machine was attacked by six enemy aeroplanes, he with great coolness shot down two of these. On two later occasions a large number of hostile battery positions were photographed, engaged and successfully silenced, as well as some of our long range batteries calibrated on hostile targets. The eminently satisfactory manner in which all these tasks were accomplished is due to this officer's keenness, conscientiousness and devotion to duty."

    He was awarded a bar to his Military Cross for action on the 26 July 1918: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial fighting. Whilst attacking hostile troops at about 500 feet he was encountered by eight triplanes, which dived from all directions, firing their front guns. He fired bursts at each machine in turn, shooting three of them down out of control. He was wounded himself six times, but continued the action until his machine caught fire. The pilot, although wounded five times, with great skill and coolness managed to climb to the left hand bottom plane and controlled the machine from the side of the fuselage, side-slipping to the ground. The machine crashed in "No Man's Land," and the pilot managed to extricate Hammond from the flames and dragged him to a shell-hole, from which they were rescued by the infantry." His pilot on this mission (mentioned in this citation) was Alan McLeod, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for the same action. Hammond lost a leg due to his wounds and left the RFC. At the end of the war, he emigrated to Canada. In the Second World War, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

    He died in Victoria, British Columbia, on 22 December 1959, aged 69





    225482

    Pte. Charles Sturdy 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    Charles Sturdy was born in Middleborough Yorkshire. He was married to Annie (nee Davies) and lived in Llanrwst North Wales. He died on 7th July 1916, and is buried in Thiepval.

    Glynis McKenzie




    225480

    Pte. Stephen John Arthur Hughes 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.23rd Jun 1917)

    <p>picture of grave

    Stephen Hughes was my father's Uncle, he had a brother Harold (my Grandfather) and two sisters Winnie and Elsie. Stephen died on the 23rd June 1917, of shrapnel wounds to his left leg and elbow, just 3 days after writing home to his parents. In his letter he wrote asking about the weather in Swindon as it had been raining in torrents for 2 days. He said he would send his credits home only to be used for Harold to buy his tools.( He was a carpenter) and he asked his Mum to send him a bread pudding and a Khaki jacket, because the lice did not like those ones!! He closed with fondest love from your loving son.

    Stephen is buried at a military Cemetery in Belgium. There is a picture taken by Winnie and Elsie when they visited in 1972. There are some family photos, grave, letter medal, birth and death certificate

    Stephen in uniform

    letter home

    Alison Wheeler




    225474

    Pte. Archibald Dickson 1st Battalion Scottish Rifles (d.12th June 1918)

    According to his medal card, Archibald Dickson served in the 1st Battalion, Scottish Rifles and earned the 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal - which, unfortunately he did not live to receive. He was born at Cambusnethan, Lanark and his parents were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dickson of 98 Beckford St., Hamilton, Lanarkshire. A UK Army Register of Soldiers Effects, 1901-1929 document confirms that Pte. Archibald Dickson died of wounds on 12th of June 1918, in France.

    Thank you for this opportunity to help restore the memory of this brave soldier.

    Clayton B. Austin




    225471

    Ralph Reginald Turville 15th Btn. London Regiment

    Ralph Turville's documents say he joined the 5th Battalion of the London Regiment (City of London Rifles) on 4th June 1917 (Date of Attestation) and was mobilized on 1st August 1917. He was transferred to the King's Royal Rifle Corps and posted to the 15th London Regiment in France on 1st April 1918 under new service No. 548079. He was wounded on 6th April 1918. On 12th October 1918 he was "completely and permanently" transferred to the Royal Fusiliers and posted to the 44th Garrison (from which unit he was discharged to reserve on 6th December 1919). He was in France from 1st April 1918 through to 24th February 1919 and in Germany from 25th February 1919 to 4th November 1919 as a clerk at Army HQ (2nd Army). He was treated at No.1 American Service Hospital, Etretat and 44 C.C.S.

    Grandpa died when I was 3. My only memory is of a tartan rug over his knees, as he sat in front of the unlit fireplace in Milton Rd, East Ham, and of being told to leave alone that wonderfully glossy black & scarlet gelatine capsule ("Medicine!" was the gist of what Grandma said); utterly fascinating to a three year old. His face, I don't recall at all. My only other memory of him is my mother telling me that he was at the battle of Arras in 1918 and, years later, would wake up in the night screaming.

    Mike Watkinson




    225470

    Pte. Thomas Cyril Perry 10th Btn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.15th May 1916)

    Thomas Cyril Perry was born in Kidderminster, Worcestershire in 1894. He was one of five children born to William Edward Perry and Emma Jane Pugh. The family moved to Chilvers Coton near Nuneaton in Warwickshire around 1896. In 1911 Thomas was a printer's apprentice, still living with his parents and siblings.

    He enlisted in Nuneaton after the outbreak of the war in 1914. It appears that local regiments must have been oversubscribed because Thomas Perry was posted to 10th (Service) Battalion Scottish Rifles then forming at Hamilton as part of Kitchener's Second New Army.

    Thomas Perry landed at Boulogne in France with 10th Scottish Rifles on 10th July 1915 as part of 46th Infantry Brigade / 15th (Scottish) Division. The battalion entered the line near Festubert in September 1915. In the Battle of Loos on 25th Septemebr, the battalion took its objective (Hill 70) but was later forced to retreat. The 15th Division spent the 1915-16 winter in the Loos area holding the line at the Quarries, the Hohenzollern Redoubt and Hulluch.

    On 11th of May 1916 the Germans launched an attack in the Quarries sector with heavy artillery support. The main assault fell on 13th Btn. The Royal Scots to the left of 10th Scottish Rifles. Over the next few days the latter were called upon to mount a series of counterattacks which failed to dislodge the Germans. Eventually a new British trench line was dug further back. Thomas must have been killed in one of the counterattacks or the consolidation that followed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial at Dud Corner Cemetery and in Kidderminster Town Cemetery.

    Rod Arnold




    225468

    Pte. James Hayes 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    My great grand uncle James Hayes is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. I would like to know which battle he was in and where he is buried.





    225467

    Pte. George David Price 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment

    <p>

    George David Price, born 1893, was my grandfather and, sadly, died before I was born. He was posted to France on 20th July 1915. He survived the Great War, after being gassed and losing a leg and fathered 12 children. He died in 1952 in Bridgewater, Somerset. I would love to find out in which battle he lost his leg.

    Claire Price




    225465

    L/Cpl. Daniel Eckersley 9th Btn Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    I have found the details of Daniel Eckersley on a family gravestone whilst carrying out family history research. Not a lucky family, of 10 children 4 failed to reach the age of 5, one died aged 14 and Daniel was killed in 1916 leaving just 4 to continue the family name.

    Margaret Berry




    225460

    F/O. John Collier Frederick Hopkins 83 Sqdn.

    <p>

    My father Jack Hopkins left school in 1916 and signed up with the Honourable Artillery Company on 30th October 1916 where he was placed in the reserve Battalion, his service number was 9287. In May 1917 Jack was commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). His service number was 12073. The need for pilots was urgent and losses were high. Consequently training occurred hastily and involved gaining experience on different aircraft. His own record of events is almost a catalogue of the aircraft available then. He flew solo on a Maurice Farnham Shorthorn at Shoreham, trained on Avros and Sopwith Pups at Dover, obtaining his wings in July. At Wye he flew Sopwith Camels after which he served on Home Defence at Hornchurch on Sopwith 11/2 Strutters.

    At Dover his fighting instructor was James McCudden who became the most famous fighter pilot of the war earning the Victoria Cross in April 1918. Jack recalled that he was a brilliant pilot who enjoyed demonstrating the abilities of an aircraft by doing “hair-raising stunts round the aerodrome”. Sadly, McCudden was accidently killed over his aerodrome not long after he received his award.

    Ultimately Jack was to serve as a night fighter on FE2B aircraft. This machine looks strange today with its propeller behind the cockpit. A front section, the nacelle, was for the observer who usually operated the machine gun and released the bombs singly using very simple equipment although the pilot or observer often lifted a bomb over the side by hand and dropped it. The cockpit and nacelle had no cover, so the crew must have been extremely cold.

    Jack’s night flying training commenced with a posting to Marham in Norfolk in November 1917 followed by a posting to 83 Squadron at nearby Narborough then an overseas posting with the Squadron in March 1918 to Auchel in northern France. Most aircraft of the time could not fly long distances so could not attack from Britain.

    When making the change to night flying Jack was initially nervous as he tackled the business of taking off while dazzled by flares along the runway and so was unable at first to see the horizon. The latter was very important at night to enable the pilots’ sense of balance to be maintained because they relied on this to fly the machine properly. No sophisticated instruments were available to help them in those early days of flying. All they had of any real use were an air speed indicator and a rev indicator. It was also important to gain enough height before making turns because, if not correctly done, the aircraft could stall and, if too near the ground, recovery was not possible and a crash was inevitable. Landing an aircraft at night also required new skills, particularly having to judge the distance of the aircraft from the flare path in order to avoid reaching the runway too early or too late.

    Soon after arrival in Auchel the Squadron started bombing German structures such as aerodromes and railways. Reconnaissance was another valuable activity and photography was very important in this regard. Despite the unsophisticated cameras available at that time, RFC aerial photographs came to be regarded highly during the war. Jack discovered that much could also be learned from visual observation and remembered a mapping officer who flew out each night and made a mental picture of the ground. On returning he painted a map on large sheets of paper salvaged from the blue sugar bags they used at that time. Jack considered these maps to be surprisingly realistic and helpful in locating places they were ordered to attack.

    Jack’s active service in France occurred during the last German offensive in March 1918. By early May some Germans set up a base within site of the Auchel aerodrome and began to attack it with artillery fire. This led to evacuation to a safer location joining with 101 Squadron. In the ensuing confusion little attention was paid to updating the men from Auchel regarding differing procedures. Unfortunately for Jack this led to his making an error during takeoff on his first mission at the new base and, with a full load of bombs, could not gain height properly. The plane hit a haystack in an adjoining field and cartwheeled several times before coming to rest. None of the bombs exploded but Jack was severely injured and spent several months in hospital, by which time the war was over. However, once he recovered from his injuries he was posted to 199 Squadron, Harpswell where he was an instructor on FE2Bs until his discharge in May 1919. Much later, in September 1972, the Imperial War Museum made a sound recording of Jack’s recollections of his night flying experiences which can be accessed by visitors to the museum.

    J C Hopkins in flying clothes

    Portrait of J C Hopkins on joining the RFC

    RFC 83 Squadron shield

    Evadne Spickett




    225458

    Pte. Harold Jones 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    My great uncle Harold Jones was 18 years old when he died. His brother William Henry Jones had been killed in action at Ypres three weeks earlier, whilst serving with the Canadian Army.

    Stephen Bartley




    225457

    Pte. William Albert Torvill 9th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Oct 1918)

    William Torvill was my great grand uncle and he was a private in the 9th Durham Light Infantry. He was born in 1898 in Haxby, Yorkshire and his father was my 2nd great grandfather. If anyone has any more information on my uncle or the name Torvill please get in touch with me

    Kevin Liggs




    225298

    Pte. James Martin Roughan 9th (Queens Royal) Lancers

    James Martin Roughan was born on the 1st March 1893 and when in his teens, he lied about his age and joined the 9th Lancers as a boy soldier. He was mobilized in August 1914, by which time he was serving with the 9th Lancers and he took part in the charge of the 9th Lancers at Audregnies on 24th August 1914 against massed German Infantry.

    He later took part in actions at the Marne and the Ainse, Ypres and Messines. He was wounded in March 1915 and returned to England. He rejoined in August 1916 and became an unpaid lance corporal in the same year. He became a paid Lance Corporal in October 1917, was wounded in March 1918, and was returned to England. Jim was present at the founding of the 9th Lancers old comrades association in 1921. He is listed in the 9th Lancers Museum Book as 774 J Roughan wounded 3/03/15 also 29/08/18.

    The Roughan family has a long association with the 9th Lancers and James's father, Troop Sergeant Major John Roughan served with the 9th Lancers between 1863 and 1884 and served in Afghanistan and his brother John Edward Roughan, served in the 17th Lancers and later the Queens Regiment. Jim died in 1985 in Ashford, Middlesex rejoining his wife Alice May Dora "Peggy" Vickers who died twenty-one years earlier. He also had two half brothers, Oswald Stephen and Herbert Joseph Roughan, both 6th Dragoons served in the Boer war and WW1.





    225249

    Sgt. Richard George Parr 8th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    <p>

    Richard Parr served with the 8th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    Gillian Pattenden




    225247

    PO. Evan Thomas Ellis Collingwood Btn.

    <p>Evan a War Reserve Police Officer during WW2.

    My grandfather, Evan Ellis, was born in Bagillt, Flintshire on 3rd September 1889. In 1907 he successfully applied to join the Mersey Division of the RNVR at HMS Eaglet, Customs House, Liverpool. In order to enrol as a boy seaman my grandfather needed to be under 18. So on his application he lied about his age and his Service Certificate states his birthday as 3rd October, thus making him one day under 18 when he signed up on 2nd October 1907. In reality he was 18 years and 1 month old.

    Up to 1907 Grandfather had been a rope splicer in the coal mining industry of North Staffordshire coal field. Still in the RNVR, he joined the Merchant Navy in late 1911 and spent three years at sea gaining valuable experience which was to ensure his rapid promotion upon being mobilised for the RND in late 1914.

    Commencing training at HMS Victory in Portsmouth as an Ordinary Seaman on 4th October 1914 he quickly rose through the ranks of Able Seaman, Leading Seaman and had attained the rank of Petty Officer by 12th December. He was now 25 years old. In February 1915, after the RND returned from Antwerp and their battalions reformed, grandfather was assigned to the Collingwood Battalion and placed as 2nd I/C of B Company 3rd Platoon under the command of Sub Lt Arthur Watts RNVR. The Collingwoods were held back at Blandford when the 1st and 2nd Brigades RND were dispatched for Egypt in early March 1915. Collingwood along with Benbow and Hawke Battalions were held in reserve at Bulford to complete their training.

    On 10th May 1915 the Collingwood Battalion left Bulford to embark on SS Ivernia at Devonport, sailing on 12th May for a fast passage to Gibraltar arriving on 16th May for coaling and further orders. Owing to German U-boat activity, Ivernia sailed the same day for Malta arriving on 19th May. The ship stayed in Malta for 26 hours for rest and recuperation before proceeding to Mudros late on 20th May arriving on the 23rd May.

    On 27th May the Battalion were given orders to proceed to the front at Cape Helles and were transferred by lighters at night to the now famous River Clyde and landed on V Beach early morning on 28th. For the next three days the Collingwoods were engaged in trench digging preparing for action which was to come so abruptly in a few days. In early June my grandfather was probably relieved to be given four days "stand easy" with the rest of the battalion.

    This "stand easy" was curtailed and on 3rd June the Collingwoods were ordered forward to the frontline trenches in preparation for a general attack on 4th June. This action was to become the 3rd Battle of Krithia. At 1210 on 4th June the Collingwoods went over the top. By 1245 the battalion had taken terrible casualties and were in retreat. In just over thirty minutes they had suffered almost 500 casualties killed, wounded or missing. 16 out of 24 officers were killed and 5 were wounded including Sub Lt Watts, my grandfather's Platoon Commander. Grandfather, uninjured, was able to lead the remnants of his platoon back to relative safety of the support trenches.

    Two days later, on 6th June, the Turks mounted a counterattack and my grandfather received shrapnel wounds, to his lower back, from an exploding shell. Evacuated via a casualty clearing station he was transferred to RNH Bighi on Malta aboard HMHS Soudan. He remained here for about a week before being transferred back to UK arriving on 30th June and admitted to Chatham RNH.

    On 21st October 1915 he was returned to the 2nd Reserve Battalion in HMS Victory but finally succumbed to his injury and was declared unfit for further service on 24th November 1915. My grandfather was awarded the War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-15 Star as well as becoming the 100th recipient of the Silver War Badge.

    My grandfather continued as a coal miner until WW2 when he became a War Reserve Police Officer. He died in 1970 still carrying the shrapnel in his lower back.

    Greg Webb




    225244

    CSM. Reuben Didcock 9th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.24th Aug 1916)

    CSM. Reuben Didcock 8700 9th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps was killed at Delville Wood on 24th August 1916. He was born in 1891, the son of Martha Didcock, residing at Alma Place, Chipping Norton. He moved to Birmingham aged about ten with his mother and lived at 123 Tilton Road, Bordesley, Birmingham.

    His enlistment date is uncertain but the 9th Battalion was formed in August 1914 and landed in Boulogne on 20th May 1915. From his regimental number and the dates mentioned, I am not sure if he was a regular or a Kitchener volunteer soldier. He was married on 6th February 1916 aged 24 to Beartrice Hinson, also aged 24 (profession ammunition viewer). Their residence, as stated on their marriage certificate, was 8 back of 31 Saltley Road, Aston, Birmingham. Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of Reuben.

    I came across Reuben while I was researching my family history. The above information has been taken from documents that I have gathered over the last few years. Thank you for keeping alive the memory to those who gave their all. Lest we forget.

    Peter Essex




    225242

    Dvr. John Taylor 122 Bde. B Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.7th Dec 1917)

    Driver John Taylor, W/4830 122 Bde RFA, died of wounds on 7th December 1917. He was buried at Estaires Communal cemetery Extension, and he is commemorated on Stockport Town Hall Employees WW1 memorial as he had been employed in Stockport Corporation Cleansing Department. There were obituaries in the Stockport Express & Stockport Advertiser (no photograph). His parents were Walter (MRCVS) & Sarah of Stockport. His wife Mary Ellen lived at 13 Grimshaw Street, Stockport.

    Terence Jackson




    225240

    Pte. Thomas Edward Eccleston 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.20th Aug 1918)

    Thomas Edward Eccleston born 17th May 1893 at Willenenhall, Wolverhampton, his father's name Alfred and mother Anne. Thomas enlisted in the DCLI in 1915 in Walsall, no. 52535 or 52565 (I can't make out on his medal card). Somewhere he transfered to the South Wales Borderers, no. 27655. He had several near misses before being killed in action in the battle for Outtersteene Ridge. He left his wife, Emily Agnes Kathleen, his daughter Dorothy and son Frank Thomas George, who he never met. He is buried in Baileul Outtersteene Communal Cemetery and his name is on the memorials of Willenhall and at Heyes Heath under the name Eccleshall (a misprint of Eccleston).

    K Moss




    225239

    Flt Commander Christopher Joseph Quintin "Flossie" Brand DFC. 1 Squadron

    Quintin Brand was born in Kimberley, South Africa on 25th May 1893. He joined the South African Defence Force in 1913, but in 1915 he travelled to England where he joined the Royal Flying Corps. He obtained his pilot's licence and was posted to No. 1 Squadron RFC in France as a Flight Commander. He claimed 7 victories over German aircraft before being posted back to England in February 1918.

    Brand was appointed commander of 112 Squadron based at Throwley in Kent. This was a home defence night fighter squadron equipped with specially modified Sopwith Camels.

    In June 1918 he was appointed commander of No. 151 Squadron RAF at Fontaine-sur-Maye in France, a night fighter squadron formed to combat German night raids over the Western Front. The squadron downed 26 German aircraft with Brand himself shooting down four. At the end of hostilities he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, having been the highest scoring RAF night fighter pilot of the war.

    Brand worked in aviation through the interwar years and served in the RAF in the second world war, attaining the rank of Air Vice Marshall. He retired in November 1943 and lived in Surrey until 1950, when he moved to Southern Rhodesia. He died on 7 March 1968





    225237

    Capt. Robert Alexander Birkbeck DFC. 1 Squadron

    Captain Robert Alexander Birkbeck DFC was born on 8th October 1898. He was appointed a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corps on 7th May 1917 and joined No. 1 Squadron RFC in France on the 10th June. On 3rd November 1917 he was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain. Birkbeck left the front for England in February 1918 and received the Distinguished Flying Cross on 3 June 1918.

    After the war he remained in the RAF until 1925 at the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He died in Oxted on 9th of January 1938





    225235

    Pte. Henry Walker 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My grandfather, Henry Walker fought with the Northumberland Fusiliers territorials during the First World War. He joined the 1/5th Northumberland Fusiliers (5/1556 Pte) in 1914, and then later the 1/7th (240110), I am trying to research his service.

    Corey Miller




    225234

    Lt. Louis Fleeming Jenkin MC. 1 Squadron (d.11th Sep 1917)

    Louis Jenkin was born in London on 22 August 1895 to Austin Fleeming Jenkin and his wife Betty. On 24 September 1914 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Jenkin transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 19 April 1917 and was posted to No. 1 Squadron on 15 May 1917. Over a period of just 9 weeks Jenkin brought down 20 German aircraft. He was given command of a flight on 31 July, and promoted to captain. He was awarded the Military Cross on 16 August 1917, the citation read: Lt. Louis Fleeming Jenkin, Gen. List and R.F.C.: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst on offensive patrol he has continually shown the greatest dash and determination in attacking enemy aircraft in superior numbers, destroying some and bringing others down out of control.”

    He was shot down and killed in action on the 11th September 1917 and was posthumously awarded a bar on his MC.





    225233

    Mjr. William Charles Campbell MC, DSO. 1 Sqdn.

    William Campbell was born in Bordeaux, France, where his father, originally from Aberdeen, was Lloyds' representative, while his mother was French. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. He was trained at Croydon and was posted to 1 Squadron in France in March 1917. Between 14 May and 28 July 1917, Campbell gained 23 aerial victories, and on 16 July shot down three German planes in the space of half an hour. On 31 July, Campbell was wounded in the thigh and his bullet-riddled aircraft was forced down. He returned to England, and on 18 September 1917 was appointed Chief Instructor at the School of Military Aeronautics, with the rank of acting-major. He left the air force at the end of hostilities. Campbell was awarded the Military Cross, in August 1917 and in September he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.





    225231

    Pte. William Henry Edwards MM. 9th Battalion Welsh Regiment

    <p>

    Bill Edwards joined the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment and went to France in July 1915. He never spoke about his experience to anyone, including his daughter. The only thing he ever said is that he could still hear the guns. It was only of few years ago that his grandson, whilst researching family history, discovered that he had been awarded the Military Medal. This was gazetted on 13th September 1918 but the family are unable to discover why this was awarded. His daughter or grandchildren never saw any of his medals. He was one of the kindest, gentlest men you could ever meet

    Robert Lewis




    225230

    Adam Hamilton 36th Ulster Division

    <p>

    My grandfather Adam Hamilton signed up with his best friend Alan Brown. Alan was courting my grandfather's sister Margaret and later married her. She retained and passed on to her family the post cards grandad had written when they were first away training.

    Candy Craig




    225229

    Capt Percy Jack Clayson MC, DFC. 1 Squadron

    Percy Clayson was born in Deptford, London on the 7th June 1896. He attended the Royal Masonic School for Boys at Bushey.

    He joined the Royal Naval Air Service at the outbreak of war and served in France from December 1914. He then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, being appointed Second Lieutenant. After attending the Military School at Beverley, he joined No. 1 Squadron on 31st of October 1917. He was awarded the Military Cross on 9 April, and on 8 May was appointed a flight commander with the rank of acting captain. On 12 June 1918, he was cited for the Distinguished Flying Cross and was invested with his DFC on 24 July 1919. He served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve through the second world war.

    His citation for the Military Cross reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When on low-flying offensive patrol, he engaged an enemy scout and shot it down, with the result it crashed to earth. He has brought down several hostile machines, one of which was forced to land in our lines, and has engaged massed enemy troops and transport from a very low altitudes with machine-gun fire, inflicting heavy casualties. He has displayed the most marked determination, courage and skill.” — London Gazette, 22 June 1918





    225228

    Capt. Philip Fletcher Fullard DSO, MC, AFC. 1 Sqdn.

    Philip Fullard was born in Wimbledon, Surrey on 27th May 1897, the son of Thomas Fletcher Fullard. He was educated at Norwich Grammar School. He joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps in 1915, and after receiving high marks in his examination was offered a commission as second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. He was commissioned on 5 August 1916. After a short period as an instructor the Central Flying School at Upavon, he was sent to serve in No. 1 Squadron RFC in France in May 1917.

    On 19 June, still only a second lieutenant, Fullard was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain. During the Battle of Arras he was awarded the Military Cross twice in September 1917, and also awarded the Distinguished Service Order in November. He was one of the most successful fighter pilots of the Royal Flying Corps; the top scoring UK ace flying Nieuports, and overall the 6th highest scoring British pilot.

    At the cessation of hostilities Fullard was awarded the Air Force Cross, and granted a permanent commission in the RAF with the rank of captain. He went on to serve in the RAF throughout the second world war, attaining the rank of Air Commodore. He died on 24th April 1984.





    225227

    Sgt. Charles Henry Rushby 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.26th April 1918)

    My husband's grandfather Charles Rushby was the son of Tom and Anne Rushby. Born in Caistor in 1878, he married Rosetta Swaby in 1903 in Grimsby. They had five children, including my father in law, Charles Edward, who was only two when his father died. His younger brother was born after his father's death. Charles Henry was a gaslamp lighter in civilian life. In the army he gained the rank of sergeant and died in Flanders on 26th April 1918. He is buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais.

    Jackie Rushby




    225226

    Pte. James Ives 17th Btn. London Rifles

    My grandfather James Ives was born in 1890 and joined (date unknown) the 17th London Rifles. He was captured in France and became a POW in Frieburg. He managed to survive starvation and returned to London after the war. He very rarely spoke about his experience. He lost his brother Fred John Ives, who is buried in France. The family originated in north Norfolk.

    Ray Barnard




    225225

    Pte. Alfred Doyle 6th Btn. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.13th Aug 1915)

    Alfred Doyle was buried at sea and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.





    225224

    L/Cpl. Norman Tate 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Norman Tate was born on 16th September 1897, he was son of Robert William and Emma Tate, of 111 Spencer St., Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne. He enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers in 1915 and served with them in Salonica. They moved to France in 1918. Norman was killed in action on 6th October 1918, somewhere near Le Catalet or Bony in France. He has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Vis en Artois memorial.

    His brother, 2nd/Lt Lionel Percy Tate died one month later and is buried in Wargnies le Grand Communal Cemetery, Nord, France.

    Panel 3 Vis en Artois memorial

    Vis en Artois memorial

    Jenny Cowling




    225223

    2nd Lt. Lionel Percy Tate 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1918)

    Lionel Tate was known by his middle name, Percy. He was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, on 17th April 1892, the eldest child of Robert William Tate and his wife Emma (nee Stainsby). He attended Chillingham Road school and Skerry’s college in Newcastle and was working as an accounts clerk when he enlisted in the 1st/1st Northumberland Hussars (Territorial Army) on 17th February 1913. His was the first territorial regiment to be sent overseas, they arrived at Zeebrugge on 5th October 1914.

    Percy spent almost the whole war in France, with only a handful of days on leave in England each year. He survived many terrible battles in France, including Ypres and the Somme and rose to the rank of corporal before returning to England to cadet school in December 1917.

    He was appointed to a commission in the North Staffordshire Regiment in May 1918 and returned to serve with them in France. He was killed in action on 4th November 1918 and is buried in the churchyard of Wargnies Le Grand. After surviving so much, serving throughout the war, it is so sad that he died within only a few days of the armistice. This was also a tragedy for his fiancée, Cissy Dryden, who always kept a photo of Percy and never married. Later, she worked in a sweet shop.

    Percy’s brother Lance Corporal Norman Tate, 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed in action on 6th October 1918, commemorated at Vis-En-Artois memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

    Jenny Cowling




    225222

    Pte. David Waddell Cruickshank 1st Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

    My Grandfather David Cruickshank fought the Battle of Le Cateau, He was born in Glasgow in 1894. He joined the 1st Battalion the Cameronians (The Scottish Rifles) early in 1914. Army number 11132. The Regiment was training in the Highlands in Perthshire, when they were called back to Merryhill Barracks Hamilton. The Regiment was entrained to Southampton, and crossed over to Le Havre, from there they went to Mons, where the Cams were put into a new division, the 19th, they were put to the left of the Mons-Conde canal.

    After the battle of Mons, 2nd Corps was the last to get away, they walked night and day in the sweltering August heat without food and water, getting involved in skirmishes along the way. Eventually reaching Le Cateau, the Regiment was told to make for the train station or get some rest in the town square. The battle of Le Cateau started the following morning at about 6.30 am.

    My Grandad and another Cameronian were trapped in the town, he ran down a street but the Germans were coming the other way, he ran into a doorway, where there was a local woman with a bucket of water, a shot was fired at him but missed and hit the bucket and the lady's dress. He had already been wounded before the battle, so he laid down in the street feigning death, as he said in an interview in Paris in 1927, the street was full of dead horses and men, so I just led there hoping the enemy would pass me by, which they did. He crawled into an alleyway and found a garden full of flowers and shrubs, he lay there for hours, and he said he could here British Artillery firing over his head. He crawled into a cellar of a house, where Madame Baudhuin looked after him. This brave lady kept him for over two years, until his capture in 1916. He was sentenced to death by a German court marshall, and Madame Baudhuin was sentenced to ten years in prison in Germany. There is a lot more to this story, some funny some sad, further details can be found on hellfirecorner.co.uk

    Glen Cruickshank




    225216

    Sgt. Percy John Witherick 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.24th Aug 1914)

    Percy J Witherick was born in 1891 in Norwood, Surrey. In the 1911 Census he is listed as being a Lance Corporal in the 1st Btn. of the Norfolk Regiment. As part of the BEF, he and his regiment landed in Le Havre in August 1914 to fight in WW1 in the Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat. The 1st Norfolks fought valiantly at Elouges but on 24th August, Percy, now a Sergeant, was listed as being "presumed dead". They never found his body.

    Percy is commemorated on the La-Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial in France which is dedicated to nearly 4000 officers and men who lost their lives from August to early October 1914 and who have no known grave.

    Linda Elliott




    225212

    Sgt. Edward Hollock Smith MM. 153rd Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.13th July 1917)

    Edward Smith was born 24th February 1883, he was great-great-great uncle to me. He appears in the De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour.

    Ian Sizer




    225211

    Pte. Howard Keith Harder 12th Australian Field Ambulance

    Keith Harder was one of two brothers from the Harder family in Coburg who fought in World War One. Keith was a stretcher bearer but was injured in the left thigh which resulted in a physical disability for the remainder of his life.

    Keith's brother, Victor, was successful in gaining a commission in the British army and became a Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. He was killed at the battle for Kemmel Hill.

    Graeme Harder




    225208

    Sgt. Harold Bradshaw 7th Btn. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.9th May 1917)

    Harold Bradshaw was born in Radcliffe, Lancashire on the 5th June 1891. He later went to work as a coal miner in Barnsley, West Riding of Yorkshire (now South Yorkshire). On the 9th of May 1917 he was reported as missing in Salonica, Greece and was later reported as killed in action same day. Having no known grave he is remembered on the Doiran Memorial. At home he is remembered on the World War 1 Memorial Plaque inside Ardsley Christ Church, Barnsley.

    Valerie Parkinson




    225205

    Pte. Alfred James Beck 2nd Btn East Kent Regiment (d.28 Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred Beck is commemorated at Loos-en-Gohelle, in France

    Private A Beck

    Jenny Tidman




    225204

    Pte. William Henry Leonard 2/16th Btn. London Regiment (d.6th Dec 1917)

    William Leonard died on 6th of December 1917, not sure if from sickness or wounds, but it was two days before last attack on Jerusalem. He may have been wounded earlier at Beersheba. He was 37 and is buried in Kantara War Memorial Cemetery. I have his British War Medal.

    Peter Leonard




    225203

    Pte. Wilfred Henry Lewis 1/23rd Btn. B Company. London Regiment (d.27th May 1915 )

    The family lived in Battersea (Wards & Lewis families), Bill Lewis joined the TA aged only 15 years old in 1912. He fought at Aubers Ridge and was killed in action during battle of Festubert on the 27th May 1915.

    Gary Lewis




    225198

    Pte. David Combe 1/7th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.14th July 1917)

    <p>

    David Combe was born in 1891, one of four children born to David Combe (Snr) and Christina Brown, who lived at Hoghill Farm, Oakbank, near East and Mid Calder in West Lothian, Scotland. As a young man he became a gardener on the Howden Estate and lived at Howden Cottages.

    He was “attested” on 11th of December 1915 and sent to the Army Reserve. Finally mobilized on 10th of February 1916 he failed the medical, being graded as B(iii) and was returned to the reserve. `B' meant he was “free from organic disease, able to stand on lines of communication in France or in the tropics” and (iii) meant “Only fit for sedentary work”. He was finally mobilized on 17th of October 1916 at Glencorse Barracks near Edinburgh and sent for basic training at Kerwick in England. This completed, he was sent to Folkstone for embarkation to France on 23rd April 1917. He was now Private 326515 Combe, David.

    On arrival, he was sent to the induction camp and hospital at Camiers Etaples near Boulogne-sur-Mer. Around 11th May he was posted to the 1/7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. On the 29th May 1917 he was lightly wounded and sent back to the hospital at Etables. Evidently the wound was not serious as he was discharged on 7th June as A1.

    According to a letter from the lieutenant of his platoon, David Combe was on duty in the front line trench when a “Boche” trench mortar round landed on his position. A piece of shrapnel hit him on the head and he was killed instantly. His comrades then carried him to a small cemetery behind the lines where he was buried in a grave marked with a simple wooden cross. He was reported “killed in action” on 14th of July 1917. The location is unknown. His remains therefore lie in an unknown Belgian field but he is remembered on panels 42 and 44 of the Menin Gate at Ypres.

    Gavin Anderson




    225196

    Pte Christopher Brown "Yorkie" Bell 6th Btn Yorkshire Rgt (Green Howards)

    My great-grandfather Christopher Bell served in the 6th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), in both the Dardanelles and on the Western Front where he was badly wounded and lost an arm.

    Niall Hall




    225194

    Pte. R Blackburn 1/4th Btn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    I am currently in possession of this gentleman's war medal 1914-1918 and could find no records on him: Pte R Blackburn of the 4th KOYLI. Now he has a start.

    Donna Fischer




    225193

    A/Sjt. George Murphy Miller 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Regiment

    George Miller was born on the 23rd of November 1886. I have no information other than the fact I am in possession of this gentleman's War Medal and the information on it from my father's collection of medals and other research.

    Donna Fischer




    225190

    L/Sgt. Harry Allen 16th (Public Achools) Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Harry Allen died on the Somme serving with the 29th Division at the attack of Beaumont-Hamel.

    John Carpenter




    225189

    Pte. Edward Friel 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.9th Sep 1916)

    Edward Friel was a compositor with the Derry Journal and was married with three children, the youngest only five months old when Edward was killed at the battle of Ginchy in 1916. A few days after Edward's death his father received a letter from Edward, posted shortly before he died, where he described in great detail the battle of Guillemont and the mood of the men before and after the battle and his pride in his fellow men and in his Irishness.

    Deana Friel




    225184

    Charles Herbert Over 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.20th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Charles Herbert Over was my mother’s uncle and was born in Brinklow, Warwickshire on 25th July 1890. He enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Coventry on 18th January 1909 aged 18½ and was given the army number 1368. Unfortunately his service records, like many others, were destroyed by bombing during WW2 and his story jumps forward to 1911 when he is recorded on the Military Census as serving with the 1st Btn in India. The individual photo was taken in Bombay and I have assumed that the group photo was at their barracks although I cannot trace its whereabouts. The 1st Btn. returned to the UK in January 1913 and I can only, once again, assume that at some point between then and August 1914 that he reverted back to the 2nd Btn.

    The 2nd Btn. was part of the 7th Division of the 22nd Brigade which left the UK on 4th of October 1914 on the SS Cymrie, and landed at Zeebrugge, Belgium on 6th of October.

    For the next two weeks they were constantly repositioned in an area to the east of Ypres, from which direction the German attack was expected. On 19th October they moved off from Besselare and met the enemy at Dadizeele. This was their first major encounter with the enemy and was to develop into what is known as the First Battle of Ypres. There were very many men killed or wounded in the first two days of fighting. Charles was declared to have died from his wounds on 20th October 1914. He was buried in the Ypres Reservoir South Cemetery (which was the first in Ypres town) but this cemetery and a second one were later exhumed and re-interred at the 3rd cemetery which is there today and is known as Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. His name is recorded on the memorial plaque in Brinklow church along with his younger brother who was in the Royal Engineers and was killed in 1918.

    1st Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regt. in India

    Chris Bozzoni




    225182

    Bertie Edward Hare 7th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.14th Oct 1915)

    Bertie Hare is my first cousin twice removed, if you have any other info on him it would be gratefully received.





    225181

    Pte. Joseph James Mills 15th (London Welsh) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    My grandfather Joseph Mills joined the London Welsh Battalion of the Welsh Fusiliers on 12th January 1915. The only information I have is that he was wounded in the leg at the Battle of the Somme. He was operated on by a German doctor and then repatriated to England. My mother told me that he had metal plates in his right leg and walked with a really bad limp. I never got to meet my grandfather as he died six years before I was born. My mum said he never talked about the war, but he had to live with the after affects of being wounded and never really got over it.





    225177

    Pte. Sydney Frith Wall 12th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.27th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Sydney Frith Wall was my wife's great uncle. He was a hairdresser in civilian life. He was killed at Laventie on 27th of August 1915, having been in France for a month. I can find no report of any action on that date. It is stated he died of wounds but he has no known grave, and is commemorated on the "Plug Street" memorial. He was 25.

    Arthur Stuttard




    225176

    Pte. John James 15th Btn. Notts and Derby Regiment (d.17th July 1916)

    John James was born in Nottingham on 22nd December 1895. He was the eldest and only son of Alfred and Annie James. John had two younger sisters - Ada and my grandmother Annie.

    When war broke out John was working as a foreman at a box making factory keen to join up but at 5'2" he was too short and turned away. He was determined to join and tried again but once again was unsuccessful. Sadly, John was presented with white feathers by the girls at his box making factory. This deeply upset John and on his third attempt he pleaded with the recruiting sergeant who finally relented stating that 'the army will pull the last inch out of you'.

    So in September 1915 John went into infantry training at Ripon training camp. He had joined the 15th (Service) Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbys).

    The battalion arrived in France in February 1916. In July it saw action on the Somme. John's battalion was positioned on the night of 17/18th near to Trones wood opposite Guillemont village. During this night the trenches were shelled terribly and John disappeared into oblivion never to be recovered. It was told by a survivor who had seen John that night, that as he left John in his part of the trench the German guns opened fire and there was a terrific bombardment after which the trenches where John was no longer existed. John is now remembered along with over 300,000 other on the Thiepval Memorial.

    As a child, my grandmother would often tell me the story of her brother and my great uncle and I will always remember him. My childhood hero. God bless you John.

    Steven Charlesworth




    225175

    Pte. George Edward Rolingson 2nd Btn., D Coy. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.16th Aug 1917)

    George Rolingson was my uncle, my mother's older brother. My mother (aged 6) recalled seeing him off from Diss station after coming home on leave, and holding her in his arms telling her he would not be coming back this time. He died at Passchendaele on 16th August 1917 aged 22. I like to think he is buried in Whitehall as he has no grave.

    K. Norman




    225170

    Rifleman. Ernest Robert Reid 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Nov 1916)

    Whilst researching my Irish ancestry I discovered that my gran's uncle Robert Reid, died on service during WW1. He was a post office manager in Londonderry and is buried in Wiltshire. He was forty three I believe and I guess must have volunteered. He was in the postal service from a young age and worked his way to manager, this was quite a different career to the others in the family who were shirt factory specialists and managers. As yet we do not know if he was wounded and taken to England where he died in hospital or had contracted an illness. He is buried in St John's churchyard Sutton Veny in Wiltshire. We know the date of death but not when his injury/illness occurred and it would be wonderful to find out. does anyone know how to find this out?

    Alison Allen




    225167

    Pte. Patrick O'Sullivan 6th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.29th Sep 1918)

    Patrick O'Sullivan was conscripted sometime in early 1916. He was wounded on October of that year and sent home to recover. His only daughter was born in March 1916. He died of his wounds near the village of Moeuvres (northern France) during the attack on the Canal du Nord. He is buried in the village of Ficheux.

    Richard




    225165

    Pte. Sidney Phillips 11th Btn. Notts and Derby Regiment (d.27th April 1917)

    I know very little of my uncle Sidney Phillips. His brother Charles Edgar Phillips in the Royal Warwickshire Rgt was also killed in action on 9th October 1917.

    Nicholas Phillips




    225162

    Pte. Daniel Clarke 12th (Pioneers) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.25th May 1918)

    Daniel Clarke was born on July 30th, 1896 in Duffield, Derbyshire, the second son of Dan and Sarah Elizabeth Clarke. In the 1911 census of Little Bridge street, Derby, Daniel is listed as aged 14 years and working in a factory as a Gimper.

    Daniel died on the 25th of May 1918 from wounds incurred on the battlefield and is buried in the Commonwealth war graves Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

    Harvey Tite




    225157

    Pte. Aylmer Allsworth Davison 1/28th (Artists Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.25th June 1918)

    Aylmer A. Davison was my maternal grandfather. He was the son of Robert & Frances, born Rainham, Kent 1890. Brother to Eliza (b 1882) & George (b 1885). Husband of Ethel Alice (nee Conley). Father of Kathleen, Edith (later West).

    Aylmer enlisted at Newington, 1917, aged 26. He was originally posted to 11th (Lewisham) Batn, Royal West Kent Reg, Private G/25239. He served in France then Italy. On 16th March 1917 Batn was disbanded and Aylmer was reposted Private S/48484 1/28th Batn London Reg (Artists Rifles).

    He was killed, or died of wounds on 25th June 1918, aged 27, at Albert, France. He is buried in Mailly-Maillet Cemetery, Picardy.

    Peter West




    225156

    Sgt. Wilfred Tame 3rd Btn Worcestershire Regiment

    Wilfred Tame was my Grandad and died when I was young. I know he served in the Balkans and France and I think India.

    Steven Tame




    225153

    Pte. William John Major 2nd Btn Northampton Regiment (d.9th May 1915 )

    William John Major was the fifth child of 7 born to Timothy Humphrey Major and Anne Elizabeth Ayres, born in 1887 in Falcutt, Northamptonshire. Around 1893 Anne, William's mother left the family and moved to Derbyshire and then Yorkshire with another man, leaving Timothy to bring up all the children with the help of the eldest daughter Charlotte. In 1899 William got into trouble with the law and was arrested for larceny against Ann Franklin and consequently, because of the situation the family were in, was sent to Gem Street Industrial School in Birmingham. Following this he joined the British Army and in 1911 was serving with the Northamptonshire Regiment in Floriana Barracks in Malta. His service number was 9091.

    William died on 9th May 1915. He is commemorated at the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium

    Kathrina Perry




    225152

    Pte. Leonard Maltby 9th Btn Essex Regiment

    Leonard Maltby, son of George, lived at Selston, Notts and survived the war. He was discharged on 15th Feb 1919 after attending 2nd Scottish General Hospital in Edinburgh





    225151

    Pte. James McMunigal 16th Btn Royal Scots (d.9th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    James McMunigal died on the 9th of April 1917 in France and is now buried at Roclin Court Valley Cemetery. He left behind and mother and family who served, but had no children of his own. We didn't discover his grave until 2008/9.

    Sara Taylor




    225150

    Pte. Walter Ainger Brooks 2nd Btn. (d.31st July 1917)

    I recently found out while tracing family relatives that my great uncle, Walter Brooks, was killed in WW1 at Ypres. I knew of him, but had no idea he had been killed in WW1. My mother, his niece, was born the same month he died. I have been on many battlefield tours in recent years and visited the Menin Gate at Ypres a couple of years ago and am sad that I didn't know then that my great uncle was killed at Ypres and is mentioned on Panel 9 and 11 at the Menin Gate Memorial.

    Veronica Bowers




    225148

    Pte. Francis Baker King 20th Btn Att. 141st TM Bty. London Regiment (d.26th May 1918)

    Francis King was a 23-year-old bachelor, working in a jewellers on Oxford Street, London. He was the son of Frederick Robert King and Julia Caroline Rutter. Francis had been attached to 141st T M Battery. He is buried in Montigny, Somme, France.





    225147

    A/Sgt. William Arthur Weedon DCM/ 1st Btn. Royal Fusiliers Regiment

    Billy Weedon was 19 years of age and on manoeuvres with the 1st Royal Fusiliers in Fermoy in Ireland when war was announced. He wrote a manuscript which I have inherited detailing incidents with the 1st Royal Fusiliers in France and Belgium from 9th September 1914 to 23rd August 1916. On 23rd August 1916 during the Battle of Guillemont he was severely injured and was returned to England and to Exeter Hospital where he had his right leg and arm amputated. In his manuscript he mentions several individuals including officers and fellow colleagues.

    Billy died on 29th October 1969 in Braishfield, Nr. Romsey, Hampshire.

    John Kemp




    225146

    C.S.M. Stewart Morrow 8th Btn Royal Irish Rgt (d.10th July 1916)

    Stewart Morrow died on 10 July 1916 from wounds received

    Richard Waring




    225145

    Elsa Brandstrom

    <p>

    Elsa Brandstrom, was the daughter of the Swedish ambassador to Tsar Nicholas II and was in Russia during the outbreak of WWI. Determined to help, she volunteered and put her nursing skills to use with the Russian army.

    In 1915, Brandstrom was in Siberia treating German prisoners of war with the Swedish Red Cross. Matters got more complicated when her Russian work permit was revoked, but that didn’t stop her. Brandstrom continued traveling to Siberia illegally for two years, until the Russian authorities arrested her in Omsk in 1920. Upon her release, she went back to Sweden and launched a campaign to help POWs. Her efforts included fundraising and founding a children’s home with room for more than 200 orphans. Eventually, she married and moved to the United States. But even there she dedicated herself to helping German and Austrian refugees.

    s flynn




    225144

    Linnie Leckrone Nursing Corps

    <p>

    Linnie Leckrone was was part of a small gas and shock team who worked tirelessly in France during the war. Despite displaying extraordinary bravery caring for the wounded in the face of a tooth-rattling artillery attack, her return home went unmarked. There was no parade and no welcome-home ceremony.

    Although Leckrone was going to be awarded a Citation Star for her efforts, she was discharged from the army before it was formally presented. Her courageous service was finally recognized posthumously in 2007, when her daughter Mary Jane Bolles Reed accepted a Silver Star in her place. The Silver Star is the third-highest award for bravery granted by the U.S. military, and Linnie Leckrone was one of the first three women to receive it.

    s flynn




    225143

    Lenah Higbee Nursing Corps

    <p>

    Lenah Higbee was one of the first nurses to join the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps when it was established in 1908. This move required sacrifice and perseverance, as many members of the Navy considered female nurses unwelcome pariahs, indeed, they were not even given rank.

    Lenah Higbee gave navy nursing her all and was quickly appointed Chief Nurse. A few years later, she was promoted to Superintendent of the Nurse Corps, the second woman to hold the position. She was the first female to be awarded the Navy Cross, for her unusual and conspicuous devotion to duty during WWI. And after her death, a naval combat ship was named USS Higbee in her honor. It was the first time a naval vessel had been named after a female service member.

    s flynn




    225142

    Pte. William Little Gilchrist 1/8th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    William Gilchrist was 41 years of age when he was killed in France. His parents were Robert and Mary Gilchrist of Glasgow, Scotland.

    Robert Gilchrist




    225141

    Col.Sjt. Hamilton McMillen 11th Btn Royal Welch Fusiliers

    <p>

    Colour Sergeant Hamilton McMillen had an extremely brief World War 1 military career. He enlisted at Wrexham on 14 September, marched in to the 11th Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 17 September and was discharged medically unfit on 29th of September.

    Others may have had shorter careers but Col Sgt McMillen probably had better reason -- he was 63 years old and had originally answered the call to the Colours in 1872. When Lt Roger Shickland of 4th Kings Own Royal Lancahire Regiment witnessed his attestation signature, Col Sgt McMillen had been retired for 20 years after service with 31st Foot in Malta, Gibraltar, South Africa and Mauritius and with Royal Inskilling Fusiliers in Hong Kong and Singapore. He'd completed his service as an instructor with The Liverpool Regiment, a role he'd been looking forward to with 11 RWF.

    Col Sgt McMillen's brother Joshua, who'd joined the 31st Foot in 1866 and served until 1894 also re-enlisted for World War 1. He was accepted and served throughout the War as a Quartermaster.

    Ian Edwardson




    225136

    Pte. Charles Serrels 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    <p>Charles Serrels 2nd from left at Gosport in 1914

    Charles Serrels was a piper with 1st Battalion of Royal Scots Fusiliers. He joined on 20th Nov 1907 and was honourably discharged on 19th Feb 1919 due to disability having been gassed twice in WW1.

    Discharge form

    Discharge Certificate

    Meg Gilbert




    225135

    Pte. Thomas John Legg 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    Thomas Legg arrived in France on the 21st of August 1914. He was taken prisoner of war in August 1914 to and held throughout the conflict.

    s flynn




    225134

    Pte. Arthur F. Pipe Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry

    Arthur Pipe arrived in France on the 21st Aug 1914. He also served with the Devon Regiment, Service No. 19696 and Hampshire Regiment, Service No. 28941

    s flynn




    225133

    AM3. Alfred William Degg

    Alfred Degg enlisted on the 28th of Feb 1917 in the Royal Flying Corps. He embarked for France in October 1917 and remained overseas until discharge. He was the son of Alfred Joseph and Elizabeth (née Bostock) Degg of Rugeley, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    225132

    A/Cpl. John Deacon 11th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.9th Nov 1918)

    John Deacon signed his attestation on the 7th of Aug 1915. His age given as 19 years 4 months. (He was actually only 16 years and 2 months of age.) He was a Carter by trade. He was posted to 11th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment on the 22nd of June 1916 which moved to Rugeley Camp on Cannock Chase as a Reserve Training Battalion. John served until the 20th of Sept 1916 when he was discharged for serving under military age.

    He rejoined in July or August 1917 aged 18 years 1 month. Giving his trade as Tanner He served in the reserve with 53rd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment until he died of pneumonia on the 9th of Nov 1918. He is buried in Colton, Staffordshire. He was the brother of George Deacon

    s flynn




    225131

    Drvr. George Deacon Army Service Corps

    George Deacon sigbned his attestation on the 11th of December 1915 in Rugeley. Aged 18 years 3 months, he was a Coachman & Gardener by trade. He served in Salonica from the 3rd of January 1917 and suffered from malaria in June 1918 and again in Sept 1919. He was discharged on the 3rd of January 1920. He was the son-in-law of Henry and Frances Parker, being married to their daughter Constance A Parker, who was the sister of Thomas Parker and Bill Parker, who also both served.

    s flynn




    225130

    William Arthur Parker

    William Parker enlisted on the 19th of June 1918 aged 17 years 11 months he was a Electric fitter by trade. He transferred to Royal Air Force Reserve on the 19th of November 1919. Son of Henry and Frances (née Upton) Parker of Rugeley, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    225129

    A/Cpl. Thomas Henry Parker 2nd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.6th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Before the war, Thomas Parker had territorial service with North Staffordshire Regiment, No. T958 He attested in Birmingham on the 15th of November 1915, age 25 years & 1 month. Giving his trade as Policeman (Birmingham). Thomas was appointed Acting Corporal on the 24th of November 1915 and on the 16th of August 1916, embarked onboard the SS Archangel at Southampton. Disembarking at Rouen the following day. He joined 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the field in France in the Somme battle sector on the 21st. He was killed in action on the 6th of November 1916, aged 26 and is buried in London Road Cemetery, High Wood, Somme. He was the son of Henry and Frances (née Upton) Parker of Rugeley, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    225127

    Pte. David Lewis 9th Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.25th Sep 1915)

    David Lewis, born in Wales, resided in Wigan, England. Slaughtered and died at Loos, France, 25th September, 1915. A total waste. He left a young wife and four children, the youngest child a daughter he never saw, a daughter who never knew her father. His three teenage sons were left to pretty much look after themselves.

    Howard Lewis




    225086

    2nd Lt. Herbert Edward Webb MID. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    My paternal grandfather, Herbert Webb was a Colour Sargeant in the 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment who was seconded to the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers on the 2 May 1916 He was seconded to improve the discipline of the 5th Battalion, until the 30 October 1917 when he was transferred back to the 4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment as a Second Lieutenant. He was promoted to this rank on the 14th of October 1917. He was mentioned in dispatches for something before he was transferred back to the Yorkshire Regiment, though I do not know what it was for - Schappe-Balie 26th of October 1917?

    James Webb




    225084

    Pte. Albert Edwin Smith 2/5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    Extract taken from the diary my Grandfather, Albert Smith kept whilst in captivity:

    "18th of April 1918: Captured on 15.4.1918 near Bailleul along with two other Signallers. Stayed in a farm over night and was stretcher carrying. Moved under armed escort from Armentiers to Citadel Barracks in Lille. I have met some very nice Germans and am sorry to confess that in many instances I have received better treatment and had more consideration shown at the hands of the Germans than I have had from my own countrymen....

    .... There have been many fatigues to the hospitals and stations stretcher carrying. I have been on each and going on those broke the monotony and melancholy spirit I had felt coming over me since I first came here, but going along the streets seeing civilians who used to greet us with smiles and oft times with gifts and one thing one ought not to fail to notice, the little children, sweet innocents standing and throwing kisses (God bless them) Ah! They know not the horrors of war though they for nigh on four years have lived within the sounds of the guns. May they be spared the experiences through which I and others have passed."

    My Grandfather was being moved along with hundreds of other prisoners of war on 10.11.1918 from Brussels to Louvain. Whilst marching though a town he was approached by some youngsters asking if he wanted to escape. Having said he did, due to the low number of German soldiers escorting them, he was told to wait until the column was going round a bend so the view of the soldiers was reduced. The youngsters crowded round him and rushed him down a side street. The story goes he was taken to a grand house, which turned out to be owned by one of the ladies in waiting to the Queen of the Belgians. The following day the armistice was signed!

    I would certainly welcome confirmation of the details relating to the last section, the address listed in the diary is 60 Rue Billiard, although it is unclear whether this was the address he originally went to. As with a lot of other men, my Grandfather never spoke in detail of his experiences.

    Nigel Smith




    225082

    Pte. Joseph Hodson 13th Btn. Kings (Liverpool Regiment) (d.15th Oct 1916)

    Joseph Hodson enlisted with the North Staffordshire Regiment, Service No. 25927 He was killed in action on the 15th of October 1916, aged 32 and is buried in Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Somme, France. He was married with 3 children and was the son of William and Alice Helena (née Taylor) Hodson of Elmhurst, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    225081

    Pte. William Hodson Hampshire Regiment

    Bill Hodson is known to have been wounded. He was the son of William and Alice Helena (née Taylor) Hodson of Elmhurst, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    225080

    Gnr. Harold Victor Hackett Royal Field Artillery

    Harold Hackett was wounded and awarded a Silver War Badge He was the son of James and Catherine (née Allcott) Hackett of Walsall.

    s flynn




    225079

    Gnr. Eric James Hackett 2/2nd South Midland Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Eric Hacket attested on the 19th of October 1915 and served in Salonica. He was taken gravely ill, in November 1918. He was the son of James and Catherine (née Allcott) Hackett of Walsall.

    s flynn




    225078

    Spr. Albert Edwin Hackett 92nd Field Company Royal Engineers (d.2nd July 1916)

    Albert Hackett enlisted in Stafford. He was sent to France to join the British Expeditionary Force on the 28th of July 1915 and was killed in action on the 2nd of July 1916, aged 27. he is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery, Somme, France and was the son of John Hackett and Florence of Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire

    s flynn




    225077

    Pte. Albert Harry Hackett Army Service Corps

    Albert Hackett enlisted on the 8th of February 1915 and joined the British Expeditionary Force on the 3rd of December 1915. He was wounded and was sent back to England on the 9th of February 1916. He was discharged due to this wound on the 12th of April 1916 and was awarded a Silver War Badge.

    s flynn




    225076

    Act/Cpl. Percy James Hackett 11th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.4th Dec 1915)

    Percy James Hackett joined the British Expeditionary Force in France of the 6th of October 1915. He died of Wounds on the 4th of December 1915 and is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery, France. He is listed in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, son of Joseph & Jane (née Richards) Hackett of Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    225075

    Sgt. Joseph Richard Hackett MID. 2/6th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Joseph Hackett enlisted on the 2nd Dec 1915 he joined the British Expeditionary Force on the 12th Oct 1916. He was mentioned in Despatches, published in the London Gazette Sixth Supplement dated Tuesday 8th July 1919 He was the son of Joseph & Jane (née Richards) Hackett of Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    225013

    Pte. Peter Whitlie 2nd Btn Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.23rd April 1917)

    Peter Whitlie joined the 3rd battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers on the 26th June 1916 and then transferred on 5th October 1916 to the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was posted to France on 5th Oct 1916. Between 26th March and 14th April 1917 he was attending a course at the School of Cookery. He returned to the 2nd Battalion RSF on 15th April and was killed in action on 23rd April 1917. His name is on the missing at Arras memorial.

    He was married with three young children. The youngest was born 24th April 1916. He was married at Paxton on 28th Dec 1912. The family lived at Ayton when Peter was called up. His widow was awarded a pension of 26/3 a week for herself and three children. She spent some months trying to get this. The local vicar wrote on her behalf.

    Diane Taylor




    225012

    Pte. Percy Hackett 2/5th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    Percy Hackett enlisted in February 1916, aged 18 yrs 4 mths He began training on the 10th of May 1916 and went to Dublin in July 1916. He joined the British Expeditionary Force on the 25th Feb 1917 serving right through the war. He was one of five sons of Arthur & Alice (née Trickett) Hackett of Shenstone, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    225011

    Pte. Cecil Hackett 2nd Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) (d.28th May 1917)

    <p>

    Ceal Hacket enlisted in Lichfield. He died of Wounds sustained in a trench raid north of Loos, on the 28th of May 1917 aged 20 and is buried in Philosophe British Cemetery at Mazingarbe, France. He was one of Five sons of Arthur & Alice (née Trickett) Hackett of Shenstone, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    225007

    Pte. Anthony Hackett 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Anthony Hackett enlisted in Birmingham on the 2nd of May 1915 aged 22 yrs & 6 months. He is listed as serving at home from 25th Oct 1915 to 2nd May 1916 and joined the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 4th of May 1916. On the 11th of October 1916 he suffered a gun shot wound to the elbow during the Battle of Bapaume on the Somme. He was transferred to hospital in the UK on the 19th of October 1916 and was medically discharged on the 24th of April 1917. A Silver War Badge was awarded on the 17th of June 1917. He was one of Five sons of Arthur & Alice (née Trickett) Hackett of Shenstone, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    225006

    Gnr. Arthur Hackett 142nd (Durham) Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Arthur Hackett was one of five sons of Arthur & Alice (née Trickett) Hackett of Shenstone, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    225005

    Pte. David Hackett 1st Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.19th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    The 1911 census shows David Hackett serving with 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment at Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight aged 20 He had enlisted in Birmingham. When war broke out he was in Egypt with the battalion, and returned home then arrived in France with the British Expeditionary Force on the 5th of November 1914 He was wounded in the area of Aubers in France in June 1915. David is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. He was one of five sons of Arthur & Alice (née Trickett) Hackett of Shenstone, Staffordshire.

    s flynn




    224984

    Pte. Arthur Leslie Roland Child 19th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Arthur Child served with the Post Office Rifles.

    Keith Wright




    224980

    Sgt Harry Shirley Foulsham 6 Squadron

    Shirley Foulsham joined the army on 21st October 1914 serving with the City of London Yeomanry. He transferred to RFC in 1916 and was a Sergeant Observer and aerial gunner on photographic reconnaissance, flying in RE8 aircraft with 6 squadron in Belgium. I have aerial photographs taken by him. He is in a photograph on this website with a sergeant pilot/navigator wearing goggles under the details of Hector Cameron Gardner.

    Shirley Foulsham, who was my father, was shot down on 3rd September 1917 and captured near Menin with a machine gun bullet in his left wrist and taken to Courtrai Hospital for 3 days before going to Magdeburg Hospital in Germany as a p.o.w. from 9th September. He was repatriated on 12th January 1918. He was debriefed on arrival in UK and the record is in the National Archive Ref: WO/161/100/112. He convalesced on a farm in Stradbroke, Suffolk where his father had been a dispensing chemist. He married Martha Catling who was the farmer`s eldest daughter. He later became a representative for Fisons Fertilisers. In WW2 he became a Captain in the Home Guard and a town, district and county Councillor and JP. He died on 9th December 1972.

    Peter Foulsham




    224979

    Cpl. Joseph Fitzsimmons 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    Joseph Fitzsimmons served with the 2nd Coldstream Guards. I am doing research for our local Maritime museum at Maryport and have been given copy from a Newspaper at the time: "Grasslot Man's Appeal From the Trenches. Big Guns Remind Him of the Bells. Corporal Joseph Fitzsimmons of the 2nd Battalion the Coldstream Guards, and formerly of Grasslot in a further letter to his friend, Mr. R. Edgar, Grasslot says he spent Christmas and New Year in the trenches. On New Years Eve the bullets were flying, and the guns singing over the trenches put him in mind of the bells ringing in England. He is now a few miles back from the firing line having a rest after being in the trenches for two weeks. They had a hot time again, and lost a lot of men. They were up to the waist in mud and water, and had to stick it all the time. The Germans were only 50 yards away in some places, and tried very hard to make the British leave their trenches by throwing bombs into them. "But," says Corporal Fitzsimmons, "that did not matter we stuck in like real old British soldiers who never say die. The trenches were in a turnip field and they were flooded out with water. We had to wade among it all the time and it rained very nearly every day, and was very cold as well. Corporal Fitzsimmons goes on to state that he received a parcel of socks from the mission at Grasslot for which he is very grateful. He expresses his pleasure that Mr. Edgar's brother has enlisted, and mentions that his own brother is now in France, though he has not seen him yet. He has seen nobody he knows from Maryport yet, though he looks out for them every day. In his few leisure moments in the trenches Corporal Fitzsimmons composed the following verses. Coming straight from the battlefield, written to the awful music of the guns, they make a splendid appeal by one who has been at the front from the very first, and has engaged in some of the hardest fighting :-
    • When you're drinking your tots of whisky,
    • And you're smoking your fat cigar,
    • And your eyes have brightly twinkled
    • At the girl behind the bar ; Just think of Tommy Atkins
    • In his cold wet trench of clay,
    • With nothing much to cheer him
    • But his rations for the day.
    • When you've discussed the latest victories
    • Of the Russians and the French,
    • When you've praised aloud our gallant troops
    • For fighting in the trench ;
    • When you've stated to your comrades
    • Your opinion of the fight
    • And look upon the prospect
    • In many a different light ;
    • Have you ever thought about yourself
    • And the bit that you could do ?
    • Has Kitchener to shout in vain -
    • "Your country has need of you !"
    • Put on you khaki uniform, And leave your feather bed ;
    • They can never say you shirked it
    • When Danger lay ahead.
    Sat. 9th January"

    Paul Simcocok-Young




    224975

    Pte. Herbert John Proudfoot Wall 9th Btn. Durham Light Infanty (d.21st July 1918)

    Herbert Wall was the son of James and Mary Wall of Cley, Norfolk; husband of H. S. May Wall, of Salthouse, Holt, Norfolk.

    Mike Fry




    224969

    CSgt. Caleb Warham Royal Marines Artillery

    A report from The Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel of 31st of October 1914:

    “Colour Sergeant C. Warham of the Royal Marine Artillery of The Vine Hotel, Halmerend, relates his experiences:

    Colour Sergeant Warham stated that when they arrived at Ostend, the populace was in a state of ferment. The enemy had been 12 miles off, but had been repulsed by the Gendarmes. He was one of a few who had been selected to work with Commander Samson, the daring aviator, and Sergeant Warham’s company manned his armoured motor cars.

    On several occasions they had patrol actions in France, and had encountered Uhlans, whom they killed or captured. During their stay in France, they visited the towns of Arras, Douai, Bethune, Lens and Hazebrouck, but were suddenly called to proceed from the latter place to Antwerp.

    Sergeant Warham was very much impressed by the enthusiasm of the people on their arrival there. He has a rifle, and several trophies of interest, captured from the Uhlans and German Hussars.”

    Caleb Warham was born in 1868 at Audley and lived with his wife, Florence, and son Gilbert at The Vine Hotel at Halmerend, where he was the licensee. He had worked as a coal miner before joining the Royal Marine Artillery. Caleb had been discharged on the completion of his service in 14 March 1907 and at the outbreak of the war was a pensioner when he was mobilised. RMA/2569 Colour-Sergeant Caleb Warham, Royal Marine Artillery served with the R.M.A. Battalion at Ostend between 27th and 31st of August 1914 and also deployed to Antwerp with the R.N.A.S. Armoured Car Section. He was issued with his 1914 Star from R.M.A. Eastney on 8 March 1919, and with the clasp and roses for his 1914 Star on 21 April 1923, by which time his service number had changed to 12948 on the amalgamation of the R.M.A. and the Royal Marine Light Infantry. Caleb died at Basford in December 1939.





    224968

    Pte. Frank Preston 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.26th Oct 1914)

    Private Frank Preston, of the 2nd Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, was killed on 26 October 1914 while his battalion was holding positions east of Festubert. Six days earlier, at Les Trois Maisons, he had distinguished himself during the fighting despite being only eighteen years old.

    His death was reported in The Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser on 20 November 1914:

    “News has been received in Leicester from the War Office of the death of Private F. Preston, of the Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action in France on October 26th. Preston, who was only 18 years of age, was referred to recently as the baby of his company. When in action on October 20th, after the officers had been shot down, he ordered his comrades to fix bayonets, and led them in a charge which completely routed the enemy. For his brave act he was recommended for reward for distinguished conduct.”

    The following day, one of the local newspapers in his home town, The Leicester Chronicle, printed a more detailed article about Private Preston:

    “The War Office has notified Mrs Clarke, of 76, Bolton Road, Leicester, that her son, Private Frank Preston, of D Company, 2nd Manchester Regiment, was killed in action on October 26th in France. It will be remembered that Private Preston, who was only 18 years of age, and was known as the “baby” of the company, led a gallant bayonet charge of the Manchesters on October 20th, and for this act was recommended for distinction.

    The story of how Preston led the bayonet charge was told by a wounded corporal of D Company of the 2nd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, who said:

    It was on the 20th of October; the Germans were all around us, and our trenches had been enfiladed by their fire. First our lieutenant was wounded, and then the sergeant, and we were left without a single officer in command of the platoon.

    Whilst we were wondering what to do, Private Preston, a lad of 18, known as the “baby” of the company, threw up his cap, and, with a ringing cheer, yelled: “Fix your bayonets, lads.” We did so and charged the advancing Germans. Preston was in the act of bayoneting one German, when the latter shouted: “For God’s sake, don’t stick me.” “It’s too late,” replied the youngster, “it’s through you.” That young fellow has been recommended for distinction,” concluded Corporal Isherwood.

    The above thrilling story was told at Cardiff early in November at a time when Preston had already found a soldier’s grave. Heartfelt sympathy will be extended to the mother, who, naturally, was exceedingly proud of the fact that her son’s bravery had been recognised.”

    Sadly, Private Preston’s gallantry was not recognised and no award was forthcoming. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.





    224967

    A/CSM. Leonard Gillborn DCM 1st Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Nov 1914)

    Acting Company Sergeant-Major Leonard Gillborn D.C.M. served with the 1st Battalion, The Northumberland Fusiliers, and was regarded with admiration by many ranks in 3rd Division for his conduct during the fighting for Herenthage Chateau on 15th November 1914.

    Lieutenant William la Touche Congreve, an officer of The Rifle Brigade who served on the staff of 3rd Division as an Aide de Camp to the General Officer Commanding, noted in his diary that Gillborn had accounted for eight German snipers in the space of twenty-four hours, many at the close range of under fifty yards. He also recorded how Gillborn had led a party of fifty “stormers” from the 5th Fusiliers as they counter-attacked and recaptured the Chateau and the stables, remarking that it was: “A good show and, my word, what a relief it was to us.” Gillborn was mortally wounded during the assault and died later that same day.

    His death was reported in The Nottingham Evening Post on 30 November 1914:

    “News has been received by Mrs Gillborn, of 11, Addington Road, Nottingham, of the death at the front of her son, Company Sergeant-Major Leonard Gillborn, of the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. The deceased, who was only 29 years of age, served for some time with his regiment in India and has gained promotion since he has been in the fighting line. The distinguished conduct medal was bestowed upon him by the Commander-in-Chief for conspicuous bravery in the field, and Sir Douglas Haig added his congratulations on what he termed “a well-earned reward,” and expressed his regret that the gallant soldier did not survive to receive it."

    The commanding officer of the Northumberland Fusiliers wrote to his mother expressing his sympathy:

    “Your gallant son was my acting company sergeant-major. On the night of the 15th November he very gallantly led a charge with 50 men of the company and succeeded in capturing two trenches and a stable which were held by the Germans. By his death the battalion has lost a gallant non-commissioned officer, and I feel that I have lost my right hand man, and a true friend. Enclosed is a copy of the order, from which you will see that your son was awarded the medal for distinguished conduct in the field. No man more thoroughly deserved it.”

    Leonard Gillborn D.C.M. is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as a Company Quartermaster-Sergeant and not by the acting rank he held on the day he died. His mother, Maria, later lived at 30 Norton Street in Radford. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.





    224966

    Lt. Lionel Hope Hawkins att. 6th Dragoon Guards Kings Dragoon Guards (d.31st Oct 1914)

    Lieutenant Lionel Hope Hawkins, of the 1st (King’s) Dragoon Guards, was attached to the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) when he was killed during the fighting for Messines on 31st of October 1914. Captain P. M. A. Kerans, the Adjutant of the Carabiniers, wrote to the parents of Lieutenant Hawkins and described the circumstances in which their son had died:

    “It appears that after the enemy had penetrated our line a party was observed by him approaching the trench which he held with his troop. He ordered fire to be opened on them, but they shouted – ‘Don’t fire, we are the Scottish,’ and he ordered his men to cease fire, and himself bravely, but incautiously, got out of his trench and went towards them. He had gone about 30 yards when the Germans – for it was the Germans and not the London Scottish – opened fire, and he was seen to fall. Two men went out and brought him back to the trench, and it was seen he was badly wounded in the right side. He was removed to a place of comparative safety, but died soon afterwards.”

    After Hawkins had died, it was reported that his body had been left by a fence on the edge of a wood by his soldiers, who were unable to carry him back any further as they were under fire and had been ordered to retire. They had covered him with a blanket before leaving. Lieutenant Hawkins was aged 28 when he was killed and was the son of Mr J. T. and Mrs M. H. Hawkins, who lived at 90 Drayton Gardens in London. Lieutenant Hawkins is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.





    224965

    Pte. Henry Goodger 11th Hussars (d.3rd Nov 1914)

    From the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate and Cheriton Herald published on the 23rd of January 1915: "Pathetic interest attaches to a little book that has come into “The Herald” Office this week. It is a small notebook of French origin, containing the opening entries of the diary of a Hythe soldier, Private H. Goodyer (sic), 11th Hussars, the husband of Mrs Goodyer, of 33 Fort Road, Hythe.

    Beginning with the mobilization and departure from England in August, the notes cover the retreat from Mons, and the subsequent driving back of the enemy after the battle of the Marne. Incidentally it mentions the famous stand by “L” Battery of the Royal Horse Artillery. The diary breaks off at the end of October, with the death of the writer, who died on November 3rd from wounds received in action. It is pathetic to reflect that he evidently purchased the book in France with the intention of keeping a record of his experiences in the campaign and in the hope, no doubt, of bringing back to England with him as a memento of the great struggle, only to have his career cut short by a German bullet. The entries are as follows:-

    • August 5th – Mobilized at Dublin.
    • August 19th – (En)Trained at Maubeuge.
    • August 21st – Arrived.
    • August 22nd – On patrol, captured 17 Uhlans.
    • August 23rd – In Belgium, retired through Mons.
    • August 24th – Heavy firing around Avesnes 2 p.m., finished 9 p.m.
    • August 25th – Rear guard action.
    • August 26th – Under heavy shell fire.
    • August 27th – Very quiet.
    • August 28th – Retiring under heavy shelling.
    • August 29th – Rear guard action.
    • August 30th – Rear guard action.
    • August 31st - Rear guard action.
    • September 1st – Rear guard action. Surprised by enemy; 2 D.G.’s horses stampede. L. Battery cut up. Machine gun puts enemy’s guns out of action. Capture 11 guns.
    • September 6th and 7th – Rear guard action.
    • September 8th – Finish of retirement.
    • September 14th and 15th – Drove enemy out of Braine with heavy losses.
    • September 16th – Heavy shell fire. Lost five men, six horses. Purser had bandolier cut away by shell.
    • September 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th – Support in trenches, near chateau.
    • September 21st – Rest camp.
    • September 22nd to 27th – Big battle fought on hills.
    • September 28th – Still fighting on hills.
    • September 29th – Either side of Champagne valley. 1st Brigade resting in support.
    • September 30th – The same.
    • October 1st – The same.
    • October 2nd – The same.
    • October 3rd – Eight days’ march to left flank, “B” squadron.
    • October 8th – In support of French under heavy shell fire; one man wounded.
    • October 11th – Arrive Merville on French flank.
    • October 12th – Flank got in touch with enemy’s cavalry, doing flank patrols under heavy rifle fire. Drove enemy back.
    • October 13th – Went out 6 o’clock on officer’s patrol from -------. Surprised by enemy strongly entrenched. Got within 30 yards, retired. Officer killed, tried to get body; one man wounded, one missing, one horse shot; village shelled.
    • October 14th – Drove Germans back; infantry captures guns.
    • October 15th – The troops on outpost captured three Germans in farm; lost four men.
    • October 16th – Lying in support.
    • October 17th – Dismounted action, holding enemy in check till infantry come up.
    • October 18th – Support to guns in woods.
    • October 19th – The same.
    • October 20th – In trenches for the night. Pouring with rain. Horses came over on top of me.
    • October 21st – Still in trenches; 26 hours under shell and rifle fire.
    • October 22nd – In support in trenches. Shell fire during night.
    • October 23rd – Retired from trenches at 6 o’clock. Rest day.
    • October 24th – Rest day.
    • October 25th – In reserve in trenches under shell fire, big guns.
    The writer of the diary was H/1657 Private Henry Goodger, who served with the 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars. Goodger was wounded during the fighting at Messines on 30 October 1914 and died of his injuries in hospital, aged 31, at Boulogne on 3 November. He was the son of Louisa Goodger of 18 Milton Street in Worthing, and the late Lewis Goodger. Private Goodger is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery."





    224961

    William Clough 25th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    William Clough was my father's (Septimus Clough) brother from Haverton Hill in Middlesbrough. His mother was Irish from Cavan hence the Irish connection

    Brian Clough




    224953

    Pte. William George Welch 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    As a young girl, I heard the sad stories from my elderly grandmother (Doris) of how her father William Welch had died "at the front" in Flanders in 1918. She had been 15. They did not know exactly where he fell and never visited France. The effect on her as an only child and my great grandmother Minnie, was devastating and he was profoundly missed throughout their lives. I was delighted that my young son, Ben, through a school trip in 2013 was, thanks to the war graves commission, able to locate and visit William's grave at Grevillers British cemetery and to place some red roses there on behalf of the family. Prior to transferring to the 1st battalion, William had been posted from the 7th Bn East Lancs on 6th of February 1918 following a restructure. He died of gun shot wounds in number 3 casualty clearing station at Grevillers. RIP.





    224950

    Sea. George Samson VC. HMS Victory

    <p>

    Seaman George Samson was awarded his VC for his actions at Gallipoli. "The Carnoustie man, under heavy fire, helped the wounded during the landings in Turkey. He was hit over and over again, and when he returned to England, his body still contained a dozen pieces of shrapnel."

    s flynn




    224949

    Cpl. John Ripley VC. Black Watch

    <p>

    John Ripley of The Black Watch was awarded the Victoria Cross at the age of 47. He led a platoon charge in the trenches at Rue du Bois and "continued to hold the position until all his men had fallen and he himself was badly wounded in the head".

    s flynn




    224947

    L/Cpl. Robert McBeath VC. Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>

    Robert McBeath from Kinlochbervie lied about his age and joined The Seaforth Highlanders. In November, 1917 - a month before his 19th birthday - Lance Corporal McBeath charged a "nest" of German machine guns in Cambrai, armed with a Lewis Gun and revolver. With the help of a tank, he managed to put five of the deadly weapons out of action and captured 33 soldiers. His actions won him the Victoria Cross.

    s flynn




    224946

    Rflmn. Frederick John Dunkerton 16th (St Pancras) Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Sept 1916)

    Fred Dunkerton was born in Kilburn in Dec 1881. He was the eldest son of Frederick and Annie Charlotte Dunkerton of St Pancras, London, and brother to Archibald, Nelly, Arthur, Frank, Lotie & Violet.

    Philip Chisholm




    224945

    Pte. George Henry Meade Shropshire Light Infantry

    Harry Meade served with the Shropshire Light Infantry.





    224944

    Pte. William Henry Timms 3rd Btn. York and Lanccaster Regiment (d.7th Mar 1916)

    One of three brothers that died in the war, William Timms, of the York and Lancs died 7th of March 1916 aged 29; Thomas Timms Gunner RGA 58th Seige Battery died 30th of March 1917 aged 26; and Dyson Timms, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died on 27th of August 1918 Age 36.

    David Harvey




    224943

    Pte. John Allbert Rosher East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd March 1916)

    John Rosher died in the hospital on 3rd March 1916 of acute pulmonary tuberculosis. On his gravestone it says he died on 4th March 1916 age 29 but his death certificate says he died on the 3rd aged 28.

    John also lost a brother in WW1. His brother Charles William Rosher died on 1 July 1916. What a tragedy for their parents to lose two sons.

    Lynn Sharpe




    224942

    Pte. Frederick Hawker 7th Btn South Staffordshire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Frederick Hawker was killed in action on 9 August 1915 and has no known grave. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

    Grenville Chamberlain




    224941

    Lt. Denis Coyne Royal Field Artillery

    Denis Coyne was my grandfather. I am trying to find more information regarding his military record. My father has the certificate and OBE awarded to Denis Coyne who I believe was a Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery during WW1.

    Denis




    224938

    Pte. John Smelt 10th (1st Hull) Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th June 1916)

    John Smelt was born in Hull in 1895 to William and Eliza Smelt, one of eight children. Known as Jack, he was a war time volunteer joining the 10th (1st Hull) Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment in August 1914. He served in Egypt (on the Suez Canal) in 1915. In March 1916 he went France and served on the Somme front, in the trenches opposite Serre. He was wounded on the 4th June 1916 and died of his wounds the next day in a Casualty Clearing Station. He is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extention

    P J Stuffins




    224937

    Pte. John Long 19th Btn. E Company Lancashire Fusiliers

    John Long was my Nan's brother. He worked at Goodwins soap factory in Salford and joined the Lancashire Fusiliers as an underage soldier. He lived at 3 Tintern Street with his family prior to joining the army. His father Ernest Long wrote to the front line to inform his officers that he was fighting in the machine gun section and was not actually 18 until 19th July 1916; he had already been on the front line since November 1915. He actually said he was 19 and 8 months on enlisting. He was sent back from Etaples station to Bury barracks but returned to the front line as soon as he was of age. He fought right through the war even though he suffered trench fever and was treated in the field hospital. He spent 6 months as a German prisoner of war before returning home.

    Sadly he only lived to the age of 24 as he died from the effects of the gas over the years he fought. His father Ernest was by his side when he died in Salford Royal Hospital. His death certificate was dated 20th Sept 1922 and causes of death were pernicious anaemia and gastric haemorrhaging. So terrible that having fought so many battles and been a prisoner of war he should die such a painful death. We shall remember them.

    Mark Lawson




    224935

    L/Cpl William Lancastle 2nd Btn Royal Scots (d.14th Dec 1914)

    A Dalkeith Royal Scot Killed: "Intimation was made yesterday that Corporal W. Lancastle (No. 7012) , 2nd Battalion The Royal Scots, was killed in action at Petit Bois near Kemmel. Corporal Lancastle, who was 32 years of age, enlisted fifteen years ago, and as a reservist, was called up on the declaration of War. He had been at the front since September and saw a good deal of fighting. In one engagement he fell into the hands of the Germans, and was made a prisoner. He escaped after a fortnight and some time afterwards rejoined his own corps. Since he became a reservist he had been employed in a Dalkeith potato-warehouse, and also for some months at a local colliery." Scotsman 15th Jan 1915

    Calum Lancastle




    224933

    Pte. Elias James Kay 9th (Pioneers) Battalion Gordon Highlanders

    My great-grandfather, Elias James Kay, was a Lancastrian working at Denny's shipyard, Dumbarton, Scotland, when he joined the Gordon Highlanders in 1914. He was allotted to 9th Battalion, which was later designated as the Pioneer Battalion. After training at Aldershot and Haslemere in Hampshire and Perham Down in Wiltshire, the battalion, as part of 15th (Scottish) Division moved to France. There Elias saw service at Loos, some of the Somme battles, Arras, Third Ypres and many others.

    When the Pioneer battalions were reorganised Elias was transferred to the Division's 46th Brigade and 10th Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). It was with the Scottish Rifles that he was wounded and invalided home, never to return to combat.

    His father (also Elias) had died in 1916 and of Mrs Alice Kay's three other sons who had enlisted Harold, was also invalided home in November 1916 from 1/4th Loyals. John and Albert were bothkilled on the same day the 20th of September 1917 in the 'Passchendaele' offensive (Third Ypres) serving with 1/7th King's (Liverpool) Regiment.

    Elias married Alice Thompson in the last few months of 1917, perhaps when granted compassionate leave following the death of his brothers. He raised a family after the War (including my Nanna, Ena Elizabeth Kay) and served in the Admiralty Civil Police at a naval air base at Inskip during the Second World War. He had flecks of shrapnel leaving his body right up to his death in Preston in 1951. Elias was much-loved, his son Elias (known as Ellis) even inherited a love of the pipes from him.

    It has been a moving and illuminating process to trace Elias's wartime service and I have recorded the story in a book: "The Road Unknown - With Private Elias Kay and 15th (Scottish) Division in the Great War."





    224932

    Pte. Henry Charles Nation 1/5th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment

    <p>

    Henry Charles Nation was my grandfather, I never knew. The photograph I had given to me by my mother of her 'father' was of an English looking man. I only found out that Henry was my grandfather when I traced his death record and found that he had died in the County Asylum in Liverpool in 1941. With this information I went to the archives in Liverpool who managed to find a case file for him and a photograph. I knew I had Jamaican blood in me but thought it was several generations back, but looking at the photo of Henry I realised it was only one generation back.

    Henry had enlisted in July 1916. He had a wife and 3 girls. On his medal roll it says that Henry had been with the Kings Liverpool Regiment and had been demobbed in July 1919. It says in Remarks: "Medals forfeited under Art. 1236.B. of the Pay Warrant as amended by A.C. 298 of 1920". I'm not sure what that means! Henry returned home, but sometime in 1922 his wife and children left him, which was the final straw I believe for Henry. He ended his days in Rainhill County Asylum.

    Steve Nation




    224930

    2nd Lt. James Henry Fisher Clarke 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    I was given James Clarke's officer's sword and War Dept. death cert by my mother. My great uncle first went to France in 1914, he was injured in Ypres the top by machine gun fire at Friecourt at 14.30 on the first day of the Somme 1st of July 1916. He is buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery. I would love to find any photo's of him. I am his great nephew and have been researching him for a few months.

    Darren Morgan




    224926

    Rflmn. Charles William James Hester 1/17th Battalion London Regiment

    <p>

    Charles Hester served with the 17th Battalion, London Regiment.

    Peter Worley




    224922

    Sgt. Robert George Evans MM. 18th (2nd Liverpool Pals) Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.24th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Evans was born on the 3rd of April 1896. He enlisted on the 4th of September 1914. He was was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in action on 10th of October 1918 when he swam across a river to rescue a wounded friend despite heavy machine gunfire. On the 23rd of October 1918 he was hit in 3 places by shrapnel whilst attacking a village near La Foret. He died from wounds the following day and is buried in La Foret Communal Cemetery.

    Robert's brother, Pte William Evans born on the 6th of January 1898, also fought during WW1 and survived. William enlisted on 19th of January 1916 and followed Robert into The King's Liverpool Regiment. He was mobilised on 2nd of August 1916 and sent to France. At the beginning of July 1917, he suffered a shrapnel wound to the head. A nurse in the casualty clearing station wrote to let his parents know that he was very ill. He had a metal plate inserted into his skull and was discharged as being no longer physically fit for war service on 19th of October 1917. He was sent to Boscombe Military Hospital to recuperate. William's total service was 1 year 96 days, 247 days were served in France. William married May Hearn on 29th of September 1934 and had a successful career in the Civil Service.

    Robert Evans Headstone

    William Evans

    Mavis Peacock




    224920

    George Dodson Eagle 3rd Battalion Dorset Regiment (d.3rd April 1916)

    George Dodson Eagle was my grandfather, he was Harry Eagle's brother.

    If anyone is related to George Dodson Eagle or Harry Eagle, who came from Croxton by Thetford in Norfolk, and they want to get in touch with me, please do so.

    Stephen Clare




    224918

    L/Cpl. Arthur Dennis Shine 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.7th Jan 1916)

    Arthur Dennis Shine was my great granddad. He died in France on the 7th of January 1916 the family was told he was on a lorry carrying Arsenal to the front line, the truck blew up; as to it's reasons are unclear whether it was a crash or came under attack or unluckily got hit from an enemy shell. He is buried in Hannescamps Cemetry Pas de Calais, France. He had re-enlisted into the Royal Fusiliers, he previously served with the Royal Munster Regiment.

    Alan Shine




    224917

    Sgt. Alexander W. Forbes DCM. 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    Citation of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1914-1920, S/6948 Sgt. A.W. Forbes (Aberdeen). "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst commanding a platoon. The enemy posts in front of his platoon had not been knocked out by the artillery barrage. These he rushed at the point of the bayonet and accounted for many of the enemy. Then, with five machine guns against him and two thirds of his platoon becoming casualties, he led on through all opposition to the final objective, where he arranged his dispositions with great skill, gaining touch with the unit on his left and protecting his right flank, which remained in the air for some considerable time. (3.10.18)." I'm currently researching my grandfather's combat in WW1. I believe his DCM was from the first phase of the 1918 Battle of the Somme.

    Steve Forbes




    224914

    Nurse May Wale

    May Wale was a nurse at Wordsley Hospital, near Stourbridge, where she met her future husband Thomas Graham who was being treated for wounds received on 3rd June 1916 at Albert, France whilst serving with the 20th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Alan Graham




    224907

    Able Sea. Joseph Alexander Miller Hood Battalion (d.4th Feb 1917)

    My great granddad, Joe Miller, first enlisted for the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers on 4th of September 1914 as private 10696. He transferred to the RNVR on the 7th of September 1914 and joined Hood Battalion two days later. He was at Antwerp and must have managed to get out before the rest were interned for the rest of the war. He then went to Gallipoli where he was wounded with shrapnel in both his legs and was hospitalised in Malta.

    He rejoined Hood Battalion on the 24th of July 1915 but then had yellow jaundice. He rejoined Hood Battalion on the 2nd of December 1915 and was transferred to base depot at Mudros. He stayed there until arriving back in England from the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Forces on the 22nd of August 1916. He was drafted for the BEF on the 9th of October and joined Hawke Battalion on the 26th of November 196. He died on the 4th of February 1917 and is buried in Queens Cemetery Bucquoy, France.





    224905

    Pte. Matthew Cairns 25th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Apr 1917)

    My great uncle, Matthew Cairns, Northumberland Fusiliers, 25th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) was killed in action on the 26th of April 1917. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial

    Rosemary Sprakes




    224902

    Spr. Norman James Rushton 95th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Norman James Rushton served as Sapper 95th R.E. Field Company. I've been researching his service in Working with R.E. Sappers Museum. I have the War Diary leading to their orders transferring them to Italy and N.J. Rushton's military record.

    Chris Merkel




    224900

    Lt. Harold Bloom 12th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th Feb 1917)

    Lt. Harold Bloom, 12th Battalion, Yorkshire Regt was killed 14th February, 1917

    Mike Hutchinson




    224899

    L/Cpl. Alfred Law 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1915)

    My great uncle, Lance Corporal Alfred Law, was killed along with hundreds of commonwealth troops an attack at Chunuk Bair early on the Sunday morning.

    Dwayne Mcquaid




    224898

    A/Sgt. Leonard William Lewis MM 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    Acting Serjeant, Leonard William Lewis, from Midhurst was awarded The Military Medal whilst serving with 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment on The Western Front. The date of action for that award is unknown, but he was presented with his medal early in the following year.

    Kevin Mills




    224897

    John Hoy 68th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.17th Aug 1915)

    My great-grandfather, John Hoy, was killed in Gallipoli on the 17th of August 1915

    Barbara Groves




    224896

    Robert Edward Davies 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.31st Jul 1917)

    My great, Uncle Robert Edward Davies, was killed on the 1st day of Passchendale, 31st Jul 1917. He was in 16th battalion RWF. His cousin was killed on the same day, he was in the 15th battalion and killed in the same locality.

    Bob Hughes




    224895

    Sgt. Edward George Ryde 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.10th Mar 1915)

    At Neuve Chapelle on the 10th March 1915, D company, 15 Platoon 2nd Middlesex, under the command of Sergeant Edward George Ryde was the first over the top. (The only platoon commanded by a sergeant.) He died in the charge having reached the barbed wire. His body was found with his trenching tool trying to dig a hole. I have the letter from Quarter Master Sgt. Colleopy describing the moment.

    Robert Edward Taylor




    224893

    Pte. William Brown 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.7th June 1917)

    We know very little about my great uncle William Brown and his loss in 1917. We are planning a trip to Ypres and the Menin Gate in June 2017 to commemorate his loss.

    Roy Bowden




    224892

    Spr. Robert Hood 4 sect. 1st Australian Tunnelling Company

    Robert Hood (my grandfather) was from Scotland. He came to Australia in 1912 and settled in Sydney. He met my grandmother in Perth during their enforced extended stay after the HMAT Ulysses was damaged. He was promoted to CQMS and returned to Australia in May 1919, married my grandmother in Perth and moved to Sydney. Their daughter was born in August 1920 and Robert took his own life on 22nd September 1920. He had been very disturbed by the war.

    Ewen Hill




    224889

    L/Cpl. William Holmes 7th Btn. South Lancs Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers) (d.14th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    William Holmes was my great uncle and had previously served in the Boer War. He signed his attestation papers on 29th November 1915 in Hoylake, but was judged to be a class "B" soldier (due to suffering from haemorrhoids and bad teeth) and posted to the reserves on the same day.

    He was recalled to the colours on 14th June 1916 and his physical condition was recorded as being "good". In France, William was promoted to L/Corporal on 14th October 1916. He was reported as wounded and missing in action on the 14th November 1916. Sarah, William's wife, was notified officially on the 16th November 1917 that he had been killed in action a year earlier. William left a wife and seven children, a baby being born five days after his death.

    Andy Holmes




    224887

    Capt. Edward Neuville daCosta-Andrade MID. Royal Garrison Artillery

    At the outbreak of war in 1914, Edward daCosta-Andrade was commissioned as an artillery officer. He served on the French front from 1915 to 1917, first with a battery of 60-pounders and later with a group of counter-batteries on the Arras salient, where with Lawrence Bragg and others the exact position of the enemy's guns was tracked down with ingenious apparatus. He rose to the rank of captain, and was mentioned in dispatches; he was injured when a shell burst prematurely in a battery gun, and later when a sudden burst of gunfire caused a horse to shy and roll on him. In 1917 he returned to England to work for the Ministry of Munitions on explosives.

    Eric Mouillefarine




    224884

    L/Cpl. Andrew Fairlie 2nd Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.13th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Andrew Fairlie died aged 20 and is buried in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was born on 1st February 1898, the son of Mrs. J. Fairlie of 23 John Street, Ayr.

    S. Flynn




    224880

    Pte. William George Grange 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    William Grange volunteered in June 1916 at the age of 33. He was posted to the Western Front six months later. During his service he took part in the battles of Arras, Ypres, Messines, Cambrai and St. Quentin. He also saw much severe fighting at Peronne and Albert and in the retreat and advance of 1918, being wounded in action in the Mons sector in November 1918. He was sent home and on his recovery was demobilised in January 1919 holding the General Service and Victory Medals

    Derek Coleman




    224877

    Cpl. Sidney George Hindom 24th Btn Royal Fusiliers

    Sidney Hindom was taken prisoner after being wounded at Gullemont in July or August 1915. He was imprisoned at Hamelburg and repatriated to Holland 13th June 1918. A keen diver, he became the south coast diving champion regularly diving from the top of Thatcher rock off Torquay. He never fully recovered from his wound and he died in Exeter hospital in 1939.

    Alan Jackson




    224876

    Pte. Sidney William Hone 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.23rd Apr 1918)

    Sidney Hone was the son of George and Clara Hone of Drewitt's Cottages, Bridge St., Walton-on-Thames, husband of Christina T. Hone of 2 Dawlish Cottages, Thames St., Walton-on-Thames. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial.





    224874

    Pte. Randolph Galpin 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.16th September 1916)

    <p>

    Randolph Galpin's name is recorded on the village war memorial in North Cheriton, Somerset and on the Thiepval Memorial.

    S Fitzmaurice




    224869

    John Travis Cornwell VC HMS Chester (d.2nd June 1916)

    <p>

    John Cornwell was serving aboard HMS Chester during the Battle of Jutland when he was severely wounded. He remained at his post until HMS Chester retired from the action with only one main gun still working. According to one report: "Cornwell was found to be sole survivor at his gun, shards of steel penetrating his chest, looking at the gun sights and still waiting for orders".

    He was taken to Grimsby General Hospital and his family were informed that he was seriously wounded. John Cornwall died of his wounds on 2nd June 1916 and was buried at Manor Park Cemetery in London.

    In September 1916 Admiral David Beatty recommended that Cornwell for a posthumous Victoria Cross. "John Travers Cornwell, who was mortally wounded early in the action, but nevertheless remained standing alone at a most exposed post, quietly awaiting orders till the end of the action, with the gun's crew dead and wounded around him. He was under 16½ years old. I regret that he has since died, but I recommend his case for special recognition in justice to his memory and as an acknowledgement of the high example set by him."

    s flynn




    224868

    Sgt. Ross Tollerton Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    In 1914 Ross Tollerton was working in the Irvine Shipyard as an engine keeper, having left the army in 1912 following seven years service. As a reservist he was recalled to the Cameron Highlanders at the outbreak of war.

    On the 14th September the 1st Cameron Highlanders were involved in an attack on German lines and lost 600 men to machine-gun fire. Amongst the wounded was Lieutenant J. S. M. Matheson, Tollerton's commanding officer, who lay in full view of the German gunners. Without regard for his own life, and under heavy fire, Tollerton rushed towards him and carried him over his shoulder to a place of greater safety. Despite being wounded in the head and hand, he rejoined his company’s firing line and remained there until the order was given to retreat. Completely surrounded by the German army, Private Tollerton returned to Matheson and remained with him for 3 days, with only water to sustain them, until they were both rescued. Matheson who had been shot in the spine, survived the ordeal.

    Tollerton was awarded the Victoria Cross for his act of bravery. The medal was presented to Tollerton by King George V at a ceremony at Glasgow Green on 18th May 1915. His Citation reads: His citation reads: “For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 14th September at the battle of the Aisne. He carried a wounded officer under heavy fire as far as he was able to a place of safety, then, although himself wounded in the head and hand, he struggled back to the firing line, where he remained till his battalion retired, when he returned to the wounded officer and lay beside him for three days until they were both rescued.” Promoted to Sergeant, Tollerton returned to the Western Front and survived the war.

    s flynn




    224867

    Sgt. Frederick Holmes VC. 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    Soon after arriving in France with the British Expeditionary Force, Frederick Holmes was involved in fighting at Le Cateau. When Norman Woodcock was badly wounded, Holmes carried his comrade on his back for two miles until he reached some stretcher bearers. Holmes returned to his battalion to find many of them killed or wounded. He placed a wounded man on one of the horses of a artillery gun team and attempted to take him to safety. Unfortunately the man fell off and was lost in the dark. Soon afterwards Holmes was so badly wounded that he came close to having his leg amputated. For the bravery he showed at Le Cateau, Holmes was awarded the Victoria Cross. It was presented to him by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 13th January 1915.

    Holmes was promoted to Sergeant when he returned to the Western Front in October 1915. In December he was transferred to India and in March 1917 became a Second Lieutenant and sent to Mesopotamia, where he fractured his skull. No longer fit enough for active service, he worked in the Military Record Office in London.

    s flynn




    224866

    WO2. Herbert John Snell 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infanty (d.28th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    C.S.M. Herbert Snell served with the 1st Bn. DCLI and was wounded at the Battle of Le Cateau in 1914. He then served for most of the war with the 3rd Btn. in UK and only returned to France in 1918 to rejoin 1st Btn. He survived the German attack in April 1918, where he was involved in the defence of Hazebrouck. He was killed in the Action at La Becque of 28th June 1918. He is buried in the War Graves Cemetery in Thiennes, France.

    Later Grave Stone for CSM HJ Snell

    David Snell




    224865

    Pte. George Laird Taylor 8th Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.25th Sep 1915)

    George Laird Taylor was my great uncle. I knew about him from an early age because to the inscription on the family gravestone in my local church which listed him as "Killed in France 1915, Aged 17". It wasn't until recently, however, that I discovered this information contained an uncomfortable, but shockingly common, revelation - my uncle was under age when he died. The law (and British Army Regulations) at the time stated that to serve overseas a soldier had to be 19 years old, and yet his gravestone clearly stated he was only 17 when he died.

    Armed with the knowledge that "boy soldiers" of his age, and younger, were allowed or encouraged to join-up in order to fill the ranks of "Kitchener's Army" I started to look deeper. Using the excellent Commonwealth War Graves Commission website I was quickly able to confirm not only his unit, service number, date of death and the battle in which died but also the fact that his age was known to the authorities at the time.

    Further research indicated that sometimes families "rounded up" their son's ages on commemorative gravestones at home so I wanted to find out more by trying to find his true date of birth. Again, the CWGC site was invaluable as it not only gave great uncle George's full name but also that of his parents and his home address. Using that information I tracked down his birth date from the online records available from the Scottish National Archives. This confirmed he was born in July 1898 so was 17 years and 2 months old when he was killed.

    As a member of the 8th (Service) Battalion Black Watch my great uncle would have been only 16 when he joined up and still not 17 when it arrived in France as part of the 9th (Scottish) Division on 10th May 1915. Less than five months later he was killed in action on 25th September 1915 - one of the 500+ casualties his battalion suffered in the fighting round the formidable German stronghold called the Hohenzollern Redoubt during the Battle of Loos. The most famous casualty of the battalion in that action is probably Fergus Bowes-Lyon, an older brother of the future Queen and late Queen Mother Elizabeth who was killed on 27 September.

    Having found all that out, I am now looking for pictures so, hopefully, I can put a face to the name. I will be trying family but would appeal to anyone reading this who has connections to the 8th Battalion for anything they might have in terms of group photos or newspaper clippings that may have my great uncle in it. I live in the USA, but will be in Holland in the week before the 100th anniversary of his death. I intend to travel down to the area to "walk the ground" and pay my respects at the Loos Memorial to a man I never knew (and who has no known grave) but who died fighting in a war to protect the country I had the privilege to be born and grow up in.

    Douglas Herron




    224862

    Gnl. John Gort VC, MC, MID. Grenadier Guards

    <p>

    During the First World War General John Gort was Mentioned in Dispatches nine times and won the Military Cross. On 27th September 1918, Gort won the Victoria Cross at Canal du Nord.

    S. Flynn




    224858

    Pte. John Thomas Heaton 1st Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.16th Aug 1915)

    My great uncle John Heaton enlisted in the Coldstream Guards in November 1914 and was sent to the front on 4th of June 1915. He was killed at 2 am in the morning of 16th of August 1915 while engaged in 'special work' in no mans land.

    John was the son of Mr and Mrs. Heaton, Thompson Street, Padiham, Lancs. He was a footballer and played for Padiham F.C. and Burnley F.C. He is remembered on the Padiham war memorial and on the Burnley F.C. Memorial plaque. He is buried in Vermelles cemetery, aged 21.

    J.Saleh




    224855

    Pte. Charles Edward Ballard 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    My grandfather’s service record does not survive, but from other official documents I have been able to piece together a little of his war history. Charles Ballard volunteered on 19th October 1914 and attested at Chichester, which was the depot for the Royal Sussex Regiment . Christmas 1914 found him at the Connaught Barracks (Dover) undergoing final training with 3rd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment. He disembarked in France on 11th January, 1915 and joined the 2nd Btn. on 18th of January, 1915. He was originally a rifleman, but at some point was trained as a bomber, i.e. a specialist thrower of Mills grenades (bombs). This meant that he would go out on trench raids, unarmed except for his bombs, as part of a nine-man patrol (two each of throwers, bomb-carriers, bayonet-men, reserves and one sergeant or 2/Lt.) to attack enemy trenches in order to capture a prisoner; this was quite dangerous, and was usually done at night.

    His entire war was spent on the Western Front with 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment, which formed part of the 2nd Brigade in the 1st Division; he was transferred to Class Z of the Army Reserve (i.e. demobilized) on 10th February, 1919. As an aside, the 2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment had earned the name of the “Iron Regiment” from German prisoners taken on 1st November, 1914, because of its stout defence at the First Battle of Ypres.

    The 1st Division was selected to be a part of the Allied forces that occupied part of Germany, under the terms of the Armistice. The ‘March to the Rhine’ started on 17th November, 1918 and 2n Royal Sussex Regiment crossed into Germany on 17th December, 1918. C Coy celebrated its Christmas dinner at Witterschlick (Germany) on 27th December and afterwards enjoyed a regimental concert. I have assumed that my grandfather was there.

    From family research, I have discovered that he lost at least two relatives. The first was his cousin, Pte. Frederick G. Adams, L/10699, D Coy, 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (see his entry on this website). The family story passed down from my grandfather is that young Fred (d. 13th October, 1915 aged 17 years and 8 months) was shot in the head by a German sniper during his first week in the trenches at Loos.

    The second was his brother-in-law, Pte. Henry J. Mitchell, G/16053, 7th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment . Henry was killed in action on 5th April, 1918 (aged 21 years) and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

    Grandfather would not talk about the war, except the following three snippets passed down from my father. 1. He was one of only six in his company of about 200+ men to survive the war neither killed nor wounded. 2. He once killed 28 Germans in a trench attack. 3. He described No. 1 Field Punishment (tied to a wagon wheel) to my father.

    My grandfather had previously served with 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment as a regular soldier in 1902-5, and his time in the Reserve (9 years) had just expired in April 1914. I would assume that he knew when to keep his head down with regards to discipline, and would like to think that he was unlikely to have been a recipient of No. 1 FP. Lest we forget!

    John M. Ballard




    224854

    Sgt. George Pantling 3rd Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    George Pantling served with the 3rd Btn. London Rifles and went on to serve in the Second World War.

    Edward Pantling




    224845

    Gnr. Harry Watson MID D Bty. 211th East Lancs Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My father Harry Watson was Mentioned in Dispatches in 1918.(I have the original certificate.) He was involved in hand-to-hand fighting during the German Spring offensive nr Bucquoy. My dad would not speak of the war - I found out this info from a military researcher.

    My dad's brother was killed in WW1 but I know nothing of him except for an old photo. I always regret not asking enough questions when I was a young man. My dad's brother was named Edward. My dad did once mention to my brother that he also served in Gallipoli. I remember when I was a small boy dad talking about an incident where he had to put cloth round a horse's hooves so as not to make a noise. This didn't register with me then, but I have often thought since that it might have something to do with Gallipoli.

    Leonard Watson




    224844

    Tpr. John James Mansfield Lock Crewkerne Sqn 1st/1st West Somerset Yeomanry

    <p>

    698 Private John James Mansfield Lock was a Trooper with the 1st/1st West Somerset Yeomanry and Sapper 229th Brigade Signals Section, Divisional Signals Company Royal Engineers, 74th (Yeomanry) Division

    Jack Lock joined the West Somerset Yeomanry on the 3rd March 1913 at Crewkerne, Somerset. He attended two summer camps, with his own horse on Salisbury Plain in May 1913 and at Porlock in May 1914. The Regiment was embodied on the 5th August 1914 and was soon deployed to Essex on anti-invasion duties. The WSY finally deployed overseas in the infantry role, landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 9th October 1915.

    They were evacuated from Gallipoli with the rest of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force the WSY landed at Alexandria, Egypt on 31st of December 1915.

    The WSY served in Eygpt against a native rebellion and it was in January 1917 that the WSY became the 12th Battalion, The Somerset Light Infantry. On the 21st February 1917 Jack was transferred to the Royal Engineers as a member of the Brigade Signals Section. The 74th (Yeomanry) Division served with distinction in General Allenby’s Palestine campaign against the Turks and was still engaged in operations there when the German March 1918 offensive was launched on the Western Front. The Division was moved to France and part of the desperately needed reinforcements from Palestine. The Division was fully engaged in the final 100 days.

    Jack was discharged from the Army in July 1919 and returned to Somerset to become a farmer as many generations of his family had done before him. He passed away peacefully in his sleep in Sept 1979 when I was 12 years old. He talked briefly to me about his experiences, showing me a few photos from his time in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine. He never spoke of his service to my father his son and gave me his three campaign medals, still in their boxes having never been worn. He lost many of his good friends and was clearly deeply effected by his experiences, my Grandmother said he often experienced dreadful nightmares. As a Linesman in the Signals Troop it would have been his job to have repaired severed telephone lines, cut by artillery fire, often whilst still under fire.

    Nick Lock




    224843

    Sgt. Daniel Daly DSC, FMM.

    <p>

    Marine Sergeant Dan Daly entered World War I as one of the United States’ most famous soldiers, having already won the Medal of Honor on two separate occasions for his service during the Boxer Rebellion and the U.S. occupation of Haiti. The 44-year-old continued to write his name into the history books during June 1918’s Battle of Belleau Wood, a month-long offensive that was one of the first major World War I battles fought by U.S. troops. On June 5, Daly bravely extinguished a fire on the verge of igniting a cache of explosive ammunition. Two days later, as his Marines were being shredded by enemy machine gun fire, Daly urged them to leave their cover and counterattack by supposedly screaming the famous words, “Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?!”

    Daly’s near-suicidal courage was put on display once again on June 10, when he singlehandedly charged a German machine gun nest, killing its commander and taking 14 prisoners. That same day, he made several trips into “no man’s land” to drag wounded troops to safety. Daley was wounded later that month during a second solo rescue mission, and suffered two more injuries during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in October 1918. While he was again recommended for the Medal of Honor for his actions at Belleau Wood, the military balked at the prospect of any soldier receiving the award three times, and he was instead given the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Medaille Militaire. General Smedley Butler—himself a double Medal of Honor winner—would later describe Daly as, “the fightingest Marine I ever knew.”

    s flynn




    224842

    Edouard Izac MH. USS President Lincoln

    <p>

    Edouard Izac served on the USS President Lincoln. On the 31st of May 1918, a German submarine torpedoed his ship, as it sailed near the coast of France. Most of the crew managed to escape, but Izac was captured and taken aboard the U-boat for the journey back to Germany. Unbeknownst to his captors, Izac was the son of German-speaking immigrants, and he used his knowledge of the language to collect vital information on German submarine operations.

    Determined to get this intelligence to the Allies, Izac later made several failed escape attempts, including once diving out the window of a moving train. He finally pulled off a successful jailbreak in October 1918, when he scaled the barbed wire fence of his prison camp, stopping along the way to draw fire from the guards to allow other prisoners to flee. Izac spent the next several days sneaking through hostile territory and living off the land before swimming the Rhine River into the safety of neutral Switzerland. Though his information ultimately proved of little use so late in the war, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1920, and went on to serve several years in Congress. At the time of his death in 1990, he was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War I.

    s flynn




    224841

    Mjr. Charles Whittlesey MH. 77th Division

    An attorney by trade, Charles Whittlesey later made his name as the uncompromising commander of the so-called Lost Battalion, an American unit that became stuck behind German lines. On 2nd of October 1918, the bookish and bespectacled Whittlesey led his men into hostile territory as part of a coordinated offensive in the Argonne Forest. But due to poor communication, his unit crossed the rough terrain too swiftly and was soon cut off and enveloped by German forces.

    Whittlesey’s nearly 600-strong force dug in and established a makeshift defensive line. Despite being low on food, water and ammunition, they spent the next five days dodging sniper fire and repelling wave after wave of German attacks. At one point, their own troops began accidentally shelling their position, but Whittlesey launched a carrier pigeon and managed to stop the barrage of friendly fire. The Americans were later offered a chance to surrender, but Whittlesey held his ground and fought on against increasingly grim odds. Allied reinforcements finally arrived and forced the enemy to retreat on October 8. By then, only 194 of the Americans were still standing, among them Whittlesey, who was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his extreme bravery and coolness under fire. Sadly, Whittlesey remained haunted by the war for the rest of his life, and later committed suicide in 1921 by throwing himself off a ship as it sailed toward Cuba.

    s flynn




    224840

    Henry Johnson CDG, DSC, PH. 369th Infantry Regiment

    <p>

    Henry Johnson was the most famous member of the “Harlem Hellfighters,” an all-black National Guard unit that was among the first American forces to arrive in Europe during World War I. Johnson and his fellow African American soldiers spent their early days in the war performing unskilled manual labor before being sent to reinforce the depleted ranks of the French army.

    On 4th of May 1918, Johnson and another “Hellfighter” named Needham Roberts were serving sentry duty in the Argonne Forest. Just after 2 a.m. the duo was attacked by a detachment of some 20 German troops. Both men had soon been wounded—Roberts so severely that he was unable to stand or shoot—but Johnson held fast and fought back with hand grenades and his rifle. Despite being shot several times, he returned fire until his weapon jammed, and then used it as a club and fought hand to hand until it broke into pieces. When Johnson saw that the Germans were trying to take Roberts prisoner, he drew his one remaining weapon—a bolo knife—and slashed and stabbed several men until the raiding party finally fell back. When the dust cleared, Johnson had inflicted at least a dozen casualties on the Germans and suffered 21 wounds from gunfire and bayonets. Both he and Roberts were later given the Croix de Guerre—one of France’s highest military honors—but Johnson’s heroic stand went unrewarded in the United States until 1996, when he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He later received the Distinguished Service Cross in 2003.

    s flynn




    224839

    Frank Luke 27th Aero Squadron

    <p>

    Frank Luke was America’s greatest balloon buster, known for attacking German observation balloons used to sight artillery. Luke joined the 27th Aero Squadron in France in July 1918, and wasted little time in aggravating his fellow pilots with his cocky attitude and reckless flying style. Nevertheless, the Arizona-born aviator proved an expert at downing the reconnaissance balloons—dangerous targets that were often guarded by anti-aircraft guns, cannons and enemy fighters. He scored his first kill on 12th of September and by the 28th of September he had claimed 15 victories, including one day in which he shot down two balloons and three enemy planes.

    Despite his obvious skill, the headstrong Luke often flouted military regulations and disobeyed orders. His commanding officer tried to ground him on 29th of September,, but Luke ignored the command and took off on a daring solo balloon-busting mission near Murvaux, France. He proceeded to destroy three balloons in quick succession, but was seriously wounded by machine gun fire and forced to ditch his plane. After climbing from the wreckage, Luke drew his pistol and may have exchanged a few shots with German troops before succumbing to his injuries. By then, the 21-year-old had claimed a remarkable 18 aerial victories in the span of only 18 days. He later became the first ever pilot to receive the Medal of Honor.

    s flynn




    224838

    Sgt. Alvin York 82nd Division

    <p>

    Sergeant Alvin York was once described as World War I’s “greatest civilian soldier,” yet he began the conflict as a conscientious objector. A deeply devout man from the small mountain town of Pall Mall, Tennessee, York initially resisted serving on the grounds that violence was against his religion. His request was denied, however, and in May 1918 he arrived in France along with the 82nd Division of the U.S. Army.

    York would make his name on 8th of October 1918 in a famous incident during the Meuse-Argonne offensive. He and around 17 other Americans had just captured troops from a German regiment when they found themselves under heavy fire from enemy machine guns. Nine of the Americans were quickly wounded or killed, but York—a crack shot from his days as a turkey hunter—escaped unscathed and began picking off the German gunners with his rifle. When six of the enemy tried to charge York with bayonets, he drew his .45 pistol and shot them all. He had soon forced the remaining Germans to surrender, and later claimed even more prisoners on his way back to the American lines. All told, York and his men captured 132 enemy soldiers, and he may have single handedly killed around 20 German troops. For his efforts, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross and several other citations for bravery. Shunning the spotlight, the reluctant soldier returned to his home in Tennessee after the war and took up farming. He later worked to introduce new schools to his mountain community.

    s flynn




    224837

    Pte. Earl Eustace Light 3rd Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment

    <p>

    My father, Earl Light, was born in Liverpool in 1896. He joined the Liverpool Regiment in 1914 in the 3rd Battalion and his number was 3/31924. We believe that the 3rd Battalion was a reserve battalion that never left the UK.

    Sometime later he was in the Machine Gun Corps and his number was 3407. We don't know how or when he was transferred to the MGC, but as his service number was 3407, which was one of the earlier numbers of the MGC, we think he may have joined the MGC in late 1916 when the MGC was formed.

    He was wounded twice and was sent to Alnwick Camp and is noted in the Liverpool Echo wounded list on 7th September 1917 and when fit again he was returned to the Front. It is thought that he was wounded in the 3rd Battle for Ypres between 30th July and 3rd August 1917.

    He was discharged on 5th March 1919 with the report that he was fit and could be called up again if required. He died in February 1972

    Pte.Earl Light on his1st Birthday. the photo has the message somewhere in France

    Pte.Earl Light front right on stewards duty at Rugeley Camp

    Philip Light




    224835

    Pte. J. W. Fielder 14th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.25th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    J.W. Fielder was the son of William and Elizabeth Fielder of Batheaston and husband of Alice Fielder, of Batheaston, Bath. He was enrolled in the Devonshire Rgt but transferred to (92556) 155th Coy. Labour Corps. He was killed on 25th August 1917, aged 37 and is buried in the Adinkerke Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    224834

    2nd Lt. William Hirst 14th Btn York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    After helping to defend the Suez Canal in February and early March the 13th and 14th Yorks and Lancs sailed on the White Star Liner Megantic with the 1st Kings Own Scottish Borderers to Marseille before entraining for Flanders. William Hirst kept the menu card with signatures which came back to his widow (my childless grandmother Bertha who remarried later) with his diary covering the entire time of his overseas service from departure from Devonport an the Andania to death vainly attacking the German Lines at Serre on 1st July 1916. We have three testimonials from his fellow officers reassuring Bertha that his death was instant and that he experienced no pain. Is that what all the letters said? His death is described by the soldier next to him in Jon Cooksey's excellent book. So in his case it might have been true.

    Caroline Rutter




    224828

    Pte. William Edward Gregory 3rd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment

    William Gregory was with the 3rd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment. He was gassed at the 2nd battle of Ypres, shipped back to the UK and returned to his unit in France about two months later. He was wounded with shrapnel in his ankle and shipped back to the UK in December 1917 and to hospital in Glasgow. When released from hospital on 24th January 1918 he was no longer fit for active duty and was posted to a Protection Battalion in the UK. He was finally demobbed in March 1919.

    He died in 1923 from the effects of the gas on his lungs and heart at Ypres. His wife was granted a full military pension. They had eight children.

    David Gregory White




    224827

    Capt. Evans Alexander McKay MC. 104 Squadron

    <p>

    According to his Military file from the National Archives, Evans McKay flew on reconnaissance missions and was quite successful. According to the Canadian Annual Review War Series 1917 he was promoted to Flight Commander in 1917. At the end he was shot down and crashed. He survived and was taken as a POW by the Germans. At the conclusion of the war he was released and he returned to England where he officially released from the RCF. He returned home to Toronto, Canada.

    Joanne A Sinclair




    224818

    A/Sgt. Richard William Brown 17th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.4th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Richard Brown served with the 17th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

    Mary Fessler




    224817

    Pte. Reginald Johnston 89th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.8th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Reginald Johnston was purported to have been born in Leeds about 1896. His father (Peter Nisbet Johnston, from Haddington, Scotland) retired as a sergeant in the 17th Lancers and served in Ireland where he married Annie Cousins from South Creek, Norfolk on the 2md of Nov 1897 in Ballincollig, Ireland.





    224812

    Pte. Joseph Riley 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.14th Jan 1919)

    <p>

    Joseph Riley went to camp with the Special Reserve in July 1914, and on the outbreak of war he was at once drafted into the Expeditionary Force, going out on December 30 of the same year. He was taken prisoner on 14th May 1915 and died in Holland on the 14th January 1919, while on his way home to England. He was aged 27 and is buried in the Amersfoort Roman Catholic Cemetery in Holland.

    S Flynn




    224806

    Pte. Walter Pedley 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.16th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Pedley died of wounds aged 20 and is buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta. He lived at 86 Reed Street, later 5 Hampden Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    Submitted by S Flynn




    224805

    Pte. William Horsfield 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    William Horsfield died of dysentry aged 25 and is buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta. He was the son of Henry and Margaret Horsfield, of 84, Mitella Street, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    224801

    Pte. Harry Grundy 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Grundy died of wounds aged 21 and is buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta.

    S Flynn




    224800

    Pte. Harold Greenwood 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.12th October 1915)

    <p>

    Harold Greenwood died of fever in Malta aged 24. He is buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta.

    S Flynn




    224799

    Pte. Robert Emmett 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.13th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Emmett died of wounds aged 33 and is buried in Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta.

    S Flynn




    224798

    Pte. John Bickle 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.9th June 1915)

    <p>

    John Bickle died, age 42, in Malta from wounds received at Gallipoli, and is buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta.

    S Flynn




    224795

    Pte. Herbert Entwistle 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.10th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Entwistle died aged 39 and is buried in the Addolorata Cemetery in Malta. Herbert was the son of John and Ann Entwistle and husband of Mary Ann Entwistle of 7 Hyde Street, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    224794

    Spr. Malcolm Charles Cockburn 90th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.4th April 1916)

    <p>

    Malcolm Charles Cockburn (born in 1897 in Bermuda) joined the Royal Engineers at the start of the First World War at the Curragh Camp, Co Kildare. Malcolm was in the 90th Field Company Royal Engineers and was killed on 4th April 1916 and is buried at Gunner's Farm Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Their father Alexander Cockburn, joined the Royal Engineers on 25th July 1890 at Stirling in Scotland and who was discharged from the 33rd Company of Royal Engineers as Sergeant Alexander Cockburn 24997 on 24th July 1911 at Fort Camden, Co Cork. Their Grandfather, William Cockburn, was also in the Royal Engineers, joining at Fort George, Inverness on 13th February 1879 and arriving at Brompton Barracks, Chatham on 13 March 1879. He served for 21 years and 25 days, being discharged in 1900 as Corporal William Cockburn.

    Malcolm's brother Stuart William Cockburn (born in 1894 in Bermuda) served as Acting Lance Corporal 2306248 in the Royal Corps of Signallers lived through the war to be discharged as insane on 4th March 1921 in Chatham. I have never been able to find out where he was sent or where he died but because he was still in the army in 1921 he may have signed for longer service than just the length of the war.

    The above are my grandfather, great grandfather and my two uncles.

    Pam Chetland




    224793

    Pte. William James Tipping 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    William Tipping was killed in action.

    James McMullan




    224789

    L/Cpl. Charles Thomas Cranmer 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.31st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Cranmer was killed in action on the 31st October 1918, aged 40 and is buried in the Tezze British Cemetery, Treviso, Italy.

    s flynn




    224788

    Pte. Thomas Peatman 24th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.31st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Peatman died aged 25. He is buried in the Staglieno Cemetery in Italy. He was the son of Joseph and Susannah Peatman, of 45, Kimberley Road, Cambridge.

    S Flynn




    224787

    Bmdr. Harry Coulson 25th Bty. 35th Bde. Royal Artillery (d.2nd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Coulson died of influenza on 2nd November 1918, aged 26. He is buried in the Staglieno Cemetery in Italy. He was the husband of Rosalie Coulson of 64 Mineral Street, Plumstead, London.

    S Flynn




    224786

    Pte. William Goddard 1/4th Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.4th May 1917)

    William Goddard died aged 27. He is commemorated on the Savona Memorial in the Savona Town Cemetery in Italy. He was the son of William Goddard and husband of Edith R. Lynn (formerly Goddard, nee East) of 3 Wheatley Street, Coventry.

    S Flynn




    224785

    A/Sgt. John Charles Dean 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    John Dean died of wounds on 3rd November 1918, aged 24. He is buried in the Giavera British Cemetery, Arcade, Italy. He was the son of John and Mary Ellen Dean of Garden Street, Padiham, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    224782

    Pte. Austin Frain 16th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Austin Frain of the 16th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own), died on 16th August 1918 and is buried in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.

    The following text is taken from a clipping of the local newspaper: "Two telegrams in one day brought dread news to Mrs Frain, of 8, Back New Street, Westtown, regarding the youngest of the four sons she had serving in the Forces. Austin Frain was nineteen, and according to the first of the telegrams that his mother received was `dangerously wounded last Friday'. The second telegram, arriving in the afternoon, stated that he `had died at a casualty clearing station' on 16th August 1918. He had not been in the Army a year, having donned khaki on 30th August 1917. He was an old boy of both St. Paulinus Day and Sunday Schools. Before joining up he had worked for a Wakefield-based firm of haulage contractors."

    Kathryn Wheeler




    224780

    Pte. William Alton MM. 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.11th Jun 1918)

    William Alton worked with his dad at the Grassmore colliery as a pony driver. He enlisted at Chesterfield in 1914, and entered France in July 1915, serving with C Company, 11th Platoon, 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. He received the Military Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty near Plouvain on 5th of August 1917, when taking part in a patrol which entered enemy trenches. William was wounded three times before his death.

    He was killed in action at Auchonvillers and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

    Mark Alton




    224779

    Pte. Joseph Faultless 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.22nd Apr 1916)

    Joseph Faultless is my great great grandfather and he was shot in the back two weeks prior to his death. He volunteered to fight after his wife died in childbirth and he gave his three young children to his sister and asked her to look after them. He was there for about 2-3 years at the Bluff

    Max




    224778

    2nd Lt. Trevor Edgar Ellis MID 40th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.10th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Trevor Ellis was born in Bethesda, Caernarfonshire on 19th November 1897, the third son of solicitor William Twigge and Jane Ellis (née Evans) of 15 Ogwen Terrace, Bethesda, Caernarfonshire. His mother came from Talysarn, Caernarfonshire. In 1896, his father dissolved his partnership in Bethesda and later opened a new practice in Trefriw in the Conwy valley and the family had moved to live at Mill Bank, Trefriw by 1911. Trevor’s siblings were: David Ithel (b. Bethesda, 1894), William Tudor (b. Bethesda, 1896), Harri Glyn (b. Bethesda, 1903), Keith Vaughan (b. Bethesda, 1904), Ilid Mary (b. Bethesda, 1907) and Arthur Cecil (b. Bethesda, 1909).

    Educated at the County School, Llanrwst, Trevor was employed by the London City & Midland Bank Ltd in High Street, Wrexham and lodged at Heath House, 77 Ruabon Road.

    Aged 18 years and 1 month, he registered for military service under the Derby Scheme on 7th of December 1915 and transferred to the Reserve before being mobilised on 12 May 1916 and posted the 21st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (No. 43596) at Kinmel Bay two days later. In his December medical he was assessed as being only 5 feet 1 1/2 inches tall, but by May he was 5 feet 3 inches, weighing 105 lbs, he only qualified for military service under the revised regulations which accepted men who were under 5 feet 3 inches in height. Despite this his physical development was described as ‘Good’. On 1st September he transferred to B Company, 64th Training Reserve Battalion (No. 28531) at Kinmel Camp and was deemed suitable for a commission. On his application for a commission, he expressed a preference for the Machine Gun Corps, stating that he was able to ride both a horse and a motorcycle. He was sent to the MGC Officers’ Cadet Battalion at Bisley on 26th September (interestingly, his medical form at this time shows him as being 5 feet 41/2 inches tall and weighing 120 lbs) from where he was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant and posted to the MGC Infantry Training Group at Clipstone Camp, Mansfield on 26 January 1917 (London Gazette, 10 February 1917, p1440).

    He embarked at Folkestone on 31st of March 1917 and joined 121st Company MGC (serving in the 121st Brigade, 40th Division) in France two weeks later. He was admitted to hospital three days later and remained there until the end of the month when he returned to duty. His service papers show that he was sent home on a 14-day leave in September. He appears to have taken part in all the actions of his unit during the summer of 1917 including the advance after the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. On 24th of November he was wounded in the fierce fighting at Bourlon Wood but was able to remain on duty.

    In January 1918 he attended a one week course with the Royal Flying Corps somewhere in France and had a three-week home leave in February/March, rejoining his company which had been renamed C Company and merged with the 119th, 120th and 244th Companies to form the 40th Battalion, MGC at Enniskillen Camp, Ervillers. In early March the battalion was undergoing training and a rest period at Blaireville (including a rugby match against the 13th E Surreys, which they won 32–0, and 18th Welsh which they drew 3–3).

    On 21st of March, the Germans opened a heavy bombardment on the whole of the front, the opening round of the ‘Kaiser’s Battle’ and 40MGC were heavily involved in the action from the start and sustained heavy casualties – four guns holding the sunken road west of Croiselles ‘fought to the last man and the last round but were finally destroyed’.

    By 1st of April the battalion had been relieved and was in reserve at Sailly-sur-Lys and the following day moved to Croix du Bac where they were placed under orders to be ready to move at 30 minutes' notice. On 9th April 40MGC was located in the area east of the River Lys when, at 0415 hours, the Germans opened with a short but heavy bombardment and attacked a Portuguese division and a British brigade. The Portuguese gave way, but the British units held their forward positions until 0730 hours when they began to withdraw from the right flank. Two hours later, the Germans broke through the front line. Three machine gun posts on the right flank of the forward British position were surrounded and only one was able to withdraw, rescued by Corporal Wallace of the 40MGC. Fighting continued throughout the morning and by noon the Germans had penetrated as far as just south of Croix Blanche and were advancing in strength towards Barlette Farm. Lieutenant Bain and 2nd Lieutenant Trevor Ellis, with the Vickers gun rescued by Corporal Wallace and fifty infantry, ‘put up a most determined stand but finally fresh parties of the enemy came into action against them with Light Machine Guns from the rear’ and orders were received from brigade for them to fall back to York Post.

    That evening, the Germans managed to cross the River Lys near Bac St Maur (G18) and pushed the British back beyond Croix du Bac (G6) and the troops concentrated at Le Petit Mortier (G4). Early the following morning the Germans bombarded the Vickers and Lewis gun positions that were guarding the Sailly Bridge (G16) and, under heavy supporting machine-gun fire, managed to get across the bridge at 1000 hours. The battalion war diary records that the gun crews holding this position were destroyed in this attack. Among those who died at the river crossing was Trevor Ellis. As the Germans advanced and drove back the defending British forces is body was not recovered. The CO of 40MGC noted in his report of this action:

    `All ranks displayed great courage and endurance under particularly difficuly conditions. The losses of men and guns are heavy. Heavy casualties were however inflicted on the enemy. … I desire to bring to notice the names of … 2nd Lieut. T.E. Ellis whose gallantry and leadership were beyond all praise.'

    As Trevor Ellis had been killed in the action, no gallantry award could be awarded to him (other than the Victoria Cross) and consequently he was given a posthumous Mention in Dispatches.

    The telegram informing his family of Trevor’s death was sent to his father. It would have come immediately after his receipt of another informing him that his eldest son, Major David Ithel Ellis, MC, 285th Brigade, RFA, had been killed on 9th April in the same battle. Trevor Ellis is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the missing in Belgium (his brother’s name is on the same memorial). He is also remembered on the Trefriw War Memorial and the North Wales Heroes Memorial. He was awarded the British War Medal, the Allied Victory Medal and a Mentioned in Dispatches oak leaf cluster.

    The citation for his brother’s Military Cross reads: `For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when under an intense and accurate hostile bombardment of his battery. He worked incessantly throughout the night in order to keep his guns in action, by his splendid personal example and devotion keeping up the spirits of his men under circumstances of an exceptionally trying nature. On several occasions he has been the life and soul of his battery under the heaviest shell fire, restoring confidence and cheerfulness at a time when they were most difficult to maintain.

    Their younger brother, 2nd Lt William Tudor Ellis, 17th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (2nd North Wales Pals), lost an arm during the war. Their father was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 5th (Flintshire) Battalion, RWF in 1915 and ended the war as a captain in the 324th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps at Dyffryn Aled, Llansannan.

    W Alister Williams




    224777

    Cmdnt. Florence Maria Daly

    Florence Daly was the Commandant of Manor House Hospital in Folkestone.





    224774

    L/Cpl. Frank Albert Lewis 1st/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Lewis, son of John and Fanny Lewis, was born at Yaxley, Huntingdonshire in 1891. The family moved to Southwick before moving to Belsize Avenue, Fletton, Peterborough, where Frank Albert Lewis enlisted. He was aged 27 when he was killed from a bullet wound during an enemy bombardment, and is buried in the Barenthal Military Cemetery, Asiago, Italy.

    S Flynn




    224773

    Pte. John George Hartley 1/5th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd May 1918)

    <p>

    John Hartley died of wounds on 3rd May 1918, aged 37, He is buried in the Barenthal Military Cemetery Asiago, Italy. He was the son of Mary and Joseph Hartley of Burnley and the husband of Alice Hartley of 28 Barbon Street, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    224769

    Rflmn. William Robert Honeyman 11th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.13th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    Our great great uncle William Honeyman died on 13th December 1916 serving in the 11th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, he was 19. William also had two serving brothers Charles and Albert. Charlie was the only one to survive.





    224768

    Stkr. George J.E. Russell HMS Proserpine (d.18th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    George Russell died on 18th July 1917, aged 29. He is buried in the Basra War Cemetery in Iraq. He was the son of Frank and Sarah Russell of 1 Bindon Place, Wyke Regis, Weymouth.

    S Flynn




    224767

    Gnr. Ernest Canby 56th Bde. Small Arms Ammunition Sect. Royal Field Artillery (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest Canby died of disease on 1st July 1916, aged 23. He is buried in the Basra War cemetery in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    224766

    Pte. Edward Whittaker Bowes 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.7th April 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Bowes died of wounds on 7th April 1917, aged 21 and is buried in in the Basra War Cemetery in Iraq. He lived at 1 Lubbock Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    224764

    Pte. John William Mellars 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Oct 1918)

    My great grandfather John Mellars was a farmer and as such did not have to join the war effort. He only saw my grandma once before he left for duty on the front line, he saw her take her first steps. He died of wounds on 25th October 1918.

    Nicola Threlkeld




    224763

    T/Sgt. Wallace Stanley "Blue" Findlay 4th Light Horse

    <p>

    Wallace Findlay enlisted on the 24th of Sugust 1914, giving his occupation as farmer, and his next of kin as C Findlay, his brother. He embarked from Melbourne on board A189 Wiltshire on the 19th of October 1914 He served in the last charge of Bersheba.

    In 1924 he was living in Kerang and became the Secretary of the Soldiers Settlers Department at Casterton and Terang.

    Verelle Walters




    224758

    Pte. Godfrey Jubilee Harris 1st/1st (Worcester Yeomanry) Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars (d.16th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Godfrey Harris died on the 16th of August 1916, aged 19 and buried in the Baghdad North Gate Cemetery, Iraq. He was the son of George and Ellen Harris of 75 Church Rd., Rainbow Hill, Worcester.

    s flynn




    224756

    Pte. T. Gosney 2nd Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.26th July 1916)

    <p>

    Private Gosney died on 26th July 1916 and is buried in the Baghdad North Gate Cemetery, Iraq.

    S Flynn




    224755

    Pte. Frederick George Giles 2nd Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.6th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Giles died on 6th September 1916, aged 27 and is buried in the Baghdad North Gate Cemetery, Iraq. He was the son of Alfred Edwin Giles of Tarrant Gunville, Blandford, Dorset.

    S Flynn




    224752

    Pte. William Henry Fyles 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.16th July 1917)

    <p>

    William Fyles died on 16th July 1917 of heatstroke, aged 33 and is buried in the Baghdad North Gate Cemetery, Iraq. He lived at 55 Spencer Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    224751

    Pte. William James Dewhurst 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.2nd Jan 1918)

    <p>

    William Dewhurst died on 2nd January 1918, aged 24. He is buried in the Baghdad North Gate Cemetery, Iraq. He was the husband of Caroline Agnes Dewhurst of 62 Lowerhouse Lane, Rose Grove, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    224750

    Gnr. Ben Bulcock 6th Ammun. Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.18th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Ben Bulcock died on 18th August 1916 and is buried in the Baghdad North Gate, Iraq. He lived at 24 Palmeston Street, Padiham.

    S Flynn




    224749

    Pte. Fred Bentley 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.19th July 1917)

    <p>

    Fred Bentley died of enteric fever on 19th July 1917, aged 20 and is buried in the Baghdad North Gate Cemetery, Iraq. Fred served as William Hall. He Lived at 122 Lowerhouse Lane, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    224748

    Pte. William James Bishop 1st/4th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.23rd Dec 1916)

    <p>

    William Bishop died on 23rd December 1916, aged 22. His name is inscribed on the Kirkee War Memorial in Kirkee Cemetery, India. He was the son of W. F. and Annie Frances Jane Bishop of 7 Station Rd., Wool, Dorset.

    S Flynn




    224747

    Pte. Walter Cork 5th Btn. C Coy. Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Cork died aged 28 and is buried in the Kirkee War Cemetery, India. He was the son of John and Ellen Cork and husband of Laura Cork of 18 Castle Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    224746

    Pte. Francis Harry Welch 2nd/4th Btn. Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry (d.31st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Francis Harry Welch Died 31st October 1918, aged 21 and is buried in the Delhi War Cemetery, India. He was the son of William Henry and Keturah Jane Welch of Stepps Advent Cornwall

    Extract taken from the Cornish & Devon Post dated 30/11/1918: "We produce above a portrait of Private F. H. Welch, D.C.L.I., second son of Mr & Mrs W. H. Welch of Advent, Camelford whose death in India from influenza at the age of 21 years we recorded last week. A bright and cheerful boy, he was beloved by all who new him. Private Welch enlisted in 1914 and had been in India nearly two years. An elder brother is in India and another is serving this country. The bereaved family called upon to mourn the loss of an excellent son have the sympathy of one and all."

    s flynn




    224745

    Pte. William Duxberry 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.5th July 1918)

    <p>

    William Duxberry died 5th July 1918 and is buried i in the Bangalore (Hosur Road) Cemetery, India. He was the husband of Sarah Ellen Duxberry of 13 Clay St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    224744

    Pte. Martin Stanton 5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.15th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Martin Stanton died 15th September 1915 aged 33 and is buried in the The Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery, Gibraltar. He was the husband of Ada Stanton of 12 Peter St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    224743

    Gnr. Harry Cherry 64th (Burnley Howitzer) Bde. C Bty Royal Field Artilley (d.5th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Cherry was the son of William and Alice Cherry, of 63, Thursby Rd., Burnley, later of 53, Windsor Rd., Morecambe. He died of dysentery 5th November 1918, aged 22. Listed as a prisoner of War, his name is on the Screen Wall in the Worms (Hochheim Hill) Cemetery, Germany.

    s flynn




    224742

    Pte. Percy Caldecoat 4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Percy Caldecoat died 13th October 1918. His name is inscribed on a screen wall in the Worms (Hochheim Hill) Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    224741

    L/Cpl. Richard Neville Lawson 20th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.29th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Richard Lawson was the son of Mr. W. N. and Susannah Lawson of 80, Hibson Rd., Nelson, Lancs. He died 29th September 1917, aged 36 and is buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery. Germany.

    s flynn




    224739

    Pte. Herbert Hardman 13th Btn. (Quebec Regiment) (d.8th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Hardman formerly lived at 16 Green Street, Burnley, Lancashire, the son of the late Amos and Sarah Elizabeth Hardman. He died of wounds on 8th October 1915 whilst a P.O.W., aged 28 and is buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany.

    s flynn




    224738

    Pte. Edward Bradshaw 4th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.26th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Bradshaw was the son of Robinson and Rebecca Bradshaw, of 68, Railway Terrace, Padiham, Burnley. He died of pneumonia 26th October 1918 whilst a prisoner, aged 21 and is buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany.

    s flynn




    224737

    Pte. Herbert Barnes 53rd Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.8th April 1919)

    <p>

    Herbert Barnes was the son of Mary Ann Ingham (formerly Barnes), of 25, Ribblesdale St., Burnley, and the late John Barnes. He died of pneumonia on 8th April 1919, aged 18, as a POW. He is buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    224730

    Capt. Angus Alexander Mackintosh Royal Horse Guards (d.13th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Angus Alexander Mackintosh (Younger of Mackintosh) was born on 6 August 1885, the son of Alfred Donald Mackintosh of Mackintosh, 28th Chief of the Clan Chattan and Harriet Diana Arabella Mary Richards. He married Lady Maud Louisa Emma Cavendish, daughter of Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire and Lady Evelyn Emily Mary FitzMaurice, on 3 November 1917, at Ottawa, Canada. They had a daughter, Anne Peace Arabella Mackintosh, 30th Chief of Clan Chattan, daughter of Angus Alexander Mackintosh of Mackintosh and Lady Maud Louisa Emma Cavendish. Born 24 September 1918 Cartierville, Montreal.

    He served as Captain, Royal Horse Guards, L.4140, Southern Div. Officer's Sec. and died in Washington, D.C. on 13th October 1918. As World War I was in progress, he was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.

    s flynn




    224729

    Sgt. William Ernest Evans DCM. 1st Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.16th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    William Evans was the son of John Walter and Edith Evans, of 67, New Hall St., Burnley, England. He was killed in action on 16th of October 1917 and is buried in the Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery in Tanzania.

    s flynn




    224728

    Sgt. Thomas Goodwin 2nd Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.4th March 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Goodwin died aged 33 and is buried in the Rawalpindi War Cemetery in Pakistan. He was the son of the late Richard and Harriett Goodwin.

    S Flynn




    224727

    Pte. George Griffiths 286th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.6th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    George Griffiths died of influenza, aged 25. Son of William and Mary Griffiths; husband of Elizabeth Griffiths, of Burnley, Lancashire. He is commemorated on the Karachi 1914-1918 Memorial in Karachi, Pakistan.

    S Flynn




    224725

    2nd Lt. Henry Waletr Talbot 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Henry Walter Talbot served with the 9th and 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers during the Great War. Previous to that he was with the Army Service Corps. He was a Sergeant with the 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers serving in Macedonia and on strong recommendation of his commanding officer he returned to England and trained at Gidea Hall, Romford. He passed out on the 31st of July 1917 as a commissioned officer with honour and re-joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as 2nd Lieutenant. When Armistice came he was serving as acting Captain on the Somme with the 9th Battalion.

    Paul Mason




    224724

    Rflmn. Albert Aspden 16th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th July 1916)

    Albert Aspden was born in Church, Lancashire on 1st June 1891, the third son of Arthur and Hannah Aspden. They moved to Rawtenstall sometime before 1911 and after 1901. Albert's address before enlisting was 167 Cribden View, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall. He was an office clerk in civilian life and an old boy of Newchurch Grammar School.

    Albert died aged 25 on 15th July 1916 during the battle of the Somme when his battalion were part of the second wave assaulting High Wood. They attacked uphill trying to dislodge a well entrenched enemy and met with enfilade fire. They attacked many times, each attack was repulsed and many of the battalion were killed. Albert is buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery Longeuval, France. (He is incorrectly listed as Albert Aspen on the CWG site.)

    Anne




    224723

    Pte. David Medlow 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

    <p>

    David Medlow was born on the 10th of March 1894. Originally from Kernan, Portadown and a member of Edenderry LOL 322, he enlisted on the 11th of August 1914. He was wounded on the 16th of August 1917 during the first day of the Battle of Langemarck, the second Allied general attack of the Third Battle of Ypres. After a long period of convalescence in hospital he was discharged due to wounds on 18th of June 1918.

    Jon Medlow




    224720

    Pte. Sidney Mitchell 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Private Sidney Mitchell’s six-digit regimental number falls within a group allocated to new recruits of the 1/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry during the first week of March 1917. His birthday fell in late April, so it is fair to say he enlisted close to his birthday.

    He was wounded in his upper right back by grenade and had lung damage because he was gassed. He also had a machine gun wound in his ankle and shrapnel in his abdomen. He was transferred to the Labour Corps in July 1918, as the date fits with when his additional regimental number (631581) was issued. He served his final war days out with the 12th Labour Corps in France until demobbed.

    Ralph Halse




    224716

    Pte. James William Buck Devon Regiment

    We have the 1914 and Victory Medals and cap badge belonging to our great uncle James William Buck (born 1880) who was the elder brother of our grandfather who served with the Northumberland Fusiliers (and survived) and the youngest member of the family, Sgt James Cox Buck who served with our Home regiment the Somerset Light Infantry and who died in Flanders in 1916.

    Attached to the medals is a handwritten note saying that James William was unable to live a civilian after the war. We do not know where he lived after the war and when he died. I have a note that he was also known as William so it is possible that any marriage record or death record could be recorded as William and not James. Having just read about the formation of the Labour Corps it seems possible that James was transferred from the Devon Regiment because he was not fit to fight and by the time the war ended was not able to lead a civilian life as the note states.

    We are looking for help on where James might have lived post war and when he died. It's possible he married in 1910 under the name of William James Buck but we cannot be sure (still researching).

    Andrew Paisey




    224715

    Pte. Reginald Tillett 7th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    Reginald Tillett was related to my cousin Bryan's mother. I have no details of this side of his family as our fathers were brothers. In Bryan's effects I found the 'dead mans penny' for Reginald Tillett. I assume that Bryan's mother received it when Reginald's mother died. I would like to return this to any family members of Reginald still living.

    Mick Sampsons




    224714

    Sgt. Henry George Easey 10th (Hackney) Btn. London Regiment

    My grandfather, Henry Easey, served for the whole of the First World War at Gallipoli and in the Near East. We know little about his war service. I do have some photos.

    John




    224709

    Pte. Ernest Edward Gibbons 138th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Ernest Gibbons was born in September 1882 and married Georgina Elizabeth Neale. They had five children before he joined the 138th Field Ambulance. He suffered in a gas attack and was classed as disabled and honorably discharged on 13th of March 1918.

    Andrew Gibbons




    224708

    L/Cpl. John William Taylor 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    I have very little on my grandfather John W. Taylor. I believe he was in the Ambulance Section of 13 Btn Cheshire Regt. I have 3 photos But no ideas on names etc.

    He was given a card with a ribbon from the then commanding officer E.J.? (Can't make the name out ) in recognition of his gallant conduct and constant devotion to duty in face of the enemy. Bottom of card is dated 5th of July 1917. The reverse of the card is handwritten by the commanding officer and reads: "On the morning of 22nd of June 1917 when the body of an officer was discovered lying out in "No mans land" Lce Cpl Taylor at once volunteered and successfully brought in the body in broad daylight under unfavourable conditions.. (Illegible) Afterwards took the body down ( again illegible but looks like 4B :Ha ) over ground which the enemy were shelling heavily. Signed...E.J." ( again I can't read the name but there )

    Robert Wiliam Taylor




    224707

    Pte. William Edward Blaskett 10th Australian Field Ambulance

    Bill Blaskett was gassed at Ploegsteert Woods on 8th of June 1917 but survived. He is the father of well known Australian entertainer & ventriloquist Ron Blaskett and Gerry Gee

    Paul Simmonds




    224706

    Pte. Thomas Parkinson 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.15th June 1917)

    My great uncle, Thomas Parkinson, is remembered on the Menin Gate. He died at the age of 25. He served in the Cyclists Battalion and the Lancashire Regiment before being transferred, like so many, to fill the gaps in the DLI.

    Julian Medina




    224704

    Pte. Patrick Butler 39th Btn. (d.8th July 1917)

    My great uncle Patrick Butler was a farmer in Dunnstown and had a widowed mother in Ballarat and four brothers and sisters - Bridget, Ellen, Charles and Maggie. He died in Weymouth, England and is buried in Melcombe Regis cemetery.

    Gay Woodhams




    224703

    A/Sgt. William Charles Henry Sellens MM. 87th Brigade., A Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Will Sellens enlisted in December 1914, and made his way up through the ranks from gunner to acting sergent. He served most of the war in A Battery, 87th Brigade, finishing in 190th Brigade. He won the MM some time towards the end of 1917 (listed in the Times in December 1917).

    Richard Sellens




    224700

    Pte. Joseph Frederick Fisher 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment

    <p>

    Joseph Fisher served with the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment





    224697

    Rflmn. Herbert Charles Frost 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.1st Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Herbert Frost was a hospital porter at the Poplar and Stepney Sick Asylum. He was called up late and went to the Rifle Brigade as a stretcher bearer. He was killed whilst retrieving the wounded on the 1st Nov 1918. He was struck above the left eye by a piece of shrapnel.

    Stanley Frost




    224696

    Sgt. John Robert Hammond 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    John Hammond was my maternal great-grandfather, and I believe from my other research that he served in the 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment in the First World War. He was mentioned in a local newspaper as being transferred to the Military Hospital at Alexandria in December 1915. Unfortunately nobody alive in the family ever met him as he died shortly after the war ended. If anybody has any information on him, I would be most grateful.

    Ian Brown




    224694

    Pte. Frederick Sparrow 5th Btn. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Frederick Sparrow died on the first day of the Battle of Loos, a young man cut down in his prime, like so many others of his generation on both sides in the Great War.

    Rita Sparrow




    224690

    Pte. George William Carter 3rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.1st July 1915)

    My Grandad's eldest brother, George Carter, died of wounds on 1st July 1915 and is buried at La Clytte in Belgium. Rest in peace George, the Family have always remembered your sacrifice.

    Peter Carter




    224688

    Pte. William Robert Burlingham 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    Will Burlingham was my Great Uncle. He was a Norfolk farm labourer. He was 25 when he joined up on 8th of September 1914. Will lost a leg on the Somme sometime after 9th of June 1916 and was back home in the UK by 4th of August 1916. We believe he was at Queen Marys Hospital, which fitted limbs to wounded soldiers. He did have a prosthetic leg and rode a fixed wheel bicycle. He married in 1922 but had no children. He worked as a Warriner and Forest Warden after the War.

    Iris Taylor




    224685

    Pte. John Henry Wright 10th Btn Sherwood Foresters

    We have no information on John Wright's war service, no records or memories exist. The only reference is that he got married on 16th May 1916 at the registry office in Leicester, I suspect just before going overseas.

    Gary Allem




    224683

    Cpl. Herbert Noton Brewer 43rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Herbert Brewer is the eldest brother of 9 yrs of my father. He was born in Hull in 1892 I knew he had been gassed and that he was a baker pre-war in Ferryhill, Durham and a chauffeur post war probably in Hull. He died in Hull in the spring of 1946 aged 56, when I was 12, I cant remember him but met his son Christopher I have a photo of him pre-war with his horse and van working for Rudd & Co.

    Delphine McDonnell




    224682

    Gdsmn. Herbert Henry Bowker 3rd Btn. Grenadier Guards

    <p>

    Herbert Bowker attested on the 12th of December 1915, Age 25, Height 5ft 9¼in, Chest 35 in. He was mobilised on the 9th of January 1917 and posted to the Depot at Caterham, Surrey two days later. He joined 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards and crossed to France on the 3rd of April 1918 On the 27th of April he attended the Lewis Gun School in the field and returned to his battalion on the 11th of May. On the 20th of July 1918 he suffered a wound to the scalp and was hospitalised at Frevent, Trouville and Harfleur in France Henry returned fit to his battalion on the 4th of October 1918. He was granted UK leave from the 5th to 26th of February 1919 and was discharged to Class Z Reserve on the 8th of March 1920 with no pension awarded.

    The family was based in Leeds but moved to Blackburn early in the 20th century because Herbert's father had got work as a skilled carpenter in the town centre. Before the war (1911 census) my uncle worked in the cotton industry as a mule piecer cotton. Post WW1 he was employed as a railway passenger porter.

    His death on 7th of June 1921 is attributed to Acute Brights Disease (kidneys). He is buried in Blackburn Old Cemetery in a unmarked grave, which also holds his sister Hilda Florence and father Albert William. As a child I remember visiting the grave with his surviving sisters my aunt Ethel and my mother Gertrude. It was summer so I assume it was 7th June or very close.

    Herbert's proud parents' living room was dominated by an about A3 size studio photographic photograph of their son in Grenadier Guards dress uniform which had brass lapel badges in the form of a ball shape with flames emerging. Two medals were in a small box (with other items) in a sideboard drawer. I remember the end of WW1 rainbow ribbon - the other would have been service related. Decades after they were awarded they looked rather neglected.

    Studio photo with his sisters Ethel May & Gertrude Frances (my mother)

    Bob Shaw




    224681

    Pte. William Campbell 2nd (Glasgow) Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    My frandfather, William Campbell was born in 1881. He served in the First World War with the 2nd (Glasgow) Battalion, H.L.I. William, his wife Isabella Fulton, with four sons, emigrated to Canada following the war and died in Montreal in 1953. William's brother, Duncan McDonald Campbell, who had emigrated to Canada before the commencement of hostilities, served for Canada in WW1. He was killed at Festubert, France on 20th May 1915 and is buried in the Vimy Memorial. All four of William's sons, William, Duncan, John and Robert served Canada in WW2. My father was William and I was named after my great uncle Duncan who lost his life in WW1. My mother was Margaret Smith and all four of her brothers served Canada in WW2. My grandfather William is remembered as a hero in many ways as he is also recognized in the Carnegie Hero Trust for saving the life of a 10-year-old boy who had fallen off a ship at Whiteinch, Scotland on the river Clyde on 19th May 1914, shortly before he left for WW1.

    I am in the process of reframing my grandfather's British War Medal, Victory Medal, British Campaign Medal, Royal Society Bronze Medal and Masonic Pin to pass to my son, Darrell Campbell, and to grandson Jessie Campbell. 100 years and five generations later our extended families continue to respect and give thanks to William for his service and legacy. His values run deep.

    Duncan Fulton Campbell




    224673

    Pte. Norman Bowes 9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry

    Norman Bowes must have been in the Territorials, probably just before the war broke out. I was told as a child that he was wounded in the hand, at the battle of Loos and invalided out. He spent the remainder of his life, as far as I am aware, as an accountant, and died in the 70s. His 1914/15 star and the two war medals (Pip, Squeak and Wilfred?) are still extant.

    Mike Blair




    224672

    Rflmn. Hyam Woolf 10th Btn Royal Irish Rifles (d.27th April 1918)

    Rifleman Hyam Woolf was my great-uncle. I was born 1935 long after his death. He is buried in the Gwalia Military Cemetery near Poperinghe, Belgium which I visited with my son about 10 days ago. It is stated he died of wounds and would like to know more about his military career and how a Jewish boy from Hackney ended up in the Royal Irish Rifles. He is the only Jew buried in the Gwalia cemetery.

    Raymond Hart




    224671

    Pte. Robert Henry Reynolds 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.23rd Sept 1914)

    Robert Reynolds was my great uncle. He was born on 3rd of May 1890 in Tiverton, Devon to Robert and Annie Reynolds. The family moved to Nottingham when Robert and my grandfather Edwin were young. Robert joined the 4th Sherwood Foresters in 1907 age 17 and he was killed in action on 23rd of September 1914 age 24. Robert is buried at the Vailly British Cemetery in France.





    224670

    Pte. Fred Luscombe 1/6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Fred Luscombe went missing at the Battle of Poelcapelle and has never been seen again. He is recorded on the list of the missing in the Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    Peter Luscombe




    224669

    Sgt. Francis John Barker 4th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    Despite being 43 at the outbreak of war my grandfather, Jack Barker, insisted on doing his bit. He never saw active service but was involved with the training of the men. The picture shows him and his son, Edward. My grandfather was a master tailor and made this uniform for Edward, then aged 4.

    Di




    224668

    Cpl. Norbert Squire Standish Brooks Manchester Regiment

    My uncle, Norbert Brooks born in Dukinfield, Cheshire in 1897 served in the First World War in the Manchester Regiment. He joined at the age of seventeen and lied about his age, telling the authorities that he was eighteen. After returning to civilian life, he trained as a dentist and carried out that profession for the rest of his life. He and his wife were the parents of twin girls, but presumably he never spoke to them about his war experiences as they know nothing about them. He died when I was very young, but my mother, his sister, gave me a prayer book which was scarred by a sniper bullet and which saved his life. When telling me this story my mother became quite emotional.

    Oliver Skelly




    224667

    Pte. Jack Matthews 1st Battalion, C Company. Royal Welsh Fusilier (d.16th May 1915)

    Great Uncle Jack Matthews, was the older brother of my Grandmother Olive. He died at the Battle of Festubert on the 16th of May 1915 aged 21. Jack has no known grave and is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, Richebourg, France. We visited his memorial and honoured him in 2015

    David Nicholls




    224664

    Pte. Matthew Maughan Cumming 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.28th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Matthew Cumming, my great grand uncle, enlisted on the 24th of September 1914 at the age of 23 years 7 months and joined up with the 18th Battalion for training on the 10th of October 1914 at Cocken Hall, Durham. Upon completion of field training the battalion were dispatched for front line action in Egypt on the 6th of December 1915. On the 5th of March 1916 they left for France.

    On the 28th of July 1916 Matthew’s life was cut short at the Battle of the Somme. Whilst under heavy bombardment a shell hit the trench they were in and he was recorded as lost in action. He was aged 26.

    Sometime after his father William received a letter from Matthew’s commanding officer Second Lieutenant James B Bradford, which was written from his hospital bed: "I am writing to tell you of how awfully sorry to hear of your son’s death. I am sure it will be a great blow to you. I heard about it by letter some days ago sent to me by one of my men. I had sent your son some cigarettes and they received them the day he was killed. Your son was my batman for four months at the front and I can truthfully say he was the best one I had ever had. Further he was a brave boy and I liked him very much indeed, and was very cut up when I had the news sent to me of his death. With my deepest sympathy, in your sad loss. Yours truly, Second Lieutenant James B Bradford"

    Memorial Certificate

    Witton Gilbert War Memorial - Role of Honour

    Witton Gilbert War Memorial Roll of Honour

    John Cumming




    224662

    Pte. Henry Holden 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.13th April 1918)

    <p>

    Pte Henry Holden of the Irish Guards was the son of Mr & Mrs Thomas Holden (my great grandperants on my father's side) of 63 Cllarence Street, Newton-le-Willows. He was educated at St Mary's Newton-le-Willows. He joined the Royal Field Artillery in 1911, and he had been wounded four times, but was in the Irish Guards when he was killed in action on 13th of April 1918, having been reported missing. He was 25 years old & had been in the army seven years.

    Kevin Ashcroft




    224661

    Pte. Joseph Parker 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.15th April 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Parker served with the 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Kevin Williamson




    224660

    L/Sgt. Andrew Clark MM. 8th Btn Seaforth Highlanders

    Andrew Clark joined the 1st Seaforth in 1907 and went to India, where he remained until his Battalion was recalled and sent to France in 1914. They landed in Marseille in October 1914, and thence to Northern France and Flanders.

    Some time in late 1914 or early 1915, he was wounded and sent to Britain. When he recovered, he was sent to the Depot in Cromarty, where he met and married Helen Gairn Finlayson. He remained at the Depot for some time where he was involved with training new recruits. In April 1917 he was sent to France again to join the 8th Bn., as his own, the 1st, had gone to Mesopotamia in December 1915.

    In early July, he was involved in a raid on German trenches and subsequently received the Military Medal for Gallantry in the field. During the 3rd Battle of Ypres,on July 31st, when he advanced with his regiment, he was wounded and lay in a shell hole for three days before being found. As a result, gas gangrene had set in and his arm had to be amputated. The first his wife heard of this was when she received a letter from the war office asking her to join him in Orpington where he was recovering from his wounds. From there on, his life and that of his family became very difficult. The British Government was not very generous to wounded men and employment was hard to find with only one arm. He died of cancer in 1946.

    Hazel Clark




    224657

    Sgt. George Knox 7th Btn London Regiment

    My grandfather George Knox served in the 7th Battalion, London Regiment during WW1 and reached the rank of Sergeant according to his WW2 Australian Army enlistment records. I have searched various British Army records but it seems that his records were destroyed during the bombing of London during WW2.

    Greg Haughey




    224655

    Pte. William Reece 3rd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st July 1917)

    William Reece was killed in action at Cambrai, France

    David Reece




    224652

    L/Cpl. Samuel S. Jones 22nd Btn Manchester Regiment (d.5th Oct 1917)

    My great granddad Samuel Jones fought and was wounded at Gallipoli and evacuated. He was sent to France where he suffered trench fever. He returned to France and died of wounds on the 5th October 1917, received in the fighting at Broodseinde Ridge (part of the Battle of Passchendaele) on 4th October 1917.

    Mike Jones




    224651

    Pte. Robert Cartwright 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    <p>

    Robert Cartwright was my wife's grandfather. The family lived in Connah's Quay, North Wales. Robert and his older brother were both excellent musicians and played in the local RWF band, even though both were under age for combat. When Robert's older brother was called up in 1914 he said he would only go if Robert went with him, so Robert's details were changed to make him old enough to enlist. They both left for France from Liverpool. Their weeping mother was spotted on the dockside by Lord Mostyn and when he found out she was from north Wales he gave her a lift back home in his limousine. Robert never spoke about his war experiences, but he did say he spent time on leave in India and saw the Taj Mahal.

    Robert Cartwright roll

    Josep Kelly




    224648

    Sgt. John Rattray Clark 7th Btn. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders (d.25th Sep 1915)

    I have a small New Testament and Psalms book, the inside cover of which is inscribed: Sgt. J. Rattray Clark, 13521 Cameron Highlanders 7, and signed R. Clark 1915. If descendants of Sgt. Clark are known and would like this Bible, I would be very pleased to send it.

    Editor's Note: John was the son of the late James and Julia Clark, of Sandyford, Glasgow and the husband of Lucy Sarah Clark, of Vicarage Road, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. He was killed in action and is buried at Loos British Cemetery.

    Mark Ladd




    224647

    Staff Sgt. James Donnelly DSO, MM, MC. 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    From a display at the D.L.I. Museum in December 1997 James Donnelly - The "Warrior from Benwell. These are the medals of one of the bravest soldiers ever to have served in the British Army. They were all awarded to James Donnelly from Benwell in Newcastle, who fought with the Durham Light Infantry during the First World War. The medals are (from left to right) Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar, Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, War Medal, Victory Medal and Belgian Military Decoration. But the Durham Light Infantry Museum knows little or nothing about the man himself and it is hoping that this display will result in new information coming to light about this brave, local soldier, possibly even from a member of Sergeant Donnelly's family. It is known - mostly from local newspapers of the time - that James Donnelly volunteered for the Army in August 1914 and joined Durham Light Infantry as a Private. After training, he was sent to France in May 1915. He fought on the Western Front in 17 battles, firstly with the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and later with the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, ending in 1918 as a Company Sergeant Major.

    In September 1916 on the Somme, Sergeant Donnelly led his platoon "with great gallantry and initiative" although severely wounded. For this action, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In August 1917 at Ypres during the Battle of Passchendaele, Sergeant Donnelly with his platoon built a barricade across a communication trench to delay a German attack. Soon only James Donnelly was left. Armed only with his rifle and bayonet and some hand grenades, he then held off the Germans for seventeen hours. For this action - "a magnificent example" he was awarded the Bar to the Distinguished Conduct Medal. James Donnelly was also awarded the Military Medal in 1916, the Military Cross in 1918 - an award usually given to officers - and the Belgium Military Decoration.

    But after James Donnelly left the Army in 1919, he simply disappears from the history books. Nothing is known of his family, his work, or even when he died or where he is buried. It is information like this that the Durham Light Infantry Museum is keen to discover. One story about this "irrepressible warrior from Benwell" - as a Durham Light Infantry History calls him - is, however, known and is worth telling. After he had been badly wounded during the Battle of the Somme in September 1916, James Donnelly was sent home to recover. He soon thought that he was fit enough to return to France but was, instead, posted to the 16th (reserve) Battalion Durham Light Infantry to convalesce. Sergeant Donnelly then decided to "desert" and made his own way back to his Battalion in France. Eventually the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was asked about a "deserter" called Donnelly and large amounts of "missing" kit. As this "deserter" was now the owner of the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar and Military Medal, the inquiries were quickly dropped.

    Proceedings of the Newcastle Council, 6th March 1919: presentation of medals. The Lord Mayor then called upon the Major-General Sir R. A. Kerr Montgomery to present the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar awarded to Sergeant Major James Donnelly of the Durham Light Infantry. In doing so, the Lord Mayor said: "Almost every day it falls to my lot to present a Military decoration of one class or another to some hero of the Great War but it is seldom that there is for presentation to one soldier a Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar, as in the case of our gallant friend Sergeant Major Donnelly of the Durham Light Infantry. Sergeant Major Donnelly was one of the first 100,000 patriots who responded to Lord Kitchiners appeal for voluntary service in August 1914. He went to France in May 1915 and has served continuously ever since up to his recent de-mobilisation. He has taken an active part in seventeen big engagements, fifteen offensive and two defensive. He also took part in the first daylight raid at Arras.

    As to the winning of decoration No 1. After part of the British trenches of Ypres had to be given up Sergeant Major Donnelly, with a few men, built a barrier across a communication trench and proceeded to hold it against the Huns. One by one the little British Band became casualties until only Donnelly was left with rifle and bayonet and a supply of bombs, he held the position alone for seventeen hours when he was relieved. Later he was wounded, proceeded home and joined a training Battalion; but he was restless at home and fighting was going on in France and under somewhat extraordinary circumstances he returned to the front.

    The circumstances under which the second decoration was won was briefly: "Although wounded he led his Platoon with great gallantry and initiative. He lay down on the ground gained all day. When darkness came he rose, collected the wounded and took up a patrol to the objective when he was severely hit." The third decoration was gained on the eve of the armistice when Sergeant Major Donnelly displayed remarkable courage after covering and crossing of the Scheldt. That was on the 9th November last, I cannot better conclude than by reading the communication passed on to Sergeant Major Donnelly by the Major General Commanding 41st Division which is as follows: "I wish to place on record my appreciation of the great gallantry, devotion to duty and fine leadership which you displayed during the operation near Knokke from 21st to 26th October 1918."

    Major General Sir R. A. Kerr Montgomery pinned the medals and bar on Sergeant Major Donnelly's breast and congratulated him, shaking him briskly by the hand. Sergeant Major Donnelly thanked the General and the Lord Mayor and expressed his pleasure and pride at having had his decoration presented to him in the presence of such a large audience. James Donnelly's medals have been kindly loaned for six months to the Durham Light Infantry museum by a local member of the Orders and Medals Research Society who wishes to remain anonymous."

    Robert Malone




    224646

    Dvr. William Charles Todd att. 1st/3rd (South Midland) Field Ambulance Royal Army Service Corps (d.15th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    My great grandad William Todd served in the First World War in Belgium, he is buried in the Dovinghem Military Cemetery. There is a plaque in Bristol Cathedral with his, and several others' names on it. I would like to find out why it is there. Unfortunately, there are no photos of William.

    William was serving with the Royal Army Service Corps attached to the RAMC in Belgium near Hazebrouck in WWI and his role was horse transport driver of a field ambulance.

    From what I can make out from reading the field officer's note for 14th/15th August 1917, my grandad was driving a field ambulance with another soldier, which was being pulled by four horses, when he received a direct hit from a shell which killed his crew mate and three of the four horses. My grandad was badly wounded and was sent by ambulance transfer to Dozinghem, where he was operated on, but died. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    I visited the cemetery last year and it is a lovely place. I intend to go back next year with my son and his son, so three generations will visit the grave. Sadly, my father passed away in 2005 and will not be there to see a great site. If I can, I hope to track back to where my grandad was working from in the casualty clearing station in the Hazebrouck area. Should anyone have any further information on this I would be grateful.

    I joined the army as a boy soldier in 1970 and left in 1977 to the reserve and asked to became an ambulance man in Minehead. I had no knowledge of my grandad's role in WWI up to now, but it would look like I have followed in his footsteps somewhat.

    Steve Todd




    224642

    L/Sgt. Alexander Wallace 1st/7th Battalion Black Watch (d.23rd Dec 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander Wallace and his three brothers all served in the First World War, Alexander Andrew and David served with the 7th Battalion Black Watch and Charles who has immigrated to Australia served with the 16th Battalion Australian Imperial Force.

    Alexander died of wounds received during the Battle of Beamount Hamel on the 23rd December 1916 and at the time of his death his brothers Andrew and Charles had died.

    David Wallace survived the war, moved to Australia and was my grandfather

    Roger Sweetman




    224641

    Sgt. Andrew Wallace 1st/7th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Andrew, David and Alexander Wallace served with the 7th Battalion, Black Watch. Andrew was a professional soldier at the outbreak of World War One and his two brothers enlisted and served in the same unit at the outbreak of War.

    Andrew's other brother Charles had immigrated to Australia before the war and enlisted in the 16th Battalion Australian Imperial Force. Andrew and Alexander were killed on the western front while Charles was killed at Gallipoli.

    David Wallace survived the war and immigrated to Australia and was my Grandfather

    Roger Sweetman




    224639

    Pte. Thomas Shaw 1/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Shaw married my great aunt Ethel Savage on 24th of August 1914. I thought originally that he went to France in May/June 1916 for the Somme offensive, but I came across a reference to the award of the 1915 Star. It is possible he came across to France in 1915 and he could have taken part in the Battle of Loos.

    He was killed in action on 1st of July 1916 along with so many others in the attack, in the attack on Gommecourt Wood. His body was never identified, but he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    William Savage




    224638

    Pte. William Savage 1/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    I came across William Savage while researching a relative(Thomas Shaw). He has the same name as me, but I don't think we are related.

    William Savage




    224637

    Pte. John Harris 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.11th Jul 1917)

    John Harris was born in Scotland in 1894. He joined up at St Paul's Church, Hackney, London. He was attached to the 13th Battalion, the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and served from 25th August 1915 to 14 December 1915. I think he transferred to 19th Btn. London Regiment, St Pancras (service numbers 6099 and 612384.) He served from 16th June 1916 to 11th July 1917 when he was killed. He is buried at Woods Cemetery. There is an error with on his war grave - it says `John Albert Harris No. 612384, parents John Harris late of South Wales Borderers; mother Ellen Harris, 155 London Road, Dover'. war graves have made a mistake with another soldier of the same name. John's parents were William Harris born Scotland and mother Mary Ann Harris. They lived in Hackney, London. I know this for a fact.

    Tony Bond




    224634

    Cpl. Ernest Albert Smith Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    I believe My Grandfather, Ernest Smith joined the Royal Field Artillery in 1915 and fought at Arras. I am trying to find any information available.

    Paul Smith




    224626

    Pte. John Harold Pike 8th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry (d.30th June 1918)

    John Pike was a member of the Brislington Company Church Lads' Brigade. He died on 30th of June 1918 and lies beside Edwin Padfield, his fellow CLB member from Brislington.

    Doug Lake




    224624

    Pte. John Charles Plimmer 9th Batallion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.8th June 1915)

    John Plimmer died of wounds and is buried in Dickebus New Military Cemetery, Dickebus, Belgium. He had landed in Boulogne on the 20th May of 1915. KRRC's were probably brought up to support Canadian Regiment.

    Don Plimmer




    224621

    Cpl. Albert Edward Howitt 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Albert Edward Howitt, my Grandfather, joined the KRRC around 1916. He served at the Battle of Somme according to his own testimony. In 1917 he was captured by the Germans and became a POW.

    Bridget Matthews




    224619

    Pte. Patrick Sweeney 4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    <p>

    Paddy Sweeney served with the 1/4th Royal Scots Fusiliers

    1/4 RSF at Gallipoli some Anzacs are in the picture

    Before shipping out training near





    224618

    Pte. Thomas Simpson Army Service Corps

    Thomas Simpson served during WW1 in the Army Service Corps, but so far we have been unable to find out any further details. He did not serve in WWII due to being gassed during WW1 but became an ARP Warden in Preston, Lancashire. After WWII he remained in the Civil Defence gaining the Long Service Medal for 12 years service.

    Katrina Talbot




    224615

    Pte. John James O'Hare 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th May 1916)

    My great uncle John O'Hare was killed in action on 25th of May 1916. His sister, my grandmother was heavily pregnant at the time, five weeks after her brother's death she gave birth to my godfather, who was named after his uncle.





    224613

    Cpl. William Crawford 9th Btn. Blackwatch

    <p>

    William Crawford served with the 9th Battalion, Blackwatch and 14th Royal Welsh Fusliers

    William is bottom left.

    Kevin Wills




    224612

    Pte. George Ball 1/5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.14th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    My great-grandfather George Ball, whose death is marked at Packhorse Farm Shrine Cemetery in Belgium. George died when my grandfather was 2 years of age.

    D Barnard




    224611

    Lt. Edward Aloysius "Gerry" Gerrard 119 Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My father, Edward Gerrard's service commenced with a Temporary Commision in June 1914 at Newbridge Barracks, Ireland. I have much material including practice in July with 119 Battery, Reynolds VC and Alexander. He did not smell powder until Suvla Bay, then Dublin in 1916. He was wounded in Palestine 1917-18. He took part in the Battle of Beersheba, the yeomanry charge at Huj, Jereusalem at Christmas 1917, and into Deraa with King of Hijaz and Lawrence, and the fall of Damascus.

    I have many letters, photos and a diary which I am transcribing and will make available particularly for the Allenby campaign.

    Peter Gerrard




    224610

    Rflmn. Ernest James Titcomb 12th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

    My great uncle Ernest Titcomb died on the 7th of October 1916. His name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Gill Mitchell




    224609

    Cpl. William Henry Lyons 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.21st Aug 1918)

    William Lyons was born in 1881 in Salford, his mother was Alice Jane and his father James Lyons. William was their only child and became a maker-up of book cloth.

    William served in the 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died in action on the 21st August 1918. He was buried Pernes British Cemetery, in France.





    224607

    Pte. John Marshall Morris 12th Btns. East Surrey Regiment

    My grandfather John Morris was in the East Surrey Regiment during the First World War. He survived the war but died in 1947 by taking his own life, I wonder now if this could have been partly due to his wartime experiences.

    I would like to know when he joined the army and his discharge date, where he served and when and if he was wounded. I have been on battlefield trips and may have been to places where he fought.

    Desmond Morris




    224606

    Pte. John Edward Marshall 6th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.13th Jan 1916)

    John Marshall is buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery, Ypres. RIP. Great Granddad.

    Paul Smith




    224604

    Pte. Charles George Adams 2nd Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.1st July 1915)

    <p>

    The DCLI records show that Charles Adams joined up at Stratford on the 31st of August 1914, only a few weeks after the outbreak of war. He was just a few days short of his 20th birthday, though the record shows him as being 20 years old.

    Charles arrived in France on 30th of April 1915, which was also the day he wrote his will. After arrival in France, he was soon in the trenches near Sanctuary Wood in the Ypres Salient as part of A Coy 2 DCLI. Later the battalion moved to Houplines further South of Ypres.

    He was one of three soldiers killed in trench 80 near Houplines on the 1st of July 1915 by a German trench mortar. The other two soldiers killed were Pte Drew and Pte Andrews. The Battalion War Diary describes how the three died even down to the time, it says: "Between 2 & 3 am No. 80 Trench was again bombarded by a trench mortar, 15 bombs were fired 2 of which landed in the trenches killing 3 and wounding 2 men. At 11:30 am enemy working parties were observed in the neighbourhood of LES 4 HALLOTS FARM and further South. They appeared to be employed on making communication trenches behind their first line but work was stopped by our fire. Our snipers accounted for 3 enemy snipers in front of trenches 80 & 81 behind the enemy's second line. In the evening a trench howitzer was brought up to 80 trench to deal with the enemy's trench mortar should it again become active. The artillery were also pointed out the position of the enemy's trench mortar & and were kept in readiness to cooperate with the trench howitzer if required. Casualties 3 other ranks killed and 2 wounded." The War Diary records that the trench mortar had been firing for some days and usually at about the same time.

    Pte. Charles George Adams No.11937 2 DCLI, was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was 20 years old at the time of his death and had been on active service for just two months and two days.

    Charles's uncle, my grandfather Albert Alexander Adams, also served in 2 DCLI and though he was reported, on 28th of May, as being wounded, we believe he was with Charles on that fateful 1st July. Grandfather survived the War though wounded and gassed. The family say he was a broken man on his return home, he died aged 46 from various lung problems, no doubt caused by the gassing.

    Keith Adams




    224603

    Pte. James Francis Mattimoe 2nd Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Mattimoe was born on the 12th of Apr 1892 in Evenwood, Co.Durham. In December 1913 he had a son, John Edward Daykin. On the 24th of November 1915 Frank enlisted in the 14th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, as Private No. 25251 Army Records. He is recroded as Height:5'9"; Weight:154lbs; Chest:36.5", Expanded:+2"; Trade: Barman; Vision:D6/D6; Defects: Slight Flat Feet. On the 24th of February 1916 Frank was promoted to Unpaid Lance Corporal in the 81st Training Reserve and a month later was granted Pay of Lance Corporal. On the 29th of July 1916 he was severely reprimanded for Neglect of Duty when acting as Company Orderly Corporal. His daughter Esther Smith was born on the 25th of August. He was promoted to Corporal on the 29th of September His records show the s toppage of pay of 4d per day, paid to Lucy Ena Daykin for his illigitimate son on the 28th of June 1917. On the 14th of July 1917 Frank married Hannah Smith at St. Patrick's Church, Middlesbrough. On the 5th of August 1917 he was deprived of his Lance Rank for striking a Private Soldier.

    On the 18th of October 1917 Frank embarked from Folkestone with the 2nd Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment and disembarked at Boulgne the same day. He was wounded in action, on the 1st of December 1917, a Gun Shot Wound, Forearm, he was treated at Etaples and ejoined the 2nd Battalion on the 16th. On the 6th of February 1918 Frank was awarded 7 Days Field Punishment No.1. He was again wounded in action on the 21st of August 1918, this time a Gun Shot Wound Chest, it must have been slight, after treatment he rejoined his Battalion three days later.

    Frank was killed in action at the Battle of Epehy on the 18th of September 1918 and is buried in Trefcon British Cemetery, Caulaincourt, Aisne, France.

    Frank Mattimoe - Parents & Siblings

    Tom Parry




    224602

    Capt. John Duncan Mackie MC. 14th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    My father, J. Duncan Mackie, was a territorial army officer before the 1914-1918 war. He had played a large part in the St Andrews University OTC and he made several practice air reconnaissance flights from Leuchars aerodrome.

    He was mobilised with the 14th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was in Edinburgh Castle for part of his annual training when war was declared in August 1914. He said that he could remember thinking on that beautiful summer's day what had this war in a far off country got to do with him personally. His battalion went to Devon for training (he had until recently some very good cartoons drawn by someone in the battalion showing the Jocks and their officers making their early endeavours). For a time he was based at Crownhill Barracks/Fort at Plymouth one of the "Palmerston fortifications" which had been left uncompleted since the 1860s; some of the sons of the original masons were brought back to finish the buildings.

    The battalion moved to Witley camp near Godalming, Surrey, where they were encamped under canvas on ground recently cleared by felling fir trees - hence there was a pleasant smell of pine to mitigate the hardships. He was then a Company Commander. One night there was a zeppelin raid. The troops were roused and made to fall in with fixed bayonets; they had no ammunition and my father humourously wondered if they were supposed to climb a tree and try to puncture the intruder(s)! As the company was mustering, a stout Jock who had evidently been drinking, said to him in a fatherly way, "It's all right, Captain Mackie, "Ahm here". A Canadian battalion was also in the camp and the Scots were impressed by their friendliness although a little shocked at their familiarity. There was also a battalion of the Sussex Regiment who used to sing their song "We're the men from Sussex, Sussex by the sea .... "

    One of his soldiers was dying of TB in a hospital at Hindhead and my father rode up on horseback to visit him. To his horror he found a stern, Canadian padre saying "Young man the time has come for you to repent of your sins ..." The soldier looked past the padre and caught the eye of my father who winked and shook his head to show his disagreement; the young man smiled in recognition. On his way back to camp he was riding round the rim of the Devil's Punchbowl when a large white owl flew up from the valley and remained silently some yards away on the left of my father for some distance. He knew that there was some mediaeval superstition about owls but could not remember what it was or whether it was better for it to be on the left or on the right.

    In those days infantry officers had horses (and grooms) and horseback was the main way of getting about the countryside. The local pubs were the Crown at Chiddingfold and the White Hart at Witley (both still going strong). My father was proud of his horsemanship but very embarrassed when riding through the horsey village of Chiddingfold in company with a major who had very little idea of riding. Life in the camp was pretty uncomfortable. Inevitably things tended to go missing; my father's batman put this all down to the "diners", the civilian workmen who were building some of the huts.

    The battalion exercised by going on long route marches and they built a large entrenchment on Thursley common, My father was extremely conscientious and his papers include glowing testimonials from senior officers to the way in which his company was trained.

    When the time came they went to France and had to endure the realities of trench warfare. He wrote a number of articles about some of his experiences and sent them to his father with a view to having them published after the war. A kind of self-imposed censorship prevented him from publishing them sooner, and by the time the war was over, there was no longer much interest in an infantry officer's reminiscences of the Western Front. These articles have been preserved and tell some of his experiences in his own thoughts and words. One of the most typical is how the inhabitants of a dug out tamed a mouse with honey and whisky and named him Adolphus!

    He spoke often about the mud which seemed to be everywhere. It had its advantages, because shells and mortar bombs often failed to go off. He kept for years a German mortar bomb which landed right beside the plank causeway on which he was walking. If it had gone off he would have been killed and I would not be writing this. It is now doing duty as a doorstop.

    Troops at the front became almost blase about shelling and mortar bombardment. Visiting senior officers were very rare and were not used to the casual way in which the front-line troops seemed hardly to duck when shells landed, but the mud which was then like porridge just absorbed them. Snipers were another matter; you had to watch out for them. My father's best friend was killed, shot through the throat by a sniper, while peering over a parapet. Nobody understood why he did so at a dangerous spot. One night the elderly colonel - after dining well - decided he would go out into "No Man's Land" to inspect a barrage that was being laid down by British gunners. He came back swiftly, sober, but minus his cap and stick.

    The purpose of the trenches was to provide defensive cover from which the infantry could halt an enemy advance. It was also to provide a starting point from which to attack the enemy trenches on the other side of "No Man's Land". While the opposing lines ran from north to south, they were by no means straight and had to bend in accordance with the territory as well as the topography.

    No Man's Land was the scene of many night patrols and raids, when small parties of "straffers", armed with entrenching tooehandles, went out to try to capture prisoners to gain intelligence. Attacks on the enemy trenches were made after artillery bombardment to soften up the position and keep the enemy from manning the parapets. The trenches had large barbed wire entanglements in front of them which had to be cut. One of the effects of a bombardment was often to churn up the wire into such a state that it was more difficult than ever to cut. The kilt worn by Highland soldiers was most impractical. On one occasion, Duncan - in riding breeches - made his way through the wire and into the German front line long before his company were able to come to his support. Fortunately the Germans were already withdrawing and he had complete confidence that his men would come soon and that, particularly at close quarters, they were the beast in the world. He vividly remembered clearing enemy trenches; on one occasion a Jewish soldier startled him by jumping out of a niche to surrender and raised his arms in the "Kamerad" gesture with such zeal that he split his tunic at the armpit.

    One method of clearing a path through the barbed wire was to use a Bangalore torpedo. This was a long tube filled with explosive which was pushed along the ground under the entanglement and then exploded. On one occasion the Bangalore torpedo, having been carefully placed, failed to explode. This left the assaulting infantry in a dreadfully exposed position and most of them were killed or wounded.

    It was during one attack that my father was first wounded. (He has written his own account of it.) The attack had been going very well. The men had taken the first line of trenches and were moving on towards the second (or third) when a machine-gun on their right flank enfiladed them and shot many of them down, including my father who said everything seemed to be going very well when suddenly he felt as though he had been kicked by a horse! When he came to he was being removed on a stretcher. He said to the nearest officer "You must get that bloody machine-gun on the right". The message was duly passed on to the battalion headquarters who sent back a reply "Your message is not clear, refer to compass bearings". My father was furious, he had no way of taking a compass bearing; he did not know whether the lines were due north and south at this point. However, he then lost consciousness, but often recalled his disappointment "We'd been doing so well until I got hit."

    He was full of praise for the hospital arrangements, except for the stealing. Everything he had with him, including his wrist watch was stolen. He was sent to a hospital at Rouen whence a telegram was sent to his parents stating that he had been admitted with "Gunshot wound - serious." In the hospital an arrangement was made whereby water was dripped slowly and continuously right through his body to cleanse the wound. He never cleaned the blood off his revolver holster and it is still stained to this day.

    After he recovered, Duncan rejoined the battalion which had then returned to England and was based at Devizes in Wiltshire. He wrote to his parents as follows:- "Life is full of small surprises, Here we are in quiet Devizes. Won't it be a treat for Wilts, When we all appear in kilts".

    It was in 1916 that he married in Edinburgh, Cicely Jean Paterson whom he had known well in St. Andrews where she had been the ward of the kindly Principal, Sir James Donaldson, a very distinguished Scottish scholar and philosopher, who had helped to foster their romance. He had died in office in 1915 at the age of 84 and in spite of it being war time he had a very large ceremonial funeral, being buried in St. Andrews Cathedral. My parents did not address each other by their Christian names until after they became engaged.

    The battalion was sent to Ireland soon after the 1916 rebellion for "Duties in aid of the Civil Power". Ireland fascinated and mystified him. When his company had been disembarked and formed up on the quay he gave the order "By the left, quick march .... and step slow in front!" Oh my God, he thought, Ireland is getting to me already. They were stationed at the seaside town of Kinsale where his new wife Joined him. They had a charming landlady whose husband died while they were there. They were both shocked by the contrast of the kindness of the local doctor with the apparent brusqueness of the priest.

    It was difficult to make much headway with the security situation; reprisals were out. It was very difficult to obtain any information about the Irish irregulars although their intelligence about the British Army's movements was absolute. I believe that it was while they were at Kinsale that one of the foremost bandsmen was Victor Sylvester who later became the BBC's dance band (strict tempo) favourite.

    The battalion had to go back to France and return to the business of trench warfare. This was often static for months with only small movements either way. Contrary to what is sometimes written and said nowadays, Duncan was emphatic that the morale of the troops remained high throughout and none of them ever doubted that they would win in the end. He was awarded the Military Cross for, as he put it, "running about and shouting."

    The German offensive in 1918 shook the Allies who were forced to retreat; some went faster than others. A Portuguese unit stole or looted bicycles to speed them on their way. Then the Australians moved up to the front. Duncan, looking at their long, rather horse-like, confident faces, knew that there would be no more running away. He had great respect for the Australian infantry in action, but found them most trying allies. They were liable to steal one's cooking equipment or anything else that might be useful to them, and were equally likely to shoot anyone trying to reclaim the belongings they had taken.

    On one occasion the Argylls were ordered to withdraw quickly from a well prepared defensive trench and to leave everything except their personal equipment. They could not understand the reason for this order, and Duncan was upset to see so much valuable equipment being left for the Germans. Although laden with accoutrements like a Christmas tree, he picked up a pair of good wire cutters in a leather case and kept them for many years.

    It was in the autumn of 1918 that the British Army made its decisive advance in Flanders. On the wall of a building which had been used as billets by the Germans he found the following graffito which pleased him: "Marmelade, Käse and Butter Ist das Deutschen Heldenfutter Aber viele möchten wir Etwas Schinken Wurst and Bier."

    It was in one attack over open ground that the battalion suffered very heavily from the German artillery. Duncan saw a brick house receive a direct hit from a high explosive shell. He said that the result looked like a red sneeze and the house disappeared. Soon after that he was hit in the shoulder by a large fragment from an airburst shell. This must have nearly killed him As it was, his arm was permanently damaged, although the surgeons saved the limb by knotting a nerve - one of the earliest of such operations. The pain remained with him for the rest of his life.

    It was before one of the large-scale attacks that the old soldier who had spoken to him on the night of the Zeppelin raid at Witley said "Awe and tell Winston Churchill he needna send ony o' they tanks. Ahm going o'er." He did not survive.

    A surprising number did survive and battalion reunion dinners were held in Glasgow and were well attended at least until the late 1950s. Major Duncan Mackie was the convenor and chairman of this dinner. On one occasion in the 1960s an elegant and handsome man approached him with a smile and asked if he remembered him. Duncan thought for a moment and then said "Oh yes, but the last time I saw you, you were hanging in the barbed wire with a great hole in your chest."

    Tobias Mackie




    224601

    Gnr. Albert Henry Ashurst 76th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Henry Ashurst served with 76th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, he was 25 years old.

    Paul Kent




    224600

    L/Cpl. Percival Allen Allso 16th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.27th July 1916)

    <p>

    Percy Allso served with the 16th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

    Susan Silvester




    224599

    Cpl. William Norris 1st Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.10th May 1918)

    William Norris was my father's cousin. William is buried in Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, France.

    Ernie Norris




    224597

    Alfred Clayton 7th (Leeds Rifles) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Alfred Clayton was born in Leeds on the 24th of April 1887, the son of John Clayton and Rosa Lavina Moore. He served with the 7th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment, the Leeds Rifles, in France and after the war was a district supervisior of a hardware chain store. He moved to Canada in 1930.

    Randy Clayton




    224596

    Pte. Ellis Dean 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1917)

    Ellis Dean's mother was my grandmother's sister. She moved to Liverpool from Londonderry to work and married Ellis Dean Snr. Ellis Dean Jnr's Uncle and cousin were both killed at Thiepval on 1st July 1916, serving with 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

    Ernie Norris




    224591

    Pte. William Jones 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    William Jones was the son of Maria Reeves and Isaiah Jones and the brother of Elizabeth, Lucy and Sarah Jones. He returned to England after emigrating to Detroit, Michigan, USA to enlist in the army. May he rest in peace.

    Joyce Avery




    224589

    Rflmn. William James Henry 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.31 Lilliput Street, Tiger's Bay)

    Remembering my brave grandad William Henry who served during the 1st and 2nd World Wars. I have mementos from your life - your Christmas card from Lord and Lady Carson and a small soldier's hand book.

    Susan Elder




    224587

    Capt. William Rogerson att. 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.27th Aug 1918)

    William Rogerson is one of the surgeons listed in the book "Lord Kitchener's 100 Surgeons in World War 1", which details 100 doctors from Australia who answered Lord Kitchener's call in early 1915 to join the British Army urgently. He is noted in the 56th Field Ambulance and 8th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment diaries on 27th August 1918: "The night was quiet with bright moonlight. Patrols were sent out in front along the lines at Bernafay Wood, Longueval Rd and Trones Wood but had difficulty moving forward because they were under machine gun fire and failed to locate any posts as none appeared to have been established in this area. During this time, three of the enemy strayed into our lines and were taken prisoner by the Medical Officer." It is not known how he was killed - enemy or friendly fire? by the prisoners?

    Lina Moffitt




    224585

    Pte. Lawrence Jordan 14th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.23rd July 1916)

    <p>

    Lawrence Jordan was born at St Catherine's Dublin in 1896. He served and died with the 14th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was killed in action in Battle of the Somme on 23rd July 1916.

    Andrew Jordan




    224584

    Pte. Michael Moore 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st March 1918)

    Michael Moore was my great uncle. He died on 21st March 1918 in the German attack at St Quentin. Michael is recorded on the Pozieres Memorial. He was the son of Mary Anne Moore of 20, Lombard Street East, Dublin.

    Bob Kearns




    224582

    Pte. Charles Richard Painter Coldstream Guards

    <p>

    Dick Painter served with the Coldstream Guards

    Maggie Williams




    224573

    Cpl. John Lea MM. 5th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    John Lea (or Jack as he was known), was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the face of enemy fire, after he was asked to venture out into no-mans land to repair a vital communication wire that had been broken during heavy bombardment. During this task he was hit in the leg by a bullet. However, he successfully restored communications and made it back to his line. All this took place when his unit was serving in Gallipoli. He never talked much about the war, and still having painful memories he eventually sold all his medals to a calling salesman back in the late 70s for the measly sum of £50. He kept active and was still riding his bicycle when he was in his 70s. He died at the ripe old age of 94. Sadly I have no photo of him.

    Kevin Lea




    224572

    Pte. John Steven "Monty" Mantova 12th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    My grandfather John Stephen Mantova was half Italian. He was a private with the 12th Btn Manchester Regiment from 1914. He served in many places including the Somme. We know little about his war-time story as he didn´t like to talk about it. His number was 4343, but he was sent home on several occasions with wounds to his arms, legs, chest and back. Some of these were massive holes that a cloth could be put through to clean the wounds.

    Eventually in 1915/16 he was transferred as unfit for active duty to the Royal Engineers, working out in Mesopotamia (Iraq) helping build new roads, probably using prisoners or war and deserters. His number there was 251026.

    Before the war he trained as a stone mason, but when he returned home and was demobbed in 1919, he was unable to carry out his trade as he could no longer lift or use the tools. From 1919 until 1960 he gave 41 years of faithful service to the City Corporation of Liverpool as a tram conductor, for the last three years as a bus conductor when the City scrapped its trams the last one going out of service in 1957. He was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1914/15 Star, but these later were stolen. He died in October 1980.

    Anthony J F Mantova




    224571

    Pte. James Collins 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Collins was originally born in Worksop, and later moved to Ashington. He enlisted in Newcastle in 1914, and fell on 1st July 1916. A husband and father, and remembered with many of his pals on the Thiepval Memorial, and by his family.

    David Molnar




    224565

    John Quinn 3rd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    John Quinn, the eldest son of John and Margaret Quinn, Ballygowan, Omagh, joined the army on 22nd July 1915 at Omagh and commenced his military training with the 3rd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Londonderry on 24th July 1915.

    On completion of training, John was posted to join the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers based at Suez in Egypt and underwent further training there until his regiment embarked on the SS Wandilla on 10th January 1916 and sailed for Marseilles in France, arriving there on 18th March 1916. John and 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were heading for the front line and war against German troops.

    Leaving Marseilles at 10.30pm on 18th of March 1916, the regiment travelled for two days by train to get to Pont Remy. They then marched to Ergnies, arriving at 05.30am where they set up camp and, for the next few days, concentrated on training for war. On 30th of March 1916 at 6.45am, the regiment was on the move again on foot to Amplier, where upon arrival at about 5pm they set up camp and spent the next few days on extensive training. Their next move was to Mailley Maillet at 2.30pm on 4th of April 1916 and by 8th of April 1916 John and his regiment were taking over the trenches at Auchonvillers and experiencing bombardment from German artillery shells.

    The regiment set about repairing trenches and their defences and recommenced training (action by the enemy was minimal at this stage, limited to sniping and some bombardment) and this became the routine until 6th of May 1915 when the enemy shelled the regiment's trenches from dawn to dusk but there were no serious casualties. Work commenced to repair trench damage and continued for several days.

    However, between 26th and 30th of June 1916 enemy action intensified with the regiment’s trenches being attacked with gas bombs. There were regular raiding parties active on both sides day and night and by 30th of June 1916 casualties were reported as five killed, one missing and 16 wounded - but worse was yet to come.

    At 7.30am on 1st of July 1916 the order was given for the regiment to advance on the German trenches. These trenches had been under constant bombardment from allied artillery for the previous seven days. As the regiment advanced they were met with ferocious resistance from the Germans machine guns whose defensive positions were heavily fortified, unbeknown to the advancing British and allied forces, casualties number grew quickly. The advance had failed to gain any ground beyond the enemy wire and the regiment was forced to withdraw. Casualties for the regiment on this day were: officers - four killed, four missing and eleven injured. Other ranks - 50 killed, 225 missing and 265 wounded.

    One of those wounded was John Quinn, who had been shot in the thigh with such ferocity that his thigh bone was fractured. Medical evacuation policy gave priority to those with life threatening injuries and with the high number of casualties elsewhere on the front line that day, led to John lying in the trenches for eleven days before he received medical care on 12th of July 1916. Following medical assessment, John was brought back to the UK on 17th of July 1916 and admitted to Western Infirmary at Glasgow for treatment. He remained in hospital until 13th of October 1916 when he was discharged and sent on recuperation leave.

    John returned to duty on 30th of October 1916 at Londonderry where he was transferred to the Labour Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment and returned to France on the 12th of February 1917. He continued to serve with the labour battalion until he was declared fit for active service and transferred back to his mother regiment on 15th of September 1917.

    On 22nd of March 1918 John was reported missing in action and it was not until 3rd of October 1918 that news was received of his capture by the enemy and that he was a prisoner of war in Germany. John remained a prisoner of war until 22nd of November 1918 when he was repatriated and medically discharged on 4th of December 1918.

    Ivan W J Quinn




    224564

    Sgt. William Nixon Yeowart 5th Btn. Border Regiment (Cumberland)

    According to British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920, William Nixon Yeowart (born 28 May 1893) was an 'Apprentice Fitter' from Whitehaven, he joined 5th Battalion Cumberland Border Regiment in 1910 and was at Barrow Camp in the summers of 1910 and 1913 and at Dolphinhome Camp in the summer of 1911. He was appointed Lance Corporal in July 1912, promoted to Corporal in January 1913 and then to Machine Gun Sergeant in August 1914.

    He served at home between 5 August and 24th of October 1914 before embarking from Southampton to France (Havre) on 25th of October 1914. In June 1915 he was hospitalised before returning home on 3rd of August 1915. He was discharged in consequence of the expiration of the terms of engagement (six years), in Barrow-in-Furness on 19th of April 1916.

    His military character was described as 'exemplary' and the following was said about him: 'Honest, sober, entirely trustworthy, industrious, clear and intelligent. Was machine gun sergeant whilst serving with BEF France and did excellent work. He has tact, discretion and an excellent follower of command'.

    William was my second cousin twice removed. He died in Canada in 1990.

    Robin Moore




    224558

    Pte. William Holmes 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th June 1915)

    <p>

    I have memorial card for a relative, William Holmes, and I decided to find out a little more about the Battle of Hooge. I was surprised to find a mention of William, but it left us wondering if there were two William Holmes from Jarrow. This is because the memorial card states his age as 26, whereas the the mention on the site states his age as 23. It would be nice to know the origin of the memorial card, was it sent by the military or did the families of the fallen do their own personal cards?

    Editors Note: The card would be a family item.

    Peter Watt




    224556

    Thomas James Johnson MC & bar. 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    My great uncle, Thomas Johnson joined up as a boy soldier in the Somerset Light Infantry. He won a MC at Mons in 1914 then another (his bar) in 1917. He survived the war and went on to fight on the home front as a training officer in WW2. If anybody has any information please get in touch.

    Ian Johnson




    224555

    L/Cpl. Charles Thomas Lovell 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1918)

    I do not know much about this poor lad. Charles Lovell lost his mother when he was three and was put in an orphanage. I can only imagine he came out of this and went straight to war. He was the only brother of my nan.

    Lesley




    224554

    Pte. David Fowler 1/5th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.12th July 1915)

    David Fowler was born on 17th February, 1895, in Catrine, Ayrshire. I do not know when he enlisted, but on the 21st May, 1915, he and his battalion embarked for Gallipoli from Liverpool on board RMS Mauretania. They arrived in Mudros, Greece, on 29th May briefly before moving on to Gallipoli on 7th June.

    Lead by Lieutenant-Colonel J.B. Pollok-McCall, the battalion numbered around 900 men. It would have been a baptism of fire for David as the historians tell us that their first rest camp was heavily shelled. The battalion was put into the front line almost right away to relieve units of the 29th Division, resulting in many casualties of which David was not one. For a month, the battalion waited in rest camps (that would not have afforded much rest) until allied victories won the Gulley Ravine, clearing a path to Krithia. It was this final push on the Turkish front between Kereves Dere and Achi Baba nullah that brought David's life and story to a close. For the battle, henceforth known as "The Attempt on Achi Baba", the 155th Brigade formed the centre of a staggered three-prong attack. The 5th Battalion (David's) were in brigade reserve. The centre attack comprised of four waves, and on the fourth wave General Erskine sent in two companies of the 5th Battalion to support the 5th King's Own Scottish Borderers. It is entirely likely that David was one of those men sent forward, for on that day he was killed in action.

    His name, among many others, can be found on the Helles Memorial. It's sad to say that the only story I can contribute are the cold facts.

    Steven Fowler




    224545

    Pte. James Williams Oman 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.19th Sep 1917)

    My great-grandfather was James Williams Oman. Here is the information that I know so far:

    Mrs Oman received a letter from Private William Brodie, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, and her husband's chum, to the effect that her husband had not returned after a recent engagement, and it was feared he was killed. Shortly after receiving this letter she received another letter from one of her husband’s officers to the same effect, but stating that nothing definite could be stated, since no-one had seen him fall, and it was hoped that he had been taken prisoner.

    I would love to find out how he died.

    James Oman was the son of Daniel and Catherine Oman, husband to Eleanor Oman (née Duncan), and father of three children: Jessie, Jean and Ellen. Before the war he worked as a lorry man with Russell Brothers, wholesale fruiterers, West Main Street, Armadale. He enlisted at Glencorse, and at first served with the Cameronians Scottish Rifles (service no: 26297). He went missing in action aged 33, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    Diane Little




    224543

    L/Cpl. James William King 2/10th Btn. London Regiment

    My Grandfather James William King enlisted in March 1918 and was initially posted to the 6th Btn. Rifle Brigade. He arrived in France in June 1918 and transferred to the 2/10th (Hackney) Battalion, London Regiment in the field in August 1918. Fought with them as a Lewis gunner through til the Armistice when he then transferred to the 19th Bn Kings Royal Rifle Brigade from December 1918 til March 1920. He survived both the war and a bout of Spanish Flu. He retired to Bournemouth, Dorset in 1965 and died there in 1987.

    Faris Siwadi




    224541

    Sgt. Harry King MM. 4th Btn Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    Harry King served with the 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers.

    Stuart King




    224539

    Pte. Roderick Shand 4th Btn. Cameron Highlanders

    My father Roddy Shand, along with his brother Murdo and several friends, enlisted in the Cameron Highlanders on the Sunday that World War II broke out. My father was a piper and stretcher bearer. They were taken prisoner at St Valery and taken in cattle wagons by rail to Poland. The camp was Stalag XXA near Gdansk. My father kept a dairy for 5 years. I only kept the last diary from January 1945 until he arrived home in Inverness on 14th May 1945. My mother had asked us to burn his diaries without reading them when she died. We honoured her wish. The last diary is about the March - he always referred to it as The March.

    He often talked about when they received their Red Cross parcels. These parcels contained rice, bully beef, cigarettes and chocolate. My mother was allowed to send him some things via the Red Cross but never food. She sent him a razor, blades, shaving stick and soap and underwear. The Germans didn't have real soap and this was highly prized. He said the German guards were "just like us". But in January 1945 the SS moved in. They were cruel. One prisoner was shot because he refused to put out a cigarette when told to.

    The March started in January in freezing conditions. These men were not in good health and Dad said many gave up and died on the March. They were starved, ill-shod and ill-clothed. Eventually they were liberated by the Americans. My father said within half an hour the Yanks had them all fed. This contrasted with their treatment when they got back to England. They had to stand for two hours and when they were fed the food was too rich and greasy and made them ill.

    My mother adored him and they had a good life together after the war. One of his friends from that time, named his son after my father, Roderick Alexander. We once visited them in Davison Mains outside Edinburgh. He had played in the British Legin Pipe Band, but I think he had had enough of uniforms and his hobbies were cycling, Scottish country dancing and helping to run the Amateur Swimming club. He was a really good man.

    Rhoda Lewis




    224536

    Pte. James Nixon 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th April 1915)

    <p>

    My grandfather, James Nixon was in C Company of 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who landed in Boulogne, France on 20th April 1915. The Battalion moved to Ypres and on 26th April took part in the Battle of St Julien where he was badly wounded in the back and hip by shell fire. He was transferred to No.14 General Hospital, Wimereux, near Boulogne. He died on 28th April 1915 after a week in France and was buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery.

    The Grave of Pte James Nixon

    John Nixon




    224535

    Pte Henry Thomas

    <p>

    I know very little about my Great Uncle Henry. From what I can tell, this young man from a farming family in the idyllic Shropshire countryside near Wroxeter, enlisted at the start of the war and was sent over to France to fight for the freedom of his country. He was killed in Ypres and has his name inscribed on a wall at the memorial there, I presume his body was either never found or could not be recovered from the where it fell. Just another name on a very long list.

    I recently took my father to Wroxeter church, Shropshire, where we found a dusty memorial plaque to the men of the village who did not return and there he was Henry Thomas. It's funny this was a man we never knew and had never even heard of until recently and seeing his name stirred up such emotions. I felt incredibly proud in the knowledge that one of my ancestors had paid the ultimate sacrifice so that I may live a free and wonderful life. My father touched his name, a tear in his eye, he needed to say nothing. We return every Remembrance Day and place a poppy and pop in now and then to give the plaque a good clean.

    So that's it a very short and somewhat insignificant story of a young man from a loving hard working family in the rolling hills and beautiful countryside of Shropshire who will be remembered and never forgotten.

    Sally Thomas




    224533

    Pte. William Henry Ralphs 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    William Ralphs was born in Tenbury Wells, Shropshire. William enlisted at St Pancras, Middlesex. (Formerly 82146, Army Cyclist Corps.) He was killed by enemy artillery east of Les Bouefs, aged 18.

    He was the son of George Harry and Laura "Lal" Jane Ralphs (nee Penny), of 71 Corve Street, Ludlow, Shropshire. (George was an agent for Singer sewing machines.) They had six children: Frederick John Ralphs (b. 1896), William "Bill" Henry Ralphs (b. 1898), George Stanley Ralphs (b. 1899), Ernest Thomas Ralphs (b. 1901), Alice May Ralphs (b. 1907) and Edward Arthur Ralphs (b. 1909, d. 1911).

    William is commemorated on a plaque in St Laurence Church, as well as at Thiepval.

    Gareth Ralphs




    224530

    Pte. Charles Albert Moffatt 11th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    Charles Moffatt was the only man left to go to war in our family, so although it meant leaving his wife to manage six children, he felt it was his duty to go. He worked mostly in the cookhouse for the regiment. It is rumoured he deceived them regarding his age and marital status, such was his determination to sign up. He was 38 in 1914. He didn't talk of the war when he came back but what he experienced clearly impacted on him because he told his children there could be no God. The war medal he was given was supposedly thrown by him into a river or canal.





    224529

    Rflmn. William Benjamin Reynolds 1st Btn Rifle Brigade (d.6th July 1915)

    William Reynolds was the son of William & Emma, husband of Mary Hanna Reynolds of Prestwich. He died aged 38 in July 1916 and is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    Jon




    224525

    Pte. Bertie George 2nd Btn Lincolnshire Regiment (d.5th May 1915)

    Bertie George was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on 17 April 1892 to James Edward George and his wife Eliza Campbell, one of nine children. He enlisted as a private at Aldershot on 23 February 1909 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment.

    He was in Bermuda with the 2nd Btn in 1914 and disembarked in France in November of that year. His service record states that he was killed in action on 5th of May 1915, but adds "Place not stated". He is one of the missing commemorated in the Ploegsteert Memorial, naming his mother as Mrs Eliza George of Row 46, Market Place, Great Yarmouth.

    Elizabeth Nathan




    224524

    Rflmn. Samuel Edward Stevens 11th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.25th Sep 1917)

    Rifleman Samuel Edward Stevens, R/43245, was a member of the 11th Battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps. He died on Tuesday, 25th of September 1917 during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He was aged just 23 and was the son of Mr William Henry and Mrs Mary Ann Stevens of Maplescombe Farm Cottages according to our local war memorial records. I now live in this cottage and as I drive down the single track lane towards the village I can imagine Samuel walking to the village where the conscripts were picked up and never getting to return. In our garden are an abundance of yellow primroses and one day we would like to take some and plant them on his grave...a little bit of home! He is supposed to be buried in Plot III of the Bard Cottage Cemetery in Western Flanders, but having contacted the person who cares for the graves there, he said Samuel was not there. We hope to find him one day. He is remembered in the cottage by two cap badges from his corps which are part of the metal fireplace surround. We have not been able to find any photos of him.

    Jo Campbell-Dunlop




    224523

    Cpl. Albert Ainsworth 7th (City of London) Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

    Albert Ainsworth started off as a private in World War One and joined the London regiment in the 7th (City of London) Battalion at Hammersmith, London under the regiment number: 3937. He lived in Notting Hill, London. The 1/7th battalion was formed in August 1914 in Finsbury square, a district in central London and was assigned to the 2nd London Infantry Brigade in the 1st London Division.

    Later on in his military career, he was promoted to Corporal and his service number changed from 3937 to 351464; this was because before 1917 all men serving with Territorial Force units were given either three digits or four digit service number. So from this information we know that Albert Ainsworth was initially a territorial forces soldier.

    The 1/7th battalion embarked and landed in France in 1915 and first saw action in Festubert in May 1915. The battalion took part in several major battles in World War One such as the battle of Loo’s in the September of that year, Vimy in May 1916, High Wood in September 1916 and many other major battles.

    The battalion did suffer major casualties in these heroic battles and Corporal Albert Ainsworth was one of the many casualties, killed in action on the seventh of October in 1916. The 1/7th battalion were, at the time of Corporal Albert Ainsworth’s death fighting at Butte de Warlencourt. There was a lot of casualties as the soldiers were pinned down by machine gun fire. Around 300 officers and men lost their lives. The battalion was awarded the battle honour Le Transloy, a sector of the Somme.

    Albert Ainsworth is remembered at the Thiepval memorial.

    Danielle Whitehead




    224522

    2nd Lt. Harold James Walter Scott 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Harold J W Scott was a prisoner of war. He was reported missing on 23rd of March 1918 and was repatriated on 12th of October 1918.

    Diana McGlone




    224521

    Cpl. Walter Lewis 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.20th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Lewis was my grandfather. He was born in Bilston in the West Midlands in 1883 (his service records says 1880) to Richard and Marie Lewis, one of six children. He married Ada Lilley on 20th December 1903. They had three children - Walter, Reginald and Fredrick.

    We believe that Walter joined the army in the August 1914, in Wolverhampton. We are sure that after joining he was in the 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment at Lichfield, which we believe was formed in August 1914 as part of K1 and became part of 33rd Brigade in the 11th (Northern) Division. They moved to Grantham, then Freansham in April 1915 and sailed from Liverpool in July 1915 for Gallipoli. We think they landed at Suvla Bay in August. We have no record of Walter until October and on his medal card it states that he joined Balkan theatre of war on 6th October 1915 and died of wounds on 20th October. In the letter Ada received regarding his death it said that he died of dysentery. We also have a copy of a letter sent to Ada Lewis from a Captain Harry A Frost, a Canadian Meathodist Minister, No 3 Canadian Stat Hospital saying that he and a Captain Whitaker had been with Walter the evening before he died, and had readings and prayers with him and that Walter had been buried with full military honours at Portianos Military Cemetery, West Mudros on the Greek Island of Lemnos/Limnos. My husband and I have just returned from Limnos and have visited both the Military Cemeteries and they are immaculate. They are in beautiful settings, very quiet and peaceful. So anyone reading this who has family members buried on Lemnos should have peace of mind that their loved ones rest in a great place. I am happy that grandad can rest in peace in a wonderful place with very special people looking after him.

    Irene Wenlock




    224519

    Pte. Albert Almond 16th Btn. King's Royal Rifles (d.20th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Albert Almond was born to Thomas Almond and Nanny Braithwaite Holt in 1884. He enlisted in the King's Royal Rifles in September 1914 and was sent to France, but returned to England to recover from wounds received in January 1915. He married Minnie Shaw in 1915 and returned to the front. He was killed in action on the 20th July 1916.

    Grahame Morris




    224514

    Pte. Thomas Bailey 12/13th Btn. B Company Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Bailey was taken prisoner of war 28th May 1918, 2 weeks before his 18th birthday at Berry Au Bac. He died in 1935.

    Chris Bailey




    224513

    Cpl. Frederick Ellis 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    My father, Frederick Ellis enlisted in the East Lancashire Regiment at Fullwood Barracks in 1914. He was assigned to the 9th Regiment of the 22nd Division. At the end of the conflict he reenlisted into the Royal Army Service Corps and was eventually discharged in June of 1920. He served in Salonika for all but a couple of months of the conflict. We are looking any information.

    Denis F. Ellis




    224510

    Pte. Richard Vaughan Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    Richard Vaughan is my granddad, he lived in Bettisfield Shropshire but served under the Sherwood Forest Regiment until he was injured. He was born about 1886 in Bettisfield, and he died after the war was over.

    Jackie




    224509

    Frederick Atkinson 10th Battalion (d.15th Aug 1915)

    Fred Atkinson was born at Appleby, Westmoreland in July 1893, and had previously served in the 4th Battalion, Border Regiment (T.F.) prior to enlisting in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in December 1914. Initially posted to the 32nd Infantry Battalion, he transferred to the 10th Battalion, another overseas unit of the Canadian Infantry, before arriving at the Front in April 1915.

    According to official records, he was ‘instantly killed by a bullet from the rifle of an enemy sniper’ at Ploegsteert on 15th of August 1915.





    224507

    Pte James Raeburn 2nd Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.28th April 1916)

    Jamie Raeburn-Brown




    224505

    Pte. Alexander Kirk Wilson 2nd Btn Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    Alexander Kirk Wilson was my grandfather, and he was born in Perth, Scotland. He served with The King's Own Scottish Borderers during The First World War, and from information posted by others, it appears he was in the 2nd Battalion.

    He was taken prisoner, and again from information on the internet this seemed to have happened in 1914. He had the opportunity to escape, as I remember my mother (Margaret, "Peggie") telling us, when the Germans mistook him for an officer due to the fact that he was a piper (which was possibly reflected in insignia on his uniform), but unfortunately an Englishman told the Germans he was not an officer. This tragically meant he was then held as a prisoner for another 2 years.

    He was sent to Holland after he was released, which I believe was not until the end of the War, since the ravages of the German prison camp had left him barely alive. He suffered from memories of this Hell on earth throughout the rest of his life, and I believe he died when he was only in his 40's, around 1947. He married Margaret Mathieson, my grandmother, and they went on to have twelve children. They lived originally in West Maryston, between Baillieston and present-day Easterhouse. Sadly Margaret died when she was only in her 40's too, around 1942, but the family stayed together in the family home which was then in Robertson terrace in Baillieston. I like to think my grandfather's survival is the triumph of good over evil, his most treasured possession was his Bible which he carried with him throughout that Hellish camp, and which in turn was cherished by my mother (who married James Allison) after my grandfather died.

    Annette Allison




    224504

    Pte. Joseph Edwin Gibbons 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1918)

    Joseph Gibbons was my great great uncle. I recently started to investigate my family history. I have a photo of him in his South Staffordshire Regiment uniform. We think he enlisted in December 1917 after a few months of getting married to Eliza Gibbons (nee Clarke). He was fatally injured in France and is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, which I hope to visit.

    Roger Gibbons




    224502

    Pte. John Rorrison 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.23rd April 1917)

    Before my mother was born her father had returned from England to his homeland (Scotland). Shortly afterwards the first World War was underway and young John Rorrison signed up in Lockerbie to join The Royals Scots Fusiliers.

    By April 1917 he was engaged in ferocious fighting on high ground overlooking the Cherisy Valley in Arras. As the battalion advanced it was under a barrage of machine gun fire. From 4.45 in the morning until 9pm the battle raged and the Royal Scots Battalion was depleted by half. The survivors retreated but John Rorrison was not one of them. He died on 23rd April 1917 and is "Remembered with Honour" in Bootham Cemetery, Heninel, France. Through researching my family history I know far more about my Grandfather than my Mother ever knew.

    My father (considerably older than my Mother) also served in WW1 and survived but was seriously wounded at Ypres in September 1917.

    Shirley Ross




    224500

    Lt. Walter Alfred Leland 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.4th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    The only known WW1 casualty on my family tree, Walter Leland was born on 3rd of March 1893 in Liverpool, the first child of Alfred and Eugenie (nee Gollin), and was registered as Walter Alfred Lazarus. He was educated at Charterhouse where he was a crack rifle shot, winning several medals for the rifle club. He moved to Sydney in 1912, to join the Australian firm of Gollin and Son for his planned career in 'commercial pursuits'. On the outbreak of war he immediately decided to return to England on the first outgoing steamer, the SS Demosthenes from Brisbane.

    He was given a commission as Temporary 2nd Lieutenant in November, 1914, initially attached to the 10th Battalion Bedfordshires. For some months his regiment was stationed at Harwich, on the east coast. It was then sent to the White City, in London for further training. After a brilliant result of competitive examination in musketry, etc., he obtained his lieutenancy in April 1915.

    He left for Gallipoli Peninsula in May, attached to the 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Lieutenant Leland was at Gabà Tepè only four days. On 4th June, the day after his arrival he was ordered to advance up the Nullah at the head of his section. On turning a bend they cut through wire entanglements and came on hidden Turkish guns, the fire from which killed almost the entire section, Lieutenant Leland falling with the rest. Only a few survived the action, and the trench which they were seeking was not taken until three weeks afterwards. His body was recovered and buried at Gallipoli on 28th June. His name appears on the Helles memorial, and also on the family plaque at Golders Green crematorium.

    Lieutenant Leland was very musical, and the writing of music and verse were his principal hobbies.

    Helen




    224495

    Pte. Joseph Charles Currie 8th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.5th April 1916)

    Joseph Currie (as the family story goes) was a dispatch rider. He rode into a field of mines and was blown to pieces. I don't whether this is true. From records I have found online it says missing in action presumed killed in action. Another family story is that Joseph initially lied about his age to join up and was only about 18 or 19 when he died.





    224488

    Pte. Henry Holden 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.13th April 1918)

    <p>

    My Great uncle was Henry Holden, son of Jane & Thomas Holden of 63 Clarence Street, Newton le Willow. He was educated at St. Mary's & enlisted in army in 1911, No. 66808 in the Royal Field Artillary. He transferred to 2nd Btn, Irish Guards. He had been four times wounded and died 13th April 1918 at the Battle of Hazebrouck. His body was never found but he is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial

    Paper Clipping

    Kevin Ashcroft




    224477

    A/Sgt. Frederick Coulson 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    Frederick Coulson, born in 1884, had joined the regiment in the early 1900s. He met his wife during his posting to Raglan Barracks, Devonport and they were married in 1913. He was posted missing, then confirmed as killed in action. He left a widow, Florence and a daughter, Violet; his son, Charles, was born in the month following his death. They were living with Florence's parents in Camel's Head, Devonport, Devon, where they remained for several years.

    Heather Roche




    224476

    Pte. Bernard "Bertie" Gorman 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Bertie Gorman joined up on the day war was declared. The story is that he ran down the garden, jumped over a hedge onto the road and headed for the local barracks. He told them he was 17 but he may still have been 16. His first theatre of war was the Balkans in July 1915.

    He survived the war but suffered from paralysis of the right hand, which was a considerable handicap for someone who was a tailor by trade. Northern Ireland did not prove to be hospitable place for veterans after the war. He moved to Co. Longford for a time and then sought work in Canada. Eventually he and most of his family moved to London where his service record helped him get work in the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. He died in 1962 a short time before he was due to retire.

    Paul Maguire




    224472

    Pte. Henry Grimmer Army Veterinary Corps

    <p>

    Henry Grimmer was born in Oakham, Rutland on 19th June 1871, the second of the eight children of Henry & Elizabeth Grimmer. Henry senior was a groom for Lord Lonsdale of Barleythorpe Hall & died aged just 40yrs old after being kicked by a horse. Henry junior (known as Harry) was 13yrs at the time & his mother was left a widow with 8 children to bring up, the youngest being just 4 months old.

    By the time he was 21yrs Henry was living at 4 Reece Mews, Kensington, London & working as a hansom cab driver until he volunteered to fight in the Boer War. In a Rutland parish magazine of 1900 he was listed as Lance Corporal Henry Grimmer of the Leicestershire Regiment. Returning from the Boer War in early 1901 he seems to have found work in Melton Mowbray, where two of his younger brothers were working & it was here in Melton Mowbray that he married Mary Ann Ofield in November 1901. Before too long the newly weds had moved to Staffordshire & lived in Rangemore & Tutbury where their first 5 children were born. We assume that Henry worked as a groom during this time possibly for the Burton family (Bass Brewers) of Rangemore Hall who were frequent hosts to the aristocracy & royalty. By 1911 the family were back in Oakham, Rutland & where 3 more children were born. Henry worked as a groom at Barleythorpe Hall as his father had done & where in 1914 Lord Lonsdale gave a home to the staff, horses, carriages & cars of the King of Belgium during WW1.

    In May 1915 Henry volunteered for the Army Veterinary Corps as Private SE 5182 & about which we know very little apart from photos showing that he was in Egypt working with camels at a 'hospital'.

    Returning home at the end of the war Henry & his younger family lived above the coach house of the Hall at Burley on the Hill, the home of the Finch family & for who Harry worked as a groom & on the estate and his wife Mary as cook until they retired. After Mary died in 1951 Henry went to live in Barleythorpe with his daughter & died aged 87 yrs in 1959 during a flu epidemic.

    Our hospital, Egypt

    H Grimmer with Company Egypt

    Pte Henry Grimmer SE5182

    Ken Grimmer




    224470

    Dvr. Noel W. C. Wilson 2nd Brigade

    <p>

    My great grand father, Noel Wilson, was part of the second brigade RFA from 1914 to 1918, as a driver. He was gassed and as a result he died on the 22nd of June 1922, in France.

    Jean-Yves Consille




    224469

    L/Sgt. Harold George Gard Royal Munster Fusiliers

    George Gard was born in 1890. Before joining the army he was employed as a clerk. He enlisted on 9th September, about a month after the declaration of war. After basic training he saw action at Gallipoli where he was shot and wounded in action. This resulted in the amputation of his left arm whilst still near the battlefield. He was discharged as unfit for service in September 1916. He subsequently married and lived a full and active life until the time of his death





    224465

    L/Cpl Reuben Daniel Barnsley 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Aug 1918)

    Danny Barnsley was 19 years old, the son of Daniel and Ada Barnsley of 9 Midland St., Parkgate, Rotherham.

    Neil Barnsley




    224462

    Pte. Thomas Thompson 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.1st Feb 1915)

    <p>

    When removing old items from my aunt's house, I found a picture of a man who looked like my grandfather in a British Army uniform. On the back of the picture was "Tommie KIA Feb 1915". I discovered, through marriage and other records, that Tommie was my grandfather's brother. I found his service number, his grave and date of death. I have also found his service record in the archives. Tommie was a career solider who fought in the Boer War. He was a reserve solider in 1914, and rejoined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion. He was killed near Ploegsteert Wood (south of Ypres) in Belgium and is buried in Prowse Point Military Cemetery. On the 100th anniversary my brother and I and our families went to visit the grave. I believe we are the first of our family to find and visit the grave of Thomas. Thomas was not spoken about within the family until now.

    Fran Thompson




    224459

    Sgt. Harry Speight DCM. 8th (Leeds Rifles) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th July 1918)

    Uncle Harry was home on leave and went back to France and never came home. From that information I have traced where he is buried and his gallantry award. I would really like to know what happened to his medal and if I can trace the source of any photos.

    Margaret Anderson




    224457

    L/Cpl. Stephen Crawford 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1917)

    Stephen Crawford was my great great grandfather. His name is on the Menin Gate and he has no burial. I would love to find out more about him and try to identify where he died.

    Kit Wood




    224456

    Pte. William Thompson 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Oct 1918)

    William Thompson was my great uncle, a miner from New Brancepeth, a County Durham pit village. He volunteered in 1915, coming out of what was a reserved occupation to fight for his country. He was killed in action aged 30 just a couple of weeks before the Armistice, and is buried in Landrecies British Cemetery. He left a wife and children. His widow remarried a couple of years later and moved away from the area, losing touch with William's family, so sadly we have no pictures or medals to remember him by. My daughter and I are piecing together his story for our family history project.

    Lynn O'Donnell.




    224453

    Pte. James Goodall 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    James Goodall served with the 1st Battalion, Hamshire Regiment

    Richard




    224447

    Pte. Oliver Victor Reedman 2/22nd Btn. London Regiment. (d.8th Oct 1916)

    The Hunts Post reports "Died at his post: Pte Oliver V. Reedman, Cyclists Corps, att. London Regt. of Little Stukely, has been killed at the front and the commanding officer of his company has written to his father expressing the deepest sympathy. He says,"I am deeply grieved that the company has lost a good soldier that your son had always proved himself to be. He is buried here in the British Cemetery behind the lines, with his comrades, the Officers and men of this Battalion, who have carried themselves so nobly and given their lives with devoted self-sacrifice for their country.

    After describing how an attack was made on the German trenches, the officer goes on: "Your son that night was on sentry duty in our own trench with another man close beside him to give support in case of need. Early in the morning a shell burst on the parapet, almost touching him, so that he was killed instantly from concussion. In your grief I hope you will remember your son died in the noblest manner, on duty at his post. Your son came to the Battalion in a draft, and has always been in my company. He, and indeed the rest of the Huntingdon men, have always set a fine example of devotion to duty and cheerfulness on all occasions, so that I count myself fortunate to have them under my command"

    Trevor Reedman




    224446

    Pte. William Raylton Freemantle 4th Btn Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th Sept 1914)

    Private William Raylton Freemantle died on Sunday the 20th September 1914 at Greenbank Hospital, Darlington. He had committed suicide by shooting himself whilst temporarily insane. This can mean one of two reasons; either he deserted or just could not face the war. I truly would like to know the truth on either case as William was my Great Uncle and as I am compiling my Freemantle Family Tree I do need to enter all the correct facts for future generations.

    Ann Thirsk




    224442

    Rflmn. William Larmour 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    My great-uncles, George and William Larmour, had consecutive service numbers and were both killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Their bodies were never found; they are commemorated on the on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

    Tim Galliford




    224441

    2nd Lt. Stanley James Mason 7th Btn South Wales Borderers

    Stanley James Mason served on the Western Front from September 1915 with the South Wales Borderers and is listed as Cadet Temporary 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) from 20th of December 1917, General List R.F.C.; Aeroplane Officer from 1at April 1918; 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Air Force from 25th May 1918. He joined 60 Squadron at Boffles, France 1 April 1918

    On 3rd October 1918 Lieutenant Mason flying an S.E.5 from Baisieux shot down a Fokker DV11 in flames, and on the 25th he was credited with a similar German aircraft out of control (probable) and on the 29th of the same month flying from Beugnotre shot down another Fokker (60 Squadron Records and R.A.F. Communiqué refer). The History of 60 Squadron suggests that Mason was one of "... perhaps the most prominent and succesful pilots during the British advance..."

    Mason was granted a short service commission from 19th of December 1919 as Flying Officer and on 28th of August 1924 was killed piloting a single seater Snipe aircraft at R.A.F. Duxford.

    Information is from the Christie's Catalogue at the sale of his medals in 1992.

    Nigel Edwards




    224440

    L/Sgt John Henry Tearle 1st Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.29th June 1915)

    John Tearle was a native of Hertford, Hertfordshire and came from a very poor family. As late as 1895 he was an inmate of the Hertford Union Workhouse. It would appear the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were recruiting in Hertford and he joined them; I'm not sure when, but he was a Lance Sergeant by 1915, so it must have been a few years before WW1.

    He was seriously wounded in the Battle of Gully Ravine (24-28 June 1915) and died of his wounds on 29th of June 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign. His body was left behind and no grave was ever found for him. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial at the foot of the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.

    Ewart Tearle




    224437

    Pte. John Brown 2nd Lowland Field. Amb. Royal Army Medical Corps (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    "Heliopolis, Cairo, Monday 24th January 1916

    Dear Folks, How one’s surroundings change! The last letter I wrote outside a tent looking out upon the mipuad mastered harbour of Mudroc. Tonight I write in the beautiful white walled room of the American Mission & YMCA on the ancient city of Heliopolis, a suburb of Cairo. A stalwart Australian is playing hymns on the piano, and the room is busy with Tommies, chattering or writing like myself to the dear old homeland. Yes as Mr Houston would say “It’s good to be here.” You can imagine what a delightful change it is to us to get back to civilization after the monotony of four months in a barren wilderness, under continuous shell fire. Pour old Gallipoli, she remains a memory of ‘whizzes & bangs’ and the sweet sighing of bullets on the wing. You couldn’t walk a yard out of camp without taking a considerable risk – when you went for a bathe it was not altogether certain that you would wholly enjoy it. Johnny Turk might just take it into his head to shell the beach at that particular time, and latterly it was madness to go near the beach unless you simply must.

    I shall never forget the night we left the Peninsula. It was a strange experience leaving your dug out at ten minutes notice. The night was black except when it was illuminated by the flashes of the Turkish guns, firing steadily both from Achi Baba & the Asiatic side of the Straits. These gentlemen seemed to know that we were evacuating and they were giving us the best send off they jolly well could, which was a very lively one as I can vouch for, (bother that old pen – no not working well tonight.) Well we bundled our goods together with a parting glance of farewell at the old earth homes of many memories we fell, and marched in loose order up the road past the cemetery to the brow of the ridge where some of us turned to take a final look at the hill of tragedy and romances - Achi Baba, silhouetted against the sky in the light of the star shells that rose slowly full all along the firing line. Now for it! We were entering the perilous zone – a strip of road that ran from the ridge through a great cleft in the rocks down to the beach. This road and the beach itself were being heavily shelled, and it was a death trap. On we went, in a staggering line. Just at the corner where the road dips down to the beach was a spot which we know we could not pass without a shell landing close by. We got there – the flash of the Turkish gun showed vividly over the ridge – and we threw ourselves down. The shell burst a few yards from the road but not one of us was hit, after as we turned the corner I saw a poor fellow half naked cowering into the shelter of the rock, being attended to by someone who was tearing his clothes to find the wound. Well to shorten the story, we had to wait first for an hour on the beach, then two hours on a lighter at the jetty. How we escaped without a casualty in our party was marvellous. The beach was packed with men and mules and there were men killed and wounded all around us. Two men – not RAMC were wounded on our lighter, as we lay at the jetty. Well after three hours of this we got off and steamed on to the ship awaiting us, and we were jolly thankful to lie down on deck and get a sleep. In the morning we left for Mudros where we arrived a few hours later. Although the final evacuation did not take place until several nights later – when it was marvellously successful – we have since heard that the night we left, Sunday 2nd Jan. was the worst night of the whole evacuation. To proceed with history – we lay at Mudros for a fortnight & embarked on the “Ionian”, an old Allan liner. We did not sail till Wednesday morning. The voyage was pleasant & uneventful. We arrived at Alexandria on Friday and entrained for Cairo next morning."

    John Brown died in 1918, aged 23.

    John Brown 2

    Elizabeth Lawton




    224435

    Sgt. William Horrocks Birch 11th Btn, D Company Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    William Horrocks Birch joined up at the age of 35 as soon as war was declared against the Germans. He was living with his parents at Wallasey, Cheshire, just across the Mersey River from Liverpool. He was a photographer by trade.

    He fought in a number of battles, including the Battle of the Somme on 1st of July 1916. He and his company charged the enemy lines. He survived the first day. They were then brought to a barn to rest. Only 33 men out of their original 250 were left. Their rest was short-lived as they were suddenly taken back to the front line and ordered to charge. This time, however, when he climbed over the top and down to charge, his knee twisted and he could not continue. His knee swelled to the point that he was taken back to England for treatment.

    After this, he was assigned to General Allenby's army in the Middle East and flew as a Royal Flying Corp aerial photographer in Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. After the war, he married and had a family, living in Wrexham, North Wales until his death.

    Michael Colburn




    224427

    Gnr. Robert Dewhurst 2nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.11th Feb 1915)

    Bob Dewhurst was my Grandmother's first husband and he died in WW1. He was born and brought up in Bamber Bridge in Lancashire which in those days was a very small village South of Preston. He had two daughters, Nellie and Margaret, and a son, James. His wife remarried and had another 3 daughters Marie, Jane and Joan. He is buried in the Merville Communal Cemetery in France.

    Mike Prater




    224426

    Pte. Charles Albert Hearn 9th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.16th Sept 1918)

    <p>

    Bertie Hearn was my wife's uncle on her mother's side, she was Bertie's sister, Rosa Jessie Hearn. I found him during research of the family tree.

    On 23rd May 2015 my wife and I were taken to Sunken Road Cemetery at Boisleux-St.Marc. We believe that we are the first of the family to visit his grave. Our son Matthew had purchased a duplicate set of Bertie's medals to which he was entitled. We photographed his headstone with the medals and left two wooden crosses with personal messages from his niece Valerie Swinnerton and two great, great nephews.

    Unfortunately we never knew about Bertie from the family, so we do not know of any existing photos of Bertie himself.

    Alan Swinnerton




    224424

    Pte. William Baldock Suffolk Regiment

    William Baldock joined the Suffolk Regiment on 18th December 1914. On 7th February 1918, William was discharged from the army suffering from wounds. He had been shot in the face. William died in 1948.





    224423

    Capt. Frank Daniells 12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Great-grandfather, Captain Frank Daniels was born at Holcombe, Somerset in the 3rd quarter of 1869. As a young man he worked as an agricultural worker before enlisting into the Army at some time during the late 1800s as a career soldier. We know that he married Clara Ann Hughes in the first quarter of 1893 and lived in East Claydon, Winslow in Buckinghamshire and by 1897 he was posted to Gibraltar where my grandmother, Alice Maude Daniels was born.

    His first military deployment was with the “Leeds rifles” (West Yorkshire Regiment) we suspect serving as a Colour Sgt during the 2nd. South African Boer War, 1900 to 1902, although we have no further details of his involvement in this campaign. Following his return from overseas active service in South Africa we suspect he lived between East Claydon and Carlton Barracks where he became a military gymnastics instructor. The details on his competition medals identify him in 1905 as being a Colour Sergt. in the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the West Yorkshire Regiment. We also know in the same year the family was posted to Belfast where my great uncle, Harold Vincent Daniells was born.

    In the 1911 census, the family is listed as living at the East Claydon address with Frank Daniells as an army pensioner and hedge senior. With the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the then retired Colour Sergt. Frank Daniells, now aged 45, is offered a Captaincy and re-enlisted into the Army, we suspect, into the 12th Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment. This is supported with 2 pieces of evidence, firstly because the 12th Battalion were based and trained at Halton house training camp, in Buckinghamshire, close to East Claydon and the inscription written in pen inside of his Sam Browne belt, appears to read ‘‘Capt. F Daniells” “12 W York’s RGT”.

    The West Yorkshire Regiment 12th Battalion was raised in York on the 16th of September 1914 and joined the 63rd Brigade of the 21st Division. The Division was concentrated in and around the Leighton Buzzard and Tring area, training at Halton Hall and then to Witley camp before mobilizing to France in September of 1915. They saw their first action that year as reserve to the British assault at Loos and in 1916 saw action on the Bluff and St Eloi Craters before entering the Somme for the Battle of Albert, the battle of Bazentin, Longueval, Delville wood and the Battle of Ancre Heights. During 1917 their action was at Arras before moving Northwards into Flanders. In 1918 they saw action at the battle for the Menin road and The third battle of Ypres before moving southwards for The battle of Cambrai.

    The only family information that we have relating to his service is that at some point he suffered from shell-shock and had to be dragged out the trenches and saved by his men. Unfortunately none of his service records are available so we do not Know at which point this happened. Upon his return to England we know that he was living in Wing, Buckinghamshire as detailed on his War badge approval form, issued by the War office 28/01/1918 before moving to Braystone house and then to Mentone Avenue in Aspley Guise where he lived out his life until he passed away in 1935, aged 66.

    Frank Daniells, Gym Instructor

    Frank Daniells Medals Full set

    First battle honour South Africa 1900 to 1902

    Writing inside of Sam Browne

    Martyn Fryer




    224422

    James Domeric Summers Lincolnshire Regiment

    My maternal Grandfather James Summers was born in 1890 in the parish of St Luke's, East London. He enlisted in the Lincolnshire Regiment before the First World War and served in India in the Poona Region. His Service No and which Battalion are unknown to me.

    When war was declared his Regiment was posted direct from India into France, where he saw action in the Battle of Mons and was one of the "Contemptibles". He served throughout the War from 1914-18 and was wounded a number of times, and whilst on sick leave in England he met his wife to be, my Grandmother.

    He eventually died as a result of his wounds in 1934 in the King George Hospital at Windsor. He is buried in Little Marlow Cemetery in Buckinghamshire.

    G Snelling




    224419

    Cpl. George Battrick 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    George Battrick , my great uncle, was born in Wandsworth, London in 1895 & joined the Army in September 1914 while his family were living in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. I believe he may have been a member of another regiment at the beginning of the war looking after horses, so how he became a member of the Lancashire Fusiliers is a mystery to me.

    In March 1915 he served on the Western Front, remaining there until the end of the war. He took part in many bloody actions at Ypres, the Somme, Arras & Armentieres, survived the war to marry Ella in 1921. They had two daughters & a son but George died in hospital in 1959.

    Binzy Reynolds




    224417

    Arthur Foster 12th Btn. att RE 131st Tunneling Coy. Kings Royal Rifles

    <p>

    In Arthur Foster's military pension record copy there is a letter from the County Police Office, Rawtenstall stating that he was serving with the King's Royal Rifle Regt, attached to the Royal Engineer's 131st Tunneling Co in France with the REF. His service number is recorded as 8951. He had previously been discharged from the East Lancs Regt (Serv No 12352).

    Derek Whittaker




    224413

    Sidney Charles Crutchley MM. 6th/7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Sidney Charles Crutchley's Army Record

    April 1915 – enlisted as a volunteer in the 6th Service Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. (The only RIR battalion to serve in Salonika.) The 6th service battalion had been formed in Dublin in 1914 and by February 1915 was at The Curragh racecourse.

      May 1915 – 6/RIR arrived in Hackwood Park, Basingstoke for training which is where Sidney probably joined them.
    • July 7th 1915 sailed from Liverpool for Mudros Island (via Alexandria, Egypt), the staging post for Gallipoli, arriving 26th July 1915.
    • August 5th 1915 landed at Anzac Cove.
    • September 29th back to Mudros.
    • October 4th/5th to Salonika.
    • October 23rd 1915.
    • December in the Salonika salient.
    • Sydney was probably invalided home in the spring or early summer of 1916 with malaria. On recovery he would have been posted to the 7/RIR, 48th brigade, 16th, division in France.
    • August 30th 1916 – travelled by train from Chocques to Longueau and from there marched to Corbie.
    • August 31st Marched to Sandpit Camp.
    • Battles of the Somme.
    • Battle of Guillemont.
    • September 3rd moved to Carnoy.
    • September 4th moved forward to Bernafey Wood near Guillemont.
    • September 6th Three stong patrols sent into Ginchy.
    • September 7th Took over the front line west of Ginchy.
    • September 8 During the night, dug assembly trenches west of the sunken road between Guillemont and Ginchy, some 200 yards in front of the British line.
    • Battle of Ginchy.
    • September 9th Attack on Ginchy – the men moved forward at 4.45 pm – 1st Munster Fusiliers on the right and the 7th Royal Irish Fusiliers on the left. The German front line on the outskirts of Ginchy were soon taken and consolidated. The new positions won by the RIR came under heavy bombardment from their own British Artillery – news of their existence beyond no-man’s land apparently had not reached the batteries.
    • September 11th sent back to Corbie to rest.
    • September 18th back as far as Longpre.
    • September 21st sent by train to the Ypres sector.
    • November/December 1916 awarded the Military Medal but we don't know under what circumstances.
    • March 25th 1917 M.M. announced in the London Gazette.
    • June 7th/9th Battle of Messines (1X corps Second Army).
    • June 7th – capture of Wytschaete.
    • Battles of Ypres.
    • July 31st – 2nd August – Battle of Pilckem Ridge (in reserve, XIX Corps, Fifth Army).
    • August 16-18th – Battle of Langemarck (XIX Corps, Fifth Army.
    • August 18th 1917 announcement in the Walsall Observer that he was in hospital in Epsom, Surrey suffering from malarial fever. Sidney was by now a corporal.
    • August 23rd the 7/RIR was transferred to the 49th brigade, 16th division.
    • October 15th 1917 the 7/RIR was transferred from the 16th division to the 36th division.
    • Battle of Cambrai.
    • November 20 and 21st -The tank attack. (IV Corps, Third Army.)
    • November 23–27 The capture of Bourlon Wood (IV Corps, Third Army.)
    • December 3rd The German counterattack. (108th Bde, with 61st Division.) (III Corps, Third Army.)
    • First Battles of the Somme.
    • 21-23 March 1918 Battle of St Quentin (XVIII Corps, Fifth Army).
    • 24-25 March 1918 Actions at the Somme Crossings (XVIII Corps, Fifth Army).
    • 26-27 March 1918 Battle of Rosieres (XVIII, Fifth Army).
    • April 10-11 Battle of Messines (108 bde, with 19th division)(IX Corps, Second Army).
    • April 13 – 1918 Battle of Bailleul (108th Bde, with 19th division) (IX Corps, Second Army).
    • April 17 – 18 1918 First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. (108th Bde, with 19th division) (IX Corps, Second Army).
    • July 20th to September 19th Advance to Victory (IX Corps, Second Army).
    • The Final Advance in Flanders.
    • September 28th to October 2nd 1918 - Battle of Ypres (II Corps, Second Army).
    • October 14th--19th 1918 – Battle of Courtrai (II Corps, Second Army).
    • October 25th 1918 Ooteghem (II Corps, Second Army).
    • October 28th it was relieved in the front line and moved back towards the Lys valley between Courtrai and Menin, with headquarters at Belleghem. The Division was now transferred to X Corps.
    • November 4th divisional headquarters and 107th and 108th Brigades moved into Mouscron (north-east of Tourcoing).
    • November 9th the Division came under XV Corps. The troops were still occupying the same positions when the Armistice brought hostilities to a close at 11 a.m. on the 11th November.
    • The Division settled down for the winter in Mouscron (divisional headquarters, 107th and 108th Brigades, two field companies, two field ambulances, and the Train). On 7th December H.M. the King with H.R.H. The Prince of Wales and Prince Albert passed through the divisional area. During this month the troops were employed in military training and education, and 54,203 attendances were recorded at the divisional educational classes.
    On the 30th and 31st January 1919 H.R.H. The Prince of Wales paid a two days’ visit to the Division; and during this month about four thousand men left for demobilisation. Gradually, the Division dwindled, units were reduced to cadre. On the 25th of February 1919 Sidney was demobbed.





    224408

    Pte. William James Smith 1st Btn. Essex Regiment

    My great grandfather, William Smith was in the 1st Btn. Essex Regiment and was one of the first to arrive at Gallipoli on the 25th April 1915. Whilst he was away his wife gave birth to his child. He insisted that on her birth certificate she had one of her Christian names as Anzac. I do not know the reason for this but it must be due to events that happened to him while he was there. He was discharged on the 2nd July 1816.

    Stories about him state that he was a very strict man with his children, but he did have ten children so probably had to keep order. My mother tells me that when she knew him as a small girl that she used to sit on his knee and that he was very kind to her. She remembers his long handlebar moustache.

    Sandra Ronald




    224404

    Rflmn. John Townsend 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.2nd Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Jack Townsend served with the 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Angela French




    224401

    Chap. Arthur Basil Brooker att. 53 Squadron RFC Army Chaplains Dept.

    Arthur Basil Brooker served as a Chaplain with 53 Squadron until December 7th 1917.

    Gavin Scott-Brooker




    224400

    Pte. William Owen Garnett 1st Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.5th May 1915)

    <p>

    William Garnett was my grandfather's brother. My grandfather told my mother that he had died from gas poisoning and we eventually found out that this was on Hill 60 near Ypres, Belgium. This was the day when the British lost Hill 60, a significant position in Flanders, to the Germans after the gas attack. Bill was 19 years old.

    William and 2 other unknown soldiers from 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment

    Vanessa Wishart




    224399

    Rflmn. William George Holloway 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.5th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    William Holloway served with the 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Menin Gate War Memorial, Belgium

    Vanessa Wishart




    224396

    A/Cpl. Richard "Duckser" Martin 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    Richard Martin was wounded at the battle for Guillemont and Ginchy. I don't know if he served to the war's end.





    224395

    L/Cpl. Terence McSherry 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.30th July 1915)

    Terence McSherry was my great uncle, and the uncle my father Terry was named after. If anyone has a photograph of him, we would be very grateful to see it.

    Terence's brother James died in the Quintinshill Rail Disaster 22nd May 1915 on his way with his unit the 1/7th Battalion (Leith) Royal Scots to serve in Gallipoli.

    Carol Nowell




    224391

    Pte. Thomas Fountain 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.2nd June 1915)

    Thomas Fountain is my first cousin three times removed on my maternal father's side of the family. He was the son of George and Eliza Fountain of Bermondsey, London. He was 22 when he died and is one of the thousands without a known grave. Thomas is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Dave




    224387

    Pte. Cyril Richards 53rd Btn., 9th Platoon, C Company South Wales Borderers

    <p>

    Cyril Richards was born in Llanelli on 8 March 1899. As a young boy aged 11 years he worked at the copper works (Nevill, Druce & Co). Following the outbreak of World War 1 and the example of seven of his older brothers, Cyril enlisted on 18th of April 1916 (when he was 17 years and 1 month old) as a private with the 53rd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. This battalion’s full title was 53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion, named to reflect the very young age of these new recruits. Indeed, across Britain there were many of these “53rd (Young Soldier) Battalions” attached to different regiments. His battalion never saw action during war-time, but after the war was over, on 22 March 1919, they moved to Germany as part of Western Division of the Army of Occupation on the Rhine. At about this time he was photographed with the 9th Platoon, C Company 53rd Battalion in Germany.

    After his return from Germany Cyril returned to work at the Llanelli copper works as a mill man and, during 1920-21 played for their rugby football club. He finished working there as a furnace man on 6th January 1925 at the age of 26.

    Some months later on 1 May 1926, Cyril emigrated to Australia, departing from London docks aboard the Orient Line’s SS Orvieto. He arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia, after the 9½ week journey, on 6th July 1926. He married in 1931 and had four children. He and his family ran a dairy farm at Ranceby near Poowong, Victoria, Australia.

    With the outbreak of World War 2, Cyril enlisted on 28th March 1942 at Korumburra, Victoria in the 23rd Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps. This corps was an Australia-wide home guard; paramilitary in nature, run by the government and the Returned Services League and composed of volunteers. Cyril was discharged on 15 October 1945. He died in Melbourne, Victoria on 8th June 1954 at the age of 55 years.

    Private Cyril RICHARDS, South Wales Borderers (1916)

    Dennis Richards




    224385

    Pte. Walter Samuel Hook MM. 10th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Walter Hook was my great grandfather.





    224377

    Pte. William James Whatley 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Sept 1916)

    While researching my husband's family I came across the death of his uncle, William James Whatley, the eldest of five children, my husband's Nan's big brother. All the family including his wife and their children were born in South East London, off the Old Kent Road. I have no family photographs of his siblings or family.

    There are no surviving records except the records of the Army Registers of Soldiers effects, Medals Role Index Card and International War Grave, Department de la Somme, Picardie, France (Thiepval). He left his wife Annie of nineteen years marriage and five children. He was a lithographic stone preparer working in the print trade. He was thirty six at the time of his death.

    Mrs Daryl Chandler




    224376

    Pte. Albert Arthur Roads 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.22nd April 1917)

    <p>

    I came across Albert Roads' grave in New Southgate Cemetery, Brunswick Park Road, London.

    James




    224374

    Capt. Charles Henry Stanley Monck 3rd Btn., 3rd Coy. Coldstream Guards (d.21st Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Charles Monck fought at the Battle of Landrecies, 25th-26th August 1914 and is mentioned on page 90 of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The British Campaign in France and Flanders". Charles was killed at the First Battle of Ypres on 21st October 1914.

    Charlie Monck




    224372

    Pte. Martin Callaghan 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Sept 1917)

    Martin Callaghan is remembered at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    Victoria Morrow




    224371

    Pte. Francis Cranston Steel Highland Light Infantry

    My grandfather was Francis Steel, born on 20th April 1908 in Paisley, Scotland. He worked in a cotton factory and served in France. His date of entry to the army was 1st June 1915. Initially in the Highland Light Infantry, Private, Army No. 8533, he then entered the Labour Corps as a Private, Army No. 511382.

    So far I've found no trace of his army history. I have a photo of him in army uniform but there are no distinguishing marks to indicate what branch of the army he was in. After the war he went to the USA for a time but it is believed he had to leave after causing a fire in a factory. He died in Scotland in 1960.

    Jim Steel




    224368

    John Edward Osborne 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    John Osborne served in the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment with his brother, William George Osborne, and step-brother Thomas Chidley Osborne. John was 40 years old when the brothers sailed for France in August 1914. He was wounded and discharged on 16th February 1916.

    B. Osborne




    224367

    William George Osborne 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    William Osborne served in the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment with his brother, John Edward Osborne and step-brother Thomas Chidley Osborne. William was 38 years old when his brother sailed to France in August 1914. William, my great-grandfather, saw the war through and was discharged on 1st May 1919.

    B. Osborne




    224365

    Peter Tierney 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Peter Tierney, my grandfather, was wounded in the shoulder, gassed and captured at the 2nd Battle of Ypres in May 1915. He was nursed back to health in a German military hospital in a ward of German soldiers. He was treated well by them. On his return to health he was sent to work in a German coal mine and remained working there for the duration as a prisoner of war. When the armistice was signed, he was quickly repatriated and returned home to his parents' farm in Galway. He and some of his friends, all in British army blue wound uniforms had an encounter with the notorious Black and Tans. They were picked up by the Black and Tans, roughed up and thrown into the back of lorries. Fortunately, they were released after being driven into the countryside and dumped out onto the road. He eventually left Galway and became a coal miner in St Helens, Lancashire where he settled down, married and had a family. During the depression, he tried to pawn his medals but was informed that they were worthless. On leaving the pawn shop, he threw his medals down a drain. He was a native speaker of the Irish language.

    Angela Lea




    224364

    Pte. George "Wiggy" Wignall 1/6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    Having served in the 1st Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire and felt the desire to revisit my family's military service history. Knowing my brothers, father and both grandfathers had served before me, I decided to check further records. I found my great uncle George, who none of my family had previously spoken about, due to his death on the 3rd day of the Battle of the Somme. This had induced my great aunt Mercy not to talk about his death. I visited the memorials for all the West Yorkshire soldiers and found uncle George on the Thiepval memorial. This was 98 years after his death.

    Having checked the 1/6th history I believed I had the answers to how and where my uncle had died. However, the battalion's diary and proceeding book do not hold true to one another. Uncle George was recorded as being killed on 3rd July 1916 but the 1/6th Battalion West Yorks were at that time in divisional reserve after fighting on the Somme on the days of 1st and 2nd July 1916. There are no records of any deaths for the 1/6th Battalion on the 3rd July 1916 in the battalion's diary, but uncle George is recorded as dying in action on that day. This is a very confusing issue that I hope to resolve before July 2016. Nec Aspera Terrent (Eternity of rest to each and every military casualty or death).

    Phillip George Wignall.




    224356

    Pte. William McKee 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.21st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    My great uncle William McKee was killed at Gallipoli, age 22. He was first declared missing then assumed dead. His body was never found and is commemorated at the Helles Memorial in Turkey, Panel 97-101.

    His brother Alexander Livingston McKee (my grandfather) also served in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

    Alexander McKee




    224353

    Stkr. William Charles Follett HMS Bittern (d.4th April 1918)

    <p>

    My uncle William Follett was a Stoker 1st Class on HMS Bittern. He was my mum's older brother, he was killed when the Bittern was sunk as a result of a collision with SS Kenilworth, a merchant navy ship. I have found online the report of the sinking in the Times and a report of the inquest into the accident. I also have my uncle Will's navy record card which states 'drowned on duty'.

    Margaret Blackwell




    224352

    Sgt. Henry Robinson 2nd Btn. A Company Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Henry Robinson married my great great aunt, on his wedding certificate in 1918 he is shown as being a sergeant with A Company, 2nd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was 13 years her junior. She already had a child and was a widow. I wonder whether he may have been injured during the war and needed looking after. I think that when his wife died he married her sister - my great grandma.

    Joanne Barnes




    224351

    Pte. William Devenny 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusilers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    William Devenny was my great uncle who I knew very little about, but on the wall of the old family home was the `death penny and service certificate'. I asked my father and some of my uncles about William but they couldn't tell me very much. He joined up on 27th December 1915 and was reported missing on 16th August 1917. I found out that his name was on the memorial wall at Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery. He died at the Battle of Langemark. I was lucky to visit Tyne Cot in 2012 and lay a cross at William's memorial.

    Stephen Hunter




    224348

    L/Cpl. Charles "Scotty" Dennis 1st/9th Btn Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

    Charles "Scotty" Dennis lived and worked in Prince Rupert, BC, Canada. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Dennis, he emigrated from Edinburgh to Canada in 1913, joining his older brother, William George, in the pioneer city of Prince Rupert, where William worked as a printer for a local newspaper, The Daily News.

    Scotty was an active community member, playing football on the Merchants team and serving as secretary of the St. Andrews Society. He was often mentioned in the newspapers, and was noted for the original verse he would write and recite for every special occasion. While most of the young men in town, including his brother, enlisted with Canadian units, Scotty chose to go back to Edinburgh to sign up with the Royal Scots. He communicated regularly and continued to write poetry. The Daily News reported that one of his poems had been accepted for publication by the Weekly Scotsman.

    Scotty died on the 9th of April 1917, in an advance during the Battle of Arras. At least six of his friends from Prince Rupert died the same day on nearby Vimy Ridge. Scotty was 28. He is buried in Roclincourt Valley Cemetery. His brother survived the war and returned to Prince Rupert. One can imagine that the significance of the date and place of his death would not have been lost on Scotty, and if it had been possible, would have been the subject of a new poem.

    Dianne Rabel




    224346

    Cpl. Harold Ernest "Joe" Fountain 2/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.19th July 1916)

    <p>

    Joe Fountain was killed by enemy shelling at Fromelles, France.

    David Fountain




    224342

    Reginald Arthur Evans 1/5th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.17th Sep 1918)

    Reg Evans, age 19, was killed in action on Tuesday 17th of September 1918 near Cuichy when a German mine exploded under the shelter where he as taking refuge. He is buried in Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France.

    E. Francis




    224337

    Pte. George Ernest Wadge 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    <p>

    George Wadge was killed in action, he was only fighting for 12 days before he was killed.

    Laura Fishwick




    224336

    Pte. John Barnes 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    John Barnes was my maternal grandfather. He fought with the North Staffordshire Regiment during WW1. He was in the Gallipoli campaign, being one of a handful of survivors in his regiment. He was shot by a Turk and sent to India to recuperate. At the end of WW1 he was sent to Russia to help the White Russians. Unfortunately I know nothing of what happened there. He did not return home until 1922.

    John Barnes convalescing in India

    Jane




    224335

    CSM. Fred Birtwistle DCM & Bar. 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>Fred Birtwistle C.S.M Rifle Brigade, 2nd Battalion (marked with X)

    Fred Birtwistle, from Bury, Lancashire, joined the Rifle Brigade to fight at the Boer War in Africa and was awarded medals for South Africa. He was the son of Samuel & Ellen Birtwistle, he was my great-grandfather. He married Margaret (née Bell), from Banbridge, Northern Ireland, whilst at the Palace Barracks in Hollywood, Belfast, 1909. Their first child was my grandmother Ellen. They had other children: Frederick George, Samuel, Isabel and Jeanette.

    Fred was awarded a DCM & Bar on 18th of June 1917 and Bar September 22nd 1917. He later received a clasp of roses along with the three WW1 service medals. This was gazetted also for gallantry awards in the field.

    Fred was a Company Sergeant Major in the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade. Sadly, Fred died on May 24th 1920 whilst at his barracks at Winchester just after the war. He was aged 38 and is commemorated with a CWWG at Winchester Old Hill Cemetery, England. His DCM & Bar is on display at The Royal Green Jackets Museum, Winchester, England. Fred's wife died in 1960 at Finlay Street, Ligoniel Village, Belfast, leaving their grandchildren Freddy, Geordie, Isabel, Ellie, Alfie, Ivan, Robert, Reg, Susan, Dinah, and Teddy.

    Like so many thousands of brave men that gave their lives for our freedom, our father, grandfather, great-grandfather Fred was a hero and like all who died will be remembered. My mother's sister Susan always remembers the story her mother told her about losing her shoe (a red one) on the way back from India to Liverpool in 1914. Funny how simple things mean so much for memories. I know this story is a personal one but I hope it encourages anyone who reads it.

    Fred on joining the Rifle Brigade

    Fred Birtwistle's DCM Medal

    Robert Mc Reynolds




    224334

    CSM. Walter Philibert Geerts 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    My grandfather, Walter Geerts was born in 1889, he joined the Poplar and Stepney Rifles in 1909. He worked at Osman & Co., Commercial Road, East London. Called up in September 1914 went to France with the Battalion as CSM in March 1915 and served throughout that year including Battle of Loos. He returned home, I believe, in 1916 suffering from rheumatic fever and stayed with reserve battalion at their depot until 1919.

    Mike Geerts




    224333

    Pte. William John White 5th Btn Dorsetshire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1915)

    William John White was killed in action, at Gallipoli in 1915 aged 26. He was the son of Jarvis White, of Wootton Fitzpaine, and the late Amelia White; husband of Ellen Sarah Crate (formerly White), of The New Inn Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine, Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.

    Peter John Mooney




    224332

    Sgt. Cecil John Benge 10th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Cecil Benge married Catherine Ross in 1918 in Croydon, she was a clippie with Tillies and my grandfather then became involved with the same company as a Clippie. He was also instrumental with the starting up of the LTWU with Ernest Bevin in 1924. I have no real idea of his service history.

    David T Benge




    224330

    Pte. Edward Hughes 16th Btn. D Coy Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.11th April 1916)

    <p>

    Edward Hughes died aged 28 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

    Phil Hughes




    224328

    Pte. Henry Daniel McEntee 13th Btn. London Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>

    Henry McEntee died in the Battle of Aubers Ridge aged 23. He was the son of Daniel McEntee, carpenter to the Royal Family, and was born and lived in Carpenter's Cottage, Kensington Palace, London, of Irish and German parents. His two other brothers fighting in WWI survived.

    Killed in Action

    Memorial entry at Ploegsteert memorial, Belgium

    Simon Hunt




    224326

    Pte. Walter Davidson 6th Btn Blackwatch (d.31st July 1917)

    Walter Davidson was my great grandfather's uncle. He died at the age of 19 at Passchendaele. He is buried in No Man's Cot cemetery, near Ypres.

    Kyla Evans




    224325

    L/Cpl. Robert McChesney 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th July 1916)

    My great uncle, Lance Corporal Robert McChesney, 22/1175 22nd Tyneside Scottish, Northumberland Fusiliers died on 4th of July 1916 of wounds sustained on the 1st of July, the 1st day of the battle of the Somme. He is buried at Heily Gate Cemetery, Picardy, France and is commemorated on the Roll of Honour at St Hilda's and St Helen's Church, Seaham County Durham. He is in the roll of honour under the misspelled name of Chesney in John Sheen's book, 'The Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers'.

    Mareen Gartland




    224324

    Pte. John Leatham 2nd Btn Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th March 1915)

    I believe John Leatham was killed during the Neuve Chapelle according to the date. He is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France

    Maureen Leatham-Hurt




    224322

    Rflmn. Louis Romanini 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.7th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Louis Romanini is my great great uncle, who joined the 2nd Btn Rifle Brigade Prince Consorts Own in December 1915. He went on to fight in the Battle of the Somme on the 1st July 1916 and was after sent to Vermelles where he was killed on 7th of August 1916 at the young age of 20. To Louis it was a great adventure and a short war as many of our young lads were led to believe.

    In 2014 I traveled to France to see where the Battle of the Somme took place and to visit his grave in Vermelles British Cemetery, as well as many other battlefields including Ypres in Belgium With the Western Front Association. I am very proud of my great great Uncle Louis.

    Anthony Ferrari




    224320

    Pte. David Armstrong 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th May 1915)

    <p>

    David Armstrong died aged 20 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres.

    Jane Cook




    224317

    Sgt. John Thomas Gilbert 2/7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1916)

    <p>

    John Gilbert was born in 1884. He was married in 1910 to Edith Hannah Robinson. John died from wounds sustained in France & Flanders in the Kitchener Hospital, Brighton in 1916. He is buried in St Marks Churchyard Bilton Rugby Warwickshire. He left behind 4 children born 1910, 1912, 1914 and 1916.

    Sarah Goundry




    224316

    Pte. James Mulvaney 8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.10th Jul 1916)

    James Mulvaney was killed in action in France.

    Michael Mulvaney




    224313

    Pte. James Watkins 1st Battalion Tank Corps (d.23rd Sep 1918)

    James Watkins was my Nana's older brother and I remember her telling me about 'Jimmy' and how he was the next sibling up from herself, they were therefore close and she was very upset when he died a few weeks before the end of the war.

    He joined the Suffolk Regiment on 30/05/1915 but somewhere along the way, probably in 1916, he moved into the Tank Corps and was in the 1st Battalion. I have no idea how or why he changed regiments. I have tried to find out but with no luck. He spent three and a half years fighting in the war and it seems very sad that he was injured and died of his injuries a couple of days later, with only a few weeks of the war left. He is buried in Wavans British Cemetery in France, on the site of what would have been a field hospital and where he was taken when he was injured.

    He is also honoured on the WW1 Memorial in Christchurch Park in Ipswich, where he was born. I sadly have no knowledge of the whereabouts of his medals and no photo's to share.

    Mandy Goodwin




    224312

    Sgt. Thomas Hill MM MID. 13th Battalion Manchester Regiment

    Thomas Hill was my grandfather, my mum's dad. I never met him as he died before I was born. He enlisted in the Manchester Regiment in September 1914 shortly followed by his three younger brothers, who all joined The Kings Own Lancasters. The four brothers were all hard working, hard drinking miners from Wigan who were fiercely competitive in everything they did. He was fighting in Salonika when he heard that his youngest brother Abraham, aged 20, had won the Distinguished Conduct Medal and been promoted to Lance-Corporal. According to family history this did not impress Thomas who then got Mentioned in Dispatches and promoted to Sargeant.

    By June 1918, when his Regiment were posted back to France, two of his brothers had been wounded and discharged back to England and his brother John had been killed in action. Thomas then went on to be awarded the Military Medal in October 1918 for bravery under fire and was de-mobbed in 1919. None of the three returning brothers ever spoke about their war experiences except amongst themselves. It was only after her father's death in 1950 when his younger brother Abraham DCM came to the house and pinned all Thomas's medals onto his body that my mother realised the full extent of his bravery. The family just assumed that anyone who had served had a drawer full of the same old medals as none of the brothers ever mentioned the the true extent of their war exploits.

    The only link that Thomas had with the war was that he always called my mother Sally, her name was Esther, but she had been conceived when he was on home leave from Salonika and this was his private joke between himself and my grandmother. I have found that since researching the history of the four Hill brothers and keeping my family informed we all stand a little bit straighter at the Cenotaph services these days.

    Joan Howarth




    224310

    2nd Lt. Alexander Brown McQueen MC & Bar. Royal Field Artillery

    Alex McQueen joined A Squadron, Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry as a trooper in May 1914. He deployed with the squadron to Egypt and then to Palestine where in 1915 he was promoted to Lance Corporal and was recommended for commissioning. Then he returned to the UK to commission and joined the Royal Field Artillery. In 1918 he was awarded his MC for saving his guns then again for saving the gunsights. Both awards were within 6 months of each other.

    Chris Hallam




    224308

    2nd Lt. Samuel Brown McQueen Machine Gun Corps

    Sam McQueen was my grandfather. He joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corp, then in 1916, on commissioning went to the Machine Gun School at Belton Park to complete his phase 2 training.

    In 1917 he was posted to France where he served to the end of the War. After the armistice he followed his unit to the cavalry barracks at Duren, in Germany, from there he was discharged. Sam was a noted athlete, playing rugby, hockey and cricket for the army. After the war he became Waterlo's first rugby international playing for Scotland.

    Chris Hallam




    224307

    Pte. Eugene John Auguste Barberel Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>

    Eugene Barberel was my grandfather's brother. The National Archives tell me that his number was S/24950. It is difficult to follow as the names of the sons in this family were the same for 3 generations. The medal says it was issued to Eugene John Auguste Barberel of the A&SH regiment and that he was a Private. He was born in Richmond Surrey in 1879

    Elaine Chamberlain




    224304

    L/Cpl. William James Farrow MM. 1/5th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather, William Farrow lied about his age on joining up. He was born 28th October 1897 but when he enlisted he said he was born the year before. He always told my Nan and my father that he got awarded the MM for something he did when fighting the Turkish but would not say much else, we all thought it was in Gallipoli but according to an expert I met at a WW1 exhibition this would have been in Palestine area. The medal was awarded on 14th of December 1917.

    He survived the war, serving with the 3rd & 1/5th Battalions of the Suffolk Regiment and then went on to join up for WW2 with the Suffolk Regiment and then the Military Police with some postings abroad.

    William James Farrow and army pals in Egypt

    Rod Farrow




    224294

    Sgt. William Hewlett 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    William Hewlett served with as a Signaller with the 6th Service Battalion (Prince Albert's) Somerset Light Infantry. Clearing my late mothers home we found a photo taken at Aldershot April 1915

    Bernard Hewlett




    224293

    2nd Lt. Sidney Faraday 6th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

    <p>

    A relative, who deals in antiques, recently came upon several articles and a photograph of a man who had served in both the 1st and 2nd World wars, which were for sale at an auction, along with other items.

    2nd Lieutenant Sidney Faraday of the 6th Battalion, Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment served at Gallipoli and Mesopatamia between December 1915 and May 1916 and, during the course of this time, he kept a record of his activities and feelings. This record consists of 16 typewritten pages so it will be impractical to copy it all but I will attempt to summarise.

    He left England on 17th November 1915 and sailed to Lemnos, a Greek Island. At 4.00pm on 7th December he left Lemnos, on the SS Folkestone, arriving at West Point, Sulva Bay at about 11.00 pm. He was posted to No.1 Company and given command of No.2 Platoon. He describes their position as ‘to the left of Chocolate Hill’ with the Turkish lines about 550 yards away. He describes how it appears to be safer in the firing line than it does in reserve because the rest area is so close to enemy lines and shelling. However, he then goes on to say (9th December) how he was looking through glasses and spotted a sniper, who had 6 shots at him but failed to hit him. On December 11th he describes being showered with ‘whizz bangs’, a shell that comes at you very quickly and has burst before you know it. On this date a piece of shrapnel missed him by less than a foot.

    He describes being ordered to carry out a reconnoitring patrol with 2nd Lieutenant Openshaw and eight other men. They advanced to within 150 yards of the Turkish trenches when they noticed Turks both sides of them. They had been spotted. They hurled 6 bombs into the Turks and ‘what yells they gave, we must have laid a few of them out’. They were fired upon by the Turks but laid on their stomachs and all managed to retire safely.

    On December 13th, orders were received for the evacuation, and preparations were commenced. His Battalion actually left at 5.45pm on 18th December on SS Rowan and sailed for Mudros, enjoying a good night's sleep on board.

    They then camped in Portianos Camp, West Mudros until January 19th. Most of the entries for that period describe the weather and fatigue duties although an entry on 11th January declares ‘Thomas Hall made a great discovery, namely a wet canteen. He was carried shoulder high and became the hero of the day’.

    They left Mudros on 19th January and, after stops at Port Said and Alexandria, reached Basrah on 27th February. Amongst the paperwork included with this record was a Dinner menu, dated 21st January 1916, which is signed, back and front, presumably by the officers present at the meal. I have attached a picture of the menu.

    They travelled up river from Basrah and eventually reached a camp. They did not sleep well due to the noises of dogs, jackals, hyenas and frogs. Following this they carried on eventually reaching their final destination which was a ‘rough camp, 5 or 6 miles behind the firing line’. He expresses concern that the terrain is so flat that there is no cover.

    On 2nd April they moved up to the trenches and he describes the planning for an attack to relieve General Townsend at Kut Al Amara which was under siege. The attack took place on 5th April. He took part in the initial attack at 4.55am following a period of bombardment by artillery. The attack was successful and they advanced about 6 miles before being relieved at 1.30am on 6th. They bivouacked on the banks of the Tigris about 12 miles from Kut Al Amara. Over the next few days he describes several more experiences including, along with 7 other men, having to dash across 110 yards with signalling equipment during which 2 men were badly wounded and 2 were slightly wounded. He also states that they had started this campaign with 18 officers of which only 8 remained. 3 were killed, 3 wounded and 4 missing. He classes himself as extremely lucky.

    They remained in and out of the action until 27th April. He describes several instances including a boat full of supplies attempting to get up the Tigris to supply Kut Al Amara. He also mentions the way one must eat food, by holding it in ones left hand, about 1 inch from the mouth, and then brushing the flies off with the right hand before eating. On 29th April, news was received of Townsend's surrender and he expresses concern about what will become of them.

    On 3rd May, he describes an unofficial armistice when both sides searched for, and buried, their dead. He strolled about and met a Turkish Officer. They shook hands and the officer offered him a cigarette. They talked, in French, and the officer ‘seemed a jolly decent man and a thorough good sportsman’. Both British and Turkish soldiers then stripped off and swam and bathed in the river. At 3.00pm the unofficial armistice ended and ‘needless to say, Brigade HQs were very wrathful when they heard’.

    They were relieved and left the area on 8th May which is where the diary entries end.

    During the course of this period of time, 2nd Lieutenant Faraday took a series of photographs which, in 1968, he deposited with the Imperial War Museum where they still remain. Two of them are viewable on line.

    Mel Ogden




    224291

    Pte. Patrick Dignam 2nd Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.10th May 1915)

    Patrick Dignam was born in 1896. He died on the 10th of May 1915 at Mousetrap Farm serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He was the son of Joseph and Bridget Dignam of Erne St. Upper, Dublin and the brother of Daniel Dignam. He is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Shane




    224290

    Pte. Hugh Kenny 8th Btn Lincolnshire Regiment (d.25th Aug 1918)

    Hugh Kenny, was son of Dermot and Mary Kenny of Pond Rd, South Wingate, County Durham. He died aged 19.

    David Beresford




    224289

    Pte. Albert Patchett 1/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.15th April 1917)

    We didn't know of my mother's cousin, Albert Patchett. We have no idea how he came to be in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, in fact we have only found out his existence in the last few months! I will continue to research his story.

    Alistair Crawford




    224288

    Pte. Horace Victor Race 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    Horace Victor Race was my great uncle, who I never knew, but during my research into my family history, I discovered that he had been killed in 1917 in the Battle of Arras,and has no known grave.

    In 2013 I visited Arras and went to the Arras memorial and found his name inscribed on the wall alongside the many thousands of others who gave their lives, I found it a very moving experience to walk in the area that he may have fought and died in.

    Eric Cross




    224287

    Sgt. William Owen Roberts 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.15th Nov 1918)

    William Owen Roberts was from Denbigh, Wales. He was the eldest of 16 children of Isaac and Elizabeth Roberts, 88 Henllan Street, Denbigh. He married Marie Brabazon on the 23rd of December 1913 in Dublin. He had served in the South African War and the Chinese Boxer War. He was captured at the battle of Mons in October 1914 and held prisoner until the end of the war. He died of influenza in The Netherlands.

    Richard




    224284

    Pte. J. D. Maloney 6th Btn Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.24th Aug 1915)

    I know absolutely nothing about my Great granddad, J D Maloney, but would love to know as much as possible.

    Michelle Adams




    224274

    Pte. Robert Francis Seaborn 11th Btn. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.21st Jun 1917)

    My Great Uncle, Robert Francis Seaborn, died aged 23 while serving in the West Surrey Regiment in WW1. I would love to find some pictures of him, so if anybody has any of the 11th Battalion, I'd love to see them.

    Emma Isitt




    224273

    Pte. Henry William Powers 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.10th Mar 1917)

    Henry Powers was my 1st cousin 2 times removed. He was born in London but married in Snailwell, Cambridgeshire to a local girl. There is a grave registered in his name at Adanac Cemetery in Picardie, but no age known. We think he worked with horses before the war, but do not know anything else.

    Joan Finegan




    224272

    Pte. Tom Walker Stevenson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My grandfather, Tom Walker Stevenson, was in the 18th DLI. He sailed to Egypt aboard the Ivernia where he was stationed for some months before being sent to France for what was being called "the big push". He suffered from a gas attack (probably at the Somme) which would plague him for years after he returned to civilian life in Sunderland.

    He rarely spoke about the war,and when he did it was usually about the friends he met and the "pretty French girls". He also had three brothers, Martin, John and Percy, who all served in the DLI. He died in 1950 in Sunderland.

    Tom Stevenson




    224271

    Pte. William Redpath 4th Battalion Royal Scots (d.28th June 1915)

    My great uncle, William Redpath, was killed on the 28th of June 1915, in the third battle of Krythia. He fell during an attack on a series of Turkish positions at Fir Tree Spur. The positions were captured but at a heavy cost. Fifteen officers, including the CO, Lt Col S R Dunn, and 204 other ranks were killed. Six officers and 141 other ranks were wounded.

    According to the war memorial at Greenlaw in Berwickshire, Scotland, where William is honoured: "In no mans land the dry scrub caught fire and many of the wounded perished who otherwise might have survived." My great uncle has no known grave but his name is on the Helles Memorial.

    As a young man travelling around Europe I passed within a few miles of Gallipoli on my way from Greece to Istanbul. Sadly I did not know very much about William at the time, only that he had been killed in WWI. I doubt any member of the family has ever been as close to the site of his death and I regret the missed opportunity to pay my respects. If anyone has any information about William I would be grateful if it were passed on.

    Doug Archibald




    224264

    Pte. Norman Hall 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.14th Sep 1916)

    Norman Hall, along with two other brothers joined up to fight for their country. Horatio Nelson Hall (Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery) and Thomas William Hall both survived and returned home.

    Arthur Ryan




    224262

    Cpl. Arthur Shakeshaft 6th Btn Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.16th Sept 1916)

    Arthur Shakeshaft came from Heswall, Wirral, Cheshire and was a green grocer's assistant. His mother was Alice Jane Shakeshaft. He is buried at Thiepval. He began in the Royal Field Artillery but was transferred to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. He was 23 years old when he died. He was related to my father, Samuel Williams.

    Norma Diston




    224261

    Pte. Thomas Ithell 3rd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Thomas Ithell served with the 3rd Lancashire Fusiliers and 11th Sherwood Foresters.





    224260

    Sgt. Thomas Riley 19th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.24th Apr 1918)

    My maternal grandfather Thomas Riley was born in Hunslet, Leeds in 1888. He volunteered in February 1915 in the Salford Pals. He was wounded at Loos, fought at the Somme, Ancre, Beaumont-Hammel, Arras, Messines and Passchendaele, and was wounded Ypres 1917 for which he was mentioned in despatches. He died at Kemmel Hill during the Battle of Lys leaving a widow, Maria, and three children, Norah, Margaret, Alfred.

    His photograph is not in the Lancashire Fusiliers Museum, Bury - which is a mystery, thought to be due to him volunteering very quickly in Manchester and then allowed to transfer after finding that his friends joined later in Salford.

    Walter Cuthbert




    224257

    L/Cpl. Wilfred Oliver 2/4th Btn. Berkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My father, Wilfred Oliver, enlisted on 9th September 1916 after his brother, George William Oliver (24322) 8th Btn. York and Lancs was reported missing presumed killed on 1st July 1916. George is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and local Mexborough memorials.

    Wilfred was demobbed from the 2/4th Berkshires in 1919, then after a few weeks was admitted to hospital suffering from being unable to sleep or even wanting to eat. He had been wounded and buried during one battle in the war, he was dug out by his comrades. He had one wound stripe. He had a spell of convalescence in some huts on the east coast, south of Whitby. I am his fifth child, and if we asked about how we won the war he always told us a joke e.g. we had a peeing contest to see who could pee furthest, we reached the German trenches, they said we can't stand this and ran. Later, when he was retired, he did relate some stories which tallied with things written in the 2/4th diaries which I have read recently.

    My father and mother were good parents to the six of us and we all loved them dearly.

    George W Oliver

    Wilfred Oliver - demob

    G W Oliver Death Penny

    A Oliver




    224251

    Capt. Albert Rowland Hill 16th Btn Cameronians Scottish Rifles

    Albert Hill is my grandfather, I believe he may have been transferred from another Cameronian Battalion after suffering shellshock, as this battalion was not formed until 1916. I was told he was almost buried alive in a sack but twitched and was saved. He died on 26th September 1964. He is still fondly remembered.

    Martin Barnett




    224250

    Pte. Robert "Bertie" Harrington 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.27th Oct 1918)

    My great uncle Robert (Bert) Harrington came from the small village of Messing. He was one of nine children. He enlisted with the Essex Regiment at Tollesbury and joined the regiment in mid-1916. He was wounded in July 1917 but recovered and was killed on 27th October 1918. He is buried at Valenciennes (St Roch) Communal Cemetery, Nord, France.

    His name is on the roll of honour in All Saints Church in the village of Messing in Essex.





    224249

    Pte. Eli Sykes 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light infantry (d.31st Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Eli Sykes joined the army in 1902 aged 17 as part of the Cheshire Regiment. He was later transferred to the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    In 1914 when WW1 broke out he was stationed in barracks in Dublin. On 24th August 1914 he was sent to France. At the first Battle of Ypres he was last seen on 31st October 1914, having been dropped off by bus in a town called Messines in Belgium. His body was never found, and he was officially declared dead in 1916. He is commemorated at Le Touret Memorial on the French/Belgian border as well as at Willow Grove cemetary in Stockport. He left a wife and four small children, including my grandfather (also called Eli) who was two months old when his father died. Eli was only 29 years old.

    Lynsey Sykes




    224247

    Pte. William Joseph A. Ryan 10th (Liverpool Scottish) Btn. King's Regiment (Liverpool)

    My Uncle Bill Ryan enlisted early, and married before embarkation. The only memory he ever shared with me was being blinded by a mustard gas attack in the Ypres area. They were all blinded, in his case temporarily, and they were led out of the area, through snow, each holding onto the man in front. I am sure he never went to London or the Imperial War Museum, but his description fits exactly to the Singer Seargent painting, with the exception that his kilt was tartan, not buff coloured. He remained a semi invalid after the war, but lived to be 72.

    (Editor's note: The buff kilt is actually a cover which would have been worn over the tartan when they went into action)

    Elizabeth Shallcross




    224243

    Pte. Michael Herron 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.16th May 1915)

    Michael Herron enlisted in Strabane on St. Stephen's Day 1911. He gave a false age as he was only 15. It seems he followed his older brother James Herron (who survived the war). When war broke out, he served with the 2nd Inniskillings & arrived in France with a draft of men on 22nd September 1915. He was listed as missing presumed dead on 16th May 1915 at the battle of Festubert. He was 19 years of age. He has no known grave & is commemorated at Le Touret memorial.

    Garret O'Connor




    224242

    Pte. John George Summers 18th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    John Summers was conscripted to the 18th Batt Lancs Fusiliers on 14th of January 1917. He was reported missing on the 13th of April 1918 and held POW at Dulmen, Germany where he appears to have been first found on 28th of August 1918. I know he was repatriated at Hull in December 1918 or January 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal after the war. Both medals have since sadly gone missing.

    I can find no record of where my Grandfather went missing, what action he would have been involved in and exactly what his war effort might have consisted of. It is interesting to read that the Battalion was mostly comprised of men who were short in stature. He was only 5' 5" tall and was a publican in a dockside pub in Middlesborough. He was nearly 30 when he was conscripted and had seven children (my Father included) by the time he was called up. My Grandmother was one of very few women (at that time) who was permitted a Justices licence to run a pub/hotel. He never spoke of his time as a POW but for some reason, had an abiding dislike for Belgians after the war, the reason for this is not known.

    I would be very grateful if you have any records or information about him that you would be kind enough to share with me. My Father's family are nearly all gone now, save for one very elderly Aunt who is 93. My father also served as an army Chaplain for many years and retired as as a Major before going back to 'civvy street.' He spent many years in the TA following his regular service in Singapore and British Guyana but he missed the Army to his dying day. Many thanks in anticipation.

    Steve Summers




    224241

    Pte. William Alaxander Brown 2/4th Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    William Alaxander Brown, born 1894 at 37 Francis Street Reading Berkshire, was the son of William Brown. He joined up at Reading on 6 November 1914 when the battalion was formed as a second line unit, and they moved to Maidenhead. In February 1915 they were attached to 2nd South Midland Brigade. He died on 22nd of Aug 1917 age 23 in France or Flanders. A photo of William Brown was lost in 1980s, it was last seen at his home 54 York Road, Reading. I would like to find out more any photos please. We still have his Medals.

    Peter Neal




    224239

    L/Cpl. Frank Sherrat Hamilton 3rd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.24th July 1917)

    Frank Hamilton is buried in the Belgium war cemetery at Dozinghem. He served on the front in France and Belgium, and like most soldiers he was given a service medal for France and one for Belgium, and also the Dead Man's Penny as it was called. As far as I know he died of shrapnel poisoning, but the rest is a mystery. I do not know what hospital (if that was the case) or if he died on the front. His rank was Lance Cpl, age 23 Grenadier Guards joined up in 1915 and serving until to 24th of July 1917 when he died, as did so many young guys. I am still trying to find information on my great uncle.

    P Hamilton




    224237

    Pte. William Kenyon 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    William Kenyon, was the son of John and Alice Kenyon, and attended Farnworth Baptist Church. He was a collier at Brackley Pit. He enlisted on the 4th of November 1914 in the Lancashire Fusiliers in Bury. He was at Barrow, then Plymouth then transferred to 2nd East Lancashire Regiment on the 19th of March 1915. He was killed on the 9th of May 1915 and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Cemetery Memorial within Berks Cemetery Extension.

    Kevan Williams




    224236

    Reginald Lewis 4th Btn Royal Welsh Fusilers

    Reg Lewis was wounded at Aubers Ridge in May 1915. His younger brother was in the same battalion and was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry at Aubers Ridge

    Sandra




    224233

    Sgt. William "Tug" Wilson DCM, MM. 11th Btn. Essex Regiment

    <p>MM

    William Wilson was my grandfather. I have lots of photos of him in the army, also with a group of officers posing in France. I can send copies to you if you wish. He lost the sight of his left eye through shrapnel but it wasn't necessary to remove the eye until about 1966 He didn't talk much of the war at all, but from a cardboard citation signed by a Major C Ross, commanding the 6th Division, I discovered the Milltary Medal was following action on 24th of March 1917, north-east of Loos. From an internet research, the DCM was from action on 17th of September 1918 at St Quentin Wood, just 8 weeks from the end of the war and his 20th birthday on November 11th. I have WW1 pictures of him and other soldiers posing with medical eye patches, so I imagine he may have been in a field hospital on that day. As a family we visited both areas and the Hill 60 and 70 areas with him and my grandmother in 1968.

    William Wilson, Essex Regiment

    Sergeant Wilson on right

    Colin Wilson




    224232

    Pte. Alexander John Burrett 1st Btn. A Company East Lancashire Regiment

    Jack Burrett enlisted in December 1911 giving his age as 17 and six months when actually only sixteen and three months. He was mustered to the ranks when believed he had reached 18 and posted to A Company.

    He was wounded twice. Firstly on 29th of November 1914 and secondly on 1st July 1916. Ironically he died from tuberculosis on the 1st July 1947 aged 51 when I was less than 12 years of age. I knew from a certain photograph father had been in the army but nothing more until I wrote up a general family history for family members.

    Father was born at Hounslow's Cavalry on 5th September 1895 on which anniversary the Battle of the Marne commenced. His father, my grandfather Squadron Sergeant Major John Burrett, born in September 1858, had become the 8th Hussars riding trainer by that time. According to my two paternal aunts I was told that he coached newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant Winston Churchill of the 4th Hussars to ride military style.

    I am composing an anthology of events during father's service time and searching for information regarding his time with the 1st East Lancashire Battalion. I am to complete my anthology by 1st July 2016 whilst I still can and have time and would be grateful for any news I can gather. I do know from a TV's "Who do you think you are?" some time ago that Matthew Kelly's grandfather who also served in the 1st East Lancashire's. He was wounded and taken prisoner on that day 1st July 1916.

    Colin Burrett




    224231

    Sgt. Robert Cord 8th Btn Welsh Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1915)

    Robert Cord was my grandmother's brother, I have no picture or any other details. Robert is buried at Lala Baba cemetery in Sulva Bay

    Cary Curtis




    224228

    Sgt. Harry Wild 5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.12th Apr 1917)

    Sgt Harry Wild was fatally wounded during the attack on Monchy on or around 9th April 1917 and died of wounds at the clearing station based around Aubigny. He is buried in Aubigny Communal Extension cemetery. He was 32.

    A weaver and chorister at Higham church near Padiham, he was already a Sergeant in the 1/5 East Lancs when war broke our and went with them to Egypt in Sept 1914. The regiment became part of the 42nd division which landed at Cape Hellas between 6-8 May 1915. He was wounded, apparently badly and evacuated to Egypt where he was hospitalised for some months. His return date to UK is not known but upon his return he became a recruitment sergeant in Burnley sometime late in 1916. He was granted a discharge as time served in early 1917 and went back to being a weaver.

    It seems he got bored and decided to re-enlist in the 1st East Lancs in November 1917, retaining his rank of Sgt. He was shipped to France shortly after and the regiment was in support at the Battle of the Scarpe on the southern flank of Vimy Ridge. I've retraced the regiment's steps from Monreiul village where they left at 0500 on the morning of battle marching almost 12 miles to the front in winter conditions that froze soldiers to death. The regimental diaries talk of a group being hit by a shell which claimed 4 deaths and injured "12 other ranks including NCOs".

    Sgt Harry Wild is commemorated on the East Lancs Memorial in Burnley and on the memorial in the grounds of Higham church. His headstone claims simply "One of the best".

    Mike




    224225

    Pte. Ernest Crawford Hadden 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th June 1917)

    <p>Ernest Crawford Hadden after enlisting with the Northern Cyclists

    Ernest Hadden probably died during the attack on Greenland Hill. The 20th Btn attacked on the right, the attack was at 8pm.

    Tyneside Scottish in Training.

    Julian Hadden




    224224

    Pte. Francis Gore 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.25th Sept 1915)

    I have only discovered Francis Gore, he is my husband's grand uncle. He was killed at the Battle of Loos.

    Margaret Gore




    224221

    Pte. Albert Edward Wahlstrom 36th Btn.

    <p>

    Albert Edward Wahlstrom served with the 36th Btn. AIF.

    Mark Robert Wahlstrom




    224220

    Pte. William Wilson 2nd Btn. 'F' Coy. Scots Guards (d.16th May 1915)

    William Wilson was killed in action on 16th May 1915 at Festubert, France. He was one of the 80 men later known as the Immortal Eighty of F Company 2nd. Btn. Scots Guards who broke through the German lines, had no backup, and were surrounded and killed to a man. They were never recognised for their bravery or sacrifice. Their remains were found later surrounded by dead German soldiers. They were never given a proper burial. He was 31 when he was killed, had a wife and two children. He was my Grandfather.

    William Wilson




    224217

    Frank H. Dyball 2/24th Btn. London Regiment

    Frank Dyball served in the 2nd/24th London Regiment from July 1915 to the end of the war.

    A. O'Hara




    224215

    Rflmn. Thomas Smith 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Nov 1914)

    Thomas Smith was born in St. Mary's London and enlisted in Barnet, Middlesex. He was killed in action on the 6th of November 1914.

    Caroline D'Elia




    224213

    Pte. William Denham 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th April 1915)

    William Denham was a Private in the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, landing France on the 20th of April 1915 and killed only 6 days later on the 26th of April 1915.

    David Broadley




    224211

    Cpl. Frank Caves 26th Btn. 6th Platoon. Royal Fusiliers (d.2nd Dec 1916)

    Frank Caves enlisted as Pte. 2033, Bedfordshire Regiment and was later transferred to the Royal Fusiliers.

    Caroline D'Elia




    224206

    Pte. Joseph Isaac 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.27th Feb 1917)

    My Great Grandfather Joseph Isaac served with the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.

    Steve




    224203

    Pte. Percy Beal 2nd Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Percy Beal lived in the Park area of Sheffield and joined the Yorks & Lancs shortly before war was declared; probably in anticipation. He died of his wounds on 9th August 1915, during the successful British surprise attack which recaptured "the Crater" and what was left of the chateau at Hooge, two miles east of Ypres. Due to the subsequent shelling of the cemeteries there, his remains are not in a marked grave, though his name is, of course, recorded at the Menin Gate.

    Antony Beal




    224200

    Pte. Joseph T. Howe 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    I found a Great War Victory Medal with this gentleman's details on the edge of the medal. Pte. Joseph T. Howe. There seems to be little known about him but I would like to find where the medals belong.

    Christina Burden




    224199

    L/Sgt. John Anderson 19th (St Pancras) Btn. London Regiment

    John Anderson resided in Chalk Farm, his occupation was a French polisher. He was 5ft 3” and joined the 19th Battalion, London Regiment (number 1920, then 610032).

    On the first day of the Battle of Loos, 25th September 1915, he was wounded in the head by gunshot. John survived and returned to his unit on 14th of October 1915. He was promoted from Private to Lance Corporal on 28th of June 1916 and then to Corporal on 12th of August 1916. On 15th of September 1916 John was appointed Lance Sergeant. On this day the 19th London Battalion were part of the second wave of the attack that captured High Wood (a part of the Battle of Flers-Courelette, itself part of the Somme offensive) and he received a bayonet wound to his wrist but only appears to have been away from his regiment for two days.

    In 1917 he was posted to the London command depot in England and served there between 10th of April 1917 and 24th of September 1917 when he was discharged from the army due to the effects of wounds.

    P Taylor




    224198

    Pte. Harold Charles Harding 4th (City of London) Battalion London Regiment

    Harold Charles Harding was born on the 14th September 1895. He lived at 58 Carlingford Rd., Wood Green, N. Tottenham and in 1907 was a Jeweller’s Assistant and talked of sleeping under the counter in the shop.

    Harold enlisted into the Territorial Force (TF) at 112 Shaftesbury Street in London on 12th August 1914. This was the headquarters of the 4th (City of London) Battalion of the London Regiment. As a volunteer, the choice of regiment was his and it appears from the fact that he reported at Shaftesbury Street that he had deliberately chosen this battalion. He joined the Army just eight days after the declaration of war. He first had to attest, which meant the he had to provide some personal details, agree the terms of engagement, swear an oath and sign acceptance. Harold said that he was single, aged 18 years and 11 months, and employed as a pawnbroker’s assistant by E. B. Saunders of 101 Upper Street. His home address was 203 Nag’s Head Road, Ponders End, which was shared with his father, given as next of kin. The next stage was a brief medical examination at which it was recorded that Harold stood 5 feet 5 ½ inches tall and had a 35 inch chest. This made him of average height and build by the standards of the day. Accepted for four years service he was made Private 2218. He would have been immediately embodied for full-time service. “Embodiment” was a term specific to the TF and the similar Special Reserve.

    The 4th Londons were mobilised for full time service on 5th of August and after a few days left Shaftesbury Street to go onto duties guarding the Basingstoke to Waterloo railway. It left behind a cadre to act as a reserve and for recruitment of new men, and Harold is likely to have joined this before being sent, wholly untrained, onto these duties.

    On 5th of September 1914 the battalion embarked at Southampton for garrison duty at Malta, arriving at Valetta on 14th of September to replace a regular battalion which had been recalled for war service in France. The three other battalions that were under command of 1st London Brigade (the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Londons) made the same journey. At this early stage there was no intention to send the Territorials to France; this was due to their original establishment for the purposes of home defence. By October the thinking had changed. The original terms of TF service did not oblige the man to serve overseas. Men could agree to do so, even in peacetime, by signing an additional contract known as the Imperial Service Obligation. Most men did not do this before the war, and those serving were requested to consider doing so in August and September 1914. For any unit to be sent to a theatre of war it was necessary to reach a target percentage of acceptance. Those men who did not wish to sign were separated out and returned to the reserve, which was then formed into a ‘second line’ battalion. Their places were taken by men who had signed. Harold signed the Obligation on 31st of August 1914.

    He left Malta with the battalion on 2nd of January 1915, arriving at Marseilles on 6th January 1915. It is reasonable to assume that Harold moved with it and took part in its actions, although we can not tell which company he was in or whether he developed a specialist role.

    Letter to Malcolm and Margaret dated 1st September 1915: "I had a chuckle at the boys jumping sky high when the gun went off. Brought back a memory when about thirty of us were marching up to the trenches in February 1915. There was not a soul about, when all of a sudden our Artillery opened up a barrage and we all threw ourselves to the ground. You couldn’t see a gun anywhere due to the expertness of the camouflage."

    On 16 March 1915 Harold sustained a wound to his right foot (hospital notes say ankle). The notes give this, typically, as “GSW” meaning gunshot wound, a term which appears to have covered all manner of wounds from bullets, shell splinters, shrapnel and grenades. Six days before Harold was hit, the British First Army had launched what for that time was a large scale offensive, at Neuve Chapelle. The 4th Londons were in deep reserve at the time, being camped at Calonne-sur-la-Lys some eight miles behind the lines. Over the next two days they were ordered to the front, moving via Lestrem and Lacouture to Richebourg and entering the trenches for the first time at 7pm on 12 March. On this first tour, one officer and fourteen men became casualties.

    The battalion was relieved next day, moving to Vieille Chapelle and then back to Richebourg. On 15 March the battalion suffered its first death, of a soldier killed by long range shellfire. The diary entry for next day talks about the battalion machine gun detachment going to a position at the Port Arthur Crossroads and also a trench mortar detachment being in action (a very early example indeed of something that would later become standard). We can only assume that Harold had been with one of these parties.

    Letter to Malcolm dated 1st September 1975: "I believe you know I had a couple of splinters of shrapnel in my left leg, well the piece above my knee started pricking last week so I went to the Doc. He softened the skin round it and got it out. It was no larger than a pin’s head. The other piece is near my ankle so that might work its way out too. I got my first wound in March 1915 at the Battle of Newe Chappel and was in hospital for over three months as it turned to what they called a ‘running wound’. The second one I got at the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. That’s 58 years ago so I certainly looked after that splinter."

    Details of Harold’s evacuation and treatment in France are few, but it appears he eventually got to 11th General Hospital at Boulogne. On 14th of April 1915 Harold was returned England on the Hospital Ship St Andrew and went to one of the City of London Military Hospitals. The medical notes refer to “sequestrum” which means that some bone of his tibia had splintered away and had to be surgically removed. The length of Harold’s treatment is a little uncertain. Hospital documents say that he remained until 27th of November 1915, but another says that on 7th of October 1915 that he returned to duty. We suspect the former to be correct. Harold was posted to the 4/4th Battalion which was based at Tadworth in Surrey.

    After a few weeks of training, Harold re-embarked for service in France on 1st March 1916, this time sailing from Southampton to Rouen. After going initially to a Territorial Base Depot (camp) he rejoined the battalion in the field on 17th of March 1916. Since his departure the battalion’s title had changed to the 1/4th, with the second line now being the 2/4th.

    Harold was wounded for the second time on 1st of July 1916, in the very famous attack of the London Division at Gommecourt, a diversionary operation to the main opening of the Battle of the Somme. The injury was described as a graze to his left foot. One note mentions that it had been caused by a shell fragment. His evacuation route is much more detailed this time: he went at first to 2/1st London Field Ambulance, then on next day to 19 Casualty Clearing Station at Beauval then on to 2nd General Hospital at Le Havre. On 3rd July he returned to England on the ship Oxfordshire and went to the Mile End Military Hospital on Bancroft Road, which is within a short distance of home.

    The injury was not serious as on 30th of July Harold returned to the 4/4th Battalion. Since his last time with the unit it had been retitled to 4th Reserve Battalion and had moved to Hurdcott on Salisbury Plain. The next part of Harold’s service is far from clear, for some details are missing. He appears to have sailed on 7th of December 1916 for service with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force for the campaign in Palestine, but even this is not certain, especially as he did go there, but in June 1917. We suspect the information is an error and he actually remained in England. The 1/4th Battalion were still in France at this time; 2/4th had been disbanded after also moving there. There is just one reference in the file to 3rd Battalion, but that was also in France. So we have something of a gap before 7th of March 1917, when Harold left the London Regiment and was transferred to the Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps, which later became the Tank Corps.

    On 1st of March 1917 Harold was renumbered to 280401. All troops then serving with TF units were renumbered at this time. Up to this date, each unit of the TF had its own numbering system. Inevitably this led to duplication and administrative confusion. New blocks of numbers were issued to each unit, which changed the numbers of men already serving and then began to issue numbers from its allotted block to new recruits. Harold’s number is from the block allotted to the 4th Londons. On being transferred to the Heavy Branch MGC he was renumbered again to 95661. His rank is not given but it was at this point he became a Gunner.

    Harold was initially sent to the Bovington Depot, where he passed a number of tank-related training courses, passing in the use of the Lewis machine gun and 6-pounder field gun, both of which were carried in the tanks of that time.

    • Note: Entries in pay book:
    • 1917 8th May: Bovington Camp to join the Heavy Machine Gun Corps (later renamed the Tank Corps). Rank: Gnr.
    • 28th July Tank Corps No: 302063. Pay: 1shilling 5 ½ pence per day
    • 12th June until 17th April 1918: ‘in the field’.

    Letters to Malcolm dated 24th January 1973 and 4th July 1975: "So you look like being posted to Whale Island, which brings back memories to me for I believe it was there that I went through a gunnery course on a six pounder. As you know, after I got my second wound in the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916, and came out of hospital, I rejoined the Training Battalion on Salisbury Plain, they were asking for volunteers for the Tank Corps. In those days it was known as the Heavy Machine Gun Corps. Having had two packets, I thought the third time might be unlucky so I put two and two together and thought it would be better than being sent out to France again so I had a go and was sent to Bovington for training. I also thought there would be more protection in a tank than in the front line, but I soon changed my mind when I got sent out to Palestine and went over the top. With the infantry, if you got wounded you could make your way back to the rear, if you were able to, but with the tanks you were penned in. The old tanks were fitted with four machine guns, or two 6-pounders and the crew consisted of one officer, one driver, two gearsmen and four gunners. We each had to be ready to take over any position in case of any mishaps, so the training for the tanks in those days were to pass out driving one, the same for the six pounders and the Hotchkiss Machine Guns and the gears. If you wanted to change course, it was done by the officer with hand signals. Turn left: he would put one finger up and No.1 gearsman would stop his track and the tank would swing to the left; to turn right, he would give a V-sign and No.2 would stop his track. Driving a tank was most interesting. No matter how steep a ridge was, the nose of the tank would shoot up in the air, and as soon as it seemed to drop, you threw your clutch out and it would just glide down."

    He also passed a course in the use of pigeon signally; before wireless became practical on board tanks, the pigeon was the only way of sending messages from the interior of a tank.

    On 20th of March 1917, Harold was absent from an early morning parade and reported by a Corporal Harris. His commanding officer, Captain Stewart, awarded a punishment of two days confinement to camp (which also implies two days of fatigues).

    Harold may have been expecting a posting to France where all of the active Heavy Branch was deployed, but was instead sent to Egypt, where a small tank force was about to be created. He disembarked from the hired transport ship Saxon at Alexandria on 20th of June 1917 and went at first to B depot at Zeitoun to prepare for service in Palestine

    On 30th of June 1917 Harold was posted to E Company at Deir-el-Belah, which had been in Egypt since January 1917. He was one of nine men who arrived to join the company that day. The company comprised a squadron of machines that would have been considered obsolescent in France but ideal for operations against the Turks in Palestine.

    The war diary suggests a rather tedious time, for the company remained at Deir-el-Belah until mid 1918 without anything of note happening with the exception of an action in November 1917. This was part of the break out into central Palestine after the army had finally captured Gaza.

    Extract from ‘The Tank Corps’ by Major Clough Williams-Ellis M.C. and A Williams-Ellis "The Tanks that had fought in the Battle of the Somme, in the autumn of 1916, had proved successful enough for the authorities to consider that a test ought to be made of their capabilities in some other theatre of war. Accordingly a small – a very small – detachment of Tanks was sent to assist our troops in the Sinai Peninsula. Unfortunately only eight Tanks were ultimately sent, and further, “through an unfortunate error, old experimental machines were sent out instead of new ones as intended.” At The Third Battle of Gaza the tanks were concentrated in a fig grove to the rear. Here, no work being found for them, they stayed till October, being reinforced by three Mark IV machines.

    General Allenby had now succeeded to the command, and there was to be another attack upon Gaza, for the town and its defences effectually barred our further advance along the coast or towards Jerusalem. We were this time to operate on a still wider front. The usual shock troops, the same three Divisions and their Tanks, were to attack nearest the coast. Next to them, a mixed force of French, Italian and West Indian troops were to make feint raids near Outpost Hill.

    Opposite Gaza itself several cavalry Divisions, mounted and dismounted, were to attack, and from Hereira to Beersheba a synchronised assault was to be made by the Australians. The position was, in fact, to be turned by an extensive flanking movement.

    On 23rd of October 1917, the Tanks moved up to a new station on the beach. From here, on horseback and by boat, the new area was thoroughly reconnoitred. This was the special country of cactus hedge and strong mud bank, and it had been dug a veritable labyrinth of trenches. It had been a country of small fig groves and of little irrigated gardens, and its close boundaries afforded unending cover to the enemy. However it was divided into Tank sectors, and by dint of patient toil, the Tank Commanders at last formed a more or less coherent picture of the intricacies. Tank Officers and N.C.O.s were attached to each Brigade with which they were to work, for ten days before the battle. Most of the Tanks were detailed to bring up R.E. stores, such as wire, pickets, shovels and sand bags for their infantry. These things they were to carry on their roofs.

    The first phase of the attack, timed in consideration of a full moon for an hour before midnight, was to be independent of Tanks, and was to consist of an infantry attack protected by a creeping barrage. While this attack was going on, six of the Tanks were to move to their starting-points, in order to be ready to advance at 3a.m. Two Tanks were held in reserve. It will be observed that the plans, preparation and liaison were in general much more complete than the Second Battle of Gaza, but unfortunately one mistake of that battle was repeated. The six first-line Tanks were given among them no less than twenty-nine objectives to attack.

    At eleven o’clock on the night of 1st/2nd of November, the first phase of the battle began. The 156th Infantry Brigade attacked Umbrella Hill, the first objective. The Turks were taken completely by surprise, there was little resistance, and even their artillery seemed too startled to fire. Unfortunately, however, the smoke of the battle and a dense haze made so thick an atmosphere that not a ray of the expected moonlight reached the combatants, and the infantry had to fight and the Tanks to manage their approach march in profound darkness. Also, when the enemy’s artillery at last woke up, it was to open a heavy fire on our back areas, where the second wave was gathering. All the Tanks, however, came safely through and were at their stations half an hour before the second zero at 3a.m. The Turkish resistance had by now stiffened, and when the Tanks and the fresh infantry advanced behind a heavy barrage it was to meet with dogged opposition.

    The two Tanks detailed to the El Arish redoubt were, after a stiff fight, successful in driving the enemy out of the enclosed stronghold, and were making their way through the maze of trenches, cactus hedges and gardens beyond, when one received a direct hit and the other got ditched in the darkness. Both crews at once joined the infantry. Slowly, scrambling up the nud banks, often fighting hand to hand in the darkness, we advanced. The Turks were fighting stubbornly, but inch by inch we pushed them back. The remaining Tanks lumbered slowly on.

    At last all along the coast all the objectives were taken. No.6 Tank captured Sea Post, and followed by the infantry, moved along the enemy’s trenches, crushing down the wire as far as Beach Post. It successfully attacked three other strong points and deposited its R.E. stores at the appointed place. It was again moving forward to attack a certain isolated Turkish trench when one track broke, so ending a brilliant innings. The crew went on but the Tank had to be abandoned. The two reserve Tanks both caught fire through the empty sand bags with which their roofs were loaded being set ablaze by the heat of their exhaust pipes.

    The coastal attack had done its work, and the Turks’ hold upon Gaza had been loosened. The other attackers, the troops who had advanced from Beersheba, broke through the enemy’s resistance completely, and drove them back for nine miles on an eight-mile front. The battle was decisive, and after about three days’ fighting our troops at last entered Gaza."

    Letter to Malcolm dated 24th January 1973 continued: "After passing out in everything we were sent to Palestine for Allenby’s Big Push, laying just outside Gaza. The name of my tank was ‘Revenge’ which was painted on the outside. I was a full corporal then. The’ Big Push’ was planned and there were only eight tanks in our sector and each one was loaded up on top with thousands of sand bags and roughly a ton of barbed wire, so that when we went over the top and took our objective, the infantry would clear the sand bags and wire from the top and consolidate the position, but us nits in my tank put the sand bags on first and the barbed wire was on top of them. As you may know, the exhaust pipe used to run over the top of the old tanks and it used to get red hot. We hadn’t gone above a couple of hundred yards when smoke started pouring in – the sand bags were blazing and Johnny Turk let us have it properly! From that day to this I shall never know how he missed a direct hit. We couldn’t abandon it as we had two or three of the boys wounded, but luck was with us as we turned back to safety. After all that lot they sent us back to France, because the tracks of the tanks couldn’t stand up to the sand of the desert."

    Harold sailed from Alexandria on the hired transport ship Caledonia on 4th July 1918 and thirteen days later arrived in England. On arrival he went to the Tank Corps Depot at Wareham in Dorset. When the Heavy Branch MGC was transferred into the new Tank Corps on 27th July 1917, Harold was renumbered to 302063.

    On 19th of August Harold was posted to a new unit that was being formed at Bovington, the 18th Battalion of the Tank Corps. He was not alone, for his former commanding officer and a number of comrades from E Company made the same move. On 12th of September 1918 Harold was appointed as an Acting Lance Corporal. This meant that he was given extra responsibility and pay of the appointment and wore the single chevron stripe, but was only in rank on a temporary basis. He was promoted to Acting Corporal on 26th September and confirmed in rank on 2nd October 1918. This was also the day he made what turned out to be his final journey to France, sailing once again from Southampton but this time to Le Havre.

    The 18th Battalion war diary is comprehensive, describing how the battalion remained in training once in France and did not see action before the Armistice. It spent most of its time at Mirlemont and Orlencourt (north west of Arras). Harold left the unit and was posted to a depot on 12th October 1918 – the writing is not clear, possibly referring to Remy – returning to the On 24 November 1918 Harold left to go on a course at a gunnery school. Unfortunately no location is given. It appears to be while there that he was taken ill, later diagnosed as influenza and possibly a victim of the terrible killer Spanish Flu pandemic that was so rife at that time. He was admitted to 56 General Hospital at Etaples and discharged to the nearby 6 Convalescent Depot on 7th of December 1918. After a short period there and at another reception depot camp, he rejoined the battalion ten days later.

    On 7th of February 1919 Harold sailed for England and demobilisation. Harold went to the No 1 Dispersal Unit at Wimbledon for the purposes of demobilisation. All soldiers were allowed to make a claim for a pension award for any medical problem that had been caused or aggravated by their military service. Harold chose not to make such a claim so we can probably assume that his injuries were giving him no further trouble. He was finally disembodied on 10th March 1919; he would have been placed into the TF Reserve and his commitment to this ended on 31st of March 1920.

    Harold’s service was eligible for the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal (for leaving his native shore) and the Victory Medal (for service in a theatre of war). They were despatched automatically without the need to claim them. The British War and Victory Medals were despatched as a pair and received by Harold on 21st July 1921, and the Star on 20th December 1921.

    On the 27th March 1921 he married Gwendoline Letitia Clements. Working as a Pawnbroker and Jeweller in his own shop in Edmonton. They had three children, Iris, Shirley and Malcolm. During the Second World War Harold served as a Sergeant in the Home Guard in Cheshunt which had its HQ in the Great House. He worked for the Enfield Highway Co-operative Society as Long Distance Driver for Removals, Milk Delivery and Area Milk Sales. On retirement, he moved to Malshiris, Jaywick and lived until 1979.

    Malcolm Harding




    224197

    Pte. Robert Stewart Seaforth Highlanders

    My father, 203639 Private Robert Stewart of the Seaforth Highlanders, was nursed back to health by Nurse Bell at Fulham Military Hospital. He claimed that she even saved his life. I remember him saying he would have liked to contact her after the war to thank her (or a member of her family). Some years ago I tried to find a relative but without success. Only recently I have learned that her photo which she signed was not '7' Military Hospital but 'F' Military Hospital and I know he was admitted to Fulham.

    Can anyone suggest any lines of inquiry I could follow to try to find a relative?

    Graeme Stewart




    224194

    Pte. Richard Kilford 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.9th June 1917)

    Richard Kilford is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres.

    Jenny Busby




    224193

    Pte. John Thomas Christelow GSM, DSO. 6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.3rd Oct 1915)

    John Christelow was my Great Grandfather, my family are all dead and I have his medals but have little information about his war record. I know his name is on the Loos Memorial because my Grandfather visited it in the 1950's but as my Grandparents are dead I have little information to add.

    Paul John Christelow




    224192

    Pte. David Culshaw 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.14th July 1917)

    My son was asked to do a history project and find a relative who fought in WW1 if possible so that he could write a letter home from the trenches as that person. At the same time I was researching my father's family history, especially the Culshaw arm. We were all delighted to find our relative, David Culshaw in the war grave data base, but then equally sad to find out he died so young - aged 19. He was an only child of my father's grandmother's brother and my dad always knew there was a sadness about his great uncle. I found out from the war diary that there was a lot of gas sent over by Lievens Projectors and regular shelling of trenches on the date of his death. I visited David's war grave in Bard Cottage Cemetery on a holiday to Belgium a few years ago and am taking my dad over this month. My son wrote a great letter from the trenches, reliving his relative's awful experience in his imagination.

    Helen Roycroft




    224191

    Pte. Joseph Johnston 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.3rd July 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Johnston is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

    Ed Spence




    224190

    Pte. Joseph Edward Sanglier 2/5th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.4th Dec 1916)

    Joseph Sanglier was born in the St Saviour's area of London in 1874. He was listed as a furniture porter in Oxford St., London in the 1911 Census. The next record we have of him, sadly, is his death on the 4th December 1916 where he died of his wounds according to military records. He died at the New Military Hospital, Rugeley Camp, Cannock Chase and is buried in Rugeley Cemetery, Staffordshire.

    Emma Roberts




    224189

    L/Cpl. Joseph Guest 10th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.25th Sep 1915)

    My grandfather Joseph Guest was killed in the Battle of Loos on Saturday 25th of September 1915, the first day of the battle. It would appear from records that Joseph and his brother David were killed in the same battle and on the same day, although in different regiments, both are commemorated at Loos Cemetery. Joseph’s death was not recorded in the local paper until 12 months after his death when a memorial to both appeared. It leads me to believe that Joseph must have been posted missing as David's death had been recorded just after the battle.

    Gordon Claughton




    224187

    Capt. Edward Boulding 5th Btn. Royal East Kent Regiment

    <p>

    Edward Boulding was born 4th December 1881, Parsonage Farm, Bonnington, Hythe, Kent. He was married to Florence. Before the war he was an assistant Overseer & Rate Collector. Edward had qualified as Assistant Schoolmaster under Board of Education 1906 (Prelim. Certif Exam) and held Language Qualifications in Hindustani (Working Knowledge) and Arabic (Working Knowledge). He was mobilised with his battalion on the 4th August 1914 and in October 1914 he had 2 days embarkation leave prior to joining Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force with D Coy, 5th Buffs. He was promoted to Company Sergent Major on the 1st of May 1915.

    The Battle of Sheikh Sa'ad, which occurred between 6–8 January 1916 during the Mesopotamian Campaign of the First World War. The battle took place along the banks of the Tigris River between the Anglo-Indian Tigris Corps and elements of the Ottoman Sixth Army. The engagement was the first in a series of assaults by the Tigris Corps to try to break through the Ottoman lines to relieve the besieged garrison at Kut. Edward was wounded at Shaik Said on the 7th of January 1916 He was admitted to hospital on the 17th. Notes by Medical Doctor: Two Gun Shot wounds [enhamcet?] flesh wound right upper arm & VIII 4 severe Right middle finger.

    Edward was commissioned on the 29th of Aug 1919. He was the Regimental Signals Officer between July 1918 and Feb 1919. Then he was the Adjutant and Qm Base PL of C from 28th Feb to 4th April. On the 12th of April he became the Officer in Command War Gifts Meso & Sec CRC.

    1920 on return from Mesopotamia

    David Boulding




    224185

    Pte. Bertie Williams 12th Btn. East Yorks Regiment

    Bertie Williams was my maternal grand-father. He was shot in the leg during WW1 and sent back to recover in the Canadian hospital at Orpington, Kent. He was not fit for further action and therefore joined the Labour Corps.

    Although I cannot be 100% certain I understand that soldiers 36568 Johnson and 36560 Swain were both killed on the 3rd of May 1917 at Oppy Wood and therefore it is likely that Bertie was wounded at Oppy Wood too.

    Robert Hudd




    224184

    Pte. Ernest James Eddolls 4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Nov 1918)

    Ernest Eddolls was the son of Thomas Eddolls and Hester nee Winterson. He died aged 19 and is buried in Hamburg Cemetery, Germany which probably means he died as a prisoner of war.

    Robbie Winterson




    224182

    L/Cpl. Stephen John Ball 11th Btn. Manchester (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Stephen John Ball was my Great Grandfather. He was born in Liverpool on 19 Nov 1884. In 1915 he was living at 3 White Street, Warrington, occupation Pawnbroker's Assistant, when he enlisted in the South Lancashire Regiment. He later transferred to the 11th Btn Manchester Regiment. He was killed in action on 16th of Aug 1917 and is buried at Poelcappelle Cemetery. His widow Annie (nee McDonald) was left with 3 children aged 9, 7 and 5. She was subsequently awarded a pension of 19 shillings and 6 pence per week.

    John Murphy




    224181

    Rflmn. Thomas Walter Knowles 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.31st Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Knowles was my wife's great Uncle and worked as a stone mason at St Pauls Cathedral before the War. He is buried in Belgium at the Liissenthoek Military Cemetery.

    Steve Bardrick




    224180

    Capt. Robert Alexander Hunter "Bertie" Tougher Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers

    Bertie Tougher was a member of Queen's University OTC. He joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusilers on the outbreak of war as a Lieut. His Medal Roll shows that he was awarded the Victory Medal and the 15 Star entering the Gallipoli theatre of War on the 7th of August 1915 and his regiment given as the RASC. He served in Egypt, and was mentioned in Dispatches for "distinguished service in connection with military operations under his command. signed Gen.Sir Edmund Allenby. GMCG, KCB. C in C Egyptian Expeditionary Force"

    He left the Army in 1922, and practiced as a solicitor in Belfast. He later joined the Colonial Service and spent the 2nd World War as Assistant Commissioner of Lands in The Gold Coast. He died in Belfast in 1948 and his name appears on the War Memorial of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

    Moyra Dudman




    224179

    L/Cpl. George Tilt Field 13th (3rd South Downs) Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.21st May 1918)

    George Field went missing in action on the 25th of April 1918 whilst with the 13th Royal Sussex Regiment. It is recorded in the Sussex Daily News on the 26th of June 1918 that he died as a POW on the 21st of May 1918.

    Traci Eames




    224175

    Pte. Stanley James Clough Kings Own

    Stanley Clough trained as Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery at Bettisfield Camp, Hut 20, from 19th of Oct 1916 to 23rd of November 1916. He then transferred to B Company of Kings Own at Prees Heath Camp, Hut 19, nr Whitchurch, to the Training Reserve, Infantry Section. He mobilised to France from Whitchurch, on the 7th of Februry 1917. He survived the war and died in 1996.

    A. Taberner




    224172

    Pte. Joseph Edward "Neddie" Ayres 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Neddie Ayres was my great-uncle and died on the first day of the Somme. He always wanted to be a soldier but didn't make the grade until volunteers were needed in WW1. He is buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery, near Aveluy in France.

    C. Clifford




    224171

    Pte. Fred Brierley 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Fred Brierley served with the 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Niel B




    224170

    Pte. Francis Warman 1st Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>

    Frank Warman was my husband's great-uncle. He enlisted at Chepstow and was sent to France with the 1st Monmouthshire Regiment on 13th of February 1915. He was killed in the intense fighting on 8th of May 1915 near Ypres aged 18 years. His little sister, Joyce, remembered the day the telegram came to her parents to say he was missing. Her mother was greatly distressed and could not be calmed down. Frank's body was never found and his name is on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Pt F Warman In Memoriam card

    Enid Jarvis




    224169

    Pte. Alfred James Erwin D Company 18th Btn.

    <p>

    To my dear grandfather Alfred James Erwin. How does one say thank you grandpa for what you did and gave to us your family and your country. You embarked at Sydney for the Middle East with 'D' company 18th Infantry Battalion per the transport A40 'Ceramic' on 25th June 1915. Your date of disembarkation is not recorded mainly because you were wounded in action at the Gallipoli Peninsula on 22nd of August 1915. You were admitted to 16th Casualty Clearing Station in Malta on 27th of August 1915 and invalided to Australia per the ship Kanowna on 5th of October 1915. Disembarked at Melbourne on 22nd of November 1915. You received 1914/15 star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Then you passed away 1929 from your war injuries.

    Oh grandpa! how I wish I could have known you and loved you for all that you did and the beautiful country we have now. I will love you forever dear grandpa from your loving grand daughter.

    Fay Hill




    224165

    Cpl. David Robinson 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.26th Oct 1914)

    My Great Grandfather David Robinson was shipped out for the commencement of the WW1, I have been unable to find out when he had joined the regular Army but have traced when he lost his life it was 12 days into the war at the Battle of Le Mons. He left behind my Great Granny Robinson who died in early 1970s and my Grandmother who was an only child. He is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.

    Gary Macartney




    224164

    Pte. Edward Frank Willis 7th Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My Grandfather volunteered in August 1915 and went to France following year. He took part in fighting at Vimy Ridge, The Somme and many other engagements. He also served in the retreat & advance of 1916. He was wounded 5 times and buried alive for 6 days. He was awarded the General service and victory medal.

    Jon Willis




    224163

    Pte. David Greenhalgh 4th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.27th April 1915)

    <p>David and Alice Greenhalgh

    David Greenhalgh, born 25th June 1884, was the eldest of three Greenhalgh siblings originating from Darwen who all enlisted in January 1915. It is believed, after research, he lost his life at the Battle of Langemark where poisonous gas was used. His memorial is on the Menin Gate in Ypres. He left a wife Alice, and three young children Jane, James and Jack.

    Martin L Greenhalgh




    224162

    Sgt. George Edward Dry 7th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.10th May 1917)

    My great uncle George E Dry was a Sergeant in the 7th Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment and this past week (April 2015) we visited his grave for the first time in the beautiful CWGC cemetery at Duisans, near to Arras in France. What we still do not know is the circumstances of his death and this is some thing we are hoping to find out sometime soon. <[>In November last year we visited also for the first time the CWGC China Wall Cemetery near Ypres where my Grandfather Joseph Robert Dry is buried. He died from wounds in battle in 1915.

    In both cases we are only at the beginning of a journey, all be it a rather sad one, to discover more about the military service that my two relations experienced up to their untimely deaths. It is with a lot of personal regret that I was unable to talk to my late father about the war time exploits of his late father and uncle. I suspect this was partly a generational thing and also his own horrific memories of service with the Ghurka regiment in the Burma campaign in WW2.

    Whilst in Ypres we also took with us the hand written diary of my other grandfather who served in the Queen Victoria Rifles and happily survived the war. I mention this because we visited Hill 60 (also near to Ypres) and were able to trace in 'real time on the hill' my grandfather RSM Tom Forrest's exploits and valour in the fighting on Hill 60 in April 1915.

    If any one recognises the references to any of these three brave men I would be delighted to hear from you. As my historical researching progresses I'll be back to update the entry if I can. Having retired from work myself I have spent many hours with my wife researching our family history from back in the early 1800s. It was the period of the First world war that really pushed us to begin both an internet search and physical battle field sites visits in Belgium and France to trace the two brothers (my Grand father and great Uncle) who died and are buried across the channel.

    Howard Dry-Parker




    224161

    Lt. Russell Stanley Brown 34th Btn. (d.8th May 1918)

    Russell Brown is my Great Uncle who served with the 34th Btn. in France. He died aged 28 and is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial in France.

    Bill Brown




    224160

    Pte. Tom Chadwick 8th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.15th July 1917)

    Tom was my great grandfather. He was killed at 26 year old. I only know he was an only child. He was married and had one son, Ronald, my grandfather who was killed in WW2. His ship was torpedoed in 1942.

    Marie




    224159

    Major. John Edward Christoe 41st Btn.

    John Christoe was born on the 12th of March 1884 in Maryborough, Qld to Charles Penrose Christoe and Julia Eugenie Cuvet [Madame Christoe] On the 16th of August 1909 (Age 25) he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the Wide Bay Regiment, Qld and on the 1st of July 1912 (Age 28)he joined 4th Infantry, Wide Bay, Qld On the 23rd of December 1912 he was appointed Lieutenant with the 4th Infantry, Wide Bay, Qld and on the 16th of November 1913 (Age 29) he was seconded to HO Area 4B, Maryborough, Qld On the 1 June 1914 he was appointed Captain and in November attennded a Short Course (Infantry) at Duntroon In March 1915 he was A&I Staff at £375 per annum nand was promoted to Acting Brigade Major 3rd Brigade Area on the 16th of April 1915. In July he took a Short Course (Musketry) at Enoggera On the 1st of April 1916 he was appointed Captain with the 41st Battalion AIF and embarked for active service abroad on the 16thm landing on the 20th of July 1916 at Plymouth, England. After training on Salisbury Plain, on the 24th of November 1916 the Battalion embarked from Southampton to France. John was promoted on the 11th of March 1917 to Major in the 41st Battalion AIF it was noted he was unmarried at the time.

    On the 21st of March 1917 John was blown up and buried by a shell explosion at Ploegsteert in Belgium and was admitted to a temporary field hospital. This could have been during the failed Nivelle offensive against the Germans which preceeded the successful and famous Battle of Messines which commenced on 7th June 1917, which in turn led to successful battles at Ypres and Passchendaele. On the 29th of March 1917 he rejoined the 41st Battalion [eight days recuperation clearly wasn’t enough, as subsequent events would show]

    On the 6th of June 1917 the Allies were subjected to a gas attack by the Germans on Ploegsteert Wood, causing between 500 and 2,000 casualties. Nan told me that her father had been exposed to gas during WW1 so this was probably when it occurred. On the 23rd of June 1917 John suffers a severe gun shot wound to the right shoulder at Messines. and the following day was evacuated to the 14th General Hospital at Boulogne, France. On the 30th of June he was evacuated to England on the hospital ship Saint Patrick and admitted to the the 3rd London General Hospital. He recovered from the GSW but was diagnosed with shell shock, concussion, tremors, loss of memory and inability to concentrate as a result of being blown up at Ploegsteert three months earlier and subsequently being gassed and shot. It was estimated that he would be incapacitated in terms of AIF service for 6 ½ months. On the 15th of July 1917 he was discharged from the 3rd London General Hospital and embarked for Australia the next day from Avonmouth.

    Mike Trumbull




    224157

    Pte. Patrick Barry 42nd Btn (d.10th June 1917)

    Patrick Barry went to the Christian Brothers School, Richmond, Victoria. He was Roman Catholic and worked as a Miner. He lived in Ipswich, Queensland and was married. He enlisted on the 20th of May 1916 at the age of 43. His unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A36 Boonah on 21st of October 1916. He was killed in action on The Black Line, Messines Rd near Seaforth Farm on 10th of June 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium.

    Mark Ryan




    224155

    Pte. James William Edwards Royal Flying Corps

    I wanted to know about someone who was corresponding with my grandmother during WW1. All I had were a few photographs and postcards and a name, James W Edwards. Research uncovered the following:

    James William Edwards was born in Tynemouth in 1888. He enlisted in the Black Watch at Perth in December 1909. He was promoted to L/cpl 31st of March 1910 and Cpl 3rd of August 1912. At his own request he reverted to Private 10th of March 1913 when he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. After serving in France from 21st of August 1914 to 6th of May 1915 he was sent back to England on the hospital ship Brighton suffering from T.B. He was discharged from the R.F.C. on the 24th of July 1915 under Kings Regulation Para. xxvi as unfit for active service.

    He seems to have joined the Merchant Navy judging by postcards sent from various French ports and Boston, Mass. He died of T.B. on the 4th of June 1917 at the home of my grandmother, Margaret Bartholomew, in Chisbury, Wiltshire with my great-grandmother Elizabeth Bartholomew in attendance. He is buried in St. Michael's churchyard, probably in an unmarked grave. There was a fee to be paid because he was not a parishioner. I do not know why he was not repatriated to his home town for burial except that perhaps, during wartime, it was not practical, or perhaps it was his own request.





    224153

    Elsie Emily Sarah Hammond Norfolk

    <p>

    My Grandmother, Elsie Emily Sarah Hammond, was born and bred in Norwich. She joined the Woman's Forage Corps in Norfolk in 1915. She met my Grandfather, Pte Francis Patrick Lewis AIF, who was recovering from wounds inflicted in France at the Norfolk War Hospital in 1917. They were engaged in Norwich October 1918 then married December 1918 in Norwich.

    Elsie returned with her Digger to Australia in 1919 to make a life in a new country. Elsie and Francis had 2 sons, Francis Walter Lewis who served in the RAN and Alexander Gordon Lewis who served in AIF in WW2.

    Lynelle Westlake




    224145

    Pte. James Burns Jarvie 7th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.18th April 1917)

    James Jarvie was the son of Andrew Burns Jarvie and Annie Porteous Hunter Javie of Niddrie Grounds, Craigmillar, Edinburgh.





    224144

    Pte. Thomas William Shearing 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th March 1915)

    Thomas Shearing Y/1166, 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, reported killed in action at Givenchy, France.

    I have a photograph of the original burial by the German Army under the name Schaering in Courrières Cemetery, France. Most of the burials in this photograph are associated with Feldlazarett 4 des IV Armee-Korps [Field Hospital 4 of the 4th Army Corps]. His body was exhumed and reburied circa 1922/1923 in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France. His date of death was stated to be 10th March 1915 in British Army records and in the Imperial War Graves Commission document used to prepare his current headstone; other records and the original German headstone state the 15th as the day of death. The 10th March corresponds with a failed offensive on Givenchy-lés-la-Bassée by 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, after which many soldiers were missing presumed killed. However, it appears likely that Rifleman Shearing was wounded and taken by the Germans for treatment to Feldlazarett 4 des IV Armee-Korps where he died on the 15th.

    Forscher




    224143

    Driver Robert Alderson 31st Signal Company Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Robert Alderson volunteered in May 1915, serving the signal section of the Royal Engineers as a driver. He served in Egypt (Cairo and Alexandria) and later transferred to France, where he was a driver for the signal section of RE in Ypres, the Somme, Albert, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele. He was demobbed in June 1919 holding the 1914-1915 Star and General Service and Victory Medals





    224142

    Pte. John T. Roberts 1/8th (Ardwick) Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Jack Roberts was my Grandfather

    Returns Mar 1919

    Larry Ward




    224141

    Capt. William Henry Langdon Burgess MID. 3rd Btn. Cameronions Scottish Rifles (d.20th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Capt William Henry Langdon Burgess was the only son of school teacher Henry Langdon Burgess and Anna Maria Burgess (Nee Alderson). He was born in Shincliffe, County Durham and attended Durham University. He was killed in action on July 20th 1916 at the Somme. Bombardment commenced at 02.55 on a cloudy overcast morning as his battalion 1st Cameronians attacked Wood Lane, south east of High Wood, where a German trench was located. They crept as close as they could as the artillery bombardment raged, with little success. German machine guns placed within the woods caused many casualties and losses, fighting continued and by dawn the British held half of High Wood, it is recorded that 'every officer who took part in the attack was a casualty'.

    William Burgess died aged 29 and is commemorated on a special memorial in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, France.

    Heather Roberts




    224140

    2nd Lt. George William Symes MC. 69th Company Machine Gun Corps

    George Symes was awarded the Military Cross and later the bar. Citation details: "69th Machine Gun Company - 2nd Lieut. George William Symes. During the attack on Le Sars on 7th of October 1916 this officer advanced along a communication trench and single-handed captured 20(twenty) Germans. After taking off the equipment of the prisoners he sent them back to our lines, while himself remaining alone to guard the trench. This officer also handled the guns with marked ability and has frequently made bold and valuable reconnaissances. Throughout the operation at Le Sars this officer has done work which only his great powers of physical endurance could have sustained. His coolness, judgement and courage have been of the utmost value to the Brigade." Lt Colonel, A A & 0 M G 23rd Division 69th Company, Machine Gun Corps.

    "2nd Lieut. (temp. Lieut) George William Symes, M.C. Has carried out his duties with unfailing courage, ability and cheerfulness since February 1916, showing great gallantry at all the actions in which the Brigade had taken part. Throughout one battle he commanded his section with conspicuous ability. Meeting suddenly a hostile party when alone with his servant, he went straight at them, killing two with his revolver, and wounding and scattering the remainder who were afterwards captured. He again commanded his section with conspicuous success and gallantry in a subsequent Battle. Awarded the Bar to Military Cross, January 1918." March 1918, Brigadier General, Commanding 69th Infantry Brigade.

    Anne Young




    224139

    Rflmn. John Joseph Bell 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    John Bell served with the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    Shane




    224138

    Pte. Alexander Dawes 1st Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.12th March 1915)

    Alexander Dawes died aged 32 and is commemoratted on the Plugstreet (Ploegsteert) Memorial. We thought he had not been buried, then on a visit to Ypres in 1991 I spoke to someone researching his Greatgrandfather's war diary. After sending me a copy I found he was killed after taking trenches at Le Epinet and buried with others.

    Frank Nattriss




    224134

    Sgt Stephen Ginn 2nd Btn Leinster Regiment (d.5th March 1916)

    Stephen Ginn is buried in the Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Michael Kent




    224133

    Cpl Edward Hutchinson 1st Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.4th May 1915)

    Edward Hutchinson died aged 33 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres.

    Liam Hutchinson




    224131

    Cpl. William Robinson Tanfield 10th Btn Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) (d.7th Jan1917)

    <p>

    William Tanfield died aged 23 and is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France. John McCrae author of 'In Flanders Fields' is buried here too.

    G Tanfield




    224129

    Pte Albert Revell 2/7th Btn Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (d.9th March 1918)

    Albert Revell died aged 19 and is buried in Maroeuil British Cemetery, France.

    Elizabeth Bowling




    224127

    Pte William Thomas Arthur 15th Btn Welsh Regiment (d.1st Sep 1918)

    William Arthur is buried in Morval British Cemetery, France.

    Kevin Arthur




    224126

    Pte William John Short Royal Welch Fusiliers

    John William Short fought with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, was gassed in WW1 and honourably discharged on 10th October 1917.

    Sandra Hemsworth




    224125

    Dvr. Henry Nathaniel Singleton Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Henry Singleton is my grandfather from my mother's side. I have been unable to trace his service record as yet but am still hoping to find information on his service life. He was gassed and suffered occasionally in later life.

    After the war he went into business as an engineer, during the 2nd War I believe his company manufactured cameras for aerial photo reconnaissance. He died a natural death in 1970. As usual he never spoke about his war and at the time I was to young to inquire, also his children (my mother, aunts and uncles) never seemed to know much if anything either.

    Ian Leonard Sell




    224124

    Pte. Michael Knox 5th Btn Royal Irish Regiment

    My Grandfather, Michael Knox, served in WW1. He was born on 3rd of October 1882 in Waterford, Ireland and later moved to Wales were he got married to Ellen Young. We believe he served in the Army in 1914/15. Due to his service he was granted a land in Busselton, Western Australia, and moved there with his wife and children in 1925.

    John Knox




    224122

    Pte. Joseph Carl 1st Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.26th April 1915)

    We do not know a lot about Joseph Carl. He was born about 1893 and married Ellen in 1911 and they had a son, John. He joined the KOSB at the very start of the war, feeling it was his duty to do so.

    After being shipped from Avonmouth, the 1st Battalion arrived in the harbour of the Greek island of Lemnos on the 24th April, where they trained to tranship into smaller vessels. The 25th April saw them off the coast of Gallipoli where they disembarked onto 'Y' beach. Joseph Carl was killed in action on the 26th. His name is on the Helles Memorial.

    Deni




    224121

    Pte. Sydney George Bright 1st Btn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.18th Apr 1915)

    Sydney Bright is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres.

    Sandra Hawkins




    224119

    Rifleman Edwin Spencer 3rd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th May 1915)

    Edwin Spencer is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres.

    Colette




    224118

    Pte. William James Cole 24th (2nd Sportsmans) Btn Royal Fusiliers

    William Cole was in the 2nd Sportsmans Battalion and was discharged after being wounded.

    Cole




    224117

    Nurse Ida Rosina Haywood

    My Great Grandmother was Ida Rosina Haywood nee Wright born 20th of October 1891 at 38 Hampton Road, Grays, Essex. She was married on the 22nd of December 1915 at St Pancras London aged 24 to Alfred William Haywood. Ida who was a nurse at Whipps Cross, is believed to have served in the Queen Alexandra's Nursing Service during WW1 in Gibralta and Salonika.

    Ida had three children and died aged 33, following child birth on 27th of September 1924. Her children were; Rose or Rosina Haywood, Edna Francces Haywood (my mother) and Alfred William Haywood.

    David Broadley




    224115

    Cpl. Thomas James Songhurst 8th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.11th May 1917)

    Thomas Songhurst is buried in the Bucquoy Road Cemetery, France.

    Neil Winton




    224114

    Pte. Frank Nott 4th Btn Worcester Regiment (d.4th June 1915)

    Frank Nott was my great uncle, he was killed during the 3rd battle for Krithia on 4th June 1915. This year, whilst doing some political campaigning near where I lived with my mother and father in Bridgend, I was given a Bronze death plaque with Frank Nott's name inscribed on it. Apparently a neighbour found it whilst working in his garden which backed on to the garden of my old home. How much of a coincidence is this? After watching the 100 year anniversary ceremony on television that morning, then being given the 'Death Plaque' the same afternoon is truly amazing.

    Mel Nott




    224111

    Pte. Sydney Bowker 2nd Btn South Lancashire Regiment (d.15th Apr 1918)

    Sydney Bowker was my great uncle and I believe that he never married. I do not know when he joined the army. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

    Sybil Vinsen




    224110

    Pte. William Charles Parkes 2nd Btn Coldstream Guards (d.7th May 1918)

    <p>William Charles Parkes

    My Grandfather, Private William Charles Parkes of the Coldstream Guards, 2nd Battalion was killed on May 7th and buried on his birthday, May 9th 1918.

    The letter that his parents received said: "Dear Mrs Parkes, I am exceedingly sorry to tell you that the news about your son is true, and that he was killed on May 7th. I have already written to his wife, and you may have heard from her since. I assure you that you have my sincerest sympathy in the loss of so good a son. His burial took place on May 9th in the British Military Cemetery and a cross erected at the head of his grave. I trust that it may be some consolation to you to feel that he died a noble death as a soldier for his country. In true sympathy, yours sincerely, L.N. Hodges (Chaplain)"

    His son, my Father, William Parkes, was born in September 1916 but we do not know if he got leave to come home - so we do not know if he ever saw him. Sadly, my Grandmother died of the Spanish Flu in November 1918 so my father was an orphan. As the house was bombed during WW2, my Father had nothing of his father's until we realized that one of the medals we had belonged to him. Through the record from the Coldstream Guards and the War Graves Commission, we were able to locate the grave in Bienvillers British Cemetery, France. The trip to France to take my Father to visit his Dad's grave was very. emotional. It was the first time he allowed himself to grieve.

    Grave of Pte Willaim Charles Parkes





    224109

    Capt. Stewart Alexander White 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd July 1916)

    <p>

    Stewart White was my great uncle who died leaving a widow but no children. He was the Battalion Adj and was shot and wounded on 1 July 1916 and died of his wounds on 3 July.

    In a letter to the War Office in early 1917, his widow related the following particulars of his death as related to her by 2Lt Spearing, a junior officer of the Regiment: " Mr Spearing was one of Capt White's juniors and related that the morning of July 1st immediately "Advance" was sounded Capt White leaped over the parapet followed by his men. It seems he was wounded but pressed onward taking 2 lines of trenches. Meanwhile another Company - where most of the Officers fell almost at once - were about to lose their heads, when Capt White and late Capt Charlton rallied them and led them to the 3rd line. My husband was wounded in the abdomen and, I am told was carried into German Dug Out in 3rd line where he lay for three days until his death. It was impossible to restore him as he was bleeding very badly."

    Capt White was an Oxford Scholar, Mathematician and school teacher. His younger brother Bruce, emigrated to Australia in 1911 and successfully raised a large family, one of whom served in the Royal Australian Air Force and was killed in WW2. Another son, Bruce also served in WW2 and was my father. I was born on 1 July 1956 and in 2016 I will celebrate my 70th Birthday, the day on which we will also pause to remember the 100th anniversary of the fatal wounding of Capt Stewart Alexander White.

    Lest we forget!

    M White




    224107

    2nd Lt. Harry Helmsley Buckley DCM, MM. 6th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    My Grandfather's medals are in the KOYLI museum in Doncaster. Harry Buckley was mentioned in dispatches many times and was awarded his DCM for rescuing wounded under fire whilst in charge of stretcher bearers. I'm not sure how he came to receive the Medal Militaire but he was badly wounded in 1916 and was made a 2nd Lt. Harry Buckley died in 1956 aged 72, he was 30 when he joined up in 1914.

    Steve Wade




    224106

    Pte. Edmund Josiah Henry Seare 7th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.14th Jul 1916)

    Edmund Seare was my Great-Grandfather's Cousin. He was born in 1888 at St.Mary Cray, near Orpington, Kent. He worked as a 'Beneath Ground Worker' in a Colliery. He moved to Wales in approximately 1909 and was married in 1910. His wife was called Mary M Jones. They lived at 4 Gertrude Street, Abercynon in Llanwonno, Wales. He carried on working as a collier in Pontypridd. Edmund and Mary had 4 children together: a daughter, Sarah J Seare (born 1910) and 3 sons, Alfred (born 1912), David (born 1913) and Edmund (born 1914). He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

    Ursula Pearce




    224104

    Pte. Orlando Farrington 1st Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Orlando Farrington was killed in action on the opening day of the Somme offensive, 1916. He served in B Company, 8 Platoon. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Orlando's civilian job was an Iron Mouldar.

    Stephen Maggs




    224103

    Pte. Stephen McGuigan 1st Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.5th Sep 1915)

    Stephen McGuigan is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.

    Patricia Gogarty




    224101

    Pte Henry Arthur Kiff 2nd Btn Royal Fusiliers (d.25th April 1915)

    Henry Kiff was born in 1891, son of Thomas and Ann Kiff of Southall, Middlesex. He died in action in Gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915, aged 24. He was my Great Great Uncle, I only learnt of his existence today as I sailed past his memorial in Gallipoli, 100 years to the day since he passed. I will endeavour never to forget him.

    Simon Gee




    224100

    L/Cpl. David Bradley 13th Btn Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) (d.11th Jul 1917)

    I believe David Bradley enlisted at Tipton and was initially in Notts & Derby Regiment. He is is buried in Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-le-Grand, France.

    Richard Rixson




    224099

    Cpl. Francis Maskrey 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Francis Maskrey was born on 7th December 1883, in Whittington, Derbyshire, the son of William and Mary (Swift) Maskrey. He was one of 14 children. During the Boer War he served in the Navy. After his release he married Hilda Buck. They were married on 4th December 1905 in Chesterfield. The couple had three girls.

    On 6th August 1914, Francis joined the newly formed 9th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. He was sent to Belton Park near Grantham to train. On 4th April 1915 the battalion left Liverpool for Gallipoli. Francis and his brother Robert made this journey. They arrived on the 6th/7th August 1915 and two days later Francis was killed. His body was never recovered or identified. He left a 18-year-old widow with three young daughters.

    Carol Beadle




    224098

    Pte. Robert Coulson 1/8th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Apr 1915)

    My great uncle Robert Coulson who was known as 'our Bob' was one of 12 children, son of William and Alice Coulson. He died when a shell fell at his feet at St Julian during 2nd Battle Ypres, he was 20 years old. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres.

    Lynn Thompson




    224097

    Pte. Charles Brealey 6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment North Staffo (d.13th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Brealey served with the 6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment

    Alan Freeman




    224095

    Pte. L. Grace 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Pte L. Grace signed an autograph book belonging to Nurse Macnab whilst being treated in Espomn War Hospital on 9th of September 1915.





    224094

    Pte. Stephen Rossiter 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.30th Nov 1915)

    My great uncle, Stephen Rossiter of the 7th Bn Gloucestershire Regiment, was killed in action, aged 40 years on 30th of November 1915. He was the son of Stephen & Annie Rossiter and husband of Elizabeth Rossiter of 3 Marsh Lane, Barton Hill, Bristol. He is buried at ANZAC Cemetery, Suvla. He was my grandmother's favourite brother and she always maintained that he had died from bayonet wounds, although I don't know how she came by this information.

    Stephen Shaughnessy




    224093

    Nurse Agnes McNab

    My great grandmother Agnes Macnab was a nurse at Epsom Military Hospital in 1915

    Diane Little




    224092

    Pte. Albert Cross Hawke 12th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    My grandfather Albert Hawke lied about his age to go to WW1 as he was too young. He fought in France and Salonika and was wounded at some point and treated by a German doctor. He chose not to speak about the war, therefore, as his granddaughter I have very few details of his war years. My grandparents migrated to Australia after his retirement and he is buried in Victoria having lived into his eighties.

    Catherine Burton




    224090

    Pte. Edward Connor Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    My grandfather Edward Connor was in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, unfortunately I never got to meet him. But I have his engagement book and it tells my that 100 years ago today he was shot on the beach on landing at Dardanelles to be found two days later.

    Hinda Frost




    224089

    Pte. John Francis Evans 1st Battalion Border Regiment (d.17th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    John Evans was born in 1897, he enlisted and trained with C Coy. 3rd Bn., Border Regiment. Posted to France, he transferred to 1st Battalion, Border Regiment. He was then posted to Gallipoli on the 30th of June 1915, where he was wounded in the neck. He returned home on the 3rd of Sept 1915, to hospital. This wound caused his death in 1916 aged 19 having served 1 year and 257 days. John is interred in St Josephs Cemetery Moston, Manchester.

    Steve Fitch




    224087

    Pte. Thomas Septimus Tatham 24th Battalion London Regiment (d.26th May 1915)

    Thomas Tatham was 18 years old when he was killed.

    Julie




    224085

    Pte. Austin Benjamin John Brighton 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment

    The following is from my uncle (Tony Burgoyne):

    Austin Benjamin John Brighton (son of George Brighton and Elizabeth Lucy Brighton) was born 5 September 1897 in The Tuns Inn, Broome, Norfolk, and died 4 August 1975 in Bedford. He married Alice Clarke on 5 October 1921 in Pertenhall Parish Church, daughter of James Clarke and Elizabeth Ann Fisher.

    Includes notes for Austin Benjamin John Brighton:

    Grandad Brighton fought at Gallipoli and in France during WW1. He was in the Suffolk Yeomanry, 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment. He sailed for France on May 7th 1916 and his forwarding address was: Royal Suffolk Hussars, 15th Div IBD, 17th sect APO British Expeditionary Forces.

    Dorothy can remember Grandad telling her once that a cousin of his was killed beside him - A corporal, James Samuel Brighton, of the 2nd Batallion Suffolk Regiment - service no 17101 was killed on 27 Sept 1918 aged 23 son of Robert and Annie Brighton of Bungay. He is buried at Grevilliers British Cemetery, Pas de Calais. A private Harry Brighton was killed on 1 July 1916 (an HP Brighton is on Bungay's memorial cross but he was from the 11th Batallion - he was killed near Thiepval on the Somme...a Harry P Brighton is recorded as a 17 yo bricklayer bn Bungay in the 1901 census).

    Earlier, he sailed for the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) on the Olympia on 25 Sep 1915. He landed a the Dardanelles on 10 Oct 1915. He sailed from Alexandria, Egypt on HMHS Lanfranc on 29 Dec 1915 and landed back in England on 10 Jan 1916 ie some 4 months before he left for France.

    He was born at the Tuns Inn, 5 Pirnough St, Broome...a continuation of Wainford Rd (very close to the village of Broome). It was the only building in the street in 1742 and in 1869 an Ebenezer was landlord. The building still stands and a Mrs Collier (92 yo) lives in the house as of Nov 2001. It is now recorded on video.

    Why did grandad go to Bedford? Lewis Brighton reveals that he was told about a job by Jane Felles (nee Brighton) as a gardener. He applied for and got the job and then met Nanna (Alice Clarke) who was a maid servant at the same house.

    Betty Warnes can remember visiting Nanna and grandad in Bedford when she and her father drove the truck full of sugar beets to market nearby.

    Chanelle Braithwaite




    224084

    Sgt. Daniel William Berryman Cheshire Regiment

    Daniel William Berryman of the Cheshire Regiment was my grandfather and he served in the middle east, Gallipoli, he was in the evacuation of the Dardanelles and was wounded in Egypt and left where he was found and rescued by Australian cavalry and taken to hospital. He also served in France, where he was gassed in the trenches. He survived the Great War and served in the home guard I in Altrincham, Cheshire as a Sgt. in World War 2. I have all his World War 1 medals and the literature he posted home from Eygpt, such as letters and hand-drawn Christmas cards to his wife and family. My son now attends the dawn service on Anzac day here in Renmark, South Australia and wears my grandfather's medals with pride. He also attends and wears the medals on other important memorial days.

    Anthony Berryman




    224082

    Capt.. Percy Marlow 6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.7th July 1917)

    <p>

    Percy Marlow was my great-great-uncle (brother of my maternal great-grandmother). He was killed in the Battle of Messines and is buried near Ypres in the Klein-Vierstaat Cemetery along with others killed on the same date. He is listed in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour as below

    Marloe, Percy, Capt., 6th (Service) Battn. The Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regt.), s. of Henry Marlow, of Netherton House, Alton, co. Hants, by his wife, Elizabeth; b. Alton aforesaid, 15 March, 1892; educ. Eggar's Grammar School; enlisted in the 2nd Life Guards 29 June, 1910; was at one time orderly to Queen Alexandra at Marlborough House; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Aug. 1914; took part in several engagements; obtained a commission as 2nd Lieut. in the Wiltshire Regt. 22 Aug.1916, being promoted Captain in Feb 1917, and died at Kemmel 7 June following, of wounds received at Wytschaete, while leading his men. Buried in Klein Vierstraat Cemetery; unm.

    Viv Brown




    224081

    L/Cpl. Thomas Henry Griffiths 1st Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Griffiths served with the 1st Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment

    Paul White




    224080

    Pte. Michael Joseph Guinan 2nd/5th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) (d.4th May 1917)

    <p>

    Michael Guinan was my great uncle. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Helen Ryder




    224079

    Pte. Luke Brown 8th Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.3rd April 1916)

    <p>

    Luke Brown was killed in action in the battle for St. Eloi Craters and his body never found.

    Gravestone at Larchwood Cemetery

    Battalion War diary for the night he was killed

    Phil Brown




    224078

    Pte. Thomas Mansell Luscombe 8th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

    Thomas Luscombe was my maternal Grandfather who died of Maleria after the War.





    224074

    Pte. Frank Whittaker East Lancashire Regiment

    I believe my grandfather, Frank Whittaker, was in the East Lancashire Regiment, but not sure which battalion. My father told me he was in Egypt, Palestine and France.

    Andrew Whittaker




    224070

    Pte. Edward Allen 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>

    Edward Allen was my great-uncle, my grandad's brother. Edward was born in Huntingdonshire and married Rose Hannah Sneesby in 1914. I am currently trying to find all information I can on his time in the Great War before he sadly went missing. Edward is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.

    Le Touret Memorial

    Gillian Rayment




    224068

    Pte. Robert West 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    I don't know much about my father's time during WW1 I have his regimental numbers, he was Pte 40420 Robert West in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and 6157 in Royal Scots. He was wounded in 1917 and sent to Yeovil Hospital. Any help would be appreciated.

    George West




    224064

    Pte. Edward Boylan Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Edward Boylan served with the Inniskilling Fusiliers, his discharge papers were in the possession of his grandson, Edward John Rivers.

    Judy Rodrigues




    224062

    2nd Lt. Oswald Campbell "Fraser" Fraser 9th Btn. Black Watch (d.9th April 1917)

    I believe Oswald Fraser is my grandfather through a brief liaison with my grandmother in Norfolk.

    Hilary Condon




    224061

    Pte. William James O'Brien 24th (The Queens) Battalion London Regiment (d.26th May 1915)

    My Great Uncle Bill O'Brien fell at Flanders during the Great War in 1915. We have no idea where he is buried or if there is a memorial to him anywhere.

    Simon O'Brien




    224059

    Lt. James Scott MiD. 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.25th Sept 1915)

    James Scott's name is recorded on the Loos Memorial.

    Donald Scott




    224057

    Rflmn. Frederick Cullen 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.11th Mar 1915)

    Frederick Cullen is commemorated on the Le Touret memorial in Le Touret Cemetery in France.

    Marie McGoldrick




    224056

    Pte. Joseph Wardell East Yorkshire Regiment

    My father, Joe Wardell served was in India, Messaptamia and was in France in 1915, he also was the Regimental Boxing Champion. I have been trying without any success to find any details I now reside in Australia, have no living relatives, but would like to leave his records together with mine with my decedents.

    Arthur Wardell




    224052

    Pte. William Littleford 1/9th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.6th Oct 1918)

    <p>William Littleford (standing)

    William Littleford served with the 1/9th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Gillian Sweeny




    224051

    WO. George Armstrong Royal Engineers

    <p>

    George Armstrong served with the Royal Engineers

    George Armstrong, pre WWI with family





    224050

    L/Cpl. William Broadley 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    William Broadley joined up on the 17th of December 1914 with the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry at Consett. His service record shows he was in military custody from 14th of September 1916 to 21st of September 1916 for being caught by police out of uniform.

    On the 17th November 1917 he was posted to France in the 5th Battalion then 7th Battalion of the DLI. On the 27th of May 1918 he was posted as missing and on the 9th August posted as POW, Germany. He was demobilised on the 24th of March 1919.

    David Broadley




    224049

    Pte. George Ballantyne 2nd Btn Highland Light Infantry (d.28th April 1917)

    George Ballantine died aged 23 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.





    224048

    Pte. Abraham Norman Holloway 33rd Btn. (d.7th June 1917)

    I was given a photo of Abraham Holloway by a relative in about 1968 when I was a small child. I always valued it as he was my father's uncle. My father bore his name so he always had a special place in our family. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

    Deidre Tarrant




    224047

    Private George Harold Ulbrich 43rd Battery Australian Field Artillery

    <p>

    George Harold Ulbrich was my grandfather on my mother's side. He returned from the World War 1 but suffered terribly physically and psychologically for the rest of his life. He died in 1969, when I was only 4 years of age. He lost a lot of his hair, suffered from excemza and lung problems from the mustard gas. I have one military photo of him but would love to turn up more and to know more about what and where he served in France. I have his record from the AWM and archives but cannot read most of it.

    Bernadette Ulbrich-Hooper




    224046

    Lt. William Cheeseman Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    William Cheeseman served with the Middlesex Regiment

    Mary-Lou Usher




    224045

    Pte, John King 1st Btn East Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    My Great uncle John King was killed in action on the 9th of August 1915 at Hooge (Sanctuary) Wood near Ypres. This wood was the target of heavy shelling by the Germans before an attack by flame throwers on the date he died. It is believed he is buried in Hooge Wood in an unmarked grave. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres.

    John's mother applied for his medals posthumously

    Adele Kitching




    224044

    Pte Arthur James Pilcher 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.8th February 1915)

    Arthur Pilcher is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres, Belgium.





    224043

    Rfmn. Fred Pearson 16th Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>

    Fred Pearson was born on 6th May 1896 in Spotland, Rochdale the son of Harry & Sarah Pearson (nee Dearden).

    He enlisted in October 1914 with a large group of current and ex members of the Church Lads Brigade, Fred was attached to St Clements Battalion. The battalion arrived in France in November 1915 and he served throughout the war and was discharged 11th Feb 1919. Little is known of his service as his service records did not survive the German bombing of WW2, however he was wounded at least once as I am in possession of a wounded stripe as well as his three service medals, 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    He married in 1920 to Emily Hunt and had two daughters Irene and Majorie. Emily died in 1937 and he married my mother Hilda Flinders and they had two sons Robert and John. He would never speak about his experiences in WW1.

    Fred back centre behind the bloke with the gun

    In camp near Uxbridge, Fred is 2nd from right standing.

    Taken in Uxbridge 1914-15

    Robert Pearson




    224041

    Sgt Sidney George Norman 2nd Btn Royal Sussex Regiment

    Sidney Norman volunteered in February 1915, and in the following July was sent to France. During his service he was mentioned in dispatches for good scouting in Loos-Hulluch between November 1915 and January 1916. He was promoted to sergeant but was then wounded, then sent home to England, where on his recovery he worked with the Home duties until being demobilised.





    224040

    Pte. Patrick Kiernan 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.5th May 1915)

    Patrick Kiernan died of his wounds and is buried in Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Mike Abbott




    224039

    Pte. Thomas Smith 7th Btn North Staffordshire Regiment (d.7th Jan 1916)

    Thomas Smith was a 37 year old coal miner, he was married with four children. The family lived at 16 Park Avenue, West Wolstanton and attended St Margarets Church where Tom was a Chorister. Tom felt it was his duty to enlist despite his age and responsibilities. It appears he was originally rejected for military service but tried again until he was eventually accepted.

    He enlisted in the 7th North Staffords on 22nd of July 1915. After a brief period of training, he was posted to his battalion which was already in Gallipoli on the 14th of November 1915. Tragically Tom only survived a mere 7 weeks before he was killed. Whilst preparations were being made for the evacuation of all the troops on the peninsula, the 7th North Staffords were in trenches which in some places were only ten to fifteen yards from Turkish trenches. On the 7th January the day before the final evacuation, the Turks unleashed a violent bombardment on the Staffords positions, follower by an infantry assault. The attack was repulsed but, as usual at heavy cost. The battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel EH Walker and 43 of his men were killed with another 106 wounded. Private Tom Smith was amongst the dead.

    His body was never found and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, close to the spot from which the ragged but gallant remaining men of the 7th North Staffords were safely evacuated on the 9th of January, 1916.

    Karen Davey




    224038

    Pte. James Henry Poet 7th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.15th July 1916)

    James Poet is buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Corbie was a town 20 km from the frontline during the Somme and became a medical centre. The majority of soldiers buried in the extension died of injuries sustained during the Battle of the Somme.





    224032

    George Eric Armstrong 62 Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    George Eric Armstrong was the oldest son of George and Florence Armstrong of Ilford, Essex. His father was already in the British Army, also in Royal Engineers, at the outbreak of WWI. George had finished school and studied typing and shorthand in preparation for secretarial work. The first firm he worked for soon closed its doors as its factory was converted to manufacturing for military purposes. The new firm he worked for soon followed suit. Young George, still only 16 decided it was pointless to look for a third job so put his age up and enlisted. His father eventually heard the news that his first-born, a very baby-faced, fair haired, blue eyed lad had enlisted. The French women running the cafe he and his father frequented whilst serving in France noted his youthful looks and would them 'La pomme and enfant' referring to his father's rosy cheeks, like an apple and his baby looks.

    After the war he found it hard to settle down and rode his pushbike around England at every chance before finally emigrating to Australia in 1924. After a difficult few years during the Great Depression, George wasted no time in enlisting on the news of the outbreak of WWII. This time he served with the 1st Garrison Battalion, Australian Armed Forces, guarding military installations in the Brisbane area. He was sent to Cowra, New South Wales for clean-up operations after the Japanese P.O.W. outbreak. He considered the WW2 years some of the best as he did not smoke or drink and would swap his ration cards for fuel rations enabling many happy camping trips with his teenage children. He would never march on Anzac Day and only mentioned the Great War when he was much older.

    Ivy Murphy




    224031

    Pte. S. Tett 51st Coy Royal Army Ordnance Corps (d.1st July 1918)

    Private S. Tett died on the 1st July 1918, aged 26 and is buried in the Pemba Cemetery in Mozambique. He was the son of Harry and Mary Ellen Tett of Montague Villa, 4 Lyncombe Hill, Bath.

    s flynn




    224030

    A/Sgt. William Percy Greenwood 19th Stationary Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps (d.21st April 1918)

    <p>

    William Greenwood died of smallpox on the 21st of April 1918, aged 26. Son of Virgil and Mary Ellen Greenwood of 91 Halifax Rd., Briercliffe, Burnley, he is buried in the Pemba Cemetery and Memorial in Mozambique.

    s flynn




    224029

    Pte. John Dobson 33rd Stationary Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    John Dobson died of pneumonia on the 3rd of November 1918, aged 32. He is buried in the Skopje British Cemetery in Macedonia. John was born at Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth, the son of Edward and Alice Dobson. He was the husband of Nellie Dobson of 33 Colbran St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    224028

    Cpl. Robert Sim Myles 56th Battalion

    Robert Myles was a patient of the Eastern General Hospital on the 25th of June 1918

    Malcolm Crawford




    224025

    Pte. Thomas Smith 9th Btn Worcestershire Regiment (d.20th April 1916)

    My grandfather, Thomas Smith enlisted in 9th Btn Worcestershire Regiment in 1914. In 1915 the battalion was sent to Gallipoli and fought with the British forces at Helles, in August 1915 with the ANZACS at the Battles of Sari Bair, Russell's Top, and Hill 60, and continued to see action until evacuated on 8th-9th January 1916. The battalion subsequently went to Mesopotamia - now Iraq.

    My grandfather fell there on the 20th April 1916. He left a wife and five children, he was 34 years old. My family remembers him at one of the many Dawn Parades held throughout New Zealand every ANZAC Day, 25th April. As usual, my poppy will be placed on the war memorial at Browns Bay in Auckland; it overlooks the sea and you can hear the waves - it's a good place, Grandfather Tom would like it. Ironically, Browns Bay beach is about the same size as the beach where the ANZACS landed on Gallipoli. Lest we forget.

    David Newman




    224024

    Pte. James McCue 5th (Extra Reserve) Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.11th May 1915)

    <p>

    In honour of my great uncle James McCue who died in Sittingbourne, Kent in May 1915. His record indicates that he enlisted in Cowdebeath, Fifeshire in Scotland in 1914 and that he joined the 5th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers which was sent to Sittingbourne in Kent as a reserve battalion in Oct 1914. The battalion did not move from Sittingbourne until long after Uncle Jimmy had died. I don't know under what circumstances he suffered from heart failure while still at the training depot.

    Thomas McCue




    224023

    Pte. William Brinley "Brin" Jordan 9th Btn Welsh Regiment (d.2nd Aug 1917)

    My Grandfather, who was always known as Brin Jordan, was killed on the 2nd of August 1917. According to the letter I have that his Commanding Officer wrote to my Grandmother, he was killed by a shell that cost them several brave lads. He was buried in the field the next day by his comrades so has no known grave. His name is on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    Moyra Mills




    224022

    Isaac Rosenberg Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    Isaac Rosenberg served with the Lincolnshire Regiment

    Elaine Rosenberg




    224018

    Joe King

    Joe King was my Granddad, he signed up in Aylesbury and went to Italy in 1917 with 1/4th Battalion, regiment unknown. When in Italy he handled horses & mules moving supplies in the mountains. He was born at Brill and worked for Webster & Cannon in Aylesbury in early 20's where he drove a steam-wagon.

    Roger King




    224017

    Cpl. Robert Partis 13th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers

    Robert Partis was my grandfather. He emigrated to Australia with his family in 1931 and lived at Hemmant, a suburb of Brisbane. On the death of his last child, a daughter who was the last member of her generation in the family, as I was the eldest of the next generation I inherited an illuminated address thanking Robert for his service in the 13th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers in WW1, presented to him by the citizens of Blyth, Northumberland. Before that I had no idea that he had been in the army during that conflict.

    Ronald Partis




    224016

    L/Cpl. Samuel Fleming 8th Btn Cameronian (Scottish Rifles) (d.28th June 1915)

    <p>

    Samuel Fleming was my grandfather. He was aged 27 when he was killed at the Battle of Gully Ravine, Gallipolli and left behind a wife, Margaret, and two daughters, May and Margaret (my mother). He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.

    Raymond McMillan




    224015

    Dmr. John Allibone 19th (St Pancras) Btn. London Regiment

    John Allibone lived in Camden Town and joined the London Regiment in 1911. He was wounded by gun shot to his left hand side at Loos on the 25th of September 1915 and was sent home where he was eventually attached to the Provosts of the 3rd London Regt. He received the Kings Silver War Badge in October 1916. John died on 25th June 1925 aged only 33yrs.

    Paul Martin




    224014

    Cpl. William Herbert Earle 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th May 1917)

    William Herbert Earle was my great-uncle on my father's side. He was only 22 when he was shot in Arras, France. I decided to look into his service records which I have achieved to bring him closer to our lives. When growing up my father had a very hard time talking about the story of how he died. All we knew was he joined the Gloucestershire Regiment then he was shot (not long after he enlisted) on the 8th of May 1917.

    I was given a gold locket from my grandmother with his photo encased in it and now I have some documentation to go with it. I also found his Arras memorial obituary, and although it's not a lot I now have a story to put with his photo. After WW2 my parents moved to Canada where I was born and war stories were kept limited - gone long ago but never forgotten

    Sally Otis




    224013

    Lt. William Frances Hall 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.7th Oct 1917)

    My great-uncle, William Francis Hall was born on the 23rd of August 1891 in Belfast to John Hall and Catherine (nee McCabe), he had many brothers and sisters. William served with the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment

    Thank you so very much for all the memories that you are keeping alive.

    Karen Stephenson




    224012

    Cpl. Robert Young 7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    My father, Robert Young, joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 7th (Territorial )Battalion on 19th March 1912 and was discharged on 22nd January 1919.

    He subsequently joined the RAF as an Equipment Assistant from 13th August 1919 until 22nd January 1939, gaining the rank of Flight Sergeant. He was by then considered to be too old to serve in the Second World War, having been born in February 1892.

    I have in my possession a booklet entitled "The 7th(Territorial) Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders In France" written by T. Hogg of Kilsyth. It gives an excellent account of the second battle of Ypres, I quote: "On the night of 23rd May (1915) the Battalion was ordered to take over a part of the line in front of Wieltje, on the right of the Wieltje St, Julien Road. On the morning of the 24th, about two o-clock, the rations and mails were received, but before they were all issued it was time to stand to. At 2.30 there was a faint glow in the sky to the east, and seen very dimly were two black observation balloons high up in the sky behind the enemy lines. About 2.45, when the enemy trenches, a hundred yards distant were just visible, each balloon dropped a great green light. Immediately away in the distance could be heard the boom of guns, and a second later the air was filled with the screech of shells. Simultaneously a yellowish-greenish vapour issued at intervals of thirty yards from the German trenches and so probably started THE GREATEST GAS ATTACK OF THE WAR. For four and a half hours the gas came over the British lines in high waves, and during the whole time the German artillery poured shells of every description in to our trenches. Respirators consisting of cotton waste had been issued, and although by no means a perfect protection, they certainly saved the lives of many men. On the right of the road was a Company consisting of Kilsyth, Falkirk and Lennoxtown men, and it was at this road that the enemy was doing its utmost to break through. The length of the trench (200 yards) was held by 25 men with one machine gun. Three times the enemy threw his weight against this portion of the line, three times he was driven back by this handful of men. Alone did one man the machine gun, and three times did the Germans get to within ten yards of it, but they never reached it, thanks to the plucky stand made by Pte. Robert Young of Kilsyth (my father). Although writhing in agony and gasping for breath, feeling as if their throats were on fire and that their lungs would burst, that handful of men held on. One by one officers and men fell, rifles became clogged with mud, food was destroyed by gas, water there was none, and piece by piece the trench was being blown in; but our lads were determined to pay back with interest what they had received from the Germans a month previously. The 2nd Seaforths came to the assistance, but they had lost heavily on the way up. Together these two Highland regiments stood shoulder to shoulder and defied the Hun and all his barbarous methods. It was a glorious as well as a sad day, but it was the boast of the 7th Argylls that they never lost a trench."

    My grandfather, Alex Young, received Army Form B.104-80A informing him that his son, Pte Robert Young (my father) had been Asphyxiated (gas poisoning) on 26th May 1915 and had been admitted to 11 Stationary Hospital, Rouen, France. Luckily he survived or I would not have been born when he was at the grand age of 61!

    Margaret Trowell




    224011

    Pte. Sydney Ernest Victor Busley 2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards (d.16th Sept 1916)

    Sydney Busley was 20 years old when he was killed in action on September 16th 1916. Like so many others he was never given a grave of his own. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He was my Grand-Uncle.

    Richard Dunmore




    224010

    Pte. Albert Alfred Barnett 1/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.27th Aug 1916)

    I don't know much about Albert, I found him while researching my genealogy. He was my 4th cousin, twice removed. Albert Alfred Barnett was born in 1894 in Reading, Berkshire to Edward John Barnett of Laverstoke, Hampshire and Sarah Jane Charlton of Barton Stacey, Hampshire. He was the second of three sons born to the couple. Before enlisting in the Army, Albert was training as a carpenter in the building trade, following his father's vocation. He lived with his parents at 38 Grove Road in Windsor at the time of enlisting.

    Albert was just 21 years old when he was killed in action in France. In the transcripts it indicates that death was presumed and that his personal effects were sent to his father. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France

    Vivian Ogino




    224009

    Pte. James Keelty 1/6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th April 1918)

    James Keelty went missing in action and was presumed to have died on the 24th of April 1918, he was 20 years old.

    Sam Walker




    224007

    Lt. Musgrave Maitland Webb 16th (Queens Westminster Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.18th Sep 1916)

    I came across this young man, Musgrave Webb who was killed in action but I cannot find where he was killed. He was the youngest of a large family. His mother had been widowed before 1901. He was only 24. I do not have any photographs of him or of his family.

    Carol Cameron




    224004

    Spr. Francis James O'Neill 38th Field Company Royal Engineers

    <p>

    My paternal grandfather, Francis James O'Neill, a plumber's apprentice enlisted before WW1 at Maryhill Barracks in Glasgow. I have his brass cigarette box issued in Christmas 1914 so I believe he was with the First BEF. He also named my father, middle name Ypres, pretty unusual for someone then living in North Wales so I presume from that and the unit movements he was involved in the Second Battle of Ypres.

    After service life he was custodian/caretaker of some of the Army camps in North Wales which were used seasonally, notably the Horse Artillery Camp at Bronaber near Trawsfynydd NW.





    224002

    Pte. George Snelgrove 3rd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.9th Oct 1917)

    My Great Uncle George Snelgrove was a regular soldier in the Lancashire Fusiliers, and his name is on the War Memorial at Victoria Station in Manchester. I was told he was shot on separate occasions in the War and was sent back to the battlefield twice and died of his wounds the third time on the 9th of October 1917 and his body was not found.

    Margaret Young




    223995

    Capt. Edward Frederick Tyler Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    I don't know anything about Edward Tyler, except that I believe he was badly gassed, and then died around ten years after the war from the effects of the gassing. (I believe he could not breathe properly at all after the war.) I have found him on the London University Roll of War Service but I would really like to know more.

    Catherine Ashley




    223994

    Pte. Percy Beal 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Percy Beal was positioned north of Ypres in August 1915, which makes it highly likely that he was involved in the Second Battle of Ypres and the action in which a British mine was detonated at Hooge. Percy died of his wounds on the 9th of August 1915, which was the day in which the British 6th Division moved to occupy the crater as a defensive structure. Percy has no known grave, although his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial, and also inside Sacred Heart Catholic church in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Percy's older brother Charles was also in the trenches at this time, and in a postcard home he writes that "I haven't heard from Percy, he moved up a fortnight ago, so keep writing him". This postcard is dated 30th of July 1915, ten days before Percy's Death.

    Russell Beal




    223992

    Spr. Thomas Strong 178th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.6th Apr 1916)

    One of my mothers ancestors was Tommy Strong, a Sapper serving with the Royal Engineers 178th Tunnelling Company. He died in the Fricourt area of the Somme. We are trying to find out more about his death as the family said he was "blown up".

    Hilary Shuter




    223991

    Sgt. Douglas Arthur Hearder

    My grandfather Douglas Arthur Hearder vas a POW at Stalag 4B, POW Number: 224223.

    Lee-Ann Hearder




    223990

    Nurse Marjorie Kathleen Cowley

    My grandmother Marjorie Kathleen Cowley apparently nursed at The Grange Hospital at Southport. I have photographs of her in uniform but no nursing organisation can identify it. She married my grandfather in 1918 at Ormskirk. I am trying to discover information about The Grange Hospital at Southport.

    Christopher Whittall




    223988

    Pte. Arthur John Vesty 1st/8th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd July 1918)

    Arthur Vesty is my great grand uncle he served with the 1st/8th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment.

    Joanne James




    223986

    Pte. Percival Kinghorn Kindell 14th (London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Percival Kinghorn Kindell served as a private in the 1st London Scottish in World War 1 and was wounded at Le Sars, France on 5th of October 1916. He was repatriated to England and during his recovery in the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds he completed an embroidered picture which appears to be dedicated to the St John's Voluntary Aid Detachment. The inscription on the back of the embroidered picture states that `on the 2nd anniversary of the above hospital, this picture was put up for auction and sold for 8 pounds 15 shillings being sold and re-sold and finally returned to the worker'. The picture has been in my possession for some time now and is a very precious memento of my family’s history.

    Bronwyn Dwane




    223984

    Sgt. William John Punchard 24th (2nd Sportsman's) Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    William John Punchard was born in 1886 in Dartmouth, the son of the late John Edward Punchard, former Postmaster of Dartmouth Post Office. William was sent home twice with shellshock and transferred to 14th Suffolk Regiment by October 1917 providing gas mask training. He survived WWI and lived to see his son William D J Punchard survive WWII.

    Plymouth Platoon 2nd Sportsman's Battalion Royal Fusiliers William J Punchard seated 3rd from left c1915

    fr left Sergt Reed, fr right Sergt Spencer, bk left Sergt Sam. bk right Sergt Wm J Punchard 2nd Sportsman's Bt Royal Fusiliers c1915

    Sergt William J Punchard wife Gertrude & 1yr old son William DJ Punchard c1915

    Letter to sister Winifred

    Beverley Davies




    223983

    Pte. Henry Angus 1st/7th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.13th June 1916)

    At time of joining up Henry Angus was residing in Banchory. He died of his wounds after fighting in France, aged 33. He is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Morag Cruden




    223981

    Pte. James Hickey 33rd Btn.

    <p>

    James Hickey was born on 28th June 1888 in Green Swamp, Bungulla, Tenterfield, New South Wales, the son of John and Martha Pearce. James was a bachelor and a working grazier when he enlisted 15th May 1916. He shipped out of Sydney on the Borda on 17th of October 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth. He marched into 9th Infantry Brigade on 12th of January 1917. He was taken on strength at Folkestone, proceeded to France to and suffered a gun shot wound to his left arm. James was sent to Horton Hospital, Epsom. He rejoined his unit and on 30th March 1918 he suffered a second gun shot wound to his left calf and was sent to Troville. On 7th September 1918 he contracted influenza and was transferred to quite a few hospitals until he was finally shipped home on 28th March 1919.

    James married Alma Maude Chorley in 1922 and raised ten children in the Tenterfield area. He was very well liked by the community and there are many fond stories of his bullock teams. James passed away on 10th January 1974 aged 85. He is my great grandfather and I could not be prouder of this fine man who I remember as a true soft gentleman.

    My great uncle Frederick Arthur Roper also enlisted into the 33rd Battalion 9th Brigade D Company and his cousin Martin Joseph Purcell into the 33rd Battalion 2nd div.

    Karen Payne




    223980

    Cpl. Arthur Horace Hatten 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Arthur Hatten joined the 2nd Middlesex Regiment in 1908 as a boy soldier and is listed on the army roll at age 21 on the 2nd April 1911 (Census Day). Arthur was the second oldest of four brothers and was stationed in Malta with 2nd Middlesex in August 1914. Recalled to England he landed with the regiment at Le Havre for what would be the duration of the war. However Arthur was severely wounded in December 1915 and invalided out of the army. He was awarded the Silver War Badge. He had three brothers, who also served in WW1, but the youngest, Alfred, died in France After the war he became a successful builder and even built his own home in St Albans. Born in St Albans in 1889, he died in the city in 1982 and is buried in the main cemetery.

    Neil Barker




    223978

    Pte. Martin Joseph Purcell 33rd Btn.

    Martin Joseph Purcell was born on 9th June 1881, the son of Martin and Catherine Purcell of Orundumby, Walcha, New South Wales. He was working as a labourer in Kootingal when he enlisted on 13th March 1916. He left Sydney on the Anchises and after a few months of training in England was injured on 26th October 1916. Martin then transferred to France on 21st of November 1916 landing at Rouelles.

    On 23rd July 1916 he was shot in the head and rejoined his unit until he was granted leave. While in England he became ill with rheumatism and after rest was sent back to battle. On 19th August 1918 he suffered severe gas burns to both buttocks and his left side and was left with a bad cough. After spending time in Sutton Veny and Hurdcott he was finally shipped home on 20th December 1918, discharged as medically unfit (could not see well in the dark). Martin Joseph Purcell died in Walcha on 27th January 1959. He was not married and had no children.

    He was one of eight children - seven boys and one girl. All of his brothers enlisted. Three saw war - one made the supreme sacrifice, one returned and three suffered health irregularities. His cousin Frederick Arthur Roper also enlisted into 33rd Battalion 9th Brigade D Company as well as my great grandfather James Hickey 4/33rd from Tenterfield.

    Karen Payne




    223977

    Pte. Frederick Arthur Roper D Coy, 5 Pltn. 33rd Btn. (d.7th June 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Arthur Roper was born on 27th October 1896, the son of William and Eliza Roper of Derby Street, Walcha, New South Wales. He was working as a labourer when he enlisted on 24th January 1916. Fred was shipped out of Sydney on the "Marathon" and after a few months of training in England was transferred to France on the "Princess Victoria". He lost his life on 7th of June 1917, the first day of the Battle of Messines. He was aged 20 and is remembered with honour at Strand Military Cemetery.

    His cousin Martin Joseph Purcell also enlisted into 33rd Battalion 2nd Reinf as well as my great grandfather James Hickey 4/33rd from Tenterfield. I will enter them on this site also.

    Karen Payne




    223975

    Pte. Michael John Redmond 8th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.9th Sept 1915)

    <p>

    Michael Redmond is buried at Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Caroline Redmond




    223973

    Pte. George Scott 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    George Scott was born in Coultre, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He joined the Scots Guards, age 22, and was killed at the Cambrai Front. His older brother, John Whytock Scott, also of the Scots Guards, age 27, was killed at the third battle of Ypres on 31st of July 1917. My great grandfather, James Scott, was the brother of George and John. I grew up knowing my great grandfather, who died at the age of 91 when I was 20. He never discussed the war with me, so it was surprising to learn of the details of his brothers’ service.

    My mother and I were fortunate enough to visit Manor Church in the Peebles area and attend a service in May of 2014. We were so impressed with the number of war memorials we discovered throughout Scotland. The names of George and John are included on the memorial plaque in Manor Church and Manor Hall as well as the memorial outside the library in Peebles, the Book of Remembrance and within the National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle. It is heartwarming to witness the importance placed on remembering those who served and fell during such a critical period of mankind’s history. I always assumed some of my ancestors must have fallen. Even though my mother and I never knew them personally, the emotional connection still exists.

    Scott Family 1905 George back row 3rd from left

    Manor Church Memorial

    Manor Hall Memorial

    Peebles Memorial

    Laurie Piskun




    223972

    CQMS. William John Lake 11th Btn. A Coy. Hampshire Regiment (d.9th Sept 1916)

    John Lake was killed in action, aged 29. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Sophie




    223971

    Pte. Frederick James Samwell 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.14th April 1917)

    Frederick Samwell was reported missing on 14th April 1917 during the Essex and Newfoundland's Regiments attack on Infantry Hill outside Monchy-le-Preux. His wife reportedly died from grief shortly after. He was 38 years old.

    Steve Eaton




    223970

    Rflmn. Walter Leonard Gissing 1st/16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Walter L. Gissing was the eldest son of the English author George Gissing. He was killed at Gommecourt on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was 24 and single. He is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial.

    WLG.




    223969

    Sgt. John James Tuohy 4th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    John Tuohy served with the 4th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles.

    Declan O'Rourke




    223968

    Cpl. Thomas McCluskey 1st Battalion Irish Guards (d.6th Nov 1916)

    Thomas McCluskey served with the 1st Btn. Irish Guards and died on the 6th of November 1916.

    Joan Murphy




    223967

    Pte. Reginald William Essex 12th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.22nd Feb 1916)

    Reginald Essex served with the 12th Battalion, Rifle Brigade.

    Alan Weeks




    223966

    Cpl. Percy Hulse 12th Btn. Rifle Brigade. (d.26th Sept 1915)

    Percy Hulse died of wounds aged 19 and is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery in France.

    Rose Kaye




    223965

    Rflmn Thomas Knight 1/8th Btn. West Yorks Regiment (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Thomas Knight died of wounds received at the Battle of Poelcappelle, aged 38. He is buried at Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinghe, Belgium.

    Keith Smith




    223964

    Pte. Harold Sidney Marshall 12th Battalion Norfolk Regiment

    Private Harold Sidney Marshall was born 14th May 1899 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Enlisted at the outbreak of the Great War but being very underage his family informed the authorities. He later joined the Norfolk Regiment and served in the 2/6th Cyclist Battalion and later 12th Yeomanry Battalion. His first service number was 2284 and later in the war 265330.

    Sadly, he lost his brother Charles John Marshall who served as Private 353931 London Regiment on 23rd May 1917 and his stepbrother Private 43277 Edmund Howard Nicholson 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment killed in action 4th September 1916.

    Whilst my grandfather Harold served with the 2/6th Cyclists on the Yorkshire coast he met my grandmother Phyllis Readhead of Flamborough. They married after the war when he returned from overseas service with the 12th Yeomanry battalion.

    I have my grandfather's army form Z18 which lists his wartime army service details. I believe it was intended to help ex-soldiers find employment after demobilisation. It states he was a good Lewis gunner and Trench Mortar instructor plus ending up as acting Company Quartermaster Serjeant.

    John M. Lowe




    223963

    Sgt. Sidney Melvin MiD. 1st Btn Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Sidney Melvin was Mentioned in Dispatches according to the London Gazette of the 17th of February 1915, page 1661.

    Savill




    223962

    Pte. Richard Ashwin 11th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.4th April 1917)

    Richard Ashwin was born in 1875 & not of good health. He signed up 30th December 1914 but his health did not last 8th August 1916 he was discharged. He died in the Union Workhouse Infirmary in Winchcombe, Glos. He is remembered on the Overbury War Memorial.

    Penelope Bossom




    223961

    Sgt. James Baker Richardson 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Sargeant James Baker Richardson was born on 18th June 1875. He was my great grandfather. James served in the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during WW1. He had been career soldier and had fought in the Boer war. On leaving the army he worked in the shipyards (Doxfords I believe). When WW1 broke out he re-enlisted. He was 40 years old. He was reported missing presumed killed on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The 15th DLI were part of 64 Division fighting in and around Fricourt. By early August my great grandmother received a postcard to say that he was in fact a prisoner of war. My great grandfather remained a POW for the duration of the war. My great grandmother died in 1917 at the age of 39, leaving eight children.

    Melanie Bishop




    223958

    Pte. Patrick Killoran 5th Btn Connaught Rangers

    Pat Killoran fought in the First World War notably in Gallipoli.

    James Killoran




    223955

    L\Sgt. Frank Prest 10th & 19th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    My Grandfather Frank Prest served with the 10th & 19th Battalions of the Durham Light Infantry.

    Steve Pearson




    223954

    Pte. Richard Maxwell Fletcher Reid 6th Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.10th Dec 1917)

    Richard Maxwell Fletcher Reid was the beloved brother of James, William, Jean, Robert, Ernest, Constance, Lizzie, Bel and Charlie. He is still spoken of and his name lives on in his nephew, great nephew and great great nephews in Australia. Those that are loved are never forgotten.

    Vivienne Stewart




    223953

    Sgt. James Thomas Scott 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    James Thomas Scott was born in 1886 (coalminer) one of the sons of James Scott (landlord of the Trimdon Grange Inn, Trimdon Grange County Durham) and Mary Ann Scott. Aged 28, James married Sarah (Sally) Orton (Trimdon Station) in 1914. Later that year he joined the 9th Battalion Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regiment with his younger brother Benjamin who was aged 24. In April 1915 Sarah Scott gave birth to a son James Thomas Scott Junior. Sadly James Senior didn't get to see his only son.

    The battalion left Liverpool and landed at Sulva Bay, Gallipoli on 6th August 1915. James and his brother Benjamin were both killed in action on 9th August 1915. His final resting place is unknown. His name is listed on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Canakkal, Turkey. Name listed on panel 47 - 51

    During World War II on 11th November 1942 Lance-Corporal James Thomas Scott Junior aged 27 of the Durham Light Infantry was killed in action and is buried in Heliopolis War Cemetery, Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt.

    Gone but not forgotten RIP.

    Ayleen Smith




    223952

    Robert McMeeking 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    Robert McMeeking served 1st Gordon Highlanders, I believe, from 1915 to the war's end.

    Could anyone please tell me any more than the small info I have. I have several relatives in AIF but just found McMeeking served with British forces.

    Brett Caldwell




    223951

    Pte. Joseph John Hollington 2/1st Battalion London Regiment (d.21st Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Hollington is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres.

    Colin James




    223950

    Pte. Charles Henry Hollington 7th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Hollington served with the 7th Btn, East Surrey Regiment.

    Colin James




    223948

    Pte. Cecil Waddington 1st Btn. King's Own Royal Lancaster (d.10th April 1917)

    Cecil Waddington was first cousin to my grandmother Eileen Patricia Benest. He died age 20 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    Daniel




    223947

    Pte. Howard S. Pretty 8th Btn. Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment

    I came across a diary that was passed down through our family. It was created by a family member in 1915/16 at a WW1 hospital called Grove House in Harrogate. Our family member was a nurse there and had servicemen describe their experiences through the diary. Entries include the Gallipoli experiences of Pte Pretty of the 8th Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment. This man's descendants,I am sure would be interested, I hope it may reach the family at some stage.

    John Fison




    223944

    Pte. George Scott Forrest 1st Btn East Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Sept 1916)

    George Scott Forrest was my my paternal Grandmother’s brother and although his family home was in Leeds, at the time he went to war he was boarding in Sunderland and his occupation was Theatrical Theatre Agent. A pleasant and gentle life not comparable to the horrors of the trenches in WW1 which makes me feel so emotional. George sailed off to France from Southampton on 21st June 1916 aged 30. He landed in Le Havre 22nd June 1916. By 16 September 1916 he was dead – “missing” - and has no grave but is honoured on the Thiepval Memorial. He was in battle between 12 September – 15 September 1916 – and like many thousands of brave young men his life was destroyed mindlessly – sacrificed as ‘cannon fodder’ by the Generals conducting the event. George was blown to bits at a young age – a happy life brutally and unreasonably cut short.

    George was awarded the WW1 Victory Medal - this was posthumous and would have been sent to his parents, my Great Grandparents, John and Janet. So sad. One day I mean to visit the Thiepval Memorial and lay some flowers for Uncle George.

    My Grandmother, Eva Forrest never mentioned her brothers and I had assumed they were both killed in WW1 – however whilst researching George I discovered his brother Herbert emigrated to America, took part in the same theatre of war, survived and I am now in regular touch with his descendants who still live in the same area of US.

    Susan Binns




    223940

    Sgt. Charles William Blinco DCM. 2nd Btn Suffolk Regiment (d.19th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Blinco enlisted in 1910 in the 2nd Suffolk Regiment. On the 25th Sept 1917 he was involved in a raid at Gonnelieu. Charles was recognised with the DCM which was Gazetted 19th of Nov 1917. This raid was very costly with over 100 soldiers lost out of approx 208 involved. Charles sustained wounds of a fatal nature in this engagement and was taken eventually to a Hospital in Wimereux, Boulogne where on 19th of Apr 1918 he died of his wounds. He is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery in France.

    Roger Blinko




    223939

    Rflmn. Francis Cyril Taylor 1st Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.8th May 1915)

    Immediately following the outbreak of World War 1 in August 1914, Francis Taylor volunteered for the Army. Although, at age 17, he was legally too young, he was not truthful about his age and since he was over 6 feet tall at the time had little trouble convincing the recruiting officer. He was aided in this deception by his mother who had accompanied him to the recruiting station and supported his statement of age, an act which she regretted for the rest of her life.

    He joined the 1st Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Stow Hill, Newport. They proceeded to France on the 13th of February to join 84th Brigade in 28th Division. Both the 1st Battalion and 2nd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment landed at Le Havre on 14 February 1915.

    In mid-March 1915 the battalion was sent into the front line near Ypres.

    When the warring armies dug in during the winter of 1914-1915, the Allied lines developed a large bulge around the Belgian town of Ypres. This was the infamous "Ypres Salient" and the lay of the land meant that the British forces in this area were surrounded on three sides by the opposing German armies. On 22nd April the Germans opened a furious artillery bombardment at 5pm followed by the release of Chlorine gas.

    Unprotected against gas, French troops fled in panic, creating a major breach in the Franco-British lines. Rushing forward to close the gap, The 1st Canadian Division overcame the immediate crisis. However, German attacks continued and by 1st May British troops began to withdraw to a new defensive line closer to Ypres itself.

    The opening of an intense German artillery bombardment on 4th May marked the beginning of another stage in the battle, causing heavy casualties amongst the troops defending the Frezenberg Ridge, and on 6th May the 1st Monmouths received orders to move up to the front line. Reaching the front line on 7th May in darkness they took over badly damaged trenches and began a desperate attempt to make repairs before dawn

    On 8th May, with the 2nd Battalion to the north and the 3rd Battalion to the south, all three battalions of the Monmouths were in the line as dawn broke. The British defenders were massively outnumbered, both in terms of infantry and artillery. Intense German artillery fire was followed by powerful infantry attacks and in the centre of the defensive ring around Ypres the order was given to retire. As British troops pulled back, a gap opened up in the line. It now fell to those units to the north, including the 1st Monmouths, to face German attacks from both their front and from their flank.

    Finding themselves in the middle of a storm of shellfire and machine gun fire, the Monmouths lost contact with both their artillery and headquarters. As the scant British artillery support faded, officers of the battalion HQ moved forward to direct the desperate defence. The adjutant, Captain Dimsdale, was killed in an attempt to lead a counter attack, as was the second in command, Major Williams. The Monmouths were now in danger of being overwhelmed and an attempt to provide reinforcements failed as those sent forward were decimated by shellfire.

    The situation was critical as the Monmouths attempted to hold off attacks from their front and deal with Germans who had taken over the trenches to their right. Captain Edwards attempted to organise a flank using a communication trench, but was soon almost surrounded. Called on to surrender and uttering the phrase which became part of regimental history, "surrender be damned," he was last seen firing his revolver at his attackers, a scene commemorated in the painting in the entrance of Newport Civic Centre.

    The battalion commander, Colonel Robinson, now gave the order for the Monmouths to be pulled back from the front line to form a flank against the German attacks from the right, after which he too was shot through the neck and killed. It was now the afternoon and the situation was clearly hopeless.

    With no alternative before them other than annihilation, the remaining isolated groups of the Monmouths pulled back to their support trenches. From these reserve trenches The Monmouths and the Royal Irish Rifles were able to hold off further German advances. With this, the involvement of the 1st Monmouths in the Second Battle of Ypres came to an end and the remains of the battalion were withdrawn to Brielan the following day. Here the extent of the casualties suffered became clear: of the 23 officers and 565 other ranks who had left Brielen on 7th May, 3 officers and 126 other ranks returned.

    Cyril Taylor died during this battle. His body was never identified. Along with over 54,000 other British and Commonwealth officers and men who died at Ypres and who have no known graves he is memorialized on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres.

    Brian Morris




    223938

    Pte. Arthur Nicholls 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    <p>

    I don't have a lot to say about my grandad's involvement in WW1 as he did not speak about it too much, however I have found records of his involvement. Arthur Nichols enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry on the 29th Sept 1914 and was discharged on the 18th April 1917 as he was no longer physically fit for service. He was in the 8th Battalion, and I was led to believe that he was at the Somme, it was also mentioned that on three separate occasions he was left to die in a room with others and that each time he was the only one alive in the morning: needless to say he had a very low opinion of doctors.

    He married and lived the rest of his life in Birmingham where he had 4 children (my father being the youngest) and 8 grandchildren. He passed away in 1988 at the Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry, where both my daughters were born.

    Discharge certificate

    Stephen Nicholls




    223937

    Pte. Thomas Cyril Perry 10th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.15th May 1916)

    Thomas Perry was born in Kidderminster, Worcestershire in 1894. He was one of five children born to William Edward Perry and Emma Jane Pugh. The family moved to Chilvers Coton, near Nuneaton, Warwickshire around 1896. In 1911 Thomas was a printer's apprentice, still living with his parents and siblings.

    He enlisted in Nuneaton after the outbreak of war in 1914. Local regiments must have been oversubscribed because Thomas Perry was posted to 10th (Service) Battalion, Scottish Rifles then forming at Hamilton as part of "K2" - Kitchener's Second New Army.

    Thomas Perry landed at Boulogne in France with his battalion on 10th July 1915 as part of 46 Brigade / 15th (Scottish) Division. The battalion entered the front line near Festubert in September 1915. At the Battle of Loos (25th September 1915) the battalion took it's objective - Hill 70 - but was later forced to retreat.

    The 15th Division spent the 1915-1916 winter in the Loos area, holding the line at the Quarries, the Hohenzollern Redoubt and Hulluch. On 11th May 1916 the Germans launched an attack in the Quarries sector with very heavy artillery support. The main attack fell on the 13th Btn. The Royal Scots to the left of 10th Scottish Rifles. Over the next few days the latter were called upon to mount a series of counterattacks which failed to dislodge the Germans. Eventually a new British line was dug further back.

    Thomas Perry must have been killed in one of the counterattacks or in the consolidation of the line that followed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial at Dud Corner Cemetery and in Kidderminster Town Cemetery.

    Rod Arnold




    223935

    Pte. John William Shaw 11th Field Ambulance

    My Dad, Jack Shaw enlisted when he was 18. I remember medals saying he was in the 11th Field Ambulance which was first in England and then in service in France. That is all the records I have of him: I would like to trace some information about his service and records or dispatches as he came back to Australia and somehow he survived that horrible period of the war and died in 1946.

    John Shaw




    223934

    Pte. Leonard Lawrence 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Leonard Lawrence is a direct ancestor and was killed along with many of his pals on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. His body was never recovered and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Never forgotten.





    223933

    Pte. Frederick John Courtney 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.27th June 1916)

    Fred Courtney was the third child of William Thomas Courtney of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and Sarah Anne Courtney. They lived in Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary. Fred was killed whilst servinf with the 7th Btn Leinster Regiment and is buried in St Patrick's Cemetery Loos, in France.

    Fred had seven siblings, of whom Samuel Ardell Courtney saw service with a Canadian Unit. Several family members had emigrated to Canada. His father's brother Isaac John Courtney had emigrated to Tasmania, Australia and his two sons, Will and Roy (Fred's cousins) enlisted. Will, in the 13th Battalion AIF, disappeared without trace on 11th April 1917 the First Battle of Bullecourt. His cousin Sam wrote from Canadian High Command in Hastings, England, trying to get news of him, without success. Roy saw service at Gallipoli, in the 26th Battalion AIF, then was transferred to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion and nearly made it through the War. He was promoted to Corporal but received a terrible head wound in the last Australian action in the War on 3rd of October 1918, was shipped home and died in July 1919 in Launceston, Tasmania. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery.





    223932

    Gnr. Leslie Bunbury Lousaine Forrest 5th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column

    Leslie Forrest originally enlisted as a Trooper in 2nd Australian Light Horse on 24th of November 1914, and trained as part of the unit’s second reinforcement at Enogra Camp in Queensland, Australia. What is unusual is that Leslie was a British national who had emigrated to Australia, becoming a labourer working in the Outback town of Miles. What is also remarkable is he was the son of a British Army Colonel and his brother served as a British infantry officer, although his sibling died of blood poisoning in a hospital in Malta in December 1915. Also of note is that the brothers both served in the Dardanelles Campaign, though not in the same sectors. What is clear is that on reaching adulthood Leslie had chosen to live a simpler and rougher existence than the one his family had probably imagined. All the more remarkable as he was descended from Irish aristocracy on his mother’s side, having a direct link to a Kildare baronetcy. His father had also been the commandant of the Duke of York’s Royal Military School up until his death.

    Leslie left the Australian Light Horse, transferring to the Royal Australian Artillery joining the 5th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery. He appears to have transferred once he had returned to Egypt from the UK, where he had been evacuated to, after contracting dysentery in the Dardanelles. The 5th Australian Division began form up in Egypt in February 1916, after the original Australian Imperial Force had withdrawn from Gallipoli. However, delays in assembling the division’s artillery meant that it did not depart for France until June 1916. Leslie did attempt get a commission in the British Army Service Corps, but his application was rejected; not surprising as he seemed to have difficulty retaining his non-commissioned officer rank, he had asked to be reduced in rank from bombardier at one stage in his service, he retired as a gunner.

    Leslie married Kathleen May Ashman in 1918 and on demobilisation in 1919 went to settle in his wife’s home county of Berkshire. She was the daughter of a Suffolk saddle-maker. Leslie lived until 1960 and probate records show him passing away on 9th February 1960 in the town of Wokingham, Berkshire. The reasons why he left his comfortable home in England to travel to the Australian Outback will never be known; one might speculate that he was uncomfortable with the family’s aspirations for him and he rebelled by heading down under. However, the irony is that he, the probable black sheep of the family, survived the war; but his elder brother Evelyn who had probably fulfilled his parents’ wishes (i.e. he excelled at Sherborne School, Corpus Christi College Oxford and as a junior officer in the Glosters) did not.

    Chris Tomlinson




    223929

    Cpl. Thomas Brown 138th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.18th Sep 1918)

    My relative Thomas Brown served as a corporal with 138th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action and is buried in Sarigol Military Cemetery, Kritston, Thessaloniki, Greece. He was 38 years old. Any information would be much appreciated.

    Willow




    223927

    L/Cpl. John Henry Davies 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.20th June 1915)

    John Davies was born on the 1st April 1880 at Newcastle upon Tyne, the eldest son of Charles Davies, and his wife Ellen. John married Esther Ann of 15 Vernon Street North, Barnsley at Morcott, near Uppingham, Rutland, on the 13th April 1903. They had three sons John, born 12th July 1904, Charles, born 7th May 1908 and George born 18th September 1910. They moved to Barnsley at some stage and John enlisted in the 13th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, in September 1914, and trained at Silkstone Camp. He was transferred to Royal Engineers. He was killed on the 20th June 1915 whilst working near Hill 60. Sapper E. Roberts wrote:- "We have lost one of the finest men who came out of Newhall Camp, Silkstone. There was not a more willing or better lived man in the camp. A man who did his duty thoroughly and everyone thought the world of him, and all that we can say is that he died a noble death."

    Jim




    223926

    Sapper. James Lewis Candy 10th Australian Field Company Royal Engineers

    Lewis Candy was born on the 18th of February 1878 in Street, Somerset, England, 2nd born of 10 children of Richard (1848-1915) and Caroline Elizabeth Deane (1852-1929). Lewis married Evaline Foley on the 18th of September 1909 and they had one child, Richard Foley Candy (1914-1981) Lewis died in November 1939 in Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia.

    Ellen Georgieff




    223925

    Pte. Harry Waldron 5th Btn. Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.26th Oct 1917)

    Harry Waldron was engaged to my maternal grandmother and they were to be married on his next leave. He was a soldier fighting on the western front in France. Unfortunately for Grandma (fortunately for me) he was killed before his next leave. Had that not been the case I would not be writing this now.

    Michael Foster




    223923

    Fus. Hugh Best 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Hugh Best joined the 5th Bn. R.I.F. during its formation at Portobello Barracks, Dublin, during August 1914. His home was at Lonsdale St. Armagh, were he lived with his wife Margaret (nee Armstrong) and six children (ages 2 to 16 approx.)

    After training in Ireland, the Btn. along with the rest of the 10th (Irish) Div. were moved to Basingstoke, Hampshire, England in about May 1915. The 5th Bn. embarked at Devonport (nr. Plymouth) on the 11th July '15. The ship sailed on the early hours of the 12th of July (as per War Diary for 5th Bn. and not the 7th of July as mentioned in other reports). After the journey via Gibraltar, Malta, Egypt and the Greek Islands the 5th Btn. were landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 7th of August 1915. Hugh was wounded on or after this date and it is assumed that he went through the medical evacuation process and eventually arrived in Armagh. Meanwhile during his time away his wife Margaret died from cancer. Hugh remarried before the war was over and details on his marriage certificate stated that he was serving with A Company, 1st. Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. This Battalion was in France and Flanders. I do not know when he joined, where he served or when he left the 1st Bn.

    William Best




    223921

    Pte. John Tucker Wild 8th Btn South Lancashire Regiment (d.29th May 1918)

    John Wild was wounded in May 1916 by shrapnel. He died in 1918 of pneumonia whilst still under treatment for his wounds. He is buried in Stockport (Willow Grove) Cemetery.

    David Robinson




    223920

    Able Sea. Lawrence Moran HMS Minotaur

    Laurence Moran was from Dublin, he served as a Boy on HMS Impregnabl and as an Able Seaman on board HMS Minotaur. Any information would be gratefully received.

    Noel Moran




    223901

    Pte. William Taylor 12th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    William Taylor joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers on 1st Sept 1914. He was born in 1898.





    223900

    Pte. James Owen MM. 12th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    On the first of July 1916 Private James Owen of the 12th machine gun company, 4th division was awarded a military medal for his actions that day it was awarded for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 1st July 1916 between Beaumont Hamel and Serre.

    Andrew Bond




    223899

    Spr. George Heath 96th Field Coy Royal Engineers (d.13th Jan 1918)

    George Heath from Wincham (near Northwich) Cheshire, was serving with 96th Field Coy R.E. He died from wounds aged 38 on 13 Jan 1918. He is buried in Railway dugouts Burial Grounds (Transport Farm) Cemetery, Ypres. Before the war George was a locomotive fireman (1901 census), then a stationary engine driver (1911 census).

    Paul McHugh




    223898

    Pte. Ernest Harold Froom 7/8th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Private Ernest Harold Froom was my grandad from Somerset. He was in the 7/8 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. On the 15th April 1918 he was one of a hundred people to receive a suspended court-martial on the same day. The regiment was being disbanded and they went on strike to prevent it. The high number of non Irish soldiers striking shows the camaraderie and respect these merged replacements had for a regiment they previously had no attachment to. They were formed into the unit to replace lost soldiers and to form a unit from their own disbanded units. The unusual event was remarkable in that the sentence normally punishable by death was suspended. They all went back to fight the following day. He later fought in the Inninnskillin black and tans in Ireland after the end of the war in Europe so he must not have had too bad a punishment in 1918.

    Peter Smith




    223897

    Pte. Leslie Topliss 17th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Pte Leslie Topliss 17th Sherwood Foresters, aged 19 and from Church Gresley, South Derbyshire was killed in action at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. I am lucky enough to own his Memorial Death Plaque. Visiting the area next week.

    Nick Thompson




    223896

    John Albert Green 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    I have a photo of my mothers father John Albert Green from Burnley Lancashire England who was on the front with horses collecting the dead and injured. He was in Sgt Tropman's squad Coldstream Guards the photo was taken November 1916. He died when my mother was 13 in 1926. I would love any information on his service

    Robyne Neal




    223894

    CSM. John Higgin Speake 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.16th Apr 1916)

    CSM John Higgin Speake of the 6th Batt. South Lancs Regt. died of wounds in Mesopotamia, his name is on the Baghdad Memorial and a poster received by wife and family. Further information would be appreciated.

    Joan Cash




    223891

    Pte. John Edward Widdas 5th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th Sept 1916)

    John Widdas is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Pauline Hooper




    223890

    Lt. Charles Pease Chapman 2nd Btn.

    <p>

    Charles Chapman was born on Norfolk Island (even though his records show Dubbo, NSW) on 11th March 1888. His parents were John Joyce Chapman and Elizabeth Isabella (nee Taylor). He went to Australia to be a school teacher and was in Dubbo, teaching when the call came to support the country.

    He joined the AIF. His rank rose from private to lance corporal, then 2nd lieutenant in 1916, lieutenant in 1916 and captain in 1920. He enlisted on 28th August 1914 at Randwick NSW Australia and he served in the following units: B Company, 2nd AIF from 28th August 1914 to 19th January 1916. The 2nd battalion was part of the 1st brigade, 1st division. He was then in the 5th battalion South Staffordshire Regiment from 19th January 1916 to 1st April 1920. Charles fought at Gallopoli and wounded there with a bomb (bullet) wound to the eye. He was taken to Malta on the Dunluce Castle to St George Hospital. He also had enteric fever. From Malta he was sent to England on the SS Huntsend to the No 1 Southern General Hospital, Birmingham.

    In 1918, he was sent to France and admitted with neurasthenia to a clearing station in April. His was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. After the war he started a preparatory school in Kilara NSW with his wife Evelyn (nee Grummitt) who he had met and married in England.

    Linda Chapman




    223889

    Pte. Richard Hobbs 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    Richard Hobbs was my grandmother's brother.

    George Leigh




    223888

    Pte. Eustace Bates 2nd Dragoon Guards (d.1st Sep 1914)

    6328 Private Eustace Bates was killed aged 25 on the 1st of September 1914, in the Picardie village of Néry. The village was the site of a largely cavalry-versus-cavalry action early in World War; which occurred as the overwhelmed British Expeditionary Force retreated from Mons in August 1914. Eustace Bates was in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (The Bays) part of the British 1st Cavalry Brigade. He would fall that fateful Friday along with 17 of his comrades in ‘The Bays’ – the exact details of his death at Néry are not recorded.

    The British Cavalry and their Royal Horse Artillery battery at Néry were caught largely unawares, but managed to repel a surprise attack by the German 4th Cavalry Division (twice the number of cavalrymen and guns). The British defence against the odds resulted in the stemming of the German cavalry advance, the capture of 12 German guns and three Victoria Crosses awarded to soldiers of L Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, as well as numerous other decorations.

    Eustace was the son of a soldier, although he would not have known him; as his father (a retired bandmaster of the 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment) died shortly after Eustace was born in the Sabathu Cantonment, India – his father was aged 40. His father, Robert David Yates, was originally from Canada; he had joined the 100th Regiment of Foot in 1864, whilst they were stationed in Malta (probably as a drummer boy aged 13). Robert eventually transferred to the Wiltshire Regiment whilst stationed in India. Prior to his military service the 1901 census records him as being a pupil at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Chelsea, London. Eustace Bates was then recorded in the 1911 census as serving as a private in the “The Bays” - well before the outbreak of the Great War. The regiment would leave Aldershot and embark for France in August 1914 via troopship from Southampton docks.

    Eustace was not married and his listed next of kin was his mother Jane Bates (nee Fletcher). She would live till 1930 and died not far from where she was born in North Lincolnshire. Eustace was the youngest of eight children (although not all eight seemed to have survived to childhood).

    Chris Tomlinson




    223887

    Pte. Frank Mason 1st/6th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.14th Jul 1918)

    Frank Mason died age 24. He is buried in Bertrancourt Military Cemetery.

    Stuart Smith




    223884

    Sgt. Edward John Moulding Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    Edward John Moulding (1893-1965) was my maternal grandfather. He was born in Axmouth, Devon and died in Whitleigh, Plymouth. He served in both world wars in the RHA and Royal Artillery. In the 1911 census he was a gunner at Bovisand Fort. He married Beatrice Hilda Martin in Axminster in December 1918 and subsequently had four sons and two daughters.

    In WW2 I know for certain he was a gunnery sergeant for part of the war on Drakes Island. His family were evacuated to Seaton in Devon and remained there for the duration of the war. After WW2 they moved between Plymouth and Axminster, returning to Plymouth in the late 1950s. At the beginning of the 1960s Edward (who was not well at the time) and Beatrice (known as Daisy) moved in with their youngest daughter Margaret. Within a year or so Edward passed away. He was buried with his youngest son also called Edward (who had died at the age of 15) in Weston Mill cemetery in Plymouth. He was a lovely principled man, who put his family and country before himself. His last surviving child Margaret now lives in Australia.

    Front row 2nd left

    Behind the horse

    At his sons wedding, 1945

    Brian G. Woodward




    223882

    Pte. James Joseph Thompson 22nd (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th April 1917)

    James Thompson was born on 27th April 1879 in Shilbottle to Robert and Isabelle Ann Maria Thompson. He was employed as a coal miner/hewer. before he joined the British Army in late 1914. He was reported missing, presumed dead, at the Battle of Arras on 27th April 1917. As his next of kin, his wife Ann received a memorial scroll and a bronze plaque. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medal. James is commemorated at Arras, France and on local memorials.

    R. Montgomery




    223881

    Rflman. Walter Arthur Phillips MM. 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.13th Oct 1917)

    Walter Phillips was born on 13th September 1888, the son of Walter and Minnie Phillips in Walworth Common, London. He joined up early in the war in London and was killed in action in October 1917. He saw service in Ypres, Arras and the Somme. He, along with thousands of others, showed great courage in what can only be described as a horror story. Rest well Walter you are not forgotten.

    Jeremy Derl-Davis




    223879

    Pte. Samuel Ferris 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Samuel Ferris fought at Battle of the Somme, he had been seconded (unverified) to Canadian Forces to fight at Vimy Ridge. He received a medal for gallantry (might have been mentioned in dispatch). He was wounded and gassed at Passchendaele and sent home with 'corrupted lungs', according to my uncle and mother.

    He found labour difficult and was forced into carpentry in the cabinet trade. Subsequent poverty relegated his family to substandard living conditions. Samuel died of T.B. in 1931; as did his wife and youngest daughter (my Aunt Elizabeth) in 1933. My mother's memory of his passing is that on the night he died, he was delirious and yelling, "They're coming over the top, boys! They're coming over the top." This brave and loyal soldier's remaining two children were then sent to one of Dr. Bernado's orphanages in England. Both his children, my mom and my uncle Jim, fortunately made it to a more egalitarian country, Canada, wherein class and parentage mattered less. I mean, what, you blame the orphan for his parents' deaths? I am nonetheless proud of my Grandfather. He somehow managed to survive the Battle of the Somme and another full year of degradation I can barely comprehend let alone fathom.

    Daryl Wakeham




    223878

    Pte. Sidney Victor Belson 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Sidney Belson was originally posted to 2/7th DLI in September 1916, home service due to his occupation (listed as houseman on farm in 1911 census). He was posted to 20th DLI early in July 1917 just in time to take part in the actions of 3rd Ypres. On 31st of July he was one of the DLI soldiers who wound up fighting alongside men of 10th Royal West Kents, who advanced to the right of the 20th DLI. This is documented in the Kents war diary, although no names are given. It is thought that he found himself there owing to his job as a runner/bugler. He was reunited with the battalion after the action in and around Hollebeke and remained there until discharged in early 1919, again because of his occupation.

    Like most men who served in this war he said very little about his experiences. He talked of training American troops. Also about not being able to give a reply to a message as MPs would not let him through, saying the men he wanted to reach had been wiped out. Another time he and 12 other runners were sent off with a message and he was the only one to deliver it because the other runners were all killed.

    On returning from the western front he resumed his job and married in 1924. He lived in Cippenham until his death. Of the four Belson brothers who went to war he was the only one to come back uninjured physically with two brothers being killed, one at Mont Kemmel in 1918, and the last being a recipient of the silver war badge.

    Geoff Belson




    223877

    L/Cpl. Joseph Daniel Beale 7th Btn. London Regiment

    Grandadm Joseph Beale left a diary which started on the 7th June 1917 at the battle for the White Chateau on the Messines ridge. It finishes in November 1917 when he appears to have become ill. I am working on transcribing it fully.

    Tricia Bewsey




    223876

    Pte. John Thornber 9th Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.14th April 1917)

    <p>

    John Thornber joined the 9th Service Battalion when they came to recruit in Lancashire in 1914, and landed with them in France in May 1915. He transferred later to the 2nd Battalion S.R. and was with them when he was killed at Villers Guislain on April 14 1917. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    He left behind a widow and two sons. His widow was unable to keep both boys and they were separated, the elder moving to live with relatives, the boys seeing very little of each other their whole lives.

    Ian Thornber




    223875

    Pte. Albert Darch 6th Btn. Dorset Regiment (d.15th April 1918)

    Albert Darch was born in September 1899 in Yarnscombe, Devon. His was the son of Albert and Emily Ethel (nee Denford). He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial in France.

    Martyn Rundle




    223874

    Pte. Randall Richard Stockton 8th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.24th Oct 1916)

    Randall Stockton was my great uncle who I never met. He married my great aunt in 1915 and went off to war, never to return. I am trying to find out as much information as I can.

    Clive Waring




    223870

    L/Cpl. John Stanley Coleman 4th Battalion East Kent Regiment

    <p>

    John Stanley Coleman was my grandfather, who served in India where he met my grandmother, Sybil. She was a young Anglo-Indian widow with 4 children. He sent them on ahead of his army discharge to his family in Dover, and on his return they moved to the north of England where they married in 1921. There were 2 children of their marriage, one of which was my mother. John took a job as the local postman in a small town (Romiley) until he retired in 1954.

    He served in the Home Guard in WW2. He had learned to knit in the army, and I remember he knitted socks and gloves for me and my cousins, never used a pattern also crocheted bedspreads! He liked a drink, and played the piano in the local pubs to earn extra money, and was considered as something of a character. He was also a keen gardener, growing vegetables in an allotment. Sybil pre-deceased him, and he died in 1977. Like many of his generation, he never discussed his war service, and while I wish I knew more about that part of his life, I have fond memories of a wonderful grandad.

    Eileen Britton




    223868

    Pte. James McKinley 8th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    My grandfather James McKinley he served with the 8th Battalion, Royal Irish (Ulster) Rifles within the 36th Ulster Division during WW1 from 30th October 1916 to 9th July 1917. It was most likely he was conscripted into the army when conscription came into force on 2 March 1916. I have lots of records such as his Silver War Badge and Medal Card records and also his Victory Medal which takes pride of place in my home. I know he had family in Belfast named Joseph and Katie but have not been able to progress this link. I have never being able to locate his service record.

    He married Margaret (Maggie) McNamara of Irishtown, Athlone County, Westmeath on 18th of November 1918, just one week after Armistice Day. He spent most of his life in London after returning from the war and I gather that he suffered terribly with his nerves, most likely from shell shock or the trauma of war.

    Terry




    223867

    2nd Lt. Francis Davis DSO. 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    Frank Davis enlisted in 1895 in the Coldstream Guards and was discharged as medically unfit in 1896. In August 1898 he enlisted with the South Staffordshire Regiment and was posted to Ireland, Gibraltar and then South Africa (Boer War). He was awarded the Queens South Africa medal, with clasps for South Africa 1901, Wittenbergen, Transvaal. He then moved between South Africa and India until he was discharged in 1911.

    He joined the Army reserve South Staffs. Regt. at the start of WWI and was mobilized in August 1914. In September he was promoted to Sgt. Cook .

    In July 1915 he was posted to France with the 8th Battalion. In 1916 he was wounded at the Battle of the Somme at Fricourt on the 3rd July. He was posted home then returned to France in September and posted to 7th Battalion. In June 1917 he was posted to Rhyll, 16th Cadet Battalion for Officer Training. In January 1918 he was commissioned 2nd Lt. in 4th Battalion South Staffs. In May 1918 he fought in the Battle of Aisne.

    Extract from 25th Division book: "2nd Lt. F. Davis 4th South Staffordshire Regt. on the 27th May 1918, in the woods south - west of Cormicy this officer showed great ability as a leader and gallant conduct of the very highest order when the flank of the battalion was completely in the air, with the enemy working round in great strength, he kept his men steady and by his coolness enabled an orderly withdrawal to be effected .

    Shortly afterwards when the battalion was almost completely surrounded, he formed a rear guard with the remaining men of his company, and through his very skilful leadership, and by engaging his men at close quarters, enabled the rest of the battalion to withdraw through the bottle neck position, and he then succeeded in extricating his own men. On the following day south of Prouilly he hung on to a very important tactical position with the utmost resolution though he lost the greater number of his men from heavy shell fire, he himself being wounded. Throughout these two days fighting, his personal disregard for danger was an example to everyone, and his skilful handling of his men saved the battalion on two occasions." He was awarded the D.S.O. and in July 1918 was promoted to Lieutenant, possibly with 7th battalion. In November 1918 he was mentioned in dispatches for an action at Mons/ Maubeuge railway. In 1919 Acting as Ships Adjutant, he was promoted to Temp. Captain. Whee he was demobilized on the 11th of November 1919 he was granted the rank of Captain. Frank served a total 21 years 57 days with the colours, plus 3 years in the reserve.

    Victor Powell




    223866

    L/Cpl. Albert John Burrows 1st Battalion Manchester Regimemt (d.18th April 1916)

    Lance Corporal Albert John Burrows died in action at Mesopotamia on the 18th April 1916 aged 21 years. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in Iraq.

    Joanne Burrows




    223863

    Pte. Edward Reeves MM. 8th Battalion York & Lancaster Regt. (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Edward Reeves was my 1st cousin, once removed. His mother Elizabeth was my grandfather William's eldest sister. Edward's civilain occupation is listed as 'Rope Hand' when he enlisted as a Private at Rotherham on 2nd of Sep 1915 and after training in England, embarked at Folkestone as part of the B.E.F. on 26th August 1915. He arrived in France on 27th August 1915 at Boulogne.

    He was appointed as unpaid lance corporal for 'good work in the QM stores) on 11th Mar 1916 and this was then confirmed on 31st May 1916. He was appointed Acting Corporal on 19th Jul 1916 and was awarded the Military Medal for 'bravery in the field' on 1st October 1916 (relevant action was on 21st Sep 1916)in a supplement to the London Gazette. Following this honour he was appointed acting Sergeant 11th Oct 1916 and this was confirmed 'in the ranks' on 14th Jun 1917. In Nov 1917 the 8th Battalion moved to Italy to strengthen the Italian Resistance effort. There is a record of him taking leave in Italy from 15th Jul 1918 At some point Edward was wounded and he was admitted to a military hospital in Jan 1919. His service record says he 'Embarked to UK, arriving at Clipstone on 6th Mar 1919 where he returned to the mines.

    Stephen W. Dudley




    223862

    Pte. Joseph Greenhalgh 2/9th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Greenhalgh served with the 2/9th Btn, Manchester Regiment and was killed on the 9th October 1917 along with 238 men in the battle for Poelcapelle.

    His death was reported by the Oldham Evening Chronicle on Page 9 on the 24th November 1917 the following statement read; "Mrs. Greenhalgh, of 749 Middleton Road, Chadderton, has received official news that her husband, Private Joseph Greenhalgh, Manchester Regiment, was killed in action on Oct 9. He was 36 years of age and was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Greenhalgh, of 167 Garforth Street, Chadderton. Before joining the Army he was employed at a Government works at Northwich and was for many years foreman-joiner for [unreadable] Thomas Bros, builders and Contractors, Garforth Street, Chadderton. He was a member of the Weslyan Church, Busk. He leaves a widow and three children."

    Kevin Greenhalgh




    223861

    L/Cpl. John William Hornsby 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Rifleman J W Hornsby (my grandfather) joined the KRRC as a young boy soldier. He served through out the war with 1st Btn, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, being gassed, losing toes through frost bite, bayonetted under the arm pit and finally returned home unfit for service on 22nd June 1918 shell shocked.

    Martin Knight




    223860

    Pte. Robert Richardson 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.26th Sept 1916)

    My Great-Grandfather Robert Richardson fell on the 26th Sept 1916 at Mouquet Farm, Thiepval.

    James D. Beckett




    223857

    Pte. Reuben James Chennells 18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    Reuben Chennells joined the London Irish Rifles and served from 1914 to 1918, latterly as a Lewis gunner. He was gassed twice. He returned in 1918 and married Lavinia McDowell. They had two children, Joan and Lavinia. Reuben died in 1976 aged 80.

    Ian Fish




    223855

    Pte. John McRae 9th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    John McRae was my grandfather who is believed to have been killed in WW1. I know nothing about him. My father, who is deceased, never knew him. My father was born in 1916. I am trying to find any information.

    Catherine Keating




    223853

    Pte. Cyril Howard Nicholson CdG. 25th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.12th Oct 1918)

    Cyril H. Nicholson is buried in Terlincthun Cemetery, Wimille, France. He died in hospital at Charleville after being taken prisoner on 9th April 1918. We only have a couple of letters from friends to his family, his tiny diary of imprisonment and a framed piece of Croix de Guerre ribbon (Belgian). There is a story that he met his brother Reginald Willam Nicholson on the battlefield. This must have been very emotional as Reginald had emigrated to Australia in 1905/6. He enlisted at St. Kilda on 17th August 1914, Number 940, Australian Imperial Force, 2FAB. I do not know what his progress to France/Belgium was, except that he sailed on HMS Shropshire. Reginald survived to return to his parents' home in Tarbock Road, Huyton, and remained single, dying at his cousin's house in October 1960, age 73. He was a very lovely man, a great uncle and I'm sure Cyril was the same, if only we had had the chance to know him.

    Carolyn Jones




    223851

    2nd Lt. Bertram C. Martin MM. 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.13th April 1917)

    <p>

    2nd Lieutenant Bertram Martin, 4th Royal Fusiliers was killed in action on 13th April 1917 between Wancourt and Guemappe, near Arras. He was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field, and is commemorated on Arras Memorial.

    He was born 25th July 1880 and joined the army on the 1st of January 1915. Cpl Martin's MM was gazetted on 11th of October 1916, which was probably for actions in the early days of the Battle of the Somme.

    From the Peterborough Advertiser 28th of April 1917: "Second-Lieut. Bertram Charles Martin, Royal Fusiliers, second son of Mr J T Martin, "West View", Woodston, is unofficially reported killed in action on April 13th. He joined the Army on January 1st, 1915, and went into training in Cornwall. He was drafted out to France and had been in the trenches practically ever since. Soon after going out he attained the rank of corporal. He had a marvelous escape in the battle of St. Eloi, when his haversack was shot through in several places and a tin box he was carrying was very much battered. In Delville Wood where he was for 16 days, he received a shrapnel wound above the knee and was in hospital for three months, returning to France about the middle of January this year. Subsequently he went into a training school to take up his commission, leaving on the 1st of April, and rejoining his own regiment on April 4th as Second-Lieutenant. Lieut. Martin was killed only nine days after obtaining his commission (April 13th). He wrote home on Easter Tuesday saying that he had been in a fight the previous day, when his men were in high spirits and behaved splendidly."

    Rucksack that saved his life

    Basic Training in Flushing

    Diane Ward




    223848

    Pte. George Petrie Ogilvie Shepherd 15th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    <p>

    At age 24 my maternal grandfather George Shepherd enlisted as a bomber at the outbreak of hostilities. I have almost no information about his service other than he was gassed while clearing trenches in France. At Christmas 1915 he received one of the brass gift boxes Princess Mary sent to the British troops.

    Following the war he emigrated to the US and remained very bitter about his service and the war in general.

    Karen Hutten




    223845

    Pte Herbert Wragg (d.1st July 1916)

    We are anxious to trace this soldier who died on the first day of the Somme. Herbert Wragg was originally from the Castleford area but moved to Dewsbury when his father relocated in 1913 because of his job (coal miner). Herbert was married in 1908 to Dora Colley, they had one child, William called after paternal father, who died c.1912 aged one year. There is an intimation of his death on 1st July published in the Dewsbury Reporter but no other records of his death seem to exist, his father, William continued to publish an in Memoriam in the Reporter for several years after the event.

    Any information will be gratefully received.

    Alan Kaye




    223842

    Gnr. William Verdi "Stitch" Lutton 8th Regiment 3rd Btn.

    <p>

    My great grandfather William Lutton fought in WW1. He sent pictures to the family. Some had names, but not all of them. I don't know any of the names. One states that `This is a photo of one of our flights. It was taken at Tern Hill, dated 1916.'

    Debbie Caesar




    223841

    Pte. Henry Atkinson 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    Henry Atkinson is buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery, France.

    Margaret Reece




    223839

    Sgt. William Dunstan Kemp 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

    My great grandad William Dunstan Kemp was born in Bideford, Devon in 1889. He lived in Chilwell and fought in the Boer War and in the 2nd Battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh) Regiment. He was a frontiers man on a horse who rode behind enemy lines collecting information. On 9th April 1917 he rode behind enemy lines at the Battle of Arras and was shot through the heart.

    Kay Shepherd




    223837

    Pte. Hughie James Sontag 1st Btn. D Coy. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.20th July 1916)

    Hughie Sontag was my great uncle and I uncovered the events leading to his death through my family history research at the regimental museum. I am indebted to their archivists and Jonathan Saunders in particular for providing me with some of the details.

    Hughie enlisted on 10th of September 1914, five days after the publication of Lord kitchener’s famous poster and opted for service in the Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment. On 26th of May 1915, after completion of his training, Hughie was posted to ‘D’ Coy, 1st Battalion in ‘France and Flanders’.

    After various engagements the Battalion later arrived on the Somme on 17th of July 1916 to take part in the great offensive that had commenced on 1st of July. On 19th of July the Battalion was ordered up to support positions. Before entering the trenches, eleven officers and a proportion of NCO's and men were detached, in accordance with Army orders, and sent to remain with the transport. (Experience in the past had shown the necessity for making sure of a nucleus of survivors, should the unit suffer very heavy losses). Hereafter this was always done before going into action, and those left behind were called the "dumped personnel". They then moved up to High Wood, which was jointly held by the British and Germans.

    The Battalion marched soon after noon that day to Mametz, crossing the old German front line, thus seeing the country that most of the officers and men had looked longingly towards in 1915. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies dug themselves in between Bazentin and Longueval in support to the KOSB, while C and D Companies occupied an old German trench north of Montauban. There was considerable artillery activity during the day and night, but the Battalion only suffered two casualties.

    On the night of 19th-20th, troops in the front line attacked, with the result that the Germans were slightly pressed back, and High Wood (Bois des Foureaux) was partly occupied. The Battalion moved into the front line after dark on the 20th. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies occupied the track running from the south corner of High Wood in a South Easterly direction, ‘D’ Company was in support, and ‘C’ in reserve. The Germans put a heavy barrage behind the front line after dark, and ‘D’ company was "badly caught" when moving up.

    In all, the 1st Battalion suffered 14 fatalities killed in action on 20th July 1916 (this does not include wounded or wounded who later died of wounds). Hughie was 24 years old, his body was never found and his death was recorded as missing in action’. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    David Sontag




    223836

    Pte. Thomas Goodier MM. 6th Batt South Lancashire Regiment

    Sadly, my grandfather, Thomas Goodier never spoke about his experiences during WW1. All my father knew was that he had been at Gallipoli and later served in Mesopotamia where he was awarded the MM. When my father asked him about his MM he replied that he had been in a field latrine and there had been an explosion and that was why he had the award. My father said drink had been taken at the time. He never gave any account of the actual incident. When my father died I asked my uncle if he knew any more about his father's medal. He replied that he had spoken to another old soldier many years previously and he had told him that my Grandfather had been at the Battle of Kut and had carried a wounded solder some long distance whilst under fire and it was this act of bravery that resulted in his award of the MM. I have no idea if this is correct. If it is true it is quite astonishing, he was only 5'4" tall and very slight in build.

    At the end of the First World War my Grandfather signed on again. When I asked my father why he would do this the reply was that he had been an iron moulder in a Warrington factory before the war and had no wish to return to his old job in civvy street. My father felt that, despite the horrors of war, he had enjoyed travelling and had no desire for the dirt and grime of an ironworks. He later served in Ireland, where he met my grandmother, and eventually rose to the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major. He stayed with the regiment until 1945 and later become caretaker of the Drill Hall at Warrington for many years.

    I recall him quite well, I was ten years old when he died. My father was a serving soldier by then and we were in Germany so I didn't see him at the end of his life. I do recall that he had severe asthma and he said that this was due to being gassed during the war, again I have no idea if that is the case. The asthma was so severe that he would never have been allowed in the army with such a disability so whatever the cause it occurred later in life. My father also told me that my Grandfather had scars on his leg which allegedly were the work of a dog that, terrified by the sounds of battle, had attacked him in the trenches.

    I wish I had known more about him and his time as a soldier. As my father was also a career soldier we didn’t see as much of Grandad as we would have liked but he probably would not have told us very much in any case. I have tried to search for further information but there doesn’t seem to be a great deal written about the bravery of the ordinary soldier on the battlefield and I suppose there were many acts of bravery that were never recorded or even noted other than by those directly involved.

    Annette Harrison




    223835

    Pte. Joseph Felton 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.27th Jan 1917)

    My Great Grandfather was John Edmund Sterry, an Englishman from Lowestoft and a member of the RNR based in Kingstown, Dublin. He married an Irish woman named Mary Margaret Felton, younger sister of Joseph Felton. Joseph Felton enlisted to the British Army in Kingstown, Dublin and served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1st Batallion. He died in action aged 20 in 1917.





    223833

    Pte. Joseph Porteous Skinner 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1916)

    Joseph Skinner died of wounds on 1st of August 1916 and is buried at Heilly Station Military Cemetery, Mericourt l'Abbe.

    Paul Coueslant




    223830

    Pte. Frederic Arthur Cooke 5th Btn London Regiment (d.9th Sept 1916)

    Frederic Cooke died aged 19 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He also served in Gibraltar. A young man who was missed very severely by Katie, his sister, my grandmother, who wept so many times when I was a little girl when she told me of the loss of her lovely young brother. The family carries you in its heart Uncle Freddy. I talk of you to the next generations of our clan. Rest gently.

    Noelle Greenaway




    223829

    Wilfred John Bucknell 33rd Battalion (d.7th June 1917)

    Wilfred Bucknell was the third of eight children born to his parents Henry and Rose Bucknell of Chelmsford, Essex, England. He attended Maldon Grammar School in Essex. The Bucknell family emigrated to Australia at the end of 1910 and were living on a farm at Nullamanna, near Inverell when Wilfred enlisted in January 1916.

    He was twenty two years old when he joined other recruits forming the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs who left Inverell by train on 12 January 1916. At Armidale NSW he became a member of the 33rd Battalion which sailed from Australia in May 1916. Further training was undertaken at Salisbury Plain, England before the Battalion moved to France in November. Wilfred was wounded in the shoulder in May 1917 however after receiving treatment he eventually returned to his unit. Just two weeks later he was one of several Kurrajong men killed in action on the 7th of June 1917 during the Battle for Messines Ridge. His few remaining personal effects were eventually returned to his parents.

    Private Wilfred Bucknell has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

    Ann Hodgens




    223827

    Pte. John Smith 20th (Blackheath & Woolwich) Btn. London Regiment (d.21st Aug 1917)

    When John Smith came home on leave, which I think was for just two days, his mother (my grandmother) told me that when John was about to go back to his regiment he said to her, `Do not expect to see me again'. She watched him walk down the road and round the bend out of sight. She did not see him again as he was killed on the 21st August 1917, which I think was most likely the Third battle of Ypres. He was 25 years old and I think this does highlight just what soldiers thought about their chance of survival. Very sad.

    Clive Cottrell




    223826

    Sgt. Joseph Hussey B Sqdn. Queens 9th Royal Lancers (d.24th May 1915)

    Joseph William Hussey was born in 1878 in Thorncombe, Dorset to Job and Ann Hussey (nee Wellman). He joined the Lancers in 1899 and fought in the Boer War. He was invalided out in April 1900, returning again in April 1901. He then worked on the railways until he rejoined at Sevenoaks for the 1914-1918 conflict. Joseph had married Elsie Ann Cameron in the later half of 1912, they had no children.

    Joseph was promoted to sergeant in November 1914. B squadron was led by Captain Francis Grenfell VC who was wounded and died. Sergeant Hussey was gassed and died on 24th May 1915. Both were originally interred in the cemetery at Vlamertinghe, Belgium. Sergeant Hussey was later reburied in the Hop Store Cemetery in Belgium. Both are commemorated at Canterbury Cathedral. Sergeant Hussey is also remembered at Waterloo Station and his name appears in the book about the Grenfell twins written by the author John Buchan of `39 Steps' fame.

    Regrettably we have no photos of my great-uncle Sergeant J W Hussey. He was mentioned in dispatches on 31st of May 1915 and was posthumously awarded The Cross of St George 4th class in August 1915.

    Pam Smith




    223824

    Pte. John Henry Curzon 8th Btn Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    John Curzon was born in King Street on 30th April 1885, he married Daisy Baker of Horncastle,Lincolnshire on 2nd August 1909 in Southwell Parish Church. At the time of his wedding he was employed as a Twist hand at Carey's lace factory, located in the Old House of Correction, Burgage Green, Southwell. They were blessed with 3 sons, Ernest, Frank and William (my father in law).

    John was possibly in "H" Company, 8th Territorial Battalion at the Drill Hall, Southwell. After training he went to France, with "H" Company on the 2nd March 1915, he was wounded in the left arm when the Germans mined their trenches at Wijtshate (Whitesheets), Belgium. This was probably John's final service with the 8th Battalion. He appears to have been transferred to the 10th Battalion when they arrived in France in July, he was killed in action while serving with them on 23rd of March 1918 at Hermies, France. He has no known grave and is named on the Arras Memorial, Southwell Minster and a plaque on Carey's Gate, now Rainbows.

    Roy Kendall




    223822

    Pte. James Auld MM. 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1918)

    James Auld lived with his widowed mother at Rutherford Street, Guide Post before enlisting at Morpeth. He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty. His name is on the Giavera Memorial in Italy. The Memorial commemorates more than 150 members of the Commonwealth Forces who died in Italy between November 1917 and November 1918 and whose places of burial are unknown. He was killed in action on 27 October 1918 age 22.

    He was probably killed during the battle of Veneto-Vittorio which started on 24th of October 1918 and saw the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire when Italy and her Commonwealth Allies succeeded in defeating the enemy. All hostilities on this front ended on 4th of November 1918 so James was only days away from surviving the War.

    The 11th Battalion had served in France since August 1915 until they were deployed to Italy in November 1917, so James could have been awarded his medal when he was in France. Nevertheless, he was awarded the Military Medal and the following was reported in a local newspaper on 9 November 1917: "For gallantry and devotion to duty as company runner during operations. When the other runners of his company had become casualties he proved himself invaluable, and in spite of additional work he displayed remarkable cheerfulness even under the heaviest fire, setting a fine example to his comrades”.

    As a volunteer at a local museum undertaking a World War I project, I was asked to choose a name off a local war memorial and research it, I chose James Auld partly because of MM, as I didn't know what this meant and partly because Auld is part of my family history and I thought he might be related in some way, though as yet I haven't found a connection. Having also researched two other local soldiers (brothers) who didn't make it home, I've learned a lot of facts about the war, but most importantly have come to realise just what these young lads endured and sacrificed for their country.

    Linda Charlton




    223820

    Pte. Ralph Ross 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.9th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Ralph Ross served with the 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment.

    Robert Hartley




    223819

    Pte. John Blake 1/5th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.14th Sep 1943)

    Jack Blake died on 14th of September 1943.

    Janette




    223818

    James Lanaghan 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>James - Index Card

    James Lanaghan was born the 5th August 1898. He was aged 12 on the 1911 census and was discharged from the 8th Yorkshire Regiment on the 7th February 1917 due to wounds sustained (he lost a leg). James died on 14th December 1948 in Jarrow.

    His younger brother, William Lanaghan was born on the 23rd October 1900. He was aged 10 on the 1911 census and died on the 27th May 1918 aged 17. W Lanaghan is listed on the Jarrow War Memorial and recorded by the CWGC as being aged 18 at his death. Unsure if it would have been possible for William to have used his older brothers birth certificate when signing up with the DLI? But his medal card records him as James, so it seems he may have enlisted underage using his brother's name.

    James - War Badge Entitlment

    Lesley




    223817

    Gnr. Ernest Robert Allen Royal Garrison Artillery

    My nan's brother Ernest Allen served in World War 1, he was a gunner. He was discharged in November 1918 with shell shock. He lived with his sister Harriet at 2 Alma Road, Bethnal Green, Middlesex.

    Patricia Tims




    223816

    Cpl. Wilfred Kneale Teare MM. Sherwood Foresters

    Wilfred Kneale enlisted in the British Army on 10th of September 1914 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire with the Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment. His regimental number was 2544 and later 305627. On the 25th of May 1917 a Military Medal was awarded for gallantry in the field. On 11th of September 1918 in Lichfield, Staffordshire Wilfred was discharged as no longer being physically fit for war service. His pension records show he was suffering with a heart condition (V.D.H aortic insufficiency). He died on 17th of June 1919 in Nottingham. His death was due to his heart condition.

    I would like information on his Military Medal award.

    Michael Teare




    223815

    Pte. William John Brock 7th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    William Brock died in the field. He is remembered on the memorial to the missing of the Somme at Thiepval in France. His widow Ada and two children who were aged 14 and 8 were granted a pension in March 1917 of just 21 shillings per week after William's 319 days of service before his death, age 38.

    Janet Morris




    223814

    Pte. Bert Harper Darling 2nd/5th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.14th Jul 1917)

    Bert Darling was the brother of my granddad who was only seven when Bertie, as he was known, died of wounds on 14th July 1917 aged 19. Bertie is buried in Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension. He served with the 2nd/5th Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    I would like to know what battle(s) he took part in prior to and during when he was evacuated to the casualty clearing station at Achiet-Le-Grand.

    Philip Darling




    223812

    CSM. Herbert George Painter 16th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Herbert Painter was the grandfather I never met. In civilian life was a pattern maker by trade and a volunteer in the Coastal Artillery. He joined the army in the 16th (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Public Schools Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in 1914 and was quickly promoted to Colour Sergeant and later Company Sergeant Major. He died on 1st July 1916 near Beaumont Hamel and his remains were never found. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial. He and left a wife and two children. He was 33 years old.

    Bruce Paynter




    223809

    Pte. William Merrill King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    William Merrill joined the KOYLI and was shipped to France on 13th April 1915. He was awarded a Silver War Badge as he was discharged because of injuries on 29th April 1916. He returned to Yorkshire and married on 16th July 1916 and lived there until his death in 1950 from the result of his service as a miner. He raised eight children.





    223808

    Pte. Bertram Gower Asher 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.7th Jan 1916)

    I know nothing about Bertram Asher, other than he was the cousin of my great grandfather. He died, aged 25 during the evacuation of Gallipoli. He is listed on the Helles Memorial.

    Judi Kercher




    223802

    Pte. George Middlemas Brown 5th Battalion Royal Scots

    George Brown enlisted in the Royal Scots on the 2nd May 1912. During 1915 the Battalion was posted to Egypt for training for the Gallipoli landing. In 1915 the battalion landed in Gallipoli. George came through the campaign unscathed and the battalion left Gallipoli in December 1915. He was in France in 1916.

    During 1916 he transferred from the Royal Scots to the Royal Flying Corp, as a Tinsmith. His service number was then 401779. He attained the rank of Leading Aircraftsman. He was discharged from the RAF on 11th of April 1919.

    George Hall Brown




    223801

    Pte. James Hodnett 1st Btn. Black Watch

    Grandad James Hodnett joined up under age, he had lied about his age. He survived the war and was then sent to India as he was a regular. He was discharged to the reserves in 1925.

    Jonathan Charles




    223800

    Pte. Arthur William "Sonny" Surrey 2nd Btn. Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment

    <p>

    I believe that my great great grandad Arthur Surrey served as a stretcher bearer in the 2nd Battalion of the Queens Regiment. He survived the war to die in later years from the effects of mustard gas. I would be interested in further information.

    Lee Mccarthy




    223799

    Sgt. Henry W. Green 1/8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. F Coy. London Regiment (d.21st May 1916)

    Harry Green was a volunteer in the TA and I have a postcard sent to him at Lark Hill Camp during territorial training in August 1909, from Alice. He is recorded as being killed on the 21st of May 1916 by the CWGC.

    Russ Walker




    223798

    Pte. David Lewis 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.25th Sept 1915)

    <p>Obituary from the Wigan Observer

    David Lewis was born in Wales, resided in England and fought and died with a Scottish regiment at the Battle of Loos in France in 1915. He left behind a wife and four young children, unfortunately he never saw his youngest child, Isabella. I never met my granddad and have no more information.

    Another brave soldier who should be remembered.

    Howard Lewis




    223795

    Pte. James Beck 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.8th Aug 1917)

    We are currently researching Rifleman James Beck having visited the Somme and found him on the Menin Gate. He was killed in action at Ypres age 19. Our family name is Beck and we are told he is my husband's great great uncle.

    Sarah Beck




    223793

    Cpl. Percy Gordon Ramsden 17th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>

    Percy Ramsden served with the 17th Btn. Manchester Regiment, he was killed at Arras in 1917.

    I am the great-niece of two men from the same family who were killed in action at the Somme in 1916 and Arras in 1917. Their loss shadowed the lives of their immediate family, and I want to make sure that they are not forgotten.

    Nancy Ramsden Owen




    223792

    Robert Henry Hudson Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    My father, Robert Henry Hudson, served at the Lord Derby Hospital during WW1. I have in my possession a carved wooden plaque of a kingfisher, which was purchased from a patient. Woodworking was part of the therapy. There should be also in my extended family a carved wooden table which came from the same source.

    Bob Hudson




    223790

    Pte. Thomas Smith 10th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.26th Sept 1915)

    Thomas Smith was my great great great uncle. My grandad remembers being told as a child of his great uncle who went to war. Because most of the family worked in the mines, it was considered unusual that he had joined up. His name is listed on the memorial in front of Bulwell St Mary's church, he is simply listed as Smith, and it appears here because this was his home town. He is also listed on the Loos Memorial, France.

    Heather Hill




    223786

    Spr. John Sexton 11th Divisional Signal Coy Royal Engineers

    John Sexton was a great uncle of my mother and was from Newcastle West in Limerick, Ireland. He died on 4th March 1919 whilst serving with the 11th Divisional Postal Section and is buried in Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery. I'm trying to find out why and how he died after the war was over.

    Andy Matthews




    223785

    Pte. Richard Nelson 10th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    We found two first world war medals for Richard Nelson. He was my great grandfather's brother. I knew my great grandfather. My mother, Shirley Nelson doesn't remember the family ever mentioning that they had a brother called Richard. He signed up in Halifax on 16th of October 1916 and arrived in Folkestone on 11th of January 1917. He arrived at Etaples on 12th of January 1917. We have a copy of the battalion diary for 7th of June 1917 (the day he died) and around 20 documents showing his signing up and posting as well as being killed in action and the delivery of posthumous medals. His name is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres.

    Stephen Wallace




    223784

    2nd Lt. George Patrick Doggett 69th Trench Mortar Battery Royal Artillery (d.4th Jul 1917)

    George Doggett enlisted in 1914 and embarked with the Cambridge Territorials on 14th February 1915. He went to officer training in Bristol and joined the 7th West Ridings attached to the 10th West Ridings with duty in the 69th Trench Mortar Battery. He was wounded on 7th of June 1917 at Hill 60. He died of his wounds on 4th July 1917.

    Michael Contratto




    223782

    Dvr. Herbert Herchell Finch 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Herbert Finch was taken prisoner on 21st of March 1918 and imprisoned somewhere in Germany.

    Alan Finch




    223781

    Sapper Arthur Frederick Chilcot att 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company

    Arthur Chilcot joined the NZ Expeditionary Force on 24th of December 1915 and was posted as a rifleman to 4th Btn. 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade on 20th of June 1916. Arthur was detached to the 3rd Canadian Tunnellers on 4th of May 1917, and was wounded (gunshot wound right leg) on 7th of June 1917. Arthur was sent to convalesce in Codford, UK, until 15th of November 1917 where he was transferred as a Sapper to 5 (NZ) Light Railway Operating Section.

    Lyle Holt




    223780

    Dvr. Raymond Adolphus Coomber 6th (London) Brigade. Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather, Raymond Adolphus Coomber, was born in 1875 and, prior to the start of The Great War, lived in the East Brixton area of South London, not far from Holland Road, where the Headquarters of 6th London Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery was based. I believe that he joined this unit at some time before 1914 as a driver, and later was badly injured when a horse he was riding fell, rolling on him and breaking both of his legs. I do not know whether this was an accident or if it happened as a result of enemy action.

    Two photographs exist of him in uniform. One is with my grandmother and shows a smart soldier wearing spurs and carrying a riding crop. The other is taken from a postcard (he is 7th from the left in the front rank) which shows artillerymen in various scruffy uniforms and headgear. The back of the postcard is stamped High Wycombe. I suspect that this picture could have been taken after he recovered from his injuries and was sent to a reserve unit. The only souvenir I have of his military service is a very large kitchen knife with the War Dept. arrow stamped on the wooden handle. So perhaps he was not only a driver, but also the battery cook.

    John Coomber




    223779

    Pte. Thomas Henry Poole 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    The only story I know about my Uncle Harry Poole's war service is that he was taken as a prisoner of war at Benay near St Quentin on 21st of March 1918 when most of the 6th Battalion was wiped out by a German offensive. He survived to live until the 1970s.

    Roger Poole




    223778

    Cpl. Harold Tuffery MM. 1st Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.20th Jul 1916 )

    Harold Tuffery was killed in action on the 20th July 1916, aged 26. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Martyn Tuffery




    223775

    Gnr. Alexander Cretney 45 Brigade, 5 Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.4th Oct 1917)

    My great grandfather Alexander Cretney was born on 20 April 1876 in Liverpool to Alexander and Elizabeth (nee Timms) Cretney. According to the 1891 census he was already working as a shop boy at the age of 14. In 1898 he married my great grandmother Agnes Duncan whose parents were from Scotland. By 1911 he was an inmate at the Walton on the Hill Workhouse. This may have prompted him to join the army. He enlisted at Seaforth, Lancashire. According to his 1914 Star medal record he was first attached to the 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery and was sent to France on 16 Aug 1916. Records indicate he was then transferred or assigned to 8th Division 5th Battery 45th Brigrade. According to the war diaries he was fighting with this division at Ploegsteert at the time of his death on 4 October 1917. He was one of six who died that day. He is buried at Trois Arbres Cemetery Steenwerck in France. He received the 1914 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. May he rest in peace.

    Jeanette Martin




    223773

    Pte. Patrick Dea South Irish Horse (d.11th Nov 1918)

    Patrick Dea was the youngest of four brothers who all joined the South Irish Horse (James, Martin and William).

    M.Odea.




    223772

    Pte. Wallace Ernest Ralph Miles 9th Btn. Gloucester Regiment (d.27th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Wallace Miles was my great uncle and we believe he was killed in the battle of Cambrai. My grandfather Albert survived the war and came home. He named his second son after Wallace.

    Chris Taylor




    223770

    Pte. Wilfred Charles Harfield 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.5th July 1916)

    Wilfred Harfield was my grandpa who died aged 41 leaving a widow and 6 children. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and by his grandchildren.

    Bridget Williams




    223769

    Pte. Victor M. Parsons MM. 1st Btn. Essex Regiment

    "At Monchy-le-Preux on 14th of April 1917, when an attack had failed and the Germans were advancing on the village, he displayed the greatest gallantry as one of a small party hastily collected to oppose the hostile advance. This party maintained itself in the face of overwhelming odds, inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, and completely checked him on this part of the line." London Gazette, 9th of July 1917.

    After his Battalion was wiped out during a counter-attack, Victor Parsons, with a collection of eleven officers and men from the Newfoundland Regiment, proceeded to hold off a German advance until reinforcements arrived after eleven hours. For this action, he was awarded the Military Medal.

    Haakon Webber-Winsor




    223767

    Pte. Russell Hardy Shand 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Russell Shand died of pneumonia aged 25. He is buried at Arneke British Cemetery, Northern France. He was the eldest son of George and Annie Shand.

    Peter Bebb




    223764

    Pte. Alexander McKilligan 2nd Battalion York and Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Alexander McKilligan was married to Esther Elizabeth Craven in 1912 and was killed in action in 1915.

    Karen Hallam




    223763

    Pte. Cecil Cole 6th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment (d.8th October 1915)

    My great uncle Cecil, died aged 19 years at Loos, on the 8th October 1915. I have his medals.

    His younger brother, my grandfather, Frederick William Cole, was born on 11th November 1905, and I don't believe he ever really recovered from the loss, being 9 years old at the time. My great uncle's body was never recovered or buried as an individual as far as I am aware.

    Nicholas Cole




    223760

    Pte. Walter Robertshaw 11th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.12th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Robertshaw was born in 1886, the son of Hillas and Catherine Elizabeth Robertshaw, both from Bradford. Although both his father and brother worked in the wool industry, Hillas was apprenticed in the printing industry and worked as a compositor (typesetter). Walter attended Bradford Grammar School only briefly, from 1899 to 1901 between the ages of thirteen and fifteen, living with his widowed father and two siblings, all at school, at Springfield Terrace. Afterwards he worked at the School as Student Assistant in the Art Department, until he was elected to a Bradford Local Art Exhibition which he took up at the Royal School of Art (now the Royal College), South Kensington, London in Autumn 1908. In the 1911 census he is enumerated as an "art student", living with his newly-married elder brother Joseph, a civil servant, in Mill Hill, north-west London. There is no record of what Walter studied for the nine terms until he graduated with the standard ARCA diploma in 1913, when he was living in Lilyville Road, Fulham, south-west London. At some point he secured an appointment as Art Master at the now defunct Kidderminster School of Art. 

    He served with the 11th Worcesters at Thessalonika, Greece, and died in hospital there of pneumonia in October 1918.

    Nick Hooper




    223759

    Rflmn. Thomas Joseph Andrews DCM. 1/5th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    My late grandfather Thomas Andrews was listed in the London Gazette on the 2nd of December 1919. He was awarded the DCM for 'Marked gallantry and fearless leadership on the 7th November 1919'.

    His personal history was just tragic. He was born in 1893. His mother committed to an asylum when he was 10 months old. His father died 4 years later and he was, after a short stay with aunts, sent to a Catholic children's home. I was unable to track down the name of the home. He surfaced again at 18 in Salford and married a year later, his wife Jane in 1912. They had 2 children, my mother and her brother, Tommy.

    He joined up in 1915 and was with the 1/5th South Lancashire Regiment where he obviously served with great bravery. In 1918 his wife died in the Spanish Flu epidemic at the age of 24. He was demobbed in 1920, no job, no wife and the children in the care of his mother-in-law. We, his daughter's children, have little contact with our grandfather, although we did meet with him on occasion, as his mother-in-law had very jealously kept his children to herself.

    Thomas married again in 1937 when he was working at a cable works in Prescot, to a lady named Frances Winifred Lewis. They had two boys, Philip and John whom I've unfortunately been unable to make contact since my mother and all the family left England in the late '50's. Through research I found that Thomas died at Oldfield, Whiston in July 1975 at the age of 82.





    223755

    2nd Lt. Reginald Buckley 217th Company Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather, Reginald Buckley enlisted in the 21st Service Battalion, Royal Fusilers as a private on 13th July 1915, until being granted a commission in the Machine Gun Corps on 25th September 1916. On the 27th of May 1916 he joined No. 10 Officer Cadet Battalion at Gailes He was posted to the MGC on the 13th of October 1916. On the 1st of July 1917 he was wounded in action, but on the 8th of July 1917 he rejoined his Company. On the 17th of August 1917 he was again wounded in action, this time more seriously as he was taken to hospital and on the 27th of September 1917 arrived in England for further treatment. On the 3rd of November 1917 he was retired as permanently unfit for further military service.

    Peter Buckley




    223754

    Spr. S. G. Toomer Railway Operating Div. Royal Engineers (d.8th Oct 1918.)

    <p>

    S. G. Toomer died on the 8th of October 1918 and is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery in Israel.

    s flynn




    223752

    Pte. Thomas Hidderley 76th Casualty Clearing Station Royal Army Medical Corps (d.2nd Dec 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Hidderley died on the 2nd of December 1918, aged 27 and is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery in Israel. He was the son of Thomas and Marianna Hidderley of 232 Manchester Rd., Burnley.

    s flynn




    223751

    Pte. Charles Exton 33rd CCS. Royal Army Medical Corps (d.16th July 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Exton died on the 16th of July 1918 and is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery in Israel. He had enlisted in Burnley and was the son of Oliver Exton, of 18, St. Giles St., Padiham husband of Ellen Exton of 38 Spenser St., Padiham, Lancs.

    s flynn




    223750

    Spr. Edwin Eastley 10th Div. Sig. Coy Royal Engineers (d.18th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Edwin Eastley died of pneumonia on the 18th of November 1918, aged 34 and is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery in Israel. He was the son of George and Elizabeth Eastley; husband of Fanny (later Mason) of 129, Abel St., Burnley, Lancs.

    s flynn




    223748

    Sgt. Christopher Geoffrey Hatton 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards (d.6th Jan 1918)

    Christopher Geoffrey Hatton was my father's uncle. He was already in the Guards in 1911, married in 1916, and is buried in the Sunken Road Cemetary, Fampoux I. My father was named Geoffrey after him, but never met him, having been born 6 months after his death in action. And that, I'm afraid, is all I know.

    Valerie Oliver




    223747

    Pte. Albert Edward Denton 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th Nov 1916)

    Albert Edward Denton killed on the 6th of November 1916, he is buried in Vermelles Cemetery. Albert was my Great 2nd Uncle.

    Rob Evans




    223746

    L/Cpl. Henry Freeman 5th Battalion Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry (d.24th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Freeman served with the 5th Battalion Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    Dorothy McBride




    223744

    Pte. Clarence Augustus Gotts 11th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Clarence Gotts was the son of Augustus James and Emily Louisa Gotts, of 60 Lea Bridge Gardens, Leyton, London. He served with the 11th Bn., East Lancashire Regiment and died on Wednesday, 27th March 1918. Aged 19.

    Ian Gotts




    223742

    Cpl. Albert Dancer Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Albert Dancer became the second husband of my great grandmother, or Nan, as we called her. I never met him, although my mother remembers him as a jovial and friendly man. Albert was born in Wolverhampton in 1881, eldest son of Samuel and Elizabeth Dancer. He married in 1910 but my family never knew his first wife. He was relatively old to join up during the war, being in his mid-thirties, but he served in the RGA and reached the rank of acting-sergeant by the war's end.

    After the Second World War he met my Nan, whose own first husband (my great grandfather) had died fairly young. They lived a very happy life together and Albert involved himself actively in amateur dramatics. He passed away in 1967.

    Unfortunately, we know almost nothing of Albert's service in the Great War. Being in the RGA makes it very difficult to research his unit and we have no records of where he served. My family do, however, have his war medals which help us to remember the man who shared the last 20 years of his life with Nan.

    Albert Dancer

    Matthew Hall




    223741

    2nd Lt. Harold Charles Davis 104 Squadron (d.26th June 1918)

    <p>

    My great uncle Harold Charles Davis served during WW1, first in the Essex Regiment, then, in 1918 transfered to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer/bomb aimer. He joined 104 squadron on 7th April 1918 and during a bombing mission on the 26th June 1918 his plane was shot down in the Vosges mountains in the Alsace region of France and he was killed. He was flying in a DH9 and because of engine trouble the aircraft was forced to leave the formation and tried to return to the airfield but was attacked and crash landed. His pilot Charles Gambier Jenyns survived the attack but was captured by the Germans and spent the rest of the war in Karlsrue prison camp.

    Harold was one of four brothers who all fought during WW1 and only two were lucky enough to survive. Harold is buried in the Plaine French National Cemetery and was greatly missed by his family.

    Harold's headstone

    Plaine French National Cemetery

    Jeremy Davis




    223740

    Pte. George Fredrick Dethridge 8th Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.8th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    The 8th Btn. of the Welsh Regiment embarked on 15th June 1915 at Avonmouth and landed at Anzac Cove on 5th August. George Dethridge was in "C" company, part of The 13th Division Pioneers. He was in the 2nd Line of the advance pushing forward to Apex Ridge. They were caught in the open and suffered great losses. George was one of the many lost in action. He was reported missing presumed dead on 8th of August 1915 just 3 days after landing.

    Terry John




    223738

    L/Sgt. Thomas Teevan 8th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Thomas Teevan served with the 8th Btn Royal Scots Fusiliers. His disembarkation was 20th of Sep 1915 as a Private and demobilisation was on the 14th of Mar 1919 as a Lance Sergeant.

    Trish Grigg




    223737

    Pte. Thomas Story 8th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Thomas Story enlisted to serve with the Territorial Force of the County of Argyll in Scotland who were holding a recruitment in Carlisle, about six months into World War I. He was assigned to the 8th Battalion. Two letters survive from Thomas to his wife Ada, written on 6th May 1915 and 24th February 1916.

    A medical card was filled out for Thomas Story, Private, number 2799 from the Unit 1/8 A & SH (Argyll and Southern Highlanders). The card is for a gun shot wound in the right leg. It shows he was transferred from medical unit 4 CCS on 14th April 1916. Thomas was discharged from the 8th Battalion of the Territorial Force after 2 years and 258 days of service. He is listed as no longer fit for service.

    Wanda Story




    223735

    L/Sgt. Lionel Arthur Hobbs 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Lionel Hobbs signed up in 1900 and played the flute in the band having studied at Kneller Hall Twickenham music school after returning from Canada to join the army aged just 14. He served in India for 7 years before being pulled back for WWI. He went to France and was captured on day 2 of the fighting at Mons. Then spent the rest of the war in various prison camps in Germany and Holland. His total military total service was 19 years and 23 days.





    223734

    Pte. William Franklin 2nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    <p>Grandad Bill & Nanny Elsie on their wedding day

    My Granddad William Franklin was born on 12th. March 1889. He enlisted at Stratford, London on 12th. March 1907 - being his 18th birthday - in the Durham Light Infantry, (2nd. Battalion) no.9960. He served for 5 years of his army service as a regular and then went onto 3 years Army Reserve in 1912.

    When war broke out on 4th August 1914 he saw on a poster on the police station notice board, High Road, Tottenham that all Army Reservists should report for duty at once. This he did and re-joined his old regiment and was part of the British Expeditionary Force of September 1914 that went to France and Flanders, "The Old Contemptibles" that distinguished themselves so gallantly in those early battles of 1914, and in 1915 and 1916. He was awarded 1914 Star (5th Aug. - 22nd Nov. 1914), 1914-1918 Medal and The Great War for Civiliisation 1914-1919.

    He was transferred to the Royal Munster Fusiliers on 1st April 1917, served in Ireland and was discharged on 1st September 1917 as being no longer physically fit for War Service, aged 28 years and 174 days. He had served 8 years and 110 days with the Colours and 2 years and 64 days in the Army Reserve. His War Service was therefore 3 years and 28 days.

    Although The Durham Light Infantry was an infantry regiment, Pte. William Franklin also obtained a Mounted Infantry Certificate in 1907. While he was in the army he married and went on to have 9 children of whom one was my Mum who was born 30th. October 1916. One of the children died during infancy in the 1920's. Two of the sons also went on to serve in the army during the 1939/45 war. William Franklin died in 1973, aged 84 years, having been an inspector on London Buses throughout his civilian life. Most of the family were evacuated to St. Leonards at the outbreak of war in 1939 and he retired there, working part-time as a porter in Marine Court, St. Leonards-on-Sea, having survived the London Blitz during WW2, and lived there until his death.

    Ray Walter




    223732

    2nd Lt. Peter Paul McArdle 1/2 Btn. Att 1/4th Btn. York & Lancs Rgt. Cheshire Regiment (d.26th April 1918)

    Peter McArdle is commemorated with two of his brothers on the war memorial at Bishop Eton Catholic Church in Liverpool. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    Janet Hollinshead




    223728

    Pte. Victor Dennis Boreham MM. 5th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.20th Sept 1918)

    Victor Dennis Boreham was born in Peterborough in 1894. He was killed on 20th September 1918 and lies in Epehy Wood Cemetery in France. He was awarded the Military Medal but sadly, no copy of his Citation exists.

    Stephen Booth




    223724

    Dvr. John Embleton 3rd Northumberland Battalion Royal Field Artillery

    John Embleton joined the 3rd Northumberland Bty. Royal Field Artillery at Durham 17th of May 1915, he was immediately dispatched as a driver to the Expeditionary Force in France. He continued driving and was posted to various areas and transferred right through 18th March 1915 till 1st March 1919 when he was discharged physically unfit to continue. He had pluricy and was unable to continue. He returned home to Sacriston to his wife Sarah and son Henry and recieved a disability pension of 8 shillings/week and 2 shillings /week for Henry. John Embleton was my grandad's Hans Major Embletons elder brother he did his duty under very trying conditions and I am proud of him.

    Derick Smith




    223723

    Pte. James Cummiskey 4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.8th Nov 1917)

    This was the war diary of my great grandfather James Cummiskey who was born on 17th of January 1877. He was married to my great grandmother Agnes and had 6 children, 2 of whom were stepchildren. His daughter, also called Agnes, was my grandmother, who was born in 1908.

    On the 4th of August 1914 the 1/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers were based at Kilmarnock with the South Scottish Bde. Lowland Div. They moved in Aug. 1914 to Stirling. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation became 155th Bde. 52nd Div. They proceeded in May 1915 to the Mediterranean, sailing from Liverpool on the 21st of May and arriving in Mudros on 29th of May. On the 7th of June 1915 They landed at Gallipoli. In January 1916 they withdrew to Egypt and in April 1918 were sent to France, arriving at Marseilles on 17th of April. On the 11th of Novemember 1918, 155th Bde. 52nd Div. were at Jurbise, north of Mons.

    Here is his War diary:

    Place: Marine View, 18th October 1917 1200: Lieutenant Col. W Gibson took over command of Battalion from Major J W G Willison. 1500: Captain Roberts took over adjutancy of Battalion from Captain A Inglis. Battalion supplied digging parties during the day. Linking, scouting and intelligence organisation established.

    Place: Marine View, 19th October 1917 0700: Supplied digging parties during the forenoon and again at night. 2nd Lieutenant Gemmell seconded from U.K. Lieutenant Falful transferred to Royal Flying Corps.

    Place: Marine View, 20th October 1917 0830: Battalion received by Lt. Col. Gibson. Supplied digging parties at night.

    Place: Marine View, 21st October 1917 Supplied digging parties at night. Captain Inglis transferred to A coy (company). Captain Sutherland from A to C. Lt. Kean from A to B coy & Lt. Gemmell posted to G coy.

    Place: Marine View, 22nd October 1917 Transfers Captain Inglis A to B coy. Lt. Kean B to A coy. 2nd Lt. Gemmell G to B coy.

    Place: Carnarvon, 22nd October 1917 Took over in the firing line from the 4th Norfolks A and D coy in the firing line. K coy in support and B coy in local reserve.

    Place: Carnarvon, 23rd October 1917 Things very quiet in firing line.

    Place: Carnarvon, 24th October 1917 Things very quiet in firing line.

    Place: Carnarvon, 25th October 1917 Things very quiet in firing line.

    Place: Gaza, 1st Nov 1917 Battalion in 1st line trenches organising Carnarvon Redoubt, Major J G Willison to hospital sick. Captain J Brett to 2nd in command of Battalion, Captain J Hamilton to command of A coy. Our bombardment of enemy position continued during the day. After dark gaps were cut by us in our own line? to permit egress of attacking troops of 156 Bgde. At 2300 attacking troops advanced to assault of Umbrella Hill and enemy heavily barraged our front line, especially Hereford Ridge and communications trenches and wire roads. Considerable damage to trenches but casualties slight, 10 O.R. wounded, 1 killed.

    Place: Gaza 2nd Nov 1917

    Intense bombardment by our artillery at 0300 and 0400. Captain Lt. L McKeever RAMC attached rendered valuable assistance in dressing wounded of attacking troops. Arrangements for evacuation of latter were very inadequate. Day passed quietly until 2210 when counter attack seemed to develop to our left. Rest of night quiet.

    Place: Gaza 3rd Nov 1917

    Captain J Hamilton left to command Pioneer coy. JG Hamilton to command

    A coy. C coy relieved A coy in front line. Quiet day with some enemy shelling at night.

    Place: Gaza 4th Nov 1917

    Lt. Col. R G Maclaine A.SH took over command of Battalion from Lt Col Gibson. Quiet day, repair of trenches carried on and camouflage screen erected at night to hide carrying parties working from our lines to Umbrella Hill. Five minutes intense artillery fire at 2200.

    Place: Gaza 5th Nov 1917

    Enemy heavily bombarded Umbrella Hill no casualties in our line.

    Place: Gaza 6th Nov 1917

    Coys (Companys) withdrawn from trenches and concentrated at Carnavon Redoubt battalion organised on mobile footing marched at 1200 along seashore to position S of Wadi Hesy where our first line was taken up at dusk by A, B, and C Coys doing detached duty as support to artillery. The days march was about 11 miles over very heavy sand and in unusual heat, but the men although not in marching condition stood it very well.

    Place: Gaza 8th Nov 1917

    Outpost withdrawn at 0545. Battalion D coy 1 marched at 0620 and arrived N of Wadi Hesy at 0930 crossing Wadi in artillery formation as it was being shelled. Battalion in centre of Brigade attack with KOSB (Kings Own Scottish Borderers) on right and 1/5 RSF (Royal Scots Fusiliers) on left advanced to position of deployment at 1305 eight wheeled and advanced in attack formation B coy on right A coy on left C coy in support.

    At 1400. Lt. Col. Maclain wounded when advance started was unfortunately the only officer who had time to go forward to see enemy position. At the outset the Battalion came under very heavy shrapnel fire while crossing the first ridge and suffered very heavy casualties from Howitzer fire in a gully at the foot of the first slope. *Left Battalion were drawn entirely off the line and A coy with them*, by a flanking party which kept up heavy MG Rifle fire. C coy at once ordered in to fill gap which however continued to increase as left Battalion moved further out. At 1500 enemy could be seen returning from their trenches and line was reorganised and waited for left Battalion to come into line before making further advance.

    At 1630 2 coys 4 KOSB reposted to reinforce Battalion and were ordered to remain in echelon on left near where they could either be used to fill gap or continue in support of fresh advance.

    At 1700 O.C. left Battalion reported a strong hostile counter attack on his left flank and therefore in rear of main advance and O.C. attacking troops ordered a general withdrawal to a position on high ground to West, where Battalion took up the right of the line in touch with 156 Brigade and dug in for the night. The spirit of the Battalion was excellent and the withdrawal much against the inclination of the men.

    Casualties in this action, 1 officer Capt. Lt.L McKeever R.A.M.C. (attached) 6 - O.R. Killed.

    5 officers, Lt Col. RG Maclaine. Lt WF Templeton. 2nd Lt A McNair. AB Paterson. W Guy remained on duty and 70 other rank wounded.

    *I think this is the point at which possibly James Cummiskey gets killed.* (Further up it says that – ‘1/5 RSF (Royal Scots Fusiliers) on left’ - Then further down the doc – ‘Left Battalion were drawn entirely off the line and A coy with them’.

    James is commemorated on Panel 18 of the Jerusalem Memorial.

    Susan Casey




    223722

    Pte. John Embleton 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    John Embleton joined the Durham Light Infantry on 16th of September 1914 at Sacriston. He was part of the Expeditory in France from 20th April 1915 till 10th March 1919. He was reported missing on the 2nd of May 1915 and was found to be a prisoner of war through until 10th March 1919.

    He suffered like a lot did in the prison camps and returned very thin and weak and had to depend on a pension 11 shillings/week dropping to 8 shillings/week for him and his wife and 2 shillings/ week for his son Leonard. The pension was due to disability he was never the same again. John was my great grand father's brother and was taken prisoner same time as my grandfather, Hans Major Embleton 8th Btn.

    Derick Smith




    223721

    Pte. Michael Beglan 2nd Battalion Irish Guards (d.14th Oct 1915)

    Private Michael Beglan died in in action in France. The news was learned in Mullingar with deep regret. Michael who was a son of Mr Thomas Beglan, of Austin Friars, Mullingar, was well known and highly popular in the town.

    Before enlisting, less than four months earlier, he was employed as an assistant on the licensed premises of Mr Hugh Fallon, Mount Street, Mullingar. The particulars of the manner in which he met his end make very sad reading. It appears he was being carried from the trenches, having received a wound in the side, when a shell burst close to the stretcher bearers. A piece of shrapnel struck Michael on the head, killing him almost instantaneously. The stretcher-bearers were knocked down, and had themselves to be attended to. It is probable that it was in the vicinity of the fighting near Loos during the great attack, when the Germans were completely vanquished, that Michael Beglan met his end.

    Jacqui Freegard




    223719

    Pte. William Smith Lund DCM. 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles

    My grandfather, William Smith Lund, originally trained with the Dragoon Guards. As a farmers son, he could ride a horse so was deemed fit for the cavalry. However, it didn't take long for the Army to realise that cavalry was not suitable for trench warfare and he was transferred to the Second Battalion, Scottish Rifles.

    On 16th of August 1917 he took part in the Battle of Langemark, which was part of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery (Gazetted on 22 October 1917). His citation reads : "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in continually leading assaults on enemy strongholds which were full of snipers and machine guns. Using his rifle with great skill, he shot, bayonetted or captured the occupants, displaying dash and gallantry in these hand-to-hand conflicts which were beyond praise. Finally he was wounded when advancing, regardless of danger, against a hostile machine gun in a concrete emplacement. It was entirely due to his fearlessness and determination that his platoon was able to continue their advance."

    After being shot he was invalided home and it was not until after the War that he visited Edinburgh Castle where a list of all those killed whilst serving with the Scottish Rifles are listed. My grandmother said he was in tears that day as he learned of the deaths of a number of his comrades, after he had left the Unit.

    Grandad was a captain in the Home Guard during WW2. One of his sons, my father, served in a Sherman Tank with the Guards armoured Division in WW2. His other son served with the Eighth Army, also as a crew member in a Sherman, both in North Africa and Italy.

    Wayne Lund




    223718

    Pte. William Serginson Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Serginson is my 2nd cousin 2 x removed. William was born in 1884 in Darlington Co Durham and died at the ripe old age of 67 in Sunderland.

    British War Medal and Victory Medal

    Peter Buckley




    223716

    L/Cpl. Edward Davidson 12th Btn. (d.14th April 1918)

    <p>

    Teddy Davidson served with the 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles.

    Peter Jackson




    223714

    Pte. Joseph John Milton 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.16th Sept 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph John Pope Milton born on 23 October 1876. He was my great grandfather. The streets the family lived in in Bridgwater were not the most salubrious and the living was poor, so this may have been why in 1894 Joseph enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry. Joseph never left England, although other battalions of the SLI fought in South Africa. In October 1901 he was discharged from the army at Devonport as medically unfit to serve, perhaps that’s why he never went abroad. In March 1902 he married Jane Watling, a widow with one son and between then and 1915 when he went to war they had 9 children, the oldest son was my grandfather. During the latter part of this period at least Joseph worked for Sully & Co in Bridgwater.

    Joseph rejoined the SLI (6th Battalion) and went to France in March 1915 at the age of 39 and went directly to Ypres then Loos and then Delville Wood and, finally, for Joseph, Flers Courcelette. On 16th of September 1916 the day after tanks were first used, they were to take Gird Trench but the barrage had very little effect and through misinformation the SLI suffered appalling casualties, mown down by German machine guns. One of the men hit was Joseph. Joseph appears to have been taken to a clearing station where he died and was buried but later reburied at Les Beoufs.

    On 16th of September 2006 we were at his graveside and we will be there again, God willing, in 2016.

    Carole




    223712

    Lt. Ralph Argyle Langley 57th Battalion

    <p>

    Ralph Langley served with the 5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade in Gallipoli and had trained at the 6th Officers Cadet Battalion at Balliol College, Oxford between 5th of November 1916 and 2nd of March 1917. He married his English bride Nancie Stimpson in February 1917. He was wounded on the Western Front on 25 October, 1917.

    He was wounded on the Western Front on 25 October, 1917 On the 5th of November 1917, Ralph embarked to England ex Liverpool Merchants Hospital. He was admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth. He had sustained a gunshot wound to his right thigh. He spent time at Wandsworth receiving medical treatment and recuperating, until he returned to Australia in early December.

    It was in Australia that Ralph had his leg amputated just below the knee. His wife joined him in Australia in January, 1919. having survived the horrors of Gallipoli (5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade) and of the Western Front, Ralph died in a motor car accident on the Hume Highway in December 1935, leaving his wife and 6 children, the youngest of whom were one year old twin boys.

    Denise Langley




    223709

    Cpl. George Cooper Evison 5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    George Evison enlisted in the Scots Guards on 24th February 1899, just short of his 17th birthday. In the 1901 census he is stationed at Wellington Barracks, Westminster, London. I do not know much about his service in the Guards, but I do know that he served in South Africa during the Boer war as he qualified for the Queens South Africa medal which was confirmed in his later military records. George left the Guards on 23rd February 1906 and returned home. He remained on the reserve list for the Scots Guards for 5 years until February 1911. In March 1911, he signed up, for 5 years, to the Territorial Army, the 5th Battalion of the Lincolnshire regiment, which was based at Grimsby. He attended a fortnights training camp in 1911, 1912 and 1913.

    On the 5th August 1914, at the onset of the First World War, the 4th (based at Lincoln) and the 5th Territorial Battalions of the Lincolnshire regiment were mobilised and started preparing for war. The 5th Battalion arrived in France on the 1st March 1915. George was promoted to Corporal on 22nd March 1915 (this was despite being arrested twice for Drunk and Disorderly in November and December 1914, for which he was reprimanded). According to The History of the Lincolnshire Regiment 1914-1918, by Major-General C.R.Simpson, the 4th and 5th Battalions spent some training on trench duties before going to the front line on 9th April.

    George was injured in action and hospitalised sometime on or just prior to 2nd July 1915. His injury was described as a scalded foot and he was transported home on the 8th July. According to Major-General Simpson’s book. the battalion at that time was in a position close to Sanctuary Wood and the Germans were attacking with ‘liquid fire’. Whether or not this was the cause of his injury would be pure conjecture.

    George returned to France on 20th December 1915, having recovered from his injuries. He remained with the regiment until 1st April 1916, when he returned home for discharge, as his 5-year enlistment was complete. You might think that was enough for a 34-year-old man but no, George decided to re-enlist, joining the Royal Artillery on 7th June 1916. Once again his military record is intact. He joined the 59th Division Training Battery at Ripon where he remained for the remainder of the war.

    At the completion of the war, he requested to remain in the army, which was granted. His reward for such loyalty was involvement in the Afghanistan war of 1919. The Afghans, sensing British war weariness, had attacked British garrisons and a short war followed. So, in addition to his Great War medals he was awarded the General Service medal and clasp Afghanistan N.W.F.1919.

    He was eventually discharged from the Royal Artillery with the rank of Bombardier on 31st March 1920. However, he did rejoin the Territorial Army for 5 years on 24th June 1920.

    Mel Ogden




    223707

    Pte. Patrick Walsh 6th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd Nov 1915)

    I have recently discovered Patrick Walsh's Army records while doing my family tree. Patrick who was from Sunderland died from jaundice while at Sulva.

    His parents were Patrick Walsh (born Galway, Ireland) and Mary Ann Barrett (Sunderland). Patrick left a wife, Margaret, and an adopted daughter Maria, who lived at 50 Woodbine Street, Sunderland. We do not have any photos of Patrick but if anyone does we would love to see them.

    Angela




    223705

    Pte. Nelson Sunderland 2nd Btn. Yorks & Lancs Regiment (d.18th Jul 1915)

    Nelson Sunderland died age 39 and is commemorated on Sp.Mem.30 at New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

    Lynda Winter




    223704

    Pte. John Edward Simons 2/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    The Roll of Honour in St Martin’s Church lists a John E. Simons as having died in 1917. Research suggests that the listed man was quite probably John Edward Simons, who was born at Stickney in Lincolnshire. It appears there may be a family connection to South Willingham with John’s aunt and uncle living in the village; certainly John Simons gives his ‘place of residence’ as ‘South Willingham Lincoln’ on his Attestation Form. John signed his Attestation Form at Louth on 16th of February 1916. His occupation was given as ‘farm horseman’ and his age as 18 years and 124 days on the day of his enlistment; the following day he was placed on the Army Reserve List. Physically, he was described as being 5ft 6ins tall, weighing 136 lbs, with a chest measurement of 36ins. A little over a year later, on 26th of April 1917, he was mobilised and the following day transferred to The Depot, Lincolnshire Regiment as Private 38120 John Edward Simons.

    He was posted to the 3rd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment on 12th May 1917 at Grimsby. On 4th August 1917 he was posted to the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment. The ‘Army Form B.103 Casualty Form – Active Service’ is a somewhat misleading document as it is not, as its title suggests, purely for the purpose of recording injury or death. With dates recorded under the ‘casualty’ columns on the form this may explain why the Roll of Honour in St Martin’s Church records his date of death as 1917? But John Simons had yet to meet his end and was transferred to the 2/6th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment (No. 40892) on 23 August 1917. Unfortunately, those records that do remain are not entirely legible but it seems that he became a casualty during 1917 as he was admitted to a Field Ambulance Station in France on 23rd of October as a ‘casualty in the field’.

    Not yet having attained his Majority, the young man who had given his place of residence as ‘South Willingham, Lincoln’ during his Attestation just over two years earlier, became another soldier with no known grave when he was reported missing in the field on 21 March 1918. His name is recorded on the Arras Memorial (as well as on a hand-written scroll in St Martin’s Church South Willingham, a memorial tablet situated in the church at Holton-cum-Beckering and a wooden plaque inside the same church) and his father took receipt of John’s Victory Medal and British War Medal at the family home in Holton cum Beckering. Before he was called up, John Simons is recorded in the 1911 Census as being a farm labourer (aged 13 years), the family living at the time at Top Barn Hatton, near Wragby. It may be that five years later, upon enlistment, he was working on a farm at South Willingham, or simply living with relations as stated by current relatives, which is why he gave his place of residence as South Willingham.

    Rob Simons.




    223703

    Pte. John Frederick Jones 7th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    John Jones died aged 23. He is commemorated on the Jerusalem War Memorial in Israel. He was the son of John Thomas Jones and Jane Jones of 39 Smithfield Street, Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire, Wales.

    S. Flynn




    223700

    Pte. William George Kite 1st (Garr.) Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.24th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Aged 31 when he died, William Kite is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery and Memorial in Israel. He was the husband of Mabel Kite of 5 Mill Lane, West Twerton, Bath.

    S. Flynn




    223699

    Pte. Joseph Emmett 90th Field Ambulance att. 2nd/5th(London)Field Amb Royal Army Medical Corps (d.29th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Emmett died of wounds aged 34. He is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery in Israel. He was the son of James and Margaret Emmett; husband of Martha Ann Emmett, of 15 Pheasantford Street, Burnley.

    S. Flynn




    223696

    Pte. John Gilleeney 4th (Extra Reserve) Btn Kings Liverpool Regiment

    My great grandfather, John Gilleeney, had previously fought in the Boer War as part of the 1st Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regiment and was injured during that campaign. He remained in the reserves until the 4th March 1914 when, aged 44, he enlisted in the 4th (Special Reserve) Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment. The reserve regiments consisted of many soldiers with experience of the war in South Africa. In March 1915 the regiment was sent to France and assigned to the Sirhind Brigade of the Lahore Division. As part of the Sirhind Brigade the KLR served with the 1st Bn. Highland Light Infantry, 15th Ludhiana Sikhs, 1/1st Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) and 1/4th Gurkha Rifles.

    John is reported as being injured during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle but he remained with the division until they were transferred, in February 1916, to the 98th Brigade of the 33rd Division. John was injured again in September 1917 and deemed unfit for active service and was transferred to the Labour Corps (413665). He served with the Labour Corps until given an honourable discharge on 6th March 1919.

    Phil Lomax




    223695

    Sgt. Thomas Merry MM. 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.14th April 1917)

    Sgt Thomas Merry is listed on Arras Memorial. He was the son of John and Rebecca Merry of 54 Knox Street, Point St. Charles, Montreal, Canada.

    Richard Merry




    223692

    Pte. Edwin Knight Poppleton 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.6th Feb 1918)

    <p>

    Edwin Poppleton is buried in Hargicourt British Cemetery (Extension).





    223690

    Pte. John James Grasshorn Fort 33rd Casualty Clearing Station Royal Army Medical Corps (d.30th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John died aged 20 and is buried in the Haifa War Cemetery in Haifa, Israel. John James Grassham Fort was born in Padiham in 1898 the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Fort. He enlisted in Burnley, Lancs.

    S. Flynn




    223689

    Rflmn. Robert Wale 11th (Finsbury Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.19th April 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Wale is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza.

    S. Flynn




    223688

    Pte. Percy Thurlow 1/5th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.20th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Percy Thurlow is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza.

    S. Flynn




    223686

    Pte. Archibald McNaught Stevenson 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.2nd Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Archibald Stevenson is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza.

    S. Flynn




    223685

    Cpl. George Francis Perkins 1st/1st Btn. Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars (d.14th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    George Perkins died of wounds aged 25. He is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza. He was the husband of Margaret Nellie Perkins, of Myrtle Cottage, Terriers, High Wycombe, Bucks and was born at Terriers, High Wycombe, Bucks.

    S. Flynn




    223684

    Pte. Arthur Jackson 1/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.19th April 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Jackson formerly served at Pte. 11056 East Lancs and 28796 Liverpools. He died on the 19th of April 1917 and is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza.

    S. Flynn




    223682

    Pte. Michael Joseph Beglan 2nd Btn Irish Guards (d.14th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Michael Beglan was the third of eleven children of Thomas and Mary-Anne Beglan, it is said that he had a great sense of humour, he passed his school leaving certificate and began his working life as a teacher, but left in favour of working in a licenced premises in Mullingar, before joining up in 1915.

    The circumstances of his death are very sad. He had already been wounded and was being stretchered to safety when a shell exploded, injuring both stretcher bearers, and at the same time a piece of the shell passed through Michaels head killing him instantly. Like many other mothers and relative's of the time, Michael's mother took his death very hard and died herself two years later.

    Jacqueline Freegard




    223681

    Pte. Samuel Carrier 13th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.30th June 1916)

    Samuel Carrier died in an attack on an area of the German lines known as the Boarshead in the region of the commune of Richebourg near Bethune, France on 30th of June 1916 aged 20. The 13th attacked on 4 points, although some ground was won the attack was deemed a failure and the 13th suffered heavy casualties. Samuel is remembered with honour on the Loos memorial. His body was never found. RIP Brave Soldier.

    Darren Russell




    223677

    Pte. Ethelbert Samuel Gerald Elliott 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Bert Elliott was my grandfather he died when my Dad was 11 years old. He was in the 21st Battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers. He was injured in the Battle of Arras when he got a gun shot wound to his face. This sadly ended his war.

    I have recently applied for some records from the Fusiliers Museum in Alnwick Castle, Northumberland. They sent me records of a war diary. I have my Grandad's service and medical records but they are not fully complete. The records office told me I was very lucky to have these as records were damaged in the bombings in London and sadly lots of records were lost.

    Janis Harris




    223674

    Pte. Philip John Brice Black Watch

    My Grandfather Philip Brice joined the Black Watch in 1914. He was 25 years old. He was living with his future in laws as he had run away from home when he was 14. His future father in law, Henry Jenkins, found him under a bush and took him in.

    When he decided to join the army, he talked Henry's oldest and only son (also Henry) into joining with him. So they walked to Perth to sign up. Young Henry was about 18 or 19. When his mother found out she told Philip in no uncertain terms, "If Henry gets killed you needn't bother coming back either." Fortunately, both survived and lived for many years, though my grandfather did suffer from a bullet wound to the lungs and laid for 3 days till someone found him. He finally died of lung cancer at the age of 67.

    I can't find any record of Henry Jenkins in the Black Watch but I do know that he served in it.

    Jean Fields




    223671

    Sgt. Alexander McCracken 1/5th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    To the best of my knowledge my grandfather Alexander McCracken served at Gallipoli and was wounded in action. On my father's birth certificate, dated the 12th August 1919, my grandfather was listed as being resident at Bangour Hospital in Edinburgh proving that he was recovering from injuries sustained in action. The only story he told his family about the war was that he had won £100 playing poker on the hospital ship en route back home from Gallipoli.

    John McCracken




    223669

    Pte Henry Wright 1st and 6th Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th Sept 1918)

    Henry Wright was my Grand Father Born 1880 in Sheffield. He died age 38 leaving 5 Children, my father was the youngest.

    I have no photos of him and would be grateful if anyone who knew him could help with anything about him. My father told me he was big 6ft+ and being a grinder he would carry a grindstone by himself.





    223664

    Pte. Fred Dewhurst 2nd/1st East Anglian Field Amb Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th July 1917)

    <p>

    Fred Dewhurst died on the 20th of July 1917, aged 27 and is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Dewhurst of Nelson, Lancs

    s flynn




    223663

    Pte. G. W. Davies 2nd/1st East Anglian Field Amb Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Private Davies died aged 31 and is buried in in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza. He was the son of William and Martha Davies of Bryn Hywel, Efailwen, Clynderwen; husband of Margaret Elizabeth Davies of 29 King Edward Street, Blarngarw, Glamorgan.

    S. Flynn




    223661

    L/Sgt. Joseph Ebenezer Wood 9th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.13th April 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Ebenezer Wood was my great uncle. He was born at 29 Walkinshaw Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow on 21st December 1892. According to his employment records, he was staying with his mother, father, and sisters at 90 Great Hamilton Street (now London Road) in the Calton area of Glasgow working as a postman. He was called up on 5th November 1914 according to his medal records. I cannot find any trace of his service records so I am unsure if he would have been with the Highland Light Infantry as a territorial while working as a postman or went straight into uniform from employment.

    He was killed in action on the 13th November 1918 in Flanders which I found on the Scotlands People website but no individual death certificate as his body was never found. I have traced his last will and testament and where he is listed on the Ploegsteert memorial. I also have some photos of places he must have visited during his time overseas, also postcards, souvenirs etc. My father said that it was a very sad loss to Joseph's parents as he was their only son.

    David Mcniven




    223660

    Lt-Col. John Stanley Allen MC. 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1918)

    My great uncle, John Allen was a Lt Colonel with the Northumberland Fusiliers.

    John Stevens




    223657

    Pte. John Edmunds Royal Warwickshire Fussilers

    John Edmunds, my grandfather, joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 11th May 1908. From the records I have (Army Form B.2067) he was born in the parish of Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire and his trade was milkman. He received the British Expeditionary Force campaign medal and served with the colours for 5 years and 324/365 days and 1 year and 126 days with the army reserve. He suffered shrapnel wounds and was discharged, being deemed 'no longer physically fit for war service'. I also have Army Form 2079, his certificate of discharge. Army Form Z.21 is his certificate of transfer, Regtl No 260772, to the Royal Air Force Reserve on 24th June 1918 as a Batman. Family memory thinks he was injured in the Battle of Marne. On Army Form 2067 his character was described as ' very good. No instances of drunkeness in whole service. A smart, steady and trustworthy man'.

    I remember him as a very gentle man, he couldn't read or write, and his early years were spent on the road with his father who was known as Oxford Jack because he was a well known farmers helper and a tramp who travelled between Oxford and Warwick. John was known as his 'butty', and there is an account of him and his father in a book written by a local farmer, Aubrey Seymour, 'The land where I belong' - this early life gave him a great appreciation of the natural world. He could point out signs of nature to predict the weather, and follow animal tracks etc and had many a tale to tell of life on the road, which was a delight to me as a small child. He married Emma Statham in 1914, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1964. He died in hospital in Stratford upon Avon in 1966.

    Elizabeth White




    223655

    Spr. Arthur Ernest Clifford Austin 93rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.11th Aug 1916)

    Clifford Austin died at Longueval on 11th of August 1916, on the eleventh day of his last front line posting as the 17th Division fought over the village of Longueval and Delville Wood. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Nigel Roberts




    223654

    Pte. Morton Rook 5th Btn. Border Regiment

    Morton Rook sailed for France on 25th October 1914. He served in France and Flanders - Ypres, Somme, Arras and Passchendaele. He was wounded in 1917 we believe in Arras or Passchendaele. His wounds were severe with shrapnel injuries to both legs. He was invalided out and sent to a convalescent house in Cumbria. Morton eventually recovered and moved to Canada in 1930, married and started a family. His personal records were destroyed in WW2 bombings over London.

    He lied about his age (he took 10 years off) and enlisted in the war effort once again, this time to serve in WW2 with the Royal Canadian Engineers.

    Morton rarely talked about WW1 and only did so when asked. However, he did say that at times they had to search garbage for food.

    Brent Rook




    223651

    Pte. Harry William Bacon 9th (Queen Victorias Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    My Grandfather, Harry Bacon, was severely wounded at Gommecourt on 1st July 1916 on the first day of the Battle of The Somme. This is an extract from his diary, written in August in Le Treport hospital.

    "On evening of 30th June 1916 marched up to trenches and took up placers in front trench. Our company was first to go over. At 7:30am next morning over we went, under heavy bombardment from both sides. The Germans got wind of what was coming. I managed to get out of the trench and pushed forward as well as I could. I had only gone about 30 yards when I was hit by a piece of shrapnel in the stomach. It felt like a punch in the stomach and winded me. I tried to go on, but crawled into a shell hole which just covered me from rifle bullets. I stopped here for a bit but eventually chanced my luck and got back to our trenches and got to the dressing station. It was a miracle I did not get hit getting back. From the dressing station I got sent straight down the line to No.16 General Hospital Le Treport."

    My Grandad was medically discharged and never returned to active service. He died in 1959 aged 65

    David Bacon




    223650

    Lt. Thomas Edward O'Bryen Horsford 2nd Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th March 1915)

    Lt Thomas O'Bryen Horsford was born in 1892. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School between 1902 and 1907. He entered Sandhurst in 1912 and was gazetted to the West Yorkshire Regiment in February 1914. He was wounded in December and spent some time home on sick leave. Returning to the front, he was severely wounded during the battle of Neuve Chapelle and died on March 13th.

    Jonny Taylor




    223648

    Sgt. Robert Ogden MM. 1st Btn. Lincolnshire

    <p>Robert Ogden's Army Discharge Certificate

    My great uncle, Robert Ogden, joined the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1904. At the time of enrollment, he gave his year of birth as 1885 although it was in fact 1887. The reason, I believe, would have been that, at that time, you needed to be 19 years old to serve abroad. He served with the Lincolnshire Regiment throughout the years leading up to the Great War, including a period of time in India.

    At the outbreak of war, the Lincolnshire Regiment was at Portsmouth and immediately started preparations for transfer to France. At 0615 hours on 13th August 1914, they marched out of barracks to the railway station, where they were transferred to Southampton and boarded the SS Norman for the overnight voyage to Le Havre. From Le Havre they were transported, by train, to the Mons area where they were heavily involved in the early engagements of the war.

    He served throughout the conflict, finishing as Sergeant at the end of the war. He was awarded the Military Medal (an entry appeared in the London Gazette in February 1919). I have been unable to, as yet, trace a citation or official record for the award but I believe that it was awarded for recovering an injured soldier, under fire, from no man’s land. He was discharged on 31st March 1920.

    Mel Ogden




    223644

    Pte. Robert Jackson 2/23rd Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    After joining in December 1917 Bob Jackson was drafted four months later to France where he was in action at Havrincort, Epehy, Ypres, Messines Ridge and Comines, and was wounded. Invalided home, he was admitted to hospital in Colchester, and afterwards in Blackburn, subsequently being discharged in November 1919, holding the General Service and Victory Medals.

    SRE.




    223643

    Pte. D. J. Mahoney 13th Divisional Supply Column, HQ 39th Inf. Brig. Royal Army Service Corps

    J D Mahoney served with my great uncle Cecil Harry Ellison as clerk to the staff 39th Brigade HQ, RASC. He corresponded with Cecil's sister and I have a few of his letters.

    Ruth Hoskins




    223642

    Sgt. Cecil Harry Ellison 13th Divisional Supply Column, HQ 39th Inf. Brig. Royal Army Service Corps (d.11th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    My great uncle Cecil Harry Ellison enlisted in the 9th Worcesters as Pte. 13918 and was then a Sgt S4/071946 in the RASC and fought in Gallipoli, I have his letters written from there. He was evacuated to Malta with enteric fever and died there. I have two letters written by ‘Tubby’ Clayton to my grandmother,(his Sister). He is commemorated on Malvern memorial and St James’.

    Sgt Cecil Ellison, was born at Malvern, the son of Mr G W Ellison, gamekeeper of Oakdale, West Malvern. He was a clerk at Messrs Lear and Son, Malvern when he enlisted in the first week of the war. He joined Kitchener's Army and was posted to the 9th Worcestershire Regiment; however in January 1915 due to his clerical skills he was transferred to the Army Service Corps as a sergeant and took up duties on the Brigade staff. He was subsequently appointed as Chief Clerk to the 39th Infantry Brigade, which went to the Dardanelles in May. He died of enteric fever at Malta on the 11th September 1915.

    In 1915 Cecil was working for a solicitor, Messrs Lear & Son, in Malvern, he came home one day saying Lord Kitchener wanted a million men and he had enlisted. Auntie Joan said Maude and the family were very upset as he was under age and did not have to go (he was 16 or 17). The recruiting officers wanted educated young men for the RASC and Cecil was quickly promoted to Sergeant and worked in the brigade headquaters. It would seem he was wounded and then contracted enteric fever (cholera) which was rife on the battlefield in Gallipoli.

    The Dardanelles is a 38-mile strait between the Agean and the Sea of Marmara (it used to be called The Hellespont). It was of great strategic importance as it provided a sea route to Russia. In 1915 the Allies attempted to make Turkey allow passage through. A Naval expedition in February failed. In April 1915, British, Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula and on the Asian mainland opposite. Turkish resistance was strong and after nine months the troops were withdrawn. 36,000 died and Winston Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty was blamed for its failure. ANZAC day dates from The Gallipoli Landings and has been observed since 1916

    Cecil's description of the peninsular in his letters matched that of other reports of the time. He was possibly at Cape Helles which is at the tip of the peninsular. Galipoli battlefields were hell for both sides the men suffering disease and poor medical care.

    When Hamiliton was replaced with Monro, he and Kitchener advised evacuation. The fighting was always horrific and from 6th to 13th of August a renewed effort was made near Krithia but this also was disaster. Cecil's last letter dated 20th August says things are "deuced lively" a massive understatement I would have thought. He mentions the stench of dead Turks around our headquarters

    I visited Cecil's grave at Pieta Military Cemetery on the 23rd of January 2006. It is very well maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and there are many graves from WW1 and earlier conflicts. His grave is one of three in the same plot and he shares a memorial grave stone with two New Zealanders who died at the same time. I placed a Cross of Remembrance on the tombstone and recited the Royal British Legion exhortation for all three of them. A special remembrance service is held in Pieta cemetery each year on ANZAC Day by members of the Royal British Legion in Malta and the Australian High Commissioner. They are not forgotten.

    I consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity of visiting Cecil's grave and felt that I had got to know him through his thoughtful letters to his mother and sister.

    Ruth Hoskins




    223641

    Trpr. Donald Mackay Wellington Mounted Rifles (d.23rd Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Donald Mackay was killed in action aged 32 years. He is buried in the Deir el Belah War Cemetery in Palestine. He was the son of Alexander and Isabella Mackay, of Scullomie, Tongue, Lairg, Sutherland.

    He is referenced in the book "Somewhere in Blood Soaked France” by Alasdair Sutherland: "Six Mackay brothers fought in WW1. The family came from Scullomie, Scotland. My grandfather George Mackay was awarded a DCM for valour. Sadly his brothers Angus (21 years), Donald (32 years) and Magnus Mackay (18 years) all died in WW1. Donald Mackay served at Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine. Donald Mackay was killed in action on the 23rd of February, 1917 as his unit launched a cavalry attack. He was buried at Khan Yunis, his body was moved after the war to Deir El Belah War Cemetery. Lest We Forget."

    S. Flynn.




    223640

    Gnr. Frederick Baron 210 Bde, B Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.18th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Gunner Baron died of dysentery, aged 24. He is buried in the Deir el Belah War Cemetery in Palestine. He was the husband of Mrs Baron nee Mc Dermott and lived at 48 Clarence Street, Burnley, Lancashire

    S. Flynn




    223639

    Pte. Thomas Jackson 6th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancasters (d.24th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Jackson died of malaria aged 31 and is commemorated on the Tehran Memorial in the Tehran War Cemetery in Iran. He was the husband of Mary Jackson, of 88 Nairne Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S. Flynn




    223638

    Pte. Vincent Dobson 9th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.24th Sept 1918)

    <p>

    Vincent Dobson died aged 25, and is commemorated on the Tehran Memorial in the Tehran War Cemetery in Iran. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Thomas B. Dobson of 12 Bracebridge Road, Erdington, Birmingham.

    S. Flynn.




    223634

    Cpl. Albert Luddittt 15th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    Albert Ludditt served with the 15th Btn. Sherwood Foresters and died in 1920.





    223633

    Pte. Bertrand Moore 6th Btn. 13 Platoon North Staffordshire Regiment

    I went apple picking at my grandfather's home in Eccleshall Road in Stafford in 1965. While he and I were storing the fruit in his garage he reached up to a shelf and handed me something saying: "This is for you". He died not long afterwards and I treasured that gift without ever looking at it until a few years ago. For me it was a momento to a beloved grandfather, Bertrand Moore. It was only a few years ago I decided to look at it again. It was a four inch by two and a half inch Boots pocket diary, for 1915. He was a private with the North Staffs Regiment.

    Each day from when he signed up in 1914 throughout his training to travelling to France, he filled out each day, without drama, what he did and where he was stationed. Since January 1 this year I have been tweeting each day as a tribute to a modest, kind and adorable grandfather.

    Paul Hooper




    223632

    L/Cpl. John Reginald Walker 14th (Pioneer) Btn. Worcester Regiment

    My Grandfather, Reg Walker volunteered and joined the Pioneers. Although he lived in Foleshill, Coventry he joined the Worcester Regiment and not the Royal Warwickshire as they were over subscribed by men wanting to join them.

    Grandad used to tell my mum little things now and again as to what had happened to him whilst he was out there. He told her he was gassed once and then another time he was shot in the face where the bullet went in his cheek and came out under his jaw. To say he was lucky is an understatement. I have a medal that he brought back that he took off a German that he had shot, he also had the helmet but over time that has been lost. I also have his dog tags that are made of leather and his wallet together with the casing of a pocket watch the dog tags were kept in. Since I have started researching my family tree on my father's side I have found out that Grandad was made a Lance Corporal from a private sometime. Not sure how that happened or if was happy with the title.

    Grandad lived to be in his seventies and I have the utmost respect for him and his comrades. I have a photograph of him in his uniform. If I manage to find anything out about Grandad in the future I will certainly add it here.

    Carole McGivern




    223631

    Pte. Charles Wardlaw 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th July 1916)

    Charles Wardlaw is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

    Susan




    223630

    Sgt. William Jamison MM. 1st Battallion Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers

    My grandfather was born in 1885 in Belfast. In 1903, at the age of 19 he enlisted in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He served in Crete, Malta, China and India (where my mother was born) prior to the outbreak of the Great War.

    The 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers landed on X Beach, Hellas Point, Gallipoli on 25th of April 1915. They were engaged in immediate and almost continuous battle (Krithia (3), Gully Ravine, Krithia Vineyard and Scimitar Hill) and suffered heavy casualties over the eight months of the campaign. The survivors were evacuated to Egypt on 9 January, 1916.

    On 18th of March, 1916 the Battalion was deployed to France. They landed in Marseilles and marched north to the Western Front. On 1st July, 1916, they engaged in the First Battle of the Somme near Albert. They went over the top at 0730 near Y Ravine with the objective of taking the rail station at the nearby village of Beaumont Hamel. On that day, the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were one of only a few units to reach their objective. They were forced to retreat however, when the second wave of troops, who were to support them, were decimated on the field.

    I do not know if my grandfather was wounded on the first day of the Somme or subsequently. He was evacuated to England on 7th of August, 1916 and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field as announced in the London Gazette on 10th of November, 1916. Sergeant William Jamison was ultimately discharged on 9 September 1918 as "no longer fit for war service." His war wounds were a contributing factor in his death, at the age of 48.

    Kathleen Parrish




    223629

    Pte. Joseph Cuthbert Taylor 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    I know little about Joseph Taylor except that he and generations of his family before him worked the land in and around Warwickshire and Worcestershire. His father was Joseph John his mother was called Marian.

    He joined the Labour Corps in 1915, for what reason I do not know, whether he was injured, wounded or just not A1 I do not know. He survived the war, came home and received his war medals. That is all except that the very fact that he came home is something of a victory.

    Diane Jones




    223627

    L/Bmdr. William Robert John Savill 18th Bty, 3rd Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.21st June 1918)

    <p>

    William Savill died on the 21st of June 1918, aged 22.

    s flynn




    223626

    Spr. A. Holbrook 1st (Wessex) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.30th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Sapper A Holbrook died on the 30th of September 1916, aged 34 and is buried in the Struma Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the brother of F. Holbrook of 5, Hanover Terrace, Snow Hill, Bath.

    s flynn




    223625

    Lt. Harold Richard Taylor attd. 77th Coy. Machine Gun Corps Surrey Yeomanry (Queen Mary's Regiment) (d.17th March 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Taylor died on the 17th of March 1917, aged 27 and is buried in the Sarigol Military Cemetery in Kriston, Greece. He was the son of Elizabeth Alice and the late Theophilus Taylor of Roslin Villa, Richmond Rd., Taunton

    s flynn




    223624

    Pte. William Sunderland 14th Btn. The Kings (Liverpool Regiment) (d.19th April 1918)

    <p>

    William Sunderland died 19th April 1918 and is buried in the Sarigol Military Cemetery in Kriston, Greece.

    s flynn




    223623

    Pte. Herbert Killian 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.22nd May 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Killian died of wounds on the 22nd of May 1917.

    s flynn




    223622

    Drvr. William Hodgson Base Mechanical Transport Depot Army Service Corps (d.23rd Aug 1916)

    <p>

    William Hodgson died on the 23rd of August 1916. He is buried in the Solonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery in Greece.

    s flynn




    223621

    Pte. Sydney Crossley 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.23rd June 1917)

    <p>

    Sydney Crossley died on the 23rd June 1917 aged 26 and is buried in the Solonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of Herbert and Ellen Ann Crossley of 6 Marles St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    223620

    Rflmn. Albert Aspden Barker 3rd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.28th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Aspden Barker died on the 28th October 1917 and is buried in the Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery in Greece.

    s flynn




    223618

    Pte. Wilfred Ashurst Royal Army Medical Corps (d.29th July 1917)

    <p>

    Wilfred Ashurst died on the 29th of July 1917 and is buried in the Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery in Greece. He had enlisted in Burnley and lived on Towneley Street, Colne

    s flynn




    223617

    Rfmn. Ernest Corrie 11th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.24th March 1918)

    Ernest Corrie was presumed killed in action on 24th March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive when the allied 5th Army was driven back across the former Somme battlefield. Ernest is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, six kilometres north-east of Albert, along with over 14,000 other casualties.

    His younger brother, Reginald, was at the time in the Royal Army Medical Corps, serving in France not far from where Ernest was killed, while older brother, Archibald William was in the Middle East.

    Richard Heath




    223616

    L/Cpl. Charles George Barrow 20th (Blackheath and Woolwich) Btn. London Regiment (d.18th Sep 1916)

    Charles Barrow died of wounds on the Somme and is buried in Millencourt Cemetery, France. He left a wife and his brother Albert John Barrow survived WW1 and died in 1969. He was disabled from service having been injured by a horse.

    Sandra Sommerfeld




    223612

    Cpl. John James Crawford 25th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My grandfather John Crawford was gassed in France and died in 1924 he left behind seven children. My father and his twin sister were born in January 1924 and John James died in Sept 1924. Sadly we have not been able to find a photo of him.

    My mother's father, Henry Scott, served in another battalion of the Tyneside Irish. He too served in France. He was an actor and worked in the circus in his younger days. He ended up a bus inspector in Newcastle. He died in 1939.

    Chris McDougall




    223610

    Spr. John Walmsley 66th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.20th August 1915)

    <p>

    John Walmsley died on the 20th of August 1915, aged 21 and is buried in the Portianos Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of George and Elizabeth Walmsley, of Burnley, Lancs.

    s flynn




    223609

    L/Cpl. William Kennerley 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1915)

    <p>

    William Kennerley died on the 2nd of September 1915, aged 25 and buried in the Portianos Military Cemetery, Greece. He was the son of William and Martha Kennerley, of Burnley both parents had died before the war and William lived with his sister and brother-in-law at 19 Albany Terrace.

    s flynn




    223608

    Pte. Thomas Dunleavy 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.12th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Dunleavy died of wounds on the 12th of November 1915, aged 35 and is buried in the Portianos Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of Francis and Bridget Dunleavy, of Burnley Husband of Margaret Crossley (Formerly Dunleavy) of 2 Robert Street, Burnley.

    s flynn




    223607

    Pte. James Bennett 2nd Btn. Shropshire Light Infantry (d.21st Feb 1917)

    <p>

    James Bennett died at sea on the 21st of February 1917 age 33 and is commemorated on the Mikra Memorial in the Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece. He was the son of Mrs. Alice Ann Bennett, of Shaw St., Burnley; husband of Annie Lacy (formerly Bennett) of 47 New Hall St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    223606

    Cpl. John Alpha Wilson 3rd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.5th June 1917)

    <p>

    John Wilson died on the 5th of June 1917, aged 27 and is buried in the Mikra British Cemetery in Kalamaria, Greece. He was the son of John Henry and Amy Florence Wilson of 13 Guy St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    223605

    RSM. Joseph Edwards Williams 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.31st Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Williams died on the 31st of January 1916, aged 39 and is buried in the Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece. He was the husband of Maretta Williams of 16 Wyre Grove, Blackpool, Lancs

    s flynn




    223604

    Spr. George Henry Morgan 500th (Wessex) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.2nd Dec 1918)

    <p>

    George Morgan died on the 2nd of December 1918, aged 24. Buried in Grave 790 in the Mikra British Cemetery, Kalameria, Greece, he was the son of Annie Morgan of 8 Nelson Place West, Bath, Somerset, and the late Herbert Morgan.

    s flynn




    223603

    Gnr. Rennie Dixon 153rd Btn. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.17th June 1918)

    <p>

    Rennie Dixon died on the 17th of June 1918 age 23 and is buried in the Mikra British Cemetery, Kalameria, Greece. He was the son of Joseph Dixon of 3 Reedley Rd., Reedley, Burnley

    s flynn




    223602

    Spr. Monague Vaughan Case XVI Corps Signals Royal Engineers (d.18th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Montague Case died on the 18th of November 1918 and is buried in the Mikra British cemetery in Kalameria, Greece. He was the son of the late William Benjamin and Sarah Marion Elizabeth Case, of Hill St., Poole.

    s flynn




    223601

    Pte. John Henry Rowland 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    John Rowland received a gunshot wound to right hand on 27th August 1915. He was aged 19. He served for 10 months prior to this and 7 months with the field force. He was transported in the hospital ship St David.

    Robin Rowland




    223598

    Pte. Evan Robert Sadler 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.28th Oct 1914)

    In October 1914, Evan's regiment was entrenched in the area of Ypres in Belgium at Gheluvelt. On the 27th October 1914 some members of the regiment found two gondolas in a lake nearby and decided to have a race in them across the lake, whereby they were bombarded by the Germans. The following day the Germans attacked the lines of the Welsh Regiment. This attack was repelled and the Welshmen counter-attacked. 514 men were killed.

    Evan Sadler died from his wounds on the following day 28th October 1914. He is buried at Ypres Cemetery Extension. He left a wife and a daughter who was born 2 months after his death. His name is recorded on De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1924.

    I have no knowledge of the whereabouts of a photo of him, but would like to trace one. Evan would be a cousin of mine.

    William Knight




    223595

    Pte. John Thomas Hartley 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.11th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John Hartley died on the 11th of October 1918, aged 34 and is buried in the Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of Hartley and Elizabeth Hartley, of Burnley; husband of H. Hartley, of 1 Latham St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    223594

    Pte. Robert Carstang Labour Corps (d.18th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Carstang died of dysentery on the 18th of October 1918 and was buried in the Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the husband of Emily Garstang of 6 Albany Terrace, Burnley.

    s flynn




    223593

    Drvr. Ernest Riley 66th Small Arms Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest Riley died of malaria on the 22nd of September 1916, aged 23 and is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of William and Susan Louisa Riley of 311 Briercliffe Rd., Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    223592

    Sgt. William Henry Ridge MM.& MSM. 114th Bde. C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.17th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    William Ridge died on the 17th of September 1918, aged 28 and is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the husband of Ada Ridge of 10 Accrington Rd., Burnley

    s flynn




    223591

    Pte. Sam Metcalfe 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    <p>

    Sam Metcalfe died 28th April 1917, aged 26 and buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of George William and Mary Elizabeth Metcalfe of 4 Norman St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    223590

    Pte. Hugh Marr 6th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

    Hugh was born in 1893. He signed up on 11th September 1914 and served until December 1914.

    Submitted by Tony Abbs.




    223588

    Pte. James Edward Kendall 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.4th June 1917)

    <p>

    James Kendall died on the 4th of June 1917 and is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece.

    s flynn




    223587

    Pte. George Frederick Graham 12th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.30th Sept 1918)

    <p>

    George Graham was 22 when he died of his wounds. He is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of Frederick and Martha Graham of 5 Whittlefield Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S. Flynn.




    223586

    Pte. George Fishwick 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.14th Sept 1916)

    <p>

    George Fishwick was aged 26 when he died. He is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece.

    S. Flynn.




    223585

    Cpl. Lister Dracup 11th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Lister Dracup died aged 20 and is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of Abraham and Sarah Dracup, of 105 Hufling Lane, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S. Flynn




    223584

    Pte. Arthur Deeble 11th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.18th Sept 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Deeble died aged 23 and was buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of John and Sarah Ann Deeble, of 59 Cavour Street, Burnley, Lancs.

    S. Flynn




    223583

    Cpl. John Thomas Cain 12th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.19th May 1917)

    <p>

    John Cain is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece. He left behind a wife and seven children.

    S. Flynn.




    223582

    Pte. Herbert Brown 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Brown died on 28th of April 1917 and is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece.

    S. Flynn




    223581

    Pte. Fred Brown 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Sept 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Brown died aged 21 and is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece.

    S. Flynn




    223580

    Pte. John Ashworth 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Sept 1918)

    <p>

    John Ashworth was aged 20 when he died. He is buriedin the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of Joseph and Margaret Ashworth, of 46 Cleaver Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S. Flynn




    223579

    Pte. George Henry Atkin 2nd Btn Sherwood Foresters (Nottingham and Derbyshire)

    As George Atkin had previously been in the army he was called up in August 1914, despite being 31 years old and having a young wife Elizabeth who was pregnant. George survived the war and went on to have a further 7 daughters, one being my grandmother.

    Russell Biggs




    223578

    L/Cpl. Frederick Whittaker 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.1st Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Frederick Whitaker is buried in the East Mudros Military Cemetery, Island of Lemnos, Greece.

    S. Flynn.




    223576

    Stoker 1st Class. Edmond Harry Robinson C Coy. Anson Battalion (d.1st June 1915)

    <p>

    Stoker Edmund Robinson died of wounds aboard HMT Franconia on 1st June 1915, aged 23. He is buried in the East Mudros Military Cemetery, Island of Lemnos, Greece.

    S. B. Flynn.




    223575

    Pte. William Thomas Seales 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    William Seales died of enteric fever aged and buried in the East Mudros Military Cemetery, Island of Lemnos, Greece.

    S. Flynn.




    223574

    Pte. Henry James Hudson 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.10th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Henry Hudson died of wounds on 10th August 1915, aged 30. He is buried in the East Mudros Military Cemetery, Island of Lemnos, Greece.

    S. Flynn




    223573

    Drmr. Fletcher Clough 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th June 1915)

    <p>

    Drummer Fletcher Clough died of wounds on 9th June 1915, aged 16. He is buried in the East Mudros Military Cemetery, Island of Lemnos, Greece. He was the son of Henry and Annie Clough, of 85 Keswick Road, Blackpool.

    S. Flynn.




    223572

    L/Cpl. Charles Burrell 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th June 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Burrell died of dysentery following wounds on the 8th June 1915, aged 32 and is buried in the East Mudros Military Cemetery, Island of Lemnos, Greece. He was the son of James & Susannah Burrell of Burnley and husband of Florence of 4 Grosvenor Street, Stoneyholme, Burnley.

    s flynn




    223571

    Gnr. Edwin Spencer White MM. 45th Brigade, 57th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My uncle Edwin Spencer White was awarded the M.M. while serving with the 57th Battery, 45th Brigade RFA (Gazetted 18 Oct 1918). I would like to know what he did and where he was when he did it.

    Ray White




    223569

    Pte. George Dennis Douglas 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.15th Sept 1916)

    <p>

    George Douglas served with the 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    Kevin Douglas




    223568

    Pte. Dennis H. Douglas 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.11th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Dennis Douglas served with the 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    Kevin Douglas




    223567

    Pte. James Burns 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    James Burns, my grandmother's brother ran away from home in Glasgow and joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers whilst under age. When his parents found what he had done they informed the army to get him discharged but then discovered that James had already been posted to France. James was killed on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme aged 16.

    Alan Hosie




    223563

    Gnr. Harold "Ted" Watts 4th Div. Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.28th Apr 1917)

    Harold Watts was my great-uncle. He joined up under his middle name as he was under-age. His correct name was Edmund Harold Watts, known to the family as Ted, and to his mates as Harry. He joined the Royal Field Artillery at Woolwich, and died of wounds, aged 17 at the 48 Field Ambulance in France. He is buried in the Cabaret Rouge cemetery. He is named on the Biggin Hill war memorial as H.Watts. Some soil from the gardens of the men was placed under the memorial.

    Mary Bradley-Cox




    223562

    Pte. Lawrence Dunne 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.20th Jun 1916)

    Lawrence Dunne is buried at Auchonvillers Military Cemetery, France. He was 28 years old when he was killed in action.

    Megan Guinan




    223561

    Harry Leslie "Jack" Bing Army Service Corps

    On his record for work after the war my father Harry Bing is listed as being a member of the A.S.C during the first world war. I have no idea of the theatre of war. In civilian life before the war he was an engineer on transport motor cycles and early cars. I don't know any more and I cannot find any record in ancestry or military records.

    Peter Bing




    223559

    L/Cpl. P. R. Russell 12th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.19th Sept 1918)

    <p>

    L/Cpl. P. R. Russell died on the 19th of September 1918 and is buried in the Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece.

    s flynn




    223558

    Pte. H. Perry 10th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.10th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Pte H Perry died on the 10th of February 1917 and is buried in the Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece.

    S. Flynn




    223557

    Pte. Albert Longbottom 8th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Albert Longbottom was killed in action on the 19th of September 1918, aged 25 and is buried in the Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece.

    s flynn




    223556

    Sgt. W. H. Ingram 10th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.24th April 1917)

    <p>

    W. H. Ingram died on the 24th of April 1917. He is buried in the Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece.

    s flynn




    223555

    Sgt. John Peterson Hamilton 8th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    John Hamilton died on the 19th of September 1918, aged 23 and is buried in the Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece. Awarded the Italian Bronze Medal, he was the son of James and Jessie Hamilton of 2 Bardykes Rd. Blantyre, Lanarkshire.

    s flynn




    223554

    Pte. Ronald Andrew 15th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.13th June 1917)

    Ronald Andrew was the son of Edwin And Margaret Alice Andrew of 41 Burnley Road, Waterfoot, Lancashire. He was an old boy of Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School and had attested aged 18 years and 10 months (attestation dated 7th Jun 1916 and approved for service 29th of September 1916.) Prior to service Ronald was a bank clerk.

    A King




    223552

    Sgt. George Patience 4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.7th May 1915)

    It will sadly be 100 years since George Patience was killed at Aubers Ridge just after dawn on the 7th May 1915. George had signed up several times whilst still under age, only to be taken home by his father.

    Four members of his family - two of his great nieces, his great nephew, and his great, great nephew will travel to his resting place at Souchez to play tribute to him on the 7th May this year. We will also visit the exact location where he was killed. George's parents also had to endure the pain of losing a second son, William, who was drowned in action when HMS Flirt was sunk by the Germans in the Channel in November 1916. Coming from the North of Scotland, it will be a long journey for us, but one that will be hugely worthwhile and very emotional.

    Andrew Patience




    223549

    Cpl. Frederick Harman MM. 17th Btn. London Regiment

    Frederick Harman was my great grandfather. It has been difficult to get information because he died when my grandmother was only 10, due to respiratory illness suffered since WW1 when he suffered gas poisoning. It has been more difficult as it appears that his military records were destroyed. I know that he was initially with 17th London Regiment, then the Labour Corps. He was awarded the Military Medal - the only information I have is the following: "The military decoration was awarded to F. Harman for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire or for individual or associated acts of bravery which were insufficient to merit the Distinguished Conduct Medal." It was announced in the London Gazette (no. 29854) on 8th December 1916, page 12046.

    Carole Hodge




    223547

    Pte. John Quinn 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    John Quinn was 19 years old when he Joined the Army at Omagh on the 22nd of July 1915 and commenced his military training at Londonderry on 24th of July 1915 John completed his training and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 2nd of January 1916 and landed in France on the 22nd of March 1916. John's regiment took part in the Battle of the Somme which began on the 1st of July 1916 when 19,240 men were killed and 38,230 wounded on that first day. one of those wounded was John Quinn who was shot in the right thigh with such ferocity that his thigh bone was fractured Because of the horrendous number of casualties. 11 days had passed before John reached a military field hospital. On 17 July 1916 he was evacuated to a hospital in Glasgow He remained in hospital under medical supervision until 13 October 1916 when he was discharged from hospital and sent on recuperation leave.

    John returned to duty on 30 October 1916 at Londonderry He was transferred to the Labour Battalion. Royal Irish Regiment on 9 February 1917 and he went back to France on 12 February 1917 John was then transferred to his former regiment, the lst Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, on 15 September 1917 on the frontline Johns record shows that he was given a period of leave to the UK from 22 January 1918 until 11 February 1918 when he returned to his regiment on the front line. On 22 March 1918. Private John Quinn was reported missing in action. On the 3rd of October 1918 it was confirmed that he had been captured by the enemy and was a Prisoner of War, he was taken to a POW camp in Germany. John was working in a coal mine as a POW when he had an accident which fractured his already damaged thigh bone. Poor medical care by his captives resulted in the fracture repair shortening his leg.

    On 22nd of November 1918 the war was at an end and John was repatriated to the POW Reception Camp and Discharge Centre at Ripon in Yorkshire. A medical Board declared that John was no longer medically fit for military service because of his war wounds and he was discharged on 4 December 1918 John Quinn served for 3 years and 136 days and was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the Sliver War Badge. A clean regimental conduct sheet is evidence of his exemplary character and the manner in which he conducted himself throughout a very difficult period of military service

    Ivan WJ Quinn




    223546

    Pte. Harry Grimshaw 8th Btn. Shropshire Light Infantry (d.31st August 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Grimshaw was killed in action on the 31st of August 1917 and is buried in in the Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece.

    s flynn




    223545

    Pte. Albert Bowling 2nd Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.20th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Albert Bowling died of pneumonia on 20th October 1918, aged 19. He is buried in the Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of John William and Emily Bowling of 15 Wren Street, Burnley.

    S. Flynn.




    223544

    Pte. Robert Hall 1/4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd April 1916)

    <p>

    Private Robert Hall is buried in the Suez War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He enlisted in Burnley and lived in Padiham, Lancashire.

    S. Flynn




    223542

    Pte. John Pike 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry Regiment (d.30th Jun 1918)

    John Pike is buried at Couin New British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

    Doug Lake.




    223541

    James Summers Calvert 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    Two sets of brothers from my family were tragically killed in WW1. Young brothers Thomas and John (aged 18 and 22 years) were my Great Uncles. In addition, my Great Grandfather Henry and one of his brothers, my Great Great Uncle Robert (and of course uncles to James and Thomas) were also killed.

    James Summers Calvery was born in 1893 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, service number 2659, was killed in action on 24th May 1915 in Flanders aged 22 years. He is Commemorated at the Menin Gate.

    Less than 4 months later his younger brother Thomas was killed, aged 18 years old. The brothers were the sons of John and Hannah Calvert of 11, Chapel Place, Seaton Burn, Dudley, Northumberland.





    223540

    Pte. Samuel Frederick Yardley 111th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.4th Sep 1916)

    Pte. Samuel Frederick Yardley of 111th Field Ambulance RAMC was killed in action at Guillemont

    Roy Bates




    223539

    Pte. St.Clair 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Oct 1914)

    Pte St.Clair was killed in France on 1st Oct 1914. He was born in 1886 in St Marks Parish, South Shields. His attestation was in 1905 at Durham Barracks. His Mother was Elizabeth Atkinson St.Clair and Father William Henry Jones St Clair, a Pilot mariner. The rest of family moved south to London in 1911.

    Justin Wheeler




    223535

    L/Cpl. James Finnigan 7th Btn. Royal Scots Regiment (d.5th June 1917)

    <p>

    James Finnigan died of wounds 5th June 1917 age 25 and is buried in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was the husband of Elizabeth Ellen Finnigan of 170 Hollingreave Rd., Burnley.

    s flynn




    223534

    Pte. Eric William Crummett 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.2nd Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Eric Crummett died on 2nd February 1917, aged 21. He is buried in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was the son of Robert and Eva Crummett of 86 Piccadilly Rd., Burnley.

    s flynn




    223533

    Pte. Ellis Beamer 229th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.18th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Ellis Beamer died of wounds on 18th November 1917, aged 22. He is buried in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was the son of James Ellis Beamer of 14 Roebuck Street, Burnley.

    s flynn




    223531

    Pte. Herbert Gledhill 12th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Private Herbert Gledhill served with the 2/5th and 12th Battalions King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    Jonathan Gledhill




    223529

    L/Cpl. William Raphael Purcell D Coy. 34th Btn.

    My grandfather William Purcell fought as a driver and was a lance corporal in D Coy, 34th Btn, AIF. Pop never spoke about the war.

    John Purcell




    223528

    Pte. Benjamen Josey 4th Btn. Royal Berkshire (d.26th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My great uncle on my mother's side of the family was Benjamen Josey, born in 1896, home address Coley, Reading. The 1911 census shows him as a 15 year old tin maker maybe at the biscuit factory in Reading.

    He was a private in the Princess Charlotte of Wales Royal Berkshire Regiment service no 200293. He was wounded in the head at the Somme and died of his wounds in a war hospital in Reading in 1918 - I believe this to be so as his name is listed on the screen wall at the old Reading Cemetery Wokingham Road, Reading. I found this by chance from a visit there. I have no other information at all, but a photo exists in the family which I am trying to locate.

    Jeffrey Dixon




    223525

    Pte. Nathan John William Hebb 19th Btn. D Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

    In researching my family history, I discovered that this gentleman is my great uncle. I know nothing about Nathan Hebb except I have discovered that he was killed in action on 27 May 1918 age 24. His is remembered with honour at Hedauville Communal Cemetery Extension.

    A long shot but it would be lovely to find out more both about him and the battle in which he took part on that day. I have looked on but I couldn't work out where the 19th Btn. were on the day of Nathan's death.

    Sue Thorn




    223524

    L/Cpl. Percy Wilkinson Day 4th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    When the 46th North Midland Division arrived in Luton in August 1914 to complete their training they were billeted with local families. There was very little trouble with the soldiers in the town, many firm friendships were made and some lasted for many years after the war. There were many Luton men who wished to volunteer and chose the various battalions of the division because it meant that they would be staying in Luton while they underwent training. Percy Day was one of these men and lost his life on 13th of October 1915 when the Lincolns were among the first battalions to go in to the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt that afternoon.

    I have records of Luton men who joined other regiments of the division. Some joined the 2nd Notts and Derby Regiment, some 1st Lincs, some 5th Lincs, some North Staffs and South Staffs and one 8th Sherwood Foresters.





    223522

    L/Cpl. John Christie 7th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.28th Sep 1915)

    John Christie was the son of David and Annie Christie of 166 Paisley Road, Renfrew, Scotland. He was 22 years of age and working as a ships draughtsman when he responded to Kitchener's call and joined the 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders.

    John received a bullet wound in his chest on the 25th September 1915 (1st day of the Battle of Loos) and was transported to No 13 General Hospital Boulogne where he dies of his wounds on 28th September aged 23 years. His remains are interred at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    Linda Scobie




    223520

    Pte. Alfred Lorrimer Royal Army Medical Corps (d.1st Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred Lorrimer died in an accident 1st February 1915, aged 23 and buried in the Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He was the son of Thomas and Maria Lorimer of 12 Berry Lane, Longridge, Preston, Lancs.

    sflynn




    223519

    Sgt. Evelyn Frankland 2/2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.1st Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Evelyn Frankland died on 1st February 1915, aged 32. He is buried in the Ismailia War Cemetery, Egypt. He had enlisted in Burnley and was the husband of Alice Frankland of 2 Bayswater Avenue, Roundhay Rd., Leeds.

    s flynn




    223518

    Able.Sea. Henry John Wilson HMS Euryalus (d.24th May 1915)

    <p>

    Henry John Wilson died on the 24th of May 1915, aged 35 and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt. He was the husband of Emma Amelia Hollis (formerly Wilson), of Block 2, Police Hutments, Aerodrome, Charlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester.

    s flynn




    223517

    Pte. Albert Foster Wood 2nd Btn. (d.13th May 1915)

    <p>

    Albert Wood died on the 13th of May 1915, aged 38 and is buried i in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt. He was the son of Ammon and Mary Ann Wood and was born at Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

    s flynn




    223516

    Pte. Cornelius Kidger 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Cornelius Kidger died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was 20 years of age. I am married to his great niece who still mentions him often. Cornelius is buried in Fricourt Military Cemetery, France.





    223515

    Pte. Ernest Thorpe 18th Sanitary Section Royal Army Medical Corps. (d.7th July 1918)

    <p>

    Ernest Thorpe died on the 7th of July 1918, aged 30 and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt. He was the son of Joshua and Ann Thorpe; husband of Sarah Ann Thorpe of 40 Norris St., Farnworth, Bolton.

    s flynn




    223514

    Lt. Frederick George Smith 2nd Btn. (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>

    Frederick George Smith died on the 8th May 1915 and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt. He was the son of George and Julia Smith of 154 Lawson St., Hamilton, Newcastle, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    223513

    Pte. William Gregory Sharp 8th Btn. (d.23rd Nov 1915)

    <p>

    William Sharp died on the 23rd of November 1915, aged 19 and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt. He was the son of Malcolm and Ellen Sharp of Corindhap, Victoria, Australia.

    s flynn




    223512

    Gnr. Jack Herbert Mugford 122nd Anti-Aircraft Section Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd July 1918)

    <p>

    Jack Mugford died on the 3rd of July 1918, aged 23 and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt. He was the son of Helena Phoebe Mugford of 44 Stanger Rd., Norwood, London and the late John Hearn Searle Mugford.

    s flynn




    223511

    Pte. William Maitland Innes 2nd Btn. (d.16th May 1915)

    <p>

    William Innes died on the 16th of May 1915 and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt.

    s flynn




    223510

    Pte. William Heyworth 1/4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.15th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    William Heyworth died 15th December 1916 and buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt.

    s flynn




    223509

    Sig. Alexander Leonard Gray 1/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.12th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Gray died on the 12th of November 1917 and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt. He was born in Briercliffe, enlisted in Nelson and lived in Harle Syke

    s flynn




    223508

    Pte. Ernest William Dennison 619th M.T. Coy. Army Service Corps (d.22nd May 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest Dennison died on the 22nd of May 1916, aged 33 and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt. He was the sn of William and Susannah Dennison, of St. Annes-on-the-Sea, Lancs; husband of Gertrude Valentina Dennison, of 96, Brookside Rd. Golders Green, London. One of three brothers killed during the First World War, the others being Thomas and Charles.

    s flynn




    223507

    Pte. John Bromley 1st West Lancs Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    John Bromley served with the 1st West Lancs Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. He died on 20th March 1918 and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

    S Flynn.




    223506

    Cpl. John Edward Twinn 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    John Twinn, my grandfather, enlisted in August 1914 serving with the 1st Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment. He was attached to the 6th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1916 and was killed in action in Arras, France July 1916 .





    223505

    Pte. John Henry Knott 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.2nd July 1916)

    John Knott, my great uncle, enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1915 he was killed in action 2nd July 1916 at the Bttle of the Somme. His name is on the Thiepval Monument.





    223503

    Pte. Carl Horace Harper Essex Yeomanry

    Carl Horace Harper was born in January 1898 in Wix, Tendering, Essex. The 1901 census shows him living at 62 Windsor Road, St Matthews, Ipswich with his father Horace (age 25),mother Madaline (age 24), sisters Daisy age 5 & Muriel age 2, and brother Benjamin age 7 months. The 1911 census records Carl living with his grandfather Benjamin Horne at Ocean Wave Farm, working on the farm after he left school.

    On 7th October 1914 he enlisted in the 1st Essex Yeomanary cavalry regiment service no 1362. On 13th February 1915 he was sent to France as part of the B.E.F (British Expeditionary Force), joining up with the Royal Horse Guards & 10th (Prince of Wales Own) Hussars (this explains how Carl finished his career in the 10th Hussars). They formed the 8th cavalry brigade which was part of the 3rd cavalry division.

    In 1915 he saw action at the second battle of Ypres (battle of Frezenberg Ridge) 11th - 13th May & battle of Loos 26th - 28th September. In 1916 there are no notable records of battles. In 1917 he was in the battle of Arras (first battle of Scarpe) 9th - 12th April.

    He was transferred in 1917 to the corps of Hussars & was given service no 80985. On 30th March 1918 the 3rd cavalry division was split up onto 7/8th cavalry brigade as a dismounted unit in the trenches. Later the 7th became a cyclist brigade & 8th was cavalry, which is where Carl served.

    During WW1 Carl was wounded three times. He returned to England on 30th March 1919. All army service personnel had to re-enlist & Carl was given a third service no 537772, transferred to 18th (Queen Mary's Own) Hussars on 6th November 1919 & again transferring to the 10th (Prince of Wales) Hussars on 18th November 1919. Carl married Laura Mepstead on 6th December 1920 at Bridge, Kent. There are no records of children.

    On 6th June 1921 the 10th Hussars were sent to Northern Ireland, where they accompanied King George V on the first state opening of parliament on 21st June 1921. On the 24th June 1921 Carl was killed by rebel IRA activists at Adavoyle, Newry. A bomb was planted on the railway tracks just before the station killing 3 soldiers, 1 guard, 30 horses & injuring 30 men. On Tuesday 28th June Carl's coffin was repatriated at his parents' home in Margaret Street, Walton, Felixstowe and on Thursday 30th June a millitary funeral service was held at St Mary's church, Walton at 2pm. His Commonwealth war grave is at Walton church, High Street, Felixstowe, sited just through the main front gates.

    Read More

    Stephen Harper




    223501

    Pte. James Armour 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.26th Aug 1915)

    John Armour was my great granddad, who came from Greenock, Scotland, and served and died during WW1 in France, leaving his wife Martha widowed.

    Tommy Mitchell




    223500

    Cpl Alfred Mason 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.1st July 1916)

    Alfred Mason was my Great Uncle. I found out about him when I was researching my family tree and found out that my Grandfather Frederick Mason (his brother) survived the war serving in the Royal Field Artillery

    Denise Storrie




    223498

    Pte. Thomas Edgar Phelps 2nd Btn South Lancashire Regiment

    My Gran, Ada Helen Phelps was born at Old Warps home, Warrington on the 10th Dec 1920. She was born in Warrington as her father Thomas Phelps was at that time a serving solder at the barracks there, married to Helen Norton originally from Dublin, Ireland. He had served throughout WW1 and Gran remembered being in India and in Palestine as a child in the 1920s. Thomas Phelps finished his career as a colour sergeant, I think with something to do with the cook house. After he left the army they lived in London.

    Lin Renvoize




    223495

    Sapper John Copeland MM 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    John Copeland was my grandad, although I never met him because he died before I was born.

    He originally joined the Scottish Rifles (Cameronians)on 19 August 1914 and, presumably because he had been a miner prior to joining up, was first attached to the 171st Tunnelling Company in January 1917. He later transferred fully to the 171st and remained with them until his discharge from the army at the end of WWI.

    I started to research my grandad's war record last year, (a fitting time given the 100 year anniversary of the Great War), which is when I discovered that he had been awarded the Military Medal in July 1917. Unfortunately, I have not yet managed to find out what action gave rise to the award. From older family members, I have been told that my grandad, like so many of his comrades, did not talk about his experiences during the war. No-one in the family even knew about his Military Medal.

    On leaving the army, he returned to work as a miner, where, tragically, and somewhat ironically after surviving the war with distinction, he was killed in an accident down the mine. A stone hit him in the temple and he died a few hours later. He was only 45 when he died, and had left a widow and 8 young children. My father was the 2nd youngest, and was only 5 when his dad died.

    Charlotte Howe




    223493

    2nd Lt. Richard Jordan Collard 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy

    My Grandfather Richard Collard died before I was born, so we only have his war records to go by. He joined the Army in 1916 leaving a wife and 2 little girls. He made sure that his wife and family were looked after by his family.

    Richard moved up the ranks very quickly as he enlisted as a matured person at the age of 26. His service was terminated on the 30th of Jun 1919. However as an officer his termination from the army was not. On the 20th of April 1922 Richard was promoted to Captain then Major on the 31st of December 1922. This is only going what I understand reading his army records.

    Christina Milne-Wilson




    223491

    2nd Lt. John Herrington MM, MC, MID. 9th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    As a 33 year old miner, John Herrington tried to join up in April 1915 but he failed the trade test with the ASC board who reported that he would not make an efficient soldier and so was discharged one day later. He then joined up elsewhere and became a private with the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. Here, he quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant and during fighting at Delville wood, was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery. Soon after he was recommended for a commission and attended a course in Dumbarton. Upon successful completion of this, he was then transferred to the 9th Battalion at Menin Road. In Italy, he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the MC for his work in Asiago and the San Siesto ridge.

    M Allport




    223490

    L/Cpl. Thomas Joseph Walsh C Section 10th Australian Field Ambulance

    Thomas Walsh, known as Tommy, was born on 20th December 1892 at Ennistydom, County Clare, Ireland where his father was stationmaster with the Irish Railways. He immigrated to Australia on the SS Gothic from Tilbury, United Kingdom, aged 21. He travelled on an assisted passage as a tradesman carpenter and settled in Ballarat, Victoria gaining employment with the Victorian Mental Health Department.

    On 30th July 1915 aged 24 he enlisted in 1st AIF and was assigned Reg No 12402, attached to 10th Field Ambulance and sent to Mooney Ponds for training. He embarked for war from Sydney on the SS Beltana in December, arriving at Salisbury Plains in the UK for further training.

    In December 1916 the 3rd Australian Division, under the command of Major General John Monash, with 10th Field Ambulance attached, moved to Belgium to a sector near Armentieres, where Tom acted as stretcher bearer and ambulance driver and worked in casualty clearing stations. He was a contributor to the ambulance magazine `All Abaht It', writing several poems including The Dying Anzac on page 20 of the second edition and published in The Bulletin newspaper. From November 1918 the men were returned to Australia for demobilisation and discharge. Tom travelled as an orderly in care of casualties and was discharged in February 1919.

    He returned to the mental health department as a male nurse where he graduated through the system to become warden of J Ward in Ararat - a gaol for the criminally insane which is now a popular tourist attraction. He married Elizabeth Hinchey in 1934 and had two male children. In 1939 he was transferred to the department's largest hospital at Ballarat as head male nurse in charge of a large staff and about 900 inmates.

    He never talked about his war experience and returned his medals to the Army. Tom passed away on 14th May 1953, aged 62 years.

    Frank Walsh




    223488

    Sapper Thomas Fairley 250th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.2nd Nov 1917)

    Thomas Fairley's name appears on the Queensferry War Memorial, West Lothian, Scotland. He died of wounds on 2nd November 1917.

    Norma brown




    223487

    Pte. Sydney William Ostler 10th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.15th Jun 1917)

    Sydney Ostler was the son of William and Mary Ostler, he was my mother-in-laws uncle. He was previously with Northamptonshire Regt, no.22423. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

    Stamford and Rutland News reported on the 11th of July 1917: "Killed in Action. - The sad news has been received announcing that Private Sidney Ostler, Queen's Royal West Surreys, eldest son of Mr and Mrs W Ostler, Station Road, Helpston, was killed in action on June 15th. He was formerly employed at the Helpston Paper Mills and joined up in October 1915, going to France in May 1916. His Commanding Officer writing to the bereaved parents states: "He was killed in the trenches on Thursday during a heavy bombardment of our positions by the enemy. he was a good soldier and we thought a lot of him. He was buried just behind our trenches. I ask you to accept the sincere sympathy of officers, NCOs and men of this company."

    Emrys Jones




    223485

    Sgt John Roy DCM, MM 250th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers.

    John Roy was my Great Grandfather. A miner to trade, he arrived in France in 1915 at the age of 41. He served with the 250th Tunneling Company for the duration of the war. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal during this time.

    Extract from the London Gazette, 2nd February 1919 "121813 Sjt. J. Roy, 250th Tunneling Coy., R.E. For the last three years he has shown consistent gallantry and devotion to duty during a long period of active mine warfare, when employed on the erection of concrete pill-boxes and in the search for enemy-land contact mines. On 25th June, 1918, he, with six sappers, loaded and transported over 30 tons of concrete to a required site and unloaded. During this operation the party was subjected to particularly severe machine gun fire. It was entirely due to his personal example and determination that the emplacement was erected in time."

    Stephen Hunter




    223484

    Pte. Henry Davis 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Henry Davis was born in Bristol and was killed in action on the 1st day of the Somme.

    Jeremy Davis




    223483

    Pte. William Anthony Dewing 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.15th Sept 1916)

    William Dewing is buried at Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont in France. He died 15th September 1916, along with 150 other Norfolk Regiment soldiers fighting at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette (a British-French offensive as part of the Battle of the Somme). This battle was the first time Britain has used tanks in warfare. It appears that many of the Norfolk Regiment deaths and injuries were sadly caused by tank fire. He is remembered on the War memorial in his home village of Great Walsingham, Norfolk.

    Nicholas Smith




    223482

    Pte Bertie Dewing 11th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.9th April 1918)

    Private Bertie Dewing is buried at Ploegsteert Memorial in Belguim. He is also remembered, along with his brother William who died with the Norfolk's, on the War Memorial in their home village of Great Walsingham in Norfolk.

    At this point I do not have any further information but if I come across anything else I am happy to let you know. Also, if anyone has additional information on Bertie I would love to receive it.

    Nicholas Smith




    223479

    A/Sgt. Edward Bird MID. Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    My Grandfather Edward Bird was born in India and served in both WW1 & WW2 in East Africa.

    MID

    Med Card

    Roger Bird




    223478

    Lt. William Herbert Bird MC. 4th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    Uncle William Bird from the Border Reg enlisted in India.

    His brother Cyril John Bird, Essex Reg, was killed at Gallipoli, and brother Edward served in East Africa in both WW1 & WW2. Their father Herbert Rubin Bird MBE, served in Egypt and in India in the Essex Reg.

    Roger Bird




    223477

    Pte. Frank Chapman MM. 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>

    Private 21503 Frank Chapman M.M., my Grandfather, who served with the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment in the Great War. On 10th April 1917 he together with his comrades were awaiting orders in the trenches and sunken roads East of Boiry Becquerelle which is a small village south of the city of Arras. My Grandfather was assigned the role of runner (messenger) to his commanding officer, Lt Edward Catton of Welton, near Lincoln.

    The unit received instructions to proceed overnight to the road between the villages of Croisilles and Henin where they were to await the end of an artillery bombardment . They were sent over the top at 0630 hrs on 11th April in an attempt to break through the heavily defended Hindenberg Line at that location. Lt Catton led the first wave of his troops but instructed my grandfather to remain in the trench until the second wave of allied troops were able to go over the top, but to keep him (Lt.Catton) in view in order to relay any messages he had for the second wave.

    As in previous engagements the bombardment only served to send the Germans underground for shelter and as soon as the lads went over the top they were mown down by heavy machine gun fore from the fortified German trenches.

    Lt Catton almost made it to the German barbed wire before he was shot and wounded , falling into a shell crater. My Grandfather saw him fall and despite being ordered to remain in the trench had followed his officer out into the battlefield, he noted and marked where he had fallen. But before he could get to Lt Catton the retreat was sounded. Upon returning to his trench my Grandfather decided that he could not let Lt Catton lay wounded in the shell crater to await a German hunting party that would inevitably be looking for British wounded to finish off later that night. He decided to crawl across the battlefield on his stomach under heavy machine gun fire and when he reached Lt Catton, he tied him to himself using his Puttees as a makeshift sling. He then began to crawl back to the allied trench. The whole rescue took in excess of 2 hours with my Grandfather resting in shell holes. Lt Catton was by now unconscious and it was only when he was recovering at a field hospital did he have this story related to him by another officer who had witnessed the act .

    Lt Catton compiled a report for the war office detailing My Grandfather’s bravery in rescuing him and saving his life. He recommended that he receive the Victoria Cross. However, according to Lt Catton, due to the fact there was a delay in his report being compiled this was not to be the case and my Grandfather was awarded the Military Medal. His citation read that should he commit any further act of bravery no matter how minor he would be considered for the V.C.

    This story was never related to our family by my Grandfather who, like so many others, was extremely modest and all he would say was “They all deserved medals for what they went through in that war.“ The full story only came to light in April 1967, when the Gainsborough newspaper ran an article titled “50 years ago on this day“. There was a very brief mention that Private F. Chapman of Gainsborough had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in France in April 1917. A relative of Edward Catton saw the article and brought it to his attention. This prompted Edward Catton to write a full article which was published in the Gainsborough newpaper that month in 1967 telling the full story of his rescue.

    Sadly my Grandfather died in 1967, and I am fortunate to remember him. Research by various members of the family over the years has revealed that his Military Medal was donated by an uncle to the Lincolnshire regiment museum, as was a Gold watch presented to him by Mr Catton’s grateful parents as a measure of their gratitude towards him for saving their son from certain death .

    I am currently planning a trip to the area near Arras, France where this brave deed occurred and will be taking my father and son along to pay homage, not just to my Grandad but to all the brave lads who served in WW1, many of whom did not return, as I feel we owe it to them to remember their sacrifice.

    Clip From Gainsborough newspaper April 1967

    David Chapman




    223474

    Able.Sea. R. Hughes SS. Connemara (d.3rd Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Found on the War Memorial at LLanfairpwllgwrngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Anglsey, Wales. A.B. R. Hughes was 20 years old and was lost at sea on the S.S. Connemara. He lived at Min-y-Ffryd in the town.

    R. Slater




    223473

    Steward. C. Ollosson SS Laurentic (d.25th Jan1917)

    <p>

    Found on the War Memorial at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Anglsey, Wales: Steward C. Ollosson, was 34 years old and was lost at sea on H M S Laurentic. He lived at Williams Terrace in the town.

    R. Slater




    223472

    Steward. W. G. Hughes HMS Laurentic (d.25th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Found on the War Memorial at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Anglesey, Wales: Steward W.G. Hughes wes 41 years old and was lost at sea on HMS Laurentic. He lived at White Lodge in the town.

    R. Slater




    223471

    P.O. O. Jones HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    I found this information on the War Memorial at Llanfairpwllgwrngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Anglesey, Wales. 1st P.O. O. Jones was 45 years old and lived at Crossing Terrace, in the Town. He was lost at sea on H.M.S Invincible when the ship was sunk at the Battle of Jutland with only 6 survivors.

    R. Slater




    223470

    Pte. William Bourne 10th Btn Sherwood Foresters (d.7th Aug 1916)

    William Bourne was my Great Uncle but I have no other knowledge other than he lived with his Mother and Sisters at 7 Allestree St Alvaston Derby. He was killed at Delville Wood and his memorial is on Thiepval monument, which my wife and I have visited.

    Chris Malkin




    223469

    L/Cpl Ian Coyle 6th Cheshire Regiment

    I have an official copy of Musketry Regulations Part 1. 1909, reprinted in 1914. There is a stamp: '6th Reserve Bn. The Cheshire Regiment Orderly Room'. Hand written inside is 'l/c Coyle 3145 6th Chesire Regt.

    Ian McEwan




    223467

    Rfmn. Henry Mepham 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    Born in Heathfield, East Sussex, Rifleman Henry Mepham was the son of Frederick and Caroline Mepham, of Bemzells Cottage, Herstmonceux, Hailsham, Sussex. He enlisted in Brighton and served with the Royal Sussex Regiment (Service No: 4909). Henry Mepham was aged 19 when he was killed in action during the Battle of Cambrai. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, and on the Bodle Street Green War Memorial in the grounds of St John The Evangelist Church, Sussex.

    Keith Sharp




    223464

    Pte. William Baldwin Bedfordshire Regiment

    My grandfather William Baldwin joined up in 1916 and served in the Suffolks, and then with the Bedfordshire regiment. I know this from hearing first hand and from his demob papers which I have. He was a Lewis gunner and achieved musketry 1st class and completed a bombing course. This information is recorded on the papers. For some reason however on the rim of his service medals it gives his army number and Essex regiment?

    I recall many stories my grandad told me as a lad and the most poignant was when they overan a German trench and were ordered not to take any prisoners. That haunted my grandad until the day he died. He was wounded 3 times shot through the right leg hit by grenade shrapnel and mustard gassed. He maintained that he got away lightly. The biggest wound stayed with him for life: the day he killed a young German of a similar age to himself begging for his life. As my grandad said "to the victor the spoils". No war crimes committed that day apparently.

    My grandad once returned to the front after leave to find only one man left alive in his platoon after a direct hit from a whizz bang shell. My grandad told me that some men would vomit and pee themselves before they went over the top and often said he couldn't go to hell as he had already been.

    Robert Hammond




    223463

    Pte. Thomas Bugden Royal West Kent Regiment

    My father Thomas Bugden served from 1914 to 1918 in the Royal West Kent Regiment In October 1914 they moved to India then transferred to the Jhansi Brigade In March 1916 they transferred to Rawalpindi Brigade. A year later in March 1917 they returned to the 5th (Mhow) Division. The battalion went to Mesopotamia in December 1917 and joined the 54th Brigade During his service in the Mesopotamia & Persia War Campaign they were attached to the Tigris Corps and involved action at the Fat-ha Gorge & little Zab River also the battle of Sharquat during October 1918, the division remained in Iraq until 1920.

    My Father never spoke to me regarding any of his time in the war.

    Jennifer Pomphrey




    223458

    QMS Herbert Gladstone Booth 1st East Lancashire Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd Dec 1914)

    <p>

    Herbert Booth died on the 2nd of December 1914, aged 31. He is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt, husband of Martha Ann Booth, of 9 Cairo St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    223457

    Trpr. Clive Arthur 3rd Btn. Imperial Camel Corps (d.24th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Clive Arthur died on the 24th of November 1917, aged 20 and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt. He was the son of Samuel Robert and Margaret Arthur and had been born at Lismore, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    223451

    Cpl. Elijah Waddilove MM. 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    Elijah Waddilove was my grandfather. He was the first son of Richard and Ann waddilove and lived in Beverly Street, Aston on Ribble, Preston. He was a serving soldier in barracks down south in the 1911 census and was the first to go to France wearing the star medal. I think he was also a dispatch rider. Grandad got the military medal for bravery in the field in 1916 as a corporal which was mentioned in a London paper.

    He went through the first war along with his brother Richard Waddilove and also his wife Lizzies brother, James Bromley, who lost a leg in battle. Grandad's brother Richard was prisoner of war during the conflict. His cousin who lived in the same street was also a soldier and he died and is buried in France. The article in the paper showed a photo of him age twenty six - it's hard to think of what he did for his country.

    My grandparents brought me up from birth. As a child I remember a German helmet and sword being in a cupboard at home in St. Peter's Street, Preston. I think he suffered a gas attack and remember him struggling to walk and breath in later years. He died in 1956. My grandad was the only father figure in my life. How I wish I could have told him how proud of him I was. Grandad must have had a sense of fun, at age six he told me ask the priest about Adam and Eve having two sons Cain and Abel and Cain slew his brother and went to the land of nod and took to himself a wife and I was to ask ask were he got his wife from. Of course I was told to shut up and sit down! My grandparents lost two sons and a daughter in the thirties - the boys would have been old enough to go to the second war had they lived. Grandad was the eldest of thirteen children most of who died at birth. He was a larger than life character I remember, who boxed for the army and played football in an article someone showed me.

    Tricia Kendrick




    223450

    Pte. Thomas Brown West Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1914)

    I have a picture of Thomas Brown but no medals. He has two brothers also with the West Yorkshire Regiment John C Brown and Arthur Brown (I have their medals and pictures.) Thomas is buried in Montcornet Military Cemetery and notation satates that he is the brother of John Brown, 1st Bn. I think that they should be linked together as one family did indeed lose three sons. I am not related only interested that recognition be provided to these men.

    Sharon Jackman




    223446

    Pte. Percy John Sweetingham 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.14th July 1918)

    My great granddad, Percy J Sweetingham served with the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He sadly died in 1918 on the 14th July. I was wondering if anyone knows anything else about him ie. his age, where he was sent, where he died, where he is buried etc. I'm researching for my dad.

    Alison Sweetingham




    223444

    Pte. Arthur Kember 111th Field Ambulance

    <p>

    Currently I have only limited information regarding my Grandfather Arthur Kember's army life, other than he served with 111th Field Ambulance as a Nursing Orderly attached to 16th (Irish) Division. He had a deep Christian conviction and started a branch of the Soldiers' Christian Association in 1918 - in later life he was to become a Baptist lay-preacher at Hawkinge Baptist Chapel, near Folkestone in Kent (this is now a private residence).

    He returned to the UK and subsequently married Dorothy Annie Goodwyn on 16th August 1922 at Baptist Tabernacle, Willesden, Middlesex. My eldest daughter now wears her great-grandmother's wedding ring.

    111th Field Ambulance

    Arthur [1914] with Jack who was killed on the the Somme

    Certificate of Demobilisation

    Dear Dorothy - Just to let you know I have got to Folkestone safely and expect to cross today. Would have liked to see you this morning but it is best otherwise. I feel very fed up just at present. Will write soon. Much Love Arthur

    Tim Rising




    223443

    Pte. Francis George Vie 8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.7th June 1915)

    Frank Vie was sent to France in April 1915 as a replacement for some of the casualties the Battalion had suffered during the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He was shot carrying out repair work to the trenches in Vierstraat and is buried in Ridgewood Military Cemetery. He was 19 and left a baby son and wife. His wife died a few years later leaving his son to be brought up by his wife's family.

    He was lost to us as a family for many years until my father found his grave in the 80's whilst researching the family tree.





    223438

    Pte. John William Boydon 11th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    John Boydon was my Grandfather. He survived the War, but was gassed on the 28th of May 1918 and taken to hospital across the border in France. He recovered and returned to the front line.

    Ian Boydon




    223436

    L/Cpl. David Crichton 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles (d.25th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    David Crichton enlisted at the outbreak of war, joining No. 7 Company, 5th Btn Scottish Rifles. He was later transferred to 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles, where he was a Lance Corporal. David was killed near Pozieres on 25th of March 1918 and is remembered on Pozieres Memorial.

    Iain Cox




    223435

    Pte. Thomas Fagan 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th Mar 1915)

    Thomas Fagan was married with two daughters when he joined the army. He died on 29 March 1915 and is buried at Ration Farm la Plus Douve annexe.





    223434

    Cpl. John Thomas Lomas 6th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.19th Oct 1915)

    John Lomas was killed in action and was laid to rest at Talana Farm Cemetary, Ypres.

    Steve Claydon




    223431

    Pte Fenwick Watson 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Sep 1915)

    Fenwick Watson was the son of Robert and Mary Watson of 16 Clement Houses, Annfield Plain, Co. Durham.

    Allison Hole




    223429

    Pte. Arthur Harris 2nd Btn. D Coy. Royal Scots Fusilliers

    Arthur Harris joined 9th Service Battalion, York and Lancs Regiment in 1914 (a Battalion is a unit made up of between 800 and 1000 men). His Regimental number was 14432. His medals record card shows he entered the "Flanders theatre of war" on 27th August 1915. This is the date of his arrival in Boulogne as a soldier of the 8th and 9th Service Battalion of the Y&L's to join the 23rd Division, a new army division, the so-called "Kitchener's New Army" or "K3" as it was officially designated. His unit established itself in the area around Tilques in France and subsequently was engaged in various actions on the Western Front.

    On 2nd July 1916 he was wounded in the leg by enemy machine-gun fire during the first or second day of the Battle of Albert, (the opening action in the Battle of the Somme). He was treated in the field at No 3 Casualty Clearing Station in Puchevillers, Pickardie and recuperated at No.9 Base Hospital on the racecourse at Rouen. In consequence of this and of the unit decimation and chaos of the Somme Offensive, he was transferred to D Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. This was his unit until his demobilisation at the end of the war. His Royal Scots Fusiliers service number was 43468.

    His rank was Private throughout his service. His discharge documents show both of his regimental service numbers and his military occupation at discharge as “Officer’s Servant” (Batman). His military commendation says “First-class shot", a thought-provoking compliment indeed . His Lt Col’s recommendation for employment says “Smart and Intelligent”.

    He was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1914/15 Star. The 1914/15 Star was awarded to all who served under fire in any theatre of war against Germany between 5th August 1914 and 31st December 1915, except for those eligible for the 1914 Star (the so-called Mons Star, awarded to those serving under fire during The retreat from Mons - 1914). These three service medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

    David Brown




    223428

    Gunner. Charles H. Field Royal Horse Artillery

    My great uncle Charles Field served in the Royal Horse Artillery. I cannot find his service record but have found out he was in '13 Conveslescent Depot' for Christmas 1918 so I assume he was wounded. He survived the war and ran a tobacconist shop in Stratford, East London. He died in Worthing in the 1970s.

    Lynne Abbott




    223426

    L/Cpl. Arthur Borrow 7th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment (d.24th Oct 1915)

    Arthur Borrow is remembered on the Loos Memorial in France.

    John Paul Critchley




    223425

    Lt. Harry Ormrod 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Lt Harry Ormrod died on the 1st of July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. He was 21 years old, and held a B.A. from Manchester University.

    Barry Ormrod




    223418

    Pte. Leonard Bate 1st Btn. D Coy Leicestershire Regiment

    Len Bate was posted to France in autumn of 1914. He was 26 years old. On 21st October, the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment arrived at the line near Armentieres to relieve the 1st Battalion West Yorks.

    Len, a member of D Company, was wounded and taken prisoner in the attack on the level crossing south of La Houssoie station on 25th October. He was to spend the next four years as a POW, initially at Cassel and from December 1916 at Langensalza.

    After the war he returned to his wife and daughter in Leicestershire, moved to Staffordshire, where his son was born in 1921, before immigrating to Ontario, Canada where he became a successful businessman and well known amateur artist. He made regular return visits to his family in Leicester until his death in 1971.

    Nicola Bate




    223413

    Pte. William Buntin Henderson 2nd Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.15th April 1917)

    <p>

    William Henderson died 15th April 1917, aged 27. He is commemorated on the Alexandria (Chatby) Memorial in Alexandria, Egypt. William was among reinforcements for Mesopotamia when the troop ship HT Cameronia was torpedoed and sunk 150 miles East of Malta. He was the son of Mr.& Mrs. John Henderson of 7 Forest Park Road, Dundee, Scotland.

    s flynn




    223412

    Cpl. Charles Fisher 2/24th Btn. London Regiment (d.29th May 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Fisher died on the 29th of May 1918 and is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial in the Alexandria Military and War Memorial, Alexandria, Egypt. Charles was drowned on the 29/05/1918 after troop ship Missir, crossing the Mediterranean, was hit by a torpedo fired by German submarine UB51.

    s flynn




    223411

    Pte. James William Broadley 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    James William Broadley died of enteric fever on 10th October 1915, aged 18 and buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. He was the son of Charles Henry and Lucy Broadley of Reins Cottage, Honley, Huddersfield. Born at Cleckheaton.

    s flynn




    223409

    Pte. Thomas Walter Hern 6th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.12th Dec 1917)

    Extracts from war diaries of 6th Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry from 9th-12th December 1917 states that "the line was held by posts in shell holes. There could be no movement by day, so all work, including patrolling, had to be carried out by night. Rain fell on the first day and made a great many of the shell holes muddy. Another battalion of the Brigade carried rations up. The men used Tommy cookers to heat their meals up. A number of men contracted Trench Feet, although strict precautions had been taken. Shelling was heavy throughout the tour, particularly about Passchendale ruins. Casualties during the tour were 3 killed, 21 wounded."

    One of those killed was Thomas Hern, my Great Uncle. A Grocer’s Warehouseman who was born in November 1892 in Sunderland, he had married Beatrice Heal in November 1915 in Sunderland prior to his departure but there were no children by that union.

    Paul Hern




    223408

    Sgt. Harold Lucas 10th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers

    My grandfather Harold Lucas served in the 10th Battalion KOSB and I have a 20 page photo album of his life with this group of men as well as a photo of the full battalion in amazing condition.

    Allan Sinclair




    223406

    Pte. Robert Crowe 8th Btn.

    Bob Crowe enlisted on the 28th of March 1915 in Fort William in the 52nd Battalion CEF Sailed for England on RMS Scandinavian, on the 17th of June attached to 52 Bn. he proceeded to France. He was transferred to 8th Bn and received a shrapnel wound to right hand at Ypres. He was sent to Boulogne then to Southern General Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham. After recovering he was taken on strength of the 8th Bn on the 21st of Nov 1916 Bob was awarded 1 good conduct stripe in the field on the 25th of June 17 and on the 12th of September 1917 he was attached to Can. Corps H.Q`for duty in the field, returning to his own battalion on the 25th of February 1918. On the 15th of November 1918 he was given 14 days leave. Bob was taken sick in February 1919 while on active service in Lesweffles, Belguim and was sick in lines for 3 days, his field medical card shows he was admitted to 50 CCS on 15th of March 19 where it was noted he had had trench fever in 1916 and is now dangerously ill. He was removed from dangerously ill list on the 19th of March and transferred to 32nd Can. General Hosp. in Kent, England on the 26th with a diagnosis chronic bronchitis an Bronchiectosis He was discharged from hospital on the 6th of June 19 and on the 17th was taken on strength at Withey from MRD. On the 16th of August he was taken on strength at the dispersal station and was discharged at No 10 sub depot Port Arthur Ontario on the 26th of August 1919.





    223405

    Rifleman. George Richard Daws 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My grandad George Daws volunteered at 15 yrs old by lying about his age. He was enlisted at Wood Green Middlesex on 21 August 1914. He trained at Borden Hants and finished training on 3rd March 1915 when he was sent to France.

    He lost an arm after being hit by a shell. He was taken to Le Treport hospital where the arm was amputated above the elbow. He was discharged on 20th of December 1918 at Winchester after serving 4 years 122 days.

    linda Collins




    223402

    Pte. Andrew Christopher Thompson 4th A.S. Coy. Australian Army Service Corps (d.13th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Andrew Thompson died of wounds on the 13th December 1915 age 19 and is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt, He was the son of W. D. and Rosetta Thompson of Kent St., Hawthorn, South Australia. Andrew was born at Nangkita.

    s flynn




    223401

    Pte. Archie Stacey 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.13th May 1915)

    <p>

    Archie Stacey died on the 13th May 1915, aged 24 and is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt.

    s flynn




    223400

    Pte. Hartley Rushton 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.15th July 1915)

    <p>

    Hartley Rushton died 15th July 1915 and is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt.

    s flynn




    223399

    2nd Lt. Edward Roland Egan 2nd Btn. (d.14th Aug 1915)

    Edward Egan died on the 14th of August 1915 and is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. He was the son of Thomas and Sarah Ann Egan, of Kempsey, New South Wales. Born at Tenterfield, New South Wales

    s flynn




    223398

    L/Cpl. Richard Eddlestone 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1915)

    Richard Eddlestone died on the 13th November 1915, aged 21 and is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt.

    s flynn




    223397

    Pte. Joseph Hilton Cumberland 2nd Btn. (d.5th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Cumberland died of wounds received at Gallipoli on the 5th May 1915, aged 21 and is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial, Alexandria, Egypt. He was the brother of Oliver who is buried at Lone Pine Cemetery, Anzac and son of the late George A. and Sarah Cumberland. Joseph was born at Scone, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    223396

    Pte. John Burke 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.26th Aug 1915)

    John Burke died on the 26th of August 1915 age 35 and is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. He was the son of Patrick and Mary Burke. Born at Burnley. He formerly lived at 3 Shaw Street, later in South Africa.

    s flynn




    223395

    Pte. Walter Burgin 2nd Btn. (d.21st May 1915)

    Walter Burgin died on the 21st of May 1915 and is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt.

    s flynn




    223393

    Pte. Walter Hewkin 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.10th June 1917)

    Walter Hewkin was killed in action 10th June 1917. He has no known grave, but is commemorated on Menin Gate Memorial.

    David J Hewkin




    223389

    Pte. Freddy Fox 1st Btn York and Lancaster Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1915)

    Freddie Fox originally joined the Territorials on the 12th June 1910 but re-enlisted in the regular army with the 4th (Hallamshire) Battalion Yorks & Lancs Regiment on the 23rd August 1911. He lied about his age on enlistment saying he was 18yrs 11m when he was 1 year younger. He was single and lived with his parents. He went to India from 4th March 1913 and on 28th July 1913 he had received 10 days Confined to Barracks for having a rusty rifle bolt. He returned to England on the 18th November 1914.

    Freddie was home for 57 days and then on 15th January 1915 he was sent to France with the 1st Btn Y&L. On 12th March 1915 he suffered frost bite. He was reported missing in action on 23rd April 1915, later presumed dead. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Freddie had an older brother, Albert, killed in action on 1st July 1916 when serving with the 9th KOYLI, his name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    F Cooper




    223386

    Pte. Walter Hopwood 2/5th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Walter Hopwood joined the British Army on 20th of September 1916. After being shipped to the Western Front in France, he was assigned duty in Belgium near Poelcappelle until his unit was pulled back to the trenches west of St. Quentin, where the British forces were defending the front lines. He was captured by the German Army on 21st of March 1918 somewhere west of St. Quentin, France during the German Spring Offensive named Operation Michael. During the day of his capture, he suffered from inhaling liquid flame, which burned his lungs and made breathing difficult for the remaining portion of his life. After the end of World War I, Walter returned home to Salford, UK and lived until June 1937.

    Barry LeBaron




    223385

    Pte Murdoch Gillies 10th Btn Unit 2, Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My grandfather Murdoch Gillies was born in Dundee 12/10/1882 and died in the same city on 24th Sep 1965. He was married for 58 years to Helen (Nellie) McDonald. They had 7 children between 1908 and 1925 the youngest of whom was my dad George McDonald Gillies. My grandfather was a master baker and confectioner when he was young before working in the jute industry.

    Audrey Batchelor




    223384

    2nd Lt. Albert Edward Lester MC 13th Btn. London Regiment (d.8th May 1918)

    My great uncle 2nd Lt Albert Edward Lester was killed in action near Neuville Vitasse on 8th May 1918 and awarded the military cross. His medal record has him first serving in Egypt from August 1915.

    James Lester




    223381

    Sgt John Hallam MM 13th Btn East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    John Hallam was the fourth son of Frederick and Fanny Hallam to be killed. He won the Military Medal for bravery I believe on 1st July 1916 but would like to know more.

    Lucille Chesterton




    223379

    Cpl. William John Lakey 1st Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.3rd Sept 1916)

    William John Lakey, 1st Battn Royal Welch Fusiliers, was the brother of my paternal grandmother. He was killed on the 3rd Sept 1916, the first day of the battle of the Somme at Delville wood. He was a Corporal, acting Sergeant and just six days short of celebrating his 21st birthday. His body was never found and his name is on the Thiepval Memorial.





    223378

    Pte. Laurence McCarthy 49th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.16th Oct 1918)

    Laurence McCarthy died in hospital in France from wounds received in battle on the 16th October 1918. His brother died from illness in a German prisoner of war camp on the 25 of August 1918.

    John Hornibrook




    223377

    Sgt. John Donaldson 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.8th July 1916)

    <p>

    Sergeant John Donaldson, was my great uncle, who worked in the local railway yards. He enlisted in 1914, and embarked on 25th August 1915 for France. John was killed in action on 8th July 1916 attacking Bailiff Wood, near Contalmasion. Sadly, his body was never recovered and is remembered on Thiepval Memorial.

    Kevin Donaldson




    223375

    Pte. Arthur Wilson 22nd (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Wilson died in mysterious circumstances the day before his battalion was due to be sent to France. He was killed by a gunshot wound to his abdomen on 7th of January 1916 aged 25

    Arthur

    The Wilsons




    223374

    Guardsman Robert Fyfe Geddes Scots Guards

    Robert Fyfe Geddes was born 30 March 1891 in the civil parish of Auchenblae, Kincardineshire. His mother was Jessie Geddes and his father is not known.

    On 17 May 1915, at age 24, Robert Fyfe Geddes enlisted in the Scots Regiment of Foot Guards (Scots Guards). Up to the time of enlistment, he had been employed at Glengall Asylum in Ayrshire as an attendant.

    His WWI pension file shows that he was admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound in his left arm on 13 October 1916, and was discharged back to active duty. He was gassed on 14 September 1918 and admitted to hospital in Boulogne, France for treatment. He was evacuated to the UK in November 1918 and spent time in Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, which had originally been a workhouse. Robert’s Medal Index Card and the UK, WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920 show his rank of Guardsman with the Scots Guards and that he was entitled to the Victory Medal and British Medal.

    After calling of the banns, Robert Fyfe Geddes married Annie Young on 05 February 1918 in Berryhill Toll, Civil Parish of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. The marriage registration shows that Annie Young was born c. 1888, the daughter of Archibald Young, road surfaceman, and Annie Walker. Annie Young’s occupation on the marriage registration was “nurse”. Robert Fyfe Geddes and Annie Young had one daughter, Lily Young Geddes, born c. 1922.

    Robert Fyfe Geddes died in 1971 in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire.

    Patsy Javor




    223373

    CCpl. George "Dod" Heron 2/5th Battallion Gordon Highlanders (d.20 November 1917)

    George Heron, was born 01 August 1895 at Minnes, Foveran Parish, Aberdeenshire. He was known to the family as “Dod”.

    In October 1914, he enlisted in the 2/5th Battallion of the Gordon Highlanders likely as a result of a recruitment concert held Tuesday, October 20, 1914 at Ellon. George embarked for France on 21 August 1915, according to the UK, WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls for the Gordon Highlanders Regiment.

    The Casualty List of the 1st/5th Gordon Highlanders indicates heavy losses were incurred on the Somme in the advance on Wood Lane, which was part of the attack on High Wood on July 30, 1916. High Wood was the largest battle in which the Battalion had been engaged up to that point. The Casualty List includes Private George Heron as one of the wounded. Both the Buchan Observer and Aberdeen Daily Journal newspapers reported on August 7, 1916 that “Intimation was received on Saturday [August 4] by Mr. & Mrs. Heron, Clochtow [Farm], Slains, that their son has been wounded in the recent fighting. Private Heron was in the ‘Terriers’ and was mobilized at the outbreak of war.”

    George recovered from his wounds, returned to active duty and at some point after August 16, 1916, was promoted to Corporal. Sadly, George was killed in action on 20 November 1917 in France, age 22.

    George’s remains had been difficult to identify because he fell in the same spot as several other Gordon Highlanders. Initially, George and six other Gordon Highlanders had been buried in Orival Wood British Cemetery, Flesquieres, France, in graves marked by crosses and identified simply as “unknown British soldier”. However, in 1930 George and the other six previously-unknown Gordons were exhumed for possible identification. They were ultimately identifiable through their kilt/khakis, boots and blankets. Additionally, the authorities were able to identify George specifically by dental records, because in 1930, his military service record including dental records would still have existed (a majority of UK military service records from all conflicts were destroyed when the War Office was bombed in the blitz in WWII). George’s dentition was described in the Exhumation Report as extremely poor – he had no upper teeth at all and his lower teeth were in poor condition – only 3 intact teeth!! Additional information gained from the Exhumation Report was that George’s hair was light brown and he was described as “well-developed”, wore size 9 boots and stood 5’7” to 5’8” tall.

    All seven previously-unidentified Gordon Highlanders were eventually identified and were reburied in individual graves with Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission headstones of Portland limestone personalized with their rank, name and service #, as well as the Gordon Highlanders’ regimental motto “Bydand” as well as a cross. George’s father, James Gilbert Heron, given the opportunity to provide wording for any personal inscription the family might want on the headstone, chose the inscription “Ever Remembered” which can be seen near the bottom of George’s headstone.

    Interestingly, the superscription on his headstone in Orival Wood cemetery in France says “Buried near this spot”. This superscription indicates that either the soldier’s remains weren’t identifiable at all or they were identified collectively but not individually. My guess is that there are likely only partial remains in George’s grave.

    His parents, James Gilbert Heron and Maggie Foreman, included George’s name on the Heron family headstone in Ellon Kirkyard in Aberdeenshire, with the subscription “He died that we might live”.

    George’s Medal Index card shows he was awarded both the British War and Victory medals. He was also awarded the 1914-1915 Star, to which he was entitled because he served in France, entering that theatre of war on August 21, 1915.

    According to the UK Army Soldiers’ Effects Registers, my great-grandfather, James Heron, received the balance of George’s outstanding Army pay in March 1918 amounting to £13 1s 3d. A further £15 was paid in November 1919 representing the War Gratuity paid to the legatees of soldiers who had died.

    Patsy Javor




    223371

    James Stewart 12th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.12th July 1917)

    My Great Uncle James Stewart was killed in action at Ypres on the 12th of July 1917 whilst serving with the 12th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

    Tim Stewart




    223370

    Pte. Thomas Mooney 6th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Thomas Mooney 4682 of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who lived at 21 Fahan Street, Derry and was married to Bridget Bonner of the same address was killed in action in the Balkans. His officer wrote to his widow Bridget "He gallantly stayed at his machine gun until his officers and comrades where safe."

    Michael Campbell




    223369

    Pte. Arnold Evans 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    My Grandfather Arnold Evans enlisted on the 14th of November 1914 as Private 20159 along with the following:-

    • 20160 Pte. Albert G Whitlock
    • 20162 Pte. Leonard Benson
    • 20164 Pte. John Brown
    • 20165 Pte. William Strong
    • 20166 Pte. John B Turnbull
    • 20167 Pte. George Collins
    • 20169 Pte. Wilfred Laine
    • 20170 Pte. William Greenfield
    • 20171 Pte. Herbert E.L Bridger

    Myra Mason




    223368

    Pte. Lewis Heron 4th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    Lewis Heron, son of James Gilbert Heron and Maggie Foreman, was born 25 January 1897 in Slains Parish, Aberdeenshire. Prior to joining the Army, he was in the service of Mr. William Bruce, dairyman, Cassiegills, Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

    He served in the First World War initially with the 4th Gordon Highlanders. According to the UK, WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920, he embarked for France on 4 September 1915. He was wounded very shortly after embarking for France in October 1915; the Aberdeen Journal carried a brief item on Friday, 15 October 1915, page 3 which stated that his parents had received notification that "Pte. Lewis Heron 4th Gordon Highlanders has been wounded in the recent severe fighting." Lewis was subsequently transferred to the Labour Corps. He survived the war and was awarded the 1914-15 Star as well as the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    After the war, he became a police constable in Bishopbriggs, Argyle. Lewis married Elizabeth McPherson, daughter of Peter McPherson (fisherman) and Elizabeth Gillespie (deceased) on 17 November 1922 at Loch Fyne, District of Tarbert, Argyll. Lewis died in 1966.

    Patsy Javor




    223367

    Pte. George Henry Hitchen 15th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    My Great Uncle George Henry Hitchen was killed going over the top, unfortunately I cannot find him commemorated on any war memorial in Leeds.

    Dean Marshall




    223366

    Pte. Thomas William Carter Girling 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.1st July 1916)

    Bugler Thomas William Carter Girling was born in January 1888 in Ipswich, Suffolk, he died on 1st of July 1916 on the Somme.

    Jacqui




    223363

    Pte. Elijah Jane 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.20th Aug 1917)

    Elijah Jane died on the 20th of Aug 1917 aged 37, he was a private with 19 Battalion DLI, he was buried in Villers Faucon Communal Cemetery

    Brian Jane




    223361

    Drvr. Thomas William Boak 29th Res Park Army Service Corps (d.22nd August 1915)

    Thomas Boak died on the 22nd of August 1915 age 36 and is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. He was the husband of B. Boak of 70 Calder Vale Rd., Burnley. Thomas was born in Penrith.

    s flynn




    223360

    Pte. James Robert Blakey 1st Btn. (d.2nd May 1915)

    <p>

    James Blakey died of wounds on the 2nd of May 1915 age 23 and is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. He was the son of John Henry and Margaret Ann Blakey of 17 Hollingreave Rd., Burnley, England.

    s flynn




    223359

    Pte. James Anyon 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.6th March 1916)

    <p>

    James Anyon died of wounds on the 6th March 1916 age 26 and is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt.

    s flynn




    223356

    L/Cpl. Valentine Sullock Aveline Tardif 15th (Civil Service Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    My Great Uncle Valentine Sullock Aveline Tardif was featured in the TV series Not Forgotten. I am named after him. He was killed in the Battle of Flers - Courcelette in the attack for Highwood. He was 19 years of age. He was also a 17th of March man (the day the Battalion landed in France Le Havre)

    Aveline Moore




    223355

    Pte. John Doherty 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.21st Jan 1916)

    John Doherty was born in Derry, Co. Derry in Ireland in 1884. His parents were called Manasses and Sarah Doherty. Manasses was the brother of my great grandfather, Constantine, who was a successful shirt maker until his death in 1911. Manasses did not get involved in the shirt making business but was a typographer for the Derry Journal. John was also learning this trade before he enlisted.

    According to family history, Manasses was not keen on the idea of John enlisting because Manasses was a staunch Nationalist and saw John's enlistment as essentially taking the side of the British in what would eventually prove to be a brutal conflict between the Irish and the British during - and a long time after - the First World War. However, John went anyway.

    To my knowledge, John fought at the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Loos, which is where he died. Family legend has it that a piece of shrapnel hit him in the head and this is what killed him. What saddens me the most about John's story is not that he died in the war (although that is very sad) but his father's reaction upon hearing the news. Apparently, when he received the telegram informing him of his son's death, he tore it up, placed it in the fire and ordered the rest of the family never to speak of him again. Shortly after that, he passed away as well so it was left to John's mother, Sarah, to pick up John's belongings and sign all the paper work.

    It is easy to say - but no less true because of this - that men like John showed extraordinary courage in signing up for, and fighting in, what has to be the bloodiest war in history. But I think John was a little more than the average because, despite his father's wishes, he still did what he believed to be right and that takes a form of courage all of its own.

    Kerry McDaid




    223354

    Pte Robert "Little Bob" Thrower 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Little Bob, Robert Thrower was my 2x great Uncle - the brother of my Great Gran Maggie Bayston. He is memorialised at St James' Church, Sutton on Hull War memorial. Bob was born in 1886 in Thorngumbald, East Riding of Yorkshire. The family don't know why he ended up in the Seaforth Highlanders when his cousins all joined the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was known to the family as Little Bob as his father was also Bob Thrower.

    He died on Saturday 25th September 1915 during the first day of the battle for Loos. I recall my Great Gran had a letter that explained that Little Bob died under heavy enemy machine gun fire as his company "gloriously relieved the village of Loos".

    I'd be delighted to hear from anyone with additional information.

    Andy Oddy




    223353

    2nd Lt. George Wilfred Berry 5th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Aug 1917)

    2nd Lt George Wilfred Berry, known as Wilfred in the family, was a member of 5th Btn Durham Light Infantry. In 1917 he was attached to the 19th Btn DLI and was was killed leading his platoon in a counter attack on 25th of Aug 1917. An account of the action including his death is included in John Sheen's book the Durham Pals (pages 185-186). We do not know whether he arrived in France with the 5th Bn in 1915.

    Tim Robinson




    223352

    Pte. William Robinson Bailey 6th Btn. Dublin Fusiliers (d.20th March 1916)

    <p>

    William Bailey died of dysentery on the 20th of March 1916 whilst held as a P.O.W. He is buried in the Sofia War Cemetery in Bulgaria. He lived at 6 Scott Lane end, Chorley, and formerly at 72 Rumley Road, Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    223351

    Sgt. Harry Harrison 8th Btn. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire L.I. (d.19th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Harrisondied of pneumonia on the 19th of November 1918, aged 28. He is buried in the Plovdiv Central Cemetery in Bulgaria.

    s flynn




    223349

    Lt. Daniel Martin Taylor 7th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). (d.28th June 1915)

    <p>

    Daniel Taylor died on the 28th June 1915, aged 20 and is commemorated on the Sp. Mem. C.372 in the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of John E. Taylor of 19 Newlands Rd., Newlands, Glasgow.

    s flynn




    223348

    Pte. Herbert Hughes 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.4th June 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Hughes died on the 4th June 1915, aged 26 and is commemorated on the Sp. Mem. C.85 in the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223347

    Pte. James Hazeldine Canterbury Regiment (d.10th May 1915)

    <p>

    James Hazeldine died on the 10th of May 1915 and is commemorated on the Commemorated on the New Zealand Memorial in the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hazeldine, of Brunnerton, Greymouth.

    s flynn




    223346

    Sgt. William Hale 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.12th December 1915)

    <p>

    William Hale died on the 12th December 1915, aged 18 and is commemorated on Sp. Mem. C.104 in the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223345

    Pte. William Irvine Dyce 5th Btn. Royal Scots (d.18th June 1915)

    <p>

    William Dyce died on the 18th of June 1915, aged 19. He is buried in the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223344

    L/Cpl. Clarence Cryer 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.18th December 1915)

    <p>

    Clarence Cryer died on the 18th December 1915, aged 29 and is commemorated on Sp. Mem. B.72 in the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223343

    Pte. John Costello 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th June 1915)

    <p>

    John Costello died on the 4th of June 1915, aged 19 and is commemorated on Sp. Mem. B.18 in the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223342

    Pte. John Robert Cawtherley 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.13th June 1915)

    <p>

    John Cawtherley died on the 13th of June 1915, aged 35 and is buried in the Twelve Tree Copse cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223340

    Pte. Walter Cecil Jenkins 2nd Btn Scots Fusiliers (d.30th June 1916)

    <p>

    Walter Jenkins was born in Reigate in 1896 and was baptised on 19 July 1896 at St Phillips Church, Nutley Lane, Reigate. He was the son of Walter and Fanny Jane (nee Bryant) Jenkins. In 1901 they were living at 6 Nutley Lane Reigate, and in 1911 they had moved to Clyde Cottages, New North Road, South Park, Reigate.

    Walter enlisted at Guildford Surrey into the Scots Fusilier’s 2nd Battalion, Service No 16863. He first went to France on 30 July 1915. He was killed in action on 30 July 1916, probably at the Battle of the Somme, his body was never found. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and was awarded the 1915 star, British and Victory Medals

    From Surrey Mirror dated 1 June 1917: "Pte. Walter Cecil Jenkins Royal Scots Fusiliers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins of South Park, reported missing on 30 July 1916, is now reported killed on that date. He started his career at Dale’s Nursery Reigate, from whence he went to Hethersett Gardens and upper Gatton Park and later to Cobham. He made rapid advance as a gardener, and before he was 18 years of age went to a good berth in Belgium in the early part of 1914. He escaped from Belgium at Christmas in that year, after some exciting experiences, and it was with great joy to all his friends when he suddenly turned up, as nothing but one post card had been received from him since the outbreak of war. He had a fortnight’s holiday, and joined up in the Royal Scots Fusiliers. After six months training in Scotland he went to France in July 1915. Having been wounded in the ankle by Shrapnel, he was three months in hospital, and went out again in March 1916. In the following July he was in the big push, and was then as stated above reported missing. Now the news has arrived that he was killed. He was only 20 years of age, and had given promise of considerable success in life."

    Jim Isard




    223339

    Pte. Samuel Kewley 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    <p>Con Camp, Egypt 1916

    Samuel Kewley was the son of Thomas Henry Kewley and Mary (nee Brown). He was one of six serving brothers, two of whom unfortunately died in the war. Samuel Kewley enlisted in the South Lancashire Regiment at Seaforth on January 9th 1915 and served in Gallipoli and Egypt. He also spent some time in India in a hospital. Due to sickness, Samuel Kewley was discharged on August 16th 1917.

    Helen Wyatt




    223335

    Pte. John Bevan 16th (2nd Salford Pals) Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.3rd Apr 1918)

    I have only just found out about my family member John Bevan. He was only 19 when he was killed in France and although my family did have a photo of him (now lost) on the sideboard, no one wanted to talk too much about him. Thanks to the Salford War Memorials Group I now can pass on John's story to the rest of my family.

    Carolyn Giles




    223333

    L/Cpl. Edward Wolstencroft MM. 22nd Battalion, C Company, XII Platoon Manchester Regiment (d.14th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Wolstencroft was born on Tuesday 10th December 1895 in Bradford, East Manchester, son to Edward Wolstencroft and Sarah Ann (previously Hynes). He was the fourth oldest of ten children, seven girls and 3 boys, Mary, Sarah Ann, Ellen, Margaret, Esther, Christopher, William, Cecilia and Winifred. Living at 15 Loftus Street, Bradford until he was two years of age, he was baptised on 1st January 1896 at Brigids Roman Catholic Church, Bradford, Manchester.

    Edward being single lived with his family at various addresses in Bradford, Manchester. In the 1911 Census, he was living at 3 Moody St, Bradford with his parents and working as a labourer in an Iron Foundary. During 1911 - 1914 the family moved to 14 Lime Street, which was to be Edwards last home. He appears to have been employed at Ashburys Carriage Co. He probably began is employment here as Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Company was based in Openshaw and provided railway carriage, wagon and tram cars, therefore could have been classed as an iron foundary in 1911. He was also a member of St Brigids Social Club.

    The First World War broke out in August 1914 and Edward joined the 7th City Battalion just after 4th December, though as his records were bombed in WWII, the exact date in not know. The City Battalions were 'Pals' units, formed by the workers of Manchester so that they could serve together. He was given the service number 21070. This unit became the 22nd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment and Edward was assigned to XII Platoon in C Company. His Platoon Commander was Orric Knudsen, whose medals at in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment collection in the Town Hall, Ashton Under Lyne.

    The 22nd Battalion moved to Heaton Park in Manchester, then to Morecambe on the Lancashire coast in December 1914, and then to Belton Park near Grantham in Lincolnshire during April 1915. Next month they were at Larkhill in Wiltshire. They were based here until the 11th November when they sailed to France.

    We don't know much about Edward's time in France. The 22nd Battalion served around Mametz near Fricourt during early 1916. They took part in the Somme Offensive which began on the 1st July, and attacked Mametz on the first day. They then served on the Somme until the Offensive ended in November, and fought in the Battle of Arras just after Edwards death during April 1917.

    The Manchester Evening News reported "Honours for Local Heroes" on 10th August 1916 informing us that he had been awarded the Military Medal. His citation was in the London Gazette on 8th August 1916, supplement 29701, page 7891.

    Shortly after the end of the war the National Publishing Company began an attempt to print a roll covering every man who had served in the First World War. They invited veterans or their families to send a short account of his or her service, for a fee. Not all veterans took up this offer, and the details they included were not checked for accuracy. Presumably Edward's parents sent this biography to the Company. It was published in Manchester, page 412 of the National Roll of the Great War: "After volunteering in December 1914, he was drafted to the Western Front, where he played a prominent part in the Battles of the Somme and other battles."

    Ellen Rowan, Edwards younger sister told family stories saying that her brother was wounded, returned home and then returned to fight, only to be shot by a sniper where he fell and died. She always said he was buried in the Poppy Fields, which was true. Edward is listed in the Military's full casualty list as being wounded 24th June 1916, however there is no more information.

    During the early nineties, Carol Baguley (nee Lowe), Edwards great niece was researching the family tree, when she came across the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site, it was here that the journey into his life and bravery began. Carol then visited his niece Joan (Edwards sister Cecilia's daughter) and was given information regarding his bravery and shown his 1914-15 Star medal with a photograph that the family presumed was Edward. After many months of searching, the article in the Manchester Evening news was found, which had the same photograph that the family had kept all these years.

    Edward was not only awarded the 1915-15 Star but also Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. On 14th March 1917 the 21st and 22nd Battalions of the Manchester Regiment fought to take Bucquoy, it was probably during this action that Edward was killed. On that day the 22nd Battalion had almost 150 casualties either killed or wounded.

    A letter was sent to Edward & Sara Wolstencroft on 6th April 1921 as below; "I am directed to transmit to you the accompanying British War Medal and Victory Medal which would have been conferred upon No 21070 Pte E Wolstencroft, Manchester Regiment had he lived, in memory of his services with the British Forces during the Great War. "In forwarding the Decoration I am commanded by the King to assure you of His Majesty's high appreciation of the services rendered."

    Edward & Sarah then received another letter dated 14th April 1917 to inform them of their sons death with a form stating as below; "Edward Wolstencroft 22nd Batallion died 14/03/1917, killed in Action. Theatre of War: France and Flanders. MM, Rank: L/CPL No: 21070."

    Carol Baguley




    223332

    Sgt. William John Gardiner East Yorkshire Regiment

    My father was William John Gardiner, 1894-1941, East Yorks Regiment and his number was 9408. I have his tag. He was a bandsman. His father, William John Wentworth Gardiner, also know as ‘Buck Taylor’ also served as a bandsman in the East Yorks from sometime in the 1890s till 1913. My father was born in Preston Barracks in 1894 where his father was serving. He was educated for at least six years in an Army school in India. In his final exam at 14 he was rated ‘Exemplary’. I believe he joined up as drummer boy bandsman at age 15.

    In 1914 the Second Battalion was in India, and the First Battalion did not go to France till late September. I am curious therefore how it was my father went to France on 28th August 1914. My guess is that he was at Kneller Hall when war broke out and was sent to France with another regiment, perhaps the Royal Warwicks.

    He kept a diary for six weeks, but I do not know where it is. My recollection from reading it when I was very young is that he was in the Retreat from Mons and my recollection is that he told me there were 50 men left in his battalion at the end of the retreat. In the course of his battles he lost the tip of his left thumb and that impaired his virtuosity as a flautist which had been word class. Having had a typically thorough army training he could play any instrument except the harp and the piano, could compose, arrange and conduct.

    He was in the Army of occupation in Germany in 1919. He and some chums were in a German Bierkeller with some German officers who had Iron Crosses. The Brits offered to buy the crosses and when that was refused, they took them. My father was, I believe, court martialled, reduced from Sergeant to Private and probably dismissed from the service.

    In 1920 he took a job in the Birmingham Small Arms factory in Armoury Road, Birmingham where his father was a warder. For eleven years he also played in the evenings in the orchestra of the Alexandra Theatre, and occasionally conducted it as well as other bands and orchestras. As he was exceptionally clever, he had great success at BSA, and when BSA started making guns again after a lapse of 17 years he was put in charge of the Material Order Department, with a staff of 279. The BSA Group comprised 28 factories, employing 30,000 people, and it was given charge of another 39 factories. He was part of the team which set up production of the Browning Gun. The parts for the Bren Gun were made at a BSA factory but assembled at the government factory at Enfield. One of the Czech technicians who came over from Brno gave me some Czech coins. In the 1930s he was Secretary of the Birmingham Branch of the ‘Old Contemptibles’ and I met many veterans of the BEF. Unfortunately, I my memory may gave confused their stories with my father’s.

    On 19th November, 1940, his birthday, he was fire watching at the Armoury Road factory when it was badly hit, and the barrel mill, the only one in Britain, was destroyed. 53 people died. It was Birmingham’s fiftieth raid, I understand. My school was in the middle of a large concentration of war industries and it was damaged enough to make it unusable for a while. Another big raid followed on 21st November. The raids lasted 12 hours and I remember coming out of the shelter to see the huge glow in the sky to the North. The centre of Birmingham was ablaze. We had been in the shelter all night on 15th November too as the bombers which raided Coventry seemed to be returning over our heads. We could see the glow of their fires. No doubt the Luftwaffe was targeting the factories which made machine tools, Alfred Herbert in Coventry and BSA in Birmingham, and that important barrel mill. Luckily they used many delayed action bombs which very brave people defused. Otherwise the war would have been over, according to the BSA historian.

    Bill Gardiner joined the Home Guard when it was formed and then switched to the Air Training Corps in which he was given the rank of Pilot Officer. Although only eleven I was allowed to take part in some ATC activities. In 1941 he was made manager of the BSA factory at Redditch where 2,000 workers made the Besa Gun. The stress of the rearmament programme made him smoke too much. That had dire consequence and on June 26th 1941 he died of post operative pneumonia. He was given a full military funeral. He lived long enough to learn that Hitler had invaded Russia and his response to the news was, ‘At last we stand a chance.’

    Bill Gardiner was reckoned to be the cleverest of all BSA’s 30,000 workers.

    Geoffrey W Gardiner




    223330

    Pte. James Robert Bullock 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.22nd Nov 1915)

    <p>

    James Bullock died on the 22nd November 1915, aged 32. He is commemorated on Sp. Mem. A. 12 in the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223329

    Lt. John Bolton 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.4th June 1915)

    <p>

    John Bolton died on the 4th June 1915, aged 26 and is commemorated on the Sp. Mem. A.67 in the Twelve Tree Copse, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Henry Hargreaves Bolton and Florence Eliza Bolton, of "Heightside," Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay and lived at Rossendale.

    s flynn




    223328

    Pte. James Arthur Smith 10th (Service) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd July 1916)

    James Smith served with the 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, I am still researching his time in the army. His brother George also went missing in action in WW1. Younger brother Clifford is my grandfather who served in the Merchant Navy in WW1 and Royal Navy in WW2.

    Simon Hillman




    223327

    Pte. Alfred Woodworth Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Alfred Woodworth, brother of Arthur and William was born in Shepton Mallet in 1893 and moved to Bristol with his family in 1899. As a youngster he had joined the 6th Battalion Gloucester Territorials and was at summer camp in Swanage in 1910. However at 17 he joined the Merchant Navy, firstly sailing on the SS Clio, a Dutch freighter out of Rotterdam and then on the SS Mary Anne. A story he later told to his daughter was of the time that a voyage was diverted and set sail to look for survivors of the Titanic disaster in 1912. A year later, Alfred was working on the Elders and Fyffes Banana Boats between Avonmouth and Jamaica. They also delivered mail and carried passengers. Alfred sent back many post cards to his mother Eliza Woodworth detailing his travels to Jamaica, Egypt, Canada, South Africa, Ireland, Jordan and Jerusalem. He also collected a number of tattoos! A post card from Canada reported rough seas all the way.

    In 1915 at 21 years of age, height 5ft 7" and a girth of thirty six and a half inches, Alfred enlisted to the Army Reserve as a Private. His occupation was given as a Steam Wagon Driver, as he had been working for builders and Government contractors 'Wort and Way' of Salisbury. Eight months later after training he was mobilised as a Gunner in the Heavy and Siege Royal Garrison Artillery. The RGA fired the most powerful guns in the British Army.

    On leave in 1916 Alfred married my Grand Mother Gladys Evelyn Beeston in Long Eaton, Derbyshire and Gladys then moved to the Woodworth family home in Stacey Street, Bedminster in Bristol. After the marriage Alfred was posted with a Mountain Battery to fight against the Bulgarians in the campaign in Salonika. While he was there he contracted malaria. He also got fined 15 days pay and was strapped to the gun barrel for being drunk on duty!

    At the beginning of 1918 the Allied troops were prepared for a major offensive intended to end the war in the Balkans. Just before the Armistice Alfred was involved in the Palestine campaign

    He also later saw action in Alexandra in 1919 where by the end of the first world war the Egyptian people had demanded their independence from Britain. He left there for Dover on the 3rd September 1919 and requested to leave the army. He demobilised on the 27th September 1919 and his discharge character included temperate, sobriety, reliable and intelligent! He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

    I was only 5 when Grand Dad passed away but I know he did struggle after the 1st World War and reportedly drank a lot. He worked hard all his life and said little about his war time experiences and he had very little to do with his two brothers Arthur and William.

    Simon Bennett




    223326

    Pte. William "Woody" Woodworth 6th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Uncle William “Woody” Woodworth the son of William and Elizabeth was baptised at St Peters and Paul’s church, Shepton Mallet 7 days before the Christmas of 1896. At the age of 4, Woody and his family moved to Bristol and settled in No 16 Stacey Street, Southville. The 1911 census reports Woody’s trade as an errand boy.

    With the threat of the First World War, Woody would follow in the military footsteps of his brothers Arthur and Alfred and enlist to fight for King and Country. He joined the 6th battalion of the Gloucestershire regiment in 1915, his number being TF4875. This was a pre-war territorial battalion that was recruiting mainly from the Bristol area and the south. This battalion split at the start of the war and Woody spent many months training before finally arriving in France with the 2/6th in the early summer of 1916.

    Woody sent and received many post cards during his active service and seemed to be very popular with the ladies! In France his unit suffered many casualties at the attack on Fromelles. The battalion diary recorded “men were practically blown back as they went over the parapet by machine guns and shrapnel”. Woody was wounded in August 1916 at Laventie and was sent back to England to recuperate.

    In early 1917, Woody re-joined a reserve battalion (266691) at Catterick, which took in recovering wounded soldiers before they were sent out to the front again. An old post card sent at Christmas 1917, shows Woody back in France fighting with the Glorious Glosters. In the spring of 1918, his battalion was in position around Fresnoy in preparation for the German offensive. It was during that offensive that he would be injured for a second time, this time much more severely that would lead to him losing his left leg.

    Cossham hospital in Bristol became his home from March 1918 for 4 months, later transferring to the Royal Pavilion military hospital in Brighton before arriving back in Bristol in 1919. Woody was presented with the silver war badge given to injured servicemen. The loss of his left leg had a major impact on his life and in 1924 the Bristol Bench imposed a £5 fine or a month’s imprisonment on Woody, after he was charged with improper conduct on several different occasions in the presence of young women. Woody died in Weston Super Mare aged 67 in 1964.

    Simon Bennett




    223325

    Arthur William Woodworth (d.24th Nov 1940)

    While carrying out some family history research, I came across an interesting and rather unfortunate story about my great uncle, Arthur Woodworth, during the Bristol bombing in 1940. Firstly, however, I would like to give you some background information on Arthur so you can set a picture of what he had done in his life before 1940.

    Arthur Woodworth was born in Shepton Mallet, Somerset on the 16th November 1884. He moved to Hotwells, Bristol with his family before the turn of the century as his father William had a job as a Steam Cane driver at Bristol Docks. Unfortunately, at 14 years of age Arthur and his father William got into some trouble stealing bicycles and Arthur was convicted on the 2nd May 1899 and sentenced at the Petty Sessional Court Bridewell to 4 years and 6 months as an inmate of the Kingswood Reformatory School. The School was for boys convicted of criminal practices for sentences of 3 years or more. The crime was reported in the Bristol Mercury. William Woodworth got two months hard labour at Horfield Prison for his involvement.

    The Bristol Mercury 1899: "On the entry to the reformatory school, Arthur was described as living at number 6 Little Caroline Row in Hotwells, his education was poor and his character indifferent. He was 5ft 2inches tall with brown hair, of medium build and with a fair complexion." The Superintendent of the Reformatory School in 1902 was a Mr B. Andreys, who was an ex army officer and this may have been why following his release, Arthur joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers as a private, where he was stationed in India from 1905 In the 1911 census Arthur was shown as a Musician in the 1st Battalion stationed at Roberts Heights Pretoria Transvaal, South Africa.

    As a full time soldier (Reg No 8583) he returned to Europe in March 1914 and in August embarked on a war that they said would be over by Christmas. He was one of some 120,000 regular troops who were in the British Expeditionary Army. The RSF were one of the first British formations to move to France.

    Arthur served with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers in the 1st World War and was present at many battles including: Battle of Le Chateau; 1st Battle of the Marne; 1st Battle of Aisne; 2nd Battle of Ypres, which witnessed the first use of a new German weapon on the western front – poisonous gas!

    He also was present at The Battle of the Ancre in the freezing winter 1916/17; The 3rd Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Lys. On Armistice Day he was at Romaries according to his army records. How he managed to keep alive and even sane I don’t know!

    In 1919 his battalion had to renew the old regimental experience of duty in Ireland during the Irish civil war. He landed in Dublin on the 13th May 1919 and the battalion was stationed in Tullamore barracks, Tullamore until 1921 when the British and Irish Governments would agree on the future political structure of Ireland.

    Some time after this Arthur left the Army and we have stories of him and some ex-army colleagues busking on Castle Street for a living.

    In 1939 it is no surprise that Arthur would want to do his bit for King and Country again. He joined up with the Auxiliary Fire Service as a firewatcher. German heavy bombers could carry a thousand incendiary bombs and according to the Home Office a single bomber could start up to 150 fires over a 3-mile area. Arthur would spot fires over the Bedminster area and pass on information to the fire service.

    One cold November evening in 1940, while not on duty, Arthur ventured up the Cricketers Arms on the corner of Greenway Bush Lane and Greenbank Road, Southville for a few beers with his mates. I can only imagine it would have been a busy evening and the pub was full. Main topics of conversation were probably the recent bombing in Bristol and I’m sure some old First World War stories were told as well. It was late in the evening when the dreaded air raid siren disturbed the pub and people started evacuating for the local air raid shelter or pub basement. Arthur got up from his seat needing to go to the toilet. Could he hold on during the raid or should he use the pub’s facilities? He decided to use the pub toilet. A German bomb destroyed the pub and the only casualty was poor Arthur. What an unfortunate call of nature. Arthur died on the 24th November 1940 aged 56 and is buried at Arnos Vale cemetery.

    Simon Bennett




    223324

    Pte Nicholas Blythe Hurst 1st Battalion South Staffs

    Nicholas Blythe Hurst is my maternal grand-father who was born in March 1877 in Rothbury, Northumberland. I understand, from my mother, that he served in the South Staffs during the Boer War, though I have no supporting evidence. He found himself destitute in Walsall in the late 1890's when the circus, for which he was the front runner, went bust. He married my grand-mother, Ada Powell on 25th November 1901.

    Nicholas joined up as soon as WW1 was declared and embarked for Europe on 11th November 1914 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. He was medically discharged in July 1917 having been wounded. He received the usual Pip, Squeak and Wilfred but there are no other references to him in National Archives or the Battalion records.

    Phil Bottomer




    223322

    Pte. John Oswald Howells 4th Battalion South Wales Borders

    My father Jack Howells died in 1953 when I was a baby and his records were destroyed in the Blitz, so my information is limited. His likely date of enlistment was March 1917 and he joined the 4th Battalion South Wales Borders and served in Mesopotamia and Iraq. I don't know when he was discharged from the army. He contracted malaria whilst in the army, which was very common in Mesopotamia, and he suffered the after-effects for the rest of his life. It may well have contributed to his relatively early death aged 58.

    John Howells




    223317

    Pte. Leopold Harris "Len" Goldstein 2nd Btn London Regiment

    <p>

    Leopold Goldstein joined the war effort by putting his age up - he was born 1899 or 1900. His Mother was a famous Yiddish Stage Actress Rebecca Goldstein and she was married to Joseph Markovitch the famous playwright of the London theaters. Her story is found online at the London Museum.

    Len enrolled in 1915 in the 2nd London Regiment, service number 4905, and later also served with the Durham Light Infantry service number 277690. He was gassed with mustard gas in WW1 and blinded in one eye - his right. He said that the other soldiers would push him down onto the barbed wire as they charged from the trenches because he was underage and small, only 5 foot 4 inches, and made sure he got stuck in the barbed wire to save him and keep him back. He also said that he played the drums in the army and told fortunes to entertain the soldiers.

    He migrated to Australia and changed his name by Deed Poll 1938 into his wife's maiden name Neilson to avoid persecution as a Jewish migrant, and to protect his children as well I should say. He fought in WW2 under the Australian flag, Service number G186913 L. Neilson. He was used as a guard to transport WW2 Japanese POW's to camps in Australia.

    Cheryl Neilson




    223312

    Pte. Cecil Nicholas 7th Btn.

    I have been doing some research into men from the Korumburra area, Victoria, Australia, and in the course of that research have been in discussion with a lady whose grandfather, Cecil Nicholas, spent time in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, recuperating from wounds received in France. This lady has a photo of a building in which her grandfather spent time. The note on the photo, only recently deciphered, we think is 'Prudhoe, Newcastle-upon-Tyne'. This recent discovery, that of knowing that this man spent time at Newcastle-upon-Tyne is timely as the lady I have been in discussion with is to travel to England in April/May this year. We've found on his papers a note that confirms that he was at the Northern Hospital at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She would love to be able to discover more of where her grandfather spent time recuperating, so if you are able please to help us with anything that would help us to locate the building that would be wonderful. It might be that you would like a copy of the photo which we can easily provide, and my friend would, I know, be happy to tell you more of her grandfather.

    Janet Wilson




    223310

    Pte. Edgar James Phillips South Wales Borderers

    <p>

    This photo has been in our family many years, the soldier top left is my Grandfather Edgar James Phillips, he was in the South Wales Borderers, we have been trying to find who the other three are but can't work out their regiments, we think they are probably related and lived in Glamorgan, if anyone could give any information on anything it would be appreciated.

    Roy Phillips




    223308

    Pte. Harry Willmott 9th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Harry Willmott enlisted on the 20th of March 1916 at Bury St. Edmunds at the age of 32. He was assigned to the 9th Suffolk Regiment who left Folkestone on September 7th 1916 for Etaples near Boulogne, in France, arriving September 8th. On September 19th he joined the 9th Battalion.

    Harry was reported missing on the 21st of March 1918 whilst serving with the 12th battalion. He was captured by Germans on 22nd of March 1918 and was held at Altdamm and Perchim, but was released on the 14th of Dec 1918. He returned home to March.

    His nephew Pte. Francis Willmott (1880) Cambridgeshire Regiment, gave his life June 28th 1915, and his name is remembered on a plaque at the March, Cambridgeshire memorial.





    223305

    Pte. Frederick Clement Atkinson 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.7th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Frederick Atkinson died on the 7th of October 1915, aged 23 and is commemorated on Sp. Mem. A. 86 in the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey He was the son of Cramshaw and Nancy Atkinson, of 11, Vulcan St., Nelson, Lancs.

    s flynn




    223304

    2nd Lt. Alfred Victor Smith VC. 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.22nd Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred Smith was killed in action on the 22nd of December 1915, aged 24 and is commemorated on the Sp. Mem. C. 358 in the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of William Henry and Louisa Smith, of The Chief Constable's Office, Town Hall, Burnley. Born at Guildford

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 3rd March, 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. He was in the act of throwing a grenade when it slipped from his hand and fell to the bottom of the trench, close to several of our officers and men. He immediately shouted out a warning, and himself jumped clear and into safety, but seeing that the officers and men were unable to get into cover, and knowing well that the grenade was due to explode, he returned without any hesitation and flung himself down on it. He was instantly killed by the explosion. His magnificent act of self-sacrifice undoubtedly saved many lives."

    s flynn




    223302

    Pte. Thomas Walter Maynard 1st Btn. London Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    All I know is that Thomas Maynard was only 19 years old when he died, he has no grave. Wish I could find out more.

    Angela Tugwell




    223301

    Pte Wilfred Jacob Coram MM. 8th Btn Somerset Light Infantry

    My grandfather Wilfred Coram won the Military Medal serving with the 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry and was previously in the Wiltshire Regiment. He was originally from St Helier in Jersey and returned there after the war only to be evacuated out from the island (along with the whole family including my father Edwin Coram)in 1940 to Stockport Cheshire where he again enlisted in the 2nd world war, he subsequently died in 1953 of TB at the age of 53.

    I would love to know why he won the MM - what for and any other information regarding his time in the war

    Steve Coram




    223299

    T/Lt. Robert Alexander MacLean 7th Battalion Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry

    Robert MacLean was a Canadian who enlisted in the Winnipeg Grenadiers in 1914 and was shipped to Britain and then transferred into the British Army. He was commissioned as a Temporary Lieutenant in the DCLI on 2nd of January 1915 according to the London Gazette. He survived the war with the rank of (Staff) Captain and died in 1964.

    David Kennedy




    223298

    Lt.Col. Charles Hotham Montague Doughty-Wylie VC, CB, CMG Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th April 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Doughty-Wylie died on the 26th of April 1915 and is buried in an isolated grave, marked by a standard Gallipoli marker on the top of Hill 141, also known as Doughty Wylie or Fort Hill. The site is situated on the road from Seddulbahir to W Beach. He was the son of H. M. Doughty, of Theberton Hall, Suffolk, and Edith, his wife (nee Cameron); husband of Lilian O. Doughty-Wylie.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No 29202, dated 23rd June 1915, records the following: - "On 26th of April 1915 subsequent to a landing having been effected on the beach at a point on the Gallipoli Peninsula, during which both Brigadier- General and Brigade Major had been killed, Lieutenant-Colonel Doughty-Wylie and Captain Walford organised and led an attack through and on both sides of the village of Sedd el Bahr on the Old Castle at the top of the hill inland. The enemy`s position was very strongly held and entrenched, and defended with concealed machine-guns and pom-poms. It was mainly due to the initiative, skill and great gallantry of these two officers that the attack was a complete success. Both were killed in the moment of victory."

    s flynn




    223297

    Pvt. Elmer L. Hanna Co A. 145 Machine Gun Battalion

    Elmer Hanna was my great uncle and I remember from when I was a child in the mid 1940's and he came to visit his half brother Charles William Weeks in Russellville, Ohio.

    Eddie Weeks




    223294

    Pte. Arthur Brown 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th Oct 1917)

    Arthur Brown is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery.





    223290

    Pte. Herbert Smith 6th Battalion West Riding Regiment

    Herbert Smith joined 6th Territorial Force Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment at Keighley on 25th of January 1912. He arrived with the BEF in France on 14th of April 1915 and served on the Western Front with the West Riding Regiment until 8th of April 1917. Herbert transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 5 July 1917 and was transferred to the Royal Air Force on its formation on 1 April 1918. He was demobilised and transferred to RAF Reserve on 27th of March 1919.





    223289

    Capt. Francis Mount 5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    Francis Mount was the great uncle of Prime Minister David Cameron. The 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshires attacked with 35th Brigade against the Quarries as part of the final offensive action during the Battle of Loos on the 13th of October 1915. They had to cross a large area of open ground while under fire from German trenches in front and from positions on the flanks. Despite the heavy rifle and machine gun fire the 35th Brigade secured 250 Yards of German trench which became known as the ‘Hairpin’. This small success was however overshadowed as the Divisions elsewhere were repulsed and little other ground was taken. Captain Mount was killed in this action and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    65 men of the 5th Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment are recorded as killed on the 13 of October 1915. 58 were never identified and are commemorated on the Loos memorial. 5 others are buried in Dud Corner. 2 further burials were made elsewhere.

    Max Dutton




    223287

    Pte. Robert MacLaren 20th (1st Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Robert's wife, Annie - nee Carr - emigrated to Melbourne, Australia with their son, also Robert, in 1928/9. Annie died in 1938. Her son Robert had four children [of which I am one] and at the end of his life, in 1992, was grandfather of eleven. Such is the legacy of the 26 year-old Robert MacLaren who died on that awful day, 1/7/1916.

    Alexander MacLaren




    223284

    Pte. James Nelson Lancashire Fusiliers

    James Nelson served from 1914 to 1918 and received an honourable discharge in June 1918 due to being gassed in the trenches.





    223283

    Pte. Albert Gordon 1/4th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.10th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Albert Gordon was in 1/4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders and was sent to Bedford to train in Aug 1914. In Dec 1914 he married his girlfriend by proxy as she discovered herself to be pregnant! In Feb 1915 he was sent to France & Flanders and in April 1915 his baby daughter was born. Sadly on the 10th of August 1915 Albert Gordon was killed aged 18yrs old having never seen his baby.

    Albert Gordon was my great grandfather and I couldn't be prouder or feel more emotion for a family member I've never met than I do for him. He truly is a hero in my eyes.

    Teresa Chinnock




    223282

    Pte. Keith Cuthbert Curry 10th (Hull Commercials) Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th Mar 1919)

    <p>

    Keith Cuthbert Curry served with the East Yorkshire (Hull Commercials) Regiment. He was born in Hull, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom in 1894 to Alice Monument and Ernest Frederick Curry.

    Stephen Bell




    223281

    William George Isaacs 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    I have just discovered from the Red Cross that my grandfather, William George Isaacs of 15th Hampshires, was captured on 5th Aug 1917 at Hollebeke and taken to Giessen POW camp. Thankfully he returned home.

    I believe at that time the 15th were engaged at the 3rd Battle of Ypres? Any information anyone can give me would be hugely appreciated. We always knew he'd been at Giessen and had been wounded when captured, but didn't have any dates. Granddad was a wonderful, cheerful, true countryman but never talked about the war.

    Lin Brown




    223279

    Samuel Hampton 235 Coy. Army Service Corps

    I have a photograph of my grandfather which appears to be from a roll of honour. He is shown as being in 253 Coy, name Samuel Hampton but I have no idea of photograph date. I have only seen this for the first time last week when my 93 year old mother asked me if I could have it framed.

    I have no other information other than my grandfather received shrapnel wounds at the Somme survived the war and received treatment at the UVF hospital until he died in 1950/51. Can anyone give me any other information?

    Derek Greer




    223278

    Pte Raymond Davies Rifle Brigade

    Raymond Davies was my Uncle born in 1899 in Plymouth & obviously gave a wrong age to join up in 1915/16

    Herbie Davies




    223277

    George Rennie DSO & Bar MID 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My grandfather, George Rennie, commanded the 7th Btn KRRC throughout nearly all WW1. He received a bar to his DSO from the Boer War and 8 Mentions in Dispatches.

    He survived the war without injury and a great dislike of Germans. He died in the early 1950s.

    Anthony Stansfeld




    223276

    Capt. Christopher Maurice "Sharpie" Sharp 10th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt)

    My grandfather, Captain Percival Maurice Sharp, was in the 10th Royal Fusiliers. He was in Colchester in 1915 when he joined up. He went to France with the Regiment. He went to Amiens and was wounded in the leg. He went back to England where he was told that it would not have to be cut of. He went back to France and served till 1918.

    After the war he went to Russia to help out against the revolution. He worked for Coutts Bank before the war and again after the Second War. He did a desk job during the Second World War. He became a Canon at Rochester Cathedral. He died in office in 1978 aged 84.

    Christopher Sharp




    223274

    David Hewitson 5th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

    100 Gallant Fusiliers repulsed 2000 Turks - Dalmellington man’s war experiences recalled:

    "David Hewitson 10 Cathcartson, Dalmellington, has been awarded a prize by a Glasgow Sunday newspaper for a contribution to the paper. Readers were invited to give details of agonising moments in their lives. The story was reproduced in the paper last Sunday in abbreviated form. It was also told to an ‘Advertiser’ representative and is of such interest in a general way and to the Royal Scots Fusiliers in particular that, although it relates to a period over 20 years ago it is well worth giving here. Hewitson was one of those who never smoked cigarettes during the war, nor now for that matter, and he never took the rum ration allowed to troops under certain conditions; he suffered the loss of a leg as a result of one of the simplest incidents. Though unscathed from one of the tightest corners he was ever in. When the war was over he came home to Dalmellington and resumed his employment but had his hand so badly crushed that he could not continue work.

    He joined the 5th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers on September 26 1914 landed at Gallipoli in June 1915 and was on Gallipoli till the evacuation when the Battalion went to Egypt.

    Egypt reached, the Battalion lay at Kantara and outposts had to be put out and it was when this done that Hewitson experienced perhaps his most agonising moments. He was in A Company which was sent to the outpost of Duiedar in April 1916. There were several redoubts on the sand dunes round Duiedar and there were about 30 men in Hewitsons lot who formed the main redoubt.

    One morning there was a particularly heavy mist and as a result the men had an unusually long stand-to. The battalion dog Spot was with the men. Suddenly Spot became restive and commenced to bark. The men became interested in what was the cause of the dog’s tongue but he was told to be quiet. The dog continued restive. However and made to jump out the redoubt in the direction of a big hill which was about half a mile from the redoubt. The mist remained very thick, but the dog’s actions indicated that something was wrong and all nerved up the men skinned their eyes to see what was taking place. Their first indication of anything untoward was when a black mass was seen coming towards them. As Mr Hewitson said ‘it looked like a big black cloud approaching.’ The machine gun was ordered to fire at the mass but still the men were not sure of what the mass was composed of.

    Whenever the machine gun commenced firing the mass commenced to disperse. Then the men realised that the mass was Johnny Turk and they opened fire. Apparently the Turks had mistaken the camel lines in which there were about 30 or 40 camels, for the main compound a heavy fire was directed on the camel lines by the Turks. During this fire the men in another redoubt nearer the camel lines than the redoubt in which Hewitson was were all killed or wounded, and this left the 30 men of Hewitson’s company to face the brunt of the attack. They suffered very heavily, and both officers were wounded. Reinforcements had to be sent for to the main camp and these came up under Lieutenant (afterwards Captain)David Paton, Ayr who died recently.

    There were very few of the 30 left standing when the reinforcements arrived ultimately the small band of Fusiliers reached the point where their ammunition was nearly exhausted. They then began to fear the worst and Lieutenant Paton (who was a very brave soldier, according to those who soldiered with him) shouted out that the Royal Scots Fusiliers would never be taken prisoners and pulling out a Testament, one of which was carried by nearly every man, said he would put up a short prayer. Just then a British plane, known to the men at Kantara as the Kantara bus arrived overhead and dropped a note. The paper fluttered away a bit from where Hewitson and his companions were, to another redoubt and one of the men had to dash for it under heavy fire. The note was retrieved. It told them to hang on and that more reinforcements were on the way. With their ammunition almost gone, this gave the Fusiliers new hope and heart.

    By this time the plane had ascended but came down again at a very low altitude, and trained it’s machine gun on the enemy. That proved to be the turning point. The machine gun fire apparently demoralised the Turks, whose fire became less severe.

    Prior to this the Fusiliers had been almost at their last ebb. As men were wounded or killed they dropped their rifles, and their companions after allowing them to lie for a short space of time to cool, picked them up and used them. They could not bear the heat of their own rifles. The whole company, with the reinforcements which had arrived, numbered about 100 and they had repulsed Turks numbering about 2000! The brave band of fusiliers took 87 prisoners and the Turks left 78 dead.

    At Elarish, farther on in the desert Hewitson was the witness of an interesting incident. The men were bathing one day, when one of them, idly playing with the sand scooped out a small hole, and being very thirsty, placed some of the wet sand against his lips. When he did so he ejaculated My God, this is fresh water! His comrades could scarcely believe that there was fresh water on the seashore, but tests proved that the finder’s statement was correct. Orders were issued for a well to be dug, and it was sand-bagged all round. The well subsequently formed the main supply for the camp. Mr Hewiston, prior to going to Egypt was twice wounded on Gallipoli and later sustained a wound while crossing the river Auja, in front of Jaffa, which resulted in his losing a leg.

    After the war, he returned to Dalmellington, and commenced work with the Dalmellington Iron Company, but a year past in February, he sustained, in Pennyvennie mine, the hurt to his hand which in-capacitated him. And he is now in receipt of compensation." Printed in the Ayr Advertiser 24th of June 1937.

    Stewart Shannon




    223270

    Lt. R V Toynbee 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade

    I purchased a bugle in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada with the following inscription: To the Officers, 2nd Bn, The Rifle Brigade, From, Lieut. R.V. Toynbee, 1920.

    I came across your site as I was exploring the history of the battalion.

    Kerry Siminoski




    223269

    Cpl. Joseph Hobson 1st Battalion, A Company West Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th Mar 1915)

    Joseph Hobson was an Ex regular soldier who was called back into service having reached the rank of Cpl serving in India. He had been awarded the India general service medal 1908.

    He joined his Battalion on 27th September 1914 landing at St Nazaire. He was involved in various actions including attack on village Bleu, driving enemy back near Le Verrier, trenches Rue de Bois, trenches east of Armentieres. Joseph was 27 years old when he was killed by a shell fired into billets at Houplines. He is buried in Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Anthony Miller




    223267

    Pte. John Scrivens 1st Btn. The Border Regiment (d.18 Mar 1916)

    John joined the 11th Battalion but somehow ended up in the 1st Battalion being posted to Dardanelles. His ship sailed from Keyham Harbour on 24th May 1915 landed on 15th June.

    On 23rd June he was admitted to Alexandria Hospital in Egypt (HQ for the Dardanelles Campaign) with Enteric contracted in the field. He was shipped back to England from Port Said on 16th September on the HMHS Runic arriving home on October 5th.

    After a period of 63 days in England he was posted to France on 8th December with 2nd Battalion and was promoted to unpaid Lance Corporal on February 2nd 1916. He was in and out of hospital in France for fever of unknown origin and bronchitis. He was injured and died from his wounds on 18th March 1916.

    He is remembered on a memorial in St Michaels Church in Brough and buried in Norfolk Cemetery at Becordel-Becourt, Somme. His mother had died in 1902 (she had John out of wedlock so father is unknown) and his half brother who was next of kin also killed in the war so his effects and his war medals were sent to his cousin Emily Scrivens (married and became Phillips) of Stoddah Farm Penrith.

    Gillian Hodkinson




    223264

    Pte. Harold Fawcett 1/1st East Lancashire Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corp (d.3rd Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Harold Fawcett was killed on the 3rd of November 1915, aged 20 and is remembered on Sp. Mem. 143 in Pink Farm Cemetery, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223263

    Pte. James Dow 5th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.19th Dec1915)

    <p>

    James Dow died on the 19th of December 1915 and is buried in the Pink Farm Cemetery, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223260

    L/Sgt. William Rowberry MM. 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire (d.18th Nov 1916)

    My great grand uncle, William Rowberry, was born in 1876 in Stone, Worcestershire, the son of John and Emma. Like most of his immediate family he was an agricultural labourer, although by 1901 he was living with his older brother Thomas and his family in Aston, Birmingham and working as a Carter.

    He joined up in early 1915 and was in France by July. William received the Military Medal probably during the Battle of the Somme and he was killed on the last day of that engagement. He has no known grave and is mentioned on the memorial at Thiepval and at Stone Parish Church

    Paul Cooper




    223259

    Pte. Charles William Sheppard Plummer 4th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)

    Charles William Sheppard Plummer, known as Bill, was my grandad. He was born on the 6th Feb 1896 in a hamlet called Limpool on the borders of Notts and Yorks. His father was a shepherd.

    Bill joined the Lincs Regiment on 3.12.1914. He was awarded The Silver War Badge and discharged because of wounds on 19.9.1917. The Silver War Badge no. is 273533. He married Harriet Reek on the 30th May 1918 at Brant Broughton near Newark and he died on 28th August 1981.

    I have tried to find out where he fought but to date I have been unsuccessful. I think his war records may have been amongst those burnt.

    Ro Green




    223253

    Pte. Charles Howard Proctor 2nd Btn. (d.2nd May 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Proctor was killed on the 2nd of May 1915, aged 23 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Proctor of West Maitland, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    223252

    Pte. Oliver James Osborn 2nd Btn. (d.2nd May 1915)

    Oliver Osborn died on the 2nd of May 1915 and is commemorated o on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223251

    Pte. Michael Malloy 1st Btn. (d.23rd May 1915)

    <p>

    Michael Malloy died on the 23rd of May 1915 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223250

    L/Cpl. Eugene Patrick Mahony 2nd Btn. (d.20th May 1915)

    <p>

    Eugene Mahony died on the 20th of May 1915 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223247

    Pte. William Eccleston 5th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.11th Aug 1915)

    William Eccleston was wounded at Gallipoli and later died aboard the Hospital Ship Devanha and buried at sea. He is remembered on the War Memorial at Ryhill. Prior to joining the Army he worked in the coal mines. Following his death, his brother Walter Stones signed up, but was not called into service until 1918, he joined the MGC and was wounded within three days of going to the front, he was brought back to England aboard the Hospital ship Andrew.

    Jacqueline Freegard




    223246

    Pte. David Sharp 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.12th July 1915)

    David Sharp was my grandfather. He was my mother's father whom my Mother never knew as she was born three months after he died. Somewhere in Scotland there is a framed Dead Man's Penny with his name David Sharp on it which I would love to see once again.





    223245

    WOII. Ernest Frank Newbury Royal Army Service Corps

    My maternal grandfather, Ernest Frank Newbury, served in the RASC. I'm trying to find the names of his parents I've scoured all the civvy records that I can think of etc and I'm hoping that some wonderful soul can help me in finding his enlistment form that, I assume, shows his next of kin, father, mother, etc?

    Mike Armiger




    223242

    Pte. Maurice Maunders 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.30th Oct 1914)

    Maurice Maunders was born in Dagnall in 1889, the son of Mark and Lucy Maunders. When Maurice turned 16 he joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, and in the 1911 Census he is shown as a member of H Company, 2nd Battalion, stationed in Saint George, Bermuda. After nearly seven years Maurice was discharged from the Regiment and placed on Military Reserve. On May 26th 1913, aged 23, Maurice was appointed Police Constable 14 in the Buckinghamshire Constabulary. After training in the constabulary headquarters in Aylesbury he was posted to the Northern Division and stationed at Brill.

    Once war was declared Maurice rejoined the Bedfordshire Regiment, this time serving in the 1st Battalion. On 30th October 1914 Private Maurice Maunders, aged 25, was killed in action during the Battle of La Bassée. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.





    223238

    Pte. Christopher William Wright 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Christopher Wright was formerly Pte 1417 East Yorks Regt. He was was killed in action on the 12th August 1918, aged 19 years.

    Gillian Baker




    223237

    Officer's Steward 2nd Cla Harold Mather HMS Invincible (d.31st of May 1916)

    Harold Mather born 15 December 1891 Liverpool, was the elder son of Henry Walter and Bertha Mather (nee Walker) and was killed aboard HMS Invincible in the Battle of Jutland. Harold was born the son of a railway worker and had younger sisters living in Birkenhead at the time of his death.





    223236

    L/Sgt. Ian Gorden MacInnes 2nd Btn. (d.25th-30th April 1915)

    <p>

    Ian MacInnes died between the 25th and 30th of April 1915, aged 30 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of the Rev. George MacInnes, D.D. and Margaret MacInnes, of 45, Liverpool Rd., Summer Hill, New South Wales. Native of Ashfield.

    s flynn




    223235

    L/Cpl. Harry Linklater 18th Bn. (d.22nd August 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Linklater died on the 22nd of August 1915, aged 25 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. he was the son of George and Mary Linklater of Fillets, Graemsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland.

    s flynn




    223234

    Pte. Harold Keers 15th Btn. (d.8th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Harold Keers died on the 8th August 1915 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223233

    Pte. Richard Alexander Jarman 2nd Btn. (d.29th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Richard Jarman died 29th April 1915 and commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223232

    Cpl. Richard Llewellyn Davies 9th Btn. Welsh Fusiliers

    Richard Davies left his native village of Hollybush in the Sirhowy Valley Monmouthshire on the morning of the 5th of August 1914. Three times wounded and twice gassed he survived the whole of the main battles of the Western Front and returned home in January 1919. Of the nine volunteers that left the village with him, he was the only one to return home in 1919.

    Dick Davies served firstly in the Monmouthshire Regiment and transferred to 9th Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Sept 1916 on the Ancre. He fought in all future major battles with 9th Btn, see his book 'Never so Innocent Again' Published again last year, with much detail of times, places and personalities regarding this fine fighting battalion. This was the chosen title after the diarist Richard Llewellyn Davies often used the expression to relate to his service. "I was never so innocent again after that bloody lot" He often said that.

    H Davies




    223230

    Pte. William Summers 5th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment

    William Summers enlisted on the 2nd of Sept 1914 joining the Somerset Regiment under false name. His real name was William Edmund Larner Semmence he was over 21 years of age. He was transferred to Royal Irish Regiment, 5th Battalion in Longford. He was moved to Basingstoke in England 1915 and sent to Gallipoli where he landed at Suvla Bay on the 7th July 1915 on A-Beach.he was sent to Salonica on the 4th of Oct 1915 and moved to Egypt in Sept 1917 and took part in the 3rd Battle of Gaza. Then in April 1918 he was transfered to France until 1919.





    223229

    L/Sgt. William Henry Ridgway 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    William Ridgway served with the 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.





    223227

    Pte. Leonard Ryder 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.3rd Nov 1914)

    At the age of 73 years, I have recently discovered that I had an Uncle Leonard Ryder who served in WW1. I know nothing remarkable about him except that he was sent to France in August 1914 and died of wounds on 3rd November 1914. He was the eldest of a poor family of seven children. He was 17 years old. What makes it remarkable for me is how this knowledge has so strongly brought home the reality of this War and the sacrifice made by so many thousands of young boys and men.

    Ann Butcher




    223225

    Pte. Charles Hindley 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Feb 1915)

    Today 5th Feb 2014 is the centenary 'anniversary' death of Charles Hindley my Great Great Uncle. It is strange to think of him as being a great great uncle when images of an elderly man would come to mind. Charles Hindley didn't get 'old' and he has no direct descendants to remember him for when he died he was 24 years old and single.

    Charles Hindley was born in Leeds, Yorkshire to Tom Hindley and Rebecca Pinkney on the 27 Apr 1890. He was the 8th child from 12 and the second of 3 sons, all of whom served for King & Country. Tom Hindley, his father was a bricklayer who died in a tragic accident while working 'up North' in Sunderland in 1905. Life would not have been easy for his mother, Rebecca, who had also suffered the loss of 4 of her children.

    Both Charles and his brother, Henry Thomas Hindley (my Great Grandfather), appear to have 'joined' up relatively early both opting for the West Yorkshire Battalion, Charles to the 2nd Btn. and Henry initially to the 1st Btn. Military records (service and pension) for both brothers are 'missing', most likely destroyed after a fire during WW2 bombings.

    However, from photographs and regiment records along with medals I can assume that when war broke out Charles was serving in Malta. On the 14 September 1914 his regiment embarked for the UK landing at Southampton on the 25 September 1914 where they joined with the 23rd Bde. 8th Div at Hursley Park, Winchester. Charles and the 2nd West Yks were posted to France and arrived in Le Havre on the 5 Nov 1914.

    Charles Hindley was shot through the head and died instantly in France on February 5th 1915 near Lille and is buried in Rue-Du-Bacquerot No.1 Military Cemetery, Laventie. This is a small cemetery at the back of a farm, well cared for by the C.W.G.C. I was fortunate enough to have visited a couple of years ago and wish that I could have been there today.

    Charles death was recorded in the local newspaper and from it came some 'comforting' news. Corp. Henry Thomas Hindley wrote home to his family that Charles had died painlessly and that on the 23rd Dec 1914 the two brothers had met accidentally in the trenches. They hadn't seen each other for 5 years! I wonder if they took part in one of the Christmas truce football matches? Henry Thomas Hindley survived the war as did his younger brother Harold Hindley.

    To Charles Hindley, today I remember you and so long as there is breath in me I shall not forget.

    Melanie McKellar




    223222

    Rflmn. Percival St.John Ingram 13th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>

    Percy Ingram was born in Highbury, London on the 22nd of March 1896. he was killed in action in the Second Battle of Scarpe. he had formerly served as R/18782 of KRRC. he was no War Grave, only an inscription on the Arras Memorial in France and on the Southampton Cenotaph.

    Southampton Cenotaph

    Bob Bates




    223221

    Maj. James Logie Harcus 20th Bn. (d.11th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    James Harcus died on the 11th of December 1915, aged 34 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Andrew and Jane Harcus of Heatherbank, Westray, Orkney, Scotland.

    s flynn




    223220

    Maj. Charles George Gordon 2nd Btn. (d.25th April 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Gordon died on the 25th of April 1915, aged 45 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Robert and Annie Gordon; husband of J. M. E. Gordon. Native of Kingstown, Ireland.

    s flynn




    223219

    L/Cpl. Noel William Howard Gale 2nd Btn. (d.2nd May 1915)

    <p>

    Noel Gale died on the 2nd of May 1915, aged 20 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Blanche Gale, of Glengarrah, Lagoon St., Goulburn, New South Wales, and the late William Gale.

    s flynn




    223218

    Pte. Alfred Terah Elwood 2nd Btn. (d.17th May 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred Elwood died on the 17th of May 1915 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223217

    Sgt. Harry Mills DCM. 12th Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    While clearing my father's estate, I came across a cardboard tube containing 3 papers confirming that Sgt. H. Mills of the 12th Btn, East Surrey Regiment was awarded the DCM on the 22nd November 1918.

    One of the papers is the Army Orders, which states all awards given on the said date, the other piece of paper is a small 'certificate' the other is in French and states that this DCM was given by General Gaucher: "under difficult situations, with Soldier Sadler, surrounded an enemy group and captured 20 prisoners, 2 machine guns and an anti-tank gun to the N.E. of Ghelune on the 11th October 1918."

    Erica Palfrey




    223216

    Alfred Ernest Oakman 1st Australian Tunneling Coy.

    While doing family research I found my Grandfather Alfred Oakman was at Hill 60.

    Graeme Oakman




    223214

    Pte. Percy Charles Davis 1st Btn. (d.6th-11th August 1915)

    <p>

    Percy Davis died between the 6th and 11th of August 1915, aged 25. He is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. Percy was the son of Charles Samuel and Isabella Davis. Native of Stewart's Brook, Scone, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    223213

    Pte. Geoffrey G. Broome 15th Btn. (d.18th May 1915)

    <p>

    Geoff Broome died on the 18th of May 1915, aged 18 and is commemorated on Panel 45 on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of William and Frances Broome of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.

    s flynn




    223212

    Cpl. William Brass Canterbury Regiment

    <p>

    Corporal William Brass died between 25th April 1915 and 1st May 1915, aged 26. He is Commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. William was the son of James Gillies Brass and Isabella Bews Brass of Kelton St. Ola, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands.

    s flynn




    223211

    Pte. Edgar William Bell 16th Btn. (d.2nd May 1915)

    <p>

    Edgar Bell died on the 2nd of May 1915 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the husband of Adelaide Winifred Macrone.

    S Flynn




    223210

    Cpt. Percival Maurice Sharp 10th Btn. Royal Fusillers

    My grandfather, Percival Maurice Sharpe, was in the 10th Btn. and was injured at Poziers in Northern France and was hit in the arm. He was told that the arm had to come off but as luck would have it he was sent home to England the arm was saved. Then he went out again to France he was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain. He served from 1915 - 1918. He survived the War.

    In 1918 he went to Russia to help out there to stop the fighting and the revolution. He returned to England. After the war he went back to Coutts then he became a cannon at Rochester Cathedral in Kent until he died in 1978 aged 84 having been born in 1894.

    Christopher Sharp




    223209

    Pte. Leonard Octavious Hallam 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.23rd March 1916)

    Len Hallam was one of four brother killed in action. He served with the 9th Battalion KOYLI but have no other details.

    Lucille Chesterton




    223208

    Pte. Benjamin Witt Royal Fusiliers

    Benjamin Witt of Brooklyn, N.Y. USA joined the British Army and served in the Royal Fusiliers in what was then called Palestine.

    Cathy Feves




    223207

    Pte. Robert Richard Wood 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.9th Aug 1916)

    Robert Wood joined the army in Shiney Row, County Durham on the of 5th Septempber 1914. Serving with the 1st Btn of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, he was involved in the landing and fighting in Gallipoli. In January 1916 the Inniskillings were evacuated and later redeployed in France. Robert was killed on the 9th August 1916 and is buried at the Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium.

    Phil Cannell




    223206

    Pte. James Samuel MacKintosh MM. 1st Battalion Queens Own Cameron Highlanders

    <p>

    James MacKintosh was my late wife, Joyce MacKintosh's Grandfather and the Great-grandfather of our three sons; James, Matthew and Joey DeGaeta. My wife's father, also named James MacKintosh, served with the British Army in China in 1945.

    The photo of Pte. James Samuel MacKintosh and three close friends from 1st Bn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, was taken at the end of the Great War. The Medals are the ones he is wearing in the photograph, they include the Military Medal. I believe James went on to be a Bobbie in London. My wife's aunt told her that when James passed away, three close friends who served with him in WWI (perhaps the same three in the photo) attended the funeral and told her how bravely he fought in a hand to hand battle with the Germans on a bridge - she claimed they told her that he was one of the reasons they held the bridge and that is where he earned the Military Medal. I am trying to find the citation, if anyone can help, I’d like to hear from them.

    Paul DeGaeta




    223204

    Pte. Alexander Shiels 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Alexander Shiels joined the Army shortly after the outbreak of the Great War and embarked for Belgium with the First Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in March 1915.

    One month later he saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres where he was gassed in one of the first poison gas attacks ever launched by the Germans. After recovering from the gas and a subsequent bout of influenza his battalion was transported to Marseilles from where it embarked on a ship for Salonika in Greece.

    After two years in the mountainous wastelands to the north of Salonika, Alexander was wounded in action on 4th September 1918, suffering gunshot wounds to the neck, right shoulder and thigh. After a month he was pronounced out of danger and transferred from Salonika to a hospital ship in the Mediterranean, the Glengorm Castle. After a spell in Malta he was invalided back to Scotland in early 1919.

    Richard Kent




    223200

    Cpt. Alfred John Shout VC, MC. 1st Btn. (d.11th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred Shout died of wounds on the 11th of August 1915, aged 35 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29328, dated 15th Oct., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery at Lone Pine trenches, in the Gallipoli Peninsula. On the morning of the 9th Aug., 1915, with a very small party, Capt. Shout charged down trenches strongly occupied by the enemy, and personally threw four bombs among them, killing eight and routing the remainder. In the afternoon of the same day, from the position gained in the morning, he captured a further length of trench under similar conditions, and continued personally to bomb the enemy at close range under very heavy fire until he was severely wounded, losing his right hand and left eye. This most gallant officer has since succumbed to his injuries."

    s flynn




    223199

    Cpl. Alexander Stewart Burton VC 7th Btn. (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Alexander Burton was killed in action 8th/9th August 1915, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Alfred E. and Isabella Burton. Native of Kyneton, Victoria, Australia.

    An extract from The London Gazette,"No. 29328, dated 15th Oct., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery at Lone Pine trenches in the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 9th Aug., 1915. In the early morning the enemy made a determined counter-attack on the centre of the newly captured trench held by Lieutenant Tubb, Corporals Burton and Dunstan, and a few men. They advanced up a sap and blew in a sandbag barricade, leaving only one foot of it standing, but Lieutenant Tubb, with the two corporals, repulsed the enemy and rebuilt the barricade. Supported by strong bombing parties, the enemy twice again succeeded in blowing in the barricade, but on each occasion they were repulsed and the barricade rebuilt, although Lieutenant Tubb was wounded in the head and arm, and Corporal Burton was killed by a bomb while most gallantly building up the parapet under a hail of bombs."

    s flynn




    223198

    Drvr. Joseph Wakelam 26th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.7th June 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Wakelam died on the 7th of June 1915 and is buried in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery in Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the eldest son of Isaac Henry Wakelam and Martha Wakelam of Birkenhead, Cheshire

    s flynn




    223197

    Pte. George Holt 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.11th June 1915)

    <p>

    George Holt died of wounds on the 11th June 1915, aged 22 and is buried in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Edward and Ellen Holt, of 7, Milner St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    223196

    Pte. Albert Hepworth 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.13th June 1915)

    <p>

    Albert Hepworth died of wounds 13th June 1915 age 23 and is buried in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223190

    Pte. Allan Rae 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.5th July 1916)

    Allan Rae was my great uncle. He had no known grave, but is commemorated at Thiepval. My father, his nephew, always intended to visit the memorial but never managed to do so. My brother & I hope to visit in 2016 for the centenary, but in the meantime would be grateful for any information on how to track down his service record (we have drawn a blank at the obvious sites) to determine where he was killed.

    Mike Turner




    223189

    Pte. Walter Hall 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.6th July 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Hall died of wounds on the 6th July 1915 and is buried in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He had enlisted in Burnley

    s flynn




    223188

    L/Col. Walter Greenwood 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.23rd May 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Greenwood died of wounds on the 23rd May 1915 aged 42 and is buried in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He lived at 2 Pritchard Street, Burnley, Lancashire and was the husband of Jessie Greenwood later of 169 Shawmet Avenue, New Bedford, Mass, U.S.A.

    s flynn




    223187

    Pte. Albert Graham 1/5th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d. 10th July 1915)

    <p>

    Died of Wounds 10th July 1915 age 30 and buried in Plot D. 93 in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    Son of Robert and Emma Graham, of 37, Thursby Rd., Burnley. Native of Monaghan.

    s flynn




    223186

    Pte. Joseph Cocker 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Cocker was killed in action on the 19th May 1915 aged 31 and is buried 21 in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Thomas and Maria Cocker of 17 King's Terrace, Burnley, Lancs.

    s flynn




    223185

    Pte. Herbert Brogden 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.29th June 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Brogden died of wounds on the 29th of June 1915 and is buried in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223184

    Pte. Herbert Bray 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.26th June 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Bray died of wounds on the 26th of June 1915 aged 44 and is buried in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the father of Allan Bray of 74, Milton St., Burnley

    s flynn




    223183

    L/Sgt. William Stephen Kenealy VC. 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.29th June 1915)

    <p>

    William Kenealy died on the 29th of June 1915, aged 29 and is buried in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of John and Margaret Kenealy of 361 Bolton Rd., Stubshaw Cross, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Lancs.

    An extract from The London Gazette (No. 29273) dated 24th Aug., 1915, records the following:- "On 25th April 1915, three companies, and the Headquarters of the 1st Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers, in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by a very deadly fire from hidden machine guns which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Capt. Willis, Serjt. Richards, and Pte. Kenealy have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most signal acts of bravery and devotion to duty."

    s flynn




    223182

    Pte. Francis John Carroll 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment

    <p>

    Frank Carroll was a drummer in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment.

    Francis Carroll

    2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment

    Jonathan Towson




    223181

    Pte. John Henry Hope 1st Battallion Cheshire Regiment

    Jack Hope was taken prisoner on 24th of August 1914 and held at the Soltau German prisoner of war camp in Hanover for four years. He had a wife, Blanche, and three children at home, one dying while he was a captive.

    He returned to England after the Armistice and received the lithographed commendation letter from King George V, which is still in possession of his descendants. He became a postal carrier after the war.





    223180

    Cpl. Norman Barber 6th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.28th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Norman Barber died on the 28th of November 1915 aged 22. He is commemorated on Sp. Mem. A. 2 in the Lala Baba Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey and on Caernarvon War Memorial. Son of Richard Gibson Barber and Jane Agnes Barber. of 3, Marine Terrace, Waterloo Port, Carnarvon, he was born on the 6/8/1891 in Darlington.

    s flynn




    223179

    Brig.Gen. Paul Aloysius Kenna VC, DSO. 21st Empress of India's Lancers, (d.30th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Paul Kenna died on the 30th of August 1915, aged 53. He is buried in the Lala Baba Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the husband of Angela Mary Kenna, of Trowle House, Trowbridge, Wilts. And had served in the South African War and was awarded the VC on the 02/09/1898

    An extract from the London Gazette."dated 15th Nov., 1898, records the following:- "At the Battle of Khartoum, on 2nd September 1898, Captain P.A. Kenna assisted Major Crole Wyndham, of the same regiment, by taking him on his horse, behind the saddle (Major Wyndham's horse having been killed in the charge), thus enabling him to reach a place of safety; and after the charge of the 21st Lancers, Captain Kenna returned to assist Lieutenant de Montmorency, who was endeavouring to recover the body of second Lieutenant R.G. Grenfell."

    s flynn




    223178

    Ab.Sea. John Walker Hawke Battalion (d.24th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    John Walker was killed in action on the 24th December,1915 at Gallipoli. Although killed in the trenches he has no known grave and is remembered on the Helles Memorial. He was the youngest of four brothers who volunteered for service in the war and the only one of them to be killed. He cheated his age to enlist and was 19 years old when killed. John and his brothers were all born at Ashington, Northumberland, a mining town. The Hawke Battalion was made up almost to a man of north country miners. They were used extensively at Gallipoli for sapping, mining and digging trenches.

    s flynn




    223177

    Pte. James Clarence Wixted 11th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.29th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    James Wixted died 29th December 1915, aged 24. He os commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Mrs. Mary Wolstenholme (formerly Wixted), of Lower Hugh Edge Farm, Crawshawbooth, Manchester

    s flynn




    223176

    Pte. John Williamson 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.5th June 1915)

    <p>

    John Williamson died on the 5th of June 1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223175

    Pte. Thomas Walker "D" Coy. 6th Btn. (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Walker was killed in action during 2nd Battle of Krithia aged 20. He was the much loved son of Katie Walker and the late Robert Walker, brother of Agnes, William and Alexander. Born on the 10th of July 1894 at Korumburra, Victoria, Australia. He had been employed by Victorian Railways in Newport. Thomas enlisted on the 17th Aug 1914 at Macclesfield, Victoria and embarked Melbourne on 19 October 1914 for Cairo, Egypt. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223174

    Capt. John Amherst Tennant 10th Bn. attd. 1st Bn Border Regiment Bedfordshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1915)

    <p>

    John Amherst Tennant died of wounds on the 22nd August 1915, aged 26 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of John and Margaret Croom Tennant of 19 The Boltons, South Kensington, London and was born on the 27th of March 1889. He was educated at Harrow School and London University where he received at Bsc. in Mechanical and Civil Engineering in 1911. Following his graduation he was employed by the Egyptian Government Irrigation Service at Tatah in the delta and later Luxor in upper Egypt.

    With the outbreak of war he returned to England and was given a Commission in the Bedfordshire Regiment and was gazetted Captain in February 1915. In June 1915 Captain Tennant was attached to the 1st Border Regiment and was sent with a draft of 80 men to Gallipoli. He participated in the heavy fighting at Gully Ravine on June 28, 1915. Captain Tennant was fatally wounded about 5 pm on 21 August leading Coy. A, 1st Borders, during the final futile assault on Scimitar Hill at Suvla Bay. He was evacuated to the hospital ship HMHS Rewa offshore and died of his wounds the next day. Captain Tenant was buried at sea shortly thereafter.

    His brother William was killed in action the preceding May at the battle of Festubert and the family's third son Hugh Vincent died in Spain in 1927 from the effects of gas shell poisoning received in the Great War.

    s flynn




    223173

    Pte. Thomas Thornton 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th June 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Thornton died on the 9th of June 1915, aged 33. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of the late Daniel and Margaret Thornton; husband of the late Mary Agnes Thornton (formerly Munford). He lived at 3 Bush Street, Burnley and left a wife Mary Agnes, and two young daughters Gladys & Marjorie.

    s flynn




    223172

    Pte. Samuel Dunlop 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Sam Dunlop is my mother's great-uncle. He was extremely musical all of his life, and in the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders he served as Band Master, he carried on being a band master well after the war, having a number of civilian bands.

    James




    223171

    Pte. James Jones 1st Btn. Welch Regiment (d.26th May 1916)

    James Jones was my great great uncle who died in action at Salonika. I am looking for service records, pictures or stories about him.

    Shane Mccarthy




    223161

    Pte. Alfred Henry Price Reynolds 11th Btn Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    Alfred Henry Price Reynolds was my great grandfather. He died at the Battle of the Somme with the 11th Btn on the 3rd July 1916 age 36. Leaving my great grandmother with 8 children to take care of alone.

    I know very little about him. He was born in Tipton, Staffordshire, in 1911 he was living in Bilston and just prior to the war he moved with his family to Ellesmere, Port Cheshire for work. I can find no name on any of the named town memorials for him.

    Kathleen Edmonds




    223160

    Sgt. William Towler Lund 6th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    William Lund was the son of the late Thomas and Mary Lund, of Waters, Clapham, Lancaster. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial

    Mark Lund




    223159

    Pte. John James O'Hare 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th May 1916)

    John James O'Hare was my great uncle on my dad's side. His sister was pregnant with my father when her brother was killed on 25th May 1916. My dad, John James Younger, was born on 5th June 1916, 15 days after her brother's death. My grandfather was in the same regiment as his brother-in-law and we think may have been with him when he died and was also present at his funeral. We have learnt from documents that he was one of 5 men killed that day and that they are all laid to rest in La Laiterie Military Cemetery.

    Angela Birrell




    223157

    L/Cpl. Christopher Henry Baxter 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.14th Aug 1918)

    <p>Lenton War Memorial

    Christopher Henry Baxter was my maternal grand-father. Born in 1891, in Lenton, a small village between Bourne and Grantham in Lincolnshire. One of six children to Charles William Baxter and Sarah Jane (nee Bradford).

    Christopher enlisted in Bourne. He married Alice Horsman in the 2nd quarter of 1915. Alice was pregnant with their child when Christopher died of wounds in August 1918. A daughter was born in 1919, and was named Alice Cambrai Baxter, in honour of Christopher, and The Battle of Cambrai. I can only assume that the wounds were from the Cambrai battle. Exactly what involvement Christopher had in The Battle of Cambrai,(if any) and what significance this particular battle had, was never revealed by my Grand-mother, even after re-marrying, and having a further 3 children (one being my mother ). WW1 and Christopher were never mentioned, except hints that he was a hero? I too, was named after Christopher.

    I am very proud to be a descendant of a WW1 soldier, and would dearly love to have more information on Christopher. I don`t even have a photograph of him.

    Ian Christopher Creasey




    223154

    Pte. Alfred Campbell 8th Btn. A Coy Manchester Regiment (d.8th Aug 1915)

    Before Alfred Campbell joined the Army, he served with the Royal Navy as a boy. When he died at Gallipoli he was 15 years old. He was born in 1900.

    Alan Bowden




    223152

    Pte. Samuel Edwards Fletcher 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.17th April 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Fletcher served in the Duke of Lancasters Imperial Yeomanry and gained the rank of Colour Seargent. He earned the Queen Victoria Boer War Medal with 4 bars.

    Samuel enlisted in the 4th Battalion of the Grenadier Guards in 1916 and served with 4th Company. He was reported missing April 13th 1918 and was reported to have died April 17th 1918 while a captive of the Germans. He died of a spinal injury and is buried in the Tourcoing Military Cemetery.

    Rex Fletcher




    223148

    Pte. James Frederick "Fred" Davies 16th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.16th July 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Davies was the son of Mr. J. A. Davies of 12 Deramore St., Rusholme, Manchester

    John Shuttleworth




    223147

    Pte. Herbert Bowker Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Herbert Bowker was born in Leeds and lived in Blackburn, Lancashire. Herbert's parents home had an about A2 size studio photographic portrate of their son in uniform which had brass lapel badges in the form of a “ball shape with flames emerging”. So we believe he served with the Lancashire Fusiliers. His medals were in a small box with other items in a sideboard drawer. I remember the rainbow ribbon, decades after they were awarded they looked rather neglected (1940s / 50s). I am trying to establish his regiment and service record, I understand he was gassed and consequently died in 1921.

    Herbert with Surviving siblings

    Bob Shaw




    223144

    Pte. Herbert Cordwell 2nd Btn. A Coy. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regt.) (d.11th Nov 1914)

    Herbert Cordwell was the son of Henry and Isabella Cordwell, of the Foresters Arms, High Ongar, Ongar, Essex, formerly of 12 Colworth Rd., Leytonstone. He was born in West Ham, 17th of February 1892. Herbert died on 11th of November 1914 in Ypres, at 22 years of age, he was in the Duke of Wellingtons Regiment. He fell in action defeating the Berlin Brigade of the Prussian Guards at Ypres. His Army number was 9563 and he was a Private. Herbert had enlisted in the army at Stratford.

    John Cordwell




    223143

    Pte. Alfred Wootton Coldstream Guards (d.1st Oct 1914)

    Alfred Wootton's great granddaughter gave me his death plaque and some documents to research for her, and I have found out his regiment and date of death. He was killed in the 1st Battle of the Aisne.

    Andrew Gates




    223141

    Pte. Roland Harold Smith MM 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.10th May 1918)

    Roland Harold Smith was one of two of my grandmother's brothers to die in the war. I don't know what battle he was wounded in, but he consequently died from his injuries on 10th May 1918. He is buried in the British Cemetery at Pernes.

    Liz Hill




    223140

    Rflmn. Albert Smith 1st/5th Battalion London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) (d.9th October 1916)

    Albert Smith was my paternal grandmother's elder brother, one of two who both died in the war. Albert died at the Somme, 9th October 1916 but with nothing left of him to bury he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He was 26 years old.

    Liz Hill




    223138

    Sgt. Michael Kelly 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.26th Apr 1915)

    Michael Kelly was the son of the late Joseph and Mary Kelly, of Kilkenny; husband of Bridget (nee Saunders) of Kilkenny

    Julie Phelan




    223136

    Fus. Robert James Storey 21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    My great grandfather Robert Storey served with 21st Btn NF, 2nd Tyneside Scottish. and returned from the war unscathed and lived well into his 80s.

    My grandfather served with the 26th Heavy Regt RA. saw action in the western desert, italy and returned home after the war unscathed and lived into his 80s.

    I myself served over 23 years finishing my time as Sgt Major of Northumberland Pioneers seeing action in the same western desert as my grandfather.

    Stephen Alexander Wardlaw




    223135

    Pte. Dennis Brown 4th Btn. Coldstream Guards

    Dennis Brown enlisted at Hull. He suffered gun shot wounds to the legs and face during the Battle of The Somme at Les Boeufs on 15th of September 1916. On 12th September 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres, he suffered a shrapnel wound to his legs at Cardoen Farm. Dennis Brown survived the war.





    223132

    Pte. James Haigh 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (d.7th May 1916)

    James Haigh was born in 1892 in Womersley, Yorkshire West Riding and first served with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (reg no 25355). How he came to serve with the Leicestershire Regiment is unknown.

    He married Florence Oliver in 1910 and they had two children - Ethel born 1911 and James R born 1913. Jim was killed in Mesopotamia (now Iraq) on 7th May 1916 and is buried in Basra Cemetery.

    Joy Smith




    223128

    Pte. William Creasey 10th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.28th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    William Creasey was a farmer's son from Metheringham Fen south of Lincoln. Records suggest he signed up for the army in December 1915 and went into action in about June 1916. He is the brother of my Grand Father and a Great Uncle to me. He is also an Uncle, Great Uncle and Great Great Uncle to many others in the Creasey family. He is remembered by all of us.

    Keith Creasey




    223127

    L/Sgt John Edward Long 11th Battalion Border Regiment (d.18th Nov 1916)

    John Edward Long's name appears on the Roll of Honour at Paddle School, Eaglesfield, Cockermouth, Cumberland. He was the son of Thomas and Ann Long and was a farm servant at the time of his enlistment.

    Sandra Shaw




    223124

    2nd Lt. David Stuart Spence 66th Bde. A Battery, Royal Field Artillery (d.13th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    David Stuart Spence was born on the 18th November 1892 in Stromness, the third son of William Spence, a baker born in Victoria, Australia, and Susanna Spence (née Smith), born in Stromness where she and William married in 1888. Stuart went to school in the town and then became a student at Edinburgh University. He had just graduated M.A. from the university, when he successfully applied for a commission in the Special Reserve of Officers in March 1915. Stuart had served in Edinburgh University O.T.C. as a gunner and attended 88 drills there, so was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in his preferred branch, the Royal Field Artillery. Stuart joined the 2/1st East Lancs Brigade RFA in the south of England. After a few months training, Stuart was posted to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and travelled out to Gallipoli.

    Stuart landed at Cape Helles on the 20th September and joined the 1/1st East Lancs Brigade RFA. However, two days later he was transferred to join 66th Brigade RFA, one of several, of the always too few, British field artillery brigades that served away from their parent division at Gallipoli. The 66th Brigade remained at Helles, while its division, the New Army 13th, moved to Anzac and then to Suvla (it eventually returned to Helles after Stuart’s death).

    The Gallipoli campaign had settled down to trench warfare when Stuart Spence arrived there, but the artillery was kept busy supporting minor British attacks and stopping those of the Turks, also in the continuous counter-battery fire. The French had started to withdraw their Senegalese infantry on 12th December, but Stuart's battery, "A" of the 66th Brigade, was probably firing in support of the French when he was killed in action on the next day.

    A letter sent to his father in March 1916 stated that Second Lieutenant D.S. Spence, Royal Field Artillery, was buried at Zimmerman Farm Cemetery (French) and that the Rev. J. Duncan officiated. However, that grave was not identified when the Imperial War Graves Commission consolidated the Gallipoli cemeteries after the Armistice, so David Stuart Spence is commemorated on Panel 21 of the impressive Helles Memorial. Stuart was 23 years old, when he died on 13th December 1915 on Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    223123

    Pte. George Smith 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    George Smith was the son of George and Priscilla Smith, of 28 Pheasantford St., Burnley and husband of Agnes Baldwin (formerly Smith) of 4 Sydney St., Burnley. He died on the 9th August 1915, aged 25, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223122

    Pte. Roy Melville Rowan 1st Sqd. Middlesex Hussars (d.21st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Roy Rowan died on thr 21st August 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was one of 167 boys and masters of Bancrofts School who gave their lives in the Great War. 'Unto God Only Be Honour and Glory'

    s flynn




    223121

    Pte. Michael Dowling McGrath 36th Btn.

    Michael McGrath was my great uncle.

    Chris Jenkins




    223120

    Cpt. Jeremiah O'Sullivan MID. 155th Field Company Royal Engineers

    Gerry O'Sullivan, was my grand uncle by marriage. I think I only met him once. A quite man he worked as a civil engineer before and after the war. He is described in Tom Johnstone's book "Orange Green and Khaki" as commanding the building artillery pits in the run up to Messines.

    John Donovan




    223119

    Pte Richard Willard 32nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.22nd Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Richard Willard was my great grandfather.

    Laurie Megson




    223118

    Sgt. James Benjamin Hillyer A Coy. 1st NZ Rifle Brigade.

    He died on 7/9/72





    223117

    Pte. Walter George Pollock 39th Btn. (d.8th June 1917)

    Walter George Pollock was my great uncle. He was one of twin brothers born in Miners Rest near Ballarat in 1888. Walter attended Miners Rest Primary School. He was working as a labourer in New South Wales at the outbreak of the war and returned to Ballarat to enlist.

    He was in the 39th Battalion and killed in action on the 8th June 1917 during the early phase of the Battle of Messines. He has no known grave and his name is listed on the Menin Gate at Ypres, Belgium. Unfortunately I do not have a photograph of Walter.

    David Evans




    223116

    Pte. Harry Garlick 1/7th Btn. London Regiment

    Harry Garlick was my great uncle. He was a good, quiet and kind man and died after the war in Hounslow, Middx on 1st December 1971 at the age of 82.

    Jim Jefferies




    223115

    Pte. William Thomas Board 694 MT Coy Army Service Corps (d.7th June 1916)

    William Thomas Board is my great uncle, my Grandmother's oldest brother. My Mother refers to him as Uncle John (which didn't help when I was trying to research my family tree!) We knew from my Grandmother's stories that one of her brothers had died in the First World War and I certainly had made the assumption that he was killed in France. After several hours of online searching I was able to discover that William had been part of the Army Service Corps and had been serving in India at the time of his death. His place of death is listed as Sukkur. He and his fellow comrades are commemorated on the India Gate War Memorial in New Delhi. he is listed thus: M2 167224 Pte William Board 694 MT Coy.

    What I can't seem to find is any further information about him and his Corps or what they were doing in India. I will keep looking.

    R Burberry




    223104

    L/Cpl. Ernest Annable 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.21st Jan 1916)

    I discovered quite recently from my mother, who is 98 years old, that when I was born, my grand father was asked to name me as he was feeling 'a bit down'. He suggested calling me Ernest as, in his words, "He was one of the best". I later discovered that Ernest was in fact his younger brother who was killed in the early stages of WW1, in the town of Merville which is where he is buried.

    I have not been able to discover the circumstances of his death which I feel must have been unlucky as he was billeted in Merville which was a clearing station and not directly on the front line. Unfortunately a lot of the KOYLI records were lost during WW2.I would love to know more about my great uncle Ernest Annable as I have carried his name for the past 60 odd years.

    Ernest Frank Annable




    223102

    Pte Frederick Hugh Nicholas 9th Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.21st Dec 1915)

    <p>

    From Letters to my Grandmother, who was Frederick Nicholas's cousin, I learn that he joined in about October 1914 and died in December 1915 aged 21. He had been attending Cardiff University. He told her in some detail about life in the trenches, the French countryside, what they were expecting the outcome to be and his hopes. He also mentioned what it was like when the King and Lord Kitchener visited the regiments in training. His last letter in my possession was in mid September 1915 so we have about 2 months missing before he died on 21st of December 1915.

    Diana Pritchard




    223096

    Pte. Arthur George Cook 1/4th Battalion, A Company. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.23rd Sept 1915)

    Arthur George Cook was a casualty of the Gallipoli Campaign in Turkey during World War 1 as a member of the 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, 53rd Welsh Division. He jad joined the Territorial Force (T.F.) in 1910 in his home town of Hayward's Heath in Sussex and died in an army hospital in Egypt in 1915 from a stomach wound obtained while fighting for the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces in Turkey. He is buried at the Alexandria (Chatby) Military Cemetery.

    Sean Ryan




    223094

    Pte. Charles Frederick Lickiss 9th Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.21 December 1915)

    Charles Frederick Lickiss is my 1st cousin 3x removed and when I started researching about him, I discovered that so little is known. I haven't been able to find a picture of Charles but I did find references to him in military records.

    He died at the 1st Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, part 4, Etaples, France. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. When he died he had 3 pounds, 16 shillings and 3 pence saved and this was transferred to his mother Rosamond Lickiss, maiden name of Batty, who was living in Husthwaite, Yorkshire.

    The Husthwaite Historical Society is researching their soldiers as well.

    Cathy Watkins




    223093

    Pte. William Edwin Smith MiD. 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    My grandfather, William E Smith, served with the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, landing at Suvla bay on the 7th of Aug 1915. He came home on the 10th of Oct 1915 then went to France on the 28th of March 1916 He was Mentioned in Dispatches in 1916 and was discharged on the 21st of Sept 1917 as medically unfit for war service, possibly due to gas.





    223091

    Pte. Michael Little 10th Batallion Cheshire Regiment (d.18th Feb 1917)

    Michael Little was my great-grandfather who died of wounds during WW1. The battle, where he received these fatal wounds, was described by the commanding officers as disastrous. Prior to the charge over the top the barbed wire protecting the opposition was supposedly cut down by gunfire the previous day. However, the soldiers found that, upon getting there, that this was not the case. They were pinned in no man's land and succumbed to heavy machine gun fire from the Germans. I cannot begin to imagine the horrors of any war but this picture haunts me most of all.

    Angela Smith




    223082

    Pte. William Thomas Dawson 10th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.31st Aug 1918)

    I have a medal belonging to William Dawson and would like to frame it and give a little back of background of how he was killed and any pictures of him or his battalion he would have served with. William was 37ish when he was killed. He had a wife in Plaistow called Edith and they had a daughter called Doris but sadly she passed away in July 1911 at just 3 months old before the war. William, I think, may have joined up in Essex and sent to the HLI as there was a recruitment drive requiring 100,000 soldiers (don't hold me to that) he may have joined earlier.

    William was a tram conductor in 1911 according to the census. If anyway has any information about this brave man please do share it, it is so so important the men and woman are remembered not only now but in years to come. Thank you for reading.

    Siobhan




    223081

    Cpl. Henry Marsh Army Service Corps

    <p>

    Harry Marsh served with the Army Service Corps.





    223080

    Pte. Abraham Edward Howe Essex Regiment

    Abraham Howe was born in Lawford, Essex in 1877, was married to Florence Bull in 1901 and enlisted in 1914. He was subsequently transferred to the Labour Corps with a change of Service Number to 414874. He died in Ardleigh, Essex on the 27th November 1955.

    Kenneth H Bennison




    223079

    Pte. Leonard Cook 1st Battalion Canterbury Infantry Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    One of my ancestors, Leonard Cook, who my late father was named after was killed at the Battle of Messines. I think that he was my grandfather's uncle perhaps, however this is unkown. We do know however that the Cook family were originally of German origin - Koch who owned delicatessen shops in Hamburg. Some emigrated to Liverpool, England, apparently running pork shops and some to New Zealand, Wellington and Palmerston North and Wanganui. This is all I know on this side of the family, it is a work in progress.

    I understand that Leonard departed NZ via Wellington and served and survived the Battle of Gallipoli, Sinai, Palestine, then finally meeting his death at the Battle of Messines Ridge, Belgium. I would be immensely grateful for any information to assist my geneaological research, especially in time for the 100yr anniversary of ANZACs 2015. Many thanks.

    Lara Hawkes




    223078

    Sgt. Albert Ernest England 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1916)

    Albert England was the son of Sarah Ann England, of Bristol; husband of E. K. Howard (formerly England) of 35 Gwilliam St., Windmill Hill, Bedminster, Bristol.





    223077

    Pte. John Somerville MiD. 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    My Grandfather John Somerville fought at Gallipoli from April 1915 to 1916 then shipped to fight in the European war until 1918. He stayed in the Army until 1921/22. He was a bagpiper in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers pipe band until his demob.

    He joined up again to fight in the Second World War being wounded and was only saved because a small boat with Scottish soldiers in it saw the bagpipes my grandfather had tied to his back, they pulled him on board saving his life, the wound finished his time in the army.





    223073

    Pte. Matthew Kirkwood 14th (London Scottish) Battalion, G Coy. London Regiment (d.25th Jan 1915)

    Matthew Kirkwood was a former resident of Nitshill. He was born in 1878 in Neilston to Allan and Margaret Kirkwood who have a longstanding connection to Nitshill through ownership of Wardhill Farm and also the Arden Lime Works. Mr Allan has made a substantial contribution to the life of Nitshill and is a well-respected businessman. Matthew left Nitshill to live and work in Parsons Green, London.

    At the outbreak of war and the initial call to arms he visited a recruitment meeting in London. He was signed up to serve in the 1st 14th (County of London) Battalion (London Scottish).

    He leaves behind his parents and two sisters Jane and Frances. Allan Kirkwood made a financial contribution to the Nitshill fund to provide a token gift to those soldiers from Nitshill who received a decoration or commendation during the war years. Matthew is remembered with honour at Le Touret Memorial.

    Alex Glass




    223072

    L/Sgt. George Rosie 7th Btn. Royal Scots (d.28th June 1915)

    <p>

    L/Sgt. George Rosie died on the 28th of June 1915. he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223071

    Pte. John Caesar Robinson 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.13th May 1915)

    <p>

    John Caesar Robinson died on the 13th of May 1915, aged 24. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Thom Riding Robinson and Eliza Robinson; husband of Mrs. J. H. Davies (formerly Robinson) of 59 Derby St. Nelson, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    223070

    Pte. Abraham Ridley 6th Btn. Border Regiment (d.7th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Abraham Ridley died on the 7th August 1915, aged 20 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of John and Sarah Ridley, of Helton, Penrith.

    s flynn




    223069

    Cpl. Fred Ridge 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Fred Ridge died on the 9th of August 1915, aged 32. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223068

    Pte. Edward Marsh 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.7th Aug 1915)

    My great grandad Edward Marsh landed at Suvla Bay on the 6th August 1915 and very quickly his battalion had cleared Turkish trenches with the use of bayonets. The following day during another attack Edward was killed, that is about all we know about him. My great grandad was a hero

    Paul Freeman




    223067

    Pte. Thomas Speight 16th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.19th July 1916)

    My grandfather's brother Thomas Speight died in the Battle of the Somme and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France. I have just discovered he must have been short, so joined the Bantams in the Cheshire Regiment. Not enough of him to bury.

    Anne Butler




    223065

    Sgt. Henry Flockhart Rome Royal Army Medical Corps

    We know little of Henry Flockhart's early life in Southern Rhodesia except that he was employed by Lennons Ltd as a pharmacist from 1911 to 1920. We have so far been unable to find any trace of attestation papers but are fairly certain that he enlisted in Rhodesia. Family stories have him serving in Salonika at some stage but we can find no verification of this. He was discharged in 1918 and returned to Rhodesia where, in 1920, he was married in Salisbury. The following year he had to return to Scotland to sort out some family matters and never returned to Rhodesia.

    If anyone is able to provide more details, I would be most grateful.

    Steve Deacon




    223063

    Pte. James Drummond 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.16th May 1915)

    My Great Grandfather, James Drummond, who joined the Royal Scots at 19 yrs old in 1914 and was killed in action at the Battle of Festubert France on 16 May 1915 leaving his only son William aged 4 (my grandfather) an orphan as his wife Catherine had died previously. My grandfather was left with his bloodstained and holed army paybook and some letters written by his friend J Anderson and sent to his aunt Jean who was looking after little Willie while he was away fighting for King & Country.

    I include some excerpts from letters sent home. one in particular sent the day before he was killed where he mentions how lucky he is by "not stopping a bullet"

    Dear Aunt and Uncle

    I now take the pleasure of answering your kind and welcome letter and parcel I was very glad to receive it. Did you get the letter about Johnny Gallagher Garrety and Mather Mulhand that he has not come to this battalion he must have gone to the first battalion. You was saying I was very lucky that I have not stopped one but it will be a lucky one that will see it over. Bobby as you was telling me is he not thinking about coming out and having a shot of this ……….. as I have been holding it all the winter for Johnny G.

    Dear Aunt and Uncle I will now draw this letter to a close.

    From your nephew James.

    With love to Willie and Aunt and Uncle God spare Big Will’s strength to work and we will do a bit for him when he gets old.

    Dear Mrs Black

    I now write these few lines just to let you know that your nephew James Drummond got killed in action on Sunday 16 May he did not linger long he got struck with a shell and got killed instantly. Well Mrs Black all the men of this company express their feelings of regret and all his friends and especially his little son who will be left without any parents. I buried him at the same spot where he got killed we all went through a terrible day just after he died but it will cost a few more lives yet before we beat the Germans. The sergeant of the company got his parcel and divided it among all the men as they thought there was no use sending it back.

    Well Mrs Black I know it will be a hard blow to you but I had to let you know that he died fighting for his King and country and he was a good soldier. I think I will stop now as I can’t express our feelings any more. Hope you will answer this just to let me know you received it.

    I remain one of his chums.

    James Anderson

    To Mrs Black

    I received your kind and welcome letter and was glad to see by it that you received mind but was very sorry to hear you were lying ill but I hope by the time you receive this you will be alright again. I know it will be a long time before you get over it. As I told you before he died a heroes death far better than some able bodied men who I expect are still knocking about the street corners of Glasgow at the present time. But I don’t know what they would do if the Germans were coming to Britain. Well Mrs Black I am writing this letter and all the time the guns are roaring. We have just come out of the trenches for a few days rest I’ve been through a few battles myself but I have been home for a few weeks. I got wounded at the battle Aisne but if I get home again I will come through to you and let you know everything. I was making a cross for his grave but we got orders to shift I am very sorry to tell you that I did not finish it. You were asking me for his small book but we had to had it in to the Sergeant so you will get everything from Headquarters. The only thing we are frightened of now is poisonous gas they are using. Well I think I will draw to a close as I have no more to say. I hope to see you soon.

    I remain yours, most sincerely.

    Private J Anderson.

    Xxxxx to the little boy from me

    David Smith




    223062

    Pte. Robert Tumilson 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    I don't know too much about Bobby Tumilson's war service except that he was at the Somme. The only other evidence I have is a birth certificate stamped "Infantry Barracks, Islandbridge, Dublin, 16 May 1916". He was born in January 1899 and died in March 1986. He was not wounded during the war and received the usual three medals - Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. He later served in the RIC and, after partition, in the RUC. In later life he was a school caretaker.

    Neil McCormick




    223061

    Pte. Alfred John Doughty 2nd Btn Royal Fusiliers

    <p>

    Alfred Doughty was known as Jack and served with the 2nd Btn Royal Fusiliers

    Stephen Doughty




    223057

    Pte. William Nutter 1st/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.4th June 1915)

    <p>

    William Nutter died 4th June 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey

    s flynn




    223056

    Pte. Anthony Neary 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Anthony Neary was born in Coulkarney, Co. Mayo. He enlisted in Burnley and died on the 29th June 1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223055

    Pte. James Munro 2/2 East Lancashire Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.13th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    James Munro was the son of James and Sarah Munro of 41 Barden Lane, Burnley. He was drowned when the troop ship Royal Edward was torpedoed on 13th August 1915, aged 23. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223054

    Pte. James King Moodie 1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.26th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    James was born at Silverhall, in Lady parish on the island of Sanday, Orkney Islands, on 9th July 1885, the second son of James Moodie and Margaret Moodie (née King). When he had finished his schooling on Sanday, young James left his large family and moved into a boarding house at 1 Bridge Street in Kirkwall. He served an apprenticeship as a shop assistant with Bailie J.F. Flett and Dean-of-Guild P.C. Flett, then moved to Kelso to work in a shop there.

    James was keen to see more of the world, so in 1907 joined the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers. It was then stationed at Cairo in Egypt, where James was to spend most of his army career. In 1911 1st K.O.S.B. left Egypt for India, and was stationed at Lucknow when war broke out. The Battalion left Bombay on 30th October 1914, and landed at Ismailia on 16th November, when 1st K.O.S.B. became part of 22nd Indian Brigade, general reserve of the Suez Canal Defence Force.

    1st K.O.S.B. sailed on the 24th November in the cruisers Amethyst and Sapphire, to land on Gallipoli. At 5 am next day the Scottish Borderers lead a company of 2nd South Wales Borderers and the Plymouth Royal Marine Battalion ashore from cutters towed by trawlers at Y Beach, the furthest north landing beach at Helles. Fortunately only four Turks opposed the Borderers as they scrambled up the steep cliffs and then pushed forward 300 yards to the edge of Gully Ravine. The force waited, in vain, for British troops to advance from the southern Helles beaches to join it and only at 3 pm began to entrench on top of the cliff above Y Beach. Turkish field gun fire started an hour later and at 5.40 pm a series of fierce infantry attacks began that continued through the night. The Turks had withdrawn by daylight, but they had inflicted heavy British casualties and ammunition ashore was short. Requests for reinforcements met no response and there was even confusion as to which officer was in command of the mixed force. Evacuation of wounded from Y Beach in the morning of the 26th lead unintentionally to an increasing stream of demoralised men also boarding the boats and by noon the whole force had withdrawn.

    However James Moodie did not live to join the withdrawal, having become one of 1st K.O.S.B.’s 296 casualties in the night attacks. James died at Y Beach aged 29 but his body was not identified until after the war and he is now commemorated on Panel 90 of the Helles Memorial.

    s flynn




    223053

    Sgt. James Magnall 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.21st Jun 1915)

    <p>

    James Magnall lived at 29 Ribblesdale Street, Burnley, Lancashire. He died on the 21st June 1915, aged 20 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223051

    Pte. George Lewis MM. 5th Btn Royal Welch Fusiliers

    <p>

    George Lewis (my Taid) born 10th Jan 1894 and from Halendy, Mostyn. He served overseas with the 5th Btn (a Territorial unit). I make his enlistment to be Feb/March 1912. From enlistment to early 1917 he was 984 and afterwards he was 240206. The reason he has two numbers is because the whole Territorial Force was renumbered to 6 digit numbers in early 1917.The RWF had four Territorial battalions each with it's own number sequence . Until war outbreak he was attending annual camps etc. and at outbreak he was immediately mobilised.

    He went to Gallipoli in August 1915 and was wounded in that campaign. After that he went to Egypt/Palestine. He was awarded the Military Medal, according to the War Diary being presented with the award whilst in rest camp on 13th of November 1917. There is every chance that this was for action at 3rd Battle of Gaza earlier that month. He has a card at Hawarden Records Office that might provide further info. He died in Pen-y-ffordd on 5th July 1961.

    George Lewis

    George Lewis 1952 ish

    Karen Smith




    223049

    Pte. William Harey Morrison 2nd Pioneer Battalion

    <p>

    My great uncle, William Harvey Morrison came to Australia in 1911 from Balfron, near Glasgow. He loved the country and when war was declared, enlisted at Brisbane, Queensland on 11th Aug 1915 at the age of 30. Originally in 8th reinforcements, 25th Battalion, he was transferred to 2nd Pioneer Battn and via Egypt in 1916 he saw action in France until the end of the war. For a time, he was batman to Captain Archibald Niven Sinclair in C Company, who was killed in 1917 and is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery. Uncle Willie returned to Balfron and married Elizabeth Fraser in 1919 and again travelled to Australia with his pregnant bride in 1920.

    Kaye Griffith




    223045

    L/Cpl. Allan Livingstone 8th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.28th June 1915)

    Allan Livingstone was my great grandfather and sadly I can't find any trace of his records as I believe they were part of the burnt records. I would love to have a photo of him if anyone can provide this.

    His son, also named Allan, served in WW1 but was fortunate enough to return home. I am still searching for his regiment etc.

    Kaye Griffiths




    223043

    Pte. Charles Horace Hurford 9th (Queen Victoria Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    Charles Hurford enlisted on the 26th of March 1914.

    Tony Hurford




    223042

    Gnr. Thomas McLaren 236th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.15th Jul 1917 )

    <p>Gravestone

    I know very little about Thomas McLaren other than he was my grandfather's brother. He was born in Limekilns, Fife and enlisted in Inverness. He was the son of David McLaren of Halkettshall, Limekilns, Fife. He died aged 30, and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. Sadly I have never been there to visit his grave. He is commemorated on the Limekilns Village War Memorial.

    Thomas McClaren

    Duncan McLaren




    223040

    L/Sgt. Thomas Owen Thomas 5th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.26th March 1917)

    Thomas Thomas was the son of Samuel and Mary Elizabeth Thomas of 1 Berry Square, Dowlais and husband of Blodwen. He is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial.

    Viv lloyd




    223039

    Sig. Arthur Laws 200th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Laws was my Great Uncle. He was married in March 1918 and died in action the following October in France aged 26. I am currently researching further details.

    Tony Fletcher




    223038

    Pte. John Cook 1/5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th Sept 1916)

    John Cook was born on 9th May 1878 in Goose Green, Wigan, Lancashire. His mother was Anne Cook who worked as a weaver in a woollen mill and his father was unknown. He married Mary Ellen Bousfield on 25th August 1900 in Rosedale Abbey, North Yorkshire and together they had eight children of which my grandma Margaret Cook (b. Dec 1900) was the oldest. John was a miner and spent most of his working life in the ironstone mines in and around North Yorkshire.

    John enlisted in the 1/5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment in Whitby in 1915 and became Private 3496. He completed his training before leaving for France. Unfortunately for John the 1/5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment was deployed to the Somme area of Northern France. John fought in the Battle of Flers Corcelettes which was a major offensive and hundreds of men lost their lives. John was ‘Killed in Action’ on the 15th September 1916 and his name appears as a casualty of that Battle in the Yorkshire Regiment War Diaries.

    John is remembered with honour and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France. His name also appears on the Staithes War Memorial, near Whitby in North Yorkshire. To my knowledge there are no surviving photographs of John Cook. I am his great granddaughter.

    Margaret Martin




    223037

    Capt. Evelyn Saffrey Marshall MiD. 9th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.6th Apr 1916)

    Captain Evelyn Marshall was the last officer to leave Suvla Bay and died near Basra, as described in The Story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment by C R Kingsford. I have letters he sent throughout his service, describing events and conditions.

    Roger Marshall




    223035

    Pte. Daniel Lynch 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.25th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Daniel Lynch was born on 9th September, 1892, at Longstone, Lattin, South Tipperary, Ireland. His parents were Daniel Lynch and Winifred Ryan. Daniel served with the 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers. He joined the R.M.F. Regiment at the New Barracks (now Sarsfield Barracks), Limerick City. He was killed in action at the ill fated Landing at Cape Helles (Dardanelles) from SS River Clyde on the morning of Easter Sunday, 25th April, 1915. It was the first day of the battle and The Munster Fusiliers suffered very heavy casualties. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli in Turkey.

    s flynn




    223033

    Pte. George Lumley 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    George Lumley died on the 9th of August 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223032

    Pte. Stephen Lowden 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Stephen Lowden lived at 90 Finsley Gate, Burnley, Lancashire. He died on the 9th August 1915, aged 32, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223031

    L/Sgt. Herbert Jones 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Jones was the son of George and Mary Jones of 11 Coniston St., Burnley. He lived at 20 Herbert Street, Burnley, Lancashire. He died 30th August 1915, aged 19 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223030

    Pte. James Ingham 1/4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.10th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    James Ingham was born in Burnley, Lancs and Lived at Greenwood Rocks Farm, Sabden. He died on 10th June 1915 and commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    223028

    Pte. Thomas "Jock" Kidd Highland Light Infantry

    My father Thomas Kidd was 20 years my Mother's senior and it is only over the last few months that I have discovered his army history with the war records being opened up on Ancestry. It has been a very emotional journey learning what my father must have been through and he kept silent to his family about it until his death in a car accident in 1965. I first found his enrollment form and recognised his signature immediately and later learned he was awarded the British War Medal, The Victory Medal and The 1914-1915 British Star of which we have no knowledge of.

    He, I believe served at the Battle of Loos and as it is the 100 Anniversary of that Battle this year, my dream would be to be there for that celebration. I am so very proud of what my Dad did for his country and of course I was a Daddy's girl. He left for Australia in 1923. I would appreciate if anyone could pass any information or photos of my Father during the war please.

    Mary Kidd




    223027

    Pte. John William Unsworth Machine Gun Corps

    I know very little about my grandfather, John Unsworth. As far as I know he died from gas poisoning. He died after the war age 26 on the 29th April 1920. He is buried in Plumpstead Cemeter. I now live in Australia and have only discovered these details since my mother died and information from CWGC I have been back to the UK many times but have never visited the grave as I was unaware of its location. Now I know I hope to visit the grave this year 2015.

    If anyone has any more information I can be contacted by below.

    Nick Beard




    223025

    Pte. Arthur George Jarman 1st Battalion, D Coy. Somerset Light Infantry (d.2nd June 1915)

    In memory of my ancestor, 2nd cousin Arthur Jarman He served as Private, 9558, with "D" Coy. 1st Bn., Somerset Light Infantry and died "at home" on 2nd of June 1915 of wounds received in battle. He is interred at Bristol (Greenbank) Cemetery, and is grave is maintained by the CWWGC

    Remembered with Honour.

    Stuart Jarman




    223024

    Pte. S. J. Turner 13th Btn. King's Regiment (Liverpool) (d.2nd Nove 1917)

    S. J. Turner was married to my maternal grandmother, nee Terry.

    Ted Smith




    223023

    Cpt. Charles Albert Glentworth Cunningham 12th Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.5th June 1915)

    I have been doing research about my family Cunningham and found that Charles Albert Glentworth Cunningham died on the 05 June 1915 in Gallipoli serving the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 12th Battalion. Unfortunately, this is all I have about him and would love to find out anything further.

    Sherell Cunningham




    223020

    Sgt. Charles Rogerson 13th Btn. Yorks and Lancaster Regiment

    Charles Rogerson served with the 13th Btn. Yorks and Lancs and later in the Royal Flying Corps

    Charles Ward




    223018

    Pte. Thomas Gilbert Bane Middlesex Regiment

    My dad Thomas Gilbert Bane was 6ft and well built but underage, he was found out and transferred to the Middlesex Regiment in 1917 as a Bugler. Because of his age he did not see service abroad. He was demobbed in 1919 and was declared class Z Army Reserve.

    Gillian




    223015

    Ldg.Sea. William Edward Cockings Drake Btn. Royal Naval Division

    <p>

    My great-granddad - William Edward Cockings (1880-1959) from his service record, seems to have had an interesting time of it during his service in the Navy in WWI. Prior to the war he joined the Navy in December 1898, aged 18, and his record shows he served on a variety of ships, all with good or very good conduct and rose to the rank of leading seaman. Leaving the Navy in 1905 he became a police constable in the Metropolitan Police but kept his links to the Navy becoming part of the Royal Fleet Reserve to serve until 1910.

    He re-enrolled for a further 5 years in 1910 and was called up for sea service at the outbreak of war in August 1914. He served for two weeks in August 1914 aboard HMS Cressy (which was torpedoed with great loss of life a month later) before joining Drake Battalion of the Royal Naval Division, which took him to Gallipoli until the battalion was withdrawn for sea service in 1916. He appears to have left the RND in April 1916 being transferred to land-based HMS Pembroke for a month.

    His next ship was the brand new HMS Chester which he joined in early May 1916. Chester was involved in the Battle of Jutland 3 weeks later taking 17 150mm shell hits causing casualties of 29 men killed and 49 wounded; many of the wounded lost legs because the open backed gun-shields did not reach the deck and give adequate protection. Amongst the gun crew fatalities was 16 year old John Cornwell who received the Victoria Cross. Following repairs he served on HMS Chester until Jan 1919 as part of the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron.

    Following the war he returned to his police duties until retirement in 1933.

    Matthew Rous




    223013

    Ord.Sea. James Stephen "Sonny" Foreman HMS Clan McNaughton (d.3rd Feb 1915)

    My ancestor James Foreman was only 18 years old when he died and his body was never recovered. I thought that must of been so upsetting for the family not to have a body to bury or cremate. So, please I would love to know what happened because I have been searching for months and I have come to a brick wall.





    223012

    Pte. Thomas Gallacher 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.4th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Gallacher was the husband of Grace Muir Gallacher whom he married in Glasgow in 1906. He was born on 16 June 1884 at 45 Smith Street, Whiteinch, Glasgow, the son of Thomas Gallacher and Rachel Gallacher (nee O'Brien). He was killed on active duty on 4th of August 1915.

    Mary




    223010

    Sgt. Lionel Arthur Hobbs 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    My great uncle, Lionel Arthur Hobbs was born in Brenchley in Kent on the 13th February 1886 and on the 6th May 1887 his family emigrated to Canada. However they returned to England in 1892. He enlisted as a military bandsman (flute player) at Kneller Hall, Twickenham on the 15th March 1900 at the age of 14. He served in India at Rawalpindi from 1906 until 1912. He married Alice Rachel Philpott on the 14th June 1911, and their daughter Elsie Alice Eleanor Hobbs was born in Bombay on the 8th November 1912.

    At the outbreak of the Great War he was on leave in England and sent to Le Havre, France on the 14th August 1914, just 17 days after war was declared. However he was taken prisoner only 10 days later. He was a prisoner of war at Senne in France until 20th December 1917 when he was transferred to Holland, and released after the end of hostilities in 1919. His military total service amounted to 19 years and 23 days. He died in Thanet, Kent in 1954.

    P Hobbs




    223008

    Nurse Anne Wilhelmina Ahern

    <p>

    Anne Wilhelmina Ahern was born in 1890 in Dublin and lived in Co. Meath in Ireland. She served as a nurse at Norfolk War Hospital around 1915-1917. On a postcard of herself sent to her family, she wrote: "Rather a sad looking dog, but I was really trying to look serious as there one of the nurses grinning in front. Don't worry about the Zeppelins. There's no danger. With Love Annie" later she has written "At Norfolk War Hospital" and "Me at 26"

    She married a Canadian soldier from the Princess Pat Division named Verne Howard Getty in Norwich in August 1916. They had two sons while in England and then left for Canada in 1919.

    George W. Ahern, Verne H. Getty, and Anne Ahern Getty, ca. 1917

    Josephine Bloodgood




    223007

    Pte. Edward Sighe 1/5th Btn King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.10th March 1917)

    Edward Sighe enlisted in 1914 with the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment 8th Bn then transferred to the 1/5 Bn. He left behind a son and daughter that he barely knew. He wasn't hit or wounded until 10th March 1917 when he was killed. Not sure where but the date was the same time as the occupation of Blakeley Crater he died of his wounds at age 33 he is buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery.

    Justin




    223006

    L/Cpl. William John Gower 6th Battalian Wiltshire Regiment (d.2nd July 1916)

    William Gower served with the 6th Battalian Wiltshire and was attached to the 1st/1st Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry when he was killed on the second day of the Battle of the Somme. He was 21 years old, the son of George Frank and Harriet Gower of 20 Premier St., Nechells, Birmingham.

    Tony Harris




    223003

    Rflmn. Thomas Gibson 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) (d.15th June 1918)

    Thomas Gibson was my great uncle, my grandfather's brother. Unfortunately, he was never talked about when I was a child, it was only when my grandparents died that I saw a photograph of a cross marking his grave. I have done some research and found out he is buried at Le Vertannoy British Cemetery, Hinges.

    Pauline Cook




    223002

    Pte. George Bradley 1st Battallion East Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    George Bradley died on the 3rd May 1917 and is buried at Cowrdy in northern France.

    John Wilson




    223000

    Pte. Robert Thomas Parker 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers

    Robert Parker born in 1892 was the son of Ambrose Parker and Mary Ann Leeworthy. He joined the South Wales Borderers on the 8th September 1903 as 8222 Pte Robert Parker. He married Sarah Amy Esling on the 2nd of July 1912. He was recalled from the reserve 4th August 1914 at Bordon Hampshire and travelled to France. Arriving at Le Havre on the 13th August 1914 with the 1st SWB. He was wounded in the face and lower jaw on the 30th of September 1914, but we do not know where. Robert served time in the Labour Corps with 552 Home Service Employment Corp. Regt No 266475 in July 1917 and also served with the 16th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment. Regt No 64665. in 1918. He was transferred to reserve on the 25th February 1919, listed as Medical Category B11 and holding a Qualification 3rd Class certificate.

    Laurence Spring




    222996

    Rflmn. Edward Vaughan Williams 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.14th Oct 1918)

    My father used to tell me the story about his two uncles, Edwin and Newton Williams. Edwin was a year older than Newton, and just after Edwin's 18th birthday he was called for active service. Although his father was Welsh and mother English, he was signed up with the Royal Irish Rifles and served only a few months in France, as he died on the 14th October 1918, just a few weeks before war ended. His younger brother Newton lived well into his late 80's.

    Kay Davies




    222993

    PO. James Hough Portsmouth Btt. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.6th May 1915)

    <p>

    James Hough was the son of Annie Hough of 18 Snowden St., Rose Grove, Burnley. He died 6th May 1915, aged 26, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222992

    Sgt. William Hopkinson 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.12th July 1915)

    <p>

    William Hopkinson enlisted in Burnley and lived at Danil Smiths House, Colne. He died on 12th July 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222991

    Pte. Robert Heaps 1/4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Heaps died on the 9th of October 1915.

    s flynn




    222990

    Pte. Oldfield Hawarth 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.6th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Oldfield Hawarth lived at 138 Cog Lane, Burnley, Lancashire. He died 6th August 1915, aged 18 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. CWGC has his surname as Haworth.

    s flynn




    222989

    John Armitage Gill York and Lancaster Regiment

    I have a desire to find out more about my grandad, John Gill. I have searched several websites but can find very little apart from being able to verify his service name and part of his number. I have a photo of him with my grandmother and my mother but that is all. I would dearly love to know more about his service in WW1

    Pat Grayson




    222988

    2nd Lt. Norman Ramsay 16th Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Norman Ramsay 1869–1916 was the 12th child of pioneer Queensland grazier, politician and treasurer Robert Burnett Ramsay and his wife Margaret Cruickshank, Norman Ramsay was born in Queensland on 14 August 1869. Although the details are hazy, it seems that he first went to school in Queensland but was later sent to Glyngarth Preparatory School in England prior to going to Harrow in September 1884 for his secondary education. Like his elder brothers, he was a fine sportsman who excelled at almost every game he played, and was particularly good at football and cricket. By all accounts, he was also a crackshot with both rifle and shotgun, a fine polo player, a good tennis player, and a competent jockey.

    In 1888, Norman returned from England to Queensland with his brother Douglas to work for their elder brothers Frank and Bob on the Darling Downs and around Winton. Another brother, Lauderdale, joined them in 1893. Their father, in partnership with the well-known Queensland pastoralist and politician Sir Arthur Hodgson, owned Eton Vale on the Darling Downs but had retired to England; and Frank and Bob, together with Sir Arthur’s son Edward, had bought Oondooroo Station near Winton in 1886.

    In 1894, with a view to giving them a capital base, Robert Ramsay bought three 1/12 shares of Oondooroo from Frank and Bob for Lauderdale, Douglas and Norman. Thus was born the famous pastoral firm of Ramsay Bros. & Hodgson, which, some years after the premature death of Edward Hodgson in July 1896, grew to be one of the largest sheep producers in the world. Indeed, in response to a tenuous claim about an unnamed farmer in the USA, 'The Western Champion and General Advertiser' dated 9 October 1905 echoed the 'North Queensland Register' in saying that the Ramsay Bros. would, with a good season or two, “give the American a shaking for the title of biggest sheepfarmers in the world”.

    Details of Norman’s movements between 1888 and 1905 are not known. However, it’s known that, as Ramsay Bros. & Hodgson’s pastoral empire expanded, he was at different times manager or acting manager of Oondooroo, Elderslie, Charlotte Plains and Burleigh stations while his elder brothers Frank and Bob remained the prime movers in the Ramsay brothers’ business dealings. Often, Norman and his four brothers would fill in for each other when one or more of them went on holiday. Back then of course, a typical holiday entailed a trip to the home country, and would last at least six months.

    Norman spent many years in and around Winton in far-west Queensland, and a couple of years on Bogunda Station at Prairie near Hughenden between 1905 and 1907. It’s clear from everything that has been written and said about him that, like his brothers, he was well liked and highly regarded. Even though he never married, he was affable and popular with women despite suffering for many years from neuralgia, a disorder of the trigeminal nerve that causes frequent and intense pain in the face. Unlike Frank and Bob who seemed to be comfortable in their own company, Norman appeared at times to hanker after the hustle and bustle of city life. To that end, he moved to Sydney in about 1907 and then, with his brother Douglas, moved back to England in 1910 to join their widowed father Robert, their elder brother Frank who had retired two years earlier, and their three surviving sisters, all of whom were living in or near Bekesbourne in Kent.

    Norman was still in England when war broke out in 1914. Deeply patriotic to King and country, he enlisted into the British Army even though he was by then 45. At his age and with his wide-ranging experience of life and people management, he could reasonably have asked to be a commissioned officer immediately. Citing inexperience in military matters though, he signed on as a private in the Sportman’s Battalion in October 1914. In October 1915, he transferred to the 16th Battalion Rifle Brigade, part of the Prince Consort’s Own Rifle Regiment that had been formed in 1800 as an “experimental corps of riflemen to provide sharpshooters, scouts and skirmishers”, and was immediately promoted to 2nd.-lieutenant.

    With his considerable experience as a crackshot in Queensland, Norman was surely a perfect fit for such a regiment. After military training at a number of military camps in England including Hursley Park, Aldershot and Witley Camp, Norman sailed from England to Le Havre on 8 March 1916 en route to the battle front in France.

    After a short time at Blaringhem, and alongside soldiers of the Royal Sussex Regiment, Norman and his fellow soldiers of the 16th. Rifle Brigade were reportedly involved in heavy fighting near Richbourg l'Avoue on 16 June 1916. A precursor to the Battle of the Somme, Richbourg was planned as a diversionary action but was actually so bloody that it should perhaps be regarded as the first of the officially designated battles of the Somme.

    On 3 September, while reconnoitering German trenches from ‘no man’s land’ during one of the many other battles of the Somme, he was killed by the enemy. The details of exactly how he died or where he was at the time are not known. Sadly, he was one of many thousands of soldiers who died in the Somme but have no known grave. His name though lives on in numerous places including on memorials in Winton and Cambooya in Queensland, in St. Peter's Church in Bekesbourne in Kent, and at Thiepval in France

    Photograph in Winton of the Winton tennis team that beat Charters Towers in 1904. The team included Norman Ramsay and his brother Bob. The original photograph is in the John Oxley Library at the University of Queensland.

    Winton war memorial to the fallen both world wars. As can be seen near the bottom of the top right list, Norman Ramsay is among those honoured. He is also honoured on a similar war memorial in Cambooya, Queensland. Photograph by Alan Ramsay.

    Alan Ramsay




    222987

    L/Cpl. Clifford Smithies 18th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    Clifford Smithies was my grandfather and he served in the First World War in the 18th Yorkshire Regiment as a Lance Corporal.

    He later, with his family, went to New Zealand and also served in the Second World War in the NZ Air Force. He was the founding President of the Hobsonville RSA (similar to the British Legion) he died in the 1960's in Auckland. His son, my father also served in the NZ Army in Greece, Crete and North Africa. He was wounded in action in Crete and was also mentioned in despatches in later fighting in North Africa. He also died in the 1960's in Auckland, New Zealand.

    My Grandfather's older brother Norman was killed in action in WW1, but I have no information as to where and when.

    Peter Smithies




    222984

    Sgt. Cyril Claude Kellam L Battery Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    Cyril Claude Kellam was my grandfather. He was born in 1891 and joined the Royal Horse Artillery in 1906 when he was 15 - he lied about his age. He sent postcard to my Grandmother nearly every week he was in France and I still have them. He was wounded near Arras in 1917 and sent home, but returned and served until the end of the war. I have many photos and documents that belonged to him. He was a lovely man and died at the age of 90.

    1917 Front row 3rd from left

    Runion about 1969

    Susan Longdon




    222981

    Pte. Joseph Hall 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.20 May 1918 )

    Joseph Hall was the son of Jonathan and Elizabeth nee Fitzpatrick Hall, he was from the Pendleton area. His last known address was 16 Cobden St. Pendleton Salford, his parent’s home; he was a cloth packer in a local mill. In 1913 he married Louisa Wright a local girl and had a daughter.

    He joined the Rifle Brigade and was in the 8th Division. Sadly he was killed in France 20 May 1918. Joseph was awarded the British, Victory and Star medals for his gallantry.

    Linda Henderson




    222979

    L/Cpl Thomas Henry Manley 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Manley enlisted at Leicester town hall in November 1915 and joined the Durham Light Infantry regiment. He was at the Somme in August 1916. 7th Battalion D.L.I pioneers moved to Ypres and where they were attached to 9th Battalion Durham L.I.

    Harry was wounded and gassed at Ypres in November 1917 and sent to Endell Street Military Hospital in London. He was sent back to France in April 1918 and posted to 5th battalion Durham Light Infantry at Pontavert on the Aisne. He was killed in action on the 27th May 1918, aged 21. He is buried at Hermonville Military Cemetery, France.

    Peter Manley




    222977

    Pte. Charles Bowden 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    Private Charles Bowden of the 2nd Devonshire Regiment died on May 9th 1915 aged 25. He was the son of John Jeffrey and Mary Jane Bowdon and lived in Bridgetown Totnes.





    222975

    Pte. Arthur Charles Sullivan 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.31st July 1918)

    Arthur Charles Sullivan was my great uncle, my mother's uncle, and my grandmother's brother. I have been building a family tree and all that my mum knew was that her mother's brother had been killed in WWI.

    After some research, I have discovered Arthur was born around 1898 in Walthamstow. The family lived in Edmonton. I am not sure if Arthur was drafted or volunteered. The military records I have so far found show that he was a private in the 8th Btn of the East Surrey Regiment. He was killed in action on 31st of July 1918. He would have been around 19 or 20 years old. He is listed as buried in the Ribemont Communal Cemetery, Somme.

    Kate Bridgeman




    222972

    Cpl. A J Mason MM. 1/15th Btn. London Regiment

    I have Cpl Mason's medals but know very little about him except that he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in France.

    Dudley Wall




    222970

    Pte. Edgar Vivers Teague 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Oct 1918)

    Lance Sergeant Edgar Vivers Teague died of wounds during the Battle of Vittorio in Italy. When a private, he was wounded on 4th of June 1917, and I assume this was at the Battle of Messines. He was awarded the Italian Cross of War

    Les Tgue




    222968

    Sgt. Arthur Thomas "Jo" Jones MM & Bar. 6th Btn. Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry

    Born in Oxen 1896, my Father, Arthur Jones was badly wounded in the last period of 1917 possibly winning the bar for his MM (gazetted 9/12/1916)& 12/11/1917) and was hospitalized. He was given a silver shoulder blade, and once fit enough, returned to light duties as a prisoner of war guard. We know at the end of the war (or sooner) he joined the Labour Corps as a Sergeant with the Army number 443711. He ended his service as a Quarter Master Sergeant in 1921.

    We are trying to find out more details of which hospital, where and with what type of wounds? where he went next, When he joined the Corps and where did he serve, plus the date of de-mob.

    To end the story he re-enlisted in the RAF in 1922 as a Sergeant 351512 and served through-out the Second World War & was awarded the MBE in 1942, retiring in 1951 as a Wing Commander. He died on 12th of July 1972

    Colin Arthur Jones




    222967

    2nd Lt. Thomas Oliver 9th Battalion, B Company Northumberland Fusiliers

    Thomas Oliver joined as a private in the Medical Corp on the 25th September 1914 (aged 20). He was at Tidworth 29th September 1914, at Torquay on 1st of December 1915, Buford on 2nd of June 1916, Warminster on 21st of June 1916. He then went to France with the BEF and No 51 Field Ambulance RAMC and was later discharged on appointment to a commission.

    Thomas was commissioned on 26th of September 1916 and appointed a temporary commission as 2nd Lieut posted to the 3rd (Training) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was posted to the BEF in France on 26th October 1916 and joined B Company, 9th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was wounded in the trenches to the east of Orange Hill, near Arras on 18th April 1917, being buried under German shell fire six times within an hour, with slight gas and shell shock. He was removed and evacuated to hospital in the UK. He was not discharged for over 12 months until 26th April 1918.

    Thomas was reapointed on the 6th of May 1940 to serve as an officer with the RAOC until 15 March 1954 by which time he was aged 60. He passed away in Chester Le Street, County Durham in 1959.

    Chris Oliver




    222965

    Pte. Frederick Alfred Carpenter Lancashire Fusiliers

    Frederick Carpenter was my grand father. He died before I was born. I know he served in India before the WW1 and was sent to Gallipoli. He was in the Battle of Krithia. Hence my father's name Norman John Krithia Carpenter. I know he survived the War but cannot find anything more about him.

    Stephen Carpenter




    222963

    Pte. Louis Hatherley 2/2 East Lancashire Field Amb. B Coy Royal Army Medical Corps (d.13th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Louis Hatherley was the husband of Dorothy J. Thompson (formerly Hatherley), of 69, New Hall St., Burnley. He died when the troop ship HMT Royal Edward was torpedoed on the 13th August 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. (CWGC has surname as 'Hatherly'.)

    s flynn




    222962

    Pte. Fred Hargreaves 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.14th May 1915)

    <p>

    Fred Hargreaves was the son of John Hargreaves, of Barrowford and husband of Elizabeth E. Hargreaves, of 104, Gisburn Rd., Barrowford, Nelson, Lancs. He died on the 14th May 1915, aged 31 and is commemorated the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli in Turkey.

    s flynn




    222961

    Pte. Wilfred Hardman 1/2 East Lancashire Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.7th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Wilfred Harman was the son of Sam Henry and Edith Hardman, of 16, Green St., Burnley. He died on 7th December 1915, aged 20. He is commemorated the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222960

    Pte. Thomas Hammond 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th June 1915)

    Thomas Hammond died on the 4th of June 1915 and is commemorated on on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli in Turkey.

    s flynn




    222957

    Pte James Platts 10th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th September 1917)

    <p>

    James Platts was born in Bagthorpe, Nottinghamshire in 1890 and lived on Church Lane. At the time of the war he lived with his parents James and Kate Platts of Great Northern Road, Jacksdale, Nottinghamshire. James Senior is listed as a Grocer who later moved to a shop on Franklin Road, Jacksdale.

    James was sent to France on 25th August 1915. He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. Family members have said he was shot in the head by a German sniper.

    James' mother Kate died in 1918 and his father died in 1923. They are both buried at St Mary's Church, Westwood, behind Jacksdale Miners' Welfare. Their son James is commemorated on their headstone. James' name appears on the memorial in Jacksdale and also in St Helen's Church, Selston.

    Original War Memorial at Jacksdale

    Family Grave at Westwood

    Kelly Martin




    222956

    Pte. Frederick Charles Bladon 8th Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.24th May 1916)

    My Great Uncle Freddie Bladon was born in Berkhampsted in 1898 and enlisted at St Albans, Hertfordshire in 1915. He only survived six months and was killed at Flanders at only 18 years of age. I would like to know why when he enlisted in Hertfordshire and ended up in a Devonshire Regiment way down in the south.

    Editor's Note: Only men who were already serving in the army when war broke out, or who joined a pals battalion in the first months of the war or those attested via the Derby Scheme served in their local regiments. All others were allocated to which ever unit needed additional men.





    222955

    Rflmn. Sidney Carpenter 1st Btn Rifle Brigade (d.1st October 1917)

    My Uncle Syd Carpenter became employed in the Y M C A and met many of the trainee soldiers. Sid was only aged 17 but lied about his age and enlisted into the 3rd/8th Battalion Post Office Rifles. His contracted trench foot and was sent to Netley Hospital for treatment. He was sent home for a short leave back to his home at Fovant and my mother Dorothy told me Sid was a changed man , he was terrified of going back to the front. He went back and was assigned to the Rifle Brigade who were fighting at Passcendaele. On a day of no great action Sid died of shell fire, he is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Donald Ekless




    222954

    Pte. Frank Horden Halstead 2/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th August 1915)

    <p>

    Frank Halstea died at sea on the 8th of August 1915, aged 23. Commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli in Turkey, he was the son of James Halstead of 7 Claremont Terrace, Nelson, Lancs.

    s flynn




    222953

    Pte. Alfred Samuel Hallett 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.10th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred Hallett died on the 10th August 1915, aged 18. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222952

    Pte. George William Hales 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    George William Hales died on the 9th of June 1916, aged 20. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222951

    Pte. Albert Edward Hales 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.13th August 1915)

    <p>

    Albert Hales was onboard the troopship Royal Edward which was torpedoed by the German U Boat UB14. Of the 1500 plus on board, over 900 people lost their lives on Friday 13th August 1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222949

    Pte. Bertie William John White 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment

    My grandfather Bertie White enlisted in Dorchester on 31st of August 1914. He trained at Belton Park Camp in Grantham and went to the Island of Lemnos. He landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th August 1915 with the 5th Battalion as part of the 34th Brigade.

    When the British Army was withdrawn to Egypt the 5th Battalion spent several months there, before going to the Western Front in the autumn and early 1917. It has not been possible to find out when he was wounded, but he received a serious wound to the face. Owing to his wounds he was discharged on 1st June 1917. He lived in Parkstone for the rest of his life, and passed away in 1968.

    Roy Feltham




    222948

    Pte. Robert Henry Leggott 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards (d.25th September 1916)

    The Commondale Village WWI Commemoration booklet list two Commondale men who went to London in 1914 and joined the 4th Btn Grenadier Guards. The information below is attributed to Franka and taken from this publication:

    Robert Leggott 19208 joined the 4th Btn Grenadier Guards at the same time and was killed on 25th September 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial

    His friend Alfred Cockrill 19205 died at Chalfont Colony, The National Society for the Employment of Epileptics, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire on the 20 August 1920 as a result of a gun shot wound to the head suffered while serving with the 4th Btn in July 1916.

    Dave Mallinson




    222947

    Pte. Alfred Cockerill 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards

    The Commondale Village WWI Commemoration booklet lists two Commondale men who went to London in 1914 and joined the 4th Bn Grenadier Guards. The information below is attributed to Franka and taken from this publication:

    Alfred Cockrill 19205 died at Chalfont Colony, The National Society for the Employment of Epileptics, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire on the 20th August 1920 as a result of a gun shot wound to the head suffered while serving with the 4th Btn in July 1916.

    His friend Robert Leggot 19208 joined the 4th Btn Grenadier Guards at the same time and was killed on 25 September 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Dave Mallinson




    222946

    Patrick Francis McAuliffe 23rd Btn. C Company. London Regiment

    My great grandfather Pat McAuliffe joined up probably in the first week of July 1914, certainly no later than 6th July. His original service number was 700279. He was in C Company when 1/23rd went to France in March 1915. His date of leaving France on 28th May 1915 would indicate very strongly that he was wounded on 25th/26th May at Givenchy, most of the 'lucky' casualties who made it back to UK appear to have left around that date. He may have been held back in UK for longer than it took him to recover from his wound, as he would have been only 17 in 1915.

    After his recovery he is sent in a draft to 2/21st London in Salonika, even though he has a six digit 23rd London number. He wouldn't have had to change his number when transferred as 21st London were of the same corps (East Surreys) as 23rd London, but would have been issued it in Jan/Feb 1917.

    He remains with 2/21st when they move to Egypt and on the reduction of 2/21st on 3rd June 1918 he's part of the draft that goes to 2/13th London (other drafts went to 2/19th and 2/22nd) and gets his number changed to 494569 He probably has some form of medical downgrade when with 2/13th which leads to his transfer to 21st Rifle Brigade, another number change, 212896 and ultimately his garrisoning of India until some time in mid 1919 when those battalions of the Rifle Brigade seem to have returned home.

    Stephen Hedges




    222940

    Pte. Percy George Andrews 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Pte. Percy G. Andrews was my grandfather. Sadly he died before I was born but my grandmother told us this story.

    Nowadays we hear of the Christmas Day Truce when English and German soldiers had a game of football. Well, my grandfather was not a sporty person, probably down to the fact that he had very poor eyesight. In civvies he was an accountant but his love was for music and he played both the piano and the violin. So when he explained that he could not play football, only the piano, he was taken over to the German camp where he spent an afternoon entertaining the Germans. Eventually he had exhausted all his memorised pieces but they weren't ready to let him go so he played as his finale a jazzed-up version of 'God Save the King' which they thoroughly applauded, but did not recognise!

    Christina Holmes




    222939

    CQSM. Gawin Wild MM. 26th Btn. Northumberland Fusillers

    <p>

    Gawin Wild was born on the 17th of November 1891 .He enlisted with the Northumberland Fusiliers on the 11th December, 1914 as C.Q.S.M, Regimental No. 26/1310, who were part of the 3rd Tyneside Irish. He was award of the Military Medal for bravery in the field during the Battle of the Somme and for his exploits early on the morning of 1st of July 1916 when he rescued a superior officer. He was wounded in action in July 1916 and taken back to England to Stourbridge Military Hospital for treatment.

    Whilst convalescing, C.Q.S.M Gawin Wild wrote a letter to Mary Elizabeth Hunter, the wife of his dear friend Jackie Hunter from his hospital bed telling her of her husband Jackie's death: "We got to the second line and the Germans gave us lots of machine gun fire and when I was within about 20 yards of a German machine gun. A bullet went through my hip and another through my arm. Jackie dragged me about ten yards to a shell-hole and just as he pushed me into the safety of the hole, he was shot through the head. A shell, bursting overhead lodged a piece of shrapnel in me, but I managed to crawl into a shell- hole. I was there for about sixteen hours and all while a lovely sun was burning down. Poor Jackie and I lay all that long burning day together in that shell-hole. You can imagine my feelings, lying there with one of my best chums was lying there dead an I was unable to do anything".

    On his return to duty he was transferred to the Labour Corps as an A/C/Sgt., Regt. No. 476930.

    The men of the Labour Corps overseas undertook any labouring task required of them. They built and repaired roads and railways, built defences, laid electricity and telephones cables, moved ammunition and stores and buried the dead. Some Companies were used in Forestry or Quarrying Work or to guard Prisoners of War. Other Companies looked after services in the towns and camps where the front line soldiers went for rest when not at the Front. These Companies were employed in the Divisional Baths, Laundry, de-lousing facility and at the Salvage Dump. They also provided men for guard duties, traffic control and catering duties as well as the Divisional Cinema and Theatre. In France & Belgium the men of the Labour Corps worked unarmed within the range of German guns. A Company would often work for weeks or even months at a time in the most dangerous conditions with only one days rest in every seven.

    After the war he married Mathilde Georgette Rambout in 1919. On the 18 February 1925 he was appointed by the as Pro-Council at Dunkirk. After 1WW he was appointed to the Foreign Office as Pro-Council at Dunkirk on the February 18th, 1925 and Acting Vice-Council there in 1925, 1927, 1935 and 1936. He held the rank of Vice-Consul at Bordeaux in June 1940. He was appointed to the post of Vice-Consul at Algiers on the December 5th, 1942 and awarded the M.B.E. in the Kings birthday Honours List of the June 2nd, 1943 and was also presented with his honour by General Charles de Gaulle. After a period of working in the Foreign Office in New York and Nantes he retired on New Years Eve 1953.

    Standing right rear is 26/725 CQMS





    222938

    Lt. John White Ferguson DCM. Hood Btn. (d.4th Jun 1915 )

    <p>

    Johnnie Ferguson was killed in action on the 4th June 1915 aged 25 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of John Ferguson of 1 Gloucester Gate, Regents Park, London

    According to a newspaper cutting, he had been previously in the Antwerp Expedition where he gained the D.C.M. and went to the Dardanelles in March 1915. Johnnie was the younger son of Mr John Ferguson of Messrs Ramage and Ferguson, shipbuilders in Leith and Govan; His mother was Catherine Rachel Pickersgill. Although Johnnie was brought up in London, he was apprenticed to his father in 1908 and was presumably living in Scotland when war broke out. It is believed that Johnnie’s uncle, William Russell-Ferguson, funded the erection of a WW1 memorial in Appin, Argyllshire where he, William, lived, that includes Johnnie’s name. It is assumed that this was because there was no other memorial in Britain that included his name.

    Helene has two letters written to his father on 17th May and 27th May from the Dardanelles. These give very detailed descriptions of what he was experiencing. She also has one from D.W. Cassie, written from ‘H.M.T.S.1, Near Alexandria’, to Johnnie’s father, reporting Johnny’s death. Cassie says: "I got his, or most of his, official papers and maps. I wanted to get his ring and cigarette case to send home to you but the danger was too great for me to wait and it couldn’t be done. The Hood Battalion is now practically at an end. We have only three officers and 120 men left now, so we no longer count, but before I close I should like to say that I, nor anyone in the Battalion can pay enough tribute to Johnnie’s bravery and gallantry, he died in action, he led his men. .... I am on my way now to Alexandria in charge of 350 Turkish prisoners. It was been given me as a sort of rest after that terrible action."

    s flynn




    222937

    Pte. Peter Grogan 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Peter Grogan died at sea on 3rd September 1915, aged 18. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222936

    Spr. William Greer 37th Army Troops Company Royal Engineers (d.8th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    William Greer died on the 8th of October 1915, aged 26. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli in Turkey.

    s flynn




    222935

    Pte. Joseph Riley Green 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.25th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Green died on the 25th of May 1915, aged 18. Commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey, he was the son of Watson and Agnes Green of 9 Thurston St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    222934

    Pte. John Carr 26th Battalion Tyneside Irish Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th April 1917)

    John Carr was my great grandfathers brother, He died fighting on the 2nd day of Vimy Ridge and was taken to the 42nd Aubigny clearing station. He is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery in Aubigny-en-Artois. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. I have visited his grave in the Cemetery and was very moved, I do have a photograph taken in the Rue Du Moulin, Aubigny-en-Artois but unfortunately do not know for sure which is John Carr as the photo has been passed down. Such brave men.

    J Staughton




    222933

    Cpl. Edward Thomas Shearman 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.7th May 1917)

    <p>Edward Thomas Shearman

    Edward Thomas Shearman served with the 8th Norfolk Regiment, he was killed on the 7th May 1917 (Aged 39) and is buried in Rookery British Military Cemetery, Hennel. He was the husband of Isabella Jane (nee Thurlow), they were married in 1908 in Loddon, Norfolk. His father Edward Thomas Shearman and mother Mrs E. Shearman, also known as Mahala, (nee Elliot) were the parents of nine children, all of Sugar Alms Houses, Extons Road, built in 1887 by John Sugar Esq.. The Shearman children were: Robert J.C. 1847, Florence J. 1875, Elizabeth A. 1877, Edward Thomas 1878 – 1917, Ellen L. 1881, Edgar 1887 – 1914, Mary M. 1889, Rose A. 1891 and Emma 1895.

    Edward was a pre-war regular soldier who completed 12 years service having joined the Territorials in 1907. He worked at the West Norfolk Farmers Co. Chemical Works Wisbech Rd. until called up at the outbreak of war. He was killed by a shell whilst leading a work party digging trenches. He is named on the commemorative stained glass window situated in All Saints Church South Lynn alongside his brother Edgar.

    Edward Thomas Shearman and Family

    Christine Jones




    222930

    L/Cpl. Samuel Osborne McCosh 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.19th Jun 1918)

    Samuel McCosh is my wife’s Great Uncle but unfortunately all I know about him is that he served with the 12th Royal Irish Rifles, was born in Lisburn, Belfast and was killed in France.

    Henry Marshall




    222927

    Pte. Archibald Black 8th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.14th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Archie Black was born in Stirling on 20th April 1894, son of Peter and Christina Black (nee McEwen) of Boquhan Cottages, Kippen Station. Peter was a ploughman. They had six children including: Catherine S. Black (b. 1892) Archibald Black (b. 1894) John McEwen Black (b. 1896) Peter Black (b. 1907) Christina McEwen Black (b. 1908). He was a member of the church, and a church elder at Dunblane, Perthshire.

    Archie enlisted at Dunblane in January 1915 as Private, S/7532, 8th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) and went to France on 2nd June 1915. He was wounded, spending time in Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow. He was killed during the attack on and capture of, Longueval on 14th July 1916, aged 22. Archie is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing and is also commemorated on Dunblane War Memorial.

    The Stirling Observer and Perthshire Herald of the 4th August 1917 reported his death: "Official notification has now been received by Peter Black, The Bield, and formerly of Greenyards, Dunblane, that his son, Private Archibald Black, of the Black Watch, who was reported wounded and missing on July 14th 1916, is now presumed to have been killed on that date. Private Black, who was 22 years of age, was prior to enlisting, employed by Mr Bain, Inch of Leckie by whom he was held in great respect. He joined the Army in January of 1915 and in May of the same year he went to France, taking part in the Somme offensive. He was known to have been severely wounded then, but every effort to trace him has been of no avail, and he is now believed to have died from his injuries. Another son of Mr Black's is serving in the Black Watch."

    Archibald (standing in back row with cigarette) and wounded comrades, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow.

    Keith Black




    222923

    Pte. Wilfred Hugill 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th April 1915)

    Wilfred Hugill was the son of William Hugill of 12 Cleveland Terrace, Whitby, and the late Ada Hugill.

    Newton




    222919

    Pte. Patrick Joseph Gleeson 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.6th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Gleeson died 6th May 1915, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of John and Mary Ann Gleeson of 4 Anne St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    222918

    Pte. William Flynn 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.7th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    William_Flynn died on the 7th of November 1915, aged 44 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222917

    Pte. Percy Fenn 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.4th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Percy_Fenn died on the 4th June 1915, aged 18, he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222916

    Pte. John Farrar 2/2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.13th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    John Farrar drowned onboard the Royal Edward on the 13th August 1915, aged 22 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Fred Fawcett Farrar and Mary Farrar of 9 Netherby St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    222915

    Pte. George Ure Russell Downie 5th Btn. (Queen's Edinburgh Rifles) Royal Scots (d.7th May 1915)

    <p>

    George Downie died on the 7th May 1915, aged 17. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey and was the son of Andrew and Elizabeth L. Munro Downie of 1 West Stanhope Place, Edinburgh.

    s flynn




    222913

    Pte. David Stevenson Sword 50th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.14th July 1917)

    I have just started to research my Great Uncle, David S Sword killed 14/07/1917 as a member of the 50th Bn Machine Gun Corps. I am a little confused as you have listed the 50th Bn being formed in March 1918, yet David S Sword was killed in July 1917 as a member of the 50th Bn. I am unsure what GRU'd means in the Graves Report.

    Editor's Note: David Sword was serving with 50th Company MGC at the time of his death, the CWGC register is incorrectly transcribed. His colleague Pte F Meager is correctly identified as 50th Coy MGC, both are listed as 50/MGC on the Grave Registration Report. The abbreviation GRU'd indicates that his grave was located by a Graves Registration Unit, he does not show as being reburied, so it is likely the original grave marker from his burial had been destroyed.

    Mike Sword




    222912

    Pte. Harry Wilson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.20th Apr 1918)

    Harry Wilson died in Belgium. His last "informal" will was signed on the 19th of Sept 1917.

    Ruth Marler




    222910

    Pte. John Henry Wall 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd July 1916)

    After Ypres and Neuve Chappelle John Wall was again wounded as St Eloi. He returned to the front to receive other wounds, and his last.

    His widow received the following tribute from an officer of the regiment.: "Your husband, Private J Wall was killed on 3rd July in attack on a wood near Fricrort. He was the bravest man on the spot and did wonderful work. He volunteered to come with me and was wounded three times before he was killed. When I tell you that he carried on after he was wounded and was at the front at each rush and the work he did was specially mentioned you will understand your husband died a hero indeed. Unfortunatly the D.C.M is not awarded after death or he would have had it. He was the pride of his comrades and was carried back and was buried behind the line of fighting.In the great advance private J. Wall was caught in a dugout, tackled Germans one after the other and finally fell dead before them."





    222909

    Sgt. Joseph Slattery Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandfather, Joseph Slattery, was born in Ireland in 1888. He joined the British Army. He was a gunner in the RFA. I have no records that can verify his record. He spent time in India. I have no information of his service time in India.

    I would appreciate some help with information as to where I might find his records.

    Alma Miller




    222908

    Rflmn. Harry Lee 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifles Corps (d.11th May 1917)

    Harry Lee is my great uncle. He was born in 1894 his dad was also Harry Lee, his mum Ada Lee nee Martin married Samuel Wilde and had other children. I am not sure when Harry enlisted, and I don't know much of what he did in the war but I do know he died on the 11th of May 1917. He was on parade at unit HQ in Flanders when he and two other men were hit by a shell and blown up. I think it really sad that he died so young I hope he had some fun before he died. I like to think that he was killed instantly and didn't suffer. I don't know what happened to the other two men. I feel for my great grandmother she must have been really devastated. His name is on the Memorial Panel in Wancourt Road Cemetery.

    Bev Downs




    222906

    Pte. Hector Pretoria Hindmarsh 37th Btn. (d.8th Jun 1917)

    <p>The grave of Hector Pretoria Hindmarsh

    Hector Pretoria Hindmarsh was born on March 18th 1900 at 24 Rectory Road, Fulham, London and was baptised on May 6th 1900 at St. Dionis Church, Parsons Green, Fulham. He was the fourth son and seventh sibling of Thomas Henry Hindmarsh (Snr.) and Elizabeth Adelaide (nee Clarke). Hector was named Pretoria because his uncle, George Ralph Hindmarsh, was in the British Army fighting in the Boer War in South Africa and Pretoria.On September 1st 1911, Thomas Henry and Elizabeth Adelaide Hindmarsh sailed from Tilbury Docks with most of their young family, for re-settlement in South Australia. Hector was aged 11. The family sailed on the R.M.S. Orsova steamship in Third Class. The steamer arrived at Port Adelaide on November 7th 1911.

    On 18th June 1916, aged 16 ½, Hector Pretoria Hindmarsh enlisted in the Army. He enlisted at Adelaide, and falsified his age at enlistment stating that he was aged 18 years and 4 months. Hector probably joined to experience more of the world and escape the boring life of a labourer.Hector was 5 feet 7 ½ inches tall and weighed 126 lbs. He had brown eyes and brown hair. He had no scars and he was of Church of England religion.

    At first, Private Hindmarsh served with the 2nd Depot Battalion, ‘C’ Company, at Mitcham, in Adelaide. He stated that he had served in the Cadets (this is unsubstantiated). On August 28th 1916, Private Hindmarsh sailed on the A68 HMAT Anchises to England, arriving in Plymouth on September 11th. He was mustered with 3/43rd Infantry Battalion from 10th August for three months service.

    Hector briefly joined the 43rd Battalion at Lark Hill, on the Salisbury Plain near Stonehenge. There Hector commenced training in trench warfare, at nearby Bustard and Durrington. While there, Private Hector Hindmarsh also completed route marches and regular Sunday church Parades. He also received equipment and clothing up-grades.

    On September 27, the 43rd Battalion was reviewed by King George V, at Bulford. After the next three days, Divisional matches were held in sports like ‘Aussie Rules’ football, cricket, athletics and tug of war. When weekend leave was granted, Hector may have visited Stonehenge or the villages of Bulford and Durrington. One month later, on November 11th 1916, Hector was re-mustered to the 37th Infantry Battalion and this meant he relocated at Lark Hill, to the 37th Battalion, sited nearby. Hector had little time in getting to know his new troop of soldiers. Shortly afterwards, on November 22nd, he was embarked by ship to France with the Infantry Battalion to the Western Front. The 37th Battalion was next moved to Ypres area, in Belgium.

    On June 8th 1917 Hector Hindmarsh was killed in action at Messines, Belgium. Private Hector was a 3rd Reinforcement for the 37th Battalion. He was aged 17 ¼ years old and he had served just over one year of service in the 3rd Division 1st A.I.F, and had been on the front line for just over 6 months. An artillery shell burst alongside him and the shock and concussion from the explosion killed him outright. His body did not show the slightest sign of injury, as mentioned in a letter received from Lieutenant Colonel E. Thregold.

    Private Hector Pretoria Hindmarsh was buried at the Strand Military Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, in Belgium, ANZAC Section, 3rd Echelon: Plot 5, Row A, Grave 12. He is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, on the ‘Wall of Rememberance’. His father received his war service medals: A British War Medal and Victory Medal. His death had a sobering effect upon his family.

    Family Shots

    Embarkation

    Bob Hindmarsh




    222902

    CQMS. William "Big Billy" Wild DSO. 26th Btn. Northumberland Fusillers

    It was on the 10th Dec 1914 William Wild enlisted as a CQMS. Regt. No. 725 with the 26th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. The 1st-4th Tyneside Irish Battalions were Pals Battalions raised in Newcastle by the Lord Mayor and City on 14 November (1st), 9 November (2nd), 23 November 1914 (3rd) and 5 January 1915 (4th). In March 1915 they moved to Woolsington they formed 103rd (Tyneside Irish) Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915. They were taken over by the War Office on the 27 August 1915, moved to Salisbury Plain at the end of the month for further training before crossing over to France in January 1916.

    During the attack on La Boiselle the battalion was under heavy machine gun fire all of the officers of his company were casualties, he took over command of what was left of the three platoons and led them on to complete their objective. He found the Battalion’s Adjutant, who was wounded, took over his papers and keeping in touch with the Battalion, returned to the wounded Adjutant and carried him to safety whilst under fire. On hearing that his brother Gawen had also been wounded, he searched for, found, and carried him under fire to safety. These brave acts resulted in the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

    He was also wounded in action and on return to duty he was transferred to the 27th, 26th, Battalion’s and was commissioned in to the Argyle & Southern Highlanders where he served until his discharge in April 1919.





    222901

    Capt. William Joseph Gabriel Doyle att. 8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers Army Chaplains Department (d.16th Aug 1917)

    William Joseph Gabriel Doyle was born on 3rd March 1873 in Dublin Ireland. He served with the 8th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers from 1915. He faced No Man's Land constantly running the gaunlet of gunfire and proved fearless.

    Father Doyle celebrated his first Holy Mass in the trenches on 23rd April 1916, Easter Sunday. Father Doyle lived with the men in the trenches, he witnessed the horror of death and the mutilation of the men he called his boys, he went into No Man's Land to give The Last Rites and to bury the dead, he worked tirelessly to give comfort to the injured and dying. He stayed in the trenches to give support even during the gas attacks on the 16th Irish Division. 800 men died, nearly all from gas. In the mist of the fighting, a German shell was fired randomly at British lines. As it exploded, Father Willie was killed outright, whilst dragging a wounded man away from danger. The date was the 16th August 1917.

    Father Doyle loved his men, he was loved by everyone in the battalion whether Catholic or Protestant. What was left of Fr Doyle's body was hastily interred without ceremony in a communal grave in the battlefield of Passchendaele.

    Mary Tingley




    222900

    Pte. Albert Joseph Perris 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.3rd Nov 1914)

    Albert Joseph Perris was born on the 22nd December 1881, his birth being registered in Limerick, Ireland in the 1st quarter of 1882. He was the son of James William and Mary Anne (nee Ahearn). In 1891, aged 9, he was living at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich with his parents (his father being a Barracks Serjeant in the Army Service Corps) and 5 siblings. By 1901 his father had left the Army and was a “Customs Watcher” living with Mary A and 4 children in East London (an additional child being born in 1893). In 1911 his father was a married “In Pensioner” at The Royal Hospital, Chelsea which meant that he had given up his Army pension to live in the Hospital with lodging, meals and medical treatment free while Mary Anne was living in Forest Gate, East London with 3 of their children. The census written by Mary notes that they had 8 children 2 of whom had died. Albert was at The Gordon Boys Home, West End, Surrey in about 1894. The Home, built by public subscription in memory of General Gordon, was a home for waif, strays and children of impoverished families to be taught a trade. It was run on military lines and very many of the boys joined the Army. At Gordon's he was taught to play a musical instrument as he became a musician in the Highland Light Infantry. Aged 13 in 1894 he would have left Gordons in about 1896/7. If it is assumed that he enlisted soon after leaving Gordons he would have completed his 12 years by 1910.

    He was a Bandsman in the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry with the Regimental number 6490 when he landed at Boulogne on the 14th August 1914. Therefore, he was still in the Army, or a Reservist, when war was declared. The 2/HLI were in Aldershot and part of 5th Brigade, 2nd Division in early August 1914 and were immediately mobilised.

    On the 1st November 1914 the 2nd Division held the left of the British line outside Ypres from Zonnebeke to Polygon Wood with the 1st Division on its right and French Colonial troops on its left. At noon the 2/HLI were withdrawn from the line and placed in Divisional reserve where they remained for some days.

    Albert was killed in action on the 3rd November along with with 7 comrades. The Official Record compiled after the war states that the "on the 3rd, 4th and 5th November little change..." although the German Heavy Artillery increased in volume due to additional guns and ammunition. Two of those killed have known graves, with the others including Albert are remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

    Derek J Goode




    222899

    Cpl. William Meehan 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.16th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    William Meehan served with the 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment.

    Robert




    222898

    Sapr. William Cunningham 1st/1st Bn. (Lowland) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.12th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    William Cunningham died on the 12th July 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222897

    L/Cpl. Moses Crabtree 1st/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.5th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Moses Crabtree died on the 5th of June 1915, aged 33 and is commemorated on the Addenda Panel on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Sutcliffe and Mary Ann Crabtree of Master Street, Burnley. Husband of Bridget Crabtree (nee Clarke). Moses was one of 6 brothers who served in the war and the only one not to return.

    s flynn




    222896

    Pte. Charles Clayton 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Clayton died on the 8th of August 1915, aged 20 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Charles and Emily Clayton of 26 Court, 2 House, Cromwell St., Nechells, Birmingham.

    s flynn




    222895

    L/Cpl. James Alfred Noble 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.29th April 1917)

    My grandfather, James Noble joined the 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers at the outbreak of World War One. He was badly wounded on the 29/4/1917, his grave is in the war cemetery at Etaples, France

    Jim Noble




    222893

    Pte. Rowland Sydney Podmore 2nd/5th Btn. Notts and Derby Regiment (d.8th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Rowland Podmore served with the Sherwood Foresters.

    Cedric Norman




    222892

    Cpl. E. Adams 24th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Cpl Adams was wounded in Sept. 1916

    Lynne




    222890

    Sgt. Philip Brick DCM 39th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Philip Brick was my grandfather of whom I am very proud. He was born 16 December 1893 at Cravens Arms Shropshire England, the fourth of five children and second son of Edward Brick and Priscilla Evans. His father was a farmer and to supplement the family’s income, worked as a platelayer on the railways.

    At the outbreak of World War 1, Philip answered the call to fight for his country. According to his military record he enlisted as a Bombadier in the 39th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery on 2 December 1915 and was sent to Sheerness Kent for training. On his enlistment he was living at 104 Grey Street Bootle, Lancashire, he being 21 years and 330 days of age and 5ft 6¾ in tall and his occupation was a clerk.

    Philip went to France and Belgium and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions on 13 October 1916 at Butte de Warlencourt France, as it states in the London Gazette, "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He performed most valuable services under very heavy fire and by his courage and coolness set a splendid example to all."

    He was promoted to Sergeant on the 7th of May 1917. It was around this time he was severely wounded, a fractured right tibia and fibula and from his discharge papers dated 31 May 1919 from the Royal Chelsea Hospital, it states "that as from 18 February 1919 he will receive a sum of 6d a day for as long as." After being wounded, Philip was sent to Rubery Hospital Birmingham to recover from his injuries and it was here he met a nurse Sarah (Ducie), who would later become his wife. Sarah was serving in Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Service.

    Sarah Duncan (Ducie) Miller was born December 1890 in Toronto Ontario Canada, the eldest daughter of Alexander Getty Miller and Rachel Fleming both born in Antrim, Ireland. They married in Antrim Ireland on 22 January 1919. After they married the couple moved to Llandrindod Wells Radnorshire Wales and shared a house with Philip’s parents, Edward and Priscilla. There were three daughters born between 1920 and 1923. With their three daughters, Philip and Ducie decided to migrate to a new life in a new country, Australia. They boarded the ship Orama at Southampton on 5 March 1927 and arrived in Sydney on 13 April 1927. In 1933 Philip bought a small farm of 5 acres at St Marys NSW and a son was born soon after to complete their family. It was a small poultry farm with about 900 chickens, a couple of cows, and a horse. As the years passed Philip's health became progressively worse, caused mainly through his war injuries, and Ducie nursed him for many years until he passed away on 21 November 1938 aged just 45 years. Both Philip and Ducie are buried in St Mary’s Cemetery, Ducie passing away 14 September 1954.

    Ducie Hood




    222889

    Pte. Frank Cockeram 2nd Btn. D Coy. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.10th March 1915)

    Frank Cockeram was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Cockeram, of Tamworth; husband of Mrs. R. Cockeram, of S2 Married Quarters, Crownhill Huts, Plymouth.

    David Cockeram




    222888

    Alfred Thompson Nottingham & Derbyshire Regiment

    <p>

    Alfred Thompson was one of seven brothers who all went to war and all came back.

    Tracy Hey




    222884

    Pte. David Alexander 2nd Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers

    My Grandfather, David Alexander, was born in Camelon, Falkirk in 1895, he joined the KOSB in September 1914 and was sent to France on January 15th 1915. David was joined by his best mate from Camelon called Robert Baird. They fought together right up to the Battle of Falfemont Farm where sadly Robert was hit by a shell and killed. David was wounded but made it back to the starting off trench the 2nd KOSB lost 114 men that day.

    David went back into the Battalion after his wound was healed and continued to see action right through to the 3rd Battle of Ypres where he was wounded again. On his return to fitness David was moved into the MGC around 1918 where he stayed until he came out in 1920.

    David got married after leaving the army and he and his wife Annie had 4 sons. He found a job as a boilerman in the Tar works in Camelon and lived into his mid seventies.

    David Alexander




    222883

    Pte. James Burrows 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.11th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    James Burrows died on the 11th of August 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222882

    Sgt. James Bridge 1st/5th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.4th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    James Bridge died on the 4th of June 1915. He is commemorated on P the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222881

    Pte. Walter Atkinson 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.25th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Atkinson died on 25th April 1915, aged 22. He is commemorated on on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222880

    Pte. John Arrandale 1st/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.4th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    John Arrandale was the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Arrandale of 21 River St., Burnley. He died on the 4th June 1915, aged 18 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222879

    Pte. William Arnold 1/2nd Bn. East Lancashire Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.21st Jun 1915)

    <p>

    William Arnold died on the 21st June 1915, aged 24 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Robert and Grace Jane Arnold, of 4 Rowley St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    222878

    Pte. Thomas Alston 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Alston died on the 9th August 1915, aged 27 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222877

    2nd Lt. Edward Budd MC and Bar. 116th Coy. 12th Div Train Army Service Corps (d.8th May 1918)

    Edward Budd (1894-1918) was my uncle. I have 92 of his letters from the Western Front. I quote from a letter to his father written 7th June 1915 just after his Division had landed in France.

    "Ypres, France - My dear Dad, Thank you for your letter and the tobacco is very good. I was not able to write the last few days as we were on the move and I was at work from 6 am till 11 pm with hardly time to eat. We are now in new billets and some of our Division go into action soon. I went 2000 yds from the German lines today and only heard one shell which fell about 200 yds from us we were in the car. I am writing in bed and will post this tomorrow. This town smells and is full of gnats and mosquitos. I have any amount of work and I can only just get done in the day. I see Owen pretty often he seems fit he works very hard and is very good indeed at his job. We hear guns all day and night and often maxim and rifle fire. Best love yr loving Edward"

    Edward, unable to transfer to the RFC in 1916 - he seems to have found the ASC a bit boring(!) he transferred to the Irish Guards instead, and was gazetted as a 2nd Lt with them in August 1916. It was while serving with the latter he was awarded the MC and bar. By the time he was killed in May 1918 he had been promoted to Captain. He is mentioned several times in Rudyard Kipling's History of the Irish Guards.

    Virginia Budd




    222876

    Cpl. William Home 1st Battalion Queens Own Cameron Highlanders (d.14th Sep 1914)

    William Home was my great uncle. I have his medal trio and cap and badge, but, sadly, no photo or death plaque,

    William enlisted in 1906 in Edinburgh. He was my grandfather's brother who served in the Great War with 1st Battalion Scots Guards and was badly wounded at Loos in September 1915. He was discharged due to wounds in 1917. He is commemorated on the War Memorial at Clatt, Aberdeenshire. He was born William Home Andersen, but gave his name as William Home due to enlisting underage at 15.

    Neil Anderson




    222874

    Pte. Albert Henry Riddell 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Albert Riddell was born in November, 1878 at Stoke upon Trent, Staffordshire, to John Riddell & Hannah Clarke. In 1891, he lived with parents at 20 Trent Cottage, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire. In 1901, they lived at a house named The Village, in Staunton on Wye, Hereford By 1911, the family were living at 103 Queen St, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, and Albert was working as Colliery Hewer.

    He enlisted on 4th of Sep 1914 with the 4th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment 4/2271 and spent 6 months training. He then transferred to 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, an active service battalion part of 10th Brigade, 4th Division and was renumbered 50792. He saw service in France & Belgium between 7th of April and 5th May 1915, when he was wounded, probably gassed on 3rd of May at "Shell Trap Farm"

    On 29th of April 1916 Albert was posted to 13th Observation Company Royal Defense Corp in Sussex then on 5th of January 1917 he transferred to 7th Observation Company Royal Defense Corps in Sussex stationed just north of Brighton. He was discharged on 6th of July 1918 as "unfit for service" and married on the 4th of August 1919 in St Michael's Church, Budbrooke, Warwickshire. He and his wife then lived at 11 Newdigate Place, Nuneaton, Warwickshire Albert died in September 1956 in Nuneaton.

    Gerald Southam




    222872

    Pte. William James Anderton 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    William Anderton died on the 9th August 1915, aged 19 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Anderton of 46 Burnley Rd., Padiham, Burnley.

    s flynn




    222871

    Pte. Arthur Gilbert Altham 2nd/2nd Bn. East Lancashire Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.13th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Arthur Altham drowned on the Royal Edward on 13th August 1915, aged 17. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Alfred Edwin and Annie Altham of 28 Cromwell Street, Stoneyholme, Burnley.

    s flynn




    222867

    L/Cpl. John Lowrey 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    John Lowrey is my great uncle and I'm writing this story 100 years after his death, it will be exactly 100 years in September when I plan to visit Loos where there is a memorial to the fallen. He came from South Shields where I was also born and raised.

    John was 20 yrs old when he enlisted on the 24th August 1914 at North Shields. He was 21 when killed on 26th September 2015. It took his mother 10 months to get confirmation of him having been killed and this was only after numerous attempts on her part to get information from the British War Office. I have a copy of her letters to the War Office and a copy of their responses. I have his medals (issued to his father some 7 years later) and I have numerous photographs. I also have numerous letters and post cards that John wrote to his mother between the time that he enlisted and the time he was killed.

    Lynda Peacock




    222866

    Pte. Shadrach Williams 15th Battalion Welsh Regiment

    <p>

    Shadrach Williams served with the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment.

    Eryl Williams




    222865

    Pte. William Burridge 3rd Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    William Burridge is my great Uncle Bill who joined 3rd DLI with a short service in 1915. He served in France. He was a great character, in July 1918 in South Shields he was put on a charge for being hours late from leave. He was given a forfeit of pay

    lynne




    222863

    Rflm. Edward Francis Green 3rd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.21st Nov 1916)

    <p>

    My grandfather Edward Green was posted to Salonika, Greece in late 1915. The battalion were engaged in many battles throughout 1916 but was then severely affected by an outbreak of malaria. All ill or wounded soldiers were taken to hospitals in Malta and it was there, on 21st November 1916 that he died of the disease. As Malta is very rocky and there were many casualties he was buried in the military cemetery along with two other soldiers - i.e three to a grave.

    Military cemetary Malta

    James Green




    222861

    Pte. Arthur James Newman 2nd Battalion London Regiment

    Arthur Newman was wounded and captured by the Germans in 1917 and sent to Hameln Camp near Hamburg. They gave him a false leg but it was replaced when he returned to England. But Arthur thought the German leg was much better than the English one!

    Barbara Morris




    222860

    Pte. John Robert Davey 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My grandfather, John Davey, was posted missing on the 12th April 1918 possibly killed in action. He was actually captured by the Germans having had his jaw shot off in battle, he was nursed by the Germans, then escaped back to his own lines.

    He went on to serve in Dublin against the IRA uprising. He survived the war and lived a full life tending his much loved garden in North Lees, Ripon, North Yorkshire.

    Keith Edward Davey




    222851

    Pte. Walter Ainsworth 9th Btn. Warwickshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Walter Ainsworth died of dysentery on 25th September 1915, aged 35. Commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222850

    Pte. William Adkin 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.6th Aug 1915)

    William Adkin died on the 6th August 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222849

    Pte. Thomas Addison 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.11th May 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Addison died on the 11th of May 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222848

    Pte. John Williams Addison 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    John Addison died on the 4th of June 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    222846

    L/Cpl. Thomas Stewart 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Lance Corporal Stewart was the son of John and Rachel Stewart, of Keely, Aghadowey, Co. Derry. He enlisted at Glasgow. Thomas Stewart was aged 22 when he was killed in action, and he is buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium. He is commemorated in Aghadowey Presbyterian Church.

    Rebecca Barnes




    222844

    Pte. Elias Green 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Feb 1917)

    Elias Green was the son of Joseph and Mary Grenn. Husband of A.M. Green. He was aged 27 years when he was killed.

    Denise Smith




    222843

    Sub-Lt. Arthur Walderne St.Clair Tisdall VC. Anson Btn (d.6th May 1915)

    <p>

    Arthur Tisdall, aged 24 is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey He was the son of Rev. Dr. Tisdall, D.D. (Vicar of Deal), and his wife, Marian L. Tisdall, of St. George's Vicarage, Deal, Kent. He was a scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge; B.A. (Double First Class Classical Honours) was a Chancellor's Gold Medallist, Cambridge and had been employed as a First Class Clerk with the Civil Service in the Treasury.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29530, dated 31st March, 1916, records the following:- "During the landing from the S.S. River Clyde at V Beach, in the Gallipoli Peninsula, on the 25th April, 1915, Sub. Lieut. Tisdall, hearing wounded men on the beach calling for assistance, jumped into the water, and, pushing a boat in front of him, went to their rescue. He was, however, obliged to obtain help, and took with him on two trips, Ldg. Smn. Malia; and on other trips, Ch. P.O. Perring and Ldg. Smn. Curtis and Parkinson. In all, Sub. Lieut. Tisdall made four or five trips between the ship and the shore, and was thus responsible for rescuing several wounded men under heavy and accurate fire. Owing to the fact that Sub. Lieut. Tisdall and the platoon under his orders were on detached service at the time, and that this officer was killed in action on the 6th May, it has only now been possible to obtain complete information as to the individuals who took part in this gallant act. Of these, Ldg. Smn. Fred Curtis, DEV/1899/C, has been missing since the 4th June, 1915."

    s flynn




    222842

    Sgt. Frank Edward Stubbs VC. 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.25th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Frank Stubbs was aged 27 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey. He was native of Walworth, London

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29985, dated 15th March, 1917, records the following:- "On the 25th April, 1915, headquarters and three companies of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by very deadly fire from hidden machine guns, which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Captain Bromley, Serjeant Stubbs, and Corporal Grimshaw have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most signal acts of bravery and devotion to duty."

    s flynn




    222841

    Capt. Gerald Robert O?Sullivan VC 1st Btn. Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.21st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Gerald O’Sullivan was aged 26 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of the late Lt. Col. G. O’Sullivan (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) and of Mrs. O’Sullivan.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29281, dated 1st Sept., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery during operations South-West of Krithia, on the Gallipoli Peninsula. On the night of the 1st/2nd July, 1915, when it was essential that a portion of a trench which had been lost should be regained, Captain O'Sullivan, although not belonging to the troops at this point, volunteered to lead a party of bomb throwers to effect the recapture. He advanced in the open under a very heavy fire, and, in order to throw his bombs with greater effect, got up on the parapet where he was completely exposed to the fire of the enemy occupying the trench. He was finally wounded, but not before his inspiring example had led on his party to make further efforts, which resulted in the recapture of the trench. On the night of 18th/19th June, 1915. Captain O'Sullivan saved a critical situation in the same locality by his great personal gallantry and good leading."

    s flynn




    222840

    Lt.Col. John Peniston Milbanke VC. Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) (d.21st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    John Milbanke aged 42 is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey. 10th Bart. he was the son of the late Sir Peniston Milbanke, D.L., J.P. and Elizabeth Milbanke; husband of Leila Milbanke, of 19, Manchester Square, London. Served with the 10th Hussars in the South African War. He had received V.C. during the Second Boer War in 1900.

    An extract taken from the London Gazette, dated 6th July, 1900, records the following:- "On the 5th January 1900, during a reconnaissance near Colesberg, (S. Africa), Sir John Milbanke, when retiring under fire with a small patrol of the 10th Hussars, notwithstanding the fact that he had just been severely wounded in the thigh, rode back to the assistance of one of the men whose pony was exhausted, and who was under fire from the Boers who had dismounted. Sir John Milbanke took the man up on his own horse under a most galling fire and brought him safely back to camp."

    s flynn




    222839

    Maj. Cuthbert Bromley VC. 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.13th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Cuthbert Bromley was 36years old and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of the late Sir John Bromley, C.B., and of Lady Bromley, of Sutton Corner, Seaford, Sussex.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29985, dated 15th March, 1917, records the following:- "On the 25th April, 1915, headquarters and three companies of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by very deadly fire from hidden machine guns, which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Captain Bromley, Serjeant Stubbs, and Corporal Grimshaw have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most signal acts of bravery and devotion to duty."

    s flynn




    222835

    Pte. George Taylor 1/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    My grandfather William Taylor and his brother George, aged 31 and 34, joined the 1/7 Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers on the same day. They travelled together to France in April 1915 and died together in the Battle of the Somme on the 15th November 1916. My grandfather William left 3 children, my father the eldest aged 9, and 2 younger sisters at the time of his death.

    Alistair Taylor




    222833

    L/Cpl. William Taylor 1/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Sep 1916)

    My grandfather William Taylor and his brother George, aged 31 and 34, joined the 1/7 Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers on the same day. They travelled together to France in April 1915 and died together in the Battle of the Somme on the 15th November 1916. My grandfather William left 3 children, my father the eldest aged 9, and 2 younger sisters at the time of his death.

    Alistair Taylor




    222832

    Pte. Samuel "Sam" Howard 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.28th Nov 1916)

    I am not related to Sam, nor do I know anything about him other than he served with the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Before the war he lived with his siblings and parents, Frank and Alice, and worked in a shop in Ipswich. He was my grandmother's (Edith Maud Crane) first boyfriend, and died in 1916 while they were engaged to be married. He is buried at Courcelles-au-Bois Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Marian Thornley




    222829

    Pte. Stephen Harry Humphries 5th Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry

    <p>

    Stephen Harry Humphries was born on the 29th of May 1899 and lived at 30, Main Street, Long Lawford, a small village, near Rugby.

    He signed up to join at Rugby Volunteer Office in January 1916. Being under age, so many of his friends lied about their ages too. He was transferred to Birmingham a holding place for the volunteers, then they were all dispersed to various regiments. He was transferred to Newquay, then on to the Duke of Cornwalls regiment, ready for training, where part of it took place at Falmouth. Early April 1916 they were moved to Pereham Down, near Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire for further training. Later in April 1916 another move to Tidmouth, and were converted into the 5th D.C.L.I. Pioneer Battalion and attached to the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division.

    On the 21st May 1916 he set sail for France, landing at Le Harve. He was still only 16 years old, and this was his start of his journey in WW1. So many tales he told of the rats eating their rations and bootlaces. Some of the stories are too horrific for me to put down on paper.

    He was demobbed at Exeter in April 1920 and was given his rail warrant to return home, where sad news was awaiting him on his return. He had lost his twin brother, Percy Humphries, in The Battle of Arras on the 9th April 1917. As he marched into Arras in May 1917 he had no idea how close they were to each other, and what had happened, also he had lost so many friends from home.

    My father died 5th December 1984. So proud of you Dad. Your loving daughter.

    Pamela Whittaker




    222827

    Pte. Percy Humphries 11th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

    Percy Humphries and two of his brothers (one being my father's twin) left his widowed Mother and three other brothers and two sisters in Long Lawford, a small village near Rugby Warwickshire, to volunteer to fight in WW1, although he was under age, as was his twin, my father. They were determine to follow there older brother to war.

    Sadly, Percy was blown up in the Battle of Arras, and was killed on the 9th April 1917. He is remembered on the Memorial at Arras, Bay 3. Sadly there is known grave for us to visit, but he will always be remembered for his bravery, and love of Memorial Cross in Long Lawford church grounds, and flowers are continually put there in his memory from his family.

    Pamela Whittaker




    222826

    2nd Lt. John Frederick Louis Sieber 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th Oct 1916)

    John Sieber was the cousin of my maternal grandfather. His parents were German immigrants who came to South Shields in the early 1890s. John was born in South Shields, where his father was a pork butcher, on 6 Nov 1896. He attended South Shields Grammar Technical School for Boys where he was a scholar and went from there, in 1913, to Armstrong College, Newcastle upon Tyne, then part of Durham University. He joined the Durham OTC and on the outbreak of war was commissioned with the 6th Battalion, E Yorks. Apart from what I have read on websites - Gallipoli then France - I know nothing of his war history.

    However, his story is an interesting one in this sense: at the time he was fighting the Germans for the British Army his parents and uncle and aunt, (my great grandparents) had been living and working on Tyneside. Although they escaped internment, they were hounded out of the region because they were Germans spending much of the war in Cumbria. His cousin - my grandfather's sister - had gone to Germany to stay with family in the summer of 1914, aged 13, and essentially was stranded in Germany for the duration of the war. Although she was not interned, she was treated as an alien, required to report twice daily to the local police in Kiel, Schleswig Holstein, and denied rations and education. The effect on this family arising from this state of internal conflict can only be imagined. They all stayed in England after the war, returning to Tyneside where my grand father's family, at least, prospered.

    Simon Wood




    222825

    Pte. John Anthony Pitts 3rd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.26th Sep 1918)

    John Pitts served in the 3rd Battalion the Suffolk Regiment before being transferred to the 714 Coy, Labour Corps. He was married to Anna (nee Baldwin) and they had one child.

    Andy Moore




    222824

    Pte. William Henry Daw 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    William Henry Daw joined the British Army 23/10/1910 and served until until 22/03/1919. He was originally with the 2nd Dragoon Guards then the 1st Hampshire Regiment, possibly with the 2nd Hampshire Regiment as we believe he was wounded in Gallipoli and ended WW1 with the 116 Lwashin, 2nd Western General Hospital in Manchester and same hospital again in August 1917 He died 23rd March 1976

    Alan Daw




    222823

    WOI. James Robert Justice 1st Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>Gentleman right holding Sphere is JRJustice

    James Robert Justice joined the K.O.Y.L.I in 1904 at Aldershot he served with the 1st and 2nd battalions as various times. He was reported killed in action at Ypres 8th May 1915 (the family has the original KIA letter), later found to be incorrect and was in fact a POW at Giessen and later marched to Chateau du Oex in Switzerland finally being released in Nov 1917. He became RSM after the war and took the regiment out to Malaya, in later years his son in law James Leo Tanner also K.O Y.L.I RSM brought the regiment back from Malaya. He retired as WO CL I and became a postman eventually passing away in 1950.

    Leeanne Tanner




    222822

    Pte. William Ernest "Sonny" Mills 2nd Battalian Yorkshire Regiment (d.6th Nov 1914)

    William Mills is my great uncle Sonny. He had two other brothers, Herbert (known as Tom) and Robert (Bob). Am still researching his details as my granddad (Tom) maintained that his brother Sonny was only 16 when he joined up and was killed. Sonny disembarked in Belgium 5th of October 1914 and died a month later.





    222821

    Pte. George Frederick Collarbon 3rd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.24th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    George Collarbon served with the 3rd Royal Fusiliers.

    Bottom left

    Neil Collarbon




    222820

    Cmdr. Loftus William Jones VC. HMS Shark (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    Loftus Jones died on the 31st of May, aged 36, he is buried in the Kviberg Cemetery in Gohtenburg, Sweden. He was the son of Admiral Loftus Francis Jones and Gertrude Jones (nee Gray), of 30 Sussex Rd., Petersfield, Hants.

    An extract from The London Gazette dated 6th March 1917, records the following:- "On the afternoon of the 31st May, 1916, during the action, Commander Jones in H.M.S. Shark, Torpedo Boat Destroyer, led a division of Destroyers to attack the enemy Battle Cruiser Squadron. In the course of this attack a shell hit the Shark's bridge, putting the steering gear out of order, and very shortly afterwards another shell disabled the main engines, leaving the vessel helpless. The Commanding Officer of another Destroyer, seeing the Shark's plight, came between her and the enemy and offered assistance, but was warned by Commander Jones not to run the risk of being almost certainly sunk in trying to help him. Commander Jones, though wounded in the leg, went aft to help connect and man the after wheel. Meanwhile the forecastle gun with its crew had been blown away, and the same fate soon afterwards befell the after gun and crew. Commander Jones then went to the midship and the only remaining gun, and personally assisted in keeping it in action. All this time the Shark was subjected to very heavy fire from enemy light cruisers and destroyers at short range. The gun's crew of the midship gun was reduced to three, of whom an Able Seaman was soon badly wounded in the leg. A few minutes later Commander Jones was hit by a shell, which took off his leg above the knee, but he continued to give orders to his gun's crew, while a Chief Stoker improvised a tourniquet round his thigh. Noticing that the Ensign was not properly hoisted, he gave orders for another to be hoisted. Soon afterwards, seeing that the ship could not survive much longer, and as a German Destroyer was closing, he gave orders for the surviving members of the crew to put on lifebelts. Almost immediately after this order had been given, the Shark was struck by a torpedo and sank. Commander Jones was unfortunately not amongst the few survivors from the Shark who were picked up by a neutral vessel in the night."

    s flynn




    222819

    Capt. Andrew Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor VC, DSO, MC & Bar, DFC.

    <p>

    Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor was ccidentally killed in England on 21/06/1921 aged 23 and buried in Mafikeng in South Africa. He was the son of Capt. John J. Beauchamp-Proctor, and the late Mrs. J. J. Beauchamp-Proctor, of Castletown Rd., Wynberg, Cape Province. Graduate B.Sc. of University of Cape Town. Born at Mossel Bay, Cape Province.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 30th Nov., 1918, records the following:-"Between August 8th, 1918, and October 8th, 1918, this officer proved himself victor in twenty-six decisive combats, destroying twelve enemy kite balloons, ten enemy aircraft, and driving down four other enemy aircraft completely out of control. Between October 1st, 1918, and October 5th, 1918, he destroyed two enemy scouts, burnt three enemy kite balloons, and drove down one enemy scout completely out of control. On October 1st, 1918, in a general engagement with about twenty-eight machines, he crashed one Fokker biplane near Fontaine and a second near Ramicourt; on October 2nd he burnt a hostile balloon near Selvigny; on October 3rd he drove down, completely out of control, an enemy scout near Mont D'Origny, and burnt a hostile balloon; on October 5th, the third hostile balloon near Bohain. On October 8th, 1918, while flying home at a low altitude, after destroying an enemy two-seater near Maretz, he was painfully wounded in the arm by machine-gun fire, but, continuing, he landed safely at his aerodrome, and after making his report was admitted to hospital. In all he has proved himself conqueror over fifty-four foes, destroying twenty-two machines, sixteen enemy kite balloons, and driving down sixteen enemy aircraft completely out of control. Captain Beauchamp-Proctor's work in attacking enemy troops on the ground and in reconnaissance during the withdrawal following on the Battle of St. Quentin from March 21st, 1918, and during the victorious advance of our Armies commencing on August 8th, has been almost unsurpassed in its brilliancy, and as such has made an impression by those serving in his squadron and those around him that will not be easily forgotten. Captain Beauchamp-Proctor was awarded Military Cross on 22nd June, 1918, D.F. Cross on 2nd July, 1918; Bar to M.C. on 16th September, 1918; and Distinguished Service Order on 2nd November, 1918."

    s flynn




    222812

    Pte. Charles Aloyious Hughes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Hughes signed up for the kings shilling on 27th October 1914 in Newcastle, joining a new pals army, the Tyneside Irish Fusiliers along with his cousin, Charles Dockerty. Both were miners from the village of Tantobie in County Durham. Training in Eldon Square, Newcastle then moving to Alnwick camp for further training, arriving in Boulogne, France on 11th January 1916. Then moving up to the Somme.

    Charles Hughes was a scout and took part in raids on the 5th and 25th of June 1916. He was killed in action 1st of July 1916 taking part in the Somme offensive and is buried in Ovillers Mill Cemetery. He left a fiancé back in Tantobie who never married and was a well loved aunt to the family. His cousin was wounded and was taken to a casualty clearing station and sadly died the next day, he is buried in Puchevillers Cemetery in France.

    Charles Hughes brother, Robert Thomas Hughes (my great grandfather) joined the Royal Engineers and served with 410th Field Coy. and survived the war. He had a family of 5 boys and 5 girls. Their brother-in-law was killed in action and is buried in Gallipoli.

    We are so proud of you all for giving us so much.

    Lynne




    222811

    Rflmn. John McDonald 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.21st April 1917)

    My great uncle, Rifleman John McDonald of the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, was a regular soldier who enlisted age 20 in 1911. He went to France in 1914 with the rest of the battalion and was killed in 1917.

    My grandfather, his younger brother (who was in the RAF in WW2), never spoke of him although I believe my middle name is after him. He was probably one of the few old contemptibles to survive that long. I have found his grave site in France and will be visiting it this year,

    Dan McDonald




    222805

    Pte. Thomas Grainger 10th Btn. Notts and Derby Regiment

    <p>

    I never knew my Grandfather, Thomas Grainger. He was shot in the chest during the attack by 10th Sherwoods on Quadrilateral Support Trench in Mametz Wood on 7th July 1916. He survived but was discharged as 'No Longer Fit for War Service' on 21st Nov 1917. Nor was he able to take up his pre-war work as a coal-miner. He was given a surface job at the Globe Colliery in Fenton,Stoke-on-Trent.

    Following a series of wound-related chest problems he died on 17th May 1923. My Grandmother fought to have his name added to the Fallen of Longton, and so he is commemorated on The War Memorial, Longton.

    Longton War Memorial

    Geoffrey Grainger




    222804

    Stanley Smale 12th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.21st March 1918 )

    Stanley Smale of 12 Field Company Royal Engineers was killed in action on the 21st of March 1918 at Moncy-le Preux, South East of Arras. My assumption is that this company was at Monchy at the start of Operation Michel

    Steve Rawlings




    222802

    L/Cpl. James Payne 8th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.4th Oct 1917)

    James Payne (Paine) was born in Eltisley, Cambs.

    Eltisley History Society are researching the soldiers from the village who died in WW1, James was the son of Riseley and Elizabeth Payne. He enlisted in Lincoln in 1914 age 31 in the 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, 'D' Company.

    On 9th November 1917 the local newspaper reported: 'Mrs R. Payne has received the sad news that her son, Lance Corporal James Payne, Lincolnshire Regiment, reported as missing, was killed on October 4th by a sniper, while on his way to a dressing station after being wounded'

    If any living relatives read this and have a photograph of James Eltisley History Society would love to see it.

    J. Lines




    222801

    Pte. H. Campbell 118th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather, H.Campbell no 22367 118th Machine Gun Corps was given a certificate which reads: "Records his appreciation of your devotion to duty in handling your gun's under heavy shellfire during the operation of 25th Sept 1917 near cheluvelt. Dated 12/10/17, signed. E Feeltham"

    Bob Pitkethly




    222800

    Pte. William Booth Bate 5th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    One of the wounded men was a Private William Booth Bate of Bolton rank no 2058 who, for the rest of his life, had to use two sticks. He died in 1970 of complications of his wounds. He was my grand father who I am very proud of.

    Bernard




    222799

    A/Capt. Matthew Wilson Richmond MC. 19th Btn. London Regiment

    2nd Lt (A/Capt) Matthew Wilson Richmond MC. served with the 1/19th Bn, London Regt. (TF),attd. 97th Trench Mortar Bty. His citation reads: "This officer was ordered at short notice to support with his Light T.M Bty an extensive raid on Houthulst Forest on the 18/19th Feb 1918. He carefully selected his position, and being ordered not to register, made most accurate observations in broad daylight in the open and in close proximity to the enemy. During the attack his battery fired over two tons of ammunition under conditions necessitating the greatest accuracy without a round short, despite enemy shelling and machine gun fire. He personally manned and fired the gun that was firing in closest proximity to our own infantry. By his thorough reconnaissance, organisation and devotion to duty during the fight he largely contributed to the success of the operation."

    Drummond Orr




    222798

    Sgt. W. Westby 150th (Rotherham) Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Seargeant W. Westby (150th R.G.A.), whose home is in Warwick Street, Rotherham, sends us the following interesting record of the 150th (Rotherham) Heavy Battery since it's formation up to the present time, when it is keeping watch on the Rhine. He writes:

    It is now possible to give a short review of the part which both the 150th (Rotherham) Heavy Battery played in the war. For nearly two and a half years the battery was fighting on the Western front, taking part in most of the big battles during that time, including the last gigantic offensive by General Sir Herbert Plumer's Army, which immediately preceded the signing ot the Armistace. The Battery has, at different periods, served in all five Armies which constituted the British Expeditionary Force, and except for that short portion of the line between Arras and Baupaume, has been in action in all sectors between the Belgians in the North and the French on the South.

    It will be recalled that the unit was formed in October 1915, and in its ranks were some of the finest young fellows the town could give. After a period of some seven months training the Battery was sent to France in the middle of June 1916. After spending about six weeks in what was, at the time, a rather quiet part of the line (in front of the Messiness Ridge), they entrained for the Somme, which was the begining of a long period of real hardship and continuous fighting.

    Looking back to the days spent in that vast wilderness of death and desolation, it seems almost a miracle that so many men were spared. Delville Wood, Montaubau, and High Wood will always remain grim memories to those who were there. The Battery was never out of the fighting zone from the day it came into action at Mametz for the Somme offensive in July 1916, till the great German attack in March, 1918. When the unit came out it was equipped with four guns, but at High Wood another section was added, making six guns.

    When the Germans retired on the Hindenburg line the 150 "Heavies" followed them up through Perenne to Nurin and Revelon, harassing the enemy day and night, and assisting the capture of Trescault, Beaucamp, Gouzeacourt, Villers Guislain, and Gennelieu. The summer months were spent in the area, being engaged chiefly in counter battery work and "sniping" at the traffic and other targets visible from the O.P.

    In September 1917, the Battery moved to the Ypres salient to take part in the offensive which was in progress there. No one who was present during the attack on Passchendaele Ridge, which lasted until December 1917, will ever forget the unexampled sacrifices and the trying ordeals that befel the fighting forces on those stricken Flanders plains. The very mention of such places as St. Julien, Poelcapielle, Kitchener's Wood, Zonnebeke, and many others will instantly conjure up in the minds of those men scenes of the greatest heroism. The conditions were appalling, but they revealed a spirit of comradeship between the men that was both wonderful and inspiring. Never were men called upon to undergo greater hardships and never was the call of duty more nobly answered.

    The more or less quiet but anxious period from the begining of January to the opening of the Boche offensive in March, 1918, was spent near the famous "Hell Fire Corner" at Ypres.

    On 22nd March, 1918, the guns were pulled out of the Ypres area and tracks were made for the Somme once more. As the Hun offensive was being gradually held up, however, the Battery were kept in reserve in the Lens area, and so remaind till the enemy onslaught in the valley of the Lys.

    The Battery came into action again at Mount Bernenchon on the 10th April, 1918, and spent a very exciting week. With practically no infantry in front, the artillery had to fall back. Teams were standing by ready harnessed, and on the order of limber-up the guns would withdraw to another position in the rear, drop their trails, and re-commence firing. Then the order to limber-up would come again, and the process would be repeated. This sort of thing went on for some days until the enemy was held.

    The period which followed these latter events, up to the begining of the fourth and final battle of Ypres, was compaitively un eventful. Bursts of fire at irregular intervals were kept up night and day on the enemy's roads and communications, and this was one of the chief factors in the withdrawal from the Bethune area back to the Aubers ridge.

    The only disagreeable part of this period was that the Battery became "marked" by a German counter-battery group, and was repeatedly subjected to terrific bombardments lasting sometimes nearly 24 hours. Fortunately the guns were scattered, and, when these hurricane bursts were on, there were usually one or two guns which could carry on retaliatory fire.

    On the 28th September, 1918, the Battery, having travelled north again to take part in the last big offensive, came into action at Belgian Battery Corner (immediately behind Ypres), and from that date until the Armistace was signed was one long series of successes and conquest advances.

    The Battery, which is now considerably depleted in numbers owing to the large number of miners being demobilised, is at Sehlebusch, Germany a few miles east of Cologne, ready for all emergencies. Nevertheless, it is the ardent hope of everyone that the guns have boomed their last.

    To merely say that the number of rounds fired by the Battery was 110,426 will convey little to people who have not had experience in the serving of heavy guns; but when it is remembered that each shell had to be handled many times before actually fired, some idea of the vast amount of labour entailed will be apparent to all.

    Considering the lengthy time in the fighting zone, the casualties have been surprisingly few. Twenty three men have been killed or have died of wounds, and 65 men have more or less seriously wounded. In addition, however, at least another dozen men who first came to France with the Battery have been killed whist serving in other units.

    Though, happily, quite a good percentage of the original men of the unit still remain, all the officers who were with the Battery at Rotherham have gone. Major Grepe was succeeded by Major Weatherhead who, during 18 months he was commanding the Battery, was held in the highest esteem by all ranks. Since December 1917, the unit has been grouped under the 10th Brigade R. G. A., under Colonel a.S. P. McGhee. Major B. Lamb who was the O. C. from March to November, 1918, will long be remembered for the kindly interest he took in the men and his thoughtfulness and consideration in all matters affecting their welfare and safety. For a short period after the signing of the Armistace Captain W. W. Bentley was in command, and at the moment Captain W. F. Towson, who joined the Battery in France in 1916, is the O. C. Captain H. P. Dick, who joined the Battery at Rotherham, remained with the unit throughout the period of action, but was transferred in November to the G. H. Q. Training Centre.

    Appended are detailed particulars of the Battery's movements and activities on the Western front:

    • Landed in France 17th June 1916.
    • Opened fire at Neuve Eglise, 29th June, 1916.
    • oved to Rouge de Bout (Laventie), and opened fire on 18th July, 1916.
    • Returned to Neuve Eglise and thense to Petite Pont, 24th July, 1916.
    • Entrained for the Somme on 2nd August, and came into action at Mametz, 8th August, 1916.
    • Advanced to Montaubau, 12th September, 1916 and then to Delville Wood. In 24 hours at Montaubau 1206 rounds were fired.
    • Moved to High Wood, after being shelled out of Delville Wood, 3rd November, 1916.
    • Withdrawn on 2nd December, 1916, to Franvillers, and came into action again at Le Forest, 9th December, 1916.
    • Pulled out from Le Forest on 13th March, 1917, and moved to Foiles.
    • Came into action 15th March, 1917.
    • German retreat to Hindenburg line. The Battery moved to Bray sur Somme, 18th March, 1917; Suzanne 20th March; Combles, 24th March; Clery, 29th March; Nurlu, 30th March; and came into action at Equancourt 2nd April, 1917.
    • Moved to Railton, 6th April, 1917.
    • Advanced to Villers Guislain, 16th May, 1917.
    • Battery moved to Ypres, 26th September, 1917.
    • Opened fire from English Farm ( St. Jean), on 27th September, 1917. ( In one day at this position 1077 rounds were fired).
    • Moved to Kitchener's Wood (st. Julien)' 12th Octore, 1917. (From this position18,249 rounds were fired).
    • Left Kitchener's Wood on 14th December, 1917, and Christmas was spent at Boeschepe (near Poperinghe).
    • Moved into action as a silent battery, near Hell Fire Corner, on 19th December, 1917, and did not open fire until 26th December.
    • ulled out from Ypres area, 22nd March, 1918.
    • Moved to Westoutre, 23rd March, 1918.
    • Moved to Caudescure on the 24th and Barlin on the 25th March.
    • Battery came into action at Mount Berenchon 10th April, 1918; at Eeleme, 11th April, 1918; at Ham-en-Artois, 12th April; at Marbecque, 18th April, and at Bas Hamel, 28th April.
    • oved to Divion to G.H.Q. Reserve 17th May, 1918, and then to Gouy Servians, 31st May, 1918.
    • Four guns came into action again on 19th June, 1918, at Vendin-les-Bethune; two guns being in reserve positions at Lenglet.
    • Moved on Annezin on 11th June, 1918.
    • attery advanced to Mount Bernenchon on 20th August, 1918; to Locon, 1st September, 1918, and to Vielle Chappelle, 6th September, 1918.
    • Left Bethune sector 17th September, 1918. Arrived at Taunay on the 18th, on the way to Ypres once more, and at Beauverde Wood on the 21st.
    • Battery removed to Belgian Battery Corner on the 25th, and came into action on the 28th September, 1918. (1298 rounds were fired by five guns in 24 hours from this position, which is the Battery record).
    • Battery advanced and came into action at Zillebeke and Hill 60 on 29th September 1918; near Becelaere, 5th October, 1918; Vigfwegen, 14th October, 1918; near Ledeghem, 15th October, 1918; at Marke, 19th October, 1918; Belleghem, 23rd October, 1918; Knokke, 28th October, 1918, and Auseghem, 5th November, 1918.
    • The Battery was at the latter place, which is between Coutrai and Renaix, when the Armistice was signed on 11th November, 1918.

    Total rounds fired by the Battery in different areas:

    • June and July, 1916 - Messines Area - 725
    • August 1916, to March 1917 - Battle of the Somme - 33,380
    • March 1917, to May 1917 - German retreat on the Somme - 4,363
    • May 1917, to September 1917 - Villiers Guislain - 1,903
    • Sept. 1917, to March 1918 - 3rd Battle of Ypres - 24,254
    • April, 1918 to September, 1918 - Battle of the Lys - 39,094
    • September, 1918, to November 11th, 1918 - 4th Battle of Ypres - 6,707
    • Total 110, 426
    3rd January 1919

    Alyn Hodgson




    222796

    2nd Lt. James Edward Fagan 6th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.5th Oct 1916)

    My great uncle, James Edward Fagan from Lismacaffrey, Co. Westmeath, was a 2nd Lieutenant (temporary) with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 6th Battalion attached to the 8th. He was injured in late September 1916 and died of his wounds on the 5th of October 1916. I am not sure which battle he was injured in. We have his ceremonial swords, an uncle of mine has his service revolver and helmet.

    John Fagan




    222794

    L/Cpl. Robert Green MM 11th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    L/Cpl Robert Green was awarded the Military Medal. I am trying to find out his actions to win the MM, the date we do not know.

    George Giltrap




    222793

    Sjt. Ernest Wyndham Arthur Lester DCM 468 Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    During the attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt Captain James Selby Gardner was wounded in the neck. Serjeant Ernest Wyndham Arthur Lester took command and went on to rescue several men from 'no-man's land' whilst under constant sniper-fire. For this gallantry he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

    John Randall




    222791

    Pte. William James Harrington 7th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    My father William James Harrington was in the 7th Battalion South Wales Borderers.

    Edward Harrington




    222790

    A/Capt. Alexander Leonard Paterson MID MC 1st Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    An old friend of mine was a Lt/Act Cpt MC in the 1st Battalion and was Mentioned in Dispatches for outstanding gallantry. His name was Alexander Leonard Paterson.

    John




    222789

    Pte. James Bryce MacLaren Pryde 2/18th Btn. Australian Infantry (d.27th Jan 1942)

    <p>

    James Bryce MacLaren Pryde was born in Edinburgh, Scotland 20/1/1918 and emigrated to McMahons Point, New South Wales, Australia with his parents William and Jean Law Keith Pryde in 1937.

    James enlisted in the Australian Army at Paddington in the Wahroonga area of Sydney. His service number was NX50220 and he gave his father as next of kin. James saw fighting in Singapore and died in Changi hospital on 27/1/1942, aged 24. He is commemorated on Sp.Mem. 6. D. 2 in the Kranji War Cemetery and Singapore Memorial.

    s flynn




    222788

    L/Cpl. John Duffy MM Royal Engineers

    Michael Duffy




    222786

    Pte. Henry Thomas Jefferey MM. 1/4 (Hallamshire) Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.13th Oct 1918)

    Henry Thomas Jefferey was formally Pte. 10827 of the Royal Sussex Regt.

    Rick




    222785

    Pte. Steven Todd 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.8th June 1917)

    Steven Todd was born 16 Jan 1887 in Wackerfield, Durham son of Southren John Todd and Mary Ann Stevens. He was one of 14 children. Steven was a miner when he enlisted into the DLI in 1916.

    He died of wounds at 69 Field Ambulance on 8th of June 1917 during the Battle of Messines and is buried in the Hop Store Cemetery near the town of Poperinghe.

    Lynne Rigg




    222783

    Rflmn. Daniel Patrick Finn 1/8th Btn. London Regiment (d.30th April 1918)

    Daniel Finn was my Great Grand Father, his wife was Elizabeth and their children were Mary, Daniel and Augustine I would love a photo if anyone has one.

    Cliodhna




    222782

    Pte. Wilfred Henry Lewis 1/23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.26th May 1915)

    Wilfred's brother Frederick Lewis was also in the same battalion and is believed gassed but survived.

    Gary Lewis




    222780

    Spr. Charles Henry Foulkes 104th Field Company Royal Engineers

    My Grandfather, Charles Henry Foulkes served with 104 Field Company. Royal Engineers. At present I do not have his Service record even though I have searched for it on Ancestry. What I do know is that my Grandfather was a small man of height and stature. I was also told by my Aunt that a French lady shouted at him when he was leaving, 'English go home', after what he had been through it seemed an insult to him.

    Sheila Clarke




    222779

    Sgt. Henry Shaw DCM. 250th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers

    Herny Shaw was My Great-Grandad. He is featured in a Musselburgh News report, published on Friday, 18th of January 1918:

    Musselburgh Man Wins the D.C.M.

    Sergeant Henry Shaw, of the Royal Engineers, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He joined the colours in September 1915, and previous to that had been engaged as a mining contractor at Carberry Colliery, and later with the Niddrie and Benhar Coal Company at No 13 Pit. His wife and family reside at 174 High Street, Musselburgh.

    "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a long period while engaged in offensive mining operations under repeated hostile bombardments. On one occasion his courage and determination undoubtedly saved many lives when a sudden inrush of water endangered the mine." Details provided by, Major J Cowley OBE DCM The Gallantry Medallists' League, published in The London Gazette, 17th April 1918

    Brian Hay




    222778

    Pte. Frederick Singleton Martin A Coy. 2 Platoon 33rd Btn. (d.30th March 1918)

    Fred Martin was my great uncle. He enlisted on 13 Sep 1915 originally posted to 18th Btn and saw action on the Western Front after being transferred to 33rd Btn.

    He fought in all battles with 33rd Btn from late 1916 including the Battle of Messines on to his final action on 30th March 1918 near Hangard Wood, Villers Bretonneux while manning a Lewis machine gun. He was shot in the head and killed instantly. He was buried in Hangard Wood however his grave was lost in battle and he is listed on the Villers Bretonneux Memorial as no-known grave.

    Randal McFarlane




    222777

    Cptn. Hugh Ronald Selfe 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.9th July 1917)

    Hugh Selfe emigrated to Canada in 1903 and came back as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, he attested 28th September 1914. He was seconded to the 8th North Staffs.

    David Clark




    222776

    Drv. Alfred Lawson 110th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.21 June 1917)

    Alfred Lawson was serving with D Battery when he died of wounds.

    Mark Bailey




    222775

    Gnr. Albert Blundell 110th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.21st June 1917)

    Albert Blundell was serving with D Battery, 110th Brigade RFA when he died of wounds.

    Mark Bailey




    222774

    Pte. Charles Edward Couchman 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Charles Edward Couchman was born on the 25th April 1882 at 52 Castle Street, St Giles-in-the-fields, London. The second youngest of five children.

    He was a was a career soldier (2813. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion), fighting for his country during the Great War of 1914-1918. While serving in Belgium he was killed in action, at Flanders. His date of death being recorded as 26th September 1917 and is buried at Coxyde Military Cemetery.

    Des Cronin




    222771

    Pte. W. Field 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade

    I have Pte W, Field's medal, inherited from my grandfather to my father, I am just cleaning the house would love to return it to Private Field's Family, I have no idea how it came to be in my Grandfather's possession.

    Les Norris




    222769

    Pte. James Cookson 7th Btn. Border Regiment (d.25th Aug 1918)

    James Cookson was the son of James and Catherine Cookson. He was aged 21 when he was killed in action, and he is buried in Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, Somme.

    Peter James Cookson




    222768

    Pte. Samuel Alfred Cork 6th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.22nd May 1915)

    <p>

    Samuel Alfred Cork was a soilder in 'D' Coy. 1st/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. He was 22 years old when he was killed in action during World War 1 (France and Flanders). He is buried in the Lancashire Cottage Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert situated on the right handside as you enter the cemetery first row. He was awarded three medals - the 1914-1915 Star, the British War medal and the British Victory medal. He was my father’s uncle (my father’s, sister’s brother).

    Ms S Wilshire




    222763

    Cpl. Charles Richard Brown 1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    Charles Richard Brown was born in May 1890. The photo was taken on the 23rd of January 1915 at the 4th Southern General Hospital, Plymouth and Charles Richard Brown is second patient from left. He married Florence Kate Genders in April 1919 at Tamworth. In 1921 they arrived in Melbourne and had one daughter Joyce. Charles died on 15th of Nov 1925 and is buried in Springfield Cemetery Melbourne.

    Margaret Luscombe




    222761

    Cpl. Thomas James Hammond 3rd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    <p>

    Thomas James Hammond was my great grandfather. From 4th of August 1914 until 13th Sept 1917 he served as a Private with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. From the 14th of Sept 1917 until the armistice and worked some clean-up after end of war, he was a Corporal with the 28th Coy. Chinese Labour Corps. He also was injured in action and spent time in hospital. This shrapnel is what eventually led to his leg being amputated and his death in 1957 in Hendon, London, Middlesex, England. After the clean-up duty, he came home from the war and found out about the death of his wife- Julia Bruder from scarlet fever, which she had contracted at the war-end party.

    I would love to find more information about his duties, war job and his injury!

    Corporal Chinese Labour Corps Card

    Injured At War- Hospital

    Injured At War- Hospital

    Greggory Daniell




    222755

    Pte. Patrick "Paddy" Grace 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

    <p>Patrick Grace Army Service Record

    Patrick Grace was my paternal grandfather. Born in Dublin in 1893, he joined up in 1912 and served until 1921 after re-enlisting in 1919. I have a lovely photograph of him at the age of 19 in Royal Irish Fusiliers uniform at Dublin Castle. Handwritten on the back is 'Paddy age 19 at Dublin castle, gunshot wounds and broken collar bone'.

    He re-enlisted in 1939 at the age of 47 and served for the whole of World War 2 as cookhouse staff. He married in 1924 and had 8 children. He died in 1954 in an accident at the silo works where he worked at Ringsend in Dublin at the age of 61. Very sad end for a brave man who survived both world wars with nothing more than shrapnel wounds and a broken collar bone. Although he died 10 years before I was born, I am very proud to call him my Grandad.

    Patrick Grace Army Record 2

    Patrick Grace 1912 Dublin Castle-gunshot wounds to left shoulder and broken collar bone

    Patrick Grace (with the dog)

    Mary Lightfoot




    222754

    Pte. Nathan Williams 58 Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    I have a photo of Nathan Williams in civies, with what appears to be the Wiltshire Regimental Badge on his lapel. Is it possible that he was attached to the regiment? From his records 1914 he was a gunner MGC. In 1918 he was with 206th MGC and on the Pozieres Memorial he was with the 58th coy MGC.

    Was it normal for men in civies to wear a badge to show he was in the Army?

    Editor's Note: The Machine Gun Corps was not formed until 1916 so it is likley he was previously a Machine Gunner in the Wiltshire Regiment. If he was on leave he may well have worn his cap badge on his civies to avoid being mistaken for a civilian and being hassled to join up or been given the dreaded white feather. Though most men would wear uniform even when on leave.

    Aubrey Williams




    222753

    Pte. Alfred George Brannan 1st Battalion, D Company Lincolnshire Regiment (d.12th April 1917)

    Alfred George Brannan was the son of Alfred George and Hannah Brannan. He is buried in Gouy-en-Artois Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Peter




    222752

    Pte. Harry Dickman 16th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.30th Jul 1916)

    I chose to commemorate Private Harry Dickman, whom I randomly selected from the Royal British Legion website. Although I am a Dickman and my great grandmother was from Lancashire, Harry was not a relative. However, I wanted to find out more information about him.

    Harry was born in 1889 in Openshaw, Manchester, and was married in about 1910 to Jemima. They had a little girl called Gladys who would have been born in about January 1911. At the time of the 1911 census Henry, Jemima and little Gladys were boarding at the home of John and Eliza Ann Shepherd at No. 1 Henrietta Street in Pendlebury, Lancashire. Harry joined the 16th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers and was killed in action on 30th July 1916. As his body was never found, his name is listed and commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France.

    Kay Dickman-Cooper




    222748

    Thomas Flaherty Irish Guards

    <p>

    I would like to find the names of all the soldiers in this photograph. My Grandfather Thomas Flaherty from Galway City Ireland is third from the left in the second row.

    Frank Lally




    222747

    Pte. Albert Browett Notts & Derby Regiment

    Albert Browett was taken prisoner and returned home with T.B. He died in 1928 aged 32.





    222745

    Pte. F Reid 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

    Among our family's effects are medals awarded to Pte. F. Reid, Service no. 8430, 2/LINC:R, which I'm told means 2nd. Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment of the British Army. Who Pte. Reid was and how his medals came into our family is a total mystery. My research shows that 2/Linc. joined the 25th Brigade, 8th Div. on its posting to France from Bermuda around October 19th. 1916 and would have later fought at the Battle of St. Quentin.

    My grandfather, Arnold Kemp, served with the AIF during WWI and was killed at the Battle of St. Quentin in September 1918. When I was quite young, my father gave me a signet ring bearing the initials 'FSR', which I'm now wondering might have belonged to Pte. F. Reid.

    Any help with this mystery would be appreciated.

    David Kemp




    222743

    Pte. John William Mcpherson 7th Battalion Border Regiment

    John Mcpherson came home injured.

    Joy Nelson-McPherson




    222742

    Charles Alexander Clark 278 Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Charles Alexander Clark was originally in the Dockers Battalion, but served with the 278th Coy Machine Gun Corps in 1918.

    Susan Clark Lanson




    222738

    A/Sgt. John Charles Dean 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    John Dean died of wounds on the 3rd November 1918, aged 24. He is buried in the Giavera British Cemetery in Italy. He was the son of John and Mary Ellen Dean of Garden St., Padiham, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    222737

    Pte. James Frederick Hillard 17th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather, James Frederick Hillard was an ambulance driver during WW1. He joined the 17th Battalion (then the 23rd) to serve along side his footballing heroes. He was, like my brothers and I now, a QPR Fan.

    He was born in 1898, so was 16 when he joined. He was awarded the British and Victory medals post war for his services in the French Red Cross during his time with the 17th and 23rd Middlesex Battalions. He is listed in the back of the book 'When the Whistle Blows', a book about the 17th Battalion.

    Alison Jamieson




    222736

    L/Cpl. Henry Aspley 7th Bat. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.8th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Aspley volunteered in September 1914, he was engaged on Coastal Defence duties for a time, and crossed to the Western Front in the following year. In this theatre of war he served as a bomb-thrower and fought in many fiercely contested battles including those at Ypres and Loos.

    He gave his life for freedom of England whilst on night patrol in the Loos sector on January 8th 1916. He was entitled to the 1914 -1915 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.

    Robert Curtis




    222734

    Pte. Joseph Keenan 1st Battalion Scottish Rifles (d.14th April 1918)

    Joseph Keenan served with the 1st Btn. Scottish Rifles.

    Lesley Russell




    222733

    Cpl. William Henry Chapman DCM. 1st Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.5th Oct 1918)

    <p>Grave stone in tin court cemetry

    Citation for DCM awarded to Cpl. William Chapman dated 3rd September 1918:- "For conspicuous gallentry and devotion to duty, during a counter attack he led his section with great courage and determination and on reaching his objective proceeded to account for any remnants of the enemy defenders left in the trench. In doing so he was confronted single handedly by fourteen of the enemy. But he contained them until assistance arrived, and then they were secured. Two days previously, he had been surrounded with his section, in a heavily bombarded position, but he managed to extradite his men with great skill, from the difficult position."

    Leanne Bessant




    222729

    Pte. John Hankey 26th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.1918)

    <p>

    John Hankey served with the 26th Middlesex.

    Steven Owen




    222728

    Pte. Edward George James Knight 15th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    My great uncle on my father’s side Ted Knight was a member of the 15th Hampshires. He was killed on 20th of September 1917 at the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge (Ypres). His remains were never recovered, and his father David always questioned his death. I was able to find his name on the Memorial at Tyne Cot.

    David Knight




    222726

    Pte. Eric Woollard 7th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.13th Oct1915)

    Eric Woollard was my mother's uncle. He was born in Wood Ditton, Cambridgeshire and died during the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt on 13th October 1915 aged 21.

    Trevor Reeve




    222724

    Arthur James Farr 2nd Btn. Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment (d.16th Aug 1917)

    <p>Arthur James Farr - Entry in the National Roll of The Great War

    Arthur Farr died in the Third Battle for Ypres.

    Bernard Farr




    222722

    Rfmn. William Percy Russ 1/9btn (Queen Victoria's Rifles) Btn London Regiment

    <p>

    Rifleman William Percy Russ British Army served with the 1/9th Btn Queen Victoria's Rifles London Regiment.

    1/9 City of London Regiment Training on Hampstead Heath.  William Percy Russ is in centre of the picture

    In Army hospital 1917

    Recovering from injuries

    Sheila Appleton




    222721

    L/Cpl. Robert Kitchen 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Robert Kitchen served with the 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Chris Edmondson




    222718

    Sgt. Samuel George Pearse VC, MM. 45th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1919)

    <p>

    Samuel Pearse was from Koorlong, Mildura, Victoria, Australia. He was killed in action 29th of August aged 22, and is remembered in the Archangel Allied Cemetery in Russia.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 23rd Oct., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and self sacrifice during the operation against the enemy battery position north of Emtsa (North Russia) on the 29th August, 1919. Serjeant Pearse cut his way through the enemy barbed wire under very heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and cleared a way for the troops to enter the battery position. Seeing that a blockhouse was harassing our advance and causing us casualties, he charged the blockhouse single-handed, killing the occupants with bombs. This gallant noncommissioned officer met his death a minute later, and it was due to him that the position was carried with so few casualties. His magnificent bravery and utter disregard for personal danger won for him the admiration of all troops."

    s flynn




    222717

    Sgt. James Somers VC. Army Service Corps (d.7th May 1918)

    <p>

    James Somers was the son of R. W. Somers, of Cloughjordan in Ireland. He had previously served with the 1st Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers before transferring to the ASC. He died on the 7th May 1918, aged 24, and is buried on the West side of the Church in the Modreeny Church of Ireland Churchyard between Cloughjordan and Borrisokane in Ireland. An extract from the supplement to The London Gazette, dated 31st Aug., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 1st-2nd July, 1915, in the Southern Zone of the Gallipoli Peninsula, when, owing to hostile bombing, some of our troops had retired from a sap, Serjeant Somers remained alone on the spot until a party brought up bombs. He then climbed over into the Turkish trench, and bombed the Turks with great effect. Later on he advanced into the open under very heavy fire and held back the enemy by throwing bombs into their flank until a barricade had been established. During this period he frequently ran to and from our trenches to obtain fresh supplies of bombs. By his great gallantry and coolness Serjeant Somers was largely instrumental in effecting the recapture of a portion of our trench which had been lost."

    s flynn




    222716

    Able Sea. Walter Duff Collingwood Battalion (d.4th Jun 1915)

    Walter Duff served with the Collingwood Battalion.

    Pauline Hancock




    222715

    Lt. Frederick Daniel Parslow VC HMT Anglo Californian (d.4th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Master Frederick Parslow VC died on 4th July 1915, aged 59, and is buried in the Cobh Old Church Cemetery, in Cork, Ireland.

    The London Gazette dated 24th May 1919 records the following:- "For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of the Horse Transport Anglo Californian on the 4th July 1915. At 8am on 4th July 1915 a large submarine was sighted on the port beam at the distance of one mile. The ship, which was entirely unarmed, was immediately manoevred to bring the submarine astern; every effort was made to increase speed, and a S.O.S. call was sent out by wireless, an answer being received by a man-of war. At 9a.m. the submarine opened fire making occasional hits until 10.30a.m. meanwhile Lieutenant Parslow constantly altered course and kept the submarine astern. At 10.30a.m. the enemy hoisted the signal to abandon the vessel as fast as possible and in order to save life Lt. Parslow decided to obey and stopped engines to give as many of the crew as wished the opportunity to get away in the boats. On receiving a wireless message from a destroyer however urging him to hold on for as long as possible he decided to get way on the ship again. The submarine then opened a heavy fire on the bridge and boats with guns and rifles wrecking the upper bridge, killing Lt. Parslow and carrying away one of the port davits causing the boat to drop into the sea and throwing its occupants into the water. At about 11a.m. two destroyers arrived on the scene and the submarine dived. Throughout the attack Lt. Parslow remained on the bridge on which the enemy fire was concentrated entirely without protection and by his magnificent heroism succeeded, at the cost of his own life, in saving a valuable ship and cargo for his own country. He set a splendid example to the officers and men of the Mercantile Marine."

    s flynn




    222714

    Pte. George Duff Black Watch (d.27th Oct 1914)

    George Duff served with The Black Watch.

    Pauline Hancock




    222713

    Lt. Wilbur Taylor Dartnell VC 25th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.3rd Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Wilbur Dartnell was born Melbourne, the son of Henry and Rose Ann Dartnell. He was the husband of Elizabeth Edith Dartnell (nee Smyth), of Maktau, Phillips Avenue, Murrumbeena, Victoria, Australia. He was killed in action 3rd September 1915, aged 30, and is buried in the Voi Cemetery in Kenya.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 23rd Dec., 1915, records the following.- "For most conspicuous bravery near Maktau (East Africa) on 3rd September, 1915. During a mounted infantry engagement the enemy got within a few yards of our men, and it was found impossible to get the more severely wounded away. Lieutenant Dartnell, who was himself being carried away wounded in the leg, seeing the situation, and knowing that the enemy''s black troops murdered the wounded, insisted on being left behind in the hopes of being able to save the lives of the other wounded men. He gave his own life in the gallant attempt to save others."

    s flynn




    222712

    Pte. Thomas Peatman 24th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.31st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Peatman was the son of Joseph and Susannah Peatman, of 45, Kimberley Rd., Cambridge. He died 31st October 1918, aged 25 and is buried in the Staglieno Cemetery in Genoa, Italy.

    s flynn




    222711

    Capt. Eric Archibald McNair 9th Btn. att. G.H.Q. General Staff Royal Sussex Regiment (d.12th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Eric McNair was the son of George Burgh McNair and Isabella Frederica McNair, of 5, Harrington St., Calcutta. He died on the 12th August 1918, aged 24, and is buried in the Staglieno Cemetery in Genoa, Italy.

    An extract from The London Gazette No. 29527, dated 28th March, 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. When the enemy exploded a mine, Lieutenant McNair and many men of two platoons were hoisted into the air, and many men were buried. But, though much shaken, he at once organised a party with a machine gun to man the near edge of the crater and opened rapid fire on a large party of the enemy, who were advancing. The enemy were driven back, leaving many dead. Lieutenant McNair then ran back for reinforcements, and sent to another unit for bombs, ammunition and tools to replace those buried. The communication trench being blocked he went across the open under heavy fire and led up the reinforcements the same way. His prompt and plucky action and example undoubtedly saved the situation."

    s flynn




    222709

    2nd Lt. John Scott Youll VC 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John Youll was the son of Mr. R. W. and Mrs. M. Youll, of Thorncroft, Thornley, Co. Durham. He died on the 27the October 1918, aged 21 and is buried in the Giavera British Cemetery in Italy.

    He was awarded the Italian Silver Medal for Valour and the Victoria Cross. An extract from the London Gazette, dated 25th July, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicous bravery and devotion to duty during enemy attacks when in command of a patrol, which came under hostile barrage. Sending his men back to safety, he remained to observe the situation. Unable subsequently to rejoin his company, Second Lieut. Youll reported to a nieghbouring unit, and when the enemy attacked he maintained his position with several men of different units until the troops on his left had given way and an enemy machine gun had opened fire from behind him. He rushed the gun, and, having killed most of the team, opened fire on the enemy with the captured gun, inflicting heavy casualties. Then, finding that the enemy had gained a footing in a portion of the front line, he organised and carried out with a few men three seperate counter-attacks. On each occasion he drove back the enemy, but was unable to maintain his position by reason of reverse fire. Throughout the fighting his complete disregard of personal safety and very gallant leading set a magnificent example to all."

    s flynn




    222708

    Pte. Norman Harvey VC. 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    Norman Harvey was the son of Charles William and Mary Harvey; husband of Nora Osmond Harvey, of Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire.

    The following details are given in the London Gazette of 6th January 1919:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Ingoyghem on the 25th October, 1918, when his battalion (the 1st Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers) was held up and suffered heavy casualties from enemy machine guns. On his own initiative he rushed forward and engaged the enemy single-handed, disposing of twenty enemy and capturing two guns. Later, when his company was checked by another enemy strong point, he again rushed forward alone and put the enemy to flight. Subsequently, after dark, he voluntarily carried out, single-handed, an important reconnaissance and gained valuable information. Pte. Harvey throughout the day displayed the greatest valour, and his several actions enabled the line to advance, saved many casualties, and inspired all."

    He want on to serve in WW2 and died on the 16th February 1942, aged 42 and is buried in the Khayat Beach War Cemetery in Israel.

    s flynn




    222704

    Pte. James Howard Watts 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    Jim Watts was my uncle. I know he served at Gheluvelt with the 2nd Worcester Regiment, after that he was in the 3rd Worcesters, but I am not sure where they fought. He was badly injured in the fighting and lost both legs and also had shrapnel in the brain (this is what eventually killed him after it moved). He died 13th November 1948 of his wounds.





    222703

    Lt. William John Sydney Simpson MC 8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>Lt W J S Simpson

    Bill Simpson originally enlisted as Rifleman 580 in the the 9th London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) Territorial Force on the 4th of January 1909. He was embodied on 5th of August 1914 and posted to France with the QVRs on the 14th of November 1914. He was appointed Lance Corporal and Acting Corporal on the 28th of December 1914. The QWVRs were engaged in the Battle of Hill 60 on 21st of April 1915 and Cpl Simpson returned to England on the 27th of April, presumably because he was injured.

    He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the the Middlesex Regiment and posted to the 4/8th Battalion on the 23rd of August 1915. He returned to France on the 5th of September 1915, joining the 8th Btn. At the Battle of Loos on 25th of Sept 1915 the 8th Middlesex were in support, holding trenches with machine guns and carrying tools and water. At the Battle of Ginchy on the Somme on 9th of Sept 1916 the 8th Middlesex made a Trench assault, where Lt W.J.S. Simpson was injured. At the the Battle of Flers-Courcelette 15th to 22nd Sept they were in a close assault at Bouleaux Wood. In the First Battle of the Scarpe and Vimy Ridge: 9th to 14th of April 1917 the 8th Middlesex made an assault over no-man’s land to take trenches on 9th and final capture of village of Neuville Vitasse with further bombing of trenches on 11th.

    William was promoted to Lieutenant on the 1st of July 1917. During the Battle of Langemark between the 16th and 18th of August 1917 the 8th Middlesex made an assault under machine gun fire and counter attack including aerial attack.

    At the battle of Cambai on 20th to 21st of Nov 1917 they mounted a decoy attack and during the capture of Bourlon Wood on 23rd to 28th of Nov they were in support with decoys. The German counter attacks took place from the 30th Nov to 3rd of Dec they were in defence of captured trenches in Hindenburg Line where Lt. W.J.S. Simpson was captured. He remained a POW for the rest of the war but was moved and interned in Switzerland on 2nd of October 1918. He was repatriated on 25th of December 1918.

    He was attached to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Woolwich Arsenal from January 1919 and he was seconded to the Foreign Office Inter-allied Police Service. He was Chief of the Inter-allied Police in Rybrick Upper Silesia in 1921 and was engaged in the uprisings. He returned to Civilian life in 1926 and was recalled to Service on 10th of July 1939 and was appointed Lieutenant in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, but was unfit for service overseas, he served in No 4 Training Battalion at Hillsea and Stirling until retiring in 1942. He died on the 3rd of November 1956.

    Officers 4/8th Btn Middlesex Regt.

    WilliamJSSimpson with QVRs at Crowboughrough

    WilliamJSSimpson and QVRs at Crowborough, work party

    Interallied Police at Rybrick

    Peter Gilbertson




    222702

    L/Cpl. Christopher Mooney 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.7th Aug 1915)

    Lance Corporal Mooney died at Gallipoli on 7th August 1915 and is remembered at the Helles Memorial. His older brother Robert died in France in April 1917.

    Anne McIntyre




    222701

    Gnr. William Frederick Archer Y Bty Royal Horse Artillery (d.26th of August 1914)

    Gunner William Frederick Archer was my great uncle who I am researching. He is buried in Old Caudry Cemetery and I have yet to have this verified but I believe he was killed in the Battle of Le Cateau. I hope to visit his grave in France soon. I now know where I get my love of horses.

    Jane Murgraff




    222700

    Pte. Edward Thomas Tweed 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.16th Feb 1915)

    Edward Tweed was killed on the 16th of February 1915 aged 20 years. He is remembered at Le Touret Memorial in France

    Anne Andrews




    222699

    Rflmn. Robert Wale 11th (Finsbury Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.19th April 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Wale died on 19th April 1917 and is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza. My relative was always very conscious that he had been lucky enough to survive while Robert his great friend with whom he had farmed in Devon and enjoyed village events was killed.

    s flynn




    222698

    Pte. Percy Thurlow 1st/5th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.20th July 1917.)

    <p>

    Percy Thurlow died on the 20th July 1917 and is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza.

    s flynn




    222696

    Pte. Archibald McNaught Stevenson 1/4th Bn. Royal Scots (d.2nd Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Archibald Stevenson died on the of 2nd November 1917 and is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza.

    s flynn




    222693

    L/Sgt. Henry Reynolds 3rd Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    <p>Henry & Annie Reynolds c1913

    Henry Reynolds got married in December 1913. He went to war and apparently had some traumatic experience (not unusual), but we never found out what it was. On return home he was rejected by the family and went to London.

    Stuart Morris




    222692

    WO2. Thomas Joseph Gorbey DCM 13th Btn. Duke of Cambridge own Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Thomas Joseph Gorbey served with the 13th Duke of Cambridge own Middlesex Regiment. His Citation of Distinguished Conduct Medal reads:- "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when under heavy shell fire for several days. He displayed most complete disregard of danger and great resource in saving many casualties; his energy and cheerfulness maintaining the spirits of all under him."

    Shirley Wilks




    222690

    Pte. James Bain 2nd Battalion Black Watch

    James Bain served with the 2nd Battalion, Black Watch.

    Roy




    222689

    Pte. John Francis Duhig 17th Btn. London Regiment

    My great grandfather was called John Francis Duhig. Current living family members know he served in the armed forces both prior to and during WW1 and that he was based for part of the time in London. The only war records that I have so far been able to uncover that comes close to what is already known is J Duhig service number 2419, 17th London Regiment.

    If anyone can help further it would be appreciated. The war record found so far indicate that he received the 1914/15 star, but we believe he was also awarded other medals for gallantry but this is currently unproven. any help please. I currently do not have any photos in my possession of my great grandfather

    Terry Duhig




    222688

    Pte. George Leonard Hey 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regment (d.25th Sept 1915)

    George Hey served with the 2nd Battalion Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment.

    Decia Ranger




    222687

    Cpl. George Francis Perkins 1st/1st Btn. Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars (d.14th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    George Perkins died on the 14th of Novemeber 1917, aged 25. Buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza, he was the usband of Margaret Nellie Perkins, of Myrtle Cottage, Terriers, High Wycombe, Bucks. George was born at Terriers, High Wycombe, Bucks.

    s flynn




    222686

    Pte. Arthur Jackson 1st/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.19th April 1917)

    <p>

    Arther Jackson formerly served as 11056 East Lancs and 28796 Liverpools. He died on 19th April 1917 and is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza.

    s flynn




    222685

    Pte. Fred Dewhurst 2nd/1st East Anglian Field Amb Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th July 1917)

    <p>

    Fred Dewhurst died on 20th July 1917, aged 27. He is buried in the Gaza War Memorial in Gaza. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Dewhurst, of Nelson, Lancs

    s flynn




    222684

    Pte. G. W. Davies 2nd/1st East Anglian Field Amb Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th July 1917)

    <p>

    G. W. Davies died on the 20th July 1917, aged 31 and is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza. he was the son of William and Martha Davies, of Bryn Hywel, Efailwen, Clynderwen; husband of Margaret Elizabeth Davies, of 29 King Edward St., Blarngarw, Glam.

    s flynn




    222683

    Pte. Harry Chadwick 1st/4th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.19th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Chadwick lived at 35 Parkinson Street, Burnley, Lancashire. He died on 19th April 1917 and is buried in the Gaza War Memorial in Gaza.

    s flynn




    222681

    Pte. William Victor Collins 6th Dragoon Guards (d.21st June 1917)

    I don't really have much of a story about my grandfather, Pte William V Collins, who died on 21st June of 1917. What I do have is a lot of correspondence, acquired by Ancestry et al, from my great-grandfather, Frederick Stephens, to the War Office and latterly to William's CO, asking for his help in getting into contact/support some money out of him to support his daughter.

    Marrying my grandmother in February 1914, he instantly decamped from London to Glasgow, where he enlisted in the 6th DG, having lied about his place of birth. His daughter, my mother, was born on July 31st of that year - an enforced/shotgun marriage, then. William nevertheless served, without distinction, until his death in action on 21st June 1917.

    He had been coerced into returning to England to visit his wife and daughter, who was then around three years old. She remembered him as a tall man with pock-marked features, who cut her on the leg with his spur when he picked to her up. She bore the clearly-visible scar until she died.

    As for the circumstances of my grandfather's last action ....Where? I don't know. How? I don't know that either. And I've never been able to find out. I'd be very happy to enter into communication with anybody who can tell me where the 6th DG were operating on 21st June 1917. We've paid him a visit, the Guerard-le-Templeux Northern extension military cemetery where he lies, but there is a great lack of any information about his unit from the time of his death in action.

    Terry A de C Foley




    222680

    Pte. Thomas Hills 13th Btn. BCoy. 6 Platoon West Riding Regiment

    <p>

    Thomas Hills Served with 6 Platoon, B Company, 13th West Riding Regiment.

    A letter to his parents George and Emily.





    222679

    Pte. William George Face 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Account by William George Face, 7th Leicestershire's Regtl No 235623 of his capture:

    Captured May 27 1918 at Champagne district. Marched down to temporary camp for a few hours. Marched to Rethel and stopped for night in prison. May 28 entrained for internment camp at Blanc Saint Jen, stopped for a few days entrained for new camp at Bazan Court where worked on new railhead for five weeks pay 30 Fncs a day. Was picked out for work. Sent away on July 10 entrained for Charleville and stopped there in small French cage for three nights. Entrained for a destination unknown (13 July ) at present. First day we were travelling through France and Belgium where the people on station were very good to us giving us cigarettes and money. We continued our journey through the night and waking up in the morning found ourselves just in the border of Germany. We arrived at Coln on the 14th where we had to change and stopped there an hour or two, and the next stop was Bremen where we arrived at midnight and stopped the night. We started off again on the 15th at 6am and travelled on until we arrived at Hamburg at 10:30 where we changed again and had the first basin of hot soup at a Red Cross building which was very good. We started off again at 3 o'clock for our destination which we had been guessing at all the way. We arrived at 8 o'clock and had a very agreeable surprise waiting for us for we were issued out with two loaves a man as an emergency parcel and a grocery parcel the next day, both issued by our Red Cross society. We are waiting to be sent out as working parties. We stay here until 31 July, my 25th birthday, by which time we had another grocery parcel and two biscuits parcels. On the night before we left we have a train journey of about 28 hours and arrived at ? where we are billeted on board an old warship and where I have my first experience of sleeping in hammocks, which I find very comfortable. There are several more Englishman here who have been captured from 1914, and all receiving their parcels and they are very good to us giving us biscuits and cigarettes. Held by SOM 3194

    Captured 2

    Captured 3

    William Face

    David Face




    222677

    Cpl. Thomas Frederick Hesp 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

    Fred Hesp served with the 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Philip Roberts




    222672

    Cpl. John Sharman 13th Btn. York and Lancashire Regiment (d.30th Sep 1918)

    John Sharman was my great uncle. He was the brother of my maternal grandmother. My mother always said that her mother had told her that he sacrificed his life after his "sweetheart" had "dumped" him, so he felt he had nothing to live for. Sadly I have no photos.

    Granville Baveystock




    222671

    Pte. Alfred James Sample 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.2nd Apr 1917)

    <p>Jim Sample Seated 3rd from left.

    Jim Sample served with the 2nd Btn, Yorkshire Regiment.

    Jim

    John Sample




    222668

    Pte. Francis Burt 1st Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    <p>

    Frank Burt was my great grand uncle. He was the son of Joseph and Amelia Burt from Bristol. Frank was captured in 1918 and was a German POW from about July 1918 until the end of the war. He survived the war and moved to Canada where he was a career miner in Tinmmins, Ontario, Canada. He married Violet Slucutt in 1921. He had two sons, Frank Jr. and Raymond. He died in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1960.





    222666

    Pte. Bernard Joseph Rice Lincolnshire Regiment

    My father Bernard Rice was in the Lincolnshire Regiment in WW1, I believe he joined a Chums Battalion, under age. He died in 1958 at the age of 61. I don't know anything about his service sadly but he once said he drove the mule trains carrying ammunition etc.

    Teresa Franklin




    222665

    2nd.Lt. Stanley Henry Parry Boughey VC. 1st/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.4th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    Stanley Boughey was the son of Mrs. Lucy Boughey, of Yew Tree Farm, Hurleston, Nantwich, Cheshire. He was killed in action on the 4th of December 1917, aged 21 and is buried in Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza.

    His VC citation states that "with bombs and automatic rifles keeping down the fire of our machine guns, he rushed forward alone with bombs right up to the enemy, doing great execution and causing the surrender of a party of 30. As he turned to go back for more bombs he was mortally wounded at the moment when the enemy were surrendering."

    s flynn




    222664

    Lt.Col. Algernon Carteret Thynne DSO. Royal North Devon Hussars (d.6th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Algernon Thynne was the son of Francis John Thynne, of Haynes Park, Beds; husband of Constance Thynne, of Penstowe, Bude, Cornwall. He served in the South African war. He died on the 6th November 1917, aged 49 and is buried in the Beersheba War Cemetery in Israel.

    s flynn




    222663

    Gnr. Albert Sherlock 74th Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.6th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Albert Sherlock died on the 6th of November 1917, aged 24 and is buried in the Beersheba War Cemetery in Israel. He was the son of Robert and Susey Ellen Sherlock, of 98 Healey Wood Rd., Springhill, Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    222662

    L/Sgt. William Taylor 7th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment

    William Taylor served at Gallipoli and in Mespotania. He was wounded in his legs and hip at Kut Alamara and invalided home.

    Gary Taylor




    222661

    Pte. John "Jack" McKenney Lancashire Fusiliers

    My grandfather John McKenney was serving in Gallipoli with the Lancashire Fusiliers when he was shot in the arm while carrying a wounded soldier on a stretcher. The bullet hit the bone and entered the buttocks of the man on the stretcher.

    His brother served with the Black Watch and lost an arm at the Somme. Both survived the war





    222660

    Pte. Bertram George Fitzjohn 11th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Bertram George Fitzjohn was my step father, he served with 11th Btn. Middlesex Regiment.

    Chris Ede




    222658

    Chaplain. James Shine att. 21st Btn. Middlesex Regiment Army Chaplains Dept. (d.21st April 1918)

    James Shine was born at Ballylaffin youngest child of Thomas Shine and Mary Anglim. He went to school in the local school at Gormanstown and the Master wanted him to remain and be a monitor. James told the master that he wanted to be a priest and the Master beat him up so severely that James never went back to that school. The master at that time was very anti the Catholic religion

    He was ordained priest on 21st June 1908 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Waterford, for the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, by Bishop Alphonsus Sheehan. Fr. James was a very fine tall man who rode to hounds with the local hunt that was unusual for a small Catholic farmer's son at that time. He was sent on loan to the English Mission from 1908 to 1911 and in 1911 he went to Scotland to the Diocese of Dunkeld where he spent the rest of his clerical ministry. The records book for 1913 shows “Father Shine , the curate, has ably assisted Canon Lavelle in the work of the parish”. He was then living at Melville St., Perth. While there he bought a typewriter from the Empire Typewriter company in Glasgow. In 1913 Fr. James was transferred to St. Mary’s Lochee, Dundee.

    In March 1914 he received the following Letter from Bishop Robert Fraser:-

    “ Dear Fr Shine, I am very sorry to have again to change you but Mgr, Holder needs two very strong energetic and zealous assistants and so I am sending Fr McDonnel and you to him and I am sure you will make his work as easy as possible. You will therefore be at St Josephs on the 20th March 1915, Begging God to bless your work, I am Robert, B/s of Dunkeld.”

    So, Fr James was transferred to St. Joseph’s Dundee. His parish priest at St Joseph’s was Right Rev. Joseph Holder, Vicar General of the Diocese of Dunkeld. Fr. Holder was an old man and he left the work of the Vicar general in the hands of Fr. James. In such position he had to contend with the Government of the day on many diverse matters such as the rights of Catholic Prison Chaplains in Dundee. He was very progressive in that he had his own typewriter that he bought on 28th May 1913. A contemporary account states..... “Perhaps the tallest priest in Scotland, he was a commanding personality, and with his homely, hearty Irish manner he had many friends in Perth, Lochee and St. Joseph’s Dundee, to whom he was attached during his detachment from his native Ireland. He was one of those willing disciples who so readily gave their service to the work of the Scottish Mission and his labours in Dunkeld Diocese were of a valuable and edifying nature”.

    The Great War was raging in France and Fr. James, who was due to return home to the Waterford and Lismore Diocese, felt that his duty now lay in assisting the men engaged in that Imperial conflict. There was only 17 Catholic Chaplains in the Armed forces at this time. An urgent appeal was made for Chaplains in the Forces and on 7th Oct. 1915 Fr. James and a fellow priest Fr. John Stuart were appointed as Army Chaplains. From then he was Captain The Reverend James Shine, Commissioned into the Royal Army Chaplains Department. His address at that time was 39 Panton Street, Haymarket, Middlesex. His cheque book account shows that he lived in digs in London. It seems while undergoing Army Training as he was now to be commissioned as an officer in the Army. His bank account was based in McGregirs Bank which looked after army pay for officers.

    On the first of June 1916 he entered France with the Middlesex Regiment. For two years he served in France experiencing the horror of war at first hand. He was stationed right in the heart of the Somme slaughter. He came home to Ballylaffin on leave of absence in July 1917 during this period. On his way from France he came through Waterford and spent the night in the Ursuline Convent saying Mass next day for the nuns and visiting his aunt Sr. Barbara Anglim.

    He was a great favourite with the children while on holidays and he used to throw pennies into the air for them to scramble for. Alas, his brief visit came to an end and he returned to France never again to see home. His mother Mary fell and broke her hip and died in Feb. 1918 but he did not get home for the funeral.

    On the ninth of April 1918 Jim Keeling of The Brook, Portrane served Mass for him for the last time.

    This was at the height of the great German Spring offensive of 1918. The 21st Bn Middlesex regiment was a machine-gun battalion, the cornerstone of the divisional defence and therefore one of the main targets of the German artillery in that sector. Main article: Battle of the Lys (1918).Michael had drawn British forces to defend Amiens, leaving the rail route through Hazebrouck and the approaches to the Channel ports of Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk vulnerable. German success here could choke the British into defeat.

    The attack started on 9 April after a Feuerwalze. The main attack was made on the open and flat sector defended by the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps. After an entire year spent in the trenches, the Portuguese were tired and had suffered heavy losses. They were being replaced in the front line by fresh British divisions, an operation that was planned to be completed on 9 April, the same day as the Germans attacked the sector. The process of relief in place was poorly organized by the British First Army's command, and the Portuguese 1st Division had been withdrawn to the rear on the 6 April, leaving the Portuguese 2nd Division to defend the entire sector alone. They were left with an extensive 7 mi (11 km) front, without natural obstacles which could favour the defense.

    Hit hard by the Feuerwalze bombardment and under the assault of eight German divisions, the Portuguese 2nd Division made a desperate defense, trying to held their positions, which, however, were rapidly enveloped and overrun by the masses of German forces. The 2nd Division was virtually annihilated, losing more than 7,000 men. The British 40th Division, on the northern flank of the Portuguese, also rapidly collapsed before the attack, opening a gap that further facilitated the envelopment of the Portuguese by the Germans. However, under much less pressure from the Germans and occupying good defensive positions protected by the La Bassée Canal, the British 55th Division on the southern flank of the Portuguese were able to hold much of their position throughout the battle.

    The next day, the Germans widened their attack to the north, forcing the defenders of Armentieres to withdraw before they were surrounded, and capturing most of the Messines Ridge. By the end of the day, the few British divisions in reserve were hard-pressed to hold a line along the River Lys.

    Without French reinforcements, it was feared that the Germans could advance the remaining 15 mi (24 km) to the ports within a week. The commander of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, issued an "Order of the Day" on 11 April stating, "With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end."

    However, the German offensive had stalled because of logistical problems and exposed flanks. Counterattacks by British, French, American[citation needed], and ANZAC forces slowed and stopped the German advance. Ludendorff ended Georgette on 29 April.

    As with Michael, losses were roughly equal, approximately 110,000 men wounded or killed, each.[19] Again, the strategic results were disappointing for the Germans. Hazebrouck remained in Allied hands and the Germans occupied a vulnerable salient under fire from three sides. The British abandoned the comparatively worthless territory they had captured at vast cost the previous year around Ypres, freeing several divisions to face the German attackers. Later that day Father James was wounded while ministering to the dying, under fire on the battlefield and was taken to hospital.

    He died on 21st April 1918 at the Military Hospital, Boulonge, France whilst serving as Chaplain attached to 21st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, aged 37 years.

    The Glasgow Observer of May 4 1918 reports on his death as follows:- “Many hearts were sad in Dundee when it was learned that Fr. Shine had died of wounds received in the battlefield while ministering to the wounded and dying. In spirit he heard the voices of his wounded countrymen on the battlefield calling for his spiritual help that only a priest of God can give. So leaving the comparative comfort and security of work at home he answered the call and sought to serve his God and help his fellow man in a very inferno of German lead, where to remain unscathed would be a miracle . Fr. Shine made light of the leaden messengers of death from the reeking mouths of the enemy cannons and calmly knelt at the side of a dying man in order to send his soul clean and undefiled before its God. Injured severely, he lingered for a few days but his sturdy frame was unable to resist the effects of the blow he received. He died a hero’s death.......”

    The Catholic Record of May 1918 reports the Death of Diocesan Army chaplain. “At the moment of going to press we learn with deep regret that the Rev James Shine died on 21st April from wounds received in the recent fighting in France. Father Shine was a native of the parish of Ballylooby and was ordained in the Cathedral nearly eight years ago. He had been serving on a temporary mission in Dundee when early in the war he volunteered as army chaplain. Father Shine’s death following so soon on that of Father Looby (Cahir), suggests what a self sacrificing and indeed heroic part played by those of our young priests who volunteered as chaplains for the front.

    Father Patrick Looby: At the Battle of Loos Sept/Oct 1915 Fr Patrick Looby from Cahir was wounded but he returned to duty after recovery. He returned to Cahir in January 1916 to attend the funeral of Toby Egan a well known personality in the town. He was subsequently killed on 26th October 1917 at the Third battle of Ypres commonly called Passchendale. Fr Looby was firstly described as missing in action and only later when collated from survivors of the battle, was he declared on War Office authority to have died in action. Fr Looby’s brothers Tim and Jack worked a steam thresher in the area and his other brother Denis carried on an auctioneering business in the town. A local field still bears the name Looby’s field.”

    The Catholic Record 0f June 1918:-

    The Rev W. Ryan writes to us from the Principal Chaplain’s Office, Boulogne, giving details of Father James Shine’s death. “Poor Father Shine died quiet unexpectedly on Sunday the 21st ult. His wounds, which were very bad, seemed to be healing nicely and in the opinion of the doctors and nurses, there was no reason why he should not recover. I was with him on Sunday morning and gave him Holy Communion. I called to see him again in the afternoon and remained with him till 4p.m. He did not appear to be worse than on the previous days. I came back here and almost immediately I was rung up on the telephone and asked to go back as quickly as possible. When I got back at 4.30 p.m. he was dead. R.I.P. Apparently he went off without a struggle. I had Solemn Requiem Mass for him at St Nicholas’ Parish Church, at which all the priests of the area attended. I was the celebrant: Fr Lane Fox O.S.B, deacon and Father Healy, sub deacon. In the choir- Father Rawlinson (Principal Chaplain), Father Kean, Father McDonald, Father Frail, Father Luch, Father Ahearn, C.SS.R, Father Cagney, C.SS.R, M.le Doyen, M. I’Abbe Dejardin and I’Abbe Cocart. The above were also at the funeral.”

    Fr. James was buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Plot 7, Row B, Grave 40. He was awarded the British War medal and The Victory Medal (posthumously). His name is inscribed on the War Memorial in Cahir “ Royal Army Chaplains Department Rev. J. Shine”. His name is recorded on the family stone at Duhill churchyard Co Tipperary “Son Rev James Shine, France, 21 April 1918. Aged 37 years.”

    "Fr Lane Fox OSB was chaplain to the Irish Guards. He lost his right eye and hand in a bombing accident. He was standing by the Colonel Lord Desmond Fitzgerald watching a bombing practice. The Colonel said "Now Padre, you can have a try”. Fr Lane Fox took a bomb, pulled out the pin and then before the proper time the bomb exploded in his hand, destroying his right eye and hand and killing Lord Desmond Fitzgerald. He also served with the 2nd London Irish of 47th Division and was awarded the Military Cross and the French Medaille Militaire Like all large Catholic parishes of the time, St. Joseph’s had more than its fair share of the killed and wounded in the First World War. Records show that over one hundred men of the parish were killed including Fr. James Shine a former assistant priest who was killed while on Army chaplain service in 1917. It fell to Canon James McDonald to visit and comfort the bereaved during those years. A mortuary chapel was added to the church in 1924, a memorial to the faithful of the parish who fell in the Great War.”

    Cheque Book of Fr James Shine While serving as Army Chaplain. November 3rd 1915 to Feb 4th 1918

    • 03/11/15 A. Studdet (Camp Kit £ 5.10.0) 5 .0.0
    • 18/12/15 For Holidays Saturday 10.0.0
    • 03/01/16 For lodgings & for expenses £ 5.0.0
    • 08/01/16 Paid to Mrs Hunt the sum of two pounds four shillings and five pence for the week ending Jan 8th . £2.4.5.
    • 15/01/16 Lodgings £2.3.0
    • 22/01/16 Lodgings two pounds £2.2.6
    • 22/01/16 For Trip to Scotland 6.0.0
    • 23/05/16 Mon Rourke (Cheque £35.12/- collection) £2.3.0
    • 13/07/16 Drawn at Bully le Mines Thursday 126 francs
    • 21/07/16 May O’Donoghue for photos one pound £1.0.0
    • 01/08/16 Drawn at Lisbribis one hundred & 25 125 francs
    • 16/09/16 Drawn at Lisbribis 125 francs £4.9.8
    • 10/02/17 Drawn at Sailly Loritte Thomas Shine £200.0.0
    • 11/05/17 At Fins to J. Coholan sixteen “Neds” £2.0.0
    • 03/06/17 pour “Neds” J.Coholan £2.0.0
    • July 1917 for holidays twelve pounds £12.0.0
    • 27/12/17 £1 for IC Intention £2.0.0
    • 26/01/18 to Thomas Prendergast for poney £20.0.0
    • Sent to McGregor on Feb 14th 1918
    • Cheque Fr O’Rourke ”Neds” £32.12.06
    His part of the Somme did not see fighting until 26-27 March 1918, when the Third Army withdrew to a line between Albert and Sailly-le-Sec ahead of the German advance. This line was held until 4 July, when it was advanced nearly to Sailly-Laurette, and on 8 August, the first day of the Battle of Amiens, Sailly-Laurette and the road to Morlancourt were disengaged.

    After the Death of Fr James his next of kin was given as his father Thomes Shine and as no will could be found the War Office in London contacted Thomas Shine by letter 5th June to say that Messers Cox & Co Shipping Agency the packet of his effects.

    Sean Murphy




    222657

    Tpr. John Richard McDonald 3rd (Australian) Bn. Imperial Camel Corps (Australian) (d.7th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    John McDonald died on the 7th of November 1917, aged 20. He is buried in the Beersheba War Cemetery in Israel and was the s on of Arthur Alexander and Mary Ann Sara McDonald, of Cuan, Bunnan, New South Wales. Native of Scone, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    222656

    Pte. J. H. Bolsom 12th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.6th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Pte. J H Bolsom died on the 6th November 1917 and is buried in the Geersheba War Cemetery in Israel.

    s flynn




    222655

    Capt. John Fox Russell VC, MC. Att. 1st/6th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers Royal Army Medical Corps (d.6th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    John Fox Russell was the son of William and Ethel Maria Fox Russell, of 5, Victoria Terrace, Holyhead. he was killed in action on the 6th November 1917, aged 24, and is buried=in the Beersheba War Cemetery in Israel.

    An extract from The London Gazette (No. 30491), dated 8th Jan. 1918. records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery displayed in action until he was killed. Capt. Russell repeatedly went out to attend the wounded under murderous fire from snipers and machine guns, and, in many cases where no other means were at hand, carried them in himself although almost exhausted. He showed the highest possible degree of valour."

    s flynn




    222654

    Pte. John Walmsley 8th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.30th Apr 1917)

    Private John Walmsley of the 8th Service Battalion Cheshire Regiment No. 26263 aged 21 years while serving with the 13th (Western) Division was killed in action on Monday 30th April 1917 during the division assault, river crossing of the Shatt Al Adhaim river Tuzkhurmatli, Iraq. He is buried at the Basra Memorial Iraq and commemorated on the panels. He was my great uncle.

    Paul




    222653

    Lt.Col. Leslie Cecil Maygar VC, DSO, VD, 8th Btn. Australian Light Horse (d.1st Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Leslie Maygar was the son of Edwin Wills Maygar and Helen Maygar, and a native of Dean Station, Kilmore, Victoria, Australia. He received the V.C. during the Second Boer War 1901. An extract from the London Gazette, dated 11th Feb., 1902, records the following:- "At Geelhoutboom, on the 23rd November 1901, Lieutenant Maygar galloped out and ordered the men of a detached post, which was being outflanked, to retire. The horse of one of them being shot under him, when the enemy were within 200 yards, Lieutenant Maygar dismounted and lifted him on to his own horse, which bolted into boggy ground, causing both of them to dismount. On extricating the horse and finding that it could not carry both, Lieutenant Maygar again put the man on its back and told him to gallop for cover at once, he himself proceeding on foot. All this took place under a very heavy fire."

    He was killed in action on the 1st November 1917, aged 42 and is buried in the Beersheba War Cemetery in Israel

    s flynn




    222652

    Mjr. Alexander Malins Lafone VC Middlesex Hussars (d.27th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Lafone was the son of Henry and Lucy Lafone, of Court Lodge, Knockholt, Kent. He was killed in action 27th October 1917, aged 47 and is buried in the Beersheba War Cemetery in Israel.

    An extract from The London Gazette (No. 30433), dated 14th Dec., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, leadership, and self-sacrifice when holding a position for over seven hours against vastly superior enemy forces. All this time the enemy were shelling his position heavily, making it very difficult to see. In one attack, when the enemy cavalry charged his flank, he drove them back with heavy losses. In another charge they left fifteen casualties within twenty yards of his trench, one man, who reached the trench, being bayonetted by Major Lafone himself. When all his men, with the exception of three, had been hit and the trench which he was holding was so full of wounded that it was difficult to move and fire, he ordered those who could walk to move to a trench slightly in the rear, and from his own position maintained a most heroic resistance. When finally surrounded and charged by the enemy, he stepped into the open and continued to fight until he was mortally wounded and fell unconscious. His cheerfulness and courage were a splendid inspiration to his men, and by his leadership and devotion he was enabled to maintain his position, which he had been ordered to hold at all costs."

    s flynn




    222651

    L/Cpl. Fred Breed 1st Battalion Scottish Rifles (d.23th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Up to entering the Army Fred Breed was employed as a willeyer at Grove “Bantam” Mills. As a boy and youth he attended the Salvation Army Sunday School, and received prizes for regular attendance, and up to the time of joining H.M. Forces he was a member of the Morley Baptist Brotherhood. Alan Snowden has an ink well and pen and under it has an engraving “Fred died 23-Oct-1918”; this was one of his prizes.

    Fred Breed joined up on the 6th April 1916, under the Conscription Act. His record suggests he enlisted in Pontefract and was originally assigned to the D.L.I number 26493; later he was transferred to the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 1st Battalion. Fred was conscripted but his younger brother, Willie had enlisted months earlier. Judging by Fred’s religious beliefs he may have been opposed to war, hence why he was conscripted.

    Fred was deployed to France November 1916. In April 1917 he was wounded with a gunshot wound in the arm, and was brought to England to one of the military hospitals in the South. After recovery he was re-deployed back to the Western European front. There is conflicting information on Fred’s rank and cause of death, ancestry.co.uk, CWGC, and medal records suggest his rank was a Private and he died from wounds. The Scottish National War Memorial suggests his rank was Lance Corporal. The latter would be consistent as there is a ‘Roll of Honour’ newspaper article from The Morley Observer November 1918 that lists Fred as a Lance Corporal. All other information in the article is consistent, such as address 6 Gillroyd Place, mothers name Mrs. Eliza Breed, regiment 1st Scottish Rifles, date of death 23 Oct 1918.

    Here is the text from the newspaper article:- "Lance-Corpl. Fred Breed. News has been received of the death in France, from pneumonia on October 23rd last, of Lance-Corpl. Fred Breed of the Scottish Rifles, aged 26 (?), son of Mrs. Eliza Breed, of 6, Gillroyd Place, Morley. A Church of England Chaplain, Mr. (Rev) J. G. Thornton, has written to Mrs. Breed as follows: “26-10-18 Dear Madam, - I write to offer my deepest sympathy with you in the death of your son, Lance-Corpl. Breed, 1st Scottish Rifles. He was admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia. All possible efforts were made to save his life and make him comfortable, but I regret to say that he passed away on the 23rd inst. I buried his body in the military cemetery here. His grave is marked with a cross and will be cared for. I feel sorry for you in your great bereavement. If out of this great war comes a new peace and brotherhood between the nations then your son will not have laid down his life in vain. May God help you to see this and strengthen you to bear bravely the great sacrifice you have made for your country. Yours in sympathy.” Lance-Corpl. Breed joined up on the 6th April 1916, and went out to France two years ago this month. He was wounded in April, 1917 (a gunshot wound in the arm), and was brought to England to one of the military hospitals in the south. Up to entering the Army he was employed as a willeyer at Grove “Bantam” Mills. As a boy and youth he attended the Salvation Army Sunday School, and received prizes for regular attendance, and up to the time of joining H.M. Forces he was a member of the Morley Baptist Brotherhood."

    Rev J. G. Thornton was part of the Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) No. 18 and it is likely Fred died in a field hospital and the CCS used the cemeteries. Fred is buried at the Commonwealth War Grave Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt, Picardie, France.

    It is not known if Fred had any children, he may have been married to Mavis. There is a photo of him with Mavis taken prior to his deployment. The photo was taken in Queen Street, Morley. Fred’s great great grandnephew, Danyal, visits the Morley War Memorial once a month.

    Medal Card

    Roll of Honour newspaper article

    Addy Durrani




    222650

    2nd Lt. Archibald Lindsay Hamilton 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Jun 1917)

    Archie Hamilton was my Great Uncle, the only brother of my Grandmother. He was killed in WW1 on 10th of June 1917 and is buried near Ypres. I recently learned that he left a widow known only as Mrs C Hamilton.

    Janet Brown Mealha




    222648

    L/Cpl. Walter William Taylor 1st. Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.12th May 1917)

    Walter Taylor was killed in action on the 12th of May 1917. He is buried in Point-du-Jour Military Cemetery, Athies-les-Arras, France

    Terry Prudden




    222647

    L/Cpl. Walter "Sammy" Hurford 5th Btn. London Regiment

    L/Cpl Walter Hurford was my great uncle. Before the war he was living with his mother in Aberdeen Road, Highbury and working as a clerk in the city. He joined up in 1908 when the Territorials were set up and served in the battalion transport.

    A C Hurford




    222646

    Pte. William John Williams 4th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.17th May 1915)

    William Williams was my wife's uncle, brother of her mother. He joined the D.C.L.I. at Bodmin, Cornwall, was posted to Flanders and was sadly killed on 17th of May 1915 aged 19 years of age. We cannot discover where he is buried, all of his relatives of that age have passed away.





    222644

    Dvr. William Bruce Royal Field Artillery (d.6th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Our Great Uncle William Bruce enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery in 1915/16 in Haddington, East Lothian. Sometime between his joining and his being killed in action at Flanders on June 1917 he was re-badged into 8 Battalion, Alexandra Princes of Wales Own Regiment where he became "42815 Pte William Bruce"

    Pat Beales




    222643

    Stkr. George J.E. Russell H.M.S. Proserpine (d.18th July 1916)

    <p>

    George J. E. Russell died on the 18th July 1916, aged 29 and is buried in the Basra War Memorial in Iraq. He was the son of Frank and Sarah Russell, of 1, Bindon Place, Wyke Regis, Weymouth.

    s flynn




    222642

    Gnr. Ernest Canby 56th Btn. Royal Field Artillery (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest Canby died of disease on the 1st July 1916, aged 23 and is buried in the Basra War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222641

    Pte. Edward Whittaker Bowes 6th Btn. Lancashire Regiment (d.7th April 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Bowes died of wounds on the 7th of April 1917, aged 21. He is buried in the Basra War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222640

    Pte. Francis Ernest Wilkinson 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    Frank Wilkinson served with the 8th Royal Irish Rifles.

    Jane




    222639

    Sgt. Cecil Bentley Royal Army Observer Corps (d.4th Jun 1919)

    <p>

    Cecil Bentley died of Bubonic Plague on the 4th June 1919, aged 24 and is buried in the Basra War Cemetery in Iraq. He was the son of George and Mary Bentley of Barrowford Road, Fence, Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    222638

    Mjr. George Godfrey Massy Wheeler VC. 7th Hariana Lancers (d.13th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Major George Massey Wheeler was killed in action 13th Apr 1915, aged 42 and is buried in the Basra War Cemetery in Iraq. He was the husband of N. Massy Wheeler, of 5, Gwydyr Mansions, Hove, Sussex An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29281, dated 31st Aug., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery at Shaiba, Mesopotamia. On the 12th April, 1915, Major Wheeler asked permission to take out his Squadron and attempt to capture a flag, which was the centre point of a group of the enemy who were firing on one of our picquets. He advanced and attacked the enemy's infantry with the Lance, doing considerable execution among them. He then retired while the enemy swarmed out of hidden ground and formed an excellent target to our Royal Horse Artillery guns. On the 13th April, 1915, Major Wheeler led his Squadron to the attack of the "North Mound". He was seen far ahead of his men riding single-handed straight for the enemy's standards. This gallant Officer was killed on the Mound."

    s flynn




    222634

    Cpl. Sidney Dent Foster 1st Btn Wiltshire Regiment (d.17th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Sidney Dent Foster was born in 1896, in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, where his family had lived for several generations. His older brother, Percy, is my great-grandfather. My family are fortunate to have kept several artefacts, medals and papers from both brothers, which I now hold. It is from these, and some research, that I can share some of Sidney's story.

    Sidney worked as a clerk for the gas board in Nuneaton. As well as Percy, he had a younger sister and 2 brothers. There is a formal studio shot of him taken just before the war in his Sunday best.

    After his older brother enlisted as a volunteer at the start of the war Sidney, too, joined up. He initially joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 13th Battalion, probably in October 1914. We have a picture (photo 3) of him standing in his first uniform, outside the house where he was billeted during training. One of the addresses kept by his brother shows that he was at a training camp near Blandford in Dorset. At some point Sidney seems to have transferred across to the 16th Battalion (3rd Birmingham Pals) and probably arrived in France with them in November, 1915. We have a picture of him as a Lance Corporal with some friends (photo 4), clearly showing the antelope cap badge of the Royal Warwickshires. From the state of their uniforms I assume this was taken before their arrival in France.

    Whilst serving in France Sidney was transferred again, this time to the Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's), 1st Battalion, C Company. This was a regular army unit in the 25th Division but we are not sure how or when this transfer took place.

    At the start of 1917 the 1st Battalion of the Wiltshires was stationed in the line around Ploegsteert Wood, south of Ypres in Belgium. Here, between 12th - 14th February, Sidney's C Company was withdrawn from the rest of the battalion to prepare for a daylight trench raid. They rehearsed this attack many times while positioned at Pont de Nieppe, right on the French-Belgian border directly south of Ypres.

    At 10:40 am on 17th February the raid commenced, following preparatory work to cut the wire defences in no-man's-land. C Company was joined by soldiers from 10th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, totalling about 200 in the raiding party. The objectives were north and south of Factory Farm, as well as the farm itself, the primary aim being to surprise the enemy and retrieve prisoners and information.

    The raid was successful in surprising the enemy, approximately 20 being killed by the preliminary bombardment or during the fighting. All objectives were taken, with the exception of Factory Farm where, in the words of the official war diary 'stout resistance was offered'. Other than the dead enemy, however, no German prisoners were captured and no useful identifications were made. This minor skirmish cost the raiding party (again, from the war diary) 4 other ranks killed, 26 wounded, 1 died of wounds and 1 missing. Most of this seems to have resulted from enemy machine gun fire as the party returned to the British lines. Cpl. Sidney Foster was one of those killed. He was 20 years old. The following day his battalion was withdrawn from the front line.

    As well as official documents mentioning this incident, the family also received 3 letters that help to explain some of the circumstances surrounding Sidney's death. The first of these, dated 19th February, was from his platoon commander, Lt. G. K. Wait, who described the raid and some of the bombing that went on. He also mentions the enemy machine guns that fired on the returning group, a bullet hitting Sidney in the head.

    The second letter was from one of Sid's best friends in 10 Platoon, Sgt. David Mansell, D.C.M. He wrote to Sid's parents to express his condolences and sense of loss at his friend's death. He briefly explains that Sidney was hit by shrapnel in the chest – not a bullet – and died almost instantly. (We will never know which story is most accurate. Many such letters describe a quick death when sent to the bereaved.)

    The final letter, dated 28th February, is the Army form B. 104-82, officially notifying the family of the death. It is a very dry document, listing the titles and numbers identifying Sidney and noting the cause of death as Killed In Action.

    By far the most significant document for the family, however, remains the hand-written final letter that Sidney wrote to his father during training for the raid, only 4 days before he was killed. He thanks everyone for the parcels that just arrived with gifts of cigarettes, food and so on. He sounds in good spirits and sends his love to all the family. Most of the remaining paperwork the family kept relates to Sidney's final resting place. An official grave card and picture was sent between the wars (photo 5), after the original crosses had been turned into headstones by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Sidney seems to be unusual in that he still lies in exactly the same place he was buried in 1917. He rests in a corner of the Berks Cemetery Extension, alongside his comrades from the Wiltshire and Cheshire regiments who fell on the same day.

    Sidney's father, Frederick Foster, chose the inscription to be added to his gravestone, as a lasting tribute: 'At Rest, Ever Remembered By Loved Ones'. In some small way, telling this story is my own way of honouring those words.

    Sidney studio portrait, pre-war

    Sidney outside his billet during training

    Sidney in group photo (rear left)

    The official grave card with a photo of Sidney's head stone

    Matthew Hall




    222632

    Pte. Herbert Wilkinson 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.5th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Wilkinson was aged 28 when he was reported as missing in action during the Siege of Kut Al Amara. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    222630

    Pte. Bernard Stenson 2nd Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.7th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Bernard Stenson died on 7th January 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222629

    Pte. John William Smith 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    John Smith lived at 62 Ashworth Street, Burnley, Lancashire. He died 9th April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222628

    Pte. George Shaw 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.26th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    George Shaw died 26th April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222627

    Pte. Bert Patten 1st/4th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.19th June 1917)

    <p>

    Bert Patten died 19th June 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222626

    Pte. Thomas Mercer 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.11th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Mercer died 11th April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222624

    Cpl. Benjamin Charles Gay 1/6th Btn. Gloucester Regiment (d.25th Apr 1915)

    Benjamin Charles Gay died from wounds on The Western Front. He was my great grandfather. We believe Benjamin's brother John Frederick known as Fred, was also in the Gloucester Regiment as a Machine Gun corp and died in France in 1918

    Sarah




    222623

    Pte. William Henry McKellow 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.3rd Oct 1917)

    Private William Henry McKellow, served with the 1st Battalion, Duke Of Cornwalls Light Infantry, he died during the Battle of Passchendaele on the 3rd of October 1917. He was 20 years old.

    Mark Probyn




    222614

    Pte. Herbert Brayshaw 1st Battalion The Rifle Brigade (d.5th Aug 1915)

    Herbert Brayshaw is named on the War Memorial at Eccleshill, Bradford.

    K.Kenzie




    222613

    Pte Andrew Creswell 2nd Btn. C Coy Royal Inniskilling Fusilers

    Andrew Creswell is my grandmother's brother. He served with the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers until December 1914 then became 1015 Pte Creswell in the Army Cyclist Corps before being discharged from the East Yorkshire Regiment as 36606 Pte A Creswell. I have his three medals. After being discharged he joined up again serving in the Irish Guards. I believe he moved to Swindon.

    John Pitchford




    222612

    Pte. George Walters Finch 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.9th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    I never knew my grandfather George Finch. The only reference i had was after my fathers death I found a piece of tissue type paper folded to about 1.5 inches square in a tin in his drawer and it was the last letter. Everything else was detective work amongst the family and record offices.

    Last letter home

    Trevor Finch




    222611

    L/Cpl. Edward Loveridge 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.18th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Edward Loveridge was the son of John and Louisa Loveridge. He served in France and in Mesopotamia, he died on the 18th April 1916, aged 24 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222610

    Pte. John Lofthouse 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.25th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    John Lofthouse died 25th February 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222609

    2nd Lt. John James Wilder Lassetter 11th Bn. att. 6th Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    John Lassetter died 8th March 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222607

    Pte. John Lang 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.20th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    John Lang died 20th April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222606

    Pte Felix John O'Hare 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Felix O'Hare was my great grandfather. 100 years ago in Dec 1914 he left the UK for the last time. He was also a veteran of the Boer War. He died 8 June 1915 somewhere outside Ypres and is remembered on panel 37 of the Menin Gate. He was shot through the head whilst digging a trench at night.

    Tony Benson




    222605

    Pte. James Henry Savory 5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    James Henry Savory trained with the 52nd Graduated Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment and went into action with the 5th Btn. He died on the 27th of May 1918

    Richard Toy




    222600

    Pte. George Henry Boler Leicestershire Regiment

    My grandad, George Boler enlisted in Lichfield, Derby in 1916. He was wounded and taken as a prisoner of war on the 31st July, 1917. I am trying to find out which battalion he served with and where he was when he was captured by the Germans. Any help would be very much appreciated.

    Lorraine Anson




    222599

    Pte. Fredrick Thomas Hall 1st Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment

    Fighting was so intense at 2nd Battle of Ypres that the soldier next to Pte Fredrick Hall said "Shall we go into the wood (Nr Red Lodge)& end it all?" meaning shoot themselves. I'm pleased that my brave grandfather did no such thing or I wouldn't be writing this. Brave soldiers of WW1 I salute you.

    Steven Hall




    222591

    Pte. Frederick James Houghton 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.22nd Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Houghton lived at 1 Park Street, Burnley, Lancashire. He died 22nd April 1916, aged 19 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222588

    Pte. George Harrison 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.5th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    George Harrison lived on Hirst Street, Burnley, Lancashire. He died on 5th April 1916, aged 31. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222587

    Pte. Albert Hall 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    Albert Hall lived in Starbeck, York. He was killed in action on the 19th February 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222586

    Pte. Matthew Maughan Cummings 18th (Durham Pals) Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.28th July 1916)

    My great grand uncle Matthew Cummings enlisted on the 24th September 1914 at the age of 24 years 7 months and joined up with the 18th Battalion for training on the 10th October 1914 at Cocken Hall, Durham. Upon completion of field training the battalion were dispatched for front line action in Egypt on the 6th December 1915 until the 4th March 1916. On the 5th March 1916 they left for France and on the 28th July 1916 Matthew’s live was cut short at the Battle of the Somme whilst under heavy bombardment a shell hit the trench they were in. He was aged 26.

    Sometime after his father, William, received a letter from Matthew’s commanding officer, which was written from his hospital bed: "I am writing to tell you of how awfully sorry to hear of your son’s death. I am sure it will be a great blow to you. I heard about it by letter some days ago sent to me by one of my men. I had sent your son some cigarettes and they received them the day he was killed. Your son was my batman for four months at the front and I can truthfully say he was the best one I had ever had. Further he was a brave boy and |I liked him very much indeed, and was very cut up when I had the news sent to me of his death. With deepest sympathy, in your sad loss. Yours truly, Second Lieutenant James B Bradford"

    John Cumming




    222581

    Pte. Thomas Wall 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Jun 1917)

    Thomas Wall served with the 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry. He enlisted in Sunderland, he was born in Birkenhead. He was killed in action on the 26th of June 1917. He is remembered in the Book of Remembrance set up by the North East War Memorial, The Book of Remembrance 1914-18 Holy Trinity, Part 2.

    Kalwinder




    222579

    Pte. James William Morris 6th Battalion Border Regiment (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    James Morris was my great uncle on my grandmother's side of the family. He died of his injuries at the Battle of the Somme on 2nd of October 1916 aged 22 or 23.





    222578

    Capt. Sidney George Guy 13th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

    Excerpt from Western Daily Press 18th Oct. 1915:- "Mr. Sidney George Guy second son of Mr.John B. Guy, 18 Heron Road, Stapleton Road, Bristol, and formerly Captain of the South Field Pioneers (13th Gloucesters) has been appointed Major of 2/4 Yorkshire Regiment."

    He went on to the rank of Lt. Col.





    222576

    Capt. James Cunliffe Leask MC. 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    James Cunliffe Leask was born in Dublin, the son of Robert Heddle and Anna Leask in 1875. He married to Mary Anderson and lived at Gosforth, Newcastle on Tyne. He was killed in action at Demvin, France on the 30th of March 1918.

    Ian Donald




    222575

    Andrew "Woodsy" Woods 2nd Battalion Queens Own Cameron Highlanders

    Andrew Woods was my grandad. Not much info on him, since he died shortly after emigrating to Philadelphia. My mother told me he had been in Poona and that he was wounded early in the Great War.

    Frank Skillman




    222574

    Pte Daniel Jones 9th Battalion, C Coy. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.28th Jun 1918)

    Daniel Jones died through starvation in a Prisoner of War Camp in Parchim, Germany. He was my uncle.

    Gwenan O'Connor




    222571

    Sgt Henry Hands Royal Warwickshire Regiment Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Henry Hands was born 1893 enlisted in the army at age 15 in 1908, he was serving in Malta when the Great War broke out. He fought with the regiment until he was wounded at the battle of the Somme 1916 - shrapnel wound to the mouth and jaw. He recuperated supplied with false teeth (they lasted him until his death 1985). He joined the MGC as a Sgt in 8 Battery. He spoke of the retreat to the Marne as fighting in a different direction. On over the top his best friend was wounded with a bullet in the foot, it was sticking out and if it was removed he could of walked, but they weren't allowed to stop to help the wounded, he never saw his friend again. He said the regiment lost 400 men in 20 minutes.

    Wife, 1st born and family

    Frank Hands




    222565

    Pte. Charles Graham Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.17th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Graham lived at 17 Tentre Street, Burnley, Lancashire. He died 17th December 1916, aged 25 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222564

    Pte. Frank Matthews 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry (d.21st Oct 1914)

    Unfortunately no details known about Frank Matthews service with the 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry.

    Nicholas Crampton




    222563

    Lt. William Chisholm 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.27th Aug 1914)

    Lt William Chisholm was the first Australian to be killed in WW1 whilst serving with the 1st Btn, East Lancashire Fusiliers from wounds during the Battle of Le Cateau.

    John Doran




    222560

    L/Cpl. Felix Benjamin Baker 9th Battalion The Rifle Brigade (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    Felix Baker was demoted from Lance-Corporal, the family story is that it was punishment for losing his rifle in the trenches. After fighting on the Somme the regiment fought in the battle of Arras, Felix was wounded attacking towards Cherisy and Vis en Artois. His body was never recovered but his name appears on the memorial in the Faubourg d'Amiens cemetery. The family history is that he was wounded and taken to an assembly point to await transportation to a field hospital but that a shell destroyed the assembly area, leaving no trace of any of the men. He died on his mother's birthday.

    Felix Baker was the elder brother of my Grandfather Claude, who also served in the First World War but survived with a leg wound.

    Felix and girlfriend 1917

    Julie Huggins




    222559

    Sgt. Thomas George Huggins MM & bar. 2nd Btn. Berkshire Regiment

    Thomas George Huggins served with the 2nd Btn. Berkshire Regiment, he was awarded a Military Medal and bar.

    Liz Johnson




    222558

    L/Sgt. William Foley 11th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.10th Dec 1917)

    William Foley served with the 11th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    David Foley




    222556

    Sgt. Joseph Austin Simpson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    My Grandfather Joseph Simpson joined the DLI in 1914. He was injured at the Bombardment at Heugh Battery in Hartlepool on 16th Dec. 1914 when a piece of shrapnel went through his cheek. He was rescuing a mate from the beach when he was hit and his gun was blown up. He later made this into a door stop. He was mentioned in dispatches.

    He survived the war and went on to become mine manager of Wheatley Hill Pit. In WW2 he was Colonel in charge of the Home guard around Wheatley Hill. He died on 26th December 1954

    Victoria Leeks




    222555

    Pte. Edward Potts 17th (1st Football) Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    Edward Potts served with the 1st Football Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.





    222554

    Spr. Robert Rankine 54th Field Company Royal Engineers

    My Grandfather, Robert Rankine, enlisted in the Royal Engineers in 1913. He was unaware at that time that his sweetheart Agnes was pregnant with my father who was born in June 1914. Robert landed in France on 5th October 1914. I cannot begin to imagine what horrors he and his comrades experienced and witnessed but he was invalided out through Dykebar on 21st March 1918. He was said to have dementia praecox. He married Agnes on 4th April 1918: sadly she died in February 1919 of Spanish 'flu.

    On 6th October 1919 Robert enlisted in the The King's Own Scottish Borderers where he served for 4 years and 96 days. He was invalided out in February 1923 with dementia praecox and malaria (from 2+ years in India).

    Robert went on to enlist in the Merchant Navy but was discharged in 1936. He enlisted again in October 1939 when he joined the Duke of Wellington's regiment. He was immediately transferred to the Pioneer Corps. In June 1940 he was evacuated from St Nazaire. His ship picked up survivors from the stricken Lancastria. In May 1941 he was discharged as unfit for service suffering from paraphrenia. From 1941 - 1943 he passed through various institutions and ended up in Roslynlee, which was then an asylum. This was in July 1943. He died there on 24th November 1966.

    A sad, sad story which I'm sure is repeated many times in your records.

    Marina Eaton




    222553

    Pte George Horace Bailey 1/5th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    I have George Bailey's memorial plaque. It has been handed down to me from his wife who never had children of her own, but looked after my mother during and after the second world war. She was a wonderful woman and was in all, apart from blood, a massive part of our family. As she and George never had children she treated us as her own. She married George at a very young age, probably due to the fear of not seeing each other again with him going to war. As George has no next of kin that I know of, I feel honoured to take the place of his great-grandson and remember him for the sacrifice he gave for me. I would love to know more about him and his pals, if anyone has anymore information.

    G H Bailey

    John Slater




    222550

    Pte. Joseph Herrod Royal Army Medical Corps

    My paternal grandfather Joseph Herrod saw his first theatre of war on the 14th of July 1915 in Egypt. He went on to serve in Achibaba, Cape Hellas, Anzac, Suvla Bay and finally Malta.

    Unfortunately, I cannot find his service record but I do have his Medal Card. I also have a painting of him at some point in his service, showing he had been promoted to Staff Sergeant. I have no other information about his service as he understandably never spoke about the Great War.

    Bob Herrod




    222546

    Gnr. George Croft 150th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    George Croft served with the 150th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, details taken from WO 329/307 Medal Roll.

    Alyn Hodgson




    222545

    Pte. John Hughes 9th Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment (d.4th Oct 1915)

    John Hughes served with the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters.





    222543

    Pte. Albert Henry Wakefield 15th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    I am sorry that I have no information about my great uncle Albert Wakefield apart from that he was my grandfather's oldest brother and that he left a wife and two children without a father and husband when he was killed in France. I was hoping that there was some information as to where and how he met his end I would like to know as I am in my sixties and it is coming up to 100 years since his demise.

    Editor's Note: Albert served with the 15th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters and was killed during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial on the battlefield in Belgium.

    David Wakefield




    222541

    Pte. Frederick George Frampton 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.5th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Frampton died on 5th April 1916 and he is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222540

    Pte. Samuel Fielden 6th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.30th April 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Fielden was the son of John William and Frances Fielden of 534, Accrington Rd., Burnley. He died on the 30th April 1917, aged 25 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222539

    Pte. David James White Duncan 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    David Duncan died on the 9th March 1917 and he is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222537

    Gnr. Frederick Hodgson 71st Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather Frederick Hodgson was born at Kilnurst, Swinton, near Rotherham on 2nd November 1892. As  youngster he had an accident with a horse and cart in Swinton, which resulted in him injuring a leg that reduced his mobility for the rest of his life. At the outbreak of WW1 he tried to enlist in the infantry with his pals, but due to his disability he has turned down. He persisted with his wish to serve his country and was finally accepted into the Royal Garrison Artillery as he had experience of working with pit ponies in the colliery in which he was employed. He joined the 150th Heavy Battery RGA which was raised in his home town of Rotherham in  October 1915. The Battery trained for 7 months in the UK before being sent to France, landing 17th June 1916 and opened fire for the first time at Neuvre Eglise, 29th June 1916.

    At some time during his service in France he was transferred to the 71st Heavy Battery. Whilst with the 71st Heavies, he was captured by the Germans at Villers on the 30th November 1917. The story goes that after a heavy night of exhausting shelling, their position was over run in a major German advance. A German soldier apparently stood over Frederick and his gun crews dug out with a stick grenade. Thankfully the grenade wasn't thrown and the crew were all captured. Frederick eventually was transferred to a POW camp at Dulmen in Westphalia, Germany. When the Armistace was signed in November 1918, the gates to the prison camp were opened and as there was no transport available, Frederick and his fellow internees had to walk all the way to Antwerp in Belgium to get a ship home to England. As they walked through Germany they had to steal turnips out of the fields to eat as there was no other food available. He recalled that they were sworn and spat at by the German residents as they went along their way.

    Frederick finally got home to Rotherham, went back to his pit ponies and married Mary Clarke in 1922. They had four boys and the third born was my father Russell Hodgson and I am his son Alyn Hodgson. I'm here now because the German soldier didn't throw his grenade, so I thank him for his humanity in not taking Frederick, my grand father's life.

    Frederick never talked about his war and although he received his three medals for his service to his country, but he never wore them. They were thrown in a drawer at home and were lost over time. Frederick died on 1st March 1952 on his way home from a shift with his beloved ponies.

    I never knew my grandad Frederick, as he died before I was born, but I wish I had. He was just a normal and humble young man doing his duty for this pals, his community and country. I'm proud of him and so thankful that he came out of there alive, so many didn't leaving tens of thousands grandchildren un-born.

    Alyn Hodgson




    222536

    Pte. William John Weaver (d.29th Sep 1918)

    William Weaver served with the Royal Flying Corps.

    Julie Walsh




    222535

    Cpl. Albert Wier 6th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.14th Oct 1916)

    I have Albert Wier's World War 1 medal trio, Death Plaque and a silver plated teapot, which Albert won in August 1906, while serving with the 1st Volunteer Brigade, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.





    222534

    Pte. David Thomas Edwards 1/4 Btn. Territorials Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    David Edwards was a Territorial with the 1/4 Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He died in 1972.

    Ian Beavan




    222533

    Sgt. Robert Pritchard 13th Btn Royal Irish Rifles

    Robert Pritchard served with the Royal Irish Rifles

    George Whyte




    222532

    Pte. Arthur Collinge 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.26th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Collinge died 26th February 1917 and he is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222531

    Sgt. Robert Hey Chapples 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th April 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Chapples died on the of 9th April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222530

    Pte. James Casson 6th Btn. Machine Gun Section King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.9th April 1916)

    <p>

    James Casson died on the 9th April 1916, aged 29 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq. He was the husband of Eliza Ann Casson, of 64 Milton St., Fulledge, Burnley.





    222529

    Pte. Guy Calvert 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.25th April 1916)

    <p>

    Guy Calvert died on the 25th of April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222528

    L/Cpl. Joseph Calverley 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th April 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Calverley died on the 9th of April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq, though the CWGC has his surname as Calveley.

    s flynn




    222526

    Pte. Halliwell Dawson 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.30th Sep 1918)

    Helliwell Dawson was born 1890 in Mythomroyd, Yorkshire but within a few years had moved back to Ashton-under-Lyne where his family originated from. In 1908 he married a local girl Mary Jane Barber and went to reside in Hill Street, Ashton where they had three children, Harry, Thomas and John.

    Helliwell served in Egypt, Gallipoli and France where he fought at Arras, the Somme and Messines Ridge. He was killed in September 1918 when supporting the Canadian Infantry who were attacking the Hindenburg Line in the Battle of the Canal du Nord. During an advance on Cauchicourt Farm and whilst crossing a ridge he and his platoon came under heavy machine gun fire of which Helliwell, his commanding officer and several other ranks became casualties. He is buried at Chapel Corner Cemetery, Suchy-Lestree alongside his commanding officer and others killed in the same action. His name is commemorated on the Ashton War Memorial and I have a professionally taken photograph of Helliwell in uniform with two of his mates.

    D




    222524

    Pte. Edwin John Saunders 10th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.31st Aug 1918)

    John Saunders was the son of William John and Caroline Saunders, of Littlehampton and husband of Rosa Winifred Saunders, of 33 Western Road, The Beach, Littlehampton, Sussex.

    Jen




    222523

    Pte Richard Kelshaw 12th Btn. King's Liverpool Regt (d.10 Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Richard Kelshaw was born in 1884 in Hulme, Manchester. He enlisted in 1901 into the 6th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. On the 5th September 1914 he was mobilised at Seaforth into the 12th Bn King's Liverpool Regiment. He had a wife, Beatrice, and 4 children, Beatrice, Edith, Edna and John who was born just before he departed for France. His Military Record shows that in order to be present at his Son's birth he was absent without leave.

    After his Regiment moved to France, he was wounded in action (gunshot to arm) at Trodes Wood between the 3rd and 5th September 1916 and was hospitilised in Rouen. His wife was notified that he was seriously ill and was issued with a Railway Warrant to travel to France and visit him. He died on the 10th September, a day before his wife received the Warrant. A sad Postscript, his youngest Son John died of Penumonia on Christmas Eve 1916, a few months after he died.

    Pte Richard Kelshaw Death Notification

    Pte Richard Kelshaw Warrant Cancellation

    Ian Hudson




    222522

    R Evans 17th Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    I have a Brass shell casing engraved with the R.F.A insignia and Arras 1917. with an inscription reading: Dr. R. Evans 17th D.A.C. R.F.A. Unfortunately nothing known about this man.





    222519

    Rfm. Alfred Halms 6th Battalion London Regiment

    Alfred Halms was born in Southwark in 1894. He enlisted with the 6th London Regiment on the 9th December, 1913. He was posted to France with his battalion on the 17th March, 1915. However he was to serve less than 3 months overseas.

    The following account is transcribed from his service papers: 'during bombardment at Festubert on 18.5.15 he was buried in a dugout by a high explosive shell. Unconscious for 3 days, sleeps badly. Suffers from headache and pain in back. Dizziness in exertion. Almost completely deaf in r. ear, slightly deaf in l. ear. Injuries are a result of active service. Permanent, but may improve in civil life'.

    Rfm. Halms arrived home on the 3rd June, 1916 and was discharged because of shell shock in May, 1916. He married in 1921 and lived until 1973 when he died aged 79 in Lambeth.

    W. Mercer




    222515

    Pte John Henry Shaw Hampshire Regiment (d.5th December 1918)

    John Shaw,Pte. 87878. 1st Bn. Hampshire Regt. died of Influenza on the 5th of Dec. 1918 aged 30. He was the son of Thomas and Jane Shaw, Husband of Annie Shaw (nee Marshall) of 133 Victoria Square, Juvenal st Liverpool. This Gentlemen was my Great Great Grandfather who survived the to see end of the war but Died in a Field Hospital in Valenciennes France of Influenza.

    It would mean a great deal to me if anyone had any information of my relative and to know that he can be recognised for his bravery via this website, I dont have a great deal of infomation on him and its extremely hard to find information about him or the 1st Bn. Hampshire Regt.

    Michael Thompson




    222514

    Pte. James Wallace Ronnie 9th Btn. Cameronians (d.25th Apr 1918)

    James Wallace Ronnie of the 9th Cameronians was my Great Uncle and was killed at the battle of Kemmel on 25th April 1918. His body was never found and his name is on the Tynecot Memorial and the Book of Remembrance at Stirling Castle Scotland.

    Before the war he was an ambulanceman with the London Midland Scottish Railway and then volunteered to join the R.A.M.C. but at a later date transferred to the Cameronians.





    222513

    Pte. Dennis Cyril Byrne 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th April 1916)

    <p>

    Dennis Cyril Byrne died on the 19th of April 1916, aged 22 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq. He was the son of Mrs. J. E. L. Byrne, of 27, Napier St., Burnley

    s flynn




    222512

    Sgt. John Thomas Burrows 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th April 1916)

    <p>

    John Burrows died on the 9th of April 1916, aged 42 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq. He was the husband of Emma Burrows, of 210 Lower House Lane, Burnley. He had previously served in the Chitral Campaign (1895) and the South African Campaign with 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.

    s flynn




    222511

    Pte. Fred Brindle 6th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.9th April 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Brindle died on the 9th of April 1916, aged 23 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Brindle, of 83 Fir St., Nelson, Lancs.

    s flynn




    222510

    Pte. John Lamb Miller 15th Service Btn. 13 Coy Highland Light Infantry

    I have the New Testament given to John Lamb Miller by the Corporation of the City of Glasgow. It is in great condition. He was a relation of mine, but I know very little about him. Any information, no matter how small would be great.

    June McDonald




    222509

    Pte. George William Tavener 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.22nd Aug 1916)

    <p>Thiepval Memorial

    My Godfather is now 81 years of age and never knew his mother’s brother. He is my late mother’s cousin, so when my wife and I travelled through France with our daughter earlier this year, we said we would try and find out some information about George Tavener for him.

    I did some research and found out that George had his name inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial. No family members had ever done any research about George, where he was fighting or where he had died. On the way to the Thiepval Memorial, we stopped by the roadside and picked a few wild poppies that were growing, as we hadn’t anything else to lay at the memorial when we got there. We searched all of the graves, hoping to find George, but he simply wasn’t one of the named graves. There was only one Somerset Light Infantry grave, which had no name, so we laid the poppies there. My Godfather was so grateful for what we had done and our daughter, who is 12, now has a better understanding of the sacrifice that was made.

    Somerset Light Infantry Grave

    Inner Arch at Thiepval

    George's inscribe name

    Thiepval Sign Information

    Paul Harrison




    222508

    Pte. Harold Wilfred Smailes 15th (Service) Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.4th Sep 1918)

    Sadly, whilst researching my ancestry I have only today discovered that I had a relative (my late father’s cousin) Harold Wilfred Smailes who fought and was killed in action aged 19 years in Belgium during WW1.

    Although I have missed the Centenary Remembrance on his behalf I will however endeavour to establish the Battle in which he died and trace the whereabouts of his grave before the centenary of his death.

    Paula Whitfield




    222507

    L/Sgt. Albert Allan Wood 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.26th Oct 1914)

    Albert Alan Wood was my uncle

    Kay Smith




    222505

    Stanley Percival Hodgson Royal Army Medical Corps.

    <p>

    I have found pictures of my grandfather, Stanley Percival Hodgson in army uniform and know nothing about them. He was in the RAMC but I have no idea where he was stationed. The No 2 Medical Hospital features in some of the pictures. He survived the war. He was born in 1898 and died aged 75. I have searched many websites but have found nothing about him at all. I do not have any of his medals either just a dog tag.

    Brenda Sheard




    222499

    Pte. Sydney Brightmore 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Sydney Brightmore died on the 30th of April 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq. He was the son of Mrs. A. E. Brightmore, of 14 Buckingham Place, Lake Rd., Portsmouth. (Formerly of Burnley, Lancashire).

    s flynn




    222498

    Pte. James Thomas Myers 1/5th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd March 1915)

    James Thomas Myers was born in 1888 in Widnes. He was killed in action at Ypres on the 3rd of May 1915. He is one of the many without a grave but is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial. He was married and had children. Prior to the war he worked as a bricksetter's labourer according to the 1911 Census.

    Laura Thompson




    222497

    Pte. William James Bridge 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th April 1917)

    <p>

    William Bridge died on the 30th of April 1917, aged 22 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222496

    Pte. John Bowditch 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th April 1916)

    <p>

    John Bowditch died on the 9th of April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222495

    Pte. John Blakey 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th April 1917)

    <p>

    John Blakey died on the 30th of April 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222494

    Pte. William Henry Charretie 32nd (East Ham Pals) Btn Royal Fusiliers (d.22nd March 1918)

    I do not want my great uncle William Charretie to be forgotten which is why I am researching his military service as much as I can anyway. Billie was my Nan's brother whom she loved dearly. Billie was born in Walworth, in 1894 and married his wife Ann Hardy from East Ham in June 1915, a few months prior to him signing up, I presume. He was transferred when the 32nd was disbanded in March 1918 to the 1/1st Battalion of the Cambridgeshires, and was killed on March 22nd 1918 at Longavesnes during the beginning of the First Battle of the Somme 1918.

    I am very proud that he gave his life for our country and am actively trying to find more information.

    Philip Shock




    222492

    Pte. John Thomas Roberts 1/8th (Ardwick) Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather John Roberts joined up in August 1914. He served in Egypt, Gallipoli, Suez and at Ypres. He was demobbed on the 6th of March 1919 at Heaton Park.

    Larry Ward




    222491

    Pte. Edward Wood 3rd Btn. Border Regiment (d.19th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Wood served with the 3rd Border Regiment.

    Gravestone of Edward Wood

    Padiham War Memorial includes Edward Wood

    Andrea Hight




    222490

    Gnr. Albert Carr 21st Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.14th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    My grandfather Albert Carr attested into Kitchener's Army in 1914, was trained as a Gunner and posted to 21st Battery, RGA, proceeding to France in 1915. When he farewelled his wife Annie Elizabeth and year-old son Albert, Annie was carrying their second son Ronald. Sadly, Ronald and his father were never to know each other. Details of 21st Battery's deployment are scant, but it appears that, on arrival in France, it went to Loos to participate in the Battle, then on to Albert to participate in the opening Battle of the Somme in 1916.

    It is not clear exactly how or where Albert Carr was wounded, but he passed away from those wounds at 2nd Field Ambulance on 14th of July 1916, and was buried at Fricourt British Cemetery. After the war his wife (my grandmother) was presented with his Memorial Plaque and posthumous medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. It is sad that, apart from these, we have only two photographs to remember him by.

    56235 Gunner Alert Carr, RGA - Thoughts of Home

    David Carr




    222489

    Pte. Alexander Midghall 1st Btn. C Coy. East Lancashire Regiment (d.4th Jan 1916)

    Alexander Midghall was my great grand uncle. According to the unit war diary, Alexander was buried alive along with 3 others after a German ariel torpedo blew up next to the bastion they were manning and caved in. Another unit provided relief and he was dug out about 4 or 5 days later. Remarkably, one of the men survived being buried for that amount of time. His name was Pte William Battley. Although several variations in the spelling of his name in the various diaries is evident, I am almost certain that this is the correct spelling due to other sources.

    Craig




    222487

    Pte. Owen Nichols 7th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.25th Oct 1916)

    Owen Nichols was the husband of Sarah Jane Nichols. He most likely died fighting the Battle of the Ancre Heights, he was aged 40. He is buried in Grandcourt Road Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France.

    Gary Nichols




    222486

    Cpl. James Thompson 4th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.1918)

    My Uncle James Thompson was posted to the 4th South Staffs and was made a Lewis gunner. In the big German push of 1918 he was left to cover the retreat. Here stories differ. Whether he was wounded in the legs or not his pals left him in a shell hole with his gun and one pan and loose ammunition to recharge it. He was never found which grieved my dad. We have tried for years to find his story. My Uncle Jim was part of my granda's 1st marriage. My dad was part of the second.

    A.Thompson




    222485

    George Pengilley 7th Queens Own Hussars

    <p>

    George Pengilley served with the 7th Queens Own Hussars.

    Jill Warwick




    222482

    Pte. Michael McHugh 9th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    Michael McHugh was my grandfather who joined the 9th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in 1914. He was wounded and it was reported in the Northwich Guardian on 10th July 1916. It may have been in the area of La Boisselle on the Somme.

    Ray McHugh




    222480

    Pte. William Henry Berry East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    William Berry was aged 25 when he was reported as missing in action. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    222479

    Pte. John Robertson Bailey 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    John Bailey died aged 46, and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    222477

    Pte. William John Green 7th Battalion Queens West Surrey (d.23rd March 1918)

    Born John William on the 28th of January 1899 in Heveningham Suffolk. William Green was killed on the 23rd of March 1918 in Battle of St Quentin. He has no known grave but is recorded on the Pozieres Memorial.

    L Stanhope




    222475

    2nd Lt. George Carruthers Henry 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    George Henry was wounded whilst on a wiring party south of Arras on the 16th of April 1918 and subsequently had his leg amputated in a field hospital because of gas gangrene.

    Rosemary Hoyle




    222473

    Pte. William Henry Hill None 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    Henry Hill was the son of a farmer, who farmed at Helewood Farm, Clayhanger, Devon. He enlisted with the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry, service no 38490, before being posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment.

    He was killed in action aged 19 years on the 27th May 1918 in the Aisne region during the heavy German attacks, of the spring offensive of 1918. He is remembered with honour on the Soissons Memorial.

    Mark Sanders




    222471

    2nd Lt. Matthew Wilson Richmond MC. 19th Bn London Regiment

    Matt Richmond also served with 97th Trench Motar Bty.





    222470

    Pte. George Henry Astin 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.14th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    George Astin died on the 14th of January 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222469

    Pte. Edmund Acornley 6th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.9th February 1917)

    <p>

    Edmund Acornley died on the 9th of February 1917, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq. He was the son of Elijah and Dina Acornley, of 24 Spencer St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    222468

    Pte. James Henry Fynn VC. 4th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.30th March 1917)

    <p>

    James Fynn died on the 30th of March 1917, aged 23 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq. He was the son of Mr. J. Fynn, of 19, Downing St., Bodmin, Cornwall.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated, 26th Sept., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. After a night attack he was one of a small party which dug in in front of our advanced line and about 300 yards from the enemy's trenches. Seeing several wounded men lying out in front he went out and bandaged them all under heavy fire, making several journeys in order to do so. He then went back to our advanced trench for a stretcher and, being unable to get one, he himself carried on his back a badly wounded man into safety. He then returned and, aided by another man who was wounded during the act, carried in another badly wounded man. He was under continuous fire while performing this gallant work."

    s flynn




    222465

    Pte. Sydney Albert Fitts 10th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1916)

    Sydney A Fitts would be my great great uncle. I know very little of him, only that he was injured, and brought back to Manchester where he passed away. I know he is buried in Cheltenham Cemetery in a CWWGC grave along with his brother who is not mentioned on the gravestone as he was a civilian. I am in the process trying to obtain more information.

    Barry Wilson




    222464

    PO Harold Challis HMS Princess Irene (d.27th May 1915)

    On the 27th of May 1915 HMS Princess Irene was moored in Saltpan Reach, in the Medway Estuary off Sheerness, Kent. Petty Officer Harold Challis died when the Princess Irene exploded while loading mines, killing 278 men including 78 workers from nearby towns and villages. There was only one survivor. Harold’s body was never recovered for burial.

    Colin Dyer




    222463

    Pte. Richard Stanley John Thomas 7th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.10th Jun 1916)

    Richard Thomas served with the 7th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.

    Glenn Playfoot




    222462

    Mjr. Donald Patrick Shaw DSO. 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment

    <p>Shaw as a young officer

    Donald Patrick Shaw, born 29th August at Melcombe Regis, was the eldest son of Dr A E Shaw, headmaster of Lord Williams’s School, Thame, from 1899 to 1920. Educated at that school, where he was head boy for his last two years, and at Balliol College Oxford, where he gained an Honours degree in history, he taught at Weymouth and Westminster schools before enlisting, in 1914, in the Dorsetshire Regiment.

    He was seriously wounded in the neck in 1915 while serving in France and nearly drowned when the hospital ship Anglia was mined off Dover in the Channel. He returned to France, promoted to Major and was awarded the DSO in 1918 for gallantry in the attack across Ancre. In 1918-1919 he commanded the 6th Battalion of the Dorsets as Lieut. Colonel, leading them in the Victory Parade. In 1919 he returned to Westminster School where he became a housemaster and commanded the Officer Training Corps. He died of his war wounds in 1924 and was buried on 14th of October with full military honours. His coffin was borne on a six-horse gun-carriage to Westminster Abbey and at his grave in Norwood cemetery the Last Post was sounded by soldiers of the Grenadier Guards.

    Shaw as senior officer

    Shaw as usher at Princess Mary's wedding

    Derek Turner




    222461

    Rifleman. Henry Thomas Baker MSM 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>Henry and my great grandfather

    My grandfather, Henry Thomas Baker, was born in Stoke by Nayland, Suffolk, in 1888 and enlisted in Colchester around 1905. He served in India with the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade and returned to the UK in 1911 where he took the job of postman at Tiptree in Essex. He remained on the Army Reserve and married my grandmother on 1st June 1914. Within weeks he was recalled to the Colours and the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade who were in Colchester at the time. By 24th August the Battalion were in action at le Cateau and were part of the valiant retreat from Mons to the River Marne.

    Henry served throughout the war and fought in many of the major battles. He was wounded once only in the wrist by a shell fragment and for a period was a battalion stretcher bearer. He was promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal before demobilisation.

    Henry was standard bearer for the local branch of the British Legion for many years and died after a short illness on 23rd October 1967. The funeral was a very touching affair with the path to the grave lined on both sides by many Legion Members and Standards, including an Admiral of the Fleet and a Major General who had all come to pay their respects to an "Old Contemptible"

    Henry on leave October 1915

    Colin Jamers




    222460

    Sgt. Alfred Stafford 23rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Alfred Stafford served with the 4th Tyneside Scottish.

    Pauline Tweddell




    222459

    Pte. Edward Henry Harvey 2nd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>Edward Henry Harvey is the soldier smoking the pipe.

    Edward Henry Harvey was my grandfather. He served as a regular soldier in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps before the war and was stationed in Dagshai, India as shown in the 1911 Census. Edward was discharged medically unfit on the 22nd October 1915 after sustaining shrapnel wounds to his left thigh. He was returned to Aldershot, the Cambrdge Miltary Hospital for treatment and recovery.

    The photograph shows Edward Henry (smoking the pipe) in the trenches. Any help with who the others might be or where this was taken would be appreciated.

    Carolyn Morris




    222458

    Pte. Henry Frederick Hoy Middlesex Regiment (d.1919)

    Henry Hoy was wounded by shrapnel in the head in action on 20th July at La Bassee and treated near Bethune. He was discharged on 14th December 1916 as no longer physically fit for war service. His youngest daughter Amy is still alive, 95 as of December 2014.

    Steve Potter




    222455

    Pte. Frederick Garner 17th Btn. London Regiment (d.1st Sep 1918)

    Frederick Garner was born on the 11th of March 1880 in Bethnal Green and died on the Somme on 1st Sept 1918. He enlisted in Bow joining the 17th (Poplar and Stepney) Btn, London Regiment. His occupation before the war was that of barman, working for the company of Wells and Co. He was married to Sarah Warren and was the father of Frederick, William, Alfred, Caroline and Ethel.

    I am still looking for a photo of my Grand-father as my Grand-mother, Sarah Warren was killed in an air-raid in 1944 in Bethnal Green, as far as I know all photos were lost.





    222451

    Pte. Bertie Guymer 1st Bn. Norfolk Regiment (d.25th June 1915)

    Bertie Guymer served with the 1st Bn. Norfolk Regiment





    222450

    Pte. William Mann 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.18th July 1916)

    William Mann was killed by a shell that hit the the battalion, whilst they were resting at Shelter Wood, on high ground south of Mametz Wood. William was the first of three Mann brothers killed in just 250 days, sons of the late William Mann and Betsy Mann nee Milk of Norwich. Oscar was with the 47th battalion CEF and was killed on 18th November 1916 in Desire Trench on the Somme. Percy R Mann served with the Royal Engineers and was killed on 26th March 1917 in Mesopotamia.

    Cathy Miller




    222449

    Pte. John Milton Jones 4th Btn. G Coy. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.10th Mar 1915)

    John Milton Jones served with G Coy. 4th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers





    222448

    Pte. Louis Walker 19th Battalion, E Company, Platoon XIX Lancashire Fusiliers

    My sister and I never met our grandfather, Louis Walker, who died aged just 50 in 1944. All we know is what our Dad told us. Louis was the son of a publican, the youngest of nine children, and grew up in Salford, which was a very poor area at the beginning of the twentieth century. He joined the Salford Lads Club, established to get young men off the street. Louis learned to box there and made many friends. These were the patriotic lads who responded to the call to arms by joining up as the 'Salford Pals'. My Dad said his father never recovered from seeing most of his friends struck down on the Somme.

    Jane Walker




    222435

    Pte. Daniel Dyer 8th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.14th Oct 1915)

    Daniel Dyer died on the 14th October 1915 from wounds sustained at the Ypres Salient in Flanders, Belgium. He was 31 years old. He is buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery. He left a wife, Alice and two sons, Walter and Morris.

    Colin Dyer




    222423

    L/Cpl. James Alfred Brewer 10th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.9th Aug 1916)

    James Brewer served with the 10th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.

    W.S.Taylor




    222420

    Pte. Alfred Sydne Prosser 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire (d.5th Sep 1916)

    On the 5th of September 1916, during the Battle of the Somme Private Alfred Prosser had already been out on patrol, bringing back a body of a dead German officer, when he was ordered to go out again. This time the group was hit by a shell killing 5 men including Albert. He and the others are buried in the Hebuterne Communal Cemetery, France.

    N.W.L.Hindle




    222412

    Pte. Fredrick Smith 45th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    My father Fredrick Smith served with the 45th Battalion Royal Fusiliers during the 1st World War. In 1919 he went to Archangel in Russia as part of the North Russia Relief Force.

    David Smith




    222408

    L/Cpl. Adrian Mellody 11th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    Adrian Mellody was killed on the 3rd of July 1916.





    222394

    Pte. Ernest William Patrick 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    Ernie Patrick served with the 9th Royal Fusiliers.





    222392

    Sgt. Ransom L. "Dick" Gilliam Company F 23rd Engineers

    My Grandfather, Ransom L. Gilliam, enlisted in the 23rd Engineers Regiment on September 20, 1917. He was promoted to rank of Sergeant on November 5, 1917, Mess Sergeant November 5, 1917, Sergeant February 1, 1918, Stable Sergeant February 1, 1918 and Sergeant first class on October 4th, 1918. His service in France was from March 30, 1918 through June 16, 1919. It is my understanding that he was gassed twice during that time. He was honorably discharged on June 27, 1919.

    I am looking for any information on 23rd Engineers, Company F during their time in France. I do have a book for Army AEF "Regimental Roster, 23rd Engineers, USA" with 81 pages of names, company and address. I would be more than happy to share this information.





    222391

    Pte. Harry Womersley 21st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My grandfather, Harry Womersley, was a signaller with the 21st Battalion KRRC. He joined up in Harrogate and fought in at least 6 countries surviving the Battle of the Somme and listng many others in his memoirs which I have including his war medals. He lived till 1995.

    Ginny Winder




    222390

    Rfmn. Robert Lockhart 11th (South Antrim Volunteers) Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>Rifleman Robert Lockhart 11th Batt RIR

    All I know about Robert Lockhart is that he joined up early as his service number is 2175, and that he was wounded in the leg. He was discharged into Class Z Army Reserve and liable to recall in the event of a grave national emergency.

    Editor's Note: His date of disembarkation in France was 6th October 1915.

    Neil Walker




    222388

    Cpl. Leslie Lee 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.26th Nov 1918)

    Leslie Lee died of wounds in St Georges Hospital, London on 26th November 1918. He is buried at Good Easter Cemetery in Essex. We have been unable to find out where and when he was wounded.

    Lesley Lee




    222385

    Lt.Cmdr. Charles Henry Cowley VC. SS Julnar (d.24th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Henry Cowley died on the 24th of April 1916, aged 44 and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in Iraq. He was the son of Mrs. Cowley, of Kiddary St., Ashan, Basra.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated, 2nd Feb., 1917, records the following:- "The General Officer Commanding, Indian Expeditionary Force "D", reported on this attempt in the following words:- " At 8 p.m. on April 24th, 1916, with a crew from the Royal Navy under Lieut. Firman, R.N., assisted by Lieut. Comdr. Cowley, R.N.V.R., the Julnar, carrying 270 tons of supplies, left Falahiyah in an attempt to reach Kut.

    Her departure was covered by all artillery and machine gun fire that could be brought to bear, in the hope of distracting the enemy's attention. She was, however, discovered and shelled on her passage up the river. At 1 a.m. on the 25th, Gen. Townshend reported that she had not arrived, and that at midnight a burst of heavy firing had been heard at Magasis, some 9 miles from Kut by river, which had suddenly ceased. There could be but little doubt that the enterprise had failed, and the next day the Air Service reported the Julnar in the hands of the Turks at Magasis. The leaders of this brave attempt, Lieut. H.O.B. Firman, R.N., and his assistant, Lieut. Comdr. C.H. Cowley, R.N.V.R. - the latter of whom throughout the campaign in Mesopotamia performed magnificient service in command of the Mejidieh, - have been reported by the Turks to have been killed; the remainder of the gallant crew, including five wounded, are prisoners of war. Knowing well the chances against them, all the gallant officers and men who manned the Julnar for the occasion were volunteers. I trust that the services in this connection of Lieut. H.O.B. Firman, R.N., and Lieut. Comdr. C.H. Cowley, R.N.V.R., his assistant, both of whom were unfortunately killed, may be recognised by the posthumous grant of some suitable honour." The account of the award is preceded by the following paragraph:- "The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officers in recognition of their conspicuous gallantry in an attempt to re-provision the force besieged in Kut-el-Amara."

    s flynn




    222384

    Pte. Leonard Isaac Hobday 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Leonard Isaac Hobday, my great uncle, died in the Battle of Menin Road. He was only 19 and there was no body to bury. He is commemorated on one of the walls at Tyne Cot Cemetery near Paschendale.

    James Hobday




    222383

    Gnr. George Alexander Hall 110th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.21st June 1917)

    George Hall was born in Fulham and enlisted initially into the 10th (Service) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. He transferred to the Royal Field Artillery and went to France on 26th of September 1915. He was serving with D Battery when he died of wounds.

    Mark Bailey




    222382

    Cpl. Francis Joseph Nugent 7th (City of London) Battalion London Regiment (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    Our great uncle Frank Nugent was the eldest of the six children of Francis Nugent and Mary Nugent (nee Herst) of Maraekakao, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. The couple were recent immigrants from County Tyrone and Clare respectively. The Nugent family were involved in a huge sheep station owned by Donald McLean. They ran a store with boarding and carting facilities, while also administering the post office. Frank must have been a handy chap to have around - with lots of Kiwi number 8 wire ingenuity having grown up in colonial New Zealand, he was a trained carpenter/joiner. Strangely Frank did not join a Kiwi unit but paid for his own passage and sailed from Wellington for England on the "Rotorua" when he was 27. He disembarked on the 20th of May 1915 and immediately enlisted at Aldgate with the Shiny Sevenths.

    From his point we have know knowledge of his doings as my Nugent family have no letters, photographs, or even medals. My grandmother and her sisters were so distressed with Frank's death - such loss and pain for the family. The family plot names Francis Joseph Nugent 'Killed in Action in France' and that is all of the information that they ever possessed. I've scoured Planke's history of the Shiny Sevenths desperate for any scraps of information, as he's there with the Sevenths from the late May 1915 until the mess at Cambrai when he dies 2nd of December 1917.

    Kate Nugent Bell




    222381

    Gnr. Michael Anthony Patrock Stackpole Coxon 43rd Battery Australian Field Artillery

    Not a relative, Michael Coxon is a lost mining engineer from our War memorial

    Carol Richards




    222380

    Pte. Alexander James Beer 9th Brigade, D Company 36th Btn. (d.18th July 1917)

    I have reports giving different places for Alec Beer's burial site. 1: Close to the front line at the spot between Messines & Wulverghem not far from the Messines Road. 2: Left of Ploegsteet Wood 3: Buried at Messines 300 yards to the left of Huns Walk

    He was buried with a 'good' ceremony by the Chaplain & a cross was put up with his name on it. Later there was a big advance & all the trenches were ploughed up. His discs & watch were removed so he probably does not have any ID. The watch returned to his wife. I do not know what happened to his tags. He was killed when he was hit in the head by a Pineapple bomb during a counter-attack on his first day he was in the line. At home in Sydney he was a Cabman, married with 4 children.

    Faye Williams




    222379

    Arthur Ramsey 1/8th Btn. London Regiment

    Arthur Ramsey served with the London Regiment. I am trying to find out about my grandfather as he had 3 different service numbers, including this one.

    Paul Ramsey




    222378

    2nd Lt. Christian Edwin Oates MC. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My Grandfather, Christian Edwin Oates, was awarded the Military Cross and promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to Lieutenant following the capture of an Austrian machine gun at the Battle of the Piave River.

    Chris Smith




    222376

    Pte. Frederick Charles Preece 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th June 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Preece served with the 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Paper report

    Report of brothers serving

    Simon Gardner




    222371

    Pte. Joseph Cork 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.17th Oct 1917)

    Joseph Cork died aged 20 of gunshot wounds to the chest, abdomen, legs and arms inflicted at Guillemont Farm on 21st August 1917. He was picked up by 107th Field Ambulance and delivered to 55th Field Hospital where they amputated his badly shot right leg. On October 6th 1917 he sailed to England on the O.C. Ship M.S. and was taken to Huddersfield War Hospital where he was admitted to Ward 22 on 10th October 1917. He died on 17th October at 6 am.

    His personal belongings were sent home to Hannah and Joseph Cork. These were his cap badge, "The Holy War" pamphlet, belt, "Travellers Book", prayer book, spectacles in case, Pay Book A.B. 64, two identification discs, two French coins, an oil can and a knife. He was buried in West View Cemetary, Hartlepool.

    Ian Lightfoot




    222368

    Pte. James Goodall Hampshire Regiment

    James Goodall left theses shores on the 21/8/1914 on SS Cestrian for Le Harve arriving 22/8/14. He boarded a train on 24/8/14 for Le Catueau arrived at 3am on 25/8/14 and marched 6 miles to Solesmes to cover the retreat of BEF from Mons. On the 30th of August he was in the Forest of Compiegne and took took part in the 1st Battle of Marne from the 5th-9th September. His Battalion then moved to Ploegstreet and were in action during 1st Battle of Ypres at le Geer. Injured, James was transferred to England then to Edinburgh Infirmary, posted back to Fort Albany I.O.W then to Fort Gomer Gosport where he was discharged on 7/5/15 as no longer fit for war service.

    He returned to his pre war work as agricultural labourer, living in Compton, West Sussex. Later he moved to Horndean Hants working on the Idsworth Estate, his pension was stopped by Lady Bonham-Carter as she thought it was not right he should receive his pension and be working as well. He died 1st Jan 1959.

    Richard Goodall




    222366

    Pte. William Alfred Owen 9th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.25th Jan 1917)

    <p>Private William Alfred Owen

    William Owen died on 25th of January 1917, aged 23 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. The 9th Royal Warwickshire Battalion's war diary noted on the 25th of January that they were in position in Kala Haji Fahan Nullah and were in immediate support of the Worcestershire and North Staffordshire Regiments. After an intensive artillery bombardment the Turkish enemy front was secured and the 9th Battalion moved up and occupied the position known as the Queen's and King's trenches to meet a Turkish counter attack. Around noon the attack began, the 9th Battalion were ordered to advance and support the Worcesters and North Staffordshirers who were being gradually overwhelmed. Under leadership the Battalion recaptured the trench driving the enemy back to the second line. The enemy created a further counter attack and with their superiority in numbers the 9th Battalion were forced to withdraw. In the evening the 9th Battalion were drawn into reserve and a roll call showed casualties.

    William was born on the 20th of May 1894 in Chauntry Place, Coventry. He was the son of my great Nana and Grandad, Mr & Mrs John Owen. As a lasting tribute to those 'Coventry Men' who had fallen in the Great War 1914 - 1918 there is a roll of honour placed within the Memorial erected in Coventry Memorial Park. Families of the fallen were also given the opportunity to pay for a commemorative sapling oak tree with name plaque to be sited within the Park. William's sapling oak tree is now a beautiful grand oak tree and his plaque P8 is still clearly eligible for all to see.

    Memorial to William Alfred Owen

    s flynn




    222365

    L/Cpl. Samuel C. Tilling 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.25th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Tilling died on 25th January 1917, aged 26 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. He was the son of Thomas Edwin and Elizabeth Tilling, of Drayton Bassett, Tamworth, Staffs.

    s flynn




    222364

    Pte. James Henry Sugden 39th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.11th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    James Sugden died on 11th February 1917 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222363

    Pte. Alfonso Renwick 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.26th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Alfonso Renwick died on 26th of February 1917, aged 33 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. He was the husband of Elizabeth Renwick, of 6 Lonsdale St., Burnley. Born at Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    222362

    Pte. Harold Purse 1st/4th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.17th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Purse was the son of George Chick Purse, of Vicarage Street, Colyton, Devon. He died aged 19 on 17th February 1917 and is commemorated on the Shaikh Saad Old Cemetery Memorial in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    222330

    John N. Whalen Royal Engineers

    My Grandfather, John Whalen, enlisted for Short Service for the duration of the war. It is listed as R.E. Signal Corps, which I believe is Royal Engineer. It is also handwritten Pioneer next to R.E.S.C. Enlarging the picture, I believe I can make out a 22 on his shoulder. I would love to find out more.

    Gayle Carrier




    222329

    Charles George Sheppard Berkshire Regiment

    My Grandfather, Charles George Sheppard, served with the Berkshire Regiment. His medal card says that he first entered the Theatre of War on 29th November 1914. It doesn't say which battalion he was in or joined. His Silver War Badge record states that he joined the Regiment in July 1913. He was wounded in June 1916 and discharged.

    The only other information I have about him is that he was gassed at some time, he had a gunshot wound in the leg and he was missing for a while. He also said that they had to take a 'hill'.

    Kim Merredew




    222328

    Pte. Walter DeFrece Robson 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Sep 1915)

    My Great Uncle, Walter De Frece Robson 11379, B Coy 12th Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed at Loos on 25th of September 1915

    Peter Burns




    222327

    Pte. James Collins 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James Collins was killed on the 1st of July 1916

    David Molnar




    222320

    A/Sjt. J. Williams MM 5th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    I own the Military Medal for J. Williams. No other information is know.





    222319

    Pte. Peter Callaghan 2nd Battalion Border Regiment (d.16th May 1915)

    Pte Peter Callaghan of the 2nd Battalion, Borders Regiment was my Grandfather. I know very little about him, except that when he was called up to war, he was the father of two small children, Helen and John, and his wife, my grandmother was expecting another child, my own father, who was also to be named Peter Callaghan.

    My Grandfather fought and died at the Battle of Festubert, alongside thousands of other incredibly brave men. We believe he was blown up and killed. He died just before my father was born. His body was never found. He is commemorated at the Le Touret Memorial in France on Panel 19.F. It simply says: Callaghan P. The full names of the men who died were not recorded - which is sad, for their names should be inscribed in full for they are glorious.

    I have no photographs of my grandfather, but I and the rest of my family feel very proud of him and the sacrifice he made that awful day nearly 100 years ago. May you rest in peace Grandad with your friends and comrades who died with you. With love to you from your family : Veronica, Peter, David, June, Gina, Marie, Theresa, and Angela.

    Veronica Swinden




    222318

    Albert Edgar Tuffin 52nd (Graduated) Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>Grandad Tuffin, 1916

    My Grandfather Albert Tuffin served in WW1

    Julia Berwick




    222317

    RQMS David Mills Wilson

    David Mills Wilson was my grandfather. I know he served in Egypt as we have a photo of him on a camel in front of the Sphinx. It said in his obituary he was a crack shot but I don't really know what that means. Any information about him would be most welcome. He lived in Ayr and was an upholsterer. He had seven of a family and my father was one of his four sons.

    Allison Naismith




    222300

    L/Cpl. Ernest Hosier 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.29th March 1918)

    Ernest Hosier, relation of mine, has no known grave but is remembered at the Pozieres Memorial. He served with 21st Entrenching Battalion., late ‘D’ Company 10th Battalion., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Ernest was the son of Philip and Rose Hosier, of 5, Craddock St., Prince of Wales Rd., London; husband of Sadie J. Hosier, of Olphert Place, Coleraine, Co. Derry.He was 23 years old.

    We, unfortunately, have been unable to track any details of the area of Coleraine where he and his wife lived and have been unable to track any details relating to his wife Sadie and what happened to her since his death in action. Any help on this would be appreciated.

    Michael G E Bristow




    222297

    Pte. H Smith 2/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.25th Oct 1918)

    Pte H. Smith was involved in the Battle to capture Solemes in October 1918.

    Jess




    222271

    Gunner. Sidney John Styles 60th Brigade, C Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.12th Aug 1915)

    <p>Headstone in Port Said Cemetery

    As part of a village project to commemorate the 11 names on the World War 1 memorial in St Mary’s church in Powerstock, Dorset, my daughter and I have researched the life of Sidney John Styles (service number 11695). The Forces War Record lists him as a Gunner in C Battery, 60th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. A young man from a large working-class family, an agricultural worker called up from an estate in rural West Dorset to serve in the British Army, whose life ended on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, some 2,300 miles away.

    Sidney is recorded as having died in Cairo on 12 August 1915 and the Bridport News of 16 September 1915 reported that he had died of ‘an appendicitis’. However, he is not buried in the large Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in Heliopolis, but in the Port Said War Memorial Cemetery on the Mediterranean coast. The town was an important hospital centre and I had the opportunity to visit Sidney in October this year. I had a cup of tea with him at his graveside.

    Sidney John Styles died at the age of 21 of a medical complication unrelated to warfare, in a far away land, and probably did not see action during the bloodiest war of the 20th century. No photographs or any other information about him seem to have survived or stories been passed on through the generations. His name on the Weymouth War memorial and the plate in Powerstock church, along with 10 of his contemporaries are the only acknowledgement of his life.

    Adrian Semmence




    222267

    Pte. Alfred Edward Culver 2nd Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.19th April 1915)

    On 10th April after a trying turn at St. Eloi, the Battalion marched to Zonnebeke and relieved the 153rd French Regiment, the 85th Brigade having three battalions in the front line with the Buffs in the centre. About the middle of the line was the Broodseinde cross-roads where the enemies' trenches approached very close to our own. The Germans had established a heavy trench mortar in a position secure from our artillery from which they brought a merciless fire on our lines, especially on B company which was on the cross-roads. This was the 2nd Battalions first experience of this weapon. Serious damage was done to the parapets and many lives were lost. Alfred Culver was one of them. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) memorial. Unfortunately I have no photo's or other mementos of my grandfather.

    Terry Culver




    222258

    Cpl. Samuel Pilkington 6th Btn. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regt (d.15th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Pilkington died on the 15th of February 1917, aged 30 and is buried the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. He was the son of Richard and Alice Pilkington, of Burnley, husband of Nelly Pilkington, of 213 Wincobank Avenue, Shiregreen, Sheffield.

    s flynn




    222257

    Pte. Fred Little 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.6th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Fred Little died on the 6th of January 1917, aged 20 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. He was the son of John and Catherine Little, of 17, Garstang St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    222256

    L/Cpl. Charles Edwin Hole 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.11th January 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Hole died on the 11th of January 1917 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222255

    Pte. Hiram Hartley 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Hiram Hartley died on 9th April 1916, aged 29 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. He was the son of James and Mary Hartley, of 221 Cog Lane, Burnley.

    s flynn




    222253

    Pte. Robert Hay 13th Btn. (d.4th Sep 1918 )

    Robert Hay was born in 1888 in Cummingston Morayshire. His parents being James and Jeannie Hay. He was with the 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. He enlisted at Newcastle Upon Tyne on 12th of June 1915 in the Northumberland Fusiliers. Robert was shot through the arm on 8th June 1916. He returned to the war immediately upon healing and was then killed in France 4th of Sept 1918. He is listed on the Cummingston Morayshire war memorial and also at the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

    Catharine Peters




    222252

    Pte. Sidney Charles Church 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.29th March 1918)

    Sydney Church died on the 23rd of March 1918, he was the son of Charles Church, of 29 Newton St, Olney, Bucks.

    Eric James Church




    222244

    Rflmn. Arthur James Williams 3rd Btn. The Rifle Brigade (d.21st Dec 1916)

    <p>

    I was left medals for my father's, father and brothers who both died in the WW1. I have a memoriam for Frederick Walter Williams. No.7172- Oxford and Berks Light Infantry, killed in action at Richebourg, 13th May, 1915 age 30, and rifleman - A.J. Williams No 15164, 3rd Rifle Brigade who is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France, Grave 33, row A. This was on cards that were in a box marked Christmas 1914, in gold paint.

    I wish to leave my sons a legacy of their past showing the price of their freedom. So at 70 years of age I am trying to piece together the location and the feel of what was going on during those war days; I have no photos to offer my sons maybe it might be in some war diaries, where does one start?

    I am going to Bethune Cemetery in the spring 2015, and also to view a plaque at Le Touret military cemetery. If anyone can add any information concerning our family, it would be greatly appreciated; and as it says "gone but not forgotten"

    Gerald Victor Williams




    222224

    Pte. William Thomas Fielding 7th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Oct 1916)

    William Fielding was quite old for a serving private during the Great War (40 plus). He was wounded on May 28th 1916. He returned to service not long afterwards only to be mortally wounded and died on 19th of October 1916, we think in a Boulogne hospital. He is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. We assume that he was wounded during the Somme Offensive. We found a report in The Accrington Observer. We also know that he trained on Cannock Chase which coincidentally turned out to be a stone's throw from the home of his grandaughter and great-grandchildren. We have his medals and a couple of photographs. We would like to know more about him and his family.

    John Barratt




    222215

    Pte. Tom Hargreaves 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.27th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Tom Hargreaves died on 27th February 1917 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222214

    Sgt. Jesse Ashforth Warwickshire Yeomanry (d.21st Nov 1917)

    I have recently acquired a death penny relating to the Warwickshire Yeomanry and I am trying to locate the family of Jesse Ashforth. I have been doing lots of research relating to this item but have hit a dead end and this site is my last chance, please help.

    Adam Wallis




    222213

    Pte. Harry Gowers 6th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.5th April 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Gowers died on 5th April 1917 and is commemorated on the Shaikh Saad Old Cem. Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222212

    Pte. John Goldstone 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.31st Dec 1916)

    <p>

    John Goldstone died on 31st December 1916 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222211

    L/Cpl. Oscar Frick 2nd Bn. attd. Connaught Rangers Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.8th July 1916)

    <p>

    Oscar Frick died on the 8th July 1916. He is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s. flynn




    222209

    Pte. Fredrick Harlock 6th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    I have Fredrick Harlock's service medal which I believe was given to my grandmother who kept house for his brother or cousin. He was wounded and had to leave the army.

    Derrick Mason




    222208

    Pte. Joseph Herbert Cook 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers

    I have call up papers for Joe Cook, from the recruiting office sworn in Birkenhead court on 8/9/1917 and note on form b104-81 informing his mum he was wounded and gassed in France 30/9/1918. I would like more info if possible.

    Dave




    222206

    Rfm. Cyril Charles Elliott 6th Btn. London Regiment (d.28th June 1915)

    Cyril Elliott was the son of William M. and Ada M. Elliott of 43 Glenlyon Rd., Eltham, London. One of the first to volunteer, he died of wounds and is buried in Boulogne.

    Liz Hobbs




    222205

    Cpl. Edward Ferrie 8th Btn Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.28th June 1915)

    Edward Ferrie is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

    Too young, too sweet, to surely be dead?

    The telegram - ‘Killed in Action, Dardanelles’

    Felled by thundering, rumbling, blood-stained shells.

    A son, a brother, a good friend too,

    You were the uncle we never knew.

    June 28th - a ripple in your chime

    Who could you have been, given more time?

    The moment of truth, an unwanted blow

    A family in retreat, moving too slow.

    The news a loved one will never return,

    An unending battle, with no about-turn.

    Your voice I imagine, full of bravado,

    Accented, teenage, silent, now incommunicado.

    Your face, blurred, through eyes that mist,

    A sad lament for girls never kissed.

    Toy soldiers, united one and all

    Many destined to tragically fall

    Taking your place in our own history

    A central character, a tragic mystery

    100 years later, at the end of this time

    Some now ask ‘was this a crime’?

    And what to say – the dead are still dead

    All those Edwards, Eddies and sweet little Eds.

    Tracey McBain




    222201

    Sgt. James Fraser Thom 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company (d.18th Aug 1917)

    James Fraser Thom was my 2nd cousin 3x removed, he moved to Manitoba Canada before the war and was the son of David Wallace Thom and Margaret, they had 4 children: Ernest Thom, Born abt 1900 in Forfar, Forfarshire James Thom, Born abt 1902 and Leslie Thom, Born abt 1907 both in Barry, Carnoustie, Scotland.

    Steve Chamberlain




    222198

    PO. Evan Thomas Ellis Collingwood Battallion

    <p>Petty Officers of Collingwood Battalion RND. Evan Ellis is far right next to back row with hat cocked back on his head.

    Evan Ellis joined the RNVR on 4th October 1914 as an Ordinary Seaman and was attached to HMS Victory Barracks in Portsmouth. Evan had previously been at sea in the merchant navy for 4 years and it is because of this experience that he very rapidly rose to the rank of Petty Officer by 12th December 1914. In early February he joined the Collingwood Battalion of RND that underwent basic infantry training at Blandford Camp in Dorset. He was made 2nd I/c of "B" Company 3rd Platoon.

    On 10th May 1915 the Collingwood Battalion embarked on the HM Transport Ship Ivernia at Devonport and sailed on 12th for the Dardanelles. The ship stopped briefly at Gibraltar and Malta arriving at Mudros Harbour on 23rd May. During the next week the Collingwood Battalion underwent further field operational training in order to acclimatise to the searing heat.

    On 29th May the Battalion embarked on lighters to be transported to Cape Helles where they disembarked via the legendary River Clyde and to trenches some 1.5 miles inland. During the next few days the Collingwood Battalion was to come under light mortar shell attack but suffered no casualties. All was to change on 4th June during a sustained battle for in which the Collingwood Battalion suffered heavy casualties. This became known as the 3rd Battle of Krithia. The Battalion lost 16 officers and over 500 men were killed or wounded. Evan Ellis survived this day, leading the remains of his platoon to safety after Lt. Watts, the platoon commander, was seriously wounded.

    Two days later on 6th June the Battalion came under further attack and Evan recieved a serious wound from a mortar shrapnel that lodged in his lower back. He was transferred to battle dressing station and on to a casualty clearing Center before embarking on the hospital ship and evacuated to one of the many Military Hospitals that had been set up in Malta.

    Evan returned to England and was treated at Chatham RNH but was declared unfit for further service because of his injury. Evan was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He also received the Silver War Badge recognising his injuries. Evan Ellis served as a War Reserve Police Officer during WW2 and died in 1970 at the age of 81.

    Greg Webb




    222196

    Pte. Michael Scully 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    Michael Scully was my grandfather's brother. They both went to war but Michael did not return. He died in the Battle at Mouse Trap Farm on the 24th May 1915. Over 600 men died in that battle, many poisoned by gas.

    Paul Ellis




    222195

    Pte. Hubert Victor Bush 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>Pte Hubert Victor Bush

    Hubert Bush served with the 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Soldiers Book

    Greg Bush




    222190

    Pte. Harold Watson 2nd Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt) (d.21st March 1915)

    Harold Watson was the 20 year old son of John and Ann Watson of 58 Long Row, Belper, Derbyshire. He is buried in Houplines Communal Cemetery Extention.





    222189

    Pte. Michael Dunne 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.3rd May 1916)

    Michael Dunne died on 3rd May 1916. He is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222188

    Pte. Isaac Tattersall Duerden 6th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.13th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Isaac Duerden died on the 13th February 1917, aged 37. He is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222187

    Pte. William Henry Edwin Cox 9th (Service) Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>Pte 22877 William Henry Edwin Cox

    My grandfather, Pte 22877 William H.E.Cox, from Handsworth, Birmingham served throughout the war with the 9th Service Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Primarily serving in Mesopotamia, he was left for dead and was rescued by a passing officer who heard him moan/move. Regrettably no documentary evidence survives but it is believed that the officer did keep in contact for some time after the war. All papers were lost upon the death of his mother aged 99 in 1971. It is believed his mother did not see him at all throughout the course of the war.

    He later helped set up the Royal British Legion branch in Handsworth, Birmingham and subsequently served as Hon. Secretary of the Legion's branch in Blackheath, Birmingham where he had moved with his family. Married to Gertrude Hilda Barrington, they had 2 children, Irene Hilda b.1927 and Clive William, b.1937. A third child, William H.S., died shortly after birth in 1931.

    Wiliam is buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Blackheath, Birmingham. I am his only grandchild but he did not live to see me. A greatly loved son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. Like so many, he did not speak of his wartime service. We are all so very proud of him.

    William Cox

    Andrew Mark Cox




    222186

    Drvr. James Edward Tattersall Coupe Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    James Coupe died on 25th of March 1917 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222185

    Pte. Fred Cummings 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.4th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Fred Cummings died 4th July 1916 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222184

    Pte. James Lamont 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    James Lambert was the brother of Robert Lamont who died fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke





    222182

    Pte. John Bonnett 19th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.12th June 1916)

    I don't know anything about John Bonnett except that he served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and died on the 12th of June 1916, me and my whole family would be very grateful if anyone helped me find out about him.

    Haz




    222181

    Pte. Alfred Hall 8th Btn. B Coy. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    <p>Alfred Hall, Panel 93 to 95 Loos Memorial

    Alfred Hall volunteered in September 1914, and upon completing his training the following year, he was drafted to the Western Front. There he took part in the Battle of Loos and was killed in action in October 1915, aged 46.

    Sadly his son, Arthur, also died in WW1 in 1918, having being taken prisoner in Langensalza, which must have been extremely hard for the family to endure.

    Pauline Boughton




    222179

    Rfmn. John Thomas Gutberlet 25th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>John Thomas Gutberlet, taken on his Silver Wedding Anniversary 1958

    John Thomas Gutberlet, known as Jack, served as Rifleman S/35235, 25th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He enlisted on 10th December 1915, and was mobilised on 28th July 1917. He was posted to 17th Battalion, London Regiment on 6th October 1917. He went to France on 6th January 1918, and joined the Battalion in the field on 16th February 1918 and was missing from 21st March 1918, but later confirmed as a prisoner-of-war in Limburg Camp.

    John Thomas and his wife Lettuce May Martin.

    Janet Fouad




    222177

    Pte. William Mckee 1st Btn. A Coy. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.21st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    My great uncle who I never met. Editor's Note: At the time of his death, Private 10339 William McKee was a member of A Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, which was part of the 29th Division engaged in the Gallipoli campaign.

    On the morning of 21st August 1915, the Division were ordered to carry out an attack and take Scimitar Hill (Hill 70) across a 400 yard front. His Battalion moved off at 1530 hours with A Company occupying the centre position. The Battalion were involved in heavy fighting before being relieved in the late evening. The attack was a costly failure.

    At the start of the attack, the Battalion strength was 19 Officers and 758 Other Ranks. When a roll call was carried out, about 0100 hours the following morning, the strength was 4 Officers and 230 Other Ranks. (Information from Battalion War Diary) Private McKee has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

    Alex Mckee




    222176

    Pte. Joseph Heaney 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Fusileers

    Joseph Heaney was born in May 1887 and enlisted in the Royal Irish Fusiliers on October 23rd 1916. He was sent to France with the BEF on 6th of February 1917. He was wounded by a gun shot to the left hand and was discharged on 9th April 1918. He was declared "No longer fit for war service and entitled to wear one gold braid wound distinction strip."

    Joseph died from gangrene in the early 1920s and his name was not recorded on the local War Memorial, as may be the case for many thousands around the country. His dog tags say he was in the 4th battalion but his discharge papers say the 3rd battalion.

    Kevin McManus




    222175

    2nd Lt. Spencer Henry Le_Marchant 6th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.25th May 1915)

    Spencer Le Marchant served with the 6th Royal Fusiliers.

    P Tedder




    222174

    Pte. Robert Hayes 9th Btn Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    Robert Hayes was my Grandfather who I never met. He enlisted when he was 16yrs old, fought at Schwaben Redoubt, Somme. He was wounded at Messines in 1917 and was honourably discharged in 1918.

    Alex Mckee




    222173

    Pte. Robert Mills 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th March 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Mills was my great uncle, he is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial. enlisted with his older brother William and younger brother Thomas, the only sons in my great grandfathers family. Thankfully, William and Thomas survived. Robert's body was never found so we have no information how he died. Although I never met him he is always remembered.

    Alex McKee




    222172

    Pte. Wilson Clarke 1st Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.9th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Wilson Clarke died on the 9th of January 1917 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222170

    Pte. Henry Bellis 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.20th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Bellis died on 20th of April 1916, aged 29 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222169

    Pte. John Richard Barnes 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    John Barnes died pn the 9th of April 1916 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. He was born in Burnley and lived at 35 Union Street, Accrington

    s flynn




    222168

    Pte. Tom Allen 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Tom Allen died on the 8th of February 1917 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    s flynn




    222160

    Cpl. Sidney William Ware VC. 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.16th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Sidney Ware was born on November 11th 1892 at Winterbourne, Whitechurch, Dorset, the son of William and Maud Ware of 1 Pine Cottage, Sutton Veny, Warminster, Wiltshire.

    He was awarded the VC for his actions on the 6th of April 1916. An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29765, dated 26th September 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. An order was given to withdraw to the cover of a communication trench. Corporal Ware, whose cool gallantry had been very marked during the advance, was one of the few men remaining unwounded. He picked up a wounded man and carried him some 200 yards to cover, and then returned for others, moving to and fro under very heavy fire for more than two hours until he had brought in all the wounded and was completely exhausted."

    He suffered injury on 10th of April 1916 and died a few days later, aged 23. He is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    222159

    Lt Col. Edward Elers Delavel Henderson VC. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.25th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Henderson died of wounds on the 25th of January 1917, aged 38 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. He was the husband of Mrs. M. Henderson, of "Tall Trees," Park Rd., Camberley, Surrey.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 8th June 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, leadership and personal example when in command of his battalion. Lt. Col. Henderson brought his battalion up to our two front-line trenches, which were under intense fire, and his battalion had suffered heavy casualties when the enemy made a heavy counter-attack, and succeeded in penetrating our line in several places, the situation becoming critical. Although shot through the arm, Lt. Col. Henderson jumped on to the parapet and advanced alone some distance in front of his battalion, cheering them on under the most intense fire over 500 yards of open ground. Again wounded, he nevertheless continued to lead his men on in the most gallant manner, finally capturing the position by a bayonet charge. He was again twice wounded, and died when he was eventually brought in."

    s flynn




    222158

    Pte. Horace Randolph Powell 2nd Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.14 April 1915)

    Article in local Southampton paper (Echo?) in February 1915

    War Time Wedding

    Consummation of Fifteen Years’ Courtship

    Home from the Front on five days’ leave, Sergt. Percy Randolph Powell, of the 128th Battery Royal Field Artillery, consummated a courtship of fifteen years by marrying the lady of his choice at St. Denys Church on Tuesday. The bridegroom, whose home is in Bowden Lane, Portswood, only returned from the Continent late on Sunday night and the ceremony, which took place by special licence, surprised even his own relations, who had no idea he was to be married during his short leave. Despite the shortness of time, however, the event became known in the district, and it naturally created a great deal of interest. There was a very large congregation, and although there was an entire absence of the usual festivities attaching to a marriage, the happy couple were given a cordial send-off.

    The bride was Miss Agnes Susanna Bennett, and she looked charming in a cream dress, with a veil and wreath of orange blossom. Her sister, Miss Lilian Bennett, was the only bridesmaid, and Mr. Bennett, jun., the bride’s brother, acted as best man. Mr. Bennett, sen., gave his daughter away. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. L. S. Etheridge (Vicar). The bridegroom’s spell of connubial bliss was cut very short, however, and he returned to the Front on the evening of the following day, although his many friends wish him a safe and speedy return.

    Sergt. Powell will complete twelve years’ service in the Army next September. He returned from India, where his regiment was stationed for eight years, twelve months’ ago, and was afterwards quartered at Bulford. His regiment was among the first to be sent to the Continent, but Sergt. Powell has, so far, suffered no hurt, though he has naturally had many narrow escapes. He is, it is interesting to note, one of six sons of Mrs. Powell, of Bowden Lane, who are serving their King and country.

    Her eldest son, Alfred George Powell, served for 21 years in the Royal Engineers, and he emerged from the service as Corporal a few years ago. Just a few months before the war broke out; he joined the 5th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, and has since been promoted to the rank of Corporal.

    Mr. William John Powell has served almost as long a period as his brother, though he chose the Navy as his profession. For nearly 21 years he has been connected with this branch of the services, and since the outbreak of war he has been on the North Sea.

    Of the eight years which Pte. Horace Powell has served in the 2nd Dorset Regiment, six have been spent in India. His regiment was to have been drafted home shortly before hostilities commenced, and Mrs. Powell was looking forward to meeting her son after his long absence. It was ordained otherwise, however, and he is now engaged in his country’s defence in the East.

    Mr. Lewis Herbert Powell is at present engaged on Government work at the docks. For several seasons he has been one of the crew of Sir Thomas Lipton’s yacht the Erin. He was also one of the crew which manned the latest Shamrock, which sailed the Atlantic just before the war to race for the America Cup. It will be remembered that the event, which created a great deal of interest at the time, was cancelled, and the crew had to return home.

    For some years Mr. Edgar A. Powell has “followed the sea” and he was, for some time before the war, on the Kenilworth Castle. On the outbreak of hostilities, however, he was transferred to the Glenart, formerly the Union Castle liner Galician, which is now being used as a hospital ship.

    Mrs. Powell is naturally very proud of her sons, but she is anxiously awaiting the time when they will return to home and safety.”

    Horace Powell died in Mesopotamia in April 1915 and Edgar Powell died when the Llandovery Castle, a hospital ship, was torpedoed 26 June 1918. Randolph survived the war having been involved in the initial action by the BEF at Mons in 1914 and at the liberation of the city in 1918

    John Martin




    222157

    Pte. Alfred "Cliff" Edwards 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.9th Nov 1917)

    <p>Alfred 'Cliff' Edwards

    My Uncle Alfred Edwards was born on March 6th 1896 in Ellesmere Port. He was christened Clifford and my mother always referred to him as 'Our Cliff'. Mum said he was a 'devil may care' lad, always joking! He was employed at a local Ironworks factory when the war broke out and was keen to sign up. He went along to the recruitment office only to be told to go home to his mother! Cliff was small in stature but would not give up. He went to Birkenhead to join the Bantams but this time he gave his name as 'Alfred' so as not to be detected. He was accepted this time and remained as Alfred.

    Mum said he sent letters home requesting socks and Victory V lozenges and at one time a new mouth organ as the one he owned had worn out. A local comrade of Cliff's, while home on leave, called on the family and said how Cliff kept them all amused with his jokes, entertained with his mouth organ and warm with the lozenges (which his folk sent him by the pound) Mum said nothing was heard from him for some time, then an officer called with the sad news that he had died due to shell gas on November 9th 1917. He is buried in Belgium in Dozinghem Military Cemetery.

    Medal Card

    Dozinghem Military Cemetery

    Sylvia Roberts




    222155

    Able Sea. George Theodore Snelling Hood Btn. (d.13th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    George Snelling was killed in action during Defence of the Ancre on the 13th of April 1918 and was buried in shell hole. His body was exhumed in 1920 and reburied in Lonsdale cemetery, Aveluy & Authuille. A private memorial was placed on the spot he fell in 2010.

    Editor's Note:- His true date of death is most likely 11th-12th April 1918. The Hood Battalion War Diary has for 11th April 1918:- "Front and support lines were very heavily shelled during the day, one Lewis gun post being completely wiped out by hostile shell fire during the night. Casualties 6 Other Ranks killed, 7 Other Ranks wounded and 1 Other Rank missing (believed to be blown to pieces)." All seven of the Hood men listed as killed 11th-12th April in the War Diary are officially recorded as died 13th April 1918.

    Spot where killed

    Will Snelling




    222154

    Pte. Lewis Richard Turner Seager 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment

    I have no knowledge of my father Dick Seager's service other than he was POW in Germany.

    Eric Seager




    222151

    Guardsman. Daniel Daniels 2nd Batt. D Coy, Grenadier Guards (d.1st Sep 1914)

    <p>Guardsman Danny Daniels

    Danny Daniels, my great uncle, was born on the 20th November 1893 at No 3 Hot Lane, Burslem, son of Alfred and Annie Elizabeth Daniels. He was previously a miners wagoner and a 5th Batt. N. Staffords Territorial soldier, his enlistment with the Colours was in April 1913. He was shipped to France in August 1914 from Chelsea Barracks onboard the Cawdor Castle, leaving Southampton for Le Havre in France along with the 4th Guards Brigade was part of 1 Corps under Gen.Douglas Haig.

    He then commenced the long march retreat from Mons seeing limited action even at Landrecies where D Coy 4th Btn were covering a bridge south of the town. Arriving at Villers Cotterets on the 31st August he was part of the rear guard action at the Rond dela Reine in the Foret de Retz that took place the following day. Along with his brother soldier Guardsmen he was killed either in the action to the west of the clearing with some of the Coldstream Guardsmen when the fighting in the dense undergrowth was very confusing or during the bayonet charge led by 2Lt Edward Cecil as reported in his excellent book 'Fifteen Rounds a Minute' by Major 'Ma' Jeffries. Danny now lies in the Guards Grave along with ninety eight other fatalities suffered during the action, whilst others remain undiscovered to this day in the surrounding forest. On a recent visit in November 2014 we placed a wreath on the anniversary of his birthday and said a small prayer to his everlasting memory. Sadly the date recorded on his gravestone is shown as the 20th September because this was when his death was reported back to 3rd echelon just after his body was recovered

    Grave Site

    Looking west in the direction  of the bayonet Charge left to right

    Memorial to the Fallen

    Guards Grave

    Levison H. Wood




    222150

    Pte. Ernest Walton 8th Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Ernest Walton was 22 years old, he is buried in Blighty Alley Cemetery and was the son of Henry and Mary Ann Walton, of Whitley Bridge, Goole, Yorks.

    Anthony Chapman




    222147

    Pte. Robert Nisbet 1/4th Bn. Royal Scots

    <p>Robert Nisbet, Edinburgh

    Robert Nisbet served with the 1/4th Battalion, The Royal Scots

    RLN




    222144

    Private Albert Henry Riddell 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Albert Riddell was born in 1878, the 3rd of 7 children. Of course, like any male coming from Burton upon Trent, he worked at a brewery. He served in France from 7th April was wounded and then served with the Royal Defence Corps. He married in 1919 and sired 7 children. His oldest daughter, my mother, said that he played on his war wounds and his only employment was drinking beer. Albert died in 1956.

    Gerald Southam




    222142

    Lt.Cmdr. Edgar Christopher Cookson VC, DSO HMS Comet (d.28th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Edgar Christopher Cookson was killed in action on 28th of September 1915, aged 31. He is bburied in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. He was the son of Capt. W. E. Cookson, R.N.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 21st May, 1915, records the following:- "On the 28th September, 1915, the river gunboat Comet had been ordered with other gunboats to examine and, if possible, destroy an obstruction placed across the river by the Turks. When the gunboats were approaching the obstruction a very heavy rifle and machine gun fire was opened on them from both banks. An attempt to sink the centre dhow of the obstruction by gunfire having failed, Lieutenant-Commander Cookson ordered the Comet to be placed alongside, and himself jumped on to the dhow with an axe and tried to cut the wire hawsers connecting it with the two other craft forming the obstruction. He was immediately shot in several places and died within a very few minutes."

    s flynn




    222141

    Pte. Harry Fleming 1st Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.14th Jul 1919)

    <p>Photo courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Harry Fleming died of Cholera on 14th July 1919 and was buried in the Nowshera Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial India Gate.

    s flynn




    222140

    Capt. Eustace Jotham VC (d.7th Jan 1915)

    <p>

    Eustace Jotham was killed in action on 7th January 1915, aged 31 and is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial Indian Gate in India. He is buried in Miranshar Cemetery in North Waziristan. He was the son of Frederick Charles and Mary G. A. Jotham, of Millington Rd., Cambridge.

    An extract from Supplement to the London Gazette, dated 23rd July, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on 7th January, 1915, at Spina Khaisora (Tochi Valley). During operations against the Khostwal tribesmen Capt. Jotham, who was commanding a party of about a dozen of the North Waziristan Militia, was attacked in a nullah and almost surrounded by an overwhelming force of some 1,500 tribesmen. He gave the order to retire and could have himself escaped, but most gallantly sacrificed his own life by attempting to effect the rescue of one of his men who had lost his horse."

    s flynn




    222137

    L/Cpl. Albert Victor Davis 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Reg (d.22 April 1917)

    <p>L/Cpl Davis.

    Albert Davis´s parents were Thomas and Emily of no.2 The Crossings, Tytherington, Glos. His father worked at Tytherington quarry as an engine driver. Albert was one of nine children, four boys and five girls. Before joining the war effort Albert was quarryman at the local quarry and had been a member, as had a younger brother, of the Tytherington Junior Band. (pictured in a photo of the band in 1913). He was aged 17 when he enlisted, with his two older brothers, in 1915 at Bristol. His brothers survived the war. Albert's death appeared a newspaper casualties list, six weeks after he was killed. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    Stephen Bees




    222136

    Pte. William George Fall 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    At the time of his death, William Fall's Battalion, the 1st Warwickshires, were part of the 4th Division which were involved in the Battle of Arras. His medal card indicates that he qualified for the 1914 Star, the qualifying date being 8th November 1914. William is interred in the Crump Trench British Cemetery in Fampoux.

    Sandra Boyles




    222134

    L/Cpl. George William King Scott 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th April 1917)

    George Scott was born in 1897 and and had 3 brothers and one sister. He joined the army with his brother Joseph Scott (4257) and was killed in action on April 24th 1917. He has a war grave at Browns Copse Cemetery in Roeux.





    222133

    Rfmn. Harry Edward Bromwich 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.30th Jul 1917)

    Harry Edward Bromwich was my great uncle; my grandfather's brother. They both fought in the war, and the story goes that they were both fighting in the Battles on the Somme in 1916. They were each in separate battalions and passed each other acknowledging each other as they passed with a wave of the hand. Sadly, that was the last time they saw each other as Harry was later killed. He is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Sandra Ford




    222132

    Pte. Joseph Scott 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Aug 1915)

    Joseph Scott was born in 1895 and was my grand uncle. He was the third oldest of 5 children and lived with his father, 3 brothers and 1 sister, his mother having left the family home to live with another man. He worked as a stonecutter at Backworth pit and joined the Northumberland Fusiliers at the outbreak of war with his brother George. He was reported missing in action on 10th August 1915 at the Dardanelles but his father was not notified of his death until February 1916. His name is displayed on the Helles Memorial in Turkey





    222131

    Jeremiah O'Sullivan 155th Field Company Royal Engineers

    Gerry O'Sullivan survived the war and returned to civilian life as a civil engineer in Ireland. In 1915 he married Mary Josephine Donovan and they lived in 'Liosgorm' Salthill, Co. Galway, Ireland. They are both buried in Bohermore Cemetery, Galway City, Ireland.

    John Donovan




    222130

    Pte. Henry Walter Whetham Paul 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment

    My great grandfather, Henry Paul enlisted in December 1915 and from liaising with the Dorsetshire Regiment Museum we have found he was with the 5th Battalion and must of travelled over to France with them. His service records lost in WWII Fire.

    From what I know he was involved at the battle of Thiepval for Mouquet Farm, Beaumont (not sure which? Think it maybe Beaumont-Hamel north of Thiepval). I beleive he was at Messines as my father tells me he was very ill and died in 1941 when he was part of the Home Guard, from his illness of Gas poisoning. I think he was gassed at Messines as his medal card shows he was discharge under section 392 paragraph XVI which is sickness incapable of fighting war. The discharge date on the card is 7th August 1917 which I think is after the Battle of Messines.

    On his medal card it also states when he was discharged he was part of the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry as a Lance Corporal. I am guessing he was transferred to this unit when sent home.

    Craig Paul




    222128

    Sgt. Albert Roy Harbeck A Coy, 4th platoon. 39th Btn. (d.1st May 1917)

    Roy Harbeck was one of three brothers that served with the AIF. He died of wounds sustained in a communication trench trying to get to the frontline trench near Prowse point at 04:30 on 1st May 1917, shrapnel to the face and neck. He died at the Charing Cross Dressing Station on the Messines Road near Hyde Park Corner. He is buried at Strand Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium.

    His brothers, Arthur Percival died of wounds and Rex Peter in Gallipoli (Second Krithia and the Nek).

    Craig Harbeck




    222127

    Pte. Peter Casey 6th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.23rd June 1917)

    Peter Casey was my granddad. He was born in Keash, Co.Sligo in 1882. He went to England and worked as a coal hewer on the coal face in Lancashire. He was wounded in both legs and right arm on 7th June and died on the 23rd in hospital in Wimereux, France. He is buried in the communal cemetery in Wimereux

    Anthony Martyn




    222126

    Cpl. George Wyndham Stanbury 250th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    My grandfather, George W Stanbury, was with the 250 Tunnellers in the Royal Engineers I'm proud to say. My father, his son, is now 91 and remembers him tell the story of how they dug out a huge cavern under Hill 60 and carried explosives in their stocking feet to fill it up. My father also remembers Australian cap badges on display next to my grandfather's in their house growing up, no doubt of his comrade tunnellers. George was originally in the 9th East Surreys, but as he was a miner in South Wales he soon became attached to the 250's

    If you have anymore info on my grandfather I would love to be able to relay this to my father.

    Chrissy




    222123

    Pte. John Quinn 1st/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.29th March 1918)

    John Quinn was the son of Mrs. A. Quinn, of Store Cottages, Daisy Hill, Edmondsley, Durham.

    Gail A Bolam




    222122

    Pte. Charles Clarke 2nd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    I have been researching my family history for a number of years including my grandfather’s career, Private Charles Clarke (10424) in the 2nd Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps in the Great War.

    He had enlisted in January 1912 and served until wounded then was discharged in February 1917. The family’s understanding of his discharge was that he was wounded and blinded in a gas attack in France sometime before February 1917 and we believe sent home to England recover at the 2nd London General Hospital. I am unsure if his medical records or presence is listed at that time?

    There is a family story that one night during a zeppelin or Gotha raid, presumably in London 1917, and an incendiary landed near him while being taken down to a shelter and the blast bought his sight back. It would be good if we knew where he was treated and how long was he in hospital for and any other information you may have on archive if indeed you have any? Is he for example on any casualty list for treatment at St Marks College or St Thomas's which I believe to be the 2nd London General Hospitals?

    Mike Mason




    222121

    L/Cpl. John Charles Metcalfe 2nd Btn York and Lancaster Regiment (d.27th Jul 1915)

    John Metcalfe is buried at Rouen. He was the son of Mr. George and Mrs. E. Metcalfe, of 16, Cleaves Row, Pontefract, Yorks.

    Julie Colley




    222120

    Capt. Henry John Andrews VC, MBE. Indian Medical Service (d.22nd Oct 1919)

    <p>

    Henry Andrews was killed in action 22nd Oct 1919, aged 48 during the Waziristan Campaign, on the North West Frontier and is commemorated on the The Delhi Memorial (India Gate). He is buried Bannu Cemetery.

    An extract from the Third Supplement to the London Gazette, dated 7th Sept., 1920, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 22nd October, 1919, when as Senior Medical Officer in charge of Khajuri Post (Waziristan) he heard that a convoy had been attacked in the vicinity of the post, and that men had been wounded. He at once took out an Aid Post to the scene of action and, approaching under heavy fire, established an Aid Post under conditions which afforded some protection to the wounded but not to himself. Subsequently he was compelled to move his Aid Post to another position, and continued most devotedly to attend to the wounded. Finally, when a Ford van was available to remove the wounded, he showed the utmost disregard of danger in collecting the wounded under fire and in placing them in the van, and was eventually killed whilst himself stepping into the van on the completion of his task."

    s flynn




    222119

    Pte. Samuel Ignatius Lyon 10th (Scottish) Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.20th Aug 1916)

    <p>Samuel Ignatius Lyon

    I have long had in my possession the brass plaque recognising the death of my great uncle, Private Samuel Ignatius Lyon who enrolled 15th February 1916, aged 36yrs, to the 10th (Scottish) Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment. In one place his war records show his birthplace as Scotland rather than Preston but we are unlikely to ever unravel the reason for that.

    After a period of training Samuel Ignatius travelled, on 14th July 1916 Folkestone to Boulougne, is transferred to, and proceeded to, 13th Kings on 26th July and is said to have served in 'France and Flanders'. 25 days later he is dead. As part of 'The Big Push' started July 1st, various King's Liverpool battalions were involved in 5 separate attacks on Guillemont, just east of the Somme river, that eventually resulted in capturing the position at Guillemont on September 3rd. Records for the 13th Battalion show that, on the 16th Aug 1916, they made an attack on the village of Guillemont. The attack failed with heavy casualties due to poor preparation. One of the casualties was CSM John Burns, killed whilst leading his men in to the attack.

    On August 16th Samuel is recorded as wounded in action at what probably is a Field Dressing Station. He reaches 5th Casualty Clearing Station at Corbie on 17th, then on to the 5th General Hospital at Rouen by 18th August shown with 'Wound Skull (Fracture)' and he dies on 20th August aged 37.

    I have a photograph of his grave at St Sever Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Rouen, France, where more than 11,000 graves exist. At its base is an epitaph: 'In loving memory of our Sam from his mother, sisters and brothers'.

    My Dad wanted to name me Paul Ignatius Lyon in respect of Sam but the initials put him off the idea.

    Paul Adrian Lyon




    222116

    2nd Lt. Cuthbert Turner 7th Battalion Border Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    2nd Lieutenant Cuthbert Turner served with a Territorial unit, the 4th (Westmorland and Cumberland) Battalion, Border Regiment. He was the son of Cuthbert Turner and Mary Turner (nee Woodman) of Derwenthaugh, Swalwell, Co. Durham.

    At the time of his death, he was attached to the 7th Battalion, Border Regiment in 51st Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division, one of the 'New Army' battalions. Second Lt Turner was killed in action in the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe on the 23rd April 1917, aged 23. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    John Turner




    222115

    Cpl. Angus Mackay 1st/5th Btn. (Queens Edinburgh Rifles) Royal Scots (Lothian) Regiment (d.5th May 1917)

    <p>

    Angus Mackay died as a POW on 5th May 1917, aged 21. Buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany, he was the son of Alexander and Isabella Mackay, of Scullomie, Tongue, Lairg, Sutherland.

    This soldier’s diary is published in the book Somewhere in Blood Soaked France by Alasdair Sutherland. Six Mackay brothers fought in WW1. The family came from Scullomie, Scotland. George Mackay was awarded a DCM for valour. Sadly his brothers Angus (21 years), Donald (32 years) and Magnus Mackay (18 years) all died in WW1. Angus Mackay fought at Gallipoli, Ypres Salient and Le Somme. Out of the 5th Royal Scots Battalion of 800 fighting at Gallipoli, 100 survived. Angus was mortally wounded at Battle of Arras. Lest We Forget.

    s flynn




    222114

    Pte. Thomas Tingey 19th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.17th October 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Tingey died whilst a POW on the 17th of October 1918. He is buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    222113

    Pte. Alfred Thoburn 7th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.24th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Alfred Thoburn died as a POW on 24th July 1918. He is buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    222112

    Pte. Arthur Taylor 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.11th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Taylor died as a POW on 11th March 1916, he is buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    222111

    Pte. Alfred Ratcliffe 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.14th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Alfred Ratcliffe died as a Prisoner of War on 14th October 1918, aged 19. Buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany, he was the son of Mrs. M. Ratcliffe, of 22, Aqueduct St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    222110

    Pte. Robert Millar 1st btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.26th March 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Millar died on the 26th of March 1915, aged 21. Buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany, he was the son of Robert and Mary Millar, of 12, Waterside, Peebles.

    s flynn




    222109

    Pte. Hartley Leaver 2/6th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.25th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Hartley Leaver died as a Prisoner of War on the 25th of July 1918, aged 24. He is buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    222108

    L/Sgt Leonard Norman Wilkinson 2nd Battalion Border Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Leonard Wilkinson was working as a postman in Harrogate 1914. We know he had enlisted in Juppulpore, India originally, so presumably after he had finished his tour of duty, he moved to Leeds and volunteered when WW1 broke out. He belonged to the 2nd Btn Border Regt and his service number was 6478.

    His father Burtwood was in the Royal Warwickshire Regt and died in India 1887 when Leonard was just 1 year old - his mother Anna Corrigan (Annie Wilkinson) then married George Phillips the year after in 1888, also in India and they had a son George. Leonard had two sisters, Sarah Mary and Esther Anna. When he died, he left a wife, Sarah Jane and two children, Geoffrey Leonard and Nina.

    Emma Wilkinson




    222107

    Pte. Wilfred Nicholson 7th Btn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.2nd Apr 1918)

    Wilfred Nicholson served with the 7th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps and the 7th Btn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.





    222105

    Pte. Victor Alfred Deeks 22nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.8th November 1918)

    <p>

    Victor Deeks died on the 8th November 1918, aged 21. Buried in in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany, he was the son of Alfred J. and E. Maud Deeks, of 6, Brunswick Terrace, Cambridge.

    s flynn




    222104

    Pte. John Clowrey 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd April 1918)

    <p>

    John Clowrey died on the 23rd of April 1918, aged 25. Buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany, he was the son of Jack and Julia Clowrey, of Burnley and husband of Louie Pickard (formerly Clowrey), of 39, High St., Whittlefield, Burnley.

    s flynn




    222103

    Cpt. Julian Roydes Gribble VC 1st Btn. att. 10th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.25th November 1918)

    <p>

    Julian Roydes Gribble died on the 25th of November 1918, aged 21 and is buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany. He was the son of George James Gribble and Norah Gribble (nee Royds), of Kingston Russell House, Dorset.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30770, dated 25th June, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Capt. Gribble was in command of the right company of the battalion when the enemy attacked, and his orders were to ' hold on to the last.' His company was eventually entirely isolated, though he could easily have withdrawn them at one period when the rest of the battalion on his left were driven back to a secondary position. His right flank was ' in the air,' owing to the withdrawal of all troops of a neighbouring division. By means of a runner to the company on his left rear he intimated his determination to hold on until other orders were received from battalion headquarters - and this he inspired his command to accomplish. His company was eventually surrounded by the enemy at close range, and he was seen fighting to the last. His subsequent fate is unknown. By his splendid example of grit, Capt. Gribble was materially instrumental in preventing for some hours the enemy obtaining a complete mastery of the crest of ridge, and by his magnificent self-sacrifice he enabled the remainder of his own brigade to be withdrawn, as well as another garrison and three batteries of field artillery."

    s flynn




    222102

    Pte. Solomon Sole 13th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th May 1917)

    <p>

    Solomon Sole died on the 5th May 1917 as a POW and is buried in the Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    222101

    Pte. John William Smith 9th Btn. Cameronian Highlanders (Scottish Rifles) (d.8th July 1918)

    <p>

    John William Smith Died of Wounds as a Prisoner of War on 8th July 1918. Buried in the Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany, he was born in Accrington and had enlisted in Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    222100

    Pte. Frank Riley 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.14th June 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Riley Died of Wounds as a Prisoner of War on 14th June 1918, aged 19. Buried in the Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany, he was the son of William and Betsy Riley, of 28, Rawson St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    222099

    Pte. Samuel Richardson 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.28th April 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Richardson Died of Wounds as Prisoner of War on 28th of April 1918, aged 32 and is buried in the Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany. He was the husband of Christiana Richardson, of 27, Ulster St., Burnley, Lancashire

    s flynn




    222096

    Sgt. William Prosser Greenway 7th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    <p>Wm Greenway, holding cane

    William Greenway served with the 7th Btn. South Wales Borderers

    dress uniform

    release request

    made brooch while recovering from injuries

    Carol Watkins




    222081

    Pte. Alfred Clarke 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.29th Oct 1914)

    Alfred Clarke was my Great Uncle on my mother's side of the family. We believe Alfred enlisted in the Army just after the outbreak of WW1? We have fragments of a letter dated 17th August 1914, that Alfred sent to his mother. In the letter, Alfred wrote: "Dearest mother, do not let this letter trouble you, I will be alright. We are moving again on Tuesday but cannot say where as we never know we go until we get there, as they never give us any orders only fall in & march off". "Dearest mother, please do not let this trouble you any more than you can help, I shall go away with a good heart and if never to return, you can say that I died for my country sake & died with a good heart, but let nothing trouble as I shall return, if it is years to come".

    Alfred did not return. He died on 29th October 1914. He was 26 years of age and is remembered with honour at the Ploegsteert Memorial for the missing, Comines-Warneton, Belgium. R.I.P

    Geoff Stokes




    222077

    Pte. Frank Roberts 2nd/8th Battalion. C Coy. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th Sept 1917)

    Frank Roberts died of multiple wounds suffered in battle. He was admitted to the 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on 4th of Sept 1917. He succumbed to his wounds on 5th September 1917 and was buried at the Adinkerke Military Cemetery. Aged 24 years He was the son of Edward and Margaret Roberts of The Cottage, Greyfriars, Broughton Preston.





    222073

    Rflmn. Edward Burnett 17th Btn. London Regiment (d.28th Sept 1919)

    Edward Burnett is my uncle. I only found out in Sept that he was in WW1 and subsequently died.

    Barrie Lee




    222070

    Pte. William Carroll 8th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.16th Nov 1916 )

    Private Carroll was born at Darlaston in 1896, the son of William and Emily Carroll. His father served in the South Staffordshire Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War. William Carroll enlisted at Wednesbury. He died of wounds aged 20, and his brother Daniel also died in the war. William is buried in Contay British Cemetery, Somme.

    Deborah Richards




    222069

    Chief ERA2. Henry Wilson Hanlon HMS Bergamont

    “Fatal Thirteen”

    Many accounts of the “bags” made by or Q boats have appeared in the Press in the course of the few months. All of our Special Service Ships however were not so successful, and the following narrative related by a survivor of one of the ill-fated ones, may prove interesting reading, as well as giving the British Public an idea of the hazardous service on which these ships were engaged.

    On the 13th July 1917, one our new pattern Q-boat sloops was commissioned on the Tyne. The trials etc. having been accomplished successfully, we started off to our future “base” at Buncrana (a small town on the shores of Lough Swilly). With the exception of a few submarine scares nothing eventful happened for a few weeks.

    One Monday forenoon, however, we left Buncrana on what proved to be our last patrol. At 8 pm I came off watch from the Engine room. My quarters were for ‘a’d, and it was getting on towards 8:30 before I was washed + sat down to supper. The Chief & Petty Officers all lived for’a’d - luckily for us – and a fair percentage of them were “turned in”. Nothing was further from our minds than the catastrophe which was at hand. Suddenly we felt a fearful rending crash followed by the escape of hissing steam. All the lights went out at once, & for a moment or two pandemonium was let loose, as everyone in our compartment crowded to the one means of exit-an iron ladder to the upper deck.

    I was one of the last to get up, & immediately made my way to the bath room where my life jacket was. By the time I forced the door (which had been jammed) found & donned it, all but a few had gone to the boat deck. From my position I could see nothing of the effects of the explosion as the after part of the ship could not be seen from there – that it was caused by a torpedo was only too evident. The ominous lurching of the ship to Port as she settled down, warned me that it was high time to get out of her, so without further hesitation I rushed to the boat deck only to find that both the midship lifeboats were at least three hundred yards away. However, near by I saw one of the rafts, quite near the stern which was slowly tilting upwards. It was only then that the full magnitude of the disaster appealed to me. Previously I had acted as one in a dream.

    The after well deck was flush with the water & the ship quickly breaking in two. The torpedo had struck her on the Port Side,- entered the Auxiliary Engine Room & burst the divisional bulkhead between it & the Main Engine Room, blowing the dynamo to pieces. The watch keepers had a narrow escape in the latter compartment, the E.R.A. managing to reach the ladder before he was overwhelmed by the inrush of water. The two stokers floated up!! & all three were eventually saved. Unfortunate, however, were the occupants of the Aux. Engine Room. The Leading stoker was killed while the Storekeeper was severely cut on the head & didn’t regain consciousness till he found himself floating in the sea. He also was saved.

    The Officer’s Quarters suffered severely, the Chief Engineer, Chief E.R.A., a lieutenant, and the Paymaster being drowned or killed. The 1st lieutenant was picked up unconscious by one of the boats - wounded in the legs & head. The fate of these, of course, I learned afterwards.

    To return to my story - I hadn’t been on deck for more than a few moments when a sudden lurch made me lose my footing & I was thrown into the sea. On coming to the surface I struck out for the raft. The ship's end was drawing very near. Her stern & bows had reared themselves in the air & as I reached the raft a tremendous explosion took place probably through the depth charges exploding. The raft turned “turtle” & I again went under water. The concussion caused a sickening sensation in my stomach and for a few moments I thought my end had come. However, it soon passed away & coming to the surface I regained the raft. Several times it overturned through ill balancing on the part of the occupants. Later one of the boats took a couple on board greatly to our relief as we had been greatly exhausted by the frequent submersions.

    Night was now coming on fast & to add to our troubles the form of a large submarine loomed up in the near distance. No. 1 lifeboat was now about 2 miles away, while No. 2 had the two rafts in tow, on one of which was our captain. A hail came from the German craft asking where he was. We replied “In the other boat, sir.” Both her guns were trained on us & we feared the worst but the German carried on her way after No. 1 lifeboat. It seems that he went close alongside her & hauled the ships steward on board, he being the only one who had a collar & tie on, & so looked most like an officer. Our fate hung in the balance for some time as the U boat commander closely questioned the steward as to the particulars of our ship, where bound to, etc. He, however, kept his head & managed to deceive the pirate as to her nature. Finally he was told to go back to the boat, the commander giving him a cigarette & also transferring to her a wounded man the submarine had picked up. He was given a glass of a port wine, & with a farewell “See you after the war” she vanished in the night mists.

    We in No.2 lifeboat (the captain having ordered the occupants of the rafts to transfer to her) having lost sight of No. 1 took it in turns to pull at the oars (there being no breeze), a course being shaped towards Lough Swilly about 100 miles away. When I say that there was 48 of us in this boat some people may be inclined to turn skeptical. However, it remains a fact & can be proved if inquired into. The boats her Admiralty order contained a supply of biscuits, a couple of tins of corned beef & a small keg of water each. As there was so many of us the captain decided to dole out a gill of water & two or three biscuits per man, daily.

    Tuesday morning broke cold & cheerless, but towards midday a slight breeze sprung up so we got the sail up & made better headway. The sun also came out which dried out clothes somewhat. That evening the wind freshened a lot, but owing to our cramped positions & the boat being heavily laden, we shipped a lot of water & got wet through again.

    Wednesday morning found us still forging ahead but no land in sight & it wasn’t till midday we were electrified by a shout from the signalman-who had been continually scanning the horizon with his glasses – “Land on the starboard beam, sir.” The captain took the glasses & verified his statement which of course put new life in us.

    Unfortunately, the wind had partly died down & 5 pm. Found us still all 5 miles from the mouth of Lough Swilly as it proved to be. All hands however were feeling stronger & more cheerful as the captain had all the remaining provisions & water served out. About 6 pm we managed to draw the attention of a large trawler the “Lord Lister”- & shortly afterwards were helped aboard, her crew showing us every kindness. The captain collapsed on reaching her deck. He had stuck to the task of steering the boat ever since that fatal Monday evening & had to be taken to hospital along with four others, on reaching land. He deserves a large need of praise for his skill & endurance, but as far as we know has received no recognition from the Admiralty so far, for the simple reason I suppose, that there was no one of superior rank to recommend him.

    No.1 lifeboat reached the rocky shores of South Donegal about 2 am. On the Thursday, where they were kindly treated by the coastguards, all survivors finally being dispatched to England & Barracks.

    One word more as regards the heading of this article. Our ship was built in thirteen weeks, commissioned on the 13th July 1917, torpedoed at 13 minutes to 9 on the 13th August 1917 and lost 13 hands. H.W.H.

    My grandfather’s name was Henry (Harry) Wilson Hanlon. I think he had an Chief ERAII rating at the time. His official number was M1525 if you care to look at his naval records which I have a copy of. “Grandy” wrote his story out on 5 pieces of yellow legal paper, and I typed it exactly as he wrote it many years ago. My grandmother wouldn’t let him publish it as she felt it would be “too pretentious”. Well, I think it is time to let the world know how courageous he and his fellow seamen were.

    He was pensioned off 1 September 1934, but because of his experience he was mobilized on 28 September 1938 by the Navy to serve his country again during W.W.II. He died naturally in his sleep, in a nursing home run by a retired navy man, at 89 years of age in Plymouth, England in the 1980’s. I live in the United States but was able to visit him twice a year until he died. I am so pleased that he knew who I was until the very end. My mother, his daughter was already deceased, so I asked him to come to the U.S., but like I thought, he said he wanted to die in his own country that he had served so proudly.

    Therese Delahunty-Brown




    222066

    John Henry Housby Hood Battalion Royal Naval Division

    John Housby joined up in 1916, aged 17 (his discharge certificate has his date of birth as 1898 (it was actually 1899). He was due to serve at Gallipoli, but only got as far as the advance base on Murdos before Gallipoli was evacuated. He served in France through 1917 and 1918 and went over the top at Ancre in the first wave reaching the German trenches, but returned after the second and third waves' attacks got bogged down (Freyberg, the commanding office got a VC for this action). John was captured in February 1918 and spent the remainder of the war as a POW. He died in 1988. He was my grandfather.

    Mark Housby




    222065

    Pte. William Tynan Royal Irish Regiment

    William Tynan was born in Kilkenny Ireland in 1880. I am told he was shot in his hip/thigh and served on a Hospital Ship. I am looking for any information.

    Liam Dowling




    222064

    L/Cpl. George William Housby 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (d.15th July 1916)

    George William Housby, born in 1884 in Stafford and married to Fanny Wilson in June of 1911. He fell at Bazentin Ridge during the Battle of the Somme and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial George was my great granduncle.

    Mark Housby




    222063

    Pte. Thomas Tynan Royal Irish Regiment

    Thomas Tynan received an injury to his thigh. He was born in 1877 Kilkenny, Ireland. I am looking for any information available.

    Liam Dowling




    222061

    Pte. Frederick Garrington 13th Btn Gloucestershire Regiment (d.12th July 1916)

    Frederick Garrington was my great grandfather. He was my maternal grandfather's father. It wasn't until I researched my family tree that I discovered his fate in the First World War.

    When he enlisted he was a forty year old father of eight and was a brass moulder by trade in Birmingham. He died of his wounds on the 12th of July 1916 aged 41 and is buried in the town cemetery in Bethune. On questioning my mother she said that her father, [Frederick's son] had never mentioned anything about his father's fate and came as a compete surprise to her and her sisters.

    Peter Thomas




    222059

    Lt.Col. Neville Bowes Elliott-Cooper VC, DSO, MC 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.11th Feb 1918)

    <p>

    Lieutenant-Colonel Elliott-Cooper was the youngest son of Sir Robert Elliott-Cooper, KCB. He was born on January 22nd 1889 in London, and later educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

    He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery on 30th November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. An extract from The London Gazette dated 12th February 1918 records the following particulars:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Hearing that the enemy had broken through our outpost line, he rushed out of his dug-out, and on seeing them advancing across the open he mounted the parapet and dashed forward calling upon the Reserve Company and details of the Battalion Headquarters to follow. Absolutely unarmed, he made straight for the advancing enemy, and under his direction our men forced them back 600 yards. While still some forty yards in front he was severely wounded. Realizing that his men were greatly outnumbered and suffering heavy casualties, he signalled to them to withdraw, regardless of the fact that he himself must be taken prisoner. By his prompt and gallant leading he gained time for the reserves to move up and occupy the line of defence."

    Neville Bowes Elliott-Cooper was aged 29 when he died of wounds whilst as a POW in Hanover, Germany. He is buried in the Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany.

    S Flynn




    222054

    Pte. William Moss 86 Bgde, 29th Division, 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.30th April 1918)

    William was my great uncle. He was wounded April 12th 1918 during the Battle of Hazebrouck (Lys). He died at a hospital in St Omer on 30th April 1918. He is buried in Longuenesse Souvenir Military Cemetery.

    His brother Fred Moss served in Manchester Regiment and survived the war

    Derek Denton




    222053

    Pte. Thomas Wilson 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th July 1916)

    Thomas Wilson was my great uncle, my grandmother's brother. Thomas was deployed on 13th August 1914, and fought in every major battle of the war. Thomas was killed in action on the 27th day of July 1916. It was also his 27th birthday, and the 27th day of the Battle of the Somme. He was killed at Delville Wood. His good friend and seargant, Albert Gill, won a VC and Thomas was with him that fatefull day.

    No grave for Thomas exists. His name is on the Thiepval War Memorial. Never forgotten Thomas, and loved and respected by all who have been told about you.

    Shaun Dixon




    222052

    L/Cpl. Malcolm Colville McDougall 7th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    Lance Corporal Malcolm Colville McDougall was brother to my great grandmother Mary McDougall. He was killed on the 18th of August 1916, aged 25 whilst serving with the 7th Btn Northamptonshire Regiment. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and was the son of the late William McDougall & Margaret McTaggart of Greenock.

    David Niven




    222051

    Pte. William Holmes 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    From a direct discussion with Wiiliam Holmes.

    Billy was involved in the retreat through St Quentin in March 1918. He was a pacifist and elected to be part of a two man Lewis gun team so that he could be responsible for transporting ammunition and thereby avoid pulling a trigger. Billy and his mate were covering the retreat on one side of a street whilst troops retreated. They were separated from their group and eventually escaped through a network of trenches. Billy's mate stood on Billy's shoulders to get out of a trench (they were both about 5 foot 3 inches tall) he climbed out and told Billy to escape as their were enemy about and that was the last that Billy saw of his mate.

    Billy was eventually hit by shrapnel from a shell and was picked up by the enemy. He as standing in a line with others and ordered to empty pockets and hand over any weapons, tools etc. He thought he was going to be shot as he could not hand over his issue pocket knife. He eventually convinced an officer that his belt clip was broken and the knife must have been lost. Billy stood in a queue to have his wounds attended to, he witnessed the patient in front having a large raggy piece of shrapnel removed from his thigh. The German surgeon decided that instead of pulling the shrapnel back through the entry wound that he would remove it on the other side of the leg, without anesthetic.

    Billy was reported missing in action 23rd March 1918. He was marched to a camp in Germany where he was put to work in a coal mine surviving on a diet of 1 bowl of watery soup and a hunk of black bread per day. Whilst working at the mine, the above ground belts were worked by German peasant women picking stones from the coal. The women wrongly thought that the POW's received Red Cross parcels regularly and the POW's were often stripped naked by the women searching them for chocolate. He was eventually repatriated and had one weeks leave before being sent to Dublin where he lived under canvas for a year during the troubles.

    Alan Ramsey




    222049

    Pte. Tom Dixon 1st Bt, D Coy,. Norfolk Regiment (d.28th April 1915)

    <p>Pte 5937 Tom Dixon

    There is very little known about the army record of my Great Uncle Tom Dixon, except that he was 31 years of age when he was killed. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, in Northern France. I believe that he was married with three daughters. I have now started to research my great uncle and intend, with other members of my family, to travel to the cemetery next year (2015) on the centenary of his death.

    Malcolm Calaby




    222048

    Pte. Francis J. Phippen 12th Btn. London Regiment (d.21st Jul 1916)

    <p>Francis Phippen

    The only information we have on Francis is a postcard sent to two of his brothers (undated and date stamp unreadable): "Dear Rob & Fred, How are you getting on? We are going to Roehampton near Richmond before long, I think on Thursday. You must write to me when we are moved. From your loving brother Frank."

    We also have a telegram dated August 16th stating: "12176 Inform R Phippen Twentysix Regent St Yarraville Victoria Private 1648 F G Phippen vipsani dictators jeremiad. Prelicas 10 6A MC 12th Bath County of London Reg".

    Francis died on 21st July 1916 in France (details unknown) and is buried in Warlincourt Halte Military Cemetery, Saulty, Calais.

    Francis Phippen and Lieutenant Lacey with London Rangers (from an unknown book)

    Joy Raeburn




    222046

    Pte. Lawrence Richards 9th Batallion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Lol Richards was born on 19th July 1896 in Awsworth. At eighteen years of age he joined the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on the 10th September 1914 and fought in World War 1. His regiment number was 14612. Lawrence served in the 9th (Service) Battalion

    On the 29th May 1915 he appeared in the Local Newspaper:

    "We have the pleasure this week in publishing the photograph of Private Lawrence Richards, son of Mr. T. Richards, who has for over 10 years been the G. N. R. stationmaster at Netherfield, and prior to that held a similar position at Newstead. Young Richards joined the King’s Own Yorks, Light Infantry last September. He was sent to Pontefract to begin his training and later Berkhampstead, Halton Park, and Maidenhead. At the latter place he was billeted for the winter months, and at the end of March he, along with his regiment, returned to Halton Park Camp where he still remains.

    While at Maidenhead a local resident offered three prizes for shooting, the first being £10, the second £7, and the third £5. There were eight teams of men chosen from different battalions to compete, and young Richards had the luck to be in the team which won the second prize, and thus obtained a share of the £7, which was divided.

    Private Richards is only 18 years of age, having been born on July 19th, 1896. There is no doubt that he has benefitted in health from the training, and he is looking forward to the time when he will get to the front.

    Mr. Richards has another son named Tom Stanley Richards, aged 21 years, who tried to enlist but was refused by the Army authorities because he was employed by G. N. R."

    Sadly 14 months later he was badly injured in fighting as reported in the Local Newspaper:

    "Several local men have been wounded in the course of the great British onslaught in France, including Private Lawrence Richards, the third son of Mr. T. Richards G.N.R stationmaster at Netherfield. We understand that Private Richards was wounded in the head and leg with shrapnel and is at present in hospital in France. He will be 20 years of age on Wednesday next, and enlisted in the King’s Own Yorks, Light Infantry in September, 1914. He went out to France last September, and took part in the battle of Loos. Another brother T. S. Richards, has joined the Sherwood Foresters, and is in training at Ripon, while Fred the eldest son has been rejected."

    When he travelled back on leave to see his family he would throw his kit back out of the train window as it passed his father’s house near Netherfield station and collect it later; the train didn’t stop until Nottingham, and no doubt it would have been rather a heavy load to carry from Nottingham station. There was once an incident whilst he was serving in France when he and a friend took offence to their Sergeant who had had a go at them, and they ‘smacked him one’. As a result they were both tied to a gun wheel whilst random shots were fired in their direction by the Sergeant.

    Richard Waldron




    222043

    L/Bmbdr. William Beecroft Royal Horse Artillery

    My partners grandfather, William Beecroft, fought in WWI he was in Royal Horse Artillery. We are replacing his medals (replicas)for his daughter. We're told he had two horses shot from under him so we think his Victory Medal might have included the oak leaf, but I am aware that in order for it to have been he would have needed to be Mentioned in Dispatches.





    222042

    Sgt. Albert Frederick George Day 24th Battalion London Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    Albert Day was born 8th Dec 1888 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, and died 9th May 1915 in France. Albert was Sergeant 1223 in 24th Btn, London Rgt during WW1 and was killed in action in the Battle of Aubers Ridge and buried in Le Touret Military Cemetary, France. Albert left wife Jennie and 2 sons Victor (6) and William (5).

    Ian Day




    222040

    Cpl. William Sands 5th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    <p>William Sands in France WW1 Stretcher Bearer 5th Royal Sussex Regiment

    William Sands served in France in WW1 as a Stretcher Bearer and band member of the 5th Royal Sussex Regiment

    Band of the 5th Royal Sussex Regiment WW1, William Sands maybe 4th from right front row

    Christopher Ashenden




    222039

    Pte. James Eaglen 7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    James Eaglen was invalided home and after several months of treatment was discharged unfit for further action in February 1917.

    Pauline Briggs




    222037

    Cpl. Albert Cornelius "Mac" McCarthy 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Albert McCarthy joined up on 24th of August 1914. He was wounded at the Somme, being blown up by a shell or mine; although not physically injured, could not speak for some time. He was discharged on the 22nd of August 1916. Relieved he was recuperating in a stately home used as a hospital, the home was owned my Marcus Samuel, owner of M Samuel Merchant Bank. Albert was employed by the bank and rose to be company secretary, before he retired in 1956. He died at the age of 92 in May 1985.

    James Tubbs




    222036

    2nd Lt. Arthur Leonard Taylor 10th Btn Sherwood Foresters (d.19th November 1918)

    Arthur Leonard Taylor served with 7th and 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade. On 29th January 1918 he was commissioned into 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters as an Acting 2nd Lieutenant. He died on the 19th of Novemeber 1918) following a head injury from shrapnel on 13th November. An account of his injury can be found in the Regimental archives.

    Mark Taylor




    222035

    Pte. James Spilsbury 10th Btn. A Coy. Cheshire Regiment (d.17th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    James Spilsbury was the eldest of 9 siblings and living at Halfway House in Mobberley with his family at the outbreak of War. He was employed as a chauffeur, though he claimed to be a Groom on his enlistment papers.

    He went missing, presumed killed during a trench raid by the 10th Cheshire Regiment on the morning of Sunday 17th February 1917. The raid is believed to have been in the area to the East of Ploegsteert Wood, around the area where the Ultimo and Factory Farm mines (trench 122 Left and 122 Right) were exploded on 7th June 1917 commencing the Messine Ridge offensive. The raid of the 17th February may have acted as cover for the start of the tunnelling operation for the mines which began on or around the 15th February. The raid has become known as the "Meeanee Raid" which commemmorates the Battle of Meeannee in India (now Pakistan) on 17th Feb 1843 in which the Cheshire Regiment played a key role. It is currently not known if James was killed outright during the raid or captured by the enemy. Like many others, his body was never recovered. James in remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the missing.

    Guy Spilsbury




    222033

    Pte. John Collis 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.20th Sep 1914)

    There were 3 brothers, one being my granddad, William Collis. They were resting when the Germans started shelling the 2nd Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. They ran for cover but John turned back, he had dropped his cap. The 2 brothers tried to stop him but he said "I will get into trouble if I don't get it". He found it then started back just then a German shell landed next to him. The brothers were stunned and my grand dad said "what are we going to say to me mare [mother]". There was nothing left of him to find after the battle and his name is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-jouarre Memorial, Seine et Marne, France.

    If you go to this Memorial please tell him he has not been forgotten by his family. Good night, God bless Uncle John

    Robert T. Churm




    222029

    Pte. Charles Edward Cushing 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.3rd May 1915)

    Charles Cushing was in the Leinsters at Crinkle, Birr Kings Co. (now Co. Offaly) when he married local lass Annie Curran on the 5th of Aug 1911. Witness was John Sheehan also Leinster Reg. Charles was killed on the 3rd of May 1915 and is buried at Ferme Buterne, Houplines, France.

    Michael Cushing




    222027

    Pte. David Gray 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th March 1916)

    David Gray was my grandmother's first husband. No relation to me but as I was given his name I felt obliged to look him up. His wife remarried and had two more children one of whom was my mother. Isabella died 3rd of October 1959 a very bitter woman having never received a penny from the Earl Haig Fund and having to bring up three orphans.

    Norman




    222024

    Pte. James Arthur Hudson 11th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.6th Aug 1916)

    My grandfather was wounded on the Somme on the first day. He was lucky in that he was found and shipped back to Leeds. Unfortunately, he died there a month after being wounded. He died from what my father described as 'Lock-Jaw'. At 3 years of age my father was taken to see him the family thinking he wouldn't remember the visit. I can say he did. However, I would not have been born but for my grandfather's death, as my father's situation was so dire he was taken to live with his aunt who lived in a different part of Yorkshire. This is where he met my mother.





    222022

    Pte. George Henry Newport Mechanical Transport Army Service Corps

    <p>George Henry Newport

    My paternal Great Grandfather George Henry Newport served in WWI in the Army Services Corps Mechanical Transport div. He was aged 43 on enlistment in 1915. I'd like to find out more about what he did and if he was based in his hometown of Liverpool or went abroad during the war. He died in 1940 in Liverpool, the next year his son Gerard Newport died in the battle of Crete at age 19 years WWII.

    Editor's Note:- His medal record card shows that he served in France, qualifying for the 1915 star. He commenced his service in France on 22nd December 1915.

    Sheila Newport




    222021

    Pte. William Mark Eckersley 2nd Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.17th May 1916)

    William Eckersley, was born in Bolton 1892, his parents died when he was young and 5 brothers John, Percy, Ernest, William and Joseph lived together at Breightmet Avenue, Bolton. William served in the 2nd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, he was captured at Baghdad and was beheaded, he was found dead on the 17th of May 1916. Proof is found in a remarkable note saved in the National Archives where it confirms his medal was later sent to John in 1920.

    John Mark Counsell




    222020

    Pte. John Davidson Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry

    My grandfather, John Davidson, was enlisted 19 Feb 1917 as a 'motor driver'. Needless to say, he saw little driving and a lot of battle. His two brothers were also enlisted. Amazingly, at one point, they all met up on the front completely by chance. Even more amazing, they all survived the war, although all suffered injuries. I am still uncertain of his actual regiment within the Ox and Bucks.

    William Brown




    222016

    Pte. Fred Blewitt 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.22nd April 1918)

    Fred Blewitt is my grandmother's young brother who was only 18 yrs old when he died. I didn't know whose relation he was until I looked up his death record on Ancestry.com. Where I was also told that he is named on the Loos-en-Gohelle Memorial, and I having looked this up; it is supposed to name the dead who could not be identified. But also he is buried at the Cambrin Military Cemetery not far from Bethune where the Hampshire Regiment where fighting in 1918. There is also another conflicting facts, on a note given to my Gran showing where he is buried. It states that he was in the 10th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Where as the death scroll that I have states he was in the Hampshire's and his Reg No was 230188, where on Ancestry it has his Reg no as 44315. It looks as if I will have to pay a visit to Kew to find out if they were two different people.

    Editor's Note: The information you have does relate to two individuals:

    Private 44315 Fred Blewitt of the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, was aged 18 when he died on 22nd of April 1918, he is remembered on the Loos Memorial his remains not being recovered from the battlefield. He was the brother of Mr. R. A. Blewett, of 18, Gworus St., Penzance.

    Private 230188 Frederick Blewitt was a territorial with the 1st Shropshire Yeomanry, he went to France on the 16th of June 1915. Whilst serving with the 10th Btn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry, he died on the 9th of November 1918 whilst being treated at 54th Casualty Clearing Station and is buried at Cambrin. He lived in Preston Brockhurst and had enlisted in Lichfield. His father's name was Thomas.

    Peter Briscoe




    222015

    Pte. Thomas Thurlow 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1917)

    My Father dug up the above gentleman's war medal whilst gardening at an address in Bradford. I have traced Private Thomas Thurlow from the inscription on the medal and have ascertained that his name is on the Arras memorial. I would love to return his medal to his family if I could find any living relatives.

    Brian Dodsworth




    222008

    L/Cpl. Robert Mckee Devine 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Robert Devine joined The Sherwood Foresters January 1915, having worked as a miner at Warsop Main Colliery. Robert was a respected member of the mining community. He has 2 memorials one in the St Peter & St Paul Church at Church Warop, Nottinghamshire and other in the village to which he lived at Warsop Vale, Nottinghamshire. Prior to his death he went through the Dardanelles Campaign, he was wounded and gassed. His body was found by a stretcher bearer after the advance on Poelcapple. There is a Stone Memorial to him at The Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Robert was a married man who left a widow Ellen (my great grandmother) and 5 children. Even though she remarried she never forgot Robert and had a photo of him at the bottom of the stairs, which loved and never took it down until her own death at the lovely age of 90 and unfortunately was destroyed by a family member.

    I have a paper cutting of Robert with his photo, unfortunately it will not scan good enough to get a clear look of this handsome man to which I am very proud and honoured to know he fought for the likes of me so I enjoy the life the courageous men fought for.

    Denise Roskell




    222006

    Pte. Frank Hollingsworth 1st Btn. Monmouth Regiment (d.9th Aug 1917 )

    Frank Hollingsworth is a 4th cousin 2 times removed who I came across researching my late father's family history. Frank was born 3rd April 1897 in Owen Street, Tipton, Staffordshire. Baptized 23rd May 1897 at Saint Matthew's Church in Tipton. He never met his father Frank who died towards the end of 1896. His mother Marion Amelia nee Tomkys died just before his 8th birthday. He was counted in the 1911 census with his aunt, Maud Crowther, also born in Tipton, uncle John Crowther, a grocer's manager and cousins Edgar 11 & Dennis 4 at 38, Stafford Road, Oakengates, Shropshire.

    Frank, a grocer's assistant enlisted on the 10th December 1915, aged 18 years 8 months and was posted to army reserve. Next of kin is given as his aunt Maud Crowther, at the address above in Shropshire. At his regular army medical on the 18th of April 1916 at Shrewsbury his height is given as 5' 1 1/4", weight 105 lbs, Chest 32 1/2" (2 1/2" expansion), physical development fair, 2 vaccination marks on left arm from infancy). He was mobilized on 13th October 1916, joining the British Expeditionary force the next day, and embarked from Southampton 10th June 1917, disembarking at Rouen 11th June 1917.

    On the 30th June 1917 he was transferred to the 1st (T.F.) Monmouth Regiment & posted to the 10th South Wales Borderers. On the 7th of July 1917 he joined the battalion in the field. On 9th August 1917 age 20 Frank died of his wounds. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Westvleteren - Poperinge, Belgium.

    Gordon Thursfield




    222005

    Pte. Arthur Griffin 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    <p>

    Arthur Griffin was born on 16th December 1898 at 73 Plume Street, Aston, Birmingham to Arthur and Sarah Griffin. He fought and was captured at Passchendaele in Belgium on 21/3/1918 and was forced to march to Germany to a p.o.w. camp where he spent the remainder of the war.

    He met and married Ethel Elizabeth Cragg in November 1923 and went on to have eight children two of whom died as children. He worked at Dunlop tyres in Birmingham until he retired and died in 1984.

    Editor's Note:- His Battalion were part of the 14th (Light) Division which were overrun when the German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael) which commenced on 21st March 1918, with the battle of Saint Quentin which was a phase of the Battle of the Somme 1918. He was one of many prisoners taken by the Germans that day.

    Ian Round




    222004

    Sgt. James Webster Motor Machine Gun Corps (d.4th April 1918)

    James Webster was deployed to France as a Sergeant in the Motor Machine Gun Corps (1136). He later became Sergeant in the Tank Corps (200262). He died of Tetanus in Glasgow in April 1918 and is buried in Edinburgh. Unfortunately, I have not managed to find any information about which battalions he served with or where he saw action.

    Kate




    222003

    Lt. Frederick Rennell Thackerey MC. 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regt. (d.18th April 1915)

    Frederick Thackerey served as a Lt in 2nd Battalion Duke Of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment. He died during the Second Battle of Ypres aged 23, on the 18th of April 1915. He had won the Military Cross at some point prior.

    His father, also named Frederick Rennell Thackeray, was a Colonel in Royal Field Artillery, died aged 59 on 15th October 1915. The family have a long military family connection, going back two more generations Major Gen Frederick Rennell Thackeray of the Royal Engineers, fought in Napoleonic wars. Col Edward Talbot Thackeray (Royal Engineers) won the VC in India.





    222002

    Rflmn. Frank James Smith London Regiment

    A certificate has been found in the back of an old frame which says "He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotton. Rifleman Frank James Smith, London Regiment.

    I have tried to find his name on lists with no success. Is there somewhere or someone who would appreciate this?

    The page is topped by the Royal Crest and GvRI

    Mo Henderson




    222001

    Pte. Joseph Callow 7th Battalion Border Regiment (d.19th Dec 1915)

    <p>Held by Andy Barnes

    Joseph Callow was born 6th February 1881 at 73,Strand Street, Whitehaven, Cumberland and was baptised on 16th April 1881 as recorded in Holy Trinity Registry Whitehaven, Cumberland England. On 8th April 1905 he married Cordelia Jones at the Registry Office, Whitehaven, Cumberland England.

    On 3rd September 1914, my grandfather, Joseph Callow, aged 31 years 7 months, while living with his wife, Cordelia and their children, Tom, Joseph, Jessie, Sarah and Margaret, enlisted in the Border Regiment for the period of the War. He was 5ft 5 1/2 inches height with Pale complexion, Blue Eyes and Light hair and Moles on left side of chest. His Religion is listed as Church of England. This left Tom at aged 9 years the eldest child at home to help his mother.

    As a sapper in the Border Regiment (who have their headquarters at Carlisle Castle) 7th Battalion, he was attached to the 182nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. He was killed in action on 19th December 1915 in a crater between Ypres and Ploegstreet in Belgium. His body was never recovered and he is remembered on the nearby Ploegsteert Memorial.

    I have a copy of a letter from War Office, London, dated 7th May 1916, which states that the unofficial report of his death cannot be confirmed. I also have copy of Army Form B 104 – 82A, No 19550/17 dated 28th October 1916 which states that: - No further news relative to No 12763 Pte Joseph Callow 7th Border, missing since 19th Dec 1915. Conclude he is dead and death took place on the above date. (or since)

    The group soldiers photograph including Joseph Callow shows 459 Borders written on bottom of it. Iain Cogle had a reply from curator Border regiment museum at Carlisle. "The 459 is simply the photographer’s reference number and has no military connection whatsoever. The photograph is a typical group photograph and shows the men wearing the stop-gap blue uniform issued, due to the acute shortage of khaki, to many New army units in the early stages of the War".

    I have a letter from Joseph dated 21st Oct 1914 addressed to Mrs Callow, No 1 Richardson Cr, Scotcheath, Whitehaven, Cumberland. It is on a postcard showing lots of tents far off in the distance. On the front is printed Staffs Borders Lulworth: - Dear Wife Just a few lines hoping you and the children is in best of health as I am in the ……………………present. Our Captain read a letter that came from Prestson (??) and he said that our wife’s who had not got there ………………………money all would be settled……………………Wednesday next. I have marked the ………………….sleeping in he as not got the ………………….parades

    He was awarded the British War Medal 1914-1920 (110,000 issued), the Victory Medal 1914-1919 (5,725,000 issued) and the 1914 Star and 1914-1915 Star (3 medals total) known as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

    My father Tom Callow's nephew Andy Barnes (in England) has a copy of Joseph's Soldiers Small Book which details Joseph enlistment details and Next of Kin.

    Held by Andy Barnes

    Joseph with his family

    Joseph Callow in Border Regiment Photo

    Family sent Postcard to Joseph Callow

    Anne Carter




    222000

    Pte. Albert Earnest Jobber 2nd Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.24th Nov 1914)

    Albert Jobber was the favourite brother of my grandmother. He was meant to be returning to the UK in the summer of 1914, but his battalion was re-routed to France and he died near Givenchy. I still have the letter my grandmother wrote to him in February 1915 which was returned undelivered.

    Alan Bennett




    221999

    Pte. Joseph Ellis 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    Joe Ellis survived the war and became manager of Staithes Co-Op. His two sons served in the MN in WW2: 2nd officer Verrill Ellis was lost on SS Widestone 17/11/42. CPO Jack Ellis survived the sinkings of SS Lerwick and SS Nebraska.

    Verrill Ellis




    221995

    Pte. Albert Edward Wickes 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.14th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    Private Albert Edward Wickes was the father of one child and husband of Ruth Wickes, of 25 Carlton Street, Brierfield, Burnley. Before the war he worked as a weaver at Messrs. Haythornthwaite's in Brierfield. In November 1914 his family received a postcard from him explaining how he had been wounded in the First Battle of Ypres on the 13th, and subsequently taken prisoner by the Germans. He was aged 35 when he died of wounds in the Wittenberg detention camp. Albert Wickes is buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Germany.

    S Flynn




    221994

    Pte. Charles Smith 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Smith was the brother of Miss E. Smith of 27 Richard Street, Fulledge, Burnley, Lancashire. Before the war he worked as a miner at Clifton Colliery, and he had enlisted in the Army in 1902.

    He was taken prisoner on September 18th 1914 after being wounded in the leg during a battle on the Western Front. He was picked up by the Germans, and upon recovering from his injuries was made to work in the German fields. Charles Smith had been a POW for three years and eleven months when he was murdered by his captors. He is buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery in Germany.

    S Flynn




    221993

    Pte. Henry Ryan 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th September 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Ryan died as a Prisoner of War on 19th September 1918 and is buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Germany. He was the husband of Mrs. E. A. Hollings (formerly Ryan), of 15, Longfield Terrace, Cliviger, Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    221992

    Pte. Thomas Constable 25th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather Thomas Constable served in the 25th Coy MGC No 6899 and the Northamptonshire Regiment no 22205 for 4 years 4 months being discharged on 26th of Feb 1919. His overseas service is recorded as France. Records seem a little scarce.





    221988

    Pte. Abner Edwin Sanders 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Private Abner E Sanders served with 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in 8th Brigade, 3rd Division. He had enlisted on Tuesday 23rd Feb 1904 at Normanton Barracks, Derby. (serving 7 years with colours, 5 years in reserve) He embarked from Southampton on 13th August 1914

    On Wednesday 14th October 1914, Abner was hot in the side of the head during battle of La Bassee around Bout del Ville (Rue Mathieu). On Sunday 1st November 1914, he died of wounds at The Connaught Military Hospital, Aldershot and was buried in the Aldershot Military Cemetery. He is commemorated at Alfreton War Memorial, Milford War Memorial, St Peters Marble Memorial Belper.

    One of Private Sander’s comrades, who was also wounded on the same day, 157 Private Alexander MacLaren, who served in “Z” Company (the 1st Battalion, The Northumberland Fusiliers titled their companies “W”, “X”, “Y” and “Z” instead of the usual A-D), was interviewed by the Dundee Courier on 11 December 1914:

    Philosophic Dundee soldier wounded in fighting near la bassee, tells how his battalion fell into terrible trap:

    “The British soldier is a practical philosopher. He does not bemoan the fact that Giant Circumstances thrust him into the midst of death and horror. He thanks God if he is permitted to escape with his life, even though he is severely wounded.

    It is in this spirit of determinedly desiring to look on the bright side of things that Private Alexander M’Laren has paid a flying visit to his mother, who lives at 3 Annfield Street, Dundee. Private M’Laren is a Northumberland Fusilier, and he is recovering from a nasty bullet wound in his leg. Although a native of Dundee, his home is in Glasgow, and last night he paid his mother a visit before going back to the trenches.

    He gave the “Courier” a graphic account of how he came by his wound with the Fighting Fifth: It happened on 14th October in the La Bassee district. I am of D (sic - "Z") Company of the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, ‘The Fighting Fifth,’ and on that day we were advancing over fielded country. While crossing a turnip field we were made the targets of a number of German snipers in a village just at hand. The men were falling a trifle too plentifully to please the powers that be, and we were ordered to take that village. We advanced in skirmishing order until we were held up by a deep ditch. It was more like a canal. Luckily, it was spanned by a narrow bridge, and we closed up and made for the crossing. Safely over, we passed through a narrow gate, and continued our advance in open order, little thinking how dear that crossing was to cost us.

    We took the village we set out to capture, but while we were giving these snipers their quietus it seemed that an enemy force of considerable size had come up, for the Gordons and Seaforths (sic - ), who were on our right, retired. That meant that we also were forced to turn back.

    All went well as could be expected until we came to a narrow bridge, and then we discovered we were in a terrible trap. The German gunners trained their pieces on the narrow passage, and they proved to us, as never before, how deadly their aim is. Of every three of us who made for that gate two were brought down. Had we made a rush for the little crossing in a wild bunch not one of us wuld (sic) have escaped alive.

    But we retained our presence of mind, and, taking advantage of the regularity of the shell fire, a man would make a rush between the shots. Some succeeded; many did not. I was one of the lucky ones. I made a dash for the gate, but fell over a poor chap’s body. The delay proved fatal. A shell nabbed me. I was wounded in the leg, but I succeeded in getting through the gap and across the bridge, thanking God that I had got off so lightly. There’s no knowing how many men we lost there.”

    Tim Sanders




    221987

    L/Cpl. Hubert Edward Greenway 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    Hubert Greenway was born in 1896 at Fretherne with Saul Gloucestershire, son of William Rowles Greenway and Jane (nee Hancock). He was killed in action at Gallipoli and is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

    Martyn Rundle




    221986

    Spr. Henry Mason 42nd AT Coy Royal Engineers

    <p>Henry Mason with his daughter Hilda May

    Henry Mason enlisted in Shrewsbury on 1st April 1915. At that time he was 38 and worked at the local tile works. He was married with 1 daughter (a son was born in May 1915) and living in Hockley Bank, Broseley. He was noted as a Proficient Carpenter and (I believe) served with the RE until the end of the war. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

    I'm his great grand-daughter and am trying to find out more about him as have no living relatives who remember him.

    Sarah Taylor




    221985

    George Ball 9th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry

    George Ball enlisted in Broseley on 18th of December 1914 - at that time he was a miner who was married with 5 children living in Church Alley, Broseley. He joined the 9th Battalion KSLI and was honourably discharged in May 1915 due to injury (internal derangement of the knee?). In May 1915 he then enlisted with the Army Service Corps (Service number R4/106913) which he served until March 1917. He was awarded the Silver War Badge (badge #5418).

    I'm his great grand-daughter and am trying to find out more about him as have no living relatives who remember him...

    Sarah Taylor




    221984

    2nd Lt. Wiliam Dallin Vicary 6th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.8th March 1916)

    Wiliam Vicary was born in 1887 at Blockley Kent, son of Henry Walter and Jane (nee Dallin). He worked as manager for Lloyds Bank in Braunton Devon. William died in Mesopotamia (Iraq) and is buried in AL Basrah, Basra, Iraq

    Martyn Rundle




    221983

    2nd Lt. Frank Doswell MC 6th Btn. Royal West Surrey Queen's Regt.

    <p>Frank Doswell MC, 2nd Lt, died 1919.

    My Great Uncle Frank Doswell, MC, 2nd Lt with the 6th Btn Queen's Regt, died of gas 1919, he was buried at Bandon Hill, Croydon, with full military honours. A Purley/Coulsdon boy, who died aged 27 years, and single. Frank won the MC at Hill 60, during the 3rd Battle of Ypres.

    Stirling C Moss




    221982

    L/Cpl. Wilson Nuttall 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>Wilson Nuttall

    Wilson Nuttall served with the 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. At the time of his death, his Battalion were engaged in the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave but is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    J Topham




    221980

    Pte. Clealand George McFadden 42nd Btn.

    Clealand McFadden enlisted on the 22nd of March 1916 aged 29 years, a painter by occupation and a single man who returned to Australia after the war on 3rd of January, 1919. Clealand was recommended for a Military Medal for his action as a runner near Proyart on 12th of August 1918.

    He had three brothers who also served including my grandfather Ronald Arthur McFadden of the 13th Battalion who served at Gallipoli and on the Western Front returning home in 1919. Their brother Robert Joseph McFadden of the 45th Battalion 8th reinforcements was killed at Messines aged 29 years on 9 June, 1917 and there is no known grave and his name is on the Menin Gate.

    John McFadden




    221979

    Pte. John Roberts 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.31st July 1916)

    John Roberts is my great uncle, my grandmother always had a drawer with his medals which she kept really safe, as children we would get a sneak of them every now and then.

    I don't know an awful lot about him other than he died at 16 years of age in the Battle of the Somme and is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery in France. He died on the 31st July 1916 and one day I hope to visit his grave. He was so young to serve in the army and too young to die. I have no photos of him and the medals over the years have been mislaid when my grandmother died which was such a shame.

    Kathleen Moran




    221978

    L/Cpl. William Henry Treherne 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

    William Henry Treherne was born in Parkgate, Rotherham, South Yorkshire in 1892, the seventh child in a family of five sisters and four brothers. Like his father a builder by trade, William - or 'Willie' - enlisted on December 1, 1914, at Attercliffe, Sheffield, and joined the 1st Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment.

    Although his descendants are continuing to research his wartime experiences, we know that he suffered gas poisoning during the war. Although he survived the conflict, he died only a few years later in 1922, as a result of the gas poisoning that he had experienced. His family endured not only the tragedy of William's suffering during and after the war, but also the loss of his younger brother Cecil, who was killed by lightning, it is believed, at the age of 19.

    James Kilner




    221974

    Pte. John William Marsden 9th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st Oct 1917)

    <p>

    John William Marsden was my grandfather who was killed aged 26 on 1st October 1917. He is pictured with his wife Amy and their two sons, Robert (my father) and John.

    Michael Marsden




    221971

    Pte. Herbert Woodward 6th Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.13th Feb 1917)

    <p>Herbert Woodward

    Herbert Woodward came from Everton, Liverpool to South Wales, as a young man looking for work, finding lodgings in Cwmbran. He married Ethel the youngest daughter of the household and they had two children Martha and Ellen (my great grandmother). He died on 13th Feb 1917 age 34. Below is a small part of the letter he wrote to his brother the day before he died;

    Dear Bro, I might tell that we are having it a bit rough at the present, but never mind, it is all in a good cause, but I wish it would finish soon so that we could get home and see you all .....

    He served with the 6th Btn. South Wales Borderers a pioneer regiment with 75th Division, II Anzac Corps (who were near the Ontario Farm mine, during the 1917 Battle of Messines.)

    I found the following from an on line war diary while searching for more information about him :- "No.3 Tunnelling Coy.,Canadian Engineers. Tuesday, February 13, 1917 Location: From Rivers Lys to Douvre. Entry: Due to the pressure of swelling clay at Seaforth Farm several of the castings have broken in the "I" beam sets.- At the St.Yves M.G. subway, the right drive is in for 20', and the left has been started. Both faces are good. The enemy placed several minenwerfer bombs close to the main entrance to the subway - killing one S.W.B. Pioneer and wounding another.- We do not suspect that the enemy has noticed our work here, and it is almost certain that his target is the Heavy T.M. emplacement in the vicinity. Lieut. Roodhouse was wounded in the head by a machine gun."

    Editor's Note - Herbert is interred in the Berks Cemetery Extension. His medal card shows that he was initially Private 78 Monmouthshire Regiment. He is then listed as Private 36257 and 39257 in the South Wales Borderers.

    WW1 Soldiers from Cwmbran

    Herbert and Ethel Woodward and their two daughters Martha and Ellen

    Karen Selway




    221970

    T/WO Charles Francis Ward 1st Btn. Notts and Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters)

    My grandad, Charles Ward was in the Sherwood Foresters and the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He had previously served in India and had his family there. His wife was Mary O'Leary.

    Rlyn Nicholson




    221969

    Pte. Francis Meshack Jowett 1/4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Francis Jowett died as a Prisoner of War on 28th of October 1918 and is buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    221968

    Pte. Edward James Jordan 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.8th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Edward James Jordan died as a Prisoner of War on 8th of November 1918, aged 27. Buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Germany, he was the son of Edward and Chartlotte Jordan, husband of Annie Jordan, of 54 Milton St. Burnley.

    s flynn




    221967

    Pte. Daniel Flynn 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st May 1918)

    <p>

    Daniel Flynn died of wounds on 1st of May 1918 in Stendale Hospital in Germany age 30 and buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Germany. He lived at 8 Hill Top Passage, Burnley, Lancashire

    s flynn




    221966

    Pte. Joseph Ferguson 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment. (d.16th June 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Ferguson died on 16th of June 1918. He is buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    221963

    Pte. Fred Crookes 6th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.2nd Sep 1915)

    Fred Crookes died in Flanders and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

    Gary Crookes




    221962

    Cpl. William Foster Johnson MM. DCM. 12th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.19th May 1918)

    <p>Daily Mirror report

    William Foster Johnson is a little-known war hero. Awarded a bar to the D.C.M in 1917 for single-handedly tracking down and killing a German sniper 'dressed in British uniform', Cpl. Johnson was also the holder of the Military Medal. Yet little else is known about him.

    He was my grandfather's uncle and his life and death weren't talked about. I have his medals and a dozen of the most delicate, embroidered postcards send back from France with pencil messages such as 'we are fighting like the very old lad,' or simply, 'Happy Christmas.' I would love to know more - where he was killed, what action he saw, but the facts are elusive.

    His battalion was disbanded in February 1918. Keeping his original number, we can surmise he was transferred to another Battalion within the regiment but we don't know where he served in the final months of his life, where he was mortally wounded, whether he was killed outright (I suspect not) or survived as a casualty only to die of his injuries a few days later. All we know is that he is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Editors Note:- The Roll of Individuals entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal indicates that he was 'Killed in Action' whereas other entries refer to 'Died of Wounds', 'Presumed Dead' or 'Discharged'. From this, it would appear that he died, outright, on the battlefield.

    Uncle Will's medals - Top:- Victory Medal and 1914/18 Star. Bottom:- Military Medal and British War Medal.

    Tim Atkinson




    221960

    Rflmn. William Larmour 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    My great-uncles, George and William Larmour, had consecutive service numbers and were both killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Their bodies were never found; they are commemorated on the on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

    Tim Galliford




    221959

    Rflmn. George Larmour 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    My great-uncles, George and William Larmour, had consecutive service numbers and were both killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Their bodies were never found; they are commemorated on the on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

    Tim Galliford




    221958

    Pte. William Spencer 10th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Sept 1916)

    Private William Spencer was my grand-uncle.
    Rest in Peace.

    David A. Adlington




    221956

    Rflmn. Harry Gardner Hoath 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.16th Jul 1916)

    Rifleman Harry Gardner Hoath received shell wounds to his leg on 11th July 1916; he later died from these wounds.





    221955

    Pte. Thomas Boughey 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment (d.11th May 1915)

    Thomas Boughey was a territorial soldier and was called up in September 1914, he trained with the Monmouthshire Regiment at Pembroke and Cambridge before landing in France in February.

    The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshires fought in the 2nd Battle of Ypres, in April and May 1915. After severe losses the remnants of the 3rd Battalion was withdrawn from the line on 10th May but was ordered back that the evening, Tom was killed in action the next day.

    Andrew Boughey




    221953

    Pte. Ernest Land 11th (Hull Tradesmen) Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>Ernest Land

    Ernest Land served with the 11th Btn. (Hull Tradesmen) East Yorkshire Regiment.

    Kenneth Land




    221952

    Pte. Thomas Henry Willetts 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.7th Nov 1914)

    <p>Ypres Resevoir Cemetary

    Thomas Willetts was a professional soldier, joining the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment aged 18 in 1908. He was part of the British Expeditionary Force and mobilised for war in October 1914. According to the available official documentation he was killed in action on 7th November 1914, aged 24, during the First Battle Ypres. Unfortunately, most of his personal records were destroyed by fire, during the blitz in 1940.

    He is buried in the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. At the time of his death, his Battalion were part of the 7th Division which were engaged in the first Battle of Ypres. They fought the Germans to a standstill at Ypres and became known as the 'Immortal Seventh'. However, their casualties were so high that it was the following January or February before they were considered back up to full fighting strength.

    He left a wife, Sarah, and a young child.

    Lee Cotterill




    221951

    Pte. Alfred Quartly Labour Corps (d.5th Oct 1918)

    Alfred Quartly was born in 1897, son of Frank and Ellen Elizabeth (nee Dascombe) a family of farmers. He enlisted as Private 21288 in the Royal Berks Regt. Alfred was killed in action whilst serving with the Labour Corps on the 5th of October 1918, he is buried in Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy in France.

    Martyn Rundle




    221950

    Cpl. Ernest Shep Toyne MM, CdeG. 2nd Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>Ernest Shep Toyne

    Ernest Shep Toyne enlisted in the 3rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment on 23rd of November 1914. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal on 16th July 1915. He was posted to 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment and embarked for Alexandria, Egypt on 20th January 1916. He disembarked at Alexandria on February 2nd only to then embark at Alexandria on the 11th, joining the 2nd Battalion on 16th February in Salonika.

    Ernest was promoted to Corporal on 7th June 1916. On 20th December 1917 he took part in a raid on the Bulgarian lines at Butkova Dzuma. For his actions here he was awarded the Military Medal. At some point he was also awarded the Croix de Guerre with Palm. In November 1918 he was attached to the 1/89th Punjabis as Platoon Sergeant.

    He was discharged in 1919 and in April of that year returned to Lincoln. After the war he worked at the Saracen's Head Hotel as an Ostler.

    Richard Brothwell




    221948

    Pte. Joseph William Horsley 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (d.2 Sep 1918)

    Joseph William Horsley born 1889 West Bromwich, Staffordshire married Emma Care in 1911 and had a daughter in 1913 named Annie Horsley. I've just found out that the year that he lost his life 1918 his wife was carrying his unborn son. She gave birth in September, the month that he was killed, and named him Joseph after his father. But, unfortunately, the baby didn't survive and died that same year. So, not only did she have to endure loosing her husband but also her son.

    I don't know much about Great Uncle Joseph and I've never seen a photo of him. I would love it if I could see one of him.

    Karen




    221946

    CSM. George Bricknell MM. 8th Battalion, D Company South Staffordshire Regiment (d.12th Oct 1917)

    George Bricknell was the son of Charles and Mary Ann Bricknell, of Lower Ladies Hills, Kenilworth and husband of Emma Bricknell, of 29 Warwick Rd., Kenilworth, Warwickshire. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Bryan Semple




    221945

    L/Cpl. James William Revill Royal Engineers (d.9th April 1917)

    James William Revill, known as Jimmy, was born in Sutton in Ashfield, Notts in the summer of 1891, son of Frederick William and Hannah Revill. In the 1911 census, Jimmy was living with his family at 37 Morley Street, Sutton In Ashfield, and his occupation was recorded as professional footballer. He was at Tibshelf FC when he moved to play professionally for Sheffield United FC from 1910 until 1915. His debut was against Woolwich Arsenal on 10th September 1910 which was drawn 0-0. His position was outside left – a winger in the modern game – and one of the fastest in his era. His rather strange nickname was “Old aeroplane legs”, probably due to his speed. Jimmy, however, could not gain a consistent place in the side during his time at the club, only filling in for the favoured Bob Evans when he and others were injured. His club stats are:- games played - 71, goals scored - 4. Hee played his last league match for them on 15th January 1915 in the 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

    Jimmy was a member of the Sheffield United team which reached the semi-final of the FA Cup in the 1913-14 season, narrowly losing 1-0 to Burnley in a replay. He was also in the team that in the following season won the FA Cup against Chelsea, 3-0 at The Crystal Palace. He did not play in the final, but still received a winners medal, attached to a pocket watch and chain. The 1915 FA Cup final was the only final ever to be played in wartime, and the FA were criticised for letting the 1914-15 season continue following the outbreak of the First World War.

    Jimmy married Olive Shore on 6th November 1915 and they had a son, Jack, who was born 1st August 1916. They were living at 11 Charnwood Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, when he enlisted in the Royal Engineers in February 1916. His occupation on the recruitment form was bricklayer, which was probably his trade prior to turning professional in 1910.

    He was based at Chatham from March until 20th August 1916 when he was posted to France. It is probable that Jimmy was working with the Royal Engineers in the area of Arras, digging tunnels and defences. On the first day of the Battle of Arras, on 9th April, he was fatally injured by a gunshot wound to the back and spine. 108670 Lance-Corporal James William Revill of the Royal Engineers, is buried in the town cemetery in Bethune, northern France.

    As the only player from Sheffield United to be killed in the War, on 12th January 1918 the club played a benefit match between a Sheffield United XI and Hadfield’s in aid of Olive and Jack. Jimmy’s name appears on the war memorial in the cemetery in Sutton in Ashfield. A book telling the story of the only wartime cup final, entitled “Red, White and Khaki” by Matthew Bell, is dedicated, along with others, to Jimmy.

    Olive was remarried in 1921 to Herbert Hildreth. His son Jack married in 1940 and had at least one daughter Judith, Jimmy's grand-daughter, who it is believed, is still alive and living in the Worksop area. Jack died in Carlton in Lindrick near Worksop in 2006.

    A Taylor




    221943

    Pte. Lawrence Henry Ching Jermyn 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.14th April 1918)

    Victory Medal





    221942

    Sidney Francis Davies 2nd Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    My grandfather, Sidney Francis Davies, joined up in one of the Pals Battalions when he was just 15 years old. As all his friends were already 16, he simply said that he was 16 too. He was very proud to have been in 'the Loyals'. He was a boy bugler and remained a musician after the war, playing in the army orchestra.

    He told me he was at Ypres and that he and some of his comrades helped out at a Belgian sugar factory when there was a lull in the fighting. I still have his Soldiers Bible with 'The Soldier's Prayer' glued onto the inside cover and stamped S Davies 2 Batt Loyal Regt 1917. Folded inside is a palm cross.

    While on active service, a bullet shattered his kneecap, leaving one leg shorter than the other for the rest of his life. He was discharged from the army and rehabilitated in Lancashire, training as a French polisher and cabinet-maker. He died at home in 1974 and the Royal British Legion sounded The Last Post at his funeral.

    Annya Barber




    221939

    L/Cpl. Edgar Cowan 2nd Battalion Nottingham and Derbyshire

    Edgar Cowan is my wife's grandfather. According to family history, he first enlisted in the Boar War. While in Africa it was discovered he was underage and he was discharged.

    Upon WWI he was with the 2nd Battalion, Nottingham and Derbyshire Regiment. According to records, as a Lance Corporal he was captured by the Germans. Sometime during his imprisonment, he escaped. Once back in United Kingdom, he went on speaking engagements throughout England.

    Keith Soderberg




    221938

    Pte. William Crosbie 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.20th April 1916)

    Billy Crosbie was killed in action on 20th April, 1916, aged 19. He is buried in the British Cemetery at Vermelles, Pas de Calais. He was the youngest son of William and Elizabeth Crosbie, R.I.C.Barracks, Clogher, Ballaghadereen, Co. Mayo.

    Mary Flynn




    221936

    Sgt. Henry Foster 9th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>Sgt Henry Foster

    The story goes on the day Henry Foster enlisted, he was refused due to his age, he left the recruiting office only to return minutes later but years younger.

    Edward Craig




    221935

    Pte. Thomas Cryer 6th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.24th Mar 1918)

    <p>Picture in local Harrogate newspaper when wounded in 1916

    Thomas Cryer was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Cryer of 25 Walkers Place, Wellington Road, New Wortley, Leeds. His brother Ernest also fell. Thomas was my great-great uncle. His date of death was found in the family bible.

    When I was researching his time in WW1, I found that he was not commemorated anywhere. Discussions with the CWGC and KOSB museum failed to find him. As part of the research I went into Harrogate Library and asked if they had any information on soldiers who died in the war. On her desk was a card file and she immediately provided the 2 pictures of Thomas and one of his brother Ernest. What a coincidence! After some time we heard from the museum that they had identified the papers and will of a Thomas Craven. He had left Elizabeth Cryer as his next of kin. They and the CWGC agreed that there must have been a mistake and arranged to change the name on the memorial at Pozieres.

    Picture in local Harrogate newspaper when reported as missing

    Hazel Mayhew




    221933

    Sgt. Ernest Cryer 1/8th (Leeds Rifles) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Sep 1918)

    <p>Photo of E Cryer from the Harrogate Newspaper

    Ernest Cryer was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Cryer, of Harrogate and husband of Mary Ann Cryer, of 25 Mayfield Terrace, Harrogate. He was employed in the Post Office for 16 years. Ernest was shot by a sniper and is buried at Vaulx Hill Cemetery. His brother Thomas also fell.

    Hazel Mayhew




    221931

    Cpl. William Evans 11th Div.Train, No.2 Coy. Army Service Corps (d.27th Apr 1917)

    <p>Headstone

    William Evans is my Great Great Grandfather, He was a blacksmith before the war. He ended up on the western front as a farrier. At the moment the rest of his journey is a blur but I will work it out. He is buried at Grevillers British Cemetery..

    In the Register of Soldiers Effects, Corporal T4/185898 William Evans is shown as a Farrier with No.2 Company, 11th Divisional Train, and that he died at Bapaume. The T4 part of his service number indicates that he was involved in Horse Transport. From August 1915, the 11th Div. Train were attached to the Guards Division. Between the 14th March and the 5th April 1917 the Germans retreated to the Hindenberg Line, relinquishing control over an area including the city of Bapaume. Allied Forces, including the Guards Division, pursued them. He was 32 at the time of his death and his next of kin was his widow, Sarah.

    William Evans

    Richard Jones




    221929

    Pte Samuel Frederick Bellwood Douglas Stokes 7th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    <p>

    I have very little information about my grandfather, Sam Stoke's service record other than he died on 22nd of August 1917. He was posted missing. The note from his friend Patrick McGahan suggests that he was the last person to see him alive. There does not seem to be a record of when he enlisted.

    Note from Cameron Highlanders that he was missing

    note from Patrick McGahan

    Tom Stokes




    221928

    Pte William Eley 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.18th Aug 1917)

    <p>Williams Diary

    The Diary of William Eley 1888 – 1917

    Monday 26 My first early parade sick of cleaning butteris Vaccinated about 11.15 I should think about 50 of us in the same number of minutes. Commenced raining about 6.oc Stomach ache. Had first ??? from home Mr Newth had to leave first from old Ne?thh how worried he is

    Tuesday 27 Kit issued in the afternoon Good day work just us on Platoon d??ln

    Wednesday 28 Hardest day we have had First cold bath Hard thunder storm whilst having bath rifle issued

    Thursday 29 Usual drill Raining so drilled us in hut Full kit and cat inspection

    Friday 30 Usual drill for the first time we put on our pack for inspection L?? for tea, Pay day 3/-

    Saturday 1 jul Acted as orderly called out at 11.30 for inoculation. Doctor said I had bad skin like a rhionsstrrus. Went to bed at 6.30. lovely weather

    Sunday 2 July Stopped in bed until 10.30 Went on cliff in afternoon and out on platoon bridge in afternoon.

    Monday 3rd Changed st?ir in beds 1st parade 2.00, got indgestion rotten and vaccination itching

    Tuesday 4th Got on all right with drill all the platoon. Had lecture on stopping hemorage, first aid trench feet etc. Another lecture on trench tools etc and sab??ting

    Wednesday 5 Had a rotten drill on ?????? the platoon anyhow put me squad leader. Rotten what did I ???? had 2nd hair cut. Had 100 cigarettes from H.G.T

    Thursday 6th Had a decent day. Rifle exercise in Stand & Load position, Oh our arms. Rotten indigestion.

    Friday 7th Good day kept us a bit late Pay day 4/- oh that 4/- Rotten indigestion left off eating meat

    Saturday 8th Good mornings work, for physical drill we had a quick march striped shirt front open. Had tea at Seaford, Rotten indigestion

    Sunday 9th Had rotten indigestion on Church Parade had tea at cottage close by what a change.

    Monday 10th Reported sick with stomach troubles, had medicine and duty, fall in at 6.00 and were told to be careful as the army was too old to be bad at falling sick, but I was rotten

    Tuesday 11th Decent day. Stomach a little better, went 4 time for medicine and managed to get one dose at last, which was far different to what I had had before.

    Wednesday 12 Good day A good bit of rifle drill. Stomach a little better, put in for my first pass but very doubtful as we take on garrison work at weekend.

    Thursday 13 Had good day. Lecture on history of Glos' got my first pass for weekend Indigestion much better

    Friday 14 Good day 3/6 Nothing important

    Saturday 15 First day on pass

    Sunday 16 Home on Pass

    Monday 17 Home on pass Returned to camp 11.10

    Tuesday 18 Good day,nothing of importance

    Wednesday 19 Half Holiday for sports, tea in Seaford

    Thursday Fairly good day. Indigestion much better

    Friday First day with rifles on Battalion parade, First day on miniature range (passed) Pay day 6/- X 3/-

    Saturday 1st March With band and feet inspection Fine Out to tea

    Sunday 20th Assistant orderly Out to tea Got a wisp on my eye

    Monday 25th Orderley

    Tuesday 26th As Usual

    Wed 27 All wrong on Battalion Parade. Threatened to stop all passes in B company

    Thursday 28th Blooming bad day a double march from 10.00 to 1.00 and then back with our shirts wet through sweat and striped and went on physical drill but with no ill effect Went to boxing bout.

    Friday 29th not a bad day Pay day 3/-

    From the local paper

    Karen Cox




    221927

    Sgt William James Richardson Murray MM. 6th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

    William Murray (born 1889) was named for a baby brother who had died, so, most of his adult life he called himself James or Jim. This means it is difficult to find him in Army records!

    He joined 6th Battalion KOSB for WW1 - then seems to have been in 7/8th Battalion and after the War he had become a Sergeant and gained a Military Medal. He then remained a career soldier until 1937 when he became a reservist and then joined up again (this time in Royal Engineers) but was invalided out with the rank of Captain.

    Yvonne Hardwick




    221926

    Pte. John Francis Filbey 2/10th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.27th Dec 1917)

    John Filbey took his oath on the 10th May 1915 at Kew Bridge. This was approved in Hounslow on 11th May 1915. At the time he was 34 years old and married with 6 children. His life ended on 27th December 1917 in Egypt.

    Jackie Riche




    221925

    Pte. John Herbert Shaw 15th Battalion att.105th T.M. Bty Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.10th Apr 1918)

    John Shaw, aged 34 was the son of Joseph and Annie Shaw, of The Carr, Retford and husband of Ethel Shaw, of 2 Carr Rd., Retford, Notts. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.

    Wilks




    221924

    Pte. Henry Richard Nix 24th Battalion London Regiment (d.26th May 1915)

    Dick Nix served with the 24th County of London Battalion. He was Born on the 7th of April 1893 and died on the 26th of May 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the War Memorial at le Touret. His brother Arthur, was called up in 1917 and survived the war though suffering from the effects of gas and shell-shock.

    My mother told me that he had been blown to bits. She said that after this happened his brother stood on the parapets and cleared 3 German trenches with grenades and that if he had been an officer he would have received the Victoria Cross. She was only 5yrs. old when he died so someone who had been there presumably told her the story. By the time I came to research what happened, she had died.

    At the archives at Kew, I found the original reports written at the time by the commanding officer (C.G.Maude) of the 24th. Battalion (The Queens), The London Regiment that took place the day of the official ending of the Battle of Festubert which took place from 15th.- 25th May 1915. The British lost 16,648 casualties from 15/16–25 May.

    The events of 25/26th. May are described in the official History 47th. (London) Division would appear to be inaccurate in that it mentions that the 23rd. Battalion also took part but Captain Maude states that as they were not ready, so the 24th. started without them and although he mentions the 22nd. assisting he makes no further mention of the 23rd. The division suffered casualties from shellfire while holding the line as neighbouring formations fought the Battle of Aubers Ridge, (9 & 15 May),[12] but Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby's 142 Bde carried out the division's first offensive action, on 25 May during the Battle of Festubert. The attack on the 'S' Bend was timed for 18.30, to precede a Canadian night attack further along the line. The 23rd and 24th Londons swept across the open ground and immediately captured the German front trenches with few losses. However, German listening posts had given warning of the impending attack, and they had registered their artillery onto their own trenches. The divisional historian records that the Londoners now encountered 'a fierce and deadly enfilading fire from the German guns, and particularly from a heavy battery posted near Auchy-les-la Bassée, far to the south and out of range of the guns of our Division'.

    In The Great World War - A History Volume III pp. 253-255 Battle Honours of the London Territorials Frank A Mumby writes: "The attack had originally been planned for the Sunday night, but for various reasons was postponed until the evening of the 25th. Tuesday. It was the baptism of fire for most of the London Territorials, and though their action occupies but four lines in Sir John French’s dispatch of June 15, crowded as it is with battle records extending along the whole British front, their gallant deeds were rewarded with generous recognition in the Honours Lists." While these things were happening to the 23rd., the 24th. (Queen’s) on their right were covering themselves with glory. Having carried the German trenches immediately in front of them, they endeavoured to follow up that success to follow up the success by repeated bomb attacks. Of the seventy-five men who formed the bombing-party fifty-eight became casualties. It was almost a miracle that any survived the storm of shot and shell from the German defences, especially Lance-Corporal Leonard J. Keyworth - a solicitor’s clerk before the war - who won the Victoria Cross on this occasion: “During this fierce encounter”, says the Gazette, “Lance-Corporal Keyworth stood fully exposed for two hours on the top of the enemy’s parapet and threw about 150 bombs among the Germans, who were only a few yards away.” This seems to match my mother’s description of events. Perhaps Lance-Corporal Keyworth was the only one involved but it was interesting to confirm a family tale.

    Stephen Mayhew




    221923

    L/Cpl. Leonard James Keyworth VC. 24th (The Queens) Btn. London Regiment (d.19th Oct 1915)

    <p>L J Keyworth

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 2nd July, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery at Givenchy on the night of 25-26th May, 1915. After the assault on the German position by the 24th Battalion, London Regt, efforts were made by that Unit to follow up their success by a bomb attack, during the progress of which 58 men out of a total 75 became casualties. During this very fierce encounter Lance-Cpl Keyworth stood fully exposed for 2 hours on the top of the enemy's parapet, and threw about 150 bombs amongst the Germans, who were only a few yards away."

    Born in Lincoln on 12th August 1893, Leonard James Keyworth was the son of James and Emma Keyworth of 22 Coningsby Street, Lincoln. He tried to join The Lincolnshire Regiment at the outbreak of war in 1914. Rejected, he successfully joined the 24th County of London Battalion, the London Regiment (the Queen’s) Territorial Force as a private on 16th September 1914. Following six months’ basic training in London, Leonard headed to the front line in France.

    On the night of 25th/26th May 1915 the battalion had made a successful assault on a German position and were trying to follow it up with a bomb attack against fierce opposition. In a letter home to his sister, Leonard modestly described his actions on the battlefield. ‘I can tell you we have had a very rough time. We entered the trenches at 6.30 on May 25th, and were told to mount the trenches and commence straight away an attack on the German trenches about 250 yards away. This attack we made without our artillery’s covering fire. Our lads went at it with great determination, and were soon successful. I was with the bombing party, and was the only one to come through without a scratch. I went along a ridge on my stomach and threw bombs into a German trench, my distance being about 15 yards. Men were shot down by my side. Still I continued, and came out safe. I was at once recommended to my officers, who posted it to the colonel. It is supposed to be for bravery, but I cannot understand where it came in, as I only did my duty. But how I came out God only knows. Some of our men who were slightly wounded, and who have come back, could not believe that I came out alive.’

    This modest account belies the fact that Leonard was key to the success of the action that day. A fellow soldier recalled seeing Leonard refuse to give in even whilst under heavy enemy fire. He said: 'Seeing that we were done for, Keyworth laid hold of all the bombs he could get, and springing on to the enemy parapet, kept pelting them with bombs just as if he were taking shots at an Aunt Sally. It was a mercy that he escaped, for all the time the Germans were shooting at him madly. He kept it up for over two hours, and his audacity paralysed the whole German counter-attack.”

    Lance Corporal Keyworth received the Victoria Cross from the King at Buckingham Palace in July,1915. After the ceremony, he was interviewed by a reporter from the Daily Mail: "Leonard was given a hero’s welcome.on 14th July 1915 when he returned to Lincoln. Crowds of people flocked to see him as his train arrived in the city and he, his family, the Mayor and Sheriff, were escorted through the streets by the Territorials. The crowds delayed their progress, it took half an hour to get to his home on Coningsby Street The Mayor gave a speech and then Leonard was carried shoulder-high to his door, as the crowds cheered."

    Sadly on 19th of October 1915, he was shot in the head and was taken to the Stationary Hospital at Abbeville and died from his wounds, he was just 22. Three days after his death, his final letter home arrived at his parent’s house. It read: ‘I expect you will be wondering what has become of me. We have had quite a busy time. I hope you both are quite well, in fact, all Coningsby Street. How is Lincoln looking now? I wish I could pay it a visit. I am glad to say I am in the best of health and happy to know we are doing our best against the Germans and doing it well… We are fighting as Britons should do, and it is for our King and country.’

    Stephen Mayhew




    221921

    Pte. Frank Moore 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Frank Moore served with the 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Jane Ball




    221920

    L/Cpl. William Baldwin Dixon 17th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.11th July 1918)

    <p>

    William Dixon died 11th July 1918 of Pneumonia in a German Hospital, aged 27. Buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Germany, he was the son of James and Jane Dixon.

    s flynn




    221919

    Pte. Harold Cocker 17th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Harold Cocker died on 22nd March 1918, aged 26 and is buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Germany. He was the husband of Mrs. L. G. Cocker, of 115 Cog Lane, Burnley.

    s flynn




    221918

    Pte. John Cassidy 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.16th Feb 1915)

    <p>

    John Cassidy died as a Prisoner of War on 16th February 1915, aged 40. Buried in P the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Germany, he was the son of Jim Cassidy, of Liverpool and husband of Margaret Arm Cassidy, of 2, Charlotte St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    221917

    Pte. Henry Balderstone 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.17th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Henry Balderstone died in a POW camp on 17th August 1915 and is buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery. He was the son of Mrs. Cecily Balderstone, of 29 Stanley St., Colne, Lancs.

    s flynn




    221916

    Major Charles Allix Lavington "Cal" Yate VC 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.20th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Cal Yates died in a POW camp on 20th Sep 1914, Age: 42 and is buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Germany. He was the son of the Rev. George Edward Yate, Vicar of Madeley, Shropshire and Prebendary of Hereford; husband of Florence Helena. He had served in the South African War.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 28985, dated 25th Nov., 1914, records the following:- "Commanded one of the two Companies that remained to the end in the trenches at Le Cateau on 26th August, and, when all other officers were killed or wounded and ammunition exhausted, led his nineteen survivors against the enemy in a charge in which he was severely wounded. He was picked up by the enemy and has subsequently died as a prisoner of war."

    s flynn




    221914

    Sgt. Edward Miller Royal Field Artillery (d.6th Nov 1917)

    Farrier Sergeant Edward Miller is buried in Beer Churchyard in Devon





    221913

    Pte. James Crook 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.29th June 1916)

    James Crook was born in Bristol in the autumn of 1895, the son of William and Mary Crook. James's story is similar to that of Joseph Lewis, also remembered on this website. They were in the same battalion and quite possibly were pals. On the night of 28th June 1916, one corporal and six men are listed in the war record as being lost. These men are heroes who died for their country that night. Six of them are buried side by side in Norfolk Cemetery at Becordel-Becourt, France. Nearby in the cemetery, Corporal King is also laid to rest.:
    Corporal W. H. King (age 18)
    Lance Corporal G. Smith (age 34)
    Private J. Lewis (age 24)
    Private J. Crook (age 20)
    Private A. E. Griggs (age 20)
    Private H. J. Painter
    Private C. H. Durman (age 20)

    Raymond Crook




    221912

    Pte. William Francis Fryer 1st Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment

    <p>Prisoners of War

    Bill Fryer was a tunneller and was rescued and captured by the Germans and became a prisoner of war in 1915. He survived the war and was ever grateful to the Germans for saving his life.

    Simon Dore




    221911

    Pte. Francis Patrick Spencer 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>Pte Francis Patrick Spencer. (Centre) Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, First World War.

    When the UK declared war on Germany on 4th of August 1914, Francis Spencer was stationed, with the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, at Dover. Ten months had elapsed since he had enlisted as a professional soldier. He had walked from his home in Bradford, to the recruiting office in Halifax, with two mates, to escape the drudgery and low wages of the textile mills. Now at the age of 19 he was on the brink of being sent to war.

    However, fearing a possible invasion, the 2nd Inniskillings along with 12th Brigade, 4th Division were sent to Norfolk. The main B.E.F had landed at Boulogne on August 18. As it became clear a German invasion was not imminent the 4th Division was also sent to France, landing at Le Havre on August 22nd, just in time to bolster the British Army who were now retreating from Mons. Francis and the 2nd Inniskillings would get their first taste of action on August 26 at the Battle of Le Cateau where they were protecting the II Corps extreme left flank in the village of Esne.

    As the retreat continued, the 2nd Inniskillings provided rearguard cover for II Corps when required. Then they were involved in the Battles of The Marne and Aisne. October saw the 2nd Inniskillings moved to Flanders and Armentieres where they saw action at Le Gheer, Pont Rouge on the Lys Canal, Messines, Douve Farm and Ploegsteert Wood before moving to HQ in December 1914. The battalion had lost about 240 men killed and numerous others wounded and was in bad need of new soldiers to make up the battalions strength. With the new Service Battalions starting to come over to France and other campaigns opening up, Francis Spencer was transferred to the 6th Battalion Royal Inniskillings and saw action at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. He became ill with Malaria and was evacuated to hospital. His Battalion went on to Salonika without him and once he was sufficiently recovered, Francis was once again transferred to the 9th Battalion and saw action at the Somme and again in the Ypres Salient.

    He ended his war with the 'Fighting 9th' and, after a spell in Canada, lived in Bradford until his death in the late 1960s.

    Pvt Francis Patrick Spencer's uniform buttons. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. First World War

    Steven Spencer




    221910

    Pte. Albert Metcalf 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    Albert Metcalf was given a white feather by a woman in Leeds prior to joining up. As far as I am aware his body was never found but he is remembered at the Vis-en-Memorial in France.

    John Metcalf




    221908

    Lt Col. Archibald Daukes 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    Archibald Daukes was a regular soldier who was transferred together with a number of other regular officers and NCOs to the 7th Bn South Staffordshire Regiment when it was formed during the early stages of WWI. He commanded the 7th Bn and was killed on the 7th August 1915, the day the battalion landed at Gallipoli.

    C D Daukes




    221906

    Rflmn. William George Miles 16th (St Pancras) Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    William George Miles was killed on 3rd September 1916 while serving with 16th (St Pancras) Battalion, Rifle Brigade. This Battalion was formed on 2nd April 1915 and landed in France at Le Havre on 8th March 1916. On 3rd September 1916 as part of the 117th Brigade, 39th Division it was tasked with attacking some high ground north of Hamel that was held by the German 121st Regiment. The attack failed and cost the Battalion more than 400 casualties one of whom was William George Miles. He has no known grave but is remembered on the Memorial at Thiepval.

    Tony Lloyd




    221905

    2nd Lt. Gerald James Mortimer 35 Squadron

    My father Gerald Mortimer was an Observer in France from 1st to 25th of March 1918 when he was shot down early morning near Bapaume having taken off from Poulainville.

    I have been to Poulainville and seen the original Airfield and have the intention of taking my 2 sons to see the other March 1918 airfields at Chippily and Estree-en-Chausee. I will send a short report of my visit if anyone is interested. I have some info on 35 Squadron of that era and am still collecting more.

    Roger Mortimer




    221904

    Pte. Charles William Armitage 10th Btn, B Coy. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Charles Armitage was the son of Mr. Maskill Armitage, of 6 Warrington Row, Station Rd., Kippax, Leeds. He is buried in Fricourt Cemetery.

    Allison Edwards




    221903

    Pte. Duncan Balfour Coward 7th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.7th Sep 1915)

    <p>Private Duncan Balfour Coward

    Born 3rd September 1897 Duncan Coward must have joined up while he was 16. He landed with his battalion in France on 14th July 1915 and marched to Reninghelst Camp by 25th July. On the 27th they started work on the trenches between the Brasserie at Elsenwalle and the rear of Vierstraat. Private Searstone 13392 was the first fatality for the regiment on this first day working near the front. Three others were wounded.

    They continued working on the trenches up to August 14th, when three platoons went up to the trenches for instruction with the 19th Lancashire Fusiliers and 12th Manchesters. Private Wheeler 11960 was killed that day. This was repeated on the 15th, 16th and 17th, Private Perry 16469 being killed on the 17th.

    From the 19th August to the 31st, the battalion continued to work on trenches around Vierstraat with A and C Company taking over sections of trenches for 24 and 48 hours. 2nd Lieutenant TGB Dibbs, Captain FEC Palmer and Corporal JR Day were killed in this period.

    1st September D Coy took over "Q3" trench and on the 3rd A, B and C Coys took over a section of "P" trenches in front of Wiltshire Farm BHQ. The Battalion War Diary for the 3rd records "Very heavy rain during relief and all remainder of night". This was Duncan's 18th birthday. The 4th was a "quiet day, rain, trenches flooded by rain and parapet dangerously damaged by wet." Private Bamforth 12947 was killed.

    On the 5th "Many dugouts caved in owing to rain and more portions of parapet fell in" and on the 6th, at last "Rain stopped. Every available man was turned on to drainage and repairs to trenches". Work to repair the trenches continued on the 7th and Duncan was killed, aged 18 and 3 days, the 8th man of the battalion to die. He is buried in Ridge Wood Cemetery, alongside Private Searstone.

    Colin Chadfield




    221901

    Pte. John George Hammond 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th July 1916)

    John Hammond was my great grandfather. He was born in Sunderland in 1884 and died in service on either 10th or 11th July 1916. He left behind a wife and 3 children, the youngest child, Peter Hammond was my grandfather.

    Peter was born in 1910 and died in 1992. He served in the merchant navy from the age of 14 until he was in his 50's. He served during the second world war and I'm proud to be the custodian of his medals.

    The whereabouts of my great grandfathers medals are unknown.

    Andrew Frost




    221899

    Pte. Henry George Prince 24th Btn. London Regiment

    According to his youngest brother, Frederick, Harry Prince joined the Territorial Force prior to World War One. Frederick describes seeing him wearing his red tunic, white piping and epaulets, blue trousers, pill box hat and highly polished buttons. As a volunteer with the TF Henry was one of the first to be called upon to go to France.

    It is understood Henry was subjected to a gas attack at some time during the conflict and also served with the Machine Gun Corps. He survived the war.

    Geoff Prince




    221897

    Sgt. Frederick Ellis 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.25th April 1915)

    Frederick Ellis was my grandfather's brother. He was killed at Gallipoli and is commemorated as one of many at the Helles Memorial.

    Beverly Ellis




    221896

    L/Cpl. John Arthur Hornsby A coy, 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    John Hornsby joined the army in 1910 at Bulford Camp. He served until 22nd June 1918 and was returned home unfit for further service with shell shock, the nurse who looked after him later became my grandmother. He was gassed in 1915 probably at Loos, and later was bayonetted under the armpit. He was good at cricket and was good with the mills bombs often going into action with no rifle apparently.

    He tried to re-join the army in 1939 but was pulled out of the queue by his mother and wife and dragged back home.

    Martin Knight




    221894

    Lt. George Raymond Dallas Moor VC, MC and Bar. 2nd Btn. Royal Hampshire Regiment (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    An extract from The London Gazette No. 29240, dated 23rd July 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and resource on 5th June 1915, during operations south of Krithia, Dardanelles. When a detachment of a battalion on his left, which had lost all its officers, was rapidly retiring before a heavy Turkish attack, Second Lieutenant Moor, immediately grasping the danger to the remainder of the line, dashed back some 200 yards, stemmed the retirement, led back the men, and recaptured the lost trench. This young officer, who only joined the Army in October 1914, by his personal bravery and presence of mind, saved a dangerous situation."

    Lieutenant George Moor was born in Australia on October 22nd 1896, the son of William Henry and Eva Helen Moor (née Pender). He was aged 22 when he died of Spanish Influenza, and he is buried in the Y Farm Military Cemetery in France.

    S Flynn




    221892

    Mjr. James Thomas Byford "Mac" McCudden VC, DSO and Bar, MC and Bar, MM. 60th Sqd. Royal Air Force (d.9th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    James McCudden was born on 28th March 1895, the son of the late Sergeant-Major William McCudden, and Amelia E. McCudden, of Pitlochry, 37 Burton Road, Kingston-on-Thames. He was aged 23 when he died of a fractured skull in Auxi-le-Château following a crash, and he is buried in the Wavans British Cemetery in Calais. His brothers William T. J. and John Anthony McCudden also died as fighter pilots during the war.

    An extract from The London Gazette No. 30604, dated 29th March 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, exceptional perseverance, keenness and very high devotion to duty. Captain McCudden has at the present time accounted for 54 enemy aeroplanes. Of these 42 have been definitely destroyed, 19 of them on our side of the lines. Only 12 out of the 54 have been driven out of control. On two occasions he has totally destroyed four two-seater enemy aeroplanes on the same day, and on the last occasion all four machines were destroyed in the space of 1 hour and 30 minutes. While in his present squadron he has participated in 78 offensive patrols, and in nearly every case has been the leader. On at least 30 other occasions, whilst with the same squadron, he has crossed the lines alone, either in pursuit or in quest of enemy aeroplanes. The following incidents are examples of the work he has done recently:- On the 23rd December 1917, when leading his patrol, eight enemy aeroplanes were attacked between 2.30 p.m. and 3.50 p.m. Of these, two were shot down by Captain McCudden in our lines. On the morning of the same day he left the ground at 10.50 and encountered four enemy aeroplanes; of these he shot two down. On the 30th January 1918, he, single-handed, attacked five enemy scouts, as a result of which two were destroyed. On this occasion he only returned home when the enemy scouts had been driven far east: his Lewis gun ammunition was all finished and the belt of his Vickers gun had broken. As a patrol leader he has at all times shown the utmost gallantry and skill, not only in the manner in which he has attacked and destroyed the enemy, but in the way he has during several aerial flights protected the newer members of his flight, thus keeping down their casualties to a minimum. This officer is considered, by the record which he has made, by his fearlessness, and by the great service which he has rendered to his country, deserving of the very highest honour."

    James McCudden was also awarded the Croix de Guerre on January 21st 1916.

    S Flynn




    221891

    L/Stoker. Reginald Penhorwood Tucker HMS Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    <p>Leading Stoker Tucker

    HMS Amphion was the first Royal Naval ship to be sunk in World War 1. It hit a mine whilst returning to Harwich. Approximately 150 sailors were lost. Leading Stoker Reginald Penhorwood Tucker has no known grave but is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

    Pete




    221890

    Mjr. Charles Henry Graffham 11th Division

    <p>Charles Henry Graffham

    Major Charles Henry Graffham served with the Royal Field Artillery in 11th Division.

    Steven Graffham




    221889

    L/Cpl. Fredrick Anderson Tomlinson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Aug 1918)

    Fredrick Tomlinson was my Great Great Uncle and I know he is buried in the Caestre Cementary in Nord France.

    Steven Thompson




    221885

    A/Cpl. John Sweeney 8th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.12th Aug 1917)

    John Sweeney was my great uncle. He joined the British Army in December 1914 in Newcastle. He died on or about the 12th of August 1917, this makes me wonder if he was in no man's land. There was a picture of him in my Grandmother's house but unfortunately it no longer exists. Does anyone know if it is possible to get a photo of him or his regiment?

    My mother was able to visit John's grave after a period of seventy years, he is buried in Aeroplane Cemetery in Belguim. I would love to know where he would have been on the day of his death, if anyone can help I would really appreciate it.

    Mary Tingley




    221883

    Drvr. Charles Goldsmith Army Service Corps

    My maternal grandfather, Charlie Goldsmith, enlisted in the Army Service Corps on the 19th of June 1914. His regimental number was 372. His Army number was T4/239401. His rank was Driver. He came from Brighton.

    I believe he was in 662 Unit because there is a faded note to that effect on his service record. He was posted to Salonica on the 3rd Jan 1917 as reinforcement. Prior to that he might have trained in Canterbury. His army also record mentioned 81st TA or JA and theatre of War or command as Russia.

    I have 3 pictures of him one one a horse, one tending a horse and a third one with a group of men outside a shelter. My Grandfather is holding a baby owl in his hand and a man behind him seems to have a fully grown owl on his arm. Seems to been in a hot climate maybe Greece. Who took this photo?

    As you can see there are massive gaps. If anyone has any information or clues please contact me.

    Ray Nutt




    221882

    Rflmn. David Steele 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.25th Sep 1915)

    My great uncle David Steele was killed in a bombardment and is buried in Bois Grenier Cemetery, France

    Mary Fitzpatrick




    221881

    Pte. William John Lathlan 34th Machine Gun Corps (d.11th Jan 1917)

    My mum is the great niece of Private William John Lathane. She learned his story and that of her great aunt, his wife, from his sister-in-law, but her family were reluctant to talk about the war, understandably. All she has handed down to her was his dog tag, but she has always been interested in the family history, and we have found some information, any more would be great.

    Marion Parry




    221880

    Pte. Harry William Charles Parr 101st Coy Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Having looked through my Nans, Harry Parrs's daughters old papers I have tried to piece together his story. So far this is what I know from birth certificates, war office letters to his mum, and discharge papers.

    Harry Parr was born 18th Feb 1899 at Edgeware road London to parents Henry Parr and Adelaide Parr formerly Gilbert.

    He enlisted on the 19th Feb 1916 aged 17. He was a private in the Machine Gun Corps 1st Batallion Hamshire Regiment. I have a letter from his mother to the war office requesting him to be sent home due to being under age, dated 13th March 1917, a year after he had enlisted. There are several correspondence from the war office to say it's being dealt with but I have no evidence to say he returned.

    On 24th April 1917 there is a letter to say that he has been admitted to 22 General Hospital at 'Gamuirs' (can't work out where this is due to incorrect spelling). He is suffering with trench foot. The next letter on 8th May 1918 from the war office writes that he has been admitted to 47 General Hospital in Le Tréport suffering from a Gun Shot wound to his thigh fracturing bone on the 27th April 1918. His discharge papers record 28th March 1919 a year later.

    I have pictures of him and three others taken around that time. I also have a picture of a Chalet in Le Tréport. Last night I found a similar picture in someone's elses archives which show this to be a Y M C A Hostel for friends of the injured. Maybe someone in his family visited and sent this home. Harry thankfully must have returned, as he later fathered two girls, one being my Nan Patricia Parr.

    If anyone has any bits of information to where Harry may have fought, or if anyone you knew were with him at the same time please get in touch.

    Editor's Note:- Private Harry Parr's medal card shows that he was initially 24625 in the Hampshire Regiment and then Private 133204 in the Machine Gun Corps, 101st Company. The hospital (number 22 General Hospital) mentioned above was at Camiers. With reference to the injury received in April 1918, his Company were part of the 34th Division which was heavily engaged in the Battle of Lys, suffering heavy losses.

    Steven Dolan




    221878

    Trptr. Percy Wheaton 4th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Percy Wheaton, my uncle, was born on 19th October, 1897 and enlisted very early on, aged 16, at Devonport. Underage, of course. The first Battle of Ypres started on his 17th birthday. He died of wounds on November 10 1914. To this day we do not know why a boy who was obviously well under 19, was sent on service overseas. He is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetry.

    Editors Note:- The Register of Soldiers Effects (entry number 146685) refers to the death of Trumpeter 37106 Percy Wheaton and gives his date of enlistment as 9th April 1912, whilst still a schoolboy. I can only conclude that, at the age of 14, he has been enrolled as a boy soldier to train on part-time basis. That would account for his involvement so soon in the conflict without the apparent need for full training. That said, the ruling at the time was that all soldiers serving, in conflict, abroad must be aged at least 19. The Army must have been well aware of his age. His next of kin is shown as his father William Bradford.

    Susan Ekins




    221875

    Pte. Harry John Knight 1st Btn. Queens Royal West Surrey Regt.

    <p>

    My Grandfather Harry Knight served with the Royal West Surrey Regiment in the 1st Battalion. I know no details of his Service other than that he was a Prisoner of War, he escaped at least twice, was re captured and tortured. He was missing in action but later my grandmother was at the cinema one day & on the Newsreel a film was being shown of British POW's in Germany. She thought she saw him on the film. She told family members who then went themselves to see the film, they agreed it was him so they then went to see the cinema manager who showed then the film privately, when the film reached the point where they thought they saw my Grandfather the film was stopped. It was agreed by all that indeed it was him. Subsequently he was traced via the Red Cross.

    Harry returned home but sadly he was a very sick man, by 1921 he was admitted to St. Cadocs Psychiatric Hospital in Caerleon Monmouthshire where he died in 1960. Originally from Croydon, Surrey Harry had moved to Newport Monmouthshire around 1905/6. He met & married my Grandmother there. He had been in the West Surrey Regiment for a while around 1902/3. Although on his birth cert. His name is Harry John Knight, officialdom has recorded him as Henry which is confusing.

    Jennifer Banks




    221872

    Pte. ernest "Props" Waters 25th Btn. Northumberland Fusileers (d.9th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Sorry don't know much but would like to know more.

    Editor's Note:- Private 35732 Ernest Waters, of the 25th Northumberland Fusiliers, was formerly Private 50314 of the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. At the time of his death, his Battalion were involved in the Battle of Lys (also known as the Lys Offensive or the 4th Battle of Ypres). Its losses were so great that, following the battle, the Division was reduced to cadre strength and moved from the front line. He has no known grave but is commemorated on Panet 2 of the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    C Waters




    221871

    L/Cpl. Alfred Benjamin Taylor 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>Alfred Benjamin Taylor is sat on the extreme left. Photograph taken in Bermuda, where the Battalion was stationed, prior to the war.

    My Grandfather, Alfred Benjamin Taylor, was with the 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, in Bermuda, at the outbreak of the First World War. He served throughout the war, being demobbed in 1919. He was wounded four times, the first being the most serious and life threatening, and he spent time being treated and convalescing in Bristol.

    A Taylor




    221870

    Albert Edward Taylor 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.19 October 1916)

    Albert E. Taylor was my great uncle, the husband of my great aunt Jane Elizabeth Taylor (nee Longman). I'm trying to find out where he was killed and the circumstances of his death ''in action'' on the 19th of October 1916 on the Somme in France.

    Any information anyone may have regarding the 1st Battalion, the Rifle Brigade on that day in that area would be very welcome.

    Timothy Longman




    221866

    Dick Dean Palmer 10th Field Artillery, "B" Bty.

    I have always been amazed when I think about my father and his life time. He was born at Wheatland, Platte County, Wyoming in 1897 or 1898 depending on what story you want to believe. When he signed up for Social Security he had a hard time proving when he was born as there was no documentation to offer as proof of birth except an old family bible which noted that he had been born in a year of a great blizzard and hard winter, they accepted 1898 for that reason. An 1898 birth date put his birth prior to the twentieth century and at the end of the horse and buggy days. One of his early jobs was delivering the mail with a team and wagon to Rock River, Wheatland and Medicine Bow, Wyoming, yet he lived to see man walk on the moon. It is hard to believe that both happened in a single life time.

    He enlisted in the Army (8th Calvary) at the tender age of 17 and in 1916 was with John J. Pershing chasing Poncho Villa around Arizona along the Mexican border. I remember him telling me stories of that period. He told of the heat, the dust and how a member of their detachment was killed one night by a shot from across the border in Mexico. After that deployment he was reassigned to The Third Division, Battery “B” 10th Field Artillery, and went over seas with the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. Pershing in 1917.

    Having arrived in France in May of 1917 the 3rd Division continued training exercises and some of its elements were assigned to duty with French and English divisions, fighting under their command. These elements preformed with great efficiency and distinction, and were cited for their bravery under fire by foreign Commanders. As a result the entire division under American leadership was assigned to the eastern end of the front lines for the coming German Offensive during the 2nd Battle of the Marne. As fate would have it, in arguably the most important battle of WWI, the 3rd Division was to hold the area that bore the brunt of the German advance, and the 10th Field Artillery was to support the 38th Infantry, the Battalion that held back the German onslaught and earned the Division the title “Rock of the Marne.”

    As Dad told it to me; on July 14, 1918 the 3rd Division moved to the front and took up positions near Chateau Terrie for the coming Second Battle of the Marne. At times moving up during the night the artillery barrage along the front was a continual all night roar that reminded him of a distant storm where lightning continually illuminated the horizon. On the night of the 14th, however, the German guns were silent. Battery “B” took up positions on the forward slope of a hill in support of the 38th Division that held the front lines with French Divisions to the left and right. The French Divisions retreated during the night and left their flanks exposed. The Germans could now occupy the front and both flanks, nearly surrounding them. If the 3rd Division had failed to hold, the road would have been open to Paris, and the war would have had a different ending.

    The guns of Battery “B” opened fire about midnight on the 14th and the German barrage started about ½ hour later. During the early part of the bombardment all the Division telephone communications were knocked out and most of the communications personnel were killed, they then had only runners to communicate with the rear headquarters. During the night as shells were expended, ammunitions were brought forward from the rear ammunition dumps with 4 horse teams and wagons. On one trip, with two wagons, my father was on the first wagon leading the horse on the front left when a German shell hit between the horses killing all four horses, the man on the right front lead horse and three other men. The remaining wagon was loaded by the survivors and they returned to the guns. This is the action for which Dad, and two others were awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. He was also gassed during the war and had a 25% service connected disability as a result which brought him a $25.00 per month pension deducted dollar for dollar from his Social Security Pension of $750.00.

    Late in the morning with only two guns still operating, and down to their last two rounds of shrapnel, the gun crews were ordered to hold at all cost, fire their last two rounds point blank into the advancing German troops, spike their guns (rendering them inoperative) and with the other gun crews to resist with small arms.

    Since an earlier call had gone out for volunteers to act a runners, due to the heavy casualties in the communications companies, Dad and a Privet 1st Class Ravenscroft volunteered to act as runners and reported to the Head Quarters Company during the night of the 15th of July. Due to the confusion on the Battle Field they were reported Missing in Action and letters were sent to their next of kin. They were held by Head Quarters Company as runners until August 20th when they made their way back to Battery “B”. If memory serves, I believe he told me that this is the act for which he was awarded the Bronze Star. Dad remained with the Battery for the rest of the war and served in the Army of Occupation in Germany until returning home in 1919.

    Upon returning home after the war Dad’s father informed him that they didn’t find out he was still alive until September when they received a letter he had written August 7th 1918.

    his combat service in WWI he received the Bronze Star, Silver Star, Purple Heart, French Croix de Guerre with Gilt Star and the WWI Victory Medal with 5 campaign stars. His Unit was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for their support of the 38th Infantry Division and he was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross which he never received due to exigency of the Service; the war having ended.

    I have been trying to obtain his service records since his passing in 1995 but have been informed that those records were destroyed in a fire in the records bureau in Kansas City in the 1970’s. I am still trying by other sources and will continue to do so. I would like to have the written citations for his various medals.

    I have a copy of the History of the 3rd Div. WW1 printed shortly after the war that verifies the events related above but leaves out the names of enlisted men.

    Howard Palmer




    221860

    Pte. Robert Leggate MM. 9th Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

    Robert Leggate, my father's brother, was born in 1892 and served through the war with his 2 brothers. My father served with the RFA and youngest brother with the Cameronions, both survived. Uncle Robert was awarded the Military Medal at Passaendale. This was noted in Hamilton Adviser in 1918 when his father was notified at 46 Glasgow Rd. Strathaven.

    Robert married a young woman from South Uist, Catherine Mc.Intyre. His wife died in 1924 of TB or consumption, as was known then. His children all died at a very young age. All are buried in Shots Auld Kirk Graveyard. He remarried and had a daughter, Madge who at the age of 21 died of TB. Robert died in1954 at work from a heart attack. His wife, Annie and son Jack moved to Canada. I met him on a few occasions and loved being in his presence. In talking to my father, no mention of war did I ever hear but at such a young age 12 yrs. I didn't take too much in but my father and him were just jokers between them. I am the youngest of 10 have some great memories having visited some of the war graves in Belgium on 3rd August 2014.

    Walter Bennie Leggete




    221856

    Sgt. Thomas McCaw 15th Btn Highland Light Infantry (d.3rd July 1916)

    Thomas McCaw is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Janine McCaw




    221852

    Pte. James Dann 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.5th October 1918)

    Jim Dann was my great uncle, he was serving in France during WW1 and according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission was engaged in fighting to capture Le Catelet and Gouy early in October 1918. Subsequent battles to capture Guizancourt Farm which lay on the German Masnieres-Beaurevoir line ensued in the first few days of October 1918. Jim was killed on 5th October during one of these battles.





    221849

    Pte. William Gawthorpe 34th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>William Gawthorpe

    William Gawthorpe worked at Messrs. Archer, Ritchie and Co.'s Millfield Mill at Horbury Junction, and lived with his parents Paul and Ada at 2 New Street, Ossett. He enlisted in 1915, served with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry as Private 25613, then transferred to the 103rd Company (later part of 34th Battalion) of the Machine Gun Corps attached to 34th Division. His service record has not survived. His older brother George was reported missing at Poelcapelle during Passchendaele on 9th Oct 1917, and his brother Guy served and survived the war.

    William was aged 23 when he was reported missing on 21st March 1918. The machine gunners were posted in strongpoints or "keeps" around the trenches, supporting 103rd Brigade (Tyneside Irish), beside the River Sensee at Croisilles. The great German spring offensive on that day used new so-called "stormtrooper" tactics. This broke through British lines and pushed back the British Army for many miles, resulting in large numbers of casualties and prisoners. He is commemorated on Bay 10 of the Arras Memorial, Calais.

    Adrian Clayton




    221842

    Pte. David Dargo Star Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.10 October 1914)

    My great grandfather, David Dargo, died on the 18 October 1914, leaving back in Edinburgh his wife, who was pregnant, and his 1 year old son. The story goes that my great grandmother on hearing of his death was so devastated that she could not speak about him again, and kept no photos of him. My mother has no photos of her grandfather and we would dearly like to find one of him and also one in his regiment.





    221839

    Pte. William Matthew Lowery 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1917)

    William Matthew Lowery, born April 1895 in Chapeltown, Yorkshire to Pherris Lowery and his wife Annie (nee Matthews), served in WW1 as part of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. His occupation was a bricklayer, and he was the only one of his brothers to sign up for war service. He signed the military oath and declaration on the 6th January 1915 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, where he joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers in the 8th Battalion. He was in the Expeditionary Force in France in September 1915, and in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in November 1915. He was in hospital in Salonica (Greece) from July 16th 1916 to the 17th July 1917, then being admitted to hospital for Malaria onboard HMHS Braemar Castle (a hospital ship).

    He was again in hospital in Malta for Malaria in July 1916, and again for Malaria in a British General Hospital in October 1916. Once again, in March 1917, he was in a British General Hospital and then in the BSGH Oxford Hospital for Malaria, where his stay in hospital lasted 30 days. In May 1917, he was posted to the depot Battalion at Bovington, Dorset (of which Bovington Camp was in charge of the tank corps in 1917). He was then posted as part of the expeditionary force in France on 30th July 1917, where he embarked at Folkstone, and disembarked at L.Logne.

    On the 26th September 1917, he was presumed dead after being recorded as missing while with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He left no will. His name in inscribed on the curved wall of the Tyne Cot Memorial in Zonnebeke, West Flanders, Belgium. It simply reads Lowery W. M. This cemetery is especially for those who were missing in action in Belgian Flanders which covers the area known as the Ypres Salient.

    Having never known William myself, I was able to aquire this information from war records. He was my great grandmother's cousin, and I am proud to be able to say that he is a part of my family, no matter how distantly related. Rest In Peace William, and thank you.

    Holly Ashforth




    221831

    Alexander Toole Durham Light Infantry

    Alexander Toole was my maternal grandfather. He joined the Durham Light Infantry during World War One, as did his younger brother, James Toole, and cousin, Richard Toole. I cannot find any military records citing his name, battalion, rank or field of combat. Family folklore states he was a cook in the Catering Corps, though as a coal miner he had no experience, other than home cooking, that we are aware of!

    Alexander had a wife and two young sons at the outbreak of war (aged 3 years and 1 year) and after surviving the war and returning home he went on to have 3 more sons and 1 daughter, my mother. He is named on the Roll of Honour in Coundon Working Men's Club near Bishop Auckland. He died in 1960, aged 73.

    Sheila Patterson




    221830

    Pte. Frederick Chainey 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.14th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My Grandads younger brother, Frederick Chainey died aged just 21 and less than a month before the war ended. Fred joined up in 1916 and took part in The Somme and The Aisne and after being severely wounded on two occasions was killed in action at Menin on 14th of October 1918.

    Neil Page




    221828

    Pte Patrick Lynch 18th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.9th Sep 1916)

    I believe Pte Lynch to be my grandmother's older brother, Patrick, based on date of death and the relative's information given in his soldier's will. I did, however, during my research, find a picture of him on the Evening Times Roll of Honour in the Mitchell Library in Glasgow and the resemblance to my grandmother is undeniable. I believe one of her other brothers, Joseph served in the Navy during WW1 and he survived the war.

    Tricia McDermott




    221827

    Pte. James Toole 14th Battalion Durham Light infantry (d.24 December 1915)

    James Toole was the younger and only brother of my maternal grandfather, Alexander (Alex) Toole. My grandfather and his brother both joined the DLI along with their cousin Richard Toole.

    James was killed on Christmas Eve 1915, aged 20, but my attempts from a distance to ascertain how and exactly where have drawn a blank. He is buried in Poperinge, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium. He is listed with others on the main war memorial in Coundon, but is not named on the roll of honour in Coundon Working Men's club, although his brother Alexander who survived the war is! I would love to know more about his military service to pass onto his family who are eternally proud of his sacrifice.

    Sheila Patterson




    221824

    L/Cpl. Harry Hufton 17th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.27th June 1916)

    Harry Hufton was my father's uncle, being the older brother of my grandmother. He enlisted immediately the Liverpool Pals were being formed and was billeted at the old watch factory in Prescot. He arrived in France in November 1915 after a long training period. Surviving the first tours in the trenches he was killed during a counter bombardment during the build up to Battle of the Somme. He is recorded as having died on 27th of June 1916. A number of his comrades were killed at the same time. He is buried in Cerisy Gailly Military Cemetery with around 750 other casualties.

    A Winstanley




    221823

    L/Cpl. Stanley Harding Moore 2/5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.11th Apr 1917)

    Stanley Moore joined up underage and died aged 19 in 1917, he has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. We have a copy of a poem written by Capt R Ancell (1st Seaforth Highlander - Capt) to Stanley parent's on hearing of his death. I am struggling to find any trace of Capt R Ancell - I would love to know something about the man that wrote the poem.





    221815

    Pte. Andrew Brace 2nd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.31st Oct 1914 )

    Andrew Brace was killed at the Battle of Gheluvelt. One of ten children, his family lived in Infimary Walk Worcester. He attended Hounds Lane School in Worcester.

    A brother in law of his, Lance Corporal David Charles Jukes, 1413, Northumberland Fusilliers was killed on 8th November 1914 near by. A Daughter, born to William, another of Andrews Brothers, and Susannah, a Sister of David, in 1916 was named Catherine Gheluvelt Ypres Brace in memory of their brothers.

    Editor's Note: The battle of Gheluvelt was a phase of the first Battle of Ypres. Andrew Brace has no known grave but is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

    Keith Edwards




    221812

    Pte. James Fitzhenry Baird Royal Army Medical Corps (d.1st Nov 1917)

    My grandmother from Glasgow married James Fitzhenry Baird, a Spirit salesman from Dublin who came over to enlist in the British Army he was a Cook with the Royal Army Medical in 10th Irish Division. He left Glasgow for war and she gave birth to a baby boy my father. James died never having seen the child. She never had any letters from him but the war department sent his medals and the soldiers pass book, which I now have.

    A few years later she was introduced to a gentleman who she married and he became my Papa. I have always had associations with the Irish and also Greece not knowing what the strong link was until recently when I did a bit of research and found out where he was born and also that he was buried in Lebet Road Salonika Greece.It would indeed be interesting to hear if any one in Dublin is connected. I was delighted to find this website and have found it to be very interesting.

    Beth Morrison




    221811

    2nd Lt. William Price Vivian Coles MM 7th Btn. C Coy. London Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    William Coles was killed in action on the 7th October 1916, aged 21. He is buried in the Warlencourt British Cemetery in France, son of S. H. and W. E. Coles.

    s flynn




    221810

    2nd Lt. Geoffrey Reynell Breslaw 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.7th October 1916)

    <p>

    Geoffrey Breslaw was killed in action on the 7th October 1916 and is buried in the Warlencourt British Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    221809

    2nd Lt. Norman Owen Collen 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Norman Collen was killed in action 25th Sep 1916, aged 18. He is commemorated on Sp. Mem. 16 in Warlencourt British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr. C. S. Collen, of 67, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea.

    s flynn




    221808

    Cpl. Charles Edward Williams 2nd Btn Royal Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1916)

    Charles Williams is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial





    221807

    2nd Lt. Albert Thomas James Balkwill 8th Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.17th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Albert Balkwill was killed in action on the 17th of October 1916, aged 22 and is buried in the Warlencourt British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Thomas and Annie Louisa Balkwill, of 38 Buchanan Gardens, Kensal Rise, London.

    s flynn




    221806

    Lt. Arthur Henry Brown 1st Regt. Infantry (d.18th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Brown was killed in action on 18th October 1916, aged 31. Buried in the Warlencourt British Cemetery in France, he was the son of Henry Brown, of 24, Eyot Gardens, Hammersmith, London.

    s flynn




    221803

    Pte. Walter William Tombleson Rowson 7th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Walter Rowson was killed in action 7th Oct 1916, aged 19 and is buried in the Warlencourt British Cemetery in France. He was the son of George and Amelia Sarah Rowson, of 25, Victoria Street, Paddington Green, London.

    s flynn




    221799

    Charles "Jock" Harper 237th Field Company Royal Engineers

    My father Charles "Jock" Harper is 95 years old. I am trying to piece together his war record.

    Charles Harper Jnr.




    221798

    Pte. John Walker 33rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.20th June 1917)

    John Walker served with the 6th Border Regiment. He was wounded in the lower legs on the 14th of August 1915 whilst in the Dardanelles He was wounded on the 17th of August 1915 with a shoulder wound, he was sent to Gallipoli. On the 31st of October he returned to Sulva Bay, John was appointed paid Lc/Cpl. at Sidi Bishr on the 4th of February 1916 and transferred to 33rd Machine Gun Coy on the 11th of March 1916 at Ballah He departed from Alexandria on H.T. Minnewaska on 28th of June 1916, arriving at Marseilles on the 8th of July. He was promoted to Corporal on the 29th of October 1916 and promoted to Lance Sergent in the field on the 2nd of December 1916. On the 27th of January 1917 he was appointed Acting Sergent and then returned to being a Lance Sergent on completion of estblishment on the 31st of March 1917. John was on a course at the Dist Gas School from the 1st to 4th of April 1917. he was reduced to the ranks on the 12th. He died on the 10th of June 1917 during the Battle of Messines and is remembered on the Menin Gate memorial.

    John




    221797

    Pte. Patrick Cosgrove 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.25th Sep 1917)

    Patrick Cosgrove was my wife's granduncle. His birth was registered in Naas for the first quarter of 1896 - so he was 21 at the date of his death.

    I have just discovered that he is interred in the Cojeul British Cemetery, St. Martin-sur-Cojeul, which is located near Arras in France. I am aware that his Battalion was part of the 48th. Brigade of the 16th. Division that saw service in France & Flanders. This would have included the Battle of Langemark in August 1917. I am trying to establish what action he was involved in at the date of his death, that resulted in his interment at Cojeul, since this seems to have been at some distance from the Langemark engagement in August. Can you help?

    Jim O'Sullivan




    221795

    Saper Ben Burford 237th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.12th May 1916)

    Ben Burford was born in 1876 and was married to Amilia Gadd. They had 8 children. He is buried in Oxford

    Mark Burford




    221794

    Pte. George Wilkinson Snowdon 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company.

    George Wilkinson Snowdon was my Grandfather, He left England to work in Canada. His attestation paper No. A24207 dated 25th Dec. 1915 records his army number as A424214 and was assigned to 45th Battalion Draft. On 19th July 1915 embarked to France to 5th battalion, then in Feb. 1916 attended 3rd Tunnelling Company and taken on strength on the 27th Jan. 1917.

    George travelled to Canada in May 1913 From Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, County Durham, England. After the war he was given permission to marry my Grandmother Mable Alice Robson at Greenside on the 14th March 1919. He then returned to Seaford and was discharged from the Canadian Army on 2nd May 1919 in London. He returned to Greenside where he farmed on his own farm with his two sons Leslie and Ernest until his death on 6th March 1970.

    Derek Snowdon




    221793

    Spr. John Hayes 104th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.12th April 1918)

    John Hayes was my fathers's uncle.

    Tim Hayes




    221792

    Pte. Alfred Collins 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    I believe my Grandfather Alfred Collins was in the 10th Btn Cheshire Regt. According to my father, he returned from the war with a wooden leg, and not in the best of health or mood. Within a year of returning he sadly lost his wife in childbirth, which, not surprisingly,was the last straw. He left home and was not seen again. It is said he went to, and died in Ireland, but I have not been able to trace him as yet.

    Malcolm Collins




    221790

    Pte. Harry Moore 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.7th June 1917)

    Harry Moore was my grandmother's brother. He worked with his father, Sam Moore, who was a tin-smith for S. Moore & Son in Cardiff. He had two sisters, Eva (my grandmother) and Eunice. He was 22 when he was killed in the Great Advance on 7th June 1917.

    Hilary Williams




    221788

    Spr. John Booth 171st Tunneling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.6th Nov 1917)

    John Booth, born 1870, was a miner at Coppull, Lancashire and was married with four children. He enlisted initially in the 1/4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and served in France and Belgium. He was gassed, sent to Scotland to recuperate, thence to the South of England. John was seconded to the RE (171st TC) He was killed by shellfire, and is buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium, he was 47 years old.

    Peter Booth




    221787

    Sgt. John Findlay Barclay DSO and Bar 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company (d.11th August 1917)

    Jack Barclay emigrated to Canada, we have him on a passenger list on 16th of May 1914 but we think this was just a visit. We think he went first about 1909. The newspaper report of his death has him as a miner in Cobalt, Ontario

    Alan Cunningham




    221785

    Pte. John Edmund West 6th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.28th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    My Great uncle John died from gun shot wounds on a hospital ship on its way to Malta on 28th of November 1917 He was a private in the Lancashire Fusiliers 11th Battalion.

    He is on the Loos memorial but they have his name wrong. They have him as John Edward West and not Edmund which is a long standing family name. I have his birth, marriage and death certificates but you cannot quite make his name out, but you can tell its not Edward. Edmund is a long standing family name going back to the 15th century. They will change it if I can provide definite proof. It would be nice to get his name put right seeing as he gave his life for his country.

    David West




    221783

    Cpl. William Joseph Donnan 2nd/9th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    William Joseph Donnan, aged 19 years, enlisted in the Manchester Regiment on 4th September 1914. In February 1916, he was wounded in the face by an accidental discharge of a rifle when he was in the tranches, cleaning his rifle. There was a full hearing at which he was exonerated and the cause was established as accidental discharge. Following his return to duty from hospitalisation, he was promoted to Corporal and posted to the 2/9th Battalion.

    Joe was killed in action at the attack on Poelcappelle which was a part of the third Battle of Ypres. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Graham Eagland




    221782

    Pte. George Albert Donnan 15th Btn.(1st Edinburgh) Royal Scots (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    George Albert Donnan enlisted, aged 23, in the 15th Battalion (1st Edinburgh) Royal Scots Regiment, on 28th September 1914. Although this was a Scottish Regiment, this particular Battalion recruited over 500 from the Manchester area and, therefore, were sometimes referred to as the Manchester Scottish.

    Bert was killed in action on the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Graham Eagland




    221781

    Pte. Joseph Edwards Eddon 7th Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.2nd October 1916)

    Joseph Eddon was my great uncle. He first enlisted in Stockton-on- Tees on 22nd June 1915 into the Royal Fusiliers. This regiment together with the 11th were bought into the Buffs. I think the losses were so great these men transferred to keep numbers up. Thanks to the Imperial War Museum I have been able to find out about Jo's short life in the army. Joe landed in Boulogne in July 1915 where his training continued.

    First day of the Battle of the Somme. Joe's battalion were given the task of clearing the Carnoy Craters. He would have seen heavy fighting many were later found coupled together with a German, each man transfixed by the others bayonet. Jo's battalion continued to fight & on the 26th September were involved in the capture of Thiepval village & Schwabon Redoubt.

    The 7th battalion relieved the East Surreys. For the next few days until 5th October it was impossible to describe what took place in this disputed area. There were heavy bombing attacks from both sides. The Germans made use of both gas & flame guns. The trenches were knee deep in slimy mud with British & German dead. It took 10 hours to get rations from just 3000 yards away.

    On the 2nd of October 1916, the Germans attacked, but with the skilfully placed Lewis gun & the bravery of the 7th, they were held back. The ground was so torn & shattered almost every land mark had disappeared. Shelling continued day & night together with the constant rain half of the 7th were killed or wounded. Joseph never returned & was posted missing presumed dead. His body has never been found & his name is on the Thiepval Momument.

    Joe was just 22 years old.

    Josie Reynolds




    221776

    Pte. Ralph Thomas 14th Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.27th July 1917)

    On the 27th of July 1917, my Great Uncle, Private Ralph Thomas of the 14th Battalion, Welsh Regiment was killed in action. He came from Swansea in South Wales. He was the only son of Benjamin & Margaret Thomas of 9 Glyn Street, Hafod, Swansea.

    I have been told that he has no known grave. Searching through records it appears that he may have been killed in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. That according to records is where the Battalion were located at the time? If anyone has more information on this, my family & I would like to know as we've never had the chance to pay our respects. Also information has been vague until I have started delving a bit deeper. Thank you.

    Martin Owen




    221773

    CSM. Joseph Brown 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    My Grandfather Joseph Brown was a member of 2nd Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry before it became the 6th DLI (TF) in 1908. He served throughout the war before being honourably discharged on the 31st January 1918 due to injury's with the rank of Company Serjeant Major (CSM). Unfortunately I never had the chance to talk to him, also along with a great many records his were destroyed during the blitz of WW2. Like him I also served with the TA, with the 7th Battalion The (Durham)Light Infantry based at Bishop Auckland and Durham. I would like to think I served in some of the same drill halls, and I did his memory proud.

    Ian Brown




    221771

    L/Cpl. William Charles Henshaw 1st Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.11th Feb 1917)

    William Henshaw is commemorated on the Loos Memorial and on the Rocester St Michael Lych Gate War Memorial in Staffordshire.

    PC




    221770

    Pte. Daniel Evans 10th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.17th June 1916)

    Daniel Evans was born in Duntocher in 1890, and was a shipyard worker as far as I know. He named his sister Margaret Mochan as his beneficiary. Both his parents had died in 1900. Another of his sisters, Mary Evans was my maternal grandmother.

    According to his service medal record he disembarked in France on 1st of May 1915 so presumably he took part in and survived the Battle of Loos when his regiment, 10th HLI, lost over 600 men.

    He was killed in action on the 17th of June 1916 and is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery alongside some other HLI's killed on or either side of the same date. I visited him September 2013 and wept. It really is amazing how moving this experience is given the I never knew him. The war diary of 10/11 HLI for the day simply records that it was a normal day getting parties together to take gas cylinders to the front line trenches.

    He's on the war memorial on the side of the old Clydebank town hall. I've tried in vain to fine more details about the circumstances of his death. I can only surmise he was killed by gas or sniper fire as he has his own grave so I'd like to think he wasn't obliterated by a shell. My only hope is that he didn't suffer. Until I started to research my family history I didn't even know he'd existed. My mother, his niece, was born 5 years after his death. Unfortunately it seems his service records were lost in WW2 and I do not have a picture but he will never be forgotten in my family.

    Richard Haigh




    221767

    Pte. William Batchford 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.21st October 1918)

    William Batchford was the son of Enoch and Mary Ann Batchford, of 3 Dane St., Alfred St. Central, Nottingham. He is remembered in Nottingham General Cemetery.

    Debra Morley




    221762

    Cpl. Wesley Tompkins MM 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Wesely Tompkins was born in Limehouse, London. He entered the War on the 27th of July 1915 and died in action aged 23 in September 1917. His younger brother Thomas was lost in action near the beginning of the war the previous year. Their mother, a widow had had 5 sons: 3 died in childhood of natural causes and her remaining 2, Wesley and Thomas were killed on the Western front.

    E Chesworth




    221761

    Pte. Frank Blackhurst 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Frank Blackhurst was one of five Blackhurst brothers who fought in WW1. He and his brother Fred didn't return home, his three other brothers did.

    Lynda Haney




    221760

    Pte. James William Cottam 18th Battalion Highland Light Infantry

    James Cottam was invalided out of the HLI after loosing a leg during the Battle of Passchendaele. Like many of his generation he never spoke of his experience. Later he was reunited with Nellie and they married on Boxing Day 1920.

    Cherryll Young




    221759

    Cpl. Harold Morris 6th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.9th Feb 1917)

    Researching Harold Morris on behalf of the family and out of respect and gratitude for my relative. We haven't got any photos as he came from a poor background living in Bilston. If any one finds any photos of the 6th Battalion South Staffs pre 9th Feb 17 I would be very grateful if you could contact me. It would be cracking to put a face to the uncle my grandad never knew but heard alot about.

    Paul Morris




    221758

    Pte. Harry Gall 9th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment

    Harry Gall joined the army on 15th of Jan 1916 in the 5th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. He embarked for France at Folkstone on the 16th of June 1916, disembarked at Boulogne same day. He joined 32nd Infantry Base Depot at Etaples on the 17th June 1917 and transfered to 9th Btn York & Lancs Regt on the 1st of July 1917. He took part in the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. Harry transfered to the army reserve on demob on the 17th of March 1919

    Michael Gall




    221757

    Pte. George Bennett 9th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.April 1917)

    <p>

    The family story is that George Bennett, who worked on the railway, lied about his age so he could fight for King and Country, aged 17. His Mother, my Grandmother, never got over it. My Mother told me how she would sit and rock in her chair crying at the loss of her only Son. My mother was born in 1917 and never knew George but kept his memory alive. I have done the same, and I have told my children and grandchildren the same. We shall never forget him and all those fallen in War

    George Bennett died in the 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station and is interred at the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Heather Hancock




    221756

    Pte. Gilbert Charles Taylor 2nd/4th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.23rd Feb 1919)

    My second cousin Gilbert Taylor died at the end of World War 1, he was only 19, he died in Cologne in February 1919. My Aunt who was his cousin said that when he was on leave, he slept in my dad and her's house as there was not enough room for him to sleep at his own. She said he was such a nice person and she still has a tear as she speaks about him, she is now 97 years of age.

    Christine Lock




    221755

    Pte. Ernest Dellar 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (d.8th Jan 1916)

    My gradfather, Private Ernest Dellar, served with the 8th Bn, Royal Fusiliers. According to his medal transcript, he entered the theatre of war in France, on 24th of Novemeber 1915. He died of wounds on 8th of January 1916, aged 33, but we do not know how he was wounded or in which engagement. He is buried in Béthune town cemetery. He left behind a young handicapped son of nearly 3, and my grandmother pregnant with my father who was born in April 1916.





    221754

    Pte. Arthur Thomas Newton 15th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Arthur Thomas Newton was the son of Arthur Thomas & Hannah Newton. He was the husband of Annie Elizabeth Newton. He died of wounds, aged 22 leaving a two year old daughter, also named Annie Elizabeth.

    Janet Brown




    221751

    Pte. Jack Litton 8th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.5th Oct 1917)

    Jack Litton has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.





    221750

    Sgt. Donald Forrester Brown VC 2nd Bn. Otago Regiment (d.1st October 1916)

    <p>

    Donald Brown was killed in action on 1st of October 1916 aged 26 and is buried in the Warlencourt British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Robert and Jessie Brown, of Wharf St., Oamaru, New Zealand. Native of Dunedin.

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 30130, dated 14th July, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and determination in attack (south-east of High Wood, France, on September 15, 1916), when the company to which he belonged had suffered very heavy casualties in officers and men from machine gun fire. At great personal risk this N.C.O.advanced with a comrade and succeeded in reaching a point within 30 yds. of the enemy guns. Four of the gun crew were killed and the gun captured. The advance of the company was continued until it was again held up by machine gun fire. Again Serjt. Brown and his comrade, with great gallantry, rushed the gun and killed the crew. After this second position had been won, the company came under very heavy shell fire, and the utter contempt for danger and coolness under fire of this N.C.O. did much to keep up the spirit of his men. On a subsequent occasion in attack, Serjt. Brown showed most conspicuous gallantry. He attacked, single handed, a machine gun which was holding up the attack, killed the gun crew, and captured the gun. Later, whilst sniping the retreating enemy, this very gallant soldier was killed."

    s flynn




    221749

    Cpl. Joseph Kaeble VC, MM. 22nd Btn. Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment) (d.9th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    The following extract is recorded in the London Gazette Supplement No. 30903, dated 16th September 1918:- "For most conspicuous bravery and extraordinary devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun section in the front line trenches, in which a strong enemy raid was attempted. During an intense bombardment Corporal Kaeble remained at the parapet with his Lewis gun shouldered ready for action, the field of fire being very short. As soon as the barrage lifted from the front line, about fifty of the enemy advanced towards his post. By this time the whole of his section except one had become casualties. Corporal Kaeble jumped over the parapet, and holding his Lewis gun at the hip, emptied one magazine after another into the advancing enemy, and although wounded several times by fragments of shells and bombs, he continued to fire and entirely blocked the enemy by his determined stand. Finally, firing all the time, he fell backwards into the trench mortally wounded. While lying on his back in the trench he fired his last cartridges over the parapet at the retreating Germans, and before losing consciousness shouted to the wounded about him: "Keep it up, boys; do not let them get through! We must stop them !" The complete repulse of the enemy attack at this point was due to the remarkable personal bravery and self-sacrifice of this gallant non-commissioned officer, who died of his wounds shortly afterwards."

    Joseph Kaeble was born on May 5th 1892 St. Moise, Matane County, Québec, and he enlisted on March 20th 1916 in Sayabec, Québec. He died aged 26 of wounds whilst fighting near Arras, and was buried in the Wanquetin Communal Cemetery Extension in Calais, France.

    S Flynn




    221748

    Pte. Hugh McIver VC, MM & Bar. 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Hugh McIver was killed in action on the 2nd Sep 1918 and is buried in the Vraucourt Copse Cemetery in France. He was the son of Hugh and Mary McIver, of 34, Dunlop St., Newton Hallside, Glasgow. Native of Linwood, Paisley.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31012, dated 12th Nov., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when employed as a company runner. In spite of heavy artillery and machine-gun fire he carried messages regardless of his own safety. Single-handed he pursued an enemy scout into a machine gun post and having killed six of the garrison captured twenty prisoners with two machine guns. This gallant action enabled the company to advance unchecked. Later he succeeded at great personal risk in stopping the fire of a British Tank which was directed in error against our own troops at close range. By this very gallant action Pte. McIver undoubtedly saved many lives."

    s flynn




    221744

    Spr. Charles Kennedy 99th Field Coy (d.17th June 1917)

    Charles Kennedy was killed in action at Salonika and buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery. His two first cousins Denis and James Brophy were also killed in action in France and Palestine respectively. All three are from the small village of Killasmeestia, Ballybrophy, Co. Laois, Ireland.

    James Fitzpatrick




    221741

    Pte. James Brophy 1st Bn. (d.28th April 1918)

    James Brophy died in Palestine and is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery. His brother Denis Brophy died of wounds received in France in 1915 and is buried at Southend-on-Sea. Their first cousin was also killed in 1917 at Salonika and is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery.

    All three are from the small village of Killasmeestia, Ballybrophy, Co. Laois, Ireland. I have the Memorial Plaque for both Denis and James Brophy.

    James Fitzpatrick




    221740

    Pte. John Connolly 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.20th Oct 1918)

    My uncle, Private Jack Connolly served with the 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment. Born in 1899 in Birr, Offaly, Ireland, he was the first born of Peter and Anne Connolly (nee McDonagh). He died 20th October 1918 in Flanders 21 days before the Armistice and 2 weeks before his 20th birthday. He is interred at Harlebeke New British Cemetry, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. What a waste!

    Peter Connolly




    221739

    Drvr. Denis Brophy 24th Brigade (d.5th July 1915)

    Denis Brophy died of wounds received in France and is buried at Sutton Road Cemetery, Southend-on-Sea. I have his memorial plaque.

    James Fitzpatrick




    221737

    A/Sgt William Hall Wilkinson 25th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    William Wilkinson served with the 25th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Keith Nevens




    221734

    Pte. Alfred Richard George Smith 2nd Btn Wiltshire Regiment (d.6th November 1918)

    Alfred Smith was the son of Alfred James and Mary Louisa Smith of 89 Union St., Stonehouse, Plymouth.

    Peter Smith




    221731

    Sgt. James Norman Williams DCM, MM 9th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.5th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    James Williams volunteered at 17 and within 4 years was promoted to sergeant. He was tragically killed in action just 1 month before the armistice. He was awarded the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal, his citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in reconnoitering for and taking part in a daylight raid in full view of enemy's lines, and by skillful bombing holding back an enemy party until his own got clear."

    He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Williams, of 28, Grandidge Terrace, Rochdale and was killed in action on 5th Oct 1918, aged 21. he is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    221730

    Capt. William Constantine MC 7th (West. and Cumb. Yeomanry) Btn. Border Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Billy Constantine was killed in action on 18th Sep 1918, aged 23. He is Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France and was the son of William and Mary Ann Constantine, of 10, Southfield St., Bolton, brother of Margaret, Percy, Gladys, Lillian, Beatrice and Harold

    s flynn




    221729

    Sgt. Frederick Arthur Arnold MM 1st/1st North Midland Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th July 1917)

    Sorry I don't know to much only that Frederick Arnold was killed by enemy aircraft.

    Andy Arnold




    221728

    Sgt. Thomas Barnes Cuttle 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>Photos courtesy of WW1cemeteries.com

    Thomas Cuttle was killed in action on 4th Nov 1918 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

    S Flynn




    221724

    Pte. Hugh Stewart Swinburne 14th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Aug 1916)

    Hugh Swinburne was killed in action at Clarence Crater, Arras, France on the 14th of August 1916.

    John Swinburne




    221721

    L/Sgt. Charles Samuel Glasby 18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.23rd May 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Glasby joined as a Private in the London Irish Rifles. He was one of 400 that joined from Messrs Cooks Limited, the big wholesale house in St Paul's Churchyard, London

    Paul Glasby




    221717

    Pte. Thomas Earl 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.14th Jul 1916)

    Thomas Earl was the boyfriend of my grandmother on my mother's side. They were both sweethearts living in Carlisle, and they were going to marry after he came back from the war (so the story goes). Of course he never did, and was killed in action on 14th July 1916. I wonder if I would be here today if those events did not happen. What a different world the place would be when you multiply all the ifs and buts of WW1. What a different place this country would be.

    Thomas Earl is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

    John Rutherford




    221715

    Pte. John Douglas 20th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My grandfather, Private John Douglas, was presented with a "Card of Honour - 34th Division" which stated: "Your Brigadier has reported that during the operations E. of Hargicourt 27th to 31st August 1917 you showed great devotion to duty whilst acting as a Company Runner delivering messages with promptitude between the front line and Battalion Headquarters, frequently under heavy artillery and rifle fire and I hereby award you a Card of Honour. Signed, Major General Nicholson. Commanding 34th Division. Card No. 221"

    John Douglas was severely wounded and gassed, had a metal plate inserted into his fractured skull, and lost a knee cap; he had to wear iron supports on his leg. In 1919, John resumed work as a Buyer for Marshall & Snelgrove. He passed away in 1936.

    Judith Coupar




    221714

    Pte. John Robson 150th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.19th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    John Robson was born in 1882 at Sunnyside Farm, Great Whittington (later known as the Whiggs) the son of John Robson and Isabella (nee Jackson) the innkeeper of the Queen’s Head, Great Whittington, Northumberland. In 1911 John had been working on a farm for Elizabeth Blackburn at Dukesfield Hall near Hexham and was a farm worker when he had enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He later became a member of the 150th Company of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry).

    The Hexham Courant carried news of his death in hospital from wounds – mentioning his sister Mrs Elizabeth Burn of the Square in Humshaugh, Northumberland. This was Elizabeth Robson who had married Thomas Burn on New Year’s Eve at Corbridge 1903. Private John Robson, aged 35, was wounded and later died in hospital in France on September 19th 1916 and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery near Rouen. His name is recorded on the commemorative wooden plaque recently discovered in the Wesleyan Chapel at Great Whittington.

    Phil Taylor




    221711

    L/Cpl. James Bennet 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    Originally from Moniaive in the Parish of Glencairn, Dumfriesshire, James Bennet was the son of James and Jemima (Armstrong) Bennet. He was working in a draper's shop in Cathcart, Glasgow, when he enlisted at Troon on 9 Nov 1914.

    He first served in the Highland Light Infantry and then the East Yorkshire Regiment. He went missing in action on the 3rd of May 1917, quite possibly in the capture of Oppy Wood, Battle of the Somme. He is commemorated on the Bennet family monument in Glencairn Churchyard.

    D'Arcy Hande




    221707

    Pte. William Alfred Burton 7th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Private William Alfred Burton was wounded in Gallipoli and died from his wounds. He was moved to Egypt, where he is buried in Alexandria.

    W.A.Burton Jr




    221703

    Pte. Frank Meecham 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.18th July 1916)

    Frank Meecham was my husband's great uncle, very sad for his Grandmother who was Frank's sister. She also lost her other brother, Frederick, the same year in 1916 he served as leading stoker on HMS Invincible which went down in the Battle of Jutland on the 31st May 1916, but they are both named and remembered on a memorial at the top of Binstead Hill on the outskirts of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Lest We Forget.

    Maggie and Ian Hailes




    221701

    2nd Lt. Daniel Menzies Grant 5th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.4th Aug 1918)

    Around 40 years ago my uncle gave me two WW1 medals and a Death Penny. They had been awarded to 2nd Lieutenant Daniel M Grant who I'd never heard of before. He never told me anything about him, and I didn't know who he was. About 6 months ago I decided to do some research to try to find out who he was. I traced his birth certificate and discovered he was my great uncle. He died of wounds on 4th Aug 1918. He's at rest in Senlis National Cemetery in France.

    I plan to visit his grave sometime in the future to pay my respects. God bless you Daniel.

    John M Grant




    221694

    L/Cpl. Bertie Miller 2nd/5th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.2nd Oct 1917)

    <p>Bertie Miller - Scalford Memorial

    Lance Corporal Miller was the eldest son of John and Emma Miller of Debdale Farm. Whilst engaged in fighting at Hill 37 near Ypres he was severely wounded and taken to No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings, Poperinghe. This was where Bertie Miller died aged 19 from gunshot wounds to the head. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Matthew Broughton




    221693

    Pte. Henry James "Sonny" Day 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.23rd Sep 1918)

    Henry Day died of gunshot wounds at 3 Casualty Clearing Station, on Monday 23rd of September 1918 and is buried at Thilloy Road Cemetery, Beaulencourt France. His parents always called him 'Son' or 'Sonny', he had 5 siblings with his youngest brother being born 46 days before his death.

    Susan Warne




    221692

    Pte. Harry Brown 1st/5th Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Harry Brown was my great grand Uncle and he, like so many others, lost his life on the Somme on 3rd of September 1916 at the age of 30. I am researching the family to see if he had time to get married and have a family, I hope he did. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France, near where he died in action.

    We know a little about him as we found a Memorial Card in a suitcase of old photos with a photo of him in his uniform. We know he was born in Cardale St, London in 1886, and that by 1901 he was living with his parents and 6 siblings in West Yorkshire (near Holmfirth I think).

    It's incredible to think that these men were prepared to lay down their lives for their fellow countryman, and for that we remember them. Lest we forget. Thanks Uncle Harry for all that you did.

    Nicky Jenkinson




    221691

    L/Cpl. Isaac Hague 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.13 August 1917)

    Isaac Hague joined the Sherwood Foresters in 1911/12. Before that he worked as a carriage hand for Swift & Wass Ltd, lace making machinery manufacturers at the Victoria Works in Basford.

    He served in India with the Sherwood Foresters for almost year between 1913 and 1914 and in August 1916 he transfered to the Irish Fusiliers. He was posted to France in 1914 and again in 1916. He was (slightly) wounded in action in 1915. He was made a Lance Corporal in October 1916. He died of wounds on August 13th 1917 and he is buried in the Brandhoek Military Cemetry near Ypres in Belgium.

    Isaac's parents were Benjamin and Laura Hague and in 1915 he married Jennie Francis.





    221690

    Pte. Alfred Ireland 7th Batallion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.12th Jan 1917)

    Alfred Ireland was born in Bristol on the 5th of August 1890, son of Thomas Martin and Mary Ann (nee Mountain). He died in Mesopotamia (Iraq) and is buried at the Amara Cemetery, which was virtually destroyed during the recent Iraq war.

    Martyn Rundle




    221689

    Pte. Owen Trumble 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.22nd Dec 1917)

    Owen Trumble was a coal miner before he joined up. His mother and her family were from Northern Ireland so I guess that is why he joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusilers. His mother died from complications after childbirth in 1903 when his youngest brother, Bernard, was born. My grandmother, his sister, Margaret took on the role of mother and when he was sent to a reform school in Manchester, with his brother John, she walked the 24 mile round trip from Tyldesley every Sunday to see them.

    Having lost John in 1916 in Flanders she was heartbroken to lose Owen in December 1917 and when my father enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1934 she refused to speak to him for two weeks, relenting on the day he set off to join his regiment.

    Michael Fahy




    221686

    Dvr. John Price Nunn 2nd East Lancs Royal Field Artillery

    Wednesday 14th March 1917 – journey from England to the battlefront. This story begins with us about to start our journey in France. As a driver I was looking after the horses. These were put 8 in each horsebox. Jimmy Maguire and myself were in charge of one of these horse boxes. The horses themselves were remounts which implied that their training had been hurried and that many of them were still inclined to be fractious. From the minute they were entrained until the train began to move these horses were quarrelsome with each other, attempting to bite each other, stamping their fore and hind feet, and generally in a very unsettled state. Within 10 minutes of starting (and this one started with a jerk which seemed to be commonplace during the rest of the journey and therefore did not help towards peaceful occupancy of the horse boxes). Two horses became loose (it is my belief now that these two had not been adequately tethered – neither Maguire or myself had tethered them in the first instance since the hooks were almost out of reach for statures such as ours). However since the train was moving and we could call on no one to help use, we tried to get them tethered again. With two of the centre position horses being loose there was increased pandemonium on one side of the box. I though I might help if I got in between these horses to steady them whilst Maguire stood on the bale of hay and endeavored to re-tether them – but these horses began to lean on me so heavily I had visions of being squashed, and the more I pushed them apart the more they retaliated; so we did not manage to re-tether them and conditions became worse every minute – particularly so because now the two horses discovered they could attack the hay and the bag of oats and we could not reposition these in any place where they could not be reached. With these two horses freely moving about it became dangerous for us to stay in the box at all and for a period of about 15 minutes we pushed open the sliding doors sufficiently to enable us to get through and we travelled on the floorboard.

    All of a sudden the train stopped and immediately I went up the side of the train to inform Corporal Farrer who was with others in an ordinary compartment. He was playing cards with his mates and ignored our appeal. Before I had any further chance to think, let alone call on someone else for help, the train started again and I managed to scramble back, and along with Maguire stayed by the open door for safety. Some time elapsed before the train stopped again and because of conditions inside the box we were getting most anxious. One of my horses had been cut on the forehead by the point of the hook on the ceiling and had a cut about 4 or 5 inches long which was bleeding.

    As soon as the train stopped I dropped off and ran as fast as I could to the front end of the train where the officers were. Hurriedly I informed Capt. Lodge of the position and he turned to Leut. MacDonald to go and investigate. MacDonald came down the lines on the opposite side of the train to me – in fact there was no lines on his side and he was walking on the other side of some signal communication wires which were about 18 foot above the ground. In order to be there when he arrived I ran back fast but had not reached the box when the train started again, and I had to scramble on and travel in another box leaving Maguire to hold the fort until another stop. MacDonald who was in riding breeches and pullover only and had no hat, and probably no money, didn't manage to get on the train and it was 4 days before I saw him again! Maguire who also had been off the train when it had started moving again had scrambled on the next box with me.

    Thus until the train stopped again which was sometime later, our horses had the box to themselves and as soon as the train stopped Maguire and I went to look at our horses to see what was the position. For a moment we were stunned by the sight we saw. The horses were all jumbled up, some facing forward, some backward, there was a frightful row going on between them. They were rearing up and kicking each other, and the floor of the space we were supposed to occupy was in a terrible mess – most of the hay was loose and strewn about, the contents of the bag of oats lay all over the floor, mixed with horse manure. Our enamel drinking cups and billy cans were flattened and other personal equipment fouled with manure.

    Some quick action was essential so I again ran up the lines to inform Capt. Lodge once again. Naturally his first comment was an enquiry as to where Lt MacDonald was and he nearly exploded when I said I did not know! He followed this information by getting out of his compartment on the other side of the train just as MacDonald did and I ran back faster than ever to be there when he arrived and with some apprehension as to whether he would encounter the same fate as MacDonald. However the train stopped long enough this time for him to reach the unfortunate horses and by the time he got there Maguire had braved the infernal confusion and had opened the sliding door on his side of the box. Capt Lodge was not a big man, in fact he was about our own size so that in standing on the track and looking in the box only his face showed on the other side. He gave one look at the bedlam and uttered a curse which sounded like “bloody hell!” and then put us both under arrest, after which he sought out Corp Farrier to go and attempt to sort out the confused state in the box. For the rest of the journey, which lasted 20 hours, we travelled under guard in a compartment of the train. We had no food or drink during the whole journey. We arrived at Thiennes 5pm on Thursday 15th of March 1917.

    Richard Ross




    221685

    L/Sgt. Herbert Wyer 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.2nd November 1914)

    My husband's great uncle, L/Serjeant Herbert Wyer, only came to our notice about 6 months ago. We are desperately trying to piece together the last part of his life. He was the son of Mr and Mrs John Wyer of Carbrooke, Watton, Norfolk. The husband of Annie Louisa Wyer of 217 Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, London.

    We just know that he was killed in action on 2nd November, 1914 and is commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Lleper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. He is also remembered on the WW1 memorial in the Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, London as he worked there as a warder/cleaner earning £72 16s per annum!

    We would love to know where exactly he was killed, was it perhaps Polygon Wood, Reutel? As I think the Coldstream Guards were at the First Battle of Ypres. Does anyone know if there is the possibility of a photograph being on the Guards records? To put a face to this brave man would be lovely.

    Linda Fuller




    221684

    Pte. Joseph Walter Fox 1st Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.2nd Aug 1915)

    Joseph Fox was the husband of Isabella Fox, of 9 Furlong Rd., Bolton-on-Dearne, Rotherham.

    Grenville Fox




    221682

    Cpt. Hugh James "Mort" Mortimer MC & Bar Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Hugh aged 19 in 1915

    Hugh Mortimer served with the RGA.

    Hugh in 1945

    Sue




    221681

    Cpl. Thomas Joseph Grant MM. 275th (W Lancs) Bde, A Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Thomas Joseph Grant's Military Medal, was gazetted in the The London Gazette, Issue 30940, Page 11829 7 October 1918 and The Edinburgh Gazette, Issue 13333, Page 3727 9 October 1918:

    "His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the under-mentioned Non-commissioned Officer: 675093 Cpl. T. J. Grant, R.F.A. A/275th (W Lancs) Bde RFA (TF)."

    This Gallantry Medal is the other ranks' equivalent to the Military Cross (M.C.).The military decoration was awarded to Thomas Joseph Grant for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire or for individual or associated acts of bravery which were insufficient to merit the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Conferment of the medal was announced in the London Gazette and Thomas Joseph Grant earned the right to add the letters M.M. to his name.

    During the Second World War he was also awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division), announced in the London Gazette, Issue 35264, Page 5142, 5th September 1941:

    " Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, St James’s Palace, SW1 5th September 1941: The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following awards of the British Empire Medal and for the publication in the London Gazette of the names of the persons specially shown below as having received an expression of Commendation for their brave conduct in Civil Defence: George Robert Symington, Police Constable, Liverpool Police Force, Thomas Joseph Grant, Foreman, A.R.P. Rescue Party and Bertie Kavanagh, Member . During an air raid a man and a boy were trapped beneath a demolished building. Constable Symington, together with Grant and Kavanagh, began tunnelling operations. Enemy aircraft were overhead and bombs fell within fifty yards of the men and demolished a nearby building. One of the two remaining walls of the wrecked house collapsed and Symington was buried to the thighs in debris. He remained in this position, supporting part of the wreckage with his body until, after two hours' continuous effort; the two victims were brought to safety. All three men showed courage in effecting the rescue, being aware of the likelihood of the collapse of the remaining walls."





    221678

    Rflmn. Charles Watkins 10th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.27th May 1917)

    Charles Watkins was a rifleman in the Rifle Brigade. He was married to my grandmother's sister. He answered the call to serve his country and he died on the 27th of May 1917 from illness in Roen, France. Like those who were killed in action may he rest in peace.

    J.D. Noulton




    221671

    Sgt. William Craven 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.26th Sept 1917)

    My great uncle William Craven was killed in action during the Battle of Polygon Wood on the 26th Sept 1917. Aged only 20 yrs. he is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial as his remains were not found.

    Terry Bleasdale




    221648

    Pte. John Joseph McLoy 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.11th Apr 1917)

    John McLoy was the son of the late James McLoy, of 73 College St., Dumbarton

    M Doherty




    221641

    Pte. George Madden 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.10th Aug 1917)

    George Madden, a Protestant, had signed the Ulster Covenant in September 1912, along with other members of his family. Five years later, George would pay the ultimate price for his loyalty and patriotism. He most probably was killed in the futile carnage of Third Ypres, aka Passchendaele. George is commemorated at St John's Parish church, Castlerock and at the Menin Gate War Memorial. George left behind a widow Martha, and four young children Bobby, Annie, Andrew, and George.

    Gary Watton




    221637

    L/Cpl. John Henry Cravern 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.2nd June 1917)

    I have John Cravern's 1914 star in my medal collection

    D Watson




    221636

    Pte. Harry Washington 1/4th Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.16th June 1915)

    Harry Washington was the son of General George Washington and Beatrice Annie Shaw, born 20 May 1880, he was a member of the Luddenden Foot Boys Brigade and was awarded a Cross of Heroism Award for attempting the rescue of an 8 year old boy who was drowning in the local river in 1906.

    He served with the Dukes and was killed in action in WW1 aged 25 years, his sacrifice is listed alongside his brother, Frederick George, on the war memorial in the park next to the river where he tried to save the life of the young boy. He and his brother were the eldest males siblings of my grandfather Albert Edward George Washington.

    Lynne Green




    221633

    Pte. Peter Raftery 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.13th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Peter Raftery has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Noel Griffin




    221630

    Pte. Thomas Alexander Raffan 51st Sanitary Section Royal Army Medical Corps (d.23rd Dec 1918)

    Thomas A. Raffan Jr. served in the RAMC Sanitary Section of the 51st Highland Div. He died of pneumonia on the 23rd December 1918 most likely from influenza. His parents lived at 62 Urquhart Rd. Four years after his death his family moved to Toronto, Canada





    221628

    Pte. William McClure 7th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.11th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    William McClure is interred at the Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.

    James McClure




    221626

    Pte. Edward Ruttens 2/6th Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.19th July 1916)

    We have no photos or stories. Edward Ruttens was our Dad's brother and was brought up in Duncton and Bury, West Sussex. He joined up under age, we were told but only know that he died at the Battle of Loos and has no known grave.

    Caralyn Anderson and Bill Ruttens




    221624

    Pte. David Grieve MM. 2nd Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers

    I spent many hours in my childhood with Grandpa Grieve. He never spoke of the war, only told me that it was totally muddy and they used mules for transport.

    I have 4 of his medals, one being the MM. I know he must have done something exceptional to have been awarded that medal. After the war he worked in Templeton's carpet factory on Tobago St in Glasgow's east end. David Grieve passed away in 1946.

    Bill Taylor




    221619

    Pte. Robert James Walker 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Robert Walker served with the 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Marion Ralson




    221618

    Rflmn. Richard Sadler Lyus 6th Btn. London Regiment (d.25th May 1915)

    In the 1901 census, Richard Lyus was a private in the King's Royal Rifle Corps and went to South Africa. By trade he was a printers warehousman. Richard was killed in the Battle of Festubert by a shell that also wounded his company's captain. He left a wife and four children.

    David Lyus




    221617

    Pte. Thomas Chidley Osborne 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st Feb 1915)

    Thomas Chidley took the surname Osborne when his mother married George Osborne. Thomas, along with his step-brothers William George Osborne and John Edward Osborne, signed up with the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment and sailed for France in August 1914. Thomas was 35 years old, William, 38, and John, 40.

    Thomas was killed in action in February 1915. Although he has no grave, his name is inscribed on the Le Touret Memorial. John was wounded and discharged 16th Feb 1916. William, my great-grandfather, saw the war through and was discharged 1st May 1919.

    B. Osborne




    221614

    Rflmn. John Sidney Pike 18th Btn. London Regiment (d.9th Jul 1917)

    John Pike is my great-uncle and was 20 years old when he died of his wounds. He was buried at Bailleul Cemetary in Nord, France.

    Jan Wright




    221613

    Pte. Alexander Sambridge 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.8th Oct 1918)

    Alexander Sambridge (Sambidge) was my father's brother. I began researching his history in 2013 and came across a beautiful card, with French lace and embroidered lilac flowers and the sentiment "To My Dear Mother". The card reads: "I send my best wishes to you all at home and a bright and happy Xmas. Love to you all. From your loving son, Alex"

    Alexander is buried in Forenville Military Cemetery in Nord, France.I am very glad to have learned about my uncle's wartime service. It has allowed me to say "Thank you" to him; he was a young man with his whole life ahead of him.

    Lilian Reed




    221612

    Rflmn. James Pike 10th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    James Pike is my great uncle. He died at the Battle of Guillemont and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He was 20 years old when he died.

    Jan Wright




    221611

    Pte. George Walton Jackson 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    George Jackson was injured in October 1914 in France

    Jeanette Jackson




    221605

    Pte. John Edmund Spencer Labour Corps Army Service Corps

    John Edmund Spencer lied about his age and joined up in Aldershot in September 1915. Instead of putting his real age of 52, he said he was 47. He lasted less than three months - he went AWOL twice, for nine days and thirty four days, and finally left Aldershot for good. A Court of Inquiry in January 1916, records his desertion on December 10th and gives a list of all the things he left with that belonged to the Army. So far, no further trace of him has been found.

    Susan Lightfoot




    221602

    Spr. Herbert Bottomley 461 Field Coy Royal Engineers

    I have a notebook from my Grandfather Sapper Herbert Bottomley detailing his movements from 13th of January 1917 until 30th January 1919. According to his records he originally of 461 Field Coy regrouped to the 446 Field Coy in 1918. Personally I find it difficult to decypher the (neat) 'copper plate' handwriting.

    Richard Bottomley




    221599

    Rflmn. James Herbert Scott 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th June 1917)

    James Herbert Scott was the brother of my grandfather Hugh Scott, Ballynahinch Road, Hillsborough. My father told me he was just 18 when his arm was blown off. He died trying to bandage it. Very proud of him

    Irene Wilkinson




    221597

    Jack Willis Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    have found a paper with Battalion Orders 165...on the back of the order is a spot where my granpa J. Willis bought his discharge so he could enlist in the Canadian Army...am wondering if any info is there pre 1912 of him serving with the yorkshire division thank you

    Ted Willis




    221593

    Cpl. William H. Wood 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.17th April 1918)

    William H. Wood died 17 April 1918 serving as a Corporal in the 2nd Battalion the Worcester Regiment for his country in the Great War. His remains have never been found but he is remembered with honour on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

    He had only recently married Grace Elsie Bullock in the first quarter of 1917. She only saw him for one week and after his death, she never married again.





    221592

    Pte. John William Johnson 11th (Hull Pals) Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Sep 1918)

    John Johnson was reported missing 12th April 1918. It would appear that he was one of several who were captured during a retreat. He was taken a prisoner of war but died from wounds received from bombs dropped from planes on 5th September 1918. His wife contested this report saying that the Germans had shot him whilst a prisoner. He was initially buried at La Miterie German Cemetry, Lomme but was later reburied in 1919 at the New Irish Cemetry, Ieper, Belgium.

    Aileen Gilchrist




    221591

    Pte. William Henry Girling 2/4th Btn. West Surrey Regiment

    Bill Girling was my Grandad. He enlisted on 15th June 1915, one month before his 32nd birthday. He was married to Edith (nee Harding) and at the time had two sons, Will, aged 3 and, my Dad, Ernie, aged 1. He was a shortish man - only 5ft 5ins. But his physical development was good. He was a keen sportsman and was employed as a baker.

    His Battalion sailed to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, arriving on 8th August. They went into battle immediately and became embroiled in fierce fighting which resulted in a huge number of casualties. After the dreadful fighting and atrocious weather conditions of 1915, the Battalion was evacuated and sent to Egypt. There they suffered extremes of heat and freezing nights fighting the Turks. After the fall of Jerusalem they went on to fight in the second battle of the Marne.

    Grandad was wounded on several occasions. He was shot or had shrapnel wounds in the neck, abdomen, stomach, thigh and lastly his right arm. This last wound, in Belgium on 19th October 1918, meant the end of the war for him and he was shipped home.

    He lasted for 7 years, incapacitated by a bullet in his left lung, shrapnel in the right lung, emphysema (from the gas), asthma, TB, and a pretty useless right arm. He died of these wounds and their effects - but his widow was firstly refused a pension as he died so long after the war. She battled against this decision and was finally awarded the correct and proper pension. My father was just 11 at the time he died. Luckily, all his diaries, medals and correspondence were kept which enabled me to research his life.

    Judy Brickell




    221586

    Pte. Frederick George Jones 6th Battalion The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.16th Oct 1917)

    Frederick G Jones was my great uncle, he was only eighteen when he was sadly drowned in the mud whilst stretcher bearing.

    Julia Wood




    221583

    Pte. Robert Stewart Richardson Stobie 9th (Glasgow Highland) Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    <p>

    Bert Stobie served with the 9th (Glasgow Highland) Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    Andrew G A Stobie




    221582

    Pte. David Elder 1/13th Btn. London Regiment

    My Nana had 2 brothers who served during the WW1. One was missing in action and the other was killed in action. Unfortunately, since her death the box she kept their photos in and memorabilia has gone missing. I now only have one medal with David Elders details around the edge.

    Carl




    221575

    Thomas Preston 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th June 1917)

    Thomas Preston was born in 1898 in Trimdon, Durham, one of eight children of Thomas Preston, a coal miner, and Jemima Henderson. In 1911 the family were living at 7 Wynyard Street, Dawdon, Seaham Harbour. Thomas served with the Northumberland Fusiliers, 2Oth Tyneside Scottish Btn and was killed on 5th June 1917. He is commemorated at the Sunken Road Cemetery, Fampoux, France, and also on a Memorial Plaque in the Dawdon Miners Lodge. Thomas's older brother Simon, born in 1892 in Trimdon, enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers, 22nd Tyneside Scottish Btn.





    221573

    Lt. Clark Roberts

    My grandfather, Clark Roberts, enlisted in the UWO Medical Corp, Canadian Expeditionary Force in May, 1916. Transferred to the Royal Flying Corp while overseas. Discharged as Lieutenant in March 1919.

    Jeff Roberts




    221572

    Spr. Henry George "Harry" Stroud 475 (South Midland) Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    George Henry Stroud was the husband of Lillian May Stroud of 7 Walker St. Kingsdown, Bristol and both were born at Bristol. Together they had a son Charles and twin daughters Doris and Flora. Doris was my grandmother and her stories of George were that he was a handsome funny man who used to come home from service and carry both his daughters upon each shoulder up and down the street. In his lifetime, both his daughters were alive but in 1927, Flora died of meningitis. Doris lived until her 90's. Doris always said Henry was actually called "Harry". He died of wounds on 21st November 1920, aged 39.

    Paul Glinn




    221568

    L/Cpl. Charles Stanley Banks Palmer 7th Btn. London Regiment (d.26th Sep 1915)

    Lance Corporal Stanley Palmer was the son of Edward and the late Lucy Clara Palmer of 11 St. Mary's Road, Highbury, London, and Hyderabad, India. He was the Sub-editor of "Advocate of India." Charles Stanley Banks Palmer was aged 26 when he was killed in action at the Battle of Loos. He is buried in the Noeux-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery in France.

    Nicky Palmer




    221566

    PTE Rifleman Arthur James Gridley 6th Btn London Regiment

    I've been researching my late grandfather's activity in WW1, Arthur Gridley was a Rifleman in the 6th London Regiment. I have been able to establish this from medals inherited from my mother. I have his number 1833 and another regimental number 320364. He enlisted on 7th of August 1914 and was discharged on 23rd of December 1918 being declared no longer physically fit to serve. I'm keen to find out where he was posted and what activities he might have been involved in but I'm struggling to find this information. I'd be really grateful if anyone can help in any way

    Ian Todd




    221565

    Pte. Robert Valentine Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Private Robert Valentine served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He died at the Down County Infirmary on 12 April 1920 from wounds received at the Battle of the Somme; he was 22 years old. Robert was interred in Loughinisland, Co. Down on 14 April 1920.

    Dessie McGarry




    221562

    Rfmn. George Andrew Gillespie 11th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.8th Aug 1916)

    <p>G. Gillespie King's Royal Rifle Corps

    George Gillespie was my great-uncle and he was born in Barrow-in-Furness. I have inherited his letters from my father's family and he mentions training in Liverpool, and in his first letter he joked about the poor training of Kitchener's New Armies. When he finally got to France in 1915 his letters did not give details of where he was, where he was going or what he had been doing. One letter mentions that he was in "No-man's land" and that the Germans were 180 yards away. The letter describes how at night his comrades would sing Christmas songs loudly only to be outsung by the German soldiers. This was his last letter dated December 24th 1916.

    George Gillespie died aged 32 in the Battle of the Somme from mortar shelling which collapsed and killed several men that day. He is buried in Hebuterne Communal Cemetery, Calais, along with one other 11th Battalion member. The letter from his commander, 2nd Lieutenant G.C. Everett, reporting his death did not mention exactly where he died. My research seems to show he may have been in the battle of Delville Woods but I cannot confirm this. George was the son of George and Catherine Gillespie, of 44, Earle Street, Barrow-in-Furness. He was not married.

    Joanne Gillespie




    221561

    A/Cpl. Joseph Callum 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Jospeh Callum first served in the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, then later in the 13th Battalion.





    221559

    Pte. Richard Rutland Hartley 9th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd Sept 1916)

    Private Richard Rutland Hartley was killed in action at Delville Wood during the Battle of the Somme on 3rd September 1916 at the age of 25. War diaries of the 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment record him as wounded on 3rd September 1916, and other sources as 'died of wounds'.

    Remembered by his family and, in particular, his sister Phoebe Elizabeth Hartley (my grandmother). Now remembered by his family in 2014 on the 100th Anniversary of the start of the First World War.

    George Bish




    221552

    Pte. Thomas Henry Sinfield 4th Battalion London Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Henry Sinfield, born 1885, he joined up with the 2/4th Battalion London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) sometime between January and February of 1915. Sadly killed on the 22nd of August 1918 and buried in his final resting place in the Military Cemetery in Le Cateau, France.

    Lee Steedman




    221551

    2nd Lt. Alexander James "Hamish" Mann 8th (Service) Batallion Black Watch (d.10th Apr 1917)

    Alexander Mann was born on 5th April 1896 in Broughty Ferry. Educated at George Watson's College, Edinburgh. Gazetted on 28th July, 1915 and drafted to France in August 1916. He took part in the Battle of the Somme and in the 1st Battle of the Scarpe. On 9th April, 1917, whilst leading his platoon he was seriously wounded by a shell and died the following day.

    Hamish Mann was a poet and a book of his work "A Subaltern's Musings" was published privately by his parents in 1918.

    Alan Mann




    221546

    Able Sea. James High Collingwood Battalion (d.4th June 1915 )

    James High joined up in November 1914. He was a miner aged 24 and married to Mary nee Scott and had two young children He was sent to train in the Royal Naval Volunteers Reserve as an Able Seaman in the Collingwood Battalion. He was reported missing presumed killed on 4th June 1915 and his young son died shortly after from diptheria. He is my husband's 2nd cousin and his name is on the Memorial in St Marys Church Holywell.





    221545

    Pte. Arthur James Linge 2nd Btn. A Coy Essex Regiment (d.24th Nov 1914)

    <p>Wedding Day at All Saints Church, Springfield

    Arthur James Linge arrived in Springfield around 1909 where he married and went on to have two daughters. As a reservist he was recalled to the army and landed in France with the war less than three weeks old. He was wounded near Ypres and succumbed to his injuries in November 1914. His home was in George Street. His younger brother, Earnest was also killed during the war.

    Arthur was born at Althorne in 1885 (at the time his forenames were recorded as ‘James Arthur’), the son of William Linge and Alice Linge (nee Copsey). Arthur’s father had been born in Mayland in 1851 and his mother in Latchingdon in 1862. They had married in 1880 and year later had been resident at Southminster. Arthur’s siblings were Edith Mary Linge (born in 1882), William Thomas Linge (1883-1961) Martha Jane Linge (1887-1953), Ernest Henry Linge (1889-1915), Lily Linge (1891-1893), Florence Linge (born in 1894), Elizabeth Alice Linge (born in 1896), Bertie George Linge (1898-1972), Edward George Linge (1901-1933), and his twin Albert Walter Linge. All the children except Florence and Lily (who were born in Coundon, County Durham), Bertie (who was born at Barling), and Edward and Albert (who were born in Rawreth), were born at Althorne.

    At the time of the 1891 census the family were living at Coundon in County Durham. Arthur was aged 5. His father was employed as a coal miner. By 1893 the family were back in Essex and the 1901 census recorded Arthur and his family resident at Back Road, Rawreth. Arthur was a 16 year-old stockman on a farm. His father was an agricultural labourer.

    Arthur married Alice Hart at All Saints’ Church in Springfield on 30th January 1909. The couple are pictured left. Arthur was aged 23, employed as a labourer and was living in Springfield. His bride, three years his junior, had been born in Writtle on 19th April 1889 and was also living in Springfield. The 1911 census found Arthur, his wife and eleven month old, East Hanningfield-born, daughter Lily Emily Alice Mary Linge visiting the household of Charles Henry Aves at Dukes Cottages in Boreham. Lily had been born on 3rd May 1910 and was christened at Holy Trinity Church in Springfield on 10th May 1910. The couple had a second daughter, Dorothy Rosina Beatrice May Linge, who was born on 14th March 1913 in Chelmsford and christened at St John’s Church Moulsham on 7th May 1913. At that time Arthur was described as a labourer of Baker’s Yard, George Street, Moulsham having moved there from Springfield.

    Arthur lived in Chelmsford, enlisted at Southend-on-Sea and served in the Essex Regiment prior to the war. As a reservist he was called up at its outbreak to the 2nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment and landed in France on 22nd August 1914. He is thought to have been a member of ‘A’ Company.

    The Essex County Chronicle of 6th November 1914 reported: - “Raid and the Germans - Mrs. Linge, of Baker's Yard, George Street, Chelmsford, has received a letter from her husband with the Expeditionary Force in France:– "I got your parcel safe, and glad to hear from you. I am all right at present. Have had rather a hot time in the trenches, with the rain and the Germans shooting at us all the time. We have lost a lot of fellows killed and wounded. I have had several narrow escapes from shell fire, but I don't think my turn has come yet. Hope to get home safely soon, as I am longing to see you and the kiddies. The Germans have nearly ruined this country, burning villages down, looting every shop."

    The Essex County Chronicle of 20th November 1914 reported: - “The Trench that Caved in - Pt. A. Linge, 2nd Essex, writing on Nov. 5 to his wife, living at Baker's Yard, George Street, Chelmsford, says:– "I am all right at present. Am having a rest for a few days from the trenches. Young Rule, whom you saw at Harwich, is dead – shot through the neck three days ago. The same day three men in our Section got buried through a shell coming into the trench, making it cave in. We dug them out alive, the Germans shelling us all the time. Have got plenty of fags and tobacco, thanks to the people at home. Hope to see you again some day, if God permits."

    The Essex Weekly News of 27th November 1914 reported: - "Mrs. A. Linge of Baker's-yard, George Street, Chelmsford, has received a letter from a lady in Boulogne stating that her husband, Pte. A. Linge of the Essex Regt, is wounded and in Boulogne hospital. The unfortunate man sustained a broken leg, a wound in the left arm and a slight wound at the back of the head. The letter added that Linge was receiving every attention, and is progressing as well as could be expected. Pte. Linge was a reservist, called up at the outbreak of the war. In a recent letter to his wife , dated Nov. 5, he said ‘Am having a rest for a few days from the trenches. Young Rule of Chelmsford, who you saw at Harwich, is dead, shot through the neck three days ago. The same way three men in our section got buried through a shell coming into the trench, making it cave in. We dug them out alive, the Germans shelling us all the time’.”

    The same day’s Essex County Chronicle carried a similar report: - "Mrs Linge of Baker's-yard, George Street, Chelmsford, has received a letter from a lady at Boulogne stating that her husband has arrived in that institution, having been wounded. He has a broken leg, a wound in the left arm and a slight wound at the back of the head. He is getting every attention, the writer states, and us going on very well considering."

    He had been wounded at Ypres. However the optimism of the newspaper reports was misplaced as Arthur had already been dead three days when the papers were published. He had died from those wounds on 24th November 1914 at a hospital in Boulogne. He was serving as Private 7853 in the 2nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment. He was aged 29.

    Later reports confirmed the grim news. The Essex County Chronicle of 4th December 1914 reported: - “Private Linge, whose wife lives in Baker’s Yard, George Street, Chelmsford, was in Boulogne Hospital suffering from a broken leg, a wound in the left arm, and a slight wound at the back of the head. He died on the 24th November. Several bright and cheery letters from the deceased soldier have from time to time appeared in the Essex County Chronicle and much sympathy is felt for Mrs Linge and her young family in the loss they have sustained.” The picture accompanying this article shows Arthur’s widow (on the right), their younger daughter Dorothy on her lap and elder daughter Lily stood in the centre rear. Arthur’s sister-in-law Isabella (wife of his brother Ernest) is on the left, with her daughters Ivy on her lap and Dora at her feet. The second picture taken later, shows Arthur’s widow and their two daughters.

    Arthur is commemorated on the Civic Centre Memorial, Chelmsford, and the Moulsham Parish Memorial, St John’s Church, Moulsham. His younger brother, Ernest Henry Linge, who is also commemorated by the Civic Centre, died on 29th January 1915.

    He is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Arthur was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. Arthur’s father died in Galleywood in 1922. Arthur’s widow died in 1975. Arthur’s daughter Lily married George Madle (1905-1996) and died in May 2000. Her sister Dorothy married James Rippon and Joseph Dinning and died in May 2003.

    Arthur's widow, Alice (seated right) and his brother Ernest's widow, Isabella, with their children.

    Alice with their 2 daughters, Lilly and Dorothy.

    Kevin Joslin




    221544

    James Haley Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    James Haley is my Grandfather. I know he was at the Battle of the Somme.

    Gail Sykes




    221543

    Pte. Albert Goodwin 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Albert Goodwin was gassed and taken prisoner in May 1918. He was taken to a camp at Langensalza in Germany and was put to work in the nearby Salt mines.

    Albert suffered for the rest of his life with severe chest issues but never complained or talked about what he had done or seen. It would appear that his service record was one of the many that were destroyed in WW2, so this is our way to ensure that his record is preserved.

    Geoff




    221540

    Capt. William Davies 2nd Battalion South Wales Borders (d.11th April 1918)

    William Davies served as a Captain in the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers. He was born in 1889 (place unknown). He died on the 11th of April 1918 and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. His parents were David William Davies and Margaret.

    Gail Neal




    221539

    Sgt. Charles Alfred Betts 7th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

    Charles Alfred Betts was my grandfather. He was a private with the Prince of Wales Volunteers and was promoted Sergeant when the unit was amalgamated with the South Lancs Regiment. He saw action overseas during WW1 coming through the conflict and was discharged in 1920.

    He was apparently discharged with a sickness according to his service records, but I cannot find what this sickness was, although looking at other records it seemed to be a common problem with returning personnel.

    David Morse




    221538

    L/Cpl. Alfred Titmus Army Service Corps

    I have a picture of my grandfather, Alfred Titmus, as a Lance Corporal in the Army Service Corps around 1915-1916 in France where he was billeted. He was an exceptional Motor Engineer and volunteered for service in 1915. At the time of volunteering he was employed by Dunn the Hatter, an aristocrat and a pacifist.

    Grandad was married with a very young child and lived in a tied cottage to his employer. He was threatened with dismissal if he signed up in the Army. He signed up, was evicted and left with his wife and child on a horse and cart in the middle of winter. He settled my grandmother and father in premises in London and then went off to the Army.

    After the War he started a garage in Liverpool, went to Australia for a time, and then returned and was largely responsible for wiring up the West End of London between the wars. He finished his days in Tankerton, Kent when I used to take him for walks along the sea shore there. He passed away in 1960. He never wanted to really talk about his experiences. I have always been proud of what he did.

    Barry Titmus




    221536

    Pte. Hugh Mcgirr 9th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.13th May 1917)

    Hugh McGirr served with the 9th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. This was a reserve Battalion, based in Scotland. He died in Paisley, and is interred there.





    221530

    L/Cpl. Henry Arthur Scott 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Harry Scott was my maternal grandfather and he died on the 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. His eldest daughter, my mother was 8 years old when he died. My Gran never married again.
    Win Allen




    221528

    Pte. Frederick Smith 1st Battalion West Surrey Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    My uncle gave me Fred Smith's campaign medals, dog tag and a picture of him when he was convalescing after his first injury in the 1st Battle Ypres. Sadly Fred was blown up at Loos so there is no known grave for him. He did write back to a friend at home that got printed in the Bermondsey Times where he wrote "it would have done your heart good to see our chaps advancing under deadly fire without flinching".

    Andrew




    221522

    Pte. Robert Wood 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th April 1918)

    Robert Wood was my great uncle. Unfortunately, I do not have much info on him. I know his name is on the War Memorial in Hessle. Robert was killed in ation.

    Geoff




    221518

    L/Sgt. William Henry French 2nd Battalion London Regiment (d.28th Feb 1918)

    I don't know much about my great grandfather William French, apart from he joined around 1916. I haven't been able to find his service records but have a photo of his grave in France. He was a lance sergeant in the 2nd Battalion London Regiment. He died of his wounds on the 28th of February 1918 and is buried in Maroeuil British Cemetery in France.

    Samantha Siell




    221510

    Pte. William Joseph "Bennie" Dowling 1/4th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.27th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    My great uncle William Joseph Dowling was from Middlesbrough but he enlisted in Dingwall in Ross-Shire. He was sent to France in November 1915 and was injured during the night of the 26th October 1916. The telegram to his mother states that he suffered a serious head injury. He died the next day in 26 General Hospital, Etaples and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.

    William Morgan




    221509

    Act/Cpl. John Colclough 7th Battalion North Staffordshire (Prince of Wales's) (d.21 January 1917)

    A/Corporal Colclough was my great great great uncle and was killed in action in Mesopotamia in January 1917.





    221503

    Pte. George David Bowers 11th Btn Suffolk Regiment (d.24th Oct 1918)

    George Bowers was the son of David Bowers, of 34, Edward St., Dunstable, Beds.

    Steve Bowers




    221499

    Pte. John Meehan 27th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th April 1917)

    John Meehan was my great uncle, the only son of Patrick and Eliza Meehan (nee Stanley) of Stanley Cottages, Westerhope. He was my grandmother's brother and before his war experience he was a miner at North Walbottle Colliery.

    He was reported missing on 17th April 1917 and discharged dead (killed in action) on 27th April. I believe he is commemorated on the Memorial of the missing in the cemetery at Fauborg D'Amiens, so presume he was killed during the Arras offensive, but can't find any information on him, or any photographs.

    Kate McGowan




    221495

    Sgt.Mjr. John Morton 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.9th May 1915)

    My great great uncle John Morton, served as a career soldier for 15 years until he was killed in action. He is honoured in the Le Touret Memorial and on the west face of the Duchess Of Hamilton Park Memorial

    Colin Murphy




    221493

    L/Cpl. Richard Thomas Phillips 17th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.24th Apr 1917)

    <p>Richard Thomas Phillips

    Lance Corporal Richard Phillips, husband to Julia Phillips, was aged 33 when he was killed in action at the Battle of Arras. He is buried in the Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, France.

    Richard Thomas Phillips

    Gary Phillips




    221491

    Pte. Henry John Wheatley 3rd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Harry Wheatley, served in the Boer War as Private with the 4th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment Militia. Then with the 3rd Battalion Wiltshire Rgt. Reserve, in WW1. Born 1880, he died 1953 when he was murdered at the age of 73 yrs in Birmingham. I do not know anything about the 3rd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment. I know he was gassed somewhere and was downgraded in fitness and was transferred into the ASC Mechanical Transport in 1917. He landed in France in May 1915.





    221490

    Private Victor George Thomas Bray 8th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Victor Bray joined up a year earlier than he should have, he lied about his age to get into the army. When he tried to sign up he was told that he was too young, but to go round the block and when he came back he would be 18. He wrote his last letter home on 4th April 1917 just before the Battle of Arras, where he died on the first day of the battle. He is buried in Gourock Trench Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, Arras, France.

    Debbie Lonsdale




    221489

    Pte. George Duncan Locke

    George Locke was my grandfather. He was obviously stationed at Swindon and met my grandmother there. My mother was born in Swindon in 1918 and was brought out to Australia after the war.

    Gerry White




    221487

    Pte. William Ernest Kirkland att. 1st/23rd Bn. London Regiment East Surrey Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    William Kirkland was the husband of Annie E. Kirkland who lived near the Post Office, in the High Street, Tean.





    221486

    Pte. Alfred John Bunyard 32nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.4th October 1916)

    Alfred Bunyard was killed in the area around Gueudecourt, believed to be in the advance of Gird Trench. He was never recovered.





    221485

    Pte. James Francis Henry Probert 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.3rd Nov 1914)

    James Probert was the son of James and Eliza Mary Probert, of 3, Guests Fold, Dudley

    Claire Hughes




    221483

    Rflmn. John Pitt 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.14th March 1916)

    John Pitt was the husband of G. E. Pitt, of 130 Bradford Westham, St., Bulwell, Nottingham.

    Kim Severn




    221481

    Dvr. Fredrick John Willis 210th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Nothing known about my granddad, Fred Willis, who came through WW1, but never told of his memories.

    John Ball




    221478

    L/Cpl. Leonard Clarke Molteno 1/6th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.23rd Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Leonard Molteno was my grandmother's favourite young brother, who was at Bristol University before the war, and lived in St Peter Port, Guernsey. He died in action on the 23rd of July, 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Richard Lee




    221474

    Cpl. Thomas Mason West Riding 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.4th November 1918)

    Thomas Mason was my father's brother. He lived in a small place called Blaenllechau in the Rhondda Valley. He signed up in 1914 and was killed in France on November 4th 1918.

    I have visited his grave in Romeries. He was 22 years old when he died. My family have just gathered to remember him and we read the message on his scroll and raised a glass of champagne in his memory.

    Valerie Mason Coles




    221469

    Cpl. Thomas Pickles 16th Btn (CLB) Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th June 1918)

    Thomas Pickles, my maternal grandfather, enlisted on 24th September 1914. He was seriously wounded at the Somme on July 15th 1916, spent some time at the 14 Stationary Hospital, B.E.F., France, before being sent home to recover. He returned to France 10th February 1917, home on leave February 1918, rejoined his Battalion 14th March 1918 and was wounded and taken prisoner on 13th April 1918. He died a prisoner of war on 10th June 1918 and is buried in the Military Cemetery at Tourcoing, France (Grave No 1331) May he, and all his fallen comrades, Rest in Peace.

    Jim Holroyd




    221468

    Rflmn. Walter Harris 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd November 1916)

    Walter Harris, born 1889, was the older brother of my grandfather Edward Harris. They were two of the four sons and two daughters of Charles and Mary-Ann Harris from Bethnal Green. In 1911 Walter gives his occupation as a labourer in a wallpaper manufacturers and in 1912 he married Edith Kate Hardy in West Ham and they had a daughter Kate born in 1914.

    I am not sure when he enlisted but he was killed in action in France on 23rd November 1916. In October 1917 his brother Edward serving in the 7th Battalion of The Rifle Brigade died of wounds and was buried in France.

    Maureen Gaynor




    221466

    Pte. Francis Henry Hooper 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.30th Sep 1918)

    Harry Hooper served with 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment

    Nick Thomas




    221463

    Pte. Henry Westcott 25th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Apr 1917)

    Harry Westcott was the husband of Mary Jane 'Jenny' Westcott (nee Elliott) and she was my maternal grandmother's first cousin so this makes 'Uncle Harry' and 'Auntie Jenny' my third cousins. Harry's parents were Tom and Rhoda Westcott who, at the time of Harry's death, lived at 1 Orchard View, Taunton, Somerset. Uncle Harry and Auntie Jenny's home was 15 Faulkland Road, Oldfield Park, Bath, Somerset and Auntie Jenny and my grandmother originated from the Swansea area.

    Harry died, aged 33, on 28 April 1917 in France and he is Remembered with Honour at the Arras Memorial. Sadly, Harry never saw his first child, Queenie. She grew up, never married and continued to live with her mother in Bath. Queenie died at the age of 44, before her mother. Auntie Jenny continued to live in Bath and died on 8 March 1968, aged 84. Throughout their lives, Auntie Jenny and Queenie stayed close with my grandparents. They often came to stay at the farm near Banwell, Somerset and likewise they were visited in Bath by our family, myself included. With the deaths of Uncle Harry, Auntie Jenny and Queenie, it is the end of their line as there were no other children. Therefore, I feel it is even more important to preserve their memory.

    Last week we visited The Tower of London and were overwhelmed by the beautiful poppy display, knowing that one of these poppies represents Harry. It was good to be there with thousands of other people to pay our respects and say a prayer. We are thankful to everyone who gave their lives, or survived, in conflict and, in Harry's memory, we purchased one of the poppies. I am still looking for more information or photographs and I hope to be able to add them in the near future. If anyone else can help, that would be wonderful. Thank you for this opportunity to share our story and memories of Harry.

    Susan Maguire




    221462

    Pte. William Smales 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    <p>

    William Smales, who was aged 29 at the time of his death, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois memorial.

    Andrew Smith




    221461

    Rflmn. Edgar Howe 13th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th Jan 1918)

    Would love to learn more about my great uncle, Edgar Howe. I have his last Christmas card sent to his sister before being killed. He had a brother George who survived war but was gassed and had "shakes" for rest of life. Unable to find anything about his records.

    Leslie Halsey




    221460

    Pte. William Hutton McNeilly 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    Billy McNeilly served with the 12th Royal Irish Rifles

    Nicki McNeilly




    221459

    Pte. Charles Goodall 9th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.11th Oct 1915)

    Charles Goodall died at Gallipoli

    Peter Goodall




    221454

    Pte. Robert Burns Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.7th/8th March 1917)

    My uncle, Robert Burns, served in the Scottish Rifles and according to the book in Edinburgh Castle War Memorial, died in France which is not right. He died in Thessilonika fighting I think Bulgarians. He was killed in a night raid on the 7th/8th of March 1917.

    I at this time do not know his army number but do know his rank was private, nor do I know exactly what battalion that he was in





    221453

    Pte. William James Alfred Bell 8th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.18th May 1917)

    <p>

    My Grandfather was Private William James Alfred Bell of the 8th Btn., Bedfordshire Regiment, who was wounded at Arras. He was the Son of Mr. & Mrs Walter Bell of Barnet Herts. So far I have not been able to establish exactly when and where he was wounded but have discovered that he was transferred to the Hospital in Calais and died there on Friday 18th May 1917. He is buried in the Calais Southern Cemetery. He died aged 35 leaving his wife and two sons aged 2 and 3 years old.

    Jeff Bell




    221452

    Pte. Edward Harris 7th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.18th October 1917)

    My grandfather, Edward Harris, was born in Bethnal Green in 1891. He married Helen Hobbs in 1915 and gives his occupation as a wood machinist.

    I am not sure when he enlisted in 7th Battalion The Rifle Brigade as it seems that his records may have been among those that were burnt in WW11 so sadly l know very little about him. I do have one photograph taken in about 1916 and I know he was home on leave at the end of 1916 as my dad was born in August 1917. Sadly, he did not get to see his second son as Edward died of wounds on 18th October 1917 and is buried in Estaples Military Cemetery in France.

    He also had a brother Walter born in 1889 who was in 2nd Batt.Kings Royal Rifle Corps.who was killed in action in France on 23 November 1916.

    Maureen Gaynor




    221451

    Pte. John Goodman 1st Btn. B Coy Lincolnshire Regiment (d.31st Jan 1916)

    <p>

    John Goodman was a farm worker from the village of Ragnall, Nottinghamshire. He joined the Lincolnshire Regiment age 18 years. He was posted to Armentieres France in January 1916. He was shot and killed there on the 31st of January 1916 aged 18 years and is buried in the military cemetery at Cite Bonjean, Armentieres. He is remembered on a plaque in the village church of Ragnall and on the war memorial in the village of Dunham-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire.





    221449

    Sgt. Frederick Walter Wiles 14th (London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment (d.21st Aug 1918)

    Frederick Wiles was the son of Walter Edward and Annie E. Wiles, of 3 Claxfield, Sittingbourne, Kent. He is buried in Locre Cemetery.





    221448

    Pte. Stephen Rossiter 7th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.30th Nov 1915)

    Stephen Rossiter was born in Bristol in 1877, son of Stephen and Annie (nee Ayland). He was the husband of Elizabeth (nee Shapcott) and father of Rosina Elizabeth and George. He died at Gallipoli, and is buried Azmak Cemetery, Suvla.

    Martyn Rundle




    221447

    Pte. Frederick Stanley Field 12th (Bristol) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Frederick Stanley Field was born in 1886 in Sharpness Gloucestershire, son of Frederick Griffiths and Clara Mary (nee Camm.) He worked as a Seaman. He is buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, France.

    Martyn Rundle




    221444

    Rflmn. Albert Anderson 11th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    I have just found out that I had a great uncle, Albert Anderson who served in WW1. His name is on the Thiepval War Memorial and I guess that he died in the Battle of Guillemont. Very proud and keen to learn more about him and to keep his memory.

    Martin Anderson




    221442

    Pte. Norman Hall 2nd Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.25th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Norman Hall was born in Glasgow, educated in Nuneaton, and prior to the war lived in Hartshill. He was killed in action aged 17, and he is buried in the Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Calais. He is also commemorated on the Hartshill Memorial.

    Tim Worrall




    221438

    L/Cpl. John Sullivan 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>

    Lance Corporal John Sullivan, as a member of the 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, entered the conflict in France on 18th July 1915. He was awarded the 1915 Star, the Victory medal and the British War medal.

    Jennifer McFall




    221434

    Pte. William George Derrington 9th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.12th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Private 13932 William George Derrington has no known grave but is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

    James Darby




    221429

    Rflmn. Bernard Thomas Quinn 9th Battalion Rifle Vrigade (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Tommy Quinn ran away to join the Army at 15. He lied about his age and said he was 19. He died in 1915 aged just 16.

    Katie Comer




    221428

    Pte. Charles Booth 12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th July 1916)

    <p>

    Charlie Booth joined up in November 1915, left for France in Sep 1915 and was at the battle of Loos in the same month. Due to the lack of experience hunger tired and thirsty casualties were high. The Battalion made its way to Armentiers, were they gained mores experience from better trained troops. In 1916 he and the Battalion spent time in Ypres and was involved in fighting at St Eloi. Although not in action at the beginning of the Battle of the Somme, on the 14th of July the Battalion as part of the Bazenting Ridge Charles Booth was killed along with 45 other men, his body was identified but due to the battle ground being held and fought over for weeks his body was lost and his name in commemorated on the Thiepval memorial to the Missing. He left a widow and 3 children, aged 10, 8 and 3.

    Elizabeth Portman




    221419

    Pte. Edward Dean

    My father Edward Dean was wounded during WW1 and spent some time in the Lord Derby Military Hospital at Winwick nr Warrington. I do not have any further info but would be interested in Winwick records.

    Gordon Dean




    221411

    Pte. Robert William Clegg 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Robert Clegg was my grandfather. He was a regular in the 2nd Battalion and served in India and South Africa, completing his service on December 31st 1913. Recalled to the Colours in July 1914, he left with the 1st Battalion as part of the British Expeditionary Force.

    He was captured during the Retreat from Mons/Le Cateau and spent the remainder of the war as a POW. He worked some of the time in the salt mines of Sileasia which damaged his lungs. He died in 1941, and unfortunately because he was not wounded he received no military pension. I never knew him as he died before I was born.

    John Neal




    221408

    Pte. Thomas William Taylor 11th(Lewisham)Btn. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

    Update - At the time of his death, his Battalion were part of the 41st Division and engaged in the latter stages of the Battle of the Somme.

    He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 11C.





    221406

    Pte. John Norris Wood 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.21st Aug 1916)

    John Norris Wood is my great great uncle (my mother's gran's brother). He died in Ypres aged 30 and is buried in White House Cemetery, St. Jean-Les-Ypres. That's all we know.

    Clare Whi




    221404

    Pte. Ernest Edward Foxob 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.15th Sep 1914)

    Ernest Edward Foxon was my grandmother's brother. She never told us much just that he was killed in the Great War. He has no grave but is Remembered with Honour at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre MemoriaL. He was killed in the Battle of Aisne on the 15th September 1914.

    Pearl Hill




    221403

    Cpl. Augustus Davey Glamorgan Yeomanry

    I know very little of my father, Augustus Davey's service career. He did talk about camels a lot for which animal he had very little regard! From this I concluded that he served in Egypt. One day when I was doing my history homework on WW1 he looked over my shoulder and said 'Oh I was there'. At the time I was studying the battle of the Somme. I could not understand how he got from Egypt to France because he never told me anything else about his wartime experience.

    In recent times I have researched the issue and of course discovered that he was sent to Egypt and came back to France for the second Battle of the Somme as part of the 24th Battalion of the Welsh Regiment. I have no idea exactly where he went in Egypt or in the Somme or what his experiences may have been. I have a photograph in my home somewhere (irritatingly, I cannot find it) of my father on horseback with a sword in his hand.

    John Davey




    221402

    Pte. Matthew Savage 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Matthew Savage was my great grandfather, who my great grandmother never spoke of and never believed he was dead. He died leaving 3 daughters, one being my grandmother. He served with the York and Lancaster Regiment and died on 7th June 1917 aged 37. He was the son of Agnes Savage, of Penrith, Cumberland, and the late John Savage, husband of Edith Ellen Savage of 212 Eastbourne Avenue, Gateshead. Remembered with Honour

    Sarah Lewington




    221401

    Pte. Cyril George Solomon 7th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    I have photographs which show Daddy, George Soloman, coming back after injury, when King George met them, Daddy with a mug of tea and lump of bread. The king said, "Don't stand up lads." The photo is from a newspaper that his brother went and got from their offices in London. His brother never got to the war as he was accidentally shot during training and lost a leg.

    One story is about how he got lost and found himself behind enemy lines. he said the Germans he met were in such bad shape that they surrendered before he could. He ended up with 20 or more and they told him which way to go to get back to his lines. His captain was going to mention him in dispatches but was killed before he had the chance. Daddy did not mind as he thought he had done very little.

    Another story is how when he was in a foxhole the person in the next one reached around to pass him the jam when a piece of shrapnel hit the jar. The cry went up that Solly had been hit. He was the lucky mascot being young and small and never got hit, but it was the jar covering him in jam and he was unharmed. Other stories are not so nice.

    Freda Race




    221397

    Pte. Thomas Bickle 9th Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.26th Oct 1917)

    Information has been difficult to find as there are no official records remaining, having gone up in the Blitz in WW2. From what I can find Thomas Bickle died from his wounds in the field hospital at Lijssenthoek on the 26th October 1917 and is buried in the nearby cemetery.

    During the 7th October, 9th Devons were part of 7th Division's supporting the ANZAC's attack on Broodseinde Ridge, starting on the left flank of Polygon Wood. I can only imagine that Thomas was injured at some stage of the battle and was evacuated eventually to Lijssenthoek.

    He was one of 5 sons, his brother Albert was killed in Mesopotamia and is commemorated on the Tehran War Memorial as he has no known grave. My mother said that her great grandfather had both their names inscribed on his shaving mirror so that he would always be reminded of them.

    Andrew Nicholson




    221396

    Pte. John Thomas Hopkins 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Unfortunately, I have very little information on my grandfather's first world war experiences, other than I know he was wounded and I have a photograph of him in hospital blues. His name was John Hopkins He survived the war and died in 1936 in Accrington, the family were advised it was shrapnel that was the cause of death.

    Mary Macadam




    221394

    Pte. George Edwin Selby 6th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1916)

    George Edwin Selby was my great-grandfather. He died aged 45, when my grandfather was only 3 years old. My grandfather never had the chance to know this man but was always immensely proud that he died whilst serving his country. My memories of my grandfather are tied up with his visits to the war memorial at Walpole Park, Ealing, that bore his father's name.

    Sandra Davies




    221393

    Pte. John Kelly 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.22nd April 1918)

    John Kelly was killed at Pacaut Wood and is buried at Mont Bernanchon Military Cemetery

    Chris Kelly




    221392

    Pte. John Henderson 8th Battalion Scottish Rifles

    My grandfather, John Henderson, survived war and died in 1972. He resided at 18 Royston Square, Townhead, Glasgow.

    Any further information would be appreciated.

    Brian Chennell




    221390

    Pte. Leslie Stephen Gibbs 9th (Queen Victoria's Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    According to my late Uncle, my Grandfather Leslie Gibbs, joined the 9th London Regiment, Queen Victoria’s Rifles as Private No: 395493 but was too young to go to France, so went to Ireland when the troubles began where Irish women threw pans of boiling water at them! He just missed the Somme but was at Passchendaele where he was caught by an explosion and thrown onto barbed wire. He lost his kneecap and had a plate put in behind his knee. He was burned on the back by Mustard Gas – a wound that troubled him after the war. He then went to occupied Germany, Cologne where he said he got on with the Germans until he came home. He then went North to study the wool trade, and met my Granny.

    I remember him talking about the trenches and showing me The Wipers Times, but sadly he died before I was really old enough to understand or ask him to recall details. I seem to remember he told me that, because he was young and fast, he had the job of running along the tops of the communication lines with messages when the wires were down. I also have a book of his - an enormous tome of photographs telling the story of the Great War (published by the Daily Express in 1933) and he always used to tell me that he was in one of the pictures, a photo of some soldiers showing off a captured German anti-tank gun. As I look at it now, I can't make out if it is him or not but I notice there is a very faint name, written in pencil beside it that says "Capt. Skinner". So who knows....?

    I have been unable to trace his war record. All that I have found is his medal card which only gives his name, number, regiment and allocation of the Victory and British medals - which I have, although neither have his name on them. I also have a miniature set of the trio, so whether these are his also, or perhaps one of his two brothers who also fought, I don't know, these are also without names.

    Isobel Middleton




    221385

    Sydney Dunn 23rd Btn. London Regiment

    Sidney Dunn was my Grandfather a quiet reserved man who served his country well.

    Brian Lockyer




    221384

    Pte. Percy Howard 1/5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    My great-uncle, Private Percy Howard, was the eldest brother of my grandmother, Hilda. In 1911, at age 18 he was working in the family's greengrocer business, in Batley, Yorkshire. I believe he was killed near Pozieres, Somme, on 3 September 1916, and his sacrifice is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

    Rosemary Walker




    221382

    Rflmn. James Dodds 10th South Belfast Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.17th Aug 1917)

    I have been doing some research into my family history and found my great-uncle James Dodds had served during the war.

    Ethel Pryce




    221381

    Pte. William George Page 7th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    My great uncle William Page survived the war, but was gassed. He belonged to the regiment known as 'The Shiny Seventh' along with most of the young men from the area. He was given compassionate leave in 1916 to attend the funeral of his five-year-old brother Hubert who had died of Diphtheria. There was an epidemic in Biggleswade, and almost every family in the town lost a child. I found William's name in an article from the Biggleswade Chronicle which reported the funeral. His father, also William Page, was a well-known local figure, a dairyman and milkman. He re-joined his regiment to find many had been killed during recent engagements.

    Penelope Coles




    221380

    2nd Lt. Spencer Osborne Branch MM. 2/5th (City of London) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Spencer Branch served in France with effect from 24th January 1917. He initially served with the London Regiment. He was, at some point, awarded the Military Medal. He later transferred to the Devonshire Regiment.

    R. Grypari




    221379

    Cpl. Arthur James Parrott 11th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    Arthur James Parrott was my grandfather. I am aware that he embarked at Bristol for France in 1914/15. He moved onto Gallipoli and served there for another 1 year He was a corporal who came from tiny village near Letchlade, Gloucestershire. I would be so pleased to hear from anyone who has knowledge of my grandfather or this battalion during 1914/16.

    Michael Preston




    221377

    Capt. William David Stavert 7th Field Coy Royal Engineers

    <p>

    William David Stavert was my Grandfather. I do not know anything about his wartime experiences as I think the records may have been lost.

    Editor's Note:- Captain Stavert was serving at the start of the war as he was part of the initial Expeditionary Force, arriving in France on 23rd August 1914.

    James Stavert




    221376

    Pte. William Owen 5th Btn. Welsh Regiment

    My grand father, William Owen, was in the Glamorgan Territorial Forces in WW1. He was also a poet. He wrote a very moving poem named Glamorgan Terriers which all his grand children have a copy of. It is too long for me to type on this page. It is a very descriptive poem of the regiment's struggle of digging trenches and training before going of to war.

    M Walker




    221372

    Edward James Thomas Middlesex Regiment

    My father, Edward James Thomas, born 1896 - 1969 was a bugler in the 1914 - 18 War. He was one of eight children My father was fifty when I was born in 1945. I don't remember him ever talking about the Great War. All I can remember was an old brown like photo of him holding a bugle along with other soldiers. He was born near Battersea.

    Valerie Arnold




    221370

    Pte. Henry Roffe 11th Batallion Royal Fusiliers (d.10th Aug 1917)

    All I know is that my grandfather, Henry Roffe was posted missing. I have no further details but if anyone else has I would be very interested to hear.

    Malcolm Frederick




    221368

    Pte. Francis Henry Jones 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Sept 1918)

    My great uncle was always known at home as Harold. It has been very difficult tracing him.

    He joined the Durham Light Infantry the 20th Battalion and all I know is he died on 12th Sept 1918 of wounds. His name was Francis Henry Jones, and it is very odd, because he had a younger brother who was also called Francis Henry Jones! I imagine his parents decided to call the later baby after the first born of about 10 children in remembrance of Harold.

    I was told he died aged 24 near to the end of the First World War in France. He was a baker before he joined up, and I was told he was a cook in the Army. Perhaps he did his training in Aldershot?

    He was born in South Shields, County Durham, and never married, so no children, but as his great niece (his sister Elizabeth's grand daughter) I am proud of what he did.

    Carole




    221367

    Gnr. Thomas Joseph Hussey Clyde Royal Garrison Artillery

    Thomas J Hussey, (1878-1951) known as Joe. was my grandfather. He was born and raised in a rural area outside Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland. He was the only son of Patrick Hussey and Mary Hussey (nee Flynn).

    He served in the First World war as a Gunner in the Artillery. I don't know too much about his service. He served in the RFA and the RHA (671490) and also in the RGA (Clyde). I think he may have served with the RGA early in the war and then went overseas or even the other way round. I know from family stories that he served in Palestine and Mesopotamia at one time (I think in 1917). He was in Jerusalem around the time it was taken. I think he also served in France and Flanders at some stage. According to records he was with the Clyde RGA also. I do have a memory of my uncle telling me that my grandfather had been in Scotland, but I didn't associate this with the war.

    I have a copy of a letter he wrote home from Baddow in Essex in Oct 1916 and I also have his 2 service medals. He survived the war and married in 1919 and had 5 children. He worked in a saw mill and also as a farmer. He passed away on September 1st 1951. I never met him.

    Patrick Hussey




    221366

    L/Cpl. Charles Marshall 9th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.10th Oct 1917)

    Charles Marshall was the son of Mrs. Mary A. Marshall of 160 Broomspring Lane, Sheffield.





    221364

    Pte. Percy Bates 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.8th Nov 1918)

    Percy Bates was the son of Mrs. E. J. Loggins, of Friday Bridge, Wisbech, Cambs.

    Philip Carey




    221362

    Pte. George Goodacre 8th Battalion Kings Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) (d.12th September 1915)

    Star, BWM, Victory medals





    221358

    Pte. Arthur Edward Lewis 8th Btn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.27th Sep 1915)

    Arthur Lewis died in the Battle at Loos. Nothing more is known and we have no photographs

    Norman Lewis




    221357

    Pte. Charles Joseph Aspley 16th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Charles Joseph Aspley born 12 February 1898 the only son of James Henry Aspley and his wife, Agnes Jane Powell, Old Radnor, Herefordshire.

    Charles was killed in action near St Quentin, France on 21st of March 1918 his name can be found on the Pozieres Memorial and also on the War Memorial adjacent to St Stephens Church, Old Radnor, Herefordshire. Unfortunately I have no further information or a photograph.

    Gill Flanagan




    221356

    Pte. Walter Smith 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    My Grandfather Walter Smith joined up in September 1914. He enlisted in the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd September 1914 in Wallsend aged 21 years and 4 months height 5ft 4½ inches. Described as Fresh complexion, Grey eyes, with Brown Hair.

    The Battalion was in action on The Somme in 1916 and the Battle of Mametz Wood.. On 4th July it began to rain. (Much has been made of the mud at Passchendaele in 1917, but soldiers who served in both areas have remarked how the mud of the Somme was by far the worst of the two.) In front of Mametz Wood lay trench systems called the Quadrangle and Wood Trench. A rain-delayed attack to capture Mametz Wood, Wood Trench and Quadrangle Trench took place at 12.45am, 5th July the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and 10th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers crept out of their trenches and towards the German line. From only 100 metres they leapt up and charged forward capturing the Quadrangle. 2nd Royal Irish Regiment and 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers of 7th Division's 22nd Brigade, together with 9th Northumberland Fusiliers and 10th Lancashire Fusiliers of 52nd Brigade of 17th (Northern) Division, formed the assaulting force. Quadrangle Trench and Shelter Alley were gained but the Irish were held up by uncut wire and enemy counter attack. Mametz Wood and Trench remained in German hands. Meanwhile, ground conditions were deteriorating due to heavy rain and the British right was waiting for the French, who could not be ready for the next phase until 8 July.

    Walter Smith who sustained a “Blighty” a shrapnel or gunshot injury to his right arm. He was evacuated and took no further part in the battle. Due to the seriousness of his injuries Walter left the Colours on 31st October 1916. He did not return to active service and was discharged from the Army on the 28th February 1918. He was classed as no longer physically fit for War Service. Walter spent 358 days in France.

    John Neale




    221354

    Pte. Arthur George Lefever 5th (City of London) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Arthur Lefever served with the 5th Btn London Regiment.

    Irene Moran




    221351

    Pte. William Haygarth 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.6th Feb 1917)

    William Haygarth was my mother's brother. She lived in Accrington when she was young and sadly, when she died, we found the paper relating to his death in the First World War. My mother told my sister and I briefly about him. From the telegram informing his family of his death in 1917 we have an address where he lived with his family. We are aiming to visit the old address (the property may not still be there) but we still feel it will have some memories there. My sister and I also intend to visit the cemetery in France where he has a memorial.

    We are both in our early seventies and feel we wish we could have sorted out this information when our mum was alive and taken her to France to the cemetery. However, with the present 100 years anniversary and technology we have been able to find out the relevant details and are now able to visit next year - and this will also be for mum!!

    Barbara Walker




    221350

    L/Cpl. Ivor Garfield Trevartha 1/5th Battaleon Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry

    The only thing I have is a copy of my Granfather's Certificate of Demobilization army form z. 21 His name was Ivor Trevartha I am just looking for any information.

    Bruce Trevartha




    221349

    BSM. John Mercer DCM. Royal Garrison Artillery

    John Mercer was born in 1874 in St Helens, Merseyside. He joined the Army in 1892 and served most of his army life in India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

    He joined the Battery on 5/3/1915 as a Sergeant Major and landed in Le Havre with the Battery on 11/7/15. He later went on to 64th Heavy Artillery Group and was awarded the DCM for action at Trones Wood.

    Neil




    221347

    Pte. George Walter Holland 1st Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.27th Oct 1918)

    George Holland is interred at the Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Val Snelling




    221345

    Pte. Henry Cecil Clark 3rd (City of London) Btn. London Regiment

    Harry Clark served his county and returned home at the end of the War.





    221344

    Pte. William Albinson 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1916)

    William Albinson was the son of William H. Albinson and his wife, Elizabeth Emma. He was called up and enlisted on 23rd March 1916. At the time of his enlistment he was 27 years old and gave his occupation as Brewery Worker. At the time of his death, his Battalion were part of 25th Division, which was engaged in the Battle of Ancre Heights. He is interred in the Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Wendy Regan




    221343

    Pte. John Fennelly 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    <p>

    John Fennelly also served with the 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers and in the Army Service Corps.

    Robert Fennelly




    221342

    Pte. Alfred Edward Trathen North Devon Hussars (d.26th Nov 1915)

    Born in 1874 in Clovelly Devon, Alfred Trathen was the son of John and Fanny (nee Smale). He was married to Bessie German with a daughter Winifred Bessie, registered as a Refreshment House Keeper. He is remembered in Green Hill Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    Martyn Rundle




    221340

    Pte. John Joseph Kirby 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    I have only just found my father Jack Kirby's POW records through the International Red Cross Records. I was unable to get his service records because of the damage to records during the blitz. All I know is that he enlisted under age and was captured at Saulcourt, France in March 1918 and was repatriated in November 1918.

    John Kirby




    221339

    Pte. James Mackill 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    James Mackill was my Grandfather. Having served in South Africa, James re-enlisted in 1915. At the time he states his age as 42, although he would have been almost 46 then. His short service history shows he rejoined the Royal Irish Fusiliers 3rd Btn at Derry 1915 regimental number 26392. He transferred to 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles on 31/1/1916. He sailed to India in February of that year.

    He returned from service in India suffering from TB, and was treated at Colchester Hospital as well as London before being pensioned off on medical grounds. He died at the family home in Enniskillen in 1920 leaving a wife and young family of eight children.

    Denise Keable




    221319

    Cpl. Richard Edwin Broom MM. 2nd Btn. Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex) Regiment

    <p>

    Richard Edwin Broom previously served as Private 55071 in the 18th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry.

    Leslie Broom




    221306

    Capt. Leo Gerald Simon Jude 10th Btn. Loyal North Lancs (d.18th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Leo Jude was born in c.1897 and was the eldest of two sons to Simon and Kathleen Jude. Simon was an accountant and Kathleen was his second wife. Their family home was in Lockerby Road, West Derby and Leo went to Rossall Boarding School at Fleetwood in Liverpool.

    Leo signed up and joined the 10th Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. The Battalion was formed in 1914 as part of the 22nd Division. They trained on the South Downs and at Eastbourne in 1915, and then moved to Salisbury Plain for further training. After training the Battalion were attached to the 112th Brigade in 37th Division.

    They landed at Boulogne on 1 August 1915 and headed to the Somme. They were involved in the Battle of Ancre which lasted from the 13 – 18th November 1916. The conditions were atrocious with thick mud, poor visibility and fog. On 14 November the 37th relieved the 63rd Division capturing German positions on the 15th. The Loyal North Lancashire lost 11 men in the manoeuvre who are now buried at Frankfurt Trench Cemetery. On the 18 November the 37th made advances and secured Sarre but with a high price to pay. It was during the advance that Leo lost his life along with many of the men he was commanding at the time. The Canadian Divisions of the 19th, 18th and 4th also suffered heavy casualties. What makes this so saddening is that the battle is recorded to have not met its objectives and the advance was called off on the 19th November.

    Sue Carter




    221302

    Capt. Morgan Hardman MID. 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    <p>

    My Great Uncle and namesake, Captain Morgan Hardman, suffered a Mustard Gas attack at the front in France. He lived on until 1933 in a diminished capacity. My mother remembers the army coming to the house at 5 Midhurst Rd in Birmingham for his body with a horse drawn caisson.

    Robert Morgan Love




    221300

    Pte. Thomas Nash 15th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Nash was the elder of my two uncles both in the same battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers, and both killed on 1st July 1916. He was 34 and his younger brother James was 20 when they died. They were 2 of 5 brothers who all fought in the war, the other three surviving. They are both remembered on Thiepval memorial, and at St Thomas church, Pendleton.

    Eric Nash




    221295

    Sgt. James Milne "Parky" Ross 6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    <p>

    My father, James Milne Ross served from 1914 to 1916 in France. He was wounded and so was allowed to stay at home from late 1916. He had joined up as Territorial Army private based in Buckie. He was awarded the Mons Star, the Victory Medal and the British War medal. He was mentioned in the Gordon Highlanders history as the private who helped a lady farmer in France whose cow was having difficulty with calving. He, being a farm crofter was seconded to assist. He was made a "Kings Sergeant" on the battle field.

    Editor's Note: - Private 718 James Ross enlisted in the Territorial Army, 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, on 1st February 1911 for 4 years. On his initial application he describes himself as a Roman Catholic, a Farm servant and 18 years 9 months old. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs B. Ross, 82 Queens Road, Aberdeen.

    He commenced war service in 1914 and his Battalion embarked for France on 9th November 1914, from Southampton. He was disciplined twice. On 31st December 1914, he was fined 1 days pay for having a dirty bayonet. On 8th January 1915, he was fined 2 days pay for having a dirty rifle and not shaving. In April 1915 he spent some time in hospital with diarrhoea. He was discharged, time expired on 18th February 1916.

    Peter Ross




    221293

    Pte. Sidney "Son" Thomas 1/24th Batallion The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.26th May 1915)

    Sidney Thomas, known as Son to his family was the oldest son of six siblings. We have 5 letters and diary entries from Son from March '14 to April '15. According to war records he was killed in action on 26th May 1915. His burial place is listed as Richebourg-l'Avoue, Department du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de Calais, France. Though there is no known grave. His name is on a Le Toret memorial. Sonny lived in Loughborough Jct, London when he enlisted at Kennington.

    His diary entries say:

    March 14th- 1st Batt. start for Active Service. Left Hatfield at midnight. Marched to Haprpenden 11 miles. Entrained for Southampton. Arriving.

    March 15th- At 9:30 embarked on Queen Empress at 6:30 am on...

    March 16th- Arrived at L'Harvre at 3:20 am Left Ship at 8:30 & marched to Honfleur on Bully Beef & biscuit go under canvas

    Letters say:

    Dear Mum. Am leaving the base for the firing line on Thursday 22/4/14. Don't write to me until you hear from me. Am still Happy. Hope you are all Right.. Love to All. Son.

    Dear Mum, How are you all keeping I am still fit as can be. You won't forget to remember me to all the folks at home will you. Who do you think I met in France. Old Bert Guess, as large as life. He was absolutely dumbfounded to see me. He only comes up to my shoulders but he looks smart in uniform. I have made quite a pal of him he is a ripping old soldier & and puts me up to lots of good hints. I cannot tell you my whereabouts but I don't want you to worry about me. I am happy as can be under.....

    Dear Mum. I am still getting along A1. How are you getting on. Now I am just writing to tell you not to worry about me. I am still blowing along and am more fit on active service than I was at home. I am sorry to tell you that I have missed poor old Bert Guess but I expect he is still getting along alright it is possible that I shall run across him again soon I hope. Will you write and tell me all the news at home. I should like to have a line from all of you, will you address all correspondence to above address & they will be forwarded on to me. Write by return of post because I am anxiously waiting to hear from you all. I cannot tell you any more news now. So Good-Bye (CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED) With much love to all Son. (censored, censored, censored, censored, censored, censored, censored)

    Dear Mum. Everything A1. Going on alright. In thick of fighting. Just been relieved from trenches. Will write and tell you all news in morning. Want to catch post. Am fit as fiddle. Love Son.

    30-4-15 Dear Mum. Am still alive and kicking. Am writing this from the trenches. We have been in for 2 days and expect to be relieved in 2 days for a rest. I am sorry to tell you we have had several days casualties. One of our officers was shot and whilst he was being carried out, the stretcher bearer was also shot. They have also got rid of one of the best pals I had. I am pleased to tell you that I have met Bert Guess again we are in the trenches together. Bang! There goes a Jack Johnson (talk about sport). You wont forget my rations will you, only have had my boots or clothes of for nearly a month and likewise have not had a wash.. So you can guess what a state I am in, but I don't care, am happier than I have been since I joined the army. I hardly know what I am writing here with the noise that's going on the boys are just settling a little argument with Frits, bang bang, share that one amongst you, you square headed ____ says one gent on my right. That's just a little morning greeting. Should like a little grub if you would oblige, our chief food is bully beef & biscuits for dinner, a small rasher for break & buisc. and jam tea. 5 rounds rapped for supper. Well how are things going on at home it seems years since I left dear old England. How are you all keeping. Is little Vera, Floss and the boys still fit. Will you remember me to all at home. (Manchester ) & Westcliffe. I had a letter from Auntie Daisie but have been unable to reply yet, give her my love wont you. How is Miss Brown, Grandma, Jim, Ernie, Seamens and Co. all the giddy familie don't forget to let me hear. Have you seen or heard anything from Sid should like to hear from him, Letters and parcels are brought into the trenches every evening to us. Bang! there goes another, arms and legs flying all over the place. Poor old Frits. He woke up the wrong customer when he woke England. Especially the Terrers. What do you think of them now eh. Not Saturday night soldiers anymore (what).

    I am not allowed to tell you my whereabouts but if you study the papers I think you will hear a lot about the 24th Queens 1st Batt. I expect you hear plenty of news concerning us about South London, don't you. I should be pleased if you would take a Sunday paper in for me & save them until I

    come home. Well I must pack up now, just going to have a little sleep in the dugout Don't forget to remember me to all the folks at home. With all my love to all. From your happy son Sydney VC. Should like a reply by return. Son. Do not stamp letters parcels etc.'

    Sydney was killed less than 4 weeks later.

    Heather Thomas




    221292

    CSM. Harry Jack Haggertay MiD. 12th Field Coy Royal Engineers

    Harry Haggertay was my Grandfather. He served in the 38th Field Coy in the Boer War. He fought in WW1 and was Mentioned in Despatches by Sir John French.

    Rod Haggerty




    221291

    Pte. George Kettlewell 25th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    George Kettlewell was a member of the 25th Battalion (Tyneside Irish), Northumberland Fusiliers. He had previously been Private 43933 in the 6th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. At the time of his death, his Battalion, part of 102nd Brigade and the 34th Division, were involved in the Battle of Lys. Their war diaries record that between the commencement of the battle (7th April) and the 13th April they had taken such heavy casualties, in a fighting retreat, that, on the 13th April, the Brigade was reorganised into a Battalion and the Battalion was reorganised into a Company.

    Official records show that George Kettlewell (aged 19) died of his wounds at the No.3 Canadian General Hospital, which was situated at Dannes-Camiers. He is interred at the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.





    221289

    Sgt. William Bagguley 1/5th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    William Bagguley was killed at the Battle of Loos on 13th October 1915 and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial as he has no known grave.

    Christine Symcox




    221285

    Pte. Edward Wicks 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire (d.20th Augu 1917)

    Until August 2014 I had no idea that our family had suffered loss in WW1. A relative gave me a letter written to my grandparents from their nephew, Ted Wicks, my father's cousin. It was dated 9th October 1916 and was written to thank them for their gift of Woodbines, which, he said, "went down alright." He wrote, "I am keeping quite well very happy and cheerful. We are having very bad weather and very cold nights. No hope of the war being over yet not what I can see of it. But let us hope that it will soon be over so that we can all come home once more.... We are still at rest, but not far from the line.... I don't think much of France. Best part of the places which are near the line are down to the ground where they have been shelled." He ends by wishing them both the best of luck.

    He died of wounds in the August of the following year, aged 22, and is buried in Harlebeke New British Cemetry, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. His mother, my great aunt, requested that the words, "At Rest" be inscribed on his headstone.

    Christine Southgate




    221281

    Pte. Sidney Morris Rust 9th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.20th Oct 1915)

    Sidney Rust was the son of Edward and Susannah Rust of Pebmarsh Essex.

    Clive Dawes




    221277

    A/Cpl. John Dorren 5th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    My grandfather, John Dorren, served with this Battalion during WW1 and was injured during the Gallipoli campaign. He suffered shrapnel wounds to his right hand and his back. For the rest of his life he wrote with two straight fingers on his right hand, making his grip of a pen somewhat strange. He also used to clamp his cigarette between the first and second fingers of this right hand- I remember being fascinated by this as a child. Unfortunately, the wound in his back proved challenging to heal as part of his kilt had entered the wound at the time of injury. For very many years (until 1964 ish I think) he attended hospital for treatment as the wound continued to suppurate as the material rotted away. He was lucky, he survived and went on to continue his career in the Post Office before retiring in 1955. He was a lovely, quiet man, gentle and tolerant- my Granny used to nag him constantly - John sit up straight, John don't put your head on the chair etc! He died in 1974, aged 84. wonderful gentleman who I loved dearly and have fabulous memories of.

    Linda Gray




    221275

    Pte. James Reid 1st Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.26th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    James Reid served with the 1st Btn. Dublin Fusiliers, he is buried in Lancashire Landing Cemetery.

    Stephen Chapman




    221274

    Pte John Tregear Angwin 6th Batallion Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry (d.18th Aug 1916)

    John Tregear Angwin was killed in action on the Somme aged 19 years.

    Penelope




    221272

    Pte. William Howl 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.7th Nov 1914)

    William Howl was listed as missing on the 21st October and was confirmed dead on the 7th of November 1914





    221267

    Pte. Arthur Thomas Williams 1/4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.19 June 1916)

    arthur Williams koined the 4th. East Yorks (TA) at Londesborough Street Barracks before WW1 started as a volunteer.

    I also served in the same TA barracks in the Int Corps and then later as OC of B Company The 2nd Bn. Yorkshire Volunteers and it is only just a few months ago that we found out that Arthur Thomas had served in the 4th. East Yorks. This is the direct line to the 2Bn Yorkshire Volunteers. He was my Great Uncle and we had never hear of him, isn't that terrible!!

    John Chapman




    221264

    2nd Lt. Walter Edward Hills 16th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.26th June 1917)

    Walter Hills, a banker from the City of London, died when his only child, my mother, was not even 2 years old. Sadly my mother, who lived into her 90s, died before I discovered that Walter lies in the British War Cemetery in Croissilles, south east of Arras, Northern France.

    Suzanne Mathers




    221263

    Pte. James W. Simmons 6th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.19th Aug 1916)

    James Simmons was the son of Jonathan and Jane Simmons, of Jellicoe Street, Langwith, Mansfield and husband of Elizabeth Ann Simmons, of 13 Holyoake Avenue, Richmond, Handsworth, Sheffield. He died aged 23, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Kathryn Brookes




    221261

    Cpl. James Edward Wild 11th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th May 1917)

    James Wild was my great uncle who was killed in action. He has no known resting place but I believe he was killed near Oppy Wood.





    221260

    Pte. Ernest Sidney Wild 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.15th May 1915)

    Ernest was my great uncle and died of wounds during the second Battle of Ypres.





    221258

    Cpl. Robert Ramsey Robson 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd Apr 1918)

    My Great Uncle attended Durham University, St.Cuthberts's College, he was a teacher at Barnard Castle. My family found some of his letters home. My Father visited Martinsart Cemetary a few years ago, to pay respects to his Uncle.

    Gill Draper




    221257

    Pte. Percy John Boxall 17th Btn, D Coy. Royal Fusiliers (d.2nd April 1918)

    Percy Boxall was my great uncle, the eldest brother of my grandmother. I know he is buried at Englebelmer cemetery. I have a treasured photo of him. He was 26 when he died.

    Michelle




    221256

    Pte. Tom Plested 56th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.5th July 1916)

    Tom Plested was killed in action on 5th July 1916, 5 days after start of Somme offensive. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme France

    Keith Wright




    221255

    Pte. Ernest Hancock 2nd Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.28th Nov 1914)

    Ernest Hancock volunteered at the outbreak of the war although he was in an exempt occupation and had three young sons. The youngest (my father) was born in February 1915. Ernest was wounded at Ypres but subsequently died at Leicester Infirmary aged 30. Three of his wife's relatives were also killed.

    My father also served in the East Surrey's during the Second World War in Italy although he initially served in the Royal West Kents.

    P Hancock




    221254

    Pte. Alfred Scuddan 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.5th Oct 1916)

    Alfred Scuddan was my grandfather's brother. His family name was Scaddan, and it has always puzzled us why his army records misspell his name, including on his dead man's penny. He was killed during the Battle of the Somme on the 5 October 1916. We believe that he was a gunner.

    David Harrison




    221253

    Pte. Thomas Wilding 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.5th Apr 1917)

    Tommy Wilding was a cousin of mine. He was born in 1897 and his father, Arthur Wilding, was also a soldier. His mother was Annie Hickman, who died following his birth. He grew up in South Mimms with his grandparents Mark and Harriot Hickman. Later he lived in Kilburn with his aunt Fanny Gerkin and Will Gerkin. I do not know if his father Arthur Wilding was also killed in action or if he lived to remarry, which might have given Tommy some half-siblings. Tommy Wilding was first cousin to my mother and the love of her life.

    He joined up in September 1914 aged just 17 and was 19 when he was killed. He is buried in Fosse no.10 Communal Cemetery Extension, Sains-en-Gohelle, Calais. I would like to know more about him and to honour and remember him, especially as there may be no other relative to do it.

    Rosalind May




    221252

    Pte. Thomas Kearney 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Thomas Kearney was the son of Patrick and E. Kearney of 4 Railway Street, Armagh, Northern Ireland. He joined the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Rifles in 1915. He was killed in action on 16th August 1917 aged just 20 years and is one of the many who lie were he fell. His name is commemorated with honour at Tyne Cot Memorial. Remembered with pride by his Great Nephew.

    Gregory Page




    221251

    Pte. Oswald "Dot" Hempsall 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    We know only that our great uncle, Oswald Hempsall joined up at the age of 14. Giving false information about his birth date. He was only five foot three inches and consequently became a runner between trenches.

    Norma Swann




    221242

    2nd Lt. Harry Laureate Fisher 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Oct 1918)

    Harry Fisher one of four brothers who served in WW1 Alfred, William Norman and Jack Nicholson (my grandfather). William and Jack also served in the DLI (William in 5th Bn). Harry died on the 27th Oct 1918 aged 27 He is buried in Tezze British Cemetery, Italy.

    David N. Patterson




    221238

    Pte. Sidney Trendle 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.18th July 1918)

    All I know about Sidney Trendle was that he was terribly afraid that he would be killed in action and he had written home to his mother saying as much.

    Fiona Trendle




    221232

    Pte. Harold Howard 12th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.18th Sep 1917)

    Harold Howard, who was 19 at the time of his death, is interred in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall). He was the son of Mrs Emma Howard of 5 Charlotte Square, Margate, Kent.





    221231

    Rifleman. Harold Stephen Smith 17th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.29th Apr 1917)

    Harold Smith is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.





    221228

    Pte. Alfred Charles Winckles 22nd(The Queens) Btn. London Regiment (d.12th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    I only know that Alfred Winckles died of his wounds in Boulogne Hospital. He was only 18 and is interred in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    Geoff Winckless




    221227

    Pte. Thomas Charles Eyles 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire (d.15th Oct 1916)

    Thomas Eyles is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing on the Somme.

    Heather Maryson




    221226

    Sapper. Albert Heard 9th LRO Company Royal Engineers (d.15th May 1918)

    Sadly I know very little about my brave Great Uncle, Albert Heard. We have one photo of Albert in civilian attire but nothing else.

    Lindsay Andrews




    221223

    Pte. David Henry Brooks 17th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.5th Mar 1917)

    David Brooks served with the 17th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment. I had no knowledge of my great uncles service or death until I looked him up today. I would love to know more.

    Jane St Aubyn




    221222

    L/Cpl. Leonard Sydney Beatson 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.13th May 1917)

    Leonard Sydney Beatson was born in Jun 1893 to Sydney and Minnie Beatson in Chorlton, Manchester. He was a brokers assistant, and on the 29th March 1915 he married Jennie Higson. He joined up shortly after and served as a private and later a lance corporal in the 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers.

    His daughter Joyce was born on the 8th of March 1916. Whether he ever got home to see her is not known, but he was killed in action, possibly during the capture of Rouex on the 13th May 1917. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    Editor's Note:- Although his name is Leonard Sydney Beatson, all official records for the C.W.G.C. and medal cards etc. have him recorded as Sydney Leonard Beatson.

    Sarah Forbes




    221221

    Pte. Robert Jones 1st Batallion Manchester Regiment (d.16th May 1917)

    Robert Jones was born in Bagillt, Wales. His family moved to St Helens, Lancashire for work. He followed his father and worked as a miner. Robert died in Mesopotamia (now Iraq) in July 1917. Two of his younger brothers named their sons Robert after him.

    Eileen Williams




    221214

    Pte. Louis Frederick Barnes 6th Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.2nd August 1915)

    Freddie Barnes was the son of Fred and Agnes Emily Barnes, of 76 Holly Bush, Parkgate, Rotherham. He is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Lesley Grant




    221209

    Rfmn. Charles Robert "Charlie" Green 12th(Service) Division King's Royal Rifle Corps

    Charles Robert Green (Born 17.3.1885) enlisted in HM Army on 10th September 1914. He served in the 12th Battalion of the Kings Royal Rifles and went to France on 23rd July 1915 having sung a solo at the service at Winchester Cathedral before the troop departed for France.

    He was wounded at Fleurbaix on 15th November 1915 but because he could not be removed from the battlefield for several days he got gangrene in his leg and his right leg was amputated on November 28th 1915 at Boulogne. He was in King George V Hospital for rehabilitation and had a tin-leg fitted at Roehampton Hospital. He was discharged the Army on 28th June 1916 (As recorded in the Family Bible by his wife Alice Sarah Green)

    He subsequently worked on the railways and died on 24th December 1957

    Dr Michael Rendell




    221208

    Cpl. William Statter 5th Btn Manchester Regiment (d.26th Jun 1917)

    William Statter was the son of Joseph K. Statter and husband of Julia Statter, of 9 Vine Grove, Chapel St., Wallgate, Wigan.

    Patricia Statter




    221206

    Pte. Walter Edwin John Sealey 11th Btn. (Midland Pioneers) Leicestershire Regiment (d.15th Nov 1917)

    Walter Sealey died of gunshot wound to the spine, 20 days after the injury, at King Georges Hospital, Stamford Street, London. He left a son, Albert Henry Sealey, aged 3 years, as an orphan, his mother having died in 1916.

    Editor's Note:- He is interred in the St. John the Baptist churchyard at Niton, Isle of Wight.





    221205

    Pte. James Ellis Ratcliffe 2/7 Btn. (Leeds Rifles) West Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    James Ellis Ratcliffe was the uncle of my wife's aunt. He was born in the Woodhouse area of Leeds in 1887, one of seven children of John Ratcliffe and Jane Ratcliffe, née Marshall, three of whom served in WW1. He worked as a warehouse packer before joining the army during the war. He was killed in action at Bourlon Wood, France on 28th November 1917. James has no known grave, but is remembered on Panel 5 of the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval, Departement du Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

    His brothers George, Army Service Corps, and Ernest, Royal Garrison Artillery, both survived the war. His niece, our Auntie Marjorie was born in 1918 and never knew her uncle James, but has clear memories of her uncles George and Ernest. She is now nearly 96, and, along with her sister Dorothy (my late mother-in-law) served in the Wrens in WW2.

    Ken Stiles




    221203

    A/Cpl. William Brown 2nd Battalion Cameronian Scottish Rifles (d.25th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    My great grandfather William Brown was in the 2nd Battalion Cameronians Scottish rifles. He was killed in action on the 25th of March 1918 and he is in buried in Ham British cemetery, Muille-Villette. I don’t really know what happened to him, I got told he got blown to bits and his colleges picked his bits up and put them into a sack and buried him. Then he got found and got buried with all the other soldiers. William Brown was born on the 21st of January 1885, he got married on 17th of October 1904, he joined the army in 1903. He and his wife had 6 kids. I got told he was sent home and did not have to go back but he wanted to be with all his mates so he went back.

    William Brown




    221201

    Pte. Luke Sarsfield 87th Field Ambulance (1st West Lancs) Royal Army Medical Corps (d.21st Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Luke Sarsfield served with the 87th (1st West Lancs) Field Ambulance.

    Reg Unsworth




    221198

    J. Burchett 2nd Btn. East Kent Regiment

    I have an autograph album once owned by a nurse Nelson from Limerick. One one page is an art sketch sighed by J. Burchett of the 2nd Buffs in Feb 1916.

    Eamon Martin




    221196

    Sgt. William Andrew 2/8th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My great grandfather, William Andrew served in the First World War. He was wounded on the 27th November 1917, and was conveyed back to England on the Hospital ship SS Grantully Castle. At the time he was wounded, his Battalion, part of the 62nd Division, were involved in the capture of Bourlon Wood We have a photograph of him with two of his children, and some of him with members of his regiment.

    Dawn Harding




    221195

    Pte. John Molloy 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.30 April 1916)

    John Molloy was my great great uncle and died like others listed here from the 8th Battalion in the gas attacks on Hulluch in late April 1916. He was from Mount Street in Dublin where he lived with his widowed mother and two brothers. He is buried in Lillers Communal Cemetery.





    221193

    Fireman John Laing SS Cabotia (d.20th Oct 1916)

    On 9th of Oct. 1916 when the SS Cabotia left Montreal bound for Manchester, she was loaded with 5,000 tons of cargo and 300 horses. Shortly after leaving Canada the ship sailed into a south-west gale, which lasted the whole voyage. The ship plodded along in the heavy seas day after day, the sea was rough, waves breaking over the decks, the ship constantly rolling, just a terrible voyage for man and beast.

    John Mitchell, the master, kept the ship on a zig-zag course and at noon on October 20, 1916 they were about 150 miles from Ireland. At 12:20 p.m. in the tremendous seas the silhouette of a submarine was sighted three miles off the starboard bow, the lookouts had done their job. Mitchell ordered all hands on deck and began to take evasive action. He turned his ship away from the enemy putting the submarine at his stern, trying to make a run for it and giving the smallest target to the German.

    The submarine, SMS U-69, fired several shells from her deck gun, but the U-boat's commander, Kapitänleutnant Ernst Wilhelms, had no intention of allowing his prey to escape from him. Shells from the U-boat began to fall, but only every few minuets, this was apparently the best the gun crew could do as the seas were running so high that one of the survivors from the Cabotia said the gunner was awash up to his neck when the waves washed over the boat. Cabotia could not outrun U-69 which could make almost 17 knots while the Cabotia's top speed was 12 knots, neither was running at top speed on this day, but the men deep in the Cabotia remained in the engine room giving Mitchell all the steam he could use.

    For over an hour and a half the Cabotia tried to escape and U-69 continued to close the distance, the gunner, despite the sea, scored a hit on the Cabotia and Mitchell realized that his ship could not escape, and now that the German had the range and landed several more hits, Mitchell decided that he would abandon his ship. He had the boats swung out, but this was a difficult decision, the gale was still blowing and the chance of survival in small boats in such conditions was slim, but this was the only chance they had. Distress signals that had been continuously been sent since the attack began received no answer until 2 p.m., which must have given Mitchell some small comfort.

    Soon after this U-69 was very close and a shot was fired through the funnel, after which Mitchell shut down the engines and signaled to the submarine that he was abandoning the ship, he also tossed his papers over the side, four boats got away with no casualties, which in itself is amazing. The heavy sea made staying together impossible and the boats were scattered almost immediately, one of them was approached by the submarine and there was some kind of conversation between the lifeboat and the Germans, what was said is unknown. After they parted Wilhelms put 12 shells into the Cabotia and half an hour later she went under.

    All seventy-four survivors must have seen the steamer that came into the area and they must have been relieved to think that they would soon be picked up and saved from almost certain death, but this was not to be. The unidentified ship which was flying neutral colors, stopped and U-69 came alongside. At least two of the lifeboats were within a couple hundred yards and were signaling with everything they had, but nobody on the ship noticed them or they just ignored them. The reason the ship failed to respond to the distress signals is unknown, it is speculated that Wilhelms told her master that if he picked up the survivors that his ship would be sunk, it is also possible that the ship was actually a German ship disguised as a neutral ship, the truth is not known, but the ship did salute the U-boat with a blow from her whistle before she left.

    Four hours after Cabotia was sunk the situation with the weather got worse, not only heavy winds and seas, but now the rain came. The survivors in the four scattered boats fought to stay alive and at 9 a.m. the next morning a patrol boat was sighted and the survivors from one of the boats were rescued. Being told of what had happened a search was begun and shortly thereafter a second boat was found. Hours went by and the search continued, but the two remaining boats and the thirty-two men in them were never found.

    The identity of the mystery ship which did not respond to the distress signals of the survivors, to the best of my knowledge was never learned, neither was the content of the conversation between the ship and the U-boat, Wilhelms made no statements after the war because he and U-69 went missing in July of 1917. He had sent over 100,000 tons of shipping to the bottom, and somewhere, perhaps in the Irish Sea, Wilhelms and U-69 have joined them. © 2010 Michael W. Pocock MaritimeQuest.com

    Roll of Honour: In memory of those who lost their lives in SS Cabotia "As long as we embrace them in our memory, their spirit will always be with us"

    • Name
    • Rate
    • Bassoli, Carlo - Able Seaman
    • Caswell, W. F. - Horseman
    • Copp, Arthur - Able Seaman and Lamps
    • Danielsen, Elinar - Seaman
    • Fraser, John W. - Horseman
    • Garrity, Joseph - Horseman
    • Hart, Henry W. - Horseman
    • Henry, John - Wireless Operator
    • Hilditch, Christopher J. - Ordinary Seaman
    • Hubbard, J. C. - Assistant Foreman
    • Isaac, Manuel - Fireman & Trimmer
    • James, William - Horseman
    • Johnston, Edward A. - 3rd Mate
    • Kohlmann, Carl - Carpenter
    • Lang, John - Fireman & Trimmer
    • Lewis, C. - Horseman
    • Lyon, Robert F. - Seaman
    • Maynard, John - Assistant Foreman
    • McArthur, James - Fireman & Trimmer
    • Mitchell, John - Master
    • Muckle, Hugh - Horseman
    • Nichol, R. - Horseman
    • Nilsen, Einar - Fireman & Trimmer
    • Pacheco, Arthur - Seaman
    • Roberts, Charles L. - 2nd Steward
    • Robertson, James K. - Horseman
    • Roy, H. - Horseman
    • Scott, David - Horseman
    • Whitton, D. - Horseman
    • Wise, F. - Horseman
    • Wright, Tom - Assistant Cook

    Catherine Harper




    221188

    Pte. Charles George Hatcher 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    My grandad, Charles Hatcher, was wounded in action being blown up by a shell, which according to his records, he had no memory of. He was also gassed on more than one occasion. He survived the war but suffered badly throughout his life. This being the result of Mustard gas poisoning. He was a Shipwright in Southampton.

    B Thorne




    221187

    Pte. Leonard Bowes 4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Oct 1916)

    <p>Leonard Bowes

    Leonard Bowes was the son of William and Emma Bowes, of Beeford, Driffield, Yorkshire. He was killed in action aged 21, and is buried in the Bazentin-Le-Petit Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme.

    Elizabeth Schramm




    221186

    Pte. William Henry Alston 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    <p>William Henry Alston

    William Alston volunteered for the army in 1915 and joined the 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment at Warley Barracks. On July 3rd 1916 the battalion were called into the front line opposite the town of Ovilliers on the Somme in France. Their objective was to take the town. In the last couple of days other regiments had failed to take the village with large losses of men. The Essex Regiment went over the top at 3.20am into darkness and the smoke of battle. One company (C Coy) of which William was a part completely lost their way, and by accident took some German trenches that they weren't supposed to and returned with many prisoners. However, they had been badly shelled just before they went over the top and many of their men were killed including William. Ovilliers still wasn't taken!

    Editor's Note: Private Alston was the son of Samuel Henry and Rachel Alston, of Hutton, Essex, and husband of Florence Alston, of 36 Myrtle Road, Warley, Brentwood, Essex. He died aged 37, and is buried in Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme.

    William Henry Alston

    Wendy Dedman




    221185

    RSM. William Young DCM. 1st Btn. Essex Regiment

    <p>

    Little is known of my Grandfather, William Young, which is frustrating as there appears to be only a few accessible records in the public domain. When William died from a war related health issue, he was remembered by his Regiment and represented by them at Brentwood Cathedral. He was buried with Military Honours in Brentwood Cemetery following his passing in the early 1960's. He was born in Ardleigh, Essex and was a native of Brentwood, Essex. He served in various campaigns, enlisting in the Regiment in 1902 with service in Africa, Gallipoli, France. His acts of courage in face of the enemy where Gazetted in two editions, London and Scotland for his acts of courage and valour, being mentioned in dispatches, awarded the DCM and the Medaille d'Honneur en argent avec Glaives from the French army for bravery whilst under fire. On completion of 21 years service, he retired with the rank of RSM. He rejoined during the Munich crisis. No other information or military records appear to be available.

    From the research that is available there is some evidence that after he re-enlisted prior to the Munich crisis in the lead up to WW11 any information for this period of his military career has been even harder to unravel of which there appears to be a fog of mystery and intrigue. However, there is some suggestion that he may have been involved in the training, in some way, of early members of the SAS Recruits/Regiment. His serving at Folkestone, Kent and other deployments remain unaccounted for and unsubstantiated. He retired from Military Service due to his ill health in March 1941.

    Editor's Note:- The citation for the award of his Distinguished Conduct medal reads as follows: -

    6677 C./S./M. (T./R.S.M.) W.Young, 1st Btn. Essex R. (Brentwood) (LG 11 Mar 1920). "Throughout the advance, from 21st August to 4th November 1918, when the Battalion was almost continuously in action, he did extremely good work in the most trying of circumstances, and often under very heavy shell fire. His example and leadership had a very beneficent effect on the non-commissioned officers of the Battalion."

    Patricia Stuart




    221184

    Pte. Wilfred Edward Clarke 19th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.13th Oct 1918)

    It's been a very long time since I lost my parents. On my mother's side she had a brother. His name was Wilfred Clarke, they were born in Hindley Green, Nr. Wigan,Lancashire. Wilfred had six sibling's one brother and four girls. Alas, like a lot of people we always seem to ask the questions.

    I have started out on this exercise after my husband found out about a long lost cousin who died during the ill-fated Arnem battle (Operation Market Garden). I am glad yet sad that I have found my uncle!! So on this anniversary 100 years later I have found him. Rest in peace Uncle Wilfred, God bless.

    Alan Winstanley




    221181

    Thomas Frederick Woodyatt 5th Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.18th April 1918)

    My great uncle died aged 18 - records show 18th April 1918 Thomas Frederick Woodyatt. He was in the 5th Battalion of the South Wales Borderers.

    His younger brother, my Uncle Bill, used to tell me about his big brother and he remembers the great sadness of his brother's death in the family. In fact he said his father joined up (even though he was too old) because he didn't feel right that his son had gone to war.

    So, his father survived the war and fought at Gallipoli but was heartbroken that his son never returned. My cousin has an heirloom of Uncle Bill's father that he kept from his time at Gallipoli-a very bent bullet that post war, he had attached to his watch chain. The bullet was lodged in his metal hat during an attack.

    Rachel Mitchell




    221180

    Rfmn. Arthur Hill 1st/5th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Unfortunately, we do not have any photographs of my great-grandfather, Arthur Hill. However, I have a copy of a letter from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission which was addressed to my late grandfather who was searching for his father's war grave. Regrettably, no war grave was ever found so he is commemorated at the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, and on the Lychgate War Memorial at his local church. From conversations with my grandfather before he died he told me that my great-grandfather was born in Pontefract, Yorkshire, but moved to Nelson in Lancashire some time afterwards.

    Editor's Note: Rifleman Arthur Hill was the son of Elizabeth Hill, of 23 Hartley Street, Nelson, and the late Samuel Hill. He was the husband of Mary Elizabeth Hill, of Springhill House, Wetheral, Carlisle. He died aged 30.

    David Hill




    221177

    2nd Lt. John Ferguson Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Jack Ferguson was my Great Uncle who served with the Royal Engineers. He served in Iraq and was mentioned in dispatches. He was awarded a military MBE. I don't know anything more about him but he went back to India after the war and died in 1929 aged 43.

    Fiona Gayther




    221174

    Pte. Henry William Tullett 11th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Tullett was my Grandfather who joined up in 1915 at Lewisham and went to France. In May 1916 he was killed at the assault on Fleurs on the 15th of September 1916. He is now buried at Thiepval Cemetery, he left behind a wife and 2 sons Henry and George who he never saw.

    Steve Tullett




    221171

    Pte. Robert Abbott 5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Robert Abbott was born in 1897, and enlisted, at the age of 18yrs, on 11th December 1915. He gave his trade, on enlistment, as a Cotton Spinner. His father's name was Thomas Abbott and the family home was 4, Ribbleston Place, Preston.

    He went to France in March 1917 and was wounded, in the forearm, in September 1918 as a result of which, he spent a period of time in Leeds Hospital.

    Stuart Woodcock




    221167

    Pte. John Pass (d.8th October 1918)

    John Pass died on the 8th of October 1918

    Andy Gilman




    221166

    L/Cpl. Reginald Christon 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.30th Mar 1917)

    Reginald Christon served with 5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment





    221165

    Pte. William Chapman 2/4th Battalion K Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.13th March 1917)

    William Chapman enlisted in February 1915. Died 17.3.1917 age 27. He is buried in the Queens Cemetery, Bucquoy France.

    William had three brothers also with the colours, Joseph William Chapman who was also in France in 1917, Thomas Chapman who was lying in a Manchester hospital with chattered nerves and John who was suffering from fever. Information from the Dewsbury press.

    They were the sons of Thomas and Dorothy Chapman of Thornhill Lees Dewsbury.

    Rosemary Williams




    221162

    Pte. Max Kay Royal Army Medical Corps (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>RAMC, Twesledown, 31st July 1915

    Max Kay enlisted in Hull, 1915, aged 23 and was assigned to the Royal Army Medical Corps. Following training in Tweseldown, Surrey, he was assigned to the 13th Western Division and travelled to Mesopotamia (via Egypt) in early 1916. He died from his wounds on 9th April 1916, aged 24 in Mesopotamia (Iraq).

    He was mentioned in dispatches by General Sir Percy Lake dispatches of Oct 1916 and received two medals, the British War Medal and Victory Medal. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial.





    221161

    L/Cpl. William Henry Mullens 14th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    My grandfather was known through his war service as William Henry Mullens, but was born W.H. Whittaker and once married used his birth name for the rest of his life. I have his WW1 record in the name of W.H. Mullens. He joined the Territorial Force in May 1913, later on becoming a regular in the Lincolnshire Regiment.

    He was sent to France in August 1915. It seems that he was ill with various minor ailments for much of the time, until reported missing in March 1918 having been captured at Bullecourt. He was recorded as a P.O.W., place not stated. There is a note of him being wounded through the lung, and the effects of this in addition to mustard gas made him semi-invalid for the rest of his life. He died aged 56 in 1952, but I remember him well and have very fond memories of him. I would be very interested to know where he was held prisoner. Reading his unassuming records still have a poignancy for me.

    Christine Power




    221159

    Cpl. Frank McCann 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.4th Nov 1918)

    Frank McCann was killed a week before the end of the war. His wife thought he was coming home and my granda never knew his father. Frank is buried in Ors France.





    221158

    Spr. Arthur Terrington 73rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>Arthur Terrington's Grave

    My great-grandfather was Pioneer Arthur Terrington. He was married to Charlotta Bradshaw, and fought and died in the Battle of Loos in 1915.

    Claire Terrington




    221156

    Rfmn. Frank Harold Herbert MM. 1st Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment

    <p>Frank Harold Herbert on his wedding day

    Frank Herbert was awarded a Military Medal for his actions as a stretcher bearer on the 8th of October 1918.

    Frank Harold Herbert - Awarded Military Medal

    Karen Davies




    221154

    Pte. James Jones 18th Btn. Welsh Regiment

    <p>Medical Records James Jones

    My grandfather, James Jones was originally in the 3rd Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, but according to his medical records, he was transferred to the 18th on the 2nd July 1918 and shipped back out to France on the 30th of July 1918. He suffered a severe leg injury on the 24th of September and was shipped back to the UK and on to hospital in Glasgow, where he remained for more than 5 months.

    Editor's Note:- The 3rd Battalion was a training unit, preparing mew recruits to join other battalions on active service.

    Medical Records James Jones

    Medical Records James Jones

    Medical Records James Jones

    Medical Records James Jones

    Ffiona Jones




    221148

    Rflmn. Joseph Brown 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.12th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Brown is my great grandfather and he was killed in October 1915 as a result of his injuries in Belgium. He is buried in the CWG Cemetry in Poperinghe and in May 2014 I visited Flanders and his grave. This was a very moving experience and one that I will not forget.

    I was brought up knowing the story of Joseph from his daughter Emma, my grandmother, as she always wished that she could have visited his grave but never got the chance. Joseph was 39 when he died and was a father of six children.

    My grandmother had two letters in her possession which I now have and these are very touching and beautifully written letters from a private James A King of the Royal Army Medical Corps to the widow of Joseph and in these letters he explains that her husband suffered six bullet wounds to the abdomen and by the time he arrived at the field hospital he had died. These letters meant so much to the family and almost 100 years later they mean just as much to me and my family.

    Before my trip to Belgium I did more research and very sadly found a picture of Joseph in the local newspaper and this is the first I had seen his picture. But I also found out that his two younger brothers, Harry and Fred, were also killed in 1917 and 1918 respectively. I visited the grave of Harry in Ypres and this is so sad as he is buried just a few miles from Joseph. The three brothers are commemorated on the war memorial in their home town.

    Susan Blundell




    221147

    Pte. John Jenkins 20th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.20th Sep 1916)

    Jack Jenkins was my great uncle, born in Spitalfields East London, he enlisted at Shoreditch in July 1915.

    Pat Larner




    221146

    Pte. George Clark 18th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Jan 1917)

    <p>Training at Salisbury Plain (George is centre, back row)

    George Clark was my great grandfather. He volunteered for service and joined the 18th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers which became a Pioneer Unit. He died near Bois-Grenier which is a small village near to Armentiers. We were told that he was killed by one of our own shells while digging a fall back trench behind the front lines. Had the honour to visit his grave at Brewery Orchard cemetery at Bois-Grenier two years ago. It is an experience I will never forget.

    Salisbury Plain training

    Patrick Scullion




    221144

    Pte. Alfred Yarwood 22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.31st Oct 1916)

    My great uncle Alfie Yarwood served with the 22nd Queens Btn, London Regiment.

    Pat Larner




    221142

    Pte. William Butts Hertfordshire Regiment (d.19 Nov 1914)

    William was born in 1886 in Stockbridge, Hampshire to Emily and Isaac Butts. The family moved first to Brentford and then to Hitchin, Hertfordshire. William became a parchment maker, like his father.

    William enlisted in August 1914 and arrived in Flanders in early November. Sadly he was killed by a land mine two weeks later. He has no known grave but his name in on the Menin Gate.

    Elizabeth Wood




    221141

    Rflmn. Albert James Thumwood 1st Battlion Rifle Brigade

    Albert Thumwood was already in the army when war broke out. Not sure were or when he joined the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade. He received shrapnel wounds sometime during 1916-17 and returned to England to convalesce, retrained and became a Corporal training others for the remainder of the war. While convalescing in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield he met his future wife Mercy Orgill and they married in March 1921. His brother George also a regular soldier and serving in the 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade, George died within 2 miles of Albert at Ypres on the 14th May 1915.

    Jennifer Terry




    221140

    Cpl. Robert Thompson 9th (Glasgow) Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.24th Oct 1917)

    <p>Gravestone for Robert Thompson

    Robert Thompson, my grandad's brother, was injured in Flanders and died of his wounds aged 23 at Monte Dore Hospital, Bournemouth (now Bournemouth Town Hall). He is buried in Annan Cemetery, Dumfriesshire.

    Glen Thompson




    221139

    Pte. Jabez Perry 6th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.24th Jul 1916)

    <p>Jabez Perry

    My Uncle, Jabez Perry was born in Normanton W.Yorkshire in 1893. He had 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Around 1911/12 the family moved to Goldthorpe S.Yorkshire where the father & 3 sons worked in the Mines. Jabez met a local girl, Gertrude Neal. They fell in love and married in 1913. In the same year they were blessed with a son Albert. Gertrude was 17 years old.

    In 1914, as did many young men in the area, Jabez answered Kitchener's call and joined the 6th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The only picture I have must have been taken shortly before he left his home in 1914. The picture shows Jabez with his wife Gertrude and their son Albert.

    Jabez was killed on 24th July 1916 and is buried in Arras France at Avesnes-le-Comte Communal Cemetery Extension. His widow, Gertrude, died in 1918 of the Spanish Flu. Therefore, young Albert was left an orphan at 5 years of age and was, presumably, brought up by his Grandmother, Catherine Neal. I have located the grave of Gertrude in which her mother and father are also buried. This to me is a sad, sad story. My father was born in 1910, also in Normanton.

    Editor's Note - At the time of his death, the 6th Battalion K.O.Y.L.I. who were part of the 14th Division, were engaged in the Battle of Delville Wood, a phase of the Battle of the Somme.

    John Perry




    221137

    Cpl. James Craig Muir 3rd Btn. D Company Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.19th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    We believe James Craig Muir was our paternal grandfather went missing at the Battle of the Somme, leaving four children as orphans, following the death of his wife after giving birth to their last child, our father Thomas. We believe he was promoted on the battlefield but it was never ratified. The children were split up and cared for by relatives on both sides of the family. Our maternal grandfather, Samuel Smith of Glasgow was gassed in the trenches and couldn't return to his previous employment as a carpenter because of the sawdust. This had a devastating effect on our mother's family, forcing both her and her mother to go out to work, the former at 14. Grandfather Smith died in his 60s

    Annie Muir




    221136

    Pte. William George Clarke 1/5th (Prince of Wales's) Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.28th Jul 1918)

    <p>Private William George Clarke, 67295

    William Clarke was born in Thornborough, Bucks on the 27 September 1898. He was subsequently baptised 30 October 1898 in St James Aston Abbotts. The census of 1901 lists him as living in Aston Abbotts the eldest son (of two) of Newman George and Lucy Clarke (nee Kent – they were married in 1897 – Albert T. Kent and William Clarke were in fact 2nd Cousins). Newman was a cattleman working for one of the local farms and lived with his family in Church Row, Aston Abbotts. According to the Census the Clarke family lived in Village House no 7.

    He enlisted in Aylesbury and joined the 1/5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment sometime in late 1915 or early 1916. William Clark was killed in action of the 8th day of the Battle of the Tardenois 28th July 1918 when he was only 19 years of age. He is remembered with honour and buried in the Chambrecy British Cemetery, 16 miles south west of Reims, France.

    Paul




    221135

    Leonard Frederick Higgins

    My father Leonard Higgins was shot and left as dead in France I believe. He had a bullet wound enter his left side and come out in his lower back on the right side. He was nursed and ended up in a prison of war camp. I have a letter from the King stating he had died in action. I vividly remember the wounds and his stories of the trenches. Unfortunately, there was a pen and ink drawing of bunks and living quarters... I don't know if they were from the POW camp or the trenches. He would have been so proud to know that his son (my brother) was awarded the MBE for services whilst in the Manchester Territorial unit at Belle Vue. I would love to find out more.

    Joy Balmforth




    221134

    Pte. Frederick William "Fred" Richardson 18th Btn. London Regiment

    My father, Frederick William Richardson, was born the eldest of 12 in South London on 27th Sep 1899. He served in the the 18 Battalion, London Irish Rifles. He landed at Le Havre in France and on 27th August 1918 was severely wounded in the head by shrapnel from a bursting shell. He was unconscious in the field hospital after rescue and had an operation to remove some of the shrapnel. My father was repatriated and operated on (trepanned) but not all the shrapnel could be removed as it was in the brain and adjacent. He convalesced at Roehampton as a bluecoat.

    His father was also serving in France. Same name aged 39 (He had been a boxer, champion of England)in his youth and gave exhibition boxing bouts to the troops.) He was notified of my father's injuries and had to hitchhike to the field hospital.

    He married my mother in 1927 but suffered all his life from the brain injury and the shrapnel which moved from time to time. He suffered from Jacksonian epilepsy all his life regularly fitting and eventually received a 100% disability pension. When I was 17 he had 101 consecutive epileptic fits and from then on was hospitalised. He was in Headington Hill Hall, Oxford and later the Queen Alexandra nursing home for service personnel in Worthing. He died aged 70 in 1969, with little memory left. A sad end to a brave volunteer infantryman, so young at his enlistment. I feel he was ill served during his life and my mother had to work to support the poor pension and to care for him as he became more and more dependant.

    Edith Carpenter




    221132

    Pte. Nathan Simon Baker 2/7th Leeds Rifles West Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th Sep 1917)

    This story is so very sad, but in a strange way happy: I never knew my uncle who died from wounds in France on 4th September 1917. He was my grandma's first born son. She came over to this country from a village called Kovno in Russia in 1890 age 16 to marry my grandfather in 1893. She had eight more children but two died. With my uncle dead in 1917, my grandma and grandfather were so distraught at this but she fell pregnant with my father who was born in April 1919 she hadn't wanted anymore children but this baby helped her and my grandfather carry on. In 1951 my father married and I was born. So out of sorry came happiness and I just wanted to share this story with you. I wish I had photos of my uncle but I never saw any.

    Janice Eckersley




    221131

    Pte. Robert Owen Davies 6th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    My granddad, Robert Davies hardly ever talked about the War. But, I do remember him saying he had been to Mesopotamia, Egypt and Palestine and I was always fascinated by these names. He did say that he was known for darning the soldiers' socks, and, as a reward was given tins of condensed milk.

    Anita Butler




    221129

    L/Cpl. Ernest Newby 11th Btn Manchester Regiment (d.17th Oct 1917)

    <p>Ernest Newby

    Ernest Newby was born in Oldham, Lancashire. He became a spindle maker and joined the Manchester regiment in 1916.

    Ernest was part of S Company and was involved in a battle at pheasant trench, near Langemark, Belgium. He was wounded on 3rd/4th October 1917. He later died of his wounds and was buried at Mendinghem Military Cemetery.

    Alison Newby




    221128

    L/Cpl. Sydney Scadding 16th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.28th Sep 1917)

    My grandfather was Sydney Scadding, I have been trying to find out were he was when he got his wounds, but have had no joy with this. I went to Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium where he is buried, it was good to go there and see him.

    Keith




    221127

    Pte. Alfred Thompson 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Oct 1918)

    <p>Alfred Thompson

    Alfred Thompson was the youngest of twelve children, his brother Thomas was my grandfather. Alfred was just 21 when he died of his wounds after the Battle of the Selle. He'd survived the Somme and Passcschendaele but, tragically, he died just two weeks before the end of the Great War.

    John Thompson




    221125

    Pte. John McCann 2nd Btn South Lancashire Regiment (d.25th Dec 1914)

    John McCann served as John Brown and was killed on Christmas day 1914.

    James McCann




    221120

    Pte. Henry Charles Breeden 13th (Kensington) Battalion London Regiment (d.19th Jan 1917)

    My great uncle Henry Breeden came from a large family from Leytonstone in Essex. He was part of the family business before the First World War working as a cricket bat maker. The family had a sports shop on Leyton High Road.

    Henry was serving in the 13th Kensington Battalion London Regiment, when he was killed in action in France on the 19th January 1917. He is buried in Pont-Du-Hem military cemetery, La Gorgue, Northern France.

    Elaine Gibson




    221119

    Bombardier Charles Bertram "Bert" Spires MM B/103 Bde Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Bert on leave in Rome 9 May 1918

    Bdr Bert Spires won the Military Medal in Italy on the Asiago Plateau. The citation reads:- "On the 15th of June 1918, this NCO was in charge of the Battery signallers. During an intense bombardment the telephone dugout had a direct hit and all wires were destroyed. He immediately ran out a new line to group headquarters under extremely heavy fire, and it was entirely due to his gallantry that communications with group headquarters was re-established."

    Editor's Note:- Bert Spires enlisted on 30th November 1915. His service record survives but it is in a poor state. His home address was 28 Silver Hill Road, Derby where his wife and 2 children were living during his service. He was an Acting Corporal for a while (which the photograph verifies) and the award of the Military Medal appears on page 12416, The Gazette (dated 21st October 1918).

    Charles Spires




    221117

    Pte. Gilbert Walter Bick 5th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.10th Aug 1915)

    Gilbert Bick's body was never found. His name appears on the memorial plaque at Helles, in Olton Church and at Alvechurch church. His brother was made to enlist after he died.

    J Jordan




    221116

    Sgt. Albert Charles Jay

    <p>

    I have just found my Grandfathers service record and it has created more questions because I don't understand the Army lingo. He was Albert Charles Jay who joined the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment in 1914, he actually left in December 1914. In May 1916 he joined the army again for the duration of the war, he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on the 31st March 1918 as a Corporal and became Royal Air Force on 1st April 1918 and they are the service papers I found. He was a Private when he left the Army and a Sergeant when the war ended. His Classification is listed as Disciplinarian, I dread to think what that means. I can't find out where he was or what he did during the war, he was supposed to have gone overseas but I can't see any info on that. I have two photos of him , which I will post on here. In a group where he is a Sergeant so I am assuming that was the RFC and on his own but in a different looking uniform. If any one can give me any information about what he would have done in the Army before the transfer or what his duties as a Disaplinarian in the RAC would have been, I would be very grateful.

    Editor's Note: Private Albert Charles Jay served with the 8th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment until 31st December 1914 and re-enlisted on the 31st May 1916 (Army unit not stated). He transferred into the Royal Flying Corps on the 31st March 1918. The Royal Flying Corps was renamed the Royal Air Force on the 1st April 1918. He was promoted Corporal and transferred to the Royal Air Force. He was promoted acting Sergeant (unpaid) on the 1st August 1918 and promoted Sergeant on the 25th Sep 1918. He was posted to C&S Upavon Dispersal Area on the 27th July 1919 for discharge, discharged to RAF Reserve in August 1919. Cannot find any record of the type of work he did or the army unit he served in from 1916 until move to RAF. In civilian life he had been a horse keeper at MICE(?) Railway. [Can find no reference to this historically] On his Marriage certificate - married on 4th August 1912 to Abigail Eliza Willson - his occupation is described as store keeper. Occupation in 1911 census was labourer. Quite a few of his siblings worked on the railways. Father was William Jay. Family lived in Islington area from Albert's birth in 1888.

    Albert Charles Jay

    June Whitehouse




    221115

    Gnr. Leonard Shannon 3rd Bde Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Leonard

    My Grandfather, Leonard Shannon enlisted by lying about his age as he was not yet 17. He served until he was terribly wounded by being blown out of a gun pit in about May of 1918. His first vague memory was waking up being placed in a line up of soldiers who had died. The next time he awoke he was in a hospital in Rouen in the psychiatric ward. He had two pieces of shrapnel hit him in the head. One piece took his right eye and one lodged in his skull above and behind his right ear.

    In a letter some nine years later he described his injuries as follows: "I was badly wounded in the war. I had eleven shrapnel wounds, one in the left arm, 2 in the right leg, one in the left hip, 2 in the right arm, 5 in the stomach and one in the head. I still carry the one in the head and it gives me considerable trouble." He failed to mention that the shrapnel that hit his head also took his right eye. He was just 22 years old when he was injured. He did recover, married, immigrated to Canada and had three children. He always was and always will be my hero!

    Before depolyment

    Stacy




    221111

    Pte. Thomas Forrester 4th Btn. King's Regiment (Liverpool) (d.16th Nov 1914)

    Thomas Forrester was my great granddad. He fought in the Boar War and was injured. When WW1 started he rejoined and was killed in Flanders in November 1914. I have never seen a photo of him but would love to see one.

    Brian Campbell




    221110

    Pte. Albert Henry Choules 2nd Batallion Wiltshire Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

    I came across Albert Choules whilst researching my family tree and have no information about his time in the Army. Albert was married my great aunt just two years before the outbreak of war and they were blessed with a daughter before he went overseas. Sadly, Albert was killed in action on 21st May 1918. He is remembered at the Pozieres Memorial, on the Somme. Like many poor souls during that awful time, it is probable that his remains were either not recovered, or were not identifiable.

    Michael Woods




    221108

    Pte. Harry Bullock 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.28th Mar 1918)

    Harry Bullock was the son of Harry and Mary Agnes Bullock, of 4 Scar View, Settle, Yorks.

    Gloria Burton




    221107

    Cpl. Patrick Daly 7th Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.8th Mar 1917)

    Patrick Daly is interred in the Pond Farm Cemetery. On the day that he was killed the Battalion diary records that there was a heavy German Artillery bombardment lasting from 3.00pm to 6.00pm, as a result of which 1 officer and 11 other ranks were killed and 22 other ranks wounded.

    Noel Daly




    221105

    Cpl. Ernest Manning 17th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.28th Nov 1917)

    <p>Ernie Manning

    Ernie Manning was my Uncle, he died 4 days after my father was born and I have a good deal of memorabilia including his medals and badges. He is commemorated on the Louveral Memorial near Cambrai.

    Editor's Note:- Official records show that he commenced his service in the 23rd Battallion (1st Sportsmans) of the Royal Fusiliers but transferred to the 17th Battalion in October 1916.

    Colin Manning




    221104

    Pte. Frederick Somerton Gunter 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Frederick Gunter was one of three of my fathers older brothers who fought with the Royal Welsh Fusliers, the other two being John Rees Gunter and Gilbert Alexander Gunter. They survived the conflict, though Gilbert died quite young and suffered the effects of gas. The death of Frederick killed their mother as she died shortly after hearing of his death at Loos.

    Gwen Cantwell




    221103

    Pte. James William Pope 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.27th Apr 1918)

    Born 31st May 1899 son of James and Sophia (nee Nicholls) Married Martha Mercy Mynett 1917. Remembered Pozieres Memorial (Panel 56 and 57), Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France.

    Martyn Rundle




    221102

    Rifleman Henry George Seccombe 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Jun 1917)

    Henry George Seccombe was born at Charlton, Kent in April 1896. He was the son of William Henry and Isabella Eliza (nee Butt). He worked as a general labourer and signed up at Woolwich.

    He was killed in action on 3rd June 1917 and is buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Belgium, grave VII.F.11.

    Update - Although the official records show his date of death as 3rd June 1917, the CWGC have it recorded as 13th June.

    Martyn Rundle




    221101

    C.Q.M.S. William Henry Pollard MSM. 1st Btn. Sherwood Forresters

    My Grandad, William Pollard was a Company Quarter Master Sergeant with the Foresters. He served in WW1 from February 1915 till the end of the war.

    Garry Ford




    221100

    Pte. Douglas Bateman Spurr 1/4th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.10th March 1915)

    Douglas Spurr was born on the 2nd March 1896. Douglas was the youngest of 4 brothers who answered their country's call without hesitation. He was educated at Hitchin Grammar School and on leaving school he became an auctioneer with Messers George Jackson of Hitchin. It should be noted that he was the first ex Grammar School boy to be killed during the Great War.

    By the 19th September 1914 Douglas had already enlisted at Hitchin to become Private No 2116 in the 1/4th Battalion which was in the 24th Brigade of the 8th Division of IV Corps in the 1st Army. He was initially billeted at Bedford before going to France arriving on the 19th February 1915 with the rest of his battalion.

    The action which led to his death occurred at the battle of Neuve Chapelle when an attack by the 23rd and 25th Brigades captured the village by 11.00am on the 10th March 1915. At 1.00pm that day the 24th Brigade was ordered to advance towards Aubers and sustained repeated and very strong counter - attacks from the Germans causing very heavy casualties. During this action Douglas was killed by an exploding shell. The British casualties for the day was over 12,000 men. He has no known grave but is remembered on Panels 41/42 of the Le Touret Memorial to the Missing in France.

    Richard George Spurr Stephen




    221099

    Pte. Daniel Exley 18th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Great Grandad Daniel Exley enlisted in the 2nd Bradford Pals, travelling initially to Egypt in 1915, before heading to France in 1916. He participated in a night raid on the night of 29th/30th June which was a disaster .... of the 4 Officers and 38 Men which took part in the raid, 13 were killed and 12 wounded. My Great Grandfather received a hand written commendation for his participation in this raid, and he survived the Somme battle, being wounded sometime in 1916 and medically discharged in 1917

    Editor's Note – The war diary for the 18th Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment contains a report of the above incident, completed by Lieutenant M.Clough. The report states: -

    Party left our front line trenches, as scheduled, 12.28am, 30/6/16. Advance was slow owing to numerous shell holes and flares. Apparently our party was seen almost as soon as we had left our own trenches, for they seemed prepared for us, & we were met by bombs when between 25 and 30 yards from their trenches. They sent up a single green rocket & formed a barrage of hand grenades in front of us and trench mortars and artillery behind us. The trenches seemed fairly knocked about, and the wire was cut, where we were, in sufficient quantity to allow the passage of troops. Their trenches seemed very full of men and, apparently, very deep.

    Finding we could not get forward, I brought my party back as well and as soon as possible as I could. This took some two hours. As far as I can judge my casualties, at present, are about 10 killed and 12 wounded out of 38 men and 4 officers. At present 2 officers, Lieut. F.Watson and 2/lt Worsnop, are missing. I have been slightly wounded myself in two places.

    Our H.E. shells were all dropping a little over half-way between our line and the German line, quite 20 yards short of their wire, and this was taking place during our scheduled hour for the raid. My watch was synchronised with an artillery officer sent by Col. Craven.

    That report was signed by Lieutenant Mclough, following which there was the following addition: - Casualties as verified later : Missing: 2 officers (Lt F.Watson & 2/lt J.W.Worsnop), O.R. 9; Killed – O.R. 1; Wounded 18 (of whom 2 d. Of w., 1 S.W. at duty) 1 officer (Lt M.Clough)

    Lieutenant Clough may be Morris Clough who reached the rank of Captain and was killed in action on 25th April 1918. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Nick Exley




    221098

    Pte. Albert Miller 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Nov 1918)

    Albert Miller was husband to Lucy Adela Miller and father to four young children. He was killed in action.

    Shelley Brooks




    221096

    L/Cpl. Sidney Driscoll 1st/22nd Btn. A Coy London Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Sidney Driscoll was the son of Mrs. Driscoll of 66 Barkworth Rd., North Camberwell, London.





    221095

    Pte. Fredrick Ayles 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1914)

    Frederick Ayles was my grandad's brother. He was 19 years old when he died. He had been in France 3 weeks when he along with an officer disappeared, his body being found with the officers many years later. He is listed on the Menin Gate as being in the South Lancs Regiment 2nd Btn.

    Peter Ayles




    221094

    FarrierQMS. Cyrus Owen Roach Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Aug 1915)

    <p>Battery Farriers at work with Horses

    Cyrus Roach served during Anglo Boer War and was apparently serving in India for 10yrs. He received the Royal Humane Society Medal for bravery for saving the life of a pallbearer on the Brahmaputra River. However this has been told through family members but cannot find evidence of this. His original Headstone at Bodmin has been replaced with CWWGC which apparently was put on after the death of Cyrus Owens' spouse Naomi Edith Ethel Maud Roach and the Original headstone was not put back, but it has been told to me by my father that there were a lot of decorations on the original headstone. Unfortunately a lot of photos and information have been burnt and I only have snippets told to me by surviving relatives.

    Cyrus Owen apparently was a Farrier Quarter Master Sergeant who also was a Veterinary Surgeon or what we now today would call Animal Husbandry. He served with the 17th Battery Royal Field Artillery during WW1 and died at Ayot Exeter on the 23rd August 1915. From the photo he was with C Battery (Farriers), 46th Brigade, RFA

    Family Photo in Uniform

    Family at work with Horses

    Christopher Roach




    221093

    Pte. Isaac Holt Bridge 12th Battalion King's Regiment (Liverpool) King's Regiment (Li (d.29th March 1917)

    Isaac Bridge is my great uncle who was killed in action on the 29th Mar 1917 in France. He lies buried in Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery Extension in Pas de Calais, Northern France. We visited his grave in May 2012 to pay our respect and gratitude.

    David Wellings




    221089

    Pte. Thomas James Moss 3rd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.16th May 1915)

    Thomas James Moss, was killed on 16th May 1915, he died of 'Battle Wounds'. He was aged 24, leaving his wife (My Grandma) a widow at 21. They had married just over two years before on the 26th December 1912.

    Thomas James Moss will be having his name read out on 11th November 2014, at the Tower of London, as part of the 'Roll call of Honor' to remember those that died and fought during the First World war, 100 years ago this year.

    Lorraine Bates




    221087

    Pte. Harry Sharman 19th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27th Jul 1917)

    Harry Sharman died of wounds and is buried in Le Treport.

    Maria Fisher




    221086

    Pte. George Samuel Frederick Ward 10th Battalion Worcester Regiment (d.13th Jan 1916)

    My great grandfather was George Ward. I was privileged this year to visit his grave at the Vaast Post Cemetery in Richebourge being the only member of my family to do so in 97 years. The sad part of our family story is that my grandmother was only 4 years of age when her father died and didn't really remember him, but on my grandmother's death we found a small picture hidden away in her handbag of two men and written on the back in my nan's handwriting was written "one of these two men is my dad" which we found very upsetting and despite extensive research we have never been able to confirm the identity of the two men.

    Kerry Champion




    221085

    Pte. John Smith MM 2nd Btn. Black Watch

    John Smith was awarded a Military Medal in Mesopotamia, he was a career soldier not a conscript and survived the war.

    Karen Stokoe




    221082

    Pte. Arthur Crookes 6th Batallion 13th Platoon York & Lancaster Regiment (d. )

    My father Arthur Crookes did not talk about his war time experiences when I was a child growing up in England. However, when I was newly married in 1965 he came to visit me and my new wife in Vancouver, British Columbia. He knew his days were numbered because of cancer. He did leave with us his service medals and some personal items that he had saved from his combat service time in WW1. These items sparked my interest to try to find out what the soldier went through during those years. I now know what battles he was involved in and find it amazing that he was one of the fortunate survivors.

    The only stories he did recount was of his time in Egypt and how when they cooked a meal in camp nobody dare move a foot or the sand would blow all over the bully rations. Also his story of using jam jar labels in Persia to procure trinkets or food from the locals who thought it was money. He also was very paranoid of anything like insects, pests and skin diseases after his experience in trench warfare. He was always a soldier and purported himself accordingly.

    Edward Crookes




    221081

    Pte. Patrick Heaney 8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.21st Jul 1916)

    <p>Patrick Heaney

    My great grandfather Patrick Heaney, aged 36 years, died of wounds at Bethune Military Hospital on the 21st Jul 1916. He is buried at Bethune Cemetery, France.

    Grave in Bethune

    John Gallagher




    221080

    Sgt. Frederick R. Bennett 4th Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Family records and information is sparse about Frederick R Bennett. I am currently researching him for my mother-in-law as he was her grandfather.

    Norman




    221078

    Rflmn. Alfred Bingham 9th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.5th Feb 1916)

    <p>Alfred Bingham

    Alfie Bingham served with the 9th Royal Irish Rifles.

    James Bingham Verner




    221076

    Pte. Owen Arthur Owen 1st Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.29th May 1918)

    <p>A. Owen War Office letter

    As a printer-compositor, Arthur Owen had been in a reserved occupation, but with losses mounting on the Western Front, he was called up, went to France and never returned, leaving a widow, Lou and two young children, Gladys (my mother) and Harold. Arthur is buried in Le Vertannoy British Cemetery, Hinges, near Béthune in Northern France. The small walled cemetery, with its cross, a single tree, and 141 identical gravestones, lies in one corner of a potato field (‘some corner of a foreign field, That is for ever England’ – Rupert Brooke). Having survived the appalling slaughter of the ferocious enemy offensive of April 1918 during the Battles of the Lys, Arthur was killed in action during a surprise enemy attack on his company’s position on the night of 28-29 May 1918. Three of Arthur’s King’s Own Royal Lancaster comrades were killed that same day, and are buried alongside him: 30489 (Frederick) Harold Mitchell, 22925 M Holman and 34751 F. Longworth, together with a fourth, 202305 H. Frost, who died two days later.

    Arthur’s mother had been born Janet Greenhill in 1856 in a family of rope-makers in Perth, Scotland; his father, Albert Owen, had come from a long, prolific, colourful and unruly line of canal boatmen in Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and finally Buckinghamshire, where he married Janet in 1885. I am still at a loss to explain how they met; in 1881 Janet was a Cook in a household in Forfarshire. By 1891 Albert and Janet had moved to Eastbourne, where he was a Beach Photographer (with a prime licensed pitch right by the pier). In 1911 Arthur and his young wife Lou (both born in 1886) were lodging with a family in Highbury; my one-year-old mother was being looked after by her mother’s parents in Tunbridge Wells. Janet died in 1911, and so was spared the loss of her eldest son; Albert died in Eastbourne in 1931. After Arthur’s death, Lou, Gladys and Harold went back to live with Lou’s parents in Tunbridge Wells. In 1923 Lou gave birth to a daughter, Jean; early in the Second World War Jean, who had joined the Land Army, was driving her tractor home at the end of a day’s work when it overturned, leaving her permanently paralysed on one side; despite this, she later married and had a daughter, who in her turn married and is now a proud grandmother.

    Visiting Arthur’s grave for the first time in July 2012, I signed the Visitors’ Book, in which the mayor of Hinges, every 11 November, signs his name in remembrance of the fallen. I was filled with the peace of a gloriously sunny late afternoon, with bitter sadness at Arthur’s loss and all it had meant to the lives of his dependants – but also with a sense of triumph at having, at last, found Arthur. ‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them’ - Robert Laurence Binyon.





    221075

    Pte. Walter Keyes McCallum 1/5th (Angus and Dundee) Battalion Black Watch

    Walter McCallum left home against his mother's wishes to join up at 16. He was a bugle boy and drummer in the Black Watch. He refused, during his life, to talk about the Great War but did mention, at one time, living on dates. We wonder, if after being wounded he was not sent back to the trenches in Flanders but was sent to a different campaign.

    Stuart Bowman




    221072

    Rflmn. Thomas Geddes Ritchie 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) (d.26th October 1917)

    Rifleman Thomas Geddes Ritchie was wounded in September 1917, at Paschendaele on the Western Front and died the following month after being sent back to the UK to hospital in Darlington. He had volunteered in 1914 for the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own).

    Rifleman Ritchie was 22 when he died. His family have a letter he wrote to his father in his native Langholm in Dumfriesshire after the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. It is thought to be one of the very few letters still surviving which is an ordinary private soldier’s account of the battle which was one of the most wasteful of life in the entire WW1 with more than 11,000 British killed, wounded and missing in just two or three days. Rifleman Ritchie survived to fight in other battles until the Third Battle of Ypres when he was mortally wounded.

    Research by his family recently has shown that Rifleman Ritchie fought only yards from a young Austrian lance corporal, Adolph Hitler, who was serving as a messenger with the 16th Bavarian Reserve in the Battle of Aubers Ridge. Hitler survived Aubers Ridge unscathed and it is quite a thought that Rifleman Ritchie could have changed the course of history in a way he could never have imagined with one lucky shot.

    Rifleman Ritchie is buried in the family grave in the Wauchope Cemetery, Langholm.

    Murray Ritchie




    221071

    Cpl. Alfred Middleton 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Corporal Alfred Middleton was born in Sheffield and enlisted in Beverly, Yorkshire. He was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme, and is commemorated on Sheffield Council's Official Roll of Honour, and Pier and Face 2 C of Thiepval Memorial, France.

    Mrs J Hughes




    221069

    Pte John William Narvidge 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.14th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    John Narvidge was my great uncle. His father, Alexander, was a Russian refugee and boot maker who moved to Maldon in Essex with his English wife, Sarah.

    John enlisted at Chelmsford, Essex, joining the 1st battalion Essex Regiment in 1914, we believe he was probably underage when he enlisted, having been born in Hackney in 1897. He died in battle at Monchy-le-Preux on April 14th 1917 and is buried at Arras. He was recorded as missing on 1st June 1917 in the Essex Chronicle together with many of his comrades. His name is recorded on the War Memorial in Maldon High Street. We have no photos of him but if anyone has it would be wonderful to see his face.

    Chris Johnson




    221067

    Pte. William James Lane 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Private 8167 William James Lane also served in the 7th and 11th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. His medal card shows that he embarked for France on 8th June 1915 meaning that he was probably, at that time, serving with the 11th Battalion as that is when they were moved to France.

    Craig Lane




    221066

    Kathleen Lees Forage Corps

    On 22nd November 1916 my mum, Kathleen Lees, enrolled in the Forage Corps at D.P.O.S. Bootham, York. Mum was a Section Clerk and was not demobbed until January 1919. We have photos and her certificate of service.

    Geoff Ellin




    221064

    Pte. James Wilson 59th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.4th Sept 1916)

    My great-grandad, James Wilson, was killed at the Battle of Guillemont on the 4th of September 1916.

    Stuart Wilson




    221062

    Pte. Harold Vincent Shaw Australian Imperial Force 24th Btn.

    My grandfather, Harold Vincent Shaw, was wounded on 4th October 1917 in France. He had joined up on 12th September 1914, joining the 24th Battalion via transfer in 1916. I am not sure what battle took place on that day.

    Alan Shaw




    221061

    Pte. Robert Albert Featherstonehaugh-Wooster 43rd Btn. (d.4th Oct 1917)

    A relation, Robert Featherstonhaugh-Wooster served with 43rd Bn C Company, 6th Reinforcements, he was from Cabal Street Railwaytown Broken Hill NSW, Robert was killed on the 4th of October 1917 at Zonnebecke in Belgium during the Battle of Broodseinde. He was buried in the field and there is no known grave, nor are there any existing photos of him. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

    Ray Wooster




    221060

    Cpl. Charles Henry Leather 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    My grandfather Charles Henry Leather sent a book to my grandmother from Vimy Ridge inscribed inside 'to sweet little goosie, Tamara, from her young man Harry. Sept 17th 1917. From Vimy Ridge.

    Stephanie Hazeldine




    221059

    Sjt. George Edwards 1st Btn. Coldstream Guards

    Sergeant George Edwards, 1st Battalion, was wounded in a bayonet charge at Aisne near Vendresse on October 4th 1914.

    Chris Adams




    221058

    L/Cpl. Ivor Williams 11th Btn. Welsh Rifles

    Lance Corporal Ivor Williams of the 11th Welsh Rifles, served in France during 1915, then Salonika in 1916. He was in the Carmarthen Red Cross Hospital on May 31st 1917 where he wrote in the recently discovered grandmother's diary.

    Chris Adams




    221057

    Dmr. A. Hunt 2nd Btn. Scots Guards

    Drummer A Hunt Served with the 2nd Scots Guards, he had enlisted on the 18th of January 1904 and was discharged on the 24th March 1916 after being wounded at Festubert on the 16th of May 1915 and being a patient at the Royal Star & Garter Home in Richmond.

    Mike




    221056

    Pte. Charles William Wells 8th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment

    My paternal grandfather, Charles William Wells, was wounded at Ovillers on 1st July 1916.

    On his recovery, he worked as a miner (work of national importance) and was not transferred to the Royal Scots as intended.

    Roger Wells




    221055

    William Merritt 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.30th Oct 1914)

    I have recently discovered my great uncle William Merritt is on the war memorial in Fareham close to the Trinity church. I have found out he died at Plugstreet in October 1914 though unclear if it was 27th or 30th October. I am also unsure where his remains lie at rest but assume he is one of the 56 men resting in peace at the cemetery in Plugstreet.

    If anyone has any information relating to great uncle William please, please, please let me know. He has been discovered after being forgotten.

    James Merritt




    221053

    Pte. Sydney Coppinger 11th Btn Border Regiment (d.18th Mar 1917)

    Sydney Coppinger enlisted at Southend, Essex and was previously private 33800, Essex Regiment. The Register of Soldiers Effects shows that he left a widow, Alice and is interred in the Le Quesnel Communal Cemetery.

    Sophie Turner




    221052

    Pte. Thomas Anthony Barugh 6th Btn. Green Howards

    Thomas Anthony Barugh was a printer prior to enlisting. He enlisted on 19th of July 1915, aged 37 & 9 months, height 5ft 4ins. He gave his wife was his next of kin Amelia Barugh nee Heywood, they ad 4 children 1 girl and 3 boys. He served in Gallipoli from the 27th of Oct 1915 to Dec 1915, the was in Egypt until June 1916 then moved to Arras in France. Thomas was posted to the 9th Service Battalion on the 20th of July 1916, on the 27th he was in Albert and went into the from line on the 5th of August. He was in action on the 7th of August at Scots Redoubt and on the 11th his battalion were withdrawn to St Omer. Thomas was detained on the 21st of August 1916 having being absent without leave from 8th of August. He was tried in a Field Court Martial on the 14th of September 1916 and sentenced to 42 days field punishment no 1. On the 12th of September 1916 he was in action at Henencourt Wood, on the 15th at Millencourt, on the 1st of October at Martinpuich. On the 7th at Le Sars he suffered gunshot wounds to his lower extremities.

    Ian Morrall




    221051

    Pte. Albert Fortune 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (d.6th Nove 1918)

    Albert Fortune served with the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment

    Vincent Fortune




    221050

    Pte. Samuel Earnest Smith 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment

    Samuel Smith signed up on the 7th November 1914, he was born 9th January 1897 and so was only 17 on enlistment. He arrived in France on the 2nd of March 1915 with the 4th Battalion, Leicester Tigers. He was machine gunned across his hip and lay in no man's land for several hours until rescued. Discharged 26th July 1916, he was awarded the Silver War Badge and lived into well into his 70's.

    Ivan Smith




    221049

    Pte. John Nimmo MM. 12th Btn. B company Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.19th August 1918)

    My Great Uncle Johnny Nimmo died less than 3 months before the end of the war. Family stories say that he ran away to enlist at the start of the war but his parents found out and took him back home. I was always told that this was because he was too young, but after researching my family tree I found out that he was 18 at the outbreak of war. The only reason I can think for his parents taking him home is that he had just turned or would shortly be 19 and could then serve over seas. Again family stories say that he was photographed ploughing a field in Palestine, with a camel.

    He was wounded on the 13th of August 1918 during an operation to capture the village of Vieux Berquin, in France, for which he was awarded the Military Medal. He died of his wounds 5 days later. In a letter to his parents from his OC J G Mcintyre, he is referred to as one of the "old hands", he wasn't even 23.

    Scott Nimmo




    221048

    Pte. John Kelly 8th Btn Royal Irish Rifles

    John Kelly served with the 8th, 3rd and 36th Battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles.

    Gerald




    221047

    Pte. Herbert Joseph Wright 2nd Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.14th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Herbert Wright was born to Alfred and Sarah Wright on the 21st April 1881 at Buckenham Square, Southwark. The youngest of 4 children, his brother Alfred, joined the army in 1899 and fought in the Boer War. Herbert joined the Royal Warwickshire's in 1902 and served in Bermuda before joining the reserves. Herbert married Eleanor Keyworth in Clapham in 1906 and became a stage coach conductor and later driver.

    In 1914, war loomed over Europe, and now, living in Barnet, Herbert rejoined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment upon mobilisation on 5th August 1914 as Private 8021. The regiment formed part of the 22nd Brigade of the Expeditionary Force, along with Surrey, Welsh and Staffordshire regiments. They landed in France, probably at Zeebrugge on 26th October 1914 and saw intensive action around Ypres, suffering great losses throughout October and early November 1914.

    On November 14th, the Brigade marched via Sailly to Fleubaix where they were billeted. The next day, a Sunday, they furnished digging parties for Battalions holding trenches in the vicinity of La Boutillerie. At some point on that day, Herbert was killed in action. Aged 33, he will probably have been buried but the location is at present unknown. His name is on the war memorial at Ploegsteert near Hainaut, Belgium. This memorial commemorates more than 11,000 servicemen. The Last Post is sounded on the first Friday of every month at 7pm. Herbert received the Victory, British and 1914 Star medals for his part in the war, all of which are still in the family.

    At home, along with thousands of other widows, Nellie was left to bring up the four children on her own. After Herbert’s death, her separation allowance became a widow’s pension. She received 22s 6d a week, until the children were 16. She never remarried.

    Duncan Wright




    221046

    Pte. Thomas Henry Ganderton 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.10th Jul 1916)

    Harry Ganderton is commemorated on the Thiepval Memoprial.

    Roger Ganderton




    221044

    Pte. Henry Johnson 1st Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Johnson died of wounds on the 19th Sep 1918, aged 27. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    221043

    Pte. Maurice Gregory 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Maurice Gregory was killed in action on the 18th Sep 1918, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of Benjamin and Mary H. Gregory, of Coxbench, Derby

    s flynn




    221042

    Pte. Herbert Ernest Cox 7th Btn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.8th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Killed in action on the 8th of August 1918, Herbert Ernest Cox was aged 19 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Mary Cox, of 19 Dane Rd., Ramsgate.

    s flynn




    221041

    Pte. Walter Harrison 1st/7th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.15th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Harrison was killed in action on the 15th of August 1918, aged 23 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of Mrs. Margaret Harrison, of 25, Ada St., Burnley, Lancs.

    s flynn




    221040

    Pte. George Winter 4th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    George Winter was killed in action, and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in Calais.

    S Flynn




    221039

    Cpl. Frederick Charles Symonds 8th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.8th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Symonds served with the 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 8th October 1918, aged 23. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France, son of Sam Thomas Symonds and Kezia Symonds, of 5, Pretoria Cottages, Ditton Walk, Cambridge.

    S Flynn




    221038

    Pte. Fred Smith 1st Btn. Welsh Guards (d.20th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Fred Smith served with the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards during WW1 and was killed in action on the 20th October 1918, aged 29. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of the late Hiram and Jane Smith, of Burnley and husband of Annie Smith, of 45, Belgrave St., Nelson, Lancs.

    S Flynn




    221037

    Sgt. William Robert Milton 13th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.24th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    4633 Sgt. William Robert Milton served with the 13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 24th October 1918, aged 31. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France, son of Robert and Mary Milton, of 34 Devon Rd., Tottenham, London.

    S Flynn




    221034

    Pte. John Charles Onslow 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    The register for entitlement to the Victory medal and British War medal shows Jack Onslow as and also having served in the 7th and 9th Battalions.

    Liz Manning




    221032

    Pte. James Kenny 2nd Btn. C Coy. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.3rd Jun 1915)

    <p>

    James Kenny was my Great Uncle. I am not sure when he enlisted in the Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment. He was wounded in the back. I believe this was by Shrapnel and returned home for a short while. He was advised against drinking alcohol (this may have been possibly due to kidney damage) and two of his sisters Molly and May (my grandmother) accompanied him to Liverpool on a day out to ensure he did not get any. They linked his arms but he started to run and as their skirts restricted them, they had to let go and he ran into a pub. On another occasion he was on top of an open topped bus or tram when some girls shouted 'Throw us down a souvenir Tommy!' and he promptly ripped ornamental flowers from May's hat and threw them down. He returned to the front and was at Hooge in Belgium shortly after. A young soldier who was just posted to the front stood on the fire-step to look over. Realising the danger, James jumped up to pull him down only to be shot through the head by a German sniper. That was on 3rd June, 1915. He was buried somewhere locally but his grave was lost. He is remembered on the Menin Gate.

    Bill Kelly




    221031

    Sgt. George James Davies 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.14th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Sgt 53774 George James Davies is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Vivien Cockle




    221029

    Pte. Joseph Thomas Hartland 3rd Btn. Royal Worcester Regiment (d.20th Oct 1914)

    Joseph Hartland was my Great Grandfather. Prior to WW1 he was a regular soldier and saw service in Ceylon and South Africa. He married my Great Grandma Jane Jordan on 6 October 1907, and they had 3 boys and a girl; Joseph Thomas (b 1908), Margaret (b 1910), Henry (b 1910) and William (b 1914). After discharge from being a regular soldier, Joseph became a postman in Wolverhampton area.

    When WW1 broke out Joseph was called back up to join 3rd Battalion Royal Worcester's as part of the British Expeditionary Forces in France and Flanders. During this time he wrote several letters home of which I have copies, the most poignant of which was just 2 days prior to his death. Joseph was killed in action on 20th October 1914, his body was never recovered. It took until 19th November 1915 for his death to be confirmed to my Great Grandma; an almost unthinkable amount of time in today's society.

    Joseph is remembered on the Le Touret monument in France, and also on the Wolverhampton Postal Workers Memorial in Sun Street Sorting Office, Wolverhampton.

    Jen Benson




    221028

    Sgt. Reginald Bailey 17th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th Oct 1916)

    Reginald Bailey was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire 20th November 1884. He worked as a Confectioner in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire until moving to London and becoming a Boys Clothing Outfitter.

    He enlisted at Bunhill Row, Middlesex in 1914 as Private 4200 in the 1/5th Battalion, London Regiment. He was killed whilst attacking the Schwaben Redoubt on October 15th 1916. He is listed on the Thiepval Memorial in France and on the Cleckheaton War Memorial.

    Martin Bailey




    221027

    Spr. Herbert Key Royal Monmouthshire Engineers Royal Engineers (d.1st Dec 1918)

    <p>

    My grandfather, Herbert Key, served as a reservist in the Boer War and WW1. He was discharged on the 24th June 1916 and returned home suffering from TB. He died on the 1st December 1918 in Stafford Infirmary. My father William Harry, who was Herbert's youngest child was seven years old when his father died.

    Herbert was buried in Eccleshall's Holy Trinity Churchyard in an unmarked grave. I have been trying for a few years since my cousin Audrey showed me where he was buried, to get something done about putting his name on his grave. Herbert may not have died by bomb, bullet or bayonet, but he died as a result of having served his country no less than anyone else. It is time he was honoured accordingly.

    Editor's Note:- His pension record, following his discharge in June 1916, states that he was being discharged because he was no longer physically fit enough. It confirms the above stating that the Tuberculosis was caused by exposure to the cold and wet and he had a chronic cough. He had enlisted on 7th December 1914 and, at the time, he was 45 years old with a wife, Sarah Alice (nee Talbot) who he had married in 1898, and 5 children.

    Marlene Burdett-May




    221026

    Pte Tom Brown Holdsworth 1st Btn Border Regiment (d.19th May 1917)

    At the time of his death, Tom Brown Holdsworth was a member of the 1st Battalion, Border Regiment which, in turn was part of the 29th Division, involved in the Battle of Arras. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    Ian Holliday




    221025

    Col. Leigh *illing 6th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    A small prayerbook has been found in a box bought in Wrexham by my friend, and she would like to return it to the family. The book contains the following information:- "To Colonel Leigh *illing of the 6th. Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. From the members of Christ Church, Caernarvon." I have been asked by my friend to try to find out what I can.

    Joan Harrison




    221024

    Pte. Michael Byrne 8th Btn. B Coy. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.10th Feb 1917)

    Michael Byrne was 19 years old at the time of his death and is interred at the La Laiterie Military Cemetery.

    Mary McNeill




    221022

    Pte. William Mills 7th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.30th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    At the time of his death William Mills, was serving with the 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), which were part of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. They were engaged in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.





    221021

    Cpl. Ernest "Bob" Warren MM. 18th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    My father, Ernest Warren was moblized on the 29th of May 1916 for the Royal Fusiliers. As well as the two war medals he was awarded the military medal, which he received on 15th April 1918 near Albert, France for conspicuous gallantry in rescuing comrade from barbed wire, also awarded with him were 19100 Sgt Bird and 69392 Pte Hes

    Judy




    221020

    L/Cpl. Alfred Brown 22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.26th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Alfred Brown died of wounds, he is interred in the Godewaersvelde British Cemetery.

    Christine




    221019

    L/Cpl. Arthur Stanley Butzbach 13th Btn, C Coy. Rifle Brigade (d.5th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Stanley Butzbach was born in West Ham, the son of Arthur Charles Butzbach and Jane Shepherd, on 23rd May 1893. He was the eldest of eight children, the family moving to Bermondsey a few years later. In 1912 Arthur enlisted in the Army Service Corps, following in his fathers footsteps as he had served in the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

    At some time in 1916 Arthur had transferred into the Rifle Brigade. He went missing at the front, near Tournai, Belgium, on about the 30th May 1917. Red Cross records show he had received a bullet wound to the thigh and been captured. On 5th June 1917 he succumbed to his wounds and his final resting place is in the British section of the military cemetery in Tournai.

    David Lawrance




    221017

    Sgt. George Walter Stannard 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    My great grandfather, George Walter Stannard, is buried in a war grave in Ipswich Old Cemetary, having died of his wounds in July 1916. He left behind a wife and 10 children (aged from 3 - 22 years). His name is inscribed on the War Memorial in Christchurch Park, Ipswich.

    Deborah Iden




    221016

    Sig. H. Baker 2/2nd Btn. London Regiment

    H Baker was invalided from France 6th of Oct 1917. In Carmarthen Red Cross Hospital on 27th of Nov 1917 he wrote a Poem and autograph in recently found grandmother's diary.

    Chris Adams




    221015

    Gnr. Jack Waghorn Royal Artillery

    Gunner Jack Waghorn was in the Carmarthen Red Cross Hospital on November 18th 1918 when he signed my wife's grandmother's autograph book/diary.

    Chris Adams




    221014

    Sgt. George Edwards 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards

    Whilst clearing the household effects of my wife's recently deceased mother, her grandmother's diary/autograph book came to light. Apparently she acted as a volunteer visitor/nurse at Carmarthen Red Cross Hospital during WW1. In the book are several poems, comments and drawings by patients at that hospital. One such is by Sergeant George Edwards 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, written on 29th November 1914. He states that he was wounded in a bayonet charge at the battle of Aisne near Vendresse on October 4th 1914.

    Chris Adams




    221011

    Gnr. Wilfred Grinter Royal Garrison Artillery (d.25th Sep 1918)

    Wilfred Grinter was born in Charmouth Dorset on the 28th of June 1895, the son of George and Jane Squires (nee Gordge) and worked on family farm. He is buried at Villers-Faucon, France.

    Martyn Rundle




    221010

    Rflmn. Charles Percival H Proud 18th (London Irish Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.1st Dec 1917)

    Charles proud was born in Lambeth 1898, the son of William and Caroline Phoebe (nee Warrier). He died of wounds and is buried at Equancourt, France.

    Martyn Rundle




    221009

    Gnr. Alfred Coley 2nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Alfred Coley was my maternal great grandfather. He departed for France on 8 October 1916, aged 36,and survived the war and had a fifth child, my grandmother.

    Family stories recount that he was gassed, although no details of when or where. His son-in-law, my grandfather, saw action in WWII with the invasion of Sicily and in early waves of assault infantry on D-Day at Sword Beach, Lion-sur-Mer, through Caen, Falaise, Nijmegen, Belsen to Luneberg.

    Stephen Geary




    221007

    Pte. George William Garfin 12th (Service) Btn Cheshire Regiment

    <p>George William Garfin, second from right 1916.

    George William Garfin joined the Army on 9 November 1915 Age 26. He attested in Manchester and was residing at 17 Gordon Street Leigh. His trade on enlistment was Cotton Spinner. He embarked from Southampton on 26th Oct 1916 and joined The 12th Battalion The Cheshire Regiment. he disembarked at Salonica 6th Nov 16 and fought in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Greece and Bulgaria. Pte George Garfin was charged on 28 Nov 1916 in Salonica. The charge was that “While on Active Service being deficient of a Mackintosh Cape value 15/1” He was subsequently deprived 14 days pay, made to pay for the Cape and was awarded 10 days Confined to Camp.

    He was reported Wounded in the Field on 25th of April 1917 and was admitted to 42 General Hospital with a Gun Shot Wound to his right thigh. He was then moved on 6th Jan 1918 by 68 Field Ambulance after admission to 29 General Hospital. He was then medically reclassified as B2X and on 5th Mar 18 he was transferred to the Labour Corps and served in 976 Company and 999 company. On 10 August 1918 he was posted to the Lewis Gun School as his specialist military qualification was a Lewis Gunner. He embarked for the UK on 10th of August 1918 and was discharged on 25th March 1919. Pte Garfin was awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal and was awarded a 20% Disability for deafness on discharge.

    Judith Burke




    221006

    Pte. Charles William "Roger" Tye 2nd/3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>Charles W Tye

    Charles William Tye was my father, and was known to his friends and relations as Will, although for some reason that I am not clear about his army friends called him Roger. He had joined the TA in Hull in 1911 when he was 18. At the suggestion of his father (a member of the East Riding of Yorkshire TA), who thought it would be better to join a unit that would teach him something more useful than just learning to kill people, he chose the RAMC.

    I believe all TA units were mobilized on August 1st 1914 and he was immediately posted to Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. From there he went to Boroughbridge in Yorkshire and then on to Morpeth in Northumberland. He was sent overseas in about 1916 in a hospital ship to join the army units fighting near Salonika in Greece. There was only one day of fighting there after he arrived when Bulgar shelling killed a mule in a nearby artillery(?) camp.

    He remained in Greece for the rest of the war and after the armistice was sent on detached duties through Bulgaria and Romania. Throughout his time in Greece and the other countries he was mainly involved in treating cases of malaria and dysentery with very few wartime type injuries occurring. He returned home in mid-1919 after reaching a seaport on the Black Sea, travelling by ship to somewhere in the Adriatic. His memories of this journey included going through the Corinth Canal and then (I think) a train journey through Switzerland to England. He and his colleagues arrived back in Hull during the night and walked home from the station!

    He died in 1961 from cancer at the age of 68 after serving in the Air Raid Precautions (later Civil Defence) First Aid Service in Hull during WW2. His luck held, and throughout the war there were no air raids on the nights he was on duty at the First Aid post! You will understand that this is my recollection from some 50 or 60 years ago and there may be errors in the facts listed.

    John Tye




    221001

    Pte. Frank Laugher 11th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.17th Sep 1917)

    <p>Frank, seated

    Frank Laugher, son of Samuel Laugher and Mary Jane (Fisher) born 30th November 1895, in Bromsgrove. Brother to Thomas Henry, Leonard Alfred, Albert Victor, Alice, Lillie, Christopher,Daisy Elizabeth, Walter Norman and Daisy Evelyn. As a boy Frank was a member of the All Saint's Church Choir. Frank had worked at the Home and Colonial Stores and at Neale's Stores, Bromsgrove. He was working at Austin's before enlistment.

    Frank Laugher enlisted as a Private in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 3rd December 1915 at Bromsgrove when he was placed on the army reserve. On his attestation paper he gave his address as All Saints Road, Bromsgrove and his age as 20 years 0 months. He was 5 feet 7 and three quarter inches tall. Frank was mobilised on 6th May 1916 and posted overseas on 30th August 1916. Over the next the next two months he had several periods of illness concluding with influenza for which he was admitted to hospital on 4th November 1916. He was discharged from hospital on 2nd December 1916. On 17th April 1917 he joined the 11th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in readiness for the Battle of Arras. He was reported missing on 29th April 1917 whilst taking part in the fighting. On 30th April 1917 Frank was reported as a prisoner of war in Limburg,Germany having been captured uninjured at Arras on 28th April 1917. He died of sickness as a prisoner of war at Kriegs Gef Lazarett at Douain on 17th September 1917. Frank's possessions and his British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to Samuel Laugher, All Saints Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

    Judith Laugher




    221000

    Pte. Henry Mason MM. 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.17th Jan 1918)

    <p>Henry Mason Burnley

    My grandfather Henry Mason joined up aged 30 in November 1914 at Nelson, Lancashire. He was married, with five children aged under 7, and was inducted for training at Caterham shortly after his enlistment. He was posted to France on June 11th 1915.

    He was killed aged 33 (died of wounds) following a gas attack. I am unaware of which battles he took part in although I have found a record, in the company diary, of an engagement on the date he lost his life which I assume relates to this attack. The location of the death is recorded as Fampoux some 3 1/2 miles west of Arras. He is buried in the Level Crossing Cemetery at Railway Crossing, Fampoux, which I have visited. I always assumed his MM was awarded for some action he took over this incident. However, earlier this year having contacted a local history society, in Burnley, they were able to supply a newspaper cutting of an interview with his widow (my grandmother) which indicated it was for some other action whilst in temporary charge of a patrol at the end of 1917. Unfortunately I have no other details. I have photographs of my grandfather in dress uniform and with a group of other volunteers at a training venue.

    Editor's Note:- Private Mason was born in Manchester in 1884, the son of Henry and Isabella Mason, of Darwen, Lancashire, and the husband of Kezia Mason, of 38A Cherry Tree Terrace, Wheatley Lane, Fence, Burnley. A veteran of the Battle of Loos in 1915, the Somme in 1916 and the 3rd Battle of Ypres and Cambrai in 1917, he died of gas poisoning in a field ambulance near Fampoux. At the time of his death, news had just been received that he was to be awarded the Military Medal for actions near Cambrai on December 1st 1917.

    Henry Mason Burnley

    Keith Mason




    220998

    Pte. William Allen Craven 18th (Bradford Pals) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    As a family having a history of living in Thackley for 150 years, and myself having an interest in genealogy and local history, along with military history, I would like to portray a personal and hopefully touching story about my Great Uncle, William Allen Craven, brother of my maternal grandmother. One can only speculate how life was for most families in the mid to late 1800’s, as was the case with the Cravens, they were heavily committed to working in the woolen industry of Bradford, and moving around from rented property to rented property as their family grew in size. In fact the head of the family, James Arthur Craven, would move several times, all in Thackley, to better conditions and slightly larger properties as needs must. In May 1894 my great uncle entered the world and would eventually be part of a family of 6 however, his youngest brother would die at the age of 11 months named after his father. By the time William was 17 he became a Wollen O Junner as recorded in the 1911 census by the registrar.

    As war loomed the campaign to recruit young men from the towns of Northern England became very prominent. William joined the 18th Bradford Pals, number 18/1667 part of The Prince of Wales (West Yorkshire) Regiment. He would leave for the final time from 79 Park Road, Thackley, saying his farewells to his family and girlfriend Florrie thinking he would return in a short while. They were marched to Ripon in May 1915 from Bradford, then transferring to Fovant in Wiltshire to be issued with tropical kit before eventually sailing to Egypt for further training.

    They would return aboard the S.S. Minneapolis, disembarking in Marseilles on March 6th 1916, where they marched from the docks to railway sidings, for a train journey by ramshackle wagons at a leisurely pace in extreme cold weather, to Pont Remy railhead near Abbeville on the 9th March 1916. The 18th Battalion and William would march to Citerne where he would remain for two weeks for further training. One can only imagine the contrast to the hot climate of Egypt to the freezing cold and snow as they arrived, having covered 12 miles a day sleeping rough at night in filthy barns.

    On March 25th they marched off towards Beaumont Hamel area, where they got near the western front with all its loud detonations and glaring flashes in the dark. On arrival beginning of April at Bus-les- Artois they were assigned billets. It is said the rolling plains of Picardy reminded many of the ‘Pals’ of Yorkshire. Eventually the 18th occupied a sector on the Serre Road, which is where my story commences.

    So my journey commenced Easter 2013, in the company Smart Car via the channel tunnel train to arrive for our 3 night stay at Amiens using this as our base. The following very cold day we travelled to Albert and visited the museum, not to be missed, and eventually made our way onto Serre Road after visiting Hebuterne where a plaque remembers the Bradford Pals. It was here that we saw two coaches parked outside the main cemetery along with teachers and school children. I walked up the track where in the distance are Mathew, Mark, Luke & John copses along with small immaculately kept walled lined graves, set out to remember the fallen, some named and some unknown. It was here somewhere my great uncle fell after 7.30am on the 1st July 1916 in the Battle of the Somme, that a strange yet poignant event happened to me.

    I had visited Railway Hollow and the memorial to the Accrington Pals and was walking back with Linda, when we saw walking towards us, a party of adults and children. My ears pricked up to the sound of a teacher who asked “Are you Martin Lonsdale?” To say I was surprised that I would be asked this in the middle of a ploughed field right in the middle of No-Mans land after 97 years from the start of The Battle of the Somme, seemed incredulous. It was followed up by “Yes I am” to which another lady teacher said we saw the car and we are all from Woodhouse Grove School, and I live in Idle. We wished them well and were glad to have met them.

    Now I know this would not have happened if it was not for the Smart Car with my company name and logo, but was it not a moment when some time in life events take a turn for a reason. Could it have been that William was walking the very same path those 97 years ago and had seen a pal and shouted out “Hello mate”, the mind can run away with you thinking about it. I would like to think it was a connection, however, I am Yorkshire bred and accept it was a fate of coincidences.

    William was never found his body presumably blown up or he disappeared in the mud after being mowed down by German machine guns, we will never know. The final part of the journey took me to Thiepval Memorial designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens where his name is one of over 72,000 soldiers never to have had a known grave. Records showed that around half of the 150,000 British dead killed on the Somme in 1916 had no known grave. Should you ever go see this stunning Memorial, Pier and Face 2A, 2C and 2D his name is there, say hello to my Great Uncle and thank him and the rest of the fallen for their sacrifice.

    I have re-produced one of the last letters he wrote on the 15th June 1916 to my grandmother who was 11 years old.

    "Dear Sister, Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well and in the best of health trusting you are the same. I am very pleased indeed that you are writing to me, also keeping very friendly with Florrie while I am away. Mother wrote and told me that you had got a bicycle of your own now, so I guess you will see life a bit. Well I hope you are a good girl and helping mother all you can, because it is very hard for her now that Ernest and I are away from home. I trust that you will do all you can to comfort father and mother, until the struggle ends. I have got lots of stories to tell you when I see you again about the Germans. How is Ada getting along and has she got a bike also? I really ought to write her.

    Give my best love to Percy tell him I will write later.

    With best Love from your affectionate brother Allen xxxxx"

    Later in life my grandmother was moved to Thackley Grange in 1987 suffering from dementia. The family all went to see her very shortly after my father had passed away who was called Allan Craven Lonsdale. Her eldest son my uncle, had not told her my father had passed away. As we were all around her bed, she said “Where is Allan” no one knew what to say for a second or two, but it was a request for her brother Allen her mind had regressed in time with her illness. A moment that will be with me for ever.

    As a tribute on the 4th August this year, Robin Gamble of Idle Church arranged a day of remembrance. The Tenor bell commenced ringing from 8.00pm for each fallen soldier from our district. I heard it from my house and went along to the vigil at 9.00pm in tribute to the memory of a lost generation of young men, William Allen Cravens name was read out as one of the fallen.

    Should you be passing 79 Park Road, have a think about my great uncle you might even live there. As for his other brother Ernest who also went to war, his story tells the tale of someone with a different outcome one of mystique and fear.

    Martin Lonsdale




    220996

    Pte. Arthur Septimus Foster 2/6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.28th April 1917)

    This is my great uncle Arthur Foster who at the age of 22 died from his wounds at 33 Casualty Clearing Station, 1 mile south of Peronne, France. He is buried in the cemetery at Peronne. This is very close to where the Battle of the Somme took place.

    Lesley Ryan




    220995

    Pte. Archibald Nicol 10th/11th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.30th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Archibald Nicol is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Editor's Note - At the time of his death, his Battalion were part of the 15th(Scottish) Division, engaged in the Battle of Pozieres, a phase of the Battle of the Somme.

    Cath West




    220994

    2nd Lt. Edward Burra Arnison 11th Siege Battalion Royal Garrison Artillery (d.18th Aug 1918)

    Edward Arnison was born in Sheffield in 1877, the son of Robert and Frances Ann (nee Bowstead). He worked as a Manager for Silversmiths before war broke out. Edward Arnison is buried in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, Picardie, France. He is also commemorated on the Masonic Roll of Honour, Sheffield Cathedral and Lodge 296, Tapton Hall, Shore Lane, Sheffield.

    Martyn Rundle




    220988

    Pte. Frederick Swallow 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.6th Sep 1915)

    Frederick Swallow served with the 7th East Yorkshires

    Shaun Flanagan




    220987

    Sgt. Benjamin Robertson Miller 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    Born Benjamin Robertson in Dundee, Scotland in 1882, son of John Robertson and Lizzie Robertson (nee Miller). Seems to have changed his name to his mother's maiden name, Miller, when he enlisted in the Middlsex Regiment in 1903 in London. At the time of his attestation into the 1st Battalion, he annotated in his 'small book' that his mother and father were both dead, and that his only relative was his cousin, Miss B. Goldie of 63 Park Road, Regents Park, London.

    Benjamin served as a regular soldier in the East Indies and in Malta. After serving as a Sergeant Instructor at the Infantry Training Centre, The Bullring, at Etaples, France, he was sent to the 2nd Battalion on the Somme, arriving as a Platoon Sergeant with C Company on 10th October 1916. He was killed in Spectrum Trench, near Trones Wood, on 23rd October 1916, and is listed on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier & Face 12D & 13B.

    Benjamin was engaged to Rose Staples, of Southampton, and she later married and was my grandmother. I have in my possession his last letter to Rose, and his army paybook and WW1 Medals. I am trying to find any of Benjamin's family/relatives, as on the 1891 Scotland Census there appears to have been four brothers and a sister living with him in his father's household.

    John Watkins




    220986

    L/Cpl. Thomas Chamberlin 4th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.26th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Chamberlain was killed in action 1917 in Palestine, laid to rest in the Gaza War Cemetery.

    Editor's Note:- On the day of his death, his regiment, part of the 54th Division, were engaged in the First Battle of Gaza (26-27 March 1917).

    Ken




    220984

    Pte. Frederick Gilbert Billings Tambling 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.17th March 1917)

    My granddad Fred Tambling was born on 14th December, 1887 in Moorfields, Gloucester and was only 29 when he was killed in action in Arras on 17th March, 1917.

    The information I have has been told to me by his surviving relatives. He lived in Bristol for most of his life and married his wife, Kate Bascombe on 12th July, 1908, when he was 23 and she was 24. He was very much loved and missed by his wife who was left on her own to bring up their three small children, the youngest of which was my father, who was three when my grandfather died. Apparently she was granted 18 shillings and 4 pence a week for her pension as a war widow. My grandfather had a variety of jobs before he was conscripted, including working as a railway porter, for a chocolate manufacturer and for a watchmaker. He used a bike for cycling to and from his workplaces. The family eventually emigrated to South Africa where his widow died having never remarried.

    Pauline Bowler




    220982

    Pte. Matthew Burnett Dixon 18th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Oct 1918)

    Matthew Dixon joined the Northumberland Fusiliers early on, serving in the 1st Tyneside Pioneers with his 2 brothers. His youngest brother was killed in Belgium at Passchendaele 4th September 1917, Francis Albert Dixon and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Matthew died at the end of the war we think the Battle of Cambrai and is buried in Awoingt Cemetery died 25th October 1918 aged 27. His other brother, Robert, survived and came home to Windy Nook Gateshead.

    They where the 3 brothers of my beloved Grandmother. We have been to their graves and paid our respect to them both which was a very moving experience

    Elsie Eaton




    220981

    Pte. James William Dinsley MM 1st/8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Apr 1918)

    My Great Uncle died in action just before the end of the war in Merville. Dinsley is a very rare surname and strangely enough he seems to have died the same day as another man of the same surname, only he was called Joseph. My thinking is that they may have been cousins or distant relatives.

    Editor's Note: Private Dinsley was the son of Joseph and Jane H. Dinsley, of 33 Kathrine Street, Willington, County Durham. James Dinsley was fighting in the Battle of the Lys when he was killed in action aged 27, and he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

    Sandra Hodges




    220980

    Pte. Arthur Gill 1st Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.21st Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Arthur Gill was the Brother of my Grandfather Norman Gill. He was 20 at the time of his death, is interred at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

    Chandler Gill




    220979

    Pte. David Samuel William Jones 1st/4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26 October 1917)

    My Great Uncle David Jones died during the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917 aged 21 years and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

    Linda Brett




    220975

    L/Cpl. Robert Holmes 9th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Robert Holmes was formerly a miner, married with seven children. He was 28 when he joined up on 29/10/1914

    Dawn Welch




    220973

    Sgt. Edwyn Williams 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Edwyn Williams was a teacher who signed up for military service in September 1915 at Wrexham. After basic training on Salisbury Plain he was shipped out to join the 8th Battalion in Alexandria who had just returned there from fighting in Gallipoli. The strengthened battalion was shipped to Basra and joined other British and Indian forces marching to Kut al Amara where the Garrison had been besieged by Ottoman forces for nearly 5 months. Unfortunately they were just too late as the Garrison surrendered just before they arrived.

    Edwyn was amongst the 770 soldiers of the 8th Battalion who were struck down by Enteric and other hot climate diseases on the march to Kut. In fact, he was so ill he nearly died 4 times. His war was over, and he was transferred to Wellington Barracks in South India but never fully recovered his health. He remained in India in a rehabilitation role until 1919 when he returned to Leeswod, married and had one child. He died in 1928 aged 37.

    Brian Ellis




    220971

    Pte. Harold Steele 3rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.15th Feb 1915)

    Harold Steele is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) memorial.

    C Callaghan




    220969

    Pte. George Senior 2nd Btn. Cheshire Regimeny (d.25th May 1915)

    Geroeg Senior is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Cliff Mcloughlin




    220967

    Pte. Thomas Rochelle 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    My grandfather, Thomas Rochelle, enlisted in the Coldstream Guards on 26th January 1915 in the 2nd Btn.and was demobbed from the army on 26th October 1917. He received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal also the Silver War Badge number 251138, Gazette page 153.

    P L Rochelle




    220966

    Pte. Charles Grundy 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Grundy died of wounds on the 27th of October 1918 aged 32 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of John and Ellen of 34 Rosebank Street, Belfast and is commemorated on a family memorial in Dundonald Cemetery.

    Jane Brown




    220961

    Pte. Alexander Henry Poole 1st/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd April 1917)

    Alexander Poole served with the 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Lillian Bradley




    220960

    Wilfred Buffey 2nd Bn. B Coy. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.13th Apr 1915)

    Wilfred Buffey was the son of George Arthur and Elizabeth Buffey, of 28 Kingslake St., Attercliffe, Sheffield. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.





    220958

    Pte James Thomas Weed 9th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.18th Jun 1917)

    James Weed was my Great grandfather, south london born, he was aged 41 at time of death.

    Editor's Note:- Private 8135 James Thomas Weed is interred in the Lussenthoek Military Cemetery. The CWGC also have his age as 41. However, his military record is still intact, and shows him as enlisting on 6th February 1915, giving his age as 28years and 11 months. He had a wife, Ellen (nee Ferrey), who he married on 1st March 1905, and had a son and 3 daughters. This age would appear to be backed up by the 1911 census which shows him as aged 25. He has given a lower age on enlistment as he would have been above the upper age limit for service at the time.





    220957

    Pte. Robert Alfred Eades 12th (West Somerset Yeomanry) Bn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.2nd September 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Alfred Eades was killed in action on the 2nd of September 1918 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    220956

    Sgt. James John Tapper 16th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.10th August 1918)

    <p>

    James Tapper was killed in action on the 10th August 1918, aged 34. Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France, he was the son of James John and Frances Tapper, of Holbeck St., Burnley and husband of Ethel (later King) of 5, Escott St., Burnley.

    s flynn




    220955

    Pte. Alfred George Broom 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.10th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Alfred Broom was killed in action on the 10th August 1918 and is commemorated the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    220954

    Pte. Herbert Woodcock 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd August 1918)

    <p>

    Herbert Woodcock was killed in action 23rd August 1918, aged 21. Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France, he was the son of Mrs. Jane Woodcock, of 96 Morgan St., Canning Town, London.

    s flynn




    220953

    Pte. James C.T. Wooler 10th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.14th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    James Wooler was killed in action on the 14th September 1918, aged 20 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire.

    s flynn




    220952

    Pte. Eric John Fordham Bedfordshire Regiment (d.8th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Eric Fordham was posted to the Hertfordshire Regiment, he was killed in action on the 8th of October 1918, aged 19 and commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. Son of Alfred and Marian Eliza Fordham, of Elm House, 35, Claremont Rd., Surbiton, Surrey, he was the youngest of 5 brothers who went to war and 4 came home. One was in the King's Royal Rifles, another the AIF Hospital Ships, and two in the Royal Naval Division, yet on the day Eric died they were all within a few miles of each other.

    s flynn




    220949

    L/Cpl. James Lawrie 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.30th Jun 1918)

    My great-grandfather James Lawrie served with 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry. Anyone who is connected then please feel free to contact me.

    Rob Lawrie




    220948

    Pte. William Frederick Clissett 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.31st Oct 1914)

    At the time of William Clissett's death, his Battalion were engaged, as part of the 7th Division, in the first Battle of Ypres and suffered heavy casualties. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Sheila Clarke




    220947

    Pte. Benjamin A Ford 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.8th March 1916)

    Benjamin Ford was already in the Army at the start of the war, and was serving in Italy. He was killed 2 months before the birth of his daughter, Alice. After his wife, Florence, was informed he was killed in action, a letter arrived, just before the baby's birth and written some time before his death, saying, if the baby is a girl, please call her Alice.

    No one knew why he requested this, but thanks to modern research, we now know he had a baby sister called Alice. Too late for his wife and daughter to know, but his great great grandchildren, Benjamin and Alice, know the story to pass on to future generations, and he is remembered with pride.

    Lynn A Phillips




    220946

    Pte. David Sayers 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.17th Nov 1916)

    My Mother, Doris (Sayers) Barr, was born in October, 1916 in Horsham, W. Sussex and emigrated as a War Bride to Canada in 1946. Doris was never told her birth name or that of her father, other than that he had died "in France" in WWI. It was not until very late in her life (2000) that we were able to find out about his family.

    In searching the Commonwealth War Graves Site, I found information on three young men from the same family, Albert, John and David Sayers. I believe Albert was her father so the other two would be my great uncles. They were the children of William Sayers, a Master Bricklayer, and Emma Barnes Sayers, who lived in Shermanbury, Sussex. The three sons listed their home as Partridge Green, Sussex, prior to enlistment.

    It was so sad to learn that David Sayers was killed in action in France in November, 1916, followed by John in January, 1917 and Albert in March, 1917. I wish I had some information to share with you about their lives. The least we can do is honour them by remembering their names.

    Marion Vermeersch




    220944

    L/Cpl. William Frederick Manton 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.14th Jul 1916 )

    <p>William Manton, Trônes Wood, Somme, France, 1916

    William Frederick Manton was born in 1882 in Deptford. His father was a Painter by trade and some years later the family moved to Peckham, Camberwell. On August 7th 1904 William married Mary Ann Blackman and they had five children. The eldest was my grandfather William Francis Manton.

    The 1911 census shows that William Frederick was working as a Wireman for the London County Council Tramways.

    When war was declared William Frederick answered Lord Kitchener's call and enlisted into the 12th Battalion Middlesex Regimentas a Private. He did his basic training at Colchester and on August 24th 1915 he embarked from Folkestone to France. On 31st of May he was appointed Lance Corporal.

    On the 14th of July 1916 he took part in the capture of Trônes Wood. Just after midnight the 54th Brigade began to assemble for another attack on the wood. The two nearest battalions were ordered forward with the commander of the 12th Battalion Lieutenant Colonel F.A Maxwell put in charge of the attack. At 4.30 am an hour after the main attack the Battle of Bazentin Ridge had begun. There were eight British attacks on Trônes Wood and the first seven failed because of machine-gun fire from the strong points along the railway through the wood which were not captured until their positions became known.

    William Frederick Manton was killed in action on this day, and he has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Mark Walker




    220941

    Cpl. William Wharmby 3rd Btn. D Company Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    William Wharmby was born in 1895 in Hyde, he married May Walls on the 5th of Sep 1925 at Dukinfield. He was the father of Raymond and Enid Wharmby

    Enid has told us of her father and how deeply affected he was by his experiences of WW1, although he never talked about his time served. Having served in the trenches in France the conditions are believed to be the cause of the Rheumatoid Arthritis that troubled him immensely for the rest of his life to the point of him taking his own life by means of gassing with a fireside gas poker. At the age of just 12 years, Enid was the unfortunate discoverer of this tragedy at the family home, 38 Cross Street, Hyde. We know he was also injured by shrapnel the cause of a scar that can be seen on his right cheek.

    Wishing to uncover some detail of William’s time in the army in WW1, searches I had done on genealogical websites gave all but 1 image, his Medal Rolls Index Card. Enlistment and quite detailed pension records exist for such soldiers but none could be found for William. It is known that during the London Blitz of WW2, the office holding these records was bombed and severely damaged, destroying some records and rendering many others undecipherable or damaged, these records became known as the “burnt records.” It is almost certain that this is the reason for not being able to find such records for William.

    However, as time goes by and genealogy becomes more and more popular, the availability all kinds of records to further one’s genealogical research increases constantly. After several years of unsuccessful searches some of the “burnt records” from the indexes known as WO363 and WO364 (WO standing for War Office) have now been published and I have my first breakthrough on this missing chapter in my research. We know from William’s Medal Rolls Index Card that he initially served with the Cheshire regiment under the number 10489 and then later with the Essex Regiment under the number 60218. This is not necessarily exclusive as, to be exact, this card only details the regiment he was in at the point in time he earned the medals. As the number of casualties built and the sizes of battalions were decimated the army was forced to constantly “regroup” making it commonplace for soldiers who enlisted in their local regiment to end up serving for another in addition to the probable changes of battalion while remaining in the same regiment. The card also details that William first served in France from 29 November 1914. It is not clear as to Williams rank in the Essex Regiment, whether he retained the rank of Corporal from his time in the Cheshire regiment as one would expect, the addition of the Pte (Private) actually in the rank heading box adds to this uncertainty. The 15 to the left of “Star” indicates that he received the 1914-1915 Star which differentiates it from the 1914 Star, the latter being awarded to those who served in France and Flanders between 5 August 1914 and 22 November 1914, the former to those who served in France and Flanders from 23 November 1914 to 31 December 1915 plus anyone who served in any other operational theatre between 5 Aug 1914 and 31 December 1915. Those receiving either of these Stars also received both the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. The Victory Medal and the British War Medal are on one roll (another name for an individual section/collection of archive material) while the Star is on another.

    From WO 363-4 papers that survived and were published online 2014 we now know that William first attended the Depot of the Cheshire Regiment on 8th April 1914 and was initially assigned as under company “H”. He was then given leave “Furlough” from the 8th to the 15th – I wonder if this was a standard practice for new recruits to enlist formally then to be give a few days at home with their families before their inevitable time in combat.

    William was transferred on 16th August 2014 to Birkenhead under “F” company of the 3rd battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. Over the next few months he was promoted to Lance Corporal, Corporal and to “acting” Sergeant before being deployed on 28th November 1914 to join the Expeditionary force in France under “D” company. He was however listed as a private. (I do not know if this was a true demotion or whether his previous promotions were relative to William being a regular soldier amongst reservists as I believe the 3rd battalion was).

    While quite rightly in memoriam we concentrate on those who gave their lives during the conflict, which includes a couple of William’s cousins Joseph Wharmby and Samuel Mottram Wharmby, I have a particular interest in those who survived but continued to suffer from the effects of their time in conflict.

    Editor's Note: 3rd Battalion Cheshire Regiment was a training unit, it remained in UK throughout the war, providing drafts for other battalions. From the above it can be accertained that this was indeed a training unit and his move to D company may have been to another Battalion in the Cheshires. Subsequent move to the Essex Regiment may have as suggested been as a result of losses and regrouping but without the actual battalions involved it is difficult to be more specific. It was also common practice in training units for recruits to progress between companies as they developed skills, the qualified soldiers passing out from the advanced training company and temporary ranks were also given but usually to those thought capable of taking a similar post in their active service unit.

    The hat in his photograph which seems to indicate operations away from the Western Front at some stage possibly Middle East. He also is still wearing the stripes of a Corporal. The addition of Pte to the top of the medal card indites that he was a Private when he qualified for the 1915 Star on date of entry into war theatre.

    Stuart Bailey




    220939

    Pte. Ernest Peirson Barker 1st Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.15th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Ernest Barker was a member of the 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. He was 19 at the time of his death. He is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial.

    Ian Barker




    220938

    Pte. John Verney Warner 13th (Kensington) Btn. London Regiment (d.11th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    Jack Warner is remembered at Neuve-Chappelle Farm Cemetery. At the time of his death, his Battalion were part of 25th Brigade, 8th Division which, between 10th and 13th March 1915, were involved in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.





    220936

    Pte. James Campbell 22nd (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Jun 1916)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, James Campbell was from John Street, Cowpen, Blyth, Northumberland and died from his wounds in the trenches of the Somme on 22/6/16. He was serving in the Tyneside Scottish battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. One of eight siblings and only three would live to see adulthood. We will always remember him and all the other men who made such a sacrifice for this country.

    Editor's Note:- In the Register of Soldiers Effects, the entry relating to James Campbell indicates that he died in no.38 Casualty Clearing Station from the effects of gas. The war diary for his Battalion establishes that, between the 16th and 24th June 1916, they were in trenches near to Becourt Wood, with Battalion Headquarters being at Becourt Chateau. There is an entry stating that on the night of the 22nd June,'25 men were gassed while our own gas cylinders were being placed in the forward lines'. A total of 17 were killed on that day. James Campbell is interred in the Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe.

    Claire Gilfillan




    220935

    Cpl. James Punton Nelson 2nd Battalion, D Company Seaforth Highlanders (d.2nd Nov 1918)

    I followed the last day of his diary and on to the extension cemetery in Presau in France where Great Uncle James Punton Nelson has a memorial stone. So wish I had a photograph of him. James was one of five children and only his brother William, my grandfather, went on to have a family - my father and he was an only son. So sad!

    Evelyn Jackson




    220932

    Pte. George Robert Ellis 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers

    My grandfather, George Robert Ellis, served his country throughout the Boer War with the North Hants Regiment, and saw action in at least six major battles as the clasps on his campaign medals testify. He then enlisted into the Second Battalion of the South Wales Borderers on 5th Sept 1914. He landed as part of the 87th Brigade of the 29th Division at Helles Gallipoli in April 1915. After being withdrawn from Gallipoli he then fought on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. He was discharged from the Army in Sept 1917 due to sickness as a result of battle injuries. He never rose above the rank of private.

    At the outset of WWII he volunteered again even though he was over 60. He was given a tin hat and became an air raid warden for the duration. He earned six medals in all; two from the Boer War, three from WWI and one from WWII. In addition he was also awarded a Silver War Badge in WWI. One of the unsung heroes who survived, and never ever talked about his military service. I have in my possession his medals and his service pocket watch issued to him in Sept 1914. This watch is still ticking away, and I wind it every evening in his memory.

    He shall grow not old as we who are left grow old, age shall not weary him nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun and in the morning, I remember him. God rest his soul.

    Keith Ellis




    220928

    Pte. Robert James Dougan 8th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.8th Oct 1916)

    Robert James Dougan was my great grandfather. I have tracked down info that he is commemorated at Epsom Crematorium. He left behind a wife, Ellen, daughter, May (Mary, May) and son, William, John. They misspelt his name on the memorial Duggan instead of Dougan.

    Dee Song




    220927

    Rflmn. James McCann 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.9th Dec 1914)

    James McCann was killed after only a few months service, we do not know very much about the circumstances.

    Donal McCann




    220926

    Pte. William Charles Stanley 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.16th May 1915)

    William Stanley entered into theatre on the 23rd of November 1914 . He took part in many of the first winter actions and died in action at the Battle of Festubert near Richebourg in France. The battalion's objective on the night of the 16th/17th of May 1915 was to attack german lines, by crossing over the river Loisne to get to german trenches. His body like many others has never been found and is commemorated on a panel at Le Touret Memorial.

    Ed Stanley




    220925

    Rflmn. Samuel Singleton Gray 15th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Gray is remembered on the Poziers War Memorial.

    Philip Baxter




    220922

    Rfmn. Thomas Daykin 1/11th (Finsbury Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    Thomas Daykin served with the 11th (Finsbury Rifles) Battalion , London Regiment during WW1. Formerly number 837 with Army Service Corps. Medal card quotes he went to France in Jan 1915, but 1/11th went to Gallipoli and stayed in Middle East for remainder of the war.

    Editor's Note: The date for arriving in France is the first time he entered a theatre of war, so he must have gone to France with the ASC before he transferred to the London Regiment.

    Linda Dennis




    220920

    Pte. John "Jock" McCoy 40th Infantry Btn.

    <p>

    Jock McCoy served with the 40th Infantry Battalion, 10th Brigade, 3rd Division of the Australian Imperial Force during WW1. He was born in Kentish and enlisted on the 16th May 1916 at Hobart, Tasmania. He embarked on the 8th August and arrived in England on the 30th September 1916. He moved to France on the 23rd Nov 1916. He was wounded 4 times, the last being on the 4th August 1918 from a gas attack. He returned to Australia and was discharged on the 13th September 1919.

    Susan McCoy




    220919

    Pte. Samuel Wilson 2nd Battallion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.31st Oct 1914)

    Samuel Wilson was shot by a sniper and died on the 31st of October 1914. He was aged 28 and had served in the South African Campaign with the Highland Light Infantry. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and was the son of Alexander Wilson and the husband of Agnes Berriman Wilson, of 19 Gutries Rd., Irvine, Ayrshire.

    Allan Gemmell




    220917

    Pte. Herbert Cook 12th Battalion, D Coy. London Regiment (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Herbert Cook, son of Robert and Annie Cook was born on the 17th August 1892. He married Ada Mabel Kent on the 30th December 1916. Herbert died on the 9th of April 1917 at Battle of Arras. He is buried in London Cememtery, Neuville Vitasse. I can not find his service record but would love to find out more about him and about the 12th Battalion, London Regiment he served with.

    Hayley Miller-Cook




    220916

    Pte. Ernest Jowle 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    Ernest Jowle was posted from 7th Btn. to 2nd Btn. Yorks and Lancs on 24/6/18 and was wounded in action on 24/9/18.

    Andrew Clewes




    220911

    Pte. Ronald Guy Dawes 15th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Ronald Dawes served with the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment nd was killed in action on the 23rd August 1918, aged 20. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

    S Flynn




    220910

    Pte. Horace Piggott 6th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Horace Piggott served with the 6th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) during WW1 and was killed in action on the 23rd August 1918, aged 20. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

    S Flynn




    220909

    L/Cpl. Norman Tate 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Norman Tate served with the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 6th October 1918, aged 21. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of Robert William and Emma Tate, of 111 Spencer St., Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne. He was born 16th Sep 1897 and enlisted in 1915.

    S Flynn




    220908

    Pte. Philip John Holton 9th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.16th September 1916)

    Philip Holton was killed on the 16th of September 1916.

    Julia Williams




    220906

    Piper. William Campsie 15th Bn. Royal Scots (d.19th April 1920)

    William Campsie served with 15th Btn. Royal Scots as a piper and later to 156th Labour Coy. Labour Corps. I have been to his grave in Logie Stirling and seen his name on the memorial in Bridge of Allan.

    I may have a photograph of him but I am not sure what his uniform would look like - I have the family photographs of the Campsies who lived in Bridge of Allan including one of his father's shop. I would love to know where he was and what he did, we share the same first name - presumably from the same ancestor

    William Smith




    220905

    Pte. Louis Cartz 2nd Btn. Z Company Suffolk Regiment

    My grandpa, Louis Cartz joined up in 1914 as Private 5635 with the London Rifles but was pulled out by his parents as he was only 15. He then rejoined not sure which regiment but definitely by 1917 he was with Z company, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. He was also in the process joining the Tank. I checked with the Red Cross records and found he was transferred from a German military hospital to POW camp Limburg an Lahn on 24/05/1918.

    He came back to London in 1919 and had a scroll and letter from King George the Fifth. Grandpa considered himself lucky and had a cheerful nature. He told me that he got tangled German field station. There was morphine and they got him drunk and put a piece of wood in his mouth and sawed his left leg off as gangrene was setting in. Then to a military hospital where he was popular as could speak German and translated papers,letters etc. He took his disability in his stride and tried to make the best of his life.

    Michael Cartz




    220900

    Rflmn. Leslie Attkins 9th (Queen Victoria's Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Leslie Attkins played for Middlesex Wanderers FC before the war.

    Colm Hickey




    220898

    Pte. Wilfred Garside 2/4th Btn Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (d.8th April 1918)

    Wilfred Garside was the son of Samuel and Mary Garside, of 44 Stamford Rd., Mossley, Manchester.

    Chris Porter




    220896

    Pte. Haley Knowles 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.31st Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Haley Knowles served with the 9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 31st August 1918, aged 38. He is commemorated onthe Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the husband of Sarah Eleanor Knowles, of 1, Barker St., Millbridge, Liversedge, Yorks. Father of Gilbert, Olive, Phyllis and Harold.

    S Flynn




    220895

    Pte. George Smith 25th (Montgomeryshire & Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    George Smith was killed in action 18th September 1918, aged 25 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, of Hopton Heath, Aston-on-Clun, Salop.

    s flynn




    220893

    Pte. William Frederick Pearman 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.8th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    William Pearman served with the 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 08th October 1918, aged 22. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. William was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Pearman, of Laws Yard, High St., King's Lynn.

    S Flynn




    220892

    Pte. Charles Frederick Markham 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.3rd Mar 1915)

    My Great Uncle Charles Markham was killed in WW1 unfortunately his body was never found. His name is registered on Ploegsteert Memorial.

    David Mason




    220890

    Pvt. Victor A. Bingham

    <p>

    Victor A. Bingham from Barbourville, KY was born in Scalf, Knox County on the 20th of March 1895. He enlisted on the 24th of 1918 and trained at Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, KY and Camp Asbury, NJ. Prior to arrival in Flanders he had a bout of Measles. He served 11 months with the Infantry and was wounded on the 2nd of November 1918 on the Verdun Front in France during the last major battle, WWI ended one week later. The bullet entered his right shoulder and lodged in the heart wall, it was never removed. Prior to release from the Convalescence Center he contracted Spanish Flu. Victor was awarded a Purple Heart and an Honorable Discharge from Camp Zachary Taylor Convalescence Center.

    Bonita Bingham Williams




    220889

    L/Cpl. James Powell 2nd Btn, A Coy. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.10th Nov 1917)

    James Powell was killed on the 10th of November 1917 and is remembered at Tyne Cot.

    Cora Powell




    220885

    Rflmn. Charles Clarence Mills 18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    Charles Mills was my father's best friend & second cousin. My father received news of his death while also serving on the Somme. His younger brother, unable to serve, due to medical conditions, had to give up his hopes of a career in teaching to enter the family bakery business in order to support the rest of the family.

    Editor's Note:- Charles Clarence Mills had previously served in both the 5th and the 8th Battalions of the London Regiment. At the time of his death, the 12th Battalion were involved in the 2nd Battle of Bapaume. He is interred in the Heilly Station Cemetery at Merricourt-L'Abbe.

    Audrey Harris




    220884

    Pte Thomas Rennie 12th Btn Highland Light Infantry (d.19th Aug 1916)

    At the time of his death, Thomas Rennie was a member of 12th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, which were part of 15th (Scottish) Division. On that date they were involved in the Battle of Pozieres which was part of the much larger Battle of the Somme. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and his date of death is given as 19th August 1916, although the Register of Soldiers effects records his date of death as 13th August 1916.

    D Ferguson




    220883

    Pte Alfred Rackley 6th btn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.7th Oct 1917)

    Alfred Rackley was my great uncle, born Croxley Green, Hertfordshire.

    Editor's Note:- At the time of his death, the 6th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment were part of the 37th Division which was involved in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. The war diary for the Battalion records that, on that day, they lost 10 O.R. (other ranks) killed and 15 O.R. wounded through artillery shelling. Alfred is interred at Hooge Crater Cemetery.

    Mr Allen




    220882

    Pte William Ernest Nicholas Hugman 6th Btn East Lancashire Regiment (d.18th Apr 1917)

    All I know is that this young man, William Hugman lived in Braintree in Essex. He left his wife and a baby girl Muriel.

    Editor's Note:- His record card shows him as having been born at Cirencester, but living in Cressing, Essex. However, he enlisted at Accrington, Lancashire. William was killed in action in Mesopotamia and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial. On the 17-18th April 1917, his Division were engaged in action at Shatt-El-Adhaim, a tributary of the Tigris River.

    Natalie Edgoose




    220879

    Pte Walter Cook 1st Btn Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry (d.23rd Jul 1916)

    My Uncle Walter Cook enlisted in the DCLI as an underage boy from South London,and was killed at Delville Wood on 23 July 1916, aged just 17, where he is buried.Sadly his war records perished in a fire at the National archivesin the thirties and the family photo of him in uniform is long lost.I would very much like, in this anniversary year, to trace a photo of him if anyone can help.





    220877

    Pte. William Carson 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    William Carson born 1884, first joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1902 for six years service. In the 1911 census then living in Ballyshannon, Donegal he was listed as a Army reservist.

    The only records I have discovered from WW1 are his medal Index card and POW records from the International Red Cross records. He was captured on 17/9/1914 in Compienge, France and appears to have been held in many POW camps until the end of the war. He returned home and became a Postman in LetterKenny, Donegal and married Margaret Kelly in 1922. He died in 1931.

    Mike Horne




    220876

    Sgt. John Heywood 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.26th Apr 1916)

    Jack Heywood was my great grandfather. He fought in Sudan, Crete and the second Boer war in 1900 - 1902. My grandmother's middle name was Tugela. This is a river in South Africa. John used this as his daughter's middle name because he had a lucky escape across the river form a pursuing group of Boers. He left the army in 1902 and returned to his home town of Bolton.

    He re-enlisted in 1914 and joined the 11th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusileers. He trained new soldiers for a time, before being shipped out to France. He was killed in action near Arras in 1916.

    Jeff McMahon




    220875

    Pte. Henry William Harris 5th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    My Father, Harry Harris was wounded on the 23rd of Mar 1916 by Shrapnel to the left chest and gassed. He later served at Salonica, where he suffered from Malaria, and recieved a gun shot wound to left wrist resulting in a high amputation due to gas gangrene at hospital in Valetta, Malta. He was discharged 19th of Nov 1919.

    Beryl Bauld




    220874

    Pte. Richard James Price 2nd Battalion London Regiment (d.21st Aug 1917)

    Dicky Price joined the Army in August 1916 and fought in Belgium until 16th of August 1917 when he was badly wounded in his thigh and taken prisoner by the Germans. He wrote to his wife on 19 August that he had been taken prisoner and was wounded. He died on 21 August leaving his wife and two children. He was 29.

    Cheryl




    220872

    BSM Craine Peartree 41 Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery Royal Garrison Artill (d.23rd April 1917)

    Craine Peartree served with 41 Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Sharon Byrne




    220869

    Pioneer. John Trafford 81st Field Company Royal Engineers (d.6th June 1918)

    John Trafford was a pioneer in the Royal Engineers who is remembered at Marfaux British Cemetery in France. I am researching the stories of the men who left the Moss Side area of Leyland and would be very grateful for any details of John Trafford.

    D Kazer




    220868

    Sgt. Robert Constantine 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry. (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle Robert Constantine was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1887 and married in 1910. He enlisted at Gateshead before the outbreak of war in 1914. In April 1915, he went to France and fought in the Second Battle of Ypres.

    Great Uncle Robert wrote many letters home from the war including this transcript of a letter to my Granddad.

    Tuesday, 4th Sep 1916. Dear Jim, Received yours dated Aug[ust] 27th . Yes I got the parcel safe. I haven’t seen anything of Will since we left the north and he’s lying a good way from me just now, but they’ll probably be moving further up here when they go into action. Boy we haven’t half been getting put through it lately. We have now been [in crossed out] out of the line about 3 weeks but we are training heavy to take part in the push & I am only wishing the war was finished before we go up, but no such luck, never mind I’ll just have to take my chance the same has all the other boys. I expect you’ll have an idea what part we are at now lets know & I’ll write & tell you if you are right, there's an awful bombardment raging while I am writing this so some poor chaps are going through it hot. I had a letter from Percy & he was telling me about Robbie Rogerson & all the young uns being out here, the Tyneside Irish are down here but I’ve not come across any of them yet. Poor Dougall called up at last & in the dandy ninth, what does he think, I’m afraid they’ll all be wanted out here.

    We are getting awful grub just now & I don’t know how I am sticking it & the small place we are in at present you can hardly buy anything fancy 1½ Fr[ancs] (1s/3d [1 shilling and 3 pence, or 6p]) for a loaf of bread & tin stuff is awful dear, sardines 10d [10 pence, or 4p] a tin, same in England for 2½d [2½ pence, or 1p], salmon 1s/8d [1 shilling and 8 pence, or 8p] in England 8d & 9d [8 pence and 9 pence, or 3-3½ p] a tin, eggs 2½d [2½ pence, or 1p] each boxed at that, the sooner this is over & I’m back home the better. I am getting properly fed up & sick of the damn job, but its no use grumbling I’ll have to stick it. Well Jim, I think this is all at present. Hope your let[ter]s have more news. Hoping all at home are keeping well. Remember me to all. With love to all, From your affect[ionate] brother Bob

    Lets know if you get the card I am sending you safe, its for Alice. God Bless you all. Cheer up

    Robert killed in action on 15th of September 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial near Albert, on the Somme.

    Rachel Constantine




    220866

    2nd Lt. William Morgan 7th Btn. (d.9th Sept. 1916)

    My husband's father had a brother, William Morgan who died in WWI, as told to me by my mother-in-law many years ago. I was intrigued by this when I joined ancestry.com. I found evidence of him in the 1901 Irish census and have enjoyed researching him since. He is remembered in France at the Thiepval Memorial. I have been searching for a photo of him at various WWI websites. No one ever talked about him and most relatives are gone now. I would like for him to be remembered.

    Virginia Morgan Jenkins




    220862

    Sgt. John Charles Ravenscroft 19th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.17th April 1918 )

    John Ravenscroft entered the 1st World War on 23rd of November 1915 as a Sergeant in the 19th Lancashire Fusilers (19th Batallion). He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Derek Fielding




    220861

    Pte. John William Fielding 10th Btn. (Alberta) (d.15th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    John Fielding served with the 10th (Alberta) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during WW1 and was killed in action on the 15th August 1917. He is buried in Loos British Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle, near Lens, France.

    John was born on the 30th October 1888 in Salford, Lancashire and emigrated to Canada on the 28th October 1910. He married Ruth Wild in Edmonton on the 14th October 1911. He joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force on the 6th July 1915. He was killed by a sniper whilst on guard duty in trench near Loos-en-Gohelle, France 15th August 1917.

    Derek Fielding




    220860

    L/Cpl. Stephen Alex Dooner 9th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.9th Sep 1916)

    Stephen Dooner was the son of Mrs Rose Anna Dooner nee Hyland, born 29 December 1895 in Dublin He died on the 9th September 1916 possibly at the Battle of Ginchy in the Somme area. He is my Grandmother's uncle and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Martin McGrath




    220859

    Pte. Patrick James Murphy 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers (d.April 1916)

    Patrick James Murphy, my great-uncle, died of wounds, as a prisoner of war in Baghdad, Mesopotamia in April 1916. He advanced with 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers in an attempt to relieve the siege of Kut-al-Amara, during which he was shot through the left shoulder and the top of the left lung. The battalion was obliged to retire, leaving him to the tender mercies of the Turks. He subsequently died in a Catholic infirmary in Baghdad, which advised the family of his passing.

    He volunteered for service in the Connaught Rangers, together with my grandfather, his younger brother in 1915. My grandfather Sergeant Bernard Murphy M.M. was transferred to 38th Battalion Machine Gun Corps, before the Connaught Rangers left for Mesopotamia, and served in France and Belgium for the rest of the war.

    Neil Murphy




    220858

    Rflmn. Roland Cecil Barratt 17th Btn. London Regiment (d.29th May 1915)

    My grandfather, Roland Cecil Barratt, is buried at Woburn Abbey Cemetery, Cuinchy, France. He was killed on the 28th May 1915. Leaving a wife and two sons aged 6 and 9. Their mother re-married and died in child birth within a year of his demise and as the two boys were so young, never really knew what had happened to their father.

    I never found out what had happened until 2004 and discovered his grave in France. Unfortunately, by then my father and my uncle had died. So they never really knew what had happened to their father. I estimate that he has approximately 27 descendants I have written to them and given them this account of their history. I am so pleased to have found him, after him having been forgotten for 90 years. I just wish that I had a photograph of him.

    Carol Piercy




    220855

    Pte. Philip Martin Cobourn 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    My grandfather Philip Cobourn served in WW1 and WW2. I don't know his service history and would be glad of any information. I do have his medal record and a certificate that he was awarded in WW2 when he served with the 18th County of London Battalion issued by General Headquaters Home Forces Home Guard. The date reads 1st Jan 1943, I would love to know more about this and if possible where he served

    Paul Cobourn




    220850

    Pte Walter Oliver Underwood 4th Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.24th Apr 1915)

    Walter Underwood is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) memorial.

    Margret




    220849

    Pte Ernest Frederick Gay 1/10th (Hackney) Btn. London Regiment

    Ernest Gay joined 1/10th Hackney Rifles and was sent, after Gallipoli, to Alexandria and fought through Palestine to the end of the war. He had joined up in the Spring of 1915, under age he was born on 10th of November 1897.

    Christopher Gay




    220848

    Pte Bert George Baker 2nd/4th Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.18th April 1918)

    Bert Baker is interred in the St. Venant-Robecq Road British Cemetery at Robecq.

    Robert Garland




    220847

    Pte William Forshaw 2/4th Btn Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    William Forshaw, enrolled on 10th December 1915 and served with 2/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancs Regiment. He was shot in the thigh 26th October 1917 at the third Battle of Ypres.

    He was in hospital for 12 months, and was discharged, with a pension of 11 shillings per week, on 12th November 1918. He was assessed as 40% disabled upon his discharge. His pension was reviewed in 1918 to 30% and then, finally, in September 1920, to under 20%.

    A W Gilliland




    220846

    Pte. Arthur Jones 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th Jun 1915)

    Arthur Jones was my husband's Great Uncle. He landed in March, and died aged 19 three months later. He was the son of John and Hannah Jones, of 79 Victoria Street, Northwood, Henley, Stoke-on-Trent. He died during the Battle of Bellewaarde, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Jane Martin




    220845

    Pte. Bertram Tyson 16th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.27th Nov 1917)

    Bertram Tyson died aged 21 and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.





    220843

    CSM. Samuel Waring DCM. Machine Gun Corps

    Samuel Waring was my grandfather's older brother. He joined the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles on 3rd November 1915 as a Sergeant, then joined the Machine Gun Corps.

    Richard Waring




    220841

    Pte. James McClure 1st Btn. Royal Scots

    My great-uncle James McClure served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots from March 2015 until the war ended when he re-enlisted and served with the Military Mission in Bulgaria.

    I'm still trying to piece together all the details but it looks as though he was acting as some sort of courier between Sofia and Constantinople between 1919 and Mar 1920. He married a Russian girl in January 1920 and in March 1920 he was shot dead by a member of the Bulgarian Secret Police during an altercation.





    220839

    Pte. James Henry Gill 11th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.8th Jul 1916 )

    James Henry Gill, died in action in France on 8th July 1916, aged 29. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. He was the son of Henry Gill and had married Kathleen Gray on 7th June 1909 Kingston Surrey Middlesex England. Their daughter,Lillian Kathleen Gill, was born 8th September 1910, followed by a son, James Henry Gill Jnr., on 24th May 1913. Kathleen and the children immigrated to Perth, Western Australia in 1919. Life was a struggle and the children were place in care in 1925. James Henry Gill Jnr. is buried in Pinjarra, Western Australia. Still trying to find the stories behind James Snr.,Kathleen and Lillian.

    Jan Gill




    220838

    Pte. Walter Rose Belcher 2nd Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    Walter Rose Belcher was a coal miner, but joined the army and served as batman to Lt-Col Ernest Clive Atkins during the First World War.

    Caroline Payne




    220837

    Pte. Joseph Elijah Smith 13th Btn. King's Regiment (Liverpool) (d.21st Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Joesph Smith was the son of Mr and Mrs William Smith of 65 Nesfield Street, Anfield, Liverpool. He was killed in action aged 18, and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

    S Flynn




    220836

    Pte. Hugh Deane Smith 6th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.1st Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Hugh Smith was killed in action on 1st Sep 1918, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of Frederick and Mary Smith, of 32 Roundstone St., Trowbridge, Wilts.

    s flynn




    220835

    Pte. Thomas William Riley 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Riley was the son of Harriet and Frederick Riley, of 36 Trafalgar Road, Beeston, Nottinghamshire. He was killed in action aged 21 fighting in the Battle of Drocourt-Queant, and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

    S Flynn




    220831

    Pte. James Phipps 7th Battalion South Staffordshire (d.27th Sep 1916)

    I have only recently found out this information about my partner's great grandfather, James Phipps. The family story is that he was hit by the fall out from a shell which de-capitated him. This story was relayed by a returning soldier who knew James' family. His name appears on the Thiepval Monument

    Julie Smith




    220830

    2nd Lt. Douglas Williams Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.10th July 1916)

    Douglas Willimas is listed on the War Memorial at Fulwood in Sheffield

    Keith Pitchforth




    220829

    Pte. William Martin 62nd Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.12th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    William Martin was the son of the late Thomas Martin and husband of Gertrude Fanny Martin, of 17 Crabtree Road, Hockley, Birmingham. He was killed in action aged 32, leaving behind his wife and 3 year old son, also named William. William Martin is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

    S Flynn




    220828

    Rfn. William Matthew Kinsela 1/28th (Artists' Rifles) Btn London Regiment (d.26th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    William Kinsela served with the 1/28th Battalion, London Regiment (Artists Rifles) during WW1 and was killed in action on the 26th of August 1918, aged 20. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France, the son of Walter and Catherine Jane Kinsela, of 10 Morton Mews, Earls Court Gardens, Kensington, London.

    S Flynn




    220827

    Cpl. John Edwin Green 2nd Btn Sherwood Foresters (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    John Green served with the 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters during WW1 and was killed in action on the 19/09/1918, aged 22. He is commemorated on P the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of Abraham Green, of 22 Liversage Cottages, Liversage St., Derby.

    S Flynn




    220826

    Pte. William Stephenson 21st Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.1st Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Transcript of a Newspaper Article about a letter received by my Great Grandma following the death of my Great Grandad.

    How Private Stephenson Died.

    Mrs Stephenson of Pelton Fell widow of the late Pte W Stephenson R.A.M.C whose death was recently announced has recently received the following letter from two chums of her husband.

    It is with deep sorrow that I write this letter for I know what a shock it will be to you and the children. Our dear old chum ‘Stevie’ has made the great sacrifice while endeavouring to rescue a wounded man who had been struck down a short time before. It is very hard for us to express our sympathy in fitting terms, and I trust you will be able to understand our sorrow for his loss and our sympathy with you in your bereavement.

    He along with three other men went out to collect, almost as soon as the boys reached the advanced dressing station and it was on the return journey that the tragic event occurred, a shell bursting close behind the party. The wounded man was killed and two of the squad were wounded, one seriously, while Jim Riggins was thrown in the air receiving a severe twist in the leg. Jim as well as I were great chums of ‘Stevie’ and I, who had been with him since the beginning, can say that a nobler and braver man never went forth to the ‘field’. He was always a ready and willing volunteer, scorning danger when anyone lay wounded and helpless, his one aim being to get them into a place of safety.

    It has proved a great blow to all the boys in the field ambulance for he was easily the most popular man we had, always cheerful and ready to do one a good turn. By his happy disposition and demeanour he endeared himself to the lads so that one and all wish me to tender their sincerest sympathy for the loss of your dear husband. Jim Riggins returned to the dressing station with the sad news and a squad was immediately despatched to bring ‘Stevie’ in, and after a time they proved successful. He is buried on the outskirts of the village of Montauban, and all the bearers who were not at work tended the funeral, paying a last tribute to their comrade who had passed into the ‘Great Beyond’.

    Yours sincerely, Archie Gilbertson and James Riggins

    Through research I've found that William is buried in Bernafay Wood British Cemetery, Montauban.

    Susan Jackson




    220825

    Pte. Ernest Hazelwood 7th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    Ernest Hazelwood was my great great uncle. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial along with many of his comrades. He was born in Withersfield, a village outside Haverhill in Suffolk. We will remember them.

    Gregory Sawcer




    220818

    Sgt. Richard Airey 6th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Richard Airey, my Great Uncle, was born in 1869 at Undermillbeck, Westmorland and was the son of Richard Airey and Jane Airey nee Slater. He was married to Amy Kate Airey and had five children (three surviving after 1903). He was mentioned in the 1901 and 1911 census forms as a Storekeeper with Hull Corporation.

    Donald Andrew Airey




    220815

    Pte. Thomas Roberts 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.26th Aug 1914)

    Thomas Roberts was born in 1894 in St Helens, Lancashire to John and Eliza Banfield Roberts, nee Pearce.

    In 1901 at the age of 5 he was living in Bull Street, Creech St Michael with his parents John and Eliza with his brothers Medford, George Henry, Thomas and William and sisters Annie and Edith who was a baby. John Roberts, his father was a general labourer on the railway and was from Tiverton in Devon. Eliza was from North Newton in Somerset. In 1911 Thomas was living in Churchill Cottage, North Newton and was at 15 years old a farm labourer. By that time they were joined by 4 more siblings, Wilfred, Margaret, Melvyn and Amy.

    Thomas joined the Somerset Light Infantry and was with the 1st Battalion. Sadly, Thomas was the first of our village soldiers to die on just the 24th August 1914, just 20 days after the beginning of the war. His Medal card tells that he was assumed dead on the 26th August 1914. Thomas was awarded the 14 Star, the British Medal and the Victory Medal. He was also awarded the Clasp, which was awarded to men who were under fire during the first four months of the war.

    Wendy McLean




    220814

    James Ogden 6th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.15th Aug 1915)

    My great uncle, James Ogden died of wounds nr Sulva Bay, Gallipoli.

    Jean Turner




    220811

    Pte. David Fell 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.29th March 1918)

    David Fell was killed during the St Michael German offensive in Villiers Tornelle on 29th of March 1918. He served from 1914. He was a member of 107th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery in the 36th (Ulster) Division. He was the eldest son of Thomas and Ellen Fell, 20 Hanna St., Belfast. He joined the 15th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles (North Belfast Volunteers) in 1914. He had signed the Ulster Covenant.

    In 1915 the RIR moved to France and they were first engaged in major action on 1st July 1916. David survived the slaughter and with the rest of the Division was moved to Messines. There they fought alongside the 16th (Irish) Division. His unit with others captured Wytschaete. His unit was involved in the 3rd Battle of Ypres in July and in November 1917 at the Battle of Cambrai.

    David's unit was in the front line on 21st March 1918 south west of St Quentin. There they were overrun by the enemy and put up courageous resistance in a series of redoubts. On 28-29th March the Battalion was withdrawn to regroup. During the retreat to Saleux he was killed in action. He is remembered in Pozieres Cemetery on the Albert to Bapuame Road not far from the Ulster Tower.

    Joseph Fell




    220810

    Far. Leonard William Telford 12th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.5th May 1917)

    In trying to find out information about my great grandfather, his brother, Leonard, kept popping up in searches. I found an article on Trove from the Bendigo Advertiser, dated 6th Dec 1918, titled "Kennington Anzac's Return" which mentioned both brothers. But, what I found fascinating was that it stated Leonard was killed by a bomb from an aeroplane, at Bapaume, France. He got promoted to Farrier. He grew up around horses (his father was a carter). There is also a photo of him in another Trove article, with some very sad bereavement notices in another, as well. His active service lasted 13 months. I would love to know more about where he fought.

    Steven McCarthy




    220808

    Pte. Wilfred Joseph Bateman 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    Wilfred Joseph Bateman joined up in 1916. At 5ft 2" he wasn't the biggest recruit. His father owned the Blue Bowl in Hanham. He moved to the front in December 1916 seeing action east of Bethune in places like Cuinchy, Auburs and Richeborg; essentially La Bassee front. This was an area of heavy fighting, particularly the brickstacks around Cuinchy. The regimental diary talks of a daring trench raid in this area which took two prisoners.

    Sadly, or fortunately, his war would end at the end of March 1917. The unit was in Burbure away from the front training on the 29th. Wilfred's hand was blown off during grenade practice. He was brought back to England from Le Havre on the hospital ship Panama where he recovered. He spent some time in Queen Mary's Auxiliary Hospital in Roehampton, where skin grafts developed, presumably to have his hand treated. He married in October 1917.

    The family story was always that he had lost his hand shielding a young Australian boy from a grenade blast. My Nan, his daughter, said the boy's father, a vicar, always wrote each Christmas, to thank him for his heroism. However, there is no recorded account of this and the regimental diary only talks of a training accident and a premature explosion. We will never know. Great Grampy Bateman lived to the age of 90, dying in 1977. He could open a bottle of beer with one hand late in his life!

    John Lovell




    220807

    Rfmn. Thomas Caulfield 1st Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.14th Nov 1916)

    Thomas Caulfield served with 1st Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps in 99th Brigade, 2nd (Regular) Division. Born in Widnes, Lancashire, he enlisted in Warrington and resided at 46 Moss Street, Moss Bank, Widnes. A single man, he was the only son of Michael Caulfield. His mother had died sometime before he enlisted. He received his elementary education at St Marie's school in Widnes and was a parishioner at St Marie's church. For a number of years he was a member of the "Kent Pride Lodge" of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. From leaving school until enlistment, he worked at the Muspratt Works in Widnes.

    By September 1915, he was an officers' servant in France and was later posted to a Heavy Trench Mortar Battery. Posted "missing, presumed killed" after an attack by his battalion on the German line at "Munich Trench" in the closing stages of The Battle of the Somme, Thomas Caulfield was one of 142 men, from the 1st Battalion, killed or wounded that day, he was aged 38. Thomas is buried at Frankfurt Trench British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel.

    John Pitt




    220806

    Pte. William Irwin Potts 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    William Potts is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial. He was 42 years old at the time of his death.





    220804

    Pte. William Bain Hogg 5th (City of Glasgow) Btn. D Coy Highland Light Infantry (d.22nd Nov 1915)

    William Bain Hogg is interred in the Pink Farm Cemetery, Helles. His Battalion embarked for Gallipoli in May 1915.





    220803

    Pte. Patrick O'Keeffe 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.1st Sep 1916)

    Patrick O'Keefe is interred at the Quarry Cemetery, Montauban and was aged 22 at the time of his death. His Battalion were part of the 16th(Irish) Division and involved in the Battle of the Somme.

    Margaret Nolan




    220802

    Pte. Henry Augustus Howard 2nd Btn Royal Sussex Regiment (d.13th Oct 1914)

    Dedicated to Henry Howard, a brave Grandfather that we never knew who gave his life in the name of freedom. Remembered with honour at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre memorial where the names are fading and nearly unreadable and need urgent repair.

    Editor's Note:- The war diary of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment shows one casualty for the 13th October 1914, killed by artillery fire whilst the Battalion was at Troyon.

    Phillip Howard




    220800

    L/Cpl. Francis Hodgson 7th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th May 1917 )

    I never met my Great Uncle Frank; he died 41 years before I was born, but he is as real to me as any of my relatives that I have met. Prior to joining up he was a rugby player and all-round sportsman. He died aged 23, possibly at the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt, on 13th of May 1917. I am always researching his name and year by year, more and more information becomes available to me.

    He is commemorated on the Addenda Panel of Arras Memorial, Calais. His body, to date, has not been recovered. He is also commemorated on Scarborough's War Memorial on the top of Oliver's Mount, and on the graves of his parents George and Betsy-Ann Hodgson, in Manor Road Cemetery, Scarborough.

    I made a promise to my Dad that I would try and find Uncle Frank and give him a proper grave, and I hope that I can fulfill that promise somehow, someday. In the meantime "Lest We Forget". I'll bet he never thought that his Great Niece, whom he never met, would still be remembering him all these years down the line, but I do, and I will continue to do so. I am very proud of my Uncle.

    Karyn Gardner




    220799

    Pte. William A Ball

    The only surviving member of the Ball family is my mother. She is 93, and longs for some information of how her brother William Ball died. He enlisted into the army whilst underage, took the King's shilling, as my mother told me. He was killed in action in 1915, but no details were ever given or belongings sent home. Perhaps you could help her solve the mystery of his death. Thank you, from a caring daughter.

    Linda Bearfield




    220798

    Pte. Herbert Wiltshire 1st Btn Wiltshire Regiment (d.27th Dec 1914)

    Herbert Wiltshire served with "D" Coy. 1st Bn, Wiltshire Regiment. He died age 26 on 27th of December 1914. He was the son of Mr. G. and Mrs. C. Wiltshire, of Stert, Devizes. Remembered with honour at the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.





    220797

    Pte. John McQuade 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.13th Jun 1916)

    John Mcquade was a serving soldier at the start of the war and qualified for the 1914 star. He was killed on the 13th June 1916 at Cuinchy. The war diary for the 2nd Battalion describes that day as 'normal' with 2 killed and 1 wounded. He is buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension.

    J Russell Morgan




    220795

    Sgt. Herbert William Foster MM South Staffordshire Regiment (d.17th September 1916)

    Our grandfather, Herbert Foster, died saving two men from no man's land he was shot and died of his wounds. His memorial is at Hebuterne Militery Cemetery for his bravery he was awarded the MM

    Mavis Reynolds




    220794

    Pte. William Edwin Dunning 2nd Battalion Border Regiment (d.18th Dec 1914)

    I only recently discovered my great grandfather's name, William Dunning and from there his war record. He left six young children, including my nan, and a wife who subsequently remarried. My nan never told my father, or anyone else, about her grandfather.

    Paul




    220793

    Pte. Frank Hadfield 2nd Batalion York & Lancaster Regiment (d.18th Oct 1914)

    Frank Hadfield served with the 2nd Yorks & Lancs, he died on the 18th of October 1914

    Anne Ward




    220792

    Pte. John Coulson 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    I know nothing about Great Uncle John only what I've found online. He was only 22 when he died. I've been trying to find out where the Regiment was on 1st July 1916. Having researched the day it seems it was the first day on the Somme. I, therefore, presume he was one of the many killed on that first day. He lived with his parents in Scunthorpe my great grandmother always wondered what had happened to him and kept a light burning in the window for many years.

    Patricia Kilmore




    220791

    Pte Edwin H. Mansell 18th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Whilst researching the Mansell Family Tree, I found medal card for Pte Mansell Edwin H, 1775 18 Royal Fusiliers 14 Nov 1915 who was later promoted Captain/Adjutant 12th. Bn "Cadre" Machine Gun Corps. He was awarded "pip, squeak & wilfred and gazetted for a gallantry award.

    Phillip Vanderwarker




    220790

    Pte. Edward McLaughlin 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Private Edward Maclaughlin was killed in action near the village of Gomiecourt, on the 23rd August 1918, he is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He enlisted, at Glencorse, Midlothian, on 8th August 1917, at the age of 19years, 4 months. His occupation was given as Steam Derrick Craneman. He was the eldest son of James and Mary McLaughlin of Co-operative Buildings, Fauldhouse, West Lothian.

    s flynn




    220789

    Pte. Sydney Spencer Morris 14th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.27th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Sydney Morris was killed in action on the 27th of September 1918 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. Born at Wolverton, in 1898. He was the son of Mark and Annie Morris (nee Cowley) Brother of Herbert, Percival, Hilda, Harold, Frank, Alfred and Clarice. Grandson of George and Antonia Morris and Martin and Esther Cowley.

    s flynn




    220788

    2nd Lt. Harry Eyre 2nd Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.17th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Second Lieutenant Harry Eyre served with the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters during WW1. He was killed on the 17th September 1918 at or near Monchy Lagache and his name appears on panel 7 of the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. His body was never found.

    He was the son of Sarah Anne and Samuel. Harry was a miner from Sheffield prior to enlisting with the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was then sent back to England for officer training, before being commissioned with the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters as a 2nd Lieutenant.

    S Flynn




    220787

    Pte. Hugh Macdonald Mees 18th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.2nd March 1916)

    Hugh Mees was born in 1898 and died a week short of his 18th birthday. He worked as a bottler with Teacher's Whisky in Glasgow. He is buried in St Vaast Cemetery in Richebourg-L'Avoue





    220786

    Rflmn. Samuel Nicholl 11th Bat. Royal Irish Rifles

    Granda was a Pte in the Royal Irish Rifles, his name was Sammy Nicoll He came from Walton Street. He was captured while serving with 36th Ulster Division, pow number 34977/R52192. He was gassed and suffered all his life with it.





    220785

    Pte. William Luke 24th (Tyneside Irish) Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Feb 1916)

    William Luke was 32 when he was killed at Bois Grenier near Armentiers, Northern France. He left a wife Isobelle and four sons Joseph, John, Robert and Cuthbert, my father .

    He is buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chappelle-d'Armentieres. His brother George was also killed and is buried in Rouen he was in the East Yorks.





    220784

    Joseph Gallagher West Yorkshire Regiment

    I would like to remember my great grandad Joseph Gallagher who served in WW1. I have no idea where to start but would like any information or photos

    Paula Rowe




    220783

    Alfred Joyce 5th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather Alfred Joyce who has the badge of the 5th Battalion London Regiment on his cap. Before the war he was in the Lincolnshires, having been born in Grimsthorpe, but changed to the 5th Londons although I have no idea when. We are led to believe he was wounded twice at Ypres and was transferred back to Bourne. However we cannot yet find any records other than a possible Medal Index card with National Archives.

    Editor's Note: He is possibly recorded on a Medal Card as being with the 5th and 28th Battalions. If this card is correct he would not have been in Action until 1916 as only the British War and Victory medals are awarded. The 1914/15 Star was only awarded to those actually stationed in a war zone during 1914 and 1915. 5th Battalion were on the Western Front from November 1914 and the 28th Battalion from October 1914. The 28th was part of an Officers Training Base Unit for most of the war at Baillieul and St Omer. It eventually joined the 63rd Naval Division.

    Gerry Lawrence




    220782

    Sgt. Frank Isaac Osborn MID. 12th (Bermondsey) Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    My father, Frank Osborn was Mentioned in Despatches for erecting a forward bombing post under fire. More than this I do not know as he was reticent to talk of the war. He was wounded twice, once being stabbed with a bayonet.

    Frank Osborn




    220781

    Cpl. Arthur Heath 22nd Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>Arthur Heath with his platoon

    Arthur Heath was my grandfather, he joined up in November 1914 when his one & only son Arthur was just 1 month old. He joined one of the Pals Battalions that was raised by the Lord Mayor of Manchester. He was in C Company, Platoon XII. A photograph with his platoon is attached, along with the list of names of those shown. Arthur is my Grand Father & when he died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme he left behind not just his son, but a widow & two daughters, one of which was my Mother. He has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France. His civilian life entailed working as a barman at the time of his marriage to Emily in 1904. He also worked as a bar steward for Manchester Liners & one of the ships he sailed on was the Manchester Importer. Just before he volunteered to join the Army he was working for the Charles MacIntosh Rubber Works in Manchester. It would be nice to hear from anybody who's Grand Father is also pictured in the attached Platoon Photograph & named in the second attachment. Arthur was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme with the Manchester Pals. He has no known grave & his name is on the Thiepval Monument. He left behind a wife, two daughters, one of which was my mother, & a very young son who was born after he enlisted in 1914. My Mother had just started school when she received at least two letters from him. One of which he sent his kind regards to her schoolteacher & hoped that he would get to meet her when he came home. The family do not know if this ever took place as we are not sure if he ever got leave before he was killed? We are aware that he was very proud to have a son who was named after him. Unfortunately Arthur Heath Junior died when he was eight, so my Grandmother had a double tragedy to deal with.

    Arthur's mother, Mary Ellen Huddart, married Charles Frederick Heath on the 05/06/1887 when Arthur was 6 years old. It is not known who Arthur's biological father was. Charles Frederick appears to have taken the boy as his own as according to the 1891 census the 10 year old Arthur is stated as the son of Charles Frederick. In 1904 Arthur married Emily Carter, a widow, & they had 3 children, one of which was my Mother. Before volunteering for the Manchester Pals 7th City 22nd Battalion, Arthur was working for a shipping company operating out of the Manchester Ship Canal. His son, Arthur Frederick, was born on the 23rd October 1914, a matter of weeks before his father, Arthur Heath, volunteered as part of a recruitment drive by the then Lord Mayor of Manchester. The family assumed that his baby son was born after Arthur volunteered. We will never know why a man of 33 years would volunteer, leaving behind a new born son & two young daughters. We can only assume, like thousands of others, he truly believed the propaganda, that it would all be over by Christmas.

    Names of those in the photograph

    Arthur Heath

    Arthur's wife Emily, with Elise, Florence & baby Arthur, his children

    Irene Heald




    220780

    Pte. Thomas Charles Brooks 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.25th Jan 1916)

    Thomas Brooks served in Egypt and South Africa before fighting in the First World War. He was at the Battle of Ladysmith and we have a letter from him that says "we have had a rough time of it in Ladysmith but we are alright now that the column has come in and relieved us". His life ended age 33 years when he was shot in the head in Belgium in 1916.

    Carol Smith




    220779

    Pte. George Henry Hitchen 15th (Leeds Pals) Battalion Prince of Wales' Own West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    My grandma, Eva Marshall (Nee Hitchen), had 3 brothers who served in the First World War, 2 survived. However, George Henry Hitchen was reported as missing presumed killed. He is is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial however I cannot find his name on any memorials in his home town.

    Little is known about the family and I would love to hear from anyone who has further information. Are you a Hitchen or do you know of anyone called Hitchen? They lived in and around Hunslet (South Accomadation Road area). Any information would be appreciated.

    Dean Marshall




    220778

    Rfmn. Andrew "Warner" Marriage 9th (Queen Victoria's Rifles) Btn London Regiment (d.28th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Andrew Marriage was born on 22nd of March 1888 in Chelmsford and son to Andrew Marriage (hydraulic engineer) and Edith (nee Warner) Marriage. He attended Felsted School from May 1898 to July 1902 then migrated to Uppingham School. In 1911 Andrew is listed as living at 51 Earl's Court Square, S W Kensington, on the first floor in a one room furnished flat (his brother Robert had two rooms on the second floor) for 35s a week. They are described as Bell Founders and Directors and share the address with 24 other people.

    Andrew enlisted under the name Andrew Warner and served with the 1st/9th Battalion, London Regt, known as the Queen Victoria's Rifles, in France and Flanders. He died of wounds received in the Second Battle of Ypres, in hospital at at Boulogne and is interred Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    Jules Wallis (Assistant archivist Felsted School)




    220768

    Pte. John Henry Norton 11th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.15th Nov 1916)

    John Norton was my late grandfather Frank's older brother). He was killed on the battlefield east of Arras and is buried in Agny Cemetery, Pas De Calais.

    I have his service medals and the 'Death Penny' and letter sent to his mother (Martha). My grandad never talked about what happened to his older brother, he was only 9 when John was killed.

    Julie Jenkins




    220766

    Pte. George Wilkin 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (Queen's Own) (d.27th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    George Wilkin served with the 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment during WW1. He died on the 27th September 1918 and is commemorated onthe Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of George and Rhoda Wilkin of 7 Dordans Road, Leagrave, Luton. Beds.

    S Flynn




    220765

    Pte. Robert Thomas Whitaker 1/7th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.27th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Whitaker was the son of Mr R. and Mrs W. Whitaker of Brookfield, 114 Wigan Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan. He died aged 19 on the first day of the Battle of the Canal du Nord, and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in Calais, France.

    S Flynn




    220764

    Pte. William Frank Netzel 3rd Btn. Canadian Machine Gun Corps (d.16th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Private William Frank Netzel was born on October 11th 1886 in Buffalo, New York. Before enlisting he was married to Mary A. and was a homestead farmer. He enlisted on May 31st 1916 in Netherhill, Saskatchewan, Canada. Private Netzel was killed in action aged 31 near Canal du Nord, and is buried in the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery in Haucourt, Calais, France.

    S Flynn




    220763

    Pte. Arthur Atkinson 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st Oct 1918)

    Arthur Atkinson was my grandad, I am researching his life.





    220762

    Cpl. John Barr Thomson MM. 10th Btn. Cameronians (d.4th Jan 1918)

    John Barr Thomson died at Etaples military hospital from wounds received as a result of participating in a 4 man raiding party. He was awarded a Military Medal and promoted to Corporal

    Stevie Thomson




    220757

    Sgt. William Storey 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    William Storey married Johan Herbertson of 3 Caroline Place, Langholm on 31st December 1908 at 35 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.

    Gillian




    220756

    Emrys Joshua Evans 2nd Btn. A Company. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    We were told Grampa, Emrys Evans ran away to join up. He was under aged. His brother, David William Evans, service number 10631, 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment was killed in action in 1918 on 6th October.

    As a family we have lost all our grandparents and my father and his brother so we have little information. If anyone could fill in any gaps, or has any knowledge of my grandfather or pictures of battalion, please get in touch. My son has bought a poppy which has been planted in the Tower of London as a memorial to them. Never forgotten, always in our hearts.

    Tracey Ann Evans




    220753

    Able Sea. Michael Joseph Shea 6th (Howe) Btn 63rd (Royal Naval )Division (d.19th Nov 1916)

    Michael Shea enlisted on the 19th of July 1915, aged 19, and a week later was attached to 5th Battalion, later he was detached from Howe Battalion to Stavros for duty while serving with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. At some point he was with the 7th Reserve Battalion at Blandford. Sometime late 1915 or early 1916 he was on HMT Lake Michigan on his way to Mudros:West, where he arrived on 10th of January 1916.

    He embarked on HMT Briton on 7th of May 1916 and disembarked at Marseille on 12th of May 1916. The next we know is that he was injured in fighting near the Ancre on 13th of November and died from his injuries on the 19th. He was treated at the 9th Casualty Clearing Station with a Shrapnel Wound.





    220752

    Cpl. Alfred Middleton 1st Btn East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Alfred Middleton is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Janet Hughes




    220751

    Pte. Ernest Henry Lake 8th Btn Somerset Light Infantry (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Private 33167, Ernest Henry Lake, (formerly 44452 of the Devonshire Regiment) was killed in action on the 4th October 1917 at the Third Battle of Ypres. According to the war diaries of the 8th Battalion of the Somersets, on that day, the Battalion lost 3 officers and 27 other ranks.

    He is remembered on the Tyne Cot memorial and was survived by his wife, Emily.





    220749

    Pte. Herbert Larke 2/8th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers (d.21st March 1918)

    If we had a story of daring do we would tell it but we don't. The generations have gone by and taken the secrets to their graves all we have is a piece of paper stating where and when and a faded photo. We hear of a broken family loosing a son from a small Essex village called Blacmore. Probably never even heard of by some people. All we know is name rank number and a stone on a wall in Poziers. No grave, not even a mention on the village memorial to the war dead of WW1 how very sad.





    220748

    Pte. Arthur James Bennett Army Service Corps

    <p>Private A J Bennett

    Arthur Bennett served as the driver for General Carton De Wiate for the duration of WW1. He was also the driver of the bus that brought the band of the Black Watch Regiment into Cologne after the defeat of Germany.

    Patrick Nice




    220747

    James Bailey 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters

    James Bailey send a POW acknowledgment card, while at the German POW camp at Limburg, addressed to The Secretary, Soldiers Fund, Nottingham, England. The text thanks the organisation for a parcel and mentions there are three others from the Sherwood Foresters held with him. The card is in pencil and dated 29th March 1915, the Limburg circular date stamp is 7th April 1915.





    220746

    Sgt. Victor Hobbs MID 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    Sgt Victor Hobbs was awarded an MID for gallant conduct in the field at Auchy-Lez-Bassee on the 13th of September 1918.

    Capt T C Park




    220745

    Capt. George William Ashby 6th (City of London) Battalion London Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    I have been writing short biographies for the men who are listed on the Ratby, Leicestershire War Memorial and died during WW1, Captain George William Ashby is my last biography. He served with the 6th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment.

    Lynne Cox




    220744

    Pte. James Godfrey 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th July 1917)

    James Godfrey was the grandfather that we never knew. In 1999 I started my journey of discovery..

    James enlisted in Bradford (having been born in Bradford, West Yorkshire), into the Yorkshire Regiment in December, 1896 aged 21 years and 8 months - his father (next of kin) was also called James. James served in Gibraltar - 12.01.1898 to 07.02.1899 and left for India 08.02.1899 to return to England 25.11.1904. James then joined the Reserve - 26.11.1904 to 29.12.1908. He enlisted into the 3rd Special Reserve Battalion in January, 1911

    At some time he joined the 8th Battalion (by this time he was in France/Belgium). James Godfrey was killed on 17th July, 1917 on the edge of the village of Zillebeke 4 kilometres south east of Ypres, on the road to Houthem, and is remembered on a special memorial in Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery, Belgium.

    From what I have discovered, James was a loving husband and father who loved his life in the Army, eventually answering the rally to fight for and protect our freedom. For his sacrifice and that of many thousands of others, we are eternally grateful and proud.

    Patricia Lindley




    220742

    Pte. James Douglas Fenwick Royal Scots

    James D. Fenwick was captured in St. Quentin in 1918

    David Fenwick




    220741

    Pte. Lawrence Plant 7th Btn Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridges Own) (d.28th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Lawrence Plant was, originally, in the 3rd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment, which was a reserve Battalion that never left England. He transferred to the 7th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment which, at the time of his death, were part of the 56th (London) Division and involved in the Battle of the Scarpe (a phase of the 2nd Battle of Arras). He died on 28th Aug 1918, aged 22 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Plant, of 68, Furnace Rd., Normacott, Longton, Staffs.

    s flynn




    220739

    Pte. Henry George Rueben Hart Att. 1/20th Bn. London Regiment Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.1st Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Hart died on the 1st Sep 1918, aged 19 and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Hart, of 41 Baventry St., Lisson Grove, Marylebone, London.

    s flynn




    220738

    Cpl. John Curtis 1st Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    John Curtis served with the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 18th September 1918, aged 38. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. John was the husband of Rachel (later Bradford of Albert Villas, Ravenstone, Leicester.)

    S Flynn




    220737

    Sgt. Spencer Charles Bracey 83 Squadron (d.16th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    Spencer Bracey served with 83 Squadron Royal Air Force during WW1 and was killed in action on the 16th Jun 1918. He is buried in the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery in France.

    S Flynn




    220736

    Rfmn. Samuel Nicholl 10th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My granda was Sammy Nicholl from 53 Walton St., Crumlin Rd. He served as a Rifleman in the 10th Royal Irish Rifles. He served in Afghanistan before getting ill and was sent back to Britain when he recovered he was sent to France in 1915 were he was captured and was interned for the war until 1918. My father volunteered this info on his hospital bed.

    Harry Nicholl




    220735

    Bmdr. Arthur Francis Cunningham 88th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.7th July 1917)

    Arthur Cunningham was my great uncle on my fathers Grandmothers side. He is buried at Lore Cemetery but I do not know how he died.

    Ian Gair




    220734

    Pte. Frank Pollard 34th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Frank Pollard was one of three brothers who served in the war, one was killed and the other wounded. Formerly his occupation was a weaver but he enlisted on the 30th July 1915 and after training at Devonport he arrived at Mudros on December 3rd 1915. He then served as a stretcher bearer with 34FA and survived the war. According to his war diary he was attached to 33FA from June 7th to June 10th 1917 before returning to his unit.

    Dale Pollard




    220732

    Pte. Albert Osborne 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    My grandfather Albert Osborne enlisted 3rd September 1914 served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers during WW1. He transfered to the Army Reserve on 28th March 1919. His Certificate of Employment listed his Military Qualifications as Musketry Class 1. He then served in Heavy Rescue from 1940 to 1946

    Neil Clark




    220730

    Pte. Edward Plews 4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)

    Edward Plews served with the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment during WW1. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Edward Plews




    220727

    L/Cpl. Henry John Randall 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.3rd Jan 1916)

    Henry Randall served with the 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment during WW1 and died, age 27, on the 3rd January 1916. This soldiers headstone is at St Mary Cemetery Osney Lane Oxford. It is tended along with others by a group of soldiers (MPGS)from RAF Benson. Grave reference St. Ebbe. He was the son of Mrs. Harriet Randall, of 17, Abbey Place, St. Ebbe, Oxford.

    Steve Brown




    220726

    Pte. Charles Frank Randall 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.1st Nov 1914)

    Charles Randall served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 1st November 1914. He is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium. He was the son of Harriet Randall, of 17, Abbey Place, St. Ebbs, Oxford.

    Steve Brown




    220725

    Rfmn. Percy St John Ingram 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.24th Apr 1917)

    Percy Ingram served with the 13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade during WW1 and died, age 20, on the 24th April 1917. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, in France. He was the son of Mrs. Ellen Ingram, of 8, Conway Terrace, Peterborough Road, Southampton and my Grandmother's brother.

    Peter Humby




    220724

    Pte. Thomas "Bones" Eglington 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.7th Aug 1917)

    My dad's uncle, Thomas Eglington fought in World War 1 and his brother my father fought in World War 2. Dad was a sailor on HMS Matchless. It took me some time to track Thomas down because they have his name spelt wrong in records. They left out the second G.

    Thomas Eglington served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment during WW1 and died, age 21, on the 7th August 1917. He is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium. Thomas was the son of Patrick and Annie Eglinton, of 12 Wolfe Tone Avenue, Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire), Dublin, Ireland.

    Liam Eglington




    220723

    Rfn. Archibald Sidney "Harry" Saunders 1/21st (Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    Archibald Saunders, known as 'Harry', formerly 4340, 5th East Surrey Regt, was severely wounded by shrapnel in the 21st Battalion, London Regt, 47th Division attack on High Wood, The Somme, during the evening of 15 September 1916. He was brought back to UK and died of his wounds 18 months later at the 2nd Eastern General Hospital, Brighton, on 22nd March 1918, at the age of 28. He left behind his wife and three little children.

    Peter Saunders




    220709

    Pte. George Lawns 9th Battalion Border Regiment

    Family history says George Lawns was gassed wounded at sometime around 1916. Nothing more is known of his service history. He was transferred to the Reserves in 1919.

    Ron Lawns




    220708

    Pte. James Muir 6th Battalion Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.15th June 1915)

    James Muir was my great grandfather, he was killed in action on the 15th of June 1915, and his name is on the le Touret memorial, panel base 15/16. It's claimed he died in the battle of loos, but history dictates that didn't start until the September of that year.

    David Pender




    220703

    Pte. Timothy Hancock 17th Liverpool Regiment

    My grandfather Timothy Hancock was killed in action in the Battle of Arras 1917. I still have original death notice army records.

    William Lacy




    220701

    Pte. Stephen Duckhouse 87th Bn. (d.14th Aug 1917)

    <p>Private Stephen Duckhouse

    Stephen Duckhouse was killed in action 14/08/1917, aged 20 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial in France. He was the son of Mrs. E. Baggott (formerly Duckhouse), of 47, Little Green Lane, Small Heath, Birmingham, England.

    Private Stephen Duckhouse was born in 1897 in Birmingham, England and in 1910 was sent out to Canada as a Home Child. There he resided with Edgar McPhail, Ada Alde McPhail and John A. McPhail until 1916, when he joined the C.E.F. 129th Wentworth Battalion Regiment in Dundas, Wentworth Country Ontario. Although under age, he said that he wanted to do his duty.

    Later in Europe, he became part of the 87th Battalion and took part in the Hill 70 initiative during which he along with 9 other men were found dead in the Loos sector on August 14th, 1917 behind enemy lines. This event was later recounted in the Toronto Star.

    s flynn




    220696

    Pte. Timothy Ryan Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Timothy Ryan was attested on 15th January 1915 in Dublin, joining the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with the rank of private. He had three spells with the Expeditionary Force in France; for three months in 1916 and again from December 1916 to February 1918 and, after a short time at home, finally for another five months up to the end of October 1918. He was discharged on 5th February 1919 having at some time sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and right arm.

    D Wright




    220689

    2nd Lt. Hardy Falconer Parsons VC. 1st/2nd Btn. att 14th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.21st Aug 1917)

    <p>Second Lieutenant Hardy Falconer Parsons, VC

    Hardy Parsons died of wounds on 21st of August 1917, aged 20 and is buried in the Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of the Rev. and Mrs. J. Ash Parsons, of Leysian Mission, City Rd., London. Educated at Kingswood School, Bath, he was amedical Student at Bristol University, preparing for Medical Missionary Work

    An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 17th Oct., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery during a night attack by a strong party of the enemy on a bombing post held by his command. The bombers holding the block were forced back, but Second Lieutenant Parsons remained at his post, and, single-handed, and although severely scorched and burnt by liquid fire, he continued to hold up the enemy with bombs until severely wounded. This very gallant act of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty undoubtedly delayed the enemy long enough to allow of the organisation of a bombing party, which succeeded in driving back the enemy before they could enter any portion of the trenches. The gallant officer succumbed to his wounds."

    s flynn




    220685

    Pte. Arthur Twinning 3rd Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Aug 1918)

    Arthur Twining was born in Paddington, London in 1898. He was the son of Frank and Emily Twining and was one of four brothers (and his father) serving in France. He married in December 1917, went to France in March 1918, and died of wounds on 8th August 1918 in the attack on Mallard Wood. Arthur Twining was my grandmother's younger brother.

    J P Kelleher




    220684

    Pte. George Henry Lahmerd MM. 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade

    George Lahmerd served with 3rd Battalion, the Rifle Brigade I would like to have more information on how my grandfather was awarded the MM as no one left in the family seems to know.

    Hugh




    220681

    Pte. Basil John Amyes 3rd Monmouthshire Regiment (d.11th May 1915)

    This is to remember my great uncle Basil Amyes who died aged only 20. Records show that on 10th May 1915 there were only 29 men left from 500 who had gone out to fight. Basil died on 11th May 1915. By the end of May the battalions were having to merge as there were so few men left in each unit. It is hard to imagine going from 'Honeysuckle Cottage' to life in the trenches. Basil has no marked grave but is remembered on the Yypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Sue Tozer




    220679

    2nd Lt. John Schofield VC. 2nd/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    John Schofield served with the 2nd/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers during WW1 and died of wounds on the 9th April 1918, aged 26 and is buried in the Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery in France.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 25th June, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in operations. 2nd Lt. Schofield led a party of nine men against a strong point which was reported strongly held by the enemy, and was attacked by about 100 of the enemy with bombs. He disposed his men so skilfully, and made such good use of rifle and Lewis gun fire, that the enemy took cover in dug-outs. This officer himself then held up and captured a party of twenty. With the help of other parties this position was then cleared of the enemy who were all killed or captured. He then collected the remainder of his men, made his party up to ten, and proceeded towards the front line, previously informing his Commanding Officer as to the position, and that he was proceeding to retake the front line. He met large numbers of the enemy in a communication trench in front of him and in a drain on his right and left. His party opened rapid rifle fire, and he climbed out on to the parapet under point blank machine gun fire, and, by his fearless demeanour and bravery, forced the enemy to surrender. As a result, 123 of the enemy, including several officers, were captured by 2nd Lt. Schofield and his party. This very gallant officer was killed a few minutes later."

    S Flynn




    220674

    Pte Robert Edward Sturgess 2nd Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.10th Nov 1914)

    Robert Sturgess was born in 1883 in Northampton and was the husband of Alice Sturgess, of 19, Byfield Road, St. James' End, Northampton. He was the father of Elsie. He was described in the 1911 census as a Fitter Up Rough Stuff and his wife as a Shoe Machinist.

    He was 33 at the time of his death. His Battalion war diary States "10th November 1914; the 2nd Battalion spend a day digging trenches in the woods around their position, losing two men to shelling." He was presumably one of the two. He is buried in Bois-Guillaume Communal Cemetery,Rouen.

    Stuart Crofts




    220673

    Sgt. Arthur Story 2nd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment. (d.17th Feb 1915)

    Arthur Story served with the 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 17th February 1915. He is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.

    Keith Murrell




    220672

    Pte. Horace Samuel Raby 2nd Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.8th Nov 1918)

    Horace Raby was a regular soldier who went to France in Sept 1914 with his regiment, the 2nd Btn Sherwood Foresters. Sadly he was captured on the 20th October 1914 at Ennetieres. He remained in German prisoner of war camps for the next four years and died three days before the Armistice. I have no photographs of this man, my gt. uncle other than a group photo taken at his sister's wedding where there is a head and shoulders pic of a young lad who I am told is Horace. I am trying to piece together his life story and have so far written several thousand words.

    Maggie Williams




    220666

    Pte. William George Derrington 9th Btn Worcestershire Regiment (d.12th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    My Uncle William Derrington was the son of William and Alice Derrington. He had 5 sisters and one brother, the family lived in Heath Street Birmingham.

    In 1914 William was a silversmith by trade when he answered the call for service. He joined up to the army and was posted to the 9th Worcester Battalion.

    In July 1915 the battalion arrived at V beach on the Gallipoli peninsula and on the 12th August was KIA going over the top in a 250 strong frontal assault only to be mowed down by machine gun and rifle fire. Only 100 men were left to regroup and make a second charge, again being mowed down. What remnants were left were withdrawn.

    his service record

    His medals and death plaquue

    James Darby




    220662

    Pte. Harold Victor Rowbotham 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.1st May 1917)

    Harold was afisherman working out of Grimsby. On the 5th of June 1916, at the age of 20, he married Florence Adelaide Barwick at St Andrews Church. Two weeks later he joined the Lincolnshire Regiment.

    Harold died of his wounds on 1st of May 1917, leaving his young wife a widow after 11 months. His daughter Iris Nellie Rowbotham was born on the 22 June 1917, but she died a few weeks later. Harold’s body lies at Grevillers Cemetery near Bapaume.





    220661

    Pte. Albert Charles Purnell 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1915)

    My great uncle, Albert Charles Purnell, enlisted in Bristol 1914 aged 17 and joined the 7th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment.

    In 1915 his battalion left England and sailed for Gallipoli landing in August 1915. Sadly, Albert was killed in action on 13/11/1915 aged 18 and is buried in Hill 10 Cemetery Suvla Bay.

    May he and his comrades rest in peace from a grateful and proud family.

    Andrew Wyatt




    220660

    Pte. Charles James Gregory 6th Btn. Black Watch (d.15th May 1918)

    Charles Gregory was my grandmother's first cousin. Although he lived in London, for some reason he joined the Black Watch. I don't know why. I know nothing more about him and have no photos.

    Julie Walters




    220657

    Pte. George Charles Whitlock MM & bar. 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.23rd Nov 1917)

    George Whitlock was the son of William and Kate Whitlock, of Bransgore, Christchurch, Hants and husband of Alice Whitlock, of Brooklyn, Great Easton, Dunmow, Essex.





    220655

    Rflmn. Ernest Edwin Mayhew 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Ted Mayhew served with the 8th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

    Tamsin Loftus




    220638

    Cpl. Albert M. Lawer MM. 81st Field Company Royal Engineers

    Albert Laweris not a relative but I have his Military Medal. He came from a mining area. Was he a miner and was the 81st a Company involved in Tunneling?

    Editor's Note: Like the Pioneers, the Field Engineers would have assisted with the Divisions offensive and defensive preparations. The Division had 4 Field Companies. It is more likely that if he were involved in tunneling in a major capacity he would have been with one of the RE Tunneling Companies and not a Field Company doing more general engineering (trenches, railways, roads etc. but also some tunneling)

    Simon Fanthorpe




    220637

    Rfmn. Montague William Stanley 15th Btn. London Regiment

    Montague Stanley served with the 15th Battalion, London Regiment during WW1.

    Guy Martin




    220636

    Pte. Edgar William Hadley 26th (Bankers) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.4th Oct 1916)

    Edgar Hadley was my Great Uncle who served in the 26th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. Edgar was born on the 9th January 1896 and he died during the Battle of the Somme sometime between 4th October and 5th November 1916 aged just 20 years old. It is most probable that he died at the Battle of Transloy Ridge. The documentation from the war graves commission lists a number of different dates for his death during the Autumn of 1916.

    He was the elder son of Clara and the late William Reece Hadley from Erdington in Birmingham. His Mother had the words "Thy will be done" placed on his gravestone which is situated at the AIF Burial Ground, Grass Lane, Flers.

    Deborah Martin




    220634

    S/Sgt. John Crawshaw Army Veterinary Corps

    John Crawshaw was my great uncle. The only details of his war service that I have found were in his medal roll record where it states that he served abroad after 1st of Jan 1916 and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. His name was mis-spelt as Crawshore. If anyone has any further info, I would be glad to receive it.

    TT/01742(6) Staff Sergeant John Crawshaw served with the Army Veterinary Corps during WW1.

    Editor's Note: Unfortunately with so many AVC personnel at multiple levels in Divisions, Base Depots and Hospitals it would be almost impossible to trace an individual without more detailed information of where an individual served. All current searches are inconclusive.

    John Crawshaw




    220633

    Cpl. Jeremiah Kavanagh 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.9th May 1915)

    Jeremiah Kavanagh, son of John & Mary Kavanagh (nee MacNamara) of 61 Clare Street, Limerick City, Limerick, Ireland, enlisted with his cousin Dennis Kavanagh (also a native of Limerick City) in the Royal Munster Fusiliers. Both were killed at the battle of Aubers Ridge on Sunday 9th of May 1915. Jeremiah has no known grave and both he and Dennis are commemorated on the war memorial at Bethune. The battalion suffered heavy losses during this action due to, according some sources, mismanagement, substandard equipment and munitions. Although several works have recently been written on this battle, it still remains an action that was conveniently forgotten by the British Army.

    Patrick A Kavanagh




    220631

    Pte. James Patrick Egan 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.14th Apr 1917)

    James Egan served with the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during WW1 and died, age 29, on the 14th April 1917. He is buried in Cherisy Road East Cemetery, Heninel in France. He was the husband of Annie Egan, of 61, Cadton Street, Shieldfield, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    Louise Egan




    220630

    Sgt. George Axtell Royal Engineers

    George Axtell, my wife's great grandfather, broke his arm "running and slipping on duck boards in a trench" on Christmas Eve in 1918 (I just hope he was having fun!). He was taken to 12 Stationary Hospital in St Pol, near Arras, and from their to the Military Convalescant Hospital, Woldingham from where he was discharged in 1919

    Tim Jones




    220629

    Rfmn. Arthur Benjamin Brown 12th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Arthur Brown enlisted on the 3rd of September 1914 went to France on the 23rd of July 1915. He was wounded in the head and was discharged on the 7th of October 1916 and died in 1931 at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.

    John Adams




    220628

    Cpl. Sidney Herbert "Chalky" White Royal Berkshire Regiment

    My grandad Sidney White fought in the Battle of Ypres, was taken as a POW and survived the Great War. He was wounded and walked with a slight limp the rest of his life. He lived until the age of 69 and died in 1962. He came from Barking, East London and lived there all his life. He married Alice, a local girl who died a year after him. They had 3 sons, Herbert, Richard and John, who was my father.

    Gary White




    220625

    2nd Lt. Douglas Charles Craymer Royal Garrison Artillery (d.15th Sep 1918)

    Douglas Craymer was the son of Herbert & Maria Craymer (nee Costa) of Muswell Hill, London and brother of Horace Leonard Craymer (23rd London Reg.)

    Douglas was killed in action aged 25 while serving on the Somme. He is buried at Vraignes-En-Vermandois Communal Cemetery, Somme, France.

    Rebecca Mayfield




    220622

    Pte. John Conrad Sanders 4th Btn. Devonshire Regiment

    My father Jack Sanders always said that he was first sent to the Andaman Islands. He had enlisted at the start of the war aged 15 1/2 (his date of birth was 23rd of January 1899) but as he was a big lad no proof was apparently asked for. His true age came to light when he was at sea and of course they did not send him home.

    I cannot find any record of Devonshires being sent to these islands, which I believe were used as prisons. Jack then went to Mesoptamia to fight the Turks, and told tales of bivouaking in the desert. He also mentioned Palestine, again, the records do not indicate this but I wonder if some volunteers went to Palestine from Mesopotamia?

    Jill Robinson




    220618

    Horace Leonard Craymer 23rd Btn. London Regiment

    Horace Craymer was born on 7th of March 1897 in Middlesex & died 1977 in Humberside. He married in 1923 at Newbury Berkshire to Phyllis May Belgrove.

    Rebecca Mayfield




    220617

    Quince Noble Bearco Royal Engineers

    Qin Bearco was born in 1878 in Bedfordshire, son of Reuben Bearco & Rosa Kate Noble, brother of Alice Maud May Belgrove nee Bearco. He married in 1913 to Winifred Morriss & he died 1970 on the Isle of Wight.





    220616

    Lt. Alexander Young VC. 4th Regiment South African Infantry (d.19th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander Young was killed in action on the 19th of October 1916, aged 44, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France. He was the son of the late William Young, of Ballinamana, Co. Galway and had served during the South African War.

    An extract taken from the London Gazette dated 8th November 1901 records the following; "Towards the close of the action at Ruiter's Kraal (South African War). on the 13th August, 1901, Sergeant-Major Young, with a handful of men, rushed some kopjes which were being held by the Boers. Sergeant Major Young then galloped on some 50 yards ahead of his party and closing with the enemy shot one of them and captured Commandant Erasmus, the latter firing at him three times at point blank range before being taken prisoner."

    s flynn




    220614

    Capt. Henry Barnard Stoton Interpreter Corps

    Henry Stoton was born 1867 in Ootacamund, a son of Colonel Thomas Henry Stoton of the Madras.N.I.& of Helen Dora Isabella Ricks. He was also great grandson of Major Henry Yarde (Hon. East India Co.) He married in 1907 to Ethel Latimer Brereton (born 1879 in Hong Kong).

    Henry was an expert in the German language. In 1918 he served as Lt. in the Interpreter Corps. at Wakefield Prisoner of War Camp, Yorkshire. He died in Cologne in January 1922 and was buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery, Nordrhein, Westfalen, Germany.

    Rebecca Mayfield




    220613

    A/Mjr. Paul Hamilton Douglas Garside Intelligence

    Paul Hamilton Douglas was born 05 Nov 1887 in USA (aka Peter Hammond) he was the eldest son of Thomas Douglas Hamilton Garside & Emma Mary Goldman, & elder brother of Robert Taylor Garside (7th City 22nd Manchesters)- both brothers were actually born in USA (UK census 1901 residence Broughton, Lancs.). Paul served 1904-1912 as Lance Corporal with the 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment. He then joined the Indian Police and rose to the rank of District Superintendent.

    Paul was recalled, by his own account, in WW1 to serve in France as an Intelligence Officer & was promoted to Acting Major. After the war, he returned to the Indian Police. He married twice, firstly in Allahabad India in 1915 to Freda Constance Isobel Burgiss later at Pancras Middlesex England in 1933 to Hilda May Slade. He died 4th Nov 1955 in Essex.

    Rebecca Mayfield




    220612

    Pte. Thomas Radford 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.1st July 1916)

    My Great Uncle Tommy Radford was killed on the first day of the Somme but has never been forgotten. He came from Buxton in Derbyshire. He has no grave just a name on a memorial. He was awarded the victory medal and British war medal.

    L Kadevski




    220611

    Pte. John Cleary 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    My great grandfather John Cleary fought with the Sherwood Foresters and was gassed in August 1918. I think from what I can find it was at the Battle of Bapaume. He survived the war luckily.

    L Kadevski




    220608

    Pte. James Edward Worley 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My granddad James Worley was severely wounded on 12th of February 1916. After release from hospital he was rebadged to the Manchester Regiment service number 74945. After demob in 1920 he lived in St Helens, Lancashire where he died January 1945.

    Keith Worley




    220607

    Pte. Simon Parratt 6th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Kings Own Yo (d.16th Sep 1916)

    I never knew my grand father. But I did visit the Thiepval Memorial in France, where his name is among 75,000 others who have no known grave or resting place. I obtained the place or column on which he is commemorated, from the CWG Commission before going to France and found his name and details with ease.

    Kenneth Parratt




    220602

    L/Cpl. James Henry Richardson 22nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Mar 1918)

    James Richardson was the son of Henry and Isabella Richardson of 4 Varna Street, Southwick, Sunderland. He was the only of eight children to survive into adulthood. He worked for some time in Wearmouth Colliery but later became an operator in a local cinema. He enlisted into the Durham Light Infantry on 10th December 1915 at the age of 21. He served until his death, aged 24, on the Somme. He is commemorated on the Pozières Memorial in France.

    Richard Hall




    220601

    Pte. David Rees Owen 9th Btn. Welch Regiment (d.4th Nov 1918)

    David Owen was a miner, originally from Aberdare, born on November 3rd 1894. He was married to Catherine (Cassie) Davies on March 2nd 1915 and lived in the Rhondda town of Maerdy.

    David enlisted at Porth in 1915 and joined the 9th (Service) Battalion, Welch Regiment and was subsequently posted to Northern France. On November 4th 1918 his battalion was in pursuit of the retreating enemy on the Maresches - St Hubert Road near Vendegies-au-Bois. He was killed in an attack on the enemy rearguard positions, near the River Du Sart and the village of Bry which is near to the France - Belgium border.

    David is buried alongside many of his comrades in Cross Roads Cemetery in Fontaine-au-Bois, north-east of Le Cateau in Northern France. He was survived by his wife Catherine and thirteen-month-old daughter Muriel, whom he never had a chance to know. Unfortunately, there are no known photographs of David.

    Suzanne Nicolson




    220600

    Pte. Alfred John Day 3rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.10th Feb 1915)

    Alfred Day had been serving in India for 3 years and 347 days when he came back to England on the 19th Nov 1914. After a Christmas in England he went with the British Expeditionary Force on the 18th Jan 1915 to France and was killed in action just 23 days later on the 10th Feb 1915 at France and Flanders. He was serving in 3rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. He was the son of James and Rebecca Harriett Day, of 46A, Telford Rd., West Hendon, London.

    Doris Day




    220598

    Rfmn. Moses Fresco 12th London Regiment (d.7th April 1917 )

    Moses Fresco served with the 12th London Regiment. I am trying to trace his family, he came from Whitechapel, London and was born in 1896 approx.

    Dee




    220595

    Sgt. William Oatway 5th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    My great uncle, William Oatway, served with the 5th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in WW1. I have no details of his service but know that he died of his war wounds at home in Manchester just days before the end of the war on November 3 1918. He was buried in the family grave in Philip's Park Cemetery, Manchester and is commemorated on the war memorial there, as well as on the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh castle.

    Jean Hague




    220590

    Pte. George Ernest Cantell Kings Royal Rifles Corps (d.28th Oct 1914)

    George Cantell was my grandfather. When he died at Ypres, in 1914, he left behind an 18 month old daughter Joan and a wife Lilian, who was pregnant with his son Alan. He had served in the South Staffs from the age of 17, traveling across the world to fight in the Boer war (1901). He is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

    J Draper




    220589

    Pte John Cummins 73rd Field Ambulance (d.9th Oct 1918)

    On 6th October 1918 the 73rd Field Ambulance unit was at Havrincourt in bivouacs, South of Flesquires. Pte Jack Cummins a stretcher bearer was tasked with going out Sweeping for wounded. On 8th October at Noyelles, (South of Font. N. Dame) HQ-L 11c central was opposite church-industrial estate, in heavy shelling 5 men were wounded. 9th October infantry attacked at 0530.

    John Cummins Pte died aged 25 on 9th October of wounds. He lies in Anneux British Cemetery. He was my Uncle Jack, a country boy from Shedfield in Hampshire who died of wounds sustained on the battlefield whilst saving others.

    Simon Fysh




    220586

    Pte Alfred J. Stone 13th (Forest of Dean Pioneers) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1917)

    Alfred Stone joined the Army in 1915 in the West Surrey Regiment but ended up transferring to the 13th Bn Forest of Dean Pioneers of the Gloucestershire Regiment. He was a window cleaner by trade.

    Having fought at Passchendaele, he must have been severely wounded and died in the General Hospital in Boulogne on the 8th Aug 1917, he is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. He was 26 years old.

    Clive Thomas




    220585

    Pte. Alexander John "Wee Alec" Grant 6th Btn. B Company Gordon Highlanders

    Alec Grant joined the 6th Gordon Highlanders (B Company) on 2nd May 1913 aged 22. He went from Keith, Banffshire to Bedford, England, for further training before being shipped to France on 9th November 1914. He was badly wounded at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle between 10th and 14th March 1915 and was discharged from the army on 16th April 1916.

    Ian Grant




    220584

    Pte. Alfred Nixon 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.12th Nov 1918)

    I have little information on my grandfather Alfred Nixon. He is buried at Le Treport Mt Heon.

    Barry Vasey




    220583

    Pte. William McLoughlin (d.20 Aug 1917)

    William McLoughlin died of wounds and is buried in Adinkerke Cemetery.

    Yvonne Littlejohns




    220580

    Sgt. William Herbert Waring VC, MM. 25th (Montgomery and Welch Horse Yeomanry) Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.8th Oct 1918)

    Wiliam Waring died of wounds on the 8th of October 1918, aged 33 and is buried in the Ste. Marie Cemetery in France.

    An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 31st Jan., 1919, records the following:- "He led an attack against enemy machine guns and, in face of devastating fire from the flank and front, rushed a strong point single handed, bayoneting four of the garrison and capturing twenty others with their guns; then under heavy shell and machine gun fire, he re-organized his men, led and inspired them for another 400 yards, when he fell mortally wounded."

    s flynn




    220578

    Pte. John McLoughlin 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    John McLoughlin was posted to 11th Battalion on the 6th of November 1914 He was wounded at Suvla Bay in Aug 1915 and sent to Egypt where he developed Dysentry, Colitis and Paratyphoid, then Bronchitis. A Furlough was granted 3/2/1916 to 15/3/1916 when he was a an enteric convalescent at Southern General Hospital He also attended 3 hospitals in Cleethorpes area - Albert Road Regimental, Brighowgate Military Hospital and St Aidans VAD Hospital. John was transferred to Class W army reserve on 30/04/1917 There is also an undated document stating transfer to 3rd Manchester G Company. His disability is listed as Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema and he was awarded Silver War Badge number B10828 on 11th of October 1918.

    The family unaware of exact date of death, only knowing it wasn't long after 1918. As he was already a widower before the start of the war, his two sons were brought up by relatives as orphans.

    Yvonne Littlejohns




    220576

    Pte. Christopher E Utting 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.28th Feb 1917)

    Christopher Utting is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was a family man of 34.

    John Elderkin




    220575

    Pte. Arthur Leolin Bellenie 13th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    My grandfather was named Arthur Leolin Bellenie. He enlisted at Hull on 18th November 1914 into 13th East Yorkshire Regiment. He went to Ripon and left there Oct 29th 1915.

    His diary records: Left Hurdcott Camp 8am Dec 14th for Salisbury then left Salisbury at 1.15pm arriving at Devonport at 9.15pm. The troopship Simla set sail at 5.30 am March 1st from Port Said to sail to Marseilles. Passed the Med Fleet at 2am Mar 4th. Passed Malta at 11.30pm. Passed Island of Pantellaria at 2pm Mar 5th an Italian convict settlement.Mar 8th arrived Marseilles 7pm. The place is full of ships. Mar 9th disembarking from S.S. Simla at 2pm.'

    I have not had any luck in finding his name in any ancestry records. I believe he was taken prisoner on 14th November 1916 as that is the last date in his diary. When he returned, at the end of the war, he was amongst the ex-prisoners met by Queen Mary and we have a photograph of him in the background with the Queen. It is a photograph in the Royal Collection

    Vivienne Mabbott




    220574

    Cpl. John Wright Vincent 9th Btn. Devonshire Regiment

    My grandfather was John Wright Vincent,who was born in 1889 in Clayhidon, Devon. He enlisted on the 6th of October 1914, and we believe that he was originally in the Royal 1st Yeomanry and was headquartered at Exeter. His regimental number was 45654, and on the 22nd November was transferred to the Devonshire Regiment and was posted to the 9th Devon Regiment, when crossed to France.

    We do know that John was at the following battles:

    • 1. Operations on the River Ancre, January 1917.
    • 2. German withdrawal to the Hindenburg line, March 1917.
    • 3. The Bullecourt ops during the Battle of Arras, May 1917.
    • 4. The phases of the third battle of Ypres, known as the Battle of Polygon Wood, Sept 1917,
    • Battle of Broudseinde, Oct 1917,

      The battle of Poelcappelle, 9th Oct 1917,

    • and the second battle of Passchendaele, 26th Oct 1917

    John was hit and badly wounded during this last set of engagements, and we know that he was discharged on medical grounds on the 5th February 1918. I don't have any photos of him during his time in World War 1, but would love to know if anyone has any that they would be willing to share, and if they have any further information that might piece this story together more. He died 1st January 1960

    Andrew Dowle




    220573

    Pte. David Donald 1/10th Scottish King's Regiment (Liverpool)

    David Donald enlisted in November 1915. He disembarked for France in April 1914. He served as a stretcher bearer and may have been gassed in July 1917 at the Battle of the Somme. He was taken prisoner at Epehy during the third Battle of Cambrai, and imprisoned at Munster being repatriated in January 1919.

    He became a senior journalist in Edinburgh, Scotland, but never spoke or wrote a word about his wartime experiences.

    David Donald




    220572

    Pte. Cyril Oakley 1/7 Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.26th Apr 1917)

    Don't have much to say but I know my great uncle Cyril Oakley did his part. I managed to find his grave in the cemetery at Peronne. God bless all of those who gave their all.

    Kevin Oakley




    220570

    Pte. William McCann 2nd Btn. B Company. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.17th Oct 1914)

    William McCann was my grandfather. He was killed in St. Joseph's Café in Houplines, France. He entered the café and found 6 German soldiers he killed all 6 but was fatally wounded and died aprox 1 hour after the Germans.

    The lady who owned the café buried the Germans on one side of the garden and my grandfather on the other side. After the war British. His remains were moved to a convent at Armitiers and interred there until 1960 when his remains were moved to the Strand Military Cemetery in Ploegsteert, Belgium.

    He lived at Chance Inn by Glencarse, Perthshire, Scotland. He was born in Balbriggan, Dublin in 1881 and went to Scotland to find work. He met my grandmother and they were married on November 4th 1910. A son, William, was born in 1911 and died in 1912. My father, David McCann, was born in 1912 and died in 1968. My Aunt Jean was born in 1915.

    He is documented as being the hero of Houplines. There is a ceremony of somesort happening on the 17th of October but I can't get the Mayor of Houplines to give me any information about it. I have tried three times but to no avail. We have all the documents containing the information.

    Alexander McCann




    220567

    John Joseph Hannay 38th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.19th Oct 1917)

    My great-uncle, John Joseph Hannay, died on the 19th of October 1917, he was in the 38th Army Brigade RFA. From what I can see this may have been at Passchendaele?

    David Hannay




    220566

    Pte. Robert Holleran 15th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    My Grandfather, Robert Holleran served with the 15th.Cheshire Reg., and was wounded and captured on 24th of March 1918. This is from the German POW file.

    Jeff Stevens




    220565

    Pte. Herbert Pickersgill 14th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th May 1918)

    Herbert Pickersgill was born in Cross Gates, Leeds, Yorkshire and worked as a postman in Mirfield, Yorkshire. He was killed in Action whilst serving with the 14th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He is remembered on Soissons War Memorial, Mirfield War Memorial and the grave of his parents-in-law at All Saints, Barwick-in-Elmet.

    Glenys Day




    220564

    Lt.Col. Frederick R Hicks 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.12th Jun 1915)

    Frederick Hicks, my grandfather, was the son of Francis Hicks and husband of Grace Winifred Hicks, of Lanhainsworth, St. Columb. He previously served in Uganda during the British East Africa Expedition (1897-98) and at the beginning of the war served in the South African Campaign. Frederick had his leg blown off in the Second Battle of Ypres on May 1st 1915, and was transported back to England. He died of gangrene aged 44, and is buried in St. Columb Major Cemetery, Cornwall.

    Roger Hicks




    220563

    Lt. Harold James Page 30th Howitzer Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather, Lieutenant Harold James Page, was serving with the 30th Howitzer Battery of 39th Brigade RFA (Special Reserve) and was wounded close to Caterpillar Wood on 22nd July 1916

    Judy




    220562

    Pte. Arthur Petchell 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.10th Mar 1915)

    Arthur Petchell served with the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and the Machine Gun Corps. He was the son of Luke & Elizabeth Ann Petchell of Fen Road Holdbeach Lincs. Remembered with Honour at the Vis-En-Artois Memorial

    Gill Cunnington




    220561

    Pte. Benjamin Henry Mitchell 11th Btn. Warwickshire Regiment (d.13th Aug 1916)

    My children's great grandfather was Benjamin Henry Mitchell of the 11th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was registered killed on the 13th of August 1916 after being sent over the trenches just hours earlier on the well known date of the 12th of August.

    I've tried everywhere to find a photo but came up nil. If you could find a photo that would be awesome and I would make a donation to the dedication of the people who keep these sites going with all the info they get. Without your dedication these sites would not exist. Thanks

    Mr Pargetter




    220560

    Gdsmn. Thomas Rochelle 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    My grandfather, Thomas Rochelleenlisted in the Coldstream Guards in January 1915 and was in several battles until he received a shrapnel wound. He received the pip squeak and wilfred medals plus the silver war badge.

    He passed away in 1961 leaving me his Service Bible with a dried Flanders poppy pressed inside.

    Peter Rochelle




    220557

    Pte. Duncan "Angus" Polson 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.31st Mar 1918)

    Duncan Polson was killed in action on 28th March 1918 at Arras. He was exactly 31 years old. He was my great grandfather.

    Ken Taylor




    220544

    Alex Mole Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Sep 1916 )

    Alex Mole served with the Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on 11th September 1916 and shares his grave at Heilly Station near the Somme with Arthur Pacey, who served with the Kings Royal Rifles Corps 2nd Battalion and died the day after Alex. Info taken from Arthur Pacey's record.

    Angie Knox




    220543

    Pte. Charles Ball 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.29th April 1918)

    A Great Uncle (my paternal Grand Mother's brother), Charles was born in Kibworth, Leicestershire and brought up in Fleckney where his father was a chimney sweep. Earlier in his life Charles worked as a framework knitter (one of the processes in the knitwear trade). Born in 1899 Charles died of wounds aged just 18. He is buried in the Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, Cas de Calais. Charles was the son of Joseph and Lizzie Ball, of 15, Victoria Rd., North Belgrave, Leicester.

    M Wade




    220532

    Pte. E. J. Blows MID. 11th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Private E J Blows 25422 was awarded the Croix De Guerre for gallant conduct on the 24th September 1917 where by his knowledge of the ground considerably assisted his company (11th Machine Gun Corps) in tactical operations by his knowledge of Shrewsbury Forest.

    He was mentioned in despatches by the Major General Commanding the 39th Division

    Robert Blows




    220531

    2nd Lt. Guy Wilfred Smith 13th Btn York & Lancs

    My grandfather was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Hull Pals (13th East Yorks) and he recalled on the eve of the Somme he was detailed in charge of men from the Chinese Labour Corps to dig grave pits in anticipation of the coming battle in the morning.

    As a decent amateur tenor singer before and after the war - mainly Gilbert and Sullivan - he entertained his men with a rendition of "Little Home (or house) in the West" - in his few mentions of the Somme he referred to the bloody sugar factory at Serre. He was, of course, lucky in that the 3rd and 4th Hull were held in reserve as the 1st and 2nd Hull Pals (10&11th East Yorks) went over the top .

    Martin Smith




    220530

    2nd Lt. Edward Allan 10th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    2nd Lt Edward Allan joined the 10th Service Battalion in France in early August 1917. He was a Scot from Edinburgh. He survived the Passchendaele campaign and went to Italy where he is presumed wounded at Asiago in June.

    In August he was home with a SWB and discharged back to Edinburgh.

    Peter Leonard




    220529

    Pte. J. M. Healy 8th Btn East Surrey Regiment (d.22nd Sep 1918)

    My Grandfather, Private J.M. Healy, was killed in action on the 22nd of Sept and is buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British cemetery.

    T.Healy




    220528

    Cpl. Norman Lewis Lloyd 1/1st Denbighshire Hussars

    My Uncle, Norman Lewis Lloyd, joined the Territorial Unit 1/1st Denbighshire Hussars as a private in 1914, service number 504, date unknown, later transferring to 5th Batt. Royal Welch Fusiliers, service number 345088, who were in the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade, which in September 1914 was attached to the 1st Mounted Division. He was promoted to Corporal later.

    In 1915 the 1/1st together with the rest of the Brigade and the South Wales Mounted Brigade, became a dismounted unit. It is presumed that he was a member of the Territorial force before the commencement of the war as he was awarded The Territorial Force War Medal, 1914 – 1919, note page 21. Little is known about his wartime service except that he was in Egypt, and Palestine as a photo exists with him standing next to a Camel.

    Harvey Lloyd




    220526

    Col. Albert George Thompson DSO . 8th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    In 1914 Albert Thompson was a surgeon. He set up a hospital in the underground caves at Arras (known as the Thompson Caves.) Having seen action in the 2nd Boer War and India he was by 1914 57 years of age. He was awarded the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George

    Tina Tyler




    220525

    Pte. Bejamin John Fryer Sherwood Foresters

    My grandfather and his three brothers fought for the Sherwood Foresters in the Great War. My grandfather's name was Benjamin John Fryer from Stroud in Gloucester. All four brothers served and survived although two were badly gassed. I have no family records and have no knowledge of which battalions they served in.

    Barry Fryer




    220524

    Pte. R. Davis 21st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    A Card of Honour from the 34th Div was awarded to 829, Pte R. Davis 21st Northumberland Fusiliers, Worded: "Your Brigadier has reported that on 9th-14th of April 1917 near Arras you showed conspicuous gallantry while carrying out your duties as runner, and were a splendid example to others, and I hereby award you a Card of Honour. Card No 156"

    Colin Durward




    220522

    Rees Price Jarman 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd Apr 1917)

    Rees Jarman served with the 13th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. In 1911 he was a fruiterer with a wife, Elizabeth and son Thomas aged 1.

    Tony Morgan




    220518

    Pte. Alexander Norman McEwan 9th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    Alexander McEwan served with the Seaforth Highlanders I've been trying to locate my father's service record for some time without success. However, I found his Medal Roll Index Card. He was 16 years old in 1915 when he enlisted. My older sister thought he was in the 9th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. However, he played football in the war and his football medal is engraved "Ripon Garrison Association Cup Competition".

    He also had a "On War Service Badge" dated 1915 which was usually given to a civilian, unless it wasn't his. I have checked the roll call of names of ALL Seaforth Highlander Battalions but his name is not there. The number on the "On War Service Badge" is 92635. His father was Scottish - hence his enlistment in a Scottish Regiment.

    Patricia McDermott




    220510

    Rfmn. Frederick Thomas Miller 21st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.14th Aug 1917)

    Fred Miller died in France, about one mile from the border with Belgium, in August 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres (known as Passchendaele). This was another attempt to break through the German line of trenches and bring the war to an end. It did not succeed. The war continued for another 15 months.

    Fred Miller was the oldest child of Henry and Elizabeth Miller, who lived in Poplar, in the East end of London. Henry was born in Poplar and worked as a painter, mainly in the shipbuilding yards in the dock area, but also in the building industry. His own father had been in the same trade, originally at Gravesend, in Kent, moving to Poplar in the early 1860s. Elizabeth was also born in the East end, but had been a domestic servant in the city centre. They married in 1896 and Fred was born on 28 June 1898.

    When the war started in August 1914, Fred was 16. He would have been at work for two years. He now had four younger brothers - Thomas, Charles, Sidney and Henry, and a younger sister, Grace. Just before he joined the Army, he was working at a clothing shop in East India Dock Road. We do not know whether he volunteered for service or just waited for his turn to be ‘called up’ under the compulsory military service scheme introduced in 1916 but we know he was taken into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps as Rifleman 27542 of the 21st Battalion. He would have joined with no illusions – his mother’s brother, a very frequent visitor to the house, was a regular soldier and had been killed in the first few weeks of the war.

    His Army record was probably destroyed along with thousands of others during the Second World War when a bomb hit the Army Records Centre but he would have done his basic training in England in 1916, and he certainly came home on leave before he went out to France. One of his brothers remembered him leaving, saying to them, ‘Look after Mother’. We know he died of wounds in No 11 Casualty Clearing Station near Godeswaersvelde (a French village one mile inside the Belgian border, near Hazebrouck) on 14 August 1917. He was 19 years old.

    The family were told that he had been shot by a German sniper. The exact circumstances are not known but they understood that he was a Signaller, so he may have been out of the trench, working on telegraph lines. His battalion had fought in the second phase of the battle (Pilckem Ridge, which finished on 2 August) and was probably in preparation for the third phase of the battle in September. The Battalion War Diary records that 3 Officers and 26 Other Ranks were killed in August but gives no real clue as to how Fred received his deadly wounds. The Battalion was taken out of the front line on 6 August and returned on 10 August, spending the next three days ‘consolidating the line’ with various working parties. On the morning of the 14th, ‘a raid was attempted against enemy dug outs’ but the raiding party returned with only ‘slight casualties’. Fred may have been among them, or he may have been hit during one of the ‘working parties’ in the previous few days. He must have arrived in the Casualty Clearing Station within a few days of his death because the wounded who survived the first few days were sent to hospitals much further behind the lines. Thousands died, on both sides, in the September attack and if Fred had not been killed a few weeks earlier, he might well have been killed then.

    The Cemetery where he is buried is one of the many smaller military cemeteries in that part of northern France – some 900 graves. It must have been very close to the Casualty Clearing Station. In 1917 the grave was marked with a wooden cross, and family were sent a photograph of it with very brief details written on the back. A little later, headstones were placed there with details of the dead and a short verse chosen by the family. The verse on his stone reads ‘How I miss the sunshine of your smile Mother’.

    Back home, it was the custom for the bereaved family to put a little display in the window of their house – a picture of the soldier, some flowers, and a slogan, ‘For King and Country’. The Miller family did this too but, no royalists, made their slogan, ‘For Home and Country’. -

    Edward Miller




    220509

    Pte. Patrick Connolly 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    My great grandfather Patrick Connolly, born on the 20 June 1882 in Belfast, served in France during the 1st World War as Lewis Gunner with 2nd and 8th Battalions, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Although he joined up early in the war, 19 November 1914, it would appear that he did not go to France until 18th of February 1916. He had two periods in France, the first on the 18 February 1916 until 5 July 1916 with the second being on the 18 December 1916 until 20 March 1918 when he was taken prisoner on the 21 March 1918 at St Quentin, France.

    He was also involved in a railway accident while a prisoner and suffered an injury to his leg on the 14 September 1918. I am not sure what battles he fought in, but he was shot twice one of which was at Loos. He was also hit by gas shell and suffered from the effects of gas. He had to return to England for a time to recover from his injuries.

    He remained a prisoner until the end of the war and returned home to Belfast early in 1919.

    He died on the 1 August 1960. My grandfather did not talk much about the war as it was not easy coming back to Ireland given the situation at the time. He only said that they were very hungry and some of the soldiers caught and ate rats but he said that he did not.

    While he was a prisoner a German Bishop visited the camp and gave him a German prayer book, which the family have to this day. We have a number of documents from which I obtained the above information as he had applied for a pension after the war.

    Mary Crawford




    220508

    Pte. Frederick Ernest Spurling 1st Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Frederick Spurling served with the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment during WW1.

    Richard Keeble




    220506

    2nd Lt. Christopher Armstrong 23rd (Sportsman's Battalion) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1916)

    Christopher was born on 10th October 1888 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and was baptised on 21st December at St Mary's and All Saints Chesterfield. His father was Charles Armstrong, born in Little Paxton, a brewer and later owner of the Star Brewery, Cambridge. He was educated at the Perse School, Cambridge, and St Lawrence's School, Ramsgate. Christopher was admitted to Jesus College, Cambridge in October 1907. He excelled at athletics and won the following medals:

    • 1907 Long Jump
    • 1908: 100 yards race. Awarded The Langton Victor Ludorum Medal, Jesus College.
    • 1909: Long jump and 1/4 mile race, run in 52 seconds.
    • 1909: 2nd place 100 yards and Putting the shot.
    • 1910: Long jump
    After leaving Jesus, Christopher lived with his parents at The Grove, a beautiful regency house set in large grounds, and was studying to take over the Brewery. In 1914 Christopher enlisted as a Private in the Sportsmen's Battalion and was posted to Hornchurch. His nephew, John Vincent Armstrong, reported that he had bribed a doctor to pass him as fit even though he had poor eyesight. The 23rd (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and 24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman's), better known as the Sportsmen's Battalions, were among the Pals battalions formed in the Great War.

    Christopher was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers 14th Battalion attached to the 6th Loyal Northern Lancashire Regiment in 1915. On 13th October 1915 he was writing a letter to his sister Pearl, in South Camp, Seaford, Sussex, about to go on active service to Serbia, he thought. He was in 38 Brigade 13th Division. It would seem that in fact the Brigade went to Gallipoli. On the 14th November he sailed to Mudros on the SS Olympic from Liverpool. In February 1916 the Division began to move to Mesopotamia, to strengthen the force being assembled for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. By 27 March, the Division had assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad and came under orders of the Tigris Corps. It then took part in the attempts to relieve Kut. After these efforts failed and Kut fell.

    This is Christopher's last letter, dated:29.3.16 "Dear Baba, lots of letters from you the other day many thanks and all that sort of thing. I don't write as often as I ought but as often as I can. As you will doubtless have heard we have done quite a large move lately. From Port Said to Kuweit where is this?,(sic) . From there transshipped and on to Basra, pronounced Busrh, from there to a river boat with a barge alongside each side squashed on board like sardines. There was not room for all the men to lie down at the same time so you can guess. Well we have endured this for 6 days or so and that was comfort to our present place. We went up the Tigris past Qurnah and Amarah and several places past that I suppose, I must not say to where exactly but probably if you have a map it will be 3 places further up and we are short of the firing line by 2-3 miles and from a town as far as it is from Cambridge to Ely 27 miles. In a few days about Wednesday we are in for shouting and sprinting and cold steel. We have had many tries to get forward but up to now have been very unsuccessful. Now it is our turn to have a cut at it and we shall see what will happen. I could tell you all about if I was allowed to. Perhaps next time I write I shall be able to tell you all about what it feels like and all that sort of thing lets hope I shall be able to. Always hope for the best. Well my dear cheers. I am Chris" Written on the back of this letter ‘Chris’s last letter before Sarnai’.

    Over 12,600 men were killed, wounded or missing from the 13th Western Division. Christopher went missing. He was found to have been killed in action on 9th April 1916 at Kut el Amara in modern Iraq. He led his platoon in the 1st line into some vacant Turkish trenches but it was an ambush; the trenches were bombed and very few men survived. His name is on the Roll of Honour in Jesus College, and Great St.Mary's Cambridge. He is buried in Amara War Cemetery in plot xviii.J 12. Amara is on the left bank of the Tigris 520 km from the sea between the left bank and the Chahaila Canal. He was reported 'missing' but not presumed dead and his family continued to hope for months afterwards. His nephew said that he was well loved and greatly missed.

    Ruth Anderson




    220505

    Pte. Thomas Henry Wallworth 15th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment

    Thomas Wallworth served with the 15th Btn. Kings Liverpool, his occupation was a farrier and so he may not have been a fighting soldier and I am aware that the 15th regiment was a reserve one. I am unable to trace my grandfather on any record sites, albeit I do have his number. The only photograph I have is the standard army issue one but if you are able to point me in the right direction, that would be a great help.

    Margaret Barker




    220501

    A/Sjt. Leonard William Lewis MM. 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment

    My Uncle Leonard Lewis who, to circumstances beyond my control, I never met but wish I had, was born in Midhurst, Sussex in 1895 to Leonard and Mary Lewis, one of a number of brothers and sisters.

    He enlisted into The Royal Sussex Regiment at Horsham on 15/12/15,and was given the Regimental Number G/8665. He was a coal mechant prior to enlistment. At this time nothing was known about his service until 1918 when he did something exceptional that warranted the award of the Military Medal, authorised on 10/10/18, so the action must have happened in the previous two-three weeks involving 2RSR.

    By this time Leonard was a Corporal/Acting Sargeant, so I imagine a veteran of nearly three years and countless actions. The MM was gazetted in May 1919. Leonard was honourably discharged on 03/04/19, possibly at The Regimental Depot at Chichester.

    He went on to marry the widow of Private T Mordle who was killed in action in August 1917. She was one of the sisters of his father's second wife (1st wife died 1906) Father remarried in 1908. They were married until 1950 when she passed away, and he lived until 1969, passing away living in Chichester, Sussex.

    Kevin Mills




    220494

    Pte. James Cooper 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.9th May 1915)

    James Cooper served in the 1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers and died on the 9th May 1915. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial.





    220492

    Pte. Robert R Deary 5th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Robert R Deary was my great-grandfather, he was the son of James and Elizabeth Deary and husband of Alice Reilly Deary of 34 South Shamrock Street, South Side, Glasgow. He was killed aged 29 on the first day of the Battle of Loos, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

    We are trying to find out more





    220488

    Cpl. John McNamara VC. 9th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.16th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John McNamara died on 16th of October 1918, aged 29.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 12th Nov., 1918, records the following:- "For conspicuous bravery, initiative, and devotion to duty. When operating a telephone in evacuated enemy trenches occupied by his battalion, Cpl. McNamara realised that a determined enemy counter-attack was gaining ground. Rushing to join the nearest post, he made the most effective use of a revolver taken from a wounded officer. Then seizing a Lewis gun he continued to fire it till it jammed. By this time he was alone in the post. Having destroyed his telephone, he joined the nearest post, and again displayed great courage and initiative in maintaining Lewis gun fire until reinforcements arrived. It was undoubtedly due to the magnificent courage and determination of Pte. McNamara that the other posts were enabled to hold on, and his fine example of devotion is worthy of the highest praise."

    s flynn




    220485

    Pte. Peter James Johnston 11th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Nov 1918)

    Peter Johnston served with the 11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 8th November 1918. He is buried in Vichte Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Jenny Scott




    220484

    Rfmn. James William Farr 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade

    James Farr was my maternal great Grandfather and an "Old Contemptible". James was born in 1884 and enlisted on 14th October,1902 into the 1st battalion of the Rifle Brigade. When the UK declared war on 5th August, the Brigade was stationed in Colchester and was initially held in reserve in England (to guard against a possible German invasion). With the invasion fears dispelled the Brigade embarked for Europe and landed in Le Harve on 23rd August 1914.

    James and the Battalion were immediately committed to combat operations and fought in the battle of Le Catteau on the 26th August covering the retreat of the BEF from Mons. James was wounded in the arm during the battle and became one of over two thousand men who were captured by the advancing German forces and all within 3 days of arriving in France.

    Unlike many of the Old Contemptibles in the BEF, James survived the war although his left arm was largely useless thereafter. James passed away in 1955.

    Kevin Malpass




    220479

    Pvt. Harry A. Champion 39th MG Btn.

    Harry A. Champion was born in 1895 in Reading, England the oldest of ten siblings. His father, a younger sister, and Harry emigrated to the US somewhere around 1914, to the state of Maine. Harry served in the US Army as a machine gunner and little else is known of his service. Following the War he returned to Maine where he resumed farming. Harry passed away in 1968.

    G Champion




    220474

    Pte. Frederick Frith 10th (Battersea) Battalion Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment

    Fred Frith volunteered in November 1915 and served with the 10th (Service) Battalion (Battersea), Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment. On 6th May 1916, the battalion landed at Le Havre, before engaging in various actions on the Western Front. Fred fought in several important engagements, including the Somme, Ypres and Armentières. In October 1916, Frederick was badly wounded at the Somme and invalided home, where he received protracted hospital treatment before being discharged as medically unfit for further service in July 1917. He was awarded the General Service and Victory Medals.

    Eric Frith




    220468

    Pte. Harry Andrews 1st Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Harry Andrews was my great grandfather. He joined the Colours in September 1916 but before this he was a rullyman employed by Messers Hayes, Alfred Street, Hull general carters. He was shot by a sniper on the morning of 4th of October 1917 age 27. An officer wrote to his wife and young son (my grandfather).

    "I must send you some expression of my deep sympathy with you in the great loss you have sustained. Private Andrews was a good soldier who fought nobly for home and honour and we all grieve over his death. He was killed by a sniper on the morning of 4 October 1917 whilst he was engaged in a successful attack of that day. He was later buried by his comrades. I commend you to him who is able to bind up the wounds of our hearts. May he be very near you in your darkest days."

    We still have the letter, death plaque and medals. We as a family are very proud of Harry. My father is named after him. Lest we forget. Your great grand daughter Sue and your Loving family in East Riding of Yorkshire.

    Sue Dodds




    220461

    Pte. Matthew Burnett Dixon 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Oct 1918)

    Matthew Dixon joined the lst Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and fought bravely through WW1 only to die a week before the end of the war, aged 27. He is buried at Awoingt British Cemetery.

    Matthew's two brothers also joined the Northumberland Fusiliers 18th Battalion Francis Albert Dixon who was killed 4th September 1917 aged 22, and Robert Dixon who survived the war. These boys were my beloved Grandmother's brothers. I believe they where miners and worked in the colliery at Heworth. We recently found out that Matthew was married in 1914 but have no other information of the other boys. We have decided to visit the graves soon, my cousin and I and will be the first of our family to go. God rest their souls. Unfortunately we have no photographs of any of the brothers.

    Elsie Eaton




    220460

    Sapper Robert Hood 4 Section 1st Australian Tunneling Company

    Robert Hood returned home May 1919, he married his sweetheart Jean in Perth and moved to Sydney where they settled in Ryde. He committed suicide on 29th September 1920, one month after his daughter was born. One of the silent casualties.

    Ewen Hill




    220457

    Pte. James Watt 11th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.21st Mar 1916)

    James Watt is our Great Uncle. My cousin Brian Cruden in Aberdeen has been searching for James for quite sometime. He tracked him down quite by chance via a war medal. This then led him to his War Will where he found out he had used this alias. His actual name was John Cassie who left the Gordon Highlanders in 1914 after being with them since 1898 only to rejoin under the regiment and alias he died with: James Watt Brian has contacted the War Graves Commission to have his name put on his headstone at Rifle House Cemetery Belgium. We do not know why he did what he did. If anyone can shed any light on our story we would be grateful.

    Editors Note: John Cassie alias James Watt is reported as having died in March 1916 during the build up towards the Somme. Possibly from earlier wounds.

    Anne Benson




    220456

    Pte. Joseph Edwards 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.18th Nov 1914)

    Joseph Edwards served with the 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers during WW1 and died, age 15, on the 18th November 1914. He is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate in Belgium.

    J Edwards




    220453

    Pte. Herbert Maurice Smith 2/4th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.29th May 1918)

    <p>

    Herbert Smith served with the 2nd/4th Battalion, Berkshire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 29th May 1918. He is buried in St Venant Robecq Road British Cemetery, Robecq. He was the son of Mr W Smith of 57 Sunderland Road, Forest Hill, London.

    Sharon King




    220450

    Pte. Thomas Henry Brown 1/4th Btn Essex Regiment (d.11th Oct 1918)

    Born in 1896, Thomas Brown immediately enlisted into the Middlesex Regiment (Regulars) upon the outbreak of war. He received a medical discharge as unfit for military service. He then joined the 1/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment (Territorial Force) and sailed for the Mediterranean in July 1815. The Btn arrives at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 12th August where they are immediately involved in the engagements at Suvla Bay and the trench warfare to follow.

    On the 4th December the Btn is evacuated to Mudros, Egypt arriving on the 17th. The Bn remain in Egypt/Palestine until the end of the war. At some time Thomas is posted to join the 2nd Btn in France, his Regimental number is changed to: 202456.

    It is understood that he served during the battles of; Messines, Langemarck, Cambrai, Bourlon Wood, Quentin, Somme, Rosieres, Messines, Kenmel Ridge, Ypres, Courtrai, and Osteghen. In late 1918 he was evacuated to England with influenza from which he died, in service on the 11th October 1918 at Rusthall VAD centre, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

    Thomas is buried at the CWGC site at Sutton Road Cemetery, Southend-on-Sea. His name is recorded on an oak panel at Southchurch Church and on the Roll of Honour at the Great Hall, Prittlewell Priory together with his brother; Frederick Norman who also fell.

    Rod Dann




    220443

    WO2. Samuel Davidson 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My great grandfather, Samuel Davidson, joined the Royal Irish Rifles in September 1914, at Brownlow House in Lurgan, Co Armagh. He was in the 16th Battalion which later was converted to the Pioneer Battalion for the 36th Ulster Division.

    He trained at Brownlow House in Lurgan, and later at Seaford in Kent, before leaving for France in October 1915. He was wounded behind the ear by a shell fragment on the 1st July 1916 in Thepval Wood before the battle started. He was later gassed at Messines, and suffered the effects of this for the remainder of his life.

    He survived the war and was not discharged until 1919. By this time he had been Company Quartermaster Sargent and was an acting WO2 and was either CSM or RQMS.

    Geoff Davidson




    220442

    Pte. John Sidney Sidwell 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.15th Sep 1914)

    My great uncle, John Sidwell, died just 3 weeks after landing in France at the Battle of the Aisne. I believe his medals are in a private collection in Canada. At the time of his death both his parents had already passed away. He has no grave but his name is recorded on the Memorial at La Ferte Sous Jouarre.

    Geoff Sidwell




    220436

    Frederick George Godden 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.31st Oct 1915)

    Frederick George Godden was my great uncle. He was killed in action serving in France. Any information that could enhance my knowledge of him and his role in the war would be gratefully received.

    Jane Mckay




    220435

    Pte. Frederick Elkins 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1915)

    Frederick Elkins was a chemist shop assistant in the sleepy Hampshire Town called Winchester who joined up and was sadly killed near Dead Mans House in Gallipoli.

    11774 Private Frederick Elkins who served with the 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment during WW1 and died age 25 on the 19th August 1915. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Mrs Emma Elkins of 16 Granville Place, Wharf Hill, Winchester.





    220428

    Pte. Albert Henry Cook 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.16th Sep 1914)

    Albert Cook was born c 1887 in Stratton near Swindon. He was the husband of Margaret Annie Cook, of Westcott House, Miskin Square, Trealow (Rhondda), Glamorgan and the father of Ivy (1911) and Reggie (1912). In the 1911 census he was newly married and a colliery stoker living at Ruabon House, New Road, Garnant, Carmarthenshire.

    He attested in Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment) - 62nd & 99th Foot in 1903 at the age of 17. His final resting place is unknown but he is listed on the Memorial at La Ferte-sous-Jouarre in France.





    220427

    Tpr. Leonard Spencer Strudwick 10th Hussars

    Leonard Strudwick served with the 10th Hussars during WW1.

    Paul Strudwick




    220424

    Pte. John Asshell Richardson 10th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.21st Sep 1918)

    John Richardson served with the 10th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (the Buffs) and died on the 21st September 0918. He is remembered on the Vis en Artois Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.





    220422

    Dvr. Herbert Ernest James Smith CLXX111 Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Herbert Ernest James Smith was born on 25th January 1877 in St Giles North, London. He was 38 when he enlisted and lived at 28 Belmont Street. He was a driver in the CLXX111 Brigade RFA which was part of the 36th Ulster Division. According to some records the 36th Ulster Division fought in the Western Front in France and Flanders including the Battle of Albert. He survived the war and died of Bronchial Pneumonia in 1922. Before the war he was a Print Compositor.

    Lilian Bishop




    220416

    Pte. Sidney Victor Belson 2/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    This man was my great grandfather. He was posted to the 20th DLI at the beginning of July 1917 and remained there until demobbed. He was a runner and a bugle boy. Having enlisted in 1915 he was sent to the 2/7th DLI until being sent overseas in 1916. His service record shows several postings but only the one to the 20th is eligable. A family legend says he once ended up fighting with a Kent regiment and another that he was not allowed to return to his unit as they had been wiped out by gas.

    Geoff Belson




    220412

    Sgt. George William Parsons 13th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.22nd March 1918)

    <p>

    George Parsons died on the 22nd of March 1918, aged 33 and is buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of John and Minnie Parsons, of 65 Sevier St., Bristol and husband of Lily Gertrude Parsons, of 1 Lancaster Rd., St. Werburghs, Bristol

    s flynn




    220408

    P.O. Charles Callender DCM

    My Great Uncle Charlie was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in March 1917 for conspicuous gallantry in action: 'He rallied the men nearest to him, and led a counter-attack against the enemy with great gallantry. He set a splendid example of courage and determination throughout.'

    Dawn Osguthorpe




    220407

    Gnr. Richard Park 63rd Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.13th Sep 1918)

    Richard Park was my great grandfather. He served with the 63rd division ammunition column, Royal Field Artillery . He died on 13th September 1918 and is buried at Varennes Military Cemetery in France. I unfortunately do not have any photographs of him, however my Aunt in Australia does have a letter that he sent to his wife from the trenches a few months before he was killed.

    Dawn Osguthorpe




    220406

    CSM Ernest Smith 7th Btn. King's Royal Riffle Corps (d.11th Oct1917)

    Ernest Smith served with the 7th Battalion, King's Royal Riffle Corps and died on 11th October 1917.





    220401

    Pte. Reuben Clay 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.26th Oct 1917)

    Reuben Clay served with the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment during WW1 and died on the 26th October 1917. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    Robert Sheppard




    220396

    L/Cpl. John Boyle 1st Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.23rd Feb 1917)

    John Boyle enlisted in Leven Fife with the 1st Black Watch and landed in le Harve, France on 12th of Septe,ber 1914. He was wounded in June 1915, and was killed in BFebruary, he lies in the New British Cemetery, Somme.

    Francis Mitchell




    220394

    Peter Kohnke 37th Bty. Australian Field Artillery

    Peter Kohnke served with 37th Battery, Australian Field Artillery, Australian Imperial Force during WW1. The 37th Battery was part of the Australian 4th Division Artillery Group.

    The 4th Division began forming in Egypt in February 1916. The new division included the 4th Infantry Brigade, 4th Field Company, 4th Field Ambulance and 7th Army Service Corps Company which had fought at Gallipoli. The 12th and 13th Infantry Brigades were formed by taking half the personnel of the 4th and 3rd Infantry Brigades. The division was initially stationed on the Suez Canal.

    In June 1916 it moved to France, taking over part of the "nursery" sector near Armentieres. Its stay there was brief and soon it was accompanying the First and Second Divisions to the Somme sector. In August 1916 it relieved the Second Division on the Pozieres Heights and repulsed a major German counterattack. It then drove north to the outskirts of Mouquet Farm. A second tour of the Somme at Mouquet Farm followed in September and a third at Flers in October.

    On 11 April 1917 the division assaulted the Hindenburg Line in the First Battle of Bullecourt. The battle was a disaster and 1170 Australian prisoners were taken by the Germans. In June it participated in the Battle of Messines. In September it participated in the Battle of Polygon Wood.

    In March 1918 the division was rushed to the Somme region to stem the German Offensive. There it repulsed the advancing Germans in hard fought battles at Hebuterne and Dernancourt. In April its 13th Infantry Brigade was involved in the counterattack at Villers-Bretonneux.

    The division went on to fight in the Battle of Hamel, Battle of Epehy (with distinction), Battle of Amiens and the Hindenburg Line, finally reaching the town of Bellenglise.

    Matt




    220393

    Pte. William Edwards D. Coy 39th Btn. (d.13th July 1917)

    Will Edwards, D Company, 39th Battalion (1893-1917) was a tailor in Ballarat, Victoria, prior to enlistment. He was killed in action with others when returning from fatigues when a shell exploded in the trench. Wounded and died on the way to the dressing station. From accounts of witnesses in Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Files (held in Aust War Museum archives) 'not really fit for the front... volunteered from the cook-house in England' 'little dark chap, abt 5'3 or 4' It is not known where he was buried but various reports state 'somewhere near Neuve Eglise'. 'All our men who could possibly be taken back were buried at Charing Cross, near Ploegstreet' 'he was buried in the Erquingham Cemetery' A photograph of him has been added to the Australian War Museum site.

    Tony Hodgson




    220392

    Pte. John Keegans 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    Jack Keegans, a labourer gardener enlisted on 12th Aug 1915, his service number being 31101, with the 21st Battalion, King's Liverpool City Regiment John says his age is 19 yrs old and 1 mth though his actual age was 17 yrs old and 1 mth. He was the son of John & Jane Keegans, of 85 Kingswood Avenue, Aintree, Liverpoool his father was a potter printer in Melling. John was born July 1898 in Glasgow. John transfers to 3rd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment on 4th May 1916.

    On 21st May 1916 John was posted to 6th Bn, SLR who were in Mesopotamia though returned 6th Nov 1916 back to 3rd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment due to contracting malaria. On 29th Apr 1917 John got posted to BEF, France initially to the depot then on 2nd May 1917 11th Bn, (Pioneer) SLR followed by a posting to 7th Bn, SLR on 23rd May 1917.

    John was involved in the Battle of Messines as part of 56th Inf Bde, 19th (Western) Div who were facing 2nd (East Prussian) Div. John came through the battle unscathed though I don't know what company he was in. John was involved in the 3rd Battle of Ypres being wounded in action with a wound to his left leg (either a gun shot wound 31st Jul 1917 or a sharpnel wound 1st Aug 1917 as I have two pieces of information that dispute this). John was evacuated back to the UK 5th Aug 1917.

    John transfers on 21st Dec 1917 to the Royal Tank Corps for the good and benefit of the army service. He was posted to 12th(L)Bn, RTC on 28th Dec 1917 and was involved in the 100 days offensive, being promoted to L/Cpl on 10th Sep 1918. He was demobbed from service 31st Mar 1920.

    Peter Keegan




    220391

    Pte. Edwin Harrison 111th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.21st March 1918)

    We know relatively little about Edwin Harrison (or Great Uncle Edwin), except that he was 21 when he died on the first day of the German Spring Offensive, leaving behind his mother Annie Elizabeth and two sisters. We still have his medals from the war, and know he joined the war relatively soon after conscription started.

    Hutchon




    220390

    Dvr. Thomas Moore 36th Div Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.8th Sep 1918)

    Thomas Moore enlisted as 41059 RAMC. Thomas was killed in action on the 8th September 1918 and is buried at Bertenacre Military Cemetery, Fletre, France. He was formally of 63 Sandy Row, Belfast.

    If anyone could help me in regards to what his military history was I would be very grateful. I am unable to trace the exact battles that he fought in and also how he was killed. It also seems that I cannot get a copy of his will.

    Pauline Irvine




    220384

    Pte. Thomas Neen 5th Btn. Border Regiment (d.27th July 1916)

    Thomas Neen is buried at Dranoutre Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of William Marshall Neen and Janet Neen, of 21, Curwin St., Harrington, Cumberland. My father, Robert Henry knew Thomas' Father as Billy who was his uncle I think?

    Chris Neen




    220378

    Lt.Col. James Neville Marshall VC MC. attached 16th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers Irish Guards (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    James Marshall was killed in action 04/11/1918 aged 31. His grave is in the Ors Communal Cemetety in France. He was the husband of Edith Marshall, of Lascelles Lodge, Matching Green, Harlow, Essex.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 31178, dated 13th Feb., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, determination and leadership in the attack on the Sambre-Oise Canal, near Catillon, on the 4th November, 1918, when a partly constructed bridge came under concentrated fire and was broken before the advanced troops of his battalion could cross. Lt. Col. Marshall at once went forward and organised parties to repair the bridge. The first party were soon killed or wounded, but by personal example he inspired his command, and volunteers were instantly forthcoming. Under intense fire and with complete disregard of his own safety, he stood on the bank encouraging his men and assisting in the work, and when the bridge was repaired attempted to rush across at the head of his battalion and was killed while so doing. The passage of the canal was of vital importance, and the gallantry displayed by all ranks was largely due to the inspiring example set by Lt. Col. Marshall."

    s flynn




    220375

    Pte. J. Sheehy 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.10th Nov 1914)

    J Sheehy was one of my paternal uncles. I have been led to believe he ran away from home to join the Army and he was underage at the time. The official records state that he was just 17 when he was killed near Ypres on 10 November 1914. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. His parents were Michael and Mary Sheehy of 2, Upper Quarry Lane, Blackpool, Cork.

    Margaret Philomena Collier




    220374

    Pte. William Whiteside 6th Btn. Kings Own Lancashire Regiment

    Billy Whiteside fought in Gallipoli and Mesopotamia. He was my grandfather born 1896 died 1964

    Robert Whiteside




    220373

    Cpl. Lee Prout MM. 8th Btn. A Coy. Somerset Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Lee Prout died on 1st July 1916 aged 25 and is buried in the Norfolk Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    220372

    Cpl. Daniel McCarthy MM attd. Y Bty. 21st Trench Mortar Bty Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th June 1916)

    Daniel McCarthy died 26th June 1916 aged 45 and is buried in the Norfolk Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    220371

    Pte. William Ernest Woodbridge 23rd Btn. London Regiment

    William Woodbridge served with the 23rd Battalion, London Regiment during WW1

    Peter Woodbridge




    220367

    Lt.Col. Colmer William Donald Lynch DSO 9th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Colmer Lynch was killed in action 1st July 1916 aged 35. He is buried in the Norfolk Cemetery in France.

    It was on July 1st, 1916 when Lt.-Col. Colmer William Donald Lynch DSO of the 9th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was killed in action at Fricourt (Somme) aged 35. His grandmother had been born on a sailing ship to Australia and married a Queensland MLA and Treasurer. His father was Maj.Gen. William Wiltshire Lynch who died of cholera in India and served during the Indian Mutiny. His uncle Captain Douglas McLean died in the Boer War aged 37.

    On July 1st, Lt.Col. Colmer William Donald Lynch with his battalion advanced. The leading waves were cut down by rifle and machine gun fire, the supporting troops shot down by shrapnel shells. Musketier Karl Blenk of the 169th Regiment who were defending the village stated”. "You didn't have to aim, we just fired into them. If only they had run, they would have overwhelmed us". Some men made the village and their bodies were discovered when the Germans gave up the village in 1917. The regiment commenced the day with over 800 men and finished the day with 80 men and 4 officers. To quote Private Pearson, “We were two years in the making and ten minutes in the destroying”.

    S Flynn




    220366

    Sgt. Andrew Lees Fenwick DCM. 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.15th May 1916)

    Andrew Fenwick, born in Blythe, Northumberland in 1895, son of Robert and Mary. He was killed in action on 15th May 1916 aged 21 and buried in the Norfolk Cemetery in France. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal he was a native of South Newsham, Northumberland

    s flynn




    220362

    Cpl. Edmund Hold 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.15th Jul 1916)

    Edmund Hold served with the 8th Battalion, Border Regiment during WW1 and died on the 15th June 1916. He is buried in Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers la Boisselle.





    220361

    Pte. Joseph Errington 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.20th Oct 1916)

    Joseph Errington served with the 1st Battalion, Border Regiment during WW1 and died on the 20th October 1916. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.





    220359

    Pte. Joseph Kaye 5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    My Grandad Joe Kaye joined up on the 18th November 1914. He was severely wounded at the Somme and finally invalided out on the 14th July 1918. He had the War medal, the Victory medal and the Silver war badge. He finally succumbed to the effects of his wounds in 1937. I never had the honour of meeting him.

    This link contains a film of the battalion during an inspection in 1915.

    Bill Kaye




    220358

    Pte. Daniel Methuen French Balls 10th Battalion East Kent Regiment

    Daniel Balls enlisted at Tottenham in 1915 at the age of 15 in the 10th Battalion, West Kent Regiment at Maidstone. On the 01/01/1916 he was transferred to The Machine Gun Corps at Grantham until 15/02/1917 when he was transferred to The Army Cyclist Corps at Chiseldon. On the 14/09/1917 he was transferred to The 2nd/12th Mt. Brigade at Chiseldon. By 02/01/1918 he was with The Leicestershire Cyclist Regiment at Tonbridge and by the 04/03/1918 was with The 67th Division Cyclist at Sutton. On the 25/05/1918 he was transferred to 3rd Battalion East Kent Regiment in Palestine.

    He was then sent to France to join the 10th Battalion, East Kent Regiment as part of the 74th Yeomanry Division which took part in the Flanders Advance, 2nd Battle of The Somme, Battle of the Hindenberg Line, Battle of Ephey and The Advance to Artois although I have no knowledge if he took part in any of these actions.

    He was gassed on the 03/11/1918 but survived his injuries. On the 30/12/1918 he was transferred to No.86 Labour Coy number, 5 Infantry Section with a new number 419356. He was demobilised at Nottingham on the 23/02/1919 where he was transferred to Section "B" Army Reserve.

    Cliff Goodman




    220355

    Rev. Felix Burke 8th Btn Dublin Fusiliers

    Rev. Felix Burke was the Chaplain of the 8th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He was my great, great uncle, and the photograph passed to me through his niece, directly, along with a bit of the story of his service. His letters regarding the war have been published in various places on the internet.

    Veronica Landet




    220342

    Pte. William James Craig 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.6th July 1917)

    William Craig joined the 5th (or 6th) Battalion and saw action first at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli in August 1915. After that he transferred to the 11th Battalion who were then landing in France in October 1915.

    I gather he was wounded at Messines and died (aged 24) after the battle on 6th July. He is buried at Etaples beside a Seaforth Highlander. His brother (my grandfather) survived the war, starting in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and finishing in the Berkshire Regiment.

    Gordon Craig




    220341

    Lt. Charles Roy Mackenzie MC. 250th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    Charles Roy Mackenzie won a Military Cross while serving with the 250th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers. Members of the Blacktown & District Historical Society are researching the soldiers who served in WW1 from Blacktown NSW Australia, can anyone provide more details?

    Carol Horne




    220333

    Dvr Alfred Long 4th Div. Ammunition Col Royal Field Artillery (d.6th Oct 1917)

    Alfred Long served with the Territorial Force. Royal Horse Artillery. Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in Action on the 6th of October 1917. Alfred (my Grandfather) is buried at Canada Farm Cemetery near Ypres in Belgium. His name appears on the St Albans Cenotaph, St Michael's Parish. My Father, also Alfred Long never new his Father as he was born two months after his Father was Killed.

    Sandy




    220326

    Sgt. Norman Colin Stewart 53rd Btn. (d.11th April 1918)

    <p>

    Norman Stewart died from wounds 11th fo April 1918, aged 23 and buried in the Namps-au-Val British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Elizabeth Stewart of Taree, Manning River, New South Wales, and the late William Wallace Stewart. Norman and his elder brother Jack both served in the 53rd Bn., Norman died from wounds 11th April 1918 and brother Jack was killed in action on the 24th April 1918. They were members of a family of nine sons, six of whom had proudly served their country in both the Boer War and WW1

    s flynn




    220321

    Pte Augustus Simon Ward 1st Btn East Yorkshire (d.20th Oct 1918)

    Augustus Ward was my Grandfather who died 1n 1918 when my late Mother was a small child. I have been searching for information to give my Grandson, who is learning about the Great War. I have Army Form B. 104-82 which was sent to my late Grandmother. It is dated 1-1-1920. It states that my Grandfather died on 20-10-1918. So close to Armistice Day. He left three children, my Mother being the youngest.

    Joan Williams




    220315

    Pte. William Hargreaves 4th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    William Hargreaves was my great granddad, would like to know more about him and how he died. I found out that his battalion on the date he died was at the second Battle of the Scarpe and it seems he was killed on the first day of the battle.

    23079 Private William Hargreaves served with the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment and died age 29 on the 23rd April 1917. He is remembered in Bay 6, Arras Memorial. William was the husband of Lilian Hargreaves of 20 Queen Victoria Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn.

    Andrew Jolley




    220311

    Sgt. William Henry "Hank" Collins DCM. 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    William Collins served with the 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters during WW1.

    Harry Moore




    220308

    Cpt. George Henry Tatham Paton VC MC. 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.1st Dec 1917)

    <p>

    Captain George Paton VC MM served with the 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards and died on the 1st December 1917, aged 22. He is buried in the Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of George William and Etta Tatham Paton, of Wolviston House, Whyteleafe, Surrey

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 12th Feb. 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. When a unit on his left was driven back, thus leaving, his flank in the air and his company practically surrounded, he fearlessly exposed himself to re-adjust the line, walking up and down within fifty yards of the enemy under a withering fire. He personally removed several wounded men, and was the last to leave the village. Later, he again re-adjusted the line, exposing himself regardless of all danger the whole time, and when the enemy four times counter-attacked he sprang each time upon the parapet, deliberately risking his life, and being eventually mortally wounded, in order to stimulate his command. After the enemy had broken through on his left, he again mounted the parapet, and with a few men, who were inspired by his great example, forced them once more to withdraw, thereby undoubtedly saving the left flank."

    S Flynn




    220305

    L/Sgt. Thomas Neely VC MM. 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.1st Oct 1918)

    <p>L/Sgt. Thomas Neely, VC MM

    Lance Sergeant Thomas Neely served with the 8th Battalion Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment during WW1 and died on the 1st October 1918 aged 21. He is buried in the Masnieres British Cemetery in France. Thomas was the son of James H. and Agness Neely, of 91, Claudia St., City Rd., Walton, Liverpool.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 31067, dated 13th Dec., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery during operations at Flesquieres on 27th September, 1918. His company was held up during the advance by heavy machine-gun fire from a flank. Cpl. Neely, realising the seriousness of the situation, at once, under point-blank fire, dashed out with two men and rushed the positions, disposing of the garrisons and capturing three machine guns. Subsequently, on two successive occasions, he rushed concrete strong points, killing or capturing the occupants."

    S Flynn




    220292

    Pte. John Patrick McEvoy 11th Battalion Essex Regiment

    My grandfather John McEvoy, was wounded when he was buried in a shellhole in Zonnebeke on 10th April 1918, 19 days after my mother's birth. He required at least two operations and over a year of hospital treatment but luckily survived. My mother was always told that he was never the same after the war, hardly surprising really. He then died in his early 40's so could probably be considered a casualty of war. My mother talked of him with great affection over 70 years after his death; he was a gentle, kind man and she often helped him in his work as a tailor.

    Today my husband and I visited Polygon Wood Cemetery and found the graves of a few men from his battalion who died in the days immediately after he was wounded. I found it very moving to think that they may have known my grandfather. However awful his experience and however much it contributed to his early death, he surely had a better deal than those poor lads.





    220282

    Pte. Arthur Smith 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.28th Oct 1914)

    Arthur Smith is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres. This is an attempt to find out where and how my great uncle died. I have sent off for his death certificate. I have his war medals. His death was either in Belgium or France. Why don't they know? The information I have from the War Graves Commission is that he was 23 years old. What is happening here? Were they just a number so it didn't really matter how old they were or even where they died for this country.

    Carolyn Pickersgill




    220281

    Cpl. Leonard William Lewis MM 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    As far as I am aware Leonard William enlisted on or about 15th December,joining the 2nd Battallion Royal Sussex Regiment no G/8665. On 18/10/18 during the final stage of the war and as Corporal/acting Serjeant he was warded The Military Medal for bravery.Citation/action unknown. Gazetted in May on 13/5/1918.

    After the War he married his stepmother's elder widowed sister,taking on her two children. She died in 1955,he survived until June 1969,dying at Chichester Sussex.





    220278

    Drvr. Frederick James Hall C Battery Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

    My father, Frederick James Hall, was born in New Hadley, Shropshire, in August 1892 and after attending Hadley School he worked as a brick maker near to his home. During the second decade of the 1900s there were several recruitment agents in Shropshire, giving lectures at various locations persuading men and women of the merits of starting a fresh life in Canada. Whether this prompted my father at the age of 20, and several other men from the village of New Hadley, Hadley and Trench to go to Canada I do not know, but he, together with travelling companions made their way to Liverpool and boarded the S.S.Grampion, a ship of the Allen Line under the command of Captain John Williams. She set sail on the 7th February 1913 and arrived at Pier 2 Halifax, Nova Scotia on February 16th. It was compulsory that to enter Canada a person had to have at least £10 on their person; my father was recorded as having £50. Once he had cleared customs and the obligatory medical examination, he set off on the Canadian Pacific Railway for Ville St Pierre, Montreal, where I am told there were purpose built blocks of flats at the disposal of people entering Canada. Being unmarried, he decided to explore more of Canada and looked for work wherever he decided to stay. I know he spent a considerable time in Montreal, but also in Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, travelling again by Canadian Pacific Railway.

    In 1914 Britain declared war on Germany and on the 23 February 1915 my father joined the Canadian Militia, lst Battery Reserve Brigade, his service number being 7108. On the 10th August 1915 he enlisted at Kingston, Ontario, for overseas service in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in C Battery, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, leaving soon after en-route for England. He sailed on the S.S.Hesperian which had been commandeered as a troop carrier, the ship docking at Devonport on the 28th August 1915, having been diverted there because of enemy action at Liverpool. “C” Battery remained in England as a training company so my father transferred to another Battery going to France where he served from November 1915 to 16th April 1919. His service as a gunner meant that he fought using the heavy gun artillery pulled by horses. He was very fond of the horses named Barney and Binks but sadly one of them was shot and died.

    He fought in all the main battles including Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele and saw many horrendous sights and he lost many good friends he made during the war. During his service in France he was admitted to Rouen and Trouville hospitals with influenza and on many occasions for minor injuries and breaks to his hands and fingers. This was due to the gun carriage springing back and injuring him. Thankfully he was not wounded by enemy fire. However he was gassed during one of the gas attacks and this severely affected his health.

    Armistice was signed on 11th November 1918 and on the 16th April 1919 my father returned to England and was discharged on 26th May 1919 at No.2. Canadian Discharge Depot, 113 Oxford Street, London, returning to the family home in Shropshire rather than returning to Canada. He and my mother Harriet Matilda Steventon Williams married at Holy Trinity Church, Hadley, in December 1919. For a while he worked at Joseph Sankey & Sons Ltd. now known as GKN Sankey but the gas from the war began to affect his lungs until he was only able to do very light work wherever he was fortunate enough to find it. His last employment was at the R.E.M.E. Depot at Leegomery. He died at the family home in Sunningdale Hadley at the age of 60.

    He remained a Proud Salopian during his time in Canada and for his lifetime.

    Kath Parton




    220275

    Pte. Sidney Ernest Gawler 6th Batalion Dorsetshire Regiment (d.9th Nov 1916)

    Sidney Gawler was my grandfathers' brother who was killed in action. As a family we know little about him, but he will be mentioned on the Roll on Honor reading at the Tower of London on 25th September 2015

    Susan Rose




    220273

    L/Cpl. John Francis Rowlands 19th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1917)

    John Francis ran a shop in LlanuchLlyn with his brother Pugh Rowlands. John joined the 19th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers and gained the rank of Lance Corporal. John was unmarried and died on 27th September 1917 of his wounds and is buried at Rocquigny Equancourt Road British Cemetery in Manancourt. He prevented Pugh (my great grandfather) from enlisting telling him it was truly terrible war. They had two brothers who were injured in the War and four cousins killed with a further cousin injured.

    Rebecca May




    220271

    Pte. Edward David Rowlands MM. 1st Btn Welsh Guards (d.27th Sep 1918)

    Edward Rowlands joined the Welsh Guards in 1914. He died on 27th September 1918 of his wounds at the Battle of Cambrai. Edward was unmarried and aged 34 on his death. He is buried at Beaumetz Crossroads Cemetery, Beaumetz Les Cambrai. He was awarded the Military Medal at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge at the third battle of Ypres. His citation was printed in the London Gazette on 25th September 1917 but I am unable to find the details.

    Three of his brothers had emigrated to Canada in 1910. Two returned and fought for their country one died in Egypt, another injured in Galipoli the third brother fought for the Canadians in the Alberta Rgt and died at Vimmy Ridge. Edward also lost two cousins with a further two injured.

    Rebecca May




    220270

    Pte. Edward Rowlands 1st Bn Welsh Guards (d.11th Sep 1916)

    Edward Rowlands died in the Battle of the Somme. He is buried in Allonville Communal Cemetery. He was 36yrs old and unmarried. He lost four cousins in the Great War with three further cousins injured.

    Rebecca May




    220265

    2nd Cpl. Adam Graham 250th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.15th Jun 1916)

    Adam Graham was my great grandfather. He was a miner living in Stirling and joined up in September 1915. He was a tunneller with the Royal Engineers and was involved at the Messines Ridge near Kemmel, Belgium. On 10th June 1916 the Germans blew a mine above the tunnel in which my grandfather was working along with eleven other men. The tunnel was known as the Petite Bois. As a result of German action, the men were trapped at far end of the tunnel basically under the German front lines. The tunnel had collapsed behind them trapping them in the gallery. It took the rescue party six and a half days to get to them and by then eleven of the men were dead. There was one survivor who was able to tell the tale. My great grandfather died on 15th June 1916 and is buried along with his comrades side by side in Kemmel Chateau military cemetery. The Petite Bois tunnel was one of the mines blown a year later in June 1917. My great grandfather, Adam Graham, was 41 years of age and left a wife and five children. The oldest was my grandfather also Adam aged 16 who immediately joined up.

    From Captain W.Grant Grieve's Tunnellers: "At 6.30 on the morning of 10th June 1916, the enemy fired two heavy mines at the shoulders of the salient just outside his own lines. Blue clay was exposed in both the craters indicating that the galleries from which they were blown were at a considerable depth. As was his practice, these craters were incorporated into his trench system, sniping and bombing posts and machine gun positions being constructed in the forward lips.

    The northernmost of these blows was almost directly above our S.P.13 gallery, and was fraught with disastrous results to us. The main gallery between 1,250 feet and 1,500 feet was completely smashed in, and twelve unfortunate men working at or near the face were trapped, imprisoned in the confined space in the undamaged end of the gallery. Their predicament was desperate. Every breath they breathed poisoned the fetid, though precious, air so vital to their very existence…. Was there no hope of release? Must they all suffer the tortures of a lingering death in the utter darkness 100 feet below ground? There was just a chance, feeble enough, and the knowledge that their comrades would spare no efforts to effect their release no doubt gave them hope. Rescue and repair gangs were rushed to work with all possible speed, the miners gallantly working in frantic haste in an endeavour to release their entombed mates. It is traditional with miners that they never spare themselves or despair of rescuing their comrades. Night and day they strove with relentless determination amounting almost to a frenzy. For six and a half days they toiled with breathless energy, their half-naked bodies begrimed with clay and bathed with the sweat of exhaustion and anxiety, straining every muscle lest they should be too late. At last, it seemed an age, the broken ground was passed and a connection made to the undamaged gallery. By this time, however it was quite hopeless to expect to find the men alive. An eager search proved their worst fears to be only too well founded. Body after body was found-eleven in all. It was presumed that the twelfth man was buried under the fallen gallery. The workers were therefore withdrawn to allow the foul air to clear from the gallery.

    Later they returned to the gallery, and to their utter amazement they discerned in the dim, uncertain light, something moving. This, they thought, surely must be supernatural. Under the circumstances they well may have been pardoned for showing some diffidence. But their apprehension was momentarily only; scarcely believing their eyes, they saw the sole survivor crawl back from a living grave.

    This man, Sapper Bedson, told how the entombed men had collected at the broken end of the gallery, where a little air was coming through the air pipe which they had disconnected. They then began by turns to dig their way out. This effort they soon abandoned and spaced themselves along the gallery. Gradually, however, they were overcome by the foul air, and in three days all but one were dead. Bedson, however, was an experienced miner. He avoided the broken end, where heavy air accumulated, and lay by the face, which was a little higher. He comforted himself by the reflection that a party of coal miners were entombed for thirteen days and then rescued alive. He kept his head marvellously. His only food consisted of two army biscuits and a bottle of water. He dare not eat the biscuits nor drink the water. From time to time he rinsed out his mouth with water and returned it to the bottle. To keep himself warm he improvised a suit from sandbags. Every night he slept on a crude bed made by placing sandbags on a bogie truck, winding up his watch before retiring! And when after six and a half days he was rescued – hauled through a small hole in the broken ground – his first words were: “For God’s sake give me a drink! It’s been a damned long shift!” He was taken to the shaft on a mine stretcher placed on a bogie wagon in charge of the M.O. At the shaft he was rested for two hours. During this time his mind was quite clear and he could answer quite sensibly. Even then Bedson’s perils were not all over. As he was being carried down the communication trench he and his stretcher party had the narrowest of escapes from shell-fire!

    Bedson had already his share of war’s scars. Wounded on this very front in 1914, after recovery he was sent to Gallipoli, where he was wounded again. Now, returning to Flanders – this time as a Tunneller – he had to undergo an ordeal grave enough to try the stoutest heart. Yet when he had recovered from his appalling experience, his first act was to volunteer to return to his old unit! It was rightly considered, however that he had done his bit, and he was given a job at the Base Depot."

    John McLaughlan




    220264

    Pte. Albert Farnes 22nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.8th Mar 1917)

    Albert Farnes served with the 22nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and died on 8th March 1917.

    Keith Farnes




    220262

    Pte. Thomas Mordle 11th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.6th Aug 1917)

    My uncle Thomas Mordle served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment and was acting as a runner to Brigade HQ. He was more than likely wounded by gunfire or a German sniper. He died of his wounds at the Military aid station at Poperinge Flanders Belgium in August 1917, and is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery.. He left a widow and two young sons aged three and five. His widow remarried in 1920.

    Kevin Mills




    220261

    Pte. George Albert Alexander Bentley 1st/5th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.12th Oct 1918)

    My great uncle Albert Bentley was born on 6th May 1896 the youngest of nine children & the only boy. He grew up in Burnage, at that time a country village near Manchester. His father Alexander was coachman to the Watts family of Burnage Hall, and his mother Elizabeth Bentley nee Toft had been a milliner. As a Boy Albert had been a member of his local Church boys brigade, a Christian youth organisation with military overtones. From all accounts (my grandmother & her sisters) he was a fine looking young man with a strong sense of duty-but great fun to be with, all his sisters adored him. By 1911 both his parents had passed away, so at fourteen he left school and took up an apprentice with a book binding firm

    In January 1915 seventeen year old Albert and a school friend were walking home one evening when they were each given a white feather. The next day they both enlisted--conscription didn’t come into force until 27th January 1916 a whole year later. Albert joined the 1st/5th Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders a territorial force fully mobilised and available for transfer overseas. At the time the Seaforth Highlanders had a Ghurkha regiment attached to them Albert admired the Ghurkhas & told his sisters that one Ghurkha was worth three of any other soldier! He must have made good friends among them as he came home on leave one day with a “Kukri”-the famous Ghurkha knife, that one of his Ghurkhas pals had given him. Like most Scottish regiments a tartan kilt (Mackenzie) was the ceremonial uniform, but in battle it was a kharki one. And like most Scottish regiments they were led into battle with bagpipes --the sound of which on the field must have been eerie!-- small wonder the Germans doubted them “devils in kilts” & “The ladies from hell”!!

    On 18th April 1915, just before his 18th birthday, Albert entered the theatre of war During May 1915 his Battalion engaged in Battle of Festubert in the Artois region of France on the western front In 1916 as part of the 51st highland division they were at the Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. 9th April-16th May 1917 saw his regiment at the Battle of Arras in northern France, & then from 20th November-7th December that same year at the fierce battle at Cambrai, were tanks were used for the first time.

    It was at Cambrai that Albert was wounded & it is recorded that whilst wounded in hospital he voluntarily gave his blood for Transfusion to help fellow soldiers in need. Blood transfusions were still in their infancy, although with citrate-glucose solution an army doctor had successfully started to store blood. Albert’s injury was such that the war was supposed to be over for him, but in 1918 came The Final Push He must have felt somehow that this time he wouldn’t return as he forbad his sisters to see him off at the station a ritual thus far they’d always done. On Armistice Day 11th November 1918 his sisters received the telegram that he was missing presumed killed. My grandmother remembered walking through the streets weeping whilst all around her people were celebrating the end of the war. With no further information our family presumed Albert had been blown up & that there was no graveside to visit & grieve. In the absence of a grave his sisters were comforted to find that his name was listed on a monument in Edinburgh castle to the fallen highland regiments, this was his gravestone. And there we thought Albert’s story had ended.

    Then in 2013, quite by chance whilst looking for other war graves I came upon a cemetery in France that listed a George Albert Alexander Bentley of the Seaforth Highlanders. At first I thought it mere coincidence, however intrigued I contacted the cemetery in Nord France. I am eternally grateful to Pierre Vandervelden of Avesnes- le-sec Cemetery in France for supplying all the necessary information & for the photograph of Albert’s grave We now know that Albert was killed in action on 12th October 1918 probably during The Pursuit to the Selle & was buried at Avenes-le-sec Cemetery. After 96 years we’ve found Albert & have his grave to visit. I only wish my grandmother & his other grieving sisters had been given this information during their lifetime it would have brought them so much consolation.

    Gillian Hudson




    220258

    Pte. Arthur Howard "Howard" Cox 15th (1st London Welsh) Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.7th Sep 1918)

    Arthur Howard Cox, known as Howard, was born August 1879 in Bloxwich, Staffordshire to Joseph and Tryphena Cox. He was the middle of 11 children and my great grandfather was his brother. Nothing of his childhood is known and he never married. Prior to joining up in November 1918 he was a porter and lived in Middlesex Street (Petticoat Lane) London.

    On 14th November 1914, at the age of 36 years and 3 months, he joined the 15th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, known as the 1st London Welsh, in Poplar, London. At that time, he was just under 5’3”, with brown hair and blue/grey eyes. Sadly, we do not have a photo of him. From the autobiography of “The Lousier War” by W A Tucker, who was recruited at the same time into the 15th Battalion, “the Unit assembled every day in the grounds of Grays Inn, London and we all returned to our homes every night. To recompense for this burden on our private finances our pay was (temporarily) raised to three shillings (15p) a day. The basic pay was one shilling (5p) a day.” After a month of practice in London he transferred to Llandudno in North Wales where the recruits were billeted in hotels and boarding houses. According to W A Tucker “They occupied ordinary bedrooms and were catered for by the hotel waitresses and general staff.” He later moved to Winchester until December 1915 before marching to Southampton and shipping out to France.

    He was involved in various actions on the Western Front, surviving the shambolic battle of Mametz Wood (10th-15th July 1916) on the Somme, where all the officers were killed and soldiers fired at each other in the confusion of the trees. After Mametz the battalion moved, arriving eventually at Ypres in November 1916. He was either gassed or wounded (or both, according to a letter from his father) in action as he returned home on 28th November, whilst the battalion remained in Ypres.

    Whilst recovering, he was posted to the 2/5 Battalion and was based in Westleton, Suffolk. On 9th March 1918 he was transferred to 23rd Battalion (territorial force) Cheshire Regiment. The 23rd Battalion was made up of men who were either stunted in growth or who were not fully fit eg. wounded or gassed (as had Howard). In May be was again shipped out to France, serving in B company under 2nd Lt. VRW Campbell and was involved in trench digging.

    From biography of Thomas Burke, killed the same day as Howard "On 6th September, Thomas and his comrades were in front line trenches at the Pont de Nieppe, in northern France, near the town of Armentieres. Nieppe had been lost in the German attacks of the spring of 1918, but had been retaken on 3rd September. During the day, they were relieved by the 13th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. The Battalion's War Diary notes that Howard’s "B" Company had difficulty in "extricating themselves from their positions" and their acting company commander, 2nd Lt. V R Campbell, was killed.

    The Battalion then moved back to billets at Lupin Farm near Grand Beaumart. During the evening, a party of stretcher bearers under the Battalion's Medical Officer, Lieutenant Phibbs, managed to bring in several wounded from the area. About 5pm on the 7th, there were several fruitless attempts to recover the body of Lt. Campbell which was, presumably, still lying in the open. His body must have been recovered sometime later as he is buried at Pont-de-Nieppe Cemetery where his grave is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The War Diary records that eight soldiers had been killed and another three were missing on 7th. Arthur Howard was one of these casualties. His is the only Cheshire Regiment burial in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

    He was 40 when he died on 7th September 1918, one of the many unsung heroes of WW1. May he and his many comrades all rest in peace. He is honoured and remembered by his Cox family.

    Jan Holtham




    220254

    Pte. Frederick William Henry Appleton 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards

    Frederick Appleton served with the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards.

    Colin Appleton




    220252

    Cpl. William Henry Morris 7th Btn. Leicester Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    William Morris was my grandfather. He was born in West Bromwich in 1885, and moved to Sheffield about 1900, where he met my grandmother Florence May Lingard. They moved to Dinnington nr Rotherham in 1907. As far as I can find out he joined up in late 1914 early 1915 and served with the 7th Battalion, Leicester Regiment. He was killed on 27th May 1918, I believe this was part of the German offensive in the Chemin de Dames area. I would love to find out more, as to me it's odd, man born in Staffordshire, living in Yorkshire, volunteers for a Leicestershire unit, if anyone could fill in any blanks it would be appreciated.

    Editor's Note: Men who joined up after the first few months of war were allocated to which ever battalion needed reinforcements, only soldiers who had served before the war and men who joined Kitcheners Pals Battalions would be placed in their county regiments.

    John A Short




    220251

    CSM. Ernest Kendrick Royal Irish Rifles (d.12th Mar 1915)

    I have seen the memorial in the Chester City town Hall referring to Ernest Kendrick (I was referred to it because of my surname). I did not think anything of it until my wife and I were walking through Overleigh Cemetery in Chester and came across a rather dilapidated headstone which when we cleared off we found to be Ernest's. I now know that he is listed on the Le Touret Memorial in Pas de Calais. He served with the Royal Irish Rifles and died on 12th March 1915.

    I have now registered Ernest on the 'EveryManRemembered' web site, but am hoping that someone could shed some light on how he became CSM with an Irish Regt or if there is a copy of a photo somewhere showing what he looked like etc.

    Russ Kendrick




    220247

    Pte. Joseph Nunn 1/7th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    Private Joseph Nunn. 39908 1/7th Hants Reg. was one of those men. We are doing a project to commemorate WW1 in our village, Whittlesford in Cambridgeshire. We aim to find out about the men who went from the village, thought to be about 118 in a village of approx. 720 people. We are working on finding out more about him.

    39908 Private Joseph Nunn served with the 1st/7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment during WW1. There follows a record of the Battalions movements as part of 128th (Hampshire) Brigade in the 43rd (Wessex) Division. The Division was sent to India under peacetime conditions but remained ready for active service. His battalion moved to Aden in January 1918. His medal card merely records the award of the British War and Victory Medals with no details of any unusual events.

    Karen Wright




    220243

    Pte. Robert Snowden 18th Btn. Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Robert was the youngest son of Ralph Snowden and Catherine Sullivan of Haxby near York. He was born in 1883 and married to Emma. He served with the 8th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Like so many others, he was killed on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Somme. He is one of those with no known grave, who is listed in the memorial at Thiepval.





    220238

    Pte. James Swan Coldstream Guards

    James Swan was my father. He served with the Coldstream Guards and was captured at la Basse at the beginning of the war & spent four years a prisoner of the Germans suffering dreadfully with bad food etc, He worked in a brickyard in Southern Germany which affected his health for years

    Ken Swan




    220237

    Pte. Sidney Augustus Bartlett 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire (d.14th Sep 1914)

    Sydney Augustus Bartlett was my grandfather's cousin. He was born in 1887 to Sidney and Harriet Bartlett. He had been a general labourer and was unmarried. He served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regimentand was killed in action on 14th September 1914 aged 30 probably at the battle of the Marne. He has no known grave and is listed on La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial. He was killed in the month after the war started. I found his name on the war memorial in Wallingford when I visited my grandfather's home town and then did a little research.

    Jane McNamara




    220236

    Pte. Edwin Stott 1st/5th Bn. Staffordshire Regiment (d.28th Sep 1918)

    Pte. Edwin Stott served with the 1st/5th Battalion, Staffordshire Regiment and died on 28th September 1918.





    220235

    Pte. John W. Stott 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th Apr 1918)

    John W. Stott served with the 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment and died on 25th April 1918.





    220234

    Pte. Archibald Craig 16th (1st Bradford Pals) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    Archibald Craig first enlisted with Rosshire Mountain Battery RGA age 15 as a trumpeter. He was discharged as medically unfit in 1914 for unknown reasons. He was the youngest child of Sgt Major F.W.Craig and we think because his was a military family, the fact that he was discharged as unfit in Scotland did not deter him from re signing up in 1915. The information we have gleaned is that he enlisted in The 16th (1st Bradford Pals) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment about 1915. He died on the 3rd of May 1917 and we have visited and found his name inscribed on the Arras Memorial.

    Other info we have collected shows that he was in Egypt and took part in the defence of the Suez Canal. He was hospitalised in Malta. He went to France in 1916 and took part in the Battle of the Somme being involved in the attack on the village of Serre. He was taking part in the 3rd battle of Scrape 3 to 4th May 1917 which was part of the Arras offensive towards Fresnoy.

    My Grandfather Sgt.Major John Jeffrey Craig was the only sibling of Sgt. Major F.W.Craig. Their father was Sgt.Major William Craig, a musician in the Royal Artillery whose military record we cannot find as we don`t have his service no. All we do know is that he retired to Stornoway where he taught music and drill. Sadly he died at age 45 and is buried in Stornoway. This may have been a result of military activity during his engagement in the Royal Artillery and if he was gassed? though in 1876 we assume this may be ruled out.

    Francis Jeffrey Craig




    220232

    Arthur Griffiths Duke of Cambridge Hussars

    In late July and early August 1914 my father was at Summer Camp with the Duke of Cambridge's Hussars, Middlesex Imperial Yeomanry. He was in effect signed up into the regular army on Day 1. I believe he went to France and Belgium with his horse. He later transferred to the RFC and when he was found to be colour-blind he was then moved to the infantry, the Sherwood Foresters. Is there any record of his early service?

    Geoffrey Griffiths




    220230

    James Percival Turner MM. 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My uncle James Percival Turner was in 12th, Northumberland fusiliers and mentioned on P.185 of "The First Day on the Somme" book by Martin Middlebrook. He was awarded the Military medal and later the bar. He was a stretcher bearer.

    J Paterson




    220223

    Pte. Wilfred Norburn Richmond 790 East Yorks Regiment (d.7th Nov 1916 )

    Wilfred Richmond was born in Hull in 1897. He enlisted in Hornsea, Yorks. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and on the Hornsea Memorial He was the son of Walter Richmond, Eastbourne Rd., Hornsea and husband of Florence May Jones, 34 Henry St., Scunthorpe, Lincs

    Clinton Jones




    220222

    L/Sgt. Francis Lovell 1st Batallion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.25th Aug 1914)

    Frank Lovell was born in Templemore Co. Tipperary, Ireland on 2nd May 1890 to English parents. Frank's father had served in the second Afghan wars in the 66th Foot and had won a D.C.M. Frank and his brothers, Alfred, Archie, Jesse and half brothers Thomas and John Hall, were all brought up to be professional soldiers. He was one of the first British soldiers to arrive in France after war was declared. Frank was killed in action on the 25th August 1914. He is buried in a war grave in the little French village of Maroilles in the Maroilles Communal Cemetery where approximately a dozen other soldiers are also buried. He was my Grandmother's younger brother.

    Vanessa Seymour




    220217

    Capt. Robert William White MC. 16th (Pioneer) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    Robert William White was awarded the Military Cross and I am hunting for the citation, which was gazetted on 1st January 1918 in London Gazette supplement page 49: T /Capt. William Robert White, R Ir. Rif. Also a photograph would be nice

    Bill Power




    220216

    Pte. William Harold Meredith 1st Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    William Meredith was killed in action during an attack on the villages of Le Catelet and Gouy, near the St. Quentin canal. He was my Great-great Grandad.

    Mrs J Kirk




    220213

    Pte. George Bilton 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Aug 1916)

    George and his cousin Ralph joined the pals together. In August 1916 George had won at cards but he later got a call that a wire had come down up the line and needed to be repaired. He asked Ralph to mind his winnings while he repaired the line. George was shot by a sniper while fixing the line and died. Ralph had covered George with his coat which led to Ralph's mother receiving a telegram that Ralph had died. She didn't believe this news and queried it - where it was confirmed that George had died. George was laid to rest at Le Touret Cemetery in France.





    220210

    Pte. Harold Ruth Taylor 2nd Battalion Border Regiment (d.1th July 1917)

    Harold Taylor is my great uncle, buried at Coxyde Cemetery.

    Antoinette Ruth Evans




    220207

    Pte. Alfred Thomas Rice 1st Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.18th Jun 1916)

    Alfred Rice was the husband of my Great Aunt Ada, they married in Oct 1914 and she gave birth to his first child Florence in May 1915, he left her a young widow of 22yrs. He was 21 years old when he died on 18th June 1916. He had enlisted in Dorking and served with the Coldstream Guards He was killed during the Second Battle of Ypres which began in April 1915 when the Germans released poison gas into the Allied lines north of Ypres. This was the first time gas had been used by either side and the violence of the attack forced an Allied withdrawal and a shortening of the line of defence. He is remembered at the Menin Gate memorial site Ypres.

    Sarah Warren




    220206

    Pte. Reuben Yates King's (Liverpool) Regiment

    Reuben Yates was my grandfather. He served with the The King's (Liverpool) Regiment.

    Peter Yates




    220205

    L/Cpl. Robert Holleran 15th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    My Grandfather Robert Holleran served in the 15th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in World War 0ne. He was taken prisoner on 24th March 1918 at Mericourt and was imprisoned at Zerbst POW camp in Saxony Germany. He survived the war and died in 1954.

    Jeff Stevens




    220204

    Able Sea. Benjamin Graham MiiD. Howe Btn. Royal Naval Division

    <p>

    Benjamin Graham was my grandfather. He served with the Royal Naval Division and died in 1969 when I was twelve without talking about the war. All I knew was three pictures of sailors on the wall.

    Ben Graham, who was originally from Carlisle returned to England from working in Renfrew, Scotland, to join the Northumberland Fusiliers on 31st Aug 1914 but transferred a week later to RNVR Howe Battalion. Ben’s older brothers Robert and Thomas also joined Howe Battalion over the next six months and although I am not sure if Ben saw service on the western front beforehand, all the three brothers fought at Gallipoli where my Grandfather was “Mentioned in Despatches”. Both he and his brother Robert were invalided back to Blandford with dysentry but the third brother, Thomas was not so lucky as he was killed on the 6th June in the Dardanelles. Ben and Robert were both later sent to France but Robert died, I think, at Gravelle and was buried in Aubigny.

    Ben saw out the war from May 1916 with Anson Battalion and the 188, 189 and 190 Machine gun corps. After the war he returned to Scotland to marry my Grandmother. They also survived the depression and later Ben was an ARP in WW2. I remember he stood up every night for the National Anthem when the TV finished for the night. This research has shown me what a remarkable life the quiet little man led.

    Kenny Graham




    220200

    Capt. Nicholas Mosley North Staffordshire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1915)

    Captain Hon. Nicholas Mosley died on 1st August 1915 at age 33 in Hospital at Vincent Square, Westminster, London, England, from wounds caused by a sniper's bullet on the Western Front.

    He fought in the Boer War between 1900 and 1902. He gained the rank of officer in 1901 in the service of the North Staffordshire Regiment. He fought in the First World War between 1914 and 1915. He gained the rank of Captain on 20 March 1914. He was Adjutant of the 5th Battalion, the Sherwood Foresters in 1915. He was the son of Tonman Mosley, 1st and last Baron Anslow and Lady Hilda Rose Montgomerie.

    s flynn




    220197

    Sgt. John Hallam MM. 13th Btn. East Yorkshire (d.13th Nov 1916)

    I am researching our village war memorial and would love to learn how John Hllam who served with the 13th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment won his Military Medal and where he served. John died on 13th November 1916.

    Lucille Chesterton




    220196

    L/Cpl. Reginald Louis Hull London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Reginald Louis Hull served with the London Regiment and died on 15th September 1916.

    Don Hull




    220195

    L/Sgt. John Allingham Hull London Regiment (d.22nd Feb 1918)

    John Allingham Hull served with the London Regiment and died on 22 February 1918.

    Don Hull




    220193

    Pte. Archibald Hardy 24th (Tynside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th Nov 1917)

    Private Archibald Hardy served with the 24th and 27th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers during WW1 and died on the 20th November 1917. He is buried in Wancourt British Cemetery, in France.

    Mike Hardy




    220192

    L/Cpl. Robert Davison 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.11th Jun 1917)

    Robert Davison was my great uncle on my grandmother's side, he was a miner from County Durham, born in March 1892. He served with the 12th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and died on 11th June 1917.

    Dave Hennessey




    220189

    Pte. William Henry Fox 11th Btn. Border Regiment (d.25th Nov 1917)

    William Fox served with the Border Regiment 11th Battalion. He was the eldest son of William Fox and brother of Ernest Fox DCM who served with 15th Cheshire Regiment during WW1. The family was made up of our younger brothers and two sisters. William in 1914 was turned down for active service, as he had 'flat feet.' However, in 1917 he tried again and was then passed A1 fit for service. He was killed at Passchendaele on 25th November 1917, just eight months after signing up. His body was not found, he is remembered on the wall at Tyne Cot Cemetery. I have found a letter within his war records from his father, dated four years after his death, a humble request for any personal belongings or decorations due to him. Indeed this is a very sad letter when you read it from my great grandfather. William Henry Fox rest in peace. His brother Ernest my Granddad, a decorated hero, returned home and enjoyed a good and fruitful life. I enjoyed his company when growing up and was very close to him. He was a great role model until he died in 1974. I have visited Tyne Cot and I am soon retuning again. I am the first family member to visit the memorial and to do so after nearly 100 years. A very, very proud family member of both my granddad and great uncle.

    David Crosby




    220188

    Pte. George Gough 14th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Dec 1915)

    My Great Uncle George Gough served with the 14th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and was one of those who died after the gas attack on the trenches, on Sunday, 19th December 1915, near Ypres.

    Eric Suddes




    220180

    Pte. Douglas McLintock 11th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.27th Sep 1915)

    My great great great Uncle Douglas McLintock and his brother had always been tales in my family, I don't know much about them. His brother Peter, died in WW1 as well, six months before he did Peter Gordon McLintock was in Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders)as well. He died in battle with the 2nd Battalion.

    Heidi Paul




    220177

    Cpl. Matthew Smale 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Nov 1916)

    Matthew Smale was the grandson of my great great grandfather's brother. He left a wife and daughter. I would love to find out more.

    Jenny Board




    220175

    Pte. Frederick Alfred James Betteridge 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.25th Oct 1916)

    Frederick Betteridge was the son of Mrs E. M. and the late W. R. Betteridge, of 13 Bexley Terrace, Clewer, Windsor, Berkshire. He was a distant cousin of mine who served and died of wounds aged 24, remembered with pride. He is commemorated on the Clewer War Memorial, and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

    Roger Betteridge




    220174

    Pte. Charles Gordon Todd 13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Charles Gordon Todd was my Grandfather. He originally enlisted into the Durham Light Infantry on 29th February 1916 and was then transferred to the 13th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers on 23rd December 1916. Between January and April 1917 he was fighting in France and I have the following information:-
    • January 1917 - in Marles-Le-Mines then on 26th January to Poperinghe
    • February 1917- still in Poperinghe then on 16th February to the trenches at La Bourse in the Quarries Sector
    • March 1917 - still in trenches at Le Bourse then on 27th March to trenches in the Boyelles/St Leger Sector
    • April 1917 - 1st April in open warfare overlooking Croisues then on 2nd April attacked German trenches where the Battalion sustained many casualties. On 9th April in Bivonaes, on 10th April in Dugouts then from 11th April in the front line where the Battalion advanced into Hindenburg Line. On 24th April in Mercatel then 25th April in Bivonaes and 26th April Boiry Becquereele.
    My Grandfather was wounded in the Hindenburg Line and was discharged on 1st December 1917 due to his injuries. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his services.

    Gwen Williams




    220172

    Cpl. Roland Richard Dicker 1/8th Btn. London Regiment

    Roland Dickerwas my Grandfather. He volunteered and enlisted on 4th August 1915; . He served with the 1/8th Battalion, London Regiment on the Western Front from 06.07.1916 to 17.12.1917. He was wounded twice, first shot and secondly gassed, the latter injuries bad enough to render him unfit to return to the front line. The gassing injuries, by deduction, occured during the Battle of Cambrai in an attack on Bourlon Wood between 3rd and 30th November 1917. His date of discharge was 5th November 1918

    Below is a letter from Roland's CO, sent when he learnt of my Grandfather's death in 1964, he alludes to their time together in action during the Great War:

    Cragside,

    Rothbury,

    Morpeth

    Northumberland.

    14th April 1964

    N. V. O. Morris Esq.,

    14~ Downfield Road,

    Clifton,

    Bristol, 8,

    Glouoestershire.

    Dear Mr. Morris,

    Many thanks for your kind letter of 25 March, I fear there has been a little delay in answering your letter as I was away from Cragside when it arrived. It was with very great sorrow that I read of the passing of your Father-in-Law Mr. Dicker (I always think of him as Corporal Dicker) was one of the finest and nicest men I came across in World War I. Mr. Dicker was of the utmost help to me and I always enjoyed his oompany. We were in a corner of Belgium at the time, not far from the famous Yser Canal, and in those ditficult times I knew I could always rely to the utmost on Mr. Dicker. He was always so willing and cheerful and helpful. I had the good fortune to be "Mentioned in Dispatches" in the salient and I always feel that the work which pleased the Generals was largely the work of Mr. Dicker. I send you and all the family my deepest sympathy and will always cherish his memory. I am writing a 11ttle note now to Mrs. Dicker. With kind regards, I remain, Ever yours sincerely,

    Armstrong

    James Morris




    220171

    Maj. George Albert "Roy" Hill

    My great uncle George Albert "Roy" Hill was born in Rockwood Ontario in 1897. He died at the age of 76 in 1973, in Stratford Ontario. He served with the Royal Flying Corps and flew with Billy Bishop in the great war. He told me that Bishop did not shoot down the Red Baron. Bishop was in his tent recovering from a hangover from the night before. Therefore he was not in the air that day when the Baron was shot down. It was either Roy Brown or ground fire that shot the Red Baron down. Roy Brown did shoot the Red Baron down twice. I was told that Billy Bishop would fly off on his own - shoot up his aircraft with his own guns. Nothing vital was ever hit on his plane. When the D.N.D. at CFB Borden found that Bishop was a fraud, the memorial plaque commemorating him was removed immediately.

    John T Davis




    220167

    Pte. Andrew McPherson 6th Btn. G Company. Black Watch (d.26th Jun 1915)

    Pte. Andrew McPherson served with the G Company, 6th Battalion, Black Watch. He died on 26th July 1915

    Mary Meldrum




    220163

    Benjamin Gwilt 2nd Btn. Welch Regiment

    Benjamin Gwilt served with the 2nd Battalion, Welch Regiment

    Amanda Clancy




    220162

    Sgt. Frederick Walter Nunn 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.13th Aug 1915)

    I was brought up in the same house that had been occupied by my grand parents and their family of 4 sons and a daughter. One of them was my father Percy Nunn who was a Sgt in the Royal Fusiliers in the 1914-18 war. His three brothers, Ernest a private in the AIF, Albert a Corporal in the Grenadier Guards, and Frederick Nunn, a Sgt. in the South Wales Borderers were all killed in the Gallipoli Campaign. Frederick is listed in a book "Fastest to Canada" the story of how the ship HMT Royal Edward became the first troop ship to be torpedoed in the Aegean Sea. It had on board 53 men of the South Wales Borderers and it is told in our family history that Fred saved four men before drowning himself. The ship had 1600 on board and 600 were lost at sea. It was ironic that my father was also at Avonmouth Docks on the same morning as brother Fred, but they did not meet and boarded separate ships. That was on 29th July and The Royal Edward was struck on the 13th August 1915.





    220161

    Pte. Henry Richard Ford 10th (Hull Commercials) Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Henry Richard Ford enlisted on 11th December 1915. He served with the 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, the Hull Commercials and appears to have been in France for most of the time from 15th October 1916 onwards. He was shot in the face in November 1916 and returned to England from 5th December 1916 to 7th March 1917 where he was fitted with new teeth and treated for fever.

    He returned overseas and was killed in action in France on 27th March 1918.





    220158

    Peter Lambert 9th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.9th May 1915)

    Peter Lambert, served with the 1st/9th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was killed on 9th May 1915 aged 18, at Ypres.

    Ian Lambert




    220150

    Rfmn. Sidney Gentle 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    Sidney Gentle served with the 15th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles and died on 23rd October 1918.

    Charlotte Miller




    220147

    Cpl. Alfred C Perrin 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.14th Mar 1915)

    Alfred Perrin served in the 2nd Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and died on 14th March 1915. As it is the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War I am researching the men who made the ultimate sacrifice and are commemorated on the memorial in the Church of St. Mary The Virgin at Stapleford, Herts. I am doing a brief history of each man and where he was in the First World War. Can anyone add any information?





    220145

    Pte. Patrick O'Keeffe 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.1st Sep 1916)

    Patrick O'Keeffe served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. He died on 1st September 1916.

    Margaret Nolan




    220144

    L/Cpl. Alexander Rae Arthur Dryden 10th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    L/Cpl. Alexander Dryden served with the 10th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment and died on 3rd July 1916.

    Ronald Dryden




    220138

    Gnr. Robert Johnston 1st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.19th May 1915)

    <p>

    Gunner Robert Johnston served with the 1st Seige Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He died of wounds, on 19th May 1915 and is buried in the Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    220134

    Pte. John Betts 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1915)

    Transcript of newspaper article of the time:

    Private John Betts (15294), 2nd Battallion, Hampshire Regiment, Expeditionary Force. He was among those wounded at Gallipoli, in the Dardanelles and was drafted straight to Hollywood School, Military Hospital, Stockport on Friday week, August 27th. the authorities and medical staff there did all they could for the wounded soldier, but he past away, from the effects of the wounds recieved, last Thursday, September 2nd. His age was 45 years.

    An impressive military funeral was given the deceased soldier to-day (Monday) at Willow Grove Cemetary, an escort of about 46 men of the Cheshire and R.A.M.C lining up outside the hospital, under the command of Sergeant Smith - (R.A.M.C) assisted by Corporal Casey in charge of the hospitaln deputation, and the first party under Sergeant Dayton, with a couple buglers.

    The cortege was preceded by the firing party, the coffins containing the remains of the late Private Betts, covered with a Union Jack, bein conveyed in an open Windsor car, and surmounted by floral tributes. One brougham followed, conveying, as mourners, as the following patients of the deceased Private, and as representing the hospital:- Private Criddon, 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers: Corporal Harrop, 7th Lancashire Fusiliers: private jackson 17th Manchester Regiment: Private Stokes, 2nd K.O.R.L regiment. Bearers walked on either side of the funeral car, and the firing party carried their arms with reversed. Traffic was held up in Princess Street and other parts, while the precession passed, and every respect was paid to the memory of the deceased soldier.

    The Rev.J.H Thorpe, B.D, military chaplain met the coffin at the Cemetery at Willow Grove and officiated holding a short service in the church and at the grave side. In a brief address the Rev. Gentlenmen reminded the men present that they were gathered there to pay a last tribute to the fallen soldier. who had laid down his live for his country. if there was on thing which the present war had brought about in their own lives, it was the knowledge of the glory attached to laying down their lives for their King and their country. They did not perhaps realise all that so well in times of peace, or before the war broke out. let them think of the thousands of their own countrymen - many more boys - who were doing this week by week, and remember that when the call came the same was expected of each one of them. As true soldiers. They were fighting for Liberty, Righteousnous and Peace, and it was for them all to try and uphold the same, even at the forfeit of their lives. As brothers in arms they were paying their last tribute of respect fore him who had met with his death, and it mattered not wether a soldier "be a duke's son or a cook's son." it was a duty expected of one and all.

    A sister and a nurse from the hospital were present at the church attending the funeral in their uniforms, unofficially. But out of respect for the deceased soldier.

    The remains were placed in a private grave provided for the purpose of military internments, and the grave was draped with violet cloth. Private John Betts now lies by the side of the Belgian Private who was imported some time back.

    A very handsome large floral cross was sent bearing the inscription "A token of regard for services rendered in King and country, from N.C.O.'s and men R.A.M.O, and general staff at the Hollywood Hospital". Another floral tribute bore the inscription "in memory of John Betts who died foe his country. Madge Hulme." Three other large bunches of flowers were noticed, but were without any inscriptions. At the close of the commital service by the rev. military chaplain, the firing party fired the usual three volleys, and "The Last Post." sounded by the bugles, was effectively given, at some little distance from the grave.

    The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr George Meredith of St Wellington road South, Stockport.

    Gail Blackmore




    220133

    Pte. Louis Cartz 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    My grandfather Louis Cartz was captured during the March 1918 offensive near Bethune (not absolutely certain of location) as a private in the 2nd Bat Suffolk Regiment.

    I understand he got caught on barbed wire and was captured and taken to a German field hospital. He celebrated his 19th birthday (25th march) having his left leg amputated, drunk as they had no anaesthetic. He was then transferred to another field hospital and was popular as he could speak German and acted as an informal conduit for both sides. He always considered himself a lucky man as he had come out alive. He had no malice towards the Germans. He came home in 1919

    Michael Cartz




    220132

    Pte. H. Wholey 12th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment

    Pte. H Wholey served with the 12th (City of Sheffield) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.

    Simon Wheeler




    220129

    Pte. H. Booth 12th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment

    Pte. H. Booth served with the Sheffield City 12th Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment

    Simon Wheeler




    220128

    Pte. Frederick Edwin Wicks 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.25th Jan 1915)

    Frederick Wicks was one of four brothers, three of whom who went to war in WW1 and never returned. He served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and was killed in action on 25th January 1915 aged 30yrs His grave is ib Prowse Point Military Cemetery, in Belgium.

    He was born in 1884 in Hurst, Berkshire and was married to Annie, father to three young children, they lived in Long Itchington. He is remembered on the Hurst memorial website, on Binfield church memorial. His name and two of his brothers' names were called out, together again on 1st Sept 2014 at the Tower of London moat of poppies. Remembered forever by his great great niece

    Mrs Allen




    220127

    Pte. James William Wicks 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire regiment (d.8th Aug 1916)

    James Hicks was one of four brothers, three of whom who went to war in WW1 and never returned He served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire regiment and was killed in action on 8th August 1916 He has no grave but is remembered on the Thiepval War Memorial. He was born 1880 in Hurst, Berkshire, he enlisted in Wokingham in October 1915, he lived in Binfield, Berkshire. He is also commemorated on the Hurst memorial website, on Binfield war memorial. He and two of his brothers' names were called out on 1st Sept 2014 at the Tower of London moat of poppies. Remembered forever by his great great niece

    Mrs Allen




    220126

    Pte. Albert George Wicks 2nd btn. Royal Warwickshire (d.7th May 1918)

    Albert Wicks was one of four brothers, three of whom who went to war and never returned. He was killed in action on 7th May 1918 aged 40 yrs and is buried at Gonnehem British cemetery in France

    He was born in 1877 at Hurst, Berkshire and enlisted in Reading, Berkshire joining C Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire regiment He is remembered on the Hurst memorial website, on the Binfield war memorial, he and two of his brothers' names were called out on 1st Sept 2014 at the Tower of London moat of poppies. Remembered forever by his great great niece

    Mrs Allen




    220123

    Pte. Thomas O'Connor 10th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.14th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas O'Connor served with the 10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry and was killed in action on 14th July 1915, aged 30. He is buried in the Lillers Communal Cemetery in France. He was the husband of Alice O'Connor, of 30, Wellwynd St., Airdrie.

    s flynn




    220119

    Rfmn. Robert Roberts 2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Robert Roberts served with the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade and died on 25th September 1915. He is remembered at the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    John Harris




    220116

    Sgt. George David Cox 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.11th April 1917)

    George Cox was in the Army from 1900 to 1908 and when he left he got married and became a tram driver in Birmingham. At the outbreak of the War he was called as a reservist and was back with the 1st Bn Warwicks in October 1914. At the Battle of Arras in 1917, I believe, he was killed when the enemy shelled the regiment's assembly point. He has no grave and his name is recorded in the Arras memorial. He is also commemorated in the Birmingham Book of Remembrance. I have a copy of the April 11th pages of the battalion's war diary and the war graves commission remembrance web page. He is commemorated in bay 3 of the Arras Memorial

    My late dad was 5 years old and remembered him on leave around the new year 1917. He says he was a big man with a moustache, but when you look at contemporary photographs they were all big men with moustaches! I'm always amazed that that having been in it so long and knowing all the horrors he still went back. He died very soon after his return to the front.

    Brian Cox




    220113

    Dvr. Jacob Victor Curtis 187th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Sept 1917)

    Very little is known of my grandfather Jacob Victor Curtis who served with 187th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Can anyone please help me fill in the gaps in information?

    April Ord




    220112

    Sgt. Alfred Tennyson "Terry" Burgess 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy

    <p>

    Terry Burgess was my maternal great great uncle. He survived the war and returned to Australia in 1919. Photo of him is in the Australian Great War Photo Archive as E00555 as well as some other members of 10th MGC AIF at Uhlan Trench, Messines ridge in 1917. Left to right: Major Harold Ordish DSO; Lieutenant Frank Hales Potter (slightly behind Ordish); Sergeant J H White; Private C A Bayliss; Pte P C Prist; Sgt Alfred Tennyson Burgess (partially obscured); Captain Augustine William Wardell MC; unidentified (partially obscured); unidentified; Pte Reginal Beresford Hunt. Pte T Ferguson standing in the trench.

    Edward Wilson




    220110

    CSM Charles William Cotton 7th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Charles Cotton joined up in August 1914. He was awarded the Italian Bronze Medal. Son of John and Sarah Cotton, of Bolton; husband of Edith Cotton, of 19, Mortfield Lane, Bolton, Lancs.

    Lesley Whitehead




    220108

    L/Cpl. Frank Oakley MM. 58th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.2nd Aug 1917)

    Frank Oakley was born in December 1880. He was a private in the West Yorkshire Regiment and was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in or around February 1916. He is buried at Locre Hospice Cemetery, Belgium. He was awarded the MM before his death, but as yet, I can find no record of why he won this award. He died from gas poisoning either by Phosgene or Mustard gas? He was married and had eight children at the time of his death

    Phil Oakley




    220107

    Gnr. Frank John Bussey 177th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd Aug 1917)

    In 1911 Frank Bussey was working as a Barman in Fulham, London, England and living at 55 Goldhawk Road, Fulham. He served as a Gunner with "C" Bty. 177th Bde. Royal Field Artillery and was aged 27 when he was killed on 03/08/1917. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery. He was the son of James William and Jane Bussey, of 15A, Alma Place, Maison Dieu Rd., Dover, Kent.

    Graham Beckett




    220105

    James Rivett 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy (d.14th Sep 1918)

    James Rivett was born in London and emigrated as a child to Adelaide. He volunteered a year under age, was badly gassed, taken to hospital in Rouen where he died a few days later on 14th September 1918, his 21st birthday (Army records show 22). He is buried St Sevre extension, Rouen.

    John Beresford




    220103

    Pte. Cecil Austin Osborne 11th Australian Field Ambulance

    My Grandfather Cecil Osborne served with the 11th Australian Field Ambulance.

    Graham Osborne




    220102

    Bdr. Edward John Davies MM. 88th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Ted Davies served with 88th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and was awarded the Military Medal. I have been unable to find any additional information about my grandfather

    Stuart Edward Davies




    220096

    George Nicholls North Staffordshire Regiment

    My grandfather George Nicholls was born in Stone in Staffordshire about 1883. I know he fought at the Battle of Loos, were he lost his brother William. I believe after the war he was stationed at Fulwood Barracks in Preston.

    He lived in Moorbrook Street with my Grandma, Rachel Lyons. They had three children: George who fought in the Second World War and married my Aunty Tulia from Italy. My Aunty Doris who married Stan and moved to Felixstowe in Suffolk. My dad, Bill, who married my mum Irene. If you could provide me with further information that would be great.

    John Nicholls




    220092

    Pte. James Loftus Moreland 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    James Loftus Moreland was the son of James Moreland and Winifred (nee Kell). He was born in August 1896. His father James had joined the 6th Durham Light Infantry in 1908 and was sent to the front with the regiment in 1915. His son joined the same regiment in 1916 as a conscript just turned 21. He joined the regiment near High Wood during the battle of the Somme. It is said that he was in the same trench as his father and when he was shot his father carried him back to a clearing station but it was too late. He died on 16th September 1916. James is buried in Adanac cemetery. His father who served until 1919 had also served during the Boar War lived until 1953.

    Gavin Bake




    220088

    Pte. Thomas Yates QM. 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.10th Nov 1915)

    Pte. Thomas Yates was my late grandfather who served with the South lancs Regiment. He died on 10th November 1915 and is buried at Green Hill cemetery. Heading north from Anzac you will encounter Green hill and Chocolate hill.

    brianyates




    220081

    Pte. John George Pattison VC. 50th Btn. Alberta Regiment (d.3rd Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Pte. John George Pattison served with the Canadian Infantry Alberta Regiment. He was killed in action on 3rd June 1917, aged 42 and, is buried in La Chaudiere Military Cemetery in France.

    He was the son of Harry and Mary Pattison; husband of Mrs. S. L. Pattison, of Suite 12, Curtis Block, Calgary, Alberta. Native of New Cross, England.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," No.30215, dated 31st July, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery in attack. When the advance of our troops was held up by an enemy machine gun, which was inflicting severe casualties, Pte. Pattison, with utter disregard for his own safety, sprang forward and, jumping from shell-hole to shell-hole, reached cover within thirty yards of the enemy gun. From this point, in face of heavy fire, he hurled bombs, killing and wounding some of the crew, then rushed forward overcoming and bayoneting the surviving five gunners. His valour and initiative undoubtedly saved the situation and made possible the further advance to the objective."

    s flynn




    220080

    Sgt. Albert Edward Slack 28th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.19th Jul 1916)

    Albert Slack signed up in 1914 and at the time was engaged to be married to my gran, Jean McNair. He served with the Highland Light Infantry and the 28th Machine Gun Corps. Little is known of his unit's movements until July 1916 when during the Battle of Delville Wood, he is recorded as dying from wounds on 19th July but has no grave. His name exists only on the Thiepval Monument. My gran eventually married Albert's younger brother David, after the war.

    John Slack




    220079

    Pte. Matthew Gray DCM. 34th Btn.

    I have Matthew Gray's Dead Man's Penny, Matthew's wife gave it to my uncle who I turn gave it to me, Matthew travels with me. He served with the 34th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force.

    Peter Thorpe




    220078

    Pte. John Benjamin Clark 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    John Clark was my great grandfather He was married with 14 children and at the age of 41 replied to Kitchener's call for recruits. He served with the 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. As far as I know he was only in Theatre for a very short amount of time and was killed in Action.

    I am still researching him and getting the right data is difficult as I know he died in 1915 but the record of him shows 1917.

    Suzi Bashford




    220075

    Sgt. Archibald Ernest Clark MM. 90th Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    Archibald Clark was my grandfather who served with the Machine Gun Corps 90th Company. He was captured in March 1918 in battle and we have a wonderful hand written letter in pencil from his officer, describing how he was 'sorry to lose him as he was one in a thousand'. He hoped that he had been captured as a prisoner and it was indeed the case. We also have a letter from the King to my grandmother and the official missing telegram from the War Office, Grandad's Demobilisation account dated 19th March 1919 when he collected pay due of £81, 14s and 9d.

    Penelope Roberts




    220073

    Pte. Ernest Cutting 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.26th Apr 1917)

    My Great Uncle Ernest Cutting was brother to my grandmother May Alexandra Wright [ nee Cutting]. He was aged only 20 years old when he died of wounds in France. He is buried at the Etaples Cemetery.

    These boys were so brave I would have been terrified to have to do what they did. We must never forget them they sacrificed their lives so we could all be free.

    I do not know much about Ernest other than what I have found on the internet as every one who would know him has now died. Ernest's brother Arthur Cutting also died during the war but I have not been able to find details of him.

    Kathleen Bennett




    220072

    Rfmn. Stanley Rust Savill 16th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th Sep 1917)

    Stanley Savill was my Great Uncle. It's believed that he was a sniper and he never returned from duty. His body was never found. His name is on the Tyne Cot Memorial and his name was read out at the Roll of Honour ceremony at the Tower of London on 30th August 2014. Both his brother and sister named their 1st born Stanley.

    Rifleman Stanley Rust Savill served with the 16th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps during WW1 and died, age 21, on the 27th September 1917. He is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial. He was the Son of William Thomas and Kate Savill, of 40, St. Awdrys Rd., Barking, Essex.

    Anne Skinner




    220070

    Pte. Walter Cotton 12th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th Oct 1918)

    Walter Cotton was born in Staffordshire but lived in Bolton, Lancashire. His brother Charles was killed in the Battle of Messines in 1917 and he attended his grave. Walter's battalion was attached to the 60th Brigade in 20th (Light) Division. He was taken prisoner (as yet the whereabouts are unknown to us) and died as a PoW in Germany. He is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery.

    Lesley Whitehead




    220064

    Pte. James Henry Cunningham Lancashire Fusiliers

    James Henry Cunningham enlisted on the 26th of August 1914. He transferred to the Army Reserves 3/3/1919 His record shows that he was awarded Victory and British Medal and also the 15 Star. Theatre of war he first served in was the Balkans.

    James Cunningham was an excellent swimmer and a family rumour is he swam in the army and had it not have been for the war would have been an Olympic swimmer in the cancelled Berlin Games. He was a member of the Royal Antideluvian Order of Buffalows. Phlharmonic Lodge.





    220059

    Pte. Robert Mactier VC 23rd Btn. (d.1st Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Mactier was killed in action 01/09/1918, aged 28 and buried in the Hem Farm Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Robert and Christiana J. Mactier, of "Reitcam", Tatura, Victoria, Australia

    An extract from the London Gazette dated 13th Dec. 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the morning of 1st September, 1918, during the attack on the village of Mont St. Quentin. Prior to the advance of the battalion, it was necessary to clear up several enemy strong points close to our line. This the bombing patrols sent forward failed to effect, and the battalion was unable to move. Pte. Mactier single-handed, and in daylight, thereupon jumped out of the trench, rushed past the block, closed with and killed the machine gun garrison of eight men with his revolver and bombs, and threw the enemy machine gun over the parapet. Then, rushing forward about 20 yards he jumped into another strong point held by a garrison of six men who immediately surrendered. Continuing to the next block through the trench, he disposed of an enemy machine gun which had been enfilading our flank advancing troops, and was then killed by another machine gun at close range. It was entirely due to this exceptional valour and determination of Pte. Mactier that the battalion was able to move on to its ' jumping-off ' trench and carry out the successful operation of capturing the village of Mont St. Quentin a few hours later."

    s flynn




    220058

    2nd Lt. George Edward Cates VC. 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.9th March 1917)

    <p>

    George Cates was killed in action 09/03/1917, aged 24 and buried in the Hem Farm Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of George and Alice Ann Cates, of 39, Compton Rd., Wimbledon, London

    An extract from the "London Gazette", dated 11th May, 1917, recorded the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. When engaged with some other men in deepening a captured trench this officer struck with his spade a buried bomb, which immediately started to burn. 2nd Lt. Gates, in order to save the lives of his comrades, placed his foot on the bomb, which immediately exploded. He showed the most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in performing the act which cost him his life, but saved the lives of others."

    s flynn




    220057

    QMS. William George Davies Army Service Corps

    My great grandfather, William George Davies, was born in Shoreditch, East London in 1882. His father was a baker and had a shop at 509 Seven Sisters Road, Tottenham where William worked as a baker alongside his father and brother. He married my great grandmother in 1910 and they were running a bakers in Green Street, Bethnal Green in 1911. On 8th April 1915 he joined the army, leaving his wife in Bethnal Green with their 3 small daughters aged between 4 years and 5 months old. By the time of his death he would also have 2 sons born in 1918 and 1920, the youngest just 5 months old when he died.

    He joined the Army Service Corps at Aldershot and by June 1915 they were in France. His discharge records say he was of very good character but on 8 November 1916 he was reprimanded for being drunk in town without a pass. In May 1917 he was transferred to the Labour Corps where he was a Quarter Master Sergeant but by August 1918 he was already being treated for shell shock and was formerly discharged as being unfit for service on 11 Sept 1918 ('melancholia due to AS'). He was sent to the Belfast War Hospital which was a specialist mental health unit set up in 1917. Across the top of his discharge papers is written by hand 'Mental case'. He was discharged with a new suit, £1 and his Silver Badge.

    At some point after August 1918 he arrived at the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley where his treatment for shell shock continued. He died there on 27 June 1920. My grandmother, Florence Ada Davies, told me a story that he died from blood poisoning after being bitten by a goat - my dad and I used to laugh at this, dismissing it as another of her funny stories. His service records show that his wife gave his cause of death as 'blood poisoning' and also mentioned Army Farms 2067 and 2079 so perhaps there was some truth in it after all....

    William George Davies is buried in the Netley Military Cemetery. He was 39 years old when he died and was survived by his wife Annie; daughters Edith, Mary and Florence; sons Billy and Bert. He is remembered by his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

    Claire




    220056

    Pte. Fredrick Joseph Tivey 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    Frederick J Tivey was my great uncle killed 27 May 1918 in the Battle for Aisne.

    Alan Wileman




    220054

    Pte. George Henry Siddalls 7th Btn. London Regiment (d.28th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle was George Henry Siddalls. I have a picture of him with North Staffordshire Regiment cap badge and number 61128. He was the third son of Mr & Mrs Siddalls, all three serving in WW1. He then went to the Middlesex Regiment and was killed in action on 28th of August 1918 age 23, he fell in the advance with the 7th Btn London Regiment. His name is on the memorial in Vis en Artoir. His name was never recorded on any war memorials in the UK except for a plaque erected by the Oddfellows as he was one, in Tuttbury church, which was taken down and put away in the 30s as it was connected to Oswald Mosley. Thankfully it is now restored and back on the wall.

    Gary Fish




    220047

    Pte. William Henry Reed 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

    William Reed was the husband of Gertrude Ada Reed, of 3, Somerset Rd., Portswood, Southampton.

    Willy De Brouwer




    220043

    Lt. Alfred Edward Gaby VC. 28th Btn. (d.11th August 1918)

    Alfred Gaby was killed in action 11th of August 1918, aged 26 and buried in the Heath Cemetery in France. He was the son of Alfred Athelstane Gaby and Adelaide Gaby and was born at Scottsdale, Tasmania

    An extract from "The London Gazette, dated 29th Oct., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and dash in attack, when, on reaching the wire in front of an enemy trench, strong opposition was encountered. The advance was at once checked, the enemy being in force about forty yards beyond the wire, and commanding the gap with machine guns and rifles. Lt. Gaby found another gap in the wire, and, single-handed, approached the strong point while machine guns and rifles were still being fired from it. Running along the parapet, still alone, and at point-blank range, he emptied his revolver into the garrison, drove the crews from their guns, and compelled the surrender of fifty of the enemy with four machine guns. He then quickly re-organised his men and led them on to his final objective, which he captured and consolidated. Three days later, during an attack, this officer again led his company with great dash to the objective. The enemy brought heavy rifle and machine-gun fire to bear upon the line, but in the face of this heavy fire Lt. Gaby walked along his line of posts, encouraging his men to quickly consolidate. While engaged on this duty he was killed by an enemy sniper."

    s flynn




    220042

    Pte. Francis Lyons Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.31st Oct 1914)

    My great uncle Francis Lyons was born in Loftus in North Yorkshire and they moved to Preston. He was the younger brother of my grandma, Rachel Lyons, who married my grand-dad George Nicholls. His parents were Francis Lyons and Amelia Lyons nee Newbound. Francis was killed at Ypres on the 31st October 1914 and he his remembered at the Menin Gate.

    It would be great to hear from anybody who could provide me with any further information

    John Nicholls




    220041

    Pte. Robert Matthew Beatham VC. 8th Btn. (d.11th Aug 1918)

    Robert Beatham was killed in action, on the 11th of August 1918, aged 24. He is buried in the Heath Cemetery in France. He was the son of Elizabeth Beatham, of Glassonby, Kirkoswald, Cumberland, England, and the late John Beatham.

    An extract from "The London Gazette" dated 13th Dec., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice during the attack north of Rosieres, east of Amiens, on 9th Aug., 1918. When the advance was held up by heavy machine gun fire, Pte. Beatham dashed forward, and, assisted by one man, bombed and fought the crews of four enemy machine guns, killing ten of them and capturing ten others, thus facilitating the advance and saving many casualties. When the final objective was reached, although previously wounded, he again dashed forward and bombed a machine gun, being riddled with bullets and killed in doing so. The valour displayed by this gallant soldier inspired all ranks in a wonderful manner."

    s flynn




    220040

    Pte. John Bernard Croak VC. 13th Btn. Quebec Regiment (d.8th Aug 1918)

    JohnCroak died of wounds on the 8th of August 1918 aged 26, he os buried in the Hangard Wood British Cemetery in France. He was the son of James and Cecelia Croak, of New Aberdeen, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Born at Little Bay, Newfoundland.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30922, dated 24th Sept., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery in attack when having become separated from his section he encountered a machine gun nest, which he bombed and silenced, taking the gun and crew prisoners. Shortly afterwards he was severely wounded, but refused to desist. Having rejoined his platoon, a very strong point, containing several machine guns, was encountered. Private Croak, however, seeing an opportunity, dashed forward alone and was almost immediately followed by the remainder of the platoon in a brilliant charge. He was the first to arrive at the trench line, into which he led his men, capturing three machine guns and bayonetting or capturing the entire garrison. The perseverance and valour of this gallant soldier,who was again severely wounded, and died of his wounds, were an inspiring example to all."

    s flynn




    220039

    Pte. William Nicholls North Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    My Great Uncle Bill was the younger brother of George Nicholls who grew up together in Stone. Their father was James Nicholls and mother Eliza Salt. They had a sister Charlotte Nicholls also called Charlotte Salt. He was killed at the Battle of Loos on 13th October 1915 and his memorial is at the Battle of Loos Memorial. If anybody has more information that would be great.

    John Nicholls




    220031

    Sgt. Harry Speight DCM. 8th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.29th July 1918)

    Sergeant Harry Speight served with the 8th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment and died in battle on the Montage de Bligny on 29th July 1918. He had previously been mentioned in despatches and received the D.C.M in 1917. He and his comrades who died at Bligny are commemorated each year in a special service at Leeds Minster. His battalion was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for their action in repelling the enemy.

    Margaret Anderson




    220030

    Sgt. Jackson Clarke 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My grandfather, Jackson Clarke, joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 1910, attesting in Belfast, Joining at Dover. He was posted to the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in India in 1912. Still with the 1st Btn, he returned to England in 1914 to form part of the BEF, 8th Division. He left the army in 1931.

    Stephen Kerr




    220028

    Cpl. Richard Walter Ringrose 4th London Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Sadly there is only a medal record for Cpl. Richard Walter Ringrose. His medal card notes that he was part of the 4th London Battalion (location of the headquarters in City Rd would suggest that this is correct) but there exists a photograph taken in Nov 1918 of him with the 3rd Battalion football team. Were the two battalions together at this time? Dick's brother Harold enlisted with the 4th London. Harold later was part of the Labour Corps as it is understood he was injured and lost an eye and it was said "he never recovered from the war".

    Lesley Jensen




    220027

    Pte. James Souter 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Feb 1915)

    I know very little of my Grandfather James Souter and his involvement in WW1. It wasn't until I was in my early 40's that I knew his name was on the Menin Gate or the date he was killed - 28th February 1915. I have since visited and found it very moving. I would love to know more about what happened to him and what kind of action he was involved in. He served with the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, 9th Brigade, 3rd Division.

    John Souter




    220024

    Pte. Thomas Weller 13th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Thomas Weller was my grandfather. He enlisted in 1916 aged 31. I presume he was not fit enough for active service as he was posted to a Labour Battalion of the Royal Berkshires. He served with the BEF and was discharged in 1919 in Valenciennes, but there are no further details as I gather. He had four young boys, the oldest being my father, who was 11. The family had always been poor and with even less income, my father had to leave school aged 12, as soon as he reached the required standard, to work on a farm. Grandfather Tom spent the rest of his life as a general labourer and died in 1948, aged 63. As I was only 4 at the time, I have only very vague memories of him.

    Barbara Newbury




    220023

    Pte. John Samuel Hudson Remounts Army Service Corps

    My grandfather John Hudson joined base 3 depot at Shirehampton on 14th of March 1915 serving with the Army Service Corps Remounts and he embarked to France on 18th March 1915. He was in a gas attack & was temporarily blinded, as reported in the Beeston & West Notts Gazette & Echo, he was sent home on 10th June 1915, arriving on the 11th. He deserted from hospital on 12th September 1915 and unfortunately the remainder of the service report is too faint to read. The story he told the family was that, still wearing hospital blues, he hid under a train seat to get home.

    Jill




    220021

    Walter Bowman 41st Bde. Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandfather known to me has Walter Bowman Canwell joined the army in Glasgow 1902 attested as a gunner, left in 1906 and was recalled in 1914. He served with the 41st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. I know he was sent on expeditionary to France, not sure after that, was told he was in the ARP in ww2. Don't know why he joined in the name Bowman when our name is Canwell?

    Peter Canwell




    220018

    CSM. Edward Joseph Patten Dainty DCM. 2nd Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Nov 1917)

    My Great Uncle Company Sergeant Major Edward (Ted) Joseph Patten Dainty 230936 served with the 2nd Btn, London Regiment. He was originally a resident of Brentwood Essex, son of Edward Joseph And Emily Dainty. Before war broke out he had trained to be a teacher at St Peter's Training College (Peterborough 1911-12), and is commemorated on the Roll of Honour stone tablet War Memorial for their students, in St Sprite's Chapel Peterborough Cathedral.

    On 3rd of May 1917, presumably at Fresnoy France, it is recorded that, near the river Cojeul, Company Sgt-Major E. J. P. Dainty (2nd Lond., Educ.) was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal: " for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in consolidating and defending a position which had become almost untenable through flanking and frontal fire. His total indifference to danger restored the situation at a very critical moment when no officers were on the spot." He has a citation to this effect in the Supplement to the London Gazette 18th July 1917.

    In October or early November 1917 he married my Great Aunt Eleanor at Weymouth.She was a teacher too. I was always told that he returned immediately to France directly after their wedding. I have her brown velvet wedding dress and photos of them both.

    On 8th November 1917, aged 27, he was killed in an accident near Lebucquiere to the east of Bapaume. I was always told this was a rail accident but I can find no record of this. He is buried in Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Eleanor never remarried. She became an invalid thoughout her life, and was looked after by her unmarried sister until her death in the early 1950s. I possess a tiny leather diary of Ted's - unfortunately with few entries. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.

    Polly Dangerfield




    220017

    Pte. George William Foster 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1915)

    George William Foster was born in Shildon, Co. Durham in 1894, the second of 10 children. His mother Elizabeth had died just before the 1911 census returns were filled, leaving his father Thomas with 7 children at home. George was the eldest by this time, having lost his eldest sister some years before. Aged 16, he worked for the North Eastern Railway Co as an engine cleaner at Bank Top Station in Darlington. In 1912, George joined the DLI TA. His father remarried and his second wife produced two further siblings for George and the others.

    George went to war at the outset with 2 Durham Light Infantry and lasted a year before, along with too many other unfortunates, being killed in action at Hooges on 9th August 1915 aged 21. He never had the chance to have his own family, but is remembered by me, his great-niece. I would love to see a photograph of him, but do not know of the existence of any. His brother John followed him to France just two-three months later. He was not quite 17. He was to be more fortunate than his brother.

    Doreen




    220014

    Pte. Fred Bradwell 7th Btn. Border Regiment (d.20th Jun 1916)

    Fred Bradwell was my Father's only uncle. Fred served with the Border Regiment 7th Battalion and died on 20th June 1916.

    Alan Coates




    220013

    Pte. James William Unwin HMS Alacantra Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.29th Feb 1916)

    James Unwin died on 29th February 1916 whilst serving aboard. HMS Alacantra. He was aged just 18 when the ship sank. He is remembered with honour at the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, United Kingdom.He was my great great uncle and I still have a copy of the certificate showing all the details and where his name is remembered.

    Kim Stanney




    220009

    Pte. Charles William Henry 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.22nd Feb1916)

    Charles Henry served with the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment. He died on 22nd February 1916.





    220008

    Pte. Robert Archer 6th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.14th Aug 1915)

    At present very little is known about my grandfather's war service, other than he served with 6th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, together with the fact he served at Gallipoli and died there in action on 14th August 1915. His name was Robert Archer.

    Bob Rome




    220007

    Pte. Frederick Guildford Adams 2nd Btn. D Coy . Royal Sussex (d.13th Oct 1915)

    Frederick Adams served with D Coy, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment He was my dad's oldest brother. He was killed before my father was born. He was killed at Loos on Wednesday 13th October 1915 when he was just 18 years of age. He was the son of Frederick and Milly Kate Adams of 8 Providence Row, Bourne Walk, Hastings.

    In 1996 I took dad across to France to visit Frederick's grave, it was a very moving experience. We were the first of the family to get to see where Frederick was buried. He is buried in Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos.

    Carol Eckersley




    220006

    L/Cpl. Frank Woodley 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.9th May 1915)

    Frank Woodley was my great uncle and according to family stories, he lied about his age to enlist. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He died on 9th May 1915 by which time he would have been just 17. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium and this seems to suggest he did not die in any of the major battles but in more everyday trench warfare. I would very much like to find out more about him particularly as we know that the 2nd Battalion was indeed involved in several significant battles. I would also like to find out if he was entitled to any medals as the are nine in the family but again, it has been suggested that he might have been.

    Rosemary Lynn




    220004

    L/Cpl. Alfred Law 7th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1915)

    My great uncle Alfred Law, was born in 1897 in Smethwick, Staffordshire. When war was announced he went to enlist at Smethwick and joined the 7th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment. I do not know the places he fought at but I do know that he died on the 8th August 1915 at Gallipoli while fighting alongside the Anzacs. His brother (my Grandfather) who was fighting in Palestine was not told for two weeks because of being in conflict there.

    We as a family are very proud of what he died for and as a memorial to him we light a lantern every night so that it can burn bright in honour of his bravery.

    Dwayne Mcquaid




    219920

    Thomas Bethune Machine Gun Corps

    Thomas Bethune was the twin brother of Pte. Douglas Bethune.





    219919

    Pte. Richard Willard 32nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.22nd Sep 1917)

    Richard Willard died 22nd September 1917. He was born in Sandhurst, Kent and enlisted in Hawkhurst, he resided Sandhurst. He was the son of Richard and Mary Willard of Alms Houses, Bodiam, Hawkhurst and husband of Annie Elizabeth Willard of Knells Cottage, PaddockWood. Richard has no known grave. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial,Zonnebeke,Belgium.

    Laurie Megson




    219918

    L/Cpl. Denis William Dwyer 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    Denis Dwyer served with the 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment and was killed on 13th October 1915. I am trying to piece together his war record up to the moment of his death (he was my maternal grandmother's brother). He is remembered with honour and affection on the Menin Gate along with 57,000 who have no known grave. I am going to Ypres with an organised visit with my son, dad in law & brother-in-law in Oct 2014 & it would be nice to find out about his unit and how he met his end.

    It is lucky that both my granddads survived the Great War as both were wounded in action & one was a POW for 2 years. They both went on to have long lives into their 70s & father 3 children a piece. Any info about my Grand Uncle Dennis would be gratefully received.

    Paul Gowling




    219917

    L/Cpl. Joseph Horne 23rd (North Western) Btn.. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (d.19th Sep 1918)

    Joseph Horne served with the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) 23rd (North Western) Btn. He died on 19th September 1918.

    Elizabeth Carrington




    219916

    Albert Dahabany Royal Fusilliers

    My father Albert Dahabany and several of his friends served in WWI with the Royal Fusiliers. They joined the British Army in 1914 and served till 1918. He said he served in India and in Egypt.

    Dina Dahbany-Miraglia




    219912

    Rfmn. Charles Joseph Sixt 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.9th Aug 1917)

    Charles Joseph Sixt was the oldest son of a German immigrant of the same name and his English wife, Hannah. He was born in St Pancras but his father (and initially his mother) worked in Ireland (in Dublin and Bundoran) for some years which may be why he joined an Irish unit, the Royal Irish Rifles. I find it very touching that the father was interned, as an enemy alien, while the son fought and ultimately died for Britain on 9th August 1917.

    Elizabeth Jones




    219911

    Pte. Harold Manning Hinds 12th (County of London Rangers) Btn. London Regiment

    My father in Law, Harold Manning Hinds volunteered shortly after the declaration of WW1 and in Sept 1914 was serving with the 12th Battalion London Regt. He eventually found himself on the SS Irvinia a former liner which was torpedoed and sunk off Greece on 1st January 1914. He survived and was taken intitally to Crete but ended up in Egypt on 12th January and it would seem he was then in the 19th Battalion the Rifles, with a new number of 207650. Sometime in 1917 he told me he was informed that he was to be transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and his number became 405815. He later served in Palestine with 113 Sqn RAF and was discharged in 1919.

    We would love to know more about him if you have any information. I have a few photos of soldiers in the water after the sinking of the Irvinia and some on board a rescue ship

    Derek Larkin




    219910

    Cpl. Thomas William Hawkins 2/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.27th Aug 1917)

    Thomas Hawkins served with the 2nd/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment and died on 27th August 1917.

    S Turner




    219908

    James Patrick Holton DCM, MM. 7th/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.26th Aug 1917)

    James Patrick Holton was born in Clonaslee Co. Laois Ireland, he served with the 7th/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers as signals Sgt. to the battalion. James was awarded the DCM and MM and Parchment certificate,for gallantry on the Western Front. He died of wounds aged 26,on 26th August 1917 at Bangour Hospital, West Lothian Scotland and was laid to rest at Ecclesmachan Cemetery, West Lothian.





    219907

    Pte. John Edward Tucker 45th Btn. (d.17th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Jack Tucker was killed in action 17/08/1918, aged 19. He was the son of John Aloysius Tucker and Minnie Tucker, of Coolah, New South Wales. Native of Alectown, New South Wales.

    s flynn




    219906

    Pte. Hedley Alfred Bird 16th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd March 1917)

    <p>

    Hedley Alfred Bird was killed in action 03/03/1917, aged 22 and buried in the Fouquescourt British Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    219902

    Ralph Whalley Machine Gun Corps (d.4th Apr 1918)

    Ralph Whalley served with the Machine Gun Corps and was killed on 4th April 1918. I am keen to hear any information or see any photographs from this battle, his records show he was shot in the head, his name is on a memorial in Pozeiers cemetery any other information would be greatly appreciated .

    Vena Shaw




    219900

    Pte Albert Edward Lowe 2nd Btn. Monmouthshire Regiment (d.12th April 1918)

    Albert Lowe was my grandfathers brother. He was killed in action in the Lys Battlefield Sector and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing. He was 21 when he died

    Genet Bevan




    219894

    Pte. Thomas Pearce 8th Btn. Royal Fusliliers (d.31st Mar 1917)

    Thomas Pearce was my Granddad's brother. He was one of three brothers who fought in ww1 all from north London, he left a wife and daughter. We believe he was killed at Arras on 31st March 1917 in The First Battle of the Scarpe and is buried at Faubourg d'Amiens cemetery, Arras. He served with the 8th battalion, Royal Fusiliers and is commemorated on a war memorial in Tottenham, North London.

    Martin




    219893

    L/Cpl. Hugh Murray Donaldson 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Hugh Murray Donaldson was my great great grandfather. He died when my grandfather was 5 yrs old. I've found his army will online and I am trying to find his grave. I'm guessing he died at Ypres but I don't know for sure.

    Editor's note: 18448 L/Cpl Hugh Murray Donaldson served with the 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers and died on the 4th October 1917. He is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.





    219888

    Rfmn. Frederick William Mcleod MM. 18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    Frederick Mcleod, known as Old Mac was my Grandfather and he served throughout the first world war. He was at Loos and I believe he took part in the valiant Footballer of Loos incident. He won a Military Medal in Oct. 1918.

    Having survived during the war he went to Ireland with the Black and Tans. He then tried to re-enlist in 1939 but was rejected as too old and served in the London Fire Brigade during the blitz, with all the danger and trauma that implies.

    He survived until the 1980s and to us this brave hero was just Grandad.





    219887

    Pte. James Bentham 21st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    James Bentham served with the 21st (Wool Textile Pioneers) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. He was injured in October 1917 from gun shot wounds and was sent to the 8th Stationary Hospital at Wimereux.

    Susan McConkey




    219885

    Sgt Maj. William Charles Lucas MID. XIX Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My Great-Uncle, William Charles Lucas, was recruited into the Royal Field Artillery in 1908, aged 17 having lied about his age (he was born in 1891) He transferred into the RGA for a short time but, by 1911 (confirmed by that year's census) was in India with the XIX Brigade as part of the 6th Poona Div., Indian Army.

    He returned to Winchester in Nov. 1914, he was first sent to France with the XIXth, and then ordered to Salonika in November 1915 where he served until cessation of hostilities with Bulgaria in September 1918, being MID by General Sir George Milne in his despatch of 9th March 1919. He may have then been in Mesopotamia prior to returning to UK where he continued to serve until his retirement in 1934, attaining the rank of WO1.

    I am now trying to find out more about his service, both in India, during WW1, and subsequent to 1918 until his retirement. I believe that he was part of 96 Battery, but have been unable to confirm this. Very grateful if anyone can add any detail.

    Barry Lucas




    219884

    Pte. David Brown 17th Btn. Royal Scots (d.27th Aug 1918)

    David Brown served with the 17th Btn. Royal Scots and I have been asked by a relative of this soldier to find out as much information as I can about him. I have a story from the local newspaper by his mother Mrs. Brown of 119, Cowgate, Kirkintilloch asking for information on her son who she believed was being held prisoner had died in Caudry Hospital on 27th August 1918. A note of caution. This article is said to have been published in the Kirkintilloch Herlad on January 8th 1918 so it could be that he died in 1917. He is buried in Caudry British Cemetery, Nord, France. Do you know what action he had been part of?

    Fraser Gartshore




    219883

    Cpl. Herbert Victor Chamberlin 3rd/1st East Anglian Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.13th Aug 1915)

    Herbert Chamberlin died with many others when the ship he was in, the H.T. Royal Edward, was sunk off Greece on 13th August 1915on the way to Gallipoli . His name appears on the Cape Helles Memorial.

    On 28th July 1915, Royal Edward embarked 1,367 officers and men at Avonmouth. The majority were reinforcements for the British 29th Infantry, with members of the Royal Army Medical Corps. All were destined for Gallipoli. Royal Edward was reported off the Lizard on the evening of the 28th, and had arrived at Alexandria on 10 August, a day after sister ship Royal George had sailed from Devonport. Royal Edward sailed for Moudros on the island of Lemnos, a staging point for the Dardanelles. On the morning of 13th August, Royal Edward passed the British hospital ship Soudan, heading in the opposite direction. Oberleutnant zur See Heino von Heimburg in the German submarine UB-14 was off the island of Kandeloussa and saw both ships. He allowed Soudan to pass unmolested, and focused his attention on the unescorted Royal Edward some 6 nautical miles (11 km) off Kandeloussa. He launched one of UB-14's two torpedoes from about a mile (2 km) away and hit Royal Edward in the stern. She sank by the stern within six minutes.

    Royal Edward was able to get off an SOS before losing power, and Soudan arrived on the scene at 10:00 after making a 180° turn and rescued 440 men in six hours. Two French destroyers and some trawlers rescued another 221. According to authors James Wise and Scott Baron, Royal Edward's death toll was 935 and was high because Royal Edward had just completed a boat drill and the majority of the men were below decks re-stowing their equipment. Other sources report different numbers of casualties, from 132 to 1,386 or 1,865.

    Nicola Gregory




    219881

    Lt. Charles Nesbitt Bond 3rd Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.30th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    Adjutant Charles Bond served with the 3rd Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry and also with the 3rd/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Yeomanry. He was killed in action on 30th June 1916, aged 22. He is buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Francis and Ada Bond, of "Uplands" 54, Ashburton Rd., Croydon.

    s flynn




    219878

    Pte. Joseph Downing 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    My granddad, Joseph Downing served with the 1st Battalion, South Staffs. He enlisted in 1911 and served in south Africa prior to WW1. He was with the BEF arriving in Belgium in 1914. He was awarded the silver war badge when he was discharged from the army in 1917

    Gordon Downing




    219877

    Pte. George Arthur Lay 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1917)

    George Lay served with 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers, he is buried in Roclincourt Military Cemetery.

    Jane Baines




    219876

    L/Sgt. Alec Hill Holroyd 1st. Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.15th Apr 1918)

    Sgt. Alec Holroyd served with the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He died on 15th April 1918.

    Alec Dowling




    219870

    Pte. Ernest Frederick Wild 1st/5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.10th May 1916)

    Ernest Frederick Wild was the son of Frederick and Sarah Wild. He married Sarah Anne Reeves in 1909, lived in Calne Wiltshire. He joined the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment and was injured at La Bassee in October 1914. After his recovery, he transferred to the 5th Battalion. He was wounded in fighting in Mesopotamia and died on 10th May 1916 as a result of his wounds. He is buried in Kirkee 1914-1918 war cemetery in India.

    Danny Wilde




    219865

    Pte. James Thomas Leech 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.28th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    James Thomas Leech served with the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment and was killed in action on the 28th April 1916, aged 20. He is buried in the Foncquevillers Military Cemetery in France. James was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Leech, of 140, Crockett's Rd., Handsworth, Birmingham.

    S Flynn




    219860

    Dvr. George W. Maude MM. 446th (1st/1st Northumbrian) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.2nd Jan 1918)

    My mother knew that at least one of her great uncles George Maude had died in the Great War but she was never quite sure because none of the family really talked about it. After some digging around I found that he had been killed on 2nd January 1918, but this information then led me to find two other brothers, Ernest and John Blackburn Maude, sadly none of them survived the War. George W died of bomb wounds on the arm and thigh at a Canadian Casualty Clearing Station in January 1918 aged just 23 he is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. He did win a Military Medal but unfortunately I have no idea how, that has been lost forever in history. Ernest was the younger brother, aged just 18, he joined the Northumberland Fusiliers in 1915 he was wounded by a bullet to the head after just five days in France, he died a year later in the Northern Hospital, Liverpool, he was transported home to Newcastle where he is now buried. I have actually found his war grave and now it is tended to frequently. L/Cpl. John Blackburn was the eldest at 28 years, he was in the 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers he was killed in action on Monday 26th February 1917 with a few ofhis comrades. He is buried in Vermelles, but remembered on Blaydon Cemetery Memorial.

    That is about as much as I have been able to gather. The information has now dried up, their service records being destroyed by incendiary bombs during WW2. I have no photographs to see what they looked like, nothing to suggest what their personalities were like but at least we have found them and they are no longer forgotten which to me is very very precious.

    Lynn Ternent




    219859

    Pte. David Alexander Woodcock 3rd/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.15th Nov 1917)

    David Alexander Woodcock served with the 3rd/5th Battalion, the Lancashire Fusiliers and died on the 15th November 1917.

    David Woodcock




    219854

    Leonard Francis Smith 1st/6th Bn. Gordon Highlanders (d.12th Apr 1917)

    Leonard Smith is one of seven Stoke, Nelson, NZ men killed in World War 1 on 12th April 1917. Their names appear on the Stoke Memorial. Leonard Francis Smith was the son of William and Fanny (née Mytton)Smith. He was born on on 10th October 1882 in Stoke. He is buried at the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France.

    All seven men are to be honoured in a photographic and memorabilia display at Isel House, Stoke, in October 2014. The organisers of the display have as yet no knowledge of how Leonard joined the Gordon Highlanders 1st/6th Battalion. The six other Stoke men were all part of the NZ Expeditionary Force. Any further information about Leonard would be greatly appreciated.

    Hamilton Baxter




    219853

    Cpl. Michael Ansboro 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.26th Aug 1914)

    It is reported that a Robert Reid from Wigan was the first soldier of the town to be killed in the Great War but I can dispute this. Cpl Michael Ansboro though an Irish immigrant to the town was recalled to his regiment the Lancashire Fusiliers on the outbreak of hostilities. His service number was 791 and he fell on 26th August 1914 at the battle of Le Cateux and is interred at Esnes military cemetery. He married Mary Ann Gallagher originally from Kiltimagh in Ireland in 1913 in Wigan. Michael was employed by the Wigan Coal and Iron Company at their Kirkless site in the town. Although not originally from Wigan Cpl. Ansboro by virtue of having resided in Wigan and married there would seem to be the first Wigan soldier to be killed in action 1914. His name is on the Wigan town centre cenotaph and the Mayo peace memorial in Castlebar. His son who was born after Michael's death was born in Wigan however he and his mother returned to Kiltimagh at a later date.

    Karl Clayton




    219850

    Sgt. Leo Clarke VC. 2nd Btn. Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment). (d.19th Oct 1916)

    Leo Clarke was the son of Henry Trevelyan Clarke and Rossetta Caroline Nona Clarke, of 785, Pine St., Winnipeg, Manitoba. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment and was killed in action on 19th October1916, aged 24 and is buried in 24. Plot II. C. 3A in the Etretat Churchyard in France.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 29802, dated 24th October., 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. He was detailed with his section of bombers to clear the continuation of a newly-captured trench and cover the construction of a "block." After most of his party had become casualties, he was building a block when about twenty of the enemy with two officers counter-attacked. He boldly advanced against them, emptied his revolver into them and afterwards two enemy rifles which he picked up in the trench. One of the officers then attacked him with the bayonet, wounding him in the leg, but he shot him dead. The enemy then ran away, pursued by Acting Cpl. Clarke, who shot four more and captured a fifth."

    s flynn




    219848

    Pte. Harry Carr 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Nov 1914)

    Pte. Harry Carr served with the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and died on 1st November 1914.

    P Holdsworth




    219847

    Pte. Thomas Churchill 39th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Pte. Thomas Chuchill enlisted in April 1915 and married in April 1916. A driver in the 39th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, he was wounded and discharged around 1916/17 but continued to suffer from the wounds sustained in the world war until 1958. I would like to find out exactly the Battle he was involved in.

    Jane Evison




    219846

    L/Cpl. Arthur Blackman 7th Btn. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    <p>Private Blackman at basic training under canvas, Newlands Corner.

    Arthur Blackman served with the 7th Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment and died on 23rd March 1918 aged 39.

    Geoffrey Blackman




    219842

    Pte. Herbert Edward Benns MiD. 12th Btn. London Regiment

    My grandfather Herbert Edward Benns served with the Beckton Company, 12th London Regiment, he was wounded twice in action as far as I am aware he was a sniper and was mentioned in despatches.

    Ronald Benns




    219841

    Pte. James Owens 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.16th May 1915)

    I've just discovered that my grandfather's eldest brother, James Owen, joined up at the beginning of WW1 and was killed at Mons, France in 1915. He was only 24 years old. He came from Lissan, a small hamlet in County Derry in Northern Ireland. James served with the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. His death is commemorated at Le Tournet, a Commonwealth Graves Commission cemetery in France. Strangely enough, this same cemetery is the last resting place of my husband's great uncle, Frederick Larter. Now I know why my father was named James - it was in honour of grandfather's eldest brother, who died so young.

    Sherryl M Stiles




    219826

    Pte. Frank Lewis 3rd. Labour Coy. Devonshire Regiment (d.25th May 1918)

    Frank Lewis was my great uncle. I have always had great admiration for my great grandmother, Rosamond Lewis. She was married to Alfred John Lewis, who served in the Metropolitan Police Force, and who was invalided out after 10 years. Their son, Frank, was killed at the Somme in May, 1918, just before hostilities ceased. Another son, John Perrin Lewis, who was in the Royal Garrison Artillery, was severely gassed early on in this war, and was affected for the rest of his life. There was a third son who also served, Oliver Lewis, but I have no details of his service. So, Rosamond had quite a lot to put up with, but managed to survive for 86 years. I served in the Cornwall Constabulary, but only found out about my Police great grandfather and his wonderful family recently.

    Peter Brew




    219824

    Pte. Peter Casey 6th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.23rd June 1917)

    Peter Casey was born in 1882 in Keash, Co. Sligo. He moved to Lancashire, England in 1900 and worked in the mines on the coal face. He married Bridget Sheeran, whose parents came from Ballymote. They had four children, Mary born 1906, Michael, John and Anne born 1914. Peter died from wounds to his arm and legs in Wimereux Army Hospital on 23rd June 1917 and is buried in the Wimereux Communal Cemetery. His daughter Mary married Tommy Martyn from Galway, whose offspring represented Great Britain and Ireland at rugby league.

    Anthony Martyn




    219823

    Pte. Herbert William Harley 42nd Btn. (d.3rd Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Harley was the son of Joseph and Mary Harley, of 24 Phyll Street, Lismore, New South Wales. Before he enlisted he worked as a blacksmith in Bungabee, New South Wales. He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT Borda (A30) on 5th June 1916. Private Harley was aged 24 when he was killed in action at Warneton near Messines and he is buried in Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Belgium.

    Darren Schreiber




    219822

    Ernest Shadrack Key MM. 36th Btn.

    My Great Grandfather Ernest Key was in the 36th during the Battle of Messines.

    His diary reads: 7th Thursday - Hopped over at 3:10 in the morning, objective taken without a hitch, heavy casualties. We were carrying up ammunition and sundries all day. Terribly knocked up, buried twice myself, very badly shook up. A bit of sleep late at night.

    Rachael Banwell




    219819

    Pte Leonard Lansdale 11th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers (d.17th May 1916)

    Leonard was my great uncle who was one of the first soldiers to sign up to this battalion. During the war he served as a drummer in the battalion band and subsequently was a stretcher bearer. During an attack on Vimy Ridge, namely Crosbie Craters, all the officers were killed leaving the NCO's to take charge of the attack. The attack was successful and the units took the German strong points. The position was held for five days until the Germans, aided by information given by a deserter, reorganised a counter attack to re take the ground lost. The NCO Sergt Major J Moran was injured (mortally) during the counter attack and my uncle Leonard Lansdale went to give him aid and retrieve the Sergt Major to the safety of British lines. Leonard was shot by a sniper and killed instantly whilst trying to rescue his NCO. They are both buried, side by side, at Ecovires Military Cemetery Mont St Eloi. Here is an extract written by Pte W Hunt to his mother Mary Lansdale: "He was one of the drummers we had in the Band and I still always think of him when we are playing in the rest camp after coming out of the trenches. A better chum no-one could wish for and he was liked by all in the Company. I hope you will accept my regret and sympathy for the loss of a dear and brave boy."

    Andrew Morris




    219814

    Gnr. John Gough B Battery, 123 Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.4th May 1917)

    <p>

    John Gough was the elder brother of my Nan. He served with the Royal Field Artillery, B Battery, 123 Brigade. He died on May 4th 1917 and is buried at the Bucquoy Road cemetery, Ficheaux, Pas de Calais. I can find no details regarding his death, other than his medal card which simply states dead. His CWGC commemoration says died of wounds, but I have no other details. Clearly the Brigade were involved in the battle for Arras, and it was obviously a busy time. However, even the brigade war diary is not completed for the month of May.

    I would be delighted if anyone can cast light on his death or those of the RFA in this early part of the battle. His Sister, my Nan lived to the ripe old age of 101, but said very little about him. She was deeply hurt at his death and remembered his birthday until her own death.

    Michael Davies




    219810

    2nd Lt. Thomas Butterworth 12th Btn. Royal Engineers

    Thomas Butterworth enlisted into the East Lancashire Regiment Territorial Force on 17th of February 1910 aged 18. He was discharged & re-enlisted into the Royal Engineers on 9th January 1912 and posted to Training Battalion C Company. On 9th September 1912 he was posted to the 12th Battalion, appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 28th Mach 1914 and paid Lance Corporal on 26th June 1914. Discharged on appointment to a Commission on 29th October 1914. He was commissioned as 2nd Lt. in The 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers and he retired on Retired Pay on 11th November 1917 and died at Kilworth, Co. Cork, Ireland on 12h February 1958.

    Robert Butterworth




    219806

    Cpl. John Bell Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Cpl. John Bell served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    c. durham




    219802

    George Franklin Whittaker 15th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    My Great Grandfather George Franklin Whittaker joined the 15th Sherwood Foresters on 9th Dec 1915 and was sent to France on 29th December 1916.

    George was captured by the Germans on 24th Mar 1918 at Maricourt, as the Germans advanced during the Kaiserschlacht. Stripped of his equipment he was then marched to Munster and set to work. On the march he was given no food for the first four days and when he was given food it was basic and in short supply. His diary, kept during captivity is held in the archives of the Imperial War Museum.

    Peter Stevenson




    219801

    L/Cpl. Frederick George Hanna 6th Btn. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders (d.17th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    A Silver War Badge medal was handed down to my brother and I from our Grandmother, whose husband was Norman Hanna. It was awarded to my Grandfather's older Brother Frederick George Hanna. Nobody remembered any stories other than he had died in WWI. After doing some research for my family tree, I came across a story on this website that seemed to match the Information I had found: Frederick died on 31st July 1917, killed in action at Flanders. He was a L/ Cpl. in the 6th Battalion of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, recruited from Glasgow Scotland. The story of Cpl. Jock Pender happened on 31st July 1917 in Ypres, Flanders and tells of a "Wee Hanna" running over to help after Jock was shot in the shoulder and Wee Hanna being shot dead by a sniper himself. Jock Pender then lay under the body of "Wee Hanna" until darkness & went back to look for him but the body was lost in the Flanders mud. I was amazed to find this story that matched up so perfectly with the information I already had. It's surprisingly emotional, and I feel pride that my Great Uncle was trying to help in what must have been very difficult situation for all.

    Dawn Hanna




    219799

    Pte. George William Davis 10th Battalion, B Company, 6th platoon Sherwood Foresters

    My father, George Davis, served in the British Army with the 10th Battalion, B Company, 6th platoon, Sherwood Foresters. He was 17 when he enlisted; my uncle said that he lied about his age to enlist. He was blinded by mustard gas during trench warfare in France. He also served in Egypt and also suffered injuries there when he rode a bus alone and was kicked down the road by men who pushed him off the bus and attacked him. He was saved by soldiers in the area who saw the attack.

    My father had recurring nightmares about fighting in the trenches until his death at age 80. His nightmare always ended with him screaming, "let's go boys; over the hill." He never told me what happened, but I have always believed that his war experiences and injuries contributed to his alcohol dependency and physical and mental problems that plagued him throughout his life. I believe his army rations included rum and other alcoholic drinks to deaden the emotions of those who had to fight in combat. To me the cost of this war to the young men of England and their families cannot be justified.

    Marilyn Davis Pollard




    219796

    Rfmn. Arthur Herbert Lathan 9th Btn. London Regiment (d.9th Oct 1916)

    Rifleman Arthur Hebert Lathan served with the 9th Battalion, London Regiment and was killed in action in France on 9th October 1916. He was the son of John and Ellen Lathan and had lived in Norwich , Norfolk.





    219795

    Pte. Samuel Paulson 1/7th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Pte. Samuel Paulson served with the 1/7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Michelle Leversedge




    219790

    Christopher I'Anson 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays) (d.19th June 1915)

    Christopher I'Anson was my 1st cousin 3x removed, the son of Christopher I'Anson and Martha Heslop and was from Ripon. He served in the 2nd Dragoon Guards, (Queens Bays), Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line. He joined in Harrogate and his service number was 6464. He was a Shoeing Smith.

    Christopher died of wounds on 19th June 1915 and it appears that he died in this country as the record states 'Home', his place of residence at the time of death was Snelston so maybe he was in hosptial there. He is remembered in Nunhead All Saints Cemetery, South London, panel 3. Maybe his body was taken back to Ripon for burial but as yet I haven't looked for him there.

    I don't have a photograph of him and unfortunately haven't been able to find one.

    Amanda Wass




    219785

    Pte. Frederick Charles Perry 2/20th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>Fred Perry 1st Left, front row

    My Grandfather Fred Perry was a Private in the 2/20th London Regiment during the whole of the First World War, he had some close shaves but survived. He served in France, Salonika, Palestine & Egypt, some of his early training was done at Braintree in Essex.

    I have one of the letters he wrote during the war with a bullet nick at the top of the page where a bullet went through his pack & notepad, it hit the chap next to him, a very close shave. I also have his dog tags & his Christmas tin from the Princess.

    His platoon Sergeant was a chap called Heddle Nash who became a famous Opera singer after WW1, Fred told my father that Heddle had a beautiful voice & often sang to the men to keep their spirits up.

    Text of Freds letter dated May 4th 1918 :

    My Dear Ma, Just a few hurried lines to say that I am quite OK in the pink still. I am very sorry I have been unable to write you a letter for some time but we have been busy so to speak, once again but I have sent off field PC’s which I hope you got alright. Well we had plenty to do just lately, too much in fact. You will be sorry to hear that my pal Arthur Lunn who was wounded in Salonika and has only recently rejoined us has been wounded again but am pleased to say it is a cushy one, poor old chap caught it in the leg again jolly bad luck isn’t it ? Glad to say that Bob Hadlow is quite ok. This is a souvenir piece of writing paper as the mark you see along the top is where a bullet went through my writing pad, in fact it went through my whole pack and spoilt everything inside. Unfortunately the handle of the razor (krupp) which Ken and Dora sent me was broken but still I must think myself jolly lucky I think.

    I am glad to say I received your parcel quite safely containing the biscuits, chocolate and condensed milk etc. and thank you ever so much for same, I would have written earlier only have not had the opportunity. I went with a party sight seeing round the old part of Jerusalem about 2 weeks back which was very interesting and made one think. I saw Calvary the spot where the Lord was crucified and also the place where his body was laid afterwards. Also the 6 stations where he rested with the cross leading up to the spot. We went inside the Mosque of OTYAR where they used to hold the sacrifices. While we were going there we met the pilgrimage going to (Nebi Musa) Moses’ Tomb a proper Eastern affair with their symbols and two or three juggling about with swords merrily everybody had some instrument to make a noise with and plenty of banners flying a proper Shemozzle so to speak.

    By the way we had a signal office in the monastery by Moses’ Tomb once. Well I have seen some sights and various places since we have been in this part of the country and can say that I have swum in the Jordan not to say the parts of it I have drunk although nearly as muddy as the Thames when one is really thirsty I don’t think there is any doubt as to whether the water is pure or not. It is a wonder we haven’t all had fever. I wouldn’t mind just a little slight touch of malaria now so as to get down to Cairo for a rest again.

    Well I hope you are all quite well as we haven’t received a mail lately but are expecting one any time now. How are James and Douglas getting on? As lucky as ever I hope. Please tell Eileen I will be writing her another letter shortly. I must close now so with fondest love to all and best wishes to everybody.

    Hoping you are all ok.

    I remain your loving son Fred. x

    Jsicouol, Somme

    Soldiers playing Football -Salonika, Greece

    David Perry




    219783

    Cpl. Bernard Alfred Mossop 10th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.11th October 1915)

    I am researching my husband's great great uncle who was killed in Action - we think in France.

    If anyone has any information on where the Gloucesters were on 11th October 1915, I would love to hear from them so that we can start to build up a picture of his history.

    Doreen Owen




    219770

    Pte. Charles Stubbs 1/4th Btn. A Company. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.14th Aug 1915)

    Charles Stubbs served with A Coy. 1/4th Battalion, Royal Sussex. He landed at Suvla Bay on 8th August 1915. He was evacuated to Mudros where he died on 14th August 1915.

    Kowen




    219767

    L/Cpl. Alfred Law 7th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1915)

    Alfred Law was born in 1897, one of 10 Children. When the First World War started he enlisted at Smethwick and served with the 7th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. We do not know where he fought up to 8th August 1915 when he was killed in action at Gallipoli. He was a great man and is remembered by all the family.

    Dwayne McQuaid




    219764

    George Thomas Cockburn Allan Black Watch

    George Thomas Cockburn Allan served with the Black Watch during WW1 and his home address is given as Cowdenbeath.

    Jennifer Blair




    219762

    Pte. William Shaw Black Watch

    Private William Shaw served with the Black Watch during WW1 and his home town is given as Stirling.

    Jennifer Blair




    219761

    Pte. Thomas Middleton Harley DCM. 1/8th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Thomas Harley served with the 1/8th Battalion, Manchester Regiment

    Jennifer Blair




    219760

    L/Cpl. Donald MacIntyre 8th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.7th Dec 1918)

    <p>

    Donald McIntye was the son of Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre, of 77, Laroch, Ballachulish, Argyllshire.He died of wounds on 7th December 1918, aged 22 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France.

    Oban Times - December, 1918:

    The death of Lance-Corporal Donald MacIntyre, aged 22 years, youngest son of Mr. D. MacIntyre and Mrs MacIntyre, 77 Laroch , Ballachulish , took place on 7th December at 20 General Hospital, Dannes, Carmier, France, from pneumonia. He mobilised with the 8th Argylls (Territorials) at the outbreak of War and proceeded to France in May, 1915. He was severely gassed in 1916, and wounded in 1918, and was admitted into hospital on 14th November, suffering from broncho-pneumonia from which he succumbed. He was one of the youngest members of F (Ballachulish) Company, who full of martial spirit, left their Highland home in Glencoe, but of whom many have been left on the stricken fields of France. He was in all the engagements of his gallant regiment throughout the War. He was held in great esteem by all who knew him. He was a general favourite with all who came in contact with him and the news of his death at an early age, after having passed through the dangers of the great war and at its close of hostilities, has been received with much regret by his many friends and acquaintances. His sister, Miss MacIntyre, was with him for ten days until the end. He was interred at Etaples, France. Much sympathy has been expressed for his parents and relatives in their great loss. His brother is Shoeing Smith John MacIntyre, M.M., awarded the medal for bravery in action while serving in France with the Argylls.

    s flynn




    219755

    Pte. Ashton Harry Hughes 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    This brave man Ashton Hughes but he was one of my dear Dad's 12 siblings. He served with the 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment and was killed in action on the Somme on 18th August 1916 aged 26, when my Dad was just 12 years old. Although no one spoke of his death I can`t help but feel the family must have been devastated with their loss. There was another brother Reginald who joined the TA in Suffolk with the 6th Battalion regiment but luckily was a survivor.

    I am visiting my uncle's war grave in France this October with a friend & believe this will be a poignant time walking through the lanes where he would have given his life for us. I will never forget you Uncle.





    219754

    William Charles Collins 3rd/15th (Civil Service Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    Bill Collins served with the 3rd/15th Civil Service Rifles London Regiment. I have a photo of Bill Collins and his friends, from left to right: Webber Go, Boller (wounded), Collins, Lamons (killed), Mitchell (wounded), Douglas (DCM), S Boots, Mandell (gassed).

    John Marshall




    219750

    Cpl. Horace Fennel Griffin 2nd Battalon, F Company Rifle Brigade (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Horace Fennel Griffin was killed in action and buried in a shell hole about 100 yards west of the road running north into Messines past La Basee Court Farm. Horace was a Bank of New Zealand bank clerk. Son of Reverend J.W. Griffin.

    Text of the Memorial plaque, Bank of New Zealand Arcade, Wellington, New Zealand: 'In Memoriam: The names inscribed upon this tablet are those of officers of the Bank of New Zealand who laid down their lives in the Great War AD 1914-1919 waged against the nations of central Europe - Germany, Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria - who sought by force of arms to obtain world-wide dominion. In honour of their patriotism and valour. In admiration of their sacrifice. And in grateful perpetuation of their glorious and ennobling memory this monument is reverently dedicated. Their Name Liveth for Evermore.'

    Sophia Powell




    219748

    L/Cpl. Arthur Truett 32nd Btn Royal Fusiliers (d.10th Oct 1916)

    My Great-Great Uncle, Arthur Truett, served in WW1 and was killed in action during the Battle of The Somme. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in Somme, France.

    Many generations of my family have served in the Armed Forces but I did not know until recently that a family member died in WW1. My Great Uncle, who is still alive at 99 years old, served in Normandy in WW2, my Dad in Malaya in the 1960 and I in Afghanistan in 2011. I feel more connected to WW1 now and those who lost their lives. Arthur Truett will always be remembered.





    219744

    2nd Lt. Harold Northrop 1/8 (Leeds Rifles) Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    My great uncle Harold Northrop was in the Territorials before the war & was commissioned the Dec before his death. I would be interested in knowing more about the 1/8th deployment in 1914 until his death.





    219743

    Pte. Charles Thomas Durrant 25th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Charles Durrant, an ancestor of my wife was one of two brothers, the other William Dennis died in action 11/10/16, of the 5th Battalion Cameron Highlanders as they thought that separate regiments would be safer.

    I also lost a great uncle, William Robinson of the 27th Tyneside Irish. He died also 01/07/16 in the same assault.

    P.W.Slack




    219742

    Rflmn. William Valentine Yetton 1/9th Battalion Queen Victoria's Rifles (d.28th March 1918)

    My Great Grandfather's brother William Valentine Yetton is remembered on the Poziers Memorial. I am honoured to be an indirect descendant and would like to hear details of which battle happened on the date of his death.

    Hayley Fairclough




    219741

    Sgt. William Walter Gibbs 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    My great Grandfather, Sarjeant William Walter Gibbs served with the 2nd Bt. Essex. I have little to tell at present as I am still researching. All I know is he died in WW1 in 1917. He was, from what my Nan used to tell me, shot in the head. He had 2 military awards but I have never seen them. I do not even know what he looked like. He was French born and lived in London. From what I read on here he fought in many battles before being killed in France in 1917.

    I wish I could tell you more, I will not stop researching his life. If anyone can give me any details I'd be grateful.





    219740

    Gnr. William Simms 232nd Brigade, B Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.1st July 1916)

    William Simms was the son of Mr & Mrs Simms of West Bromwich. He is buried at Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines Cemetery. Died aged 21.





    219734

    Pte. Robert Angus Kelly 34th Btn.

    Robert Kelly was my great uncle. He enlisted in June 1916 & left Sydney on 25.11.16 on board the HMAT Beltana A72 & arrived in England on 29.1.17. He crossed over to France on 22.5.17. He was wounded in action (gunshot wound to the right elbow) on October 1st 1917, spending time in the 11th & 18th General Hospitals in Camiers before being transferred to England on Nov. 5th, to the #3 Military Hospital in Canterbury.

    He was discharged from hospital on December 18th & left England for home on January 24 1918. He returned to the district where he grew up, married & had 5 children. He died on October 14th 1947 in Walgett NSW.

    Jocelyn Cameron




    219733

    Spr. John M. Jack 86th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.13th/14th June 1917)

    John Jack was killed when a shell exploded about ten yards from him whilst working at Main Bosche dump. The company HQ was at a farm NE of Kemmel at the time. He was buried in Dranoutre Cemetery, a cross being erected by his comrades. He is now in the Military Cemetery of Dranoutre. He had been with the company for less than six months.

    A Clough




    219732

    L/Cpl Edward Davies MM. 9th Btn. Welsh Fusiliers

    Edward Davies was my Grandfather who I knew very little of as he was very brusque and private person. I was ten when he died. All I can remember is that he had lost half of a little finger through frostbite whilst serving. After the War, he was employed in the Liverpool Corporation Water Department for 54 meritous years, according to a citation that my late father had.

    David Davies




    219730

    Spr. Joseph John Perks 82nd Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Joseph Perks enlisted on 12th December 1914. He served with the 82nd Field Company, Royal Engineers. He was wounded on 6th February 1918 and was demobbed on 11th April 1920

    John Cole




    219728

    L/Cpl. William Ernest Wiseman 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.31st Jul 1917)

    William Wiseman served at with the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He fought at the battles of Arras and Messines. He was killed on the first day of the 3rd battle of Ypres, 31st July 1917 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Trevor English




    219727

    L/Cpl. Charles Frederick Jones 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.15th Jun 1918)

    Charles Frederick Jones was my great uncle on my Dad's side. I have been researching his life although very short, he died aged 28 on 15th June 1918, for a few years now. He served with 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. I am in possession of his war medals and death plaque. I also have made contact with the MOD for information, I have no photos of him and I would love to see what he looks like but I'm not sure where to look. My search started with a soldiers bible and his name and number no one spoke about him at all. Thanks for the chance to name him.

    Jeanette Palmer




    219726

    Pte. Harold Procter 1/6 Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Pte. Harold Procter served with the 1/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment and died on 20th September 1917.

    adrian booth




    219725

    L/Cpl. Charles Robert Jenkins 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.27th Feb 1917)

    Charles Jenkins was my Great Grandfather, born in London, he married Mary Ann Emma Jenkins. My family always knew he was killed in action during WW1 but not until recently after tracing our family tree we were able to find his exact date of death and service number etc. He served in 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment and was killed on 27th February 1917. My Nan was born in 1914 and sadly never got to know her father, but he has now found his place in our family tree which he greatly deserves.

    Kevin Anderson




    219719

    Pte. Arthur George Beaumont 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.26th Sep 1915)

    My grandmother's brother Arthur George Beaumont enlisted in Norwich and joined the 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. He was killed at the Battle of Loos on 26th September 1915 at the age of 23. His memorial is at Panel 30 and 31 at Loos Cemetery. Unfortunately I know very little about Arthur's life in the regiment as I came across the Death penny on sorting my grandmother's house when she passed. I knew nothing of him until then as she never spoke of Arthur but she had named a son Arthur so I am guessing he was named after her brother.

    Julie White




    219716

    Pte. Frederick Francis Brooks 19th Btn. London Regiment

    My grandad Frederick Francis Brooks served with the 19th (St. Pancras) Battalion, the London Regiment. He had his foot blown off in the Battle of the Somme and by the time he had medical attention gangrene had set in which meant he lost his leg up to his knee and I can remember as a child my dad still taking out small pieces of shrapnel.

    Elaine Haines




    219713

    Pte. Albert Edward Gent 1/1st Sqd. Warwickshire Yeomanry

    <p>With an unnamed friend - A E Gent on the right

    Albert Edward Gent, only son of Thomas and Rosa from the hamlet of Hill, near Broadwell in Warwickshire, enlisted in the Warwickshire Yeomanry in April 1915, aged 17 years and 11 months. He gave his year of birth as 2 years before it actually was (1895 rather than 1897). His mother watched him walk away across the fields heading for Warwick, and she didn't speak a word for the next two weeks. Despite being a country boy, he had never ridden a horse before but by this time this was not an impediment to joining a mounted regiment. He trained initially in Warwick before being sent to Tidworth Camp.

    In February 1917 he was posted to Egypt, arriving there at the end of the month, having travelled across France by train, then onwards by ship. By the middle of March 1917 he was in the thick of the action, along with his horse, Jess. One night when on picquet duty and very, very tired, he fell asleep and was caught by the Major. As he was told, he was lucky it hadn't been the Serjeant-Major or he might well have been shot, but the Major was a more tolerant man!

    In November 1917 he had reached within 20 miles of Jerusalem before being struck down with appendicitis, and was operated on in a field hospital before being sent to the Red Cross Hospital at Giza, having developed peritonitis. Somehow he managed to survive and after being in hospital for about 2 months was sent to convalesce in a corner of the big army camp in Alexandria called Mustapha Camp. He was reclassified B3, unfit for frontline service and transferred to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Port Tewfik, where soldiers who had become unfit were often sent to take on guard duties on the Suez Canal. In May 1918, he was again admitted to hospital, this time in Alexandria, with a UTI, and stayed there for 10 days. He was discharged on the day his former Yeomanry friends gathered at the docks to board the ship 'Leasowe Castle', heading for the Western Front, and appears to have visited them in their camp shortly before they set off. He was still in Alexandria when the news came that their ship had been torpedoed and sunk.

    He was now transferred again to the 644th (MT) ASC in Alexandria where he remained for the rest of the war. Here, he was involved in putting together the Model T Ford kits which came from the US. They tested the made-up kits for road-worthiness by driving them to a sand dune with a shallow slope on one side and a steep one on the other. They drove, foot to the boards, as fast as possible up the shallow slope, taking off at the top and landing with a 'bang' at the bottom. If the Model T still worked after this, it was classed as road-worthy. He also qualified as an electrician, 1st class during this time. At some point, after September 1918, he was based in Nazareth for a while. He remained in Egypt until June 1919, when he was sent home to be discharged. He was classed as 25% disabled and received a Silver War Badge.

    His discharge medical may indicate early signs of a heart problem, possibly caused by his service. In the Second World War he joined the Home Guard, initially carrying his recently retired ex-Scotland Yard cousin's truncheon. According to him, 'Dad's Army' was remarkably accurate! He was forced to retire in 1954 due to his on-going heart problems He lived until 1972, finally succumbing to his 5th heart attack. His ashes were interred, as per his wishes, at the fairly new Oakley Woods Cemetery - where he had once exercised the Warwickshire Yeomanry horses.

    Lilias Odell




    219706

    Gnr. Arthur Fred Yendall 350 Siege Battery Riyal Garrison Artillery

    Arthur Fred Yendall was my grandfather. He hardly ever talked about the war. He served with the 350 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was gassed on 7th September 1918 and arrived home via Chilseldon No2 Dispersal Unit on 23rd December 1918. He suffered with lung problems for the rest of his life but lived to the age of 73.

    Gill Garratt




    219705

    Pte. Clarke 16th (Queens Westministers) Btn. London Regiment

    Pte Clarke's brother, Nelson Clarke, reports a letter written from the Front in December 1914; this is reproduced in Richmond & Twickenham Times on the 2nd January 1915. It tells of fraternization between British and German troops, and life in the trenches.





    219704

    Robert Wilfrid Fowler 11th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Nov 1917)

    Robert Wilfred Fowler was my Grandfather's brother and I don't know very much about him apart from the fact he was injured at the Somme in 1916 but didn't lose his life until 30th November 1917. Does that mean he recovered well enough to return to active service and was killed then or did he die from the injuries he received at the Somme? He was only 20 when he died and therefore 18 or 19 when he fought at the Somme.

    Sally Wickens




    219703

    Pte. James Goosetree 12th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.2nd Sep 1916)

    My Great Uncle James Goosetree who died in this war on 2nd September 1916, my grandmother, his sister, never knew where he was buried and I have found him in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, France and plan to visit there later this year. He served with the Royal Fusiliers I would like to find details of his 'signing up', where he was killed, who was notified etc etc as I cannot find anything out about him.

    Can anyone help here please? A photograph of his regiment would be greatly appreciated. He also had brothers who I believe were in this war in the Royal Fusiliers, Albert No35948, Daniel No 93680 who was demobbed on 20th May 1918 and William No 93502.

    Gill Keylock




    219702

    Cpl. Thomas Povah 17th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.19th May 1918)

    Thomas Povah served with the 17th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers and died on 19th of May 1918.

    Dorothy Powell




    219701

    Sgt. James Davie McLaren 4th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.6th Oct 1916)

    James McLaren served with the 4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers and died on 6th October 1916.

    Dorothy Powell




    219700

    Pte. Thomas McLaren Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.24th Dec 1917)

    Thomas McLaren served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers and died on 24th December 1917.

    Dorothy Powell




    219699

    Pte. George Crossley 13th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    George Crossley's military records confirm he was with the 13th Yorks on 28th December 1915, on departing for the Med. On 10th March 1916 he departed for France. Research still ongoing.

    Wayne Millard




    219698

    Pte. Frederick George Hunt 13th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st Apr 1917)

    Frederick George Hunt served with the 13th York and Lancaster Regiment. He died on 1st April 1917.

    Wayne Davison




    219697

    Pte. William Forshaw Loyal North Lancahire Regiment

    My Uncle, William Forshaw, serving with the Loyal North Lancs, was shot on 26th October 1917 near Ypres. He was in hospital for 12 months as his wound became septic. He was certified 40% disabled and was discharged from the army on 12th November 1918. He died in March 1919 of Pneumonia and Cardiac failure. This information is from his pension Records. His death certificate has him on the Regimental Roll. I have no trace of his burial, although I do know that others sent back to the UK have CWGC headstones, there is no record of him on their site. Any help in tracing his later history would be gratefully received.

    Arthur William Gilliand




    219695

    Pte. Robert Palmer 17th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    I have very little knowledge of my great uncle Robert Palmer, I can't find any service records at all. He served with the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment and died on 13th November 1916. He is buried at Serre Road cemetery No. 2, and his death certificate says he died in action. His name is on the local village memorial where he lived.

    Ann Siburuth




    219694

    Sgt. John Alexander Gorrie 18th Btn. C Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th July 1916)

    John Alexander Gorrie was born on the 14th October 1891 at Gogar Park, Corstorphine, Edinburgh. Only child of David and Mary Nelson Gorrie of Parklands, Castle Eden, County Durham. Educated at Technical College West Hartlepool and Skerrys College. Resident of Castle Eden, County Durham. Killed in Action 27th July 1916 aged 24 in France. He is buried in St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery Richebourg- L'avoue.

    Frances Macrae




    219690

    Spr. William John Dunn 171st Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers (d.12th May 1915)

    I am not sure were William Gill was killed but his memorial is at Ypres (Menin Gate). He was the son of Jane Anne Gill (formerly Dunn) and would have been my Grand Uncle.

    A T Swift




    219684

    Rfmn. George Wilkinson 3rd Btn Rifle Brigade (d.25th Aug 1916)

    From his Army Service Records, George Wilkinson was born in 1889 in Salford, Lancashire and his age at enlistment was 25 in 1914, he was a single man. He was a Reservist. He was seriously wounded (gunshot to the head) on the 3rd May 1915 and transferred to England on the SS St. Patrick. His wound/s were such that he did not return to his unit until exactly one year later when he was transferred to the front line on 3rd May 1916. He suffered another wound on the 21st August 1916 and subsequently died of this wound on the 25th August 1916 aged 27 years, 4 months, 25 days (un-married). George is buried Corbie extension Cemetery France, he was the only son of John & Rose Wilkinson.

    His personal belongs returned to his mother were: 1x Cap Badge, 1x Watch (broken), 1x Pen-knife, 1x Cigarette lighter, 4 Coins (Franc). The above items and subsequent medals were to be sent to his mother only to be retained by her until his blind sister (age 14 at his death) reached her majority.

    Mike




    219681

    Pte. James Harris 1st Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.5th Nov 1914)

    I am proudly named after my great grandfather Pte. James Harris a brave Scottish Soldier who died on 5th of Nov 1914 at Ypres.

    My great grandfather was 29 years old at the time of his death. he left behind a wife and two children, one of which was my late grandfather David Harris. My grandfather was eight years old at the time his father died, he grew up not knowing his father. His mother Agnes Harris never remarried and devoted her life to her children and later, until her own death, her grandchildren.

    War is filled with horror and tragedy but at times a necessary evil for good to succeed over evil. A wall that stops the spread of evil consuming the peace of the world and the security of its children. I can only imagine the horrors and fear that my great grandfather and his comrades endured. Each day and night withstanding treacherous cold fierce weather, entrenched in mud holding their position slowly driving back a relentless enemy. The deafening sounds of artillery fire exploding over head and around them. What courage and bravery each one of these brave men drew from the very depths of their souls that others shall be free. And how soon the free forget.

    My great grandfather never came home his body lays with his fallen comrades in a land that is not of his own, but one he died for. His body buried eternally at Tyne Cot cemetery. His Soul among the Brave and just. When life gets tough and we have doubts or fears, think about the courage of these brave souls and what they endured for us Perhaps you day is not so bad. God Bless all who serve for truth and freedom.

    James Harris




    219678

    Pte. James McRae 5th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.2nd Dec 1916)

    My great uncle James McRae served in the First World War with the Gordon Highlanders. He was killed on Dec 2nd, 1916 in the Battle of Arras (I believe) - his body was never found so he is sadly one of the thousands of 'unknown soldiers' from the First World War. He was a poet and I am in possession of some of his poems. My grandfather was the last person in our family to see him, as he walked to the train station with him on his way to the front.

    Editor's Note: It is more likely James was killed following the Battle of Ancre Heights as he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Jim McRae




    219676

    Sgt. Walter John Bagshaw MID. 2/5th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Walter Bagshaw served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. I believe the 2/5th Battalion and was part of the 182nd Inf Bde with the 61st Division. He once had a silver cigarette box with the monogram LXI, the roman numerals for the 61st Div. he survived the war and demobilised in Mar 1919. He was awarded two MIDs – but I do not know what for?

    He ended up as a Sgt and we believe he worked in an HQ of some sort as either a Pay Clerk or in some other administrative role. On his return he later had his house named Laventie which I assume is a link to his time with the regiment and where I am lead to believe they had a HQ there. After the War he played a large role in the formation of a reunion ‘Dinners Club’ which held an annual dinner to commemorate the 61st Div, possible the HQ Staff specifically but I lack more information. Although he was presented with a gold watch from the club members that has the LXI engraved on it with the wording 182 Inf Bde, 61st Div.

    I would love to find out more about his time with the regiment and his service career, I would very much appreciate it if anyone could increase my knowledge in anyway regarding his military life during or indeed after the war, perhaps someone recollects the reunion dinners club?

    L Bagshaw




    219675

    Rfmn. Albert George Oliver 20th Btn. London Regiment

    My Grandfather Albert Oliver was born in 1896 in Deptford, South London. He served with the 20th London Regiment. My family have limited information on his joining up as we have been informed that his records were destroyed in the blitz in WW2, what we do have is a letter from LRB Regimental Care Committee on 8/6/1918 informing his family that he is a POW in Germany, also with this letter is a list of items that can be sent, normal items, boots, socks, personal care, etc but interestingly money by money orders, sheet music, chess,and draughts, educational books only. each POW was sent six food parcels every four weeks costing £3/1/06 and the families asked what amount they were able to contribute, all interesting reading. We don't know were he was held but we know he made numerous attempts to escape finally ending in him being shot and wounded, ending in any further chances of escape

    Lastly I have two photos, one is a named group by Joyce of Warminster of the 20th London Regt mentioning CSM A.E Dawes awarded DSM in London Gazette 26th July 1927, the other is a rare picture showing my Grandfather with two other soldiers from different regiments taken at the POW camp. He returned and married Harriett Harris at Greenwich in 1920 had five children and passed away in 1974 aged 78.

    Ron Oliver




    219672

    Rfmn. David McClelland 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.17th Oct 1914)

    David was my grandfather Robert McClelland's brother. He was born in Belfast on 5th May 1885 to John and Sarah. He served with the Royal Irish Rifles and is registered in the 1901 Census as in 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles so must have switched to 2nd Battalion before embarking for France in August 1914. He died of wounds on 17th October 1914 and is buried in Bethune Town cemetery. Other than this I know nothing about him. His service record is not available.

    R Aiken




    219671

    Pte. Alfred Henry Wilkinson 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Sep 1916)

    Alfred Wilkinson was my uncle, born in 1896 he was a Bank Clerk. He joined the Army on 31st March 1916 at High Beech Camp, Loughton Essex.

    He met his death on 26th September 1916 in the storming of Thiepval at the Somme. A letter from a comrade in action to Alfred's father reads as follows: I was with Alfred when he was hit. I'm afraid I cannot tell you much, but will give you what I saw of him. We were advancing in file with Alfred on my right hand. we got over about 300yds, when the boches being driven out of their trenches, we took cover behind a fallen tree log to fire. All rising up to rush the trench, Alfred was hit by a shrapnel in his right thigh and sank behind the tree again. As we had to rush the trench we couldn't stop to reach him. We last saw him reclining on his left side holding his hand over the wound which we did not think at all serious. Being where he was he was well protected from snipers and certainly he could never have been taken prisoner there, being left 100 yds behind. The only thing that must have happened was that, as the enemy shelled all the ground gained in hopes of stopping reinforcements, he was caught by one of their shells. In that case anything could have happened, for no one would be able to get him until the shelling had ceased; a shell would throw up enough earth to bury one from sight, which would account for his identification disc not being brought in. If he was able to proceed down to the dressing station,he would have to go over the enemy fire showing that anything may have happened to him. I am afraid that is all I know with regard to Alfred whom I have known for about six months and we all render you our deepest sympathy in your undoubtable loss. yours sincerely, J H Wilson.

    David Allen




    219670

    Charles Cyril O'Garr Kings Own Hussars (d.18th July 1916)

    Charles O'Garr served with the Kings own Hussars and died on 19th July 1916.





    219669

    Sgt. James Kenneth Gamble LS, GC. 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    My Grandfather Ken Gamble joined the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards on 20th January 1913 his regimental no was 9951, he became qualified in drill, rifle, lewis gun maxim gun and map reading. He served on the home front util 13th August 1914 when he left for France disembarking at Le Harve as far as I am aware they moved up to Mons fort a rearguard action in the retreat from Mons and fought in the battle of Marne. He fought in France until early 1916 when he was wounded and then served on the home front from 2nd February 1916 till 21st September 1922, when he served in Turkey for twelve months coming home in 1923. He continued in the Coldstreams till discharged on 12th December 1933. During his service he received the 1914/18 Star, British war victory, long service and good conduct medals.

    On leaving the army he and some palls formed the Wigston Branch branch of the British Legion and used to meet in his front room till they purchased the current British Legion Club in Wigston. Sadly my Grandfather died when I was 11 or 12 I still miss him to this day he was a wonderful man. I still have his medals and his soldiers Service book and pay book plus his Soldiers Small Book I can't believe they are 100 years old.

    Francis Kempster




    219662

    Cpl. Charles Frederick Humphries 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Charles Humphries served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers

    Sue Hunter




    219661

    Cpl. Albert Francis Essex Regiment

    Albert Francis, from Hornsey Rise, London, was the youngest of eight children. He served with the Essex Regiment and died on 23rd August 1918 aged 26. He's buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France (near Arras).





    219660

    Pte. Robert Henry Bradshaw 9th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Robert Bradshaw served with the 9th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. All I know is he was killed on 1st July 1916, the first day of the battle of the Somme. He was awarded the Victory medal and the British star medal from earlier campaigns.

    Jeremy Lewer




    219659

    Sgt. Stanley Marriott 2nd Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    My father Stanley Marriott joined the 2nd London Regiment at Tufton Street Westminster in 1914, above is only photo we have, taken at Epsom Race course in October 1914 whilst training. He never spoke of his wartime experiences,we knew that he fought in the Gallipoli campaign and on the Somme.

    However, in 1978 he was interviewed by a Radio Humberside reporter, unfortunately his recorder malfunctioned and only bits were recovered but we were able to learn of his WW1 experiences. It appears that he served in Malta,Egypt, Gallipoli and France, mostly in the front line trenches and was wounded,in the back of the head, in the final advance on Cambrai. At the time the armistice was signed, he was in a Belgian hospital. When he died and was cremated several pieces of shrapnel were found amongst his ashes.

    G. Marriott




    219658

    Pte. James Robert Heywood 20th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.21st Aug 1916)

    James Heywood is a distant cousin but sadly he was just 17 when he died at France and Flanders and he needs to not be forgotten for giving his life He served with the 20th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers and died on the 21st August 1916.

    Linda Henderson




    219657

    Charles Norman Laxon 14th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    My grandfather Charles Laxon was one of the Birmingham Pals who was called up in 1915. He was originally conscripted into what was 14th Service Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, according to his recruitment form dated 1915. This later became 13th Brigade, 5th Division. He had served a voluntary role with the Imperial Warwickshire Yeomanry prior to this according to the call-up papers I have seen. Grandad was a 28-year-old solicitor's clerk working at the City Hall in Coventry in 1915, and was married with two young children (my father being his only son aged 7 at the time).

    He was gassed in the 3rd Battle of Ypres and sent back to Blighty in very poor health.

    I have a small silver teaspoon engraved with the word 'YPRES' which he somehow managed to collect (or even buy). He had brought it home as a gift for my grandmother; his beloved wife. I visited Ypres this year 2014, and was heartbroken to see acres and acres of headstones at each cemetery I visited. What a shocking price these men all paid for us to have our freedom today.

    Brenda Newman




    219651

    Cpl. John Joseph Behan 2nd Btn Royal Irish Rifles (d.23rd Apr 1916)

    John Behan was killed in action on 23rd April 1916. He is buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery at Mont St Eloi





    219645

    Pte. John James Mongan 11th Btn Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.27th Sept 1915)

    John James Mongan was the eldest son of James and Mary Anne Mongan. They came to Glasgow in 1890 from Ireland with John James's sister Mary. John James was born in Glasgow in 1892 and he had another brother, Francis Joseph, who was born in 1894. When John James left his home to join the Army his parents never saw him again. He was never found, all we have is a memorial panel in Loos Cemetery; he died in France. It is sad because I don't even know what he looked like as there are no photographs of him. John James's brother Francis Joseph was my Grandfather and my father and brother's name is John James in memory of John James who never came home.

    Elizabeth Stewart




    219644

    Pte. Hughie James Sontag 1st Battalion, D Coy Queens Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.20th July 1916)

    Great uncle Hughie Sontag was my grandad's brother. While my grandad Edward Sontag was in the Royal Navy, HMS New Zealand, Hughie was fighting at the Somme and killed in action on the 20th July 1916 aged 24. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial near Albert.

    Gary Sontag




    219642

    Pte. William Wright 18th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    William Wright was my Great-Uncle. He served with the 18th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment. He died, aged 26, on 1st July 1916 on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and is buried in Dantzig Alley Cemetery, near Mametz

    A brave man, he deserves our enduring respect for his sacrifice. He will not be forgotten.

    Philip Codd




    219639

    L/Cpl. David Francis Dunbar 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.16th Dec 1914)

    My great Uncle David Francis Dunbar, was born in 1895 in Chester, and was latterly from Liverpool. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers and was killed in Action on 16th December 1914. He is buried in Tancrez Farm Military Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Belgium.

    Steve Quinn




    219638

    Pte. Francis Ernest Wilkinson 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Frank Wilkinson served with the 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.

    Jane Staniforth




    219637

    Pte. William Rumsey 1st Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.8th Sep 1916)

    Pte. William Rumsey served with the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers. He died on 8th September 1916





    219636

    L/Cpl. Elvin Spencer Bulley 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.17th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    L/Cpl. Elvin Bulley served with the Norfolk Regiment 9th Battalion. This notice appeared in 'The Norfolk News' on 14th October 1916: "News has reached Acle of the death of Elvin Bulley of the Norfolks who was killed in action during last week. The deceased was a resident in Acle for nine or ten years and was a moulder at Messrs Smithdale and Sons, Acle. He was quite a favourite among the young fellows. He was also captain of the Acle football team for several years and also a member of the Queen's Head Bowling Club. Soon after the war broke out he enlisted with several others of the parish. His brother was fighting beside him in the same trench and was wounded a few hours earlier." Elvin Spencer is buried at the Guillemont Road Cemetery, Somme.

    Pat Bulley




    219634

    Sgt. William Alfred Flack DCM & bar. CdeG. 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Sgt. William Alfred Flack served with the Royal Fusiliers 9th Battalion. I have D.C.M. and bar, first world war pair, French C.D.G. and GeoVI territorial medals but I can't confirm they are to same man although I am reasonably certain they are, any help would be appreciated. D.C.M. named 69450 Cpl. W.A. Flack 9/R.FUS., Pair named Pte. C.A. FLACK R.FUS., GVI territorial named 6449842 W.O. CL. 1 C.A.FLACK. The index card for pair shows gs-12932 and GS/128109 Charles A.FLACK R.FUS. DCM 69450 Cpl. W.A.FLACK 9/R.FUS., L.Gazette 16th January 1919 for both awards, from Cambridge. The French C.D.Guerre in L.Gazette 17th March 1920, 128109 Sgt. William Alfred FLACK 9th Btn. R.FUS. from Cambridge.

    Sid Thurkle




    219632

    Albert William Lewis 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Albert William Lewis served with the 26th Royal Fusiliers

    Alison Lewis




    219631

    Rfmn. William Hoyle 12th Btn. London Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    William Hoyle, served with the 12th Battalion, London Regiment (The Rangers) and died on 26th September 1917, Aged 24 He was the son of W. C. and Eleanor Hoyle, of 7, Barry Rd., Stonebridge Park, Willesden, London. He is remembered with Honour and laid to rest at Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, Ypres.

    Julie Danjean




    219630

    Rfmn. James Frederick Maynard 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.6th Dec 1916)

    James Maynard enlisted at Camberwell and served with the 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. We have no a Army records as they appear to have been among the 'burnt records'. He is laid to rest in Lijssenhoek Military cemetery, killed in action on 6th December 1917. You will also find him listed on the War memorial at Waterloo station in London as he was employed by the London & South Western Railway Company as a bridge painter before enlistment. James was my Great Grandad, He died aged 26 years leaving a young wife also aged 26 and two young children, my Nan aged four years old and her younger brother aged 18 months. According to the medal cards he was awarded the Victory Medal but we have no further information or photographs.

    Leigh Gray




    219625

    Pte. Robert Laing 7th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Officers Diary notes for 11th April 1918, the day my Great Uncle Robert Laing died - Missing killed in action. He served with the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders.

    Trenches Hollebeke in Camp Vierstraat, April 10th. The Battalion, on completion of relief, was entrained in trucks on the light railway at Spoil Bank and proceeded to Seddon Camp, Vierstraat, the last people in to camp arriving about 2:30am. Up to this date no convincing evidence had been secured to indicate the coming of the enemy offensive on this front and the general appreciation of the situation ran to this. That the enemy was too much engrossed in his enterprise on the Somme to be capable of launching an attack in this sector; that the nature of the country in the Ypres Salient was too difficult to encourage offensive ideas; and that, in any case, the enemy had neither the troops nor the guns to supply an attack. That view, moreover, corresponded with what the Army Commander had said on the occasion of the Divisional inspection on 3rd last.

    With this comforting assurance, the Battalion was warned to be ready to return to the line this night (10th November) and relieve units of the 19th Division on the right of the Hollebeke sub sector. This left the prospect of at least one restful day a prospect, however, that was not fulfilled. The news came that Bosche had attacked and made progress South of, and in the neighbourhood of, Wytschate and the old danger of a swinging flank looked like being realised again

    Damstrasse: Orders and counter-orders followed in rapid succession. First to reconnoitre an old line of trenches running parallel to Vierstraat by Parrot Farm road from Square N11 into Square N16. The Commanding Officer and others had just allotted the first platoon area on this line when a mounted orderly arrived steaming, with a led horse for the C.O. to ride hot foot to Brigade for fresh orders. These (second) orders cancelled the defensive line mentioned and substituted the orders to get ready to take up a line across the South East aspect of the Wytschaete presumably to fill a gap left by somebody or other! Touch was established with the Royal Scots at The Stable. The 11th Btn. of that regiment still held Oak Support as a front line but its outposts had been forced I, and the 12th Btn. had been dispersed in support and on its flank. Our line was extended along the far side of the Damm Strasse and numerous strong patrols pushed up the rising ground in front into Ravine Wood, through Pheasant Wood and into Denys Wood. A weak company of 9th Welsh Regiment was found in position at the Southern end of the Damm Strasse with some collected oddments of Wilts, with two companies of 8th Black Watch, labouring under misapprehended directions, were busy digging in the wrong place. Not without difficulty these people were sorted out and by midnight or thereabouts we had secured the line form the right of the Royal Scots along the length of the Damm Strasse and 300 yards S.E across the St Eloi - Ostaverne Road, with posts and patrols pushed well forward.

    11th April: About 1am a company of the 9th Royal Welch Fusiliers turned up out of the blue. All day on the 10th they had remained unmolested in their original position in Denys Wood while the troops on their right and left were on the move before the advancing enemy. They were still in communication with their Btn H.Q. in Onraet Wood until evening and their last message was an order to withdraw. They waited some time, still seeing no sign of enemy and then evacuated the wood, fell back through our advanced posts and were absorbed into our line on the Damm Strasse.

    In view of the obscure situation and complete absence of troops to our right (although two coys. Of 8th B.W. were understood to be in line near Wytschete and trying to connect with their other two coys. on our right) Col. Bruce decided to maintain the Damm Strasse line as our line of resistance, drawback the elements of the 19th Div. these into support positions near Ruined Farm and The Mound and so release our ¡§D¡¨ Coy to proceed South west towards Onraet Wood and extend our line. Three coys. of the 9th Seasforths (Pioneers) were also at the disposal of Col. Bruce. Up till now they had formed a reserve line E. of St Eloi, but under Col Bruce's orders they also were put on the move towards Wytshaete to help our ¡§D¡¨ Coy to fill the undoubted gap that existed on the line allotted to the 8th Black Watch. Neither the extent nor the exact location of that gap could be ascertained.

    With all the disadvantages of a dark night, unknown country and strange dispositions to contend with this movement was not completed by daybreak. It was practically broad daylight before the 19th Div. troops were relieved from their posts on the Damm Strasse and moved back to support positions. The O.C. ¡§D¡¨ Coy. (Lt. Cotching ) was only able to collect one of his platoons before daylight and with that platoon and his company H.Q. he proceeded to look for his new position.

    The other two platoons of ¡§D¡¨ were held in reserve near Ruined Farm until the situation cleared and eventually NO 14 Platoon was sent to join Lt. Cotching. Two Coys. of the 9th Seaforths advanced through Onraet Wood, pushing the enemy before them, and took post on the right of our ¡§D¡¨ Coy. By 9 am the dispositions ran approximately as follows :- From the Canal on the left, to the right: 11th Royal Scots, with 12th in support & reserve, A Coy. 7th Seaforths B Coy covering practically the whole length of the Damm Strasse, C Coy 8th B.W B Coy C Coy to a point about 200-300 ? S.W of the lower end of the Damm Strasse but losing frontage because one company was rather ??? inwards behind the other! 7th Seaforths §D¡¨ Coy two platoons facing almost E, in front of Martens Farm. 9th Seaforths Two coys extended from that point as far as Evams Farm southwards. Beyond that there still existed a gap which was eventually filled by ¡§A¡¨ and ¡§D¡¨ Coys of the 8th B.W. extending from the South. In support: About 200 officers and men of the Welsh Regiment and RWF at Ruined Farm and the Mound; one Coy of 9th Seaforths at Picadilly Farm. The area and garrison described (excepting Royal Scots) was under the command of LT.Col Bruce who had his H.Q. at Shelley Farm and who was under the orders of the 27th Brigade for the time being.

    As stated, that was the order of battle into which the troops had been shaken out by 9 am. but while things were still in a state of flux the enemy attacked. This was about 8am. The Huns came over the ridge by Ravine Wood in fairly strong numbers on the position of front held by ¡§A¡¨ and ¡§B¡¨ Coys. Both the weather and the situation were a bit hazy. For all our companies knew the dim figures emerging from Ravine Wood in the morning mist and advancing with shouts down the decline towards the Damm Strasse might have been lost elements of the British Army falling back. The doubt was in some measure a good thing to entertain. The effect of it was to with hold the men's fire till the enemy were less than 150 yards from our line. Then ¡§A¡¨ and ¡§B¡¨ loosed off with rifles and lewis guns and took great toll. The remainder of the Bosche lay down under cover of a patch of wood to reconsider the matter. As the attack seemed to be definitely beaten ¡§A¡¨ and ¡§B¡¨ Coys advanced a counter-blow.

    Sergt. Jeffries and a small patrol of four men from ¡§B¡¨ Coy went round the right of the patch of wood while Corporal Mackay ¡§A¡¨ Coy took a strong patrol round the left to drive the Bosche into Sgt Jeffries hands. The Bosche saw the danger and started to run back. Those who got up to run were mostly mowed down by fire from our lines - the youngsters of the draft remembering all they ever knew about rapid fire! The situation however, was one to be greatly improved by rapid handling and Sgt Tait (¡§A¡¨ Coy) saw to that. He hopped over the bank of the Damme Strasse and ran forward towards the Bosche shouting directions to the ¡§A¡¨ Coy patrol ¡V ¡§ Get round the b_______s¡¨ was the order.

    Probably the instructions of Sgt Tait completed the Huns terror! Corporal Mackay doubled round the back of Bosche 50 yards ahead of his patrol. Those of the enemy who tried to run away were shot down; others were further deterred by the actions of Sgt. Jeffreis who cam up rapidly on the right and brained one Bosche with the butt of his rifle for the moral effect of it and those of the enemy surviving put up a white flag and sank on their knees in supplication. Another feature of this successful little enterprise was the eagerness of our men to get out at the enemy. When Sgt Tait went forward to issue his decisive directions ¡§A¡¨ Coy got up out of their shell-holes and rushed forward to take part. The result, over and above the heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy, was a bag of 17 prisoners and two machine guns. A third machine gun was found under a heap of Bosche dead and brought in by night patrol later.

    The prisoners were evacuated by an exposed plank road to Batt. H.Q. and in their ???? were machine gunned by their comrades on the high ground above Ravine Wood and seven were wounded. One jumped into a deep shell hole and was drowned and two had to be left by the roadside till it was dark enough to recover them without danger to the stretcher bearers. Incidentally numerous casualties to the stretcher-bearers and others were caused on the same road in the course of the day. It was the main channel of communications with the front line and was swept by enemy fire. To continue the narrative of ¡§A¡¨ Coys day when the episode described above was completed a line of posts was established under LT J.G. Douglas on the ground just taken from the enemy. By this time, however, the enemy had made his line along the crest in Ravine Wood where he had the advantage of elevation and cover of the wood and several strong pill boxes. On this line he maintained an attitude of great alertness and fired at all movement, while enemy posts on the right flank of ¡§A¡¨ Coy's new formations were able to enfilade the line; and eventually it was decided to withdraw the posts not, however before some resistance had been offered. The company's position there fore reverted to more or less what is was when the day began.

    Orders were received to cooperate with a company of 12th Royal Scots on Hun's commanding pillboxes in Ravine Wood. One platoon of ¡§D¡¨company under 2/LT Gifillan was placed at the disposal of O.C. ¡§A¡¨ Company for the operation and plans were made in conference with officers of the 12th R.S. It was planned that the attack should take place at 3.30 pm the R.S. to take the position in the flank from the White Chateau while one platoon of ¡§A¡¨ (2/LT Mclennan) and the ¡§D¡¨ Platoon should make a holding attack from the Damme Strasse under covering fire from ¡§B¡¨ Company on the right and the remainder of ¡§A¡¨ Coy.

    The position to be attacked was kept under intermittent artillery fire from 1 to 3 pm. at 3.30pm the attack began. Our two platoons moved forward by section pushes, under pretty heavy rifle & m.g fire until a position in dead ground about a hundred yards short of the pill boxes. Some casualties were suffered on the way. A halt was made to await a signal from the R.S. showing their position. As no signal (a verry light was expected)was put up a reconnaissance patrol moved left to get information of Hun & saw them in shellholes about 50 yards off the flank of the position. It was impractical for our platoons to come carry the attack further without action from the R.S. The force was already seriously weakened by casualties and any movement drew heavy fire from the front and from Pheasant Wood on the right. An attempt was made to clear up one annoying strong point in Pheasant Wood but the party did not reach its objective. The operation remained at a standstill til dusk, no action or information having come form the R.S the remainder of our two platoons were drawn back to the Damme Strasse, leaving out one strong post to hold the enemy to the line of the wood. That post remained out all night. Both officers who took part in the operation were wounded. The first dispositions of ¡§B¡¨ coy were: Two platoons and coy H.Q. on the centre section of the Damme Strasse with posts on the edge of Pheasant Wood; 2/LT Flemming with one platoon pushed forward through the wood and formed a line in close proximity to the enemy on the far side of the wood. Flemming's platoon evidently made an attempt to force the enemy out of some of his positions but it was too far out to be efficiently supported in this. The enemy got round its flanks and brought heavy fire to bear on the platoon.

    Flemming was badly shot through the body and ordered his men to extricate themselves as they could, refusing to allow stretcher bearers to take the risk of carrying him in. The survivors therefore made their way back to the line on the Damme Strasse. Strong patrols then went out to recover the wounded officer, by were unable to penetrate to the place where (he) was left. The enemy then endeavoured to advance his line through Pheasant Wood it was completely repelled and patrols scoured the wood till no Bosche was left in it. The enemy, however, did maintain one strong point on the NE of the wood from which he was able to command the front of ¡§A¡¨ Coy. and, as already mentioned, interfere with the afternoon attack. Vigorous patrol action was maintained throughout the day and Pheasant Wood kept clear of enemy. There was a good deal of shooting to be had and casualties were inflicted on the enemy. The Company, on the other hand, suffered some losses through shell fire on the Damme Strasse from centre to right was occasionally heavily bombarded. By nightfall the company had maintained its position on the Damme Strasse and had established an ascendency on the ground in front of it and was in good spirit as the result of a good day¡¦s work. When the various elements of the 19th Div. where withdrawn from the front line and into support at Ruined Farm and The Mound ¡§C¡¨ Coy extended its front line to the right and connected with 8th B.W. They also took over and manned some posts of the Welsh Regiment in and beyond Damm Wood. The enemy's morning attack did not develop in any great strength n ¡§C¡¨ Coy's front. The first signs of it were met by heavy fire from ¡§C¡¨ Coy and the promise of a stout resistance probably deterred the enemy from carrying on with his intentions.

    It was daylight before Lt. Cotching and the nucleus of ¡§D¡¨ Coy arrived on the line they held throughout the day in front of Marten's Farm and they got there with no time to spare. The enemy advance was already in progress on that position of the front and ¡§D¡¨ Coy repelled(?)the enemy with considerable losses. 2/LT Davies was then only backing No. 16 platoon (2/LT Gilfillan) which was held back in position at Ruined Farm and was used in the afternoon in the attack on Ravine Wood.

    In the course of the morning the company was bombarded fairly heavily but met the situation very astutely by moving the line forward out of the bombarded zone. The enemy was very restless all day on the front and gave ¡§D¡¨ Coy frequent targets. Lt. Cotching claimed they caused the enemy about 200 casualties between dawn and dusk, The line, a series of rifle pits and small cuttings in the embankment of a light railway was made continuous during the day by the initiative of the 9th Seaforths who took every opportunity of improving their position on ¡§D¡¨ Coys's right.

    Casualties: It was difficult to reckon accurately the number of casualties suffered by the battalion this day (11th April) but probably 130 other ranks were killed, wounded and missing. (the missing were some of LT Fleming's platoon in forward positions.) Officer casualties: Wounded and missing: 2/LT Fleming, Wounded: 2/LTS E. G Sugden, J. Lyon, Maclennan and Gilfillan.

    Quite a busy day - Got one paragraph in the official war diary

    Douglas




    219624

    Pte. John Prince 15th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    I have only recently discovered that my Great Grandfather, John Pte. Prince died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and this despite being in my fifties myself. It was only during research into family history that I discovered John,my grandmother died when I was a teenager and it was just one of those things that never came up in conversation. John joined the 1st Salford Pals not as a young man as folklore has us believe but as somebody in his mid thirties and father to four children. He was to die alongside many of his friends and fellow Salfordians on 1st July 1916 the Battalion's first action of the war. John has no known grave but is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. I was fortunate enough to visit the memeorial earlier this year to pay my own respects to John and all the other soldiers named there.You are my hero John.

    Gary Marsh




    219623

    Grace Pulvertaft Voluntary Aid Detachment

    Grace Pulvertaft was born in Dublin of Irish parents. She was educated in London and at the outbreak of the Great war, aged 20, became a nurse by joining the voluntary aid detachment.

    She worked first in Croydon General Hospital and was later transferred to the 2nd Eastern General Hospital in Brighton. Throughout her time in these busy hospitals she kept a diary recording her experiences along with contributions from patients and colleagues.The daily round has its lighter moments never far removed from the shadow of a terrible war.

    The whole work has been published in a book titled Reminiscenses of a V.A.D. Any profits will be donated to The Red Cross Organisation.

    Paul R Brunsdon




    219622

    Lt.Col. Raymond John Marker DSO, MID. Coldstream Guards (d.13th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    The 13th November 1914 saw the death of Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Marker DSO, who was the son in law of Sir Thomas and Lady Jackson of Stansted House and the brother in law of Claude Stewart Jackson.

    Lord Kitchener has lost another of his trusted comrades by the death on November 13th 1914 from wounds received in action. Raymond Marker had been previously decorated with the Legion of Honour by the President of the French Republic, with the approval of the King for gallantry during the operations of the British Forces in the battles between August 21st and 30th 1914. The first news to arrive back home was that he had been seriously wounded. His left leg had been amputated, and his right arm broken. News filtered back from the front that he was going on as well as can be expected in a French Base Hospital at Boulogne, but he later succumbed to his wounds.

    For his services in the Great War he was mentioned in Sir John French’s dispatches of the 8th October, 1914, and the 14th January 1915. His wounds were received when he was hit by a shell outside the reporting centre of the 1st Army Corps at Ypres on 4th November 1914. He married the daughter of Sir Thomas and Lady Jackson in 1906 and left a son Richard Raymond born on 18th June, 1908. His details are as follows – Colonel Raymond John Marker, General Staff, Died of Wounds 13th November 1914 aged 47. He is buried at Gittasham Churchyard, Devon.

    S Flynn




    219620

    William Hansford J Dep Coy. Royal Engineers

    My grandfather William Hansford seved with the Royal Engineers J Dep Coy. in WW1. He worked on the railway before the war and was I presume seconded to the Railway Division. I have a photo of him in uniform an a postcard from Kent saying he was fine. I cannot find out any more about him except that thankfully he survived and thus we have memories of him.

    Maureen Newman




    219617

    Spr. Frank Carman 68th Field Company Royal Engineers

    Frank Carman was born in 1888 and served with the Royal Engineers. He attested on 26th August 1914 with the Royal Engineers, (Pioneer) atChester (living 12 Trafford Street, Newtown, Chester) On 1st September he transferred to 68th Field Coy. Pioneer 24 June 1915 with 68th Field Coy, Sapper Frank Carman. No. 41527 was tested as Pioneer Platelayer at Milford Camp, Milford Station. Three days later he embarked for the B.E.F. in France. On 19th of August he was wounded in France and on the 1st of September he was transferred to R.E. S.C. Newark.

    On 27th June 1916 he transferred to 201 Field Company and Embarked to G Base depot in France. On 31st October 1917 he is recorded as being at A Depot Camp. R.E. Conway, Morfa Camp and again on 16th April 1918 he is at A Depot Camp, R.E. Conway. He returns to France on the 25th of April 1918 to rejoin the B.E.F. He is demobilised on 22nd February 1919 and assessed for a war pension on the 4th April 1919 :Frank Carman. Single. aged 33 of James Street, Newtown, Chester. Rank: Sapper: Disability: Dysfuntion of the heart. Attributed to War Service. Regimental No. 282333. Unit and Corps: R.O.T.D. Royal Engineers, (Transportation Branch)

    Frank Carman




    219616

    Pte. Herbert Edge 15th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.2nd Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Edge served with the Lancashire Fusiliers 15th Battalion. He died of wounds on 2nd February 1917, aged 32. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the husband of Bertha Edge, of 49, Hermitage St., Rishton, Blackburn.

    s flynn




    219612

    Pte. Leonard James Webb 23rd Btn. C Coy London Regiment (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Leonard Webb was the son of Francis and Ellen Webb of Battersea London. A milkman by trade, he served with the 23rd London Regiment, C Company and was killed at the Somme on 16th September 1916, aged 20. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France

    Pauline Joyce




    219610

    Spr. Sydney David Carpenter Royal Engineers

    Sydney Carpenter was a friend of my father who was a horse driver in the Royal Engineers and I wonder how they met. It may be that my father drove a limber with signals equipment etc. My father's No. was 136633 so he joined at a different time and as Syd had spent five years at college doing scientific photography before 1914 he must have had different interests. In 1917 Syd went over to the RFC and eventually the RAF. He learnt to fly and do aerial photography and spent time in and out of hospital in England due to a complaint received in service. His records with the RFC from 1917 are on line but what he did in the sappers. My father was Alfred Henry Williams and kept in touch with Syd who had a small photography shop in Liverpool.

    Alan Williams




    219609

    Pte. Francis Foy 4th Btn. C Coy. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.20th Apr 1918)

    I am proud to be named after my Great Uncle Francis Foy, he actually joined up in 1914 and was medically discharged in 1915 for poor eye sight but re-enlisted in 1917. He served with the C Coy. 4th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment, and died from his wounds on 20th April 1918. He is buried in Doullens Cemetery ext. 1, and is listed at the Longton Cenotaph in Stoke on Trent. I would like to find out which battle he died at if possible

    Francis Foy




    219606

    Pte. John Edward Rhodes 11th Batn. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (d.7th Aug 1918)

    Pte. John Edward Rhodes served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) and died on 7th August 1918.

    Michael Rhodes




    219589

    Pte Samuel Joseph Hall 3rd Btn Monmouthshire Regiment.

    I knew very little of my father, Joe Hall's war record until after his death in 1969. I started my research in 2005 using the internet and the National Archive. His army record was destroyed during WW2 but I managed to obtain his Medal Card . This told me that he was in the Monmouthshire Regt.at the start of WW1. His service number was 61055 but the medal record indicated a second number 94439 Royal Welch Fusiliers. The sorry plight of the Monmouthshire Regt. is well documented and the book With Rifle and Pick indicates that 200 or so of the 3rd battalion were transferred to the RWF in August 1916 when the battalion was disbanded.Hence the second service number.

    My research led me to discover that he was born in Gloucester in 1891 but had moved to Six Bells in Gwent and was a coal hewer at the Six Bells Colliery until The start of WW1. He survived the War and although he spoke about being in Ireland for a while I can find no record of his service there. He was in the 9th battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers until demobilised.

    Peter Hall




    219584

    Rfmn. John Baverstock 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Brigade (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    John Baverstock was my paternal great grandfather. He was killed long before my father was born and his wife re-married so the only grandfather my dad knew was named Boot. I had often asked why his grandfather was not called Baverstock but he could not answer as he had never been told. We have now discovered John when doing a family tree. It is sad that he had been forgotten although he gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He served with the 13th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Brigade and died on 23rd April 1917. He is commemorated at the Arras memorial which I will shortly be visiting. I sadly know nothing more about him and would like to know exactly where he was killed.

    Martin Baverstock




    219583

    Gnr. Harry Huyton 103rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Harry Huyton was my grandfather. He served with the Royal Field Artillery 103rd Brigade. After he retired in the late sixties, he wrote up his memoirs. I subsequently published them on the Web where you can find them at Memoirs of Harry Huyton

    Stuart Huyton




    219582

    Pte. Edward Steel 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Steel enlisted at the formation and was wounded twice. He was batman to Capt E G Bowers, was present at hill 60 and often described the mine explosion.

    John Edward Steel




    219578

    Gnr. David Barmes 41st Bty. Australian Field Artillery (d.6th June 1917)

    David Barmes was my great, great uncle. I know only what I have gleaned from service records. He enlisted in October 1914 and was posted to Egypt and then France. David died of wounds on 6th June 1917 in the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station. He had 3 brothers serving in the B.E.F. and one in the AIF.

    Rob Searle




    219577

    Pte. Harold Roy Surtees 14th Battalion

    My grandfather Harold Surtees was a miner before volunteering to join the AIF in September 1914. He spent time in Gallipoli and according to his war record he was transferred to the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company on the 8th October 1916 and rejoined his unit again on the 28th October 1916.

    His brother George Smith Surtees also served with the 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company on the 27th April 1917.

    Greg Morris




    219576

    Rfmn. Woolf Hart 1/17th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    My great uncle Woolf Hart was the son of Isaac and Esther Hart. He was killed in action on 7th June 1917 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    Murray Litvak




    219575

    Cpl. Walter Peake MM. 9th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    I think Walter Peake was my grandfather Robert's brother.

    Eric Peake




    219572

    Pte. George Albert Ketley 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.3rd Oct 1916)

    My Great Grandfather Private George Albert Ketley died of wounds on the 3rd October 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. He is buried at Dernancourt Cemetery, near Albert, France.

    Tim Seller




    219571

    Sgt.Maj. Ellis Ratcliffe DCM, CdeG. 138th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My Great Uncle, Ellis Ratcliffe, joined the RAMC and was promoted to Sgt Major with the 138th Field Ambulance. He served on the front line commanding the stretcher bearers and he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for directing the recovery of the wounded under continuous heavy enemy fire. This appeared in the Gazette in September 1918 and he was also awarded the Croix de Guerre but I have no details.

    I am told that he insisted upon riding a white horse so that he could be clearly seen by his stretcher bearers. Surprisingly, he was never wounded and he returned at the end of the war to pursue a successful career in local education.

    John Clayton




    219570

    Capt. Edgar Vincent Peter Parsons 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.26th Apr 1918)

    Edgar Vincent Peter Parsons was born at Worcester on June 14th 1893, son of John Parsons. He was Roman Catholic and member of St. George's Church, Worcester. He was educated at Stonyhurst College, Lancashire, entering in 1903 and leaving in 1910 to enter an engineering apprentice programme.

    Edgar enlisted in September 1914 in 4th Public Schools Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and Commissioned 5th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, later attached to the 2nd battalion. He was wounded in action with the 2nd Battalion on November 5th 1916 in trenches before Le Transloy on the Somme. After hospitalization he was attached to the 3rd Battalion, Worcesters, February 1917. During the Battle of Messines on June 7th he was MID for leading a carrying part of 80 ORs. He was promoted to Captain on June 22nd, 1917.

    About 5a.m. on April 26th 1918 at the Second Battle of Kemmel he was wounded in the leg by a MG bullet, likely just northwest of Kemmel Village. Due to the circumstances of the battle it was not possible to rescue him from the battlefield and he was initially listed as wounded and missing, later changed to killed in action. Captain Parsons has no known grave.

    Ralph Bennett




    219569

    CorporalCpl. Cecil John Higgins 24th Divisional Trench Mortar Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.15 March 1916)

    Discovered the brass 'death medal' for this relative (my Great Uncle) and that of his brother. CWGC records show he was Cpl C J Higgins, of Forton Rd, Gosport. He was in "Y" 24th T.M. Bty., RGA.

    Graham Banks




    219567

    Pte. William Watson Hillier 8th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    Born at Witham Friary, Somerset in 1891, William Hillier worked in London as a Dairy Man. Volunteered in August/September 1914 and arrived in France 30th August 1915. He took part in the Battle of Loos and was lucky to survive. He was with the Battalion at the Battle of Messines and was wounded by shrapnel possibly early August 1917 during Battle of Passchendaele. He returned to UK for hospital treatment and returned to France as 589661 Labour Corps.

    He was discharged in 1919 and worked on the Railways as a Signalman, married Dorothy Thornhill Whiting of London and settled at Kemsing, Kent. He is my paternal grandfather.

    Barry Hillier




    219566

    Lt. Leslie William Roy Warner B Company 34th Btn. (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Leslie Warner was my Great Uncle. He left school at the age of 14 and a half and was employed by Messrs Fairfax and Roberts, a leading jewellers, in Sydney, where he made rapid progress and possessing marked ability in art, he became valuable as a jewellery designer. Being a keen military enthusiast, at the age of 18 he had attained his 1st lieutenancy in the Militia forces and it was just at this time that war broke out; but his parents would not consent to his enlisting, he being too young. However, the call was too strong, and at the age of 20 1/2 years, after having acted as drill instructor for three months, he resigned his commission and enlisted as a private with his men, who sailed from Australia in May 1916. They naturally admired him on this account. His good services were quickly recognised, and shortly after his arrival in England he was granted a commission. When the battalion moved across to France, he was chosen as scout officer, and did good work in this capacity, gaining the entire confidence of the men under his command by his pluck and brave deeds. he resigned his position to take part in the battle of Messines, where he was mortally wounded shortly after the hop-over on 7 June 1917, and died on the 8th. His parents never got over his death

    Angus Carver




    219565

    A/Bmbr. Robert Bennett-Pitts MM. 153rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Sep 1918)

    My father's uncle served during the First World War, he also was named Robert Bennett-Pitts and his birth date was the 27 February and his death date was 25 September. This brave soldier can be seen on horseback during the War, he was a Corporal but then Acting Bombadier, he was awarded the Miliatary Medal. My father is called Robert Bennett-Pitts, who had 5 children; two were born on the 27 of February and the 25 of September.

    Julie Bennett-Pitts




    219564

    Cpl. John Findlay Barclay DCM. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company Canadian Engineers (d.11th Aug 1917)

    I am not a relative, but stay in the same home town of Broxburn as John Barclay.

    Born October 3, 1890 at Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland, John Findlay Barclay was the son of David Barclay and Jane Findlay, Port Buchan, Broxburn. He enlisted at Haileybury, Ontario on November 19, 1915, his occupation was given as "miner". On 31 July 1917, he was wounded in the abdomen by an enemy machine gun bullet and died of his wounds on 11 August 1917 at No. 5 London Field Ambulance. He was buried at La Clytte Military Cemetery,Belgium,PlotI.F.25

    His gallantry award was published in The London Gazette, Supplement 29940, Page 1548, Publication Date 13 February The Edinburgh Gazette, Issue 13051, Page 330, Publication Date 14 February 1917 Canadian Contingent 501169 2nd Cpl. J. F. Barclay, Can. Engrs. For conspicuous gallantry in action. He displayed great courage and skill in counter mining against enemy galleries. On one occasion he was cut off from our lines for twelve hours. He set a splendid example throughout.

    Margaret Denholm




    219562

    Rfmn. Walter Edward Spratt 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Walter Spratt was the husband of Maud and father of Amy. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial

    Sheila




    219560

    Rfmn. Charles Henry Powell 21st Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Jun 1917)

    Charles Henry Powell was my Great Uncle. He died of his wounds on the 17th June 1917, aged 24, and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. My mother, his niece, and I visited his grave in 2010 when my mother was 94. She was the first relative to ever visit his grave.

    Catherine Ambler




    219559

    Pte. James Taylor 10th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    My Great Uncle James Taylor was killed on the 23rd of August 1918. He came from Falkirk and was a moulder before the war. He joined the Seaforth Highlanders but was transferred to the Argyllshire in March 1918. He has no grave but is commemorated at the Vis en Artois cemetery in France. He was the oldest son of Jeanie and Andrew Taylor. His brother Andrew also served with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.

    Rachel Taylor




    219558

    Pte. Richard Thomas Barnes 7th Field Ambulance Royal Army Mdical Corps

    Pte Thomas Barnes was my grandfather. He married my grandmother in 1918 in Redcar. My grandmother was a widow her husband a Royal Artillery soldier who died in 1917 of pneumonia. All my grandfather's relations were from Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire how he ended up in North Yorkshire and married my widowed grandmother is a mystery. He served with the Royal Army Medical Corps. He died in 1928 getting his leg removed whilst under the influence of chloroform, ironic really got through the war and lost it in civvy street

    Richard Barnes




    219557

    Cpl. Frederick Shores 4th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Frederick Shores served with the 4th Battalion, Rifle Brigade





    219556

    Pte. Thomas Singyard 22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.9th July 1916)

    Pte. Thomas Singyard was the older brother of my nan. In the family we all believe he lied about his age to sign up. He served with the 22nd (Queen's) Battalion, London Regiment and died on 9th july 1916 at the age of just 17.

    Maxine Homewood




    219550

    Sgt. William Edwin Venning MM & Bar 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    My Grandfather William Venning joined the Somerset L I and served as a regular until 1913/14 he then joined the Plymouth Police force. On outbreak of the 1st World War he was recalled and arrived in France on 22nd Aug 1914 as part of the BEF. He survived the war and re-joined the Police as he had gained Distinguished Service in the Field. Here in his own words are his actions:

    4th Dec 1914 Mentioned in Dispatches by Field Marshal Sir J D P French. Whilst serving as a L/Cpl in the 1st Somerset Light Infantry, I volunteered with two men to reconnoiter at night, and prepare a sketch of the German Trench 150 yards away, which had to be done by crawling practically the whole of the distance. After obtaining the information required and turning back one of my patrol was shot. With great difficulty I got him on my back safely to our trenches, where it was found that he had been shot right through the head.

    Also on 19th December 1914, my Company were ordered to make an attack at 1.30 p.m. on the German trenches all the Officers (seven in all) and senior N.C.O’s were killed. I took charge until relieved at 5 a.m. the following morning by a Q.M. Sgt when we were then ordered to retire to our old position 80 men were left out of the Company.

    Military Medal dated London Gazette 11th November 1916 Whilst at Beaumont Hamel for reconnoitering on several occasions the enemy’s machine gun positions for Artillery information and Devotion to Duty. Bar to Military Medal awarded on 11th June 1917

    Whilst serving as a Sgt. in the Mounted Military Police on the night of 29th May 1917 the Germans were heavily shelling the village of Vlamertinghe several men of the Royal Artillery were severely wounded I assisted in getting them to a place of safety. Also on the night of 30th May 1917 whilst on mounted Patrol between Vlamertinghe and Ypres. The Germans were heavily shelling the roads wounding about 20 men I rendered first aid and helped getting them to a place of safety. I then galloped back along the road between burning lorries and screens to turn back all traffic at the rear and divert along various branch roads.

    MJR Venning




    219549

    Pte. Patrick McMahon 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.1st May 1915)

    Patrick McMahon was the son of Stephen and Ellen McMahon, of O'Brien's Bridge, Limerick. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

    George McMahon




    219548

    Pte. Albert Quick Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.9th May 1918)

    Albert Quick served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and died on 9th May 98. This is the transcript of Albert's only remaining letter home (possibly his last) to his wife Alice. spellings,etc. are as he wrote them:

    Church Army Recreation Hut or Tent

    Ward 13

    18 General Hospital

    a.p.o. S18

    BEJ France

    Dear Alice, Just a line to tell you I am having a rest i need it i can assure you after so many weeks in the line I have a billet wound in the shoulder from the back I had a shovel stuck down my back and the billet went through that first so it saved me been hurt very much so I am glad to be here for a bit to have a rest my legs for my legs need it they have done their bit i could hardly walk and they are painful so hope to be here for some little time before I shall be able to go back again but the weather is so cold here this two days i have been here I am froze with no fire in our ward hope it will soon get warmer it is snowing as I write this

    well dear did you write me since you had my letter and did you send me anything if so must send to our qr.m [quarter master?] to send it on for me because I can do with it for when I got wounded I dump all I got and run for dear life I can tell you when we get here we have new rig out and a bath to get rid of the lis I was in a state shall have a job to get my shin rgiht again I left visline and Harrisons etc behind in my pack I have to buy all I want to go on with but I do not mind that as long as I have a rest I should like to have been sent to a camp in blighty for a month or two it would have been alrightf or us but it is not my luck to have that but must be pleased my case is not bad enough for that I am pleased to say it did not go through my blade bone thanks to the shovel for that. Well dear how are you going on with it all at home do you have many in the house now [Alice was a pub landlady and took in lodgers to make ends meet]how do you go on for beer how many men have you now how do you get on with the ration I expect you have a job with it now should be glad if it was all over so that we could live in peace once more hope this will find you well and in the pink remember me to all at home must close with best wishes for you love may we soon be together again for a peaceful life at home is better than this camp life so goodbye for the present with fondest love

    from your affectionate husband Bert

    Denise Robotham




    219547

    Pte. Charles Henry Kemp 10th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.11th Oct 1916)

    Pte. Charles Henry Kemp (G/10291) wasb orn in Biddenden, Kent, he enlisted in Maidstone, Kent and served with the 10th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. He died on 11th October 1916 aged 23.

    On 7th October 1916 the 10th Battalion was near Mametz Wood on the Somme. It moved forward and attacked a German trench system known as Gird Trench. On 10th October 1916 the Battalion was in Mametz Wood. On 12th October it moved to Dernancourt. Charles was killed somewhere in Mametz Wood and his body probably still lies beneath the ground there. Charles has no known grave. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial on The Somme, France.

    Michele Ellis




    219546

    Thomas Hardy 2nd Btn. Border Regiment

    My grandfather Thomas Hardy joined The Border Regiment during 1914 aged 41. Grandfather served with the second battalion and saw service during the First battle of Ypres in 1914, the Gallipoli landings, where his brother in law Joe Davidson was killed. I have little information of where he fought between Gallipoli and the Somme where he was wounded on the first day. It seems that he was sent to the 13 field hospital, his medical card showed that he was lightly wounded in the left ankle due to gunshot wounds. This proved to somewhat of an understatement, that light wound was in fact 14 bullets below the knee and resulted in the amputation of his leg. Thus finished granddad's experience of WW1 but not his experience of war.

    Thomas Hardy had nine sons who all but one went to war during WW2, son Bobby was too young. My father Pte Walter Davidson Hardy, The Border Regiment captured during Dunkirk released from Stalag XX1 during 1945. Sgt Frank Hardy The Manchester Regiment killed at Dunkirk. Cpl Fred Hardy The Border Regiment wounded at Dunkirk. Capt Joe Hardy The Border Regiment gained a M C at Arnhem. L/Cpl Ron Hardy Royal Engineers landed in France D day + 3 served NW Europe. Bombardier Ernest Hardy Royal Artillery served at Dunkirk, Malta and Gibralta. L/Cpl Jack Hardy Royal Marines 16 years old served in Iceland and N Africa, joined the Commandos and served in Sicily, Italy and Malta, wounded on D Day then served in Europe. Alan Hardy served in the merchant navy was torpedoed 3 times and survived.

    Grandfather Hardy must have suffered mental torture during WW2 having eight sons fighting in various parts of the world, he saw seven of those sons return. One incident that has been recorded is that during WW2 grandmother went to some army barracks where one of her sons was stationed, she asked a rather proud and superior sounding 2nd Lt. If her son could have some time off to attend to urgent family business, his reply was " madame are you aware that there is a war on? " he got his reply in a rather sharp tone " Yes I am aware, my other seven sons write to me from various areas of conflict " My uncle was given the time off without further fuss.

    Derek hardy




    219541

    L/Cpl. George William Kemp 22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    George Kemp enlisted at Shorncliffe Barracks at Folkestone. He served with the 22nd Battalion, London Regiment in Gallipoli and he was previously wounded in France in 1916. He was killed on 23rd March 1918 aged 22 and is buried at Dernancourt Communal Cemetary in France.

    Michele Ellis




    219539

    L/Cpl. Archie Booth 18th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.30th Jul 1916)

    Archie Booth, born in 1891 was my great uncle who enlisted with one of the Pals Battalions, the 18th in the Manchester Regiment in Sept 1914. He lived in Gorton, Manchester and was a warehouseman. He was initially a Private but at some stage became a Lance Corporal.

    He was killed on 30th July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and his name is on the Thiepval Memorial in France as he has no known grave. I have a postcard sent by him in Sept 1914 to a brother in Canada informing him of his enlistment and about the training he was undergoing. He was one of the soldiers to give evidence in a Court of Enquiry held in mid May 1916 when the roof of a mine shaft collapsed killing 11 men of his Battalion.

    Helen Pugh




    219538

    Pte. William Elijah Levitt Army Cyclist Corps

    My grandfather, Billy Levitt grew up in Hull and enlisted in the British Army on 25th May 1914 making him 18 years of age. He was the youngest of about 10 siblings and was a plumber's apprentice before entering the army. He was transferred to the Army Cyclist Corps toward the end of 1916. Although I never knew him I have gained knowledge about him from his Army papers. He was transferred back to the UK for demobilisation on 25th January 1919.

    Angela Fraser




    219536

    Gnr. Frank Arthur Wood 87th Brigade, C Coy. Royal Field Artillery (d.27th Feb 1917)

    Frank Wood was my maternal grandfather's younger brother. He served with the C Coy, 87th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and was killed at the Somme on 27th February 1917. He is buried at the Puchevillers British Cemetery. Frank's parents visited his grave in 1919.

    Jonathan Hutt




    219535

    Sgt. Herbert Blackburn Northumbrian Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th Aug 1917)

    My great uncle Sgt. Herbert Blackburn served with the Royal Garrison Artillery Northumbrian Heavy Battery and died of wounds on 7th August 1917. I am trying to locate where he is buried.

    Ann Griffiths




    219526

    Tpr. Vivian Worthington Lees 8th Btn. Light Horse (d.7th Aug 1915)

    Ralph Lees epitomized the Aussie Digger. He was a 29 year old horse dealer from Corryong, Victoria. He enlisted

    It is likely he met his two mates at the Broadmeadow's training camp in Victoria. They were Stanley Edmiston and Reginald Wallace Richardson. They travelled together on HMAT Wiltshire as part of the 4th reinforcements and were assigned to the 8th on the same day at Gallipoli. The three of them died on the 7th August 1915 at the Battle of the Nek. Their bodies were never recovered. By good fortune they are commemorated on adjoining panels on the Lone Pine Memorial.

    Susan McCall




    219524

    L/Cpl. Oliver James Quinnell 2nd Battalion East Kent Buffs (d.9th Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Oliver James Quinnell served as a Lance Corporal with, 2nd Bn., the Buffs (East Kent Regiment). He was the son of Albert and Harriett Quinnell of 34 Bowes Road, Strood, Kent. Oliver enlisted in the regular army on 18th August 1908 at the age of 20 years. In the 1911 census he was said to have been in registration district 641 which is in the India and Singapore region. I understand that he embarked for England from Bombay on 16th of November 1914, landing at Plymouth on 23rd December, then moving to Winchester and joined the 85th Brigade of the 28th Division, possibly camped at Magdalen Camp, Pitt Hill, Winchester.

    On 17th January 1915, he was mobilised for war and landed at Le Havre and engaged in various actions on the Western Front. He was then then engaged in trench digging. The trenches were in bad condition and many of the soldiers were standing in thick mud and water. Oliver was only in France for a short time. He was killed on 9th of February 1915 and his name is remembered with honour on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Diane Merrick




    219522

    James Wheat 9th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Nov 1918)

    My Great Uncle, James Wheat from Coventry, was a soldier with 9th Battalion of King's Royal Rifle Regiment. Having joined up at the start of WW1 in 1914, he died on Wednesday 6th November 1918, just five days before the Armistice. He is buried in the Premont British Cemetery, Aisne.

    What happened to this group of soldiers, I wonder, between being 'disbanded' in August and meeting their fate in November? What is the war story surrounding the Premont area at this time? Does anyone know and can help me?

    Editor's note: Men from disbanded battalions were transferred to other battalions which were short of men. CWGC records James as serving with "D" Coy. 4th Bn, KRRC when he was killed.

    David Booth




    219520

    Rflmn. Hudson Booth 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Hudson Booth was one of 4 brothers, he was born in 1895 in New Jersey. The family returned to Belfast 1906. He was killed at the Somme on the 1st July 1916. His brother George was also listed as missing but he survived the Great War.

    David Booth




    219519

    Pte. Arthur Horne 6th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    <p>Arthur Horne & family circa 1916

    The following information about my grandfather, Arthur Horne, has been passed down to me:

    Arthur Horne was born in Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire on 25th February 1885. He volunteered in October 1915, leaving behind his wife Ruth, pregnant with my mother Mary Irene (Rene), and four other children; Hilda, Gladys, Fred (Jim) and Florence (Floss).

    The following January he was drafted to France where he served until the termination of hostilities. During this time he fought at Ypres, the Somme, Arras and Cambrai where he was reported missing. He was found in a French hospital having been badly gassed. He was the only survivor of a platoon on two occasions and once became stranded behind German lines where he was sheltered by a Belgian family until he was able to return to his regiment. After the Armistice was signed, he advanced into Germany with the Army of Occupation. He was demobilised in February 1919 and holds the General Service and Victory medals.

    He lived until the age of 96 leaving six daughters, five sons, thirteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. He died in Luton in December 1981.

    Hilary Ashby




    219516

    Pte. Walter Ashcroft Kings Own Lancashire Regiment (d.10th Nov 1918)

    Walter was my paternal great uncle. He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery having died of bronchil pneumonia on the day before the armistice. I do not know when he enlisted nor where he served. His regiment was absorbed into the Labour Corps. He left a wife whom he had married in 1917 but they had no children.

    His younger brother Tom was my grandfather. I believe that he too tried to enlist but was refused because he has a 'starred occupation'. I do not know what that was but he worked at the famous Dick Kerr's factory later. I have the armband which he was given to wear which identified him as excempt from military service.

    I am trying to discover more information about Walter to honour his memory. I visited his grave at Etaples in 1979 and plan to return for his anniversary.

    Margaret Huggon




    219514

    Pte. James Reuben Sharpe 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.11th Jun 1916)

    James Sharpe was my mother's cousin. He was the son of James Charles Sharpe and Emily Smith. As far as my research shows, he was the eldest of six children. James was born in 1896 in Winkfield Road, Wood Green, Middlesex, and baptised in the same year at Noel Park, Wood Green. The family were living in Friern Barnet at the time of the 1901 UK census and in New Southgate in 1911. James's birth was registered under the same General Record office reference as his cousin Percival Sharpe, who sadly died in 1912 aboard the liner Titanic.

    B Baker




    219512

    Pte. Hugh Hill 2nd Battallion Argyll and Sutherlands Highlanders (d.24th Apr 1917)

    Hugh Hill was my mother's uncle. I first heard of him when visiting Edinburgh Castle and seeing his name in a remembrance book when I was a child. There was no more mention of him until I started family research recently, a gap of some sixty five years. As usual I was too late to ask those who had gone before me. I, therefore suggest to those still young enough to ask your family everything they know about their history you will be surprised at what you find. Good luck.

    James Murray




    219510

    Pte. Finn Barr Rainsbury 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd July 1916)

    Finn Barre Rainsbury was my Great Uncle. Prior to joining up, he was at Trinity College, Dublin, training to become a minister. He enlisted after receiving a white feather and died on 23rd July 1916; he was 21 years old.

    Helen Spencer




    219509

    Rflmn. Sydney Robert Gray 10 Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Remembering World War I and my Grandfather. He never spoke about the war. He joined the army at 18 years of age in November 1915 and spent nearly 3 years serving in 10th Battalion of the The Rifle Brigade. He saw action at Ypres and the Battle of the Somme. He was discharged due to wounds he received in action to his neck, right arm, foot, leg and back. I never really knew him but I know he was a very brave man.

    Mark Gray




    219508

    Lt. Richard Francis John Welch Regiment

    Richard John was my great grandfather. He earned the Victory Star and British Medal.

    Sarah Davies




    219506

    Pte. James Dorschell 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    James Dorschell served with the 15th Btn, DLI and was killed on the 1st of July 1916. His father was born in Germany in 1852 and lived from 1869 in Stockton-On-Tees, his mother was Mary Coughlan born 1859 in Ireland. James married Susan Burns in Middlesbrough in 1916. He is remembered on the Theipval Memorial.

    Peter Krueger




    219504

    Rfmn. Frederick William Parfitt 12th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.29th Jun 1916)

    In the 1911 Census: Frederick Parfitt is listed as an Oil Salesman and Travelling Draper's Assistant, living at Ripley, a small village near Woking in Surrey.

    Rifleman Frederick Parfitt, S/2352, served with the 12th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He died on 29th June 1916. Fred is buried in Vlamertinge Military Cemetery, Belgium. [No records are held of place or circumstances of death]

    Linda Dewar




    219503

    pte. John Joseph Collins 2nd Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    John Collins was my great grandfather. He originally came from St.Helen's in Lancashire. We know he was a glass blower living with his wife and two boys in Glasgow. He joined the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland regiment and fought and died at Arras on 23rd April 1917. My grandfather, his eldest son, remembers his mother receiving the telegram while sitting in their one room tenement, he was four his brother was two.

    lisa crampton




    219501

    Rfmn. Thomas James Lodge 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.5th Nov 1914)

    Thomas Lodge was my Grandfather. He was born in London in 1885, I know little apart from that he was a Warehouseman and that he married in July 1910 and had two children, Jesse and my Mum Irene who was born in 1913.

    He went into the army in 1903 for three years then re enlisted in 1909, serving with the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He went to France in August 1914 and ended up fighting just outside Armentieres where he was killed on 5th November 1914. He is buried at Le Touquet Railway Crossing Cemetery, Belgium.

    No photo of Thomas exists and the only item I have of his is the 'Death Penny' I have a copy of his army record which records the Medals that he would have been awarded which includes the 1914 star with clasp for those under fire August to 22nd November. We have been to his grave a few times and are going on 5th November 2014 to place some poppies on his grave. He was a very brave man along with all who fought in that War.

    Philip Bushell




    219498

    L/Cpl. Richard Stockley 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.25th Sep 1916)

    L/Cpl Richard Stockley was my grandmother's younger brother. He served in the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards in 1st and 4th Guards Brigade. He died at the age of 20 years on 25th September 1916 in the battle to capture Les Boeufs. He is commemorated in the Guards Cemetery of the same name. I followed in his footsteps many years later joining the Welsh Guards and also served in 4th Guards Armoured Brigade

    Leslie Ellson




    219497

    Sgt. George Pocock Buxton Dean 1st Btn. Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.31st Oct 1914)

    My Grandfather, George Dean, husband of Ann Dean of 61 Sherwood St, Reading. He was an ambulance driver in Chiswick before the war. He served with the 1st Battalion, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment during WW1 and died on the 31st October 1914. A memorial tablet in the shape of a shield was installed in the Fire Station & unveiled by the Vicar of Chiswick on 24 May 1921. Inscribed "In honoured memory of the following members of the Chiswick Fire Brigade who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918" - the 2 names on it were G.P.B. Dean and H. MacDonald.





    219496

    Cpl. Arthur Simpson 1st/6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.25th Nov 1915)

    Arthur Simpson was my grandfather. He served with the Sherwood Foresters 1st/6th Battalion. He died on 25th November 1915 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial

    Gill Collier




    219494

    Pte. Michael Farrell Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.5th Sep 1916)

    My great, great uncle Michael [O'] Farrell enlisted on 18th October 1915 age 17 in the 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was killed on the 5th September 1916 in the Somme Offensive, at the Battle of Guillemont. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial as his body was never found. My grandfather was named after him. I would love to see a picture of him or any relating stories or documents.

    Lucy O'Farrell Carter




    219492

    Pte. Thomas John Hodge Middlesex Regiment

    My Grandfather Thomas John Hodge joined the Middlesex Regiment on the 8th September 1914, aged 24. He was posted to France. I am still researching where he was stationed. During my research I found evidence of him being awarded 10 days FP no: 2, at first I assumed this was some sort of leave because the date coincided with the birth of my father. I subsequently found that FP stands for field punishment. This is defined as being shackled in irons, what he had done to deserve this I do not know.

    His medical records show that he was wounded in 1916 and spent three months in the army hospital at Etaples. Two years later, as the war was coming to an end he was admitted to hospital with suspected Bronchitis, this was later diagnosed as TB and he was invalided out of the army in May 1918. During his medical examination he stated that he was gassed in 1916 and his breathing problems began after that.

    Six months after he came out of the army his 18 month-old baby daughter died, and on 16th October 1919 having served throughout the whole of the war he died from his illness, he was 29. He left my Grandmother with two boys and an army pension of 11 shillings.

    Peter Hodge




    219491

    Pte. Charlie King 1st/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Charlie King served with the 1st/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and died on 15th September 1916.

    Stan Hilton




    219490

    Pte. Sidney Albert White 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.12th May 1918)

    Sydney White served with the 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment and died on 12th May 1918.

    Elaine Mitchell




    219488

    Pte. James Connor 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    James Connor served with the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment and died on 23rd October 1918.

    Angela Murphy




    219487

    L/Cpl. William Johnson 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Mar 1915)

    William Johnson served with the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on 30th March 1915

    Lesley Ringrose




    219486

    Pte. Harold A. Howard 12th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.18th Sep 1917)

    Harold Howard served with the 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment and died on 18th September 1917.

    Graham Howard




    219484

    2nd Lt. Henry Pritchard Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.7th Apr 1917)

    Henry Pritchard was born 1891 at Llangoed, Anglesey. He became a Trinity House lighthouse keeper before enlisting with the 13th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1915. He was posted to France as Corporal in December 1915 but was transferred to the 10th Battalion and promoted to Sargeant. In November 1917 he was commissioned with thr rank of 2nd Lt. to the 16th Battalion and attached to the Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division. He was killed in action at Mesnil on 7th April 1917.

    Hood Btn. war diary notes that the Btn. and Anson Btn, RND were relieving the 4th Bedfordshires on the front line establishing a HQ at the Chateau, Mesnil. The diary records that Henry Pritchard was killed by a bombardment during the relief operations.

    There is no record for Henry Pritchard's service in France in the RWF records but there is a remembrance plaque at the Pozieres Cemetery. Henry Pritchard was my great uncle

    John Pritchard




    219482

    Cpl. Walter Harold Flicker 13th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Unfortunately I have no history of my great grandfather Walter Flicker. He served with the 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment and died on 13th November 1916.

    He had two sons Walter and William, the name Walter carried on as my father is also Walter. If anyone has information I would be grateful to hear from you.

    Sharon Kennelly




    219480

    Pte. John Claydon 5th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    John Claydon was my great-grandfather. He enlisted on 16th November 1914 at the age of 46. I'm not sure how he passed the medical but he was finally discharged as unfit on September 29th 1916 in Waverley, Essex. The following year, he moved the family to Woolwich in South East London to work at Woolwich Arsenal station.

    Editor's Note: John Claydon was the son of Samuel Claydon and Eliza Coote and was born on May 31st 1868 in Crowland, Haverhill. He was husband to Charlotte Claydon (née Whiting). John gave his age as 35 years when he enlisted. He was declared unfit for service on 16th September 1916 having served at home in 2/5th Suffolks up until that point and was discharged on the 29th. The medical report states that he was in considerable pain and discomfort due to varicose veins.

    John Orchard




    219479

    Cpl. Thomas Henry Maile 1/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.17th or 27th Aug 1916)

    Harry Maile was the eldest son of George Charles and Ada Mary Maile of Brampton,Huntingdonshire. He enlisted in The Hunts Cyclists around June of 1915. His HCB number was 207. He was posted to B Company of the 1/1st Battalion of the Huntingdonshire Cycle Division. Later he transferred to the 1/8th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (T.F)

    Harry was killed in action on either the 17th August 1916 (this is the date on his parents gravestone in Brampton.Huntingdon, Cementry) or 27th August 1916. His name is on The Thiepval Memorial of the Missing of The Somme.

    Always remembered by his family -Great Uncle Harry we will never forget the sacrifice you made for us.R.I.P.

    Kathleen Vidal




    219478

    Pte. John Claydon 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    John Claydon was my great uncle. He enlisted in Reading, Berkshire (a long way from home) probably in 1914 aged 19. His Medal Rolls Index shows he arrived in France on 18th of March 1915, serving with the 2nd Battalion Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment. Two months later he was dead, killed in action on 9th May 1915.

    In his book "Letters from the Front", Roy Brazier stated that "Mr & Mrs Claydon of Vine Cottages had also been notified that their son Pte. J Claydon of the Berkshire Regiment, was discovered dead in a British trench just north of Fromelles, by a German patrol. He was officially declared as dying while a POW". Contrary to the above his Medal Roll and the CWGC show him as Killed in Action, and he has no grave but is commemorated at the Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium.

    John Orchard




    219476

    Pte. William West 5th Btn. Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Billy West, was my great uncle who was killed in action at the Battle of Arras aged 20. There is little else known about him other than he was in the 5th Battalion, Oxford and Bucks and is buried in the Tolloy Cemetery.

    J Biddle




    219474

    Pte. Edward Bowler 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    My Grandfather Edward Bowler was a regular soldier before WW1 started. He was mobilised and fought at Mons, Hill 60, Vimy Ridge, Arras, etc He also went to Ireland after he was bayoneted in a trench in France, to fight the IRA. He met Mary his future wife in a hospital in the London area, when he had the bayonet wound. They had Frank & Rene Bowler after the war

    From information on his Medal Card Private Edward Bowler served with the following units: 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, Machine Gun Corps, Labour Corps, Lancashire Fusiliers. He was awarded the 1914 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

    Kevin Bowler




    219473

    2nd Lt. Lionel John Roberts 16th (St Pancras) Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Lionel John Roberts was my Great Uncle, the second born son of Edwin James Roberts and his wife Caroline. He had an older brother, Edwin, and younger brother(my father, Charles Thomas) and one sister. He was born in Jersey, Channel Islands in 1895 where my Grandfather was born and married my Grandmother who came from Alderney. They decided to bring their young family to England where there appeared to be better prospects for work and education and settled in the Gospel Oak Area, living at 88 Mansfield Road. My Grandfather was a builder/plasterer.

    After war was declared, Lionel who was learning to be a teacher, decided, like so many others,to join up at 20 years old. On 8th March 1916, the Battalion arrived in France. He was reported missing on 3rd September 1916, lost in the Battle of the Somme aged 21 years. He has no known grave but his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial along with over 72000 others who also have no known grave. I would like to know more about the particular battle that took place on the day he died.

    As a young man, he liked to draw and as a child, I was fascinated by his sketch book that contained carefully drafted pen and ink drawings. They were my inspiration to follow suit and I owe him my gratitude for showing me the way. God Bless you Lionel. You were so brave.

    Angela Stannard




    219472

    Gnr. William Frederick Orchard Royal Horse Artillery

    William Frederick Orchard was my grandfather. According to the Medal Rolls Index he first saw service in Area 3 (Egypt) 31 Mar 1915 (aged 23) as a Gunner in the Royal Horse Artillery. The same index shows him subsequently in the Royal Field Artillery. However, I believe William served in India prior to World War 1, and his medal ribbons includes what is either the Dehli Durbar Medal 1911 or the Coronation Medal 1911 to support this. I also inherited two books on the Coronation and India by Bennet/Coleman from 1912, to further support the supposition. This is alongside the 1915 Star (RHA/IAB4/292), British War Medal (RFA/349B/5016y) and Victory Medal (RFA/349B/5016y).

    He was injured during WW1 by shrapnel and suffered with this in later life. Thus far I have been unable to locate his service record.

    John Orchard




    219471

    Pte. William John Springett Middlesex Regiment

    My grandfather Bill Springett was injured during the war and was evacuated back home. He had part of his thigh blown away during a battle and survived in a hedge until the stretcher bearers arrived to evacuate him to a field hospital.

    He never spoke about the war so we don't know exactly where or when this happened. We know he fought from 1914 as he was awarded the 1914-15 Star.

    Clive Springett




    219470

    Pte. James Sainsbury Mould 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (d.25th Oct 1914)

    James Mould served with 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and died on 25th October 1914.

    Simon Vine




    219469

    Pte. Charles Godfrey Hawes 7th Batt Queens Royal West Surrey (d.18th Nov 1916)

    Charles Godfrey Hawes died whilst storming a trench on the 18th of November 1916. He is buried in a small cemetery at Stump Road, Grandcourt.

    Clive Springett




    219468

    Rflmn. Albert Henry Wardle 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.6th April 1918)

    I'd just like to think that my Great Uncle, Albert Wardle was remembered ....

    Michael Barker




    219467

    Cpt. Lewis Alexander McAfee 8th Batallion Rifle Brigade (d.30th July 1915)

    <p>

    Although born in Northern Ireland, Lewis McAfee and his family moved to Edinburgh round about 1890. He was educated here and studied medicine at Cambridge before going onto further studies at the London Hospital in 1914. At this time, his parents moved to Cheshire. Lewis enlisted into the 8th Service Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, being commissioned later in 1914. In May 1915 he arrived in France, being part of "A" Coy.

    As far as can be ascertained,on the 29th July the 8th Battalion moved from Ypres to relieve the 7th Battalion in the trenches of Hooge. Lewis had by this time been promoted to Captain following the death of Captain C.F Ballentine, Commander of "A" Coy who took a direct hit from a gas shell on July 2nd.

    In the early hours of the 30th July, the Germans attacked, using flame-throwers for the first time. Captain Lewis Mcafee was not seen again and is listed as 'missing in action'. 134 men of his Battalion were killed or wounded and 132 were missing, presumed to have been engulfed in the horrific flames from the new German weapon. Perhaps he died alongside Private Richard Gribbin of the same Brigade whose details are also given on this website? His body was never found but his name remains for all to see on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial and also at the Grange Hill War Memorial in the Wirral, Cheshire.

    Kate Forwood




    219466

    2nd Lt. Robert Arthur Kirby 11 Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.11th May 1917)

    <p>

    One of two brothers who died in WW1 at Arras. Bob Kirby was originally in the Buffs the Royal East Kent Reg., but during training the officer in charge saw the two volumes of detailed notes Bob had written (family heirlooms) on the Vickers Machine Gun which demonstrated his engineering background and promoted him to 2nd Lieut., with the 11th Machine Gun Corps. Bob was the 2nd son of Edward and Emma Kirby of Liverpool St, later of Glanville Road St Albans. He came from a Heavy Engineering family on the Railways as his grandfather was Engineer for the Midlands Railway building the sheds at Leicester, Peterborough and Saltly, Birmingham instructing the workers how to build railway engines.

    Robert Arthur (Bob) was a clerk at Gower St for the LMS and a bell ringer at St Peter's. St Albans. His father Edward was the Chief Engineer at the LMS Sheds at St Albans and founded the Edward Kirby and the St Albans Lodges of the ROAB. His younger brother Ernest was killed on the minesweeper HMS Enterprise in the Adriatic and was buried at Brindisi. During 1981 his body along with other graves were moved to the Bari War Cemetery. Their elder brother Edward was a engineer designer for Rolls Royce at Derby but was headhunted by Smiths Industries at Cricklewood. He had three sons, Edward (Ted), Robert (Bob) and Ernest (Ern). The family came from Medbourne Leics, they were a branch of the Kirkby family of Castle Hedingham on the De Vere estate but anciently from Yorkshire and Furness in Nth Lancs., now Cumbria.

    John Robert Kirby




    219465

    Pte. George Edward Hawes 1st Batt Essex Regiment (d.20th Nov 1917)

    George Hawes was born in South Lopham. He died on 20th of November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai where he is buried. His brother was killed almost to the day in 1916 on the 18th November.

    Clive Springett




    219464

    Pte. Archibald McGill Sneddon 8th Battalion Cameronians

    I have recently found the birth certificate for my Uncle James who was born on 16th August 1915. His father, Archibald McGill Sneddon, is recorded on the birth certificate as being a private in the 8th Battalion, The Cameronians. Family lore recalled that Archie was wounded at Gallipoli. I have just discovered that his battalion was indeed at Galliopli. It is great to discover there is truth to family legend.

    Ellen Small




    219462

    Pte. George Evans 2nd/6th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.10th Nov 1917)

    George Evans was my grandmother Annie May's brother, the son of Hannah and John (Jack) Evans of 33 Teneriffe Street in Lower Broughton, Salford. He joined up in August 1914 and served in Ireland for almost a year before going to Gallipoli landing at Sulva Bay. He was wounded at Chocolate Hill in October 1915. After treatment he then went to France and saw action at St Eloi, Arras, Vimy Ridge, the Somme and the Ancre.

    After a period of leave with his family who he was reluctant to leave his last action was in Passchendaele where he was killed on 10th November 1917. He has no known grave but is remembered with honour on the Tyne Cot Memorial

    Andrea Oliver




    219461

    L/Cpl. Arthur Sydney Lennox Hay 1st/6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.4th April 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Hay died on 4th of April 1918, aged 32 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of John Walker Hay and Martha Jane Hay, of Florida Villa, Duff Avenue, Elgin, Morayshire.

    s flynn




    219460

    Pte. Arthur Widdowson 1st/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington (West Riding) Regiment (d.1st Nov 1918)

    Arthur Widdowson was my late father's uncle and he was named after him.

    Michele Clark




    219456

    Pte. Walter Anderson 2nd Batt Northamptonshire Regiment

    Pte. Walter Anderson was my Grandfather. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment and was stationed in Egypt at the outbreak of war. The battalion was transferred to France in November qualifying for the comptemptables bar of which he was very proud. What research I have been able to do shows he was injured early on but returned to the unit for the Battle of Aubers Ridge where he was shot through the throat going over and was treated by Indian doctors from the neighbouring Indian battalion. He was returned again to France and family history is that although on crutches was sent to the Egyptian front and was at the taking of Jerusalem. I have been unable to fill in gaps of his war service as records are patchy and he did not always return to the same battalion. Again family memories are that he was also on the Somme and Ypres salient

    Having been a regular soldier for about eight years prior to the war he was discharged I believe in 1919 however his war experiences seemed to have affected him as I am told by his daughter my mum he was unable to speak for many months after. I have few memories of my grandfather but those who knew him spoke of a kind gentle man well respected by all. He passed away in 1950 as a result of an accident at work.

    E Holman




    219455

    L/Cpl. Leslie Milford Wood MM. 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.20th Jul 1918)

    L/Cpl. Leslie MIlford Wood served with the 13th Battalion, Prince Consort's Own Rifle Brigade and died on 20th July 1918.

    Mike




    219454

    Pte. Robert Harold Gladwin 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.30th Sep 1915)

    Robert Harold Gladwin served with the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He died on 30th September 1915.

    Robert Gladwin




    219452

    L/Cpl. Albert Pollard 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th Mar 1915)

    Arthur Pollard is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.

    B.Ramsey




    219451

    L/Cpl. Thomas Brown 14th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.18th Aug 1916)

    I was a small boy when I was told about my Great Uncle Thomas Brown who died in the 1st War. He was one of four brothers and a sister the youngest - Lizzie. My Grandfather was one of the brothers who was in an essential war service job at home - an engineer running munitions - I think, but he never talked about it as it probably was difficult as his other three brothers went to war - Sam, James and Tom. Sam and James were in the Royal Scots, Tom the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 14th Battalion. Sam and James survived the War. I met my Great Uncle James when I was about 12 or 13 - he was in his eighties. My Grandfather died when I was too young to get to know him. My Great Aunt Lizzie I also met and she had very fond memories of Tom who was the younger brother and obviously close to her as she was the youngest. She died aged 96. She had kept his forage cap and 'swinging six' sporran which I still have plus his service medal which I have and his brass 'penny' given to all the fallen in WW1. She also had a letter sent from his base camp Whitley, Godalming, Surrey dated 1st December 1915. It is an insight to life as a young soldier of the first war not really knowing what he was about to face. He died on 18th August 1916 at High Wood - We do not know how he died but his name is on the Thiepval Memorial, in France. Having read some of the history as his body was never found he may have been a casualty of friendly fire which was an issue on that date. Anyway this is his letter to his sister Lizzie Dated 1st December 1915:

    Service number 13642

    14th Battalion A & S Highrs

    B company, Platoon 5

    Hut 12D

    Witley Camp, Godalming

    My Dear Lizzie, This is the first of me sitting down to write after getting back from the happy weekend. We all got back on the stroke of 11pm and I managed to scramble between the 'blankets' in the dark. Mrs Boyer's cake tastes A1, but I have yet to try the jam. It was very good of Mrs Crocket to give me the parcel.

    You will be surprised to hear that our furlough has been definitely fixed and B. company leaves here on Saturday week (11th I think) to return the following Saturday. I am very disappointed that I have to go home so early as I would have liked to be at home when you are there also. But in another way we should, B company, be glad to get off first as some companies overstay their leave, I have heard, and the other company that follow the defaulters have to suffer by probably not getting any leave at all. I hope our company will play the game. We would have got 10 days had not the most of C company last time they were away overstayed themselves and the Colonel has no forgiveness for that sort of thing. We are soldiers now, he says.

    We are having awful weather just now and the whole camp is one mud pond, some place. You get over the boots without escape, it is just a case of taking a 'bee line as it is of no use trying to pick a path. I was mess orderly yesterday, and today had an awful fatigue at the Sergeants' mess. I had to start at 6.45 am and have only finished at 8.45pm. It is a job where you have to wash dishes, clean up tables and rooms all day. Just think of any man tackling such a job in civilian life. I am sure I would throw down the towel within an hour instead of over 12 hours of it. However, as I have said before it is all in the game. I was called away for half an hour to shoot in a competition for my platoon, I made a decent enough score but the light during the heavy downpours was bad and at some shots the sights on the rifle were just haze. This is a competition amongst the battalions of the division, but I don't think ours will come up very far, so far, some of them made a poor show. Our Brigadier General is giving prizes to the winners. All weekend passes are cancelled during the furlough interval, I hope I will get another weekend with you before I leave for foreign lands. It will be at least be well into January I am afraid before that time is past. If we leave here on a Saturday you could come up to town and see me. I may not get much time with you as I suppose the whole company will be together and we may be kept in our lines and when I consider the situation it may be a special train going right through.

    It is very unfortunate that I cannot get up at Christmas time, but I shall have a good weekend with you when I come back. I have not time to write more tonight. I must write a short note home yet. Give my kindest regards and thanks to Mr & Mrs Boyer's for their goodness to me last weekend.

    Your Loving Brother, Tom

    I bought this paper at a shop in the Camp 7,1/2p a pad - 50 sheets + 25 envelopes

    Malcolm Brown




    219450

    Pte. Albert Victor Hicks 22nd (Bermondsey) Btn. London Regiment

    Albert Hicks served with the 22nd (Bermondsey) Btn., London Regiment.

    Jim Hicks




    219449

    Pte. Harold Edward Clarke 1st/5th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.7th Aug 1916)

    Pte. Harold Edward Clarke served with the 1st/5th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. He died on 7th August 1916 in Mesopotamia

    Vaughan




    219448

    Pte. William James Porter 2nd. Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.18th Aug 1917)

    William Porter enlisted with his two brothers at Stratford. He served with the Middlesex Regiment 2nd Battalion He was the second son of George and Annie. He worked at Cottis in Epping. He received serious injuries to his stomach and elbow from a shell and was operated on. He asked a nurse to write home for him and tell his family that he had been injured but he was recovering and would soon be back home. He died the morning of the 18th August 1917. He is buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery in Belguim. Unfortunately I have no photo of him.

    Tina Alvey




    219447

    Pte. Francis Flynn 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Aug 1918)

    My uncle Frank Flynn was the second youngest of nine children of John Flynn and Mary nee Foy. John Flynn had come over from County Leitrim, Ireland in the 1860s or 1870s.

    Frank enlisted in the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on 16th December 1914 at Stockton-On-Tees aged 19 years 10 months, measuring 5 feet 3 3/4 tall, service number 3230, which later changed to 45577. In July 1916 he was posted to 15th DLI in France. He was wounded in September 1916 and shipped back to England and spent a month in hospital. Returning to France in August 1917 he was killed in action on 26th August 1918, He is Remembered at Warlencourt British cemetery.

    Tony Flynn




    219445

    Sgt. Thomas Lancaster Machine Gun Corps

    My Grandad Sgt Thomas Lancaster enlisted at Dover on 10th January 1911 and was first appointed to the 5th Dragoon Guards before serving with the Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry). We believe he served throughout WW1 with the Machine Gun Corps and his discharged papers are dated 9th January 1923 and these state that he was discharged from 1st Kings Dragoon Guards. The discharge papers were signed by the officer i/c Cavalry records at Canterbury.

    We are trying to trace his actual service record including where in France/Belgium he served and with which unit. Any assistance anyone could afford us would be most gratefully received.

    My Grandfather went onto serve with the British Army during WW2 and although we cannot find out exactly where he served during this time (we believe Dover) he was involved in some form of weapons testing and bomb disposal. He lost the tops of his fingers on one hand as a result. Again any information you might be able to offer would be welcome.

    Pauline Danson




    219444

    Pte. Harry Grenville Davies King's Royal Rifle Corps

    Harry Grenville Davies was my husband's grandfather. He served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps, survived the war and returned home in 1919.

    Jacqueline Davies




    219441

    Spr. John Ness 1st Lowland Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Sapper John Ness from Airdrie was in the 1st Lowland Field Company attached 1st Brigade, 1st Ind. Division, British Expediitionary Force. He enlisted on 28th October 1914 and went to Bridge of Allan for training before leaving for france on Sunday 27th March 1915 as reinforcements. As train passed through Coatbridge he saw his mother and father on the platform.

    John Love




    219435

    Fred Brown Lincolnshire Regiment

    My Maternal Grandfather Fred Brown Lincolnshire Regiment no 2501 disembarked in France on 17th August 1915. Fred was from Gainsborough and survived the war my Mother being born in 1923.

    Barbara




    219393

    Pte. William Pannell Royal Sussex Regiment (d.30th Jun 1916)

    One Sunday when trying to entertain my wife's elderly grandfather, who spoke a lot of WW2, we asked whether he would like to look at the CWGC website to look for any relatives. To our great surprise we found a member of our family Pte. William Pannell who served with the Royal Sussex Regiment and died on the 30th June 1916. Then shockingly we found two more of his brothers who also died on the same day! This was in the battle of the Boars Head when many Sussex lads died, it was reported that "this was the day Sussex died"! This was the worst loss of life in one family, that we are aware of.

    We have no information on any of these boys, pictures etc, we don't even know the ages of two of them.

    Jon Berry




    219390

    L/Sgt. James Bowtell 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    My great uncle, James Bowtell was killed on the morning of the 22nd of August 1917 serving with the 10th Durham Light infantry around Inverness copse & Glencorse wood.

    Kevin Bowtell




    219389

    Pte. Arthur Edward Bradley 9th Battalion Dorset Regiment (d.8th Oct 1918)

    Arthur Edward Bradley was my uncle, the eldest son of Frank and Ellen Bradley. He was born on 11th September 1891, one of seven siblings. He worked as a domestic gardener prior to the war. He served in the 9th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment and during the war must have had some leave because on 16th September 1916 he married Florence Sims in Kintbury. When the war ended my grandmother had certain possessions belonging to Arthur returned to her. His wife, Florence went into Newbury to meet every troop train but of course he was never on any of them. I gather it was many weeks after the war that the family had confirmation that he had been killed on 8th October 1918.

    He is buried in Bellicourt british Cemetery in France and his name is on two War Memorials, one at St. Thomas' Church, Woolton Hill and the other at St. Mary's Church, Kintbury. He has always been very much remembered, and in fact still is, by past and present members of the Bradley Family.

    Jenny Austin




    219388

    Pte. George William Bee 17th Battalian Notts and Derby Regiment (d.8th Apr 1917)

    George Bee was my Great uncle he was born on 16th February 1899 at Brougham Street, Sneinton, Nottingham, the youngest child of George and Alice Bee. George served with the Notts and Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) 17th Battalion. He was killed in action on 8th April 1917 aged 18 when serving at Ypres, Belgium and is buried at Viamertinghe Military Cemetery,VI,E 16,.Belguim.

    I do not have a photograph of George but would love one, if anyone does have any more information on George Bee could you please contact me.

    Jacqueline Davies




    219386

    Sgt. William Charles Brodie MM. 1/8 Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Sgt. William Brodie served with the 1/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment





    219385

    Rfmn. Ernest Samuel "Sa" Hadden 10th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    Ernest Samuel Haddon was my great uncle and my grandfather's younger brother. He was a signatory to the Ulster Covenant (as was my grandfather) He served with the Royal Irish Rifles 10th Battalion. He was wounded in action on day one of the Somme and died two days later on 3rd July 1916 in a field hospital.

    My father remembers as a young boy visiting his granny Graham who had a trunk with Sammy's effects in them. He distinctly remembers seeing a cigarette case with dents in (bullet hits?). Unfortunately he has no idea what happened to it when she died. My uncle did have a photograph, but annoyingly he has lost it.

    J S Hadden




    219384

    Albert William Tinsley MMil. Lancashire Fusiliers

    My grandfather Albert William Tinsley was a Company Sergeant Major in 14-18 war in the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was killed in action having saved a french officer's life and won the Medalle Militaire. My grandad is buried in Tyne Cott, Ypres, Belgium. I would love to find out more of the Army Company he was in if anyone can help.

    Trish




    219381

    Rfn. Arthur Howarth 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.30th Jul 1915)

    Arthur Howarth served with the Rifle Brigade and has no known grave. He is commemorated at the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. He left a widow, Edith Howarth of Pendleton, Manchester.

    James Taylor




    219380

    Pte. David Cassells Minnoch 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    My Grandfather, David Cassells Minnoch served in the 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters and was wounded in action, being evacuated back to the United Kingdom.

    Dennis Cassells-Minnoch




    219379

    John McDonald 9th (Cycle) Battalion Hampshire Regiment

    My grandfather, John Macdonald was in the 9th Hants Bicycle Battalion. Is it true that a command to mobilise the Hants Battalion was written badly and the 'a' in Hants looked like a 'u' and the Hunts were mobilised instead with many losses?

    Ian Macdonald




    219378

    A. L.Y. Goldney 6th London Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather A L Y Goldney joined the 6th London Machine Gun Corps in 1915 thats all I know, he survived the war and went on to serve in Mesopotamia (Iraq).

    D M Yorke-Goldney




    219377

    Pte. Charles Ernest Watt 12th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.19th Aug 1918)

    Charles Ernest Watt died on 19th August 1918 and is buried at Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery, Morbecque, France. He was serving with the 12th Btn Norfolk Regiment.

    Alan Farthing




    219376

    QMSgt. William Christie Army Service Corps

    William Christie enlisted at the age of 15 years in the 4th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, went through the South African War and was pensioned off after 24 years of service. He became attached to the recruiting office in Gallowgate, Glasgow and for 15 years acted as chief recruiting clerk there. He was transferred to Maryhill Barracks where he was clerk in the Army Service Corps until a few days before his death. Two of his sons enlisted at the age of 14 years and both fought in France. Sergeant Christie was a native of Arbroath and died at his home at 22 Robson Street, Glasgow.

    William Christie Melvin




    219374

    Gnr. George Eccles 39th Div. Amm. Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.30th May 1918)

    My great grandfather George Eccles served with the 39th Division Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery and was killed in action on the 30th May 1918. He was part of a Pals Division from Belthorn in Lancashire. George is buried at Bellacourt Military Cemetery, Riviere.

    Marc Eccles




    219373

    L/Cpl. Patrick Killerlane 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.13th Apr 1918)

    Lance Corporal Patrick Killerlane of the 2nd. Btn. Irish Guards was killed in action on 13th April 1918. He is commemorated the Ploegsteert Memorial. He was the son of Andrew Killerlane of Lower Rosses, Co. Sligo.

    Bridget Dempsey




    219370

    Pte. Max Schnittker Company K 329th Infantry (d.5th Oct 1918)

    Max Schnittker was born and raised on Kelleys Island, Ohio, He was the first soldier from the island killed in action.

    Mike Schnittker




    219369

    Pte. Bernard William Whyte 13th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Bernard William Whyte was born in Chatham Kent but moved to Liverpool prior to the outbreak of WW1. He was an employee of Lever Brothers Port Sunlight and he responded to the call to join up. On 7th September 1914, 700 Lever Brothers employees travelled from Port Sunlight to Chester by train and walked the mile to the Cheshire Military Museum at the Castle to enlist in the 13th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. They were the largest group of volunteers from any works in the country to sign-up to fight in the First World War.

    Bernard, fortunately, survived the war although he was taken POW in April 1918 but he was repatriated at the end of the war. On his service record it states he was awarded the military medal.

    Clare Riley




    219368

    Sgt. Horace Coe 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.18th Dec 1915)

    Horace Coe was born in 1886. He was 32 yrs old when he enlisted for the Great War on 25th August 1914. He was a Collier. He previously served in the Rifle Brigade - no.8206 joining in 1900 as a 17 yr old.

    From 2.1.1901 to 11.12.O3 he was in England. 12.12.03 to 21.11.05 he was in Egypt. Then 22.11.05 to 4.2.09 was spent in India, returning home on 5.2.09 until 1.1.13 when his service career ended after 12 yrs.

    On the outbreak of the Great War he joined the Lincolnshire Regiment (No.10513)6th Battalion on 29.8.14. as Private. Promoted Corporal 6.9.14,Lance Sgt 23.12.14. Finally Sergt 19.1.15.

    On 24 July 1915 was transferred to D Company. Organelles. 18th December 1915 he was dangerously wounded by gunshot in the left lung and died of his wounds the same day on board HMHS Soudan and was buried at sea.

    Sandra Everitt




    219365

    Gnr. Walter William Paxman Royal Garrison Artillery

    Walter William Paxman lost a leg in WW1 and was awarded The Silver War Badge. He enlisted in December 1915.

    Anne Milne




    219363

    L/Cpl. William Cresswell 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    My grandfather's brother, William Cresswell was a regular soldier who had served through the Boer War and I have his campaign medal for South Africa 1901-1902 Transvaal and Orange Free State. I believe he returned home wounded in the early part of the war but was killed on the first day in the Battle of the Somme. He was 39 years old so had served at least 17 years and has no known grave and is commemorated by name on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

    Maurice Cresswell




    219360

    CSM. Thomas Henry Bowley 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.26th Oct 1914)

    My Grandfather, Colour Sergeant Thomas Henry Bowley, was one of the senior NCOs of the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment who embarked on Troopships Turkoman and Minneapolis at Southampton. On 10th October he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and seconded to the Royal Leicestershire Regiment (As the Leicesters were short of 2nd Lts) He was killed 16 days later near Kruiseke Hill.

    David Bowley




    219359

    Pte. Mark Lockwood 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.9th Sep 1914)

    My Great-Uncle Mark Lockwood served with the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards. He was involved in the Battle of the Marne and fought in an engagement at the Petit Moran where he was shot and died of his wounds. He is now buried in the churchyard in Boitron with 4 other soldiers.

    Stephen Lockwood




    219358

    Pte. Ernest Brown 14th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th Sept 1917)

    Ernest Brown was killed in action and buried at The Huts Cemetery. This cemetery was used between July-November 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres. Ernest left a widow, Beatrice Brown.

    Lavinia Pemberton




    219357

    Rifleman Phillip Clack 12th (The Rangers) Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Nov 1917)

    Phillip Clack was my Nan's brother. Nan told us he was only 17 when he was killed in action. Phillip is buried at Morchies Military Cemetery. I would love to find out more details.





    219356

    Sgt. George Crosby Smith 5th Mountain Bty Royal Garrison Artillery (d.16th Aug 1914)

    Sergent George Crosby Smith, a member of the Royal Garrison Artillery, died in India. He was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1878. I'd like some details if possible.

    Gerry Wright




    219355

    Pte. Sydney Wyatt 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    My great great uncle Sydney Wyatt fought in WW1 in the 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, he lived in Cardiff with his sister and her family before joining up. His parents were Alfred and Ellen Wyatt of Sidbury, Worcester. He died on March 22nd 1918 aged 30. He was never found. His name is on the Arras Memorial and also on the Guildhall in Worcester.

    Debbie Hill




    219354

    Pte. John James Briggs 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th Dec 1914)

    <p>

    John Briggs was killed in action on the 30th of December 1914, aged 31. He is buried in the Estaires Communal Cemetery in France. He was the husband of Mrs Briggs of 153 Gannow Lane, Burnley.

    s flynn




    219353

    Gnr. Edward Jackson 92nd Bde. D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.19th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Edward Jackson died of wounds on the 19th of December 1915, aged 20. He is bBuried in the Estaires Communal Cemetery, France. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Jackson, of Bradford. He lived at Upper Woodlands Road, Manningham, Bradford and worked as a French polisher. He was 5’ 7” inches tall, with blue eyes and dark brown hair. On August 28th 1914 at the age of 19 years and 66 days Edward Jackson joined the Royal Field Artillery, "D" Bty. 92nd Bde. He was posted to France and on December 19th 1915 was wounded. He was taken to the 62nd Field Ambulance in Bethune but died later that day of his injuries at the age of 20. His brother died 10 months later, also in France.

    s flynn




    219350

    Pte. Peter Manson 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.5th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Peter Manson was killed in action on the 5th of December 1915, aged 21 and is buried the Estaires Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mrs. R. Manson, of 21, Craig St, Airdrie.

    s flynn




    219349

    Pte. Joseph Newman 10th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1915)

    Joseph Newman is my great grandfather on my grandmother's side. He died of wounds and is buried at Sailly-sur-la Lys cemetery . I have no other information about him at this time sadly.

    Dave Rutherford




    219348

    Rfmn. Matthew McKay 12th Btn Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Matthew McKay was my mother's uncle. I believe he was born in Dunluce, Co. Antrim and lived on Ballyclough Road, which is where my grandma, who was Matthew's sister also my great grandma and my mother along with 6 other siblings lived. I am so proud of my great uncle Matthew. He gave his life for his country, what more could a brave and courageous 21 year old do. God Bless him. His name is on the memorial at Thiepval in France.

    Lesley Gray




    219347

    Gunner George Walter Henry Parsons 61 Bty.

    My father in law, Gnr George Parsons served in what the documents describe as 'C/61, RGA.' He was medically evacuated from France in about April 1918 having been a victim of a gas attack. I would really like to know where this gas attack took place and what the action was called, if possible. He lived on, in sickness, until dying in 1961 in Portland, Dorset. Any information regarding this action gratefully received.

    Eddie Billington




    219344

    Pte. Charles Flynn 11th (Accrington Pals) Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    Charles Flynn served with the 11th (Accrington Pals) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. Charles was born in Accrington in 1882 and lived in Augusta Street, Accrington. He was employed at H&B in the town as an Iron Turner before enlisting.

    Charles died after the war in 1925, partly due to the effects of being gassed during the war. He is remembered on the Sacred Heart RC Roll of Honour. The Roll of Honour is now at St Mary's RC Church Oswaldtwisle. No known photo remains of Charles.





    219338

    Pte. William Cartmell 1/6th Batt Devonshire regiment (d.16th July 1916)

    William Cartmell was my grandfather, he served with the 1/6th Devonshire Regiment in Mesopotamia and died on 16th July 1916. He is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq.

    N.Cartmell




    219337

    Pte. John Bewley Border Regiment (d.19th May 1917)

    John Bewley was born in 1898 and lived at 16, High Road, Cleator Moor, Cumberland. He was my great uncle, and served with the Border Regiment. But as my grandfather died in 1952 (aged 52) before I was born the family has no record of where John might be buried, the battle he fought in (was it Bullecourt?), or any details. All I know is that he died on 19th May 1917. Any help as to where to find out his military record would be most helpful.

    Bob Bewley




    219333

    Spr. Arthur Howard 2nd/1st (West Riding) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Arthur Howard served with the 2nd/1st (West Riding) Field Coy. Royal Engineers. He died on 1st July 1916.

    Mike




    219332

    Pte. Gerald Riley 14th Hussars

    Gerald Riley was my mother-in-law's Great Grandad. His parents came over from Ireland due to the Potato famine. He lived in Primrose Terrace, Mill Hill, Blackburn. His date of birth is thought to be 19th July 1896. Gerald attended St Peters RC. I have his British medal and his Victory medal from WW1.

    Carolyn Waterworth




    219331

    Rfmn. Arthur Shewring 1st Btn. A Company. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th Mar 1915)

    Arthur Shewring was born in 1995. He served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps, 1st Battalion, A company and died on 10th March 1915 aged 19. We have no further details. The family story is that he had an argument with his mother and ran out of the house, over the back wall and was never seen again. He was supposedly underage when he signed up.

    Charlotte Priestley




    219330

    Pte. Arthur Edward Stollery 12th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.20th Nov 1917)

    Teddy Stollery served with the 12th Royal Fusiliers City of London Regiment and died on 20th November 1917.

    Shirley Stone




    219326

    L/Cpl. John Gibb Archibald 7th Btn. Black Watch

    <p>

    L/Cpl. John Gibb Archibald of the 7th Battalion, Royal Highland Regiment, was from Leslie, Fife. His father was a skilled marksman and won medals in the Scottish Twenty Club. This love and skill of shooting was passed to John, who represented Scotland at Bisley and also won Scottish Twenty Club medals. In order to pay for the ammunition and transport to the events John joined the Royal Highland Regiment (Black Watch) as a Territorial.

    Upon declaration of war the Black Watch was mobilized, but not the Territorial Battalion. John declined to serve in the regular units. Based on his previous experience he was made a Lance Corporal (he refused any high rank since he did not want to be responsible for other soldiers' lives), and was a marksman/sniper. In early 1915 the Territorial 7th Battalion was mobilized and sent to training camps in Perth and Ayr, before being sent to Bedford for two weeks training prior to embarkation to France in May 1915.

    John was in the line from May 1915 until an unknown time in 1915 (his service record was destroyed during bombing of the National Archive at Kew in WWII). He only ever recounted one story about sniping while in France - shooting a German officer one morning while shaving.

    In 1915 he was invalided out of the army due to an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) and told to go home, do light work (if any), and prepare to die. He finally passed away in 1970. The memory of taking other men's lives haunted him.

    Sandy Archibald




    219323

    Pte. Walter Ernest Lunnon 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Walter Lunnon served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment and died on 1st July 1916.

    Susan Gillas




    219320

    2nd Lt. Samuel Dunwoody 16th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.5th Oct 1918)

    Samuel Dunwoody's father came from Monaghan, Ireland and moved to England where he worked in Customs and Excise. Samuel was born in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, he was my Grandfather's cousin.

    It looks like he signed up with Monmouthshires and gained a Temporary commission as a 2nd Lieutenant to the 16th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in 1915 and went to France in Jan. '17. He was killed by shrapnel near Beclaere on 5 October 1918. He was a pupil of Preston Grammar School and his name on their WW1 Memorial which is now in Preston Minster. As member of the RIR he is listed among the Irish casualties of the war at the Dublin Rembrance Garden.

    Viv Stringer




    219318

    Pte. John Willie Hall 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment (d.9th Dec 1918)

    My name is John Willie Hall was my great uncle. He was brother to my grandfather on my mother's side of the family. He served with the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment 2nd Battalion I know little about him other that that he died on 9th December 1918 from Broncho-pneumonia contacted whilst on active service and is buried in grave/memorial ref D31 at Mauberuge (Sous-le-Bois) Cemetery France. I have never seen a photograph of him, but would very much like to Know more about him and would be vey grateful if any one has any infomation they can pass on to me. Thankyou

    Barbara Marris nee Jackson.




    219316

    Pte. John Edward Davies King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.May 1918)

    Pte. John Edward Davies was my uncle who served with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was last seen by his sister Dorothy entering the subway at Ripon Station on his way to France, where he died of his wounds in May 1918 at the age of 19. He is buried at Bagneux Cemetry near Gezaincourt, France

    His sister moved to Ripon in 1948 and lived quite near the Station and used to regularly catch a bus to town from next to the subway which is still quite a poignant reminder of great sadness and of ultimate sacrifice for so many brave men who travelled through the subway onto the trains and who never came back from France We shall never forget them and our families will always remember my Uncle John with great pride.

    Chris Barber




    219314

    L/Cpl. Thomas Woodcock VC. 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Thomas Woodcock served with the Irish Guards 2nd Battalion. He was killed in action on 27th March 1918 and is buried in the Douchy-les-Ayette British Cemetery in France.

    He was born at Wigan. the son of Henry and Isabella Woodcock; and husband of Mary Woodcock, of 41, Cambridge St., Wigan. He was a scholar at St. Patrick's School

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 16th October 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and determination. He was one of a post commanded by L. Sgt. Moyney, which was surrounded. The post held out for 96 hours, but after that time was attacked from all sides in overwhelming numbers and was forced to retire. Pte. Woodcock covered the retirement with a Lewis gun, and only retired when the enemy had moved round and up to his post and were only a few yards away. He then crossed the river, but hearing cries for help behind him, returned and waded into the stream amid a shower of bombs from the enemy and rescued another member of the party. The latter he then carried across the open ground in broad daylight towards our front line regardless of machine gun fire that was opened on him."

    s flynn




    219311

    Sgt. Harry Simpson 16th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.28th Jan 1916)

    Sgt. Harry Simpson served with the 16th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps and died on 28th January 1916.





    219310

    Capt. John LLoyd William Howard Abell 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    John Abell was a schoolmaster at Wallasey Grammar School. He and fellow Captain, Thomas Murray were the two form masters of the Second Form. There are staff photographs taken in 1912, which show both of them. In addition the archive for Wallasey Grammar School has form photographs for summer 1912, which show John Abell and Thomas Murray with their respective forms. Both left Wallasey Grammar School in the late summer of 1914 to serve with the 11th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.

    Colin Bruce




    219309

    Pte. John Lewis 9th Btn. Welch Regiment (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Pte. John Lewis served with the 9th Battalion, Welch Regiment and died on 8th June 1917.

    Jeremy Lewis




    219308

    Pte. Joseph Liney Mackinder MM. 2nd Batallion Suffolk Regiment (d.1st Oct 1918)

    I found out about Joseph Liney Mackinder whilst tracing my family history. He was my grandmother's cousin and although I didn't know him I was very proud that an "ordinary" agricultural worker from a large family living at Long Sutton in Lincolnshire, could go to war and win a Military Medal for Bravery in the Field. He served with the Suffolk Regiment 2nd Battalion and died on 1st October 1918 - possibly during the battle to take Rumilly. I would love to know more about him.

    Charmaine Johnson




    219307

    Pte. John Gilchrist 1/8 Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Pte. John Gilchrist served with the 1/8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He died on 9th April 1917.





    219306

    Bmbdr. Wallace Johnson 289th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.8th Jul 1917)

    Wallace Johnson is commemorated on a family grave cross in Hull Western Cemetery. In 1877 he was born at Howden, Yorkshire and later moved to Margate, Kent where he was teaching at the "Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb Children of the Poor" in 1901. Before the the outbreak of the Great War he had married and had two daughters. He enlisted at Margate in 1915 and served with the 289th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was killed in action on 8th July 1917. His body was interred in the Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension in Belgium.

    H.Johnson




    219305

    Fireman. John Robertson Kyle SS Craigendoran (d.3rd Mar 1917)

    John Robertson, served as a fireman on the SS Craigendoran with the Merchant Navy. Born Glasgow 27th March 1886 he was the son of John and Mary Kyle, brother of Mary McDermott Kyle, Catherine Kyle and Alice Kyle and husband of Sarah Benson Kyle. He was killed in action aboard the British Collier SS Craigendoran (2789ton) when she was sunk by a German U Boat off the Algerian coast on 3rd March 1917. His name is recorded on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    His family received the following scroll: This scroll is written to honour the great company of our men who though trained only to the peaceful traffic of the sea yet in the hour of national danger gave themselves with the ancient skill and endurance of their breed to face new perils and new cruelties of war and in a right cause served fearlessly to the end. And this is written further to ensure that among the rest shall be ever freshly remembered the name and service of John Robertson Kyle.

    Irene Hahn




    219303

    Pte. John Charles Lidgley 1st/21st (Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    John Charles Lidgley born approx. 1894, was a plumber in Hounslow Middlesex before the war. He married Annie Deeley in Feb 1916 and had a son also named John Charles Lidgley-Deeley who was born in Jan 1915.

    John served with the 1st/21st (First Surrey Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, and died on 15th September 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial at the Somme.

    Storm iggs




    219300

    Pte. Thomas Conway 13th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Thomas Conway was my grandad he lived at Hope Street, Low Valley, Darfeild. He was in the 13th Battalion Yorks and Lancs and was killed on the 1st July 1916. His name is on the Theipval Monument in France. He was married to Mary Conway and had three children James, Kate and Thomas (my father). He enlisted at Silkstone.

    Cathy Heggie




    219299

    John Robert "Shoeingsmith Parker" Holmes Royal Field Artillery (d.14th Oct 1916)

    Johns Death Notice in the Newcastle Upon Tyne Chronicle from Sat 14th Oct 1916 reads; Holmes, died suddenly on the 13th. John better known as "Shoeingsmith Parker" RFA. Served with the BEF of 1914. Cortege will leave 30 Wellington St at 2.45 Sunday the 15th.

    The Death Notice above may have been entered by John's Brother, Joseph Henry Holmes who was serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers at the time. Joseph was obviously quite proud of the fact that John had been with the BEF. His Parents, John Robert and Jane Anne died in 1890 & 1899 respectively.

    John Robert Holmes originally enlisted with the Northumberland Fusiliers on 27th August 1894 before joining the East Yorks Regiment two days later. He was convicted by the civil court in Dublin of a felony on 19th October 1894 and Discharged from the Army because of this on 1st December 1894. Maybe because of his discharge he re-enlisted under the name Parker. There are no records I can find for John Robert Holmes joining the RFA but I do have records of his previous service.

    Edward Holmes




    219298

    Pte. Isaac Frank Butler 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.1st Jan 1915)

    Pte. Frank Butler served with the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment. He died of wounds on 1st January 1915, following the 1st Battle of Ypres and is buried in Christchurch Cemetery, Portsmouth. His full name was Isaac Frank Butler

    Diana Lewis




    219296

    Rfmn. Charles Watkins Rifle Brigade (d.27th May 1917)

    Charles Watkins was a Rifleman in the Rifle Brigade, this man was not killed by enemy action but died through illness Cerebro Spinal Meningitis on 27th May 1917. He is buried in St Ever Cemetery in Rouen. He was married to Eliza Appelton, my grandmother's sister who eventually went on to remarry. Her eldest son from this marriage was killed in the second world war.

    J D Noulton




    219295

    2nd Lt. John Haddon Attenborough 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    My Mother in Law mentioned to me one night about six years ago, whilst I was discussing Family History in WW1 that she believed that she had an Uncle that was killed in WW1, she was not sure where but did know his name, John Haddon Attenborough. So off to the Commonwealth War Graves Casualty Details we went, and we found him, she did cry bless her. I am so pleased I was able to do this for her as she died two years ago at the age of 92 years young and knew where his memorial was, and when he died and where.

    John Attenborough served with the Norfolk Regiment 8th Battalion and died on 1st July 1916.

    Carole Sach




    219294

    Pte. David Underwood 4th Btn. (d.29th Sep 1916)

    My Granddad, David Underwood was killed at the Somme, remembered with honour at Thiepval Memorial. He has no known grave.

    Kath




    219293

    Pte. Albert William Charles Green MMde. 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    My father, Albert William Charles Green, was a Private in the 1st Battalion East Surreys. He was with the BEF in France in August 1914, and fought with the 1st Battalion, until the end of the war, in November 1918. He was in the Royal Navy, but jumped ship to join the East Surreys. He enlisted under the assumed name of Bloomfied, and because of this all his medals are awarded under the name of Bloomfield.

    He fought in many of the major campaigns and battles, including Hill 60, and Vimy Ridge. He was awarded the French Medaille for gallantry during the action at Delville Wood on 14th of June 1917. He was the Battalion runner. Dad died in 1977 still very proud of his old regiment

    Peter Green




    219292

    Roger Alexander Legard Lincolnshire Yeomanry

    Roger Legard served with the Lincolnshire Yeomanry.

    H Legard




    219291

    Pte. Henry Noulton

    Henry Noulton volunteered in June 1915, and on completion of his training was posted to a cruiser squadron. His ship was engaged on special patrol duties off the coast of Russia. In October 1918 the vessel on which he was serving, whilst conveying wounded across the Irish Sea, was torpedoed but after several hours in the water he fortunately was rescued. He was demobilised in Febuary 1920 and holds the General Service and Victory Medals.

    J.D. Noulton




    219290

    Dvr. Henry Noulton Royal Field Artillery

    Henry Noulton volunteered in June 1915 and later in the same year was drafted overseas. During his service in France he took part in many engagements including those on the Somme and at Arras and Cambrai and during the retreat and advance of 1918.

    He was demobilised in February 1920 and holds the General and Service and Victory Medals.

    J.D. Noulton




    219289

    PO. Samuel Noulton HMS Chatham

    Samuel Noulton volunteered at the outbreak of war, and served in HMS ARUN on transport duties. Later he was transferred to HMS Chatham convoying vessels between Norway and the North of Ireland. His ship was in action in the Battle of Jutland, and was mined off Felixstowe. He took part in all engagements in the North Sea and was demobilised in November 1919.

    J.D. Noulton




    219286

    Rflmn. John McDonald 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.21st April 1917)

    My great uncle John McDonald was my grandfather Dan's elder brother. He was born in 1891 and enlisted in the regular Army in 1911. He went to Kuldana then in India (now Pakistan) with the battalion and returned in 1914 when the battalion was sent to France.

    He was killed in action in 1917 on the 21st April. He is buried at Gouzeaucourt War Graves Cemetery. He was 26 and unmarried when he died.

    Dan McDonald




    219285

    Arthur Sowerby Liverpool Regiment

    Arthur Sowerby died in the Battle of the Somme aged 19 years. His elder sister was my Nana, Constance Bennett (nee Sowerby) and she never forgot Arthur. Each year until she was no longer able, she placed a cross at the village Memorial on 11th November. When we lived locally, I used to go with her. Arthur's other siblings beside Nana (Connie) were Fred, Doris, Blanche and Albert Sowerby. Nana died in 1975 but I have never forgotten Arthur mostly due to Nana's stories about him and the family's loss. One day it would be good to go to the Somme Memorial and pay respect to Arthur, who is always remembered.





    219277

    2nd Lt. Horace Fredrick Gough DSO. 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.21st Sept 1917)

    Horace Gough was a Lance Corporal in the 11th Hussars and a 2nd Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion of The North Staffordshire Regiment. He received the DSO. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He rallied part of a neighbouring battalion that had lost all of its officers and had been forced back from a most important position He personally led a counter attack, and re-took the position at the point of the bayonet, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. He then consolidated the captured position and remained in command until relieved. By his gallantry, individuality and resource he undoubtedly enabled the troops on his flank to regain a highly important position.

    Ann-Marie Roberts




    219276

    Pte. Albert Charles Bick Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915 )

    Albert Charles Bock was married to my grandfather's youngest sister, Annie Noulton. He served in the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment. His death certificate gives his date of death as 25th September 1915 but underneath in brackets is written 'presumed' in the box which gives the cause of death is written not known, I must assume that his body was not recovered and possibly still lies where he fell he is commemorated at the Loos Memorial. May he rest in peace. I don't think his wife ever remarried and died in her early eighties in the 1960's.

    J Noulton




    219270

    Pte. Maurice Lyons Cheshire Regiment

    My Father Maurice Lyons served in World War 1 with the Cheshire Regiment. he served in France and Belgium and then in Salonika from 1916. Later he should have gone to India, but I am not sure if he did or not. I have tried to find his name and his brother John who also served but no record shows up, even though we had confirmation in writing many years ago which has been mislaid. He was well known to the British Legion, Irish Branch, post war. I would love if anyone can direct me to the place where I can get details.

    Larry lyons




    219266

    Sgt. Albert Gill 1st Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th Jul 1916)

    Sgt. Albert Gill served with the 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps and was killed in action on 27th July1916 aged 36 years. He is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery in France. He was the son of Harry and Sophia Gill, of Birmingham, England; and husband of Rosetta Gill (nee Smith).

    An extract from "The London Gazette" dated 24th October, 1916, records the following :-"For most conspicuous bravery. The enemy made a very strong counter-attack on the right flank of the battalion, and rushed the bombing post after killing all the company bombers. Serjeant Gill at once rallied the remnants of his platoon, none of whom were skilled bombers, and reorganised his defences, a most difficult and dangerous task, the trench being very shallow and much damaged. Soon afterwards the enemy nearly surrounded his men by creeping up through the thick undergrowth, and commenced sniping at about twenty yards' range. Although it was almost certain death, Serjeant Gill stood boldly up in order to direct the fire of his men. He was killed almost at once, but not before he had shown his men where the enemy were, and thus enabled them to hold up their advance. By his supreme devotion to duty and self-sacrifice he saved a very dangerous situation."

    s flynn




    219265

    Gnr. Cecil Glendy Sutton L Bty. Royal Horse Artillery

    My grandfather Cecil Glendy Sutton enlisted in the 1st World War on 2nd March 1916 and was gassed in the Battle of The Somme. Luckily he survived this ordeal and was discharged on 3rd July 1918. He served with the Royal Horse Artillery "L" Bty as a Gunner.

    David Bird




    219263

    Pte. William White 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.25th Aug 1916)

    I started my family history research last year and soon discovered my maternal grandfather Thomas White, was one of 10 siblings. He was the eldest having been born in 1881. William, his younger brother was born on 27th April 1889 and attended Tarporley Central school, which I remember as the C of E school. He lived in Tarporley at his parent's home at 117 High Street - now demolished.

    He joined up in Chester and was soon sent to France where he served with the 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment. I am currently researching his earlier service but thanks to a Cousin, Jenny, we have found his date and place of death as almost certainly in the battle of High Wood on 25th August 1916. He is buried at Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood near Amiens in a marked grave. I intend to visit this as soon as possible. Up until last December I was totally unaware of William's existence let alone the sacrifice he had made.

    Brian Salt




    219255

    Cpl. Henry Garnet Bedford "Harry" Miner VC. 58th Btn. Central Ontario Regiment (d.8th Aug 1918)

    Henry Miner served with the Canadian Infantry 58th Battalion (Central Ontario Regiment) and was killed in action on 8th August 1918, aged 28. He is buried in the Crouy British Cemetery in France. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre (France). He was the son of John and Sarah Orpha Miner.

    An extract taken from the London Gazette dated 25th Oct., 1918, records the following : "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack, when despite severe wounds he refused to withdraw. He rushed an enemy machine-gun post single-handed, killed the entire crew and turned the gun on the enemy. Later, with two others, he attacked another enemy machine-gun post, and succeeded in putting the gun out of action. Cpl. Miner then rushed single-handed an enemy bombing post, bayoneting two of the garrison and putting the remainder to flight. He was mortally wounded in the performance of this gallant deed."

    s flynn




    219254

    Pte. William Dunn 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Pte. William Dunn was my grandfather. He served with the Cheshire Regiment. I only know he wrote two letters home which were printed in the local paper. His records seemed to have been destroyed. He was at Louvain and named a daughter after the place. (Georgina Louvain.) We think he was a batman. He was in the 3rd London Hospital at Wandsworth in November 1914 and that is about it.

    Allen Lowe




    219253

    Gnr. James Delaney Royal Garrison Artillery (d.24th Dec 1916)

    My Great grandfather James Delaney served with the Royal Garrison Artillery in the Battle of the Somme. Family say he died in it but his death was after the end of the battle on 24th October 1916 so I assume he died from injuries received as he's buried in St. Marie Cemetery Le Harve. I want to trace his unit etc... but don't know how to. Any advice or info would be gratefully received.

    Bronwyn Fraley




    219252

    Pte. Harold George Hurdley 1st/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Harold George Hurdley, my great-uncle, was killed in action in Ypres. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium, and also has a memorial headstone in Broseley Cemetery, Shropshire. He was 23 years old, and the son of George and Clara Hurdley of 27 Church Street, Broseley. His sister Freda was my grandmother, and my father, Harold Hurdley Green, was named after him.

    Editors Note: Private Hurdley most likely died fighting The Battle of Broodseinde which took place on 4th October 1917 near Ypres.

    Anne C. King




    219250

    A/Cpl. Frank Prest 10th (Service) Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Still researching my grandfather's history with the DLI and will post further details as such history emerges. Frank landed at Boulogne in France with the 10th Battalion on 21st May 1915, and it is from there that his path will be traced.

    Bronwyn Fraley




    219244

    Pte. Thomas Henry Bond 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1914)

    Thomas Bond was a grandfather that I never knew who died on his birthday 23rd August 1914 at the Battle of Mons.

    Anita Maynard




    219237

    Pte. Daniel Tanney 26th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Daniel Tanney was a single man in his early 40's who had been born in Pomeroy, Ireland and before joining up had been a coal miner. He was killed on the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme. He left his undrawn Army income of £3 ten shillings and ninepence to be distributed amongst his nieces and nephews including Arthur Tanney who fighting with the Australian army and was killed in France on the 22 August 1918.

    Kevin Wilde




    219234

    Able Sea. Michael Hughes HMS Anchusa (d.16th July 1918)

    I recently came into possession of a large and heavy metal disc (possibly bronze? Maybe copper?). It bears the inscription 'He Died For Freedom And Honour' and has the name of my great uncle, Michael Hughes, above the head of a lion and a woman in a Roman-style headdress. She is carrying a long three-pronged implement and there are dolphins around the edge of this five inch (12cm) disc. Is the disc a war medal? It seems too big but it does have a small hole at the top where a ribbon could be inserted (much like an Olympic medal). Michael served in the Royal Navy along with his brother James and both were killed on the Anchusa when it was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland in July 1918.

    I was told when I was younger that the tragedy of two brothers being killed in war on the same ship caused a re-think and brothers are no longer allowed to serve together on board ship - is this correct?

    Editors Note: The disc you have is a Death Penny, a bronze commemorative plaque issued to the next of kin of every name who died in the Great War.

    Sheila Riley




    219230

    Pte. Stanley Robert Atkinson 2nd Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th May 1915)

    Stanley R Atkinson is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium

    Jennifer Atkinson




    219228

    Pte. Frank Malcolm Louis Clement 1/23rd Btn. London Regiment (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Frank Clement, son of Louis and Mary Ann Clement, was born in February 1893. He was aged 22 years and 3 months on 27th May 1915 when he enlisted into the Queen Victoria Rifles at Oxford Street. Louis Clement is my maternal great-grandfather.

    On 16th September 1916 Frank Malcolm Louis Clement was killed aged 23. Family story has it that he was identified from the inscription on a watch he was given on his 21st birthday in 1914. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. His father Louis Clement was living at 125 Sheringham Avenue, Manor Park, Essex. His next of kin were his sister Miss W Clements who was living at his home address, and Annie Bangay of 10 Ashurst Street, Park Road, Battersea. She may have been his girlfriend/fiance but I don't know this for sure.

    John Partridge




    219226

    Sea. Albert Laity Harradine HMS amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    Albert Harradine served with the Royal Navy on HMS Amphion. He died on 6th August 1914.

    Stanley Kaye




    219222

    Rfmn. Henry Lewis 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Henry Lewis was born in 1879 in Hoxton, London. He married Susannah Margaret Hughes (my 2 x great aunt) on Christmas Day 1903. Henry was a chairmaker. They had had four daughters and three sons when Henry enlisted in the Army on 11th July 1916. He was posted to the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He embarked for France on 11th November 1916 and was killed in action on 9th April 1917. On 12th November 1917 his wife was awarded a pension of 36/3 per week for herself and her seven children. She was also presented with the British War Medal and the Victory Medal on Henry's behalf on 1st September 1921.

    Jean Crossley




    219211

    Pte. Harry Ray 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Mar 1918)

    Harry Ray was my Nans brother, my nan would tell me about when he came home on leave and the mess he was in, they had to burn some of his clothes. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and was killed on the Somme on 26th March 1918. My nan always said he was a sniper. He is buried at Assevillers New British Cemetery in France. I have been a few times to visit the grave.

    Gary Sontag




    219208

    Pte. William James Wells 1st Btn. Coldstream Guards

    My Grandfather William James Wells served throughout the Great war as a private in the Coldstream Guards 1st Battalion. After basic training at Aldershot he was sent to France and served in most of the great battles such as Mons, Marne and the Somme campaign. He was wounded and hospitalized due to shrapnel but returned to the front soon after. He also served in the Home Guard during the second world war.

    Nigel Walden




    219206

    Pte. Albert James Bennett 6th btn. South Wales Borderers (d.30th Apr 1918)

    Albert Bennett served with the South Wales Borderers 6th Battalion. He died on 30th April 1918 and is remembered on the Roll of Honour at Bush Hill Park United Reformed Church, 25 Main Avenue, Endield.

    Sylvia Page




    219205

    Sgt.Maj. Richard Lightfoot 15th (Birkenhead Bantams) Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Richard Lightfoot was my Grandad. He served with the 15th Cheshires, the Birkenhead Bantams. He was captured at the Somme and spent the war in a prisoner of war camp in Germany from where he escaped and got recaptured three times. I Have a news item from the Birkenhead News with his photo saying he was missing in action.

    Later on in the second world war he was based in Chester and then lived at the drill hall Birkenhead.

    James Kelly




    219201

    Pte. John Thomas White Machine Gun Corps 'C' Division 4th Queen's Own Hussars

    My Grandfather John Thomas White known to the family as Jack served his King and Country in the Great War 1914-1918. He was born 10th October 1893 in Bristol and in 1914 had been working at Thrissell Engineering Works formerly Brecknolls in Easton, Bristol. He was one of 'Kitcheners Army' and enlisted during a Bristol rally on 28th August 1914. He served with the 4th Queen's Own Hussars.

    As quoted to me by his son, my uncle, David White in his family tree research the story goes as follows- My mother later recalled the incident and told me "Your father and I went to the Colston Hall (Bristol) to witness the scenes, he had no intention to sign up, as being 21 he felt that it was a 'young man's' war." To her surprise at the end of the rally, when the chairman called for volunteers to come down and sign up, he suddenly jumped up from his seat and said "I am going to join!" He told mother not to wait for him but to go home as there were virtually hundreds of men waiting to sign up. She recalled that she was very angry at this but when she got outside she was quickly grabbed by the arm by one of the other single women and then all walked away from the Colston Hall singing 'God save the King' and other patriotoc songs. She said her anger quickly went and she then felt very proud that her then fiancee had joined the army and relieved that she would not face the angry outbursts that many women had to face if their husbands/boyfriends had not come forward to volunteer.

    Jack had his call-up papers to join the Reserve Calvary and reported to an army barracks - possibly Tidworth - to be kitted out and was then transferred to the Curragh, Northern Ireland to begin basic training. He stayed in Ireland for the rest of of 1914 and learnt the rudiments of riding a horse in addition to the requirements of being a soldier. In 1915 he became a member of the 4th Queens Own Calvary Machine Gun Corps. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal and hence was number 1 of 6 on the machine gun team and responsible for carrying and sighting the tripod and for firing the machine gun. He was sent to France sometime after 1st January 1916 and engaged in numerous battles.

    Although his cousin Pte. William White of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) died aged 18 on 29th July 1918 on the battlefields, Jack and also his younger brother Bill managed to survive the horrors and returned to marry his fiancee, my Grandmother Lily. They went on to have five children including my late father Jack (named after his own courageous father) and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He died on 15th February 1979 in his highrise flat in Easton, Bristol - a stone's throw from where he was born 85 years earlier.

    I represent Jack's large family in saying that we recognise and are thankful for all he and Lily sacrificed for us to give us all a good life and how extremely proud we are of this once fearless soldier.

    Caroline Bryant




    219200

    Pte. William White 8th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.29th July 1918)

    William White served with the 8th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). He died on 29th July 1918.

    Caroline Bryant




    219199

    Cpl. Thomas Banks MM. 1st Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.4th Apr 1918)

    Thomas Banks served with the Lancashire Fusiliers 1st Battalion and was killed in action aged 19 on 4th April 1918. He is remembered at the Ploegsteert Memorial. He was awarded the Military Medal in June 1917

    Kevin Lyon




    219193

    Pte. Horace Waller VC. 10th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.10th Apr 1917)

    Horace Waller served in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 10th Battalion and was killed in action on 10th April 1917 aged 20 years. He is buried in the Cojeul British Cemetery in France. He was the son of John Edward and Esther Waller, of "Laurel Bank," Heald's Rd., Dewsbury

    An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30122, dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery when with a bombing section forming a block in the enemy line. A very violent counter-attack was made by the enemy on this post, and although five of the garrison were killed, Pte. Waller continued for more than an hour to throw bombs, and finally repulsed the attack. In the evening the enemy again counter-attacked the post and all the garrison became casualties, except Pte. Waller, who, although wounded later, continued to throw bombs for another half an hour until he was killed. Throughout these attacks he showed the utmost valour, and it was due to his determination that the attacks on this important post were repulsed."

    s flynn




    219192

    Pte. Alexander Burness Bothwell 13th Btn. Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders

    Alexander Bothwell was my grandfather He served with the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders 13th Battalion. The above information dated April 25th 1917 is from my mother's birth certificate. I know very little as regards to my grandfather's war service. I did apply to find some records but received the news that they were destroyed in the bombings of WW 2. I have some pictures taken with comrades and one on his own wearing some kind of dress uniform with an enormous sporran with 6 tassles, and he is carrying a baton. I do know he was in France but do not know which battles he fought in. My Grandfather was about 5" 2 or 3 in height just a wee man but sturdy at least at the start of the war as the pictures reveal a much leaner and aged man as the war progressed, but he survived . It seems a great shame that all records of this holding Battalion which I believe the 13th was is now wiped out.

    A Mills




    219191

    Capt. Arthur Henderson VC, MC. 4th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.24th Apr 1917)

    Arthur Henderson was killed in action on 24/04/1917 and is buried in Cojeul British Cemetery. He was the son of the George Henderson, O.B.E., of Egnal, Paisley, a Magistrate of Paisley, and Elizabeth Purdie or Henderson.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30167, dated 3rd July, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy trenches this officer, although almost immediately wounded in the left arm, led his Company through the front enemy line until he gained his final objective. He then proceeded to consolidate his position, which, owing to heavy gun and machine gun fire and bombing attacks, was in danger of being isolated. By his cheerful courage and coolness he was enabled to maintain the spirit of his men under most trying conditions. Captain Henderson was killed after he had successfully accomplished his task."

    S Flynn




    219185

    Bmdr. Frank Briars Leicestershire Royal Horse Artillery

    My Grandfather Frank Briars was born on 23rd May 1898 in Leicester. Two of his older brothers, Charlie & Ernest, were conscientious objectors.In 1914 Frank lied about his age, saying he was 18 (rather than 16) & signed up to join The Leicestershire Royal Horse Artillery. He would not talk about his experiences but was awarded The British War Medal & Victory medal His Number stamped round the rim is L28901 BMBR F Briars RA (Royal Artillery)

    Any information about where the Leicestershire Horse Artillery fought in WW1 would be of interest. He survived the war and died in 1969.

    Helen Lauder




    219184

    Pte. Walter Hopper 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.October 1914)

    Walter Hopper is remembered on the Roll of Honour at Bush Hill Park United Reformed Church, 25 Main Avenue, Enfield. He was only 19 when he died in October 1914

    Sylvia Page




    219180

    2nd Lt. Frank Reginald Seely 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.Apr 1917)

    2nd Lt. Frank Seely served with the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. and was killed in action in April 1917 in the Battle of Arras aged 21. He is buried in the Haute-Asvesnes British Cemetery in France. He was the son of John Edward Bernard Seely, 1st Baron Mottistone and Emily Florence Crichton

    s flynn




    219178

    T/Maj. John Arthur Crichton 5th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.6th Feb 1917)

    Temp. Major John Crichton served with the Hampshire Regiment 5th Battalion. He was killed in action on 6th Feb 1917 aged 33 and is buried in Basra War Cemetery. He was the son of Colonel Hon. Sir Henry George Louis Crichton K.C.B., A.D.C. and Letitia Grace Cole-Hamilton.

    s flynn




    219175

    2nd Lt. Alexander Buller Turner VC. 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.1st Oct 1915)

    Alexander Turner sevred with the Royal Berkshire Regiment 1st Battalion. He died of wounds in No.1 Casualty Clearing Station on 1st October1915, aged 22, and is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery in France.

    An extract from the Third Supplement to the London Gazette of 16th Nov., 1915, No. 29371, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on 28th Sept., 1915, at Fosse 8, near Vermelles. When the regimental bombers could make no headway in Slag Alley, Second Lieutenant Turner volunteered to lead a new bombing attack. He pressed down the communication trench practically alone, throwing bombs incessantly with such dash and determination that he drove back the Germans about 150 yards without a check. His action enabled the reserves to advance with very little loss, and subsequently covered the flank of his regiment in its retirement, thus probably averting a loss of some hundreds of men. This most gallant Officer has since died of wounds received in this action."

    s flynn




    219172

    Lt. Daniel Pike Stephenson 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.24th May 1915)

    <p>

    I am researching for a tribute, the story of Lt. Daniel P. Stephenson who attended our school and achieved academic excellence at and after Wolmer's Boys' School. The tribute will be shared online from our web portal and social media links on the 100th. Anniversary of his death on 24th May 2015, which coincidentally is the 286th anniversary week of our schools' founding. Any help would be greatly appreciated as the information we have compiled is from the Internet and contacting Oxford where he was also a Rhodes Scholar (1911-1914)

    Daniel served with the 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment and was killed in action on 24th May 1915.

    Wolmers Boys School




    219171

    Rfmn. Arthur Leon Johnson 21st Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    I have this photo which I am guessing belongs to Arthur Leon Johnson (my great uncle) Is it the 21st County of London Regimental Band? I can just make out something on the drum which could be County of London then underneath Rough Riders Does anyone have the same photo with some names of the men?

    Carol Brown




    219163

    Pte. Harold Butler 15th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.24th Mar 1918)

    Pte. Harold Butler served with the Cheshire Regiment 15th Battalion. He died on 24th March 1918.

    Simon Allison




    219162

    2nd Lt. William Cheetham Dillworth

    2nd Lt. Cheetham Dillworth served with the Chinese Labour Corps.

    Myra Hurley




    219161

    Capt. Stephen Frederick Hammick Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.18th April 1916)

    Capt. Hammick died on 18 April 1916 at the age 45, from wounds received in action. He is buried in Basra War Cemetery, Iraq.

    S Flynn




    219153

    Dvr. Joseph Balfour 29th Div Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Oct 1915)

    Joseph Balfour was my father`s half brother. Joseph drowned on the HMT Marquette which was sunk by U35 23 Oct 1915 57.5 Kilometres south of Salonika Bay, his body was never recovered. The Marquette sank in thirteen minutes and 167 lives were lost.

    Joseph was born on 8th September 1890 in Falkirk. He was 25 when he died. His mother was Mrs Helen B Douglas Balfour of Crowsnest Loan, Stenhousemuir, Larbert, Stirlingshire.

    Colin Douglas




    219152

    L/Cpl. Brown Argyll and Sunderland Highlanders

    <p>

    The photo is of my great grandad who served in the Argyll and Sunderland Highlanders in the Battle of the Somme. His last name is Brown and his regiment could have been 1/8th Battalion. I would dearly like to know more about him. I know he was injured so he must have been sent home early because his injuries were quite bad I believe. If anyone could help that would be great as I need the information for our local Anglican Church here in Corfu Greece. We want to commemorate people, relatives who served in the two World Wars.

    Rita




    219149

    Dvr. James William Broughton Royal Garrison Artillery

    Will Broughton served as a driver with the Royal Garrison Artillery

    Stevie




    219140

    Dvr. Thomas Lane 14th Bde. Ammunition Col. Royal Horse Artillery (d.9th Aug 1918)

    Thomas Lane was my Great Grandmother's Brother. I have been researching the Lane family and only recently managed to locate information about Thomas. I now know he was a Driver with the Royal Horse Artillery, 14th Brigade. Ammunition Col. I understand Thomas appeared on a casualty list on 10th September 1918 and now I hope to find further details about his last battle and how he may have died. The Lane family experienced a lot of personal tragedies and I have been able to pay my respects at the grave of my Great Grandmother and her and Thomas's Mother, my Great, Great Grandmother. Thomas is buried in France at St.Amand. One day I hope to pay my respects to him.

    C




    219137

    L/Cpl. James Cummins 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    My grandfather James Cummins was a veteran of the Boer War, He signed on the Special Reserve of the Royal Irish Regiment in 1912. In 1914 he was with the BEF and badly wounded & taken prisoner near La Bassee and was a POW in Limburg, due to a foul up he was listed as missing presumed dead and remained so for three years. My grandmother received a letter from him and brought it to the Royal Irish Regiment depot in Clonmel. She was told it was a ruse by some soldier who had gotten his army number and was looking for socks etc. It was however his writing and she convinced them to check again.

    James Cummins was repatriated through the Red Cross in 1918 and came home to find out that his brother had been killed at Cambrai and of his three brothers in law one had been killed at Suvla Bay, One had been badly injured at the same place and one had come home unscathed. James lived till 1954. We still have the POW release letter also his enlistment record to the Royal Irish Regmt. Two of his sons served with the armed forces of Britain during WW2.

    Tony Cosgrave




    219127

    Pte. Charles Harris MM. 23rd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Nov 1918)

    Charles Harris was born at 2, Trinity Lane, Hinckley, Leicestershire on 9th September 1895. He worked for his father’s (Joseph Harris's) business in Hinckley, carting, i.e. transporting goods by horse and cart. The family home was by this time at 16½, Manor Street, Hinckley.

    Charles enlisted in the army towards the end of 1916 and, after training at Rugeley Camp on Cannock Chase, went to France in about April 1917 where he was allocated to the 23rd (4th Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers , 102nd Brigade (Tyneside Scottish), part of the 34th Division.

    Charles was awarded the Military Medal for bravery during an action on 24th October 1918 at Bermerain, though he didn’t live to receive it as he was killed in action on 30th October 1918, just a few days before the end of the war. He is buried at the Cross Roads cemetery, Fontaine-au-Bios, in Northern France.

    Nigel Harris




    219114

    Pte. Augustus George "Hock" Coste 36th Btn. (d.12th Jun 1917)

    Augustus Coste enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 6th March 1916. he served with the 36th Battalion 2nd reinforcement. He was mortally wounded on 9th June 1917, and died of wounds on 12th June 1917. He is buried in Trois Arbres Cemetery, France.

    Karen Browne




    219113

    Bmbdr. Solomon Yewkins 59th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.1st Jun 1917)

    Solomon Yewkins was not a relative but his name appears on the Brockmoor church war memorial. Brockmoor is now part of Brierley Hill, which is now in Dudley, it used to be in Staffordshire. This war memorial has been 'lost' for some time but the names are available through newspapers of the Great War period. I am helping to research names on this memorial. Bombardier Solomon Yewkins served with the Royal Field Artillery 59th Brigade and died on 1st June 1917.

    Roy Peacock




    219111

    Cpt. Charles Henry Smith 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    Charles Henry Smith was the cousin of my father, Harry Forster Davison (RFC/RAF in WW1, with 43 Squadron and 4 Sqdn A.F.C. in France) he was from South Africa. His father had emigrated to SA from Newcastle and his family farmed at Byreside, Medomsley.

    In WW1 he took his two leave periods (early and late in 1918) with Dr Andrew Smith (Snr) of Whickham and his cousins (they were the 8 children of Dr Smith, three of whom were also doctors). Another connection he had at the time was with the family at Fotherley farm near Riding Mill.

    Any information on the Smith family would be appreciated, and also on the names of the family at Fotherley in 1918. I have many photos taken during his war service, but hope to find some pictures and information on his family that he visited in Durham and Northumberland. I hope to publish some of these together with his War Diaries, this year.

    J A Davison




    219108

    2nd Lt. Lione Louis Clerici Tucker 20th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Lione Tucker served as a Second Lieutenant with 20th Bn. (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusilers. He was killed in action on 1st July 1916, son of Frances G. Tucker and the late Albert Tucker of 18 King Street, South Shields. He is commerated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    David Wraith




    219100

    Pte. William Francis Barry 8th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st May 1916)

    I was researching my family tree and came across William Barry. He is not a relative but from the same small village as my mum. I am visiting the Somme this year and will lay a poppy wreath on his grave and pay my respects. His family still live in Cappawhite, Tipperary.

    Gerry O'Mara




    219091

    Pte. John Hercules Robertson 54th Btn.

    Jack Robertson returned home from the war but died in 1947 of complications following his exposure to gas attacks on the Western Front. He was 34 when he signed up. He was transported on the Suevic. He worked as an undertaker upon returning home and is himself buried in Warialda cemetary with his wife and youngest son, Stuart, who served in World War 2. Stuart's only shared recollections of his father was of a man completely broken by the war. It made him very sad. I have postcards sent from Europe to Jack's wife in my collection.

    He was the son of Mrs Elizabeth Robertson of Stannifer via Inverell, New South Wales, worked as a Carpenter, and he enlisted on 2nd October 1916. Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A29 Suevic on 11th November 1916. He returned to Australia on 5th July 1919.

    Garth Hamilton




    219085

    Pte. Michael Connolly 15th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    I know very little about Michael Connolly other than he was born in Bold Street, Bury, Lancashire in 1891 and died in combat at the age of 23 on 1st July 1916 at Thiepval, Somme, France. Michael was my great uncle, the brother of my paternal Grandmother Mary Ward (nee Connolly) who was born in Bury, 1893, two years younger than Michael. There were two other siblings, Susan and Felix. Susan was also born in 1891, though I do not know whether Michael and Susan were twins. Felix was born in September 1894.

    I would love to know any other information about Michael or the people he fought with; those who died and those who survived.

    Patricia Lyons




    219084

    Pte. Thomas Preston 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th June 1917)

    Thomas Preston was born in 1898 at Trimdon Foundry, Durham, one of 8 children of Thomas Preston, a coal miner, and Jemima Henderson. In 1911 the family were living at 7 Wynyard Street, Dawdon, Seaham Harbour, Thomas aged 13 was a shoolboy.

    He enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers, 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion. He was killed 5th June 1917 and is commemorated at the Sunken Road Cemetery, Fampoux, France, and also on a Memorial Plaque in the Dawdon Miners Lodge.

    His brother Simon was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916. Simon is commemorated at The Thiepval Memorial and also on a Memorial Plaque in the Dawdon Miners Lodge.

    William Bailey




    219083

    Pte. Simon Preston 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Simon Preston was born in 1892 at Trimdon Foundry, Durham, the eldest son and one of eight children of Thomas Preston,a coal miner, and Jemima Henderson. In 1911 the family were living at 7 Wynyard Street, Dawdon, Seaham Harbour, Simon aged 19 was a miner, coal putter underground. In 1914 he married my Aunt, (my father's sister), Florence Beatrice Bailey I believe at St Hild & St Helen's Church Dawdon. They had no children.

    He enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers, 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion. He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916, his medal card records him as presumed dead. Simon is commemorated at The Thiepval Memorial and also on a Memorial Plaque in the Dawdon Miners Lodge. Simon's brother Thomas born in 1898 in Trimdon, enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers, 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, he was killed 5th June 1917 and is commemorated at the Sunken Road Cemetery, Fampoux, France, and also on a Memorial Plaque in the Dawdon Miners Lodge.

    William Bailey




    219075

    Spr. Herbert Wardle MM. 234th Coy. Royal Engineers (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Herbert Wardle was my Great Uncle and won the Military Medal in August 1916 for "going over the parapet three times and rescuing three wounded comrades". He served with the Royal Engineers 234th Company and died on 31st July 1917.

    Margaret Steen




    219073

    Harry Clifford Ashworth 236 Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Harry Clifford Ashworth’s Great War with Royal Regiment of Artillery, 236 Brigade, 47th London Division. Taken from his only surviving war diary covering August to November 1918

    22nd August 1918. Expecting a move at any moment. Have just read news of capture of Courcelles by NZ and English; also Achiet Lepetit; read communiqué re Achiet le Grand. Places of lasting memory. Also Bucquey.

    31st August. On the morning of the 23rd we moved to a field just outside Warloy. Cookhouse in middle of a field and a long way to go for water because the water carts being left up the line owing to straffing. The guns were near Albert. Early on the 24th after having spent a cold night in a hut at Warloy, an early reveille brought news of an 8 o’clock move. After a quick pack to move, passing across the open by Henencourt and Senlis, we arrived at gun position. The vicinity of the old front line had been terribly desolate. One or two of the dead from the retreat were still lying about. A first glimpse of the Cathedral showed what terrible havoc had been wrought in the city. After waiting for a little we set out on our way to cross Albert. The first row of houses, railway bridge, showed what to expect. The road which had been cleared , ie over the bridge to left, past Cathedral to La Boiselle, was 2 or 3 inches in dust. Not a whole wall of a house was standing. Having arrived here we found a large flooded area close to which we pulled in. At first we pulled the water from the river. Later obtained from pump where we had row in general. Round about were dead men and horses which stank somewhat. Our little bivouac most noted for dirt. Two days later, on 27th August, moved to a place not far from La Boiselle. Here water problem was rather difficult. First night was one to remember. Going forward in afternoon water was not available in Contalmaison. Harwood was sent us back. After tea set off again with Macarthy and Plumer. After going back and along Pozieres Road we obtained about 2/3 load. Got practically in position and could not find way. Started loading and went back . Stanley came up and delivered load. First time at guns since Fonquevillers. Got supply alright on return and got in about 4 am. In time to waken Harrington. On 27th got up about dinner time . In evening went up again but only could get a small load on return. On 29th Carney, Byford and Woods returned from leave. Got water in the morning towards Becourt and on return saw C Bat. moving off. We did quick move . I went up to the guns in cart where I dumped material from cart and left in charge.. Later the wagon line came to the same place in Mametz Wood where water point is just down the road. On 29th we were awakened early and told to be ready to move about 6am Owing to stubborn resistance by the enemy we did not move and unpacked. In afternoon went to guns in most desolate country. Along railway ralway track and saw German signs with familiar names as Troneswood, , Ginchyy, Longueval, Combles, Montauban etc. A few shells were sent over but nothing to mean anything. Scotty says I must go up every day No ban. Today, 31st is a rotten day – drizzzly and cold. Everything is standing still at present.

    5th September. Things have now moved pretty quickly for us lately On 1st we moved to Guillemont and guns to Fregicourt through Combles ie early in the morning. In this part there were a good many dead dead lying about and plenty of stench accompanied it. While guns pulled in, an aeroplane was brought down and it seem pretty clear that position was given away. Filled up cart at Delville Wood. In the evening we went up again and saw shells falling along Combles - Sailly - Saillised road, consequently we had to move quick. We found guns had been severely bombed. Having loaded our cart , shells immediately commenced to fall. Horses unhooked etc. In lull we got away safely. Next day we moved up - 2nd in the afternoon. A mistake cause death in B Battery . Here water was a big problem. On 3rd we were waiting in Combles for a very long time. Fortunately Battery were coming out. On 4th got up about 6am to fill up and was fortunate. 10 am moved to Bouchavesnes after many stops on way. Was out all night trying to get water at Clery and finally got it at Le Foret. Bund being the driver. On 5th ie today Dervene and Martin killed and Slack wounded. Report of Douai Cambrai, Lens etc captured.

    Tuesday 6th September 1918 The same night ie 5th , guns came out of action and after having remained the night. Set off next morning to Ville-sur-Ancre. Passing through Maricourt and Fricourt . Landing there we found a village very much knocked about but plenty of material still about. It escaped in the first stint and was just behind the lines. This time it had been very hurriedly evacuated.

    On the evening of the 7th we set off to Merricourt to entrain. Rather a tedious business. We decided to sleep under GS Wagon. And would have been well of if it had not rained. All the same we stuck getting up when train stopped at Doullens. We stuck close to the grub. Passing through Marles – lez – Mines and Allouagne we came to Lillers and detrained, making the grub in the rain. Lillers had caught it badly in the latest push. Passing through Ecquedecques, Faucqueheme Nedon we arrived at Nedonchelle on evening of the 8th . This is a slow place but we have a decent old woman in the billet. Then there are Henri, Suzanne, Louise etc : all helped to make the fun. We had one concert by DAC . For two days we have had rumours of a move but nothing happens. During the time there has been good news characterised by taking of St Mihiel. Austrian peace move is the latest gag. The pig has had a litter.

    Wed 18th September. Today all is excitement, bustle and uncertainty . What seems pretty certain is that we are going a long train ride. Bonner, the all-knowing one says we must be going a sea journey because only one horse may be taken ie OC. On the other hand the Captain asked West to get all his money changed into Italian as soon as possible so for the present, a visit to Italy may be taken as official. On Sunday we were to move at 9. Monday - we did not but orders were issued to move at 9. Wednesday, today - we were settled down for a move to Hesdenon . Late last night I was coming along the road and Stevens came along and said in a frightfully fed up way “cancel all orders” ; I being the first to be informed , I spread the news and some people were glad and some the reverse . We had the wire from West before and were not surprised. This morning points to Italy . Every possible thing is to be left , or dumped and now am waiting for developments.

    1pm 19th Sept. We are not being told much news but we have various rumours. (1) Only fighting units to go to Italy (?) (2) Move to spot close to Pernes in early morning and where handing over the entraining will take place. This is practically a certainty . It appears that more material is likely to go with us – mess carts, cooking materials, artificers, tools etc. The captain's gone on leave . Another rumour says eight days journey. Sounds rather a long time , still I’m looking forward to a journey more than anything.

    Saturday 29th September. On the 20th we left Nedonchelle and passing through Pernes came to Bours where we met certain French people , vis Marie, Louise, Julien Alice etc. This cookhouse was near water point . After being there a day or two days we cancelled for two days owing to train smash. When sweating again move cancelled for a week. Each time spirits fell to zero. I felt certain that we would go into action on the same front. After a few days rumour came through that we were in wrong area hence came to Monchy Cayeau yesterday. We thought that it was the first move to action but it was backwards to railhead and Amiens, hence we are sweating on going to Italy. Lately have had a couple of letters from Cyril. News on all fronts has been good. Allenby rushing forward. Balkans going well and American gain at Argonne .

    Sunday 30th Sept. Mother’s birthday. Now we are getting night frosts and pretty cold sleeps. Today , however, is lovely. Marshall has been taken to officers’ mess and Mac has been put in. The same uncertainty still prevails in regards to moving.

    1st October. Early on1st [October] we were called up early and told to prepare to move everything. Later it became Nedonchells and apparently back up to action.

    On the morning of the 2nd had to move to Merville sector, more as support. After a long trek through Lillers came to Robecq. On 3rd made long journey through Merville to Meurillon and after tea on again. Dark overtook us and causing much delay etc owing to mines. At the moment Jerry was retreating quickly and so passed our appointed place and came to Fromelles. Day following to Quesnoy ou Gd Mansuar

    10th October While here at Quesnoy we have had much good news. Some time ago Bulgaria packed up. A couple of days ago an offer from Germany which has not been accepted. Now we hear that Germany is routed at Cambrai . So let the great big world keep turning and turn us to peace.

    14th October Still at Quesnay and nothing much doing. Been straffed once or twice - 4000 yards from Jerry. Italian rumour is very strong again. Infantry man says he has been over the top this morning.

    16th October It looks as if Italy is off again for the moment and the Germans having evacuated a little way up here. Infantry and ambulance had gone out but are returning again. On tenterhooks again.

    Sunday 20th October. Just written home to say am sweating on top line. 17th October, left Fromelles about 11.am a little after Germans evacuated Lille. While on the way was ‘torpedoed’ at Laventie but fortunately little harm was done . About tea-time landed at Estaives. (17th) and spent the night. 18th October. Left morning to arrive at St Venant where now we are in good billet once an asylum. Beds are the rule. DArty gone to Lillers. It has been a fine place but has suffered a good deal. Canal runs here. Fitted YMCA with water this morning. The war seems to be going good . Ostend and Bruge taken. Italy seems to be off altogether and is never mentioned. Where we are going we do not know. Burges says here for a few days. 1st December. Many things have happened. After St Venant, Riez Balleul and Haubourdin which which we left on 28th to go on leave After leave and Armistice (11th ), 13th Bulougne, 14th St Pol, 15th Lille and Hellemmes. 16th A day in Lille and a night in a good bed. Joined the battery on the Sunday at Bourghelleses where we had a good time. Return to Fouquieres via Fournes. During this time demob and education scheme is topic.

    29th December 1918 Up to present Ed. Scheme does not appear to have come up to much. There has been much messing about with demob but no one seems to know exactly how it is working. I’m waiting communication from Reading and House. Have been advised to send Form 56. Christmas has been a lively affair. Inebriation has been the rule. On Christmas Day many men were well away before dinner , which had a sobering influence. Rum punch, beer and private stocks of drinkables soon put men out again. Officers came and made asses of themselves. The concert was far from most men’s thoughts. The object in view from the start was a glorious drunk and rough house. Thomson was out to make a violent nuisance of himself and succeeded ; so much so that he had to be persuaded to leave. Noakes, Hancock, Lorah, Bonner, Keyes, Cross, Daley, Talman are worthy of mention. What a night we had with Daley. Many men were never sober on Boxing Day. Cooks were determined to have a day. Wilkinson was helpless at 10 a.m. Hancock and Cramp rolled Daley in the mud after dinner and then went out to dinner. Cramp, Heyes returned in a horrible state. Former had D.T ’ s. Paddy repeated Christmas day performance and today in a sad state. ‘I shall die ‘

    6th January 1919. Today played football for F sub and C subs. Lost 3-0. Credit £3. 8. 11d. Sweating on demob. two going tomorrow, O’Neill and McAra. Bonner gone away to Fromes. Good chance of getting away soon. Dunbar anxous to take up maths and desired me as Instructor. Letter from House a few days ago . Says fares will be more. 19th On 9th it came to my knowledge that I was to proceed to England the following day

    On 10th left for imaginary camp at Hesdigneul. After which lorry jumped to Colanne – Ricouart and walked to Camblain Chatelaine and stopped night at 47th Division Camp

    On 11th proceeded to Ligny by lorry where stopped for the night in dismal circumstances at X1 Core rest camp.

    On 12th to Brias where train never came. On station form 9.30 p.m to 2a.m after which turned in. Boarded train on 13th at 12 but did not leave St Pol until 5 p.m. Arrived on 14th at Havre were we were deloused and sent to embarkation camp. We stayed all 15th - a very wet day at Havre and on 16th left France at 4 p.m. Boat sailed at 6 p.m after which most people were sick. Arrived outside Southampton at 12.50 a.m on 17th where we stayed until 9 a.m. At 12 we left Southampton and arrived at Camp at Clipstone at 7 p.m . After eating and passing doctor, giving in kit etc. I received my ticket at 1.30 am 18/1/19. Left there at 5am and arrived home at 1.30 a.m 18th January 1919 After buying suit came home and changed. Saturday evening Stannary and Sunday evening.

    Civvie life Monday 20th January /1919 Have written to Knapman House and Cyril. Wretched day.

    John Ashworth




    219072

    Pte. James Howard 10th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.26th Jun 1916)

    James Howard was the Grandfather I never knew. He served with the 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers and died on 26th June 1916.

    William Howard




    219070

    2nd Lt. John Maxwell Sunley 5th Battery, 2nd Bde. NZ Field Artillery (d.9th Sep 1916)

    John Maxwell Sunley was my Great Uncle. He was born 6th May 1893. Before the war he was a clerk in New Zealand for the Westport Harbour Board. He enlisted on 17 April 1915 with the New Zealand Field Artillery, 5th Battery, 2nd Brigade. On 20th November he was promoted to Sergeant. On the 11th March he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. While serving in France, he was shot in the chest and died of his wounds on 9th September 1916.

    Jackie East




    219066

    Pte. Frederick Bertram Walter Bishop 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.10th Aug 1918)

    Fred Bishop was the youngest son of Robert and Mary Ann Bishop of the Hurdles Goathurst, Nr Bridgwater Somerset. Fred joined the army at the age of 18 serving with the Essex Regiment 2nd Battalion. A shell exploded close by him and, a piece of shrapnel entered his forehead. He passed away while a doctor was treating him at the Dressing station on 10th August 1918. He was buried in a little cemetery at Connehem France. Fred's oldest brother was also in the Army, L./Cp William H Bishop. Both Fred and William Bishop were my Great Uncles.

    Alan Parish




    219065

    Harry Bowers

    Harry Bowers was my grandfather, I know he was a mature soldier who served in the first world war and as he was from Salford I would love to know if he was in the Salford Pals. I have tried contacting the National Archives but his records were destroyed during the second world war. His date of birth was 16th August 1884, his Mother was Margaret Bower and his father was Tippo Dalton Bower. Any information you could please provide would be very much appreciated All that I know was he had a soldier's uniform and came back to Salford after the war with frostbite. He sadly committed suicide at the age of 46.

    Deborah Walklate




    219063

    Pte. James Bennett 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.20th Aug 1916)

    Having spent the last year researching my family history in depth, I have found that I am related to a victim of this horrendous war who served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. His name was James Bennett (14th December 1887, Godalming, Surrey - 20th August 1916, Somme, France) and although some may feel the connection is rather tenuous (my eighth cousin twice removed) I would love the opportunity to find out more about him, if possible, and assist in your admirable project too.

    Daniel Rintoul




    219061

    Pte. James Spilsbury 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.17th Feb 1917)

    James Spilbury served with the 10th Battalion, the Cheshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action during a trench raid on the 17th February 1917. He has no known grave, but is included on the Ploegsteert Memorial (Berks Cemetery Extension).

    Guy Spilsbury




    219060

    Pte. Henry Shepherd 1st Btn. The King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.7th Jul 1916)

    Henry Shepherd served with the 1st Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 7th July 1916, aged 41. He is buried in the Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of the late John and Margaret Shepherd, of Liverpool Henry left a widow Alice Shepherd and eight children the youngest aged three years, residing at 62 Heyworth Street, Liverpool.

    S Flynn




    219058

    Able Sea. Robert Gray Mackie Hawke Bn. (d.21st June 1916)

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    Robert Mackie was killed in action on the 21st of June 1916, aged 20. He is buried in the Barlin Communal Cemetery Extention in France. He was the son of Alexander and Euphemia Mackie, of South Shields, Co. Durham.

    s flynn




    219057

    Pte. John Walker 33rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.10th Jun 1917)

    John Walker enlisted with the 6th Battalion, Border Regiment on the 27th of August 1914 at Hennington. He embarked from Liverpool on 1st July 1915 for Gallipoli and landed at Suvla Bay. He was wounded in lower extremities in the Dandelles on the 14th August 1915. On the 17th August 1915 he was reported as having suffered a gun shot wound right shoulder and was transferred for rehab at Citadel, Cairo, Egypt. John was appointed Lance Corporal 3rd March 1916 at Sidi Bashr and transferred to 33rd Coy Machine Gun Corps, 33rd Brigade, 11th Division at Ballah, his new Service Number being 39238.

    He departed to join the BEF onboard HMT Minnewaska from Alexandria on the 28th of June 1916 and disembarked at Marseilles on 8th of July 1916. He was promoted to Corporal on 28th October 1916 and paid Lance Sergeant from 2nd December 1916. He was promoted to Acting Sergeant on 27th January 1917 in the field. From the 1st to 4th of April 1917 he attended the Divisional Gas School Course. John was demoted to Private on 12th April 1917 due to drunkenness in the billet at 0845 hrs. He was killed in action on the 10th of June 1917.

    John




    219053

    Spr. James Richard Mayell 222nd (Tottenham) Field Company (d.20th May 1917)

    James Richard Mayell was my grandmothers first husband. Her name, prior to her marriage was May Hurlock. They married on Christmas day in 1913 and in March 1915, their son, Bernard James Mayell was born. Sadly, the child died in a tragic accident a year later and then James Richard Mayell was killed in action on 20th of May 1917.

    My grandmother went on to emigrate to Canada and married and had a life in Canada. She never spoke about this time in her life. I do not have any photos of her husband or child and would love to connect with anyone in the Mayell family who may be able to provide more information.

    Linda Mannix




    219052

    Rfmn. Percy Holyoake Neller Newton 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.22nd Mar 1915)

    Percy Holyoake Neller Newton was born on 12 July 1895 at Islington, Middlesex in 1904. His father died in an accident and in 1906 Percy was admitted to the Orphan Working School and Alexandra Orphanage (OWS) at Haverstock Hill in North London (now the Royal Alexandra and Albert School at Reigate in Surrey). He left OWS and in 1911 was a Baker's Assistant in Willesden Green.

    At the outbreak of WW1 Percy enlisted, as a Rifleman, into 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Soon after, he was transferred to 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own). He was despatched to serve in France and Flanders on or around the 27th of November 1914. He died, aged 19, on 22nd of March 1915 and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    John Billingham




    219047

    L/Cpl. William Ellison 1/9th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    In memory of my Uncle William, may God rest his soul, who died in action at Passchaendale on the 31st July 1917 at the age of 20.

    Born in late 1896 into abject poverty, William Ellison was raised in social deprivation like so many of his day, he answered the call to defend his King and Country and protect their way of life.

    He arrived in France on 12th March 1915 thus earning the 14-15 ‘Star’. Very little is known of his war with him being an “other rank”, but he was obviously lucky enough to survive until his unit was sent to fight the 3rd Battle of Ypres aka Passchaendale in July 1917. He is assumed to have been killed during that opening day of one of the worst battles of WW1.

    Initially reported wounded, later announced as wounded and missing and eventually being listed as killed in action. His body was never found and identified properly although his contribution is recognised at the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres.

    The 1/9th Batt'n War Diary reported at the time that they consisted of 16 officers and 566 “other ranks” going into the battle, 44 men were killed,193 wounded and 229 were missing, not including Officers (one of whom had to leave the trenches on day 2 because of his rheumatism?).

    By the time his medals were struck and sent to his home, his mother and most siblings had died of Spanish Flu and the rest of the family had dispersed to various workhouses. Therefore, his medals, commemorative plaque etc were never delivered and consequently returned and destroyed. To add insult to injury his service records were completely destroyed (burnt series) during WW2, and his birth would appear never to have been registered so he apparently has never existed and there are no known documents or photographs existing within my family to confirm him.

    RIP Uncle Bill, I am proud to have had you as my kin and I will do my best to make certain you shall never be forgotten.

    Vic




    219042

    Pte. Ernest William Giles 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    Ernest Giles was previously with the Hampshire Regiment (regimental number 20700). The 1st battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were transferred to the 109th Brigade of 36th Division on 5th February 1918. The three day Battle of St Quentin began on 21st March 1918, during which time the 109th were holding a position south-west of St Quentin before being cut off and surrounded. Ernest was killed on the second day of the battle and his memorial is at Pozieres.

    Lacey Hall




    219041

    2nd Lt. Walter Stanley Victor Oliver 18th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

    Walter Stanley Victor Oliver left Cambridge University and was assigned to Inns of Court Training Corps in Dec 1914. He joined the 18th Battalion, 2nd S E L, 104th Brigade of the 35th Division of the Lancashire Fusiliers on 16th April 1915. He was gazzeted 28th April 1915 as 2nd Lt.

    After a gas attack on the Somme, he was given sick leave and rejoined 20th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 21st December 1916. He fought in Bernafay and Trones Woods on 1st July 1916.

    He was transferred to the RFC No 13 Squadron in January 20 Jan 1917 and flew over Arras on artillery observation. He was then transferred to Egypt No 193 Squadron and appointed full Lt. Then he joined 193 training Squadron before going on to 194 Squadron and then on to 23 Reserve Squadron.Then he joined 144 Squadron and ended up in 113 Squadron. He was shot down over the Turkish lines on 16th September 1918. His Observer Lt Topping was killed and he crawled back to the British lines ending up in Cairo Hospital.

    Martin Oliver




    219038

    Sgt. George Noulton 23rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1918)

    My great uncle George Noulton was a pre-war soldier enlisting in the Rifle Brigade where he became a corporal. I believe he was wounded and hospitalized. After treatment he was transferred to the Lancashire fusiliers with the rank of sergeant he served in the 23rd Battalion and was killed in action on the twenty seventh of September 1918.

    J.D. Noulton




    219021

    Spr. Colin Augustus David Finch 2nd Australian Divisions Signals Coy (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Sapper Colin Finch served with the 2nd Australian Divisions Signals Coy

    This 10 page letter to his brother Malcolm, found recently during our family history research - we think may be of interest to you. Some words in italics are not deciphered yet. Malcolm would have been 17 in 1916.

    Addington Park War Hosp.

    Croydon, London

    Thurs. 14th Sept 1916

    My dear old Malc, Ten minutes ago I received your letter from Scotch College dated 12th June. By jove it did me good to get such a fine long letter from my fat old brother .I hope you’ll write again soon, as it’s deuced good to get letters, especially from one’s little “brovers”. At present its so blessed cold, that I can go hardly push this old pen along, but as five other letters have just come along from the Base, in answer to my notes of appeal, I must get a move on.

    These are the first I’ve had now for months. Two from “Koromiko”, one from George Mc D, one from Joan Hurst. & the last from Miss Hunt in Melbourne. But you see I’m answering your letter first, being the most important. The last letter I got from home, before these two, was one written while I was on my way to Egypt. I don’t know where all the others are tho? for there must be many more somewhere. I’m very glad that you are once again at school, for I know you will like it!! I can well imagine how you feel about the tucker; especially as you are used to having nearly all you want in “plenty’.

    As regards meat, I think that one can very easily eat too much for his health. A good feed of meat once a day should be plenty provided that you have any amount of vegetables & other foods to fill up the cracks. I’ve been in some places in Egypt where one can get little else to eat except eggs & meat, but I often used to go hungry to bed rather than fill up on boil eggs. Two (or more) eggs for breakfast & tea, with half a chicken or so for a mid day meal was too much for me in hospital & I was very soon a mass of pimples. At this place, the trouble is the reverse, as some gets a miserable bit of bacon on a bit of bread, (sometimes with porridge, without milk or sugar) for breakfast, with a fair dinner & for tea, bread & marmalade. But we manage to get along very nicely.

    You don’t say whether you like the school or not, but I’m sure, you can make yourself fairly comfy, where ever you are, which is just as well.

    I’m sure you would like to be here for a little while, as there is such a lot of very interesting places & things to be seen, everywhere you go. This house is a beautiful old stone building, & was built in time of Henry V!!!, when the old rogue used to come here & make love to some of his 6 wives! We are only a few miles out of London, altho’ neither leave or money is given to us.

    When I came from Egypt, I happened to have a sovereign in my pocket, so I’ve been able to slip out & go into London. Three times I’ve been in, & would soon be in again if I had any money left, but 20/- does not go far when there are two to spend it. My friend & I have been all through St Pauls Cathedral, & Westminster Abbey, also through the magnificent Houses of Parliament, where the two Parliaments sit, - The Lords & Commons. It is wonderful! We’ve also been up to Piccadilly, Strand, Trafalgar Sq. Whitehall, Hyde Park, St James Park & Green Park, also the King’s Palace at Buckingham & many other wonderful sights & places. We’ve been very lucky & on all three trips into town managed to dodge the M.P.’s (Military Police).

    We left Egypt nearly five weeks ago. I came up to Southampton in N0. 2 Australian Hospital Ship, where we had a great old time for a fortnight, calling in Malta & Gibralta on our way. We had a lovely trip & very few Were sick. I wasn’t.

    A comfortable Hospital Train met us at the Pier & brought us here, & now we’ve been here nearly three weeks. We expect to leave shortly now though & after a little necessary buzzing round to get our furlough, (I think six weeks) when I hope to go up to Scotland & perhaps to Ireland, & call in & see Auntie Kit, on my way back. I intend to have a good time while I’m about It, as it is quite probably that it will be my last. Amongst other things I hope to bust up a quid or so in going up in an aeroplane.

    I’m all anxious to get over to France to join up my old unit where all my old friends are, or where were. Some of them are dead I’m sorry to say, but I hope that most of them are still as lively as of yore. So you see, a fellow might just as well have a good time when the chance offers, for when his time comes he’ll be dead a jolly long while, you know.

    Well, old chap, I must finish as I have five more letters to answer as well as others to write. Cheer up, old boy, & keep smiling, & don’t forget that you have a skinny old brother who is always so glad to hear from you, even if it is only a very short letter, so don’t forget to remember!

    Give my love to Mum & dad. When you write & with much love from myself, your affectionate brother Colin.

    Helen Benoy




    219018

    Pte. Peter Orr 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.27th Apr 1918)

    Peter Orr was born in 1885 at Ormiston East Lothian and enlisted in the 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders in 1906, serving in India prior to WWI. The 1911 Census in India identified him as being a Lance Corporal but he had left the Army prior to his marriage in March 1914 where his occupation was given as a Miner.

    He re-enlisted on 23rd August 1914, this time to the 2nd Battalion, as a Private, was re-assigned his old number and sent with the BEF to France thus receiving the Mons Star. Peter died of wounds on the 27th April 1918 and is remembered with honour at Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    ross orr




    219016

    Pte. Samuel Shepherd 1/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Pte. Samuel Shepherd served with the 1/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He died on 4th October 1917.

    Will Doherty




    218993

    Pte. Thomas Arthur Jones 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.20th Jul 1916)

    Thomas Arthur Jones was my great, great grandfather. I am currently painting his portrait upon request of my grandfather. I decided to put a folder together documenting my great, great grandfathers life so that our family may never forget our relatives or indeed anybody that gave their lives for this country. Thomas Arthur Jones lived in Ruabon with his wife and two children. He enrolled as a soldier in Manchester. Tommy served with the 10th Battalion in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. I am not sure of the year that he enrolled but I know that he died on 20th July 1916 at the Somme. His final resting place lies in France but he is remembered in his home town of Ruabon.

    Sarah




    218990

    L/Cpl. Arthur Fredrick Howes 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.11th Mar 1915)

    Arthur Howes was my Grandfather. He served with the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment and died 12 days before my Dad was born. I have letters from Grandad to Grandma and his service medals. My grandson went to find his grave in 2008 in Belgium - he was the first of our family to visit. I would like to attend a commemoration service in Norfolk to represent my grandfather

    Ann Perkins




    218976

    L/Cpl. Hugh Henry Hill 14th (London Scottish) Btn. London Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1917)

    Hugh Henry Hill was the cousin of my father, George Baker, his parents were Jacob and Susan Louisa Hill (nee Dobson). Susan was my fathers aunt. My father never told me that he had a cousin, Hugh Henry Hill, let alone that he had been killed in the first world war at the age of 26. I found out this information when I carried out family research. My sister, who passed away in 2006, gave some papers to my eldest nephew who, a couple of years ago, passed them on to me. I found mention of Susan Hill and her son. I followed this up with some serious research and found out when and where he died and where his body is buried.

    In June if this year, 2014, my husband Gordon Campbell, myself Pamela Campbell and our granddaughter, Kate Amey (aged 20) went to Wancourt Military Cemetery near Arras France and found the grave of dad's cousin. The grave is not at all clear and I have written to The Commonwealth War Graves Commission to try to arrange to have the grave re-engraved. I have received confirmation that they will deal with my requested as soon as possible but that as this is centenary year they are very busy and it may take a little time. They have written to their France area office who could also be able to help. I intend eventually to insert a photograph of the gravestone in these records but, at present, it is virtually unreadable. Sadly I have no photographs of Hugh himself but I hope that somewhere there may be other members of the family, maybe the Dobson's of whom I have no knowledge, who would be interested in inserting any photographs, they may have, on this site. This is probably a shot in the dark but who knows? Worth a try.

    Pamela Campbell




    218968

    Pte. Myer Black 11th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Myer Black served with the 11th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment during ww1 and died on the 13th November 1916. He is buried in Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Somme, France.





    218966

    Pte. Robert Clasper Lancashire Fusiliers

    Robert Clasper, born 6 February 1899 served as a private in the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was born and lived in Newcastle upon Tyne but was out in the Lancashire regiment when he was conscripted. He was shot in the shoulder when he was 19 in 1918 near to Albert in France. He survived and lived until 1987. His eldest son William Clasper served as a pilot in World War II. William is now 90 and lives in Australia.

    Lesley Rudd




    218965

    Pte. Arthur Stanley Amor 1/4th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.8th Nov 1917)

    Stan Amor was my uncle who joined 1/4th. Battalion Wiltshire Regiment at Trowbridge, Wiltshire. He was born in Wiltshire and saw service in India before being posted to Palestine in 1917. He took part in the 3rd Battle of Gaza on the 6/7th November and died of his wounds on the 8th November. He is buried at Dehr el Belah cemetery. He was 19 years old.

    I have tried to visit his grave during the last few years to pay our Family respects. However, this has not been possible due to the continuing problems and strife within Gaza etc. and the difficulties in obtaining a visa to this area.

    Colin Reeves




    218964

    Pte. George Edward Seddon 32nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.19th Oct 1917)

    I was researching my Grandmother's family and discovered she had a brother George Edward Seddon born in 1894. According to the documents I have found George was a Private in the 3rd Btn King's Liverpool Regiment but between, 27 June 1917 when he wrote his soldier's will and his death on 19 October 1917 he had been transferred to the 32nd Btn Royal Fusiliers.

    John Murphy




    218955

    Pte. William Mckelvey 16th Pioneer Battlion Royal Irish Rifles

    My great uncle, William McKelvey came from a townland called Ballymacarron just outside Killyleagh. He joined the 16th Royal Irish Rifles Pioneer Battlion Co Down on the 18th of January 1915. He had worked as a farm labourer before the war. The Down pioneers were nicknamed The Terrors who, as well as working on the trenches and roads and railways while under fire, had to be ready to fight like an ordinary rifle man. William served all through the war and at the age of 31 he emigrated to Canada to work at farming and his sister my grand mother never saw him again.

    Austin Cheevers




    218944

    Pte. John Henry Stevenson 70th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.1st Jul 1916)

    My Grandfather John Stevenson was lost at the Somme on the first day. His memorial is at Thiepval. He left behind a wife, Ethel and a daughter, Evelyn, my Mother, who was only 3.

    Yvonne Sellers




    218943

    Paul Emile Barbier Interpreter

    My grandfather, Paul Barbier, served as liaison officer and interpreter with the 18th Field Ambulance from October 1914 to about the end of April 1915. In his letters he mentions Capt. Loudon, Smeethe and Munro among others. He died about 1945

    Delphine Isaaman




    218937

    Pte. Alfred Green 57th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.13th Dec 1917)

    My great grandfather, Alfred Green, was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, in 1886. He married Florrie White at age 19 and had two children, Alfred and Madge. The latter one, Madge, being my grand-mother. She was born in 1910. Her last memory of her father was when watching him putting on his puttees before leaving and being drafted to the Western front. The family had moved from Boston, Lincolnshire, to Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, during the first stages of the war. At that time my great grand-father was a railway employee.

    He was enlisted in 1916 in Carrington and probably received training in Grantham Camp in machine gun drills. He was then drafted to France. He fought at the Battle of Messines. He survived the Belgium battles and was eventually withdrawn with the whole company from this part of the front in December 1917 and sent to France in the Cambrai area to relieve the 18th Machine Gun Company. He died of his wounds on the 13/12/1917 around Etricourt, Manancourt probably in a Casualty Clearing Station in Ytres and is buried at the Rocquigny-Equancourt War Cemetery. He was 28.

    May his soul rest in peace.

    Christophe Pourcines




    218936

    T/Lt. G. Connor 101st Field Company Royal Engineers

    My Grandmother had an original Bollaartbeek battlefield survey belonging to G. Connor. No idea how she came by it.

    Roger Griffith




    218935

    Spr. John Booth 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.6th Nov 1917)

    The following is the memorial to him by the town of Chorley.

    John Booth enlisted in the 1/4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (svc no.156). He served in France and Belgium, in October 1915 was gassed. He was then sent to Scotland, then the South of England to recuperate. By this time he had been seconded to the Royal Engineers and joined the 171st Tunneling Company. He is buried at Vlamertinghe.

    He was in civilian life a coal miner at one of the many pits near Coppul in Lancashire. Six weeks after returning to the 171st, John was killed by a shell, about a mile behind the lines. He was aged 47 years. He left a widow and four children.

    In passing, - one of his sons, my Grandfather Alex, also joined the Loyals, was wounded twice and finished the war in the South Wales Borderers. My French Grandfather served in the 233 Regiment d'Infantrie served on the Somme, and Verdun.

    Peter Booth




    218934

    Spr. James White 228th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.25th March 1918)

    James White's name is on the memorial tablet in Kirkdale Minster. I am a member of the Ryedale Family History Group working on the local war memorials. He has been very hard to trace and any info would be welcome.

    Martin Knight




    218931

    Sgt. Harold Charles Squires 1/24th Battalion London Regiment

    My grandfather, Harold Squires, was in the Territorial Force prior to WW1, and was embodied at St Albans on 1st of September 1914 to the 1/24th Battalion of the London Regiment (The Queen's).

    He went to France in March 1915 and was wounded at Givenchy (Battle of Festubert) on 26/5/15. He was transferred home, and returned to his battalion in May 1916. He continued to serve with the 1/24th until December 1917, when he again returned home after being gassed, probably at Bourlon Wood (Battle of Cambrai).

    He was definitely present at the Battle of Messines in June 1917, and amongst his papers is a trench map showing the area where the 47th Division were located at the time, between Hill 60 and the Ypres-Comines canal. He survived the war and served in the Home Guard in WW2. He died in 1972, aged 83.

    Steven Squires




    218930

    Pte. George Cumbers "Mick" Clayton 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy

    Mick Clayton was a Barnados Boy, of Lismore NSW in enlistment. After the War, he married Adye Wilson, sister of CPL Harry Wilson of 10 MG Coy. Post-war he was a florist in Sydney, NSW. Died in 1975.

    Lindsay Wilson




    218929

    Pte. Henry James Wilson 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy

    Harry Wilson was a dental mechanic apprentice in Brisbane. He joined the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF) in 1914 and served with 10 MG Coy in mid-1916. He was gassed and hospitalised twice in 1918. He returned to Australia in 1919.

    He became a Lieutenant in the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) in the 1930s and served as a Major in the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) WW2. His civil employment was as a Dentist.

    Lindsay Wilson




    218928

    Pte. George Peake 1/19th Btn. London Regiment

    My Father George Peake attested on 11th Deember 1915 in Camden Town for the 19th Battalion London Regiment, probably under the Derby Scheme. He was in the Battle of High Wood and I don't know when he was wounded but it must have been after that. I have found his name listed in the St. Pancras Chronicle of 27th October 1916 under wounded. He was sent to Whalley Hospital in Lancs and I think was there for about six months. He was then sent back to France and was with the Regiment at the Battle of Messines as I remember him saying he saw Hill 60 go up. He had a further wound and was transferred to the Labour Corps in March 1919 to escort duties to POW Coy 109 and was demobilised in September 1919. I have been on visits to France over the years with the OCA of the 19th but am still trying to fill in the place where the POW 109 Coy was situated. I thought it may have been in France, but I understand that it could have been in the UK.

    V. Lawrenson




    218926

    Pte. Harold George Selwyn "Mick" Swain 1st Otago Btn. (d.15th Jun 1917)

    Mick Swain was my grandmother's brother. He was born on 26 Aug 1888 in Brisbane Australia. His family moved to New Zealand in 1910. He was living in Christchurch, occupation Tailor before signing up with the 1st Otago.

    He was killed in action on the 15th June 1917 and is buried in Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Belgium. He also has a memorial at the family grave in Eskdale Cemetery, Eskdale Lane, off Highway 5 (Napier-Taupo Road), Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

    Brian Bray




    218925

    Pte. Robert See 37th Btn. (d.10th Jun 1917)

    Bob See is my wife's great uncle. He had emigrated to Australia in 1914 on the ship SS Indrapura and had settle in Sale, Victoria. He was being used mainly as a runner at the Battle of Messines and was wounded and died of his wounds on the 10 June 1917. He is buried at Trois-Arbes Cemetery Steenwerck France.

    Anthony Walker




    218924

    Spr. John Wallace Burdett 81st Field Coy Royal Engineers

    John Wallace Burdett was my grandfather, who I never knew as he died in 1934. His army service began in April 1915 when he volunteered. I find it extraordinary that he did so at the age of 36 with five young children, including my father who was 10. He served with the Royal Engineers, 81st Field Company I know little about his service except that he was taken prisoner at Messines on 10th April 1918.

    Michael Burdett




    218920

    L/Cpl. George Walter Calder 1st Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    Lance Corporal George Walter Calder served with the 1st Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment during WW1.

    Lord Trevor Calder




    218896

    Stoker 1st Class. William Nicholls HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    William Nicholls served on HMS Invincible and was killed in action on 31st May 1916, aged 21. He is commemorated on Panel 19 in the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Portsmouth. He was the son of Thomas and Amy Nicholls, of 7/60, Peel St., Winson Green, Birmingham.

    s flynn




    218893

    Pte. John Henderson 6th Battalion, C Coy East Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1915)

    John Henderson enlisted on 27th August 1914 and served with C Coy, 6th (Service) Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. He was born on 22nd August 1894 in Warkworth, Northumberland He was killed on 22nd Aug 1915 aged 21. He has no known grave but he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey Private John Henderson arrived with the Regiment at Sulva Bay Gallipoli on 7th Aug 1915.

    On the 1911 Census, John is recorded as living with his parents, grandmother and sister Jessie at Sturton Grange, Warkworth. He was working on the farm. He was the only son of Mr. Andrew & Mrs. Elizabeth Henderson (nee Younger), Bank House Cottages, Acklington, Northumberland. His Father’s occupation is listed as Roadman for rural District Council. On the 1901 Census, John is living with his parents and sister Jessina at Morden Farm, Lesbury. In 1918 his parents are living at Bank House Cottages, Acklington

    An Item in the Alnwick Gazette in 1916 records: “Mr & Mrs A. Henderson, Bank House Cottages, Acklington have received word from the War Office that their only son John Henderson, East Yorks Regt, who was reported wounded and missing on 22 Aug 1915 (his 21st birthday) has now been officially reported killed on that date. He enlisted on 27th August 1914 and went with his Regt to the Dardenelles”.

    June Watson




    218892

    Cpl. Henry "Harry" Allcock 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle corps (d.10th Mar, 1915)

    Harry Allcock married my grandmother's sister, Agnes Nixon, in 1911. From Davenham, Cheshire, he enlisted in Manchester, and he may have been a reservist who was one of the first to be 'called up'. They moved to South Wales where Harry had found employment, probably in the Port Talbot steel works. They had a baby daughter and named her Beatrice after my grandmother.

    In 1912, Gran and her Irish born fiancé where planning to emigrate to America; he would go on ahead and find work and a home,then send for Gran. Early in the year Beatrice found that she was pregnant... a disaster, especially for a Catholic couple. The fiancé wasn't supportive, and neither were her parents. She spent most of her pregnancy in a convent, and when my mother was born, she took work as a live-in domestic servant. She never heard from her fiancé again. She had trained as a seamstress, and this new work and living arrangement was proving so taxing that she was on the point of giving up her baby daughter to a children's home. Then Harry said to Agnes 'Ask Beatty and Mary to come and live with us; Mary'll be company for Beatrice'. So they moved from London to Port Talbot.

    Harry served with the King's Royal Rifle corps 1st Battalion and was reported 'missing, presumed dead' on 10th March 1915. His memorial is at Le Touret, Pas de Calais.

    Agnes remarried a friend of Harry's in 1924, but her daughter died from TB in 1926. Gran married a widower and moved to a nearby mining village where my mum grew up happily and met and married my father in 1938. I owe my existence to this generous, hospitable man, for had Mum and Gran not moved to Wales my parents would never have met! Thank you Harry.

    Dorothy Chambers




    218891

    Edward Brown Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    Edward Brown was my Grandad who died in 1967. I've got a paper clipping from the Evening Post (Preston). It states that my Grandad was the last member of a Preston fighting family whose seven sons all fought with the Loyals during World War 1. My Grandad was wounded at the Battle of the Somme, but was more fortunate than his brothers, three of whom were killed during the war with the other three dying later from wounds.Their names were Alfred, Frederick, Walter, William, Richard and James.

    The 'Post' published a photograph of them during World War 1 and described them as Preston's unique fighting family who had achieved a record in having seven sons serving in one regiment. I would love to see the photograph and hope someone can help.

    Malcolm Brown




    218875

    Gnr. C. Bond Royal Field Artillery (d.1917)

    In 1915 & 1916 C Bond was employed as a servant/butler in the time of Headmaster Rev Frank Stephenson 1906-33 at Felsted School. He joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner and was killed in action. That's all we know.

    Jules Wallis




    218874

    Rfmn. Arthur Benjamin Brown 12th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Arthur Benjamin Brown was born 1888 in Cinderford, Gloucestershire and moved to Brum and married on 29 11 1908 at St Andrew, Small Heat. He had his first child that made it to old age in 1913. He enlisted on the 3rd of September 1914 went to France on 23rd July 1915. He was discharged on the 7th of October 1916 due to wounds to his head.

    I am told he had a steel plate inserted into his scull. He was awarded a small pension to keep his wife and two children going. He had a party trick of stabbing his steel plate with a pen knife to scare the local kids. He died in 1935 aged 47

    J.T. Adams




    218866

    Alfred Henry "Pops" Miller Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Alfred Henry Miller was born 1883 in London, England. He and his wife, Beatrice Anne Woods, immigrated to New Westminster, British Columbia with their young children in the 1920's. After immigrating to Canada, Alfred worked for the CN Railway.

    Alf or 'Pops" as all his grandchildren called him, was a slight man of 5 foot 2 inches, and he fought in 12 battles in the Great War. He was wounded by gunfire in the leg and hip, recovered and returned to battle. He lost a finger during battle. Pops was a happy gentleman, especially when he was surrounded by his loving children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He often sang us sweet Cockney songs like 'Apples and Pears, up the Stairs" and "up came the nurse with a red hot poultice....".

    Alfred is remembered by his surviving grandchildren in British Columbia.

    Ronda Tuyp Miller




    218865

    Pte. Maurice Rees 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment

    Maurice Rees served with 8th Btn, Norfolk Regiment in 53rd Brigade, 18th Division.

    Michael Rees




    218864

    Pte. William Charles Pierson 1/5th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

    William Charles Pierson was born in 1889 in Milton, the only child of Charles Pierson, a Cordwainer (Boot and Shoemaker) and Sarah Ann Buley. After working as a bricklayer he joined the army for a 4 year term on 6 March 1911 when he was 22. He joined the 1/5th Battalian, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) and served with them for 8 years, finally being discharged on 20 April 1919.

    Having researched the Battalian here is a summary of their movements and events that I believe William Pierson was involved in: The 1/5th Battalian was formed in August 1914 in Ashford and on 29 October 1914 was sent to India. The Division was broken up on arrival in Bombay in December and this Battalian joined Jubbulpore Brigade in 5th (Mhow) Division which was a regular Division of the Indian Army and remained in India.

    In November 1915 the Buffs then joined the 35th Brigade in 7th (Meerut) Division, another regular division of the Indian Army, and were sent to Mesopotamia in December 1915 after having spent some time in India. They landed at Basra on 31 December 1915. They went to Mesopotamia in order to relieve the forces besieged at Kut al Amara. Their first action was on 7 January 1916 when they lost 251 officers and men at Sheikh Saad on the northern bank of the Tigris. The battalion was reduced by half after an attempt to attack through floodwater and then they joined a flanking movement but were forced by the enemy to retreat. After another attempt to attack through floodwater they received the news on 29 April 1916 that Kut had fallen to the Turks.

    The following month, in May 1916, the Brigade moved to the newly formed 14th (Indian) Division (which served in Mesopotamian until the Armistice on 31 October 1918). The Buffs then returned to action a few weeks later in December 1916 in the advance to Hai and in the clearing of Khadairi Bend. On 15 February the Buffs launched a successful attack at Dahra Bend pushing in a north easterly direction to the bank of the Tigris and broke the Turks’ defence lines capturing 1000 Turks who surrendered and having suffered 80 casualties. Dahra was finally taken on 16 February. The British recaptured Kut a few days later on the 24 February in the second battle of Kut after crossing the Tigris on 23 February. The troops then joined the March on Baghdad which resumed on 5 March 1917. Three days later they reached the Diyala River in the outskirts of the city after some exhausting marches and a few brief fights. After a sudden assault by the British on 10 March 1917 the Ottoman troops evacuated.

    The Buffs reached the Iron Bridge at dawn on March 11 1917 and the 1/5 were ordered to lead the 35th Brigade across the river in a variety of native boats. They entered the citadel without a fight and hauled down the Turkish flag, and hoisted a Union Jack that today hangs on the wall of Canterbury Cathedral.

    The Turks battled on and the 5th were kept marching and fighting them for another 9 months. In December 1917 they then returned to occupational duties having won honours. The Battalian had lost 689 men. The 1/5th Battalian Buffs remained in Mesopotamia until 31 October 1918. This information has been gathered from a variety of sources on the web and also from a Book about the East Kent Regiment.

    Lindsey




    218862

    Pte Thomas Valentine Williams 2nd Battn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.18th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Val Williams served with 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    S Williams




    218849

    Pte. Frederick George Margrove 11th Battalion att. 54 Mortar Battery Royal Fusiliers (d.2nd Nov1917)

    Uncle Fred Margrove, who I never knew, volunteered for duty in September 1914, joining the 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers and was later attached to 54th Mortar Battery. After training, at Muswell Hill and on Salisbury Plain, he proceeded to Folkestone and embarked for Boulogne.

    Along with his Battalion he fought on the Somme battle front between 1914 and 1916. He then went to the Ypres Salient and was involved in the '3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendale) where he was mortally wounded near Poelcappelle. He subsequently died of his wounds and is buried at Dozinghem cemetery. He was one of thirteen children, of whom my mother was one. I have been researching him for two years now but, so far, have been unable to find a photograph of him.





    218842

    Pte. Francis George Ross West Riding Regiment

    Francis George Ross was gassed in France whilst with the West Riding Regiment.

    Boyle




    218834

    Pte. Charles James Meredith 8th (Service) Batallion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.27th July 1916)

    CharlesMeredith was born in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire in 1880. He was the son of Thomas and Emmeline(nee James) Meredith. He was married to Agnes Maria (nee Clapham) Meredith. His children were John, William T, Jack Thomas, Lillian May, and Leslie C J.

    Private Meredith died from wounds he received from the Battle of the Somme in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, July 27, 1915. He is buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery.

    B




    218825

    Boy 1st Class. John Travers Cornwell VC MID. HMS Chester (d.2nd Jun 1916)

    <p>

    John Cornwell was killed in action on 2nd of February 1916, aged 16. He is buried in grave 55. 13 in Manor Park Cemetery in London. He was the son of the late Eli Cornwell, of 10, Alverstone Rd., Manor Park, Essex, and the late Lily Cornwell(nee King), of 745, Commercial Rd., Stepney, London. Born Leyton,West Ham.

    His father, Private E.Cornwell and half brother Private A.F.Cornwell also died in the war.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 15th September 1916, records the following: "Mortally wounded early in the action, Boy, First Class, John Travers Cornwell remained standing alone at a most exposed post, quietly awaiting orders, until the end of the action, with the gun's crew dead and wounded all round him. His age was under sixteen and a half years."

    S Flynn




    218823

    Pte. George Burridge 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    George Burridge died aged 37, during the First Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras offensive in the spring of 1917.

    He was a brickworker, married with six children who left his home and family to fight with a new service battalion while in his mid 30s, the reason to which I have yet to establish. He is remembered on the the Arras Memorial.

    Paul Thompson




    218816

    Pte. Andrew Menzies 10th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.27th Jan 1916)

    Andrew Menzies served with the 10th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and died on the 27th January 1916. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Walter Wallace




    218814

    F/O. Clifford Bertenshaw 105 Squadron (d.19th Oct 1944)

    Flying Officer Clifford Bertenshaw, from Crumpsall, Manchester, served with the RAF in 105 Squadron. He died at the age of 30 on 19th October 1944, while acting as a Mosquito navigator on a raid on Berlin. He attended Bury Grammar School and Manchester University and is buried at St Luke's, Cheetham, Manchester.

    Rod




    218813

    Able Sea. Thomas Percy Wills HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    Able Seaman Thomas Wills served with the Royal Navy on HMS Black Prince. He was killed in action on 31st May 1916, aged 30. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent.

    He was the son of J. H. and E. A. Wills, of 95, Marlborough St., Burnley, Lancs.

    s flynn




    218806

    CQMS. Thomas Alfred Talbot 1914 Star 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards

    Thomas Alfred Talbot born 28th September 1895, entered service 8th April 1911 aged 15 years as an errand boy with the coldstream guards 3rd Battalion. As did his five Brothers William, James, Stephen, Frederick, and Albert. His Father William was in the 1st Battalion of 2nd Queens Royal Reg at Aldershot in 1881.

    From 8/4/1911 he remained home till 30/8/1914 where he was then posted to France & Belgium in the B.E.F returning home in the October 1914. There then followed another posting with B.E.F in September 1916 till September 1919 France, he returned home till September 1922 and his first Daughter Florence was born 1920, and my Mother Violet in 1926. During 1914-1918 most of his Brothers died, possibly in France. Thomas was posed to Egypt in September 1922 returning October 1923, he then remained home.

    His total service was 24 years 84 days, his military conduct was Exemplary, his testimonial, a throughly efficient and reliable CQMS, who works hard and is very thorough, showing marked efficiency and powers of organisation etc. My Grandfather was discharged on 30th June 1936 London. He passed away in the early 1970's. My Mother passed away in 2014, leaving me with precious documents, and an insight into this man that I knew very little about.

    Heather A Kemp




    218796

    Spr. William Isaac Stanley Tiddy 9th Field Company Royal Engineers

    Stanley was a regular who joined the army in 1908, he served with 9th Field Company, Royal Engineers during WW1. He seems to have been wounded in 1915 and in 1917 he was returned to the UK as class W to work as a shipwright later that year receiving a Silver Badge. Although his discharge does not mention shell shock, he was sectioned in June 1917 as being of unsound mind, having attempted suicide and unable to look after himself. He then seems to have spent the remaining 40 years of his life in Oakwood Hospital in Kent.

    Shaun Cornish




    218792

    Grdsmn. William Haywood 1st Batt Welsh Guards

    My grandfather, William Haywood was one of the first civillians to enlist in the Welsh Guards. He enlisted on 13th March 1915 at the age of 34. He left behind a wife and 5 children. On the same day as enlisting, he was put on a train to Caterham, where he underwent basic training for the next 157 days.

    On completion of training he was shipped to France with the 1st Battalion on 17th August 1915, arriving at Havre on the 18th. They moved onto St Omer on 20th August, where they remained until 27th Sept 1915. At midday they received orders that they were to march to Loos at 2pm and were involved in the battle shortly after their arrival. Christmas Day 1915 was celebrated at La Gorgue and they remained there until 15th February 1916, whereupon they marched back to Estaires.

    On 16th March the battalion was moved by train to Ypres where they again saw action up until July 1916. After the battle of Ypres they were sent to the Somme, which was by far the most outrageous encounter of all. After the battle they returned to Neuville and then by train to St Omer. They marched through the village of Compayne - it was exactly a year and 9 months since they had entered their first battle at Arques.

    October 10th saw them back in action in the third battle of Ypres. The casualties totalled 451, which was less than in previous battles. Among the casualties was Guardsman 789 William Haywood, who received a gun shot wound to the head. My grandfather returned to Great Britain in November 1917, due to his injuries. His service record supplied to me by the Welsh Guards says that on 14th December 1918, 789 William Haywood discharged, surplus to military requirements, having suffered impairment since entering into the service.

    Guardsman Haywood was batman to Captain Frank Lewis Thornhill Barlow, MC with whom he remained in contact after the war had ended and up to my grandfather's death in 1940.

    William Colin Haywood




    218786

    Rfmn. Frederick William Brown 12th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

    My Grandfather, Rifleman Frederick William Brown served with The King's Royal Rifle Corps from 1915 to 1917. He was at the Somme where he was injured in both legs by faulty detonators in Mills 5 hand grenades. The explosions wounded a number of soldiers. He was eventually sent back to the front and was at the Third Battle of Ypres where he was badly wounded on the 16th August 1917. He lay in a trench until someone thought they saw movement. He was taken to the Australian Hospital at Rouen. He had received GSW left shoulder and lung. He was eventually shipped home on 14th October 1917 and it is amazing that he survived until 1949 when I was five years of age. I am the only cousin to have known him. From the time he arrived home to the day he died he was in pain, as were so many other brave servicemen and women. His death certificate attests to the fact that he died from his war wounds. We all remember the horrific details of the 16th August 1917 when Grandad was so badly wounded. The conditions were appalling and how those soldiers managed eventually to over-run the enemy is a miracle. Their sacrifice for us will always be remembered with gratitude. RIP Poppy.

    Jill Lindenaar




    218778

    Capt. John Aidan Liddell 7 Sqd. Royal Flying Corps (d.31st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Capt. John Liddell died 31st August 1915, aged 27 and was buried in Basingstoke South View or Old Cemetery. He served with 3rd Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders before transferring to 7 Squadron RFC. He was the son of John and Emily C. Liddell, of Sherfield Manor, Basingstoke.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated, 23rd Aug., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on 31st July, 1915. When on a flying reconnaissance over Ostend-Bruges-Ghent he was severely wounded (his right thigh being broken), which caused momentary unconsciousness, but by a great effort he recovered partial control after his machine had dropped nearly 3,000 feet, and notwithstanding his collapsed state succeeded, although continually fired at, in completing his course, and brought the aeroplane into our lines - half an hour after he had been wounded. The difficulties experienced by this officer in saving his machine, and the life of his observer, cannot be readily expressed, but as the control wheel and the throttle control were smashed, and also one of the under-carriage struts, it would seem incredible that he could have accomplished his task."

    s flynn




    218767

    L/Cpl. William Charles Tedder 11th Battalion Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    My Great Uncle, William Charles Tedder died of wounds in the Military Hospital, Etaples, France. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, France. William Tedder was Formerly 5063, Lancers. I have a photo of his grave.

    Margaret




    218766

    Pte. John Haiden Cutts 2nd/10th Btn. London Regiment (d.22nd Sep 1917)

    Jack Cutts was aged just 23 when he died, he is my maternal great uncle. I grew up knowing him only by photograph, standing proudly in his uniform. I also recall being fascinated as a child by the only other photo - of his headstone.

    My 7 year old son is now learning about the Great War and as the only family member sharing the same Christian name "Jack", together we have been using the internet to find out more about our war hero relative. A humbling journey into the past. When I came across this website, I wanted to add his name to the list of those known to serve with the London Regiment. Gone but not forgotten!

    Sadly, the photographs are no longer in the family, although I have been able to request a new one via the war graves project and I also have a small image of his face inserted into the back of a gold broach worn by his mother after his death.





    218760

    2nd Lt. Archie Maynard Brown 126th Bat Royal Garrison Artillery (d.6th Apr 1918)

    My great uncle, Archie Brown, was the uncle of my father. He is commemorated on a plaques in St Michaels Church of Ireland Church, Barrington Street, Limerick. We have very little information only what I have supplied above but am in the process of investigating further. We are lucky to know where he is buried, the cemetery is the Hedauville Community Cemetery Ext in the town of Albert in Northern France. A kind gentleman several years ago was visiting the cemetery and actually placed a cross with a poppy at the grave site and took some pictures.

    Susan Brown Butterfield




    218759

    Lt. Alan Arnett McLeod VC. (d.6th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Lt. Alan Arnett McLeod was killed in action 06/11/1918, Age: 19, he is buried in the Winnipeg (Old Kildonan) Presbyterian Cemetery. He was the son of Dr. A. N. McLeod and Margaret Lillian McLeod, of 491, River Avenue, Winnipeg

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 1st May, 1918, records the following:- "Whilst flying with his observer (Lt. A. W. Hammond, M.C.), attacking hostile formations by bombs and machine-gun fire, he was assailed at a height of 5,000 feet by eight enemy triplanes, which dived at him from all directions, firing from their front guns. By skilful manoeuvring he enabled his observer to fire bursts at each machine in turn, shooting three of them down out of control. By this time Lt. McLeod had received five wounds, and whilst continuing the engagement a bullet penetrated his petrol tank and set the machine on fire. He then climbed out on to the left bottom plane, controlling his machine from the side of the fuselage, and by side-slipping steeply kept the flames to one side, thus enabling the observer to continue firing until the ground was reached. The observer had been wounded six times when the machine crashed in " No Man's Land," and 2nd Lt. McLeod, not withstanding his own wounds, dragged him away from the burning wreckage at great personal risk from heavy machine-gun fire from the enemy's lines. This very gailant pilot was again wounded by a bomb whilst engaged in this act of rescue, but he persevered until he had placed Lt. Hammond in comparative safety, before falling himself from exhaustion and loss of blood."

    s flynn




    218758

    Lt/Cmdr. Arthur Leyland Harrison VC. HMS Lion (d.23rd April 1918)

    Arthur Harrison served on HMS Vindictive during the Zeebrugge Raid. He was killed in action 23/04/1918, Age: 32 and is commemorated on the Memorial in the Zeebrugge Churchyard in Belgium. Son of the late Lt. Col. A. J. Harrison (Royal Fusiliers) and the late Adelaide Ellen Harrison, he was a member of the England Rugby Football Team of 1914.

    An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 14th March, 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge on the night of the 22nd-23rd April, 1918. This officer was in immediate command of the Naval Storming Parties embarked in 'Vindictive'. Immediately before coming alongside the Mole Lieut.-Commander Harrison was struck on the head by a fragment of a shell which broke his jaw and knocked him senseless. Recovering consciousness he proceeded on to the Mole and took over command of his party, who were attacking the seaward end of the Mole. The silencing of the guns on the Mole head was of the first importance, and though in a position fully exposed to the enemy's machine-gun fire Lieut.-Commander Harrison gathered his men together and led them to the attack. He was killed at the head of his men, all of whom were either killed or wounded. Lieut.-Commander Harrison, though already severely wounded and undoubtedly in great pain, displayed indomitable resolution and courage of the highest order in pressing his attack, knowing as he did that any delay in silencing the guns might jeopardise the main object of the expedition, i.e., the blocking of the Zeebrugge-Bruges Canal. "

    s flynn




    218754

    Pte. Wilfred Hedley Riddle MM. 1/9th (QVR) Btn. London Regiment (d.28th Aug 1917)

    Wilfred Riddle started out in the RAMC, which is unsurprising, given the religious traditions of the family (Methodist/Baptist). He seems to have been compulsorily transferred to a combatant role. I can’t find a citation for his MM (I bet it's non-combatant).

    Private Wilfred Hedley Riddle, served with the RAMC and then with the 1/9th (County of London) Battalion (Queen Victoria's Rifles), the London Regiment. He died on the 28th August 1917. He is remembered at Gent City Cemetery, Belgium - Grave/Memorial Ref. B16. His medal card also has a regimental number 5960 but no mention of RAMC. It also seems his medals were returned (War and Victory Medals).

    Fraser Murrey




    218749

    Brig. Francis Aylmer Maxwell VC, CSI, DSO MID. 27th Inf. Bde, General Staff Commanding 9th (Scottish) Division (d.21st Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Brigadier Francis Maxwell (Late 18th King George's Own Lancers)served with General Staff Commanding 27th Infantry Brigade, 9th Division during WW1 and was killed in action on the 21st September 1917, aged 46. He was buried in the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. Son of Thomas Maxwell, M.D., and Violet Sophia Maxwell, he was the husband of Charlotte Alice Hamilton Maxwell. The award CSI is Companion of the Star of India.

    An extract taken from the London Gazette, dated 8th March, 1901, records the following:- Lieutenant Maxwell was one of three Officers not belonging to Q Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, specially mentioned by Lord Roberts as having shown the greatest gallantry, and disregard of danger, in carrying out the self-imposed duty of saving the guns of that Battery during the affair at Korn Spruit on 31st March 1900. This Officer went out on five different occasions and assisted to bring in two guns and three limbers, one of which he, Captain Humphreys, and some Gunners, dragged in by hand. He also went out with Captain Humphreys and Lieutenant Stirling to try to get the last gun in, and remained there till the attempt was abandoned. During a previous Campaign (the Chitral Expedition of 1895) Lieutenant Maxwell displayed gallantry in the removal of the body of Lieutenant-Colonel F D Battye, Corps of Guides, under fire, for which, though recommended, he received no reward.

    S Flynn




    218748

    Sgt. James Thomas Metcalfe 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d. )

    James Thomas Metcalfe was my Grandfather. He went to Egypt with the Darlington Pals the 18th Division of The Durham Light Infantry where he was Batman to a Corporal Jesse H Kenworthy. He then went to the Somme where he took two hens to Roast for his men, not finding any dry wood for the fire he came across a church door that he broke down. The French were not happy about this so my Grandfather lost his stripes. At least him and his men had a hot meal that night to go with their rations.

    Marylyn Boal




    218746

    Pte. James Samuel Mackintosh MM. 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders

    My grandfather, James Samuel Mackintosh, son of James Mackintosh, Farm Manager of Dalcross Farm, Inverness, now the site of Inverness airport, fought in the Great War and gained a Military Medal at the Battle of Epehy as part of the Battles of the Hindenburg lines - Spetember 8-24. All I know is he was awarded the medal for gallantry under fire and during his campaign received some mustard gas poisoning. He went on to become a Chief Inspector of the Galsgow Police in the 1950's.

    Norman James Mackintosh




    218744

    Pte. Robert Morrow VC. 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.26th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Morrow served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 26th April 1915, aged 24. He is buried in the White House Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Hugh and Margaret Jane Morrow, of Sessia, Newmills, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29170, dated 22nd May, 1915, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery near Messines on 12th April, 1915, when he rescued and carried successively to places of comparative safety, several men who had been buried in the debris of trenches wrecked by shell fire. Private Morrow carried out this gallant work on his own initiative and under very heavy fire from the enemy.

    S Flynn




    218743

    Mjr. Eric Stuart Dougall VC MC. A Battery, 88th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.14th April 1918)

    Eric Dougall was killed in action 14/04/1918, aged 32. He is commemorated on Special Memorial 1 in the utre British Cemetery in Belgium. Son of the late Andrew Dougall, of Tunbridge Wells, and of Emily Elizabeth Dougall, of 16A, Loudoun Rd. St. John's Wood, Londonm he was born at Tunbridge Wells.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 31st May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and skilful leadership in the field when in command of his battery. Capt. Dougall maintained his guns in action from early morning throughout a heavy concentration of gas and high-explosive shell. Finding that he could not clear the crest owing to the withdrawal of our line, Captain Dougall ran his guns on to the top of the ridge to fire over open sights. By this time our infantry had been pressed back in line with the guns. Captain Dougall at once assumed command of the situation, rallied and organised the infantry, supplied them with Lewis guns, and armed as many gunners as he could spare with rifles. With these he formed a line in front of his battery which during this period was harassing the advancing enemy with a rapid rate of fire. Although exposed to both rifle and machine gun fire this officer fearlessly walked about as though on parade, calmly giving orders and encouraging everybody. He inspired the infantry with his assurance that "So long as you stick to your trenches I will keep my guns here". This line was maintained throughout the day, thereby delaying the enemy's advance for over twelve hours. In the evening, having expended all ammunition, the battery received orders to withdraw. This was done by man-handling the guns over a distance of about 800 yards of shell-cratered country, an almost impossible feat considering the ground and the intense machine gun fire. Owing to Captain Dougall's personality and skilful leadership throughout this trying day there is no doubt that a serious breach in our line was averted. This gallant officer was killed four days later whilst directing the fire of his battery."

    s flynn




    218742

    Capt. Oswald Leslie Jennings Steel 14th Bde. Australian Field Artillery (d.6th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Captain Oswald Steel served with the 14th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery AIF during WW1 and was killed in action on the 6th August 1917, aged 33. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium. Son of Oswald Gleghorn Steel and Elizabeth Ann Steel; Husband of Bertha Steel, of Mapleton, Victoria St., Bowral, New South Wales. Native of Wallsend, New South Wales.

    S Flynn




    218741

    Gnr. Ben Hunt 76th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.30th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Gunner Ben Hunt served with 76th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery attached to 90th Heavy Artillery Group during WW1 and was killed in action on the 30th June 1917, aged 31. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    218740

    Cpl. William Murphy 13th Bde. Australian Field Artillery (d.10th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Corporal William Murphy served with the 13th Brigade, Australian Artillery, AIF durig WW1 and was killed in action on the 10th October 1917, aged 26. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium. Son of James & Agnes Murphy. Much loved brother of May, Ellen, Agnes & Jim and a much loved husband of Maud (nee Hennessey).

    The memorial card sent out by his family reads:

    • If we could have clasped his dying hand
    • And heard his last farewell,
    • It would have not been so hard to part
    • With the one we loved so well.
    • We often pictured our Will returning
    • And we longed to clasp his hand.
    • But death has postponed our meeting
    • Until we meet in a better land.

    S Flynn




    218739

    Gnr. George Henry Trull 117th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.30th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Gunner George Henry Trull served with 117th Battery Royal Field Artillery during WW1 and as killed in action on the 30th October 1917. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    218735

    2nd Lt. Guy S. Ellis 57th Squadron (d.12th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    2nd Lt. Guy S Ellis served with 57th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps during WW1 and was killed in action on the 12th July 1917, aged 19. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    Born in Hull on 24th May 1898, Guy Ellis was studying for his Intermediate Civil Service exam when, on 29th September 1915, he joined the London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles) at Dukes Road W.C. at the age of seventeen years 4 months. The medical showed that he was 5’ 7.5” with a 37” chest. His physical development was described as fair.

    Appointed Lance Corporal on 22nd April 1916, Guy had been languishing at Hare Hall Camp in Romford, Essex. He decided to apply for admission to an officer cadet unit with a view to getting a temporary commission for the duration of the war. Question 3. State in order of preference which branch of the Service... Guy wrote Flying Corps without hesitation.

    His specific qualifications for the R.F.C. were considered by the selection board: Rides a motorcycle (though not a horse); can sketch; slight knowledge of electricity; moderate knowledge of the internal combustion engine; knows the whole process of photography; had map reading course; maths 6 books of Euclid, Mechanics, Trigonometry, Algebra. Sports: first XI cricket and football at school; boxing; running (100 yds., ¼ mile, 220 yds., 120 yds., hurdles and high jump. Speaks French slightly. Not perfect qualifications for a pilot perhaps, but knowledge of photography would be useful for an observer.

    Guy was accepted at No.1 Officer Cadet Battalion at Denham in Bucks on 6th September 1916. From Denham, he was posted to Oxford reporting for duty there on 13th November. He received his commission on 27th January 1917. The fact was noted in the London Gazette on 3rd February.

    Holding the rank of temporary 2nd Lieutenant, he was seconded to 57 squadron stationed near Ypres. Here Guy settled down to the harrowing life of a young flying officer on active service. For most it was a pitifully short life, relieved only by drinking and joking in the mess in between sorties.

    In July 1917 a new offensive at Ypres was planned. The aim was twofold; to break through the German lines and reach their submarine bases in Belgium, and to relieve the Russian army in the east. The RFC was playing a significant role in the build up both in combat and in reconnaissance. On 11th July, some two weeks before the battle began, an allied air offensive involving 700 aircraft began. The following day, Thursday, one of these aircraft took off with Guy Ellis in the rear as observer. When he returned, he would have to think about settling his mess bill, now standing at £1-5-8...

    It’s not known whether it was a fighter or ground fire that hit Guy’s plane, but as it plummeted towards earth, the one thing that might have saved him was a parachute. But it was not policy to give airmen parachutes, ...possession of a parachute might impair a pilot’s nerve when in difficulties so that he would make improper use of his parachute…, was the official view. And so 19 year old Guy was dead. The odds were stacked against him anyway, for by now the life expectancy of a junior officer in a front line squadron was anything from eleven days to three weeks.

    S Flynn




    218734

    Gnr. Thomas Harcus 95th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Gunner Thomas Harcus served with 95th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery during WW1 and was killed in action on the 3rd August 1917, aged 32. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium. Husband of Ellen Rendall, he left two children and was a native of Westray, Orkney

    S Flynn




    218733

    Gnr. Andrew Harcus 95th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Gunner Andrew Harcus served with 95th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery during WW1 and was killed in action on the 3rd August 1917, aged 27. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Andrew and Jessie Harcus, Husband of Frances Harcus, of Dogtoo, Westray, Orkney. Native of Tirlot, Westray.

    S Flynn




    218732

    CSM. John Kendrick Skinner VC, DCM, CdeG. 1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.17th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    John Skinner served with the 1st Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 17th March 1918. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre (France) in addition to Victoria Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal. Son of Walter Skinner and husband of Annie E. Y. Skinner, of 173, St. Andrew's Rd., Pollokshields, Glasgow, he was native of Glasgow.

    An extract from the Second Supplement to the London Gazette dated 14th Sept., 1917, recording the award of V.C., reads- For most conspicuous bravery and good leading. Whilst his company was attacking, machine gun fire opened on the left flank, delaying the advance. Although C.S.M. Skinner was wounded in the head, he collected six men, and with great courage and determination worked round the left flank of three blockhouses from which the machine gun fire was coming, and succeeded in bombing and taking the first blockhouse single-handed; then, leading his six men towards the other two blockhouses, he skilfully cleared them, taking sixty prisoners, three machine guns, and two trench mortars. The dash and gallantry displayed by this warrant officer enabled the objective to be reached and consolidated.

    S Flynn




    218731

    Pte. Herbert Francis Wallis 2nd Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.27th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Francis Wallis served with the 2nd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 27th April 1915, aged 18. He is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery in Belgium. Son of Mrs. M. A. Wallis, of 117, Turkey Street, Waltham Cross, Herts.

    S Flynn




    218730

    Sgt. John Mutton 106 Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Sergeant John Mutton served with the 106th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery during WW1 and was killed in action on the 3rd June 1917. He is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery in Belgium. He was a blacksmith by trade.

    S Flynn




    218728

    Pte. Adrian Kingsley Dorrity 1/10th (Liverpool Scottish) Btn. Kings (Liverpool Regiment) (d.20th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Adrian Dorrity served with the 1/10th (Liverpool Scottish) Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 20th April 1917, aged 21. He is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery in Belgium Son of George Alexander Dorrity, a bookkeeper and his wife Margaret Ellen (nee Thomas). His mother wrote of his death in the family Bible: My youngest and dearly loved boy.

    S Flynn




    218727

    Pte. Frederick John Timbury 12th Btn. C Coy. Kings Liverpool Regiment

    Fred Timbury was my grandfather who never talked much about his experiences during the Great War. I understand that he went over to France in 1915 with the 12th Btn Kings Liverpool Regiment. He originally came from Battersea in London and had four sisters, Lizzie, Emma, Rose and Bett. After a family disagreement, he moved up to Wakefield in Yorkshire to work in the coal mines. In 1915 he joined the army and was sent to Bisley training camp. I have a photograph of him there. He was then sent to France. At a place called Lesboeufs in 1916, Fred had a lucky escape when his prayer book, which he was carrying in his breast pocket, was struck by a bullet. My mother told me that Fred had a wound in his arm, undoubtedly caused by the deflected bullet. I attach photos of the book, along with a picture of the first pages with a comment written by Fred as to where and when it happened. At some point later in the conflict, Fred was captured by the Germans and became a prisoner of war for the remainder of the War. I have several photographs of his sisters taken at Boyd's Photographic Studios in Battersea which were sent to him in the prison camp. The reverse side clearly shows the purple coloured camp stamp.

    Roger Beasley




    218726

    Capt. Francis Octavius Grenfell VC. 9th Btn. Queens Royal Lancers (d.24th May 1915)

    <p>

    Captain Francis Octavius Grenfell VC served with the 9th Battalion Queens Royal Lancers during WW1 and died of wounds on the 24th May 1915, aged 35. He is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery in Belgium. Son of Pascoe Du Pre Grenfell and Sophia, his wife, he was educated at Eton, Francis became Master of the Beagles in 1898. On leaving Eton in 1899 he joined the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders and saw service in the South African War.

    An extract taken from the London Gazette dated 16th November, 1914 records the following:- For gallantry in action against unbroken Infantry at Andregnies, Belgium, on 24th August, 1914, and for gallant conduct in assisting to save the guns of 119th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, near Doubon the same day.

    S Flynn




    218725

    Pte. Harry Beale 1st Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.12th Mar 1915)

    Harry Beale is my great uncle. We found a postcard addressed to his brother in Birmingham when he was travelling on the train from Liverpool to Winchester in October 1914. He went to France shortly after and he died from wounds at the battle of Neuve Chappell. He served with the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment and died age 23 on the 12th March 1915. He is buried in Estaires Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Valerie Hopley




    218722

    Pte. Edwin Atkinson 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Apr 1917)

    Pte. Edwin Atkinson served with the Yorkshire Regiment 10th Battalion. He was injured had one leg amputated and died of his wounds at the age of 26 on 26th April 1917 in France. Edwin is is buried in Abbeville Communial Cemetery. The son of a farming family,his father was Thomas Joseph Brompton and his mother was Rose Helen (Nee Chapman York). Edwin was my Grandfather's brother. Edwin's name is on the 1st World War Memorial Brompton Parish Church North Yorkshire.

    Brenda Sharpe




    218721

    Pte. Robert "Roy" Graham 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusilliers (d.21st Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Robert (Roy) Graham was my great great uncle (my great grandmother's brother). He was one of the first casualties of the opening of the Battle of Cambrai on 20 November 1917. I understand from the little information that I have been able to gather of him that he was extremely well thought of within his battalion, as when I came across a website that included statements of the various soldiers killed in action, comments from his commanding officer and chaplain went beyond an expression of regret.

    He enlisted in April 1915 and served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers during WW1. He was killed in action on the 21st November 1917, aged 21 and is buried in Croissiles British Cemetery, France. He was the only son of Mr and Mrs John Graham, Barncot, Dundrum, County Dublin.

    Tannis McMinn




    218720

    L/Cpl. Ernest Seaman VC MM. 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.29th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Ernest Seaman served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 29th September 1918, Age: 25. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. He was the son of Mrs. Sarah Seaman. Born at Norwich, Norfolk.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No.31012, dated 15th Nov., 1918, records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When the right flank of his company was held up by a nest of enemy machine guns, he, with great courage and initiative, rushed forward under heavy fire with his Lewis gun and engaged the position single-handed, capturing two machine guns and twelve prisoners and killing one officer and two men. Later in the day he again rushed another enemy machine-gun position, capturing the gun under heavy fire. He was killed immediately after. His courage and dash were beyond all praise, and it was entirely due to the very gallant conduct of L/Cpl. Seaman that his company was enabled to push forward to its objective and capture many prisoners.

    s flynn




    218719

    Cpl. William Clamp VC 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    William Clamp served with the 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 9th October 1917, Age: 26. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. He was the son of Charles and Christina Dundas Clamp, of 13C, Reid Terrace, Flemington, Motherwell.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30433, dated 18th Dec., 1917, records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery when an advance was being checked by intense machine-gun fire from concrete blockhouses and by snipers in ruined buildings. Corporal Clamp dashed forward with two men and attempted to rush the largest blockhouse. His first attempt failed owing to the two men with him being knocked out, but he at once collected some bombs, and calling upon two men to follow him, again dashed forward. He was first to reach the blockhouse and hurled in bombs, killing many of the occupants. He then entered and brought out a machine-gun and about twenty prisoners, whom he brought back under heavy fire from neighbouring snipers. This non-commissioned officer then again went forward encouraging and cheering the men, and succeeded in rushing several snipers' posts. He continued to display the greatest heroism until he was killed by a sniper. His magnificent courage and self-sacrifice was of the greatest value and relieved what was undoubtedly a very critical situation.

    S Flynn




    218718

    Lt.Col. Philip Eric Bent VC DSO. 9th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.1st Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Lt. Colonel Philip Eric Bent VC DSO served with the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 1st October 1917, Age: 26. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He was native of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30471, dated 11th Jan., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, when during a heavy hostile attack, the right of his own command and the battalion on his right were forced back. The situation was critical owing to the confusion caused by the attack and the intense artillery fire. Lt. Col. Bent personally collected a platoon that was in reserve, and together with men from other companies and various regimental details, he organised and led them forward to the counter-attack, after issuing orders to other officers as to the further defence of the line. The counter-attack was successful and the enemy were checked. The coolness and magnificent example shown to all ranks by Lt.Col. Bent resulted in the securing of a portion of the line which was of essential importance for subsequent operations. This very gallant officer was killed whilst leading a charge which he inspired with the call of 'Come on the Tigers'."

    S Flynn




    218716

    Sgt. Lewis McGee VC. 40th Btn. Australian Infantry (d.12th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Lewis McGee was killed in action 12/10/1917, aged 29. Buried in the Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of John and Mary McGee, of Ross, Tasmania; husband of Eileen Rose McGee, of Avoca, Tasmania.

    An extract from "The London Gazette" No. 30400, dated 23rd Nov., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery when, in the advance to the final objective, Serjt. McGee led his platoon with great dash and bravery, though strongly opposed, and under heavy shell fire. His platoon was suffering severely and the advance of the Company was stopped by machine gun fire from a ' Pill-box ' post. Single-handed Serjt. McGee rushed the post armed only with a revolver. He shot some of the crew and captured the rest, and thus enabled the advance to proceed. He re-organised the remnants of his platoon and was foremost in the remainder of the advance, and during consolidation of the position he did splendid work. This Non-commissioned Officer's coolness and bravery were conspicuous and contributed largely to the success of the Company's operations. Serjt McGee was subsequently killed in action."

    sflynn




    218715

    Capt. Clarence Smith "Jeff" Jeffries VC 34th Btn. (d.12th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Clarence Jeffries was killed in action on 12/10/1917 aged 23. He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium. Son of Joshua and Barbara Jeffries, of Abermain, New South Wales. Native of Wallsend, New South Wales.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30433, dated 18th Dec., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery in attack, when his company was held up by enemy machine-gun fire from concrete emplacements. Organising a party, he rushed one emplacement, capturing four machine guns and thirty-five prisoners. He then led his company forward under extremely heavy enemy artillery barrage and enfilade machine-gun fire to the objective. Later, he again organised a successful attack on a machine-gun emplacement, capturing two machine guns and thirty more prisoners. This gallant officer was killed during the attack, but it was entirely due to his bravery and initiative that the centre of the attack was not held up for a lengthy period. His example had a most inspiring influence."

    s flynn




    218713

    Pte. George William Jupp 7th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, George Jupp, joined up on 18th January 1916 at Redhill in Surrey. George was born on 20th February 1886 in Brighton. By 1911 he had moved to East Grinstead and was working as a shop assistant. He married Edith Jennings at Moat Church, London Road on 16th July 1911. They had three children, Lily, Leslie and Laura, my Grandmother.

    George was first with the 9th Battalion as part of the British Expeditionary Force in France. He spent some time in 1917 in hospital back home and was with the 3rd Battalion. Later in 1917 he had been transferred to the 7th and was back in France. His family were by now living in Three Bridges, Crawley. Sadly George died, aged 32 on the 18th September 1918 at the Battle of Epehy in northern France. He is buried at Epehy Wood Cemetery.

    Susan Jones




    218712

    Dvr. Edward Henry Bursey Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Edward Bursey, spent the war on the Western Front with the Royal Horse Artillery. I have the diary he kept from July 1917 until September 1918. During this time he was in Flanders and then the Somme where they kept the guns supplied from the ammunition columns. My father also told me that he rode the teams that pulled the limbered guns, and in fact when he was injured in September 1918 he was strapped to a gun carriage to take him away from the fighting. He was discharged unfit in January 1919 and spent the rest of his life in the Keyhaven area with his family working in agriculture and died in 1953.

    Chris Wykes




    218710

    Lt. David Stuart McGregor VC. 6th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.22nd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Lieutenant David McGregor served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Regiment during WW1. When attached to the 29th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps he was killed in action on the 22nd October 1918, aged 23 and is buried in the Stasegem Communal Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of David and Annie McGregor, of Ferragon, Craigs Rd., Corstorphine, Edinburgh.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 13th December, 1918, records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Hoogmolen on 22nd of October, 1918, when in command of a section of machine guns attached to the right flank platoon of the assaulting battalion. Immediately the troops advanced they were subjected to intense enfilade machine-gun fire from Hill 66 on the right flank. Lt. McGregor fearlessly went forward and located the enemy guns, and realised that it was impossible to get his guns carried forward either by pack or by hand without great delay, as the ground was absolutely bare and fire swept. Ordering his men to follow by a more covered route, he mounted the limber and galloped forward under intense fire for about 600 yards to cover. The driver, horses and limber were all hit, but Lt. McGregor succeeded in getting the guns into action, effectively engaging the enemy, subduing their fire, and enabling the advance to be resumed. With the utmost gallantry he continued to expose himself in order to direct and control the fire of his guns, until, about an hour later, he was killed. His great gallantry and supreme devotion to duty were the admiration of all ranks.

    S Flynn




    218709

    Lt. Maurice James Dease VC. 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd Aug 1914)

    <p>

    Lieutenant Maurice Dease served with the 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 23rd August 1914 aged 24. He is buried in St. Symphorien Military Cemetery in Belgium. One of the first British officer battle casualties of the war and the first posthumous recipient of the VC in the Great War. He was the son of Edmund F. and Katherine M. Dease, of Levington, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 16th Nov., 1914, records the following:- Though two or three times badly wounded he continued to control the fire of his machine guns at Mons on 23rd Aug., until all his men were shot. He died of his wounds.

    S Flynn




    218708

    Rfmn. James Polston 18th (London Irish Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    James Polston served with the 18th (London Irish Rifles) Battalion , London Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 8th December 1916. He is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm)in Belgium. He was the son of James and Elizabeth Polston of Lauriston Road, Hackney, London.

    S Flynn




    218707

    Lt. George Clapperton 58th Btn. (Central Ontario Regiment) (d.13th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    Lt. George Clapperton served with the 58th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) CEF during WW1 and was killed in action on the 13th June 1916, aged 26. He is buried in Valley Cottages Cem. Son of George and Joan Watt Clapperton, of 5, Bellevue St., Edinburgh, Scotland. Born at Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland.

    S Flynn




    218706

    Capt. Francis Edgmont Gane 43rd Battalion (Manitoba Regiment) (d.13th May 1916)

    <p>

    Captain Francis Gane served with the 43rd Battalion (Manitoba Regiment) Canadian Infantry CEF during WW1 and was killed in action on the 13th May 1916, aged 31. He is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) in Belgium. He was the son of Francis Job and Belinda Gane, of The Willows, Normanby, Taranaki, New Zealand.

    S Flynn




    218705

    2nd Lt. Frederick Youens VC. 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.7th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    2nd Lt. Frederick Youens served with the 13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during WW1 and died of wounds on the 7th July 1917 Aged 24. He is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) in Belgium He was the son of Vincent and Lizzie Youens, of Belgrave, 64, Desborough Park Rd., High Wycombe.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 31st July, 1917, records the following-

    For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. While out on patrol this officer was wounded and had to return to his trenches to have his wounds dressed. Shortly afterwards a report came in that the enemy were preparing to raid our trenches. 2nd Lt. Youens, regardless of his wound, immediately set out to rally the team of a Lewis gun, which had become disorganised owing to heavy shell fire. During this process an enemy's bomb fell on the Lewis gun position without exploding. 2nd Lt. Youens immediately picked it up and hurled it over the parapet. Shortly afterwards another bomb fell near the same place; again 2nd Lt. Youens picked it up with the intention of throwing it away, when it exploded in his hand, severely wounding him and also some of his men. There is little doubt that the prompt and gallant action of 2nd Lt. Youens saved several of his men's lives and that by his energy and resource the enemy's raid was completely repulsed. This gallant officer has since succumbed to his wounds.

    S Flynn




    218701

    Pte. Reginald Grant Willis 1/6th (City of London Rifles) Battalion London Regiment

    Recently my mother talked about her father's WW1 experiences. Not having the best of home life my grandfather, Reginald Willis, ran away to fight, seeing it as a better way out. He was 15 and by time his father found out what he was up too he was on his way to France. That was all my mum knew until, as a youngster, she walked into the normally locked bathroom to find my grandfather washing. From that brief encounter, and my grandfather's acute embarrassment (covered up by lots of shouting), saw the wounds that he had suffered. Almost one side of his body was held together by a metal plate. While at Ypres serving with the The City of London Rifles he was badly injured. How he received his injuries, I don't know. His friends moved him under a bush and said they'd come back for him later, which they did. What happened after that is not known.

    I do have one of three medals he received, The Allied Victory Medal. He received the usual, The British War Medal, Silver War Badge, Allied Victory Medal. The other two he either sold or binned, the one my mum retrieved from a dustbin after he had thrown in there with the words 'the war hasn't done anything for me'. As a child I remember him being around then disappearing never seeing him again, the rest of the story is not for here but suffice to say that he was probably still suffering 50 years on. We'll never know.

    Paul Gunnell




    218700

    Pte. Arthur Flower 2nd Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.5th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Flower served with the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 5th September 1917, aged 30. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Mrs. Julia Flower, of 3, Alma Cottages, Widcombe, Bath.

    s flynn




    218699

    Sgt. James Bury DCM MM MID. 1/6th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (d.13th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    James Bury served with the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment and was killed in action on the 13th April 1918, aged 32. Commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Bury, of 8, Victoria Rd., Barnoldswick, Yorks.

    S Flynn




    218698

    Pte. Henry Holden 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.13th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Holden served with the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards during WW1 and was killed in action on the 13th April 1918, aged 25. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Holden of 63, Clarence Street, Newton Common.

    S Flynn




    218697

    Pte. James Statham 15th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.26th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    James Statham served with the 15th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 28th June 1918, aged 40. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium . He was born in 1878 in Fazeley, near Tamworth, Staffordshire.

    S Flynn




    218696

    Rfmn. Philip Claude Harris 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.23rd Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Philip Harris served with the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade during WW1 and was killed in action on the 23rd October 1914, aged 20. Philip died after being shot in the head by a sniper at Chapelle d' Armentieres. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    218695

    Pte. Christopher John Caudwell 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Christopher Caudwell served with the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 25th September 1915, aged 20. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Alfred and Sarah Ann Caudwell, of Wellow, Newark, Notts.

    S Flynn




    218694

    Sgt. Oscar Reginald Hazell MM. 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.19th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Oscar Hazell served with the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 19th April 1918, aged 22. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. We believe he died during the Lys Offensive, holding the right flank between Gris Pot and Bois Grenier. The line was just behind Hollebeque Farm.

    S Flynn




    218693

    Pte. Robert Chapman 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Robert Chapman was killed in action 20/10/1914, aged 31. Commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the husband of Florence Chapman of 23 Summer Lane, Barnsley, he also left two daughters Lorna Chapman aged 2 years and Vera Chapman who was just 12 months.

    s flynn




    218692

    Cpt. James Patrick Rafter MC & Bar. 12th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My Great-Uncle, James Rafter, was a doctor who served in France during WW1 after the cessation of hostilities he was the ship's doctor on the Mauretania but fell ill en route to New York, he died in New York on 5th October 1919. I have a copy of a letter he wrote to his sister whilst on the front line.

    Mike Rafter




    218691

    Pte. John Sanders 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.19th Dec 1914)

    <p>

    John Sanders served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 19th December 1914, aged 43. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the husband of Nellie Hughes (formerly Sanders), of 2 Back 65 Great Russell St. Birmingham.

    S Flynn




    218690

    Spr. Richard Thomas 183rd Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.1st Dece1915)

    <p>

    Richard Thomas was killed in action 01/12/1915. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium.

    s flynn




    218689

    Pte. Charles Henry Gwilliam 1st Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.2nd Jan 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Gwilliam was killed in action 02/01/1915, aged 21. Commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Samuel & Emily Gwilliam, of Bishopstone, Bridge Sollars. Hereford, Herefordshire.

    s flynn




    218687

    Pte. Jesse Reuben Mitchell 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>

    Jesse Mitchell served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 9th May 1915, aged 24. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Reuben and Mary Mitchell, of 1 London Rd., Wokingham.

    S Flynn




    218686

    Pte. George Smallshaw 2/10th Btn. (Liverpool Scottish) Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.24th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    George Smallshaw served with the 2/10th Battalion (Liverpool Scottish), Kings Liverpool Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 24th August 1917, aged 26. Commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium . He was the father of George and Dorothy Leah and one of four brothers.

    S Flynn




    218684

    Pte. Edward Anderson 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Bn. Northumberland Fusiilers (d.28th December 1916 )

    Edward Anderson was my grandfather and was killed on 28th December 1916 while mending trenches in Armentieres. He was wounded on the first day of the Somme - shot in the head he did not survive. Edward originally tried to enlist in the Artillery but his doctor said he was unfit to enlist he went and enlisted in the Tynesideside Scottish. Edward was the father of three children when he enlisted and a miner. What drove him to enlist no one knows but he gave his life like many others.

    He may not have won any medals but he is a hero to me and I have I visited his grave at Ration Farm, La Chapelle-d'Armentieres on several occasions.

    Carole Bunton




    218683

    Cpl. Frederick Luce Pretty 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade

    In 1914 Fred Pretty signed up to the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (light infantry) before the war started. He signed up to the army because he couldn’t get work; he was only 16. You had to be 17½ to join up, so he told them he was old enough and in those days they didn’t ask for proof.

    Born to a poor family in Vauxhall, London, he had 4 brothers and 6 sisters. He was the third eldest. His mother had 13 children but 3 died young. His father was a scaffolder. His father and two elder brothers also went to war - and came home alive, but one brother suffered from terrible shell shock and died a year after he returned.

    Fred’s battalion was one of the first regiments to go to France when war was declared and he fought in France right through until six months before the end of the war. He fought in all the major battles in France including the Somme and Ypres. He got bayonetted in the wrist in a bayonet charge; he killed the German who charged him. He also got a couple of shrapnel wounds in his leg. He was gassed during a German raid and spent time in hospital. He only returned home on leave once during the whole war but instead of resting he was put to work by the army loading and unloading.

    Six months before the end of the war he went out with a raiding party to capture German soldiers (to interrogate them). They were expecting only a few enemy soldiers in the trenches but instead they found the trenches full of Germans getting ready for ‘the Last Push’. Many of the British soldiers were killed as they couldn’t surrender quickly enough. He was captured as a prisoner of war. He should have been sent to a prisoner of war camp however the Germans were losing the war at this point and were short of manpower so, despite this being illegal, they used their prisoners in the field to help move ammunition and guns. They had to sleep in the muddy fields and were given just a slice of bread and jam to eat. But this was just the same food that the German soldiers had to eat as supplies were so low. Everyone got the same meagre food, sometimes when one of the British prisoners had been pronounced a hopeless case by a doctor Fred would steal their food to give to another prisoner to help them survive. He could have been shot for doing this if he had been caught.

    On one occasion whilst working for the Germans as a prisoner he saw another group of British prisoners so he worked his way along to them inconspicuously. He sat talking to one of the men and then realised he recognised him, they had been at school together as young boys. In a quirk of fate, this man later married Fred’s sister and they became brothers-in law.

    Fewer than half of Fred’s comrades survived, succumbing to German gunfire, British shelling and pneumonia. Living in such atrocious conditions Fred caught pneumonia. He was treated by the German doctors on the battle field and they cured him. He said he had great admiration of these doctors as they treated the prisoners as well as their own soldiers.

    He was then sent to a P.O.W. camp in Pozen, which is now in Poland, although then it was still Germany. This was a new camp filled with prisoners from the battle fields; injured, ill, dying, all British. Fred was one of the lucky ones who recovered and once well he assisted the doctors in treating the patients by changing dressings. They were still there three months after the war had ended. They had heard rumours of the war ending before so they couldn’t trust them. The camp was very isolated – no one knew they were there.

    Eventually Fred, with an officer in charge and another prisoner was sent to Berlin to be told that there was no record of this P.O.W. camp which was why they hadn’t been liberated! They didn’t send their own German soldiers as they were so undermanned. Doctors and Red Cross nurses were sent to rescue the prisoners, it would have taken days to reach them, probably using horse and cart. The men were malnourished and very thin and were given lemon barley water to build them up – Fred recalls how it simply bloated the skin up; you could push a finger into the flesh and the dent would just stay there!

    Back home his parents had been told that he was Missing In Action and they thought he was dead. The first they knew of his survival was when he arrived home and knocked on the door. One of his sisters answered and cried out, “It’s Fred! It’s Fred!” and his mother came running with a baby in her arms (which would have been his youngest sister). He was only 20 when he returned. Everyone was crying and shouting; one of the children was sent to the pub to get his father and tell him this great news that his son had returned from the war alive. His son (Isabella’s Grandfather), also called Frederick Pretty, now aged 84 told us about his father, of whom he is very proud. He said his father, although he was only a small man, was tough but fair and was always ready to help others.

    Back from the war he was unemployed, again. Eventually he got a job as a driver, as he was one of the few people who knew how to drive. He worked for Fiat driving and delivering Fiat truck chassis. Later he worked for Meux’s Brewery as a driver where he stayed until WWII. He never spoke about his war experiences; saying that those who did never experienced what it was really like. He said he would rather forget.

    Louise Green




    218682

    Pte. William Henry Hall 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    William Hall served with the 1/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 10th April 1918, aged 19. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Herbert and Florence Hall, of 137, Skinnerthorpe Rd., Pitsmoor, Sheffield.

    S Flynn




    218681

    Cpl. Donald Mclean 2nd Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlander Regiment (d.21st Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Donald McLean served with the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders during WW1 and was killed in action on the 21st October 1914, aged 34. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of John and Jane McLean, of Kelvinhaugh St., Glasgow; Husband of Nellie McLean, of 31, Sleigh Drive, Lochend, Edinburgh.

    The Buteman & West Coast Chronicle reported: Corporal Donald McLean [8380] 2nd Btn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, of Rothesay, Isle of Bute officially notified as missing. Shortly after entering the fighting line in France he was promoted from Lance-Corporal to Corporal for an act of bravery in going to the assistance of Lieut. Stirling in the retirement from Le Cateau, and thereby saving the officer’s life. McLean performed the gallant act at considerable risk to himself. It is hoped that McLean, who has been 12 years in the army and took part in the South African war, is still unharmed and may have become separated for a time from his regiment. He was killed on the 21/10/1914, the day after his 34th birthday. He left his pregnant wife and 3 children.

    S Flynn




    218680

    L/Cpl. James Gilmore 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.21st Oct 1914)

    <p>

    James Gilmore served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 21st October 1914, aged 20. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Gilmore, of 66, Stanhope St., Belfast

    S Flynn




    218679

    Pte. Joseph Edgar Devine 4th Btn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.19th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Devine served with the 4th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 19th April 1918, aged 40. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial for the Missing in Belgium. he was the son of the late Joseph and Jenny Devine, husband of Mary Elizabeth Devine, of 27, Ashwood Avenue, Gorton, Manchester.

    S Flynn




    218678

    Capt. Thomas Rufus MC MID. 11th Btn.A Coy. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.14th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Rufus served with A Company, 11th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 14th April 1918, aged 28. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial for the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Frederick and Eliza Rufus, of The Willows, Goostrey, Cheshire

    S Flynn




    218676

    Pte. Patrick Finn 1st Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.4th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Patrick Finn served with the 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 4th April 1915. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial for the Missing in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    218675

    Pte. William Augustus Hursey 2nd Btn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (d.18th Jan 1915)

    <p>

    William Hursey served with the 2nd Battalion, Queens West Surrey Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 18th January 1915, aged 17. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial for the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Ellen Sophia Hursey, of Northville, Court Rd., Caterham, Surrey, and the late James Edward Hursey

    S Flynn




    218672

    Pte. Peter Kennedy 2nd Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. (d.21st Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Peter Kennedy served with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 2nd Battalion, and was killed in actionon 21st October 1914. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium.

    s flynn




    218670

    Capt. Thomas Tannatt Pryce VC MC. 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.13th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Captain Thomas Pryce served with the 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards during WW1 and was killed in action on the 13th April, aged 32. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Thomas and Rosalie S. Pryce, of Pentreheylin Hall Mont; husband of Margaret Sybil Pryce, of Craufurd Lodge, Maidenhead, Berks.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 21st May, 1918, records the following-

    For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty, and self-sacrifice when in command of a flank on the left of the Grenadier Guards. Having been ordered to attack a village he personally led forward two platoons, working from house to house, killing some thirty of the enemy, seven of whom he killed himself. The next day he was occupying a position with some thirty to forty men, the remainder of his company having become casualties. As early as 8.15 a.m., his left flank was surrounded and the enemy was enfilading him. He was attacked no less than four times during the day, and each time beat off the hostile attack, killing many of the enemy. Meanwhile the enemy brought three field guns to within 300 yards of his line, and were firing over open sights and knocking his trench in. At 6.15 p.m., the enemy had worked to within sixty yards of his trench. He then called on his men, telling them to cheer and charge the enemy and fight to the last. Led by Captain Pryce, they left their trench and drove back the enemy with the bayonet some 100 yards. Half an hour later the enemy had again approached in stronger force. By this time Captain Pryce had only 17 men left, and every round of his ammunition had been fired. Determined that there should be no surrender, he once again led his men forward in a bayonet charge, and was last seen engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand struggle with overwhelming numbers of the enemy. With some forty men he had held back at least one enemy battalion for over ten hours. His company undoubtedly stopped the advance through the British line, and thus had great influence on the battle.

    S Flynn




    218669

    Pte. James Mackenzie VC. 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.19th Dec 1914)

    <p>

    James Mackenzie served with the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards during WW1 and was killed in action on the 19th December 1914, aged 27. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the missing in Belgium. He was the son of Mrs. Marion Mackenzie, of 22, Terregles St., Maxwelltown, Dumfries.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 16th Feb., 1915, records the following:-

    For conspicuous bravery at Rouges Bancs on the 19th Dec., in rescuing a severely wounded man from in front of the German trenches, under a very heavy fire and after a stretcher-bearer party had been compelled to abandon the attempt. Private Mackenzie was subsequently killed on that day whilst in the performance of a similar act of gallant conduct.

    S Flynn




    218668

    Spr. William Hackett VC. 254th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.27th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    William Hackett served with the 254th Tunneling Company, Royal Engineers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 27th June 1916, aged 43. He is commemorated on the The Ploegsteert Memorial to the missing in Belgium. He was the son of the late John and Harriet Hackett, of Nottingham; husband of Alice Flinders (formerly Hackett), of 53, Cross Gate, Mexborough, Rotherham.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 4th Aug., 1916, records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery when entombed with four others in a gallery owing to the explosion of an enemy mine. After working for 20 hours, a hole was made through fallen earth and broken timber, and the outside party was met. Sapper Hackett helped three of the men through the hole and could easily have followed, but refused to leave the fourth, who had been seriously injured, saying, I am a tunneler, I must look after the others first. Meantime, the hole was getting smaller, yet he still refused to leave his injured comrade. Finally, the gallery collapsed, and though the rescue party worked desperately for four days the attempt to reach the two men failed. Sapper Hackett well knowing the nature of sliding earth, the chances against him, deliberately gave his life for his comrade.

    S Flynn




    218667

    Pte. Downie McLellan 4th Australian Pioneers Australian Infantry (d.12th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Downie McLellan served with the 4th Pioneers, Australian Imperial Force during WW1. He was killed by artillery fire whilst working on rebuilding the Zonnebeke-Frezenburg road when the infantry of the 3rd and 4th Divisions attacked nearby Passchendaele Ridge on the 12th October 1917, age 37. He is buried in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium. He was the son of Downie and J. S. McLellan, of Princess St., Bundaberg, Queensland.

    S Flynn




    218666

    Pte. Downie McLellan 4th Australian Pioneers (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Downie McLellan served with the 4th Australian Pioneers. He was killed by artillery fire whilst working on rebuilding the Zonnebeke-Frezenburg road when the infantry of the 3rd and 4th Divisions attacked nearby Passchendaele Ridge on 12th October 1917. He is buried in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium.

    s flynn




    218665

    Pte. James Booth 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    James Booth served with the 8th Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) during WW1. He was killed in action 26th September 1917 and is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium.

    There is a memorial to him in the Burnley Town Cemetery. The memorial stands on top of the family grave within Burnley Town Cemetery, the soldier is in full pack and standing in a relaxed pose with one foot slightly in front of the other, his rifle is in his right hand, the rifle has snapped in half over the passing years. The memorial is white in colour and very life like, although it is not known if it is actually based on James Booth himself.

    The headstone has the names of his parents and the words - Also Private James Booth, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, Killed in action in France 26/09/1917. Ever remembered. Although the inscription states that he was killed in France, James Booth is buried near Ypres in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    218664

    Archibald Mark Payne 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Archibald Payne served with the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 1st July 1916, aged 22. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was the son of William and Betsy Payne, of 76, Anglesea Rd., Shirley, Southampton.

    Eric Payne




    218663

    Mjt. William Henry Johnston VC MID. Royal Engineers (d.8th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    William Johnston served with the Royal Engineers as Brigade Major in 15th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division during WW1 and died on the 8th June 1915, Age: 34. He is buried in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium . He was the son of Mary Johnston, of 36, Cathcart Rd., South Kensington, London, and the late Maj. William Johnston.

    An extract from the Supplement to The London Gazette, No. 28985, of 25th Nov., 1914, records the following:-

    At Missy, on 14th Sept., under a heavy fire all day until 7 p.m., worked with his own hand two rafts bringing back wounded and returning with ammunition; thus enabling the advanced Brigade to maintain its position across the river.

    S Flynn




    218662

    Lt. Frederick Birks VC MM. 6th Btn. Australian Infantry (d.21st Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Lieutenant Frederick Birks served with the 6th Australian Infantry AIF during WW1 and died on the 21st September 1917, Age: 23. He is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Belgium He was the son of Samuel and Mary Birks. Born at Buckley, Flintshire, Wales.

    An extract from the Third Supplement to The London Gazette, No. 30372, of 8th November, 1917, records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery in attack, when, accompanied by only a corporal, he rushed a strong point which was holding up the advance. The corporal was wounded by a bomb, but 2nd Lt. Birks went on by himself, killed the remainder of the enemy occupying the position, and captured a machine gun. Shortly afterwards he organised a small party and attacked another strong point which was occupied by about twenty-five of the enemy, of whom many were killed and an officer and fifteen men captured. During the consolidation this officer did magnificent work in reorganising parties of other units which had been disorganised during the operations. By his wonderful coolness and personal bravery 2nd Lt. Birks kept his men in splendid spirits throughout. He was killed at his post by a shell whilst endeavouring to extricate some of his men who had been buried by a shell.

    S Flynn




    218660

    Pte. Malcolm Gibson 18th Btn.(4th Glasgow) Highland Light Infantry (d.18th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Private Malcolm Gibson No 5287, 18th Battalion Highland Light Infantry [4th Glasgow] was my great grandfather, born 18th July 1887 in Camlachie Glasgow, Lanarkshire. His parents were David Gibson and Janet Gibson Nee Allan, Malcolm was the middle child of Six children. His siblings are:
    • David Darling Gibson born 1873
    • Janet Gibson born 1886
    • William Allan Gibson born 1890
    • Georgina Gibson born 1898
    • Christian Gibson born 1901

    Before Malcolm went to war, Malcolm married Jessie Fyfe on 29th October 1909, at Greenhead Court Hall Glasgow. When Malcolm first married he was working for the council lighting department as a street lamp lighter in the days of gas lighting. Then he did various labouring jobs until about 1913 when he was then working as an Engineer’s machinist.

    Malcolm and his wife Jessie had at least 4 children

    • Marion Gibson Born 1910
    • Mary Gibson Born 1912
    • Jane H Gibson Born 1913
    • David Gibson Born 1914 –

    {David was my grandfather who later joined the Highland Light Infantry as a cook and survived the D Day landings in WW2}

    The last address that Malcolm and Jessie lived in before the war was 24 Kirkpatrick Street, Camlachie, Glasgow.

    Malcolm went off to war and never returned because he died in action in on the 18 July 1916, this saddened me because the day he was killed was his 29th birthday. Malcolm Gibson is remembered with honour at the Thiepval Memorial, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France. I think this means his body was not located to be buried in a grave. The medals he had earned included the Victory and British medals. Roll D104 B4 249

    When my grandfather was 4 years old the family moved to Liverpool. We grew up hearing stories of my great grandfather dying a hero in WW1 we had been told his name was on a memorial in St Cyprian’s church, Edge Lane, Liverpool. Now its derelict. We asked about what happened to the memorial stones in October 2013 and my dad’s cousin Jimmy Powell asked a minister who used to be vicar at St Cyprian’s he remembered it and tracked it down to Liverpool cathedral vaults my cousin took a photo of the relevant stone to my great grandfather Malcolm Gibson.

    It appears family nominated their relatives and the church had these names put on their memorial stones. I cannot be certain this is the case but my family adopted the stone with M Gibson on it. This kept his memory alive and I started my family tree with Malcolm Gibson. There are 5 memorial stones. A new home is now being sought for these memorial stones.

    I am proud to share my great grandfather’s story, another brave man who died for his country and our freedom. He was never forgot him but much his history was lost now I have found him again I want to share him to be remembered for all time, with gratitude and love from his family.

    Unfortunately we don't have a photo of Malcolm or the 18th Battalion of Highland Light Infantry [4th Glasgow ] I did have one of his father so I wonder did they look alike. If anyone has photo's of his colleagues please share them we would all get joy from them.

    Marie Rowan




    218656

    Sgt. Albert Charles George Haseldean 21st (1st Surrey Rifles) Btn London Regiment (d.16th Jul 1917)

    Albert Haseldeane was my great uncle. He served with the 1st Surrey Rifles, 21st Btn London Regiment. I am just trying to find out what the 1st Surrey Rifles were doing and where when my great uncle was killed on 16th July 1917. It is very difficult and I think these very brave men should have a history

    Mark O'Callaghan




    218655

    Pte. Bertie Boosey 2nd Btn. Essex Reigiment (d.15th Apr 1915)

    I am researching the circumstances of the death of my great Uncle Bertie Boosey on 15th April 1915. He served with the Essex Reigiment 2nd Battalion. We have visited his grave at Calvaire (Essex) Cemetery close to Ploegsteert in the Ypres Salient. Bertie was at least spared the first recorded Chlorine gas attack that started what became known as the 2nd battle of Ypres on 22nd April.

    John Watkins




    218654

    Pte. Alfred James Potts 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    <p>

    James Potts was born in 1882 and died 1958. His full name was Alfred James Potts. He joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 3rd November 1914. He was 32 years old but the records state that he was 30. He spent time in the 3rd battalion on several occasions and went back and forth to France several times during the war. He spent time in the 8th battalion and the 10th Battalion during the war. He joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers (Dubsters) in honour of his mother who was Irish. He was wounded in France early in the war and spent time in Eastbourne recuperating before being sent back to France.

    Stephen Potts




    218653

    Pte. Arthur John Randall 4th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>Arthur John Randall (right) with his Brother

    Arthur Randall served with the 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment during WW1. He died on the 8th May 1915 and is buried in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Turkey (Gallipoli). He was the brother of Abigail Randall, of 4, Spencer Avenue, Bowes Park, Wood Green, London.





    218652

    Dvr. Henry Clement Randall Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Henry Randall was a leading driver with the Royal Field Artillery during WW1.

    Jeanette Eades




    218651

    Sgt. Cyril Edgar Eades 11th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Cyril Eades served with the 11th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment during WW1.





    218650

    Capt. Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson VC. 2nd Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Captain Thomas Colyer-Fergusson served with the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment during WW1. He was killed in action on the 31st July 1917 aged 21 and is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Thomas Colyer Colyer-Fergusson and the late Beatrice Stanley Colyer-Fergusson, of Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, Kent. Born in London. His brother Max Christian Hamilton Colyer-Fergusson fell in the 1939-1945 War

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30272, dated 4th Sept., 1917; records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and determination in attack. The tactical situation having developed contrary to expectation, it was not possible for his company to adhere to the original plan of deployments, and owing to the difficulties of the ground and to enemy wire, Captain Colyer Fergusson found himself with a Serjeant and five men only. He carried out the attack nevertheless, and succeeded in capturing the enemy trench and disposing of the garrison. His party was then threatened by a heavy counter-attack from the left front, but this attack he successfully resisted. During this operation, assisted by his Orderly only, he attacked and captured an enemy machine gun and turned it on the assailants, many of whom were killed and a large number driven into the hands of an adjoining British unit. Later, assisted only by his Serjeant, he again attacked and captured a second enemy machine gun, by which time he had been joined by other portions of his company, and was enabled to consolidate his position. The conduct of this officer throughout forms an amazing record of dash, gallantry and skill, for which no reward can be too great, having regard to the importance of the position won. This gallant officer was shortly afterwards killed by a sniper.

    S Flynn




    218649

    2nd Lt. Sidney Clayton Woodroffe VC. 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.30th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Second Lieutenant Sidney Woodroffe served with the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade during WW1. He died on the 30th July 1915, Age: 19 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. Educated at Marlborough, he was the son of Henry L. and Clara Woodroffe, of Thorpewood, Branksome Av., Bournemouth. His brothers Kenneth and Leslie also fell.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29286, dated 3rd Sept., 1915, records the following :-

    For most conspicuous bravery on 30th July, 1915, at Hooge. The enemy having broken through the centre of our front trenches, consequent on the use of burning liquids, this Officers position was heavily attacked with bombs from the flank and subsequently from the rear, but he managed to defend his post until all his bombs were exhausted, and then skilfully withdrew his remaining men. This very gallant Officer immediately led his party forward in a counter-attack under an intense rifle and machine gun fire and was killed whilst in the act of cutting the wire obstacles in the open.

    S Flynn




    218648

    Pte. Edward Warner VC. 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.2nd May 1915)

    <p>

    Edward Warner served with the 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment during WW1. He died on the 2nd May 1915, Age: 32 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. He was the son of the late Mark and Charlotte M. Warner

    An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29210, dated 29th June, 1915, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery near Hill 60 on 1st May, 1915. After Trench 46 had been vacated by our troops, consequent on a gas attack, Private Warner entered it single-handed in order to prevent the enemy taking possession. Reinforcements were sent to Private Warner, but could not reach him owing to the gas. He then came back and brought up more men, by which time he was completely exhausted, but the trench was held until the enemy's attack ceased. This very gallant soldier died shortly afterwards from the effects of gas poisoning.

    S Flynn




    218647

    Capt. John Franks Vallentin VC MID. 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.7th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Captain John Vallentin served with the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment during WW1. He died on the 7th November 1914, Age: 32 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. He was the son of Lucy Vallentin, of 116, Albert Place Mansions, Battersea Park, London, and the late Grimble Vallentin.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29073, dated 16th Feb., 1915, records the following:-

    For conspicuous bravery on 7th Nov., at Zillebeke. When leading the attack against the Germans under a very heavy fire he was struck down and on rising to continue the attack was immediately killed. The capture of the enemy's trenches which followed was in a great measure due to the confidence which the men had in their Captain, arising from his many previous acts of great bravery and ability.

    S Flynn




    218646

    Lt. Hugh McDonald McKenzie VC, DCM, CdeG. Canadian Machine Gun Corps (d.30th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Lieutenant Hugh McKenzie served with the Machine Gun Corps, Canadian Army during WW1. He died on the 30th October 1917, Age: 30 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre (France). Son of the late Mrs. Jane McDonald McKenzie, of 23, James St., Dundee, Scotland.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30523, dated 12th Feb., 1918, records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery and leading when in charge of a section of four machine guns accompanying the infantry in an attack. Seeing that all the officers and most of the non-commissioned officers of an infantry company had become casualties, and that the men were hesitating before a nest of enemy machine guns, which were on commanding ground and causing them severe casualties, he handed over command of his guns to an N.C.O., rallied the infantry, organised an attack, and captured the strong point. Finding that the position was swept by machine-gun fire from a ' pill-box ' which dominated all the ground over which the troops were advancing, Lt. McKenzie made a reconnaissance and detailed flanking and frontal attacking parties which captured the 'pill-box', he himself being killed while leading the frontal attack. By his valour and leadership this gallant officer ensured the capture of these strong points and so saved the lives of many men and enabled the objectives to be attained.

    S Flynn




    218645

    2nd Lt. Dennis George Wyldbore Hewitt VC. 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>

    2nd.Lt Denis Hewittserved with the 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 31st July 1917, Age: 19. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. He was the son of the late Hon. George Hewitt and the Hon. Mrs. G. Hewitt, of Field House, Hursley, Winchester.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30284, dated 14th Sept., 1917, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in command of a company in attack. When his first objective had been captured he reorganized the company and moved forward towards his objective. While waiting for the barrage to lift, he was hit by a piece of shell, which exploded the signal lights in his haversack and set fire to his equipment and clothes. Having extinguished the flames, in spite of his wound and the severe pain he was suffering, he led forward the remains of the company under very heavy machine gun fire, and captured and consolidated his objective. He was subsequently killed by a sniper while inspecting the consolidation and encouraging his men. This gallant officer set a magnificent example of coolness and contempt of danger to the whole battalion, and it was due to his splendid leading that the final objective of his battalion was gained.

    S Flynn




    218643

    CSM. Frederick William Hall VC. 8th Btn. (d.25th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Frederick Hall served with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces Infantry 8th Battalion. He died on 25th April 1915, Aged 28, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. He was the son of Mary Hall, of 43, Union Rd., Leytonstone, London, and the late Bmdr. F. Hall.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29202, dated 23rd June, 1915, records the following:- "On 24th April, 1915, in the neighbourhood of Ypres, when a wounded man who was lying some 15 yards from the trench called for help, Company Sgt.Major Hall endeavoured to reach him in the face of a very heavy enfilade fire which was being poured in by the enemy. The first attempt failed, and a non-commissioned officer and private soldier who were attempting to give assistance were both wounded. Company Segt.Major Hall then made a second most gallant attempt, and was in the act of lifting up the wounded man to bring him in when he fell mortally wounded in the head."

    s flynn




    218641

    Brig.Gen. Charles FitzClarence VC, MID. General Staff (d.12th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Brigadier General Charles FitzClarence served with the General Staff during WW1 and died on the 12th November 1914, Age: 49. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. He was the husband of Mrs. V. FitzClarence, of 12, Lowndes St., Belgrave Square, London.

    At the most critical moment of the Battles of Ypres, 1914 (on the 31st October), he directed the counter-attack of the 2nd Worcesters which recaptured Gheluvelt.

    An extract taken from The London Gazette, dated 6th July, 1900, records the following:-

    On the 14th October 1899 Captain Fitzclarence went, with his squadron of the Protectorate Regiment consisting of only partially trained men who had never been in action, to the assistance of an armoured train which had gone out from Mafeking. The enemy were in greatly superior numbers and the squadron was for a time surrounded, and it looked as if nothing could save them from being shot down. Captain Fitzclarence, however, by his personal coolness and courage inspired the greatest confidence in his men, and, by his bold and efficient handling of them, not only succeeded in relieving the armoured train, but inflicted a heavy defeat on the Boers, who lost 50 killed and a large number wounded. The moral effect of this blow had a very important bearing on subsequent encounters with the Boers. On the 27th October 1899, Captain Fitzclarence led his squadron from Mafeking across the open, and made a night attack with the bayonet on one of the enemy's trenches. A hand-to-hand fight took place in the trench, while heavy fire was concentrated on it from the rear. The enemy was driven out with heavy loss. Captain Fitzclarence was the first man into the position and accounted for four of the enemy with his sword. The British lost 6 killed and 9 wounded. Captain Fitzclarence was himself slightly wounded. With reference to these two actions, Major-General Baden-Powell states that had his Officer not shown an extraordinary spirit and fearlessness the attacks would have been failures, and we should have suffered heavy loss both in men and prestige. On the 26th December 1899, during the action at Game Tree, near Mafeking, Captain Fitzclarence again distinguished himself by his coolness and courage, and was again wounded (severely through both legs).

    S Flynn




    218640

    L/Cpl. Fred Fisher VC. 13th Btn. Canadian Infantry (d.24th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Fred Fisher served with the 13th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Canadian Expeditionary Forces during WW1 and died on the 24th April 1915, Age: 22. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. He was the son of Mr. W. H. Fisher, of 100, Fort St., Montreal.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29202, dated 22nd June, 1915, records the following:- On 23rd April, 1915, in the neighbourhood of St. Julien, he went forward with the machine gun, of which he was in charge, under heavy fire, and most gallantly assisted in covering the retreat of a battery, losing four men of his gun team. Later, after obtaining four more men, he went forward again to the firing line and was himself killed while bringing his machine gun into action under very heavy fire, in order to cover the advance of supports.

    S Flynn




    218639

    Lt/Col. Bertram Best-Dunkley VC. 2/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.5th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Bertram Best-Dunkley served with the 2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers during WW1. He died of wounds on the 5th August 1917, aged 27 and is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    An extract from the London Gazette No. 30272, dated 4th Sept., 1917, records the following:

    For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion, the leading waves of which, during an attack, became disorganised by reason of rifle and machine gun fire at close range from positions which were believed to be in our hands. Lt. Col. Best-Dunkley dashed forward, rallied his leading waves, and personally led them to the assault of these positions, which, despite heavy losses, were carried. He continued to lead his battalion until all their objectives had been gained. Had it not been for this officer's gallant and determined action it is doubtful if the left of the brigade would have reached its objectives. Later in the day, when our position was threatened, he collected his battalion headquarters, led them to the attack, and beat off the advancing enemy.

    S Flynn




    218638

    William Crane 6th Btn. The London Regiment (d.26th Sep 1916)

    William Crane served with the 6th Battalion(City of London Rifles), the London Regiment during WW1 and died age 23 on the 26th September 1916. He is buried in Walthamstow (Queens Road) Cemetery. He was the husband of Annie Elizabeth Crane, of 28, Cornelia St., Roman Rd., Barnsbury, London.

    Dawn Blacksell




    218637

    2nd Lt. Edward Roland Coar 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Coar enlisted as Private 265636 with the 7th Bn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment in September 1914, he went overseas the following year on 11 March 1915. He saw service at Festubert, Loos, the Somme, Gueudecourt, Guillemont and Arras. He became a Lewis Gunner and was made a Lance-Corporal and was made an instructor in the weapon before being recommended for a commission.

    He commenced his Officer training at Bristol College and was gazetted to the 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment where he was appointed Divisional Lewis Gun Officer and Transport Officer. Whilst working as Transport Officer in 1918, Edward was mortally wounded by an enemy shell. He was the only officer to die at the station that day along with two other ranks.

    Shortly after his death, Edward's mother, Kate, received a letter from The Rev. W. L. Archer, chaplain at the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station which was based at Remy, he told her;

    He was brought to us about 5-30pm, very severely wounded in the leg and arm, and in a very exhausted condition, so that at once it was seen that there was little hope. Everything possible was done to revive him, but there was little effect. I talked to him, and he was not in pain, but was in difficulty with his breathing and begged me to raise his shoulders. I promised to write to you and send you his love. He was, of course, frightfully weak, but I don't think he realised his real condition. Before I left him he was more comfortable and was dying. A few minutes later the end came very peacefully and quickly with no warning. I tried to see your son's batman, but could not, as he was in great distress, having been with him when he was wounded and, I believe, carried him out for some distance alone.

    Second-Lieutenant Coar was laid to rest at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium, a simple wooden cross marked his grave.

    S Flynn




    218636

    Mjr. Frederick Harold Tubb VC. 7th Btn. Australian Infantry (d.20th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Tubb served with the 7th Battalion Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force during WW1. He died of wounds on the 20th September 1917 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Harry and Emma E. Tubb, of St. Helena, Longwood East, Victoria, Australia.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29328 dated 15th October 1915, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Lone Pine trenches, in the Gallipoli Peninsula, on 9th August, 1915. In the early morning the enemy made a determined counter attack on the centre of the newly captured trench held by Lieutenant Tubb. They advanced up a sap and blew in a sandbag barricade, leaving only one foot of it standing, but Lieutenant Tubb led his men back, repulsed the enemy, and rebuilt the barricade. Supported by strong bombing parties, the enemy succeeded in twice again blowing in the barricade, but on each occasion Lieutenant Tubb, although wounded in the head and arm, held his ground with the greatest coolness and rebuilt it, and finally succeeded in maintaining his position under very heavy bomb fire.

    S Flynn




    218635

    Sgt. Robert George Rymer 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.6th July 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Rymer served with the 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards during WW1. He died on the 6th July 1916, aged 24 and is buried in La Brique Military Cemetery No. 2 in Belgium. He was the son of Joseph William and Rhoda Ann Rymer, of Fairfield, Stogursey, Bridgwater, Somerset.

    S Flynn




    218634

    Cpl. Alfred George Drake VC. 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.23rd Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred George Drake served with the 8th Battalion the Rifle Brigade during WW1. He was killed in action on the 23rd November 1915, aged 22 and is buried in La Brique Military Cemetery No. 2 in Belgium. He was the son of Robert and Mary Ann Drake, of 62, Copley St., Stepney, London.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29447, dated 21st Jan., 1916, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 23rd Nov., 1915, near La Brique, France. He was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitering towards the German lines. The patrol was discovered when close to the enemy who opened heavy fire with rifles and a machine gun, wounding the Officer and one man. The latter was carried back by the last remaining man. Corporal Drake remained with his Officer and was last seen kneeling beside him and bandaging his wounds regardless of the enemy's fire. Later a rescue party crawling near the German lines found the Officer and Corporal, the former unconscious but alive and bandaged, Corporal Drake beside him dead and riddled with bullets. He had given his own life and saved his Officer.

    The officer rescued by Corporal Drake was Lieutenant Henry Tryon also of the Rifle Brigade. After Tryon recovered from his wounds he returned to his former unit and was killed in action at Flers-Courcelette on 15 September 1916. His body was not identified after the war and he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    S Flynn




    218632

    Pte. Frank Monaghan 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Frank Monaghan served with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers during WW1. He was killed at La Chapelle Farm at Ypres (Hill 60) on the 22nd February 1915, aged 23 and is commemorated on La Chapelle Farm Special Memorial 13. Also Commemorated at Hooge Crater Cemetery West Vlaanderen, Ypres, Belgium on the Special Memorial 13 to those who died at La Chapelle Farm

    He was born on 30th April 1891 at 10 Dunn Street Jarrow Son of William Monaghan of 46 Lord Street Jarrow, and the late Catherine Monaghan (Casey). Frank was a regular soldier and had enlisted aged 21 in Jarrow June/July 1912. On 22nd February 1915 after four days of heavy fighting near Verbrandenmolen, Belgium. Frank was mortally wounded and died shortly after from his wounds.

    Out of nearly 50 men killed from the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers during the four days fighting, Frank was the only one who was buried at La Chapelle Farm. All of the rest were lost without trace and are commemorated on the Menin Gate He was buried at La Chapelle farm with a wooden cross as a marker. Buried alongside Frank were 12 other men, 10 from the 1st Lincolnshires, 2 from the 1st Dorsetshires and one from the 1st Bedfordshires. During the following years the little wooden crosses in the cemetery were pounded by shellfire and by the end of the war there was no trace of any graves, After the war the Commonwealth Graves Commission made a Special Memorial to those buried and lost at La Chapelle Farm at Hooge Crater Cemetery just a few kilometres.

    Frank had served in the Royal Navy prior to WW1 (hence the photograph of him in Naval uniform which was taken 1910-11 and which is the only surviving photograph of him). He was dishonourably discharged from the Royal Navy 5th August 1911 for striking a non commissioned officer. The photograph was taken between 10th March 1910 to 5th August 1911 when he served on HMS Monmouth a Battle Cruiser built in 1903. It was sunk by the Nurnberg at the Battle of Coronel in the Falklands on the 1st of November 1914 with the loss of all hands.

    S Flynn




    218631

    Pte. Sidney John Liddell 29th Btn. (d.26th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Sidney Liddell served with the 29th Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force during WW1 and died on the 26th September 1917, aged 29. He is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of William and Margaret Liddell; husband of Mary K. Liddell, of 168, Sydenham Rd., Marrickville, New South Wales.

    S Flynn




    218630

    Pte. James Daynes 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    James Daynes served with the 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 18th October 1917, aged 29. He is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery in Belgium.

    I was told by my Grandmother, Eva Whittaker, nee Daynes, that James was acting as a stretcher bearer at the time of his death, recovering the wounded from no mans land when he was shot by a German sniper. He died instantly of his wound.

    His family had a memorial silk bookmark made with the following dedication:

    • There on the field of battle
    • He bravely took his place.
    • He fought and died for England
    • And the honour of his race.
    • He sleeps not in his native land
    • But 'neath the foreign skies
    • Far from those who loved him best
    • In a hero's grave he lies.

    Deeply mourned by his mother, sister, and brothers.

    S Flynn




    218629

    2nd Lt. Herbert William Barnett 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.20th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    2nd Lieutenant Herbert William Barnett served with the 26th Battalion Royal Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 20th September 1917. He is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    218628

    Pte. John Ulrich Moss 1/7th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>

    John Moss served with the 1/7th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment during WW1 and was killed by shellfire on the 31st July 1917. He is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    218627

    Pte. Patrick Bugden VC. 31st Btn. (d.28th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Patrick Bugden served with the 31st Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force during WW1. He was killed in action on the 28th September 1918 and buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Thomas and Annie Bugden, of Hotel Wells, Tweed Heads, New South Wales. he was born at Gundurimba, New South Wales.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30400, dated 26th Nov., 1917, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when on two occasions our advance was temporarily held up by strongly defended "pill-boxes". Pte. Bugden, in the face of devastating fire from machine guns, gallantly led small parties to attack these strong points and, successfully silencing the machine guns with bombs, captured the garrison at the point of the bayonet. On another occasion, when a Corporal, who had become detached from his company, had been captured and was being taken to the rear by the enemy, Pte. Bugden, single-handed, rushed to the rescue of his comrade, shot one enemy and bayoneted the remaining two, thus releasing the Corporal. On five occasions he rescued wounded men under intense shell and machine gun fire, showing an utter contempt and disregard for danger. Always foremost in volunteering for any dangerous mission, it was during the execution of one of these missions that this gallant soldier was killed.

    S Flynn




    218626

    Pte. John Lynn VC DCM. 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.2nd May 1915)

    <p>

    John Lynn served with the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers during WW1 and died from the effects of gas poisoning on the 2nd May 1915, aged 27. He is commemorated on the Vlamertinghe Churchyard Memorial within the Grootebeek British Cemetery in Belgium. Awarded the Cross of the Order of St. George, 4th Class (Russia). He was the foster son of Mrs. E. Harrison, of 20, Hindsley Place, Forest Hill, London

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 29th June, 1915, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery near Ypres on 2nd May 1915. When the Germans were advancing behind their wave of asphyxiating gas, Pte. Lynn, although almost overcome by the deadly fumes, handled his machine gun with very great effect against the enemy, and when he could not see them he moved his gun higher up on the parapet, which enabled him to bring even more effective fire to bear, eventually checking any further advance. The great courage displayed by this soldier had a fine effect on his comrades in the very trying circumstances. He died from the effects of gas poisoning.

    S Flynn




    218625

    Rfmn. A. J. Rothwell 10th Btn. D Coy. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.12th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Rifleman A J Rothwell served with D Company, 10th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps during WW1 and died on the 12th April 1916, aged 23. He is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of James and Alice Mary Rothwell, of 57, Greenway St., Small Heath, Birmingham.

    S Flynn




    218621

    Pte. Thomas Barratt VC. 7th Bn South Staffordshire Regiment (d.27th July 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Barratt was killed in action 27/07/1917 and is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of James and Sarah Ann Barratt.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30272, dated 4th Sept., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery when as Scout to a patrol he worked his way towards the enemy line with the greatest gallantry and determination, in spite of continuous fire from hostile snipers at close range. These snipers he stalked and killed. Later his patrol was similarly held up, and again he disposed of the snipers. When during the subsequent withdrawal of the patrol it was observed that a party of the enemy were endeavouring to outflank them, Pte. Barratt at once volunteered to cover the retirement, and this he succeeded in accomplishing. His accurate shooting caused many casualties to the enemy, and prevented their advance. Throughout the enterprise he was under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and his splendid example of coolness and daring was beyond all praise. After safely regaining our lines, this very gallant soldier was killed by a shell."

    s flynn




    218620

    Lt.Cmdr. George Nicholson Bradford VC. HMS Iris II (d.23rd April 1918)

    <p>

    Groeg Bradford was killed in action 23/04/1918, Ages 31. He is buried in Blankenberge Town cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bradford, of Milbanke, Darlington. His brothers, James Barker Bradford and Roland Boys Bradford also died on active service.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31236, dated 14th March, 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge on the night of the 22nd-23rd April, 1918. This Officer was in command of the Naval Storming Parties embarked in Iris II. When Iris II proceeded alongside the Mole great difficulty was experienced in placing the parapet anchors owing to the motion of the ship. An attempt was made to land by the scaling ladders before the ship was secured. Lieutenant Claude E. K. Hawkings (late Erin) managed to, get one ladder in position and actually reached the parapet, the ladder being crushed to pieces just as he stepped off it. This very gallant young officer was last seen defending himself with his revolver. He was killed on the parapet. Though securing the ship was not part of his duties, Lieut.-Commander Bradford climbed up the derrick, which carried a large parapet anchor and was rigged out over the port side; during this climb the ship was surging up and down and the derrick crashing on the Mole. Waiting his opportunity he jumped with the parapet anchor on to the Mole and placed it in position. Immediately after hooking on the parapet anchor Lieut.-Commander Bradford was riddled with bullets from machine guns and fell into the sea between the Mole and the ship. Attempts to recover his body failed. Lieut.-Commander Bradford''s action was one of absolute self-sacrifice; without a moment's hesitation he went to certain death, recognising that in such action lay the only possible chance of securing Iris II and enabling her storming parties to land."

    s flynn




    218619

    Capt. Harold Ackroyd VC, MC. Att. 6th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps (d.11th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Ackroyd served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was attached to the 6th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment during WW1. He was killed in action on the 11th August 1917 and is commemorated on a special memorial (No.7) in Birr Cross Roads Cemetery. He is also buried here.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 4th September 1917, reads as follows:- For most conspicuous bravery. During recent operations Capt. Ackroyd displayed the greatest gallantry and devotion to duty. Utterly regardless of danger, he worked continuously for many hours up and down and in front of the line tending the wounded and saving the lives of officers and men. In so doing he had to move across the open under heavy machine-gun, rifle and shell fire. He carried a wounded officer to a place of safety under very heavy fire. On another occasion he went some way in front of our advanced line and brought in a wounded man under continuous sniping and machine-gun fire. His heroism was the means of saving many lives, and provided a magnificent example of courage, cheerfulness, and determination to the fighting men in whose midst he was carrying out his splendid work. This gallant officer has since been killed in action.

    S Flynn




    218618

    2nd Lt. Rupert Price Hallowes VC MID. 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.30th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Rupert Hallowes was the son of William and Mary Turner, of 62, First St., Bensham, Gateshead.He served with the Middlesex Regiment4th Battalion and was killed in action on 30th September1915, aged 34. He is buried in Bedford House Cemetery in Belgium.

    An extract from the "London Gazette", No. 29371, dated 16th Nov., 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the fighting at Hooge between 25th September and 1st October, 1915. Second Lieutenant Hallowes displayed throughout these days the greatest bravery and untiring energy, and set a magnificent example to his men during four heavy and prolonged bombardments. On more than one occasion he climbed up on the parapet, utterly regardless of danger, in order to put fresh heart into his men. He made daring reconnaissance's of the German positions in our lines. When the supply of bombs was running short he went back under very heavy shell fire and brought up a fresh supply. Even after he was mortally wounded he continued to cheer those around him and to inspire them with fresh courage."

    s flynn




    218617

    Capt. John Fitzhardinge Paul Butler VC DSO. 2nd Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.5th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    John Butler served with the 2nd Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He was attached to the Gold Coast Regiment, W.A.F.F. during WW1 and was killed in action on the 5th September 1916, Age: 27. He is buried in the Morogoro Cemetery in Tanzania. He was the son of Lt. Col. Francis John Paul Butler and the Hon. Elspeth Butler; Husband of Alice Amelia Butler, of Apsley House, Portfield, Chichester.

    An extract from The London Gazette dated 23rd Aug., 1915, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery in the Cameroons, West Africa. On 17th November, 1914, with a party of 13 men, he went into the thick bush and at once attacked the enemy, in strength about 100, including several Europeans, defeated them, and captured their machine gun and many loads of ammunition. On 27th December, 1914, when on patrol duty, with a few men, he swam the Ekam River, which was held by the enemy, alone and in the face of a brisk fire, completed his reconnaissance on the further bank, and returned in safety. Two of his men were wounded while he was actually in the water.

    S Flynn




    218616

    Sgt. William Ernest Evans DCM 1st Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.16th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    William Evans served with the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards during WW1 and was killed in action on the 16th October 1917. He is buried in the Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery in Tanzania. He was the son of John Walter and Edith Evans, of 67, New Hall St., Burnley, England.

    S Flynn




    218614

    Pte. Arthur Walkey Barrow 7th Btn. London Regiment

    Arthur Walkey Barrow was my Grandfather who served with the 1st Battalion, West Kent Regiment. All The only information we have about him is one piece from the Surrey Recruitment Registers, Attestation date 10th October 1917. Aged 18 years 2 months standing 5 ft one & half inches tall. All we know is he was injured and captured by the Germans, sent to a Hospital ( Field ? ) patched up and spent the rest of the War as a POW (anecdotal from his wife ). He passed away in 1974 while visiting his local tobacconist's shop.

    We would like to know more, I cannot find any pictures, Medal card or "Burnt records " .

    Graham Smith




    218613

    Patrick O'Hara

    My grand dad Patrick O'Hara never talked about his service. He died in the 1960's. Because I do not know his unit or his service number, I do know his date of birth. I cannot trace him and I was looking for advice. The nearest I can find is a Patrick O'Hara, service number 720436. He was awarded the MM. However it seems he had an address in Bolton. I have no knowledge of my grandfather having lived there.

    Ian McNeish




    218612

    Pte. Harry Sidney Augustus Anstss 11th Battalion oyal Kent Regiment (d.15th Sept 1916)

    Pte. Harry Anstss served with the Royal West Kent Regiment 11th Battalion Lewisham, after volunteering in 1915. Soon after going to the front he was killed in action on 15th September 1915. His body was never found.

    Gillian Sheehy




    218609

    Cmdr. Loftus William Jones VC. HMS Shark (d.31st May 1916)

    Loftus Jones was the son of Admiral Loftus Francis Jones and Gertrude Jones (nee Gray), of 30, Sussex Rd., Petersfield, Hants. He died on 31st May1916 Aged 36 and is buried in Kviberg Cemetery in Sweden.

    An extract from "The London Gazette" dated 6th March 1917, records the following:- "On the afternoon of the 31st May, 1916, during the action, Commander Jones in H.M.S. "Shark", Torpedo Boat Destroyer, led a division of Destroyers to attack the enemy Battle Cruiser Squadron. In the course of this attack a shell hit the "Shark's" bridge, putting the steering gear out of order, and very shortly afterwards another shell disabled the main engines, leaving the vessel helpless. The Commanding Officer of another Destroyer, seeing the "Shark's" plight, came between her and the enemy and offered assistance, but was warned by Commander Jones not to run the risk of being almost certainly sunk in trying to help him. Commander Jones, though wounded in the leg, went aft to help connect and man the after wheel. Meanwhile the forecastle gun with its crew had been blown away, and the same fate soon afterwards befell the after gun and crew. Commander Jones then went to the midship and the only remaining gun, and personally assisted in keeping it in action. All this time the "Shark" was subjected to very heavy fire from enemy light cruisers and destroyers at short range. The gun's crew of the midship gun was reduced to three, of whom an Able Seaman was soon badly wounded in the leg. A few minutes later Commander Jones was hit by a shell, which took off his leg above the knee, but he continued to give orders to his gun's crew, while a Chief Stoker improvised a tourniquet round his thigh. Noticing that the Ensign was not properly hoisted, he gave orders for another to be hoisted. Soon afterwards, seeing that the ship could not survive much longer, and as a German Destroyer was closing, he gave orders for the surviving members of the crew to put on lifebelts. Almost immediately after this order had been given, the "Shark" was struck by a torpedo and sank. Commander Jones was unfortunately not amongst the few survivors from the "Shark" who were picked up by a neutral vessel in the night."

    s flynn




    218608

    WO1 (Cdr.) Horace Henry Glasock VC. Transports and Remounts South African Services Corps (d.20th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Conductor* Horace Henry Glasock VC served with Transports and Remounts in the South African Service Corps during WW1 and died on the 20th October 1916 aged 36. He is buried in Cape Town (Maitland) Cemetery in South Africa. He was awarded the Victoria Cross during the Boer War, when he was 19 years old, and a driver in 'Q' Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, British Army.

    Glasock later settled in South Africa and served as a Conductor in the South African Service Corps. Glasock is buried at Maitland Road Cemetery 4, Cape Town, South Africa. He was the son of Henry Glasock; husband of M. L. Glasock, of 149, Sheffield St., Kenilworth, Johannesburg. Born in London, England.

    * Conductor (Cdr) is an appointment held by a few selected warrant officers class 1 in the Royal Logistic Corps and is the most senior appointment that can be held by a warrant officer in the British Army.

    S Flynn




    218606

    Sgt. James Francis McDonald 19th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.9th Sep 1919)

    <p>

    James McDonald served with the 19th Battalion Machine Gun Corps during WW1 and was killed in action on the 9th September 1919. He is commemorated on Special Memorial B19 in Murmansk New British Cemetery in Russia. He is buried in Syvatnavolok Chyd. He lived at 11 Forest Street, Burnley, Lancashire

    S Flynn




    218605

    Pte. Joseph Edward Ullock 8th Btn. Y Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Aug 1915)

    My Great uncle Joseph Edward Ullock served with Y Company 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and died in the Turkish campaign in 1915. His name is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Turkey, his body was never found.

    Paul Ullock




    218602

    Pte. John Richard Heyworth 13th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th Apr 1919)

    <p>

    John Richard Heyworth served with the 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 4th April 1919, aged 32. His name is commemorated on the Special Memorial. B59 on the Archangel Memorial in the Archangel Allied Cemetery in Russia.

    S Flynn




    218601

    Sgt. Samuel George Pearse VC MM. 45th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.29th August 1919)

    <p>

    Samuel Pearse served with the 45th Battalion Royal Fusiliers during WW1 and died on the 29th August 1919, Age: 22. His name is commemorated on the Special Mention B107 on the Archangel Memorial in the Archangel Allied Cemetery in Russia. He was the husband of Mrs. Pearse, of Koorlong, Mildura, Victoria, Australia.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 23rd October 1919, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and self sacrifice during the operation against the enemy battery position north of Emtsa (North Russia) on the 29th August, 1919. Serjeant Pearse cut his way through the enemy barbed wire under very heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and cleared a way for the troops to enter the battery position. Seeing that a blockhouse was harassing our advance and causing us casualties, he charged the blockhouse single-handed, killing the occupants with bombs. This gallant non-commissioned officer met his death a minute later, and it was due to him that the position was carried with so few casualties. His magnificent bravery and utter disregard for personal danger won for him the admiration of all troops.

    S Flynn




    218600

    Pte. Charles Merrit Royal Irish Regiment (d.19th May 1915)

    Charles Merrit died 19/05/1915 and is buried in Modreeny Church of Ireland Churchyard in the Republic of Ireland

    s flynn




    218599

    Sgt. James Somers VC. 1st Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.7th May 1918)

    <p>

    James Somers served with 1st Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during WW1 and the Army Service Corps. He was severely wounded in the Retreat from Mons 1914. Won his VC with the Inniskilling Fusiliers in Gallipoli. He died on 07th May 1918, Age: 24. He is buried West of the Church in the Modreeny Church of Ireland Churchyard, County Tipperary in the Republic of Ireland. He was the son of R. W. Somers, of Cloughjordan.

    An extract from the supplement to The London Gazette, dated 31st Aug., 1915, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 1st-2nd July, 1915, in the Southern Zone of the Gallipoli Peninsula, when, owing to hostile bombing, some of our troops had retired from a sap, Serjeant Somers remained alone on the spot until a party brought up bombs. He then climbed over into the Turkish trench, and bombed the Turks with great effect. Later on he advanced into the open under very heavy fire and held back the enemy by throwing bombs into their flank until a barricade had been established. During this period he frequently ran to and from our trenches to obtain fresh supplies of bombs. By his great gallantry and coolness Serjeant Somers was largely instrumental in effecting the recapture of a portion of our trench which had been lost.

    Somers remained at Gallipoli until the close of the campaign, later seeing further service in France, taking part in the 1 July 1916 attack on the Somme at Beaumont Hamel. On the 1 April 1917 he joined the Army Service Corps. After being gassed quite badly, he was to die at his home in Cloughjordan, County Tipperary on 7 May 1918. He is buried in the churchyard at Modreemy, County Tipperary.

    S Flynn




    218592

    J Barker Royal Engineers

    I have come by a photo of a J Barker of the Royal Engineers (I think by his cap badge but not 100% sure and he looks as if he is no more than 25 years old ). The photo was taken at the arcade studios of JE Savile in Mexborough and on the reverse is the pencilled inscription "J Barker 25 St Georges Road" My house is of middle Victorian build and my wife and I have decided to keep the interior decor in keeping with Edwardian WW1 era. I wondered if anyone could shed any light on his service record and if he survived the war at all.

    Phil Wakeman




    218591

    Master. Frederick Daniel Parslow VC HMT Anglo Californian (d.4th July 1915)

    <p>

    Frederick Parslow Died 04/07/1915, Age: 59. he is buried in Cobh Old Church Cemetery in Ireland.

    The London Gazette dated 24th May 1919 records the following:- "For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of the Horse Transport "Anglo Californian" on the 4th July 1915. At 8am on 4th July 1915 a large submarine was sighted on the port beam at the distance of one mile. The ship, which was entirely unarmed, was immediately manoevred to bring the submarine astern; every effort was made to increase speed, and a S.O.S. call was sent out by wireless, an answer being received by a man-of war. At 9a.m. the submarine opened fire making occasional hits until 10.30a.m. meanwhile Lieutenant Parslow constantly altered course and kept the submarine astern. At 10.30a.m. the enemy hoisted the signal to abandon the vessel as fast as possible and in order to save life Lt. Parslow decided to obey and stopped engines to give as many of the crew as wished the opportunity to get away in the boats. On receiving a wireless message from a destroyer however urging him to hold on for as long as possible he decided to get way on the ship again. The submarine then opened a heavy fire on the bridge and boats with guns and rifles wrecking the upper bridge, killing Lt. Parslow and carrying away one of the port davits causing the boat to drop into the sea and throwing its occupants into the water. At about 11a.m. two destroyers arrived on the scene and the submarine dived. Throughout the attack Lt. Parslow remained on the bridge on which the enemy fire was concentrated entirely without protection and by his magnificent heroism succeeded, at the cost of his own life, in saving a valuable ship and cargo for his own country. He set a splendid example to the officers and men of the Mercantile Marine."

    s flynn




    218590

    Pte. George Griffiths 286th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.25th Oct1918)

    <p>

    George Griffiths died of influenza 25th October 1918, aged 25. His name is commemorated on the Katachi 1914-18 Memorial in Karachi. He was the son of William and Mary Griffiths and husband of Elizabeth Griffiths, of Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    218589

    L/Cpl. George Stewart 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.14th May 1940)

    George Stewart died 14/05/1940 aged 19 and is buried in Gravenzande General Cemetery in Holland. He was the son of George and Mary A Stewart of Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh Northern Ireland

    s flynn




    218586

    L/Cmdr. Ernest James Cuddy 4th (Collingwood) Bn (d.5th Feb 1917)

    Ernest Cuddy died 05/12/1917 aged 30. He is buried in the Rotterdam (Crooswijk) General Cemetert in Holland. He was the son of the late Capt. James Cuddy (R.N.) and husband of Muriel Cuddy, of Portland Terrace, Southsea, Hants.

    s flynn




    218585

    Pte. Joseph Riley 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.14th January 1919)

    <p>

    Joseph Riley died 14th January 1919 aged 27. He is buried in the Amersfoort Roman Catholic Cemetery in Holland, the only WW1 casualty buried in this cemetery.

    Joseph went to camp with the Special Reserve in July 1914, and on the outbreak of war he was at once drafted into the Expeditionary Force, going out on December 30 of the same year. He was taken prisoner on 14th May 1915 and died in Holland on the 14th January 1919, whilst on his way home to England. He lived at 76 Helena Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    218584

    Pte. S. Tett 51st Coy. Royal Ordnance Corps (d.1st July 1918)

    <p>

    Pte S Tett died on the 1st July 1918, aged 26. He is buried in the Pemba Cemetery in Mozambique. He was the son of Harry and Mary Ellen Tett, of Montague Villa, 4, Lyncombe Hill, Bath.

    s flynn




    218583

    A/Sgt. William Percy Greenwood 19th Stat. Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps (d.21st Apr 1918)

    <p>

    William Greenwood died of Smallpox 21st April 1918, aged 26. He is buried in the Pemba Cemetery in Mozambique. He was the son of Virgil and Mary Ellen Greenwood, of 91, Halifax Rd., Briercliffe, Burnley.

    s flynn




    218580

    L/Cpl. Alexander George Curson 8th Batt Norfolk Regiment (d.19th July 1916)

    While researching my wife's family tree I found the records of Alec Curson from Binham in Norfolk, he was the son of George and Leonora Curson from Westgate Nr Binham, Norfolk. Alec died on the 17th July 1916 at Delville Wood but has no known grave. We are trying to find out what company he was in and what section or platoon and what his company did from when they landed in France until the date he died. He was the son of George and Leonora Curson who lived in Westgate near Binham in Norfolk. Update Upon carrying out research, have established that Alec Curson was killed in action on 19th July 1916 at the age of 20. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial. Alec was in the 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. During the Battle of the Somme on the 1st/2nd July the Brigade attacked south-west of Montauban, on the 3rd July in the Carnoy/Montauban area and on the 19th July at the southern part of Delville Wood where Alec was killed in action.

    Gary Gough




    218576

    Pte. Thomas Charles Tibbey 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.7th Sep 1918)

    My grand uncle Thomas Tibbey was born in Westminster, Strand, London, England, in 1874. He was a greengrocer by trade. I do not know how he came to be in the Royal Irish Regiment being an Englishman. He was killed in action on the 7th of September 1918 aged 44. He is buried in Bac - Du - Sud British Cemetery, Bailleuval France.

    Martin Tibbey




    218573

    Pte. Walter Pedley 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.16th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Pedley died of wounds 16th November 1915, aged 20. He is buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta. He lived at 86 Reed Street, Later 5 Hampden Street, Burnley, Lancashire

    s flynn




    218570

    Pte. Harold Greenwood 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.12th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Harold Greenwood died 12th October 1915 of fever in Malta, aged 24. He is buried in Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta. He lived at 5 Hull Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    218568

    Pte. Robert Emmett 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.13th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Emmett died of wounds 13th August 1915, aged 33. He is buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta. He lived at 48 Ashworth Street, Burnley, Lancashire

    s flynn




    218565

    William Victor Holman 4th Dorset Dorsetshire Regiment

    When war broke out, Bill Holman was too young to enlist so he lied about his age and signed up to the Dorset Regiment. He was sent to India and Iraq for the whole of WW1.

    In WW2, being too old, he again lied about his age and volunteered. He became a radio operator in the Merchant Navy. He survived numerous Atlantic and three Russian convoys. He died in 1968.

    Steve Holman




    218564

    Pte. James Darcy 18th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    James Darcy fought in the First World War and was awarded the medal militaire. During the Irish Uprising I believe he refused to return to Ireland and was posted to Indian North West Frontier returning to Ireland during the civil war fighting on the side of the Free Staters.

    My grandad fought three wars having to pawn his medal militaire but managing to keep hold of the certificate of which the family still have. All that from a man who stood five foot tall.





    218559

    Lt. Wilbur Taylor Dartnell VC. 25th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.3rd Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Lieutenant Wilbur Taylor Dartnell VC served with the 25th Battalion Royal Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 3rd September 1915, Age: 30. He is buried in the Voi Cemetery in Kenya. Also known as William Thomas Dartnell he was the son of Henry and Rose Ann Dartnell; Husband of Elizabeth Edith Dartnell (nee Smyth), of "Maktau," Phillips Avenue, Murrumbeena, Victoria, Australia. Born at Melbourne.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 23rd Dec., 1915, records the following.- For most conspicuous bravery near Maktau (East Africa) on 3rd September, 1915. During a mounted infantry engagement the enemy got within a few yards of our men, and it was found impossible to get the more severely wounded away. Lieutenant Dartnell, who was himself being carried away wounded in the leg, seeing the situation, and knowing that the enemys black troops murdered the wounded, insisted on being left behind in the hopes of being able to save the lives of the other wounded men. He gave his own life in the gallant attempt to save others.

    S Flynn




    218558

    Pte. Martin Stanton 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.15th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Martin Stanton served with the 1/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 15th September 1915 aged 33. He is buried in The Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery in Gibraltar. He was the husband of Ada Stanton, of 12, Peter St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    The cemetery was used throughout the 1914-1918 War for the burial of sailors and soldiers who died on ships passing Gibraltar, or in the Military Hospital.

    S Flynn




    218557

    Gnr. Harry Cherry 64th Brigade. C Battery. Royal Field Artilley (Burnley Howitzers) (d.5th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Cherry served with C Battery, 64th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Burnley Howitzers) during WW1 and died of dysentry on the 5th November 1918, aged 22. He was listed as a prisoner of war and is commemorated on the Screen Wall in Worms (Hochheim Hill) Cemetery in Germany. He was the son of William and Alice Cherry, of 63, Thursby Rd., Burnley, later of 53, Windsor Rd., Morecambe.

    S Flynn




    218556

    Cpl. Angus Mackay 1/5th Btn.(Queens Edinburgh Rifles) Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.5th May 1917)

    <p>

    Angus Mackay served with the 1st/5th Battalion (Queens Edinburgh Rifles) Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) and then with the 88th Brigade Machine Gun Corp during WW1. He died on the 5th May 1917, aged 21. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany. The cemetery was begun by the Germans in 1915 for the burial of prisoners of war who died at the local camp. He was the son of Alexander and Isabella Mackay, of Scullomie, Tongue, Lairg, Sutherland.

    This soldiers diary is published in the book Somewhere in Blood Soaked France by Alasdair Sutherland.

    S Flynn




    218555

    Alfred Charles Nicholson Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Alf was born in 1886. By the outbreak of War he was married with a child. When this photo was taken, in 1917, he had two. I had assumed, as he was deaf, that he did not get conscripted. I have just obtained this photo of him in uniform but I cannot identify the hat badge.

    Editors Note: The cap badge is that of the Manchester Regiment.

    Trevor Nicholson




    218554

    Pte. Alfred Thoburn 7th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.24th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Alfred Thoburn served with 7th Battalion Royal Fusiliers during WW1 and died on the 24th July 1918. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany.

    S Flynn




    218553

    Pte. Arthur Taylor 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.11th March 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Taylor served with the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 11th March 1916. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany.

    S Flynn




    218552

    Pte. Alfred Ratcliffe 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.14th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Alfred Ratcliffe served with the 1/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and 151st Trench Mortar Battery. He died as a Prisoner of War on the 14th October 1918, aged 19. He is buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany. He was the son of Mrs. M. Ratcliffe, of 22, Aqueduct St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    218551

    Pte. Hartley Leaver 2/6th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.25th July 1918)

    <p>

    Hartley Leaver served with the 2/6th Battalion Manchester Regiment during WW1 and died as a Prisoner of War on the 25th July 1918, aged 24. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Germany. He lived at Robin Houses, Briercliffe.

    S Flynn




    218550

    Pte. Robert Millar 1st Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.26th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Millar served with the 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders during WW1 and died on the 26th March 1915, aged 21. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Germany. He was the son of Robert and Mary Millar, of 12, Waterside, Peebles.

    S Flynn




    218549

    Pte. John Clowrey 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1918)

    <p>

    John Clowrey served with the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment during WW1 and died on the 23rd April 1918, aged 25. He is buried in the Niederzwehren Cemetery in Germany. The cemetery was begun by the Germans in 1915 for the burial of prisoners of war who died at the local camp. He was the son of Jack and Julia Clowrey, of Burnley; husband of Louie Pickard (formerly Clowrey), of 39, High St., Whittlefield, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218548

    Capt. Julian Royds Gribble VC. 1st Bn. att. 10th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.25th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Captain Julian Royds Gribble VC served with the 1st Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment and was attached to the 10th Battalion when he died from Pneumonia on the 25th November 1918, Age: 21. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Germany. He was the son of George James Gribble and Norah Gribble (nee Royds), of Kingston Russell House, Dorset.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30770, dated 25th June, 1918, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Capt. Gribble was in command of the right company of the battalion when the enemy attacked, and his orders were to ' hold on to the last.' His company was eventually entirely isolated, though he could easily have withdrawn them at one period when the rest of the battalion on his left were driven back to a secondary position. His right flank was ' in the air,' owing to the withdrawal of all troops of a neighbouring division. By means of a runner to the company on his left rear he intimated his determination to hold on until other orders were received from battalion headquarters - and this he inspired his command to accomplish. His company was eventually surrounded by the enemy at close range, and he was seen fighting to the last. His subsequent fate is unknown. By his splendid example of grit, Capt. Gribble was materially instrumental in preventing for some hours the enemy obtaining a complete mastery of the crest of ridge, and by his magnificent self-sacrifice he enabled the remainder of his own brigade to be withdrawn, as well as another garrison and three batteries of field artillery. He was wounded and lost consciousness, but was resuscitated by the Germans and taken prisoner. He was held in a camp at Mainz, Germany where he gradually recovered his health. On the news of winning the Victoria Cross his fellow prisoners of war celebrated by carrying him around the camp on their shoulders. Sadly he never saw his medal. Whilst waiting to be repatriated at the end of the War he caught pneumonia and died on the 24th November 1918.

    S Flynn




    218547

    Pte. Richard Seccombe 8th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.8th Aug 1915)

    Richard Seccombe was my great-grandfather; my grandmother's father, who she could hardly remember as he was killed when she was 5 years old. She was named Violet and she was the eldest with three younger siblings: Clara, Caroline and her brother Jonny. Her mother Gertrude was also pregnant at the time but miscarried the baby on hearing the news of her husband's death.

    My grandmother did talk about her father. One of the things she remembered was that he was a Master Stonemason working in the quarry that was in Maesteg, but that has now been filled in and houses built on top. She said she on the day he left in his uniform he knelt down and hugged them all very hard and kissed them all over their faces, and that was the last time she saw him.

    I have since discovered that he joined up in Porthcawl, and then travelled near to Brighton to do his training. He was then transported by ship to Gallipoli in Turkey and arrived on August 5th 1915. He was killed three days later aged 32. I do not know where he was buried but he is commemorated on Panel 140 to 144 of the Helles Memorial on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The battle area where he died was fought over for another four months and then all the Allies were pulled out not having gained any ground after very stiff Turkish resistance. All those men from both sides killed for nothing. What a waste.

    Julis Clement




    218542

    Pte. Thomas Valentine Williams 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.18th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Valentine Williams died on 18th Nov 1916. This was the day that the British Commander in Chief Sir Douglas Haig called a halt to his army's offensive near the Somme River in north-western France, ending the epic Battle of the Somme after more than four months.

    Val Williams was born in Monk Bretton, Yorks to Thomas and Eliza (Wheater) in 1893. He enlisted at Nottingham and was killed in action in France. Thomas is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. In the 1911 census he was 18 and a Miner Loader living at 53 Gedling Road,Carlton, Notts with his parents and siblings: Francis (16), Harold (15), Olive Cordelia (12), Gladys (9), John Lewis (8), Harry (6) and Christopher (3). An older brother, Alfred George, born in Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire c. 1881, a blacksmith in a colliery, had by then left home.

    A Williams




    218541

    Pte. Ernest Samuel Thompson 1st Btn. Hertfordshire Regiment

    My Grandfather Ernest Thompson was an early volunteer and went to France in January 1915; He served with the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. He was wounded - shot through the right hand and elbow - in May 1915 and subsequently sent home. He was honourably discharged in January 1916.

    Although he didn't talk about his experiences I do have a postcard he sent to my Grandmother when he was in France asking her to knit some more socks as they were standing in constant mud. I remember him telling me about the Christmas football match, which he probably heard about on his arrival in France. In later life, he worked around his injuries, which also included being gassed, and he always said that he would be all right if he could get a new set of lungs! Not many years later, hearts and lungs were being transplanted.

    My Grandfather painted a postcard-size picture of the Hertfordshire Regiment insignia with his left-hand (as his right hand was injured), possibly during his recuperation? He played cricket for Baldock Town at some stage but more especially for Kryn and Lahy where he was primarily a bowler. I used to sit with my Grandfather listening to cricket and cleaning his medals - wonderful days and memories. He invariably had bronchitis as a result of his damaged lungs and subsequently succumbed to this damage; He never received a war pension which would not be allowed today.

    Pearl Townsend




    218539

    Pte. Soloman Sole 13th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th May 1917)

    <p>

    Soloman Sole died as a prisoner of war on the 5th May 1917 and is buried in Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany.

    s flynn




    218538

    Pte. John William Smith 9th Btn. Cameronian Highlanders (Scottish Rifles) (d.8th July 1918)

    <p>

    John Smith died of wounds as a Prisoner of War 8th July 1918. He is buried in Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany. He was born in Accrington, and enlisted in Burnley, Lancashire

    s flynn




    218537

    Pte. Frank Riley 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.14th June 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Riley died of wounds as a Prisoner of War 14th June 1918, aged 19. He is buried in Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany. He was the son of William and Betsy Riley, of 28, Rawson St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    218536

    Pte. Samuel Richardson 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.28th April 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Richardson died of wounds as Prisoner of War 28th April 1918, aged 32. He is buried in the Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany. He was the husband of Christiana Richardson, of 27, Ulster St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    218533

    Lt/Col. Neville Bowes Elliott-Cooper VC, DSO, MC. 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.11th Feb 1918)

    <p>

    Lieutenant Colonel Neville Bowes Elliott-Cooper VC DSO MC served with the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers during WW1 and died on the 11th February 1918. He is buried in Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany. He was the youngest son of Sir Robert Elliott-Cooper, K.C.B. Born in London. Educated at Eton and Sandhurst.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated 12th February 1918, records the following particulars:- For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Hearing that the enemy had broken through our outpost line, he rushed out of his dug-out, and on seeing them advancing across the open he mounted the parapet and dashed forward calling upon the Reserve Company and details of the Battalion Headquarters to follow. Absolutely unarmed, he made straight for the advancing enemy, and under his direction our men forced them back 600 yards. While still some forty yards in front he was severely wounded. Realising that his men were greatly outnumbered and suffering heavy casualties, he signalled to them to withdraw, regardless of the fact that he himself must be taken prisoner. By his prompt and gallant leading he gained time for the reserves to move up and occupy the line of defence.

    S Flynn




    218531

    Pte. Herbert Hardman 13th (Quebec Regiment) (d.8th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Hardman served with the 13th Quebec Regiment Canadian Expeditionary Force during WW1 and died of wounds on the 8th October 1915 whilst a P.O.W., age 28. He is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery in Germany. He formerly lived at 16 Green Street, Burnley, Lancashire. Son of the late Amos and Sarah Elizabeth Hardman.

    s flynn




    218530

    Pte. Edward Bradshaw 1/4th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.26th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Bradshaw served with the 1/4th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died of pneumonia on the 26th October 1918 whilst a prisoner of war, aged 21. He is buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery in Germany. He was the son of Robinson and Rebecca Bradshaw, of 68, Railway Terrace, Padiham, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218529

    Pte. Herbert Barnes 53rd Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.8th Apr 1919)

    <p>

    Herbert Barnes served with the 53rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment during WW1 and died of Pneumonia on the 8th April 1919, aged 18. He is buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery in Germany.

    He was the son of Mary Ann Ingham (formerly Barnes), of 25, Ribblesdale St., Burnley, and the late John Barnes.

    S Flynn




    218528

    Pte. Charles Smith 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th Jul 1918)

    Charles Smith served with the 1st Btn, East Lancashire Regiment. He was murdered by his German Captors on 30th July 1918, aged 33.and is buried in the Berlin South-Western Cemetery in Germany. He was the brother of Miss E. Smith, of 27, Richard St., Fulledge, Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    218527

    Pte. Henry Ryan 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Ryan served with the 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died as a Prisoner of War on the 19th September 1918. He is buried in the Berlin South-Western Cemetery in Germany. He lived at Lower Dam Fields, Cliviger, Burnley Lancashire. Husband of Mrs. E. A. Hollings (formerly Ryan), of 15, Longfield Terrace, Cliviger, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    218526

    Pte. Francis Meshack Jowett 1/4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) (d.28th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Francis Meshack Jowett served with the 1/4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) during WW1 and died as a Prisoner of War on the 28th October 1918. He is buried in the Berlin South-Western Cemetery in Germany, He lived on Mosley Street, Burnley, Lancashire

    S Flynn




    218525

    Pte. Edward James Jordan 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.8th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Edward James Jordan served with the 8th Battalion, Border Regiment during WW1 and died as a Prisoner of War on the 8th November 1918, aged 27. He is buried in the Berlin South-Western Cemetery in Germany. He was the son of Edward and Chartlotte Jordan. Husband of Annie Jordan, of 54, Milton St. Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218524

    Pte. Daniel Flynn 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st May 1918)

    <p>

    Daniel Flynn served with the 11th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers during WW1 and died of wounds on the 1st May 1918 in Stendale Hospital, Germany, age 30. He is buried in the Berlin South-Western Cemetery, Germany. He lived at 8 Hill Top Passage, Burnley, Lancashire

    S Flynn




    218523

    Pte. Joseph Ferguson 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Ferguson served with the 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 16th June 1918. He was probably a POW as he is buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery, Germany.

    S Flynn




    218522

    L/Cpl. William Baldwin Dixon 17th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.11th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    William Dixon served with the 17th Battalion, Manchester Regiment during WW1 and died on the 11th July 1918 of Pneumonia in a German Hospital, aged 27. Probably a POW, he is buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery in Germany. He was the son of James and Jane Dixon.

    S Flynn




    218521

    Pte. Harold Cocker 17th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Harold Cocker served with the 17th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment during WW1 and died on the 22nd March 1918, aged 26. Probably a POW as he is buried in the Berlin South-Western Cemetery, Germany. He was the husband of Mrs. L. G. Cocker, of 115, Cog Lane, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218520

    Pte. John Cassidy 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.16th Feb 1915)

    <p>

    John Cassidy served with the 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died as a Prisoner of War on the 16th February 1915, aged 40. He is buried in the Berlin South-Western Cemetery. He was the son of Jim Cassidy, of Liverpool and husband of Margaret Arm Cassidy, of 2, Charlotte St., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218518

    Gdmn. Henry Balderstone 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.17th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Henry Balderstone served with the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards during WW1 and died, age 26, as a Prisoner of War on the 17th August 1915. He is buried in Plot IX. A.8 in the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Berlin. He was the son of Mrs. Cecily Balderstone, of 29, Stanley St., Colne, Lancs.

    Report in Nelson war memoirs: Private Harry Balderstone, 3rd Coldstream Guards, son of Mrs. Balderstone, of Stanley Street, Colne, arrived in France on the 22nd August 1914, and was wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans three days later and interned at Cologne. Later he was admitted to hospital at Witenberg, suffering from typhoid fever. In May 1915 he wrote home for shirts, underclothing and money, as he was shortly to be removed from the hospital back to the internment camp. But shortly after, Mrs. Balderstone received news from the American Ambassador that her son had died.

    S Flynn




    218502

    Pte. George William "Sonny" Fogg 1st/6th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.11th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    I grew up with the story of Uncle Sonny who had gone off to fight in the war and had never come back. He gave his mother a small, gold and sapphire ring to ease their parting. I have his ring now - it has been passed through the family as has his story. My grandmother didn't know what had happened to her brother, and where, or if, he was buried, only that he had been lost, killed in a battle somewhere in France. I spent many hours looking for him with little to go on, only the assumption that his name must have been George - the same as his father, hence the "Sonny" nickname. When I found Sonny's service record I was so excited that I didn't even notice the "Killed 11/10/18" scrawled across it in chinagraph pencil. Having this information, I was able to track him through the War Graves Commission. My first visit to his grave in Wellington Cemetery Rieux en Cambresis was one of the most moving moments of my life. I am so happy to have found him, only sad that it was too late for my Grandmother to know, but time enough for me to share his story with my own children. It is a comfort to us all to know that his sacrifice is recognised and that he is remembered in such a beautiful and peaceful place. He will be remembered in our hearts too.

    34137 Private George William (Sonny) Fogg served with the 1st/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment during WW1 and died age 20, on the 11th October 1918. He is buried in Wellington Cemetery Rieux en Cambresis. He was the son of George James and Harriet Eliza Fogg, of 22, Fellows St., Haggerston, London.

    Tracey Murphy




    218500

    Mjr. Charles Allix Lavington Yate VC. 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.20th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Charles Yate served with the 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and wounded at the Battle of Le Cateau, he was captured and later he died whilst escaping as a prisoner of war in Germany. He died age 42, on the 20th September 1914 and is buried in Grave II. G. 8 in the Berlin Southwestern Cemetery. He was the son of the Rev. George Edward Yate, Vicar of Madeley, Shropshire and Prebendary of Hereford; He was the husband of Florence Helena and had served in the South African War.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 28985, dated 25th Nov., 1914, records the following:- Commanded one of the two Companies that remained to the end in the trenches at Le Cateau on 26th August and, when all other officers were killed or wounded and ammunition exhausted, led his nineteen survivors against the enemy in a charge in which he was severely wounded. He was picked up by the enemy and has subsequently died as a prisoner of war

    Yate was 42 years old, and a major in the 2nd Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, during the First World War when the following deed took place during the battle of Le Cateau for which he was awarded the VC. On 26 August 1914 at Le Cateau, France, Major Yate commanded one of the two companies that remained to the end in the trenches, and when all other officers had been killed or wounded and ammunition exhausted, he led his 19 survivors against the enemy in a charge.

    He was held at Targau POW Camp, after he was captured by the Germans. After repeated attempts, he escaped a month later on 19 September 1914, but was quickly apprehended by local factory workers who suspected his appearance, and cut his own throat to avoid recapture and possible execution as a spy. He died on 20 September 1914.

    Four other VCs were won that day at Le Cateau, including one by Lance Corporal Frederick William Holmes, who wrote of Yate: Major Yate was a thorough gentleman and a great favourite with us all. He had had a lot of experience in the Far East and at home, and I am sure that if he had lived he would have become a general. He was always in front, and his constant cry was "Follow me!"

    Yate is buried in grave II. G. 8. at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Berlin South-Western Cemetery in Stahnsdorf, near Potsdam, Germany. He is also listed on the parish war memorial, now on The Green, at Madeley.

    S Flynn




    218498

    Lt/Col. Frederick James Dingwall Infantry (d.13th Feb 1918)

    Lt/Col Frederick Dingwall served with th Canadian Expeditionary Force Infantry. He died on 13th February1918 aged 40. He is commemorated in Memorial Reference 225 in the Winnipeg (Old Kildonan) Presbyterian Cemetery in Canada.

    s flynn




    218497

    2Mech. Charles R. Cockburn (d.12th Oct 1918)

    Charles Cockburn served with the Royal Air Force. He died on 12th October 1918 aged 29. He is commemorated in Winnipeg (Old Kildonan) Presbyterian Cemetery, Canada

    s flynn




    218495

    Pte. Frederick Henry Watridge Hampshire Regiment (d.14th April 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Henry Watridge would be related to myself as a great uncle. His name is on the memorial at Arras. He was 20. I am trying to find out more information so I thought I would share what I know. I have information on an auction where his medal was sold in 2003. I don't really know a lot else except that he had 2 brothers, Thomas and Phil. He lived in Bitterne, Southampton - I think at 30 Whitworth Rd.

    Update: He was born in 1896. He appears on the 1911 census living at 82 Kent Road, St Denys, Southampton. He was a messenger. He was living with his parents, Harry and Alice and siblings, Dorothy (16), Marjorie (12), Roy (11), Thomas (6) and Philip. His effects were left to his father who was a railway clerk.

    Andy Sellar




    218494

    Pte. William Robinson Bailey 6th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.20th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    William Robinson Bailey served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers during WW1 and died of dysentery on the 20th March 1916 whilst a P.O.W. He is buried in the Sofia War Cemetery in Bulgaria. He lived at 6 Scott Lane end, Chorley and formerly at 72 Rumley Road, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    218493

    Rflmn. F Auger 4th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.20th Aug 1918)

    Rifleman F Auger died whilst the 80th Infantry Brigade of the 27th Division were preparing for the Final Offensive in Salonika. He is buried in Plovdiv Central Cemetery, Bulgaria, grave ref: C. 7.

    S Flynn




    218492

    Pte. T. Arnold 5th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.30th Sep 1918)

    Private T Arnold lost his life aged 27 on the last day of the Final Offensive in Salonika, most likely during the passage of the Vardar river and pursuit to the Strumica valley (22-30 September). He is buried in Plovdiv Central Cemetery, Bulgaria.

    S Flynn




    218491

    Pte. P. Anderson 11th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.21st Nov 1918)

    P. Anderson died on 21st November 1918 and is buried in Plovdiv Central Cemetery in Bulgaria. He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Anderson of Sessnia, Methlick, Aberdeen, Husband of Mary Anderson of South Constitution Lane, Aberdeen. He was 30 when he died so he was born circa 1888.

    S Flynn




    218490

    Sgt. Harry Harrison 8th Btn. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.19th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Harrison served with the 8th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry during WW1 and died of pneumonia on the 19th November 1918, aged 28. He is buried in the Plovdiv Central Cemetery in Bulgaria. He was the husband of Emma Harrison, of 14, Mitella St., Burnley

    S Flynn




    218488

    Pte. Butterfield 9th Btn. B Coy. Royal Fusiliers

    My Dads dad died in WW1. Pte Butterfield, I know dad had his medals and I have a photo of the regiment it says underneath 9th . S Bn . Royal Fusiliers B Coy. If anyone has a any info about him I would be grateful

    Sandra




    218486

    Pte. John Kelly 7th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    <p>

    This is my Great Uncle John Kelly - his Sister Mary was my Nana. He had two brothers - Tom and Joe. John was born in 1900, a third child of Hugh and Elizabeth Kelly in Wolstanton, Burslem, Staffs. They lived nearby in 6 Grant Street, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent.

    When the Great War stared, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers formed new service battalions which continued with the same service number series that was in use before the war. Due to this, it is possible to confirm that John enlisted in May 1915 at the Hanley Recruiting depot or via a recruiting officer. When he started his service with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers as a Private his service number was 20815. He must have been only 16 years old at this time. After his initial training in 1916, Private John Kelly was posted to the 2nd Battalion which was part of the 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division from 15th November 1916.

    It is impossible to say which battles John served in and when his next transfer took place but as his Medal Index Card and Victory medal/British War Medal roll states, he was posted to the 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment and his new regimental number was 26476. However, as 7th (SIH) Battalion War Diary from 1918 states, that they received reinforcements after their horrific casualties in March when the battalion was caught in the maelstrom of the German Kaiserschlacht (Kaiser's Battle) offensive. Extra men from Royal Dublin Fusiliers and Royal Munster Fusiliers arrived on the 1st May and 26th June and they were taken into the Battalion in Widdebroucq area, near Aire during July. Most likely Private Kelly was one of these reinforcements. At the end of July the Battalion’s strength was 31 officers and 830 other ranks and ready for action. At this time they were part of the 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. On the 7th August they were moved into the front line moving from Oxelaere towards Boeschepe. Looks like then luck turned bad for John. On the 19th and 20th August the Battalion War Diary indicates 2 wounded, and on the 23rd August in the Boeschepe area 4 men killed and 3 wounded.

    John Kelly most likely was one of these wounded and he was transported to the 62nd (1/2nd London) Clearing Station where he died of wounds on the 22nd August 1918. He was only 18 years old. He is buried Arneke British Cemetery in France, Grave Reference III.E.11 next to other 568 identified casualties.

    Anna Jackson




    218479

    Cpl. William James Dornan 11th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    <p>

    My Grandfather William Dornan, according to my mother loved singing. He fought from 1914-18 with the 11th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was injured at the Somme by shrapnel. He never liked to talk about the War. I have 2 old photos, one of him with a colleague in their uniforms and another with his wife Charlotte. We have his old fabric xmas cards sent from him during the war and a lovely embroidered handkerchief he sewed with the battalions name on it.





    218474

    Sgt. John Michael Moran 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My Great Grandfather John Michael Moran was an unsung hero to his sons John and William, and daughters Lilly and Sadie. Whilst on a fact-finding holiday to Ypres and the Somme my research into the Manchester Library online Roll of Honour revealed a man who first served his country in 1900 in the second Boer War as a KRRC Rifleman and then in WWI an instrumental part of Kitchener's new army as Lance Corporal then Sergeant. He served with 13th Battalion in the 111th Brigade, 37th Infantry Division. A quiet well groomed white haired man, he never spoke of his brave deeds despite twice returning to serve his country. Not even a Marker at the family grave as he had survived both wars. A new monument remembering this survivor of the so called "Great War" was erected in June 2014 by my Father Anthony Moran and myself to remember his bravery. Decorated with British Victory and Star Medals from 1915-18 he finally left the Theatre of war of France through illness receiving a silver medal in 1918.

    Only one photo of him survives thanks to my Dad who retrieved the biscuit tin of photos from the bin following my Grandfather's death in 1991. We are still researching the battalion's movements but are proud to find the truth and honour his courage to return to a terrifying inferno. We honour his memory.

    Antoinette Moran




    218473

    Gnr. John Luckman 110th Bde. 'B' Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.4th Sep 1918)

    John Luckman was born in Dunton, Green, Kent. He died on the 4th of September 1918 and is buried in Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu, France.

    Catherine Bouman




    218464

    Pte. Alfred Allen Dewdney Harding 9th Battalion, D Company Royal Sussex Regiment (d.10th May 1916)

    Alf Harding was a domestic gardener and keen football player before he joined up. Once he was in the army Alf used to write home when he could especially to his younger brother Ted, trying to discourage his younger sibling's enthusiasm for joining up, describing to him the reality of their situation abroad.

    According to the Regimental diary entry, on the 10th of May 1916, Alf was killed in action by German Machine Gun fire whilst undertaking his duty as trench digger and stretcher bearer.

    Jennifer Harding




    218463

    Pte. Albert Hall 1/4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd April 1916)

    Albert Hall served with the 1/4th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 3rd April 1916, age 26. He is buried in the Suez War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was the son of William Hall.

    S Flynn




    218461

    William Pate 265 Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Jan 1919)

    <p>

    William Pate served as a Shoeing Smith with 265th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery during WW1 and died of influenza on the 23rd January 1919, aged 28. He is buried in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was the husband of Annie Mary Pate, of 17, Barracks Rd., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218460

    L/Cpl. James Finnigan 7th Btn. Royal Scots Regiment (d.5th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    James Finnigan served with the 7th Battalion Royal Scots Regiment during WW1 and died of wounds on the 5th June 1917, age 25. He is buried in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was the husband of Elizabeth Ellen Finnigan, of 170, Hollingreave Rd., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218459

    Pte. Eric William Crummett 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.2nd Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Eric William Crummett served with the 1/5th East Lancs and died on the 2nd February 1917, aged 21. He is buried in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was the son of Robert and Eva Crummett, of 86, Piccadilly Rd., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218458

    Pte. Ellis Beamer 229th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.18th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Ellis Beamer served with 229th Machine Gun Company, 232nd Brigade, 75th Division during WW1 and died of wounds on the 18th November 1917, aged 22. He is buried in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He was the son of James Ellis Beamer, of 14, Roebuck St., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218457

    Pte. Samuel Needham VC. 1/5th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Needham served with the 1/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and died on the 4th November 1918, Age: 33. He is buried in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He was the son of Septimus and Mary Needham, of Grimsby.

    An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30982, dated 29th Oct., 1918, records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery and initiative when with a strong patrol which was heavily attacked by the enemy and forced back in confusion. At this critical moment Pte. Needham ran back and fired rapidly at a body of the enemy at point-blank range. His action checked the enemy and enabled the patrol commander to reorganise his men. The patrol had many casualties, but successfully got back all their wounded, and it was due to the action of individuals, of which this is the most outstanding, that the entire patrol was not cut off. Pte. Needham's example was of the greatest value at a critical moment, and the bold and determined stand made by him did more than anything to inspire confidence, and undoubtedly saved a critical situation.

    S Flynn




    218449

    Pte. Alfred Lorrimer Royal Army Medical Corps (d.1st Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Alfred Lorrimer served with the RAMC during WW1 and died in an accident on the 1st February 1915, aged 23. He is buried in the Ismailia War Cemetery in Egypt. He was the son of Thomas and Maria Lorimer, of 12, Berry Lane, Longridge, Preston, Lancs.

    S Flynn




    218448

    Sgt. Evelyn Frankland 2/2nd East Lancs Field Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps (d.1st Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Evelyn Franklin served with the 2/2nd East Lancs Field Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps during WW1 and died on the 1st February 1915, aged 32. He is buried in the Ismailia War Cemetery in Egypt. He was the husband of Alice Frankland, of 2, Bayswater Avenue, Roundhay Rd., Leeds

    S Flynn




    218445

    Pte. William Wheat 9th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.21st Mar 1918)

    My Great Uncle, William Wheat, fought with the 9th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. I have no knowledge of his movements during the war. He fell in action aged 27 on 21st March 1918, leaving behind his young wife and three children. He died on the first day of the so called Advance to Victory. His body was never found, but his name is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme.

    Wiliam's younger brother, James Wheat, also my Great Uncle, joined the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 12th December 1914. I have no knowledge of his movements during the war. Having survived whatever the Great War threw at him over four years, he died aged just 24 and unmarried on 6th November 1918, just five days before the Armistice. I don't know where he fell, but he is buried in the British Cemetery, Premont, Anise, France (Grave III.B.12).

    David Booth




    218444

    Pte. James Wheat 4th Battalion, D Company. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    James Wheat is my Great Uncle. He joined D Company 4th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 12th December 1914. I have no knowledge of his movements during the war. Having survived whatever the Great War threw at him over four years, he died aged just 24 and unmarried on 6th November 1918, just five days before the Armistice. I don't know where he fell, but he is buried in the British Cemetery, Premont, Anise, France (Grave III.B.12).

    His elder brother, William, fought with the 9th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Again I have no knowledge of his movements during the war. He fell in action aged 27 on 21st March 1918, leaving behind his young wife, Sarah of 164, Station St. East, Coventry. He died on the first day of the so called Advance to Victory. His body was never found, but his name is commemorated on Panels 61 to 64 the Pozieres Memorial, Somme

    They were the sons of James and Ellen Wheat, of 24, Princess St., Coventry.

    David Booth




    218443

    Able Sea. Henry John Wilson HMS Euryalus (d.24th May 1915)

    <p>

    Henry John Wilson died 24/05/1915, aged 35 He is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

    The following is Courtesy HMS Euryalus Association Website:

    In April, Wemyss was put in charge of the main landings at Gallipoli and hoisted his flag in Euryalus, which had separately joined the force build-up. At nightfall on 24 April 1915, three companies of the 1st Battalion XX of The Lancashire Fusiliers were transferred from their transports to Euryalus, one of the ships transporting the .assault force to the beaches. The troops remember being received well on board by the sailors who gave up their bread ration for the soldiers.

    At 0400 in the morning of 25 April 1915, the soldiers clambered down into a flotilla of warship boats and merchant ship lifeboats, towed by Euryalus' steam cutters, and at 0550 the tows were slipped 1,500 yards from 'W' beach. The landing was achieved against appalling odds, with Euryalus sailors pulling the Battalion ashore in the boats and beaching them within point-blank range of the Turkish gunfire. Typical of the boat's crewmen was peacetime merchant seaman, Able Seaman Thomas Kibblewhite, Royal Naval Reserve, aged 29, who was killed in this action. The Battalion casualties were 11 officers and 350 men whilst 63 of the 80 Euryalus ratings manning the boats were killed or wounded. During the assault the Lancashire Fusiliers won 6 VC's "before breakfast". Following the landing, Euryalus steamed close inshore for Wemyss to supervise all aspects of the operation. Despite the bravery of the allied troops, the subsequent lack of success ashore is well known, and eventually Wemyss organised and commanded the evacuation from Euryalus in mid-December. 80,000 men were withdrawn with just one casualty

    S Flynn




    218442

    Pte. Ernest Thorpe 18th Sanitary Section Royal Army Medical Corps. (d.7th July 1918)

    <p>

    Ernest Thorpe died 7th July 1918, aged 30. he is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He was the son of Joshua and Ann Thorpe; husband of Sarah Ann Thorpe, of 40, Norris St., Farnworth, Bolton.

    S Flynn




    218441

    Pte. William Gregory Sharp 8th Btn. (d.23rd Nov1915)

    <p>

    William Gregory Sharp served with 8th Battalion AIF during WW1 and died on the 23rd November 1915, aged 19. He is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He was the son of Malcolm and Ellen Sharp, of Corindhap, Victoria, Australia.

    S Flynn




    218440

    Gnr. Jack Herbert Mugford 122nd Anti-Aircraft Section Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Jack Herbert Mugford served with 122nd Anti Aircraft Section RGA during WW1 and died on the 3rd July 1918, aged 23. He is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He was the son of Helena Phoebe Mugford, of 44, Stanger Rd., Norwood, London, and the late John Hearn Searle Mugford.

    S Flynn




    218439

    GQMS. Herbert Gladstone Booth 1st East Lancashire Brigade Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd Dec 1914)

    <p>

    Herbert Gladstone Booth served with the 1st East Lancs Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 42nd Division during WW1 and died on the 2nd December 1914, aged 31. He is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He was the husband of Martha Ann Booth, of 9, Cairo St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    218438

    Pte. Alexander Leonard Gray 1/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.12th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Leonard Gray served with the 1/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers during WW1 and died on the 12th November 1917. He is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He was born in Briercliffe, enlisted in Nelson and lived in Harle Syke.

    S Flynn




    218437

    Pte. Ernest William Dennison 619th M. T. Coy Army Service Corps. (d.22nd May 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest William Dennison served with 619th Motor Transport Company Army Service Corps during WW1 and died on the 22nd May 1916, aged 33. He is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

    Son of William and Susannah Dennison, of St. Annes-on-the-Sea, Lancs. Husband of Gertrude Valentina Dennison, of 96, Brookside Rd. Golders Green, London. Ernest is one of three brothers killed during the First World War, his siblings being Thomas & Charles.

    S Flynn




    218436

    Pte. John Bromley Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    John Bromley served with the Royal Army Medical Corps during WW1 and died on the 20th March 1918. He is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He lived at 36 Scotts Terrace, Burnley, Lancashire

    S Flynn




    218434

    Gnr. Harry Dunwell Royal Garrison Artillery (d.12th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Harry Dunwell served with the Royal Garrison Artillery during WW1 and died on the 12th November 1918 age 32. He is buried in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He was the husband of Annie Dunwell, of 15, Wolverden Rd., Husband of Annie Dunwell, of 15, Wolverden Rd., Briercliffe, Burnley..

    S Flynn




    218433

    Pte. Richard Thomas Broxup Remounts Army Service Corps (d.3rd Feb 1919)

    <p>

    Richard Thomas Broxup served with Remounts in the Army Service Corps during WW1 and died of dysentery on the 3rd February 1919, aged 37. He is buried in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Broxup. Husband of Sarah Ann Macey (formerly Broxup), of 27, Blenheim St., Stoneyholme, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218429

    L/Cpl. Frank O'Donnell 1st/2nd (East Lancs) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.4th June 1915 )

    <p>

    Frank O'Donnell first joined up on 12th July 1897: The Royal Lancaster Regiment.18 years and 9 months 5'7 1/4 weighting 120 lbs. He had red hair, a ruddy complexion, and a cross tattooed on his right forearm. He was in for 48 days and on the 28th August 1897 paid £10 to get himself discharged. He joined again 5 months later on the 24 January 1898. His record says that he was 19 years and 3 months, 5ft 7 3/4 tall, 130 lbs, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and red hair. It also says he had slight knock knees!! Did he want to join up again when he heard the regiment was being posted overseas? On 21st January 1898 he was attested and posted on 1st June 1898. He was transferred to the 7th Dragoon Guards on the 18th October 1899 and was transferred to South Africa on 8th February 1899 to fight in the Boer War until 8th July 1900. He was discharged as medically unfit on 30th September 1900 at Woolwich. His medals were ----- with Queens clasp At the time of his discharge he was stated to be 5'11 so he had grown 4 inches while serving in South Africa. He had his 3rd finger of his left hand amputated and his other fingers were useless. His conduct while with the colours was described as 'very good'. He was entitled to one good conduct medal. On 3rd May 1899 he got a 3rd class certificate of education and on the 29th June 1899 he got a 2nd class certificate of education.

    Frank joined up 2nd September 1914 and served as a sapper in the 1st/2nd (East Lancs) Field Coy. Royal Engineers. On 10th September he embarked from Southampton for Egypt. On 5th May 1915 he embarked at Alexandria for the Dardanelles. Died 4 June at the Third Battle of Krithia 4 June 1915 Gallipoli. He was lance corporal when he died On 19th October 1916: 1 pocket book, letters and a certificate were in existence and returned to his widow Alice. Alice was awarded a pension of 23 shilling a week.

    Lyn Thornton




    218426

    Rfmn. Leonard Thomas Powell 7th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.26th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Leonard Thomas Powell was my Great Uncle who died of wounds in Cambridge on 26th October 1915. In the photo attached he is standing. Unfortunately, I know nothing of where or when the photo was taken and have no idea of the identity of the other soldier.

    Leonard served with the 7th Battalion the Rifle Brigade during WW1 and died of wounds in Cambridge on 26th October 1915, aged 18. His is buried in Cambridge City Cemetery. He was the son of Tom Milner Powell and Margaret Fanny Powell, of 39, The Avenue, New Southgate, London.

    Sue




    218424

    Pte. Richard Thomas Barnes 7th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Richard Barnes was my grandfather. He served with the Royal Army Medical Corps 7th Field Ambulance. He survived all the horrors of that war only to die in 1928, aged 34, having his leg amputated.

    Richard Barnes




    218420

    Pte. John Thomas Gough 15th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.5th Nov 1918)

    John was the son of Hugh and Mary Gough. He was born on 12th November 1898 and lived in Possilpark Glasgow. He was killed in action on 5th November 1918, six days before the war ended. He is buried in the village of La Fraville in Northern France.

    S. Brown




    218413

    Gnr. Jack Hordley 8th Div Ammunition Column, C subsection SAA Royal Field Artillery

    Jack Hordley joined the British Army on 25th March 1918. He was trained for 11 weeks at Fullwood Barracks in Preston. He had embarkation leave from 21st May 1918 until 5th June 1918. They left Preston at 2.30pm on 10th May 1918 for Southampton, then left Southampton at 6.30pm on the same day for France, landing at Le Havre at 12.30pm on 11th June 1918.

    We left Le Havre for the first army on 17th June 1918, arriving at Liercourt on 18th June 1918. Here I saw my first battle in the air, then had a 6 hour march to Trouville. On 19th June 1918 we moved off again to join the Company at Abbeville, in six hours we were on the move again for Bouchamps which was 30 km away and I had to ride a mule, bare back, all the way. I shall never forget this as long as I live.

    July 7th 1918 we moved again at 6.30pm and travelled all night and the next day to get to Barlin at 10pm. Had one night and then on again another 50 km on a mule to St Eloi, just behind Vimy Ridge. On 30th July we went right over the ridge to our new positions with Anti tank gun.

    The next day we had a very lively time, saw a German Aeroplane brought down at 10am, 2 English at 11am, 4 German and 3 English at 1pm. Then we got driven out of our position at 6pm by gas. We had to stay out all night and were sent to another position with another gun.

    August 8th 1918. We were visited by King George V and returned to the battery. August 12th we returned to the tank gun. Had a quiet time until the 18th August when we were bombed out again by a German aeroplane. Our anti tank gun position was sited at a spot where the German tanks were expected to attempt a break through and was heavily camouflaged. We had orders to remain strictly undercover. On that day one of the crew, (on sentry duty) watched a German spotter plane circling overhead at low altitude. In a moment of foolishness, he decided to have a shot at the plane with his rifle. The plane at once stopped circling round and made off back to the German lines. It was not very long after this that the German bomber came over, pinpointed our position and dropped 2 bombs. This turned the gun over killing 2 of the crew and trapped us in the dugout. We were trapped inside until the following morning when a relief party from the company came and dug us out. We left that position as a bad job.

    We joined the battery again on 21st August 1918 and took some ammunition up to the front on a light railway. We were under shellfire and bombing for 2 hours. We lost all the ammo, train and all, but we managed to get off all right.

    October 18th moved to Arras. The Germas were not going back with us chasing them. One night in Death Valley, then Douai (2 nights there)then on again to Le Catelett, Malenfosse and St Armond.

    On 7th November 1918 we were sent to rest at Valenciennes but after only 2 days we were returned to the lines finishing up at Mons on the 11th

    We then did occupational duties in Antoing, Tournai, Cherque, bassily, Mareque and Bornheim finishing up at Bonn.

    On September 20th 1919 I got my demob papers. The company went to camp at Prees Heath, Shropshire for their final discharge from the army.

    Rhiannon




    218412

    L/Cpl. Thomas Edward Cross 10th Service Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.10th July 1916)

    Tom Cross was my great uncle, one of 9 children to Thomas and Hannah Cross of 12 Moss Street, Weaverham, Cheshire. He signed up in September 1914 and was killed in the Battle of the Somme on 10th July 1916 aged 20. He is one of thousands of soldiers whose bodies were never returned home and he lies in a field in France, but is remembered on the family grave as killed in action, and named on the Thiepval Memorial. Sadly, there are no surviving family photographs, if there ever were any, so I have no image of Thomas, but have found some photographs of the Battalion on the Internet and he may be on one of them.

    Thomas had two brothers who also served in the First World War and survived. I dedicate this to his memory, the boy he was, the man he might have become and the life he may have lived. We will never forget him.

    Jan Lewis




    218410

    Pte. William Buntin Henderson 2nd Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.15th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    William Buntin Henderson served with the 2nd Battalion, Black Watch during WW1 and died on the 15th April 1917, aged 27. He is remembered at the Alexandria-Chatby Memorial, Egypt. He was the son of Mr.& Mrs. John Henderson , 7 Forest Park Road, Dundee, Scotland. William was among reinforcements for Mesopotamia when the troop ship HT Cameronia was torpedoed and sunk 150 miles east of Malta.

    S Flynn




    218409

    Cpl. Charles Fisher 2nd/24th Btn. London Regiment (d.29th May 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Fisher served with the 2/24th Battalion London Regiment during WW1. Charles was drowned on the 29th May 1918 after the troop ship Missir, crossing the Mediterranean, was hit by a torpedo fired by German submarine UB51. He is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial within the Alexandria Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt.

    S Flynn




    218408

    Pte. Archie Stacey 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.13th May 1915)

    <p>

    Archie Stacey served with the 1st Battalion the Border Regiment during WW1 and died on the 13th May 1915, aged 24. He is buried in Alexandria Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. Archie lived in Hargher Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    218407

    Pte. Hartley Rushton 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.15th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Hartley Rushton served with the 1/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 15th July 1915. He is buried in the Alexandria Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. He enlisted Burnley and lived at Nickles Street, Colne, Lancashire

    S Flynn




    218406

    L/Cpl. Richard Eddlestone 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Richard Eddlestone served with the 1/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 13th November 1915, aged 21. he is buried in Plot A.11 in the Alexandria Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. He lived at 37 Red Lion Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    218405

    Pte. Joseph Hilton Cumberland 2nd Btn. Australian Infantry (d.5th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Hilton Cumberland served with the 2nd Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force during WW1 and died on the 5th May 1915, aged 21. He is buried in the Alexandria Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. Joseph died of wounds received at Gallipoli and his brother Oliver is buried at Lone Pine Cemetery, Anzac. He was the son of the late George A. and Sarah Cumberland. Born at Scone, New South Wales.

    S Flynn




    218404

    Pte. John Burke 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.26th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    John Burke served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 26th August 1915, aged 35. He is buried in the Alexandria Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. He was the son of Patrick and Mary Burke. He was born at Burnley and formerly lived at 3 Shaw Street, later in South Africa.

    S Flynn




    218403

    Drv. Thomas William Boak 29th Res Park Army Service Corps (d.22nd August 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas William Boak served the 29th Reserve Park Army Service Corps during WW1 and died on the 22nd August 1915, age 36. He is buried in the Alexandria Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt, He was the Husband of B. Boak, of 70, Calder Vale Rd., Burnley. He was born in Penrith.

    S Flynn




    218402

    Pte. James Robert Blakey (d.2nd May 1915)

    <p>

    James Robert Blakey served with the Australian Imperial Force during WW1 and died of wounds on the 2nd May 1915, age 23. He is buried in Alexandria Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. He was the son of John Henry and Margaret Ann Blakey, of 17, Hollingreave Rd., Burnley, England.

    S Flynn




    218401

    Pte. James Anyon 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.6th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    James Anyon served with the 1/5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died of wounds on the 6th March 1916, age 26. He is buried in Alexandria Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. He was the husband of Elizabeth Anyon, of 9, Hartington St., Brierfield.

    S Flynn




    218399

    Sgt. John Brooks MM. 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.4th Sep 1918)

    My great-great-grand uncle, Sergeant John Brooks, of Carlow Town, served in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Battalion, in World War I. He died on September 4 1918, during The Capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63, and is buried at Trois Arbres Cemetary, Steenwerck, France.

    Sergeant Brooks was awarded the Military Medal (MM) during service, and was posthumously awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. His name is included in the Leighlinbridge Memorial Garden, Co. Carlow.

    Kris Pender




    218395

    Pte. Thomas Scott 23rd (4th Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Thomas Scott was born at Ford, near Wooler in Northumberland, he was married to Hannah (Gray) and had four children; my Grandfather William Ralph, Norman, Olive and Thomas Gordon. He was living in Bedlington. He walked to his death on the 1st July 1916 and fell in 'No Man's Land' so he has no known grave but is mentioned on Theipval. He was 38

    My Grandad was still grieving for his father 60 years later and found it difficult to discuss him without being upset and a little angry about the way he died and left my great grandmother to struggle and bring up her family without him, I'm sure my great Granda thought he was off on an adventure, serve his country and earn a few extra 'bob' come back to his family and job.

    We don't have any photos of Thomas perhaps my Grandfather's siblings have. So, if you are out there, Peter and Jennifer Scott known to have lived in Cambridge or their children and Trevor Hall and his family who emigrated to either Australia or New Zealand please get in touch and let's put Thomas's photo on The Theipval Memorial site with all the other soldiers.

    Carolyn Campbell




    218393

    Pte. Herbert Killian 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.22nd May 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Killian served with the 9th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died of wounds on the 22nd May 1917. He is buried in the Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, Greece.

    S Flynn




    218392

    Pte. Sydney Crossley 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.23rd Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Sydney Crossley served with the 9th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 23rd June 1917 age 26. He is buried in the Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of Herbert and Ellen Ann Crossley, of 6, Marles St., Burnley. and lived at 79 Oxford Road, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218391

    Pte. Wilfred Ashurst Royal Army Medical Corps (d.29th July 1917)

    <p>

    Wilfred Ashurst served with the RAMC and died on the 29th July 1917. He is buried in the Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery in Greece.

    He had enlisted in Burnley and lived in Towneley Street, Colne.

    S Flynn




    218390

    L/Cpl. William Kennerley 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.2nd September 1915)

    <p>

    William Kennerley served with the 1/5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 2nd September 1915, aged 25. He is buried in the Portianos Military Cemetery in Greece.

    He lived at 19 Albany Terrace with his sister and brother-in-law. He was the son of the late William and Martha Kennerley, of Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218389

    Pte. Thomas Dunleavy 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.12th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Dunleavy served with the 1/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died of wounds on the 12th November 1915, aged 35. He is buried in the Portianos Military Cemetery, Greece.

    He was the son of Francis and Bridget Dunleavy, of Burnley. Husband of Margaret Crossley (Formerly Dunleavy), later of 2 Robert Street, Burnley. He lived at 25 Regent Street, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218388

    Pte. John Thomas Hartley 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.11th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John Thomas Hartley served with the 9th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 11th October 1918, aged 34. He is buried in the Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of Hartley and Elizabeth Hartley, of Burnley; Husband of Henrietta Hartley, of 1, Latham St., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218387

    Pte. Robert Garstang Labour Corps (d.18th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Garstang served with the 975th Area Employment Company, Labour Corps during WW1 and died of dysentery on the 18th October 1918. He is buried in the Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Cemetery in Greece. Robert (T4/220181) was with the Army Service Corps, 606th Mechanical Transport Company prior to his transfer to the Labour Corps. He was the husband of Emily Garstang, of 6, Albany Terrace, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218386

    Pte. Thomas Skinner 6th Btn. Border Regiment (d.14th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Skinner served with the 6th Battalion, the Border Regiment during WW1 and died on the 14th August 1915, aged 22. He is buried in the East Mudros Military Cemetery on the island of Lemnos in Greece.

    S Flynn




    218385

    Pte. William Thomas Seales 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment. (d.8th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    William Thomas Seales served with the 1/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died of enteric fever on the 8th July 1915, age 36. He is buried in East Mudros Military Cemetery on the island of Lemnos in Greece.

    S Flynn




    218384

    Pte. Henry James Hudson 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.10th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Henry James Hudson served with the 6th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died of wounds on the 10th August 1915, aged 30. He is buried in the East Mudros Military Cemetery on the island of Lemnos in Greece. He lived at 19 Engine Street, Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    218383

    Dmr. Fletcher Clough 1/5th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Fletcher Clough served with the 1/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died of wounds on the 9th June 1915, age 16. He is buried in the East Mudros Military Cemetery on the island of Lemnos in Greece. He was the son of Henry and Annie Clough, of 85, Keswick Rd., Blackpool.

    S Flynn




    218373

    Pte. William John Crawford Royal Irish Fusiliers

    William J. Crawford died in the Abbey sanitarium in Belfast on 11th May 1920. He had served in the Royal Irish Fusiliers before going into the Machine Gun Corps. He is buried in the Belfast City Cemetery, just yards from his younger brother Samuel Crawford who served in the RIF. Samuel died on 30/10/1920 in the same sanitarium as William. William and Samuel were married to two sisters named Isabella and Maggie Stratton and had the same address,14 Downing Street in the Shankill area. William has no headstone and is remembered on the Screen Wall in the cemetery.

    Wesley Phillips




    218371

    Pte. Richard Maunder 18th Btn. London Regiment

    Dick Maunder was my Grandfather, and served with the 18th Battalion London Regiment. He was severely wounded and gassed and invalided out in late 1915. He spent the rest of his life with an artificial leg and in bad health. After the war he lived and worked as a canteen manager at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich.

    Mike Maunder




    218370

    L/Cpl. Charles Albert Stallard 9th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.25th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Albert Stallard served with the 9th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 25th April 1917, aged 29 in the Salonika campaign. He is remembered on the Doiran Memorial in Greece. He was the son of Mrs. Edith Stallard, of 36, Jervis Rd., Stamshaw, Portsmouth.

    S Flynn




    218369

    Pte. John Howard Mawdsley 8th Btn. Shropshire Light Infantry (d.27th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    John Howard Mawdesley served with the 8th Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry during WW1 and died on the 27th December 1916, aged 32. He is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial near the Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece.

    He was the son of William Henry Mawdsley, of Oakengates, Salop and husband of Alice Morris (formerly Mawdsley), of 16, Frame Lane, Doseley, Dawley, Salop.

    S Flynn




    218368

    Pte. James Doran 12th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.14th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    James Doran served with the 12th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action at the Battle of Machukovo on the 14th September 1916, aged 38. He is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial within the Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of Michael and Sarah Doran, of Burnley, Lancs. His brother Michael 64372 Scottish Rifles of 10 Bedford St. was twice wounded during WW1.

    S Flynn




    218367

    Pte. Albert Longbottom 8th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Albert Longbottom served with the 8th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 19th September 1918, aged 25. He is buried in Doiran Military Cemetery, Greece.

    S Flynn




    218366

    Pte. Harry Grimshaw 8th Btn. Shropshire Light Infantry (d.31st Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Grimshaw served with the 8th Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry during WW1 and was killed in action on the 31st August 1917. He is buried in Doiran Military Cemetery, Greece.

    S Flynn




    218365

    Pte. Albert Bowling 2nd Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.20th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Albert Bowling served with the 2nd Battalion Kings Own Lancaster Regiment during WW1 and died of pneumonia on the 20th October 1918, aged 19. He is buried in Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece. He was the son of John William and Emily Bowling, of 15, Wren St., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218364

    Pte. Walter Thomas Cox Middlesex Regiment (d.15th July 1916)

    I researched my Dad's side of the family a couple of years ago and found that I had a Great Uncle who had died at the Somme his name was Walter Thomas Cox. His Dad's name was Albert Edwin and his Mum's name was Lydia Louisa, they lived at 257, Kilburn Lane, London. Walter's Dad owned his own Hansom Cab business. On the 1911 census Walter was 14 and a butchers boy.

    Walters middle name Thomas was his Great Grandads name and it was also my Dad's name. Walter came from a family consisting of sisters Florence, Louisa and brothers George, Alfred and Charlie ( my Grandad)

    Walter was born in Willesden, Middlesex in 1897. He joined up on the 27.09.1915. He joined the Duke of Cambridge's Own. ( Middlesex Regiment)

    He died on the 15.07.1916 he was nineteen years of age. Walter is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, in France. In October of this year I and one of my daughters are going to make the journey to his grave side to pay our respects from his family, past, present and future.

    Jean Elliott




    218363

    Pte. James Bennett 2nd Btn. Shropshire Light Infantry (d.21st Feb 1917)

    <p>

    John Bennett served with the 2nd Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry during WW1 and died at sea on the 21st February 1917, age 33. He was the son of Mrs. Alice Ann Bennett, of Shaw St., Burnley and Husband of Annie Lacy (formerly Bennett), of 47, New Hall St., Burnley.

    Within the cemetery is the Mikra Memorial, commemorating almost 500 nurses, officers and men of the Commonwealth forces who died when troop transports and hospital ships were lost in the Mediterranean, and who have no grave but the sea.

    S Flynn




    218362

    Gnr. Rennie Dixon 153rd Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.17th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    Rennie Dixon served with the 153rd Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery during WW1 and died on the 17th June 1918 age 23. He is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Greece. He was the son of Joseph Dixon, of 3, Reedley Rd., Reedley, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218361

    Dvr. Samuel Berry 20th Horse Transport Army Service Corps (d.7th Feb 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Berry served with 20th Horse Transport, Army Service Corps during WW1 and died of Malaria on the 7th February 1918, aged 23. He is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Greece.

    S Flynn




    218358

    Pte. Sam Metcalfe 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.28th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Sam Metcalfe served with the 9th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 28th April 1917, aged 26. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. He was the son of George William and Mary Elizabeth Metcalfe, of 4, Norman St., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218357

    Pte. James Edward Kendall 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.4th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    James Edward Kendall served with the 9th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 4th June 1917. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece.

    S Flynn




    218356

    Pte. George Frederick Graham 12th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.30th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick George Graham served with the 12th Battalion Cheshire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 30th September 1918, aged 22. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. He was the son of Frederick and Martha Graham, of 5, Whittlefield St., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218355

    Pte. George Fishwick 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.14th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    George Fishwick served with the 9th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 14th September 1916, aged 26. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece.

    S Flynn




    218354

    Cpl. Lister Dracup 11th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Lister Dracup served with the 11th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) during WW1 and died on the 19th November 1916, aged 20. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. He was the son of Abraham and Sarah Dracup, of 105, Hufling Lane, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218353

    Pte. Arthur Deeble 11th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Deeble served with the 11th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers during WW1 and died on the 18th September 1918, aged 23. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece. Arthur was the son of John and Sarah Ann Deeble, of 59, Cavour St., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218352

    Pte. Herbert Brown 9th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Brown served with the 9th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died on the 28th April 1917. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece.

    S Flynn




    218350

    Capt. Charles Edward McConnell 82nd Heavy Artillery Group

    <p>

    My grandfather, Captain C.E. McConnell RA, served as adjutant of the 82nd Heavy Artillery Group fighting the Turks at Gallipoli, was part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force under General Allenby and among the first to enter Jerusalem in 1916, when it was captured by the British. As a young man he had served at the Relief of Ladysmith, during the Boer War, meeting the journalist Winston Churchill. He was stationed in Devon and then Malta. An all round sportsman, he became the world Indian Club champion. He had several wartime decorations. After the Great War he moved to Kent, where he became the adjutant of Dover Castle and then set up a small school.

    Charlie McConnell




    218349

    Pte. John Thomas Broadbent 6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th April 1918)

    John Thomas Broadbent was killed in action, just one of 35,000 men whose graves are not known. His name appears at the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. There was never any mention of him, I only discovered him in 2014.

    Nora Clyde




    218343

    Pte. Herbert Lydiate

    All I can remember is that my grandfather, Private Herbert Lydiate, was in the Salford Lads. He never really liked talking about it.

    Tom Chamley




    218341

    Sgt. Tommy Lockley MM. 2nd Battalion

    My grandfather, Sergeant Thomas Lockley, M.M died on the 28th March 1969, aged 71 years. He joined the Regiment on the 28th September 1915, and was awarded the Military Medal at Passchendaele Ridge when serving with the 2nd Battalion.

    He remained with the 2nd Battalion and served in Ireland, Germany, Malta, Shanghai, Tientsin, and India. He was awarded the coronation medal in 1937 whilst serving in India. In the last war he was attached to the Cheshire Regiment as a Lewis Gun instructor. Any news of his citation for his M.M in the battle of Passchendaele Ridge 1917 would be greatly received.

    John Lockley




    218339

    2nd Lt. John McIntyre MM & Bar. 6th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    John McIntyre was born in Choppington Northumberland in 1894. He joined the East Yorkshire Battalion in 1914 aged 20 as a private. He landed in Suvla Bay on 8th August 1915 and spent 4 months surviving the cold, lack of food and the Turkish guns until he left on 19th December for Mudros.

    In January 1916 he was made sergeant and by February his unit was defending the Suez Canal. The Middle of May they embarked from Egypt to Marseilles via Malta. They arrived at St. Pol on 13th July 1916. In the following year and three months John was awarded the Military Medal and Bar and moved through some of the more famous battle grounds as listed in his war diary. On 13th December 1917 John McIntyre returned to England.and was noted as a candidate for admission to Officer Cadet in the Royal Air Force. He had two letters from King George inviting him to become an officer of the Royal Air Force in September 1918.

    In 1919 he relinquished his Royal Air Force Commission. At some stage during his war service he had broken his ankle and never had it set so he suffered from this injury later in life. He had shrapnel wounds on his face but like many men never talked fully about what happened.

    We heard about the Turkish throwing bombs which they threw back if they had time. We saw that he was not afraid of rats and that he could kill them with his bare hands. He never bragged about his medals so we didn't know how he won them and he is mentioned in the regimental diary and the date but not what he had done to deserve them. I expect he thought people would not believe what or where he had been because his regiment had been to a lot of fighting arenas. The final thing I have learnt from the study is that John's elder brother James was in the same regiment as him and he was killed on the 11th August 1917 so he probably didn't want to talk about any of it in case it upset his parents.

    John's only son Hoodless Robinson McIntyre, a Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, was killed on 26th September 1944 in the mountains of the Gallic Line and is buried in the War Cemetery in Fienza, Italy. John died in 1979 in Bradford.

    Nora Clyde




    218337

    Pte. William Duxberry 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.5th Jul 1918.)

    <p>

    William Duxberry served with the 6th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1. He was killed in action on the 5th July 1918 and is buried in the Bangalore (Hosur Road) Cemetery in India. He was the husband of Sarah Ellen Duxberry, of 13, Clay St., Burnley, Lancashire.

    S Flynn




    218336

    Sgt. Charles Henry Wogan London Regt (d.3rd Dec 1918)

    Charles Wogan was my uncle on my mother's side. I knew nothing of him except that prior to WW1 he was an articled clerk to solicitors. He fought in Europe and was brought to Le Harve where he died of influenza. He is buried in a cemetery in the town.

    Some years ago I was on business in Jamaica Rd, Bermondsey when I walked past the Drill Hall at No 2. Outside was a memorial to the dead of the London Regiment and my uncle's name was on it. As I am preparing a memoir for my grandchildren I tried in vain to find the Drill Hall but it and the memorial had disappeared. The local council said it had been removed to a safe place during redevelopment. They appear unable to tell me where it is now! If anyone has information about it or of Charlie. I would be grateful. It seems a shame that on the 100th anniversary of the start of WW1 no one cares enough to replace it where it would honour those who fell. Please send me any information.

    Derek Squires




    218335

    Pte. Leslie Pyers 38th Btn.

    A Letter received about Arthur L Pyers during the war:

    On the 7th of June 1917, during the operations South East of Messines. This man acted with great coolness and wonderful dash in the attack. Finding the wire along a portion of the objective uncut, he dashed into the barrage, and cut a path towards a trench for his party. Later in the action he attacked an enemy machine gun, and silenced it, thus enabling our advance to be continued. He displayed conspicuous gallantry throughout the operation

    Extract from the St Arnaud Mercury 1 June 1919:

    "The Coonooer bridge hall was once again packed to capacity to welcome home one of their returned boys - Private Les Pyers. He is the third son of George Pyers to be welcomed home. Pte Pyers was presented with an inscribed gold medal congratulated on his safe return after having wounded more or less severely on no fewer than 5 times. A short program of items followed including an item from Pte George Pyers who had recently returned from France. Supper was followed by dancing into the wee small hours. "

    Leslie Pyers was also involved with the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company with the Rank of Corporal, he was awarded British War medal, Victory Medal, Military Medal

    Rob Pyers




    218332

    Rfmn. John G Martin 1st/16th Btn. London Regiment Queens Westminster Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    John Martin served with the Queens Westminster Rifles 1st/16th Battalion London Regiment. He died on 1st July 1916.

    Raymond




    218331

    Pte. John Richard Suthon 10th Btn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    John Richard Suthon served with the 10th Battalion, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry during WW1. He was killed in action on the 30th November 1917 and is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    218330

    Pte. Joseph Emmett Royal Army Medical Corps (d.29th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Emmett served with the Royal Army Medical Corps during WW1. He died of wounds on the 29th November 1917, aged 34 and is buried in Plot C.50 in the Jerusalem War Cemetery. He was the s of James and Margaret Emmett; Husband of Martha Ann Emmett, of 15, Pheasantford St., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218329

    Pte. John Frederick Jones 7th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    John Frederick Jones served with the 7th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers during WW1. He was killed in action on the 26th March 1917, aged 23, and is commemorated in the Jerusalem War Cemetery. He was the son of John Thomas Jones and Jane Jones, of 39, Smithfield St., Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire.

    S Flynn




    218328

    Pte. Harry Cross 1/8th Btn. The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.19th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Cross served with the 1/8th Battalion, Scottish Rifles durig WW1 and was killed in action on the 19th April 1917 in Mesopotamia, aged 20. He is commemorated on Panel 25 in the Jerusalem War Cemetery. He was the son of Matthew and Ellen Cross, of 13, Cotton St., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218327

    Pte. John James Grasshorn Fort 33rd Casualty Clearing Station Royal Army Medical Corps (d.30th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John James Grasshorn Fort served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was attached to 33rd Casualty Clearing Station during WW1. He died on the 30th October 1918, aged 20 and is buried in Haifa War Cemetery, Israel. He enlisted in Burnley. John James Grassham Fort was born in Padiham in 1898, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Fort.

    S Flynn




    218326

    L/Cpl. Edward Swainston W Corps Signal Coy Royal Engineers (d.12th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Swainston, formerly of the Border Regiment, served with the Royal Engineers and was attached to W Corps Signal Company during WW1. He was killed by lightning on the 12th November 1917, aged 22, and is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza.

    S Flynn




    218325

    Pte. Archibald McNaught Stevenson 4th Bn. Royal Scots (d.2nd November 1917)

    <p>

    Archibald Stevenson served with the Royal Scots 4th Battalion. He was killed in action on 2nd November 1917 and is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza.

    s flynn




    218324

    Cpl. George Francis Perkins 1st Btn. Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars (d.14th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    George Francis Perkins served with the 1st Battalion Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars Yeomanry during WW1 and was killed in action on the 14th November 1917, aged 25. He is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza. He was the husband of Margaret Nellie Perkins, of Myrtle Cottage, Terriers, High Wycombe, Bucks. Born at Terriers, High Wycombe, Bucks.

    S Flynn




    218323

    Pte. Arthur Jackson 1/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.19th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Arthut Jackson served with the 1/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers during WW1. He was formerly with the East Lancs (11056) and Liverpools (28796). He was killed in action on the 19th April 1917 and is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza. He was probably killed at the Second Battle of Gaza.

    S Flynn




    218322

    Pte. Harry Chadwick 1/4th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.19th Apr 1917.)

    <p>

    Harry Chadwick served with the 1/4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 19th April 1917. He is buried in the Gaza war Cemetery in Gaza.

    S Flynn




    218321

    2nd.Lt. Stanley Henry Parry Boughey VC. 1st/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.4th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    2nd Lieutenant Stanley Henry Parry Boughey served with the 1/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 4th December 1917, age 21. He is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza. He was the son of Mrs. Lucy Boughey, of Yew Tree Farm, Hurleston, Nantwich, Cheshire.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 12th February, 1918, records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery. When the enemy in large numbers had managed to crawl up to within 30 yards of our firing line, and with bombs and automatic rifles were keeping down the fire of our machine guns, he rushed forward alone with bombs right up to the enemy, doing great execution and causing the surrender of a party of 30. As he turned to go back for more bombs he was mortally wounded at the moment when the enemy were surrendering.

    S Flynn




    218320

    Pte. Eynon Price 53rd (Welsh) Casualty Clearing Station Royal Army Medical Corps. (d.4th May 1917)

    <p>

    Eynon Price served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was attached to 53rd (Welsh) Casualty Clearing Station during WW1. He was killed in action 04/05/1917, aged 28, and is buried in Deir El Belah War Cemetery, Palestine. He was the son of David G. and L. E. Price of Ferndale (Rhondda). Husband of Margaret Price, of 38, Derist, Tylorstown (Rhondda), Glam.

    S Flynn




    218319

    Tpr. Donald Mackay Wellington Mounted Rifles (d.23rd Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Donald Mackay served with the Wellington Mounted Rifles, New Zealand Expeditionary Force during WW1 and was killed in action on the 23rd February 1917, aged 32 years. He is buried in Deir El Belah War Cemetery, Palestine . He was the son of Alexander and Isabella Mackay, of Scullomie, Tongue, Lairg, Sutherland and is referenced in the book (Somewhere in Blood Soaked France) by Alasdair Sutherland.

    Six Mackay brothers fought in WW1. The family came from Scullomie, Scotland. My Grandfather George Mackay was awarded a DCM for valour. Sadly his brothers Angus (21 years), Donald (32 years) and Magnus Mackay (18 years) all died in WW1. Donald Mackay served at Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine. Donald Mackay was killed in action on the 23rd of February, 1917 as his unit launched a cavalry attack. He was buried at Khan Yunis, his body was moved after the war to Deir El Belah War Cemetery. Lest We Forget.

    S Flynn




    218318

    Gnr. Frederick Baron 210th Field Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.18th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Baron served with 210th Field Battery, Royal Field Artillery during WW1 and died of dysentery on the 18th November 1917, aged 24. He is buried in Deir El Belah, Palestine. He was the husband of Mrs Baron nee Mc Dermott, Lived at 48 Clarence Street, Burnley, Lancashire

    S Flynn




    218317

    Lt.Col. Algernon Carteret Thynne DSO Royal North Devon Hussars (d.6th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Lieutenant Colonel Algernon Carteret Thynne DSO served with the Royal North Devon Hussars during WW1 and was killed in action on the 6th November 1917, aged 49. He is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel. He was the son of the late Francis John Thynne, of Haynes Park, Beds and husband of Constance Thynne, of Penstowe, Bude, Cornwall. He had served in the South African War.

    S Flynn




    218316

    Gnr. Albert Sherlock 74th Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.6th Nov 1917)

    Albert Sherlock served with the Royal Field Artillery 74th Div. Ammunition Col. He was killed in action on 6th November 1917, aged 24 and is buried in Beersheba War, Israel. He was the son of Robert and Susey Ellen Sherlock, of 98, Healey Wood Rd., Springhill, Burnley, Lancashire.

    s flynn




    218314

    Pte. Edward Hall 8th Battalion Kings Own Royal Lancashire (d.15th Aug 1916)

    Pte. Edward Hall who was my Great-Uncle served with the 8th Battalion of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on 15th August 1915. We think it was at Talus Boise as the Regiment was attacked there on that day. His regimental number was 16584 so he would probably have volunteered in December 1914. He left a widow and two children. Before joining up he worked at the Bleach Works Chorley.

    As his body was never found he is commemorated on the Thiepval Monument on the Somme. We visited there in 2012 and found his name on the Monument and also in the book of remembrance. I have since sent a photograph of Edward to be included in the Wall of photographs at the Thiepval Museum which commemorates the brave soldiers who lost their lives.

    Janet Hetherington




    218312

    Pte. William George Best 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.2nd May 1916)

    William George Best was the son of William Frederick George Best and Martha Jane Mullins. He was born in Ubley Somerset 1890 and enlisted in his Regiment at Taunton in 1914.

    William died on the 2nd May 1916 of wounds received in the Second Battle of Ypres (21st Apr to 25th May 1915) and was buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    Martyn Rundle




    218311

    Tpr. John Richard McDonald 3rd Btn Imperial Camel Corps (d.7th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Trooper John Richard McDonald served with the 3rd Battalion Imperial Camel Corps during WW1 and was killed in action on the 7th November 1917 age 20. He is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery in Israel. He was the son of Arthur Alexander and Mary Ann Sara McDonald, of Cuan, Bunnan, New South Wales. Native of Scone, New South Wales.

    S Flynn




    218310

    Pte. J. H. Bolsom 12th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.6th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Private JH Bolsom served with the 12th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry during WW1 and was killed in action on the 6th November 1917. He is buried in Beersheba War Memorial in Israel.

    S Flynn




    218309

    Capt. John Fox Russell VC, MC. att. 1st/6th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers Royal Army Medical Corps (d.6th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Captain John Fox Russell VC MC served in the Royal Army Medical Corps and was attached to the 1/6th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the 6th November 1917, age 24. He is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery in Israel. He was the son of William Fox Russell and Ethel Maria Fox Russell, of 5, Victoria Terrace, Holyhead.

    An extract from The London Gazette (No. 30491), dated 8th Jan., 1918, records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery displayed in action until he was killed. Capt. Russell repeatedly went out to attend the wounded under murderous fire from snipers and machine guns, and, in many cases where no other means were at hand, carried them in himself although almost exhausted. He showed the highest possible degree of valour.

    S Flynn




    218308

    Lt.Col. Leslie Cecil Maygar VC, DSO, VD. 8th Btn. Australian Light Horse (d.1st Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Cecil Maygar served with the 8th Battalion, Australian Light Horse during WW1 and was killed in action on the 1st November 1917 age 43. He is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery in Israel. he was the son of the late Edwin Wills Maygar and Helen Maygar. Native of Dean Station, Kilmore, Victoria, Australia.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 11th Feb., 1902, records the following:

    At Geelhoutboom, on the 23rd November 1901, Lieutenant Maygar galloped out and ordered the men of a detached post, which was being outflanked, to retire. The horse of one of them being shot under him, when the enemy were within 200 yards, Lieutenant Maygar dismounted and lifted him on to his own horse, which bolted into boggy ground, causing both of them to dismount. On extricating the horse and finding that it could not carry both, Lieutenant Maygar again put the man on its back and told him to gallop for cover at once, he himself proceeding on foot. All this took place under a very heavy fire."

    He had received a V.C. during the Second Boer War in 1901

    S Flynn




    218307

    Major. Alexander Malins Lafone VC. Middlesex Hussars (d.27th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Major Alexander Malins Lafone VC served with the Middlesex Hussars during WW1 and was killed in action on the 27th October 1917, age 47. He is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery, Beersheba, Israel. Alexander was the son of Henry and Lucy Lafone, of Court Lodge, Knockholt, Kent.

    An extract from "The London Gazette" (No. 30433), dated 14th Dec., 1917, records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery, leadership, and self-sacrifice when holding a position for over seven hours against vastly superior enemy forces. All this time the enemy were shelling his position heavily, making it very difficult to see. In one attack, when the enemy cavalry charged his flank, he drove them back with heavy losses. In another charge they left fifteen casualties within twenty yards of his trench, one man, who reached the trench, being bayoneted by Major Lafone himself. When all his men, with the exception of three, had been hit and the trench which he was holding was so full of wounded that it was difficult to move and fire, he ordered those who could walk to move to a trench slightly in the rear, and from his own position maintained a most heroic resistance. When finally surrounded and charged by the enemy, he stepped into the open and continued to fight until he was mortally wounded and fell unconscious. His cheerfulness and courage were a splendid inspiration to his men, and by his leadership and devotion he was enabled to maintain his position, which he had been ordered to hold at all costs.

    S Flynn




    218306

    Pte. Sidney William Skull 1st/4th Btn. B Coy. Wiltshire Regt. (d.10th Apr 1918)

    <p>Picture courtesy of great niece, Caroline Gibson

    Sidney William Skull served with B Company 1/4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 10th April 1918, aged 20. He is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery in Israel. Son of Elijah and Mary Skull, of Bradenstoke, Chippenham, Wilts, Sid was serving alongside his brother Bert, who was present when he was shot.





    218305

    Pte. Charles Exton 33rd Casualty Clearing Station Royal Army Medical Corps (d.16th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Private Charles Exton served with 33rd Casualty Clearing Station, Royal Army Medical Corps and was killed in action on the 16th July 1918. He is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery in Israel. He enlisted in Burnley, was the son of Oliver Exton, of 18, St. Giles St., Padiham and husband of Ellen Exton, of 38, Spenser St., Padiham, Lancs.

    S Flynn




    218304

    Spr. Edwin Eastley 10th Div. Sig. Coy Royal Engineers (d.18th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Edwin Eastley served with 10th Division Signal Company, Royal Engineers during WW1 and died of pneumonia on the 18th November 1918, aged 34. He is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel. He was the son of George and Elizabeth Eastley; husband of Fanny Mason (formerly Eastley), of 129, Abel St., Burnley, Lancs.

    S Flynn




    218303

    Pte. George Cooper 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    George Cooper served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment and was killed in action on the 30th April 1917. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    George was the son of David and Ann Cooper and was born in Stacksteads, Bacup, Lancashire. In 1901 the family lived at 10 Prospect Terrace, Stacksteads and in 1911 at 10 Farholme Lane, Stacksteads. He attended Acre Mill Sunday School and appears frequently in the church records until 1912. He enlisted Feb 1916 and served with 6/East Lancs (#24293) in Mesopotamia from June 1916. He contracted dysentery and was treated in India but was back in Mesopotamia by Nov 1916. He died on the 30 April 1917, aged 25.

    S Flynn




    218301

    Spr. John Henry Loach Royal Engineers

    I know very little about John Harry Loach. My wife came across his Victory Medal in clearing out her dad's house. We do not know if he was any relation.

    John Gregory




    218300

    Pte, Charles Type 4th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.15th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Type was killed in action 15th February 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    218299

    Pte. Bernard Stenson 2nd Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.7th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Bernard Stenson served with the 2nd Battalion the Leicestershire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 7th January 1916. He is commemorated onthe Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218298

    Pte. John William Smith 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    John William Smith served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 9th April 1916. He is commemorated onthe Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218297

    Pte. Bert Patten 1/4th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.19th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Bert Patten served with the 1/4th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment and was killed in action on the 19th June 1917. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218296

    Pte. Henry Massey 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.6th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Henry Massey served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 6th February 1917. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq. (CWGC has surname as Macey)

    S Flynn




    218295

    George Dawkins 107 Squadron

    <p>Pilots & Observers of C Flight 107 Sqd

    The following information is written on the back of the photo: Pilots and observers of C Flight 107 Sqd. Cpt Carter DFC, Lieu Arundel, Lieu Aston, Lieu Whitup, Lieu Graham DFC, Lieu King, Lieu Dunlop DFC, Lieu Long, Lieu Holden.

    Marion Dickinson




    218294

    Pte. Michael Smith 7th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.9th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    My father always told me when I was growing up that his uncle's Andrew and Michael went to war and never returned. They knew they died but didn't know when and where. I found out that Michael entered the war with the Connaught Rangers and died in France at the battle of Ginchy.

    As for Andrew I cannot find anything for him. We assume that the two of them served together with the Rangers and then with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Andrew was the son of Andrew and Agnes Smyth and his D.O.B 26th Jan 1880, address: Kenagh Co.Longford.

    Declan Smyth




    218293

    Dvr. Hubert Ernest "Bert" Dines Q Battery Royal Horse Artillery (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    My Great Uncle Hubert Dines was born in Over, Cambridgeshire on 5th January 1885 the second son of Robert and Elizabeth (Bessie) Dines. Bert emigrated on 9th April 1914 to Australia on board the S.S. Ballarat, departing from the Port of London. The ship would have called at Las Palmas, Capetown and Adelaide en route to Sydney.

    No sooner had he arrived war was declared and he enlisted in Melbourne on 11th August 1914 for service as a driver in the Royal Horse Artillery(Imperial Reservists.)He sailed along with 54 other men who had also enlisted in Australia for the RHA on the first ANZAC convoy which gathered at Albany, Western Australia and set sail on1st November 1914. Bert was aboard HMAT Miltiades which started to disembark in Egypt on 3rd December 1914. At some point after this he was sent to Gallipoli with either the 15th Brigade 'B' 'L' or 'Y' Battery. He was subsequently wounded and sent back to England. Burt re-enlisted with the RHA at Bury St. Edmonds No. 39646 and was attached to 'Q' Battery. He was killed on the 23rd March 1918, almost exactly four years to the day he had left for Australia.

    Martin Leggett




    218292

    Pte. William Reed 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.6th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Private William Reed served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment during WW1 and died age 22 on the 6th July 1917. He is buried in Coxyde Military Cemetery. He was the son of Eliza Ruth Reed, 224 Bensham Lane, Thornton Heath, Surrey.

    Rob Reed




    218290

    Gnr. Frank Darcy Bromley Royal Garrison Artillery

    Frank Bromley married a relative from my Family, a Great Great Great Aunt. I am just trying to find some more information about Mr Bromley the only information I have regarding his war records are from the Medals awarded page in Ancestry which states he served with The Royal Garrison Artillery and The Royal Engineers.





    218288

    Fus. John Hodge 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.1st oct 1915)

    John Hodge was my great uncle. I have no further information about him.

    P. Mcfadzean




    218287

    2nd Lt. John James Wilder Lassetter 6th Btn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    Second Lieutenant John James Wilder Lassetter served with the 11th Battalion and was attached to the 6th Battalion the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment during WW1. He was killed in action on the 8th March 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218286

    Pte. Frederick James Houghton 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.22nd Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick James Houghton served with the 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders during WW1 and was killed in action on the 22nd April 1916 age 19. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218282

    Pte. George Harrison 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.5th Apr 1916)

    George Harrison served with 6th Battalion. East Lancashire Regiment. He was killed in action on 5th April 1916 aged 31 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    218279

    Pte. Charles Graham Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.17th Dec 1916)

    Charles Graham served with the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, and was killed in action 17th December 1916, aged 25. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    218277

    Pte. Samuel Fielden 6th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.30th April 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Fielden served with the 6th Battalion Kings Own Lancaster Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 30th April 1917 age 25. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq. He was the son of John William and Frances Fielden, of 534, Accrington Rd., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218276

    Pte. David James White Duncan 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th March 1917)

    <p>

    David James White Duncan served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1. He was killed in action on the 9th March 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218275

    Pte. Arthur Collinge 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.26th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Collinge served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 26th February 1917. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218274

    Sgt. Robert Hey Chapples 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Sergeant Robert Hey Chapples served with the 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 9th April 1916. He is commemorated on the Basra War memorial in Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218273

    Pte. James Casson 6th Btn. (Machine Gun Section) Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Private James Casson served with the 6th Battalion (Machine Gun Section) Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and was killed in Action on the 9th April 1916, age 29. He is commemorated on the Basra War memorial in Iraq. James was the husband of Eliza Ann Casson, of 64, Milton St., Fulledge, Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218271

    L/Cpl. Joseph Calverley 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    L.Cpl. Joseph Calverley served with the East Lancashire Regiment 6th Battalion. He was killed in Action on 9th April 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra War memorial in Iraq. (CWGC has surname as Calveley)

    s flynn




    218270

    Pte. Dennis Cyril Byrne 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Private Dennis Cyril Byrne served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 19th April 1916, aged 22. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq. He was the son of Mrs. J. E. L. Byrne, of 27, Napier St., Burnley

    S Flynn




    218269

    Sgt. John Thomas Burrows 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Sergeant John Thomas Burrows served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1. He was Killed in Action age 42 and is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq. He was the husband of Emma Burrows, of 210, Lower House Lane, Burnley. Served in the Chitral Campaign (1895) and the South African Campaign with the 1st Btn.

    S Flynn




    218266

    Pte. Joseph Brayton Scott Cheshire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    I am researching the names on my old school's (Birkenhead Institute) Memorial to try and find out more than just name, initials, which service and date of death. As I find more details about them their families and sometimes their work and leisure I now wonder which battles they were involved in. I think from Joseph's date of death he could have been involved in the Battle of Aisne. Can you confirm this ? The thrust of this is the threat to our (uknwm listed) playing fields from housing development.

    64744 Private Joseph Brayton Scott served with the 10th Battalion, the Cheshire Regiment during WW1 and died, age 19, on the 27th May 1918. He is remembered on the Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France. Joseph was the son of Joseph and Lucilla Scott, of 3, Stuart Rd., Higher Tranmere, Birkenhead, Cheshire.

    Les Highton




    218263

    Sgt. Patrick James "Frank" Collins HQ Co., 3rd Balloon Squadron

    Patrick Collins was born in Tarbert, County Kerry, Ireland in 1892. Patrick preferred the name "Frank" and that is the name he used throughout his adult life. Frank immigrated to the United States in 1908, but remained a citizen of Great Britain.

    In 1918, Frank Collins was drafted and inducted into the U.S. Army on March 8, 1918 at Kansas City, Missouri, at age 26. He was assigned to the Air Service at Kelly Field, Texas. Frank shipped out from Newport News, VA on Apr 23, 1918 aboard the SS Sibney. He served with the 3rd Balloon Squadron in France and apparently saw combat. He was promoted to Sgt in March 1919.

    Frank returned to the U.S. on June 25, 1919; and was subsequently honorably discharged on July 9, 1919. Unfortunately, his official Army records were destroyed in the fire at the Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO in 1973. The family would appreciate any documentation that shows details about his service overseas.

    Col. Steve Scanlon




    218261

    Pte. Sydney Brightmore 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Sydney Brightmore served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 30th April 1917. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq. Sydney was the son of Mrs. A. E. Brightmore, of 14, Buckingham Place, Lake Rd., Portsmouth. (Formerly of Burnley, Lancashire).

    S Flynn




    218260

    Pte. William James Bridge 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    William James Bridge served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 30th April 1917, aged 22. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218259

    Pte. John Bowditch 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    John Bowditch served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and he was killed in action on the 9th April 1916. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218258

    Pte. John Blakey 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    John Blakey served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on 30th April 1917. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218257

    Pte. William Henry Berry East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th April 1916)

    William Henry Berry was killed in action on 9th April 1916, aged 25.

    s flynn




    218256

    Pte. John Robinson Bailey 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Private John Robinson Bailey served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 8th April 1916, aged 46. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218255

    Pte. George Henry Astin 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.14th Jan 1917.)

    <p>

    Private George Henry Astin served with the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on the 14th January 1917. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq.

    S Flynn




    218254

    Pte. Edmund Acornley 6th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.9th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Private Edmund Acornley served with the 6th Battalion, Kings Own Lancaster Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action, age 21, on the 9th February 1917. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq. Edmund was the son of Elijah and Dina Acornley, of 24, Spencer St., Burnley.

    S Flynn




    218252

    Pte. Thomas Beresford 8th Battalion Green Howards (d.25th Apr 1918)

    Thomas Beresford was born in Shropshire, but his family moved to Durham for work down the mines and Thomas was a miner at the time he enlisted in the Green Howards on 21st November 1914. He was posted to the 8th battalion on 16th December and the battalion went to France on 26th August 1915 .

    Thomas was transferred to the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment in 1918 and was killed in action on 25th April 1918 aged 35 in the second Battle of Kemmel in Belgium.

    Lawrence Beresford Heslop




    218249

    Capt. George Stuart Henderson VC DSO MC MID. 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Captain George Stuart Henderson VC DSO and Bar MC MID(5) served with the 2nd Battalion the Manchester Regiment and was killed in action on the 24th July 1920 in Mesopotamia. He was 5 times Mentioned in Despatches. He died age 26 and is commemorated on Panel Reference Panel 31 and 64 on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq. He was the son of Robert and Mary Henderson, of Mount Hooly, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.

    An extract from "The London Gazette", dated 29th Oct., 1920, records the following:-

    For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. On the evening of the 24th July, 1920, when about fifteen miles from Hillah (Mesopotamia), the Company under his command was ordered to retire. After proceeding about 500 yards a large party of Arabs suddenly opened fire from the flank, causing the Company to split up and waver. Regardless of all danger, Capt. Henderson at once reorganised the Company, led them gallantly to the attack and drove off the enemy. On two further occasions this officer led his men to charge the Arabs with the bayonet and forced them to retire. At one time, when the situation was extremely critical and the troops and transport were getting out of hand, Capt. Henderson by sheer pluck and coolness, steadied his command, prevented the Company from being cut up, and saved the situation. During the second charge he fell wounded, but refused to leave his command, and just as the Company reached the trench they were making for he was again wounded. Realising that he could do no more, he asked one of his NCOs to hold him up on the embankment, saying 'I'm done now, don't let them beat you'. He died fighting.

    S Flynn




    218248

    Pte. James Henry Flynn VC. 4th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.30th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    Private James Henry Flynn VC served with the 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers and died, age 23, on the 30th March 1917. He is remembered on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq. Son of Mr. J. Flynn, of 19, Downing St., Bodmin, Cornwall.

    An extract from The London Gazette, dated, 26th Sept., 1916, records the following;- For most conspicuous bravery. After a night attack he was one of a small party which dug in in front of our advanced line and about 300 yards from the enemy trenches. Seeing several wounded men lying out in front he went out and bandaged them all under heavy fire, making several journeys in order to do so. He then went back to our advanced trench for a stretcher and, being unable to get one, he himself carried on his back a badly wounded man into safety. He then returned and, aided by another man who was wounded during the act, carried in another badly wounded man. He was under continuous fire while performing this gallant work.

    S Flynn




    218247

    Lt. Humphrey Osbaldsyon Brooke Firman SS Julnar (d.24th Apr 1916)

    Lt. Herbert Firman was the son of Mr. H. B. Firman, J.P., of Gateforth Lodge, Coombe Hill, New Malden, Surrey.He served with the Royal navy on SS`Julnar. He died on 26th April 21916 aged 29 and is Commemorated on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq.

    An extract from "The London Gazette", dated 2nd February 1917, records the following:- "The General Officer Commanding, Indian Expeditionary Force "D", reported on this attempt in the following words:- " At 8 p.m. on April 24th, 1916, with a crew from the Royal Navy under Lieut. Firman, R.N., assisted by Lieut. Comdr. Cowley, R.N.V.R., the " Julnar ", carrying 270 tons of supplies, left Falahiyah in an attempt to reach Kut. Her departure was covered by all artillery and machine gun fire that could be brought to bear, in the hope of distracting the enemy's attention. She was, however, discovered and shelled on her passage up the river. At 1 a.m. on the 25th, Gen. Townshend reported that she had not arrived, and that at midnight a burst of heavy firing had been heard at Magasis, some 9 miles from Kut by river, which had suddenly ceased. There could be but little doubt that the entrprise had failed, and the next day the Air Service reported the " Julnar " in the hands of the Turks at Magasis. The leaders of this brave attempt, Lieut. H.O.B. Firman, R.N., and his assistant, Lieut. Comdr. C.H. Cowley, R.N.V.R. - the latter of whom throughout the campaign in Mesopotamia performed magnificient service in command of the "Mejidieh", - have been reported by the Turks to have been killed; the remainder of the gallant crew, including five wounded, are prisoners of war. Knowing well the chances against them, all the gallant officers and men who manned the 'Julnar' for the occasion were volunteers. I trust that the services in this connection of Lieut. H.O.B. Firman, R.N., and Lieut. Comdr. C.H. Cowley, R.N.V.R., his assistant, both of whom were unfortunately killed, may be recognised by the posthumous grant of some suitable honour." The account of the award is preceded by the following paragraph:- "The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officers in recognition of their conspicuous gallantry in an attempt to re-provision the force besieged in Kut-el-Amara."

    s flynn




    218245

    Sgt. David Finlay VC. 2nd Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.21st Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Sergeant David Finlay served with the 2nd Battalion the Black Watch during WW1 and died, age 23, on the 21st January 1916. He is remembered on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq. He was the husband of Mrs. F. Finlay (later Mrs. Wilson), of The Anchorage, St. Abb's, Coldingham, Berwickshire.

    An extract from the London Gazette, dated 29th June, 1915, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on 9th May, 1915, near Rue du Bois, when he led a bombing party of twelve men with the greatest gallantry in the attack until ten of them had fallen. Lance-Corporal Finlay then ordered the two survivors to crawl back, and he himself went to the assistance of a wounded man and carried him over a distance of 100 yards of fire-swept ground into cover, quite regardless of his own personal safety.

    S Flynn




    218244

    Lt.Cdr. Charles Henry Cowley VC. SS Julnar (d.24th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Lieutenant Commander Charles Henry Cowley VC served with the Royal Navy during WW1 and was killed in action, age 44, aboard SS Julnar on the 24th April 1916. He is remembered on the Basra Memorial in Iraq. He was the son of Mrs. Cowley, of Kiddary St., Ashan, Basra.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," dated, 2nd Feb., 1917, records the following:- "The General Officer Commanding, Indian Expeditionary Force "D", reported on this attempt in the following words:- " At 8 p.m. on April 24th, 1916, with a crew from the Royal Navy under Lieut. Firman, R.N., assisted by Lieut. Comdr. Cowley, R.N.V.R., the " Julnar ", carrying 270 tons of supplies, left Falahiyah in an attempt to reach Kut. Her departure was covered by all artillery and machine gun fire that could be brought to bear, in the hope of distracting the enemy's attention. She was, however, discovered and shelled on her passage up the river. At 0100 on the 25th, Gen. Townshend reported that she had not arrived, and that at midnight a burst of heavy firing had been heard at Magasis, some 9 miles from Kut by river, which had suddenly ceased. There could be but little doubt that the enterprise had failed, and the next day the Air Service reported the " Julnar " in the hands of the Turks at Magasis.

    The leaders of this brave attempt, Lieut. H.O.B. Firman, R.N., and his assistant, Lieut. Comdr. C.H. Cowley, R.N.V.R. - the latter of whom throughout the campaign in Mesopotamia performed magnificent service in command of the "Mejidieh", - have been reported by the Turks to have been killed; the remainder of the gallant crew, including five wounded, are prisoners of war. Knowing well the chances against them, all the gallant officers and men who manned the 'Julnar' for the occasion were volunteers. I trust that the services in this connection of Lieut. H.O.B. Firman, R.N., and Lieut. Comdr. C.H. Cowley, R.N.V.R., his assistant, both of whom were unfortunately killed, may be recognised by the posthumous grant of some suitable honour." The account of the award is preceded by the following paragraph:- "The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officers in recognition of their conspicuous gallantry in an attempt to re-provision the force besieged in Kut-el-Amara."

    S Flynn




    218243

    Pte F. Boos 1st Cape Btn. (d.15th Oct 1918)

    Pte. F. Booth served with the 1st Cape Btn, Coloured Labour Regiment. He was executed for murder, on 15th October 1919 aged 19 and is buried in Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France.

    s flynn




    218242

    Pte. Willie P. Harris 1st Cape Btn. Coloured Labour Regiment (d.26th Aug 1919)

    Willie Harris served with the 1st Cape Btn, Coloured Labour Regiment. He was executed for murder, on 26th August 1919 aged 49 and is buried in Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France.

    s flynn




    218241

    Pte. Abraham Davids 1st Cape Btn. Coloured Labour Regiment (d.26th Aug 1919)

    Abraham Davids served with the 1st Cape. Btn, Coloured Labour Regiment. He was executed for murder on 26th August 1919 aged 24 and is buried in Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France.

    s flynn




    218240

    Rfmn. Henry Charles Shall 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.6th May 1917)

    My ancestor, Henry Charles Shall served with 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. I am trying to research him. Are there any records of either his service, or Battalion diaries that I can research please?

    David Irwin




    218237

    Pte. William James Purvis 1st Btn. Black Watch (d.13th Oct 1915)

    <p>Return of men killed in action

    My Great Grandfather William James Purves went to the western Front in May 1915 and lost his life in the Battle of Loos in October of the same year. He served with the Black Watch 1st Battalion and is commemorated on the Loos memorial in Pas de Calais, France.

    Alan Purves




    218236

    Pte. Francis Owen Gittens 16th Bn Middlesex Regt (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Francis Gittens was 19 when he was killed in The Battle of the Somme on the 1st of July 1916. He was the son of Joshua T. and Jane E. Gittens, of 10, St. Francois Valley Rd., Belmont, Trinidad, British West Indies.

    Cyril Gittens




    218234

    Pte. Patrick Ridge 1st Btn. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders (d.28th Jan 1915)

    <p>Pte P Ridge cemetery

    Patrick Ridge was born on 15/3/1887 at 20 Cumberland Street,Glasgow. At the age of 20, whilst living at 32 Portugal Street, he married his sweetheart Elizabeth(Lizzie)Murphy at St.Luke's church on 2/12/1907. Later, he joined the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders on 5/9/1914 when he was 27 years old. His recruitment papers state that he was 5'6", with a pale complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He also had a tattoo which I've discovered was two hearts with both their initials PR & EM, on the front of his left forearm. Patrick was in the 1st battalion but before he was sent to the front, he wrote a poem to his wife Lizzie. He seemed to have a presentiment of his coming fate in his words "and if I am amongst the dead" but says "my King and country need me".

    His date of entry on his medal card is recorded as 15/11/1914 and just over two months later,on 25/1/1914, he was seriously wounded at La Bassee in France. He was bayoneted in the chest and when his belongings were sent home to his wife, there was a bloody hole through his pay book that had been in his breast pocket. Sadly, he died three days later in no.1 casualty clearing station on 28/1/1915. He left a widow and four young children.The eldest was my Grandad John Ridge(age 8), Mary(age 4),James(age 2) and the youngest was baby Catherine, born only a few months earlier in October 1914.

    Patrick is buried in grave I.A.7 at Choques military cemetery, which is about 4km north-west of Bethune, on the road to Lillers in France. I have also seen his name mentioned in the rolls of honour books at the Scottish National War Memorial inside Edinburgh castle. The year 2015 marks the centenary of his death. Patrick may be gone but he is not forgotten. RIP x

    Carolynn Higginson




    218233

    Rfmn. Frederick Cox 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.6th Feb 1916)

    Frederick Cox served with the Rifle Brigade 3rd Battalion. He died on 6th February 1916.





    218232

    Pte. H. T.W. Phillips 1st Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.30th May 1916)

    Pte. H. T. E. Phillips served with the Coldstream Guards 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 30th May1916. His grave lies in the NW part of Wormhoudt Dommunal Cemetery, Nord, France.

    s flynn




    218231

    Pte. Richard M. Davies 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.15th Nov 1917)

    Richard Davies sserved with the Sherwood Foresters 11th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 15th November 1917 and is buried in Wizernes Communal Cemetery, Wizernes, France.

    s flynn




    218230

    Rfmn. Albert E. Parker 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th May 1916)

    Albert Parker was executed for desertion 15/05/1916 age 35 and is buried in Warlus Communal Cemetery, Warlus, France.

    S Flynn




    218229

    L/Cpl. George E. Hughes 7th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.23rd Nov 1916)

    George Hughes was executed for desertion, 23/11/1916 and buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension, Warloy-Baillon, France. Believed to have been a volunteer, and it is known that he deserted on the Somme. It is assumed that he was shot on 23rd November, but few records exist relating to him. He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Hughes of 8 Ernest Street, Great Ancoats, Manchester.

    S Flynn




    218228

    Pte. Thomas Brigham 1/10th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.4th Jun 1918)

    Thomas Brigham was executed for desertion 04/06/1918 age 22 and buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France.

    S Flynn




    218227

    Pte. William J. Earl 1/7th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27th May 1918)

    William Earl was executed for desertion 27th May 1918 age 22 and buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France. He was the son of George and Lillian Earl, of 14, Earl St., Lower Broughton, Manchester. During his court martial he simple said that he was fed up with the war. His CWGC headstone is inscribed "Those miss him most Who loved him best".

    S Flynn




    218226

    L/Cpl. Frederick Hawthorne 1/5th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.11th Aug 1916)

    Frederick Hawthorne was executed for Cowardice 11th August 1916 age 22 and buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France.

    S Flynn




    218225

    Pte. Joseph Ferguson 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.20th Apr 1917)

    Joseph Ferguson was attached Royal Engineers, he was executed for desertion 20th April 1917 age 21 and buried in Wanquetin Communal Cemetery Extension, Wanquetin, France.

    S Flynn




    218224

    James Miller Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>

    My grandfather, James Miller, served in the Seaforth Highlanders but we have no details for him and it appears no service record survives either. All we have is this photograph of him sent from France (he is on the right and as far as we know the other chap is a friend of his from their home town of Wick, Caithness.

    I was puzzled about the outfit they are wearing as I was expecting them to be wearing a kilt but it has been suggested that during the war sometimes they were short of uniforms and they were kitted out in fleece and knitted goods from civilians. There is nothing in the photograph to suggest a regiment. Unfortunately, like many, he suffered terribly from shell shock and this eventually contributed to his death in 1934 at the age of 44. I have also been told that he was in rehabilitation in a hospital in Edinburgh.

    Editors Note:

    Unfortunately there were at least 12 members of the regiment bearing this name so it is not possible to distinguish which one was him without further details. The jackets they are wearing were issued to soldiers in cold weather, the rest of the uniform is standard army issue. The Seaforth Highlanders were a kilted regiment, but later in the war they wore trousers as kilts offer little protection against mustard gas. Presumably trousers may have been worn during the winter months for practical reasons.

    Moira Hill




    218223

    Pte. Frederick Charles Butcher 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.27th Aug 1918)

    Frederick Butcher was shot for desertion 27/08/1918, aged 23. He is remembered on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Haucourt, France. He was the son of Mrs. E. Butcher, of 24A, Park St., Folkestone.

    S Flynn




    218222

    Pte. Frank Bateman 1/4th Btn. Yorks & Lancs Regiment (d.10th Sep 1918)

    Frank Bateman was executed for desertion 10/09/1918 age 28 and buried in Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois, France. He as the son of Mr. C. Bateman, of 3 Kilton St., Sheffield

    Julian Putkowski and Julian Sykes in their book "Shot at Dawn state that Frank was initially posted to 1/4 King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (49 West Riding Division) at the end of June 1915. The Battalion served at Ypres in the Autumn of 1915 and then transferred to the Somme in 1916. Frank was wounded in the summer of that year and after recovery was posted to 1/5 Battalion. He first deserted in 1917 and received a sentence of one year’s imprisonment that was suspended. Later that year he was returned to England with this time a self inflicted wound.

    Returning to his original Battalion in 1918 (1/4 King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) he deserted again and received a fifteen year sentence again suspended. In June 1918 he went missing yet again and received the death sentence at the subsequent court martial. The sentence was carried out on 10th September 1918. Frank was the sixth and final soldier from Sheffield to be executed. It was of course just two months from the end of the war.

    S Flynn




    218221

    Pte. Archibald Joseph Swalwell MM. 1st/9th Durham Light Infantry

    Archibald Joseph Swalwell was born on 17th April 1885 in Stokesley Yorkshire the son of William Swalwell and his wife Agnes nee Fairley. He enlisted at Chopwell, County Durham on the 2nd September 1914 having previously served with the Durham Light Infantry between 1903 and 1907 as volunteer.

    Archibald was 29 years old when he enlisted and was a miner married to Nina Jane and had three children. They lived at 30 Humber Street Chopwell. He stood 5 feet 8 inches in height and had an expanded chest of 36 inches. He enlisted as a private in the 9th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (TF), who’s ‘F’ Company was based in Chopwell, and his regimental number was 2645. On the day the battalion sailed for France Archibald transferred into 1/9th which could suggest that he had previously trained with the 2/9th battalion. The 1/9th Battalion landed at Boulogne on the 20th April 1915 and joined the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division.

    Archibald was gazetted on the 27th October 1916 for the award of the Military Medal which it is believed he was awarded for his actions on 1st July 1916 at the beginning of the Battle of the Somme but no details have currently been found detailing this award.

    In April 1917 he was renumbered to 323510. On the 15th October 1917 he was appointed as an unpaid lance corporal and on the 12th December 1917 he was promoted to (paid) corporal.

    In February 1918 he had a medical problem, although it does not appear to be a wound. He was evacuated and treated by a Field Ambulance, 17 Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Siding (at Lijssenthoek near Poperinge in Flanders) and then 18 General Hospital at Camiers. He re-joined his unite on the 5th April 1918.

    On the 16th August 1918 Archibald suffered an injury to his right ankle whilst the battalion was on the move, in the area of Authie-St-Leger. In the dark he stepped into a hole on the road and the next man also fell onto him. Judging from the fact that it took him home and eventually to a disablement pension the injury was severe. He was evacuated to Number 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux but was also treated at the Number 83 (Dublin) General Hospital at Boulogne where an X-ray revealed a double fracture of the ankle. He returned to England on the 6th October 1918. On arrival he was admitted to Norfolk War Hospital at Thorpe, Norwich and then to the Red Cross Hospital at Kirstead. During his stay at the latter he finally received his Military Medal on the 22nd October 1918.

    He was discharged from hospital on the 30th November 1918 and was pronounced fit for home leave and then returned to duty with his regiment’s 5th Reserve Battalion, a training unit based at Sutton-on-Hull. A Medical Board held at Newcastle on the 10th December 1918 stated that he had no disability resulting from his injury and recommended that he be demobilised and disembodied. However he was medically examined for a disability pension at Sutton-on-Hull on the 22nd December 1918. He was assessed as being 40% disabled by his injury and was awarded an initial pension of 12 shillings a week from the date of his release. This was to be reviewed after 39 weeks. He was disembodied on the 25th January 1919 at the Number 1 Dispersal Unit at North Camp, Ripon, North Yorkshire. It appears that the pension was not extended after the initial 39 weeks was he was paid a supplementary gratuity of £5 in December 1919.

    After the war Archibald continued to live in Chopwell and working at Chopwell Colliery. In November 1926, along with other miners from Chopwell, he sailed to the United States to work as a miner in the deep anthracite mines of Pennsylvania. Archibald died in a mining accident on the 8th April 1928 at the Jermyn Mine in Scranton, Pennsylvania aged 43 years old.





    218220

    Pte. Stephen McDermott Fowles 44th Btn. (d.19th Jun 1918)

    Stephen Fowles was executed for desertion 19/06/1918 and buried in Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois, France. Stephen was born on 13 June 1897 in Winnipeg. In February 1916 Fowles enlisted in the 107th Battalion, which sailed for England in September 1916. Fowles was later sent to France as part of a reinforcement of the 44th Canadian Infantry Battalion.

    Within a year of his enlistment, Fowles was court-martialled for desertion and found guilty. His sentence of death was reduced during the confirmation process to 10 years' imprisonment, which was itself later reduced to a suspended sentence and Fowles was returned to his unit. Despite these events, Fowles deserted and on 29 December 1917 was again sentenced to death. For a second time, the sentence was commuted to a suspended sentence. Given the need to combat the German offensive, Fowles was returned to his unit. Shortly after rejoining his unit, Fowles deserted for a 3rd time and was not detained until he turned himself in on 2 May 1918. Fowles was court-martialled for desertion, found guilty and sentenced to death.

    S Flynn




    218219

    Pte. Edward Fairburn 18th Btn. (d.2nd Mar 1918)

    Edward Fairburn was executed for desertion 02/03/1918 age 23 and buried in Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois, France. He was born in St. Catharines, Ontario on 21 September 1895. After enlisting in November 1915, Fairburn was sent to France as part of a reinforcement for the 18th (Western Ontario) Battalion.

    Following a period of charge-free conduct, Fairburn went missing during the period 9–16 April 1917 and he remained missing for 10 months, before being arrested just north of Arras. During his period of absence, Fairburn had missed the major battles at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70 and Passchendale (Third Battle of Ypres), which made his desertion appear even worse in the eyes of the Army authorities, and it came as no surprise that Fairburn was court-martialled for desertion, found guilty and sentenced to death by shooting.

    S Flynn




    218218

    Pte. Harold George Carter 73rd Btn. (d.20th Apr 1917)

    Pte. Harold Carter served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force 73rd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 20April 1917 aged 21 and is buried in Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois, France. Born on 26 March 1894 in Toronto, Ontario, Harold George Carter enlisted in the 59th Battalion in March 1915. In January 1916, he was charged with going AWOL

    The Battalion was disbanded upon reaching England at the end of 1916, and its troops were used to re-man other units who had taken high casualty rates during the war. Carter was transferred to the 73rd Battalion, part of the 4th Canadian Division. He was again found AWOL, during the September Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and was found guilty of desertion and sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to 10 years' imprisonment. After serving six months, his sentence was suspended, and he was re-attached to his unit on 16th March 1917. Within three weeks, Carter once again went AWOL, this time just before the Battle of Vimy Ridge, eluding military police for five days before being re-captured. He was court-martialled and found guilty of desertion. Sentenced to death.

    s flynn




    218217

    Pte. James A. Haddock 12th Btn. Yorks & Lancs Regiment (d.16th Sep 1916)

    James Haddock served with the 12th Battalion, Yorks & Lancs Regiment. He was executed for desertion on 16th September 1916 aged 32 and is buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, France. He was the son of Edwin Haddock, of 21, Ranskill Rd., Tinsley Park, Sheffield.

    Julian Putkowski, and Julian Sykes in their book state that James was a regular soldier, possibly a reservist at the beginning of the war, who had been recalled to the colours and arrived in France on 9th September 1914. James was originally posted to the 2nd Battalion but was transferred to the Sheffield City Battalion (12th Yorks. and Lancs.). At the time of his posting to the trenches on the Somme, he was already on a twenty year (later reduced to five years) suspended sentence for a previous offence of desertion. Despite this he left again on his way up to the trenches on 30th June 1916, the day before Somme Offensive of 1st July 1916. He went into hiding but was discovered five days later on 5th July by Military Police, seven miles from the Battalions trenches

    At the subsequent Field Court Martial held on 24th August 1916, James defence was that he was suffering with his feet and the medical officer had told him to rest. He had got lost trying to find transport and when he was apprehended, he was actually looking for the police to ask for directions. To say that this was a flimsy defence is something of an overstatement. His orders at the time of his desertion were to follow his colleagues into the trenches - James did not - he went missing for five days and when found, he was hiding in a civilian wagon without either his equipment or rifle. He had made no attempt whatsoever to rejoin his colleagues. But the most crucial element to the case was his past Army service record. Since arriving in France, he had deserted seven times as well as being charged with being drunk on active service and refusing to obey an order. He was already under a suspended sentence of five years that had been passed by a FGCM as recently as April 1916. The verdict of the Court Martial was inevitable - James was sentenced to death by firing squad. The Court Martial had no discretion on this matter but did add a recommendation for mercy. The verdict was then passed up the chain of command and the sentence was endorsed at every level. The recommendation for mercy was not a factor. It finally reached the Commander in Chief of the British army in France General Douglas Haig on 12th September 1916 who confirmed the verdict and sentence of the FGCM

    s flynn




    218216

    Pte. Arthur Wild 18th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Sep 1916)

    Pte. Arthur Wild served with the 18th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. He was executed for desertion on 5th September 1916 aged 24 and is buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, France.

    s flynn




    218215

    Pte. Herbert Crimmins 18th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Sep 1916)

    Herbert Crimmins served with the 18th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. He was executed for desertion on 5th September1916 and is buried in Veille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, France.

    Privates Herbert Crimmins, 32, and Arthur Wild, 24, were shot in September 1916. Their crime was to wander off before a battle, get drunk and sleep in a cornfield.

    s flynn




    218214

    Pte. John King 1st Btn. Canterbury Regiment (d.19th Aug 1917)

    John King served with the 1st Btn. Canterbury Regiment of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was executed for desertion on 19th Agust 1917 aged 32 and is buried in Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France. He had a long record of going absent, deserting and illness; perhaps alcoholic.

    s flynn




    218213

    Pte. Peter Black 1/4th Btn. Black Watch (d.18th Sep 1916)

    Peter Black served with the Black Watch 1/4th Btn. He was executed for desertion on18th September 1916 and is buried in Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France. He already had a suspended sentence of death for desertion when he went missing a second time just before going into action. His absence lasted for a month and, after Court Martial, he was shot on 18th September 1916 near the border between France and Belgium.

    s flynn




    218212

    Pte. Fortunat Auger 14th Btn. (d.26th Mar 1916)

    Fortunat Suguer served with the Canadian Expeditionsry Force. He was executed for desertion on 26th March 1916 aged 25 and is buried in Trois-Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France.

    Born in Montreal in December 1890, Fortunat Auger joined the CEF's 14th Battalion in September 1914. Auger was present during both the Second Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Festubert in 1915. After the 14th Battalion was transferred Following his battalion's move to Ploegsteert Wood that summer, Auger's conduct became increasingly belligerent.

    He was twice charged with going AWOL, before disappearing for two days in December and returning to find himself charged with desertionHis charge was lessened to AWOL once again, but he was sentenced to serve 12 months hard labour. His sentence was suspended a month later, and he was returned to his battalion, from which he immediately left. He was arrested three days later, on 11th January, and sentenced to death for desertion.

    s flynn




    218211

    Cpl. George W. Latham 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.22nd Jan 1915)

    Cpl. G. W. Latham served with the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He was executed for desertion on 22nd January1915 aged 23 and is buried in Trois-Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Latham, of Islington, London; and husband of Elizabeth Mary Latham, of 5/69, Great Lister St., Nechells, Birmingham.

    s flynn




    218210

    Spr. Robert R. Bell 123rd Field Company Royal Engineers (d.22nd May 1918)

    Robert Bell served with the Royal Engineers 123rd Field Company. He was executed for murder on 22nd May1918 aged 29 and is buried in Toutencourt Communal Cemetery, Somme, France

    s flynn




    218209

    Sgt. David Yewdall Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    David Yewdall fought in France from the 9th Dec.1915 onwards. He first joined the Cheshire Regiment as a private, regimental number 25608. He later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps where he attained the rank of Sergeant, service number 61291.

    Mark Dycher




    218208

    Gnr. Thomas Hugo 14th Seige Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Tom Hugo fought in the Egypt campaign with the RGA. He was discharged due to sickness (unfit for further service) 20 Aug 1916. His Medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory medal together with the Silver War Badge which was worn to show that he had been discharged honourably from active service usually on health grounds. He was discharged from Depot Number 2 and his silver badge number was 182550.

    Mark Dycher




    218206

    Bdr. Bernard Godber 1st Notts Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>Bernard Godber in Palestine

    My Grandfather was Bombardier Bernard Godber of the 1st Notts Royal Horse Artillery which was drawn up and commanded by local officer Colonel Joe Laycock. My great uncle Albert was in the same unit and, as far as I know, they both served right through the First World War largely fighting the Turks in Palestine.

    He enlisted on 24 September 1914 for four years. Bernard was born in 1889 to Thomas and Elizabeth Godber. In the 1911 census he is at home at 38 Noel Street, Nottingham with his family, aged 21 and a lace warehouseman. Albert is also there aged 25 years and a reports clerk.

    Martin Godber




    218204

    Pte. P. Cairnie 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.28th Dec 1916)

    Pte Cairnie was executed for desertion 28/12/1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France.

    s flynn




    218203

    Pte. Charles Walter F. Skilton 22nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.26th Dec 1916)

    Charles Skilton was executed for desertion 26/12/1916 age 20. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in Somme, France.

    s flynn




    218202

    Pte. Harry T. Farr 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th Oct 1916)

    Harry Farr was executed for cowardice 18/10/1916 age 25 and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France. His crime was "mis-behaving before the enemy in such a manner as to show cowardice". He simply refused to return to the trenches while suffering from "shell shock". After two years on the Western Front he was so badly affected that he spent five months in hospital. Despite this he was found guilty at the court-martial and executed in Northern France. Private Farr's widow, Gertie Batstone was informed of his death but learnt only later of the manner of it. Soon after, her war pension was stopped.

    Gracie Harris, who was three years old when her father, Harry Farr, 25, was shot, was given the honour of unveiling the 10ft statue sculptured by Andy De Comyn. Mrs Harris, an 87-year-old widow from Harrow, north London, said: "1 am very proud and very grateful that now we have somewhere we can come and pay honour to those soldiers who I consider were wrongly executed. "Most were suffering from post traumatic stress, which today is recognised as an illness." Mrs Harris's father, a regular in the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, was sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force in November 1914. By May 1915 he had been admitted to hospital suffering from shell shock and was treated for the next five months. However, during the Somme offensive of 1916 he was ordered to take rations to the front line. As he approached amid the exploding shells that were falling on the trenches he refused to go forward. He was tried and found guilty of desertion at a court martial and sentenced to death. Mrs Harris did not find out until she was 40. "My mother was too ashamed to tell me but it explains a lot of things that made my mother very sad over the years."

    s flynn




    218201

    2nd.Lt. John Henry Paterson 3rd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.24th Sep 1918)

    John Paterson was executed for murder 24/09/1918 and buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France. He deserted to run off with a French girl. When challenged by a member of the Military Police, Patterson simply shot the officer dead.

    An army officer convicted of murder after deserting his regiment during the First World War has been granted a pardon by the Ministry of Defence. Second Lieutenant John Paterson, 28, shot an unarmed detective sergeant in cold blood and went on the run with his girlfriend. He lived on money obtained by forging cheques in the names of his fellow officers. Paterson has been pardoned under legislation introduced by the former defence secretary Des Browne to acknowledge that many of the 306 men who faced a firing squad for desertion were suffering shell shock or had committed minor breaches of discipline.

    The MoD has made clear that the pardon applies only to deserters, and does not overturn the conviction for murder, but an official certificate signed by Mr Browne has been inserted into Lt Paterson’s record in the National Archives at Kew, south west London stating: ‘The pardon stands as recognition that he was one of many victims of the First World War and that execution was not a fate he deserved.’

    Paterson, who had been a trader in West Africa, was one of only three officers executed during the war. He had been promoted from the ranks after twice being wounded and suffering shell shock. But on March 26, 1918 he went missing while serving with the 3rd Battalion, Essex Regiment in reserve trenches on the Somme, at Zillebeke near Ypres. He was not seen again until July 3 when two military policemen, Lance corporal Stockton and Det Sgt Harold Collison, tried to arrest him as he crossed the wooden bridge at Pont Coulogne near Calais with his 22-year-old French girlfriend Augustine Duquenoy. After initially attempting to bluff his way out of trouble, Paterson admitted his identity but persuaded Collison to allow him to return home with Mlle Duquenoy to take tea and say his farewells. The military policemen kept watch for nearly two hours, Stockton on a railway embankment on one side of the house and Collison in a lane on the other. At around 9.30pm, as it was getting dark, Paterson emerged from the house and Collison went to speak to him in the yard. Stockton was on his way to join them when he heard two shots and saw Collison fall to the ground, fatally wounded.

    It later emerged that the first shot had wounded Paterson in the groin; the second entered Sgt Collison’s chest, piercing both lungs and his heart. Stockton fled, claiming that Paterson fired a third shot at him, but returned with reinforcements and medical aid. By that time Paterson had hobbled away from the scene, supported by Mlle Duquenoy, and they spent two days and nights hiding out at Café Belge near Calais. He was captured a fortnight later by French police. Paterson would have been willing to admit manslaughter but the court martial insisted he be tried on the murder charge and found him guilty. He then admitted five charges of forgery of cheques. He denied desertion but was found guilty.

    He told the court martial that he had gone into the yard with the revolver in his trouser pocket, intending to use it to scare off the two policemen and escape. It had a loose safety catch and had gone off as he attempted to pull it from his pocket. It had gone off accidentally a second time as he pointed it as Sgt Collison. Paterson was executed by firing squad at Boulogne at 6.27 am on Tuesday September 24th.

    s flynn




    218199

    Pte. Herbert James Everett 9th Bn. Royal Fusiliers (d.7th Oct 1916)

    Herbert James Everett was the youngest son of Robert and Jane Everett of Buckhurst Hill. He was killed in action at Ligny-Thilloy on 7th October 1916 aged 25. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial. Not a single photo exists.

    Edith Morley




    218196

    Pte. Frederick Stead 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.12th Feb 1917)

    Frederick Stead was executed for desertion 12/02/1917 age 30 and buried in Suzanne Military Cemetery No. 3, Suzanne, France.

    s flynn




    218195

    Pte. Benjamin A. Hart 1st/7th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.6th Feb 1917)

    Benjamin Hart was executed for desertion 06/02/1917 age 22 and buried in Suzanne Military Cemetery No. 3, Suzanne, France.

    s flynn




    218193

    Pte. Frederick Wright 1st Btn. Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.28th Jan 1917)

    Frederick Wright was executed for desertion 28/01/1917 and buried in Suzanne Military Cemetery No 3, Suzanne, France.

    s flynn




    218192

    Pte. James Crozier 9th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.27th Feb 1916)

    James Crozier was executed for desertion 27/02/1916, he was the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Crozier, of 80, Battenberg Street, Belfast.

    James Crozier from Belfast was shot at dawn for desertion – he was just sixteen. Before his execution, Crozier was given so much rum that he passed out. He had to be carried, semi-conscious, to the place of execution. Officers at the execution later claimed that there was a very real fear that the men in the firing squad would disobey the order to shoot.

    One of the most poignant and, best documented judicial slayings of being ‘Shot at Dawn’ was that of 18 year old James Crozier from Belfast. In 1916 his commanding officer was a namesake, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Crozier. James was a 16 years old apprentice in Belfast shipyard when he enlisted in September 1914. He was under age and his mother came as far as the recruiting officer to persuade him not to join up. She threatened her son that she would tell the recruiting officer his real age. James said, ‘You cannot do that, mother, if you do you will be a coward and none of your family were ever cowards’. At this point the then Major Crozier said to the mother, ‘Do not worry, I will look after him and see that no harm comes to him’. Events would show that the officer was not as good as his word.

    Rifleman James Crozier spent the dreadful winter of 1915/16 in the trenches of the Somme. In February of that miserable cold, dreary wet winter James Crozier went missing from his sentry post. He had walked a considerable distance when he was admitted to an Army Medical Post. At his court martial he said that he had not known what he was doing when he made off, being in a daze and suffering from pains throughout his body. However the doctor who examined him pronounced him fit for active service and he was returned to his unit to face the consequences of his desertion. Lt. Col. Percy Crozier in evidence stated that this was not a case of a confused and disorientated young man who left his post to check into a field hospital. Rather he was a cunning deserter. He also said that James Crozier, fed-up, cold, wet to the skin and despondent, had sneaked off from the line under cover of darkness, throwing away his rifle, ammunition and equipment. (A legal ground for a second charge also punishable by death)

    Percy Crozier’s distortion of the facts makes it easier for him to explain away his subsequent actions. The young rifleman was court- martialed and found guilty of desertion. Despite his promise to the boy’s mother the officer had no hesitation in recommending to higher authority that the sentence be carried out. The carrying out of the sentence itself often verged on black farce. According to Lt. Col. Crozier, he plied his young namesake with drink in order ‘to ease his living misery’ before his execution. He may also have had a desire to ensure that the young man went to his death in a state of sufficient oblivion to avoid any embarrassing scenes. The officer was conscious that feelings against the execution were running high in the battalion. The military police and the assistant provost marshal were convinced that the firing party would deliberately miss. They even feared a mutiny by the troops.

    Just before dawn on the morning of 27th February 1916 the battalion was paraded, the execution was to take place in a walled garden so Crozier’s comrades could hear, but would not see, what happened. Not unexpectedly, the firing squad failed to find their target, and the officer in charge was obliged to step forward and put a bullet through young Crozier’s head. Because of his promise to the young boy’s mother; Percy Crozier attempted to have his name added to a list of field casualties. He failed in this and Mrs. Crozier was duly notified that her only son had been shot for desertion, and she was denied the normal allowances payable on the death of next-of-kin. Percy Crozier commanding officer of the 9th Royal Irish Rifles, despite his promise to the boy’s mother had no hesitation in recommending to higher authority that the dearth sentence be carried out. He tried to justify his stand by saying that, ‘When it fell my lot to recommend the carrying out or remitting of the death sentence, I invariably recommended the carrying out of the extreme penalty – because I expected to be shot myself if I ran away’, Crozier was conscious that feelings against the execution were running high in the battalion.

    Outside the winter snow lined the ground. James Crozier's guards wanted him to walk the short distance to a small garden where the firing party was waiting. The young rifleman was too drunk to move, and he had to be carried out into the open space. By now he was practically unconscious. Bound with ropes, he was attached to the execution post. His battalion formed up on the open road close to the garden. Screened by a wall, they wouldn't see the execution but would hear the shots.

    Crozier's namesake Frank Percy Crozier, the man who recruited him and promised his mother he'd watch out for her son, was now preparing to watch him die. Crozier later recalled how he was secured to a stake 10 yards from the firing squad. "There are hooks on the post; we always do things thoroughly in the Rifles. He is hooked on like dead meat in a butcher's shop. His eyes are bandaged - not that it really matters, for he is already blind."

    Then James Crozier was shot "A volley rings out - a nervous volley it is true, yet a volley. Before the fatal shots are fired I had called the battalion to attention. There is a pause, I wait. I see the medical officer examining the victim. He makes a sign, the subaltern strides forward, a single shot rings out. Life is now extinct." The firing squad, made up of men from his own regiment, shot wide, so James Crozier was killed by a bullet fired by a junior officer. After the shooting, as Frank Crozier recalled, life resumed as normal. " We march back to breakfast while the men of a certain company pay the last tribute at the graveside of an unfortunate comrade. This is war."

    Frank Crozier didn't want James' family to discover how he had died. He tried but failed to pass off his death as 'killed in action'. Details of the manner of Crozier's death leaked out - though the facts weren't made public at the time. Weeks later one of Frank Crozier's officers was tackled about the shooting while on leave. He was asked by a civilian about the Crozier execution, and it was suggested that it had brought shame on the battalion and on the city of Belfast.

    s flynn




    218191

    Gnr. Frank O. Wills 50th Trench Mortar Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.27th May 1919)

    Frank Wills was executed for murder 27/05/1919 age 20 and buried in Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France.

    s flynn




    218190

    L/Sgt. A. Wickings 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.7th March 1918)

    Sgt Wickings was executed for murder 07/03/1918 age 28 and buried in Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France.

    s flynn




    218188

    A/Cpl. John Hudson 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.16th Sep 1916)

    John Hudson is my great uncle. I hope to go and visit his grave in Corbie, France later this year. My father visited about 25 years ago.

    Michelle Hancox




    218183

    Pte. George Crundwell 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards (d.25th Sep 1916)

    My great uncle George Crundwell fought and died on the day the village of Lesbeoufs was taken by the Guards divisions. He is buried at Guards Cemetery outside Lesbeouf. His elder brother, Fred, also in the 2nd Battalion fell in 1918

    Sean




    218180

    Pte. Charles H. Kirman 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.23rd Sep 1917)

    Charles Kirman served with the Lincolnshire Regiment 7th Battalion.He was executed for desertion on23rd September 1917 and is buried in Ste. Catherine British Cemetery, Ste. Catherine, France.

    Charles had served nine years in the Army then left to take a job in civvy street. He got married and started a family. When war was declared, Kirman was recalled to the Army. He fought at, and was injured in, battles at Mons and the Somme. Pte Kirman went AWOL (absent without leave) in November 1916, to visit his wife and children. Branded a coward when he surrendered to Military Police a couple of days later, he was court-martialled. At the age of 32 he was sentenced to death and in September 1917 he was shot at dawn1. His family believed he had been suffering from shell-shock, and his descendants campaigned to clear his name. Over 87 years later, the villagers and councillors finally reached an agreement with each other, that his name should be included, and fund-raising for a suitable memorial began.

    Fulstow Village Hall had been built in honour of the three men and two women of Fulstow who had been killed in WWII, but it held no reference to the WWI casualties. In November 2005 a polished green granite commemorative plaque to all — including Pte Charles Kirman, was finally unveiled at Fulstow Village Hall. There were enough funds left over for an identical plaque to be installed at St Lawrence's Church, where a service took place on Armistice Sunday 2005, the first in living memory. The village of Furstow in Lincolnshire did not have a war memorial for the seven local men who died during World War I until 2005. The delay of 87 years was caused by disagreements over the inclusion of Private Charles Kirman. During the war he was injured several times and sent home to recuperate but in September 1917 felt he could not take any more and went absent without leave. After two days he handed himself in to the military police and was court martialled and shot at dawn. Villagers decided not to put up a memorial following the war, after some local objection over Pte Kirman's inclusion. "There would have been somebody in the village who disagreed with it, so the rest of the families said 'if you're not having him, then you're not having our boys, because they all went to school together and worked together'."

    s flynn




    218178

    Pte. Walter Neave 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.30th Aug 1917)

    Walter Neave served with the 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. He was executed for desertion on 30th August 1917 and is buried in Ste. Catherine British Cemetery, Ste. Catherine, France.

    s flynn




    218177

    Pte. Thomas W. Watts 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.30th Aug 1917)

    Thomas Watts served with the 7th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. He was executed for desertion on30th August1917 aged 21 and is buried in Ste. Catherine British Cemetery, Ste. Catherine, France.

    s flynn




    218176

    Pte. Ernest Alfred Beaumont 2nd Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.24th Jun 1915)

    Pte E. A. Beaumont served with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He was executed for desertion on 24th June1915 aged 27 and is buried in St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-l'Avoue, France.

    S Flynn




    218174

    Coolie C. H. K'ung (d.21st Feb 1920)

    C. H. K'ung served with the Chinese Labour Corps. He was executed for murder on 21st February 1920 and is buried in St Sever Cemetery Estensionm, Rouen, France.

    s flynn




    218173

    Coolie Chi Mming Hei (d.21st Feb 1920)

    C.M Hei served with the Chinese Labour Corps. He was executed for murder on 21st February 1920 and is buried in St Sever Cemetery Estension, Rouen, France. He and another Coolie were convicted for wounding two French prostitutes and the murder of a British Army sergeant at a brothel near Le Havre.

    s flynn




    218172

    Coolie Fayou Y. Wan (d.15th Feb 1919)

    F.Y. Wan served with the Chinese Labour Corps. He was executed on 15th February 1919 for murdering two people and is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extesnion, Rouen, France.

    s flynn




    218171

    Pte. Cecil James Braithwaite 2nd Btn. Otago Regiment (d.29th Oct 1916)

    Jack Braithwaite served with the Otago Regiment 2nd Battalion, part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was executed for mutiny on 29th October 1916 and is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

    Prior to the war, Brithwaite had worked as a journalist in Australia. After being incarcerated for repeatedly being AWOL, he was accused of instigating a prison riot, although he claimed that he only involved himself in an attempt to calm it. Jack Braithwaite was a New Zealander whose plea in mitigation against his sentence stated that he was not a born soldier, just a Bohemian journalist who had answered the call to arms but 'had made a serious mess of things, and where I came to win honour and glory, I have won only shame, dishonour and everlasting disgrace...'

    I decided to try to find out more about Braithwaite and contacted Elizabeth Morey, Convenor of the New Zealand branch of the WFA. She agreed to help and recently sent me his records from the NZ Army files and also notes written for the dictionary of New Zealand Biography by Ian McGibbon, Senior Military Historian at the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. What follows is entirely due to her efforts and my grateful thanks go to Elizabeth and Ian McGibbon.

    Jack was certainly a complex character and his background was also extremely complex. Born in Dunedin on 4th January 1885 (the birth was not registered until 1890) and christened Cecil James, he was one of the sixteen children of a bookseller, Joseph Braithwaite, a later mayor of Dunedin. Even his name and birth date are not straightforward as in his first attestation form he gave his birth date as 3rd January 1882 but this is not possible as his brother Joseph was born on 1st July 1881.

    In his second attestation in November 1915 he declared that his first name was John (and gave his birth date as 1883) but there is no record of a John Braithwaite being born or going to school at the appropriate time. As one of his younger brothers was John Rewi, born 12 years later than Jack, it is unlikely that there would have been an earlier child of this name in the family. Ian McGibbon suggests that there could be reasons for the discrepancies, possibly that there might have been a criminal conviction or a deserted wife and that he was trying to cover his trail. For some reason, presumably at his own insistence, his name was not listed among those who had passed their medical examination in May 1915. Interestingly his younger brother, Eric, also tried to sign on under an assumed name and gave different birth dates in his two attestations.

    Jack left Dunedin for Trentham Military Camp at the end of May 1915 and in February 1916 he was in Egypt, France with the 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment, and was promoted to Lance Corporal. He arrived in April. At the front Jack did not conduct himself well. In May 1916 he went absent without leave and this cost him his stripes; this did not seem to worry him, 'let duty and soldiering go to hell' was his alleged remark. His only service in the trenches, from 14th to 22nd May, ended when he again left his unit without permission having attempted to use a false leave pass when apprehended, and was sentenced to sixty days field punishment. He made a bad situation worse when on 7th July he escaped from confinement and was sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour. An indication of how little he was regarded as a soldier is shown by the fact that his uncle, Brigadier W. Braithwaite, recommended that he be committed to prison and sent back to New Zealand as a prisoner at the earliest opportunity'. But he tried to escape again while being transferred to the British Army's Blargies North military prison near Abancourt, where he was taken on 31st July; the punishment for this second offence was to be served concurrently.

    At the end of August 1916 Jack was involved in an incident in which an Australian prisoner, Pte. A. Little, was resisting arrest by a military policeman. The prisoner had been on a work detail outside the compound earlier in the day and apparently a lack of hot water in what is described as the vapour bath (a shower?) had caused the trouble. A crowd of about thirty unruly Australian and New Zealand inmates joined in and Jack, who was mess orderly, tried to give the prisoner his lunch. He made a grave mistake, as the trouble developed, of leading the prisoner away to his tent, claiming that he was attempting to pacify the situation but instead it served to single him out as one of the principal offenders. There was mutual antipathy between the Australasian and the military police, the hated red caps', and it was this that almost certainly lay at the heart of the affair.

    On 11th October 1916 he found himself facing his fourth court martial charged with three Australians with the crime of mutiny. He put forward a plausible defence, which was corroborated by defence witnesses but was found guilty and sentenced to death. In passing the papers to the Judge Advocate-General at GHQ on 17 October, the Inspector General of Communications, Lt. General Sir F .T. Clayton, drew attention to the fact that the evidence submitted might be considered to bear out Jack's version. Although the Australians received similar sentences they were not in danger of being shot because of their government's prohibition on executions without reference to Australia. No such reservation had been made by the New Zealand government and so Braithwaite's sentence was duly confirmed by the Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, on 25th October. According to the law, a soldier accused of mutiny need not have taken an active part to be guilty; if he was present and did not use his utmost endeavours to suppress the mutiny he was, in law, equally guilty with those who took an active part. Only 12 days before the incident in which Braithwaite was involved another mutiny had occurred at the prison among Scottish prisoners. Seven stood trial and six were sentenced to death but only one, Gunner W. Lewis, was eventually executed. In their defence the prisoners said that the Australians seemed to get preferential treatment, pointing out that they had been able to refuse work until their complaints had been considered. But the authorities' apparent acquiescence in the Australian behaviour was probably influenced by the realisation that they had little in the way of sanctions to apply in the absence of the death penalty.

    Disciplinary problems within the prison and Jack's undoubted poor service record must have removed any inclination towards clemency. There was no requirement for the case to be reviewed by any New Zealand officer and he had no practicable avenue of appeal against conviction and sentence which he learned of on 27th or 28th October. By contrast the Australians had their sentences commuted to two years hard labour. Jack Braithwaite was shot at 6.05 a.m. on 29th October 1916 by a firing squad at Rouen, being one of only five New Zealanders executed for military offences during World War I, and the only one not put to death by his countrymen.

    Poor Jack. He seems to have been somebody who was totally unsuited to become a soldier and perhaps left to himself, and without the patriotic fervour sweeping Britain and the Empire in 1915, he would not have enlisted. He was unable to accept military discipline and acted in a foolhardy, perhaps stupid, manner and was dealt with firmly by the authorities. In his final, fatal, brush with military law he found himself cast in the role of a sacrificial victim. It would seem that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and his luck had run out. In his last hours how much he must have wished he had stayed in Dunedin as a 'Bohemian' journalist.

    One day I hope to visit St. Sever cemetery because I think he deserves at least to have one small cross on his grave; after nearly a century all his wrongs can be forgiven.

    s flynn




    218170

    Gnr. William E. Lewis 124th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.29th Oct 1916)

    W.E Lewis served with 124th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He was executed for mutiny on29th October1916 and is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

    s flynn




    218169

    Capt. William Harold Raphael McCarter Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    William Harold Raphael McCarter was my paternal grandfather. He served during the Great War as a doctor. He was captured during the Spring offensive at Epehy in March 1918 and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner. The main POW camps where he was held were Rastatt, Karlsruhe and eventually Graudenz in Poland. I have transcribed his diary which is now very fragile, and I also have a book of cartoons painted by one of the officers in his battalion before their capture. I am putting everything together in a book and am still searching for relevant pictures of the POW camps and my grandfather.

    Tess Noble




    218168

    L/Cpl. Joseph William Stones 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Jan 1917)

    Joseph William Stones served with the Durham Light Infantry 9th Battalion. He was executed for casting away his arms on 18th January1917 and isburied in St. Pol Communal Cemetery Extension, St. Pol-sur-Ternoise, France.

    The case of Sergeant W Stones - at 2.30am on 26th November 1916 (on the Somme), the British came under heavy mortar fire in thick mist. Stones went out on patrol with a lieutenant and came face to face with the enemy. The lieutenant was shot dead and Stones ran back to raise the alarm. He jammed his rifle across the trench to slow down the pursuing Germans - this cost his life. On return when it was discovered he had no weapon he was arrested with "shamefully casting away his arms". He was later tried and shot.

    Lance Sergeant Joseph William Stones (1892 – 18th January 1917) was a British soldier during the First World War who was executed for cowardice. He later became the first Briton so executed to have his name added to a war memorial. He was commended for his bravery several times, and fought in the Battle of the Somme.

    The incident for which he was executed occurred near Arras on 26th November 1916. According to his statement to his court martial, his officer, Lt Mundy, was injured by a gunshot, and ordered him to go for help. He was unable to fire his rifle because the safety catch was on and the cover was over the breech, so he jammed it across the trench to slow down the advancing German soldiers. In spite of Mundy's orders, and a statement from his commanding officer that "he is the last man I would have thought capable of any cowardly action." Stones was convicted of "shamefully casting away his rifle" in the face of the enemy, and sentenced to death. Brigadier-General H O'Donnell upheld his conviction, in spite of his doubts about the quality of the evidence presented. Stones was executed by firing squad several days later alongside John McDonald and Peter Goggins, who had been convicted of abandoning their posts in the same incident. The chaplain who prayed with them before their deaths remarked that he had never met three braver men.

    s flynn




    218167

    L/Cpl. John Macdonald 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Jan 1917)

    Cpl. J Macdonald served with the 19th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He was executed for quitting his post on18th January 1917 aged 28 and is buried in St. Pol Communal Cemetery Extension, St. Pol-sur-Ternoise, France.

    s flynn




    218166

    L/Cpl. Peter Goggins 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Jan 1917)

    Peter Goggind served with the Durham Light Infantry 19th Battalion He was executed for quitting his post on18th January1917 and is buried in St. Pol Communal Cemetery Extension, St. Pol-sur-Ternoise, France.

    Despite following the orders to retreat of an NCO who shouted, "Run for your lives, the Huns are on top of you!", Sgt Peter Goggins was shot for deserting his post. The 22-year-old soldier, who had married six months before his death in January 1917, was commanding a unit of six soldiers in the front line, when a sergeant came running back from a reconnaissance mission yelling at them to withdraw. Sgt Goggins scrambled out of his dugout and fell back to a reserve trench 20 yards away - but it turned out to be a false alarm. Even though the sergeant confirmed that he had given the orders to retreat, Goggins was court martialled on Christmas Eve and executed a week later. His 19-year-old wife Margaret disappeared when she heard the news and his mother had a nervous breakdown.

    Peter was one of seven soldiers guarding their positions in the early hours of 26th of November 1916. Most of his fellow soldiers from 19th Durham Light Infantry had been taken off the frontline after rumours the Germans were about to launch a gas attack. As the guns fell silent, a sergeant and captain ventured into No Man's Land for a reccee -- but they were ambushed. It was shortly after 2.30am when the sergeant managed to stagger back, shouting: "Run for your lives, the Huns are on top of you!" Peter, himself a young sergeant, scrambled out of the dugout, withdrawing to a reserve trench 20 yards away - but it turned out to be a false alarm.

    With the six others, he faced charges of deserting his post, and was court-martialled on Christmas Eve. Even though the sergeant confirmed he had given the orders to retreat, Peter was executed a week later along with two others. Another soldier wrote a moving account of the execution: "A piercingly cold dawn' a crowd of brass hats, the medical officer and three firing parties. A motor ambulance arrives carrying the doomed men. Manacled and blindfolded, they are tied up to the stakes. Over each man's heart is placed an envelope. At the sign, the firing parties, 12 for each, align rifles on the envelopes. The officer holds his stick aloft and, as it falls, 36 bullets usher the souls of Kitchener's men to the great unknown."

    Peter's niece Marina Brewis, 74, of Stanley, Co Durham, said: "I read the reports of my uncle's court martial and it is obvious that he was shot simply as an example to others. An apology from the Government isn't enough, I want a piece of paper pardoning my uncle. I won't rest until I get it."

    Dedicated to Peter Goggins, by Katie Hopley (16)

    • How can you kill someone
    • For being afraid?
    • That is disgusting!
    • You should be ashamed

    • As members are shot
    • Families back home are torn apart
    • They’re all branded
    • Where’s the heart?

    • not killed by the enemy
    • They now lose their name
    • Branded as cowards
    • Their families the same!

    • Over 300 men
    • They all need to die?
    • A thirst for blood
    • That’s why!

    • So end this injustice!
    • Give them all back their name
    • Only then will you end
    • Our country's 84 year shame

    s flynn




    218165

    Pte. Hector Dalande 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.9th Mar 1918)

    Hector Dalande served with the Seaforth Highlanders 8th Bsttalion. He was executed for desertion on 9th March 1918 and is buried in St. Nicolas British Cemetery, St. Nicolas, France. Pte. Delande was a French-Canadian. At some point before deserting he had applied to join either the Canadian Army or the French army but was refused. He was the husband of Jessie Henry (formerly Dalande) of 66 Big Vennel, Cromarty, Ross-shire.

    s flynn




    218164

    Pte. James Stark Adamson 7th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.23rd Nov 1917)

    James Adamson served with the Cameron Highlanders 7th Battalion. He was executed for cowardice on23rd Novmber 1917 aged 30 and buried in St. Nicolas British Cemetery, St. Nicolas, France.

    s flynn




    218163

    Pte. Norman Henry Taysum 9th Btn. Black Watch (d.16th Oct 1917)

    Norman Taysum served with the The Black Watch 9th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 16th October1917 aged 25 and id buried in St. Nicolas British Cemetery, St. Nicolas, France. He was the son of Henry Alfred and Mary Ann Taysum, of 25, Rosyth Old Village, nr. Edinburgh.

    s flynn




    218162

    Pte. Thomas Ward 8th/10th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.16th Oct 1917)

    Thomas Ward served with the Gordon Highlanders 8th/10th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 16th Ocgober1917 aged 23 and is buried in St. Nicolas British Cemetery, St. Nicolas, France.

    s Flynn




    218159

    Pte. Patrick Murphy 47th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.12th Sep 1918)

    Patrick Murphy was executed for desertion 12/09/1918 and buried in Sandpits British Cemetery, Fouquereuil, France.

    Patrick Murphy, a private in the 47th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, was just minutes away from his appointment with a firing squad. It was the morning of 12th September 1918. World War I had only a couple of grim months left in it. Murphy, a Dublin native, had thus far avoided German bullets. He was not going to be so lucky with the British ones.

    Murphy had been sentenced to death by a British army courts martial for desertion. The word “desertion” was afforded a broad definition during the war to end all wars. It didn’t necessarily mean that the accused had physically fled the place of battle. It could mean that a soldier had, for whatever reason, failed to take part in an operation. Not infrequently, soldiers did not refuse. They were simply unable to do much of anything because of fear, fatigue and shell shock, known more commonly these days as post-traumatic stress disorder. The war to end all wars had indeed been a particularly stressful and traumatic conflict. For countless soldiers on both sides there was nothing post about their trauma and stress. It was all too concurrent.

    Murphy’s trauma that September morning can only be imagined. As dawn broke, his eyes were covered. The last sounds he heard were prayers from a chaplain, crisply delivered orders and a volley of rifle shots. Murphy was the last of 26 Irish soldiers, all volunteers, executed by the British army during the four years of war. Most were shot for desertion.

    s flynn




    218158

    Pte. John Edward Friday 11th (Lambeth) Btn Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regt. (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    My Great-Great Grandfather John E. Friday was killed on the 3rd day of the German spring offensive (Operation Michael) in March 1918. I have been trying to find out as much as possible about him as I have an interest in genealogy and am also an ex-serviceman. My Grandfather, Father and myself all have the middle name John (as the first born sons) because of Pte. Friday. At present I know his service number, unit and date of death but am continuing to search for any information I can find on him. He served with the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regt, 11th (service) Btn. (Lambeth)

    Matthew Friday




    218157

    Rflmn. G. A. Irish 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Oct 1915)

    Rflmn. G. A. Irish served with the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He was executed for desertion on 3rd October 1915 and is buried in Sailly-sur-la-Lys Canadian Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-Lys, France.

    s flynn




    218156

    Rflmn. W. Smith 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Oct 1915)

    Rflmn. W. Smith served with the Rifle Brigade 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 3rd October 1915 aged 37 and is buried in Sailly-sur-la-Lys Canadian Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-Lys, France.

    s flynn




    218155

    Pte. Henry Carter 11th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Apr 1916)

    Henry Carter served with the Middlesex Regiment 11th Battalion. He was executed for desertion 26th April 1916 aged 18 and is buried in Sailly-Labourse Communal Cemetery in Sailly-Labourse, France.

    s flynn




    218154

    Pte. Oliver W. Hodgetts 1st Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.4th Jun 1915)

    Pte. O. W. Hodgettswas executed for cowardice 04/06/1915 and buried in The Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, Laventie, France. He served with the Worcestershire Regiment. He was serving with the 1st Battalion when they arrived on the Western Front on the 8th November 1914 fresh from Egypt. Some 5 days later the Battalion took up a defensive position in trenches facing Neuve Chapelle and came under heavy bombardment from the enemy during which seven men were killed and 25 wounded. During the next three days (16th to 19th November 1914) a further 13 men were killed and 27 wounded. During this period Private Hodgetts went missing but on this occasion no action was taken against him.

    On the 19th November 1914 the men of the 1st Battalion exhausted climbed out of the trenches frozen and in heavy snow fall made their way back to billets at La Gorgue, six miles away. Next day one man in four suffered with frost-bitten hands or feet and in many cases feet or toes had to be amputated. On the 9th May 1915 just prior to the attack on Festubert, Hodgetts went missing yet again just as the Battalion prepared to go into action. On the 12th May Hodgetts reported to a nearby unit and claimed he had sprained his ankle, but when he was examined by the medical officer no injury was discovered. On 22nd May 1915 he was brought to trial where he was undefended. Hodgetts conduct sheet showed that he had been sentenced to 90 days field punishment on the 1st March 1915.

    His commanding officer Major George W. St. G. Grogan at the trial described Hodgetts as a worthless fighting soldier who was only intent on saving his own skin. At his court martial Private Hodgetts was found guilty of cowardice. Field Marshal Sir John French confirmed the sentence and Pte. Hodgetts was shot by firing squad on 4th June 1915. He was only 20 years of age.

    s flynn




    218153

    Pte. Ernest Jackson 24th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.7th Nov 1918)

    Ernest Jackson was executed for desertion 07/11/1918 age 32 and buried in Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension, Romeries, France. He was one of the last two British soldiers to be executed.

    S Flynn




    218152

    Pte. Alfred Tipping MM 9th Btn. Cameronian Scottish Rifles (d.22nd Oct 1916)

    17710 Private Alfred Tipping MM served with the 9th Battalion, Cameronian Rifles during WW1 and died on the 22nd October 1916. He was awarded the Military Medal.





    218150

    Pte. Albert Mitchell 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.19th Apr 1918)

    Albert Mitchell served with the 1st Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment and was executed for desertion on the 19th April 1918. He is buried in Meteren Military Cemetery.





    218148

    Pte. Joseph Bateman 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    Joseph Bateman was executed for desertion 03/12/1917 and buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manacourt, France. Se was the son of Mr. C. Bateman, of 3 Kilton St., Sheffield and was aged 28.

    The granddaughter of a soldier shot for desertion has met the man behind adding his name to a war memorial on a visit to the monument. WW1 soldier Pte Joseph Bateman - one of 306 British deserters shot - was executed in December 1917 by firing squad. Historian Graham Hodgson got Dudley Council to add the soldier's name to Wordsley's war memorial. The Staffordshire Regiment soldier's grand-daughter, Judith Lampitt, was tracked down after a TV appeal. "Mr Hodgson has done all of the hard work. We didn't know how my grandfather had died. I knew he died in the war, he'd been shot in the war, but I had no idea at all he had died in that way."

    S Flynn




    218147

    Pte. Edward Bolton 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.14th Apr 1916)

    Edward Bolton was executed for desertion 14/04/1916 age 33 and buried in Roclincourt Valley Cemetery, Roclincourt, France.

    S Flynn




    218146

    Rfmn. Harry Williams 1/9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (Queen Victoria's Rifles), (d.28th Dec 1917)

    Harry Williams was executed for desertion 28/12/1917 and was buried in Roclincourt Military Cemetery, Roclincourt, France.

    S Flynn




    218145

    Pte. William H. Barlow 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>Photo from Daily Mirror

    A story published in the Sunday Mirror on 11th May 20149 reports on William and how via letters home he persuaded his brother John to not follow in his footsteps, thus probably saving his life. Ironically his great grand nephew Jonny Clarke in 2014 was an actor in the UK and Ireland tour of the play "Birdsong", playing the part of a young soldier who dies on the first day of The Somme.

    "These letters from the front at the height of the Great War were more than just friendly exchanges between a soldier and his brother back home. Despite the missives being heavily censored by the authorities, infantryman William Barlow managed to convey the horror of the trenches – and ultimately saved young John’s life when he enlisted at the tender age of 15. Hero William advised his younger brother to join the Royal Engineers “as there is more money and less work” than in infantry. And in April 1916, William wrote: “If I were you I would learn straight away now the Morse and Semaphore alphabets and attest in the Royal Engineers Signal Section which is better still for you. Then you will have a pretty soft time generally.” Less than two months later William was dead – one of 20,000 men slaughtered on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on July 1st. It was advice which John took on board when he lied about his age and signed up just a few months later. Although he witnessed some action, John worked mostly behind the front lines delivering post on a bike, and survived the war. Restricted by Government censors, William could only hint at how terrible life was in the trenches, but he was determined to spare his young brother the same ordeal.

    Today William’s legacy is ­remembered down the generations, ­especially by John’s great-great-grandson, the actor Jonny Clarke, who is best known for playing Bart McQueen in ­Hollyoaks. Jonny knows he probably owes his very existence to his distant uncle William, an emotion he draws on in his latest role as Private Tipper in the stage version of Sebastian Faulks’ ­Birdsong, the best-selling book about life in the trenches. Like Jonny’s great-great-grandfather, Tipper lied about his age to join the war at 16. And like Jonny’s distant uncle, Tipper also dies on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, but at his own hand after choosing to shoot himself rather than face the horror of going over the top. Jonny, from Chester, said: “Had it not been for the letter sent by my great-great-uncle to his brother it is more than likely my great-great-grandfather would have been killed and his descendants, including myself, would never have been born. The letters have been handed down through the three generations and I’ll no doubt pass them on to my family. Playing Tipper has compounded how important my heritage is. In one scene Tipper writes home to his family and I can’t help but think of the letters William wrote home to his parents and brother.” Knowing his family background made Jonny want the role of Tipper even more. “When my agent told me about it I knew I needed to get the part,” he said. “Reading the letters from William helps me picture what life during the war was like and helps me visualise it for the role of Tipper.”

    William Barlow joined the 8th Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment on September 17, 1914, aged 25. At home he had been a draughtsman and was heavily involved with his community in Helsby, Cheshire, as a scoutmaster. Sleepy village life would have seemed a million miles away once William faced the trenches, where men were at the mercy of the weather, diseases like dysentery and for many the only barriers between life and death were sand bags and barbed wire. Allied and enemy lines could be as little as 50 feet apart and a near-miss from an artillery shell could destroy a trench or cause a dugout to collapse, burying those inside. In one letter to John, William tells how the enemy blew up a nearby mine, killing six men in a neighbouring battalion. He wrote: “We had a lot of excitement in the early hours of this morning at 2am. “Our company was holding that part of the line which is only a few yards from the Germans. It is a maze of trenches, craters, and piles of sandbags and a horrible place to get through in the dark. “On this our extreme left where our batt (battalion) joins the next, the Germans blew up a mine. “About six men in the next batt were buried and killed, one or two wounded and about 8 engineers were buried... and killed or suffocated.” Despite the sense of fear, William often displays the black humour common among soldiers facing their own mortality. In the last letter home to his parents, William and Annie, in May 1916 he tells how his unit caused “mischief” for a pal’s battalion.He wrote: “That Battalion are a very quiet peaceful lot and in the winter their opponents were the same. “When we took over from them and our sentries and our gunmen (started) hitting at them and making the beggars sit up and take notice – they were horrified at the idea of shooting the poor harmless Boche, and now the Boche has vented their fury on them instead of ourselves who were the cause of the mischief. This is only one of the many funny things we see in this job.”

    William, who concludes every letter to John with the words “your affectionate brother Bill”, also gives a glimpse into the lives of ordinary French civilians on the fringes of the battle. In a long letter in October 1915, he wrote to say he was billeted near a town he was not allowed to name. Records show his battalion was based near the city of Amiens. Describing how he and fellow soldiers refused to sleep on old hay in case it was live (with lice) he described his lodgings as “the most comfortable yet”, revealing how simply being dry and warm was a luxury in comparison to the trenches. William told how the nearby French town was devastated when it was bombed by the Germans, then suffered at the hands of the advancing enemy. These letters from the front at the height of the Great War were more than just friendly exchanges between a soldier and his brother back home. Despite the missives being heavily censored by the authorities, infantryman William Barlow managed to convey the horror of the trenches – and ultimately saved young John’s life when he enlisted at the tender age of 15. Hero William advised his younger brother to join the Royal Engineers “as there is more money and less work” than in infantry. And in April 1916, William wrote: “If I were you I would learn straight away now the Morse and Semaphore alphabets and attest in the Royal Engineers Signal Section which is better still for you. Then you will have a pretty soft time generally.” Less than two months later William was dead – one of 20,000 men slaughtered on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on July 1st. It was advice which John took on board when he lied about his age and signed up just a few months later. Although he witnessed some action, John worked mostly behind the front lines delivering post on a bike, and survived the war. Restricted by Government censors, William could only hint at how terrible life was in the trenches, but he was determined to spare his young brother the same ordeal. Today William’s legacy is ­remembered down the generations, ­especially by John’s great-great-grandson, the actor Jonny Clarke, who is best known for playing Bart McQueen in ­Hollyoaks. Jonny knows he probably owes his very existence to his distant uncle William, an emotion he draws on in his latest role as Private Tipper in the stage version of Sebastian Faulks’ ­Birdsong, the best-selling book about life in the trenches. Like Jonny’s great-great-grandfather, Tipper lied about his age to join the war at 16. And like Jonny’s distant uncle, Tipper also dies on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, but at his own hand after choosing to shoot himself rather than face the horror of “going over the top”. Jonny, from Chester, said: “Had it not been for the letter sent by my great-great-uncle to his brother it is more than likely my great-great-grandfather would have been killed and his descendants, including myself, would never have been born. “The letters have been handed down through the three generations and I’ll no doubt pass them on to my family. “Playing Tipper has compounded how important my heritage is. In one scene Tipper writes home to his family and I can’t help but think of the letters William wrote home to his parents and brother.” Knowing his family background made Jonny want the role of Tipper even more. “When my agent told me about it I knew I needed to get the part,” he said. “Reading the letters from William helps me picture what life during the war was like and helps me visualise it for the role of Tipper.”

    William Barlow joined the 8th Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment on September 17, 1914, aged 25. At home he had been a draughtsman and was heavily involved with his community in Helsby, Cheshire, as a scoutmaster. Sleepy village life would have seemed a million miles away once William faced the trenches, where men were at the mercy of the weather, diseases like dysentery and for many the only barriers between life and death were sand bags and barbed wire. Allied and enemy lines could be as little as 50 feet apart and a near-miss from an artillery shell could destroy a trench or cause a dugout to collapse, burying those inside. In one letter to John, William tells how the enemy blew up a nearby mine, killing six men in a neighbouring battalion.

    He wrote: “We had a lot of excitement in the early hours of this morning at 2am. “Our company was holding that part of the line which is only a few yards from the Germans. It is a maze of trenches, craters, and piles of sandbags and a horrible place to get through in the dark. “On this our extreme left where our batt (battalion) joins the next, the Germans blew up a mine. “About six men in the next batt were buried and killed, one or two wounded and about 8 engineers were buried... and killed or suffocated.” Despite the sense of fear, William often displays the black humour common among soldiers facing their own mortality. In the last letter home to his parents, William and Annie, in May 1916 he tells how his unit caused “mischief” for a pal’s battalion.He wrote: “That Battalion are a very quiet peaceful lot and in the winter their opponents were the same. “When we took over from them and our sentries and our gunmen (started) hitting at them and making the beggars sit up and take notice – they were horrified at the idea of shooting the poor harmless Boche, and now the Boche has vented their fury on them instead of ourselves who were the cause of the mischief. This is only one of the many funny things we see in this job.”

    William, who concludes every letter to John with the words “your affectionate brother Bill”, also gives a glimpse into the lives of ordinary French civilians on the fringes of the battle. In a long letter in October 1915, he wrote to say he was billeted near a town he was not allowed to name. Records show his battalion was based near the city of Amiens. Describing how he and fellow soldiers refused to sleep on old hay in case it was “live” (with lice) he described his lodgings as “the most comfortable yet”, revealing how simply being dry and warm was a luxury in comparison to the trenches. William told how the nearby French town was devastated when it was bombed by the Germans, then suffered at the hands of the advancing enemy.

    He wrote: “This was before the war a prosperous manufacturing town and there are many workshops in it, mostly in ruins. There is a motor mechanic who speaks English a little... he told some of our chaps his experiences at the beginning of the war. “He said that during a lull in the firing he got out and walked about the town without seeing a soul and the sight was awful for sides of houses were blown clean away, showing all the furniture and the poor beggars who had been sent to their doom before they could get out.” The same letter discusses a scandal which would eventually lead to the downfall of the Asquith Government. The Shell Crisis of 1915 highlighted a shortage of munitions on the front line and the scandal of competing firms who were producing dud shells. William begged John to make sure he did a good job if he was ever employed at a local ammunition works. “Make them (the shells) good and accurate so that they will burst properly,” he wrote. “The duds make a bad impression on the Boches and often give them the range of our guns. Besides which it is only by a few well placed shells that we can stop them sending bombs.” William was shot in the head after crossing the second line of the German trenches. He was buried on the battlefield and is ­remembered at the Thiepval Memorial, alongside the other soldiers of the Battle of the Somme. Distant nephew Jonny said: “It’s ­important we always remember the sacrifice.”

    William joined the 8th Battalion from Norfolk where he worked as a draughtsman, although he was originally from Helsby in Cheshire. There is a collection of his letters home describing conditions in training and at the front. He died from a bullet to the head as he went over the top on the first day of The Somme on 1st July 1916. His grave is unknown.

    The Illustrated War News no 39 of 6th May 1915 includes a number of photographs of the 8th Norfolk in training near Ipswich. William is in one of these.

    Jon Clarke




    218144

    Pte. Arthur Daniel Gale 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    My father Arthur Gale volunteered in 1914 at the outbreak of war. He served with the Wiltshire regiment 1st Battalion and was in the trenches on Christmas Day 1914 and received the brass box royal gift. No fire until moved from trenches. He was wounded and returned to the UK. He was discharged I believe in 1916 after receiving the distinguished service medal and did not return to France. He told me of the Angel of Mons.

    A J Gale




    218142

    Cpl. Alfred John Hunt 4th Battalionn Middlesex Regiment (d.21st Oct 1914)

    Cpl. Alfred Hunt served with the Middlesex Regiment 4th Battalion. He died in October 1914 aged 26 at Arras, France, and is buried in plot I. C 12 at Bethune Cemetery France. I am looking for photos of regiment.

    Wendy Hunt




    218140

    Pte. John Cameron 1st/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Dec 1916)

    John Cameron was executed for desertion 04/12/1916 and buried in Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Ribemont, France.

    s flynn




    218139

    Dvr. James Mullany 72nd Battery, 38th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd Oct 1916)

    James Mullany was executed for striking a senior officer, 03/10/1916 and was buried in Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Ribemont, France.

    s flynn




    218138

    Drvr. Thomas G. Hamilton 72nd Battery, 38th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd Oct 1916)

    Thomas G. Hamilton was executed for striking a senior officer 03/10/1916 age 22 and buried in Ribemont Communal cemetery Extension, Ribemont, France.

    s flynn




    218135

    CSM. James Tait McKinley Harvie MM. 6th Battalion (d.10th Jul 1918)

    My Grandfather, James Tait McKinley Harvie, migrated to Australia shortly before W.W.I. He was born in Glasgow. I believe he trained with the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders before migrating.

    He joined the A.I.F. on 20/7/15 in Melbourne and was killed on 10th July 1918 having fought throughout the war. He was posthumously awarded the Military Medal and is buried in the Borre Military Cemetery in Northern France. My grandfather left my father, Thomas and his brother James, both of whom were born in Glasgow, in the care of my grandmother.

    Are there any records of James Tait McKinley Harvie? If so his family would be most grateful for copies or anything you might be able to provide, particularly any photographs.

    Dennis Tait Harvie




    218132

    Trpr. Alexander Butler Royal Canadian Dragoons (d.2nd Jul 1916)

    Alexander Butler was executed for murder 02/07/1916 and buried in Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Ribemont, France.

    Alexander Butler, a Londoner by birth, emigrated to Canada and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He was involved in a number of battles, before falling from his horse and injuring his head. He became mentally unstable, which resulted in him shooting and killing another soldier, in June 1916. Butler was executed by firing squad in July 1916.

    Born in London, England on 11 June 1888, Alexander Butler served in the 7th Queen's Own Hussars for nearly seven years, before emigrating to Canada. Following the outbreak of the war, Butler enlisted in the Royal Canadian Dragoons, and was dispatched to France in May 1915, where he participated in dismounted service at the Battle of Festubert, Battle of Givenchy and the Battle of Messines. Butler fell off his horse twice, once resulting in a head injury, which led to increasingly belligerent behaviour. The RCDs then saw mounted service in the forthcoming June 1916 Somme Offensive.

    On 8 June 1916, while stationed behind the front lines of Hesdin, Butler took his rifle and opened fire, shooting Trooper Mickleburgh dead with five shots in the chest before he was overpowered and arrested.

    s flynn




    218131

    Pte. John Maurice Higgins 1st Btn. (d.7th Dec 1916)

    John Maurice Higgins was executed for desertion 07/12/1916 age 24 and buried in Les Quatre-Vents Military Cemetery, Estree-Cauchy, France. He had been absent for 16 days.

    s flynn




    218130

    Pte. Henri Hesey Kerr 7th Btn. (d.21st Nov 1916)

    Henry Hesey Kerr was executed for desertion 21/11/191 and buried in Les Quatre-Vents Military Cemetery, Estree-Cauchy, France. He had been absent for 24 hours

    Henry Hesey Kerr was born in Montreal on 4 September 1891. After the battalion had arrived in England, Kerr was punished for 3 more periods of AWOL on 27 November 1915, 3 December 1915 and 3 January 1916. After entering France and joining the 7th (British Columbia) Battalion, Kerr's conduct continued to decline. After several more warnings about his conduct, Kerr rejoined his unit in October 1916 as it prepared to attack Regina Trench as part of the Somme Offensive. However, Kerr went absent after being warned for duty in the front line. 24 hours later, Kerr was arrested when he was discovered in some billets located some miles behind the front lines.

    On 7 November 1916, Kerr was charged with desertion. His court-martial found him guilty and sentenced him to death by shooting. At 06:45 on 21 November 1916, Kerr was executed by firing squad.

    s flynn




    218129

    Pte. Allen Murphy 9th Btn. Cameronians (d.17th Aug 1916)

    Allen Murphy was executed for desertion 17/08/1916 and buried in Les Quatre-Vents Military Cemetery, Estree-Cauchy, France.

    s flynn




    218128

    Pte. F. Harding 1st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.29th June 1916)

    Pte. F. Harding was executed for desertion 29/06/1916 age 21 and buried in Les Quatre-Vents Military Cemetery, Estree-Cauchy, France.

    s flynn




    218127

    Pte. Ernest Worsley 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    Ernest Worsley was executed for desertion 22/10/1917 and buried in Pont-d'Achelles Military Cemetery, Nieppe, France.

    s flynn




    218126

    Pte. William Robinson 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.10th April 1917)

    William Robinson was executed for desertion 10/04/1917 and buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, Peronne, France. He was the son of Joseph Robinson, of 3, Church Alley, Chesterfield, Derbys.

    s flynn




    218125

    Pte. Griffiths Lewis 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.26th Jun 1916)

    Griffiths Lewis was executed for desertion 26/06/1916 and buried in Norfolk Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, France.

    s flynn




    218124

    Pte. Lawrence D. Elford 7/8th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.11th Oct 1918)

    Lawrence Elford was executed for desertion 11/10/1918 age 28 and buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery Extension, Noeux-les-Mines, France.

    s flynn




    218123

    Spr. Frederick Malyon 12th Field Company Royal Engineers, att Royal Field Artillery (d.4th Apr 1917)

    Frederick Malyon was executed for desertion 04/04/1917 and buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal cemetery, Noeux-les-Mines, France.

    s flynn




    218122

    Pte. Harold Edward James Lodge 19th Btn. (d.13th Mar 1918)

    Harold Lodge was executed for desertion 13/03/1918 and buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, Noeux-les-Mines, France. He had been absent for 5 weeks.

    s flynn




    218121

    Pte. Arthur Hamilton 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Mar 1917)

    Arthur Hamilton was executed for desertion 27th March 1917 and buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, Noeux-les-Mines, France.

    s flynn




    218120

    Pte. Francis Murray 9th Btn. Gordon Highlanders att. Royal Engineers (d.1st Oct 1916)

    Pte. Francis Murray was executed for murder 1916-10-01 and buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, Noeux-les-Mines, France.

    s flynn




    218119

    Pte. George Hanna 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.6th Nov 1917)

    George Hanna was executed for desertion 06/11/1917 age 26 and buried in Neuville-Bourjonval British Cemetery, Neuville-Bourjonval, France. He was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Hanna.

    s flynn




    218118

    Pte. William T. Spry 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.14th June 1918)

    William Spry was executed for desertion 14/06/1918 age 29 and buried in Morbecque British Cemetery, Morbecque, France.

    s flynn




    218117

    Pte. Edward John Cresswell Yates 12th (Service) Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment (d.23rd Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Yates served with the 12th Battalion, Pioneers in the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment.

    Tim Sanders




    218113

    L/Cpl. Alfred Knowlden 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Alfred Knowlden was my great uncle. He served with the 8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade and died in September 1916 aged 19

    Terry Musk




    218112

    Pte. John Swain 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.11th Aug 1918)

    Pte. John Swain served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment 5th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 11th Sugust1918 and is buried in Montigny Communal Cemetery and extension, Montigny, France.

    He absconded after he'd been warned that he'd be going to the trenches, and found hiding in a cornfield several miles away the next day. When apprehended, he gave a false name and had removed all identifying badges. He was shot on 11th August 1918.

    s flynn




    218111

    Pte. Charles Welsh 8th Btn. (d.6th Mar 1918)

    Charles Welsh served with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces 8th Battalion. He was executed for desertion 6th March1918 and is buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension, Mazingarbe, France.

    s flynn




    218110

    Rflmn. E. A. Card 20th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.22nd Sep 1916)

    Rflmn. E.A. Card served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps 20th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 22nd September 1916 and is buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension, Mazingarbe, France.

    s flynn




    218109

    Pte. William H. Burrell 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.22nd May 1916)

    Pte. William Burrell served with the Royal Sussex Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 22nd May1916 and is buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension, Mazingarbe, France. His grave bears the inscription ‘ The will of the Lord be done. Acts 21.14. Dad, Mum’.

    William Burrell, was one of two sons of Charles Alfred and Fanny Burrell of Mill House, Fishbourne, Chichester, enlisted prior to the outbreak of war. Aged 19, he arrived in France and joined the Royal Sussex Regiment toward the end of November 1914. He went missing after several weeks, was captured, tried and in May 1915, received a death sentence which was commuted to imprisonment. Almost a year later Private Burrell was released and returned to his regiment at Loos but shortly afterwards went missing again , was re-captured, tried and executed on 22nd May 1916, now aged 21.

    The following statement was added to Burrell’s file by Lt General Henry Wilson, Commanding First Army:- ‘The particulars of the offence, as given in the charge sheet, were not completely proved before the court, but I do not think any injustice has been done. I recommend that the extreme penalty be carried out…’

    His younger brother, Ernest, had been killed in action at Ypres whilst William was serving his prison sentence.

    s flynn




    218108

    Pte. J. Thomas 2nd Btn. Welch Regiment (d.20th May 1916)

    Pte J. Thomas served with the Welch Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 20th May 1916 and is buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension, Mazingarbe, France.

    s flynn




    218107

    Drvr. John W. Hasemore 180th Bde Royal Field Artillery (d.15th May 1916)

    John Hasemore served with the Royal Field Artillery 180th Brigade. He was executed for disobedience 12/05/1916 age 23 and buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension, Mazingarbe, France.

    S Flynn




    218106

    Pte. Anthony O'Neil 1st Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.30th Apr 1916)

    Pte. Anthony O'Neill served with the South Wales Borderers 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertionon 30th April 1916 and is buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension, Mazingarbe, France.

    s flynn




    218105

    Cpl. Charles Lewis 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.11th Mar 1916)

    Charles Lewis served with the Highland Light Infantry 12th Bsttalion. He was executed for desertion on 11th March 1916 and is buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension, Mazingarbe, France.

    s flynn




    218104

    Pte. A. Dale 13th Btn. Royal Scots (d.3rd Mar 1916)

    Pte. A Dale served with the Royal Scots 13th Battalion. He was executed for murder on 3rd March1916 and is buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension, Mazingarbe, France.

    s flynn




    218103

    Jarvis Dawson 13th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment

    Jarvis Dawson was my Grandfather, he never used to talk about the war and seemed quite bitter about it, but I remember that from time to time he had blisters that would erupt from being Mustard Gassed. He served with the 13th Battalion, Yorks and Lancaster Regiment

    Ian McFarlane




    218102

    Pte. Arthur Stephen Franklin Lovegrove 8th Btn Seaforth Highlanders (d.10th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    I knew my father had an older brother, Arthur Franklin, but Dad never spoke of him. Only recently have I discovered that his brother served in Seaforth Highlanders 8th Bn . & died in April 1918. He is buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France. I presume he was injured in Battle for Arras in 1917. He died from injuries. I have no idea whether the family have ever visited his grave, as they have all passed on. My Dad came to Australia in 1920 & only had one brief trip back to UK in 1950 & he only had one sister still living then. I was very shocked & dis-appointed that I had never been told of my Uncle's service & death. I have no photos of Arthur.

    Editors Note: 235272 Private Arthur Stephen Franklin Lovegrove served with the 8th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders during WW1 and died from injuries on the 10th April 1918. He is remembered at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France. Arthurs medal card records the award of the British War and Victory Medal. It also records him as having served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - Service number 302443 (no dates recorded).

    Graham Lovegrove




    218099

    Pte. John T. Jones 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.24th Feb 1916)

    John Jones sered with the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. He was executed for desertion on 24th Februry 1916 aged 21 and is buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension, Mazingarbe, France.

    s flynn




    218098

    Pte. John Docherty 9th Btn. Black Watch (d.15th Feb 1916)

    John Docherty served with the Black Watch 9th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 15th February1916 aged 27 and is buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension, Mazingarbe, France.

    s flynn




    218097

    Pte. James Graham 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.21st Dec 1915)

    James Graham served with the Royal Munster Fusiliers 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 21st December1915 and is buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension, Mazingarbe, France.

    s flynn




    218096

    Pte. James Molyneaux 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.15th June 1916)

    James Molyneaux served with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 15th june 1916 and is buried in Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, France.

    James Molyneux sailed for France with the first wave of the 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 12th August 1914. His medals were forfeited. Unfortunately no further service papers have been found.

    s flynn




    218095

    Pte. William Watts 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.5th May 1916)

    William Watts was executed for desertion on 5th May 1916 aged 29 and isburied in Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, France. He was born in the parish of St Vincent, Liverpool.

    He was married to Mary Ann, they lived at 144, Upper Frederick Street, Liverpool. They had a daughter named Elizabeth. On 29th September 1908, William enlisted in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at Old Haymarket, Liverpool. He had previous experience in the Militia (Volunteers, 8th Irish), and now signed up for 6 years Special Reserve service. He was given the service number 1214. At his enlistment medical it was noted that he was 5ft 4in tall, weighed 114lbs and had grey eyes with fair hair. On 3rd July 1910, William absented himself from the annual training camp that he as a reserve soldier was obliged to attend; he was apprehended on 1st June 1911 in Liverpool whilst then attempting to enlist in the Regular Army. In 1912 William then again failed to turn up to the annual training camp. On 2nd August 1913 the Regiment received notification that William had been arrested for drunkenness in Liverpool. He was sentenced to, and served 14 days in prison.

    In June 1914, having completed his six years engagement, William elected to re-engage for a further four years. This was approved by his CO. William sailed to France on 22nd September 1914 to join the 1st Battalion. In November 1914, his wife registered the death of their child, Elizabeth. She had died of measles and pneumonia at Liverpool workhouse infirmary. Elizabeth was just 21 months old. William was reported as missing on 24th December 1914 (two days after the Battle of Givenchy), his wife Mary was informed that this was the case. On this occasion William made it back to his lines, rejoining on 29th December. Here followed a series of periods of unauthorised absences; each time he would appear days later and accept his punished of being confined to barracks. On 20th November 1915, William deserted. On 28th March 1916 he rejoined the Battalion and was awaiting trial for desertion. The trial happened on 4th April 1916 at Les Brebis. William pleaded not guilty. William was found guilty by court martial, and was sentenced ‘to suffer death by being shot’. On 5th May 1916, at 04:40hrs, William was executed. His medals were forfeited, and his wife was not entitled to a pension.

    s flynn




    218094

    Pte. William Hunter 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.21st Feb 1916)

    William Hunter was the son of James and Margaret Hunter, of 55, Coronation Street, North Shields, Northumberland. He was executed for desertion on 21st February 1916 aged 20 and is buried in Maroc British Cemetery, Greney, France.

    On 4th January 1915, William sailed for France to reinforce the 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. William deserted in September 1915, he apparently ‘lost heart at soldiering’. He remained on the run in France for the next two months before being arrested. He then managed to escape from custody, before finally being caught again in the following January. The subsequent court martial concluded that he was of little use as a fighting solider and should be shot. His medals were forfeited.

    s flynn




    218092

    L/Cpl John Richard Read 2nd/5th Btn Leicestershire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather John Richard Read served with the 2/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. I have a hand written letter from his CO and a old picture of himself and his wife. He died on 26th September 1917 and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. I am searching for any information and would like to hear from any family members in the UK.

    Doug Nedobity




    218090

    Rflmn. J. E. McCracken 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.19th Mar 1916)

    Rflmn. J E McCracken served with the 15th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He was executed for desertion on19th March 1916 aged 19 and is buried in Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension, Mailly-Maillet, France.

    s flynn




    218089

    Rflmn. James Templeton 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.19th Mar 1916)

    Rflmn. James Trmpleton served with the Royal Irish Rifles 15th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on19th March1916 and is buried in Mailly-Maillet Communal Military Extension Cemetery, Mailly-Maillet, France.

    s flynn




    218088

    Rflmn. Frederick Martin Barratt 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th Jul 1917)

    Frederick Barratt served with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps 7th Battalion. He was executed on 10th July 1917 aged 23 and is buried in Louvencourt Military Cemetery, Louvencourt, France.

    The private, suffering from severe shell shock, was examined by a doctor, who recommended that he return to his line. It would be an understatement to say that the medic failed in his duty. Rifleman Fred Barratt said at his trial for desertion that on one occasion he had been wounded and left unattended for five days. His constitution never recovered, and he became terrified when under fire. Nevertheless he was executed on 10th July 1917

    s flynn




    218087

    Pte. Harry MacDonald 12th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th Nov 1916)

    Pte. Harry McDonald served with the 12th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. He was executed for desertion on 4th Novmber 1916 aged 34 and is buried in Louvencourt Military Cemetery, Louvencourt, France.

    s flynn




    218086

    Pte. Peter Giles 14th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Aug 1918)

    Pte. Peter Giles served with the 14th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was shot for desertion on 24th August 1918 and is buried in Louez Military Cemetery, Duisans, France.

    s flynn




    218083

    Pte. Charles B. Nicholson 8th Btn. Yorks and Lancs Regiment (d.27th Oct 1917)

    Pte. Chzarles Nicholson served with the Yorks and Lancs Regiment 8th Battalion.He was executed for desertion on 27th October1917 and is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, St. Omer, France.

    It took less than ten minutes to sentence the teenage soldier to death. The evidence came from his platoon sergeant, who told the court that the private had gone AWOL following a bombing raid. The only defence was an 11-word statement from Charles. He said: "When the bomb dropped, I got nervous. I can't say anything else." The private, from Middlesbrough, had joined the 8th Yorkshire and Lancaster Regiment aged 16, lying about his age.

    Two days after his execution, in October 1917, Charles' twin brother John was killed by German machine-guns at Ypres. When their mother got the telegram telling her that both her twin sons had died - one executed for desertion - she had a nervous breakdown. Charles' niece Doris Conroy, 80, of Glasgow, says: "The disgrace was a lot to live with. My dad never told me how his brother died - I only found out 15 years ago when I saw his name in a newspaper." Since then she has battled for a pardon for her uncle and has visited his grave in France. She says: "The gravestone just said, 'Loved in life, lamented in death'. Seeing where he was buried has made me more determined to get justice for him. He was just a teenager who got frightened and ran. I believe he was then murdered by a government which wanted to make an example of him. This government should be asking for a pardon for the young, brave soldiers who died for absolutely no reason.

    The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8th November 2006.

    s flynn




    218082

    Pte. Edward James Reynolds 3rd Btn. (d.23rd Aug 1916)

    Pte. Edward James ReynoldsHe was executed for desertion 23/08/1916 age 20 and isburied in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, St. Omer, France.

    Reynolds was born on 2nd January 1896 in Toronto. During April 1915, he enlisted in the Canadian Infantry 35th Battalion. By November 1915, Reynolds was a member of the 3rd Battalion in the line near Ploegsteert.

    On 25 July 1916, the Germans exploded a mine under a portion of the front line called "The Bluff". The 3rd Battalion was ordered forward to plug the resulting gap in the front line. However, Reynolds fell out from his platoon only to be found two days later at his battalion's transport lines. Reynolds claimed that he had been ordered back and got lost. This excuse was accepted.

    During the following night (26th July 1916), Reynolds was ordered to accompany a ration party up to the front line. Again Reynolds fell out and went back to his battalion's transport lines. This time Reynolds was arrested and charged with desertion. He was found guilty by court-martial and sentenced to death.

    s flynn




    218081

    Pte. James Cuthbert 9th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.6th May 1916)

    Pte. J. Cuthbert was the son of Mrs. Edith Cuthbert, of 61, Webster Street, Oldham, Lancs andserved with the Cheshire Regiment 9th Battalion. He was executed for disobedience on 6th May 1916 aged 20 and is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer), Souvenir Cemetery, St. Omer, France.

    s flynn




    218074

    Cpl. William John Humphries 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    431 Corporal William John Humphries served with the 16th (Pioneers) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles which was created as the Pioneer Battalion for the 36th (Uster) Division.

    Darryn Fisher




    218073

    Gnr. Robert Calderwood McClure MM. 103rd Bde. A Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Robert Calderwood McClure won the Military Medal in Italy (date of Gazette was 21st October 1918). He was part of "A" Battery.

    Robin McClure




    218072

    Cpl. Charles Thorpe 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.3rd Aug 1917)

    Charles Thorpe served with the Middlesex Regiment during WW1. He died on the 16th August 1917 and is remembered on Panels 49 and 51, Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Date of death in the Commonwealth War Graves list is 3rd August 1917 and his unit was the 13th Battalion.

    Charlie was my great uncle on my maternal side. He was serving in the same battalion as his brother George. The family story goes that George's CO said to him that there was another Thorpe coming up to the front. George asked if his name was Charles. It was and he asked if he could go and see him. His CO permitted it. George found him, his mum (Kate) always use to say if he had money he'd always be safe, so George took him into the local village to buy him a money belt to keep his money safe. That was the 15th of August that was the last he saw of him. It was said he died just outside Polygon Wood. His body was never found and his name is on the Menin Gate.

    C M Plumb




    218071

    Pte. John Edward Smith MM. 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    John Edward Smith was born in Ballymacarrett, Belfast, County Down, he was a Sergeant in the 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and got injured on the Somme Guillemont - Ginchy. Rumor has it that he didn't want to leave his mates and was determined to keep fighting and ended up as a Private in the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. (I'd like to know if this is true).

    He was killed in action at Monchy-le-Preux and the Commonwealth War grave record shows him as Private in 1st Btn at time of death. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, husband of Esther Smith, of 115, Mersey St., Warrington. His Medal Card records him as a Sergeant in Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers but no mention of Military Medal or Battalion in which serving. He was entitled to the War and Victory Medals, which places him in France from 1916 onwards as ther is no 1914 or 1915 Star. That could still be either Battalion as 1st Bn was in France (29th Division) from 18th March 1916 and 7th Bn was in France (16th (Irish)Division from February 1916. If he was wounded at Guilemont/Givinchy then that was with the 16th Division and would indeed be the 7th Battalion. So the story could be true but needs further investigation.

    Chris Murphy




    218070

    Rfmn. Harry Walter "Henry" Cornwell 1/17th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    My Great Uncle Harry Cornwell served with the 17th Battalion London Regiment. My Grandad fought as a Rifleman too but in a different brigade. He survived but Harry didn't. Harry was his older brother. Harry died at the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917 and was buried at Lone Tree Cemetery just outside Ypres.

    The family worked in the tobacco industry as tobacco leaf shredders I believe. My grandad started out doing the same but then got into sugar, working for Tate and Lyle. He was a foreman and worked with golden syrup.

    Sarah Young




    218069

    Pte. William Eveleigh 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    Willie Eveleigh served with the Hampshire Regiment 15th Battalion. He was wounded at the Battle of Messines Ridge on 7th June 1917 - GSW right leg compound fracture - and was hospitalised at home. He was discharged due to his wounds in July 1918 aged 24. I am currently writing a book about his life (he was my grandfather) - including his WW1 experience - which I hope to publish in 2017 to mark the anniversary.

    Kelvin Eveleigh




    218067

    Cpl. John Printer DCM 3rd Salvage Coy.

    John Printer served withe the Australian Inperial Force 3rd Salvage Companyy. He returned to his family after the war and died on 17th June 1934. He is buried in Sandgate Cemetery, Newcastle NSW.

    Malcolm Fletcher




    218066

    Pte. William Alfred Owen 8th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    I never met my grandfather William Owen, who served with the 8th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. I do know from family history that he was invalided out of the army, having been gassed. It would be interesting to find out where and when this happened.

    The effect of being gassed on both him and on his family was immense. Gramps was rarely in work, drank and swore too much. But given what he had suffered, it was understandable. The effect on my Father was immense and completely the opposite of what you might expect. He was one of the gentlest men you could ever wish to meet. It is noticeable that when WW2 broke out he volunteered for the Royal Navy and not the Army. I did ask him why, he never told me.

    Stephen Owen




    218063

    Pte. James Oliver Kemp 34th Btn. (d.18th Jul 1917)

    Ol Kemp was a very loved, one of the twelve children of William and Isabella Kemp. He was carter in the Wallsend area. At the time of his enlisting he was 26 years old and single. He had a girlfriend, Amy Moodle, who posted several moving tributes, in the newspaper on the anniversary of his death. Ol apparently was involved in his community from young as there is a book awarded to him for helping building the local park for Federation celebrations. His photograph remained on the wall of his sister Ada's wall until she died in the late 1960's and was always part of our family. My grandmother, Isabella, was only 3 when he left for war and remembered him giving her a toy iron, which I still have, before he left for war. There were many letters and cards, but his sister burned all but a couple of pieces of the correspondence,not long before she died. Apparently another sister did the same, so we only know what we have been told, and that is that he was a kind and loving person.

    The 34th had been relieved from the front line near Messines early on morning of 17th July, 1917. They had gone to rest area in Messines, Wellington avenue. Messines was bombed that day and he was fatally wounded by shrapnel. He was transported to the 2nd clearing Station at Steenwerck, where he died. He is buried in the Trois Arbres Cemetery. Apparently there was a letter sent to his parents, by a nurse from the hospital, who wrote that his wounds were so severe that he could not have survived. I have just returned from visiting, these and many other war sites, with an excellent, local guide and tramped these muddy fields.

    Kerrie Bennett




    218062

    Pte. Sidney White 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    Sidney White served with the 10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and died on the 23rd March 1918. He is remembered on Bay 3 of the Arras Memorial.

    Chris Martin




    218061

    Pte. James Hutchinson 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.6th Jun 1917)

    James Hutchinson served with the 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He died in June 1917 and is buried in Dickebusch new military cemetery in Belgium. He was the beloved husband of Sally (nee Sarah Smith), and father to Tom who I used to visit in his retirement in Corby. James is my Great uncle and I will be paying my respects at his grave this year, as well as remembering other relatives at their various memorials.

    Joan




    218060

    Pte. John Arthur Whitby 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.11th Apr 1918)

    John Whitby is my Uncle, of whom little is known apart from his name being on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium and the War Memorial in Rainham, Essex. He was just 21 when he died, and as my Father would only have been 10 years old at that time, no other information has been passed down the Family. On the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website he is listed as 242036 Private John Arthur Whitby served with the 8th Battalion Border regiment during WW1. He died on the 11th April 1918 and is remembered on Panel 6, Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. He was the son of George and Elizabeth MA Whitby of the Ferry, Rainham, Essex.

    A J Whitby




    218059

    L/Bdr. Horace William Kenny 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Horace William Kenny served with the 173rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery during WW1. This Brigade was part of Divisional Artillery for the 36th (Ulster) Division but were subject to changes of Division during the war.

    S Kenny




    218058

    Pte. Edward Steel 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Edward Steel served with the 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers during WW1. Grandfather, enlisted 1914 and married 1915 before going to France. He was wounded on Hill 60 and on one other occasion. Edward was batman to Capt. EG Bowers. He was discharged by March 1919.

    John Edward Steel




    218057

    Pte. W. James MM & Bar. 77th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Walter James served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during WW1. One of the units he served with was 77th Field Ambulance. He was awarded the Military Medal and a Bar for that medal for some subsequent act of bravery. One report is listed as follows:Found the following in the South Wales Echo of 14 March 1917. Pte Walter James, Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the Regina Trench, on the Somme, on the 21st October, 1916.

    Moira Powell




    218056

    Pte. William Henry Ernest Hemus 3th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    William Henry Ernest Hemus was my Grandfather, he served with the 3rd Battalion Worcester Regiment and died on the 7th June 1917.

    Tim Dorrell




    218055

    Pte. William James Disley 141st Light Trench Mortar Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Will Disley was my grandfather, he served with 141st Light Trench Mortar Battery which was part of the 141st (5th London Brigade) in the 2nd London Division.

    Linda Jordan




    218054

    Sgt. George Firmin 11th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    George Firmin served from September 1914 to February 1919 in 11th Battalion, 5th Platoon. He was wounded twice, latterly at Cambrai in November 1917. He survived the War, and afterwards became Chief Meat Buyer for Thomas Borthwicks (Vestys) and Smithfield Meat Market, London.

    I have his Sergeant's stripes (he returned after 2nd wounding to Army Service Corps, service number: M/410412), and I also have his campaign medals. I have his photo record of the complete 11th Battalion, probably taken in late 1915, with all 16 platoons etc. All officers are named, ranks are not.

    Paul Firmin




    218053

    L/Cpl. William Henry "Hank" Collins DCM 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    William Collins was my Great Grandfather and I am at the moment writing his life story.

    Harry Moore




    218052

    Pte. Frank Middleton 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.9th Aug 1917)

    Frank Middleton was my Great Uncle. I knew nothing about him until 2012. He served with the Lancashire Fusiliers 11th Battalion. He died of wounds in August 1917 and is buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    Graham Middleton




    218051

    Pte. Robert William Bartlett 12th Btn. East Surrey Regiment

    My father Bob Bartlett served with the East Surrey Regiment 12th Battalion in WW1 from 7th December 1915 until 28th August 1917 for 1 year 284 days, After which he was invalided out. He was in Ploegsteert Wood.

    He served with the Home Guard in WW2. I have his WW1 discharge papers and a certificate for the home guard WW2.

    Brenda Diskin




    218050

    Spr. Joseph Whitlam 25th Divisional Signal Coy Royal Engineers

    Joseph Whitlam was my grandfather. He served with the Royal Engineers 25th Divisional Signal Company, and I would welcome any information on where this company served in France.

    Eric Whitlam




    218048

    Pte. William Hatton 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.10th Apr 1918)

    My great uncle William Hatton enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment on 30th Aug 1916 and transferred to the South Lancs regiment on 14th September1916. Great Uncle William died in action in April 1918 and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert memorial in Belgium.

    He was from a family of four. His parents and another brother and sister lived on a farm in Nether Alderley, Cheshire, his trade or occupation was teamsman, he worked with horses. From his army records he was 5ft 9 1/4 ins. 137lbs and 22yrs old when he enlisted.

    Stewart Powell




    218047

    Pte. Albert James Keating 11th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    I am currently, writing an account of Pte. Albert Keating's WW1 experiencewith the 11th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment . According to the Regimental History held at Lewisham Library, he volunteered at Catford in the 11th Battalion raised by the Mayor. He survived a number of engagements on the Western Front. He was wounded in 1917 near Dickebush Lake, and transferred to Huddersfield for treatment. He returned to the Battalion on 9th September 1917 which was to take part in the Tower Hamlets offensive, 3rd Battle of Ypres, near Zillebeke. The Battalion subsequently transferred to the Italian Campaign.

    Peter Henry




    218046

    Pte. Michael Cavanagh 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.9th June 1917)

    Michael Cavanagh is my Great Uncle. He enlisted when he was 16. It is told he ran away from home and joined a Welsh Regiment. His mother went after him and brought him home. He ran off again to re-enlist. He served with the Leinster Regiment 2nd Battalion and died at Messines on 9th June 1917 aged 19. His commemorative plaque and some ephemera are preserved in the Memorial Room (Chorley Pals) at Astley Hall Chorley Lancashire. I intend to travel from Adelaide South Australia so that I may be in Ypres on the 9th of June 2014.

    Martyn Christopher




    218045

    Spr. Henry Peters 130th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.10th Apr 1918)

    Henry Peters was my mother's Uncle. His father came from the West Indies, his mother came from Wem, Shropshire. He served with the Royal Engineers 130th Field Company. Apparently on his death in April 1918 his mother was so distraught she destroyed everything of his, including anything associated with his service in the army.

    Kim Tozer




    218044

    Sapper Daniel McFarlane 250th Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers. (d.24th Feb 1917)

    Daniel McFarlane was my father's oldest brother who served in the military on two separate occasions. His ultimate sacrifice came about in Feb 1917 while he was serving with the Royal Engineers 250th Tunnelling Company.

    Denise McFarlane Osowick




    218042

    Pte. Henry George Haffenden 21st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Henry Haffenden was my Grandad He served with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and lost a leg after joining the 21st Battalion in April 1916, aged 18 and 5 days. For some reason he enlisted at Kew. I seem to recall that he was machine gunned at Hill 60, but I can't seem to find any reference to his unit being there in late 1916 or summer of 1917.

    Mike Haffenden




    218040

    Pte. John Gilchrist MM. 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    My Grandfather Pte. John Gilchrist served with the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 8th Battalion and was awarded the MM for "Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as runner at Bde HQ during the offensive from 7th to 10th June 1917 near Ypres. He carried messages through heavy fire continuously for three days. He showed an utter disregard of danger, and set a high example to other runners." This extract is from the original commendation for MM signed by the Lt Col AA &QMG., 23rd Division which I still have. He was casevaced home after he and the C.O. were injured. He lived until the 1950s but was not in great health. He first heard of his commendation for the MM when he was in hospital.

    Dan Gilchrist




    218039

    2nd Lt. William Carter "WC" Preston 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.10th Apr 1918)

    William Carter Preston attended the old grammar school, Hawkshead Studies and became an Architect. In 1914 he joined the 8th Battalion, Border Regiment as a Private and was in all the battles until he was killed in action on 10th April 1918. William was wounded twice, and died as a result of a direct hit by a German artillery shell on his position at Laclytte, Reninghurst. At the time of his death, aged 24, he held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

    We have no grave to mark his passing he is remembered by his family to this day for the sacrifice he made so that we are and will remain free, in the land we love. He is commemorated with Honour on the Ploegsteert Memorial, in Belgium, on the Ambleside Memorial, St. Mary's Churchyard and in St Peters Church Far Sawrey

    D Preston




    218038

    L/Cpl. Edgar Taylor 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company

    Edgar Taylor was my grandmother's brother. He was born in Sheffield and went to Canada aged 19. He enlisted on 30th October 1915. and served with the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company. Before the war he had been a cook so he may have served as a cook rather than digging. He was only 5ft3in tall and gave his date of birth as 4 April 1875, when he was actually born in April 1867, so he was really 48 when he enlisted.

    After the war, he went back to Canada, continuing as a cook and often went prospecting for gold.

    David Humphries




    218037

    Gnr. Howard Denley 58th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.26th Aug 1917)

    Gnr. Howard Denley was my grandfather's brother. He served with the Royal Field Artillery 58th Brigade.

    Mick Denley




    218036

    L/Cpl. Charles Ambrose "Charlie" Klink C Coy. 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade. (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Charles Klink was my great grand uncle. He never married and he died at the during Operation Michael at the Somme. I am still piecing together his history. His father was German, his mother English. He served with the 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade, C Company and E Company.

    Kelly klink




    218034

    Gnr. Frederick Stopford DCM, MM. 87th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Gnr. Fred Stopford served with the Royal Field Artillery 87th Brigade. He wasn't a relative of mine but I'm proud to say that I own his war medals, he won the DCM & the MM.

    Alan Thomas




    218032

    Pte. John "Gimmo" Gimson 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.11th Jun 1917)

    Pte. John Gimson served with The Sherwood Foresters 11th Battalion. He was wounded on hill 60 on 6th June 1917 and died on 11th June 1917. He is buried at Mendinghem Military Cemetery.

    j taylor john




    218031

    Thomas Henry Allen 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Thomas Allen served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment 10th Battalion and died aged 19 in Flanders. His grave is yet to be visited by either family or friends.

    Jackie Agnew




    218027

    Pte. Simon Lippman 7th Battalion Border Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    Simon Lippman was born in Sunderland, the second son of Maurice and Rose Lippman, German Jewish emigrés. He was a regular soldier having enlisted pre war. In 1911 he was serving with the 1'st Battalion, stationed in Burma. By 1917 he was a member of the Border Regiment 7th battalion, and was killed on 23 April 1917 during the Battle of Arras. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

    Philip Chisholm




    218025

    Pte. Charles Frost 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.4th Feb 1918)

    Pte. Charles Frost served with the Leinster Regiment 2nd Battalion. He died on 4th February 1918. I believe he fought at Messines Ridge.

    Darrel Weaver




    218024

    Pte. Earnest Frost 6th Btn. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.4th May 1917)

    Pte. Earnest Frost served with the 6th Battalion, Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment and died at the battle of Arras in 1917

    Darrel Weaver




    218023

    Pte. Isaac Reid 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.9th Apr 1915)

    Pte. Isaac Reid served with the Scots Guards 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 9th April 1915 and is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omar) Souvenir cemetery, Longuenesse, France.

    s flynn




    218022

    L/Sgt. William Walton 2nd Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd Mar 1915)

    L/Sgt. William Walton served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 23rd March 1915 aged 26 and is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, St. Omer, France.

    s flynn




    218021

    Pte. Samuel H. Cunnington 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.19th May 1917)

    Pte. S. H. Cunnington served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 19th May 1917 aged 20 and is buried in the London Cemetery, Neuville-Vitasse, France.

    s flynn




    218020

    Pte. John J. Dennis 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.30th Jan 1916)

    Pte. J. J. Dennis served with the Northamptonshire Regiment 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 30th January 1916 and is buried in Lillers Communal Cemetery, Lillers, France.

    s flynn




    218019

    Pte. Joseph Chandler 10th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.11th Aug 1919)

    Pte. J. Chandler served with the Lincolnshire Regiment 10th Battalion.He was executed for murder on 11th August 1919 and is buried in Les Baraques Military Cemetery. Sangatte, France. He was the husband of Nora Chandler, of 5, Burndon Street, Gateshead-on-Tyne.

    s flynn




    218018

    Pte. Abner Edwin Sanders 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Nov 1914)

    Abner Edwin Sanders enlisted on Tuesday 23rd Feb 1904 at Normanton Barracks, Derby. (7 years with colours, 5 years in reserve). He embarked from Southampton on 13th August 1914. On Wednesday 14th October 1914 he was shot in the side of the head during battle of La Bassee around Bout del Ville (Rue Mathieu). He died of wounds at The Connaught Military Hospital, Aldershot on Sunday 1st November 1914 and was buried at Alfreton Military Cemetary. He is commemorated at Alfreton War Memorial, Milford War and Memorial, St Peters Marble Memorial Belper.

    The Derbyshire Times of Saturday 31st October 1914 reported:

    Milford Soldier Dangerously Wounded. Private Abner Sanders of the Northumberland Fusiliers of Hopping Hill, Milford, a son of Mr and Mrs Ernest Sanders of Nottingham Rd Belper, now lies at Aldershot in a dangerous condition. He was engaged in the battle of La Bassee Canal and received a terrible wound in the right side of the head. Sanders underwent an operation at Aldershot, but has only been conscious at intervals since. His wife visited him on Tuesday week and has remained near ever since. In response to an urgent telegram stating “No hope of recovery” his father went to Aldershot on Tuesday morning. Private Sanders has two little children, the youngest being under twelve months old.

    Alfreton Journal on Thursday 5th November 1914 reported: For the young widow, Mrs Sanders, of Hopping Hill, Millford, who is left with two young children, our heartfelt sympathy rests. A bullet received in the head while fighting for his King and Country has proved fatal to her husband, and brought sorrow into the home, as well as to many friends of the deceased. The parents of this brave young fellow reside on the Nottingham Road, Belper, and are much respected. The young wife visited her husband in hospital, but he only had periods of conciousness. Friends have been kind, but none can replace the loss of husband and father to this bereaved widow.

    Tim Sanders




    218016

    Pte. Henry W. Webb 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.31st Oct 1917)

    Henry W. Webb was executed for desertion 31/10/1917 and is buried in Lederzeele Churchyard, Nord, France.

    s flynn




    218015

    Pte. Albert Smythe 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.28th Jan 1915)

    Albert Smythe was executed for desertion 28/01/1915, his name is on Le Touret Memorial. Panel, Le Touret Memorial Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue, France.

    s flynn




    218010

    Pte. Jesse Reeves 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.6th Aug 1916)

    Jesse Reeves was my grandfather. Unfortunately, he did not make it through the war and so our family never knew him, but I have always felt close to him. My grandmother and father were left behind, my dad was 2yrs old.





    218009

    L/Cpl. Albert Barber 10th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.12th Oct 1917)

    My uncle, Albert Barber, served in the 10th Battalion Yorks & Lancs during the great war. He was serving in Ypres when he was killed on the 12th October 1917.

    He was moved from his initial burial place and interned in the Hooge Crater War Cemetery in Ypres. I have the original letter from the War Office giving his location in that cemetery. I can't find out where he was killed or originally buried except that he was not in action at the time of his death. He was 21, married and had baby daughter. Can anyone help? My father Frederick Trueman also served in the Yorks & Lancs during the Great War but survived. They both came from Sheffield, Yorkshire.

    Barrie Trueman




    218008

    Pte. Thomas Cummings 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.28th Jan 1915)

    Thomas Cummings was executed for desertion 28/01/1915 his name is on the Le Touret Memorial in Le Touret Military Cemetery. Richebourg-L'Avoue, France. He was the son of William Cummings, of Tully Muckamore, Belfast.

    s flynn




    218007

    Pte. Joseph Ball 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.12th Jan 1915)

    Joseph Ball was executed for desertion 12/01/1915 aged 20 his name is on The Le Touret Memorial in the Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue, France. He was the son of Thomas and Emily Ball, of 112, Lancefield St., Queen's Park, London

    s flynn




    218006

    Pte. F. Sheffield 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.12th Jan 1915)

    Pte. F. Sheffield was executed for desertion 12/01/1915, aged 26. He was the brother of James Sheffield, of 42, Franklin St., South Tottenham, London.

    s flynn




    218005

    Pte. Edward Tanner 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.27th Oct 1914)

    Edward Tanner was executed for desertion 27/10/1914 aged 33. His name is on Le Touret Memorial, in the Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue, France.

    Pte Tanner, of the Wiltshire Regiment, was executed on October 27 1914 after being found guilty of desertion. The 33-year-old soldier, who had fought at Mons and had recently recovered from dysentry, was charged after being found in civilian clothes. His plea of shattered nerves was ignored and he was sentenced to death.

    s flynn




    218004

    Pte. Charles W. Knight 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.15th Nov 1915)

    Charles Knight was executed for murder 15/11/1915 age 28 and buried in Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery, Morebecque, France.

    s flynn




    218001

    Pte. Samuel Johns 3rd Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1916)

    <p>A paper cutting recounting the events ofhis death

    Samuel Johns was an experienced solider having served in the Boar War, he died suddenly at Cocken Hall whilst serving with the York and Lancaster Regiment.





    217999

    Pte. Robert Tulip 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Apr 1918)

    My great great grandfather, Robert Tulip, died on 10th April, 1918 aged 42 during the Battle of the Lys. He is buried at Haverskerque British Cemetery. He was the son of Thomas and Isabella Tulip of Walbottle, and was husband to Elizabeth Tulip. They had 5 children Alice, Thomas, Robert, Elizabeth and Phylis.

    My great great grandfather Robert's brother William died 6 weeks after on 30th May 1918 in the Battle of the Aisne. His grave has not been found. He is commemorated on Soissons Memorial.

    Rest in Peace. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

    Janet Todman




    217997

    George Wilfred Taylor Nottingham Royal Horse Artilery

    My father George Wilfred Taylor served in WW1 in the Royal Horse Artillary. All I know is he was the lead driver of the 3. He was conscripted from Nottingham. I have always been proud to say my father was in the RHA and would love to know more details of his service, can anyone help?

    T.Taylor




    217996

    Cpl. Walter Shorrock 1/4 Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

    Walter Shorrock was my Great Uncle and my maternal Grandmother's brother. Walter was born in Blackburn Lancashire in 1885 and was a Weaver in the local Cotton industry.

    At the outbreak of War, he enlisted in the 1/4 East Lancashire Regiment and after a brief spell of training in England he sailed from Southampton on 10 September 1914 disembarking at Alexandria in Egypt on 25 September 1914.

    The Division was concentrated around Cairo for acclimatisation and further training. The purpose of the East Lancashire Division was to defend the Suez Canal from Turkish troops.

    Walter fought throughout 1914 to 1916 in Egypt and was involved in the reinforcement of the beleaguered Garrison in Gallipoli -it was during this time that Walter was promoted to Corporal. He also saw active service at the Helles bridgehead and around the fierce fighting to capture the dominating heights at Krithia. During these Battles, the East Lancashire Division lost more than one third of its men. After a brief spell in Mudros, Walter returned to Alexandria. Walter was further involved in the Battle of Romani which involved hazardous trekking in loose sand and scorching conditions.

    At the beginning of March 1917, Walter moved with his Division to the Western Front which involved trench warfare under very different conditions to those he had experienced in Egypt and Gallipoli.

    After arriving at Epehy Walter moved to Havrincourt facing the severity of the German Hindenburg Line at Cambrai. Walter was then involved in the Third Battle of Ypres or Passchendeele including an attack on the Sans Souci on 15 September 1917. Later that month he moved over to Belgium at Nieuport before on to Givenchy on the La Bassee Canal near Bethune.

    Walter was wounded in action on 29 June 1917 and days later was gassed after heavy shelling. He battled on and after re-joining his Battalion he saw further action before succumbing to gastritis which eventually saw him discharged from the Army in October 1918 - after completing 4 years and 77 days in the Great War.

    Walter survived the War and continued to live a contented life until his death in 1973 at the age of 88 years. I am proud to say I knew and met Walter on several occasions when he visited my Grandmother. He was a kindly, quiet and self-effacing man who belied the tortuous experiences he had been through in the service of his Country

    Fred Cumpstey




    217992

    L/Cpl. Robert Harold Stephenson MM. 1/22nd Btn. London Regiment

    My father Robert Harold Stephenson was awarded the military medal, I am trying to find out the circumstances, can anyone help?

    Camilla Bradford




    217991

    Charles Spall HMS Clan Macnaughton (d.3rd Feb 1915)

    Charles Spall was born 16th Sept. 1891 and baptised 4th Oct. 1891 at St. James the Great, Bethnal Green. He was the son of Charles James Spall, a cabinet maker of 55 Fellow Street and Mary Ann Spall nee Edwards who had married in 1888 at St. Thomas, Bethnal Green. Charles James father, James Spall, had also been a cabinet maker. In 1912 Charles Spall married Lilian Pask at St. James the Less, Bethnal Green. Charles was 21 years old, a cabinet maker [3rd generation] of 5 Havelock Place and Lilian was the daughter of Joseph Pask a labourer. Lilian worked in a printing works and her address was 2 Havelock Place. Their marriage took place on 7th April 1912.

    When war broke out in 1914 Charles joined the Navy and as a member of the carpenters crew and only two years after his marriage he died along with all the others when the vessel HMS Clan MacNaughton was lost off the coast of Scotland. Charles James Spall not only had to cope with the loss of his son but in 1918 his brother Benjamin Spall also died. Benjamin had signed up on the 15th August 1914. He is shown on the Commonwealth War Graves site as having died on 13th Nov. 1918 aged 45 years of age. He was a L/Corporal in the Northumberland Fusiliers and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery. Benjamin had married quite late in life. He married Louisa Miller in 1910 in Nottingham and only eight years later Louisa like Lilian was a war widow.

    I am not related to Charles Spall but a one name researcher working on the name Spall. This has helped me to realise how WW1 affected the ordinary man and woman, how lives were lost and others spoilt as a result of this terrible war.

    Mahala Mehmet




    217990

    Pte. James Kershaw 1st Btn King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.26th April 1915)

    James Kershaw was executed for desertion, 26/04/1915 and buried in Le Grand Beaumart British Cemetery, Steenwerck, France.

    s flynn




    217989

    L/Cpl. William J. Irvine 1st Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.20th Apr 1915)

    William Irvine served with the King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 20th April1915 aged 19 and is buried in Le Grand Beaumart British Cemetery, Steenwerck, France.

    s flynn




    217987

    Pte. Arthur Charles Dagesse 22nd Battalion (d.15th Mar 1918)

    Pte. Atthut Charles Dagesse served with the 22nd Battalion Canadian Infantry.He was executed for desertion on 15th March 1918 aged 33 and is buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Lapugnoy, France.

    Arthur Charles Dagesse was born in New Bedford MA in 1886. One month after the outbreak of war, Dagesse enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) on 23rd September 1914 under the name Dagasse. His conduct as a soldier started badly and continued in poor fashion; he had no fewer than thirteen convictions for absence and two for drunkenness.

    On 4 April 1917, just before his unit's participation in the Vimy Ridge attack, Dagesse went absent until he was arrested in Paris on 29th April 1917. While awaiting his trial for this offence, Dagesse escaped and remained absent for five months before being re-arrested in Paris on 4th October 1917. When he was arrested for the second time, Dagesse was wearing the uniform of a Sergeant in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

    Following his court-martial on 26th February 1918, Dagasse was found guilty of desertion and sentenced to death.

    s flynn




    217986

    Pte. J. Taylor 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.6th Nov 1917)

    Pte. J. Taylor served with the South Staffordshire Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 6th November1917 and is buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Lapugnoy, France.

    s flynn




    217985

    Pte. Lewis C. Calvert 1/5th Battalion Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regt. (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Lewis Calvert was my grandmothers cousin, he was, I believe a Brass Founder by trade and lived in Huddersfield. He served with the Duke of Wellingtons, (West Riding) 1/5th Battalion. He was killed on 3rd of September 1916 when his battalion along with others attacked an area known as the "Popes Nose", a part of the Schwaben Redoubt on the Somme. He is listed as being killed in action and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the memorial at Thiepval.

    John C Wade




    217984

    Pte. William L. Thompson 6th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.22nd Apr 1916)

    William Thompson srtved with The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) 6th Battalion, He was executed for desertion on 22nd April 1916 aged27 and is buried in Labourse Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France.

    s flynn




    217983

    Pte. Abraham Beverstein 11th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.20th March 1916)

    <p>

    Abraham was executed for desertion 20/03/1916 and buried in Labourse Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France.

    In September 1914 Abraham Beverstein, of Whitechapel in the east of London, joined the army under the name Abraham Harris. He did not tell his parents he had enlisted until afterwards: he was afraid they would have stopped him. He was 18 years old, and their only son. From the training camp at Aldershot, the boy wrote home: ‘I was very sorry to leave you, and very sorry to see you cry, but never mind, I will come back one day, so be happy at home. From your loving son Aby.’

    In the spring of 1915 his battalion went to fight in France. (‘Dear mother, I do not like the trenches...’) At the end of the year Abraham was in the army hospital; an official telegram to his parents reported that he was ‘suffering from wounds and shock (mine explosion)’. In January 1916, however, he was able to write reassuringly, ‘I am feeling a little better, so don’t get upset’. Three weeks later he was sent back to his unit.

    But soon afterwards another letter reached Whitechapel: ‘Dear mother, we were in the trenches and I was ill, so I went out and they took me to the prison, and I am in a bit of trouble now....I will have to go in front of a Court.’ This was the last his parents heard from Abraham.

    In April they received the following letter, in every way insensitively expressed. It came from the senior officer in charge of Infantry records. ‘Sir, I am directed to inform you that a report has been received from the War Office to the effect that [Abraham’s army number and regiment – not his name] was sentenced after trial by court martial to suffer death by being shot for desertion, and the sentence was duly executed on 20th March 1916. I am, Sir, your obedient servant....’

    In his statement to the court martial (he had no legal representation) Abraham explained, ‘I left the trenches because three rifle grenades exploded near me. I was deafened and my nerves had gone a bit.’ He saw a medical officer, who told the court he had ‘found him suffering from no appreciable disease... I told him he was fit for duty.’ Another soldier had come across Abraham by chance at the farm where the boy was billeted – the nearest thing to home. ‘Harris told me he had just come out of hospital,’ the soldier said. ‘He had no greatcoat or hat and was covered in mud. He stayed in the farm all afternoon sitting by the fire warming himself.’ In the evening Abraham was arrested.

    His landlady at the farm told the court, ’He said the trenches were being bombed and he had left them and was going to England.’ Abraham himself said, ‘I felt nervous and lost my head. I thought I’d stay at the farm for a few days and go back to the company when they came out of the trenches.’ Those were the words that condemned him: the court was convinced that he had intended to desert.

    Sylvia Pankhurst, a tireless campaigner for human rights and social reform, knew Mr and Mrs Beverstein and took up their son’s case. She published his letters in her magazine ‘Dreadnought’ and protested vehemently against the injustice of executing a 19-year-old volunteer who had endured 8 months in the trenches and had only just come out of hospital with injuries and shell-shock. As a result there was a question about Abraham in the House of Commons, but the only real outcome was that hence forward executed soldiers were simply said to have ‘died of wounds’.

    S Flynn




    217982

    Pte. Harry Martin 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.20th Mar 1916)

    Harry Martin served with the Essex Regiment 9th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 20th March 1916 and is buried in Labourse Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France.

    s flynn




    217981

    Pte. Harry Hendricks 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    Pte. Harry Hendricks served with the Leinster Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 23rd August 1918 aged 46 and is buried in La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck, France. He was the oldest soldier to be executed, an American who served in an Irish regiment. Henry Hendricks was 46 years old and the third American to be executed under the British Army Act.

    s flynn




    217980

    Pte. George Ward 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1914)

    George Ward served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment 1st Battalion. He was executed for cowardice 26/09/1914. He is commemorated on the La Ferté-sous-Jouarre Memorial to the Missing, Seine-et-Marne, France.

    Private George Ward aged 20 years who was executed on 26th September 1914, his was the second execution of the war. What is astonishing about the case of Pte. Ward is that his offence occurred on the 14th September his third day of active service. He had landed in France on 12th September and the brief duration of his service, before committing the crime of ‘cowardice’ that cost him his life, was the shortest of the war.

    A soldier who was a member of a firing squad described what happened. ‘I think it was hard lines that I should have had to make one of the firing party, as he was a chum of mine. . . We were told that the only humane thing that we could do was to shoot straight. The two men were led out blindfolded, tied to posts driven into the ground, and then we received our orders by sign from our officer, so that the condemned men should not hear us getting ready. Our officer felt it very much, as he, like me, knew one of the fellows years before. The other I never knew, but his case was every bit as sad, he was only a boy’.

    s flynn




    217979

    Pte. Thomas J. Highgate 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.8th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Thomas Highgate served with the Royal West Kent Regiment 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 8th September 1914. He is commemorated on The La Ferté-sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France.

    Thomas Highgate was the first to suffer such military justice. Unable to bear the carnage of 7,800 British troops at the Battle of Mons, he fled and hid in a barn. He was undefended at his trial because all his comrades from the Royal West Kents had been killed, injured or captured. Just 35 days into the war, Pte. Highgate was executed.

    Born the only son of a farm labourer at Oxbourne Farm in the Kent village of Shoreham, Highgate was himself a farm labourer before enlisting as a regular soldier in the 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment on 4th February 1913, aged 17 years and nine months. Prior to mobilisation his battalion was based in Dublin's Richmond Barracks and it crossed to France on 15th August 1914. The battalion first saw action at the Battle of Mons, being engaged in both the battle and the subsequent retreat.

    s flynn




    217978

    Gnr. William Jones 43rd Btry. Royal Field Artillery (d.20th Apr 1915)

    William Jones served with 43rd Battery, Royal Field Artillery. He was executed for desertion on 20th April 1915 and is buried in La Chapelle-d'Armentieres Communal Cemetery, La Chapelle-d'Armentieres, France .

    s flynn




    217977

    Pte. Michael Manning 6th (Perthshire) Battalion (d.13th Aug 1915 )

    My 2nd great grandfather Cornelius Manning and his son, Michael Manning, both went off to war in 1914. Father and son both served in France, Cornelius for two years, Michael for one serving with the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) 6th (Perthshire) Battalion (Territorial) - he was killed in Flanders dying of his wounds and subsequently buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery, France.

    Cornelius survived and was discharged in 1919, later dying in 1925 at around the age of fifty. He was survived by his wife Annie and his five daughters, including Annie Hutchison, my great grandmother.

    J Kennedy




    217975

    Pte. Arthur Briggs 9th Btn. Notts and Derby Regiment (d.19th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Briggs was executed 19/07/1918 age 27 for desertion and is buried in Hersin Communal Cemetery Extension, Hersin, France. He was the son of Henry & Harriet Briggs, 7 Railway View, Lockoford Lane, Birmingham.

    Arthur Briggs joined the 9th Bn Sherwood Foresters in 1915 and saw action almost from the start. By 1916 his battalion was caught up in the futile campaign in Gallipoli and it was there that Arthur succumbed to dysentery and was shipped home to convalesce. At the end of that year he was sent back to France, and left behind an 18 year old pregnant girlfriend and a mother who was totally against any marriage to the girl.

    Arthur had to wait until the beginning of 1918 to be allowed home on leave to finally get married. He had been granted seven days leave but at the end of the furlough he did not return to his unit, instead he left for Scotland with his wife and child. Whilst Arthur was ‘absent without leave’ in Scotland he was informed by his mother that his youngest brother Sam had been killed in action - aged just 20. Then only two months later his father Henry died on 26th May 1918. It was only a short time later that Arthur was found and arrested in Edinburgh by military police. Apparently he told the arresting officer 'I was going to give myself up tomorrow!’

    He was immediately taken back to France to attend his Court Martial. He was defended by an officer from 9th Battalion who was a solicitor in civilian life and Arthur admitted to one of the charges - that he had been an ‘overstayer’ on previous occasions, but he did not admit desertion. But the fact that he had disposed of his kit and his uniform, was damning evidence. And army witness statements seemed to suggest he wasn’t up to much as a soldier. So despite his plea to the contrary the Court Martial found that he was guilty of desertion and he was sentenced to death. The following morning 21801 Private Arthur Briggs aged 27 was taken out and shot - reports say the time was between 3 and 4am at Bracquemont in France on 19th July 1918, and he was buried in Hersin Communal Cemetery Extension.

    If Arthur's story is tragic, his mother Harriet's just as terrible - at least four of her sons joined the army - three were killed (son Fred was killed in action on 1st Sept 1918 aged 25) and her husband Henry died at home and all in the space of less than 6 months. Arthur and his brothers are remembered on the small memorial in Christ Church, Stonegravels, Chesterfield

    www.brimington-memorial.co.uk

    Sally Mullins




    217974

    Pte. J. Scone 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.10th May 1918)

    Pte. J. Scone served with the Welsh Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed on 10th May 1918 for murder and is buried in Hersin Communal Cemetery, Hersin, France.

    s flynn




    217973

    Pte. Charles William Bellamy King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Charles William Bellamy was born in Caistor, Lincs on 20th Decmber 1896, the son of James and Maria Bellamy, and grandson of Charles and Maryann Bellamy of Claxby, Lincs. Charles was killed in action in 1916, aged 19 years, while serving with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    Peter Bellamy




    217972

    Pte. Frank O'Neill 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.16th May 1918)

    Frank O'Neill served with the Sherwood Foresters1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 16th May 1918 and is buried in Hermonville Military Cemetery, Hermonville, France.

    s flynn




    217971

    Dvr. Benjamin DeFehr 1st Canadian Reserve Park Canadian Army Service Corps (d.25th Aug 1916)

    Benjamin DeFehr served with the 1st Canadian Reserve Park as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was executed for murder on 25/08/1916 and buried inHazebrouck Communal Cemetery, Hazebrouck, France.

    Born on 29th March 1888 in Winkler, Manitoba, Benjamin De Fehr enlisted as a driver in the Canadian Army Service Corps following the outbreak of war, and was duly transferred to England in 1916. He had no incidents of poor conduct, until 19 August 1916, while serving in France with the 1st Canadian Reserve Park in the rear areas near Hazebrouck. He used his rifle to shoot 43-year-old Regimental Sergeant-Major J.R. Scott in the back, killing him instantly. De Fehr was overpowered and arrested immediately.

    He was officially court-martialled on 22nd August, and while he maintained that he had been drunk during the incident, several witnesses testified that he had been sober. He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death by firing squad. De Fehr was executed three days later, and his remains are today located in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, only three graves away from his victim, RSM Scott.

    s flynn




    217970

    Pte. Thomas Murphy Hogan 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.15th May 1917)

    Thomas Hogan served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 15th May 1917 aged 31 and is buried in Ham British Cemetery, Muille-Villette, France.

    s flynn




    217969

    Pte. Frank Hughes 2nd Btn. Canterbury Regiment (d.25th Aug 1916)

    Ptivate Frank Hughes served with the 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment as part of the New Zaland Expeditionary Force. He was executed for desertion on 25th Sugust 1916 aged 28 and was buried in Hallencourt Communal Cemetery, Somme, France.

    His crime is recorded as Poor military/disciplinary record. Deserted en route to the front. After being found guilty of desertion, 28-year-old Private Frank Hughes was shot by firing squad in the French village of Hallencourt. He was the first New Zealand soldier executed during the First World War.

    Born in Gore in 1888, Frank worked as a builder’s labourer in Wellington before enlisting in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF). He departed New Zealand with the 10th Reinforcements and arrived in France in late April 1916. A month later he joined the 12th (Nelson) Company, 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment.

    Hughes, a heavy drinker, was in trouble from the start. By late July 1916 he had been hauled before his commanding officer three times for ill-discipline. On 26th July a Field General Court Martial found him guilty of ‘absenting himself without leave’ and sentenced him to one year’s imprisonment with hard labour. This sentence was suspended after review and Hughes was issued a final warning.

    Released from custody, Hughes had only just rejoined his unit in the trenches when he disappeared again on the afternoon of 29th July 1916. Eleven days later Military Police found him asleep in an abandoned house in Armentières. Asked what he was doing, he replied: ‘I’ve come for a sleep ... I’ve been away six days.’

    On 12th August 1916, Hughes appeared before a Field General Court Martial at Armentières, charged with ‘Deserting His Majesty’s Service’. He pleaded not guilty, blaming his behaviour on alcohol: ‘Owing to the effect of drink I was light-headed and wandered out of the trench. I knocked round town until I was arrested. I intended to give myself up as soon as the Police came to me. While in town I was drinking.’

    Despite his protestations Hughes was found guilty and sentenced to ‘suffer death by being shot’. At the end of the trial, he was remanded in custody until sentencing was confirmed by the Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, on 22nd August 1916. Two days later, and 12 days after his court martial, Hughes was told his fate.

    The execution was carried out the next morning in an orchard in the village of Hallencourt. Hughes was led from his cell and placed against a tree. He was offered a blindfold but refused, reportedly saying: ‘Don’t put the bandage over my eyes – I want to see them shoot.’ At 5.50 a.m. the firing squad, made up of men from the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion, opened fire. Hughes was buried in the Hallencourt Communal Cemetery, next to where the execution took place.

    Frank Hughes was one of 28 members of the NZEF sentenced to death during the war. Of these, only five were sent before the firing squad: Hughes, Private John Sweeney, Private John Braithwaite, Private John King, and Private Victor Spencer. All but one (Braithwaite) were tried and executed by New Zealand military authorities for desertion.

    s flynn




    217968

    Pte. Hugh Flynn 18th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.15th Nov 1916)

    Pte. Hugh Flynn served with the Highland Light Infantry 18th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 15th November 1916 and is buried in Habarcq Communal Cemedtery Extension, Habarcq, France.

    s flynn




    217967

    Pte. John McQuade 18th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.6th Nov 1916)

    Pte. J. McQuade servd with the Highland Light Infantry 18th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 06/11/1916 and buried in Habarcq Communal Cemetery Extension, Habarcq, France.

    s flynn




    217966

    Rflmn. John Woodhouse 12th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.4th Oct 1917)

    John Woodhouse served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps 12th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 4th October 1917 and is buried in the H.A.C. Cemetery, Ecoust-St-Mein, France. He was the husband of Amy Woodhouse, of 30, Wellington St., Winson Green, Birmingham.

    s flynn




    217965

    Pte. Thomas Hopkins 1st/8th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.13th Feb 1918)

    Thomas Hopkins served with the Lancashire Fusiliers 1st/8th Battalion. He was executed for leaving his post on 13th Frbruary 1918 aged 26 and is buried in Gorre British and Indian Cemetery, Gorre, France.

    s flynn




    217964

    Pte. Louis Harris 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th Nov 1918)

    Pte. L. Harris served with the West Yorkshire Regiment10th Battalion. He was executed on 7th November 1918 for desertion and is buried in Ghissignies British Cemetery, Ghissignies, France. He was one of the last to be executed in the war.

    s flynn




    217963

    Pte. William Edward Anderson 5th Btn. Dorset Regiment (d.31st Mar 1917)

    Pte. W. E. Anderson served with the Dorset Regiment 5th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 31st March1917 aged 21 and is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Gezaincourt, France. He was the son of William Henry Anderson, of 65 Fanshawe Avenue, Barking, Essex.

    s flynn




    217962

    Pte. John Lewis 5th Btn. Dorset Regiment (d.19th Apr 1917)

    John Lewis served with the Dorset Regiment 5th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 19th Spril 1917 aged 21 and is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery and Extension, Forceville, France.

    s flynn




    217961

    Pte. Harry James Knight 1st Btn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.6th Oct 1918)

    Harry Knight served with The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 6th October1918 and is buried in Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-le-Grand, France. He was the son of Mrs. Ellen Elizabeth Knight, of 2, Lower Addiscombe Road, West Croydon, Surrey.

    s flynn




    217960

    Pte. James A. Anderson 12th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.12th Sep 1916)

    James Anderson served with the King's (Liverpool) Regiment 12th Battalion. He was shot for cowardice on 12th Sptember1916 aged 30,and is buried in Fienvillers British Cemetery, Fienvillers, France.

    s flynn




    217959

    Rfln. Arthur E. Allsop 12th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th Jun 1917)

    Arthur Allsop served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps 12th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 15th June 1917 aged 21 and is buried in Favreuil British Cemetery, Favreuil, France.

    s flynn




    217958

    Cpl. Dennis Jones Military Medal 5th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry

    Dennis Jones was my grandfather. He served with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry 5th Battalion and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery at the battle for Deville Wood, on The Somme in July 1916. He was a machine-gunner and together with two other soldiers he was manning a post that during the battle, because of the enemy advance, came to be behind enemy lines. For three days these soldiers were posted as 'missing presumed dead', but not only did my grandfather get himself and his comrades back to his battalion, he also managed to bring back their complete machine gun.

    He was awarded the Military Medal and promoted to sergeant. He was later seconded to another battalion and also saw action in Egypt. Dennis Jones survived WW1 and also served again in WW2. In peacetime he became a blast-furnace foreman, working for a local steel company. He died in 1964

    Lynda Lister




    217957

    L/Cpl. Lees Mills 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    Lees Mills served with the Grenadier Guards 4th Battalion and died on 23rd March 1918.

    Diane




    217956

    Pte. John Edward Barnes 7th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.4th Jul 1917)

    John Edward Barnes served with the Royal Sussex Regiment 7th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 4th July1917, aged 24 and is buried in Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France.

    s flynn




    217955

    Pte. R. G. Pattison 7th Btn. West Surrey Queen's Regiment (d.4th Jul 1917)

    Pte. R.G. Pattison served with the West Surrey Queen's Regiment 7th Battalion.He was executed on 4th July 1917, aged 23 for desertion and is buried in Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France.

    s flynn




    217954

    Pte. G. Hunter 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Jul 1916)

    Pte. G Hunter served with the Durham Light Infantry 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 2nd July 1916 and is buried in Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, Esquelbecq, France.

    s flynn




    217953

    Pte. John Henry Abigail 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.12th Sep 1917)

    John Henry Abigail served with the Norfolk Regiment 8th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 12th September 1917, aged 20 and is buried in Esquelbecq Communal Cemetery, Nord, France.

    It's a long story, a very sad one. In brief he came from a very poor family, with more than it's share of troubles. John's parents exhibited what I think now would be termed a "chaotic lifestyle" often leaving their children to go without food. His father may well have been an alcoholic, more inclined to spend his hard earned cash; (he was a drayman) on beer in the local pubs and beer houses around Oak Street, than to spend it on his family.

    John went to war being called up in March 1916 he left Distillery Square down near the Anchor Brewery. He fought through some fairly hideous experiences in the 8th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, finding himself in the charnel house that was the Somme including actions at Delville Wood (aka Devil's Wood) where he was wounded.

    On return to Britain he went AWOL twice from a camp near Felixstowe, extenuating circumstances, relating to his family, may have led to him not feeling the full impact of the law, but still being given everything from detention, and pay cuts to field punishment, On at least one of these instances his father was imprisoned leaving his younger siblings without any care other than those which the corporation and the early NSPCC could give, so he ran home. The battalion were eventually sent back out, this time to fight at Arras, he deserted again and was found near 'Eat Apples' or Etaple, a training camp, also known as The Bullring, on the coast. He was sent back again this time to Comines. Under the mud, blood and bombardment of Passchedaele he deserted again, this time was the last time, he was found wandering behind the lines.

    I think it's reasonable to believe that he was suffering from shellshock/PTSD. This time they didn't let him off. So far as I'm aware he is the only soldier who was shot at dawn who is remembered on his local memorial. Poor lads.

    s flynn




    217952

    Pte. J. Cassidy 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.23rd Jul 1916)

    Pte. J. Cassidy served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 23d July 1916 and is buried in Englebelmer Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

    s flynn




    217951

    Pte. Malcolm R. Richmond 1/6th Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.26th May 1918)

    Malcolm Richmond served with the 1/6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. He was executed for desertion on 26th May 1918 aged 22 and is buried in Ecorvios Military Cemetery, Mont-St.-Eloi, France.

    s flynn




    217950

    Pte. Dimitro Sinizki 52nd Btn. (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Pte. Dimitro Sinizki was born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1895, and emigrated to Canada.He served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force(#830020) . He was executed for cowardice on 9th October1917 aged 22 and is buried in Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St.-Eloi, France.

    He enlisted in Winnipeg's 144th Canadian Infantry during December 1915, and after shipping out to England, was one of a handful of troops used to reinforce the Ontarian 52nd Battalion after its losses at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

    In August 1917, Pte. Sinizki was part of a trench-raiding team when he refused to participate in a raid. The following night he was forcibly brought along on the raid, but he simply sat down and refused to help the others. He was arrested, court-martialled and charged with cowardice. Sentenced to death by firing squad, Sinizki was was blindfolded and shot at 06:11 on 9th October.

    s flynn




    217948

    Capt. Harold James Page Royal Field Artillery

    Harold James Page prior to WW1 was employed as a soil scientist by ICI and living at Wisley in Surrey. Educated at Oundle School, Northamptonshire and University College, London. He was married in 1915.

    His WW1 record is as follows. Joined RFA( Special Reserve) 15th August 1914 - 9th June 1915. ADC Personal Staff in 7th August 1915. T/Capt RFA in 23rd February 1916. Employed by ministry of munitions 3rd November 1917 - 12 June 1919 . Capt RFA (SR) 3rd November 1917 - 12th June 1919.

    He was sent to France with his regiment in September 1914 to October 1914, and then from November 1914 to July 1916 when he was fighting at The Somme. In July 1916 he was hit by a sliver of white hot shrapnel which entered his face just below his left jaw bone and exited just behind his left ear. He sustained considerable damage to his jaw losing many teeth but remarkably survived. He was treated by Dr Gillies in France as one of his earliest patients for plastic surgery, facial reconstruction, and although his face was scarred, his facial hair on his chin grew in many different directions in later life, he had a few other lasting injuries.

    His first born son Michael Page was born in November 1916 when he was still recovering from his injuries back in England, in Kent. He was invalided out of the war but by January 1917 he was working in the research department at Woolwich until March 1919. He was awarded an MBE for his research. Mentioned in dispatches twice and mentioned in a WO Communique.

    Judy Barradell-Smith




    217947

    Pte. Eugene Perry 22nd Btn. (d.11th April 1917)

    Eugene Perry was executed for desertion on 11/04/1917 and buried in Ecoivies Military Cemetery, Mont-St.-Eloi, France.

    He is Commemorated on Page 603 of the First World War Book of Remembrance: For Private Eugene Perry, with respect and honour. Son of Germain and Caroline Perry of New Brunswick, Canada. Canadian Soldier – born in Boutouche, New Brunswick, Canada April 1st , 1896. A member of the 22nd Canadien Francais Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, Private Eugene Perry was one of twenty-three Canadian volunteer soldiers (and 306 Commonwealth soldiers) who were executed by the British Command in France / Belgium during World War One for desertion or cowardice. Court-martials for men accused of these crimes were often completed in a manner of minutes, with the accused having no legal counsel of any kind, and no means of appeal. Sentences were typically carried out the morning after conviction (often by a firing squad drawn from the convicted mans' own unit, to drive home the lesson of obedience and the consequences of defying orders)

    S. Flynn




    217945

    L/Cpl. James Holland 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.30th May 1916)

    James Holland was executed for cowardice on 30/05/16 age 31 and buried in Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont St Eloi, France. James Holland had been in this area in April 1916 when fighting had broken out with the Germans blowing a mine under Holland’s Company. After a brief spell away from the trenches Holland’s battalion was sent back to the front at the beginning of May. Charged with guarding an advanced position with four soldiers under his command, his little party was surprised by a pair of German soldiers entering the trench. Holland ran back shouting that his position had been over run. However the sentry had put the possibly lost Germans to flight. Holland was arrested for cowardice and desertion of his post. Despite a previously good record and a favourable report from his Commanding Officer, he was executed on the 30th May.

    He was the son of Mary and Samuel Holland, who lived at Northwich. Apparently his family called him Edwin and stated he was KIA so to avoid scandal associated with his so called "crime". He was also a clerk at Rode Hall in Cheshire. The book "Shot at Dawn" notes that he regularly attended the Wesleyan church in Northwich, quoting as sources, the Northwich Chronicle of 10 June 1916 and the Northwich Guardian of 6 June.

    S. Flynn




    217943

    Cpl. James Reid 6th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.11th May 1918)

    James Reid was executed for desertion 11/05/1918, aged 26 and buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France.

    S. Flynn




    217941

    Pte. Thomas Foulkes 1st/10th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.21st Nov 1917)

    Thomas Foulkes was executed for desertion on 21/11/1917, aged 21. His name is on the Loos Memorial in the Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos, France.

    S. Flynn




    217940

    Pte. William Bowerman 1st Btn. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.24th Mar 1917)

    William Bowerman was executed for desertion on 24/03/1917, aged 38 and his name is on the Loos Memorial in the Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos, France.

    S. Flynn




    217936

    Tpr. Eric Layzell Davidson Otago Mounted Rifles

    <p>

    E L Davidson is the late father of a friend of mine in NZ. Can the attached photo of a certificate be traced?

    Update: There is a newspaper reference to Eric in the New Zealand archives. This states "Still another very lengthy list of sick was received yesterday. Well over 100 men are reported as having arrived at Malta, and are stated to be slightly sick" and includes: Otago Mounted Rifles. Davidson, Trooper Eric Layzell (No. 9/2G6).

    Alan Scouller




    217933

    Pte. John Joseph Sweeney 1st Btn. Otago Regiment (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    John Joseph Sweeney was executed for desertion 02/10/1916 age 37 and buried in Dartmoor Cemetery, Somme, France. He was an Australian of Tasmanian origin. His brother died on the Western Front in 1918 and his father committed suicide in 1925, just before details of execution were made public

    S. Flynn




    217932

    Dvr. James Spencer 8th Brigade, 65th Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.29th Sep 1915)

    James Spencer served with the Royal Field Artillery 8th Brigade, 65th Battery. He was executed for desertion on 29th September 1915 and is buried in Cote 80 French National Cemetery, Etinehem, France in Row.

    s flynn




    217931

    Pte. Joseph Carey 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Joseph Carey was executed 15/09/1916 for desertion and buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, Corbie, France.

    S. Flynn




    217930

    Pte. H. McClair 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.1st Aug 1918)

    Pte. H. McClair served with the Border Regiment, 2nd Battalion He was executed for desertion on 1st August1918 and isburied in the City of Paris Cemetery, Bagneux, France.

    s flynn




    217929

    Pte. Frederick Johnson 2nd Btn Border Regiment (d.1st Aug 1918)

    Frederick Johnson was executed for desertion on 01/08/1918 and buried in the City of Paris Cemetery, Bagneux, France.

    S. Flynn




    217928

    Pte. William Wain 3rd Dragoon Guards

    William Wain was a high experienced soldier serving over 37 years in the Army. Prior to being deployed with the BEF he had seen active service in 6 campaigns the first being in South Africa in 1881 followed by Egypt 1882, Khartoum 1884-1885, Black Mountain Expedition (India) 1887 and the South African War 1889-1902.

    Goodsell




    217924

    Pte. Thomas H.B. Rigby 10th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    Thomas H.B. Rigby was executed for desertion 22/11/1917 age 21 and buried in Cite BonJean, Armentieres, France.

    S. Flynn




    217923

    Pte. James Higgins 1/9th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.26th Aug 1916)

    James Higgins was executed for desertion 26/08/1916 and buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

    S. Flynn




    217922

    Pte. A. H. Robinson 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th May 1916)

    Pte. A. H. Robinson was executed for desertion 10/05/1916 and buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

    s flynn




    217921

    Pte. F. Charles H. Bladen 10th Btn. Yorks and Lancs Regt (d.23rd Mar 1916)

    Pte. F. Charles H. Bladen was executed for desertion 23/03/1916 age 26 and buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

    s flynn




    217920

    Pte. R. W. Simmers 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (d.19th May 1918)

    Pte. R. W. Simmers was executed for desertion 19/05/1918 and buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, Chocques, France.

    S. Flynn




    217919

    Pte. A. Holme 8th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.24th Aug 1918)

    Pte. A. Holme was executed for desertion 24/08/1918 and buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, Chocques, France.

    S Flynn




    217918

    A/Cpl. Alexander Chisholm 20th Army Troop Company Royal Engineers (d.17th May 1915)

    Alexander Chisholm was executed for Murder 17/05/1915 age 31 and buried in Chapelle-d'Armentieres Old Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-d'Armentieres, France.

    S. Flynn




    217917

    Pte. Ernest Kirk 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.6th March 1915)

    Ernest Kirk was executed for desertion 06/03/1915 and buried in Chapelle-d'Armentieres Old Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-d'Armentieres, France.

    s flynn




    217916

    L/Cpl. A. Atkinson 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.2nd Mar 1915)

    L/Cpl A. Atkinson served with the West Yorkshire Regiment 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 2nd March 1915 aged 24 and is buried in Chapelle-d'Armentieres Old Military Cemetery in La Chapelle-d'Armentieres, France.

    s flynn




    217915

    Pte. Wilson Norman Ling 2nd Btn. (d.12th Aug 1918)

    Wilson Ling was executed for desertion on 12/08/1918, aged 22 and buried in Cerrsy-Gailly Military Cemetery, Cerrsy, France. He was the son of Albert E. and Fanny Ling, of 1125, Dovercourt Rd., Toronto, Ontario.

    s flynn




    217914

    Pte. William H. Randle 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.25th Nov 1916)

    William Randle served with the Sherwood Foresters 10th Battalion. He was executed on 25th November 1916 for desertion aged 23 and is buried in the Cavillon Communal Cemetery, Cavillon, France near north-west corner of cemetery,

    He was a working class miner who before enlisting worked at Shirebrook Colliery. He was the son of William Henry and Harriett Randle, of 26, Vale Drive, Shirebrook, Nr. Mansfield, Notts.

    s flynn




    217912

    Rfmn. Harry Poole 7th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Dec 1916)

    Hary Poole served with the 7th battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards). He was Executed for desertion on 9th December 1916 and is buried in the Cavillon Communal Cemetery, Cavillon, France. Near north-west corner of cemetery. He was the son of Mr. A. Poole of 9 Bernard St., Park, Sheffield

    s flynn




    217909

    Victoria Stewart Grant

    Victoria Grant, and her two sisters, Margaret Dorothy and Josephine Elizabeth, were on a "tour" in Britain or Europe when war broke out, and so they were either pressed into service, or they volunteered. Apparently they did both nursing duties and mechanics duties. Would they have volunteered to be QAIMNS? Or would they be on the VAD lists? How can I access both these lists? (I have other QAIMNS women to look up too!) I'm writing a book about the women of my home county here in Ontario, Canada who went overseas and served during the war. Thanks for any direction you can point me! Much appreciated

    Sher Leetooze




    217907

    Pte John Edward Gill 2nd (West Lancs.) Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.28th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    From my earliest days I remember that my (adoptive) Grandma Teare, who lived with us, had a framed photograph in her bedroom of a soldier in uniform. When I asked who he was she told me it was John Gill who died in the First War. Not until much later did I realise that John was her only son.

    John was born in Andreas, Isle of Man, on 19th December 1894, when his mother was 20. His birth was registered in his mother's maiden name of Cormode. I think his father Robert Gill died at the age of 29 when John was about 8 years old. Soon afterwards Mary married Philip Teare who worked at the White House Farm in Kirk Michael, and they lived in one of the farm cottages on Main Road, and attended Park View Wesleyan Chapel a few yards away on the opposite side of the road. Mary and Philip had one daughter in 1904, Ella, who married Edward Kennaugh and had a daughter Enid (born 1924).

    I am not sure whether John volunteered for active service or not, but in any case I think conscription was extended to the Isle of Man and the other Crown Dependencies sometime in 1916. Clearly, John's death occurred just a few months before my mother Phyllis was born, so not only did I not know him, but neither did my mother. Nevertheless I feel increasingly that I ought to have known him and the war robbed me of the opportunity.

    It is difficult to discover exactly where John was and what he did during World War I, because, like many other service records, his detailed record was lost. What is certain is that he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps as Private 339576 in the Second (West Lancashire) Field Ambulance. He died a week after his 23rd birthday. No cause of death is given in the military records. I was told simply that John died in the war (not very informative!), and I am aware that as many service people died of illnesses as were killed in action. However, I have recently obtained a copy of the death certificate giving the cause of death as acute pulmonary tuberculosis, 1 year 6 months. The TB could have been contracted anywhere, but it was sometimes caused by gas poisoning on active service. Was John involved in France and/or in Belgium? I should like to find out.

    I have discovered much about the Uncle I never knew, but there is much more that, to date, I have been unable to unearth. For example, I know nothing about his childhood and youth in Andreas and Michael. As I have mentioned, my Grandma Teare, who lived with us until she died when I was 12, hardly ever mentioned him, except when asked about the picture of the soldier on her bedroom wall; even then she would say only tat it was John Gill who died in the war. Only much later did I discover that he was her only son.

    I could not understand why she never talked about her son, but almost everyone in the village had lost somebody in the war, and I think that in many cases their grief remained a private matter. It seemed as if they had agreed to get on with life and put a good face on things. By that time, of course, Mary had her daughter Ella, and I suppose too that her loss of John might have been a factor that led her sister Margaret to leave baby Phyllis in her care when she died. From John's death certificate I find that before his military service he was a grocer. I remember two grocery shops in Michael, one of which was Callows. John might have worked in one of these.

    This is the sum of my knowledge about John. I should like to know more about his short life, his childhood and youth, and the details of his service in the Royal Army Medical Corps. If anyone is able to give me such information, or to steer me in the right direction, I should be very grateful.

    Philip Brew




    217903

    Pte. Ellis Griffiths 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.19th Sep 1918)

    Ellis Griffiths was born in Llandudno in 1898. He lived with his parents, Edward and Elizabeth. He had 3 sisters, Elizabeth, May and Gladys, and one brother Edward.He enlisted at Bangor, originally into the Army Cyclists Corps, and was transferred to the 1st Lincolnshire Regiment. he was killed in action on 19th September 1918 and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery Memorial, Haucourt, Pas De Calais, France.

    Darryl Porrino




    217902

    Pte. Andrew Turnbull 2nd Batalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Andrew Turnbull was my great grandfather.`he served as a private with the Royal Scots Fusiliers 2nd Battalion, No. 26587. He was killed in action on 21st March 1918 at The Somme. This was the first day of the last big offensive against the Germans.

    He was born in November 1876 in Glasgow and was a Plasterer by trade. He married Alexanderina McInnes in 1899. Alexanderina was from the Highlands of Scotland, they had eight children together but their youngest, Robert, died as a baby in 1914. My Grandpa, Charles Fyfe Turnbull was the second child and eldest son in the family. My Great Grandpa arrived in Boulange, December 1916 and served in France till March 1918 when he was killed in action. He is commemorated at Pozieres Cemetery, and is also named in the Roll of Honour which is kept in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. According to his Service Records, he was wounded in February 1917 and was not fit to return to the front till March 1917. He was granted a short leave to return home from 27th January to 10th February 1918. He was killed on 21st March 1918. His beloved wife, Alexanderina, lived till the age of 88.

    My Great Grandpa and all soldiers suffered horrors unknown to us in the trenches of the First World War and we would not have our freedom today if it were not for them. We must never forget their sacrifice.

    Lorna Sinclair




    217897

    Pte. John Cokley 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1914)

    <p>

    John Cokley enlisted on the 14th August 1914 into the 4th Battalion Duke of Cambridges Own Middlesex Regiment. Nine days later on the 23rd August 1914 in the very first battle of the war at the locks along the Mons-Condé Canal and Obourg Railway Station, Mons, Belgium, he was killed (missing) along with over 400 men and officers. John was awarded the 1914 Mons Star, British Medal, and Victory Medal (Pip Squeak & Wilfred) and he is commemorated on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre War Memorial at Seine-et-Marne in France.

    He left behind a wife Lilian who was eight months pregnant with her last child, and three other children aged 7,3 and 2. John was just an ordinary soldier of the BEF. He was of Irish descent and his forbears came to England following the potato famine in Ireland. They lived wretched lives in the St.Giles 'rookery' in London. Nevertheless he deserves to be remembered. He was the grandfather I never knew, like many of my generation.

    Dan Keeble




    217893

    Dvr. Robert Murray 81st Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd Mar 1917)

    Roert Murray served with the Royal Field Artillery 81st Brigade.He was executed for desertion on 2nd Feruary 1917 and is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery, Carnoy, France.

    s flynn




    217892

    Pte. E. W. Harris 10th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.2nd Mar 1917)

    Pte.E, W, Harris served with the Lancashire Fusiliers 10th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 3rd February 1917 and is buried in the Carnoy Military Cemetery, Carnoy, France.

    s flynn




    217891

    Pte. Charles M. Milligan 10th Btn. Cameronian Scottish Rifles (d.3rd Jun 1917)

    Pte. Charles MIlligan served with the Cameronians Scottish Rifles 10th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 3rd june1917 aged 20 and is buried in the Canadian Cemetery, Neuville-St.Vaast, France.

    S. Flynn




    217890

    Pte. J. Wishard 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.15th Jun 1917)

    Pte. J. Wishard served wtih the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 7th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 15th June 1917. Special memorial 51, He was originally buried in Merris Churchyard, Souchez, Pas de Calais, but his grave is now lost.

    S. Flynn




    217889

    L/Cpl. Peter Sands 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.15th Sep 1915)

    Peter Sands served with the Royal Irish Rifles 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 15th September 1915 and is buried in Special memorial 41, he was originally buried in Fleurbaix Churchyard, France, his grave is now lost.

    s flynn




    217888

    George Snaith 2nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    My grandfather George Snaith was a regular soldier in the 2nd Btn DLI. He spent some time in Ireland and was then sent to France, I think in August 1914. I always thought he disembarked at St. Nazaire, but I'm not sure of this. He received the Mons medal with a bar indicating that he was in that battle. He also fought on the Marne and Aisne, before being wounded.

    I remember him telling me how food was hard to come by. He and a group of DLI soldiers came across some German soldiers cooking their dinner, it ended up in the hands of the DLI. One poignant moment he mentioned was that his captain (Captain Northey) was wounded on the Aisne and caught in no mans land in wire, unfortunatley he had to be left to die. He named a daughter Northey Aisne after his captain and the River.

    Two years ago my wife and I visited the 1914 battlefield areas. In one cemetery we saw the graves of DLI men who I presume were possible mates of my grandfather. I have to say it moved me much more than I expected.

    David Snaith




    217887

    John James Short

    Jack Short served in the Royal Irish Fusiliers and the Tank Corps.

    Dawn Foster




    217885

    Sgt. A. Ashton 1st Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    Sgt. Ashton served with the North Staffordshire Regiment1st attalion. He was treated at Red Gables Hospital in Bletchingly, Surrey.

    Nora Pearce




    217884

    Sgt. John Bonnar 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Sgt. John Bonnar served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers2nd Battalion. Hewas treated at Red Gables Hospital, Bletchingly where he signed an autograph book belonging to Sister May Atkins on 12th December 1915.

    Nora Pearce




    217883

    Pte. James Kane Royal Scots Fusiliers

    James Kane served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was treated at Red Gables Hospital in Bletchingly, Surrey, and signed an autograph book belonging to Sister May Atkins on 4th January 1916.

    Nora Pearce




    217882

    A. E. Kaye 11th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment

    Pte Kaye served with the King's Liverpool Regiment 11th Battalion. He was treated at Red Gables Hospital in Bletchingley, Surrey. On 20th December 1915 he signed Sister Atkin's autograph book.

    Nora Pearce




    217881

    Pte. George C Spain 1st Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    George Spain served with the 1st Royal West Kent Regiment, he was wounded on 23rd of August 1915 and was treated at Red Gables Hospital in Bletchingley, Surrey.

    Nora Pearce




    217880

    Sister May Atkins Red Gables Hospital, Bletchingly, Surrey.

    May Atkins served as a sister at Red Gables Hospital in Bletchingly, Surrey.

    Nora Pearce




    217879

    Pte. Alfred Phipps MM. 4th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.29th Sep 1918)

    My grandad Alfred Phipps served with the 4th Worcestershire Regiment. He went to war without meeting my mother, because he returned to the front early in 1918 and was killed in the September that year, my mom was born in the June that year, that same year in August he was awarded the MM for bravery in the field .

    T.Barrett




    217878

    2nd Lt. Richard James Green Royal Army Medical Corps

    Richard James Green was attached as Hon. Dental Surgeon to the Royal Infirmary, Ashburne and Hamerton VAD Hospitals, Sunderland during the Great War. In 1917 he had an article published in the Lancet entitled: "Two cases of shot fractures of the jaw with loss of substance". He had served as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd (Sunderland) Volunteer Battalion, Durham Light Infantry from 1904.





    217873

    Pte. John Thomas Daniels 1st Bn. East Lancashire Reg (d.1st April 1917)

    My Grandfather. John Daniels was a member of the Territorial Army before WW1. When the war started he enlisted in the North Staffordshire Regt, but later was transferred to East Lancashire Regt.

    He was wounded at Flanders and died a POW on 1st April 1917. He is interred in the Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany. We recently paid our respects by visiting where his marker is. It was an emotional experience to visit the cemetery and see the graves of so many young men who fought on both sides of the conflict.

    Tony Daniels




    217872

    2nd Lt. Charles Abbott MC. 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    'Cousin Charlie' was actually a first Cousin of my father, Leonard Baker, they were very close, Dad also served in WW1. Cousin Charlie began as a private, Pte. C B M Abbott, 5321 No 1 Company, 2nd Battalion H A. I don't know when he became an officer but I know he received the Military Cross after some appalling carnage in the trenches he was one of some half dozen survivors, a VC and an MC was awarded and the survivors were told to draw lots for who got what. He later moved to South Africa and became an MP in Cape Town for General Smuts party, I have a letter he wrote back home after he had returned to Cape Town just as WW2 began, he tells us he took cine film of the Glorious a day or so before it was sunk and that the Union Castle liner he was on was later torpedoed. He visited us after the war, and retired to Sandwich, Kent where he died around 1969. He had one child, a son Norman who ran a shop in East Anglia, if still alive he would be in his 70s.

    Michael H C Baker




    217871

    Pte. John Harris 19th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.11th Jul 1917)

    My ancestor John Harris was born in Brechin Scotland in 1894 and died on 11th July 1917. He belonged to 19th county of London Regt. He was killed in action aged 23, formerly he had served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps.

    Tony Bond




    217864

    Pte. Gabriel Baird Carmichael 2nd Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.25th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Excerpt from A&SH War Diary sent to me by their office:

    The 2nd Battalion moved to billets in Troisvilles on the 21st. On the 22nd the battalion moved off and relieved the battalions holding the outpost line east of Montay on the Le Selle River. 23rd 33rd Division attacked in conjuction with the remainder of the 3rd army and 2 corps 4th army at 2am. The 2nd Battalion objective was the fourth line of enemy trenches The battalion assembled and moved off behind the Middlesex. Very heavy shelling was encountered by the companies as they moved to the assembly area and many casualties were incurred and owing to the confusion certain platoons of A, C and D companies were very late in arriving at the assembly area. The companies moved at intervals in a north easterly direction and south of the main Forest Englefontaine road. The advance of the 2nd Bn started at 5am. B company who were leading lost their direction shortly after this and moved to far to the right but attacked the front line where they were successful but incurred many casualties and no touch was regained with this company until 2pm. A company on the left, C company on the right and D in support moved on astride Forest-Englefontaine road in the rear of the 4th kings until the general line was reached and the 4th Kings were held up and started to dig in. Various attempts by the Kings to advance proved ineffectual. However pressure from the attack on the left allowed the Kings to eventually push on to the 2nd objective of Calevaux and then the 3rd objective at Vert Baudet. It was reported at 12.30 that these objectives had been taken. C company having first ascertained the the 4th Kings were not in their objective as they had claimed were ordered to move up to the line with A company, closely supported by D company and were told to capture the 3rd objective then move on and take the 4th one. At 3.30pm the commander of C company reported that this had been done without enemy opposition. At 5pm the battalion continued to advance but were held up with the Cameronians by heavy machine gun fire from an enemy line running north west and south east through Paul Jacques Farm. Touch was also established with B company. As night grew darker A and C companies gradually dribbled their men across the road and at 7.30pm captured the farm, by an enveloping movement, together with a few prisoners. An outpost line was established consisting of A C and D companies, all in line 100 yards short of their final objective which was found to consist of a continuous belt of barbed wire protecting numerous machine gun posts. These three companies then numbered 35 to 40 rifles apiece. At 9pm it was found that the 18thy division had come to about Bousies Wood Farm, B company consisting of 3 officers and 25 men were withdrawn into battalion reserve at Battalion headquarters. At midnight orders were received that the attack would resume. The 2nd battalion continued to fight on and together with other units successfully took the objective. The casualties for the action were 32 killed and 125 wounded and 6 missing.

    Polmont Cemetery & Memorial

    Pat Donoghue




    217863

    Able Sea. Robert Taylor "James Quin" Hodge Nelson Battalion Royal Naval Division (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Robert `Hodge was born in Edinburgh on 12th November 1897, the son of John and Elizabeth Hodge (nee Taylor) of 135 West Carron, Falkirk, Stirlingshire. John was a gasman. They had at least five children: Maggie Hodge (b. 1889) John Hodge (b. 1891) William Hodge (b. 1892) Robert Taylor Hodge (b. 1897) and George Hodge (b. 1898). Elizabeth also had a child Maggie Taylor (b. 1890)

    Robert Hodge was employed as a labourer. He enlisted on 23rd April 1915 and served with the Royal Naval Division. He joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 9th September 1915 and was posted to Nelson Battalion on 21st September 1915. He was evacuated from Gallipoli on 8th January 1916 and was sent to France in May 1916, where he was killed during the attack on Beaucourt. Robert's body was never found or identified

    James




    217862

    Dvr. James W. Swaine 39th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.9th Jun 1916)

    James Swaine served with the Royal Field Artillery 39th Brigade. He was executed for desertion 09/06/1916 and buried in Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, French Extension, Bully-Grenay, France.

    Soldiers executed by the British Army during World War I will be honoured on a memorial, 90 years after their deaths. Driver James Swaine was shot for being a deserter. Driver Swaine was killed despite being declared unfit by doctors. His grandson Terry Morrish only found out about his grandfather's death in 1979: "I was never told anything. I grew up believing my step-grandfather was my real grandfather."

    s flynn




    217861

    Pte. David Stevenson 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.18th Jul 1918)

    David Stevenson served with the Middlesex Regiment 13th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 18 July 1918 and is buried in Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery British Extension, France.

    By the time that Pte. Stevenson set sail for war in 1917, his military record already marked him out as a heavy-drinking "malingerer" with 24 offences. Once in France with the Lowland Field Artillery, his conduct included dishonesty and desertion. He was shot at dawn on 18th July 1918, aged 23. Pte. Stevenson, whose commanding officer described as being of "distinctly bad" character, will receive a posthumous pardon under the Government`s proposals for all 306 WW1 soldiers executed for battlefield offences during the Great War. The case shows that not all the 306 were victims of shell-shock.

    s flynn




    217860

    Pte. Elsworth Young 25th Btn (d.29th Oct 1916)

    Pte. Elsworth Young served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force 25th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 29th October 1916 and is buried in the Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, British Extension, Bully-Grenay, France.

    s flynn




    217859

    Pte. J. Smith 1st Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.2nd Jul 1916)

    Pte. J. Smith served with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 2nd July 1916 aged 37 and is buried in Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery British Extension, Bully-Grenay.

    s flynn




    217858

    Pte. Ernest Horler 12th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th Feb 1918)

    Pte Ernest Horler served with the West Yorkshire Regiment,12th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 17th February 1918 aged 26 and is buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France.

    s flynn




    217857

    Pte. J. B. Milburn 24th/27th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Nov 1917)

    J. B. Milburn served with the Northumberland Fusiliers 24th/27th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 8th November 1917 and is buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France.

    s flynn




    217856

    Pte. Bertie McCubbin 17th Btn Sherwood Foresters (d.30th Jul 1916)

    Bertie McCubbin served with the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) 17th Battalion. HE died on Sunday 30th July 1916, ageD 22, and was buried in Brown's Road Military Cemetery, Festubert, Pas de Calais, France in Plot 5. B. 16.. He was one of the 306 British Soldiers "shot at dawn" - found guilty of cowardice during a court martial and sentenced to death by firing squad. Bertie McCubbin was executed at dawn after disobeying orders to man a listening post in no-man's land. 'I cannot do so,' he told the officer. 'My nerves won't let me; if I go over I shall be a danger to the other man who is out there, as well as to myself.'

    In June 2001, a National "Shot at Dawn" Memorial was unveiled at Alrewas, Staffordshire, which takes the form of 306 stakes driven into the ground which resemble the posts to which men were tied before being shot. Each stake bears a metal plaque bearing the deserter's name, age, rank and date of death.

    s flynn




    217855

    Pte. G. H. Lawton 17th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.30th Jul 1916)

    G.H. Lawton served with the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) 17th Battalion. He was executed for cowardice on 30th July 1916 and is buried in Brown's Road Military Cemetery, Festubert, France.

    s flynn




    217854

    Rflmn. W. Bellamy 1st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.16th Jul 1915)

    Frlmn. W. Bellamy served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps 1st Battalion. He was executed for cowardice on 16th July 1915 aged 34 and is buried in Brown's Road Military Cemetery, Festubert, France.

    s flynn




    217853

    Cpl. Jesse Wilton 15th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.17th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Jesse Wilton served with the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 15th Battalion, He was executed on 17th August 1916, aged 40, for quitting his post and is buried in the Bray Military Cemetery, Bray-le-Somme, France. He was the husband of Annie Elizabeth Wilton, of 17, Brooking Dunsville, Doncaster, Yorks.

    s flynn




    217851

    Hubert Finlay Dark 36th Battalion

    Hubert was my grandfather and served with his brother James Neate Dark who was killed on 7th June 1917 at Messines. Both were in the 36th Battalion. Hubert had his head badly injured on the same day and was sent back to Australia

    Phillip Dark




    217847

    Sydney Albert Palmer 9th Btn Canadian Mounted Rifles

    I believe Sydney Albert Palmer to be our grandfather, originally from London who joined the Canadian overseas expeditionary force in 1914/1915. We have his attestation papers and believe he was injured during the war and sent to convalesce in Earsdon, Northumberland a hospital on Earsdon Road. It was here he met our grandmother Mary Bruce Palmer and they married in 1917. Because of his injuries he died a few years after the war, possibly in 1925/1926. What we don't have are discharge papers, pension records etc and would like advice on how to get them. He enlisted in December 1914 in Saskatoon Canada.

    A. Reed




    217846

    Pte. Arthur G. Earp 1/5th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.22nd July 1916)

    Pte. Arthur Earp served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1/5th Battalion.He was executed on 22nd July 1916 for quitting his post and buried in the Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Bouzincourt, France.

    s flynn




    217845

    Act.Cpl. J. R. Short 24th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Act.Cpl. A.R. Short served with the Northumberland Fusiliers 24th Battalion. He was executed for mutiny on 4th October 1917 and is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, France.

    s flynn




    217844

    Pte. J. W. Roberts 2nd Bn Canadian Mounted Rifles (d.30th Jul 1916)

    Pte. J. Roberts served with the Canadian Mounted Rifles 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 30th July 1916 and is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne.

    s flynn




    217843

    L/Bdr. Frederick S. Arnold 1st Brigade Canadian Field Artillery (d.25th Jul 1916)

    Frederick Arnold served with the Canadian Field Artillery 1st Brigade. He was executed for desertion on 25th July 1916 aged 26. He is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, France7. L/Bmdr. Arnold went absent without leave and was arrested in plain clothes.

    s flynn




    217842

    Pte. G. Mills 2nd Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.29th Sep 1915)

    Pte. G. Mills served with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 29th September 1915 aged 21 and is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, France.

    s flynn




    217841

    Pte. William Scholes 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.10th Aug 1918)

    Pte. William Scholes served with the South Wales Borderers 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 10th August 1918 aged 25 and is buried in the Borre British Cemetery, Borre, France.

    s flynn




    217840

    Pte. James Reilly 2nd Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.10th Mar 1915)

    One of my Great Uncles, James Reilly, was born in Greenock and lived in Govan prior to enlisting, he did not originally enlist in the Cameronians and he is reputed to have transferred when he found out his younger brother Frank had enlisted with them. whether or not they again met is not clear. James Reilly fought at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle on 10th March 1915 and the regiment suffered many losses on the first day. As there is no grave to mark his passing, he is commemorated at Le Touret Memorial. I for one will forever be grateful to both Frank and James. R.I. P brave Warriors.

    Lynda Lennie Quigg




    217838

    Pte. George Charles White Machine Gun Corps Herts Yeomanry

    George Charles White, my father, volunteered for the Cavalry Machine Gun Corps within the Herts Yeomanry in December 1915 after spending 100 days serving in, training for and attempting to join the RFC. All I know from then on is that he was part of the force sent to the Palestinian campaign, was there for some time, and saw TE Lawrence ride in to one of the military camps. My father contracted malaria and almost died from that rather than any wounding. I believe he was given the Silver war badge for the illness. I don't recall him ever talking about any military engagements over there. He was discharged in Feb 1919.

    I was born when he was 52 but only heard some of this in the last years of his life. By the time he passed away in 1968 he had no possessions related to the War and apparently some occasional recurrent malarial fever. His War and Victory medals were gone. I would have loved to know if he could ride a camel and what he actually did with the machine gun. We never think to ask our older relatives the questions we find more interesting as we ourselves age. I only have one photograph of him in his 60's. I sometimes reflect that I would not exist if he had gone to the Western Front.

    Gordon White




    217837

    Pte. Ernest Mackness 1st Btn. Cameronians Scottish Rifles (d.1st Oct 1917)

    Ernest Mackness served with the Cameronians Scottish Rifles1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 1st October 1917 aged 25 and is buried in Blaringhem Churchyard, Nord, France. He was born at St Margarets, and was the son of Arthur and Louisa Mackness of 3, Dundonald Road, Leicester.

    s flynn




    217836

    Pte. James Archibald 17th Btn. Royal Scots (d.4th Jun 1916)

    Pte. James Archibald served with the Royal Scots 17th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 4th June 1916,aged 19 and is buried in Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension in Beuvry, France.

    James Archibald was employed as a Plumber before he enlisted on 8th June 1915. He named his next-of-kin as his sister, Mrs Elizabeth Gray of 9 Rosevale Place, Leith. He was sentenced, after trial by Field General Court Martial, to be shot for desertion and the sentence was duly carried out. He told his comrades he "felt queer" while en route to the trenches at 6.30pm on 14th May 1916. At 3pm the next day, he was found asleep in a barn. He was shot by firing squad three weeks later.

    s flynn




    217835

    Pte. Ernest Bryant 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.27th Oct 1917)

    Ernest Bryant served with the Cheshire Regiment 10th Battalion. He was executed for desertion (a repeat offender) on 27th October 1917 aged 33 and is buried in Bethune town Cemetery, Bethune, France.

    s flynn




    217834

    L/Cpl. W. Price 2nd Btn Welsh Regiment (d.15th Feb 1915)

    W. Price served with the Welsh Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed for murder on 15th February 1915 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, Bethune, France.

    s flynn




    217833

    Pte. R. Morgan 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.15th Feb 1915)

    Pte. R. Morgan served with the Welsh Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed for murder on 15th February1915 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery in Bethune, France.

    s flynn




    217832

    Rflm. William Murphey 5th/6th Btn. Royal Scots (d.7th Feb 1917)

    William Murphy served with the Royal Scots 5th 6th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 7th February 1917 and is buried in Bertrancourt Military Cemetery in Bertrancourt, France. The Kitchener volunteer had joined 5/6 Royal Scots while they were in rest at Pernois 6 miles SW of Doullens. Seven days later during a march towards the front, he deserted.

    s flynn




    217831

    Pte. Alexander Reid 16th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.31st Jan 1917)

    Alexander Reid served with the Highland Light Infantry 16th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 31st January 1917 and is buried in Bertrancourt Military Cemetery in Bertrancourt, France.

    This 30 year old volunteer’s relatives were puzzled by the untimely end to the soldier’s life, The headstone bears an inscription “Thy purpose Lord we cannot see but all is well that’s done by thee.”

    s flynn




    217830

    Pte. John Taylor 15th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27th Jan 1917)

    Pte. John Taylor served with the Lancashire Fusiliers 15th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 27th January 1917 and is buried in Bertrancourt Military Cemetery, Bertrancourt, France. Having been convicted of quitting his post and sentenced to five years penal servitude which was suspended he saw service with his Battalion on the Somme before being executed for desertion.

    s flynn




    217829

    Pte. Alfred T. Ansted 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.15th Nov 1916)

    Alfred Ansted served with the Royal Fusiliers 4th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 15th November 1916 aged 29 and is buried in the Bertrancourt Military Cemetery in Bertrancourt, France.

    He had been recalled from the reserve upon the outbreak of war and on 9th February 1915 had been sent to France to the 4th Royal Fusiliers. Although a wound had necessitated a few months’ hospitalisation, Ansted had served 15 months before going absent in May 1916. He continued to serve with his battalion while under a suspended sentence and then in August 1916 when serving on the Somme at Guillemont, Pte. Ansted yet again went absent after being warned for the trenches. He remained absent for two months before surrendering to the Military Police at Corbie. He told the court that shellfire unnerved him.

    s flynn




    217828

    Herbert Harvey 11th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.2nd July 1916)

    Herbert is my great-uncle. I discovered him when I was doing my father's family tree. Although my father is named after him no-one in the family knew he existed. He joined in either February or March 1915 and died on the Somme. He is buried at Meaulte cemetry. His home town was Guyhirn in Wisbech and I would love some more information on him.

    Update: Herbert Harvey was born about 1896. He is in the 1911 census aged 15 and is a farm labourer. He was the son of Thomas and Harriet Harvey, of Mouth Lane, North Brink, Wisbech. The census states that he was born at Thorney, Cambridgeshire. Thomas who was then aged 58 and Harriet 59 had 16 children but just 6 were still alive in 1911.

    Ancestry records state that he died of wounds. He may have been wounded on 1st July 1916 when the 11th Suffolks attacked towards La Boiselle in the Somme. In his regiment 190 were killed and 337 wounded on the 1st July 1916. To this total one should add that 10 died during the following week and a further 24 who died in the Becourt area during the weeks prior to the tragic assault. Herbert was just 20 years old. He is buried at Meaulte Military Cemetery..

    Shirley Barsby




    217826

    Sig.Boy. john maxwell HMS Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    My uncle John Maxwell was a signal boy on HMS Amphion. He was only 17 years of age when he was killed on 6th August 1914 only two days after the start of WW1.He was the first fatality from Edinburgh He had been one of the first Boy Scouts in Edinburgh.His father Robert Maxwell was the church officer of St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and condolences were given at a service in St Giles Cathedral.His name is recorded in a book of remembrance in the War Memorial Building in Edinburgh Castle and also on the Naval War Memorial in Plymouth. His sister was my mother Agnes Tulloch (nee Maxwell) and I was named after him.

    John M. Tulloch




    217825

    Pte. George Thomas Webb 7th Btn Leicestershire

    <p>

    My Grandfather George Thomas Webb joined the Regiment on 2nd April 1917. He was a Lewis Gunner in the front line trenches at Ypres. On 20th April 1918 he was gassed, he was transported back to England where he spent 6 months in Spalding Hall, Hendon, he was then sent to Eastbourne to recouperate. After which he was transferred to the 95th Company Chinese Labour Corps. He passed away in September 1968.

    Michael Webb




    217823

    Pte. John Sutherland Royal Scots Fusiliers

    I do not know Pte. John Sutherland or his family. I do, however, have one of his medals inscribed with his other regiment - Kings Own Scottish Borderers, Service Number 19306. From his medal roll (available on Ancestry.co.uk) he served first with KOSB then Royal Scots Fusiliers - Service Number 62466. I have been unable to find his service record - presumably destroyed by German bombs during WW2.

    I have no idea why the medal was in the same box as my grandfather's - John George Lawrence, Royal Field Artillery - Service Number 6665. My grandfather lived before and after WW1 in Edinburgh and I can only assume that John Sutherland was known to him. Why John Sutherland's medal came to be in his, my grandmother and mother's possession remains a mystery! I have been unable to find any record of John Sutherland having died during WW1. Should any descendent ever read this I'd be happy to return the medal.

    Rod Poustie




    217822

    Pte. Arthur William Theobald Essex Regiment

    <p>

    I never met my Grandfather Arthur William Theobald,but knew that he had served in the First World War. He enlisted at Colchester in Essex on 28th November 1914. He served 3 years and 332 days. As far as I have been informed his position took a direct hit from a German shell.All his mates were killed but somehow he survived. He had a gunshot wound to his right arm and had to have part his right leg amputated. Am not sure but think he was wounded at The Somme. I have just the one photo of him although not in his uniform, it shows one of his medals and his silver badge.

    Alan Charles Theobald




    217821

    Pte. Ellis Holt 19th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.4th March 1917)

    Ellis Holt served with the Manchester Regiment 19th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 4th March 1917, aged 22 and is buried in the Berneville Communal Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France.

    s flynn




    217820

    Rflm. J. King 7th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.16th Mar 1917)

    Rfm. J. King served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps 7th Battalion. He was executed on 16th March 1917 and is buried in the Berneville Communal Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France

    s flynn




    217819

    Drm. Frederick Rose 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th March 1917)

    Drummer Frederick Rose was the son of Mrs. E. Rose and served with the Yorkshire Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 4th March 1917, aged 23 and is buried in the Berneville Communal Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France.

    Drummer Frederick Rose had been a regular soldier in the 2nd Battalion, and had been with the Battalion when it first arrived in Belgium (see 2nd Battalion Roll). He went missing on 18th December 1914, and apparently spent the next two years living with a woman in Hazebrouck. He was reported to the police by a neighbour of this woman and was captured shortly afterwards. Drummer Rose would have been one of only a small number of survivors of the 2nd Battalion. The Battalion had been in action near Ypres in October 1914, and a very high number of men had been killed, captured, or wounded.

    s flynn




    217818

    Pte. William Benham 1st/3rd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.12th Jul 1917)

    William Benham served with the Royal Fusiliers 1st/3rd Batttalion. He was executed for desertion on 12th July 1917 and is buried in the Berlencourt Communal Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France.

    s flynn




    217817

    Sgt. George E. Gleadow 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.6th Apr 1917)

    Sgt. George Gleadow served with the West Yorkshire Regiment 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 06th April 1917 and is buried in the Berlencourt Communal Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France.

    s flynn




    217816

    Pte. LÃ?opold Delisle 22nd Btn. Canadian Infantry (d.21st May 1918)

    Leopard Delisle was executed for desertion on 21st May 1918 aged 25 and is buried in the Bellacourt Military Cemetery in Bellacourt, France.

    Léopold Delisle was born in Montreal in 1893. Following the outbreak of war, Delisle tried to enlist three times before he was finally accepted for overseas service in April 1915. One month later, Delisle sailed with the 22nd (French-Canadian) Battalion. Delisle had a number of offences on his conduct sheet. On 29th March 1918 Delisle's unit was ordered forward to attempt to stem the German advance on Arras. However, when the roll call was made Delisle was absent. Delisle was arrested just outside Arras five days later. Delisle's court-martial found him guilty of desertion and sentenced him to be shot dead.

    s flynn




    217815

    Pte. Charles Depper 1/4th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.13th Sep 1916)

    Pte.Charles Depper served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment 1/4th Battalion.He was executed for desertion on 13th September 1916 aged 30 and is buried in the Beauval Communal Cemetery in Beauval, France, Row G. 1

    He had been sent to France as a reinforcement to the Battalion. Early in August 1916 he deserted his comrades prior to an attack on the Somme. The battalion had moved forward to line east of Ovillers on 13th August . Attack on Skyline Trench driven back on 14th August . Bombing attack north of Ovillers 18th/19th August with objective held. Leaving his rifle and equipment in the reserve trenches at Ovillers on the 13th, Pte. Depper made his way to Amiens, only to be arrested the same day. He told the Military Police that he was on his way to Rouen to catch the boat for England as he was tired of serving in the trenches.

    s flynn




    217814

    Pte. Joseph Brennan 1st/9th Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.15th July 1916)

    Joseph Brennan was executed for desertion on 16th July 1916 and is buried in the Barly French Military Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France. Joseph served as a Private with the 8th (Irish) Battalion of the King’s Liverpool Regiment. The barracks were in Shaw Street, Liverpool.

    It is not known when Joseph enlisted with the King’s Liverpool Regiment. At this time men volunteered to enlist, they were not yet conscripted. Perhaps Joseph wanted a new life and new opportunities or he may have felt it was important to fight for his adopted country. What is known it that the Irish Battalion spent time training in England before being sent to France in 1915. In June of that year Joseph would have seen action supporting French troops in Artois, which had previously suffered heavy casualties. The Battalion came under fire and had to retreat, with many killed and wounded.

    In Spring 1916 Joseph would have again been involved in trench warfare and operations. The Battalion were rested before moving to the Somme. We now know what conditions were like in the trenches and what horrors Joesph may have seen, including many comrades killed or wounded. It is easy to see that morale would be low amongst the ranks.

    s flynn




    217813

    L/Cpl. William Redvers George wilks 51st Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment

    We were going through some old papers of my mum's mum and found my great granddad's (William Wilks) transfer to reserve demobilisation papers. Unfortunately we are unable to trace any further military activity of him. The information is as follows: 26984, Wilks, William Redvers George, Lance Corporal Unit and regiment/corps from which transferred to reserve: 51st Battalion Royal Sussex. He enlisted on the 26th March 1918 for Royal Sussex Regiment. Specialist Military Qualification: Gas Corporal. Medical Category: A1. Year of Birth: 1900.

    Also on his demobilization paper it did say he was sent abroad and if this is right with the research I have done the 51st. 52nd and 53bn of the Royal Sussex Regiment were sent to Germany from March to August in 1919 as part of the 107th Division in the Eastern Part of the Rhineland. We do have a photo of him in his uniform as a private (my dad was in the army cadets and identified him as a private). My mum's mum has a photo of William Wilks in front of tents, which we assume is in Germany?

    Kathryn Ward




    217812

    Pte. John Sloan 1st/4th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.16th Jul 1916)

    John Sloan served with the King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, 4th Battalion. He was shot for desertion. His mother received the following letter from the Records Office. He was executed for desertion on 16/07/1916 and buried in the Barly French Military Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France.

    Territorial Force Records, Sessions House Preston, 3rd August 1916.

    Mrs Sloan, I regret to inform you that No 3563 Private Sloan. John. 1/4th Bn. The King's Royal Lancaster Regiment was sentenced after trial by Court Martial to be shot for deserting His Majesty's Service and the sentence was duly executed on 16th July 1916. S M McMaster Col for Colonel I/C Records Preston.

    Rest of paperwork as for any other casualty, e.g. normal form 118 for delivery of effects to next of kin and list of effects, with receipt for delivery. Interestingly, effects do not contain any Regimental insignia such as cap badge or buttons - something that is part of just about all the effects from this Battalion and occasionally all there is. (I suspect a cap badge and button or two were added from Battalion Stores, so families had some sort of memento when these items were missing). In cases of death by firing squad the prisoner must have been stripped of all such insignia as the prelude to his sentence being carried out,

    s flynn




    217811

    CQMS. W. Alexander 10th Btn. (d.18th Oct 1917)

    CQMS W. Alexander served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force 10th Battalion. After going absent without leave for two days he was executed for desertion on 18th October 1917 aged 37 and is buried in the Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension in Pas-de-Calais, France.

    s flynn




    217807

    Pte. Wilfred Clarke 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Sep 1918)

    Pte. Wilfred Clarke served with the Durham Light Infantry 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 9th February 1918 aged 23 and is buried in the Bancourt British Cemetery in Bancourt, France.
    s flynn




    217806

    Pte. Benjamin O'Connell 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.8th Aug 1918)

    Pte. B. O'Connell served with the Irish Guards 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 8th August 1918 and is buried in the Bailleulmont Communal Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France.

    s flynn




    217805

    Pte. Albert Ingham 18th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st Dec 1916)

    Pte. Albert Ingham served with the Manchester Regiment 18th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 1st December 1916 and buried in the Bailleulmont Communal Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France. (According to Ward & Gibson (p 81), the Commission engraved on the headstone, at the insistence of the deceased’s father, the words: "Shot At Dawn. One of the First to Enlist". He had apparently been caught in civilian clothes on board a Swedish ship about to sail from Dieppe. Official records have: ‘Died of wounds’, while his Death Certificate states: ‘Shot by sentence of FGCM for Desertion'.

    s flynn




    217804

    Pte. Alfred Longshaw 18th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st Dec 1916)

    Pte. Alfred Longshaw served with the Manchester Regiment 18th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 1st December 1916 and is buried in the Bailleulmont Communual cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France.

    Before the war Private Longshaw and his pal Private Ingham had worked together for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railways. The pair were clerks in Salford Goods Yard. Enlistment found the pals still together but serving as privates in No.11 platoon, ‘C’ Company 18th. As part of 90th Brigade the 30th Division landed at Boulogne on 6th November 1915 and by 12th November 1915 the Division was concentrated to the north of the Somme at Ailly le Haut Clocher NNW of Amiens. The two men had served together through the Somme campaign when the 30th Division had attacked at Montauban on 1st July 1916 the Division suffering over 3000 casualties. On 7th July they attacked at Trones Wood and the Battalion was involved in the fighting around Mansell Copse and the attack on Guillemont on 30th July 1916 and then on relief to Citadel Camp.

    The two men were then transferred to the Brigade machine-gun company together. and left the area of the Somme until returning to the Somme area on 4th October 1916. The two men disappeared from their unit at Buire-sur-l’Ancre (NNE of Corbie in the 1916 Rear Area) on the night of 5th-6th October 1916 when they were under orders to go to the front line at short notice. On 1st November 1916 at 930 am both men were found on a Swedish vessel at Dieppe by Sergeant Emment and both told him that they were American citizens but by the afternoon Pte. Longshaw admitted his true name and that he had deserted from the machine-gun company and Private Ingham then admitted he belonged to the Manchester Pals. They were tried on 20th November 1916 and found guilty and sentenced to death. It is reported that just before they were shot at Bailleulval (a village about a mile E of Bailleulmont) Longshaw turned to Ingham and said “Well, good-bye Albert.” During the War it was reported that the men had died of wounds.

    s flynn




    217803

    Pte. William G. Hunt 18th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.14th Nov 1916)

    William Hunt was executed for desertion on 14th November 1916 and is buried in the Bailleulmong Communal Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France.

    Private William Hunt was a regular soldier with two years service on the Western Front. Originally he had landed in France on 9th November 1914 before being posted to the 2nd Manchester Regiment 18th Battalion. He had previously been convicted of the military crime of disobedience, and had received 1 years HL in Hunt's case this had been commuted to 83 days field punishment No.l. The Recollections of an eyewitness to the private's execution recalled events surrounding the case and these were published in the early 1970s — The First Day on the Somme' by Martin Middlebrook, and the eyewitness later elaborated on some of the details.

    The eyewitness, Private Paddy Kennedy was serving with 18 Manchesters and recalled that Hunt was drafted to the battalion during the latter part of 1916. 30 Division had seen a lot of action in the opening month of the Somme offensive and during a subsequent operation Kennedy maintained that Private Hunt had become detached from his unit and had gone into action with one of the South Lancs battalions. Kennedy maintained that Hunt had become lost and, because the attack failed, it was decided to make an example out of Hunt. Kennedy had no personal knowledge of these events and his description is also clouded by the passage of time. However, what can be verified as correct, is that Private Hunt was tried for desertion (the account given in Middlebrook's book incorrectly states that the offence was cowardice.) on 22nd October and that he was not represented or assisted by a prisoner's friend.The commanding officer's comments, submitted to the court, stated that in his opinion, Hunt's behaviour was generally, *satisfactory. Later the Brigadier also recommended leniency for Hunt.

    Private Kennedy recalled how news of the sentence was publicised. As was the custom the battalion was paraded for the promulgation. As the men stood to attention Private Hunt was ordered to step forward, then the sentence and confirmation were read out. Kennedy stated that he and five other privates were detailed to be the firing squad Once the sentence was known the Military Police were also in attendance to ensure the ritual's eventual performance. As was standard practice an attempt was made to get the soldier drunk. With the prisoner in a drunken state everyone's task became that much easier. Intoxication was also regarded as more humane for the condemned man. Private Hunt however refused drink, and as dawn approached on the following morning he was equally uncooperative. Refusing to walk, his escort dragged him downhill into a quarry, the place of execution. There they tied him, with arms and legs bound, into a chair. His final act of defiance was to refuse the offer of a blindfold.

    Kennedy recalled that the firing squad had their rifles temporarily taken from them, so that a supposed blank round (which acted as palliative for troubled consciences) could be loaded into one man's rifle. The officer warned the firing squad to take care with their aim, as he did not wish to be the final executioner. Private Kennedy also mentioned that one man in the firing squad stated he knew the victim from their regular soldiering days and declared he wanted nothing to do with the execution, as Private Hunt was a good lad. The soldier's objection was ignored. With a white handkerchief pinned over the victim's heart, the unsteady firing squad took aim. The officer's worst fears were realised. Hunt was still alive when the officer stood forward and blasted the badly wounded private in the side of the head with his revolver. The grisly spectacle over, Private Kennedy and his comrades were left to bury the body and clean up the mess. The execution had been the first in the 18th Manchesters and also the first in the Division but others were to follow before this blood letting came to an end. Twenty year old Private Hunt was a native of Manchester, and seemingly an orphan. On the last day of November the local paper reported his death saying that Hunt had died of wounds(Manch Evening News 30th Nov 1916). * It says unsatisfactory on the CO report.

    s flynn




    217802

    L/Cpl. William Alfred Moon 11th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.21st Nov 1916)

    L/Cpl. William Alfrd Moon was the son of Mrs. M Moon of 5 Blue Coat School Chester and served with the Cheshire Regiment 11th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 21st November 1916 and is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in Bailleul, France.

    The Battalion had landed in France on 26th September 1915 as part of 75th Brigade in the 25th Division. The Battalion was engaged in the Battle of the Somme from an attack on 3rd July 1916 south of Thiepval until 22nd October 1916 when the Battalion was relieved to go back to Albert then Warley and Authieule before entraining at Doullens for Bailleul on 29th October 1916. Lance Corporal Moon had deserted his colleagues at some time during the Somme Battle and was tried at a Courts Martial on 11th November 1916, convicted and shot 10 days later.

    s flynn




    217801

    Pte. William W. Roberts 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.29th May 1916)

    Private William Roberts was executed for desertion on 29th May 1916 and is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in Bailleul, France.

    The 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers had landed at Havre on the 13th August 1914 and Private Roberts joined the Battalion some three months later. At the end of May 1915 the Germans had possession following the 2nd Battle of Ypres and the Gas Attack of Bellewarde Lake and established positions which left an uncomfortable sag in the Ypres salient which the 3rd Division was tasked with a local straightening. At 1.30 a.m. on the 16th June 1915 the 4th Royal Fusiliers were in position with in front of them a wood with a trench guarding its western end. After the artillery bombardment which began at 2.50 a.m. two companies were able to advance and capture the German front line without much resistance but the position was different on the right when the two supporting companies of the Battalion pushed through the wood to the trench on the bank of the lake, advancing too quickly for the British artillery and sustaining casualties. After considerable loss the companies withdrew to a communication trench which they held for the rest of the day under heavy artillery fire with gas shells being freely used by the enemy. At the end of the day only a small amount of ground remained in the Battalion’s hands and the losses had been heavy, with 15 officers and 376 men becoming casualties

    Private Roberts was one of the wounded being shot in the head. After treatment and a period of convalescence he rejoined the Battalion in September 1915 for the second attack on Bellewaarde designed as a subsidiary attack to seek to take pressure off the main British effort to the South at Loos As part of the 3rd Division the Battalion was unable to make progress and again in the afternoon of 25th September was subjected to heavy German artillery fire on the position that had been captured followed by an advance of strong German bombing parties so the taken position perforce had to be abandoned. At some time Private Roberts left his comrades and went back some distance remaining away for some eight months until he was arrested in the village of Brandhoek some 8 kilometres west of Ypres. Following his arrest Private Roberts was kept at Locre, a quiet village sheltered by Kemmel Hill in the rest areas of the Kemmel-Wyteschaete front. However on the 9th May he managed to escape but was soon re-arrested, standing trial on the 20th May 1916.

    Whilst his C.O. described him as a “good and plucky soldier” until his wounding in June 1915, he had apparently made other attempts to desert and had received a death sentence on the 25th May 1915 commuted to imprisonment. He was shot at Locre at 3.45 a.m. on the 29th May 1916 aged 34 years.

    s flynn




    217800

    Pte. John Rogers 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Mar 1917)

    Pte John Rogers served with the South Lancashire Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 9th March 1917 and is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, in Bailleul, France

    The 2nd Battalion was a Regular Battalion which had landed at Havre on 14th august 1914 as part of the 7th Brigade, 3rd Division but on 18th October 1915 was transferred to the 7th Brigade of the 25th Division and then on the 26th October 1915 to the 75th Brigade in the same Division. The 25th Division had been continuously in action on the Somme from 5th July to 22nd November 1916. On the 31st October 1916 Divisional Headquarters moved to Bailleul and the Division assumed responsibility for the Ploegsteert Sector with a frontage of about 6,000 yards from the River Lys to Hill 63, to the North of Ploegsteert Wood.

    Private Rodgers was serving with the Battalion actually in the trenches in 1917 when he left his colleagues. The Courts Martial was on 5th March 1917 and he was shot at 6 a.m. on 9th March. He was married and his wife Harriett Rogers lived at 34 Luke Street, Liverpool.

    s flynn




    217799

    Pte. J. G. Carr 2nd Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.7th Feb 1916)

    Pte J.G. Carr served with the Welsh Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 7th February 1916 and is buried in Auchel Communal Cemtery, Auchel, France

    s flynn




    217798

    Pte. Alfred L. Jefferies 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.1st Nov 1916)

    Pte. Alfred Jefferies served with the Somerset Light Infantry 6th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 1st November 1916 and is buried in the Arras Road Cemetery in Roclincourt, France.

    s flynn




    217797

    Pioneer. E. Beeby 212th Company Royal Engineers (d.9th Dec 1916)

    Pioneer E Beeby served with the Royal Engineers 212th Company. He was executed for desertion on 9th December 1916 and is buried in the Albert Communal Cemetery, in Somme, France

    s flynn




    217796

    Pte. H. Palmer 1st/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1916)

    Pte. H. Palmer served with th Northumberland Fusiliers 1st/5th Battalion.He was executed for desertion on 27th October 1916 and is buried in Albert Communal Cemetery, Somme, France,

    s flynn




    217795

    Pte. Joseph La 22nd Btn. Canadian Infantry (d.3rd Jul 1917)

    Pte. Joseph La served with the Canadian Infantry 22nd Battalion. Ater going absent for one month, he was executed for desertion on 3rd July 1917 and is buried in Aix-Noulette Community Cemetery Extension.in Aix-Noulette, France

    s flynn




    217794

    Pte. G. Comte 22nd Btn. Canadian Infantry

    Pte. G. Comte served with the Canadian Infantry 22nd Battalion. After going absent for six weeks, he was executed for desertion on 3rd July 1917 and is buried in Aix-Noulette Community Cemetery Extension in Aix-Noulette, France.

    s flynn




    217793

    Pte. J. Tongue 1st Btn. King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.8th Jan 1917)

    Pte. J. Tongue served with the King's (Liverpool Regiment) 1st Battalion,He was executed for desertion on 8th January 1917 and is buried in Agenvillers Churchyard in Somme, France in the N.E. Corner

    s flynn




    217792

    Pte. A. Mitchell 1/6th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.20th Aug 1917)

    Pte. A. Mitchell served with the Lancashire Fusiliers 1/6th Battalion.He was executed for desertion on 20th August 1917 and is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension in Achiet-le-Grand, France.

    s flynn




    217791

    Pte. J. Mayers 1st/13th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th Jun 1917)

    Pte. J. Mayers served with the Royal Fusiliers 1st/13th Btn. He was executed for desertion on 16th June 1917 and is buried in Achicourt Road, in Achicourt, France.

    s flynn




    217790

    Rflm. W. Yeoman 1st/12th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (Rangers), (d.3rd Jul 1917)

    Rfm. Yeoman served with the Royal Fusiliers (Rangers), 1st/12th Btn. He was executed for desertion on 3rd July 1917 and is buried in Achicourt Road Cemetery in Achicourt, France.

    s flynn




    217789

    Pte. W. B. Nelson 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.11th Aug 1916)

    Billy Nelson served with the Durham Light Infantry 14th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 11th August 1916 aged 19 and is buried in Acheux British Cemetery in Acheux.

    Pte. Nelson was shot at dawn on 11th August 1916 after he "deliberately absented himself, with the sole object of avoiding duty in the trenches". Although he had absconded three times before - because of serious family problems - when he was arrested he had gone to the canteen to eat his first meal in days because he had been on restricted rations while carrying out his punishment for stealing an officer's puttees. One of his superiors said: "This is a bad case of deliberate desertion to avoid duty in the trenches by an old offender. Pte Nelson is not a good fighting soldier. I recommend that the sentence of death be carried out ... If [it] is commuted ... it will encourage others."

    Billy was executed after 11 months in the trenches only days after being wounded in the bloody Battle of Loos. The soldier's crime was to miss his unit going over the top because he was having his first meal for days, with permission, in another part of the battlefield His father, also a soldier, had recently been captured.

    Billy's trial lasted only five minutes. With no one to represent him, he said: "I have had a lot of trouble at home and my nerves are badly upset. My father is a prisoner in Germany and is losing his eyesight there through bad treatment. My mother died while I was still in England, leaving my sister aged 13 and my brother aged 10. I am the only one left. I had to leave them in the charge of a neighbour. I had no intention of deserting."

    But his story didn't impress his superiors, who ordered him to be shot as an example to others. Billy's death warrant describes him as being "of no more military use".

    Billy's great-niece, Nora High, 80, of Seaham, Co Durham, who campaigned for a pardon, says: "He was shell-shocked, his nerves got the better of him and he was thinking of his family. I want people to remember he fought bravely for 11 months before breaking down. I'm very angry and annoyed and I won't rest until he is pardoned. We have a prayer book and a button from his coat and that is all we have left of him but we will make sure he is never forgotten. There should be a statue in London of the soldiers who were shot at dawn rather than the one of General Haig."

    s flynn




    217788

    Ernest Hancock 1st/8th Battallion Middlesex Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1915)

    Ernest Halcock served with the Middlesex Regiment 1st/8th Battallion. He died in April 1915.

    James Haddrell




    217787

    Major. Hubert Francis Fitzwilliam Brabazon Foljambe 3rd Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.14th Sep 1914)

    Major Hubert Foljambe served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps 3rd Battalion. He was killed in action in the 1st Battle of Aisne in September 1914.

    s flynn




    217786

    Sgt. John Robins 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.2nd Jan 1916)

    J. Fobins served with the Wiltshire Regiment 5th Battalion. He was executed on 2nd January1916 for disobedience. He is buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery in Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    217785

    Pte. T. Davis 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.2nd Jul 1915)

    T. Davis served with the Royal Munster Fusiliers 1st Battalion. He was executed for quitting his post on 2nd July1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    217784

    Pte. T. Davis 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.2nd Jul 1915)

    Private T Davis served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers during WW1. He was executed for quitting his post on the 2nd July 1915. His name is on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    S Flynn




    217783

    Pte. Richard Flynn 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Richard Flynn served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers during WW1. He was executed for murder on the 6th November 1920 and is buried in the Haidar Pasha Cemetery in Istanbul, Turkey.

    S Flynn




    217782

    Pte. H. Salter 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.11th Dec 1915)

    Private H Salter served with the 6th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. He was executed for desertion on the 11th December 1915 age 24 and buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    S Flynn




    217781

    Pte. A. Fatoma West African Regiment (d.19th Jul 1915)

    Private A Fatoma served with the West African Regiment during WW1. He was executed for cowardice on the 19th July 1915. His name is on the Freetown Memorial in Sierra Leone.

    S Flynn




    217780

    Pte. Samuel Sabongidda 3rd Btn. Nigerian Regiment (d.27th Jul 1917)

    Samuel Sabongidda served with the 3rd Battalion, Nigerian Regiment, West African Frontier Force during WW1. He was executed for violence on the 27th July 1917. His name is on the Calabar Memorial in Nigeria.

    S Flynn




    217779

    A. Denny 8th Btn. British West Indies Regiment (d.20th Jan 1919)

    Private A Denny served with the 8th Battalion British West Indian Regiment during WW1. He was executed for murder 20/01/1919 and buried in Taranto Town Cemetery Extension in Italy.

    S Flynn




    217778

    Pte. Walter Robinson 7th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.17th Sep 1918)

    Walter Robinson was my Great Uncle, I'd like to confirm that he served with the above battalion and if you could let me know if there are any photos of the said battalion.

    Editors Note: The army number given - 36003 - relates to a Private Walter Robinson who served in the 7th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment and who had former service with the Royal Army Medical Corps (103775). The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records a death on the 17th September 1918 and memorial at Janval Cemetery, Dieppe.

    Janet Holmes




    217777

    Rifleman Arthur Pacey 2nd tBn. Kings Royal Rifles Corps (d.12th Sept 1916)

    Arthur Pacey served with the Kings Royal Rifles Corps 2nd Battalion. Married with three young children, in 1911 he was living in Newark - I think he had served with KRRC in the Boer War too. He died on 12th September 1916 and shares his grave at Heilly Station near the Somme with Alex Mole another man with a young family, Alex served with the Northumberland Fusiliers and died the day before Arthur.

    tigernine




    217774

    Pte. G. Cutmore 2nd Btn. Black Watch (d.25th Jul 1917)

    Pte. G. Cutmore served with the Black Watch 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 25th July 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    217773

    Pte. R. M. Jones 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.21st Dec 1917)

    R.M. Jones served with the South Lancashire Regiment 6th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 21st December 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    217772

    Pte. Thomas Downing 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Feb 1917)

    Thomas Downing was executed for sleeping at his post 19/02/1917 age 21 and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    217771

    Pte. R. Burton 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Feb 1917)

    Pte. R. Burton served with the South Lancashire Regiment 6th Battalion. He was executed for sleeping at his post on 19th February 1917 and is commerated on the Basra Memorial in Iraq.

    The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8th November 2006.

    s flynn




    217770

    Pte. J. A. Mitchell 1st Btn. British West Indies Regiment (d.22nd Dec 1917)

    Pte. J.A. Mitchell served with the British West Indies Regiment 1st Battalion. He was executed for murder on 22nd December 1917 and is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery in Israel.

    s flynn




    217767

    Pte. James Joseph Daly 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers

    James Joseph Daly served with the 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers during WW1. He was executed for mutiny on the 2nd November 1920 age 20 and is on the Kirkee War Cemetery Memorial in India.

    The last two soldiers to be executed in 1920 were Irish, one of them was Private James Joseph Daly, aged 20 years. He was shot for his part in the much chronicled mutiny by the 1st Connaught Rangers. Fourteen of those who took part in the mutiny were sentenced to death, the other 13 were reprieved and only Daly was executed.

    S Flynn




    217766

    Pte. R. Young 11th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    Private R Young served with the 11th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment during WW1. He was executed for desertion on the 18th September 1918 and is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece.

    Private Young was already serving under a two year suspended sentence for absence and striking a superior officer, when he went missing again. This offence had been committed just two months before the end of hostilities, when Private Young found himself in action for the first time. During heavy shelling in which the dugout had been blown in, Young made his way to the rear. Although at his court martial he was convicted of desertion, had evidence been available at the time a charge of cowardice might have been preferred. At his trial little or no regard was paid to statements made by him in defence of his actions and he was executed by firing squad on the 18th September 1918. He was 21 years of age.

    S Flynn




    217765

    L/Sgt. H. Ashton 11th Btn. Cameronians (d.8th Jul 1917)

    Lance Sergeant H Ashton served with the 11th Battalion, Cameronian Scottish Rifles during WW1. He was executed for desertion on the 8th July 1917 and is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece.

    S Flynn




    217764

    Pte. A. Brown 10th Btn. Black Watch (d.1st Jun 1917)

    Private A Brown served with the 10th Battalion, the Black Watch during WW1. He was executed for desertion on the 1st June 1917 and is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece.

    S Flynn




    217763

    L/Cpl. Allassan Mamprusi Gold Coast Regiment (d.28th Apr 1917)

    He was executed for cowardice 28/04/1917 and is on the Kumasi Memorial in Ghana.

    s flynn




    217762

    Pte. D. Barama Gold Coast Mounted Infantry (d.10th Nov 1918)

    D. Barama served with the Gold Coast Mounted Infantry as part of the Royal West African Frontier Force during WW1. He was executed for murder on the 10th November 1918 and is commerated on the Kumasi Memorial in Ghana.

    S Flynn




    217761

    Pte. A. Frafra Gold Coast Regiment (d.28th Sep 1916)

    He was executed for casting away arms 28/09/1916 and is commemorated on the Kumasi Memorial in Ghana.

    s flynn




    217760

    Pte. Hubert A. Clarke 2nd Btn. (d.11th Aug 1917)

    Hubert Clarke, a West Indian Negro, served with the British West Indies Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was executed for striking a senior officer on 11th August 1917 and is buried in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt.

    A witness gave an account of the execution which took place near the Suez canal. ‘It was just before dawn, the prisoner was standing close to the wall, a magnificent bronze Hercules, clad in a pair of khaki shorts only, his hands fastened behind his back. The firing party stood huddled nearby, their faces looked white and drawn in the gathering light. We were all in a state of extreme tension, then I looked at the prisoner, the light was coming up from the East. It glistened on his bronze skin and the white of his eyes. I was startled to see there was a smile of beatitude on his face, his white teeth sparkled, he was completely at ease. The Baptist chaplain was with him, the man’s eyes seemed to glow with an inner joy. A few seconds later the command was given; then came the volley; and then the great, beautiful body crumpled and suddenly fell. Later I spoke to the Padre and commented on the courage of the man. The Padre said that he had been with the man almost hourly during the week; he had repented for his sins, and believed that he was forgiven; he was ready therefore to face his God.

    s flynn




    217759

    Pte. N. Matthews 3rd Btn. South African Infantry (d.3rd Apr 1916)

    N Matthews served with the South African Infantry 3rd Battalion. He was executed for murder on 3rd April 1916 and is buried in the Alexandria (Dhatby) Military and War memorial Cemetery in Egypt. Even though he was serving in the South African Army, he was to be the only Australian to be executed. He was also the only soldier in WW1 who was hanged for his crime, and not executed by firing squad.

    s flynn




    217757

    Pte. Ernest Lawrence 2nd Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    Ernest Lawrence was the son of John Lawrence, of 101 Clifton Road, South Norwood, London. He was executed for desertion shortly after the end of the Battle of Passchendaele campaign. Private Lawrence was aged 21 when he died, and he is buried in the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    217756

    Pte. Thomas Lionel Moles 54th Btn. (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    Thomas Lionel Moles was the son of Louisa Mudford (formerly Moles), of West Chinnock, Crewkerne, Somerset, England, and the late John Moles. Native of Brompton Ralph. He served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force 54th Battalion and was executed for desertion on 22nd October 1917, aged 28. He is buried in the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217755

    Pte. Alfred E. Eveleigh 1st Btn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), (d.24th Feb 1916)

    Pte. Alfred Eveleigh served with The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 24th February 1916, aged 27 and is buried in the White House Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217754

    Pte. Robert Gawler 1st Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.24th Feb 1916)

    Robert Gawler was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gawler, of 10, Staplegate Place, Canterbury. He served with The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 24th February 1916, aged 29 and is buried in White House Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217753

    Pte. William J. Turpie 2nd Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.1st Jul 1915)

    William J Turpie served with the 2nd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment during WW1. He was executed for desertion on the 1st July 1915, aged 24 and buried in the White House Cemetery in Belgium,.

    S Flynn




    217752

    Pte. Herbert H. Chase 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.12th Jun 1915)

    Pte. H,H, Chase served with the Lancashire Fusiliers 2nd Battalion. He was executed for cowardice on 12th June 1915, aged 21 and is buried in the White House Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217750

    Rflm. Thomas Donovan 16th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.31st Oct 1917)

    Thomas Donovan served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps 16th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 31st October 1917, aged 20 and is buried in Westhof Farm cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217749

    Pte. Edward Delargy 1/8th Btn. Royal Scots (d.6th Sep 1917)

    Edward Delargy served with the 1st/8th Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) during WW1. He was executed for desertion on the 6th September 1917, aged 19 and buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium He was the son of Mrs. Winnifred Delargy, of 42, Mount Pleasant, Leslie, Fife.

    S Flynn




    217748

    Pte. Albert Rickman 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Albert Rickman was the son of Charles and Anne Rickman, of 4, Carrington Terrace, Milford-on-Sea, Hants, and served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 15th September 1916, aged 27, and is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217747

    Dvr. Alexander Lamb 21st Battery, 2nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd Oct 1915)

    Alexander Lamb served with the Royal Field Artillery 21st Battery, 2nd Brigade. He was executed for desertion on 2nd October 1915 and is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217746

    Pte. Henry Hughes 1/5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.10th Apr 1918)

    Pte. Henry Hughes served with the Yorks and Lancs Regiment 1/5th Btn.He was executed for desertion on 10th April 1918 aged 27 and is buried in the Huts Cemetery in Belgium. The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8th November 2006

    s flynn




    217745

    Pte. Victor Manson Spencer 1st Bn. Otago Regiment (d.24th Feb 1918)

    New Zealander, Victor Manson Spencer, was born in 1894 and died in February 1918. He was executed for desertion on 24th February 1918 and is buried in The Huts Cemetery, Belgium. A volunteer member of the NZ Otago Regiment, Pte. Spencer was the last soldier to be executed during the First World War. His official crime was desertion, but the reason, as with so many others, was probably 'shell-shock', since he had been involved in a number of battles. In 2005, the New Zealand government granted him a posthumous pardon.

    s flynn




    217743

    Pte. William Smith 3rd/5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.14th Nov 1917)

    William Smith was the son of Robert and Ada Smith, of 16, Lord St., Pendleton, Manchester. He served with the Lancashire FusiliersHe 3rd/5th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 14th of November 1917, aged 20 and is buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217742

    Pte. Frederick Loader 1/22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.19th Aug 1917)

    Frederick Loader was executed for desertion 19/08/1917, he is buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217741

    Rflm. Robert Loveless Barker 1/6th Btn. London Regiment (City of London Rifles), (d.4th Nov 1916)

    Robert Loveless Barker served with the London Regiment (City of London Rifles) 1/6th Btn. He was executed for cowardice on 4th November 1916, aged 21. He is buried in Reninshelst New Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217740

    Coolie Ch'un Ch'ih Wang (d.8th May 1919)

    Wang Ch'un Ch'ih served with the Chinese Labour Corps and was executed for murder on 8th May 1919. He is buried in the Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery in Belgium. In the courtyard outside stands a very grim reminder of the Great War - the post to which at least one soldier was tied before he was executed. Wang Ch'un Ch'ih, who was convicted of murder and executed here on the 8th of May 1919 - after the Armistice but still during what was officially designated wartime. The execution post stands next to a large silvered panel on which a few words from a Kipling poem (The Coward) are inscribed - including the words 'blindfold and alone' - also the title of an excellent book on the subject of executions during the First World War

    s flynn




    217739

    Pte. Thomas Hope 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.2nd March 1915)

    Thomas Hope was the son of Mrs B. Hope, of 5, Mill Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. He was executed on the morning of March 2nd, 1915 before a British firing squad in Armentieres in France, after being arrested, court martialled and convicted of desertion, drunkenness and bad conduct within the army. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

    Thomas Hope is featured in a new book about Irishmen shot at dawn. Twenty year old Thomas Hope was one of 28 Irishmen serving in British regiments featured in the book "Forgotten Soldiers - The Irishmen Shot At Dawn”, which traces the lives of men who enlisted to fight an enemy but ended up being killed by their own side. Written by award-winning Belfast journalist Stephen Walker, the book draws its information from war diaries, court-martial papers and interviews with veterans and family members. Dealing with the circumstances surrounding each individual execution case, “Forgotten Soldiers” details how these Irish soldiers, often exhausted by battle, suffering shellshock, or branded cowards for refusing to fight, were shot at dawn by a firing squad. Thomas Hope was one of the 350,000 young Irishmen who volunteered to join the British Army during World War 1.

    Private Thomas Hope served with the 2nd Battalion of the Leinster Regiment and his tragic story began just two days before Christmas 1914 on the front-line trenches L`Épinette. In his trial, a charge of desertion was brought against Hope after he had gone missing for nearly seven weeks from 23rd December 1914 until 10th February 1915. Hope had argued in his defence that he had just learned of the deaths of his two brothers who were also enlisted in the army, and left the trenches on a sudden impulse. He said that he ended up in enemy territory from which he escaped, but was unable to find his way back to his regiment. Hope`s court martial was held on Valentine`s day, 14th February, and he was not defended at his trial.

    “I had no intention of going absent when I left the trenches. It was a sudden impulse. The first night I was away I got by mistake into the German trenches. The enemy kept me for three days and took me to their Headquarters in Lille. I escaped from he Germans during an attack and got into the French trenches and stayed there two days. Then I met some British troops and stayed there some three or four days. I have been walking around since and tried to find my own regiment,” Hope stated in his own defence. The three-man panel found him guilty and sentenced him to death. Senior officers later endorsed the panel`s findings. General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, a veteran commander of the 2nd Army, put pen to paper nine days after Hope`s sentence was handed down. “The Brigade discipline is second worst and the battalion discipline is also the second worst in the army. The case is a very bad one indeed and I recommend that the extreme penalty be carried out.” Hope`s destiny was sealed by the stroke of a pen and within days the sentence was confirmed by Commander-in-Chief, Sir John French. On 2nd March 1915, Thomas Hope was executed as an example to all other soldiers considering desertion.

    s flynn




    217738

    Pte. Albert Henry Pitts 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.8th Feb 1915)

    Albert Henry Pitts was the husband of Mrs. A.L. Pitts, of 44, King Road, Bengeworth, Evesham. He served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment 2nd Battalion and was executed for desertion on 8th February 1915. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217737

    Pte. Archibald Browne 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.19th Dec 1914)

    Archibald Browne was the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Browne, of Greene St., Ingatestone, Essex. He served with the Essex Regiment 2nd Battalion and was executed for desertion on 19th December 1914, aged 26. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217736

    Pte. Evan Fraser 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (d.2nd Aug 1915)

    Evan Fraser served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) during WW1. He was executed for desertion on the 2nd August 1915, aged 19 and is commemorated on Special Memorial in Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    217735

    Pte. Louis Phillips 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.19th Aug 1915)

    Louis Phillips served with the 9th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry during WW1. He was executed for desertion on the 19th August 1915, aged 23 and is buried in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    217734

    Pte. Ernest Fellows 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.26th Jul 1915)

    Ernest Fellows served with the 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment during WW1. He was executed for desertion on the 26th July 1915, aged 29 and is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium. He was the son of James and Emma Fellows, of 65, Moseley Rd., Birmingham; husband of Mary Annie Crosby (formerly Fellows), of 5 Court, 5 House, Dymoke St., Birmingham.

    Private Fellows of Birmingham was a married man with children. At the start of the First World War Ernest Fellows as an ex Worcestershire Regiment soldier was on the Reserve List and as such was called up for service in September 1914. He re-joined his Regiment on the 29th September 1914.

    Fellows was sent to France as part of reinforcements for the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment early in 1915. Private Fellows was a well respected soldier in the Battalion and he had past experience. Early in June 1915 the 3rd Battalion was holding a line of trenches from the Menin Road on the left to Sanctuary Wood on the right. After 4 days of fighting, on the 9th June 1915 the 3rd Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles. The 3rd Battalion then moved out of the line to Busseboom just east of Poperinghe where they were billeted in bivouac and rested until the 15th June 1915. It was during this rest period that Private Fellows went missing without permission. Following an evening roll call it was discovered that he had gone absent. The Battalion had just received orders that it was to attack enemy trenches at Bellewaerde the following day.

    Fellows was apprehended and was tried at a court martial on the 14th July 1915. At his trial he offered no evidence in his defence and was found guilty of desertion and sentenced to death. Fellows was shot by firing squad with 4 other deserters from the 3rd Battalion on the ramparts of Ypres on the 26th July 1915. He was 29 years of age. He was originally buried at the Ramparts Cemetery but was later transferred to the Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Belgium which is 3 Km east of Ypres town centre.

    S Flynn




    217733

    Cpl. Frederick Ives 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.26th Jul 1915)

    Frederick Ives served with the 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment during WW1. He was executed for desertion, 22/07/1915, aged 31 and buried in the Perth Cemetery (China Gate) in Belgium.

    Corporal Ives had only been in France just over a month when on the 15th September 1914 he went absent without permission during the fighting on the Marne. He was already on remand for an earlier offence. Ives managed to avoid capture for 9 months. He was eventually arrested on the 24th June 1915 by an officer of the Army Veterinary Corps. At the time he was wearing civilian clothes.

    Ives court martial took place on the 7th July 1915, and in his defence he stated that he had suffered memory loss due to shell fire. Although he was found guilty of desertion and sentenced to death, the members of the court martial recommended mercy on the grounds that he might be telling the truth. However, his sentence of death was confirmed by the Field Marshal and he was shot by firing squad with 4 other deserters from the 3rd Battalion on the ramparts of Ypres on the 26th July 1915. He was 30 years of age.

    He was originally buried at the Ramparts Cemetery but was later transferred to the Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Belgium which is 3 Km east of Ypres town centre For some strange reason the Commonwealths War Graves Commission shows the date of death incorrectly as the 22nd July 1915. This error may have been made as he was tried and sentenced the week before the other men of the 3rd Battalion who were executed the same day.

    S Flynn




    217732

    Pte. Thomas Docherty 2nd Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.16th Jul 1915)

    Thomas Docherty served with the King's Own Scottish Borderers 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 16th July1915, and is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217731

    Pte. Thomas Harris 1st Btn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.21st Jun 1915)

    Thomas Harris served with the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 21st June 1915, aged 21, and is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217730

    Pte. George Ernest Roe 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.11th Jun 1916)

    George Roe was the son of Mrs. Mary Roe, of 24, Brough Street, Sheffield, Yorks. He served with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 2nd Battalion and was executed for desertion on 11th June 1915, aged 19. He is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217728

    Pte. John George Thornton 19th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    My great uncle John joined the Northumberland Fusiliers [19th Service Battalion - 2nd Tyneside Poineers] He was returned to the UK on June 6th 1918, wounded. He had a large part of one ear torn off by shrapnel. John Thornton was engaged to marry when he joined up but recieved a 'dear John' letter whist in France. He never married. He also never spoke of his experiences during WW1 but, when my late father served with the 13th Battalion Parachute Regiment in WW2 he wanted to know all about it.

    Jack Walton




    217727

    Pte. Joseph Nisbet 1st Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    Joseph Nisbet served with the Leicestershire Regiment 1st Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 23rd August 1918.and is buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217726

    Pte. John McFarlane 4th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.22nd May 1918)

    John McFarlane was the son of William and Margaret McFarlane, of 14, Gerard Street, Byrom Street, Liverpool. He served with the King's Liverpool Regiment 4th Battalion. A pre-war Territorial soldier who had been serving on the Western Front for three years McFarlane evidently decided that he had had enough and deserted the lines.He was executed for desertion on 22nd May 1918, aged 27. He is buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217725

    Dvr. Thomas Moore 24th Divisional Train, 4th Coy. Army Service Corps (d.26th Feb 1916)

    Thomas Moore served with the Army Service Corps 4th Company. 24th Divisional Train. He was executed for murder on 26th February 1916, aged 26. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    s flynn




    217724

    Pte. Herbert Francis Burden 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st July 1915)

    Herbert Francis Burden served with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers during WW1. He was executed for desertion 21/07/1915, aged 17. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    The Chronicle records: 'Pte Burden was not represented at his court martial. No survivor from his depleted ranks could be found to provide a character reference and Pte Burden joined the ranks of soldiers killed by their own firing squads.'

    S Flynn




    217723

    Cpl. George Povey 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.11th Feb 1915)

    George Povey served with the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment during WW1. He was executed for leaving his post on the 11th February 1915, aged 23. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial and was son of Mrs. Dinah Povey, of 51, Primrose Street, Connah Quay.

    S Flynn




    217722

    Pte. William Scotton 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.3rd Feb 1915)

    William Scotton served with the 4th Battlion, Middlesex Regiment during WW1. He was executed for desertion 3rd February 1915, aged 19. Private William Scotton, aged 19 years, has no known grave, his name is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial He was the son of Mrs. Catherine Scotton, of 52, Gladstone Road, Walton, Liverpool. His brother, Albert also fell.

    At the end of December 1914, Scotton was convicted of going absent. Despite this, on 23 January 1915, he repeated the offence. While he was absent, his unit had seen service in the front line. Scotton returned to his unit a day after they had returned from their front line service. He was tried and found guilty of desertion. Private William Scotton was executed by firing squad, at Vierstraat, on 3 February 1915. The firing squad was made up of a NCO and seven men from his own unit. The rest of the unit were ordered to witness the event.

    S Flynn




    217721

    Pte. D. Gibson 12th Btn. Royal Scots (d.24th Sep 1918)

    Private D Gibson served with the 12th Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). He was executed for desertion on the 24th September 1918 and is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    217720

    Pte. C. Britton 1/5th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.12th Sep 1917)

    Private C Britton served with the 1/5th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment during WW1. He was executed for desertion on the 12th September 1917 and is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    217719

    Pte. J. J. Hyde King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.5th Sep 1917)

    Private JJ Hyde served with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps during WW1. He was executed for desertion on the 5th September 1917 and is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    217718

    Pte. A. Parry 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.30th Aug 1917)

    Private A Parry served with the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. He was executed for desertion on the 30th August 1917 and is buried in Maple Leaf Cemetery in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    217717

    Pte. W. Jones 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th Oct 1917)

    Private W Jones served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiiers during WW1. He was executed for desertion on the 25th October 1917 and is buried in Locre Hospice Cemetery in Belgium

    S Flynn




    217716

    Pte. Charles Edgar Phillips 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Charles Edgar Phillips served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and died on the 9th October 1917. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medal. He is remembered on the Tynecot Memorial, Zonnebeke West- Vlaanderen, Belgium.

    My father never spoke of Charles, it was when I was doing the family tree that I found he lived next door to his father also Charles. They also worked with each other.

    Nick S Phillips




    217715

    Pte. Denis Jetson Blakemore 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.9th Jul 1917)

    Denis Jetson Blakemore was executed for desertion 09/07/1917 age 28, and buried in Locre Hospice Cemetery in Belgium. he was the son of George L. and Sophia Blakemore, of 3, St. George's St., Mountfields, Shrewsbury. Native of Bicton, Shrewsbury.

    Blakemore was the son of the headmaster of Bicton school near Shrewsbury. He initially served in Ireland and then travelled with his battalion to France in 1916. At least two of his brothers also served in the First World War. At 5.40 am on 7th June 1917 he was reported missing as his unit formed up to attack. He was discovered hiding in a shell hole in the rear of the assembly trenches and then formed up, but later was found again to be missing. At his trial he pleaded not guilty and simply said he was too upset to go on with his section. Having previously been found guilty of being absent without leave, and been given a suspended sentence of 15 years penal servitude, a death sentence was almost inevitable. A guilty verdict was recorded and in the early hours of 9th July Denis Blakemore's life came to a sad end.

    s flynn




    217714

    Pte. G. E. Collins 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.15th February 1915)

    He was executed for desertion 15/02/1915, and buried in Plot 1. B. 1.in Locre Churchyard, Belgium.

    The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8 November 2006.

    s flynn




    217713

    Pte. A. Evans 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.6th Feb 1915)

    Pte. A. Evans was executed for desertion, 06/02/1915 aged 16 and is buried in Locre Churchyard, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217712

    pte. Sidney Victor Phillips Notts and Derby Regiment (d.27th Apr 1917)

    Until a few years ago knew little of Sidney Phillips, my father did not like to speak of his brothers. The name Sidney appears a lot after his death. His Brother son was called Sydney but changed the spelling to Sidney.

    Nick S Phillips




    217711

    Pte. J. Byers 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.6th June 1915)

    J. Byers was executed for desertion 06/02/1915 age 16, he is buried in Locre Churchyard in Belgium

    s flynn




    217710

    Pte. William Baker 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.14th Aug 1918)

    William Baker was executed for desertion on 14/08/1918, and buried in Lussenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217709

    Pte. Leonard Mitchell 8th Btn York and Lancaster Regiment (d.19th Sep 1917)

    Leonard Mitchell was the son of George H. Mitchell, of 74, Rawmarsh Rd., Rotherham, Yorks. He served with the Yorks and Lancs Regiment 8th Battalion and was executed for desertion on 19th September 1917 He is buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery in Belgium. His brother, William Henry also died on service

    s flynn




    217708

    Pte. James Smith 17th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.5th Sep 1917)

    Pte. James Smith was the son of James William and Elizabeth Smith, of 52, Noble St., Bolton.

    He served with The King?s (Liverpool Regiment), 17th Barralion and was executed for desertion on 5th September 1917, aged 26. He is buried in the Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217707

    Pte. Stanely Stewart 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1917)

    Stanely Stewart was born at Liverpool the son of Mrs. Sarah Stewart, of 12, Bentick St., Kilmarnock. He served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers 2nd Battalion and was executed for desertion on 29th August 1917, aged 21. He is buried in Kemmell Chateau Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217706

    Pte. Samuel McBride 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th Dec 1916)

    Samuel McBride was executed for desertion at Hope Farm on the northern edge of Ploegsteert Wood on the 7th December 1916 and buried in Hyde Park Corner Cemetery, Belgium.

    Rifleman McBride had been sentenced to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour on the 25th January 1915 on a charge of desertion (having served with the B.E.F. since 6th December 1914) but was released on suspension on 3rd January 1916. Whilst the Battalion was in the Vimy Ridge sector in May 1916 Rifleman McBride went absent when his platoon were resting in a reserve position about 800 yards behind the front line. The men had been subjected to heavy fire especially from German trench mortars. On the 17th September 1916 an N.C.O. of No 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital apprehended the Rifleman at Outreau near Boulogne the Court Martial taking place on the 25th November 1916.

    s flynn




    217705

    Pte. George Ainley 1st/4th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.30th Jul 1918)

    George Ainley was executed for desertion on 30th July 1918 , aged 20 and is buried in Hagle Dump cemetery, Belgium. He was the son of George and Alice Mary Ainley, of 82, Randall St., Sheffield, Yorks.

    Private Ainley had been tried on 28th January 1918 for a self inflicted wound but before the end of the Summer of 1918 he had deserted three times. The Courts Martial was apparently on the 13th July and was for the three offences of desertion. The Commanding Officer of the Battalion submitted a report for the Court; 'Private Ainley appears to be lacking a sense of responsibility, and his military character in consequence is not good.' He was executed on the 30th July 1918 when he was 20 years of age, almost certainly a conscript originally from Sheffield.

    s flynn




    217704

    Pte. Walter Dossett 1/4th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.25th June 1918)

    Walter Dossett was the son of William and Lily Dossett, of Sheffield. He was executed for desertion 25/06/1918, aged 22 and is buried in Hagle Dump Cemetery. His headstone bears inscription 'Until we meet again.' He served from 1916 in three different Machine Gun Companies, 143rd (part of 48 Division), 118th (part of 39 Division) and 63rd (part of 21 Division) until being transferred to 1/4th Battalion Yorks and Lancaster. Private Dossett went absent from his Battalion during the German Offensive in April 1918, the Courts Martial appears to have been on the 8th June 1918. On the 25th June the death sentence having been confirmed, Private Dossett was brought by ambulance to a rifle range near Vlamertinghe, he was bound in a chair, a blindfold applied and a piece of white paper pinned over his heart. The firing squad had been selected from machine gunners in 21st Division.

    s flynn




    217702

    Pte. Robert Hope 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.5th July 1917)

    Robert Hope was executed for desertion on 05/07/1917, he was buried in Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217701

    Pte. G. Watkins 13th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.15th May 1917)

    G. Watkins served with the Welsh Regiment 13th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 15th May 1917, and is buried in the Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217700

    Pte. John Seymour 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.24th Jan 1918)

    John Seymour served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 2nd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 24th January 1918, and is buried in Duhallow Advanced Dressing Station Cemetery, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217699

    Pte. F. Broadrick 11th Btn. Warwickshire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1917)

    F. Broadrick served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment 11th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 1st August 1917, and is buried in Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    S. Flynn




    217698

    L/Cpl. J. S.V. Fox 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.20th Apr 1915)

    L/Cpl. J S V Fox served with the Wiltshire Regiment 1st Battalion, and was attached to the 3rd Division Cyclists’ Company. He was executed for desertion on 20th April 1915, aged 20, and is buried in Dickebusch New Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217697

    Spr. A. P. Oyns 50th Search Light Coy. Royal Engineers (d.20th Oct 1917)

    A.P. Oyns served with the Royal Engineers 50th Search Light Company. He was executed on 20th October 1917 for murder and is buried in Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217696

    Pte. Alfred Coates 8th Battallion Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Oct 1918)

    Alfred Coates was the son of William Reay Coates and Elizabeth Mary (nee Telford) and he was born in 1889 in Chester le Street, Co. Durham. He served with the Durham Light Infantry 8th Battalion and died on 2nd October 1918 in Trelon. He is buried in Glageon Cemetery, in France. Alfred Coates was my Great Grand Uncle

    Andrea Unsworth




    217695

    Rflm. F. W. Cheeseman 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.20th Oct 1917)

    Rifleman F.W.Cheeseman served with the 18th Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He was executed for desertion on 20th October 1917, and is buried in Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8th November 2006.

    s flynn




    217694

    John Edward Adamson 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.2nd Feb 1915)

    John Adamson was the son of John Edward Adamson and Annie and was born in Hartlepool in 1894. However in 1901, he was living with his Uncle, Stephen Adamson in Chester-le-Street and he is shown as being his adopted son. In 1911, he was still living with his Uncle in Chester le Street and was shown as Jack.

    The UK De Ruvigney's Roll of Honour states the following:- Adamson, John Edward, No 10473, 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, nephew and adopted son of Stephen Adamson of South View, South Pelaw, Chester le Street; died on 2nd February 1915 of wounds received in action in Cuinchy.

    The Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives his date of death as 20th February 1915 however and states that he was buried in the Bois-Guillaume Communal Cemetery in France. John Edward was my 3rd Cousin 3 times removed.

    Andrea Unsworth




    217693

    Pte. William Wycherley 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.12th Sep 1917)

    William Wycherley was executed 12/9/17 for desertion and buried in Coxyde Military Cemetery , Belgium.

    Private William Wycherley was one of the men executed by his own side during the Great War. Generally, these men are titled "Shot at Dawn". This work does not cast any judgment on the men or their actions, especially Pte Wycherley. It simply reports the facts as they have been found.

    Although it is not clear exactly when William joined the army, his marriage certificate to May Owen, dated 16th June 1915, shows him as serving as a Private with the Manchester Regiment. At the time he is recorded as being 22 years old with an occupation of Grocer's Assistant. His address was 1, Beesley Street, Prescot. His wife Mary was aged 25 and lived in Fallowfield, Manchester. Private William Wycherley had been absent on at least two occasions prior to the final case, which resulted in his execution. His initial offence, for which the punishment is not known, was to overstay his leave in the UK by seven weeks. He then deserted as his battalion, the 2nd Manchesters, was making its way to the front line. Again, the punishment is not known.

    Then on 25th June 1917, Private Wycherley complained of feeling sick just before going over the top and he disappeared. His battalion had just recently taken over the inner sector of the Nieuport bridgehead, close to the sea. No offensive operations were planned for this sector, indeed any action was likely to be purely defensive, as the battalion had been ordered to retain the line at all costs. It seems likely that Pte. Wycherley's trip "over the top" was to be part of a trench raid, perhaps gathering intelligence on the enemy troops facing them. Two days after going missing, William Wycherley was arrested at Etaples, where he gave false identity details. Once his true identify was uncovered, he was returned to the northern Belgian coast to face his punishment and was executed on 12th September 1917 at Coxyde. He was 24 years old.

    The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8th November 2006.

    s flynn




    217691

    Rflm. F. N. Slade 2/6th Btn. London Regiment (d.14th Dec 1917)

    Rifleman F.N. Slade served with the London Regiment 2nd /6th Battalion. He was executed on 14th December1917 for disobedience and is buried in Bleuet Farm cemetery, Belgium.

    The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8th November 2006.

    s flynn




    217690

    A. H. Westwood East Surrey Regiment (d.23rd Nov 1917)

    A. H. Westwood served with the East Surrey Regiment. He was executed for desertion on 23rd November 1917, and is buried in the Bleuet Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

    The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8th November 2006.

    s flynn




    217689

    T. Hawkins 7th Btn. Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    T Hawkins served with the Royal West Surrey Regiment, 7th Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 22nd November 1917, and is buried in Bleuet Farm Cemetery, Belgium .

    The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8th November 2006.

    s flynn




    217688

    Pte. Frederick Turner 6th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1917)

    Frederick Turner was the son of William and Mary Turner, of 62, First St., Bensham, Gateshead. He served with the Northumberland Fusiliers 6th Battalion and was executed for desertion on 23rd October 1917, aged 31. He is buried in Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium, Enclosure No.4.

    The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8th November 2006.

    s flynn




    217687

    Pte. Alfred Thompson 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    Private Alfred Thompson was the son of Mrs. Martha Thompson, of 2 Bk, 24 Florence St., Holloway Head, Birmingham. He was executed for desertion 26/07/1915, aged 25 and is buried in Aeroplane Cemetery, Belgium.

    Private Thompson was a regular soldier and had been with the Worcestershire Regiment 3rd Battalion since the beginning of November 1914. On the 27th June 1915, Private Thompson absconded with Private John Robinson after they were told that they were to be on night duty in trenches near Hooge. The 3rd Battalion had been in action in this area since 16th June.

    On 5th July 1915 both Private Thompson and Private Robinson were arrested at Abancourt while they were sitting on a train bound for Rouen. At their court martial in a statement it said that both men were good soldiers, but that it appeared they were suffering from nervous strain at the time they went absent.

    Thompson was shot by firing squad with 4 other deserters from the 3rd Battalion on the ramparts of Ypres on 26th July 1915. He was 25 years of age. He was originally buried at the Ramparts Cemetery but was later transferred to the Aeroplane Cemetery, Belgium, 3.5 Km northeast of Ypres town centre

    The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8th November 2006.

    s flynn




    217686

    Pte. John Robinson 3rd btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.26th Jul 1915)

    John Robinson was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Robinson, of No. 1 Back, 120, Long Acre, Nechells, Birmingham. He was executed for desertion on 26th July1915, aged 31. He is buried in Aeroplane Cemetery, Belgium.

    Private Robinson of Nechells, Birmingham was a regular soldier with 13 years previous service and had been with the Worcester Regiment 3rd Battalion since Mons in August 1914. On 27th June 1915, Private Robinson and Private Alfred Thompson absconded together after they were told that they were to be on night duty in trenches near Hooge. The 3rd Battalion had been in action in this area since 16th June.

    On 5th July 1915 both Private Robinson and Private Thompson were arrested at Abancourt while they were sitting on a train bound for Rouen. At their court martial in a statement it said that both men were good soldiers, but that it appeared they were suffering from nervous strain at the time they went absent.

    Robinson was shot by firing squad with four other deserters from the 3rd Battalion on the ramparts of Ypres on the 26th July 1915. He was 31 years of age. He was originally buried at the Ramparts Cemetery but was later transferred to the Aeroplane Cemetery, Belgium, 3.5 Km northeast of Ypres town centre . His grave carries the following inscription: "In loving memory of my dear son deeply mourned by father, mother, sisters and brothers".

    s flynn




    217685

    Pte. Bert Hartells 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.26th Jul 1915)

    Bert Hartells served with the Worcestershire Regiment 3rd Battalion. He was executed for desertion on 26th July 1915, aged 32. and is buried in Aeroplane Cemetery, Belgium. The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8th November 2006.

    s flynn




    217684

    Pte. Eric Malcolm Stimson 9th Btn Rifle Brigade (d.12th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    We are doing a project to commemorate those who died in the First World War who lived near North Sheen Recreation Ground in Richmond, Surrey. Eric Malcolm Stimson is one of those. We have a digital version of his enlistment in September 1914 and his grave in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, he died 24th August 1915.

    His brother, 2nd Lieutenant Montague Adolf Stimson, 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, 18th Division was killed in action on the Somme 30th September 1916, aged 21.

    Sue Burden




    217683

    Lt. Hugh Randall Syme GC GM. HMS Vernon

    <p>

    Melbourne-born Hugh Syme had a lifelong involvement in the newspaper industry. He was awarded the George Cross and the George Medal and Bar for his brave work in dealing with enemy mines. Returning to Victoria, he set up a mine disposal section before leaving the navy to return to business in 1944.

    Lt Syme was based at HMS Vernon, Portsmouth, from 1940 to 1942. He rapidly developed a reputation for bravery, especially in delousing the unfamiliar German magnetic mines. He was later awarded the Bar to the George Medal (1942) and the George Cross (1943) for a string of successful mine recoveries. In January 1943 he returned to Australia and was appointed as the Commanding Officer of a bomb disposal section at HMAS Cerberus. He left the Navy in 1944, returning to the family business of running The Age newspaper in Melbourne.

    s flynn




    217680

    Pte. George Brighton 25th Battalion Machine Gun Corps (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather George Brighton joined the Machine Gun Corps in July 1918. He was sent for training in machine gunnery before being sent overseas. He would not have reached France until early October 1918, He was serving with the 25th Battalion - the machine gun element of the 25th Division. On the day of his death, the battalion was preparing for a major set-piece battle - the crossing of the river Sambre, being one of the final actions of the war. He died of his wounds, and was buried at Pommereuil. Another man in his unit, S A Bowden, No 171853 was killed on the same day and is buried a very short distance away at Landrecies. My guess is that they were both victims of shelling. My great grandfather probably made it back as far as Pommereuil where there was a Casualty Clearing Station, but died before he could be moved to a hospital. George died on the 3rd November 1918 aged 26yrs; He left a wife and two young daughters.

    Steve Mason




    217679

    Pte. Fred Todd 235 Btn.

    Fred Todd served with the 235th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.





    217673

    Pte. Alfred Charles Clutterbuck 2nd/4th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.27th Aug 1917)

    Alfred Charles Clutterbuck served with the 2/4th Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment and died on the 27th August 1917. Alfred was born in Cinderford in 1891, Son of Jonah and Alice Clutterbuck (nee Brain). In the 1911 census was working as a Hodder in the Colliery.

    He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial Zonnebeke, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium.

    Martyn Rundle




    217672

    Pte. William Covel Royal Berkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, William Covel I believe served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment during WW1 and was wounded during the Somme battle, he was left for dead in no mans land, after 3 or 4 days he was recovered and because of his wounds was given the last rites. Being a tough Eastender he made a recovery and was shipped back home. My mother told me this story and my auntie who were both grateful that there father to be returned safe and well. Bill passed away peacefully in our home Boxing day 1971 and is buried alongside my Nan in Falconwood cemetery south east London. As far as I know he never had any military honours. My mother is 90 years old today and always smiles when you mention her Father Bill.

    Anthony Bradley




    217669

    F. W. Townsend 1st Section 1st D.A.C.

    <p>

    My maternal grandmother was the illegitimate daughter of a Dr F.W.Townsend who, I believe, came from Gloucestershire. He is acknowledged as her father on her marriage certificate in about 1910 and was born in 1859. I have an original military Christmas card sent to her in 1916 from the front in France signed Dr F W Townsend with his unit printed on it - 1st Section, 1st D.A.C. BEF. when the old chap must have been 59 years old, his christian names are possibly Frederick William. Cannot trace a military career for him so wonder if he was a civvy doctor attached to that unit? We know that he survived the war and believe that he died in the 1920's.

    G D Pope




    217668

    2nd Lt. William Haffenden Winch 5th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.13th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    William Haffenden Winch was the only son of Billy and Jane Winch of Cranbrook Kent (they also had a daughter Catherine). William served as a Second Lieutenant with the 5th Battalion East Kent Regiment and died on the 13th January 1916 from wounds received in the Battle of Sheikh Saad in Mesepotamia and is buried at Al Basra. According to his war record card he was awarded the Victory, British and Star medals. A posthumous tribute was printed in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour.

    Kristina Avery




    217667

    Major. M. Litton 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Major M Litton served with the 7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. Major Litton and Captain T O'Donnell were both wounded on the 26th April 1916.

    Ciaran Goggins




    217666

    2ndLt. William Keane 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Second Lieutenant William Kearns served with the 7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. He served with Pte William Sweeney and Pte H Brown, currently being researched by Ciaran Goggins.

    Ciaran Goggins




    217665

    Pte. Michael L. Kearns 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    23508 Private Michael L Kearns served with the 7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers during WW1. He was born in 1892 and enlisted in 1915.

    Ciaran Goggins




    217664

    L/Cpl. John Laverty MM. 7/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.20th Nov 1917)

    L/Cpl John Laverty served with the 7/8th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and was awarded the MM. He died on the 20th November 1917.

    Ciaran Goggins




    217663

    Pte. Patrick McKee MM. 7/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.20th Nov 1917)

    Private Patrick McKee served with the 7/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers and died on the 20th November 1917.

    Ciaran Goggins




    217662

    Pte. Michael Craddock 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.7th Sep 1916)

    43139 Private Michael Craddock served with the 7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and died aged 39 on the 7th September 1916. He is buried in La Neuville, Corbie, France.

    Ciaran Goggins




    217661

    Pte. Joseph Carey 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Joseph Carey served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers 7th Battalion. He was shot at dawn on 15th September 1916, one of 26 British Army soldiers of Irish ethnicity to be court martialled and executed during the 1st World War.

    Ciaran Goggins




    217658

    Pte. Sidney John Sidwell 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.15th Sep 1914)

    John Sidwell served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers 1st Battalion. He died in September 1914.

    Geoff Sidwell




    217657

    Bmdr. Frederick William Blute 156 Bermondsey Brigade, B Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    I came across this letter in my grandfathers war records and thought I would like to share it. My grandmother was expecting my mother when my grandfather went to war, the photo I have attached was the first time he saw his daughter when he came home on leave.

    Christine Elliott




    217656

    Lt.Col. George Augustus Elliot MC. 2nd Batn. Royal Irish Regiment

    Lt. Col. George Augustus Elliot served with the Royal Irish Regiment 2nd Battalion.

    Mike Maher




    217655

    Dvr. Edward Wilkin Brown 1st Northumbrian Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Edward Wilkin Brown was born in October 1896 and (at 17) was already a member of the 50th Northumbrian Division Artillery (Territorials), 1st Northumbrian Brigade Royal Field Artillery (RFA) TF when war began in August 1914. They were recalled from training and were billeted in Newcastle by October 1914 where he would have spent his 18th birthday with his family (including his older brother George Alfred who was also in the RFA). Territorials were not immediately obliged to sign up for overseas service, but most volunteered and they were entitled to wear the Imperial Service brooch for doing so. In the first photograph taken in 1914 Eddie is wearing the brooch and the original frame had three scrolls at the bottom with “The Allies – Britain, France and Russia”. 50th division were deployed to the Steenvoorde area (west of Ypres) by 23rd April 1915 and were immediately involved in the second battle of Ypres (which included the first use of Mustard gas by German forces on the unfortunate French trenches). He always jokingly referred to Ypres as “Wipers”. Eddie remained in France until 1919 (staying after the end of hostilities to 'clean up' and to play football!). I believe he was with the 250th Brigade RFA and finally the 251st Brigade RFA. He is pictured with some French civilians, and with other members of his football team, and finally in 1919 with the 251st Brigade. The placard reads “B/251 Cadre – First out/Last home.”

    The three eldest Brown boys from Newcastle Upon Tyne– George, Edward and William – all served and all survived as did Edward’s future brother-in-law Richard O’Brien. Edward married Nora O’Brien in 1924 and had 3 children – Peter (who served in WWII), Marjorie and Evelyn. He was my grandfather.

    Thanks to participants of the Great War Forum (http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums) for help in interpreting photographs and advice. I would also recommend ‘The Fiftieth Division 1914-191’ by Everard Wyrall. I think that I have found Edward’s medal index card but it seems his war record is among those many destroyed by bombing in WWII. However, knowing the division and brigade he belonged to enabled me to get a much clearer picture of the life of a Northumbrian gunner. See also http://northumbriangunner.blogspot.com.au/search/label/1st%20Northumbrian%20Bde%20RFA%20%28TF%29

    Christina James-Overheu




    217654

    Capt. Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean

    Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean (18th November 1879 – 30th August 1968), usually identified as C.E.W. Bean, was an Australian schoolmaster, judge's associate, barrister, journalist, war correspondent and historian.

    He was given the honorary rank of captain in the AIF and followed closely in the tracks of all the Australian infantry's campaigns. Bean landed at Anzac Cove at 10am on 25th April 1915, a few hours after the first troops had landed and he remained on the peninsula for most of the campaign, enduring the same squalid conditions suffered by the soldiers.

    s flynn




    217653

    Pte. Alfred Samuel Hawkins 1st/1st Sqd. West Somerset Yeomanry

    <p>

    Alfred Samuel Hawkins lied about his age and joined up in 1915 to serve with the West Somerset Yeomanry. The records say he went out on the Olympic (sister ship Titanic) to Gallipoli in August 1915 landing at Suvla Bay. He spent periods in Reserve and also on the front line eventually in January 1916 covering the British withdrawal. Like a lot of other Yeomanry regts They served as dismounted infantry but still retained cavalry ranks and organisation. The regiment was evacuated to Egypt.

    Pte. A.S. Hawkins was invalided out in March 1917 through illness. We don't know if he fought at Gaza with his regimentt. His service record is missing - one of those destroyed in WW2 but his medal card exists. After the war he became a farmer eventually buying his own farm in Bitton near Bristol.

    Bob Shepherd




    217652

    Pte. Victor Manson Spencer 1st Btn. Otago Regiment (d.24th Feb 1918)

    Victor Manson Spencer was a volunteer from Invercargill, New Zealand who served with the 1st Battalion Otago Regiment of the New Zealand Expediionary Force in World War I. Victor was executed for desertion on 24th February 1918,[1] despite later suggestions that he was severely traumatised by shellshock, having fought and survived several campaigns.

    s flynn




    217651

    Pte. John King 1st Btn. Canterbury Regiment (d.19th Aug 1917)

    John King served with the Canterbury Regiment 1st Battalion and was one of 28 New Zealand servicemen who were court-martialled and sentenced to death during the First World War. He was executed in August 1917, one of five New Zealand soldiers who were executed during the First World War for mutiny and desertion and pardoned by Parliament in 2000.

    s flynn




    217650

    John Joseph Sweeney 1st Btn. Otago Regiment (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    John Sweeney was an Australian of Tasmanian origin. He was shot for desertion. It is though that Sweeney was suffering from battle fatigue after having spent time doing perhaps one of the hardest war jobs - tunnelling under enemy lines. His courageous service as one of our original ANZACs at Gallipoli was not taken into account at the time of his court-martialling for desertion. After spending time in an Egyptian hospital recovering he was sent to France but couldn't face going to the front any longer - so he never turned up. Arrested after several weeks wandering behind the lines, his files show he was court-martialled and sentenced to “suffer death by being shot” on the very day of the first New Zealand attack on the Somme. His brother died on the Western Front in 1918 and his father committed suicide in 1925, just before details of execution were made public. He was posthumously pardoned on 14 September 2000, when New Zealand's Pardon for Soldiers of the Great War Act became law.

    s flynn




    217649

    Pte. Frank Hughes 2nd Btn. Canterbury Infantry Regiment (d.28th Aug 1916)

    Frank Hughes was executed for poor military disciplinary record. He deserted en route to the front and the first New Zealander executed during World War 1 for crimes against military laws. The charge was 'A.A. Sec.12 (1A) When on active service deserting His Majesty's Service in that he in the field between 1530 & 2130 on 29th July 1916 did absent himself without leave from his unit in the front line trenches (T82) & was absent until apprehended by the Military Foot Police at 0600 on 9th August 1916. He was posthumously pardoned on 14 September 2000, when New Zealand's Pardon for Soldiers of the Great War Act became law.

    S Flynn




    217648

    John Braithwaite 2nd Btn. Otago Regiment (d.29th Oct 1916)

    Prior to the war John Braithwaite had worked as a journalist in Australia. After being incarcerated for repeatedly being AWOL, he was accused of instigating a prison riot, although he claimed that he only involved himself in an attempt to calm it. At 0605 on 29 October 1916 Braithwaite was shot by a firing squad at Rouen for mutiny. He was posthumously pardoned on 14 September 2000, when New Zealand's Pardon for Soldiers of the Great War Act became law.

    S Flynn




    217646

    Cpl. Henry Ernest Wyatt 2nd Infantry Battalion (d.11th April 1917)

    Henry Ernest Wyatt was born at Surrey Hills, Sydney in 1895 and worked as both a boundary rider and as a labourer. At the time of enlisting, Wyatt was working in the machine room of the Sydney newspaper, the Evening News, alongside his brother, Albert Wyatt, whom he listed as his next of kin. Henry Wyatt joined the war effort at Liverpool camp, enlisting on 26 November 1914 and was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Battalion. He embarked for Egypt aboard HMAT Seang Bee, but was slowed when the vessel hit part of the Great Barrier Reef on its way out of Australian waters.

    After a short period of training in Egypt, Wyatt was sent to Gallipoli. He participated in the entire campaign, from the landing on 25 April 1915 until the evacuation in December 1915. After the evacuation, Wyatt returned to Egypt with his unit and then went to France. He fought on the Somme during 1916 and earned promotion to the rank of corporal in October of that year. In early April 1917 Henry Wyatt was fatally wounded in fighting in the Bullecourt area, succumbing to his wounds on 11th April 1917 and is buried at St. Sever Cemetery in Rouen, France.

    s flynn




    217645

    Lt.Col. Percy William Woods MC. 3rd Infantry Btn.

    Percy William Woods was born in Sydney on 8th November 1885. After leaving school he worked as a decorator and was also commissioned as a lieutenant in the senior cadets of the Citizens' Forces. The 28-year-old enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 27th August 1914 and, having been allotted to the 3rd Infantry Battalion, departed Sydney on HMAT Euripides on 20th October 1914,

    Woods took part in the Gallipoli landing on 25th April 1915. In a letter to a friend he wrote of the battle of Lone Pine, in which he had participated, and recalled the details of the attack. He was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions at Lone Pine and for his bravery and devotion to duty throughout the entire Gallipoli campaign. After the evacuation in December Woods was transferred to the newly formed 55th Infantry Battalion, with which he would serve for the remainder of the war and would temporarily command.

    Woods continued to distinguish himself on the Western Front. By June 1917, the man who had left Australia with the rank of sergeant was a lieutenant colonel. By the end of the war, Woods had been Mentioned in Despatches four times, had been awarded the Military Cross for his actions at Fromelles in 1916, and had received the Distinguished Service Order with Bar for his actions at Doignies in 1917 and Peronne in 1918 respectively.

    In October 1918, Woods returned for Australia and in February the following year was discharged from the AIF. He died of cerebrovascular disease in Sydney on 5th January 1937, survived by his wife, Annie.

    s flynn




    217644

    Capt. Robert Alexander Thomas Wilson HMAT Bulla Royal Australian Navy

    Robert Alexander Thomas Wilson was born in India on 7 November 1861. A sailor in the merchant navy, he served on ships which made port in Melbourne, Newcastle and Sydney. On 23 December 1914 he was appointed master (captain) of the captured German SS Hessen later renamed HMAT Bulla.

    By September 1920 he was now the captain of the SS Barambah and was highly regarded by the passengers of his ships as evidenced by the autograph gifts given to him in thanks of his kindness and hard work. His work as a captain is mentioned in Volume 9 of the Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918, The Royal Australian Navy, 1914-1918 by Arthur W. Jose.

    S Flynn




    217643

    L/Cpl. Marshall Western Moore Way 16th Infantry Battalion (d.31st Aug 1916)

    Lance Corporal Marshall Western Moore Way was born to parents James Moore Way and Lauren Way in Willunga, South Australia in 1896. Prior to his enlistment, Way was a surveyor and had been active in the Cadets, becoming a senior cadet in the 74th Infantry in Unley, South Australia.

    He enlisted at Keswick Barracks, Adelaide on 29 April 1915 and was drafted into the 9th Reinforcements for the 16th Infantry Battalion. On 21 September 1915, Way embarked from Adelaide aboard HMAT Star of England, and arrived in Egypt during November. He was immediately sent to the fighting at Gallipoli, though his first action was short, with the campaign ending a little under a month later.

    In June 1916, Way joined the forces fighting in France and participated in the battle of Mouquet Farm. This was to be his last action, as Way was reported missing on 31 August 1916, and his death confirmed not long after. Marshall Way is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

    S Flynn




    217642

    Capt. Herbert Gilles Watson DFC. 2nd Signal Troop

    Herbert Gilles Watson was born in New Zealand in 1890. A clerk when war broke out he enlisted on the 28 October 1914 and was assigned to 2nd Signal Troop. He embarked with his unit on the 22 December 1914 on board HMAT Borda and then underwent training in Egypt. He went ashore at Gallipoli at 7am on 25 April 1915. He was evacuated to England in July 1915 with scalded feet.

    By 1918 Watson had transferred to the Australian Flying Corps (AFC), and was posted to 4th Squadron, AFC. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross on 3 August 1918, the citation for which reads: "Whilst on offensive patrol he encountered several Pfalz scouts, one of which he shot down. He has also in three weeks shot down four enemy machines and destroyed a balloon, attacking the latter at 6,000 feet, following it down to 1,000 feet, when it burst into flames". By early October 1918, Watson had downed fourteen craft, three of these being balloons. He returned to Australia on 21 November 1918 on board HT Suevic. Herbert Watson died in Brighton Beach in 1942.

    S Flynn




    217641

    Capt. Clarence Wallach MC. 19th Infantry Battalion (d.22nd Apr 1918)

    Clarence "Clarrie" Wallach was born in 1889 at Bondi, New South Wales. His parents were Henry and Mary Wallach . Wallach was one of four brothers who served in the First World War. The other serving Wallach brothers were 297 Private Arthur Wallach, 1657 Private Neville Wallach and 435 Private Rupert Wallach. Wallach listed his profession as a clerk on enlistment. He was also a notable Rugby Union player, appearing five times for Australia between 1913 and 1914. He enlisted on 7 May 1915 and joined the 19th Infantry Battalion. He departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Ceramic on 25 June of the same year.

    Wallach fought at Gallipoli and later in France, quickly rising through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant by August 1916. Most significantly, he was awarded the Military Cross for his role in the battle of Pozières, during which he took command of his company after the loss of their commanding officer and successfully held their front line trench under heavy bombardment. In early April 1918, having become a captain, Wallach was fatally wounded during a German offensive around the Somme. Clarence Wallach is buried at Etretat Churchyard Extension, France.

    S Flynn




    217640

    Lt.Col. Frederick Lawrence Wall MC, CdeG. Australian Army Medical Corps

    Frederick Lawrence Wall, born in 1892, was a medical practitioner from Adelaide who joined the war effort as a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps on 25 May 1915. He departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Wandilla on 17 June 1915. After arriving in Egypt, he was seconded to the 9th Field Ambulance at Gallipoli. He was in charge of a forward aid post at Lone Pine in August 1915 and then joined the 6th Infantry Battalion as a medical officer.

    After serving at Gallipoli, Wall was transferred with his unit to France and earned a Military Cross for his constant devotion to duty at Pozières in mid-1916. By 1918, Wall had risen to the rank of major and was serving with the 7th Field Ambulance when he was awarded the Croix de Guerre for continuous bravery throughout his service in France. Wall returned to Australia in March 1919.

    Frederick Wall also served as a lieutenant colonel at the 110th Casualty Clearing Station in Tarakan, Borneo during the Second World War.

    S Flynn




    217639

    CPO. Roy Clarence Vayne HMAS Sydney

    Roy Clarence Vayne was born in Perth on 1 August 1900, and was just 14 years old when he enlisted with the Royal Australian Navy in February 1915. For the majority of the First World War Vayne served on HMAS Sydney, which in late 1916 was sent to serve with the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet in the North Sea.

    There he received a pair of socks through the Rhynie Red Cross Society, knitted by an 8-year-old girl. Vayne wrote a letter of thanks back to the girl, detailing how he missed the sunshine in Australia and hoping the girl wasn't too disappointed that the socks went to a sailor instead of an infantryman. He returned home after the war and married in 1927.

    Following the outbreak of the Second World War Vayne served as part of the auxiliary service and spent the majority of the war at the naval base HMAS Torrens. By the time he was discharged on 31 July 1950 he had attained the rank of chief petty officer. Roy Vayne died in Adelaide in 1967.

    S Flynn




    217638

    Pte. Albany Thomas Frederick Varney 12th Light Horse Regiment

    Albany Thomas Frederick Varney was born near Coonabarabran, New South Wales, in 1891. The 24-year-old contractor enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 29 March 1915 and departed Sydney with the other reinforcements for the 12th Light Horse Regiment aboard HMAT Chilka on 7 June 1915.

    Soon after arriving in Egypt Varney was transferred to the 6th Light Horse Regiment in Gallipoli and served there until the evacuation in December. While on the peninsula he wrote of an amusing incident where the sauce bottle in his bag was pierced by shrapnel and leaked all over everything in the bag. He considered it another thing the Turks had to pay for.

    The following February Varney was transferred back to the 12th Light Horse Regiment and travelled with it across the Sinai, Palestine, and Jordan Valley. During this time he documented his service regularly in letters and postcards home, with detailed descriptions of the conditions and places encountered. In October 1917 he participated in the battle of Beersheba and in May 1918 sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. Varney sailed for Australia in July 1919 with the remainder of the 12th Light Horse.

    He later enlisted for service in the Second World War and was assigned to part-time duty with the 25th Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps. Albany Varney survived the war and died at Coonabarabran in 1981.

    S Flynn




    217637

    Pte. William Tutt 13th Infantry Battalion

    William Tutt was born at Drummoyne, New South Wales in 1899 and joined the Australian Imperial Force on 26 February 1917. He was 18 years old at the time although he claimed to be at least a year and a half older. Prior to the First Word War, Tutt had worked as a labourer and retrained as a blacksmith in England. He made use of his blacksmithing skills during his war service

    He was assigned to the 13th Infantry Battalion and departed Australia aboard HMAT Marathon on 10 May 1917 with the 25th Reinforcements, 13th Battalion. Tutt proceeded to the Western Front with the 13th Battalion in March 1918, only to return to England in May with severe concussion received from a piece of shrapnel. He rejoined his unit in August 1918, seeing out the last months of the war, before returning to Australia in July 1919.

    William Tutt also served in the Second World War as a Leading Aircraftman in the Royal Australian Air Force and spent most of his service with 86th Squadron in Merauke, Dutch New Guinea.

    S Flynn




    217636

    Pte. Hugh Scott 25th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Apr 1917)

    Hugh Scott served with the 25th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action on the 28th April 1917.

    Jon Scott




    217635

    Major. Frederick Tubb VC. 7th Battalion (d.20th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Tubb was born at Longwood, Victoria, in November 1881. He left school to manage the family farm, and later became a grazier in his own right. He served with the Victorian Mounted Rifles and the 58th Infantry Regiment in which he was commissioned. Tubb enlisted in the AIF in August 1914 and was posted to the 7th Battalion as a second lieutenant. He was promoted to lieutenant in February 1915, reached Gallipoli in July, and was gazetted captain on 8 August. On the same day he took over a vital sector of trench at Lone Pine, with orders to 'hold it at any cost'. Early the following morning the Turks launched a massive attack, advancing along a sap barricaded with sandbags. Although Tubb was blown from the parapet and the barricade repeatedly wrecked, each time it was rebuilt. At one point a large explosion blew in the barricade and Tubb, wounded in the arm and scalp, was left with Corporals Alexander Burton and William Dunstan. He led them into action, shooting three Turks and providing covering fire while the barricade was rebuilt.

    After the attack Tubb was evacuated to Britain to recover, and was awarded the Victoria Cross. Rejoining his battalion in France in 1917, he took part in the Menin Road attack in Belgium in September. Again Tubb showed great courage, leading his company to its objective, but he was mortally wounded by shell-fire. He was buried in the Lijessenthoek military cemetery, Belgium.

    Citation (abridged): In the early morning of 9 August the enemy made a determined counter-attack on the centre of a newly captured trench held by Lieutenant Tubb. They advanced up a trench and blew in a sandbag barricade, leaving only a foot of it standing. Tubb led his men back, repulsed the enemy and rebuilt the barricade. Strong enemy bombing parties succeeded in twice again blowing in the barricade, but on each occasion Tubb, although wounded in head and arm, held his ground with the greatest coolness, rebuilt it and succeeded in maintaining his position under very heavy bomb fire

    s flynn




    217634

    Lt. Vincent Harry Thornton 13th Light Horse Regiment

    Vincent Harry Thornton was born in Chile, South America in 1897, though his family lived in England. He moved to Australia in 1912 when he was 16 years old to be an agriculture student. He worked as a farmer in the Rochester area of Victoria enlisting on the 2 February 1915 by putting up his age to 21. On enlistment he was assigned to the light horse. Thornton embarked with the 13th Light Horse Regiment aboard HMAT Persic on 28 May 1915. He served in Alexandria until July 1916 where he was transferred to the 1st ANZAC Light Horse Regiment. As part of this unit he served in France until January 1918.

    He was selected for training as a pilot in the Australian Flying Corps. He graduated as a lieutenant in July 1918 and joined 4 Squadron, AFC. He returned to Australia in on 23 September 1919 per HMAT Ascanius and continued flying after the war. Vincent Thornton was killed when his DH 9 collided with another DH 9 during an air show as a part of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York in Melbourne, 21 April 1927.

    S Flynn




    217633

    Tpr. James Joseph Augustus Sweeney 4th General Service Reinforcements

    James Joseph Augustus Sweeney was born at Erskineville, New South Wales, on 1 July 1899. Having gained written permission from his parents, the 18-year-old clerk enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 13 May 1918. Sweeney departed Sydney as part of the 4th General Service Reinforcements aboard HMAT Port Sydney on 17 August 1918.

    The new reinforcements underwent further training in Egypt, and in November Sweeney was transferred to the 1st Light Horse Regiment, then camped at Rishon LeZion. The regiment marched towards Rafa, their point of demobilisation, riding over the old Turkish positions at Gaza on the way. Sweeney wrote to his father requesting several tins of Kiwi brand boot polish to darken not only his boots but also his pants, which were left almost white from wear. Sweeney also wrote of the regiment passing their horses over to the Indian army as they could not take them back to Australia. The young private and the remaining elements of the 1st Light Horse Regiment left Kantara in March 1919 and arrived back in Australia the next month. Sweeney was discharged from the AIF in May 1919 and died nine years later at Springwood, New South Wales.

    S Flynn




    217632

    Major. William Stockdale First Divisional Train Australian Army Service Corps

    William Stockdale was born at Skelton in Guisborough, England, on 30 November 1886. He enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 20 August 1914 at the age of 27. Stockdale joined the First Divisional Train of the Australian Army Service Corps (AASC) and was initially allocated the role of driver. He left Melbourne aboard HMAT Benalla on 19 October 1914.

    The following year he was sent to Gallipoli, where he described in his diary the preparations for the landing and the landing itself, and detailed his own critiques of the campaign. In April 1916 Stockdale arrived on the Western Front, continuing the work of the AASC in the transport and provision of supplies and rations, including the delivery of mail to the troops. He was transferred to the Third Divisional Train of the AASC in August, and in November was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Stockdale was transferred to the 1st Australian Depot Unit of Supply (ADUS) in June 1917 and then to the 4th ADUS in September.

    The following year, on 19 August 1918, he married Eleanor while on leave in the UK. Stockdale had taken leave there at least once a year since 1916 and had developed the relationship during that time. He returned to the front in mid-September and served until the end of the war. Stockdale originally applied to be discharged in the UK on the grounds that his wife lived there and he had arranged to be a partner in a business undertaking in England. When the business deal fell through he cancelled his application and returned to Australia at the end of 1919. Eleanor immigrated to Australia and the couple based themselves in Malvern, Victoria.

    Stockdale once again enlisted for service in the Second World War, this time on the home front as the officer commanding the base supply depot in Melbourne and as Secretary of the Meat Canning Committee. William Stockdale died at Chatswood, New South Wales, on 27 July 1975.

    S Flynn




    217631

    Tpr. Edgar Roy Standford 1st Light Horse Regiment (d.1st Aug 1915)

    Edgar Roy Stanford was born at Orange, NSW in 1893 to Adolphus and Eliza Stanford. Prior to the First World War, he worked as a shop assistant at a general store. Stanford served 4 years with the Cadets and had 5 years involvement with the Orange Rifle Club when he joined the Australian Imperial Force.

    He enlisted on 22 August 1914 at Rosebery Park, New South Wales, and embarked with the 1st Light Horse Regiment from Sydney on 20 October 1914 aboard HMAT Star of Victoria. He landed at Gallipoli with the rest of his regiment on 12 May 1915, spending two months on the peninsula before receiving a fatal gunshot wound to the right thigh on 7 July 1915. Edgar Stanford was evacuated to Alexandria but succumbed due to complications surrounding his wound on the 1 August 1915. He was buried the same day at Chatby Cemetery, now Alexandria Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

    S Flynn




    217630

    Lt. Frederick Trouton Small 9th Infantry Battalion

    Frederick Trouton Small was born on 20 May 1888 in Brisbane, Queensland. An engineer before the war, Small enlisted on 4 September 1914 and was assigned to the 9th Battalion. He embarked with the 3rd Field Company Engineers on 22 September 1914 from Melbourne aboard HMAT Geelong.

    He served on the Gallipoli peninsula transferring to the 5 Field Company Engineers and won a recommendation for a French Croix De Gurre. His part in the evacuation of Gallipoli can be read in Volume II of the Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918, The Story of ANZAC from 4 May, 1915, to the evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula By Charles Bean. He was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force in 1916 due to illness and returned to Australia on board the HT Nestor.

    Frederick Small married Mary Call after the war and they moved to the United States in 1924. They first lived in Maryland where he worked as an Engineer before retiring to Florida. An avid stamp collector, Small was the owner of the world's most expensive stamp which he sold in 1970 for US$280,000. He died on 6 August 1971 in Broward, Florida.

    S Flynn




    217629

    Chap. Keith Stewart Cresswell Single 20th Infantry Battalion

    Keith Stewart Cresswell Single was born on 6 September 1887 at Cowra, New South Wales. Educated at Moore College in theological studies, Single was a clerk in Holy Orders when he joined the Australian Imperial Force as a chaplain on 17 March 1915. He embarked with the 20th Infantry Battalion on board HMAT Berrima in June of 1915. Upon arrival at Gallipoli he was attached to the 5th Brigade and stayed with them without break until November 1916.

    During 1917 Single was attached to multiple units, including the 14th Australian Field Ambulance and the 14th Field Artillery Brigade, but the pressures of war were beginning to take their toll. In November 1917 he acknowledged that he was no longer meeting the standard of work of which he felt he was capable. He attributed the lowering of this standard to the strain of service without break, and, feeling he could offer better service back in Australia, he resigned his commission from the AIF.

    Keith Single was then transferred to Sutton Veny in England to be with the 2nd Training Battalion before he returned home on board SS Port Darwin on 11 January 1918.

    S Flynn




    217628

    Major. George Duncan Shaw MC MID. 86th Battalion

    George Duncan Shaw was born in Melbourne during 1894. Prior to the First World War he was a mechanical engineer and gained military experience through his engagement with the Citizen Military Forces, as a lance sergeant in the 86th Battalion. In 1914 Shaw attempted to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force, but could not gain the consent of his parents, forcing him to wait until he was 21. On 10 May 1915 Shaw joined the 28th Infantry Battalion as a second lieutenant, training at Blackboy Camp until departing Fremantle aboard the HMAT Ascanius on 29 June 1915.

    At Gallipoli, Shaw was involved in the evacuation in December, remaining behind with a number of men at Russell's Top to support the retreat. After a short period in Egypt, Shaw was transferred to 2nd Pioneer Battalion in France and by the end of 1916 was promoted to captain. Shaw was Mentioned-in-Despatches by Sir Douglas Haig on 9 April 1917 and was gassed at the battle of Bullecourt in May 1917. On 20 September 1917 Captain Shaw took charge of a party proceeding with road works around Ypres, the party came under intense shelling and suffered a number of casualties. Shaw evacuated the wounded before motivating the remaining members of the party to complete the road works. For this action Shaw was awarded the Military Cross.

    In mid-1918 Shaw was wounded and eventually invalided to Wandsworth Hospital, returning to Australia in December of that year. After the war George Shaw returned to the 86th Battalion and then enlisted in the Second World War.

    S Flynn




    217627

    Ldg.Sgn. John William Seabrook

    John William Seabrook enlisted with the Royal Australian Navy in March 1913, having spent time serving with the Royal Navy. He joined HMAS Sydney upon its commission in June 1913 and served on the ship for the entirety of the war.

    During this period, Seabrook saw action during the Sydney-Emden encounter on 9th November 1914, recording the event in great detail. He continued employment with the RAN until early 1919, when he was invalided out. After the First World War, John Seabrook became active in the Ex-Naval Men's Association, working as the organisation's honorary general treasurer.

    S Flynn




    217626

    Tom Rushworth HMAS Australia

    Tom Rushworth served with the fledgling Royal Australian Navy, enlisting on 12 November 1915 as an Engine Room Artificer. Rushworth, originally from Manchester in England, was living in Collingwood, Victoria at the time and working as a fitter and turner. He initially worked aboard the HMAS Cerberus but was transferred to HMAS Australia in May 1916, with which he spent the rest of his wartime service.

    Rushworth accompanied the Australia throughout its North Sea operations until late October 1918 when he transferred to work at the HMA London Depot. After the war, Tom Rushworth continued employment with the RAN, transferring through a number of ships until 1929 when, after fourteen years of service, he was discharged.

    S Flynn




    217625

    WO. Roy Rowe 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital

    <p>

    Roy Rowe was born in 1895 at Newstead, Victoria. Rowe enlisted as a Sergeant with the Australian Imperial Force on 10 September 1914. He had previous experience in the Cadets and the Citizen's Military Forces. Rowe embarked on 14 December 1914, aboard HMAT Kyarra with the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital. After arriving in Egypt, he was transferred to the 15th Stationary Hospital and after several months of training arrived in Lemnos harbour. He landed at Gallipoli a few days later.

    Although disappointed not to be involved in the early stages of the Gallipoli campaign, Rowe began to see the devastation first hand, working with other members of the Medical Corps aboard a number of hospital ships. In late 1915 Rowe was taken to Mudros suffering from jaundice. He re-joined his unit, the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital, in Egypt in early 1916 serving in the Port Said area. In January 1917 he was promoted to warrant officer. He returned to Australia during November 1918. In 1919, Roy Rowe was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his devotion to duty. After the war, he returned to Perth and completed his apprenticeship in cabinet making.

    s flynn




    217624

    Bdr. Frederick William Rowe 2nd Field Artillery Brigade

    Frederick William Rowe was born at Balaclava in Victoria on 24 July 1889. The 25-year-old salesman enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 15 August 1914. Assigned the rank of gunner with the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, Rowe departed Sydney aboard HMAT Shropshire on 20 October 1914.

    Rowe served in Gallipoli for nearly the entire campaign, and wrote home regularly with descriptive and informative accounts of the fighting. One particularly detailed letter described the landing on 25 April and commented that "the six-bob-a-day tourists have made a name for Australia that will live forever."

    In May 1915 Rowe received a gunshot wound to the left thigh. He was evacuated again in November with gallstones and returned to Australia in January 1916 before being discharged two months later from ill-health. Rowe re-enlisted in 1919 for special service and was sent to England to assist with demobilisation efforts. He returned to Australia in November that year. Frederick Rowe died on 21 June 1947.

    S Flynn




    217623

    Sgt. Keith Rourke 2nd Inf. Btn.

    Keith Rourke was born in 1887 at Singleton, New South Wales to parents Henry and Amy Rourke. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 28 August 1914, joining the 2nd Infantry Battalion. Prior to enlistment, Rourke worked as a farmer on his father's property, 'Cheshunt', near Singleton. He departed Sydney on 18 October 1914 aboard HMAT Suffolk and joined the preparations for the Gallipoli landing in Alexandria.

    Rourke survived the landing only to suffer a shoulder wound in early May which was compounded by his contracting influenza whilst in hospital on Mudros Island. He was invalided to England in September and remained there until March 1916, when he re-joined his unit in France. By mid-1917, Rourke had been promoted to corporal but was suffering from a shrapnel wound to the back and trench foot.

    Whilst recovering, Rourke trained in musketry at the Lewis Gun School of Instruction in Tidworth. In October 1918 Rourke was promoted to sergeant, but was returned to Australia on special leave before the end of the war. Keith Rourke also served in the Second World War, listing his date of birth as 1891 in order to serve.

    S Flynn




    217622

    Major. Alice Ross-King MM. Australian Army Nursing Service

    Alice Ross-King was born in Ballarat, Victoria, on 5 August 1891 to Archibald and his wife, Henrietta. When Alice was still young the family moved to Perth, where as the result of an accident Alice's father and two brothers were drowned in the Swan River. Soon after this Alice and her mother returned to Victoria. Before the war Alice Ross-King trained as a nurse, and she became a theatre sister in charge of a private hospital in Collins Street, Melbourne.

    She enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service in November 1914. During 1915 she served in hospitals and on hospital transport ships in Egypt and the Suez. In early 1916 she moved to France where she served with No. 1 Australian General Hospital and a stationary hospital before joining No. 2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station (2CCS), located close to the trenches at Trois Arbres near Armentières.

    On the night of 22 July 1917 2CCS was attacked by German aircraft. Witness accounts describe nurses running to tents shattered by bombs to rescue patients, either carrying them to safety or placing tables over patient's beds in an effort to protect them. Alice and three other nurses, Dorothy Cawood, Mary Jane Derrer, and Clare Deacon, were awarded the Military Medal for their actions during the attack.

    Alice Ross-King served as a nurse until the end of the war, upon which she returned to Australia. She married a doctor, Sydney Theodore Appleford, whom she met on the return journey in 1919, and they settled in South Gippsland and had four children. In the 1930s Alice was involved in training Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs) and during the Second World War she enlisted for full-time duty with the VADs. By 1942 the VADs had developed into the Australian Army Women's Medical Services and Alice Appleford was commissioned as a major and appointed senior assistant controller for Victoria. She was awarded the Florence Nightingale medal in 1949 by the International Red Cross. Alice Appleford died on 17 August 1968 at Cronulla, Sydney. An annual award is presented to a serving member of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps by the Ex-AAWMS Association to perpetuate her memory.

    S Flynn




    217621

    Pte. Herbert Vincent Reynolds 1st Australian Field Ambulance

    <p>

    Herbert Vincent Reynolds was born at Sebastopol, Victoria, on 16 September 1896. He left school after year 8 to work at the local chemical gold processing plant, using the income to support his mother and siblings, as his father had died in 1906. With the outbreak of the First World War Reynolds was left with a difficult choice: he wanted to serve, but going off to war would deprive his family of the income he was making at the gold processing plant. In the end he decided to enlist and, after getting his mother's written permission (required by those under the age of 21), the 18-year-old enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 10 September 1914. Reynolds departed Melbourne with reinforcements for the 1st Australian Field Ambulance aboard HMAT Berrima on 22 December 1914.

    On the morning of 25 April 1915, Reynolds and elements of the ambulance landed on Gallipoli, an event he would describe in his diaries in great detail. They commenced carrying the wounded from the forward posts back to the beach where they could be evacuated to hospital ships waiting offshore. Reynolds continued to treat and transport the wounded until he was evacuated to England in September due to sickness. He rejoined the ambulance in March 1916 and went with it to the Western Front. In July the ambulance entered the field of operations at Pozières and Reynolds resumed his role as an orderly attending to and transferring the wounded. In his diaries he described the never-ceasing stream of severely wounded cases that continued day and night through the heavy shell-fire. For the remainder of 1916 and 1917 Reynolds would perform vital work despite the extremely cold weather, constant enemy artillery barrages, and frequent gas attacks. During the fighting around Menin Road on 20 September 1917 Reynolds sustained shrapnel wounds to the left ear. After recovering in England he rejoined the ambulance in late April 1918. In August the ambulance was relieved from the line and began the process of returning home to Australia, Reynolds leaving on 13 October. The following year he was formally discharged from the AIF on 20 March 1919.

    After the war Reynolds married and worked as a builder. He enlisted for Second World War service in 1942 but due to his age was precluded from active service, and he joined the 20th Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps instead. Reynolds' involvement in the local council led to his election as the mayor of Sebastopol during 1953-54. Herbert Reynolds died on 21 September 1978 at Ballarat.

    s flynn




    217620

    Pte. Francis Reardon 6th Machine Gun Company

    Francis Reardon was born at Violet Town, Victoria in 1892 to Patrick and Annie Reardon. All four of Patrick and Anne's sons served in the First World War. Reardon's brothers were John Michael, Joseph Percy and Patrick Leslie.

    A farm labourer before the war, Reardon enlisted on 22 March 1916 and was assigned to the 6th Machine Gun Company. He departed Australia with this unit on 4 May 1916 aboard HMAT Port Lincoln. He was transferred to the 10th Machine Gun Company during January 1917 and served with this unit in the field until he was injured in October 1917 by a gunshot wound to the shoulder. He re-joined his unit after almost a month of leave.

    Reardon continued to serve with the 10th Machine Gun Company until he was discharged and returned home to Australia aboard the hospital transport ship Karagola on 12 June 1919.

    Francis Reardon died on 15 July 1922 at the age of 27 and is interred at the Violet Town Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    217619

    2nd Lt. Cyril Arnold Pryor MC. 20th Btn.

    Cyril Arnold Pryor was born to Alfred and Alice Pryor at Middlesex in England during 1890. When the First World War broke out, Pryor was working in Australia as a boat builder. Pryor, enlisted on 26 October 1914 and was assigned to the 20th Battalion. He departed Australia with this unit on 25 June 1915, aboard HMAT Berrima.

    During his time at Gallipoli he was promoted to sergeant. Whilst serving in France during June 1916, Pryor was accidently injured by a flare gun and did not return to France until June 1917. Only three months later in October, 1917 he was wounded by a gun shot in his thigh and was sent back to England. He did not return to his unit in France until August 1918.

    While in England, Pryor was recommended for and awarded a Military Cross for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack in face of heavy machine gun fire. He reached a strong point and captured a machine gun and some prisoners. He was twice wounded in the leg, but would not withdraw until again wounded by shell fire. At his own request he took the place of an officer who had been wounded." This award was gazetted on 26 November 1917.

    After the war ended, Pryor did not immediately head back to Australia. He married Frances Amelia Richardson on 5 February 1919 and together they returned to Australia on 27 April 1919 aboard HT Castalia. Cyril Pryor died at Randwick, New South Wales in 1945.

    S Flynn




    217618

    Lt. Charles Pope VC. 11th Btn.

    <p>

    Charles Pope was born in London in 1883 but migrated to Canada, where he worked for the Canadian Pacific Railways. He returned to London in 1906 and joined the Metropolitan Police Force, resigning in 1910 to come to Australia with his family. He enlisted in the AIF in August 1915, and in February 1916 he was commissioned as an officer.

    Pope was killed in action at Louverval in a desperate "last stand" charge, and was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Occupying an important picquet post during a German attack on the village, he was ordered "to hold this post at all costs". The enemy attacked the post and surrounded it, while Pope sent back an urgent request for re-supply. Before anything could arrive, and with his men out of ammunition, Pope ordered them to charge the large German force. Later his body, together with those of his men, was found close to 80 dead Germans. He is buried in Moeuvres Communal Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    217617

    Cpt. Brian Colden Antill Pockley Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (d.11th Sep1914)

    <p>

    Brian Colden Antill Pockley was born at North Sydney, New South Wales, on 4 June 1890. Pockley studied medicine at the University of Sydney and was a medical practitioner when the First World War broke out in 1914. At the age of 24, he applied for a commission in the Australian Imperial Force and was appointed as a captain in the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF). He departed Australia to serve with the ANMEF in German New Guinea on 19 August 1914.

    Captain Pockley was part of the first landing force of the Naval Brigade at Kabakaul on 11 September 1914. During the advance towards a German wireless station, Able Seaman William Williams was shot in the stomach, becoming the first Australian casualty of the First World War. After tending to Williams, Pockley gave his Red Cross armband to another naval serviceman, Stoker Kember, so Kember could carry Williams to the rear. Shortly afterwards, Pockley was also wounded

    Pockley and Williams were taken aboard HMAS Berrima, where they both died that afternoon. The author of "The Australians at Rabaul", S.S. Mackenzie, later wrote, "Pockley's action in giving up his Red Cross badge, and thus protecting another man's life at the price of his own, was consonant with the best traditions of the Australian army, and afforded a noble foundation for those of Australian Army Medical Corps in the war."

    Pockley, with Williams, was buried at Herbertshohe cemetery on 11 September 1914. On 11 July 1919 Brian Pockley's remains were reinterred at Rabaul Cemetery, with full naval and military honours. In 1950 his grave was among the First World War graves that were relocated to Rabaul War Cemetery (Bita Paka), Papua New Guinea. Pockley's brother, Lieutenant John Graham Antill Pockley, served with the Australian Army in the First World War and was killed in action, in France, on 30 March 1918.

    s flynn




    217616

    Vice Admiral. George Edwin Patey

    <p>

    George Edwin Patey was born at Montpelier House, Plymouth, on 24 February 1859. As a 12-year-old he joined the Royal Navy as a cadet, following in the footsteps of his father, George. In the following years Patey served on HMS Shah, took part in the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879, and commanded HMS Barfleur in the Mediterranean during the insurrection in Crete in 1897. He was promoted to captain in 1900 and was made Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence the following year.

    In 1913 Patey was promoted to rear admiral and was knighted by King George V on the quarterdeck of the newly commissioned battle cruiser HMAS Australia. The ship departed for Australia under his command and steamed into Sydney Harbour for the first time on 4 October 1913 along with the Sydney, the Melbourne, and several other ships of the new Australian fleet. Patey had been made the first Commander of His Majesty's Australian Fleet. On the flagship, the Australia, he was in charge of naval operations at Samoa and the capture of German New Guinea by the hurriedly-raised Australian Navy and Military Expeditionary Force shortly after the outbreak of war in 1914. In letters to family Patey described these events in detail, including his suspicions, which proved correct, that the German East Asia Squadron had fled. It was also around this time that Patey was promoted to vice admiral. He and the Australia later pursued the German East Asia Squadron to the east, and arrived on the scene shortly after the British had destroyed the squadron in a battle off the Falkland Islands on 8 December 1914.

    With the German threat in the Pacific eliminated, the Australian ships were free to be deployed in other areas the British Empire deemed necessary. In February 1915 the Australia arrived in Scotland and became the flagship of the Second Battlecruiser Squadron of the Royal Navy. Shortly after, Patey was transferred to the North American and West Indies Station as its commander-in-chief, while maintaining his command of the Australian Fleet. On 22 September 1916 he reverted to the Royal Navy and the following day was succeeded in his command of the Australian Fleet by Rear Admiral William Pakenham.

    Patey returned to England and later died on 5 February 1935.

    s flynn




    217615

    Sgt. Frank Jubilee Olle 5th Infantry Battalion (d.31st May 1915)

    <p>

    Frank Jubilee Olle was a 27 year old school teacher when he enlisted as a corporal with the 5th Infantry Battalion on 18 August 1914. Prior to enlistment, Olle was engaged in the Naval Reserve, training with them between 1907 and 1909. He embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Orvieto on 21 October 1914, and was present when the vessel took on German prisoners after the Sydney-Emden encounter. Soon after, Olle was promoted to lance sergeant and taken with the rest of the 5th Battalion to prepare for the Gallipoli landing. On 25 April 1915, Olle went ashore as part of the second wave, only to suffer a severe wound to his knee. He was evacuated to Heliopolis, Egypt, where he was unable to recover from his wound, and died a month later on 31 May 1915. Frank Jubilee Olle is buried in Cairo Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

    s flynn




    217614

    Cpl. Vivian Henry William Noble D Coy. 3rd Btn.

    Vivian Henry William Noble was born in the inner-Sydney suburb of Enmore in 1894. At the time the First World War broke out, he was living in Epping and working as a clerk. At the age of 21, he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to D Company, 3rd Battalion. The battalion sailed aboard HMAT Euripides from Sydney on 20 October 1914.

    Noble served with the 3rd Battalion at Gallipoli and was amongst the last party of men in this battalion to leave Anzac Cove at 3am on 20th December 1915. Noble continued to serve with the same battalion on the Western Front, where he was promoted to corporal in November 1916. On 7th of January 1917, he was attached to 1st Divisional Ordnance Corps and by April was serving with 1st Division Headquarters. In August 1917, he changed units again when he joined the Australian Divisional Army Ordnance Depot.

    Noble was amongst the men who were granted special 1918 leave, and he left France to return to Australia on 14th October 1918. Vivian Henry William Noble married Constance Knox in 1920 and lived at Manly until he died in a swimming accident in 1930 at the age of 36.

    s flynn




    217613

    Pte. Robert Edward Northcott Wessex field Ambulance

    My grandfather, Robert Edward Northcott for reasons unknown traveled to the Holy Land on service. Is this correct. We are led to believe volunteers from the ambulance service went to Jerusalem. Can anyone help me confirm this?

    Alan Tucker




    217612

    Sgt. Arthur Robins MM. 89th Field Coy Royal Engineers (d.14th Oct 1918)

    In memory of a brave man. Sgt. Arthur Robins was the son of George & Emily Robins of Chatham, Kent, & the husband of Mary Elizabeth Robins of Mill Hill, North Shields. On the outbreak of war, he enlisted as a Sapper into the Royal Engineers at North Shields, being posted to the 89th Field Company, R.E, initially part of 23rd Division, but 14th (Light) Division from January 1915.

    He arrived in France in late May 1915, & soon saw his first action at Hooge where the German army first used Flame throwers. He later fought (I use that term, as the R.E were just as busy as the infantry) on the Somme at Delville Wood & Flers-Courcelette in 1916, at Arras & Passchendaele in 1917, & the fighting of the German offensive in March 1918. By this time he had been promoted to Corporal. Casualties had been so heavy that the 14th Division returned briefly to England between 17th June - 2nd July 1918 to re-equip. Back on the Western front, the tide was turning and Acting Serjeant Robins was back in the dreaded Ypres Salient, near the village of Wulverghem (Messines area).

    The Battle of Ypres began and Robins & his section of 89th Field Company went forward, in the attack on Germans positions east of Wulverghem. During the bitter fighting, he must have done a very brave deed to be brought to official notice. It also cost him his life. During the performance of this, he was killed in action on 14th October 1919 aged 29. In the London Gazette of 19th May 1919, the following appeared: 'For Bravery in the field' - The award of the Military Medal to:- Royal Engineers 12812 Cpl. (A/Sgt.) Robins. A., 89th Fd. Coy. (North Shields). His Military Medal is named 12812 CPL-A-SGT. A. Robins R.E.

    Peter Gillman




    217611

    Pte. George Booth 2nd Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.18th Apr 1915 )

    My Great Grandfather George Booth enlisted in 1909. He went to France in 1914 as a Private in the second battalion of the west riding regiment formaly the Duke Of Wellingtons regiment. He took Part in the second battle at ypres in Belgium where on 18th april 1915 he was killed in action.

    My Great Grandmother did not remarry. She had two daughters and one son, the boy my grandfather went to live with a Fanily Called Cocking hence this is now my name. I am Gareth Cocking the great grandson and i live in Huddersfield In the Dalton area of the town where i have lived most of my life.

    My father's uncle a George Bedford also served in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. He had served in the pre war era and on the outbreak of Hostilities had re enlisted and being given the rank of Sergeant he served throughout World War Two and attained the rank of warrant officer as the conflict came to an end.

    Gareth Cocking




    217610

    Stkr. Niels Peter Henry Nielson

    Niels Peter Henry Nielsen was born at Rockhampton, Queensland, on 26th November 1886. He worked as a railway porter before enlisting for a five-year engagement with the Australian Naval Forces in 1908, where he served as a stoker. In 1913 Nielsen rejoined the ANF, now the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). After completing his nine-month engagement he again enlisted shortly after the outbreak of the First World War. In what was originally to be a six-month engagement, Nielsen served with the RAN for the next five years.

    Nielsen was made a stoker on the light cruiser HMAS Sydney and was serving on the ship when she encountered the elusive German raider SMS Emden on 9th November 1914. The battle that ensued between the two ships later resulted in the fledgling RAN's first naval victory. When the Sydney reached port at Colombo Nielsen took time to send a letter home to his parents with details of the engagement, including the damage that the superior firepower of the Sydney had caused to its opponent.

    Nielsen spent the next three years serving on the Sydney and was discharged in 1919. Several years later he wrote a more detailed account of the battle with the Emden. Niels Nielsen returned to Rockhampton after the war and later died there in 1965.

    s flynn




    217609

    Sgt. George Alexander Hugh Murray 4th Division Salvage Coy 14th Infantry Battalion (d.30th Mar 1918)

    George Alexander Hugh Murray was born at Warracknabeal, Victoria in 1894. At the time the First World War broke out Murray was employed as a farm hand. He had previously spent three-and-a-half years with the 73rd Infantry (Victorian Rangers) of the Citizens' Forces.

    As a 20-year-old, Murray required and was granted written parental permission to enlist on 8th October 1914 with the Australian Imperial Force. He left Melbourne with the 14th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Berrima on 22nd December 1914.

    On the afternoon of 25th April 1915, Murray landed at Gallipoli with his battalion, and two days later was wounded in action, sustaining a severe gunshot wound to his left knee. Sent to England for recovery, his letters home to family noted that some of the Gallipoli landing survivors applied for staff jobs because they were scared to return to the peninsula. He notes that despite being offered one such job himself he declined because of his sense of duty.

    Murray rejoined his unit in March 1916 as it went to the Western Front, taking part in the battle at Pozières in August. The following January he was transferred to the newly formed 4th Division Salvage Company.

    A few months later his younger brother William was killed while delivering a message at Lagnicourt. The death of his brother and his own personal experiences on the Western Front influenced Murray's efforts to dissuade his sister from enlisting as a nurse, writing in one of his letters that "any one over here who has been through it never wishes to bring another if he can help it to put up with the hardships of this life." He returned to the 14th Battalion in October.

    Murray was killed at Hébuterne the following year on 30th March 1918, one of the many Australians who died repelling the Germans' repeated attempts to outflank the Australian forces. Buried nearby, Murray's body was reinterred after the Armistice at Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery in Fonquevillers, France.

    His brother's body was never found and so he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France for those soldiers with no known grave. Upon the request of their parents, George Murray's headstone at Gommecourt also includes an inscription for William Murray, stating that the brothers are "in death undivided."

    s flynn




    217608

    Pte. Frederick Warren Muir 1st Infantry Battalion (d.28th Nov 1915)

    Frederick Warren Muir, a law student from Unanderra, enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force at Randwick on 22nd August 1914. He had brief military experience, having spent two-and-a-half years as a lieutenant in the cadets. Muir was assigned to the 1st Infantry Battalion and left Sydney for Egypt aboard HMAT Afric on 18th October 1914.

    After training at Egypt, Muir departed with the 1st Battalion for the Dardanelles and participated in the landing on 25th April 1915. He wrote home to his mother almost every week from the trenches, describing in detail his experiences at the front line. His letters were published in the South Coast Times, a local paper in Wollongong.

    In late November 1915, Muir was badly wounded and taken to the Hospital Ship Glenart Castle, just off the coast of the peninsula. Unfortunately, on 28th November he succumbed to his wounds and was buried at sea. Frederick Muir is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Turkey.

    s flynn




    217607

    Cpl. Geoffrey Arthur Nevett Mitchell 4th Light Horse Regiment

    Geoffrey Arthur Nevett Mitchell was born at Ballarat in 1894 and was a student at Melbourne University when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. Mitchell joined the 4th Light Horse Regiment on 24th August 1914 and departed Australia aboard HMAT Wiltshire on 19th October 1914. Geoffrey Mitchell's previous military experience came from his time as a senior cadet at Geelong College and a short period with the University of Melbourne Rifles.

    Mitchell remained in Egypt with the 4th Light Horse until April 1915 when he was discharged from the AIF and proceeded to England to join the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, 29th Division in July 1915. He served with this unit at Gallipoli until being wounded in August 1915. After recovering from his wounds, Mitchell joined the Royal Flying Corps, quickly rising through the ranks to become a lieutenant in the 13th Balloon Company by late 1916. Mitchell's service with the Royal Flying Corps continued until mid-1918, when, as a major, he returned to England to take command of the Richmond Park Transport Depot.

    After demobilising in 1919, Mitchell settled in Malaya, working on a rubber plantation until 1931. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War and remained in Victoria after the end of the war. Geoffrey Arthur Nevett Mitchell died at Lancefield, Victoria on 23rd July 1973.

    s flynn




    217606

    Col. Reginald Jeffery Millard 1st Field Ambulance

    <p>

    Reginald Jeffery Millard was a medical practitioner from Sydney who served with the Australian Army Medical Corps from 1914 to 1919. Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Millard was the Medical Superintendent at the Coast Hospital (later Prince Henry Hospital) in Little Bay, Sydney. He enlisted with the Medical Corps on 28 August 1914 as a major and was assigned to the 1st Field Ambulance. Millard departed Australia aboard HMAT Euripides on 20 October 1914..

    Millard witnessed the landing at Gallipoli from a hospital ship offshore, expressing his dismay at the failure of the attack and fearing for the lives of new soldiers to be sent ashore. In July 1915, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and in early 1916 became Assistant Director of Medical Services at the Australian Imperial Force Headquarters (AIF) in Egypt, though quickly moved to the same position at the AIF Headquarters in London, because of his experience. There, he worked with the Director of Medical Services, Major General Neville Howse VC, to coordinate the delivery of medical services to the entire AIF.

    In January 1917, now a colonel, Millard proceeded to France to command the No. 1 Australian General Hospital at Rouen and in June of the same year received the Order of St. Michael and St. George for his "valuable services in connection with the war". At the end of 1917, Colonel Millard was forced to return to Australia on personal leave, returning to service in England in mid-1918. His involvement in the war would only last another year, as he returned to Australia in October 1919. In June of that year Colonel Reginald Millard was awarded a Commander of the British Empire for his services during the war.

    s flynn




    217605

    Sergeant George Richard Henry Labrom Canterbury

    <p>

    My great uncle, George Labrom, was born in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland on 12th February 1884. He emigrated to New Zealand and died in Aukland in 1949. From the excellent New Zealand records I can see that he enlisted in the army and on the 13th of November 1916 he was posted to F company 23rd Btn. On the 2nd of April 1917 he embarked from Wellington and on the 10th of June disembarked at Devonport with the 4th Reserves Battalion, Canterbury Regiment. He is listed on the Nominal rolls at Sling camp with the rank of Private. The 4th Reserves Battalion Canterbury Regiment, Proceeded overseas and left for France on the 6 July 1917. On the 9th of July they marched into camp at Etaples. On the 24 July George joined 3rd Battalion Canterbury Regiment and was posted to 12 company in Rouen. In October 1917 he was wounded (gassed) in the field and was admitted no 1 New Zealand Field Ambulance, then admitted no 3 Australian casualty clearing post (gassed - mustard gas shell.) On the 19th of October he was admitted no 10 General hospital Rouen (gas poisoning) and on the 23rd he embarked on the Hospital Ship Essequibo for England. The following day he was admitted to 1st New Zealand General Hospital Brockenhurst. In December he was transferred to New Zealand Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch and by the 18 January 1918 he had recovered enough to return to duty at the New Zealand Company Depot at Codford. On the 14th May 1918 he rejoined 3rd Reserve Battalion Canterbury Regiment and proceeded overseas from Sling. On the 19th May he joined No 2 New Zealand Ent Battalion and on the 28th transferred to 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment and was appointed Lance Corporal. On the 14th of February 1919 he was with the South Island Battalion and was appointed Lance Sergeant. Finally on the 31st of May 1919 he left Plymouth and embarked for New Zealand onboard His Majesty's Troopship Kigoma.

    Throughout WW2 George served in the New Zealand Home Defence. He never married and died alone in his room in a boarding house in 1949. He was buried on 7th September 1949 at Waikumete cemetery, Block K, section 14, no 58, soldiers portion. When I was researching George on the Internet I found that his war medals had recently been sold on the Trademe Internet auction site but I was sadly unable to track them down. The details were: British War Medal 1914-1918 and The Victory Medal Reserve met Closed: Sun 29 Apr 2012, 8:49 pm Listing #: 469032204 Awarded to George Richard Henry Labrom who was a member of the Wanganui District (Group 20) detachment for the 23rd Reinforcements of the NZ Expeditionary Force. Both medals are inscribed around their edges: 40017 T/SJT G.R.H Labrom NZEF

    My grandfather, Robert Frederick Labron and his brothers, William John Labrom and George Richard Henry Labrom appear on a plaque in St Patrick's Church, Newry. (My grandfather always spelled his surname Labron). All three were in the army in World War One and all three survived.

    Sue Eynon




    217604

    Pte. Edward Michael McNamee 9th Infantry Battalion

    Edward Michael McNamee was born at Orange, New South Wales, in 1888. The 26-year-old labourer enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 18th December 1914 and left Brisbane with reinforcements for the 9th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Seang Choon on 13th February 1915.

    In May 1915 McNamee joined the battalion on Gallipoli. After serving on the peninsula he was sent to the Western Front in March 1916. In his diary McNamee recorded short daily entries describing his experiences of trench fighting on the front in 1916 and 1917. One such entry concerned the opening stages of Pozières on 22n July 1916, which he called "the great Australian attack in France", and commented on the Australian advance against heavy machine-gun fire.

    McNamee continued to serve on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and on two occasions in 1918 was admitted to hospital due to the effects of gas attacks. He returned to Australia in early 1919 and was discharged in March that year.

    s flynn




    217603

    Lt. Ronald Alison McInnis 26th Infantry Battalion

    Ronald Alison McInnis was born near Mackay, Queensland, on 20th November 1890. Educated at Maryborough Grammar School, he trained for several years as an apprentice surveyor in Mackay and also qualified as a computing draughtsman. On 8th October 1912, McInnis was registered as an authorised surveyor. The 24-year-old enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 21st May 1915 and left Brisbane with the 26th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Ascanius on 24th May 1915.

    McInnis was deployed to Gallipoli in September that year and spent the next two months rotating in and out of the trenches before being tasked with surveying the extensive tunnel system at Quinn's Post. Gallipoli was evacuated before he could finish his plan for the tunnel system, and during December 1915 he was transferred to the 8th Field Company of the Royal Australian Engineers. McInnis finished his plan for Quinn's Post early the following year and in June was sent to the Western Front. In September he was made an officer and on the same day as his promotion was transferred to the 53rd Infantry Battalion. From then on McInnis served at the front line with the battalion, his duties including trench construction and repair, and acting as a liaison officer to other battalions. His diary entries describe in great detail the battles in which he participated. One such entry depicts McInnis' brush with death in October 1916 while at the front. He was about to take a rest when a salvo of shells landed nearby. As McInnis looked to see where they had landed he noticed the wall of the trench he was in falling towards him. At first he struggled to free himself from the soft earth, but as it settled and compressed he realised it was slowly crushing him. Fortunately, members of his unit saw what had happened and managed to dig him out. In 1917 he attended several training courses, received a promotion to lieutenant, and participated in the battle at Passchendaele. McInnis' last major action on the front would be at the pivotal battle of St. Quentin Canal in September 1918.

    After the Armistice McInnis went to London, and on 23d March 1919 he left for Australia. He later married and went on to have an extensive career in town planning. Ronald McInnis died at Hobart, Tasmania on 8th May 1982.

    s flynn




    217602

    Pte. Cecil Anthony McAnulty 3rd Infantry Battalion (d.8th-10th Aug 1915)

    Cecil Anthony McAnulty was born at Ballarat, Victoria, in 1888. He originally enlisted with the 3rd Infantry Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force on 4th November 1914. However, he was discharged prior to embarkation for an unknown reason. Undeterred, the 26-year-old clerk enlisted again the following year on 11th February 1915, this time with the 2nd Infantry Battalion, and lft Sydney aboard HMAT Argyllshire on 10th April 1915.

    In May McAnulty and several others of the battalion were sent to reinforce the 3rd Battalion on Gallipoli. He had kept a diary since the day he left Australia and recorded his experiences on Gallipoli in great detail. One of the last entries concerns the fighting at Lone Pine in early August. McAnulty described his amazement at reaching the opposing Turkish trenches, charging in a trance through the flurry of machine-gun and rifle fire. Sadly, his last entry ends mid-sentence while he is describing the battle.

    Cecil McAnulty was killed in action at Lone Pine, sometime between 8th and 10th August 1915. He was originally buried at Brown's Dip North Cemetery but was later reinterred at the Lone Pine Cemetery on Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    217601

    Lt.Col. Leslie Cecil Maygar VC. 4th Light Horse Regiment

    <p>

    Leslie Cecil Maygar was born near Kilmore, Victoria, on 27 May 1868. He was farming at Euroa when he volunteered for service with the Victorian Mounted Rifles and served in the South African War. It was during this conflict that Maygar was awarded the Victoria Cross for the rescue of a fellow soldier under heavy fire. After the war he returned to farming and once again volunteered for military service when the First World War broke out, enlisting with the Australian Imperial Force on 20 August 1914. Maygar departed Melbourne with the 4th Light Horse Regiment aboard HMAT Wiltshire on 19 October 1914.

    Whilst serving on Gallipoli in 1915 Maygar was promoted to the rank of major and in October that year was appointed to command the 8th Light Horse Regiment. In December 1915 he began to document his experiences in a series of letters home, recalling in great detail the evacuation from Gallipoli, which he deemed "a marvellous piece of military strategy probably never equalled in all the annals of history." Maygar was in command of the last party to withdraw from the trenches at ANZAC Cove.

    Rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, Maygar distinguished himself as a fine leader and horseman in the desert campaigns of Sinai and Palestine, during which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Maygar continued to document his experiences, in particular the extensive preparations for the second battle of Gaza in April 1917. He died on 1 November 1917 from wounds sustained at the battle of Beersheba the day before. Leslie Maygar is buried at the Beersheba War Cemetery in Israel.

    s flynn




    217600

    Pte. James Charles Martin 21st Infantry Battalion (d.25th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    James Charles Martin was born at Tocumwal, New South Wales, on 3 January 1901. Keen for all things military, Jim joined the cadets at school and the year after leaving school he took up work as a farm hand. In 1915, Martin was eager to enlist with the Australian Imperial Force. His father had previously been rejected from service and Jim, the only male child of his family, was keen to serve in place of his father. Anyone under the age of 21 required written parental permission to enlist, and although Martin looked old for his age and his voice had broken he could not pass for a 21-year-old.

    When Jim threatened to run away, join under another name and not to write to her if he succeeded in being deployed, his mother reluctantly gave her written permission for him to enlist. Martin succeeded in enlisting at the age of 14 years and 3 months, almost 4 years under the minimum age. After training for several months at Broadmeadows Camp, he departed with the 21st Infantry Battalion from Melbourne aboard HMAT Berrima on 28 June 1915.

    From Egypt Martin and the other reinforcements of the 21st Battalion were deployed to Gallipoli. Their transport ship was torpedoed en route by a German submarine and Martin and several others spent hours in the water before being rescued. Martin eventually landed on Gallipoli in the early hours of 7 September and took up position near Wire Gully. In the following few months casualties from enemy action were slight, but the front-line work, short rations, sickness, flies, lice, and mosquitoes took their toll on the unit. Martin sent several letters to his parents from Gallipoli. In late October he contracted typhoid fever and was evacuated to hospital ship HMHS Glenart Castle on 25 October 1915. By this time he had lost half his weight and was in a bad state. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff aboard, in particular that of Matron Frances Hope Logie Reddoch, Martin died of heart failure just under two hours later. He was three months short of his 15th birthday. Martin was buried at sea and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial on Gallipoli. The day after his death, Matron Reddoch wrote a heartfelt letter to Martin's mother back in Australia about her young son.

    While he may not have been the youngest Australian to serve during the First World War, James Martin is considered the youngest to have died on active service.

    s flynn




    217599

    Lt. George Leslie Makin 5th Infantry Battalion (d.25th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    George Leslie Makin was born in North Melbourne, Victoria, on 4 April 1894, and was educated at St. Alban's State School. He had served for three years with the 51st Regiment of the Citizen Forces at Albert Park by the time he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 18 August 1914.

    Makin was posted to the 5th Infantry Battalion, and embarked on-board HMAT Orvieto on 21 October 1914. He served at Gallipoli until October of 1915, when he was taken ill with enteric fever. After spending time in hospital on Lemnos, he was eventually evacuated to England, where he was hospitalised for several weeks. He re-joined his battalion in June 1916, by which time they were fighting on the Western Front, in France.

    Makin wrote many letters home during his service, often expressing homesickness and worry for his mother. He also wrote of the trying conditions he faced in France, and was hospitalised with illness on several other occasions. Despite these difficulties, he was promoted a number of times, eventually being promoted to lieutenant on 9 September 1916.

    On 25 August 1918, Makin was leading his company in an attack at St. Martin's Wood, when he was badly wounded. He was admitted to the 3rd Field Ambulance, before being transferred to the 61st Casualty Clearing Station, and finally to the 8th General Hospital in Rouen, France where he succumbed to his wounds on 8 September 1918. George Leslie Makin is buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen.

    s flynn




    217598

    Capt. Arthur Arundel Mackenzie MC. Imperial Camel Corps

    Arthur Arundel Mackenzie was born at Greta, New South Wales, on 12th April 1891. Sadly, he lost his mother when he was about six years old. Before the First World War he spent several years in the senior cadets and when he enlisted was a member of the local rifle club at Guyra, New South Wales. The 24-year-old station manager enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 12thAugust 1915 and departed Sydney with reinforcements for the Imperial Camel Corps (ICC) aboard RMS Morea on 27th May 1916.

    On arrival in Egypt, Mackenzie was assigned to the 4th Company of the 1st Australian Battalion of the ICC. Sadly, the start of his service also marked the end of his brother's service: Ronald Mackenzie was killed in action at Pozières. Shortly after the second battle of Gaza in April 1917 Mackenzie was wounded in action with a gunshot to his right leg. After recovering, he rejoined his unit as it advanced through Palestine and towards Gaza.

    In April 1918, in one of the last actions of the ICC, Mackenzie fought to defend the hill at Mussallabeh. Some of the Australians ran out of hand grenades and resorted to heaving boulders down upon the attacking Turks. Mackenzie and his outnumbered group of men put up a vigorous and determined resistance and succeeded in forcing a retreat. For his actions at Mussallabeh Mackenzie was awarded the Military Cross. After battling several bouts of malaria, he was transferred to the 14th Light Horse Regiment and served with the unit until the end of the war. The Syria campaign had ended and from his letters home it is clear he was deeply affected by the hardships that the country's starving people had endured throughout the war.

    Mackenzie returned to Australia as an honorary captain at the end of 1919, and his appointment with the AIF was terminated on 8th April 1920. He later served with the 3rd Volunteer Defence Corps during the Second World War. Arthur Mackenzie died at Guyra in 1970.

    s flynn




    217597

    Matron Mary McLean Loughron MID RRC Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service

    Mary McLean Loughron was born in Winchelsea, Victoria. She trained as a nurse at the Royal Melbourne Hospital before deciding to join the war effort, embarking with an Australian medical group on the RMS Orontes in early 1915. On arrival in France, Loughron enlisted with the British Army, joining the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS), and was eventually stationed at 2nd Stationary Hospital Annexe in Abbeville.

    During her service, Loughron was twice awarded the Royal Red Cross (RRC), one Second and one First Class, and was Mentioned in Despatches on 30 April 1916 for gallant and distinguished conduct in the field. She served in France until the end of the First World War, and immediately afterwards worked as Matron of the Peace Conference Hospital in Paris. A portrait of Matron Loughron dressed in the indoor uniform of the QAIMNS was hung in the gallery of Portraits of the Allies in the Luxembourg, to represent the British Army Nursing Service.

    Loughron returned to Australia on the SS Orvieto in December of 1919. She went on to open a private hospital in Camberwell, Victoria, which she ran for 10 years, and subsequently spent 20 years as chief inspector for Victoria for the Child Welfare Department.

    s flynn




    217596

    Major Benjamin Bennett Leane MID. 10th Infantry Battalion (d.10th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Benjamin Bennett Leane was born at Prospect in South Australia on 3 June 1889. His family would become famous for their wartime service. After attending school in Prospect Benjamin trained in engineering and was working as a clerk and warehouseman when he enlisted for service in the First World War. At 25 Benjamin enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 19 August 1914, having already spent four years with the 10th Infantry Regiment of the part-time Citizens' Forces. Out of the six Leane brothers, he was one of the five that enlisted for service. Leane departed Adelaide with the 10th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Ascanius on 20 October 1914.

    In the early hours of 25 April 1915 Leane landed on Gallipoli. That day he was wounded by a gunshot wound to his left forearm and was soon after evacuated to England for convalescence. After returning to the peninsula in August, Leane was Mentioned in Despatches, promoted to lieutenant, and temporarily made adjutant of the unit. During this time Leane adopted the approach of writing detailed diary entries as though he were talking to his wife, Phylllis, something that he was not able to do in his letters home.

    The following March the newly promoted captain was made adjutant of the 48th Infantry Battalion. It became known as the "Joan of Arc" (the Maid of Orleans) battalion because it was "made of all Leanes": it was commanded by Leane's brother Raymond, Leane himself was adjutant, and several of his nephews were scattered throughout the battalion. The battalion was sent to the Western Front where its first major action was at Pozières in August 1916. Leane continued to distinguish himself that year, promoted to major and awarded of the Serbian Order of the White Eagle.

    On the eve of the first battle of Bullecourt on 10 April 1917, Benjamin Leane was killed in action by an artillery shell. He is buried at Queant Road Cemetery, France. The war would also take the lives of two of his nephews and his brother Allan. During the inter-war years Leane's mother passed away. His brothers Raymond and Norman went on to serve in the Second World War with the Volunteer Defence Corps.

    s flynn




    217595

    Major Percy Edward George Lay MM MC DCM. 8th Battalion

    Percy Edward George Lay was 22 years old when he signed his attestation papers at Ballarat to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force just weeks after the outbreak of war in August 1914. He served with the 8th Battalion on Gallipoli and the Western Front, and by the beginning of 1918 he had been promoted four times and awarded the Military Medal, the Military Cross, the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and the French Croix de Guerre. One of his superior officers described him as "always a volunteer for any work which entails danger and his coolness and courage under fire are noticeable".

    In January 1918 Lay was offered a posting with Dunsterforce in the Middle East. In his diary he expressed his sadness at leaving his battalion, but subsequent entries soon focused on his activities in Persia, including learning Persian, Russian, and sword-fighting. On one occasion, he had to determine whether a local headman, Sheik Ali, was hiding among a group of 40 women at Hamadan. Lay arrived back in Australia during May 1919 and continued military work at the Domain camp in Melbourne. He left again in September with the Special Service Unit to escort deportees overseas.

    For the next twenty years, Lay lived and worked on his farm 'Lucerne Farm' near Alphington, Victoria. He enlisted in the Army again on 24th June 1940. Rising to the rank of major, he was posted to several training and garrison units before being transferred to the 1st Australian Works Company.

    Following his return to civilian life again in 1945, Lay returned to Alphington. Percy Edward Lay died at Heidleberg, Victoria on 28th August 1955.

    s flynn




    217594

    S/Sgt. Henry Langtip 4th Light Horse Regiment

    Henry Langtip was born at Port Albert, Victoria, in 1888. Known as Harry, the 27-year-old farmer enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 25th January 1916. His brothers Bertie and Leslie enlisted at the same time and another brother, Ernest, enlisted the following day. All four brothers were allocated to the 4th Light Horse Regiment, and after several months of training they left Melbourne aboard HMAT Itria on 18th April 1916.

    For the remainder of the year Henry Langtip and his brothers participated in training and performed mostly guard duty in the Suez Canal zone with the 1st Light Horse Double Squadron and then the Imperial Camel Corps. In February 1917 the brothers were transferred for the last time to the 4th Light Horse Regiment. In his diary Henry recorded the events of 31st October when, after a long and terrible ride through the desert all night, he and his brothers participated in the famous charge at Beersheba that helped break the Turkish defensive line. The unit moved into Palestine and then Transjordan, participating in several further raids and battles. Langtip's brother Leslie was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions in the advance towards Damascus.

    On 15th June 1919 Langtip and his brothers embarked for home with the rest of their regiment. All four brothers had survived the war and some of the most daring feats in the Egyptian and Middle East campaigns. War would return to the region some two decades later and on 12th November 1940, while Axis forces bombed the towns of Palestine, Henry Langtip died at Rutherglen, Victoria.

    s flynn




    217593

    Pte. Verner Gladders Knuckey 8th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Royal Flying

    Verner Gladders Knuckey was born at Cobar, New South Wales on 8th July 1886. When he enlisted, he listed his profession as a clerk in the Commonwealth Treasury and was living in East Malvern, Victoria. Knuckey had previously spent two years with the Light Horse Regiment before enlisting as a Private with the 8th Light Horse Regiment on 16th July 1915.

    Knuckey left Melbourne for Egypt on 10th November 1915 aboard HMAT Ascanius. Since the Light Horse Regiment was considered unsuitable for the initial operations at Gallipoli, they were deployed without their horses. The 8th Light Horse Brigade formed the first two waves for the disastrous attack on the Nek on 7th August 1915 and left the Gallipoli Peninsula on 20th December.

    Knuckey returned to Egypt and with the 8th Light Horse Brigade defended the Suez Canal and participated in the advance which eventually turned the Turks at Romani. In January 1917 Knuckey volunteered for the 2nd Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps in Egypt as an electrician because he wanted to see England and France. He later trained as a wireless operator. The 2nd Squadron was initially drawn from 67 Australian Squadron and supplemented by volunteers from the light horse regiments from Australia. From England Knuckey went to France on 6th May 1918 before returning back to England in February 1919. Verner Knuckey returned to Australia on 23rd September 1919.

    s flynn




    217592

    Pte. John Simpon Kirkpatrick 3rd Field Ambulance (d.19th May 1915)

    <p>

    John Simpson Kirkpatrick, a stretcher bearer whose brief life ended early in the Gallipoli campaign, is better known today as 'the man with the donkey'. One of the AIF's most well-known figures, Simpson was, like many of his comrades, an Englishman. Born on 6 July 1892 at Shields in County Durham, he joined the merchant marine at the age of 17 and began a life of wandering that eventually led him to Australia.

    Simpson tried his hand at all manner of jobs. He carried a swag, worked as a cane cutter, a ship's hand and a coalminer, experiencing life in many parts of Australia. However distant from his mother and sister, Simpson made sure that they received a generous percentage of whatever pay he was able to earn. On 25 August 1914, shortly after the First World War began, he enlisted in the AIF and began training at Blackboy Hill camp near Perth. His motivation for enlisting, it appears, had more to do with the prospect of returning to England than with any particular desire to be a soldier.

    Like many who shared his reason for joining, Simpson was disappointed when the first Australian soldiers bound for the war were disembarked for training in Egypt. Having been posted to the 3rd Field Ambulance, he was among those who landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Though a stretcher bearer, Simpson decided his task could be better accomplished using a donkey to carry his wounded charges.

    Just three weeks after the landing, Simpson was killed by a Turkish bullet during one of his morning journeys up Monash Valley to retrieve wounded men. Widely believed to have already achieved a measure of fame during his brief time at the front, it now appears more likely that the Simpson legend only grew after his death. Peter Cochrane, in his 1992 book Simpson and the donkey, outlines the way in which Simpson's story was used for a range of propaganda and political purposes, particularly as manpower crises threatened to undermine the AIF's fighting ability during the war.

    Cochrane, having demonstrated the extent to which embellishment and sometimes outright falsehoods have served to obscure the real Simpson, described a man who was as flawed as any other, but whose bravery is not disputed. He remains, nevertheless, one of the most famous of the men who served at Anzac. His fame is all the more interesting for the fact that, unlike other celebrated figures from the campaign, such as Jacka, Simpson was a non-combatant. In the intervening decades there have been calls for Simpson to be awarded a retrospective Victoria Cross and, although he won no medals at Gallipoli, Simpson is commemorated in paintings and with a prominent bronze sculpture at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. A bronze of him with his donkey stands in the shopping centre of his home town of South Shields.

    s flynn




    217591

    Major Thomas Andrew Kidd MID. 10th Light Horse Regiment

    thThomas Anderson Kidd was born on 17th May 1879 in Victoria and at the time he enlisted he was working as a farmer and living in Geraldton, Western Australia. Kidd had previously served with Australian forces in the Boer War, as a trooper in the Border Horse Regiment. On 28th October 1914, Kidd joined the 10th Light Horse Regiment with the rank of second lieutenant. By February 1915, Kidd had received a promotion to lieutenant, and in the same month left Australia for Egypt aboard HMAT Mashobra.

    After arriving at Gallipoli in May, Kidd served with distinction, being commended for his actions in leading a party that would capture, but unsuccessfully hold enemy trenches at Quinn's Post on 30th May 1915. He was also heavily involved in the fighting during August, particularly the charge at The Nek and the assault on Hill 60. During the later event, he witnessed the actions of Second Lieutenant Hugo Throssell, and as a result recommended him for the Victoria Cross. Kidd himself was Mentioned-In-Despatches on 26th August 1916 for his "conspicuous bravery" and continual encouragement of his troops.

    In January 1916, Kidd was admitted to the First Australian General Hospital in Heliopolis with debility. Once he recovered, Kidd returned to active duty at Serapeum where the 10th Light Horse Regiment was defending the Suez Canal from the advancing Ottoman Army. In August 1916, he contracted cholera and was evacuated to Romani on 13th September 1916. After continuing to suffer from neuritis, stomach inflammation, and gastro enteritis Thomas Kidd returned to Australia as a major to continue his services in home duties.

    s flynn




    217590

    Pte. Albert William Keown 5th Infantry Battalion

    Albert William Keown was born in Brunswick, Melbourne in 1891. Before enlisting, he was an architectural apprentice at A.W. Purnell Architects, but postponed his apprenticeship to join the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Keown joined the 5th Infantry Battalion on 17th August 1914 and left Melbourne aboard HMAT Orvieto on 21st October 1914. After spending four months training in Egypt, Keown was sent to Gallipoli with the 5th Infantry Battalion, landing as part of the second wave of attack on 25th April 1915. In May, during the 2nd Brigade's assault on Krithia, Keown suffered a shrapnel wound that badly affected his hand and chest. On 18th May he was admitted to St Andrews Hospital in Malta, and evacuated to England before being forced to return to Australia on 19th November 1915. On his discharge from the AIF on 25th May 1916, Keown quickly re-enlisted and worked as a temporary staff sergeant major at an Officer Training School at Port Melbourne and later as a District Area Officer for St. Kilda. In 1920, Keown finished his military service and returned to finish his articles at A.W. Purnell Architects.

    s flynn




    217589

    Pte. David Watson Izatt 2nd Australian General Hospital

    David Watson Izatt was born in 1889 near Greengairs, Lanarkshire in Scotland. Prior to enlisting, he described his occupation as being a sailor. He enlisted with the Australian Army Medical Corps at Victoria Barracks, Sydney on 12th October 1914. About six weeks later he departed Sydney aboard HMAT Kyarra with other members of the 2nd Australian General Hospital.

    Izatt served at both Gallipoli and on the Western Front. He was in the last party of Army Medical Corps to leave Gallipoli at 3am on 20th December 1915. Although Izatt was assigned to the 2nd Australian General Hospital, he found himself attached to several other units in the course of the war for varying periods of time. These included the 1st Casualty Clearing Station, the 10th Casualty Clearing Station and the 15th Casualty Clearing Station. David Izatt embarked at Taranto to return to Australia on 8th October 1918.

    s flynn




    217588

    Tpr. Ion Llewellyn Idriess 5th Australian Light Horse Regiment.

    <p>

    Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born to parents Walter and Juliette on 20th September 1889 at WaverleyNew South Wales. He became a miner by trade, before enlisting at Townsville on 26th October 1914 at the age of 27. He left Sydney aboard HMAT Persic, on 21st December 1914 with the 5th Australian Light Horse Regiment.

    While serving at Gallipoli, Idriess specialised in sniping. He sustained a bomb wound to his arm at Gallipoli in September 1915 and was evacuated back to Egypt. Idriess re-joined the 5th Australian Light Horse Regiment and served with his unit in Egypt and Palestine witnessing the charge at Beersheba. He was once again wounded in December 1917 in the fighting after the last battle of Gaza. Ion Idriess was consequently invalided home and returned to Australia on 15th February 1918.

    s flynn




    217586

    Major Oliver "Bluegum" Hogue 6th Light Horse Regiment

    <p>

    Oliver Hogue was born in Sydney on 29 April 1880. Despite growing up in the city, his ability at sports and his skill as a horseman led Hogue to consider himself a bushman and, after completing school, he travelled thousands of miles by bicycle along Australia's east coast. He worked as a commercial traveler before joining the Sydney Morning Herald in 1907 as a journalist. After the outbreak of the First World War Hogue tried unsuccessfully to become Australia's official war correspondent and instead enlisted as a trooper with the 6th Light Horse Regiment. He departed Sydney aboard HMAT Suevic on 21 December 1914.

    Hogue served on Gallipoli for five months before being evacuated to England with enteric fever. He returned to his unit in the Sinai region in early 1916. Hogue developed a reputation as a loyal and enthusiastic officer unafraid of front-line service, and he was a regular writer to both his family and his former employer. Writing under the pseudonym "Trooper Bluegum", his contributions to the Sydney Morning Herald were published as books back in Australia. After participating in the battle of Romani in August 1916 he was transferred to the Imperial Camel Corps (ICC) and was involved in the battles of Magdhaba, Rafa, and Gaza in 1917. In letters home Hogue frequently referred to the fearlessness and achievements of the Australian troops, especially at Romani. He was also critical of the British press coverage of the war, which largely overlooked the accomplishments of the ICC and Australian troops in general.

    July 1918 Hogue was transferred to the 14th Light Horse Regiment and participated in the advance through the Jordan Valley. He was also promoted to major at this time. After reaching Damascus, and with the Turkish surrender in October, Hogue took leave to England in January 1919. Having survived the entirety of the First World War he soon after contracted influenza and died in London on 3 March 1919.

    s flynn




    217585

    Pte. Harry Hodgman 5th Infantry Battalion (d.25 April 1915)

    <p>

    Harry Hodgman was born at Brighton, Tasmania on 12 August 1891 to parents Thomas and Robina Hodgman. Prior to the war his military experience came from his years with the Derwent Garrison in Tasmania.

    A salesman by trade, Hodgman enlisted in Melbourne on 17 August 1914 and was assigned to the 5th Infantry Battalion. On 21 October 1914, Hodgman departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Orvieto. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on the day of the landing of 25 April 1915. According to an account by Lieutenant George Howard Earp (then a private), Hodgman was killed whilst participating in one of the last advances from the beach at ANZAC Cove. He had been shot through the head by a sniper along with 610 Private Reginald Clive Brownell at around 4.30pm. He was 23 years old. Hodgman is buried at Lone Pine Cemetery,Turkey.

    The Hodgman family was to suffer the loss of two more sons. Harry s brother 4325 Corporal Alan Gunn Hodgman of the 52nd Infantry Battalion was killed on 7 June 1917 at the battle of Messines in Belgium. His brother, 4923 Lance Corporal Frank Rule Hodgman, served with the 52nd Infantry Battalion and was discharged and sent back to Australia due to a head wound sustained at Mouquet Farm. A mariner by trade, after returning to Australia on 4 May 1917 he resumed his naval career. Frank Hodgman was the captain of the transport ship Southern Cross that was lost in 1920 off the coast off King Island, Tasmania.

    s flynn




    217584

    Lt/Cmdr. Cyril John Percy Hill MID HMAS Parramatta

    Cyril John Percy Hill was born on 14th February 1884 at Belvedere, Kent in England to parents George and Mary Hill. His father was Vice-Admiral George William Hill of the Royal Navy and his older brother, Commander Hubert George Morgan Hill of the Royal Navy who, like Cyril, fought in both world wars and was mentioned in despatches.

    Hill joined the Navy in 1912 as an acting lieutenant serving on HMAS Encounter. In 1913 he was transferred to the HMAS Parramatta on which he served for the entire First World War. HMAS Parramatta served alongside the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF) in New Britain and as part of the British Adriatic force in the Pacific. Hill attained the rank of commander in 1921 and between 1919 and 1929 he served on over 11 Australian Ships. During the Second World War, Hill served with the Navy as the commander of HMS Stoke and HMS Folkestone. He received a Mention in Despatches on 1st January 1942. Cyril Hill died on 23rd April 1965 at the age of 81.

    s flynn




    217583

    S/Sgt. John Wesley Hetherington 2nd Btn.

    John Wesley Hetherington was born in Northumberland, England on 22nd November 1878 to Thomas and Margaret Hetherington. He worked as an engineer tool maker in Sydney, Australia before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force on 17th September 1914 as an armourer corporal. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade and left Australia for Egypt on 18th October 1914 aboard HMAT Suffolk.

    After training in Egypt, the battalion took part in the ANZAC landing on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Hetherington was wounded during the landing and spent four months in hospital in Malta. He re-joined the 2nd Battalion at Gallipoli, where they remained until the evacuation in December 1915.

    After returning to Egypt from Gallipoli in December 1915, the 2nd Battalion arrived at Marseilles, France on 28th March 1916. Since the Gallipoli landing the previous year, Hetherington had received numerous promotions and was an armourer sergeant by March 1916. From July through to September 1916, the 2nd Battalion was engaged in its first major battle on the Western Front, the battle of Pozières. Following the end of this battle, Hetherington went to England on leave before re-joining the battalion in France. From February to May 1917, Hetherington attended the Armoury School of Instruction and was promoted to the rank of regimental quartermaster sergeant(warrant officer class 2) on 25th May 1917. Throughout 1917 and 1918, the 2nd Battalion took part in operations against the German Army in the Somme Valley in France and Belgium . Hetherington returned to Australia aboard HT Devon in October 1918. Hetherington was discharged in January 1919.

    John Wesley Hetherington enlisted again during the Second World War on 10th June 1940. He reduced his age by stating his year of birth was 1888. He was discharged on 2nd February 1945 with the rank of staff sergeant.

    John Hetherington died in Sydney in 1978.

    s flynn




    217582

    Sgt. Albert Henshall MM. 3rd Light Horse Brigade

    Albert Henshall was born at Hamilton, Victoria on 11th June 1982 to Albert Thomas and Jane Henshall. He worked as a clerk and spent time in the Signalling Field Artillery, Western Australia as well as the 20th Australian Light Horse and Hamilton Rifle Club.

    Henshall enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 17th December 1914 at Hamilton, Victoria and was assigned to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Train with the rank of private. He was shortly transferred to driver on 6th January 1916. He departed Australia for Egypt aboard HMAT Chilka on 2nd February 1915. After training in Egypt, Henshall left for the Gallipoli Peninsula on 9th July 1915. He was wounded at Gallipoli on 31st September 1915 and was evacuated to Alexandria, Egypt, for treatment.

    Upon returning to duty on 31st March 1916 he was assigned to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Supply Depot in Egypt. Henshall then served with the 17th Depot Unit of Supply, 26th Company Army Service Corps, 4th Australian Divisional Train and 18th Australian Depot Unit of Supply, throughout France and Belgium until the end of the war.Henshall was awarded the Military Medal on 26th August 1918 for remaining at his post and issuing supplies whilst under heavy enemy shellfire on 10th, 20th and 21st April 1918.

    After rising quickly through the ranks and achieving the rank of temporary warrant officer, Albert Henshall returned to Australia at his own expense. He left from Liverpool on the SS Adriatic on 20th January 1919 heading to the United States to visit family. He then left for Australia from San Francisco on 24th February 1919 aboard SS Sonoma. Henshall had reverted to the rank of sergeant on 16th December 1918, though he was discharged with the rank of honorary warrant officer class 1. Albert Henshall served in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War and was discharged after four years' service on 18th August 1944 with the rank of flight lieutenant. Albert Henshall died at Mildura, Victoria on 1st July 1952.

    s flynn




    217581

    Lt. Alan Dudley Henderson 7th Infantry Battalion (d.27th-30th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Alan Dudley Henderson was born at Hawthorn, Victoria, on 8 July 1894. After attending Trinity Grammar School at Kew in Victoria, Henderson qualified as an accountant. Before the outbreak of the First World War he spent seven years with the senior cadets and two years with the Citizens' Forces. The 20-year-old enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 24 August 1914 and departed Melbourne with the 7th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Hororata on 19 October 1914.

    In Egypt, Henderson was made a platoon commander in the newly formed A Company of the 14th Battalion. In early April 1915 the battalion was moved to Alexandria and then to the staging area on Lemnos Island in preparation for the landing on Gallipoli. Henderson wrote of the importance of the coming landing in a letter home: "It is going to be Australia's chance, and she makes a tradition out of this that she must always look back on."

    The 7th Battalion took part in the landing on 25 April as the second wave of troops to storm ashore. It was on this day that Henderson sustained a serious gunshot wound to the chest whilst Australian forces were desperately trying to establish a foothold on the peninsula. He was evacuated to a hospital ship waiting offshore but, despite treatment, succumbed to his wounds sometime between 27 and 30 April 1915. Alan Henderson was buried at sea and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli in Turkey.

    In a letter to Henderson's father, which was published in The Argus on 24 June 1915, Lieutenant Colonel Harold Edward "Pompey" Elliott wrote of Henderson's "coolness and intrepidity" on the day of the landing and how he intervened to prevent the revenge-killing of a wounded Turkish prisoner by his men. His brother Rupert was killed in action on Gallipoli on 8 May 1915. Another brother, Kenneth Henderson, also served during the First World War and returned to Australia in 1918.

    s flynn




    217580

    Pte. Samuel Hedley Hemming Hawkins 15th Infantry Btn.

    Samuel Hedley Hemming Hawkins was born in Brisbane, Queensland in 1897 to Hedley and Florence Hawkins. He enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 18th September 1914 whilst still 17 years old, joining the 15th Infantry Battalion. He had no prior military experience, other than four years with cadets, and was working as a factory hand at the time. Hawkins departed Australia for Egypt aboard HMAT Ceramic in December 1914.

    After training in Egypt, Hawkins embarked for Gallipoli, landing late on 25th April 1915. He spent five months fighting on the peninsula before being transferred to hospital in Egypt, suffering from dysentery and shell shock. Hawkins was discharged from hospital in January 1916 and ordered to return to Australia to recuperate.

    In October 1916 Hawkins joined the Citizen Military Forces, while also working as a clerk in the AIF pay office in Brisbane. By mid-1917 he had re-enlisted, this time as Hedley Hawkins, joining the 11th Reinforcements for the 4th Pioneer Battalion. Again, Hawkins exaggerated his age, stating that he was 21 and born in 1895, helping to avoid the need for parental consent. On 1st August 1917 he travelled aboard HMAT Medic to England.

    Hawkins' second term of service was mainly spent at Kandahar Barracks at Tidworth, receiving a brief promotion to acting lance corporal in December 1917. In mid-1918 he finally saw service overseas, transferring to France with the 4th Pioneer Battalion. However, this was not to last long. Samuel Hawkins returned to England just over six months later and demobilised for return to Australia during January 1919.

    Samuel Hedley Hemming Hawkins' son, 404433 Sergeant Hedley Maurice Hawkins served in the Second World War with No. 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

    s flynn




    217579

    Pte. David Bernard Harford 28th Infantry Battalion (d.31st Mar 1917 )

    <p>

    David Bernard Harford was born at Albany, Western Australia, on 28 October 1886. His mother would later state that "he was born in a spring cart at Albany after us doing a journey of [fourteen] hundred miles." Previous to the First World War, Harford had distinguished himself as a capable rifleman, winning several prizes in rifle club competitions while also taking up work as a miner and general labourer. The 28-year-old enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 14 July 1915 and departed Fremantle with the 28th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Miltiades on 12 February 1916.

    On arriving in Egypt Harford noted in his diary his surprise at seeing gum trees lining some of the streets in Cairo. After being sent to England for further training he was deployed to the Western Front with the 51st Infantry Battalion. The unit fought its first major battle at Mouquet Farm in August and September where it suffered huge casualties. For the remainder of 1916 and throughout the bleak winter Harford and his battalion alternated between front-line duty, training, and labouring behind the line. During this time he continued to document his experiences at the front in his diary. Early the next year the Australian forces in France cautiously pursued the German Army as it withdrew to the heavily fortified Hindenburg Line. On 31 March 1917 Harford sustained a gunshot wound and died that same day whilst being treated by the 5th Australian Field Ambulance. David Bernard Harford is buried at Pozières British Cemetery at Ovillers-La Boisselle, France.

    s flynn




    217578

    Pte. John Henry Timms 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.16th Jul 1916)

    My Great Grandfather John Henry Timms served with the 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was killed in action on 16th July, 1916. I am trying to find where his regiment was in France when he was killed. We are trying to plan a trip to France in 2016 to visit the Somme Battlefields. I know he has no known grave but he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. If anyone can help us track down any info where they would have been on that date I would be so thankful or even if you could point me in the right direction for war dairies web sites etc thanks.

    Robert Breedon




    217577

    Spr. Richard Trembath 1st Tunnelling Company

    <p>

    22 year old Richard Trembath, a miner from Charters Towers, had lost both his parents before he enlisted, so named his brother Albert William 'Bertie' Trembath as his next of kin when he enlisted on Oct 31, 1916. After basic training at Enoggera, he spent time in Victoria receiving further instruction before being transferred to the February Reinforcement Tunnelling Companies.

    Sapper Richard Trembath embarked from Melbourne, Vic on May 11, 1917 aboard the transport HMAT A9 Shropshire as one of 168 Tunnellers bound for Active Service. During the voyage the ship stopped at Durban and Capetown and after seventy days at sea terminated at Plymouth, England on July 19, 1917. The troops were detrained to Tidworth. The next day they marched in to Parkhouse Camp for preparative training for the Front. Richard spent the next two years in military service, joining the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company just weeks after the events at Hill 60.

    A.I.F. Headquarters advised Sapper Trembath of his return to Australia departing aboard H.T. Boorara on July 6, 1919. Next-of-kin were notified on July 31, 1919 of his impending return. He disembarked in the 3 Military District (Vic) on August 26, 1919 and returned to the 1 M.D. (Qld) for discharge on September 28, 1919. In 1920 Richard Trembath married Clara Louisa Mitchell. Sapper 6955 Richard Trembath of 1 Tunnelling Company was awarded the British War Medal (29037) and the Victory Medal (27751) for his service to his Country. A Statement of his Service was sent to the Repatriation Department on September 22, 1937. The name R. Trembath appears in column 5 on the Charters Towers Methodist Circuit Honour Board 1914-1919. This board is now in the Charters Towers Folk Museum (formerly Zara Clark Museum).

    Barbara L Whittaker




    217576

    Pte. George Bance 10th Battalion Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

    <p>

    George Bance enlisted on the 20th November 1915 in Maidstone, Kent, aged 25, his height was 5ft 2 inches and he resided at 14/15 Rock Road, Borough Green, Kent. Formerly working as a labourer. He was the husband of Catherine Margaret Bance, (nee Webb) and they married on the 13th November 1915 in Platt, Kent.

    George served with the 10th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment, under command of 123rd Brigade, 41st Division. They served in Britain from 20th November 1915 to 2nd May 1916 then were part of the British Expeditionary Force, 3rd May 1916 to 7th August 1917. The battalion participated in the Battle of Fler-Courcellete (15-22 September 1916) when the 41st Division captured the village of Flers. (41st Division sustained 3000 casualties of the battle’s 29,376 total). They participated in the Battle of Le Transloy Ridges (Somme)(1 October-5 November 1916). At the The Battle of Messines (7-14 June 1917) they served under Under X Corps, which was composed of 41st, 47th, 23rd and 24th Brigades. They then fought in the Battle of Passchendaele / Third Battle of Ypres (31st July-10th November 1917).

    On the 31st July 1917 (First day of the Battle of Passchendale) George was wounded during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, suffering multiple gun shot wounds. He returned to England on the 8th August 1917 and was in hospital until 19th November 1917. From the 5th October to 15th October 1917he was given leave from hospital. George was sent back overseas on 20th November 1917.

    The entire 41st Division moved by train to Mantua, Italy. They took up positions on the front line at the river Piave North-West of Treviso. In February they left Italy by train, departing from Campo San Piero, to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. On the 22nd of February 1918, George was again wounded, suffering gun shot wounds, a compound fracture left femur, wounded in the face & forearm. He returned to England on the 6th of June 1918 and on the 23rd December 1918, discharged as "no longer physically fit for War Service" due to wounds and was issued Silver War (Wound) Badge number B70840. He was awarded a pension of 27/6 a week to be reviewed in 26 weeks, for 100% disability, gun shot wound to face, loss of eye, wounded thigh and forearm.





    217575

    Pte. William Bovaird Brabazon A Company Auckland Infantry Regiment

    William Bovaird Brabazon was born in 1884, the only son of John and Rebecca Brabazon of Ormondville. An accountant by profession, he embarked at Wellington on 14th July 1917 on the vessel Waitemata and fought in France. with the Auckland Infantry Regiment, A Company

    s flynn




    217574

    Pte. John James Mongan 11th Battalion Royal Scots (d.27th Sep 1915)

    This is all I know about my great uncle John James Mongan. He served with the Royal Scots 11th Battalion and was aged 23 when he died in September 1915. He was never found and his name is commemorated on the Loos memorial.

    Elizabeth Stewart




    217572

    Pte. John Frederick Rossington Army Ordnance Corps. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.26th March 1918)

    <p>

    My Grandfather John Frederick Rossington was born in Boston Lincolnshire and worked for George Wimple, general dealer at 32 High Street Boston. His parents where Mr and Mrs Joseph Thomas Rossington of 32 Albert Road, Frampton Place, Boston, Lincolnshire. He was married to Lily Rossington also of Boston.

    John Frederick Rossington gave up his job and enlisted voluntarily on the 13th April 1915 at the age of 19 years 120 days old, Initially he joined the Army Ordnance Corps then then transferred to the Durham Light Infantry and afterwards to the North Staffordshire Regiment. After initial training he sailed for Egypt on November 1st. 1915 but was invalided home with dysentery. On recovery he was drafted to France but returned again to England with trench fever. He was on final leave about six weeks before he was killed. On September 25th 1917 he married Lily Longstaff, the daughter of William Longstaff, one of the Boston port pilots, of 37 Tawney Street, Boston. John left one child a daughter, Joy Gertrude Rossington.

    At the start of Operation Michael on the 23rd March 1918 he was moved out of Ypres, Belgium and went into action at Mericourt, south of Albert on the Somme, on the 24th, they were forced back and on the 25th had retreated 2 miles, on the 26th. while they where still retreating he was killed in the vicinity of Dernancourt. My Grandfather body was never recovered and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial. After research I think he is buried at Dernancourt communal cemetery with his friends who also fell on that day but have known graves.

    John Hodge




    217570

    Pte. William John Labrom 1st Btn Irish Guards

    <p>

    My great uncle, Wiilliam John Labrom, was born in Newry, County Down on 25 October 1874. He lived at 14 Pound Street, Newry with his parents, George and Margaret. His pension record says he was 24 years old when he enlisted in the Irish Guards in September 1900. (Regimental no. 390). He was 6 foot 2 inches tall, with light brown hair and green eyes. He had been working as a labourer.

    In August 1914 he was transferred to the 1st Battalion and went with the British Expeditionary Force to France 23/11/1914 - 18/1/1915. In mid-October the BEF was moved to cover the Channel Ports and from the 21st October to the 12th November 1914 the 1st Battalion fought continuously in the first battle of Ypres, losing more than 700 men.

    He was discharged on 25th June 1915 through sickness 'no longer physically fit for war service.' He was entitled to wear the Silver Badge. He married Mary Ann Curran in 1916. I have no idea if they had any children. He died at Drumcashellone in 1948 and was buried at St Patrick's church on 27th May. His wife was buried in the same grave the previous day. I have no idea of the circumstances in which they died so closely together. My grandfather, Robert Frederick Labrom and his brothers, William John Labrom and George Richard Henry Labrom appear on a plaque in St Patrick's Church, Newry. (My grandfather always spelled his surname Labron). All three were in the army in World War One and all three survived.

    Sue Eynon




    217568

    Matron Margaret Gray

    Born in 1871, Margaret Gray trained at the Coast (later known as Prince Henry) Hospital in Sydney and ran a private hospital at Lismore before going abroad as a nurse with the British forces soon after the outbreak of war. She left Sydney for England in 1914, and was subsequently sent to France and attached to the British Red Cross Hospital in Rouen. As the only Australian sister attached to the hospital, for the first year, she was often asked by the commanding officer to attend to the Australian patients.

    By the end of the war she had nearly five years' service and was awarded the Royal Red Cross for her valuable work. In 1920 she was appointed matron of Graythwaite Convalescent Hospital, North Sydney, and later matron at Cavell House, the rest home for trained nurses, a position she held until her death on 16th January 1933.

    s flynn




    217567

    Sgt. Francis Lister Godlee 3rd Light Horse Regiment

    Francis Lister Godlee was born in 1890 at Sliding Rock, South Australia. He worked as a baker before the First World War. Godlee enlisted at Morphetville, South Australia on 26th August 1914. He departed Adelaide aboard HMAT Port Lincoln on 22nd October 1914, with the ship also carrying the unit's horses. After training in Egypt, Godlee served with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, first at Gallipoli and then as part of the Western Frontier Force in Egypt. He served for the duration of the war and returned to Australia aboard SS Port Darwin, disembarking on 25th December 1918. Francis Godlee was discharged from the AIF on 23rd February 1919 and died in 1963.

    s flynn




    217566

    Brig.Gen. Arthur Henry Goddard DSO MID. 25th Battalion

    <p>

    Henry Arthur Goddard was born in England in 1869 and, immigrated to Brisbane, Australia in 1890. He married Elizabeth Maud Morrow in 1897. Goddard was placed in command of Brisbane defences at the outbreak of war in 1914. He joined Australian Imperial Force as Lieutenant Colonel in 1915 and appointed to command 25 Battalion. He was transferred to 17th Battalion and left Sydney on 12 May 1915 for Egypt. Goddard didn't get to Gallipoli until 2 September due to illness. He served at Quinn's Post and remained there until evacuation on 20 December 1915.

    Suffering further sickness he was invalided to Australian in 1916. In July 1916 he embarked again, being appointed commander of 35 Battalion. He arrived in France in November and took part in the battle of Messines and was awarded the DSO. Goddard also served at Broodseinde Ridge and Passchendaele; and repealed an attack at Amiens in April 1918; and Morlancourt. Appointed to command 9th Brigade in May 1918, Goddard, led the Somme offensive until the end of the war, including the battle of Bray-sur-Somme and the attack on the Hindenburg line. Goddard was mentioned in dispatches three times, and after the Armistice the awards of the CMG and the Belgian Croix de Guerre were announced. He returned to Australia in 1920.

    s flynn




    217565

    Gnr. Frank Barth 24th Field Artillery Brigade (d.10th Dec 1916 )

    Gunner Frank Garth was born in Dover, England and educated at Eglington Road School, Woolwich, Kent. He came to Australia when he was 13 years old, and joined the Australian Imperial Force on 19th June 1915. Garth embarked on the HMAT Wandilla from Fremantle, Western Australia on 25th June 1915. He was wounded in action at Gallipoli on 8th August 1915.

    After recovering in Egypt he returned to service with the 24th Field Artillery Brigade. He was killed in action on 10th December 1916 in the Flers Sector, France at the age of 18 years 4 months. Frank Garth is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217564

    Sgt. Richard Job Gardiner 7th Infantry Btn.

    Richard Job Gardiner was born in Carlton, Victoria. Prior to the First World War he was a blacksmith's striker. At the age of 20, Gardiner enlisted with the 7th Infantry Battalion at Footscray, Victoria on 18th August 1914, He embarked on the HMAT Hororata at Melbourne on 19th October 1914 disembarking at Alexandria on 5th April 1915.

    Gardiner was wounded in action three times. The first occasion was on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 22nd May 1915. The second was again at Gallipoli, on 8th September 1915 during the battle of Lone Pine. The third occasion was in France on 22nd April 1917.

    Gardiner returned to Australia on 20th October 1918.

    s flynn




    217563

    Lt. Reginald Scott Gardiner 1st Australian Division

    Reginald Scott Gardiner was born at Casterton, Victoria in 1893. A school teacher before enlisting as a private on 25th August 1914. Gardiner was made a clerk in the Divisional Headquarters, 1st Australian Division, and departed Melbourne on HMAT Orvieto on 22nd October 1914.

    Gardiner went initially to Egypt, where he was promoted to corporal on 1st March 1915, and then to Gallipoli via Lemnos. He witnessed the landing at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915 from aboard one of the transport ships. Gardiner was promoted to sergeant on 24th July 1915 while serving at Gallipoli. He was transferred to Egypt on 2nd October 1915 re-joining his unit at Gallipoli on 18th October 1915. Gardiner departed Gallipoli as part of the evacuation and, on return to Egypt, was transferred to 4 Section Medical, AIF Headquarters on 22nd December 1915.

    In June 1915 Gardiner was sent to England for officer training which resulted in his commission as a second lieutenant on 18th December 1916. He left for France on 16th January 1917 where he joined the 55th Infantry Battalion. According to his service record, Gardiner was "brought to notice of Secretary of State of War for valuable service rendered in connection with the war" on 24th February 1917. He was promoted to lieutenant on 22nd May 1917. While in the 55th Battalion, Gardiner served both as a signalling officer and an intelligence officer. He also spent time between 25th April and 2nd August 1918 attached to Headquarters, 14th Australian Infantry Brigade.

    Gardiner left England to return to Australia on 25th February 1919. The medical history he provided on arrival in Australia indicated he was feeling fit despite the long war years during which he had suffered from influenza at Gallipoli in 1915 and was gassed in November 1917. He had not been hospitalised on either occasion. He left the Australian Imperial Force on 16th June 1919. Reginald Gardiner died on 14th November 1922.

    s flynn




    217562

    Pte. John Kingsley Gammage 1st Btn.

    John Kingsley Gammage was born at Cootamundra, New South Wales in 1887. At the time of his enlistment in late January 1915, Gammage listed his father, William Gammage, as his next of kin and his occupation as a baker. He departed Australia with the 1st Battalion aboard HMAT Argyllshire on 10th April 1915.

    Gammage landed at Gallipoli on 26th June 1915. He was wounded in the left leg during the battle of Lone Pine in August 1915 and was sent to Mudros for treatment and recuperation. He re-joined the 1st Battalion on 25th September 1915. After the evacuation from Gallipoli, Gammage returned to Egypt with the Battalion but was transferred to the Imperial Camel Corps on 29th January 1916. He served with the Corps in Libya and Palestine. Attached to the Anzac Provost Corps from 16th March 1918, Gammage was transferred permanently when the Imperial Camel Corps was disbanded in June 1918. He received a promotion to extra regimental second corporal on 9th March 1919. John Gammage departed Egypt aboard HMAT Delta to return to Australia on 2nd August 1919.

    s flynn




    217561

    Maj. Leslie George Fussell MC. 17th Batn.

    Leslie George Fussell was born at Ballarat on 3rd November 1883. He was married to Ruby Evelyn Fussell and was employed as a bank clerk, when he was commissioned into the Australian Imperial Force as a lieutenant on 7th May 1915. He departed Australia with the 17th Battalion aboard HMAT Themistocles only five days later.

    The 17th Battalion trained in Egypt before landing at Anzac Cove on 20th August 1915. At Gallipoli, the Battalion participated in the last action of the August Offensive and then spent the remainder of its time defending Quinn's Post. After the evacuation, Fussell proceeded to France with the 17th Battalion and by June 1916 had become a captain. He fought at Pozières between 25th July and 5th August 1916 and in Belgium until the end of the year.

    Fussell spent most of 1917 away from the 17th Battalion as between 3rd January and 23r July 1917, he was seconded for duty to the Ist Anzac Corps School. He was awarded the Military Cross on 5 June 1917 for his consistent devotion to duty, and was promoted to major on 22nd June 1917. After a short period back with the 17th Battalion, he was attached to the 2nd Australian Division as a brigade major trainee from 13th August 1917. He returned to his unit on 23rd November 1917 and remained with the 17th Battalion through most of 1918. The 17th Battalion helped to thwart the German Spring Offensive of 1918 after which the Allied armies turned to the offensive. During this period, the 17th Battalion participated in a number of battles: Amiens on 8th August, the attack on Mont St Quentin on 31st August, and the forcing of the Beaurevoir Line around Montbrehain on 3rd October. Montbrehain was the battalion's last battle as it was in training when the armistice was declared. Active throughout 1919 with demobilisation of the AIF, Leslie Fussell returned to Australia in early 1920 and his military appointment was terminated on 16th June 1920.

    s flynn




    217560

    Mjr. Robert Pearce Flockart 5th Battalion (d.15th July 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Pearce Flockart was born at Ballarat, Victoria, on 14th of November 1886 and received his education at Scotch College, Melbourne. Although employed as a clerk before the First World War, Flockart had a long involvement with the military. He was active in the Senior Cadets then in the Victorian Rifles and from 1912 was an area officer at Coburg. On joining the Australian Imperial Force on 25 August 1914, he was appointed a captain in the 5th Battalion. This was one of the first infantry units raised for the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War and Flockart departed for Egypt on HMAT Orvieto with this battalion just two months later in October 1914.

    The 5th Battalion took part in the second wave of the Anzac landing on 25th of April 1915. Flockart was evacuated to Alexandria soon afterward for treatment of the 'slight' wounds to the face he received on 26th of April 1915. Promoted to major on 27 April 1915, he returned to the battalion on 17th of May and received temporary command of the battalion between 18th & 27th May 1915. Flockart was wounded again on 12th of July when he received a gunshot wound to the head. He was evacuated to the Hospital Ship Gascon but died on 15th of July 1915. Robert Flockart was buried at sea and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Turkey.

    s flynn




    217559

    Lt. Irving Russell Flett 23rd Battalion (d.28th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Irving Russell Flett was born at Albert Park, Victoria on 23rd of September 1887. A salesman, Flett lived in Brighton, Victoria with his parents and a brother, Walter. Flett was appointed as second lieutenant in the newly raised 23rd Battalion on 24th of March 1915. Flett departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides on 10 May 1915. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on 26th of August 1915, just before the 23rd Battalion landed at Gallipoli on the 4th of September 1915. The battalion were soon manning the difficult and dangerous trenches at Lone Pine which they occupied alternately with the 24th Battalion, until the evacuation in December 1915.

    Following the evacuation, Flett was sent, via Egypt, to France with the 23rd Battalion. The battalion experienced a relatively gentle introduction to the Western Front via the Armentières sector in northern France in April 1916. However, the battalion was to experience substantial casualties during the horrific battles of Pozières and Mouquet Farm in July. Flett was amongst these casualties and was killed in action on 28 July 1916 at Pozières, France, aged 29. Irving Flett was buried on the battlefield near the ruins of Pozières and is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

    s flynn




    217558

    Capt. George Lush Finlay MC. 5th Battalion (d.9th Feb 1919)

    <p>

    George Lush Finlay was born on 12th October 1891 to William Seymour and Margaret Finlay at Albert Park, Victoria. He received his education at Hawthorn College and became a qualified accountant. On 12th May 1915 he became a commissioned officer in the Australian Imperial Force after training at the Officer's Training School, Broadmeadows. Finlay departed Australia for Alexandria with the 5th Battalion, 7th Reinforcements aboard HMAT Demosthenes on 16 July 1915.

    Finlay joined the battalion at Gallipoli but was hospitalised on 18 January 1916 with enteric fever and returned to Australia for three months aboard HS Nestor. Finlay departed Australia again on 28th July 1916 aboard HMAT Themistocles with 5th Battalion, 19th Reinforcements and re-joined his unit on the Somme during October 1916. It was at this time that he was also promoted to lieutenant. Finlay stayed with this unit when they moved to Ypres in 1917 and was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at Ypres on 3rd of June 1918. Between January and August 1918, Finlay was attached for duty to the 1st Division Headquarters and 2nd Australian Infantry Brigade. He returned to the 5th Battalion in October 1918 and was promoted to captain on 27 October 1918. Finlay became ill during January 1919 and was admitted to the 20th General Hospital with influenza on 4 February 1919. George Lush Finlay did not recover from his illness and died on 9 February 1919 at 20th General Hospital in Camierts, France. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

    s flynn




    217557

    Cpt. Cuthbert Clive Finlay 17th Btn.

    <p>

    Cuthbert Clive Finlay was born at Stroud, New South Wales in 1894 to Doctor Sinclair and Ethel Finlay. He attended Sydney Grammar School and was a medical student at the University of Sydney at the outbreak of the First World War. Finlay was active in the University of Sydney Scouts and had reached the rank of sergeant.

    He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 3rd March 1915 and was appointed acting corporal in 'C' Company, 17th Battalion. He was promoted to corporal 29th March 1915 and departed Australia with the 17th Battalion aboard HMAT Themistocles on 12th May 1915. Finlay, and the 17th Battalion, arrived at Gallipoli on 20th August 1915 where they remained until the evacuation in December.

    Finlay was stationed at Quinn's Post and was promoted to second lieutenant in November 1915. After further training in Egypt, the battalion landed in France on 22nd March 1916 and were engaged in the battle of Pozières between 25th July and 5th August 1916. Finlay received a gunshot wound to the arm on 27th July and was evacuated to the 27th Stationary Hospital. He returned to his unit on 12th August 1916 before being transferred to the 5th Training Battalion in November 1916. During April 1917, he was transferred again to a newly raised 61st Battalion. During April 1917, he attended the Bombing School and left with qualifications as an instructor in bomb throwing. Finlay was promoted to the rank of captain on 22nd June 1917 and returned to the 17th Battalion in November 1917. Finlay returned to Australia aboard HMAT Ceramic and arrived in Sydney on14th March 1919. He was was discharged on 23rd May 1919. Cuthbert Finlay returned to the University of Sydney to complete his medical studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine in 1923 followed by a Master of Surgery in 1924.

    s flynn




    217556

    Lt. Alfred James Fell MC. 34th Battalion

    Alfred James Fell was born on 7th of May 1890 at Liverpool, England to Captain Alfred and Christina Fell. He attended Wallasey Grammar School in England and Sydney Church of England Grammar School after arriving in Australia. Fell worked as an accountant before enlisting as a sergeant in the Australian Imperial Force on 22nd August 1915. In April 1916, he was assigned to the 34th Battalion which had been formed in Maitland, New South Wales that January.

    Fell departed Australia aboard HMAT Hororata with the 34th Battalion on 2nd May 1916. The battalion spent five months training in England and it was during this time that Fell attended the bombing school at Lyndhurst and Officer training school for Non-Commissioned Officers at Tidworth. He accompanied his unit to France on 21st November 1916. Fell was awarded the Military Cross on 27th November 1918 for his actions at Villers Bretonneux between 4th and 5th April 1918. In May 1918. He was reported missing and noted as a German prisoner of war on 27th May 1918. He was repatriated after the war and arrived in England on 1st December 1918. Alfred Fell returned to Australia from England aboard HMAT Orca and arrived in Sydney on 3rd April 1919.

    s flynn




    217555

    Maj. William Gordon Farquhar MID DSO. 3rd Field Coy Engineers

    William Gordon Farquhar was born in Woongarra, Bundaberg, Queensland in 1889 to William Gordon and Margaret Wallace Farquhar. Prior to enlisting, he spent six years as a senior cadet and worked as a surveyor. Farquhar enlisted in Brisbane, Queensland on 18th August 1914 as a Sapper and was assigned to the 3rd Field Company Engineers where he was soon promoted to lance corporal.

    He embarked for Egypt on 22nd September 1914 aboard HMAT Geelong. After training in Egypt, Farquhar served at Gallipoli with 3rd Field Company Engineers. He was promoted to sergeant on 15th May 1915. He was transferred in July 1915 to the 8th Field Company Engineers (at that time 5th Field Company Engineers) in Egypt. Farquhar was commissioned as a second Lieutenant on 26th July 1915. He returned to Gallipoli on 12th September, leading No. 3 Section at Quinn's Post, until the evacuation in December. Farquhar was promoted to lieutenant during this time. Between January and June 1916, the 8th Field Company Engineers trained in Egypt where Farquhar was promoted to captain on 14th March.

    The unit embarked for France in June 1916. Farquhar was promoted to major on 21st March 1917 and took command of the 8th Field Company Engineers from 23rd March 1917. He was twice Mentioned in Despatches (December 1917 and December 1918) and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 1st January 1918 for his actions on the Somme and at Lagnicourt. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre (Belgian) on 5th April 1919 "for continued gallant and devoted services under fire" and returned to Australia in February 1919 aboard HMAT Berrima.

    s flynn




    217553

    Pte. Harry Cockerell 4th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment

    <p>

    Harry Cockerell was born on the 7th of June 1883, in Tonbridge, Kent. Like his father and grandfather before him, he worked as a Cricket Ball Maker. Harry was married to Edith, and they had 4 children aged 5 and under, when he signed up to serve in the 4th Royal West Kent Territorials TF/1687, a day after his 31st birthday on the 8th June 1914.

    Harry's War records state that he was a private and his regiment embarked for India on 29th Oct 1914. He was transferred to 1/5 Buffs (East Kent Regiment 6076/242852) on 3rd Oct 1916, and served at Es Sinn and Basra. Harry was wounded in action on 24th Jan 1917, with a gun shot wound to his right tibia and invalided to India, he was later transferred to Edmonton Military Hospital, London, which was one of several hospitals in England given over to the care of wounded soldiers in WW1.

    Harry survived his injuries and returned from service to a civilian life once more in Tonbridge. Harry and Edith went on to have two more sons. Harry died aged 64 on 6 Jan 1948, at 64 Barden Road, Tonbridge. Sadly, I didn't know my grandfather, as he had died before I was born. Apart from Harry's war records and a few family photos, all the suffering and hardships Harry and his family had to endure, would be lost forever.

    Maxine King




    217552

    Pte. Herbert Ormonde Butler 1st btn. 3rd btn. 23rd london regiment east surrey regiment

    Bert Butler was my grandfather he served in the 23rd London Regiment during World War 1. Prior to the war he was working as a clerk in the Army and Navy Stores in Victoria Road London, he signed up as part of Kitchener’s army at the age of 20 and joined in Camberwell London. He was attested on the 9th March 1916 and after completing his training on the 13th July 1916 he was posted to France arriving in Le Havre on 14th July 1916.

    His battalion fought in the Somme, he was wounded on 15th September 1916 in the battle of High Wood. The battle was significant as it was the first time tanks were used. My grandfather received a bullet wound to his right leg and was sent back to England, he was admitted to Herbert Hospital in Woolwich London where he spent several weeks recuperating. He was posted again to France until April 1917. He was hospitalised again in February 1918 with septic poisoning, he later trained as a signaller and was promoted to Corporal in September the same year and transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the East Surrey regiment. He was demobbed on 21st February 1919 from Fovant dispersal unit.

    Julie Bowring




    217550

    Pte. George McLaren 1/7 Battalion Black Watch (d.13th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    My grandfather, George McLaren was a reservist with the 7th Battalion Black Watch. A postcard from him to his daughter (my mother) Joan, in 1912 (only two at the time) is from the training camp Monzie, near Crieff. It would appear that he probably went to France in 1915, arriving at Boulogne on 2nd of May 1915. Sadly I do not know for certain what his activities were until his death at the Battle of Acre Heights on 13th November 1916 while carrying ammunition forward towards the German front line. Mist and mud made the advance difficult and the weight of the ammunition boxes made progress slow. The original letter, written by Captain A K Watson to my Grandmother still exists and tells of how her husband died. This is a small scrap of paper dated 17th Nov 1916 and, no doubt, written in moments during combat conditions. A small number of letters from my grandmother and from his brothers were returned (which I still have). He is buried in the Y-Ravine Cemetery.

    Ken Kennedy




    217549

    Capt. King Elmes att. 2/16th London Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps (d.30th Sep 1918)

    As children, we heard that my grandmother's brother, King Elmes, a RAMC doctor, had been with his regiment in 'Arabia' with Lawrence. We were told that when 'all went quiet' in 'Arabia' he moved to the Western Front, and was killed on 30th September 1918, hit by a shell. He is buried in Kandahar Farm. King would have been one of a generation of young Irish doctors who would have been prevented from getting the usual entry level job at home on qualification, by a bar on employing doctors of an age to serve in the army in the Poor Law medical services. There was a history of military service as medical doctors in the family, a south Wexford farming family. His uncle Robert had served with the RAMC in the Crimea, and two other doctor brothers, Sam and Euseby, served in the Navy, Euseby being on a merchant ship in the Pacific when the ship was annexed. I'd love to know more about what King's regiment was up to in Egypt, Salonika and Palestine, and also on the western front - I gather they were advancing when King was hit.

    Ida Milne




    217546

    Mjr. Wilfred Evans MID MC. Australian Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Wilfred Evans was born at Cooma, New South Wales, on 10 September 1889. After graduating top of his year with a degree in medicine from the University of Sydney in 1914 he practiced for a brief time at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown. Evans enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 29 May 1915. He departed Sydney with other reinforcements for the Australian Army Medical Corps aboard HMAT Karoola on 16 June 1915.

    Originally posted to the 1st Australian General Hospital, Evans was soon transferred to the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance on Gallipoli. After the evacuation in December he served with the mounted troops until the end of the Middle East campaign. During this time he treated the wounded as the Australian forces moved from Sinai into Palestine and later Transjordan. Evans wrote to his family at home throughout the war, describing the major battles of the campaign and the conditions on service. By the end of the war he had distinguished himself as a brilliant physician and leader. By the end of the war Evans had been promoted to the rank of major and was Mentioned in Despatches on three occasions. He was also awarded the Military Cross for his work in charge of a dressing station dealing with the many wounded from the second battle of Gaza on 19 April 1917.

    returning to Australia in 1919 Evans married and continued to pursue his medical career during the interwar years. He once again joined the medical corps in the Second World War but declined overseas service, instead serving as Assistant Director-General of Medical Services in Melbourne. Wilfred Evans died in Sydney on 20 December 1957 after a brief illness.

    s flynn




    217545

    Bty.Sgt. Norman Griffiths Ellsworth 102 Howitzer Battery (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    Norman Griffiths Ellsworth was born at Creswick, Victoria in 1886. He was educated at the Christ Church Grammar School in South Yarra, Melbourne and worked as a government employee with the Royal Mint. He had nine years of service with the militia, having spent time with 10th Light Horse and 5th Field Artillery prior to his enlistment in the Australian ImperialI Force on 19 August 1914. Ellsworth joined the 4th Battery, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade and departed Sydney on board HMAT Shropshire on 20th of October 1914. He was part of the crew that took the first gun ashore at Gallipoli on 25th of April 1915, and went on to serve on the Western Front in France and Belgium. He was transferred to the 21st Field Artillery Brigade on 30th of December 1916, when he was also promoted to Battery Sergeant Major. He also spent time with the 102nd and 116th Howitzer Batteries. Norman Ellsworth died of wounds received at Zillebeke in Belgium on the 31st of July 1917 and is buried at The Huts Cemetery, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217544

    Lt. Eric Henry Drummond Edgerton MM DSO MID. 24th Infantry Battalion (d.11th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Eric Henry Drummond Edgerton was born at Moonee Ponds, Victoria in 1897 to parents James and Florence. Prior to the First World War he spent seven years as a cadet. Edgerton was aged 18 and a student when he joined the 24th Infantry Battalion on 14th April 1915. On 25th of June 1915, he departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Ceramic. Two of Edgerton's cousins also served, Private Percival John Young and Second Lieutenant Harry Leslie Killingsworth.

    Serving at Gallipoli, Edgerton was promoted to the rank of corporal in November 1915 and was hospitalised in December 1915. He returned to his unit in January 1916 and sent to the Western Front in France. Edgerton was awarded the Military Medal on 27 October 1916 and promoted to the rank of sergeant in November that year. 1917 brought the award of a Bar to his Military Medal on 11 May and promotions to the ranks of second lieutenant in March and lieutenant in September. In 1918, Edgerton further demonstrated his courage and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 16 September 1918 for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty" in capturing several German machine gun positions.

    Eric Edgerton was 21 years old when he was killed in action on 11 August 1918 in France. His death was mentioned in the despatches of Field Marshal Douglas Haig on 8th of November 1918 and he is buried at Villers-Brettoneux Military Cemetery, France

    s flynn




    217543

    Lt. George Howard Earp 5th Infantry Battalion

    George Howard Earp was born at Marlborough, New Zealand in 1891 to parents Charles and Annie. An architectural draughtsman by trade, he enlisted at Prahran in Victoria on 17th August 1914 at the age of 23. Earp departed Melbourne with the 5th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Orvieto on 21st October 1914.

    Whilst serving at Gallipoli, Earp was struck down by gastroenteritis and in July 1915 was evacuated to Malta and then to Egypt for treatment. The following year he was sent to the Western Front in France and in April 1916 was transferred to the 1st Pioneer Battalion. In that same month he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant and then again to lieutenant later that year. Afterwards he served with the 1st Pioneer Battalion for the remainder of the war, George Earp returned to Australia on 9th March 1919.

    s flynn




    217542

    Lt. Alfred Bailey Eades 2nd Field Artillery Brigade (d.12th Nov 1918)

    Alfred Bailey Eades was born at Essendon, Victoria in 1895 to parents Arthur and Louisa. Prior to the First World War, he served for two years with the 25th Battery of the 8th Field Artillery Brigade, Citizen Military Forces where he attained the rank of sergeant in 1914. A clerk by trade, he enlisted in Melbourne on 7th May 1915 at the age of 20. On 10th August 1915, he departed Melbourne aboard RMS Persia with the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade and the rank of gunner. Eade's cousin, General Sir Cyril Brudenall Bingham White also served during the First World War.

    After landing at Gallipoli on 13th of October 1915, Eades was transferred to the 2nd Brigade Ammunition Column and remained on the peninsula until the evacuation in December. In February 1916, he was transferred to the 4th Division Artillery and in March 1916 he was again transferred to the 12th Field Artillery Brigade. Eades was promoted through the ranks to second lieutenant in June 1916 and lieutenant in February 1917.

    He died on 12th November 1918 at the 3rd London General Hospital due to complications from influenza at the age of 23. Alfred Eades is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, United Kingdom.

    s flynn




    217541

    Sgt. Mervyn Arthur Dunkin 12th Infantry Battalion

    Mervyn Arthur Dunkin was born at Launceston, Tasmania on 6 June 1892 to parents John and Mary. A clerk by trade, he enlisted at Claremont on 10th of January 1915 at the age of 22. Enlisting with the 12th Infantry Battalion, Dunkin was allocated the rank of private. On 19th of April 1915, he departed Fremantle aboard HMAT Argyllshire.

    Whilst serving at Gallipoli with the 12th Infantry Battalion, Dunkin was promoted to the rank of lance corporal in December 1915. After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, he was transferred to the 52nd Infantry Battalion in March 1916. During the course of his service on the Western Front, Dunkin was promoted to the ranks of corporal in March 1916 and sergeant in April 1916.

    He was transferred to the 13th Infantry Battalion in October 1916 and was wounded in action in September 1917. After his convalescence, Dunkin was transferred to the 51st Infantry Battalion in May 1918. In 1919, after demobilizing in England, Mervyn Dunkin married and returned to Australia with his wife later that year.

    s flynn




    217540

    Sgt. Albert Sidney Dunk 2nd Depot Battalion 3rd Light Horse Regiment

    Albert Sidney Dunk was born at Morgan, South Australia on 5 May 1891 to parents Albert and Winifred Dunk. A station overseer by trade, he enlisted at Adelaide on 24th of May 1916 with the 2nd Depot Battalion. On 16th of January 1917 he departed Adelaide aboard HMAT Bulla with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment. He served with this unit in Egypt and Palestine. On 31 October 1917, at the Battle of Beersheba, Dunk sustained a gunshot wound to his right foot and was transferred shortly after to the 14th Australian General Hospital in Cairo. Albert Dunk returned to Australia on 20th of July 1919.

    s flynn




    217538

    Capt. Herbert Spencer Dickinson MID. 5th Infantry Battalion (d.25th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Herbert Spencer Dickinson was born at Thorpdale, Victoria on 20 December 1891 to parents Thomas and Clara. An accountant by trade, he enlisted at Prahran on 17th of August 1914 at the age of 22. Enlisting with the 5th Infantry Battalion, Dickinson was allocated the rank of private. He departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Orvieto on 21st October 1914.

    After serving with his unit at Gallipoli, he was transferred in February 1916 to the 57th Infantry Battalion and sent to the Western Front in France. Dickinson was quickly promoted through the ranks, gaining his first promotion to lance corporal in September 1914 and becoming a captain by May 1916. Whilst serving with the 57th Infantry Battalion he was mentioned in the despatches of General Douglas Haig on 9 April 1917. Dickinson was killed in action at Polygon Wood in Belgium on 25th of September 1917. He was 25 years old. Herbert Dickinson is buried at The Huts Cemetery, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217537

    Pte. Errol Cappie Nepean Devlin Tropical Unit, 1st Battalion (d.30th May 1916)

    Errol Cappie Nepean Devlin was born at Penrith, New South Wales during 1891 to parents Sidney William and Mary. A clerk by trade, he first enlisted at Liverpool on 12 August 1914 at the age of 23 with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF), Tropical Unit, 1st Battalion. He left Australia aboard HMAT Berrima on 19 August 1914 and served with the ANMEF to capture German assets in New Guinea.

    After returning to Australia, he chose to enlist once again. On 22 March 1915 he again enlisted at Liverpool and was assigned to the 18th Infantry Battalion with the rank of Private. Devlin departed Sydney aboard HMAT Ceramic on 25 June 1915. He served with the 18th Battalion at Gallipoli and on the Western Front until he was killed in action on 30 May 1916 in France. He was 25 years old. Errol Devlin is buried at Brewery Orchard Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France

    s flynn




    217536

    Sgt. Apcar Leslie DeVine 4th Infantry Battalion

    Apcar Leslie De Vine was born in the Saint Helier parish of the island of Jersey on 22 April 1886. In 1909 he married Edith Lepine Gray in England. Prior to the First World War he served with the Royal Sussex Regiment of the British Army and was an electrical engineer by trade. He immigrated to Australia before the war. He enlisted at Randwick, New South Wales on 19th of August 1914 and was assigned to the 4th Infantry Battalion. De Vine departed Sydney aboard HMAT Euripides on 20th October 1914.

    De Vine served at Gallipoli and the Western Front with the 4th Battalion and was wounded several times during the conflict. During this period he was promoted through the ranks to corporal (1916), lance sergeant (1917), and finally sergeant (1918). Having served with the 4th Infantry Battalion for the duration of his service, De Vine returned to Australia on 16th June 1919.

    De Vine later served with the Australian Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the Second World War as NX9819 Craftsman Leslie De Vine. On 8 February 1943, and whilst a member of the 2/6th Armoured Regiment, Apcar Devine died due to illness and is buried at Sydney War Cemetery, Australia.

    s flynn




    217530

    Capt. Herbert Franklin Curnow 22nd Infantry Battalion (d.5th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Franklin Curnow was born at Kangaroo Flat Victoria on 9 January 1893 to parents Herbert and Janet. A clerk by trade, he enlisted in Melbourne on 30 April 1915 at the age of 22. Curnow departed Melbourne as a second lieutenant with the 22nd Infantry Battalion on 10 May 1915.

    Curnow served at Gallipoli with the 22nd Infantry Battalion and during the course of 1915 was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and then captain. He was evacuated in early December 1915 due to a septic hand injury. Curnow later re-joined his unit and was sent to the Western Front during March 1916. Herbert Curnow was 23 years old when he was killed in action at Pozieres on 5 August 1916 and he is buried at Courcelette British Cemetery, France.

    s flynn




    217529

    Capt. Alexander Jackson Cunningham MC. 1st Divisional Train, Army Service Corps

    Alexander Jackson Cunningham was born at Geelong, Victoria, on 23rd February 1885. He was educated at Eastbourne College in England and Geelong Grammar School on moving to Australia. Before the First World War broke out he was a member of the army cadets and trained as a mechanical engineer. He enlisted at the age of 29 with the Australian Imperial Force on 11th September 1914, and departed Melbourne with the 1st Divisional Train of the Army Service Corps aboard HMAT Orvieto on 21st October 1914.

    The following year Cunningham was deployed to Gallipoli, where his engineering skills would be put to use designing and constructing trenches and fortifications. It was here that he started producing detailed plans of fortifications such as Leane's Trench and recording his experiences in his diary. After his evacuation from Gallipoli he was transferred to the 2nd Field Company Engineers of the 1st Infantry Division. Cunningham was then deployed to the Western Front, where he continued to diarise meticulous technical diagrams, sketches, and notebooks of the fortifications he and his unit constructed. As an engineer of the 1st Division he would see a significant amount of action throughout 1916 and 1917. He was involved in various capacities at the battles of Pozières, Lagnicourt, Passchendaele, Menin Road Ridge, Polygon Wood, and Broodseinde Ridge. In April 1917 Cunningham was promoted to captain and the next month was transferred to the 1st Division Engineers HQ, where he became adjutant. He was later awarded the Military Cross for his service in France and Belgium.

    In January 1918, in response to requests from his brother Andrew back home, Cunningham applied for six months of personal leave to return to Australia. His mother was in ill health and there was a need to sort out family business and financial matters. Since the war began Cunningham's father had died and his brother Trevor had been killed at Pozières. He embarked for Australia in March but, sadly, Cunningham's mother died in November that year and his brother Andrew passed away three years later. Alexander Cunningham died at Highton, Victoria, in 1970.

    s flynn




    217528

    Tpr. Richard Walters Crozier 6th Australian Light Horse (d.4th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Richard Walters Crozier was born at Numurkah, Victoria in 1892. At the outbreak of the First World War he was living and working in Culcairn, New South Wales as a farmer. Crozier enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 16 January 1915. He was aged 23 at the time and had no prior military experience. He departed Newcastle aboard HMAT Bakara on 22 May 1915. Crozier was assigned to the 6th Australian Light Horse and remained with this unit throughout his service. His younger brother, Private Sydney George Crozier, also served with this unit in the Middle East.

    He arrived at Gallipoli on 2 October 1915. He received a minor shrapnel wound to the neck on 25 November 1915 and was sent to Malta to receive medical attention. Crozier re-joined his unit at Maadi, Egypt on 8 February 1916. Richard Crozier was killed in action on 4 August 1916 during the battle of Romani, the last Ottoman offensive against the Suez Canal, and is buried at Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

    s flynn




    217527

    Lt. Cyril Ednott Crooke 2nd Sqdn.

    Cyril Ednott Crooke was born at South Yarra, Victoria on 3rd April 1891 to parents James and Leura. A graduate of studies in agriculture, he was 24 years old when he enlisted in Melbourne on 20th January 1916. Crooke was assigned to the No. 2 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps and departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Ulysses on 25th October 1916. In early 1917 Crooke graduated as a pilot and later that year was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant and then lieutenant. Cyril Crooke served as a pilot until returning to Australia on 24th August 1918.

    s flynn




    217526

    Pte. John Hector Croft 3rd Infantry Battalion

    <p>

    John Hector Croft was born in Mittagong, New South Wales 28th March 1891 and grew up in Bulli. At the outbreak of the First World War he was working as a labourer, was 23 and unmarried. Enlisting on 3 November 1914, he joined one of the first Infantry units raised - the 3rd Infantry Battalion, embarking five months later on HMAT Derflinger, with the 2nd reinforcements. The 3rd Battalion was involved with the initial landings at Gallipoli on 25 April and it was at Gallipoli that Croft had an amazing escape. Croft recalled the incident in a letter home to a friend. Talking about the landing, he wrote of seeing his mates being shot and of being peppered with shrapnel. During the battle, Croft was shot - the bullet passing through his arm, which slowed it down. Fortunately for Croft the bullet was stopped by his pocket book - a gift from his friends - before reaching his heart. Croft noted he had been on the shore only seven hours before being hit.

    During his recovery in Egypt, Croft learned that his arm had been badly damaged and he was almost sent home to Australia. Before this could take place, Croft was moved to another hospital where he underwent surgery to fix his arm and was able to continue his service with the 3rd Battalion. After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt. In March 1916, it sailed for France and the Western Front. From then until 1918 the battalion took part in operations against the German Army, principally in the Somme Valley in France and around Ypres in Belgium.

    The battalion's first major action in France was at Pozières on the Somme in July 1916. It was during this battle that Croft's luck ran out. He received a severe gunshot wound and was evacuated by ambulance train. This time, sadly, he did not recover and died on-board the hospital ship St George, crossing from France to England. It was 27 July 1916. He was 25 years old. While Croft was initially listed as being buried at sea, he was in fact taken ashore and buried at Netley Military Cemetery, Hampshire, United Kingdom. Mourned by his family, and friends, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

    s flynn




    217525

    Sgt. Jason Leslie Boyd Coulter Australian Imperial Forces 2nd Infantry Battalion (d.10th Aug 1915)

    Jason Leslie Boyd Coulter was born at Ballarat, Victoria during 1877 to parents Irvine and Mary. A farmer by trade, he enlisted at Randwick, New South Wales under the name Jason Leslie Boyd on 27th August 1914. At the time Coulter enlisted, the upper age limit was set at 35 but he was 36 at the time. His age on enlistment was recorded as 35 and he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Battalion.

    Coulter departed Sydney aboard HMAT Suffolk on 18th October 1914. In March 1915, he was transferred to the 8th Infantry Battalion before being sent to Gallipoli. Coulter's brother, Lt. Col. Graham Coulter, also served with the 8th Infantry Battalion and later commanded this unit.

    Whilst at Gallipoli he was promoted through the ranks and achieved the rank of sergeant during August 1915. He also sustained severe gunshot wounds from his service in this campaign and died on 10th August 1915. Jason Coulter was 37 years old when he died and he is buried at the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt

    s flynn




    217524

    2nd Lt. Eric Roland Cotterill 13th Infantry Batn. (d.9th May 1915)

    Eric Roland Cotterill was born at Paddington, New South Wales on 22nd January 1892 to parents George and Dorothea Cotterill. Prior to the First World War, he spent three years as a naval cadet and a further two years in the Naval Reserve. A warehouseman by trade, he enlisted at Rosehill on 21st September 1914 at the age of 22.

    Cotterill departed Melbourne with the 13th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Ulysses on 22nd December 1914. By this time, he had already been promoted to sergeant. He served with 13th Infantry Battalion at Gallipoli and was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant on 8th May 1915. The following day, Eric Cotterill was killed in action and is buried at Quinn's Post Cemetery, Turkey

    s flynn




    217523

    2nd Lt. John George Cosson MID DCM. 16th Infantry Batn. (d.7th Aug 1916)

    John George Cosson was born at Barnes, England during 1866 to parents John and Eliza. He immigrated to Australia at the age of eight and married Elizabeth Mackenzie in 1900. A tobacconist by trade, he enlisted at Perth on 12th May 1915. At the age of 49, he joined the 16th Infantry Battalion with the rank of private and departed Fremantle aboard HMAT Chilka on 18th June 1915. Two nephews, Private Frederick Arthur Kinsey and Private Harry Cosson, also served during the First World War.

    Cosson was wounded at the battle of Lone Pine on 7th August 1915 and re-joined his unit during October 1915. Cosson was still at Gallipoli for the evacuation and was amongst the last 22 men to leave. On 1st January 1916, he was promoted to the rank of corporal and four months later transferred to the 48th Infantry Battalion. It was also at this time that he became a second lieutenant. During 1916, Cosson also received a mention in despatches and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. John Cosson was 50 years old when he was killed in action at the battle of Pozieres on 7th August 1916. He is commemorated on the Villers-Brettoneux Australian National Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217522

    Pte. Gordon Colin Cooper 1st Light Horse Regiment

    Gordon Colin Cooper was born at Inverell, New South Wales, on 3rd August 1893. The 21-year-old farmer enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 27th August 1914. Cooper departed Sydney with the 1st Light Horse Regiment aboard HMAT Star of Victoria on 20th October 1914.

    Cooper and the 1st Light Horse Regiment landed in Gallipoli in May 1915. Over the next few months this unit played a mostly defensive role until the evacuation in December. After Gallipoli, he started to document his experiences in several diaries.

    In July 1916, Cooper was transferred to the 1st Light Horse Brigade Machine Gun Squadron and fought at the battle of Romani in August. He continued to serve with this unit throughout 1917 and 1918 as it moved further into Palestine and Transjordan, continually pushing back the Turkish forces. Cooper's diaries detail keen observations on military life during this time and descriptions of the battles in which the unit participated. In July 1918, while travelling between Jerusalem and Solomon's Pools, he was bucked from his horse and sustained head and eye injuries.

    Cooper arrived back in Australia on 24th November 1918 and later married. He would once again serve his country, this time in the Second World War with the Department of the Army in the New South Wales Echelon and Record Office. Gordon Cooper died on 12th July 1948 and is buried at Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney.

    s flynn




    217521

    Gnr. Sidney Jackson Legge 8th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Sid Legge was born in 1896 and left home in Cambridgeshire to join the Army in 1913. He was then 7269 Private S. Legge of the 3rd Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. He attained his Third Class Certificate of Education on the 18th July, 1913 at the Army School in Colchester.

    It appears that at the outbreak of the Great War he was transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery and posted to the 8th Siege Battery and became 39552 Gunner S. Legge. He was shipped to France in 1914 with his Regiment, and spent the whole war there, apart from leave, till the armistice in 1918. He was engaged in a battle on the 21st and 22nd May, 1916 on the Western front for which the 8th Siege Battery was mentioned in dispatches. At one stage of his service he was wounded in action.

    He was demobbed after the war and married Daisy Richardson in 1919. He then took up a position as a postman in Scotswood, Newcastle Upon Tyne. He died in Wolverhampton in 1981.

    John Legge




    217518

    CQMS. Albert William Cornish 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.19th Sep 1914)

    <p>Albert William Cornish with Jessie, Sidney and Hilda

    Albert Cornish was born in Bideford, Devon in 1877, the son of Emily Cornish from Kilkhampton in Cornwall, and half brother to Stanley, Archibald and Lilian Hole. From humble beginnings Albert sought a career in the army, but his life was sadly cut short on the 19th of September 1914. He is remembered with honour at the Vailly British Cemetery in France and commemorated on the war memorial at Abbotskerswell church, where there is also the inscription "died a hero" on his sister Lilians' grave stone. He left behind a wife Jessie and three children, Hilda, Sidney and Edna.

    Darren Farmer




    217517

    Pte. George Henry Ord 10th Btn. Green Howards

    Before it was to late, I decided to try and record the experiences and history of my father George Henry Ord during World War 1. It is meant to be a history for the benefit of my family and those to come and for those having relatives who served in the Battalion and want to track the 10th Battalion's movements during World War 1. Wherever possible I have concentrated on dates and places as some people may wish to visit the Battle sites and follow in their footsteps . Most of all I want it to be a record dedicated to him and his mates so that they and their sacrifices, should never be forgotten.

    Thursday 1st October 1914

    The 10th Battalion Green Howards was formed as part of Kitcheners New Army. It was commanded at first by Colonel A. de S. Hadow. It was part of the 62nd Infantry Brigade along with 12th & 13th Battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers and the 1st Lincoln’s. The 62nd, 63rd, 64th Brigades and Pioneers (14th Northumberland Fusiliers ) formed the 21st Division under the command of Colonel T.G.L.H. Armstrong. Posted to France late 1915. Each battalion ( 960 men ) consisted of 4 Companies (240 men) and each Company had 4 Platoons. The 10th Battalion was formed and assembled at Berkhamstead ,a small town about 12 miles southwest of Luton, and moved into a rudimentary camp at Halton Park between Tring and Wendover . They were billeted in Tring and the surrounding neighbourhood . On 15th November they moved to Aylesbury, whilst the Halton Park camp was improved. Rifles were in short supply and the following is an amusing anecdote from the Battalion records, " Can one feel like a soldier with a wooden toy to carry about with you , knowing that before parade it had already poked the fire , cleared the kitchen sink , beaten the dog, or proved of domestic utility in other ways ."

    Monday 21st Dec 1914: It was on this day that my Father was posted to the 10th Battalion The Green Howards and he travelled to Richmond North Yorks to begin his basic training - it must have been a big adventure and very exciting for him . He enlisted at King St, South Shields on Wednesday 2nd Dec. 1914. He had just passed his 17th Birthday and the minimum age allowed was 19. Conditions at home were so bad, that this must have represented itself as a golden opportunity to get away. I think that because of what he and his brothers and sisters had endured as children, he became a survivor and very streetwise. I guess you could say that his parents did not give him very much to start life, but by their actions they made him a survivor, it was the best gift they could have given him. This was to get him through the horrors that were to come. In the words of one soldier "It is a hard life we live and the ability to look after oneself and rough it are assets. Softness is played upon. Firmness and rough handling when the occasion demands it are taken for granted" .In the years that I knew him, I never heard him say he did it out of patriotic duty. Like so many young men of that era, he had not had the chance to travel to another part of the country and as a result he must have decided not to join a Local battalion but one whose HQ was in his eyes a "long way away", in this case Richmond North Yorks, 40 miles away. This would involve some travelling and a chance he hoped to do some "sightseeing ". Little did he know that he would get more than enough of that but not under very good conditions. When the Recruiting Sergeant asked his date of Birth, he had not worked out what it should be in order for him to be 19 - he was told "to have a little walk round the Block and think about it". He returned in a short while and was accepted. The rate of pay for a Private was 1 shilling ( £0.05p - $0.08 ) per day. Interestingly, about 40% of all British recruits were rejected on Health grounds and is an indicator of poverty, their poor living conditions and diet they had to put up with. A survey showed that State educated children were on average, 5ins smaller than their Public school counterparts.

    Tuesday 22nd May 1915: The Battalion returned to Halton Park, by which time he would have been well into his basic training. This normally took 10 weeks - 8 weeks' square bashing and 2 weeks' weapons training. Many thought it should have been the reverse.

    Monday 9th August 1915: The Battalion was given orders to march to Witley (10 miles SE of Aldershot) and they arrived there on the 13th August.

    Thursday 9th September 1915: At 6pm they left Witley camp and marched to Milford, a few miles north , and then went by train to Folkstone. They joined the ship immediately and arrived at Boulogne at 3.15am on 10th September.

    Saturday 11th September 1915: Very little time was spent in the rest camp. They next took a train for Watten and then marched to Noeux les Mines arriving on 25th September.

    Sunday 25th Sept 1915: After a short rest, they marched to Vermelles and crossed the Bethune - Lens road. It was here that they came under shellfire for the first time - it must have been a great shock to them all. It was on this day that the Battle of Loos began and it was the first time that the British had used gas. They released 150 tons of Chlorine gas, directly killing 600 German solders. Being part of the 21st Division and very inexperienced, they were held in reserve. They were under the Command of General Haig and part of the 1st Army. The battle ended with what the Allies thought was a Victory at 9:30am. The Battalion was marched up to Loos on the same day and in the afternoon were in the front line for the first time. They shared the German front line trench with the 18th London Regiment. "We enquired of the Londoners what they were doing and they said that they had decided to dig in for the night, so we did likewise". Two platoons of D company pushed on a little further and their first loss occurred when Captain Lynch was killed.

    Sunday 26th September 1915: The battalion were to the right of the front line, SE of Loos and were ordered to attack the German front line. "Having dug ourselves in fairly satisfactorily, we were promptly moved and had to start all over again in the pelting rain ". Two accounts exist of what happened during the attack, but from being attackers they turned into defenders from a big German counter attack and experienced heavy losses. They lost their C.O. Colonel Hadow. From the Green Howards Gazette "Little can be said of what actually happened, beyond the fact that everyone was wet, hungry, and desperately tired; impressions left consist chiefly of the racket of machine guns and rifles, the continuous whistling of shells followed by bang and the bubbly noises of the fuses and the rattle of shrapnel among the Loos pylons. Officers found themselves in command of men from three different divisions; telephonic communication was smashed and orders were practically an impossibility from any higher command than that of a platoon commander". Altogether they lost 12 Officers, two C.S.M.s and about 300 men, over 30% of the battalion.

    The cause had been the German machine guns, the Allied troops had been mown down in their thousands. The Germans did not have aim their guns, just point and shoot. Sir Douglas Haig earlier thought that Machine guns were highly overrated and that 2 per Battalion would be adequate. This battle may have changed his mind. In fairness to him, he was against this battle as he thought the chances of victory were slim. He felt they had insufficient Artillery cover. In the end the British suffered over 60,000 casualties and the Germans 20,000. Even the Germans felt sorry for them, they called the battle "Der Leichenfeld von Loos" - Field of Corpses of Loos. As the wounded made their way back to British lines, one German regimental diary commented "No shot was fired at them for the rest of the day, so great was the feeling of compassion and mercy for the enemy after such a victory ". The death toll at Loos exceeded in intensity that of any previous battle. I think my Father had a lucky escape and he had used up one of his "Nine lives".

    Monday 27 September 1915: Not surprisingly, the Battalion was taken out of the line on the night of the 27th and bivouacked near Philsophe. A new C.O. was appointed, Major W.B. Eddowes (ex 13th Northumberland Fusiliers )

    Tuesday 28th September 1915: The Battalion marched to Noeux les Mines and there entrained for Strazeele in order to regroup and reorganise. They were joined by 11 officers and 200 men, who helped make up the losses.

    Wednesday 13th October 1915: The Battalion left Strazeele and marched via Merris, Le Verrier, Steenwerck ,La Menegatte, Nieppe and Pont de Nieppe, and arrived at Armentieres the next day. They were trained in "Trenchwork" by visiting the front line for various periods and were under the guidance of experienced Officers.

    Tuesday 19th October 1915: Another draught of 100 men arrived. During 19th & 20th the whole battalion did 24 hours in the trenches.

    Monday 25th October 1915: The battalion was finally allotted a front line sector - the Epinette Salient. The Salient (from the Ypres Times) "The aspect of a salient upon a map is familiar to most of us. This is a piece of ground projecting into the enemies lines and offering, therefore, peculiar disadvantages and dangers to the defenders. The Hun can shoot straight across it and from the front and back. A salient is an awkward place ".

    Wednesday 27th October 1915: An Officer and 30 men travelled to Balliol for Inspection by the King and on the 29th the "rainy season" started From now till the 18th of Nov 3 officers were killed and 2 wounded.

    Sunday 19th December 1915: "This day will not be forgotten by any who had the misfortune to be in the line that day, for it was the first really heavy bombardment of the trenches we had suffered ". This bombardment was intended as a diversion from the German attack on the Bluff further to north.

    January and February 1916: During this period, the battalion remained in Epinette area, doing their best to keep their parapets intact and their trenches drained, and losing small numbers of men almost daily from the enemy guns and snipers. Defending a salient was a difficult thing to do as you could be shot at from the front, either side and from behind. My Father recalled an officer looking over the trench parapet through a small slot in a metal plate and he was killed instantly by a fluke shot from a German sniper, the bullet having entered the viewing slot.

    March 1916: The battalion was twice out of the line to be rested, once at Houplines and then at Steenwerck.

    Friday 31st March 1916: The 21st division left the 2nd Army and entraining at Balliol travelled to the ill fated Somme area.

    Monday 17th April 1916: They were billeted at Ville-sous-Corbie and were "welcomed" by the Germans who fired Fourteen 5.9 ins shells at them. The 21st Div was now commanded by Major General D. G. M. Campbell and was part of XV Corps .They were now part of Sir Henry Rawlinsons 4th Army. Just in time for the Battle of the Somme which began on 1st July 1916. Prior to the Battle they were in the general area of the front line and were subject to attack by the Germans.

    Thursday 29th June 1916: The Battalion was billeted at Buire, but on the following night it was moved up to "Queens Redoubt" in readiness for the attack, which was to take place the following morning, the 62nd Brigade being in divisional reserve. They were positioned to the right of the main front line and North of Fricourt. By tradition, the Right of the Line" is considered the "Position of Honour". To their right were the 17th, 7th, 18th and 30th Divisions, some 43,000 men. It was in this sector that some of the hardest fighting occurred but where the Allies achieved the most success.

    Saturday 1st July 1916: First day of the Battle of the Somme. The whole 21st Division managed to carry the Line forward 1000 yds east of the Henin stream. The 10th Battalion was not used in this attack due I should think to their large losses. On the 13th they were moved to the Henin - Croisilles Rd to be held in reserve.

    Sunday 15th April 1917: The Battle of Arras ended on this day at a cost of 38,000 killed British soldiers. A dent measuring 4 miles deep and 10 mile long had been made in the German front line. By the standards of the day it was considered a victory. The 10th Green Howards were withdrawn back to Boiry Becquerelle and then to Beaumetz, where they remained for 10 days. The rest of the month was spent training at Heudecourt.

    Tuesday 31st April 1917: Once again the 10th Green Howards were sent up to the support trenches and at once came under very heavy shelling for 3 days. They lost 17 men killed and wounded.

    Thursday 9th August 1917: The 10th Green Howards were withdrawn from the line and marched back to Moyenne-ville and were billeted the following day at Ervillers. They remained here for the best part of the month, practicing new methods of attack in view of the reported changes in the German system of defence. They also practiced working in co-operation with aeroplanes.

    Wednesday 26th September 1917: On this day the Third Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele began with an attack on Polygon wood. This was to be the last battle that my Father took part in. Defending the Ypres salient since 1914 had cost the Allies 430,000 causalities, killed, wounded, and missing In this final battle alone at Ypres, there were 250,000 Allied causalities of which 90,000 were killed or reported missing. Of these dead, 42,000 bodies were never recovered. Many were simply blown to bits or still lie in the mud where they fell. Some were wounded and fell face down and were drowned in the mud, unable to move due to the weight of equipment they were carrying, some managed to crawl into a shell holes but were drowned as they were unable to move and the water level rose. Many soldiers reported hearing their cries and screams for help but were unable to do anything. It is not possible to comprehend the horror of all this. Some soldiers words summed it all up ~ "We died in Hell" ~ "Oh Jesus make it stop". For the Germans it was equally bad, they estimated they lost 400,000 men in this battle. My Father was lucky to have survived.

    Hellfire Corner was the most hazerdous spot on the Ypres Salient. Here the Ypres - Roulers railway and the Potijze - Zillebeke road crossed the Menin Road and because of this the Germans new the precise range.

    Monday 1st October 1917: After nearly 3 years service with the 10th Green Howards, my Fathers luck was starting to run out. In the next few days he would be severely wounded. Unfortunately the exact date and location is not known, as at this time the Battalion only recorded by name, injuries and deaths to Officers, "other ranks" were recorded as numbers only. A despicable action showing in my opinion a complete disregard for the fighting soldiers. I strongly suspect that it may have occurred during the Battle for Broodseinde Ridge (4th - 7th October). This was one the objectives set and part of the overall battle for Passchendaele. The strength of the battalion at this time was 37 Officers and 966 men. The fighting strength was 30 Officers and 897 men. On this day they were at H camp near Dickebusch Lake. Orders were received that the 2nd Army was to attack the high ground Reutel-Noordhemhoek - Molenaarelsthoek - Niewe - Moden on 4th October.

    Tuesday 2nd October 1917: They marched to Zillebeke Lake and two men of A company were killed by shell fire. This was supposed to be a rest area but was well within the range of the German guns.

    Wednesday 3rd October 1917: With all battle stores, they left Zillebeke lake at 9am in order of platoons, D company leading, followed by B, C, and A. They reached Clapham Junction at midnight. The C.O. decided to take B & D companies to the jumping off point and to keep in touch with the leading companies of the 12th/13th Northumberland Fusiliers, while A & C companies were to follow in support. They were timed to pass Clapham Junction at 1.40am on the 4th.

    Thursday 4th October 1917: This is the day that my Dad was severely wounded and it is eerie to see the Battlefield where it happened. The Germans came over the ridge to attack the British line. On arriving at Glencorse Wood, B & D companies came under very heavy enemy shelling and as a result lost touch with 12th/13th Northumberland Fusiliers. The remainder of the battalion left Clapham Junction at 1.30am and came under heavy fire at Glencorse Wood and were able to reach Black Watch Corner by 2.30am. Again they were heavily shelled and they were ordered to find shelter in the surrounding shell holes. The whole of the 10th Green Howards were now near to Black Watch Corner and were under heavy shell fire and with no guides. They were able to move on and reached the jumping off point at 5.15am. On arriving they found the 1st Lincolnshire Regiment occupying their position. The C.O. of the 1st Lincoln’s had realised the difficult position they were in at Black Watch Corner and thought it unlikely that they would reach their position by Zero hour (6.00am).

    As a result, the 10th Green Howards became the Reserve battalion on a line just in front of Polygon Wood. They had been under continuous heavy shell fire from 9.00pm on 3rd October till 6.00am on the 4th Oct (9 hours). They suffered serious losses. In the evening, under cover of darkness, they moved to a new position near the old front line in Juniper Trench. Here consolidation was put in hand. Of this time my father recalled later - "I managed to get into a shell hole and lay there all day in great pain. I knew that during the night, stretcher bearers would be out looking for the wounded. It got dark and then I heard someone moving about and I started to shout. Three men got into the shell hole, one was a German officer and the other two were probably stretcher bearers. The officer looked at my wound and started to dress it. He cut the sleeve away and poured iodine all over the wound. The pain that caused was terrible, if I had had a gun I would have shot him. They left the shell hole to look for their own wounded. Some time later I heard more people moving about and again I shouted, this time they were British and they carried me behind the lines."

    The 62nd and 64th Brigades held on here under intense artillery fire and suffered many casualties. The conditions in the trenches were very bad, with upwards of 1ft of mud and water making it nearly impossible for the stretcher bearers to recover the wounded.

    Sunday 7th Oct 1917: Just before midnight, the 10th Green Howards were relieved from the front line and moved back to Zillebeke Lake, thus bringing to an end their part in the battle of Broodseinde Ridge. Their losses had been very severe, the killed, missing and wounded amounted to 334 Officers and men (35% of the Battalion). They were not out of harm's way, for in the weeks they were in the Dickebusch - Zillebeke area they incurred many more casualties from enemy shelling. The rain was very heavy and the slightest concussion brought down the trench parapets. By the end of the month the numbers had been reduced even further to 541 Officers and men, they had lost 425 men (44% of the compliment).

    Sunday 18th November 1917: The first of several moves were made. They marched in Brigade to the neighbourhood of Bethune, then to Bersin, then to Ottawa camp at Mont St.Eloi and finally to Ecurie in the Arras area, some 40 miles south of Passchendaele .

    Sunday 25th November 1917: While at Ecurie, the whole 21st Division were warned of an impending move on the 3rd December to Italy. This possible move was as a result of political manoeuvres at 10 Downing St. All along the Prime minister David Lloyd George was never in agreement with the Passchendaele campaign and restricted his support of Sir Douglas Haig, the Army commander. In essence, he washed his hands of the whole affair. He felt that the way to win the war was to defeat the enemy first in Italy. This order was cancelled by reason of the Cambrai operations.

    Friday 30th November 1917: The 10th Green Howards entrained at Maroeuil for Peronne and thence marched to Brusle camp.

    Monday 3rd December 1917: They were moved again to Longavesnes. Two days were spent in reconnoitering the line in anticipation of any likely attack between Epehy and Heudicourt. Some days later they were moved to the front line, east of Pozieres.

    Tuesday 25th December 1917: On Christmas Day, the Battalion were in billets at Lieramont. It was very cold, but happily the enemy were comparatively inactive. Most of January was spent here.

    Wednesday 30th January 1918: This was the very last move the 10th Green Howards ever made during World War 1. They moved by train to Moislains.

    7th Feb. 1918: During this week the life of 10th Battalion Green Howards came to an end, three companies being distributed between the 2nd, 4th and 5th Battalions while the forth company were sent to the VII Corps Reinforcement Camp.I know of no explanation why this happened, but I suspect those in command felt that they had lost so many men, that even with replacements, it might be difficult to engender the same fighting spirit. The battalion was reformed again in June 1940 and in June 1943, it became the 12th Yorkshire Parachute Regiment. It no longer exists.

    Spring 1918 Passchendaele. Here is saddest part of the whole Ypres salient story, a condemnation of those in charge of the British Army. In the Spring of 1918, the German forces launched one last, all out major offensive and as a result the British were unable to hold the Salient and made a strategic withdrawal to the line first suggested in 1915 by General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien. He was sacked for suggesting such a move. In summary, it meant the Allies had defended a piece of land, with no strategic importance from 1914 to 1918 and in doing so, it had lost 430,000 men of which 200,000 had been killed for no purpose at all, other than to wear the opposition down. The British and Empire Forces lost 54,900 men. It was part of Sir Douglas Haig's grand plan to win through a war of attrition . It was the Germans' plan also. What follows are some general views of the Passchendaele battlefield - terrible .

    Undated Reminiscences: As a child , my father told me many things that had happened to him during the War, these are some of the few I remember. I wish I could remember more:

    A British Atrocity. He told me that while marching up the road with his Battalion he saw ahead of him a damaged house by the side of the road. It was full of German prisoners under the guard of a few British soldiers. As someone passed the house, they threw a Mills bomb into the front room and it exploded. Dad was able to go into the house and he said the results were indescribable, blood and bodies everywhere. An investigation was carried out but the perpetrator was never found.

    The Death of a German Soldier. "I was on the Machine Gun and saw some German soldiers moving across the ground. I started firing at them and they jumped in to a shell hole for cover. I kept on firing at the shell hole until I saw no more movement . A short while later, this young German soldier scrambles out of the hole and he tried to run to a nearby stand of trees. The mud was so deep that he got stuck and he was an easy target. We all watched him till he managed to get his right foot out of his boot and he was able to start moving again. As this was happening, I decided not to shoot, it was pitiful and it all seemed just a waste. All of a sudden my mate shouted "Shoot" and I refused. His fate was decided for him when my mate pointed out that when he got to the trees, we would become his target. I gave him a short burst and down he went". He was not proud of this, and I think it affected him deeply, he was one of the few soldiers I have spoken too who admitted to killing another person .

    Unable to stand it anymore. "We had in my company a son from a rich family. They were owners of a very successful biscuit company (still around today - author). For days he had been telling me and my mates that he could not take it anymore and he was going to shoot himself in the foot. We told him not to do it. Sure enough, a few days later there was a shot in the trench and he had done it, they carted him off and I do not know what happened to him . I thought it was the coward's way out, I had no sympathy."

    Dad's Wounding. "I remember lying in a Hospital bed in Cambridge and some Doctors were standing at the bottom of my bed, discussing what to do. One of them told me that they were going to operate on my arm, but in all probability I would lose it. I told them I did not care what happened". Unbeknown to him, they had sent for his Mother as they thought he might not survive the operation. He did not lose his arm, and over 50 yrs later a Hospital consultant saw the wound asked purely out interest about it. After examining the wound, he asked who had carried out the operation and of course my Father did not know. The Consultant told him that he was a very very lucky man, because whoever had done the operation was a genius . Even using modern day techniques, it was likely he would have lost his arm. It is fitting tribute to the surgeons of that war, given the conditions and the pressure they operated under, that they took the time to try and save a young man's arm.

    The Aftermath. After serving 3yrs and 144 days, my father was discharged from the Army on Wednesday 24th April 1918. It took the Government of the day 5 yrs to award him a Pension and he was given the magnificent sum of 15s / 2d per week ( £0.76p - $1.22 ), which at some time in the future they decided to take from him . After the war, he was, like so many servicemen, just dumped on the scrap heap after being promised "homes for heroes". It was very difficult for the injured to get a War Pension, if they were lucky they might get the Dole at 4s / 8d (£0.23 - $0.38 )per week. Many resorted to begging like this man with no legs besides Colleys Farm, South Shields and as a child I remember many men like him sitting in the streets of the surrounding towns. I never understood why, now I do. It was only through pressure from MPs that a pension scheme was created and even then pensions were reluctantly allocated. According to Sylvia Pankhurst (Emily's daughter), she knew of an instruction given to a new manager: " I suppose you understand that our main object here is to save the fund, we never pay benefit if we can possibly avoid it".

    Needless to say my Father felt very bitter about it all. Sometime after, he attended a Ceremony on the steps of South Shields Town Hall to receive his Service Medals, he threw them to the ground. My Mother recovered them, but at some point he must have cut the ribbons off so that they could not be worn. As a child, I remember playing with the medals as they were kept in the family Button box. He died on Wednesday 19th of February 1975, aged 77 . He was my Hero and the bravest man I ever knew.

    None of the above would have possible without the help of : Lt. Col Neil McIntosh of the Green Howards Museum, Richmond, Nth Yorks . In addition five books proved invaluable for giving me an overall view and for some intriguing facts , they are "They called it Passchendaele" and "1915" by Lyn Macdonald (Penguin), " The 1st day of the Somme" by Martin Middlebrook (Penguin), "First World War" by Martin Gilbert(Harper Collins) and "Deaths Men" by Denis Winter (Penguin). All are excellent reads for anyone interested in this topic.





    217516

    pte. William Thomas Roe Durham Light Infantry (d.8th Jul 1916)

    William Roe was my great Uncle (my mothers uncle). He was only 16 when he died in July 1916. My mother has given his medals to my son so he may pass them on again to his children to keep his name alive.

    Liz Benneyworth




    217515

    Arthur Pickering Leicestershire Regiment

    My great grandfather Arthur Pickering served in the Leicester Tigers Regiment and was killed in the First World War. My Grandmother remembered him saying goodbye and leaving her in the house with her siblings when she was about 5 years old and going off to war. She never saw him again. Although I can trace him up to the 1911 census there is no trace of him to be found after this as unfortunately his records were among those destroyed during the Second World War.

    He left behind a wife and five children. I do not even have a photograph of him. I can only imagine the sadness and heartbreak for many who lost loved ones during this terrible conflict.

    Beverley Hall




    217512

    Pte. George Barber 1/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters

    George Barber was my Grandfather. He enlisted as a volunteer on 9th September 1914, with the 1/5th Sherwood Foresters. This later became part of the 139th Brigade, 46th North Midlands Division.

    George was a private throughout the war. He lived through the war and survived until he was 83, dying in 1964 when I was 15. How he managed to survive we do not know - as so often the case - he rarely talked about his experiences. I think he claimed to have had a button shot off his tunic, but that is a childhood memory and may be apocryphal.

    This is what we have found out about his regiments 'war':- 1/5th battalion moved on mobilisation to Harpenden, and then to Braintree, Essex in Nov. 1914.

    George married on leave in Feb 1915. Immediately afterwards, 46th Midlands Division were sent to France. They had the distinction of being part of the first territorial Battalion to land in France. By the end of the year they had been involved in heavy fighting, and Capt.C. G. Vickers of 1/7th (Robin Hoods) had been awarded the V.C.

    The Foresters Brigade served in France for the rest of the war and suffered severe casualties. 1st July 1916, they gained recognition for valour on the first day of the Somme where they suffered 80% casualties. They also played a magnificent part in breaking the Hindenberg Line during the final phase of the war in 1918. Sgt. W. H. Johnson was awarded the V.C. for conspicuous bravery during this action.

    Ian Barber




    217511

    Rfmn. John Barker 1st Btn. Irish Rifles (d.9th May 1915)

    John Barker served as a Rifleman with the 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles. He died on the 9th of May 1915 and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial. John sadly left a widow, Eliza nee Taylor & 2 young boys, William born 1913 & Alfred born 1914. They also had also a pre-deceased baby boy, John who was born & died in 1910. Eliza re-married a Joseph Thompson on 19th April 1919.

    The Barker family are from Pendleton, Salford, Lancashire, England. I do know their maternal GrandMother was 'Irish'... brothers Richard, John & William joined the Irish Rifles & served in WW1. Their elder brother Alexander, born 1883 died on the 12th June 1900 as a result of an accident and they had one sister Sarah.

    Can anyone tell me why & where the band of 3 brothers joined the Irish Rifle? Would anyone have photos of any of the soldier brothers? I would be grateful for any info', whatsoever.

    Karan




    217509

    Pte. George Worf 2nd Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.18th Jun 1917)

    George Worf was a third cousin of my grandmother. I am trying to work out exactly in which engagement he was killed. I visited his grave on 31st March 2014.

    Richard Clayton




    217507

    Sjt. George Atkin Rimmer MM. 2nd Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>1916 enroute to India.

    George Atkin Rimmer served with the Royal Engineers. He was was originally from Widnes, the son of James Rimmer and Jane (nee Beech). He enlisted at Wolverhampton on 15th July 1912 and was discharged on 14th July 1928. He was awarded the Military medal in 1916 with his name appearing in the London Gazette on 11th November 1916, the reason for him being awarded the medal, at this moment, is unknown. He was also awarded the India General Service medal with a clasp for the Third Afghan war of 1919.

    After leaving the army he became a civil engineer working in Sierra Leone for a number of years building bridges. On the 8th February 1932 he married Phyllis Mary Jones at Birmingham Registry Office, they had one son, John George Rimmer (my wife’s father) He died on the 1st February 1939 from Tuberculosis.

    Ian Round




    217506

    Pte. Alexander Stirling 6th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.26th March 1916)

    Alexander Stirling is listed on the Nitshill War Memorial and the Arras Memorial. He was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire.

    Alex Glass




    217505

    Pte. David Nicol 6th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.28th Jul 1916)

    David Nicol is listed on the Nitshill War Memorial, he is also listed on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Alex Glass




    217504

    Pte. James Malloch 1st Bn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.29th Aug 1916)

    James Malloch is buried at Citadel New Military Cemetery, Fricourt. He was born in 1898 in St Rollox, Glasgow to James and Jessie Malloch. Siblings Matthew, Thomas, Isabella, Bessie, Janet, Maggie and Mary Malloch. He enlisted in Barrhead 7th May 1915, a former Miner.

    Alex Glass




    217503

    Pte. Robert Hunter 6th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.26th Mar 1916)

    Robert Hunter is buried in Maoeuil British Cemetery. He was born 1896 in Nitshill to James B and Catherine Hunter, siblings John C, William B, Henry and Catherine A Hunter. He enlisted in Barrhead on 29th of April 1915.

    Alex Glass




    217502

    Pte. William Henderson 1st/6th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.29th Dec 1916)

    William Henderson was born in 1897 in Nitshill, to James (Smith) Henderson. His step-mother was Annie Henderson. He had five siblings, John Paterson, James Smith (half brother), Thomasina, Agnes and Elizabeth.

    He enlisted in Pollokshaws on 15th December1914, and served with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 1st/6th Battalion. He died on 29th December 916 and is buried Gorre British and Indian Cemetery.

    Alex Glass




    217501

    Pte. David Gilmour 6th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.20th May 1918)

    David Gilmour was born in 1900 to William and Margaret Gilmour, he had five siblings James, George, Robert, William and John. He enlisted at Barrhead on 29th April 1915. He initially served with with the Seaforth Highlanders.8th Battalion., and subsequently with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 1/6th Battalion. He died on 20th May 1918 and is buried in Tannay British Cemetery, Thiennes.

    Alex Glass




    217500

    L/Cpl. James Goodwin 6th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.6th Mar 1916)

    James Goodwin was born in 1896 in Barrhead to Neil and Annie (Cameron)Goodwin. He had four siblings Neil, Mary, Jean and Kate. He worked as a bleacher at Brown & Adam, Riverbank, Pollokshaws.

    He enlisted at Pollokshaws on 7th April 1914, and served with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 6th Battalion as L/Cpl. He died on 6th March 1916 and is buried in the Maroeuil British Cemetery. France.

    Alex Glass




    217499

    Tpr. Edward Randolph Cleaver 4th Light Horse Regiment (d.31st Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Randolph Cleaver was born at Ferntree Gully in Victoria in 1886. He attended Sale State School and later trained as a butcher. He enlisted at 29 with the Australian Imperial Force on 19 August 1914. According to his sister Adeline, Cleaver was the first man in the town of Sale to have enlisted. He departed Melbourne with the 4th Light Horse Regiment aboard HMAT Wiltshire on 19 October 1914.

    Cleaver was deployed to Gallipoli in July 1915 and served there until the evacuation in December. He spent 1916 patrolling with his squadron around the Suez Canal in Egypt. Like many of the troops he wrote home regularly, sending photos of himself and his mates in their small canvas shelters in the desert. He wrote: "The desert was better than Gallipoli where they were being fired at day and night. In the desert we can get on our horses and ride into the distance to get away from the noise of war."

    On 31st if October 1917 Cleaver took part in one of the most famous actions of the First World War: the charge of the Light Horse at Beersheba. He was part of the first squadron to reach the enemy lines; his horse leapt over the first two trenches and then, as he dismounted to fight the Turks in the third trench, he was cut down by machine-gun fire. Edward Cleaver is buried at the Beersheba War Cemetery, Palestine. Sadly, his father died just nine days later.

    s flynn




    217498

    Tpr. Oliver Joseph Clarke 7th Light Horse Regiment

    Oliver Joseph Bourke Clarke was born in Sydney, New South Wales during 1893 and was working as a bank clerk before he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. He was 22 years of age when he enlisted at Liverpool on 11 April 1915 and was assigned to the 7th Light Horse Regiment with the rank of trooper. His brother, Gunner James Vincent Clarke also served.

    Clarke departed Sydney aboard HMAT Suffolk on 28 July 1915. Whilst serving with the 7th Light Horse Regiment in the Middle East, he fell victim to a twisted knee that was acquired during a military football match. He returned to Australia on 14th of March 1919. Oliver Joseph Bourke Clarke died in Manly in 1963.

    s flynn




    217497

    Pte. David Gilmour 6th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.20th May 1918)

    David Gilmour is buried in Tannay British Cemetery, Thiennes. He was born in 1900 to William and Margaret Gilmour, with siblings Neil, Mary, Jean and Kate. He enlisted at Barrhead 29/04/1915 and initially served with the 8th Bn., Seaforth Highlanders.

    Alex Glass




    217496

    Gnr. James Vincent Clarke 5th Field Artillery Brigade

    James Vincent Clarke was born in Sydney, New South Wales during 1894 and worked as a clerk prior to joining the Australian Imperial Force. At 21 years of age, he enlisted with the AIF at Holsworthy and was assigned to the 5th Field Artillery Brigade. His brother, Trooper Oliver Joseph Burke Clarke also served.

    Clarke departed Sydney aboard RMS Osterley on the 15th of January 1916. Clarke was transferred to the 36th Heavy Artillery Group in June 1917 and remained with this unit until the end of the First World War. He was evacuated to England in 1917 as a result of injuries received whilst serving on the Western Front. Clarke re-joined his unit in France during October 1917. James Clarke returned to Australia on 11th May 1919.

    s flynn




    217495

    Lt. John Joseph Chapman 9th Infantry Battalion

    John Joseph Chapman was born at Ballarat, Victoria, in 1889 and was a clerk by trade before joining the Australian Imperial Force. He signed up at Brisbane on 15 September 1914 and was assigned to the 9th Infantry Battalion with the rank of private. Chapman departed Brisbane aboard HMAT Omrah on 24 September 1914.

    Whilst serving at Gallipoli in 1915 he was wounded and evacuated to Malta. Chapman later re-joined the 9th Battalion on the Western Front where he was wounded again during 1916. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on 18 June 1918. Chapman remained in England at the end of the First World War and married Emily Alice Myatt, a furrier, on 6 September 1919. John Chapman was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 23 May 1920.

    s flynn




    217494

    Lt. Benjamin William Champion 1st Infantry Battalion

    Benjamin William Champion was born at Stanmore, New South Wales, in 1897. Prior to the First World War he spent four years as an army cadet and developed a career as a dental apprentice. He enlisted as an 18-year-old with the Australian Imperial Force on 11 May 1915 after gaining his father's permission. Champion departed Sydney with reinforcements for the 1st Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Orsova on 14 July 1915.

    In November 1915, Champion was sent to Gallipoli to join the 1st Battalion soldiers already serving on the peninsula. He was evacuated at the end of the month after sustaining wounds to the face and thigh. Champion rejoined his unit on the Western Front and was rapidly promoted through the ranks in 1916. His experiences at Lagnicourt, Broodseinde Ridge, and Passchendale are documented in detail in the diary he kept since the day he had enlisted. In one entry Champion mentions a German soldier who bandaged up a British soldier, only to be killed later; the allies subsequently erected the German soldier's grave. Champion's final promotion was to the rank of Lieutenant in 1917, a year in which he again sustained wounds from battle. On 15 April 1918, while at Pradelles, he sustained a shell injury to his left leg that was consequently amputated. Champion returned to Australia in June. He settled in the Newcastle area, where he established a dental practice. Several years after the war he married and remained in the Newcastle area until his death in 1978.

    s flynn




    217493

    L/Cpl. John Armstrong 6th Btn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.18th Apr 1917)

    John Armstrong is listed on the Nitshill, Glasgow War Memorial. He is buried in Escivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi. Born in 1893 in Nitshill, his wife was Sarah (Cameron)Armstrong (later remarried to William Cairney) They had a daughter Janet Armstrong born 22/5/1915. John enlisted at Pollokshaws on 25/05/1915 giving his former occupation as Ironstone Miner.

    Alex Glass




    217492

    Maj. Philip Arthur Chambers MID. 12th Light Horse Regiment

    Philip Arthur Chambers was born in Wellington, New South Wales, on 12 September 1876. He was educated at Kelly College in Devon, England, and then attended St Edward's School at Oxford. On leaving school Chambers returned to Australia and enlisted with the Australian Light Horse of the Citizens' Forces. He qualified for an appointment as a second lieutenant in 1908 and married his wife, Ethel, in 1911. The 38-year-old grazier enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 12 May 1915 and departed Sydney with the 12th Light Horse Regiment aboard HMAT Vestalia on 22 June 1915.

    Chambers was deployed to Gallipoli in August and was evacuated to Egypt a couple of months later due to a severe case of paratyphoid. Invalided due to this disease, he was sent back to Australia in January 1916, but returned to Egypt in August 1916 and was made temporary commanding officer of the 12th Light Horse Regiment. His diaries from this time provide an officer's observations of the regiment as well as noting various troop movements, sporting matches, courts martial, and training undertaken.

    In April 1917, Chambers sustained shrapnel wounds to both his right shoulder and his left hip. During July he distinguished himself as a leader of his unit and on December 1917 was Mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Edmund Allenby. Chambers continued to serve with the 12th Light Horse Regiment for the remainder of the war, noting in his diaries such battles as the second battle of Gaza in 1917, the raid on Es Salt in 1918, and the battle of Samakh in 1918. After having briefly been made commanding officer again in March 1919, Chambers returned to Australia and was officially discharged from the AIF on 20 October 1919. Philip Arthur Chambers died at Petersham, New South Wales, in 1950.

    s flynn




    217490

    Capt. Robert Burnside Carter MC. Royal Army Medical Corps

    Robert Burnside Carter left Sydney on 22 March 1915 to join the Royal Army Medical Corps in England with several other young Australian doctors. His brother, Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Gordon Carter also served in the First World War with the Australian Imperial Force. A doctor by profession, Carter was made a temporary Lieutenant on 23rd March 1915.

    Sometime after its formation in September 1915, he was transferred to the Royal Field Artillery of the 123rd Brigade of the British Army as its regimental medical officer. Along with the 122nd and 124th Brigades, the 123rd Brigade was part of the 41st Division, a new division formed at the beginning of the war that was deployed to France in May 1916. The division participated in the Battles of the Somme (1916), the Battle of Messines (1917), the Battles of Ypres (1917), the First Battles of the Somme (1918), the Battles of the Lys (1918), and the final advance in Flanders (1918). Robert Carter's award of the Military Cross was published in the London Gazette on 3 June 1919.

    s flynn




    217489

    Lt.Col. Herbert Gordon Carter MID. 1st Infantry Battalion

    Herbert Gordon Carter was born at Sydney, New South Wales, on 24 March 1885 to parents Herbert and Antoinette Carter. An electrical engineer by trade, he enlisted on 3 September 1914 at the age of 29. Enlisting with the 1st Infantry Battalion, Carter was appointed the rank of lieutenant. On 18 October 1914 he embarked from Sydney on HMAT Afric. His brother, Captain Robert Burnside Carter, also served during the First World War with the British Army.

    Serving at Gallipoli in 1915, he was promoted to the rank of captain and then major that same year. In 1916 he was transferred to the 53rd Infantry Battalion and later the 5th Pioneer Battalion. In August 1916, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and took over command of the 5th Pioneer Battalion for the remainder of the First World War. On 31st of January 1917, Carter married Lydia Kate King from Orange, New South Wales, who was then working with the 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Southall, England. Carter received a mentioned in dispatches three times and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in January 1918. Herbert Carter returned to Australia on 5 April 1919

    s flynn




    217488

    Capt. Sydney James Campbell 8th Light Horse Regiment (d.14th Jul 1915 )

    <p>

    Sydney James Campbell was born on 19 July 1887. He was educated at Geelong Church of England Grammar School, Ormond College and the University of Melbourne.Campbell worked as a medical practitioner in Portland, Victoria before the First World War.

    Campbell joined the Australian Infantry Force on 29 November 1914 and was assigned to the 8th Light Horse Regiment. He departed Melbourne with the 8th Light Horse Regiment aboard HMAT Star Of Victoria on 25 February 1915. Campbell suffered severe shell wounds at ANZAC Cove on 14 July 1915 and died aboard HS Sicilia. Sydney Campbell was buried at sea and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Turkey

    s flynn




    217487

    2nd Lt. Donald Gordon Campbell 51st Bn. (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Donald Gordon Campbell enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force in August 1914. Prior to enlisting, he was a station overseer in Western Australia. He departed Freemantle aboard HMAT Ascanius on 2nd of November 1914 and served in Palestine and France.

    Campbell began his military service with the rank of private but by September 1916 he had been promoted three times and held the rank of second lieutenant. Donald Campbell was 31 years old when he was killed in action at Mouquet Farm, France on 3rd of September 1916 and is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.

    s flynn




    217486

    2nd Lt. William Cameron 9th Light Horse Regiment (d.4th Sept 1915)

    William Cameron was a Commission Agent from Rushworth, Victoria who enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 23 September 1914. Cameron had some previous military experience, having spent four and a half years with the Light Horse prior to the war, and entered the AIF as a farrier sergeant. His younger brother, Hugh James Cameron, also served in the AIF with the 8th Light Horse Regiment.

    He joined the 9th Light Horse Regiment and departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Karroo on 11 February 1915. Cameron arrived with his regiment at Gallipoli in May and remained in reserve until August when he was part of the successful attack on Hill 60, and also receiving a promotion to temporary second lieutenant. Unfortunately, on 4 September 1915, Cameron was killed in action in the area around Rhododendron Spur. William Cameron is buried at the 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    217485

    WO. Donald Law Patrick Cameron 4th Btn. Imperial Camel Corps

    Donald Law Patrick Cameron was born at Balranald, New South Wales in 1897. He was living in Mosman and working as a motorboat driver when he enlisted on 8 February 1917. Although Cameron had spent two years with the Citizens Naval Reserve, he joined the Imperial Camel Corps and departed Sydney aboard HMAS Port Sydney on 9 May 1917.

    After arriving in Egypt in June, Cameron became an acting corporal in the Camel Reserve Company, and then joined the 4th Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps in August 1917 as a trooper. He served in Palestine throughout 1917 and in mid-1918 joined the 1st Light Horse Regiment, then serving in Jordan. Cameron's stay with the 1st Light Horse Regiment was short-lived as he soon transferred to the Mobile Veterinary Section and then fell sick in September 1918, spending three months recovering from fever. After recuperating, Cameron served out the rest of the war with the Australian Base Post Office in Egypt, finally returning to Australia on 14 March 1919.

    Donald Cameron also enlisted in the Second World War as a warrant officer with the 202nd Australian Camp Hospital

    S Flynn




    217483

    Lt. David Wallis Caldwell 27th Infantry Battalion (d.2nd Mar 1917)

    <p>

    David Wallace Caldwell was born in South Australia during 1892 to David and Margaret Caldwell. A carpenter before the First World War, Caldwell enlisted on the 26 January 1915 and was assigned to the Infantry Base Depot. He was promoted to sergeant and departed Adelaide with the 27th Infantry battalion in Adelaide aboard HMAT Geelong on 31 January 1915.

    Caldwell served with the 27th Infantry Battalion in Gallipoli and France until July 1916 where he was transferred to the 9th Cadet Battalion in England. On completing his studies at the School of Instruction, he was discharged from Gailes Ayrshire on the 10 November 1916 and told to report to Perham Downs. It was here that he re-joined the 27th Infantry Battalion. David Caldwell was killed in action on 2 March 1917 whilst participating in an attack on German position at night and is buried at Warlencourt British Cemetery, France

    s flynn




    217481

    Sgt. Alfred Sydney Burvett 24th Infantry Battalion (d.24th Aug 1916)

    Alfred Sydney Burvett was born at Benalla, Victoria and was educated at the state school in Carlton, Victoria. He worked as a silversmith and served in the cadets and citizens forces prior to the outbreak of the First World War. Burvett enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 7 March 1915, and was part of the surplus of troops at Broadmeadows Camp used to raise the 24th Infantry Battalion. His younger brother, Herbert Henry Burvett, also served with the AIF in the 6th Infantry Battalion.

    Burvett embarked from Melbourne on 10 May 1915 aboard the transport ship HMAT Euripides and trained in Egypt between July and August. During this time, his brother died of wounds received on 7 August at Lone Pine. Burvett and the 24th Infantry Battalion were sent to Gallipoli in September 1915, mostly serving in the Lone Pine area.

    In early 1916 Burvett proceeded to France, receiving two swift promotions by July; from corporal to acting sergeant. The 24th Battalion moved to the Pozières area and on 24 August 1916 and was involved in heavy fighting at Pozières. Alfred Burvett was killed in action during this time and he is buried at Courcelette British Cemetery, France.

    s flynn




    217480

    2nd Lt. Francis James Burton Australian Light Horse (d.31st Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Francis James Burton was born at Minyip, Victoria in 1894 and worked as a farmer before the outbreak of the First World War. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 22 August 1914 at Broadmeadows, Victoria. Burton departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Wiltshire on 19 October 1914. He served with the Australian Light Horse in the Middle East. Francis Burton died on 31 October 1917 and is buried at Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel

    s flynn




    217479

    Gnr. Eric Burgess 23rd Btn (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Eric Burgess was born in Geelong, Victoria in 1896 and worked as a post office clerk before the outbreak of the First World War. He enlisted briefly in August 1914 but was discharged due to illness. Burgess was successful on his second attempt, enlisting in the 2nd Reinforcements of the 23rd Battalion on 17 May 1915. He departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Demosthenes on 16 July 1915 and was fighting in the trenches at Gallipoli only a few months later.

    In November 1915, Burgess was wounded and evacuated to Malta for recuperation, returning to his Battalion, now in France, in March. After several months in France with the 23rd Battalion, Burgess was "claimed" by his brother, Joseph Bird Burgess, and transferred to the 53rd Battery of the 14th Field Artillery Brigade. In April 1917, Burgess was wounded again, this time being removed to England to recover, and remained in hospital until August when he returned to the Battery. During the fighting at Passchendaele, on 4 October 1917, Eric Burgess and Joseph Burgess were both killed whilst operating the same gun. He and his brother are buried at The Huts Cemetery, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217478

    Flt.Sub.Lt. Dennis Gurney Broad Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (Tropical) (d.27th Apr 1916)

    Flight Sub-Lieutenant Dennis Gurney Broad was born at Aylesbury, England in 1883. At the outbreak of the First World War, he was living in Australia and gave his occupation as a commercial traveller. With his only previous military service being in the London Rifle Brigade, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 11th August 1914. Broad departed Sydney aboard HMAT Berrima on 19th August 1914 as part of the Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (Tropical Unit).

    In December 1914, wishing to return home, Broad requested to be discharged from the AIF. He returned to England and joined the Royal Naval Air Service and was given the rank of flight sub-lieutenant and assigned to HMS Killingholme. Broad received his Aviators certificate on 30th July 1915 from Royal Naval Air Station at Eastbourne, England while flying a Maurice Farman Biplane. Broad was killed in action during an engagement with a submarine in the North Sea on 27th April 1916. Dennis Broad is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, England.

    s flynn




    217477

    2nd Lt. Henry Francis Briggs 3rd Battalion (d.14th Sep 1917)

    Henry Francis Briggs was born at Brighton, England in 1891 and worked as a salesman before the outbreak of the First World War. He was 23 years old when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 17th August 1914. He departed Sydney with the 3rd Battalion on 20th October 1914 aboard HMAT Euripides.

    Briggs served with the 3rd Battalion in Gallipoli where he was promoted to sergeant on 18th May 1915. He fell ill in November 1915 and recuperated in Egypt until he re-joined his unit on 30th December 1915. Briggs was transferred to the 55th Battalion on 13th February 1916 but he didn't stay with this unit for long. He was transferred to the 14th Australian Machine Gun Company on 11th March 1916. Briggs served with this unit on the Western Front until 20th July 1916. It was whilst fighting to occupy German trenches during the battle of Fromelles that he was reported missing and it was later confirmed that he had been killed in action on 14th September 1917. Henry Briggs is commemorated on the Villers-Brettoneux Memorial, France.

    s flynn




    217476

    Sgt. Albert Victor Bracher MM. 25th Infantry (d.29th Jul 1916)

    Albert Victor Bracher was born at Norton, England in 1887 and worked as a sugarcane farmer in Central Queensland before the outbreak of the First World War. He had completed six years of service in the Royal Navy before joining his brother in Brisbane in 1909.

    Bracher enlisted in the Australia Imperial Force in Maryborough, Queensland on 15th January 1915. He was assigned to the 25th Infantry Battalion and departed from Brisbane on 29th June 1915 aboard HMAT Aeneas. Apart from time spent recovering from illness, he served at Gallipoli from September until December 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal for his actions at Gallipoli on 29th October 1915 when he was involved in dangerous patrols and reconnaissance work that included preventing a Turkish soldier from lighting a bomb that would have landed in an Allied trench. Following the evacuation from Gallipoli, he spent some time at Mudros before arriving in France in March 1916. Albert Bracher was killed in action at Pozieres on 29th July 1916 and is commemorated on the Villers-Brettoneaux Memorial, France

    s flynn




    217475

    Lt. John Joseph Bourke 5th Infantry Battalion (d.20th Sep 1917 )

    John Joseph Bourke was born at Edi, Victoria in 1892 and worked as a miner before the outbreak of the First World War. He was 22 years old when he enlisted in the 5th Infantry Battalion on 17th August 1914. He departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Orvieto on 21st October 1914. Bourke landed at Gallipoli late on 25th April 1915 with the 5th Infantry Battalion, suffering a head wound in the process. After recuperating in Alexandria, Bourke re-joined his unit on the Gallipoli peninsula in June, but only served two months before returning to Egypt to recover from fever.

    In 1916, Bourke moved to France and was transferred to the 2nd Machine Gun Company and received two quick promotions. In August 1916, he was promoted to corporal and then again to sergeant in November. In early 1917, Bourke attended the Australian Machine Gun Training Depot at Belton Park in England and then transferred to 21st Machine Gun Company.In the process, he become a second lieutenant. After returning to active duty in France in March 1917, Bourke fell ill, forcing a return to England. On 20th September 1917, a little over a month after becoming a lieutenant, he was killed in the fighting at Menin Road. John Bourke is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217474

    Lt. Stephen Philip Boulton 2nd Field Artillery Brigade (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    Stephen Philip Boulton was born at Clunes, Victoria in 1890 and worked as a bank official at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia before the outbreak of the First World War. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 12th January 1915 and was assigned to the 1st Divisional Ammunition Column and then to the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade. Boulton departed Sydney aboard HMAT Runic on 19th February 1915. He was stationed briefly in Egypt before being deployed to Gallipoli on 1st October 1915.

    Boulton was promoted to bombardier on 15th May 1916, to corporal on 19th August 1916 and to lieutenant on 3rd February 1918. On 28th January 1918 he was assigned to duty at Pigeon School followed by time at the Corps Gas School. Stephen Boulton was wounded by a gas shell in his dugout and died on 3rd October 1918. He is buried at Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

    s flynn




    217473

    L/Cpl. George Booley 5th Infantry Battalion

    George Booley was born in Kew, Victoria in 1890 and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Melbourne on 19th August 1914. Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Booley worked as a farmer in the Banyan area. He was assigned to the 5th Infantry Battalion and departed Melbourne on 21st October 1914 aboard HMAT Orvieto. After a short time in Egypt, Booley was transferred to Gallipoli where he served as part of the second wave of attacks on 25th April 1915. During the landing, he was wounded and invalided to Mudros and then Helipolis, Egypt.

    After recovering from his wounds, Booley joined the 5th Infantry Battalion in France. In July 1916 he received a recommendation for a Mention in Orders as part of signals group that risked their lives to keep communications open during heavy shelling at Pozieres. By 1917, Booley had been commissioned as a lance corporal and spent time in England on leave. After returning to the front in early 1918, he was struck down by illness and remained in hospital until September. George Booley briefly returned to the front before leaving to return to Australia on 8th October 1918.

    s flynn




    217472

    L/Cpl. James Boe 4th Battalion (d.20th Jul 1916)

    James Boe was born at Stranraer, Scotland and immigrated to Australia. He worked in Sydney as a plumber and was a keen footballer. He was 29 years old when he volunteered to join the Australian Imperial Force at Liverpool, New South Wales on 18th January 1915. Boe departed Sydney aboard HMAT Kyarra with the 4th Battalion on 13th April 1915. He served in Egypt, Gallipoli and France. James Boe was killed in action at Pozieres, France on 20th July 1916.

    s flynn




    217471

    Mjr. Frederick Leslie Biddle 2nd Field Artillery (d.17th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Leslie Biddle was born on 27 October 1885 and educated at Hawthorne College. He had also matriculated twice at the University of Melbourne and had spent 10 years with the Citizen Militia Force as a gunner. He was promoted to Captain with the CMF on 1 September 1913.

    At the time of enlistment on 18 August 1914, he was 28 years old and was working as a warehouseman in East Melbourne. He was assigned to 2nd Field Artillery with the rank of captain and departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Shropshire on 20 October 1914. Biddle served in Egypt and France before being killed in action on 17 August 1917. Frederick Biddle is buried at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217470

    Sgt. Wilbert Nugent Berg 18th Battalion

    <p>

    Wilbert Nugent Berg was born near Braidwood, New South Wales in 1896 and worked as a butcher before the First World War. His parents were Walter Samuel and Ellen (Nelly) Berg of Sydney. Berg married Mildred Phillips in 1915 before he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force.

    On 10 February 1915, he enlisted in the AIF at Liverpool, New South Wales. He was assigned to the 18th Battalion and departed Sydney aboard HMAT Ceramic on 25 June 1915. Wilbert Berg left England to return to Australia on 15 April 1918. During the post-war years, Wilbert Berg worked as a press photographer and died on 16 November 1929

    s flynn




    217469

    Gunner Robert Frederick Labron 3rd Brigade 103 Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My grandfather, Robert Frederick Labron and his brothers, William John Labrom and George Richard Henry Labrom appear on a plaque in St Patrick's Church, Newry. (My grandfather always spelled his surname Labron). All three were in the army in World War One and all three survived. Robert Frederick Labron 1885-1956 Born Newry Died Plymouth. William John Labrom 1874-1948 Born Newry Died Newry Buried St Patrick's. George Richard Henry Labrom 1884-1949 Born Newry Died Auckland, New Zealand.

    Sue Eynon




    217468

    Pte. James Mason Seddon 1st/6th Btn Northumberland fusilliers (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    <p>

    James Mason Seddon served with the 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

    David Seddon




    217462

    Lt. George Courtney Benson 3rd Field Artillery Brigade

    <p>

    George Courtney Benson began documenting the First World War well before he was commissioned as an official artist in April 1918. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in September 1914 with the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade. Soon after, Benson embarked for service with the advance guard; he was one of the first enlisted Australian artists to reach the Dardanelles. Prior to the Allied landing at Gallipoli, Benson made sketches from the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth. His panoramic drawings included Turkish trenches and strategic features of the terrain.

    Benson's artistic pursuits began in Melbourne at the National Gallery School in 1903, studying under such luminaries as Bernard Hall and Fredrick McCubbin. He subsequently found work under the well known poster designer Harry J Weston, accompanying him to Sydney to work on the Bulletin for a year. Upon returning to Melbourne, Benson further established himself as a deft illustrator and cartoonist by working on publications Sporting and Dramatic News and Punch.

    Benson made topographical sketches of the salient landmarks of the Gallipoli Peninsula prior to the Allied landing and later served with the British Expeditionary Forces in France, before taking up his commission as Officer in Charge of Camouflage with the 4th Division in London. Following war's end, Benson worked for the Australian War Records Section in London, sharing space at the St John's Wood studio with other official artists Frank Crozier, Will Longstaff and James F. Scott. Benson returned to Australia in 1919 to complete a number of commissioned paintings for the Memorial.

    During the First World War, Benson avidly documented his travels and experiences; from his military training at Broadmeadows, Victoria, to the 'Egyptian types' he encountered in Cairo; his time at sea and at Gallipoli, in France and Belgium. After the war, he collated a selection of sketches into a comprehensive scrapbook comprising of over 140 drawings, now held in the Memorial's collection (ART03605).

    Benson vied for a second commission with the Australian War Memorial at the beginning of the Second World War, by then in his mid-50s, but his age was seen by the Memorial as a 'handicap'. Despite not being appointed, he enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces and worked as a camouflage officer until 1943. He undertook a number of further commissions in Western Australia and worked as an art critic for the 'West Australian ' newspaper before his death in 1960.

    s flynn




    217461

    Col. Nathaniel Dunbar Barton MID 7th Light Horse Brigade

    Nathaniel Dunbar Barton was a 20 year old medical student from Wellington, New South Wales who enlisted in the 7th Light Horse Brigade. Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Barton had been a second lieutenant in the 34th Battalion of the Citizen Military Forces. He departed Sydney aboard HMAT Ajana on 19th December 1914 and arrived in Egypt in early February 1915. Two of his brothers, Private Denis Hampden Barton and Private Brian Templar Barton also enlisted.

    After joining the fighting at Gallipoli in early May 1915, Barton was promoted to lieutenant. He was wounded in July and returned to Egypt to recuperate. In 1916 and 1917, Barton served with the 7th Light Horse across the Middle East, including the battle of Romani. He was promoted to the rank of major in September 1916. In mid-1918 Barton received a Mention in Despatches for assisting the 5th Light Horse to defend their position on a key hill at Tel-el-Negily.

    After returning to Australia Barton completed his studies in medicine and began working in Parkes, New South Wales. Barton also served during the Second World War as a lieutenant colonel with the Medical Corps at Darwin and Moratai, New Guinea. During this time, he was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his distinguished service to the war effort in New Guinea. After the war, Nathaniel Barton returned to Australia and settled in Wellington, New South Wales where he established a successful private medical practice.

    s flynn




    217460

    Capt. Charles Albert Barnes 11th Infantry Battalion

    <p>

    Charles Albert Barnes was born 29th February 1880 in London, England but was educated at Perth Grammar School, Western Australia. He worked as Chief Clerk at the Western Australian Trustee Company before the outbreak of the First World War.

    Barnes was 34 years old when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 17 August 1914. He was assigned to the 11th Infantry Battalion and departed Fremantle, Western Australia aboard HMAT Ascanius on 2 November 1914. He was killed in action while serving in the Dardanelles on 28 April 1915. Charles Barnes is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    217459

    Lt. Wilfred Griffith Barlow 58th Infantry Battalion (d.12 May 1917)

    <p>

    Wilfred Griffith Barlow was born at Richmond, Victoria, on 30 September 1886. He had been a second lieutenant in the 65th Infantry (City of Footscray) Regiment of the Citizens Forces, Australia's part-time army reserve force, and the 29-year-old school teacher enlisted as an officer with the Australian Imperial Force on 27 April 1916. Barlow departed Melbourne with reinforcements for the 58th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Shropshire on 25 September 1916.

    After arriving in England in November 1916, Barlow and the other reinforcements spent the next few months in further training. In February the following year they joined the rest of the battalion on the Western Front and a few months later Barlow was promoted to the rank of honorary lieutenant. In several letters to a friend he made keen observations about the German army opposing them, commenting on their tactics, fortifications and organisation. Barlow also commented on the terrible conditions at the front, saying that he would fight again after the war to keep such a conflict away from Australia.

    Barlow was killed during the Second Battle of Bullecourt on 12 May 1917 as the Australians and the British held off German attempts to retake the fortified village. According to the commanding officer of the 58th Battalion Barlow died after being badly wounded by a shell. He was originally buried near where he fell but the exact location of his grave was later lost. He was survived by his wife, Constance, and his four children. Wilfred Griffith Barlow is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217458

    Sgt. Cecil Charles Harpur Baldwin MM. 18th Infantry Battalion (d.1st Mar 1917)

    Cecil Charles Harpur Baldwin was born in 1893 at Rydalmere, New South Wales, the grandson of Australian poet Charles Harpur. Preceding his First World War service he was a member of the senior cadets and the militia units St George's Rifles and the Legion of Frontiersmen. The 22-year-old clerk and accountant enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 16th August 1915, and he departed Sydney with reinforcements for the 18th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Suevic on 20th October 1915.

    In February 1916 Baldwin was transferred to the 3rd Infantry Battalion, which was sent to the Western Front. Among his regular duties, he wrote of listening in the trenches at night for enemy movement and patrols. He wrote to his mother several times during his time on the front, taking great effort to portray a positive experience as to mitigate her worrying. Baldwin signed off most of these letters with the phrase, "Don't worry, be happy." The battalion's first major action in France was at Pozières in July and August of 1916. There Baldwin was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field during the battle. In November he was wounded in action with a gunshot to the left arm.

    On 1st March 1917 Cecil Baldwin was killed at La Barque near Bapaume during an early morning raid by a Prussian Guards unit. He was killed instantly by a sniper's bullet as he emerged over the parapet of his dugout. Baldwin was described by his fellow B Company soldiers as being a "very fearless man" and "one of the bravest men that ever stood". He is buried in France at the Warlencourt British Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217457

    QMS Ernest William Baker 20th Infantry Battalion (d.14th May 1918)

    Ernest William Baker was born in 1884 in London, England and worked as a wholesale butcher and cook before the outbreak of the First World War. He was 30 years old when he arrived in Australia.

    At the time he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, he was 31 years old and had previously served with the Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (Tropical Unit). Baker was assigned to the 20th Infantry Battalion and departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Berrima on 9th August 1915. William Baker died on 14th May 1918 and is buried at Querrieu British Cemetery, France.

    s flynn




    217456

    Capt. John William Axtens 30th Infantry Battalion

    John William Axtens was born on 9th February 1895 in Sydney, New South Wales and worked as a draper before the outbreak of the First World War. He was 20 years old when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 20th June 1915 and was assigned to the 30th Infantry Battalion. John Axtens departed Sydney aboard HMAT Beltana on 9th November 1915 and returned to Australia in 1919

    s flynn




    217455

    Pte. Guy Hartley Arnold 2nd Infantry Battalion (d.26th Apr 1916)

    Guy Hartley Arnold was born in 1887 in Warwickshire, England and emigrated to Australia at the age of 23. In England he had worked as a bank clerk but in Australia he worked as a farmer in Coolamon, New South Wales. He also worked as a labourer in Mackay, Queensland.

    Arnold was 27 years old when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 28th January 1915. He was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Battalion and departed Sydney aboard HMAT Seang Bee on 11th February 1915. He spent time in Gallipoli and Egypt before moving to France with this battalion. Guy Arnold was killed during heavy fighting on 26th April 1916 and is buried at Rue-Du-Bois Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix

    s flynn




    217454

    Capt. Harold Edwin "Rollo" Armitage MID 10th Infantry Battalion

    <p>

    Harold Edwin Salisbury "Rollo" Armitage was born 11 November 1894 at Norwood, South Australia. He was educated at public schools in Adelaide and at the University of Adelaide. Armitage worked as a junior teacher at the school house in Millicent, South Australia and was completing a university course in Arts before the outbreak of the First World War. He had also spent some time with the cadets.

    Armitage enlisted on 24 March 1915 as a private, but quickly received a commission as a second lieutenant and was assigned to the 10th Infantry Battalion. He departed Australia aboard HMAT Hororata on 20 April 1915. He was promoted to lieutenant on 7 August 1915 and later captain. Armitage was transferred to the 50th Infantry Battalion on 2 March 1916 while stationed in Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt. He was transferred to France and arrived at Marseilles on 12 June 1916. He received a Mention in Despatches for leading his men on the night of 12 and13 August 1916. Harold Armitage was killed in action on 3 April 1917 and is buried at Noreuil Australian Cemetery, France

    s flynn




    217444

    Cpl. Robert Edmund Antill 14th Infantry Battalion (d.5th Jul 1917 )

    Robert Edmond Antill was born in England at Islington, London. He was educated at Belmont Road School in Tottenham and worked as a cabinetmaker. Antill left London for Australia on 28th June 1913 at the age of 16. His mother and father, Josh and Alice Antill, stayed in Lancashire and London.

    He lived in Windsor, Melbourne prior to the outbreak of the First World War and celebrated his 17th birthday aboard the Norseman. He spent his 18th birthday in Australia, his 19th fighting at Gallipoli and his 20th birthday on the Western Front. Antill was killed in action at Ploegsteert, Belgium on 5th July 1917 while serving with the 14th Infantry Battalion and died a fortnight before his 21st birthday. He had enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 9th October 1914 and misreported his age as 22. Robert Antill is buried at Mud Corner Cemetery, Hainaut in Belgium

    s flynn




    217443

    John Collingwood Angus 28th Infantry Battalion (d.7th Jun 1915)

    John Collingwood Angus was born in England at North Shields, Northumberland and was educated at a Wesleyan boarding school. He worked as a cabin boy on a steamer before migrating to Australia at the age of 18. He worked as a farm labourer near the townships of Pingelly and Narrogin in Western Australia before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force on 10th March 1915.

    Angus was assigned to the 28th Infantry Battalion and departed Freemantle aboard HMAT Ascanius on 29th June 1915. He was admitted to a Gallipoli field hospital on 24th November 1915 before being transferred to Malta. He re-joined his unit on the Western Front. He was seriously wounded on 4th June 1916 and died two days later. John Angus is buried at Camiara Road Cemetery near Étaples, France.

    s flynn




    217442

    Pte. Arthur Charles Allison 29th Infantry Battalion

    Arthur Charles Allison was born at Euroa, Victoria in 1897. At the outbreak of the First World War he worked as a clerk and lived with his uncle, Frederick William Allison, in Fitzroy, Victoria. Both of his parents were deceased. Allison enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 6th March 1916 with three years of experience in the cadets.

    After completing training at the AIF Signal School, he was assigned to the 29th Infantry Battalion. Private Allison departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Berrima A35 on 4th July 1916. He then proceeded to France aboard SS Princess Clementine on 30th December 1916. Allison was wounded in action on 2nd March 1917. Following a gunshot wound to his left forearm, he was admitted to Southwark Military Hospital on 13th March 1917. He returned to Australia aboard HMAT Themistocles on 5th November 1917. He was officially discharged from the AIF on 1st July 1918. Arthur Allison died in 1963 in Victoria, Australia

    s flynn




    217440

    Pte. Stephen Charles Allen 13th Infantry Battalion (d.14th Aug 1916)

    Stephen Charles Allen was born in the Sydney suburb of Balmain in 1891. The 23-year-old carter enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 18th July 1915. His brother Robert had enlisted just over a week earlier. Both brothers departed Sydney with reinforcements for the 13th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Ballarat on 6th September 1915.

    The following June, Allen and his brother arrived on the Western Front with other men of the 13th Battalion. In letters home to his mother and sister he wrote that he was glad to have left Egypt and described the incessant rain at the front. In one letter to his sister Allen included a preserved poppy. He was with the 13th Battalion when the unit fought in its first major actions at Pozières and at nearby Mouquet Farm in July and August 1916. On 14th August, in the midst of the fighting around Mouquet Farm, both Allen brothers failed to report back in after fatigue duty. Initially listed as missing in action, a court of inquiry found that the two brothers had been killed in action by the same artillery shell, close to the front line. Stephen Charles Allen is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217439

    Pte. Robert Beattie Allen 13th Infantry Battalion (d.14th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Beattie Allen was born in the Sydney suburb of Balmain in 1888. As a 27-year-old labourer he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 9 July 1915. His brother Stephen enlisted just over a week later, and both brothers departed Sydney with reinforcements for the 13th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Ballarat on 6th of September 1915.

    The following June the two men arrived on the Western Front with other members of the 13th Battalion. Despite the circumstances, Allen remembered to send a birthday card to his sister half a world away back in Australia. The battalion fought in its first major actions at Pozières and at nearby Mouquet Farm in July and August 1916. On 14th August, in the midst of the fighting around Mouquet Farm, both Allen brothers failed to report back after fatigue duty. Initially listed as missing in action, a court of inquiry found that the two brothers had been killed in action by the same artillery shell, close to the front line. Robert Beattie Allen is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217438

    Pte. Josiah Allen 49th Infantry Battalion (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Josiah Allen was born at Gin Gin, Queensland, on 11th February 1890. He was considered a skilled marksman and horseman, and was a member of the Gin Gin Rifle Club. The 26-year-old farmer and grazier enlisted for service with the Australian Imperial Force on 5th July 1916, as did his brothers Ernest and James Edward. The three brothers departed Sydney with reinforcements for the 49th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Ceramic on 7th October 1916.

    Having been sent to the Western Front, Allen wrote two letters to his brother William back in Australia in which he responded to news from home and described the conditions at the Front. Grateful for the food packages from home he despaired at the continual rain and cold weather on the Front. On 7th June 1917, Allen and his two brothers fought at the Battle of Messines. It was on this day that Josiah Allen, initially listed as missing, was later confirmed to have been killed in action, along with his brother James. His body was never recovered, and today Josiah Allen is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217436

    Pte. James Edward Allen 49th Infantry Battalion (d.7th Jun 1917)

    James Edward Allen was born at Gin Gin, Queensland, on 11 March 1886. He was considered a skilled marksman and was a member of the Gin Gin Rifle Club. The 30-year-old farmer and grazier enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 5th July 1916 along with two of his brothers, Ernest and Josiah. Together the three brothers departed Sydney with the reinforcements for the 49th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Ceramic on 7th October 1916

    Having been sent to the Western Front, Allen frequently wrote letters to his brother William back in Australia, in which he responded to news from home and described the conditions at the front. In a letter dated 4th June 1917 he wrote of a large-scale offensive to take place over the coming days, and on 7th June Allen and his two brothers fought at the battle of Messines. Initially listed as missing in action, Allen was later confirmed to have been killed in action on that day along with his brother Josiah. One witness reported seeing him killed by an artillery shell. James Edward Allen is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217435

    Pte. Ernest Allen 49th Infantry Battalion (d.25th Apr 1918)

    Ernest Allen was born at Gin Gin, Queensland, on 8th October 1883. He was considered an expert horseman with considerable skill as a marksman and became champion of the Wide Bay region in Queensland in 1914. The 32-year-old farmer and grazier enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 5th July 1916. Two of Allen's brothers, Josiah and James, also enlisted that same day. Together the three brothers departed Sydney with reinforcements for the 49th Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Ceramic on 7th October 1916.

    Having been sent to England and then to the Western Front, Allen and his two brothers fought at the battle of Messines on 7th June 1917. It was on this day that both of his brothers were killed in action. Allen frequently wrote letters home, describing the conditions on the front. His experiences there led him to write in one letter that he was quite pleased the 1916 referendum on conscription had failed, a sentiment shared by many other soldiers at the time.

    In April 1918 the Australian 13th Brigade (of which the 49th Battalion was a part) was given the task of recapturing Villers-Bretonneux from the Germans. Ernest Allen was killed in action on 25th April 1918 while fighting to recapture the town. He is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France.

    Sadly, whilst Allen's family requested any and all information about his burial and belongings, the transport ship carrying his personal effects from England back to Australia was sunk by a German submarine. All they received were two photographs of his grave and his service medals.

    s flynn




    217432

    Pte. David Gibson Alexander 13rd Infantry Battalion (d.15th Aug 1915)

    David Gibson Alexander was born at Ballytiglea, Ireland. Alexander migrated to Australia about 1890 and was living and working as a barman in Sydney at the beginning of the First World War. At this time, his mother, Annie Sophia Alexander, was still living in County Carlow, Ireland.

    Alexander enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 21st December 1914. He was assigned to the 13th Infantry Battalion and departed Sydney aboard HMAT Seang Choon on 11th February 1915. He was fatally wounded by shrapnel during the August landings at Suvla Bay and died at sea aboard HS Rewa on 15th August 1915. David Alexander is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

    s flynn




    217431

    Cpl. Arthur Gladstone Alderdice 2nd Infantry Battalion (d.15th Aug 1916)

    Arthur Gladstone Alderdice was born at Beechworth, Victoria and was educated at Beechworth Grammar School. At the outbreak of the First World War he was working in the shearing industry as a wool scourer.

    Alderdice enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 6th April 1915. He was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Battalion and departed Sydney aboard HMAT Karoola on 16th June 1915. Alderdice was stationed briefly in Egypt before being deployed to Gallipoli on 6th August 1915, where he took part in the reinforcement of Lone Pine. He was reported ill, most likely suffering from diphtheria, on 26th November 1915 and subsequently sent to Malta for recovery. After Gallipoli he was redeployed to Egypt, arriving on 18th February 1916. He was promoted to corporal on 24th March 1916. Alderdice departed for Marseilles on 28th May 1916 aboard HMT Ivernia and was soon deployed to the Western Front.

    He was seriously wounded in action by an enemy shell on 25th July 1916. He was transferred to a field hospital at Rouen on 27th July 1916, and then to the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth. He died of tetanus on 15th August 1916. Arthur Alderdice is buried at Wandsworth (Earlsfield) Cemetery, England.

    s flynn




    217429

    P/Sgt. William Alabaster MM. 13th Infantry Battalion (d.5th Apr 1918)

    William Alabaster was born in London, United Kingdom in 1890. He was educated at a state school in East Ham, London and immigrated to Australia in 1911. At the outbreak of the First World War he was working in the building trade as a carpenter and joiner.

    Alabaster enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 27th October 1914 and was assigned to the 13th Infantry Battalion. He departed Sydney aboard HMAT Ulysses on 22nd December 1914. After completing training in Egypt he was deployed to Gallipoli on 12th April 1915. He was wounded on 20th May 1915 and did not re-join his unit until 30th October 1915. Following the evacuation of Gallipoli, Alabaster was transferred to the 45th Battalion and arrived in France on 8th June 1916.

    Alabaster was awarded the Military Medal on 23rd June 1917 for organising and repeatedly leading parties of men over open country during intense bombardment to supply the front lines with munitions. He received several promotions and was promoted to Pioneer Sergeant on 14th April 1916. He died of wounds received from a shell at Doullens on 5th April 1918. He is buried at Doullens Communal Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    217427

    Herbert Alexander Affleck 1st Field Artillery Brigade (d.17th Aug 1917)

    Herbert Alexander Affleck was born in 1891 on a station near Wilcannia, New South Wales. He completed his schooling at Armadale State School before commencing tertiary studies at the Working Men's College of Melbourne (the predecessor of RMIT University). At the outbreak of the First World War, Affleck was working as an Architects pupil in Armadale, Melbourne and had spent time with a reserve regiment.

    Affleck enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 19th September 1914. He was assigned to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade and departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Shropshire on 20th October 1914. He was stationed briefly in Egypt before being deployed to Gallipoli.

    Affleck was wounded on 6th August 1915 and subsequently transferred from Gallipoli to a rest camp on Lemnos. He re-joined his unit at Gallipoli on 6th October 1915 but was transferred to a hospital on Mudros due to appendicitis on 9th December 1915. After Gallipoli, Affleck spent time at Tel-el-Kebir in Egypt recuperating and preparing for the Western Front. He left Alexandria on 22nd March 1916 and arrived in Marseilles on 28th March 1916.

    Affleck s brother, William Lindsay, also served with him as a gunner in the 3rd battery of the 1st Field Artillery Brigade. Their commanding officer said that Affleck was a good man and 'had he lived he would have received a decoration'. Herbert Affleck was killed in action while trying to rescue the wounded on 17th August 1917, and is buried at Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Belgium

    s flynn




    217423

    Pte. Herbert Gardiner 5th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Herbert (born 1896 ) was the son of William and Susannah Gardiner of Dark Lane Farm, Haughton Green, Denton in Lancashire. He enlisted in the 3/9th Manchester Reserve Btn and was stationed at Ashton Barracks. He was transferred to the 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers and was sent to fight in Eygpt and later France. He was wounded at St Quentin and in later fighting at Ypres. He was transferred to the 2nd Sherwoods. He was demobilized 1919 and returned to farming.

    Eddie Gardiner




    217422

    Pte. Harry Gardiner 14th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Harry was the son of William and Susannah Gardiner who where farmers of Dark Lane Farm, Haughton Green, Denton in Lancashire. Harry was born in 1890 on a farm in Gee Cross, Hyde, Cheshire and had eight siblings. By the start of WW1 both his parents had died and the farm was being run by the his sister Martha and siblings. Harry enlisted in the Manchester Regiment in April 1916. His brother Herbert also joined the Manchesters.

    After training Harry was sent with his battalion to fight in France where he was wounded in the chest and stomach which became infected, he spent some six months in hospital where he contracted kidney problems which he was never to recover from. He died on the 16th April 1919 at home on the farm and is buried in St Mary's Graveyard in the village. His name appears on the churches war memorial plaque and on Dentons Town War Memorial.

    Eddie Gardiner




    217421

    Capt. James Donaldson 9th Bn Black Watch (d.23rd Aug 1917)

    <p>

    This photo shows officers of C Company, 9th Battalion Black watch photo with Tommy Byers sitting on the right and Captain James Donaldson sitting in the centre. Captain James Donaldson was killed on the 23rd of August 1917 at the Battle of Arras just north of Rouex France. I have an aerial photo bomb shot of the area taken on the 30th September 1917 at 5:00 PM. This photo has been confirmed by McMaster University..

    Dave Donatelli




    217420

    Capt. Byers Thomas MC. 9th Btn. Black Watch

    <p>

    This is Captain Thomas Byers in Arras France taken in August 1917. When Tommy Byers was 94 years old he gave me his photo collection from WW1. There are close to 400 images in the photo album and I have quite a number of photos of the 9th Battalion Black Watch Royal Highlanders. The photos are named and dated from 1909 to 1920. I have a few photos of Captain James Donaldson from the same regiment and battalion.

    Dave Donatelli




    217417

    Cadet Frederick Chalres Marwood No.2 Cadet Wing

    My Grandfather Frederick Charles Marwood, was born in 1888 near Birmingham. He was in the Territorial Force (Warwick) for 1 yr. 315 days, & was discharged in 1908, when he was going to Canada. He became a Royal North West Mounted Police, then later was a Constable with Regina Police Force, Regina, Sask. Canada. He joined up with the Canadian Air Force, originally with the 38th Overseas Battery. On Oct. 6th he was awarded a medal for bravery at the Somme with helping a fellow officer in heavy Fire. He was discharged from the Canadian Air force on the 11/8/1918 since he was appointed Flight Cadet with the R.F.C. He was with No. 2 R.F.C Cadet wing, No. 2 Squadron Reg. No. 301609. Date of joining Wing was 23rd Jan 18. Around 1919 he was 2nd Lieut. I knew he flew a Camel airplane. I am lucky that I have most of his documents from his life in the Air Force etc.

    Elizabeth Cribbie




    217415

    L/Cpl. Stanley Blakeborough 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Oct 1917)

    Stanley Blakeborough died in the Battle of Passchendaele, his name is on the memorial wall of Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    Lisa Ruffai




    217393

    L/Cpl. Joseph Wakelin 1st Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.22nd Oct 1914)

    My great grandfather's brother Joseph Wakelin was the son of David and Emily Wakelin, of 103, Princes Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. L/Cpl. Wakelin served with the 1st Battalion, Scottish Rifles and was killed in action on 22nd October 1914 aged 30. He is commemorated at the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium.

    des wakelin




    217392

    Lt. John Evan Adlard 1st Division Ammunition Column

    John Evan Adlard was born in Surrey, England in 1888. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force as a driver on 3rd February 1915. Adlard had 4 years prior military service in the British Army Horse Artillery, also as a driver, which contributed to his commission as an officer.

    He departed Melbourne with the 1st Division Ammunition Column from Melbourne aboard HMAT Bakara on 14 May 1915. After a stopover in Egypt, he embarked for Gallipoli aboard RMS Snaefell in June 1915. He landed at Cape Helles from the River Clyde. Adlard soon fell ill and was admitted to hospital in Malta on 16th September 1915. He left Malta aboard the hospital ship HMHT Dunluce Castle on 13th October 1915 and set sail for England. On 12th January 1917, he was admitted for training at the Royal Artillery Cadet School in St John's Wood, England. He was subsequently reassigned to the 1st Division Column on the Western Front.

    John Adlard was wounded on 23rd October 1917 and transferred to England before returning to Australia aboard SS Balmoral Castle on 1st February 1918. He died in Australia in 1980

    s flynn




    217391

    2nd Lt. Wilfred Emmott Addison 18th Infantry Btn. (d.22nd Aug 1915)

    Wilfred Emmott Addison was born at Yass, New South Wales during 1887. He was educated at Singleton Grammar School. His parents were Glentworth Addison and Harriet Binning Addison. Four of his uncles and several of his cousins also saw active service with the Australian Imperial Force. At the outbreak of the First World War, he was working as an accountant at the Commercial Bank of Australia. He had some previous military experience as he had completed 10 months service with the 25th Scottish Rifles and enlisted in the AIF on 23rd December 1914 and his prior military service helped secure him a commission as a second lieutenant. Addison was assigned to the 18th Infantry Battalion and departed Sydney aboard HMAT Ceramic on 25 June 1915. They were was stationed briefly in Egypt before deployment to Gallipoli.

    He was killed in action on 22nd August 1915 during the landings at Suvla Bay. He died as part of a charge against Turkish positions on Hill 60. Wilfred Addison is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli

    s flynn




    217390

    Cpl. Archibald Walter Addison MM. 33rd Infantry Btn.

    Archibald Walter Addison was born at Inverell, New South Wales in 1898. A mercer before the outbreak of war, Addison enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 9th September 1915. He was assigned to the 30th Infantry Battalion which initially trained at the Liverpool Depot before moving to R.A.S. Grounds in Moore Park on 21st September 1915. He was later reassigned as a regimental police officer to the 33rd Infantry Battalion. After completing basic training, he left Sydney on 9th November 1915 aboard HMAT Beltana. He spent time in Egypt before being deployed to Gallipoli and then the Western Front He was caught in gas attacks on several occasions and was wounded in action on 19th April and again on 24th September 1918.

    He received the Military Medal for his involvement in defensive action on 22nd August 1918. His recommendation for the Military Medal contains a hand written note from General Morshead, which attests to Addison's bravery in maintaining communication between Headquarters and the frontline. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on 1st July 1919. He returned home aboard HT Plassy on 5th September 1919. Archibald Addison was formally discharged in Sydney on 30th November 1919.

    s flynn




    217389

    Lt. John Adams MC MID. 54th Infantry Battalion

    John Adams was born at Combe Florey, Somerset, England, on 26th September 1890. Prior to the First World War he emigrated to Australia and worked as a valet.

    He had served with the Royal Navy for two-and-a-half years before he he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 18th August 1914, a month before his 24th birthday. It was around this time that he also started documenting his experiences in his diary, a practice that he would continue until mid-1916. After two months of training he departed Sydney with the 2nd Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Suffolk on 18th October 1914.

    The 2nd Battalion were part of the second and third waves sent ashore at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915. He writes extensively about the landing in his diary, particularly about the confusion that pervaded the initial stages and his attempts to find members of his battalion during the subsequent days. Although Adams remained with his unit until the evacuation in December 1915, he was wounded on several occasions. During the battle of Lone Pine in August the glass of the periscope he was looking through was shattered and his eyesight was damaged. In September 1915 he was knocked unconscious by a loop-hole plate sent flying by shell-fire.

    After being transferred to the newly formed 54th Infantry Battalion in February 1916, Adams served during its first major engagement on the Western Front, the disastrous battle of Fromelles. He was promoted to lieutenant on 2nd August 1916, having risen quickly through the non-commissioned ranks. In April 1917 he was Mentioned in the Despatches of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, Commander of the British Expeditionary Force, for his work as an intelligence officer with 14th Brigade headquarters and also for his actions at Fromelles. This was followed by the receipt of the Military Cross in June 1918 for his work as an intelligence officer during the winter campaign on the Somme and his subsequent conduct in Belgium during 1917 on return to his battalion. It was reported that his "fearlessness, gallantry and devotion to duty" left a good impression on those with whom he came into contact. Adams was later awarded a bar to his Military Cross for "conspicuous gallantry and brilliant leadership during the operations at Peronne" in 1918, where he was wounded while rushing a machine-gun post.

    After the war he left for Australia on 6th May 1919, though he would briefly return to England to be married. John Adams died at the age of 90 at Concord, New South Wales, on 21st June 1981.

    s flynn




    217388

    Drv. Arthur James Adams (d.9th Aug 1916)

    Arthur James Adams was born in England at Wolverton, Buckinghamshire during 1888. He was educated at the Wolverton County School and the Wolverton Science and Arts Institute. Adams migrated to Australia at age 22 and worked as a carpenter and joiner in Brisbane. His father, a Mr G Adams, still resided in Buckinghamshire at the outbreak of war.

    Arthur enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 13 August 1914. He had some prior military experience in the reserve forces, having served for about 3 years in the 1st Bucks Territorials. He initially served as a Driver in the 3rd Field Ambulance, but was later transferred to the rank of Private in the 13th Field Ambulance. Following basic training he boarded HMAT Rangatira, and embarked from Brisbane on 25 October 1914. Adams was seriously wounded on 8th of August 1916 during the battle of Pozières. He died of wounds shortly afterwards on 9th of August 1916. Arthur Adams is buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery, France

    s flynn




    217387

    Sgt. Robert William Wyllie Adam 11th Infantry Battalion (d.26th July 1916)

    Robert William Wyllie Adam was born in Perth, Western Australia during 1889. He was educated in England where he attended schools at East Molesey, Surrey and Rugby, Warwickshire.

    The Adam family were a distinguished British political family and Robert was related to the famous Admiral Sir Charles Adam. His mother, Jane Emily Adam, was the daughter of George Leake who was twice the premier of Western Australia. Robert returned to Perth at age 18 and worked as a farmer. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 3 February 1915. He was assigned to the 11th Infantry Battalion. Following basic training at Blackboy Hill, he departed Fremantle on 25 April 1915 aboard HMAT Hororata.

    Robert served at Gallipoli from June to November 1915, inclusive of a period of illness during July and August. He was transferred to France in April 1916 where he fought in the battle of the Somme and was fatally wounded at Pozières. For his actions at Pozières, Adam was recommended for a Military Medal. Robert Adam died of wounds on 26 July 1916 and is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

    s flynn




    217386

    Pte. John W. Slater 14th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment

    My Grandmother's Father, John W Slater of D Company 14th Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment, Barnsley Pals (according to local press of the time) was at Northern Command Depot, Alnwick, Northhumberland. The local press article refers to him as Private 875 T W Slater (but it should be J W not T W).

    He was apparently shot in the left arm whilst carrying another injured man (Jim Foster). My Grandmother told me that he also spent time in a hospital on Salisbury Plain.

    The extract from the old local press after writing of the death of his Brother, Lce Cpl Edward Slater (Machine Gun Corps), goes on to say, his Brother Private 875 T W Slater (should be J.W Slater)D Co of the same Battalion was severely wounded in France in July and was forwarded to hospital (Birmingham) from Bologne on the 8th August and after being at various hospitals in England (of which he speaks in the highest praise) he is now at the Northern Command Depot, Alnwick, Northumberland pending medical examination, his left arm being useless.

    M D R Scarfe




    217384

    Pte. William Brown 1st Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.10th Mar 1915)

    William Brown was born in Dublin and enlisted in Wrexham, Denbighshire.

    s flynn




    217383

    Cpl. William Brown 1st Garrison Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.28th Jun 1917)

    William Brown was the husband of Sarah Brown, of 15, Garden Lane, Francis St., Dublin. He died aged 51 in India.

    s flynn




    217381

    Sgt. Thomas Brown 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    Thomas Brown was born in Clondalkin, Co. Dublin and enlisted in London. He was killed in action aged 40 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217375

    Pte. Thomas Brown 1st Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.23rd Aug 1915)

    Thomas Brown was born in Dulaven, Dublin and enlisted at Wrexham. He served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was killed in action in August 1915.

    s flynn




    217373

    Pte. Robert William Brown 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Robert William Brown was born in Dublin and enlisted in Belfast. He served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was killed in action in July 1916.

    s flynn




    217369

    Gnr. William Dunn Watters Fifeshire Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My great- grandfather William Dunn Watters was in the territorial army, a gunner with the RGA Fifeshire Heavy Battery in 51st Highland Division. His address in 1918 was Cowdenbeath Fife, on his marriage records he was stationed at Sheringham England, home base to the Royal Artillery. I can find no other records of him, I have a photo of him in his uniform and the badge on his shoulder has a T then RGA then Fifeshire, he survived the war, I would like to know if there are any records of him and what his regiment contributed to the first word war.





    217367

    Pte. Patrick Brown MM. 7th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.6th Aug 1916)

    Patrick Brown was the son of Catherine Brown, of 49, New St., Dublin. He was killed in action and buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France. He had been awarded the Military Medal.

    s flynn




    217364

    L/Cpl. James Harrison Brown 10th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.26th Apr 1917)

    James Brown was the son of John Brown, of 29, Westmorland St., Dublin. He formerly served with the A.S.C. (Motor Transport) James was killed in France age 19 and is remembered on a special memorial in Orchard Dump Cemetery, Arleux-En-Gohelle, France.

    s flynn




    217363

    Pte. James Brown 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.1st Aug 1917)

    James Brown was born in Mulhuddart, Dublin and enlisted in Omagh.

    s flynn




    217362

    Pte. Henry Brown 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.26th Nov 1916)

    Henry Brown was the son of Edward and Mary Brown, of Rockfort Avenue, Dalkey, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action age 34 and is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217361

    Saddler. George Brown 5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlottte's Own) (d.10th Jan 1915)

    George Brown served with the 5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte's own). He died in January 1915.

    s flynn




    217360

    Pte. Edward Brown 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.9th Sep 1916)

    Edward Brown was the son of Alexander and Mary Josephine Brown, of 44, St. Alban's Rd., Dublin. He was killed in action age 24 and is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No. 2.

    s flynn




    217359

    L/Cpl. Christopher Brown 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's) (d.5th Nov 1918)

    Christopher Brown served with the 1st Garrison Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was formerly 5225, Royal Irish Rifles. He died in India on the 5th November 1918. He is buried in the Taukkyan War Cemetery in Burma (now Myanmar).

    S Flynn




    217358

    Pte. Alexander Patrick Brown 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.10th May 1915)

    Alexander Patrick Brown was the son of William and Elizabeth Brown, of 33, Summer Hill. Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 2nd Battalion and was killed in action in May 1915 aged 18. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    s flynn




    217357

    2nd Lt. Herbert Brown 1st Btn. 30th Punjabi (d.6th Jun 1919)

    Second Lieutenant Herbert Brown served with the 1st Battalion, 30th Punjabi, Indian Army and died in India age 21. He is remembered on the Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial in India. He was the son of George and Sarah Martin, of 57, Percy Place, Dublin.

    S Flynn




    217356

    Gnr. Lawrence Brown HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    Lawrence Brown was the son of Robert and Ellen Brown, of Phoenix Gate Lodge, Phoenix Park, Dublin. He was killed in action at Battle of Jutland age 19. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217355

    CQMS Charles Arthur Thompson MID. Royal Engineers (d.3rd Mar 1919)

    My Grandfather Charles Arthur Thompson was a railway clerk by profession, originating from the Wakefield area of Yorkshire but at the outbreak of war was with the Midland Railway in Bristol.

    Not a lot is known about his front-line service but he served as a Company Quarter Master Sgt. in the Staff of the Royal Engineers. He seems to have been at Boulogne for some time, presumably involved in the disembarkation of troops and material for the Royal Engineers. He sent home several postcards of Boulogne. However he must have seen some action as he was mentioned in dispatches. While at Boulogne he edited a garrison magazine, 'Les Vagues', of which I have three editions. Tragically he had to stay on in Boulogne to help with the repatriation of men and materials, but was taken by the Spanish Flu outbreak in March 1919 just a week before he was due to be repatriated.

    Brian Hubble




    217354

    Sgt. Thomas Harry Hubble MM. 8th Battery, 174 Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th May 1918)

    My Grandfather. Sgt. Thomas Hubble originated from Enville, near Stourbridge, and from there joined the army and spent some time in India. He left the army to become a Yorkshire coal miner at Normanton, where he met and married Annie Louisa, by whom he had three children.

    On the outbreak of WW1 , as a reservist, he was called up and served in the Royal Field Artillery 8th Battery 174 Brigade for four years, before being killed by a single bullet in the vicinity of Arras. He was awarded the Military Medal but the citation is lost. He is buried in the Cabaret Rouge cemetery, Souchez - just below the Vimy Ridge, France.

    Brian Hubble




    217353

    Pte. George Stead 7th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Pte. George Stead was killed on 16th August 1917, the first day of the Battle of Langemarck, near Ypres. His remains were never found and his name is honoured on the wall at Tyne Cot, Belgium.





    217342

    Edward Makinson 5th Btn Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Makinson served in the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, 5th Battalion he went to France but was injured in April 1915 and went back in as Major Atkinson's Batman. He was killed 30th Nov 1917 but no body was found, we believe parts of his body lie with in a grave at Bourlon Wood. His name is on the memorial panel at Cambria and his name is also on the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Panel at Lancaster.

    Teresa




    217341

    Pte. James Brophy 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.21st Oct 1915)

    James Brophy was the son of Thomas and Julia Brophy, of Dublin. He served with the Irish Guards 2nd Battalion and was killed in action in October 1915 aged 25. He is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217340

    Pte. William Brophy 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.21st Jan 1916)

    William Brophy served with the Connaught Rangers 1st Battalion and was killed in action in Mesopotamia in January 1916.

    s flynn




    217339

    Pte. Patrick Brophy 8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.16th Nov 1917)

    Patrick Brophy served initially with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and subsequently with Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 8th Battalion, dying in November 1917.

    s flynn




    217338

    Pte. George Brophy 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.17th Sep 1914)

    George Brophy served with Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 1st Battalion and died of wounds in September 1914.

    s flynn




    217337

    Pte. Daniel Brophy Infantry Machine Gun Corps (d.4th Nov 1918)

    Daniel Brophy was born in Dublin and served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and subsequently with the Machine Gun Corps. He was killed in action in November 1918.

    s flynn




    217336

    Pte. Bernard Brophy 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.21st Aug 1918)

    Bernard Brophy served initially with the Connaught Rangers and then with the Royal Irish Regiment 2nd Battalion. He was killed in action in August 1918.

    s flynn




    217335

    2nd Lt. Thomas Joseph Brophy 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    Thomas Joseph Brophy was the son of Thomas F. Brophy, of 46, Aughrim St., Dublin. He served with the Leinster Regiment, 2nd Battalion and died in March 1918. He is commemorated on thr Pozieres Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217334

    Sto. Edward Brophy HMS Juno (d.8th Aug 1916)

    Edward Brophy was the son of William and Bridget Brophy, of Dublin and served on board HMS Juno. He accidentally drowned, aged 26, on the 8th August 1916. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent.

    Update: Entry from the log of HMS Juno, 8 August 1916: Bushire. Lat 28.9, Long 50.8. 2.20am: OOG boarded mail boat with eight bags of mail. 3.50am: OOG returned with five bags of mail, one prisoner & escort. 11.00am: Escort & prisoner left for shore. 8.45pm: Edward Brophy ON 22418, Stoker 1st class, fell overboard from launch Edward Ross & was drowned [Naval Casualties has the following entry. Brophy, Edward, Stoker 1c, K 22418 (Ch), drowned. Commonwealth War graves site lists his memorial as Chatham Naval Memorial]. Bushire was a small island off the coast of Persia (Iran) not far from Basra and Shiraz.

    S Flynn




    217333

    Pte. John Thomas Wesley Harold Broomfield 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    John Broomfield served with the 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment and was killed in action on the 23rd April 1917. He was born in Dublin and enlisted at Portsmouth.

    S Flynn




    217332

    Pte. Martin Brooks 20th Hussars (d.28th Aug 1914)

    Martin Brooks was born in Dublin, served with the 20th Hussars and was killed in action on the 24th August 1914.

    S Flynn




    217331

    Spr. Bert Brookes 96th Lt. Railway Operating Coy. Royal Engineers (d.30th Dec 1917)

    Bert Brookes was born in Dublin and enlisted in Hammersmith, Middlesex. He served with the 96th Light Railway Operating Company of the Royal Engineers and was killed in action in Egypt in December 1917.

    s flynn




    217330

    Capt. Richard Reginald Maude Brooke Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.31st May 1915)

    Richard Brooke served with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and was killed in action in Mesopotamia in May 1915.

    s flynn




    217329

    Lt. George Brooke Special Reserves Irish Guards (d.7th Oct 1914)

    G Brooke was the eldest son of Sir George Brooke, 1st Baronet, of Summerton, Castleknock, Co. Dublin and his first wife Annie; he was the husband of Nina. He served with the Irish Guards Special Reserves and died of wounds received in the Battle of Aisne in October 1914 aged 37. Lt. Brooke is listed in Irish Life "Our Heroes" (04/12/1914). He had previously served in the South African War, and was formerly Gentleman-In-Waiting to the Lord Cadogan, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He is commemorated on three memorials in St. Brigid's, Church of Ireland, Castleknock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    217326

    L/Cpl. Edward Bruce Haswell 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.30th June 1917)

    Edward Bruce Haswell served with the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and died on the 30th June 1917.

    Elizabeth Haswell




    217325

    Pte. Joseph Henry Wright 12th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.6th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Henry Wright served with the Suffolk Regiment 12th Battalion and died on the 6th of January 1918.

    Greg Myles




    217321

    Pte. Jacob Walker 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.30th Jul 1916)

    Jacob Walker was the son of Alexander Walker and Jane Stoba of New Abbey in Dumfrieshire. Jacob was born in 1884. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers and was killed in action at the Somme on the 30th July 1916. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Jacob was the brother of my husband's great grandmother. His brother Alexander, who was in the Black Watch, also died during WW1.

    Dr A Brown




    217320

    2nd Lt. Henry John Brooke Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Henry John Brooke served with the Berkshire Regiment and died at home of wounds on 27th February 1920 age 32. He is buried in Crewe Cemetery in Cheshire. Henry was born in Dublin, the son of Mark and Annie Brooke and was the husband of Mary Ellen Smith (formerly Brooke), of 13, Middlewich St., Crewe.

    S Flynn




    217319

    L/Cpl. Patrick Broghan 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th Dec 1914)

    Patrick Broghan served with the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Rifles and was killed in action on the 16th December 1914.

    S Flynn




    217318

    Pte. Thomas Brogan 6th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1916)

    Thomas Brogan was the son of Thomas and Bridget Brogan, of 6, Usher's Island, Dublin, and served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 8th Battalion. He died in the Balkans in September 1916 aged 18 and is buried in Addolorata Cemetery in Malta

    s flynn




    217317

    Pte. James Brogan 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.27th Aug 1914)

    James Brogan served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 2nd Battalion and was killed in action in August 1914.

    s flynn




    217316

    Pte. Henry Brogan 8th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.7th Jul 1916)

    Henry Brogan served with the 8th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Volunteers) and died of wounds on the 7th July 1916.

    S Flynn




    217315

    Pte. Edward Broe 6th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.26th Nov 1916)

    Edward Broe served with the 6th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He died of wounds on the 26th November 1916 in the Balkans and was buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery in Greece. Edward was the husband of Mrs. B. Broe, of 26, Whitefriar St., Dublin.

    S Flynn




    217314

    Pte. John Broderick 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1914)

    John Broderick served with the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action on the 27th October 1914.

    S Flynn




    217313

    L/Cpl. James Broderick 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    James Broderick served with the 10th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was killed in action on the 21st March 1918.

    S Flynn




    217312

    Pte. William Porter MM. King's Liverpool Regiment

    <p>

    Private William Porter was born in Scarisbrick, Lancashire in 1886, the son of Robert and Mary Porter. Before the war he worked as a watch repairer for Connard’s the Jewellers of Lord St Southport, and his employers appealed for an exemption on his behalf, when he received his call up papers in 1916. The outcome of the appeal to the local Tribunal, held on 23 may 1916, was reported in the Southport Visiter the following day thus: “A firm of watchmakers on Lord Street asked the Tribunal to grant temporary exemption to Wm Porter (Group 35), a married man who had four children. It was stated that he was the only man they had left to carry on the repairing of watches, and on average they had ten watches from the trenches every week. The appeal was refused"

    Following the dismissal of the appeal, he subsequently joined the King’s Liverpool Regiment, and in 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal , the award appearing in the London Gazette , dated 7 October, 1918. He survived the war and resumed his career as a watch repairer. He died in 1957.

    John Burke




    217311

    Sgt. George Brockie 5th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.10th Sep 1915)

    George Brockie served with the 5th Battalion, Connaught Rangers and died of wounds in Gallipoli on the 10th September 1915. He was born in Dublin and enlisted in London.

    S Flynn




    217310

    Lt. Thomas Henry Britton MC. 34th Battalion Australian Infantry (d.21st Jun 1918)

    Thomas Britton was born in Dublin, the son of John and Elizabeth Britton. He served with the 34th Battalion Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force. He was awarded the Military Cross. He died of wounds on the 21st June 1918, aged 26 and is buried in the Officers section of St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen in France.

    S Flynn




    217309

    Drv. Edward Briscoe Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    Edward Briscoe served with the Royal Horse Artillery and with the Royal Field Artillery. He died in India on the 23rd October 1918.

    S Flynn




    217308

    2nd Lt. Henry Whitby Briscoe 3rd Garrison Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.15th Apr 1917)

    Henry Briscoe served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. His unit is recorded as the 3rd Garrison Battalion but that unit served only within the UK and would have provided reinforcements to other regular battalions. It is likely that he served with either the 5th or 6th Battalions as both were involved in the Gallipoli Campaign and then moved to Salonika.

    He was the son of Arthur Wellesley Briscoe, of Leinster Rd., Rathmines, Dublin and husband of Mary Zoe Briscoe, of 6, Duncairn Terrace, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Henry was a Civil Servant (Irish Land Commission), barrister-at-law. He was drowned at sea age 34 when the HM Transport Arcadian was torpedoed and sunk on the 15th April 1917 while en route from Salonika to Alexandria. He is remembered on the Mikra Memorial in Greece.

    S Flynn




    217307

    Pte. James Bright 18th (4th Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.14th March 1916)

    James Bright served with the 18th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. He was born in Dublin and enlisted in Glasgow. James was killed in action on the 14th March 1916.

    S Flynn




    217306

    Pte. Matthias Porter 1/7th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment

    <p>

    Matthias Porter was born in Scarisbrick, Lancashire in 1891, the son of Robert and Mary Porter. He enlisted in Southport in May 1915 and joined 1/7th Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment. He was eventually taken prisoner on 22 March 1918, and survived the war. After the war he married and moved to Sheffield where he worked as a miner. He died in September 1958.

    The following is an extract from the Southport Visiter dated 4th May 1918, referring to him: "Private M Porter, son of Mrs Porter, 188 Canning Road Southport, has been taken prisoner. He joined the Forces in May 1915, prior to which he was employed by Boots in Chapel Street and Mrs Moor of Neville Street. The day he was taken prisoner, 22nd March, he should have come home on leave"





    217305

    Pte. George Tipping 27th Btn. Cameronian Scottish Rifles

    George Tipping served with the 9th Battalion Cameronian Scottish Rifles and was injured prior to the Battle of Loos. George died from his wounds on the 22nd of September 1915, three days before the main battle of Loos. He his buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

    His brother Alfred Tipping MM who served in the same unit was killed on the 22nd of October 1916.

    Michael Hill




    217304

    Pte. Alfred Tipping MM. 9th Btn. Cameronian Scottish Rifles (d.22nd Oct 1916)

    Alfred Tipping who served in the 9th Battalion, Cameronian Scottish Rifles, was my great uncle - as told by his sister - Alfred had won his medal for helping the wounded and was later killed on the 22nd October 1916 during the attack on the Butte De Wahrencourt. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Michael Hill




    217303

    Rfn. Ernest George May 5th (London Rifle Brigade) Btn. London Regiment (d.16th or 19th Aug 1917)

    Ernest George May served with the 5th City of London Battalion (London Rifle Brigade), the London Regiment and died on either the 16th or 19th August 1917.

    Adrian Evans




    217299

    Sgt. Percival Robert Allan MSM. 18th Btn.

    My relative Percy R. Allan survived in the Manchester Pals 18th Battalion. He went to war on the 18th November 1915 & gained the Meritorious Service Medal. His name on the battalion photo is listed incorrectly as Allen P. Percy started as a private and later became a sergeant.

    Percy was one of the lucky ones that survived the war & owned his own butchers shop on Lloyd St Manchester. I am told he had a wound to his leg. He married and had one son. He is buried in Southern Cemetery in Manchester with his wife and son. (he has no headstone). We don't have any photos or medals and we do not know what he did during his service.

    Lorna Campbell




    217297

    Cpl. William Brien 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.6th Jun 1915)

    William Brien served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusliers and died of wounds on the 6th June 1915.

    S Flynn




    217296

    Pte. Thomas Brien 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridges Own) (d.10th Jun 1917)

    Thomas Brien served with the 13th Battalion the Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridges Own) and was killed in action on the 10th June 1917.

    S Flynn




    217295

    Pte. Thomas Brien 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.15th Jun 1915)

    Thomas Brien served with the 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was killed in action in Gallipoli on the 15th June 1915. His home address was in Finglas, County Dublin.

    S Flynn




    217294

    CSM. Thomas Brien 8th Btn. Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) (d.11th Jun 1916)

    CSM Thomas Brien was the husband of Alice Brien, of 6, Bow Lane, James St., Dublin. He served in the Sudan and South African Campaigns, and with Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers), 8th Battalion. He was killed in action in June 1916, aged 39, and is buried in Bois-Carre Military Cemetery, Haisnes, France.

    s flynn




    217293

    Pte. John Brien 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.7th Sep 1916)

    John Brien was the son of Christopher and Mary Brien, of Black Horse Lane, Phoenix Park, Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 9th Battalion, and died of wounds aged 48 in September 1916. He is buried in La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie, France.

    s flynn




    217292

    Pte. John Brien 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    Pte. John Brien was the husband of Anne Brien, of 3, Bargy Rd., East Wall, Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 2nd Battalion and died of wounds at home in October 1917 aged 26. He is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    217291

    Pte. Edward Brien 5/6th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.5th Sep 1916)

    Edward Brien was the husband of Elizabeth Brien, of 47, Kirwan St. Cottages, Manor St., Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and subsequently with Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 5/6th Battalion. He was killed in action in September 1916 aged 38. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217290

    Gnr. Andrew Brien Royal Garrison Artillery (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    Andrew Brien was born in Lucan, Co. Dublin and enlisted at Seaforth, Lancs. He served with the Royal Garrison Artillery and died of wounds in March 1918.

    s flynn




    217289

    Lt. Frederick George Brien att. "Y" Trench Mortar Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.20th April 1918)

    Frederick Brien was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Brien, of Wilton House, Wilton Place, Dublin. He joined up 4th August, 1914, obtaining a commission in 9th Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers, and was wounded on 28th June, 1916. He transferred in 1917, to Royal Field Artillery. He died of wounds, received at Merville age 34 and is buried in Tannay British Cemetery, Thiennes, France.

    s flynn




    217288

    AB. William Brien SS Memphian (d.8th Oct 1917)

    AB William Brien was the son of Patrick and Teresa Brien, of Old Rd., Rush, Co. Dublin. He served with the Mercantile Marine on the SS Memphian (Liverpool). He drowned in October 1917, aged 22, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

    s flynn




    217287

    Pte. James Bridgeman 8th Btn. Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) (d.20th Nov 1917)

    James Bridgeman served with Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish) Fusiliers 8th Battalion and died of wounds in November 1917.

    s flynn




    217286

    L/Cpl. Albert Bridge 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.2nd Mar 1918)

    Albert Bridge was the son of John and Marie Anna Bridge, of 1, Lower Leeson St., Dublin. He served with the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) 2nd battalion and died of wounds in March 1918 aged 20. He is buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery in France.

    s flynn




    217285

    Cpl. Christopher Bride 1st Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.10th Mar 1918)

    Christopher Bride served with the Royal Irish Regiment 1st Battalion and was killed in action in Palestine in March 1918.

    s flynn




    217284

    Pte. Reginald Brian Infantry Machine Gun Corps (d.16th April 1917)

    Reginald Brian was born at St. Mary's, Dublin and enlisted in Norwood. He served with the Royal West Kent Regiment, and subsequently with the Machine Gun Corps Infantry. He was killed in action in April 1917.

    s flynn




    217283

    Pte. John C. Brewster 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.11th Jul 1915)

    John Brewster served with the Irish Guards 1st Battalion and was killed in action in July 1915.

    s flynn




    217282

    2nd Lt. Richard Gardiner Brewster 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Richard Gardiner Brewster was the son of William Theodore Brewster and Susan M. Brewster, of "Audenville," Iona Rd., Glasnevin, Dublin. He served with the 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment. He died in March 1918 aged 25. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217281

    Capt. James Angus Brewer MID 9th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.18th Sep 1918)

    James Angus Brewer served with the 9th Battalion the South Lancashire Regiment and died of his wounds on the 18th September 1918. He was the second son of Lt. William H. Brewer (Royal Navy), and Mary Anne Brewer, of 15, Northumberland Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. He died of wounds age 25 and was buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. He was Mentioned in Despatches and Mountjoy School Roll of Honour indicates that he also received the Military Cross.

    S Flynn




    217280

    Pte. Peter Brett 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.7th Oct 1914)

    Peter Brett was born in Dublin. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers and died of wounds on the 7th October 1914.

    S Flynn




    217279

    A/Cpl. Robert Breslin 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.18th Aug 1917)

    Robert Breslin served with the 1st Battalion the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was killed in action on the 18th August 1917.

    S Flynn




    217278

    2nd Lt. William Roche Brereton-Barry 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    William Roche Brereton-Barry served with the 10th Battalion the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was killed in action on the 16th August 1917. He is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium

    s flynn




    217277

    Pte. William Brennock 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.6th Nov 1914)

    William Brennock served with the 1st Battalion the Irish Guards. He was killed in action on the 6th November 1914.

    S Flynn




    217276

    Sgt. Thomas Brennock 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.28th Feb 1917)

    Thomas Brennock served in the 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was killed on the 28th February 1917m aged 28. He was the son of Michael and Mary Brennock, of Dublin. His brothers William and Patrick also fell. Formerly he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    S Flynn




    217274

    Stoker Patrick Brennock HMS Europa (d.26th Aug 1915)

    Stoker Patrick Brennock was the son of Michael and Mary Brennock, of 41, South Dock St., Ringsend, Dublin. He served with the Royal Naval Reserve on HMS Europa. He died of dysentery in August 1915 aged 33 and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Hampshire. His brothers William and Thomas also died in the war.

    s flynn




    217273

    Rfmn. George Robert Heath 7th Batallion Kings Royal Rifles

    My grandfather, George Robert Heath (no A1426), who lived in Borrowdale Road, Northfield, Birmingham served with the 7th Battalion of the Kings Royle Rifle Corp (KRRC). He signed up on 22nd August 1914 (his 20th birthday). After initial training in the UK he arrived in France on 18 May 1915 and went to the front line around the Belgium town of Ypres. He was involved in the trench warfare there – notably on the 30 July 1915 he was in the unit in the trenches at Railway Wood (opposite Bellewaarde Farm) where flamethrowers were first used against British forces. In the battle that took place his Battalion incurred heavy casualties (13 officers and 289 men out of around 1000 in the battalion). He spent from May 1915 to February 1916 fighting in the Ypres area before then being moved down to Arras where he was based until 29 July 1916. At this time the 7th Battalion KRRC moved to billets around Albert ready to join the Battle of the Somme.

    At the Somme my grandfather was involved in major conflicts on the 18th August and the 15th September. On the 18th August the 7th Battalion KRRC attacked and captured, suffering heavy casualties (3 officers and 42 men killed and 3 officers and 174 men wounded), the German Orchard Trench which was in the notorious area of Delville Wood. After this they were taken out of the front line in order to bring new recruits to the Battalion and to give those soldiers, involved in the conflict since they entered France, a much needed rest. Some of the soldiers were taken, in two groups of 30, to Ault on the French coast. They returned into action on the 15th September 1916, again in trenches by Delville Wood, to take part in the notorious Battle of Flers- Courcellette. This is of note since it is the first time that tanks were used in the war. The tanks were used to good effect and much ground was taken. It was, however, at this Battle where my grandfather was shot and wounded. He remained in no-mans land for a period of days before he was recovered and, expected to die, returned to hospital in the UK. Whilst suffering permanent injury to his shoulder and chest he did in fact survive and was invalided out of the army, declared unfit for active service on the 29th od May 1917. During this Battle the of Fler-Courcellette casualties for the Battalion were again high with 34 killed, 189 wounded and 120 missing.

    Eventually after his return to the UK he married Emma Gittins on 8th February 1919. Emma had two children, Charles and Margaret, from her previous marriage to Charles Anthony Gittins. Charles Gittins served in the 2/6 Batallion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and was killed in action on 26th August 1917 in Flanders. His grave is at Zonnebeke. George and Emma went on to have 5 children, George, Joan, Olive, Sid and John and in total of 12 grandchildren.

    John Andrews




    217272

    Pte. John Brennan Machine Gun Corps (d.9th Apr1917)

    Born in Galway, John Brennan was the son of Michael Brennan, of 43, Great Western Square, Phibsborough, Dublin, He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and subsequently with the Machine Gun Corps. He was killed in action in April 1917 aged 19. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217271

    Pte. James Brennan 7th Btn. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (d.28th May 1917)

    James Brennan served with the 5th Lancers and subsequently with the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, 7th Battalion. He died of wounds in May 1917.

    s flynn




    217270

    Pte. Patrick Brennan 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.28th Sep 1918)

    Patrick Brennan was the son of Patrick and Mary Brennan, of 3, Great Longford St., Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and subsequently with the Royal Munster Fusiliers 1st Battalion. He was killed in action in France in September 1918 aged 20, and is buried in Anneux British Cemetery, France.

    s flynn




    217269

    Pte. Thomas M. Brennan Royal Army Medical Corps (d.10th Apr 1917)

    Pte. Thomas Brennan was the son of Michael and Elizabeth Brennan, of Dundrum, Dublin. He served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and died at sea aged 27 in April 1917. He is commemorated on the Salta Memorial, Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France.

    s flynn




    217268

    CSM. Thomas Brennan 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.22nd Jul 1916)

    CSM Thomas Brennan served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 1st Battalion and was killed in action in July 1916.

    s flynn




    217267

    L/Cpl. Patrick Leslie Brennan 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.27th Oct 1914)

    Patrick Leslie Brennan was born in Dublin and enlisted in Warley, Essex. He served with the Royal Irish Rifles 2nd Battalion and was killed in action in October 1917.

    s flynn




    217266

    Gnr. Patrick Joseph Brennan Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Mar 1915)

    Gnr. Patrick Joseph Brennan was born in Dublin and enlisted in Stratford, Essex. He served with the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery, and died of wounds at home in March 1915.

    s flynn




    217265

    Pte. Patrick Brennan 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.26th Aug 1914)

    Patrick Brennan served with the Lancashire Fusiliers 2nd Battalion and was killed in action in August 1914.

    s flynn




    217264

    Pte. Patrick Brennan 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.9th Sep 1916)

    Patrick Brennan served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 1st Battalion and was killed in action in September 1916.

    s flynn




    217263

    Pte. Michael Brennan 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.2nd May 1916)

    Michael Brennan was the son of Edward and Mary Brennan, of 28, Longford St., Dublin; and husband of Mary Josephine McCarm (formerly Brennan), of 5 Ryan's Buildings, Charlemont St., Dublin. He served with the Connaught Rangers 1st Battalion and died in Mesopotamia in May 1916 aged 22. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    217262

    Gnr. March Brennan MSM. 96th Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.15th Dec 1918)

    March Brennan served with the Royal Horse Artillery and the Royal Field Artillery during ww1. He served with the 96th Battery RFA in 19th Brigade and had been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. March was born in Dublin and enlisted in Leeds. He was the son of Christopher and Mary Brennan, of 5, Coxon St., Holbeach, Leeds. He died on the 15th December 1918 in Salonika age 25 and was buried inBralo British Cemetery, Greece.

    S Flynn




    217260

    Pte. Francis Monnelly 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.21st Sep 1917)

    Francis Monnelly served with the 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers and died on the 21st September 1917. His home was in Breaffy , Killala, County Mayo, Ireland

    Pat Connolly




    217258

    Edward Wilkinson MM. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th Aug 1917)

    Edward Wilkinson 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers 6810 died 7th August 1917. he is commemorated on the Nieuport Memorial Belgium. He was 23 years old and 2 other brothers were also killed.

    On the night of 11/12th July 1917 he was in charge of a Lewis gun when an attack was developing. He opened fire under intense barrage. He continued to fire until all his team had been killed or wounded and then moved his gun to another shell hole further forward and continued firing until the gun was knocked out with the force of a shell. He then brought the back to his trench. He showed the greatest devotion to duty and an absolute disregard of danger. For this he was awarded the Military Medal.

    Mrs J Harris




    217257

    Pte. Thomas Diamond Davies 18th Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.29th Apr 1917)

    Thomas Diamond Davies was the only son of my great grandparents Thomas and Ann Jane Davies and he had seven sisters. I am afraid I don't have any photographs of him and know very little about him. My grandmother never spoke of him to the family. I went to France last summer and found his grave and laid a poppy wreath, a very moving and emotional moment as I was the first family member to visit.

    I am sure there are photos,letters and of course his medals within my family but there are huge age gaps in his siblings and many nieces and nephews. I will continue in my search

    Sharon Hughes




    217254

    Pte. John Henry Crush 2nd/21st (First Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.1st Mar 1918)

    My maternal grandfather whom I never knew, John Henry Crush served with the 2nd/21st Battalion (1st Surrey Rifles), The London Regiment and died on the 1st March 1918.

    Ken Cooper




    217252

    Pte. William Henry Paul No 6 Platoon South Wales Borderers (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Private William Henry Paul served with 6 Platoon, South Wales Borderers and died on the 31st July 1917. His home address was in Helston, Cornwall.

    Jan Philpott




    217249

    Pte. James Albert Edward Knight 21st (First Surrey Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    Prior to the war James Knight was a bare knuckle prizefighter (the grandson of Tom Sayers the famous pugilist). He must have been pretty fit and a true survivor and probably a bit of a loner as I sense he was not a fan of discipline or being told what to do.

    He joined the 1st Surrey Rifles by accident I think, as a group of them went up together to join up and some went into the 1st and others were taken into a different part of the The 21st London Regiment, it may have been The Greenwich Rifles. He recalled it as a real setback as later he was to say that when he led young fresh troops up to the front he didn’t really care, but if he heard that “One of the old boys" had been killed it would demoralise him for days.

    He decided to become a messenger as he was sick of being in mud and water for days on end. He delivered dispatches on foot as he couldn’t ride a motorbike. Messengers did not have a very long lifespan, but they were treated well, and given food and or dry clothes when they delivered a message.

    Back to the motorbike. One day a shell fell and injured a dispatch rider, the bike fell to the side but was still ticking over, Pte. Knight and a couple of the others had never driven anything mechanical before so they drew straws as to who would try and take the message, James drew the short straw, asked the rider how to make it work then hopped on, rode off and finally reached his destination, unfortunately he hadn’t been told how to stop and the inevitable happened and he just jumped off letting the bike collide into a trench much to the disgust of the waiting small crowd of soldiers at the end.

    We heard a few other stories. He told me about the first time he saw a Tank which in those days were top secret and in hindsight I could still see how impressed he was by the vision of these mechanical monoliths crawling over the ground. James Knight was a tiny thin, austere looking man (about 5’4) but always had a presence about him. I am glad to say our Grandfather was one of the “few” who survived the war and was awarded The Pip, Squeak and Wilfred medals, The 1914 – 1915 Star, British War Medal, and The Victory Medal. My uncle told me he was also awarded a Croix De Guerre but this I can't confirm as many War records for Privates were lost during the second world war bombing of London. In 1915 he was injured by a mortar and sent home due to his injuries.

    After the war he led a very ordinary life as a driver of horse-drawn carriages, his eyesight deteriorated quite prematurely at the age of around 40 probably due to all the nerve damage he sustained during his boxing matches. He died peacefully in Greenwich Hospital in London at the age of 83 near his little flat and about 100 meters from where he went to school.

    I think his War experience was the only time he had ever spent abroad. Shortly after the war he was invited by the French but he said “I couldn’t be bothered” which about sums the man up. He died with pieces of shrapnel still in his hip I was told.

    Edward Knight




    217248

    Pte. Herbert Hough 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Herbert Hough was my grandfather. He enlisted in the 7th South Lancashire Regiment in August 1914 at Ashton under Lyne Ladysmith Barracks. He went to France with the regiment July 1915 and was later discharged as no longer physically fit for war on 16th September 1917. Family stories suggest he was exposed to gas?? Sadly he was killed in an industrial accident in 1926 when my mother was five years of age.

    Barbara Ann Taylor




    217247

    Sgt. Louis J. Brennan 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.4th May 1917)

    Sgt. Louis Brennan was born and lived in Dublin but Enlisted in Galway. He served with the Connaught Rangers and the Royal Irish Regiment, 1st Garrison Battalion. He was killed in action in Egypt in May 1917.

    s flynn




    217246

    Pte. Joseph Brennan 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1917)

    Joseph Brennan served with Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 1st Battalion. He was killed in action in April 1917.

    s flynn




    217245

    Pte. Joseph Brennan 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.30th Mar 1918)

    Joseph Brennan served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 10th Battalion, and died of wounds in March 1918.

    s flynn




    217244

    L/Bdr. John Brennan Royal Garrison Artillery (d.16th Oct 1918)

    John Brennan served with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and was killed in action in October 1918.

    s flynn




    217243

    Pte. John Brennan 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.5th Nov 1916)

    John Brennan served with the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians), 7th Battalion. He died in November 1916.

    s flynn




    217242

    Pte. John Brennan 5th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.1st Feb 1918)

    Pte. John Brennan was the son of Mrs. Ellen Brennan, of 51, Bride St., Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 5th Battalion. He died at home from wounds in February 1918 aged 26, and is buried in Dean's Grange Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    217241

    Rflm. James Brennan 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th July 1916)

    James Brennan was the son of William and Elizabeth Brennan, of 15, Richmond Place, Portobello Bridge. Dublin. He served with the Royal Irish Rifles, 2nd Battalion and was killed in action in July 1916 aged 19. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France

    s flynn




    217240

    Pte. James Brennan 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    James Brennan served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 2nd Battalion He was killed in action in August 1917.

    s flynn




    217239

    Rfmn. Thomas Harry Amos 13th Btn. D Coy. Rifle Brigade

    Rfmn. Thomas Harry Amos served with the Rifle Brigade, 13th battalion. D company.

    Geoff Amos




    217238

    Sgt. Henry Peter Brennan 7th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.30th Apr 1916)

    Henry Brennan was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Brennan, of 3, De Burgh Road, Phoenix Park, Dublin. He served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 7th Battalion. He died of wounds in April 1916 aged 24 and is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France.

    s flynn




    217237

    Pte. Francis A. Brennan 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th Apr 1916)

    Francis Brennan was the son of C. and E. Brennan, of 24, Ushers Island, Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 10th Battalion. He died of wounds at home in April 1916, and is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland

    s flynn




    217236

    Rflm. Eugene Brennan 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.12th Mar 1915)

    Eugene Brennan was the son of Elizabeth Brennan, of 24, Ushers Island, Dublin. He served with the Royal Irish Rifles 1st Battalion and was killed in action in France in March 1915 aged 22. He is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial.

    s flynn




    217235

    Pte. Christopher Brennan 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.1st Feb 1915)

    Christopher Brennan served with the Irish Guards 1st Battalion and died of wounds in February 1915.

    s flynn




    217234

    Pte. Christopher Brennan 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Christopher Brennan enlisted in Glasgow. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 1st Battalion and was killed in action in July 1916.

    s flynn




    217233

    Pte. Christopher Brennan 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th Oct 1916)

    Christopher Brennan served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 8th Battalion. He died of wounds in October 1916.

    s flynn




    217232

    Pte. Christopher Brennan 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th Oct 1916)

    Christopher Brennan was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. He was wounded in France fighting the Battle of Ginchy, and was sent back to Britain to recover in a Bradford hospital. Sadly, Private Brennan died from his wounds on October 24th 1916. He is buried and commemorated in Bradford (Scholemoor) Cemetery in Yorkshire.

    S Flynn




    217231

    Pte. Charles Brennan 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.13th May 1918)

    Charles Brennan was born in Dublin, and was living at 12 Great Longford Street, Dublin, with his wife Josephine when he enlisted there. Private Brennan died of wounds a few weeks after taking part in the Battle of Lys, and is buried in Ebblinghem Military Cemetery, France.

    S Flynn




    217230

    Lt. Jeremiah Brennan att. 1st Intelligence Corps Lancashire Hussars (d.8th Aug 1918)

    Jeremiah Brennan was the son of Joseph and Mary Brennan, of Bandon, Co. Cork; and husband of Florence Brennan, of Kinsealy Hall, Malahide, Co. Dublin. He served with the Lancashire Hussars, and was attached to the 1st Intelligence Corps. He died in France in August 1918 aged 26 and is buried in St. Hilaire Cemetery Extension, Frevent, France.

    s flynn




    217229

    Seaman. William John Brennan SS Leinster (d.10th Oct 1918)

    William John Brennan was the son of Richard and Fanny Brennan; and husband of Anne Brennan (nee Kinch), of 135, Lower George St., Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. He served with the Mercantile Marine as a seaman on the SS Leinster (Dublin). He drowned in October 1918 aged 35, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

    s flynn




    217228

    Greaser. Patrick Brennan SS Lusitania (d.7th May 1915)

    Patrick Brennan was born in Dublin. the son of Michael and Catherine Brennan, He married Annie Lacy, of 55, Langtry Rd., Kirkdale, Liverpool. He served with the Mercantile Marine as a Greaser on the SS Lusitania (Liverpool). He drowned in May 1915, aged 47, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine.

    He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

    s flynn




    217227

    Fireman & Trimmer. James Joseph Brennan SS Moeris (d.30th Jun 1916 )

    Fireman and Trimmer James Joseph Brennan was born in Dublin. He was the son of James and Esther Brennan; and the husband of Mary Brennan (nee Callanan). He served with the Mercantile Marine on the SS Moeris (Liverpool), and drowned as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine in June 1916, aged 32.

    He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

    s flynn




    217225

    S/Sjt. William George Wiles 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    I am led to believe that my great grandfather, William George Wiles enlisted into the Middlesex Regiment in 1907 and comparing the very limited information passed down to me about his service history with what I have researched about the regiment thus far, I think he probably served in the 3rd Battalion (Regulars) for the duration of the Great War. I am told the photograph was taken while he served in India with his battalion from 1911 until 1915 when he and the 3rd Battalion moved to the Western Front. However, the photograph shows him as a Serjeant which makes me question the India connection. By the end of the war he was a Staff Serjeant and like many servicemen received the 1914-15 Star alongside the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal which ties in with the deployment of the 3rd Battalion but I think the photo was probably taken sometime from the second half of the war when his battalion was in battle with the Bulgarians in Macedonia. I wish I knew more.

    Editors Update: The rank badges in the photograph indicate he is a Staff Sergeant and he has three war service stripes on his cuff (one for each year served in the war) so it must have been taken in 1917 or later.

    Mark Wiles




    217223

    Pte. Thomas Valentine Williams 2nd Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.18th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Val Williams served with the 2nd battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and died in November 1916.

    Nigel Williams




    217220

    Able Sea. Alexander Brennan HMS Pheasant (d.1st March 1917)

    Alexander Brennan was the son of Edward and Elizabeth Brennan, of 4, Crescent Place, Clontarf, Dublin. He served with the Royal Nay on HMS Pheasant and was killed by a mine explosion off the Orkneys in March 1917 aged 22. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217219

    Pte. Paul Bregan 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.21st Aug 1915)

    Paul Bregan was born in St. Johns, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, lived in Dublin and enlisted in Tralee, Co. Kerry He served with the Royal Munster Fusiliers 1st Battalion and was killed in action at Gallipoli in August 1915.

    s flynn




    217218

    Gnr. James Bregan Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery (d.13th Jan 1917)

    James Bregan served with the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in action in January 1917.

    s flynn




    217217

    Dvr. Francis Bregan Royal Field Artillery (d.27th Apr 1916)

    Francis Bregan served with the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. He died in Mesopotamia in April 1916.

    s flynn




    217216

    Dvr. Francis Bregan Royal Field Artillery (d.27th Apr 1916)

    Francis Bregan served with the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery and died in Mesopotamia in April 1916.

    s flynn




    217215

    Pte. William Breen 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.26th Mar 1915)

    William Breen, son of Mrs B. Breen, of 42, Coombe, Dublin, was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. He was killed in action in Flanders, and is buried in Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Annexe.

    S Flynn




    217214

    L/Cpl. Patrick Breen 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.27th Apr 1916)

    Patrick Breen, husband of Bridget Breen, of 4 Julian Place, North Wall, Dublin, was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. Before the war he worked for Guinness in the Cooperage Department. Patrick Breen was aged 27 when he was killed in action in France, and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas De Calais, France.

    S Flynn




    217213

    Sgt. John Breen 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.30th Sep 1918)

    John Breen was the son of Anne Cole (formerly Breen) and the late Richard Breen and husband of Hannah Norah Breen, of 41, Harrington St., South Circular Rd., Dublin. He Enlisted Wrexham, Denbighshire with the Lancers Of The Line. John was killed in action in France age 28 and buried in Anneux British Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217205

    Cpl. James Breen 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.6th Jun 1917)

    James Breen was born in Dublin and enlisted in London. He served with the Royal Irish Rifles 2nd Battalion and died of wounds in June 1917.

    s flynn




    217204

    Pte. Edward Breen 2nd Garrison Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Pte Edward Breen was born in Dublin and was the husband of Mary Breen, of 4, Willson's Cottages, Frederick St., Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and the Royal Irish Regiment, 2nd Garrison Battalion. He died of wounds at home in Dublin in October 1917, and is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    217203

    Mjr. Thomas Francis Pennefather Breen 142nd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.18th Sep 1918)

    Thomas Francis Pennefather Breen was born in Dublin the son of Inspector General Breen, Royal Navy, and Mrs. Breen, of 19, St. George's Court, Gloucester Rd., Kensington, London. He served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, 142nd Field Ambulance. He was killed in action in France in September 1918 aged 28 and is buried in Morchies Australian Cemetery. He is commemorated in a memorial at St. Mary's, RC, Haddington Road, Dublin.

    s flynn




    217202

    Pte. James Brazil 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.5th April 1916)

    James Brazil was the son of July Brazil; and husband of Mary Brazil, of 3, Lower Rutland St., Dublin. He served with the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment 2nd Battalion and was killed in action in Flanders in April 1916. He is buried at Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Cemetery Annexe in Belgium.

    s flynn




    217201

    2nd Lt. Kevin Brayden 18th (London Irish Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.23rd Dec 1917)

    Kevin Brayden was the son of W. H. Brayden, O.B.E., and Ethel Mary Brayden (nee Shiell), of 28, Adelaide Rd., Dublin. He served with the London Regiment 18th (London Irish Rifles) Battalion and was killed in action in Palestine in December 1917 aged 26. He is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

    s flynn




    217200

    Pte. John Bray 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    John Bray was the son of John and Ann Bray, of 4, Grants Row, Dublin; and husband of Minnie Bray, of 30, Wentworth Place, Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 9th Battalion and was killed in action in Flanders in August 1917, aged 25. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    s flynn




    217199

    Spr. Francis Bray 11th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.16th May 1915)

    Francis Bray was born in Dublin and enlisted at Tralee, Co. Kerry. He served with the Corps of Royal Engineers, 11th Field Company and was killed in action in May 1915.

    s flynn




    217198

    L/Cpl. James Desmond Brannigan 14th (London Scottish) Battalion London Regiment (d.1st Aug 1918)

    James Desmond Brannigan enlisted in westminster. He served with the London Regiment 14th Battalion (London Scottish) and was killed in action in August 1918.

    s flynn




    217197

    Pte. John Brannigan 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.15th Jul 1916)

    John Brannigan was born and enlisted in Dublin. He served with the Royal Irish Regiment 2nd Battalion, and died of wounds in July 1916.

    s flynn




    217196

    Pte. John Brannigan 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.30th Apr 1915)

    John Brannigan served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 1st Battalion and was killed in action in Gallipoli in April 1915.

    s flynn




    217195

    2nd Lt. Ernest Edward Brannigan 7th Battalion (Leeds Rifles) West Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Ernest Brannigan was born in Dublin, the only son of Major J.H. Brannigan, late R.A.M.C. He served as a volunteer in the South African War 1899-1902. In 1914 he served in the South West African Campaign as a volunteer in the Transvaal Scottish. While serving with the West Yorkshire Regiment 7th Battalion (Leeds Rifles) (Territorial) he was killed in action in France in September 1916. He is commemorated on a private memorial in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.

    s flynn




    217194

    Rflm. John Branigan 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st Oct 1918)

    John Branigan was born in Dublin and enlisted in Liverpool. He served with the Royal Irish Rifles 1st Batallion and was killed in action in October 1918.

    s flynn




    217193

    L/Cpl. William Henry Brandon 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.31st Mar 1918)

    William Henry Brandon was born and enlisted in Dublin. He served with the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) and was killed in action in March 1918.

    s flynn




    217192

    Pte. Eugene Branagan 2nd Btn. Irish Guards (d.25th July 1917)

    Eugene Branagan was born and enlisted in Dublin, he was killed in action.

    s flynn




    217191

    Sgt. George Brady 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.15th Aug 1917)

    George Brady was born in Cork and enlisted at Bottle, Lancs. He was killed in action and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

    Update: Sergeant George Brady, born in 1885, was the son of Mary Brady of Cork and husband of Ellen Albertine Anquetil of Crabbie, Alderney. He had three children, George Clifford, Patrick and. Eileen Mary. In the 1911 census he was a L/Cpl in the Channel Islands. He enlisted in 1905 and transferred to reserve at his own request in May 1913 to emigrate to Canada. He re-mobilised at Clonmel on 1st September 1914. His service records describe him as a labourer age 19 at the time of his enlistment. He was 5'6" with azure blue eyes, fresh complexion and dark brown hair. He had a younger brother, George.

    S Flynn




    217190

    Pte. John Brady 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.6th Jun 1915)

    John Brady was born in Castlepollard, County Westmeath, and was living in Dublin when he enlisted in Chester. He died of wounds in Flanders, and is buried in Bedford House Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    217189

    Pte. Edward Brady 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.1st Nov 1915)

    Edward Brady was the son of James and Mary Brady, of 3, Palace St., Dublin. He served with the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) and died of wounds at home in November 1915. He is buried in Old ground, in South-East corner of Kilbarrack Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    217188

    L/Cpl. Daniel Brady 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.18th Aug 1917)

    Daniel Brady, son of Mary Brady, of The Green, Rathcoole, County Dublin, was living in Rathcoole when he enlisted in Dublin. He was killed in action aged 23 on the final day of the Battle of Langemarck. Daniel Brady is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    217187

    Gnr. William Brady 49th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.12th Mar 1916)

    William Brady, son of William Brady, of Dublin, was born in Dublin and enlisted in Glasgow. He died in France aged 27, and is buried in Dainville Communal Cemetery..

    S Flynn




    217186

    L/Cpl. William Brady 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st Nov 1917)

    William Brady was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. He was killed in action in France, and is buried in Croisilles British Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    217185

    Pte. William Brady 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.6th Sep 1916)

    William Brady was born in Rathmines, Dublin, and also enlisted in Dublin. He was killed in action in France whilst fighting in the Trônes Wood and Leuze Wood sectors during the Battle of Guillemont. Private Brady is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

    S Flynn




    217184

    Pte. William Brady 11th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.25th Jun 1917)

    William Brady was born in Dublin and enlisted at Prescot, Lancs. He died of wounds.

    Update: An Internet search suggests William Brady was born in 1898 in Altrincham. His parents were John Finton Brady and Ellen Mary Brady. His father was born in Dublin as was his elder brother but his younger siblings were all born at Altrincham. On the 1911 census the family were living at 2 Chorltons Cottages, George Street, Altrincham, Warrington. His brothers and sisters are listed: John 10, Francis 1, Mary 9, Ellen 6, Patrick 3. From Ancestry service records we see that William was training to be an engineer. He is described as an improver in the iron trade when he enlisted on 12th of July 1915; this was 10 days after his 19th birthday. We learned that his religion was Roman Catholic and that he was 5'3" tall. William was also wounded in 1916, but returned to the front after he was discharged from hospital.

    He died of wounds in 1917 and he is buried in Belgium at Lijssenthoek Cemetery, Poperinge. He is also remembered on the town Memorial in Altrincham.

    S Flynn




    217183

    Alfred Moore 12 Squadron

    My aunt Joan told me that my uncle, Alfred Moore was a bomber pilot with 12 squadron flying out of Wickenby. I believe he trained in the United States. Alfred Moore survived the war and died in Reading Berkshire UK about 30 years ago. I took my aunt to see Wickenby, which of course is of course, pretty much in ruins. The old control tower still very recognizable. I do know that Alfred Moore was decorated for bravery and would always change the subject if the conversation made him uncomfortable. Your website is a great tribute to all who served.

    David Kinnard




    217182

    Pte. Thomas Ardill Haslam Lancashire Fusiliers (d.6th May 1915)

    Thomas Ardill Haslam served with the 1st Batallion, Lancashire Fusiliers, and died in action in Gallipoli on 6th May 1915. He is remembered with honour on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.

    Julie




    217181

    Pte. Matthew Gray DCM 34th Btn. (d.12th Oct 1917)

    I have in my possession the Deadman's Penny belonging to the digger Pte. Matthew Gray, who served with the 34th Battalion, an infantry unit of 1st Australian Imperial Force (AIF), on the Western Front, earning the DCM. He died in action in October 1917. I have researched and cannot find next of kin to return this Hero's Penny.

    Peter Thorpe




    217179

    Cpl. Thomas Brady 1st Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.11th Apr 1915)

    Thomas Brady served with the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment, 1st battalion and died of wounds in April 1915.

    s flynn




    217178

    Pte. Patrick Brady 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th Jun 1915)

    Patrick Brady served with the Dublin Fusiliers 1st Battalion and was killed in action in Gallipoli in June 1915.

    s flynn




    217177

    Pte. Patrick Brady 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.19th Apr 1917)

    Patrick Brady was the son of Michael and Elizabeth Brady, of Windy Arbour, Dundrum, Co. Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and died in France in April 1917 Pte. Brady is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217176

    Drv. Michael Brady Royal Army Service Corps (d.14th Sep 1918)

    Michael Brady was born in Dublin. He served with the Royal Army Service Corps, and died of wounds in September 1918.

    s flynn




    217175

    Pte. Michael Brady 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.13th Dec 1914)

    Michael Brady was born in Dublin, and was killed in action in December 1914.

    s flynn




    217174

    Pte. Michael Brady 15th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.18th Sep 1918)

    Michael Brady was killed in action in September 1918.

    s flynn




    217173

    Pte. Michael Brady Royal Army Medical Corps (d.11th Nov 1915)

    Michael Brady was born in Dublin the Son of Peter and Margaret Brady of Dublin Rd., Leixlip, Co. Kildare. He served with the 9th Royal Dublin Fusiliers and died in November 1915 in Malta aged 21. He is buried in Addolorata Cemetery, Malta.

    s flynn




    217172

    Pte. Maurice Brady Depot Leinster Regiment (d.26th Aug 1918)

    Maurice Brady was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. He died of wounds at home in Dublin, and is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, County Dublin.

    S Flynn




    217171

    Pte. Lawrence Brady 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Lawrence Brady, son of Mrs. Bridget Brady, of 8 Newmarket Street, Dublin, was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. Before joining the Lancashire Fusiliers he was 25319, South Lancashire Regiment. Private Brady was aged 19 when he was killed in action in Flanders fighting the Battle of Poelcappelle, and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium.

    S Flynn




    217169

    Pte. Joseph Brady 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Joseph Brady was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. He died of wounds in France a week after taking part in the Battle of Ginchy. Private Brady is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

    S Flynn




    217168

    Pte. John Brady 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th Jun 1915)

    John Brady was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. He was killed in action in Gallipoli, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.

    S Flynn




    217166

    Rflm. John Brady 2nd/18th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Nov 1917)

    John Brady was born, and enlisted, in Dublin. Before joining the London Regiment he was 44209, Royal Army Medical Corps. John Brady was killed in action in Egypt during the Battle of Hareira and Sheria, and is commemorated on Panel 51 of Jerusalem Memorial in Jerusalem War Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    217165

    Pte. John Brady 42nd Field Amb. Royal Army Medical Corps (d.29th Sep 1915)

    John Brady was born in St. Paul's, Dublin, and also enlisted in Dublin. He died of wounds in Flanders a few days after participation in the Second Attack on Bellewaarde. Private Brady is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

    S Flynn




    217164

    Pte. James Brady Royal Army Medical Corps (d.6th May 1917)

    James Brady served with the Royal Medical Corps and was killed in action in May 1917.

    s flynn




    217163

    Pte. James Brady Royal Army Medical Corps (d.8th March 1917)

    James Brady was the son of James and Margaret Brady, of Green House, Loughshenny, Skerries, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action in Mesopotamia aged 21 and is remembered on the Basra Memorial in Iraq.

    s flynn




    217162

    Pte. James Brady 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    James Brady was the son of George and Elizabeth Brady, of Bellevue Park, Killiney, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action aged 24 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217160

    Rflm. Edward Brady 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.20th Sep 1914)

    Edward Brady was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. He was killed in action in France shortly after taking part in the First Battle of the Aisne. Edward Brady is commemorated on La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial in Seine-et-Marne, France.

    S Flynn




    217159

    Pte. Charles Brady 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.10th Jun 1915)

    Charles Brady enlisted in Belfast.

    s flynn




    217158

    Firmn. Joseph Brady HMS Princess Irene (d.27th May 1915)

    Joseph Brady was born in Dublin, son of Patrick and Margaret Brady (nee Byrne) and husband of Elizabeth Ann McCallum (formerly Brady), of 8, Middlewood St., Oldfield Road, Salford, Manchester. He served under his mothers name as Joseph Byrne. He was killed by internal explosion of the vessel off Sheerness. He was aged 27 and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217157

    Pte. M. E. Brady 8th Battalion Manitoba Regiment (d.17th Nov 1915)

    M. E. Brady was the son of James and Mary Brady, of 3, Palace St., Dublin. He died of pneumonia following wounds (gas) aged 27 and is buried in Old Ground, Kilbarrack Cemetery, County Dublin.

    s flynn




    217156

    Pte. Arthur Smith 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.16th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Smith was wounded in the leg at Ypres on May 8th 1915. He stayed in hospital at Exeter UK and was quoted by the local paper "Our fight in Ypres was hell. I thanked God when I got away from it. I don't know whether any of the fellows from Chatteris were wounded or killed in the fight, as I saw several of them five days before the battle".

    Arthur was killed on the 16/9/1916 at Flers-Courcelette, attacking the Quadrilateral, as part of the Somme offensive. On reporting his death, a news paper article reported that Arthur, Frank Wheeler & Rifleman Freeman were all best friends at school. They all died within a week of each other in September 1916 on the Somme.

    Jim Arnold




    217155

    2nd Lt. Gerald Edmund Bradstreet 72nd Field Company Corps of Royal Engineers (d.7th Dec 1915)

    Gerald Bradstreet was born Algiers, the son of Sir Edward Bradstreet, 7th Bart., of Castella, Clontarf. Gerald held a B.A. (T.C.D.). and was a Special Reservist. He is listed in Irish Life "Our Heroes" published 28/01/1916. He was killed in action aged 25 in Gallipoli and is buried in Azmak Cemetery, Suvla, Turkey. He is remembered on the memorials at St. John the Baptist, Church of Ireland, Clontarf and on the Engineering School and main memorials at Trinity College, Dublin

    s flynn




    217154

    Pte. William Bradshaw Machine Gun Corps (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    William Bradshaw was born in Dublin, and lived in Shercock, Co. Cavan .He enlisted in Dundalk and served initially with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He went on to serve with the Machine Gun Corps and was killed in action in December 1917.

    s flynn




    217153

    Cadet Roland Latimer Bradshaw 8th Cadet Wing. (d.28th Oct 1918)

    Roland Bradshaw was the son of John Henry and Emily Bradshaw, of 10, Wigan Rd., Drumcondra, Dublin. He died of Died of pneumonia aged 20 during training.

    s flynn




    217152

    Grdsm. John Bradon 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.12th Oct 1917 )

    John Bradon was born in Dublin and enlisted in Manchester. He served with the Gtrenadier Guards 2nd Battalion and was killed in action in October 1917.

    s flynn




    217149

    J. H. Bradley (d.10th Oct 1918)

    J. H. Bradley was a Post Office worker drowned as result of the sinking of the SS Leinster by a U-boat he is remembered on the memorial at St. John the Baptist, Church of Ireland, Clontarf.

    s flynn




    217148

    L/Cpl. William Bradley 1/7th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.7th Aug 1915)

    William Bradley was born in Dublin and enlisted in Salford, Lancs. He was killed in action in Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    217147

    A/L/Cpl. Thomas Bradley 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Thomas Bradley was the son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Bradley, of 73 Benburb St., Dublin and husband of Florence Bradley, of 73 Benburb St., Dublin. He was killed in action aged 28 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217146

    Pte. Joseph Bradley 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.17th Aug 1917)

    Joseph Bradley was the son of Philip and Annie Bradley, of 11, Albert Place, York Rd., Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action age 20 in Flanders and buried in Potijze Chateau Grounds Cemetery near Ieper.

    s flynn




    217145

    Jane Bradley (d.2nd Nov 1918)

    Jane Bradley was born in Dublin and enlisted in London. She died of wounds at home.

    s flynn




    217144

    Pte. Patrick Bracken 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.17th Sep 1916)

    Patrick Bracken was born in Dublin and enlisted Athlone, Co. Westmeath. He died of wounds.

    s flynn




    217143

    Pte. Francis Joseph Brabazon 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.12th Jun 1916)

    Frank Brabazon was the son of Frank and Elizabeth Brabazon, of 44, Mountjoy St., Dublin and husband of Mary Brabazon, of Tubber Lane, Lucan, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action aged 37 and is remembered on the Loos Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    217142

    Pte. Thomas Boyne 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.1st Mar 1917)

    Thomas Boyne was the son of Mary Anne Boyne, of 132, Townsend St., Dublin, and the late Patrick Boyne. He was killed in action aged 20 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217141

    L/Cpl. Michael Boyne 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.12th July 1915)

    Michael Boyne died of wounds in Gallipoli

    s flynn




    217138

    L/Cpl. Reuben Wood 11th Btn Essex Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Reuben Wood served with the 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment, he is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Stephen Wood




    217136

    Pte. Vincent Edward Hammond 11th Border Regiment (d.18th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Vincent E Hammond served with the Herefordshire Regiment, King's Shropshire Light Infantry and the Border Regiment. He was killed in action on the 18th of November 1916. Vincent was a tailors outfitter in Knighton, an only child to Edward and Bertha Hammond of Knighton

    Margi Kelly




    217135

    L/Cpl. William Parkes 2/5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.20th Sep 1917)

    William Parkes was my G-Great uncle born in Darcy Lever in 1878, son of John Wood Parkes and Mary Jane Stott. He was married to Ellen Watson who died of the Spanish Flu virus in 1915. In 1917 William was killed in action, leaving one son, who was bought up by his mother. That same year William's brother Squire also died of his wounds. Apparently his mother never accepted that both her sons had been killed in the war. Unfortunately, I have no photographs of William, nor have I any stories to tell, funny or otherwise. But he is my uncle and I want him to be remembered. His name is on the Tyne Cot Memorial.





    217134

    L/Cpl. Henry Boyle 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.13th May 1915)

    Henry Boyle was born in Paddington, Middlesex and enlisted in Warley, Essex. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Boyle, of 47, Monmouth Rd., Lower Edmonton, London and husband of Kathleen Boyle, of II, Middle Gardiner Street, Dublin. Henry was killed in action in Flanders aged 29 and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    s flynn




    217133

    Capt, John Kemmy Boyle MC MID. 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st Oct 1918)

    John Kemmy Boyle was the son of Michael and Nora Mary Boyle, of 80, Pembroke Rd., Dublin. He was twice previously wounded in action, he died in Germany aged 21 and is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery. He is remembered on the memorial at St. Mary's RC, Haddington Road, Dublin.

    s flynn




    217132

    Fireman. John Boyle SS Hare (d.14th Dec 1917)

    John Boyle was the son of Kate Boyle and John Boyle. He was husband of Margaret Boyle (nee Sheehan), of 4, Quinn's Cottage, Dunne St., Dublin. John was drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, he was 47 and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

    s flynn




    217131

    Able.Sea. George Magness Boyle SS Thracia (d.27th Mar 1917)

    George Boyle was born at Ryde, Isle of Wight, son of Charles and Kate Boyle. He was the husband of Margaret Mary Wallace, (formerly Boyle, nee Ceirnmins), of 23, Russell Avenue, Drumconrda, Co. Dublin. George drowned aged 36, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine or impact with a mine. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

    s flynn




    217128

    Pte. Michael Boylan 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.6th July 1916 )

    Michael Boylan was the son of Philip and Kate Boylan, of 6, Hutton's Place, Summerhill, Dublin. He died of wounds aged 22 and is buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1.

    s flynn




    217127

    Pte. John Boyd 7th Btn. D Coy. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1915)

    John Boyd was the only son of Isabella Boyd, of 10, Belmont Avenue, Donnybrook, Dublin, and the late John Boyd. A Civil Servant, he enlisted in September 1914. John was killed in action in Gallipoli aged 32. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial in Turkey and at St. John the Baptist Church of Ireland in Clontarf and also at Clontarf Cricket and Football Clubs.

    s flynn




    217126

    Pte. William Sinclair Boyd 7th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1915)

    William Boyd was the son of James Saint Clair Boyd and Amelia Boyd, of 22, Mountain View Rd., Rathmines, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action in Gallipoli aged 22 and is remembered on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.

    s flynn




    217125

    Pte. Henry Alfred Boyd 7th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1915)

    Henry Boyd was the eldest son of William H. and Daisy E. Boyd, of Glensavage, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action in Gallipoli aged 19 and is remembered on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.

    s flynn




    217124

    2nd Lt. William Hatchell Boyd 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.9th Sep 1916)

    William Boyd was the son of the Rev. Samuel T. Boyd, B.A., and Mrs. Boyd, of Dublin. He was killed in action age 29 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217123

    2nd Lt. William Boyd 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.9th Sep 1916)

    William Boyd was the son of the Rev. Samuel T. Boyd, B.A., and Mrs. Boyd, of Dublin. He was killed in action aged 29 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217122

    L/Cpl. Frank Boyd 2nd Royal Marine Battalion Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.13th Nov1916)

    Frank Boyd was the son of Henry Boyd, of Eaton Brae, Shankill, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action aged 22 and remembered on a Special Memorial in Y-Ravine Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel.

    s flynn




    217121

    Pte. John Boyce 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    John Boyce was the son of James and Annie Boyce, of 36, Aungier St., Dublin. He was killed in action in Flanders aged 19 and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    s flynn




    217120

    Able.Sea. Francis Jeffares Tilson Boxwell HMS Good Hope (d.1st Nov 1914)

    Francis Boxwell was born on June 5th, 1880 in Saint Matthew, Dublin. Before he enlisted he lived in Tacumshane, County Wexford, Ireland. Francis Boxwell was aged 34 when he was killed in action at the Battle of Coronel. He is commemorated on Panel 1 of Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, and on the bronze Great War Memorial inside St. Stephen's, Church of Ireland, Upper Mount Street, South Dublin City.

    S Flynn




    217118

    William John Chester Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather, William John Chester, served in France in WW1 with the RFA, 33rd division. He was billeted, for a while, in the village of Allery, in the Somme department of France. Here he met a local girl, Germaine (my grandmother), and she later gave birth to a daughter (my Mother). He later wrote to Germaine to say that he wasn't in a position to marry her. He wrote from his home in Durban Road, West Norwood, London. I often wonder if I have any English relatives.

    Michael Smith




    217115

    Pte. Allan Edmund Ninnis 1st Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.2nd Aug 1918)

    Allan Edmund Ninnis served with 1st Bn 'The Buffs' from date of enlistment in 1916 until his death at the age of 38 when returning from patrol on 2nd August 1918 in Scottish Wood, East of Dikkebus. He left a widow and one 5 yr old daughter.

    Allan Mornement




    217112

    Pte. Patrick Bowes 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.26th Mar 1918)

    Patrick Bowes was born in Dublin and enlisted in Manchester. Formerly 30820, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, he died of wounds.

    s flynn




    217110

    Dvr. John Bowes Royal Field Artillery (d.4th Oct 1914)

    John Bowes died of wounds at home in Dublin

    s flynn




    217109

    Pte. John Bowes 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.12th Aug 1915)

    John Bowes was born in Dublin and enlisted Mosney Camp, Co. Louth.

    s flynn




    217107

    Capt. Robert MacGregor Bowen-Colthurst 1st Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.15th Mar 1915)

    Robert Bowen-Colthurst was the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. T. Bowen-Colthurst, late of Oakgrove and Dripsey Castle, Co. Cork and husband of Winifred Bowen-Colthurst, of The Gable House, Layer de la Haye, Essex. Robert was killed in action age 31 at St. Eloi, he is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    s flynn




    217106

    2nd Lt. Thomas Henry Bowen 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.2nd Aug 1916)

    Thomas Bowen was attached to 11th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he as killed in action. He is buried in Berkshire Cemetery Extension, Ploegsteert, Belgium.

    s flynn




    217105

    Pte. Patrick Bowden 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.26th Nov 1915)

    Patrick Bowden enlisted Birmingham. He died of wounds.

    s flynn




    217104

    2nd Lt. Thomas Leslie Bourke 10th Training Depot Station Royal Air Force (d.9th Sep 1918)

    Thomas Bourke died of wounds at home in Dublin and is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217102

    Pte. John Crosby Angus 6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Nov 1918)

    My great uncle John Angus was killed 10 days before the war ended, I have very little information about him, other than his unit the 1/6th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Graeme




    217101

    Rfmn. John George Mathers 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.24th Aug 1918)

    Rifleman John George Mathers joined the 17th (County of London) Battalion (Poplar and Stepney Rifles). He was killed in action on 24th August 1918 leaving a wife and 4 young sons one of whom was my father-in-law Albert Henry Mathers. John George went to war and never returned there was no body to bury and he is commemorated as a name on a plague at the Commonwealth War Graves memorial at Vis-en-Artois in Northern France

    Derek Parker




    217100

    Pte. Thomas Bould 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.11th Sep 1916)

    Thomas Bould as the son of Sarah and the late George F. Bould, of Dublin. He died of wounds on the Somme aged 27 and is buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension.

    s flynn




    217099

    Sgt. Robert Boughton 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.13th Apr 1917)

    Robert Boughton was born in Dublin, he died of wounds.

    s flynn




    217098

    Pte. Albert Boughton 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.27th Apr 1915)

    Albert Boughton died of wounds.

    s flynn




    217097

    Pte. Frank Bothwell MM. Royal Army Medical Corps (d.27th Sep 1918)

    Frank Bothwell was the son of Alexander and Ellen Bothwell, of 13, Clonliife Rd., Dublin. He was killed in action in France

    s flynn




    217096

    Pte. William Boswell 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1915)

    William Boswell was born in Dublin and enlisted in Grantham. He died of wounds in Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    217095

    Pte. Henry Victor Bosonnet 15th (Service) Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Henry Bosonnet was born in Dublin and enlisted in Portsmouth.

    s flynn




    217094

    Pte. Edward Charles Bosley 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.29th Sep 1918)

    Edward Bosley was born in Dublin and enlisted in Lambeth.

    s flynn




    217093

    2nd Lt. W. J. Borthistle Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.29th Jan 1918)

    W. J. Borthistle was the son of Captain W. J. and E. Borthistle, of Dublin. Served with the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Munster Fusiliers. He was killed in action aged 23 and is buried in Grand-Seraucourt British Cemetery, Aisne.

    s flynn




    217092

    Midship. Kildare Henry Borrowes HMS Queen Mary (d.31st May 1916)

    Kildare Borrowes was the son of Eustace and Winifrede Borrowes, of 18, Warwick Villas, Leeson Park, Dublin. He was killed in action at Battle of Jutland aged 16. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217090

    Pte. William Boothby 4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.1st Feb 1917)

    William Boothby was born in Dublin and enlisted in Aldershot. He was killed in action in Mesopotamia.

    s flynn




    217089

    Pte. William John Thomas Smith Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    William Smith served with the RWF in 17th Division, he was shot in left arm and also gassed.

    Ian Round




    217080

    Pte. Patrick Booth 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.28th Apr 1915)

    Patrick Booth enlisted in Naas and died of wounds in Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    217079

    L/Cpl. Edwun F. Booth 6th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.3rd Aug 1917)

    Edwun Booth was the son of Elizabeth Booth, of 18, Lower Glengariff Parade, North Circular Rd., Dublin, and William Booth. He served with the Connaught Rangers 6th Battalion and was killed in action in Flanders aged 22 in August 1917. He is buried in Potijze Chateau Lawn Cemetery, Ieper.

    s flynn




    217078

    Pte. Daniel Booth 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.5th May 1915)

    Daniel Booth enlisted in Carlow. He was the son of Daniel and Mary Booth, of 27, South Cumberland St., Dublin. He died of wounds in France age 23 and is buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217077

    2nd Lt. Cecil Richard Booth 1st Battalion, A Company. Gordon Highlanders (d.21st March 1916)

    Cecil Booth was the son of John and Annie Booth, of 14, Grosvenor Rd., Rathmines, Dublin. He died of septicaemia following wounds age 21 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217076

    Pte. John Hamilton Booth 7th (British Columbia) Btn (d.9th Jun 1915)

    John Hamilton Booth was the son of John and Annie Booth, of 14, Grosvenor Rd., Rathmines, Dublin. He served with the Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment) 7th Regiment and died of wounds aged 25 in June 1915. He is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217075

    Pte. Henry Booker 10th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.9th Feb 1917)

    Henry Booker was born in Dublin and lived and enlisted in Glasgow. He was the son of Alice Booker, of 94 Henderson St., Maryhill Rd., Glasgow, and the late Henry Booker. Henry died at home in Glasgow of wounds aged 38 and was buried in Glasgow (St. Kentigern's) Roman Catholic Cemetery, Glasgow.

    s flynn




    217072

    Pte. Robert Wilson 21st Battalion Manchester Regiment

    Born in Hulme Manchester 1881 Robert Wilson, who was living & working as a House Painter in Rusholme, volunteered at the age of 33 & joined the 21st Manchesters, in D Company. Robert survived the war after fighting in France & Italy returning Jan 29th 1919, one of only 28 of the original battalion that left for France on the 10th November 1915. He lived in the Rusholme and Fallowfield area the rest of his life & died in 1953 at the age of 71.

    Steve Bradley




    217071

    L/Cpl. Alexander Love 6th Bn Highland Light Infantry (d.8th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Love served with the 1st/6th Bn, Highland Light Infantry.

    Neil McBride




    217069

    L/Cpl. Herbert George Bonham 23rd (County of London) Battalion London Regiment (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    Herbert Bonham was born in Dublin and enlisted in Clapham Junction.

    s flynn




    217066

    Rflm. Joseph Bond 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Joseph Bond enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery as Gunner 32094.

    s flynn




    217064

    Pte. Reginald John Bolton 12th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.14th Aug 1917)

    Reginald Bolton was born in Dublin and Enlisted Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

    s flynn




    217063

    A/Sgt. Horatio Nelson Bolton Army Service Corps (d.18th Mar 1917)

    Horatio Bolton was born and enlisted in Dublin but resided in Kent. He died in East Africa.

    s flynn




    217062

    Sto. William Bolton HMS Queen Mary (d.31st May 1916)

    William Bolton was the son of Michael and Mary Bolton, of Dublin and husband of Mary Bolton, of 9, Boyne St., Dublin. He was killed in action at Battle of Jutland aged 46. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217058

    Sgt. Michael Bolger 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.12th Aug 1917)

    Michael Bolger died of wounds and is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge. He is remembered on the memorial at St. Mary's, RC Church in Haddington Road, Dublin.

    s flynn




    217057

    Pte. William John Bolger 15th (County of London) Battalion London Regiment (d.10th Oct 1916)

    William Bolger enlisted in London, he was the son of Mrs. Margaret Bolger, of 53, Queen Square, Dublin. William died of wounds aged 20 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217056

    Sgt. Peter Bolger Labour Corps (d.1st Nov 1917)

    Peter Bolger enlisted as Pte. 4613, Connaught Rangers. He died at home in Dublin from wounds received whilst serving with the Connaughts.

    s flynn




    217053

    Pte. John Bolger 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.18th Mar 1917)

    John Bolger was the son of Mary Bolger, of Lower Palmerstown, Chapelizod, Co. Dublin, and the late James Bolger. He died of wounds in France aged 33 and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.

    s flynn




    217052

    Pte. Edward Bolger 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Edward Bolger was killed in action during the Battle of Messines

    s flynn




    217051

    Pte. James Joseph Bole 1st Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.14th Apr 1918)

    James Bole enlisted in Westminster, he was the son of the late J. W. Bole and Mrs. Bole, of Dublin. He was killed in action in Flanders aged 36 and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    s flynn




    217050

    Pte. Thomas Boland 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.1st March 1917)

    Thomas Boland was born and lived in Dublin and enlisted in Maryborough. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Boland, of Eyre St., Newbridge, Co. Kildare and enlisted as 9835, Royal Irish Regiment. Thomas died of wounds in France aged 20 and is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte.

    s flynn




    217049

    L/Cpl. Thomas Boland 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.17th Aug 1917)

    Thomas Boland was the son of Henry and Mary Boland, of Dublin. He was killed in action in Flanders aged 23 and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    s flynn




    217048

    Pte. Peter Boland 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    Peter Boland was the son of John Boland, of 4, Upper Buckingham St., Dublin. He was killed in action aged 22 in Flanders and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    s flynn




    217047

    Rflm. Patrick Boland 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.23rd July 1915)

    Patrick Boland was the son of Patrick and Katherine Boland, of 2, St. Helen's Terrace, Golden Bridge, Inchicore, Dublin. He Died of wounds in France aged 28 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217046

    L/Cpl. John Boland 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.27th Aug 1914)

    John Boland was the brother of Mrs. M. Smith, of 23, Upper Dorset St., Dublin He was killed in action aged 20 and is buried in Honnechy British Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217045

    Cpl. James Boland 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.20th July 1918)

    James Boland was the son of Sarah Boland, of 9, Bishop St., Dublin. He was killed in action in France age 24 and is buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217041

    Gnr. Thomas Patrick Boggan Royal Field Artillery (d.27th Jul 1917)

    Thomas Boggan lived in Dublin and enlisted in Birmingham. He was the son of John and Mary Boggan, of 57, North Brunswick St., Dublin. Thomas was killed in action in Flanders aged 21 and is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery .

    s flynn




    217040

    Bdn. William Henry Bodill 10th (Prince of Wales' Own Royal) Hussars (d.10th Oct 1916)

    William Bodill was born in Dublin and enlisted in Cardiff. He died of wounds on the 10th of October 1916.

    s flynn




    217038

    L/Cpl. Edward Boardman 1st Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.30th Sep 1918)

    Edward Boardman enlisted as Pte. 25346 in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

    s flynn




    217037

    Cpl. David Patrick Boardman 7th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.6th April 1916)

    David Boardman was born and lived in Dublin, he enlisted in London.

    s flynn




    217034

    Pte. Michael Bloomfield 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    Michael Bloomfield was the son of Mrs. K. Bloomfield, of 3, Henrietta Lane, Dublin. He had formerly served with the Royal Irish Rifles. He was killed in action in Flanders and buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Moorslede.

    s flynn




    217033

    Pte. Michael Blood 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.6th Sep 1914)

    Michael Blood was born in Dublin and enlisted in Belfast. He died of wounds in Flanders.

    s flynn




    217032

    Pte. John Bligh Labour Corps (d.17th Mar 1918)

    John Bligh was born in Dublin and enlisted South Shields, Durham as Pte. 709, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died of wounds at home.

    s flynn




    217031

    Gnr. Thomas Blay Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Apr 1918)

    Thomas Blay was the son of William and Sarah Blay, of 5, Lorne Terrace, Brookfield Rd., Kilmainham, Dublin. He served with the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery and was killed in action in Flanders in April 1918 aged 22. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    s flynn




    217030

    Ldg.Stk. Blaney HMS Indefatigable (d.31st May 1916)

    Son of William and Mary Blaney, of Dublin, he was killed in action at Battle of Jutland aged 24 and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217029

    Pte. Ernest Blakeley 1st Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.21st Dec 1914)

    Ernest Blakeley was born in Cardiff, he was the Husband of E. J. Blakeley, of 13, Bloomfield Park, South Circular Rd., Dublin. He enlisted in Warrington Ernest died age 27 in France and is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217025

    Pte. James Blake 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.28th Apr 1916)

    James Blake was the son of James Blake, of 20, Fingall St., Dublin. He died of wounds and is buried in Lillers Communal Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217024

    T/Lt. Alfred Joseph William Blake 5th Battalion Connaught Rangers (d.21st Aug 1915)

    Alfred Blake was the son of the late Mr. S. C. Blake, M.D. He was killed in action in Gallipoli aged 35 and is remembered on the Helles Memorial in Turkey and at St. John the Baptist Church of Ireland in Clontarf.

    s flynn




    217023

    Pte. Hugh Blaikie 8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.22nd May 1916)

    Hugh Blaikie was born Glencorse, Midlothian, lived in Dublin and enlisted in Musselburgh as Pte. 22244, Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

    s flynn




    217022

    Pte. J. C. Brown 8th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th Jul 1917)

    John C Brown served with the 8th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment he died of wounds and is buried in Mont Huron Military Cemetery, Le Treport.





    217021

    Lt. Walter Blackwell 11th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.28th Sep 1918)

    Walter Blackwell was the son of William and Alicia Blackwell and husband of F. E. Blackwell, of 4 Herbert Avenue, Merrion, Dublin. He was killed in action aged 28 and is buried in Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Poperinge.

    s flynn




    217020

    2nd.Hand. John Blackmore HM Trawler James Seckar Royal Naval Reserve (d.25th Sep 1917)

    John Blackmore was the son of Samuel and Susannah Blackmore, of Dublin and husband of Bella Blackmore, of 1 Crofton Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. He was drowned in the loss of his vessel in Atlantic age 52 and is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217019

    2nd Eng. James Blackmore SS Rhineland (d.11th Nov 1915)

    James Blackmore was the son of George and Sophia Blackmore, of 33, Tritonville Rd., Sandymount, Dublin. He was killed at sea by a mine aged 38 and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

    s flynn




    217018

    R. St. John Blacker-Douglass MC. 1st Battalion Irish Guards (d.1st Feb 1915)

    St.John Blacker-Douglass was the son of Maxwell V. Blacker-Douglass, of Seafield, Millbrook, Jersey. He was killed in action age 22 and is buried in Cuinchy Communal Cemetery.

    s flynn




    217017

    Pte. Edward Black 9th (Service) Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.7th May 1917)

    Pte. Edward Black was born in Dublin and Enlisted in Portsmouth. He served with the 9th (Service) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment and was killed in action in May 1917.

    s flynn




    217016

    Pte. Peter Bishop 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.20th May 1915)

    Peter Bishop was the brother of Patrick Bishop, of 24, The Coombe, Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 2nd Battalion and was killed in action in May 1915 in Flanders aged 41. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    s flynn




    217015

    Pte. John Charles Bishop 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.21st Nov 1916)

    John Charles Bishop was the son of Mrs. F. Bishop, of 2, Anglesea Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

    s flynn




    217014

    Off.Stwd. George Herbert Birthistle HMS Kestrel (d.16th Oct 1918)

    Officer's Steward 1st Class George Birthistle was the brother-in-law of F. Brookes, of 27 Waltheof Avenue, Tottenham, London. He was from Dublin, George accidentally drowned aged 32, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent.

    S Flynn




    217013

    Spr. Edward "Teddy" Denney 4th Signals Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>Pte Denney 15th Hussars c1897 in full dress uniform

    My Grandfather, Edward Denney, was born 1st April 1882, in Earls Road, Camberwell, South London. The 1901 census has him living in East London with his Mother and is listed as a Horse Keeper and Groom. He joined the 15th Hussars circ.1902 as a Private, Groom, Reg 4497.I know that on 3rd June 1908, he was based in Ampala, India, he was doing a Military course in Telegraphy, apparently he could do 20.4 words in Open circuit, 20.8 in Closed circuit and send 20.9 words by Morse code, no idea if that's good but he passed. He was also trained as a Linesman and telephone operator. On 16 Apr 1909, he was in Dehli, India, taking a Signalling test, this is according to his Pay Book, which has the 15th lined through and replaced with the 13th Hussars at some unknown time. Sometime during his time aboard with the regular Army, he contracted Malaria. In the early part of the 20th Century both the 13th Hussars and the 15th Hussars were stationed in India. The 15th left for South Africa on October 30th 1909,it is possible that grandfather either remained in India with the 13th or more likely returned from South Africa around March 1911. His Pay book is missing entries from Oct 1909 to April 1911 and my Mum remembered having a pressed flower, which only grows on Table Top Mountain, SA. The 15th returned to England from SA, Jan 1913. On the 20 Aug 1910, he was in Trimulgherry, India. (from his Telegraphy Instruction Certificate. In the 8th of Mar 1911 he was in Meerut, India with 13th Hussars, Reg. No.4838. On the 2nd Apr 1911 in Meerut he is recorded on the Census as with the 13th Hussars. On the 3rd of Jun 1911 he is at Roorkee, India.

    Grandfather is not listed with the 13th in 1914; His RE service number 23697, would suggest he joined the Royal Engineers in late 1912. On the 22nd Aug 1914 he was with the BEF, 4th signals Coy Royal Engineers Reg No.23697 and on the 8th of Sep 1915, he was discharged after thirteen years service.

    Abt. 1916 he re-enlisted with the Royal Engineers, his new Reg No.165507 On the 3rd of Mar 1917, wearing his Royal Engineers Uniform, he married Ethel Foster, a Postwoman from Hornsey, in Christ Church, Hornsey, North London. They had first met around 1912 and Ethel always said she had fallen for his very smart Hussars uniform, I have photos of him in Dress Blue and White Tropical uniforms and I can see why. In August 2010 one of their wedding photos appeared in The Daily Mirror newspaper as an example of 1910s wedding fashions.

    After the war he joined the GPO as a telephonist, well, being a signaller, I suppose that would be a good move. Edward was one of the lucky ones, in so much as he lived through the war and died in Romford, December 1950. I say this but he was never really a well man after the war.

    He was a member of the Old Contemptibles Association. The "Old Contemptibles" title was adopted by the men of the BEF who saw service before 22nd November 1914. The honourable title comes from the "Order of the Day" given by Kaiser Wilhelm to exterminate first the treacherous English; and walk over General French's contemptible little Army." Unfortunately, unless someone knows better, his records must have been destroyed during the bombing of London in WW2 as I cannot trace either service or pension records for him.

    Robin Stanbridge




    217012

    Pte. William Birney 7/8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.20th Jan 1918)

    William Birney was born in Dublin and enlisted in Clydebank, Dumbartonshire, Scotland. He died of wounds in France and is buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    217011

    2nd Lt. William Arthur Birmingham 6th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.9th Aug 1915)

    William Arthur Birmingham was the son of John Birmingham, of Galway; and husband of Margery R. Cooke (formerly of Birmingham), of 50, Upper Leeson St., Dublin. He served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers 6th Battalion and died in Turkey in August 1915 aged 35. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

    s flynn




    217010

    Ord Sea. Herbert Bird SS Braefield (d.30th May 1917)

    Herbert Bird was the son of Mrs Bird, of Bailey Lighthouse, Howth, County Dublin. He died aged 19, presumed drowned, as a result of attack from the German submarine U-57 which sank the Braefield. Herbert Bird is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial, Tower Hill Memorial, London.

    S Flynn




    217009

    Pte. William Birch 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    William Birch was born in Dublin, and was living in Walsall, Staffordshire when he enlisted in Wolverhampton. Private Birch was killed in action in France on the first day of the Battle of Loos. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    S Flynn




    217008

    Pte. James Bilton 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.24th Apr 1915)

    James Bilton, son of John and Mary Bilton, of 11 Pennistone Terrace, Liverpool, was born in St. Andrew's, Dublin and he also later enlisted in Dublin. He was aged 21 when he was killed in action in Flanders during the Second Battle of Ypres. Private Bilton is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    217007

    2nd Lt. Geoffrey Roskell Bible 101st Company Machine Gun Corps (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Geoffrey Roskell Bible was the son of Henry Bible and Lucinda Bible, of 50 Grosvenor Rd., Rathmines, Co. Dublin. He enlisted in September 1914 with the 7th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. and was gazetted to the 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, in November 1914.

    He was killed in action at Battle of the Somme in July 1916 aged 23. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217006

    Pte. Samuel Bibby 8th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Samuel Bibby was the son of Mrs. M. J. Bibby, of 26 Hardwicke St., Dublin. He served with the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and was killed in action at the Somme in November 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    s flynn




    217005

    Gnr. Frederick G. Bevis Royal Horse Artillery (d.13th Sep 1916)

    Frederick G. Bevis lived in Dublin where he attended Mountjoy School. He enlisted in London, serving in the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. He died of wounds in July 1916.

    s flynn




    217004

    Capt. James O'Shaughnessy Beveridge 137th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    James O'shaughnessy Beveridge was the son of John F. Beveridge, B.L. and Jane Beveridge, of 33 Belgrave Square, Rathmines, Co. Dublin He served with the 137th Field Ambulance of the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was killed in France in November 1917 and is buried inLebucquiere Communal Cemetery Extension.

    s flynn




    217003

    Pte. Thomas Bethune 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st Mar 1915)

    Thomas Bethune served with the Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers and died of wounds at home in Dublin in March 1915. His twin brother, Douglas also served.

    s flynn




    217002

    Pte. Douglas Bethune Infantry Machine Gun Corps (d.1st July 1916 )

    Pte. Douglas Bethune was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bethune, of 12, Breffni Terrace, Sandycove, Co. Dublin. He served with the Machine Gun Corps and earlier with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was killed in action aged 20 in July 1916, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. His twin Brother Thomas also served.

    s flynn




    217001

    Pte. John Best 1st Btn. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (d.15th Mar 1915)

    Pte. John Best served with the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) and was killed in action in Flanders in March 1915.

    s flynn




    217000

    Dvr. Arthur Charles Best Royal Field Artillery

    Arthur Charles Best was born in Rathmines, Dublin and enlisted at Newbridge, Monmouthshire. He served with the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery and was killed in action in Flanders

    s flynn




    216999

    L/Sgt. David Berney 2nd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.1st Nov 1914)

    L/Sgt. David Berney served with the Connaught Rangers 2nd Battallion and was killed in action in Flanders in November 1914.

    s flynn




    216997

    Sgt. Patrick William Berne 15th (Central Ontario) Battalion (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Sgt. Patrick Berne was the son of Connor and B. H. Berne, of 3, Montpelier Place, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. He served with the Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) 15th Battalion. He was killed in action in April 1917 aged 29 and was buried in Arras Road Cemetery. He is commemorated on Mem. 6. in Nine Elms Military Cemetery, Thelus.

    s flynn




    216996

    Capt. John Alexander Pridham MC. 62nd Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    My Grandfather Capt John A Pridham served in WW1 at the Battle of Guillemont with 62nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. On Sunday 3rd September 1916 he was wounded and lost his left eye. This is a transcription of entries that he made in his diary on that day and over the subsequent three days:-

    “...Great rush of wounded began 10 am. 11am intense bombardment. Noon attack on Guillemont started. Tremendous rush of wounded 11 onwards all rest of day. Hardly able to cope with it. Attack successful. Many German prisoners. 2 M.O.s of the Connaughts & Munsters wounded. Hun started shelling neighbourhood about 5 pm. Got very close to dug out. Tried to get wounded about 6 .... of dug out. Whizzbang*. On doorstep** (wounded in left eye & forearm. Not seriously.) Dressed by Capt. Hickey. Rather painful. Osborne came in 9. Went away on stretcher 10.30 to .... ..... Montauban. ...... by S. Bs of Middlesex. Milne came with me. Then .... H. BMB, to other side of Montauban. Then ..... motor work. To Carnoy. AU 2 am.” [*Soldiers heard the typical "whizz" noise of a travelling shell before the "bang" issued by the gun itself. Whizz bangs were consequently much feared since the net result was that defending infantrymen were given virtually no warning of incoming high-velocity artillery fire as they were from enemy howitzers. The whizzbang presumably hit the doorstep** of the dugout which he was approaching to treat wounded men within. A dugout was a shelter dug into the side of a trench offering various degrees of protection, and were extremely vulnerable to shells fired directly into the trench.]

    After he was wounded he was taken to Montaubon-de-Picardie, and thence to Carnoy. On Monday 4th September 1916 he left Carnoy for the main DR (Dressing Station) on the Bray-Corbie Rd. His left eye was excised at a hospital in Corbie:- “Saw Jepson at Carnoy. Left soon after by car for Main D.S. on Bray-Corbie road. AU 6 am. Wounds dressed. Learnt that left eye was gone. Went off almost at once to No 5C.C.S. Corbie . .... 8 am. Put to bed. Had a wash. Clothes removed. Taken to theatre 11. Under chloroform. Left eye excised ..........Woke up again about 3. A ..... ten 4.30 Taken out of bed & put on a stretcher 7.30 ..... stayed there ... 45 min(?)

    On Tuesday 5th September 1916 he went by train to Amiens and thence to Abbeville (above and to the left of Amiens on the map), and continued westwards to Le Tréport on the coast. He was then taken by car to an hotel:- “Taken in ...... and 5 am Said good bye to Milne. Put in ..... train 6am. Had some broth in train. .... read paper & slept. Arrived Le Tréport about 1 pm. Vie Amiens to Abbeville. Taken by car to hotel. Dressed & washed at 5. Some dinner roast chicken etc. went to sleep at 9.”

    On Wednesday 6th September 1916 he had his wounds dressed – presumably at the local hospital in Le Tréport:- “Woke several times in night. Very hot. Breakfast, porridge & eggs 8.30 Washed in bed 10. wounds dressed 11. Lunch chicken etc. Wired Maggie & Mother. Tea 4. Washed again. Wounds dressed. Dinner. Soup, Fish, fruit pudding & fruit. Wrote Maggie and Mother. 7 in morning. Slept well most of night. 9.30 – 5.30.”

    Richard Crowe




    216994

    Pte. Thomas Bernard Royal Army Medical Corps (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Thomas Bernard died at sea aged 39 and is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland

    s flynn




    216993

    Lt. Robert Bernard 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.26th Apr 1915)

    Lieutenant Robert Bernard was born on December 20th 1891 in Dublin. He was the second son of the Most Reverend and Right Honourable John Henry Bernard, D.D. (Lord Bishop of Dublin), and his wife, Maud, of Provost's House, Trinity College, Dublin. In his youth he was educated at Arnold House in Llandulas, Wales, and also at Marlborough College in Wiltshire. He received his training at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Berkshire.

    From August to November 1914 he served in India with the Fusiliers at Mimednai-ar and Madras. On November 12th 1913 he was promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to Lieutenant. A year later on November 16th he embarked on SS Malda at Bombay and sailed in a large convoy headed for England. On March 16th 1915 he embarked on SS Ausonia at Avonmouth, Bristol, for transport to the Dardenelles.

    Lieutenant Bernard was aged 23 when he was killed in action at Gallipoli. Whilst he was leading his men in a bayonet charge in the village of Sedd-el-Bahr he was shot at from someone in one of the houses. He is remembered in V Beach Cemetery, Turkey on Special Memorial A.

    S Flynn




    216992

    Pte. William Bermingham 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.15th Sep 1914)

    William Bermingham died in Flanders in September 1914.

    s flynn




    216991

    Pte. Patrick Bermingham 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.14th Dec 1914)

    Patrick Bermingham was the son of Mylo Bermingham, of 6, Malpas St., Dublin. He was killed in action in Flanders in December 1914 aged 30, and is buried in Prowse Point Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    s flynn




    216989

    Pte. James Edward Bentley South Irish Horse (d.14th May 1917)

    Pte. James Bentley was the son of James Edward and Henriette Sophie Bentley, of 11, Rialto Buildings. Dolphins Barn, Dublin. He was killed in action in May 1917 aged 22 and is buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France.

    s flynn




    216988

    Pte. Thomas Benson 1/4 Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.12th Jan 1918)

    Pte. Thomas Benson served with the King's Own Scottish Borderers and died of wounds in Flanders in January 1918.

    s flynn




    216987

    Pte. Thomas Benson 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    Thomas Benson was the son of Mr. E. Benson, of 6, Railway St., Talbot St., Dublin. He was killed in action in October 1918 and is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gouy, France

    s flynn




    216986

    Pte. Richard Benson 13th Btn King's Liverpool Regiment (d.15th Nov 1918)

    Pte. Richard Benson was born in Dublin and enlisted in Liverpool. He was killed in action in Flanders in November 1918.

    s flynn




    216971

    Pte. Bryan Sydney Smither 10th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    I sadly do not have a wartime story for my Great Grandfather Bryan Sydney Smither, I just wished to register his name in order for him not to be forgotten. I wish I knew more about his time in the Fusiliers etc. He was only twenty years of age when he was killed in Italy, he left behind his baby son( my Grandfather, Bryan William Smither) who was only sixteen months old, along with his young wife Elsie. He is remembered on the Giavera Military Memorial near Treviso, Italy.

    Patricia Robson




    216970

    Sgt Frank Spooner Lazenby DCM. 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Btn Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    Frank Spooner Lazenby was a small gutsy man who won the DCM in WW1 at Brickstacks Auchy. Under age when he signed up, he was gassed and wounded one other time during his service with the 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers. At that time his father George (RFA) and younger brother George (DLI) were also both serving. His brother George was about 16 when he signed up, following in his big brother's footsteps.

    Frank was discharged in 1919 after having been wounded.

    Sgt. Frank Spooner Lazenby of the 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Details of action by 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers in Sept. 1918 at Noeux les Mines, Cambrin Sector, in French Flanders.

    DCM for Sgt. Frank Spooner Lazenby of the 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers, gazetted in London Gazette

    Helen Close




    216968

    Pte. Andrew Turner 1st Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.22nd Mar 1915)

    My great uncle died in WW1 and is buried in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery. On 4th April, my 15 year old daughter will travel to France to pay our respects, almost 100 years after his death on the Western Front. Rest in Peace!

    Catherine Thomson




    216957

    S/Lt. William Francis Benson Drake Btn. (d.8th Oct 1918)

    William Benson was the son of Mary Jane Benson, of 46, Reuben Avenue, South Circular Rd., Dublin, and William Benson. He served with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve's Drake Battalion. He was killed in action at Niergnies (Cambrai) in October 1918 aged 23, and is buried in Cambrai East Military Cemetery.

    s flynn




    216956

    Lt. Harold Edwin Bennie 2nd Royal Marine Battalion (d.6th Feb 1917)

    Harold Bennie was the son of James and Agnes Bennie, of Dublin and served with the 2nd Royal Marine Battalion. He died of wounds at the Somme in February 1917 aged 28, and is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension.

    s flynn




    216955

    Pte. John Skinner 11th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.15th Feb 1916)

    Jack Skinner served with the Middlesex Regiment. Originally from Chittlehamholt in North Devon , he died in February 1916.

    Doris Bater




    216953

    Pte. Charles Monk 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment

    Charles Monk served with the Leicestershire Regiment and survived the war.





    216952

    Pte. Thomas Bennett 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.14th Nov 1918)

    Thomas Bennett was the son of Christie and Mary Bennett. Originally from Dublin, he served with the Royal Irish Regiment. He died aged 21 and is buried in Hamburg Cemetery, Hamburg, Germany

    s flynn




    216951

    Sgt. Patrick Bennett 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.19th Apr 1915)

    atrick Bennett enlisted in Liverpool and was killed in action in Flanders in April 1915

    s flynn




    216949

    Pte. Edwin J. Benbow 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.18th May 1915)

    Edwin John Benbow was born in 1886 in Dublin. He served with 1st Btn. of The Irish Guards and was involved in the Battle of Festubert on 18th May 1915 where he lost his life in a fierce battle. On that day the Battalion suffered greatly. He is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial in France.

    s flynn




    216948

    Cpl. John Bell 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.5th Sept 1918)

    John Bell served with the 2nd. Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers and fought on the frontline of the French-Belgium border at St. Yves-La Creche-Nieppe. He had been a Special Reservist since 1908. The War Diary for his unit, records that it was a quiet day when he sustained his injuries on 21st. March 1915; one man killed, and three wounded. This led to a lengthy time in the hospital system, from April until 31st July when he was finally discharged as medically unfit.

    He lived at home in Dublin for the next three years suffering with his leg injuries, and had to bear the sad loss of not only his wife, but his eldest son, Jack Bell (Pte. 41614 Cameronians), before he passed away on 5th. September 1918 at his home, 20 Quinn's Cottages, Dunne St., Dublin. He is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    216947

    Cpl. Richard Bell Royal Horse Artillery (d.17th Mar 1915)

    Richard Bell died at home from wounds aged 34. He was born 1881 in Dublin and was the husband of Agnes Bell.

    s flynn




    216946

    Rfmn. Patrick Bell 6th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Patrick Bell enlisted in Poplar, Essex. He was killed in action in Gallipoli

    s flynn




    216945

    Pte. Patrick Bell 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.5th Dec 1917)

    Patrick Bell born Cabinteely Co. Dublin, he died on 5th. December 1917 and is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louveral in France.

    s flynn




    216944

    Pte. John Peter Bell 7th Btn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.19th Sep 1918)

    ohn Peter Bell was born in Dublin in 1899 to Peter Charles Bell & Kate Bell. He enlisted in Woolwich and first joined the Middlesex Regiment, service number 68094, before being drafted into the 7th. btn of The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment. At the age of 19 he lost his life in battle and is remembered on the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery memorial in France.

    Of the 7th. Battalion it was said by General Sir H. Smith-Dorrien: "I am perfectly certain there is no other Battalion that has made such a name for itself as The Royal West Kents. Everyone is talking about you. They say: Give them a job, they will do it; they never leave the trenches!"

    s flynn




    216943

    Pte. John Bell 10th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.1st Aug 1917)

    Jack Bell enlisted in Glasgow and was killed in action in Flanders aged 21. He was the son of the late Ellen Bell and the late Cpl. John Bell (5/7177. Royal Dublin Fusiliers), of 20, Quinn's Cottages, Dunne St., Dublin, formerly of 26 Corporation Street. He May have enlisted in the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers before the war. Jack is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Update: Pte. Bell was know as 'Jack', his real name being John. In early 1917 he enlists in Glasgow with the 3rd. btn of the Royal Scots and his service number is 38948. On arrival in France, he is assigned to the 11th Btn of the Royal Scots, but by July of that same year he is drafted to the 10th. Cameronians, and here he is given a new service number of 41614. His new unit were stationed in the Ypres area, and this was to be the last draft of men received by that unit before the battle in which Jack is killed.

    In the June and July of that same year, The 10th Cameronians had seen heavy fighting and had taken raids on enemy trenches. There was a huge loss of men on both sides, but little ground gained. The battle had commenced on 31st July and was know as the Third Battle of Ypres. There had been strong enemy counter attacks and in less that 48 hours Jack's regiment had gone from 100 men to just 12. Jack was missing and his body never found, it was thought that he had been killed by artillery fire. He is remembered, with the thousands of other soldiers with no known grave, on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium.

    s flynn




    216942

    Pte. Cecil William James Bell Royal Army Medical Corps (d.15th Apr 1917)

    Cecil Bell was the son of Andrew and Mary Bell, of 6, Rathmines Park, Dublin. Cecil was born in 1893, son of a Civil Service Clerk, educated at Dublin University. He died at sea age 24 and is remembered on the Mikra Memorial in Greece. On that fateful day he was onboard HMT Arcadian when it was torpedoed by a German UC74 in the Cycladic Islands in the Aegean Sea. She was carrying troops from Salonika to Alexandria. Pte. Bell was one of the 233 people who lost their lives that day.

    s flynn




    216941

    2nd Lt. Lee Bell 7th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.17th Oct 1918)

    Lee Bell was native of Dublin, he was killed in action age 24 and is buried in Le Cateau Military Cemetery.

    At the age of 16, and according to the 1911 UK Census, Lee Bell was an Assurance Clerk and only son of Alfred and Selina of 6 Old Bond St., London. In 1919 the England and Wales Probate Calendar for that year records his estate of £104.4s.1d. being left to his father, a fine art dealer.

    s flynn




    216940

    A/Cpl. Patrick Beirne 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1917)

    Patrick was born in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin in 1890. At the time of his death he was Acting Corporal. His Battalion first mobilised for war in August 1914, landing in Boulogne, France. They were then engaged in the Battles of Cateau, Marne, Aisne and Messines. The following year they were fighting in the Second Battle of Ypres. In 1916 the Battle of Albert and Transloy, and in the year of Patrick's death they were involved in the First Battle of The Scarpe.

    s flynn




    216939

    2nd Lt. William Beirne 89th Squadron (d.18th Aug 1918)

    2nd Lt. William Beirne was the son of Patrick and Teresa Beirne, of 17 Castlewood Avenue, Rathmines, Co. Dublin. He served with the Royal Air Force and died in August 1918 aged 22. He is buried in St. Albans Cemetery, Hertfordshire.

    s flynn




    216938

    Sgt. Charles Roberts Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)

    Sgt. Roberts fought with the machine gun corps cavalry in Belgium. It broke his heart when his horse was mortally wounded. He was subsequently taken prisoner of war. While in the prison camp, a local lady kept him alive by smuggling scraps through the fence. He lived part of the time on boiled grass.

    Brian L Jones




    216937

    Cpl. John Henry Roberts 8th Btn Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.15th Feb 1917)

    John Henry Roberts was from Leicester, his family lived at one time in a street just off Welford Road, near the prison, the house next to the old Turks Head pub. John was the son of Nathaniel and Sarah Jane Roberts. At he time of his death in February 1917 his father had already passed away but his mother was living at 14 Oakfield Road. John Henry is commemorated on the Basra Memorial.

    Michael Wade




    216936

    Pte. Sidney Earnest Earley 2nd Btn. D Company Hampshire Regiment (d.5th Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Hamphire Privates Sad Death.

    The ranks of D Company, 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, have been deprived by death of a genial, virile, and popular comrade in Private Sydney E. Earley, whose home was at Winchester. Earley came to Stratford with the battalion about a month ago, and was quartered in Bridge-street. His vivacious nature quickly won him friends among the civil population, and sporting proclivities led to his being selected captain of the victorious Hants.’XI, which recently engaged Stratford in a football match on Pearcecroft. The weather of the past month, trying as it has been to those accustomed to the vagaries of our climate, has proved infinitely more so to soldiers lately quartered under Indian Skies, and Earley was among the many members of the battalion who contracted chills of a more or less acute type.

    On the 20th of last month his condition was such that it was deemed advisable to remove him to the Town Hall Hospital, where unremitting care and attention were at his disposal. He failed to rally, and death ensued on Friday from a malignant form of pneumonia. Late in the evening the body was removed to the mortuary near the Parish Church, and the interment took place on Saturday afternoon. Many years have rolled by since a military funeral of similar proportions was witnessed in the borough. At the cemetery gates the coffin was taken from the transport and borne shoulder-high to the grave, the Vicar and Rural Dean being at the head of the procession. The long line of khaki was relieved only by the bright hues of the flag of liberty and justice and the sorrowing figures clad in the habiliments of mourning. At the close of the service three volleys rang out from the rifles of the firing party, and the bugler sounded “ The Last Post” as a tribute to their departed comrade. In addition to the floral tributes from the family, handsome wreaths were sent by Major Beckwith and Lieutenant White; the commandants, sisters, and staff of the Town Hall Hospital; “M.,” his friend “D” Company, 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiments; sergeants of “D” Company; and his comrades in platoon number 16. The coffin was of polished elm, and the breastplate bore the inscription; “Sydney E. Earley No. 8014, 2nd Hampshire Regt., died February 5th. 1915, aged 27 years.” The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr. H. Humphreys.

    Stratford-upon-Avon Herald 12th February 1915

    A Soldier's Memorial.

    Messrs. Taylor and son, of this town, have recently executed and erected in the Borough Cemetery a memorial to Private Sidney Ernest Earley, of the 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment, who died on February 5th while billeted in Stratford. It was partly subscribed by deceased’s comrades, and will perpetuate the memory of one of the most cheerful and genial of soldiers. A headstone of Gothic design, the memorial is executed in Forest of Dean stone, a deeply moulded edge terminating in ivy leaves. Cleverly carved in the centre is the regimental crest, consisting of a tiger, Tudor rose, and laurel wreath.

    Stratford-upon-Avon Herald

    Michael Caldwell




    216935

    Herbert Dunn 10th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1917)

    Herbert Dunn is buried in Poelcapelle British WW1 cemetery

    Steven Dunn




    216927

    Sgt. John Behan 1/1st Btn. Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars (d.23rd Apr 1916)

    John Behan was born in Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire), Ireland, and was living in Dublin when he enlisted in Worcester. He was killed in action in Egypt as a result of a dawn attack from Turkish troops. He is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial located in the Jerusalem War Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216926

    Pte. Thomas Behan 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Thomas Behan was the son of Andrew and Mary Behan, of 19, Great Longford St., Dublin. He was killed in action aged 21 and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.

    s flynn




    216925

    Pte. Patrick Behan 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1918)

    Patrick Behan was killled in action in Flanders.

    S Flynn




    216924

    Pte. Patrick Behan 2nd Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.12th Oct 1916)

    Patrick Behan was born and lived in Dublin but enlisted in Glasgow. The son of Thomas and the late Mary Ann Behan, of 70, Church Rd., Dublin, Republic of Ireland, he was killed in action in Flanders age 18 and buried in London Cemetery And Extension, Longueval.

    S Flynn




    216923

    Pte. Patrick Behan 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.28th Apr 1916)

    Patrick Behan died of wounds and is buried in Lillers Communal Cemetery.

    S. Flynn




    216922

    Pte. Patrick Behan 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.15th Jul 1915)

    Patrick Behan served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and died from his wounds on the 15th July 1915 aged 24. He is buried near the south boundary in Houtkerque Churchyard. Patrick was the son of Patrick and Lottia Behan, of Dublin.

    S Flynn




    216921

    CQMS Michael William Behan 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.8th Oct 1917)

    Michael William Behan served with the 1st Battalion The Hampshire Regiment and died from his wounds on the 8th October 1916 aged 42 years. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge. Michael was the son of Hannah Behan, of 15, Upper Stephen St., Dublin.

    S Flynn




    216920

    Pte. Michael Behan 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.3rd Dec 1916)

    Michael Behan served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He was killed in action in Flanders on the 3rd December 1916.

    S Flynn




    216919

    Pte. John Behan 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.25th May 1915)

    John Behan served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and died of wounds on the 25th May 1915.

    S Flynn




    216918

    Rfm. James Behan 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.25th Sep 1915)

    James Behan, son of Christina English, of 13 Russell Street, Dublin, was born in Dublin and later enlisted there. He was aged 22 when he was killed in action fighting the 2nd Attack on Bellewaarde. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216917

    Pte. Henry Frederick Begley 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.27th Jul 1919)

    Henry Begley, son of William and Agnes Begley, of 23 Upper Dorset Street, Dublin, was born in Birr, County Offaly, Ireland. He was living in Dublin when he enlisted at Marybro. Private Begley was killed in action in North Russia aged 27, and is buried in The Archangel Allied Cemetery (Obozerskaya Burial Ground).

    S Flynn




    216914

    Pte. William John Jenkins 2nd. Battalion Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Rgt. (d.5th May 1915)

    <p>

    Photo of William J. Jenkins, 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, "The Drums" and copy of his last postcards home.

    Colin Jenkins




    216913

    Pte. George McCririck 12th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (Ayrshire Yeomanry) (d.27th Dec 1917)

    George Mc Cririck served with the 12th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was killed in action on the 27th December 1917 aged 22 years. From the extract of the history of this unit it is likely that he was killed in action during the Defence of Jerusalem. He is buried in Jerusalem, Plot d28, Yerushalayam District, Israel. George was born in Old Cumnuck, Ayrshire on the 7th July 1895.

    Nicola Gibson




    216912

    Pte. Edgar Joseph Pritchard Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    Edgar Joseph Pritchard, my Grandfather, fought in World War 1 with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, enlisting on the 30th March 1915). He married Daisy Eva Harris, my Grandmother in September 1916. She was born in January 1900 in Tilehurst near Reading, Berkshire, (although her marriage certificate says she was aged 18). At the time she was living at 11 Picton Villas, Langley New Town (Langley Marish as it was then) near Slough. I believe there was an army base at Langley during World War 1.

    Josie Llewelyn




    216911

    L/Cpl. Thaddeus Richard Begley MM. 6th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.8th Oct 1918)

    Thaddeus Begley was the son of Bedelia Maria Begley, of 387 North Circular Road, Dublin, and the late Thaddesis Begley, was born in Dublin. Leading up to the war he was a Medical Student, and before joining Royal Dublin Fusiliers he was a member of Royal Army Medical Corps. Thaddeus Begley was killed in action in France on the first day of the Battle of Cambrai, and is buried in Beaurevoir British Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216910

    Gnr. Denis Francis Begley HMS Good Hope (d.1st Nov 1914)

    Denis Begley was born in Dublin, son of Denis O'Brien Begley, of 63, North Grove, St. Ann's Rd., South Tottenham, London; and of Elizabeth Begley. He was killed in action at the Battle of Coronel off the coast of central Chile in November 1914, aged 32. His name appears on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Hampshire.

    s flynn




    216908

    Pte. Patrick Beggs 7th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.30th Dec 1917)

    Patrick Beggs was born in Booterstown, County Dublin, and was living there when he enlisted in Dublin. Private Beggs died in Egypt during the Palestine campaign, and is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

    S Flynn




    216907

    Pte. Joseph Beggs 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.6th Sep 1916)

    Joseph Beggs was born in Dublin and later enlisted there. Before joining the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers he was a member of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Private Beggs was killed in action in France during the Battle of Guillemont, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216906

    Pte. Thomas Beer 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.11th Jun 1917)

    Thomas Beer was born in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin and also enlisted there. Before joining the Middlesex Regiment he was a member of 6th Reserve Cavalry. Private Beer was killed in action in Flanders during the Battle of Messines and he is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216904

    Dvr. Walter Edward Bedford 12th Signal Coy Corps Of Royal Engineers (d.10th Sep 1916)

    Walter Ernest Bedford was born in Dublin, lived in Finchampstead, Berks and enlisted in Marylebone, Middlesex. He died of wounds and is buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension.

    He was the son of Lydia and the Late Alfred Bedford, of Oak Cottage Finchampstead, Berks and was 24 when he died. In the 1911 census he was an assistant in a Furniture Shop and was described as a nephew living with the Squelch family at 1 Nursery Cottages, Surly Hall Road, Clewer, Windsor.

    S Flynn




    216903

    L/Cpl. Francis Xavier Beckett Bed. A Signal Depot Corps of Royal Engineers (d.7th Nov 1918)

    Francis Beckett was formerly No. 300176, Manchester Regiment. Born in Dublin, he was the son of Charles and Mary Beckett, of 15, Buxton St., West Gorton, Manchester. He died of wounds at home age 21 and is buried in Kempston Cemetery, Bedfordshire

    Update: Lance Corporal Francis Xavier Beckett was born in Dublin c. 1897 and had moved to Manchester by the time of the 1901 census. In the 1911 census he was a Butcher's assistant. He enlisted at Manchester in 1913 at the age of 17 and joined the Manchester Regiment. By then he was an iron turner. He died at the military hospital, Bedford from bronchial pneumonia following influenza at 4.30 am.

    S Flynn




    216901

    PO. James John Beauchamp HMS Goliath (d.13th May 1915)

    1st Class Petty Officer James Beauchamp was born in Portsmouth on November 17th 1868. He was the son of Jersey-born Benjamin and Emma Beauchamp, of Malahide, County Dublin. James was the husband of Bridget Beauchamp, of Killycard, Castleblaney, County Monaghan, Ireland. Before he enlisted he worked as a Coastguard in Malahide.

    James Beauchamp was 48 years old when he was killed in action in the Dardanelles when the Goliath was torpedoed and sunk by a German-commanded, Turkish ship. He is commemorated on Panel 5 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Devon.

    S Flynn




    216900

    Rfm. Thomas Beatty 2nd Btn Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Thomas Beatty was killed in action and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216899

    Lt. Eric Edge Beatty 6th Btn Connaught Rangers (d.4th Apr 1916)

    Eric Edge Beatty was the son of of Wallace Beatty, M.D., of 38, Merrion Square, Dublin and Francis Eleanor (Edge). He was killed in action aged 23 and is remembered on the Memorial at St. Stephen's, Church of Ireland, Upper Mount Street.

    Eric Edge Beatty was born 30 June, 1893. He was educated at St. Stephen's Green School, Dublin, and St. Coluraba's College, Rathfarnham. In October 1911 he entered Trinity College, Dublin and then Trinity College Medical School, and obtained a first in Botany and Zoology. He obtained his commission as 2nd Lieutenant in September, 1914 and was promoted to be Lieutenant in February, 1915. He served in his regiment as Machine Gun Officer with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders and was afterwards made Brigade Machine Gun Officer, and was killed in action on 29 April, 1916. He is buried in the British Cemetery at Noeux-les-Mines.

    Col. L. Conyngham wrote: "On several occasions he did excellent service with his machine guns, and was unlucky on at least two of them not to have received special mention. He had been specially selected for promotion to rank of Captain, and had he lived his name would have appeared in an early Gazette. His amiable personality and constant devotion to duty had earned for him the affection and respect of his comrades of all ranks, by whom his loss was deeply regretted."

    S Flynn




    216898

    2nd Lt. Benjamin George Beatty 45th Squadron (d.28th July 1917)

    Benjamin George Beatty was the son of Francis Rowland Beatty and Jane Sophia Beatty, of 14 Sydney Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. He died aged 22 and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216897

    Pte. Nicholas Beashel 6th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.10th Jul 1916)

    Nicholas Beashel was born in Rush, County Dublin, and enlisted in Barry, Vale Of Glamorgan, Wales. He was killed in action during the Battle of Albert in the Ovillers and La Boisselle area of France, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

    S Flynn




    216896

    Frmn. William Beashel SS Beacon Light (d.19th Feb 1918)

    William Beashel was the son of Richard and Margaret Beashel (nee Ohram), of Main Street, Rush, County Dublin. He was one of 33 who lost their lives when the Beacon Light was hit by an enemy submarine 15 miles South-East of Lewis, Scotland. He was 32 years old.

    William is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial - WW1 section of Tower Hill Memorial, London.

    S Flynn




    216895

    Able Sea. Patrick Beashel SS Beacon Light (d.19th Feb 1918)

    Patrick Beashel was the son of Thomas and Catherine Beashel (nee Knight), of Main Street, Rush, County Dublin. He was one of 33 who lost their lives when the Beacon Light was hit by an enemy submarine 15 miles South-East of Lewis, Scotland. He was 26 years old.

    Patrick is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial - WW1 section of Tower Hill Memorial, London.

    S Flynn




    216894

    Pte. Patrick Bearney 5th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.4th Dec 1915)

    Patrick Bearney was born in Kingstown, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland and also enlisted there. After action in Gallipoli Private Bearney died of wounds in Salonika. He is buried in Salonika in Lembet Road Military Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216893

    2nd Lt. Lewis Digby Mansell Beard Machine Gun Corps (d.19th Oct 1916)

    2nd Lt. Lewis Beard served with the Machine Gun Corps infantry. He died in October 1916 and is buried in Kilmainham (St. James) Church of Ireland churchyard, Dublin City. He is commemorated on the Grangegorman Memorial, County Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    216892

    L/Cpl. Thomas William Denison MM. 21st Btn. "B" Coy. Kings Royal Rifle Corps. (d.5th to 10th Oct. 1916)

    Thomas William Denison was from Moor End, Dunkerwick, Harewood, Leeds. He was awarded a Military Medal but was killed in action between 5th October & 10 October 1916. I have found a record of the award of his MM but not able to locate a reason for the award. I am also trying to locate a photograph of Thomas William Denison or a photograph with him in it. Can anyone help?

    Colin Thomas Perks




    216891

    Pte. Danile Baziere 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.7th Jun 1917 )

    Danille Baziere was the son of Lewis and Kate Baziere, of 7, Plunkett's Cottage, Sandwich St., Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 9th Battalion and was killed in action in the Battle of Messines in June 1917, aged 21. He is buried in Voormezeele Enclosure No.3 in Belgium

    s flynn




    216890

    L/Cpl. Robert Samuel Baxter 1st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.27th Oct 1914)

    Robert Baxter, son of Robert and Harriett Baxter, of 7 Syers Road, East Liss, Hampshire, was born in Rathmines, Dublin. He was living in East Liss when he enlisted in Dublin. He served as a Bandsman with the 1st Battalion. Lance Corporal Baxter died at home aged 26 from sickness following wounding during the First Battle of Ypres. He is remembered in Greenwich Cemetery and is commemorated on the Great War Memorial in the front grounds of the Royal Hibernian Military School, Dublin.

    S Flynn




    216889

    James Cochrane

    James Cochrane died in the course of World War 1. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (brass plaque west face) Jarrow, England.

    Vin Mullen




    216888

    Pte. Bernard Louis "Bo" Shotton 8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>Bernard Louis Shotton taken in May 1916, standing up on the right, the two other 'pals' are unknown to me and my family. We tried to find out who the two other persons where via the RBL buletin, but our search stay in vein.

    My grand-father, Bernard Louis Shotton, was incorporated in the 1/8th Royal Warwickshire Regiment as a signaller. Grand-dad Shotton, or Grumpy-bear, as he was known to the grand-children, was fortunate enough to be wounded he was sent back home after spending some time in a military hospital in France, probably to enable to travel safely back to the old blighty. When it was safe for him to travel, he was send back to Birmingham medical hospital.

    His brother, Walter Albert Shotton, was incorporated in the 1/6th South Staffordshire Regiment, also as a signaller. As for Walter Albert Shotton, he was not as fortunate, he died on july 1th 1916, on the Somme. He body was never recovered or identify, although his name appear on the roll of Honnor at Gommecourt, France. His name also appear on the Thiepval memorial. His remains, if the exist may lay in a communal grave, ready to be discovered. We have not picture of Walter Albert Shotton.

    Bernard & Walter Shotton had a third brother, Geoffrey. He had the chance in falling of his bike, braking his shoulder and discharge of military service.

    An other twist of history is that my mother's cousin was a radio operator in the R.A.F. during WWII. Unfortunatly his plane was shot down during a mission over Bremen. His body lay in rest in the Sage cemetery. My mother's father, Grand-dad Bill, in 1916 was an Marconi operator. As a person born in France, I was liable to the French National service, which I did. I was sent to Germany in a signal corp. How strange ! We, dad & I belong the de R.B.L. Paris Branch and my only wish now is to find Walter Albert's remains...

    Robert R. Shotton




    216887

    Sgt. George Batwell 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    George Batwell was the son of May Batwell, and the late James Batwell of 6 Almedia Avenue, Kilmainham, Dublin. He was killed in action age 22 and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.

    s flynn




    216886

    Surg.Prob. Robert Sydney Steele Smith AM. HMS Bergamot

    Robert S.S.Smith, R.N.V.R., was Surgeon Probationer on the Q-ship Bergamot when she was torpedoed by the U-84 on the 13th August 1917, due west of Killybegs, Ireland. When the torpedo hit, Smith and the 1st Lieutenant, Frederick William Siddall, were in the wardroom aft. All of the exits were blocked by the explosion, and Siddall was knocked out, so Smith piled high the wrecked wardroom furniture under the skylight and pulled him through this onto the deck. Siddall began to regain consciousness. Leaving him briefly, Smith attended a Petty Officer, lying on the deck with a broken arm and leg. Blowing up his life preserver and lowering him into the water, he then did the same for the 1st Lieutenant as by this time Bergamot was foundering.

    Lieutenant Siddall was rendered unconscious again by a secondary explosion as the ship sank, and by the time he was pulled on board lifeboat no. 2, was to all intents, dead. Smith worked on him for 25 minutes, using artificial respiration and CPR until he regained consciousness. He then continued working, as best he could in the conditions, on all of Bergamot's injured personnel until they were picked up 43 hours later. The King awarded Smith the Albert Medal for lifesaving, and he was mentioned in despatches.

    Richard Jones




    216885

    Mjr. G. L. Battersby 2/6th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.29th Oct 1919)

    Major Battersby, husband of Eleanor J. Battersby, of 62 Waterloo Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin, died of wounds at home aged 56. He is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    216884

    A/Sgt. Robert Bates 59th Field Coy Corps Of Royal Engineers (d.20th July 1916)

    Robert Bates, the son of Matthew and Catherine Bates, of Newbridge Lodge, Donabate, Co. Dublin died of wounds age 38 and is buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz.

    S Flynn




    216883

    Pte. John Bates 1st Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.14th Feb 1915)

    John Bates was killed in action in Flanders and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

    S Flynn




    216882

    Pte. John Bates 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.4th Oct 1917)

    John Bates served with the 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was killed in action in October 1917.

    s flynn




    216881

    Pte. Edward Bates 1st Garrison Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.31st Oct 1917)

    Edward Bates had formerly with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He died in India whilst serving with the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

    s flynn




    216879

    Pte. Samuel Bateman 7th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.12th Dec 1917)

    Samuel Bateman served with the 7th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment having formerly served as 1608 South Irish Horse. He was killed in action on the 12th December 1917 and is buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery on the Somme. Samuel was the son of Mr. T. Bateman, of 10, Dorset Avenue, Dorset St., Dublin.

    S Flynn




    216878

    Bmdr. Herbert Bateman Royal Horse Artillery (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    Herbert Bateman was born in Dublin and enlisted in Lambeth, London. He served with the Royal Horse Artillery and died of wounds in December 1917.

    s flynn




    216877

    Capt. Arthur Cyril Bateman MM. att. 7th Btn. Cameron Highlanders Royal Army Medical Corps (d.28th Mar 1918)

    Arthur Bateman was the son of Godfrey Bateman, LL.D., and Frances Emily Bateman, of 28 Clarinda Park East, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin He served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was attached to the 7th Battalion of the Cameron Highlanders. He died aged 27 in March 1918 in France, and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216876

    Capt. Reginald John Godfrey Bateman MID 46th Btn. (Saskatchewan Regiment) (d.3rd Sep 1918)

    Reginald Bateman, son of Godfrey Bateman, LL.D., and Frances Emily Bateman, of 14 Adelaide Street, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, was born on October 12th 1883 in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland. In 1906 he received a B.A. from Trinity College, Dublin, having studied English, French, and Modern History. Three years later he was hired at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada, as its first professor of English, and one of the first four professors at the new university.

    In October 1914 Reginald Bateman enlisted in the 28th Infantry Battalion, and later fought with them around Ypres. He then accepted an invitation from Walter Charles Murray, president of the University of Saskatchewan, to take command of the Saskatchewan Company of the 196th (Western Universities) Infantry Battalion. Whilst spending the summer and autumn of 1916 in Canada he passed his officer’s exams, and became a major. After he arrived in England the 196th was broken up, and so Bateman reverted from major to lieutenant so that he could see action again.

    Bateman was posted to the 46th Infantry Battalion, arriving at the Western Front in June 1917. He was an acting captain during the attack on the Drocourt-Quéant Line, when he was killed by a shell dropping at the entrance to battalion headquarters near Dury, France. Captain Bateman was 34 years old, and is commemorated on Vimy Memorials, France.The Bateman Memorial Fund at University of Saskatchewan was founded in 1932 to provide scholarships for students.

    S Flynn




    216875

    Lt. Albert Francis Bate 4th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.14th Mar 1915)

    Alfred Bate, son of Edward Reginald and Charlotte Frederica Bate (nee Bell), of 2 Eden Park, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, was born in Kingstown (now known as Dun Laoghaire), Ireland. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin, achieving a B.A., and also studied Law at King's Inns, Dublin. When the war began he was preparing for call to the Irish Bar.

    In addition to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers he was also attached to Leinster Regiment 2nd Battalion. Lieutenant Bate was killed in action in France aged 22, and is buried in Ferme Buterne Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the War Memorial Plaque inside the 1937 Reading Room of Trinity College, Dublin.

    S Flynn




    216874

    Rfm. Edward Hudson Basnett 11th Btn. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (d.4th Apr 1917)

    Edward Basnett was born in Dublin and enlisted in Woolwich, Kent. He landed with his battalion at Boulogne in July 1915. Edward Basnett died of wounds in France during the Allied pursuit of the Germans to the Hindenburg Line. He is buried in Neuville-Bourjonval British Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216873

    Pte. Edward Barton 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.6th Sep 1916)

    Edward Barton was born in St. Luke's, Cork and lived and enlisted in Dublin. He was killed in action.

    Update: Edward Barton was born in 1891 to Edward John Barton and Marianne (Sievewright). In the 1911 census he was at Jellalabad Military Barracks, South Tedworth, Hants with his unit, 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216872

    2nd Lt. Vivian Alfred Barton C Battery, 162nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Sep 1917)

    Vivian Barton was born on May 29th 1883. He was the son of Richard James and Florence Caroline Barton, of 8 Sorrento Terrace, Dalkey, County Dublin. He enlisted in June 1915, and the following January received his commission to 2nd Lieutenant. Lieutenant Barton died in Ypres aged 34, and is buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Poperinge.

    S Flynn




    216871

    Pte. Hugh Bartlem 6th Btn. Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.29th Aug 1918)

    Hugh Bartlem served with the 6th Battalion Royal West Surrey Regiment (Queen's) and died of wounds in Flanders on the 29th August 1918.

    S Flynn




    216869

    Pte. Charles W. W. Barsby 7th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.29th Oct 1917)

    Charles Barsby, son of Charles and Millicent Barsby of 32 Derwent Street, The Meadows, Nottingham, was born in St. Jude's, Dublin. In 1914 he was living in Dublin, and he also enlisted there. Private Barsby was aged 22 when he was killed in action in Flanders. He is buried in St. Martin Calvaire British Cemetery St. Martin-Sur-Cojeul.

    S Flynn




    216868

    Pte. Daniel Barry 365th M.T. Coy Royal Army Service Corps (d.3rd Nov 1917)

    Daniel Barry died of wounds at home.

    Update: Daniel Barry was aged 27 when he died. He is buried in Dean's Grange Cemetery, Monkstown, in the parish of Cabinteely, on the road from Dublin via Blackrock to Bray.

    S Flynn




    216867

    Pte. Albert Barry 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.30th Apr 1915)

    Albert Barry was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. He was killed in action in Gallipoli, and is commemorated on Special Memorial A. 3. in V Beach Cemetery, Turkey.

    S Flynn




    216866

    Rfm. Peter Barry 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.4th Oct 1918)

    eter Barry, son of Mrs N. Barry of 10 Charlesmont Avenue, Charlesmont Street, Dublin, was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. His battalion fought in the 5th Battle of Ypres in autumn 1918, and it was a few days after the end of this battle that Peter Barry was killed in action in Flanders. He is buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Moorslede.

    S Flynn




    216864

    Pte. Michael Barry 5th Royal Irish Lancers (d.27th Nov 1918)

    Michael Barry was the husband of Maria Barry, of 2, Rainsford Ave., Dublin. He served with the Household Cavalry and 5th Royal Irish Lancers He died of wounds at home, aged 27 in November 1918. He is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland

    s flynn




    216863

    Pte. Michael Barry 6th Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.5th May 1918)

    Michael Barry served with the 6th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and died in the Balkans in May 1918

    s flynn




    216862

    Pte. Joseph Barry MM. 6th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.17th Oct 1918)

    Joseph Barry served with the 6th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was killed in action on the 17th October 1918.

    S Flynn




    216861

    Fmn. William Barry SS Adela (d.27th Dec 1917)

    William Barry, aged 35, was born in Dublin. He was the son of James and Mary Arm Barry and husband of Mary Barry (nee McKay), of 31, Leland Place, Common St., Dublin He drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

    Update: He lost his life on 27th. December 1917 onboard the 685 tonne Cargo Ship S. S. Adela. On that fateful day she was sunk by the German 'U-Boat 100' commanded by Captain Freiherr Degenhart Van Loe. She was on a voyage from Dublin to Liverpool. 24 crew were lost.

    s flynn




    216860

    Fmn. W. Barry SS Lusitania (d.7th May 1915)

    W. Barry, aged 26, born in Dublin, a Fireman onboard the R.M.S. Lusitania, drowned on that fateful day of 7th. May 1915. After leaving New York bound for Liverpool, the Lusitania was approaching Irish Waters when she was struck at 2:10pm by a torpedo fired from a German U-Boat, in her starboard side. She sank within 20 minutes. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

    s flynn




    216859

    Capt. Geoffrey Selwyn Barrow OBE. 8th Divisional Army Cycle Corps Royal Field Artillery (d.26th Dec 1918)

    Geoffrey Selwyn Barrow was the son of Gen. Sir Edmund George Barrow and Lady Barrow, of Dublin; and the husband of M. Clothilde Sejalon Barrow He served with the Royal Field Artillery and was attached to the 8th Divisional Army Cyclist Corps. He died of sickness aged 27 in December 1918, and is buried in the Lyon (La Guillotiere) Old Communal Cemetery, Rhone, France.

    s flynn




    216857

    Pte. R. Roberts

    R. Roberts is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216856

    Pte. Andrew Turner Highland Light Infantry (d.22nd Mar 1915)

    My granny's brother, Andrew Turner joined the Highland Light Infantry at the tender age of 16, he was really just a boy. He was catapulted, like so many others, from the security of his home village and into the hell of the Western Front. He couldn't cope and therefore he deserted. On returning home, he was recaptured and taken back to France. He died of his injuries on 22nd. March, 1915, just after his 17th birthday, and now lies in the Cabaret-Rouge British cemetery in France. May he rest in peace!

    Catherine




    216855

    Rowen (d.WW1)

    Rowen is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216854

    John Houston 18th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    I have only just found this out, my grandfather John Houston was gassed and buried for 3 days, he died from the complications of this in 1945.

    Allan Donald




    216853

    Pte. Joseph Sydney Epps 7th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    My granddad Joseph Sydney Epps joined the 7th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment at the age of 21 in 1914. He didn't talk about the war but I spent many happy late afternoons with him after school. I have his war medals and his silver name tag that I think he would have worn while fighting in France. He suffered from a very bad chest infection and I'm not sure if this was due to being gassed during the war. My mum asked me to look into where his regiment fought during the war because she recalled that he said he went to Italy. After researching the movements of the 7th Wilts I think it would have been Greece. My mum has a photo of my granddad in his uniform.

    Philip Poulteney




    216852

    Cpl. William Eric Woodward 52nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th June 1919)

    <p>

    About a year ago I decided to pick one name at random from my church war memorial. My objective was to show that there were lives behind each name on our war memorials and that the people they recall continue to be an important part of our history The name I chose was William Eric Woodward (1899-1919). Through research - the census records, assistance from the Durham Light Infantry Museum, war records, the Scouting National archive, tracing his nearest relative etc. I have managed to piece together much of Eric’s short life.

    Eric was born in Nottingham in in 1899. His father, a painter and decorator, died when Eric was 8 years old and the census of 1911 confirms that his mother took up this occupation to support Eric and his younger sister Agnes. I traced and met with Eric’s elderly nephew living in Derby whist he never knew his Uncle he was named after him. He kindly loaned me a large archive of scouting photographs once owned by Eric. When I contacted the National Scouting Archive they had no record of this troop as records of scout troops weren't centralised until 1919. It took some research to uncover the history behind these scouting photographs as many showed the boys in Kilts. The photographs detail the formation of the 1st Caledonian Scout troop in Nottingham in May 1909 less than two years after Baden Powell hosted the first camp on Brownsea island. The 1st Caledonian troop was formed in Nottingham for boys of Scottish descent, Eric’s mother was from Newton Mearns. The 1st Caledonian troop adopted the “Hunting Stewart” tartan. With the popularity of scouting by 1912 two other troops had been formed known as the 2nd and 3rd Caledonians, these adopted the Black Watch and Gordon tartans. All three troops were based at the site known as Blackwood in Nottingham where scouting continues to this day. In 1909 Eric joined the 1st Caledonian scouts however by 1915 with older members of the troop enlisting all three troops disbanded. Eric then joined the 24th Nottingham troop who took over the Blackwood site and who remain there to this day. The entrance to the site close to Nottingham’s city hospital is marked with a memorial gateway built in 1927 to commemorate all scouts who died in WW1.

    In the early years of the war correspondence confirms that the scouts spent much time taking on the roles of those who had enlisted and activities such guarding the local reservoirs. Leaving school at 16 Eric went to work in the local John Player factory but enlisted in the the East Midlands Brigade of the 273rd Graduated Battalion in 1917. Graduated battalions received recruits under the age of 19. These would have received training in a Young Soldiers Battalion for about four months before gaining another seven or so months of training in a Graduated Battalion. By the time they reached 19, they would then be ready for active service overseas. Eric joined the 52nd Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry which was formed in October 1917 from the 273rd Graduated Battalion.

    Eric's home, scout group and church are still there today as his grave marked with a military headstone in Basford cemetery. Corporal W. Eric Woodward, Durham Light Infantry died in Leicester military hospital aged 20 years his name is listed along with 15 others on the Memorial Windows at his church St Andrew's Presbyterian church in Nottingham (now St Andrew’s with Castle Gate Church, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham).

    Andrew Adam




    216850

    Cpl. John Watson 23rd (4th Tyneside Scottish) Btn Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    My grandad, Jack Watson, was reported missing in action at Roeux,in France, on 29th April 1917. He was a prisoner of war in Germany, for at least part of the time at Gustrow, but I have not yet discovered when he was repatriated. My grandma, Harriet, gave birth to twin girls in the summer of 1917, but they both died by the end of that year, so Jack may never have seen them. Harriet already had her hands full with four other children, aged between eleven and two.

    Maureen Duffy




    216849

    Pte. James Barron 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.12th Oct 1916)

    James Barron was the son of Ambrose and Elizabeth Barron, of Upper Rathmines, Dublin; and husband of Sarah Barron, of 35, Lower Camden St., Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 2nd Battalion and was killed in action in Flanders in October 1916 aged 28. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    s flynn




    216848

    Lt. Louis Barron 10th Btn. Border Regiment (d.19th July 1916)

    Louis Barron was the son of Hyman A. and Esther Barron, of 38 South Circular Rd., Portobello, Dublin. He was attached 2nd/6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment when he was killed in action age 27. Louis is remembered on the Loos Memorial. He was a Solicitor and is also remembered at the Clontarf Cricket and Football Clubs

    s flynn




    216847

    L/Cpl. William E. Barrett 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.7th June 1917)

    William E. Barrett was the son of Elizabeth Barrett, of 48, Killeen Rd., Rathmines, Dublin, and the late C. E. Barrett. He was killed in action in Flanders age 26 and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    s flynn




    216846

    Pte. Thomas Barrett Army Cyclist Corps (d.25th Oct 1917)

    Thomas Barrett was born in Dublin and enlisted in Guildford, Surrey as pte 19642, Highland Light Infantry. He was killed in action in Salonika

    s flynn




    216844

    Pte. John Barrett 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.6th Aug 1915)

    John Barrett died of wounds in Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    216843

    Pte. Christopher Barrett Labour Corps (d.13th Oct 1918)

    Christopher Barrett served initially with the Royal Army Service Corps and subsequently with the Labour Corps. He died of wounds at home in October 1918.

    s flynn




    216842

    Lt. Hebron Barrett 10th Btn. C Coy. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Hebron Barrett was the son of Robert T. and Jane G. Barrett, of Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, C Company, 10th Battalion. and died of wounds in March 1918 aged 25. He is buried in Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery on the Somme.

    s flynn




    216841

    Pte. William Barnett 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (d.27th March 1916)

    William Barnett was born in Dublin, he resided in Pimlico and enlisted in Hounslow.

    s flynn




    216840

    Pte. Henry Barnett 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Henry Batnett was born in Larne, Co. Antrim, lived in Dublin and enlisted in Derby. He served with the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) 1st Battalion and was killed in action in Flanders aged 27 in July 1917. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    s flynn




    216839

    Lt. John Ivor Arthur Rossington Barnett (d.24th Jul 1918)

    John Barnett was the son of William and Agnes Rossington Barnett, of 30 Leeson Park Avenue, Dublin. He served with the Royal Air Force and was killed while flying (crashed) aged 19 in July 1918. He is buried in Edinburgh (Seafield) Cemetery.

    s flynn




    216838

    Sapper Sydney James Waghorne 1/1 Kent Field Company

    <p>

    Sydney James Waghorne enlisted with the 1/1st Kent Royal Engineers on 10/19/1914 at the age of 19. After training, on October 15th 1915, their field company was sent to Egypt and then on to Gallipoli attached to the 2nd Mounted Division. He was one of many evacuated in December with dysentery and recovered in Malta and then Gibraltar. Released by the Army doctors on 9/11/1916, Sydney was reassigned to the Western Front near the Somme River. His main duty was laying and keeping communications lines opened between the front and G.H.Q. While repairing 1 line up on a pole, a German shell exploded at the base and blew him off the pole. It was joked by his buddies that the only reason he didn't suffer serious injury or even death, was because he landed on his head. Sydney served until 2/22/1919. He moved to Wichita Falls, Texas to seek his fortune. Eventually, he moved his widow mom and 5 sisters there to live with him. During the Great War, Sydney passed time writing poetry, drawing cartoons of his commander.

    James Kent Waghorne




    216836

    Mary Ellen "Molly" Buffell

    <p>

    My Grandma, Mary Taplin served in the WAAC.

    Sandra Taplin




    216835

    Pte. Sam Sanderson 6th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.6th Apr 1917)

    Sam Sanderson 6th Btn Leicestershires is buried at Boyelles Com-munal Cemetery Extension, he died on the 6th of April 1917 Sam (b. 1887) was the son of Mr John and Mrs Ann Elizabeth Sanderson (nee Justice) of Spital Hill. John was employed as a house joiner. The 1911 Census gives the family address as 19 Wellington Street Retford. Sam was in employment at the Rubber works working as a spreader. In 1914 Sam married Annie A Stead. The famiky was added to in 1915 with the birth of John E Sanderson.





    216834

    James O'Brian 3rd Btn. Border Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1914)

    Boy soldier James O'Brian 10400 of the 3rd Btn Border Regiment who died on the 2nd September 1914 is buried at Pembroke Dock Military Cemetery.

    Derek J Goode




    216833

    Pte. Robert Handel Mendelsohn Griffiths 3rd Btn. Border Regiment (d.29th Aug 1914)

    Robert Handel Mendelsohn Griffiths was a Boy Soldier who trained as a Musician at Gordon's Boys Home, Woking, Surrey (which was a home for children from impoverished families). This is also where he enlisted. He and a fellow Border Regiment Boy Soldier James O'Brien 10400 were travelling to join their battalion on August 29th 1914, but they never made it. They died as a result of leaning out of the window of their troop train compartment whilst it rapidly passed through Lamphey Station. They were hit by an open carriage door. Griffiths died instantly, and O'Brien died in Tenby Cottage Hospital a few days later. They were both 17 years old, and are both buried in Pembroke Dock Military Cemetery.

    Derek J Goode




    216832

    Pte. Owen Barnes 1st Btn. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (d.4th May 1915)

    Owen Barnes, son of Mrs M. Barnes, of 26 Lower Gloucester Street, Dublin, was born in Dublin and lived there when he enlisted in Drogheda. He died of wounds in Flanders aged 18, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216831

    Pte. William Monteith 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    My Dad, Pte. William Monteith, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, was taken prisoner on the 26th of August 1914. I have the war office letter to my granny with the information of his capture.

    Margaret Davidson




    216830

    Rfmn. Mulock Harold Barnes 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.1st Apr 1918)

    Mulock Harold Barnes was born in Dublin and enlisted in St. Pancras, Middx. He died of wounds.

    s flynn




    216829

    Pte. William John Newman 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.26th Aug 1914)

    My Grandfather William John Newman of the 1st Somersets died on 26th August so must have been in the Battle of Le Cateau. He was only in France for 4 days.

    Update: William was the husband of Alice Mary Newman, of 274, Bickenhall, Taunton, Somerset. He died aged 26, and is commemorated on The La Ferté-sous-Jouarre Memorial.

    M. Newman




    216828

    Pte. Joseph Barnes 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Joseph Barnes served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers and was killed in action in Flanders, age 27, on the 16th August 1917. Joseph was the son of Patrick and Margaret Barnes, of 26, Lower Gloucester Street, Dublin. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216827

    Capt. R. A. M. Harris 11th Btn. Border Regiment

    My father Capt RAM Harris served with the 11 Battalion from its formation till 1917 when wounded. He was not at the start of the Somme offensive as he was on leave when his brother contracted chicken pox and his doctor would not let him return. The officer who took his place died. Are there to be any celebrations for the Regiment?

    Update: R A M Harris, was originally in A Company and by February 1917, by then Captain, was leading platoons of D Company into action at R. 1.a.55. Sub Sector R1 Beaumont Hamel. He received shrapnel wounds in 1916 and was wounded in action in 1917 and hospitalised in London.

    Michael Harris




    216826

    Pte. Jeremiah Barnes 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    Jeremiah Barnes was the son of Patrick and Lizzie Barnes, of 4, Hanover Lane, Francis St., Dublin; husband of Bridget Barnes, of 2, Storey's Villa, School St., Dublin. He was killed in action in Flanders age 31 and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    s flynn




    216825

    George Hoaen 2nd Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    My father always said my Grandfather George Hoaen, who was in the Cheshires his number was 9204, was shipped from India in 1914 straight into battle still in their tropical kit. My Grandfather was fortunate to come through the war alive, though not uninjured he had a 20% disability pension. Subsequently, he served in the Royal Engineers, and Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, before being demobbed in 1919.

    Andrew Hoaen




    216824

    Pte. John Edwin Barnes 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.25th Apr 1915)

    John Barnes was born Poplar, Middlesex. He lived in Dublin and enlisted in Stratford, Essex. He was killed in action in Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    216823

    Rfmn. David Barnes 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.6th Sep 1917)

    David Barnes was born in Bangor, Co. Down. Lived in Dublin and enlisted in Belfast. He died of wounds in Flanders.

    s flynn




    216822

    Pte. William Patrick Barnes 39th Btn. (d.4th Oct 1917)

    William Patrick Barnes was the son of Francis and Julia Barnes. Born in Dublin, he died in Belgium age 44 and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    s flynn




    216820

    RSM Arthur Samuel Barker DCM. Royal Horse Artillery (d.24th July 1916)

    Arthur Barker was the son of Samuel and Alice Barker.He also served with the Royal Field Artillery. he died of wounds aged 33 and is buried Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'abbe.

    s flynn




    216819

    Rfm. Arthur Barker 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st Oct 1916)

    Arthur Barker died of wounds in Flanders.

    s flynn




    216818

    Pte. James Frederick Fairburn 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Oct 1914)

    James Frederick Fairbairn, my great grandfather was the second man of the 2nd Durhams to be killed. He was 30 years old and left behind 4 children, the youngest my nanna was 4 weeks old. He is buried in Boulogne.

    Alice Dixon




    216816

    Pte. Walter Robert Evans MM. 1/1st Battalion Herefordshire Reiment

    <p>

    Walter Evans served with the 1/1st Battalion Herefordshire Regiment was awarded the Military Medal for his part in an action in conjunction with the French at Parcy Tigny on July 23rd 1918.

    Chris Ball




    216814

    Lt. Robert Christopher Barbor 54th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.25th May 1915)

    Robert Barbor was the son of Robert C. Barbor of 9 Fairfield Park, Rathmines, Dublin, and husband of Mary T. Barbor of 18 Delaware Mansions, Maida Vale, London. He died in May 1915, and is buried in North Sheen Cemetery, Richmond, London.

    S Flynn




    216813

    Pte. Charles Barber 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.6th Sep 1916)

    Charles Barber, husband of Annie Barber, of 123 J Block, Keogn Barracks, Dublin, was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. He was aged 26 when he was killed in action in France on the last day of the Battle of Guillemont. Private Barber is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216812

    Pte. Bertie Barber 1/6th Btn Devonshire Regiment (d.8th Mar 1916)

    Bertie Barber, son of Frederick and Eliza Barber, of 5 Sweethome Terrace, Northam, Devon, was born in Dublin. He lived in Northam and enlisted in Bideford, Devon. Two months after landing at Basra, Private Barber was killed in action in Mesopotamia aged 21. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

    S Flynn




    216811

    Tptr. Henry Albert Barber 274th M.T. Coy Royal Army Service Corps (d.23rd Mar 1917)

    Henry Barber died of wounds at home.

    Update:  A search of Ancestry reveals more information about Henry.  The 1901 census shows him age 4 months. He was born on 19 November 1900.  He was the son of Joseph,who was the Barrack warden, and Bridget (Farrell) his second wife. In the 1911 census he is found at the Royal Hibernian military boarding school, Dublin. He was aged 14 years and five months when he enlisted and he was only 16 when he died. His service records Indicate that he was 5 foot 2 1/4 inches, of fresh complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. At the time of his death his father was Barrack warden at the Richmond Barracks in Dublin. The records also show that he died in hospital although it is unclear which hospital. He is buried in Greenwich Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216810

    Pte. Leo Francis Banville 2/4th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.1st Dec 1917)

    Leo Banville, son of John and Mary E. Banville, of 91 Connaught Street, Phibsborough, Dublin, was born in Dublin and lived there before he enlisted in Winchester. In 1917 the 2/4th Battalion fought in the British campaign in Egypt and Palestine. At the end of this year Leo Banville was killed in action in Egypt aged 32. He is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel.

    S Flynn




    216808

    Pte. Thomas Bannon 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1918)

    Thomas Bannon was born in Blanchardstown, Dublin, and later enlisted in Dublin. Before joining the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers he was a member of the Army Service Corps. Private Bannon was killed in action in Flanders during the Battle of the Lys. He is commemorated on The Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

    S Flynn




    216807

    L/Cpl. Philip Bannon 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.7th Aug 1915)

    Philip Bannon, son of Thomas Bannon, of 9 Parnell Street, Dublin, was born in Clontarf, Dublin, and later enlisted there. He was killed in action in Gallipoli aged 22, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.

    S Flynn




    216806

    Sgt. Patrick Bannon 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.25th Apr 1915)

    Patrick Bannon was born in Dublin and also enlisted there. He was killed in action in Flanders during the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915.

    S Flynn




    216805

    Pte. John Bannon 2nd Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.20th Sep 1914)

    John Bannon, son of John and Mary Bannon, was born in Dublin and lived there when he enlisted at The Curragh Camp, County Kildare. The 2nd Battalion landed at Boulogne on 14th August 1914. Private Bannon was aged 31 when he was killed in action in France during the First Battle of the Aisne, and he is commemorated on La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216804

    Pte. Wallace Bannerman 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.26th Oct 1916)

    Wallace Bannerman was born in Dublin and enlisted in Birmingham. He was killed in action in Flanders.

    s flynn




    216803

    Pte. James Bannerman 6th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.8th Feb 1917)

    James Bannerman was the son of Margaret Bannerman, of 107, Foley St., Dublin. Served in the South African Campaign. He was killed in action in Flanders age 34. Buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.

    s flynn




    216802

    Pte. Edward Balmer First Labour Company Royal Irish Regiment (d.18th Mar 1917)

    Edward Balmer was formerly 8631, Royal Irish Rifles. He died in Flanders.

    s flynn




    216801

    Pte. Andrew Ball 4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Oct 1918)

    Andrew Ball was born in Dublin and enlisted in Newcastle. He died in Flanders

    s flynn




    216800

    Lt. William Ormsby Wyndham Ball 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1914)

    William Ball, son of Henry Wyndham Ball and Elizabeth Ball, was born in Palmerston Park, Dublin on September 27th 1889. Before the outbreak of the war he played hockey, and represented Ireland in six International matches in 1910 and 1911. After much success as a student in the School of Physic of Trinity College, William gained a commission in the Medical Services on January 24th 1913. He was serving at Longmoor Army Camp upon the outbreak of the war.

    At the beginning of the war William was attached as Regimental Medical Officer to the 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. He landed at Le Havre with them on August 13th 1914. he Battalion fought as part of the 2nd Division in the Battle of Mons. During the subsequent retreat William was lucky not to have been fatally wounded on four separate occasions. Sadly, he was finally killed by a shell at La Cour de Soupir whilst attending to the wounded at one of the dressing stations. He was 24 years old.

    William Ball was buried in La Cour de Soupir Farm, and is commemorated on La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216799

    Lt.Col. Charles Bent Ball Royal Army Medical Corps (d.17th Mar 1916)

    Sir Charles Bent M.D., M.Ch., F.R.C.S.I., Hon. F.R.C.S. 1st Baronet, Hon. Surgeon to the King was the Son of Robert Ball and Amelia Gresley Ball of Dublin. He was married to Annie Julia Kinahan. Charles died of wounds aged 65 and was buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    216798

    Capt. R. G. Ball Royal Army Medical Corps

    R G Ball, the son of Mrs. Mary Ball, of 28, Waterloo Rd., Dublin died at home of wounds and was buried in 1920 in , Mount Jerome Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland.

    S Flynn




    216795

    Pte. Henry Noulton Royal Field Artillery

    Henry Noulton volunteered in June 1915 and during the war worked as a Driver. Later that same year he was drafted overseas. During his service in France he took part in many engagements including those on the Somme, and at the Battle of Arras in April and May of 1917 and also at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December that year. He then fought during the retreat and advance of 1918.

    He was demobilised in February 1920, and holds the General and Service and Victory Medals. After the war he lived at 5 Arden Street, Battersea Park.

    J.D. Noulton




    216794

    Pte. Henry James Noulton Chatham Division

    Henry Noulton was born on 18th April 1898. He enlisted on 22nd June 1915, and on completion of his training was posted to a cruiser squadron. His ship was engaged on special patrol duties off the coast of Russia. In October 1918 the vessel on which he was serving whilst conveying wounded across the Irish Sea was torpedoed. After several hours in the water he fortunately was rescued.

    He was demobilised in February 1920, and holds the General Service and Victory Medals.

    J.D. Noulton




    216793

    SPO. Samuel Noulton HMS Chatham

    Samuel Noulton volunteered at the outbreak of the war, and initially served on HMS Arun on transport duties. Later he was transferred to HMS Chatham, convoying vessels between Norway and the North of Ireland. The ship was in action in the Battle of Jutland, and was mined off Felixstowe. He took part in all engagements in the North Sea, and was demobilised in November 1919.

    J.D. Noulton




    216792

    Gnr. Thomas Edward Baker 28th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.26th Jun 1916)

    Thomas Baker, son of John Law Baker and Jessie Paton Jack, was born on 12th December 1879 and both lived and enlisted in Dublin, Ireland. In October 1914 he joined the Royal Horse Artillery, King Edward's Horse, before later joining 28th Brigade Royal Horse Artillery. He also spent time on the SS Devonian. Thomas Baker died of wounds aged 36 in France, and is buried in Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension.

    S Flynn




    216790

    Pte. George Baker 7th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    George Baker was born in Donnybrook, County Dublin and lived there at the time of enlistment. He was killed in action west of Wulverghemin, Flanders, and is buried in Dranoutre Military Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216789

    Pnr. Clement George Baker British War Dog School Corps of Royal Engineers (d.27th Oct 1918)

    Clement Baker was born in Malahide, County Dublin, at the time of his enlistment he lived in Saint-Louis de ­Poissy, France. He enlisted in Southampton, Hampshire. Before joining the Royal Engineers he was 261463, Royal Field Artillery. He died at home from wounds, and is buried in South Shoebury (St. Andrew) Churchyard, Essex.

    S Flynn




    216788

    L/Cpl. Christopher Baker 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Christopher Baker was born in Curragh Camp, County Kildare, and lived in Dublin. He enlisted in Naas, County Kildare. The 9th Battalion were part of the 16th Division and fought in the Third Battle of Ypres from June to November 1917. Christopher Baker was killed in action near Ypres on the first day of the Battle of Langemarck, and he is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216787

    Lt. Ralph Argyle Langley 57th Battalion

    <p>

    My grandfather Ralph Langley served at Gallipoli and in France. He was wounded in the right thigh when fighting in France and evacuated to Wandsworth 3rd General Hospital.

    Denise Langley




    216786

    Pte. D. H. Baird Depot Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    DH Baird, the son of Mrs. Mary Jane Baird, of 23, Drumcondra Park, Dublin died of wounds aged 27. He is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery, County Dublin. He is possibly the "Henry Douglas Baird" listed on the roll of honour in St. George & St. Thomas, Church of Ireland, Cathal Brugha Street.

    S Flynn




    216785

    Pte. James Frederick Baird 1st Btn. London Regiment (d.16th Jun 1917)

    James Baird was born in Dublin and resided in Holborn, London. He enlisted at Handel St and served with the 1st Battalion London Regiment. He was killed in action in Flanders in June 1917.

    s flynn




    216784

    Pte. James Fitzhenry Baird Royal Army Medical Corps (d.1st Nov 1917)

    James Baird was born in Dublin but enlisted in Glasgow. He was killed in Salonika

    s flynn




    216783

    Pte. James Annett Baird 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.13th Nov 1916)

    James Baird was the son of James and Letitia Baird, of Dublin. he was killed in action aged 23 and is buried in Y Ravine Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel.

    s flynn




    216782

    Capt. G. H. Baird Royal Army Medical Corps (d.9th Nov 1919)

    Capt. G. H. Baird was the husband of A. Baird, of Sandymount Castle, Sandymount, Dublin. He is buried in Dean's Grange Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    216781

    Lt. George Richard Lancelot Baillie 6th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    George Baillie was killed age 22. He is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gouy.

    s flynn




    216780

    Pte. Joseph Bailey 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.25th Apr 1915)

    Joseph Bailey was the s on of Thomas and Mary Bailey, of 19, Coleraine St., Dublin. He was killed in action in Gallipoli age 23 and is remembered on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.

    s flynn




    216779

    Sgt. Edward Bailey 7th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Edward Bailey was born in Dublin and later enlisted there. The 7th Battalion came under the command of 16th (Irish) Division, and on 20th December 1915 landed at le Havre. Edward Bailey was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Langemarck in Flanders. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    216778

    Cattleman. J. Bailey SS Alnwick Castle (d.19th Mar 1917)

    J Bailey drowned aged 52 after the Alnwick Castle was torpedoed by the German submarine U-81 in the Atlantic Ocean. He is commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial, London.

    S Flynn




    216777

    L/Cpl. Albert Henry Bailey Auckland Mounted Rifles (d.8th Aug 1915)

    Albert Bailey, son of Mrs Anna Bailey, of 74 St Lawrence Road, Clontarf, Dublin was a pupil at The High School, Rathgar, County Dublin. He enlisted in Dabriada, Auckland, New Zealand. On 14th February 1915 he embarked from Wellington, New Zealand, destined for Suez, Egypt. Albert Bailey was killed in action in Gallipoli. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial, Turkey, in the World War 1 Hall of Memories of Auckland War Memorial Museum, and on the stained glass window Great War Memorial inside Clontarf Presbyterian Church.

    S Flynn




    216776

    Lt. Robert Carlyle Baile 76th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.16th Oct 1915)

    Robert Carlyle Baile was the son of Rev. George William Baile. Educated in Athlone School and Trinity College, Dublin, he was Resident Engineer to the Great Western Brazil Railway. He enlisted in the Royal Naval Division and transferred to the Royal Engineers. Gazetted Royal Engineers, November 1914. Listed in Irish Life "Our Heroes" (26/11/1915). Robert is remembered on memorials at the Engineering School and on the main memorial at Trinity College, Dublin. His brother George Frederick Cecil Baile was also killed in WW1

    s flynn




    216775

    2nd Lt. George Frederick Cecil Baile Royal Engineers (d.9th Nov 1917)

    George Baile, the son of Rev. George William Baile, died of wounds. He was educated in Mountjoy School and Trinity College, Dublin. He was gazetted Royal Engineers in November 1914 and wounded inDecember 1915. He is remembered on Memorials at Mountjoy School; Engineering School and main memorial, Trinity College, Dublin. His brother Robert Carlyle Baile was also killed in WW1

    Update: He is buried in Kensal Green (All Souls') Cemetery. His father, Rev George Baile, Chaplain 4th Class attached to 64th Casualty Clearing Station died from natural causes on 27 January 1918. He was 52. He was buried in Étaples Military Cemetery. His only surviving son Captain J Baile, Royal Engineers was present at his funeral. He had spent 14 years as a Chaplain in Pernambuco, Brazil.

    S Flynn




    216773

    Lt. Maurice John Hervey Bagot HMS Monmouth (d.1st Nov 1914)

    Maurice Bagot, son of Alice Bagot, of Westfields, East Grinstead, Sussex, and Colonel Charles Hervey Bagot, C.B. (Royal Engineers), was born in Dublin on 18th October 1891. He enlisted on 15th September 1904. Maurice Bagot was aged 23 when he was killed in action at the Battle of Coronel off the coast of Chile. He is commemorated on Panel 1 of Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon, and on the East Grinstead War Memorial Cross, Sussex.

    S Flynn




    216772

    Sgt. Alfred Bagnall 6th Btn. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Alfred Bagnall was born in Dublin and later enlisted in Drogheda, County Louth. In July 1915 the 6th Battalion departed from Liverpool, and landed at Anzac Cove on 5th August. Alfred Bagnall was killed in action in Gallipoli four days later, and is buried in Embarkation Pier Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216771

    Pte. John James Baddley 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.5th May 1916)

    John James Baddley, son of John James and Mary Baddley, was born in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland. In 1914 he lived in Camborne, Cornwall, with his wife Mary Jane Baddley (later to be known as Blight), and he enlisted in Newquay. Before joining the Wiltshire Regiment he was a member of the Royal Field Artillery. John Baddley was 23 years old when he was killed in action in France, and he is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216770

    A/CSM. Robert Ayre 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Oct 1918)

    Robert Ayre was born in Dublin and enlisted in Newcastle­ upon­ Tyne.

    s flynn




    216768

    Pte. Arthur Thomas Avison (Cavalry) Machine Gun Corps (d.15th Nov 1917)

    Arthur Thomas Avison was born in Dublin, the son of George Charles and Annie Amelia Avison, of Shandon, St. John's Rd., Sandymount, Dublin. He lived in Hampden Street, London, N.W. and enlisted in St. Swithin's Lane, London, Middx. He was formerly 2512, Royal Bucks Hussars.

    He died of wounds in Egypt age 33 and is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Israel.

    S Flynn




    216767

    L/Cpl. Charles Authors 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.23rd Jul 1916)

    Charles Authors, son of Mrs. Annie Authors, of 4 Waters Cottage, Golden Bridge, Inchicore, Dublin, was born in Dublin and later enlisted there. He was 30 years old when he was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme. He is commemorated on Panel 127 to 129, Loos Memorial, Pas De Calais, France.

    S Flynn




    216766

    Slr. James Austin SS Memphian (d.8th Oct 1917)

    James Austin was the son of George and Bridget Austin, of Hogestown Road, Rush, County Dublin. The SS Memphian was on a voyage from Liverpool to New Orleans when it was sunk following an attack from the German submarine U-96. James was one of the 32 who lost their lives. He was 21 years old.

    James is commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial, London.

    S Flynn




    216765

    Lt. Robert Erskine Atwell 4th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    Lieutenant Robert Atwell was born on October 26th 1882 in Sandymount, Dublin. He was the son of Sarah Margretta Atwell, of 10 Braid Hills Road, Edinburgh, and Richard Atwell, of Blackrock, County Dublin. Before enlisting in December 1914 he worked at the Head Office of Standard Life Assurance Company, Edinburgh. From 1914 to 1917 he served in the Lothians and Border Horse, and on 25th January 1917 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Connaught Rangers. He then travelled to France in March of that year.

    For the first three months he was attached to the 6th Connaught Rangers, and from August 1917 to April 1918 he was back in Scotland recovering from shell shock. A few months after returning to France in August 1918 he was promoted to Lieutenant having been attached to the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. Robert Atwell was 35 years old when he was killed in action near Neuve Eglise, France, and he is buried in Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Standard Life Assurance Company Memorial, Edinburgh.

    S Flynn




    216764

    Sgt. William Attley 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.31st Oct 1916)

    Sergeant William Attley was born in Saggart, County Dublin and lived in Rathcoole, County Dublin before enlisting in Glasgow. In October 1916 the Royal Irish Regiment 2nd Battalion were transferred to 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division, and it was not long after this that Sergeant Attley died of wounds in Linselles, France. He is buried in Linselles Communal Cemetery, and is commemorated on the Scottish National War Memorial within the walls of Edinburgh Castle.

    S Flynn




    216763

    Rfmn. George Attley 1sr Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.9th May 1915)

    George Attley, the son of William and Catherine Attley, of Rathcoole, Co. Dublin was killed in Flanders age 26. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Update: In the 1911 census George was 21 and living with his parents. He was a general labourer in a paper mill. Also at home were his brothers Luke (19), John (17) Christopher (14) and sisters Anne (12) and Elizabeth (9).

    George was killed at Rouge Bancs, Belgium. The winter of 1914/15 was terrible and the men suffered badly from frost bite, trench foot and trench fever in the muddy and flooded trenches. The 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles remained in that area throughout the winter and took part in their first major battle at Neuve Chappelle on 10th March 1915. The attack was a part of the overall strategy to capture Aubers Ridge and, thanks to intense and accurate artillery support, the village was captured and held. After three days heavy fighting, with 409 casualties (45% of the battalion), the cost in human terms was high.

    The Rifles were held in reserve while they were being reinforced and, on 1st April 1915, back at full fighting strength, they returned to the Aubers Ridge sector to trenches near Fromelles. In another attempt to take the Ridge, the German held village of Rouge Bancs, was attacked by the Rifles on 9th May 1915. Although achieving the Battalions objectives, they could not hold and the order was given to retire to their old trenches. Once again casualties were very heavy, with 477 officers and men out of a total of 600 involved in the attack killed, wounded or missing.

    S Flynn




    216762

    Lt. Arthur George Atock MC. 155th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.13th Sep 1918)

    Lieutenant Arthur Atock was the son of Arthur M.D. and Marion L. Atock, of Inchicore, Dublin. Growing up he attended Mountjoy School and Trinity College, Dublin. In March 1916 he enlisted with The Black Watch, and in December that year received his commission as Lieutenant in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. A year later in December 1917 he transferred to 155th Royal Engineers, which had joined the 16th (Irish) Division in August 1915.

    Arthur Atock was killed in action in France aged 20, and is buried in Houchin British Cemetery. He was twice awarded the Parchment Certificate for bravery in the field, and was also awarded the Military Cross. He is commemorated on the Great War Memorial inside Trinity College, Dublin. His framed photograph can be found on the right-hand staircase inside the School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin's Museum Building.

    S Flynn




    216761

    Capt. Hector John Atkinson Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.26th May 1917)

    The Hon. Hector John Atkinson was the Husband of Sybil Atkinson, of 74, Merrion Square, Dublin. He is buried in Dean's Grange Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland.

    s flynn




    216760

    Pte. Alexander Young Atkinson 1st Btn, A Coy. Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment) (d.5th Jun 1916)

    Alexander Young Atkinson was born Dublin, the son of Mrs. Mary J. Atkinson, of 60, Lower Beechwood Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin, Ireland, and Mr. F. R. Atkinson. He served with the Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment) 1st Battalion and died in Belgium aged 20 in June 1916. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    s flynn




    216759

    Pte. William Aspill 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.26th Aug 1918)

    William Aspill was born in St. Thomas, County Dublin, and later enlisted in Dublin. Before joining the Royal Irish Regiment he was a member of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. In April 1918 the 2nd Battalion were transferred to 188th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. William most likely fought in the Battle of Albert in August of that year, and it was a few days after this that he was killed in action in France.

    William Aspill is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216758

    Pte. Lawrence Aspen 6th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Lawrence Aspen was born and lived in Dublin but enlisted in Preston. He was killed in action in Gallipoli in the well known action at Chunuk Bair when the Turks overwhelmed the Loyals who suffered 494 casualties (222 killed).

    Lawrence is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216757

    Pte. Patrick Aspell 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.26th Apr 1915)

    Patrick Aspell was the husband of Bridget Aspell, of 8, Garden Lane, Francis St., Dublin. He was killed in action in Flander and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

    Update: He enlisted in Dublin and was 38 when he died. His service record on Ancestry shows that he was 5 foot 8 1/2 inches tall with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was 34 years old when he re enlisted having already served 12 years. Patrick and Bridget had two children Mary Ellen aged 4 in the 1911 census and Michael.

    S Flynn




    216756

    Pte. Michael Aspell 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.17th Sep 1916)

    Private Michael Aspell was born in Dublin, and later enlisted there. He was killed in action in France during the The Battle of Morval, following the 1st Guards Brigade, Guards Division's 15th September attack east of Lesboeufs. He is buried in London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval, Somme, France.

    S Flynn




    216755

    Pte. Henry George Winch Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather Henry George Winch from Deptford, London fought in WW1 in the Middlesex Regiment, he was sent to the trenches in France and survived. He died in WW2 while helping people into an air raid shelter when London was being blitzed, the air raid shelter took a direct hit and everyone was killed, he was a hero.

    Christopher Winch




    216753

    Pte. Leslie Henry Martin 5th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.14th Oct 1917)

    Private Leslie Martin, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Martin, was born in Elston, Nottinghamshire, and lived there with his family at Ivy House. Before joining the South Wales Borderers he was a member of the Army Service Corps. He died at home aged 19 after fighting in the Battle of Passchendaele in Flanders. He is buried in All Saints Churchyard, Elston, and is also commemorated on the All Saints Church War Memorial.

    Richard




    216752

    Pte. James Beach 1/6 Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th Sep 1918)

    James Beach was my Great-great-uncle. He was the son of William and Rachel Beach, of 9, Letchwell Cottages, Forest Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne. He lived at Letchwell Cottages and was 18 years old in 1914 when he enlisted at Westmoor, Newcastle upon Tyne. To begin with he was in the 5th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, Reg No: 5/2165, and was later moved to the 1/6th 'A' Coy (Territorial) Battalion.

    He fought on The Western Front and in August 1916 the 1/6th were transferred to 118th Infantry Brigade, 39th Division. James was only 23 when he died in France and Flanders, tragically, with only a couple of months to go before the war ended. He is buried in Belgium at the Leuze Communal Cemetery. His Roll medal card shows he was awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal. When I was small I found a small bible in a drawer at my Grandmother's house and she said it belonged to James. It was stained through with his blood.

    Rest in Peace, James.

    K Brough




    216740

    Pte. Walter Underwood 12th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.5th Nov 1918)

    My Grandfather, Walter Underwood, served with the 12th Manchester Regiment. He died just 6 days before the end of the war. He left behind a wife and 7 children, my father being the eldest at just 10 years of age. At this time they lived in the village of Welford, Northamptonshire.





    216688

    Sjt.Mjr. Charles Cox 1/7th Btn. Duke of Wellington Regiment (d.5th Aug 1916 )

    <p>Charles Cox in the Band of the 1/7th Duke of Wellingting Regiment Huddersfield 1913.

    I have a photo of my Grandad's Brother Charles Cox, taken in 1913 in Huddersfield. On the rear of the photo, my Grandad has written, "Brother Charles, taken in Huddersfield 1913. Band of the 1/7th D.W. Regiment". I'm currently researching my family history, if anyone can provide any further details, I'd be very grateful

    Research Notes: Charles Cox, born in Harston, Cambridge. Lived in Yorkshire. Killed in action 5th August 1916 in France / Flanders. He was most likely serving as part of 147th Brigade and killed at the Battle of the Somme which commenced July 1916. Band members traditionally act as stretcher bearers on the battlefield.

    Richard Kennedy




    216683

    Pte Thomas Robinson 2nd Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.23rd Sep 1915)

    Thomas Robinson worked for the Mapperley Colliery Company, Park Hall Lane (Simon Lane), Mapperley, Derbyshire. He was one of 66 men from the Company that died in the First World War. He was the stepson of Samuel and Harriet Robey of Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

    His name is on the memorial to the 66 men at St. Wilfrids Church (Gates) West Hallam (Derbyshire). The memorial was re-dedicated in 2007 after being removed from the Memorial Hall, Station Road, West Hallam. He will be remembered along with the other 65 men listed at the Village Well Dressing/World War 1 Anniversary on 12th of July 2014.

    Update: Thomas Robinson was born about 1882 at Ikeston, Derbyshire. His wife was Ferndon Annie Robinson and he had children Thomas and Percy. He had half siblings Albert, Arthur, Agnes, Ethel, and Lily Robey. He was killed in action and is buried in Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery.

    Roger Wood




    216682

    Pte. Thomas Ashe 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.30th Nov 1916)

    Thomas was the son of Thomas and Mary Ashe, of Darcystown, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action in Flanders age 19 and is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216681

    Rfmn. Thomas Ashe 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Thomas Ashe was the son of Mrs. Ann Ashe, of 20, Mark St., Dublin and husband of Esther Ashe, of 11, Upper Exchange St., Dublin. He was killed in action in Flanders age 33 and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216680

    Pte. Patrick Ashe 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    Patrick Ashe, the son of Mrs. Ann Ashe, of 20, Asylum Yard, Pearse St., Dublin was killed in action in Flanders age 33. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216679

    A/Sgt. William Arthurs 56th Remount Sqdn. Royal Army Service Corps (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Acting Sergeant William Arthurs was born in Dungannon, County Dublin, and enlisted in Liverpool. He was formerly a member of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He died at home of wounds in 1916, and is buried at Fulford Cemetery, Yorkshire, England.

    S Flynn




    216678

    L/Cpl. George C. Arthurs 10th Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.1st Dec 1916)

    George C. Arthurs son of the late George William and Katharine Arthurs, of 38, Frankfort Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin. He died of wounds in a military hospital ages 26 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.

    s flynn




    216677

    Srgt. Henry Alfred Arnup 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    Sergeant Henry Arnup was born in Abbeyleix, Dublin, and enlisted in Norwich, Norfolk. The 1st Battalion landed at Le Havre in August 1914, and Sergeant Arnup was later killed in action in France when the 1st Norfolks were involved in an attack at La Coulotte during the Battle of Arras. He is commemorated on The Arras Memorial in France.

    S Flynn




    216676

    Capt. John "Punch" Arnott MC. 15th (The King's) Hussars (d.30th Mar 1918)

    Captain John Arnott, son of Major Sir John Alexander Arnott, 2nd Baronet, and Dame Commander Lady Caroline Sydney Arnott (née Williams), of 12 Merrion Square, Dublin, was born on July 25th 1885 and lived in Dublin when he enlisted. He was killed in action aged 32 in Warfusee, France. John Arnott is buried at Fouilloy Communal Cemetery. He is also commemorated on The Great War Memorial inside St. Stephen's Church of Ireland, Upper Mount Street, South Dublin City. Captain Arnott was decorated with the award of the Military Cross.

    S Flynn




    216675

    Stdess. Sarah Jane Arnott SS Hare (d.14th Dec 1917)

    Stewardess Sarah Jane Arnott, daughter of William and Dora McLean (nee Leech), was born in Malahide, County Dublin. Her husband, Private Henry Arnott in 13th Hussars, died in 1916. The next year she was one of 12 aboard the SS Hare, which was en route from Manchester to Dublin, who drowned following a torpedo attack from the German submarine U-62. Sarah Arnott died aged 41, and is commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial, London.

    S Flynn




    216674

    Rflm. Thomas Arnold 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th Jul 1916)

    Thomas Arnold was killed in action in Flanders.

    S Flynn




    216673

    L/Cpl. John Arnold 2nd Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.10th Nov 1917)

    John Arnold was formerly 30837, Royal Army Medical Corps. He was killed in action in Flanders and is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    S Flynn




    216672

    Pte. Reginald George Armstrong E Squadron North Irish Horse (d.26th Mar 1918)

    Reginald George Armstrong was born in Dublin but enlisted in Antrim. He was the son of Charles B. Armstrong, of Beechfield House, Clontarf, Dublin. >He was killed in action in Flanders age 20 and is buried in Toutencourt Communal Cemetery and is commemorated at the Presbyterian Church, Clontarf.

    Update : Private Reginald George Armstrong 'E' Squadron, 5th Army Cyclist Corps Was killed in action age 20, Tuesday, 26th March 1918, when the British 5th Army was driven back across the former Somme battlefields during the German 'Operation Michael'.

    S Flynn




    216671

    Pte. Joseph Armstrong 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.15th Nov 1916)

    Joseph Armstrong died of wounds in Flanders.

    S Flynn




    216670

    Sgt. Charles Armstrong 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.12th Mar 1915)

    Charles Armstrong was the son of Mrs. Ellen Armstrong, of 12, St. Michael's Terrace, Blackpitts, Dublin. He was killed in action in Flanders aged 25 and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216669

    Pte. Charles Armstrong 6th Btn. Connaught Rangers

    Charles Armstrong died of wounds at home.

    s flynn




    216668

    2nd Lt. Charles Martin Armstrong 10th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.8th Feb 1917)

    Charles Armstrong was the son of the Rev. Chancellor S. C. and Eliza Armstrong (nee Martin), of The Rectory, Finglas, Co. Dublin. He was a student of Trinity College, Dublin.Charles died in France aged 23 and is buried in the Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel.

    s flynn




    216667

    Pte. Alfred Stanley Arkwright 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (d.25th Apr 1915)

    Alfred Stanley Arkwright was born in Charlton, enlisted in Stratford and lived in Dublin. He was killed in action in Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    216666

    CSM. B. Arkins 6th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.9th Dec 1915)

    B Arkins was born and enlisted in Dublin. He was killed in action in the Balkans

    s flynn




    216665

    Pte. George Archibald 4/5th (Angus and Dundee) Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.31st Jul 1917)

    George Archibald was born in Dublin and enlisted in Edinburgh. He was killed in Flanders.

    s flynn




    216664

    R. W. Archer Royal Munster Fusiliers

    R W Archer is remembered on the memorial at the Clontarf Cricket and Football Clubs.

    s flynn




    216663

    Pte. William Henry Archer 7th Btn Border Regiment (d.8th Apr 1916)

    William Henry Archer was born in Dublin and enlisted at Bovington Camp, Dorset. He died in Flanders. He was 34 years old when he enlisted. He was a labourer and Unmarried. He joined at Carlisle on 3 September 1914 on a short service. His next of kin was Margaret Pelter (mother). She was 85 when she died in 1921. His mother received his victory medal. His 1914-18 star was received by his sister, Annie Daley, (42), formally Patterson who was then living in Bournemouth.

    His sister wrote to his regiment about a notice she had seen in the Daily Telegraph just after his death in their roll of honour. She said she had lost sight of him for a number of years. She added that he had been born on March 7, 1881. He joined the army in 1898 in Ireland (Tralee) and was sent to India in 1900. He returned in 1906 to England and the reserve. In India he had been attached to the 1st Oxfordshire Light Infantry. She said he was of small stature and about 5'4", fair haired and slimly built. His enlistment document described him as 5 foot 8 1/2 inches.

    His records show that he was feeling ill from the beginning of 1916. He referred to the 52nd and 53rd Field Ambulances with rheumatism. He also suffered from NVD, neuralgia and various other symptoms. He was observed for general German measles and died in the isolation hospital at Etaples from enteric fever. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.

    S.Flynn




    216662

    2nd Lt. Albert Erskine Carson Archer 242nd Squadron (d.9th Feb 1916)

    Second Lieutenant Albert Erskine Carson Archer served with the Royal West Kent Regiment (the Buffs) and later with the Royal Flying Corps. He died in France age 19 on the 9th February 1916 and is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery. Albert was born in Beanfield, Stillorgan, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, the son of Thomas and Emily M. Archer, of Airfield, Donnybrook, Dublin.

    S Flynn




    216661

    Cpl. Michael Archbold MM. 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Michael Archbold was born and enlisted in Dublin. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 9th Battalion and was killed in action in August 1917.

    s flynn




    216660

    2nd Lt. Benjamin Haizelden 2nd/10th Btn. London Regiment (d.30th Aug 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Benjamin Haizelden, son of John and Elizabeth Haizelden, of 35 Abbey Road, Croydon, Surrey, died on the Western Front aged 19. He is buried at Daours Communal Cemetery.

    S Collins




    216659

    Dvr. James Archbold Royal Field Artillery Royal Horse Artillery (d.7th Apr 1918)

    James Archbold was born in Dublin and enlisted in Birmingham. He was killed in action in Flanders on the first day of the Battle of the Lys, and is buried at Adelaide Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux.

    S Flynn




    216658

    Pte. Walter D. Appleyard 7th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1915)

    Walter Appleyard was born and enlisted in Dublin, he was killed in action in Gallipoli.

    s flynn




    216657

    Mess Room Stwd. Frederick William Applegate SS Trinidad (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    Frederick Applegate, son of Sydney Charles and Vina Applegate (nee Dunsford), of 4 Exeter Place, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, was born in Dublin but lived in Bristol when he enlisted. He drowned aged 18 en route from Le Havre, France to Liverpool when the S.S. Trinidad sunk following attack from the German submarine U-101. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

    S Flynn




    216656

    Rfn. John Appleby 12th (County of London) Battalion (The Rangers) London Regiment (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    John Appleby served with the 12th (County of London) Battalion (The Rangers) and was killed in action on the 2nd December 1917. He was born in Wicklow and enlisted in Dublin having formerly served the 8th Battalion, the London Regiment.

    S Flynn




    216655

    Pte. Patrick Andrews 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th Apr 1916)

    Private Andrews, son of Christopher and Elizabeth Andrews, of 8 Moss Street, Dublin, was born and enlisted in Dublin. In December 1915 the 8th Battalion, as part of 48th Brigade of the 16th (Irish) Division landed at Le Havre, France. He was aged 24 when he was killed in action during the Gas Attack at Hulluch, France. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216654

    Pte Joseph George Patrick Andrews 11th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.27th April 1917)

    Joseph Andrews was born in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin and enlisted in Birmingham. He was killed in action and is remembered at the Arras Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216653

    Pte. Charles Andrews 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Private Charles Andrews, son of Thomas and Mary Andrews, was born in Blackrock, County Dublin and later enlisted in Cardiff. In March of 1916 the 1st Battalion landed at Marseilles for service in France. Private Andrews was killed in action aged 43 on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

    S Flynn




    216652

    Pte. Arthur Anderson 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Private Arthur Anderson, son of George and Mary Anderson, of Arbour Hill, Dublin, lived in Inchicore, County Dublin when he enlisted. He died of wounds whilst fighting the Battle of Messines in West Flanders. Private Anderson was aged 24, and is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.

    S Flynn




    216651

    Pte. Thomas Anderson 8th (Service) Btn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.27th Sep 1915)

    Private Anderson, son of the late George Anderson, of Edinburgh, was born in Dublin and enlisted in Edinburgh. The 8th Battalion landed at Boulogne on 10 March 1915. He was killed in action six months later aged 37 during the Battle of Loos, and is commemorated on Panel 78 to 83 of Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

    S Flynn




    216650

    Pte. Robert Anderson 7th Btn. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    Private Anderson was born in Dublin, and enlisted at Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland. Before joining the Royal West Surrey Regiment he was a member of the 5th Lancers. He was killed in action in Vendeuil, France, and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme.

    S Flynn




    216649

    Pte. John Charles Anderson 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    John Anderson was born and enlisted in Dublin. he was the son of William P. and Mary Anderson, of "St. Johns", Tritonville Rd., Sandymount, Dublin. John was killed in action aged 19. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    s flynn




    216648

    Pte. Henry Campbell Anderson 28th (County of London) Battalion (Artists Rifles) London Regiment (d.30th Oct 1917)

    Henry Campbell Anderson served with the 28th (County of London) Battalion (Artists Rifles), London Regiment. He was killed in action on the 30th October 1917 in Flanders. Henry was born in Dublin and enlisted at Leicester.

    S Flynn




    216647

    L/Cpl. George Henry Anderson 3rd (Reserve) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.11th Sep 1915)

    George Henry Anderson was born in Dublin and enlisted in Bedford. He died at home in Plumstead, Kent

    s flynn




    216646

    2nd Lt. Philip Maurice Ramsey Anderson MID. 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.24th Feb 1915)

    Philip Anderson was a native of Ballyellis, Buttevant, Co. Cork and son of Robert Andrew and Mary Teresa Anderson, of 1, Earlsfort Mansions, Dublin. He died of wounds, received on 14th February 1915 near Hill 60, he was aged 26 and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery.

    s flynn




    216645

    2nd.Lt. Mervyn Kebble Anderson 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.11th May 1915)

    Mervyn Anderson was the son of James and Olive Anderson, of 28, Clarinda Park East, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. He served with the Royal Irish Regiment 2nd Battalion and died of wounds in May 1915 aged 23. He is commemorated at Brentford, Orwell Park, Rathgar, Dublin and Rathgar Presbyterian Church.

    s flynn




    216644

    Lt. Henry McDonnell Anderson MC D Coy, 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th May 1918)

    Henry McDonnell Anderson was a native of Portaferry, Co. Down. He was the son of John and Mary Anderson, of 32, Dargle Rd., Drumcondra, Dublin. He was attached to the 63rd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps and died of wounds, received in an enemy air raid at Doullens age 25. and lies in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt.

    S Flynn




    216643

    2nd Lt. Alan James Ramsay Anderson 3rd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.20th Oct 1914)

    Second Lieutenant Alan James Ramsay Anderson served with the 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment and was attached to the 2nd Battalion. He died in France aged 21 on the 20th October 1914 and is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial Pas de Calais, France.

    Alan was the son of Robert Andrew and Mary Teresa Anderson, of The Plunkett House, 84, Merrion Square, Dublin. He was educated at Strangeway's School, Dublin, Beaumont College, Eton, Bedford Grammar School and University College, Oxford.

    S Flynn




    216642

    S/Sgt. M. J. Anderson Camp Commandants Staff (d.2nd August 1919)

    M J Allen was born in Dublin and was the son of Beresford and Nora Anderson. He died aged and is buried in Thaba Tshwane (Old No. 1) Military Cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa.

    S Flynn




    216641

    Rflm. John Francis Ambrose 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (d.19th Jun 1918)

    Rifleman John Ambrose, son of William and Kathleen Ambrose, was born in Dublin and later enlisted in London. He died of wounds aged 23 whilst in Flanders, and is buried at Pernes British Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216640

    L/Cpl. Henry Allgood 1st Btn. Irish Guards (d.14th Feb 1915)

    Lance Corporal Allgood, son of George and Margaret Allgood of 28 Claude Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, was born Dublin and later enlisted there. The 1st Battalion embarked for France in August 1914 and Henry Allgood died aged 32 in Flanders in February 1915. He is buried at Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France.

    S Flynn




    216639

    Pte. Wellington L Allen 44th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    Private Allen, son of Walter and Margaret Allen, of North Croft, Bowness-on-Solway, Carlisle, was born in St. Columbus, Dublin, and later enlisted there. Before joining the Machine Gun Corps he was a member of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 9th Battalion. He landed at le Havre in February 1916, and was killed in action aged 21 whilst in Flanders fighting The Battle of Passchendaele. Private Allen is buried at Dochy Farm New British Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

    S Flynn




    216638

    Pte. Arthur "Sagger" Saddler 6th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.5th Aug 1915)

    Private Saddler left a 2-year-old child and pregnant wife to fight for his country. All we know after that is that he went to France in May 1915 and died on August 5th of that year. No further details and do not know where to go from here. He was a hero in our eyes.

    He is buried at Bedford House Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium.

    Stuart Sadler




    216637

    Pte. Thomas Allen 2nd Btn. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (d.14th June 1918)

    Thomas Allen was born in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin and enlisted there. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Anne Allen, of Kingstown, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action in Flanders aged 20 and is buried in Cinq Rues British Cemetery.

    S Flynn




    216636

    Pte, Paul Allen 1st Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.15th June 1915)

    Paul Allen was born and enlisted in Dublin. He was killed in action in Gallipoli and is buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Helles.

    S Flynn




    216635

    Pte. Matthew Allen 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st March 1918)

    Matthew Allen was born in Dublin and lived in Townhead, Glasgow. He enlisted in Glasgow. He was killed in action in Flanders.

    Update: he died aged 28 And is buried in Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile.

    S Flynn




    216634

    Pte. Martin Allen South Irish Horse Household Cavalry (d.26th Sep 1916)

    Martin Allen was born in Dublin and enlisted there. He was the son of Mrs. Mary Allen, of 1, Connaught St., Phisborough, Dublin. He was killed in action in Flanders age 21 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    S Flynn




    216633

    S/Sgt. Joseph Frederick Allen 34th Signal Coy Royal Engineers (d.4th Nov 1916)

    Joseph F Allen was born in Castle Knock, Co. Dublin and enlisted at Chatham, Kent. He died in Turkey

    S Flynn




    216632

    Pte. Arthur Crawford Allen 8th (Service) Btn Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.19th Oct 1916)

    Arthur was born in Rathgar, Co. Dublin and was the son of James and Mary Elizabeth Allen, of "Allendale," Highfleld Rd., Rathgar, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action in Flanders age 18 and is buried at, Warlencourt British Cemetery.

    Update: Warlencourt, the Butte de Warlencourt and Eaucourt-L'Abbaye were the scene of very fierce fighting in 1916. Eaucourt was taken by the 47th (London) Division early in October. The Butte (a Roman mound of excavated chalk, about 17 metres high, once covered with pines) was attacked by that and other divisions, but it was not relinquished by the Germans until the following 26 February, when they withdrew to the Hindenburg Line. The 8th Black Watch Report - Operations, 19 October 1916 states: 3 officers killed and 8 wounded.

    18 men were killed, 25 missing, 152 wounded, 2 wounded and at duty.

    S Flynn




    216631

    Sgt. William George Osborne 55 CCS Royal Army Medical Corps

    William George Osborne was my father. He went to France in June 1916 with 2/2 London Casualty Clearance Station RAMC (later to become 55 CCS) and served continuously with 55 CCS to 1919 when he was medically discharged. I am trying to locate a photograph that I have amongst other documents and will post it when found. Prior to WW1 he also served with the Red Cross unit that went to Bulgaria during the Balkan Wars 1912/1913.

    Pete Osborne




    216630

    A/Sgt. Herbert Game 11th Service Battalion Essex Regiment (d.15th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    The son of Robert Game and Sarah Ann Willingham, Herbert Game was born on 26th Oct 1878 in Cockfield, Suffolk. He was part of a large family with many siblings. By the outbreak of the war he had married Alice Symons, the daughter of a coastguard officer, in Blackmore, Essex and had 3 children. In 1911 he and his family were living in Ongar Road, Brentwood. Although the exact date is not known, he volunteered to serve in the army as one of Kitchener’s K3 tranche of volunteers and served in the 11th Service Battalion Essex Regiment. He was killed on 15th October 1916 during the Battle of the Somme; at the time of his death he was an acting sergeant. His body was never found and his death is therefore commemorated on the Thiepval memorial.

    Colin Game




    216629

    Pte. R Geddes 5th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.20th Mar 1918)

    Private R. Geddes was the son of Robert and Anna (nee Torrance) Geddes of 5 Melville Street, Lochgelly, Scotland. In September 1917 he and the 5th Battalion were deployed to Egypt for involvement in the Palestine Campaign. On 9th March 1918 a new offensive began towards Jordan, and it was shortly afterwards that he lost his life aged 29. Private Geddes is buried at the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt.

    Mags Duncan




    216626

    2nd Lt. Richard Gerrard Ross Allen 5th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Nov 1916)

    Lieutenant Richard Gerrard Ross Allen, son of Richard and Lucy Allen of Cambrian House, Burgess Hill, Sussex, was born in Dublin and lived in Cavan, County Cavan when he enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps. He later travelled to France to fight with the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) 5th Battalion. He died in France during The Battle of the Somme aged 26, and is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 1, Pas De Calais, France.

    S Flynn




    216625

    W. L. Allen

    WL Allen is remembered on the Memorial at St. John the Baptist, Church of Ireland, Clontarf.

    S Flynn




    216624

    Pte. Louis Allcock 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Sep 1914)

    Louis Allcock served with the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action on the 21st September 1914 in Flanders. He was born in Golden Bridge, Dublin and resided in Birr.

    S Flynn




    216623

    Surgeon Prob. William Swirles Allardyce HMS Negro (d.21st Dec 1916)

    William Swirles Allardyce was the son of George and Janet Swirles Allardyce, of Advie, Grosvenor Road, Dublin. Educated at St. Andrew's College and Trinity College (Dublin University) he drowned as the result of a collision in the North Sea age 19. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

    s flynn




    216622

    Lt. George Gilmour Allardyce 4th Btn (d.18th May 1918)

    Lt. George Gilmour Allardyce was born in Dublin and was the son of George and Janet S. Allardyce, of "Viewmount," Archiestown, Carronon-Spey, Morayshire. He died at Oxford, from wounds received in France age 22. He was an undergraduate of Trinity College, Dublin and is buried at Mount Jerome Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland.

    Update: there is a very detailed account of his military service here: Lt. George Gilmour Allardyce

    S Flynn




    216621

    Rfmn. Arthur James Allan 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st Nov 1917)

    Arthur James Allan served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and died of wounds on the 21st November 1917 in Flanders. He was formerly with the Wiltshire Regiment. Arthur was born in Holloway, Middlesex and enlisted in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

    s flynn




    216620

    Pte. Edward Allabyrne 2nd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1915)

    Private Edward Allabyrne was born and enlisted in Dublin. He was killed in action during The Second Battle of Ypres on April 23rd 1915, and is buried at Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, France.

    S Flynn




    216619

    Act.L/Sgt. Walter Algar 10th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Acting Lance Sergeant Walter Algar, son of Herbert and Cecilia Algar, was born in Ranelagh, County Dublin, and later enlisted in Dublin. He was one of the 10th Battalion's 81 men killed in action on 13th November 1916 during the Battle of the Ancre. He was 19 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in Somme, France.

    S Flynn




    216618

    AB. James Alford SS Memphian (d.8th Oct 1917)

    James Alford was born in Dublin. He was the son of Patrick and Kate Alford and husband of Kate Alford (nee Brady), of 7, Chestnut Place, Lower Clambrassil St., Dublin. He drowned as a result of an attack by enemy submarine in the Irish Sea age 49. He is commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial, London.

    Update: James appears on the 1911 census, religion RC and is a sailor. He is living with his wife, Kate (38) and sons James (20. 12th Royal Lanar) sic., Patrick (18) and Thomas (16).

    He was previously in the RN Reserves (Number: D2205). He was born on 4th April 1868. A reference was found on the Internet to him by someone who has acquired his long service medal and says James was discharged in 1915 as medically unfit. He then joined the Mercantile Marine and was drowned while serving on SS Memphian.

    S Flynn




    216617

    Pte. Thomas Alexander 8th Btn. Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) (d.10th Nov 1916)

    Thomas Alexnder was born Limerick and enlisted in Manchester. He served with Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish) Fusiliers 8th Battalion and died of wounds in Flanders in November 1916.

    s flynn




    216616

    Pte. Donald Alexander 11th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Donald Alexander was born in Dublin and enlisted in Bordon, Hants. He was killed in action in Flanders.

    s flynn




    216615

    Lt. Charles Henry Alexander 9th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery (d.8th June 1917)

    Charles Alexander killed in action age 33 during the Battle of Messines, he is buried in Toronto Avenue Cemetery.

    s flynn




    216614

    Sgt. Alexander Francis Alcock 2nd Btn. Border Regiment (d.25th Oct 1914)

    Alexander Alcock was born in Dublin and enlisted Birr, King's Co. He was killed in action in Flanders.

    sflynn




    216612

    Pte. Walter James Cowie 1st Bat. B Co. Gordon Highlanders (d.23rd Aug 1916)

    Walter Cowie was one of three brothers who fought in World War 1. His brother, Leonard also served with the Gordons whilst his other sibling, Alan John (my great granddad) served with the Sherwood Foresters. Walter was the only one who failed to return home after the war, he was killed during the Somme offensive.

    Wendy Sevier




    216610

    Sqd.Sgt.Mjr. George Taylor Aitken MM. D Company, A Squadron Canadian Light Horse (d.10th Oct 1918)

    George Aitken was the son of Mr George Aitken and Mrs M A I Shannon (formerly Aitken) of 32, Gilford Road, Sandymount, Co. Dublin. He was killed in action age 36 and is buried in Drummond Cemetery, Raillencourt. He was awarded the Military Medal and Russian Medal of St. George, 4th Class.

    s flynn




    216609

    Cpl. W H Airey 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars

    W H Airey is remembered at the Memorial on the St. John the Baptist, Church of Ireland, Clontarf.

    s flynn




    216608

    Pte. George Alfred Ainscow 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City Of London Regiment) (d.18th Sep 1918)

    George Ainscow was born in Dublin, son of Mr and Mrs George Ainscow, of 57, Blessington Street, Dublin. He resided and enlisted in Stratford. He was killed in action age 21 and is buried in Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery, Epehy, Somme.

    s flynn




    216607

    Pte. Francis Ahern 3rd Battalion (d.16th Apr 1918)

    Francis Ahern was the son of Walter and Isabella Woodley Ahern, of 6, Carlisle Terrace, Malahide, Co. Dublin. He died age 37 and is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, France

    s flynn




    216606

    Andrew Eric Hamilton Agnew Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    Andrew Agnew died on 3rd November 1918. He was a member of Member of Trinity College, Dublin O.T.C. Gazetted 3rd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, August 1914. He is remembered on the St. John the Baptist, Church of Ireland, Clontarf Memorial.

    sflynn




    216605

    Pte. William Addie Royal Army Medical Corps (d.17th Mar 1918)

    William Addie served with the Royal Army Medical Corps during WW1 and died on the 17th March 1918. William as born in St. James, Dublin and enlisted in Dublin. He was the son of Elizabeth and the late James Addie, of 31, Emerald Square, Dolphin's Barn, Dublin. He died of wounds in Flanders and is buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinge.

    S Flynn




    216604

    Pte. Richard Adderley 7th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.19th Oct 1915)

    Private Richard Adderley was born and enlisted in Dublin. In October 1915, at the request of the Prime Minister of Greece, the 7th Battalion landed in Salonika in October 1915 to assist Serbia during the Macedonian campaign. He died in the Balkans on October 19th, and is buried at East Mudros Military Cemetery, Greece.

    S Flynn




    216603

    Mjr. St.John Adcock 3rd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    Major St John Adcock served with the 3rd Battalion, the Leinster Regiment and was attached to the 1st Battalion the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment He was killed in action age 45 on the 9th May 1915 at the Battle of Aubers Ridge. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    He was the son of Mrs. S. C. Adcock and St. John Adcock, of "Loughnavale," Strand Rd., Merrion, Co. Dublin; husband of Ethel Maud Adcock, of 7, Waltham Terrace, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. He had previously served in the Anglo-Boer War.

    S Flynn




    216602

    Pte. Robert Adams 14th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Apr 1918)

    Private Robert Adams was born and enlisted in Dublin. Before fighting with the Northumberland Fusiliers he was a member of the Army Ordnance Corps. The 14th Battalion landed in France in September 1915. Private Adams died of wounds in Flanders three years later and is buried in Belgium at the Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery. He is also commemorated on the brass plaque war memorial inside Christ Church, Leeson Park, Dublin.

    S Flynn




    216601

    Pte. Richard Adams 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.16th Jan 1915)

    Richard Adams was born in Dublin and enlisted there. He died of wounds at Flanders.

    Update: Richard is buried in the London Rifle Brigade Cemetery, Belgium

    S Flynn




    216600

    Pte. Peter Adams 1st Btn. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (d.8th April 1915)

    Peter Adams was born and enlisted in Dublin. He served with the 1st Battalion the Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment. Peter was killed in action in Flanders on the 8th April 1915.

    s flynn




    216599

    Rfmn. Dickson Adams 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th Sep 1916)

    Dickson Adams was born and enlisted in Dublin. He served with the 11th Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles and was killed in action in Flanders on the 7th September 1916.

    s flynn




    216598

    Mate. John Adams SS Kangaroo (d.18th Jun 1917)

    John Adams was born at Skerries, Co. Dublin. He was the husband of Mrs. I. Adams, of Little Strand St., Skerries, Co. Dublin. John, aged 68, was drowned as a result of enemy action and is remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, London.

    s flynn




    216597

    Chief Mate. George Edward Adams SS Rhenass (d.22nd May 1916)

    George Edward Adams was born at Glasthule, Co. Dublin. He was the son of George Hamilton Adams and Catherine Adams and husband of Helen Caroline Adams George (aged 56) was killed when his ship SS Rhenass struck a mine. His name is recorded at Tower Hill Memorial.

    s flynn




    216596

    Pte. Frederick Charles Ackroyd 23rd Btn Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1918)

    Frederick Charles Ackroyd enlisted at Bradford and was formerly with the West Riding Regiment. He was killed in action in Flanders.

    Update: On the Commonwealth War Graves site he is incorrectly listed as P Ackroyd With the same Service No. 61021. He was aged 42 when he died. He is buried at Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck (Grave Reference: II. Q. 29.). Additional information is given: He was the son of Richard and Mary Ackroyd; husband of Elizabeth Eacret (formerly Ackroyd), of 17, Northbrooke St., Bolton Rd., Bradford, Yorks.

    From this we can deduce his estimated birth year to be 1873 and find him on the 1911 census. He was aged 38 and living at 35 Irving St Bolton Rd Bradford Yorkshire. He was a Railway porter. Other family members were Elizabeth Ackroyd (36), Mary Ackroyd (17), Frederick Ackroyd (16), Elizabeth Ackroyd (12) and Albert Ackroyd (8).

    S Flynn




    216595

    Dnkymn. David Abby SS Saint Ninian (d.7th Feb 1917)

    David Abby was the son of William and Elizabeth Abby, of 10 O'Brien's Place, Haddington Road, Dublin. He was one of the fifteen men who were killed when the SS Saint Ninian was sunk by torpedo-fire from the UB-48 off the coast of Whitby. He was 23 years old, and is commemorated at Tower Hill Memorial in London.

    S Flynn




    216592

    Pte. Alexander Coates 11th Batallion Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Nov 1915)

    Alexander Coates (my great uncle) enlisted at Consett on 9th November 1914. A miner born in Crook, he was 5ft 6½in tall, weighed 129lbs, had a 37in chest, sallow complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and professed C of E. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs Annie Coates of 4 Station Road, Lanchester. His soldier’s will, dated 11th August 1915, left all his personal effects to his mother. She had been awarded a separation allowance of 7s 1d plus an allotment of pay of 3s 6d.

    Coates was assigned to 16 DLI for training with effect from 10th November 1914 and was eventually posted to 11 DLI on 4th August 1915, serving with A Company. He survived a little over three months, dying of wounds at 26 Field Ambulance on 10th November 1915.

    The battalion were based in billets split between Épinette and La Flinque Farm, on the Laventie Front. Those at Épinette were hit by shellfire on 10 November 1915. Three men were killed instantly and seven wounded, Coates being one of two from the latter who died later. He is buried at Sailly-sur-la-Lys Canadian Cemetery. Personal effects were sent to his mother on 17th February 1916. By the end of the war both his father and mother had died and the remaining effects and medals were sent to his younger brother, Joseph Coates, at 2 The Square, Lanchester. There was an older brother and three married sisters. The medals arrived during 1920 and 1921.

    Nigel B Coates




    216591

    Pte. Percy James House 23rd Btn. Welch Regiment

    My grandfather Percy House joined the Welsh Regiment on the 7th of February 1916. A baker by trade, he served in the Catering Corps. 23rd Battalion was formed in Porthcawl. On 13th of July 1916 he left Devonport for Salonika arriving on 24 Sept. His battalion was posted to 28 Division as a Pioneer Battalion and saw action north of Lake Doiran, Macedonia. They occupied Mazirko, captured Barakli, Kumli and enemy trenches. In 1918 they took part in the Battle of Doiran and the Stranza Valley and then moved to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts. He was the only one of three bothers to volunteer for service and because of his trade served in the Officer's Mess. These details were in an old Dictionary which has been found this year

    G.D. Cubbin




    216590

    Pte. Edward Brown 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Sept 1915)

    <p>

    This is a photograph of the headstone of Ned Brown who served with 6 Bn D.L.I He died of wounds on 10th September 1915 and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension. Also there is reference to the Brown Brothers on http://www.newmp.org.uk with a very interesting and touching letter from Nathan Brown published in the Durham Chronicle 24th September 1915:

    Crook Private's Gallant End.

    The death last weekend of Private E. Brown, of Crook, son of Mr Brown, chairman of the Auckland Board of Guardians, is conveyed in the following letter from his brother, who is also serving with the 6th Durhams in France. Private Nat Brown says: – "I know how you all feel about it. Poor old father and mother will fret an awful lot, I know. I’ve not the heart to write to them. Poor old Ned was hit with a shell, and it blew one of his legs off. I was working not far off him at the time, but I did not know till they had taken him to the hospital. They told me how brave he was, cheerful and in every respect a gallant fellow, as I knew he would be if the time came to prove it. We had such a jolly night together the night before he was hit."

    Derrick Walker




    216588

    Pte Charles William Blackwell MM. 1st Btn. Gloucester Regiment

    My dad Charles Blackwell was just sixteen when he enlisted, lying about his age like so many others. He was in the 1/4th battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment. He was injured and sent to recover and when he returned he was in the 1st Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment and his service number was 201227.

    Lorna Weeks




    216582

    Pte. Robert Dobinson 20th Tyneside Scottish Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916 )

    I bought Robert's medals not realizing that he was married with a daughter. He was 39 when he fell at Lochnargar Crater that tragic day. I believe the old fold is still there in Monkseaton. I have all paper work including his Tyneside Scottish scroll still in its original roll case, I have no photographs.

    ernie warren




    216578

    2nd Lt. Herbert Sidney Bainton 28th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.16th Feb 1918)

    Herbert Bainton Is my Great Granduncle, I found him while researching our family tree. Unfortunately I have no photos of him. Herbert was 2nd Lieutenant in the 28th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. He was wounded in France in 1917 and died in 1918 in London of his wounds. He was awarded the Victory Medal and also the British War Medal. I am immensely proud of him and am very glad to have found him.

    28th Battalion Middlesex Regiment was a Reserve Battalion and it remained in the UK so Herbert was probably attached to one of the regular Battalions during active service.

    Toni Burton




    216565

    Cpl Robert Fleming 2/6 Btn. A Coy North Staffordshire Regiment

    My father, Robert Fleming, was a prisoner of war, captured by the Germans on 21st March 1918 in Bullecourt. According to the International Red Cross he was "a Prisoner of war in German hands detained in Lager Dulmen, coming from Marchiennes (according to a list dated 04.04.1918) and detained in Lager Parchim I/Meckl., coming from Lager Limburg (according to a list dated 11.05.1918). Both lists issued by the German authorities. My mother said he was very bitter towards the Germans because of his experiences as a prisoner of war and always said he would be one of the first to enlist should he ever get the chance to fight them again. He died in 1938 age 41.

    Richard Fleming




    216543

    Pte. Albertine Thomas Boar 6th Btn Queen's Own Royal West Kent (d.3rd July 1916)

    Albertine Boar died at Ovillers-la-Boiselle. He was trapped and killed whilst cutting enemy wires.

    Update: Albertine was born in Polstead, Suffolk c. 1882. The 1901 census shows him living with his father, William J Boar and siblings Ellen R Boar (12) and William J Boar (9).

    Sue Bignell




    216540

    Pte. Thomas Woodall 1/7th Bttn. Cheshire Regiment (d.14th Oct 1918)

    Thomas Woodall was the eldest of two children to Samuel Woodall and Annie (nee Peabody). It is believed that after his mother’s death they went to live with their father and grandparents until Samuel remarried. Samuel's second wife did not want to look after Thomas, then aged 6, or his 5-year-old sister Mary Ann, so she put them both out on the street to fend for themselves. They were found roaming the streets in an unkempt state by their aunt's husband William Jackson. William took them both home to his wife Alice where they continued to live and thrived until they were of an age where they could find employment. Thomas apparently went to work in the coal mines and Mary Ann went into service.

    When the war broke out Thomas was 19-years-old, and he enlisted in 1916. He married Alice Neale in 1917, and then set off to fight unaware that his wife was expecting their first child. Sadly, Thomas was killed in the Battle of Courtrai just under a month before the end of the war. Alice was left widowed with a young child to look after. Their son's name was Stanley Thomas Woodall.

    I would like to find out more about his life in the army before his death. His grave is in Hooge Crater Cemetery in Belgium. If anybody could help I would be most grateful as I am trying to build a profile of Thomas for my famliy tree.

    Katrina Meyrick




    216538

    Pte. McGuire

    Pte Mcguire is commemorated at Jarrow. Three most likely possibilities are as follows:

    • Michael McGuire, Private 1742, 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 4th June 1916. La Laiterie Cemetery. Son of Ralph and the late Mary McGuire 3 Portugal Place Wallsend.
    • John George McGuire, Private 6075, 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 1st October 1916. Warlencourt Cemetery. Son of Charles and Ellen McGuire of 8 Lucy Street, Stanley.
    • Michael McGuire, Private 12372, 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 21st september 1915. Helles Point Memorial. Son of William Joseph and Ellen McGuire of 62 Middle Street, North Shields.

    Vin Mullen




    216536

    Pte. Bernard McGurk 125th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.6th Sep 1917)

    Bernard McGurk, Private 68572, served with 125th Company, Machine Gun Corps and died on the 6th September 1917. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried at Aeroplane Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Bernard was born in Jarrow 1893, son of the late Patrick and Maria McGurk nee Timney of 45 Caledonian Road, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at that address with Maria(52) widow who had been married for 25 years, had 9 childen of whom 7 survived. Four are still single and living at home. Bernard(20) a shipbuilding clerk, Joseph(16) a boilermaker in shipping, Florence is 15, at home and Edmund(10) is at school. Maria's sister Eliza (56) is recorded as a visitor.

    Vin Mullen




    216535

    Sjt. Thomas Megennis 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd May 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Megennis served with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 24 when he died on 23rd May 1916. He was born in Jarrow in 1891. He enlisted in Jarrow. He was the son of Elizabeth Gray (formerly Megennis nee Newby) of 17 North Street Jarrow and the late Charles Megennis.

    Thomas is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow as T. McGuiness.

    Vin Mullen




    216533

    Pte. Hugh McGrorty 3rd Coy Australian Machine Gun Corps (d.6th May 1917)

    Hugh McGrorty died age 27. He was born in Jarrow and was the son of Hugh McGrorty and late Margaret McGrorty (nee Watchman) of Jarrow. He was the husband of Ruby M. McGrorty (nee Kemp).

    Hugh is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216532

    Pte. Reynolds McGeary 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.2nd May 1915)

    <p>

    Reynolds McGeary served with the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers. He was aged 29 when he died on 2nd May 1915. He was born in Jarrow in 1886, the son of Reynolds McGeary. He enlisted in Newcastle as a regular soldier, on the 1911 census he is listed as Reynolds McGeary age 23 a Private with 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers, his father Reynolds McGeary and his stepmother Annie McGeary are at 32 Dock Street, Tyne Dock, South Shields. He was the brother of Mr. J. McGeary of 21 Stanley Street Jarrow.

    Reynolds is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216531

    Gnr. John Thomas S. McHale 48th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.7th July 1918)

    <p>

    John McHale served in D Battery, 48th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and died on the 7th July 1918. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Sunderland in 1894, son of John and the late Florence McHale nee Littlefair of 60 McIntyre Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at that address with John(42) a widower, working as a barman in a public house. 5 children were born but only 3 survived and are living here. John(16) is a butchers assistant, Florence(14) is a domestic servant and Margaret(12) is still at school.

    Vin Mullen




    216530

    Pte. James Richard McGahan 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    James Richard McGahan served with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 31 when he died on 21st March 1918. Born in Wallsend in 1886 he was the son of John and Annie McGahan (nee Stevenson) of Jarrow. On the 1911 census James Richard McGahan age 24 General Labourer in Shipyard is listed as living with his parents John and Annie McGahan and brother at 80 Union Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    James is remembered on the Arras Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216529

    Pte. Nicholas McFarlane Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Nicholas McFarlane served at the Depot with the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 47 when he died on 1st February 1917. Born in Belfast, he died in South Shields. He had enlisted in Newcastle and was the husband of Margaret McFarlane (nee Parrette) of 4 Knight Street Jarrow.

    Nicholas is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216528

    Pte. John McIntosh 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.24th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    John McIntosh served in the 1st Battalion, the Seaforth Highlanders and died on the 24th November 1916. He is remembered at Monkton Memorial and is buried in Amara War Cemetery in Mesopotamia (Iraq). His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Hebburn 1889 son of John and Annie Grant McIntosh nee McGregor of Hebburn. He was married to Elizabeth Minnie McIntosh nee Waister of High House Cottage, Monkton, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 30 Cuthbert Street, Hebburn with John(46) a ships plater and his wife of 21 years Ann(39)having nine children all singe and at this address. John(21) general labourer at chemical plant, Simon(18)ships platers helper, William(16) ships platers apprentice, Elizabeth(13), Barbara(11), Angus(8) and Hector(5) at school. Alexander is 2 and Ann is 3 months old.

    Vin Mullen




    216527

    Pte. Henry Jones 1st Btn Monmouthshire Regiment

    <p>

    Henry Jones was my Great Grandfather. He arrived in France on the 13th February 1915. The recent discovery of the two postcards in some old photo's belonging to one of his daughters, shows him being a POW at Giessen nr Frankfurt. Henry never talked about his time in the war and his two living daughters did not know that he was a POW or even fought in the war. I don't think that any of his children ever knew. He was almost certainly at the 2nd Battle of Ypres at which most of the regiment was annihilated. It is probable that he was taken prisoner at this time and spent the rest of the war in Germany. The book "the war behind the wire" tells that this was as horrendous as life in the trenches and in some cases death was just as common.

    Ricky Ford




    216526

    Lsg.Sea. Leonard Victor McIntosh SS Baron Ailsa (d.9th May 1918)

    <p>

    Leonard Victor McIntosh served on board the SS Baron Ailsa and died age 20 on the 9th May 1918 when the vessel was sunk.

    Leonard was born in Pelaw and lived in Jarrow. He was the son of Robert and Hannah Elizabeth McIntosh nee Forster of 6 Connaught Terrace, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 12 Pearson Place, Jarrow with Robert(35) a marine engine fitter and his wife of 14 years Hannah Elizabeth(43) having had 8 children and 7 survived all of whom are at or below school age. Leonard Victor 13, Grace 11, Richard 9, Robert 7, Doris Ellen 5, Sidney 3 and George who is 7 months old.

    Vin Mullen




    216525

    Pte. William McEwan 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    William McEwan served with 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and was aged 23 when he died on 1st July 1916. Born in Jarrow in 1893 he was the son of William and Euphemia McEwan of 1 Kent Villas Jarrow. On the 1911 census, William McEwan age 18 Drapers Assistant is listed as living with his parents William and Euphemia McEwan and family at 75 St. Paul's Road, Jarrow. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    William is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216524

    Pte. James McIntyre 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    James McIntyre served in the 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment and died on the 28th October 1914. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Ploegsteert Memorial. Panel 4, His medal card records the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    James was born in Jarrow 1883. From 1891, 1901 and 1911 census he seems to be living with relatives by name Raven (grandfather 1891) Navin (uncle 1901) and in 1911 at Birkenhead as a lodger. But cannot trace parents.

    Vin Mullen




    216523

    Joseph McEvoy

    Joseph McEvoy is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216522

    Pte. Frederick Smith 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    I never knew my grandfather Frederick Smith as I was only months old when he died, however I do have some scissors which is said he took from a dead German. My father tells me that he never heard his father speak of the war or its horrors only that when asked he had told him where the scissors had come from.

    I have a post card from my grandfather to his sister dated Feb 16th, hoping that she is in good health and that he is sorry to hear that Ted (I think) must return out there as he will know what its like. It tells her it is good weather where he is but must sign off as he is in the trenches. It breaks my heart to think what was going through his mind as he signs and ends it ... 'love Brother Fred. Remember me'

    Yvonne Purvis




    216521

    Pte. James McIvor 6th Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.16th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    James McIvor served with the 6th Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers and was killed in action age 19 on the 16th March 1916. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and is buried in Tancrez Farm Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals and that he was killed in action.

    James was born in Jarrow 1897, son of Patrick and Ellen McIvor nee Clifford of 133 Salem Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 372 High Street, Jarrow with Patrick(42) a general labourer in the shipyard and Ellen(37) his wife of 17 years who had 10 children, 8 of whom survived and are of school age living at home. James 14, John 12, Patrick 10, Peter 8, Thomas 6, Agnes 4, Francis Joseph 2 and Eleanor who is 4 months old.

    Vin Mullen




    216520

    Pte. Edward McKee 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Edward McKee served with the 9th Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment and died on the 10th October 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Thiepval Memorial Pier . His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Edward was born in Hebburn 1891, son of Edward and Janet McKee nee Jardine of Jarrow. He was married to Catherine Garrity (formerly McKee nee McGee) of 31 Shamrock Street, Hebburn. In the 1911 census the family is living at 22 Wilberforce, Jarrow with Edward(60) a copperworks labourer and his wife of 23 years Janet(52). They had 7 children but only 3 survived. Edward(20) a brass core maker in copper tube works, Thomas James Jardine(17)a grocers assistant and Robert Jardine(14) a grocers apprentice.

    Vin Mullen




    216519

    Dvr. William Ward 102nd Brigade 'B' Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.10th Mar 1919)

    William Ward died Pneumonia 10/3/19.





    216516

    Bdr. John McKenna 332 Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Jun 1916)

    <p>

    John McKenna, served in 332nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery and died age 21 on the 22nd June 1916 He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Greenock Scotland 1895, son of John and Catherine McKenna of 59 High Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at Cliff Villa, Jarrow with John(41) a shipwright and Mary(39) his wife of 19 years. They have 9 children, all single and living at this address. John(17)a pit lad, Angus(15) general labourer in shipyard, Alex(13), Dorothy(11), Archie(9), Daniel and James(both 7) and Margaret(6) all at school. Joseph is one year old.

    Vin Mullen




    216515

    Sgt. Stephen McKenna DCM & Bar, CdeG. 37 Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.28th March 1918)

    <p>

    Stephen McKenna, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the Royal Army Medical Corps with 37th Field Ambulance. He was killed in action age 29 on the 28th March 1918 and is buried in Varennes Military Cemetery. I.L.3. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. He also received the gallantry awards of the DCM (15th April 1916) and Bar (22nd September 1916) together with the French Croix de Guerre.

    Stephen was born in Jarrow 1888, son of Joseph and Bridget McKenna. In the 1911 census the family is living at 215 Whitfield Road, Scotswood, with Joseph(46) a general labourer and his wife of 26 years Bridget(43). They had 11 children and 8 survived. Six are single and living at this address, Stephen(22) a general labourer, Kate(21) a domestic cook, Joseph P(19) coal miner, Hugh(17) and John(14)are colliery labourers, Rose Mary(11) is at school.

    Vin Mullen




    216514

    Cpl. Joseph Jones Kings Royal Rifles

    My grandfather Joseph Jones used to tell us one or two stories as children when we 8 or 9. Most of the time my brother and I were an unappreciative audience. But one stuck with us which was when with the KRRC he was in Salonika during WW1. His group were standing in line, he used to say, waiting to have a mug of tea dished out by the cook from this huge dixie of tea. A bomb of some kind came over and the soldiers hit the floor. When the got up they found that the cooks head had been blown off and landed in the Dixie of tea.

    Malcolm Jones




    216513

    Cpl. Thomas Patrick McKenna 528 Field. Coy. Royal Engineers (d.10th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Patrick McKenna served with 528th Field Company, Royal Engineers and died of wounds on the 10th November 1917. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. His younger brother William of 22nd Brigade RFA was also among the fallen.

    Thomas was born in Jarrow. son of William and Elizabeth McKenna nee Watson of 48 Charles Street, Jarrow. He was married to Minnie McKenna nee Storey of 15 Frederick Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census Thomas(24) a ships plate rivetter is living at 9 Gibson Street Jarrow with his wife of 2 years Minnie(23) and they have a son Thomas Edward who is two years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216512

    L/Cpl. Michael McDougall 2nd Battalion, C Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Michael McDougall served as a Lance Corporal with 2nd Battalion, "C" Coy. Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 32 when he died on 9th August 1915. He was born and enlisted Jarrow. He was the son of Jessie and the late Michael McDougall of Jarrow and the husband of Gertrude May McDougall (nee Catchpole) of 79 Queen's Road Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Michael McDougall age 28 Rivetters Holder On at Shipyard is with his wife Gertrude May McDougall and daughter at 90 High Street, Jarrow. His mother Jessie McDougall and family are at 48 Stead Street, Jarrow in 1911.

    Michael is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216511

    Dvr. John McDougall 57th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.1st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    John McDougall served with 57th Field Coy. Royal Engineers. He was aged 26 when he died on 1st March 1918. He was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow, the Son of Archibald McDougall and brother of Archibald McDougall of 13 Bell Street East Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as John McDougall age 19 Labourer in Shipyard is with his father Archibald McDougall and stepmother Rose Ann McDougall and family at 205 High Street, Jarrow.

    John is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216510

    Gnr. William McKenna 22nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.29th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    William McKenna served in 22nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery and died on the 29th September 1918. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and us buried in Templeux-le-Guerard British Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals. His older brother Thomas Patrick, 528 Field Company, Royal Engineers was also among the fallen.

    William was born in Jarrow 1890, son of William and Elizabeth McKenna nee Watson of 48 Charles Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census William is listed on the rolls of the his RFA unit.

    Vin Mullen




    216509

    Pte. Matthew McDonald 26th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Matthew McDonald served with the 26th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers. hH was aged 34 when he died on 1st July 1916. Born in Jarrow, he was the son of Thomas and Margaret McDonald. On the 1911 census, Matthew McDonald age 29 General Labourer in Tyneside Rivet Works is listed as living with his parents Thomas and Margaret McDonald and family at 117 Windsor Avenue, Gateshead. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    Matthew is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216508

    Pte. John McDonald 7th Battalion Border Regiment (d.23rd April 1917)

    <p>

    John McDonald served with the 7th Battalion Border Regiment, he died on the 23rd of April 1917, aged 29. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. John was born on the 2nd of Feb 1887, to Thomas McDonald and Mary Casey and was baptised at St. Bedes. John had maried Anne Devaney at St Bede's church on the 1st of February 1910 and they had a son, also named John, born 29th of Jan 1912 in Jarrow, and baptised on the 3rd of Feb 1912, at St. Bedes Catholic Church,

    Vin Mullen




    216502

    2nd Lt. Cyril Ramshaw Bulman 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Cyril Bulman was my Great Uncle. he enlisted on 2/9/1914 in the General Services Cavalry and went to Tidworth, 11th Reserve Cavalry Regiment as a Private. After training he was transferred to 1st Battalion 3rd Hants Regiment and posted to France 27/7/1915. He was promoted Lance Corporal 16/10/1915, went to Cadet School 2/2/1916 and was commissioned 2nd Lt. 19/3/1916 then transferred to 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was wounded 4/6/1916 by shellfire at La Boiselle and blinded, taken to Rouen No2 Red Cross Hospital, eventually he was discharged after Medical Assessment.

    After unsuccessfully trying chicken farming in Redcar he was trained by St Dunstan's as a Masseur and Physiotherapist and had a successful private practice in Beckenham, Kent. He died on 28/6/1981

    Ian Parsons




    216488

    Pte. Norman George McKenzie 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Norman George McKenzie served with the 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action aged 27 on the 14th November 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals and that he was killed in action.

    Norman was born in Jarrow 1889, son of John and Mary McKenzie nee Barrie. In the 1911 census the family is living at 56 Stead Street, Jarrow with John(50) a ships rivetter and his wife of 26 years Mary(46) having had 10 children with 8 surviving. Five are single and living at home. Norman George(21) a labourer in the shipyard, George Barrie(17) a hairdressers assistant, Janet Aitken(13), Bridget Aitken(9) and Hilda Lizzie(6) are at school.

    Vin Mullen




    216486

    Pte. Robert McKenzie 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Robert McKenzie enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He was killed in action age 27 on the 9th August 1915 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals and that he was killed in action.

    Robert was born in Belfast, 1888 and lived in Hebburn. In the 1901 census the family is living at 2 James Street, Hebburn with Robert(53) carpenters labourer in shipyard and his wife Catherine(37) who has 8 children living there. Flora Ann(16) perfumery(?) factory worker, Maggie Jane(14) domestic servant, Robert(13) rivetter catcher in shipyard, Katie(11), Isabella(9) and John Charles(7) are at school with David(3) and Jessie(1) at home.

    Vin Mullen




    216485

    Pte. John James McKeown 14th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John James McKeown enlisted at Newcastle and served in the 14th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died from wounds age 25 on the 27th October 1918 and is buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals. A memorial in Berlin may indicate a death as a POW.

    John was born in East Jarrow 1893, son of Patrick and Mary Jane McKeown nee Grinley of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 14 Cuthbert Street, Hebburn with Patrick(54) a furnace man in a chemical works and his wife of 36 years Mary Jane(51) who had 11 children, 9 of whom survived. 5 are single and living at home, Minnie(30),at home, Lizzie(21)hand-drill machinist in electrical works, Joseph(19) an apprentice bricklayer, John James(18) a boiler maker in alkali works and Thomas(15) is a shop boy. Mary(20), a niece is living here as well and works as a domestic servant.

    Vin Mullen




    216484

    L/Cpl John Christopher McDonald Labour Corps (d.24th Feb 1919)

    <p>

    John Christopher McDonald served with the Gordon Highlanders then transferred to the Labour Corps. He was the son of Henry and Mary Bridget McDonald of Jarrow and was born in Jarrow in 1889. On the 1911 censusm John Christopher McDonald age 22 Rivetters Heater in Shipyard is listed as living with his parents Henry and Mary Bridget McDonald at 38 Union Street, Jarrow.

    John is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (brass plaque on west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216482

    ERA. Edmund McLarney HMS Raglan (d.20th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    Engine Room Artificer Edmund McLarney served on board HMS Raglan and was killed in action age 31 on the 20th January 1918 when the ship was sunk by a powerful enemy force in the Dardanelles. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and is buried in Lancashire Landing Cemetery.

    Edmund was born in Jarrow 1886, son of Mary McLarney (nee Riley) and the late Hugh McLarney of 19 Grange Road, West Jarrow. In the 1911 census Edmund(24)single, a marine engineer fitter and his brother Joseph Septimus(29) single, an elementary school teacher are living with their widowed mother Mary(64) at that address.

    Vin Mullen




    216481

    CSM. Patrick McLaughlin 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    Patrick McLaughlin, Company Sergeant Major served in "X" Coy. 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action age 33 on the 27th March 1916. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St Paul's Church and on the Ypres(Menin Gate)Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Patrick was born and enlisted in Jarrow, son of Michael and Mary McLaughlin (nee Costella) of 32 Stanley Street Jarrow. He was married to Helena McLaughlin (nee McKenna) of 1 James Street Hebburn.

    1891 census Jarrow

    • 33 Stanley Street Jarrow
    • Michael McLauglin age 23 born Glasgow Labourer
    • Mary wife age 21 born Newcastle
    • Roseanna daughter age 2 born Jarrow
    • Margaret daughter age 2 months born Jarrow

    1891 census Jarrow

    • 30 to 36 Stanley Street Jarrow Lodging House
    • Michael McLaughlin age 32 born Scotland Lodging House owner
    • Mary wife age 30 born Newcastle Northumberland
    • Rose Ann daughter age 11 born Jarrow Scholar
    • Margaret daughter age 10 born Jarrow Scholar
    • Patrick McLaughlin son age 8 born Jarrow Scholar
    • Mary daughter age 4 born Blyth Northumberland

    1901 census Jarrow

    • 28 to 38 Stanley Street Jarrow Lodging House
    • Michael McLaughlin age 42 born Scotland Lodging House owner
    • Mary wife age 40 born Newcastle Northumberland
    • Rose Ann daughter age 21 born Jarrow
    • Margaret daughter age 20 born Jarrow
    • Mary daughter age 14 born Blyth Northumberland
    • Elizabeth daughter age 7 born Jarrow
    • Ellen daughter age 4 born Jarrow
    • Michael McLaughlin son age 8 months born Jarrow

    1901 census Bradford

    Patrick Mclaughlen age 19 born Jarrow Soldier

    1910 ratepayers

    • Michael McLaughlin occupier of 30 to 36 Stanley Street Jarrow Lodging House owner
    • Michael McLaughlin owner of 26 to 36 Stanley Street Jarrow
    • Patrick McLaughlin occupier of 28 Stanley Street Jarrow

    Vin Mullen




    216480

    Cpl. Michael Austin McCormack 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Michael Austin McCormack served with the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was sged 34 when he died of wounds on 4th October 1916. Born in Jarrow in 1882 he was the son of Michael and Elizabeth McCormack of 34 High Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Michael Austin McCormack Town Postman at General Post Office living with his mother Elizabeth McCormack and family at 110 High Street, Jarrow. His younger brother John Robert McCormack was one of the fallen.

    Michael is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216479

    Sjt. John Robert McCormack 330th Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.21st Oct 1917)

    <p>

    John Robert McCormack served as a Serjeant with 330th Brigade D Battery, Royal Field Artillery. He was aged 23 when he died on 21st October 1917. Born in Jarrow in 1894 he was the son of Michael and Elizabeth McCormack of 34 High Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census John Robert McCormack age 18 Driver in Coal Mine in Shipyard is listed as living with his mother Elizabeth McCormack and family at 110 High Street, Jarrow. His older brother Michael Austin McCormack was also one of the fallen.

    John is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216478

    Pte. John McConway Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th May 1918)

    <p>

    John McConway served with the St. John Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. He was aged 25 when he died on 20th May 1918. Born in Hebburn in 1893 he was the son of John and Sophia Smith McConway (nee Reid) of Monkton Village Jarrow. On the 1911 census John McConway age 18 Analytical Chemist at Copper Extraction Works is living with his parents John and Sophia Smith McConway and family at 48 Jervis Street, Hebburn.

    John is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Monkton Memorial in Monkton Village, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216477

    1st Engr. Daniel McLoughlin SS Cluden (d.22nd October 1916)

    Daniel McLoughlin, First Engineer, Mercantile Marine, served on board the SS Cluden and died age 33 on the 22nd October 1916 when the vessel was sunk by an enemy submarine. He is remembered at Jarrow Library and Tower Hill Memorial.

    Daniel was born in Jarrow 1882 and was the husband of Florence McLoughlin (nee Lambert) of 115 Lydgate Terrace, Stanhope Road, South Shields. In the 1911 census Florence (23) married, is living at 112 Lydgate Lane with her parents, Thomas (67) a retired Master Mariner and Margaret (61) who have been married for 47 years and 9 of their 10 children survived. Only Florence is living with them and her husband is probably at sea. They have no children at that date.

    Vin Mullen




    216476

    Pte. William McLellan 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    William McLellan served in the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and died age 29 on the 8th November 1914. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Hagle Dump Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    William was born in Jarrow 1885, husband of Margaret McLellan nee Thompson. In the 1911 census they are living at 122 Woodhorn Road, Hirst Ashington with William(25) a miner stoneman (below ground) and his wife of 3 years Margaret(22). They have one daughter, Isabella who is 111 months old. Also living there is his brother Neil(23) same work as his older brother.

    Vin Mullen




    216474

    Pte James McConnell 27th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th May 1915)

    <p>

    James McConnell served with the 27th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 27 when died on 5th May 1915. Born in Jarrow in 1887 he was the son of James and Elizabeth McConnell (nee Topping) and husband of Mary Ellen McConnell (nee Bucknall) of 57 Walter Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census James McConnell age 23 General Labourer in Shipyard is listed as living with his parents James and Elizabeth McConnell and family at 1 Hurworth Street, Jarrow.

    James died in South Shields and is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216473

    Rfmn. Robert Robinson 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Nov 1914)

    Robert Robinson was born about 1886 at Holme on Spalding Moor, East Yorkshire and was my paternal great uncle. He had enlisted in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps in 1905 but in 1911, on his own request, he transfered to the Army Reserve before the expiration of army service. In August 1914 he was part of the British Expeditionary Force and as part of the 1st Division crossed to France between 11th and 15th August. Robert's sister was my grandmother Catherine (nee Robinson) Banyard and she named my father Robert when he was born on 28th August 1914. Robert Robinson died age 26 on 6th November 1914 in Belgium and has no known grave but is remembered at the Menin gate.

    Pauline Mayland




    216472

    Pte. John McMahon Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.2nd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    John McMahon enlisted in Clydebank in the Connaught Rangers and later served with the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He died from wounds age 20 on the 2nd September 1916 and is buried in Netley Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. John was born in Jarrow in 1896, son of James and Frances McMahon nee Burke of 48 John Knox Street, Clydebank, Glasgow.

    Vin Mullen




    216471

    Pte. James McCluskey MM. 6th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.25th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    James McCluskey MM served with the 6th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers. Born in Jarrow in 1885, he was aged 33 when he died on 25th November 1918.

    James is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216469

    Pte. Edward Barker Duke of Wellington Regiment

    As with most soldiers who served in the trenches my father, Edward Barker did not say very much about what happened there, but he did tell me this funny thing which happened to him. He crawled out to a shell hole and spent a few days sending back information about the German movements. He was above his knees in water and soon his feet and legs swelled up. When his regiment attacked he was not able to walk so they put him on a mule to take him back to recover. Unfortunately a German shell exploded behind the mule which bolted with him clinging on with all his strength. The situation was made worse by his own troops which he passed hitting its rump with their rifle butts. He was recommended for a Military Medal, but the Commanding Officer only believed in officers being decorated

    Tony Barker




    216468

    Pte. John McCauley 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th May 1915)

    <p>

    John McCauley served with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and was aged 30 when he died on 26th May 1915. Born in 1884 in Jarrow he was the son of Mary Ann McCauley and husband of Catherine McCauley (nee McLaughlan) of 42 Cambrian Street Jarrow.

    John is buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216467

    Pte. James McCarty 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th May 1916)

    <p>

    James McCarty served with the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, he was aged 26 when he died on 4th May 1916. He was born and enlisted in Jarrow. Native of Hebburn, on the 1911 census he is listed as James McCarty age 18 Rivet Heater in Cammell Laird Shipyard is lodging with a number of other lads from South Tyneside at 9 Stanley Street, Tranmere, Birkenhead. He was the husband of Agnes Hall McCarty (nee Gidney) of 58 Coxon Street Bill Quay.

    James is buried in Dartmoor Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216466

    2nd Lt. Percy John Grundy 5th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment

    My grandfather was 2nd Lt Percy Grundy he was in the 5th Kings Liverpool during the first world war. He was a prisoner of war in Germany and was released 1918. He then went on to manage the building of the airfield at Brize Norton and had three shops in Southport Lord Street. He died in 1953.

    vanessa stevens




    216465

    Spr. William Cuthbert McCarthy MM. 206th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.3rd Dec 1918)

    <p>

    William Cuthbert McCarthy served as a Sapper with the 206th Field Company Royal Engineers and was awarded the Military Medal. He was aged 23 when he died on 3rd December 1918. Born in Westoe in 1895, he lived in East Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as William Cuthbert McCarthy age 15 Colliery Worker above ground living with his parents Robert and Margaret Ann (nee Gray) McCarthy and family at 25 Simonside Terrace, East Jarrow.

    William is buried in Soumoy Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216464

    Pte. Joseph McCann 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.20th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Joseph McCann served with the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, he was aged 26 when he died on 20th September 1914. Born in Jarrow he was the son of Matthew and Sarah Ann McCann. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Joseph McCann age 23 Soldier on leave from 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards staying with his older brother James Henry McCann and family at 5 Gladstone Street, Hebburn. He had enlisted in South Shields.

    Joseph is buried in Vailly British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216463

    Spr. Francis J. McCabe 102nd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.25th Feb 1918)

    <p>

    Francis J. McCabe served with the 102nd Field Coy. Royal Engineers. He was aged 27 when died on 25th February 1918. Born in Jarrow in 1890 he was the son of John and Mary McCabe. On the 1911 census Francis McCabe age 20 Seagoing Fireman is with his wife Winifred McCabe (nee Riley) and daughter at 13 South Street back, Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    Francis is buried in Giavera British Cemetery Arcade and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216459

    L/Cpl. John McMullen 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.5th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    John McMullen enlisted at South Shields and served in the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died age 28 on the 5th September 1918 and buried in Abbeville Communal cemetery Extension. He is remembered at Jarrow Library. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Jarrow 1890, son of John and Rose Ann McMullen (formerly Fawcett nee McConnell of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 5 Team Lane, Tyne Dock. John is 21 and a dock labourer in shipbuilders. John McMullen was the half brother of Catherine Fawcett (mother of Catherine Cookson the novelist)

    William Thomas Fawcett and Rose Ann McConnell married 19.05.1877 in St. Bede’s RC Church in Jarrow Their children were: Elizabeth Fawcett born Jarrow 1878 (died 1894 in Jarrow aged 16). Sarah Ann Fawcett born Jarrow 1879 (married Michael Lavelle 1909 in Chester le Street). Catherine (Kate) Fawcett born Jarrow 1883 (Catherine Fawcett married David McDermott 30/06/1923 Jarrow). Mary Ellen Fawcett born Jarrow 1886 (Mary E Fawcett married Alexander Charlton 30/05/1914 Jarrow). Margaret Fawcett born Jarrow 1888 (died 1891 in Jarrow). (Sarah Ann and Catherine were in Service in Gateshead according to 1901 census). William Thomas Fawcett died 1889 in Jarrow. Rose Ann Fawcett (nee McConnell) married John McMullen 10.04.1890 in St. Bede’s Jarrow. John and Rose Ann McMullen had a son John McMullen in 1890 in Jarrow. (John McMullen was killed in WW1 on 5.9.1918 a Lance Corporal in the DLI). Rose McMullen (late Fawcett) (nee McConnell) died 1917 in Jarrow. John McMullen died 18.04.1930 in Jarrow. Catherine (Kate) Fawcett had a daughter named Catherine Ann Davies born 27.06.1906 in Tyne Dock, fathers name was listed as Alexander Davies. Catherine Ann Davies was brought up as Catherine McMullen by her grandmother Rose McMullen (late Fawcett - nee McConnell) and step Grandfather John McMullen, Catherine Ann Davies alias Catherine McMullen was later to become Catherine Cookson. Alexander Davies was not her fathers real name he was born Alexander Pate 1879 in Lesmahagow Scotland. He married Henrietta Waggott in his real name as Alexander Pate 17.12.1901 in Newcastle and they had 3 children: Alexander Pate born 1902 in Newcastle, Henrietta Pate born 1904 in Newcastle, Isabella Pate born 1908 in Newcastle. Alexander Pate bigamously married Jane Williamson (Foster) as Alexander Davies 1909 in Darlington (the name he used when with Catherine (Kate) Fawcett in Gateshead in 1905). They adopted a child Jane Smith (Davies) Alexander Pate died as Alexander Davies aged 72 in Scarborough in 1948

    Catherine McMullen (Davies) left school in 1919 In 1924 she became laundry checker in the workhouse in South Shields After 5 years in 1929 she had saved enough money to leave for Hastings to establish an Apartment Hotel? Catherine Ann Davies (formerly McMullen?) married Thomas Henry Cookson 1st June1940 in Hastings She started work in a workhouse near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex in 1929 In December 1929 she accepted the post of Laundry Manageress at Hastings workhouse. Catherine lived in lodgings in Clifton Road, Ore and West Hill House, Exmouth Place before buying The Hurst, Hoads Wood Road in 1933. (She married using her birth name so obviously she knew who her father was) Catherine Cookson died age 91 on 11th June 1998 in Newcastle Her husband Tom died on 28 June 1998 in Newcastle

    On the 1891 census for 54 Albion Street Jarrow John McMullen age 35 born Ireland Ironworker, Rose Ann McMullen wife age 33 born Gateshead, John McMullen son age 9 months born Jarrow, Elizabeth Fawcett step daughter age 13 born Jarrow Scholar (died 1894 in Jarrow), Sarah Ann Fawcett step daughter age 11 born Jarrow Scholar, Catherine Fawcett step daughter age 7 born Jarrow Scholar, Mary Elizabeth Fawcett step daughter age 5 born Jarrow, Margaret Fawcett step daughter age 2 born Jarrow (died 1891 in Jarrow),

    In the 1901 census Hebburn John Mullen age 31 born Ireland Labourer Ship Yard, Rose Ann Mullen age 46 born Felling, John Mullen age 13 born Hebburn Grocers Message Boy,

    In the 1901 census in GatesheadL Sarah A. Fawcett age 21 born Jarrow Domestic, Kate Fawcett age 17 born Jarrow Domestic,

    in the 1911 Census living at 5 Leam Lane Jarrow: John McMullen born 1852 Ireland age 59, Rose Ann McMullen born 1858 Gateshead age 53, John McMullen born 1890 Jarrow age 21, Mary E. Fawcett born 1886 Jarrow age 25, Catherine Davies born 1906 Tyne Dock age 5,

    On the 1911 Census in Chester le Street: Michael Lavelle born 1872 Durham age 39, Sarah Ann Lavelle born 1880 Jarrow age 31, Mary Lavelle born 1910 Durham age 1,

    In the 1911 Census in Chester le Street Katherine Fawcett born 1884 Jarrow age 27

    In the 1911 Census in Morpeth: Alexander Davies born 1875 Scotland age 36, Jane Davies born 1873 Durham age 38.

    Vin Mullen




    216458

    Pte. John McBarron 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) (d.6th April 1915)

    John McBarron served with the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) died on 6th April 1915 aged 27. Born in Sunderland, he lived in Hebburn and enlisted in Jarrow. He was the son of John and Mary McBarron. On the 1911 census on the 1911 census.

    John remembered at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216457

    Pte. John McMullen 1st Btn. Border Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John McMullen enlisted at Workington, Cumberland and served in the 1st Battalion, the Border Regiment. He was killed in action on the 1st July 1916 along with 194 men and 7 officers on that first day in the Battle of the Somme. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Jarrow 1889. In the 1911 census he is living at 29 Glasgow Street, Barrow in Furness with his Uncle's family and is 21, working as a General Labourer in the Brass Foundry at the shipyard.

    Vin Mullen




    216456

    Driver Robert William Smith McBain Signal Depot (Fenny Stratford) Royal Engineers (d.15th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    Robert William Smith McBain was serving as a Driver at the Signal Depot in Fenny Stratford with the Royal Engineers when he died on 15th December 1916. He was aged 24. Born in Hebburn in 1892 he was the son of John and Mary McBain. He enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census, Robert William Smith McBain age 19 is a Driver with the 26th Field Company Royal Engineers at the Borden Camp in Hampshire.

    Robert died in Newcastle and is buried in Hebburn Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216455

    Pte. John Alexander McNair 16th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Aug 1916)

    <p>

    John Alexander McNair enlisted Newcastle and served with the 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action age 24 on the 22nd August 1916 and is buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals and that he was killed in action.

    John was born in Jarrow 1892, son of John Alexander and Margaret McNair nee Nesbitt of 23 South Eldon Street, South Shields.

    Vin Mullen




    216454

    Stkr. Andrew Francis McNally HMS Fauvette (d.9th March 1916)

    <p>

    Andrew Francis McNally served as a Stoker on HMS Fauvette and died at age 29 on the 9th March 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

    Andrew was born in Stockton 1887, son of the late Patrick and Bridget McNally nee McNally of 48 Pearson Place, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 105 Back High, Jarrow with Bridget(50) widow, born in Rossgray, Tipperary, who had 7 children and 5 are living at this address. Ellen(25) a spinner in ropeworks, Andrew(21) and John(18) are general labourers in the shipyard, Kattie(16) is a bobbin carrier in the ropeworks and Daniel(14) is at school. His younger brother Daniel McNally is also among the fallen.

    Vin Mullen




    216453

    Spr. Gilbert Clarke McAlpine 106th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.5th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Gilbert Clarke McAlpine served with 106th Field Coy. Royal Engineers. He was aged 39 when he died on 5th August 1917. Born Dumbarton, he was the son of Gilbert and Isabella McAlpine and husband of Emily Annie McAlpine (nee Dunn) of 52 Cobden Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census Gilbert Clarke McAlpine age 32 Architect Surveyor is listed as with his parents Gilbert and Isabella McAlpine and family at 15 New Knowles Road, Fulwell, Sunderland. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    Gilbert is buried in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216452

    Pte. Daniel McNally 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    Daniel McNally served in the 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and died on the age 20 on the 26th October 1917. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and Tyne Cot Memorial. His older brother Andrew Francis McNally is also among the fallen.

    Daniel was born in Jarrow 1897, son of the late Patrick and Bridget McNally nee McNally of 48 Pearson Place, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 105 Back High, Jarrow with Bridget(50) widow, born in Rossgray, Tipperary, who had 7 children and 5 are living at this address. Ellen(25) a spinner in ropeworks, Andrew(21) and John(18) are general labourers in the shipyard, Kattie(16) is a bobbin carrier in the ropeworks and Daniel(14) is at school.

    Vin Mullen




    216451

    Pte. James McAllister 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.20th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    James McAllister served with the 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, he was aged 28 when died on 20th December 1916. Born in Jarrow in 1888, he was the son of Mary McAllister (nee Whelan) and the late William McAllister of Clyde Street Jarrow and husband of Agnes McAllister (nee Christenson) of 41 Russell Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census James McAllister age 22 Clothier Wholesale is listed as living with his parents William and Mary McAllister and family at 45 Clyde Street, Jarrow . He enlisted in Jarrow.

    James is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte. He was commemorated on the Triptych (left panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    216450

    Pte. David Dunn McAllister 24th Battalion Quebec Regiment (d.5th Sep 1918)

    David Dunn McAllister served with the 24th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Born at Cowpen Quay, Blyth in 1876. He was the son of Thomas and Sarah Smith McAllister (nee Dunn) of Jarrow, and husband of Margaret Ann McAllister (nee Farrell born Jarrow) of 625 Seventh Street, Saskatoon, Canada. On the 1911 census David Dunn McAllister age 34 a Professional Skater at Skating Rink is living with his wife Margaret Ann McAllister and children at 27 Abbott Terrace, Armley Road, Leeds .

    David died on 5th September 1918 aged 39 and is buried in Crouy British Cemetery Crouy-Sur-Somme.

    Vin Mullen




    216449

    Pte. Thomas William McVittie Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Thomas William McVittie served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church but no year of death is given. The medal card provides no information other than the award of the 1915 Star with a reference to Egypt, but no mention of any entitlement to War or Victory medals which is rather strange.

    Provided this is the correct person there is a death entry in the Quarter April to June 1921 for a Thomas W McVittie ref volume 10a page 1165. It would take an inspection of the death certificate to establish firm identity and cause of death. Thomas was born in Hebburn 1892, son of Robert and Elizabeth McVittie nee Jardine of Hebburn. In the 1911 census the family is living at 45 Edmund Street, Hebburn with Robert(69) a shipyard labourer and his wife of 26 years Elizabeth(45) who had 11 children, 10 of whom survived and 7 are still living at this address. Albert Edward(24) a dock labourer, Donald(22) a cart man, Thomas Willie(19) minding stationary engine - coal mining, Isabella(16) a servant, Elizabeth(12)and Margaret(6) at school. Ethel is 3 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216447

    L/Sgt. William Johnston McVitie 9th Btn London Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    William Johnston McVitie, Lance Sergeant 2780, enlisted in Camden Town and served in the 1st/9th Battalion the London Regiment. He was killed in action age 24 on the 25th September 1915 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church, Jarrow Cemetery and Loos Memorial. Panel 130 to 135. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals and that he was killed in action.

    William was born in Whitburn 1891, son of William and Margaret McVitie nee Hogg of 55 Monkton Terrace, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family are living 10 Maughan Street, Newcastle with William(61)an engineering works millwright and Margaret his wife of 32 years. They had 5 children with three having survived. Only William(20) a colliery clerk, is living at home.

    Vin Mullen




    216446

    Pte. Thomas William King 12th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Thamas William King was born in East London on March 25th 1894. He served with the Suffolk Bantams in WW1 and was very badly injured and treated on the Front Line.

    Barbara Izzard




    216444

    3rdEngr. James Meek SS Kwasind (d.11th Mar 1917)

    James Meek, 3rd Engineering Officer was serving on board the SS Kwasind and died age 25 when the vessel was sunk on the 11th March 1917. He is remembered at Jarrow Library and the Tower Hill Memorial. James was born in Jarrow in 1891, son of William and Joan Meek nee Halliday of 28 Thornton Avenue, South Shields.

    Vin Mullen




    216442

    Ord.Sea. John Robert Meller HMS Venerable (d.12th Janu 1918)

    <p>

    John Robert Meller served on HMS Venerable and died age 28 on the 12th January 1918. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and is buried in Lyness Naval Cemetery on the Orkney islands near the large Naval Base at Scapa Flow.

    • Entry from log of marine losses:
    • Venerable, Harbour Service, Portland ex-pre-Dreadnought battleship.
    • Meller, John R, Ordinary Seaman, J 70186 (PO), drowned.

    John was born in Jarrow 1890, son of John Freer and Alice Whitwood Meller nee Bird of 17 Whiteburn Street, Hebburn Quay. In the 1911 census the family lived at 1 St John's Terrace with John(49) a butcher and his wife of 24 years Alice(50) who has had 3 children, two of whom survived. John(21)single, is a ships steward for Tyne Shipping Co., Dorothy(14) is at school. A neice, Gertrude Bird(28) single, is a household assistant.

    Vin Mullen




    216440

    Rfmn. John McMaster Boyce 12th Btn Royal Irish Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    John McMaster Boyce was my grandmother's brother (my great uncle). He was killed on 1 July 1916 and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. A couple of years ago I affixed a plaque on the upper right hand building at the top of the Ancre Cemetery to commemorate him. John was originally from the Sandy Row area of Belfast and we believe he moved out to the Mossley area where he worked as a tenter in a mill. His brother, James was badly injured in WW1, he had part of his jaw shot off.

    Paul Reynolds




    216439

    Gnr. William Matthews 140th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.26th Feb 1919)

    <p>

    William Matthews served with 140th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery he was aged 30 when he died on 26th February 1919 in South Shields. Born in Devonport, he lived in Jarrow and was the son of William and Emily Maria Matthews (nee Crabb) of Fowey, Croft Terrace, Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as William Matthews age 22 Draughtsman in Shipyard living with his parents William and Emily Maria Matthews and family at 40 Croft Terrace, Jarrow.

    William is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216438

    Pte. William Sewell Mason 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    William Sewell Mason served with the 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, he was aged 21 when he died on 27th May 1918. Born in Boldon in Colliery 1897 he was the son of John and Catherine Mason (nee Wigham) of Carman Villa, Monkton Village, Jarrow. on the 1911 census William Sewell Mason age 14 Labourer in Shipyard is listed as living with his parents John and Catherine Mason and family at 15 Ash Street, Hebburn. He lived in Hebburn Colliery when he enlisted in Jarrow.

    William is remembered on the Soissons Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216437

    Pte. John William Mason 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    John William Mason served with the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, he died on 25th September 1915. Born in Jarrow, he enlisted in teh town.

    John is remembered on the Loos Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216436

    Pte. John Joseph Mason 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John Joseph Mason served with the 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 20 when he died on 1st July 1916. Born in Jarrow in 1896 son of John George and Sarah Mason (nee Smith). On the 1911 census he is recorded as John Joseph Mason age 14 Shoemakers Errand Boy living with his parents John George and Sarah Mason and family at 33 Albert Road, Jarrow. John lived and enlisted Newcastle, he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on a Scroll with 3 names at the Baptist Church in Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216435

    Pte. John Mason 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    John Mason aged 23 was serving with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers when he died on 11th August 1915. Born in Jarrow in 1892, he was the son of John and Mary Mason (nee Shorting). On the 1911 census he is recorded as John Mason age 19 General Labourer in Shipyard living with his parents ohn and Mary Mason and family at 288 High Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow with the DLI.

    John is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216434

    L/Cpl. Nathan Vincent Martin 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Nathan Vincent Martin served with the 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. He was aged 19 when he died on 5th October 1918. Born in Jarrow in 1898 he was the youngest son of Nathan and Mary Jane Martin (nee Short) of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Nathan Vincent Martin age 12 at School living with his widowed mother Mary Martin and family at 9 Randolph Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in South Bank, Middlesbrough.

    Nathan is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery Wimile.

    Vin Mullen




    216433

    Robert William Calvert Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Oct 1914)

    Robert Calvert was born in Bedlington, Northumberland in 1888. He was the youngest of four children of Robert & Elizabeth Calvert (nee Forman) and was my Great, Great Uncle a brother of my Great Grandfather George Henry Calvert. Both brothers fought in the First World War, Robert was killed in Ypres aged 26 years young on the 29th October 1914 and his elder brother George was killed in 1918 at the age of 39. Upon hearing the news of George's death, his wife Frances (nee Hare), my Great Grandmother, had a heart attack and died aged 37, leaving my Grandmother Mary and her sister Constance as orphans aged 18 and 14 respectively. Frances had already lost two brothers in the conflict, both of whom were also in the Northumberland Fusiliers. She suffered greatly through the loss of these brave men.

    • Robert Calvert - died 29th October 1914 in Ypres, her brother in law
    • John Hare - died 27th September 1915 in Loos, her brother -12th Bt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • Aaron Hare - died 29th March 1918 in Arras, her brother - 1st Bt Northumberland Fusiliers
    • George Calvert - died in 1918, her husband.
    • Frances's daughter Mary, my grandmother,became a WAAC in WW1 aged 17, she also fought in WW2 as a Sergeant in the RAF and was involved in a logistics operation for the D Day Landings in Normandy in 1944.

    D Walmsley




    216432

    L/Cpl. John Martin 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.6th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    John Martin served wit the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 21 when he died on 6th August 1917. Born in Jarrow in 1896 son of William Edward Albert and Agnes Martin (nee Hargraves) of 102 Sunderland Street Houghton-le-Spring. He lived and enlisted in Houghton-Le-Spring. On the 1911 census he is listed as John Martin age 14 Pony Driver underground in Colliery living with his parents William Edward Albert and Agnes Martin and family at 2 Rose Street, Houghton-le-Spring.

    John is buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery Ficheux.

    Vin Mullen




    216431

    Pte. Abert Melville 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Albert Melville enlisted in Newcastle and served with the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died age 28 on the 16th June 1915 and is remembered at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Albert was born in East Jarrow 1884(?). Am unable to find family with brothers in Jarrow. Nearest fit is family in Wallsend with mother Mary(35) born in Kenton Dumbartonshire, (husband not on form must be away that day), James(14) born in Kenton, Dumbartonshire, an office boy, Albert(10) born in Byker, David (5) born in Wallsend and Janet (1) born in Wallsend. His older brother James was also one of the fallen.

    Vin Mullen




    216430

    Cpl. James Melville 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>

    James Melville enlisted in Stratford, Essex and served with the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.He died age 30 on the 8th May 1915 and is remembered at Jarrow Library also on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    James was born in East Jarrow 1884(?). Am unable to find family with brothers in Jarrow. Nearest fit is family in Wallsend with mother Mary(35) born in Kenton Dumbartonshire, (husband not on form must be away that day), James(14) born in Kenton, Dumbartonshire, an office boy, Albert(10) born in Byker, David (5) born in Wallsend and Janet (1) born in Wallsend. His younger brother Albert was also one of the fallen.

    Vin Mullen




    216428

    Able Sea. Henry Martin Nelson Btn. 63rd Royal Naval Division (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Henry Martinserved with Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division. He was a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Henry, age 20, died on the 13th November 1916.

    Henry was born in Jarrow 1896. He lived in Jarrowand was the son of Margaret Rankin Martin (nee Jameson) of 18 Raglan Street Jarrow and the late John William Martin. On the 1911 census Henry Martin age 15 Unemployed is listed as living with his parents John William and Margaret Rankin Martin and family at 12 Raglan Street, Jarrow.

    He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and his name is engraved on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin




    216427

    Spr. Robert Melvin 102nd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.31st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Melvin served in 102nd Field Company, Royal Engineers and died on the 31st October 1918. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Giavera British Cemetery Arcade. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star,War and Victory Medals. He was also awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry.

    Robert was born in Jarrow 1892, son of Robert and Annie Melville nee Dunleavy of 11 Dunn Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at that address with Robert(63) a dock labourer - shipbuilding and his wife of 23 years Annie(43). They had 10 children, 9 survived and all are single and living at home. James(22)a fruit merchants clerk, Robert(18) ships painter and Thomas(16) a rivetter heater. The remaining children are at or below school age, Mary Ann(11), Annie(8), Catherine(5), Julia(3) and Marie is 10 months old. His younger brother Thomas was also one of the fallen.

    Vin Mullen




    216426

    Sjt. Thomas James Webster Marshall 6th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.12th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas James Webster Marshall served with the 6th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was aged 46 when died on 12th June 1916. Born in Peterhead Aberdeen, he lived and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Thomas James Webster Marshall age 40 Labourer in Shipyard is with his wife Mary Marshall and children at 26 Stothard Street, Jarrow

    Thomas is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Rouen and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216425

    Spr. Thomas Melvin Durham Fortress Company Royal Engineers (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Melvin served in Durham Fortress Company, Royal Engineers and died on the 4th November 1918. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals. It also records that he retired from the Territorial Force under Kings Regulations 1923 ref 8426/Adjutant. So he may have retired on medical grounds and died at home.

    Thomas was born in Jarrow 1895, son of Robert and Annie Melville nee Dunleavy of 11 Dunn Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at that address with Robert(63) a dock labourer - shipbuilding and his wife of 23 years Annie(43). They had 10 children, 9 survived and all are single and living at home. James(22)a fruit merchants clerk, Robert(18) ships painter and Thomas(16) a rivetter heater. The remaining children are at or below school age, Mary Ann(11), Annie(8), Catherine(5), Julia(3) and Marie is 10 months old. His older brother Robert was also one of the fallen.

    Vin Mullen




    216424

    Pte. Philip Messenger Marshall 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.15th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    Philip Messenger Marshall served with the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own). He was aged 28 when he died on 15th March 1915. He was born in Hebburn in 1886 and was the Hhsband of Jessie Marshall (nee Brodie). He enlisted in Jarrow.

    Philip is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216423

    L/Sjt. William Robert Marling 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    William Robert Marling served as a Lance Serjeant with the 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 31 when he died on 1st July 1916. Born in Jarrow in 1884, he enlisted in Wallsend. On the 1911 census he is listed as William Robert Marling age 26 Coal Miner Hewer living with his wife Annie Cooper Marling (nee Elvin) at 39 Hunter Street, Wallsend.

    William is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216422

    Pte. Arthur Ernest Marchbanks 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Ernest Marchbanks served with the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. He was aged 26 when he died on 27th October 1917. Born in Jarrow in 1891, he was the son of James and Elizabeth Marchbanks (nee Scot), he lived and enlisted Jarrow.

    Arthur is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow, on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and he was also commemorated on the Triptych (right panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    216421

    Pte. Magnus Manson 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.18th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Magnus Manson served with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders. He was aged 23 when died on 18th August 1916. Born in Jarrow in 1893, he enlisted in Edinburgh.

    He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216420

    Pte. John Mannion 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.11th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    John Mannion served with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 24 when he died on 11th August 1916. Born in Hebburn he was the son of John and Margaret Mannion of Edward Street Hebburn and husband of Eleanor Mannion (nee Thorne) of 26 Milton Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as John Mannion age 21 Plumbers Labourer in Shipyard is with his parents John and Margaret Mannion and family at 3 Edward Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in South Shields.

    John is buried in Martinsart British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216419

    Spr. Edgar Seaton Metcalfe 218 Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.24th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Edgar Seaton Metcalfe enlisted at Jarrow and served in 218th (Glasgow)Field Company, Royal Engineers. He died from wounds age 26 on the 24th June 1917 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church, He is buried in Coxyde Military Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he died from wounds.

    Edgar was born in Jarrow 1891, son of Edgar Seaton and Rosine Metcalfe nee Slevin of 29 Donkin Terrace, North Shields. In the 1911 census Edgar(19) is lodging with the Schmeiter family at 34 Hugh Street, London working as a Pantryman at a hotel.

    Vin Mullen




    216418

    Pte. William Mackay 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1915)

    <p>

    William Mackay served with the 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. He was aged 24 when he died on 22nd August 1915. Born in Jarrow in 1890 he was the son of William Hall Mackay of 99 Salem Street Jarrow and the late Margaret Jane Mackay (nee Bowey). On the 1911 census he is recorded as William Mackay age 20 General Labourer in Tube Works with his parents William and Margaret Jane Mackay and family at 99 Salem Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    William is remembered on the Helles Memorial. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and was commemorated on the Triptych (right panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    216417

    Pte. John James Mallen 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    John James Mallen served with the 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment. He was aged 28 when he died on 27th March 1918. Born in Jarrow in 1889 he was the son of Bernard and Ann Mallen (nee Hanlon) of 10 Short Row Jarrow. On the 1911 census, he is listed as John James Mallen age 21 Chipper and Painter in Shipyard living with his parents Bernard and Ann Mallen and family at 10 Short Row, Jarrow.

    John is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216416

    S. Magnan (d.WW1)

    S. Magnan is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216415

    Pte. Harvey Mackey 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Harvey Mackey served with the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 24 when he died on 18th November 1916. Born in Jarrow in 1892, he was the son of Thomas Edward and Sarah Jane Mackey (nee Nicholson) of Ryton. He enlisted in Hexham.

    Harvey is buried in Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz.

    Vin Mullen




    216414

    Pte. Robert William Gutteridge Milburn 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Robert William Gutteridge Milburn, Private 23/1434, served in the 23rd (4th Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and died from wounds age 18 on the 27th February 1917. He is remembered at St. Marks and St Pauls Churches and is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals and that he died from wounds.

    Robert was born in Jarrrow 1898, son of the late William and Mary Ann Hutchinson Milburn nee Scott of 40 Albion Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at that address with William(44) a general labourer in the shipyard and his wife of 22 years Mary Ann Hutchinson(41). They had 12 children with 9 surviving. 8 are living at this address as is William's father in law Robert John Scott(60)a widower, brass moulder. Children are Albert Stanley(20) general labourer, Eliza Ellen(17) and Margaret Jane(15), Robert is (12), Madge Dorothy(10), Catherine Alexandra(8), Laura Florence(6)and Frances Susannah is 2 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216413

    Trimmer. Russell Elsden Miller HMS Q25 (d.30th March 1917)

    Russell Elsden Miller, Trimmer 667142, served in the Mercantile Marine on HMS Q25 and died age 27 on the 30th March 1917. He is remembered at St. Marks Church and on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

    Russell was born in Hebburn 1891, son of James Russell and Emily Mary Ann Miller nee Elsdon. In the 1911 census the family is living at Jasmine Cottage, Walkerville with James Russell(44)boiler stoker in a hospital and his wife of 22 years Emily who had 7 children all of whom survived and are unmarried and living at this address. Russell(20) a coal putter in colliery, Thomas(18) an apprentice fitter - engine works, Emily(15) assisting at home, Phillip(13), Norah(11) and Nellie(7) are attending school. William is 11 months old.

    Vin Mullen




    216412

    Carpenter. Donald Campbell Mackay HMS Viknor (d.13th Jan 1915)

    Donald Campbell Mackay served on HMS Viknor with the Mercantile Marine Reserve. He was born in Wick, Scotland and lived in Jarrow, he died on 13th January 1915 aged 25. Donald Mackay married Margaret Green on the 21st October 1910 in Jarrow and they lived at 17 Union Street Back, Jarrow. On the 1911 Census Daniel McKay (married 1 year) age 21 Carpenter is with his wife, Margaret McKay, and son and his wife's parents John and Isabella Green and their children at 4 Scot Street, Jarrow.

    Donald id remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow as Daniel McKay and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow as D. Mackay Carpenter.

    Vin Mullen




    216411

    L/Cpl. John George Mitcheson 1st Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) (d.10th April 1917)

    <p>

    John George Mitcheson enlisted at Runcorn and served in the 1st Battalion, Kings Own(Royal Lancaster Regiment). He died on the 10th April 1917 and is remembered on the Arras Memorial. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Jarrow 1876, son of William and Elizabeth Mitcheson. In the 1911 census the family is living at Fernlea Cheshyres Lane, Weston with William(70) a joiner in chemical manufacturers and his wife of 40 years Eliza(60) who had 4 children all survived with 3 living at home all single. Daughter Georgy(38), sons John(34)a bricklayer and William(30) a labourer both at the chemical Works.

    Vin Mullen




    216410

    Pte. William Moffett 13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    William Moffett served in A Company, 13th Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action age 33 on the 29th September 1916. He is remembered on the Palmer Cenitaph, St. Paul's Church and is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals also that he was killed in action.

    William was born in Jarrow 1882, son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Moffett of Jarrow. In the 1911 census William is living as a lodger at 25 Bridge Street, Jarrow with the Harrison family. He is 27 and a general labourer in a galvanising factory.

    Vin Mullen




    216409

    Cpl. Robert Bruce 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Apr 1918)

    Not a lot is known about Grandad, Robert Bruce. Grandma, Ann Elizabeth Bruce said he was a 'wrong 'un' and disposed of all paperwork, photos, etc. Several family members are trying to find out more details but not with much success. We know he was 42 when he died on 26th April 1918 and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Any help would be appreciated.

    Vernon Bruce




    216408

    2nd Lt. J L MacAlpine 9th Lancers

    2Lt MacAlpine joined 9th Lancers at Meteren on 11th of March 1915 from 11th Reserve Cavalry.

    Black Sapper




    216407

    Pte. John Moore 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Sep 1914)

    <p>

    John Moor enlisted in Newcastle and served with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was killed in action age 29 on the 21st September 1914 and is remembered at Jarrow Library and La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Jarrow 1885, son of Thomas and Mary Moore nee McClure of 17 Elliot Terrace Newcastle. n the 1911 census John is listed with the regiments return in Barracks while the rest of the family is living at Elliott Street, Thomas(53) a Tailor, with his wife of 29 years Mary(48) who had 9 children, eight of whom survived. Five are still living at home.

    Vin Mullen




    216406

    Pte. John Flynn 15th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1920)

    <p>

    My great grandfather, John Flynn served with the 15th Cheshire regiment under the 1st/2nd regiment, Birkenhead. He was lucky enough to return from the great war, but was discharged from the army under kings regulations as being unfit for duty in 1919. Whilst he returned to Stockport briefly, he was found wandering dazed and confused in Whiston, Prescot in 1919. He was admitted to Lancaster county asylum and died there on 13/11/1920. He is listed on the st Helens roll of honour.

    Paul Dean




    216405

    Pte. John Morton 17th (N.E.R.) Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th June 1918)

    <p>

    John Morton enlisted at York and served with 17th Battalion (N.E.R. Pioneers) Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 18th June 1918. He is buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. John was born in Jarrow but unable to trace family in census returns.

    Vin Mullen




    216404

    Peter Robertson

    Peter Robertson is remembered at St. Paul's Church.

    The original file by Vin Mullen identified a family in the 1911 census with the following information, but I cannot find any link to the military. Peter Robertson – father Adam Mother Elizabeth Milligan – Peter married Margaret Farley and they had a daughter Elizabeth Robertson born 1899. She died in 1972. She married William Douglas and they had 2 children. Adam Robertson married a Elizabeth Milligan 29th May 1870 in Jarrow And that 1911 census shows a Peter Robertson and his wife Margaret and they have a daughter Elizabeth born about 1900. They have been married 15 years according to that census and there was a Peter Robertson who married a Margaret Farley in Jarrow 11th April 1896 Peter Robertson died 1915 Oct – Dec age 44 South Shields vol 10a page 1004. So all the above searches agree the record of this Peter Robertson. All we need is confirmation of some military or war involvement leading to a memorial entry in St. Paul's Church.

    The other Peter Robertson was born 1898, son of Robert and Esther Robertson of 332 South Frederick Street, South Shields. Driver 770491 169th Brigade Ammunition Column RFA died 14th August 1917 and remembered at Eqinghem-Lys Churchyard extension. His family lived at that address on 1901 and 1911 census. 1911 census lists Robert Robertson(46) widower, Coal Trimmer, Robert(17) a cartman, William(14), Peter(13) and John Thomas(11) still attending school.

    It really is not possible to decide which family is correct or indeed if either is correct, so in the future hopefully some further research will help resolve the issue.

    Vin Mullen




    216403

    Rfmn. Walter Heal 2nd/21st Bn. London Regiment (d.17th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    "Both Rifleman Heal and Smith were in 2nd Surrey Rifles Battalion which was a Battalion formed of varying Packets of new troops put together with more experienced troops and fed into the line to gain experience initially. On the 16th July 1916 the Battalion went into the Line as a complete and experienced Battalion near Anzin and occupied a trench called Bonnal in the front line. This trench was continually heavily shelled by the Germans on the 16/17th July 1916 and constantly rebuilt at night. It was recorded that the ration party collected three bodies form the Bonnal trench on the 17th and must presume that two of these were Rifleman Heal and Smith." This is a letter a relative got from The Surrey Rifle Association. I visit Walters grave at Louez outside Arras regularly and I am sure Rifleman Smith is buried next to him.

    Paul Heal




    216402

    Pte. Robert Mack 17th Battalion (N.E.R. Pioneers) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Mack served with the 17th Battalion (N.E.R. Pioneers) Northumberland Fusiliers, he was aged 24 when died on 2nd October 1917. Born Reston, Northumberland in 1893, son of David and Christina Mack of Waterside House, Alnwick. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    Robert is buried in Coxyde Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216401

    Pte. Samuel Griffiths 2nd Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.10th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Griffiths was serving with the 2nd Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and was aged 22 when died on 10th July 1917. Samuel Griffiths age 17 General Labourer in Shipyard is lodging at 29 Edward Street, Hebburn on the 1911 census. He was born in Hebburn and enlisted in Jarrow.

    Samuel is remembered on the Nieuport Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216400

    Pte. William Needham 17th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th April 1918)

    William Needham was my uncle and came from a family of 7 siblings, two sisters and 5 brothers. Not a lot is known about him and I didn't know he existed until I started researching my family history. The saying "survivors never really talked about the war" was certainly true in this case. My Father, who was twelve when the war ended, never mentioned these events at all. He also had a second brother, who served with the East Yorkshire Regiment and who was also killed during the war.

    I can only imagine how his father felt because not only did he lose two sons to the war he also lost his wife and a younger son and daughter during this period which shows that not only did people have to worry about their children fighting in a war but also had to deal with the traumas of every day life as well. Thank God their sacrifices, not only in ww1 but also ww2 and subsequent conflicts, were not in vain and has enabled us to live in freedom as we do today.

    John Needham




    216399

    Bmdr. James Lynn 50th Trench Mortar Battery, X Coy. Royal Field Artillery (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    James Lynn died aged 24, he was born in Jarrow in 1894, son of James and Catherine Lynn. James Lynn, age 17, an Engine Cleaner with North Eastern Railways, lived with his parents John & Cathrine Lynn & his sisters at 366, High Street, Jarrow in the 1911 Census. he enlisted in Hebburn

    James is remembered on the Soissons Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216398

    Pte. Charles Grieves 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Grieves was serving with the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, when he died on 21st March 1918. He was born and enlisted with the Yorkshire Regiment in Jarrow.

    Charles is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216397

    LdgTrimmer. Philip Lynch HM Trawler Shincliffe (d.4th May 1919)

    Philip Lynch was born in Jarrow in 1891, he died 4th May 1919 aged 29. he was the husband of Margaret Lynch (nee Wright) of 62 Dock Street Tyne Dock South Shields and son of Philip and Margaret Ann Lynch (nee Rooney) of Jarrow. Philip Lynch, age 20, a Dock Labourer, lived with his new wife Margaret Lynch & their young Daughter at 89, Bede Street, Tyne Dock, south Shields in the 1911 Census.

    Philip is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216396

    Pte. Albert Needham 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.29th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    Albert Needham was my uncle and came from a family with 7 siblings, two sisters and 5 brothers. Not a lot is known about him and I didn't know he existed until I started researching my family history. The saying "survivors never really talked about the war" was certainly true in this case. My Father, who was twelve when the war ended, never mentioned these events at all. He also had a second brother, that served with the Northumberland fusiliers, who was Killed during the war as well. I can only imagine how his father felt because not only did he loose two sons to the war he also lost his wife and a younger son and daughter during this period which shows that not only did people have to worry about their children fighting in a war but also had to deal with the traumas of every day life as well. Thank god their sacrifices, not only in ww1 but also ww2 and subsequent conflicts, were not in vain and has enabled us to live in freedom as we do today.

    John needham




    216395

    Pte. William Gray 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    William Gray was a regular soldier with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 30 when he died on 16th November 1914. Born in Jarrow, he lived in Hebburn. William Gray age 27 Painters Labourer in Shipyard is a prisoner in Police Station Cells, Jarrow on the 1911 census. He enlisted in Barnard Castle giving his next of kin as his brother Robert Althon Gray of 163 Sunderland Road, Gateshead.

    William is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216394

    Pte. James Lynch 25th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    James Lynch died aged 20, he was born in Hebburn in 1895, Son of James and Mary Lynch of 5 Prince Consort Lane Hebburn. James Lynch, age 15, lived with his parents James & Mary Lynch & his siblings at 6, Cuthbert Street, Hebburn in the 1911 Census. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    James is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216393

    Pte. Peter Lydon 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Peter Lydon was born in Galway and enlisted in Newcastle whilst living at 31 Princess Street, Jarrow. He died aged 23 and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216391

    Frederick Lydon

    <p>

    Frederick Lydon is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216390

    Sgt. William Luke 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    William Luke first served in France on the 15th of July 1915. He was born in Jarrow in 1892 and was the son of Mary Ann Patterson (formerly Luke nee Carrahar) and the late John Luke. William Luke, age 18, an Apprentice Rivetter in Ship Building, lived with his Stepfather William Patterson & his mother, Mary Ann Patterson, his Step siblings & his brother at 58, Stephenson Street, Willington Quay in the 1911 Census. He enlisted in Wallsend and died aged 24.

    William is buried in Point-Du-Jour Military Cemetery Athies.

    Vin Mullen




    216389

    Pte. A Lowery

    <p>

    A. Lowery is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216387

    Pte. Adam Greg 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Adam Greig served with the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) he was aged 22 when he died on 16th October 1916. Son of Alexander and Ann Greig he was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow. Adam Greig age 15 Milk Boy is recorded as living with his parents Alexander and Ann Greig and family at 31 Wellesley Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Adam is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and on the Monkton Memorial in Monkton Village, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216386

    Fireman & Trimmer. Michael Hugh Logan SS Polyxena (d.12th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Michael Logan died at sea aged 25. He was born in Jarrow in 1892, son of Hugh and Mary Logan (nee Esmond) of Jarrow. Michael Logan, age 18, a Shipyard Plater, lived with his parents Hugh & Mary Logan at 174, Stephenson Street, North Shields in the 1911 Census. He was the husband of Mary Ellen Logan (nee Cerr) of 35 Stephenson Street North Shields.

    Michael is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216384

    Bmdr. John William Gregg 1st/4th (Northumbrian) Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.8th May 1915)

    John William Gregg served with the 1st/4th (Northumbrian) Battery Royal Field Artillery. He was born and lived Jarrow and died aged 20 on 8th May 1915. He was the son of George and Emma Louisa Gregg (nee Young). On the 1911 census John William Gregg age 13 Apprentice Plater in Shipyard is with his parents George and Emma Louisa Gregg and family at 48 Gladstone Street, Hebburn .

    John is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Addenda Panel and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216383

    Pte William Green 4th Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.23rd Nov 1917)

    <p>

    William Green served with the 4th Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, he died on 23rd November 1917. He was born and enlisted in Jarrow.

    William is buried in Honnechy British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216382

    Pte. Thomas Green 9th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.18th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Green served with the 9th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, he was aged 25 when died on 18th October 1915. He was born and lived Jarrow, Son of Thomas and Mary Green. He enlisted in North Shields.

    Thomas is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216381

    Pte. Thomas Green 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1920)

    <p>

    Thomas Green served with the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. He was aged 46 when he died on 19th August 1920. He was born and lived Jarrow, son of late John and Margaret Green and husband of Eleanor Minnie Green (nee Moody) of 79 Tyne Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census Thomas Green age 38 Carpenters Labourer is lodging at 26 Milton Street back, Jarrow.

    He died in Jarrow and is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216380

    Pte. John Green 12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th July 1916)

    <p>

    John Green served with the 12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), he was aged 22 when he died on 14th July 1916, he was the son of John and Agnes Green (nee Thirlwall) of 10 Spencer Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census, John Green age 17 Ships Rivet Heater in Shipyard is listed as living with his parents John and Agnes Green and family at 13 Milton Street, Jarrow. he was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow.

    John is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216379

    Stkr. Robert Graves HMS Queen Mary (d.3rd May 1916)

    Robert Graves served as a Stoker on board HMS Queen Mary with the Royal Naval Reserve. He was born and lived Jarrow, died on 3rd May 1916 aged 34, he was the son of Hannah Graves (nee Day) of 57 High Street Jarrow and Robert Graves, Husband of Margaret Graves (nee Kirven) of 57 High Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census Robert Graves age 30 Ships Plate Rivetter in the Palmer Shipyard is with his wife Margaret Graves and children and his widowed mother Hannah Graves at 57 High Street, Jarrow .

    Robert is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial, he is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (brass plaque on west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216378

    Ord. Maxwell Hill Morrice Crystal Palace Depot RN RNVR (d.19th Jun 1916)

    Maxwell Hill Morrice served at the RN Depot Crystal Palace. He is reported to have died from illness and is buried in Allendale Cemetery, Aberdeen, Scotland Grave plan G.53. He died age 31 on the 19th June 1916. He is remembered at Jarrow Library and Allendale Cemetery, Aberdeen.

    Maxwell was born in Jarrow 1885, son of John and Jessie Morrice nee Haslehurst. In the Scottish 1901 census the family is living at 4 New Pier Road, Aberdeen with John (51) and Jessie(46). Children are Minnie 20, Elsie 18, David 16, Maxwell 15, a clerk, Lizzie 13 John 11 and Alexander 7.

    Maxwell seems to have continued in the RNVR Home Service, but was not drafted into any of the Royal Naval Division's Battalion which fought as infantry in Europe and Gallipoli. Little is known of his Home postings and duties other than he was at the Royal Naval Depot Crystal Palace at the time of his fatal illness and probably died in a nearby Military Hospital.

    Vin Mullen




    216377

    Pte. George Robert Grant 25th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    George Robert Grant served with the 25th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers, he was aged 32 when died on 1st July 1916. On the 1911 census George Robert Grant age 27 Slater at Plate Works is living with his parents William and Elizabeth Grant and family at 62 Duke Street, Jarrow. He was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow.

    George is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216376

    L/Cpl. Wilfred Norman Graham 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.21st Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Wilfred Norman Graham served with the 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, he was aged 36 when he died on 21st November 1917. He was born in Allendale, Son of John and Elizabeth Graham. On the 1911 census Wilfred Norman Graham age 29, Vanman Confectionery is listed as living with his parents John and Elizabeth Graham and family at 66 Heaton Road, Newcastle. He was the husband of Mary E. Graham (nee Gray) of 78 Third Avenue, Heaton, Newcastle. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    Wilfred is buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery Manancourt and is commemorated on the Monkton Memorial in Monkton Village, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216375

    Pte. Patrick Graham 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Patrick Graham of the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry was aged 20 when he died on 21st September 1914. He was born and lived Jarrow. On the 1911 census Patrick Graham age 17 Servant Cartman on Farm is listed at 18 Front Street, Boldon Colliery, Jarrow.

    He is remembered on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216374

    Trimmer. John Graham HMS Almanzora (d.10th July 1918)

    John Graham served as a Trimmer on HMS Almanzora with the Mercantile Marine Reserve and also on HMS Eagle. He was aged 21 when he died on 10th July 1918. He was born and lived in Jarrow, son of Patrick and Mary Graham (nee Fleming) of 36 Caledonian Road Jarrow. On the 1911 census his parents Patrick and Mary Graham and family of John Graham are at at 24 North Street, Jarrow

    John is buried in Gamboa British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216373

    Pte. Henry Graham 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st March 1915)

    <p>

    Henry Graham served with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was aged 23 when died on 1st March 1915. He was the son of Mary Graham of 52 Pearson Place Jarrow. On the 1911 census Henry Graham age 19 Fitters Labourer in Shipyard is listed as living with his widowed mother Mary Graham and family at 52 Pearson Place, Jarrow.

    Henry is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216372

    T. M. Gowan

    T. M. Gowan is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216371

    Gnr. John William Loader 20th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.9th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    John Loader died aged 30, he was the son of Isabella Loader (nee Laidler) of 72 High Street Jarrow and the late John Philip Loader. Born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow as a regular solider. John William Loader, age 24, was a serving gunner with number 78, Company, Royal Garrison Artillery in the 1911 Census. He first served in overseas with the BEF in WW1 on the 17th of September 1914.

    John is buried in Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216370

    Pte. Joseph Livingstone 1st Btn Coldstream Guards (d.19th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    James Livingstone died aged 20 whilst serving with the BEF. He was born in St. Stevens Northumberland in 1894, Son of Thomas and Jane Livingston. in the 1911 Census he is listed as James Livingstone, age 17, a Chemical Labourer for a Chemical Manufacturer living with his Widowed Mother Jane Livingstone & his many siblings at 95, Salem Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow, a regular soldier he first served overseas in WW1 on the 13th of August 1914.

    James is remembered on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial and he was commemorated on the Triptych in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church).

    Vin Mullen




    216369

    Pte. John Lemon Liunberg 6th Battalion, Z Company King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.10th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    John Liunberg died aged 37, he was born in North Shields in 1879, son of Peter and Mary Jane Liunberg (nee Lemon). In the 1911 Census he is listed as John Lemon Liunberg, age 31, a Ship's Painter, living with his wife Sarah Jane Liunberg (Clark) & their children at 73, Stephenson Street, Wellington Quay. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    John is remembered on the Arras Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216368

    Spr. Samuel Little 1st/2nd Durham Fortress Company Royal Engineers (d.17th Dec 1914)

    <p>

    Samuel Little died at Hartlepool aged 20, he was born in Jarrow in 1894, son of Walter and Susan Little (nee McDonald) of 8 Clyde Street Jarrow. In the 1911 Census he is listed as Samuel Little, age 16, an Apprentice House Plumber, living with his parents Walter & Susan Little & siblings at 8, Clyde Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow

    Samuel is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216367

    Private Norman Little 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Norman Little died age 19, he was born in Jarrow in 1899, son of Thomas Golightly and Elizabeth Little (nee Ward) of 13 Hurworth Place Jarrow. In the 1911 Census Norman Little age12, at School, is listed as living with his Parents Thomas George & Elizabeth Little & his siblings at 61, Monkton Road, Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow with the East Yorkshire Regiment.

    Nirman is buried in Ste Emilie Valley Cemetery Villers-Faucon. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216366

    Colour Sgt. Benjamin Little MM. 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.13th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Benjamin Little died aged 24, he was born in Jarrow in 1894, Son of Benjamin and Annie Little (nee Patterson). In the 1911 Census Benjamin Little, age 16, Rivet Heater in a Shipyard, is listed as living with his Mother Ann Little & his siblings at 32, Shakespeare Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow and Formerly served as Colour Sergeant 8293 West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Benjamin is buried in Wellington Cemetery. Rieux-En-Cambresis. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216365

    3rd Eng. Arthur Howard Little SS Otaki (d.10th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Little died at sea aged 26, he was born in 1890 Medomsley, Durham son of Albert P. Little of 69 Grange Road West, Jarrow. In the 1911 Census Arthur Howard Little, age 20, a Colliery Engineer's fitter, is recorded living with his parents Albert Sean & Jane Elizabeth Little at Seremouster Colliery, Berwick on Tweed

    Arthur is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216364

    Supply Sgt John "Jack Rabbit" Herbert 17th Btn. London Regiment

    John Herbert, born 1892 was my Grandfather. We know very little about him during his young years. I knew him and loved him dearly as my Grandpop, but his life before he and my Grandmother emigrated to Australia in 1929 was not to be discussed. He grew up in the East End of London, the youngest of seven children, his mother died when he was six, his father remarried and Grandpop was raised by his oldest sister.

    The little I do know about his WW1 life has been pieced together from a few old photos, many sporting medals, his Service Medal Card and Medals (Pip, Squeak & Wilfred), and an autograph book he carried with him through France and WW1 with many of the Autographs ending in 'Somewhere in France' and a date. His Service Record was destroyed during WW2, so I have followed the 17th London Regiment from two books. One called The Poplars by Ron Wilcox, and was surprised to see my Grandpop in the photo on the front cover, and the second - 47th (London) Division 1914 – 1919 by Allan H Maude.

    John Herbert enlisted in 1913, well before WW1, was promoted to Supply Sergeant in 1916, he was disembodied in 1919. His rank of Supply Sergeant might explain his surviving the entire war as he was fortunate enough not to have been on the front line nor in the trenches, but spent most of the war behind the lines. He passed away in Brisbane Australia, in 1976.

    Tricia Hoey




    216363

    Bmdr. Frank Muir 250 Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.30th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Muir served in D Battery, 250th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and died of wounds on the 30th September 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church, Jarrow and is buried in Martinpuich Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. Frank was born in Jarrow but I have been unable to find in any census or BMD records.

    Vin Mullen




    216362

    Lt. Arthur Blackwood Gowan 1st/3rd Durham Field Company Royal Engineers (d.14th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Blackwood Gowan served as a Lieutenant in the 1st/3rd Durham Field Company, Royal Engineers. He was aged 19 when died on 14th July 1916. Son of Arthur Byram Gowan and Agnes Jane Gowan of 7 Brandling Park Newcastle, His father Arthur Byram Gowan was Managing Director of Palmer Shipbuilders in Jarrow.

    Arthur is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and at Christ Church in Jarrow. A ferry that crossed the River Tyne from Jarrow to Howdon was named after him, the A.B.Gowan.

    Vin Mullen




    216361

    Pte. Thomas Gourley 4th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.20th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Gourley was serving with the 4th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, when he died on 20th October 1917, he was 29 years old and had enlisted with the Northumberland Fusiliers in Sunderland. He was the husband of Laura Gourley (nee Watson). On the 1911 census, Thomas Gourley age 23 Coal Miner Stoneman is listed as with his wife Laura Gourley and child at 14 Morgan Street, Sunderland.

    Thomas is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216360

    Pte. Hugh Gorman 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    Hugh Gorman served with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was aged 27 when he died on 27th March 1916. He was born in Boldon son of Peter and Margaret Gorman of Boldon Colliery. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Hugh Gorman age 23 Coal Miner Hewer living with his sister Margaret McKeown and her husband Thomas McKeown and family at 10 Donkins Row, Boldon Colliery, Jarrow. He was the husband of Annie Gorman (nee Heenan) of 9 Chapel Road Jarrow. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow.

    Hugh is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216359

    Pte. George Andrew Muir 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    George Andrew Muir enlisted in Darlington and served with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died age 27 on the 21st March 1918. He is remembered at Jarrow Cemetery and on the Arras Memorial. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    George was born in Darlington 1891, son of Andrew and Mary Isabellla Muir nee Hedley of 7 Greenbank Road North, Darlington. In the 1911 census the family are living at 119 Salisbury Terrace, Darlington with Andrew(48) an Inspector of Police(24 years service) and his wife of 20 years Mary Isabella(42)who has had 2 children both single and still living at this address. George Andrew(19) is an apprentice miner and Hedley (19) is an engineering pattern maker apprentice.

    Vin Mullen




    216358

    E. Kursacoff (d.WW1)

    E. Kursacoff is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216357

    Sgt. William Urwin Clifford Knox Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    William Urwin Clifford Knox served with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was born in Jarrow 19th of September 1885 and died 23rd October 1918 aged 33. He enlisted in Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada and was the husband of W. U. Knox of 2349 Esplanade Avenue, Montreal and son of George Urwin and Catherine Ann Knox (nee Clifford) of 22 James Street Thornaby on Tees.

    William is buried in Montreal (Mount Royal) Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216356

    Pte. John Knox 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John Knox was serving with the 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, when he died on 14th July 1916, he was 22 years old. Born in Hebburn Colliery in 1894, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Knox (nee Clayton) of 14 Station Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census John Knox age 13 Newsboy at School is listsed as living with his widowed mother Elizabeth Knox and family at 94 Western Road, Jarrow. He lived in Newcastle and enlisted in Jarrow.

    John is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216355

    Pte. Joseph Mumford 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Mumford enlisted in Wallsend and served with the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. he died age 30 on the 8th May 1915 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and on the Ypres(Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 star, War and Victory Medals.

    Joseph was born in Jarrow 1884, son of Joseph and Ann Mumford nee Burbridge of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family was living at 11 Hibernian Road with Joseph(63)born in Deptford, London a ships rivetter supervisor and Ann(60) his wife of 36 years, born in Bridport, Dorset. They had 5 children with 3 surviving. Joseph(27) single is the only one living here and is a ship plate rivetter.

    Vin Mullen




    216354

    Pte. Thomas Smith Knowles 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Smith Knowles was serving with the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and was aged 25 when died on 29th March 1918. He was born in Jarrow in 1892, son of Charles and Elizabeth Knowles (nee Smith) of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Thomas Smith Knowles age 19 Apprentice Grocer is with his parents Charles and Elizabeth Knowles and family at 12 Union Street, Jarrow. He was the husband of Mary Knowles (nee Fox) of 52 Nansen Street Jarrow. He enlisted in Durham.

    Thomas is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216353

    Charles Knight

    Charles Knight is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216352

    2nd.Eng. Walter Klotz SS War Grange (d.15th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Klotz served as 2nd Engineer on the SS War Grange with the Mercantile Marine. He was aged 42 when he died on the 15th of June 1918. He was born 16.07.1875 in Hudson Street, North Shields, son of Julius E. C. and Mary Elizabeth Klotz of Jarrow. He was the husband of Mary Park Klotz of Capenor, St. George's Terrace, East Boldon.

    Walter is buried in Newquay New Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216351

    John J. Linskey

    <p>

    John J. Linskeyn is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow

    Vin Mullen




    216350

    Spr. Sidney King 22nd Light Railway Train Crew Company Royal Engineers (d.23rd July 1917)

    <p>

    Sidney King served with 22nd Light Railway Train Crew Company and was aged 19 when he died on 23rd July 1917. He was born in Jarrow, son of Frederick and Mary A. King (nee Thurston) of North Eastern Gas Works House, Castle Eden County Durham. On the 1911 census he is listed as Sidney King age 12 at School living with his parents Frederick and Mary A. King at North Eastern Gas Works, Ferryhill

    Sidney is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216349

    Rfmn. James Bede Linskey 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.1st Sep 1916)

    <p>

    James Linskey died age 25, he was born in Jarrow, Son of Michael and Margaret Linskey (nee Dougherty). He was the husband of Annie Bryan (formerly Linskey nee Robson) of 3 Chaytor Street Jarrow. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as James Linskey, age 21, a Labourer on Discharging Stoneboats, with his newly married wife Annie living at 31, Commercial Road, Jarrow. He enlisted in North Shields

    James is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No. 2. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216348

    Sgt. Francis Chamberlain 1st/4th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.9th Oct 1917)

    My Great Uncle, Francis Chamberlain was born in Nottingham in about 1896 and served in the 1st/4th Battalion of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He died in 'France and Flanders' on the 9th October 1917. There is a memorial to him on the Tyne Cot Memorial so I therefore assume that he does not have a grave. I would like to find out more information about the battle in which he died.

    Sue Dilks




    216347

    Pte. Austin King 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.17th July 1916)

    <p>

    Austin King of the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was aged 34 when he died on 17th July 1916. He was born in Jarrow in 1882. On the 1911 census, he is recorded as Austin King age 17 Coal Miner Hewer is with his wife Abigail King (nee Hall) at 13 Gladstone Terrace, Usworth. He enlisted in Washington.

    Austin is remembered in Bazentin-Le-Petit Military Cemetery on a Special Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216346

    Seaman. H Link

    <p>

    H. Link is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. Can anyone provide further details?

    Vin Mullen




    216345

    Sgt. James Lindsey 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Oct 1916)

    <p>

    James Lindsey died aged 27, he was born in Jarrow in 1889. In the 1911 Census James Lindsey, age 22, a General Shipyard Labourer, is listed as living with his Widowed Grandmother Elizabeth Kenny or Henry at 107 High Street, Jarrow, County Durham. He enlisted in South Shields

    James is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery. Mericourt-L'Abbe.

    Vin Mullen




    216344

    Able Sea. John James Munroe Hood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.22nd Oct 1918)

    John James Munroe served in Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division. He died age 21 on the 22nd October 1918 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and at the Cologne Memorial on the South wall in North shelter at the entrance to the British plots.

    John was born in Newcastle upon Tyne 1897, only son of Mrs Susannah Munroe of 6 Scott Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census John(13) and his sister Mary (Etna?) Munroe (9) are visitors. The remainder of the household are a brother and 2 sisters with the surname Sizeland(?) Edward(39) a labourer for local merchant, Susannah(35) and Mary (etna?)(32) [Girls names could be Marietta - hard to decipher)

    Editors Note: The location of the memorial in Cologne would strongly suggest this man was a prisoner of war as a great many were captured in 1914 particularly from the original Naval Division when they were rushed into the front line to defend Antwerp. Only drake Battalion escaped. captives were dispersed over a number of POW Camps in Germany.

    Vin Mullen




    216343

    Pte. Thomas Lindsay 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.9th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Lindsay was a regular soldier who first served in France with the BEf on 28th of December 1914. He died age 20. He was born in Barrow in Furness in 1895, son of Thomas and Jane Ann Lindsay (nee Ryan) of 48 1/2 Monkton Terrace Jarrow. In the 1911 Census Thomas Lindsay, age 15, a General Labourer in a Cement Works, lived with his parents Thomas & Jane Lindsay & his siblings at 29, Curry Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne. He had enlisted in Jarrow.

    Thomas is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216342

    Able Sea. James Chandler Kilgour Collingwood Battalion Royal Naval Division (d.7th Oct 1914)

    James Chandler Kilgour served with Collingwood Battalion R. N. Division Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, he died 7th October 1914 aged 25. Born in Jarrow in 1887, he was the son of Alexander and Mary Kilgour (formerly Bell nee Chandler.) On the 1911 census James Chandler Kilgour is listed as being aged 24, a Ships Painter in Shipyard and lodging at 282 High Street, Jarrow.

    James is remembered on the Nieuport Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216341

    Pte. John James Lewis 4th Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.26th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    John Lewis died aged 42, he was the husband of Jane Eleanor Lewis (nee Johnson) of 67 Charles Street Jarrow. He first served in the Balkans on the 7th of August 1915.

    John is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216340

    Michael Kerr

    Michael Kerr is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216339

    L/Cpl. Joseph Leighton 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Leighton was born in Jarrow and enlisted in South Shields. He served in France from the 3rd of October 1915. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216338

    L/Cpl. George Ledingham 526th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.12th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    George Ledingham, died aged 25. He was born in Jarrow in 1892, son of Benjamin and Margaret Ledingham. In the 1911 Census he is listed as George Ledingham, age 18, a Joiner on Buildings, living with his parents Benjamin & Margaret Ledingham & his siblings at 58, Russell Street, Jarrow.

    George is buried in Mindel Trench British Cemetery, St. Laurent-Blangy. and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216337

    Pte. William Henry Lawson 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    William Lawson died aged 21. He was born in Hebburn in 1894, son of Henry and Mary Jane Lawson of 63 Dunston Street Hebburn, where he is recorded as living at the 1911 census; William Lawson, age 16, an Apprentice Plater in Shipbuilding. He enlisted in Jarrow and first served overseas in WW1 on the 1st of November 1914.

    William is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216336

    Sgt. James William Lawson Labour Corps (d.28th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    James William Lawson first served in France on the 25th of August 1915 with the Durham Light Infantry. He was born in North Shields 1884, son of Matthew S. and Mary Lawson. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow. His death is recorded in Sep quarter of 1918, James W. Lawson 33 Castle W. 10b 411. He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216335

    Pte. Ernest Lawson 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Ernest Lawson died aged 32, born in Jarrow in 1884, he was the son of Joseph and Jane Lawson (nee McNair) and husband of Eliza J. D. Lawson (nee West) of Jarrow. In the 1911 Census he is listed as Ernest Lawson, age 27, a General Labourer in a Shipyard, & his wife Eliza Lawson lived at 32, Swindon Street, Hebburn Quay.

    Ernest is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216334

    Pte. Isaac Laws 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Isaac Laws died age 34, born in Hebburn in 1882, Son of Ellen and William Laws, he lived and enlisted in Jarrow. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as Isaac Laws, age 28, a Coal Miner (Deputy Overman), & his wife Mary Ann Laws & their 2 sons lived at 10, Walton Street, Gateshead-on-Tyne.

    Isaac is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216333

    Pte. Thomas Munroe 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Munroe enlisted in Jarrow and served with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died age 20 on the 19th April 1916 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, war and Victory Medals.

    Thomas was born in Jarrow 1895, son of Patrick and Bridget Munroe of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 26 North Street, Jarrow with Patrick(40) a general labourer in the blast furnace works and his wife of 18 years Bridget. They had 12 children of whom 5 survived and are single living at home. Thomas(15) is a platers general labourer, Michael(11), Kate(9) and Patrick(5) are at school. John is 3 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216332

    Pte. Joseph Lavery 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Lavery died aged 38, born in Longtown Cumberland in 1878, he lived in Jarrow and was the husband of Florence Knaggs (formerly Lavery nee Renton) of 34 Shakespeare Street Jarrow. He enlisted in Newcastle with the Durham Light Infantry.

    Joseph is buried in Coin British Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216331

    Pte. John Lavery 3rd Dragoon Guards (d.6th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    John Lavery died aged 19 whilst serving with the Dragoon Guards, a regular soldier, he had previously served with the Durham Light Infantry. He went to France with the BEF on the 31st of October 1914. John is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    he was born in Jarrow in 1895, he had enlisted in Jarrow and lived Lichfield Nottingham. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as John Lavery, age 16, a Metal Cleaner in an Iron Foundry, a Boarder with the Wallace Family living at 132, Dee Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne.

    Vin Mullen




    216330

    Pte. John Kenny 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    John Kenny of the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, was aged 35 when he died on 12th April 1918. He was the husband of Mary Ann Saunders (formerly Kenny nee Flowdy) of 82 Burns Street Jarrow.

    John is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216329

    Pte. Arthur William E Lavery 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Arthur Lavery died aged 22, he was born in Chatham 1894. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as Arthur Lavery, age 17, a Shipyard Labourer, lived with his parents Edward & Martha Lavery & his siblings at 104, Hope Street, Jarrow. He first served in France on the 18th of 1915.

    Arthur is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216328

    Pte. James Kelly 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    James Kelly was serving with the 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment when he died on 26th September 1916. He was born and enlisted in Jarrow, he was the son of James Kelly and the late Matilda Kelly of Jarrow.

    James is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216326

    Spr. William Lascelles 526th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    William Lascelles died aged 22. He was born in Jarrow in 1892 son of Joseph Harker and Janet Lascelles (nee Robertson) of 49 Ferry Street Jarrow. In the 1911 Census William Lascelles, age 19, a Coal miner in Hebburn Colliery, lived with his parents Joseph Harker & Janet Lascelles at 49, Ferry Street, Jarrow. He was the husband of Catherine Potts (formerly Lascelles nee Taylor) of 2 Bell Street East Jarrow. His older brothers James and Joseph were also of the fallen

    William is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216325

    Pte. John William Murphy Royal Defence Corps (d.17th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    John William Murphy served in the Royal Defence Corps and died age 53 on the 17th October 1917. He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    John was born in Jarrow 1864. His death is recorded at Grimsby. 7a.660. In the 1911 census he is living at 53 Blacketts street, Jarrow. John(46) is a platers helper in the shipyard and Ellen his wife of 17 years had 7 children with 5 surviving all single and living at home. Anthony(25) is also a platers helper, Jane(21) is a domestic servant, as is Rebecca(18) and Mary Ellen(15). Patrick is ten years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216324

    Pte. Joseph Lascelles 15th Batn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Joseph Lascelles was born in Jarrow in 1883 the son of Joseph Harker and Janet Lascelles (nee Robertson) of 49 Ferry Street Jarrow. a shipyard Labourer, Joseph Lascelles lived with his parents & his siblings at 49, Ferry Street, Jarrow in the 1911 Census.

    He served in France with the Durham Light Infantry 15th Battalion from 11th September 1915 until his death on 25th September 1915 aged 27. His wife, now Mrs Middleton, applied for her late husband's medals on on 6th June 1921, while living at 12, Gray Street, Jarrow. His younger brothers James and William were also among the fallen. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216323

    Pte. Frederick Lascelles 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Frederick Lascelles died aged 19, he was born in Jarrow 1897, son of Joseph Harker and Janet Lascelles (nee Robertson) of 49 Ferry Street Jarrow. In the 1911 Census he is listed as Frederick Lascelles, age 14, a Rivet Catcher in a Ship Builders, lived with his parents Joseph Harker & Janet Lascelles & his siblings at 49, Ferry Street, Jarrow. His older brother Joseph and younger brother William were also of the fallen

    Frederick is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216322

    L/Sgt. John Louis Larsen 3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    John Larsen died aged 28 in Medway. He was the son of Sarah Larsen (nee Hennessy) and the late Hans Larsen and husband of Elizabeth Jane Larsen (nee Hogg) of 27 Duke Street Jarrow. He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. He first served in France on the 28th of April 1915. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216321

    Pte. Benjamin Lane 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Benjamin Lane died aged 28, he was born in Jarrow in 1877. He was living in Stockton and enlisted in Retford. He was the son of the late Benjamin and Sarah Jane Lane of Jarrow. He served in France from the 17th of August 1915. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216320

    Joseph Lane (d.15th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Lane died aged 67 due to a Zeppelin raid, he was the son of the late James and Margaret Lane and husband of Jane lane (nee Strong) of 25 Bede Burn Road, Jarrow, where he is recorded as living in the 1911 Census.

    He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. He was also commemorated one time on a brass plaque with six others, which hung in the porch of St. John's Wesleyan Church St. John’s Terrace, Jarrow. The plaque was engraved by Mr. M. Hamilton of Jarrow (aged 80 years) The church was demolished in 1964. It is not known what happened to the brass plaque.

    Vin Mullen




    216319

    Pte. John Lanahan 26th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John Lanahan was born in Jarrow, enlisted Newcastle and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216318

    Pte. William Lanaghan 1st/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    William Lanaghan died aged 17, he was born in Jarrow on the 23rd October 1900, son of John Patrick and Charlotte Anne Lanaghan (nee Robson). In the 1911 Census he is listed as William Lanaghan, age 10, at School, living with his parents John & Charlotte Lanaghan & his siblings at 43, Commercial Road, Jarrow. For some unknown reason he is down as James Lanaghan on his Medal Index Card, perhaps he had used his brother's details to enlist underage? He had an older brother James who was discharged from the 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment on the 7th February 1917 due to losing a leg. William is remembered on the Soissons Memorial and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216317

    ERA. Anthony Kell HMS Mons (d.29th Nov1916)

    Anthony Kell, Engine Room Artificer served on HMS Mons with the Royal Naval Reserve. He was aged 28 when he died on 29th November 1916. Born in 1885 in Westoe, he was the son of the William and Emma Kell of South Shields and was husband of Annie Kell (nee Dickerson) of 12 Caroline Street Jarrow. Antony is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216316

    Pte. James Lamb 6th/7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.12th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    James Lamb died age 36, he was born in Jarrow, enlisted in Paisley and was living Govan Son of John and Margaret Lamb of 8 Marr Street Govan Glasgow

    James is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216315

    Pte. George William Lamb 7th Battalion Border Regiment (d.13th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    George Lamb died age 21, he first served in France on the 24th of July 1915. He was born in Jarrow 1894, son of George William and Hannah Mary Lamb (nee Richardson) of 4 Oak Street Jarrow. In the 1911 Census, George William Lamb, age 17, a Cleaner in a Blast Furnace Fitting Shop & Black Engine House, is listed as living with his parents George William & Hannah Mary Lamb & his many siblings at 49, Grange Road West, Jarrow

    george is buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216314

    Spr. James Keith 61st Field Company Royal Engineers (d.31st Mar 1917)

    <p>

    James Keith Served with 61st Field Company Royal Engineers, he was aged 34 when he died on 31st March 1917. Born Jarrow 1883, he was the son of Alexander and Mary Ann Keith of Jarrow and husband of Elizabeth Keith (nee Thurston) of 40 Cumberland Street West Hartlepool. He enlisted in West Hartlepool. On the 1911 census he is listed as James Keith age 28 Electrical Labourer in Electrical Works living with his wife Elizabeth Keith and children at 83 Albert Road, Jarrow.

    James is buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun.

    Vin Mullen




    216313

    Pte. George Lamb 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.28th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    George Lamb died aged 22, he was born in Jarrow in 1892, son of William and Elizabeth Lamb. In the 1911 Census he is listed as George Lamb, age 18, a Colliery Pony Driver, living at 12, Ormonde Street, South Shields. He first served in WW1 on the 8th of September 1914.

    George is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216312

    Pte. Alfred Yarwood 2nd/22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.31st Oct 1916)

    Alfie Yarwood, my great uncle, was born in July 1894 in Haggeston, East London. He enlisted in July 1915 in Shoreditch and served in France and Flanders. He died on 31st October 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, and is buried in France in Doullens Communal Cemetery, Extension No.1.

    Pat Larner




    216311

    Pte. Ernest Job Keay 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Ernest Job Keay served with 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers and was aged 21 when he died on 23rd March 1918. Born in Jarrow in 1896, he was the son of Walter and Catherine Keay (nee Jones). On the 1911 census, he is listed as Ernest Job Keay age 14 Apprentice House Painter is with his widowed mother Catherine Keay and family at 12 Hope Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    Ernest is remembered on te Arras Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216310

    Pte. Peter Murray 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Peter Murray served in the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) and died age 28 on the 25th March 1918. He is remembered at Brie British Cemetery on Special Memorial 5. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Peter was born in Jarrow 1889, son of Patrick and Catherine Murray nee McQuade of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 10 Shakespeare Street, Jarrow with Patrick(57) a merchant Marine stoker and his wife of 34 years Catherine(55). They had 5 children with 3 surviving. Two are single and living here, Peter(22)is a general labourer in a slag crushing works and Mary Ann is 20 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216309

    Pte. Luke Kearney 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Luke Kearney served with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was aged 33 when he died on 9th November 1914. He was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow. Son of Ann Kearney and the late Thomas Kearney and husband of Elizabeth J. McErlaine (formerly Kearney nee Keenan) of 6 Cambrian Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Luke Kearney age 27 Labourer in Chemical Works is with his wife Elizabeth Kearney and children and widowed mother Ann Kearney at 16 Hope Street, Jarrow.

    Luke is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216308

    Pte. William Kavanagh 7th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>

    William Kavanagh was serving with 7th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment when he died on the 31st of July 1917. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216307

    Pte. Robert Edgar Murray 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Robert Edgar Murray, Private 9602, enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died age 28 on the 29th November 1914 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St Paul's Church also on the Ypres(Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Robert was born in Cardiff 1886, son of Wilhelmina Murray of Jarrow. He was married to Gwenllian Tulloch (formerly Murray). In the 1911 census the family is living at 43 South Street, Jarrow. Wilhelmina(52) widow, is a paper hanger and had been married for 9 years with 4 children but only two survived. William Irving(28)single, a shipsplate rivetter, Robert Edgar(25) married, a shipyard labourer and his wife of 3 years Gwenllian(24), no children. There is also a married daughter Janet Temple Porteous(21) so the census totals do not agree. Janet has two children Henrietta(8) and William is 6 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216306

    Rfmn. Thomas James Lloyd 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.26th Sep 1915)

    Thomas James Lloyd was my GG Grandfather. I stumbled across him while researching my family history. I remember my G Grandfather but unfortunately he had had a stroke & barely spoke. I had to send for his birth certificate and then I found Thomas.

    Thomas was born abt 1876, married Elisa Jane & they had 6 boys. His wife died in 1912 & Thomas went to live with his mother. He was a coal miner when he enlisted on 9th September 1914 at Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. His record states his age 34 but he was 38. He died on 26th September 1915 of war wounds received in action. He is buried at Merville, Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

    Jennifer Meredith




    216304

    Stkr. Walter Murray HMS Cressy (d.22nd Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Walter Murray, Stoker 1st Class, served on HMS Cressy and died age 26 on the 22nd September 1914. He is remembered at Jarrow Library and on the Chatham Naval War Memorial.

    Walter was born in Jarrow 1888, son of John and Catherine Murray nee McMullen. He was married to Martha A Rayne (formerly Murray nee Ross) of 26 Union Street, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216303

    Pte. George Ernest Musgrove 14th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    George Ernest Musgrove enlisted at Newcastle and served with the 14th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died of wounds aged 19 on the 4th July 1916 and is buried at Daors Communal Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals and that he died from wounds.

    George was born in Jarrow 1897, son of Lumley and Hannah Musgrove of 64 King John Terrace, Newcastle. In the 1911 census the family is living at that address with Lumley(39) a drapers assistant and Hannah(42) his wife of 20 years. They had 6 children with 4 surviving. James Lumley (20) an apprentice plumber, Ernest George(13)and Sarah Edith (10) at school, Lumley is age 4.

    Vin Mullen




    216301

    Spr. Thomas Musson 174 Tun. Coy. Royal Engineers (d.19th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Musson, Sapper 102486, enlisted at London and served with the 174th Tunneling Company, Royal Engineers. He was killed in action age 34 on the 19th September 1915 and is remembered at Jarrow Library. He is buried in Point 110 Old Military Cemetery Fricourt. E10. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals and that he was killed in action.

    Thomas was born in Jarrow 1881, son of Edward and Frances Musson nee Pincher of 17 California Street, New Seaham, Durham. He was married to Catherine Musson nee Clasper. In the 1911 census Thomas(30), a coal miner was living at 18 Mount Pleasant, New Seaham, with his father-in-law Thomas Clasper(63)widower, a colliery lamp examiner (surface). Thomas had been married for 7 years to Catherine(26). They had 6 children but only 2 survived. Thomas (7) and William Bell aged 4.

    Vin Mullen




    216300

    Pte. Samuel Francis Gascoyne Kings own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    Samuel Francis Gascoyne served with Kings own Yorkshire Light Infantry during World War 1. Samuel was shot in the head but thankfully he survived as I would not be writing this. He was born in Derbyshire and married Annie Elizabeth Keyte in Purston, West Yorks. They had nine children. He sadly passed away in 1954 having had several fits as due to of his war wound.

    Janet Oxley




    216299

    Pte. Joseph Arthur Kerry 1st Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.24th Aug 1914)

    Joseph Arthur Kerry was 19 when he died. He was born in Norwich to Joseph James Kerry and Mary Ann Browne. He worked in the boot trade before enlisting. He was missing, presumed dead - killed in action. His final resting place is unknown. His name is listed on La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial.

    Marc Kerry




    216298

    Gnr. George Douglas Mustard 142 Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    George Douglas Mustard enlisted at Sunderland and served with 142nd Battery TF, Royal Garrison Artillery. He died from his wounds age 20 on the 7th April 1916 and is remembered at Jarrow Library. He is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals and that he died from wounds.

    George was born in Sunderland 1895, son of Charles Robert and Ada Mustard nee Douglas of 52 Union Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 47 Frances Street, O------, Sunderland with Charles Robert(37) a weigh cabin clerk and his wife of 17 years Ada(39). They have 5 children all living at home. George Douglas(15) is a grocers errand boy, Charles Robert(12), John George(7)and Frederick Arthur(5) all at school. Their only daughter is Hannah Mary who is age 9.

    Vin Mullen




    216297

    Pte. George Bennett 1st Battalion (d.23rd August 1918)

    George Bennett died on the 23rd of August in France 1918, sadly two months later his wife aged 31 and daughter aged just 6 both died of Flu in Essex

    Paul




    216296

    Pte. William Kane 27th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    William Kane was serving with 27th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers when he died aged 22 on 28th April 1917. He had formerly served in the West Yorks Regiment, having enlisted in Jarrow. He was the son of John and Susan Kane of Jarrow, on the 1911 census he is recorded as William Kane age 16 Apprentice Rivetter in Shipyard is with his parents John and Susannah Kane and family at 10 Alfred Street, Jarrow .

    William is remembered on the Arras Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216295

    John Twaddle

    <p>

    John Twaddle is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph in Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216294

    Gunner Robert Joseph Turnbull 1st/1st Highland Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery (d.30th May 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Turnbull died aged 38, he was born in Saltwell, Gateshead in 1880. In the 1911 Census, he is listed as Robert Joseph Turnbull, age 31, a Boiler Maker's Labourer, living with his first wife Charlotte Turnbull (Nee Hamilton) & a son at 2, York Street, Jarrow. He was later husband of Mary Jane Turnbull (nee Storar) of 6 Hurworth Place Jarrow. Robert enlisted in Jarrow.

    He is buried in Sunken Road Cemetery. Boisleux-St. Marc and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216293

    Pte. John Turnbull 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.9th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    John Turnbull was born in Jarrow and enlisted in Glasgow. He is buried in Red Cross Corner Cemetery, Beugny.

    Vin Mullen




    216292

    Gnr. J. B. Turney Royal Artillery

    <p>

    J. B. Turney is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216290

    Pte. Richard Turner 752nd Coy. Labour Corps (d.8th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Richard Turner died aged 26. He was born in 1892 Jarrow, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Turner of 20 Queen's Road Jarrow. In the 1911 Census Richard Elliott Turner, age 18, a Coal Hawker, is recorded as living with his Parents, Thomas & Elizabeth Turner & his siblings at 180, High Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow and served in the 6th Battalion, & 7th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment before transferring to the Labour Corps. He first served in the Balkans on the 29th of September 1915.

    Richard is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216289

    Sidney Tucker

    <p>

    Sidney Tucker is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow. Can anyone provide further details?

    Vin Mullen




    216288

    Pte. Ernest Tripcony 12th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest Tripcony died aged 35 whilst serving with the 12th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, he had formerly served with the Royal Field Artillery. In the 1911 Census Ernest Tripcony, age 29, a Watch, Clock & Jewellery Repairer, is listed as living with his wife Margaret Georgina Tripcony (nee Walton) & his family at 79, Howard Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne. He was born in Selsey Bill, Sussex.

    Ernest is remembered on the Arras Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216287

    Pte. Thomas Trewick 7th Battalion, A Company. Border Regiment (d.4th May 1918)

    <p>

    Tom Trewick died age 37, born in Jarrow, he was the son of Margaret Ann Trewick and the late Edward Nixon Trewick of Jarrow and husband of Elizabeth Goodfellow Trewick (nee Jones) of 8 Earl Street Jarrow. He enlisted in South Shields and served in France from 24th of July 1915.

    Tom is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery and Extension and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216286

    Pte. Robert Townsley 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.13th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Townsley died age 22, born in Jarrow in 1894 he was the eldest son of Robert and Margaret Townsley (nee Overton) of 33 Ferry Street Jarrow. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as Robert Townsley, age 16, a Labourer in a Copper works, living with his parents, Robert & Margaret Townsley & his siblings at 25, Ferry Street, Jarrow. He first served in France on the 19th March 1915

    Robert is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Rouen.

    Vin Mullen




    216285

    Pte. John Towell 25th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>paulright.jpg

    John Towell died age 37, He was born in Carlton, Durham and was the husband of Cecilia Towell (nee Corr) of 23 Berkeley Street Jarrow. He enlisted in Newcastle

    John is remembered on the Theipval Memorial. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216284

    Pte. John George Tovell 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Jun 1916)

    <p>

    John Tovell died age 19, born in Jarrow 1896, son of John and Elizabeth Tovell of 20 Sheldon Street Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    John is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord).

    Vin Mullen




    216283

    Spr. Thomas Tooley 526th Corps Royal Engineers (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>paulright.jpg

    Thomas Tooley died aged 22, born in Smethwick in 1895, son of George Henry Tooley of 6 Oldbury Road West Smethwick Birmingham and Sarah Ann Tooley (nee Darby). In the 1911 Census Thomas E Tooley, aged 16, a Labourer in a Brass & Copper works, is recorded as living with his Uncle Edgar Martin & Aunt Lena Martin at 13, Russell Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne. He enlisted in Jarrow and served in France from 18th September 1915.

    thomas is buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216282

    Pte. William Tomlinson 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    William Tomlinson died aged 25, he was born in Jarrow in 1893, son of Charles Tomlinson of 16 Berkley Street Jarrow and the late Amy Elizabeth Tomlinson (nee Leadbeater). In the 1911 Census William Tomlinson, age 17, a Copper works Labourer is listed as living with his Grandfather, Charles Tomlinson at 16, Berkley Street, Jarrow. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow and served in the East Yorks Regiment, proceeding to France on the 9th of |Sepetmeber 1915.

    William is buried in Gauche Wood Cemetery. Villers-Guislain and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216281

    Frmn. Peter Kane SS Kathleen Lily (d.29th March 1917)

    Peter Kane, Fireman was aged 45 when he died on 29th March 1917. He was born and lived in Jarrow, son of Patrick and Catherine Kane of Jarrow (natives of County Monaghan) and Husband of the late Annie Kane (nee Burns) Peter is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    On the 1911 census Peter Kane age 38 is listed as a widower, General Labourer at a Chemical Manufacturers is with his widowed mother Catherine Kane and his young son and daughter at 12 Knight Street, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216278

    Pte. William Todd 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion, C Company. Highland Light Infantry (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    William Todd died aged 21 whilst serving with the 9th Highland Light Infantry Born in South Shields 1896 he was the son of the late William and Jemima Bridge Todd (nee Bonnet) of 54 Grange Road Jarrow. In the 1911 Census, William Todd, age 15 is listed as an Assistant Fruiterer for his Father's business, living with his parents William & Jemima Todd at 54, Grange Road, Jarrow

    William is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216277

    Spr. Herbert William Todd 1st/3rd Durham Field Company Royal Engineers (d.29th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Todd died age 22. He was born in Wallsend in 1894. In the 1911 Census, he is listed as Herbert William Todd, age 16, an Apprentice Blacksmith in Ship Repairing, living with his parents, Henry & Anna Mary (nee Horsborough) Todd & family in Wallsend. He had enlisted in Walker with the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was the husband of Kate Dorothy Young (formerly Todd - nee Harris) of 48 Nansen Street Jarrow.

    Herbert is buried in South Shields (Harton) Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216276

    Pte. Henry Todd XI Corps Cyclist Battalion Army Cyclist Corps (d.8th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Todd died age 23, Born Bellingham Northumberland in 1895. He enlisted in Jarrow and served in France from 30th Jul 1915. He was the son of Mr. G. H. Todd of 35 Ormonde Street Jarrow.

    Henry is buried in St. Venant-Robecq Road British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216275

    Dvr. James Tierney 63rd Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.10th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    James Tierney was born in Jarrow and enlisted in South Shields. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216274

    Pte. Joseph Tierney 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.30th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Tierney was born in Jarrow 1884, he was the husband of Isabella Tierney (nee Dodds) of 28 Tyne View Terrace Howdon Willington Quay. Enlisting in Newcastle, a regular soldier with the DLI, he first served overseas in WW1 on 8th of September 1914.

    He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216272

    L/Cpl. John Thomas Thornton 3rd Durham Fort Company Royal Engineers (d.20th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    John Thornton died aged 31. He was born in Boldon Colliery. In the 1911 Census he is listed as John Thomas Thornton, age 25, a Coal Miner & Hewer, living with his new wife Mary (nee Hutchinson) in Station Road, Boldon Colliery. He enlisted in Jarrow. John is buried in Bolden Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216271

    L/Cpl. Wilfred Kemp Thorne 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    Wilfred Thorne died aged 23 whilst serving with the 15th DLI. He was born in Jarrow in 1895, Son of John and Fanny Thorne (nee Kemp) of 19 Catherine Street Jarrow. In the 1911 Census Wilfred Thorne, age 16, an Apprentice Joiner with a Building contractor, is listed as living with his Widower Father, Francis Thorne & his siblings at 19, Catherine Street, Jarrow-on Tyne. He enlisted in Jarrow and is remembered on the Soissons Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216270

    Sjt. S. Thompson

    <p>

    S. Thompson is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216269

    First Eng. Leonard Dobson Thompson SS Moorside (d.12th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Leonard Dobson Thompson died at sea aged 46, he was born in Jarrow in 1869, son of the late Leonard Dobson and Isabella Thompson (nee Ridley). He was the husband of Annie Thompson (nee Brooks) of 3 Hamilton Terrace North Shields. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial

    Vin Mullen




    216268

    Pte. Thomas John Thompson 1st Battalion, B Coy. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.28th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas John Thompson died aged 33 whilst serving with 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, he had formerly served with the Royal Engineers. Born in Penshaw Durham in 1885, son of William and Ellen Thompson (nee Aittis). In the 1911 Census he is listed as Thomas John Thompson, age 26, a Piano & Organ Commercial Traveller, living with his parents William & Ellen Thompson & siblings at 2, Oak Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne. He was the husband of Eleanor Barber Thompson (nee Stockman) of 42 Walter Street Jarrow. He enlisted in Aldershot.

    Thomas is buried in Hebburn Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216267

    Pte. George Thompson 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    George Thompson died aged 26. He was born in Seaham Harbour, Son of Robert and Rebecca Thompson (nee Stewart). He lived in Hebburn and was the husband of Rose Prentice (formerly Thompson - nee McIntyre) later of 16 Potter Street Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow and first served in France on teh 9th of September 1915.

    George is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216266

    Pte. Robert Dixon Hardy Thomas 8th Battallion Somerset Light Infantry (d.5th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Thomas died aged 26, whilst serving with the 8th Battallion Somerset Light Infantry, he had formerly served with the Northumberland Fusiliers, enlisting in Cramlington, he first served in France on the 8th of September 1915. Born in Jarrow in 1889 he was the son of Emma Bennett (formerly Thomas nee Hardy) of Jarrow and the late Samuel Thomas. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as Robert Thomas, age 22, a Seagoing Fireman, living with his Stepfather William Bennett & his Mother Emma Bennet, along with his Thomas siblings & his step siblings at 18, Nansen Street, Jarrow. He was the husband of Ruth Thomas (nee Robinson)

    Robert is remembered on the Loos Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216265

    Rfmn. Sidney Walter Jones 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.27th May 1916)

    Sidney Walter Jones was my Great Uncle. He died fighting in France & Flanders and thanks to the information I have found from the CWWG site I now know where he is buried.

    What I have found to be so sad is that the loss to the family must have been so great that nobody spoke about him and indeed my mother never knew about him. When I told her about my findings she realised that her own brother, who was killed in WW2 was named Sidney after him. I now have a record of other family members killed in WW1 and intend to pass them on to my children so that they will not be forgotten.

    Diane Roberts




    216264

    Pte. Robert Telfer 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Telfer died aged 32, he was born in Sunderland in 1884, son of William and Jane Telfer (nee Hindhaugh). In the 1911 Census Robert Telfer, age 27, a Shop Assistant, is recorded as living with his Widowed Mother Jane Telfer & his siblings at 43, Primrose Crescent, Tulwell, Sunderland. He enlisted in Jarrow, at the time he lived in Heaton Newcastle and was employed as Boot Shop Manager in Jarrow.

    Robert is buried in Tancrez Farm Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow

    Vin Mullen




    216263

    Cpl. William Taylor No. 2 Depot Company (Newark) Royal Engineers (d.14th May 1916)

    <p>

    William Taylor died aged 28, he was born in Jarrow in 1888 and was the son of John and Mary Jane Taylor (nee Forrest) of 45 Canon Cockin Street Hendon Sunderland. In the 1911 Census he is listed as William Taylor, age 23, an Iron Moulder in an Engineering firm, living with his parents John & Mary Jane Taylor & his 2 brothers at 5, Birch Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne He enlisted in Sunderland and first served in France on the 30th of August 1915.

    William is buried in Sunderland Ryhope (Ryhope Road) Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216262

    Pte. Benjamin Taylor 11th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Benjamin Taylor died age 29, he was born in Howdon and enlisted Newcastle. he was the brother of John Thomas Taylor of 80 Beech Street Jarrow.

    Benjamin is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216261

    Cpl. Patrick Kane 1st/3rd Durham Field Company Royal Engineers (d.18th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Patrick Kane serbed with the 1st/3rd Durham Field Company Royal Engineers, he was aged 36 when he died on 18th October 1916. he was born in Jarrow in 1879,son of Thomas and Ellen Kane of 175 Cuthbert Street Hebburn (natives of Galway). On the 1911 census, Patrick Kane age 30 Bricklayer at Steel Works is with his parents Thomas and Ellen Kane and family at 175 Cuthbert Street, Hebburn.

    He died in Bradford and is buried in Hebburn Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216260

    Pte. John Vincent Kane 10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.28th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    John Vincent Kane served with the 10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, he was aged 34 when he died on 28th February 1916. He was born ib Jarrow, son of James and Delia Kane. He enlisted in Pontefract.

    John is buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216258

    Pte. William Wallace 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th June 1915)

    <p>

    William Wallace, Private 4491, served in the 1st Battalion the Northumberland Fusiliers and died on the 16th June 1915. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and Ypres(Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    William was born in Wallsend 1879 son of William and Mary Wallace of 26 Benton Way (1881 census address). In the 1901 census the family is living at 113b Benton Way, Wallsend with William(46) a ships rivetter and Mary(46) his wife. They have 7 children living at this address. William(22) is a caulker, John(20) is a painter, Mary Burdon(17) is a dressmaker and Margaret(14) is a milliner. The 3 younger childre at school are Henry(12), Miles(10) and Vincent is 7 years old. In the 1911 census William (32) is married and living at 56b Sedley Street Wallsend with his wife Margaret (29). He is a Prudential Insurance Agent. They have no children at that date.

    Vin Mullen




    216257

    2nd Lt. Harold Charles Davis 104 Squadron (d.26th June 1918)

    <p>

    Harold Davis served with the & Essex Regiment and 104 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.

    Last letter home from Harold Charles Davis:

    'Bicton' St. Andrews Road, Southsea. My Dear old Reg, I thought I would just drop you a line to say that I am still keeping merry and bright or else I should think that you would think I have forgotten you, needless to say I haven't forgotten you, far from it, I often wonder how you are progressing in the art of "hanging on", I may say, I think as soon as you are more or less proficient you won't be so keen on the motor bike but will take every opportunity to get a horse and as you ride along the sandy tracks you will go into wild raptures exclaiming Waaga!-Wagga! By the way have you heard the yarn about Waaga! Waaga!? ah! well I'll tell you when I see you the next time, which I hope won't be so very long. I suppose I can almost call myself, or shall I say class myself, as one of the intrepid birdmen as I have done about 26 hours, including two forced landings and a crash. I am pleased to say the crash wasn't serious, I had two priceless black eyes & a face about twice it's normal size, of course I had a bit of a shake up but am pleased to say I am in tip top health now, needless to say the machine was a "right off". Am expecting to go out again, now, any day so I have given the home address, then if you have a sec: to spare & you drop a line I shall get it much quicker. Well, Reg, old chap how are you getting on? Jogging along merrily I hope, you had a stroke of luck meeting Andrews, you ought to give Ladd a look up, an awfully nice fellow, I sent you his address once, but sorry I haven't got it to let you have it again. Are you still contemplating a transfer? I suppose you are as keen as ever, I should think you would have no difficulty now. Well I must close now & will in future more regularly, trusting you are keeping quite fit, with heaps of the the very best luck. Cheerio. Harold

    Jeremy CR Davis




    216256

    Gnr. Charles Gordon White 460(H) Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd June 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Gordon White, Gunner 33960, enlisted in Newcastle on the 2nd September 1912 and served in 460 bty. Royal Field Artillery and died on the 3rd June 1918. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Douchy les Ayette British Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Charles was born in Tursdale Colliery 1890. His mother was Sally White. He was married to Beatrice Ellen White. In the 1911 census they are living at West Terrace, Coxhoe. Charles(20) is a Coal Miner Rolleyman and Beatrice (19) has been married for 2 years. They have a daughter Sarah one year old. Beatrice remarried and effects were sent to Mrs BE Murray, 49 Charles Street, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216254

    Pte. Herbert Waller 1/6th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th April 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Waller served in the 1st/6th battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action age 25 on the 26th April 1915. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Panel 8 and 12. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Herbert was born in South Shields 1890, son of John and Jane Ann Waller nee Gibbs of South Shields. In the 1911 census the family were living at 56 Bythesam Street, South Shields with John(61) a dock labourer at ship repairers and his wife of 33 years Jane Ann(59). They had 8 children of whom 6 survived. Only 3 sons are living at this address, John(30), a horse driver at Tyne Docks, Herbert(20) a general labourer at corrugated metals and Robert(14) an errand boy at cabinet makers.

    Vin Mullen




    216252

    Pte. James Welsh 4th Hussars (d.24th May 1915)

    <p>

    James Welsh served with the 4th Queens Own Hussars and died on the 24th May 1915. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    James was born in Hebburn, son of Patrick and Jane Welsh of County Londonderry, Ireland. In the 1911 census the family is living at 82 Rose Street, Hebburn with Patrick(60) labourer in copper works and his wife of 37 years Jane(57) who had 9 children 8 of whom survived. James(28) is a plumbers labourer and Lewis(24) is a plumber both in the shipyard. Daniel(18) is a stocktakers assistant. Catherine(21) and Elizabeth(16) are at home. Lawrence Coady(37) widowed son in law, a platers helper in the shipyard has his daughter Sarah Jane who is 7 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216250

    Gnr. William Swinhoe 286th Brigade, B Battery, Royal Field Artillery (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    William Swinhoe died aged 28. Born in Jarrow in 1889 he was the son of William and Catherine Swinhoe (nee Wear) later of 94 Grange Road Bermondsey London. In the 1911 Census William Swinhoe, age 22, a Lead Worker at a Waterworks, is listed as living with his parents, William & Catherine Swinhoe & family at 10, Silver Street, Rotherhithe. He enlisted in Newcastle and first served in France on 12th May 1915.

    William is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Vin Mullen




    216249

    Pte. Frank Sweeney 26th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Sweeney died aged 32. Born in Jarrow in 1884, he was the son of Edward and Annie Sweeney (nee Kelly). In the 1911 Census Francis Sweeney, age 26, a Boiler Maker's Labourer in the shipyards, is recorded as boarding with the Bell family at 3, Queens Road, Jarrow-on-Tyne. He enlisted in Newcastle

    Frank is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216248

    L/Cpl. John Swanston 16th Battalion, C Company Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John Swanston died aged 37. He was born in Gateshead and was the husband of Edith Ann R. Swanston (nee Fairbank). In the 1911 Census, he is recorded as John Swanston, age 33, a Drapery Traveller, lived with his wife Edith Ann Swanston & their 2 daughters at 31, Rose Street, Hepburn-on-Tyne. He enlisted in Cramlington

    John is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216246

    Pte. Thomas Shepherd Swan 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.13th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Swan died age 36, he was born in Stockton in 1878. In the 1911 Census he is listed as Thomas Swan, aged 33, a General Labourer at a Chemical Works, lived with his wife, Margaret & 2 children, plus 2 stepchildren, at 213 Hope Street Jarrow-on-Tyne. He enlisted in Sunderland and first entered WW1 action on 24th of Sep 1914. His wife Margaret Fenwick Woodward (late Swan - formerly Bell - nee Berry) later lived at 15 Hawke Street Haverton Hill.

    Thomas is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216244

    Pte. William Surtees 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.19th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    William Surtees was a regular soldier with the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guard. He first served in WW1 Action from 12th August 1914. He was born in Jarrow 1882, son of Edward and the late Mary Ann Surtees (nee Hull). He lived and enlisted Jarrow. On the 1911 Census William Surtees, age 28, a Ship Plater's Helper in the shipbuilding yard, is listed as living with his Widowed Father, Edward Surtees & his siblings at 11, Albert road, Jarrow-on-Tyne.

    William is remembered on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216243

    Eng Storekeeper. George Stutchbury SS City of Marseilles (d.4th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    George Stutchbury died aged 54, he was born in Westoe, South Shields in 1863, son of George and Mary Stutchbury. He lived in Jarrow and was the husband of the late Emily Stutchbury (nee Gibbon)

    George is buried in Port Said War Memorial Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216242

    Pte. William Strong 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.26 Jun 1917)

    <p>

    William Strong died aged 28, he was born in Jarrow 1889, son of William Arrowsmith Strong and Martha Ann Strong (nee Manuel). In the 1911 Census William Strong, age 22, an Underground Pumper in a coal colliery, is listed as living with his Widowed Mother, Martha Ann Strong & his siblings at 2, Rickaby Street, Sunderland. He enlisted in Sunderland and first served in the Balkan Theatre on 28th September 1915.

    William is buried in Rookery British Cemetery Heninel.

    Vin Mullen




    216241

    Sjt. John Reginald Judson 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    John Reginald Judson served with the 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was aged 25 when died on 26th September 1915. Born in St. Helens, Lancs. 1890 he was the son of John and Eleanor Nevison Judson (nee Miller). On the 1911 census he is listed as John Reginald Judson age 21 Platers Labourer in Shipyard living with his parents John and Eleanor Judson and family at 24 Cobden Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    John is remembered on the Loos Memorial. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and was commemorated on the Triptych (left panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    216240

    Pte. Thomas Joyce 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Joyce served in the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, he was aged aged 28 when he died on 22nd August 1915. Born in Jarrow in 1887, he was the Son of John and Mary Joyce (nee Whalen) of Albion Street Jarrow (late of Galway Ireland). On the 1911 census, Thomas Joyce aged 24 Platers Labourer in Shipyard is with his widowed father John Joyce and family at 49 Albion Street back, Jarrow. He was the husband of Mary Ellen Joyce (nee Walsh) of 23½ Cambrian Street Jarrow. He lived in Jarrow and enlisted in Barnard Castle.

    Thomas is buried in Hop Store Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216239

    Pte. Thomas White 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th July 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas White served in the 12th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and died on the 13th July 1916. He is remembered at St Paul's Church and Thiepval Memorial. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Thomas was born in Wallsend 1891, son of James and Margaret White of 5 Tweed Street, Hebburn. In the 1911 census the family is living at 8 Bladen Street, Jarrow with James(56) a stationary engineer in iron works, his wife of 32 years Margaret(51) has had 9 children of whom 5 survive and 2 are living at home. Robert(30) is a labourer and Thomas(20) is a boiler fireman in the iron works.

    Vin Mullen




    216238

    Pte. Stephen Joyce 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    <p>

    Stephen Joyce served in the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he died on 24th May 1915. Born in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, son of John and Rose Ann Joyce. On the 1911 census, Stephen Joyce age 20 Riverside Labourer is listed as living with his parents John and Rose Ann Joyce and family at 23 Hopkins Street, Middlesbrough. The family later moved to Jarrow.

    Stephen is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216237

    Pte. Michael Joyce 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.11th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Michael Joyce served with the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, he was aged 25 when he died on 11th November 1914. Born in Jarrow in 1889, he was the son of Michael and Mary Ann Joyce of 58 Duke Street Jarrow. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow.

    He is buried in Lancashire Cottage Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216236

    Pte. James Joyce 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th June 1915)

    <p>

    James Joyce served with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was aged 40 when he died on 16th June 1915. Born in Jarrow in 1874, son of John and Winifred Joyce (nee Green). He enlisted in Jarrow.

    James is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216235

    Pte. Arthur George Joyce 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.15th Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Arthur George Joyce served with the 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, he was aged 30 who died on 15th February 1915. He was born in Twickenham Middlesex in 1884, the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Joyce of 4 Enmore Villas 4th Cross Road Twickenham Middlesex. He was the husband of Amy Ada Joyce (nee Bourne) of 118 The Crescent Monkton Jarrow. On the 1911 census Arthur George Joyce age 26 Jobbing Gardener is listed as living with his wife Amy Ada Joyce and children at 2 Albion Road, Twickenham . He enlisted in Richmond Surrey.

    Arthur is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216234

    Gnr. William John Jordan Royal Garrison Artillery (d.4th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    William John Jordan was a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery. (formerly of the Clyde Royal Garrison Artillery). Born in Jarrow in 1884, he was aged 33 when he died on 4th November 1917. He lived in Clydebank and was the son of Mary Jane McLeod (formerly Jordan nee Wilkinson) of II Gordon Street Kilbowie and the late Arthur James Jordan (one time Librarian in Mechanics Institute Jarrow). He enlisted in Dunbarton.

    William is buried in Kilbowie Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216233

    Joseph H. S

    Joseph H. S---? is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow. With the names of those who worked at the Jarrow Shipyard, can anyone help with further information?

    Vin Mullen




    216232

    Pte. Thomas Joicey 8th Battalion King's Regiment (Liverpool) (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Joicey served with 8th Battalion King's Regiment (Liverpool) and had formerly served in the Yorkshire Regiment. He was aged 22 when he died on 31st July 1917. He was born in Dunston, Gateshead in 1895, son of George and Phillis Joicey (nee Hopper). He lived and and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Thomas Joicey age 15 Steel Worker at Steel Works is with his parents John and Elizabeth Bond and family at 53 Walter Street, Jarrow.

    Thomas is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216230

    Pte. J. P.S. Joicey

    J.P.S. Joicey, Private is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. Can anyone help with more information?

    Vin Mullen




    216229

    L/Cpl. James William Johnston 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd Oct 1915)

    <p>

    James William Johnston was a regular solider with the 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, he was aged 34 when he died on 3rd October 1915. Born in Jarrow in 1881, he lived and enlisted in Jarrow. He was the son of Isabel and the late Alexander Johnston and husband of Elizabeth Johnston of 106 Queen's Road, Jarrow. He also served in the served in the South African and Somaliland Campaigns.

    James is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216228

    William Wright 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    William Wright served in the 22nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and died age 27 on the 1st July 1916. He is remembered at St. Peter's Church and on the Thiepval Memorial. His medal card shows award of War and Victory Medals.

    William was born in Jarrow 1888 , son of William and Isabella Wright. In the 1901 census the family is living at 68 Prince Consort Road, Jarrow with W1lliam(45) a mechanical engineer and his wife Isabella(43)together with their 8 children. Robert(17) and John(16) are rivet heaters in the shipyard. Annie(15) Hannah(11) and Emma(9) are at school as are William(13) and Frederick(5). Albert is 1 year old.

    Vin Mullen




    216227

    Pte. David Johnson 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    David Johnson served wit the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, he was aged 20 when he died on 1st July 1916. Born in Hebburn in 1896 he was the son of Robert and Sarah Ann Johnson (nee Mitcheson) of 14 Oak Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census, David Johnson age 14 Screener in Coalmine is with his parents Robert and Sarah Ann Johnson and family at 14 Waggonway Row, Pelaw

    David is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery. Ovillers-La-Boisselle and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216226

    Pte. Alfred Johnston 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.18th July 1916)

    <p>

    Alfred Johnston served with the 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, he died on 18th July 1916. Born in Jarrow, on the 1911 census he is listed as Alfred Johnston age 34 Labourer in Paper Mill is lodging at the lodging house at 39/41/43 Albion Street, Jarrow. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow.

    Alfred is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216225

    Pte. James Johnson 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Dec 1915)

    <p>

    James Johnson served with the 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, he was aged 38 when he died on 1st December 1915. He was born in Jarrow in 1877, Son of James and Mary Johnson of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as James Johnson age 23 Locomotive Crane Driver in Steel Rolling Mill living with his widowed mother Mary Johnson and family at 85 Wansbeck Road, Jarrow. He enlisted in South Shields.

    James is buried in Hill 10 Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216224

    Pte. Benjamin Johnson 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Benjamin Johnson served with the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was aged 22 when died on 9th November 1916. He was born in Jarrow and enlisted in Blyth. Benjamin Johnson age 16 Pony Driver in Coalmine is listed as lodging at 42 Clyde Street, Hirst, Northumberland on the 1911 census.

    He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216223

    Gnr. William Storey Royal Field Artillery (d.20th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    William Storey died aged 23. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullin




    216222

    ERA. Robert Benjamin Stone HMS India (d.8th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Stone died aged 34, he was born in Sunderland in 1881. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216221

    L/Cpl. George Stokoe 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    George Stokoe died aged 23, he was born and lived in Jarrow, son of Elizabeth Dorothy Stokoe (nee Smith) of 80 Commercial Road Jarrow and the late John Stokoe. In the 1911 Census, he is recorded as George Ed Smith Stokoe, age 14, working in a Grocer's Shop, lived with his Widowed Mother Elizabeth Dorothy Stokoe & his 2 brothers at 13, Frankling Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Walker.

    George is remembered on the Soissons Memorial. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216220

    Robert Stoker 12th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Robert Stoker died age 39, he was born and lived in Jarrow. He first served in Egypt on the 28th of December 1915.

    Robert is buried in Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, he is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216219

    Pte. Alfred Stewart 13th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment (d.13th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Alfred Stewart died aged 29, he was the son of James and Ada Stewart of 4 Tong Road, Wortley Leeds, he was born in Great, Marlow Bucks. He was the husband of Hannah Pomfrey (formerly Stewart nee Woodhouse) of 16 Ferry Street Jarrow. He enlisted in Leeds with the West Yorkshire Regiment and first served overseas in WW1 on the 5th of Novemember 1914.

    Alfred is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216218

    Cpl. Thomas Steven 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.11th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Steven first served in action in WW1 on the 5th of November 1914. He died age 26, born in Jarrow in 1889, he enlisted in Leeds. In the 1911 Census Thomas Steven, age 20, was a Private serving with the West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Thomas is buried in Rue-Du-Bois Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216217

    Pte. Robert Clark Stephenson 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Stephenson died age 20, born in Jarrow in 1897 he was the son of George Cowell and Jane Anne Stephenson (nee Russell) of Jarrow. On the 1911 Census, he is listed as Robert Clark Stephenson, age 13, at school, lived with his parents George Cowell & Jane Ann Stephenson & family at 7, Birch Street, Jarrow.

    Robert is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial at Louveral. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216216

    Pte. Alexander Stephenson 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st May 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander Stephenson was born in Jarrow in 1891. He enlisted in North Shields and first served in France on teh 9th of September 1915. he is buried in La Neuville Communal Cemetery, Corbie.

    Vin Mullen




    216215

    Pte. Alexander Leitch Stephens 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Stephens died age 34, he had been born in Edinburgh and lived in Jarrow. On the 1911 Census, Alexander Leitch Stephens & his wife Lillie Bennett Stephens (nee Dobson), with their 6 month old son, are recorded as living at 236, South Taylor street, South Shields, his wife's family lived with them. He was age 30 & worked as a General Labourer for a Chemical Manufacturer. His mother Mrs. Davison (formerly Stephens) and Mr. Davison (stepfather) lived at 13 Philipson Street East Jarrow. He enlisted in South Shields. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216214

    Pte. Albert Edward Stenton 2nd/6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Albert Edward Stenton died age 25, he was born in Jarrow in 1893, son of James and Maria Stenton (nee Lee) of Jarrow. Albert Stenton, age 17, a Shipyard Labourer, is listed as living with his parents James & Maria Stenton at 11, Chapel Road, Jarrow in the 1911 Census. He enlisted in Jarrow

    Albert is remembered on the Arras Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow. He was commemorated on the Triptych in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    216213

    Pte. Andrew Wright 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Andrew Wright, enlisted at Jarrow and served in 'D' Company, 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He died on age 32 the 9th August 1915 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Ypres(Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Andrew was born in Fence Houses, Co. Durham, son of William Lowther Wright of 57 St. Paul's road Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 55 St. Paul's Road with William(51) his widowed father, a plate layer in the shipyard, Andrew(28) and William(26) are both labourers in the ship yard. Joseph(20) is a moulder in the shipyard and Adelaide(22) is at home.

    Vin Mullen




    216212

    Pte. John Steele 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (d.1st Oct 1917)

    <p>

    John Steele died age 19, he was born in South Shields in 1898 and was the s on of John and Mary Steele (nee Sloan) of 10 Raglan Street Jarrow. John Steel, age 12, a scholar, is listed as living with his parents John & Mary Steele & family at 10, Raglan Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne in the 1911 Census

    John is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216211

    Pte. Isaac Martin Steele 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Isaac Steele died age 24, he was born in Jarrow 1891, son of James and Mary Jane Steele (nee Sweeney) of Jarrow. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as Isaac Steele, age 19, an Apprentice Fitter in Shipbuilding, lived with his parents James & Mary Jane Steele & family at 51, Dee Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    Isaac is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval.

    Vin Mullen




    216210

    Pte. Frank Burkinshaw 5th Btn KOYLI (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    Frank Burkinshaw is buried in Ruesnes communal cemetery in France. I would love to find a photo of Frank.

    Irene




    216209

    Pte. John Noble Steel 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.24th May 1916)

    <p>

    John Steel died age 27, he was born in Westoe in 1887, son of John and Mary Steel of Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow and first served in France on 1st May 1915.

    John is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216208

    George Steel

    <p>

    George Steel is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216207

    Pte. John George Wright 57th Combined Stationary Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    John George Wright enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 57th Combined Stationary Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps. He died age 24 on the 20th July 1917 and is remembered at Jarrow Library, St. Mark's Church and is buried in Basra War Cemetery. John must have been attached to one of the units which went to Mesopotamia (Iraq) in 1917. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Jarrow 1890, son of the late George Chapman Wright and Annie Wright nee Bruton of 25 York Street, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216206

    Pte. John Steedman 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    John Steedman died age 25, he was born in Hebburn in 1892, son of John Andrew and Elizabeth Steedman (nee Roberts) of 33 Priestman Avenue The Grove Consett. In the 1911 Census he is listed as John Edward Steedman, aged 19, an Apprentice Baker, lived with his parents John Andrew & Elizabeth Steedman in 28, Caledonian road, Jarrow . He lived and enlisted Jarrow

    John is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216204

    Sgt. John Albert Stainthorpe 14th Battalion Durham Light Inantry (d.26th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    John Albert Stainthorpe died aged 28, he was the Son of John William and Jane Stainthorpe (nee Hall) of 4 Henry Street Jarrow. John Albert Stainthorpe, aged 23, a House Agent's Clerk, is listed as living with his parents John William & Jane Stainthorpe in 4, Henry Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne in the 1911 Census. He was born and enlisted in Jarrow. He first served in France on teh 11th of September 1915.

    John is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. He was also commemorated on the Triptych in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    216203

    Cpl. William Spoors 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Jul 1916)

    <p>paulright.jpg

    William Spoors died age 21, he was born in Monkton Jarrow in 1894, son of William Thomas and Margaret Jane Spoors (nee Wears) of 30 Birch Street Jarrow. in the 1911 Census he is recorded as William spoor, age 17, a Shipyard Blacksmith, lived with his parents William & Margaret Spoor & family at 30, Birch street, Jarrow, Durham. He enlisted in Jarrow and first served in France on the 26th of August 1915.

    William is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216201

    Gnr. William Smith 41st Trench Mortar Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.12th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    William Smith was born in Hebburn and enlisted in South Shields. He is buried in Dickebush New Military Cemetery Extension and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216200

    Sgt. Thomas Stoker Smith 51st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Smith died age 26, he was born in South Shields, son of Anthony and Jane J. Smith. Thomas Stoker Smith, age 20, a Blacksmith Apprentice with North Eastern Railways, is recorded as living with his parents Anthony & Jane Smith at 4 Hope Street, Green Forge, South Shields in the 1911 Census.

    Thomas is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord) and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216198

    Trimmer. Thomas Edward Smith HM Drifter Anchor of Hope (d.3rd Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Edward Smith died aged 32. Born in Jarrow, he was the son of the late William and Ann Smith. Thomas E Smith age 27 is recorded as serving as a Stoker 1st Class (Engineer) on board a ship in Indian waters in the 1911 Census. He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. He was commemorated on the Triptych in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    216197

    Pte. Joseph Smith 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th May 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Smith was born in Hebburn and lived in Jarrow. He first served in France on the 26th of August 1915. He is buried in Tranchee De Mecknes Cemetery. Aix-Noulette and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216196

    Sgt. Joseph Smith MM. 8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.12th Apr 1917)

    <p>paulright.jpg

    Joseph Smith was born and enlisted in Jarrow. He first disembarked in France with the BEF on 14th August 1914. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216195

    Pte. John Smith 6th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.13th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    John Smith died age 22, he was the son of William and Ann Elizabeth Smith of 5 Newton Terrace Hebburn. He enlisted in Jarrow first served in France on the 17th of Feburary 1915. John is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216194

    Pte. George Brown Smith 6th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.9th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    George Smith died age 36, he was born in Westoe in 1880. He enlisted and lived in Jarrow. He is buried in Bailleul Road West Cemetery. St. Laurent-Blangy and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. He was also commemorated one time on a brass plaque with six others, which hung in the porch of St. John's Wesleyan Church St. John’s Terrace, Jarrow The plaque was engraved by Mr. M. Hamilton of Jarrow (aged 80 years) The church was demolished in 1964. (It is not known what happened to the brass plaque)

    Vin Mullen




    216193

    Pte. George Smith 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    George Smith was born and livied in Jarrow. He first served in France on the 9th of September 1915. He is buried in Elzenwalle Brasserie Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216192

    Cpl. Thomas Elliott Slack 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.29th Jan 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Slack died aged 22, he was born in Jarrow in 1892 son of John and Margaret Jane Slack (nee Elliott) of Jarrow. On the 1911 Censushe is listed as Thomas Slack. age 19, a Ship Builder's Machine Worker, living with his parents John & Margaret Slack & family at 32, Prince Consort Road, Jarrow. He first served in France from on the 28th of December 1914.

    Thomas is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. He was also commemorated on a brass plaque with six others, which hung in the porch of St. John's Wesleyan Church St. John’s Terrace, Jarrow The plaque was engraved by Mr. M. Hamilton of Jarrow (aged 80 years) The church was demolished in 1964. (It is not known what happened to the brass plaque)

    Vin Mullen




    216191

    Able Sea. Thomas Woodward HMS St. George (d.28th Apr 1921)

    <p>

    Thomas Woodward served on HMS St George and died on the 28th April 1921. He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals. Cause of death is not recorded.

    Thomas was born in Jarrow 1899, son of William and Mary Woodward of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 23 Ellison Street, Jarrow with William(35) labourer in steel works and his wife of 15 years Mary(34)who had 9 children 7 of whom survived, all single and living at home. Katherine Selina(14), William(13), Thomas(12), Isobel(10), Robert(8), Henry(5) and Frank WJ who is 4 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216190

    Dvr. William Woodhouse 367 Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.28th April 1915)

    <p>

    William Woodhouse enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 367th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. He died age 20 on the 28th April 1915 and is remembered at Jarrow Library and Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Panel 5 and 9. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    William was born in Jarrow 1895, son of the late William Woodhouse and Isabella Woodhouse nee Duffield of Craft Cottage, Kelling, Holt, Norfolk. In the 1911 census William(17)single, a labourer is living at that address with his grandfather Edward Thomas Duffield(62) a gamekeeper and his grandmother Elizabeth (72)

    Vin Mullen




    216189

    Dvr. J. Slack

    <p>

    J. Slack is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216188

    Pte. Robert Skelton 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Skelton died aged 25, he was born in Jarrow in 1890. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as Robert Skelton, age 22, a Coal miner/hewer living with his wife Margaret, his brother & sister 54, at Queen Street, Amble, Northumberland. He enlisted in Alnwick.

    Robert is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216187

    Pte. Robert Skeldon 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.6th May 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Skeldon of 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers died aged 40, he had formerly served in the Army Service Corps (MT). Born in North Shields in 1877, son of John and Margaret Skeldon, he was the husband of Mary Skeldon (nee Wilmot) of 34 Prince Consort Road Jarrow He lived and enlisted in Jarrow. In the 1911 Census Robert Skeldon, is listed as age 35, a Widower & Ship's Plate Scalper in Ship Building, living with his parents John & Margaret Skeldon & family at 23, Vicarage Street North Shields.

    Robert is buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun.

    Vin Mullen




    216186

    Pte. Joseph Marmaduke Simpson 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Simpson died aged 19 as a prisoner of war. He was born in Walker in 1899, son of Richard and Sarah Simpson. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as Joseph Marmaduke Simpson age 12, lived with his parents Richard & Sarah Simpson & family at 10, Back York Street, Jarrow.

    He is buried in Berlin South Western Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216184

    Pte. Joseph Simpson 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Apr 1916)

    Joseph Simpson, son of Joseph and Ellen Simpson (nee O'Neil) was born in Jarrow, County Durham. In the 1911 Census Joseph was described as aged 15, working as a Catcher for Riveters, and living with his family at 21 Milton Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in South Shields, and died on 2nd April 1916 aged 20, a few months after arriving in France. He is buried at Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix. He is also commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph in Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216183

    Pte. Joseph Simpson 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Simpson died aged 20, born and living in Jarrow, he was the son of Joseph and Ellen Simpson (nee O'Neil) of 29 Milton Street Jarrow. He enlisted in South Shields. He is buried in Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery. Fleurbaix and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Joseph Simpson, age 15, a Catcher for Riveters, lived with his parents Joseph & Ellen Simpson & family at 21, Milton Street, Jarrow in the 1911 Census.

    Vin Mullen




    216182

    Pte. John George Simpson 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John Simpson died aged 19 whilst serving with the Durham Light Infantry. He was born in Philadelphia, son of Charles and Mary Simpson of 58 Nansen Street Jarrow. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow. In the 1911 Census, he is recorded as John George Simpson, age 14, living with his parents Charles & Mary Simpson & his sister at 17, Hilda terrace, Heburn

    John is buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216181

    Pte. John Alfred Wood Depot Army Cyclist Corps (d.2nd July 1918)

    <p>

    John Alfred Wood, Private 213, enlisted at Stockton-on-Tees and served in the Army Cyclist Corps with previous service as Private 8467, Durham Light Infantry. He died age 23 on the 2nd July 1918 and is buried in Stockton-on-Tees (Durham Road) Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Jarrow 1895, son of Matthew and the late Mary Ann Wood nee McNaulty of Jarrow. He was married to Ada Fay (formerly Wood nee Jones) of 33 Bridge Street West Middlesbrough. In the 1911 census the family are boarders at 48 Haywood Street Middlesbrough with Martin(42)widower, a steel smelter with Dorman Long, Ethel(17) single, a servant, May(14) at home and Agnes (11) at school. John(15) is a labourer at Fox Heads and Matthew is 9 years old.

    There is no indication of where he served or in which unit of the Army Cyclist Corps. His Army Record shows him as living at Stockton-on Tees and his death was at Home.

    His service record has survived and confirms the following details.

    • Enlisted DLI on 7th December 1912.
    • Transferred to ACC on the 5th December 1914.
    • Postings
    • Larkhill 10th Dec 1915
    • Le Havre 11th Dec 1915 7th Division
    • XV Cyclist Corps Battalion 11th May 1916
    • X Cyclist Corps Battalion 12th April 1917
    • V Cyclist Corps Battalion 21st December 1917
    • Depot ACC from 9th March 1918
    • Died in hospital on 2nd July 1918 from disease.

    Vin Mullen




    216180

    Pte. Joseph Bowes Wilson 10th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.25th May 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Bowes Wilson, Private 46891, enlisted in Jarrow and served in the 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. He was later transferred to the 49th Company, Labour Corps (No.29282)and died age 38 on the 25th May 1918. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Querrieu Cemetery. It is not known at what date Joseph was transferred to the Labour Corps and where he would have been serving at the time of his death however the Cemetery is in the Somme area near most of the areas involved in the final Somme offensive. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals and requests effects form 118a in respect of his death (21st Feb 1923).

    Joseph was born in Leamside, Durham 1880 son of William and Mary Wilson of Boldon Colliery. He was married to Mary Agnes Wilson nee Miller of 40 York Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census they are living at this address with Joseph(31) an assistant ironmonger and Mary(28) his wife of 7 years having 3 children, James 6, Richard 4 and John is 1 year old.

    Vin Mullen




    216179

    Sjt. Thomas Clarence Pitts MM. 10 Battery Royal Artillery

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Thomas Pitts was awarded the MM on 11/11/16. he served with 10 Bty Royal Artillery in the Royal Field Artillery. My grandmother kept his service record which included signing up in 1904 to the RA. He became Battery Sjt Major and Warrant Officer II leaving the Army in 1928. His MEF involvement suggests taking part in the Galipolli campaign. I would love to know what he got the MM for.

    Adrian Pitts




    216178

    Gnr. John Wilson Royal Garrison Artillery (d.12th April 1918)

    <p>

    John Wilson, Gunner 37939, enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 5th/6th Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He died age 29 on the 12th April 1918 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1. VI.B.13. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Jarrrow 1889, son of Gibson and Ann Wilson of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 40 Nansen Street, Jarrow. Gibson(60) is a stevedore and his wife of 39 years Annie has had 11 children of whom 7 survived with 5 living at this address. Matthew(31) widower and John(24) single, are both stevedores. Annie(21), Frances(18) and Phyllis(16) are all single at home. Matthew,s only surviving daughter Phyllis is 8 years old.

    Early in 1918 Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries V5 with 5th Division and V6 with 6th Division were combined as Corps Units as target were reduced by German Tactics. They operated 9045 Mortars known as flying pigs.

    Vin Mullen




    216177

    Pte. George Wilson 13th Btn. (d.14th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    George Wilson, Private 4334, enlisted (D8103) on the 14th August 1915, served in the 13th Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force and died on the 14th August 1916. He is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial.

    Family arrived at Holsworthy, New South Wales. Next of kin on enlistment: Violet Wilson 2 Walenore Avenue off Alice Street, Newtown. He was born in Jarrow 1886. From his Military service file his mother was Margaret Wilson at 9 Nicholson Street, South Yarra, Victoria and George had two sisters (names not mentioned). War pension arrangements provide for his wife Violet £2 p.f., Albert Edward Inman, 10/=, George Robert Wilson Ravey (exnuptial) £1, Ivan William A 10/= and Myrtle Vivian Sadie Wilson 15/=.

    Service Record events:

    • 29th March 1916 5 days Confined to Barracks - Gambling in the lines after lights out.
    • 1st June 1916 proceeded to join british Expeditionary Force.
    • 8th June 1916 disembarked Marseilles.
    • 19th August 1916 killed in action.

    Vin Mullen




    216174

    Pte. Joseph Wright 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Wright, Private 3416, enlisted Newcastle upon Tyne and served in the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 21st of February 1915 and is remembered at Jarrow Library and Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Joseph was born in Jarrow 1893, son of David and Catherine Wright of 1 Tower Street, Newcastle.

    Vin Mullen




    216173

    Daniel Shovelan

    <p>

    Daniel Shovelan was the son of George and Bridget Shovelan native of Dublin Ireland, he was born in Jarrow in 1896. In the 1911 Census Daniel Shovelan age 14, an Apprentice Brass Moulder, is listed as living with his parents, George & Bridget Shovelan & his sister at 46 Cambrian Street, Jarrow. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216172

    L/Cpl. H. McBride Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.14th Sep 1916)

    L/Cpl H McBride is buried in the churchyard of Neufchâtel-Hardelot, a town on the northern coast of France between Boulogne and Etaples. He was 22. We want to pay a tribute to the 23 Commonwealth men who are buried in our cemetery. I'm looking for any information on that soldier. Has he still got relatives?

    I'm also looking for any information about Corporal John Little, service no 7515, who also died on 14th September 1916, aged 19. He was also from the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Thank you for your help.

    Claudine Malaquin




    216171

    Able Sea. Raymond Cyril Short HMHS Llandovery Castle (d.27th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    Raymond Short died ages 28, he was born in Jarrow in 1890, the son of Thomas and Emma Currall Short. On the 1911 Census, Raymond Cyril Short, age 21, a Seaman in the Merchant Service, is recorded as living with his Mother Emma Currall Osbourne (formerly Short, nee Clay) & his Stepfather Edmund Osbourne & his sister at 22, Bols Street, Warrington.

    He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216170

    Sgt. John James Shields MM. 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John James Shields died aged 20 during the Battle of the Somme. he was born in Jarrow 1895, son of Richard and Martha Shields (nee Carty) of Jarrow. In the 1911 Census John James Shields, age 15, a Billiard Marker, is listed as living with his Widowed Mother Martha Shields & his siblings at 77 Commercial road Back, Jarrow. He enlisted in Wallsend and first served in France on 26th August 1915.

    John is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No.2 and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216169

    L/Cpl. Norman Wright 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Norman Wright enlisted Newcastle upon Tyne and served in the 22nd (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 4th October 1918 is buried in Sailly-Labourse Communal Cemetery Extension and is remembered at St Mark's Church Jarrow.

    He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne. Son of Mr Robert Stephen and Margaret Ann Wright. In the 1911 census the family is living at 79 Hunters Road, Newcastle upon Tyne with Robert(57) a butcher and his wife of 31 years Margaret Ann(56) who had 8 children with 5 surviving, 4 of them unmarried and living at home. William(30) an elementary school teacher, Stanley(23) a butcher, Norman(20) an architect and Edmund(17) an accountant's clerk.

    Vin Mullen




    216168

    John J. Sheppherd

    <p>

    John J. Sheppherd was born in Willington Quay, son of William and Eliza Shepherd. In the 1911 Census, John J Shepherd, age 16, an Apprentice Fitter at an Engine Works, is listed as living with his parents William & Eliza Shepherd & their family at 4, South Terrace, Wallsend. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216167

    Pte. Thomas Doig Shearer 26th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas died aged 36, he had been wounded in the head on 17th of April in France and was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was born in Dundee, lived Jarrow and enlisted in Wallsend. He was the husband of Catherine Shearer (nee Hughes) of 65 Tyne Street Jarrow. In the 1911 Census, Thomas Doig Shearer, age 31, is listed as a Shipyard Rivet Heater, living with his wife Catherine Shearer & their 3 children lived at 14, Shakespeare Street Back, Jarrow.

    Thomas is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216166

    Gmr. William Shannon 44th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.18th May 1917)

    <p>

    William Shannon died age 28, he had formerly served in the Tynemouth RGA. He was the son of Edward Thomas and Mary Shannon of North Shields and husband of Margaret Ann Shannon (nee Riddle) of 52 Little Bedford Street North Shields. William Thomas Shannon age 21, a Labourer & Fish Manure Manufacturer, is recorded with his wife Margaret Ann Shannon & 1 month old son, living at East Percy street, North Shields in the 1911 Census

    William is buried in Duisans Military Cemetery, Etrun and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216165

    Pte. William Scullion 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    William Scullion died aged 20, son of John and Mary Scullion (nee Finnegan) of 9 Watson Street Jarrow he was born and enlisted in South Shields. He lived Jarrow. William Scullion's parents, John & Mary Scullion lived at 49, St Rollac Street, Hepburn in the 1911 Census.

    William is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and served in France from 7th August 1915.

    Vin Mullen




    216164

    Spr. William Scott 422nd Field Company Royal Engineers (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    William Scott was born and was living in Jarrow when he enlisted South Shields. He is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216163

    Cpl. Thomas Alfred Scott 8th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.22nd Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Scott died age 24, he formerly served in the Yorkshire Regiment. Born in Jarrow in 1893, son of John and Jessie Scott of South Shields. Thomas Scott, age 19, a Shipyard Labourer, was apparently a Prisoner in Jarrow Police Cells in the 1911 Census. Thomas was living in South Shields when he enlisted in Sunderland. He is buried in Amara War Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216162

    Pte. Percy Scott 7th Battalion The Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) (d.16th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Percy Scott died aged 24, he was born in Jarrow 1892, son of David Scott, he lived and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 Census Percy Scott, age 18, is an Apprentice Grocer (Dealer), and lived with his Widower Father David Scott & his sister at 6,George Street, Jarrow.

    He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216161

    Pte. Thomas Wright 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Wright enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne and served in the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 8th May 1915 and is remembered at Jarrow Library and Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory medals.

    Thomas was born in Jarrow 1872. His mothers name was Barbara and she was 54 in the 1891 census. The 1901 census shows the remainder of the family living at 25 Nansen Street Jarrow with his sister Sarah(27) as housekeeper, brothers George(40) a tailor, Thomas(29) and Benjamin(24) are boilermakers.

    Vin Mullen




    216160

    Private Joseph McKnight Scott 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.9th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph McKnight Scott also served with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. He was the husband of E. Scott of 30 St. Paul's Road Jarrow. He is buried in Highland Cemetery Roclincourt and is commemorated on the additional Palmer Cenotaph Plaque in Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216159

    2Eng. James William Edward Scott SS Axwell (d.13th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    James Scott died aged 26, he was born in Jarrow in 1890, son of James Matthew and Hannah Scott (nee Gilhespie). in the 1911 Census he is recorded as James William Edward Scott, age 21, a General Labourer at Palmers Yard, living with his parents James Matthew & Hannah Scott & their family at 33,Bladen Street. He was the husband of Elizabeth Margaret Scott (nee Robb) of 34 Dee Street Jarrow.

    James is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216158

    Private James Stanley Scott 1st Battalion Prince of Wales Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) (d.12th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    Stanley Scott died of wounds in a field hospital and is buried in Lissenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. His Regiment & Battalion were part of the 18th Brigade attached to the 6th Division. He had enlisted in Jarrow. Born in Hebburn in 1894, son of James & Eliza Scott of 12 Maple Street Jarrow, he always used the name Stanley not James. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216157

    Gnr. Frank Lawson Williams 223rd Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.24th March 1918)

    Frank Lawson Williams, Gunner 771267, enlisted at South Shields and served in B Battery, 223rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He died on the 24th March 1918 and is remembered at Jarrow Library, he is buried in Norfolk Cemetery, Becotel-Bercourt.

    Frank was born in Jarrow 1888, son of Handle and Mary Williams of Jarrow. In the 1911 census Frank(23) single, clerk in Accounts Dept. of borough council and his sister Elvira Lawson Williams(21)single, lady tracer at engineering works are living with their grandmother Frances Jane Lawson(66) at 17 Edith Street, Jarrow. Frank is married to Jane Williams nee Swalwell of 120 Northumberland Street, Wallsend.

    Vin Mullen




    216155

    2Lt. Frank Edward Scott 405th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.4th Apr 1918)

    <p>stpeters.jpg

    Edward Scott died of wounds aged 37, he was the son of Edward Hawkes Scott and Mary Scott and husband of Lilian Scott of 19 Birch Street, Jarrow. Born in Newcastle, in the 1911 Census he is recorded as Frank Edward Scott, age 30, an Assistant Teacher with the Urban Council, lived with his Wife & son at 35 Coquet Street, Jarrow.

    Edward is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Monkton Memorial in Monkton Village, Jarrow, on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and in St. Peter's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216154

    Edgar S Scott

    <p>

    Edgar S. Scott is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216153

    Joseph H

    <p>

    Joseph H. is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow. Can anyone provide further details?

    Vin Mullen




    216152

    L/Cpl. Alexander Scott 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.8th May 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Scott died aged 39 as Prisoner of War in Germany, born Jarrow 1877, he was the son of Alexander and Mary M. Scott (late Ramshaw nee McLaughlin). Enlisted in Jarrow as a professional soldier before the war. In the 1911 Census, Alexander Scott age 33, is listed as a single Private was serving with the 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and is buried in Hamburg Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216151

    Fireman. John William Sayers HMS Viknor (d.13th Jan 1915)

    <p>

    John Sayers died aged 39, drowned at Sea. Born in Chester le Street in 1875, he lived in Jarrow. He was the son of John and Mary Ann Sayers (nee Jackson) of Hartlepool and husband of Alice Sayers (nee Adam) of 11 Hibernian Road Back Jarrow. In the 1911 Census John Sayers age 36, a Shipyard labourer, lived with his Wife Alice Sayers & their children at 72, Ellison Street.

    John is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216150

    Pte. William Stanley Wilde 4th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.7th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    William Stanley Wilde, Private 6315, enlisted Wrexham and served in the 4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He died of wounds age 24 on the 7th April 1915 and is remembered at Jarrow Library and is buried in Boulonge Eastern Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he died of wounds.

    William was born in Wrexham 1891 and his sister was Mrs Lilian Watt of 40 Northbourne Road, Jarrow. His father Joseph then 37 was a gas stoker from Oldham. His mother Elizabeth L then 32 was from Oxford. In the 1911 census the remainder of the family was living at 33 Hightown Road, Wrexham with the eldest sister Elizabeth Louise(31) single, as head of family, housekeeper, Thomas Henry(22)single, a gas labourer, William Stanley(20) single, a labourer as is George Albert(18). Lilian Alice (13) and Frances May(10) are both attending school.

    Vin Mullen




    216149

    Pte. James William Santon 6th Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.21st Sep 1918)

    <p>

    James William Santon died aged 22. He was born in Northallerton in 1897, son of Mary Ann Santon (nee Jones) of 49 Charles Street Jarrow and the late William Henry Santon. James William Santon age 14, a Miner Driver, lived with his parents William Henry & Mary Ann Santon at West Hetton Cottages, Coxhoe, Durham in the 1911 Census. He also served as TF/3576 in the Durham Light Infantry.

    James is buried in Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery, Epehy and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216148

    Pte. John Thomas Scaife 5th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.19th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    John Thomas Scaife died aged 22, born in Jarrow in 1894, he enlisted in Wakefield. He is buried in Rue-Du-Bacquerot No. 1 Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Hartlepool War Memorial

    Vin Mullen




    216147

    Pte. Robert Sandilands 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Robert Sandilands died aged 30. Born in Jarrow in 1884, son of James Chalmers Sandilands and Annie Sandilands (nee Murray) of 129 Hendon Road Sunderland. Robert Sandilands, age 27, a Ship Plater's Helper, lived with his wife Margaret Ellen (nee McCracken) & family in Phoenix Square, Sunderland, county Durham in the 1911 Census

    Robert is remembered on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial

    Vin Mullen




    216146

    ERA3. John Sandilands HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    <p>

    John Sandilands died age 36. Born in Jarrow in 1881 the son of Charles and Mary Jane Sandilands of 3 Railway Street Jarrow. In the 1911 Census, John Sandilands, age 30, a Ship Fitter Engineer at the shipyard, is listed as living with his wife Henrietta at 49, Stothard Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne They had been married for 6 years & had 1 child that had died.

    John is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216145

    Dvr. William Sanderson 251st Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.5th May 1917)

    <p>

    William Sanderson died age 26, he was born Jarrow 1891, son of Robert and Elizabeth Sanderson of Jarrow. In the 1911 Census, William Sanderson, age 20, a Fitter's Labourer, lives with his parents Robert & Elizabeth Sanderson at 46, Dee Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne. He was the husband of Rhoda Sanderson (nee Roberts) of 58 William Street Hebburn. He enlisted in Hebburn

    William is buried in Avesnes-Le-Comte Communal Cemetery Extension and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216144

    ERA. Robert Sanderson HMS Bayano (d.11th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Sanderson died aged 28 in the sinking of HMS Bayano. Born in Jarrow in 1886, he was the husband of Alice Sanderson (nee Carney) of 202 South Palmerston Street South Shields Robert is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216140

    Lt. R. B. Hamer 23rd Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Lieutenant R B Hamer is amongst British officers taken prisoner in 1918. He was with the "Western Theatre of Operations" and was repatriated 18/12/1918. He is featured on a photo of 3rd Platoon, 23rd (Reserved) Battalion Manchester Regiment, written on back of a photo is "went to France Jan 28th 1915".

    Geoff Wellens




    216139

    Gnr. John Stoker Sanderson 92nd Brigade, "C" Battery Royal field Artillery (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    <p>

    John Sanderson died aged 30. Born in Jarrow in 1887 he was the husband of Ann Sanderson (nee Turner) of 47 Charles Street Jarrow. John is buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216138

    Pte. Henry Whittaker 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Henry Whittaker enlisted at Jarrow and served in X Company 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 14th January 1917 and is remembered at Newcastle upon Tyne (St Andrew's and Jesmond) Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Henry was born in Jarrow 1881, son of John and Sarah Whittaker of Hartlepool. He was married to Ada Annie Whittaker of 14 Powell's Cottages, Carr's Hill, Gateshead.

    Vin Mullen




    216137

    Pte. John George Wills 14th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John George Wills enlisted at Wallsend and served in D Company, 14th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died age 20 on the 14th July 1916 and is remembered at Monkton Memorial, Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church, Jarrow Cemetery and Thiepval Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. John's sister Mary Elizabeth Wills is also one of the fallen.

    John was born at Byker 1896, son of Jabez and Mary Isabella Wills of 62 Wansbeck Road, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at that address with Jabez(56) a restaurant waiter and Mary(56) his wife of 30 years who bore 10 children of whom 5 survived. Meggy(24)single, baker in Co-operative store, Lily(16) at home and John(15) apprentice boiler maker.

    Vin Mullen




    216136

    Pte. Martin Jennings 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.29th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Martin Jennings was serving with the 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards and was aged 40 when he died on 29th October 1914. Born in Jarrow 1874, he was the son of John and Ann Jennings. Martin Jennings age 37 Blast Furnace Labourer in Shipyard is with his parents John and Ann Jennings and family at 29 Albion Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Martin is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall). He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216135

    Pte. Herbert Lowther Jennings Army Service Corps (d.13th Feb 1918)

    <p>

    Herbert Lowther Jennings served with the Army Service Corps, he was aged 21 when he died on 13th February 1918. Born in Jarrow in 1896 he was the son of Elizabeth Marion Jennings (nee Cocker) and the late Dr. William Munro Jennings (Surgeon) of Jarrow. Herbert Lowther Jennings age 15 at School is with his parents Dr. William Munro Jennings and Elizabeth Marion Jennings and family at 16 Croft Terrace, Jarrow on the 1911 census. He lived and enlisted in the town.

    Herbert, along with his brothers, Eric Kingsley and Noel Patrick Jennings who also fell are remembered in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    216134

    2/Lt. Nathan White 29th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Nathan White, a Second Lieutenant, served with the 29th and 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers and died age 31 on the 1st July 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Thiepval Memorial. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals shows his mother as next of kin.

    Nathan was born in Jarrow 1885, son of Martha and the late Joseph White. In the 1911 census the family is living at Palmers Gasworks where Nathan(26) is the manager. His widowed mother Martha(73) and his two sisters, Lilian(32) a dressmaker and Dora(30). Nephew Nathan Keau(12) and Niece Edna Keau(9) complete the family.

    Vin Mullen




    216133

    Flt. Cadet. Eric Kingsley Young Jennings 48th Training Depot Station (d.18th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Eric Kingsley Young Jennings was serving as a Flight Cadet with 48th Training Depot Station, Royal Air Force, when he died on 18th August 1918, aged 20. Born in Jarrow in 1898 he was the son of Elizabeth Marion Jennings (nee Cocker) and the late Dr. William Munro Jennings (Surgeon) of Jarrow. Eric Kingsley Young Jennings age 12 at School is recorded as living with his parents Dr. William Munro Jennings and Elizabeth Marion Jennings and family at 16 Croft Terrace, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Eric is buried in Lincoln (Newport) Cemetery and also commemorated on family grave in Jarrow Cemetery along with His older brother Herbert Lowther Jennings and younger brother Noel Patrick Jennings who both fell during the war.

    Vin Mullen




    216132

    Cpl. Arnold Simkin Jennings 28th General Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps (d.21st Dec 1918)

    <p>

    Arnold Simkin Jennings, served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, 28th General Hospital and died age 25 on the 21st December 1918. He is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria.

    He was born in Jarrow 1893, the Son of Thomas Simkin and Amy Jennings (nee Rawbone) of Sonnenberg Middlecave Malton Yorks. Arnold Simkin Jennings age 18 Student Boarder is at Bootham School, York on the 1911 census. Arnold was a member of the Surveyor's Institute, London.

    Vin Mullen




    216131

    Cpl. James Heslop White 2nd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    James Heslop White, Corporal 9790, served in the 2nd Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps and died on the 25th September 1915. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and the Loos Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    James was born in Jarrow 1892, son of James and Margaret White of 8 Bladen Street, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216130

    Pte. William Welsh 14th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    William Welsh, Private 10391, served in the 14th battalion, Durham Light Infantry and died age 22 on the 18th October 1916. he is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    William was born in Jarrow 1894, son of Patrick and Catherine Welsh nee Fordyce. In the 1911 census the family is living at 11 Back Stilton Street, Jarrow with Patrick(53) a steel works labourer and his wife of 23 years Catherine(44)who had 10 children, 5 of whom survived all single and living at home. Catherine(23) at home, Mary(18) ropeworks spinner, William(16) marking at steelworks, Christine(11) and Phillip(10) are both attending school. There is also a boarder Peter Cavanagh(53) a labourer at the Steel Works.

    Vin Mullen




    216129

    Private Thomas Jenkins King's Own Scottish Borderers

    <p>

    Thomas Jenkins was serving with the 6th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers when he died on 30th September 1918. Born in Jarrow in 1881, he lived and enlisted in Edinburgh. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216128

    Pte. Algernon Gill Jefferson Durham Light Infantry (d.14th May 1921)

    <p>

    Algernon Gill Jefferson served with the Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 34 when he died on 14th May 1921. Born in Jarrow in 1887 he was the son of Joseph and Anna Jane Jefferson (nee Gill). He is buried in Burnopfield (St. James) Churchyard Extension.

    Algernon Jefferson age 23 Coal Miner Hewer is lodging at 24 Low Friarside, Rowlands Gill on the 1911 census. His widowed father Joseph Jefferson age 58 House Painter is at the Harton Workhouse, South Shields on the 1911 census.

    Vin




    216127

    Cpl. Alfred George Wells 175 Tunnel Coy. Royal Engineers (d.26th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Alfred George Wells, Corporal 102244, enlisted London and served in 175th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. He was killed in action age 38 on the 26th June 1917 and is remembered at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals and that he was killed in action.

    Alfred was born in Jarrow 1879. He was married to Dorothy Durey (formerly Wells nee Wandless) of 8 Mears Terrace, Burradon, Dudley, Northumberland.

    Vin Mullen




    216126

    Mjr. Thomas Henderson Weir MC. 526(1st Durham) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.8th May 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Henderson Weir, Major, MC. served with 526 (1st Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers and died age 35 on the 8th May 1918. He is remembered at Jarrow Cemetery and Chocques Mlitary Cemetery. IV.A.15. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. He was also awarded the Military Cross.

    Thomas was born in Hartlepool 1882, son of James Johnstone Weir(Physician and Surgeon)and Maria Cameron Weir of Jarrow. He was married to Alice Weir nee Rumbelow of 91 Rusthall Avenue, Bedford Park, London. In the 1911 census his parents were living at Crayil Lea, Jarrow with his sister Maria(31) single, a dispensing chemist, also a neice and a boarder. His parents had been married for 36 years having eight children, but only 3 were still living. Thomas was living in London at his wife's address above.

    Vin Mullen




    216122

    Fus. Stephen Adamson Watt 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th May 1915)

    <p>

    Stephen Adamson Watt, Fusilier 21056, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died age 30 on the 26th May 1915 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Ypres(Menin Gate)Memorial. His medal card records him as presumed dead and the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Stephen was born in Monkswearmouth 1885, son of ------ and Sarah Watt. He was married to Caroline Watt nee Turner. In the 1911 census Stephen(26) a labourer in the shipyard, is living at 22 Ferry Street Back Jarrow with his wife of one year Caroline(20). They have one child Ethel who is 11 months old. Also living at this address is Stephen's widowed mother Sarah Watt age 59, a fish hawker.

    Vin Mullen




    216121

    Pte. Thomas Watson 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Jan 1916)

    Thomas Watson, Private 3325, enlisted at Wallsend and served in the 22nd (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 25th January 1916 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. Regrettably it has not been possible to find medal card or any confirmed census returns to discover his family.

    Vin Mullen




    216119

    Pte. Ralph Wycliffe Watson 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Ralph Wycliffe Watson enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment(Prince of Wales Own). He died on the 18th August 1918 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and is buried in Thelus Military Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. It also records earlier service in the Yorkshire Regiment No. 13500.

    Ralph was born in Tyne Dock 1891, son of Francis Wycliffe and Margaret Ann Watson nee Laughton of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 36 Clayton Street, Jarrow. Francis Wycliffe(48) is a ships fitter - engineering and his wife of 25 years Margaret Ann has had 9 children all living at home. Elizabeth Jane(23), at home, Thomas William Wycliffe(21) a Boot Shop Manager, Ralph Wycliffe(18) apprentice ships rivetter, Hannah(15), Sarah Ann(13), George Dundonald(11), Florence(8) and David(6) are all attending school. Norman is 4 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216101

    Pte. Charles Aloyious Hughes 24th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1914)

    Charles was a private in the Tyneside Irish Northumberland Fusiliers. He was my great uncle. He was a coalminer before he and his brother took up the call in 1915 and had a girl friend Mary Ann. He was killed in action near Ovillers la Bosselle near Albert 1st of July 1916 in no mans land serving with the 34th Division. They were to follow up on main attack from reserve trenches on the Tara-Usna line advancing to Avoca valley then up to British front line. Passing through no mans land they were exposed to heavy German machine gun fire and sustained heavy casualties sadly Charles being 0ne of them. He was 25yrs and is buried at Ovillers war cemetery where we have visited many times and always get emotional. His brother survived the war. Sadly Mary Ann his girlfriend never married. My grandfather Charles was born Nov 1916 and was named after him.

    Lynne Irving




    216100

    Sgt. John Watson 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    John Watson, Sergeant 20343, enlisted at South Shields in February 1915 and served in the 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. He died age 20 on the 10th December 1917 and is remembered at Jarrow Library and is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Jarrow 1897, son of Mary and the late Charles Watson of Jarrow. In the 1891 census Charles(28) and Mary(21) living at 12 Frederick Street Jarrow, seem to be the most likely family but unable to find in any later census returns as Charles may already have died by 1901.

    Vin Mullen




    216099

    L/Cpl. Harold Watson 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Harold Watson enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment(Prince of Wales Own). He was killed in action age 19 on the 24th October 1916 and is remembered at the Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and the Thiepval Memorial . His medal card records he was killed in action and the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. Harold's older brother George Robert was also among the fallen in 1917.

    Harold was born in Jarrow 1897 son of David and the late Annie Watson of 81 McIntyre Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family were living at that address with his father David(62) widower, fitter in the shipyard, George Robert(24) single, plumber in the shipyard, William(21) also a fitter in the shipyard and Harold(13) still at school.

    Vin Mullen




    216098

    Spr. George Robert Watson 89th Fld. Coy. Royal Engineers (d.4th May 1917)

    <p>

    George Robert Watson enlisted at Jarrow and served with 89th Field Company, Royal Engineers. He died on the 4th May 1917 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Arras Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    George was born in Jarrow 1888, son of David and the late Annie Watson of 81 McIntyre Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family are living at that address with David(62) widower, a fitter in shipbuilding. There had been 8 surviving children, with 4 single and still living at home. George(24) was a plumber in shipbuilding William(21)also a fitter in shipbuilding, Agnes(19) a bookkeeper and Harold(13) at school.

    Vin Mullen




    216097

    Pte. Edward Watson 1/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Watson enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 1st/6th Battalion the North Staffordshire Regiment. He was killed in action on the 3rd October 1918 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial. His Medal Card shows that he also served in the York and Lancaster Regiment - Number 22738, was awarded the 1915 Star, war and Victory Medals and was killed in action. Also noted as formerly 9824 Durham Light Infantry.

    Edward was born in Hebburn 1896, son of George and Alice Watson. In the 1911 census the family is living at 34 Usway Street, Hebburn with George(42) a joiner in shipbuilding and Alice his wife of 17 years having 6 children of whom 5 survived and are at home. Edward(15) is an apprentice Blacksmith - shipbuilding, Marion(12), Joseph(8) and Robert(6) are attending school and George is 2 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216096

    Sgt. Richard Jameson 24th (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.22nd Dec1917)

    <p>

    Richard Jameson Serjeant 345713 served with the 24th Battalion (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He died on 22nd December 1917 age 29. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals. He is buried in Kantara War Memorial Cemetery.

    He was born in Hebburn 1888 and lived and enlisted Jarrow. Richard was the son of Thomas and Helen Jameson (nee Martyn) of Hebburn. He was the husband of Margaret Allan Jameson (nee Nairn) of 112 Clayton Street Jarrow. Richard Jameson age 22 School Teacher is with his parents Thomas and Helen Jameson and family at Alma House, Hebburn on the 1911 census.

    Vin Mullen




    216095

    L/Cpl. James Adam Jamieson 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    James Adam Jamieson was serving with the 1st/4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers when he died on 15th September 1916. Born in Walls, Shetland, James Adam Jamieson age 24 Coalminer Hewer is recorded as living with his wife Theresa Jamieson (nee Haddock) and children at 78 Brunswick Street, South Shields on the 1911 census. He enlisted in North Shields.

    James is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216094

    Pte. William Edward James 2nd Battalion, "B" Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    William Edward James served with 2nd Battalion "B" Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers, formerly serving with the West Yorks Regiment. He was aged 20 when he died on 16th September 1915. Born in Jarrow in 1895, he was the son of Joseph and Euphemia Eckford H. James (nee Humphrey) of 131 Charles Street Boldon Colliery. William Edward James age 15 Coal miner Driver underground is listed as living with his parents Joseph and Euphemia James and family at 540 John William Street, South Shields on the 1911 census. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    William is buried in Loker Churchyard.

    Vin Mullen




    216093

    Pte. Randolph Jackson 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    Randolph Jackson served with the 1/5th Battalion (Territorials) Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 23 when he died on 27th May 1918. Born in Jarrow in 1896, he was the son of John Thomas and Isabella Jackson (nee Craig) of Jarrow. Randolph Jackson age 15, a Solicitors Clerk is listed as living with his parents John Thomas and Isabella Jackson and family at 1 Howard Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    He is remembered on the Soissons Memorial and was commemorated on the Triptych (right panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    216092

    Spr. Frederick Jackson 526th Field Coy Corps Royal Engineers (d.26th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Jackson who died aged 23 was born in Gateshead in 1894. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow. He was the son of Thomas and Jane Ann W. Jackson (nee Matthews) of Jarrow. Frederick Jackson age 17 Painter in Shipyard is with his parents Thomas and Jane Jackson and family at 39 Howe Street, Hebburn on the 1911 census.

    Frederick is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery and is also commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216091

    Pte. Albert Victor Jackson 9th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Dec 1916)

    <p>

    Albert Victor died aged 29. He was born in Jarrow in 1887 he lived there and enlisted in Newcastle. He was the son of Jane Jackson and the late Joseph W. Jackson and the husband of Sarah Ann Jackson (nee McGill). Albert Victor Jackson age 23 Barman is with his wife Sarah Ann Jackson and children at 8 Cobden Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Albert is buried in Caterpillar Valley, Longueval and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216087

    L/Cpl. Albert Daniel Jackson 25th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Albert Daniel Jackson served with 25th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 23 when he died on 1st July 1916. Born in Jarrow in 1892, he was the son of George and Ellen Jackson (nee Crimbley) of Jarrow. Albert Daniel Jackson is listed as being aged 18, a Solicitors Clerk living with his parents George and Ellen Jackson and family at 8 South View, Jarrow on the 1911 census. He enlisted in Scotton, Yorks.

    Albert is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216086

    Gnr. Walter Watmough 174th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.9th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Walter Watmough enlisted at Preston, Lancashire and served in 'A' Battery, 174th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He died age 30 on the 9th April 1918 and is remembered at Jarrow Library and is buried in Namps-au-Val British Cemetery. His is medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Walter was born in St Peters, Lancaster 1888, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Watmough. In the 1901 census the family were living at 114 Bedford Street, Preston. Thomas(40) was a Coal Dealer and Elizabeth Ann(38) his wife. Walter(13) was a reacher in a cotton mill. Ethel(10) and Thomas(7) were at school and Doris was 1 year old. Walter was married to Florence Watmough nee Brown of 69 Howard Street, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216084

    Pte. William James Wateridge 4th/5th Btn. The Black Watch (d.1st Aug 1918)

    <p>

    William James Wateridge, Private S/40618, enlisted in Dunfermline and served in the 4th/5th Battalion, the Black Watch. He died on the 1st August 1918 and is buried in Raperie British Cemetery, Villemontoire. His medal card also records the regimental number 3458 and the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    William was born in Jarrow 1897, son of Charles Ernest and Matilda Agnes Wateridge nee Wade of 229 Jefferson Street, Newcastle. The 1911 census form records his parents living at 11 Wellesley Street, Jarrow with Charles(38) a papermaker beaterman in a paper mill and Agnes(32) his wife of 14 years. William(13) is their only child and still attending school.

    Vin Mullen




    216083

    AC1. Herbert Percy Warminger 70th Squadron (d.25th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Percy Warminger, Airman First Class 3538, served in the Royal Flying Corps and died age 25 on the 25th August 1916. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery Extension. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Herbert was born in Jarrow 1888, son of the late John Henry and Annie Warminger of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family including Herbert's Parents and 7 children are living at 25 Lord Street, Jarrow while Herbert(22) himself is a boarder at 56 Hibernian Road, working as a house joiner.

    Vin Mullen




    216082

    Cpl A. S. Reeve MM.

    I have a commemorative item presented to a Pte A S Reeve by the company he worked for in 1919. This a very nice item and I would very much like to pass it on to any family members. If you had a relative who won the military medal for bravery at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, please email me with proof.

    Ken Jackson




    216081

    Pte. Albert Gould 2nd Btn Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.6th May 1918)

    <p>

    Nobody in my family spoke about the first world war and I only found out about my great uncle Albert Gould who enlisted in February 1915 and was wounded in the knee in February 1916. He recovered at home and then returned to the front in May 1917 and was again wounded and taken prisoner in April 1918. Albert then died on the 6th May 1918 in a German prisoner of war camp and is buried in Rue - Petillon Military Cemetery in Fleurbaix in Northern France. If anyone else has information I would very much appreciate it.

    Update: More details about Albert Gould are on the Saltaire pages at http://www.saltairevillage.info/WW1_biography_G_001.html.

    Albert Gould was the son of George Gould. George Gould was born 12 July 1857 in Suffolk. He married 14 October 1877 in Bradford Cathedral. From 1881 to 1901 they lived at 10 Waverley Street in Shipley with George working as a labourer in a chemical works. Albert, the youngest of six children, was born 1890 in Shipley. By 1911 the family lived at 2 Argyle Street in Shipley with Albert working as a bricklayer’s labourer. He played football for Shipley Celtic. Albert married Edith Midgley 25 May 1912 at St. Pauls Shipley. Edith lived at 5 Higher School Street in Saltaire.

    Albert enlisted as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Royal Scot Fusiliers 26 February 1915. He was an engineer working at Crabtree Red Beck Mills in Shipley and living at 3 Rosslyn Terrace in Shipley. Albert went to the front in July 1915 and was wounded in the knee 25 February 1916. He recovered at home, which was by then 10 Maddocks Street in Saltaire. He returned to the front in May 1917, and then he was wounded and taken prisoner 10 April 1918. Albert died 6 May 1918 in a German Prison of War Camp. Albert is buried in Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery in Fleurbaix in Northern France. He is remembered on the Rolls of Honour at Nab Wood and St. Pauls.

    Joseph Cooper




    216080

    Sgt. Thomas Henry Brain 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.24 Sep 1916)

    Thomas Henry Brain was born in Gloucestershire in 1866 to Worthy James Brain and Sarah (Clissold). He was a cloth weaver before he joined the Grenadier Guards. He was 30 when he died in France of wounds and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Seine-Maritime.





    216079

    Rfmn. Frank Wardhaugh 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.30th July 1915)

    <p>

    Frank Wardhaugh, Rifleman 9829, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade. He was killed in action age 18 on the 30th July 1915 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and Ypres(Menin Gate) Panel 46 - 48 and 50. His medal car records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Frank was born in Jarrow 1896, son of George and Frances Ann Wardhaugh nee Lauder of 62 Albert Road, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 19 Victor Street, Jarrow with George(44) a joiner in Building Contractors, his wife of 19 years Frances Ann(44) who had 4 children of whom 2 survived. Frank(14) is an office boy in shipbuilders and Janet is 9 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    216065

    Pte. Robert Ward 2nd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Ward, Private 56556, enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 2nd Battalion Welsh Fusiliers. He died on the 30th November 1917 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery. His medal card shows that he was awarded the War and Victory Medals. His older brother James was also one of the fallen.

    Robert was born in Jarrow 1897, son of Hugh and Mary Elizabeth Ward nee Jamieson of 92 Hope Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family are living at 3 Burn Street, Jarrow with Hugh(39)labourer in chemical works and his wife of 19 years Elizabeth(39) and their 6 children all single. Janet(18), James(15) catching rivets in shipyard, Robert(13), Bernard(8) and Ellen(6) are at school and John is age 4.

    Vin Mullen




    216064

    Pte. James Ward 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.6th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    James Ward enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment(Prince of Wales Own). He died on the 6th October 1915 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery His medal card shows that he died from wounds and was awarded the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. His younger brother Robert was also one of the fallen.

    James was born in Jarrow 1895, son of Hugh and Mary Elizabeth Ward nee Jamieson of 92 Hope Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family are living at 3 Burn Street, Jarrow with Hugh(39)labourer in chemical works and his wife of 19 years Elizabeth(39) and their 6 children all single. Janet(18), James(15) catching rivets in shipyard, Robert(13), Bernard(8) and Ellen(6) are at school and John is age 4.

    Vin Mullen




    216063

    Gnr. William Henry Rouse 242 Bde, C Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.16th Jun 1916)

    In 1911, William Rouse was 17 years of age and was ‘learning electric motors'. He was at that time living with his parents and two siblings in Sheep Street (the location of which has now made way for the Aston University Campus) His father, William Henry (Senior) was a caretaker at a working men’s residence.

    William joined 3rd South Midland Brigade Royal Field Artillery Territorial Unit, in November 1915. The Brigade's Headquarters were in Stony Lane Sparkbrook, Birmingham, where, at this location a memorial still remains. The Brigade had been mobilised at the outbreak of war and therefore when William joined, or was drafted, he was very soon at the front line in France.

    On 13 June 1916 the RFA 242nd Brigade were mobilised at Sailly-au-bois, Hebuterne, France. It was here, on 16th June 1916 that William died as a result of a direct hit from an enemy shell, this was along with the other six members of his gun crew. They were incredibly unlucky: this was two weeks before the commencement of the main Somme offensive, both sides were firing occasional ranging shots at each other and to suffer a direct hit was truly tragic and highly unusual. Artillery crews were some way behind the front line and direct hits were rare. It was something of a moonscape, they were very close to the front lines. From information contained within William's diaries it is recorded that at times there were 'more trenches than men to fill them' and that the field guns were unusually exposed.

    William is buried in the Military Cemetery at Hebuterne, France along with other members of his gun crew:-

    • Sjt Leonard Wilson
    • Bdr Edwin Henry Prince
    • Gnr TW Holloway
    • Gnr Watkin William Henry Hughes
    • Gnr George Davis
    • Gnr W Rouse

        John Hatton




    216062

    James Bradley

    <p>

    My Great Uncle James Bradley and Great Uncle William O'Hara are both commemorated on the WW1 Memorial Porch at St Michaels C of E Church, Lumb, Rossendale, Lancashire. Sadly this is now no longer a church but a private house. My other Great Uncle, killed in WW1, Alfred Bradley M.M. is not listed there.

    Kevin O'Hara




    216061

    Cpl. James Ward Durham Light Infantry (d.7th Jul 1918)

    <p>

    James Ward served in the Durham Light Infantry and was transferred after being wounded twice to the Labour Corps, 360 Employment Company. He died age 27 on the 7th July 1918 and is remembered at St Paul's Church. He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    James was born in Jarrow 1890, son of Bernard and Elizabeth Ward nee Bruce of 22 North Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census James is listed amongst the soldiers at the Durham Light Infantry Depot in Jesmond, Durham. His parents Bernard(44), a labourer at rolling mills and Elizabeth(42) are living at 68 Gray Street, Jarrow with his sister Ellen(19) and his younger brother James Bernard who is 6 years old. James is recorded on the army returns as being 21 and married.

    Without knowing which Battalion James served in, it is normally difficult to determine where he served, however the inscription on his headstone records that he was wounded at the Battle of Aisne and later at the Somme. His transfer to the Labour Company would indicate he was classed as unfit for front line action from a medical assessment. Labour Corps records are almost non-existent but it seems he must have died eventually from his wounds back in the UK.

    Vin Mullen




    216060

    Staff Nurse Mary Elizabeth Wills Territorial Force Nursing Service (d.30th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Mary Elizabeth Wills, Staff Nurse, served in the Territorial Force Nursing Service and died age 33 on the 30th March 1918. She is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. Her name was also on a marble tablet which was in the chapel of Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital, Millbank, London. The memorial tablet was moved to the Royal Garrison Church, Farnborough Road, Aldershot during the later redevelopment of Millfield. Mary's brother John George Wills was also one of the fallen in the Great War.

    Mary was born in Cramlington 1885 and had lived in Jarrow. She was the daughter of Jabez and Mary Wills of 62 Wansbeck Road, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family was living at this address. John(56) was a waiter in a restaurant and Mary(56) his wife. Margy(24), Lily(16) and John G(15) but Mary Elizabeth(27) and Ethel(21) are no longer resident.

    Vin Mullen




    216052

    2/Lt. Alfred Edward "Ted" Ashworth CdeG. Tank Corps

    <p>Abandoned German tank Elfriede, which was recovered from a quarry, some 50 yards in front of the French front line below Villers Bretonneux by 2Lts Ashworth & Gibbings of the Tanks Corps.

    My Grandfather was 2nd Lieutenant A E Ashworth of the 1st Battalion Tank Corps during WW1. I have the Croix de Guerre which he was awarded by the French and two original photographs of the Tank Elfriede, taken after it was captured south of the Somme in 1918.

    I had always wanted to confirm my grandfather's involvement in the capture of Elfriede and in 2012 paid a visit to the British National Archives at Kew where I read the war diaries of the 1st Battalion and also of the 5th Brigade, under whose temporary command the 1st Battalion was on the date in question. What I discovered makes the capture of Elfriede all the more memorable. It is clear that the tank was captured by the British with the help of a French guide and that the expedition took two nights, not one as had been previously reported.

    1st Battalion Tank Corps received an order from 5th Brigade Tank Corps on 14th May 1918 to send out two tanks to tow out an abandoned German tank from No Man's Land. At 23.00 two tanks left Querrieu Wood, and reached the location of the German tank Elfriede, which was lying on its side in a quarry, some 50 yards in front of the French front line below Villers Bretonneux. It had been jacked up by the French Tank Corps but they needed British help to tow it out.

    At 04.00 the next morning the two British female Mark IV tanks, commanded by 2nd Lts A E Ashworth and E Gibbings, under the overall command of Lt (later Captain) E Hawthorn, reached the German tank but had to lay up for the entire day, until 21.00 when they proceeded to tow the tank out a distance of some 9000 yards. Amazingly they do not seem to have come under German fire, no one was injured and the three British Officers were highly praised in the orders of French General Bebeney, Commander of the First French Army. 10 of the 13 British involved were awarded the Croix de Guerre and the trophy was handed over to the French Engineers who subsequently put Elfriede on public display in Paris. Sadly the tank was scrapped in 1919. It seems a miracle that the two British tanks were not attacked in No Man's Land during the daylight hours of 15th May 1918, and the bravery of their crews who waited inside them for a whole day for darkness to fall is immense.

    Bethan Waite




    216038

    Dvr. John George Walton 225 Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.30th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    John George Walton enlisted at West Hartlepool and served in 225th Field Company, Royal Engineers. He died age 20 on the 30th September 1916 and is buried at Englebelmer Communal Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals. John was born in Jarrow in 1895, son of John and Elizabeth Walton of Belmont Elwick, West Hartlepool.

    Vin Mullen




    216037

    Cpl. Thomas Henry Yates 4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    My grandfather Thomas Henry Yates served as Corporal with the 4th East Lancs regiment, residing in Darwen, he was along with many others taken prisoner of war. The Darwen Days website has a list of pows from the town as published in the Darwen News, newspaper. My grandmother mentioned that the pow camp was in eastern Germany.

    Tom Yates




    216036

    Spr. A. S. Hawes 30 Coy. Royal Engineers

    I have a copy of Wood Finishing - A book owned by and signed Sapper A S Hawes, 30th Coy Royal Engineers, Elphinstone Barracks, Plymouth dated 2.10.16

    Michael Wooldridge




    216035

    Fus. James S. London 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    I have in my possession a copy of a letter from the Infantry record office Hounslow that my late Father James S London, Fusilier no 60368 was wounded in action on 29/10/16 (possibly in Regina trench) I remember him talking also about Thiepval Chateau, and how they had to dig a tank out afterwards.

    D.London




    216034

    Sgt. John Edward Smith MM. 7th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    John Smith had previously served as a Private with the 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was awarded the Military Medal, Irish Brigade Parchment and Service Medal. He was killed in action at Monchy-le-Preux, France.

    Chris Murphy




    216033

    Stkr. J. Ivory

    J. Ivory is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216032

    L/Sgt. Thomas Irwin 13th Btn. Gloucestershire Regt (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Irwin enlisted in Jarrow. He is buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216031

    Stwd. George Ross Heron Wales SS Euphorbia (d.1st Dec 1917)

    George Ross Heron Wales was a steward on board the SS Euphorbia. He died age 25 on the 1st December 1917. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and at Mercantile Marine, Tower Hill Memorial, London. George was born in Jarrow 1892, son of James Alexander and Rachel Frances Wales nee Shaw. He was married to Catherine Alisia Wales nee Thompson of 73 Ormonde Street, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216030

    Spr. James Irving 69th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.29th Apr 1917)

    James Irving was born and enlisted into the army in Jarrow. He was the husband of Margaret A Irving (nee Bonner). The 1911 Census shows James being 29 years of age and living with his wife and children at 2 James Street, Hebburn Quay. At this time he was a Platers Helper in the Shipyard.

    He died aged 34 and is buried in Feuchy British Cemetery where the CWGC record has his surname as Irwin, he is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216029

    Richard James Hitchen 152 Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.16th May 1917)

    Richard James Hitchen was my wifes grandfather, he was reported missing in action on 16th of May 1917. Her mother was born two months prior and he never saw her. We've original of notification by his CO. of his status on 20th May. Handwritten on A5 size paper in pencil.

    Peter Wake




    216028

    William Irvine

    William Irvine is commemorated on the Palmer's War Memorial, Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, England.

    Vin Mullen




    216027

    Pte. William Henry Jenkins 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.4th Nov 1918)

    William Henry Jenkins, son of Thomas and Lucy of 50 Gwendoline Street, Treherbert, Glamorgan, was born in 1899. He was killed in action on the 4th November 1918 between 5.30am and 6.15am when the 16th Battalion came under shell-fire at Englefontaine, France. He is buried at Englefontaine British Cemetery.

    Joe Thomas




    216026

    Pte. Thomas William Ireland 1st/5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas William Ireland who died aged 23 was born in Jarrow in 1892. He was the son of Thomas and Jessie Ellen Ireland (nee Goodman) and the husband of Rose H. Brazier (formerly Ireland nee Davies) of 4 Norman Buildings St. Luke's London. On the 1911 census Thomas William Ireland age 19 Painters Labourer in Shipyard is with his parents Thomas and Jessie Ellen Ireland and family at 45 Grey Street back, Jarrow He Enlisted at Walker.

    Thomas is buried in La Laiterie Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    216021

    Cpl. Robert Allan Walker MM. Royal Engineers (d.27th Nov 1919)

    <p>

    Robert Allan Walker served in the Royal Engineers and died age 30 on the 27th November 1919. He is buried at Jarrow Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals. He was also awarded the Military Medal.

    Robert was born in Jarrow 1889, son of the late Frederick and Sarah Walker nee Redhead. He was married to Maud Mary H Walker nee Frost of 23 Charles Street, Jarrow. In the 1891 census Robert(2), Amelia(3) Leah (1 month) are visiting with their mother Sarah(32).

    Vin Mullen




    216017

    Pte. John James Hutchinson 611th Mechanical Transport Coy. Army Service Corps (d.9th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    John James Hutchinson died aged 33. He was born in Jarrow in 1877 and lived in Hebburn, however he enlisted in London. He was the son of James and Jane Hutchinson and the husband of Christina M. Hutchinson (nee Corken) of 77 Cuthbert Street Hebburn. On the 1911 census, John James Hutchinson age 27, Tramway Motorman at Tramway Company is listed as lodging at 120 Wear Street, Jarrow

    John is buried in Duisans British Military Cemetery Etrun.

    Vin Mullen




    216012

    3rdEng. John George Atkinson Hutchinson SS Coquet (d.1st Jun 1916)

    John Hutchinson was the son of John and Sarah Elizabeth Hutchinson (nee Watson) of 57 Howard Street, Jarrow. He was born in 1889 and died aged 26 years. The 1911 Census shows John as being a Seagoing Engineer living with his parents and family at 3 Edward Street, Jarrow.

    John is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial

    Vin Mullen




    216008

    L/Cpl. John Hutchinson 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John Hutchinson served with the 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and was aged 20 when he died on 25th July 1916. He was born in 1896 in Jarrow, lived in West Hartlepool and enlisted at Cocken Hall Durham. He was the son of Edward and Mary Jane Hutchinson (natives of Jarrow) John is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Hartlepool War Memorial.

    John Hutchinson age 14 at School is with his parents Edward and Mary Jane Hutchinson and family at 18 Conyers Street, West Hartlepool on the 1911 census.

    Vin Mullen




    216007

    Pte. William Henry France 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.29th Oct 1914)

    William France was killed in action in Ghelevult, Belgium. He is listed on the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium and also on the War Memorial at Bolsterstone, Yorkshire.

    Norma Fox




    216002

    Pte. William Todd Hutcheon 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th May 1915)

    <p>

    William Todd Hutcheon who died age 24 was born in Jarrow in 1890. He lived and enlisted there. His sister Margaret Lloyd (nee Hutcheon) and husband Joseph Lloyd and children are at 5 Cross Row, Boldion Colliery on the 1911 census.

    He is remembered on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    216001

    2/Lt. Robinson Wallace 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Robinson Wallace, Second Lieutenant, served in the 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, having previously served as a Private 320 in the 3rd Northern Cyclist Company. He died age 20 on the 2nd October 1916 and is remembered at Monkton Memorial and is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Robinson was born in Heworth 1896, son of Robinson Jackson and Margaret Jane Wallace of 9 Osborne Terrace, Felling, Gateshead. In the 1911 census Robinson Jackson Wallace(46) is a Police Constable, with his wife of 23 years Margaret Jane(43). They have 3 children, all single, living here, Ada A(23) and Margaret A(19), both Elementary School Teachers. Robinson Wallace is 15 years old and still at school.

    Vin Mullen




    216000

    Cpl. Ernest Huntley 2nd Btn York and Lancaster Regiment (d.6th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    Ernest Huntley who died age 20 was the son of Robert Bell and Ann Huntley of 22 Beaumont Terrace Jarrow. He was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow. Ernest Huntley age 14 Stores Message Boy in Shipyard is with his parents Robert Bell Huntley and Ann Huntley and family at 22 Beaumont Terrace, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Ernest is buried in Maroc British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215999

    Pte. Alfred Richard Walker 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Mar 1917)

    <p>

    Alfred Richard Walker, Private 10411, enlisted at Jarrow, served with the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and died age 28 on the 1st March 1917. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Gommecourt British Cemetery. No. 2 Hebuterne.

    Alfred was born in Jarrow 1888, son of William and the late Eliza Walker. In the 1911 census he is living at 26 Swindon Street, Hebburn with his sister Alice Howell nee Walker(24) and her husband of two years James Howell(24) a coal miner shifter (underground). They had 1 child who did not survive. Alfred(23) single, is a ships rivetter heater. Also resident are Alfred's widowed father John Walker(61) a Blacksmith Striker, Robert Walker(13) and Edward(8) both at school.

    Vin Mullen




    215998

    Pte. Harry Humphrey 11th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th July 1916)

    <p>

    Harry Humphrey served with 11th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was aged 19 when died on 7th July 1916. Born at Quay Corner, Jarrow in 1896, son of Edmund Eckford Humphrey and Sarah Jane Humphrey (nee Dawson). Harry Humphrey age 14 Colliery Labourer above ground is with his parents Edmund Eckford Humphrey and Sarah Jane Humphrey and family at 91 Brussels Street, Gateshead on the 1911 census. He enlisted North Shields and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215997

    Pte. John Garland Hume 1st Btn East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    John Garland Hume died age 23. He was Born in Jarrow in 1894 and lived and enlisted there. He was the son of John Couthwick Hume and Kate Hume (nee Garland). John Garland Hume age 16 Plumber Labourer in Shipyard is with his parents John Couthwick Hume and Kate Hume and family at 53 North Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    John is buried in Mailly Wood Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215996

    Pte. Robert Hubbard 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Hubbard who was born in East Jarrow in1899 was 19 when he died. He enlisted at South Shields. He was the son of Robert Hubbard of 37 St. Mary's Terrace Tyne Dock and the late Catherine Hubbard (nee Glen). Robert Hubbard age 12 at School is with his widowed father Robert Hubbard and sisters at 4 Cleveland Place back, East Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Robert is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215995

    Sgt. Edward Ambrose Wales 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Edward Ambrose Wales, Sergeant 22/1325, enlisted at Washington and served with the 22nd (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 18th November 1917 and is remembered at Jarrow Library and is buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Edward was born in Jarrow 1877, son of the late James and Jane Wales. He was married to Florence Wales nee Baxter of 254 Sycamore Street, Ashington. In the 1911 census they are living at 160 Pont Street, Ashington with Edward(34) a coal mine stoneman and his wife of 12 years Florence(31), who had 6 children of whom 5 survived and are living at this address. Charles Baxter(12), Edward(9), Lily(6), Richard(4) and Daniel Leslie who is 1 year old.

    Vin Mullen




    215994

    Pte. Thomas Alexander Howitt 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.5th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Alexander Howitt who died aged 20 was born in Jarrow in 1898. He lived and enlisted there. He was the son of Jane Howitt (nee Fairweather) of 49 Derby Street Jarrow and the late Robert Howitt. Thomas Alexander Howitt age 12 at School is with his parents Robert and Jane Howitt and brother at 11 Union Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Thomas id buried in Guizancourt Farm Cemetery, Gouy and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (on plaque west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215993

    Pte. Arthur Howard Hopkins Rifle Brigade

    My grandfather, Arthur Howard Hopkins, was born in June 1898. He served with the Rifle Brigade in World War 1. He was wounded on 23 September 1917 during the third battle of Ypres. He spent two and half days in no man's land but survived and lived to the age of 90 years. After convalescing, he was later transferred to the Royal Highlanders S/28017 but was soon discharged after further medical examination. We believe my grandfather may have been part of the 1st battalion. I have a letter my father wrote in 1984 when he visited my granddad in London for the last time. It is an account of grand dad's WW1 experience including being wounded and finding his way out of no-man's land.

    Peter Hopkins




    215992

    L/Cpl. Charles Howey 22nd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Charles Howey served with the 22nd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers, he was aged 30 when he died on 1st July 1916 at the Battle of The Somme. He was born in Jarrow in 1886, son of George Watson Howey and Alice Howey (nee Hood) of 11 Isabella Street South Shields. Charles Howey age 24 Sinker of Mine is recorded as living with his parents George Watson Howey and Alice Howey and family at 11 Isabella Street, South Shields on the 1911 census. He had enlisted in Jarrow.

    Charles is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215991

    Pte. T. Howes

    T. Howes Private is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. Could this be Frederick William Howes Private 8697 of the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who died on 24th May 1915.

    Vin Mullen




    215990

    Pte. Joseph Alfred Howes 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Alfred Howes served with the 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, he was aged 35 when he died on 10th October 1918. Born in Jarrow in 1883 he lived and enlisted the town. He was the son of James Dobson and Jane Ina Howes (nee Davison) and husband of Jane Bradley Howes (nee Cameron) of 44 Stothard Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census, Joseph Alfred Howes age 28 Lineotype Operator (Compositor) for Newspaper is with his wife Jane Bradley Howes and children at 102 Westbourne Avenue, Gateshead on the 1911 census. His parents James Dobson and Jane Ina Howes and family are at 55 Princess Street, Jarrow

    He is buried in Montay-Neuvilly Road Cemetery and he was commemorated on the Triptych (left panel) in St. Mark's Church, Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    215983

    Pte. Herbert Howe 1st Battalion Border Regiment (d.28th June 1915)

    <p>

    Herbert Howe served with the 1st Battalion, Border Regiment. He was aged 23 when he died on 28th June 1915. Born in Jarrow in 1891, he lived and enlisted in the town. He was the son of George Howe of 12 Knight Street Jarrow and the late Isabella Howe. Herbert Howe age 18 Apprentice in Shipyard is recorded as living with his sister and brother in law, Margaret and Frederick Theodore Binz and family at 25 Nixon Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. Herbert is remembered on the Helles Memorial

    Vin Mullen




    215979

    Pte. S Howard

    S Howard is commemorated on the Triptych in St Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215973

    Pte. Thomas Hopper 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Hopper served with the 4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 41 when he died on 28th September 1916. He was born in Jarrow 1875, son of Thomas and Margaret Hopper (nee Burns). He lived in Willington Quay and enlisted in North Shields. Thomas Hopper age 35 Cooper in Chemical Works is with his wife Mary Jane Hopper and children at 94 Stephenson Street, Willington Quay on the 1911 census.

    Thomas is buried in Wallsend (Church Bank) Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215967

    Cpl. George Holt 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    George Holt served with the 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. He was aged 20 when he died on 10th July 1916. He was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow, son of Margaret Burn Stephens (formerly Holt) of 4 Victor Street Jarrow and the late Robert Holt.

    George is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215962

    Pte. William Holmes 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Jun 1915)

    William Holmes age 23 who died on 16th June 1915 was born in Jarrow in 1891. He was the husband of Williamina Scott (formerly Holmes nee Craik) of 18 Pearson Place Jarrow.

    William is remembered at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215961

    Pte. John James Waister 2nd/6th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.26th Mar 1918)

    John James Waister, Private 270182, enlisted in Jarrow and served in the 2nd/6th Battalion the Manchester Regiment with former service in the Durham Light Infantry (205026). He died from wounds age 31 on the 26th March 1918 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church is buried in Honnechy British Cemetery.

    John was born in Jarrow 1886 son of William and Elizabeth Waister nee Gray of 16 Shakespeare Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family are living at that address with William(65) a shipyard labourer and Elizabeth, his wife of 42 years who has borne 8 children of whom 4 survived. Two are living at home, Wllliam(38) single, also a shipyard labourer and John James(24) single a shipyard caulker. Also staying with the family is a granddaughter Evaline Jones aged 9. William later married Susan E Waister nee Meginnes in the quarter Jan-Mar 1913.

    Vin Mullen




    215959

    Pte. John Wiseman Holmes 12th Battalion Prince of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment) (d.13th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    John Wiseman Holmes served with the 12th Battalion Prince of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment). He was aged 34 when he died on 13th December 1917. He was born in Leeds in 1883, he lived and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as John Wiseman Holmes age 27 Dock Labourer in Shipyard is with his wife Margaret Davis Holmes (nee Smith) and son at 135 Salem Street, Jarrow.

    John is buried in Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Mory and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215944

    Pte. Michael James Holloran 24th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)

    <p>

    Michael James Holloran was aged 27 when he died died on 24th June 1920. Born in Jarrow in 1892, he was the son of Mary Gilchrist (formerly Holloran nee Corr) of 17 Stanley Street Jarrow and the late James Holloran. Michael James Holloran age 19 Steel Smelter in Steelworks is with his mother Mary Gilchrist and stepfather and family at 21 Stanley Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Michael is buried in Jarrow Cemetery his death is recorded in Deaths Jun 1920. Michael Holloran age 28 S. Shields 10a 1059.

    Vin Mullen




    215943

    Gnr. George Hogg 57th Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.7th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    George Hogg was 23 when he died. Born in Jarrow in 1891, he was the son of John Horton Hogg and Sarah Jane Hogg (nee Simms) of 115 Hampstead Road, Benwell Grove, Newcastle. George Hogg age 19 Dairyman is with his parents John and Sarah Hogg and family at 156 Joan Street, Benwell, Newcastle on the 1911 census. He enlisted at Newcastle.

    George is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215942

    Pte. James Henry Hogan 7th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.11th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    James Henry Hogan was 26 when he died. Born in Jarrow in 1899, he was the son of Michael and Margaret Hogan. James Henry Hogan age 21 Coal Putter underground at Pit is with his widowed mother and family at Landsale Cottage, Camden Street, Southwick, Sunderland on the 1911 census. He enlisted at Jarrow.

    James is buried in Houplines Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215941

    Gnr. Thomas William Wadey 32nd How. Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas William Wadey, Gunner 3291, served in 32nd T Howitzer Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery and died age 36 on the 3rd December 1915. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Menin Road Military Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star initially under the above reference, but the later award of the War and Victory Medals are recorded under 235 Siege Battery RGA with Regimental No. 278291.

    William was born at Willington Quay, Wallsend 1879 son of Thomas William and Elizabeth Charlotte Wadey nee Dadd. He married Catherine Wadey nee Monaghan and is brother in law to William and Frank Monaghan who are also remembered in St. Paul's Church. In the 1911 census Thomas(32) is a Farm Labourer and Catherine, his wife of 11 years, has borne 6 children with 4 surviving. Mary Alice is 6, Olive 4, Margaret 2 and Elizabeth Ann is 4 months old. They are living at 18 Robensworth Street Willington Quay.

    Vin Mullen




    215940

    L/Cpl. William Waddle 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    William Waddle, Private 3674, enlisted in Walker and served in the 1st/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 12th April 1916 and is remembered at St. Pauls Church, he is buried in La Laiterie Military Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. it also shows he held the rank of Corporal probably on a temporary basis.

    William was born in Jarrow 1893, son of William and Jane Waddle. From an Ancestry search of the 1901 census his family are living at 196 Hope Street, Jarrow. His father William(38) is a Ships Plater in the shipyard and his mother Jane(41) has eight children living there. Robert(18), Frances(14), John(16), Ann(12), Ethel(10), William(8), Mary(3) and Joseph is 1 year old. A marriage search shows William Waddle and Matilda Robson married in the Quarter Jan-Mar 1914 with address given as 20 Queens Road Back Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215939

    Pte. William Rae 2nd Btn Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.8th May 1915)

    I am researching the possibility that William Rae served as a firefighter before he joined the colours, can anyone provide any information?

    I work with the Fire Services National Museum in Northampton plus with the Firefighters Memorial London. I have been researching almost for two years for Firemen that joined the colours in WW1 & WW2 and were killed in action. We have at this moment approx 500 firemen on our list. If you know of anyone that may of been fireman and killed in action, please get in touch. Thank you for your time.

    Malc Tovey




    215938

    Pte. John Crow Waddle 14th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    John Crow Waddle, Private 24848, enlisted in South Shields and served in the 14th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He died on the 12th October 1916 and is remembered at St.Paul's Church and Bancourt British Cemetery. H.17. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    John was born in Jarrow 1893 son of William and Elizabeth Waddle. In the 1911 census they are living at 130 Hope Street, Jarrow with William(40) an Iron Moulder in shipbuilding and his wife of 19 years Elizabeth(38) who had 10 children of whom 7 survived. John(18) single also works as an Iron Moulder, Robert(16) is a Ship Platers Helper. The four younger children are George(8), Elizabeth(5), Gertrude(3) and Mary Margaret is one year old.

    Vin Mullen




    215937

    Pte. Stephen Heywood 7th Battalion Border Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Stephen Heywood served with the 7th Battalion Border Regiment. He was aged 26 when he died on 23rd April 1917. Born in Jarrow in 1890 he lived and enlisted in the town. He was the son of Thomas Pollock and Eliza Heywood (nee Keay). On the 1911 census, Stephen Heywood age 21, a General Labourer in Shipyard is living with his brother John Heywood and his family at 68 Collingwood Street, Hebburn. His parents Thomas and Eliza Heywood and family are at 11 Maud Street, Jarrow .

    He is remembered on the Arras Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215936

    Gnr. Thomas Hewitt 57th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.30th Mar 1917)

    Thomas Hewitt served with 57th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, he was aged 26 when he died on 30th March 1917. Born in Newcastle in 1890 he was the son of Catherine and the late Thomas Hewitt of 352 Alice Street South Shields. On the 1911 census Thomas Hewitt age 20 is recorded as a Sawyer in Sawmills, living with his parents Thomas and Catherine Hewitt and family at 19 South Frederick Street, South Shields.

    Thomas is buried in Maroeuil British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215933

    Rowan

    Regrettably in this case there is only the surname Rowan is listed on the Memorial in Jarrow, so the following are listed as possibles only in the hope that someone may be able to provide further information.

    1. Thomas Rowan Able Seaman 181381 Royal Navy Portsmouth Memorial. Died 21st January 1915.

    2. Thomas Rowan born Rennington, Northumberland. Private 291721 1st/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. died 12th December 1917.

    3. Frederick Rowan born Wallsend, son of Mrs S A Rowan 52 Gerald Street Wallsend. Private 11007, 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Killed in action 7th July 1916.

    Vin Mullen




    215932

    Pte. John Rowan 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th Oct 1916)

    Private John Rowan was born in Langley Moor, and lived in Fencehouses, a small village within the parish of Houghton-le-Spring, City of Sunderland, County Durham. He enlisted with 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment at Houghton-le-Spring, and was killed in action in France on 18th October 1916. He is buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery in France.

    Vin Mullen




    215925

    John Robson

    John Robson is inscribed on the Foundry Section of the Palmer Cenotaph but little else is known concerning him. The three most likely candidates are listed below in the hope that someone may know further details and help to tell his story.

    1. L/Cpl 9889 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. Born Jarrow. Killed in action 12th October 1916.

    2. Sgt. 10119 2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. Born South Shields. died from his wounds 27th February 1918.

    3. Spr. 470617 1st/2nd Durham Fort Company Royal Engineers. Born Jarrow. Killed in action 24th July 1916.

    Vin Mullen




    215912

    Pte. James Hewitt 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.19th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    James Hewitt age 19, died on 19th August 1915, whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He had formerly served with the Durham Light infantry. He was born in Jarrow in 1896 and lived and enlisted in teh town. He was the son of Margaret Sawyer (formerly Hewitt) of 14 Pearson Place Jarrow. James is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215911

    Pte. Walter Venus 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Walter Venus, Private 23340, enlisted North Shields, served in the 9th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and died age 19 on the 7th July 1916. He is remembered at Thiepval Memorial, Face 10B, 11B and 12B. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Walter was born in Jarrow 1896, son of Isabella Hanna (formerly Venus nee Irving). In the 1911 census the family is living at 88 Queens Road, Jarrow with David Hanna(35)a Cartman, and his wife of 5 years Isabella(40). They have 2 children David (2) and Sarah (1). Also staying at this address are Isabella's two children from her former marriage, Walter Venus(14) and Isabella Venus who is 6 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    215910

    Pte. Bartholemew Redhead Varley 34th Div. Coy. Army Cyclist Corps (d.16th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    Bartholomew Redhead Varley, Private 9528, enlisted at Newcastle and served in 34th Divisional Troops Company, Army Cyclist Corps. He died age 21 on the 16th March 1916. He is buried at Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chapelle d'Armentieres. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Bartholomew was born in Jarrow 1894,son of Robert James and Mary Ann Varley nee Redhead of 10 Musgrave Terrace, Washington. In the 1911 census the family is living at Spout Lane, Washington Village with Robert James(49) a Cemetery Superintendant and his wife of 21 years Mary Ann(48). They had 5 chldren with 3 surviving. Only two are living here, Bartholomew(17) an apprentice Mason and Rebecca who is 5 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    215909

    Pte Harry Austin 17th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Harry Austin was killed in action aged 24 years 31/07/1917, and is remembered upon Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.He was the son of Robert and Ellen Austin of Oakengates. (Also brother of Private Edwin Austin 11813, KIA age 28 22/8/1917). My Great Uncle so he is not forgotten.

    Roger Fallon




    215908

    Pte. Edwin Austin 6th Btn King's Shrops Light Infantry (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    Edwin Austin was killed in action 22/08/1917 aged 28 years and is remembered upon Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. He was son of the late Robert and Ellen Austin of Oakengates. (Also brother of Private Harry Austin 60573, KIA age 24 31/7/1917).

    My Great Uncle, so he is not forgotten.

    Roger Fallon




    215907

    Pte. Thomas Usher 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Usher enlisted at Newcastle and served in the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He died age 31 on the 10th September 1918 and is buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery.

    Thomas was born in Jarrow 1887, son of William Usher and Mary Usher nee Chapple. In the 1911 census, the family was living at 24 Wright Street, Blyth, his widowed father William(45)is a Tailor maker in a Stores, Thomas(23) single, is a self employed Coal Hawker, Isaac Chapple Usher(21) is a Putter and Hewer in Crofton Pit, William Stobbs Usher(13) is a Trapper in Crofton Pit and Robert Chapple Usher is 11 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    215895

    Rfmn. John William Upton 16th (Service) Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    <p>

    John William Upton enlisted at South Shields and served in the 16th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Arras Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he was killed in action age 30 on the 23rd April 1917.

    John was born in Jarrow 1886, son of Robert and Mary A Upton. He was married to Mary Upton nee McGowan. in the 1901 census the Family was living at 38 Pearson Place, Jarrow with his Father Robert(37) a shipyard labourer and his mother Mary A(38). There were 5 children at this address, John W(14), a ships rivetter heater, Mary J(16) a spinner in the ropeworks, Emma (12) at school, Stephen(3) and Joseph who was 1 year old.

    Vin Mullen




    215894

    Rfmn. Samuel Hoy 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Samuel Hoy is my Great Uncle and was born on 4th February 1898 to parents Samuel and Letitia of Upper Meadow Street, Belfast. He enlisted in the Kings Royal Rifle Corp (KRRC) in early 1916, with the Regimental number of 19903 and subsequently transferred to the 10th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He was killed in action aged 19, on 7th June 1917 during the Battle of Messines. Having No Known Grave, he is remembered on Panel 40, of the Menin Gate.

    Stephen Hoy




    215885

    Pte. Arthur Stanley Young 1/6th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Arthur Stanley Young enlisted Newcastle and served in the 1st/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He died age 24 on the 10th June 1915 and is remembered at Jarrow Library and Ypres(Menin Gate)Memorial. Panel 8 and 12. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Arthur was born in Jarrow 1891, brother of Mrs ML Duncan of 2 Park Villas, Wallsend. In the 1901 census the family is living at 8 Harworth Race with William H Young(55) an engine fitter and Lydia A Young his wife. their daughter Margaret E Young (24) is a music teacher and Arthur Stanley Young is 10 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    215857

    Pte. Robert Roberts 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.8th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Roberts served in the 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment and died on the 8th October 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and at His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Robert was born in Jarrow 1890, son of Hugh and Alice Roberts. In the 1911 census, Robert(21) is single and an assistant Pork Butcher living at 31 Staple Road, Jarrow, home of Henry and Charlotte Abel (Germany Residents). His sister Alice(23) single, is also resident as a Domestic Servant.

    In the 1901 census the family is living at 68 Stead Street, Jarrow with his mother Alice(52) widow, 5 children and 2 boarders. The 3 sons are Henry(25), John(23) both labourers in the shipyard and Robert(11) at school. The two daughters are Jessica(17) a domestic servant and Alice (13) at school. The boarders both work as labourers in the shipyard.

    Vin Mullen




    215848

    L/Cpl. James Francis Clarke 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.11th Nov 1918)

    I am researching the 155 boys of Gordon's Boys Home, Chobham, Woking, Surrey who died in the Great War. The home was for boys of impoverished families to learn a trade and was a natural recruiting ground for the Army. James Francis Clarke was a 15 year old at the school in 1911 learning to be a "Shoemaker". He was born in Farnborough, Hants and his parents are believed to be Thomas and Annie.

    He enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment in Woking and given the Regimental Number L/13777. The “L” suffix was given to men who signed on for a "long" period of service and the 13777 indicated that he enlisted in about June or July 1911. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion which at the outbreak of war in August 1914 was serving in Malta. They returned to the UK and became part of 23rd Brigade, 8th Division that landed at Le Havre on the 7th November 1814. His service record did not survive the Blitz of WW2 and it can only be assumed that he served his time with the 2nd Batt.

    James Francis was one of the 863 listed by the CWGC who died on the 11th November 1918 - the last day of the war, and is buried 40 miles behind the front line with 6 others that died that day. He is buried in Brebieres British Cemetery which was made in October and November 1918 and contains 85 burials, 29 of which were later re-internments from other Communal Cemeteries or Churchyards. There are no predominant parts of the Army represented in the cemetery which perhaps indicates that the burials are of men wounded elsewhere. He was awarded the 1914 Star & Clasp and the British War and Victory Medals, there is also a note regarding a “Gordon’s Boys Home Medal” all of which was returned to the Surrey Medal Office in 1959. Presumably his next of kin were never found or the medals claimed by his family.

    Derek J Goode




    215838

    Pte. Albert Holroyd MM. 12th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Pte. Albert Holroyd of the 12th Manchester Regiment was awarded the Military Medal on the 28th of July 1917.





    215824

    Pte. H. Keeble 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Harry Keeble was born in Bulwell, Nottingham in 1894 and always lived there. He was the son of William Henry and Emma Keeble and had brothers Lewis, Herbert and Frank and sisters Ethel, Annie and Vera. The family appear under the name Kable in the 1911 census. Harry was a mechanic making telephones.

    His service record states that he was 20 when he enlisted at Nottingham in 1914. His religion was Wesleyan. He was 5' 4" weighing 120 lbs with fresh complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair. After enlistment he was stationed at Newcastle, Aylesbury, Halton Park, High Wycombe, Halton Camp.

    Harry was killed in action. He is commemorated at Bulwell - Parish of St Mary the Virgin and All Souls, Memorial Wheel Cross. He is buried at Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery Ypres (Ieper) West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium.

    Eric Suddes




    215819

    Pte. Frederick Ditchburn 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Frederick Ditchburn was born around 1892, son of Thomas and Sarah Jane Ditchburn, of 61, Middle St., Browney Colliery, Durham. He was killed in action aged 23, probably around Ypres.

    Eric Suddes




    215815

    Pte. M. Clarke 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Martin Clarke was born around 1875 in Swynford, County Mayo. Son of Patrick and Mary Clarke, of Collaugh, Meelick, Swinford, Co. Mayo. He was killed in action aged 40.

    Eric Suddes




    215814

    Pte. Ernest Brady 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Ernest Brady was the son of Mrs. Isabella Brady, of 54, Fleming St., Gateshead.He was killed in action, aged 21.

    Eric Suddes




    215812

    L/Cpl. Octavius Adcock 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Dec 1915)

    Octavius Adcock most likely died in a gas attack at Ypres. He is commemorated in the Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

    Eric Suddes




    215806

    L/Cpl. Edward Rowan 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Edward Rowan, L/Cpl 22090, enlisted in Newcastle upon Tyne and served in the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action on the 26th September 1916 and is also remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he was missing presumed dead.

    Vin Mullen




    215788

    Able.Sea. Harry Robson Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.24th Jan 1917)

    Harry Robson, Able Seaman TZ/252, served in Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Division and died age 25 on the 24th January 1917. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St Paul's Church and is buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension

    Harry was born in Jarrow 1891, son of John and Margaret Robson of Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215782

    PRIVATE FRANK JAGGERS 5TH,14TH.15TH,17TH KINGS ROYAL RIFLES (d.survivor)

    <p>

    Frank joined up on 7/2/1916 and was attested under the Derby Scheme. He was in the 6th. company, 5th, battalion of the Kings Royal Rifles and came from civilian life to train at Botany Bay camp at Sheerness on sea, Kent. He left there to join the 14th and later 15th service battalion on 28/8/1916. It is thought he fought on the Western Front and may have taken part in the Battle of the Somme. He was sent back to England with shellshock about 9/5/1917 when he was with the 17th battalion and was admitted to the London General hospital, Grove Lane, Denmark Hill and later transferred to Mary West ward of Edmonton Military Hospital where he stayed for several months. He was awarded the Silver War Badge and discharged from service on 9/7/1917. After hospitalization he stayed and convalesced at a friends house in Dorking Surrey-doing a lot of fishing. He was a gentle and generous man who disliked hurting people but felt he had to join up. He was born in 1895 and died in 1949 from a heart attack.

    Paul Spraggins




    215781

    Pte. Percival Robinson 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th May 1915)

    <p>

    Percival Robinson, Private 2003, served in the 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action age 20 on the 29th May 1915. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and Ypres(Menin Gate). Panel 8 and 12. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Extract from War Diary 29th May near La Brique: "The French today attacked the German Line left of Turks Wood and are reported to have captured 2 forts, i machine gun and several prisoners. Our trenches received heavy bombardment during this attack, 1 killed and 3 wounded. The enemy tried to make an outstretched Sap up to Forward Cottage but we got our artillery laid on to it."

    Percival was born in Jarrow 1895, son of George Percival and Catherine Robinson nee Millmow of 14 Frederick Street, Jarrow. The family is living at that address in the 1911 census with George Percival(45) an engine fitter at the shipyard and his wife of 19 years Catherine. They have had 7 children of which 5 survived and are living at home. All are single with Frederick(17) a general labourer in the shipyard and Percival(16)a house joiner. The other 3 are of school age, Martin(13), Mary Elizabeth(11) and Ellen is 6 years old.

    • 1/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
    • August 1914 : in Walker. Part of Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division.
    • April 1915 : landed in France.
    • May 1915 : became 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, in France.

    50th (Northumbrian) Division in 1915.

    In early April the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service and entrainment began on 16 April. By 23 April the Division had concentrated in the area of Steenvoorde. It had arrived just as the German army had attacked at nearby Ypres, using poison gas for the first time, and was rushed into the battle. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

    • The Battle of St Julien=
    • The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge=
    • The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge=
    • = the battles marked = are phases of the Second Battles of Ypres

    Vin Mullen




    215780

    Rfn. Charles Watkins Rifle Brigade (d.27th May 1917)

    Charles Watkins was my grandfather's brother in law and although he was not killed by enemy action he still served his country. He died of illness and is buried at St Ever Cemetery, Rouen. He was awarded the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    His wife Eliza Watkins formerly Appleton did remarry and her son from her second marriage was Able Seaman Henry Samuel George Davies, Portsmouth Division. Official number P/JX.215456 was killed whilst serving aboard HMS Panther in the Mediterranaen Sea when his ship was sunk by German Dive Bombers on the 9th October 1943 He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Southsea.

    JD Noulton




    215779

    Pte. Albert Charles Bick 8 Btn. West Surrey Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Albert Charles Bick was born in Battersea and lived in Lambeth. He was married to my grandfather's sister Anne. Albert enlisted in the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment. His death certificate states his date of death as the 25-09-1915 (underneath in brackets is wrote the word presumed) The last box on the death certificate states how died it has got not known. War records simply state 'Killed in Action. He is commemorated in Loos Memorial Cemetery. When I visited the first war battlefields and cemeteries, I was told by our guide that if someone was killed and their body not found, they did not have a headstone. Their name was carved on a memorial.

    J D Noulton




    215778

    CSM. Joseph Robinson MM. 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Robinson, CSM 20375, enlisted at Jarrow, served with the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and died age 29 on the 23rd October 1918. He is remembered at Jarrow Cemetery and Vis-en-Artois Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory medals, it also records his promotion to Acting Warrant Officer and his death.

    Joseph was born in Jarrow 1889, son of Joseph and Annie Robinson nee Poots. In the 1911 census the family is living at 79 ----- Street, Jarrow with Joseph(49) a Plate Layer in Palmers Steel Works and his wife of 27 years Annie. They have had 5 children with 3 surviving. All 3 sons are single and work at the Co-Operative Society, David(25) and Joseph(21) as Grocery Assistants and John Thomas(19) as a Bakery Assistant.

    Vin Mullen




    215777

    Pte. William Clark Young 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    <p>

    My grandfather William Young served in the First World War, I know nothing of that service other than the letter I inherited thanking him for his service

    William Young




    215776

    Pte. James Temple Robinson 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.7th December 1915)

    <p>

    James Temple Robinson, Private 13384, enlisted Jarrow in October 1914 and served in the 3rd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. He died age 19 on the 7th December 1915 and is remembered on the Palmer Cenotaph also at Doiran Memorial in Greece. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. He was formerly in the Royal Garrison Artillery no. 48785. Update Although recorded above as the 3rd Battalion , it was the 5th Battalion which went to Gallipoli as part of the 11th Division.

    James was born in Jarrow 1896, son of Thomas and Melita Robinson nee Dawson of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 3 Wilberforce Street, Jarrow with his father Thomas(49) a Cooper (dry goods) for a chemical company and his mother Melita Annie(47) married for 22 years with 6 children, 5 of whom are living at home. Amy(17) is a domestic servant, James (14) is an apprentice cabinet maker in the shipyard and the other three are at school with Henry Oliver(12), William Carlton(9) and Sarah(5).

    3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment.

    August 1914 : in Dorchester. A depot/training unit, it remained in UK throughout the war.

    • 5th (Service) Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment.
    • Formed at Dorchester in August 1914 as part of K1 and moved to Belton Park (Grantham), initially attached as Army Troops to 11th (Northern) Division.
    • 8 January 1915 : transferred to 34th Brigade in same Division.
    • Sailed from Liverpool on 3 July 1915, going via Mudros to land at Suvla Bay on 6 August 1915.
    • 16 December 1915 : evacuated from Gallipoli and went to Egypt via Mudros.
    • Moved to France, arriving Marseilles 9 July 1916.

    • 11th Division in 1915
    • Embarkation took place at Liverpool from 30 June, with much of the Division sailing on the Aquitania and Empress of Britain.
    • Mudros was reached by Divisional HQ and 32nd Brigade on 10 July.
    • On 6-7 August 1915 the Division landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli.
    • On 19/20 December 1915 the Division withdrew from Gallipoli and moved to Imbros.

    Vin Mullen




    215775

    Pte. James Robson 1/7th Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th September 1916)

    <p>

    James Robson, Private 292197, enlisted at Wallsend and served in the 1st/7th Battalion , Northumberland Fusiliers. He died age 21 on the 15th September 1916 and is remembered at Jarrow Library also at Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals as well as his being missing presumed dead. It also records previous regimental numbers as 5/3363 and 7/6095 implying previous service in the 5th and 7th Battalions.

    James was born in Jarrow 1895 son of Thomas Robson, 45 Commercial Road, Jarrow and the late Maria Robson nee James. In the 1911 census James is 16 years old, a Coal Hawker, living at 57 Back Commercial Road, Jarrow with his father Thomas(46) a self employed Gardener and his mother Maria(47)married for 16 years, 3 children of which two survived, so the other child is living elsewhere.

    • 1/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers
    • August 1914 : in Alnwick. Part of Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division.
    • April 1915 : landed in France.
    • May 1915 : became 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, in France
    • 12 February 1918 : transferred to 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and converted to Pioneer Battalion.

    • 50th (Northumbrian Brigade in 1916
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette*
    • The Battle of Morval*
    • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges*
    • * the battles marked * are phases of the Battles of the Somme 1916

    Vin Mullen




    215774

    Catherine Hedley Rodgers Queen Marys Army Auxiliary Corps (d.9th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Catherine Hedley Rodgers, Worker 45131, enlisted at Newcastle and served in the Gateshead Hostel, with Queen Mary Army Auxiliary Corps. She died at home age 27 on the 9th November 1918. Her grave is in St Mary's Churchyard Heworth - South Eastern Part.

    Catherine was born in Jarrow 1891, daughter of the late David and Mary Jane Rodgers nee Rutherford. In the 1911 census she is 20 years old working as a live-in Laundry maid at Wynyard Park, Stockton on Tees.

    Vin Mullen




    215773

    W.Eng James Coutts Robertson HMS Natal (d.30th Dec 1915)

    James Coutts Robertson, Warrant Engineer, served on HMS Natal and died age 35 on the 30th December 1915. He is remembered at Jarrow Library and Chatham Naval Memorial 13.

    James was born in Aberdeen 1880, son of John and Anne Robertson nee Munro of Aberdeen. He was married to Ada Alexandrina Robertson nee Peterkin of 8 North View, Jarrow. In the 1911 census her family is living at 40 Kent Street, Jarrow with her father George E Peterkin(58) widower a ship plate rivetter in ship repairers. He has 3 sons, all single, George E(33) an electrical engineer at Power Station, James M(28) a teacher and William(26) a student teacher. Daughters are Helena(25), single, Elepeth(23) a teacher and Mildred B(16). His other daughter Ada Alexandrina(31) has been married to James C Robertson(31) a marine engineer for 4 years and they have a son Leslie Gordon Robertson - 7 months old. James was also Chief Engineer on the SS Bedeburn.

    Vin Mullen




    215766

    Pte. Frederick Parfitt 2nd Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    <p>

    My grandfather, Frederick Parfitt, died in 1965, 5 years before I was born. According to my father he didn't talk very much about his time in WW1, I guess it's the same for many soldiers who served in the Great War. As I never knew him he has always been a bit of a mystery so I’ve spent some time researching his family tree and war record.

    Frederick enlisted at Sheffield into the Nottingham and Derbyshire Regiment. His father, also called Frederick served in the Imperial Yeomanry and is listed in the 1901 census at the Military Base in Aldershot.

    • Regular Army as a boy 16.03.09
    • Posted to 2nd Battalion 23.03.09
    • Appointed Private at age 18 07.02.13
    • Reported Missing 20.10.14
    • Confirmed Prisoner of War in Germany 20.10.14
    • Repatriated 28.11.18
    • Posted to Depot 28.11.18
    • Posted to 3rd Battalion Sherwood Foresters 05.07.19
    • Appointed Unpaid Lance Corporal 08.10.19
    • Posted to 1st Battalion 18.10.19
    • Posted to Depot 02.02.20
    • Appointed Paid Lance Corporal 27.08.20
    • Transferred to Royal Tank Corps 07.09.20
    • Posted to Workshop Training Battalion 07.09.20
    • Promoted to Sergeant Unknown
    • Discharged – Services no longer required 15.09.23

    Service as a boy: 16.03.09-06.02.13, Service with the Colours: 07.02.13-15.09.23, Overseas Service: British Expeditionary Force (France) 08.09.14-19.10.14, Prisoner of War from 20.10.14-27.11.18.

    After looking into the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters war diaries it appears that Frederick’s capture by the Germans on 20.10.14 was during the first battle of Ypres where the battalion was completely destroyed at the retreat at Ennetieres on the French/Belgian border.

    The photos of Frederick include a couple taken whilst in a POW camp. I have no idea where he was held captive, are there any records held? I feel quite fortunate that Frederick was captured just as WW1 had begun and spent the whole war as a prisoner away from the horrors of warfare that so many soldiers encountered until 1918.

    If anyone has any information about the where the POWs from the 2nd Battalion would have been taken it would be gratefully received. I would also welcome any information on what life was like in the Royal Tank Corps after the war finished.

    Andy Parfitt




    215759

    Cpl. Ralph William Williams 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade

    My great uncle Ralph Williams was born on 7th of Novemeber 1874 at 87 Queen's Head Street, Hoxton, Middlesex, England. Ralph began his working career as a book binder in Canonbury, but switched to selling fruit on market stalls. We know more about his life than most members of our London Williams ancestors because in February 1896, he joined the volunteer militia of the 7th Battalion the Rifle Brigade - one of the Brigade’s four reserve battalions. From his attestation we learn that he was of slight build: 5’ 4” His chest girth was 36”and he weighed 9½ stone. He had a medium complexion. His eyes were blue and his hair brown. And he was C of E. We discover that he had also been busy in his youth, having himself tattooed. On his chest were cross flags; there were a heart and dots tattoos on his right forearm and a flag, and “R.W” on his left plus a further flag on his right calf and a flag on his left. One cannot help but wonder whether he went to the same tattooist as his 'painted' show-lady cousin, Alice Eleanor Williams. Ralph mustered for training and manoeuvres over the following two years. The militia’s parade ground was in Victoria Park opposite the Mitford Arms Tavern. Ralph spent also spent weekends there practising marching and musketry.

    He was nearly 24 years-old when the Boer War came. The 7th Battalion provided volunteers to the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Ralph received a notice of mobilisation for the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade. He elected to enlist as a regular, signing up on 30th September, 1898. He was allocated to a Regimental number – 6225 - and by the end of his service in 1919 he had been involved in most of the more dramatic episodes of the British Imperial Army.

    On 1st October, 1898 he was at Gosport New Barracks situated astride the Mumby Road. These were still the temporary barracks of the Rifle Brigade while its permanent home, the Peninsula Barracks, in Winchester were rebuilt following a fire in 1894. He was stationed in England until 27th October, 1898 when his company was readied embarkation for South Africa. On 22nd October 1899, code named as HMT 26, the SS German joined the first convoy of six troopships that carried troops to South Africa. He landed in Natal in November 1899 and, together with part of the West Yorkshire Regiment, was among the first to go into action. Ralph saw fighting almost immediately, in which the Rifle Brigade showed itself a match for the Boers at fire and movement. On 11th December 1899, the Rifle Brigade captured Surprise Hill, blowing up a Boer howitzer in the process. The commanding general, Redvers Buller, then moved west to assault across the Tugela River opposite the Rangeworthy Hills, of which Spion Kop was one. Major General Lyttelton’s Fourth Brigade (including the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade) crossed the river at Potgeiter’s Drift to the East of the main attack, at a point where the river bending in a loop to the South protected the crossing from enfilade fire. On 23rd January, 1900 Buller ordered the attack on the Rangeworthy Hills. The plan was to climb and capture the hill of Spion Kop, which was considered the key to the Rangeworthy position. Ralph was involved in the ensuing British disaster. He took part in the diversionary attack in which the 2nd Scottish Rifles climbed Spion Kop to join the already decimated troops there. Meanwhile, Ralph’s 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade attacked straight up the Twin Peaks to the East of Spion Kop. The Boers on the Twin Peaks panicked at the assault on their position and fled, leaving the Rifles to take the summit of the ridge. This diversionary attack dislodged the Boers as well as those on Spion Kop, who left its commanding summit. Unfortunately, Thorneycroft, the commander on Spion Kop, did not realise that the battle was won. Instead of moving forward after the retreating Boers, he decided to withdraw from the hill. So at dawn the next day, the Boers re-occupied Spion Kop and as a consequence the relief of Ladysmith failed. Ralph’s battalion was next committed to an assault on Val Krantz, a hill in the bend in the Tugela River. The battalions of the Fourth Brigade, comprising 1st Durham Light Infantry, 3rd King’s Royal Rifles, Ralph’s 1st Battalion RB and 2nd Scottish Rifle, with the 2nd Devons from another brigade, scaled Val Krantz and drove the Boers from its lower slopes. They came under heavy Boer fire from the surrounding higher positions. At this point, Redvers Buller lost his nerve cancelled the full crossing of the river, leaving the Fourth Brigade to make the assault alone. He ordered Lyttelton to abandon the attack and retreat, but Lyttelton ignored the order and called for reinforcements. However, Buller convinced himself the Boer positions were too strong to be forced and despite Lyttelton and other generals urging him to commit more troops, he would not take the risk and the operation was abandoned and the British troops withdrew across the Tugela River.

    Eventually, on 27th February, 1900 the British put a pontoon bridge across the Tugela further east and Buller launched an attack on the hills leading to Ladysmith. Ralph’s battalion took part in the heavy fighting between 13th and 27th February, and won the commendation of General Buller. On 18th February, it fell to the Durham Light Infantry and 1st RB to attack the nek between Greenhill and Monte Christo. On the 23rd February, the two battalions crossed the Tugela River were ordered to support British troops beleaguered on Inniskilling Hill. Over the next four days, Ralph’s battalion was constantly fighting. His was the lead battalion on the left of the line in the final assault toward Ladysmith on the 27th February. In the fourteen days’ fighting, the 1st Battalion RB’s losses were 14 men killed, 8 officers and 117 men wounded. The 1st Battalion RB was again part of the assault group that advanced out of Ladysmith toward Dundee in the small hours of 15th May, 1900. From there, they pursued the Boers to Mount Prospect and along the Pretoria Railway. On 28th July occupied Heidelberg where they were to remain for a long period during which time the battalion turned to guarding and garrison duties. On 26th December 1900 a part of the battalion had very severe fighting near the Oceana Mine, the company guarding the baggage being attacked while the others were out clearing farms. Throughout 1901 the battalion was generally in the neighbourhood of the Transvaal - Natal Railway, involved in taking convoys to Ermelo and other places for other columns. After February they were chiefly engaged in watching the railway for much of the next, guerrilla phase of the war. This second phase of the war would last even longer than the first. Peace would only be declared at the end of May 1902. The following year, Ralph was to receive the Queen’s South African Medal, with 5 clasps, each to denote his participation in active duty in the battles of Cape Colony, Tugela Heights [Spion Kop], the Relief of Ladysmith, Laings Nek and the Transvaal. He also received the King’s South African Medal with two clasps to mark his service during 1901 and 1902. But long before then, in March 1902, Ralph had already transferred to the 3rd Battalion RB, at that time seeing in service on India’s infamous North-West Frontier. For the next two years, his time was divided between duties at barracks in Meerut [Utter Pradesh] and the 7,000 ft garrison fort at Kailana [Garhwal, Himalaya]. There is no indication, from the known documentary evidence, why Ralph transferred to the 3rd Battalion RB. His own 1st Battalion was to return home after May 1902. However, General Kitchener was made Commander-in-Chief in India later that same year and began a root and branch re-organisation of the Indian Army, a new division of which, the 7th, was raised at Meerut. So it is possible that Ralph either volunteered, or was drafted in, to act as experienced cadre for the Indian unit.

    While in India, Ralph spent time on self-improvement. On 26th March, 1904 he was awarded the third-class certificate of education. This was a required standard for promotion to the rank of corporal: the successful candidate had to be able to read aloud and to write from dictation passages from an easy narrative, and to work examples in the four compound rules of arithmetic and the reduction of money. While First-class certificates were awarded on the results of periodic examinations held by the Council of Military Education, second and third-class certificates were presented on the recommendations of the Army schoolmaster. He joined his battalion’s Gymnasium Team, for which the Rifle Brigade was famous. He was thirty and judging by the only photograph of him, as fit and robust as he had ever been in his life.

    Although the 3rd Battalion RB was involved in the shameful invasion of Tibet in 1903, there is no direct evidence available to signify whether Ralph actually took part in this action. It is, however, certain that Ralph saw active service in Aden during 1905. This came about as a result of a Boundary Commission, set up by the British Government in 1901, to establish the border between the British Protectorate of Aden and the Turkish-held Yemen. This body’s work was completed by the end of 1904, but its decisions were contested by the Yemeni tribes in the area. The RB’s 3rd Battalion, including Ralph’s company – and its attachment of 2,000 Indian troops of the 7th Meerut Division - deployed from Meerut via Bombay to Aden with less than a week’s notice. While Battalion Headquarters and several companies dispersed to Steamer Point and Crater in Aden, Ralph’s company was one of four that route marched up to Dthalla by 3rd December, 1904. Dthalla was situated 80 miles inland, high in the hinterlands of Aden and the disputed territory along the border with Turkish-held Yemen. The situation seemed to take a more serious turn when, on 15th March, 1905 Yemeni tribesmen, reported to number up to 30,000, were reported to have captured four artillery guns, 2,000 rifles and over 1,000 cases of ammunition from the Turkish garrison just across the border. This prompted the laying of wire entanglements in front of the garrison’s defensive perimeter. But the threat of trouble spilling over into the British Protectorate proved little more than mountain hearsay. Consequently, Ralph was to spend much of the next eight months at the camp, involved in all manner of pastimes as diverse as Gymnastics, camel racing and cricket. At the end of August, Ralph’s company transferred to Steamer Point, Aden. Here, at the age of 33, Ralph’s first seven years before the colours was coming to an end. Once more, he indicated an appetite for staying with the Regular Army (and therefore not returning home to serve 5 years in the Reserve) by applying to extend his regular service to 12 years. He applied to be re-examined for an extension of service before returning to Dthalla for 14th October, 1905.

    Ralph could not have enjoyed service in a place dubbed by every Imperial soldier - then and since - as the ‘arsehole of the empire’ - because everything went through it. However, after a year of heat, dust, and a handful of fatalities – including a near miss when one all-starred rifleman got his head stuck in a tub during an Egg-Diving Competition and could not get it out again, narrowly escaping drowning amid the applause of his comrades who thought he was still trying to get an egg - Ralph’s company finally marched back down to Crater, arriving at Sapper’s Bay in Aden on 10th December 1905. On 16th December, all the Rifle Companies embarked aboard the Hired Transport Ship Assaye. The ship reached Port Said by the 21st December, at which point Ralph and his comrades changed their uniforms to Khaki drill. They stood off Malta on Christmas Eve night, passed Gibraltar on the evening of the 27th and dropped anchor inside the breakwater of Plymouth Sound on the afternoon of New Years Eve. On New Years’ Day, 1906 the HTS Assaye was towed to No 1 Jetty at Devonport Dockyard where the companies disembarked to the strains of ‘After many a roving years’ and ‘Home sweet home’ played onshore by the band of the Somerset Regiment. Between 1906 and 1910 Ralph was garrisoned at Devonport. In 1908, it seems possible that the 3rd Battalion RB was garrisoned at Bordon in Hampshire. In 1910, the 3rd Battalion RB came under the Irish Command based at Cork. On 25th July, 1910 Ralph reapplied to extend his service in the Army by re-engaging for another seven-year term. Ralph was present in the ranks at the Tipperary Barracks on 3rd April 1911. For the sake of security no doubt, many British soldiers had recorded only their initials in this Census – Ralph among them. But his thirty-six years really stand out as an island of experience amongst the vast majority of other enlisted men – mostly teenagers or barely in their early 20s. The Battalion was to be stationed at the Tipperary Barracks until the outbreak of the Great War.

    In 1914, Tipperary Military Barracks was the Head-Quarters (H.Q.) for the 3rd Battalion RB, 16th Infantry Brigade, Sixth Infantry Division. The Rifle Brigade’s H.Q. was located in Fermoy and the Divisional H.Q. in Victoria Barracks, Cork. Ralph was now 40, but his service record clearly documents his 3rd Battalion’s presence, first of all with the Sixth Division. The Sixth Division mobilised with its Headquarters in Cork. The Division received its mobilisation order at 10 p.m. on the 4th August 1914. On the 18th August, Ralph embarked with his battalion on the SS Patriotic at Queenstown, Cork bound for Holyhead and mainland UK. From Holyhead, he entrained for Cambridge, arriving there on 19th August. The battalion encamped on Midsummer Common. The whole Division was concentrated in camps in and around Cambridge and Newmarket by the 21st August.

    Ralph’s battalion record shows that the period from the 18th August to the 7th September, 1914 was one of hard training. On the 7th September, the battalion entrained at Newmarket for Southampton, and on the 9th September the first troops of his Division disembarked at St. Nazaire. From St. Nazaire a long train journey took the Division a short distance east of Paris, where it was concentrated in billets by the 12th September. Over the 13th to 19th September, the battalion marched to the Aisne where they went into General Reserve. On the 30th September, he came under the command of Brigadier-General W. R. B. Doran.

    His battalion took up a position along the Fort de Metz-La Cour de Soupir portion of the front, which it held without much incident till 2nd October, when it was withdrawn into Corps Reserve near Compiegne. Ralph’s Sixth Division then spent time at St. Omer before marching to Hazebrouck on the 12th October. Here, the Division covered the detrainment of the Fourth Division and made its first full contact with the enemy on 13th October along the line of the Meteren Brook. Ralph’s Brigade captured Meteren and Bailleul incurring some 400 casualties in the process. Pushing forward, the 17th Infantry Brigade crossed the River Lys at Bac-St-Maur. The Germans brought up reinforcements on the 20th October, at which date the Battle of Armentieres, otherwise known as the First Battle of Ypres, began. As far as Ralph Division was concerned, this action took place on the western portion of the ridge between Armentieres and Lille. His Division was forced back to the low ground around Rue du Bois-La Boutillerie after very fierce and continuous fighting between the 13th and 23rd October. At this point, Ralph’s Brigade was relieved by Fourth Division and became Divisional Reserve until December. Mp> It is a fact that Ralph’s 3rd Battalion RB was present at the unofficial ceasefire along 17th Brigade’s Sixth Division front between Frelinghien and Houplines in the Christmas of 1914. For the 25th December, 1914 the War Record for the 3rd Battalion Rifle wrote the following: ‘Christmas in the trenches will always be remembered by the Battalion as a day of perfect peace, during which both sides declared a truce by mutual consent. Not the least interesting feature was a German juggler, who drew a large crowd of Riflemen and Germans in the middle of No Mans Land.’

    On the 5th June, 1915, the 17th Infantry Brigade went into the line on what had become known as the Ypres Salient. Ralph's Rifle Brigade faced some of the Germans' earliest gas attacks on this front during the summer. The 3rd Battalion, RB’s War Diary for September 1915 makes grim reading. In woods north east of Ypres, the Battalion relieved the 1st Battalion of The Buffs in trenches about 400 yards north of St. Jean. By the end of the month a daily tally of casualties saw 17 dead and 32 wounded.

    On 14th October, 1915 the 17th Brigade came under the command of the Twenty-fourth Division. On 20th January, 1916 Ralph gained a field promotion as “unpaid” acting Corporal. This was changed on 13th July to ‘paid status’ although it took until the 19th August for the Army’s bureaucratic process to confirm this. On the 15th September, presumably the time it took for the changes to move between London and the front, Ralph was granted Class I ‘Proficiency Pay’ of an extra 6d a day. During this time, the 3rd Battalion RB was involved in actions at Flers-Courcelette, Morval and of Le Transloy. These are actions mark phases in what is widely known as the Battle of the Somme.

    It was not until the 31st July, 1917, nearly three years after his move to the front, that Ralph was allowed his first home leave – a whole ten days. At the same time he was promoted to full corporal. He rejoined his battalion on 18th August. During this period the 3rd Battalion RB was involved in the Battle of Hill 70, action during the Battles of Arras and Cambrai.

    On 16th March, 1918 Ralph was granted another home furlough, but it seems likely that he was not able to take it in England as the record shows that he proceeded on leave “in the field”. He does not seem to have rejoined his Battalion until 13th April. This may have been due to the turmoil and panic caused by the major German spring offensive which took the British and French Armies by storm and drove them back almost as far as they had been in the early August days of 1914.

    On 12th July, 1918 Ralph received notice that he had been selected to receive an award from the King of the Belgians. It was a fitting honour for a man that had survived the fields of the Transvaal as well as of mud of Flanders. He could add this to his South African Medals and as well as 1914 Star, Allied Victory and British War Medal [1914-18] Medals to wear on Remembrance Sundays in later years.

    In the closing months of the Great War, the 3rd Battalion RB was involved in the counter offensive that eventually led to the collapse of the German front. The Battle of St. Quentin marked the First Battles of the Somme during 1918. These were followed by actions at Bailleul and Kemmel Ridge and the subsequent advance in Flanders. The Battalion saw action at Epehy, the St. Quentin Canal and Beaurevoir and Cambrai.

    The 11th November, 1918 found Ralph’s Twenty Fourth Division billeted around Bohain. The 3rd Battalion RB was one selected to march into Germany as part of the occupation force. It began to move 14-18th November to Solre-le-Chateau to assemble. The Division crossed the German border on 13th December and reached its destination at Bruhl south of Cologne on 23rd December, 1918.

    By 5th January 1919, Ralph’s war was finally over. He got his orders to report to 70 Eastern Transfer Command in Watford and embarked for England on 8th January. From Watford he was transferred on 14th March to No2 Dispersal Unit at Chiseldon, just outside Swindon, then onward to No 1 Dispersal Unit at Fovant on the Wiltshire Dorset border. Fovant had become the site for a very large military camp. Built at the foot of our Downs, an endless array of huts housed large numbers of soldiers. He was finally de-mobbed on 6th November, 1919, at the age of 45 - having served a total of 21 Years and 38 days in the Army.

    Ralph came back to his home town of Islington, to settle down in Pickering Street Dwellings. There is yet no indication of the occupation he took up on ‘civvy street’ for the next two decades. However, we do know that he married a girl, Minnie Rose Coulman, more than half his age sometime between Jan-Mar 1921 in Islington. He fathered a daughter, Minnie Florence Williams. Ralph William Williams, an ‘Old Contemptible’, passed away at 42z Pickering Street Dwellings, Islington, London, England in November 1939, just as yet another war was beginning He was buried at Islington Cemetery on 9 November of that year.

    Mark




    215758

    Sgt. Thomas Ronaldson 526 (1st Durham) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.17th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Ronaldson, Sergeant 470095, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 526th (1st Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers. He was killed in action age 27 on the 17th April 1917 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and is buried in Hervin Farm British Cemetery, St Laurent-Blangy. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he was killed in action.

    Thomas was born in Jarrow 1889 and was married to Edith Ronaldson nee Biddle of Jarrow. In the 1911 census they were living at 79 Croft Terrace, Jarrow. Thomas(22) was a brass tube caster's helper in a brass and copper tube works. His wife Edith(19) of under one year was born in Birmingham. They had no children and his mother-in-law Sarah Jane Biddle(46) widow was staying there as well.

    Vin Mullen




    215747

    Pte. William Roper 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    William Roper, Private 3/8572, enlisted in Jarrow and served in the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own). He died age 20 in the 17th September 1916. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St Paul's Church and is buried in Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme. His medal card shows the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    William was born in Jarrow 1896, son of William and Isabella Roper. In the 1911 census the family is living at 6 Scott Street, Jarrow with William(36) a Rivetter in the shipyard, his wife Isabella(34) married for 15 years has had 9 children, 7 of whom have survived and are living here. William(14)is a Rivet Catcher at the shipyard. All the other children are at or below school age. Isabella(9), Catherine(7), Thomas(7), James Duncan(4), Henry(3) and Jane who is 7 months old. The two deceased children are Janet and John - entered on form and crossed out.

    Vin Mullen




    215745

    Gnr. Arthur Albert Pelham 110th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.29th Aug 1918)

    On the 29th of August 1918, 110 Brigade RFA was shelled and my grandfather, Gunner A.A. Pelham, was killed. He was buried in the village of Maurepas. A letter from the Brigade Commander dated Sept 22nd 1918 explains he died when the Division was advancing and came under heavy shelling.

    Arthur Albert Pelham was born in Collyhurst, Lancs and enlisted at Saford. He was the husband of Harriet Pelham, of 15, Middleton Street, Pendleton, Manchester. He was 27. He is buried in Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt

    Grenville Denham




    215741

    Pte. Robert Pattison 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd May 1915)

    Robert Pattison was my grandfather. He engaged for 4 years' territorial service aged 21 on 13 March 1909 at West Hartlepool. He re-engaged for 2 further years on 8 March 1913. His period of embodied service began on 5 August 1914. He signed an agreement to serve outside the UK at Darlington on 18 Sept 1914. On 29 March in Hartlepool he registered my mother's birth. He embarked from Folkestone on 17 April 1915.

    He was killed in action on 23 May 1915 and was buried between Sanctuary Wood and the Menin Road. (The story told by the family is that he was killed by a sniper.) His grave is now not known and his name appears on panels 36 and 38 of the Menin Gate Memorial. (It may be that his grave was destroyed during the Battle of Mount Sorrel in 1916.) My grandmother was awarded a pension of 18s. 6d. for herself and her two children in December 1915.

    Sheron Mitchell




    215740

    Pte. James Henry Hancock 12th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.7th Jul 1916)

    Pte James Hancock was amongst 539 men and 16 officers of the 12th Manchesters who were killed in action, listed as missing or wounded at Contalmaison on the Somme on the 7th of July. His name is to be found on the memorial at Thiepval.

    He was born in 1878 and was married to Margaret. They had 8 children. In the 1911 census his occupation is General Blacksmith. He died aged 39.

    Eric Goodayle




    215739

    L/Cpl. Charles Samuel Goldspink 8th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.19th Jul 1916)

    Charles Samuel Goldspink Norfolk Regiment 8th Battalion died this day and is buried at Longueval France.

    Also his brother Arthur William Goldspink Norfolk Regiment 8th Battalion died the same day and is remembered on the Theipval Memorial

    Update: Thirty seven members of the Norfolk Regiment lost their lives fighting at Delville Wood. Lance Corporal Charles Samuel Goldspink and his brother Arthur William were born in Pulham St. Mary, Norfolk in 1891 and 1893 respectively. Charles is buried at: London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval Longueval

    Nigel Dowe




    215738

    Pte. Henry Craggs Sutton 10th Btn. A coy. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.4th Oct 1917)

    My uncle, Henry Craggs Sutton of 'A' Coy. 10th Bn. KOYLI, is recorded as being killed in action between Polygon Wood and Routel Village. Henry was born in 1897 in Gateshead, the son of John George and Margaret Sutton, of 36, South St., Gateshead.

    Henry is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Bob Witherspoon




    215737

    Pte. James Robertson 12th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    James Robertson, Private 18747, enlisted in Glasgow and served with the 12th Battalion the Highland Light Infantry. He is remembered at St Mark's Church and Loos Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, war and Victory Medals and that he was killed in action age 27 on the 25th September 1915.

    James was born in Jarrow, son of george Spence and Helen Kay Robertson of 55 Cobden Street, Jarrow 1888. In the 1911 census James(23) is a boarder at 13 Thorngrove Road, Upton Park, Essex and works as a Ship Plater in shipbuilders.

    Vin Mullen




    215736

    Spr. James Henry F S Robertson 129 Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.12th April 1917)

    <p>

    James Henry F.S. Robertson, Sapper 145094, enlisted at Blyth, served in 129 Field Company Royal Engineers and died age 23 on the 12th April 1917. He is remembered at Arras Memorial. Bay 1. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    He was born in Jarrow 1893.

    129th Field Company Royal Engineers was in 24th Division from April 1915.

    • 24th Division in 1917
    • The Battle of Vimy Ridge, a phase of the Arras offensive 1917
    • The Battle of Messines
    • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge***
    • The Battle of Langemarck***
    • The battles marked *** are phases of the Third Battles of Ypres
    • The Cambrai Operations (the German counter attack)

    Vin Mullen




    215734

    Ord.Sea. John Tench Hetherington SS Van Stirum (d.25th Dec 1915)

    John Tench Hetherington Ordinary Seaman, served on the SS Van Stirum (London) with the Mercantile Marine. Born Jarrow 1898. Son of John William (Serjeant Instructor in the Royal Engineers) and Mary Hetherington (nee Murphy) of 3 Ashtree Road Chatham Kent. On the 1911 census John Tench Hetherington age 12 at School is with his parents John William Hetherington (Serjeant Major Territorial Instructor in the Royal Engineers) and Mary Hetherington and family at the Drill Hall Cottage, Smethwick .

    Aged 17 John died after his ship was torpedoed on 25th December 1915. From research, John must have been the Seaman who was with the Boatswain when the torpedo struck, as there were only two fatalities. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215733

    Sgt. Brown Webster 1st Battalion Scots Guards

    Brown Webster was my husband's grandfather. He enlisted in the Scots Guards on 5th November 1914, lying about his age. He was actually 16. He was sent to France on 6th April 1916 and was promoted to Sergeant on 10th October 1916. He was wounded and sent home on 10th August 1917. He was treated (we believe) for shrapnel wounds in Endell St Hospital in London and was then declared unfit for further service. He was discharged from the reserve battalion in 1919. He became a draper after the war but died in 1930 aged 32.

    Carolyn Orme




    215732

    Pte Thomas Heron 1st/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Heron was born in Jarrow and enlisted at Hebburn. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215731

    Spr. Frederick George Rosen Royal Engineers (d.5th March 1919)

    <p>

    Frederick George Rosen, Sapper 470065, served in the Royal Engineers and died age 32 on the 5th March 1919. He is remembered at Jarrow Cemetery.II.C.441. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Frederick was born in Pembroke 1887, son of Frederick George and Mary Ann Rosen nee Collins of Jarrow. He was married to Elizabeth Ann Swinbank (formerly Rosen nee Ramshaw). In the 1911 census the family is living at 37 Charles Street, Jarrow with Frederick(47)a boilermaker in shipbuilding and his wife of 25 years Mary Ann(45). They had 10 children all living with 8 at this address. The two eldest Florence(25) and Frederick(23) are both married, entered on the form and crossed out obviously on forms at their own addresses. Florence has no further details entered but Fred is shown as married for 15 months and with 1 child.

    Vin Mullen




    215730

    Pte. William Faulkner 4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    My father William Faulkner, was a member of the 4th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment and left Southampton for Egypt in 1914. He fought at the Battle of Krithia Vineyard. He transferred to the machine gun corps and was commissioned in 1918

    Bernard Faulkner




    215729

    Pte. James Walters 9th Btn. Sherwood Forresters (d.9th Aug 1916)

    Born around 1899, James was the son of James and Hannah Gertrude Walters, of 62, Vernon Avenue, Old Basford, Nottingham.

    Private James Walters, service no. 25793 of the 9th Service Battalion, was killed in action at Delville Wood, Longueval 9/8/1916 aged 16yrs 11 Months. He was serving with the Machine Gun Company, 9th Sherwood Forresters which was attached to the South Staffordshire Regt prior to the Somme Offensive and went into action in Delville Wood around the 7th August 1916. James is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueville.

    Dave Hopkin




    215725

    Spr. William Houston Ross 528 Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.14th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    William Houston Ross enlisted in Jarrow and served in 528 field Company, Royal Engineers. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial ground. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he was killed in action on the 14th October 1917.

    William was born in South Shields 1894, son of William and Frances Ross nee Edwards. In the 1911 census the family are living at 25 Rosa Street, South Shields with William(55), a special railway porter for North Eastern Railways and Fraces(54), his wife of 33 years having 12 children of whom 10 survived. Seven, all single, are living here, George(26) assistant clerk to Justice, Walter(22) solicitors clerk, Harold(20) gasfitters shop assistant, Helen(18) Drapers shop assistant, William Houston(16)Grocers shop assistant, Gladys(15) and Norman(13) at school. There is also an adopted daughter Amy Ross who is 4 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    215715

    Pte. Charles Ross 9th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    Charles Ross arrived in France on the 4th of August 1915. He was posted to 9th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders and was later transferred to the 1st battalion. (Dates of transfer unknown.)

    Michael Hodgson




    215686

    L/Cpl. William Stephen Hepburn 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    <p>

    William Stephen Hepburn died aged 23. Born in 1892 in Jarrow, he was the son of William Hemsley and Flora Cameron Hepburn of Jarrow. William Stephen Hepburn (down as Stephen Hepburn) age 18 Under Gardener is in service for the Charles Duncombe Shafto family at Durham on the 1911 census. His parents William Hemsley and Flora Cameron Hepburn and family are at 5 Wood Terrace, Monkton, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    William is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and on the Monkton Memorial in Monkton Village, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215685

    Pte. James George Henry 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.5th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    James George Henry who died aged 27 was born in Jarrow in 1888. He was the son of Eliza Sarah Henry (nee Robson) of 84 Croft Terrace Jarrow and the late Thomas Edward W. Henry. James George Henry age 22 Cabinet Maker in Shipyard is with his parents Thomas Edward W. and Eliza Henry and family at Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    James is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215684

    L/Cpl. Alfred Henry MM. 1st/5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.11th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Alfred Henry who died aged 19 was born in 1898 in Jarrow to Robert and Margaret Ann Henry (nee Charlton) of 5 Askern Street Carbrook Sheffield (Natives of Jarrow). Alfred Henry age 12 at School is with his parents Robert and Margaret Ann Henry and family (all born Jarrow) at 311 Dunloy Street, Sheffield on the 1911 census. He lived in Sheffield.

    Alfred is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215683

    Pte. Frederick John Jordan 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick John Jordan was born in Deal, Kent on 27th January 1881 to John Jordan and Georgina Emily nee Lane. In 1909 he married Ellen Frances Selth "Nellie". In the 1911 census he is aged 30 and an assistant grocer living at 5 Robert, Street, Deal with his wife (26).

    He was killed in action and his final resting place is unknown. His Name is listed on the Soissons Memorial, Departement de l'Aisne, Picardie, France.

    His younger brother, Walter Henry, was also one of the fallen.

    Holly Tidmarsh




    215682

    Pte. Ernest Dix 2nd Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.24th Sep 1918)

    Ernest Dix, born in 1881 South Shields Durham was the son of Ansell and Mary Ann (nee Hendry). He was a single man employed as a general engineer (mainly marine). Killed in action, he is remembered on the Vis-en Artois memorial.

    Martyn Rundle




    215681

    Pte. Walter Henry Jordan 6th Btn The East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) (d.7th Oct 1916)

    Walter Henry Jordan was born in Deal, Kent on 15 Nov 1894 to John and Georgina Emily Jordan. Ancestry records show him on the 1911 census living at No 17 Griffin St, Deal, Kent. He is a Confectioner's Errand Boy. His father is dead by this date. Other family members are Georgina Emily Jordan (50), Percy Jordan (25), Arthur Jordan (19), Florence Jordan (18), Charlie Jordan (20) Harry Jordan (15), Daisy Jordan (13) and Grove Ralph Norris (56).

    He enlisted in to the Buffs at Sandwich, Kent and joined the regiment at Canterbury on 1/11/1915. He was small in stature at 5'4" tall with a chest measurement of 34" fully expanded. His religion is given as Congregational. He was killed in action at The Somme on 7 Oct 1916 in the Battle of Le Transloy and his mother, by then Mrs GE Norris, 144 Middle St, Deal, acknowledged receipt of his medals. Walter is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Holly Tidmarsh




    215679

    Pte. John William Henderson 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.31st Aug 1916)

    <p>

    John William Henderson who died aged 24 was born in Jarrow to William and Florence Smith Henderson (nee Roberts) of Jarrow. John William Henderson age 19 Apprentice Ships Plater in Shipyard is with his parents William and Florence Smith Henderson and family at 7 Cumberland Street, Wallsend on the 1911 census.

    John is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215678

    Gnr . John Harvie Henderson Royal Field Artillery (d.10th May 1918)

    <p>

    John Harvie Henderson died aged 24. He was born in Sunderland in 1893 and was the son of Catherine Henderson of 8 Stephen Street Jarrow and the late John Henderson. John Harvie Henderson age 17 Paper Finisher in Paper Mill is with his parents John and Kate Henderson and family at Malt Kiln Row, Calder Grove near Wakefield on the 1911 census. He enlisted at South Shields.

    John is buired in Jarrow Cemetery. His death is recorded in Deaths Jun 1918 for Richmond Y. 9d 869. John H. Henderson age 24.

    Vin Mullen




    215677

    Pte. Andrew Henderson 109th Coy Labour Corps. (d.9th/10th August 1918)

    <p>

    Andrew Henderson was 28 when he died. Born in Jarrow in 1890, he was the son of Andrew and Mary A. Henderson (nee Boyle) of 57 Monkton Road Jarrow. Andrew Henderson age 23 Labourer in Steelworks is with his parents Andrew and Mary A. Henderson at 19 Cambrian Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. He enlisted at Newcastle.

    Andrew is buried in Gonnehem British Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215676

    2/Lt. Douglas Forbes Robertson 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Douglas Forbes Robertson, Second Lieutenant, served in the 8th Battalion after initial spell in the 15th Reserve Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died of wounds age 26 on the 26th September 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals and that he died of wounds.

    Douglas was born in Jarrow 1890, son of Hugh Robertson of Westfield House, Jarrow and the late Sarah Ann Robertson nee Rowland. In the 1911 census the family is living at Westfield House with Hugh(66) a Theatre Proprietor and Sarah(55) married for 37 years. They had 11 children of whom 9 survived but only 3 are still living at home. Eliza Ann(35) and Rachel Hannah(27) with Douglas Forbes(20) a dental student. (All unmarried) There are also two domestic servants.

    Vin Mullen




    215675

    Pte. Edward Hayes 18th Btn Highland Light Infantry (d.26th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Hayes was 18 when he died. Born Jarrow in 1898 he was the son of James and Hannah Isabella Hayes (nee Thompson) of Jarrow. Edward Hayes age 12 at School is living with his parents James and Hannah Isabella Hayes and family at 7 Chaytor Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Edward is buried in Bray Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215674

    Pte. Joseph Havelock 8th Btn "C" Coy. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Havelock who died aged 35 was born in Morton Colliery Durham. He was the son of Sarah Jane Havelock of Hebburn Colliery and the late John Henry Havelock and the husband of Hannah Ruddick (late Havelock nee Smith) of 14 Derby Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census Joseph Havelock age 31 is listes as a General Labourer in Shipyard living with his wife Hannah Havelock and children at 17 Nancen Street, Jarrow

    Joseph is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215673

    Spr William Henry V. Hately Res Coy. 4th Div Canadian Engineers (d.28th Nov 1916)

    William Henry V. Hately was born in Jarrow in 1867 and was aged 48 when he died. He was the son of James John and Elizabeth Hately (nee Lee) of Jarrow and the husband of Marie Jane Hately (nee Payne) of 24 Connaught Avenue Toronto Ontario.

    William is buried in Bramshott (St. Mary) Churchyard.

    Vin Mullen




    215672

    Pte. William Roberts 8th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    William Roberts, Private 16491, served in the 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment and died between the 9th and 13th April 1917. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church, Jarrow and Beaurains Road Cemetery, Beaurains, Ronville Military Cemetery, Memorial 10. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medal. He was born and lived in Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215671

    Carp. Arthur Hartley HMS Viknor (d.13th Jan 1915)

    Arthur Hartley Carpenter who died aged 24 was born in Burnley and lived in Pelaw. He was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Ann Hartley (nee Radcliffe) and the husband of Esther Hartley (nee Blythman) of East View High Heworth Gateshead. On the 1911 census, Arthur Hartley age 20, Shipwright in Shipyard is living with his parents Samuel and Elizabeth Ann Hartley and family at 28 George Street, Pelaw.

    Arthur is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215670

    Pte. Kenneth George Fathers 1/21st London (1st Surrey Rifles) 21st London Regiment

    <p>

    Kenneth George Fathers was the brother of my Grandmother, Avice Hill nee Fathers, was wounded in the back by shell fire when advancing on the enemy sometime in April 1915. I have the returned letter from his sister marked 'wounded' which closely dates the event and also a picture of his house in south London and the street it was in. He was at pains to always remind everyone that he was not running away when he was hit. It seems that chivalry and honour was uppermost in his mind, as it was with the vast majority of our brave forefathers.

    Rob Hill




    215668

    Pte. Thomas Anthony Robson 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th May 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Anthony Robson, enlisted at South Shields and served in the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. He died on the 5th May 1917 and is remembered at Jarrow Library and is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Thomas was born in Sunderland 1897 son of Sarah Jane Robson nee Roseberry of 28 William Black Street, Jarrow and the late William Robson. In the 1911 census William(46)is a forge labourer and Sarah Jane(41) has been married for 21 years with 8 children born one of whom died. Joseph(20)single, is a minder of blacksmiths forge and William(16) is a general labourer in a colliery yard. Four of the other children are of school age, Thomas(13), Ellen Jane(11), Sarah Jane(9)and Jane Ann(5). The youngest daughter is Mary who is 3 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    215667

    L/Cpl. Robert Hart 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Hart who died aged 24 was born in Hebburn in 1892 to Isabella Hart (nee Scott) and late James Hart. Robert Hart age 18 General Labourer in Shipyard is with his widowed mother Isabella Hart and family at 39 Station Road, Hebburn on the 1911 census. He enlisted at Jarrow.

    Robert is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215665

    Capt. Arthur Richard Routledge MID & 2Bars Army Veterinary Corps (d.27th June 1918)

    <p>

    Captain Arthur Richard Routledge FRCVS, served in the Army Veterinary Corps and died age 44 on the 27th June 1918. He is remembered at Jarrow Library and is buried at Louth Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory medals also Silver War Badge Off/700 badge no. 341969. (This badge is normally issued when returning home early from active service and could indicate he died after his return home from the war.) His Medals were later sent to his home address at 61 Upgate, Louth, Lincolnshire on the 24th June 1921. He was Mentioned in Despatches with 2 bars.

    Arthur was born in Jarrow 1874,son of James Routledge JP of Stapleton House, Jarrow and the late Amelia Routledge nee Flann. He was married in October 1905 at West Ham, Essex to Gertrude May Routledge nee Herring of Stapleton House, Louth, Lincs. At the 1911 census they were 5 years married living at that address with a daughter Muriel May aged 3 and a domestic servant Emma Clarke(22).

    Vin Mullen




    215663

    Pte. Benjamin Rowlands 2nd Btn. Eastern Ontario Regiment (d.30th Sep 1918)

    Benjamin Rowlands, served in the 1st Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment, Canadian Infantry. He died age 23 on the 30th September 1918 and is remembered at Jarrow Library, he is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery.

    Benjamin was born in Stockton 1895, a native of Jarrow, son of Robert and Elizabeth Rowlands, 131 Bede Burn Road, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family were living at 27 Elm St, Jarrow with father Robert(47) a steelworker in steel plant and mother Elizabeth(40) married for 16 years having had 6 children of whom 5 survived. Benjamin(16) the eldest appears to be a number taker at a goods yard for N.E. Railways, Robert (13), David Thomas(11) and Edward(8) are students. The youngest is Blodwin the only daughter aged 3.

    Vin Mullen




    215662

    Cpl. James Edward Hart 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Aug 1917)

    <p>

    James Edward Hart died aged 23. Born in Jarrow in1894, he was the son of James Edward and Sarah A. Hart (nee Malloy) of 386 High Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as James Edward Hart age 17 Apprentice Plumber in Shipyard is with his parents James Edward and Sarah A. Hart and family at 386 High Street, Jarrow

    James is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215652

    L/Cpl. Joseph Harrison 27th Btn (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th June 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Harrison who died age 34 was born in Sunderland to Joseph and Elizabeth Harrison (nee Marshall) of 10 William Street Jarrow. He was the husband of Jane. Joseph Harrison age 29 Coppersmith in Foundry is with his wife Jane Harrison and family at 8 Australia Street, Sunderland on the 1911 census. He enlisted at Newcastle.

    Joseph is buried in Albert Communal Cemetery. He was commemorated on the Triptych (left panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church). His younger brother Abraham Harrison was also one of the fallen.

    Vin Mullen




    215651

    Pte. Abraham Harrison 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.31st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Abraham Harrison was 28 years old when he died. He was born in Blythe to Joseph and Elizabeth Harrison (nee Marshall) of 10 William Street Jarrow. He enlisted at Newcastle.

    Abraham is buried in Ridge Wood Military Cemetery. He was commemorated on the Triptych (left panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church). His older brother Joseph Harrison was also one of the fallen.

    Vin Mullen




    215650

    Pte. Robert William Harney 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th May 1918)

    <p>

    Robert William Harney who died age 21 was born in Jarrow in 1896. He was the son of Jemima Harney (nee Onions) of 5 South Street Jarrow and the late Michael S. Harney. Robert William Harney age 14 Newsboy is with his mother Jemima Harney and family at 7 South Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Robert is buried in Hermonville Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215648

    Cpl. Charles Flower Rudd 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Jan 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Flowers Rudd, Corporal 8215 enlisted in North Shields and served with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action age 31 on the 9th January 1915 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and the Ypres(Menin Gate) Memorial. Panel 8 and 12. His medal card records that he was killed in action and the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Charles was born in Newcastle 1883, son of Charles and Margaret Rudd. He was married to Ada Eleanor Rudd nee Angus of 18 Birch Street, Jarrow. in the 1911 census he is living at 2 Addycombe Cottages, Rothbury, age(27) a Postman with Ada, age(29)married for 5 years and no children.

    Vin Mullen




    215647

    Pte. George James Rumbles Seaforth Highlanders (d.12th May 1917)

    <p>

    George James Rumbles enlisted in Edinburgh, he served in the 12th Labour Company, the Seaforth Highlanders having previously served in one of the other battalion in the Seaforth Highlanders. He died on the 12th May 1917. He is remembered at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery. His medal card notes the award of the War and Victory medals but also their return. He also had previous service with the Royal Scots No. 39148.

    George was born in Jarrow 1885, son of Thomas and Rachel Rumbles nee Harrison of 40 Raglan Street, Jarrow. George is not shown on the 1911 census at that address, just his father Thomas (60) a labourer in the shipyard, his wife of 36 years Rachel(62)who has had 5 children born with 3 surviving and the only son at home is Thomas William (26)single, a butchers journeyman. In the 1901 census Martin (23) is a barman, Thomas (17) is an apprentice butcher and George (16) is an apprentice hairdresser.

    Vin Mullen




    215646

    Pte. Henry Rousell 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.20th Oct 1916)

    We are researching the names from our roll of honour in Hemyock and producing a book of all names with service and family history this year. We are also staging drama events in the village. We have a problem with the name H Rousell. The name on the Roll of Honour here is H Rowsell. We have found an C H Rowsell who moved to South Wales between 1901 and 1911 and on the 1911 census lists his name as Rousell. Could this be our man? Or we have found a Harry was born at Hemyock in 1879 and the son of Samuel and Hannah Rowsell. Samuel was born at Dunkeswell and Hannah at Hemyock around 1846. Samuel was an agricultural labourer and the family lived at Ridgeway in High Street Hemyock in 1891. This makes him 37 when he was killed. Harry would have been quite old when war began in 1914 - aged 35 and he was a pre-war territorial in the Somerset Light Infantry. He had two regimental numbers 1717 and 240326. I suspect the first was his peacetime TA number and the second was issued when a wartime Territorial unit was raised which he then joined in August 1914. He was awarded the British Medal which means he served during the war whether at home or not. More significantly we know he was a territorial who went overseas as he was awarded the Territorial Force Medal which means he was a Territorial and served overseas between 1914 and 1918. I would think he was sent to either the 1st/5th or 3rd/5th Battalion SLI - both of these were raised at Taunton and went to India and then to either Mesopotamia or Burma. We have a difference of opinion. Can anyone please help? Thank you.

    Michael Cooper




    215645

    L/Cpl. Thomas Bell Hardy 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd May 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Bell Hardy was a Lance Corporal with the 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Dusiliers when he was killed aged 21. He was born in Jarrow 1893 son of Mary Jane Hardy (nee Gardner) and Robert John Hardy. On the 1911 census he is listed as Thomas Bell Hardy age 18 Stone Miner below ground is with his widowed mother Mary Jane Hardy and family at 19 Lamb Street, Walker. Thomas enlisted in Walker. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215644

    Capt. Archibald Edgar Baron Bowker MC. 7th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Archibald Edgar Baron Bowker went to India at the beginning of the war (details not known). In October 1916 he joined the 7th Middlesex in the line at Neuve Chapelle. He Became Adjutant in January 1917. He was hospitalised twice being gassed at Telegragh Hill on April 24th. He returned to the regiment in August and was awarded a Military Cross at the Battle of the Scarpe.

    Having returned to civilian life, he tried to join up in 1939 but was too old. He became a leading member of the Home Guard in Golders Green, North London. He died at the age of 84.

    S Whitehead




    215643

    CSM. George Ogden 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.16th Oct 1915)

    George Ogden was born in 1881 in Rossington, Yorks and was the son of Samuel and Sarah Ogden. He lived in Maltby and enlisted at Grimsby. He was killed in action in Gallipoli. There is no known grave and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Canakkale, Turkey.





    215641

    Pte. Robert Hardy Royal Army Medical Corps (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Hardy died aged 23. He was born in Jarrow in 1894, the son of James and Elizabeth Hardy (nee Pace) of Jarrow. Robert Hardy age 16 Grocers assistant is with his parents James and Elizabeth Hardy and family at 231 High Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Robert is buried in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215640

    Stk. Henry Rundle HMS Ruby (d.2nd Dec 1914)

    <p>

    Leading Stoker Henry Rundle, 174357 served on HMS Ruby and died from illness age 39 on the 2nd December 1914. He is remembered at Jarrow Cemetery.

    Henry was born in Ireland 1885. He was married to Emma Jane Rundle nee Webb of 64 St Leonards Road, Princes Rock, Plymouth. In the 1911 census they are living at 96 Clare buildings Plymouth. Thomas(35) is a Stoker Royal Navy and Emma Jane (35) has been married for 14 years with 9 children born of whom 6 survived. Three daughter - all of school age - Annie Pauline (10), Margaret Violet (8) and Ellie Jane (6). Three younger boys are William Henry James (6), Edmund (2) and Willie John 3 months old.

    Vin Mullen




    215639

    Pte. James Rutherford 9th Btn. Duke of Wellingtons Regiment (West Riding) (d.12th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    James Rutherford, Private 34978, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 9th Battalion the Duke of Wellingtons Regiment (West Riding). He was killed in actionage 19 on the 12th October 1918 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church also Selridge British Cemetery, Montay. His medal card records that he was killed in action and the award of the War and Victory Medals. James was born in Jarrow 1899,son of Thomas and Elizabeth Bridekirk Rutherford nee Chambers.

    Vin Mullen




    215638

    Pte. Thomas James Rutherford 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.17th Feb 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas James Rutherford, Private 25549, enlisted at Bramshott and served in the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He died age 22 on the 17th February 1918 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and Roclincourt Military Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory medals. Thomas was born in Jarrow in 1895. No further details of his family have been found.

    Vin Mullen




    215637

    Spr. Stanley Rymell Royal Engineers (d.21st Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Stanley Rymell, Sapper 205328, served in the Royal Engineers and died age 21 in a Military Hospital on the 21st February 1917. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church, Jarrow Library and in Jarrow Cemetery. T.205. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medal.

    He was born in Jarrow 1895, son of Joseph Rymell of 65 Catherine Street, Jarrow and the late Alice Rymell nee Miller. In the 1911 census the family is living at that address with Joseph Rymell(49) widower, a steel worker and 6 sons. There is also a house keeper Margaret Chorley(36) widow. Three of the sons are working, Joseph(20), Frank(17) both Enginemen at the Steelworks and Stanley(15) an apprentice fitter at the shipyard. The three younger sons, Oswald(12), Lawrence(10) and Vincent (9) are all students.

    Royal Engineers - It is difficult to establish where he served and what injury or illness led to his death in a military hospital without knowledge of the Company in which he served.

    Update: From Stanley's Service Record on Ancestry we can see that he was an apprentice boilermaker aged 18 years and 5 months when he enlisted into the Durham Fortress Royal Engineers from 17/4/1913. He was 5 feet 3 inches in height and had good health and physique. He was in France19/9/1915-28/9/1915. He was admitted to a Field Ambulance with scabies on 25/9/1915.

    By December 1916 he had transferred too IWTRE Corps (Inland Waterways & Docks). He was admitted to Hill House Military hospital in Kent with appendicitis on 21/12/1916 having been unwell for 3 months. Just prior to that his records state that on 10th December he would be "kept under close arrest whilst under hospital investigation as he broke out of isolation camp in barracks whilst suffering from infectious disease". On 18/2/1917 he was transferred to Military Hospital, Shorncliffe with increasing peritonitis symptoms and on 21st he sank rapidly and died at 10 pm.

    Vin Mullen




    215636

    Pte. Matthew Hall Dix Durham Light Infantry (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Matthew Dix was born in Gateshead Durham on 13th of Nov 1875, son of Ansell and Mary Ann (nee Hendry) He married Susannah Alp and worked as a self employed Coal Dealer. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

    Martyn Rundle




    215635

    Pte. John Willie Gothard 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.26 Aug 1914)

    <p>John & Martha Gothard

    John Willie Gothard was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire on 13 March 1879, the son of a colliery lamp keeper, Wilfred Gothard. At age 14 he followed his father into the pit as a coal miner hewer. On 2nd March 1903, at the age of 24, he left the pit and enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) stationed at Pontefract. He became Private No 7323 in the band. It is understood that he played the Euphonium.

    Whilst stationed at Pontefract, he married Martha Fritchley Trout in St Giles Church on 26 December 1906. It was here that their first child, Wilfred, was born on 29 August 1908. John left the Army on 22 September 1909 and returned to coal mining at Hoyland near Barnsley however he retained his Army connections by transferring to the Army Reserve. Two further children were born at Hoyland.

    In 1913 John moved the family to Eythorne in Kent where he worked in the newly opened Tilmanstone Colliery. He wasn’t in Eythorne for long because, when war was declared in early August 1914, Private 7323 was mobilised and called back to his Regiment which was then stationed in Dublin.

    The Regiment arrived in France on 18 August and immediately headed north-east to meet the advancing German Army at Mons, Belgium. Upon retreating from Mons a stand was made at the small French town of Le Cateau on 26 August. The KOYLI were in the front line and suffered significant losses. John was listed as Missing, Presumed Dead. His remains were never found. He was aged 35 and left behind Martha and three children aged under 6.

    He is one of the many who are commemorated in the memorial at Le Ferte-Sous-Jouarre, a small town to the east of Paris.

    Martha received John Willie’s medals being the 1914 Star, the British War Medal, the 1914-1919 Victory Medal and The Memorial Plaque. Martha stayed on in Eythorne until 1921 when she packed up her three children and migrated to Australia. She died there on 24 October 1929, aged 45.

    Just as an aside, all of John Willie’s brothers went to war and they all survived. The eldest, James, was in the 27th Durham Light Infantry until his discharge on medical grounds on 23rd November 1917. He was described in his discharge as honest and hard working. Like his older brother, the youngest, Wilfred, was in the KOYLI.

    John Willie Gothard was my grandfather. Having spent considerable time researching his life, I miss this fine man whom I never knew.

    Kevin Gothard




    215634

    Spr. Robert Millar Royal Engineers

    <p>

    My great-uncle Bob Millar served as a Sapper during WWI. He was born in Newbattle Edinburgh on 7th Aug 1886 and died on the 27th Jan 1975 in Bowhill, Fife. He never married and had no offspring. I have his war medals. I knew him very well but he never talked about being in the war. His brothers were also Sappers but as they had children and many descendants they will be remembered. He was very tall at least 6'4" so how he tunnelled under enemy lines to plant bombs is astounding. He worked as a miner all his life. I only have a couple of photos of him sadly and none in uniform. But I do have his medals which are in a shadow box along with my dad's WWII medals.

    Elaine Tayefeh




    215632

    Lt. John Powe Roberts 9th Btn. (d.28th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    John Powe Roberts, Lieutenant, served in the 9th Battalion Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force and died age 33, between the 25th and 28th April 1918. He is remembered at Jarrow Library and Walkers Ridge Cemetery ANZAC. Sp. Mem.19.

    John's application for a Commission CM.Form A.22 dated 14th August 1914, lists earlier service as 12 years in the Durham Light Infantry with the rank of Sergeant and promotion to 2nd Lieutenant on the 1st October 1912 in 11th Infantry OC C Company. His civilian employment is recorded as Sanitary Engineer. He was born on the 18th October 1882 and was 32 at the time of enlistment. His application was approved on the 10th september 1914 and he was posted to D Company 9th AIF. His address is given as Flint Street, North Ipswich with his wife as next of kin at that address.

    Vin Mullen




    215631

    Pte. Edward Roberts 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regt. (d.27th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Edward Grattan Roberts, Private 48843, enlisted at Barrow and served in the 8th Battalion Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). He died on the 27th September 1918 and is remembered at Vis-en-Artois Memorial. Pane 3. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Edward was born in Jarrow 1897, son of Elizabeth Ann Roberts nee Porter of 23 Argyll Place, Barrow and the late Edward Roberts. In the 1911 census Elizabeth Ann, born in Flintshire, (40) widow, is living at that address, and is a cleaner at a pulp works. Her son Edward Grattan Roberts (13) is a government telegraph messanger and her two daughters Mary Elizabeth,born in Jarrow, (12) and Gwendoline, born in Barrow in Furness, (6) are both attending school.

    Vin Mullen




    215629

    L/Cpl. Robert Harding 2nd Btn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.18th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Robert Harding who was born and lived in Jarrow. He was the husband of Isabella Belfield (formerly Harding nee Hutchinson) of 41 Lord Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census, Robert Harding age 32 Iron Worker in Rolling Mills is living with his wife Isabella Harding at 3 Chaytor Street back, Jarrow. He enlisted at South Shields.

    Robert died aged 38 and is buried in Munich Trench British Cemetery. Beaumont-Hamel. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215628

    Pte. James Henry Harding 1st Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    James Henry Harding was born and lived in Jarrow. He was the son of Henry and Mary Jane Harding (nee Welch) of 14 Duke Street Jarrow. On the 1911 censu, James Harding age 16 Ships Labourer in Shipyard is with his parents Henry and Mary Jane Harding and family at 20 Duke Street, Jarrow.

    James died aged 19 and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He is also commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215627

    A/Cpl. James Harding 1st/3rd (Durham) Fld Coy Royal Engineers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    James Harding was born in Jarrow, he was the son of William Harding and the late Sarah Jane Harding of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as James Harding age 21 Apprentice Blacksmith in Shipyard is lodging at 5 Blindburn Street, Hebburn His father and stepmother William and Annie Harding are living at 9 Connaught Terrace, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    He enlisted at Jarrow and died aged 26 he is buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery. Mametz and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215626

    Pte. Edward William Rix 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Edward William Rix, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 2nd Battalion Durham Light infantry. He died age 18, on the 21st September 1914 and is buried at St. Paul's Church and Vendresse British Cemetery. His medal card records that he died of wounds and was awarded the 1914 Star, War and Victory Medal.

    He was born in Jarrow 1896, the son of Elizabeth Ellen Rix. In the 1911 census Elizabeth (40) widow, is living at 29 Tyne Street Back, Jarrow, with her daughter Elizabeth (21) a domestic servant and son Edward (14) a carrying off labourer in a tubeworks. There are two younger daughters one at school, Ruth (11) and Ellen aged 4.

    Vin Mullen




    215625

    Cpl. Owen Hanson 107th Bgd. HQ. Royal Field Artillery (d.20th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Owen Hanson who died aged 27 was the husband of Harriet Hanson (nee Davies) of Monkton Village Jarrow. He is buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Monkton Memorial in Monkton Village, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215624

    Pte. James Hanson 1st/5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    James Hanson who died aged 23 was born and enlisted in Jarrow. He was the son of George and Elizabeth Hanson (nee Harris) of Jarrow. James Hanson, age 17, Cartman for Coal Merchant is with his parents George and Elizabeth Hanson and family at 24 Richard Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    James is buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and on the Triptych (right panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church).

    Vin Mullen




    215623

    Pte. J. Hamilton

    J. Hamilton is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow. Can anyone provide more details?

    Vin Mullen




    215622

    Sgt. George Noulton Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1918 )

    George Noulton was born in Lambeth, London around 1884, son of James and Annie (Wheeler). Husband of Emily Eliza (Page) at the time of WW1 lived in Battersea, London

    My great uncle George Noulton, enlisted before the first world war in the rifle brigade. His serial number was 6008. I have tried to get his service record but was told it was possibly destroyed in the bombing of the second world war. I have found that he was a corporal. It seems for some reason he was transferred to the Lancashire fusiliers, Service No. 61241 at some time, where he was promoted to Sergeant. I believe he was wounded at some time. His record says he returned to the trenches and was killed in action on twenty seventh of September 1918 and is buried at Trois Arbes Cemetery, Steenwerck, France.

    j d noulton




    215621

    L/Cpl. James Hannan 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    James was born in Jarrow around 1875. Mother Elizabeth Rowan (late Hannan) of 37 Commercial Road Jarrow. Enliste in Glasgow.

    James Hannan, Lance Corporal 18966 (documented as Hunnam on CWGC) was aged 41 who died on 21st March 1918. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215620

    Pte. James Bede Ritson 1/20th Btn. London Regiment (d.27th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    James Bede Ritson, enlisted at Blackheath, London and served in the 1st/20th Battalion the London Regiment. He died on the 27th September 1915 and is remembered at Loos Memorial. His medal card records that he was killed in action and awarded the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    James was born in Jarrow 1894, son of Ernest George Ritson and the late Isabella Ritson nee Wright, stepson of Isabella Ritson formerly Norfolk nee Wright. In the 1911 census the family is living at 12 Eastdown Park, Lewisham with Ernest George Ritson (45) mechanical engineer at Ordnance Engineering and his wife Isabella Ritson (39) married 4 years. His son James Bede Ritson (16) a nursery gardener and her son Reginald Edwin Norfolk (16) a student, his son Ernest Ritson (13) and her daughter Maud Isabel Norfolk also 13 years old and both at school.

    Vin Mullen




    215619

    Pte. John Edward Handyside 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    <p>

    John Edward Handyside was born in Jarrow around 1894. Son of John Edward and Margaret Handyside of 9 Heaton Terrace, Chirton, North Shields. On the 1911 census, he is listed as John Edward Handyside age 17. Cage Onsetter underground in Pit is with his parents John Edward and Margaret Handyside at 50 Lansdowne Terrace, North Shields.

    John enlisted in Newcastle and died of his wounds aged 22 on 2nd October 1916. Theatre of war is listed as Mediterranean. Most likely he was wounded in actions on the Struma Front against Bulgarian troops. He is buried in Lahana Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215618

    Sgt. George Noulton 23rd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1918)

    My great uncle George Noulton was a pre war soldier. He joined the Rifle Brigade, serial number was 6008. I do not know when he joined. I wrote to the Rifle Brigade to ask for his service record but was told it was possibly destroyed in the bombing during the second world war. I do know he was a corporal at sometime. He was transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers with a new serial number 61241 and was promoted to sergeant. I believe he was wounded. His record says he returned to the trenches and was killed in action on the twenty seventh of September 1918 and is buried at Trois Arbres Cemetery in France.

    J D Noulton




    215617

    Rees Halliday HMS Laurentic (d.25th Jan 1917)

    Rees Halliday who died aged 25 was born and lived in Jarrow. He also enlisted there. He was the son of Thomas Halliday and the late Rachel Halliday (nee Dobson). His older brother George and younger brother David were also of the fallen. Rees Halliday, age 18, carpenter at Shipyard is with his widowed father Thomas Halliday and his brothers George and David Halliday at 65 Franklin Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Rees is buried in Upper Fahan (St. Mura's) Church of Ireland Churchyard.

    Vin Mullen




    215616

    Dvr. George Halliday 4th Div Train, HQ Coy. Army Service Corps (d.18th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    George Halliday who died aged 34 was born and lived in Jarrow and also enlisted there. He was the son of Thomas Halliday and the late Rachel Halliday (nee Dobson) of Jarrow. His younger brothers David and Rees Halliday were also of the fallen. George Halliday age 27 Soldier Army Pensioner is with his widowed father Thomas Halliday and brothers David and Rees Halliday at 65 Franklin Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. His brother William Halliday (who claimed his medals) age 26, Shipwright at Government Dockyard is with his wife and daughter at 14 Church Path, Gosport on the 1911 census.

    George is buried in Barly French Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215615

    Pte. Harry Sidney Augustus Anstiss 11th Btn. Queen's Own Royal Kent West Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Private Harry Anstiss was born around 1898 in Greenwich London. Son of Harry and Annie Anstiss. Annie originally from Cambridgeshire 1901 Census shows Harry living with parents at in Greenwich with: Harry (father) 30 Signal Fitter, Annie (mother) 27, Nellie 6, Daisy 4, Harry 3, Mabel 8 mths.

    1911 Census shows Harry living with his family at 49,Chalderick Road, New Cross: Harry (father)37, Annie (mother)35, Nellie 16, Daisy 14, Harry 13, Mable 11, Sidney 9, Albert 7, Christopher 5, Agnes 3.

    Harry was killed in action on 15th September 1916. I have no photos of my Uncle who died in 1916 listed as missing, there must be a photo somewhere.

    Gill Sheehy




    215591

    J. Reynolds

    J Reynolds is remembered in St Paul's church, Jarrow. At present there is no further information known about this individual as searches in Ancestry reveal too many instances of this name. Can anyone provide further information?

    Vin Mullen




    215590

    Pte. William Riley 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.24th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    William Riley, Private 325774, enlisted at Newcastle and served in the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died on the 24th September 1918 and is remembered at Vis-en-Artois Memorial. Panel 9. His medal card records him as having previously served in the 9th Battalion Service No. 9/7417 also the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    William was born in Jarrow 1888, son of John and Bridget Riley nee Ford of 56 Cuthbert Street, Blaydon. He was married to Alice Riley nee Murphy of 107 Edward Street, Blaydon. In the 1911 census the family was living at 57 Cuthbert Street, Blaydon with husband John (52) a joiner's labourer with the Co-op Wholesale Society, his wife Bridget(52) and two sons, William(22) and John(19), both single and both working as brick yard labourers in Brick-makers. There is also a 25 year old boarder employed in a chemical works.

    Vin Mullen




    215589

    Pte. Michael Riley 12th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    Michael Riley, Private 17339, enlisted at Jarrow and, after previous service in the East Yorkshire Regiment (Service No.15325), served in the 12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in action age 20 on the 28th March 1916. He is remembered at Elzenwalle Brasserie Cemetery. VI.B.4. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he was killed in action.

    Michael was born in Boldon 1896, son of Anthony and Catherine Riley nee Gilfoy of Jarrow. An Ancestry search of census records for 1911 shows the family living at Gillespies Building, Bolden Colliery, Durham with Catherine(43) a widow, described as a washerwoman. she had beeen married for 20 years having 10 children, 7 of whom survived. There are 5 children, all born in Boldon Colliery, recorded at this address, 3 sons and 2 daughters all of school age except Michael who is 15 and working as a screener coal miner above ground.

    Vin Mullen




    215571

    William "Jack" Roberts 8th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.5th Apr 1916)

    William Roberts was from Glangors Farm, Prenteg (between Beddgelert and Porthmadog). He enlisted in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, but was killed in Mesopotamia (Iraq) on 5 April 1916, aged 26. His name is commemorated on the memorial in Basra. A brother, John, was also wounded in the First World War but survived.

    Elis Davies




    215570

    L/Cpl. John Lewis Dickens 10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.17th Jul 1916)

    John Lewis Dickens was born on 20 July 1881 in Aberdare, Glamorgan. He was the 4th of seven children born to Thomas and Sarah Dickens (nee Fereday). His older brother, Charles, is my great grandfather. He is recorded as Lewis Dickens on the 1891 & 1901 censuses but on the 1911 census he is shown as John Lewis Dickens and his occupation is given as underground haulier employed by Messrs Nixons & Co.

    His army records show that he enlisted as 20904 Lewis Dickens in 11th Hussars on 31 August 1914 in Aberdare, Glamorgan. He was 5ft 5ins tall with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. On 6 September 1914 he was posted to the 12th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry for training. He was transferred to 3rd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment on 21st May 1915 and then posted to 10th Battalion on 12th October 1916 when he embarked for France. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 14 June 1916. All his army records show him as Lewis Dickens. His Medal Rolls Index Card states he served in Egypt - this must be a mistake as the 10th Battalion didn't serve in Egypt. Whilst in France he suffered gunshot wounds to his right wrist and thigh. He was evacuated to Ontario Military Hospital, Orpington, Kent on 5 July 1916. He died at 8.15pm on 17 July 1916. He is buried in the churchyard of All Saints Church, Orpington - his headstone reads 20904 Lance Cpl John Lewis Dickens. He never married - his next of kin on his army records is given as his mother.

    Paul Dickens




    215569

    Gnr. Robert Kuhler MM 361st Siege Bty Royal Garrison Artillery (d.16th Oct 1917)

    Robert Kuhler was my Grandfather. He was born in Lodz, Poland and married my Grandmother on 2 March 1911 in London. They later moved to Paris before returning to England and living in Brighton. He enlisted in the army on 13 September 1916 and was posted to 361 Seige Battalion.The Military Medal was awarded to Robert Kuhler for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire - he was also entitled to the Victory medal and the British War medal but was unfortunately killed in action on 16th October 1917 and is buried in Zuydcote military cemetery,

    Christine Gooch




    215567

    Sgt. Albert Dalton MM. 6th Btn Loyal North Lancashire Regt

    Albert Dalton was born in Preston in 1896; he was the son of John and Jane Dalton (nee Shaw). By the time of the 1911 census he was living with his widowed mother and his sister, May, at 24 Higford Street, Preston; his occupation was a cotton weaver.

    Albert enlisted on 6th October 1914 into the Loyal North Lancs Regiment in Preston; he gave his occupation as motor driver. His papers say he was 5’ 6” tall, weighed 120lbs and had a 35½” chest; he had a fresh complexion with blue eyes and brown hair.

    He was posted into the 11th (Service) Battalion on 21 October 1914. He was appointed paid Lance Corporal on 3rd November 1914 and was promoted to Corporal on 8 January 1915. He was posted to the 6th Battalion on 15th October 1915 and joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Gallipoli. On 7th January 1916 the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser printed his name as having been wounded in action, and he was evacuated to Egypt with the rest of the Battalion later that month. On 13th February 1916 the Battalion began service in Mesopotamia. Albert Dalton was awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 18th October 1917.

    On 12th January 1919 he boarded ship at Basra en route for Vladivostok. On 19th March 1919 he disembarked in Vladivostok and joined the British Military Mission in Siberia. He returned to the UK on 19 July 1919 and was finally discharged on 10th December 1919.

    Paul Dickens




    215566

    Pte David Halliday 18th (Queen Mary's Own) Hussars (d.21st May 1915)

    <p>

    David Halliday served with the 18th (Queen Mary's Own) Hussars, he was aged 19 when he died on 21st May 1915. On the 1911 census, David Halliday age 15 Miner Pony Driver in Colliery is listed as living with his widowed father Thomas Halliday and his older brothers George and Rees Halliday at 65 Franklin Street, Jarrow. He was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow. Son of Thomas Halliday and the late Rachel Halliday (nee Dobson) his older brothers George and Rees Halliday were also of the fallen.

    David is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on a Scroll with 3 names at the Baptist Church in Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215565

    Pte. Joseph Henry Hall 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Henry Hall who died aged 33 was born in Howdon in 1883. He was the son of Annie Jane Connolly (formerly Hall nee Burns) of Jarrow and the late Thomas Hall. On the 1911 census, Joseph Henry Hall, age 28, Labourer for Platers at Tyne Iron Shipbuilders is listed as living with his widowed mother Annie Jane Connolly and family at 25 Caledonian Road, Jarrow. He enlisted at Jarrow.

    Joseph is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215559

    Adolphus Galway J. Carpenter General Service Corps

    <p>

    Adolphus Galway J. Carpenter was born in Camberwell, Surrey in 1877 and died in Droxford, Hampshire in 1939. He was the son of George and Caroline Carpenter (nee Smith) of 7 Callor Road, Dulwich, the husband of Gertrude Marion Carpenter (nee Holloway) and father of Cherrell Douglas A Carpenter. His cap badge appears to be that of the General Service Corps, he was my mother's uncle.

    Stephen Graham




    215549

    Pte. James Haley East Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    James Haley who died aged 35 was born in Jarrow in 1879. He also lived and enlisted there.He was the son of James and Ann Haley (nee Costello)

    James is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215548

    Pte. Lancelot Riley 1/4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Lancelot Riley, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 1st/4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. He died on the 7th November 1917, heis remembered at Jarrow Library and is buried in Mendingham Military Cemetery. His Medal Card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Lance was born in Jarrow 1894, son of Rebecca Riley nee Hall of 45 Beech Street Jarrow and the late Thomas Riley. In the 1911 census the family is living at that address with Rebecca (54) head of family, but still described as married (31 years), a Shopkeeper, having had 8 children of whom 7 survived but only 3 living at this address. Daughter Helena (20) single, is a dressmaker, Son Lancelot (16) is a clerk at Hebburn Colliery and younger daughter Florence is 12 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    215532

    Pte. William Hails 7th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.30th May 1916)

    <p>

    William Hails died aged 24. Born in South Shields he lived in Jarrow. He was the son of Elizabeth Jane Hails (nee Burnside) and the late James Hails of South Shields and the husband of Dora Johnson (formerly Hails nee Jobson) of 25 Philipson Street East Jarrow. On the 1911 census William Hails age 19 Lamp Lighter is recorded as living with his widowed mother Elizabeth Hails in South Shields. He enlisted at South Shields.

    William is buried in La Laiterie Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215528

    Able.Sea. John Richardson HMS Viknor (d.13th Jan 1915)

    John Richardson served in the Royal Naval Reserve and was on board HMS Viknor when she was sunk near Tory Island off the coast of Donegal with the loss of all hands. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St Paul's Church and the Plymouth Naval Memorial. He was a Greaser by trade.

    Vin Mullen




    215527

    Able.Sea. James Hodgen Riley HMS Viknor (d.13th Jan 1915)

    James Hodgen Riley was in the Naval reserve and a Fireman by profession. He was serving aboard HMS Viknor when she sank off Tory Island. There were no survivors from the crew when the vessel went missing on the 13th January 1915. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and the Plymouth Naval Memorial

    James was born at Dinaport, India - son of Peter and Barbara Riley of Jarrow. He was married to Bridget Riley nee Callaghan of 7 Walter Street Jarrow. In the 1911 census he was living at 15 South Street, Jarrow with his mother Barbara (50), born in Ireland, married for 31 years. She had 6 children but only 3 survived. Her husband was not present at the time of the census. There are only two sons present, James Hodgen (23) a labourer fireman in the boiler works at the shipyard and David (16) apprentice angle iron smith at the shipyard.

    Vin Mullen




    215526

    Pte. Martin Duffy 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>

    Martin Duffy who died aged 20 was born and lived in Jarrow and also enlisted there. He was the son of Patrick and Mary Anne Duffy (nee Kelly). On the 1911 census Martin Duffy, age 16, General Labourer in Shipyard is listed as living with his parents Patrick and Mary Anne Duffy and family at 22 Princess Street, Jarrow.

    Martin is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215525

    Pte. Horace Frederick Dutton 11th Btn. Border Regiment (d.31st Jan 1917)

    Horace Frederick Dutton died on the 31st of January 1917 whilst serving with the 11th Battalion Border Regiment. He had formerly served with the Hereford Regiment. Born in 1878 in Jarrow he was the son of Joseph and Julia Dutton (nee Smith) and husband of Fanny Elizabeth Dutton (nee Amphlett) of All Saints, Herefordshire. On the 1911 census, Horace Frederick Dutton age 32 Bricklayers Labourer is listed as living with his wife Fanny Dutton and family in Herefordshire

    Horace is buried in Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile.

    Vin Mullen




    215524

    Pte. William Durham 2nd/6th Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.20th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    William Durham who died aged 21 was born in, lived in and enlisted at Jarrow. He was the son of John and Mary Jane Durham (nee Abbott) of 18 Percy Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census, William Durham, age 14, Office Boy in Steel Works Rolling Mills is listed as living with his parents John and Mary Jane Durham and family at 18 Percy Street, Jarrow.

    William is buried in Grand Ravine British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215523

    Sgt. Thomas Dunn 12th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Dunn who died aged 21 was born in and lived in Jarrow. He was the son of John William Dunn. On the 1911 census, Thomas Dunn, age 17, Labourer in Steelworks, is recorded as living with his widowed father John William Dunn and family at 86 Western Road, Jarrow . He enlisted at Wallsend.

    Thomas is remembered on the Loos Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215522

    Pte. James Dunleavy 1st/5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    James Dunleavy who died aged 19 was born in Jarrow, the son of James and Frances Dunleavy. He enlisted at Walker, Newcastle.

    James is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215515

    L/Sgt. Bernard Dunleavy 4th Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.25th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Bernard Dunleavy who died aged 25 was the son of Bernard and Mary Dunleavy of Gowlane Kilkelly Co. Mayo. He was born there and lived in Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo. He enlisted at Jarrow.

    Bernard is buried in Lagnicourt Hedge Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215514

    Pte. Patrick Duffy 2nd Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.5th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Patrick Duffy who died aged 24 was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow. He was the son of Patrick and Mary Duffy of Jarrow. On the 1911 census, Patrick Duffy, age 19, Chemical Works Labourer is listed as living with his parents Patrick and Mary Duffy and family at 20 Charles Street, Hebburn.

    Patrick is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215513

    Spr. Joseph Duffy Inland Water Transport Royal Engineers

    Joseph Duffy served with the Inland Water Transport, Royal Engineers. He was aged 40 when he died on 23rd March 1921. Born in Sunderland he was the husband of Catherine Duffy of 10 Parkeson Street Felling.

    Joseph is buried in Heworth (St. Mary) Churchyard and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215508

    Pte. George William Duffy 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.24th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    George William Duffy who died age 19 was born Jarrow and lived in Boldon. He was the son of Michael Duffy of Fellgate Cottage, Fellgate, Wardley and the late Helen C. Duffy and the husband of Annie Bell Duffy (nee Milburn) of 3 Tuns Yard, Green Batt, Alnwick, Northumberland. On the 1911 census George William Duffy, age 13, at School is listed as living with his widowed father Michael Duffy and brother lodging at 21 South Terrace, Bishop Auckland. He enlisted at North Shields.

    George is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and on the Monkton Memorial in Monkton Village, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215502

    Pte. George Augustine Drummond 76th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps. (d.6th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    George Augustine Drummond died aged 25. He was born at St. Giles Midlothian, the son of of John and Maggie Drummond of 60 Cobden Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census, George Augustine Drummond age 18, Brass Tube Makers Labourer, is listed as living with his parents John and Maggie Drummond and family at 60 Cobden Street, Jarrow. He enlisted at Leith.

    George is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gouy.

    Vin Mullen




    215491

    W.Eng. Charles William Driver HMS Monmouth (d.1st Nov 1914)

    Charles William Driver who died aged 35 was born in Jarrow in 1879. He was the son of Joseph Driver from Jarrow, and the late Frances Johanna Driver (nee Cuthbertson). On the 1911 census Charles William Driver, age 31, Marine Engineer is listed as living with his widowed father Joseph Driver and family at 17 York Street, Jarrow.

    Charles is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215490

    Pte. Herbert Snowdon 7th/8th Btn Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.9th Jul 1916)

    Herbert Snowdon fell at Loos but his body was not found so there is no grave. He is commemorated at the Loos Memorial Panel 53 to 56. His brother William also fell. The parents were William Hall Snowdon and Kate Snowdon but at the time she was Kate Robson as William, her husband, had died in 1900 and she remarried.

    Albert Snowdon




    215489

    Pte. William Hall Hall Snowdon 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.23rd Apr 1915)

    My great uncle William Hall Snowdon, as far as we know, was at Hill 60. He was probably gassed as there was no known grave and he perished wherever he fell. He is commemorated on Panel 22 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Albert Snowdon




    215488

    L/Cpl. Joseph Drewery 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Drewery died aged 20. Born in Jarrow, he was the son of James and Mary Drewery (nee Horn) of Jarrow. His older brother Thomas Drewery was also one of the fallen. On the 1911 census Joseph Drewery age 13 at School is recorded as living with his parents James and Mary Drewery and family at 31 Ferry Street, Jarrow. He enlisted at Jarrow.

    Joseph is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215487

    L/Cpl. Thomas Drewery 9th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Jul 1918)

    Thomas Drewery was aged 24 when he died on 13th July 1918 in South Shields, he served with the 9th Battalion (Depot) East Yorkshire Regiment. On the 1911 census, Thomas Drewery age 16 Rivet Heater in Shipyard is living with his parents James and Mary Drewery and family at 31 Ferry Street, He was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow. Son of James and Mary Drewery (nee Horn) and husband of Elsie Drewery (nee Robinson) of 105 Salem Street Jarrow. His younger brother Joseph Drewery was also one of the fallen

    Thomas is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215486

    Pte. John James Doyle 4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    John James Doyle aged 18 when he died on 23rd March 1918 was the son of Bernard and Mary Doyle, he served with the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra Princess of Wales Own) He was born and lived in Jarrow, he enlisted in Sunderland.

    John is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215485

    Gnr. James Riley Royal Field Artillery (d.7th Jun 1918)

    <p>

    James Riley enlisted in Hebburn and served in the Royal Field Artillery. He died age 26 on the 17th June 1918 having served with the 5th Army Brigade. He is buried at Terlinthun Military Cemetery, Wimile which is on the outskirts of Boulogne, France. His medal card shows the award of War and Victory Medal with a note of his death.

    James was born in Jarrow 1892, son of Arthur and Isabella Riley nee Miller. He was married to Isabella Riley nee Wilkinson of 24 Wood Street Hebburn Colliery. James came from a coal Mining family living at 24 Wood Street, Hebburn Colliery . In the 1911 Census his father Arthur(49) was a hewer, brothers John William(20) a putter, Robert(16) a driver and James himself(18) a shifter in the coal mine. Isabella(45) is his mother and has been married for 26 years. There were 12 children born of which 10 survived. 9 are living at home with 4 younger brothers of school age, Ralph(13), Arthur(11), Andrew(8) and Matthew(3). There are 2 daughters, Christina(22) who is married with 1 child (not listed on form) and Isabella who is 5 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    215483

    J. W. Douglas

    J. W. Douglas is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow. Can anyone provide more details?

    Vin Mullen




    215482

    Pte. John James Wilton Douglas 5th Btn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    John James Wilton Douglas died aged 29. The son of Annie Diana Douglas of 11 Seaford Road, Hove Sussex, he was born in Southwick Sussex and lived in and enlisted at Jarrow. On the 1911 census, John James Wilton Douglas age 17 Apprentice Ship Painter in Shipyard is recorded as living with his parents John and Elizabeth Bond and family at 48 York Street, Jarrow. He was the husband of Lydia Turner (late Douglas nee Fromhold) of 47 Clayton Street Jarrow.

    John is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow, he buried in Ruesnes Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215481

    Pte. William Herbert Donnelly 14th Coy. Royal Army Medical Corps (d.27th Aug 1919)

    <p>

    William Herbert who died age 18 was the son of William and Mary Elizabeth Donnelly (nee Gibbons) of 5 Stanley Street , Jarrow. He was born in Jarrow in 1900. William Herbert Donnelly, age 10, at School, is with his parents William and Mary Elizabeth Donnelly and family at 32 Shakespeare Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Grave/Memorial Reference: Jarrow Cemetery. 5. 116.

    Vin Mullen




    215480

    Pte. Nicholas Donnelly 26th (Tyneside Irish) Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Nicholas Donnelly who died aged 19 was born in Jarrow in 1897, the son of James and Susannah Donnelly of 14 Milton Street Jarrow. He enlisted at Jarrow.

    Nicholas is buried at Roclincourt Valley Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215479

    Spr. Charles Walter Lewis 5th Btn. B Coy South Wales Borderers (d.11th Apr 1918)

    I was a teenager in 1956 and living in Wilmslow Cheshire when I bought the war medals and a framed picture of Charles Lewis from a local junk shop for 10 shillings. To me at the time it seemed very sad. Over the years I have compiled information on the life of Charles Lewis, who was killed in action in 1918 and I had intended to visit his grave. Sadly I found he has no known grave but one day I will visit the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Editor's Note: There is a page about Charles at www.stockport1914-1918.co.uk Charles Walter Lewis was born in Welch Hay, Brecon and lived in Longsight, Manchester. He enlisted in the South Wales Borderers at Newport, Mon and was killed in action.

    Colin Burley




    215478

    Pte. Robert Donnelly 1st Garrison Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Donnelly died aged 33. Born in Jarrow 1885 (as Donelly), the son of James and Elizabeth Donnelly of Jarrow, he lived in Jarrow. On the 1911 census Robert Donnelly, age 17, Apprentice Ship Painter in Shipyard, is listed as living with his parents John and Elizabeth Bond and family at 48 York Street, Jarrow. He enlisted at South Shields.

    Robert is remembered on the Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. He was commemorated on the Triptych (left panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    215477

    L/Cpl. Percy Perren Middlesex Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    I have a photograph that I think is of my grandfather Percy Perren. I wonder if you could confirm that his uniform is that of his rank and regiment. I would be most grateful as I have always wondered what my grandfather looked like and this photograph has only just been discovered and of course there is no one alive to confirm or deny that this is him. If the uniform is correct that I feel it must be him. I have visited his grave at Gordon dump in France. An incredible experience!

    Gerry Parr




    215476

    Pte. John Richardson 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    John Richardson enlisted in Jarrow and served in the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died on the 18th September 1916 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Thiepval Memorial. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he died. He was born in Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215475

    Pte. Patrick Donnelly 1st Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.7th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Patrick Donnelly was the son of the James and Annie Donnelly of Jarrow, was born in Glasgow and lived in Jarrow. He enlisted at Jarrow.

    Patrick is buried in Rawalpindi War Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215474

    Pte. John Dolan 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    John Dolan was born in Jarrow and lived in Gateshead. He enlisted at Newcastle. He is remembered on Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215473

    2nd Lt. Cecil Atkinson Dodds 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.5th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Cecil Atkinson Dodds died aged 20. He was born and lived Jarrow. He was the son of George Robson and Margaret Dodds (nee Atkinson) of 19 Coquet Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Cecil Atkinson Dodds, age 12, at School, living with his parents George Robson and Margaret Dodds and family at 10 Cuthbert Terrace, Jarrow

    Cecil is buried in Beaurevoir British Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Monkton Memorial in Monkton Village, Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215458

    Pte. John George Dodds 13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    John George Dodds died aged 18. He was born in Jarrow, the son of Elizabeth Ferrier (formerly Dodds). On the 1911 census John George Dodds, age 13, at School, is living with his mother and stepfather Elizabeth Ann and Andrew Ferrier and family at West End Police Buildings, North Shields He enlisted at North Shields.

    John is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215455

    Sgt. William Docherty 12th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    William Docherty died aged 34, he was born in Jarrow on 6th April 1882 (birth registered as Dockerty), the son of Helena Docherty (nee Mahoney) and the late Francis Docherty (real name Dougherty). His younger brother Frank Docherty was also one of the fallen. On the 1911 census he is recorded as William Docherty, age 29, Labourer in Iron Shipyard, living with his widowed mother Ellena Docherty and family at 57 Palmer Terrace, Willington Quay. He enlisted at Wallsend.

    William is buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery Armentieres.

    Vin Mullen




    215453

    Pte. Frank Docherty 25th (Tyneside Irish) Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Docherty died aged 28. He was born in Jarrow on 17th January 1888 (birth registered as Docherty) the son of Helena Docherty (nee Mahoney) and the late Francis Docherty (real name Dougherty). On the 1911 census Francis Docherty, 23, Labourer in Iron Shipyard is listed as living with his widowed mother Ellena Docherty and family at 57 Palmer Terrace, Willington Quay, Howdon. His older brother William Docherty was also one of the fallen. Frank was a footballer before WW1, he played for Jarrow FC and Willington Quay FC early in his career and just before WW1 for Everton FC and Fulham FC. He enlisted at Newcastle.

    Frank is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215452

    Pte. John William Dobson 7th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.28th Sep 1918)

    John William Dobson was killed aged 21 whilst serving wit the 7th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, he had trained with the 15th Training Reserve Battalion) He was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow, son of Thomas and Emma M. Dobson (nee Clark). On the 1911 census he is recorded as John William Dobson age 14 at School living with his parents Thomas and Emma Dobson and family at 7 Lord Street, Jarrow

    John is buried in Moeuvres Communal Cemetery Extension and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215451

    Pte. George Richadson 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jun 1918)

    <p>

    George Richardson enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died on the 1st June 1918 and is remembered at St Paul's Church and lies in Hedauville Communal Cemetery Extension. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he has died.

    A search of Ancestry for family details reveals the following Jarrow addresses in the 1911 census all of which have a George Richardson resident: 64 Hibernian Road, 7 Salem Street, 49 Walter Street, 3 Sheldon Street, and 21 Harold Street, Jarrow. Further research would be need to see if this list contains the correct person.

    Vin Mullen




    215450

    L/Cpl. Joseph Revely 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.6th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Joseph Revely enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died on the 6th November 1914 and is remembered at Monkton Memorial, he is buried in Netley Military Cemetery. Netley Military Cemetery is in Hampshire on the site of the old Military Hospital so he must have died there. His medal card records the award of the 1914 Star, War and Victory medals and noted that he died presumably from wounds or illness.

    Joseph born in Jarrow 1894 son of Edmund Revely and the late Elizabeth Revely nee Skime). In the 1911 census the family lived at 17 Frederick Street, Jarrow with Edmund (69) widower, a joiner in the shipyard, his sons, Henry(33) single, a general labourer, William E(23)single, crane driver in steel works and Edmund, age 13, at school. There are two younger daughters, Margaret (10) and Linda (7).

    Vin Mullen




    215448

    Pte. Walter Reick 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Walter Reick, Private 14391, served in the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and died age 20 on the 27th September 1915. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and St. Paul's Church also at Loos Memorial. Panel 106 and 107. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals.

    Walter was the son of Isabella and the late John Reick of 5 North View, Jarrow. I Cannot locate any 1911 census details, but Walter's Service record confirms his mother Isabella as next of kin living at 15 Victor Street, Jarrow. It also confirms his brother John and sister Christina as declared relatives at that address. The 1901 census shows the family living at 88 Albert Road, Jarrow with Isabella Reick (31) widow and 4 children, John (10), Christina (7), Walter (5) and Amelio 4. Margaret Amelia Reick (78) is also living here as are two working boarders.

    His service record also shows that he served in the UK from 7th Sep 1914 to 10th Sep 1915,arriving in France on the 11th Sep 1915 and was killed in action 16 days later during the Battle of Loos.

    Vin Mullen




    215447

    L/Sgt. Alfred Arculus 2nd Btn Worcestershire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1915.)

    What I know of Alfred Arculus is taken from records I have come across while researching my ancestors but I think I would have liked him. He actually volunteered for the Army Reserve as a Special Reservist on 6th March 1914, aged 18 yrs 171 days. A farm labourer, he was 5ft 4 inches tall and weighed 128lbs, not exactly a strapping lad but he was willing.

    At the outbreak of war he was promoted to Lance Corporal; by the 5th October he was a Corporal and in March 1915 he became L/Sergeant. Then in June he lost his stripe, the reason, curiosity! On the 3rd April at the back of his billet at Essars two R.E officers exploded an aeroplane bomb. A group of men including Alfred watched the proceedings and after the explosion started picking up fragments. Alfred found the nose of the bomb and as the R.E officers had declared the area safe he proceeded back to his billet with his mates and the fragment. This is where his curiosity got the better of him. He started to take the nose of the bomb apart and as witnessed by others it blew up and badly injured his left hand. A court of enquiry came to the conclusion that 'having considered the evidence Alfred was wholly to blame for the accident, and he was not in performance of military duties when injured'.

    A month later on the 2nd May he was pronounced fully fit and back with his mates on the 4th. On the 8th September he's again a L/Sgt. On the 26th September 1915 he was killed in action at Vermelles. From what I have now found he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, originally buried at Barts Alley Cemetery, Vermelles (this cemetery was destroyed in later battles and the remains scattered - what was found taken to Loos and reburied). Of his effects only his identity disc remained. This was sent to his mother, Eliza. She received it in 1916.

    Diane Jones




    215446

    Pte. James Leonard Phillips 12th (Service) Btn Highland Light Infantry (d.25th Mar 1918)

    James Leonard Phillips of the Highland Light Infantry died from wounds in Somme, in northern France on 25th March 1918, and is commemorated at the Pozieres Memorial in France. He was the son of James and Harriet Phillips. Private Phillips is listed as killed in action on the memorial of Bridge Road School, Leicester.

    Elaine




    215445

    Cpl. Louis Reah 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Louis Reah, Corporal 47551, enlisted at Newcastle and served in the 11th Battalion (City of London Regiment) Royal Fusiliers. he died on the 22nd March 1918 and is remembered at Pozieres Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    A search of the 1901 census reveals his family living in Cauldwell, Harton, Durham with his father William (39) and mother Sarah (35). There are 6 children all of school age, Mary(15), Louis(13), William(11), Winnifred(8), Thomas(6) and Olive(2). The 1911 census shows him as a boarder with Francis and Prudence Bowmaker at 37 Glen Terrace, Washington Station, Durham. Louis is 23, single and a picture hall manager.

    Vin Mullen




    215444

    Pte. John Rannigan 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    John Rannigan served in the 1/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and died aged 24 on the 15th November 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals and that he died from his wounds.

    John was born in Jarrow 1892, son of John and Mary Rannigan. He was married to Elizabeth Welsh formerly Rannigan nee Little, 109 Western Road, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 58 Old Church, Jarrow with the father John (49) a labourer at Chemical Works and his wife of 36 years Mary(47). They had 12 children of whom 9 survived and 7 are living at this address. John (19) is the second of 4 sons. He and the eldest, Thomas (26)are also labourers in the Chemical Works. The other 2 boys Hughie (13) and William (7) are both attending school. The three daughters are Ellen(30), Margaret(21) and Catherine 10.

    Vin Mullen




    215443

    Cpl. John Dobson 12th (Bristol) Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th May 1917)

    <p>

    John Dobson died aged 29. The son of John and Christianna Dobson (nee Snowball), he was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow. John Dobson age 24, Plumbers Labourer in Shipyard, is with his mother Christianna Dobson and family at 45 Chaytor Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    John is remembered on the Arras Memorial. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215441

    Pte. Bramley Dobson 12th Btn Machine Gun Corps. (d.5th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Bramley Dobson died age 25 whilst serving with 12th Battalion Machine Gun Corps, he had formerly served in the West Yorks Regiment. He was the son of William and Annie Dobson of Womersley Doncaster and the husband of Annie Dobson (nee Mitchell) of 275 Albert Road Jarrow. Born in Womersley, he lived in Jarrow and enlisted at Pontefract.

    Bramley is buried in Varennes Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215440

    Pte. Robert Dixon Cavalry Machine Gun Squadron (d.30th Oct 1918)

    Robert Dixon aged 27 who died on 30th October 1918 was born in Jarrow 1891. He was the son of William and Hannah Dixon (nee Ridley) of "Elmfield", Monkton, Jarrow. Robert Dixon's parents William and Hannah Dixon and family are at 68 Breamish Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Robert is bruied in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manacourt and is commemorated on the Monkton Memorial in Monkton Village, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215437

    Pte. Richard Chandler Dixon 1st/4th Btn King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.5th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Richard Chandler Dixon died aged 22. The son of Robert and Margaret Dixon (nee Chandler) of 31 Henry Street Jarrow, he was born in Jarrow and lived and enlisted there. Richard Chandler Dixon age 9, at school, is with his parents Robert and Margaret Dixon and family at 31 Henry Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Richard is buried in Sunken Road Cemetery. Boisleux-St. Marc. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215436

    Pte. Robert Ramshaw 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Nov 1916)

    Robert Ramshaw enlisted at Walker and served in the 1/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 14th November 1916 and is remembered at St Paul's Church and is buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery. His medal card has not been located in an Ancestry search.

    Robert was born in Jarrow 1893, son of Robert and Sarah Ann Ramshaw nee Mullen. In the 1911 census the family is living at 12 Bell Street, East Jarrow. Robert 49, is a labourer at Furnace Chemical works and his wife of 23 years Sarah Ann have had 10 children of whom 9 survived and are living at this address. There are 5 sons with Robert(18 working as a catcher in the shipyard. The other boys are all of school age. There are 4 daughters with the eldest Sarah Jane (26) helping at home and the other 3 are also of school age or below.

    Vin Mullen




    215433

    Pte. Robert Henry Dine 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Henry Dine joined the 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra Princess of Wales's Own) formerly 439 1st Training Reserve Battalion. He was born in Felling and lived in Pelaw. On the 1911 census, he is listed as Robert Henry Dine age 14, Labourer at Brick Works is with his father Frank Thomas Dine and step mother Charlotte Caroline Douglass Dine (nee Cutter) and family at 18 Heworth Avenue, Pelaw. He enlisted at Felling. He was the son of Frank Thomas and the late Annie Dine (nee Lisle) of 45 Heworth Avenue Pelaw.

    Robert died aged 21 and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215430

    Pte. John William Ramshaw 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    John William Ramshaw, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He died aged 29 on the 28th September 1918 and is buried at Bocquoy Cemetery, Ficheux, Pasde Calais. His medal card shows his award of the War and Victory Medals and notes that he died from injuries.

    He was born in Jarrow 1888. Ancestry search reveals he was the son of Adam(24) and Elizabeth A Ramshaw(22) and was 3 years old in the 1891 census. In the 1911 census he is living at 96 Durston St. Hebburn Quay with his wife Elizabeth E Ramshaw nee Smith and he is a labourer in a chemical works. There are no children listed.

    Vin Mullen




    215428

    Frederick Charles "Toby" Gibbons 1st County of London Yeomanry Middlesex

    <p>No2 Troop, D Squad, Middlesex Hussars'.

    My Aunt lent me these photos of her father (my Grandfather) Frederick Charles (Toby) Gibbons who can be seen on the horse he loved in one of the photos. The photographs were taken in Lutterworth in 1913 at the TF Annual Camp and one of them is clearly annotated: 'No2 Troop, D Squad, Middlesex Hussars'.

    Simon Jewell




    215425

    Able.Sea. Robert Raine Hawke Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.29th Jun 1915)

    Robert Raine, served in the Hawke Battalion of the Royal Naval Division and died age 19 on the 29th June 1915 he is remembered at the Jarrow Library and at the Helles Memorial.

    Robert was born in Hebburn 1895, son of Mary Jane Raine nee Fuller and the late John Raine. In the 1911 census the family is living at 10 Fir Street, Hebburn with John Raine(44), an underground pumping engineer at the coal mine and his wife of 20 years Mary Jane. They had 5 children of which 4 survived and 3 are still living at home. Ena (19)- a domestic servant, Robert (15)- a belt boy at surface of coal mine and Jack Keers who is 5 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    215424

    L/Sgt. Frederick George Wormald 19th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    On 16th December 1914, the 'Hartlepools' (i.e. West Hartlepool and Hartlepool) were subjected to the first World War 1 shell attacks on British soil and in those attacks, Private Theophilus Jones was the first soldier to die on British soil. Less than three months later, on 3rd March 1915 at West Hartlepool, my uncle, Frederick George Wormald enlisted in the 19th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry.

    Frederick was the middle child of seven children born to John and Frances Elizabeth Wormald of 76 Westmorland Street, West Hartlepool. He was born in 1898 which made him 17 years and 3 months old when he enlisted however, he lied about his age and told the recruiting staff that he was two years older, 19 years and 3 months. He was a small lad, about 5ft 2inches and weighed around 10½ stones. Before enlisting, he had worked as a drapers assistant.

    On 11th August 1915 he was promoted to Corporal and later, on 28th October, further promoted to Lance Sergeant.

    In July 1916, Frederick was engaged in the fierce fighting in Delville Wood, north east of the town of Longueval, The Somme, France. The fighting in Delville Wood was one of the bloodiest confrontations of the Somme. On 18th July 1916, in an area less than one square mile, 20,000 shells fell. On that day, Frederick was killed in action. He was only 18 years of age.

    After the war ended, Frederick's body was buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, France. Frederick's parents were never able to travel to France to see his grave.

    Ralph Henderson




    215423

    Pte. John Railton 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.30th May 1916)

    <p>

    John Railton enlisted in Sunderland and served in the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died on the 30th May 1916 aged 34 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

    John was born in Jarrow 1882, son of Margaret Ann Railton nee Robinson of Blyth and the late James Railton. He is married to Evelyn Beatrice Railton nee Watson and in the 1911 census the family is living at 14 Hume Street, Millfield, Sunderland with John(29), a ships plater helper and his wife of 3 years, Evelyne Beatrice Railton nee Watson and their infant son John who is 6 months old.

    Vin Mullen




    215400

    T. Phillips

    T Phillips is remembered in St Paul's Church. Unfortunately searches do not reveal any identifiable military or Civilian deaths or medal cards. There are some census results in the general Tyneside area but more would need to be known to establish any links. Can anyone help?

    Vin Mullen




    215399

    Frederick Pinnock Palmer's Shipyard (d.15th Jun 1915)

    Frederick Pinnock aged 31 was a Dock Labourer in Palmers Shipyard and was killed on the 15th June 1915 during a bombing raid by Zeppelin LZ40 (L10) in which High Explosive and Incendiary Bombs struck the Works. He was remembered on a Memorial Plaque mounted in the old Stirling Foundry Building and at Jarrow Cemetery.

    Frederick was the son of Robert and Caroline Pinnock nee Alexander of Jarrow having been born at Jarrow in 1883. He was married to Margaret Pinnock nee James. In the 1911 census the family were living at 7 Back Hibernian Road, Jarrow. Fred was 26 years old and a dock labourer, Margaret (29) his wife of 6 years had 3 children, Robert (5), Fred (3) and Elizabeth (1).

    Vin Mullen




    215397

    L/Cpl. F. Kay MM. 237 Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    I bought the Military Medal belonging to 86331 L/Cpl F.Kay 237 Coy Machine Gun Corps, also his British War Medal, engraved: 86331 PTE F.Kay Machine Gun Corps.

    Roric




    215396

    Townley Trueman 13th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>Townley Trueman E. Yorks Regt. Xmas 1916

    Townley Trueman was in the 13th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. He is in my photo album put together by Tommy Byers during the war. There are around 400 images in my photo album and most of the images are named and dated from 1909 to 1920.

    Dave Donatelli




    215395

    Pte. John Purvis 20th Coy. Royal Army Medical Corps (d.28th Oct 1918)

    John Purvis enlisted at Jarrow and served in 20th Company Royal Army Medical Corps. He died aged 26 on the 28th October 1918 and is buried at Jarrow Cemetery.

    John was born in Jarrow 1892, son of Robert Thomas and Isabella Purvis nee Stephenson of 44 Prince Consort Road, Jarrow. 1911 census shows family living at above address with father Robert Thomas Purvis (58) a metal moulder in the shipyard, his wife of 30 years Isabella (51) and three of their surviving 4 children. Robert (28) single, a brass moulder in the shipyard, Thomas (20) and John (18) both single and paper makers in paper mills

    Vin Mullen




    215394

    Pte. Alfred Purvis 13th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.15th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    Alfred Purvis enlisted Walker Newcastle and served in the 13th (Service) Battalion (Forest of Dean Pioneers)Gloucestershire Regiment. He was killed in action on the 15th March 1917. He is remembered at Palmers Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.

    Alfred's Medal Card shows the award of the British War and Victory Medals. It also notes an alias of Ross W, but a statuary declaration made on the 2nd May 1916 before his death corrects this. Alfred would only have been 15 in 1914 so was probably under age when joining under the alias name. In the 1911 census Alfred 12 and his sister Anne 14, a servant are living with their parents Alfred 45, a dock labourer and his wife of 16 years Sarah Jane (46).

    Vin Mullen




    215393

    Able.Sea. William Porthouse Howe Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.13th Nove 1916)

    William Porthouse served in the Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division, RNVR and died aged 20 on the 13th November 1916. He is remembered at the Jarrow Library and is buried in Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel.

    William was reported wounded and missing in action and was later confirmed as having died from his wounds and buried by the Rev. WR Dugdale 5th Army School of Instruction. Notification of his death was sent to his mother-in-law Mrs M Green 4 Milton Street Jarrow, so there may have been other tragedies within the family.

    William was born in Jarrow 1896, son of George D and Hannah M Porthouse nee Green of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 42 South Street, Jarrow, father George (44) is a general labourer in the shipyard with his wife Hannah (40) of 15 years. They had 6 children, 5 of which survived. all are of school age with William (13) the eldest.

    Vin Mullen




    215392

    Rfmn. Ralph Porter 2/6th Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Ralph Porter served in the 6th Battalion London Regiment and died aged 26 on the 8th October 1918. He is remembered at St Paul's Church and is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the British War and Victory Medals.

    Ralph was born in Ludworth 1892, son of Robert and Jane Porter nee Bradley. In the 1911 census the family are living at Hebburn Colliery with father Robert(43), a coal hewer, and his wife of 21 years, Jane (40). They have had 12 children of which 6 have survived. Sarah (21) and Hannah(17) are both spinners at a ropeworks. The youngest daughter Isabella is 4. Ralph is 19, single and a coal miner putter while his younger brother Hunter is 11 and still at school. There is also a boarder working as a spinner.

    Vin Mullen




    215391

    Pte. Samuel Pinder 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.7th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Samuel Pinder, served in the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment after previous service in the Yorkshire Regiment as Private 39096 and died on the 7th October 1918. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Browns Copse Cemetery, Roex. His medal card shows the award of the British War and Victory Medals.

    Samuel was born in Jarrow 1897, son of John Robert and the late Agnes Allan Pinder nee Holliday of 10 Ellison Place, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family was living at that address with John Robert (37), a house and ship painter and decorator, his wife Agnes Allan (36) of 18 years and their 5 surviving children of 7 born. William Bowes is the eldest son and at 17 the only child working - as a grocer's assistant. Samuel (13) and his 3 younger brothers are at or below school age.

    Vin Mullen




    215390

    Rfmn. Robert Piggin 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.8th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Piggin, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 7th Battalion, the Rifle Brigade. He was killed in action on the 8th September 1915 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church He is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

    Robery was born in Jarrow 1885, the son of RoberArthur and Sarah Ann Piggin nee Nichols. He was married to Edith Piggin nee Messingham of Jarrow. In the 1911 census Robert(25), shipyard labourer and Edith (23)wife of 6 years are living at 19 Chaytor Street and have one son and two daughters. Several relatives and a boarder are also recorded at this address.

    Vin Mullen




    215389

    Pte. Thomas Edwin Petherick 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas etherick enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in action on the 14th September 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuile. Thomas' Medal Card shows him to have been killed in action and awarded the 1915 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

    Thomas was born in Maryport, Cumbria 1897 and was the son of Bessie Petherick of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family lived at 1 Stephen Street, Jarrow with his widowed mother Bessie (35) a charwoman having 3 sons and 1 daughter. Ernest (17) is an apprentice mechanical engineer at a local paper mill, his brother Thomas and sister Emma are 13 year old twins (at school) and the youngest son William Harry is 10 years old. Several other family relatives are also recorded at this address.

    Vin Mullen




    215388

    Pte. Albert John Butlin Army Veterinary Corps

    Albert John Butlin was 34 when he rejoined the Army Veterinary Corps on the 13th July 1916. He lived in Balsall Heath with wife Charlotte and children Eva Annie, John Harry and Ivy Hannah.

    Lorraine Money




    215387

    Pte. Joseph Dickison 10th Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph died aged 21. He was born and lived in Jarrow and also enlisted there. He was the son of William and Annie Dickison (nee Cunningham) of 23 Beaumont Terrace Jarrow. On the 1911 census Joseph Dickison age 13, at School, is listed as living with his widowed mother Annie Dickison and family at 20 Beaumont Terrace, Jarrow

    Joseph is buried in Acheux British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215386

    Pte. Joseph Bradley Dickinson 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Jan 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph died aged 19. He was born in Jarrow and lived and enlisted there. He was the son of the late John and Mary Jane Dickinson (nee McMillan). Joseph Bradley Dickinson age 15 is recorded as living with his older sister Georgina Dickinson and brothers and sister at 23 Cobden Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Joseph is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial, he is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215385

    Cpl. George Ernest Dickenson 9th Trench Mortar Bty, Y Coy. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st Jul 1917)

    <p>

    George died aged 20. Born in Great Yarmouth, he lived in Hebburn and enlisted at Jarrow. He was the son of Henry and Agnes Dickenson (nee Bligh). George Ernest Dickenson age 14 Office Boy in Palmer Steel Works is recorded as living with his parents Henry and Agnes Dickenson and family at 36 Victoria Road West, Hebburn on the 1911 census.

    George is buried in Windmill British Cemetery, Monchy-Le-Preux and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215384

    Pte. William Edward Henry Trumpeter 150 Coy. Army Service Corps

    <p>Pte WEH Trumpeter 150 Ht Coy 18 div ASC (front row 2nd left)

    The caption on the photo tells almost everything I know about William accept that he was born in Ramsgate Kent in 1894 and survived the war. He enlisted on 11th Dec 1914 in Woolwich and sailed to France on the Krepan from Southampton on the 27th July 1915. In 1917 he was awarded a Good Conduct Badge, but lost it in 1918 for being 'absent without permission from 0630 to 0700 on 1st May'. He was also docked 7 days pay. He was discharged on 12th June 1919.

    His CO was Major L.M.Newell, his C.S.M was R.Clack and his Sgt was C.J.Holness. I do not know if they are in the photo. I would appreciate an update if this turns up any new leads.

    Peter Chisholm




    215374

    Sgt. John Christopher Peterson 526 (1st Durham) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.20th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    John Christopher Peterson enlisted at Jarrow and served in 526 (1st Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers. He died on the 20th July 1917 and had been awarded the Bronze Medal for Valour (Italy). John was the son of John Christopher and Mary Elizabeth Peterson of 9 Bridge Street, Jarrow and in the 1911 census he was living with his widowed mother Mary (35). John was 17 and a general labourer at a brass and copper tubing factory. There were 3 younger sons and 3 younger sisters all of school age. John also has service with the Royal engineers Territorials Service No.494. His medal card shows he was awarded the 1915 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

    John is remembered at Palmer's Cenotaph, St. Paul's and St. Mark's Churches. He is buried in Crump Trench British Cemetery, Fampoux.

    Vin Mullen




    215360

    Spr. Frederick Percival 526 (1st Durham) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.3rd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Frederick Percival enlisted at Jarrow and served in 526 (1st Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers. He also had service in the Royal Engineers Territorials - Service No.541. Frederick's medal card shows entitlement to the British War and Victory Medals. He was the son of John and Catherine Percival having been born at Jarrow in 1892. He had lived in West Hartlepool.

    Frederick died on the 3rd October 1917. He is buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery and remembered at St Paul's Church

    Vin Mullen




    215359

    Rfmn. Robert Devlin 20th Btn (Northern) Rifle Brigade (d.2nd Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Robert was aged 52 when he died. He was born in Dundee, Scotland and lived and enlisted in Jarrow. He was the husband of Isabella Devlin of 2 Scott Street Jarrow. Robert Devlin age 43 Labourer at Steel Works is with his wife Isabella Devlin and children at 45 Union Street back, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Robert is remembered on the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215354

    J. Devine

    J. Devine who died in WW1 is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. Does anyone have any further information.

    Vin Mullen




    215353

    Pte. Oswald Detchon 1st/4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Oswald Detchon died aged 31. He was born and lived in North Shields and also enlisted there. He was the son of Oswald and Frances Annie Detchon (nee Elliot) of North Shields. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Oswald Detchon age 23 Waterman for Tyne Improvement Commission is with his parents Oswald and Frances Annie Detchon and family at 147 Howdon Road, North Shields.

    Oswald is remembered on the Screen Wall in Worms (Hocheim Hill) Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215350

    Pte. Joseph Pedley 13th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.24th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Pedley, Private 19468, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 13th Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment. He died on the 24th October 1916 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church, Jarrow. Joseph's Medal Card shows the award of the British War and Victory Medals.

    Joseph is the son of William John and Annie Pedley nee Keeling and was born in 1889 at Jarrow. He was married to Jessie E Pedley nee Medhurst of 6 Horsa road, Erith, Kent. In the 1911 census Joeph is 21, single and living with his parents at 5 Bladen Street, Jarrow. His father William is 67, a Joiner's Labourer and has been married for 44 years to Jessie who is 66. They had 11 children with 6 still alive. Joseph is the only one at home and is working as a marine engine fitter.

    Vin Mullen




    215347

    Pte. Patrick Delaney 1st Btn Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.15th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Patrick Delaney, the of Charles and Flora Delaney of 65 Albion Street Jarrow, died aged 18. He was born in Dumbarton and lived in Jarrow. Patrick Delaney,age 15, Rivet Catcher in Shipyard, is with his mother Flora Delaney and family at 28 South Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. He enlisted at Sunderland.

    Patrick is buried in Vendresse British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215346

    Lt. Anthony M. Bell 15 Btn. Tank Corps

    Anthony Bell enlisted on the 23rd of April 1917 and appears to have been wounded in July 1917, in France. His name appears both in Oxford University's Roll of Service (BA Christ Church, c. 1915/16, after matriculating 1912) and in the Roll of Service for Wheatley village, Oxfordshire, 1914-18. His father was possibly a clergyman.

    John Fox




    215345

    Dvr. Joseph Michael Kurtin Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Joseph Kurton RFA

    Joseph Kurtinaitis (Kurtin) joined up in 1915 with his friend Antanas Baukis from the next street. They lived in Stepney, near Whitechapel, London. They were both second generation Lithuanians whose parents had all come from Russia in the early 1890s. He spoke Lithuanian, English, Polish and some Yiddish as well as some French learned at school at St Ignatious College in Stamford Hill. These names can be a problem in records as they were in the process of being Anglicised by the second generation but Kurtin was the name on his Will. Anthony (Antanas) went to another unit and was later killed in action.

    He became a driver in the Royal Field Artillery carrying ammunition up to the guns somewhere in Northern France. He mentioned Flanders on the rare occasions he spoke to anyone about it. He mentioned a few horrific things to his grandson back in the 50s. He died in 1963 at the relatively young age of 66 from Parkinson's which we think was brought on by a blow to the head on the Western front.

    He was responsible for two black horses, named 'Cherry Blossom, and 'Boot Polish'. He used to walk between these two horses for protection so I imagine he was carrying a small amount of shells each time over rough ground up to the guns. He had some narrow escapes including a bullet which passed through the ear of one of the horses (making a hole). I get the impression that he also drove a wagon. So little information - I wish I had asked him more questions. I would dearly love to know absolutely everything about his war record - where he was exactly, where he joined up, where he did his training etc. Is there any more information out there?

    Peter Kurton




    215344

    Pte. Frederick Dean 12th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.11th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Dean died age 35. He was born in Jarrow in 1883 and lived there. He enlisted at Wallsend. He was the son of Charles and Margaret Dean (nee Brice) of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Frederick Dean age 28, Tube worker at Tube Works, lodging with his sister and brother in law, Marian and Charles Anderson, at 7 Charles Street, Jarrow

    Frederick is buried in Croix-Du-Bac British Cemetery Steenwerck and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215343

    4th.Eng.Off. William Davison SS Mongolia (d.23rd June 1917)

    William Davison, who died aged 26 in the sinking of the SS Mongolia was born and lived in Jarrow. He was the son of Edward and Annie Davison (nee Smith) of 6 Holly Street Jarrow. William Davison, age 20, Apprentice Engineer in Marine Engine Works, is with his parents Edward and Annie Davison and family at 6 Holly Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Wiliam is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial

    Vin Mullen




    215342

    Pte. Richard Davison 20th Btn (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Richard Davison who died aged 34 on the 1st of July 1916 was born in Jarrow and lived in Hebburn. He was the husband of Mary Rayne Davison (nee Mitcheson) of 77 Philip Street Hebburn. He enlisted at Newcastle.

    Richard is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215341

    Pte. John James Davison 15th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.8th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John Davison died age 33 from wounds whilst serving with the DLI. He was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow, the husband of Maud M. Davison (nee Cullum) of 4 Duke Street Jarrow.

    John is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215340

    John Cuthbert Davison Palmers Shipyard (d.15th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    John Cuthbert Davison was a Fitter & Turner at Palmers works, he was aged 31 when he died in an air raid on Tuesday 15th June 1915, as a Zeppelin bombed the shipyard. He was born in Newbottle Durham in 1884, son of John Cuthbert and Elizabeth Davison (nee Batey) on the 1911 census, John Cuthbert Davison age 27 Coal Miner Stoneman is listed as living with his parents John Cuthbert and Elizabeth Davison and family at Bunker Hill, Fence Houses.

    Vin Mullen




    215339

    2nd.Eng. Robert Percy Davidson SS Dauntless (d.4th Feb 1917)

    Robert Percy Davidson was the Second Engineer on the SS Dauntless from Newcastle. He was aged 24 when died on 4th February 1917 when the vessel was lost to a submarine attack. He was born and lived Jarrow, son of Robert and Caroline Davidson (nee Charlton) of Simonside Farm Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Percy Davidson age 18 Apprentice Fitter (Engineer) in Shipyard living with his widowed mother Caroline Davidson and family at Low Simonside Farm, Jarrow

    Robert is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215337

    Pte. Edward Pearson 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th May 1915)

    <p>

    Edward Pearson served in the 2nd Battalion the Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action (aged 21) on the 26th May 1915. He is remembered at St Paul's Church and the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, British War and Victory medals (Pip, Squeak and Wilfred as they were popularly known).

    Edward was the son of John and Mary Jane Pearson of 248 High Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 12 Stanley ------?, Jarrow. John (36) and Mary (35) have been married for 18 years and had ten children of which 7 survived. Edward (18) is the oldest and a general labourer at the shipyard. The remainder 3 boys and 3 girls are all of school age except the youngest Catherine who is 18 months old.

    Vin Mullen




    215336

    Rfmn. John Davidson 16th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps. (d.29th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    John Davidson was killed whilst serving as a Rifleman with the 16th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. He had formerly served with the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. Born in Newcastle, he lived in Jarrow and enlisted in Hull.

    John is remembered on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215335

    Pte. W. Pattinson

    Regrettably only the initial and name is listed on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and there are numerous instances of this name in the North East together with variations in spelling. So it must remain simply: W Pattinson, Private - other details unknown. He is remembered on the Memorial Panel in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Can anyone provide more information?

    Vin Mullen




    215334

    Pte. William Daglish 24th Btn (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    William Daglish was born at Castleton, Durham and enlisted in Jarrow. He was killed in action and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215333

    Pte. John R Pearce 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John R Pearce, Private 22/1245, enlisted at Newcastle and served in the 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action at the Somme, aged 18, on the 1st July 1916. He is remembered at St Paul's Church, Jarrow and the Thiepval Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the British War and Victory Medals.

    John was born at Jarrow, son of Daniel and Eliza Pearce of 26 Franklin Street Jarrow. In the 1911 census John was 13 and still at school. His older brother Daniel (then 15) also lost his life later in the war (1918).

    Vin Mullen




    215332

    Pte. George Scott Pearce Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Jan1920)

    <p>

    George Scott Pearce served in the Durham Light Infantry and also in the Yorkshire Regiment (48341). He died aged 20 on the 18th January 1920. His grave is at Jarrow Cemetery. His medal card shows the award of the British war and Victory Medals. His Battalion is not recorded and it seems that he probably died from injuries sustained during his wartime service.

    George was born at Hebburn in 1899, son of John Edward and Janet Westwater Pearce nee Scott of Croft Terrace, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 68 Stothard Street, Jarrow with John Edward (36, born in Kent, a Grocer Partner and his wife, Janet Westwater (37), of 13 years. They have 7 children - all of school age - 4 sons and 3 daughters. George is 11 years old.

    Vin Mullen




    215330

    Pte. John William Cutmore 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    John Cutmore was killed aged 22 whilst serving with the 15th Btn Durham Light Infantry. He was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow, son of Alfred William and Susan Cutmore (nee Lawrence) of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as John William Cutmore age 18 Ship Plate Rivettor in Palmer Shipyard living with his parents Alfred William and Susan Cutmore and family at 22 Lord Street, Jarrow

    John is remembered on the Loos Memorial. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215329

    Pte. Daniel Pearce 12/13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Oct 1918)

    Daniel Pearce enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 12/13th Battalion the Northumberland Fusiliers, he died on the 13th October 1918. He is remembered at St Paul's Church and buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Guoy. His Medal Card shows the award of the British War and Victory Medals and that he was killed in action.

    Daniel was born in Jarrow in 1896, son of Daniel and Eliza Pearce nee Wells. He was married to Sarah Pearce nee McDougall living at 3 Dunstan Street, Hebburn. In the 1911 census he is living at 26 Franklin Street Jarrow with his father Daniel(56),a Lead Works labourer and his mother Eliza(46)who has been married for 23 years having 12 children, 9 of whom survived. There are 5 daughters and 4 sons. George (17) and Daniel (15) are both pit workers.

    Vin Mullen




    215328

    Pte. Vincent Curry 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Vincent Curry died age 21, he was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow, son of John and Martha Curry of 48 James Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Vincent Curry age 15 Assistant Butcher living with his parents John and Martha Curry and family at 48 James Street, Jarrow

    Vincent is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215327

    P. Curham (d.WW1)

    P. Curham died during WW1, he is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow. Can anyone provide further details?

    Vin Mullen




    215326

    Pte. John Cummusky 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    John Cummiskey was aged 25 when died on 17th January 1917. Born in Runcorn Cheshire he lived in Jarrow and enlisted in Cramlington. Son of the late John and Mary Cummusky of 7 Old Church Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as John Cummiskey age 19 Assistant Chemical Chemist at Chemical Works living with his parents John and Mary Cummiskey and family at 7 Old Church, Jarrow

    John is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215325

    Pte. James Cumiskey 7th Defence Force Durham Light Infantry

    James Cumiskey served with the 7th Defence Force Durham Light Infantry. He was born in South Shields, son of the late Thomas and Mary Cumiskey of Jarrow. He was the husband of the late Mary Cumiskey (nee Thompson) of Sunderland. He was aged 47 when died on 19th July 1921.

    James is buried in Sunderland (Ryhope Road) Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215324

    Sgt. William Cunningham East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    William Cunningham died age 27 on 13th June 1921 in Newcastle upon Tyne. He was born at St. Helens, Lancashire and lived in Jarrow, the son of Frank and Alice Cunningham of Jarrow.

    William is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215323

    Pte. William Cunningham 2nd Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.21st Jun 1915)

    <p>

    William Cunningham died of wounds at the age of 24, he served with the 2nd Btn Lincolnshire Regiment. Born in Liverpool he was the son of John and Charlotte Annie Cunningham (nee Cunningham) of 31 High Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census William Cunningham age 20, Apprentice Rivettor in Palmer Shipyard is listed as living with his parents John and Charlotte Annie Cunningham and family at 31 High Street back, Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    William is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215322

    L/Cpl. Peter Cunningham 26th Btn (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Peter Cunningham died aged 19 whilst serving with the 26th Btn (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He was born in Jarrow, son of John and Margaret Cunningham (nee McGregor). On the 1911 census he is recorded as Peter Cunningham age 14, along with his younger brother Henry Cunningham age 12 at Chadwick Memorial Industrial School at Stanwix near Carlisle. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    Peter is buried Serre Road Cemetery No. 2. and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215321

    Pte. Philip Crumbley 7th Coy. (Infantry) Machine Gun Corps (d.18th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Philip Crumbley doed aged 28 whilst serving with 7th Coy. (Infantry) Machine Gun Corps, he formerly served in the ASC. He was born and enlisted in Jarrow. Son of William and Agnes Crumbley (nee Golden) of 20 Monkton Road Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Philip Crumbley age 21, Grocer, is with his parents William and Agnes Crumbley and family at 20 Monkton Road, Jarrow.

    Philip is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215320

    Pte. Joseph Frederick Crowther 20th Btn. B Coy Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Crowther died age 22 whilst serving with the 20th DLI. Born Jarrow, he was the on of Georgina Chambers (formerly Crowther nee Wouldhave) of 27 Curry Street Back Jarrow and the late James Francis Crowther. On the 1911 census Joseph Frederick Crowther age 14, Apprentice Plumber at Palmer Shipyard is listed as living with his mother Georgina Chambers and stepfather John Chambers and family at 56 Queens Road, Jarrow

    Joseph is buried in Vaulx Hill Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215319

    L/Bdr. Richard William Cross 3rd Bty. 1st West Lancs. Brigade Div Am Col. Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd April 1918)

    <p>

    Richard Cross attended the 4th Army Art School and served with the 1st West Lancs. Brigade Divisional Ammunition Column. He died age 45. He was born in Jarrow in 1872, registered as Robert William Cross the son of William and Elizabeth Cross. He was the husband of Mrs. Cross of 5 Liberty Street Wavertree Liverpool. He enlisted in Liverpool.

    Richard is buried in Picquigny British Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215315

    Pte. W. Crooks

    Private W. Crooks who died in WW1 is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. Does anyone have any further information?

    Vin Mullen




    215313

    Pte. William Phipson Crooks 8th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    William Crooks died age 33 whilst serving with the 8th Btn East Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Hannah Benstead (formerly Crooks nee Baxter) of 42 Duke Street Jarrow and the late William Phipson Crooks he was the husband of Agnes Crooks (nee Carr) (Verified from his great grandson Peter McHugh from Canada) Born in Walker he lived and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as William Phipson Crooks age 28, Iron Founder in Shipyard living with his wife Agnes Crooks and children at 42 Buddle Street, Jarrow. His younger brother Matthew Crooks was also one of the fallen.

    William is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215307

    Pte. Matthew Crooks 2nd Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.7th Nov 1914)

    <p>

    Matthew Crooks Died age 29 whilst serving with the 2nd DLI. He was born in 1885 in Willington Quay, Howdon and lived and enlisted in Jarrow. He was the son of Hannah Benstead (formerly Crooks nee Baxter) of 42 Duke Street Jarrow and the late William Phipson Crooks. His older brother William Phipson Crooks was also one of the fallen.

    Matthew is buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215301

    Pte William Craik 2nd Gordon Highlanders (d.13th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    William Craik died age 25 whilst serving with the 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders at Neuve Chapelle in France. He was born in South Shields 1889, son of Jonathan and Margaret Robson Craik (nee Ormston) of 96 Queens Road Jarrow. On the 1911 census He is recorded as William Craik age 22,Engineers (Fitters) Labourer in Shipyard living with his parents Jonathan and Maggie Craig of 96 Queens Road Jarrow. He enlisted in Govan. His younger brother Joseph Craik Private 3260 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was also one of the fallen William is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial and is Commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215300

    Pte. Joseph Craik 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th May 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Craik died age 23 whilst serving with the 2nd Btn Northumberland Fusiliers. He was the son of Jonathan and Margaret Robson Craik (nee Ormston) of 96 Queens Road Jarrow. Born in Willington Quay, Howdon, the 1911 census records him as; Joseph Craik age 18 Labourer for Ships Rivettor in Shipyard living with his parents Jonathan and Margaret Robson Craik and family at 96 Queens Road, Jarrow. He lived and enlisted Jarrow.

    Joseph is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215299

    Frmn. James Joshua Crabtree SS Batoum (d.18th July 1915)

    James Joshua Crabtree drowned as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, he was aged 52. Born at Jarrow, he was the son of the late George Crabtree of Jarrow and husband of Alice Emily Crabtree (nee Rush) of Cliff House St. James Terrace, Mistley, Essex. The 1911 census records; James Joshua Crabtree, age 46, Stationary Engineman living with his wife Alice Emily Crabtree and children at Cliff House, Mistley, Essex.

    James is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215298

    Rfmn. Patrick Joseph Coyne 12th Btn. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own) (d.17th Aug 1917)

    Patrick Joseph Coyne died aged 20, he was the of John and Margaret Coyne (nee Ging) of 72 Canning Street Hebburn, he was born and lived in Hebburn. The 1911 census records, Patrick Joseph Coyne,age 14, at School, living with his parents John and Margaret Coyne and family at 210 Cuthbert Street, Hebburn. He enlisted at Jarrow.

    Patrick is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215297

    L/Cpl. Patrick James Coyne 25th Btn (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Patrick Coyne was born in Jarrow and enlisted in Newcastle. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215296

    L/Cpl. Michael Coyne 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    Michael Coyne died age 35 whilst serving with the 2nd Btn Northumberland Fusiliers. He was the son of the late Thomas and Catherine Coyne of Jarrow and husband of Rose Ann Flaherty (formerly Coyne nee Collins) of 17 Burns Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Michael Coyne age 30 Labourer in Shipyard is with his wife Rose Ann Coyne and children at 61 Albion Street, Jarrow. He was born and lived Jarrow and enlisted in Wallsend. His younger brother John Coyne was also one of the fallen.

    Michael is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215292

    Pte. John Coyne 7th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.21st Aug 1918)

    <p>

    John Coyne died aged 20 whilst serving with 7th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment. He formerly served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He was the son of Patrick Coyne and the late Mary Ann Coyne (nee Callaghan) of Jarrow. John Coyne is listed as age 12,at school, living with his widowed father Patrick Coyne, his grandparents and family at 49 Albion Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. he was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow.

    John is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215279

    Pte, George Coyle 2nd Btn Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    George Coyle died age 21 whilst serving with the Yorkshire Regiment. He was the son of Patrick and Rose Ann Coyle of 176 High Street, Jarrow and husband of Elizabeth Brown (formerly Coyle nee Tokell) of 23 Newstead View Fitzwilliam, Pontefract, York's. On the 1911 census he is listed as; George Coyle age 16 Rivet Heater in Shipyard is with his parents Patrick and Rose Ann Coyle and family at 176 High Street, Jarrow. He was born and in lived Jarrow and enlisted Newcastle

    George was buried in Vernon Street Cemetery, Carnoy and is remembered in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215272

    Pte. John Thomas Cowens 4th Btn Grenadier Guards (d.6th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    John Cowans died age 32 whilst serving with the 4th Btn Grenadier Guards. He was born in Jarrow in 1884 Son of Thomas and Isabella Cowens (nee Gibson) He was native of Bishopton, Ferryhill. John Thomas Cowens age 27, bricklayer, listed as living with his parents Thomas and Isabella Cowens and family at Bishopton, Ferryhill on the 1911 census. He enlisted in West Hartlepool.

    John is buried in La Brique Military Cemetery No. 2.

    Vin Mullen




    215269

    Pte. John Thomas Coulson 2nd/6th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.18th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    John Coulson died aged 21 whilst serving with the Labour Corps, he had previously served with the 2nd/6th Btn Cameronians. He was born at Hebburn Quay, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Coulson of 12 Station Lane, Hebburn New Town. On the 1911 census he is recorded as John Thomas Coulson age 13 at School living with his mother Elizabeth Coulson and family at 36 Charles Street back, Hebburn Enlisted Newcastle.

    John is buried in Hebburn Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215265

    Pte. James Coulson 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    James Coulson died aged 27 whilst serving with 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry. Born in Longbenton, he was the son of Elizabeth Coulson of Hebburn Lived Hebburn. He is recorded as James Coulson age 22 Labourer in Grease Works living with his mother Elizabeth Coulson and family at 36 Charles Street back, Hebburn on the 1911 census. He enlisted in Gateshead.

    James is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215264

    2nd Lt. Arthur Coulson MM 1st/5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Arthur Coulson served with 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers he was aged 22 when died on 27th March 1918. He was the son of Thomas Septimus and Caroline Jane Coulson (nee Lawer) of 18 Northbourne Road Jarrow and was born in 1895 in Newcastle. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Arthur Coulson age 15 Office Message Boy in Shipyard living with his parents Thomas Septimus and Caroline Jane Coulson and family at 61 Isabella Street, Newcastle. He attended Elswick School Newcastle. He was engaged to Margaret Dixon and worked in Bainbridge's Office where he started as an office boy. He also worked in the Newcastle Chronicle Office, was a Clerk to a solicitor and was also a piano player and a lay preacher. He worked at Monkton hospital in Jarrow. His family were all involved with the Boys Brigade in Jarrow.

    Arthur Coulson joined up with his friends Frank Wadorf Allison and did not tell the family what he was intending to do. He volunteered on the 29th of October 1914 at the Westgate Road Newcastle. He was a Seargeant before he left training at Rothbury. Arthur Coulson spent two years in Great Britain before he went to France 7th January 1916 with 18th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieut. in the 5th NF in August 1917, London Gazette.

    The battalion War Diary of his last month records, Arthur Coulson as missing for seven months, thought to be a prisoner? The Northumberland Fusiliers Regimental history page 128. "C" Company No. 9 Platoon 564 notes in in pencil 584 Coulson A. Platoon Sgt, Lieut. 5th NF MM died in Germany.

    Arthur is commemorated on the Heath Cemetery Memorial, Harbonnieres. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrowand was also commemorated one time on a brass plaque with six others, which hung in the porch of St. John's Wesleyan Church St. John’s Terrace, Jarrow The plaque was engraved by Mr. M. Hamilton of Jarrow (aged 80 years) The church was demolished in 1964 (It is not known what happened to the brass plaque).

    Vin Mullen




    215263

    Pte. Michael Corr 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th Sept 1916)

    <p>

    Michael Corr died age 21 whilst serving with the 6th Btn Yorkshire Regiment. he was born and lived Jarrow, Son of Michael Corr and Catherine Corr (nee McMahon). On the 1911 census he is listed as Michael Corr age 22 Brass Moulder in Palmer Engine Works is with his widowed father Michael Corr and family at 58 Cambrian Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in South Bank Middlesbrough.

    Michael is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215237

    Pte. Elsdon Corkin MM. 1st/6th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    Elsdon Corkin was awarded the Medaille Militaire (France) whilst serving with 1st/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 22 when died on 27th May 1918. He was born and lived Jarrow. He is listed as Elsdon Corkin age 16 Grocers Apprentice living with his parents John and Annie Corkin and family at 16 Stead Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    Elsdon is remembered on the Soissons Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215236

    Cpl. Joseph Henry Corbett 528th Div Field Coy Royal Engineers (d.7th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Corbett died aged 27 of wounds whilst serving with the Royal Engineers. He was baptised in St Paul's Jarrow on 4th April 1889 son of Jane Corbett (nee Mackay) and William Corbett. He is recorded as Joseph Henry Corbett age 22 Ships Steward in Mercantile Marine is with his widowed Jane Corbett and family at 49 High Street back, Jarrow on the 1911 census. He was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow.

    Joseph is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215235

    Pte. Henry Kelly 1st Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    <p>Voluntary Aid Detachment in Liverpool WW1

    During WW1 my Grandmother Marjory Thomas joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment in Liverpool. She met my Grandfather H.O.Daniel when she nursed him for smallpox.

    Attached to a photograph of her was a letter from one of her patients;

    “When this you see Remember me and let you not forget. Although I am wounded now. I hope to be happy yet.” No10304 Pte H. Kelly 1st Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers Wounded at Krithia, Dardanelles June 29th 1915 Liverpool December 20th 1915

    Research on the web site shows the event before and when he was wounded: 21 June 1915 - I passed in The Gully what remained of the Dublin Fusiliers, less than a company. They were parading in their gas respirators, their M.O. lecturing them, and saying that if a rifle is a soldier's best friend, his respirator should come next. We are all provided with these. 28 June 1915. Their next major action was at Gully Ravine and commenced on 28 June, ending on 2 July. During the battle of Gully Ravine, General Hunter-Weston attempted to advance north along the western Gallipoli coastline, and thereby shorten the line of the salient at the centre of his front line. Though the initial attack took all its objectives, on the two following nights the Turks launched concerted counter-attacks during which the 1st Dublins suffered enormous casualties, the battalion losing on 28th - 29th June 236 officers and men killed, wounded and missing.

    Henry Kelly was probably taken back to Liverpool by boat and survived the war as he is listed as having received the Silver War badge. This was intended to be worn by veterans on a day to day basis on civilian clothes in order to show that the person had served their country and been discharged for health reasons at a time when pressure was being placed on men to enlist. There were 29 different King’s Regulations or reasons for discharge that were used. The most common being (xvi) “No longer physically fit for war service” and (xxv) “His services being no longer required”. The SWB is sometimes also referred to as the Discharge Badge, Wound Badge or Services Rendered Badge.

    Note from No10304 Pte H. Kelly 1st Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Wendy Bentall




    215234

    Cpl. David Copeland 1st/3rd (Durham) Coy Royal Engineers (d.12th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    David Copeland died aged 19 whilst serving with the Royal Engineers. He was born in Plansworth, Durham, Son of Charles Smith Copeland and Eleanor Copeland. The 1911 census lists him as David Copeland age 13 at School living with his mother Nellie Copeland and family at 52 Pitt Street, Jarrow. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow.

    David is buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215233

    Pte. John William Cooper 1st/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    John Cooper died age 25 whilst serving with the 8th DLI. He was born in Jarrow. The 1911 census records his as John William Cooper age 18 Unemployed Labourer living with his mother Isabella Hunter (formerly Cooper nee Butland) and his stepfather Edward Hunter and family at 55 Wylam Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. His father was the late Robert Cooper. John lived in Jarrow and Gateshead, he enlisted in Gateshead. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215232

    Pte. Herbert Wood Cooper 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th May 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Cooper died at the age of 24 whilst serving with the 10th Btn Yorkshire Regiment. He was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow. He is recorded as Herbert Wood Cooper age 19 Engineman at Palmer Steelworks is with his parents Samuel James and Mary Cooper (nee Wood) and family at 12 Prince Consort Road, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Herbert is buried in Dartmoor Cemetery Becordel-Becourt. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215231

    Sgt.Mjr. William Cook 16th Tyne Fortress Works Coy. Royal Engineers (d.20th Mar 1919)

    <p>

    Sergeant Major William Cook served with the 16th Tyne Fortress Works Coy. Royal Engineers. He was awarded the MSM (Long Service and Good Conduct Medal) He had been born in Burslem Staffordshire and served in the South African War. He was the son of Joseph and Annie Cook of Southsea Hampshire and husband of Christina Cook (nee Lydon) of 13 Holly Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as William Cook age 30 Sergeant Major Instructor of Territorial Force, living with his wife Christina Cook and mother in law Elizabeth Lydon at 2 Nixon Street, Jarrow

    William died aged 37 on 20th March 1919 and is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215230

    Pte. Michael Conway 5th Btn. Connaught Rangers (d.27th Dec 1915)

    <p>

    Michael Conway was born in Co Galway and lived in Hebburn, where he worked at the Hebburn Shipyard. He enlisted in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

    Michael is buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215229

    Pte. Martin Joseph Conroy 10th Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.21st Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Pte. Martin Joseph Conroy of the 10th Battalion Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment (formerly 3647 Northumberland Fusiliers) enlisted in Walker. Martin died on 21st September 1917 and has no known grave. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215228

    Pte. Thomas Connolly Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th Mar 1919)

    <p>

    Thomas Connolly died age 21 whilst serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was born and lived Jarrow. Thomas Connolly age 14 at School is with his widowed mother Margaret Connolly and family at 4 Pitt Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. Son of Margaret Connolly of 4 Back Pitt Street Jarrow and the late Charles Connolly.

    Thomas is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215217

    2nd Lt. Oscar Frank Moritz 99th Btn Machine Gun Corps (d.27th July 1916)

    <p>Sherborne School Book of Remembrance Oscar F Moritz

    Oscar Frank Moritz was the fifth son of the late Hermann Moritz (of the London Stock Exchange) and Elisa Mathilda Moritz (nee Kronhelm) of West Bank, Broadlands Road, Highgate, London. Born at Edmonton, Middlesex, on 21 March 1885. He had two brothers: Arnold Moritz and Julius Hermann Moritz. He attended Cholmeley's Preparatory School in Highgate, and from 1898-1903 Sherborne School in Dorset. After leaving School he became a Barrister-at-Law (Middle Temple) in 1910.

    Oscar Moritz enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) on 5th of September 1914 as a stretcher bearer and rapidly rose to be a Staff Sergeant. On 30 April 1915 commissioned to the Border Regiment, 10th Bn.; transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (99th) in January 1916. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from April 1916 and saw much fighting on Vimy Ridge. He was reported wounded and missing after heavy fighting at at Delville Wood on 27th July 1916 while trying to bring up reinforcements for his gun, having previously received a wound in the thigh. During the battle every officer in his section of the Machine Gun Corps was either killed or wounded. Moritz's body was found some seven weeks later by an old school friend who buried him. He is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, on the Walkerburn War Memorial and in the Sherborne School Book of Remembrance.

    Rachel Hassall




    215216

    Ord.Sea. Joseph Patrick Connolly HM Tug Stobo Castle (d.26th Feb 1919)

    <p>

    Joseph Connolly died age 20. He was born and lived Jarrow, son of Catherine Connolly (nee Lydon) of 54 Hope Street Jarrow and the late Joseph Connolly. Joseph Patrick Connolly age 13 at School is listed as living with his parents Joseph and Katie Connolly and family at 54 Hope Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Joseph is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215209

    Pte. John Connolly 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th May 1917)

    <p>

    John Connolly died age 19 whilst serving with the 9th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers. He was born and lived Jarrow, son of Mrs. C. Connolly of 25 Albion Street Jarrow He enlisted in Wool, Dorset.

    John is buried in Highland Cemetery, Roclincourt.

    Vin Mullen




    215208

    Bmdr. John Henry Conner 156th Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd May 1918)

    Bombardier John Henry Conner Died aged 24 on 3rd May 1918 whilst serving with 156th Brigade "A" Battery Royal Field Artillery. He was the son of John and Catherine Conner (nee Mullen) of 4 Back Blackett Street Jarrow. He is listed as John Henry Conner age 16 Coal Putter below ground is with his parents John and Catherine Conner and family at 23 East Street, Hebburn on the 1911 census. he was born in Hebburn, lived and enlisted in Jarrow.

    John is buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215207

    Cpl. John Warden Connell Army Service Corps. (d.9th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    John Connell died aged 27 whilst serving with the ASC. He was born and enlisted in South Shields, he lived in Jarrow. Son of John and Mary Connell of 3 Stothard Street Jarrow, he is recorded as living there with his parents on the 1911 census, then age 20 employed as a Baker at Bakery.

    John is buried in Les Baraques Military Cemetery. Sangatte and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215206

    Alexander A. Collingwood Palmer's Ship Yard

    Alexander A. Collingwood died during WW1. He was on Palmer's Staff and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215205

    Fmn. Cornelius Collins S.S. Barrowmore (d.19th February 1918)

    Cornelius Collins served as Kelly with the Mercantile Marine on the S.S. Barrowmore of Liverpool. He died aged 19 when the ship was torpedoed without warning and sunk by a submarine off Bishop Rock. Son of Francis and Elizabeth Collins of 4 Quay Corner Jarrow, Cornelius Collins is listed as age 12 at School living with his parents Francis and Elizabeth Collins and family at Quay Corner, East Ferry, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    He is remembed on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215193

    Fmn. Bernard Collins S.S. Newlyn (d.2nd Aug 1917)

    Bernard Collins was born in Jarrow, son of the late Peter and Margaret Collins. He is recorded as Bernard Collins age 36 Coalminer Hewer at Colliery is with his widowed mother Margaret Collins at 10 Wilson Street, South Shields on the 1911 census.

    Bernard is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215190

    Stk. Charles Peacock HMS Godetia (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Charles Peacock died aged 20, the RN Casualty lists record his death as being from illness unspecified. He is remembered at Palmer's Cenotaph, St Paul's Church and is buired in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Charles was born at Jarrow in 1898, son of Henry and Mary Ann Peacock nee Breeds, of 4 Wylam Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census Charles is a student, 12 years old. His father Henry (48), born in Chatham, is a Blacksmith and his mother Mary Ann (38), born in Sunderland, have been married for 19 years. They have 5 boys - Henry 17, a steam hammer driver in shipyard, Mark 15, Charles 12, David 2, William 2 months and 6 girls - Matilda 18, Eliza 13, Mary 9, Florence 7, Rachel 5 and Rosie 4.

    Vin Mullen




    215185

    2nd Lt. Joseph Henry Collin VC. 4th Btn King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.9th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Henry Collin was awarded his commission on the 28th August 1917 He was the son of Joseph and Mary Collin (nee McDermont) of 8 Petteril Terrace, Harraby Carlisle, he was born 10th April 1893 in Jarrow.

    He was 24 years old and a Second Lieutenant in the 1/4th Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment when he was awarded the VC for his actions on 9th April 1918 at Givenchy France.

    Citation: For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice in action. After offering a long and gallant resistance against heavy odds in the Keep held by his platoon, this officer, with only five of his men remaining, slowly withdrew in the face of superior numbers, contesting every inch of the ground. The enemy were pressing him hard with bombs and machine-gun fire from close range. Single-handed 2nd Lt. Collin attacked the machine gun and team. After firing his revolver into the enemy, he seized a Mills grenade and threw it into the hostile team, putting the gun out of action, killing four of the team and wounding two others. Observing a second hostile machine gun firing, he took a Lewis gun, and selecting a high point of vantage on the parapet whence he could engage the gun, he, unaided, kept the enemy at bay until he fell mortally wounded. The heroic self-sacrifice of 2nd Lt. Collin was a magnificent example to all. (The London Gazette, 25 June 1918)

    His Victoria Cross is displayed at The King's Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment Museum, Lancaster from the 26th August 2006. The bronze memorial memorial plaque to Second Lieutenant Joseph Henry Collin VC of 4th Battalion King's Own Royal Regiment, was successfully bid for by the Regimental Museum at a recent auction in Carlisle. Thanks to public donations, the Museum fought off three other bidders to secure the plaque for £2500. It will now be displayed alongside Collin's VC.

    Joseph is buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery Lacouture and is commemorated in the Palmer Hospital in Jarrow.

    Joseph Henry Collin VC

    Vin Mullen




    215178

    Pte. John George Pattison 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.4th Dec 1917)

    <p>

    John George Pattinson served in the 1st/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and died in Heilsberg POW Camp on the 4th December 1917 aged 24. A lot of prisoners were transferred to that camp after the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. The camp had a large hospital nearby. He is remembered at the Monkton Memorial, St Paul's Church and the Berlin South-Western Cemetery, Heilsberg POW Cemetery Memorial.

    John was the son of Mr and Mrs G Pattison, 2 East Grove, High Ford, Hylton Road, Sunderland. He was married to Elizabeth Pattinson of South Lodge, East Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215175

    Able.Sea. William Pattison HMS Viknor (d.13th Jan 1915)

    <p>HMS Viknor

    William Pattison was a painter by trade and elisted in the Royal Naval Reserve. He was serving on board HMS Viknor when she was sunk on the 13th January 1915 with the loss of all hands. It was assumed she struck a German Mine off the Tory Islands. He is remembered at the Palmer Cenotaph and at Plymouth Naval Memorial. 9. He was 35 years old.

    William was the son of john Pattison of Jarrow and was married to Mary Pattison nee Forrester of 15 Hibernian Road, Jarrow. On the 1911 census William (32) is living in Hebburn with his wife Mary (32).His occupation is House Painter and Paper Hanger. They have 4 sons and 1 daughter all of school age.

    Vin Mullen




    215169

    PO.(Shipwright) Henry Pattinson HMS Raglan (d.20th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Pattinson was a Petty Officer (Shipwright) serving on board HMS Raglan and was killed in action when the Abercrombie class Monitor was sunk by the combined force of the German Battle Cruiser Goeben and its Escort Cruiser Breslau in the Dardanelles on the 20th January 1918. He is remembered at the Jarrow Library and the Chatham Naval Memorial.

    Henry was the son of Henry and Isabella Pattinson of Jarrow. He was marrried to Elizabeth McK. Pattinson nee Loan who lived at 49 Victoria Road West, Hebburn New Town. On the 1911 census Henry was living at 25 James Street, Jarrow with his father Henry (60), mother Isabella (54) who had been married 20 years and his two brothers Thomas (28), single and George (18), single. His father is a general labourer in the shipyard as is Thomas. George is an apprentice iron moulder in the shipyard. Henry is 20, single and an apprentice shipwright in the shipyard.

    Vin Mullen




    215161

    Pte. Henry George Winch Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Henry George Winch was my grandfather who I never met. I am proud to say that this brave man fought at the Somme and survived.

    He volunteered in WW2 for home duties and was killed trying to save others. He escorted people to an air raid shelter on 19th March 1941 at Cayley Close in London which took a direct hit from a German bomber. All were killed. Henry was aged 42.

    Chris Winch




    215160

    Pte. James George Handford 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.20th Dec 1916)

    James Handford was my father's uncle, son of James and Sarah Handford of 19 Peel Street Derby. He was one of five children and was their only son. James worked at the Derby railway works as a spring maker's assistant, and in his spare time played football for a local team and enjoyed fishing. He volunteered in December 1915 aged 25, and, following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, joined the Grenadier Guards. He went to Caterham for training in January 1916 and was sent to France at the end of August the same year.

    He died of wounds on 20th December 1916. There are no details in his service record of the nature of the injuries, but a friend of the family who was serving alongside him and saw him in the field hospital told the family that his spine was injured and it's thought that he would probably have been paralysed had he survived. His mother (my great grandmother) never got over his death and wore black from then on. My great grandfather who had been a devout church-goer and lay reader, completely lost his faith.

    James' name appears on the large War Memorial near the railway station in Derby which commemorates railway staff who lost their lives. He is buried in Grove Town Cemetery near the French town of Meaulte. His sacrifice has never been forgotten by his family.

    Alison Hiscock




    215159

    Sgt. Frederick Scott MM. 2nd Btn. South Wales Borderers

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather Frederick Scott was in the 2nd South Wales Borderers. I have not found a lot of information on him, but I did manage to find his medal record, which says that he had made it to sergeant by the time he left the army, it also states that he was awarded a medal for bravery, my Nan said it was because he saved his Battalion, and because of that his Captain (known as Captain Queenie) offered him a job in Australia, which meant the whole family would have to move away, they left for 3 years, but my Great Nan was so home sick, they had to come back again.

    I also know that during his time in the war, he was mustard gassed, my Nan said this happened when the troops were trying to mustard gas the enemy, but the wind changed direction, and they got gassed themselves by accident. She also said that because of this, he had a terrible cough. He also predicted the age he would die, in a conversation with friends and family, he said "I wont live past 43", and he did actually die when he was 43. His wife Agnes Maud Scott was always proud that he had died with her name tattooed on his arm. He was buried in a mass grave in Chingford Mount cemetery with no grave marker and he was always sadly missed by his family.

    Sindy Kiff




    215149

    Pte. John Thomas Hyde 12th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Nov 1917)

    My grandfather, John Thomas Hyde, was lost to us in 1917. His son and grandsons still live in Middlesbrough.

    Editor's Note: Private John Thomas Hyde. 20765. served with the 12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mary Jane Goodchild; husband of Dorothy Jane Hyde, of 1, Cook St., Middlesbrough. The 1911 census gives his address as 4 Dalbys Place, Richmond Street, Middlesbrough - John Thomas Hyde (30) General labourer iron worker, Dorothy Jane (27) wife, John Thomas 8 mths son, Emily Isabel 3 daughter. Born and enlisted in Middlesbrough, he died 26th November 1917. Aged 36. John died of wounds and is buried in Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extention.

    Graham Hyde




    215123

    Cpl. John Tait Coghill 1st/7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th May 1915)

    <p>

    John Tait Coghill was aged 24 when he died on 11th May 1915, whilst serving with the 1st/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Born in Jarrow he was the son of Joseph and Margaret Coghill of 43 Stratford Road, Heaton, Newcastle. The 1911 census lists him as; John Tait Coghill age 20 Railway Clerk living with his parents Joseph and Margaret Coghill and family at 92 Bolingbroke Street, Heaton, Newcastle He enlisted in Alnwick.

    John is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215122

    James Cochrane

    James Cochrane is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) Jarrow. Can anyone provide any further information?

    Vin Mullen




    215121

    Gnr. William Cleminson 147th Bde Royal Field Artillery (d.16th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    William Cleminson was aged 34 when he died on 16th April 1915, whilst serving with 147th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Born in Stockton, he was the son of John and Mary Jane Cleminson. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    William is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215120

    Pte. William Clark 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    William Clark was aged 22 when he died on 1st July 1916 whilsts erving with the 21st Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. Born in Jarrow he was the s on of William and Mary Ann Clark (nee Welsh). The 1911 census records him as William Clark age 17 House Painter and Decorator is with his parents William and Mary Ann Clark and family at Campbell Park Road, Hebburn. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    William has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215119

    Pte. William Clark 1st Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.31st Aug 1914)

    William Clark was aged 24 when he died on 31st August 1914 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry in India. He was born and lived in Jarrow and enlisted in Newcastle. William Clark age 20 a Clerk at Steelworks is recorded as living with his widowed mother Mary Ann Clark and family at 48 Northbourne Road, Jarrow on the 1911 census. He was the son of Mary Ann Clark (nee Watson) and late William Clark of Jarrow.

    William is remembered on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate) and is buried in Nowshera Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215118

    Pte. Thomas Clark 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Thomas Clark died at the age of 26. Born in Jarrow, he lived in Berwick and enlisted in Edinburgh. Thomas Clark age 22 Shop Assistant recorded as living with his widowed father William Clark and sister at 12 Blakewell Road, Tweedmouth on the 1911 census.

    Thomas is buried in Grand-Seraucourt British Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215117

    Pte. George Thomas Clark 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd Jul 1916)

    <p>

    George Thomas Clark served with 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra Princess of Wale's Own). He was the son of George King Clark and Jane Ann Railton (formerly Clark nee Grieves). On the 1911 census he is recorded as George Thomas Clark age 18 Colliery Screener at Hebburn Pit living with his widowed stepfather Robert Railton and family at 3 Derby Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. He was born in 1893, lived and enlisted in Jarrow.

    George died aged 23 on 23rd July 1916 and is buried in Plymouth (Efford) Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215113

    Pte. James Clark 155th Btn (d.27th Aug 1916)

    James Clark was aged 43 when he died on 27th August 1916, whilst serving with the 155th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He was the son of William and Isabella Clark (nee Reed) of 17 Beaumont Terrace, Jarrow and husband of Mary Jane Clark of 2795 Front Street, Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Born South Shields, he enlisted in Canada.

    James is buried in Bellville Cemetery. Canada.

    Vin Mullen




    215112

    Gnr. Charles Bramley Chrisp 59th Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.11th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Bramley Chrisp was born around 1893 and lived in Jarrow. Son of John and Rachel Chrisp (nee Bramley) of Jarrow. He is recorded as Charles Bramley Chrisp age 17 Apprentice Coppersmith in Shipyard living with his parents John and Rachel Chrisp and family at 66 Croft Terrace, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Charles served with 59th Brigade "A" Battery Royal Field Artillery, he was aged 22 when he died on 11th September 1915 fighting in Gallipoli. He is buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Turkey and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215085

    Rfmn. William Frederick Probets 15th Bn. London Regiment (d.1st Sep 1918)

    William Probets is a relative on my fathers side I am trying to find out all I can about him, can anyone point me in the right direction?

    Victor Probets




    215084

    Gnr. Isaac Chisholm 50th Trench Mortar Bty Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    Isaac Chisholm was aged 23 when he died on 10th February 1916 whilst serving with the 50th Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Son of the late Andrew and Frances Chisholm of Jarrow, he is recorded on the 1911 census as; Isaac Chisholm age 19 Factory Machine Man at Ropeworks is lodging at 22 Nixon Street, Jarrow. He was born and enlisted in Jarrow.

    Issac is buried in Vlammertinghe Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215083

    William C. Charlton 19th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Nov 1916)

    William Charlton served with the 19th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and died age 27 on the 29th November 1916. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and is buried at Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery Arras. He was the son of William and S Charlton and husband of Emily Charlton of 24 Bladen Street, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215082

    P. C. Charlton

    P. C. Charlton is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. Can anyone provide further details?

    Vin Mullen




    215081

    Spr. Charles William Page 228th Field Coy Royal Engineers (d.25th Mar 1918)

    Charles Page was my grandfather, he is buried in Beaulencourt British Cemetery. He and my grandmother wrote to each other during his time away We have these in the family, I have transcribed these as they are hard to read.

    Teresa Heselden




    215080

    Pte. Philip Charles Charlton 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Nov 1916)

    Philip Charles Charlton died aged 27, on 26th November 1916 whilst serving with the 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Philip Charles Charlton age 21 General Labourer at Steelworks is recorded as living with his widowed father William Charlton and family at 3 Lord Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. Born in Felling, Durham, he lived and enlisted in Jarrow, son of William F. and Sarah A. Charlton. He was the husband of Emily Charlton of 24 Bladen Street Jarrow.

    Philip is buried in Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery. Arras. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215079

    Pte James Younger Charlton 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    James Younger Charlton was aged 20 when he died on 26th August 1918 at Seaham Harbour, he was serving with the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was the son of Mary Jane Charlton of 28 Newmarch Street Jarrow and the late William Charlton. James Younger Charlton age 12 at School is recorded as living with his parents William and Mary Jane Charlton and family at 32 Newmarch Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. He was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow.

    James is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215054

    Gnr. William Worthington Royal Field Artillery

    Many years ago I was given a first world war medal of a man who lived in my street. I've kept this for around 40 years and with the anniversary of WW1 this year thought to look up this man's record. I've the British War Medal and inscribed on it is; 267937 GNR W. Worthington R.A.

    William Worthington, Gunner 267937, served with the Royal Field Artillery during WW1 and it appears he may have served with 321st Brigade. He was awarded the War and Victory Medals.

    Gordon Harrison




    215053

    Pte. George Charlton Labour Corps

    <p>

    George Charlton was aged 33 when he died on 25th January 1921. He served with the Labour Corps. Born and living in Jarrow, he was the husband of Mary Charlton of 55 Charles Street Jarrow. George is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215052

    Rfm. Charles Henry Chapman 18th Btn London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) (d.20th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Henry Chapman was aged 21 when he died on 20th January 1917, whilst serving with the 18th Battalion London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) (formerly 4532 4th Buffs). Born in Jarrow, he lived and enlisted Ash, Canterbury. Charles Henry Chapman age 15 is recroded as Working for Builder and living with his parents John Henry and Maria Chapman at Ash, Canterbury on the 1911 census.

    Charles is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    215051

    Rifleman Harry Sullivan 16th Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.26th Jun 1917)

    Harry Sullivan served with the 16th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. Hewas born in 1897 in Islington, London to James Dennis Sullivan and Sarah Jane Sullivan, of 2, Wilton St., New North Rd., Islington, London. He died aged 20.

    Harry, like so many of his generation, joined up and died before he was 20. The family wish there was more to add, but his name should be remembered, along with the names of those with whom he trained, fought and died.

    E Rothman




    215050

    Pte. George Edward Romer 2nd Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.25th March 1915)

    George Edward Romer served with the 2nd Battalion East Surrey Regiment. Born 1883 in Hoxton Middlesex he was the son of Wilhelm August Romer and Mary Ann Romer nee. Metheringham. He married Elizabeth Dumphy in 1904 and had 3 daughters and one son. Elizabeth was living at 2, Russell Rd., South Tottenham, London at the time of George's death.

    George was killed in action on 25th March 1915 and is buried inDickebusch New Military Cemetery, Belgium.





    215036

    Pte. Alfred Marshall Chapman 1st Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.2nd Mar 1916)

    <p>

    Alfred Marshall Chapman was aged 18 when he died on 2nd March 1916 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own). Alfred Marshall Chapman age 13 at School is recorded as living with his parents Robert and Annie Chapman and family at 19 Elm Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. Born in Leeds, he lived and enlisted Jarrow.

    Alfred is buried in Spoilbank Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215035

    Pte. Thomas Chambers 19th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.24th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Chambers was aged 30 when he died on 24th August 1916 whilst serving with the 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Son of William and Mary Chambers, he was born and enlisted in Jarrow.

    Thomas is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215029

    A/Cpl. Richard Smith Gordon 8th (Service) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.21st Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Richard Smith Gordon was the son of Jane E Cook (formerly Gordon) of 62 Monkton Road, Jarrow. He was born and lived in Jarrow. Richard, aged 17, general labour and is with his mother, Jane E Cook and brother living at 346 High St, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Richard enlisted in Wallsend with the Northumberland Fusiliers Regiment. He was serving with the 8th (Service) York and Lancaster Regiment when died aged 23 on 21st October 1917. He is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial andis commemorated on the Triptych in St Paul's Church, Jarrow and by Jarrow Shipbuilders.

    Vin Mullen




    215025

    L/Cpl. Thomas Cuthbertson Gold 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.15th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    L/Cpl Thomas Cutherbertson Gold was the son of late Thomas C and Jane Gold (Allardice) of 30 Richardland Road, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Born in Kilmarnock on December 1st 1891. England and Wales census 1911 states he was a Boarder and working as an engine fitter. He enlisted in Jarrow. In August 1914, he received an appointment as draughtsman with Messrs Palmer & Co, Shipbuilders, Jarrow.

    Thomas died aged 24 on 15th October 1915 and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel.

    Vin Mullen




    215015

    Sto. David Kininment Glass HMS Pembroke (d.11th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    David Glass was born 1868 in Jarrow and died on 11 July 1915 aged 43 (though his real age was 46) whilst serving at HMS Pembroke, in Medway. He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. He was son of late George and Elisa Glass and husband of Rachel Glass (nee Breeds) of 98 Walter Street, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    215008

    Sgt. John Gilhooley MM. 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Mar 1916)

    John Gilhooley, aged 36, died at Arras on 28 March 1916. He was born and enlisted in Jarrow and was the son of the late Patrick and Ann Gilhooley. John is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    215002

    Eng.S.Lt. Edwin Gidney HMS Empress of Russia (d.10th June 1915)

    Edwin Gidney, aged 38, died on 10 June 1915. He was born and lived in Jarrow. He was son of Charles and Isabella (nee Aitcheson). The England and Wales Census 1911 states he was aged 34 and a boarder living at 16 Hanby Road, Bootle and his occupation listed as a refrigerating engineer for cold meat stores. Edwin is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214999

    Pte. William Riddel Gibson 9th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.29th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    William Riddel Gibson, aged 23, died on 29 September 1918 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery. He was born in Heppburn, son of Charlton and the late Agnes Gibson (nee Russell) of Prince of Wales Hotel Jarrow. On his War Medal card it states he also served with Northumberland Fusiliers. Service No: 422. England and Wales Census 1911 states he was aged 16 and a pupil to an architect. His father, Charlton was aged 46 and a widower who was a licensed victualler and was born in Tantobie, Langfield Parish, Durham.

    Vin Mullen




    214998

    Frmn. John Walter Gibson Middlesborough SS Hazelwood (d.19th Oct 1917)

    John William Gibson, Merchant Seaman, aged 35, died on 19 October 1917 at sea on the SS Hazelwood. He was the son of John William and Elizabeth Gibson (nee Brown) of 4 Ernest Street, Jarrow. He was born and lived in Jarrow. On the England and Wales Census 1911, John William was aged 28 and worked as a marine stoker. his father John, aged 51 was a Drapery Pedlar and was born in Liverpool. His mother, Elizabeth, aged 49, was born in South Shields.

    John is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214997

    Dvr. Robert Chambers 29th Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Oct 1915)

    Robert Chambers Died on 23rd October 1915 aged 18. He died at sea whilst serving with 29th Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery. It is likely that Robert was aboard the SS Marquette, which was being used as a troop carrier and also as the No 1 Stationary Hospital. 10 officers and 439 other ranks of the Ammunition Column of the British 29th Division were aboard. The total ship's complement was 741. The Marquette was torpedoed and sank in the Aegian Sea by the SM U-35 German U-Boat. 167 lives were lost

    Robert was the son of Harry William and Elizabeth Chambers (nee Murray). On the 1911 census he is listed as Robert Chambers age 15 Driver underground in Boldon Colliery is with his parents Harry William and Elizabeth Chambers and family at 4 Primrose Hill, Jarrow Born in Jarrow, he had enlisted in Portsmouth.

    Robert is remembered on the Mikra Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214996

    Cpl. Thomas Chalmers 4th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps. (d.25th May 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas Chalmers aged 24, died on 25th May 1915 whilst serving wit the 4th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. Born in Jarrow in 1891, son of David And Mary Chalmers. He lived in Newcastle and enlisted in Sunderland. On the 1911 census., he is listed as Thomas Chalmers age 21 single. Rifleman, 4th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, born Jarrow.

    Thomas is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214995

    Pte. James Cavanagh 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Mar 1918)

    James Cavanagh was aged 19 when he died on 21st March 1918 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Born Widnes Cheshire, he ived and enlisted in Jarrow. He was the son of John and Annie Cavanagh (nee Haggerty) of 6 Stead Street Jarrow.

    James is remembered on the Arras Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214994

    Matthew Carter (d.15th June 1915)

    <p>Memorial Palmer's ship yard

    Matthew Carter was a Ship Fitter at Palmers shipyard and was aged 55 when died on Tuesday 15th June 1915 in an air raid. Born at Fatfield, Durham in 1860 he was the son of William and Jane Carter and husband of Caroline Carter (nee Fairgrieve) of Jarrow.

    Matthew is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. He was commemorated on the Triptych (left panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    214993

    Pte. James Thew Caskey 22nd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    James Thew Caskey was 45 years old when he died of wounds on 9th April 1917 whilst serving with the 22nd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers Born in Westoe, South Shields, he lived in Jarrow. He was the son of William and Rose Ann Caskey and wife of Elizabeth Robson Caskey (nee Lillico.) He enlisted in Wallsend.

    James is buried in Bailleul Road East Cemetery. St. Laurent-Blangy. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214992

    Mjr. William David Carswell-Hunt MC. 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.5th Apr 1917)

    William David Carswell-Hunt served with the 6th and 7th Battalions Durham Light Infantry and died age 44 on the 5th April 1917. He is buried in St. Pol Communal Cemetery Extension.

    William was born in Kirkaldy, Fife, husband of Margaret A. Carswell-Hunt of 30 Henry Street Jarrow. William David Carswell-Hunt age 39 Manager of Botanic Brewing is with his wife Margaret A. Carswell-Hunt and family at 24 Hunter Street, South Shields on the 1911 census.

    Vin Mullen




    214991

    Pte. Thomas Caroll 13th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    Thomas Caroll, enlisted in Alexandria and served with the 13th Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), (formerly 23860 Royal Scots Fusiliers). Thomas was born in Jarrow, son of the late Mary Ann Carroll and lived in Bonhill, Dumbartonshire. He died age 45 on the 22nd August 1917. He is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214990

    Pte. Arthur Millen 22nd Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Jul 1915)

    My great uncle was Arthur Millen, born in Rainham in 1896. He moved to London in 1905 and lived in Dennets Road, New Cross. Arthur enlisted in the 22nd London Regiment in 1914 and was in training in St. Albans when the war broke out. Prior to leaving for France, Arthur married Ethell Newland from Bermondsey who was carrying the child he would never see. He arrived in Le Havre in March 1915.

    Arthur was killed on the 8th July 1915, aged 19 According to the War Diarys Arthur was laying a communication trench when he was killed. He is buried in Fosse 7 War Cemetery in Mazengarbe. We visited his grave in 2011 to pay our respects. As we approach the anniversary of the great war we should reflect on the sacrifice Arthur and the millions of others who layed down there lives for this country.

    Alan Affleck




    214989

    Pte. Thomas Richard Rogers 14th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Aug 1916)

    Thomas Rogers was my great uncle and came from Cardiff to join his brother in York. The 1911 Census states Thomas was living at 141 Monkton Terrace York with his brother Christopher and family and was employed as a Railway Labourer. Born in 1885, the son of Mr. J. and Mrs. C. Rogers, of 18, Salisbury Rd., Cathays, Cardiff he was the husband of Maggie Rogers, of The Green, Acomb, York. He served with the 14th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and died of his wounds aged 26 on 1st August 1916.

    An Extract from the South Wales Daily news reads as follows: Soldier and Vocalist: News has reached Cardiff of the death from wounds of Pte T.R.Rogers of the Northumberland Fusiliers, a Cardiff boy He went to York about ten years ago where he was employed as an Electrician. He joined the Army about eight months ago and married a month later. He was a vocalist of considerable attainment and while in Cardiff was a member of the Canton Male Voice Choir.

    J. Read




    214988

    Pte. Edward Carroll 2nd Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    <p>

    Edward Carroll was aged 20 when he died on 24th May 1915 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was born, enlisted and lived Jarrow, son of Thomas and Mary Jane Carroll of Jarrow. On the 1911 census Edward Carroll age 15 Apprentice Moulder in Iron Foundry is living with his parents Thomas and Mary Jane Carroll and family at 30 Lord Street, Jarrow

    Edward is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214966

    Pte. Charles Carr 6th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.21st Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Carr aged 19, died on 21st August 1915 whilst serving with the 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. He was born and lived Hebburn, son of Arthur and Mary Carr (nee Dunn). On the 1911 census Charles Carr age 14, Platers Marker in Shipyard is listed as living with his parents Arthur and Mary Carr at Hebburn. He enlisted in Wallsend.

    Charles is remembered on the Helles Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214955

    Pte. Frederick A. Caulfield 75th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.29th Aug 1916)

    Frederick Caulfield's name is recorded on the Yalding War Memorial and he was the only son of William and Alice Maddocks who worked in Gravelly Ways and lived in Queen Street, Paddock Wood.

    Michael Rusbridge




    214954

    Pte. John Patterson 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    <p>

    John Patterson served in the 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) and was killed in action on the 23rd April 1917 aged 27. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Monchy British Cemetery, Monchy-le-Preux. His medal card shows the award of the British War and Victory Medals.

    He was born in Jarrow, son of William Joseph and Mary Patterson nee Moore. The 1911 census shows the family living at 11 Walter Street, Jarrow; William J Patterson (57) head of family - general labourer in shipyard. Mary (47) his wife of 29 years. John (20) son, single - general labourer in shipyard. Joseph W (18) son, single, apprentice plater in shipyard. James Moir (16) son, single, general labourer in shipyard. George (14) son, single, rivet catcher in shipyard. Mary (12) daughter - school. Edith (8) daughter - school.

    Vin Mullen




    214953

    James Patrick HMS Aboukir (d.22nd Sep 1914)

    <p>

    James Patrick served in the Royal Naval Reserve and was assigned to HMS Aboukir an old Cressy class Armoured Cruiser. He died on the 22nd September 1914 when it was sunk by a German U-boat. His body was not recovered and he is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph(among the names added after completion) and Chatham Naval Memorial.

    He was born in Jarrow on the 30th Jun 1886 son of Andrew and Jane Patrick. He was married on the 27th Dec 1913 to Florence Jeffreys whose address is given as 437 Hawthorne St., Bootle, Liverpool. In the 1891 and 1901 census he is living with his parents Andrew and Jane Patrick at 97 and 105 Tyne Street respectively. In 1901 his father Andrew (57) is a boiler rivetter in the shipyard and James (14) is an apprentice rivetter. I cannot find the entries in the 1911 census.

    Vin Mullen




    214952

    Pte. James Walters 9th Battalion Notts & Derby Regt (Sherwood Forresters) (d.9th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Pte. James Walters, born 1900 in Nottingham. Son of James and Hannah Gertrude Walters, of 62, Vernon Avenue, Old Basford, Nottingham Enlisted aged 15 and was posted to the Machine Gun Company of the 9th Service Battalion, Notts & Derby Regt.

    He sailed with the Battalion from Liverpool in early July 1915 for Gallipoli, landing at Suvla Bay 7 August 1915. He was then evacuated from Gallipoli in December 1915 and moved to Egypt via Imbros.

    The Machine Gun Company was detached from the Battalion and attached to the 8th Battalion the South Staffs Regiment who went into action in August 1916 in the bitterly contested battle for Devils Wood (Delville Wood) He was killed along with 2 comrades by a trench mortar shell and buried on the battlefield by comrades He was exhumed post war and re-buried in the Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval. James was 16 years 11 Months when he was killed

    Dave Hopkin




    214951

    Andrew Patrick

    <p>

    Andrew Patrick son of the late John Patrick and Elizabeth Patrick nee Mackey was born at Hebburn on the 27th September 1892. He is remembered on the Hebburn Shipyard section of the Palmer Cenotaph. In the 1911 census Elizabeth aged 57, widow, is living at 7 Patrick Place, Hebburn Colliery and her occupation is shown as Shopkeeper Off Door Beer License. Her son John (31) is also shown as such. Andrew, aged 18, is an apprentice carpenter at the shipyard and his older brother Matthew Mackey Patrick (20) is an engineer at the shipyard. George (Price?) Patrick the youngest son (17) is recorded as a student. Also living at this address is the oldest son William (35) - occupation Postman - and his wife of 10 years, Frances Patrick, aged 29, with their two children, John aged 9 and Mary aged 4.

    Update: Subject to further searches I have found: Marriage to Elizabeth Thompson - Jul:Sep 1915 South Shields Durham Vol. 10a page 1513. Merchant Seaman: ID 336058 Dis.A no. 717911 Death in Oct:Dec 1918 South Shields Durham Vol. 10A Page 1834.

    Vin Mullen




    214950

    Brib-Gen. Frederick Gordon Spring DSO, MID. 11th Battalion Essex Regiment

    Frederick Spring had been commissioned into the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment in May 1898. During the First World War, he initially served with that regiment in the Gallipoli Campaign.

    Between June 1916 and September 1918 he commanded the 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment, and led them in battles such as the Somme and Cambrai (1917). He subsequently commanded the 33rd Infantry Brigade during the last months of the war. Spring was Mentioned in Dispatches five times over the course of the war.

    Jack Galloway




    214943

    Rfmn. Thomas Carling 13th Btn Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Carling was 18 years old when he died on 1st July 1916, whilst serving with the 13th Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) He was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow, son of Thomas and Margaret Carling of Jarrow. on the 1911 census he is listed as Thomas Carling age 13 at School is with his parents Thomas and Margaret Carling and family at 9 Burns Street, Jarrow . His older brother George was also one of the fallen (they both died on the Somme on the same day)

    Thomas is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214942

    Pte. George Carling 25th (Tyneside Irish) Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    George Carling was aged 32 when he died on 1st July 1916 whilst serving with the 25th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers. Born and living in Jarrow, he enlisted in Sunderland. Son of Thomas and Margaret Carling of Jarrow, he was the husband of Ellen Mallen (formerly Carling nee McNally) of 81 Commercial Road Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as George Carling widower age 27 General Labourer in Shipyard is with his parents Thomas and Margaret Carling and family at 9 Burns Street, Jarrow. His first wife Hannah Carling (nee Woodhouse) died in 1904. His younger brother Thomas Carling was also one of the fallen.

    George is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214930

    Rfmn. Joseph Craig McCullough 9th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Craig McCullough, Rifleman 15241, served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles and was killed in action on the 1st July 1916. Fought to the death with the other brave men from West Belfast Lest We Forget.....

    Terry McCullough




    214924

    Rfmn. William John Campbell 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    William Campbell's family knew that he had been killed long before they had been informed by the war office. A neighbour, unknown, was home on leave and had been beside William when he died in France. I would love to know more.

    Tony Douglas




    214923

    Stoker J. Cape

    J. Cape served as a Stoker and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214922

    Pte. James Cann 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.25th May 1918)

    James Cann served with 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (formerly 9254 Training Reserve). Aged 18 when he died on 25th May 1918, he was born in Jarrow and lived in Chester Le Street. On the 1911 census he is recorded as James Cann age 12 at School living with his parents Sydney and Elizabeth Cann and family at Red House Farm Cottages, Jarrow. John enlisted in enlisted Newcastle. John is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214921

    Pte. Robert Dixon Canham 1/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.11th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Dixon Canham aged 35, died on 11th April 1918 whilst serving with the 1/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow. He was the son of George and Isabella Canham and husband of Margaret Canham (nee Purvis) of 3 Randolph Street Jarrow.

    Robert is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial and was commemorated on the Triptych (right panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    214920

    Pte. John Edward Quin 18th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John Edward Quin enlisted on the 16th October 1914 at Newcastle. He was 19 years old and a grocer by occupation. John joined the 18th Battalion (Tyneside Pioneers) the Northumberland Fusiliers and died on the 15th October 1918 - age 21. His medal card shows an entitlement to the British War and Victory Medals but does not show a qualifying date.

    A further search of military records show that he served as a private in Home and France theatres. He was recommended for a commission and transferred from 14th Dec 1917 as a Cadet and eventually to No 2 Aerial Fighting School at Marske where he died in an aero training accident. I think by the date of his death he may be the 2/Lt J.E. Quin buried at Hebburn Cemetery and is commemorated at St Paul's Church.

    Vin Mullen




    214917

    Gnr. Joseph Campbell 4th (Northumberland) Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Campbell was aged 23 when he died on 25th April 1916 whilst serving with the 4th (Northumberland) Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Born and living Jarrow, he was the son of Eliza Forrester (formerly Campbell) and Samuel Forrester (stepfather) of 249 High Street Jarrow, his late father was John Campbell. On the 1911 census he is listed as Joseph Campbell age 19 Rivet Heater in Shipyard is with his mother Eliza Forrester (formerly Campbell) and his stepfather Samuel Forrester with their respective families at 249 High Street, Jarrow.

    Joseph is buried in Dranoutre Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) Jarrow and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214907

    Pte. James Quinn 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.14th Sep 1914)

    <p>

    Private James Quinn enlisted in Jarrow, served in the 2nd Battalion the King's Own Scottish Borderers and died on the 14th September 1914. He is remembered at the Jarrow Library and Crouy-Vauxrot French National Cemetery, Cruoy.B.3.

    His medal card shows his award of the 1914 Star, British War and Victory Medals. There is also a mention of a clasp but no further details. He was killed in action very early in the war in all probability during the retreat from Mons as the 5th Division were heavily involved.

    James was the son of Mr and Mrs James Quinn of 78 Stephenson St. Willington Quay, North Shields. He was married to Emmeline M Quinn nee Ryan of 495 Willington Street, Felling.

    Update: He is also remembered in the Book of Remembrance At Edinburgh Castle. He had a daughter Mary Constance.

    Vin Mullen




    214897

    Sgt. John Campbell 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.15th Oct 1918)

    John Campbell served with the 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. At the age of 45 he died on 15th October 1918. He was born in Jarrow and lived in Blaydon. On the 1911 census he is recorded as John Campbell age 38 Coke Yard Labourer on Coke Production is with his wife Mary Campbell and adopted son at 24 Pioneer Street, Blaydon. John enlisted in Prudhoe. He is buried in Blaydon (St. Cuthbert. Stella) Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214895

    Rflmn. William Gerald Stratton 6th Battalion. "D"Coy. London Regiment(City of London Rifles) (d.24th July 1918)

    In October 1916 Gerald Stratton was in No.8 Camp Hospital Sutton Veny, Warminster, Wiltshire. In a letter to sister he wrote - "I am getting on fine now. I still have a fat face but there is no pain." He mentioned having visited cousins in Bath and said - "I was glad to get out of the hospital as there was not much life there, and they would not let you smoke in the ward so I was four days without a smoke".

    Barbara Iggulden




    214894

    Cpl. John Edward Quigley 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    John Edward Quigley Corporal 10586 enlisted at Newburn and served in the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 25th February 1916 aged 25. He is buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery

    John Edward Quigley was born in Jarrow 1890 (known as Eddy to those who knew him) Son of Hugh and Ann Quigley (nee Long) of 53 Coniston Avenue, Newburn. On the 1911 census he is 20 years old, single and working as a labourer in a steelworks. He is living at 17 Victoria Terrace, Newburn. With his father Hugh aged 56 His mother Ann aged 50 having been married for 22 years. John has two brothers Patrick Clement (18) and Hugh (13) There are two sisters Mary Josephine (15) and Margaret Ann (8) John's uncle James Quigley (36) is a boarder with the family.

    Vin Mullen




    214893

    L/Cpl Frank Herbert Phipps 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.13 April 1918)

    Frank Phipps, the son of Mr and Mrs Frederick Phipps of Cowley, Oxford, was an 18 year old electrician when he signed on with the Coldstream Guards in October 1916. After completing basic training at Caterham, he was posted with the 3rd Battalion to France in May 1917. He died of a 'penetrating wound to the chest' sustained at the Battle of Hazebrouck on 13 April 1918. He died in 13 General Hospital, BEF, Boulogne, France, and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    'He Fought for King and Country and Died a Hero's Death' is the inscription on his memorial headstone.

    Adrian Newton




    214892

    Spr. Hugh Campbell 1st/2nd Durham Fortress Coy. Royal Engineers (d.24th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Hugh Campbell was aged 31 when he died on 24th July 1916 whilst serving with the 1st/2nd Durham Fortress Coy. Royal Engineers. He was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow, the son of William and Elizabeth Campbell of Jarrow. Hugh Campbell age 25 Steel Works Furnaceman is recorded as living with with his widowed mother Elizabeth Campbell and family at 87 Buddle Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Hugh is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214890

    James Wyatt George 506 Field Coy Royal Engineers

    My grandfather Jimmy Wyatt got 7 days CC (Confined to Camp) under close arrest for being 1 hour late returning from leave. Never met him as he died before I was born, but everything I have learned about him tells me he was well turned out, punctual and very strict, so to find out that he was late surprised me greatly.

    Andrew James George




    214889

    C/Eng. John Cameron SS Whorlton (d.20th Jan 1918)

    John Cameron was the Chief Engineer onboard the S.S. Whorlton (West Hartlepool) with the Mercantile Marine. He was aged 56 when he died on 20th January 1918. Born in Dundee, John lived in Jarrow where he worked in Palmer Shipyard, before the war. On the 1911 census he is listed as John Cameron age 52 Marine Engineer on Steamships is with his daughter Eliza Gall Thirkell (nee Cameron) and family at 35 St. Marys Terrace, South Shields. He was the husband of Mrs. Cameron, of 18 Dulverton Avenue Stanhope Road, South Shields. John is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214887

    Pte. Harold Eccleston Arthur Victor Nuttall 9th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.30th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    My great uncle Harold Nuttall was born on 30th June 1883 in Haslingden, Lancashire. His parents were James Thomas Kay Nuttall and Isabella Eccleston, he was one of 10 children. He enlisted in Lancashire Fusiliers but have no idea when. The only record I have of him is that he died on 30 September 1918 and is buried Chapel Corner Cemetery, Sauchy-Lestree. Would really like to know where he fought and how he died. Did he take part in the Battle of the Somme ??

    Editor's Note: Sauchy-Lestrée was captured by the 56th (London) Division on 27th September 1918 and the cemetery was made and used by fighting units during the following five weeks.

    Clive Nuttall




    214886

    Pte. Angus Cameron 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.20th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Angus Cameron of the 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was the son of the late James and Elizabeth Cameron of Jarrow. Born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census Angus Cameron age 25 Labourer in Shipyard is listed as living with his parents James and Elizabeth Cameron and family at 13 Lord Street, Jarrow.

    Angus died aged 32 on 20th July 1917 and is buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214885

    Bdr. William Nicholson Royal Field Artillery (d.15th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Bombardier William Nicholson served with the Royal Field Artillery and died on the 15th October 1918. He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    He was born at Jarrow in 1888, the son of James and Margaret Nicholson (nee Foster). The 1911 census show the family living at 12 Spencer Street, Hebburn Colliery. His father,James, is 48 and a coal mines shifter whose wife of 23 years is Margaret aged 44 years. William is 19 and a coal mines putter. His two sisters are Hannah, who is 20 and single, and Elizabeth, 19 and married for 10 months. Her married name is Poole and she has a daughter also called Elizabeth who is 9 months old.

    Vin Mullen




    214884

    Spr. John Edward Niddrie Tyne Electrical Engineers Royal Engineers

    <p>John Edward Niddrie Medal Index Card

    John Edward Niddrie, Sapper 412 attested on the 26th February 1912 and joined Tyne Electrical Engineers. Royal Engineers at Cliffords Fort in North Shields. He was 17 years and 6 months old and a Marine Plumber with Northumberland Shipbuilding. He also became a highly qualified Electrical and Telephone Engineer during his military service.

    His service record shows the following postings: 4th Mar 1912 to 4th Aug 1914 Home Service in reserve, 5th Aug 1914 to 20th Aug 1915 Home Service embodied (mobilized), 21st Aug 1915 to 30th Aug 1916 France and Flanders embodied, 1st Sep 1916 to 14th April 1917 Home Service. From the 9th September until his release on 14th April 1917 he was on Civilian Employment attachment to Northumberland Shipbuilders due to his marine electrical and plumbing abilities and his earlier employment with them.

    He was born in Jarrow on the 8th July 1894 and his parents were Robert Hutchin and Isabella Neddrie (nee Linsley) He married Margaret Blenkey in Gateshead on the 1st September 1917.

    He re-enlisted on a 90 day emergency service agreement on the 12th April 1921 with his old unit TEE-RE with Service No. 465105. At that time he was living at 4 Orchard Place, Dunston-on-Tyne with his wife Margaret and their two young sons, Robert Hutchin, b 29th Oct 1919 and John William, b 4th April 1918. John Edward Niddrie is recorded as having died during the quarter Oct - Dec 1922.(Gateshead Records)

    Triptych (left panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    214883

    Pte. John Thomas Calvert 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Jul 1916)

    <p>John Thomas Calvert's Medal Index Card

    John Thomas Calvert was aged 26 when he died on 18th July 1916 whilst serving with the 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Born in Sunderland he lived in Jarrow and enlisted in Barnard Castle. He was the son of John and Isabella Calvert of 50 Albion Street Jarrow.

    John is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214882

    Pte. Edmund Callaghan 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th Jun 1915)

    <p>Edmund Callaghan Medal Index Card

    Edmund Callaghan died on 15th June 1915 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra Princess of Wales's Own). Born in Jarrow, he lived in South Shields and enlisted in Sunderland. Edmund is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214881

    Pte. John James Nurse 21st Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    John James Nurse, Private 27/540 enlisted at Newcastle and served in the 21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He died, age 43, on the 10th September 1917 and is buried in at Hargicourt British Cemetery.

    He was married to Ellen Nurse nee McGuiness of 16 Glen Street, Hebburn New Town. The 1911 census shows the family living at 26 William Street, Hebburn consisting of: James Nurse, age 62, copper worker, born in Weybourne, Norfolk. Sarah Nurse, age 56, born in Jarrow. John James, age 34, general labourer, born in Jarrow. Hugh age 22, Platers helper in shipyard, born in Jarrow Robert, age 20, carpenters labourer in shipyard, born in Jarrow. Joseph, age 26, born in Hebburn and Peter, age 7, school, born in Hebburn.

    Vin Mullen




    214880

    Pte. David Caine 17th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.30th July 1916)

    <p>David Caine Medal Index Card

    David Caine was serving with the 17th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) when died on 30th July 1916. He was born in Jarrow, lived in Huddersfield and enlisted in Leeds.

    David is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214879

    Pte. John Noon 22nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th June 1918)

    John Noon enlisted at Newcastle, served in the 22nd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) the Northumberland Fusiliers and died of wounds on the 5th June 1918 aged 46. He is remembered in St Paul's Church and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.

    He was born in Edinburgh, son of James and Maria Noon. In the 1911 census he is single, age 37, living with his widowed mother Maria aged 69 who was born in Longford, Ireland. He is working as a shipyard labourer. Also living there are his younger brother Patrick, single, aged 28 (a rope manufacturer by trade) and his younger sister Ann, single, 21, working as a warehouse woman. Both Patrick and Ann were born in Sunderland.

    Vin Mullen




    214864

    Robert Thomas Nixon (d.15th June 1915)

    <p>Site of where previous Palmer Shipyard was in Jarrow

    Robert Thomas Nixon was a Fitter and Turner working in the Palmer Shipyard and was killed during a Zeppelin attack on the shipyard and other Industrial targets. He died on the 15th June 1915 aged 32.

    Robert was born in Hexham 1832, the son of Robert and Mary Ann Nixon nee Scott. He was married to Bernetta Nixon nee Bennett. In the 1911 census Robert is single, aged 28, living with his elderly father also Robert aged 71 and his older sister Sarah Ann who is 43 single and a dressmaker. There is also a boarder Annie Sinclair 58 and single. Robert himself is working as a mechanical turner in a steelworks.

    Memorial Plaque that was in the Palmer Shipyard Jarrow

    Vin Mullen




    214863

    Gnr. James Edward "Jim" Southren 37th Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.6th Nov 1918)

    James Edward Southren was the half brother of my maternal grandmother Kate Adelaide Appleby (nee Southren). Jim was born in Sunderland, Co. Durham in 1894, the first son of James Bell Southren and Kate Adelaide Taylor, who had married in 1893. His mother died the following year at the age of 23.

    James Bell Southren was a ship's engineer and was often away at sea so Jim was bought up by James Bell's brother, Edward and his wife Elizabeth.

    In 1895 James Bell met and married Ann Cansfield. Together they had six children, Sam, Thomas, Kate, Charlotte, Sid and Sarah. James had a good relationship with his half brothers and sisters although he continued to live with Edward and Elizabeth for the rest of his life. When he left school, probably age 14 or younger, he went to work at Wearmouth Colliery, where he became an apprentice blacksmith.

    When the First World War started, in 1914, Jim volunteered and his enrolment papers show his occupation as “Blacksmith's Striker”. After attesting Jim would have undergone basic training and somewhere around 18th November 1914 he would have been sent to No.1 Depot at Newhaven. It is likely he was first sent to a home company before being posted to the 37th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery. He would then have been trained for duties as a Gunner. By August 1915 his unit was based at Lydd where they underwent further training on the 6inch howitzers with which the 37th was equipped. The battery had 4 horse drawn 6inch howitzers, each weighing 30cwt.

    The battery was then sent to Devonport to await departure to Egypt on 15th December 1915. They arrived at Port Said on 29th December 1915. On arrival they joined the 32nd Heavy Artillery Brigade. As they were officially in a Theatre of War when they arrived in Egypt they became eligible for the 1914-15 Star campaign medal.

    After 4 months in Egypt the brigade were sent to Alexandria for embarkation to Marseille on 8th April 1916. They arrived in Marseille on 15th April 1916 and were immediately transported to the Western Front, where they stayed until the end of the war. In December 1917 they were transferred to the 59th Heavy Artillery Brigade, part of the 2nd Army. The battery was increased to 6 x 6inch howitzers in August 1918, with 1 section from the 510th Siege Battery being transferred in.

    On 6th November 1918, just 5 days before the Armistice came into effect, Jim was killed. The War Diary for the 59th Brigade is the only reference I have found to his death. The entry made on 6th November reads “In the field, 37 SB had 2 men killed in their forward Battery position by hostile shellfire”. The two men were Jim and his Bombardier Walter J. Reakes (no. 50580).

    I am trying to piece together where Jim was killed. From the information I have gathered from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and the website Great War Forum (GWF).

    Jim is buried in the Harlebeke New British Cemetery at Harlebeke, West Vlaanderen in Belgium. Although this is the final resting place of Jim's remains he would have been initially buried close to where he was killed. Harlebeke is village just outside the town of Kotrijk, about 15 miles east of Ypres. Jim's grave is in plot IV and numbered C9. The New British Cemetery at Harlebeke was formed initially from deaths incurred in the fighting in 1918. Harlebeke village was taken by the Allies on the night of 19th-20th October 1918 by the 9th (Scottish) Division. At this time the German front line was collapsing and the Allies making significant gains daily. Harlebeke New British Cemetery was made after the Armistice when graves were bought in from the surrounding battlefields of 1918 and, in 1924-25, from German cemeteries or plots in Belgium. The earlier concentrations are in plots I to X, the later in plots XI to XIX. In the latter group are many graves from 1914. So, as Jim's grave is in plot IV, it would seem that Jim was killed quite close to Harlebeke. Bombardier W. Reakes, who was killed at the same time as Jim is buried close by in Harlebeke New British Cemetery.

    Jim was first buried at map reference 29K. 31 d 9 3. (Information from the CWGC). This is a reference from a military map and needs further research. It is likely that Jim was killed close-by.

    At this time the front was quite fluid and up to 3rd November 1918 the 37th Siege Battery, as part of the 59th Brigade, were under II Corps. On 3rd Novemeber II Corps HQ went to rest in the rear and their brigades came under XIX Corps. The XIX Corps HQ at this time was Harlebeke Church Square. XIX Corps War Diary records that on 5th November the 37th Siege Battery was located as follows:

    • 4 Howitzers at J.19.d.58.60 and
    • 2 Howitzers at I.12.a.8.0.

    These are marked on sheet 28 & 29 of the military maps at the Imperial War Museum.

    On the 8th November the 37th. Siege Battery moved forward to a position near Caster. The latest information I have (via the GWF) is that the co-ordinates above are located at the village of Anzegem, close to the railway station approx 1km south of the village. He was taking part in the Battle of the Scheldt.

    The following are extracts from the War Diary of the British Army 59th Division, to which the 37th were attached at this stage of the war. Original is held in the National Archives at Kew, ref: WO95/322. (Visited in December 2013)

    Note about the later stages of World War 1. After over 3 years of almost static trench warfare the German Army was being slowly pushed back by the Allies. Following the failure of a major German attack in spring 1917 the Allies started to advance, this advance slowly gathered momentum. By the late summer of 1918 the Germans were in rapid retreat along majority of the Western Front. In the north (where Jim was located as part of the II Corps of British 2nd Army) the advance had taken the allies past Ypres and well on the road to the Belgian capital, Brussels. Earlier in the war the huge guns of the Siege Artillery (30 cwt each, most batteries had 4) were fairly stationary, moving occasionally when the German guns located their position and concentrated their fire. However, at this stage of the war they were moving more frequently and advancing all the time into newly liberated areas. As a unit the 37th did not have it's own official War Diary, that being maintained at Divisional level, as was usual at this time.

    The extracts below are from the official War Diary of the 59th Division as recorded at Divisional HQ, some way back from the front line. The extracts are those where the 37th is mentioned in the diary. Sections in red / brackets are my comments / questions.

    War Diary of 59th Brigade Heavy Artillery Entries

    December 18th 1917 The system of the Royal Garrison Artillery Brigades came into force at 4pm. The 59th Brigade consisting of: 30th Siege Battery; 37th Siege Battery ; 335th Siege Battery; 1 section of the 288th transferred from the 79th Heavy Artillery Group to become part of the 305th Siege Battery. The 37th Siege Battery transferred from 79th HAG. Lt Col. W. Arthy left the Brigade to take command of the 79th Brigade, Lt. Col. T.H. Blew returned from Senior Officers Course (to take command of the 59th Divn.)

    December 19th 59th Brigade takes over the Heavy Artillery Report Centre at Bellevue. () 1918

    December 27th 1917 A premature occurred in 37th SB and another in 305th SB. (A “premature” is where a shell explodes in the gun or immediately after firing and leaving the barrel).

    January 31st 1918 The HQ and 1 section each of 37th, 335th & 350th SB's pulled out (of line) for rest and proceeded to Esqelbecq. They were relieved by the 115th, 212th & 202nd SB respectively of the 65th Brigade, RGA.

    February 1st The remaining sections of the 37th, 335th & 350th SB pulled out to rest. Stripped guns only were left in position for the relieving batteries.

    February 15th Orders received for the Brigade HQ and batteries to return to the line tomorrow in relief of the 65th Brigade, who were ordered to move.

    February 16th Brigade HQ & 4 batteries left Wprmoult en route for the Ypres Salient, combining at Clifford Camp for the night. During the 15 days at rest the batteries had spent the time in profitable training & recreation. The mornings were devoted to training, drill and overhaul of equipment. The afternoons and evenings being for recreation. A football inter-battery (sic) tournament had been arranged & commenced.

    February 17th Batteries started to relieve the batteries of the 65th Brigade by sections. Stripped guns were taken over in position.

    February 18th Remaining sections of batteries took over. 59th Brigade HQ. moved to the line relieving 65th Brigade and their HQ. Sheet 28 (Belgium) C19d.2.8 (see note on system of British Army battlefield maps in WW1).

    March 22nd 37th SB shelled again today. This battery has been shelled intermittently for the past 3 days.

    April 1st 37th SB shelled with aeroplane observation inflicting casualties. Battery pulled out at night and went into their alternate positions.

    April 8th & 9th 30th SB & 37th SB shelled with HV (?) gun.

    April 12th Orders to move back to Army Line positions, except 185th & 145th SB's who were to move to Siege Park with 1 section of 30th SB. 37th & 350th SB's to move back to Army Line complete, 335th SB moving 1 section today and the remainder tomorrow.

    April 13th Brigade HQ moved to Trois Tours Chateau (B.29a)

    April 25th Heavy shelling of Battery positions on the Canal Bank. 350th SB had one gun knocked out during the evening. Enemy attacked on our right and captured Kemmel Hill.

    April 26th 30th SB ordered to pull out and proceed at once to Esquelbcq under administration of 25th Brigade RGA. 37th, 335th & 350th SB's ordered to pull out 1 section and get it into action on the Red Line position. 350th SB subsequently pulled out remaining section. 335th SB were badly shelled on the Canal Bank during the move, 1 man being killed and 4 wounded.

    April 27th HQ moved from Trois Tours to Steentje. 37th SB were shelled in their Red Line positions. 1 casualty. All Batteries set to work to construct positions for defence of the Green Line.

    April 28th 37th SB continued in action at forward position, Canal Bank. Firing day & night with this section. Some very good shooting accomplished.

    April 29th & 30th Continuous harassing on enemy roads, tracks & strong-points was carried out during the latter part of this month by the forward sections of Batteries, which were in action day and night almost continuously.

    May 2nd 37th SB forward sections carried out a very successful visual shoot on a hostile battery in Poelcapelle setting ammunition on fire and dispersing personnel.

    May 5th 37th SB engaged in gassing hostile batteries. This action was continued each night when conditions permitted.

    May 7th 30th SB was heavily shelled with yellow x gas. About 200 rounds were fired in the neighbourhood of their position. The particular hostile battery was gassed by the 37th SB the same evening.

    May 8th 30th & 350th SB's again heavily shelled with gas & HE. Apparently 3 batteries were firing at them from different positions.

    May 12th II Corps took over a large additional front on the right from the XXII Corps, extending as far south as Voormezele. 37th & 350th SB's moved their rear sections from the Red Line to intermediate positions. As soon as the section of 350th SB was in action in it's new position the other sections at Rome Wood pulled out and joined them.

    May 13th Forward section of 37th SB at Canal Bank was relieved by 268th SB and pulled back to intermediate position making 4 guns of the battery in action in 1 position.

    June 15th to 19th 37th & 350th SB's moved guns each night to the alternative positions in view of possible enemy attack.

    June 27th 37th SB moved 2 guns over the Yser Canal to Foch Farm, about 2500 yards from the front line.

    June 30th Throughout the month the Batteries have carried out continuous harrassing fire on enemy roads, tracks and strong-points. A large percentage of rounds being fired during the hours of darkness.

    July 1st to 4th 30th & 37th SB's were engaged in breaking up enemy main crossroads with aeroplane and balloon observation. Some very successful shooting was achieved.

    July 2nd 37th SB moved another gun forward to Foch Farm (C10d) making 3 guns in all at this position.

    July 26th 37th SB had a premature when firing an experimental series in connection with air burst ammunition. 2 men killed and 5 wounded.

    July 30th 37th SB received notification that they would e raised to a 6 gun battery by the addition of a section of the 510th SB arriving at Hauke on 1st August.

    August 1st Orders received to reconnoitre and prepare positions for covering the defence of the West Poperinghe Line.

    August 6th 37th SB shelled at intervals during the afternoon and evening, 1 man being killed. The section of 510th SB joined up with 37th SB making the battery up to establishment of 6 guns. 1918 August 6th (cont'd) HM the King (George V) visited the Corps area today. All batteries sent representatives to La Lovie Chateau to line the road as the King drove by.

    August 9th Heavy concentrated bursts were fired on the defences of Voormezel during the afternoon, batteries cooperated.

    August 17th 37th SB (forward position) was heavily shelled. 2 men killed and 3 wounded and 1 gun put out of action.

    August 19th 37th SB carried out an experimental shoot with a star shell at nnight time. Results were not altogether satisfactory.

    August 20th In conjuction with 33rd (British) Division Batteries of the 59th Brigade cooperated in the bombarding of Laukhoff Chateau and La Chapelle, S/E of Ypres. 37th SB took another gun (making 4 in all) to their position across the Yser Canal.

    August 27th Batteries cooperated with the Belgian Army on the left in an attack which resulted in pushing the enemy line back to the Steenbeck.

    August 31st The enemy evacuated Mount Kemmel on our right.

    September 1st We occupied Voormezele and pushed our line further east on the southern part of the Corps front. September 6th 30th SB moved guns to forward positions East of Ypres.

    September 8th All batteries cooperated with the Belgian Army on our left in pushing forward their front line by about 500 yds.

    September 16th Brigade HQ moved to forward position at Stern Farm near Eleverdinghe. 37th SB moved forward 1 section to a forward position near St. Jean with orders to remain silent.

    September 17th Work commenced on building 3 battery positions for incoming batteries.

    September 22nd 37th, 335th and 350th SB's each moved 1 section forward to new positions in preparation for the battle.

    September 23rd 37th SB shelled in their new positions. 1 man killed, 3 wounded.

    September 25th 37th, 335th & 350th SB's moved remaining sections to forward battle positions. The Corps commander visited Brigade HQ.

    September 27th 30th SB moved remaining sections to forward battle positions. Orders received to attack tomorrow.

    September 28th II Corps, with the Belgian Army on the left and XIX Corps on the right attacked at 5.30am. (Summer time). Batteries of this Brigade (ie 59th Brigade) were reinforced for the barrage with batteries of the 77th Brigade and 86th Brigade RGA. This brigade covered the front of the 9th Division and fired a creeping barrage in conjunction with the 9th Divisions Artillery. The attack was a complete success, the objectives being all captured according to programme. The enemy was pushed back beyond the Broodseide Ridge. On conclusion of the barrage 350th SB pulled out and moved to a previously prepared forward position The 335th SB moved during the afternoon to a forward position. The enemy put up a very poor reply to our barrage and generally offered but little resistance to our advance.

    September 30th All batteries were out of range. 37Th & 350th SB's were ordered to pull out and advance towards Moorslede and report to 9th Division. Lorries got ditched on the Zonnebeke Road and orders were subsequently received to delay any further advance owing to the bad state of the roads. Forward Brigade HQs were established on the Broodseinde Ridge.

    October 1st Brigade HQs were established on the Broodseinde Ridge. Reconnaisance made new forward positions for batteries.

    October 2nd 37th SB moved forward to a position near Waterdamhoek

    October 3rd 350th SB moved forward to a position near Waterdamhoek

    October 4th 335th SB moved forward to a position near Waterdamhoek

    October 6th to 11th Generally quiet. Batteries did no firing, but were subjected to much area shooting, with HE and gas. Enemy put down counter preparations each morning.

    October 12th 37th SB moved one section to a forward position in front of Waterdamhoek.

    October 13th 350th SB moved one section to a forward position in front of Waterdamhoek.

    October 14th II Corps attacked, with the Belgian Army on the left and XIX Corps on the right. All batteries (including 88th SB & 152SB) joined the barrage. Good progress was made and all objectives gained. One section of each of the 37th, 335th and 350th SB's moved forward and took up positions west of Winkel & Eloi, reporting to the 9th Division for orders.

    October 15th II Corps again attacked. One section of each battery joined in a Heavy Artillery Barrage. Remaining sections moved forward and parked in the forward area ready for orders. Brigade HQ's moved forward to the neighbourhood of Rolleghem Cappelle.

    October 17th Positions were reconnoitred for covering an attack on the Lys River. Each battery subsequently moved forward and got into action by nightfall near Hulste.

    October 18th Remaining section of 37th SB moved forward and joined the battery near Hulste.

    October 19th Brigade HQ's moved forward to a position between Leadelede and Hulste.

    October 20th II Corps forced a passage over the River Lys during the night of 19th/20th and attacked at 6am from the other side. Good progress made by 9th Division (right) but the 36th Division on the left was held up and formed a flank only. 1918

    October 24th 37th, 335th and 350th SB's crossed the River LYS at Harlebeke and parked at the latter place whilst positions were reconnoitred. These batteries subsequently pulled into position east of Deerlyck. 59th Brigade HQ's were moved across the river during the afternoon and opened in the vicinity of the batteries.

    October25th At 9 am II Corps attacked with the object of reaching the crossing over the River Escalut. The attack was held up on the left and an average of about 1000 - 2000 yds advance was made including the capture of Ingoyghem. Batteries (6 no. Howitzers) joined in a creeping barrage and bombarded key points.

    October 28th 30th SB moved up from Ypres, where they had remained parked since the beginning of the Flanders battles owing to their lorries not being available. The battery crossed the (river) Lys today and parked in Harlebeke.

    October 30th 335th & 350th SB's moved to forward positions near Kmocke, 37th SB moved forward another section to a forward position which had been taken up by 1 section during the advance of 25th October.

    October 31st II Corps attacked at 5.25 am with French on the left and XIX Corps on the right. All objectives were taken and the River Escault reached. Batteries cooperated by bombarding strong points on the approach of our infantry.

    November 1st Brigade HQ's moved forward to Knocke. II Corps, with French on the left, continued to push forward towards the (river) Scheldt but heavy artillery did not participate in the fighting.

    November 2nd Positions were reconnoitred in the forward area, for batteries of the Brigade for the purpose of covering a forcing of the (river) Scheldt.

    November 3rd II Corps was withdrawn from the line and Brigade came under the orders of XIX Corps Heavy Artillery. Col. A.J.H. Keyes was attached to the Brigade Head Quarters.

    November 4th Batteries proceeded with the preparation of of the forward positions.

    November 6th Capt. M. Wilks, RAMC posted to Brigade HQ as Medical Officer in place of Lt. E.B. Peace M.O.R.C. USA. 37th SB had 2 men killed at their forward battery position by hostile shell fire. (One of these fatalities was Jim)

    November 8th 37th, 335th & 350th SB's moved their guns forward to positions near Caster preparatory to the Battle for the crossing of the (river) Scheldt. A guard only was left with the guns, the personnel of the batteries still remaining behind at their old battery positions.

    November 10th Enemy retired from the East bank of the Scheldt and batteries were ordered to stand fast with the move of their personnel and stores to their forward positions. Report received that the Kaiser had abdicated. II Corps Heavy Artillery took over command of the Brigade from the XIX Corps Heavy Artillery. Notification received that Armistice terms had been accepted by the German Government.

    November 11th Orders received to “Stand Fast” at 11 am.

    November 13th Brigade HQ moved into billets at Deerlyck. 37Th & 350th SB's also moved into Deerlyck.

    November 15th XIX Corps Heavy Artillery took over command of the Brigade from II Corps Heavy Artillery.

    John Osborn




    214862

    Cpl. William Gill 2 Btn Manchester Regt (d.20th Oct1914 )

    I have a post card sent by my uncle L/Cpl.William Gill 2nd Btn. Manchester Regt. The post card is post dated 6th August 1914 and was sent from the the Btn H.Q at Ashton u Lyne. It reads:

    "Dear Father and Mother, Just a line hoping to find you in the best of health as it leaves me at present. Leaving here in the morning for The Curragh and then I don't know where. Good night. Will"

    The card was addressed to his father (my grandfather), Mr.Wm.Gill, 3 Birlam Street Upper Brook St. C.on M. Manchester. He left the Curragh and sailed on the 16th August for for Le Havre whence he marched to Mons. He was killed at La Bassee on 20th October and has no known grave. He is commemorated at Le Touret. I am searching for a photograph of his, so if anyone out there can help I should grateful.

    Edward Gill




    214854

    Able Sea. Thomas Newton Hood Battalion (d.4th Jun 1915)

    <p>Thomas Newton family grave in Jarrow Cemetery

    Thomas Newton served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Hood Battalion, 63rd R.N. Division. His service number was Tyneside Z/607. He was killed in action at the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) on the 4th June 1915 aged 32. He is remembered on the Palmer Cenotaph in Jarrow, His Grandmothers (Mary Ann Pringle) Grave in Jarrow Cemetery and the Helles Memorial.

    He was born in 1884 at Hedworth and in the 1911 census was living with his wife Jenny Newton (31) at 50 Monkton Terrace, Jarrow. They had been married for six years and he was employed in the shipyard as a Boilersmith.

    Vin Mullen




    214853

    2nd Lt. Harry Brighstone Newsam 3rd Battalion (Light) Tank Corps (d.8th Aug1918)

    <p>Harry Brighstone Newsam's Medal Index Card

    Second Lieutenant Harry Brighstone Newsam served in the 3rd Light Btn. Tank Corps and died on the 8th August 1918. He is remembered on the Triptych at St Paul's Church Jarrow and is buried in Le Quesnel Communal Cemetery Extension. He had previous service as a Corporal No. 1984 in the Northern Cyclist Battalion. His medal card shows an award of the British War and Victory Medals and a note marked "Comm for MGC" (Commission for Machine Gun Corps) The Tank Corps was originally classified as the Heavy part of the Machine Gun Corps.

    The 1911 census shows him living alone at Thornton Villa, Surrey Street, Jarrow, single, age 24, Occupation: Elementary School Teacher for the Borough Council and taught at Ellison N.S. School in Jarrow. His place of birth was Andover, Hampshire. He was born in 1886 the son of Mr and Mrs William Newsam of Andover, Hampshire and was married to Catherine Anne Maxwell (formerly Newsam nee Smith) of Belfield, Kenton Road, Newcastle.

    Vin Mullen




    214852

    Cpl. Lawrence Cades 15th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.16th Aug 1918)

    <p>Lawrence Cades Medal Index Card

    Lawrence Cades aged 39, died on 16th August 1918 whilst serving with the 15th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. (formerly 52570 RGA) Born in Jarrow he was the husband of Isabella Cades (nee McLaughlin) of 20 Deptford Terrace Sunderland. On the 1911 census he is listed as Lawrence Cades age 31 Painter and Decorator living with his wife Isabella and children at 20 Deptford Terrace, Sunderland. He enlisted in Sunderland.

    Lawrence is buried in Aval Wood Military Cemetery. Vieux-Berquin.

    Vin Mullen




    214851

    L/Cpl. Frank Ernest Herbert Coppin 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.26th Aug1914)

    Born in October 1893, in Maidstone, Kent, Frank Coppin was the eldest brother of 5 siblings, my great uncle. He died, aged 20 yrs, fighting in the Battle of Le Cateau, having been in France for only 3 days. His name is remembered on La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial.

    Dauna Harrold




    214850

    Able.Sea. James Bushell HMS Nubian (d.27th Oct 1916)

    <p>James Bushell CWGC headstone in Jarrow Cemetery

    James Bushell was 24 years old when he died on 27th October 1916 whilst serving onboard HMS Nubian with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He was born and lived in Jarrow, son of Thomas Bushell and stepson of Catherine Bushell (nee Donnelly), husband of Annie Howe (formerly Bushell nee Simpson) of 40 Pearson Place Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as James Bushell age 18 Ship Painter in Shipyard is with his father Thomas Bushell and stepmother Catherine Bushell and family at 55 Queens Road, Jarrow.

    James is buried in Jarrow Cemetery, his death being recorded in Dover.

    Vin Mullen




    214849

    Pte. Davidson Ross Burns 2nd/4th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.15th April 1917)

    <p>

    Davidson Ross Burns was aged 22 when he died on 15th April 1917 whilst serving with the 2nd/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (formerly 3309 Northumberland Fusiliers) He was born in Jarrow, the son of Davidson Ross and Deborah Thompson Burns (nee Gray). He lived Norham on Tweed, Davidson Ross Burns age 16 Salmon fisherman is recoreds as living with his parents Davidson Ross and Deborah Thompson Burns and family at Albion House, Norham on Tweed on the 1911 census. He enlisted in Alnwick.

    Davidson is buried in H.A.C. Cemetery, Ecoust-St, Mein.

    Vin Mullen




    214848

    Pte. George Burnham 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.4th Aug 1917)

    <p>George Burnham Medal Index Card

    George Burnham age 25 died of wounds on 4th August 1917 whilst serving with the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow. the son of Ellen Burnham and the late J. Burnham of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as George Burnham age 18 Apprentice Rivetor in Shipyard living with his widowed mother and family at 78 Charles Street, Jarrow

    George is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214847

    Cooper Thomas Burn HMS Viknor (d.13th Jan 1915)

    Thomas Burn Cooper served on HMS Viknor with the Mercantile Marine Reserve. Age 25 he died on 13th January 1915. Born and lived Jarrow he was the son of John and Annie Burn of Jarrow and Husband of Jane Gibson Burn (nee Wood) of 17 Council Street Houghton-le-Spring. He is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

    On the on the 1911 census, Thomas Burn age 23 is a Check Weightman for a Lead Manufacturer living with his wife Jane Gibson Burn and child at 133 Regent Street, South Shields on the 1911 census. His parents John and Ann Burn and family are at 146 Hope Street, Jarrow

    Vin Mullen




    214846

    Pte. James Newby 1st/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>James Newby's Medal Index Card

    James Newby enlisted at South Shields in the 1st/6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and died on the 27th May 1917. He is remembered in Jarrow Library and at Lille Southern Cemetery

    He was born in 1891 at Monkton, Jarrow, the son of George Newby and the late Elizabeth Ann Newby nee Adamson of Wood Terrace, Jarrow. He was married to Cecilia Oxley (formerly Newby nee Dempster) of 48 Mons Avenue, Hebburn.

    The 1911 census shows him living at 87 Victoria Road Hebburn with his father George (45), mother Elizabeth Ann (44), two brothers, John Thomas (23) and Frederick Henry (13) and two sisters, Mary Ann (22) and Alice Ada (17) James is employed in Boot Repairs.

    Vin Mullen




    214845

    Sjt. John Burke 34th Battalion (d.21st Jul 1917)

    <p>John Burke AIF Attestation Paper

    John Burke was 43 years old when he died on 21st July 1917 whilst serving with 34th Battalion Australian Infantry Force. He was the son of Mary Burke and the late John Burke of Jarrow and husband of Annie Burke of "Braidwood" Napper Street, Coogee, New South Wales Australia. Native of Jarrow were he worked in the Palmer Shipyard as a Horse keeper, he had been born in Ireland. John Burke's widowed mother Mary Burke is living with her daughter and son in law Bridget and Thomas Welsh and family at 63 Albion Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    John is buried in Trois Arbres Cemetery Steenwerk.

    Vin Mullen




    214844

    L/Cpl. William Soutter Burgess 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Apr 1918)

    <p>William Soutter Burgess Medal Index Card

    William Soutter Burgess was aged 33 when he died on 12th April 1918 whilst serving with the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Born in South Shields he was the son of the John Robert and Margaret Burgess (nee Veitch), husband of Margaret Burgess (nee Johnson) of Church House St. Paul's Church Jarrow. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as William Soutter Burgess age 25 Insurance Agent living with His widowed father John Robert Burgess and family at 239 High Street, Jarrow His 2 younger brothers James Burgess and Harry Burgess were of the fallen.

    William is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    William Soutter Burgess family grave in Jarrow Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    214843

    Pte James Burgess 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Feb 1915)

    <p>James Burgess Medal Index Card

    James Burgess was 25 years old when he died on 5th February 1915 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. He had enlisted in Beverley. He was born and lived Jarrow, on the 1911 census he is recorded as James Burgess living with John Robert Burgess his widowed father at 239 High Street, Jarrow. His mother was Margaret Burgess (nee Veitch) His older brother William Soutter Burgess and and younger brother Harry Burgess were of the fallen.

    James is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    James Burgess family grave in Jarrow Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    214842

    Serjeant Harry Burgess 262nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.8th Jul 1917)

    <p>Harry Burgess Medal Index Card

    Harry Burgess was aged 25 when he died on 8th July 1917 whilst serving with 262nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Born and enlisted in Jarrow, he was the son of John Robert and Margaret Burgess (nee Veitch) of Jarrow. Harry Burgess age 19 Gunner is with the Royal Garrison Artillery at The Citadel, Plymouth on the 1911 census, his widowed father John Robert Burgess and family are at 239 High Street, Jarrow. His 2 older brothers William Soutter Burgess and James Burgess were also of the fallen.

    Harry is buried in Rois Arbres Cemetery. Steenwerck. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Harry Burgess family grave in Jarrow Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    214841

    Stk. William Burdiss HMS Aboukir (d.22nd Sep 1914)

    William Burdiss was a Stoker on HMS Aboukir serving with the Royal Naval Reserve. He was aged 27 whem he died on 22nd September 1914. William was born and lived Jarrow, on the 1911 census, William Burdiss age 23 Blacksmith's Labourer in Shipyard is living with his wife Catherine and son at 13 Chaytor Street, Jarrow.

    William was the aon of Martin and Mary J. Burdiss of South Shields, husband of Katherine Burdiss (McErlane) of 13 Chaytor Street Jarrow. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214840

    Gnr. Thomas Buddle 47th Brigade Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery (d.15th Jan 1916)

    <p>Thomas Buddle's Medal Index Card

    Thomas Buddle was aged 21 when he died on 15th January 1916 whilst serving with 47th Brigade Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery. (formerly 10570 Pte R.A.M.C.) Son of Peter Clarke and Jane Ann Buddle of Hebburn Colliery. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Thomas Buddle age 17 Apprentice Ship Painter in Shipyard is with his widowed father Peter Clarke Buddle at the Post Office, Hebburn Colliery, Hebburn. He was born and enlisted Jarrow.

    Thomas is buried in White House Cemetery. St. Jean-Les-Ypres. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214839

    Pte. Thomas William Bucknall 25th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Apr 1917)

    <p>Thomas William Bucknall CWGC headstone in Jarrow Cemetery

    Thomas William Bucknall was aged 42 when he died on 19th April 1917, he was serving with the 25th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He was born and lived in Jarrow. Son of Joseph and Eliza Bucknall of Jarrow and husband of Catherine Bucknall (nee Halligan)of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Thomas William Bucknall age 36 Steel Works Labourer living with his wife Catherine and daughter at 12 North Street back, Jarrow He enlisted in Newcastle. Thomas is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214838

    Pte. Charles Buck 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.31st Mar 1918)

    <p>Charles Buck's Medal Index Card

    Charles Buck was aged 21 when he died on 31st March 1918 whilst serving with the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was born in Jarrow in 1896. On the 1911 census he is listed as Charles Buck age 15 Apprentice Ships Rigger in Shipyard is with his parents William and Eliza Buck at 74 Union Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow.

    Charles is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214837

    Pte. Robert Bryanton 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Oct 1917)

    <p>Robert Bryanton's Medal Index Card

    Robert Bryanton was aged 22 when he died on 23rd October 1917 whilst serving with the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was the son of late Frank Bryanton and Susannah Amer (formerly Bryanton nee Cottenham) of 8 Cambrian Street Jarrow, he was born in Walker, Newcastle. On the 1911 census, he is listed as Robert Bryanton age 15 at the Netherton Training School, Morpeth. He later lived and enlisted Jarrow.

    Robert is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214836

    Air Mechanic 2nd Class. Artus Brunner (d.9th Mar 1919)

    <p>Artus Brunner CWGC headstone in Jarrow Cemetery

    Artus Brunner, Air Mechanic 2nd Class was aged 22 when he died on 9th March 1919 whilst serving with the Royal Air Force. Born in Middlesbrough, he lived in Jarrow. He was the son of Albert Artus and Eleanor Brunner (Morrison) and husband of Evelyn Brunner (nee Kavanagh) of 35 Palmer Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Artus Brunner age 12 at School, living with his parents Albert Artus and Eleanor Brunner and family at the Winterton Lunatic Asylum, Ferryhill, Durham. His father Albert Artus Brunner an Electrical Engineer was a member of Staff at the Asylum.

    Artus is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214835

    Engine Room Artificer Richard Wilson Bruce HMS Mignonette (d.17th March 1917)

    Richard Wilson Bruce was an Engine Room Artificer 233EB. on H.M.S. Mignonette serving with the Royal Naval Reserve. He was aged 41 when he died on 17th March 1917. Born in Jarrow in 1875 he was the son of James and Ann Bruce of Jarrow and husband of Mary Maria Bruce (nee Hamblin) of 68 South Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census Richard Bruce age 35 Engine Fitter in Shipbuilding is living with his wife Mary at 21 Salem Street, Jarrow. Richard served at the Battle of Heligoland and at the Dardanelles. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214833

    Master Mariner John Davidson Bruce SS Hans Jost (d.30th May 1919 )

    <p>John Davidson Bruce family grave in Jarrow Cemetery

    John Davidson Bruce was the Master of the SS Hans Jost he was aged 63 when died on 30th May 1919. Born in Aberdeen he lived in Jarrow. He was the husband of Margaret Bruce of 'Ardallie' Bethecar Road Harrow-on-the-hill London. On the 1911 census he is recorded as: John Davidson Bruce age 55 Master Mariner is with his wife Margaret and children at 'Ardallie' Victoria Terrace, Jarrow.

    On the family grave in Jarrow Cemetery it has 'In Loving Memory of John Davidson Bruce. Master Mariner. Born in the Parish of Old Deer Aberdeenshire 4th July 1855. Lost at sea through striking a floating mine 30th May 1919' John is also remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214832

    Cpl. Joseph Brownlee 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.30th Jul 1916)

    <p>Joseph Brownlee Medal Index Card

    Joseph Brownlee was aged 30 when he died on 30th July 1916 whilst serving with the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. (on CWGC records he is listed as as J. Brownley, on SDGW as Joseph Brownlee and on the Medal Index Card as Joseph Brownlee). He was born and lived Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Joseph Brownlee age 24 Dock Labourer in Ship Repairers is with his wife Rose Ann (nee Pearson) and child at 133 High Street, Jarrow . He enlisted in Sunderland.

    Joeseph is buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214831

    Pte. Edward Nevin 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Jun 1917)

    <p>Edward Nevin's Medal Index Card

    Edward Nevin 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry died on the 3rd June 1917 and is remembered on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow, he is buried in Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension.

    He was born in Hebburn in 1892, the son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth Nevin of Jarrow. He was married to Lilian Carr (formerly Nevin nee Porter) In the 1911 census Edward age 19 is living at 44 Old Church, Jarrow with his widowed Mother Elizabeth (age 52), her married daughter Mary (Connolly)with her two grandchildren Joseph (2) and John (1). Also Edwards older brother Joseph (22) and his younger brother Thomas (13). Joseph and Edward are both working as Labourers in a Cement works.

    Vin Mullen




    214830

    Pte. George Thornton Nellist 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    <p>George Thornton Nellist's Medal Index Card

    George Thornton Nellist enlisted in the 15th Battalion the Durham Light Infantry and died on the 22nd November 1917 aged 23. He was born at Jarrow in 1894, the son of George Thornton Nellist and Dorothy E. Nellist (nee Pearson) of Jarrow. In the 1911 census he is age 17 the second of 5 sons and two daughters. He is working as a driver in the coal mine.

    He is remembered on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow (brass plaque west face) and is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214823

    L/Cpl. John Neilen 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.28th Aug 1918)

    <p>John Neilen's Medal Index Card

    John Neilen enlisted in the 6th Btn Lincolnshire Regiment and was transferred to the Labour Corps and given No. 26432. (This was usually due to illness or wounds leaving soldier unfit for front line service.) It is not known at what date he was transferred to the Labour Corps but it was set up in January 1917. Almost all records were destroyed in the Blitz during WW2 and it is almost impossible as few if any war diaries exist and those that do rarely name other ranks. He was the son of James Neilen of 111 Western Road, Jarrow and the late Elllen Neilen nee Finnegan. On the 1911 census form he is shown as a boarder at 48 Monkton Road, Jarrow, single aged 22 and working as a General labourer in the shipyard.

    John was promoted to Lance Corporal and died on the 28th August 1918. He is remembered on Palmers Cenotaph and is buried in Beaurains Road Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214813

    L/Cpl. John Thomas Neilon 14th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Dec 1915)

    John Thomas Neilon enlisted in the 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action on the 19th December 1915 aged 31. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery. Grave O.7.

    His medal card shows his name as Neilon as does the entry at Potijze but the St Paul's inscription is Neilson. He was awarded the 1915 Star, British War and Victory medals (Pip, Squeak and Wilfred as commonly termed.)

    In the 1911 census he is living at 127 Western Road, Jarrow with his wife Mary Casey nee Jordan age 22 and their son George who is 1 year old. John is 26 years old and they have been married for two years. He is a Riggers Labourer in the Shipyard. John's two brothers are also on the census form. Edward is 20 and is a blast furnace worker while Hugh is 12 years old and still at school.

    Vin Mullen




    214810

    L/Sgt. W. J. Askew DCM 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    My Grandfather, L/Sgt W J Askew, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Zonnebeke on the 23rd Oct 1914.

    B W Cooper




    214806

    A/Bdr. Henry Lowe 83rd Bde. C Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Acting Bombadier Henry Lowe 79215 with C Battery of the 83rd RFA. As a signaller of the Forward Observation Battery Henry(Harry) was in the very front of the brigade, almost in the line of reserves of the attacking infantry. After the jump off of the attack at 5.20 am 12 Oct, the Germans replied by enormous artillery fire, it was this fire that caught Henry.

    He was killed near Vancouver Corner, the spot where Canadians were attacked with gas on 22 April 1915 and where is now a Canadian Memorial. After he was killed he was buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery. According to a letter from his 2nd Lieutenant H. Ashton he died instantly from a piece of shell hitting him in the heart. He was trying to repair wire whilst being shelled and was sheltering in a shell hole which was hit by another shell. He was the 3rd son to give his life in WWI

    Heather Lowe




    214804

    L/Cpl. William Scott Brown 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.14th Aug 1917)

    <p>William Scott Brown Medal Index Card

    William Scott Brown was aged 23 when he died on 14th August 1917 whilst serving with the 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. He was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow. Son of Thomas and Mary Alice Brown (nee Scott) of 11 Cobden Street Jarrow, where he is recorded as living with his parents on the 1911 census, at that time he was ages 16 and working as a Boilermaker in the Shipyard.

    William is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. He was commemorated on the Triptych (right panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church) and on the memorial in St. Peter's Church, Chaytor Street, Jarrow which it was demolished in the mid 1960s.

    Triptych (right panel) that was in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Memorial that was in St. Peter's Church, Chaytor Street, Jarrow (it was demolished in the mid 1960s)

    Vin Mullen




    214797

    Rfm. Charles Welsted 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My Grandfather was Rfm. Charles Welsted of the 13th KRRC.

    Chris Harrison




    214794

    L/Cpl. Harry Hanock 7th Btn. Kings Own Shropshire Light Infantry (d.7th Nov 1917)

    My uncle, Lance Corporal Harry Hancock, 14199 was killed on 7th November 1917, I'd like to know what 7th Battalion KSLI were doing on this date?

    MM Smith




    214793

    Pte. Thomas Brown 22nd (Pioneer) Battalion Durham Light Infantry. (d.25th June 1917)

    <p>Triptych (right panel) that was in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Thomas Brown died on 25th June 1917 whilst serving with the 22nd (Pioneer) Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was born and enlisted Jarrow. Thomas is buried in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow, on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and he was also commemorated on the Triptych (right panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    214792

    Pte. Robert Brown 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd Nov 1917)

    <p>Triptych (right panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Robert Brown died on 23rd November 1917 whilst serving with the 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. He was norn and lived in Jarrow, he enlisted in Sunderland. Robert is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial Louverval and he was commemorated on the Triptych (right panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    214791

    Sgt. John James Brown DCM 1st/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.31st Mar 1918)

    John James Brown DCM. served with the1st/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) he was aged 29 when he died on 31st March 1918. He was born in Jarrow and enlisted in Skipton Yorks. John is buried in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214790

    Pte. William Stevenson 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    This photo is of the 8th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment at Folkestone in 1915. On the third row from the front, second from the left, the soldier has been identified as Private William Stevenson 31497 Scottish Rifles, formerly 11540 Yorkshire Regt. 5th from the left top rear row is Private John Walker, 13202.

    William Stevenson




    214789

    Fireman James Ramsay Brown SS Newlyn (d.2nd Aug 1917)

    James Ramsay Brown was a Fireman on the SS Newlyn (Newcastle) with the Mercantile Marine. He was aged 53 when he died on 2nd August 1917 as the ship was lost. He was the son of the late Cuthbert and Jane Brown, born in Jarrow. James is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214788

    4th Engineer Officer. Hubert Cowley Brown SS Dunrobin (d.24th Nov 1917)

    <p>Triptych (left panel) that was in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Hubert Cowley Brown served as the 4th Engineer Officer on the SS Dunrobin (Newcastle). He was 21 years old when he died on 24th November 1917. Son of George Cowley Brown and Elizabeth Brown (nee Ruddick) of 16 St. Paul's Road Jarrow, he was born in Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Hubert Cowley Brown age 15 Junior Clerk (Timekeeper) in Shipyard is with his parents George Cowley and Elizabeth Brown and family at 16 St. Paul's Road, Jarrow.

    Hubert is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial. He was commemorated on the Triptych (left panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    214787

    Pte. George William Brown 15th Battalion Royal Scots (d.16th Apr 1918)

    <p>George William Brown's Medal Index Card

    George William Brown was aged 21 when he died on 16th April 1918 whilst serving with the 15th Battalion Royal Scots. (formerly 4496 H.L.I.) He was the son of William Borill Brown and Margaret Ann Brown of 9 Lord Nelson Street Tyne Dock South Shields. On the 1911 census he is listed as George William Brown age 13 at School living with his parents William Borill and Margaret Ann Brown and family at 55 Redwood Road, South Shields Born in Jarrow, he enlisted in South Shields. George is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214785

    Pte. Frederick Brown 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.11th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Brown was 33 years old when he died on 11th April 1918 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was the husband of Annie Brown of 73 Charles Street Jarrow. Frederick is buried in Aeroplane Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.





    214784

    Pte. D. Brown

    D. Brown Private. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214783

    Pte. David Brown 24th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    David Brown of the 24th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers was aged 24 when he died on 1st July 1916. Son of John Brown of 6 Prince Consort Road Jarrow and the late Elizabeth Brown, he was born in Jarrow. The 1911 Census records him as David Brown age 18 Labourer for Jarrow Borough Council living with his parents John and Elizabeth Brown and family at 6 Prince Consort Road, Jarrow. David enlisted in Newcastle. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214782

    Pte. Alfred Brown 19th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Pte. Alfred Brown died aged 31 on 13th July 1917 whilst serving with the 19th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was the son of the late Charles and Martha J. Brown of Boldon Colliery and husband of Ada Isabel Brown (nee Pounder) of 98 Salem Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Alfred Brown age 25 Grocer for Co-operative Society is with his wife Ada Brown and family at 66 Talbot Road, Tyne Dock, South Shields. Born in Jarrow he enlisted in Newcastle.

    Alfred is buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214781

    3rd Off. Harold Charles Reginald Browitt SS Vedamore (d.7th Feb 1917)

    Harold Charles Reginald Browitt was the Third Officer on the SS Vedamore (Liverpool) with the Mercantile Marine. Aged 19 he died on 7th February 1917 when the ship was lost. He was the son of William and Emily Browitt (nee Bland) of 1 Salisbury Place South Shields. Born in Jarrow, he is recorded on the 1911 census as Harold Charles Reginald Browitt age 14 Student living with his parents William and Emily Browitt and family at 34 Rothewell Road, Gosforth. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214761

    Pte. John James Broom 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.17th Aug 1918)

    <p>John James Medal Index Card

    John James Broom was aged 18 when he died on 17th August 1918 whilst serving with 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. He was the son of John James and Eleanor Broom of 3 Stainton Street West Hartlepool. On the 1911 census he is recorded as John James Broom age 11 at School is with his parents John James and Eleanor Broom and their children at 29 New Elvet Front, Durham. John was born in Jarrow and enlisted South Shields. He is buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt.

    Vin Mullen




    214750

    Fireman Thomas William Briggs SS Gafsa (d.28th Mar 1917)

    Thomas William Briggs Fireman, Mercantile Marine. S.S. Gafsa (London) Son of Thomas and Mary Jane Briggs (nee Crawford) of 187 Adelaide Street South Shields. Born in Jarrow, on the 1911 census, Thomas William Briggs is listed, age 16 as a Riveter Catcher in Shipyard living with his father Thomas and family at 187 Adelaide Street, South Shields on the 1911 census He was lost at sea aged 22 on 28th March 1917 on the SS Gafsa. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214743

    Gnr. Edward Brett 82nd Brigade "A" Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.28th Oct 1917)

    <p>Edward Brett's Medal Index Card

    Edward Brett was aged 40 when he died on 28th October 1917 whilst serving with 82nd Brigade "A" Battery Royal Field Artillery. He was the son of Thomas and Margaret Brett of Jarrow and husband of Sarah (nee Bulmer). He was born in Jarrow. The 1911 census lists him as Edward Brett age 34 Coal Miner Shifter below ground is with his wife Sarah and children at 224 Parker Street, Byker. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    Edward is buried in Minty Farm Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214741

    Pte. Henry Joseph Brennan 20th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.11th May 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Joseph Brennan Died aged 18 on Saturday 11th May 1918 whilst serving with the 20th Battalion Middlesex Regiment. He was the son of Michael and Sarah Agnes Brennan of 29 Field Terrace Jarrow. Born Jarrow in 1900, on the 1911 census he is listed as Henry Joseph Brennan age 11 at School living with his parents Michael and Sarah Agnes Brennan and family at 43 Harold Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Farnborough Hampshire.

    Henry is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214740

    R. B***

    R. B*** is listed on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow, but the name is unreadable. Could this be Robert Bray Private 73423 of the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Age 27 who died on 31st March 1918. He was the husband of Ellen Jackson (formerly Bray) of 3 McGowan's Buildings Felling Gateshead. Born Heworth Colliery, he enlisted Gateshead. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial. Does anyone have any additional information to confirm this?

    Vin Mullen




    214739

    Spr. Thomas Bramley 1st/3rd (Durham) Field Company Royal Engineers (d.13th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Bramley died aged 22 on 13th January 1917 whilst serving with the 3rd (Durham) Field Company Royal Engineers. (formerly 470560 RE). He was born in 1895 the son of William and Annie Bramley (nee Evans) of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Thomas Bramley age 16 Junior Clerk in Stockbrokers living with his parents William and Annie Bramley and family at 48 Albert Road, Jarrow. He was born and enlisted Jarrow and is buried in Varennes Military Cemetery. Thomas is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214738

    Albert Bramley (d.15th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Albert Bramley was a Civilian Machine Driller at Palmers shipyard who died on Tuesday 15th June 1915 age 54 . He was born in Knaresborough Yorkshire 1861 and was the wife of Esther Skeen Bramley (nee Turnbull) of Jarrow. He had enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers on the 6th August 1914. He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    On Tuesday 15th June 1915 Zeppelin LZ40 (L10) commandeered by Kapitänleutnant Hisch crossed the coast north of Blyth and headed directly for Wallsend where bombs were dropped on the Marine Engineering Works causing severe damage. 7 Heavy Explosive and 5 Incendiary Bombs then fell on Palmer's Works at Jarrow where 17 men died and 72 were injured. There was a Memorial with 12 names on, at one time in the Stirling Foundry in Jarrow, once part of the Palmer Shipyard.

    Vin Mullen




    214737

    Pte. George Bowman 1st/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.24th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    George Bowman died on 24th April 1915 at teh age of 41 whilst serving with the 1st/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was the husband of Margaret Bowman of 35 Wren Street Stockton. Born Jarrow, he lived Stockton and enlisted Stockton. George is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214736

    Pte. Frank Botto 18 Coy. Machine Gun Corps. (d.14th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Frank Botto died on 14th October 1916 at the age of 21 whilst serving with the 18th Company Machine Gun Corps. He was the son of Mary McDonald (formerly Botto) of 57 Monkton Road Jarrow. Frank is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214735

    William Botto

    William Botto is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214734

    Spr. John Richard Bothick 126 Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.28th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    John Richard Bothick served with the 126th Field Company Royal Engineers. He was aged 34 when he died on 28th September 1917. He was the husband of Mary Davinson Bothick (nee Pearson) of 133 High Street Jarrow, where he is recorded as living withhis wife and children on the 1911 census, he was then age 27, working as a Ship Plate Rivetter in the Shipyard He was born and lived Jarrow and enlisted in Aylesbury.

    John is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214733

    Sgt. Archibald Boswell 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.12th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Archibald Boswell served with the 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was born in Edinburgh around 1881 and died on 12th October 1917. Archibald is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214732

    Dvr. Alexander Holland "Sanny" Skinner 114 Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather Alexander Skinner was a driver with the Royal Field Artillery, I just began family research into his role. I know that he was a driver which meant that he hitched the horses on to the guns. I don't know about where he served in France and I know he re-enlisted in 1919 until 1920 in Germany. I would like to find out more about his role in the war. He and I have something in common we both share the same middle name and same Christian name (although I am his granddaughter). We never met and I was born seven years after he had died. His brother also served in the war too and he was in a Scottish regiment which I do believe had a different role altogether. I don't have any photographs of my grandfather and sadly these were lost due to them being damaged after a flood at my parent's home. I would like to find out more about his role and to see a photograph of him even if it was one of these group ones that were taken with the rest of his regiment as this would be something to be proud of. The nearest idea about his role is when I have saw Micheal Morpurgo's film War Horse, which was an excellent dramatization of the role in which horses played in the first world war. If anyone could help me with some information this would be very much appreciated.

    Sandra Holland Brown




    214731

    2nd Lt. George McPherson Borland 3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    George McPherson Borland served as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. (att. 9th Battalion) Born Scotland, he served as a Baptist Minister in Jarrow. On the 1911 census George McPherson Borland age 28 Baptist Minister is with his wife Ada Mary (nee Maddison) at Middleton in Teesdale. He was the son of Agnes and the late James Borland, his widowed mother and family are at 5 Wylam Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    George died at the age of 35 on 14th April 1918 and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214724

    Pte. Alexander Robertson Boothman 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Alexander Robertson Boothman Died aged 25 on 22nd February 1915 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. (formerly 8519 Cheshire Regiment and 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers). He was the son of William and Jane Robertson Boothman of 40 Prince Consort Road Jarrow. Born 1888 St. Johns, Wolverhampton, he lived and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census Alexander Robertson Boothman age 22 is with 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers at West Ridge, Rawalpindi, India on the 1911 census. His parents William and Jane Robertson Boothman and family are at 34 Prince Consort Road, Jarrow

    Alexander is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214710

    Pte. George Dennis 1/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.18th May 1918)

    <p>

    George Calladine Dennis, was born in Oct or Nov 1890 in Hucknall Torkard, Nottinghamshire. He enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters on 28th January 1916, approved 1st March 1916 in Derby. On 18th May 1918 he was fighting with the 1/5th & 1/6th Battalion Territorial Force in Béthune, Pas de Calais when he was killed by shell fire. He is buried in the Fouquieres Churchyard Extension, France. Fouquieres Churchyard Extension contains 387 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 29 from the Second World War. There are also five German war graves. He is remembered on the war memorial at Hucknall's St Mary Magdelaine church.

    Melissae Dennis




    214709

    Pte. George William Bonner 1st/6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.26th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    George William Bonner, Private 42710, enlisted in Jarrow and served with the 1st/6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own). He died age 31 on the 26th April 1918. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    George was born in Jarrow son of Elizabeth Bonner and the the late Robert Bonner. George William Bonner age 25 Labourer in Tube Works is living with his widowed mother Elizabeth Bonner at 78 Monkton Road back, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Vin Mullen




    214707

    Pte. George Bond 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.4th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    George Bond, Private 14388, enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died age 21 on the 4th July 1916. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe.

    George was born in Jarrow, son of John and Elizabeth Bond (nee Ranson). George Bond age 17 Apprentice Ship Painter in Shipyard is living with his parents John and Elizabeth Bond and family at 48 York Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Vin Mullen




    214706

    Pte. Matthew Bolam 2nd/4th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.7th Nov 1918)

    Matthew Bolam served with the 2nd/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) He was the son of George and Margaret Bolam (nee Laverick) of 13 Newmarch Street Jarrow. He was born in Heworth, lived in Jarrow. On the 1911 Census Matthew Bolam age 12 at School is with his parents George and Margaret Bolam and family at 13 Newmarch Street, Jarrow. Mathew enlisted Newcastle. He died aged 19 on 7th November 1918 and is buried in Maubeuge-Centre Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214680

    Pte. Edward Norman Bolam 1st/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    <p>Medal card of Edward Norman Bolam, 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Edward Norman Bolam died on 26th October 1917 at the age of 28 whilst serving with the 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was the son of John and Isabella Bolam (nee Moses) of 50 Wood Terrace Monkton, Jarrow. Born in Monkton, Jarrow, the 1911 census lists him as: Edward Norman Bolam age 22 Railway Shunter living with his parents John and Isabella Bolam and family at 7 Coquet Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    Edward is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, he is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and on the Monkton Memorial at Monkton Village.

    Vin Mullen




    214679

    John Allan Boiston (d.1917)

    John Allan Boiston was born 30th June 1888 in Bellingham Northumberland, the son of Robert and Jane Ann Boiston (nee Roberts) of Monkton, Jarrow. He married Rachel A.S. Poyner of Kent.

    John had formerly served as an Engine Room Artificer with the Royal Navy. He died age 29 in 1917 at Milton Medway Kent. He is commemorated on the Monkton Memorial, Monkton Village in Jarrow with 19 other names of Servicemen who died WW1.

    John Allan Boiston must have been medically discharged from the Royal Navy before he died as a civilian in 1917. Commonwealth War Graves Commission have no record of him and do not class him as one of the Commonwealth War Dead. On the 1911 census he is recorded as: John Allan Boiston age 22 Engine Room Artificer on Torpedo boat No. 8 is at The Salvation Army Naval and Military Home at Brook Chatham. His parents Robert and Jane Ann Boiston are at 48 Wood Terrace, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Vin Mullen




    214676

    4th Eng.Off. William Oliver Richard Blakey SS Caithness (d.20th April 1917)

    William Oliver Richard Blakey was a Fourth Engineer Officer on the S.S. Caithness (Newcastle) with the Mercantile Marine. He was aged 47 when he died on 20th April 1917. William was the son of Jane Ann Blakey (nee Westgarth) of 64 Duke Street Jarrow and the late John Robert Blakey. he was born and lived Jarrow. William is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    On the 1911 census John Robert and Jane Ann Blakey parents of William Oliver Richard Blakey are living at 22 Commercial Road, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214668

    Pte. Samuel Owens 1st Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Owens Private 3/18452 enlisted in the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and died from wounds on the 22nd August 1917. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Red Cross Corner Cemetery, Beugny, France

    He was born in Jarrow in 1882 and the 1911 census shows him (age 29) living at 4 Sylvia Terrace, West Hanley with his wife Margaret also 29 having 3 daughters, Elizabeth 6, Jane 4 and Anne 6 months together with son John aged 2. They have been married for 5 years and Samuel is working as a shifter in a coal mine.

    Vin Mullen




    214667

    Pte. Alexander Owens 25th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Nov 1916)

    <p>Alexander Owens Medal Index Card

    Alexander Owens enlisted in the 25th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and died on the 9th November 1916 aged 20. He is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph and is buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres.

    He was born at Jarrow in 1896 and was the eldest son of Alexander and Ann Owens (nee Thompson) of 72 Lyon Street Hebburn Quay. The 1911 census shows him as the eldest of six children who is working as an Apprentice Boiler maker in the shipyard. His father also named Alexander is aged 39 and a General labourer in the steelworks. They are living at 57 Edmund Street, Hebburn in 1911.

    Additional Information: Family are living at 72 Lyons Street when he dies. He is on the cenotaph but as Alexandra, he enlisted in 1914.

    Vin Mullen




    214662

    Rfmn. Thomas Muir Blakey 13th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.10th Jul 1916)

    <p>Thomas Muir Blakey Medal Index Card

    Thomas Muir Blakey served with the 13th Battalion Rifle Brigade, he was killed at the age of 21 on 10th July 1916. He was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow, the son of Thomas Muir Blakey and Frances Blakey (Allan) of Jarrow.

    Thomas is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and was commemorated on the Triptych that was in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Triptych (right panel) that was in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    214657

    2nd Lt. Francis William Blake MC. 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.31st Oct 1918)

    <p>Francis William Blake's Medal Index Card

    Francis William Blake served at a 2nd Lieutenant with the 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 25 when he died on 31st October 1918. Born and living Jarrow, he was the son of William John and Agnes Blake (Thompson) of 23 Hill Street Jarrow, where he is recorded as living on the 1911 census, aged 18, his occupation is given as Baker.

    Francis is buried in Vichte Military Cemetery and he is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Francis William Blake family grave in Jarrow Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    214648

    Chief Eng. Stephen Robert Blair SS Ilaro (d.23rd Oct1915)

    <p>Old Memorial at Monkton Jarrow

    Stephen Robert Blair was the Chief Engineer on board the S.S. Ilaro which was registered in London. He was aged 46 when he died on 23rd October 1915, drowned whist abandoning ship after she hit a mine. Born at Hull he lived in Jarrow and was the husband of Isabella Blair (nee Gibbon) who later lived at 45 Roker Park Road Sunderland.

    Stephen is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial and is commemorated on the Monkton Memorial in Monkton Village Jarrow.

    New side tablet on Memorial at Monkton Jarrow

    Vin Mullen




    214642

    Sgt Lewis Younie Black 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Lewis Younie Black died on Saturday 1st of July 1916 aged 21, whilst serving with the 20th Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. Son of Christina and William Black of Jarrow (native of Scotland) he was born in 1894 in Jarrow. On the 1911 census, he is recorded as Lewis Younie Black age 17, Apprentice Carpenter in Shipyard is with his widowed mother Christina Black and family at 4 Wylam Street, Jarrow. He enlisted in Newcastle.

    Lewis is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214641

    Pte. Arnold Binnie 5th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.21st Jul 1918)

    <p>

    Arnold Binnie, Private 51922, enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 5th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, formerly 5/92117 of the 7th Training Reserve Battalion He died age 19 on the 21st July 1918. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and his Grave Memorial Reference is at Soissons Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    Arnold was born in Gosforth and lived in Jarrow, son of Elizabeth Anne Binnie (nee Short) of 50 Dee Street Jarrow and the late Wilson Binnie. William Allison age 11 at School is living with his widowed mother Elizabeth Binnie and family at 20 Russell Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    Vin Mullen




    214639

    Cpl. Frederick Billing 1st Btn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Frederick Billing died on 1st October 1915 at the age of 37 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was the husband of Mary Billing (Finnerty) of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Frederick Billing age 33 Ships Platers Helper in Shipyard is with his wife Mary Billing and children at 11 Chaytor Street, Jarrow. Born Sheffield, he lived in Jarrow and enlisted in South Shields.

    Frederick is remembered on the Loos Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214638

    Able Sea. Daniel Bigley HMS. Natal (d.30th Dec 1915)

    Daniel Bigley Able Seaman served on HMS Natal with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He was aged 23 when he died on 30th December 1915. Born in Jarrow in 1892 he was the son of Maria Bigley (nee Ray) of 81 Buddle Street Jarrow and the late John Henry Bigley. Daniel also served as Gunner 669 in the Tynemouth RGA (Territorial). He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Panel 15 and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow.

    On the 1911 census, Daniel Bigley age 19 Platers Labourer in Shipyard is with his widowed mother Maria Bigley and family at 81 Buddle Street, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214637

    Cpl. Edward John Biller 9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.25th Jan 1917)

    Edward John Biller died on 25th January 1917 aged 37 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Born in Royston, Hereford, he lived and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census, he is recorded as Edward John Biller age 30 Postal Clerk is lodging at 46 Clayton Street Jarrow. He was the husband of Theresa Helena Biller (nee Stoddart) of Summerhouse Piercebridge Darlington.

    Edward is buried in Amara War Cemetery and is commemorated on the Monkton Memorial at Monkton Village, Jarrow. He was commemorated on the Memorial in St. Peter's Church Chaytor Street Jarrow (the Church no longer exists)

    Edward John Biller on original Monkton Memorial, Jarrow

    Edward John Biller on new side tablet on Monkton Memorial, Jarrow

    Memorial that was at St. Peter's Church Jarrow

    Vin Mullen




    214636

    Pte. John William Ogden 2nd/5th Btn. Warwickshire Regiment (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    <p>

    John William Ogden enlisted at Jarrow and joined the 2nd/5th Battalion Warwickshire Regiment. He died on the 3rd December 1917 age 19 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and at the Cambrai Memorial at Louveral.

    His Medal Card shows him awarded the British War and Victory Medals (Mutt and Jeff). It also indicates former service as No. 3/31705 with the North Staffordshire Regiment.

    The 1911 census show him as the youngest son, 13 years old and a student. He has two older brothers, Frederick either 17 or 19 working in Steelworks, Robert 14 working in a mineral water company and one sister Doretta aged 16 probably helping her mother at home. His widowed mother Catherine aged 56 has married John Hutchinson 59 who works as a watchman at a blast furnace works. His natural father was John Ogden who died some years earlier and his mothers maiden name was James.

    Vin Mullen




    214635

    Pte. Robert Tennant Best 9th Btn Cheshire Regiment (d.20th Sept 1917)

    <p>

    Robert Tennant Best died on 20th September 1917 aged 37 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion Cheshire Regiment. Son of the late Thomas and Jane Tennant Best of Jarrow (native of Scotland) he was born in Jarrow and enlisted Northwich Cheshire. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Robert Tennant Best age 29 Traveller for a Chemical Manufacturer is lodging at Dudley Arms Hotel, Dudley.

    Robert is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214633

    Sgt. Thomas O'Neill 22nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    22/493 Sgt. Thomas O'Neill enlisted at Jarrow and joined the 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry were the Division's Pioneers and as such would have been involved in work on trenches, roads, accommodation and trench railways. He died on the 26th March 1918 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and the Pozieres Memorial Panel 68 to 72.

    His medal card shows him awarded with the British War and Victory Medals - a pair which was commonly referred to as Mutt and Jeff - again cartoon characters of those times.

    The date of his death was just before the German Offensive and the great retreat in April 1918 so he was probably killed during defensive preparation works as a Pioneer near the front line.

    Thomas was born in Jarrow in 1891 and the 1911 census has him living at 45 South Street, Jarrow with his wife Betsy O'Neill nee Sanderson and their daughter Catherine aged 1. He is employed as a labourer in the Platers section of a Boilermaking Works.

    Vin Mullen




    214632

    Sjt. Thomas Dean Besford 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>Thomas Dean Besford Medal Index Card

    Thomas Dean Besford died on 21st March 1918 aged 27 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was the son of Thomas and Jane Besford (nee Dean) of 78 Albert Road Jarrow, he was born and enlisted Jarrow. On the 1911 census, he is recorded as Thomas Dean Besford age 20 Grocer is with his parents Thomas and Jane Besford and family at 78 Albert Road, Jarrow.

    Thomas is remembered on the Arras Memorial, he is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and was commemorated on the Triptych that was in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Triptych (right panel) that was in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    214631

    Pte. John Berry 8th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    John Berry, Private 14579, enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 8th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. He died, age 19, on the 24th September 1915. John was born in Byker, son of Thomas and Charlotte Annie Berry (nee Davy) of 84 Dee Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census, John Berry age 14 Pawnbrokers assistant is living with his parents Thomas and Charlotte Annie Berry and family at 84 Dee Street, Jarrow.

    He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow and on the Triptych that was in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (It is no longer a Church). John is buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-D'-Armentieres.

    Vin Mullen




    214630

    L/Cpl. Henry Patterson Berry 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th March 1918)

    <p>Henry Patterson Berry Index Card

    Henry Patterson Berry died on 24th March 1918 at the age of 21 whilst serving with 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was born in Wallsend, lived in Jarrow and enlisted in Newcastle. Son of Catherine Berry (nee Patterson) and the late George Berry. On the 1911 census Henry Patterson Berry age 14 is recorded as being on the Wellesley Training Ship on the Tyne. The Wellesley Nautical School was founded in 1868 by a group of Philanthropic businessmen on Tyneside under the leadership of James Hall, to provide shelter for Tyneside waifs and train young men for service in both Royal and Merchant Navies.

    Henry is buried in Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery Bailleulval and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214620

    Pte. Daniel Berry 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    <p>Daniel Berry's Medal Index Card

    Daniel Berry died on 18th August 1916 aged 27 whilst serving with the 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. He was born and lived Jarrow and had enlisted in South Shields. He was the son of Clara Berry of 55 Nansen Street Jarrow and the late Daniel Berry. On the 1911 census he is listed as Daniel Berry age 21 Coal miner Putter below ground is with his widowed mother Clara Berry and family at 25 Walter Street, Jarrow

    Daniel is buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery. Mametz and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214619

    Pte. Albert Berry 18th Battalion, "B" Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>Albert Berry Medal Index Card

    Albert Berry died on 3rd May 1917 at the age of 27 whilst serving with 18th Battalion "B" Coy. Durham Light Infantry. He was born, enlisted and lived Jarrow, the son of John and Frances Berry of 74 Croft Terrace and husband of Mary Isabella Berry (nee Huntley) of 22 Beaumont Terrace Jarrow. On the 1911 census Albert Berry age 21 Traffic Clerk in Co-operative Society is with his parents John and Frances Berry and family at 15 York Street, Jarrow.

    Albert is remembered on the Arras Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Albert Berry family grave in Jarrow Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    214618

    Sjt. Harry Bentley 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>Harry Bentley's Medal Index Card

    Harry Bentley died on 1st July 1916 aged 28 whilst serving with the 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. Born in Jarrow he was the son of William Benson and Susannah Bentley (nee Bentley) of Jarrow. On the 1911 census Harry Bentley age 23 House Painter is with his parents William Benson and Susannah Bentley and family at 17 Henry Street, Jarrow . He enlisted in Sunderland.

    Harry is remembered on the Thiepval Memorialand is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214617

    Pte. Thomas Bentham 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd Aug 1916)

    <p>Thomas Bentham's Medal Index Card

    Thomas Bentham died on 22nd August 1916 at the age of 25 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was the son of Matthew and Mary Anne Bentham (nee Cain) of 61 Buddle Street Jarrow and husband of Annie Bentham (nee Welsh) of 259 High Street Jarrow. His brothers Robert and James were also of the fallen.

    On the 1911 census Thomas Bentham age 20 General Labourer in Shipyard is living with his parents Matthew and Mary Anne Bentham and brother Matthew at 16 Queens Road, Jarrow. Born and living Jarrow, Thomas enlisted in South Shields. He is buried in Couin British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214616

    Private James O'Neill 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    3/8215 Private James O'Neill enlisted at Barnard Castle and joined the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The prefix 3/ in front of his number refers to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry which was based in August 1914 at Newcastle-on-Tyne. A depot/training unit, it moved on mobilisation to South Shields where it then remained as part of the Tyne Garrison. He would have joined this unit for basic training and preparation to join a Service Battalion on active service. He was allocated to the 2nd Battalion and retained his current number (soldiers often changed numbers on allocation to different units). He lived at 7 Straker Street, East Jarrow with his wife Emily O'Neill nee Spencer. A search of 1911 census reveals the family were living at 97 Campbell Street, South Shields with James age 31 working as a Colliery Labourer (shipster)above ground for Harton Coal Company. His wife Emily is 22 years old with son James 1 year old and daughter Emily 3 years old.

    James died on the 9th August 1915 aged 35 and is commemorated at the Jarrow Library and at the Menin Gate Memorial Ypres.

    Photograph of James O'Neill provided by his great grand son.

    Vin Mullen




    214593

    Pte John O'Connor 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.2nd Mar 1917)

    <p>

    John O'Connor born and living in Jarrow, enlisted in the 1st Battalion the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. At the time of the 1911 census he was living at 35 Princess Street, Jarrow with his wife Matilda May O'Connor (nee Johnson), daughters Ethel May (5), Dorothy ( 3 months)and son Andrew (1). He was employed as a ships plate riveter in the shipyard.

    He died on the 2nd March 1917 (aged 40) and is remembered in St. Paul's Church and Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte just south of Albert, France. It is difficult to know the exact circumstances of his death as Meaulte was the site of a large Casualty Clearing Centre for the Somme Battlefields. In September 1916, the 34th and 2nd/2nd London Casualty Clearing Stations were established at Meaulte, known to the troops as Grove Town, to deal with casualties from the Somme battlefields. They were moved in April 1917 and, except for a few burials in August and September 1918, the cemetery was closed.

    Vin Mullen




    214592

    Act/Corp William Gibbs

    Wiliam Gibbs is my great grandfather.

    Please can you contact me. He lost his life at the Battle of Doiran in Macedonia.

    Thank you.

    Steve Gibbs




    214590

    Pe Thomas O'Brien 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Thomas O'Brien Private 11061 enlisted at South Shields in the 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. He died at Gallipoli on the 22nd August 1915 and is remembered on the Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and Helles Memorial Panel in Gallipoli, Turkey.

    He was born at Harton in 1884 and lived in Jarrow at 15 Milton Street with his wife Anne O'Brien nee Coulson. The 1911 census shows him living at that address with Anne, daughter Mary (9) and son Thomas (3). He was 28 years old and working as a labourer in the shipyard.

    Vin Mullen




    214553

    Pte. Alexander O'Brien 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.12th Oct 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander O'Brien enlisted in 1914 at Jarrow in the 1st Battalion the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own). He was killed in action on the 12th October 1916 and is remembered on the Palmer Cenotaph together with Thiepval Memorial His unit was part of the 6th Division so it is probable that he was killed during the Battle of Le Transloy (1st to 18th October 1916) in the latter stages of the First Somme Offensive.

    Alexander was the younger son of John O'Brien (deceased) and Jane O'Brien of 148 William Street, Hebburn. In the 1911 census he was living at home with his widowed mother, his older brother John, his older sister Helena and her husband James McAtominey. Alexander was 21, single and worked as a Labourer in the shipbuilding Industry.

    Vin Mullen




    214551

    Pte. William Johnstone 6th Battalion Cameron Highlanders (d.15th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    William Johnstone was killed at Loos in France on the 15th September 1918.

    Avril Salter




    214454

    Sapper Robert Bentham Royal Engineers

    <p>Robert Bentham Medal Index Card

    Robert Bentham who served with the DLI and Royal Engineers died on 1st January 1920 age 38. He was born and lived Jarrow. Son of Matthew and Mary Anne Bentham (nee Cain) of 61 Buddle Street Jarrow and husband of Beatrice Bentham (nee Jackson) of Jarrow. His brothers James and Thomas were also of the fallen. On the 1911 census he is listed as Robert Bentham age 28 Ship Plate Rivetter at Cammel Lairds and is lodging at 19 Broughham Street, Birkenhead Robert is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Robert Bentham CWGC headstone in Jarrow Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    214438

    Pte. Walter Brocklesby Jacklin 3rd Btn. East Kent Regiment (The Buffs)

    <p>Walter Brocklesby Jacklin with his wife Charlotte and daughter Hilda in 1917

    Private Walter Brocklesby Jacklin, Regimental No (35832) or (26057) joined the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) which was training unit and remained in UK throughout the war. On completion of training Walter would have been attached to one of the service battalions of the regiment for active service.

    R Broadbent




    214437

    Gnr. James Bentham 12th Company Royal Garrison Artillery (d.16th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    James Bentham Gunner 58836 of the 12th Company Royal Garrison Artillery, died age 27 on 16th April 1916 at home. He was the son of Matthew and Mary Bentham (nee Cain) of 61 Buddle Street Jarrow. Born around 1889 and living Jarrow, he enlisted in Gateshead. On the 1911 census, he is recorded as James Bentham age 22 Gunner, with 87th Company, Royal Garrison Artillery stationed at Hong Kong

    James is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. His brothers Robert and Thomas Bentham were also of the fallen.

    Vin Mullen




    214436

    Pte. Henry Walker Benson 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1917)

    <p>Henry Walker Benson Medal Index Card

    Henry Walker Benson died on 19th August 1917 at the age of 41 whilst serving with the 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. He was formerly 242289 Norfolk Regiment. Born in Jarrow, son of William and Mary Ann Benson (Anderson) of Southampton, he lived Brighton and enlisted in Southampton.

    Henry is buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3.

    Vin Mullen




    214435

    2nd Lt. James Ormonde Hill Army Service Corps

    <p>

    My cousin's grandmother found a photo of a soldier unloading as he landed in Havre. His name was James Hill and he was in the Army Service Corps. The Medal Rolls index show a James Hill, driver, second lieutenant, Regiment No. T1/4584. Reference WO372/9/190029. Don't forget this sacrifice.

    robilliard




    214434

    Pte. Thomas Bell 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.7th Jun 1916)

    <p>Thomas Bell Medal Index Card

    Thomas Bell died on 7th June 1916 aged 29 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was born and lived in Jarrow, son of Margaret Bell of 6 Queen's Road Jarrow and Thomas Hodgson Bell. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Thomas Bell age 24 Ship Plate Riveter in Shipyard is with his parents Thomas Hodgson and Margaret Bell and family at 3 Queens Road, Jarrow.

    Thomas is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214433

    Sapper Robert William Bell Tyne Electrical Engineers Royal Engineers (d.2nd March 1919)

    <p>Robert William Bell's Medal Index Card

    Robert William Bell died on 2nd March 1919 aged 35. He served with the Tyne Electrical Engineers, Royal Engineers. Born in Jarrow, he was the son of James and Mary Bell of the Paper Mill Jarrow and husband of Elizabeth Bell (McIntosh) of 54 Prince Consort Road Jarrow. Robert is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Robert William Bell CWGC headstone at Jarrow Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    214432

    Pte. John Henry Bell 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>John Henry Bell's Medal Index Card

    John Henry Bell died on 3rd May 1917 aged 37 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Born in Jarrow, he enlisted in Newcastle. John is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214431

    Pte. Thomas Beck 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Oct 1916)

    <p>Thomas Beck's Medal Index Card

    Thomas Beck died on 18th October 1916 at the age of 18 whilst serving with the 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Born in Hebburn he was the son of Thomas and Margaret Jane Beck (nee Sheppherd). On the 1911 census he is listed as: Thomas Beck age 13 at School is with his parents Thomas and Margaret Jane Beck and family at 84 McIntyre Street, Hebburn. He enlisted in Cramlington.

    Thomas is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214430

    Pte. William Victor Beavers 2nd/5th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.1st Sep 1917)

    <p>William Victor Beavers' Medal Index Card

    William Victor Beavers was aged 20 who died on 1st September 1917, whilst serving with 2nd/5th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. (Formerly 44920 Yorkshire Regiment). Born in Jarrow, he was the son of Richard and Ada Beavers (nee Fulthorpe). On the 1911 census he is recorded as: William Victor Beavers age 13 at School is with his parents Richard and Ada Beavers and family at Red Lion Hotel, Roker, Sunderland. He enlisted in Sunderland.

    William is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214429

    Pte. Albert Oglesby 9th Battalion (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Private Albert Oglesby (22213) 9th Battalion K.O.Y.L.I. died From war wounds on Friday 12th October 1917 aged 23 yrs. He lived at East Bank Stainforth and was buried in Stainforth Cemetery, Doncaster.

    Robert Broadbent




    214418

    Pte. Walter John Beattie 15th Battalion Royal Scots (d.26th April 1917)

    <p>Walter John Beattie's Medal Index Card

    Walter John Beattie served with the 15th Battalion Royal Scots he was aged 33 when he died on 26th April 1917. Born in Bulgill, Cumberland, he was the son of Janet Milligan (formerly Beattie) and the late Walter Beattie and husband of Christina Wilson Beattie (nee Aitern) of 25 Primrose Hill, Monkton, Jarrow. On the 1911 census is recorded as Walter John Beattie age 27 Coal miner Hewer, living with wife Christina and child at 74 Laurel Street, Wallsend. Walter enlisted in Bowhill, Selkirk and is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214411

    Pte. Charles Batterbee 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.9th Jun 1917)

    <p>Charles Batterbee's Medal Index Card

    Charles Batterbee served with the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. (Formerly 6777 London Regiment) He was 38 years old when he died on 9th June 1917. He was born in Jarrow in 1878 (recorded as Batterby) Son of John and Ann Batterbee (nee Barins) native of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Charles Batterbee age 32 General Labourer in Manure Factory is with his widowed father John and family at 7 Montague Street, Canning Town, East Essex. He enlisted in Canning Town East Essex. Charles is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214403

    Pte. Thomas William Barrow 20th Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Feb 1916)

    <p>Thomas Barrow's Medal Index Card

    Thomas William Barrow served with the 20th Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 26 when he died of wounds on 23rd February 1916. Born in Jarrow, he was the Son of William and Mary Louisa Barrow (nee Robson). On the 1911 census he is recorded as Thomas William Barrow age 22 Joiner in Shipyard is with his wife Hannah (nee Brown) and child at 16 Ellison Place, Jarrow. He enlisted in Sunderland. Thomas is buried in Sailly-Sur-La-Lys Canadian Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214398

    Cook. James Joseph Banks SS. Serapis (d.26th Jun 1917)

    James Joseph Banks was a ship's Cook on the S.S. Serapis (Glasgow) with the Mercantile Marine. He was aged 25 when he died on 26th June 1917. Born at Saffron Hill London, he was the son of the late James George and Ann Charlotte Banks and husband of Dorothy Banks (nee Smith) of 16 Ormonde Street Jarrow. James is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214374

    Pte. Alexander Foster Ball 20th Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>Alexander Foster Ball's Medal Index Card

    Alexander Foster Ball served with the 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 35 when he died on Saturday 1st July 1916. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Alexander Foster Ball age 30 Ships Platers Helper in Shipyard is with his wife Phyllis and children at 10 Lyon Street, Hebburn. Born in Jarrow he was the son of Thomas and Mary Ball (nee Foster) and husband of Phyllis Forman O. Ball (nee Hayton) of 77 Tyne Street Jarrow. Their son George Lloyd Ball served in WW2 as Gunner 1427147, aged 30 when died on 15th December 1943.

    Alexander is remembered on the Thiepval Memorialand is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214368

    Spr. David B. Baird 107th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.27th Apr 1915)

    <p>David B. Baird Medal Index Card

    David B. Baird served with 107th Field Company, Royal Engineers, he was aged 40 when he died on 27th April 1915. Born in 1874 in Sunderland, he was the son of Mary Jane Baird and husband of Elizabeth Baird (nee Langlands) of Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow. David is buried in Salisbury (Devizes Road) Cemetery and is is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214360

    L/Cpl. Herbert Backley 8th Battalion, "Y" Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1916)

    <p>Herbert Backley's Medal Index Card

    Herbert Backley served with 8th Battalion "Y" Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers. (formerly 17735 West Yorkshire Regiment) he was aged 24 when he died on 26th September 1916. Born in Jarrow in 1894 he was the son of Charles Henry and Margaret Backley of 25 Berwick Terrace, Percy Main, North Shields. He lived and enlisted in North Shields. Herbert was previously wounded in November 1915. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214348

    Spr. Frederick Avery 93rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.18th Feb 1918)

    <p>Frederick Avery's Medal Index Card

    Frederick Avery served with 93rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers. He was aged 29 when he died on 18th February 1918. He was born and enlisted Gateshead, the son of John and Mary Ann Avery of Gateshead. Frederick is buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery. Mananourt and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214347

    Pte. Frederick Harrison Atkinson 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Apr 1918)

    Frederick Atkinson of the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was aged 20 when he died on 18th April 1918. He was the son of John Edward and Jane Elizabeth Atkinson (nee Venus) of 18 Dean Road South Shields. He had been born in South Shields in 1898 and lived in South Shields. He is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214343

    Pte. Patrick Aspell 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th May 1915)

    <p>Patrick Aspell Medal Index Card

    Patrick Aspell served with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was aged 37 when he died on 26th May 1915. He was born in Ballinakil, Galway, Ireland and lived in Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Patrick Aspell age 31 Platers Helper in Shipyard is with his wife Mary (nee Browne) and children at 17 Grey Street back, Jarrow. He enlisted in Wallsend.

    Patrick is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214340

    Cpl. Oswald Charles Ash 18th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.31st Aug 1916)

    <p>Oswald Charles Ash's Medal Index Card

    Oswald Charles Ash served with the 18th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. he died on 31st August 1916 at the age of 20. Son of James and Martha Mary E. Ash (nee Bell) of 12 Beech Street Jarrow, he was born in Middlesbrough, lived Jarrow and enlisted in Newcastle. On the 1911 census, he is recorded as Oswald Charles Ash age 15 at School is with his parents James and Martha Ash and family at 12 Beech Street, Jarrow. He is buried in Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214339

    Pte. George Ash 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Apr 1918)

    <p>George Ash's Medal Index Card

    George Ash served with the 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Aged 18 he died on 27th April 1918. Son of the late John and Mary Ash (nee Hoy) he was born in Jarrow in 1899 and lived and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census George Ash is listed as age 12 at School living with his widowed father and family at 25a Shakespeare Street, Jarrow.

    George is remembered on the Soissons Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214338

    Blacksmith Walter Davison Arthur Mercantile Marine Reserve HMS Viknor (d.13th Jan 1915)

    Walter Davison Arthur was a Blacksmith on HMS. Viknor Mercantile Marine Reserve. He was age 22 when he died on 13th January 1915. Walter was the husband of Mary A. Colby (formerly Arthur) of Eastern Terrace, East Howdon, Northumberland. he is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. Panel 9. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214337

    Pte. Richard Armstrong 4th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.26th March 1918)

    <p>Richard Armstrong's Medal Index Card

    Richard Armstrong served with the 4th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment. Aged 31 he died 26th March 1918. He was the son of Robert and Sarah Armstrong of St. Paul's Terrace West Pelton and Husband of Ada Armstrong (nee Archbold) of 19 Park Road Jarrow. On the 1911 census Richard Armstrong is listed as age 24 Timekeeper above ground in Coalmine living with his parents Robert and Sarah Armstrong at St. Paul's Terrace, West Pelton. Richard was born in West Pelton, lived in Jarrow and enlisted Chester le Street. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214336

    Writer 2nd Leslie Charlton Arkle Mercantile Marine Reserve HMS. Viknor (d.13th Jan1915)

    Leslie Charlton Arkle Writer 2nd. HMS. Viknor Mercantile Marine Reserve, Age 19 who died on 13th January 1915 was born in Gateshead in 1895. He was the son of John Armitage and Margaret Arkle (Charlton) of Gateshead. Leslie is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. Panel 9 and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214335

    Pte. James Archbold 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.5th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    James Archbold enlisted in Carmarthen, Wales as Pte. 11560 in the Welsh Regiment and transferred to the 6th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment. He was killed in action age 30 on the 5th April 1916. He is remembered at the Basra Memorial.

    James was born in Jarrow and lived in Haydon Bridge. His medals were sent to Miss Archbold, 47 Woolmarket, Berwick on Tweed.

    Vin Mullen




    214329

    Spr. William John Anderson 12th Fld. Coy. Royal Engineers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    William John Anderson enlisted at Newcastle and served with the 12th Field Company Royal Engineers, attached to 6th Division. He died age 43 on the 21st March 1918 and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    William was born in Hebburn, the son of Edward and Catherine Anderson (nee Fairley) and was married to Sarah Jane Anderson (nee Hutchinson) of 202 High Street Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214328

    Cpl. Robert Anderson 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.15th May 1917)

    <p>Robert Anderson's Medal Index Card

    Robert Anderson served with the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Aged 28 he died on 15th May 1917, son of Joseph Anderson of 74 Stead Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census Robert Anderson age 24 Private is at Aldershot with 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, his father Joseph Anderson and his stepmother are at 49 Stanley Street (Lodging house).

    Robert is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214326

    Pte. John Thomas Anderson 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Oct 1916)

    <p>John Thomas Anderson's Medal Index Card

    John Thomas Anderson served with the 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Living in Jarrow he enlisted Wallsend. He died on 30th October 1916. John is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214325

    Gnr. John Craig Anderson 9th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.6th Sep 1917)

    <p>John Craig Anderson's Medal Index Card

    John Craig Anderson served as a gunner with 9th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Aged 33 he died on 6th September 1917 in Warrington. He was born in Jarrow in 1882 and was living in Jarrow when he enlisted in Newcastle. On the 1911 census he is listed as John Craig Anderson aged 27 Caulker in Shipyard living with his wife Edith Anderson at 37 Percy Street, Jarrow, John is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. He was also commemorated on the Triptych (left panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church and the Triptych is no longer there)

    John Craig Anderson CWGC headstone in Jarrow Cemetery

    Triptych (left panel) in that was in St. Mark's Church in Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

    Vin Mullen




    214324

    Pte. James Mackie Anderson 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.26th Nov 1943)

    James Mackie Anderson enlisted in Sunderland and served with the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own). He was born in Jarrow in 1893 and died on 21st March 1918, age 24. James is remembered on the Arras Memorial Bay 4.

    Vin Mullen




    214321

    Pte. Albert Edwin Anderson 1st Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (d.4th Oct 1917)

    <p>Albert Edwin Anderson's Medal Index Card

    Albert Edwin Anderson served with the 1st Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) he was aged 19 when he died on 4th October 1917. Son of Robert and Jane Anderson of 63 James Street Jarrow he was born, enlisted and lived Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as Albert Anderson age 12 at School is with his parents Robert and Jane Anderson and family at 63 James Street, Jarrow.

    Albert is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214320

    A. Anderson

    A. Anderson is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214319

    Pte. Alexander Anderson 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.13th Sep 1916)

    <p>Alexander Anderson Medal Index Card

    Alexander Anderson served with the 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 27 when he died of wounds on 13th September 1916. He was born Liverpool and lived in Jarrow, the son of William and Esther Anderson of 47 Queen's Road Jarrow. On the 1911 census Alexander Anderson age 22, a Rifleman is with his regiment Durham Light Infantry, his parents William and Esther Anderson are with their children at 5 South Street back, Jarrow. He enlisted in Sunderland. Alexander is buried in Harbarco Communal Cemetery Extension and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214318

    Pte. Thomas Amour 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.20th May 1918)

    <p>Thomas Amour Medal Index Card

    Thomas Amour served with the 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 23 when he died on 20th May 1918. He was born and was living Hebburn, he was the son of the late Thomas and Matilda Amour (Rickard) of 33 Arthur Street Hebburn Colliery. On the 1911 census, Thomas Amour is listed as age 16 Miner Driver at Colliery living with his widowed father Thomas Amour and family at 33 Arthur Street, Hebburn Colliery He enlisted in Jarrow and died in Clitheroe. Thomas is buried in Hebburn Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214317

    Pte. Andrew Amos 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1916)

    <p>Andrew Amos' Medal Index Card

    Andrew Amos served with the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 28 when he died on 9th August 1916. He was born in Jarrow 1888, son of Ernest J. and Margaret Amos (nee Green). On the 1911 census, Andrew Amos is listed as age 22 General Labourer in Shipyard living with his widowed mother Margaret Amos at 54 Walter Street, Jarrow He enlisted in Jarrow and is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214316

    Pte. William Ambrose 6th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>William Ambrose's Medal Index Card

    William Ambrose served with the 6th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers. Aged 28 he died of wounds on 28th March 1918. He was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow, son of Robert and Mary Ann Ambrose (nee Headley) O1911 census William Ambrose age 21 Private is with 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers, his mother Mary Ann Ambrose and family are at 7 Burns Street, Jarrow.

    William is buried in Honnechy British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214312

    Spr. George Ambler 1st/3rd (Durham) Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.7th Sep 1916)

    <p>George Ambler Medal Index Card

    George Ambler served with the 1st/3rd (Durham) Field Coy. Royal Engineers. He was aged 28 when he died on 7th September 1916. He had enlisted in Jarrow. George is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery. Longueval and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214302

    Ldg.Sea. Ernest Pegram Hood Btn

    <p>

    Ernest Pegram joined the Northumberland Fusiliers at the outbreak of WW1. His record shows that he was transferred to the Royal Naval Reserve and then to Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division. He was injured in the Dardanelles and spent time in hospital in Egypt. His record shows he was treated at 88th Field Ambulance Clearing Station, Dardanelles, then 1st Australian Hospital, Cairo. He was transferred to the NZ Hospital at Halouan then the Citadel Clearing Depot, Cairo, spending time in the Convalescent Hospital Luxor and 19th General Hospital, Alexandria.

    Chris Tearney




    214293

    Alpine

    He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214292

    Rfmn. William Allison 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own) (d.25th Sept 1915)

    <p>William Allison's Medal Index Card

    William Allison served with the 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own) he died on 25th September 1915 at the age of 23. He had been born in 1892 in Jarrow, son of Arthur and Margaret Elizabeth Allison (nee Wilson) and lived and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as William Allison age 18 Apprentice Patternmaker in Shipyard is with his parents Arthur and Margaret Allison at 59 Albert Road, Jarrow . William is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214290

    Pte. James Allison 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Mar 1915)

    <p>James Allison Medal Index Card

    James Allison served with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 41 when he died on 12th March 1915. Born in Scotland, he was the son of Hugh and Mary Allison of Jarrow and Husband of Margaret Elizabeth Allison (nee Carrick) of 148 High Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as James Allinson age 36 Shipyard Platers Labourer is with his wife Elizabeth and children at 148 High Street, Jarrow. James is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214278

    Field Sgt. John Atkinson 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    With the outbreak of the First World War John Atkinson enlisted on the 10th August 1914 in the 3rd Training Battalion Durham Light Infantry (Army Number 22546) and the Northern Echo of 1st March 1916 shows him as a Lance-Corp. serving with the 3rd’s in France. On 14th October 1916 he is recorded as a Sergeant suffering from shell shock and on 26th March 1917 he had been wounded and was in a base hospital in France. He retained the scar of the wound in his right forearm and the remnant of the bullet in his shoulder.

    He never talked much about his experiences on the Somme in W.W.1 other than to relate the time when he was in the ambulance from the front to field hospital. Alongside him was a Prussian Guard who, seeing the marksman badge on Dad’s sleeve (he was a sniper), Dad relates,”he would have killed him if he could”. He was wounded at St. Eloi, near Ypres, and our former home at Aycliffe, near Darlington, bears that name to this day.

    However, whilst searching the 1943 edition of the Darlington & Stockton Times the following article of 10th September 1943 emerged:

    Great War Comrades Meet at Durham.

    The swearing in of Mr. Roland Jennings, M.P., of Whitburn, Sunderland, as a county magistrate at Durham Quarter Sessions on Wednesday was followed by an informal reunion with one of his Great War comrades in arms.

    On the bench was Mr. John Atkinson, of Great Aycliffe, who during the Great War was a platoon sergeant in the 20th Batt. Durham Light Infantry. Recognising his former officer, Mr. Atkinson left the court and had a happy chat with Mr. Jennings. In particular they recalled an episode at St. Eloi in 1917 when Sergt. Atkinson was wounded while attacking with a Lewis gun a German machine-gun nest at a 40 yards range in no man’s land. Mr. Jennings, then a second-lieutenant, came to the rescue, helped Sergt. Atkinson back to the British lines and dressed his wound.

    Mr. Jennings, chartered accountant, was M.P. for Sedgefield from 1931 to 1935 and has been M.P. for the Hallam Division of Sheffield since 1939. Mr. Atkinson is Aycliffe representative on the Darlington Rural Council and, as a J.P., sits on the Spennymoor and Darlington County Benches.

    (Postscripts) – the 20th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry (Wearside), the “Faithful Durhams”, after training at Barnard Castle were at Aldershot on 7th January 1916 (Northern Echo). They were the only North-country battalion in the 41st Division with a high proportion of miners and it became well known for its digging abilities. They moved to France in May 1916 based around Armentieres (my father talked about the place as a place they relaxed in).

    From John Sheen’s book emerges a detailed record of the Battalion and its movements as follows:

    The 20th Battalion DLI was part of the 123rd Brigade along with the 11th Queens, 10th Royal West Kent, and 23rd Middlesex. The Brigade was part of the 41st Division, which in turn was part of the 15th Corps.

    • 1/5/1916 Moved to embarkation positions.
    • 4/5/1916 Entrained Farnborough and embarked SS Arundal at Southampton
    • 5/5/1916 Gare des Marchandises – Godewaerswelde (Belgium).Probably John joined the Battalion here??
    • 10/5/1916 Ypres Salient – frontline for instruction in trench warfare.
    • 28/5/1916 Le Bizet/Armentieres.
    • 29/5/1916 22 officers & 696 men into the front line.
    • 23/8/1916 Bailleul to Somme Front (Longpre les Corps Sants) then marched to Yaucourt Bussus.
    • 7/9/1916 Train Longpre to Mericourt then camp near Becorel outside Albert.
    • 12 – 13/9/1916 Into line with the 11th Queens.
    • 14/9/1916 Back to Pommiers Redoubt then back to the Battle at Flers (with tanks). 123rd Brigade in reserve behind 122nd Brigade (no fighting but with casualties from shelling – possible source of John’s shell shock reported in the press on 14/10 1916)
    • 17/9/1916 Moved to the Montauban line then Bercondal for attacktraining.
    • 27/9/1916 Much reconnaiscence into No Man’s Land.
    • 1/101916 Back to Pommiers Redoubt.
    • 3/10/1916 Camp at Memetz Wood – resting.
    • 7/10/1916 800 yards behind Flers.
    • 17/10/1916 Left Somme and entrained at Dernancourt to Oismont (via Amiens). Arrived 18/10/1916.. Battalion strength 1068. From 23/8 to 17/10/1916 casualties 98 dead, 200+ wounded.
    • 20/10/1916 Train from Pont Remy to Godeswaersvelde (Dickebusch Sector)
    • 22/10/1916 Renningshelst.
    • 3/11/1916 Back to trenches – skirmishes.
    • 12/11/1916 Ontario Camp (Dickebusch)
    • 18/11/1916 SNOW – COLD. Fighting dimishes but still casulaties. Battalion strength 29 officers and 828 men.
    • 23/11/1916 Ontario Camp.
    • December 1916 In and out of the line.
    • Christmas Day Trench mortar activity.
    • 29/12/1916 Ontario Camp (Ypres Salient)
    • New Year’s Day 1917. Some had baths – practicing – operating Lewis Guns. Strength 19 officers (-10) and 463 (-365) men.
    • 3/1/1917 In the line – very wet.
    • 8/1/1916 New officers joined the Battalion, including R. Jennings.
    • 17/1/1917 Back in the line.
    • 21/1/1917 SNOW – back to Ontario Camp.
    • 28/1/1917 Back in the line.
    • Early February 1917. Clearing trenches – back and forward to Ontario Camp.
    • 17/2/1917 Routine fighting – in and out through February into March. Battalion football competition – church in Reninghelst.
    • 5/3/1917 Took over from East Surrey’s.. Snow and mist. Things described as quiet – in and out the line.
    • 18/3/1917. Skirmishes and shelling – likely time when John was wounded (Northern Echo report on 26/3/1917.
    • 24/3/1917 Battalion out of the line and on ‘stand-by’.

    John used to talk about the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley in Hampshire - an existing pre-war military hospital as the place he received on-going treatment for his wounds prior to him moving to Croydon for a time before ultimately finishing up at Woodside Hospital Darlington where he was Orderly Sergeant. He was finally honourably discharged on 13th December 1917.

    Postscript by Lewis Atkinson, John’s son: My son and I are currently tracing family records and we came across the following article by my father dated 11th November 1929 in a Darlington newspaper. He served and was wounded twice in the First World War.

    “Once again the Empire today does homage to that vast, immortal army who died that we might live. Again it is vividly brought home to us by the sight of Flanders poppies, religious and other national memorial services, of the terrific sacrifices made by the British Empire during that tragic conflict.

    Again, we ex-Servicemen think of those with whom we marched along the roads to the familiar strains of ‘Tipperary’, ‘Who’s your lady friend?’ and the like who are no more. We recall the training, the embarkation, our baptism of fire, the walking wounded wending their way back to the dressing stations, followed by screaming murderous shells; the stretcher cases, the lines of men outside the casualty stations, the on-coming troops, guns, transport, ever moving forward; Ypres, Armentieres, Vimy Ridge, Albert, the mud, aerial torpedoes, whizz-bangs, and Heaven knows what else. And I often ask myself, ‘Was it worthwhile?’ I say most emphatically, never again must the British Empire be plunged into such a catastrophe! Never again. They died that we might live”

    Lewis Atkinson




    214277

    Pte. Robert Allen 13th (Forest of Dean Pioneers) Battalion Gloucester Regiment (d.1st Mar 1917)

    <p>Robert Allen Medal Index Card

    Robert Allen served with the 13th (Service) Battalion Gloucester Regiment (Forest of Dean Pioneers) He was aged 24 when he died of wounds on 1st March 1917. He was born, lived and enlisted Jarrow, the son of William and Emily Allen (nee Evans) of Jarrow and husband of Annie (nee Fay) at one time Mayor of Jarrow. On the 1911 census, he is recorded as Robert Allen age 17 Rivet heater in Shipyard living with his parents William and Emily Allen at 30 Ferry Street back, Jarrow. Robert is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.

    Robert Allen WW1 Memorial Plaque (Death Penny)

    Robert Allen with his wife and child

    Vin Mullen




    214276

    Pte. W. Aitken

    W. Aitken is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214275

    Private William Robertson Aitken 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    William Robertson Aitken served wth the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was aged 26 when he died of wounds on 27th September 1915. He was born in Jarrow in 1889 and enlisted in Jarrow. William is remembered on the Loos Memorial and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214274

    Pte. Charles Wheadon Machine Gun Corps

    Aycliffe Village Local History Society




    214272

    Pte. Thomas William Aitken 14th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd Sep 1917)

    <p>Thomas William Aitken's Medal Index Card

    Thomas William Aitken served with the 14th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 26 when he died on 3rd September 1917. Born in Jarrow in 1891, son of Thomas and Jane Aitken (nee Moss), he lived and enlisted North Shields. On the 1911 census Thomas William Aitken is recorded as being age 21, a Gas yard Labourer living with his wife Kathleen (nee Gray) at 6 Shakespeare Street, North Shields.

    Thomas is buried in the Menin Road South Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214269

    Pte. James Addison 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.3rd Dec 1915)

    <p>James Addison's Medal Index Card

    James Addison Private served with the 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was aged 29 when he died on 3rd December 1915. He was born in 1886, and lived and enlisted Jarrow. He was the son of George Addison and late Barbara Addison of Jarrow, and husband of Margaret Spence (nee McGuinness) of 3 Stanley Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as James Addison age 25 Fitters Engineers Labourer at Dry Dock living with his wife Margaret and child at 26 Queens Road, Jarrow. James is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214267

    Fireman James Adam HMS Viknor (d.13th Jan 1915)

    <p>Brass plaque on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow

    James Adam served as a Fireman onboard HMS Viknor with the Mercantile Marine Reserve. He was aged 30 when he died on 13th January 1915. He was the son of Roland A. Adam and Mary Jane Adam of Jarrow and husband of Amy Adam (nee Humfress) of 61 South Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census, James Adam age 26 is recorded as a Ship Platers Helper in Shipyard living with his wife Amy and children at 44 Nixon Street, Jarrow.

    James is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial and commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    James Adam commemorated on family grave at Jarrow Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    214264

    L/Cpl. Harold Wright 18th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th July 1916)

    Harold Wright was born in the Yorkshire Village of Addingham in 1894. He volunteered in 1915 and joined what was to become known as the 2nd Bradford Pals otherwise 18th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. His initial posting overseas was to Egyt with his unit. In early 1916 the unit was transferred to France and he was seriously wounded in the 1st or 2nd day of the battle of the Somme. He was transported back to England but died in hospital in Plymouth on 15th July 1916. He is buried in a family plot at Heaton cemetery in Bradford. He was awarded the 1914/15 star, victory medal and British medal, some of which where after his death.





    214254

    Pte. W. Sweeney 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.24th Nov 1915)

    W. Sweeney served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France in 1915. He is buried in Edinburgh, in Newington or Echo Bank Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214253

    Pte. Allan Boyle 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.21st Oct 1915)

    Allan Boyle served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France in 1915. he is buried in Assevillers New British Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214252

    Pte. Robert Frater Jacks 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.14th Oct 1915)

    Robert Jacks served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France in 1915. He was killed at the age of 22. Son of Richard Jacks of Edinburgh. Robert is buried in Assevillers New British Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214251

    Pte. John Smith 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.13th October 1915)

    John Smith served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France in 1915. He is buried in Assevillers New British Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214249

    Pte. G. Stewart 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.26th Sep 1915)

    G. Stewart served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France. he is buried in Hawick Wellogate Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214248

    Pte. James Scott 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.25th Sep 1915)

    James Scott aged 20, served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915. Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Scott of Springwell Cottage, Gullane, East Lothian, James is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214246

    2nd Lt. Robert Troutbeck MacIver 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.11th Sep 1915)

    Robert Troutbeck MacIver served as a 2nd Lt. with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915. He was killed aged 18. Son of Maude C. Sanderson (formerly MacIver) of 12 Mulberry Walk, Chelsea, London, and the late Robert Rankin MacIver. Robert was born at Rothay Bank, Ambleside, Westmorland.and is buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214245

    Pte. John Gallacher 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.1st Sept 1915)

    John Gallacher served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.He is buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214241

    Pte. Duncan Blackstock 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.31st June 1915)

    Duncan Blackstock served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915. He is buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214239

    Pte. Charles Dalton 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.28th June 1915)

    Charles Dalton served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915. He is buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214238

    Pte. George Duncan 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.25th June 1915)

    George Duncan, age 20 was killed whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots. he was the ason of George and Janet Duncan of 15 Glover Street, Craigee, Perth. George is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214210

    2nd Lt. John Hobbs 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.28th June 1915)

    John Hobbs died of wounds sustained with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots, he was 26 years old. He was the son of William and Milly Rebecca Hobbs of Luton, Beds. and husband of Helen Coote Hobbs of 60 Constantine Road, Colchester, Essex. John is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Vin Mullen




    214209

    Pte. John Richardson 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.25th June 1915)

    John Richardson of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots died of wounds and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Vin Mullen




    214207

    Pte. John Smith 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.21st June 1915)

    John Smith died of wound sustained whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots. he is buried in Chapelle-D'Armentieres Old Military Extension.

    Vin Mullen




    214206

    A/LCpl. James Finnigan 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.20th June 1915)

    James Finnigan was lost whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214205

    L/Cpl. E. Hogg 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.16th June 1915)

    E. Hogg was killed whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915. He is buried in Chapelle-D'Armentieres Old Military Extension.

    Vin Mullen




    214204

    Pte. Kenneth Beaton 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th June 1915)

    Kenneth Beaton, served wth the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France in 1915. He is buried in Chapelle-D'Armentieres Old Military Extension.

    Vin Mullen




    214203

    Pte. John Brand 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.11th June 1915)

    John Brand lived in Wick, he served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915. ohn is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Vin Mullen




    214202

    Pte. John Swift 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.11th June 1915)

    John Swift, served as John Smith with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France in 1915. He lost his life at the age of 23, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Swift of South Shields. John is buried in Chapelle-D'Armentieres Old Military Extension.

    Vin Mullen




    214201

    Pte. Frank Burgess 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.11th June 1915)

    Frank Burgess died of wounds and is buried in Chapelle-D'Armentieres Old Military Extension.

    Vin Mullen




    214200

    Pte. Robert Dillon 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.4th June 1915)

    Robert Dillon was the son of Mr. A. Dillon of 39 Coyle Street, Townhead, Glasgow. He is buried in Ingham, St. Bartholomew Churchyard.

    Vin Mullen




    214199

    Pte. H. McGow 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.1st June 1915)

    H. McGow is buried in Edinburgh Rosebank Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214198

    Pte. Donald Campbell 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.23rd May 1915)

    Donald Campbell died of wounds during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, at the age of 32. He was the son of Donald and Annie Macdonald Campbell of 29A Madras Street, Inverness and is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214197

    Pte. Peter Calder 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.22nd May 1915)

    Peter Calder is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate. He was killed at the age of 26. Son of the late John Calder.

    Vin Mullen




    214196

    Pte. Malcolm Marshall 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.20th May 1915)

    Malcolm Marshall died of wounds sustained in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214195

    Pte. Walter Young Gibson 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.20th May 1915)

    Walter Gibson age 29, was killed in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He was the husband of Jane Gibson of 54 South Bridge, Edinburgh. and is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214194

    Pte. Joseph John Cleveland 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.19th May 1915)

    Joseph Cleveland was killed whilst fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he was 47 years old. Joseph is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214193

    Pte. James Fennick 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.18th May 1915)

    James Fennick was lost in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214190

    2/Lt. Norman Sutherland MC. 9th Btn. Cheshire Rgt

    <p>Norman Sutherland  9th Cheshire Regiment

    My Grandfather Norman Sutherland was awarded a military cross for action at Oostaverne near Ypres on July 15th, 16th ,17th, 1917. It must have been awarded for bravery.

    Norman Sutherland  9th Cheshire Regiment Military Cross

    Norman Sutherland  9th Cheshire Regiment Military Cross

    J




    214189

    Pte. James McNulty 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.15th May 1915)

    James McNulty was killed during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214188

    Pte. Richard Early 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.15th May 1915)

    Richard Early was killed in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214187

    Pte. Kenneth Cormack 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.15th May 1915)

    Kenneth Cormack died of wounds sustained during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214183

    Pte. George Anthony 15th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.2nd Nov 1918)

    My Grandfather on my mother's side, George Anthony, served in the 15th Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers. I do not have much information except that at the time he came from 9 Kingsbury Road, Balls Pond Road, Islington, London and was originally in the Middlesex Regiment. Presumably he must have been drafted in after the Salford Pals were depleted. He was killed 9 days before the cessation of hostilities during the Somme/Loos campaign and has no known grave. He is remembered at the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

    John Mills




    214182

    Pte. Martin Stark 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.14th May 1915)

    Martin Stark lost his life during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he was aged 22. Son of James and Mary Stark of Loanburn Cottages, Penicuik, Midlothian. Martin is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214181

    Pte. James McGachie 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.14th May 1915)

    James McGachie was lost during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.He was 39 years old, brother of John McGachie of 75 Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh. James is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214179

    Pte. Ralph Knox 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.14th May 1915)

    Ralph Knox was killed during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214178

    Pte. John Watson 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    John Watson was lost during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he was 20 years old. The son of John and Jane Watson of 21 Glover Street, Arbroath, Forfarshire. John is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214177

    Cpl. Thomas Wallace 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    Thomas Wallace was lost in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214176

    Sgt. Shayler Paintin 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    Shayler Paintin was lost during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He was aged 29, son of Joseph and Isabella Paintin of West End, Witney, Oxon. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214175

    Pte. Martin Andrew Mulroy 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    Martin Mulroy was lost at the age of 40 during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He was the son of Martin and May Mulroy of Belcarra, Castlebar, Co. Mayo and Husband of Rosean Mulroy (nee Gorman) of 1832, Maryhill Road, Glasgow. Martin in remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214173

    Pte. John McLennan 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    1st John McLennan died of wounds sustained in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. John is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214172

    Pte. David Aitken McLean 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    David McLean age 33, died of wounds sustained during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He was the son of Peter and Isabella McLean and husband of E. Taphouse (formerly McLean) of 175 Wellfield Street, Springburn, Glasgow. David is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214171

    Pte. Edward McDonald 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    Edward McDonald was lost in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214170

    Pte. Archibald Marr 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    Archibald Marr aged 18 was lost during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He was the son of William Marr of Mossnew Cottage, Dennyloanhead, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214169

    Pte. Robert Lamont 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    Robert Lamont was lost at the age of 27 durng fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He was the son of John and Rebecca Lamont of 365 Main Street Bonhill, Dumbarton. Robert is remembered at Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214168

    L/Cpl. Thomas Henderson 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    Thomas Henderson was lost during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he was 32. Son of Christina Henderson of 23 Bank Street, Alyth, Perthshire. Thoams is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214167

    Capt. Leslie Shaw Farquharson 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    Capt Leslie Shaw Farquharson was Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, Royal Scots from 1911 to 1914. He was killed at the age of 31 during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He was the only son of the Rev. Alexander and Mary Walker Farquharson of 41 Camden Square, London. Leslie is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214166

    A/Cpl. John Carr 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    John Carr, whose real name was Andrew Kennedy served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots. He lost his life aged 27 in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He was the son of James and Margaret McMahon Kennedy. He is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214165

    Pte. Thomas Black 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th May 1915)

    Thomas Black was lost in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke during the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He was aged 22, son of the late Thomas and Agnes Fields Black. Thomas is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214164

    Pte. Thomas Murray 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.11th May 1915)

    Thomas Murray was wounded during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He died of wounds and is buried in Klein-Vierstraat Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214163

    Pte James Henry Jordan MM. 7th Btn Suffolk Regiment

    <p>

    Jim Jordan joined the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment in 1907 at the age of 19. He was quickly posted to Malta, where he learned his trade of tailor. After Malta came Khartoum and Egypt. The Battalion arrived back in England in November 1914, and set foot in France in February 1915, where they took part in the Second Battle of Ypres and later that year the Battle of Loos. My grandfather was wounded three times during the war but we do not know when. We only know that after the war he was left with shrapnel embedded in his shoulder. The first occasion must have taken him out of action when the 1st Battalion left for Salonika in November 1915 and we assume then he went into the Second Battalion, and later into the 7th. He was with the 7th Battalion when he received his Military Medal (London Gazette, October 1917). On 28th November, following the Battle of Cambrai, when the use of tanks helped break through the Hindenburg Line, he and some comrades were captured. Jim spent the rest of the war at Dulmen Camp. He had four brothers on active service, one in the Navy (who served on the Royal Oak at the Battle of Jutland), and three in the Army. Unfortunately, Jim died in 1932 at the age of 44.

    James and Ben

    Regimental Pioneers, Armourers & Tailors Lt  & Qr Mr C Quarrell

    Marian Thornley




    214162

    Pte. John Boyce 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.11th May 1915)

    John Boyce was lost during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214161

    Pte. James Baird 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.11th May 1915)

    James Baird of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots was lost fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. James is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214160

    Pte. Thomas Holsgrove 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.10th May 1915)

    Thomas Holsgrove was lost in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. Thomas is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214159

    Pte. William Emslie 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.10th May 1915)

    William Emslie was lost during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He is remembered at Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214157

    Pte. Michael Farrell 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Aycliffe Village Local History Society




    214154

    Pte. William Monaghan 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.9th May 1915)

    <p>William Monaghan, Private 9918

1st  Battalion Royal Scots Regiment
Private 9918

1st  Battalion Royal Scots Regiment
William Monaghan. Private 9918. 1st Battalion Royal Scots

    William Monaghan served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots Regiment. He was aged 27 when he died on 9th May 1915 at Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62) Zillebeke, Belgium. He had been born on the 29th of June 1887 at 10 Dunn Street Jarrow, the eldest son of William Monaghan and Catherine Monaghan (nee Casey) from Jarrow (both formerly from Tedavnet, County Monaghan) His younger brother Frank Monaghan served with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was also one of the fallen who died at La Chapelle Farm (Hill 60) within a mile of each other William is commemorated on Menin Gate in Ypres and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church in Jarrow.

    William had four sisters and a brother. Catherine born 1881 in Watson Street, Jarrow. Margaret born 1883 and Mary born 1884 in Tyne Street Jarrow. Sarah Ann born 1889, Frank born 1891 and Elizabeth born 1893 at 10 Dunn Street Jarrow. William attended St. Bede’s RC Primary School at Monkton Road Jarrow, then at St. Bede’s RC School at Low Jarrow, were he was taught by the Marist Brothers.

    Around 1900 his father decided to go over to North America to start a new life, and when he got established, fetch his family over. William Monaghan senior had lived and worked previously in New York for about 12 years, and had other members of his family there. He had left New York in 1880 and came to Jarrow visiting a family he knew from County Monaghan. He ended up marrying one of the daughters in Jarrow. So Catherine Monaghan and the rest of the family had to move out of the caretaker’s house in Dunn Street, when her husband left his job. They moved over to Hodgson Street in Willington Quay, next to the oldest daughter Catherine, who had just married Thomas Wadey. William at this time was at the Chadwick Memorial, Industrial School for Catholic Boys at the Moor Edge in Newcastle, training as a Tailor, he had been sent there for some minor misdemeanour.

    In early 1903 Frank’s mother Catherine died at Hodgson Street (she is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery Willington Quay, Wallsend) So the father William Monaghan had to relinquish his plans, and come home from North America. William Monaghan and his family moved back over to Jarrow again. By now William and his younger brother Frank were into the Tailoring trade. But as there was little work for William and his brother Frank. So William signed up with the 1st Royal Scots in Haddington Edinburgh about 1909 and was sent overseas and stationed at Allahabad in India. The 1st Battalion Royal Scots were recalled from India on the outbreak of war, arriving in England on the 16th of November 1914.

    On the 8th of May 1915 the 1st Battalion were fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium and were ordered to form part of Composite Brigade with 2 Companies each. 2nd Brigade Royal Irish Fusiliers and 2nd Brigade Leinster Regiment. Lt. Col. Callender was to command composite Brigade with Captain H. E. Stanley-Murray as Staff Officer - Command of the battalion devolved upon Major H.F. Wingate with Cap. J. Burke as Acting Adjutant. The composite dissolved at 6pm and the battalion proceeded with all speed to the Zouave Wood (Hooge) under command of Lt. Col. Callender. The Germans attacked the area of woods south of the Menin Road after a horrendous artillery bombardment all day. There was heavy fighting near Hooge and North of Menin Road. The 1st Battalion Royal Scots were sent up the line in support of 81st Brigade. The 81st were in a small salient and the northern side was 'sagging'. When the 1st Royal Scots arrived they found the unit to their left had been forced from their trenches and the Germans were in the process of occupying them. The 1st RS fixed bayonets and charged, evicting them in disarray. The 1st Royal Scots and their territorial companions in the 9th Royal Scots held these trenches, without losing a sap, until relieved on the night of 22nd/23rd May. About 6 pm orders were received to proceed to Sanctuary Wood. The battalion arrived soon after dusk and were halted at Zouave Wood. Officers went ahead and inspected trenches held by 2nd Gloucester's, and the battalion took over these trenches before dawn the following day. Disposition of battalion - A & D Coys fire trenches, B & C Coys support trenches.

    On the 9th of May 1915, 1st Battalion were fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium, under heavy artillery bombardment. By 2am the battalion was moved up to Sanctuary Wood. They had heavy fighting in Sanctuary Wood and got badly cut up. At dawn the order came to fall back and occupy the GHQ line some 2 miles West. This was done. The enemy's guns had the range of this line to a nicety, and put in a number of shells. Line maintained. Two hundred men out digging at night. Casualties this day: Killed 4 men. Wounded Lt. G. M. V. Bidie 25 other ranks.

    William Monaghan was one of the 4 soldiers killed this day. And was one of the 52 (1st Battalion Royal Scots) who were killed between April and May 1915 at Sanctuary Wood and have no known graves 'Known unto God' The 52 are commemorated on the Menin Gate. 'We now know where they lay'

    William's younger brother Frank Monaghan Private 3428 of 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was also of the fallen a few months earlier at La Chapelle Farm (Hill 60) less than a mile away.

    William Monaghan Medal Index Card

    1st Battalion Royal Scots position on 8th May 1915

    Vin Mullen




    214151

    Pte. Richard Ness 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.9th May 1915)

    Richard Ness, 1st Battalion Royal Scots was killed in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    214150

    Pte. Patrick McDonald 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.9th May 1915)

    Patrick McDonald of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots was lost in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. Patrick is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214149

    Pte. Adam Florence 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.9th May 1915)

    Adam Florence, 23 of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots was lost in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He was the son of Robert and Margaret Florence of 8 Richard Street, Glasgow and husband of Marion. Adam is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214148

    L/Cpl. John McLoughlin 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.7th May 1915)

    John McLoughlin died of wounds sustained with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. John is buried in Les Gonards Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214147

    Pte. George Trinder 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.6th May 1915)

    George Trinder died of wounds sustained in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he was 48 years old . Son of James and Ann Trinder, he lived in Abingdon, Berks. George is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214145

    Pte. Francis Martin 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.5th May 1915)

    Francis Martin 1st Battalion Royal Scots died of wounds sustained in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he was 31. Son of William and Maria Martin of the Castle, Stirling. Francis is buried in Perth Cemetery – China Wall.

    Vin Mullen




    214144

    Pte. Peter Tonner 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.4th May 1915)

    Peter Tonner, age 22 was the husband of Sarah Tonner of 61 King Street, Rutherglen, Glasgow. He was lost in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, and is remembered with colleagues of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    214143

    Pte. Alonza Shaw 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.4th May 1915)

    Alonza Shaw of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots was lost whilst fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. Alonza is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214142

    Pte. Patrick Joseph Rock 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.4th May 1915)

    Patrick Rock was lost during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He is remembered on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214141

    Pte. William Neil 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.4th May 1915)

    William Neil, 1st Battalion Royal Scots was killed in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. William is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214140

    Pte. Raymond Machin 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.4th May 1915)

    Raymond Machin was lost in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214139

    Pte. Harold Thomas Leash 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.4th May 1915)

    Harold Thomas Leash of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots was lost in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. Harold is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214138

    Pte. Thomas Kerr 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.4th May 1915)

    Thomas Kerr 1st Battalion Royal Scots was lost in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. Thomas is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214137

    Pte. George Charles 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.4th May 1915)

    George Charles was killed whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. George is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214136

    Act/Cpl. Alfred Wadlow 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.3rd May 1915)

    Alfred Wadlow of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots was lost at the age of 22 during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. Son of Elizabeth Wadlow of 38 Alfriston Road, Clapham Common, London. Alfred is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214135

    L/Cpl. John Young 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.30th Apr 1915)

    John Young of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots lost his life in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium, he was 22 years old. Son of James and Margaret Young of Lime Kiln Cottages, Longniddry, Edinburgh. His brother Robert also fell. John is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214134

    Pte. John McGuire 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.30th Apr 1915)

    John McGuire of the 1st Battalion was wounded in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He died of wounds in hospital and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214133

    L/Cpl. Gardner Jack 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.30th Apr 1915)

    Gardner Jack was with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots, fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, when he lost his life. He was 32, the husband of Agnes Moodie Jack of 26 Grahamsdyke Street, Laurieston, Falkirk. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214132

    L/Cpl. William Thomas Smith 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.28th Apr 1915)

    William Thomas Smith was killed on the 28th of April 1915 whilst with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He was 27 years old, the son of Mrs. A. Smith of 4 Cemetery Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. William is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214131

    Pte. John Hiney 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.27th Apr 1915)

    John Hiney, 1st Battalion Royal Scots was killed during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. John is amongst those remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214129

    Pte. George Thompson 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.26th Apr 1915)

    George Thompson of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots was lost during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He is remembered at the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214128

    Pte. Harold Robinson 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.26th Apr 1915)

    Harold Robinson of the 1st Battalion Royal Sots was killed whilst fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, he was 27 years old. The brother of Mrs. F. Dickenson of 105 Cemetery Road, Carlton, Nottingham. Harold is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214127

    Pte. Thomas Mullen 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.26th Apr 1915)

    Thomas Mullen of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots lost his life fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. Thomas is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214126

    Pte. James Dumma 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.26th Apr 1915)

    James Dumma of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots was killed in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214125

    Pte. John Connelly 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.26th Apr 1915)

    John Connelly of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots lost his life fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. John is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214124

    Pte. William Hislop 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.25th Apr 1915)

    William Hislop is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214123

    2nd Lt. William Alan Copeland 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.25th Apr 1915)

    William Copeland was a 2nd Lt with the 1st Battalion he was fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke when he was killed during the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He was 18 years olf, the son of Mrs. and the late Major Frederick Copeland of the 69th Punjabis. William is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214122

    Pte. Alexander Hutchison 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.24th Apr 1915)

    Alexander Hutchison died of wounds, he was the husband of the late Isabella MacKenzie Hutchison. Alexander is buried in Oosttaverne Wood Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214121

    Cpl. Andrew Campbell Hepburn 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.24th Apr 1915)

    Andrew Hepburn of the 1st Battalion died of wounds following fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214120

    Lt. N. M. Young 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.23rd Apr 1915)

    Lt. N. M. Young of A Coy 1st Battalion was killed during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He was aged 25, the son of Bessie P. and the late Alexander Young. Born Edinburgh, he is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214119

    Pte. William Milne 1st Battalion "C" Coy. Royal Scots (d.23rd Apr 1915)

    William Milne of C Coy, 1st Battalion Royal Scots died of wounds sustained during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. William was aged 28, the Husband of Williamina Milne of 44 King Street, Dundee and is remebered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214118

    Pte. Robert Alexander Grant 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.23rd Apr 1915)

    Robert Alexander Grant of C Coy, 1st Battalion Royal Scots died of wounded followging fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He was 20. years of age, the son of Kenneth and Annie Downie Grant of 27 Westfield Road, Edinburgh. Robert is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214117

    Pte. David Cousins Scott 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.22nd Apr 1915)

    David Cousins Scott lost his life whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He was 42 years old the son of David and Elizabeth Scott of 36 Warrender Park Terrace, Edinburgh, husband of Margaret Cranston Scott of 2 Huntly Street, Edinburgh. David is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214116

    Pte. Patrick Reilly 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.22nd Apr 1915)

    Patrick Reilly of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots was killed during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214115

    Pte. John McGhee 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.22nd Apr 1915)

    John McGhee lost his life with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He was aged 26, the son of John and Margaret Wilson McGhee of 85 Westport, Edinburgh. John is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214114

    Pte. Thomas Hendry 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.22nd Apr 1915)

    Thomas Hendry of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots, died of wounds sustained during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke in the Sceond Battle of Ypres. Thomas was 25 years old, the sSon of Mrs. Margaret Hendry of 55 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, he had been born at Galashiels, Selkirkshire. He is buried in Bedford House Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214113

    Cpl. John McMillan 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.21st Apr 1915)

    John McMillan of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots was killed during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, in teh Second Battle of Ypres. He is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    214112

    Pte. Cecil Chapman 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.21st Apr 1915)

    Cecil Chapman served with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots, he was killed during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke and is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214111

    2nd Lt. Henry Cyril Pecker 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.20th Apr 1915)

    Henry Pecker was a 2nd Lt with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots, he lost his life at the age of 20 during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He was the son of Major George Pecker and is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214110

    Pte. James Hanning 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.20th Apr 1915)

    James Hanning died of wounds sustained in fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke. He was aged 26, the son of William and Ann Hanning of 5 Spittal Street, Edinburgh. James lies in Bedford House Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214109

    Pte. John Henry Dunmore 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.20th Apr 1915)

    John Dunmore of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots was killed during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214108

    Pte. Daniel Hunter 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.17th Apr 1915)

    Daniel Hunter died of wounds during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214107

    L/Cpl. Joseph Richard Horner 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.17th Apr 1915)

    Joseph Horner, age 39 was the son of Richard and Ruth Horner of Belfast and husband of Mary Kate Homer of Lower Walkin Street, Kilkenny. He was killed whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots, fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. Joseph is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214106

    Pte. John Conroy 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.17th Apr 1915)

    John Conroy died of wounds whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214105

    Capt. Edward John Farquharson Johnston 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th Apr 1915)

    Edward Johnston was the son of Edward Farquharson Johnston and Mary Johnston and husband of Viola Johnston, of The White House, Crawley, Winchester, Hants. He had been born at Seville, Spain. Edward was killed around Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke during the 2nd Battle of Ypres and is buried in Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214104

    Pte. Charles Rennie 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.11th Apr 1915)

    Charles Rennie is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214103

    Pte. Peter McBain 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.10th Apr 1915)

    Peter McBain is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    214102

    Sgt. W. G. Wishart 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.9th Apr 1915)

    W. G. Wishart is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    214100

    Pte. David Paul Crawford 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.27th Mar 1915)

    David Paul Crawford lies in Le Treport Cemetery, France.

    Vin Mullen




    214099

    L/Cpl. Alexander Melville 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.27th Mar 1915)

    Alexander Melville was born in Alyth, Perthshire. He died of Wounds and is buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery.

    The Glasgow Herald reported on the 30th of March 1915: "Mr Andrew Melville, Bank Street, Alyth, received word yesterday from a Red Cross hospital that his son Alexander had died on Saturday. Alexander Melville was a member of the Royal Scots and came with the Indian contingent for the war. He visited his parents at the beginning of the year."

    Vin Mullen




    214098

    Pte. Frederick A. Jay 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.23rd Mar 1915)

    Frederick A. Jay is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214097

    Pte. Robert Hunter 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.23rd Mar 1915)

    Robert Hunter was the son of Mrs. A. Hunter of 339 Glasgow Road, Burnbank, Hamilton, Lanarkshire. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214096

    L/Cpl. Charles Dickson 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.23rd Mar 1915)

    Charles Dickson was the son of James and Margaret Dickson of 6 Front Square, Edinburgh. He is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    214082

    John "Jock" Milligan Highland Light Infantry

    My grandad, John Milligan, served with the Highland Light Infantry. He joined when he was only 16. He also wore the kilt we do have a photo of him which I will try and get a hold of. When he died my grandmother was supposed to have thrown a lot of his stuff out, sadly! My dad, told me he never talked much about his war days so sadly we don't know that much about his war years. I keep trying tiredly, to get something.

    He enlisted at Dreghorn, Ayrshire supposedly in 1914-15. There is a story he was running over the trenches, and kept running, and fell a few times. One time his friend running alongside him, got injured and died, and he said after that he didn't make many friends after that, because it hurt too much, so when he ran he just kept going, didn't look sideways or back, just kept running. He came upon a small church which had been left in ruins, and found a small cross with Jesus on it. We still have that till this day, it sits in my dad's room, as he is in care now with dementia, but can still tell you it belonged to auld Jock who found it in a church in Belgium. If it's true, which we all believe is it must be over 100 years old. He lived till the ripe old age of 84, bless him! We are all so proud of him. I will continue to search and find out all I can about him.

    Maureen Milligan




    214080

    L/Cpl. Charles Dance 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.21st March 1918)

    <p>

    My Great great Grandfather, Charles Dance served in the British Armed Forces part of the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, enlisting on the 13th of June 1916. He died on the 21st March 1918 at Morchies, France. He was born on the 2nd November 1883 and died 21st March 1918 Age 34. He is buried in Vaulx Hill Cemetery, France.

    Eye Witnesses to death include: Pte. Hammond. 204786. 2 D.L.I. I saw Dance killed on fire-step with a piece of shrapnel - at Morchies - I was standing by him - March 21 - 9.30 a.m We lost the trench and I was captured 1 1/2 hours later - near Bapaume.

    David McCulloch. 9901. 2. D.L.I I saw him hit in the breast by shrapnel March 21st. at Morchies. We were captured then. He was an artist and came from London.

    Pte. John. Tennant. 301797. 2 D.L.I I saw him killed by shrapnel in the back - carried his body on one side; on March 21/18

    (Pte. John. Tennant. 301797. 2 D.L.I. letter to my Great great Grandmother Louisa Maud Dance): "On the 21st March we were in the front line trench when the Germans made an attack after a heavy bombardment in which your husband was struck by a piece of shrapnel in the back which killed him instantly. I then laid him on the side of the trench along with our other dead comrades. Soon after the Germans occupied the trench and I was taken away prisoner. I have seen the Germans bury English dead just the same as their own in a very acceptable manner. I should like a photo of your husband very much. I and he were very good friends".

    L/Cpl. John Gibson. 45159. 2 D.L.I I knew Dance from October 1917 to March 1918. I was wounded on 21.3.18. and whilst in the dressing station I met Pte. William Gore. 2 D.L.I. (formerly a bandsman in the West Ridings) who was also wounded, and who told me he had seen Dance killed. I do not know Gore's number. He came to a hospital in Norwich, and would be able to give all information about Dance.

    Pte. P. Wright. 36673. 2 D.L.I We were at Morchies on 21st March and I was in the same post as Dance. I saw him killed by shrapnel which hit him in the back. He died within a few minutes - unconscious. The post was captured 3 hours after and the body was then left.

    Richard Dance




    214076

    Sgt. John Edward Smith MM. 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    John Edward Smith was a Sergeant in 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, he was gassed in Hulluch, awarded the MM and got injured in Ginchy. John was in hospital somewhere and was asked to train men to go (back) to the front but he wanted to be with mates and fight so went into the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. (I was told this by my grandmother). John was killed on the 23rd of April 1917 at Monchy-le-Preux and is on the Arras Memorial. He was 25 years old. He had been born in Ballymacarrett, County Down and lived with his wife Esther in Warrington.

    Chris Murphy




    214067

    Sgt. Robert Bourhill 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.23rd Mar 1915)

    Robert Bourhill was the son of Henry and Marion Bourhill of Ramsay Square, Loanhead and Husband of Sarah Bourhill of Elm Grove, Loanhead, Edinburgh. He was killed aged 24 and is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    214062

    2nd Eng. Joseph Fulthorpe S.S. Savan (d.12th Mar 1918)

    On the 1911 census Joseph Fulthorpe list listed as aged 30, a Sea-going Engineer, lodging at 154 Grey Street in Jarrow. He was serving as Second Engineer onboard the S.S. Savan with the Mercantile Marine when he lost his life aged 37, on 12th March 1918. He was the son of Joseph and Mary Jane Fulthorpe and was born in Jarrow. Jospeh is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214061

    Pte. Richard Flanaghan 2nd/4th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) (d.30th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Richard Flanaghan was born and lived in Jarrow, the Son of Patrick Flanagan of Jarrow. On the 1911 census, Richard Flanaghan age 20 General Labourer at Chemical Works is with his father Patrick Flanaghan at 54 Old Church, Jarrow.

    Richard enlisted at Newcastle and served with the 2nd/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). He died aged 27 on the 30th September 1918. He is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214060

    Bugler. Neils Freeman 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    Neils Freeman was born in Jarrow, the son of James and Phoebe Freeman of Jarrow and husband of Sarah Freeman (nee Ferguson) of 21 Nixon Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census, Neils Freeman age 29 Labourer at Slagworks is with his wife Sarah and her parents the Fergusons at 7 Scott Street, Jarrow.

    Neils enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died age 35 on 9th June 1916. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemeteryand is remembered on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214059

    Gunner Matthew Freeman 32nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.23rd Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Matthew Freeman, was born and lived in Jarrow, he enlisted at North Shields and served with 32nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery, which was attached to 45th Brigade and landed in France during October 1915. It consisted of 6 x 6 inch Howitzers. Mathew was killed in action aged 27 on the 23rd July 1916. He is buried in Peronne Road Cemetery Maricourt and is remembered on the Triptych in St. Pal's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214058

    Pte. William Charles Graveling Northumberland Fusiliers

    I remember stories from my father Ernest about his dad William Charles Graveling (who was with the Northumberland Fusiliers). He was shot by a sniper in Ypres and got shrapnel embedded in his back which he suffered with for the rest of his life.

    Bev Bishop




    214057

    2nd Lt. William Carter "WC" Preston 8th Battalion 8th Border Regiment (d.10th Apr 1918)

    William Carter Preston was a farmer's son from Far Sawrey. He studied and worked as an architect before the First World War he joined the Army as a volunteer. From all my research he was a good man, a man of great integrity pride and honour in serving his country in this hour of need. He was well liked by his friends in the 8th Border Regiment who gave William the nickname WC and dearly loved by all his family even today we feel his loss.

    He died among friends on the 10th of April 1918 as a result of a direct hit from a artillery shell. Never Forgotten

    D Preston




    214056

    L/Cpl. John William Fraser 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.19th Sep 1918)

    <p>Brass plaque on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow

    John William Fraser served with the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) Born and enlisted in Jarrow, he died on 19th September 1918 and is buried in Grand-Seracourt British Cemetery and commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (plaque on west face) in Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214055

    Gnr. Thomas Forsyth 1st/4th Durham Howitzer Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.15th Feb 1916)

    Thomas Forsyth was born in Jarrow in 1894. On the 1911 census he is listed as Thomas Forsyth age 16 Apprentice Draughtsman with Palmer Shipbuilders living with his parents James and Agnes Forsyth at 5 Edith Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. Thomas is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (north face) in Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214054

    Pte. Thomas Joseph Forster 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Apr 1917)

    <p>Thomas Joseph Forster Medal Index Card

    Thomas Joseph Forster Private 46476, of the 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers died on 2nd April 1917. He was born in Jarrow and enlisted in Sunderland. Thomas is remembered on the Arras Memorial. Bay 2 and 3.

    Vin Mullen




    214053

    Pte. John Helm Forster 10th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th July 1917)

    <p>John Helm Forster Medal Index Card

    John Helm Forster served with the 10th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 21 when he died on 20th July 1917. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Forster of 125 St. Paul's Road Jarrow, he was born in Jarrow and had enlisted in Newcastle. On the 1911 census he is recorded as: John Helm Forster age 14 Shop Assistant at Grocers is with his parents John William and Jane Forster at 125 St. Paul's Road, Jarrow. John is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow and on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

    Vin Mullen




    214051

    Pte. Sidney William Richards 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    Sidney William Richards signed up with the Leicestershire Regiment in 1900 and served 12 years. He appears to have used his middle name, William, during his army service. I assume he was called up from the reserve list at the outbreak of WW1, he had three young children at this time, one being my Mother. He transferred from the Leicestershire Regiment to the Northumberland Fusiliers and was wounded in April 1915, I am not sure where he was when he was wounded. Unfortunately, he died at the end of 1918, partly due to the injuries he had sustained.

    If anyone has any additional information about my Grandfather I would be very interested.

    Graham




    214050

    Pte. George Forster 22nd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>George Forster Medal Index Card

    George Forster served with the 22nd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He was aged 23 when he died on 1st July 1916. Son of Mary Ann Tully (formerly Forster) and late William Ridley Forster, George was born at Tyne Dock, he lived and enlisted Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is recorded as George Forster age 17 Warehouseman for a Ships Chandlers is with his mother and stepfather Robert and Mary Ann Tully at 67 McIntyre Street, Jarrow.

    George is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    214049

    Dvr. Elias Highcock Royal Field Artillery

    I know very little of my Great Great Grandfather, Elias Highcock other than he served for the duration of the war in The Royal Field Artillery and saw action at Ypres.

    I also know he volunteered to serve in the 2nd World War but was turned down due to age. He did however serve in the Fire Watch and Home Guard. I would be grateful for any additional information.





    214048

    Cpl. William Form 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd Dec 1916)

    <p>

    William Form was the son of John Charles and Margaret Form of 52 Duke Street Jarrow. He was born in Wallsend in 1895 he lived and enlisted in Jarrow. On the 1911 census William Form age 15 is listed as a Rivet Heater in Shipyard living with his parents John and Margaret Form at 10 Lord Street, Jarrow.

    William died aged 22 on 22nd December 1916 and is buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension.

    Vin Mullen




    214045

    Pte. Peter Fox 25th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Peter Fox was the son of Catherine Fox (nee Connor) and the late Peter Fox, brother of Felix Fox of 3 Shakespeare Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census Peter Fox age 26 Ropeworker is with his parents Peter and Catherine Fox at 3 Shakespeare Street, Jarrow. He was born in Jarrow and enlisted in Newcastle.

    peter died aged 25 on 21st March 1918 and is remembered on the Arras Memorial. Bay 2-3. He is also commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214044

    Pte. Joseph Foster 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.5th Nov 1916)

    <p>

    Joseph Foster was the son of Thomas Foster of 45 Oak Street Jarrow and the late Frances Foster. On the 1911 census Joseph Foster age 15 Colliery Labourer is with his parents Thomas and Frances Foster at 7 Herd Street, Wardley Colliery. He was born and enlisted Gateshead. James died aged 20 on 5th November 1916 and is buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214043

    Pte. Arthur Edward Gibson 26th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Edward Gibson was the son of George Shipley Gibson and Mary Snaith Gibson (nee Cross) of 26 Croft Terrace, Jarrow. On the England and Wales 1911 census, Arthur was aged 15, working as a shop assistant in the Hatter and Hosiery industry. His father, aged 48, was a Superintendant of Assurance Agents for Prudential Assurance Company. His mother, aged 50, was a housewife.

    He was killed in action aged 24 on 24th November 1917 and is buried in St Martin Calvaire British Cemetery, St Martin-sur-Cojeul. He was previously enlisted with Durham Light Infantry regt number: 28117.

    Vin Mullen




    214042

    L/Cpl. D. Fonn

    Lance Corporal D. Fonn is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. Does anyone have any additional information?

    Vin Mullen




    214041

    Pte. James Edward Fitzpatrick

    <p>Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow

    James Edward Fitzpatrick is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (west face) Jarrow and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214040

    Spr. James Geary Durham Fortress Company Royal Engineers (d.16th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    James Geary was the son of Patrick and Ellen Geary(nee Finnigan)of 245 High Street, Jarrow. From the 1911 England and Wales census, James was aged 15 and working as a shipyard heater. His father was aged 42 and a shipyard plate riveter, born in Jarrow. His mother was aged 36 and also born in Jarrow.

    James died aged 25 on 16 November 1918 and is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    214039

    L/Cpl. James Fitzpatrick 1st Battalion, F Coy. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.25th July 1915)

    <p>

    James Fitzpatrick, was the son of James Fitzpatrick of 86 High Street Jarrow and late Isabella Fitzpatrick. He was born and enlisted Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as aged 23, a Joiner is with his widowed father James Fitzpatrick at 86 High Street Jarrow on the 1911 census.

    James died aged 27 on 25th July 1915 in Gallipoliand is remembered on the Helles Memorial, he is also commemorated on the Triptych at St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214038

    L/Cpl Thomas William Gawthorpe 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas William Gawthorpe was the son of Benjamin George and Mary Jane Gawthorpe (nee Bird) of 29 St Paul's Road, Jarrow. He was born in Willington Quay and enlisted in Newcastle. Thomas went to France on the 6th of July 1915. He died of his wounds aged 22 on 2nd September 1917. He is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen.

    On the 1911 England and Wales census, he is listed as a student aged 15. His father was aged 41 and a railway clerk working for the North Eastern Railway. His father was born in York. His mother was aged 44 and was born in Shotton, Durham. They were residing at 48 Bury Terrace, Willington Quay, Newcastle upon Tyne.

    Vin Mullen




    214037

    Pte. William Dodds Gardner 4th Battalion, B Company Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    <p>William Dodds Gardner Medal Index Card

    William Dodds Gardner aged 20, died on 24 May 1915, was the son of John and Jane Anne Gardner (nee Franks)of 6 Augusta Terrace, Dinnington Colliery, Dudley, Northumberland. He was born in 1895 in Jarrow and enlisted in Hexham. From the 1911 England and Wales BMD census his father John Gardner was aged 51 and a widower, occupation was Cartman and horse driver for a colliery coal loader born South Shields. William was aged 15 and coalminer and driver born Jarrow.

    William is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate Memorial

    Vin Mullen




    214036

    Pte. James Frederick Gaffing 2nd Battalion. A Company Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>James Frederick Gaffing Medal Index Card

    James Frederick Gaffing aged 30, died on 9 August 1915. He was born in 1884 in Jarrow, son of the late Mary Ann Green (nee Gaffing) and husband of Elizabeth Jane Gaffing (nee Callighan)of 19 Milton Street, Jarrow. On the 1911 England and Wales BMD census he is listed as aged 25, married and his occupation was Labourer in a Copper Tube factory. He was born in Jarrow, Durham. His wife, Elizabeth Jane, was aged 21 and also born in Jarrow, Durham. Both residing at 17 Milton Street, Jarrow on Tyne. James is remembered in Ypres at the Menin Gate Memorial

    Brass plaque on west face of Palmer Cenotaph in Jarrow

    Vin Mullen




    214035

    Rfn. Thomas John Bell C Coy. 13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.28th Jun 1916)

    <p>

    Rifleman Thomas John Bell – No. 16230 served with C. Company, 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles

    Thomas, son of John and Martha Bell of Ballyvicknakelly, was born in Dromore, County Down on the 11th May 1878. He had two sisters, Agnes and Mary (Minnie). He was employed as a Railway Porter for the Great Northern Line in Dromore. He was a member of Dromore Cathedral Church, Orange Order Ballynavicknakelly LOL No.828, No.11 Royal Black Preceptory and Dromore Masonic Lodge No. 70.

    His sister Agnes Sarah was married to Robert James Martin and Thomas was staying with her in Mount Street, Dromore at the time of the 1901 census, while Robert was in the Boer War, to help her and her two young children Thomas Neill Martin and Mary Minnie Martin.

    Thomas was an old member of the South Down Militia and took an active part in the training of the local Ulster Volunteer Force in Dromore. As one of its founding members, when the call came he set off from Dromore Railway Station with the rest of the company on the 19th September 1914 for Clandeboye Camp, where he enlisted into the First County Down Volunteers, later to be called the 13th Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles.

    In the Somme sector prior to the fateful 1st July 1916 the 13th Battalion and the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers were both in a village called Rainneville , but it was too small to accommodate both so the 13th moved to a village called St. Gratien about 4 miles behind the front line. On the 28th June 1916 the 13th were moving to the front line to relieve the 11th Battalion by platoons and, as the last platoon in C Company formed up to march off, a German shell hit them and the explosion killed 14 outright with another 7 dying the next day.

    The 14 killed that day were the first burials in a new British War Cemetery near the village of Martinsarts and Thomas lies in Plot 1 Row A Grave 1. He never reached the safety of the trenches that day, trenches that his younger nephew Tommy Martin (16th Btn.) had helped to prepare, but he did miss the horrors of the 1st July as was pointed out in a letter to his parents by a Sgt. Henderson who knew him well.

    John Doran




    214034

    Cpl. Peter Fowler Glass 9th Battalion Cameronians (d.25th Jul 1918)

    My grandfather Peter Glass, served in France and Belgium in WW1. He was killed between Meteron and Balloil and is buried in Meteron war cemetery. He left behind a wife Gina and a son Stuart (my father), his daughter Helen died days after her father of flu. He was a printer before the war working for Harmsworthy's. I have various letters and sketches he did but little of his actual history.





    214033

    Gnr. David Gaffing 26th Bty. 17th Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.14th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    David Gaffing, aged 20, who died on 14th October 1917, had served with the 26th Battery, 17th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (770370), He also had earlier service with the RFA Territorials as Gunner (1023). He is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery. His medal card shows award of 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. His older brother, Daniel, was also one of the fallen.

    David was born in Hebburn 1887 and lived there, son of John and Alice (nee Spellman)of 2 Frederick Street, Heppburn Colliery. In the 1911 England & Wales BMD census, David's parents were: John Gaffney, Head, aged 50, married and occupation listed as Coal Labourer. He was born in Felling, Durham. Alice Gaffney, Wife, aged 48, was born in Ruhope, Durham.

    Vin Mullien




    214032

    Pte. Alexander Fitzpatrick 7th/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.10th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander Fitzpatrick, enlisted at Newry Co. Down and served with "A" Coy. 7th/8th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. He died age 19 on the 10th August 1917. He is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) in Jarrow and in Ypres on the Menin Gate Memorial. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

    He was born in Hartlepool, son of Joseph and Barbara Fitzpatrick. Alexander Fitzpatrick age 13 at school is with his parents Joseph and Barbara Fitzpatrick at 31 Swindon Street, Hebburn on the 1911 census.

    Vin Mullen




    214031

    2nd Lt. Patrick Joseph Finnigan 205th Squadron (d.18th May 1918)

    Patrick Joseph Finnigan flew with 205th Squadron Royal Air Force. He was 19 years old when he died on 18th May 1918. He was the son of Patrick Joseph and Mary Anne Finnigan (nee Boyle) of 45 Randolph Street, Jarrow. He is remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial and also commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Patrick Joseph Finnigan aged 12 at school is listed on the 1911 Census with his parents Patrick and Mary Anne Finnigan at 45 Randolph Street Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214030

    Pte. Thomas Franklin 3rd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th April 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Franklin, enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died age 39 on the 26th April 1916. He is remembered on the Triptych in St. Paul’s Church Jarrow and is buried in Jarrow Cemetery.

    Thomas was born in Newcastle 1877. He was married to Eleanor Nicholson (formerly Franklin nee Mullen) of 16 Spencer Street Jarrow. In the 1911 census, Thomas Franklin age 36 widower, Shipyard Labourer, is living with his 2 children at 6 Commercial Road.

    Vin Mullen




    214028

    Pte. Robert Finn 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>Robert Finn Medal Index Card

    Robert Finn served with the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Aged 29 he died on 31st July 1917. He was born, enlisted and was living in Jarrow. Robert was the son of Peter and Jane Finn (nee Furness)of Jarrow and is remembered on Ypres at the Menin Gate Memorial. He is also commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214027

    Spr. George Edward Findlay B.S. Cable Section Royal Engineers (d.27th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    George Edward Findlay enlisted at Newcastle and served in the B.S. Cable Section, Royal Engineers. He died age 22 on the 27th September 1918 in Egypt. He is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery.

    George was born in Jarrow, son of Edward and Sarah Emily Findlay (nee Tuck) of 40 Holme Avenue Walker Gate, Newcastle and the family is living at that address in the 1911 census with Edward(40) a House Painter and his wife of 16 years Sarah Emily. They have 5 children, George Edward(15) who works as a telegraph messanger, Doris Margaret(12), Tom Stanley(10) and Florence Emily(8) are at school. Robson is 4 years old. also living here are Sarah's father George Tuck (78) Pensioner and his wife Margaret Tuck who is 74.

    Vin Mullen




    214026

    Pte. John Alexander Ferguson 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Oct 1915)

    <p>

    John Alexander Ferguson, served with the 10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action on the 1st October 1915. He is remembered on the Palmer Cenotaph in Jarrow and is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. John enlisted on the 18th August 1914 and arrived in France 9th June 1915.

    John was the son of the late John and Dorothy Ferguson of 27 Faulder Road, West Hartlepool. He was born in Christ Church, West Hartlepool 1895. In the 1911 census the family were living at that address with John(54) a general labourer in blast furnace works and his wife Dorothy(37). They had 9 children and 6 survived, all are single and living at home. John Alexander(16) is an errand boy in drapers, Robert(14) errand boy in grocers, Dorothy Jane(9), Harold(7) are at school, Edith Ellen is 3 and William is 8 months old. John's father must have died shortly after the census as he is deceased before his sons death in 1915.

    Vin Mullen




    214024

    Sgt. Daniel Gaffing 7th Battalion Border Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    Daniel Gaffing, aged 34, died on 23 April 1917. He was the son of John and Alice Gaffing (nee Spelling) of 2 Frederick Street, Hebburn Colliery and husband of late Alice Gaffing (nee Birkett). Daniel was born in 1882 in Jarrow. He lived and enlisted in Jarrow. His younger brother, David, was also one of the fallen. Daniel is remembered at the Arras Memorial. Bay 6.

    Denise




    214021

    Pte. Haigh Swallow 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    My grandfather, Haigh Swallow, enlisted with KOYLI on the 10th December 1913. He had been a coal-miner up to this date, and told me that he enlisted as he wanted to get out of the pits and see something of the world.

    After initial training he was posted to 2 KOYLI in Dublin and was there at the outbreak of war. 2 KOYLI were sent to France by ship from Dublin and arrived on 16th August 1914. He was at the Battle of Le Cateau on 26th August 1914 when 2 KOYLI, among others, were left to defend the retreat of the BEF. He was one of the last 19 survivors, taking part in the famous charge led by Major Charles Yate, VC on the German Army when ammunition had run out.

    He fell wounded in both arms during this engagement and was subsequently picked up by the Germans and taken to a field hospital. He recalled being beaten by a German officer for drinking water that had been put out for German wounded. Once his wounds had been treated he was sent back to a holding camp, from which he escaped in a group some days later. The whole group was recaptured by a cavalry patrol as they emerged from woods and after having been tied to stirrups were trotted back to the camp. From there he was sent on to the large camp at Chemnitz (Stalag IV-F). He did not take well to incarceration and after other escape attempts was sent to a camp at Riga on the Baltic. His final destination was to a camp in what is now Austria, from which he also escaped, spending three weeks wandering hopelessly lost before finding himself back at the camp. The gates were open, and it turned out that during his most uncomfortable three weeks of freedom the war had ended.

    He was repatriated in May 1919 by sea from one of the Baltic ports. After the war he returned to the pits in Barnsley. He was always willing to talk about his wartime experiences, and expressed his liking for what he called the ordinary Germans he met. He told how the camp guards, who were mainly old reservists, would bring in little presents at Christmas such as home-made wooden pipes and so on.

    He had the very opposite view of the German officer class, and commented on their brutality not only to prisoners but also to their own men.

    In WW 2 he served in the local Home Guard, and told some very funny stories indeed about their lack of equipment at the beginning of their service. When sent to guard one of the big local reservoirs which were thought to be a target for troop-carrying seaplane landings, his platoon had no weapons at all. They were each issued with a stick and a box of pepper, with the instructions:

    • 1. Confront your German
    • 2. Throw the pepper in his face
    • 3. Strike him with the stick and knock him out
    • 4. Seize his weapon and take him prisoner/shoot him as appropriate.

    Yes, indeed, Captain Mainwaring. Fortunately they never came. He died in 1972 at the age of 84. All his life he was a living lesson in how to seize the moment and enjoy it; he had seen his mates shot down around him and realised that he was the lucky one. He saw the beauty in the simple things of life;a cup of tea and a Woodbine were sweet to him. I was fortunate to know him.

    Frank Beevers




    214018

    L/Cpl. Walter Robinson 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Sep 1917)

    Walter Robinson, L/Cpl 203818 , served in 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action, age 30, on the 21st September 1917. Remembered by his wife, father and mother, brother Leo in France, sister Daisy and brothers Arthur and Fred, POWs in Germany. He was the son of George and Sarah Robinson of Aycliffe. Husband of Catherine Robinson nee Young.

    Aycliffe Village Local History Society




    214016

    Cpl. Charles Matson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Mar 1917)

    <p>Charles Matson on right - partially obscured.

    Charles Matson, Corporal 18/113, served in the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action on the 2nd Mar 1917. He is remembered at the Darlington Railway Museum and at Sailley-au-Bois Cemetery Charles was born on the 10th December 1895 in Aycliffe, son of Thomas and Mary Matson nee Garry. He served with the 18th (Service) Battalion (1st County) Durham Light Infantry.

    Aycliffe Village Local History Society




    214013

    Pte. Anthony Burton 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.24th Sep 1918)

    Anthony Burton was my maternal great grandfather. He was one of 7 brothers and sisters and was born in 1895 in Gateshead, Durham. His parents were Henry and Ellen Burton,nee;Moody, whose last known address was 35 Bensham Terrace, Gateshead. His siblings were Herbert, Albert, Elizabeth, Robert, Thomas and Quinton Burton.

    In 1914 after falsifying his documents to make him older then he was he married Harriet Corbett and they produced 2 daughters Eleanor M. Burton who was born in 1915 and Thelma Burton born in 1916. Anthony joined the Durham Light Infantry in 1915 and was killed in action in France and Flanders 24th September 1918.





    214009

    Pte. George Howarth 2nd Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.24th Apr 1916)

    My Great Uncle George Howarth was a coal miner working in the Hulton Colliery, Chequerbent, Westhoughton, Lancashire. He was born in 1892.

    The local history society here in Westhoughton have embarked upon staging an exhibition based on the names on the Westhoughton Cenotaph. George Howarth is the only one from the Dorsetshire Regiment on this memorial. He lost his life on the 24th April 1916 at the Siege of Kut-al-Amara, Mesopotamia, he was 24 years of age. No known grave, but his name is on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

    Pamela Clarke, President of Westhoughton Local History Society.




    214008

    Sgt. George Ferguson 2nd Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps. (d.15th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    George Ferguson, enlisted Jarrow and served with the 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. He died age 26 on the 15th August 1916. He is remembered on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow and at the Thiepval Memorial.

    George was Born in Jarrow and was married to the late Mary Ann Hill Ferguson (nee Henderson)of Jarrow. In the 1911 Census. George is recorded as Private age 19 single (Officers Servant) born Jarrow. 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. New Barracks Gosport, Hampshire.

    Vin Mullen




    214005

    Stk. Samson Henry Acres HMS Murray (d.20th Dec 1914)

    <p>

    Samson Henry Acres, Stoker 1st Class 301402, served with HMS Murray, Royal Navy and died age 35 on the 20th December 1914. He is buried in Jarrow Cemetery. Samson was born in Hertford 1879, son of Samson and Sarah Acres (Somerville) of Hertford.

    Vin Mullen




    214004

    W. Abbott

    W. Abbott is commemorated on the Triptych for WW1 (1914-1918) in St. Paul's Church in Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214003

    Pte. Alexander Ogston Ferguson 1st Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.20th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    Alexander Ogston Ferguson, enlisted Newcastle and served with 1st Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps and died age 25 on the 20th August 1916. He is buried ay Heilly Station Cemetery Mericourt - L'abbe. and also commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

    Alexander was born and lived in Jarrow, son of Alexander Ogston M. and Isabella Ferguson (nee Gibson) of 1 Hurworth Place Jarrow. Husband of Mary Brown Ferguson (nee Young) of 3 Hurworth Place Jarrow. In the 1911 Census the family lived at 1 Hurworth Place, Jarrow. Alexander Ogston Ferguson age 49 Elementary Teacher (Urban District Council) born Aberdeen, (married 30 years, children born 9, children living 7, children died 2), Isabella Ferguson wife age 48 born France, James Ferguson son age 29 Blacksmiths hammer driver in shipyard born Newcastle, Alexander Ferguson son age 20 Boilermakers labourer born Newcastle, Frances Ferguson daughter age 16 born Jarrow and David Ferguson son age 13 at school, born Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214002

    Pte. Joseph Fenwick 27th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Fenwick, enlisted in Jarrow andserved with the 27th (4th Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and died age 23 on 28th April 1917. He is remembered at the Arras Memorial.

    He was born and lived in Jarrow, son of George and the late Rose Fenwick (nee Myles)of Jarrow. In the 1911 Census the family is living at 37 Duke Street, Jarrow, with George Fenwick widower age 56 Ships Joiners labourer in Shipbuilding born High Walker, Joseph Fenwick son age 17 Newspaper seller for Newsagent born Jarrow, George Fenwick son age 14 Newspaper seller for Newsagent (at school) born Jarrow, Mary Ellen Fenwick daughter age 11 Newspaper seller for Newsagent (at school) born Jarrow and Rhoda Fenwick daughter age 8 at school born Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    214000

    Pte. George Jameson Fenwick 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.9th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    George Jameson Fenwick, enlisted at Ashington and served with the 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own). He died age 21 on the 9th August 1915. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

    He was born in Hexham, lived in Jarrow, son of William and Margaret Ann Fenwick (nee Jameson) of 4 Chaytor Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census records:

    • 51 Beatrice Street, Hirst, Ashington.
    • Robert Shield age 40 Coal Hewer born Corbridge.
    • Catherine Alice Shield wife age 35 born Prudhoe.
    • George Jamison brother in law age 27 in law Coal Hewer born Haltwhistle.
    • George Fenwick nephew age 16 Pony Driver below ground born Hexham.

    • 4 Chaytor Street Jarrow.
    • William Fenwick age 46 General Labourer in Shipyard born St. John Lee Northumberland.
    • Margaret Anne Fenwick wife age 39 born Haltwhistle.
    • Mary Margaret Fenwick age 15 born Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    213999

    Pte. John Fenton 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th May 1915)

    <p>

    John Fenton, enlisted at Jarrow and served with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (formerly with DLI 8068). He died age 24 on the 24th May 1915. He is remembered in: Ypres on the Menin Gate Memorial. John was born in Liverpool and lived in Jarrow, son of Henry and Mary Alice Fenton of 33 Station Street, Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    213998

    Arthur Russell Smijth-Windham (d.30th Dec 1915)

    Arthur Smijth-Windham died on 30 December 1915 at age 41, lost at sea in the sinking of the RMS Persia.

    sflynn




    213997

    Pte. John Felton 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    John Felton served with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was the son of William and Mary Jane Felton (nee Dixon) of Monkton Jarrow. John was born in Bill Quay and enlisted in Newcastle. He died aged 20 on 8th October 1918 and is remembered on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial. Panel 3.

    In the 1911 Census, he is living at White Cottage, Monkton, Jarrow: William Felton age 39 Locomotive Driver on the Pontop Jarrow Railway born Usworth, Durham. (married 14 years, children born 1, children living 1) Mary Jane Felton wife age 39 born New Herrington, Durham. John Felton son age 13 at school born Heworth.

    Vin Mullen




    213996

    Rflmn. Thomas G Morris 17th Btn. London Regiment (d.1 Oct 1916)

    Thomas G Morris "Tommy" was my Grandmother's brother. It was told to me that Tommy enlisted and survived for 2 weeks after being sent to France with his regiment. I'm not sure if this is true but like so many brave young men we owe them so much. Tommy was 19 years of age when he was killed on 1st October 1916 - he has a headstone and is remembered at Walencourt British Cemetery - North of Albert, a wonderful quiet peaceful place now - unlike when Tommy and his comrades were there.

    If anyone can furnish me with any further information on Tommy I would be grateful.

    Leslie Reynolds




    213994

    Pte. Patrick Michael Tierney 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.22nd Mar 1915)

    Patrick Michael Tierney died of wounds, he is buried at Voormezeele.

    Vin Mullen




    213993

    Pte. William Begley 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.21st Mar 1915)

    William Begley died of wounds aged 23. He was the youngest son of Robert and Catherine Begley of Coatbridge. William is buried in Etretat Churchyard.

    VM




    213992

    L/Sgt. Frank Fawkes MM. 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.15th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Fawkes was the youngest son of John and the late Elizabeth Ann Fawkes (nee Chambers) and husband of Jane Fawkes (nee Pirie) of 12 Jutland Avenue Hebburn. He was born in Jarrow and enlisted in Newcastle.

    Frank died aged 25 on the 15th of October 1918, and was buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Belgium. The Military Medal was awarded to Frank Fawkes for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire or for individual or associated acts of bravery which were insufficient to merit the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Conferment of the medal was announced in the London Gazette and Frank Fawkes earned the right to add the letters M.M. to his name.

    In the 1911 Census for 58 Jervis Street Hebburn, his family is recorded as: John Fawkes age 47 Coal Trimmer at Staithes born Walbottle, Northumberland. (married 14 years, children born 6, children living 5, children died 1) Isabella Fawkes wife age 47 born Bedlington, Northumberland. John William Fawkes son age 25 Coal Teemer at Staithes born Jarrow. Alice Maud Fawkes daughter age 23 born Jarrow. Joseph Anthony Fawkes son age 20 Shunter at Staithes born Jarrow. Frank Fawkes son age 18 Shunter at Staithes born Jarrow.

    Vin Mullen




    213991

    George Devonshire Mander R Battery. Royal Horse Artillery

    My Grandfather George Devonshire Mander was born in Shenington on 3/6/1882. George joined the Royal Horse Artillery Woolwich in 1900. He was posted to South Africa to serve in the Boer War and fought at Ladysmith Was awarded the Queen Victoria SA medal five bars, the Transvaal medal, the Orange Free State medal.George left South Africa after six years and returned to UK and finally left the service in 1908.

    After the outbreak of WW1 George was enlisted into Royal Horse Artillery on 17/11/15, was mobilised on 24/5/16 to R battery. He left for France on 18/03/1917, joining the 3rd Battery ammunition column. After the War George was posted to E battery and returned to the UK on 15/06/1919

    Thomas mander




    213990

    Staff Nurse. Edith Standen

    <p>

    Staff Nurse Edith Standen was my Paternal Grandmother and served at Lord Derby War Hospital between 1 July 1915 and 1 July 1916 in the Queen Alexandria Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserves (QAIMNSR). She was educated at Denmark College, Denmark Hill, Wimbledon and was trained at Wandsworth Infirmary, St Johns Hill, New Wandsworth between 11 November 1911 and 24 July 1914, passing her finals on 8 April 1914. She moved to Victoria Infirmary as a Staff Nurse until 1 June 1915 where she joined QAIMNS(R) and served a year at Lord Derby War Hospital.

    David Brett




    213989

    Pte. Hugh Walton Fathers 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.31st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Hugh Walton Fathers, Private 21/243, enlisted at South Shield and served in the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was age 20 when he died on 31st March 1918. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals. He is remembered at the Jarrow Library and his Grave/Memorial Referenceis at Pozieres Memorial. Panel 68 to 72.

    Hugh was the son of Richard and Jane Fathers (nee Walton) of 3 Lake Terrace, East Jarrow. He was born at Wheatley, Durham. In the 1911 Census, the family lived at 3 Lake Terrace, East Jarrow, with head of family Richard Fathers age 39 Electrical Engineer at Chemical Manufacturers born Trimdon Grange, Durham. Jane Fathers his wife age 36 born Shildon, Durham. They have three children, Hugh Walton Fathers son age 13. George Wilfred Fathers son age 11 born Wylam, Northumberland. David Fathers son age 9 born Sunderland.

    Vin Mullen




    213988

    Pte. Robert Smith 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.20th Mar 1915)

    Robert Smith lost his life at the age of 27. He was the brother of Mrs. Cooper of Camelon, Falkirk. Robert is remembered at the Ypres Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    213987

    Pte. George Marshall Farrow 4th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.24th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    George Marshall Farrow Private 35723, 4th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment was born in 1896 in Westoe, South Shields. he was the son of George and Mary Ellen Farrow (nee Marshall). George died on the 24th of March 1918 and is remembered at the Arras Memorial and is also commemorated on Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow

    In the 1911 Census, he lived at 8, Gladstone Terrace South Shields; George Farrow (51) Joiner in Coal mining born Alston, Mary Ellen Farrow wife (51) born South Shields, George Farrow son Miner trapper in Coal mining born South Shields, Dorothy Ann Farrow daughter (21) Book binder born South Shields.

    Vin Mullen




    213986

    Pte. Bernard Smith 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.19th Mar 1915)

    Bernard Smith, Private 13779, died at the age of 20. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Smith and is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213985

    Pte. Andrew Sim 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.11th Mar 1915)

    Andrew Sim, Private 8855, died aged 32. He was the son of Francis and Agnes George of Alva, Clackmannanshire. Andrew is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    213984

    Cpl. Joseph Davidson McCann 5th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.30th Nov 1917)

    Joseph Davidson McCann was my mother's uncle. I knew nothing of his story until shortly before my mothers death 4 yrs ago. All I know about him is he served with the 1st and 5th battalions of the Highland Light Infantry, he is buried in Ramleh cemetery.

    Alan Ward




    213983

    Pte. Peter McAloon 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.10th Mar 1915)

    Peter McAloon, Private 11829, is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213982

    Pte. Alexander Donaldson 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.10th Mar 1915)

    Alexander Donaldson, Private 3638 is buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    213981

    Private A. Allen 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.9th Mar 1915)

    Private A. Allen, 1st Battalion Royal Scots was killed in action in the Ypres Salient on March 9th 1915 and was buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    213980

    Pte. Frederick Newbold 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade

    Frederick Newbold was a dairyman in civilian life with the Long Eaton Co-op. He served with the 11th Battalion The Rifle Brigade in France as a driver from July 1915 to July 1917 and then as a groom from July 1917 to 9th February 1919.

    His certificate of employment during war (Army Form Z.18) reads: "This man has been groom to the Commanding Officer for a considerable period. He is a good groom and driver with an excellent knowledge of horse and stable management, and has always carried out his duties in a thoroughly capable manner". The certificate is signed by W.G.Ashford Captain and by R.L.Holland Captain commanding 11th Rifle Brigade.

    John Newbold




    213978

    Pte. Henry Farries 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.14th Mar 1917)

    <p>

    Henry Farries, Private 30326, served in the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and died age 23 on the 14th March 1917.His name is on the Palmer Cenotaph in Jarrow and his grave is Hebburn Cemetery. E. "C." 98. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals and also records his name as Ferries. His death is recorded in BMD Index: Deaths Qtr Jan - Mar 1917. Henry Ferries age 23 Newcastle T. 10b 191 (Name also spelt with an e)

    Henry was born in Hebburn, son of the late Henry and Annie Farries. In the 1911 Census the family is living at 83 Williams Lane, Hebburn with Henry Farries age 65 Boiler Fireman in Shipyard born County Down, Ireland and Annie Farries wife age 59 born Edinburgh (married 38 years, children born 12, children still living 8, children died 4). Jennie Farries daughter age 20 born Hebburn, Henry Farries son age 16 Ship Platers Marker in Shipyard born Hebburn and Wilhelmina granddaughter age 6 months born Hebburn.

    VM




    213977

    Sgt. James Farrell 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th August 1916)

    <p>

    James Farrell, Sergeant 10279, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died age 26 on the 29th August 1916. He is remembered on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow and he is buried at La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie.II.B.9.

    James was born in Jarrow 1890, son of Catherine Farrell (nee Welsh) and the late Edward Farrell. The 1911 Census lists him as: James Farrell, Private age 21, single born Jarrow (St. Peter's) living at 4th Durham Light Infantry Barracks, (St. Andrews) Barrack Road, Newcastle. His family are living at 9 George Street, Jarrow (St. Peter's) Catherine Farrell widow age 44 born Jarrow (crossed out): married 27 years, children born 7, children living 6, children died 1)with Matthew M. Farrell, son age 23, Apprentice Riveter in Shipbuilding born Jarrow. Edward Farrell son age 14 Labourer in Paper Mill born Jarrow and Andrew Farrell son age 12 at School born Jarrow.

    VM




    213976

    Lt. Henry Eggleton 56th MG Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Henry Eggleton Lieutenant served in the 56th Machine Gun Battalion, Machine Gun Corps part of the Divisional Troops in the 56th London Division (Territorial Force). He died age 23 on the 26th January 1921 and his grave is at Jarrow Cemetery. 9.352. Henry was Born in Newcastle, son of Henry James and Sarah Ellen Eggleton (nee Leonard)of Jarrow. His death is recorded on BMD Index: Deaths Quarter Jan - Mar 1921. Henry Eggleton age 22 S. Shields 10a 1084.

    In the 1911 Census the family is living at 86 Bede Burn Road, Jarrow with Henry J. Eggleton age 48 Secretary & Commission Agent for Building Society born St. Nicholas, Durham and Sarah E. Eggleton his wife age 46 born Seaham Harbour. Their eldest daughter is Ellen E. Eggleton, age 21 a Typist & Shorthand writer and their son Henry Eggleton, age 13 were both born in Heaton, Newcastle. Their other daughter Winifred Eggleton, age 8 was born at Forest Hall, Northumberland.

    VM




    213974

    Pte. Henry Egglestone 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Egglestone Private 8029 served in the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and died on 9th August 1918, age 39. He was born in Jarrow, son of George and Annie Egglestone of Jarrow. Henry was married to Jane Egglestone (nee Howe) of 94 Commercial Road, Byker, Newcastle. He is remembered at Newcastle (Byker and Heaton) Cemetery. XXII. U. 246. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals and that he died from wounds.

    In the 1911 Census the family is living at 125 Commercial Road, Byker, Newcastle with Henry Eggleston(32), a Stoneman Miner below ground (Army reservist) born Jarrow and Jane Eggleston wife age 24 born Jarrow. They have been married for 1 year and have one child Isabel Eggleston daughter 5 months born Byker.

    VM




    213973

    Pte. William Ewing 1st/8th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    William Ewing. Private 302871, 1st/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was the son of Hugh and Mary Ewing (nee Dorrian) and husband of Catherine Ewing (nee Hagan) of 63 Wansbeck Road Jarrow. William was born, enlisted and was living Jarrow. He died age 35 on 9th April 1918 and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial. Panel 8 and 9

    The 1911 Census shows him living at 74 Stothard Street Jarrow: William Ewing age 29 Master Fishmonger born Jarrow (married 2 months, children 0) and Catherine Ewing wife age 30 born Jarrow.

    VM




    213972

    Cpl. Robert Gray Emmerson 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.24th June 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Gray Emmerson, Corporal 20736, 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was the son of Thomas and Martha Emmerson (nee Gray). He was born in Gateshead and enlisted in Jarrow. Robert was aged 27 when he died on 24th June 1915, he is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall) II. A. 18

    The 1911 Census shows his family living at 5 Bexley Street Sunderland: Martha Emmerson widow age 52 Domestic housekeeper born Gateshead, Alfred Emmerson son age 27 Clerk at Sailmakers born Gateshead, Robert Gray Emmerson son age 23 Clerk at Iron and Steelmakers born Gateshead, Thomas Emmerson son age 21 Engineer at Marine Engineers born Gateshead, Dora Lena Emmerson daughter age 16 Housemaid born Gateshead and John Albany Emmerson son age 8 born Sunderland.

    VM




    213970

    Sapper Wilfred Ewart "Tom" Winter 101st Field Company

    It would appear my Grandfather Tom Winter served as a Territorial in the 101st Field Company. He is known to have served in the Somme and Passchendeale where he was injured. I believe one of his duties was out placing barred wire at night. Repatriated he recovered and we think went to Egypt although Italy is more likely. I have spent 10 years searching and I hope I have found something to ice the cake. Any more information would be a real bonus as I would like to take the car and trace some of the places concerned.

    Robin G Winter




    213969

    L/Cpl. John Ellis 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.20th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    John Ellis enlisted at Barrow in Furness, served in the 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (formerly 3008 RLR). He was killed in action on the 20th September 1917, aged 20. John is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Panel 63 to 65. His medal card shows the award of the 1914-15 Star, War and Victory Medals, it also refers to service in the Army Cyclist Corps Service No. 6503.

    He was born in Jarrow, the son of Christopher Huntley and Mary Gunn Ellis (nee Webster). The 1911 Census shows his family is living at 43 Kent Street, Barrow in Furness. Christopher Ellis age 44 Machinist in Naval Construction (Driller) born North Shields, (married 23 years, children born 12, children still living 11, children died 1). Mary Gunn Ellis wife age 42 born South Shields, Elizabeth Ellis daughter age 15 born North Shields, John Ellis son age 15 at School born Jarrow, Frederick Ellis son age 11 at School born Jarrow, Christopher Ellis son age 10 at School born Jarrow, Catherine Ellis daughter age 9 born born Jarrow and Amelia Ellis daughter age 3 born born Jarrow.

    VM




    213965

    Pte. George Edwards 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Pte. George Edwards served with the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment He was born in Mattishall, Dereham, Norfolk c.1886. The Son of Charles and Elizabeth Edwards of Jarrow. Husband of Mary Alice Edwards (nee Ward) of 19 South View Terrace North Ormesby Middlesbrough. George was killed in action on 15th June 1915 and is listed on the Memorial at Le Touret Cemetery in France.

    The 1911 Census shows him as living at 26 Kinderley Street, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, George Edwards (24) General Labourer in Iron Foundry born Mattishall, Norfolk. with Mary Alice Edwards his wife (22) born at 101 Western Road, Jarrow and Elizabeth Edwards (mother)(59) Shopkeeper born Wallsoken, Cambridge.

    VM




    213964

    Pte. William John Edmundson 2nd/2nd Btn London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) (d.26th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    William John Edmundson Pte, 71018 was Jarrow born and bred, the son of John William and Isabella Edmundson of 127 Albert Road Jarrow and worked as Journeyman Shipbuilding Draughtsman at Messrs. Palmers Shipbuilding & Co. Ltd Jarrow. The 1911 census shows parents John William Edmundson (47), Painter in Ship Building born in Seaham Harbour and Isobell Edmundson wife (43) born Sheppey Island, Sheerness. Siblings listed as Edith Edmundson daughter (18) born Jarrow, William J. Edmundson (15) Draughtsman in Ship Building born in Jarrow, Wilfred Edmundson (12) scholar

    William served with the 2nd/2nd Battalion London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) "A" Coy. (formerly 37735 of the 3rd RC Regiment.) William died aged 22 on 26th October 1917 in France or Flanders. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Panel 28 to 30 and 162 to 162A and 163A and also commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph and the triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.





    213961

    Pte. Thomas H. Maddock 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.28th Feb 1915)

    Thomas H. Maddock, Private 10066, Died of wounds and is buries in Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France.

    Vin Mullen




    213960

    Pte. George Marr 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.26th Feb 1915)

    George Marr, Private 13866, is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213959

    Pte. William Main 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.26th Feb 1915)

    William Main, Private 11150, is remembered as one of the missing on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    213958

    Sgt. James Victor Wall 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.25th Feb 1915)

    James Victor Wall, Sgt. 9473, was killed at the age of 28. He was the son of James Wall and had been born in 2nd Bn. Royal Scots, Maryhill Barracks, Glasgow. He is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213957

    Pte. Robert Taylor 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.25th Feb 1915)

    Robert Taylor, Private 9821, died of wounds and lies in Dickebusch Old Cemetery in Belgium.

    Vin Mullen




    213956

    Pte. George Gibson Stephen 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.25th Feb 1915)

    George Gibson Stephen, Private 3560, was aged 49, the son of John Stephen of Glasgow. George is remembered at Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    213955

    Pte. John Staples 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.25th Feb 1915)

    John Staples, Private 10791, lost his life aged 23. He was the son of James Staples of Camberwell, London and is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213954

    Pte. Charles Priestley 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.25th Feb 1915)

    Charles Priestley, Private 8363, died of wounds aged 27. he is buried at Voormezeele in Belgium.

    Vin Mullen




    213953

    Pte. Redmond O'Hanrahan 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.25th Feb 1915)

    Redmond O'Hanrahan, Private 10387, was killed at the age of 25. He was the son of Daniel and Julia O'Hanrahan of Plaistow, Essex and is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213952

    Pte. John Norris 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.25th Feb 1915)

    John Norris, Private 10107, lost his life at the age of 22. He was the son of John and Mary Mackenzie Norris of Greenock. He is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213951

    Pte. James McGurk 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.25th Feb 1915)

    James McGurk, Private 3802, died of wounds and is buried in Dickebusch Old Cemetery in Belgium.

    Vin Mullen




    213950

    Cpl. William Halliday 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.25th Feb 1915)

    William Halliday, Cpl. 10615, is remembered at the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.

    Vin Mullen




    213949

    L/Sgt. Albert Abraham 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards

    Albert Abraham was my maternal Grand Father. I am still trying to fill in some blanks but so far have discovered these facts which really seems to be a sad story. Albert joined the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards in August 1902. He served in Egypt from 1908 - 1911. He then left the army and became a policeman. On 12th August 1914 he was recalled to the B.E.F and sent to Belgium on the 13th August. On the 11th of September 1914 he was shot and wounded then taken prisoner. He was freed 6th September 1918. He never fully recovered from his wounds and died in 1921. Sad to think, he married in 1912 and had a son the following year and my mother was born 9th August 1914, 3 days before he was sent off to war. His son died in 1916 from flu. Albert was not aware that his son had died until he was repatriated. He had never seen his daughter until his return. After all he had endured he was still put on a charge in 1920 for obtaining leave in an unconventional manner(whatever that means).





    213948

    Pte. George William Heritage 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.24th Feb 1915)

    George William Heritage, Private 9015 is buried at Voormezeele.

    Vin Mullen




    213947

    Cpl. John Carmichael 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.24th Feb 1915)

    John Carmichael, Cpl. 3653, lost his lige aged 36. He was the husband of Bridget Little Carmichael of Bridgeton, Glasgow. John is listed amongst the missing on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213946

    Pte. Robert Bell 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.24th Feb 1915)

    Robert Bell, Private 11096, was 21 years old. He was the son of the late Edmund Bell and is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213945

    Pte. Davenport Pennington 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.22nd Feb 1915)

    Davenport Pennington, Private 11198, was killed at the age of 24. He was the son of Davenport and Emily Pennington of Stockport and husband of Edith Pennington of West Gorton, Manchester. He is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213944

    Pte. James Finlay 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.22nd Feb 1915)

    James Finlay, Private 3829 is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213943

    Pte. Ronald McQueen 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.21st Feb 1915)

    Ronald McQueen, Private 3020 is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    213942

    Pte. James Cook 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.21st Feb 1915)

    James Cook, Private 3306, was 19 years old when he was killed. He was the son of James and Janet Cook of Falkirk and is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213941

    Pte. Henry Oscar Wackett 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.20th Feb 1915)

    Henry Oscar Wackett, Private 9995, is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.

    Vin Mullen




    213940

    Pte. Alexander Scott 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.20th Feb 1915)

    Alexander Scott, Private 9884, is buried at Voormezeele.

    Vin Mullen




    213939

    Pte. David Sangster 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.20th Feb 1915)

    David Sangster, Private 8778, lost his life at the age of 27. He was the son of the late George and Annie Sangster and is remembered at the Ypres Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    213938

    Pte. Hugh Munro 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.20th Feb 1915)

    Hugh Munro, Private 2987, is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    213937

    Pte. James Ross 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.18th Feb 1915)

    James Ross, Private 10363, was killed at the age of 28. he was the son of Joseph and Catherine Shade Ross and is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    213936

    Pte. Herbert James Compton 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.18th Feb 1915)

    Herbert James Compton, Private 10371, is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate. He was killed age 23, the son of Emma Compton.

    Vin Mullen




    213935

    L/Cpl. George Shivas Ross Carstairs 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.18th Feb 1915)

    George Shivas Ross Carstairs, LCpl. 10204, is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213933

    CSM. Frank Wroe DCM 8th Btn. Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment

    On 9th April 1917 my Grandfather,Company Sergeant Major Frank Wroe, (Reg. No. 14407 D.O.B 06.04.1887), was awarded the DCM for "conspicuous gallantry" near Hill 60. The following was quoted from the citation presented to him along with his DCM by the inhabitants of Rawmarsh and Parkgate, South Yorkshire:- "Being cut off completely with a party of men from the remainder of his company, Coy.S.M. Wroe was of great assistance to O.C. in encouraging and re-organising the men and eventually got back to the company. His magnificent example imbued the men with a spirit of cool preparedness". We his grandchildren and great grandchildren are very proud of him.

    Eileen Lindley




    213929

    RSM. Thomas Geggie DCM. 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borders

    Thomas Geggie was born on the 23rd August 1881 at Scots Place Berwick upon Tweed. He was orphaned at the age of four and at the age of eight/nine years he was sent to an orphanage at Aberlour in Scotland. We know that Tom enlisted at the age of 18. He was then posted to South Africa on the 4th Jan 1900. Tom took part in the 2nd Boer War where he was wounded. He recovered from this wound and was promoted to Corporal on 9th of August 1902. Tom married Ada Butcher in November 1906. On the 1st December of that same year he was posted to Egypt and Ada went with him. Two of their six children were born in Egypt, my father Thomas being one of them. In 1911 he was then posted to India where another child was born. In 1913 he left the 1st Battalion for the 2nd Battalion of the Kings Own Scottish Borders.

    Tom was promoted to Company Quartermaster Sergeant on the 3rd of April 1914. He was then sent to France as part of the expeditionary force on 10th August 1914. Tom was duly promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major on 14th Sept. He was mentioned in dispatches by Sir John French dated 8th of October 1914. This was confirmed by the London Gazette dated 9th December 1914. He was mentioned again on the 3rd of June 1916. During the war Tom wrote to his uncle in Canada. (We have all his letters). His letters so impressed his uncle that he had some of them printed in the Toronto Star. Later Tom was to become a war correspondent for the Toronto Star. In November of 1916 Tom was badly wounded and on the 7th of June 1917 he was officially discharged from the Army. Tom was reunited with his family and went to live in Kinross, Scotland for a while before going to London where he continued to write for the Toronto Star. In 1922 Tom died from illness related to being in the 1st World War, where he had been exposed to gasses and wounded in the leg.

    Sandra Rowan




    213928

    Pte. Walter Todman 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.17th Feb 1915)

    Walter Todman, Private 8859, enlisted in Blackdown on the 16th January 1904 as a boy soldier and served in the 1st Battalion Royal Scots. He died of wounds on the 17th February 1915. He is remembered on the Memorial at Ypres, the Menin Gate.

    Walter was born on the 16th January 1890. He was the son of Walter and Sarah Todman. In the 1911 census he is listed age 21 and with his regiment in India.

    Vin Mullen




    213926

    Pte. William Dougan 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.17th Feb 1915)

    William Dougan, Private 10218, lost his life aged 25. He was the son of William and Charlotte Dougan of Edinburgh and his remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213925

    Pte. William Beresford 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.17th Feb 1915)

    William Beresford, Private 11113, is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.

    Vin Mullen




    213924

    Pte. Alexander Russell Stewart 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.11th Feb 1915)

    Alexander Russell Stewart, Private 10381, was killed age 24. He was the son of the late James F. Stewart, of Leith. Alexander is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    213923

    Pte. Thomas Newall 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.8th Feb 1915)

    Thomas Newall, Private 3452 is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    213922

    Pte. Robert Hodgson 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.8th Feb 1915)

    Robert Hodgson, Private 10571, died of wounds and is buried in Elzenwalle Brassierie Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    213921

    Pte. Allan McMillan 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.6th Feb 1915)

    Allan McMillan, Private 10250 is remembered in Ypres on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.

    Vin Mullen




    213920

    Pte. James Hermiston 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.6th Feb 1915)

    James Hermiston, Private 13752 is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213917

    CSM. Joseph Henry Hughes 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1919)

    My grandfather Joseph Henry Hughes transferred from DLI 5Th Reg to the Labour Corps, I have been trying to find out why. Unfortunately, all of his history seem to have died with him. Any help would be appreciated.

    Editor's note: Such a transfer was usually the result of an injury or illness which rendered him unfit to return to an infantry unit.

    John W Ayre




    213915

    Pte. John Burns 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.5th Feb 1915)

    John Burns, Private 10283 died of wounds. He was the son of Mr. J. Burns of Edinburgh. John is buried in Dickebusch Old Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    213912

    Cpt. Alexander Leonard Paterson MC. 1st Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Alec Paterson became a personal friend when we worked together during the 1970's and. He rarely spoke about his time during the war. Although he had one leg some 2 or 3 inches shorter than the other he never said how it happened. I know he lived in Paris with his wife between the two wars and moved back to England when the German army was advancing on Paris. He was born in Old Meldrum in the Scottish Highlands and was a regular visitor to Ballater. He always stayed in the same B & B. He took me and my wife for a week's visit. We attended the games at Braemar.

    The only item he kept from his army career was his commendation to the King for outstanding gallantry. He was already the holder of the Military Cross at that time. He had no living relatives and gave me his commendation which I kept for many years until I took it to the Regimental museum at Stirling. I was advised it was filed along with other similar commendations. I have not been able to trace his military record so I do not know what rank he was when he left the army but was known to me and his other friends as The Colonel. This may just have been a nickname.

    John Benfield




    213911

    Pte. Thomas Downs 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.3rd Feb 1915)

    Thomas Downs, Private 11085, is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    213910

    Pte. Frank Blackburn Dover 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.2nd Feb 1915)

    Frank Blackburn Dover, Private 11213, died of wounds. He was the brother of Mr. C. Dover of Clapham, London. Frank is buried in Dickebusch Old Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    213909

    Pte. Alexander Robertson 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.31st Jan 1915)

    Alexander Robertson, Private 11105, died of wounds, aged 21. He was the son of Alexander Robertson of Leith. He lies in Dickebusch Old Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    213908

    Pte. Robert Williamson 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.30th Jan 1915)

    Robert Williamson, Pte. 14054 was killed near Ypres in Belgium and is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213907

    Pte. Arthur Edward Crawley 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.22nd Jan 1915 )

    Arthur Edward Crawley, Private 10723, lost his life aged 24. He was the son of Alfred and Emma Crawley of Peckham, London. Arthur is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    213906

    Pte Robert Craig 1st Btn. D Coy. Royal Scots (d.22nd Jan 1915 )

    Pte Robert Craig 9944 was killed aged 31. He was serving with the Royal Scots 1st Btn. "D" Coy. near Ypres in Belgium. He was from South Side, Glasgow, the stepson of Mrs. E. F. Craig. Robert is remembered on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    213905

    Pte. George O'Neill 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.18th Jan 1915)

    George O'Neill, Private 9962 was lost aged 24. He was the son of John O'Neil of Maryhill, Glasgow. George is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    213904

    Pte. Bernard McGee 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.18th Jan 1915)

    Bernard McGee, Private 10321 is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213902

    Sgt. James Lambert 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.18th Jan 1915)

    James Lambert, Serjeant 9524 died of wounds aged 26. He was the son of George and Matilda Lambert of Hornsby Lane, Orsett Heath, Grays, Essex.James is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213900

    Pte. Bertie William Bridger 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.18th Jan 1915)

    Bertie William Bridger was killed near Ypres aged 22 he was the son of the late Albert and Hannah Ann Bridger. Bertie is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Vin Mullen




    213899

    Pte. James O'Brien 1st Btn. Royal Scots (d.16th Jan 1915)

    Private James O'Brien 10589 served in the 1st Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) and died on the 16th January 1915. His place of Birth is given as County Fermanagh and he was living in Glasgow prior to enlistment.

    Vin Mullen




    213898

    Pte. William Forrester 1st Battalion Royal Scots (d.12th Jan 1915)

    William Forrester was the first fatality in 1st Battalion Royal Scots in WW1. He is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate.

    Vin Mullen




    213895

    Pte. Frederick James Stokes Essex Regiment (d.19th Jun 1918)

    Frederick Stokes is buried in the Contay British Cemetry at Contay. He was 24 years old.

    Carole Cox




    213894

    Capt. Henry Langton Skrine 6th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Henry Skrine rejoined his Regiment on 7 September 1914 and was promoted T/Captain on 24th October. As 'A' Company commander he went to France with the 6th Battalion (43rd Brigade, 14th Division) on 21 May 1915.

    Prior to the second attack either side of Bellewaarde Farm on 25 September the Battalion, which had spent several unpleasant tours in the vicinity, was attached to 42nd Bde. After a heavy night bombardment of Railway Wood and the trenches beyond, the three attacking companies of the Brigade went over. Shortly afterwards the Somersets were ordered to re-inforce the line just north of the Wood when the enemy retaliated and drove the attackers back. Col Rawlings went forward to Railway Wood and seeing that a further assault was out of the question under the terrible gunfire, concentrated on holding the existing line for the rest of the day.

    Captain Skrine, two other officers and eleven men were killed, one officer and 38 men wounded and three missing in the engagement. Col Rawlings wrote to Skrine's wife "...he was buried by his Company in rear of the fighting line. He died instantaneously, shot through the head. With him died four men... During the attack he saw Germans collecting in a communication trench. Immediately he ordered rapid fire on the enemy. A machine gun on a flank opened fire in return and your husband fell...".

    sflynn




    213893

    Pte. Harold Bateman 1st/13th Btn. (Kensington) London Regiment (d.1st Sep 1918)

    My Great Uncle, Harold Bateman was only 18 years old when he was killed in action and I understand that my Great Grand Mother's hair turned white overnight when she heard the news - a younger brother was then named after him. He is commemorated at the Vis-en-Artois Memorial panel 10.

    Anne Kemsley




    213890

    2nd Lt. Vernon Lee Walker 8th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.29th May 1917)

    Vernon Walker was born in Cottesloe Western Australia had and been taken back to Penn Fields, Wolverhampton for his Christening by his Grandmother and family. It was decided that he should enlist in the U.K. rather than Australia. His family had a brass plate inscribed and installed in St Philip PennFields 'In memory of Vernon Lee Walker, Second Lieutenant 8th East Lancashires, of Cottesloe Western Australia, who fell near Arras France in 1917, aged 21 Years.

    Primrose K. Allen




    213888

    Pte. Samuel Gilmour 1/5th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.12th Jul 1915)

    Private Samuel Gilmour of 1/5 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was killed in action at Achi Baba, Gallipoli on 12th July 1915. He had joined the Argylls with his friends in Port Glasgow, known as The Toll Boys. In early July 1915 the Battalion was shipped out from Devonport, via Egypt to take part in the new front at Helles Point. Notably, Private Gilmour was killed on the same day as another Port Glasgow man, Corporal John Bellringer who is already mentioned on this website and whose name appears above Private Gilmour's on the War Memorial in Port Glasgow..

    This is the story of a much loved, family man who, because of his duty to King and Country, did not live to enjoy the wife and family he left behind. Private Gilmour was an ordinary man who was also just another of the many unsung heroes who did their bit for freedom and honour. Private Gilmour was born on Burns Night, 25th January 1888, the Son of Samuel and Elizabeth Gilmour. At the age of 20, he married Mary Rankin on 5th May 1908 at 3 Clune Place, Port Glasgow. He had four children, one Son he called Samuel and three Daughters, Jeannie, Susan and Mary. His only Son Samuel Gilmour married Mary Kirkwood, who was my Mother's sister, on 28th December 1945. He in turn had three children, calling his first Son Samuel Gilmour (the Fourth Samuel Gilmour in this story), a Daughter Elizabeth and another Son James. It was mentioned previously the Private Gilmour was a member of a Group of young men in Port Glasgow known as The Toll Boys. A plaque was erected on a red sandstone tenement wall at No 5 Glasgow Road Port Glasgow to commemorate the members who fell in The Great War of 1914-18. The unveiling of this plaque was a very public and emotional ceremony in 1921. The names of all of the fallen members of the Group are contained on the plaque, including the name of Private Samuel Gilmour.

    On a much more positive note, despite the death of Private Samuel Gilmour at the young age of 27, he still has a significant number of descendants who remember him today. At the beginning of this story it was said that Private Samuel Gilmour was a Family Man, and indeed it is through his family that he lives on, and will never be forgotten.

    William Lindsay




    213887

    L/Cpl Thomas Christopher Reesby 6th Btn. Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry (d.17th Sept 1915)

    <p>

    Lance Corporal Thomas Christopher Reesby. Service Number 22398 was born in 1876 in St Nicholas, Nottinghamshire to J.H and A Reesby. He served in 6th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and died of his wounds on 17/09/1915.

    Malcolm Coulby




    213884

    Sgt. George John Brown 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.7th July 1916)

    George John Brown was my Grandfather who died on the 7th July 1916 during WW1. He served with the 8th Battalion Border Regiment. He was formerly with The Norfolk Regiment. His wife was Ada Sussanah Brown nee Wilson and they had 2 children, George Edward and Frederick. They lived at 52 Roden Street London. Unfortunately no pictures are in existence of George John Brown.

    Ken Brown




    213881

    L/Cpl John F. Livie 10th/11th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.9th Apr 1918)

    John F Livie was killed on the 9th of April 1918, I would like to know where he died and was buried and any news of his widow and child.

    Margaret Tindall




    213880

    Pte. James Charles Watts 5th Btn Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th Feb 1916)

    <p>

    James Charles Watts enlisted in Beverley and served in the Yorkshire Regiment, 5th Battalion. James was killed on the 27th of February 1916 and is buried in Maple Copse Cemetery Belgium.

    James Charles Watts was born in 1875 in Aldershot to an Army family and went on to be one of fourteen children, several who joined the services. Census records show him to move from Aldershot to Beverley via Sheffield. He married Rosa Butters in 1903 in Beverley and had two children, Charles and Wilfred. He had served in the East Yorks Regiment from 1891 to 1908 and then worked in a local tannery. Judging by his low Battalion number he must have been in the local Territorials some time before the War started.

    The Battalion Diary records that they were in the trenches in Sanctuary Wood, East of Ypres, at the time of his death, but a family story says that he was a devout Catholic and was trying to "recover" a cross from a church when he lost his life.

    Simon Beeston




    213878

    Pte. Edward Spillane 8th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.29th Apr 1916)

    Edward Spillane was my uncle, a half brother my Dad never met as he died 13 years before Dad was even born. Edward was 17 when he died at Loos on 29th April 1916 then an only a child. This is all the information I have. I would love to find out anything else about him.

    Michael Byron




    213872

    Sgt. Thomas Alfred Mills MM 11th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    Thomas Alfred Mills was born on the 24th of Nov 1895,(his birth was registered 2 Jan 1896) at 13 Mill St. U.D. Walsall, he was the aon of Alfred Thomas Mills, a railway drayman and Hannah Mills, formerly Lowbridge.

    During the Great War, Thomas A. Mills, served as No 1739, 39th Division, Army Cyclist Corps. and later 3905 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, as an Acting Sergeant. Thomas was wounded in action, 2nd Battle of the Somme, in April 1918 (exact date unknown). He was awarded the Military Medal, which was gazetted 18.10.1917 in the London Gazette.

    These details were sent to me by my sister but we can find no further reference to him. I would of course be very interested to learn more about his service.

    Steven Mills




    213871

    Cpl. Norris Riddley Johnson 24th Btn. (2nd Sportsman's) London Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Norris Riddley Johnson was killed in action in France and Flanders and is Remembered at Thiepval Memorial. He was born and bought up at Wark on Tyne, Bellingham, Northumberland, the son of John and Isabella Johnson. From information from family now passed on he was possibly known for his sporting achievements.

    Vic Hill




    213869

    Pte. William Thomas Lambourne Rifle Brigade

    Thomas Henry Lambourne is my great grandfather. He died when my Grandpa, his only son, was only 1 year old. When his mother remarried, all records of Thomas were destroyed. My Grandpa is now 91, and it has been a great and painful mystery in his life, not knowing very much about his father.

    Thomas served in WWI under the name 'William Thomas Lambourne' in the Rifle Brigade, with number R-6734. The only record my Grandfather has are his Army medals. I'm not sure where Thomas went during the war, other than that he was poisoned by mustard gas, which is why he died so soon after the end of the war. Other details I have are that Thomas was born on the 29th of Nov 1896 in Poplar, Middlesex, London, he died 7 April 1923 in Islington, Middlesex, London. His mother was Annie Elizabeth Kempson and father Thomas Lambourne. His stepfather was named William Foster. Thomas had a brother Samuel Alfred George Lambourne, who also served in the armed forces and sisters Annie Elizabeth, Emily Elizabeth and Ethel May Lambourne.

    My Grandpa is now very frail and not so well, so I am desperate to try to find a photo of his father from his WW1 days or some other form of photo or family portrait.

    T Lambourne




    213867

    Pte. Thomas Neill Martin 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    Thomas Neill Martin, eldest son of Robert James Martin and Agnes Sarah Bell was born in Dromore, County Down on the 29th May 1897. He had one younger brother also called Robert James and 3 sisters Minnie, Agnes Sarah and Ellen Ann. His father was a Boer War veteran and the 1901 census discloses that his uncle Thomas John Bell was helping his sister look after young Tommy and Minnie whilst their father was in South Africa. Thomas John Bell was later to be killed just a few days before the Battle of the Somme in WW1 not far from the relative safety of trenches his nephew had probably helped to construct..

    Tommy enlisted in the call to arms on the 7th November 1914, joining the Second County Down Volunteers in Lurgan on the 14th November. This was later renamed as the 16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) acting in the main role of Pioneer Battalion for the 36th (Ulster) Division.

    His Regimental number was 16/124 but I do not know to which Company, Section or Platoon he was allocated. However I know he served with that Battalion throughout the First World War until early September 1918, when he was transferred back to England in the Labour Corps (Number 64877)

    From Jeffrey Martin (author of Dromore’s Great War Heroes), “ The Dromore Weekly Times photocopy (for the following Saturday 21st November 1914) details a T. Martin (Mount Street) who enlisted that same week. I cross checked the article that I copied when the T.Martin medals were for sale and low and behold he is number 16-124 ! In other words, he was in the queue 22 places in front of my grandfather ( Sgt.Walter Martin). As I have a keen interest in the 16th Bn RIR, I know for a fact that men with these low numbers joined on the first day, in the second to third week of November, because by xmas numbers were up to about 800 and they imported 14th Bn. RIR men in Jan and Feb 1915 to bolster the 16th Battalion's numbers to the required 1200 establishment.”

    His medals are the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Special Constabulary Long Service Medal (EIIR) "Ulster" and a Battle of the Somme Commermorative Medal, also the Silver War Badge. The Special Constabulary "Ulster" Medal is a rare and dear to buy medal on its own. The fact that the word "Ulster" appears on the reverse of Tommy’s Special Constable Medal indicates it was issued on or after 1956, and that Thomas Martin saw service with the Crown during a period of over 40 years" The Somme Commemorative medals were only given to veterans returning to the Somme who fought there in 1916 or 1940 (WW2). In his case WW1 obviously. They were issued on special occasions such as the 40th or 50th anniversary (1956 or 1966) and indeed there were even some in 1976 for the few remaining veterans,

    In the details listed with the medals it says that he was transferred to the Labour Corps (this generally indicates the man was wounded or incapacitated even by shell shock etc), able to do some work but not fit (no disrespect) for front line duty. His Labour Corps number was 648737 - a number series issued in the UK around September 1918. He was also given what was known as a Silver War Badge, this was so that when you went home you could wear it on your civilian clothes to show you had served and were injured and not "a shirker" as some would say. He was discharged on 27th November 1918. Though the war was over, it was still important to wear it as many including Jeffrey's grandfather did not return until March 1919 or later. The fact that the word "Ulster" appears on the reverse of Martin's Special Constables medal indicates it was issued on or after 1956, and that indicates that Thomas Martin saw service with the Crown during a period of 40 years"

    I met and married Tommy’s granddaughter Marie in 1962 and got to know Tommy for a few years. I never spoke to him about the past and he rarely mentioned the war years like many of his generation. Tommy died on the 8th September 1969 and regrettably Marie and I were in Italy at the time, so she never had a chance to say goodbye to her dearly loved Granddad. Neither of them got to see the grandchildren for whom I have written a summary of the Battalion’s experiences from 1914 to 1919 which I wish to share with others interested in the exploits of these men in conditions we all find so difficult to comprehend.

    John Doran




    213866

    Pte. J. J. Bacon 1/7th Btn. London Regiment

    On the 17th May 1915 J. J. Bacon of the 7th Londons was involved in the Battle of Festubert. His medical record records: he states that when occupying an enemy trench he was buried by an explosion. He was in hospital in France for six weeks and then returned to the firing line. While working there his knee gave trouble and was sent home. He then spent 21 weeks in various British hospitals diagnosed with chronic arthritis in knee. He was discharged 9th June 1916 when he was 23 years old.

    S.R. Gill




    213863

    Sgt. George Albert Charman Middlesex Regiment

    On his return from the front line due to gas I believe, George Charman was posted to Dorset looking after the prisoners of war.

    Barry Thompson




    213859

    Sjt. Robert Rymer MM. 150th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.10th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    Robert Rymer was an apprentice pork butcher prior to the war. He joined the Yorkshire Regiment (4th or 5th Battn) with the service number 1800. He transferred to the 150th Machine Gun Company in 1916 and this was renamed 50th Battalion M.G.C. in 1917.

    I was told by the son of a friend of Roberts who survived the war that he was apparently he was a bit of a boxer; during the war one man tried to goad some of the men into fighting him by throwing around pair of boxing gloves, until Bob picked them up and gave him, a 'good hiding'. There was also a rumor that he turned a machine gun on some German prisoners when he realised his younger brother (James) had been killed at the battle of the Somme in 10th July 1916. There is a line in one of his letters to his sister Meg, where he says the 'tarts' thought he was a bit of a hero when they saw his 'little bit of ribbon' which was obviously his M.M. ribbon.

    His niece, who I spoke to in the early 80's, remembers going to see Robert off at Middlesbrough railway station on his last leave, she also remembers him singing a song called 'Moira my girl'. He was 24 years old when he was killed in action. His father never got over the loss of his two sons and died a short while afterwards.

    Steve Robinson




    213857

    Pte Frank Moore 1st Bn Grenadier Guards (d.25th Sep 1916)

    Only found out that I had a member of my family in the Great War when my grandad died. In his brief case was a cut out from a newspaper saying that Pte Frank Moore had been killed in action in France in 1916. Also found postcards sent to and from him that my great nan kept.





    213856

    L/Cpl. Hugh Dingwall 4/5 Btn Black Watch (d.14 0ctober 1916)

    Hugh was killed at Schwaben Redoubt and is buried in Connaught Cemetery. He was 19 years old when he died.

    Paul Tovey




    213829

    Pte Benjamin Dodds 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.30th Dec 1915)

    Benjamin Dodds was my great uncle, the oldest brother of my grandfather Jeremiah. He served in world was one with the 15th battalion of the Durham light infantry. Prior to enlisting he was a miner. He was married to Rose and they had two children as far as I know. He was killed in action whilst serving in the Western European theatre and is buried in Houplines communal cemetery extension in France. I believe that the 15th Battalion were part of the 21st battalion and that they landed in Bologne in September 1915. He would have been around the age of thirty at the time, having been born in 1885. His rank was that of a private and his service number was 15675. His grave memorial reference number in the cemetery at Houplines is 11B38. I believe that his widow married his brother John (Jack) after he died, and that they were very happily married. Benjamin died within the first year of the war and I am not sure which campaigns he would have been involved in. I hope to find out a lot more about him and would dearly like to visit his grave in France to pay my respects to a man who's life had already clearly been hard prior to enlisting and beyond imagination following enlistment.

    Elaine Carrahar




    213826

    Sgt. Edward George "Bert" Ryde 2nd Btn. D coy. 15 platoon. Middlesex Regiment (d.10th Mar 1915)

    <p>The background fabric is an officers map case. Middlesex cap badge, 1914 Star and Victory Medal. Above it the Death Plaque and Princess Mary 1914 Christmas box. Sgt Ryde shown as a corporal. His was a cavalry unit although he is moved to Infantry. The poppy is standard Australian issue on Anzac Day.

    My Great Uncle Edward George Ryde, known as Bert, served as a professional soldier and was on active service before World War 1. He and many of our family were in it together so all were involved in the war from the beginning. My Grandfather, Private Robert George Taylor (transport)another Great Uncle Sgt. Tom Garrett and Uncle Sgt. William Brooks survived.

    Bert was killed at Neuve Chapelle and is buried at Le Touret Cemetery. He was married to my Great Aunt Silvia Ryde of Tooting, who never remarried but waited hoping he might one day march home. I suppose many were like that. He was straight as a board, well disciplined and believed in what he was doing for his country. I have updated this data because since originally placing it I have uncovered a lot more information, including his letters home from the trenches, thanks to IWM.

    Aunt Silv was told he died from machine gun fire as he went over the top of the trench. His tobacco tin, that we are told, was removed from his pocket after death, reveals severe damage and scorching and if true is more likely he was hit by a shell. I now have a letter hand written by another sergeant (Colleopy)to Bert's wife describing how Bert died and contrary to the official date it was on the 10th March 1915. Many at Le Touret are of soldiers who were not found on the battlefield and a whole wall is dedicated to them, however I am told he has a headstone in panel 31 but have not been able to see it. He was a good man like so many who didn't come home. He would have made a positive contribution to his country had he lived. I now have a large portfolio on my Uncle where I started out with nothing. It points to the wonderful benefits these sites bring to long bereaved family members. I also have composed a 24 page document describing my Uncle's service and the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in detail.

    Robert Edward Taylor




    213825

    Pte. William Thomas Cardy 23rd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    23/1020 Pte William Thomas Cardy was serving with VI Platoon, 'B' Coy, 23rd Northumberlands. He was declared "Missing in Action" on the 1st July 1916 and was still listed as missing in the December edition of the St.Georges Gazette - the Regimental Journal - hence his listing on the Thiepval Memorial. He enlisted at the end of December 1914 and at the time of his death he was residing at 5 John St, Seaham Harbour.





    213822

    Guy Cave 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    James Cave has a collection of letters from his grandfather’s brother, Guy Cave one of four brothers who served in the Army and who, though wounded three times, lived until 1949, when he died at the age of 64.

    On December 31, 1914, when Guy (1st Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment) was stationed at Ploegsteert, Flanders, he wrote about his company’s fraternisation with the 134th Saxon Regiment. "On arriving in the trenches on Xmas eve at night, the Germans called out greeting etc. Their trenches are about 80 yards away. We replied in our best German, wishing them a Fröhliche Weihnachten [Merry Christmas]. They invited us to fetch cigars and on their promise, ‘Ve veal not joot’, I allowed a man to go over. He came back shortly afterwards with his cigar. He also asked for a drink but he was met with the reply, ‘My officer says I must not give you drink because you must be already drunk or you would not have come...’"

    The following morning, Guy woke to the sound of his sergeants singing carols. "At daybreak, we went out to the Germans who met us halfway. We made arrangements that there would be no shooting on either side during the day and Boxing Day, and this arrangement spread over our regiment, and all along the line. We took advantage of Xmas day to bury our dead and the German dead. We got their identification discs, so there will be definite news at home for their relatives. We had our photo taken in a group, Germans and Tommies together and officers. The Germans have promised to bring me a print tomorrow at midnight. The regiment in front of us is the 134th Saxon, and they are fed up with the war. One rather significant remark was made by one of their officers: ‘You are Anglo-Saxons, we are Saxons. Then why we joot?’"

    Since Christmas Day, Guy reports that there has been no shooting on either side but Christmas Day 1914 will go down in history as a day absolute unique.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/inside-first-world-war/10273760/your-memories.html

    sflynn




    213821

    Lt. W. E. Senior DSC. HMS Night Hawk

    My husband’s grandfather, Lt W E Senior RNR, was captain on the minesweeper Night Hawk in the North Sea on Christmas Day 1914. His story involved the bombardment of Scarborough by German ships in December 1914 as probable cover for the laying of mines in the North Sea. The Night Hawk was a former trawler from Grimsby under the command of Lt Senior. She hit a mine on Christmas Day and from a crew of 13 seven survived, of whom Lt Senior was one. The ship went down in 10 seconds.

    Lt Senior was awarded the DSC and the Croix de Guerre (May 31, 1917) for his service to minesweeping, he later became dockmaster in Grimsby. In Grandpa Senior’s honour, the [Croix de Guerre] sword is used at family weddings to cut the cake.

    Carol Senior




    213820

    Bernard Brookes Queen's Westminster Rifles

    Bernard Brookes, 21, spent 10 months in the Flanders trenches with the Queen’s Westminster Rifles. His daughter, Una Barrie, from London, has recently published a book of his diaries, A Signaller’s War: Notes Compiled from My Diary 1914-1918.

    sflynn




    213818

    Pte. Daniel Keohane 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (d.19th Jun 1915)

    Daniel Keohane was my great uncle. I am very proud of him and his service record. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to have Daniel Keohane mentioned in this wartime memory.

    Leo Berube




    213817

    Lt. A. Victor Ratcliffe 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Victor Ratcliffe was killed in action Battle of the Somme. He was a close friend of Rupert Brooke and a poet in his own right.

    sflynn




    213816

    Lt. Robert Abercromby Forbes-Sempill 5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.2nd Jun 1915)

    Robert Abercromby Forbes-Sempill died from wounds. He is mentioned in book "The Aristocracy and the Great War".

    sflynn




    213815

    Mjr. Henry Duncan Bentinck MID Coldstream Guards (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    Henry Duncan Bentinck died on the 2nd of October 1916 at age 35, from wounds received in action in the Battle of the Somme.

    sflynn




    213814

    2nd Lt. Thomas Eyre Barton 14th Btn. att. 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th Jul 1916)

    Thomas Eyre Barton was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme.

    sflynn




    213812

    Capt. James Allfrey Andrews 2nd Btn. Devonshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    James Allfrey Andrews died on 1st of July 1916 at age 26 while leading an attack as second in command on Ovillers-la-Boiselle, Somme, France, killed in action in the Battle of the Somme.

    sflynn




    213811

    Capt. Douglas Keith Lucas Lucas-Tooth DSO MID 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers (d.14th Sep 1914)

    Douglas Lucas-Tooth died from wounds received at the Battle of Aisnes

    sflynn




    213810

    Lt. Henry Arundell de Pentheny O'Kelly 13th Hussars (d.4th May 1915)

    Henry O'Kelly was killed in action in the Second Battle of Ypres

    sflynn




    213807

    Capt. William John Montagu Watson-Armstrong MID 7th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    William John Montagu Watson-Armstrong, 2nd Baron Armstrong, fought in the First World War between 1914 and 1917. He fought in the Battle of St. Julien in April 1915, where he was severely wounded and was mentioned in despatches. He served with the 7th Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers

    S. Flynn




    213804

    Field Marshall Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby MID Inniskillings 6th Dragoons

    Field Marshal Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby of Megiddo, was Inspector of the Cavalry between 1910 and 1914. He was General Officer Commanding of the 1st Cavalry Division, British Expeditionary Force in 1914. He was General Officer Commanding of the Cavalry Corps between 1914 and 1915. He fought in the First World War between 1914 and 1918, for which he was mentioned in despatches seven times

    He fought in the Battle of Megiddo on 19 September 1918, where he defeated the Turks

    sflynn




    213803

    Capt. Alexander Morrison (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Alexander Morrison died in 1915, killed in action in the Battle of Loos

    sflynn




    213802

    Lt. George Glyn Fowler King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.25th Sep 1915)

    George Glyn Fowler died on the 25th of September 1915 at the age of 19, from wounds received in action during the Battle of Loos

    sflynn




    213801

    Lt.Col. Richard Charles Dundas Royal Scots (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Richard Charles Dundas was killed in action in the Battle of Loos

    sflynn




    213800

    Mjr. Lesley Reginald Coventry Douglas-Hamilton Cameron Highlanders (d.24th Jul 1916)

    Lesley Douglas-Hamilton fought in the Battle of Loos, where he was severely wounded. He was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme.

    sbflynn




    213799

    Lt.Col. Charles Elrington Duncan Davidson-Houston DSO. 58th (Vaughan's) Rifles (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Charles Davidson-Houston was killed in the Battle of Loos

    sflynn




    213796

    Florence Pridie

    <p>

    St. John Hospital, Southport, the Grange and the Woodlands, Presented to Florence Pridie for services during the Great War 1914-1919, Medal. This was bought from a carboot sale and I am in the process of tracking down family members to pass it back.

    David Cookson




    213795

    Cpl George W. Hodges 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade

    George Hodges gave me his medals when I was working at Dorking station about thirty years ago. He asked me to look after them I have done so and they have a prominent place in my house.





    213793

    Sgt. Henry George Willmott 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Henry George Willmott was born on the 21 October 1887 at King's Road, Mortlake, Surrey, the son of John and Mary Willmott (nee Cox). He married Catherine Russell at the parish church Mortlake on 5 August 1911. He was the father of John Henry (born 1912) and Catherine Mary (born 1913). He served in the 9th Battalion, the Rifle Brigade and was killed in action on the 15th September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.

    Editor's Note: From the date of death given it was probably Henry was killed during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, 15 - 22 September 1916, a later phase in the Somme Offensive in which the Division took part.

    Michael Hemingway




    213792

    Capt. Frank Vans-Agnew MC B. Btn. Tank Corps

    <p>

    Frank Vans Agnew, my great uncle, was a remarkable man: He was 46 when he travelled from America in 1914 to enlist, having been a veterinary surgeon, a farrier in Roosevelt’s Roughriders, an assayer at gold and copper mines in Western Canada and Kazakhstan, and an orange grower in Florida. Posted to the front in May 1915 Frank was soon in the thick of the action and in 1917 was transferred to the Tank Corps, winning an MC at Messines. He was wounded and captured in November and spent 13 months in POW camps before a spell in Copenhagen helping to repatriate British soldiers.

    His later career saw him in Belize, prospecting for chicle trees, ranching in New Mexico and growing daffodils in Cornwall before his retirement, which was interrupted by two years in the Home Guard and three in the Royal Observer Corps. He died in 1955. I only met him once, about a year before that. Veteran Volunteer. Memoir of the Trenches, Tanks and Captivity 1914 – 1919 by Frank Vans Agnew (Ed. Jamie Vans) is to be published in about April 2014 by Pen & Sword Books.

    Jamie Vans




    213791

    Herbert Edward Lovell Bedfordshire Yeomanry

    <p>Herbert Edward Lovell

    My grandfather Bert Lovell was wounded in WW1 while serving 1915 in the Bedfordshire Yeomanry. My great uncle was also in the same unit. The family story says that he was injured while mounted on a horse and his horse was killed. Fours others accompanying him were killed along with their horses. He was the only survivor because as he was blown off his horse from the shell shockwave and impact of the explosion (the shell exploded between them) He was also shielded from some of the shrapnel by the body of his horse. He then crawled in a badly injured state to the aid station to notify them that his horse was dead; as horses were more valuable than people. Even though shielded by his horse and a survivor he still spent months in hospital with physical injuries and shell shock and thereafter had to take anti epilepsy drugs for the rest of his life. He still had unremoved metal and scars on his neck and head until he died at 82 yrs old. He never talked about the war (my grandmother said the information was relayed from his unit) and he would get very agitated if anyone whistled. He was reported to be relaying war stories to the nurses in hospital the day before he died when they had taken him off all his heavy doses of medication.

    Jo Bennett




    213790

    Sgt. John George Laverick MM 20th Btn. Nothumberland Fusilliers

    Jack Laverick was discharged at the end of hostilities with the rank of Sergeant. He returned to his trade of coal mining in the Newfield, Durham area. In 1919 he married Elizabeth Jackson and in 1926 emigrated to Hikurangi, New Zealand with Elizabeth and their young daughter Vera. Jack continued underground coal mining in the area.

    With the outbreak of WW2 Jack enlisted in the New Zealand Army but was rejected for overseas service on health grounds due to being gassed during WW1.John George Laverick MM, died at Whanagrei Base Hospital, New Zealand on 29th February 1944 and is buried beside his beloved Elizabeth at Kaurihohore Cemetery, Northland, New Zealand.

    David Graham




    213786

    Lt. Llewelyn Price 1/4 Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Llewelyn Price was a steelworker at Brymbo Steel Works near Wrexham before the war.

    Mark




    213785

    Pte. John "Nobby" Clarke Denbighshire Yeomanry

    John Clarke known as Nobby joined the Denbighshire Yeomanry with his cousin in 1913 as a territorial army private. It was the only way he could get time off from working on the farm, for a holiday. He took his own horse with him. I have been told that he taught men to ride horses in the initial stages of the war. He took his own horse to the war and brought it home with him at the end of the war. A lucky escape unless this has been changed over time and he brought a horse home from the war. He only returned home a couple of times as he could not face his mother and how upset she was at his returning to the war. He survived the war and only suffered a broken arm as a physical injury and shell shock. I have been told that he swam across a lake and freed some of his regiment who were captured.

    Helen Larkin




    213783

    Pte. David William McNeilly 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    After joining up under age ,my great grandfather, David William McNeilly, enlisted in the 12th Royal Irish Rifles at the outset of the war. He along with two other men were the unit's first casualties. He and another man had shrapnel injuries while the third man died. He moved around with the 12th until they got their orders to attack on the first day of the Somme. There with the rest of his platoon under Lieutenant Lemon they advanced to the 2nd line German trench.On the retreat he along with a corporal we're the only two left from their platoon. Swept up by the Royal Irish Fusiliers he went over a further three times that day and survived. Throughout the rest of the war he was with the 12th and fought in all the major battles around Ypres. Surviving the war, he returned home,married and had a family.

    When war came around again he was already in the Merchant Navy and serving on board the coal ship Corbet. On the 4th May 1941 as the Corbet was leaving Liverpool Harbour under a heavy air raid, the ship was hit by an explosion. The ship had hit a mine which had been laid previously in another air raid. Unfortunately his luck finally ran out. On watch that night,in the panic of the getting under way, he left the ship's glasses below deck and went down to get them, leaving another seaman on watch. That man was the only one to survive the sinking ship.

    Tracing my great grandfathers military history has been a revelation as nobody knew or was interested. But being interested in military history I set about it with my gran, his daughter to see what I could find. She gave me his Army book, small book, bible and some information on his Merchant navy employment.This helped greatly along with the library of books I now have. If you haven't already done so then I recommend finding out about your past,as if you don't know where you have been, you don't know where you are headed.





    213782

    RSM Walter Goody MM, MC. 7th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.6th Apr 1918)

    RSM Walter Goody was my great uncle and he served in the 7th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment. His medals are still in the family Military Medal, Military Cross and Knight of the Order of Leopold II (Cross with Palm Leaf). He died of wounds in France on the 6th April 1918, leaving behind a wife and four children. Gone but not forgotten. The graves of his brothers and sisters are still tended in his home village as requested by his mother.

    David Carter




    213781

    Pte. Henry Richard Thomas Ames Gloucestershire Regiment

    Henry Richard Thomas Ames was the grandfather I never knew, having died in 1963 when I was only 2 years of age. From my father I was able to obtain some insights into Harry's war, including being gassed and buried alive twice, eventually surviving the war and emigrating to Australia in 1921.

    From my research I have been able to obtain his medal card and medal roll details and also find out a lot of extra information including Harry's older brother William, who served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and I was able to obtain his (William's) full service record from the Canadian Archives. Harry went on to become one of the first life members of the Campsie RSL in Sydney and I believe one of the only British Army members to become a member of the Australian RSL. Harry's wife, Vera, was also actively involved with the RSL until her death in 1958. I hope someone who reads this maybe able to fill in some of the "blanks" regarding The Royal engineers, The 2nd South Midlands etc.

    Editor's Note: His medal record does mention the Gloucester Regiment twice with different Regimental Numbers 1718 and 240173 also Royal Engineers Regimental Number 497926. He was discharged on the 15th April 1919. It is not obvious which Battalion(s) of the Gloucesters he served in. The mention of 2nd South Midlands is more likely to refer to : 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. Within this Division Battalions of the Gloucesters served in two of the Brigades; 183rd (2nd Gloucester and Worcester) Brigade had 2/4th and 2/6th Battalions Gloucesters and 184th (2nd South Midland) Brigade had the 2/5th Battalion Gloucesters. The Royal engineers item may refer to an attachment to an RE Company in the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division.

    Wayne Ames




    213780

    Sgt. Morris E. Barrows Co. B 3rd Machine Gun Battalion

    Morris E Barrows was a glass worker by trade. He served with the American Expeditionary Force in France in active service in Toole sector Mar.9-Apr.1 1918. Mondidier sector May 1-July 6 1918, Mondidier sector (Cantigny Offensive) May 28-30 1918, Aisne-Marne offensive July 12-23 1918. St. Mihiel sector Sept. 12 1918. Soissons July 18-23 1918 and Marne-Argonne offensive Oct.26-Nov.11 1918. He was wounded in the right shoulder at Soissons on July 22 1918 and in his left arm in action at St. Mihiel Sept 12 1918. Morris Returned to US on July 13, 1919.

    Jason Ashton




    213776

    Rfmn. Robert Fee 13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My great grandfather Robert Fee served with the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. I don't know too much about his wartime history only that he was wounded and he was left with shrapnel embedded in body and also his face was left scarred. My aunt told me he always had a wool blanket over his shoulders as he felt the cold so much from being in the trenches. He lost a son in the Merchant Navy. He joined up at the age of thirty-six and died in the early 1950s.

    Austin Cheevers




    213774

    J. Marshall West Yorkshire Regiment

    I am trying to return the First World War medal of Private J. Marshall, Service Number 11206 to his family. This missing war medal, a 1914-1918 Victory Medal awarded for service during the Great War is impressed with his name, service number and unit. Private J. Marshall served with the West Yorkshire Regiment and is believed to have served on Gallipoli during 1915. If that is correct, he may have been a member of the West Yorkshire 9th (Service) Battalion. Somehow, his Victory medal turned up for sale here in Australia. I am sure that they would like it returned in time for the Centenary of the Great War. I don't know his first name, but the medal is stamped J. Marshall. Can anyone please help?





    213768

    RSM. William Turner Benneworth DCM, MID. 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    William Turner Benneworth's DCM citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He made a personal reconnaissance under a heavy machine gun fire over 8oo yards of ground, this saving a very dangerous situation. Later, when in command of a post, he showed great courage and skill in covering the retirement of other troops, killing six of the enemy himself. He set a fine example to all.

    He also received the Belgian 'Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold 11'

    Douglas Benneworth




    213762

    Capt. Hobart Amory Hare Baker Croix de Guerre 103d Aero Squadron Lafayette Escadrille (d.22nd Dec 1918)

    Hobey Baker entered the U.S. Army in May 1917, just after the United States declared war on Germany. Three months later, he was sent to France, where, after superb marks in aerial gunnery training, he was accepted into the fabled Lafayette Escadrille, a combat pilot unit that later became the 103rd Aero Squadron (8th Feb. 1918). With an insatiable spirit for adventure, he was a natural at flying planes, maneuvering them as athletically as he did his body when dodging tacklers on the football field at Princeton. As a combat pilot, he had scraps in the sky with enemy gunners that resulted in three kills. After each one, he observed the code by which combat pilots lived: He honored his fallen foes with a toast of cognac. Baker was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for gallantry and was cited by Gen. John Pershing, the American Expeditionary Force commander, for distinguished service. At home, newspapers heralded him as a war hero.

    When the war ended, in November 1918, he felt a sense of loss. He loved being a pilot and simply had not had his fill of flying and fighting. On Dec. 21, the day he was scheduled to leave Toul for Paris and then return to civilian life in the United States, he told his airmates he was going to go for "one last flight." Capt. Baker took off during a heavy rain. At 600 feet, the engine quit. Instead of trying to crash-land, Baker, with his typical I-can-get-through-this mind-set, tried to bring the plane back to base. But he didn't have enough altitude to regain flying speed and pull the nose of the plane back up. He crashed, nose down, near the air-base hangar. His air mates freed him from the wreckage. Minutes later, he died in an ambulance.

    sflynn




    213761

    L/Cpl. Thomas Newton (d.9th Aug 1915)

    My grand uncle Thomas Newton was in the First World War and was killed in the Dardanelles on the 9th August 1915. His family were resident at 26 Grassmere Avenue Newburn

    Keith Newton




    213759

    Pte. Frederick Charles Herbert 12/13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Apr 1918)

    Private Frederick Charles Herbert's home address is given as Barwell, Leicestershire and his date of death as the 18th April 1918. From my search he appears to be: 66853 Pte Herbert, 12/13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers. He was probably killed during the Battle of Bethune, part of the Battle of Lys during the Last German Offensive in April 1918.

    Charles Hambi




    213752

    Pte John Thomas Straker 2nd Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th May 1915)

    My Great Uncle Pte 9929 John Thomas Straker, known as Jack was the eldest of three sons of Thomas and Elizabeth Straker who fought in WW1. He was born in Spennymoor, Co Durham in 1878 enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne in 1901. A regular soldier he was one of 96 Other Ranks who were killed on 8th of May 1915, the first day of the Battle of Frezenberg. Jack has no known grave, his name is one the Menin Gate Memorial panel 8e12.

    His younger brother Pte 20993 Henry Straker 1st Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers born 1888 Oldmonkland, Lanarkshire enlisted at Shiney Row Co Durham was killed 20th May 1917 and buried Dury Crucifix Cemetary France. His other brother Albert Straker, 6th btn Green Howards, was severely wounded at Gallipolli but survived.

    Brian Straker




    213750

    A/W01 Thomas Greenwood MSM. 1st Btn. Welsh Regiment

    <p>

    Thomas Greenwood joined the 1st Battalion Welsh Regiment in 1910 and in 1915 transferred to MGC. He was awarded the MSM and the Medaille d’Honneur avec Glaives (en argent) and Mentioned in Dispatches in the London Gazette. He served in Salonika.

    Ollie Greenwood




    213749

    Pte. James Henry "Rolling Jim" Spencer MM. 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment

    Jim Spencer was my great uncle. Like my grandfather (George - QVR) he was an Infantryman in WW1. Both survived. The much-told family story was that Jim had won the MM for rescuing a wounded Canadian officer from No Mans Land, but that he had sold the medal after the war to put the money on a horse. Jim was badly affected by his experiences and although his family emigrated to Canada, he chose to stay around South London, where he became a tramp, walking huge distances and appearing at my grandparents house on the coast, filthy dirty, but full of beans and usually singing a song whose chorus was Rolling, rolling, rolling....

    He died in about 1972, then living at one of the Carrington House hostels. I took my grandfather to see him there for the last time. Jim's daughter, Win, discovered from army records that he never had received his MM. She claimed it about 15 years ago and donated it to the Northamptonshire Regiment museum. I have a copy of the London Gazette for 23.7.19, which gazettes the award and a copy of the citation dated 27.2.19 and signed Rawlinson. We have no connection with Northamptonshire but Jim seems to have enrolled there while visiting a friend in Peterborough. Updated

    Stephen Spencer




    213744

    Cpl John Charles Atkins 5th Divisional Signals Company Royal Engineers

    My grandfather, 2nd Corporal Jack Atkins, was a Londoner, a career soldier and an "Old Contemptible"; he was born in the City of London although his family subsequently moved to Lambeth. He served for seven years in the infantry before transferring to 5 Signals Company in 1913. The Company provided communications for 5 Divisional HQ and for each of the three infantry brigades of the division.

    In August 1914 the Division left Carlow in Ireland to join the BEF in France, and Jack experienced the rigours of the Retreat from Mons. Next came the hard-fought Battle of Le Cateau on 26th August, the engagement which famously saved the BEF and fatally slowed the German advance into France. Jack is believed to have been part of the HQ Section Signallers based at the village of Reumont, and during the morning was sent to lay a cable between 5 Div HQ and the 19th Brigade to their north. The unit War Diary says "Sgt Holmes and his cable det. were detailed to lay a cable line to the 19th Brigade, but were evidently captured by the Germans for his party (men, horses and wagon) has not been heard of since. The cable line was last seen running through a line of German infantry."

    He spent the rest of the war as a POW in Germany and then, in 1918, Holland to which neutral country he was repatriated as suffering from "barbed-wire fever". On his return to Britain at the end of the war he learned that two of his three younger brothers had been killed in May 1915 (coincidentally both on the same day - 26th - although one, Herbert, was at Gallipoli with 2nd Royal Fusiliers and the other, William, in France with 1/23rd London Regiment).

    Jack reenlisted and served with the Royal Signals as it became until the end of his enlistment in 1927 by which time he was a Quartermaster Sergeant. He settled in Brighton with his wife and young family, returning briefly to the Colours in the next war as a Company Sergeant Major. A quiet man, he never spoke of his brothers or of the Great War except to say that they'd been kept very hungry in captivity. He died in Brighton in 1955, just two weeks after the death of his wife.

    Paul Atkins




    213742

    Sgt. Charles Gater 12th Btn. D Coy. 14th Pln. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Jan 1916)

    <p>14th Pltn, D Coy. 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Sergeant Charles Gater, bottom left, front row. at the time of the photograph was serving in 14th Platoon, D Company, 12th Battalion, The Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on the 12th January 1916 and is Buried in Cite Bonjean Cemetery, near Armentierres, France.

    Bill Chapman




    213741

    Sgt. Harry Alexander Tranter 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.21st Mar 1918)

    266730 Sgt.Harry Alexander Tranter, serving with 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Robin Hoods) was reported missing presumed killed in action on the 21/03/1918. According to the Red Cross enquiry list 01/10/1918. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial. He was the son of Caroline Furner Tranter and the late Robert Luther Tranter.

    Royce Tranter




    213738

    Matthew Elliott

    I have in my possession a bronze death plaque for Matthew Elliott. I would love to reunite it with a direct descendent. I know of three possible records for this soldier, the most probable being local to the north-east of England, where I live and the former owner of the plaque lived. If anyone should have further information please contact me.

    Jan Fairley




    213734

    Pte. Alfred William Banning 9th Battaliion Essex Regiment (d.10th Aug 1918)

    Alfred Banning is a very distant cousin that I just discovered existed, but as soon as I discovered he had been killed in action in France, I immediately looked for other avenues in which his sacrifice would be honoured. Lest We Forget.

    Mitchell




    213732

    CQMS Robert Taylor Garside 22nd (7th City) Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Robert Taylor Garside was the younger son of Emma M Goldman who married Thomas Douglas Hamilton Garside in 1884 in Philadelphia USA. Robert was younger brother of Paul Hamilton Douglas Garside (aka 'Peter Hammond'). Robert Taylor Garside married Mary Palmer in in Lower Broughton 1914 and had two sons, Ronald & Roy Garside.

    Robert enlisted on the 2nd of Sep 1914 aged 24 and gave his birth place as Lower Broughton, occup. Clerk, address 17 Grecian St Lower Broughton. He was actually born in USA c.1891 (see UK census 1901). He was posted to 19th Manchesters (4th City) Battalion. On the 19th of Jan 1915 he was posted to 22nd Manchesters (7th City) 'B' Coy Platoon V. and was promoted same day to CQMS. Robert was apparently a 1st class shot. In the regimental photo he is sitting on the right of his CO Capt. Alfred Bland. On the 11th of Nov 1915 the battalion was posted to France.

    On the 1st of Jul 1916 (first day of The Somme) the 22nd Manchesters were part of the 7th Division at Mametz. Robert was wounded in France & operated on at Endell St Military Hospital then sent to Kings Lancashire Convalescent Hospital, Clifton Park on 15 Jan 1918. On the 19th of Feb 1918 he was posted to the 3rd Manchesters and on the 17th of Feb 1919 Robert was discharged to classZ from the 8th Reserve Battalion. Robert Taylor Garside died in 1947 in Fylde Lancashire.

    Rebecca Mayfield




    213731

    Pte. William Gillon 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.17th Sep 1918)

    We know very little regarding our grandfather's brother William Gillon. We believe he died of his wounds at the Battle of Procourt-Queant, and is buried in the military cemetery at Queant. We would appreciate any information regarding this battle and information on the 6th Battalion.

    Alan Johnson




    213730

    Pte.. Bernard Corrigan MM 1st/5th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.4th Dec 1917)

    Bernard Corrigan lived at Elliot Street, St Helens before the war. He was employed as a glass blower. He arrived in France on 13 October 1915 and the records show he was awarded the Military Medal. As it was gazetted on 6th January 1917, it seems almost certain, Bernard was awarded the medal for the action on 5th November 1916.

    During 4th and 5th November the 55th Divisional Artillery successfully cut two gaps in the wire, each about 25 yards wide; these gaps were kept open during the night by occasional 18 pounder and machine gun fire. Zero was fixed for 12.30 a.m. on the 6th November at which time a rolling barrage was opened on to the enemy's trenches.

    Some 12 months later on 30th November 1917 the Battalion were in the line close to Villers-Guisalin. The diary reports that the enemy attacked in large numbers around 7.20 a.m. Many of them worked their way southwards and attacked the battalion from the rear, and long after the enemy had advanced fighting could be seen around Battalion HQ. The fighting qualities of the Regiment were displayed at their best and a wonderful example had been given. It would appear 60 men were killed in this action. None of them has a known grave and they are all remembered on the Cambrai Memorial. About 16 more died of their wounds over the next few days. Amongst them was Bernard Corrigan who died of wounds on 4th December 1917, aged 21 years. He rests in Honnechy British Cemetery.

    Lavel Jones




    213728

    Pte. Sidney Charles Herbert Baxter 10th (Service) Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.16th May 1915)

    Private Charles Baxter was in the 10th (Service) Battalion, The Rifle Brigade. I would like to hear details of the battles, or any awards he might have been given, as his older brother Albert John Baxter was awarded the MC with the Royal Engineers and died in Arras in 1915. Charles died on the 16th May 1915.

    Mark Baxter




    213727

    L/Cpl. Frederick Adams MM. 8th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.30th Sep 1917)

    Frederick Adams is one of the thousands remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 125 to 128)in Belgium. Sadly, online history for the regiment is pretty skinny - I can't even link to the museum and its records. You just get sent round in circles via the Rotherham Council and National Army Museum sites. I should say that the issue is made more complex because I live in Australia so all my research is conducted online. I've tried the National Archives site, but Frederick's name doesn't appear. He was only 21 when he was killed. I'm hoping that by posting my ancestor's name, I will be able to uncover more about his life and service. I have been unable to find out what he received his Military Medal for, but I presume it was awarded for the events that led to his death. Hopefully, I will be able to track down the war diaries one day to find out what his battalion was up to when he was killed. My passion is driven, of course, by the forthcoming 100th anniversary of the outbreak of WWI. To date, I have managed to track down partial histories on six direct descendants - three who were killed during the war and two (including my own grandfather) who died earlier than expected as a consequence of being gassed. My grandad, James Henry Cropper, lost two brothers-in-law in the space of eight days when the Battle of the Somme began on July 1, 1916.

    Editor's Note: From the date of Frederick's death, 30th September 1917, it is likely he was killed in action in the early stages of the Third Battle of Ypres possibly at Menin Road or Polygon Wood.

    Ian Cropper




    213726

    Pte. Nathaniel John Paice 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.24th Jul 1918)

    Private Nathaniel John Paice (25542) served in the 1st Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment during WW1. He died on the 24th July 1918. This is likely to have been as a result of action during the Second Battle of Marne a final turning point near the end of WW1.

    jessica




    213720

    Sgt. John Atkinson 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    With the outbreak of the First World War John Atkinson enlisted on the 10th August 1914 in the 3rd Training Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (Army Number 22546). The Northern Echo of 1st March 1916 shows him as a Lance-Corp. serving with the 3rd’s in France. On 14th October 1916 he is recorded as a Sergeant, suffering from shell shock and on 26th March 1917 he had been wounded and was in a base hospital in France. He retained the scar of the wound in his right forearm and the remnant of the bullet in his shoulder.

    He never talked much about his experiences on the Somme, other than to relate the time when he was in the ambulance from the front to field hospital. Alongside him was a Prussian Guard who, seeing the marksman badge on Dad’s sleeve (he was a sniper), Dad related he would have killed him if he could. He was wounded at St. Eloi, near Ypres, and our former home at Aycliffe bears that name to this day.

    Whilst searching the 1943 edition of the Darlington & Stockton Times the following article of 10th September 1943 emerged:

    Great War Comrades Meet at Durham.

    The swearing in of Mr. Roland Jennings, M.P., of Whitburn, Sunderland, as a county magistrate at Durham Quarter Sessions on Wednesday was followed by an informal reunion with one of his Great War comrades in arms.

    On the bench was Mr. John Atkinson, of Great Aycliffe, who during the Great War was a platoon sergeant in the 20th Batt. Durham Light Infantry. Recognising his former officer, Mr. Atkinson left the court and had a happy chat with Mr. Jennings. In particular they recalled an episode at St. Eloi in 1917 when Sergt. Atkinson was wounded while attacking with a Lewis gun a German machine-gun nest at a 40 yards range in no man’s land. Mr. Jennings, then a second-lieutenant, came to the rescue, helped Sergt. Atkinson back to the British lines and dressed his wound. Mr. Jennings, chartered accountant, was M.P. for Sedgefield from 1931 to 1935 and has been M.P. for the Hallam Division of Sheffield since 1939. Mr. Atkinson is Aycliffe representative on the Darlington Rural Council and, as a J.P., sits on the Spennymoor and Darlington County Benches.

    Postscript- the 20th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry (Wearside), the "Faithful Durhams", after training at Barnard Castle were at Aldershot on 7th January 1916 (Northern Echo). They were the only North-country battalion in the 41st Division with a high proportion of miners and it became well known for its digging abilities. They moved to France in May 1916 based around Armentieres (my father talked about the place as a place they relaxed in).

    From John Sheen’s book emerges a detailed record of the Battalion and its movements as follows: The 20th Battalion DLI was part of the 123rd Brigade along with the 11th Queens, 10th Royal West Kent, and 23rd Middlesex. The Brigade was part of the 41st Division, which in turn was part of the 15th Corps.

    • 1/5/1916 Moved to embarkation positions.
    • 4/5/1916 Entrained Farnborough and embarked SS Arundal at Southampton.
    • 5/5/1916 Gare des Marchandises – Godewaerswelde (Belgium). Probably John joined the Battalion here??
    • 10/5/1916 Ypres Salient – frontline for instruction in trench warfare.
    • 28/5/1916 Le Bizet/Armentieres.
    • 29/5/1916 22 officers & 696 men into the front line.
    • 23/8/1916 Bailleul to Somme Front (Longpre les Corps Sants) then marched to Yaucourt Bussus.
    • 7/9/1916 Train Longpre to Mericourt then camp near Becorel outside Albert.
    • 12 – 13/9/1916 Into line with the 11th Queens.
    • 14/9/1916 Back to Pommiers Redoubt then back to the battle at Flers (with tanks). 123rd Brigade in reserve behind 122nd Brigade (no fighting but with casualties from shelling – possible source of John's shell shock reported in the press on 14/10 1916)
    • 17/9/1916 Moved to the Montauban line then Bercondal for attack training.
    • 27/9/1916 Much reconnaiscence into No Man’s Land.
    • 1/101916 Back to Pommiers Redoubt.
    • 3/10/1916 Camp at Memetz Wood – resting.
    • 7.10/1916 800 yards behind Flers.
    • 17/10/1916 Left Somme and entrained at Dernancourt to Oismont (via Amiens). Arrived 18/19/1916. Battalion strength 1068. From 23/8 to 17/10/1916 casualties 98 dead, 200+ wounded.
    • 20/10/1916 Train from Pont Remy to Godeswaersvelde (Dickebusch Sector)
    • 22/10/1916 Renningshelst.
    • 3/11/1916 Back to trenches – skirmishes.
    • 12/11/1916 Ontario Camp (Dickebusch)
    • 18/11/1916 SNOW – COLD. Fighting dimishes but still casulaties. Battalion strength 29 officers and 828 men.
    • 23/11/1916 Ontario Camp.
    • December 1916 In and out of the line.
    • Christmas Day Trench mortar activity.
    • 29/12/1916 Ontario Camp (Ypres Salient)
    • New Year’s Day 1917. Some had baths – practicing – operating Lewis Guns. Strength 19 officers (-10) and 463 (-365) men.
    • 3/1/1917 In the line – very wet.
    • 8/1/1916 New officers joined the Battalion, including R. Jennings.
    • 17/1/1917 Back in the line.
    • 21/1/1917 Snow – back to Ontario Camp.
    • 28/1/1917 Back in the line.
    • Early February 1917. Clearing trenches – back and forward to Ontario Camp.
    • 17/2/1917 Routine fighting – in and out through February into March. Battalion football competition – church in Reninghelst.
    • 5/3/1917 Took over from East Surrey’s.. Snow and mist. Things described as quiet – in and out the line.
    • 18/3/1917. Skirmishes and shelling – likely time when John was wounded (Northern Echo report on 26/3/1917.
    • 24/3/1917 Battalion out of the line and on ‘stand-by’.

        John used to talk about the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley in Hampshire - an existing pre-war military hospital as the place he received on-going treatment for his wounds prior to him moving to Croydon for a time before ultimately finishing up at Woodside Hospital Darlington where he was Orderly Sergeant. He was finally honourably discharged on 13th December 1917.

        Lewis Atkinson




    213715

    Rfm. Alfred Jacob Worz 1/8th Battalion (Post Office Rifles) London Regiment (d.1st Nov 1915)

    <p>Alfred Jacob Worz

    Alfred was born in 1897 in Lambeth, London, of German decent. As the story goes his German father, Jakob, had been sent to England following the death of his own father in either the Austro-Prussian or Franco-Prussian War. Jakob worked as a baker in London and took the English name of ‘Jack Adams’ after attacks on German owned shops, including his own, as a result of anti-German feeling during the war. As a 17 year old, with a German surname Alfred must have experienced a degree of social pressure to ‘join up’. Alfred enlisted, sometime toward the end of February 1915 in Bermondsey, London and served in the City of London Regiment, 1/8th Battalion (Post Office Rifles).

    Alfred entered the Theatre of War in France on 18th August 1915. The 1/8th fought at the Battle of Loos on 25th September. The 1/8th Battalion Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel A.D. Derviche-Jones D.S.O. M.C. noted that the Post Office Rifles had "every reason to be proud of their part in the battle, having come in at a critical and nasty moment, and succeeded in re-establishing the success achieved by others". By the end of October 1915 the Battalion found themselves occupying an ‘unpleasant sector’ in front of Hill 70, east of Loos. It was during this ‘unpleasant time’, on the 1st November 1915 that Alfred was killed, days before the 47th Division was relieved and the Battalion moved to Lillers for a months’ rest. Alfred had been in France less than 3 months.

    Alfred and six other Post Office Riflemen, who died within three days of each other, are buried in the same row in Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos, France. Approximately 12,000 men fought with the Regiment. By the end of the War 1800 men from the Post Office Rifles would be dead and 4,500 more would be wounded. Alfred’s name, although misspelt as ‘Wortz’, appears on the Post Office Memorial inside Southwark/Rotherhithe delivery office.

    Richard Gurr




    213712

    William George Tucker "Buster" Brown 74 Squadron

    William Brown is my father who served in 74 Squadron and then is shown leaving 84 squadron. He was shot down in France but repaired plane with help of French farmers and returned to base. He then went on to serve in WW2 as an instructor. Any information would be gratefully received

    Nick Tucker Brown




    213710

    Pte. Albert Alexander Augustus Appleby 1st/1st. Surrey Yeomanry Lancers

    Albert Appleby saw service in the Lancers in Northern France up until May 1915 when he was shipped to Salonica, where he served for the remainder of the war spending some of his time as servant to his commanding officer Captain Barclay. He got no medals, no 'mentions in despatches' just good, conscientious service until he was demobbed in May 1919 having finished his time guarding prisoners of war in the Caucasus region. Albert was born in Marchington, Staffordshire December 10th 1882, he married Daisy Warner in November 1918 and died in 1968.

    Graham Trickey




    213706

    Pte. Edward Owen Edwards C Coy. 36th Btn. (d.20th Dec 1917)

    <p>Owen Edwards - C. Coy. 36th Btn. AIF from NSW Australia.

    Edward Owen Edwards, aged 17 years, was killed in action on the battlefield near Armentieres France on 20th of December 1917. Known by the name Owen, he enlisted in the parish of Smithfield NSW Australia on 14th Jan 1916 three days after his 16th birthday. Owen declared his age as 18 years to enlist with his mates, and after initial training in Australia,embarked at Sydney HMAT A72 Beltana on 13.05.1916 bound for Southampton UK. Owen saw action in Northern France and Belgium for nearly 18 months before his death.

    Owen was treated during this period for a number of conditions, such as piles, due to poor nutrition, and other battlefield injuries resulting in admission to field hospitals, and on one occasion repatriation to Great Britain with eye damage during May/June 1917 due to gas attack treatment, before returning to his unit and the front. Owen was involved in many battlefield regions and his army record includes locations such as Camiers, Atapies, Trouville, and Rouelles.

    Owen rests in the Cite Bonjean military cemetery Armentieres Plot 1 Row C Grave 43. His grave originally showed his age as 19 years, however after research and the production of a certified copy of an original berth certificate, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission altered the date to 17 years.

    On 19th September 2013 Barry D Gray from Perth Australia, visited his Great Uncle's grave and spread rich red radiated soil from his country of birth. A further memorial and photo can be found on the Cite Bonjean web site under Memorials. Rest in peace and never be forgotten.

    Barry D Gray




    213701

    RSM James McClymont DCM. 9th Battalion Royal Sussex

    <p>james McClymont as chauffeur to Lord Jowett.

    My grandfather,James McClymont, joined the 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment in Chichester on the 7th September 1914, aged 23 yrs and 4 months. His occupation was motor mechanic and before war broke out he was working as the Chauffeur to Lord Jowett. As some of his documentation was partially burnt during WW2, there is only sparse information about him. He served in France and Belgium, and took part in nearly all the engagements. He was awarded the Distingiushed Conduct medal in 1919, the announcement appeared in the London Gazette dated 15/5/1919.

    He was a very quiet man, and would never talk about the war, even to his family. We do know that he went back to visit Ypres after the war,(and the memorial on the Menin Gate), where he and his two brothers had fought. All three brothers survived the war, although James' brother John, died at an early age, probably due to being gassed on 17/4/1918.

    Jane Hanick




    213699

    Rflm. Arthur Henry Gurr 12th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Arthur Henry Gurr my Grandfather, was born January 1892 in Camberwell, London and attended Boundary Lane School in Southwark. He began his working life as an ‘envelope addresser’. Arthur enlisted in the 12th London Regiment and it seems likely from available documents and photographs that he was in No.10 Platoon, C Company. The Battalion was transferred to Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire and occupied huts at Longbridge Deverill. They were engaged in training and digging trenches for an artillery practice range and earned "an enhanced reputation for good work and soldierly conduct under discomfort". On 5th February 1917 the Battalion left for France and by the 14th they joined Battalions of the 146th Infantry Brigade who were holding the front line in front of Bailleulmont.

    Early Autumn 1917 saw the Battalion advancing to the Yser Canal, Ypres. The Battalion moved up to assembly positions on the 25th September preparatory to the attack on the ridge N.E. of St. Julien. This being part of the Third Battle of Ypres. Following a heavy artillery barrage on the morning of the 26th September at 0530hrs ‘B’ Company of the 12th London’s advanced with the 2/9th London’s (Queen Victoria Rifles) The 2/9th found it difficult to maintain the correct direction due to heavy fog, boggy ground and taking heavy fire from a German trench and machine guns in a nearby pillbox. There were many casualties. They pressed on, neutralising both positions. However they stopped 1/4 mile short of their objective. ‘B’ Company of the 12th took its objective but having failed to make contact with the 2/9th Battalion pulled back to secure its flanks. Arthur and his comrades of ‘C’ Company went ‘over the top’ at 0611hrs and were tasked with attacking an enemy pillbox positioned on the ridge. ‘C’ Company was "magnificently led" by Captain Hardy, and after a sharp fight captured the German pillbox, together with "numerous prisoners". The action of Rifleman Ratcliffe was noted as "exceptional" having found himself in charge of the remnants of No 10 Platoon, being one of only four survivors (another being Arthur) collected a few men who had strayed from another Battalion (possibly 2/9ths), including a Company Sergeant Major and a Lewis Gun party and took up a position covering the flank of his Company. Together with the remaining No 10 Platoon men this disparate group held the flank with the aid of a captured German machine gun. Rifleman Ratcliffe was awarded the Military Medal. Communication with Battalion HQ was achieved by 22 year old Lance-Corporal Fred Aldridge within 15 minutes of ‘C’ Company reaching its objective (see the related post on this web site).

    A family story has it that Arthur was at some point gassed and had also suffered a hernia carrying a Lewis Gun ‘over the top’. It may have been due to Arthur’s medical problems that in about February 1918 he was transferred to the Labour Corps. Arthur survived the War and returned to the printing trade. In 1926 he married Annie Neaves, whose brother James, an Artillery Gunner, had been killed near Ypres in 1918. Arthur died in Lambeth, London in 1943 at the age of 51.

    Richard Gurr




    213689

    Pte. Thomas George Richardson 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (d.17th Jul 1916 )

    Thomas ricradson was born in Ravenstone and enlisted in Bedford, he was resident at Weston Underwood. Thomas died of wounds and lies in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe, Somme, France. His date of death on the War Memorial in Ravenstone Church is given as 24th of July 1916.

    Paul Mills




    213688

    Gnr. Ellis Ellis 17th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My Father, Gunner Ellis Ellis, served with 17th Battery in XL1 Brigade, RFA, with 1st Corps 2nd Div. and was in the Battle of Nonnes Boschen (Nun's Wood) sited near Westhoek when the final charge of the Prussian Guards regiments broke through the British trenches. Only the guns of the 9th, 16th and 17th Batteries stood between the German advance and Ypres. The line held, with the gunners aided by cooks, batmen, HQ office staff with rifles, stopped the enemy's advance to the sea and the Channel Ports.

    Edward Ellis




    213687

    Pte. James Henry Hancock 12th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.7th Jul 1916)

    James Henry Hancock of 12 Battalion Manchester Reg was killed 7/7/1916 contalmaison, the Somme, rememberd Thiepval Memorial Pier and face 13a /14c

    E Goodayle




    213686

    Rfmn. George Williams 16th Btn Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sep 1916)

    My grandfather, Rifleman George Williams, died of war wounds in Etretat France. Can anyone provide any information please?

    John French




    213685

    Sgt. Reginald Perry 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Sgt. Reginald Perry, my grandfather, was killed in action, along with almost half of the 15th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment on the 15th of September 1916 when they attacked at Flers.

    David Talbot




    213683

    Sjt. George McFarlane MID 18th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    18/47 Sjt George Macfarlane of the 18tn Bn Northumberland Fusiliers received a Mention in Dispatches on 7 April 1918 from Douglas Haigh, London Gazette issue 30698.





    213682

    Rfmn. Houston Clements 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd Oct 1918)

    Rifleman Houston Clements aged 19, went missing in action on the 2nd of October 1918. He is Remembered with Honour at the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.

    Ray McClean




    213681

    Pte. Ellis Briggs 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.10th Feb 1917)

    Pte Ellis Briggs was killed at 10 Tree Alley on the 2nd of February 1917 and is buried in a small graveyard there. He had enlisted in Halifax as Pte 7559 in the West Riding Regiment which was absorbed into the 2nd Batt.Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

    Herbie Davies




    213680

    Pte. William Impson 8th Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Pte William Impson went missing in action on the 25th September 1915 at Chalk Pit Wood during the Battle of Loos. I have his football medal.

    Michel




    213678

    Spr. Hugh Devlin 179th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers

    My Grandfather, Hugh Devlin, served in 179th Tunnerlling Coy, Royal Engineers for the duration. He was recruited from Blantyre, Lanarkshire when he was a coal miner, with many more from the village.

    Terence Devlin




    213677

    William George Frederick Yates 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment

    My Great Grandfather, William George Frederick Yates, served with the 2nd Essex Regiment, BEF and I believe he was shot and wounded at Ypres on the 12th of November 1914. I have some of his army cards, photos and possessions. After this he was transferred to the Royal Engineers and survived the war. Following the Great War he served in India in the 1920's.

    Dan Shadrake




    213676

    Gnr. A. A. Coxhead 1st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    The signature of 35582 Gnr A A Coxhead, 1st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery appears on a Pyke Brothers Riverina Pride flour bag signed by 'Lads and Regiments in France' which belonged to Private S H Nest, 20 Battalion AIF, and is now on display at the Australian War Memorial.

    Malcolm Coxhead




    213675

    Pte. W. Jones 51st Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    My Grandfather W. Jones served with the 51st Machine Gun Battalion

    Gary Jones




    213674

    Pte. Fred Broomfield 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Fred Broomfield was killed in action on Friday, 12th October 1917, aged 22, in the first Battle of Passchendaele and lies in an unknown grave, he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, Passchendaele, West Flanders, Belgium.

    Born in Burgh-le-Marsh, he enlisted at Louth, giving his place of residence as Burgh-le Marsh. He was the son of Henry John and Ellen Broomfield of Burgh le Marsh. Fred is remembered with honour on the Burgh-le-Marsh War Memorial in the grounds of Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church .

    Steven Broomfield




    213673

    Alfred Ellis Yorkshire Hussars

    My father, Alfred Ellis and his brother George both enlisted into the Yorkshire Hussars on 1st Feb 1913 a Territorial Army Unit. They went into training camp in Harrogate in May/June 1914. I have photos of this training camp, in hussars uniform and working in camp with the horses.

    Richard Ellis




    213670

    Ptr. Sydney G. Lewis VC. 106th Machine Gun Company Machine Gun Corps

    A 12-year-old schoolboy who ran away to join the Army and found himself at the Somme has been declared the youngest authenticated combatant of The Great War. Pte Sidney Lewis enlisted in August 1915, and was fighting in the trenches of the Western Front by the following June. Sidney underwent six months of military training with his regiment before crossing the Channel. His exploits made the newspapers at the time, but the reports were considered inconclusive and until now were not corroborated by Army records, The Sunday Times reported.

    The Imperial War Museum has now officially backed his claim after being shown a bundle of family papers including his birth certificate. The new evidence included the discovery that Sidney was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. Thousands of boys are believed to have lied about their age and signed up to fight in the First World War as waves of patriotic fervour swept the country. Richard van Emden, author of "Boy Soldiers of the Great War", who found the evidence that Sidney was awarded the medals, said the boy was deployed to France with the 106th Machine Gun Company and saw active service. Records at the National Archives dated January 10, 1920 show Sidney G Lewis was on the roll of individuals entitled to the Victory Medal. It listed his current rank as lance sergeant and previous rank as private. Mr van Emden said some boy soldiers were lured by the chances of adventure, while others thought the trenches could be no worse than factory work at home. He told the newspaper: "Some parents were happy to have one less mouth to feed and some explained to their sons how to puff up their chests to meet the qualifying standard."

    Frank Bardell, 94, Sidney's brother-in-law, who lives in San Diego, said he could not explain why Sidney's mother had not intervened earlier. "I'm told he more or less ran away from home to enlist." Surviving relatives described him as a man who continued to ignore convention in later life. His son said he was a "forthright fellow" who "stood against authority".

    SFlynn




    213665

    CSM. James Reid Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>James Reid - Northumberland Fusiliers.

    My Grandfather James Reid was a Northumberland Fusilier. He was born in Byker near Newcastle in or around 1895. I have been told that he was a Sgt Major and fought at Passchendaele, surviving the war. All that I have of him is an early service photograph and his "swagger cane". After the war he failed to settle down into civilian life and in 1921 he left my grandmother and went off to Australia, landing in Freemantle. After this I have no trace of him at all.

    I am not 100% sure that he was indeed a Sgt Major and I have no idea which battalion he belonged to, but now as a battlefield tour guide, I take the old man's stick back across to Passchendaele which is the home of Tyne Cot cemetery where there are many soldiers from the Northumberland Fusiliers buried.

    Possibly much of the 'information' that I have is from "family history" and therefore unreliable and I would just love to be able to trace him and find the truth. Whatever happens, I am proud of the old man and those who served with him. We will remember them.

    I have some information from Carolyn Scott who came across this record whilst trying to track down a bit more family info - "pretty sure it's our grandfather James Read who skipped off and left Grandma Mabel pregnant with your mum. The 'Omar' passenger list has his home address as 18 Commercial Road, Bykar, Newcastle-on-Tyne; occupation Steel Moulder. I remember Auntie Agnes telling me he left Mabel and went off with another woman and the last she heard he'd gone to Perth, Western Australia to work on the railroad. She also told me he joined the Army at age 14 and went off to fight in India and ultimately ended up as a S/Major, so we might find him in the military records too. It's a job and a half trying to track everyone down and obviously there are a lot of times, dates and places I don't have so I just keep having a 'stab in the dark' and hopefully, bit by bit, I'll be able to pull it all together and end up with a reasonably informative family tree. I also remember Auntie Agnes speaking of 'Grandma Barber' but can't for the life of me figure out who she was and where she fits in and of course, I only have one set of grandparents unless I'm able to find out who my father was. I'd probably get a lot more info if I paid for an annual subscription but money's tight so I'm going to check out the local library and see if I can get free access to various records there. I'll keep digging and see if I can get any info from Uncle Frank & Auntie Barbara next time we have a chat, mind you, I've already tried a couple of times and don't seem to get very far as Uncle Frank is a man of 'very few words' and Auntie Barbara's always so busy telling me about her work at the hospital and all her fund-raising etc., that I barely get a word in. I realise it's all a long time ago and it's not something they need to be interested in but they're really the last of the 'oldies' in the family who might be able to fill in some of the 'missing pieces'."

    Mr J Read is listed on the UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960, aged 33. Departure Date: 21 Sep 1923, Port of Departure: London, England. Destination Port: Fremantle, Australia. Ship Name: Omar

    Paul Grimley




    213663

    2nd Lt. Brian Wilmot Malone 1st battalion Devonshires (d.23rd April 1917)

    Brian was educated at Rugby and passed through the Royal Military College to become a 2nd lieutenant with the 1st Bn Devonshires,first arriving overseas May 1915.

    He came from a long line of military officers, his father being of the Worcestershire Regiment and great grandfather had been officers with the Royal Navy. Alas at this time we have no personal information on his short life in the war except to say that he was killed during the battle of Arras and is remembered on the Gulval memorial and at the Arras Memorial.

    Carfury Antiquarians




    213636

    Pte. Samuel Arthur Pateshall Colebatch 23rd Bn Lancashire Fusiliers (d.28th Sep 1918)

    My great-uncle Samuel Colebatch died in WW1 and his name was given to my father as he was born shortly before Armistice Day. Any information about him or his regiment would be very welcome.

    Margaret Lubbock




    213625

    Pte. Fred Cumpstey 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade

    My Grandfather, Fred Cumpstey, was born on 7 September 1883 in Blackburn, Lancashire. He married Clara Heyes in Blackburn on 27 September 1902. At the outbreak of the Great War he volunteered to join Kitchener’s 2nd Army and at the time of his Enlistment on 4 September 1914 he was 31 years of age and at that time had 4 young children, ages 8 years, 7 years, 4 years and 12 months old.

    He joined the 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own), which was formed in Winchester in September 1914 subsequently moving to Blackdown in February 1915, to Witley and then in April 1915 to Larkhill. On 21 July 1915, the Battalion arrived at Southampton Docks and in the evening embarked on SS Viper to sail to Havre, France. The following day they arrived in St Omer before marching into billets at Tatinghem.

    My Grandfather was severely wounded in the fierce fighting which occurred on 25 September 1915 at Pietre in a battle which was associated with the Battle of Loos. He survived, and was subsequently discharged on 16 May 1917 as a consequence of his wounds. Although disabled, his right leg was pinned at the knee and he suffered other injuries as a result of mortar fire and shrapnel, he lived an active and fulfilling life until his death in March 1963 in his 80th year. He was a remarkable man and my hero.

    Fred Cumpstey




    213613

    Cpl. Ernest Warren MM. 18th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    My father Ernest Warren was a lewis gun trainer in 1917-18 serving at Arras and Cambrai. He also took part in operations on the Somme 1918. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the Somme Front 1918 on April 15th 1918 for conspicuous gallantry. The story goes that he went to assist his comrade caught on the barbed wire. The other men mentioned were Sgt Baird and Pte Hayes along with my father. I have the original war document and photos.

    I would love to hear from anyone whose relative was in same regiment as my father during WW1.

    Judy Burchell




    213612

    Pte Henry Pate 1/5 Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.1st Dec 1917)

    <p>

    My grandfather, Henry Pate, was killed with two others in a trench on the Somme close to Cambrai. A fourth man, Harry Lloyd, had gone to fetch tea to accompany their bacon sandwiches, when they were hit by a shell. He survived, badly injured, but still holding his bacon sandwich. The three soldiers are buried with headstones butted together in Louverval Military Cemetery. The other two soldiers being Harry Lees and Harry Golding, also of the Cheshires. This story is linked to Meg Goodrick's story.

    Donald Bates




    213611

    Lt. Herbert Lyttelton Pelham Royal Sussex Regiment (d.14th Sep 1914)

    Herbert Lyttelton Pelham was killed in action in the First Battle of Aisne. He is buried in Vendresse British Cemetery.

    S. Flynn




    213609

    Lt-Col. Adrian Grant-Duff 1st Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (d.14th Sep 1914)

    Adrian Grant Duff could not have anticipated the declaration of war in August 1914. He had been in the Black Watch since 1889 serving in India and South Africa. He served as Assistant Secretary (Military) to the Committee of Imperial Defence from 1910 to 1913, and was substantially responsible for the preparation of the War Book, a detailed plan, never before envisaged in peacetime, by which all Government departments knew the exact procedure they were to follow, should war occur. It was later to be said by one of his colleagues that "when put into practice in 1914 the War Book worked with extraordinary smoothness and alone saved the country from chaos at the outset of the war." He rejoined his regiment in 1913, became colonel in May 1914, and was killed in action in September 1914 at the battle of the Aisne.

    Andrew Newman




    213608

    2nd Lt. James Adam Hamilton Fergusson Highland Light Infantry (d.20th Sep 1914)

    The first of the local men to fall was Second Lieutenant James Adam Hamilton Fergusson of the Highland Light Infantry, son of Sir James Ranken Fergusson of Spitalhaugh and Lady Fergusson.

    He enlisted in the Highland Light Infantry in February 1912 and was killed at the Battle of the Aisne on Sunday, 20th September 1914. In a letter to Lieutenant Fergusson’s parents, Colonel Wolfe Murray wrote; "I daresay before this reaches you you will have heard that poor Hamilton was killed in the trenches by a rifle bullet to the head. Lieutenant O'Connell, Royal Artillery Medical Corps, our Medical Officer, most gallantly went to his assistance under a heavy fire and was himself shot dead. From what I hear, however, there was no hope from the first that he (Hamilton) died shortly afterwards. I cannot tell you how grieved I am, and we all are, at his loss. It was only the day before that his Company commander, Captain Gaussen – who is slightly wounded – told me how plucky and cool he always was under fire, and I myself have seen it. We buried him in the evening, with O’Connell and another brother-officer, young McKenzie. He was a general favourite with officers and men, and showed promise of becoming a splendid officer."

    His Company Commander wrote "I know a letter don’t do much good at a time like this, but I was with your boy almost at the end, and so thought you might like to hear from me. Also I loved him too. All through the war he had done so well, and was always cheery, that I had got to look at him as my right-hand man".

    S. Flynn




    213607

    Capt William Amherst Cecil MC. 2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards (d.16th Sep 1914)

    Capt William Cecil was 28 years old and died apparently after being shot by a German sniper during the First Battle of the Aisne, one of the opening clashes of the conflict. Capt Cecil, of the 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards, a career soldier, had been sent to France just eight days after the outbreak of war and was part of the army that found itself in pursuit of retreating German forces near the Aisne river, in north-eastern France. When the Germans turned to face them, the two sides engaged in a bloody confrontation. With neither side able to dislodge the other, both began to dig themselves into defensive positions, beginning the strategic stalemate that was to endure for four years. Capt Cecil, who would have become Baron Cecil of Hackney if he had lived, was killed on the 16th of Sept 1914, two days after the first order to entrench was made.

    Posthumously, his courage was recognised, he was decorated with the Military Cross, the third-highest honour available to officers, and was promoted from lieutenant to captain. One memoir notes that he was among the first aristocratic casualties of the war.

    S. Flynn




    213606

    Mjr. John Trefusis Carpenter-Garnier Scots Guards (d.15th Sep 1914)

    John Carpenter-Garnier was killed in action in the First Battle of Aisne. He is buried in Vendresse Churchyard. On the outbreak of the European War he went to France with his regiment which formed part of the first Expeditionary Force on 13th August 1914 and served through the retreat from Mons. In the Battle of the Aisne, he was struck by shrapnel on the 14th of September, and died of his wounds on the following day.

    S. Flynn




    213605

    Lt. Allan William George Campbell Coldstream Guards (d.20th Sep 1914)

    Lt. Allan William George Campbell died on 20th of September 1914 aged 29, from wounds received in the first Battle of Aisne. He is buried at Vendresse British Cemetery, Vendresse-Beaulne.

    S. Flynn




    213596

    Lt. Victor Ratcliffe 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.1st July 1916)

    Lt. Victor Ratcliffe was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme. He is buried at Fricourt New Military Cemetery.

    S. Flynn




    213595

    Capt Percy Robert Herbert Welsh Guards (d.13th Oct 1916)

    Captain Percy Robert Herbert, Viscount Clive died on 13th of October 1916 at the age of 23, from wounds received in action during the Battle of the Somme. He died in the King Edward VII Hospital, Grosvenor Gardens, London and was buried in Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales

    S. Flynn




    213593

    Lt. C. F. Cockfield (d.Aug 1916)

    Lt Cockfield was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme sometime in August 1916.

    S. Flynn




    213591

    Lt. Thomas Eyre Barton Royal Irish Regiment (d.August 1916)

    Thomas Barton was killed in action in the Battle of the Somme

    S. Flynn




    213590

    2nd Lt Edward Luke Henry Bagot Welsh Guards (d.10th Sep 1916)

    Edward Luke Henry Bagot was killed in action aged 19 at the Battle of the Somme. He is buried in the Guards' Cemetery at Lesboeufs.

    S. Flynn




    213588

    Pte. Charles William Gutberlet 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.15th Sept 1916)

    My Great Uncle Charles William Gutberlet was born in September 1894 in Stepney, Mile End, London, Middlesex. He died on the 15th of September 1916 on The Somme, he has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Janet Fouad




    213586

    Capt. Douglas Keith Lucas Lucas-Tooth DSO MID 9th (Queen's Loyal) Lancers (d.14th Sep 1914)

    Captain Douglas Keith Lucas Lucas-Tooth, 9th (Queen's Loyal) Lancers died from wounds received in action at the Battle of the Aisnes on the 14th September 1914. He was awarded Companion, Distinguished Service Order posthumously. He had been Mentioned in Despatches in both the Boer War and the First World War.

    S. Flynn




    213576

    Capt. Lawrence Ughtred Kay-Shuttleworth 11 Bde, D Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.30th Mar 1917)

    Captain Lawrence Ughtred Kay-Shuttleworth served in the Royal Field Artillery. At the time of his death he was commanding D Battery, 11th Brigade RFA. He was killed in action during the Battle of Vimy Ridge on the 30th March 1917.

    S. Flynn




    213574

    Lt. Kenneth Archibald Campbell 42nd Btn. (Black Watch) Canadian Royal Highlanders (d.23rd Jan 1917)

    Lt. Kenneth Archibald Campbell of the 42nd Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), Canadian Expeditionary Force WW1, was killed in action during the Battle of Vimy Ridge on the 23rd January 1917.

    S. Flynn




    213568

    Capt. Henry Graham Sherbrooke DSO, MID. HM Gunboat Tarantula

    Henry Graham Sherbrooke was born circa 1878 in Edinburgh He served in the Roral Navy and gained the rank of Captain. He fought in the Battle of Nahr-al-Kalek in February 1917 in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) on the River Tigris. The Battle of Nahr-al-Kalek followed the re-capture of Kut-al-Amara from the Turks in February 1917. Three British gunboats, Mantis, Moth and Tarantula, outdistanced their own ground troops and were attacked by Turkish artillery and four Turkish vessels, three of which they sank. The fourth Turkish vessel was recaptured having originally been the British gunboat Firefly. This effectively eliminated Turkish naval presence on the Tigris River. Captain Henry Sherbrooke then commander of the Tarantula was awarded the DSO for skillful handling of his gunboat. He was also mentioned in Despatches twice and his service noticed to be of special mention

    S. Flynn




    213567

    Lt. Maurice Victor Donald Prince 60th Btn. Kings Royal Rifles Corps (d.27th Oct 1914)

    Maurice Victor Donald Prinz von Battenberg was killed in action on the 27th October 1914 in the Battle of Mons.

    S. Flynn




    213564

    2nd Lt. George Glyn Fowler Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.25th Sep 1915)

    2nd Lt. George Glyn Fowler served in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and was killed in action during the Battle of Loos on the 25th September 1915, aged 19.

    S. Flynn




    213563

    Lt.Col. Richard Charles Dundas MID 11th Btn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Lt Col. Richard Charles Dundas served with the 11th Battalion the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) and was killed in action during the Battle of Loos on the 25th September 1915.

    S. Flynn




    213561

    Lt-Col. Charles Elrington Duncan Davidson-Houston DSO. 58th (Vaughan's) Rifles (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Charles Davidson-Houston was killed in action during the Battle of Loos

    S. Flynn




    213560

    Pte. Frederick Gilbert 1st Garrison Bn. Norfolk Regiment (d.10th Aug 1917)

    Little is known about Frederick Gilbert, he is understood to have died in a flood guiding a hospital in Delhi. Frederick Gilbert is buried Murgha Mehtaryai Camp. He is remembered with honour at The Delhi Memorial India Gate.

    Andrew Grant




    213559

    Pte. Charles Ralph Shears 1st Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.16th May 1915)

    <p>Private Charles Ralph Shears - 1st Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment

    16007 Pte Charles Ralph Shears served with the 1st Battalion the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He died on the 16th May 1915.

    Private Charles Ralph Shears - 1st Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Private Charles Ralph Shears - 1st Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Private Charles Ralph Shears - 1st Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Beverley Yates




    213558

    Capt Charles John Wintour HMS Tipperary (d.31st May 1916)

    Capt Charles John Wintour was killed in action in the Battle of Jutland, he was struck down in a blizzard of shells fired at close range just before midnight.

    S. Flynn




    213557

    Acting Lt. George Windsor MID. HMS Collingwood

    George VI Windsor, later King of the United Kingdom fought in the Battle of Jutland in 1916. He was mentioned in despatches for his action as a turret officer aboard the Collingwood during the Battle of Jutland (31 May – 1 June 1916), an indecisive engagement with the German navy that was the largest naval action of the war.

    S. Flynn




    213556

    Cmdr. Henry Ernest Digby Hugh Willoughby HMS Indefatigable (d.31st May 1916)

    Commander Hon. Henry Ernest Digby Hugh Willoughby was killed in action in the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213555

    Cmdr. John Beauchamp Waterlow DSO (d.31st May 1916)

    John Waterlow was killed in action in the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213554

    Sub-Lt. Leopold Edward Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone (d.31st May 1916)

    Sub.Lt. Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone was killed in action in the Battle of Jutland age 19

    S. Flynn




    213553

    Cmdr. Richard Herbert Townsend HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    Richard Townsend was killed in action in the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213552

    Admiral Cyril Samuel Townsend MID H.M.S. Constance

    Admiral Townsend fought in the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213551

    Admiral Anselan John Buchanan Sterling HMS Falkener

    Adnmiral Sterling fought in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, as captain of the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla on HMS Falkener.

    S. Flynn




    213550

    Lt. Charles Aurio Sperling HMS Petard (d.31st May 1916)

    Charles Sperling was killed in action during the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213549

    Cpl. John Galvin 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

    <p>

    John Galvin played in the Band of the 1st Bedfordshires.

    Steve Came




    213548

    Pte. Alfred John Lightfoot Cheshire Regiment Royal Army Ordnance Corps

    Alfred Lightfoot was my husband's father. He is known to have fought in France but unfortunately his war record cannot be found. It was probably one of the many which were destroyed. He said very little about his experience but it is believed he was gassed and hospitalised in Rouen. He survived the war.

    Sue Lightfoot




    213547

    Cmdr. Arthur Edward Silvertop HMS Defence (d.31 May 1916)

    Commander Arthur Edward Silvertop was killed in action during the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213546

    Mid. John D'Urban Scott HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    John D'Urban Scott was Killed in action at the Battle of Jutland aged 16

    S. Flynn




    213545

    Sub.-Lt. Algernon William Percy HMS Queen Mary (d.31st May 1916)

    Algernon William Percy was Killed in action in the Battle of Jutland. He is buried at Fredrikstad, Norway.

    S. Flynn




    213540

    Spr. Edward Percy Etheridge 517th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.29th May 1917)

    Edward Etheridge was the son of Arthur & Mary of Islington. He served overseas after 1st January 1916. Edward was killed in action but has no known grave, he is remembered with honour at Chester Farm Cemetery.

    Mark Morgan




    213539

    Dvr. Henry Dowling 233rd Field Company Royal Engineers

    This information is from my Grandfather's enlistment papers, his name was Henry Dowling, I recall that his medals were marked 'driver' and he told me he was a mule driver.

    Bob Dowling




    213538

    Pte. George Rockley 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.6th Jun 1917)

    George Rockley was my grandfather he was married to Mary, son Dennis was born in 1916. He was killed at the Battle of Messines.

    Sue Barrett




    213537

    Pte. Joseph Roberts 1/24th Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Jun 1917)

    My great uncle Joseph Roberts served during the First World War. I am unsure of when he joined and details of his service as I am currently researching him at the moment. The only reason I know Of him is due to the fact I was given some of his letters that he wrote to my Great, great grandmother whilst he was in the trenches by my grandfather. I have found out that he died during the Battle of Messines but he is on the Menin Memorial gate as they did not recover his body. My grandfather knows little information hence why I am currently researching.

    Thomas Hooper




    213536

    Pte. Emmanuel Blease MM. 7th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.27th Oct 1917)

    Emmanuel Blease was my grandfather, I have visited his grave in Ypres twice and I have some of his war records. His wife Hannah had died before him in Chester of tuberculosis. He left seven orphans. He had been wounded three times previously but died on the 27 Oct, 1917 of his wounds, He was awarded the Military Medal, but I do not have the details of why he was awarded this medal and would love to know if possible please.

    Ron Byrom




    213534

    Sgt. Albert Edward Victor Doggett DCM. 58th Brigade, D Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Albert Doggett joined the army on the 17th Nov 1913 age 16 years 3 months. He was promoted Bombardier 16 June 14. Later posted to 57 (H) battery andmobilised on 5 Aug 14 into 43 Bde RFA 1Div. He fought at Mons, Great Retreat, Marne and Aisne. He transferred to Ypres 16/19 Oct 14 and was wounded by German shell 4th Nov 14. Albert was evacuated to Norwich and treated at Norfolk Hospital, Norwich.

    Albert was promoted Cpl on the 8th Jan 1915. (age 17years & 5 mths). Posted to A Bty, 81 Bde RFA 17 (Northern) Div. at Swanage. Promoted Sgt 7 May 15 (age 17y 10mths). 17 Div moved to Winchester in June 1915, and proceeded to France on the 13th of Jul 1915. 17th Div went into the Ypres sector and on the 5th of Aug 1915, were in action at Hooge. On 11th Aug 1915 A/81 Battery, including Sgt Doggett and a portion of the Ammunition Column withdrawn and posted to 118(H) Bde 1(Canadian) Div at Ploegstreet. from Sept to December 1915 they shelled German trenches and rear areas around Ploegstreet including Petite Douve Farm and Messines Town. On the 25th of Sep 1915 A/81 was renamed 460 Battery then on the 15th Dec 1915 460 Battery was renamed 461 Battery.

    Albert spent Christmas 1915 in the line and as 461 Battery Sgt's Mess Sgt Doggett was to sing "Old Soldiers Never Die". On the 4th of Apr 1916 118(H) Bde moved North to the Ypres area and were engaged in shelling Hill 60 and St Eloi. On the 15th of July 1916 118(H) Bde broken up. 461 Battery (including Sgt Doggett) transferred to 58 Bde RFA 11 (Northern) Div who were freshly arrived from Egypt. The Battery was located at Dainville until the 4th of Sep 16 when they moved to Mash Valley for ops against Thiepval, Mouquet Farm, Schwaben Redoubt.

    Sgt Doggett remained with D/58 till Feb 1919 fighting through the Battles of Messines, Third Ypres, and through to the Armistice just South East of Mons. He won a DCM on 7 Nov 1918 at Eth Wood. As a regular soldier he was posted to Cork in Feb 1919 and transferred to the reserve in Dec 1920. He died in 1990 aged 93.

    Robin van Geene




    213533

    Cpl. Llewelyn Price 1/4th Btn. Welsh Fusiliers

    I know very little about Llewelyn Price as most family members have passed.

    Mark




    213531

    Cpl Alfred Ernest Gilbert Sim 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy

    <p>

    My Grandfather was known as Gilbert Sim. He joined the 10th Machine Gun Company in Melbourne on 6th March 1916 left for England with his Company on the 27/05/1916, then left with his Company for France on 22/11/1916. On 6/09/1917 he was transferred to the Grantham Training School in England. On 1/03/1918 he was sent back to France. He was wounded on 27/08/1918 and sent back to the UK. On 25/1/1919 He left England on the Hospital Ship Ceramic for Australia. He was discharged on 30/4/1919.

    Jackie East




    213529

    Pte. George Barton 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    I believe George Barton, my grandfather took part in the battle of Messines as he was with the 15th Batt., Hampshire Regiment in June 1917. He was born in Basingstoke in 1858 and lived at 20 Victoria Street there with his wife Harriet Ann and three children. The 1911 census tells us he was employed as a Carter contracted to a coal merchant.

    Richard Stewart-Barton




    213528

    Pte. Michael James Scannell 13th Company 1st Canterbury Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Michael Scannell was my grandfather's cousin. My grandfather (Dan Brosnahan), Michael and Michael's brother Charlie Scannell had their photograph taken together in uniform, presumably before they all went off to war. Of the three, only Dan Brosnahan survived the war. He served with the Imperial Camel Corps in Palestine and was wounded in the second battle of Amman. He also survived the influenza epidemic in 1918. Michael on the other hand was killed in the attack on Messines on 7 June 1917. Charles had died just a couple of weeks earlier in South Africa, having fallen down a hold on the troop ship en route to Europe and being put off in Durban due to his injuries. He died there.

    Michael Scannell was a railway porter in Timaru when he enlisted in May 1916. He came from the small farming district of Lyalldale just south of Timaru and was born 5 February 1888. He served with the NZ Railway Engineers as a territorial before transferring to the Canterbury Regiment. On his enlistment record the medical officer wrote "a very suitable man". I have never heard any stories about Michael's character from the family but he looks like a really solid bloke in the photograph and the enlistment annotation is unusual in my experience.

    Michael went overseas with the 16th Reinforcements and was a member of the 13th Company, 1st Canterbury Battalion, 2nd Brigade when he participated in the attack on Messines. He has no known grave. On Anazc Day 2013 I had the privilege of visiting the New Zealand Memorial to the Missing at Messines and paying my respects. I don't think any members of the family had been there before. My connection with Michael has made Messines a special place to me and I am very pleased to support your efforts to commemorate all those who perished in the battle there in 1917.

    Sean Brosnahan




    213527

    Sgt. Samuel James Child 236th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Sam was in the 6th London Brigade RFA Territorial Force (TF) service no. 955169. He joined on 24/05/1909 at Brixton. War broke out in August 1914 and at the time he was on Salisbury Plain training. Many Brigades were transferred into other units, Sam’s being one of them, his Brigade became the 236th Brigade “A” Battery. This Brigade was within the 47th ( 2nd London) Division. His Brigade was moved to the St.Albans area and at some times to the Braintree area to train prior to entering the theatre of war in France. His Brigade was only the second to enter France in March 1915. They sailed from Southampton to Le Havre then to Bethune before entering the war.

    Sam’s Military Record reveals that on 29th July 1917 he did receive a Gun Shot Wound (GSW) to his head leaving him with a scar on his left cheek. He was also reprimanded on 01/11/1917 for riding on the gun carriage with two other men, he was busted to Corporal but did get his stripe back to Sergeant again fairly quickly. When you think he had been in the thick of it from the beginning I believe it was a bit strong to lose a stripe. He was reported by a Corporal for the breach of Queens Regulations. I bet Sam had a word with him later.

    Below are the battles he was involved in:-

    • 1915
    • The Battle of Aubers Ridge (9 May)
    • The Battle of Festubert (15-25 May)
    • The Battle of Loos (25 september - 1 October)
    • The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt (13-19 October)
    • 1916
    • The German attack at Vimy Ridge (21 May)
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette in which the Division captured High Wood
    • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the Division captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye
    • The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt
    • The Battle of Messines (7 - 13 June) including Hill 60
    • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge (31 July - 2 August), a phase of the Third Battles of Ypres
    • Other operations in the Third Battles of Ypres (18 August-2 September and 8 -17 September)
    • The Cambrai Operations, in which the Division captured Bourlon Wood and fought the German counter attacks
    • 1918
    • The Battle of St Quentin
    • The First Battle of Bapaume
    • The Battle of the Ancre
    • The Battle of Albert
    • The Second Battle of Bapaume
    It is strange reading the war diaries of the 236th RFA, nearly every single day they were under heavy fire, many horses killed and mentioned, many RFA killed, but they did have regular sporting events, boxing tournaments, concert nights put on by each Brigade, concert nights with entertainers from the UK, even cinema evenings. Regular church parades as well. One day they even found a French race course and held their own horse races both flat and hurdles. One thing that I had never heard of was that an officer would go up in a barrage balloon when the artillery was firing to see if they are on target or they had planes up observing and then relaying the details back to the gunners. To give you a flavour of the 236th Brigade War Diaries I recorded the first few days in the Diary, it starts on Monday 15th March 1915.

    “Left Hemel Hempstead by section starting with 16th Battery at 20:45 riding for 2 hour stints to Southampton, arrived 20:00 16th March 1915 where two large troop ships and a small steamer are taking us to Le Havre, remarkably smooth crossing., 22:00 drive to Berguette, now attached to different Army Corp to that intended now there is no place for billeting. Drive to Liere, then Foucquenhem, Ecquedcques at 15:30 on 19th March, then billet at Fontes at 22:00. Work of billeting officer who proceeded to France 9 days earlier entirely useless. Brigade now attached to 6th Infantry. 22nd March Brigade inspected by Field Marshall, Commander-in-Chief at Chateau De Mazingham. Moved to Lapugony 27th March.”

    "Can you imagine driving gun carriages at speed in the pitch dark, no street lamps, from Essex to Southampton on country lanes that were in poor repair."

    Another entry says- 28th Jan 1917 Ypres, 236 shelled at Langkhof Farm.

    Each man was issued with one blanket during the war so all they had were the uniform they stood in and a blanket, I’ve thought about this and I know there were times when it was extremely cold and wet, I reckon they slept with the horses to keep warm, that’s what I would have done.

    I forgot to mention the Sam’s Brigade went down with something in the May 1918, all the Brigade were sick, it was later diagnosed as Influenza, I do remember seeing a programme a few years ago telling the tragedy of many hundreds of thousands of troops dying after the Armistice but before they were shipped home, perhaps this was the Spanish Flu that Sam’s Brigade was going through.

    Graham Child




    213525

    Capt. A Hill 32nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Capt. A Hill was treated for a facial injury at the Queen's Hospital, Sidcup

    Andrew Bamji




    213524

    Pte Herbert Cottingham 32nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Hertbert Cottingham was treated for a facial injury at the Queen's Hospital, Sidcup.

    Andrew Bamji




    213522

    Spr. Thomas John Wallett 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    Thomas Wallett joined the militia 3rd Shropshire Light Infantry on 27/1/1900, enrollment number 4236 a month later his number was changed to 6274 4 KSLI. He was shipped out to the Boer war 1900 to 1903 and was a reservist till 1914 when he join the Royal Engineres number 86410 3rd pro co his discharge date is 12/10/17 due to sickness he was awarded the SWB number 1137. I never met my grandfather as he died 3 days after I was born. I have never seen his medals and until 2012 had no idea what he looked like but in 2012 I was sent a photo of a wedding in 1927 in which he is pictured.

    Graham Thomas




    213521

    Gnr. William Walter Fish 59th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Will Fish enlisted 3/12/1915 and went to France 15/10/1916. He was wounded 10/10/1917 and was repatriated 1/4/1919 then demobbed 28/4/1919.

    Hugh Jones




    213520

    RSM. Edward Joseph Pratt MID. 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Edward Joseph was a long service man who joined the 1st Battalion RWR in 1892, he was born in 1875 in Stoneleigh Warks. Edward fought in the Sudan at Atbara and was made Sergeant in 1898, he had done 21 years service in 1913 and started work as a School attendance officer which was short lived when WW1 started.

    Edward re joined the colours in 1914 where he found himself as Company Sergeant Major with the 10th Battalion later made Acting Regimental Sergeant Major,Lt Charles Herbert Lander mentions Edward in his war diary book (Landers War) after his death he said Edward was a huge heavy man and was much loved by everyone and a sad loss to the battalion Edward was hit in his side at Klein Zillebeke 3rd Battle Of Ypres and refused the stretcher bearers he walked all the way back to the dressing station and collapsed and died.

    Edward left a wife and four children in Foleshill Coventry he is remembered on the Kenilworth War Memorial as he resided there with his parents until he was 18, Edward was also mentioned in Despatches in the May of 1917. He was also awarded Long Service & Good Conduct Medals.

    Colette Benson




    213519

    Dvr. Albert Glen 112th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.24th Mar 1918)

    Albert Glen, was my grandfathers twin brother, he also had a younger and an older brother who survived the great war, whenever my Father asked grandad about his twin he was only told he died young due to the time he grew up and the conditions we naturally presumed it was infant mortality, my grandfather was in his 50s when my father was born. At a family funeral I mentioned to my Aunt ( my fathers much older sister) that all of our relatives had survived the war, she then pointed out that Albert was in the RHA and had died on the Somme. I have a copy of his death certificate from the army also at my aunts house was a long letter written by my great uncles commanding officer to his father telling him that he was shot by a sniper and died instantly from his wounds and felt no pain. He relates that due to the German push through the forest of the Ardennes they were rushing to the front and they were unable to stop and commit his body, so they entrusted his body to our Canadian brothers to bury him I am trying to get hold of the letter but my aunt has since passed away and one of my cousins has it in a box, I have asked for it so that I may take it to the Imperial War museum for safe storage and display my Great Uncle is commemorated on the memorial at Arras and I was the first member of my family to see it. My great grandfathers passport also lies in this box postwar he worked on salvaging and destroying munitions, repairing roads and rail links, the prefectures marked in his passport are those that his late son passed through.

    I am going to try to locate some records for the regiment to identify where he was killed and buried, possibly with the help of the letter and maybe take my elderly father along. Since Albert was killed no twins have been born on our family. Each year when I visit Italy I stop at Arras to say thank you. On the 9th of September I shall take my nephew Jonathan along to see the memorial and his now distant relatives name.

    Russell Glen




    213518

    Dvr. Ernest Morris "Bill" Hughes MM. 9th Australian Machine Gun Coy

    The eldest son of Australian Prime Minister William Morris "Billy" Hughes, Ernest Morris "Bill" Hughes enlisted in the AIF in 1916 at age 18 years and 4 months. He deployed to the Western Front with the 9th Australian Machine Gun Company and was awarded the Military Medal for action during the Battle of Messines. His citation read in part:

    "He brought up vital supplies of Ammunition through enemy barrages and gas shells, allowing his company to continue their Vickers machine gun barrage at the critical moment in the battle". Dvr Hughes survived the war.

    Craig




    213517

    Pte. George Alfred Moore 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.7th Jun 1917 )

    George Moore was my Grandfather on my mothers side. I have no other information.

    David Cleaver




    213516

    2ndLt. Thomas Fraser Bruce 36th Btn. (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Thomas Fraser Bruce was my great great uncle who was a tram conductor he played for eastern suburbs rugby league from 1909 till 1912.

    Christopher Russell




    213515

    Capt Arthur Marsden HMS Argent

    Arthur Masrden was commander of H.M.S. Argent during the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213514

    Cpl. Victor Tough 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.8th/9th Apr1916)

    <p>

    WW1 Letter to Drummer Tough’s mother: Dear Madam, I really must apologise for not having written you before about your son Drummer Tough. I tried at the time every means of getting hold of your address but unfortunately there is no record kept of out here by the Batt of the men’s address & as he was in the Drums I had not personally a record of his address & next of kin as I have of the rest of my Batt. It is very seldom the Drums go into the trenches with us but on the occasion we had to take all available men. Your son was one of a working party during some mining operations at the Hohenzollen Redoubt when he was killed with another man by explosion of a trench mortar. He had no pain as death was instantaneous. He was brought down & buried in the British Cemetery at Vermelles and a small wooden cross with his name on we have placed at the head of his grave. It must have been a bad blow to you & it is impossible for me to say how sorry I am that I was unable to write to break the news a little more gently. It is late now I know but will you accept my deepest sympathy in your sad loss.

    Steve Came




    213513

    Surgn.-Lt. John Sides Davies MacCormac HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    He was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213512

    Admiral Arthur Cavenagh Leveson MID 2nd Battle Squadron

    Admiral Sir Arthur Cavenagh Leveson fought in the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916

    S. Flynn




    213510

    Vice Admiral. Edward Henry FitzHardinge Heaton-Ellis HMS Inflexible

    Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Henry FitzHardinge Heaton-Ellis was captain of H.M.S. Inflexible during the Battle of Jutland.

    S. Flynn




    213509

    Mid. Charles Alexander John Fuller-Acland-Hood HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    Charles n Fuller-Acland-Hood was killed in action on board HMS Invincible during the Battle of Jutland, aged 18

    S. Flynn




    213505

    Lt.Cmdr. Hugh Cecil Robert Feilding (d.31st May 1916)

    Lt.Cmdr. Feilding was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland.

    S. Flynn




    213504

    Lt.Cmdr. Vere Anthony Francis St. Clair Fane HMS Lion

    Lt.Cmdr. Fane, 14th Earl of Westmorland fought in the Battle of Jutland onboard HMS Lion.

    S. Flynn




    213503

    Lt. John Ewing (d.31st May 1916)

    John Ewing was Killed in Action in the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213502

    Mid. John Henry Grattan Esmonde (d.31st May 1916)

    John Esmonde was Killed in Action, aged 17, in the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213501

    Mid. William Nicolas Eden HMS Indefatigable (d.31st May 1916)

    William Eden was Killed in action, aged 16, at the Battle of Jutland.

    S. Flynn




    213500

    Vice Admiral. Michael Culme-Seymour MID HMS Centurion

    Vice-Admiral Sir Michael Culme-Seymour was in command of H.M.S. Centurion during the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213499

    Cmdr. Alfred Fletcher Coplestone-Boughey HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    Alfred Coplestone-Boughey was Killed in action in the Battle of Jutland.

    S. Flynn




    213498

    Cmdr. Charles Alexander Colville MID

    Charles Alexander Colville, 3rd Viscount Colville of Culross fought in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, where he was mentioned in dispatches. He served in World War II, being killed on active service in a flying accident in the Azores

    S. Flynn




    213497

    Lt. Robert Charles Chichester HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    Robert Chichester was killed in in the Battle of Jutland on HMS Black Prince.

    S. Flynn




    213494

    Lt. Patrick Maynard Stuart Blackett HMS Barham

    Patrick Maynard Stuart Blackett, Baron Blackett fought in the Battle of the Falklands in 1914 serving with the Royal Navy. In August 1914 on the outbreak of World War I Blackett was assigned to active service as a midshipman. He was transferred to the Cape Verde Islands on HMS Carnarvon and was present at the Battle of the Falkland Islands. He was then transferred to HMS Barham and saw much action at the Battle of Jutland.

    While on HMS Barham, Blackett was co-inventor of a gunnery device on which the Admiralty took out a patent. In 1916 he applied to join the RNAS but his application was refused. In October that year he became a sub-lieutenant on HMS P17 on Dover patrol, and in July 1917 he was posted to HMS Sturgeon in the Harwich Force under Admiral Tyrwhitt. Blackett was particularly concerned by the poor quality of gunnery in the force compared with that of the enemy and of his own previous experience, and started to read science textbooks. He was promoted to Lieutenant in May 1918, but had decided to leave the Navy.

    S. Flynn




    213493

    Admiral. Rudolf Walter Bentinck MID.

    Admiral Sir Rudolf Walter Bentinck fought in the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916, where he was Chief of Staff to Vice-Admiral Beatty.

    S. Flynn




    213492

    Rear-Adm. Tufton Percy Hamilton Beamish HMS Cordelia

    Rear-Adm. Beamish fought in the Battle of Jutland, during which he was the Commanding Officer of HMS Cordelia.

    S. Flynn




    213491

    Mid. Bernard Michael Bailey HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    Bernard Michael Bailey was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland on board HMS Defence.

    S. Flynn




    213490

    Rear-Admiral Robert Keith Arbuthnot HMS Defence (d.31st May 1916)

    Robert Keith Arbuthnot was killed in action, on board H.M.S. Defence during the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213489

    Lt. Samuel Allen Adams HMS Indefatigable (d.31st May 1916)

    Samuel Adams was Killed in Action in the Battle of Jutland

    S. Flynn




    213486

    L/Cpl. Joshua Prescott 11th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.9th March 1917)

    Joshua Prescott was my grandfather, I have an old photo of him. He was killed in Mesopotania in 1917 and I have a copy of the old column where his name was listed on panel 27. That's all I can find out.

    Pat Prescott Killerby




    213479

    Lt. Robert George Vivian Duff 2nd Life Guards (d.16th Oct 1914)

    Robert Duff was killed in action on the 16th of October 1914. He is buried at Cement House Cemetery, Langemark-Poelkapelle, Belgium.

    S. Flynn




    213477

    Pte Arthur Henry Smith 12th (Bantams) Suffolk

    Being short of stature Arthur, younger brother of my maternal grandfather, Cecil Springett Smith, joined the Suffolk Regiment as a "Bantam". He remained in France after WW1 and married a local girl.

    Andrew Conroy




    213476

    Cpl. Cecil Springett Smith 12th (Bantams) Suffolk Regiment

    Cecil Smith was my maternal grandfather. I have no knowledge of his service history beyond that he was a corporal in the Suffolk Bantams. He had volunteered at the beginning of the war but was rejected as he was only 5ft 6".

    He never talked about any combat but when, as a young child, I sat at his knee he told me tales of marching in France. My only real recollection of such tales was one around the fact that he smoked a pipe. Having grown up in the country and worked as a farmhand, thatcher and repairer of farm carts he had learned how to keep his pipe alight by placing a tightly folded green plant leaf, (such as a burdock or thistle) in the top of the bowl. This would keep the tobacco in the bowl and reduce the amount of air getting to it. When the order was given to "stand easy" he would pull the pipe out of his pocket, discard the leaf and give it a couple of hard puffs to get it going again. Apparently on one occasion they paused for a rest break on a route march and, seeing the smoke appear almost instantly the sergeant commented "you got that lit up quick corporal!"

    Andrew Conroy




    213475

    Sgt. Albert Hunn 1/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Oct 1917)

    Albert Hunn died in Passchendaele on 24th October 1917 and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.





    213472

    Pte. Bernard Louis Shotton 6th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>

    Bernard Shotton served as a signaller with the 6th Warwicks.

    Robert Rydell Shotton




    213470

    R.W. Bale Coldstream Guards

    I have an original postcard of Cpl. R. W. Bale's squad, Coldstream Guards, Feb 1917.





    213446

    Rfn. Charles Henry Morrisson 17th Btn. London Regiment

    My grandfather was Charles Henry Morrison, Rifleman, Regimental Number 4466. He was a volunteer and joined the 17th Battalion (Poplar and Stepney), London Regiment. He died after the war in Fulham Military Hospital from lung damage caused by shrapnel. We knew he went abroad but until now saw no proof because the Blitz on London in WW2 destroyed all evidence.

    He left 5 children and my grandmother received just 10 shillings a week war widow’s pension. It was not enough to keep 5 children and they lost their home. They moved from relative to relative sleeping on the floor.

    One son named Charles was then deemed an imbecile and was sent to St Lawrence’s Hospital for the Insane in Surrey at the age of 5. Can you imagine that? He never saw his mother or siblings again.

    Wars cause lots of misery and tragedies for those left behind. Every man who fought in both World Wars must never be forgotten. My grandfather’s name is on the Wall Screen in East London Cemetery and I go there every year to remember him.

    Colleen Bennett




    213435

    Sgt. David Ernest Penny 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.27th May 1917)

    David Ernest Penny 36875. Enlisted 21/11/15. Prewar he was a gardener then a policeman. He was soon promoted to Acting Corporal (24/11/15) then Acting Serjeant (3/6/16). He was killed in action on 27/5/1917 during the Battle of Arras, "place not stated". He is commemorated on the Arras memorial. The day before he was killed, by chance, he met his younger brother who survived the war

    Philip Davies




    213426

    Gnr. Jonah Weston 41st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th June 1917)

    Having joined up prior to the outbreak of hostilities Jonah weston first went to France on the 9th December 1915. He died, along with four other members of his gun crew on 10th June 1917 at the Battle of Messines following a direct hit.

    Claire Constable




    213424

    Pte. Lewis Thomas Rees 9th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.7th July 1916)

    Private Lewis Thomas Rees 19976, 9th Bn., Royal Welsh Fusiliers was the son of John and Hannah Rees, of Loughor, Glam. He died on the 7th of July 1916, aged 20 and is remembered with Honour at Heilly Station Cemetery Mericourt-l'Abbe.

    Paul Rees




    213418

    Capt Robert Campbell 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment

    When British prisoner of war Robert Campbell asked the Kaiser if he could visit his dying mother, he was astonished to be given permission – on condition that he promised to return.

    S. Flynn




    213415

    Pte. John Patrick Connolly 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    Private John Patrick Connolly served with the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, he was reported Missing In Action presumed dead July 8th 1916

    An Extract from the regiment's diary for that day: 5-45am – The battalion moved off up the valley by Talus Boisse to a position just west of Bernafay Wood with orders to attack and take the southern portion of Trones Wood. This accomplished the Wiltshires were to attack from Maltz Horn Alley their right joining up with the left of the French who were attacking at the same time. The 19th Manchesters were in trenches behind available for support and the 18th Kings Liverpools were detailed to provide carrying parties, battalion HQ was at the Briqueterie.

    7-15am – “C” Company under Capt Maude entered Bernafay Wood followed in succession by the bombing sections, “D” Company under Capt Belcher, “B” Company under 2nd Lt Hubbard and “A” Company under Capt Colley.

    8-00am – Under severe shellfire which caused casualties before starting and added to some confusion caused by the passage through the wood. “C” Company emerged from the wood and commenced to cross the open space between it and Trones Wood. For about 80 yards rising ground gave some cover but immediately this was topped a very heavy machine gun and rifle fire was opened from the edge of Trones Wood and the front line was practically hit to a man. Some men got into Trones Alley a communication trench between the two woods and Lt Field with the battalion bombers made an attempt to bomb up it and get into the wood, snipers in trees defeated this and seeing that without further and more powerful artillery support a direct attack was hopeless and a withdrawal to Bernafay Wood was ordered at 8-30am The Germans now commenced a heavy and constant bombardment of Bernafay Wood with guns of every calibre. Cover was poor and for the rest of the day the battalion could do nothing but hold on under heavy punishment. Casualties were numerous and the removal of wounded was a matter of the greatest difficulty. Mens nerves were subjected to probably the greatest strain the battalion had yet to bear in this war and it was with great relief that at 7-00pm orders were received to withdraw.

    Casualties were : Officers killed = 3 Officers wounded = 4. Other ranks killed = 19 Wounded = 116 Missing = 17.

    Martin Renwick




    213414

    Lt. John Glyn Llewellyn-Jones

    Lieutenant Llewellyn-Jones was my grandfather. He survived the War to become a long time GP in North Wales.

    Robert Llewellyn-Jones




    213412

    Major Eleanor Bourne

    <p>

    Australian Dr (Major)Eleanor Bourne joined the Women's Hospital Corps founded by Dr (Lieutenant Colonel) Louisa Garrett Anderson and Dr (Lieutenant Colonel) Flora Murray in 1914. She worked as a surgeon at their Endell Street Military Hospital London, as did four other Australian women doctors, from 1916 to 1917. The others were: Dr (Captain) Rachel Champion, Dr (Captain) Elizabeth Hamilton-Browne, Dr (Lieutenant) Emma Buckley and Dr (Lieutenant) Vera Scantlebury

    Heather Sheard




    213411

    Lt. Vera Scantlebury

    <p>

    Australian Dr Vera Scantlebury joined the Women's Hospital Corps founded by Dr (Lieutenant Colonel) Louisa Garrett Anderson and Dr (Lieutenant Colonel) Flora Murray in 1914. She worked as a surgeon at their Endell Street Military Hospital London, as did four other Australian women doctors, from 1917 to 1919. The others were: Dr (Major) Eleanor Bourne, Dr (Captain) Rachel Champion, Dr (Captain) Elizabeth Hamilton-Browne and Dr (Lieutenant) Emma Buckley.

    Heather Sheard




    213395

    Pte. Stanley Percival Goodall 1st/2nd Btn. London Regiment (d.26th Oct 1917)

    <p>Stanley Goodall

    Stanley Percival Goodall was the fifth child of Charles and Elizabeth Goodall, of 35 St Mary's Road, Willesden. The only one of their sons to be killed in the Great War. Four other brothers served. He was a single man, living with his parents, a travelling rep by trade. In his Will he states that he joined the 3rd London Volunteer Battalion of Royal Fusiliers in 1903, aged 16, did Field Camps at Salisbury Plain 1905, and Savoy 1906. Enlisted at Tufton Street, Westminster on 7 September 1914 in the 2nd/2nd London R.R.F., and transferred to the 1st/2nd on January 1917.

    WW1 movements. 1/2nd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers) August 1914 Tufton Street in Westminster. Part of 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division. Moved on mobilisation to guarding the Amesbury-Southampton docks railway. 4 September 1914 : sailed with Brigade from Southampton to Malta, arriving Valetta 14 September. 2 January 1915 : left Malta, arrived at Marseilles on 6 January. 21 February 1915 : joined the 17th Brigade in 6th Division. 14 October 1915 : transferred with the Brigade to 24th Division. 9 February 1916 : transferred to 169th Brigade in 56th (London) Division.

    Stanley joined this unit in January 1917. From the date of his death (26th Oct 1917), he was probably killed at the Battle of Passchendaele during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. A battle fought in a sea of mud.

    Stanley Goodall will-2

    Stanley Goodall will-4

    Stanley Goodall will-5

    Pam Phillips




    213369

    Pte. A A M Price Royal Berkshire Reginment

    <p>

    In the 1970s I bought some medals from a jumble sale, over the years and many different house moves, these medals resurfaced again. They are the 1914-1915 star, British war medal and Victory medal awarded to Private A A M Price (13588) Royal Berkshire Regiment. Nowadays I do family history, anyway these medals got me thinking, who was the man named on the medals and maybe relations of this man might be researching his history? If he survived the ww1 and had children there could be 3 more generations after him to present day? So the main question here can I reunite the medals with the correct family, or find out a bit more history about the man the medals his war.

    Marc Manders




    213360

    Pte. Charles Pinder Bennett 6th. Batallion Royal Sussex Regiment

    My Grandfather, Charles Pinder Bennett, (b.1876 d.1944) joined the Royal Sussex regt. June 15th. 1916 and was then transferred to 6th Batallion SLI 24th October 1916. He received gun shot wounds to his face abdomen and thigh on 21st October 1917

    He was then classified as permanent base and transferred to 74th company Labour Corps from 27th November 1917 I woulld be grateful if you could give me any further information

    Peter Poulton




    213358

    Pte. John James Hall 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantrry

    John James Hall, known as Jack, was my Grandfather who sadly died long before I was born. He enlisted in the 2nd DLI at Stockton-on-Tees in 1915 together with a number of workmates and served in France. He received injuries from a gas attack in 1917 which resulted in him suffering chest complaints on and off until his early death in 1935.

    Jon K. Hall




    213353

    Cpl. Joseph Hill DCM. 8th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    Corporal, later Serjeant, Joseph Hill enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers on 7th September 1914. Although the regimental history suggests that the 8th Battalion was first posted to France in May 1915, Joseph Hill's medal record indicates that he first saw action in France on March 6th 1915.

    In 1916 he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the announcement appearing in the London Gazette on April 15th 1916. His citation read: "For conspicuous gallantry and consistent good work with a Lewis gun."

    Shortly after this award, possibly as a direct result, he was promoted to Serjeant: the record of the DCM and the promotion were entered onto his medal record in the same hand and apparently at the same time. According to his Silver War Badge (382475) listing, following the disbanding of the 8th Battalion in February 1918 he was transferred to the 7th Battalion. He was obviously either ill or injured, since he was awarded the SWB, and was discharged as "no longer fit for service (Kings Regulations Para 392 xvi)" on July 30th 1918. In later life he had only one leg, and family folklore suggests he lost the other during active service, but at this point no documentary evidence to confirm this has been found. Following his discharge he returned to Birmingham, married in 1922, fathered five boys, three of whom served in the Army themselves, and died in 1963 aged 73.

    Michael Hill




    213348

    Dvr. Alfred Pattrick. 84th Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My grandad pop Alfred Pattrick served from 1914 to 1918 driving ammunition in the RFA. He didn't talk too much about his experiences and I get the feeling he had a bad time but was brave enough to stick it out. I have 2 photographs of him in uniform taken at the start and end of the war and you can see the difference etched on his face. He gave me a selection of postcards which he wrote to his wife and his 3 medals. I believe he saw action at most of the main battles.

    Some of the postcards depict Albert and he did speak briefly about the Somme although I would be interested in any further information on the D Battery movements. I also have an audio of him talking in the mid 80's he described an event where he was taking ammunition to the guns felt a 'whiizbang' go past and ended up covered in blood. His comrades were convinced he was a gonna 'Pat's had it' they said. However, on arriving at the medical station he realised the blood was from the mule that had been hit by shrapnel not him.

    libry1

    William O'Neill




    213346

    Pte. Albert Edward Cotton 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.17th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Albert Edward Cotton was born between April and June 1881 at Danesmoor near Clay Cross in Derbyshire. His parents were Samuel and Mary Ann and he had two brothers and two sisters. His early life was spent moving between Derbyshire and Yorkshire as his father went to new collieries looking for work. By 1901 however the family were living on Huthwaite Road, in Sutton-in-Ashfield,Nottinghamshire, and all the men in the family were working as coal hewers in the local pits. On Christmas Day in 1902 Albert Edward was married to a local girl, Ruth Lavinia Gregory, at St. Mary’s Church in Sutton.. Over the next eleven years Albert Edward and Ruth Lavinia had six children, two of whom died very young

    The First World War broke out in early August 1914. Albert Edward and his family were living at 42, Willowbridge Lane. Albert may have wanted to get out of the pits, or he may have welcomed the idea of a soldier’s life fighting for his country "until Christmas". But for whatever reason,in September of that year, he enlisted into the Army and soon became a private in the 2nd. Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment Albert left behind Ruth Lavinia, who would be 29 years old, and his four children - Samuel aged 11, Flora Edith aged 10, Mary Ellen aged 6, and Elsie May who was just 3. Albert Edward finished his training and sailed for France, where he arrived on the 23rd of February 1915. Within seventeen days of arriving in France, Albert Edward was in the thick of the action.

    The 2nd. Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment was heavily involved in the battle of Neuve Chappelle. With a major shortage of artillery and ammunition, a narrow attack was made on the German line close to the village of Aubers. Total surprise was achieved and the troops advanced two-thirds of a mile. However a lack of communications lead to back-up troops not being sent in, and the attack was abandoned after 3 days. 7,000 British and 4,200 Indian soldiers were killed or wounded. The 2nd Battalion in particular had heavy casualties.

    Having survived their first real battle Albert Edward and his comrades then had a spell of “normal trench life “ This proved to be full of danger also due to the large amount of casualties arising from the activities of the German snipers.

    On May 9th. a British offensive began again on Aubers Ridge. As part of this battle, the Lincolnshire’s 2nd Battalion was committed to an attack at the village of Festubert. This attack was designed to secure new positions 1000 yards further in front of the British defensive lines. It was begun with a sixty hour artillery bombardment designed to wear down German manpower. The object of the attack was achieved, but at the huge cost of 16,000 British and Indian casualties. Once again Albert Edward had been involved in a major battle and had come through unhurt. The Battle of Festubert lasted until the 25th. of May. After this date Albert Edward again resumed life in the trenches.

    Albert Edward had another Sutton man in his Battalion – Tom Spencer who came from Forest Street and was ten years younger. The two men became close friends and shared many dangers together. In the early July of 1915, the two men were in the trenches around Fleurbaix, just south of Armentieres. The usual exchanges of shelling and sniping went on daily.

    On the 14th. of July 1915, the War Diary of the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment records:- "Two mortars were in action in Z Company’s parapet and seemed to do great execution in the enemy’s sandbag fort. Enemy replied by shelling along our parapet and also on area behind". It went on to add:- "Relieved by 2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment and went into Brigade Reserve at Fleurbaix (3 killed, 5 wounded)". One of the five wounded was Albert Edward Cotton. Either a bullet or a fragment of shrapnel had hit him in the throat and he needed urgent medical attention. Albert would first of all go to a local field hospital and then , if needed would take the long journey by train to Le Touquet and its beaches, which were home to an immense concentration of reinforcement camps and British Hospitals. Ruth Lavinia was a widow at 30 and she had four children aged from four to twelve years. The way ahead was hard, but she was a strong woman and managed the job well. All her children grew up and got married. They remained close to her throughout her life; as did her husband’s old mate from the trenches, Tom Spencer. In deed, although they never married, he and she shared various houses together until her death in 1971.

    David Smith




    213343

    Pte. Albert James East 20th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.July 1916)

    <p>

    My Grandfather Albert East had this photograph taken before he went to Havre with the British Empire League Pioneers on 30th March after which he went on to Ypres Salient until 3rd July then moved down to the Somme. It is thought he was wounded on or about 14th July at Longueval or Delville Wood on the 20th July. He died at Havre in no 2 General Hospital or on his way to the port for onward evacuation to England. He is burried at the St Marie cemetery.

    I have also copies of the war diaries, battalion history and war record with maps for Ypres and the Somme suitably marked up. I got this from the Royal Green Jackets Museum Trading Company Ltd. The short history of the 20th battalion is by Capt Turberville, MC.

    His medals are gone somewhere?? as are my father's from ww2, can anyone help track them down?

    Fred East




    213342

    Cpl. Paul Alfred Bence MM. 95th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.6th May 1917)

    Paul Alfred Bence, Cpl. 45357 R.E. (95th Field Co.) Entered France 25.5.15. He was killed in Action on the 6th May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras memorial to the Missing.

    Paul Bence was born in Twerton, Bath in 1886, the son of Walter and Ellen Bence a stonemason. In the early years of the 20th Century Paul moved to the Rhondda like many others in search of work in the newly developing coalfield. In 1910 he married Bertha Louisa……… and by 1911 was living at 33 Upper Gynor Terrace in Ynyshir. His occupation was given as a Coal Rider (underground). At the time of his death he was described as a Banksman at the National Colliery. He was the fifth man from Ynyshir to win the Military Medal which was described in a newspaper report of January 1917 (20th). He won his MM during the battle of the Somme while a L.Cpl.. Unfortunately he was killed by a shell on May 6th 1917, during the battle of Bullecourt. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    During 1916 the 95th Field Company was attached to the 7th Division and was heavily involved during the battle of the Somme, Albert, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozieres, Guillemont, and Ginchy. His wife received a letter from his C.O. which was quoted in the Rhondda leader. She was then living at 53 William St. Ynyshir.

    Phil




    213337

    Pte. Fred Gardiner 19th Btn. C Coy. IV Pln. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    Fred was the son of William and Sarah Ann Gardiner of Hollingworth and later Hyde in Cheshire. Fred joined the 4th City Battalion(Manchester Regiment)in 1915,which later became the 19th Battalion. In September 1915 Fred sailed with his regiment to France on the SS Queen Alexsandra. Fred was involved in action at Glatz Redoubt, near the village of Mountaban and later in July 1916 at the town of Guillemont where his company pushed the Germans troops out of the town only to be cut of from their regiment and captured by the Germans. He was in IV Platoon, C Company, 19th (Service) Battalion at that time.

    Fred spent the rest of the war as a POW and was repatriated in December 1918. His 1914-1915 Star Medal along with his photo is displayed in the Manchester Regiment Museum in Ashton-Under-Lyne Town Hall.

    Eddie Gardiner




    213331

    Sgt. Denis Timothy Drake 90th Heavy Battery Royal Garrsion Artillery (d.11th Jun 1917)

    <p>Sgt. Denis Timothy Drake's Grave in St Quentin Cabaret Cemetery, Belgium

    My Great Grand Uncle Denis Drake enlisted in Waterford on the 7th December 1903 aged 18 years. He was then sent to the Royal Garrison Artillery's No. 3 Depot at the Citadel in Plymouth, England in order to undertake his basic training.

    From the 1911 census I know that Denis was serving with the RGA 90th Heavy Battery at Multan in India and had the rank of Gunner. On the 1st June 1915 Denis and the 90th Heavy Battery landed at Cape Helles in Gallipoli having departed from Nowgong in Central India. The 90th Heavy Battery served throughout the rest of the Gallipoli campaign and was under the command of the 29th Artillery Division. In January 1916 the 90th was evacuated along with the rest of the British force at Cape Helles and moved to Egypt where it was reorganised and resumed training.

    In April 1916, the 90th was sent to the Western Front and came under the command of the 22nd Heavy Artillery Group. The 90th spent the rest of 1916 on the battlefield of the Somme and was heavily engaged at times during that battle. In early 1917, Denis and the 90th were moved to Flanders and came under the orders of the 2nd New Zealand and Australian Army Corps.

    In June 1917 the British Army launched the "Battle of Messines" at Ypres. The intention of this battle was to capture a ridge of high ground running southwards from Ypres. This was required before a larger offensive could be undertaken aimed at breaking out of the Ypres area and recapturing the Belgian coast. The British attack involved a heavy artillery bombardment of enemy positions and the detonation of 19 enormous mines below key German strong points. This attack was a success and the Ridge was gained. However once the German's recovered from the initial shock they launched Heavy Artillery down on the newly won ground and on the British Artillery behind it. It was in one of these artillery attacks on the 11th June 1917 that Sergeant Denis Drake was killed aged 32 years.

    According to the war diary for the 90th Heavy Battery, during the initial British attack at Messines the 90th Battery's job was "Counter Battery work" - that is firing to destroy or neutralise enemy artillery. During this work the Germans responded by "the battery and vicinity was shelled by asphyxiating gas shell from dusk to dawn", but the gunners toiled away throughout this wearing gas masks. The entry in the War Diary for the 11th June 1917 states that an enemy gun fired several high explosive shells into the battery's position at about 1600 hrs and "Sgt Drake was severely wounded and died in a few minutes". Three other men were also badly wounded, one dying in Hospital later in the day.

    Sergeant Denis Drake is buried at Saint Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery in Belgium.

    Alan Roche




    213329

    Pte. Harry Howard 4th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Harry Howard served with 1/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. In September 1916 he wrote to his parents to let them know he was in hospital.Harry "had been gassed and injured" he wrote.In his letter home he said he was on sentry duty and had an hour left when the Germans started.He said they threw phosphorus and grenades and got into an advanced trench.He ended his letter with "they'd seen them off" and he was currently recovering in hospital.

    In October 1917 Harry's parents received a letter which was printed in the local paper (The Whitby Gazette) saying he was missing and every effort was been made to find him.

    Harry was last seen going over the top and was lost during the action. He died at the age of 20 on the 9th October 1917. Harry is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial in Zonnebeke, Belgium.

    Linda Taylor




    213326

    L/Cpl Albert Gardner Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.26th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    The final phase of the offensive at Passchendaele Ridge began on the 9th October 1917. This was part of the final phase of the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 26th Oct 1917 the 2/4th, 2/5th, 4/5th Loyal North Lancashires as part of the 170 Brigade of the 57th Division went forward through the mud in front of the German machine guns. There were 935 casualties and among them was 19 year old Lance Corporal Albert Gardner, Great Uncle to my husband.

    Jackie Rushton




    213323

    Rfn. Charles Henry Morrison 17th Btn. London Regiment

    My Grandfather was Charles Henry Morrison and he enlisted with the 17th Battalion as Rifleman, Service Number 4466. We do know he had shrapnel wounds from which he later died but never found out if he served abroad. He died in 1921 from a lung disease and he left a widow with 5 children. My Grandmother received just 10 shillings per week. She soon lost her home in James Place, Stepney and all the family slept on the floors of relative's homes. They knew real poverty living on what was found under the fruit and vegetable stalls in local East End markets. They had no shoes to wear at all. In time the children went to work at the ages of 13 so their lives improved a little. However one son named after Charles was born 'an imbecile' a very unkind phrase used in the 1918 when he was born. When his father died in 1921 he was sent to St Lawrence's in Surrey a home for imbeciles, he died there in 1943 from Tuberculosis. He was buried in a mound along with 100's who died from the epidemic. Charles Junior was another casualty of WW1.

    I do know my Grandfather is listed on the Wall Screen at the East London Cemetery and he is actually buried underneath the wall because the family could not afford to bury him. So his name liveth for evermore along with high ranking Officers also buried with him.

    WW1 was a terrible war that should have taught us all a lesson, but along came WW2 and the Morrison family were once again engaged in war as two of Charle's sons joined the Army and were engaged in battles in Africa. One Uncle was buried with a military salute at Colchester Barracks. So many sad family stories emerged from both these wars.

    Colleen Bennett




    213321

    Pte. Albert Storey 2nd Btn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment (d.18th July 1918)

    238034 Private Albert Storey served in the 2nd Battalion, the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) and was killed in action on the 18th July 1918. He served earlier in the Royal engineers - Service Number 481906.

    L Syms




    213313

    2nd Lt. Frank Reginald Seely 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.13 April 1917)

    2nd Lt. Frank Reginald Seely served with the 1st Battalion, the Hampshire regiment and was killed in action at the Battle of Arras on 13th April 1917. He is buried at : Haute-Avesnes British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

    S. Flynn




    213312

    Lt. Archibald Charles Gibson-Craig MID 2nd Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.14 September 1914)

    Sir Archibald Charles Gibson-Craig of Riccarton, 4th Bt. was mortally wounded in the Battle of Aisne.

    S. Flynn




    213311

    Pte. Arthur Harris 2nd Battalion, D Coy Royal Scots Fusilliers

    Arthur Harris joined 8th/9th Service Battalion, York and Lancs Regiment in 1914 – Regimental Number. 14432. His medal record card shows he entered the "Flanders Theatre of War" on 27th August 1915. This is the date of his arrival in Boulogne as part of the 8th and 9th Service Battalion of the Y&L's to join the 23rd Division, a division of the the so-called "New Army".

    In 1916 (probably July) he was transferred to D Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers after an action on the Somme in which almost all of his original company were killed, effectively wiping-out the unit. His Royal Scots Fusiliers service number was 43468. He was wounded in action several times but along with all of his eight brothers he came home safely.

    His rank was Private throughout his service. His discharge documents show both of his service numbers and his military occupation at discharge as "Officer’s Servant" (Batman). His military commendation says "First-class shot". His Lt Col’s recommendation for employment says "Smart and Intelligent".

    I'm his very proud grandson. I remember him well with much love as a gentle and wise counselor whose influence on me is as strong today as it ever was.

    David Brown




    213309

    Lance Corporal Hubert Cherrett 1st/4th Batn. A Company South Lancashire Regiment (d.4th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    My Grandfather Hubert Cherrett joined the army in February 1915 and was sent to France in July 1916. He married my grandmother, Margaret Cunningham, on the 30th June 1916, just two weeks before he was sent to the front - they never saw each other again and he never met his daughter, Constance, my mother. He was killed on the 4th June 1917, whilst trying to save the life of a comrade. I have a letter written by the Company Sargent Major recommending him for a bravery medal; it gives in great detail how he tried to save the life of a comrade who was injured. However, as he died of his wounds, this letter was never sent and instead was handed to his Brother, Thomas, who was in the same regiment; he subsequently brought this letter home with him and we still have it nearly 100 years later - I have attached this letter to this document. I know that his death devastated his family. I have also attached a cutting from the local newspaper in Warrington and pictures of my grandmother, with my mother as a baby and a picture of Lance Corporal Hubert Cherrett in his uniform. I have looked on the Commonwealth War Graves and cannot find any mention of a Sapper Robson (who was the man my grandfather rescued); I would like to think that he survived and that my grandfather did not die in vain.

    Valerie Hutchings




    213308

    Rfn. Joseph Thornley 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.11th April 1917)

    Joseph Thornley was my husband's grandfather. Born in 1876, he married rather late, being 33 when he married Martha Ready in 1909. By the time of the outbreak of war there were two children, William born in 1910 and Arthur in 1913. Joseph's occupation was cotton weaver. We know almost nothing about Joseph's wartime experiences, other than that he enlisted in 1914 and was killed at Arras on 11th April 1917, and that his name appears on the Arras memorial. Any information about what military actions were happening on that day would be appreciated.

    Marian Thornley




    213307

    Pte. John Murphy 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.24th May 1915)

    John Murphy from Waterford, Ireland served in the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment. He was killed on the 24th May 1915. He is recorded as born in Trinity Without, Waterford, Ireland.

    Editor's Note:

    From the above transcript it appears he was killed while the Battalion was part of the 12th Brigade in the 4th Division from March 1915 to July 1915. During this period the Second Battle of Ypres was fought from 22nd April to 26th May 1915.

    Paul Galvin




    213306

    Pte John Henry Thornburn 2nd Btn. The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) (d.18th Apr 1915)

    Rifleman John Henry Thornburn, died of wounds sustained at the Battle of Nueve Chapelle on the 18th April 1915 aged 24 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own). He was born on 3rd March 1891. I would like to know more about him.

    Janet Tracey




    213305

    Pte. William Gibson 11th Btn. Border Regiment

    <p>William Gibson

    William Gibson enlisted on the 10th Dec 1915, he was severely wounded on 1st July 1916 at the Somme and was medically discharged on the 26th April 1917.

    Derek Gibson




    213302

    Pte. Thomas Greville Peacock 2/7th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.15th Apr 1917)

    Thomas Peacock died of his wounds on the 15th April 1917 and was buried at St Sever Cemetery extension in Rouen, France. His details are Service Number 266437 Private (Rifleman) Thomas Greville Peacock 2/7th Battalion, The Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regiment. He was probably wounded in the Battle of Arras (9th April to 16th May as his battalion was part of 185 Infantry Brigade which was in the 62nd (2nd West Riding)Division.

    Karen Jarvis




    213300

    Pte. William Kent 10th Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Private William Kent, 205473, 10th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, (formerly 315826, Northumberland Fusiliers) was killed in action, on the 31st of July 1917, age 37. He was born in Gateshead, Durham, enlisted in his home town. He was the husband of Louisa Kent, of 33, Waugh St., Gateshead, Durham. William is commemorated at Ypres on the Menin Gate.

    Ashleigh Green




    213299

    Rfn. Henry George "Harry" Thomas 12th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.14th Dec 1917)

    Henry George Thomas was my great great uncle. He was born in Windsor in 1885. He married in 1911 and the following year he emigrated to Australia for a new life with his wife and her cousin William Powell and his wife. All four returned to the UK in July 1916 and Henry joined the 12th Battalion of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps as a rifleman. He sadly lost his life on the 14th December 1917 aged 31 and is buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery. He left behind his widow Edith Louise and his 4 year old son George.

    Sue Piper




    213297

    Pte. Thomas Perris 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

    My late father, Private Thomas Perris, Regimental Number 14355, enlisted in the 8th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment at Reading on the 7th September 1914. He was wounded at the Battle of Loos in 1915 and returned home to be hospitalised in Bristol.

    He recovered and was sent back to the front to join the 1st Battalion, Royal Hampshire Regiment and was again wounded near Arras on the 28th March 1917. He was discharged from Leicester Northern General Hospital on 30th October, 1918. Having survived bullet wounds and losing half of one foot to mustard gas he married, fathered 5 children and went on the live to be 93.

    Audalan Sharp




    213286

    Spr. Joseph Dunmill 94th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Joseph Dunmill was my grandfather. He married my grandmother Miriam Louise Pawsey in St. John's Church, Waterloo Road, London in 1903 when they were both 19. He had five children with my grandmother, William b.1904, Rosetta b.1905, Beatrice b.1908, Joseph b.1911, and my mother Violet b.1912.

    My mother could remember her father and said he looked like the film star Ronald Coleman. Joseph (son) died of diphtheria in 1915. My grandmother still spoke sadly of his death when she was in her nineties. After the death of Joseph (her husband) I understand she took in washing and ironing to earn a living. In November 1918 she married a widower with four children and had a further two children, Albert,(Ossie) a paratrooper who was killed at Arnhem in WW2 and a much loved Aunt Doris. Joseph and Miriam's family were close, with many shared celebrations such as weddings. My grandmother always lived near us and we saw her practically every day until she died, in her own bed in 1980, aged ninety six.

    Sylvia Woodward




    213285

    Pte. David Francis Ellison Vane 16th (Service) Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers

    Private Vane (32700) served in the 16th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He was discharged on 21st September 1917 with a Silver War Badge. Later in his life, he emigrated to New Zealand.

    Gwen Pendlebury




    213284

    L/Cpl. Ralph Maddison Robson 20th Battallion Durham Light Infantry (d.30th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Ralph Maddison Robson, was born 30th June 1893 and died 30th September 1916 at the Battle of the Somme in France, age 23, bravely and with honor in defense of his Country & loved ones. A former Colliery worker at Easington Colliery, Ralph previously lived at 60 Station Road, Easington Colliery, County Durham with his loving family and parents.

    Philip Johnson




    213280

    Rfn. Robert McIntosh MM. 7th Bn Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>Charles and Robert McIntosh

    My grandfather was Robbie McIntosh, a signaller in the 7th Battalion of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He joined up on the 1st Sep 1914 (under age) in Crystal Palace and survived until the end of the war. He won a Military Medal for gallantry on 2nd June 1917 which was awarded by Captain M.J. St. Aubyn. We believe the medal was given when he volunteered to keep the communication lines open and crawled for many days in the mud of No Man's Land. He ran out of food and was disorientated from the shelling. He was lucky to survive. I am in possession of his papers and the award notification.

    Robert McIntosh also had an older brother, Charles (Chas), who served in India (North West Frontier Expedition Medal) and France (the Retreat from Mons on the 15th July 1914, with Kitchener's Army). He became a Sgt Major, also won the Military Medal, and was apparently Mentioned in Despatches.

    I also have a copy of a sad poem, "Egypt Lost", that has both my grandfather's name and that of Rifleman J.C. Lapworth, 8th Battalion written on the paper. My grandfather did not write the poem and we concluded that Rfn. Lapworth wrote it, but are not certain.

    Tell me not in mournful numbers

    Egypt’s but an empty dream

    And the Staff that often blunders

    Is the washout that they seem.

    Mugs we are, as Mugs returning

    To the trenches as before

    With out hearts in anger burning

    We, the Scapegoats of the Corp.

    From the trenches, East of Ypres

    We returned and blessed the day

    And we mocked the Hunnish Snipers

    As we West-ward wound our way

    Off we went our hearts all joyous

    Going to a brighter land

    Where we hoped they’d soon employ us

    Digging trenches in the sand.

    Gladly did we send our spare kit

    To the Quartermasters store

    Full of Souvenirs we packed it

    For we hoped we’d see no more

    You; You land of Mud and Water

    And it made the fellows smile

    For they thought that Pharaoh’s daughter

    Called them to the Sunny Nile.

    But the shining vision vanished

    When the order came to stay

    And our fondest hopes were banished

    That we’d ever get away.

    Mugs we are, as Mugs returning

    To the trenches as before

    Doomed to rot in mud and water

    Till the Hun has Lost the War.

    Egypt Lost Poem

    Rfn. Robert McIntosh Transfer to Reserve

    Pamela Brunswick




    213278

    Sgt. Heber William Henry Partridge MM. 1/6th Bn. West Riding Regiment

    26616 Sgt Heber William Henry MM enlisted in the 16th Battalion, The West Riding Regiment and served throughout World War 1. His unit was raised in Halifax as Part of the 2nd West Riding Brigade, West Riding Division. It moved, on mobilisation, to coastal defences near Hull and Grimsby. It was then relocated on 5 November 1914 in billets at Doncaster.

    The unit landed at Boulogne, France on the 14th April 1915. On the 15th May 1915 it became 147 Brigade in the 49th (West Riding) Division. His Battalion fought with 147 Brigade at the Somme, Paschendale and many other WW1 locations.

    His home address was in Keighley, West Riding, Yorkshire. He was born about 1879 and in the 1911 census is shown as head of family with his wife Minnie and 5 children. His occupation is given as Wood Sawyer. He died in 1957 aged 78.

    Annette Smales




    213276

    Pte. George Newman 131st Bn

    790759 Private George Newman, 131st Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force was my grandfather. His home address is given as Vancouver, British Columbia.

    Les Covey




    213274

    Pte. Harry Barnett 4th Dragoons Guards

    <p>

    Harry Barnett enlisted Swansea 30 April 1913. 8091 Private 7th dragoon guards. He went to France with BEF, now he's with the 4th dragoons guard m.g.c 51358 dragoons of the line. I have a couple of pages of his experience of modern war fare. He told me a few things, he was gassed but put a sock in a puddle then held over mouth. His best friend was shot in the head by a sniper, he died right by his side. He once was out in no mans land, he pretended to be dead, and lay still for hours before creeping back to the line. His first action was a shell exploding in yard where horses and men were. He helped pick up pieces of horses and limbs of men. Harry had seen terrible things, men burned and laying dead.I n one village, the mayor was caught giving positions of troops to Germans, he was shot. His only war wound was a black toe nail, his horse stood on his big toe. Other things you do not hear about, the Germans left diseased women in towns and villages, so troops were warned not to touch. I can not tell all, it needs an expert to work out where he went, in one paragraph he mentions a coal box, I later found out it was a German shell. Harry survived the war and lived to 89. He only once mentioned firing his machine gun, he said the officer said looking through field glasses, "There's Gerry let them have it", and holding his hands up holding the gun he gestured firing. He gave the impression what a grim and awful waist of life, it all was and never felt comfortable talking about it. His medals look like they have not seen the light of day for years, his Mons star ribbon is still on the card.

    Alan Barnett




    213273

    Pte. Walter Arthur Wright 23rd Inf. Labour Coy. Labour Corps (d.4th May 1918)

    Walter Wright was my Grandfather. He joined as a private in March 1917. He would have been aged 39 at that time. He was sent to France and was present during the Battles of Arras, Vimy Ridge, Bullecourt and Ypres (III), and was gassed on the Somme. He was invalided to Scotland, but unfortunately died in May 1918 as a result of gas poisoning. This is all the information I have found. I have not been able to trace his service records.

    Jean Brooks




    213272

    Pte. Frederick George Sutch 20th Bn Middlesex Regiment (d.13th April 1917)

    Frederick George Sutch was the youngest son of John and Hester Sutch. John and Hester are my three times great uncle and aunt. The family was unknown to me until I started my family tree.

    Update:

    • 20th (Reserve) Battalion (Shoreditch)
    • 18th May 1915 Formed in Shoreditch, London by the Mayor and the Borough.
    • July 1915 Transferred to 118th Brigade of the 39th Division.
    • 15th August 1915 War Office takes over Command of Battalion.
    • Oct 1915 Moved to Aldershot.
    • Feb 1916 Moved to Witley and Transferred to the 121st Brigade of the 40th Division.
    • June 1916 Mobilised for war and landed in France. Where they engaged in action on the Western Front including; The Battle of the Ancre in 1916, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, (March 1917) The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, (April 1917) Beaucamp and La Vacquerie, (May - June 1917) The Cambrai Operations. (June to November 1917)
    The above period covers the duration of his military service until his death on the 13th April 1917. His Battalion was part of 121 Infantry Brigade which in turn was in the 40th Division and overall the 4th Army under General Rawlinson. His death must have occurred during operation at Fifteen Ravine and Villers Plouich in what was generally termed the Battle of Arras. He is buried at Gouzeaucourt British Cemetery, Nord, France.

    Updated by John Doran (1st December 2013)

    Michael Leach




    213267

    Clerk Francis Blackwell

    Does anyone have any knowledge of my ancestor Francis Blackwell who served, I gather, with the Red Cross in Boulogne but maybe elsewhere.

    Ken




    213264

    Cpl. George Wilkins 16th Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.5th July 1916)

    George Wilkins was my great-uncle - my father (b.1911) remembered him as a big man who threw him in the air - and caught him! - when he was on leave.. GW was killed, I presume in Mametz Wood, and has no known grave. I have his campaign medal. I am going to go to Thiepval to pay my respects.

    Paul Wilkins




    213262

    Pte. Robert Henry Smith D Company 33rd Battalion (d.12th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Private Robert Henry Smith, 1257, was a young miner from Tingha, NSW, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Smith of Ruby St. Tingha. He joined D Company 33rd Battalion, 3rd Division, 9th Brigade, 1st AIF, at Armidale on 28 January 1916. He sailed to the Western Front on HMAT Marathon on 4th May 1916. Trained in England for a period and arrived at the Western Front on 27 November 1916.

    Robert participated in the successful battle of Messines, launched on 7 June 1917. A number of 33Bdn soldiers lie in the nearby Mud Corner cemetery, close to Ploegsteert Wood. Robert continued on to the 3rd Battle of Ypres (1st battle of Passchendaele). From Zonnebeke Robert advanced with 33Bdn and assisted in dislodging the German army from the high ground of Tyne Cot on 4 Oct 1917. Robert continued on with the push towards Passchendaele which commenced on 12 Oct 1917 in appalling conditions, and sadly ended in defeat, with many young Australians left lying dead in the mud.

    Robert was a scout with the Battalion, but as all Scouts had been ordered back to their respective Companies prior to this last push, Robert had been detailed as a carrier with a group of other men. They had been relieved to withdraw a short distance for a break, and according to eye witness reports, a German high explosive shell landed nearby, killing him instantly, and wounding two of his comrades, who were sent to England to recover.

    On 12th October 1917, at the age of 21 years and 5 months Robert died in the area of Augustus Wood (near the current Tyne Cot Cemetery). Like many thousands of other Australian soldiers who died in this theatre of war, Robert has no known grave site. However, his name appears on the Roll of Honour at the Menin Gate in Belgium. In memory of their son, Robert's name also appears on his mother's headstone in the Inverell cemetery.

    R.J. Smith




    213261

    Pte. Reginald Jones 18th Middlesex Regt. (Pioneers) (d.4th October 1917)

    Pte. Reginald Jones served in the 18th Middlesex (Public Works) Regiment (Pioneers). He died on 4th October 1917 (aged 37) at the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He now lies at rest at Railway Dugouts (Transport Farm) Burial Ground (a former Advanced Dessing Station or ADS) near Zillibeke, in the Ypres Salient. His standard Army will is dated 3/10/1917 one day before he died.

    Chris Jones




    213260

    Pte. Frederick John Wiltshire 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sept 1916)

    Rifleman Frederick John Wiltshire, of the 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade, died aged 23 in The Somme, France. Brother of Bessie, son of William and Elizabeth Wiltshire. Recorded on Triepval Memorial (Somme) and Claygate War Memorial.

    Known as Freddie by his family. He was one of many who served and did not come back. His death was never forgotten and his sisters and mother would cry if they ever talked about him. It isn’t clear whether Freddie volunteered or was called up.

    Ray Harrington-Vail




    213258

    Pte. Edward George Reed 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment (d.20th April 1918)

    My Great Uncle, Edward Reed was from West Ham London, he died of wounds and is buried in Choques Cemetery.

    Patricia Towli




    213257

    Rifleman James Brown 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.7th June 1917)

    James Brown was my grandfather. He died when my father was 3 years old and sadly, he had no memories of him.

    D Smith




    213255

    Cpl. Matthew Brown 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.28th April 1917)

    I found out that Matthew Brown is my paternal great, great grandfather. He died in Arras aged 21, but as far as I know his body was never found. I don't know a lot about him but would love to find out more.





    213253

    Cpl. Archibald Chase 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    Archie Chase was my grandfather. He joined the 2nd Middlesex Regiment in August 1914. He was one of the lucky ones, who returned from the war to live a long and happy life. He passed away in 1980, aged 84.

    Maureen Turner




    213249

    Pte. Robert Flanagan 30th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.7th Oct 1916)

    My grandfather Robert Flanagan died on the 7th of October 1916, I presume he was involved in some sort of engagement. Try as I may I can find no record of such an engagement being mentioned anywhere. He is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria. I am adding this remit, so that someone may be able to resolve this and understand what happened to him.

    Editors Note: From the following CWGC text regarding the Mikra Cemetery it is possible that he may have died at sea with a lot of shipping lost in the Mediterranean near Greece. So there may not be any battle to record. However the 10th Irish Division also was stationed in Salonika (now Thessalonika and he could have been killed in action with his unit serving in that Division, or wounded and died in one of the hospitals there: Mikra British Cemetery is situated in the Municipality of Kalamaria in the city of Thessaloniki just off Konstantinou Karamanlis Street between the army camp of Ntalipi (pronounced Dalipi) and the Kalamaria Greek Communal Cemetery. At the invitation of the Greek Prime Minister, M.Venizelos, Salonika (now Thessalonika) was occupied by three French Divisions and the 10th (Irish) Division from Gallipoli in October 1915. Other French and Commonwealth forces landed during the year and in the summer of 1916, they were joined by Russian and Italian troops. In August 1916, a Greek revolution broke out at Salonika, with the result that the Greek national army came into the war on the Allied side. The town was the base of the British Salonika Force and it contained, from time to time, eighteen general and stationary hospitals. Three of these hospitals were Canadian, although there were no other Canadian units in the force.

    John Mckendry




    213246

    Sgt. William James Creagan Adair Royal Irish Fusiliers

    <p>

    My grandfather Sgt. William James Creagan Adair, served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. I've been looking for information for a number of years, I was hoping somebody might know something.

    Tildi Horton




    213244

    Pte. Ralph Edwin Charles Harwood 20th Battalion London Regiment (d.21st May 1916)

    Ralph Edwin Charles Harwood was killed in action Battle of Vimy Ridge.

    Bob Harwood




    213242

    Cpl. John McDowell 404th Highland Field Company Royal Engineers (d.1st Aug1917)

    My grand father, John McDowell served with the 404th Highland Field Company, I would like to get his service record and find out which battles he fought and the circumstances of his death.

    James F McDowell




    213239

    Pte. Charles Robert Pitcher 9th (Queen Victoria Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Charles Pitcher served with the 9th (City of London Queen Victoria Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment

    R Pitcher




    213237

    Rfmn. William Burns 9th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.8th Aug 1917)

    William Burns was my grandfather's brother who was killed by a shell on the 8th of August 1917 at Ypres. I am told he was beside his brother who also served when the shell hit. The brother survived but nothing was found of William. He is remembered on Menin Gate.





    213225

    Pte. Joe Gleaden Army Cyclists Corp

    My grandfather, Joe Gleaden, was born in what was then known as New Scarboro' near Barnsley in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Having enlisted with the East Yorkshire Regiment, and the then Army Cyclist Corp, he was sent to France on 14 July 1915.

    Although I can see from his medal record that he was awarded the Victory Medal and the Star, as well as the Silver War Badge following his discharge through injury in December 1918, this tells me nothing of what he and his comrades in the Cyclists Corp must have endured in France and on the Somme in particular.

    Having survived the war, Joe worked as a miner in Darfield Main Colliery for many years. He was a very quiet man who really never talked about his experiences during WWI. Sadly, Joe died in early 1953 without having ever passed on to his family his memories.

    His great-grandson, Benjamin Hutchinson Kurczij (12 years old) who is so proud of his ancestors who served in WWI will mention Joe at the commemorative service at The Beacon School Amersham on Monday 11 November to ensure that Joe's memory lives on.

    June Hutchinson




    213222

    Pte. George Smith Havinden Queen's Westminster Rifles 1/16 Btn. London Regiment

    George Smith Havinden was born on the 3rd of June 1894 in Camberwell/Dulwich, Surrey. His parents were George Smith Havinden a Bonnet Manufacturer, born 29 January 1861 in Bethnal Green (died 1 May 1908); married on 28 December 1891 to Sally (Sarah) Elizabeth Davies, born 31 March 1859 in Bermondsey (died 10 February 1949). Sister: Maud Havinden, born 25 December 1892 in Dulwich, died 24 April 1996 in Croydon, Surrey.

    Outline of Great War history: These dates have been taken from 46 postcards sent by George to his mother. The postcards have been donated to the National Army Museum but scans have been retained. There are also 29 postcards/photographs without inscriptions; in twelve of these, George can be identified.

    • c. May 1915: Joined up 2nd Battalion Queen’s Westminster Rifles (2/16 County of London Regiment), B Company 8 Platoon – Private 2734 (later 550622)
    • 17 – 20 May 1915: Marched from Watford(?) to Saffron Walden.
    • 20 May – Aug 1915: Training.
    • 17 Aug 1915: To France, Active Service – C Company, 12 Platoon.
    • Early Sept 1915: Rouen, convalescing (diarrhoea).
    • 16 – 28 Sept 1915: Active Service Ypres.
    • 20 Nov – 4 Dec 1915: Active Service Rouen, No. 2 Territorial Base; on 30 November, changed to 1/16 County of London Regiment, QWR, C Company, 12 Platoon.
    • 13 Apr – 9 Oct 1916: Hospitalized to Urmston Military Hospital, Blackwater Road, Eastbourne – Urmston V. A. D., Sussex /2. Newspaper cutting shows he was then attached to 182 R. E.
    • 27 Jun – 7 Aug 1917: Active Service Le Havre, QWR 14 Camp 7th IBD (Infantry Base Depot?).
    • On 10 July, moved to Rouen, 1/16 London Regiment, 56th Divisional Depot Battalion, C Company, 12 Platoon.
    • On 13 July, moved to Frevent (changed on 17 July to 10 Platoon).
    • On 29 July, moved to St Omer.
    • n 7 August, moved to Poperinghe. George lost an eye in the War. Since there are no further postcards, perhaps the injury occurred in August 1917 and he was invalided out.

    In Civilian life George worked for the Statistics Branch, Ministry of Transport, Whitehall Gardens. he lived with his mother and sister Maud in Peckham Rye. Moved with them to Selsdon, Surrey in c. 1932. and continued living there with his sister after their mother died in 1949 until his death in 1981.

    Christopher Wells




    213217

    Pte. Benjamin Ward 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Benjamin Ward was my great-grandfather. He died on the 1st day of the Somme and has no known grave. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial





    213216

    Pte. John Francis Webb 1st West Riding Ambulance

    <p>

    John Francis Webb, known as Jack, was born at Ackworth Moor Top, Yorkshire on 18th September 1893. Jack was a member of the St John Ambulance Brigade, from the age of 15, and coal miner up to the outbreak of the Great War.

    Jack joined the 1st West Riding Field Ambulance on 5th September 1914, number 405149. He did not speak about the horrors of what he encountered; he just mentioned places like “Flanders”, “Passchendaele,” and “Wipers”. At the beginning of 1916 Jack was in France with the 1st West Riding Field Ambulance. Throughout the First World War Jack served as a non-combatant. Firstly as a stretcher-bearer, later a first aid station dressing attendant. Jack said that his uniform never left his back for a year while serving as medical support at the Battle of the Somme. The worse thing was the lack of facilities and never having a proper bath in four years. They got new underwear once. The bath, while on duty at the “front,” was called the “feet bell’ because there was just enough water to cover the ankles in a tub, they got three minutes to wash then the next man went in. To dry they ran around in their “birthday suits” then collected their first change of underwear and washed shirt. Jack said the replacement shirt had lice eggs in the seams. It was a very itchy experience.

    On the eve of the war ending, in 1918, Jack was seriously wounded from a shell explosion. He received serious shrapnel injury to his back and lung while his partner was killed in the incident. Jack needed many skin grafts and was unable to lie on his back for two years. The treatment and convalescence was at Meathop Sanatorium at Grange over Sands, Lancashire.

    Jack recalled that the total pay for four and a half years served in the War was £24. He bought a suit, costing £2.10 shillings, in Rotherham High Street and gave the rest to his mother who was living at Dorset Place Masbro’, Rotherham. While recovering at Meathop, Jack met a nurse called Helena Margaret Coughman, known as Lena, whom he later married. Sometime in 1920 Jack returned to work as a coal miner in the colliery. This information was given to me by my granddad Jack in 1984, a few months before he died at the aged of 91.

    Angela Shrimpton




    213211

    Pte. Frank James 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment

    Frank James was 18 when he joined the 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment as a volunteer at the outbreak of war in 1914. He saw heavy fighting at the Battles of Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Loos, The Somme, Flers-Courcelette, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Cambrai and the Retreat & Advance of 1918. During that time he was wounded four times and only returned home to Northampton once.

    However, he survived the war, joined the Gas Company in Northampton and lived in Kingsthorpe until his death aged 91. Surprisingly, his three brothers William, Fred and Arthur, and his father George, who were also involved in the war, all survived too and lived to a ripe old age. Frank's nephew Ron James recorded his memoirs before he died and they have been published in a book called 'A Private's War', which contains a number of interesting photographs.





    213209

    Pte. John Teasdale Brown 3rd Liverpool Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry

    <p>

    John Teasdale Brown (My Father), pictured with his two brothers, was born on 16th April 1897 in Lymm, Cheshire and died in Widnes on 14th March 1978. He volunteered for 3rd Liverpool Lancashire Hussars on 4th November 1915 at the age of 18 and was posted to France on 8th April 1916. Details of his exact whereabouts are somewhat sketchy but he was wounded, we think at Ypres on or about 23rd September 1917.

    He was a lucky lad because the bullet pierced his left side upper tunic pocket but was diverted from there by the last cover of the diaries (see picture) that were in his pocket, shattering the bone the humorous, in his upper left arm, had it not been diverted it would in all probability have pierced his heart. This bone was later removed leaving no bone between the shoulder and the elbow. He was discharged on the 27th June 1919 and awarded The British War & Victory Medal together with a pension of four shillings per week (20 pence).

    Before joining the army, Father worked in agriculture, but in spite of his injuries after he was discharged, he became an apprentice cabinet maker with an old Liverpool Company by the name of G H Morton Ltd of Bold Street, Liverpool, who did a lot of ship work on the Cruise Liners of that era together with making and selling furniture. With his knowledge of carpentry in particular and furniture in general he later joined a firm of Loss Adjusters working until he was seventy, relying solely on Public Transport.

    John A R Brown




    213206

    L/Cpl. James Porter 7th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    I have a diary that my Grandad wrote between November 1914 and August 1917 giving a pretty detailed account of his recruitment process in 1914 at Aldershot to when he convalesced from being shot at Longleat (1917). He was Lance Corporal James Porter of 7th battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. He dedicates his book 'In affectionate recollections and in admiration of the brave officers and N.C.O's and men of the 7th battalion Royal Sussex regiment with whom I fought side by side for two years in France. Fighters all - sometimes bent but never broken'

    Lynn Booth




    213205

    Pte. Edward Parfait 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    My uncle, Edward Parfait, a tailor's machinist, was the eldest son of Wilhelm Parfait born June Quarter 1894 Mile End Middlesex. He suffered mustard gas poisoning and died on 22nd of May 1924 from malignant endocarditis.

    David Crosby




    213202

    Gnr. Eli Hills A Battery, 82 Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    At the commencement of Kaiserschlacht on the 21st of March 1918, my Grandfather Eli Hils was serving as a Gunner with 'A' Battery, LXXX11 Brigade, R.F.A. This Battery was located 1,000 yards west of Fort Vendeuil and it fought valiantly throughout the day until it was finally overun by about 5.00pm. The Battery suffered many casualties during the day and Eli himself was initially reported killed in action. In fact his wife was actually sent the bronze memorial plaque and memorial scroll which were awarded to the next of kin of servicemen killed in action.

    Fortunately, however, Eli had survived and spent the rest of the War as a P.O.W. Interestingly The Index to War Deaths 1914-1921 Army (Other Ranks) still erroneously lists Eli as having died in 1918.

    Roy Hills




    213200

    Pte. Charles Harmer MM. Gloucestershire Regiment

    My grandfather Charles Harmer told me many stories when I was far to young to appreciate or understand. I know he was in the Gloucestershire Regiment 4638 abnd Machine Gun Corps No 122385 Private. I know little more only that he was in first battle of Ypres. I would be pleased to hear from anyone who can tell me more.

    Roger Brown




    213198

    Rfmn. Frank Andrews Smith MM 7th (Service) Brigade Rifle Brigade (d.7th Dec 1917)

    My Grand-father Frank Smith got his Military Medal sometime around 1916, possibly at Delville Wood at the Somme. I am trying to find more details, any info would be greatly appreciated.

    Roger Smith




    213196

    Sgt. Walter John Tindall MM. 16th (Boys Brigade) Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Apr 1918)

    Wally Tindall was one of my mother's maternal uncles. He was much older than Mum - she was only aged 7, when he died of his wounds at the 62nd CCS [Bandaghem]. When Mum died, and I had to triage her papers, I found a sheaf of "letters from the front" that he'd managed to find time to write to her, right from his enlistment, up to a few days before the German attack of April, 1918.

    I've never managed to track down the Citation for his Military Medal, and our family would be very grateful to have a copy of the Text. He survived the hell of High Wood in July and August 1916, and I suspect he may have earned his MM in those Actions, but it would be nice to know for sure.

    I managed to track what his Company was doing in Neuve Eglise in late March and early April, but have never managed to get sight of the war Diary for the Composite Battalion. Wally got ordered to join after losing touch with his officers during C Company's retreat from Neuve Eglise after the German breakthrough there. However, he was wounded as a member of that hastily-assembled scratch Composite Battn, when he was fatally wounded in the hastily-dug Trenches below Locre Chateau in the 2nd week of April, 1918. I think that Battalion was mainly composed of elements of the 2nd Worcesters, and the 1/9th HLI, and the 16th KRRC, with anyone else who could fire a rifle and who had been separated from their Units in the retreat ahead of the German combat teams. So, I would dearly love to get my hands of copies of the Composite Battalion's War Diary for those few critical last days of Sgt. Tindall's life. From the info. I have, Sgt. Tindall was not so severely wounded as to be thought beyond Cas-Evac; and the fact that he survived to reach 62nd CCS 16 kms away suggests to me that he either died of shock or infection. His Service record only states "DoW, 62nd CCS".

    If anyone either has a copy of that Composite Battalion's April 1918 War Diary - or knows where I would find it and under what search title, I'd be very pleased to hear from them.

    Julian Wilson




    213195

    Pte. John William Arthur Bywater 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.27th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    6744 Private John Bywater was the youngest of the 4 children and only son of William and Mary Bywater (Nee Benton). He disembarked in France on 12th August 1914 and was killed in action at the First Battle of Ypres on 27th October 1914

    Brian Veasey




    213185

    Sgt/Obs. James Wilfred Phillips Aerial photographer

    Father said that he joined the Warwickshire Yeomanry at the age of 24 on the day war broke out, claiming that he could ride. He couldn’t. His first job was to collect a string of remounts from Leamington station, which broke away and caused havoc on The Parade. The following day he was down at Chatham with the Royal Engineers. There he was billeted on the families of old regular nco’s and was well regarded by them because he discovered a peacetime regulation - not repealed - which entitled said NCO’s to one shilling (5p) per recruit for marking kit. With the throughput of new recruits at that time, they made a small fortune before the authorities cottoned on!

    Recruits were also entitled to an extra 5/- a week if they brought their own motorcycle.

    All good things come to an end. Because of a professional knowledge of photography he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps in June 1915 and helped to pioneer aerial photography (his CO was Lord Brabazon. He organised photographic sections in reconnaissance squadrons for aerial mapping - so vital in trench warfare.

    He made aerial maps of various sectors of the Front, for the Zeebrugge raid, East Coast and London defences. As a Sergeant Observer, he was posted to Lincolnshire to set up a camp in the depths of a winter so bitter that their boots froze to the duckboards in the tents. Administration had not caught up with expansion - and he had to arrange a personal overdraft facility with the local Lloyds bank, so that HE could pay the men!

    He flew as observer in RE8 twin seater biplanes - Harry Tates' - possibly one of the most vulnerable models of WWI. His pilot was Alex Irving, a farmer’s son from Dumfriesshire.

    Father left a substantial collection of aerial photos, including some pretty nasty crashes, plus his old flying helmet. All but the personal photos were given by me in the mid-eighties on permanent loan to the RAF Museum at Cosford.

    During WW2, he was in the 44th Warwickshire Battalion of the Home Guard - the Joseph Lucas battalion - where rank was by position in the company rather than military prowess. As Advertising Manager, he was a Lt. - the MD was the Colonel, of course. Father was also involved in tank design, planning war savings promotions and helped set up the Whitehall war rooms.





    213180

    Sgt. Thomas William Hanson 4th Tyneside Irish 27th Northumberland Fusiliers

    Im doing my friend's family tree and would appreciate additional information you may have on Thomas William Hanson born 1878 died 1955 Regards

    Colin Adamson




    213179

    Pte. A Steele Royal Irish Regiment

    I have in my possession a Medal with cross swords with 1914-1915 across the medal at the bottom is V, inscribed on the back is 10-15912 Pte A Steele RIR-RIF. Can anyone help so I can return this to the family of this soldier?

    Roy Ansell




    213178

    Pte. Arthur James Bygrave 1st Battalion Berkshire Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    Arthur Bygrave joined the Royal Hampshire Regiment in Bournemouth in 1917. he was subsequently transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment. The war diaries list the battalion in action around the village of Ervillers in Flanders. Arthur died on the morning of August 23rd, 1918. He is commemorated at the Vis En Artios British cemetery Panel 7.

    Steven Bygrave




    213176

    Driver Marcel George Bihet Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather, Marcel George BIHET was a driver for the RFA.

    Three of his brothers: Arthur, Jean and Constant also served in the RFA.

    Their details,including numbers and where served, are linked from this page:

    Carol Vivyan




    213166

    Pte. James Peter Kellie Royal Field Artillery

    My paternal grandfather, James Peter Kellie (or Kelly), served in WW1. We believe he was in the RFA from the photo of him in uniform. There is a family story that he was gassed, but we have no details.

    Stephen Kellie




    213163

    Pte. William Edward Costain 10th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.28th Apr 1915)

    William Costain joined the Kings Liverpool Scottish in 1913 as a territorial soldier. He landed in Le Havre 2nd of November 1914 and proceeded to the Ypres Salient. After a very harsh winter in the trenches. On 28th of April 1915 he was assigned the task of locating a Sniper with another soldier. During the search he was shot and killed by the sniper he was looking for. He was laid to rest beside others of the Liverpool Scottish in enclosure number 3 at Voormenzelee a quiet little village outside of Ypres. My wife and I have visited the Cemetery October 9th 2013 there are a number of Liverpool Scottish soldiers buried there and all are very well looked after.

    Paul Pavey




    213162

    2nd Lt. Alan Dent

    Alan Dent of Bishop Auckland, followed his elder brother Eric into the Royal Air Force. He trained in Egypt at the end of the Great War and was still in training when the war ended.





    213161

    Pte. John Wild Greenwood 2/4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather John Greenwood was a Quaker, he was married and is buried at Norton-on-Tees Quaker Meeting House, so I found it difficult to relate to him being in the military.

    From the little research I have been able to undertake so far, I gather he was in a Pioneer unit in Bermuda, a part of the British Empire that warranted a military presence. In civilian life he was a carpenter and worked at the shipyards in Middlesbrough.

    Beryl M Myers




    213160

    L/Sgt. Frederick A. Smith 2/5th Btn. Leicester Regiment (d.31st Mar 1917)

    Frederick Smith was born in Leyton, the son of a Police Officer. He joined the 2/5th Leicestershire Regiment and served in Ireland from the summer of 1916 until the battalion was sent to France in March 1917. Fred was killed in the battalion's first action on the 31st of March 1917.





    213151

    Pte. John Robert Scott 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.17th Oct 1917)

    John Scott, Private. 43039. 7th Norfolk Regiment was killed in action in France on the 17th of October 1917. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial. John was born in King's Lynn 6/12/1896, and baptised at All Saints' church. He was the son of John Henry and Martha Mary Scott, of 2, The Terrace, Hunstanton, late of King's Lynn. Before the war he was employed by Mr. Kirby, hairdresser, London Road, King's Lynn.

    John enlisted at King's Lynn November 1915. Went overseas in July, 1916. He was posted as missing and in August 1918 was presumed dead. In March 1919 his parents received, from the War Office, John's wallet, but no trace of John's body was found.

    Jonathan Mann




    213148

    Pte. Arthur Gear 16th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.17th Nov 1917)

    Arthur Gear never saw his 2nd son, who was born a few months after his death. Arthur died as a result of wounds while in action in Belgium.

    Sheila Wood




    213143

    Pte. Henry Privett 22nd Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Henry Privett served with the 22nd Londons.

    Linda Clark




    213142

    Pte. Albert William Osgood 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (d.30th July 1916)

    <p>

    Bertie Osgood received a commendation "For conspicuous gallantry" 4 months before he was killed.

    Ref. 1138 Gunner A.W. Osgood, No. 14 Battery, Motor Mach. Gun Serv. (LG 11 Mar. 1916).

    For conspicuous gallantry. During a heavy hostile bombardment a shell burst, knocking over all the gun team except No. 2. He was picked up, and, though wounded and in a semi-conscious state, with great bravery continued to work his gun, and subsequently carried a message back to report.

    The family still have the letter that was sent to Bertie's parents dated 29/4/1920 stating that his body had been exhumed and re-buried at the Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, Somme. The family are very proud of Bertie and we plan to visit his grave in Northern France on the 100th anniversary of his death.

    Linda Clark




    213141

    Pte. Cyril Frederick Barton Middlesex Regiment

    <p>Cyril Barton on right, with brothers Fred (left) and Reg (middle)

    A Nightingale Sung.... My grandfather 'Grandpop Barton' was a 'story teller', always ready with massive 'fishermans tales' about his war exploits, often by inferring involvement rather than any actual proof or evidence of heroism or derring-do. Strange then, he never mentioned his brother, Cyril, who went off to war with the Middlesex Regiment to France and never came back. Maybe it was the sheer loss of his beloved brother that led to his fantasy tales, suffice to say that my step-grandmother adored Pop and apparently genuinely believed his tall stories. She had one possession he had kept to remember his brother, a Middlesex Regiment badge.

    Recently a photograph of Cyril came to light with uncanny family resemblances, my grand pop featured as a boy scout proudly alongside his soldier brother. A common surname, with little information, left us no wiser as to Cyrils final fall. Then, a result! Grandpop had one genuinely unusual thing about him, his middle name of Nightingale, led me through census records and war grave records to a small military cemetery in Couin France to find his brother, my great uncle, lying there. Rest well Great Uncle, maybe a nightingale flies above you as you sleep. Your tomorrow for our today.

    Dick Barton




    213140

    Pte. G. Wear Seaforth Highlanders

    I have been handed down a group of medals, photos and other items of three brothers that served in WW1 from my mother's side. I know that two of the brothers had been killed in action because I have their death plaques, etc. I would like to find out as much as I can about these family members because I would like to hand them down to my kids and keep the story of their lives alive.

    The three brothers are: Pte. G. Wear, S-9698 Seaforth Highlanders, Pte. A. Wear, S-4209 Royal Highlanders and Pte. J. Wear, 19115 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Can anyone provide any information?

    Leigh Scott




    213139

    Pte. John Viner 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment

    John Viner was born in Aston, Birmingham in Jun 1885 and by 1891 was living in Ardwick, Lancashire with his parents, Charles and Eliza. On the 20th October 1905, John enlisted in the 5th Battalion (Militia) The Manchester Regiment aged 17 years and 10 months and was given the regimental number of 460 and served for two years. When the 3rd and 4th Battalions were disbanded, John took the offer of joining the approximate 120 soldiers who transferred to the Royal Canadian Regiment. He left Liverpool on the 11th January 1907 on the SS Tunisian and arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 21st January. The soldiers appear to have attested whilst aboard the ship on the 12th January 1907. John was given the army number 9175 and in 1909 married Miss Mary Maynard.

    He returned to the UK after his 3 years service were up in 1910 but immediately re-enlisted on the outbreak of war on the 13th August 1914 into the 3rd Battalion The Manchester Regiment with the number 2658. He moved to Cleethorpes Garrison with the battalion as part of the Humber defences.

    In April 1915, he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion and was sent to France on the 21st April 1915 to the Front. The 2nd Manchesters were in Ypres at the time and involved in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. The German Army had just started getting success with chemical warfare the previous week against the French army close by and on the 23rd April, the Germans launched another massive mustard gas attack against the Canadian and British forces in the area. John was shot and injured on the 2nd May 1915 and was returned to the UK on the 8th May. He was medically discharged from the army on the 16th June 1916.

    After the war, he moved to London and his brother, James Viner, used to travel down from Manchester and spend weekends there to convalesce. James had been in the Army Service Corps and Royal Field Artillery from 1911 through the war to 1918.

    Rhys Davies




    213137

    Sgt. Maurice William Harry Baker 1st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th April 1918)

    Maurice Baker is listed on the War Memorial and Roll of Honour for Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire. He was the husband of Gertrude Baker of 24 Seymour Road, Ipswich. Remembered with honour. Maurice is buried at Ebblington Military Cemetary, France.





    213134

    Therese Suzanne Adams Forage Corps

    My mother, Therese (Terry) Suzanne Adams, was a member of the Forage Corps which was a military organisation under the direction of the Army Service Corps. It existed to provide the forage needed by the horses behind the Western Front. My mother served with this from 1916 until the Corps was disbanded in 1920. At its greatest it numbered some 6000 members. The records of the Corps do not seem to exist nowadays. Enquiries some years ago of the National Archive, The Royal Logistics Corps, the Army Museum and the Imperial War Museum disclosed very little.

    Bob Manning




    213133

    Pte. Henry Edwards 20th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Henry Edwards was the grandad I never met. My father used to talk of him with great affection. Henry joined up in August 1915 to E Company, 20th Lancashire Fusiliers (4th Salford Pals), Embarked for France in Jan 1916,and saw action at Peronne, The Somme, Arras, Bullecourt, Messines, Ypres, Passchendale, Cambrai and Haverincourt Wood, where he was gassed.

    He did return to his Battalion and was with them until they were disbanded in Feb 1918. Here his Army life gets a bit confused for me as on one website it shows that he was transferred to the Labour Corps and on another he joined the 104th Brigade Machine Gun Company.

    He returned from France in early 1919. He married my grandmother and raised a family. Henry died in 1945 and is buried in Agecroft Cemetery in Salford. A true Salford Pal through and through. God Bless you Grandad, and Thank you to all your Pals.

    Colin Edwards




    213130

    Pte. Christopher Gogarty Machine Gun Guards (d.30th March 1918)

    Christopher Gogarty was the son of William Gogarty and Jane Gogarty (nee Gorey) of Brannockstown, County Meath, Ireland. He was born in December 1891 and worked as a farm labourer and a was member of the Boardsmill Irish National Volunteers. He heeded John Redmond's call to join the British Army and, in January 1915, joined the Irish Guards as Private 6551. He trained at Caterham (not Warley)and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, arriving in France 16 August 1915. He fought at the Battle of Loos and was wounded on the 27 September 1915.

    After spending nearly a year at home recuperating from his wounds, he returned to the 2nd Battalion in France and continued to see action on the Somme, Ypres, Cambrai and around the Arras Sector. He transferred to the 4th Foot Guards Machine Gun Battalion (the Machine Gun Guards) in February 1918 and was given the service number 1878. Wounded in action during the German Spring Offensive he was evacuated to Doullens for medical treatment but succumbed to his wounds on the 30th March 1918. Christopher is buried in the Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1, grave reference: VI. F. 8. He is remembered with honour.

    Simon Wilkinson




    213129

    Gunner William Duxbury 112 Battery, 24th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.16th March 1916)

    William Duxbury was the son of Edmund Duxbury and Elizabeth Ann Duxbury (Nee Wilkinson) of 13 Cromwell Street, Blackbun, Lancashire. He was born 15/8/1895 and died of wounds at Poperinghe 16/3/1916, he is buried in Poperinghe New Military Cemetery. Remembered with honour

    Simon Wilkinson




    213127

    Pte. John William Williams 8th (Service) Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.14th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Not a lot is known about my Great Uncle Jack William's experiences during the Great War, he wasn't a great letter writer by all accounts. He was born in Davenham, near Northwich, Cheshire in 1894, he enlisted 24/8/1914 in Northwich and was passed fit at Chester Castle where he joined the 8th Service Battalion Cheshire Regiment.

    Following his training in England he departed these shores from Avonmouth 26/06/1915 on the H.M.T Ivernia, never to return. The Battalion landed on the Gallipoli Peninsular in July 1915. August 1915 saw them supporting the ANZACs. An entry in the Battalion's War Diary shows that on 7th and 8th August they were in support trenches at Russell's Top and were being moved up to support the Australian Light Horse Brigade to assist in their attack at the Nek. They stayed on the Gallipoli peninsular until January 1916 and were one of the last battalions to leave. From here they were transferred to Mesopotamia in early 1916. During 1916 and early 1917 Jack saw action at Sannaiyat, Bait Isa, Kut al Amara and Hai Salient.

    In March 1917 Jack was admitted to a Field Ambulance Suffering from dysentery. By late April 1917 he was admitted to a Base General Hospital in Basra. Mid May saw him on a hospital ship bound for Secunderabad Hospital in Bombay. An entry on his Service Medical Record shows him in Trimulgherry Station Hospital 21/05/1917 his condition as dangerously ill. Jack died of Chronic Dysentery on 14/07/1917 and was buried in Trimulgherry Cantonment Cemetery. His name Appears on the Madras 1914-1918 War Memorial, Chennai.

    Colin Edwards




    213066

    Pte. William Stocker 5th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My grandfather William Stocker survived war, his wife (my grandmother)left hundreds of letters he had written to her; during the Battle of Messines.

    Karen Pickett




    213064

    Spr. Allan Wills MM. 19th Divisional Signal Company Royal Engineers

    Allan Wills served with the 19th Division signals. He was wounded twice and twice returned to front line. In the divisions rag time band. Awarded the military medal between 11th and 18th August 1918 in the Kemmel Hill area. He maintained communications on the front line. believed he crawled out and reconnected communication wires. Close friend killed on top of him when diving for cover. He lived a good life afterwards. However nightmares and distinct memories which haunted him for all his life.

    Dave Alexander




    213063

    L/Cpl. Gilbert Forsyth 153 Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My Great uncle Gilbert Forsyth, volunteered in Kingston on Thames in May 1915. I have trawled the Bgde war diary copies at Woolwich and it reveals there was a number of personnel swaps between brigades so I can't be certain that he remained with the 153rd. If he did he was in Ploegsteert from 1/11/1917. I know he suffered at least one gas attack and whilst he was not invalided out he died in the 1950's aged only 56 from indirect result. I am hoping to find out more about his personal experiences and movements

    Marc Forsyth




    213062

    Pte. Walter Woodward 7th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    Walter was born in 1898 the son of William and Margaret Woodward of 42 Webb Street, Liverpool. He enlisted in the Army reserve at the Technical college in Liverpool on the 20th of December 1916. He was 18 years and 10 months old and had been working as a capstan fitter. He was unmarried, and lived with his parents. Walter was called up for service immediately on joining the reserve, he was posted into Seaforth barracks as part of 68th training reserve battalion. His service number at this time was 20857.

    On the 20th of April 1917, Walter embarked from Folkstone, bound for Boulougne. Upon his arrival in France he was transferred to the 7th battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was given a new service number 27780. On the 31st of July 1917, the fist day of the battle of Passchendaele Walter was reported as missing in action. He was later presumed as dead for official purposes. Walter is remembered on the Menin gate memorial, Ypres.

    Brian Woodward




    213061

    Spr. Robert Cadwaladr Roberts 128th Field Company Royal Engineers

    My Great Grandfather Robert Cadwaldar Roberts, volunteered for military service on 3 Feb 1915 at Wrexham,Denbighshire, Wales. He was Born 1886 in Yspytty, Denbighshire. North Wales. At time of joining up he was a married man with 3 young children. 5 Blast Road, Brymbo, Nr Wrexham. Wales. And a Master Carpenter/Waggon Maker.

    By the 12 Feb 1915 he was with the Royal Engineers at Chatham for training. He remained with the same unit until after the war. Was not sent home until 18/3/1919 and discharged on to reservists list 30/3/1919. Between 4/11/1916 and 18/3/1919 his service records show he was only sent home to the UK on leave once. between 6/11/1918 to 20/11/1918.

    Garry




    213060

    Pte. Jack Clarke 1st Btn Royal Irish Rifles

    Jack Clarke was a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force before signing onto the army on the 6th November 1914. He survived the war but was wounded and afterwards served in the Royal Ulster Rifles.

    Gordon Hull




    213059

    Cpl Howlett 103rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.7th June 1917)

    Cpl Howlett was killed on 7 June 1917 when an enemy shell entered his dug out. He is mentioned in Bdr Bert Spires war diary.

    Ted Spires




    213057

    Rfmn. Samuel Torrans A Coy,10th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Samuel Torrans was 22 when he died. I was not a relative of his, but knew his descendants as I used to live in 13 Schomberg Street.

    Gordon Hull




    213055

    Pte. Sidney Arthur O'Dell 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Sidney O'Dell was born in London in 1887, a printer by profession he married in April 1911 and had one daughter when WW1 broke out in September 1915. Initially he volunteered for Kitchener's army in 1915 but was rejected on account of his flat feet. He then served in the Army Pay Corp until mid to late 1916 when he was drafted to the 26th Royal Fusiliers after the Army relaxed their standards.

    He first went to France in early 1917 as reinforcements and took part in the Battle of Passendale. In December 1917 he went to northern Italy with the battalion for strengthening the Italians against the Austrians. In early March 1918 he returned to the Western Front and was engaged against the German advance at Valux-Vraucourt. At around the 24th March he was seriously wounded in the leg and evacuated to England to recuperate in hospital in Liverpool. He never returned to France but served as a musketry instructor with the battalion for the remainder of the war. After the end of the war he returned to the Army Pay Corp to assist with demobilisation and returned to civilian life in 1919. In 1922 he and his wife and three daughters emigrated to New Zealand.

    Ray Greer




    213054

    Pte. George Sylvester "Richie" Richards 34th Btn. (d.24th July 1917)

    George Richards was my father's uncle, unmarried and only 23 when he was killed by a shell. He was number one on a Lewis Gun. His parents were Edward Slockett Richards and Grace Rebecca Broham.

    Kim




    213053

    Cpl. Harold Algernon Joseph Ahearn 9th Australian Field Ambulance

    Harold Ahearn was my 1st cousin 3 times removed. On the 12th of Aug 1914 her enlisted in the Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, Tropical Unit Army Medical Corps as part of the Naval assault against the Germans in PNG. On the 8th of Mar 1916 he has a second enlistment in the AIF Cpl 9th Field Ambulance. He returned to Australia 21 June 1919

    Phillip Needham




    213051

    Spr. Samuel Irwin MSM. 121st Field Company Royal Engineers

    Samuel Irwin enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 8 February 1915 at Cavan, Co. Cavan, Ireland. His family know he was serving in 121st Field Company when he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), it is understood for his work in mining at Messines and subsequently. His present family in Ireland knew nothing of his service during WW1 until recently and are hoping to hear from anyone who can add to their knowledge.

    M Standish




    213050

    Pte. Frederick William Eastman MM. 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

    Frederick Eastman won his military medal for bringing in wounded and dead from no mans land under fire. He later told me as an old man that he was covered in blood but none of it was his own. tTere is no known citation to the MM award. He joined on the first naming of the 8th glosters. He was subjected to hard labour later downgraded to field punishment no 1 for striking a superior officer just after the battle of the Somme

    david eastman




    213049

    QMSgt. Frances James Shorthouse 104th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Frances James Shorthouse was born 3/12/1891, he enlisted 3/9/1914 in Aldershot, he was medically discharged 1/3/1918 in Woking. Before the was he was a school master. 5ft 10.5inchs, complexion fresh, eyes grey, hair Brown. He was in the RAMC and according to his hospital papers he served with 104 Field Ammbulance. He was entered into hospital week ending 8/5/1917 with Nephritis (Sev.)

    Lloyd Scott




    213047

    Sgt. Robert Amberson 59th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Robert Amberson went out in 1915 with 459 battery. He was posted to D Bty in 1916 and remained with the brigade until demobbed in 1919

    Bill ONeill




    213043

    RSM. Joseph Edward Pratt MID. 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Edward Joseph Pratt joined 1st Battalion RWR 1892, he fought at the battle of Atbara, he was made Sergeant in 1898, then Colour Sergeant in 1905. He also served with the 2nd, 5th & 3rd reserve Battalions before WW1. In 1913 Edward had done 21 years in the Army,at the start of WW1 he was Acting Regeimental Sergeant Major in the 10th Battalion. I recently bought Landers War and Charles Herbert Lander mentions the death of my Great Uncle E.J Pratt saying he took one in the side at the battle of the Menin Road refused the stretcher bearers and walked back to the dressing station, were he collapsed and died, he was a huge heavy man much loved by everyone and a kind hearted soul.

    Edward had lived for many years in Kenilworth, with his parents Thomas Edwin & Ann, A local Kenilworth Newspaper said Edward was a fine specimen of manhood, 6ft 2 inches and well proportioned. Edward left a wife named Ellen and 4 children 3 daughters & one son, alas I do not have a photograph of Edward, being a Sergeant Major there could be one out there somewhere. Edward Joseph Pratt is buried at Bushouse Cemetery Belgium.

    Colette Benson




    213042

    L/Cpl. Hubert Harwood 9th Btn. Welsh Fusiliers (d.22nd Jun 1917)

    Hubert Harwood was born on 30 October 1896 at Long Hey Gate, Pickup Bank,Darwen, the son of Charles and Alice Harwood (nee Wood). Before the war he was a cotton weaver.

    Mike Harwood




    213040

    William Henry Hill 103rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Harry Hill was my Great Uncle on my mother's side. He was in service as a footman between 1911 and 1915, place not known.

    Anny




    213038

    Pte. James Talbot 9th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.20th Jun 1917)

    James Talbot died of his wounds aged 29. Buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extention, France. He formerly served as 29704 with The East Lancs Regt.

    derek whittaker




    213036

    Pte. William Caney 11th Btn. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment

    William Caney enlisted 11/12/15, he was hit by sniper fire on the lip when on watch duty in 1916, Wounded and lost a leg during the third battle of Ypres.

    Andy Caney




    213033

    2/Lt. William Buckle 8th Btn. Green Howards (d.7th June 1917)

    William Buckle was one of 11 children. He was a Private (1999) then a Corporal (200384) before being awarded a commission on 6th July 1916. He died of wounds following the attack on Hill 60. He was 24. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

    Mark Tovey




    213032

    Cpl. Francis Elmour King C Company 37th Btn. (d.8th June 1917)

    I don't know much about Francis King pre-war. All I know is from his war records which I'm still finding. He was not married when he enlisted but he does have a woman, Margaret Ryan of Dubbo, listed in his will leaving half his earnings and life insurance to her. The other half to his father Robert.

    Francis has no known grave and so is remembered on the Menin Gate. I do know where he was buried by a grid reference in his war records. I suspect he may be one of the unknown Australian graves at Bethleem East cemetery as it is extremely close to his burial location.

    Peter Walsh




    213031

    Pte. Richard Calo Ross 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Richard Calo Ross joined the AIF at Melbourne on 22 September 194. He served first in the 9th Light Horse, 57th Battalion. He was at Gallipoli from August 8 1915 and was there until the evacuation. He has no known grave but his name is listed on the Ypres Memorial Gates.

    Alison Armstrong




    213030

    Pte. Jampson Young Miller 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Jampson Young Miller was born on 29 December 1882 in Church Walk which is the small lane that runs pass the Holy Trinity Church in the east end of Sunderland. His birth was also recorded wrongly as Jamson. Jampson was one of 9 children and his father was William Burlinson Miller and his mother was Eliza Usher, who were also both born in Sunderland.

    Jampson served in the First World War in the Durham Light Infantry. He join up on 5 September 1915. Although records show he was attached to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Durham Light Infantry his number is prefixed with a 20 indicating that he served overseas with the 20th (Wearside) Battalion. The 20th was raised in Sunderland on 10 July 1915 and landed in France on 5 May 1916.

    The 20th Battalion DLI saw action at: Flers-Courcelette, Ancre Heights, Somme, 1916; Pilckem, Menin Road Ridge, Ypres, 1917; Bapaume, 1918; Somme, 1918; Ypres, 1918. and were disbanded in November 1918. The 20th Battalion was a part of the 123rd Brigade of the 41st Division. The Division formed in Britain in October 1915 from the Locally Raised or Pals Battalions from various parts of the country. Arrived in France in May 1916. Served in France and Flanders until November 1917 when the Division went to Italy, the Division served in Italy until March 1918 when it went back to France. The Division remained in France and Flanders until the Armistice. In March 1918 the 20th Balttalion was transferred to the 124th Brigade. The 124th was also part of the 41st Division.

    The first battle in which Jampson was involved in was a very famous one, this was the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. Flers-Courcelette was the first battle during which Tanks were used in warfare. It is revealing to know that one of your ancestors was at a very famous event as this battle was. Jampson was known to have been gassed (this was likely during the Battles of Passchendaele when the German's used Mustard Gas). Jampson's army discharge papers show that Jampson was discharged on 12 February 1918 as been medically unfit for service. Jampson in fact from the war returned with a severe sharpnel wound in his back. This wound was so bad that you could place your fist in it. After the First World War worked as a labourer with the Sunderland Water Board doing sewage work.

    The 20th Battalion DLI were involved in further battles of the Somme and Ypres in 1918. However, the next major battle on the Somme did not commence until 21 March 1918. Jampson was discharged in Febuary 1918 so it is possible he was wounded toward the end of the Third Battle of Ypres and was discharged when he had recovered sufficently to be released from hospital.

    Robert Elliott




    213029

    Pte. Arthur Murdock 41st Btn.

    Arthur Murdock junior (son) of Aboriginal soldier, Private Arthur Murdock was born in Hughenden district and removed to Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission with his mother Zou Watson (fullblood Aboriginal), a brother to Arthur Murdock was George Murdock (8 years younger). Both Arthur Murdock and Brother George Murdock were employed as Aboriginal Trackers for the Queensland Police Service. Arthur at Stonehenge, Queensland between October 1923 and July 1925. Arthur was single during his War Service later married to Daisy Murdock an aboriginal woman born at Clermont, Central Queensland approx 1898 Arthur born approx 1890 in Hughenden district. Embarkation date 14/06/1917 from Sydney aboard HMAT Hororata, ship #A20. Enlistment date 30/10/1916.

    Aaron Paterson




    213027

    Pte. Herbert Hunt 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Hurbert A Hunt was my uncle he was the son of John Hunt of 8 willow terrace otford kent and the husband of Gladys miles, he died on the first day of the Battle of Messines.

    Peter Williams




    213026

    Pte. Kenneth Euen Livingstone Horder 3rd Salvage Coy.

    Kenneth Horder applied for enlistment on January 18, 1916, at the age of 18 years and 9 months. He swore his oath of loyalty on February 8, 1916, at West Maitland, NSW. Private Kenneth Horder joined the 34th Infantry Battalion on March 23, 1916, and prepared for service with the AIF. On May 2, 1916, 206 members of D Company, 34th Infantry Battalion, embarked on His Majesty’s Australian Transport (HMAT) Hororata. Private Kenneth Horder disembarked in Plymouth, England, on SS Aragon on June 23, 1916. On November 21, 1916, after receiving five months of additional training with members of his battalion, Private Horder proceeded to France from Southampton, England. After encountering some difficulty with shelling in the forward area, military authorities transferred Private Horder on March 21, 1917, to the 3rd Division Salvage Company; he reported to this unit the following day. Private Horder’s stay at the Salvage Company did not last long; on July 15, 1917, he was taken on strength of the 46th Battalion.

    Within two months of Kenneth Horder’s arrival at the 46th Battalion, he was diagnosed as suffering from nephritis. He was treated at No. 3 Australian General Hospital at Abbeville, France; No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne, France; Pavilion General Hospital at Brighton, England; and the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford. On February 14, 1918, he returned to Australia aboard HMAT Persic. On April 16, 1918, Kenneth Horder was found medically unfit for further service and discharged. Kenneth Horder died at the age of 31 in 1929, leaving behind a wife.

    Rhe Probert




    213024

    Pte. Samuel Robert Treby 9th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.19th Jul 1917)

    "After the Battle of Messines, the 9thWelsh enjoyed a short rest before again going into the trenches on 9th July, on the outskirts of Onraet Wood. Opposite their front was a small salient,in which was a small collection of farm buildings, known as Junction Buildings, strongly held by the enemy with machine guns. On 14th July a company of the 8th Gloucesters, which had relieved the Welsh, made an attack on this salient but without success, and with several casualties. "D" Company 9th Welsh, was then ordered to try its luck on the 18th July, and at 3.30 a.m. on that date,two platoons stormed the Buildings but were ejected at 4.15 a.m., both platoon commanders(2nd Lieutenants Salmon and V Roberts) being killed,together with 14 other ranks,whilst 10 other ranks were wounded."

    9th Welsh Casualties 19/7/1917:

  • Pte 36330 S Burton.
  • L/Serjeant 32766 J H Cotter
  • Pte. 285026 L Edwards
  • Serjeant 15923 E J Harding
  • Pte 35244 WH Howells
  • Pte 26809 T Lewis
  • Pte 34109 D Lloyd
  • Pte 13977 A E Painter
  • Pte 285040 H E Parry
  • Pte 39480 J Preston
  • Serjeant 33664 D Price
  • 2nd/Lieutenant V Roberts
  • 2nd/Lieutenant S F Salmon
  • Pte 51658 G W Sumpster
  • Pte 36361 S R Treby

    Darren Jones




  • 213022

    Pte. Joseph Patrick Lydon Company C, Machine Gun 42nd Btn. (d.10th June 1917)

    Joseph Lydon was my mother's uncle. He was born in Galway, Ireland to Michael and Delia Lydon. Unfortunately, I know nothing else about Joseph.

    Chris Fowlie




    213020

    Sergeant James Greenan DCM. 6th Btn. Border Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    James Greenan was a Great Uncle of mine. Said to have been previously injured in a "gas attack" but returned to his unit and was killed in action 7th June 1917. I have to assume it was in the action at Messines. I have tried to find evidence of his war grave but there seems to be no record of this. It has been said he was shot through the heart. There is a silk embroidered postcard in our familys possession which was reported to have been in his breast pocket when he was shot. The postcard does have a damaged edge.

    Jim Mc Donald




    213015

    George Septimus Brookes 13th Australian Field Ambulance

    My Grandfather George Septimus Brookes was part chinese and an Engine Driver for the NSW Railways. He joined the Army and served in France and Belgium during WWI. He was wounded having gunshot wounds to the face and had his leg amputated. He was eventually evacuated to England where he met my Grandmother Mary Elizabeth Harper and they got Married in London. George resumed his work as an Engine Driver, which was a challenge for a person with 1 leg and was mainly working around Sydney as a Engine Driver. George had 2 Children Geoffrey Wilbert Harper Brookes and Marjorie Irene Brookes. George Brookes died 24th November 1921 at Woodville Red Cross Home, Randwick age 36 from Pulmonary Tuberculosis and war wounds. He is buried in the Methodist Section of the Rookwood Cemetary in Sydney in a white marble grave. George is commemorated on the wall of remembrance in Rookwood and almost behind his plaque on the same wall is the commemoration for NX11686, Geoffrey Hayne son of George Brookes. Thank you for the chance to remember my Grandfather.

    John Hayne




    213013

    Cpl. Francis Reginald Meek 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.17th Jun 1917)

    Francis Meek is my gg Uncle, son of Beriah and Tryphena Meek originaly from Dyrbrook in the Forest of Dean where they all worked as miners. He is brother to my Great Grandfather Charles Henry James Meek who is remembered at the Ploegsteert Memorial. We visited them both to pay our respects 13/02/13.

    Nigel Marshall




    213011

    Pte. William Richards 110th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    William Richards was my grandfather. He played goalkeeper for a local team. He very rarely talked about his time in the war. On occasion he would describe the pain and suffering the young soldiers endured, how he tried to comfort them saying they were going to be fine but in reality he knew there was little hope, there was always sadness in his eyes when he told me these stories.

    Geoffrey Richards




    213010

    Pte. George Albert Knott 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    I know little about George Knott. He had been married for less than a year when he died. He was my Nan's cousin and aged 21 when he was killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated at the Arras Memorial. My Nan's brother Harry Knott was killed while serving with the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regt in April 1915 at Messines and her other brother John Knott served with the York & Lancs in France and was invalided out with pneumonia in 1918. All came from Holly Hall, Dudley, then part of Worcestershire. Quite a sacrifice for one family.

    John Prestidge




    213009

    Pte. Charles Cox B Coy. 37th Btn. (d.10th Feb 1918.)

    I have researched my Gt Uncle Charles Cox for several years. In the 1911 census he was a farm labourer in above village. I have photo of him as a boy soldier in 7th Battalion Princess Royal Hussars uniform with his brother at Dover in 1900/2 but cant trace any early service history. The war memorial in this village gave AIF after his name, leading to my download of his A.W.M. service record. The roll of honour lists him as Australian so did he obtain Citizenship before joining up in Melbourne on 21st Feb 1916. As Bulford Camp Salisbury Wiltshire was the training grounds for his Battalion, why did he travel to Australia to join up in Melbourne, only to be shipped back in 1916 to uk and then France almost immediately? His records show him as a Transferee, but again no details. I have been to the Army records office, no answers. Also to the Imperial War Museum in London, where a book on 37th Batt gave details and map of the actual raid in which he died. This raid has been recorded in CW Beans War Diaries of History of 37th Battalion AIF at La Basse VilleWarneton. It quotes 2 Australian soldiers captured and divulged no info. A German order copied and distributed throughout the Australian Corps as an example of their Fortitude. Who were these 2 men and were they named and decorated? On this very site Awm4 23/54 Feb 1918 lists C. Cox 554 as a batman I see, so will have to research that. These writers deem this raid to have been of great importance, yet I have found very little credit or mention given between battle of Messines, Passchendale and the spring offensive! Only 5 or 9 men are reported as missing , presumed to have died, yet many enemy killed and captured, perhaps is why. I am keen to visit Plugstreet and search for this site.

    Susan Read




    213007

    Private Edward Ray 3th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.4th Sep 1917)

    Edward Ray was the husband of Ellen Grainger, of 2 Back, 42, Whitmore St., Hockley, Birmingham. They had three sons (Jack, Albert and Edward John) and one daughter, Lilly. He died of multiple shell wounds on both legs and thighs in No.3 Canadian CCS and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. I would like to know where he fought and when he was wounded.

    Philip Hogenes




    213005

    Pte. Thomas Parrott 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.8th Jun 1917)

    I know very little about my great uncle Thomas Parrott, only that he was born in 1882, married in 1904 was possibly a pre-war regular.

    Mark




    213004

    Pte. George Mercer MID 5th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    George Mercer was a great uncle of mine on my father's mother's side. I know he was attached to the Royal West Kent Regiment but not exactly sure when yet. He went across to France on or about the 18th August 1914 with the 5th Field Ambulance and remained with them until until 1917 (date to be confirmed). He had enlisted in 1907, went onto the reserve list when he joined the Merchant Navy in 1910. He was recalled in August 1914 and survived the carnage and went back to the Merchant Navy immediately after the war. He stayed with the Merchant Navy until the 2nd World War began when he left within weeks of it starting I am still trying establish where he served in WW2. I have a few naval leads which I am currently following up at the moment. I am intending to take a look at the 5th Field Ambulance Unit diaries hoping there might be some mention of his actions which earns him the MID in 1914/15.

    Vince Fuller




    213002

    Cpl. James William Riddell 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    Our family has only just become aware that my great grandad, James Riddell received a mention in dispatches on 1st July 1919 for gallant and distinguished services in the field. We have found the dispatches note and would really love to get extra information about 171 company and the war and also anything about him. If you have any other information about 171 we would really like to know more.

    Charlotte Moreland




    213001

    Robert Busby 107th Trench Mortar Battery Royal Artillery

    I have a transcript of a letter posted to my grandfather Robert Busby who was a member of the 107th.T.M.B. The letter was posted from France (I believe) to him by R. Ireland 2/Lt whilst my grandfather was back in Belfast following an injury. The original letter was sent to the Imperial War Museum.

    Brian Busby




    212999

    L/Cpl. Thomas George Luscombe 42nd Btn. (d.10th Jun 1917)

    Thomas Luscombe is buried at Bethleem Farm East.

    David Stubbs




    212998

    Pte. Peter Ross 36th Btn.

    My grandfather Peter Ross, originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, but after emigrating with his parents to Australia, served with the 36th Battalion, 9th Brigade AIF from early 1917. Peter suffered a gunshot wound to the head and left hand on the 4th April 1918 at Villers-Brettoneux. He was blinded by this severe injury and was evacuated back to St. Dunston's in London and did not recover enough to return to Australia until 1921. Later, he returned to England and married one of his nurses who he had met at a hospital in Midhurst, Sussex. His health was severely affected for the rest of his life but thankfully he lived to a good age and had 8 children and died in 1976.

    Jeremy C Ross Davis




    212995

    Pte. William Allen 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.9th Sep 1916)

    William Allen and his brothers were living in Boston, Massachusetts at the out break of the war. He returned home to enlist in the RIF - his brother went north and joined the Canadian Army. William died in the Battle of Ginchy.

    David Allen




    212991

    2nd Lt. William Milton Skilling 180th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Bill Skilling was my husband's maternal uncle and after graduating from the University of Toronto in 1915, joined the C.E.F. then trained as an officer at Oxford and was commissioned in the British Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. He went to France in January 1917 as a Forward Observing Officer in the Royal Artillery and as part of the 180th Brigade served at Messines, Wytschaete, and after the 3rd Battle of Ypres was invalided back to England. He later returned to Germany in 1919 with the British Army of the Rhine and returned to Canada in April 1920.

    I have been posting his letters from WW1 on a blog. On August 22, 1917 Bill wrote a detailed letter to his family about the bloody battles he'd just been in. You might be interested in this one in particular. After Bill returned to Canada, he had trouble adjusting to civilian life and died prematurely in November 1933 at the age of 44. His sister Agnes Norma Skilling Jackson (my mother-in-law) wrote about him in her memoirs which I have posted at: www.skillingfamilymemories.blogspot.com

    Ruth Zaryski Jackson




    212990

    Pte Herbert Carter 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Ã?�  (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Herbet was the son of Arthur Carter,18 Dean Rd, Oakham. He died on Messines Ridge, has no known grave but is commemorated on panel 47 of the Menin Gate Memorial.

    Colin Lukacs




    212988

    Robert Edward Davies 9th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    My grandfather, Robert Davies said he served with the young and lovelies, Yorks and Lancaster's at Hill 60. He lost a the top off his finger and whilst at hospital used to pour boiling water over the stump, to make it look infected so that he would be able to stay out of the trenches for a bit longer. I remember as a child asking him if he ever captured any Germans. Yes he said I was on my own going down a trench, came to a corner, when I went round a met a German. What happened then grandad? oh he said the German surrendered before I could.

    Rob




    212987

    Pte. Bertram Wood 3th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.12th Aug 1918)

    Bertram Wood was my grandfather, I have photograph and a paper from the war office informing his mother of his death.

    Barry Wood




    212986

    Pte. Wallis Bristow Riddiford 1/8th Btn. London Regiment (d.26th Aug 1917)

    Wallis Riddiford was postmaster at Maybury Post Office in Woking which he ran with his wife. He joined the 1/8th Londons and left for the front. I believe killed in action during Battle of Messines, he is remembered on the Menin Gate Ypres, and on 4 memorials in Woking. His brother served with the 25th Bn Royal Garrison Artillery and died of puenomia in 1919. Wallis' wife continued to run the Maybury PO and my Gran subsequently joined the PO there. She met my Grandad in the Sorting Office and my Grandad went on to become Head Postmaster for Ipswich District.

    Eddie Stanbridge




    212985

    Pte. Thomas Daniel Hammond 3th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.5th Sep 1916)

    Thomas Daniel Hammond was my grandfather serving with 3rd Battalion Royal Worcester Regiment. Thomas died of wounds on 05/09/1916, being initially wounded by machine gun on 03/09/1916. He was treated at a field post then he was transferred to Etaples where he died of his wounds, he is buried at Eastern Cemetery,Boulogne

    Phil Hammond




    212983

    Pte. Charles Lyall Gardner 57th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.30th Sep 1918)

    Charles Gardner is named on our war memorial and we are researching biographies of these men, he appears on the second part of a list of men found in the church which begins in December 1915.

    Carol Harris




    212982

    Arthur Edward Ashton 57th Trench Mortar Battery Royal Artillery

    Arthur Ashton attended St. Luke's College, Exeter.

    Edwin Astill




    212978

    Pte. Allan Edmondson London Regiment

    Allan Edmundson was the oldest of 7 brothers, one of whom, George Edmondson also was killed in the Great War serving with the same regiment.

    Paul Edmondson




    212977

    Pte. George Allen Edmondson 1/7th Btn. London Regiment (d.9th Aug 1918 )

    George Edmundson was one of 7 brothers, the second oldest. His older brother Allen Edmondson also was killed in the Great War serving with the same regiment.

    Paul Edmondson




    212975

    Pte. Samuel George Goodwin 12th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.16th Jun 1917)

    I believe Samuel Goodwin was part of the offensive at the Battle of Messines on the morning of 7th June 1917. I am trying to trace what happened to him as he died of wounds on 16th June and is buried at Lijssenthoek. I know this was the site of a military hospital and assume he was wounded on 7th or 8th June as the battalion moved back to the Old French Trench between the 8th and 12th June.

    Jason Loryman




    212974

    Pte. John Cooper 3th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    John Cooper, my grandfather,served in the Worcestershire Regiment from 29 July 1900 to 19 July 1908 in the 2nd battalion and then from 5 August 1914 to 31 March 1920 in the 3rd battalion. He died shortly after his discharge on 28 August 1920. I have his 'small book' which gives lots of detail on his first period of service. He served in the Boer War (I have his Queens South Africa medal with clasps), Ireland, Ceylon and India but alas no details on his WW1 service except his medals; Mons Star, British and Victory medals.

    Steve Cooper




    212970

    Gnr. Arthur Arnold White 236th Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.9th Jun 1917)

    My uncle Arnold White was in the Territorial Force and was called up August 1914. He was killed 9.7.17 aged 22 and is buried at La Clytte cemetery, Belgium. I have managed to find his service records on Ancestry. What I would like to know is where his battery was stationed when he was killed, The only information we have is that he was killed in action.

    Ruth Cade




    212967

    Cpl. Henry James Olaf Allen DCM. 1/6th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    I am currently researching my Great Uncle Henry Allen's history. We have an article from the Supplement to The London Gazette dated 10th March 1916 stating that on the 11th March from the War Office with reference to the announcement of the award of Distinguished Conduct Medals in the Honours Supplement to the London Gazette, dated 14th January, 1916, the following are the acts of gallantry for which the decorations have been awarded:- 1437 Lance-Corporal H.J.O. Allen, 6th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Rifles), T.F. For conspicuous gallantry on many occasions, when he carried out reconnaissances at night outside the front trenches under heavy fire.

    I am trying to find out more information regarding his service from his joining until his death on 7th June 1917, If anyone can help in anyway I would greatly appreciate it.

    Tony Allen




    212966

    Lt. Thomas Russell "Buck" Buchanan 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company

    My grandfather, Thomas Russell Buchanan, born February 21st 1891, graduated as a Mining Engineer at the University of Toronto, and signed on in Valcartier, Quebec to the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on July 17th 1916. Lt. Buchanan, and is mentioned in the 1st Canadian Tunnelling engineers war diaries a few times. He was there to experience the June 7th Messines Ridge explosions. He was injured during his service according to his service records, listed as a head injury. Close family members have said that he is also believed to have had a collision on a motorbike with 2 horses that had to be put down. He was devasted at the loss of the horses. He did not speak of his service in the war apart from this. Thomas is believed to have moved towards Arras later in the war, and then spent some time in England as a training officer in Surrey.

    He sailed back to Canada on the SS Olympic on 18th March 1919 and was involved in gold mining in the Kirkland Lake area of Ontario sometime after the war. He was married to Lily Mary Betteridge on December 27 1940, and died circa 1944 near Elgin Mills, Ontario.

    David S. Buchanan




    212965

    Capt. Owen Hairsine MC. 71st Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Owen Hairsine was my mother's uncle. I have his diaries and news clippings about his life at the front. I also have his scrapbook with lots of pictures. He opened the aid station at Hop Store west of Ypres and that is where he is buried.

    Robert Bulloch




    212964

    Pte. Charles Silvester Burton 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    We know from a letter written by a comrade shortly afterwards (now sadly lost) that Charles Burton was machine gunned as a patrol moved around during the German Spring Offensive of 1918. He was aged 36. He has no known grave. He was born in Minworth, Warkwickshire around 1882. We have no pictures of him and think that any that may have existed may have been destroyed by his wife Selina (my Great Grandmother) after his death. His War Medal may also have been pawned at some point. It is possible he was a carpenter, but we cannot confirm that yet. I would be interested to know if you have any photos of the 10th RWR from around that time. We are still trying to find out more about him.

    Craig Burton




    212962

    Lt.Col. Hugh Edmund Thellusson DSO. 110th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Hugh Thellusson was in command of 110 Brigade. At the outbreak of war, he was a Captain in 40th Brigade, 3rd Division.

    P. Thellusson




    212960

    Pte. Richard Wilson Scott 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy

    My Grandfather, Richard Scott joined 37th Battalion at Seymour in 1916 aged 20. He embarked on the Persic on the 3rd of June 1916 and transferred to 10th Machine Gun Company before embarking to the front. He celebrated his 21st birthday in the Houplines trenches. He was wounded on the second day of the Battle of Messines Ridge then wounded again at Passchendale, 4 times in all, some woulds were severe enough to spend up to 5 months in England. He saw the war out and returned home in 1919.

    Glen Scott




    212959

    Pte. Thomas Foye 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Thomas Foye was my great, great grandfather. I would like to find out more about his service and how he died on that fatal day.

    Derek Martin




    212957

    Pte. George Grant Stephens 37th Battery Australian Field Artillery (d.13th Aug 1918)

    My second cousin, George Stephens was an apprentice shipwright( in a protected industry) who volunteered and was in the first replacements at Gallipoli transferring to 37 battery after recovery from shell shock. He was considered the darling of the family, of Scottish heritage. His date of death coincides with the death and wounding of other soldiers of the 37th on the same day, but I have not been able to find out any more detail. I have seen a photo of George standing in front of a field gun, in a an ABC documentary.

    Geoff McGee




    212956

    Sgt. Arthur Whittall 3th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    Arthur Wittall is my Grandfather. He lost a leg and a hand in the Battle of Messines, plus 17 other critical injuries. His life was in the balance for several months and he was in hospital for 3 years after the war. He then became a Labour Councillor in his home town of Kidderminster, fighting for ex servicemen, those in the work house and for better housing conditions. Whittall drive in Kidderminster is named after him.

    Mal Ballinger




    212955

    Ronald Earnest Shanks 7th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.15th Jun 1917)

    Ronald Shanks joined up with Bedford Regiment at Bury St. Edmunds. He was killed on the 15th of June 1917, his body was not recovered and his name is recorded on the Menin Gate in Ieper.

    Ian Wallace




    212954

    Pte. Charles Henry Gamble 11th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.7th June 1917)

    Charles Gamble, my great uncle was the youngest of five brothers who all enlsted, the eldest Thomas was in the 9th battalion of the Foresters and was killed in action at Galipoli on the 9th August 1915 his service number was 13379. The next eldest brother Richard (my grand father) service number was 36006 and he was in the 6th Notts and Derby regiment, then there was Wiliam, and Frederick and I am unable to trace which regiments they were in. As a point of interest My Great uncle on my Fathers side was Jacob Rivers VC who fell on March 12th at Nueve Chapelle.

    John Hudson




    212953

    Pte. William Dewis 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    William Dewis was a cycle fitter working for Coventry Machinist C0. ltd.Joined the Army Cycling Corps in 1915. He arrived in France on the 18th of July 1915. Conditions were obviously not conducive to cycling so he was assigned as a stretcher bearer. William survived the war, however was so disgusted about the waste of life and the extremity of his experience would not every discuss his army service. He refused to collect his WW1 medals when issued. He married during home leave in 1917 to Mabel Rose Woods, who he met whilst the Warwicks were billeted near Weston Super Mare. William recommenced working in the Coventry cycle industry in 1918.

    John Victor Dewis




    212951

    Sjt. James Gillies 106th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.24th Jul 1917)

    Jimmy Gillies was my uncle. He was a sergeant in C battery 106 brigade, RFA. He was killed when a shell exploded on the sergeants mess on 24/07/1917. Three sergeants were killed at this incident and another three were wounded. Others also died. He was originally buried along with sixteen others in Manor Road Cemetery and later transferred to Perth China Wall Cemetery at wars end. In the war diary of Ralph Hamilton the master of Bellhaven he quotes, Welch had terrible luck last night a shell burst in his sergeants mess and out of six sergeants it killed three and wounded the other three. C battery has now lost no less than fourteen sergeants out of its establishment of seven all in this last six weeks. At time of this incident C battery was just S.W. of Manor farm, across railway line on N. side of junction of roads.

    Dave Inglis




    212949

    Cpl. Edward Cogan Kidman no 3rd Machine Gun Coy (d.14th Apr 1918)

    Edward Kidman was my uncle, he enlisted at Crow's nest Queensland and is buried at Bonnay Extension Cemetery, Amiens, France with about 59 other British soldiers.

    Terence Davidson




    212948

    Cpl. Francis Keith Davison MM. C section 4th Australian Field Ambulance

    After returning to Australia Frank Davison became a journalist with the Daily Guardian and in 1928 married Beryl Lucy Mills, the first Miss Australia. He also served briefly as Major in 56/60 Regiment from 1942-43.

    J.M. Martin




    212945

    Lt. John Francis "Twistie" Coyle MM & Bar, Croix De Guerre. 12th Australian Machine Gun Coy

    John Coyle served and survived Gallipoli and the Western Front from 1915 to 1919. We are grateful and very proud that he gallantly fought and returned to Australia. Hoorah for Pa.

    James OKeefe




    212940

    Pte. John Arthur Williams 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    I have recently found out that my great grandfather, Arthur Williams served with the 7th Bn, South Lancs. I researched and found his medal card and found he was deployed to France on 15/08/1915. He served from what I can find throughout the war until he was designated a Army reserve (B) in 1919. I am unable to find any further information at this time.

    Dan Garratt




    212939

    2nd Lt. James Frederick Darnbrough 94th Field Company Royal Engineers

    James Frederick Darnbrough was married to Annie Ainsworth Inglis. He appears to be commissioned in September 1917 and survived the war

    Os




    212938

    Pte. Ernest William "Bluey" Wood Signals 41st Btn.

    Ernest Wood signed on in Brisbane, trained at Bell's Paddock and then served in Belgium & France, he was badly wounded on the 19th of October 1917 at Zonnebeke. He was transferred to England and then repatriated to Brisbane Queensland

    Ric Wood




    212937

    Sidney James Game 40th Battalion. (d.7th June 1917)

    Sidney Game was one of three brothers in the 40th battalion, his siblings were Charles and Percy.

    David Game




    212936

    Pte. John Fairclough 7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.8th June 1917)

    John Fairclough went missing in action on the 8th of June 1917 and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    Alan Fairclough




    212934

    Cpl. William Nolan 103rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.9th Aug 1917)

    William was my maternal Grandfather, he was born in Marylebone about 1886, his mother was Mary Nolan, father unknown. in 1901, according to the census, William aged 15 was living with his mother and his step father Thomas Edward Dwyer at 10 Linhope Street, Marylebone, London working as a Chemist Shop Boy. He married Frances Helen Larissey (my grandmother) on the 6th of Jun 1913 in London.

    william enlisted for war service at Cockspur Street, London in Dec 1914. At the time of enlistment was living at Henry Street, St Johns Wood, London and his profession was thought to be Greengrocer & Fruitier. He went to France on the 28th of August 1915 and served with 'D' Battery 103rd Brigade RFA. William lost his life on the 9th of August 1917 and is buried in Dickebush New Military extension, Belgium

    William Terence Nolan




    212933

    Pte. ArsÃÆ?Ã?¨ne Joseph Delvaux 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company (d.27th Aug 1918)

    Arsène Delvaux was a Belgian immigrant to Canada, born March 4th, 1879 at Marcinelle. He was a miner by profession, working at Joggins Mines, N.S. He enlisted for the CEF, on March 4th 1916, his 37th birthday. He was transferred to 1st Canadian Tunneling Company on Jan 20th 1917. He served with the 1st Tunneling Company until October 12th 1917 when he transferred to 22nd Bn CEF. He was killed in action on August 27th, 1918.

    Roel Struyve




    212932

    Cpl. Christpher Edward Fowler MM. 33rd Btn.

    I met Uncle Christie Fowler on one occasion when I was about 12 years of age. I remember he wasn't very tall, maybe 5'6" and very reserved in his outlook. My grandmother Charlotte Fowler did show me the original document in regards to Christy's award of the Military Medal. Over the years I have managed to receive some photos and photo copies of him. During my short time with him, I remember informing him when I would be old enough I would join the defence forces. His reply which I remember distinctly was, 'Don't volunteer for anything!'.

    Trevor Fenton




    212931

    Gnr. Alfred Leslie Mills 106th Brigade (B Battery) Royal Field Artillery

    Alfred Leslie Mills was born in St. Marylebone, London, on 25th April 1896, the son of Alfred and Mary Mills. Following the outbreak of war he enlisted at Mill Hill Barracks on 2nd October 1914 and was posted to No. 4 Depot Royal Field Artillery (Woowich) for basic training as a Driver. He was subsequently posted to 'A' Battery, 106 Brigade on 17th November 1914 and then to 'B' Battery on 26th July 1915. The brigade subsequently entered the French theatre of war on 29th August 1915.

    For most of the war Alf continued to serve as a Driver but he was subsequently mustered as Gunner with effect from 16th March 1918. After the Armistice Alf remained with 'B' Battery until 19th April 1919, when he was posted to the 24th DAC (Division Ammunition Column). He finally returned to England via Boulogne on 13th June 1919. Two days later he was officially demobilised at Crystal Palace.

    Simon Mills




    212930

    L/Cpl. Arthur Alexander Hodgson Middlesex Regiment (d.8th June 1917)

    Arthur Alexander Hodgson was born in 1894 in Hampstead, London, the son of Alma Alexander and Ellen Theresa Hodgson. Prior to joining the army he worked as an outdoor porter but he signed his Attestation Papers on 3rd October 1911 and enlisted at Mill Hill. He was first assigned to the Royal West Kent Regiment, but the following day he was transferred to the Middlesex Regiment.

    Up until November 1914 Arthur served in the 4th and 3rd Battalions (in that order), during which time he saw service at Devonport and in Cawnpore (India). He was invalided home in November 1914 but in May 1915 he was posted to the 6th Battalion, entering the French theatre on 1st June 1915. He remained there for only sixteen days before being returned to the UK as permanently unfit for the front. Back in the UK he served in the 3rd and 6th Battalions but on 9th August 1916 he was once again approved for foreign military service and posted to the 13th Battalion in France.

    Arthur's service record states that he was wounded in action (above the thigh) on 30th September 1916. On 25th April 1917 he was made Lance Corporal (unpaid) before being confirmed in the rank on 9th May 1917. The precise location where Arthur was killed is not stated on his service record, but the War Diary for the 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment details the events leading up to his death:

    7th June 1917 The assembly trenches were reached about 2.0 a.m. At 3.10 a.m. the 41st Divn went over the top & captured the Red Line (1st objective) the same time several large mines were exploded. The intense bombardment lasted all the morning & during that time the Blue (Damm Strasse) & Black Lines (2nd & 3rd objectives) were taken by the 41st Divn. 11.30 a.m. The 13th Middx. Regt. Moved forward to Eclus Trench & Old French Trench. 1.30 p.m. The Bn. moved forward to the Black Line (present front line & jumping off line for 73rd Bde.) Within a few minutes of arrival the Bn. went over the top (3.10 p.m.) under an excellent barrage.

    Dispositions: - Right front COY B under Capt. R.S.Dove, Left front COY A under Capt. F.J. Stratten, Right support COY D under 2/Lt. Dawkins Left support COY C under Lt. Roberts. Moppers-up were commanded by 2/Lt. C.W. Wallsi (D Coy) & 2/Lt. R.W. Phillips (B Coy)

    Our objective was known as the Green Line. It extended from the front edge of Ravine Wood on the right, via Olive Trench, to the Hollbeke Road on the left. The objective was gained without much difficulty, the Coy on the right consolidating well in front of Ravine Wood & Verhaest Farm. Owing to the Division on our left not coming forward with us, ‘A’ Coy was left with their flank in the air and had to perform a difficult movement to protect themselves. They were therefore unable to consolidate the left half of Olive Trench. ‘C’ Coy (Left Support Coy) had to be called on to assist ‘A’ Coy (Left Front) to form a defensive flank. During the first day the enemy’s artillery was erratic & the Bn. suffered more from lack of water than from anything else. During the attack about 100 unwounded & 20 wounded were captured, mostly in the Ravine – also 5 machine guns, 1 trench mortar & a large quantity of material. The prisoners included 2 officers.

    8th June 1917: Quiet in the morning. Patrols on right Coy front found no sign of enemy – on left Olive Trench was found to be held by enemy. Shelling in afternoon. Heavy reciprocal fire by both artilleries from 7 p.m. to 9. p.m.

    Arthur Alexander Hodgson has no known grave and is recorded on the Menin Gate, panels 49-51.

    Arthur's elder brother, Pte. Nathaniel Pearce Hodgson (L/10215), was also killed while serving with the 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, near St. Eloi on 15th February 1915.

    Simon Mills




    212926

    Dvr. Samuel Edmonds 58th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My paternal grandfather Sam Edmonds joined the British Army in Dublin in 1915, was trained at Woolwich in the Royal Horse Artillery and was shipped to France in 1916. Not sure when he changed to Royal Field Artillery but he survived and was demobbed in March 1919. His discharge papers spell his name incorrectly as Edmunds.

    Victor Edmonds




    212924

    Pte. William A. Barrs 1/22nd Btn. London Regiment

    William Barrs was my great grandfather. He volunteered in August 1914 and landed in France in March 1915 when the 22nd battalion first landed at Le Havre. He fought through the war including at St Eloi, Hill 60, Ypres, Festubert, Loos, Vimy Ridge, the Somme, Arras, Messines and Cambrai. He was gassed and wounded in action. He was demobilised in January 1919.

    Alex Padfield




    212923

    2nd Lt. Joseph Ernest Troughton MC 10th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment

    Joseph Troughton is amongst the Newmarket lads I am researching. I am trying to find his grave. Joseph died of his wounds at Mundesley Sanitorium on 9th August 1922 too late for inclusion in CWGC records. He received his injuries at Messines as recorded by his old school, Framlingham.

    Tony Pringle




    212922

    Pte. George Graham 9th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My Grandfather, George Graham served as a stretecherbearer at the Somme, he was from the Shankill area of Belfast. He never spoke much about his experiences, so we have very little knowledge of what he went through.

    Jane Jones




    212920

    Sjt. Wiliam Reginald Dewar MM. 235th Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    William Dewar served with the RFA, 235 Battery, he was recommended for a bar to his Military Medal on the 14th of August 1917. How do I find the original medal citation?

    Rae




    212917

    Pte. Colin Thomas Findlay 38th Btn.

    Colin Findlay was wounded twice; GSW to the shoulder and then a shrapnel wound to the head. He returned to Australia.

    Verelle Walters




    212916

    Pte. James Brown 10th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.5th Aug 1917)

    James was eldest son of James and Jeannie Brown of Belfast. He joined the 10th Battalion in 1914 and shipped to France in October 1915. His father died in 1913 and Jeannie died in early 1917. James himself was killed near Wieltje by a German shell whilst assisting to move casualties from the front line. He was survived by three brothers.

    David Greenaway




    212915

    Thomas Kilwick Claxton 250th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers. (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Thomas Kilwick is buried at Etaples.

    JC Bearn




    212913

    Pte. Reginald Howard Hills 10th Bn. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.8th June 1917)

    Reginald Hills is my Grandfather, who I only recently discovered whilst researching my family tree. From what I have found out he died of wounds received and was treated at the ADS in Proven near Popperingen before being buried at Mendinghem Cemetary.

    Kim Hills




    212912

    Pte. Richard Parker Longstaff 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My grand father, Richard Longstaff served with the Wearside Pals from 11th of Dec 1915 until being wounded at Passchendaele. He was discharged from the regiment on 17th Sep 1917 at the age of 24 years and 10 months.

    Richard Longstaff




    212911

    CSM. Alex Bessant 6th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.25th Oct 1917)

    Alex Bessant joined the colours in August 1914 but during a accident during his training when he was hit by a maxim gun he was delayed from going to the front. He went to the Dardenelles in 1915 and he and his captain were the last men to leave the Dardenelles. While there he was wounded for a second time with shrapnel in the arm. He was sent to Egypt where he went into hospital. Bessant received a third wound while on duty on the Suez canal and when he recovered he was sent to France and took part in the Big Push. In October 1916 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major and a year later he was wounded for a fourth time, this time seriously in the thigh, where the limb was fractured. He succumbed to his wounds and died on the 25th October 1917.

    Alex was the son of Frederick & Eleanor Lavinia Bessant, of 92, Olympia Cottages, Barlby Rd., Selby, Yorkshire. Brother to Clara, George, Horace Henry, Hugh, Freda Bessant & Charlotte Beasant Bales. Born in Runcorn, Cheshire. Native of St. George's, Somerset.

    R. Barker




    212910

    A/Capt. Walter Hammond MC and Bar. 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Walter Hammond's Military Cross citation dated 9th Jan 1918 reads: T./2nd Lt. Walter Hammond, attd. Midd'x - For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led a raiding party with great coolness and dash against enemy concrete dug-outs which were strongly garrisoned. He shot the Serjeant-Major in charge of the garrison, and by his fine leadership compelled a number of the enemy to surrender. He then returned to his trench under heavy machine gun fire, taking nineteen prisoners with him. The war diary of the 1st of January 1918, mentions Hammond leading a raid which captured 19 prisoners.

    On the 18th of Feb 1918 he was awarded a Bar to the MC, the citation reads: 2nd Lt. (A./Capt.) Walter Hammond, M.C., Midd'x R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When in command of a large raiding party he carried out a successful operation, and brought his party back with three prisoners and only a few minor casualties, despite heavy shell and rifle fire. Previously to the raid he had been of the greatest assistance to his commanding officer both in; making preparations, reconnaissance, and in training the men for the operation. His skill and gallant leadership throughout were most marked.

    He was discharged on the 25th of Oct 1919 at the completion of his service. Walter had enlisted with the 21st Btn, KRRC and was commissioned on the 29th of May 1917. The War Diary of the 23rd Bn Middlesex Regt for the 25th of Mar 1918 lists him as being wounded, the same day as Walter Tull, the first black officer in the British Army, was killed, he served in the same unit.

    Ray Thomson




    212909

    Pte. Joseph Gordon Wright 10th Australian Machine Gun Coy (d.11th Oct 1918)

    My great Uncle Joseph Gordon Wright served with the 10th Machine Gun Company AIF. He died of gun shot wound to the head, he was injured on 29/9/1918 and died of his wounds on 11/10/1918.

    Jenny Clark




    212906

    Capt. Amos Clarkson MC, MID. 8th Battalion (Leeds Rifles) Prince of Wales's Own West Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th Oct 1918)

    Amos Clarkson was born in Silsden, his parents were John & Hannah Clarkson they relocated and resided at Elmcliffe in Ilkley. Amos was educated at Ilkley Grammar school and then worked for Francis Willey & co in Bradford where he was expected to carve out a successful business career. He enlisted in the West Riding Regiment in the early days of the war in September 1914 and gained rapid promotion where he attained the rank of quatermaster-sergeant. He was then recommended for a commission and was gazetted Second Lieutenant in the West Yorkshires. He was named in Sir Douglas Haig's new years honours list and received the military cross for his gallantry in action during Messines ridge engagement. Soon after he became full lieutenant then after a short stint as acting captain was promoted to that rank. Amos was wounded in the thigh by shrapnel on 20th September 1917 and was returned to Cambridge hospital to receive treatment. After returning to the front line he was wounded once again and died from his injuries in France on the 24th of October 1918 at the age of 23 he was interred at the Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny.

    Nick Stoker




    212905

    Pte. Albert Edward Wakelin 9th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

    Grandad Bert Wakelin was called up on the 20th of January 1916 and was posted to Rugeley camp. He arrived in France in June and was at Ovillers Boiselle on the 1st of July 1916. He was wounded at Messines on 7 June 1917 was was sent back to England to the Red Cross hospital at Saffron Walden. By the time he was sent back to France the 9th had left for Italy and he was placed with the 2/4th Battalion Y & L. He spent some time in Germany at Cologne and was discharged in 1919/20. After the war he returned to work with the Midland Railway Company in Sheffield as a clerk where he stayed until retirement.

    Peter Dudill




    212897

    Pte. James Degnan 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.4th Nov 1918)

    My earliest childhood memories are of a photograph of my grandma's brother James who died on the day peace was declared. I know he came home on leave with injuries to his right hand and was deemed fit for service as his trigger finger was still OK. James`s family spoke often of this leave and the heartbreak for his mother when he had to return to active duty. They were never to see him again. His many brothers and sisters spoke of him often and remembered him for the rest of their lives.

    I am now almost 60 years old and place a wreath on my grandma's grave for him. We have his photo and his medal. Like his brothers and sisters, I will never forget him. James was never found but he is memeorialised at Vis en Artois, Pas de Calais.

    Susan Dymond




    212895

    Pte. George Willis 7th Btn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.6th Oct 1915)

    George Willis of the 7th Bn Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry died 6th October 1915 age 26. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Marilyn Hammond




    212894

    Lt. Godfrey Lyall Miller 11th Field Coy Royal Engineers (d.14th Sep 1914)

    Lieutenant Godfrey Lyall Miller was killed in action at Port Arcy. He left a diary later published privately detailing his military service from the start of the war.

    Peter Bishop




    212893

    Albert Phillips MM. 64th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandfather Albert Phillips was in the 64th Brigade RFA and won the Military Medal on the 5th August 1917. According to the war diary they were near Zillebekke near Ypres from the beginning of August, but I am not sure for how long.

    John Hele




    212892

    Pte. Herbert Arnold Bleakledge 1/4th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.16th Jun 1915)

    Herbert Arnold Bleakledge 1469 was killed at the side of my Dad, Thomas Mc Clelland 1452 Loyal North Lancs on the 16th of June 1915 at Festubert. My Dad crawled out under sniper fire after the Battle to see if Arnold was still alive but he had been killed instantly. My dad got Arnold's gold watch and after the war gave it to Arnold's mother. My uncle, who I never met was also along side Arnold when he was killed and this haunted him all his life because they were all close pals.

    Dennis Godsmark




    212891

    Cpl. Robert Eccles 9th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Our great grandfather was killed on the 11th of April 1918. His name was Corporal Robert Eccles of the Loyal Lancs Regiment 9th battalion. He is honoured on the Ploegsteert memorial in Belgium

    Karen Clayton




    212890

    Albert Exley 18th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment

    My Great Grandfather, Albert Exley, participated in a night attack on the 29th June 1916, and received a hand written commendation letter from his Commanding Officer

    Nick Exley




    212889

    Pte. Frederick Ernest Bruce 34th Btn. (d.8th May 1918)

    Frederick Bruce of 34th battalion AIF D.coy was out on patrol at 10.00 pm on the 8th May 1918, looking for two lost patrols at Morlancourt when they came in contact with a German machine gun post. Fred was killed by a burst of machine gun fire.

    Fred's brother George James Bruce 2937 was also in the same battalion, George was returned to Australia 17.11.1917 suffering from a gastric ulcer.

    Ken Bruce




    212888

    James Stewart Corney 297th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    On the 7th of August 1917, 297th Siege Battery of the RGA suffered casualties, including 5 dead: Briggs,R; Messenger,AD; Plastts,H; Taunton,PCJ; Taylor,AE and at least one seriously wounded by shrapnel, being my Grandfather James Stewart Corney, who was repatriated on the 8th August 1917. I believe this was at Ypres, but don't know for sure.

    Jeremy Corney




    212887

    Cpl. James Houston MM 42nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Grandfather, James Houston, was awarded Military Medal in the first Battle of the Somme, he served with 42nd Siege Battery on the 9.2 inch Howitzer.

    John van-Vegchel




    212886

    Pte. Arnold Evans 4th Btn. Coldstream Guards

    Arnold Evans of the 4th Coldstream Guards, short service Attestation 26th November 1915 at Manchester, was my grandfather

    M C Mason




    212885

    Pte. John Meeke Irish Brigade

    At the Battle of Messines in June 1917, John Meeke was a stretcher bearer with the Irish Brigade was on the left of the Ulster Division. During the attack the intensity of the British shelling meant that it was impossible to see more than a few yards. In the confusion, Private Meeke saw that Major Willie Redmond of the Irish Brigade was wounded. Willie Redmond was a politician with strong Irish Republican views, Meeke was a member of the original Ulster Volunteer Force, at home in Ireland this would probably have left them less than friends. However, on the battlefield loyalties were different. Using the shell craters as shelter, John Meeke ran across the battlefield towards the injured officer. As he treated Major Redmond, Private Meeke was also wounded by shrapnel, but he carried on, making sure the Major was taken back to the dressing station. Disobeying orders, Meeke then continued tending to the other wounded until he was forced to stop and go to the dressing station himself. Major Redmond died of his wounds, but John Meeke survived the war, although he died quite young in December 1923, aged 28.





    212884

    Lt. Guiseppe "Joseph" Melandri MBE

    <p>

    My Grand Father, Guiseppe Melandri, also known as Joseph Melandre, served as a Lieutenant in the RNVR during the First World War. His eldest two sons also served, both in the 11 Bn Welsh Regiment, although my father was only 12 when that war broke out.

    Guiseppe was honoured with an MBE shortly after the war when he was tasked with getting the coal shipping industry back into production. Before the war he owned several coal ships but at war's end he was left with nothing. He worked hard to get coal production and the delivery of coal back to normal and he suffered a stroke which left him severely paralysed. For such a dynamic and forceful man this was devastating and he never recovered. He is fondly remembered as a strong family personality who loved his family and respected as a leader by the families of those who worked with him.

    David Melandri




    212883

    Cpl. Leonard Melandri 11 Battalion, B Coy, 5 Pl. Welsh Regiment

    <p>

    Uncle Leonard enlisted with his brother Vincent. They served in Greece, France and Belgium. Leonard was severely wounded in the leg and received a disability pension after the war. I remember that he said his wound was packed with sulphur and strapped up so he could still keep fighting. He was unable to bend his leg for as long as we knew him. He married Clarice after the war but they were never able to have any children perhaps that is why they spoiled my brother and I as children.

    David Melandri




    212882

    Pte. Vincent Melandri 11th Battalion, B Coy, 5 Pl. Welsh Regiment

    <p>

    My Uncle Vincent Melandri enlisted with his brother Leonard. Although wounded in the head Vincent stayed with his unit as long as he could. He served the entire War being demobbed in 1919. He worked as an electrical linesman after the war and sadly he never married and kept to himself. He visited us in London on at least three occasions and was a lovely man.

    David Melandri




    212878

    Pte. John Henry Corkish 11th Btn. Kings Own Lancaster Regiment

    In St Peter’s, Ireleth are the graves of two brothers, William and John Corkish, both of whom died during the Great War. The Barrow Guardian, of Saturday 13 July 1918, recorded their funeral thus:

    "About a fortnight ago we chronicled the circumstances of the death and funeral of a discharged soldier, William Edward Corkish (23), eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Corkish, 64, Duke-street, Askam, the remains being accorded a military burial. To-day it is our sad duty to report the death and funeral of Pte. John Henry Corkish (22), the second son, who passed away in the Military Hosptial, Cambridge-street, Barrow, on Friday. The soldier was in the 11th King's Own Lancaster Regt., and joined up at the beginning of the war."

    It's difficult now to imagine the funeral. A firing party was furnished by "the Askam Detachment of Volunteers" and the Last Post was sounded by Bugler McBurnie of Barrow. A large group of mourners attended.

    Janice Cumming




    212874

    Pte. Thomas Ballantyne 1/5th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.25th Apr 1916)

    <p>

    Thomas Ballantyne was the son of a slater, Andrew Ballantyne, and the youngest of his two sons. The 1st/5th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers was a territorial unit based in Ayr and Thomas sailed with his comrades for Gallipoli on the 21st May 1915 where he fought in the battles of Gulley Ravine, Achi BabaNullah and Krithia Nullahs, in one of the bloodiest campaigns ever known. Thomas survived, unlike many others, and was evacuated to Abbassia, near Cairo on 7th and 8th January 1916. By April, Thomas had moved to defending the Suez Canal and was posted to an oasis at Dueidar where his battalion repelled the advancing Turks. Sadly Thomas was one of the wounded and died shortly after on 25th April 1916, aged 22. He is buried in the war cemetery in Port Said, Egypt.





    212873

    Pte. John Henry Iveson 1/6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    My grandfather, John Iveson (Private 242750), was 22 years old when he enlisted on 9th Nov 1915. Sometime during his service in France he was shot through the knee and his pay book (which we still have) and was taken prisoner by the Germans (trying to locate where). He returned home after the war.

    Stephen Iveson




    212872

    Pte. Thomas James Ridden 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    Thomas James Ridden was my great grandfather. I never met him as he died 4 years before I was born. He entered the theatre of war 20th April 1915 after enlisting with the Northern Cyclist Battalion on 30th June 1908. He was a miner for the Priestman Coal Company in civilian life.

    He was awarded the Silver War Badge under AO no 11 of 10/8/1917 (from the records). This has lead me to believe he saw service on the Western Front. I believe he was gassed and pensioned out as a result of this service. He was Discharged from 8th Battalion DLI on 4th April 1918.

    Claire Forster




    212871

    Pte. Herbert Boyd 16th Battalion Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    On 26th March 1915, Herbert Boyd attested and was posted to the 16th Battalion, he served through out the Great War as follows:
  • 30 August 1915, posted to the 25th Reserve Battalion
  • 23 December 1915 Disembarked in France
  • 6 July 1916 Admitted to the Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington.
  • 29 July 1916 granted convalescent leave to 7 August 1916. Spent this leave at 24 Queens Street, Broughton.
  • 1 September 1916 posted to 69th Training Battalion.
  • 19 September 1917 returned to France
  • 24 September 1917 posted to 21st Battalion
  • 19 January 1919 Sent to Italy (21st Battalion) Home address: 24 Ellor Street, Salford.
  • 28 February 1919 Posted to the Depot.
  • 4 June 1919 Posted to the 2nd Battalion
  • 23 June 1919 Appointed Lance Corporal paid.
  • January 1920 Appointed Acting Corporal
  • 21 January 1920 posted to 1st Battalion as Acting Corporal
  • 11 February 1920 Discharged as no longer fit for further service.
  • 23 April 1920 Awarded a King's Certificate (No.63/3438)





  • 212866

    Gnr. Charles Frederick G. Peacock 200th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.27th May 1918)

    Just yesterday I learned that Charles Frederick G. Peacock died in the War. I was earlier aware of his enlistment but not of his death. He was a first cousin of my grandmother Harriet. They were both born in Forest Hill, Kent. Charles married in 1918 to a May Mundy, possibly when home on leave. His parents were: Frederick George Peacock 1867-1948, mother Elizabeth Mary nee Drinkwater 1869-1944. My grandmother emigrated to Canada in 1906, and it is possible she never knew of Charles' death in 1918.

    Beryl R Meehan




    212865

    Pte. Ernest McLeod 1/5 Sutherland & Caithness Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.4th Nov 1918 )

    Ernest McLeod was the adopted son of my grandparents and volunteered for army service when war broke out. He was said to be 21 years old at the time. He served in Belgium and France and was said by the family to have been injured on four occasions, being repatriated to the UK on each occasion and returned to his unit after the first three but, unfortunately, died in Cromarty Military Hospital on the fourth occasion, it then being November 4th 1918.

    He was to have been given a military funeral in Cromarty but my grandparents wanted him back home. They therefore travelled to Cromarty, claimed his body and had it trained back to Bolton. He is buried in the family grave at Christ Church Harwood, the funeral being attended by a Sergeant Major from his regiment who draped the coffin with a regimental flag. The coffin was lowered into the grave at 11:00 am and the sound of church bells could be heard from far and near as the armistice was declared.

    I have to date been unable to trace any details of his birth or natural parentage or his war record which, I fear, may have been amongst those destroyed in the London Blitz. I will of course keep searching, he will be remembered.

    Joseph Crook




    212855

    Cpl. Frank Cecil Gardiner 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.28th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Frank Gardiner was my wife's grandfather who never got to see his son. He was the son of James and Laura Gardiner of Wickham Hall, Bishops Stortford, Herts; husband of Mabel Gardiner, of 20, Holmwood Grove, Harrowgate Hill, Darlington.

    He served with the 2nd Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment and was killed age 22 on 28 March 1918, remembered with honour on the Pozieres Memorial, Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

    My records show that Frank was born in Harleston, Norfolk but lived in Middleton St George in Durham when he enlisted, which he did from Bedford. His service number is one that was changed in March 1917 from a 4 digit one to a 6 digit one. Originally, it would have been around 3200, which makes it issued in April 1914, suggesting he was a Territorial Army soldier before the war broke out. Normally, I expect to see chaps like him in the 5th Battalion, landing on Gallipoli in August 1915, etc. In his case, though he seems to have been trained in that battalion, but been held back. Why I cannot say for sure as it could have been down to several factors. Does not appear to have been his age so have to assume it was something else? He still had his Territorial Army number when he fell, which tells me he was not in the 2nd Btn for long, otherwise his number would have been changed. That seems to fit in with his marriage too; so Mabel was only married 6 months before becoming a widow? How horrible! I think the 3rd/5th Btn were up Durham way training & guarding the coastline but there is so little recorded about them I have no definite dates etc. Just articles from newspapers telling of letters home from that part of the country.

    When he went abroad into the 2nd Btn he spent a week from 21/3/1918 until his death in a horrific battle. On the opening day of battle they were in the 2nd lines behind a Btn of Manchesters who were wiped out during an incredible stand to the last during which their CO won a VC. The 2nd Btn got hit hard & repeatedly but only retired when it transpired the Germans were behind them and on both open flanks as the Btns all around them had been forced back. They spent a week fighting hard, constantly retiring at the last moment when capture was imminent, then turning round again and stopping the attacking Germans in their tracks before repeating the retirement. Their battle started near St Quentin and after 4 days of constant fighting and marching, they found themselves many miles further back lining the Canal du Nord, with their lines straddling the Biverchy Bridge, as the remnants of the British Fifth Army passed through them.

    By the morning of the 25th March the Germans massed for another attack on the opposite side of the Canal du Nord, where the 90th Brigade held the line. Heavy shelling from both British and German artillery preceded the attack, causing many casualties. Despite their best attempts and sustaining serious levels of casualties, the Germans could not break the will of the British defenders, many of whom had been in continuous fighting since the 21st. However, at 5pm, the French to the south fell back, forcing a domino effect on the British lines and at 6pm, the Battalion were ordered to withdraw once again.

    By route marches and bus rides, the Bedfords were transported some 25km due west to Arvillers, where they billeted for the night – the first night they had spent under cover since the 20th. Following Gough’s famous order that the “Fifth Army must hold at all costs”, they did just that and stemmed the German advance again. The Bedford’s spent the 26th and 27th holding the enemy back around Le Quesnoy (6km north west of Roye) with great success, as the remnants of the Fifth Army stood fast. The Third Army to the north and French Army to the south fell back some six miles, yet the Fifth held. The 26th was a quiet day and that night patrols were sent towards the German lines. They ran into nothing until just outside the village of Le Quesnoy itself and the front line listened to German artillery rolling into and through the village all night. The following morning saw the artillery open up along their frontage and several infantry assaults were brought to a bloody halt before they came close to the British lines. Noon on the 27th saw the Germans get through to the south of the battalion on the right of the Bedfords, forcing them to withdraw to a new line along the Arviller-Folies road, 4km west, and once they had dug into their new positions they laid low. Other than heavy shelling which further reduced the size of the battalion, no more infantry attacks developed that day.

    That night the planned French relief did not happen and no food or rations were brought up, but they were used to that by now, having survived on very little for the last week. So, they settled down for what turned out to be a quiet night out under the stars once more. The following morning (the 28th) saw them repel yet another determined attack that took the Germans to within 100 yards of their positions but no nearer. However, the enemy had got into the villages on both flanks (Arvillers and Folie) and by 2.30pm, they were ordered to withdraw under heavy Machine Gun and shell fire, 9km along the Amiens road to Mezieres, where they were finally fed. From this point, the 2nd Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment were moved into reserve (battalion Shot Cup winner)

    AA Midcalf




    212834

    Frederick James Bollands 16th Battalion Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Frederick James Bollands was my Great Great Uncle in 1916, aged 40, he served in France, with the 16th Battalion Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment. Service number 2166.

    Paul Bollands




    212831

    James William Walker Royal Marines

    <p>

    James William Walkerwas born abt 1880 in Sheffield, Yorkshire. In 1881 he was living at Brightside Bierlow, Yorkshire. James was Royal Marine # 9426 of the Royal Navy. He survived the war and died at Sheffield in 1960. He was the older brother of John Walker& cousin of James Walker.

    Paul Bollands




    212830

    Gnr. James Walker 115th Artillery Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>James Walker is standing 2nd left

    James Walker was my grandfather's John Walker cousin. James was a Gunner with the Royal Field Artillery. D Sub-(section), "B" Battery, 115th (Artillery Brigade) He was born in Attercliffe, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

    Paul Bollands




    212829

    Pte. Charles Henry Walker 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My great uncle Charles Henry Walker enlisted in Middlesbrough on the 26th August 1914 as Private 11228, 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. He arrived in France on the 12th of July 1915, was wounded on the 27th of October 1915 and again on the 11th of July 1916. He transferred to the Labour Corps (397879).

    Paul Bollands




    212828

    Pte. John Walker 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Grand father John Walker enlisted on the 2nd of Sep 1914 aged 29 as 13203 Yorkshire Regiment. He joined the 8th (Service) Battalion which was fFormed at Richmond on 22 September 1914 as part of K3 and in October attached to 69th Brigade, 23rd Division. They moved to Frensham and in February 1915 went on to Folkestone and Maidstone in Kent. they Landed at Boulogne on the 26th August 1915 The 8th Battalion saw action on the Western Front, including the Battle of Messines in June 1917. John returned home in 1918.

    Paul Bollands




    212827

    Pte. Walter Bollands 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Walter Bollands of Middlesbrough, enlisted on 14/09/1915, age 16 years & 9 months. He was posted to the 3/5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment was a Depot/training units formed in Northallerton and Scarborough, April and March 1915, transferred 08/02/1916 to 5th Yorkshire regiment.

    He went to France, Embarking from Southampton with 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment to Rouen. On the 1st of Aug 1916 Aged 17, he saw action on the Somme in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette with the 5th Bat Yorkshire Reg. Between the 7th and 17th August 1916 the 5th Battalion moved from Kemmel to Millencourt, a village just West of Albert in the Somme. On the 11 Aug 1916, Walter joined 150th Machine Gun Corps Frances 50th (Northumbrian) Division, 150th (York & Durham) Brigade and was in action on the 16th Sep 1916 on the Somme in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette (15th-22nd September) The following day, 17 Sep 1916 he recievd a Gun shot wound to the back, and was sent to Le Treport on the French coast which was the site for some significant hospital provision.

    In the 1 Oct 1916 issue of the Green Howard Gazette, Walter is amongst those listed in Sept - Oct 1916. On the 5th Oct 1916 he was admitted to the Scottish National Red Cross Hospital, Cardonald, Glasgow. But on the 6 Oct 1916 there is a AFW 3016 Army form authorising a wounded man to return to duty and he was posted to 87 Territorial Forces Depot.

    On the 16th of Nov 1916 He joined the Highland Light Infantry 2/5th (City of Glasgow) Battalion who were at Danbury, going on to the Curragh in January 1917, Dublin in August, and back to the Curragh in November 1917. On the 20th of Feb 1918 Walter was posted to 14th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (120th Brigade 40th Division) (202902) in France. On the 1st of Mar 1918 The battalion moved into the front line at Fleurbaix relieving 2/10th K.O.L.R.

    On the 9th of Apr 1918, then aged 19, Walter;s Service record shows him as reported missing. Walter Bollands was taken Prisoner of War after the Battle of the Lys, when the Portugeuse line collapsed and was taken to a German POW camp April 1918.

    Paul Bollands




    212826

    Spr. James Walter Morris 257 Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.8th Aug 1916)

    Sapper James Morris was a miner at the Sirhowy Pit when he enlisted with the Royal Engineers and was posted to Flanders with 257 Tunnelling Co. He was killed on 8th August 1916 by a sniper. I have 4 trench letters, witness statement by Commanding officer Capt Stanley La mare, Padre's letter and War office notification. James was 43 and the father of 6 children. His widow and family were forced to leave their miner's cottage and return to Brecon Mid Wales where they had met and married. James had previously served with the South Wales Borderere for 12 years, 6yrs abroad.

    I have given several talks on James in Brecon and Devon but I need a photograph and more details of his unit and their service. Can anyone help about 257 TC please?

    Tony Simpson




    212824

    Pte. Stewart Hughes 1/5 Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.14th Sep 1915)

    Stewart Hughes worked as an Apprentice at the Foyle Shipyard in Londonderry. He ran away to Glasgow and enlisted into The 1/5 Battalion Princes Louise's Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. He enlisted under the name David Rafferty No. 2618. (His sister Jane was married to a man named Thomas Rafferty so he took that surname, and used her as his next of Kin)

    On 14/09/1915 he died of enteric fever in Egypt -he was interred in Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery. Name inscribed on St Columb's Cathedral (Church of Ireland) Memorial to the men connected with that cathedral who died during the 1914-18 War, and on St Augustine's Church (Church of Ireland), Londonderry, First World War Memorial. Name also commemorated on the Diamond War Memorial. was read out at a memorial service held, in St Columb's (Church of Ireland) Cathedral, Londonderry, on Sunday, July 30, 1916, to pay homage to the memory of the men of the city of Derry, who had died, or were presumed dead, during the second year of the First World War.

    He was the son of Stewart Hughes (railway engine driver, born County Donegal circa 1860/61), 25, Barry Street, Londonderry, and Sarah (daughter of George McIntyre, born Glasgow, Scotland, circa 1859/60). His brother of George A.Hughes (born 1885/86); who also died during the First World War

    B Hughes




    212821

    Pte. Robert Macfarlane 12th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My grandfather, Robert Macfarlane, was a miner in Tarbolton, Ayrshire. He may have been in the Territorial Forces prior to World War 1. He was in Egypt and in the Palestine Campaign and then the 12th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers who were part of the 31st Division, 94th Infantry Brigade who served in France until the end of the war.

    Neil Thomas Black




    212819

    Pte. William Alexander Donald 7th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.15th Sep 1916)

    William Alexander Donald born 1886, was working as a footman before joining the KRRC in August 1914, he went out to France in May 1915, he was Cpt Morice St Aubyn's Batman.

    The following is an extract from a newspaper cutting which his sister kept in between the pages of her diary: "Mr. & Mrs Donald have been informed that their son, Rifleman William Donald, has been posted as wounded and missing after an engagement on the 15th ult. William enlisted at the outbreak of war and went to France the following March. Captain St Aubyn, who was wounded at the same time, writes as follows to Mrs. Donald "I am afraid that there is now no alternative but to presume that your son was killed in action on September the 15th, he was my servant for over a year, he was always cheerful even when things were most uncomfortable, when I was wounded he assisted me back to the nearest trench, which was a few hundred yards distant. We crossed the open ground all right and were within a few yards of the trench when he was hit by a bullet, which went through his back, it must have pierced his lung. Regular medical parties come up as soon as possible after a position has been captured, and had he been alive when they arrived they would have brought him in."

    Patricia Evans




    212810

    Florence Jane Beeden Newstead Abbey

    My nan, Florence Beeden, was stationed at Newstead Abbey as part of the Woman's Land Army. She was quite short but had no fear of riding the shire horses used on the land. She smoked at the time but having taught the other ladies to smoke, then gave up herself! I believe she was given an item from the house when she left, a music box I think which my mother now has along with a book on the abbey. While stationed there she met my Grandad, Percy Beeching who was in training despite having his arm in a sling having recently lost a finger in a threshing machine. Thankfully he never got to France as the war ended before his training was completed I think.

    Amanda Coney




    212809

    Lt. William Trafford Newton 1/6th Btn. B Company North Staffordshire (d.1st July 1916)

    My great great uncle, Lt William Newton, served with 1/6th North Staffs in World War 1. He got trench fever, and stayed with his regiment, going to Egypt at christmas 1915-Jan 1916. He went on leave at end of May/start June and returned to England. and returned to France at the end of June 1916, a week before the Somme offensive. He died on the first day of the Somme, at Gommecourt Wood. He made it to the German trenches but was killed as soon as he entered the trench. As the British didn't take the German trenches until Feb 1917, WT Newtons body wasn't recovered until then.

    My great grandfather, Major Leigh Newton, (brother of WT Newton) was awarded the DSO for bravery. He was in the Battle of Loos, stuck in a water-logged German trench all day from early morning until that night when he was able to crawl back under cover of darkness. He was injured at Gommecourt (part of Somme Offensive) but his war carried on until July 1917 on the eve of Paschandaelle when he was hit by multiple gun shots in both legs and thighs, breaking his right femur. Their cousin Lt Ben Newton lost an arm lost his arm at Loos in Oct 1915, but he stayed on working as an adjutant at General Office. All 3 had worked together at the family Gypsum mine and Plaster Mill at Tutbury near Burton, and many of their workers joined up aswell.

    Two colleagues Capt J M Stack and Lt A Evershed also died at Gommecourt, had played Rugby for Burton Football Club in 1914, alongside the Newtons.





    212808

    Sapper Percy Thomas Atkins Royal Engineers

    The youngest of four brothers who served in the war, Percy Thomas Atkins was only 17 when he arrived in France in June 1915 as a Royal Engineers sapper - I don't know much about him or his service, but he must have misled the recruiting board to get overseas at that age! Of Percy's three brothers two were pre-War regular soldiers and one a Territorial so perhaps he just thought he didn't want to be left out? Unlike Herbert and William, who were killed, and John, who was made POW, Percy survived the war; he went on to have a family, and lived in Barnet.

    Pat Atkins




    212807

    2nd Cpl. John Charles Atkins 5th Divisional Signals Company Royal Engineers

    A Londoner, my grandfather, John Charles Atkins joined the South Lancashire Regiment in 1906, transferring to the Royal Engineers in 1913. He was a member of 5th Divisional Signals Company, and went to France with the Division in August 1914 - part of the famous "Contemptible Little Army" of the BEF. After the retreat from Mons, he took part in the Battle of Le Cateau on 26th August where he was taken prisoner in the fierce fighting which stemmed the German advance. His only mention of the btn.'s later years was to say he was captured by Uhlans, the German lancers. Two of his younger brothers, William and Herbert, were killed in May 1915; his youngest brother Percy joined the Royal Engineers and survived the war.

    John also survived the war but was a POW until repatriation in 1918, when he returned to the Royal Engineers and later the Royal Corps of Signals. At the end of his period of service in 1927 he settled in Brighton, Sussex, having reached the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant. In 1939 he was recalled to the colours to train mobilised troops for the Second World war, being discharged on completion of this role in 1940 as a Company Sergeant Major. Three of his sons fought in this war, one in each of the Services.

    Pat Atkins




    212805

    L/Sgt. William Frederick Atkins 1/23rd Battalion, D Coy. London Regiment (d.26th May 1915)

    William was an off-licence porter and as a Territorial soldier was on manoeuvres at the outbreak of War; he arrived in France in March 1915, serving in the trenches there until the Battle of Givenchy in May that year. In the evening of 25th May his Battalion attacked just north of the hamlet of Givenchy, going over the top with the bayonet, and took and held the German front line. By the time the few survivors of the 23rd Londons were relieved the next afternoon William had been killed in action, probably by either shellfire or machine gun fire.

    He was 20 years old, and died on the same day as his brother Pte 14413 Herbert E K Atkins 2nd Bn Royal Fusiliers who was killed at Gallipoli. William is commemorated on the memorial to the missing at Le Touret in France, having - like his brother - no known grave.





    212803

    Pte. Harry Axson 1/5th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment

    Harry Axson, enlisted in the 1/5th Bn. King's Regiment (Liverpool) on 1st Sept 1914. He arrived in Le Havre on 21st Feb 1915. On the 3rd Jul 1915 he was received by the Field Ambulance and transferred to No 6 Casualty Clearing Station at Merville, France. From there, on 8th Jul 1915, he was transferred to No 5 General (Base) Hospital, at Rouen. On the 11th Jul 1915 he was transferred to England on board HMHS St Andrew from Rouen. After he had a period of hospitalisation in the UK he returned to France, only to be wounded in action, sent back to the lines and then gassed, and eventually casevac'd back to the UK again in 1917 on board the RMT Ville de Liege, a fast evacuation transport ship. Interestingly, by the end of the war when he was demobilised he was classed as A1 physically fit.

    Richard Toy




    212799

    Lt. Robert George Vivian Duff Life Guards (d.16th Oct 1914)

    Sir Robert George Vivian Duff, 2nd Baronet was killed in action in Oostnieuwerke, Belgium and is buried in Cement House Cemetery, Langemark-Poelkapelle, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

    S. Flynn




    212795

    G. E. Wilson SS Elwick Hall

    G. E. Wilson worked for the North Eastern Railways as a Dock Gateman at West Hartlepool, he served as a Gunner onboard the S.S. Elwick Hall and lost his life during the war. He is remembered on the Hartlepool Dock Memorial and the North Eastern Railway Memorial in York.





    212794

    Sjt. Albert Edward Chatfield Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    Albert Edward Chatfield was born in the east end of London on 19 November 1890 to Richard Chatfield and Ellen Landenberger Chatfield. He was the fourth of nine known children, only four surviving to adulthood. The family story is that he left home at 12 or 13 to join the British Navy, giving a false age. By age 14 he had left the British Navy and joined the British Army (falsely) listing his birth year as 1884. Albert was in the British Army, from April 1905 to May 26, 1919. In 1911, Albert was serving in Rawalpindi, India (now Pakistan) with the lst Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Rawalpindi was the headquarters of the British command in India and housed the largest garrison of British soldiers stationed there.

    On 13 August 1914, Albert departed England with his regiment, landing at Le Havre several hours later. The regiment disembarked on the 14th and suffered their first casualties on the 23rd of August. A member of the Machine Gun Corps, Albert was wounded on 09 September 1914 in France at the 1st Battle of the Marne. He was strafed by machine gun fire and was sent to 5th Northern General Hospital in Leicester to recover. In October of 1914 it is believed that he continued his convalescence in the Morpeth area. He subsequently returned to action and was eventually discharged in May of 1919.

    Pursuant to his Discharge papers he was part of the Northumberland Fusiliers, Machine Gun Corps. His army service included service in India, Turkey, and possibly Africa as well as serving in France in WWI. Albert earned the following medals: 1914 Star, British War Medal, British Victory Medal, Croix de Guerre. Regimental Numbers listed on his medal cards include 1170, 17247, and A-442775. In a letter from Staff Sergeant T. Whelton of the RASC dated May 1st, 1920, Constantinople, after Albert's discharge from the military, Staff Sergeant Whelton stated, "Sgt. Chatfield's work with me has been very satisfactory. He is willing, earnest & sober and has considerable experience of shipping."

    Albert immigrated to Canada in July 1921 on the S.S. Vedic. He entered the port of Montreal and from there settled in Toronto. He became a police officer (possibly with the railway police) and eventually met his wife Greeta House in Michigan while investigating a case. They married in 1924, settling in Detroit. They had four children: a son, Nelson Chatfield (Greeta's son from a prior marriage, adopted by Albert), and three daughters, Ellen, Barbara and Dora. Albert played the banjo and mandolin. He was very hard-working, handy and maintained a large garden on family property in Hartland, Michigan. His garden was used to subsidize the family's food rations during WWII. He worked in the auto industry. Greeta died in 1944 and Albert finished raising his family as a single father. Albert died in 1958. At the time of death he was visiting his daughter, Dora Elizabeth Chatfield Leech who resided in Arizona. He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan alongside his beloved wife, Greeta.

    Carol Hermann




    212793

    Cpl. Arthur Smith 1st/10th batallion King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.30th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Smith died at the Battle of Cambrai. The family has his brass death plaque and a photo of him with a dog dressed in his army uniform, showing one strip on his right shoulder. We know no more about him.

    C Marshall




    212792

    Lt. Richard Charles Graves-Sawle 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.2nd Nov 1914)

    Richard Graves-Sawle was killed in action in Belgium. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

    S. Flynn




    212789

    Pte. Edward Dearing 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Ted Dearing signed up at Kingston Upon Thames in February 1915 at the age of 16 years old. Like many he lied about his age as on his service records his birth date is given as 22nd October 1896, this is wrong as he was born in Paddington, London on the 22nd October 1898. His brother Arthur was serving in France with the 8th Royal Fusiliers and Ted wanted to follow. It is known that he served his whole service with the 1st East Surreys and fought at Vimy Ridge and then moved south onto the Somme.

    He was Killed in Action on 3rd September 1916 just before his 18th birthday. Family legend has it that he was heading with his battalion towards Guillemont. He never made his objective and is believed to be resting with the other unknown men of that day in the woodland of Delville Wood.His body has never been found, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. Pier and Face 6 B and 6 C. He is still spoken about most months in our family and is very dearly missed though none of us knew him.

    Daniel Morris




    212771

    Pte. Thomas Robert Broughton 12th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.5th Aug 1916)

    I found out my great great grandfather was Thomas Robert Broughton who served in WW1 as a rifleman for the King's Royal Rifle Corps. He was shot and died in France/Flanders. He was married to Agnes May Wootton and they had two daughters. After he died Agnes remarried. I would love a photo of him I've been searching for 6 months with no luck. I march every year on Anzac Day here in Australia. Next year it will be the first time I march for Thomas as I didn't know about him before.

    L Fisher




    212770

    Pte. Alfred Stephen Drew 19th Btn. London Regiment

    Alfred Drew was my grandad. He was blown up and was buried alive and retrieved to survive. His parents were Minnie & William Thompson of Rhyl Street, Kentish Town, London. His brothers-in-law were also in the war, Sgt. W.L.B. Thompson, 2nd Batt London Regt & Pte Harry Thompson 510916 18th London Regt, Camden.

    I would love to hear from anybody that has any history relating to my grandad.

    Steve Drew




    212762

    Cpl. Thomas Cockhead 8th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Thomas Cockhead was a distant cousin, he has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Haydn E Ebbs




    212755

    Col.Sgt. Benjamin Joyce (d.15th Feb 1915)

    My grandfather, Ben Joyce, lost his life when HMS Clan McNaughton (a 4985 ton passenger cargo vessel, built in 1911 and requisitioned November 1914 from the Clan Line Steamers Ltd, Glasgow) was last heard of on 3rd February 1915. Wreckage was later found in the area and Clan McNaughton was presumed sunk with the 281 strong crew. He was a colour sergeant in the Royal Marines. He was 39 at the time of his death. I know nothing more about the circumstances of his death.

    Barry Joyce




    212752

    George David Howard Fullerton-Carnegie MID,MC. 1st/7th Btn. Black Watch

    George Fullerton-Carnegie was wounded twice, mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Military Cross.

    S. Flynn




    212748

    Rfmn. Frederick John Wiltshire 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Rifleman Frederick John Wiltshire, of the 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade, was killed aged 23 in the Somme, France. He was the brother of Bessie, son of William and Elizabeth Wiltshire. His name is recorded on Thiepval Memorial (Somme) and Claygate War Memorial.

    Known as Freddie by his family. He was one of many who served and did not come back. His death was never forgotten and his sisters and mother would cry if they ever talked about him. It isn’t clear whether Freddie volunteered or was called up. In January 1916 the first Military Service Act was passed. This Act called for the compulsory enlistment of unmarried men between the ages of 18 and 41.





    212744

    Brig. Gawain Basil Rowan-Hamilton MID, MC. 2nd Btn. Black Watch

    Gwaine Rowan-Hamilton was mentioned in despatches and decorated with the award of the Military Cross (M.C.) in 1915. He was decorated with the award of the Companion, Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) in 1917.

    S. Flynn




    212743

    2nd Lt. Basil Hamilton Abdy Fellowes 2nd Btn att 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.22nd March 1917)

    Basil Fellowes died on 22 March 1917 at age 19 at France, from wounds received in action. He is buried at Avesnes le Comte, Arras, France

    S. Flynn




    212733

    Rfmn. Thomas Gildersleve 13th Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) (d.14th Nov 1916)

    Thomas Gildersleve was my maternal uncle, one of four brothers all of whom fought in the Great War. He was born in 1888 and enlisted in Bethnal Green where he lived with his family in Roman Road.

    His Battalion, more commonly now known as "The Green Jackets" landed at Boulogne in France in July 1915. He fought on the Western Front in France and Flanders and was reported of dying of wounds on the 14th November 1916. He was probably then buried close to a field hospital (burial registration no 72205) but because of the subsequent severe fighting that took place over the same area in 1918 the exact location of his grave was lost and is consequently recorded on the Thiepal Memorial (Pier 16B) as having no known grave.

    Bryan Dixon




    212718

    Cpl. Robert Boyd McNeill 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916)

    Robert McNeill was killed on the 1st of July 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier 15 Faces A&B

    Hill McNeill Reid




    212710

    Pte. James Garbett 11th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.10th Mar 1916)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather, 18361 Private James Garbett 11th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed in action on 10th March 1916 aged 37 years old. He was a miner born in Dukinfield (Greater Manchester) he followed his father also a miner around the UK and ended up in a town called Easington near Durham. He was married to Miriam Garbett and had 4 children at the time of his death and lived and worked at Easington Colliery.

    In December 1914 the German Navy shelled the town of Hartlepool and this is when my Great Grandfather decided to join up in the British Army. He enlisted in 1915 in Newcastle. I have obtained a copy of the War Diaries from the National Archives and read through them and thought there were several soldiers injured my great grandfather unfortunately appears to be the first fatality for the battalion in the trenches and was killed by rifle fire on the 10th March 1916 (although his surname name is spelt incorrectly) and is buried in Hamel Military in grave I.E.14 Cemetery in the village of Hamel

    Paul Garbett




    212707

    Pte. Ebenezer Calderwood 25th Tyneside Irish Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

    Ebenezer Calderwood was born in Govan in Glasgow and was a relative of mine. I have a photo of his grave in Flanders. I really don't know much about him as my research has not concluded and I would like to see a picture of him if there is one. He was in the 25th Bn Tyneside Irish.

    Andy Duncan




    212706

    Bmdr. Sidney Harris Eales 156th Brigade, 'C' Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.27th April 1917)

    Sidney Eales died of wounds received aged just 21. He had originally enlisted and been assigned to the 3rd Bedfordshire Regiment service no. 7085. He was transferred to the Royal Regiment of Artillery (RFA and RHA) in January 1915 and posted to the 142nd Battery at Bordon. He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Sidney was the son of my Great Great Grandfather's daughter Martha Eales nee Abbott who died in 1954, I have no further information available at present.

    Tim




    212703

    L/Cpl. Walter Terry 5th (City of London) Battalion London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Walter Terry from Stratford, enlisted in London, joining the 5th (City of London) Battalion (London Rifle Brigade). He was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916

    Sandi Hartnell




    212701

    Sig. Edward Clarence Kendell HMS Amphion

    <p>Edward Clarence Kendell on his wedding day

    During the Great War Ted Kendell served in light cruisers based on Harwich patrolling the North Sea from Belgium to Norway lest the German Fleet came out of the Baltic or the North Sea ports.

    On August 6 1914 his ship HMS Amphion was sunk by mines laid by a minelayer they had sunk the day before. He was in the water for two hours before being picked up. His chest was badly scorched and he would never swim in English seawater afterwards and blamed his bad chest in later years on this, but chain smoking was probably the real cause. He served in HMS Undaunted, another light cruiser, for the rest of the war, being at the battles of Heligoland Bight and the Dogger Bank, but not at Jutland or Zeebrugge because the ship had been damaged in other small actions.

    He stayed on in the RN after the Great War, eventually becoming a reservist and serving in WW2. He died in February 1953 at the age of 59.

    Peter Kendell




    212690

    F/Lt. Godfrey Main Thomas

    Godfrey Main Thomas was born in Jamaica on 10th Sept. 1895, the youngest of five brothers to serve in WW1. He served as a Midshipman on the H.M.S. Colossus in the first Battle Squadron and was awarded the King's Medal & Dirk. His Squadron was transferred to the Royal Navy's Air Service until the formation of the R.A.F. in 1918. He went on to be a Flight Lieutenant, and died on 24th Aug. 1921 at 5pm aboard the Airship R-38 when it exploded over Hull UK and was awarded the D.F.C. along with 44 other airmen who died. His name is inscribed on the British Plaque- Roll of Honour in Hull Western Cemetery in Yorkshire.

    Gerald A. Archambeau




    212681

    Pipe Mjr. Duncan Anne Macfarlane 1st Btn. Black Watch

    <p>Pipe Major Duncan Macfarlane after the war, in 1923. He is central to the photograph behind the large drum.

    My great grandfather, Duncan Macfarlane, was in the Black Watch in WW1. He was born in Brig O'Turk and served throughout the war returning to Scotland and living until 1968. He was a Pipe Major at some stage and was active in the Comrie and Creiff areas. I do not have any more details of his service and would like to find out more. I think that he may have been in the 1st Battalion.

    His son, also Duncan Macfarlane, was in WW2 but did not return home. He was captured in St Vallery en Caux before being sent to Poland where he died in 1943.Again more details on my great uncle are sought.

    Duncan Macfarlane in 1916. He is fourth from the right

    Anne Brown




    212679

    Lt. Victor Leo Hill Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Victor Leo Hill in 1901

    Victor Hill enlisted with the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Fort Rowner, Gosport, Hampshire on the 8th of May 1900. His record of service is as follows
    • 1901 - Boy Soldier, Royal Garrison Artillery, Fort Rowner, Gosport, Hampshire
    • 29 Oct 1904-Specialist Depression Range Finding Course, Cork Harbour, Ireland
    • 8 Nov 1904-Promoted to Acting Bombardier, 8 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery
    • 14 Jul 1905-Local Short Gunnery Course, Gibraltar
    • May-Sep 1906-Gunnery Short Course, Shoeburyness, Kent
    • Sep-Oct 1906-Light Guns Instructor's Course, Shoeburyness, Kent
    • 15 Feb 1907-Corporal's Promotion Course, Gibraltar
    • 1 Apr 1907-Gun Laying Course, Gibraltar
    • Feb-Nov 1908-Gunnery Staff Instructor's Course, Shoeburyness, Kent
    • 26 Mar 1908-Promoted to Bombardier, 8 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery
    • 1 Nov 1910-Gun Laying Course, Gibraltar
    • 1911-EW Bombardier, 8 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery, Europa Barracks, Gibraltar
    • 23 Jan 1912-Gun Laying Course, Gibraltar
    • 15 Jun 1912-Promoted to Corporal, 8 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery
    • 20 Apr 1913-Gun Laying Course, Sheerness, Kent
    • 2 Oct 1914-Posted to 7th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Woolwich
    • 5 Oct 1914-Arrived Belgium with British Expeditionary Force (The Old Contemptibles)
    • 6 Oct 1914-7th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Ostende, Belgium
    • 13 Oct 1914-Returned to England
    • 27 Oct 1914-7th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Boulogne, France
    • 6–23 Nov 1914-7th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Hazebrouck, France
    • Nov-Dec 1914-7th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Loker, Belgium
    • 31 Aug 1915-Field promotion to 2nd Lieutenant for "Loyalty, Courage & Good Conduct"
    • 1 Jul 1917-Promoted to Lieutenant, Royal Garrison Artillery
    • 20 Apr 1919-Royal Garrison Artillery, North District, Gibraltar
    • 1920-Army Quarters, Bruces Farm, Gibraltar
    • 8 May 1921-Retired from war service with Royal Artillery, Dover, Kent
    • 16 Apr 1935-Appointed Special War Department Clerk
    • 8 May 1940-Retired from uniform service with Royal Artillery as Lieutenant
    • 1940-Appointed as Civil Servant, working for the Army
    • 1951-Civil Servant, Army Barracks Store, Weedon, Northamptonshire
    • 28 Dec 1955-Civil Servant, Army Barracks Store, Weedon, Northamptonshire
    • May 1951-Retirement from Army
    • 5 May 1951-Commendation by Secretary of State for "valued work in the War Department" and "appreciation for his long years of loyal service"

    Victor Leo Hill

    Victor Leo Hill

    Richard Hill




    212677

    2nd Lt. William Key Griffith 1/12th (The Rangers) battalion London Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>2nd. Lieut. William Key Griffith

    William Key Griffith was my Harris grandmother Marian's brother. He was educated at Llandovery College and worked in London and Argentina before returning to fight in the Great War. He served between 1915 and 1917. He died at the Battle of Polygon Wood on 26th September 1917 and is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial in Zonnebeke, Flanders.

    Simon Davies




    212672

    Pte. John Murphy 48th Mobile Section Army Veterinary Corps

    John Murphy served with Royal Irish Rifles as private 19149 but was then specially enlisted to the Army Veterinary Corps SE34670. He would likely have served with the 48 Mobile Veterinary Section as part of the 36th Ulster Division as he arrived in France on 3rd of Oct 1915.

    Barry Riley




    212671

    Pte. Alfred "Offie" Stacey West Somerset Yeomanry

    <p>Alfred Stacey's Medals

    In a tin in my Mother's house I found my grandfather’s medals and a silk cloth. My grandfather, Alf Stacey and his two brothers served in the 1st World War. His brother Wallace died and the other two came home. Grandad and Uncle Charlie erected a monument in Westonzoyland. I have started to trace their history but I have not found out much about my Grandad nor Uncle Charlie. My uncle Wally who died was shoe smith in the Household Cavalry, he was a blacksmith before the war.

    West Somerset Yeomanry sill cloth

    Stacey Monument

    Alfred Stacy 1911 census

    Pete Stacey




    212668

    Lt.Col. Arthur Edward Erskine DSO MID. Royal Artillery

    Arthur Edward Erskine fought in the First World War between 1914 and 1918, where he was mentioned in dispatches. He was decorated with the award of the Companion, Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) in 1916. He gained the rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in 1918 in the service of the Royal Artillery.

    S. Flynn




    212653

    George Albert Bonner Royal Garrison Artillery

    George Bonner was 33 when he was recruited and was appointed to the Royal Garrison Artillery. He had married Lily in 1903 and had five children, my grandfather was the youngest and only 10 months old at that time. I don't know anything about his service other than I don't think he was wounded and his date of dispersal was 24th May 1919 at Crystal Palace. A sixth child was born in September the following year 1920.

    Angela McPherson




    212652

    Cpl. John Thomas Bell DCM. CIII Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>John Thomas Bell DCM

    John Bell's citation reads: On the 16th June 1918 this N.C.O. behaved with magnificent courage and devotion to duty. Throughout a four hour heavy bombardment, he continually visited each gun pit, supervised the fitting of new springs under heavy fire, examined the guns, and it was largely due to his untiring efforts that the guns of this Battery were all kept in action. Later in the day when ammunition was running short he took charge of a party and carried ammunition for two hours along a heavily shelled track through the wood. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for the above, signed; E F Falkner Lieut-Colonel D.A.A. & Q.M.G.

    He also was awarded a Medal Militaire for the same.





    212647

    Sgt. Albert Cannon 11th Battalion Royal Fusilliers (d.23rd Sep 1915)

    <p>Albert Cannon's grave

    Albert Cannon is buried in Point 110, Old Military Cemetery, Fricourt.

    Memorial Wall

    Dawn Jarvis




    212644

    Pte. William John Strickley 4th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.28th April 1915)

    William Strickley was my great uncle who joined up earlier than he should have done, aged only 17. He was involved in WW1 less than 12 months and was killed in France in April 1915 aged 18. Sadly we have no photograph of William.

    Sandra Thompson




    212643

    Pte. John Scollen 27th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    My grandfather, John Scollen, died on the first day of the Somme 1st July 1916, he has no known grave and is remembered at Thiepval. He did send a letter home dated 27th June 1916, this letter has been published in books. He left a wife and seven children behind, much like many others. Although I never met him I do feel a massive affinity to him. Rest in peace granddad for all of your family.

    Brian Scollen




    212638

    Lt. Winifred Florence "Snuffy" Brealey Transport Women's Army Auxiliary Corps

    My grandmother, Winifred Florence Brealey, served as a single women in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in WWI. She was originally from Bovey Tracey in Devon, born 11 November 1895, 19 Southview Bovey Tracey, to parents John Brealey and Alice Maud Brealey, nee Bratcher.

    She was in the transport division of Auxiliary Service Corps and finished her service as a Lieutenant. In 1918 my grandfather, Edgar Herbert Bristen Preston-Thomas, (originally from Weybridge) who served with NZ's Wellington Infantry Battalion and was in the Gallipoli campaigns, was in London. He had been discharged upon receiving a bullet wound to the hand and from suffering subsequent sickness. It was in London they meet each other and a romance blossomed despite the 16 year age gap. They used to travel around London in a motorbike and side car. After the war they married on 16 June 1919 and immigrated to NZ. On leaving for NZ at Plymouth, Winifred was pregnant and not expecting to give birth until they arrived in NZ some 6-8 weeks later. She went into labour and gave birth almost immediately on departure and their first daughter was born just off Drake Island still within the harbour.

    Upon settling in NZ Winifred kept her A.S.C uniform in her wardrobe for many years and in WWII volunteered and assisted with soup kitchens and hosting soldiers to dinner for morale and hospitality services. She continued to be patriotic and serve people and lead them in times of need. I have searched the records section and have not been able to discover her name so maybe thinking her records are amongst those that are lost from WWII bombings of London. If anyone can guide me to further research opportunities it would be appreciated.

    Kaye




    212634

    Gunner Anthony Godsell Brabazon Field Artillery Brigade

    Anthony Brabazon enlisted on the 23rd of February 1918 and embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board RMS Orontes on 5 June 1918, at the age of 18. At the end of the conflict he returned to Australia at own expense.

    S. Flynn




    212630

    Rfmn. John Henry Heaton 8th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.21st Sep 1915)

    I have no other information about my great great uncle John Henry Heaton but would like him to be remembered on this website.

    Marie Heaton




    212628

    Pte. Alexander Abercrombie 4th Machine Gun Battalion

    I have no known details about my Grandfather's WW1 efforts except that he had injuries to his right shoulder and chest, due to gas burns sustained in France. His name was Alexander Abercrombie, he only had two war medals, plus a little medal from his home town of Wooler, Northumberland, so I was told he only joined WW1 in 1916 thereabouts.

    His birth date was May 1899. He then emigrated to Western Australia in 1921 and joined the Australian Army in 1939 for WW2, as a trainer to soldiers, mostly on Rottnest Island, Western Australia, till the end of the war. He lived the rest of his life in Western Australia, marrying and having 6 children. He passed away on November 11, 1982.

    Fiona Dickson




    212614

    Pte. Albert Oglesby 3rd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.12th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Private Albert Oglesby (22213) 3rd Battalion K.O.Y.L.I. Died Friday 12th October 1917 aged 23 yrs (From war wounds). He lived at East Bank Stainforth. Born 1894, he is buried in Stainforth Cemetery in front of war memorial.

    Doncaster Gazette Friday 19th October 1917

    Much Sympathy is is felt for Mr & Mrs David Oglesby of Stainforth in the Bereavement of their son Private Albert Oglesby 3rd Brigade K.O.Y.L.I. which took place in Leeds Military Hospital on Friday last.

    Private Albert Oglesby has seen severe fighting, being twice wounded having on the first occasion received a bullet to the shoulder, and on the second shrapnel wounds in the leg and foot. He appeared to recover so far as to be almost fit to be drafted out again, but a relapse set in and after suffering for several months he died as stated above. He joined the colours in March 1915. Mr & Mrs David Oglesby have four other sons fighting with the forces.

    Doncaster Chronicle Friday 19th October 1917

    Mr & Mrs D. Oglesby have received news of the death of their son, Albert who has died in Hospital at Leeds, where he lay suffering for nine months, from wounds he received in the big push in France on July 1st 1916.

    Private Albert Oglesby enlisted on the 23rd March 1915, and was previously wounded at Armentieres on October 20th 1915, and was invalided home. He was afterwards drafted to France again where he was wounded as stated above. He was 23 years of age and has 3 brothers in the Army, and a brother and brother-in-law in the Navy. Much sympathy is felt for Mr & Mrs Oglesby in their sad bereavement.

    Albert Oglesby's grave

    Honor Roll

    Letter from Albert Oglesby

    Postacard from Albert's sister

    Robert Broadbent




    212611

    T/Mjr. John Francis Conlin MC. 102 Brigade, C Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Maj. John Conlin was awarded the Military Cross for getting his battery across the Piave River 1918 under enemy fire.(London Gazette June 5th 1919) He returned to duty as an officer in the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1919. Later he served in India, eventually becoming head of the Indian Railway Police.

    Brian Conlin




    212608

    Cpl. Claude Henry Howard MM. 33rd Battalion

    <p>Claude Henry Howard MM.

    My grandfather, Claude Henry Howard, enlisted in the AIF in April 1916. He was appointed to the 3rd Reinforcements, 33rd Battalion, AIF. He undertook his training at Armidale and Rutherford before proceeding overseas. He departed Australia on 24th August, 1916 aboard HMAT Anchises, disembarking in Devonport on 11th October, 1916. After further training at Larkhill Camp he proceeded to France on the 21st November, 1916.

    He saw action at the Battle of Messines, where as a stretcher bearer he was awarded the Military Medal. He further saw action at Passchendaele and was wounded in action at Le Torquet, Belgium on 14th December, 1917. After a lengthy repatriation in England he returned to Australia on 15th May, 1919 and was discharged on 5th September, 1919. After being discharged he disappeared and no record can be found of him.

    Wayne Laycock




    212602

    Gur. William Arthur Massey 97th Brigade B Battery (d.20th Feb1915)

    My Great Uncle William Arthur Massey was born in 1896 in Lightwood, Shropshire to John James & Sarah Massey. Before the war he was working as a groom. He enlisted in Wolverhampton. (as yet date unknown) He was a Gunner, no. 83973 and was based out of High Wycombe. He is buried in High Wycombe cemetery, Arthur died of pneumonia aged 20 on the 20.2.1915. Sadly, we do not appear to have very much information about him or any known photographs (yet) and also trying to find out where he may have served to have gained the 3 medals he had.

    Sheenagh Mackey




    212599

    Pte. Ralph Fenwick Davison 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    My grandfather Ralph Davison was a regular soldier and joined up on 20/02/1911. He was serving in India when WW1 started. I believe he was wounded and taken prisoner at the second Battle of Ypres and remained a prisoner for the rest of the war. He was hospitalised following his capture near Koln. He later served in the Home Guard during WW2.

    Alan Hedley




    212594

    Cpl. William Frederick Alley 22nd (Service) Battalion (Kensington) Royal Fusiliers

    <p>Frederick William Alley 1891-1959

    Will Alley is my maternal grandfather. He had a glass eye which he would sneakily place on my shoulder and say "I've got my eye on you!" The glass eye was the result of an injury in the trenches in 1916. He always told us that a sniper's bullet killed the soldier next to him and then shot out his eye. According to his military records: Disability Gun shot wound. Date of disability: He states 4.2.1916, Place of disability: He states Givenchy. He states that while on sentry duty in trench at Givenchy he was shot through the mouth by rifle bullet which continued its course through nose and entered left eye. His eye was removed same day at Bethune Hospital, France. His MHS shows that his eye was removed for bullet wound same day in France. The report states No 654 Pte E.R. Clark, 22nd Roy Fus, is supposed to have wounded Pte Alley by the accidental discharge of his rifle in the front line trench., There were no witnesses of the accident Present condition is reported as: His left eye is enucleated and has left a socket which is fairly healthy but is occasionally subject to attacks of conjunctivitis. RE vision = 6/36 [myopic] and with glass vision is 6/12.

    Kay Prosser




    212587

    L/Cpl. Frederick William Aldridge MM. 12th Btn. London Regt (d.27th Sep 1917)

    Freddy Aldridge was educated at Latymer Upper School Hammersmith and enlisted in January 1915. After 2 years training in England he was posted to France in March 1917. He was wounded on September 27th and died the same day in hospital at St.Omer. The Military Medal was awarded for remaining at his post and sending messages back to headquarters when he was stuck by a machine gun bullet which cost him his life.

    Derek Howell




    212584

    Gnr. John Raymond "Jack" Meredith Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Grandfather John Meredith was a Gunner in France during WW1 and may have been in Ypres and The Somme. We are still researching this but Grandad lived in Enfield and survived the War





    212582

    Pte. Giles Holt 15th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers (d.2nd April 1917)

    <p>Private Giles Holt

    Giles Holt was from a small village called Shawforth in Lancashire. He died from wounds in France. He left a widow, Betsy, who lived in the village the rest of her life and died in 1979. She was a widow for 62 years. Giles Holt's name is on the War Memorial in Whitworth nr Shawforth in Lancashire.

    War Memorial in Whitworth nr Shawforth in Lancashire

    Richard Holt




    212579

    Pte. James Jackson 8th Btn. Border Regiment (d.5th July 1916)

    <p>Private James Jackson

    James Jackson left behind a widow and three little daughters all under the age of 5 years.

    Richard Holt




    212574

    Pte. John Wilson Crabb Black Watch

    Jack Crabb was sent home at some point suffering shell shock and spent some time in a convalescence hospital in Perth, Scotland.

    David rabb




    212571

    Sjt. Nathan Brown 6th Bn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    Nathan Brown joined the DLI on 8th April 1908, at the same time as his brother Edward (who died of his wounds on the 10 September 1915) Nathan reached the rank of Sergeantand left the DLI on 6 March 1916 after 7 years and 333 days.

    Derrick Walker




    212568

    Pte John Bilclough 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    John Bilclough was invalided out of the army on 25/1/1919 with a disability award for feeble mindedness and deformed feet. Conduct shown as very good, sober and hardworking. He returned home to live with my grandmother with somewhat limited communication skills and was transferred into care on the death of my grandmother where he died - date unknown. His brother to Joseph Bilclough was killed in action 25/8/1917.

    John Bilclough




    212567

    Pte. Joseph Bilclough 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Aug 1917)

    Joseph Bilclough was killed in action during a successful counter attack following a German attack on the British Front Line at Gillemont Farm, France.

    John Bilclough




    212566

    Clifford Century Fleet

    Clifford Fleet was born on 1 January 1900 and enlisted in the RFC. He kept shorthand records of his war service, including service in Archangel, Russia, where he may have been stationed as late as 1919/1920. He received a British Service Medal and also had (now in my possession) an AIF Victory boot (miniature, leather).

    Sue Wilson




    212565

    L/Cpl. Herbert Scholes York and Lancaster Regiment

    My grandfather Herbert Scholes served in the British Army, having enlisted from Sheffield,Yorkshire in Oct 1915. The Army form E.501 Attestation was taken at Harrogate on the 28th October 1915 and shows that Herbert was to be in the York & Lancaster Regiment, 3/1st 00 Yorkshire Dragoons. I remember ,as a child , visiting my grandfather and seeing a photograph of him in uniform sitting astride a grey horse. At present I don't have any further information and no stories to tell as my grandfather would never talk about the war and he died when I was only 9years old. I have however , found his name on a Roll of Honour -"Hoyland Nether Township Roll of Honour " along with over 1500 names of those men of Hoyland who served in the Great War.

    Kathryn Everitt




    212563

    Willie James Heath

    Willie Heath was born in October 1885 to John Heath and Elizabeth Stubbs. His siblings were Elizabeth, Ellen and Ernest Frank Heath. In 1911 be was working as a battery maker living at 10 Acacia Road, Beckenham Kent. After the war he married Susannah Brooks.

    Michael Heath




    212562

    Ernest Frank Heath Royal West Kent Regiment

    Ernest Heath served with the West Kents, he was married to Edith Hollier, and had three children Frank Jabez, Kathleen and Dorothy. Ernest died in 1921 due to effects of mustard gas.

    Michael Heath




    212560

    Pte. Richard Canavan 1st Battalion Black Watch (d.9th May 1915)

    My uncle Richard Canavan died at the Battle of Aubers Ridge. I don't know much else really except that he deserted on Christmas Eve 1914 and rejoined on the 8th of January.

    Additional Submission from another relative: Richard Canavan was my grandmother's (Catherine Wellcoat nee Canavan) brother. What we know of Richard was that he was wounded in the hand and shoulder, sent home to recuperate in December 1914 and returned to the front in 1915. Where you got the idea he deserted is a mystery to me! The Black Watch have confirmed he was not a deserter.

    Richard Canavan




    212559

    Able Sea. Edward Lunt Howe Bn (d.26th Oct 1917)

    <p>Edward Lunt - Royal Naval Division

    Ted Lunt was born on 7th August, 1893, at Brookfield Farm in Fazakerley, which was in those days just on the outskirts of Liverpool. He was the youngest of seven surviving children and while his two older brothers became farmers and his four sisters all teachers, Ted was apprenticed at Harmood-Banner & Co Accountants in Liverpool itself.

    Not long after the outbreak of war, on 26th September, 1914, Ted enlisted in the Royal Naval Division and after his basic training at Crystal Palace he was drafted to 'C' Company, Howe Battalion. Now an Able Seaman, he went with the battalion to the Mediterranean and took part in a minor action at Kantara on the Suez Canal before landing at Gallipoli on 29th April, 1915. Not long afterwards, on 9th May, in the aftermath of the 2nd Battle of Krithia, Ted was shot in the shoulder and on 14th May he was evacuated from the peninsular. He got as far as Malta before evidently recovering sufficiently to be sent back, returning via Alexandria to rejoin Howe Battalion on 28th June. Many of his comrades had, in the meantime, been killed in the 3rd Battle of Krithia, in which the RND suffered heavy casualties.

    On 8th September, 1915, Ted wrote to his sister Agnes: "Here we are again, fed up with the monotony of existence & especially that of the grub. We sometimes get boiled rice instead of half our ration of jam & we sometimes get raisins and a few figs. Somebody mentioned flies, well it’s getting a little colder now so they are not so troublesome, but previously in the trenches if you stopped wagging your right hand for a moment the bread and jam in your left became covered with flies & while taking your hand to your mouth one or two of the blighters would get on the jam. I will leave out one or two gruesome details or I might turn you against jam for ever. ... Last time up in the trenches we held a kind of sap which was really an old communication trench leading into the Turks trench, our barricade was only forty yards off their trench, we were in it for four days. We only lost one man wounded by a piece of shell one night when a bombardment was on. One night the officer and I pulled down some sandbags, rolled over the parapet & starting at our barricade put coils of trench wire ten yards from the trench & down one side of it up to our main trench. One of the privileges of being leading seaman, the sooner Henderson comes back to his job the better. I was pleased, I don’t think, because last time but one I was in charge of four chaps putting barbed wire up for four hours between the support trench and the firing line. Luckily the ground that time was nearly all sheltered by the high parapet of the fire trench. Of course I don’t want mother to know I go in the trenches at all, you can tell her we are still busy digging trenches, which is true, because our chaps dig saps & trenches every time we go to the trenches..."

    Presumably, Henderson did not come back to his job, as Ted was confirmed as Leading Seaman on 28th September. Like many thousands of men at Gallipoli, he later suffered from disease (Hepatitis A, in his case, from contaminated food or water)- he had only just been discharged from hospital in January 1916 when the peninsular was evacuated. The RND was eventually sent to France, arriving in Marseilles in May 1916- but Ted had been sent home on extended leave in February and didn't rejoin his battalion until 6th June. Evidently, recuperation was protracted- indeed, the photo of him in khaki seems to show signs of jaundice in his face.

    Howe Battalion were sent to the Angres-Souchez sector, near Lens. On 9th September, 1916, Ted wrote: "The lighter Will sent is tres bon and I want another as I left it alight in my pocket and used up half of it. Also send some sulphur ointment as some of my friends are very scabby and have been using it for me. Its a lovely day, I am lying on the grass with a lovely valley stretched in front of me with woods and villages scattered along it. The villages near at hand look a little careworn, sometimes a family lives in a house with the house next door minus a gable end or with half its roof off. In one village live two old ladies of about seventy years of age, they keep an estaminet and sell weak beer to some of the boys, now and again the estaminet runs dry for a day or two. The place is surrounded by ruins and opposite the door stands the remains of the village church. Gee Whiz if the French and Belgians ever get into Germany there will be something doing, I don’t think their officers could control them, and I am sure British troops would sympathise with them. Dilapidated scenes are part of the landscape with us, but with the French they must signify more."

    On 13th November, 1916, the RND (now the 63rd Division) made an assault on the village of Beaucourt-sur-l'Ancre, in what would prove to be the last phase of the Somme campaign. After vicious fighting, they captured the village- Ted, however, was again wounded, once more in the shoulder or upper arm. He was invalided to England and recuperated in the General Hospital in Manchester. Again, he recovered and was sent to the RND base at Blandford Camp in Dorset, where on 16th February, 1917, he reverted to Able Seaman at his own request- the reasons for this are unknown. On 14th March he was drafted to France, rejoining Howe Battalion on 28th April, in the aftermath of more heavy fighting at Gavrelle.

    On 26th October, 1917, the RND took part in the opening of the Second Battle of Passchendaele, their role being to make an attack on positions immediately to the northwest of Passcahendaele Ridge, in support of the Canadian Corps on the ridge itself. Being on low-lying ground below the ridge, with the flooded stream of the Paddebeek running across their front, conditions were truly appalling, swamp-like and in places simply impassible. Howe Battalion began in support, but were soon called upon to move through the Anson Battalion around Varlet Farm and press forward to try to cross the Paddebeek. Elements of C Company, including Ted, got through the German positions at bayonet point and succeeded in crossing the stream- at about 9am, a Canadian officer on the ridge spotted a party of about 15 men and one officer on the other side of the water. The Germans then counter-attacked and this little group were forced sideways into the Canadian sector, where some of them eventually found their way back to safety through Canadian lines. Ted, however, was not so lucky. He was shot dead and initially buried by or inside a pillbox. Today, he lies in Poelkapelle Cemetery, to the north-east of Ypres. He was my great-uncle.

    Ted Lund - Army

    Ted Lunt and army buddies

    Chris Fyles




    212558

    Pte George Harker 29th Tyneside Scottish Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th September 1916)

    George Harker was was wounded and brought to a hospital, he died of war wounds on 27th September 1916 in France.

    Peter Krueger




    212551

    Pte. John Albert Cottingham 6th Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    The day that John died his battalion was in frontline trenches near Monchy, France. The battalion went forward at 0345 hours in complete darkness. The battalion’s objective was Keeling Copse. This position was reached but it could not be consolidated because of repeated enemy counter attack. About 250 men were killed in this action (including John). He was killed in what was known as the Third Battle of The Scarpe

    John Albert Cottingham of the 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) died on Thursday 3rd May 1917 aged 20 years. He had been born in Rolvenden and enlisted Faversham. He had resided in Throwley, Faversham, the son of Henry Obid and Jemima Cottingham of Halden Place, Rolvenden, Kent. John has no known grave. His name appears on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. Panel reference Bay 2.

    I am still unable to find a picture of John Albert Cottingham. if anyone knows how I can get one I would love to hear from you. Thank you.

    Simon Paul Cottingham




    212550

    Lt. Charles Arnold Owens West Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Jan 1917)

    Charles Arnold Owens served as a Lieutenant with the West Yorkshire Regiment. He was the second son of Mr. & Mrs. W.H. Owens, born 1st of May 1897. Charles was killed in action on the 10th of January 1917 and interred at Ginchy, France.

    S. Flynn




    212549

    2nd Lt. William Brabazon Owens Royal Engineers (d.25th June 1916)

    William Brabazon Owens served as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Engineers. he was the eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. W.H. Owens, born 24th November 1895. He was wounded in France on the 30th of March 1916 and died at Hazeldene, Limerick on 25th of June 1916.

    S. Flynn




    212540

    Lt. Robert Ormond Brabazon Pottinger Royal Munster Fusiliers

    S. Flynn




    212535

    Gladys Brabazon Stapleton Gwatkin DCM.

    Gladys Gwatkin was a Sister serving in a General Hospital with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve

    S. Flynn




    212533

    Mjr. Brabazon Hubert Fox 9th (Service) Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

    Brabazon Fox rejoined the Army on the 17th of Sep 1914, and was appointed and in Command of the 9th (Service) Battalion South Lancashire Regiment. He served in France and Macedonia.

    S. Flynn




    212530

    Pte. Frank F. Brabazon 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Frank Brabazon served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 8th Battalion. He lived in Lucan, Dublin and enlisted in Dublin. He was killed in action in France.

    S. Flynn




    212529

    Capt Alan A. Brabazon 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.8 March 1918 )

    Alan A. Brabazon served with the Leinster Regiment, 6th Battalion as a Captain. He died on the 8th March 1918 from wounds.

    S. Flynn




    212528

    Pte. George Bernard Brabazon 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.11th April 1915 )

    George Bernard Brabazon was born in 1892 son of William Percival Brabazon. Private 1st Bn. Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. He was killed in WW1 on 11th April 1915 and is buried in Aeroplane Cemetary, Belgium

    S. Flynn




    212526

    Dvr. William Brabazon Mitchelhill (d.22nd Dec 1916)

    William Mitchelhill died 22 December 1916, he had embarked from Melbourne on HMAT Persic.

    S. Flynn




    212525

    Pte William Richard Brabazon 20th Battalion

    William Brabazon embarked from Sydney on HMAT Ajana, on the 5th of July 1916 and fought in WW1

    S. Flynn




    212522

    Rfmn. Percy Badrick Prince Consort's Own Rifle Brigade (d.30th May 1918)

    percy Badrick was born in 1900 at Long Marston, Tring, Hertfordshire. Son of George Badrick and wife Louisa. Died of his wounds 30th May 1918 and is buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France (about 25K North East of Dieppe). Remembered on Tring War Memorial.

    Sandra Barlow




    212520

    Sidney Hamilton Brabazon 19th Btn. (d.25th Jul 1916)

    Sidney Hamilton Brabazon was born 8 Jan 1900 in Albacore Crescent, Lewisham, England, and died 25 July 1916 in France. In April 1911 he resided in Islington, London and emigrated 1911 to Sydney Australia. He was a labourer.

    He served in the military 1915-16 in the 8th then 4th Reinforcements 19th Battalion. His height was given as 5'7", eye color blue, hair color brown, weight 7st 10 lbs, religion Church of England. when he joined 19th Battalion & 4th battalion AIF, WW1, Postal address 38 Lower Fort St Dawes Point. He gave false details at enlistment. He said he was born in Redfern Sydney in 1897. He said both parents were dead, but his father might have been alive, and if so should have given consent for him to enroll in the army

    S. Flynn




    212519

    2nd Lt Robert Edward FitzGerald Brabazon MC Inniskilling Fuliliers

    Robert Edward FitzGerald, 2nd Lieutenant, Inniskilling Fuliliers awarded the MC London Gazette 1st Feb 1919 for bravery in Flanders, France

    S. Flynn




    212518

    Sgt. Ralph Austin Brabazon 5th Battalion (d.25th June 1918)

    Ralph Brabazon embarked from Melbourne on HMAT 'Runic' on 19th February 1915 and disembarked Egypt, 3 April 1915. He was taken on strength of 5th Btn, in Gallipoli on 5th March 1915; He was promoted to rank of Lance Corporal, 16 July 1915; Then promoted to rank of Corporal, 23 July 1915 and promoted to rank of Sergeant, 1 September 1915. Ralph was admitted to Sarpi Camp, Mudros West, 19th September 1915 and transferred to No 3 Stationary Hospital, Mudros, the same day then to No 2 Stationary Hospital, Mudros (diarrhoea). He was discharged to his unit ar Lemnos, 4th October 1915 but five days later was admitted to 2nd Field Ambulance, Mudros West on 9th October 1915, and transferred to 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital then to 3rd Australian General Hospital, Lemnos, 16 October 1915; He was discharged to duty on 28th October 1915 and rejoined his unit the following day.

    Ralph was temporarily promoted to rank of Company Sergeant Major on 29 October 1915 and reverted to permanent rank of Sergeant, 24 November 1915. He disembarked HMT 'Empress of Britain' at Alexandria, 7 January 1916 as part of the general Gallipoli evacuation.

    On the 20th of January 1916 he was admitted to 2nd Australian Field Ambulance at Tel-el-Kebir, and transferred to 2nd Casualty Clearing Station (gastritis) he was sent to 2nd Australian General Hospital, Cairo, 24 January 1916 then to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis, 15 February 1916 and was discharged to Overseas Base, Ghezirah, 26 February 1916 then he marched out to unit, Serapeum, 15 March 1916 and was taken on strength of 2nd Training Bn at Overseas Base, Tel-el-Kebir, 18 April 1916. He embarked from Alexandria on HT 'Caledonia' and proceeded to join British Expeditionary Force on the 9th of May 1916, he disembarked at Marseilles, 17 May 1916 and after a train journey marched into 1st Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, on 20 May 1916.

    Ralph was admitted to 26th General Hospital on 29th May 1916 and embarked from Boulogne on HS 'Caledonian' and proceeded to England on 12th June 1916 (influenza). he was admitted to 3rd London General Hospital the next day then transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield on the 16th June 1916. he transferred to Woodcote Park Convalescent Depot, Epsom, 27th June 1916 (bronchitis) and was discharged to No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 25 September 1916, and taken on strength, 26 September 1916. He marched into Infantry Drafting Depoton the 3rd of February 1917.

    He proceeded to France from Southampton on 10th June 1917 and the next day marched into 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot, Havre. He marched out to 5th Bn and was taken on strength, 21 June 1917. He was admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance, 20 September 1917, and transferred to 10th Casualty Clearing Station (gun shot wound, head) transferring via Ambulance Train '5' on the 20th September 1917 to 25th General Hospital, Hardelot. He was discharged to duty, 13 October 1917 and marched into 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot, Havre, 18 October 1917, he marched out to rejoin his unit and was taken on strength on the 1st of November 1917.He was admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 14 June 1918, and transferred to 15th Casualty Clearing Station (gun shot wound, thigh and forearm) he was transferred to 2nd Australian General Hospital, 15 June 1918. Ralph proceeded to England on HS 'Cambria' on 17 June 1918, and was admitted to Herne Bay Military Hospital (severe wounding). He died of wounds, on the 25th of June 1918 adn was buried at Eddington Cemetary, Herne Bay.

    S. Flynn




    212514

    Pte. James Jesse Lyman MM. 2nd Btn. B Company, 8th Platoon Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry (d.11th Sep 1918)

    <p>James J. Lyman MM

    Before enlistment James Lyman worked at Cox’s Dairy Farm in Gayhurst,Buckinghamshire. He was one of seven brothers to serve in the war and was the only one to die. Most of his brothers joined up within a year after war had broken out, but his eldest brother Harry was below the required height for recruitment. James enlisted at Bletchley on the 18th March 1916 and then proceeded to France in the following July. James was moved to the 2nd Ox and Bucks Light Infantry were he got his first taste of battle in Bethune.

    On the evening of 11 September 1918 the men of 8th Platoon, 2nd Ox and Bucks LI were advised that they were going to go over the top after the artillery barrage had finished. The weather was terrible and the floor was thick with mud. The companies were to attack with a frontage of 1,500 Yards and 100 Yards between each wave. B company (8th Platoon) went too far to the left during the attack resulting in a considerable gap between B and D Company and therefore the Germans were able to hold off the two companies in the gap. Communication was very difficult and all signal lines gave at once.

    Jim Lyman was heavily wounded during the push for Lock 7 on the evening of the 11th, He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. It was unknown what he did but from what we know from the war diaries and a letter received from the Brigade Chaplin it seemed he could have volunteered to be a runner and was injured doing so. James was brought back to the advanced field hospital where he was unconscious and beyond all human help. He died a few minutes later. The brigade Chaplin, Rev. George Galbraith, buried James in a shallow grave behind the lines where he then read a short personal service at James’ graveside.

    In November 1918, the ribbon of the Military Medal was awarded posthumously to Private Lyman and would be sent to his mother by the Colonel, who wrote; "I knew him well. He was a good soldier, a credit to his regiment and to himself." Major General C. Pereira, C.B., C.M.G., Commanding the 2nd Division, also wrote, congratulating Mrs. Lyman on the bravery of her son.

    Thomas James




    212509

    Pte. John Heslin 8th Battalion Royal Highlanders (d.17th Dec 1917)

    John Heslin married Mary Allan in 1914. He was previously a cooper at the Youngers brewery in Edinburgh, he enlisted with the Army and had an illicit affair with another woman which produced a son. John was sent to the Somme with no knowledge of the pregnancy and his son (my Grandfather) was born in 1915. In 1917, John was killed in action. His memorial is in Gouzeaucourt Cemetary in Nord, France.

    Sarah Smith




    212508

    Pte. Frederick William Tower 9th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.24th Sep 1917)

    Frederick Tower is Resting in peace in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. Last visited by his family on June 2011 from New Zealand.

    Mark Towers




    212502

    Pte. Thomas Dempster 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    My grandfather, Tom Dempster, was part of the BEF the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers arriving in France in August 1915. He fought at Le Cateux so was one of the Old Contemptables also in the Battles of the Aisne and at Festubert. He suffered from shell shock during the Somme offensive but returned, he was injured in October 1916 and was unable to return to the front. He had a brother William John who was in the Machine Gun Corps and Robert who was in the RASC all made it home.

    I have a picture of him at around 18 years of age with two of his colleagues, I would like to know who they are but unfortunately there is probably little chance of finding out. I would like to hear from anyone who has any stories regarding the regiment in WW1 as I am trying to find out more about the men and what they must have gone through. I am immensely proud and grateful to all of these brave men.

    Sharon Hicks




    212501

    Pte. Tom Leeding 14th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.5th May 1918)

    33762 Private Tom Leeding served with the 14th Batt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment and died of wounds on the 5 May 1918 and is buried at the Aire Communal Cemetery which at the time was used by the 54th Casualty Clearing Station.

    There is no record of Tom marrying in England and family folk lore says he married a French lady. We have photographs of Tom alone and also a posed shot which could have been taken at his wedding.Seeking leads on where we might find further information. He previously served with the RASC, service No. 021112.

    Peter Rushen




    212489

    Cpl. Arthur William "Dicky" Jenkins 16th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.18th April 1918)

    Arthur Jenkins also known as Richard joined up 1st May 1916. He was wounded in action on the 25th October 1917 rejoined his battalion 15th December 1917 and was killed in action on 18th April 1918. He is remembered on the war memorial wall at Tyne Cot in Belgium. He left a wife Maud and two children Richard and Lilian.

    P Jenkins




    212484

    AB. Edward Blockley Drake Bn Royal Naval Division

    <p>Edward Blockley RND Canadian General Hospital in Le Treport

    My father Edward Bockley was wounded to the extent that he was unfit for further service on 28.9.18 while serving with Drake Bn RND. He joined the BEF from Base Depot on 12.12.16, he was invalided to England 23.8.17 and returned to the Bn 8.4.18. A period in Le Treport preceded his rejoining the Bn 4.9.18. After being wounded he was in the Canadian General Hospital in Le Treport prior to return to UK. After assessment at RN Hospital Chatham he was finally discharged 8.11.19. I am trying to ascertain where the Bn fought and in which specific actions during his period with them.

    P.Blockley




    212482

    Cpl. William James Dickson 13th London Regiment

    My Grandfather, William Dickson was a Drummer Stretcher Bearer, he left England for France on the 3rd of November 1914. He saw service at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, the Somme, Guillemont, Ginchy, Arras, Ypres and Cambrai.

    He was wounded on 3 separate occasions, being hospitalised in England and then returned to the front. Tuesday December 1st he was part of the guard of honour at EStaires to the King and the Prince of Wales. At the time of the unofficial Christmas truce in 1914, he was not in the front line, being in reserve he missed that.

    Sunday 14th of March 1915, as he was loading an ambulance wagon,a German shell went through it cutting one man in half and rewounding the others,he notes in his diary that, the driver and horses were unharmed. This was Neuve Chapelle. April Saturday 17th during an inspection by General Sir John French , a billet burst down, as they were all on parade no body was blamed.

    During the attack on the Aubers Ridge, May Tuesday 9th he was wounded in the arm, and was visited by Mr Churchill in the Hospital at Merville. Monday 17th March 1916 he is made up to Lance Corporal.He was with Major Cedric Dickens, Chales Dickens Grandson near Hebuterne, after the attack on Saturday July 1st ,from 2 companies of men only Major Dickens and 13 men were left.

    He was at Angle Wood when tanks were first used in an attack, which he says in his diary was a disaster. December 1916 he is made a full Corporal, on Monday the 4th. His diary goes on until September 4th 1917 when he leaves the diary at home while on leave.

    We have no record as to when he went back to France, but by the 12th December 1917 he is sent home again wounded. His military papers show him being discharged on May 4th 1918 as no longer fit for military service.

    He passed away peacefully in 1963 aged 74, a wonderful old gentleman. We Will Remember Them.

    G.Dickson




    212478

    Maj. John Henry Brabazon MC. 137 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette, volume WO389/7, Number 30813, Page 8779:

    Awarded the Military Cross. T./Lt. John Henry Brabazon, R.G.A. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in remaining at his observation post in a precarious position and enabling the battery to inflict severe losses on the advancing infantry."

    Essigny on 21st March 1918, while John Henry served with 137 Heavy Battery RGA. He was my grandfather.

    S. Flynn




    212473

    Pte. Edward Alexander Newton 18th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Edward Newton Enlisted 9-12-15 and went to France on 24-9-16, he received gun shot wound to the chest on 1-3-17. He was treated in Croydon hospital from 24-3-17 to 21 -5-17 and remained in the UK until 27-7-17 when he returned to France. On 25-4-18 he was blinded by shell burst and 26-4-18 is recorded as being gas poisoning blind for 5 weeks, he was discharged 6-3-19. He had wife and 4 daughters when he enlisted and had a further 3 daughters after the war.

    D Towell




    212467

    Joseph Henry Hubbard 176 Coy Machine Gun Corps

    This is a letter my grandfather, Joseph Henry Hubbard of the 176 Coy MGC, wrote to the Southern Daily Echo(Southampton) in the 1970s. My Grandfather was in 3rd Ypres and the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. The Vickers Gun.

    I have read with great interest your account of the history of the .303 Vickers machine gun, but I was so sorry that no mention was made of the men who manned this famous gun in the period 1916-18. I am thinking of the Machine Gun Corps (badge, crossed guns and crown), which was raised in late 1915 and reached a total of 165,000 men and suffered 62,049 casualties.

    Again, I cannot quite agree where you write of the slow rattle of this gun;it fired at a rate of 600 rounds per minute and if I remember rightly, this could be accelerated my tightening the fuzee spring. Now this is not surely a slow rattle, but considered rapid fire. I believe I am correct in stating that the German heavy gun was somewhat slower. The stoppages were, of course, a nightmare to us, the wet belt being the cause of nearly all the trouble. I hope old comrades will bear me out.

    J.H.Hubbard, late 176 Coy., MGC., BEF., France.

    Douglas McLeod




    212464

    Pte. John William Baxter Norfolk Regiment (d.6th Aug 1917)

    My grandfather, John Baxter died in the Great War, in Flanders on 6th August 1917. He originally was in the Norfolk Regiment but was transferred some time to the 8th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. His service number for this is 40625. I know very little of him. I am having problems finding out how he got in to the Dublin Fusiliers. His service files seem to have got destroyed in the WW2 bombing. If any body can help I would appreciate it. Thank you.

    Joy Taylor




    212463

    Pte. Henry Thomas Ware "Sonny" Hills 818th MT Coy. Army Service Corps (d.13th Oct 1918)

    Herny Hills is my grandfather, buried in Golhak war cemetery in Tehran. I have not found reference to the 818 Motorised Transport Company before in Persia (nor elsewhere). My father told me nothing about him. Clearly there was some military action in Tehran and Henry died a month before the end of WW1.

    David Hills




    212459

    Pte. Howard Ellson 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.2nd July 1916)

    Howard Ellson was born 20th January 1887 in Birmingham and was killed in action on 2 July 1916 near Cuincy, Pas-de-Calais, France. Howard was married at Aston, Warwickshire in abt June 1909 to Laura Luke. Howard is the sixth child and third son of Thomas Ellson and Jane (nee Wilkinson) He appears at the age of 4 years in the census return of 1891. The family is at 134, Vaughton Street, Deritend, Birmingham. In the household is Thomas (44) as its head and a whip thong maker. Jane (39) his wife and their children. Louisa (18) a milliners apprentice; Alice (15) an umbrella maker; Jane (9); Thomas (5); Howard (4) and Warner (1)

    By 1901 the family had moved to 18 Bissell Street, St Martin’s, Birmingham. Thomas (54) is still employed as a whip thong maker; Jane (49) is now listed as a shopkeeper “working on her own account from home“. (The 1889 Kelly’s Directory lists Thomas as a shopkeeper at this address) Jane (19) is a Japaneeser; Thomas (15) a tank riveter and Howard (14) a wire worker. Warner (11) is at school where he has been joined by a sister, Dora (8). Also in the household is their mother’s niece, (also) Jane Wilkinson (aged 12). Like her aunt, this Jane was born in north London. Howard married Laura Luke in abt June 1909. The couple appear on the CR of 1911 at 1/30 [one back of thirty] Highgate Street, Highgate, Birmingham. Howard (24) is a wire worker and Laura (22) the mother of a daughter, Winifred (b. 1910 in Birmingham and d. 1911 aged 1 year). Also in the household was a boarder, Matilda Harris, a tin plate worker aged 21 years. Howard and Laura had three other children, all sons. They were: William Howard, Bernard) and Leslie.

    In the Great War, Howard served as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, Worcester Regiment. At the date of his enlistment, on 27 July 1915, Howard was living at Court 8, house 2 Darwin Street, Highgate, Birmingham. He was 28 years old. A brief description tells us that he was 5’ 7” tall and of fair complexion with blue eyes and light hair.

    Howard Ellson is my paternal grandfather. It was in pursuit of Howard that I began this journey. I have set out his story from enlistment on 27 July 1915 to his death on 2 July 1916 in a booklet 'Somewhere Beneath a Sea of Mud' (2007). Family legend has it that Howard was killed on the opening day of the Battle on the Somme - 1 July 1916. This is supported by a memorial card which the family had printed, probably in about May 1917. It was not until 24 April 1917 that there was official confirmation from the War Office of his death. The letter read: "It is my painful duty to inform you that no further news having been received relative to (No) 24058 Pte Howard Ellson (Regiment) 2 Battn. Worcestershire Regt. who has been missing since 2-7-16, the Army Council has been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead, and that his death took place on the 2-7-16 (or since). I am to express to you the sympathy of the Army Council with you in your loss." It seems likely that the memorial card will have been produced shortly after receipt of this letter. The relevant part of the card reads "In loving memory of Pte Howard Ellson No 24058 2nd Worcesters Killed 1st July, 1916, at the Battle of the Somme".

    Neither of these 'facts' proved to be true. He was killed on 2 July 1916 whilst serving with the 2 Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment in the area of Bethune which is some 48 kilometres (30 miles) north of Bapaume - the most northerly point of the Somme battle area. He was with 2 battalion serving in C Company. At the time of his death he was in a raiding party on enemy lines at Auchy-les-la-Bassee. His death should have been commemorated on the Loos Memorial but he is one of the thousands named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. The record of 2 battalion gives the place of his death as Cuincy, a village midway between Bethune and La Bassee and the nearest village in British hands. Within a few days of his death the battalion had been moved, rather hurriedly south, to the Somme. It seems likely that all deaths after 1 July were attributed to that campaign. There is further confusion over his actual unit. Whilst most contemporary records place him with 2 battalion, those produced subsequently put him with 1 battalion. This includes those of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

    Barry Ellson




    212441

    A/Capt. Henry Charles Tuckfield MC. 15th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

    My Great Grandfather Henry Tuckfield was originally a reservist at the outbreak of World War One. He was later commissioned as a Lieutenant and ended the war as an Acting Captain. He is sorely missed and I am proud to have had his military cross passed down to me.

    Emma




    212438

    Herbert J. Smith

    <p>Herbert J. Smith, US Navy

    Herbert J Smith served in the US Navy.





    212435

    George LaForest USS Kansas

    <p>George La Forest, USS Kansas

    George La Forest served on the USS Kansas.





    212434

    Darwin D. Martin 125th Infantry Regiment

    <p>Darwin D. Martin, 125th Infantry

    Darwin D Martin served with the 125th Infantry, US Army.





    212433

    Truck Master James Allen Hoyle

    <p>James Allen Hoye

    James Allen Hoyle was a Truck Master with the US Army.





    212431

    Pte. Alfred George Grice Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (d.21st Nov 1917)

    Alfred Grice was a great uncle, known to have fought and died in Flanders, more information would be greatly appreciated.

    Emily




    212428

    2nd Lt. Robert Kind 15th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    Robert Kind enlisted in 1915, presumably in Sunderland where he attended Teacher Training College. He was sent to France in April/May of 1916 and saw action on 1st July opposite Fricourt. He went over the top at 7.30 and was wounded in close quarter fighting within the hour. Having been shot through the lung, his life was saved by his orderly who carried him back across no-man's land. During the process he was wounded again and carried pieces of shrapnel in his body for the rest of his life.

    Paul Kind




    212426

    Pte. Herbert James Flack 27th Coy. Labour Corps

    I am the grandaughter of Herbert James Flack and looking for his army record I came across this article from the New Statesman dated 29th October 1918. It was a question asked in Parliament by private notice:

    Mr. Alden (by private notice) asked the Secretary of State of War whether he was aware that private H.J. Flack, 121 Durham Rd, White Hart Lane, Tottenham now attached to 27 Labour Corp, No 47695 formerly No 2242 19th Middlesex Regiment who was discharged in 1914 and joined up again on 22 April 1915 and has served in France since 1 August 1916 has lost 1 eye and that the other is very seriously affected, so he is almost blind and cannot see at night. He also has a compound fracture of the leg which unfits him for active service, that he has 7 children at home, 1 who is paralysed and whether he is aware that the man under orders to leave for France Wednesday and what action he proposes to take. Mr.Macpherson's instruction have been issued that Private Flack should not be sent overseas pending a further medical exam, which will be arranged shortly.

    I lived with my grandparents as my Dad was in the 2nd World War and my Mum looked after them as Nan was frail and Gramps could not see far.

    Patricia Tims




    212422

    Donald Moodie 2nd Btn Irish Guards

    <p>Donald Moodie, Irish Guards, S. Africa, March 1918

    I have a photo album that has 300 photos in it. One of the photos in my album is of Donald Moodie, written after his name Irish Guards S. Africa, Mar. 1918.

    Jim & Tommy July 1914

    Dave Donatelli




    212420

    Pte. Eli Bullock 2nd Battalion East Yorks Regiment

    <p>Eli Bullock in hospital blue World War I in Malta

    Eli Bullock was the youngest of 13 children born to George and Henrietta Bullock of 30 Stoke Old Rd, Lower Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. In 1911 he was a labourer at Shelton Steelworks and voluntary reserve North Staffs Regiment at the Barracks, Newcastle u Lyme. He was a private soldier 8th battalion North Staffs Regiment and transferred with a group of about 300 men to the 2nd Battalion East Yorks Regiment in May 1915. He was an officer's servant (batman). He played football in the army and won a gold medal which he pawned in the "hungry thirties". He sailed to France in May 1915 and remained there during Battle of Loos until sailing via Marseille for Alexandria, Egypt in October 1915. Thence to Salonika where he spent the rest of the war, with a spell in Malta with malaria.

    Later Eli became a professional footballer for Crewe Alexandra, Macclesfield FC, Exeter City FC, Runcorn FC and worked as builder's labourer. He lived Newcastle under Lyme Staffs and died at St Edward's Hospital Cheddleton Nr Leek Staffs March 1984, aged 88 years)





    212415

    Gnr. Jesse Phillip Balch No. 7 Depot Royal Field Artillery

    Jesse Balch was my Great Grandfather he was born in 1866 at Minterne Magna, Dorset to William and Elizabeth Balch. In civilian life he was a Coachman Groom and Royal Horse Artillery Pensioner. He was married with children. He enlisted as a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery in the Army Reserve at the age of 48 in 1914. He served with 7 Depot which were based at Frome and Romsey and was discharged on medical grounds (KR 392.xvi) in 1917. He was awarded the Silver War Badge (No' 170496) for his service.

    Michael Robert Nottage




    212414

    Sub/Lt.(E) Henry James Harris HMS Mechanician (d.20th Jan 1918)

    My great uncle, Henry James Harris, was one of the crew who served & lost his life with the the sinking of the "SS. Mechanician". He was Sub Lieutenant Eng.

    He was one of 4 Harris brothers, 3 of whom served in WW1, only my grandfather and one other great uncle, who was seriously wounded in France, survived the war. In all of the extended family of cousins 18 Harris boys went off to war and only 2 came home. Four of the brothers and cousins, who together joined the Liverpool Pals Regiments, all died in the opening hours of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916. None of their bodies were ever found or identified.

    From my research I have found a lot of general information about the "SS Mechanician" a merchant ship, built at Belfast by Workman, Clarke & Co in 1900 for Charente Steamship Co., Ltd. (T. & J. Harrison), Liverpool. Although I am unable to get any detailed information such as crew lists, plans, sailing history etc. She was taken over by the Royal Navy in April 1917, being commissioned 20 June of that year, for use as a 'Commissioned armed escort ship', fitted with 2 x 6 in and 2 x 4 in guns, her role being to escort convoys.

    My great uncle was serving as a "Sub lieutenant Eng" from his rank & the fact that he was an engineer I would assume that he was probably stationed in the engine or boiler room when the ship was torpedoed. Under the command of Captain James Nicholson, I understand she was en-route to Plymouth from the Thames estuary when she was attacked at 02.50. She was hit by two torpedoes, thirty minutes apart, the first exploding against number six hold which caused the stokehold to flood; the second hit the boiler room. Sadly, all my great great grandmother and her family got to remember their children by were empty graves in a number of Liverpool cemeteries.

    Chris John




    212410

    W/O2 Joseph Henry Hughes MM 24th Batt (2nd Sportsmen's) Royal Fusiliers

    Joe Hughes, my grandfather, was one of just six men of the original 24th, or 2nd Sportsmen's, battalion, raised at the Hotel Cecil in late 1914 and early 1915, remaining with the 2nd Sportsmen at the end of the war. He was a specialist in grenades, explosives and bombing raid training and leadership from 1916 to 1918, when he was promoted to CSM, I believe in B Coy., after the final German offensive in March 1918. He had refused the offer of a commission because it would have meant leaving the battalion, and he was determined to see the war through with his friends and comrades. Apart from being awarded the MM for his part in taking a heavily defended quarry at Rumilly, Cambrai, in 1918, his other distinction was that he was probably the first man to fire a Bangalore Torpedo (an explosive charge on a long rod, designed to blast gaps in barbed wire entanglements) in action. He was an enthusiastic member of the regimental association between the wars and in the post war years, and kept a fascinating collection of documents, photographs and artefacts, which are now with the Museum of the Royal Fusiliers at the Tower of London. He also left a fascinating collection of stories, some of which I recorded for the Museum, about life in the Battalion, through training in England - when the men went on strike over the quantity and quality of their food, and were threatened with cavalry and machine guns before returning to duty - and the three years on the Western Front that followed. Cross checking his accounts with the Battalion War Diary, I found a remarkable degree of accuracy - although the strike took place at Tidworth Camp in England, before the battalion was shipped to France, and did not therefore appear in the diary (I wonder whether this type of incident would have been recorded at all!)

    Colin McDonald




    212409

    Gdsm. Percey Horace Drayton 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.21st Dec 1915)

    Percey Horace Drayton a horse keeper from Smith End, Barley, he enlisted at Walthamstow on the 16th of December 1902 as a gunner with the Household Cavalry and Royal Artillery. Occasionally reprimanded for being out after curfew in Canada (8 days confined to barracks) and for causing a disturbance in a girl's school at night in Allahabad (14 days detention), admonished for drunkenness twice in 1903 and hospitalised for diphtheria and Malaria 1907 and 08. After completing his colour service he transferred to the Reserve before reenlisting as a Guardsman in the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards. He went briefly AWOL 14th Sept 1914 after being wounded on the Western Front. He died of his wounds, 21st December 1915 having been transferred back to England two weeks earlier.

    Chris Allan




    212408

    Pte. William Thomas Peachey 1st Btn. Hertfordshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    William Thomas Peachey enlisted in Hertford as Private in the 1st Battalion the Hertfordshire Regiment. Killed in action at The Battle of the Ancre, 13th November 1916 and is buried in the Connaucht Cemetery, Thiepval.

    Chris Allan




    212407

    Pte. Arthur Scripps 3rd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.3rd Nov 1918)

    Arthur Scripps enlisted in Royston and joined the 3rd Battalion The Grenadier Guards. He died in the Capelle region of Flanders near Bapaume, on the 3rd of November 1918, only eight days before the Armistace. He is buried at Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny

    Chris Allan




    212406

    Dvr. Charles Yaxley Army Service Corps (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Charles Yaxley enrolled London Colney (formerly 2402, 5th Norfolk Regt). A Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps he died in Egypt 10th October 1918 and is buried at Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery.

    Chris Allan




    212405

    Pte. Charles Edward Fuller Hertfordshire Regiment (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    Charles Edward Fuller enlisted in Bedford into the Hertfordshire Regiment. He was killed in action in the British assault at Achiet le Grand railway cutting, 23rd August 1918 and is buried at Achiet le Grand Cemetery.

    Chris Allan




    212404

    L/Cpl. John Hayes Hertfordshire Regiment (d.12th Sep 1918)

    John Hayes of Smith End, Barley, enlisted in Royston. A Lance Corporal in the Hertfordshire Regiment, he died of his wounds fighting alongside the New Zealand Division on the Hindenburg Line at the Battle of Havrincourt, 12th September 1918. He is buried at St Aubert British Cemetery .

    Chris Allan




    212403

    Pte. Harry Mansfield 1st Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.17th Apr 1918)

    Harry Mansfield enlisted in Hitchin as a private in the Bedfordshire Regiment. He was seconded to the 1st Company Infantry Machine Gun Corps, died aged 20 of wounds received during the German Spring Offensive, 17th April 1918, probably at Mount Kemmel, during the Battle of the Lys. He is buried at Lille Southern Cemetery.

    Chris Allan




    212402

    L/Cpl. William James Mansfield 11th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    William James Mansfield from Smith End in Barley, enlisted at West Ham in Essex. A Lance Corporal in the 11th Battalion The Essex Regiment, he was killed in action during the German final offensive at the Battle of St Quentin 21st March 1918 (British losses at this battle were 177,739. The Germans lost 348,300) He is buried in Vaux Hill Cemetery.

    Chris Allan




    212401

    Pte. Arthur Howard 9th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Arthur Howard of Church End, Barley, enlisted at Hitchin into the Bedfordshire Regiment (26849). A Private he was seconded to the 9th Battalion the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Aged 30, he was killed in action along the Arras to Cambrai Road sector, 7th June 1917. He is buried at St Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery.

    Chris Allan




    212400

    Pte. Charles John Machon 7th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.7th Aug 1917)

    Charles Machon of Church End, Barley, enlisted at Enfield and was a private in the 7th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). He was killed in action at the Third Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele on the 4th of August 1917. He is remembered at the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Chris Allan




    212399

    Pte. Earnest John Bullen Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (d.27th Oct 1916)

    Earnest John Bullen enlisted in Halifax, a private in the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment. Died of wounds received at the Battle of the Somme, possibly at Ancre Heights, 27th Oct 1916 (aged 44). He is buried at the St Sever Cemetery extension, Rouen.

    Chris Allan




    212398

    Pte. John Scripps 10th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.6th Sep 1918)

    John Scripps, enlisted at Tottenham, where he joined the Bedfordshire Regiment. Seconded as a private to the 10th Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment. He died of his wounds, 6th September 1918 at the Battle of Roche Noir near Salonika in Greece and is buried at Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece.

    Chris Allan




    212397

    Pte. Ellis Smith 11th Btn. Border Regiment (d.15th Apr 1917)

    Ellis Smith enlisted in Bedford (6218 The Middlesex Regt). A private in the 11th Battalion, The Border Regiment (known as the Lonsdale Pals), he was killed in Action, 15th April 1917 fighting at Arras. He is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial.

    Chris Allan




    212396

    L/Cpl. George Creek 5th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.21st Mar 1917)

    George Creek enlisted in Royston into the 1st Battalion The Bedford Regiment. Transferred as Lance Corporal to the 5th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), he died of his wounds with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force probably in Mesapotamia (Iraq) 21st March 1917.

    Chris Allan




    212395

    Pte. Benjamin Hill 1/8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.7th Dec 1916)

    Benjamin Hill enlisted in Bedford. A private in the 1/8th (T.F.) Battalion of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment), he died at home of his wounds 7th December 1916 and is buried in Barley.

    Chris Allan




    212394

    Pte. Joseph Howard Slater 6th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.1st Oct 1916)

    Joseph Howard Slater enlisted in Hertford and was a private in Hertfordshire Regiment later transferring to the 6th Battalion Princess Charlotte of Wales (Royal Berkshire Regiment). Killed in action, aged 29, at The Battle of Ancre Heights, in the Somme, 1st of October 1916. He is remembered near his brother Geoffrey at Thiepval Memorial.

    Chris Allan




    212393

    Pte. Geoffrey Slater Bedfordshire Regiment (d.31st July 1916)

    Geoffrey Slater enlisted in Royston and was a private in the Bedfordshire Regiment. He was killed in action aged just 21 in Flanders on the 31st July 1916. He is buried at Thiepval Memorial in France.

    Chris Allan




    212392

    Pte. Arthur Frank Sermons 10th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.12th Feb 1916)

    Frank Sermons was Harry Moulton's assistant at the butchers in Barley, he enlisted at Cockspur St. London into the 10th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (the so-called “Stockbroker Battalion”, largely made up of city employees). A private, he was killed aged 22 by shrapnel from a shell at Bailleulval near Bellecourt at the southern end of the battlefront for the Battle of Arras on the 12th Febuary 1916. He is buried at Douchy Les Ayette Cemetery.

    Chris Allan




    212391

    Pte. Francis William Bullen 1st Btn. Worcester Regiment (d.17th July 1915)

    Francis William Bullen (18193). A young gardener and son of Benjamin Bullen, he lived at The Shah Pub on the corner of what is now Picknage Road. Enlisting in Royston he was transferred to Worcester where he was a Private in the 1st Battalion, The Worcester Regiment. Killed in action in the Somme area 17th July 1915, he was aged just 18.

    Chris Allan




    212380

    Pte. William Walraven Labour Corps

    William Walraven was my great grandfather. I never knew much of him as my father and was put into care at a young age and there is nothing known of the Walraven family I am trying to find out information about him or his service history. If anyone can help please contact me.

    Jack




    212379

    Pte. William Hanley 1/16th QWR Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    The family story is that Billy Hanley was shot on the 1st July 1916 but he did make it back to the Trench as his pocket watch was returned from the front. William Hanley was the son of John and Mary Hanley of 18 Strand Street Enniskillen Co Fermanagh NI.

    David Hanley




    212377

    Pte. Joseph O'Brien 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.5th April 1916)

    Private Joseph O'Brien Reg.No.300, was my Granduncle and brother to my Grandfather, Private John O'Brien, who also fought in WW1. Joseph's family believed that he died and was buried in France, only discovering 3 years ago that he was killed in action in Mesopotamia(Iraq) and is buried there also. His name is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Panel 23. Although Joseph had no children he will be remembered by his many relatives in Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland and in Philadelphia, U.S.A.

    Sinead O'Brien




    212372

    Pte. Joseph Cox 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.25th January 1915)

    Joseph Cox was my wife's great grandfather who was killed, probably at Givenchy, on 25th January 1915. He must have volunteered at start of war to get to France so soon. He was a coal miner but quite old to have joined up at least 42 at outbreak of war which is the puzzle.

    Nick Legard




    212365

    L/Cpl. Louis Corbin 3rd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.27th Nov 1917)

    My Grandfather, Louis Corbin, died in WW1 on 27 November 1917. He was in the Grendier Guards, 3 Btn. Quite a sad story really. My grandmother, Maggie Corbin, was born in a remote location in the north west corner of Ireland in County Donegal. She had been married and had a child who had died probably in childbirth and in the 1911 Census she was living in Donegal in her parent's house because her husband had already died. That was a pretty poor situation for a woman in those days in that area where there was virtually no employment for men, never mind woman, she was also 37 years of age and her prospects would not have been good, but she was strong woman like the rest of her family.

    Anyway, she made her way to London and met Louis Corbin and they married in 1915. Louis Corbin was from Nynehead near Wellington in Somerset. They lived in Battersea and he was based in Wellington Barracks according to their marriage certificate. Louis Corbin went off to war and sent postcards home etc and came back on leave, my grandmother became pregnant and my mother, Eileen Corbin, was born on 6 Dec 1917. Louis Corbin at this time was in France and had taken part in the battle of Cambria and according to the records died on 27 Nov 1917 so he never saw his child and my mother never met him. I don't think my grandmother became aware of his death immediately and she would have no family members in London so must have been quite a shock. According to my mother all my grandmother knew was that the whole battalion had been wiped out and all bulldozed into a mass grave.

    It such a shame that these two people could not have lived happily ever after but that's the reality of war. Louis Corbin would have been looking forward to seeing his child in a few weeks but it was not too be. My grandmother moved back to Ireland with her child and raised her next door to her own parents in Donegal in a beautiful spot. My grandmother lived in Donegal from about 1918 until her death in 1957 and never married again.

    The sad thing is my grandmother never knew where my grandfather's grave was, and neither did my mother. All her life my mother never knew where he was buried, she had an idea that he was from a region around South Wales in a place called Port Talbot and travelled there a few times to see if she could find out anything about him but could never find anything. She never even knew where he was buried. There was no Google then. My sister then, in the eighties, tracked him down to Somerset and travelled there. But could find no relatives or where his grave was. My mother died in 1984 and never found out anything about her father, although she searched all her life. You have to remember the area my mother was brought up in in Donegal was very remote, no electricity till the seventies, no running water till the seventies, no phones in houses till late seventies, so when my grandmother was living in the 20's to 40's it was almost impossible to communicate in any meaningful way.

    I was named after my grandfather and I wish I knew more about him but of course now we have the Internet and I finally found his grave. Well, I did not, a friend of mine saw my grandfather's medals and typed the info into the Internet and The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website came up and revealed his resting place in the Louvrral Memorial in Northern France. I visited his grave in 2005 and it was sad to think that the poor man had lain alone here for so many years before some one came to visit him, not for the want of caring but because we never knew where he was and I am happy I know where he is now. I have inscribed his name on my mother's gravestone in Donegal so at last they are united in a strange way. I feel sorry for these people imaging what they went through and not knowing whether they would be alive the next day.

    I would like to know more about my grandfather and where he was before the war and where his battalion was based. If anyone could help I would be most grateful. He will be dead 100 years in 2017. It would be great if I could find some of his descendants to let them know he is not forgotten.

    Louis McGee




    212364

    Rfmn. Charles Thomas Gilbert 2nd Batt Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.31st Oct 1914)

    Charles Gilbert was a pre-war regular solder who was time expired in November 1913 after 7 years and was placed on the Reserve. He was recalled in August 1914 and landed in France on August 26th 1914. He fought with the 2nd Battalion until being killed in action near to Ghelvelt on Oct 31st, he has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate.

    His brother Walter was also a prewar regular - wounded in 1915 and again 1918 and captured in March being a POW until the wars end. The plan is to be at the Menim Gate on October 31st 2014 to remember him and we can also remember his colleagues who were killed with him during this time.

    Patrick Kavanagh




    212351

    Rfmn. Timothy Goddard Elliott 19th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>Photo of Tim Elliott, taken just behind the front line at Chipilly (Somme) in 1916

    Tim Elliott was my father in law. Twenty years after his death a huge cache of diaries was discovered in his loft, including an unbroken record from 1914 to 1919, when he was in the trenches. As far as I can trace no other unpromoted soldier was able to achieve this, which makes them a vital historical document. I have just received copies of the book that I have written where these amazing diaries are reproduced in full. They change the view of the common soldier in WW1. The book is published by Loaghtan Books, and is called Tim's Wars, because I have utilised Tim's diaries from 1912 to 1940.

    He was in the 19th City of London and even wrote his diary after charging on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. After the Armistice he took part in concert parties, often in female dress. I have numerous photos, including one I have used on the cover. It shows him relaxing on a gun limber smoking a pipe. Who on earth had a camera at Chipilly just behind the lines in 1916?

    Robin Gregory




    212348

    Pte. Frederick W. Wilson 1st Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    Pte. Frederick W. Wilson of the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment was in action on the Western Front through out the war and returned home in 1919.





    212347

    Pte. Percy John Sweetingham 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infrantry (d.14th July 1918)

    We are researching local people who died in WW1 including Percy Sweetingham. At present I have little information except the data from the War Graves Commission. Can anyone provide further details?

    Nick Clark




    212339

    2nd Lt. Walter Gerald Hicks (d.12th Aug 1915)

    Trying to trace more information on Gerald Hicks who, I believe, was the grandson of Walter Hicks, founder of St Austell Brewery in Cornwall. Gerald was allegedly shot by a sniper in Armentieres in 1915. Would you be able to shed any light on this? Which regiment was likely to have been in the area at that time?

    Chris Knight




    212337

    Sgt. Albert John "Robbie" Roberts 236th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    On 20th January 1909 Albert enlisted in the 6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 2nd County of London Division (Later 47th Division), Territorial Force raised at 105 Holland Road, Brixton, as a Gunner in the 16th Battery. After much reorganisation this later became the 236th Brigade 47th Division. At the start of the WW1 his Brigade were stationed in Hertfordshire before moving to France in March 1915. Being the first Territorial Army Division to go to France as a complete unit. He saw action around Bethune, Lose, Vimy Ridge and the Somme. The Division moved from the Somme in 1916 to Ypres where they remained over the winter. The Brigade Headquarters were moved forward to Bedford House for the build up to the Battle of Messine Ridge which started on 7th June 1917. The bombardment commenced on 21st May. The Germans retaliated in kind, and this is when Albert’s front line service comes to an end when a German shell landed on his dugout. On Saturday 2nd June 1917 he was wounded along with another unnamed sergeant. Staff Sergeant Thomas Masters and Gunner Joseph Alexander Gordon were both killed and are buried at Bedford House which was also a dressing station. Albert always thought the other Sergeant in the dugout was also killed but just after WW2 he was in the White Horse Public House in Chislehurst when the other Sergeant walked in. Unfortunately who he was is lost to history. I have done a lot of research on 236th Brigade which anybody can have a copy of. I also have transcribed the War Diary from March 1915 to 8th June 1917.

    Andy Roberts




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    Pte. Thomas James Dale 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.20th April 1919)

    Thomas Dale was my great uncle, youngest brother to my grandfather Oswald Dale, also of the N Staffords. After receiving a GSW face neck and chest at Loos on 3.10.1915 Thomas recovered in Chatham. After 2 more returns to action he was finally invalided to UK on 6 Aug 1918, first to Chatham, then Brighton, Cambridge East Preston and finally Lord Derby in Nov 1918.

    Thomas was a classic case of melancholia, depression, suicidal, paranoia etc, all ultimately related to shell shock. After numerous treatments, he succumbed to vision defects, cranial pressure, delusional attitude, etc there are 14 pages of medical notes. Thomas cut his own throat with razor in a suicide attempt. Although many tests were completed, with differing results, serum blood tests negative then positive, a period of eye vein enlargement occurred, plus other symptoms, including numerous severe fits and he died at 10.40pm on 20th April 1919. Although a case of classic shell shock can be ascertained, it seems that he may have actually been the victim of a brain tumour (meningeal tumour) or meningitis, the quick onset of symptoms suggest the latter. Spanish flu is not suspected.

    But I cannot fined where he is buried. His medical records were transferred to Chester some time ago, but Stoke and Warrington cemetery have no record and the CWGC does not commemorate him. I would like to rectify this in respect of his harrowing tale which is typical of so many thousand others.

    John Holroyd




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    Pte. John Thomas Wright 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fuiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Through researching my family tree and speaking with my family I have discovered that my great grand uncle Thomas Wright died at the battle of the Somme on 1/7/1916 in the first wave of soldiers who ventured into no man's land. We have a commemorative plaque with his name inscribed which must have been given to the family at some point but have no other documentation to go with it. From researching the family tree I discovered that he was part if the 22nd battalion and was in the 3rd division of the Tyneside Scottish Fusiliers. As far as I can tell, they were stationed in France in January 1916 and were located across from a small fortified village called la Boisselle. I have read that the battalion were played into battle on the first day of the battle by the regiments pipers so was really pleased to see another story on this site of a piper from the same division.

    Hazel Forster




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    Pte. Reginald Josiah Knight 5th Batallion Dorsetshire Regiment

    My Grandfather Reginald Knight served in the 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, joining the unit in 1914. He fought in France and was gassed in 1916 and was repatriated to UK. He lived until 1975.





    212318

    Pte. Samuel Mason 13th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers

    Samuel Mason is my grandfather. We know little of his war service, he was on the wounded casualty list dated 11/6/1918, thankfully he survived the war.

    Steve




    212305

    Sgt. Alfred Alaxander "Alf" Nix 1st Battalion, B Company Northumberland Fusiliers

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    Alf Nix, my grandfather, was an Old Contemptible. A soldier during the First World War who took part in the retreat from Mons August 1914 and the subsequent advance to the Marne and Aisne in September 1914. Evidence of his former military life was very much on display at his modest terraced home in Nottingham. A collection of brass shell cases polished religiously every week adorned his mantle piece. On the wall was a photograph of him standing in uniform looking over the Khyber Pass situated on the Afghanistan Indian border. He died at the grand age of 94 and was at one time the oldest retired employee of John Player & Son, the Nottingham based cigarette manufacturer. During his funeral in 1973 a small contingent of former soldiers, members of the Old Contemptible Association conducted a salute to their former comrade. I was a teenager at the time and didn’t quite understand the significance of the salute or what the Old Contemptible Association was all about. In later years my interest in the First World War grew and I began to research and read books on the subject. The first book I ever read on the subject was Lions Led by Donkeys; I was discussing the content with a cousin of mine, who asked if I had ever read our grandfathers account of his time in the First World War. This was a revelation to me; the said document was retrieved from my auntie’s loft, after a short but frantic search.

    Granddad served with the First Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Why were Nottingham men serving with a regiment who traditionally recruited from the North East? The story behind it his quite a simple one in granddad's case, his love of horses! At the age of fifteen Alf joined the local regiment the Robin Hood Rifles (Sherwood Foresters) at the time of the second Boer War. He volunteered to join the Northumberland Fusiliers, who at the time were forming a Mounted Infantry Battalion in South Africa. Many Nottingham men transferred and trained as Mounted Infantry to combat the highly mobile Boers. Discharged from the army in 1905 after his service Alf remained an army reservist, married and started a family. In August 1914 when war was declared with Germany Alf once again returned to his regiment the First Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who were assembling in Portsmouth, ready to head for France as part of the British Expeditionary Force

    Sometime between 1905 and 1914 the mounted infantry battalion must have disbanded, Alf and his comrades found themselves with no choice except “Shanks’s Pony” during the epic retreat from Mons, a tactical withdrawal of over two hundred miles. As part of General Smith- Dorian’s II Army Corps the Northumberland Fusiliers where in close contact with the enemy from the beginning, as the German Army advanced through Belgium and Northern France. Heavy fighting occurred all the way from Mons to within 30 miles of Paris before the tables turned and the German Army was pushed back to the Aisne River, Northern France, where basically they remained entrenched for the next four years.

    Arthur Mather was another Nottingham man who chose the exact same military career path as Alf Nix, both men rejoined the battalion and departed for France together in August 1914. Both men were around thirty years of age and both had children. Arthur’s story is not a happy one. His luck ran out in September 1914 at the battle of the Aisne. His death his graphically described by Alf in his account of the battle. To cut a long story short I am now in contact with Arthur’s family, who I met after a memorial to the Basford men who died in the conflict was reconsecrated at St Leo’s church Old Basford in 2005. I was left with something of a dilemma. However I am sure I made the right decision and deposited a copy of Alf’s account with Arthur’s family, whom I have remained in touch with in recent years. After meeting Arthur’s family I was quite perturbed by their story, despite receiving a widow’s pension Arthur’s family suffered terrible hardship after the 1st World War. Something I found even more upsetting was the fact that Arthur had no marked grave; his name appears on the La Ferte-sous-Jourre memorial along with many other thousands of British and Irish soldiers without marked graves who took part in the conflict. Vailly-sur-Aisne the township in France where Arthur fell is now home to a large Commonwealth War Grave, the majority of burials remain unmarked, the chances are Arthur is buried in there somewhere.

    2014 the centenary of the conflict will soon be upon us, many families decedents of the brave soldiers who took part in the terrible conflict will I am sure be heading for Northern France and Belgium to pay their respects to family members who perished. Over recent years I have carried out much research, mostly derived from the official War Diary of the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Along with the Gladstone Historical Society a visit to France is on the cards for 2014. Visiting the Vailly-sur-Aisne area will be a priority, especially Rouge Maison farm 2miles north of Vailly were heavy losses were inflicted on the 1st battalion and the 9th brigade on the 14th of September 1914. Kindly published by the Wartime Memories Project the route taken by the battalion and the 9th brigade can be viewed on two modern Google maps, for those wishing to follow the route march or just visit certain locations. Also published is a transcribed account of the war diary describing in detail were the battalion was located, and what was happening leading up to the first battle of the Aisne, in September 1914. Alf Nix’s account, gives a more personnel slant to the conflict, and what the brave soldiers of the battalion had to contend with during the early months of the war. Locations and place names are very sketchy, possibly on purpose, Alf was aware I am sure that he was breaking the rules by keeping a diary. The most poignant sentence in the account for me as a grandson are the very last four words, intended for his wife back in Nottingham. Alfred Alexander Nix, Private 9101, B Company 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers 1914-16 4th August 1914 Page 1 War with the greatest army the world had ever seen being a reservist it affected me to begin with. I had a wife and three very young children and left them at home for the battle that came to France on the 13th of august. What a morning the land very hot marches about eight miles next day we rested and waited for the order to move. Where to we did not know for all was very exiting and very secret. I was very happy under such times as we had in France from everywhere we went we was given the finest reception that any soldier in the world could wish for. What times we had trying our best to make the French people understand us but in all these very happenings we little thought we should be up against the fighting hounds of the war lords of Germany. Well we were entrained south of where we did not know where too. We got to a very big place on the 20th of august and billeted in some very nice farm buildings belonging to the French we marched off on the 22nd Saturday and lands on some very high hills. The order came put 5 rounds in your magazine the Captain of my company tells us we are about to see the enemy. We lands at a railway station with a canal running along it for what distance I do not know. The people was very pleased at meeting such jolly never to be forgotten soldiers of the land of humanity. Page 2 Get your coats off pull all obstacles down facing the bridge well we did work hard 0n that Saturday afternoon digging trenches in back gardens and then putting loop holes in houses and building barricades up the street. Plenty of good people have been bringing us biscuits and beefsteak wine beer and chocolate and tobacco of Belgium. Grown perhaps in the little plots land. Well Saturday night we was all going to the empire in our thoughts. We had pickets out two miles away waiting for 25 Ulans that was supposed to come to the bridge but our engineers was very busy looking after the same bridge with some gun cotton. I am selected to go out on a picket at 2am to relieve the others and a very decent time we had looking and wondering what on earth was there. Six am relief came I goes in my trench in the back garden we get orders to carry all the old people out of the houses that face our trenches and a very funny sight to for we carried old women has tenderly has we could. Some went out of town in carts and traps of different people. I has a fine wash up and breakfast of grilled steak the loveliest bit of steak I has ever tasted all for nothing! After breakfast a look at the best apple trees in the garden then people kept coming and asking us what they should do. Page 3 What should a private soldier tell them only one thing and that was stop where you are we shall hold them. Some did this I think after to there sorrow. Something very unusual to us was the sound of bridges being blown up and we began to see our own engineers putting the touch for our bridge to be blown up but did it I can say no and we were a bit sorry for it, as we was so close to it. 11.15 Sunday morning august we could hear drums and whistles and shouting just like a lot of I can say savages I never heard a worse din in my life like it. Well we heard the sharp crack of rifles and we soon knew what it was to be under fire and I can say there was no cooler men on earth than my company and that first days action 5 hours holding 25 Ulans so we was told. But there was 80 thousand instead what a lie or a lull not to put the wind up us. This same day and place I saw a German gun brought into action to blow the loopholes, houses and boards down. When they got in action I deliberately saw a child I should say about 4 or 5 years old put in straight in front of our first line so they could get their gun in action a very dirty piece of work of work for a civilised army. Well if you believe me we would have never retired from Mons if we had a bit bigger army and a few more guns. Page 4 We had a hell of a time getting of the garden and if it had not been for the awkward street as we retired up we should have been cut up. The street saved our company I can say that for sure. We went seven miles back and then I saw my face in a spotless looking glass in a Belgium house I was black as a sweep with streaks of sweat running down my cheeks. I was very pleased when we halted for a few hours. Just to see what during those few hours rest we had it was a very distressing sight. Women and children crying and just a few bundles of what they could carry before they parted with their dear homes. Well we got the order to dig more trenches and we did it with a will but I myself was sorry to see them dug in such a place because there was a big flare from a very big gas works that sowed the Germans what we was on with. We finished the trenches by 2am and I can say non went to sleep for we could here our patrols firing all the time they were out in the distance we could see many houses on fire and it was the houses only a few hours before we all was defending this was war of course and we waited for the order to stand to the second time in this great war. Page 5 The morning broke the patrols came in and reported the Germans were coming once again for the little army. We waited in a very quit way and the first terrible time to us with the bursting of enormous shells it simply rained shells at the back of our trenches that bright morning. After three hours under this nasty business we got an order to retire into the street. We came out simply grand just as if we were on parade. Why because we had got a grand lot of experienced company offices who told us not to bother but still it was something to bother about with such things flying over our heads for the first time. Another order came back to us to go and hold those same trenches at any cost we went back just the same as we came out perhaps a little smarter for the Germans gunners was letting the pills drop a little short. We went back in only one man wounded. What a wonderful thing for it seemed to us that the world had turned into one big roll of thunder. What a couple of hours we spent; in that terrible time we done our duty we held the trenches for the time. Page 6 We had to hold them we retired into the gas yard and fixed our bayonets waiting for the Germans to come again. While in the gas yard other fellows of my regiment were tearing the road up pushing wagons over just to stem the transport a little or their guns Another two hours saw us out of the yard and over some lovely fields. We dug dummy trenches and got on the retreat again and what an awful time it was. The third day came only to see one of the sights that a soldier never dreamed of that was a fight between two aeroplanes in which my battalion took part in opening fire on the German one it was fetched down like wild duck would. Now on this day was the first time in which we only saw French soldiers it was strange to us to see them and they went to see whether the German pilot was alive or not we was not allowed to do this but I may say there was a cheer that those same Frenchmen heard from us that they would always remember. The fourth day saw us again in the fields fighting a rear guard action against their Cavalry. We came on the march again and we had to keep on all that night. Page 7 I can say this my dear chums had to hold me up while I had a sleep absolutely marching asleep. A thing I know a good many people would not believe but this is the truth in a terrible time the fifth day broke with us still on the march. After I should say twelve miles had been done we were pushed in a big wood and we were on the look out for them once again shells dropping in this wood did no harm we were very safe here the time we was here. I plucked a nice lot of blackberries for I was getting rather hungry they came in very handy has our transport had been lost and it was very bad for those that had to supply us with food. We got on the march again and passed through a very big town crossing over a bridge which our engineers were preparing for destruction. What awful times still on the march and very little to eat on the sixth day. We fought another rear guard action all day long. We were in action this battle was called le Cattou. Well on we went again on the march. On the seventh day very footsore and hungry I can say all of us were about done for when we got the word halt for two hours what a grand drop of tea I made which bucked me up a treat. Page 8 Two hours rest and off again ceaseless marching were going to do us all in. But night came on and we got two more hours rest and down we all flopped on the side of the road fast asleep in two ticks. We woke up rather wet for it had been raining. Eighth day and still on the march when we had an order to hold the top of a big hill where there was a big chimney and a glassed roof place. We saw our cavalry for the first time here and we got the order to move when a nice pill came at the chimney and went all among the glass house and in the distance we could see a church steeple on fire a very queer site this was for a steeple to catch fire first. On the march again on the sides of the road were apples of the kind that make wine for France they were treated in a decent way with us for we were not allowed to touch them but still we got a few from some R .A.M.E men that were shaking the trees and throwing them down the line to us for all they were worth. Still we were trudging along a bit lagged out. The ninth day came and still wearing good leather out. We were happy this day as we were told that we could make what we like. Page 9 So we went and got some chickens in a farmyard and vegetables and began cooking. At once what a happy lot of fellows we forgot all our troubles and the hard times we had been through what did any care so long as we could get a good meal into our stomachs. What a shocking thing to happen we got the order to march and over went the stews and every thing in that farmyard. I dare not like to tell anyone the talk of those North Country fellows. We grabbed at apples and pears as we were marching off full of disgust. To think the general had ordered us on the road again but the Germans spoilt everything that day for they were coming in motorcars and still kept them from doing us any damage. Still on we went just wondering when we should finish marching around France for it seemed to us that we were doing so. The tenth day arrives and on still further than any other day. We marched all the night as well when was all this going to finish. Well we all began to grouse and no wonder for we had been severed from all the supply transport which meant that we had to get what fruit we could and what we could pick up on the road I was a starving man. Page ten Then when day broke on the eleventh day thank god for we were told we were going to have a good rest. We did get a good one and had a roll call at the same time which bought to light how many men the battle had cost. I should say about 300 and we got made up with reserves from home and we were told we had done 68 miles and fighting hard at times. In eleven days not a bad performance the twelfth day comes with the order we are going to advance men and we did and felt jolly has school boys coming out of school for play. What a time chasing Germans was more exiting than retiring on the dusty roads. We done very well the first day on the advance. On the road one day and getting after them another. What a change in such a short time for the Germans to be smashing us up and then for us to smash them up on this advance. Up to the Aisne we was always in touch with them we saw what the Germans had done. We passed tables with white clothes on and the best of wines and glasses all strewn about outside on the road and gramophones to sooth their ears. When we was not in the field we had to search houses and see as there was no spies or Germans in and the sights we saw the lovely homes of the working man or noble with their sheds robbed of calves and horses stolen. Page 11 And all their beds and furniture strewn all over the rooms. What a shame afterwards I often wonder if they had homes themselves they must have been pig dealers instead. We often saw on the advance women and children coming to us and asking for biscuits and what could we do nothing for them only give them what we could afford. We often thought of our loved ones at home so comfy as any nation could be and these poor wretches being turned away from the cannons roar. Well we passed all this off has there was one thing as wanted doing and that was push the Germans as far as possible. Now I come to the battle of the Aisne we went across a footbridge built by the Germans themselves for it was a case of being a tight rope walker for it was very narrow and being in the dark and the river down below to receive us if we made the least slip or wrong step thanks a little to our engineers who was calling across the other side which the infantry got across Monday morning. September the 14th broke and up through the town we went and we was very surprised at finding people in there homes under a very terrible shell fire I remember a women and three children being blown to pieces with one of there shells. Page 12 We got in a wood and through it we went like all jolly boys should do we got in some fields and across we went after them. We got the order my platoon to support another company’s left and what a hot place to get in. the sergeant gave us the order to lie down and fixed our bayonets for we was 20 yards from two German maxims and it rained bullets over our heads and this is where my dear pal Arthur Mathers got killed how sorry it was for him and all that were so dear to him. He got a bullet clean through is heart. Well there was a good many wounded about and I got the order to go in the wood and the best way I could get the poor boys out of the way I did so while my platoon or what was left of them got to the maxims with the best Sheffield steel how they used them. But a good lot paid the price for I think that there was 30 left to tell the tale of the fight with those Germans and their guns. I was in a bad plight for the wounded men wanted doing up and I done my best to get them on the road and I succeeded in doing this and I thought my last had come for it rained shells on that wood. I can say I had 7 men of the royal fusiliers and my own men all wanting help. Page 13 I got to some crossroads and the thing I had in my mind to do was to chance my luck and get by this crossroad it was getting worse the shell fire was but it was stopped by someone greater than anyone for god seemed to speak to me in that awful hour. I spots a little bomb proof shelter all in the rock and a door to it I got the worse cases in and then we stopped all of us for six hours as I got the last man in a shell burst two yards from the door and it was the means of killing out right two poor fellows belonging to the royal fusiliers. How I cried to see how I was fixed with the moans of the wounded round me and me sitting on two men that lay dead. What a terrible six hours that was for I did not know if I was in the German lines or my own. Well the time came for me to have a peep out of the door and just see if I could see any hope for me to go for help I heard the sound at last of feet in the wood and to my joy it was my platoon coming back retiring from the road. I came straight out when I herd their voices and stood there with my face a beam of pleasure for I knew I was all right we had a tough time getting the men out of danger. Page 14 Any way we done it and formed up and joined up with the remains of the battalion. I can say here we caught the Germans running as fast as they could but we met them with a very heavy fire from our maxims and riffles the losses to them that day must have been enormous as we could not help but it them they where like a herd of sheep running away. We got the order to come back 400 yards and we only had heavy traverses to make for shelter their trenches were almost natural we where here for 8 days for we had no support and we were very pleased after such a trying time we could get no food across to us but the engineers made a pontoon. Only to be built up 4 times it was a great piece of work this was only they suffered heavy losses in trying to get the food across to us we lived mainly on apples and grapes that were grown in the valley of the Aisne. It was nothing to see men going down these slopes day in and day out for the apples and every time a man was spotted by the German observers we generally got a rain of these beautiful shells called jack johnsons anyway we bucked up with the news we were being relieved for a rest and here is a list of fine officers we lost Monday September 14th Captain Toppin then came Gatehouse a fine officer this, then Selby and Mathews and lut Boyce. Page15 And to top it all up we lost two medical officers and the third got us all a way for we were looking harassed and he feared we should all drop with exhaustion and no wonder with practically no food for 8 days and for water we went far to get under the penalty of death. Not nice work this But any way some went west and those that were lucky enough to get out alive shook hands with him self. Any way we got relieved and ten miles we had to march for our rest and I think there was never more done for. A lot of men were dropping a good many just through having no strength. Four days rest and back again to hell just going back happy to think we had wrote a few lines home for the first time and we got some letters from home and papers to and we all gasped when we read of the doings of the retreat. How we helped the mighty nation from losing their capitol Paris of course. We were a proud lot of men after that news got to us. In the trenches again but a Different lot this time for we held a wood and we were burying Germans at night a sickly time this I was so fed up with this work but still we had to do it. Page 16 Six days in the trenches and back again to rest two days then came some very hard forced marching and we got in touch with some French cavalry and a fine lot of men they were all with breast plates on big cloaks and brass helmets with a tail to it that’s what we called them and their horses were beautiful to look at. When we moved off they bid good night in their own way which is bon swar. We soon picked that up any way and they soon gave us good night. We gets into action again and one more pal is lost wounded Joe Maddocks he was soon home. We attacks a German line and then we had a awful time with those maxims. Again gets relieved and to another position went our Platoon in charge of a lance corporal we advanced eleven miles under his guidance and only lost three men two wounded one killed not a poor performance this. Wins the positions we are digging all night again and next morning we see a lot of women and children all on top of a hill behind our trenches we expect any moment to see some shells come but with a shout from us they hurried away. We caught our breath and got relieved again after being up on the hill five days I think this place was called Herbiese. Page 17 From here we went up to the la basse region and what a time we had nothing but hails of bullets for six days and we lost a lot of fine chaps. Here in the trenches we could hear the Germans singing the watch on the Rhine and they all seemed as if they belonged to a choir for it was really beautiful singing to hear. When they finished they came for us in masses and we left them in masses this is A company and six men of B Went in a mad headed charge to the Germans and repulsed them ninety nine killed and wounded was the toll of our own boys. I took part in this and I shall never forget it then after that they would persist in making their charges and we gave them all they needed from us. I can say this. we saved two guns of our artillery and rescued the limber full of ammunition very near to a haystack which had been left on fire by the Germans. We got relief here from the Indians what a fine lot of chaps they were the Gurkus as quit as mice when they got in our trenches. When I was here in this place I had a nasty experience we got some new fellows and two was marked off with me to fetch rations and I went with them and met the quartermaster he left me in charge. Page 18 No sooner had we left than a terrible fire came over my pals left me to. I stopped where I was but I thought my last hour had come there was thousands of bullets coming from all directions and I had the soldiers sense to lie as flat on my belly as I could then I pulled two sacks of bread one side the box of cheese to the other and bully beef to cover my head I got cover like this. I had a lot of temptation here but I never got any bread at all out of those sacks and I delivered the lot to my company in the trenches being a bit lucky in getting there. Well after the excitement I had a good sleep in the trenches. We got relief and on the forced march once again and rested on a train and back across France once more. Lands at a place called Abeville on the march again grand roads in this quarter after a time on the road getting a meal heard that we was to get in some French motor buses and a good ride it was all in the beautiful country of France, then we got out and into a billet only for a few short hours rest. The alarm went at 2am on the first of November and we marched off on our way not knowing that we were going into action at daybreak. Page 19 We got planks across dykes and through barbed wire fences when all of a sudden we heard rifle shots and an officer shouting about turn and we new that it was guns of ours that had gone to far in the village of Messines. We kept on for a bit and daybreak arrived now. A and B company were going to attack A company on our right and us on the left and the Lincolns further to our right was helping the London Scottish. My platoon had no fire connecting us to our other platoons and I thought that if we went straight in the wood that day to our left we should be doing wrong. Well I went and found out where we was to be when the attack took place and I went with an order from the captain to our sergeant. He was a poor one as a leader but still he went to his post and all was well. I had to keep on the road and keep there as an orderly for the captain I did so and at daybreak we could see some Scottish retiring and Lincolns to for they had been caught in a trap and I saw Germans rushing out of the houses well what could I do me and a Lincoln got a maxim but it broke in the breach and we had to leave it while we got our rifles going we enjoyed it for it was a bit of a competition between me and him who would bag the most. Page 20 Then all of a sudden came an order to hang on as long as possible we did so with a terrible toll out they came rushing and we got an order to retire down a ditch on the road. Well what a sight I saw on that morning men falling everywhere on the roads and fields I could do nothing only snatch disks from fellows that were dying I did this and I can tell you that it was very exiting for me has I was under a terrible firing the Germans only 400yds from me. I saw them kicking our wounded as hard as they could and throwing hand grenades on them god help them on the day of judgement. Well I was done for as regards a run I walked as well as I could and got to a place with a crucifix in and stopped there and saw the cavalry English and French charge that same mob of ruffians I was very pleased at this and while they were charging I looked around to find 23men left out of 340 and two captians one killed one wounded. What a shock Sunday morning and the second Sunday in which we had to retire on Belgian soil with a rare shaking we dug some trenches and then we got relieved by a French division of infantry a fine lot of fellows only they done a good turn to alter the affair they also lost 1400 men in the same place. Page 21 We go back on the road and we got a meal ready for ourselves and to wait orders we were of again where to we did not know at last going down a very steep hill we could see a big place in the distance and the rumour got about we were going to have a two week rest in the big place. It was a fine place when we got there it was believed a good many here spoke Flemish and the Germans marched through this town and never troubled anyone as regards dirty work such as rape and looting this is what the people told us. Well I myself seemed very satisfied here for the rest was very welcome and some people facing where we were resting they were very kind to me for they gave me anything and such nice people it was like being at home. I saw a fight in the air and of course the German came down in a heap for I can say the French airmen were too good for him. We got three days rest and off we went again after having a very cherry word from Smith –Dorian. We did not know where we were going but we done 16 miles and landed at an awful big place but the mist was very thick and we could not see all. We marched through this place with fixed bayonets on through the centre of town and we were told it was that beautiful town called Ypres they had not done a big deal of damage when they passed through it but- Page 22 They soon let every one know what they were going to do what a shameful sight when we passed through again 16 days after. Well we got on the outskirts on November the 6th at night and had a good rest for about four hours when we were ordered through a wood and a lot of shrubby hilly ground we were off to the trenches which were very eventful to us we relieved the 5th dragoons on the 7th of November at 4am and right from that moment we were ordered to stand to till daylight. There was six in my trench and about 10 o clock one of my dearest pals got killed. What a nasty shock we knew then that we had to be careful for we were near to an heavy sap about ten yards away and a road about 100 yards. Well I was making the trench fit for shell- fire for I could see that things were going to be hot some time or another. The trench we where in was the advance trench and I shall never forget I think the Bedford’s lay on our right and after doing plenty of naveying I got a snack and then seen to poor Buck Adams. I was busy with him when I heard a shout I looked up to my right all the Bedford’s was retiring and when I collared my rifle and looked to my front there was a thousand or more Germans rushing on our trench and in some cases inside the trench someone shouted to me that it was every man for himself. Page 23 Well I got out of my trench when the Germans were on top and how I got away I will not know there was three that got away from that trench out of 107 I was very anxious about what I were to do and I at last found the Scotch fusiliers in support trenches and told the officer in charge what had happened and we had to go back with his company and we did and with a good heart and believe me those same lot of Germans that overpowered us went back as soon as they could see what was going to happen to them if they stopped. As they did they were met by an enflable fire from A company and the Lincoln’s maxim guns when we linked up with the others we dug our selves in this being Saturday night we had barely finished our trenches than the Germans were on us again but we stopped them this time for when we looked over the top next morning it was an awful sight I should say there was 800 Germans dead in that field which faced A company in which I was attached to them for I had no company. Then what an awful time we had again on the Monday on they came at daybreak and down they went at daybreak. I can say this there is no soldiers in the world can get by a British line of Tommy’s Page 24 Providing his riffle is clean and alright I always look after that for it is a Tommy’s biggest pal at all times. It was after that attack they stopped again 15 yards from us and all was quite bar plenty of sniping on both sides we could snipe as well as them. On the Tuesday night I was on sentry so I said to my chum whatever is that we could hear the wheels of some heavy transport and we knew it was not our own we little thought the Germans massing guns for us just to show how they can waste shells for at daybreak on the Wednesday the most terrible bombardment I ever heard took place in my position and our Captain in charge of the trench came up and told us they were going to attack and they did in the time of this bombardment. I can say we all said our prayers and waited for death but death only came to one of our regiment that morning. Well the Germans let us know they were going to attack for we could see the tops of their bayonets in their own trenches we was all exited as every man is when you see six feet and nothing less in height coming for you. What did we do we let I should say a thousand Germans get over to charge us and we was not allowed to fire for a second or two for when those poor chaps came with a yell that would upset a good many on they came and down they went. Page 25 I was marking time on the sep for it was very near and every man as came out on top of the sep was received with a clean bullet in him. Well the attack ended and Calais was once more out of sight and out of mind for that was a big bedding of lives they lost enormously for on our left the old Northampton’s and Suffolk’s got out of there trenches and let them in a trap for they got the biggest lot of al to deal with when the Germans smashed through the line and into the wood. They were mowed down by maxims that had been hidden for the purpose the boys fought there way back and collared the trenches again with very little loss to themselves. I felt very proud of myself after that lot for it was touch and go for three hours after all was over me and my chum lance corporal Graham a splendid shot he was made a kind of a sand bag cover so no sniper could touch us and we was free to see about 1200 yards an house where the Germans used to get behind then rush and drop in their communication trench they used to come in hordes doing this and of course we had to try and get our artillery but they could not so me and Graham kept on giving a few small ones instead now half way across the field was a thing shaped like this .O O. I think it was an observer for a trench mortar. Page 26 Well I told Graham he’s up on his riffle and lets fly at it and smashes it to bits I shook hands with him for his fine shooting but I can tell anyone this from that same place their was five bombs came in our trenches again and we never budged one inch we lost six men blown to atoms and what I thought after them bombs landed well I did give up all hopes but thank god they did no more damage only blow our trenches in. We got the order after this to pack up we was going to leave the trenches and go in some further back as our line had been put in a very rotten position. We was nearly surrounded and we had got to be very careful how we got out for the least sign of us going meant death perhaps to us all. We got out safely and we put German riffles and the caps of our brave lads who had gone to eternity on the top of our trenches just to lull them and decoy for a while. We got to our new trenches they were in front of a big lot off trees and a lovely spot where a jack Johnson or any other shell could be nicely dropped. Now there was water in this trench for the first time in our history of this war and the long nights getting cold we could picture what sort of a time we was going to have only our drop of rum kept us in high spirits we could of done with twice a day. Page 27 I can say here we had good food and the drop of tea we were supposed to have never got to us for we were there for 16 days and never a drop of hot tea. I thought I should have gone mad here for we was supposed to be relieved here and it never came so we had to stop another two days and snow began to fall at dawn on Thursday morning I am not sure of Thursday. The night came and we were wet through and trying to keep warm we could not. No one knows our suffering just now. About four the following morning the order came that we were to make a charge and that sent us queer I don’t mind saying this for we were only human. But a there was an shrill seemed to strike us and we did not care there was an 18 pounder came to our trench and it was to blow an house which was full of snipers and maxim guns in. we got of our trench and filed round a house adjoining the one with the Germans in the gun opened fire with four high explosives and the word was given for our rush the gun had done all was asked it and we rushed with the bit of steel and I never heard more pitying cries from a lot of men when we got to them but we did not spare one for we had enough trouble of our own never mind looking after theirs.Page 28 My dear pal Jack Serviner got a bullet through him and he died of his wounds what a shame for a chap to meet such a death. About 11 0’clock we got relieved in the daytime and has we walked down the wood the shells began to drop and I knew we should have to cancel going any further. We got a fine name from general wing for the charge we made that morning of course getting other peoples position s back for them. We got in some dugouts and stayed there till about four o’clock and on the road we went to an house and it was a god send for all of us and we had the chance of making some tea which bucked us up it was hard cheese for we had to go fall in at night and go back relieve some more men what had given way to illness. We only went back for one night and then we was to go to another position and we did on the next night we went to some very clever dugouts and it was a treat to have a good sleep I did snuggle up and fast I went for about ten hours. Very lucky I was to get this as we never the moment we should be wanted. When I woke a pal told me there had been a terrible amount of shell bursting close to us and they did not understand how I slept right through it for you know I told them how I did it I was very often on sentry at night in sheets of rain and I would not give way. Page29 When any one wanted me to do so I seemed as if I could not trust anyone for they got to such a pitch they did not bother. Well we got relieved for a good rest by a French army corps and it was a fine piece of work how they took such a shocking position up in the time when their guns were relieving ours. On the road a shocking thing happened to a battery of 4 guns some big shells were dropped right among them and laid the best of the men out and three guns smashed to bits. Well our stretcher-bearers went back to help and getting the wounded away they said they never wanted to see another sight again like it. We marched our way back with a bright moon to light us up and show each side of the road made things look very weird but still we marched to land at a farm 18 miles away we land here done up down in spirits and utterly exhausted never mind what was left of the battalion numbered 183 all told. Up came some more men for us and after having four days rest we went back again to the trenches. General French gave us a lecture before we went and he told us some very sensible things as regards what we had done. Now feeling that I was getting an old hand with the battalion I looked the old hands up that came out august the 13th 1914 I found about 40. Page30 Now any one can see I have been very lucky up to now. In the trenches once more and up to the knees and waist at times in water and slush something this to test our durability whether we was made in some Sheffield iron works or not. Well how we was going to stop the Germans in this predicament we did not know but still that gave us a good rest while we was in four days once more and very few men fit so we went out of our trenches like a lot of men with gout every picture tells a story. After the numbed limbs had been exercised we was alright the offices were very good they walked very slow and they also sympathized with us and they was the same as us only they had perhaps a bit more nourishment while they was in the trenches. Back again to billets how long for we did not know we got some pay hurrah! while we were resting and a drink of coffee and beer if we wanted it and pork to buy but it was very dear. This place they were very kind the people here was Belgians and always ready to do us a good turn and pick our talk up. Well Christmas was combing and we were well into December and often wondered what was going to be sent us from the land of the free. We got six days rest however and off we went in the pouring rain. Page 31 Now there was a very good system of working different battalions as regards the winter two company’s go in the firing line for two days and the other two were in support dugouts and another battalion was in reserve then relieved again we should turn about. When we went back I shall always remember these trenches for there was very big holes on the road and we had to be very careful how we went by these for the slip meant going in the water which was very cold at such times when we go in these trenches we have a coal or charcoal fire and it very welcome under such trying times. We could make a drop of tea and all was serene the Germans began to calm down a bit bar sniping for I can say if we put our finger over the top of the trench it was off in a twinkling. I think the Germans had 40 or 50 thousand trained snipers and gave them to different regiments along the line. I think myself they were very fine shots but has time went on we began to find a good many of these men and of course we never spared one in my regiment. We came out for another rest and we were judging we should get Christmas Eve out of the trenches. Well we got relieved on Christmas Eve but it was not kept up as it would have been if we had got from the trenches earlier we landed in billets about 12 o’clock. Page 32 I shall remember the nice bright fire that was made by the Wiltshire regiment and some cheery words to look at well it was Christmas day and a good breakfast we ad bacon bread, cheese a good pint of tea and the extra tot of rum which made us all happy bar two men one was the course of a big argument and I my self did not agree with what he said and I told him so and I sat down on my kit and start having a little thought whether the children had any thing to look at on that morning. The fellow came straight for me and such a smash with his fist on my cheek. Well I did not want to spoil Christmas day for anyone I felt grieved at this treatment but I kept an eye on that man for a few hours and I goes to him the boys wondering what was going to happen I just took him outside and of course he wanted me to have a go at him and calling me the foulest names any Tommy could do he took me down the field which was very hard with frost and behind a clump of trees. I don’t know whether he had any boxing lessons but I showed him how a decent fellow could tackle a bully I gave him all he wanted just as we was walking away from this small battle of knuckles there was two lovely shots from two 9.2s that wanted to send a word that we welcomed the Christmas season I don’t know what the Germans thought when they got them. Well this same chap could not do enough for me after that tiffy. Page 33 I was away when xmas dinner was dished out so I had no xmas dinner it was a little better at tea time for I had a good tea and supper and that’s how I got over xmas day. Three more days and we was off to see Germans once more they did not bother with much during the time we was in only we could hear them singing the watch on the Rhine and a few more ditties. Out of the trenches once more and then for a big draft of men to reach us they where a fine lot of men but the majority had seen a good lot of fighting besides the fighting that was soon going to be theirs and they had never seen the trenches before. They were anxious to see the Germans of course it was something for them but we gave all good advice and all was serene with them. They did not like the water touching the feet but it had to be done and we all wondering if we should ever have any fine weather again for it was all rain and very little sunshine. In and out of the trenches all January nothing exiting only just watching that’s all. I can say all that they could possibly do for us was done. Out of the trenches we had football matches and concerts. In the bath tubs and having a change was simply grand for we had plenty of snipers on our shirts and one more thing I shall always remember Page 34 How we used to be in the trenches on moonlit nights if we had a lot of water in them we used to all sit and bail it out with our canteens and we very often could not fathom out how the water got in the more we bailed the more it would come in till some beautiful language came from us. Well there was a nice little house blown in of course by the Germans a little distance from our trenches I went once or twice to this place and got what I could for our comfort such as spares and tubs. I get’s a tub for me and my mate and sat there in it for twenty four hours and the laughing and joking to think of us being in such a predicament. Never mind we have got over these little ditties after all some was lucky some was unlucky of course. February arrives and one nice afternoon we was called out to go to Ypres how long for we did not know but it seemed like old times going back there. I forget what regiment we relieved but what a shocking time we had every moment at night they would throw their starlight’s up and show every thing up. We used to stand still and then rush for it till we reached the trenches. My company was a rather lucky company as we got decent trenches and we made it a lot better before we left them. The dead Germans and our fellows were lying all over. Page35 The fields and communication trenches it was awful to see the sights of the death around Ypres. I happened once to be company orderly one night and I shall never forget it for I thought my last had come going to headquarters from my captain I had to cross some fields and then to the road then across a bridge made of doors and across some more fields I had to pass two small woods on my right and I went on my way in my usual off hand manner caring nothing for stray bullets I had one pass clean through my coat and then another one through my cap. I hardly new how this was I stood still two moments and one more came close to me. I made up my mind to dash as hard as I could by this place but still that sniper had me al the way to headquarters and I dodged him this time alright no one knows a mans feeling when a sniper has him yet I would love to have got him and if I had had a pal with me I would have had a good look for him for he was at the back of our lines. After having 11 days in and out of the trenches we were relieved by the Cheshire’s there was ten of us told to take ten sand bags apiece to an advance trench and among my party was a fellow that had been wounded earlier in the war and then came back. Page 36 Well he was frightend awfully of hearing a bullet pass him I was sorry for him for he would duck at the least thing. We had an orderly to take us to this trench and a nice mess he made of things. How we got by our own trenches I do not know for we was going over a field and the Germans threw up one of their starlight’s and we all stopped on our stomachs and we could see our own trenches behind us there was a terrible fire opened up on us and we all rushed to a trench and jumped in we was in a mess up to our waist in slush and water but still had our sandbags in our hands. Well we did curse to think we had been between our lines and the German lines. No one however got hit for a good job or the orderly would have got in a bother. We had about half an hour in the trenches and we went to a small wood. And a little gap in this wood was always marked by the Germans at night with set riffles to catch anyone that came in came through it. Just as we got to this little gap there was three or four lights went up all round us and down we flopped again one poor chap shouts I am hit And I thought it was Jim Kirkwood it was not anyway. All rushed when the lights went out but me and the wounded man. The sergeant in charge asked if any body was stopping so I shouted to him that I would. Page 37 Well I had an awful time with that fellow in the dead of night among the dead I shall never forget for I had take cover for both of us from the gap I done my best for him he was hit in the side poor chap. But I was happy to think I was the means of saving the Mans life. It was nearly daylight when I got away for I had waited for the ambulance men to fetch him and we took some finding. But the worst part was when I left the trench a maxim was put on me and shells began to fall in large quantities I dodged all once more and landed in Ypres where I found my Battalion. We went in some huts to billet and then to the trenches once more what an awful time we lost two hundred men this time for they where just beginning to show us they had some shells left. Out once more and in our very comfortable billets I was feeling the strain of the war but I stuck to my regiment like a good honest soldier ought to do but I was getting worse in the meantime and hopeless but I still stuck to It and got in the trenches again for 12 days not so bad when a man feels done for and still there all the time depressed and one thing on your mind all the time wondering if I should reach dear old England again. Save this for Lizzi

    Alfred Nix's Conduct Certificate

    Alfred Nix Conduct Certificate 1946

    Jeff Sheard




    212302

    Pte. C. T. Pyle 2nd/7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby) (d.21st Mar 1918)

    My great uncle, Private C T Pyle who died in action 21/03/1918(aged 20) and is buried in Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy, France.

    Jean Docherty




    212301

    Pte. Charles Tonkinson Pyle 21st Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Sep1916)

    My great grandfather, Private Charles T Pyle served with 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers and is buried (aged 39) in Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension, remembered with honour.

    Jean Docherty




    212292

    L/Cpl. Issac Carlin Yorks and Lancaster Regt. (d.31st Dec 1916)

    Issac Carlin was my great uncle. He was born in Ryhope, Sunderland. He enlisted in 1914 and was killed on 31st December 1916 he was 37yrs and 7 months old he left a wife and 6 children.

    We are trying to find out where he was killed. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial wall but we don't know if there is a grave. It's very hard trying to find these things out. We would be very greatful if any one could give us some tips on what to do to find out more information.

    Steve Pickard




    212290

    Pte. Robert Mitchell Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    The family story is that Robert Mitchell (my great grandfather) went out with his friends one night, got drunk and came back rather shamefaced the next day and confessed to his wife that he had enlisted. He went out to the front, and was killed within weeks, leaving a widow and 10 children.

    Julie Brannan




    212273

    Pte. Percy Blakey 1/8 Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.7th Jun 1915)

    Percy Blakey is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

    Peter Blakey




    212269

    Capt. Frank Woodruff Bukles

    Frank Woodruff Buckles last known American doughboy. He died 2011 aged 110 years.

    S. Flynn




    212255

    L/Cpl. F. Bentley 8th Btn, B Coy. K.O.Y.L.I. (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Cpl.F. Bentley was that a relative of my Great Grandfather, Harry Bentley, known to have changed his name to Harry Musson. The address shown on the death letter received, now in my possession, matches up to that of my Great Grandfather. F. Bentley, of whom I do not know the first name, was the son of Harry.

    I have a letter from the Enquiry department of wounded and missing, explaining the death of Bentley. He died on the first of July on the Somme front. Listed in the letter are two names that give evidence, or some sort of information about the death, who i am assuming survived the war. For the help of others, the details of these people are; Cpl. T. Sparling, 13959, 8th K.O.Y.L.I. Home Address: 58 Martin Street, Upper Thorp, Sheffield. The letter says: " as long as last October , that L/cpl. Bentley had been seen killed, shot in the head"

    Another person quoted in the letter is; Pte. F. Russling, B Company, 5th platoon. No address is given for this particular person. The letter says: "last October that L/Cpl. Bentley was shot through the head while in a shell hole near Ovillers on the left of La Boisselle" This person professed to being an eye witness. The Letter is hand signed by a (this may be incorrect due to it being a signature) G G Buckler. The letter is not handwritten, but rather by a typewriter. The recipients address is: 27 Doncaster Road, Ardsley, near Barnsley.

    In my possession, I also have 3 campaign medals, these are; The letter, along with the medals, were kept in a small wooden cigar box, of which my mother said were kept by my Great Gran-dads bed, as throughout her childhood. I do not have any more information at this time. If any of the information provided does ring a bell, please feel happy to email me.

    Alex Sky Evans




    212254

    Pte. Harry Manton 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment

    In June 2013 I purchased a pocket watch & scratched into the back was:- H Manton 1st Suffolks 1918 Prisoner of war Germany 1915-1919.

    From the records office in Bury St Edunds I have obtained a copy of his WW1 medal rolls index card.From the Suffolk Regiment Gazette of 1916 the following was obtained: Army number 7905, Name Manton H, Unit 1st, Camp Giessen, As the watch was purchased in Diss which is on the Norfolk Suffolk it would appear that he did not stray far after the war. I would love to know more.

    Dutton




    212252

    Pte. Harold Bown Warhurst 15th Service Battalion Royal Scots (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    I don't know a lot about Harold Warhurst. He was my grandmother's cousin and worked as a Junior Clerk in a Cotton Waste Mill in Manchester before joining up. He was killed on the first day of The Battle of the Somme. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial there. He was just 20 years old. Poignantly his only possessions found after his death, which were returned to his parents were a writing pad, a letter and his disc.

    Gloria Rathbone




    212226

    Pte. Herbert William Frederick "Bert" Cleet Infantry

    Bert was my maternal grandfather, who died in his eighties in '63 when I was eight, so I can remember him well. And as my Mum still lives in Edinburgh she can maybe fill in some more information. His unit was at one of the great battles, probably Paschendale, where he was gassed and eventually many decades later died of lung problems. One of my last memories is of him at home in bed, still cheerful, with oxygen by the bed - home was 2 Dene Crescent,near Jesmond Dene, Newcastle-on-Tyne(till '73). I don't remember him ever answering 'What did you do in the war, grandpa?' And no-one prompted me at such a young age to ask that question. However, I often remember them visiting us and he in a chair and I or my younger brother talking with him or playing with toy bricks nearby. My grandma was a strong-minded redhead and his second wife - I think he was widowed - my Mum has no surviving step brothers etc and doesn't really keep much contact with cousins or younger - mostly as I grew up in Scotland about eight hours by road away (cousin Cyril may have been her side rather than his as memories blur or get embroidered). Grandpa was wounded previously, to being invalided out. May have been Durham unit though unsure. In WW2, think he may have been part of Home Guard, as middle aged by then, and as a butcher running his own shop, that might have been a reserved occupation. Mum, their only child was evacuated to near Windermere.

    chris knight




    212202

    Sgt. William Edward Stainton 1st Battalion

    William Edward Stainton was born in Liverpool UK, moved to Australia where he enlisted in 1914. He became a reinforcement for the 1st Battalion AIF and fought and wounded several times at Gallipoli 1915. William died of war injuries in 1930 in New South Wales Australia.

    Doug




    212055

    Alfred Frederick Willis 2/18th (Irish Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Alfred Willis was in the 2/18th London Irish Rifles until they were disbanded out in Jerusalem then I think he went into the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

    Julie Kelly




    212054

    Brig. George Walker Royal Horse Artillery (d.22nd October 1918)

    George Walker was born on the 15th April 1895. He was the fourth of eight children born to Jonas Richard Walker who was manager of the corn mill in Longridge and Margaret(Houghton).

    He appears on the 1911 census with his parents at Chapel Farm in Longridge. He is aged 15 and working as a carter for a corn dealer. He is noted on the memorial to his father in St Lawrence Churchyard as having died in Quetta India on 25/10/1918 aged 23.

    Barbara Peake




    212053

    Pte. Joshua Patterson Northumberland Fusilliers (d.14th July 1914)

    My Grandfather Joshua Patterson was killed in action on 14/07/1917 at Passendale Ypres. He was buried at Hargicourt British Cemetery. And there he has lain for nearly a hundred years with no family to visit him. I am now going to visit on 3rd July 2013 to place a cross of honour on to his grave from all his family.

    Joan Bell




    212041

    L/Sgt. William Frederick Atkins D Coy 1/23rd London Regiment (d.26th May 1915)

    William Atkins was from Lambeth and was working as an off licence porter when in February 1912 he joined his local Territorial unit, D Coy 1/23rd (County of London) Bn London Regiment. He was 17 years old when he joined up, and 20 when he was killed in action on 26th May 1915.

    Two of William's brothers were pre-War Regular Army soldiers: John (Cpl 2307347 John Charles Atkins) was with 5th Divisional Signals Coy, RE, and was taken POW at the battle of Le Cateau on 23rd August 1914; Herbert(Pte 14413 Herbert Ernest King Atkins) was with 2nd Bn Royal Fusiliers and was part of the invasion force which landed at X Beach at Gallipoli on 25th April.

    In August 1914 the Londons were mobilised while on summer camp at Salisbury Plain, and they disembarked from SS Copenhagen in France on 16th March 1915, entering the trenches on 11th April. As part of 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division, they took part in the frontal attack on the German 56th Infantry regimentat trenches just north of Givenchy on 25th May in concert with their sister Territorial battalions from the Brigade (20th, 22nd and 24th Bns).

    Attacking at 6.30pm William and his D Coy comrades charged and took the German front and support lines, and subsequently the battalion held them against counterattack and heavy enfilade shelling and machinegun fire until the few survivors were relieved at 3pm the next day by 20th Londons. William, along with at least 200 of his comrades, was killed in this action; 304 more soldiers of 23rd Londons were wounded.

    On the same day but many hundreds of miles away in Gallipoli, William's 23-year-old brother was also killed, shot dead by a sniper while negotiating a flooded trench.

    Pat Atkins




    212040

    Pte. Herbert McWilliams 8th Btn. (East Belfast) Royal Irish Rifles (d.10th Feb 1916)

    Pte Herbert McWilliams was a friend of my grandmother, May Connellan. He sent her an embroidered postcard on 27 December 1915, wishing her "A Bright New Year, with Kind Regards". I do not know if there was a deeper sentiment behind the words of the card, but my grandmother kept it until her own death in 1984, so perhaps there was.

    Sadly, Pte McWilliams was killed in action on 10 Feb 1916, just a few short weeks after sending the card, and only 3 days after his battalion moved to the front line from the River Ancre to the Mailly-Maillett-Serre road.

    Barry Walker




    212039

    Pte. John Henry Crush 2nd Battalion London Regiment (d.3rd Jan 1918)

    My maternal Grandfather, John Crush, was interred at Longuenesse (St. Omer). All the information I have was obtained from CWGC.

    Ken Cooper




    211985

    Pte. Samuel Atkinson Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    My Grandfather Samuel Atkinson, Lancashire Fusiliers, enlisted 26th of August 1916. He was wounded on the 14th of Sept 1917 and treated in Royal Victoria Hospital Netley with Gun shot wounds to his right side. Also wounded again 19th April 1918 gun shot wound to his left arm.

    Gary Atkinson




    211981

    Pte. John Goodenough 11th (Service) Battalion Essex Regiment (d.27th Dec 1916)

    John Goodenough was born 1889 Folkestone, Kent and went to School at North Board School, (now Mundella), Blackbull Road, Folkestone where he is mentioned on the School's War Memorial Board. He was one of 13 children born to Thomas Goodenough & his wife Grace Menear.

    John was a Hairdresser living Brentwood at time of his marriage at St Thomas of Canterbury on 13/4/1913 to Grace Helena Cornish and when he enlisted at Warley into the Essex Regt, 11th (Service) Battalion. He departed with his Battalion for France from Folkestone on 30/8/1915. He died on 27/12/1916 and is commemorated in Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Row T, Grave 4. He appears to have been interred there alongside several fellow soldiers of same the Battalion killed about the same time, Pte J H Jeffries 33140; Pte H S Pepper 21331; Pte A Reynolds 10585); Pte A Smith 14154 Age 27 (23/12/1916); Pte F Rice 10585 Age 31 (31/12/1916)).

    Tony Goodenough




    211980

    Driver F. G. Delves 497th Kent Field Company Royal Engineers

    I have a couple of postcards sent to Driver Delves from his wife; one from July 1917 and one from Feb 1918. He appears to have survived the War. I know this RE Company was involved in the HMS Hythe disaster and wonder if he survived that too - if so, a very lucky man.

    R Walker




    211978

    Pte. Herbert Frederick Bourner 15th Battalion London Regiment

    Herbert Bourner was my husband’s Great Uncle. He enlisted on the 8th November 1915, in the 15th Battalion The London Regiment. He was 26 years old, had been married for 4 years to Alaethea Buckland and was an Engineer. He was sent to France on the 21st. March 1916. He was back home September that year to January 1917. From the records I can see he was wounded but not exactly when or where. Presumably he was convalescing. He was sent back to France 12th January 1917. He was wounded again on the 6th December right arm & thick fracture; some researched revealed it must have been in the Battle of Cambrai (20 November – 7 December 1917 ). He was also taken prisoner on the same day, until 4th May 1918. How he got back home on the 5th is yet uncertain.

    He was discharged 25th July. Medals awarded were the standard British War Medal and Victory Medal, which he still had not received by May 1921. If anybody has any additional information I would welcome it. Thanks.

    Patricia Watson




    211974

    Pte. Lewis Western Northumberland Fusiliers

    Lewis Western born 1900 served in KOYLI and the Northumberland Fusiliers. He enlisted 4.8.1918 and served in Britain, France, Germany was driver of mule team with ammunition carrier. I have pictures of him with cap badge Blazing bomb. He was discharged at York on 12/4/1920.

    Jack Western




    211973

    Pte. E. D.C. Coit 15th Btn. London Regiment (d.24th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    During the demolition of Kirkleatham Hall, nr Redcar, in 1953 several cards and photos were found where they had slipped behind some panelling. One of these came into my possession this week (June 2013) and is of 3837, Private E D C Coit. I have discovered that he was the son of Charles Ernest and Sarah Jane Coit of 80 Kyle Road, Clapham Common. He died on 24/12/16 and is buried in in Woods Cemetery in Belgium.

    T Brodrick




    211972

    Sjt.Mjr. John L Chapman, 8th Btn. British West Indies Regiment

    <p>

    John Chapman served with the 8th Battalion British West Indies Regiment and was twice mentioned in dispatches.

    Ernest T. Andalcio




    211971

    Pte. George Law 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.31st Oct 1915)

    George Law is my Gt Uncle, 1st Bn., King's Royal Rifle Corps 10954 Died aged 23 on Sunday, 31st October 1915. Commemorated in Woburn Abbey Cemetery, Cuincy, Pas de Calais, France. His grave marker reads as follows: Seven long years have passed away one we love was called away Mum and Dad.

    Angela Phillips




    211967

    Sgt. John Geraghty 21st Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.14th Dec 1919)

    Although the war was over, there was active service still to be done and that often of a dangerous nature. Serjeant John Geraghty, "A" Coy, 21st Battalion was carrying out his duty by guarding Government stores on the harbour quay in Calais. He was shot through the head by one of his own soldiers. He never recovered consciousness and died as a result in hospital in France on December 14th, 1919. He was was 36 years of age and hadn't married. He was buried in Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte, France. He had only enlisted with the Hampshire Regiment on 9th August, 1919 and was previously a Corporal with the Machine Gun Corps, Regiment No. 43293. Born in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland 1883, he was my Great Granduncle.

    Veronica Heavey




    211958

    Private Percy James Fellows 10th Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.13th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Percy was born in late July 1899 to Jesse and Elizabeth Fellows. He was born in Three Oaks, was baptised in Icklesham and lived in Guestling. He died on the 13th of October 1918 of wounds suffered while serving with the 10th East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) as Private G/25999. He is buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery. Rest in Peace my great-great uncle Percy James Palmer Fellows

    Jamie Hall




    211912

    Sgt. Alfred John Clark 2nd Batallion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own) (d.12 March 1917)

    Alfed John Clark is my great uncle, my maternal grandmother's older brother. He was 27 years old when he died. He is buried in Bray Military Cemetery near Albert in France. He is commemerated on the plaque of WW1 fallen at St Mary's Church, Ladywell, London. I have no information on the circumstances of his death.

    Mark Brown




    211905

    Pte. Martin Noon 4th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th May 1915)

    My Great Grand father Martin Noon was killed in Gallipoli his grave is in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery Turkey.

    Debbie Smith




    211898

    Pte. William Francis Elmes 2nd Btn Royal Sussex Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    One of three brothers who fell during the Great War, William Elmes was a saddle tree maker who had already served in the Boer war, serving at the Siege of Ladysmith.

    Philip Elmes




    211897

    Pte. Bartlett Cecil Elmes 2nd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.12th Nov 1914)

    On the trail of a long lost soldier, Bartlett Elmes is my great grandfather who served in the First War with the Royal Sussex Regiment. His two brothers also fell during the Great War and I am researching the three brothers. I have found one of them, William Francis Elmes, L/6512 also of the Royal Sussex Regiment 2nd Bn who died on the 9th may 1915, however the third brother is missing from all records, we think he would have joined the same regiment but can find no further information

    Philip Elmes




    211890

    Capt. Noel Godfrey Chavasse MC VC. Royal Army Medical Corps (d.4th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Noel Chavasse arrived on the Western Front in November 1914 where he was attached to the Liverpool Scottish Regiment. In the first few months Chavasse was kept busy dealing with trench foot, a condition caused by standing for long periods in mud and water. In March 1915 the regiment took part in the offensive at Ypres, where poison gas was used for the first time. By June 1915 only 142 men out of the 829 men who arrived with Chavasse remained on active duty. The rest had been killed or badly wounded. Chavasse was promoted to Captain in August 1915 and six months later was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at the Battle of Hooge. In April 1916 he was granted three days leave to receive his award from King George V.

    In July 1916 Chavasse's battalion was moved to the Somme battlefield near Mametz. On the 7th August the Liverpool Scottish Regiment were ordered to attack Guillemont. Of the 620 men who took part in the offensive, 106 of the men were killed and 174 were wounded. This included Chavasse who was hit by shell splinters while rescuing men in no-mans-land. For this he was awarded the Victoria Cross. In February 1917 he was granted 14 days leave in England. He returned to the Liverpool Scottish Regiment and took part in the offensive at Passchendaele. For nearly two days he went out into the battlefield rescuing and treating wounded soldiers. It was during this period Noel performed the deeds that gained him his second Victoria Cross. After being badly wounded Chavasse was sent to the Casualty Clearing Station at Brandhoek. Although operated on he died on 4th August 1917.

    S. Flynn




    211885

    Nurse Alice Ross-King MM.

    For Alice Ross-King of the Australian Imperial Force, nursing during the war included surviving a pretty dramatic German air attack at the Casualty Clearing station where she was working in St Omer, France. Only five days after her arrival in St Omer, German planes bombed the station. Missiles whistled out of the night sky and exploded all around her, throwing her to the ground. She staggered back to her feet, temporarily confused by the sound of planes and artillery roaring overhead. Bombs were bursting around the buildings and tents, but Alice ran straight into the danger zone, her only thought being the welfare of her patients. Alice Ross-King’s inspirational service under enemy fire earned her the Military Medal for great coolness and devotion to duty.

    S. Flynn




    211882

    Driver Dorothie Feilding MM.

    Dorothie Feilding was born into a rich, aristocratic family in Warwickshire, England. She was presented to the King and Queen of England when she was 18 years old. But Fielding shunned her entitled upbringing and jumped into the war effort with both feet. She became an ambulance driver with a volunteer unit stationed in Belgium. And the Western Front soon provided its own challenges, from driving under enemy fire, to dealing with inconvenient marriage proposals and lice. Feilding was easy-going and charismatic, even hosting tea parties amongst the ruins of Furnes. Her bravery earned her a French Croix de guerre, a Belgian Order of Leopold II Knights Cross, and the Military Medal which was presented to her by King George V at Windsor Castle.

    S. Flynn




    211881

    Nurse Elsa Brandstrom

    Elsa Brandstrom was nicknamed “the Angel of Siberia” for good reason. She was the daughter of the Swedish ambassador to Tsar Nicholas II and was in Russia during the outbreak of WWI. Determined to help, she volunteered and put her nursing skills to use with the Russian army. In 1915, Brandstrom was in Siberia treating German prisoners of war with the Swedish Red Cross. Matters got more complicated when her Russian work permit was revoked, but that didn’t stop her. Brandstrom continued traveling to Siberia illegally for two whole years, until the Russian authorities arrested her in Omsk in 1920.

    Upon her release, she went back to Sweden and launched a campaign to help POWs. Her efforts included fundraising and founding a children’s home with room for more than 200 orphans. Eventually, she married and moved to the United States. But even there she dedicated herself to helping German and Austrian refugees.

    S. Flynn




    211879

    Super. Lenah Highbee

    Lenah Higbee was one of the first nurses to join the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps when it was established in 1908. This move required sacrifice and perseverance, as many members of the Navy considered female nurses unwelcome pariahs, indeed, they were not even given rank. Lenah Higbee gave navy nursing her all and was quickly appointed Chief Nurse. A few years later, she was promoted to Superintendent of the Nurse Corps, the second woman to hold the position. Higbee was the first female to be awarded the Navy Cross, for her unusual and conspicuous devotion to duty during WWI. And after her death, a naval combat ship was named USS Higbee in her honor. It was the first time a naval vessel had been named after a female service member.

    S. Flynn




    211877

    William Langston Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My wife's granddad William Langston lost an arm apparently on the 11th Jan 1916, the war diary records state they were relieved on the 10th but lost 9 men and had 27 injured. Strange when you read it and can put a person to the report. He lived a good long life and had three children.

    Paul Markham




    211868

    Nellie Spindler

    Based deep inside the danger zone, nurse Nellie Spindler saw her field hospital flooded with Allied troops injured from day one of the Battle of Passchendale. The Leeds Infirmary sister was part of the small band of Queen Alexander Imperial Military Nurses sent close to the Western Front. Casualty Clearing Stations (CCS) were situated a safe distance away. But Nellie, treating abdominal wounds, needed to be closer to the action to prevent infection. But after just 3 week she would also join the massive list of fallen heroes.

    S. Flynn




    211866

    Adjt. Stella May Young

    Adjutant Stella May Young, was one of the first "doughnut girls" of the First World War working near the front lines in France in 1918. Those Salvation Army workers served doughnuts and coffee to infantrymen (referred to as doughboys). A photograph taken during the war and used a popular postcard, shows a Stella near the front lines wearing an army helmet, smiling at the camera and carrying a bowl of doughnuts.

    S. Flynn




    211865

    Gladys Powers

    Gladys Powers served in the British Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and later in the Women's Royal Air Force as a waitress. She met Ed Luxford, a Canadian soldier and went to Canada in 1920 as a war bride.

    S. Flynn




    211863

    Elsie Knocker

    In 1914, motorbike fanatics Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm travelled into London to 'do their bit' for the war effort. Volunteering for the Women's Emergency Corps, they were hired as dispatch riders, causing a minor scandal with their trousers (ending above the knee), leather boots and jackets. They beat 200 applicants for a posting to Belgium as ambulance drivers, and soon they were at the front, dodging sniper fire and bombardment to collect the fallen soldiers and to ferry the wounded to field hospitals. As news of their work spread they became known as The Angels of Pervyse.

    S. Flynn




    211851

    Cpl. John Kellett MM. 14th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    At the outbreak of WW1, although as a coal miner, and being too old, John Kellett was exempted from military service but he was presented in the street with a white feather (symbolizing cowardice) by some stupid woman. He promptly enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers and trained in Aylesbury. He sailed to France on the 9th of Sept 1915 with the 14th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Only a few days later, after a long forced march, he and his battalion were fully engaged in the first major battle of WW1, the Battle of Loos, where they took major casualties. He was awarded the Military Medal (for bravery in the field) but would not say why. It is rumoured that he rescued four wounded men from shell hole under enemy fire. John was promoted to Corporal but could not be further promoted because he was illiterate.

    In May 1918 he was wounded in the leg by a ricochet rifle bullet and was captured by the Germans from between a Canadian and a French regiment, when the French withdrew without advising the Northumberland Fusiliers. John spent rest of WW1 in Gothenburg POW camp where his wound was operated on by a dentist from Leeds without anaesthetic. It never really healed and he had dressings on his leg for the rest of his life. He was repatriated via London to Coxlodge Asylum, Gosforth, which was used as Hospital. He was in and out of hospital for three years to recover and especially to save his leg. He often had nightmares of the trenches. He once tried to walk 23 miles, on crutches, from Coxlodge to Red Row for the weekend. Happily, he was given a lift by a farmer. After repatriation he lived in Red Row Northumberland and went back to work in Broomhill Colliery as a shotfirer, despite his crutches.

    Ian Peter Kellett




    211849

    Pte. John Condon 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.24th May 1915)

    John Condon was just 14 when he was reported missing, presumed dead on 24th May 1915.

    S. Flynn




    211823

    2nd Lt. William Brabazon Owens Royal Engineers (d.25th June 1916)

    William Owens was wounded in France on the 30th of March 1916 died at Hazeldene, Limerick on the 25th of June 1916.

    S. Flynn




    211822

    Capt. James Harte MC. West Riding Regiment (d.1st Nov 1918)

    James Harte was awarded the Military Cross for his heroic action at Bailleul on 13th April 1918 whilst serving with the West Riding Regiment. Harte was in command of a company of soldiers advancing to the front line. As troops in the front line and on both sides of his company gave way, he and his men held position. The company inflicted heavy losses on the German lines, fighting courageously in close combat. At nightfall, the company withdrew, it was only the Captain’s gifted leadership which brought his men back, without being cut off by enemy forces. On withdrawing, Captain Harte carried a wounded officer from the forward positions, saving him from being captured. James Harte was killed in action, aged 26, on 1st November 1918, only days before the Armistice.

    S. Flynn




    211821

    Pte. Samuel Meeke 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.19th Jan 1919)

    Samuel Meeke was captured on the 21st of March 1918 and sent to the Langensalza pow camp where he was forced to work in the sulphur mines. On his release after the Armistice, his health was so affected that he died a fortnight after arriving home. He is buried in Derrykeighan Old Graveyard. Samuel also had a brother, John, who was awarded the Military Medal.

    S. Flynn




    211820

    Rifleman Hugh Rock 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.8th June 1917)

    Hugh Rock was the postman at Cloughmills, and on enlisting, his sister agreed to take over his round until his return, a tough job for a young girl. In those days delivering the mail was done on foot, in all weathers, without even a bicycle. Possibly because of his peacetime employment, Hugh was often given the duty of being a runner, tasked with hand-delivering dispatches from trench to trench when other forms of communication failed. It was an extremely dangerous and hazardous task, constantly under the threat of snipers and enemy fire. In early June 1917 Hugh was given permission to take leave. A week before he was expected home, word reached his family that Hugh had been shot while delivering dispatches in the lead up to the Battle of Messines. He is buried at the Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery.

    S. Flynn




    211819

    Sgt. Robert Ramsey 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.23rd Aug 1917)

    Sergeant Robert Ramsey regularly wrote home in one letter, when he was promoted to Lance Corporal he relates how the officers warned him not to associate as closely as before with his lower ranking friends, however Robert replied that they had always been his pals and nothing was going to change that, not even stripes. In his letters he also writes of the death of his friend, Joseph Watson of Rasharkin, at Le Touret and also of Robert John Coleman who lived close to the Ramsey’s home, who was killed on 1st July 1916 along with 16 other men from the 12th Battalion, where once Sergeant Ramsey had been amongst a crowd of friends from the Culmore district, now he was one of only three. A few days later, the 12th Battalion was moved to the Messines area of Belgium, and it was here on the evening of 22nd August 1916, that Sergeant Ramsey, then 21 years old, wrote his last letter home. The next morning at 10. 30am he was killed, shot in the head by a sniper. He had just fired five rounds and inadvertently stood up straight to re-load his rifle. He is buried at Ration Farm Cemetery.

    S. Flynn




    211818

    Pte. Daniel Patrick Nevin 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    Daniel Nevin enlisted at the outbreak of war, giving a false age as he was only fifteen. He was wounded at the Somme on 1st July 1916. In March 1918 he was reported missing, believed killed, when his platoon’s position at the village of Hamel was obliterated during a pre-assault bombardment and subsequently overwhelmed. Daniel's father served in the same unit throughout the war, was not with the battalion during the fateful attack as he was suffering from the results of gas and shell shock. He was discharged that November, and returned alone to Ballymoney and his family.

    S. Flynn




    211817

    Pte. William Hanna 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    William Hanna, like many young men at the time, wanted to fight for his country and see the world, unfortunately, he was too young, so lied about his age when he enlisted. When his mother found out she contacted the army and brought him home, but William was determined, the next morning when his mother went to wake him he was gone again! William eventually enlisted in Hamilton, Scotland, and transferred to the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. His battalion was involved in many conflicts including the Somme in 1916, Messines in 1917 where William was injured by a shell blast, and endured a winter of snow in the open trenches at Cambrai. By late September 1918 the Battalion was involved in fierce fighting in the Messines area. It was here that he was seriously injured and died of his wounds on 3rd October 1918. Willim Hanna has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    S. Flynn




    211816

    L/Cpl. Hugh Crawford MM. No.1 Squadron Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) (d.4th April 1918)

    According to his sister, Mary, Hugh Crawford found "sitting on an office stool training to be a solicitor’s clerk far too frustrating". He left Ballybrakes and enlisted in Scotland. He was killed in April 1918. His parents received his Military Medal in September that year, however, why he was decorated has never been discovered by his family. In a letter to his parents his Commander said of Hugh `he died a gallant soldier and men of his character can ill be spared’.

    S. Flynn




    211813

    Rfmn. William Wade 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd Jun 1917)

    On the morning of 2 June 1917, during the preparations for the Battle of Messines Ridge, three young Ballymoney friends, Rifleman Wade, Rifleman Hanna, Lance Corporal McCoubrey were killed when a single shell landed in the midst of their group. A fourth friend, Rifleman George Wales, was fortunately sheltered from the direct blast though was injured by the shell. Wade, Hanna and McCoubrey and were buried together in Pond Farm Cemetery.

    S. Flynn




    211812

    L/Cpl. James McCoubrey 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd Jun 1917)

    Friends, Lance Corporal McCoubrey, Rifleman Hanna and Rifleman Wade, were killed instantly by a shell on the morning of the 2nd of June 1917 whilst preparing for the Battle of Messines. A fourth friend, Rifleman George Wales, was sheltered from the direct blast and only injured by the shell, but sadly he was killed later that year at Cambrai. McCoubrey, Hanna and Wade were buried close together, in Pond Farm Cemetery.

    S. Flynn




    211811

    Rfmn. John Hanna 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.2nd Jun 1917)

    18 year old John Hanna was one of four young Ballymoney friends preparing for the Battle of Messines Ridge, when on the morning of the 2nd of June a single shell landed in the midst of them. John Hanna, Lance Corporal McCoubrey and Rifleman Wade, died instantly, they were buried together, side by side, in Pond Farm Cemetery, Belgium. The fourth man, Rifleman George Wales, was fortunately sheltered from the direct blast and was injured by the shell, but was killed later that year at Cambrai.

    S. Flynn




    211810

    2nd Lt John Purves Gray MM. 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st Oct 1918)

    Lieutenant John Gray was reported as injured twice, the second time in July 1918 when the The Ulster Bank magazine ‘Passing Events’ noted he was seen in Belfast and seemed to be recovering from his wounds. Sadly, that October the magazine reported he had been killed shortly after returning to his regiment. Lieutenant John P. Gray is commemorated on a plaque in the entrance hall of the Ulster Bank Buildings, Waring Street, Belfast.

    S. Flynn




    211809

    Rfmn. Neason Henry Hale MM 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.11th Aug 1917)

    Neason Hale joined the staff of the Ulster Bank after leaving school, working along side his close neighbour John Gray. They both enlisted in March 1916. Rifleman Hale’s name is included in a list of missing in the The Ulster Bank magazine ‘Passing Events’ edition of Christmas 1918. The magazine editorial expressed the hope that he, and the other men, would soon return, but unfortunately the fate of Rifleman Hale will never be known. The Hale family were never officially informed that he had been killed, and his mother always believed that one day he would come home. Rifleman Neason H. Hale is commemorated on a plaque in the entrance hall of the Ulster Bank Buildings, Waring Street, Belfast.

    S. Flynn




    211808

    Hugh Carton MM. 1st Battalion Irish Guards (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Lieutenant Greer had been seriously wounded in 1915, but returned to the front line and was decorated for bravery and fought at the Somme. On the 15th September 1916 he led his men once more into battle in the attack on the village of Flers. What followed was told to ‘The Chronicle’, 28 April 1917, by Private Joseph Doherty of Seacon, another local Irish Guard who showed outstanding courage and fortunately survived: “The Coldstreams led the attack, the ‘Micks’ [Irish Guards] followed, and the supports were the Scots Guards and the Grenadiers. Lieutenant Greer led us to the second line of trenches. He had a revolver in one hand and a stick in the other, and he rushed in front pointing his stick towards the enemy and shouting at us to ‘Come on’. It was between the trenches he got hit on the head, and fell. He gave his revolver to Quartermaster-Sergeant Hugh Carton, and told him to ‘Carry on’. Carton then told us to follow him, and that we did, right into the German third line. It was pretty hot there, I can tell you. Our N.C.O. then asked for ten volunteers to go out and make a barricade in order to bomb the Germans in case of a counter-attack. As a Ballymoney man, I did not hesitate. It was during the erection of the barricade that Sergeant Carton got knocked out with shrapnel in the head. Three of us bandaged him as well we could, but he died about three minutes after he got it. There were only four now left out of the ten, so we had to retire to the trench. Another officer was coming out at the time and got wounded. I tried to pull him in but that was the time when I got it with shrapnel, a bullet going right through my leg above the ankle and shrapnel in my thigh and stomach. It was six in the evening when I got to the dressing station and was sent right away to ‘Blighty’. ”

    Sergeant Hugh Carton is commemorated in Carncullagh Presbyterian Church. Lieutenant J. K. M. Greer died of his wounds on 3 October 1916, he is commemorated both in First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church and, until recently, on a plaque in Ballymoney Courthouse erected by the North Antrim Solicitors’ Association.

    S. Flynn




    211807

    L/Cpl. John Laverty MM. 7th/8th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.20th Nov 1917 )

    During a two week period in August 1917, Lance Corporal Laverty acted with such heroism that he was both awarded the Military Medal. In November that year, Laverty and Private McKee held off a German attack with a heavy machine gun, while their fellow servicemen withdrew. Both men manned the gun to their deaths. They have no known grave and are commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

    S. Flynn




    211806

    Pte. Patrick McKee MM 7th/8th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.20th Nov 1917)

    The actions which lead to Private Patrick McKee and his Ballymoney comrade Lance Corporal John Laverty being decorated are unrecorded. What is known, is that over a two week period in August 1917, Private McKee and Lance Corporal Laverty acted with such heroism that they were both awarded the Military Medal shortly afterwards. In November that year, McKee and Laverty held off a German attack with a heavy machine gun, while their fellow servicemen withdrew. Both men manned the gun to their deaths. They have no known grave and are commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

    S. Flynn




    211805

    Pte. Archibald Nicholl 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.22nd Dec 1915)

    The 1st Dublin Fusiliers were evacuated from Gallipoli on the 20th of December 1915, leaving behind a small number of men to hold the position. One report states: “Sunday, 19th December 1915 Gallipoli The firing line of trenches from Karakol Dagh, north of Suvla to Lone Pine Plateau, South of Anzac Cove, was held by picked Riflemen, one every seven yards. These were known as the ‘Last Ditchers’. Their job was to hold off the enemy until the evacuation was complete.” Private Archie Nicholl survived for two days after the withdrawal, ensuring his fellow soldier’s safe evacuation. He is commemorated in Mosside Presbyterian Church, and lies in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery.

    S. Flynn




    211804

    Sgt. John Brangam MM. 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.29th Mar 1918)

    John Brangam was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery on the 20th of November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. His battalion had reached the front line trenches with little opposition, but then encountered intense fire from German machine guns. Sergeant Brangam crept around the right flank of the German line and managed to get close enough to bomb a machine gun post, killing two enemy and taking two prisoners. This action allowed his company to resume the advance and take the German line. On the third day of the battle the Germans launched a strong counter-attack, all the other officers in the 9th Battalion fell and Sergeant Brangam assumed the command and forced back the German offensive. John Brangam was killed in action on 29th of March 1918, he has no known grave, but is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.

    S. Flynn




    211803

    Rfmn. William Workman MM. 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st Mar 1918)

    In May 1917 William Workman was on early morning sentry duty when he saw a German raiding party, advancing on a nearby British Lewis gun position. William opened fire and killed the German officer leading the attack, then also killed five and wound another eight of the raiding party whilst under fire. Faced with such an overwhelming counter-attack the Germans retreated, forced back by the lone sentry. It was later discovered that the German Officer had been decorated with the Iron Cross, and Rifleman Workman was presented with his trench dagger. For these heroic actions Rifleman William Workman was awarded the Military Medal. William was killed on the 21st March 1918. It is thought that one of his comrades accidentally shot him during a battle. He is commemorated at Kilraughts Presbyterian Church.

    S. Flynn




    211802

    Rfmn. Robert John Coleman 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Robert John Coleman served with 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, and was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916, aged 21 at the Battle of The Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

    S. Flynn




    211800

    Pte. Percival Frederick King First Eastern General Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Percy King was from a technically minded family, two of his brothers were car mechanics and engine fitters and worked in the Family Business, King and Harper in Cambridge,(This business was started by their Father, William King, who was also Chief Engineer in a scheme running tractors for the Board of Agriculture during WW1). However Percy did not go into the family business and became a scientific instrument maker and worked for the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company.

    On 18 November 1913 he joined the RAMC (TF) for 4 Years service and he worked at the First Eastern General Hospital (1191 other ranks beds and 151 Officers Beds) in Cambridge the entire time until his on discharge 17 November 1917. Even though it was the height of the war, he was released for essential war work (making instruments) back at his old company, instead of being re-enlisted. His elder brother 2nd Lt Reginald King 48425 was also in the Army (RFC)and served as a pilot, and one of his younger brothers Private Augustus King 202906 was an engine fitter in the Army Service Corps.

    Percy was one of the many soldiers who survived the war unscathed and did not see front-line action but did essential work on the home front. He was my uncle and although he married, he never had any children to research or tell his story.

    Geoff King




    211798

    Pte. Thomas Wilson Royal Marine Labour Corps

    <p>

    Thomas Wilson served with the Royal Marine Labour Corps, he was wounded and received the silver war badge.

    Lyn Barnes




    211790

    Pte. Leonard Nixon 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.3rd Jun 1918)

    <p>

    Leonard Nixon was born 20th Nov 1899 at Kirby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire and enlisted at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, he resided in Kirby-in-Ashfield. He joined the 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbys Regt) as Private, 97920. Leonard died from wounds on the 3rd of June 1918 whilst serving with 8th Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derby Rgt) He is buried in the Allied Section of Guise (La Desolation) French National Cemetery, at Flavigny-Le-Petit.

    M Nixon




    211787

    Rfmn. William Cooke 1/17th Battalion (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) London Regiment (d.3rd June 1917)

    William Cooke was married in January 1913 to Minnie Corthine, they had a daughter about a year later, also called Minnie. William joined the 10th London Regiment in 1915 but later transferred to the 1/17th poplar and Stepney rifles. He was killed in action 3rd June 1917, not sure where. No known grave but his name is listed on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.





    211781

    Sergeant Edward Walter Vincent Royal Fusiliers (d.22nd Jun 1915)

    <p>

    Edward Vincent was my grandfather. He died leaving his wife with five children under five years of age. He is buried in Ypres.

    Doug Douglas




    211777

    Pte. Richard Ferris 1/7th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.28th Aug 1915)

    <p>

    Private Richard Ferris was my great uncle, he was my grandad's oldest brother.

    Patricia Thomson




    211770

    Pte. Stanley John Youell 4th Battalion Cameron Highlanders (d.14th Oct 1915)

    Stanley Youell was 19 when he was killed at the Battle of Loos. He had joined up against his parents wishes like many others. He is buried at Le Treport.

    Lesley Stanhope




    211767

    Sgt. Jeremiah John Toomey MM. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    I know nothing of Jeremiah Toomey apart from a damaged photograph recovered from my uncle's shed and that he is buried in Hillies Station Cemetery. I hope there is some one out there who may know his story. His widow remarried and she had to obtain a UK death certificate to do so, all it said in the volume there recorded in was died of wounds.

    Stephen Roche




    211764

    Pte. Jeremiah Toomey 1st Btn. London Regiment

    Jeremiah Toomey, I was told, was killed in action in WW1 and his name is on the Menin Gate. I have Jeremiah's death plaque. I started by looking for him on the CWWGC site nothing showed for him, then it was on to the Imperial War Museum and was informed the next of kin could claim it if his wounds had contributed to his death. He was medically discharged in 1919 where had been since being wounded in 1916. I then went to the National Archives checked the medal index from which I learned when he was wounded and when he was discharged. And from the war dairy of the 1st London Regiment have obtained his date of enlistment, as for the name on the Menin Gate, when my uncle died in 2006 it confused things even more. On clearing a garden shed not only was the plaque discovered but a very badly damaged photograph of a solider in a seargent's tunic taken in the London E14 area of London. The photographer's name is on it and I can't be sure but there was writing on the back in pencil but is so faded you can only make out what may be words. I would like to know if there is anything more of Jeremiah.

    Stapen Roche




    211762

    Private Charles Ernest Elworthy 2nd Btn Royal Sussex Regiment (d.14th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    Charles Ernest Elworthy was born October 9th 1891 in a small rural village in Surrey Claygate, he was the son of a farm labourer Joseph Elworthy and Elizabeth nee´ Mutimer. He was one of six children, both his parents had died by the time he was 15 and he stayed in the village for a while working at the farm of one of his fathers relatives, Slough Farm, his job was delivering the milk. Two fields north of where he was staying there lived a family called Scott: they were some of his many, many cousins in the village. He started "walking out" with one of them, Beatrice Alice Scott and eventually she was expecting a baby, sadly her mother would not them them marry because they were second cousins although the law stated then (1909) that they could legally have done so the exceedingly strict mother forced her daughter to leave the village and have the baby elsewhere. She also warned non of her other children to have any contact with her! Beatrice went up to London and bore a son Alfred Cecil Scott on Oct 4th 1909.

    Charles Ernest stayed in the Kingston area working but some time after 1911 he decided to move to Canada and landed up working in agriculture in Ontario: he attended Trinity Anglican Church near Aylmer and from there he came back to England to join up for the war. He joined up in Hammersmith - The Royal Sussex Regiment 2nd Btn and the training was in Woking Surrey.

    He was sent out to France on the 29th Sept 1915 and sent up to the front with a group of 392 men to join the battalion on October 4th. They were sent to Noux Les Mines. Two days later the Btn left Noux les Mines and moved to Mazingarbe (Near Loos) where they moved forward into the old german front system of trenches. The next morning (Oct 7) Between then and the 12th they dug (by night) forwards: forming new trench systems as near as they could to the german front. They were under sniper fire from the germans with one or two caualties and deaths each day.

    On the 13th Oct 1915 they came under the orders of the G.O.C. 1st Bde. At 1pm the gas and smoke discharge took place and the attack over the top was scheduled for one hour later. The Battalion was ordered to send one company forward as a Strong Patrol to help the 1st Bde. capture the German Front Line Trenches (Along the line of the road H13 a42 leading into Hulluch) and then a second Company would be sent one half hour later to establish themselves in the german trenches immediately west of Hulluch. The remainder of the Btn (minus one company) was to closely support this enterprise. A Co. was sent as Strong Patrol and C Co. sent as support and B co. to support C.

    The 1st Bde delivered their assault at 2pm and at 2.19 A Co. Royal Sussex advanced over the open. At 2,30 Lieut Col E F Villiers D.S.O heard that the Camerons attack had failed so the C co. was sent forward to gain the german trenches. The telegraph lines had been cut by shell fire and so orderlies were sent running with messages for the B co. to go forwards to support C co. In the end the 1 Bde did not make any inroads on the german trenches and the remains of the B and C co´s were brought back to the support line to await eventualities. At 5.30 the following morning they were sent out again to support the Northamptonshire rgt.in another run over the top, but by the time they had started it was already become light and the action was called off.

    In the right hand column of the war Diary there is the notation for October 13th: Killed 9 OR Wounded 71 OR Missing 36 OR... The Captains and Lieutenants are all named, as either missing or casualties but somehere among the 116 "Other Ranks" lost that day was Charles Ernest Elworthy. He had turned 23 four days before he died.

    Back in Walthamstow (North west London) Beatrice Alice Scott heard from a friend in Claygate that he was missing in Action and for a month she hunted for him in the military convalescent centers around London until the real tragic news came through. Although Beatty had nothing but one faded picture of him as a young man she still had a round faced little boy who one day would start a family of his own and one day one of the grandchildren would ask "What did Great Grand´Daddy do in the War? At last now I know.

    Jane Reece




    211758

    Pte. Fredrick Thomas Rogers 24th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th July 1916)

    The only information I have on Fredrick Rogers is that he is the wife's grandfather. He was killed at the age of 44 and buried at Flatiron Corpse Cemetery, Mametz, France.

    Terry Gallagher




    211755

    Pte. John Benjamin Spilling 15th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.2nd Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Ben Spilling was my Great-Grandfather, he was among the very first to volunteer in the Salford Pals, 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He is listed as dying on 02/07/1916 on day two of the battle of the Somme but it seems more likely that he was killed the day before and discovered the next (which is preferable to him taking a day to die) as he is listed as being in A Company which formed the right hand side of the first line of attack,with B in support whilst C Company formed the left hand side with D in support. To their left was the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Ulster Division and to their right were the 16th Northumberland Fusiliers. The order was to march in a straight line,in an upright fashion with no firing,and no jinking,flanking or pepper-potting manoeuvres over 300 yards of uphill,smooth terrain towards defenses (held and improved by the German forces for almost 2 years) by Maj Gen Ryecroft, commanding the 32nd Division, who was heard to shout, "My God, all we'll find in Thiepval is the caretaker and his dog". The Battalion was withdrawn the next day having suffered 470 casualties from an attacking force of 642,the majority of them within the first 15 minutes.

    My Great-Grandfather was just one man within this battle and in turn the battle at Thiepval was just one among many within the larger battle of the Somme.Some 432,000 British soldiers were killed or wounded,The French lost nearly 200,000 men and the Germans an estimated half a million. Ben is buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension. Like most of the men he was a husband and a father, leaving behind my Great-Grandmother Elsie to raise 2 small boys.

    Chris Hourigan




    211737

    George Perry HMHS Plassy

    <p>

    George Perry was a member of the St Johns Ambulance Brigade Association and served on the HMHS Plassy. I have some surgical instruments, photos from the Plassy, and his St John Ambulance Medal, with the number 81442. He apparently ended his life in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The medal also has the Great Central Railway number 705. I am trying to find information, can anyone help?

    Jim Bush




    211733

    Pte. James Jepson MM. 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment

    <p>

    Private James Jepson was my grandfather. He was born in Darwen, Lancashire on 1st December 1886 and joined the 2nd Essex Regiment in 1904 after both his parents had died and shortly after his elder brother William had joined the 1st Essex Regiment. He never spoke of his military service but I have memories of him mentioning being at Dover Castle and on another occasion asking my father to remove a small piece of shrapnel from his upper lip as the shrapnel was coming out through the skin and snagging his razor while shaving. He was awarded the Military Medal but never mentioned it. His records in the National Archive were lost during the Second World War and there is no mention in regimental records. Pte Jepson was promoted to sergeant then reverted to the rank of private but regimental records give no further details. He was awarded three good conduct stripes and officially injured twice.

    On leaving the regiment after the war he was employed as a miner near Leigh in Lancashire before returning to Darwen in 1925 where he worked as a postman until retiring. With special thanks to Ian Hook, curator for the Essex Regimental Museum in Chelmsford, for providing information on my grandfather's regimental service.

    Ron Bury




    211728

    Pte. John Shearon 2nd Btn. Worcestershire (d.26th September 1917)

    My gt. grandfather, John Shearon, was born in Stourport-on-Severn around 1884. He worked as a chimney sweep in the Worcester area and was also a tic-tac man on Worcester racecourse. He married my gt. grandmother, Jane Kershaw, at St.George's Chapel in 1911, then moved to Liverpool later that year. His elder brother Edward was also in the Worcesters (service no. 48426)and was killed in India on 3rd December 1917 aged 43.

    Brian Jones




    211726

    Pte. Robert Bradshaw 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.13th Oct 1914)

    Robert Bradshaw was born in Salford in 1885. The son of Harriet and William. He was a private in the Manchester Regiment, 2nd Battalion. He was at The Battle of Ypres. He was killed in action, aged 29 years. His name appears on a panel in Le Touret Memorial in France Panels 34/37. He was awarded The Victory Medal, The British Medal and The Star Medal. His death left his wife Elizabeth, a widow who was pregnant with his child, Elizabeth gave birth to his son,who he never knew, my grandad Robert. Named after his father, my great grandad Robert Bradshaw.

    Lorraine Chambers




    211721

    Sgt. Edward James Harris 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.22nd Sep 1918)

    My great-grandfather, Sergeant Edward James Harris, was killed in action September 22nd, 1918. Sgt. Harris was a volunteer who joined the British Army in 1911, three years before the start of the First World War. His unit, the 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), saw action in some of the worst battles of the war, including the Battle of Ypres, the Battle of the Somme, and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In the Battle of the Somme, the Sherwood Foresters were involved in the first capture of Delville Wood, 14 July – 3 September 1916, acknowledged to be among the worst fighting of the War. Despite surviving all this, Sgt. Harris was killed at Gauche Wood during the advance on Cambrai, 22nd of September 1918, a few weeks before the Armistice on 11th of November. May he rest in peace and never be forgotten.

    Roger




    211715

    Lt.Col. Malcolm Charles Andrew Green 2nd Batalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.17th Nov 1914)

    My Grandfather, Lt Colonel Malcolm Green, was not with his Regiment (South Lancashire) on the Western Front at beginning of war, but was in Tidworth training the first cohort of Kitchener's recruits ("K1"). However, on 31st October the senior officers of the Regiment at Ypres were mortared at Hooge Chateau, and killed or severely wounded. My grandfather was dispatched from Tidworth to take command of the 2nd Batalion. He left Tidworth on 8th November, arriving at the Front on 13th November, and was killed 2 kms east of Ypres (near Hooge) on 17th November. Although I have an accurate map of where he fell and where he was buried by his fellow soldiers, by the end of the war there was no trace and he is, therefore, commemorated on the Menin Gate.

    Celia Edey




    211704

    A/Sgt Alfred Edgington M.M. & Bar. 1/22nd Btn. London Regiment

    Alfred Edgington was a cousin who was a conscript, won his MM at Vimy Ridge in May 1916 and his Bar to the MM at Bourlon Wood in December 1917. He was wounded in action at Bourlon Wood with gunshot wounds and shipped home, making a good recovery. I have his photo convalescing in 1918, his service record, his medal index card.

    Peter Leonard




    211702

    Pte. John Perrie 1/5th Btn Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.13th Jul 1915)

    John Perrie was just 24, when killed in action during the 2nd battle for the Kereves Dere, Helles, Gallipoli.

    Andrew Nedelka




    211697

    CSM. Alfred Bailey Swallow 470th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.21st Mar 1918)

    My great grand father was killed on the 21st of March 1918 during the German Offensive on the Cambrai-St Quentin Front. He was Company Sergeant Major Alfred Bailey Swallow 470th Field Coy Royal Engineers, 59th div

    Peter Swallow




    211695

    Pte. Thomas William Hewish 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1916)

    Thomas Hewish is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 8 c9a and 16a. This would suggest that his body was not found. His mother claimed his medals in 1920.

    John Hewish




    211678

    Frederick Thomas Daniels Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    Frederick Daniels served with the Royal Field Artillery.

    Steve Daniels




    211672

    Pte. Tom Bamford 9th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    Tom Bamford is buried at Adanac Commonwealth war cemetery, Miraumont, France. He was probably killed at Battle of le Transloy

    John Hobson




    211666

    Spr. Robert Grayson Royal Engineers

    <p>

    I know little about my maternal grandfather Robert Grayson's military service other than that he was discharged at some point on medical grounds. The pension records are indecipherable. I know he served in Egypt from 23rd December 1915. He was a solicitor's clerk before The Great War in Ormskirk, near Liverpool and returned there to become an estate clerk. He married my grandmother in 1923. He was, apparently, a very good cricketer and played for Ormskirk Cricket Club. He died the year before I was born in 1957; his fondness for a wee dram did not help his longevity. I gather his business with local farmers on market days was usually undertaken in the great number of pubs in Ormskirk. Any information about him would be greatly appreciated.

    Robin Moore




    211658

    Cpl. Charles Duffield 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Charles Duffield was my Great Uncle. He served in the Great War after enlisting as a drummer boy in the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1904. At the outbreak of WW1 he was sent with his regiment in October of 1914 to Belgium. He was engaged in various bloody and important battles and at some point, which is at this time unknown as I am still researching, was wounded in combat and sent to one of the RSF training battalions after recovering. He left the army on 1/6/18 with a full honourable discharge and his Silver War Badge. He was a holder of the 1914 Star with silver rossette on the ribbon, later became known as one of The Old Contemptibles. Upon leaving the army he had been promoted to Sergeant.





    211657

    Pte. Hans Major Embleton 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    My grandad, Hans Major Embleton, served in the First World War with the Durham Light Infantry. He was a miner when he signed up on the 25th June 1913, he became a member of the 8th Battalion territorial force and used to do training at weekends and worked down the mine in the week.

    He survived the War but was taken prisoner near the end. This left him very thin and weak but he returned to Sacriston and back in the mine. He got married in 1920 and my mother was born in 1921 in Sacriston. My grandad came to stay with us through the 1960s and he told me stories of the war mainly in the prison camp living on water and potato peelings if you were lucky. He was awarded the Territorial Force War Medal and I am very proud of him.

    Derick Smith




    211647

    Pte. Thomas Dinsdale 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire (d.8th January 1915)

    Thomas Dinsdale My great grandfather was killed at Festubert 8th January 1915 aged 26. He left two children, Martha and Joseph, and a wife Sarah Jane Dinsdale. My Nan Martha was only 1 year old when he was killed and never saw her father although she passed down to my Mother that it had always been said that Thomas had been shot through the head whilst in the trenches at Festubert presumably by a German sniper but this is unsubstanciated.

    I have traced his memorial to the missing at the Touret Memorial in France panel 21 to 22 which I hope to be visiting.

    I believe that Frank Lawrence the brother of Lawrence of Arabia is also on these two panels. I know Thomas Dinsdale landed at Le Harve in August 1914 but very little else about their deployment. My Nan never had a photograph and sadly passed away some years ago.

    Thomas Mason




    211642

    Pte. William Evans 9th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.22nd Oct 1917)

    William Evans was my grandmother's first husband, they had three little girls, the oldest being just three when he was killed. I remember reading letters he had written telling her to be cheerful and formally signing his name. It was all written in pencil. I would love to know more about him and how he died. His name is on the memorial at Tyne Cot.

    Sue Allwood




    211631

    Sgt. John C. McQuaid 1st Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    My relative Sergeant John C McQuaid served with the 1st Bn Lincolnshire Regt. I believe he lived in Stockport, Cheshire, UK, where he is buried. He died on 17th Feb 1919, not sure how or why. I believe he was a bit of a character. Any info about him, however small would be great.

    Kit Robson




    211629

    Pte. Frederick Jethro Joseph Emptage 8th Battalion Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.30th Apr 1916)

    Private Frederick Jethro Joseph Emptage, a Fisherman from Ramsgate was married to Helen Eliza. By 1909 Frederick was a widower and has 2 boys Ned and Harry. He joins the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment 8th Battalion and Frederick died of his wounds on the 30th April 1916. Frederick was a 3rd cousin of mine and the 6th Emptage to be killed during WW1.

    David Emptage




    211620

    Pte James Talbot 9th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.20th June 1917)

    James Talbot was my grandmother's brother. He died as a result of his wounds on the 20th June 1917 and is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extention, France. A tribute to him appears on the family grave in Haslingden Cemetery.

    Before serving with the Loyals he had served as a Private in the East Lancs Regiment (S/N 24704). Other than these uncovered facts little is known of James. He was 29 at death and we have been unable to uncover whether he was married, although we suspect he wasn't. At the time of his death the 9th Battalion, 25th Division was engaged in the Battle of Messines, Flanders. We do not know when, how or the type of wounds that James succumbed to.

    Derek Whittaker




    211618

    Rfmn. Frederick Charles "Fred" Bird 2nd Btn Rifle Brigade (d.25th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Fred Bird was born in Oct 1892 and was employed as a lamp maintenance fitter with the Gas Light and Coke Company. He enlisted at the outbreak of war in Aug 1914.

    He was 5 ft 5 1/2 inches tall and weighed 114 lbs or 8 stone 2 pounds. His chest was 34 inches fully expanded by 2 1/2 inches. He had a sallow complexion and dark brown hair and brown eyes. His religion is listed as Wesleyan.

    After training he was posted to France on the 18th May 1915. The Rifle Brigade 2nd Battalion had suffered great losses at the battle of Aubers Ridge including the attack on Fromelles and the attack at Rue du Bois early May 1915 and Fred would have been one of the much needed replacements to bring them back to full strength. His battalion was part of the 25th Brigade of the 8th Division of the British Army. After Aubers in May 1915 . No further major actions took place until the 25th September 1915. On the 25th September 1915 the battle of Loos began on the Belgian/French border. The 2nd Bn Rifle Brigade were detailed to take part in a side action which was an adjunct to the main battle. This action was fought at Bois Grenier in France. Fred by then was a machine gunner and as such would have been in “A” Company which was the machine gun section. The 2nd Rifle Brigade achieved all their objectives but eventually had to retire as the units on their flanks had not been so successful. It seems likely that Fred was killed on the first day of his first battle.

    From his Battalion 6 officers and 73 other ranks were killed that day and 3 officers and 172 other ranks wounded. The battalion probably consisted of about 500 men. The Officer in charge of the machine gun company was killed and his second in command wounded. Fred is buried at Sailly-sur-la-Lys Canadian Cemetary 7km from Amentieres in the Pas de Calais.

    David Bird




    211608

    Pte. John Ambrose Richard Lloyd Sherwood Forresters

    <p>

    Jack Lloyd was held as a pow

    Vannessa Lloyd




    211605

    Pte Reginald Henry Woof 6th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    I am tracing my family tree and found Reginald Woof who was my 1st cousin 2x removed it appears he joined 6th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in 1915 and was killed in action. I have found out that he is listed on the Thiepval Memorial in France along with so many of the lost men. He was so young as were many.

    Susan Denton




    211604

    Pte. Henry Bradshaw 10th Sherwood Foresters

    I have found mention of my great grandfather, Henry Bradshaw, on my grandmother's wedding certificate. It states his occupation as Private, 10th Sherwood Foresters and is dated 1917. I have been unable to find any information about him elsewhere.

    Chris Wilkins




    211584

    Cpl Alfred Ivan Tucker MID. 37 Div. Signal Coy

    <p>Ivan Tucker in 1915

    Ivan Tucker enlisted in Nov. 1914. He refused a commission as he was formerly with the Marconi Marine as Wireless Operator on Mauritania then Lusitania.

    Ivan Tucker in 1918

    David Tucker




    211581

    Pte. Albert William West 11th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Feb 1917)

    Bill West is buried in Faubourg d'Amiens, he was aged 21 years and 9 days old.

    John Orford




    211574

    Pte. John Henry Clarke A Coy, 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd April 1917)

    John Henry Clarke was killed on the 22nd April 1917 during an attack on Nash Alley Trench and the Dynamite Magazine just outside Lens. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in Dud Corner Cemetery.

    John Clarke




    211573

    CSM Walter Cadman DCM. 1st/4th Btn. Yorks and Lancaster Regiment

    From information recieved from my grandfather, Walter Cadman went to France in April of 1915 and returned to England in January of 1919. He received the DCM for his actions late 1918. The reason for his commendation was written in a London newspaper. My Grandfather did not talk of his time in France.

    Ian Cadman




    211565

    Pte. Thomas William King 12th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Tommy King was my wonderful father who was born in Bermondsey (London's East End) on March 25th 1894. He was educated at Holy Trinity Church school and his mother, Elizabeth King (nee Carr), cleaned the church most of her adult life. His father, John James King, was a Hop Porter. Dad used to talk about Peak Freans, Oxo etc. who were based in the East End too. Dad worked at some time on the docks. He was also (after the war) a wood block floor layer with a firm called Hollis Brothers from London.

    Because he was scarcely five feet tall I suspect that he was in the Bantams. Following a brief period of training dad was sent to France in about October 1916 and was posted to Loos. He was severely injured when a grenade went off in his hand causing severe damage to his back and side, and the loss of a finger. Following emergency first aid on the front line he was brought back to England and spent some time at the Red Cross Convalescent home at Newlands Corner,near Guildford. From there he went with other soldiers to Shoreham. When the military staff considered that he was fit enough again they put him to work in the Labour Corps.

    Barbara Izzard




    211563

    Mjr. Frank "Bill" Bailey DCM. 1st Battalion Essex Regiment

    <p>

    My grandad, Frank Bailey, joined up in 1901 and immediately after basic training was dispatched to South Africa in Mounted Infantry Unit (formed to play those Boers at their own mobile guerilla game). He was a representative of Essex Regiment at Edward VII's coronation in Aug 1902, and posted to India (1902-06), Burma (1906-08) Ireland (1908-09), India (1909-13), Mauritius (1913-14) returning to Warley in Dec 1914.

    As Sergeant, he was on 'W' Beach at Gallipoli (Cape Helles) on 25/4/1915, Beaumont Hamel (Somme) as RSM on 1/7/1916, aided defence of Monchy-le-Preux on 14/4/1917, was mentioned in Haig's dispatches on 25/5/1917, awarded Serbian Cross of Kara George, with Swords, 1st Class on 23/7/1917, gassed at Langemarck (Belgium) on 26/9/1917, and awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal at Battle of Cambrai and took part in the final push in 1918.

    After WW1 he was posted Cork (1920-22) during the Irish "war of independence" along with Major Percival (Battalion Intel Officer and later Lieutenant General who surrendered at Singapore in 1941), went with the League of Nations Peace Keeping force to supervise the Saarbrucken Plebiscite (98% voted to go back to Nazi Germany and there was typical trouble during it!) in Jan 1935. He retired in 1937 as Major, re-engaged briefly in 1941 as a trainer for North London and Essex 'ack ack' units. His long and distinguished career with the regiment is recorded along with some history in my book A Major Soldier

    Ted Bailey




    211562

    Sapper James Morris 257 Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers (d.8th Aug 1916)

    Sapper James Morris is my grand father and was a member of the 257 Tunnelling Co. According to his CO Capt Stanley de la Mere he died on 8th August 1916 while attending to a crater in no man's land.

    He was unusual in that being age 43 he had no need to re-enlist due to his age and his reserved occupation. He left a widow, Florence with six children. The family were reduced to poverty and lost their mining cottage and had to return to her family in Brecon. Florence and my mother became anti war as I am. James had been a professional soldier with 24 SWB from 1894-1906. He was a miner until 1916 when he re-enlisted with his brother Jo who went to SWB. James is buried at Pont du Hem cemetery near La Gorgues, Armentiere which I have visited.

    I have 4 letters from the trenches, COs letter, Chaplain's letter, cap badge and other artifacts including a notebook of Flo's visit to his graveside in 1922. I give talks on the Tunnelling Companies and James Story and will be doing so in 1914.

    Harley Simpson




    211561

    2nd Lt. Arthur Herbert Rosdew Burn 1st Royal Dragoons (d.30th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Arthur Herbert R. Burn was the first man to be killed in the First World War from the Fyvie district. Fyvie, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Arthur was the grandson of Lord Leith of Fyvie. Son of Colonel Charles and Hon. Mrs Burn. He was born in London in 1892 and died aged 22 years in 1914. Colonel Burn appealed to young men to enlist to save the country.

    Helen Taylor




    211559

    Pte. George William Marsh 15th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby) Regiment (d.17th July 1916)

    <p>

    George William Marsh was my uncle. He was born in 1897 at 9 Lord Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield the son of Linney Marsh who later married Thomas Yates. He started work as a brickyard labourer at Bentink Colliery, Kirkby-in-Ashfield and worked with his older brother Robert Henry who joined the 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters at the outbreak of the war. George William finally enlisted in February 1915 and his regimental number 23599 suggests that he was one of the first to do so. By now he was a miner at Silverhill Colliery, one of many miners who answered the call to join the colours. He was killed in action on 17th July 1916 at Trones Wood and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He will always be remembered by the family for his ultimate sacrifice, with fondest memories.

    Lynne Weston




    211558

    Pte George Ellis Robinson 18th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather was George Ellis Robinson. He enlisted in the 2nd Bradford pals and was an infantryman until 10th July 1916. His service then changed with the formation of the machine gun corps where he served with the 6th Btn until being demobbed on 5th May 1919.

    On surviving the war he married his Bradford girlfriend Ethel Abrahams and they had one child who was my mother Betty. They moved to St Annes on sea in later life where my Grandfather died in 1970. Though very young when he died I do remember him and am so glad to have a living link with such a proud and dignified man.

    Sean Hamer




    211557

    Pte. James Stanley Proctor 6th (Service) Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

    My grandfather, James Proctor joined the 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment in 1914. His medal record on WO/372/16 shows that he disembarked "Balkans" 18 July 1915. This ties in with the Battalion history of the units involvement in the Gallipoli campaign at Sulva bay.

    My next information is he is with the 3rd Battalion back in Grimsby in March 1917. He married my grandmother at the local Baptist church (Anne Mitchell nee Ainsworth) as the 3rd battalion was the depot/training battalion for the Regiment I presume that he had been wounded, shell shocked? I then found he was listed as being with the 1/5th battalion,on "absent voters list" 1919. He survived the war (though his marriage did not!) and passed away 1933. Any further information on these events gratefully accepted.

    David Proctor




    211554

    Pte. Albert Vincent Maskrey 15th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.24th Sep 1916)

    In Memory of A V Maskrey, Private, 1450, 15th Bn., Royal Warwickshire Regiment who died on 24 September 1916 (Served as Jones). Remembered with Honour Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension.

    Albert Maskrey was my Gt Grand dad. He was 22 yrs old when he died. My Nan was only 2 yrs when he died so never really knew him. She was always told he pulled the pin out of a hand grenade and it blew up straight away. He didn't pass then, he died whilst being treated. I wish I could find out more about him, and find out if he lived a day? hours? a week? It would be nice to know.

    Joanne carter




    211551

    Pte. Whitney Glen "Paddy" Robertson 18th Battalion (d.17th Aug 1918)

    <p>

    Paddy's Home in Front Line Trench. Made Himself Comfortable in the Danger Zone

    By Pte. W. G. (Paddy) Robertson to Mr. E. P. Ridley Somewhere in France, April 28th, 1918

    Dear Friend E.P., - At last I have time to write a few lines in answer to your welcome letter received some time ago. This is some note paper I picked up in the trench; it is slightly soiled but will have to do for now. For the last three days in the front line I was unable to get out of the funk hole but thank God I am O.K. again. It is a rather unpleasant feeling to be on your back helpless when the boys next to you are being buried and wounded. We had ... (page torn - unreadable). Have been lucky with our platoon, only two killed so far on this job. But I hope to move back on our old front again as we are the only division of Canadians up this way. Since the spring drive started we have been used for a storming division and it isn't any too pleasant a job. Whenever a piece of ground is lost we have to retake it and hold it for a few days, then move to some other front for a spell - lots of moving around and lots of sore feet. Our adjutant was telling us last week that Pete Pegg is now reported a prisoner of war in Germany; I hope it's right. Well Ed., I will have to bring this to a close although I am sorry to, it being the only pastime at night, but I have a two hour gas guard to do now so will close, trusting this finds Mrs. Ridley and yourself O.K. Write again, Ed., and I will try to answer sooner next time. As ever, Paddy Robertson. (unknown publication - Ontario, Canada)

    Colleen Jenkinson




    211542

    Pte. Frederick Victor Lacey 19th (St Pancras) Battalion London Regiment (d.14th Oct 1918)

    Frederick Lacey was my mother's brother and was killed in action on the 14/10/1918 and is buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-D'Armentieres in France. I am trying to find out how he died and I would be grateful if anyone has any information that can help.

    Geoff Robinson-Clarke




    211528

    Pte. Thomas Fulford Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Thomas Fulford was my grandfather who fought in the Boxer Rebellion, I still have the parasol that he brought back for my grandmother, well over 100 years old.

    He also fought in WW1 and I have the Mons medal with bar that was awarded. Unfortunately, his 6 medals were divided amongst family members and I think I am the only one that still has 2 of them.

    My own father served during WW2 and sadly I have no factual information other than he served in Burma, India, Malaysia and was part of the relief forces in Singapore. I know that he was in Royal Devonshire Yeomanry.





    211527

    Pte. Sydney James Easton 17th Battalion

    My great grandfather, Sydney James Easton, enlisted in the 17th Battalion, Australian Imperial force on 31st May, 1915. He travelled to Gallipoli on the HMAT Suffolk, arriving on the 17th September 1915. His unit was tasked with defending Quinns Post. He was wounded for the first time after being in Gallopoli for just over a month but returned to his unit 4 days later. Six weeks later he was wounded for the second time and was evacuated to a hospital ship, the HMHS Oxfordshire. While he was in hospital his unit was withdrawn from Gallipoli and transferred to Egypt for further training. He rejoined his unit in Egypt. They moved to France in March 1916 where they were assigned to the Armentieres section of the Western Front. He fought on the Western Front for a little over a year but then in April 1917 he suffered a head wound and was captured by the Germans. He was sent to a POW camp where he remained for 18 months before being repatriated to England in January 1919. Whilst there he met and married his wife and they returned to Australia in July 1919.

    Jason Motbey




    211526

    2nd Lt. Robert G. Burnett Norfolk

    Robert Burnett was my grandfather who died before I was born (1948). He served in the Norfolk Regiment as I have his British War Medal "squeak" and Allied Victory Medal "Wilfred" in my keeping.

    My father, Lionel Lesley Burnett, who died a few years ago told me that he had fought in France and Egypt and that he had returned to the UK on the same boat as Lawrence of Arabia who he had kept in touch with. I was born in Oxford, UK and my grandfather lived in Monmouth, Wales where he was the Bank Manager. Anymore about the war I don't know but would appreciate it if anybody who served with him or their relatives have any information.

    Sally Lloyd




    211525

    Pte Thomas Arthur Newby 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    I have only just started to research my grandfather Thomas Arthur Newby, (Pte 248039) who was born in Morley, North Yorkshire in 1893. I know that he served with the DLI in WW1 and WW2. I have found some very interesting records on Ancestry.com but sadly a lot of them are so badly decayed or badly copied that much information is lost. He joined the Territorials, 5th Battalion DLI, in Stockton on Tees and was part of the expeditionary force to France from 9/10/15 to 10/5/15. On his return from France he transferred to 3rd Btn. DLI, returning to France again from 24/9/17 to 21/4/18.

    He died when I was very young and I have only one vague memory of him. I hope to find out more about him. I was in the TA for 13 years, based initially in Stockton on Tees and never knew his history, I have also been on battlefield tours covering the areas that he was posted to in France, I didn't have a clue that he had served there, hopefully I can fill the gaps and get a better picture of who he was.

    Di Johnston




    211514

    Pte. John Benjamin Wall 46th Remount Squadron Army Service Corps

    John Wall enlisted 14th May 1915 aged 38 yrs 11 mths at Romsey, Hampshire, after operations for a hernia and varicose veins. After basic training heembarked the 'Caledonia' at Avonmouth, 19th January 1916 and disembarked Alexandria 7th February 1916. He embarked Alexandria 20th June 1919 for homeward journey and demobilisation and was demobbed at North Ripon, Yorkshire, 5th August 1919.

    Howard Ralley




    211512

    Private John Edward Sands 7th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.26th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    John Edward Sands was my grandfather. He was born in Eastbourne 17th September 1896. He enlisted in 7th Royal Sussex in August 1914, a month shy of his 18th birthday. I believe his Reg. No. means he was one of Lowther's Lambs, and that he received his fatal wounds at the first Battle of Cambrai. My grandmother received notification on 6th December 1917 that he'd died of his wounds on 26th November that same year at 55 Clearing Station. He was 21, and left behind a young widow and baby son, my father. He was subsequently buried at Tincourt Cemetery

    7th Royal Sussex Regiment. John Edward Sands in back row in front of tree

    T Brading




    211509

    Pte. Herbert Shelley Lincolnshire (d.14th April 1918)

    Herbert Shelley was my great grandfather. I know very little about him except that he was born in West Bromwich, Staffordshire in 1856 and died on the 14 of April 1918. His name is on the Tyne Cot memorial Zonnebeke West Flanders.

    J. Costello




    211496

    L/Cpl. James McFetridge 10th Btn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    James McFetridge enlisted at the outbreak of WW1 with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was wounded at the Battle of Loos by an exploding shell in both legs one of which had to be amputated. He was hospitalised in Clacton-on-Sea and discharged in Perth on 4th November 1916. He was a talented footballer and had signed to become professional just before the war.

    Sheena Learmonth




    211481

    Rifleman John Edward Munton 17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.28th Nov 1917)

    My Great Grand Uncle John Munton was killed in action in France & Flanders whilst serving with the Poplar and Stepney Rifles.

    Cheryl Dower




    211461

    Pte. Harry James Trusler Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.30th Sep 1916 )

    My Grandfather Harry Truslerwas only in the 1st World War a short time before being shot by a sniper. He was a labourer and enlisted at the age of 32. He appears on the war memorial at Thiepval in France. I have visited many times, such a sad waste.

    Jennifer Longman




    211459

    Pte. Fredrick Beamont 18th Btn. London Regiment (d.2nd May 1918)

    Fredrick Beamont fought 1916 to 1918, he was killed and buried in Palestine, now the Jerusalem War Cemetery. He was Cousin to Sgt. Walden of Llondon 18th. and brother to Jenny Beamont who was married to Thomas Kearns of 18th London Irish Rifles. he is also related to Pte. Edwards of the 18th. He was father of John and Frank Edwards who were both killed in WW2

    John Edwards




    211458

    Pte. Thomas Kearns 18th Btn. London Regiment

    Thomas Kearns fought 1916 to 1918 with the London Irish Rifles and was gassed. He came home, married Jenny Beamont and had one daughter Constance.

    John Edwards




    211457

    Pte. William Martin 9th Glasgow Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.26th Sep 1917)

    <p>

    My Grandfather William Martin was killed in action on September 26, 1917 in Flanders/France. He was the husband of Elizabeth Anderson Campbell and they had one son, my father, William Martin. All three were born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. I have the original notice of death addressed to my grandmother who was living at the Maryhill Barracks. My grandmother remarried a man named Samuel Taggart in 1920 and they immigrated to Canada in 1923. They lived the rest of their lives in a small town north of Toronto on the shores of Lake Simcoe, Ontario. My father also served with the Canadian Forces from 1939 to 1944 being wounded in action.

    Betty Anne Martin




    211456

    Sgt Alfred Mole Royal Horse Artillery

    My father, Alfred Moles at the age of 17, joined the RHA in 1914. He served throughout the War. His main complaint was that he loved horses but had to take the old and wounded horses to the Belgian "Knackers Yard". He did have campaign medals but they have been long lost and I believe that the relevant service records were destroyed by fire. He also served in the NFS during World War II

    Ron Mole




    211452

    Sgt. Wilson McAdam 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    My great Uncle, Wilson McAdam, Sergeant 14553 (also spelled McCadam) was born in 1891 in Portadown he lived at Tandragee, County Armagh and was a Member of Clonmakate Company, Armagh Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force. Member of Loyal Orange Lodge 110. He worked in the linen trade at Thomas Sinton’s mill. He enlisted September 1914 and went to France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘C’ Company. He was evacuated sick to hospital in England in mid-1916. He may have rejoined his company in France. He did not take part in the attack at Hamel on 1 July 1916. He transferred to the Class Z Reserve 6 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. His discharge date is common for those who saw through the War and left Mouscron (where the Battalion spent Christmas 1918) in February 1919.

    On Saturday 8 August 1914 the Ulster Volunteer Force held a shooting competition at the rifle range in Tandragee demesne with teams from the Clare, Laurelvale, Tandragee and Scarva Companies participating. Wilson McAdam was a member of the winning team from the Tandragee Company and also won the medal for the overall highest individual score. He served in France from 4 October 1915. On the 15th August 1914 the Tandragee Company held a shooting match at the rifle range in the demesne. Nine teams took part including 1 from Clare, 2 from Laurelvale, 4 from Tandragee and 2 from Scarva, with each team consisting of 8 men. Medals were awarded for the best team score, the runners up and the highest individual score. A team from Tandragee won the event, with the individual scores as follows – Wilson McAdam 60; D McCullough 49; George Jackson 46; W J Meredith 46; A Vennard 41; G Stronge 40; W Gamble 39; and W J Teggart 21. Wilson McAdam (Tandragee) won the highest overall individual score with 60 out of 70; W J Newman (Tandragee) was second on 57; and W Lunn (Scarva) third on 56. Mr T H White, Orangehill, presented the prizes.

    Helene Kennedy




    211448

    Pte. Edward Morgan 1/4th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.25th January 1915)

    Edward Morgan was my grandmother's brother. He was a pre-war Territorial Force soldier and had joined up with my grandfather, William Robinson and my grandfather's brother Tom Robinson, into the 4th Battalion RWF at Wrexham. Edward had volunteered for service in France and landed there 5th November 1914. All three had been coal miners at Wrexham. January 25th 1915 Edward Morgan was killed in action. He was 25 years old.

    Peter Edwards




    211442

    Pte. Ernest Charles Furneaux Royal Engineers

    Ernest Charles Furneaux was my great uncle. He was born in 1888 in Swansea and married Esther Hughes from Llanelly in 1911. They had 3 children, none of whom lived for more than 6 months. At the time of the 1911 census, Ernest was a labourer in a colliery. I'm not sure exactly when he joined the army but he qualified for the 1914 Star on 10 September. In January 1915 a letter he sent home was published in the Cardiff Western Mail describing his experience of the Christmas Truce in the trenches. Later on, Ernest suffered badly as a result of a gas attack. Although Ernest survived the war, he died in 1929 at the age of 41. His wife had predeceased him in 1920, aged only 30. If anybody has any further information or knows the whereabouts of his medal trio, please contact me.

    Carol Furneaux




    211441

    L/Cpl. Thomas Lake 2nd Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.2 December 1917)

    I knew very little about my Grandfather Thomas.

    One day when I was about 14 years old I came across a plaque, a picture & 2 medals. I asked my father who was the man in the picture? He told me it was his father and then went on to tell me of how he died in the First World War. He became rather angry at the fact that he lost his own father so close to the end of WW1.

    All this took place many years ago, in fact it must of been around 1970. A few years ago I started researching records on the Ancestry website and quickly became frustrated when I could not find many records of Thomas`s ancestors. All I discovered was his regiment, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 2nd Btn & that he died 02/12/1917. He is classed as "Commonwealth War Dead" and is buried in "Tyne Cot Memorial" panel 108 - 111.

    He was 32 when he died,so at the outbreak of WW1 he would have been about 29. He must have served with the KOYLI before the start of the war as I can't see him being made a L/Corporal straight after signing up! God rest his soul, and all the fallen men and women who sacrificed all for King & Country.

    William Lake




    211439

    James C. Cairns DCM 44th Btn.

    My Great Grandfather, James C Cairns, was awarded the DCM for his actions on the 26th August 1918. He was involved in supplying the Australian Army with provisions by horse drawn wagons. Units at Villers-Bretonnuex were 44th Australian Division A.F. Battalion, 51st Highlanders and 12th Battalion A.F. Cheshire Regt.

    Phil Muzzall




    211438

    Pte. Albert Edward Duffield Army Service Corps (d.21st Mar 1918)

    M2/018589 Private Albert Edward Duffield, ASC, died in action and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial. He served in one of the 182, 183, 184 or 185 Companies ASC as part of 21 Div. He came from Newton Tony, Wiltshire and his photograph has been on display there in the Memorial Hall since 1921. We know a little about his family background but would love to be able to identify which MT Coy he served in.

    Tony Lyons




    211437

    Pte. Ernest William Horton 8th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps. (d.21st March 1918)

    My grandfather 58917 Pte Ernest William Horton was killed on 21/03/1918 at Arras. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial to the missing at Arras.He was in the 8th Field Ambulance RAMC. He was married with 3 children. He lived in Ironstone Rd., Rawnsley, Cannock Staffs. Family still there. I have his ID tags.

    Brian Grice




    211436

    2nd Lt. Reginald Pryce-Jones 8th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.19th Oct 1917)

    2nd. Lt. Reginald Pryce-Jones, 8th. Battalion York and Lancaster Regmt. killed on active service on October 19th. 1917 and buried in Polygon Wood. I have been unable to find Reginald's name in records. Can anyone help? I am possibly the last living relative to know this and I have a number of letters and other facts in my possession.

    Mrs. R.A.Manville




    211435

    Bdr. Frank Davison 332 Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.28th Sep 1917)

    My great uncle was Bdr 317454 Frank Davison from Faversham, Kent. He served with the Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery before joining 332 Seige Battery RGA with whom he died of wounds on 26/09/1917. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery near Poperinghe.Also buried very close is Corporal 125696 Fred Hudd of the same Battery. He died of wounds on 28/09/1917. In Brandhoek Military Cemetery is Gunner 168213 Duncan LANG of the same battery. He died of wounds on 30/09/1917. Did these men die through wounds sustained at the same time? My great uncle served with the unit of the Battery that was based in Preston Street, Faversham. Any information of the Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery or 332 Siege battery would be gratefully received.

    Ian Davison




    211434

    S/Sgt. Herbert Henry Elliott MID 38th Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    Certificate stating that Herbert Henry Elliott, Number 88528, Rank Staff Sargeant, 38th Ammunition Column, Royal Artillery, distinguished himself on the following occasion most gallant and untiring work during the past ten days. Day and night under heavy fire he has inspected and repaired guns and carriages. The fact that from the moment the attack began, not a single gun in the 122 Brigade went out of action for over 24 hrs is due to his skill, devotion to duty and care in looking after the guns and his Battery Fitters and Limber Gunners. Signed W.A.M.Thomlison, Brigadier General Commanding In the field 24.8.1917 (signature unreadable) Major General Commanding 38th Welsh Division

    Josephine Wells




    211433

    Sgt. Arthur Griffiths 16th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    The following is from information contained in notes left with the personal belongings of one Sgt Arthur Griffiths 202782 16 Lanc Fus. who served in WW1

    As follows - Some of the lads killed & buried in Nieuport Sector June to Sept 1917.

    • 2nd Lt R C H Orford 11211
    • Cpl Felton 12550
    • Sgt Carruthers 16519
    • Pte T Lee 386075
    • Pt S Thompson 15181
    • Pte T D Kelly 31451
    • Pte J W Murch (?) 39260
    • Pte J W Middlemist (?) 31467
    • Pte A Molly 26576
    • Sgt E H Thomas 235101
    • Pte F Hemmingway 4868
    • Pte J Clarkson 31387
    • Pte Woodward 39271
    • Pte C Sandford 25980
    • Pte H Boardman 3420
    • L/Cpl T Radcliffe 11778
    • Pte C Blease 1/5L.F 202200
    • Pte W Foxroft killed 6/10/17 Neiuport Church Cemetry 16 LF
    • L/Cpl Pimlott (?) Albert & Eliz Bridge Cem (?) 16 L F 11439
    • Pte H Forrester 8880
    • L/Cpl Maorgan 3887
    • Pte J Marriott 544
    • Sgt Armstrong 27436
    • L/Sgt P McAllen 31400
    • Pte S Turner (??) 12592
    • Pte H Jackson 31425
    • Pte W H Orley 11752
    • Pte S H Wrighthouse (?)
    • Lt Barlow Capt Powell 38598
    • Pte A T Oaltey 39233
    • Pte J XBoyle 31421
    • Pte J Hackett 25123
    • Pte R Bowden 334
    • Pte Beautyman Reed (???) 30564
    • Pte A Hatho ?4444
    • L/Cpl Howarth 202705
    • Pte L Pearson 34442
    • Pte F Oliver 204707
    • Pte T Seed 37096
    • L/Cpl T J Westgarth 31353
    • Pte A W Hannford 280241
    • Pte R Morris 235110
    • Pte J W Sharples 39232
    • Pte J S Bewick 38612
    • Pte B J Ward.

    Brinley Williams




    211432

    Frederick James Flutter 3rd Dragoon Guards (d.11th Apr 1917)

    Frederick James Flutter died 11 Apr 1917 he was a member of the 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales Own). He has no known grave and is remembered on Bay 1 of the Arras Memorial. Frederick had joined the Army some years before the war was declared and was stationed in Egypt at the outbreak of hostilities. He went to France and was wounded in Sept 1915 returning to duty in 1916.

    Frederick was baptised at Monkton on 14 Mar 1884 the son of Richard Kingston (of Pembroke) & Margaret Jane Flutter(of Leeds) who late in the 19th century held the White Hart Inn Pembroke Street P.D. By 1917 residing at the Green. Richard, his father had been born at Castlemartin 25th Feb 1844 to Charles William & Martha Flutter. Richack Kington Flutter aged 36 a Farmer of Hardings Hill Angle had marrried Margaret Jane Thomas aged 32 of Moreston Farm Monkton the daughter of Thomas Thomas a sadler by licence on the 22 May 1880.

    Owen Ap Benfro




    211431

    Pte. J. Woods 10th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.16th Sep 1916)

    J Woods lost his life on Saturday 16/09/1916 whilst serving with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 10th Bn. possibly in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette with 46th Brigade of 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division. He lies in grave Reference III. A. 14. Cemetery Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extention.

    The 10th Bn was on the Somme and had just taken the village of Martinpuich on the 15th Sept, a great success with 300 prisoners captured. Unfortunately, due to the attack being held up on both flanks the 10th had to dig in, instead of advancing through unbroken country relatively unopposed. The Germans took a while to discover the new front line, but about mid-day on 16th got there artillery bringing down heavy fire on the 10th's positions, it is likely this was when James Woods was killed. The casualties in this battle were 3 Officers and 47 men killed, 10 Officers and 250 men wounded. The 10th Bn were with the 15th Scottish Division throughout the War.

    Ed Boyle




    211430

    Mowbray Mitcalfe Robertson 9th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.31st Aug 1916)

    My great-uncle, Mowbray Mitcalfe Robertson, of the 9th Batallion, North Staffordshire Regiment, was killed on the Somme on the 31st August 1916 and is buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, Picardy, France. He was actually a South African.

    David Flinn




    211429

    CSM. John Burns 13th Kings Liverpool (d.16th Aug 1916)

    CSM John Burns was killed whilst leading his men in to the attack on the village of Guillmont, the attack failed with heavy casualties due to poor preparation.

    John Burns




    211428

    John William Johnson DCM. 5th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.2nd Aug 1916)

    My Uncle, Private John William Johnson, DCM was killed in action 02/08/16. This from the Battalion's War Diary for that and the preceding day: Tues Aug 1st 1916. Moved forward from Mansel Cospe (F16b F17a)to reserve trenches at Oxford Copse (A14 A15) (Sheet62c NW 1/20000). Wed Aug 2nd (8a.m.) Valley shelled by 8 inch Howitzers for 15 minutes, and again at 2p.m. Caualties :- 15 Killed, 17 Wounded.

    Phil Johnson




    211426

    Capt. Arthur John Evans 10th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.2nd July 1916)

    Capt. Arthur John Evans of Cambrian House, Clydach Vale, son of James and Jane Evans died on the 2nd of July 1916. The unit had returned from the trenches and were resting. The captains and officers taking refuge together the house took a direct hit and he was killed instantly. His funeral and that of two others is described in great detail in the unit's war diary at Kew. It clearly shows the high regard with which he was held and the upset at his death is clearly evident! He is burried at Varannes in France. I am longing to find a picture of Arthur if anybody can help

    Annmarie Sugars




    211425

    George Robson 2nd Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    George Robson, miner from Ryhope Sunderland died on the 1st day of the Battle on the Somme. He served with the Kings Own Yorkshire Regiment 2nd battalion. Service number 22872, he was 19 years old.

    Margaret Harrison




    211424

    Stanley Fox Linton 3rd Northumebrland Field Ambulance. Royal Army Medical Corps

    The 3rd Northumberland Field Ambulance 50th Division was commanded by Stanley Fox Linton, TD, MSc, MD, DPH, in 1916 -1917

    David Quaife




    211423

    David Slattie 7th Btn. Royal Scots Greys (d.28th Jun 1915)

    My 2nd Cousin 2 x removed on my mother's maternal Grandmother's side. David Slattie, born 1897. He joined the Royal Scots Greys (7th Lothian’s). He died 28.6.1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign at Helles aged 18. The first battle of Krinthia took place on the 25th April 1915 and he died on the third day of it. His name is on panel 26-30 at the Helles Memorial Cemetery, Turkey.

    Daniel Collins




    211422

    Henry Butcher Manchester Regiment (d.1915)

    Pvt. Henry Butcher joined the Manchester Regiment,in 1914. He was based in Rochdale, Lancashire. He then, after basic training, was posted to Egypt. Then in 1915 he was posted to Gallipoli, where he died of his wounds.

    ronald ellington




    211421

    Eli George Chick 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry

    When my grandfather, George Chick, 1st Somerset Light Infantry, was shot and wounded on 1 Dec 1914 at Ploegsteert Wood he was sent to 10th Field Ambulance. I assume this was nearby. There was a Dressing Station to the west of the wood, close to the entrance to Strand Trench; was this it?

    Merv Tims




    211420

    Pte. James Joseph Keegan 3rd Dragoon Guards (d.6th Nov 1914)

    My dad's cousin, Private James Joseph Keegan, aged 28 (Service N. D/3698)who is buried in the Ypres Reservoir Cemetry was killed on the 06/11/1914, probably around Ypres. I'm curious to find out any information that might cast some light on what engagement the 3rd Dragoon Guards were involved in on that date in which he met his death

    Raymond Owens




    211419

    Pte. J. C. W. Sheath 1st Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    My grandfather, Private 7491 JCW Sheath was a reservist, recalled to the colours on 4 August 1914 and wounded in action at Ypres in November 1914 whilst serving in the 1st Battalion.

    He was in France from 23.08.14- the date the 1st Hampshire arrived until 6.11.14. He was admitted to hospital having sustained a gunshot wound on 2.11.14 ans returned to England on 6.11.14. A certificate issued by the recruiting authorities in Northern Ireland states that the wound was recieved at Ypres.

    Bill Turnbull




    211418

    John Routledge 6th Btn. Border Regiment (d.9th Aug 1915)

    My Great Great Uncle, John Routledge, No. 5100, was a soldier of the 6th Battalion, The Border Regiment, and was killed in action, at Gallipoli, on the 9th August, 1915.

    Rev. P J Sanderson




    211416

    Pte. Alfred Steward 1st Btn. Kings Own Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Pte Alfred Steward was killed 1st July 1916 on the Somme. His brother had been killed at Jutland on 31st May 1916 on HMS Indfatigable PO William Earnest Steward.

    Gary Ashley




    211415

    George Hulbert Victor Mart 6th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    My relative, George Hulbert Victor Mart, enlisted in the East Lancashire Regiment in 1912, he was living with his Aunt Maud in Preston probably in Raby St. He was transferred from the 1st. Batt. to the new 6th with 60 other regulars to strengthen new recruits, and sailed from Avonmouth in June 1915. At some point he was wounded in hand-to-hand fighting, transferred to the Loyal North Lancs. and then the Cheshires serving then in Belgium.

    Terry Mart




    211414

    RfM. C. A. McDonald 12th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.7th Nov 1918)

    Rifleman Horace Pankhurst 1/8th Batt Leeds Rifles, died of wounds at Leipzig Redought on 16th July 1916. That's where the battalion was at this time, HQ was Johnsons Post at Theipval on the Somme, held in reserve but was brought up to the line in support.

    Jonas Vellemans




    211412

    Pte. H. Lightowler 14th Btn. D Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Pte. H. Lightowler was part of the "D" Coy, 14th Platoon, 14th Northumberland Fusiliers, B.E.F. France during the Great War

    Sarah Macaulay




    211411

    RfM. Horace Pankhurst 8th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th July 1916)

    Rifleman Horace Pankhurst 1/8th Batt Leeds Rifles, died of wounds at Leipzig Redought on 16th July 1916. That's where the battalion was at this time, HQ was Johnsons Post at Theipval on the Somme, held in reserve but was brought up to the line in support.

    leslie pankhurst




    211410

    Pte. Joseph Collis Lee 18th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.15th Apr 1917)

    Private Joseph Collis Lee was killed on 15 April 1917 while serving with the 18th Battalion the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was born in Nottingham, raised in Fleckney, Leicestershire and enrolled in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

    Marion Long




    211409

    Sgt. Harold Downs DCM 11th Hull Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    There seems to be little information regarding the 11th Hull Heavy Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery, but I have just finished a book concerning their time in East Africa fighting the German General Von Lettow Vorbeck and his army. I can't take much credit for the book as it is actually a first hand account written by Sgt Harold Downs DCM. He joined in Hull in 1914 and made it all the way through the war, despite getting Maleria in 1917 and being redeployed to Northern France just in time for the Big Push of 1918. If anyone is interested and would like to know more, please get in touch.

    Richard Pullen




    211408

    Pte. George Gough 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Dec 1915)

    My Great Uncle, George Gough, Private 17868 was one of those who died after the gas attack on the trenches, near Wieltje on Sunday, 19th December 1915, near Ypres, Belgium. Casualties amongst the ranks amounted to 149 with a number of officers also being gassed and wounded.

    Eric Suddes




    211407

    Pte. Arthur Joseph Rant 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.15th May 1918)

    My uncle was Arthur Joseph Rant. At 15 years old he joined the Norfolk Regiment and was sent to France. His mother had him released as he was well under age. At eighteen he was consripted and joined the 7th Battalion Leicesters and was with them on the 14th/15th May 1918 in front line trenches when the Germans attacked across the Chemin des Dames roar that night. He was reported killed in action along with 19 officers and 503 other ranks of that battalion out of a total of 570 officers and men. He was 19 years of age. I have visited the area near Reims twice trying to find the exact trench line without any luck. Any information would be welcome

    Tony Bailey




    211406

    Pte. Peter Birrell 14th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.30th Nov 1917)

    My Great Uncle, Peter Birrell, lies in Grave Reference XXX. N. 10A. at Etaples Military Cemetery. He was the son of Alexander Birrell, of 74, Temple Park Crescent, Edinburgh. Peter served in the South African Campaign and on the Western Front. He was wounded in the German counter attack at Battle of Cambrai on the 30th of November 1917 and died at Etaples Wounded Clearance Centre. He also served in the Royal Scots during the Boer War and was wounded at Grobel's Farm in 1901.

    Graham Turnbull




    211405

    George C. Page 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My Grandfather, George C. Page, served with the 2nd Battn Northumberland Fusiliers. They were stationed at West Ridge Barracks, Rawalpindi, before being posted to France.

    Christopher Page




    211401

    Pte. Archibald Henderson 4/5 Btn. Black Watch (d.15 Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Archibald Henderson served with the 4th/5th Black Watch, he died on the 5th of November 1917 and is remembered at Tyne Cot.





    211396

    L/Cpl. Herbert Mallett Graut 1st Battalion Rifle Bde (d.3 May 1915)

    Lance Corporal Herbert Mallett Graut; 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (d. 3 May 1915) My wife’s grandfather, Herbert Graut, from Jersey CI, died on 3 May 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres somewhere near Hill 37. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial. He left a wife and 5 year old son. His brother, Henry Graut, Army Ordinance Corps, also died in France on 8 Feb 1919. Research is complicated as his name is recorded in several places as Grant not Graut.

    Frank Bowden




    211394

    Cpl. Percy William Cutting Suffolk Regiment

    Percy Cutting was my uncle. He joined the Suffolk Cycling Corps in 1914. He was blown into a shell hole and badly wounded. He was medically discharged and returned home. He remained disabled and in pain most of his remaining years. We still have the original copies of his Army certificates and even his ration book complete with stamps.

    Hans Hanagarth




    211392

    Pte. William Toomey London Regiment (d.14th Aug 1917)

    Wiliam Toomey (Twomey) was born in Popular in 1880. He was wounded in 1916 and was killed on the 14th of August 1917. He had a brother named Jeremiah and maybe one named John, and a sister, Margaret, my greatgranmother. I'd like to hear more of his history as William has no known grave. Is there any one out there that has any documents concerning William?

    Stephen Roche




    211391

    Pte. William Alexander 1st Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Sep 1914)

    William Alexander was a reservist in the Terriorial Force who was mobilised on the outbreak of war in August 1914 and was sent to Portsmouth to join the 1st Battalion. He fought at Mons and the Marne then was killed on the Aisne in September.

    G. Alexander




    211389

    Pte. Angus Booth 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington 1st (d.3 Sept 1916)

    Angus Booth was the second son to William Henry and Annie Booth of Halifax, West Yorkshire. He had been a carter in the local iron foundry before enlisting with The Duke Of Wellington's West Riding Regiment. He was a private and was 26 when he fought in the Battle of the Somme. He was killed in action, as were so many, leaving a widow Mabeth to moarn.

    OK, so he wasn't anyone special, no bravery medals or vast military career to boast about. He is one of my family though and I think he was brave and gave his life so we may live free.

    Angela Marshall




    211387

    Gnr. Thomas Joseph Hussey Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Grandfather, Thomas J Hussey, served in the Royal Garrison Artillery in World War One. I don't know too much about his service. He was from outside Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. He was long dead before I was born. I have his medals, (the British war medal and the Victory Medal). He was 39 and single when he joined up. Apparently he used to talk about serving in 'France and Flanders'. He had an old shell case that he brought home also, which we don't have any more. I have a photocopy of a letter that he sent home in 1916 to a neighbour. I know he also served in the East in the Palestine campaign and possibly Egypt or Mesopotamia and was in Jerusalem in 1917 when the British took it from the Turks. He served mass for the Chaplain on Christmas Day 1917 and the Chaplain asked him to guess his name, 'Joe' as he was known, guessed it correctly as Murphy and the Priest told him that he would go home safely from the war, and he did. He married and had 5 children and worked in a saw mills for years and as a farmer also. He passed away in September 1951. Unfortunately I don't have any photos of him.

    Patrick Hussey




    211383

    Pte. George Wilson 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.12th Nov 1914)

    George Wilson is my great grand father who was in the 1st Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment. He sadly lost his life not long after arriving in France and is now buried in Belgium.

    L.Grundy




    211382

    Private Willie Lonsdale 1st/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Willie Lonsdale was my Mum's uncle, originating from Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire. We are not sure how he came to be in the Durham Light Infantry but believe that the York/Durham battalion were a territorial battalion. We have a couple of photographs of him in uniform and know that he was killed on the Somme aged 20 and is buried in the Cemetery of Harbonnieres, France. His parents were informed that he was missing believed dead but his mother always believed/hoped he would come home.

    Dawn Slater




    211380

    Peter Stalker Miller 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusliers

    My grandfather, Peter Stalker Miller, was a Scottish soldier in the 1st World War involved in the French trenches. My Mother was born in 1923 - shortly afterwards, maybe 3 years. Her Mother Lilian died and because of the horrors of the War in the trenches her father was never seen again. If anyone knows anything about Peter I would be grateful. My Mother will be 90 this year and has longed to find some trace of her Dad- date and burial of Peter is all unknown

    Update: Peter enlisted as a private in the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers (RSF) (Regimental No 204679) and at some point, transferred to the Highland Light Infantry (Regimental No 330872) , though was probably still in the RSF as late as 1918. If Peter served for most of the war in the 2nd RSF, he could have fought at Ypres, Somme and Flanders and in battles at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, Festubert, Givenchy, Loos and Pilkem Ridge. So, it is quite likely that Peter saw a significant level of action during WW1. At the end of the war, he was awarded the Victory Medal and the British Medal. Does anyone have any more information on my great grandfather Peter Stalker Miller? Thank you for anything further

    Sister Chrysanthi Green




    211375

    Pte. John Smith 7th Battalion Black Watch (d.24th May 1915)

    My grandfather, John Smith was killed in Flanders and is buried at Le Touret, Pas de Calais





    211369

    Pte. William Stoddart Russ 2nd Remount Unit

    My Grandad, William Stoddart Russ, joined the 2nd Remount Unit in 1915. He was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, and was 22 years 9 months when he enlisted. He served firstly in Egypt, but moved to many different places. He returned to Brisbane in 1920.

    Dianne Hendey




    211368

    Pte. William "Snowy" Hodson 52nd Battalion

    My Grandad, William Hodson, was 16 years and 4 months when he enlisted. He served with the 52nd Battalion until wounded at Dernancourt on 5th April, 1918. After recovering, he joined the 4th Machine Gun Battalion. He was one of the few Australians who volunteered for the North Russian Relief Force, and served three months in North Russia with the 45th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He arrived home on the "Nestor" in 1920.

    Dianne Hendey




    211363

    Pte. Harry William Tulk Dorsetshire Regiment

    My Grandfather Harry Tulk served in WW1 with the Dorsetshire Regiment on the Western Front. I do not know which battalion he was in but can say that he joined up on 28/8/1916, having been exempt before that time. He was injured three times and sent back to Southampton Hospital on each occasion. Although the distance between Blandford and Southampton is not far these days, my grandmother never saw him until 1919 when he was released from hospital after the war ended. My mother always said that the last time my grandfather was injured was the worst time. He had been left for dead after being shot in the chest. A burial party had gone out and had all of the dead ready to bury when one man noticed that my grandfather was still breathing. He was returned to Southampton and was still in the hospital on 11 November 1918.

    Elaine Foster




    211359

    Cpl. Alfred Sanders North Staffordshire

    My great great grandad, Alfred Sanders, was born in Stoke-on-Trent in March 1892. He married in December 1914 and enlisted on December 29th 1914. His regiment number was 16103. His company sailed from Avonmouth and landed in Gallipoli in early July 1914.

    His medal index card states it was July the second. Some time between July 1914 he went from private to corporal and transfered to the South Staffordshire Regiment and had a new regiment number of 40061. After this little is known only that he was discharged on October 3rd 1917.

    His silver war badge records state he was entitled to a badge and his medal index card states he was entitled to the Victory Medal, the British Medal and the 15 Star Medal. We only have his British medal now and it states he was a seargant, so at some point in his service promoted again, presumably while on service in France as the South Staffordshire Eegiment was based after Gallipoli. He died aged 48 in 1940 in Stoke-on-Trent.

    Callan Chevin




    211358

    Pte. Henry Butcher 7th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.7th Aug 1915)

    My Great Uncle Henry Butcher was a boy of 23 years when he died in action at Galipoli on the 7th of August 1915. He was in the great regiment the Manchesters. He enlisted in 1914 in Manchester, Lancashire. I'm 71 years of age. I never knew this hero of ours until I got my first computer a year ago.

    What a very short life he lived, but I want to try and imagine of the time of him enlisting and his death. This period must have been wonderful,the pals he must have made,the wonderful times they had. These are not your day to day pals,these are chaps you bonded with, you trusted, you knew they would never ever let you down. he must have felt safe, in their company,and they in his. In those two years must have been the happy years of his short life. So, I for one, am grateful for that. So many boys, and they were boys, died this this a dreadful war.

    God bless all those who died when fighting in the Manchester Regiment. They did this Regiment proud.

    Ronald Ellington




    211357

    Pte. John Thomas Noe 9th Battalion East Surrey Regiment

    A Prisoner Of War From 1915

    A prisoner of war from 1915 until that great day The Armistice. Three years and three months. I began to wonder if dear old Blighty really was the place for me. Hoping on day after day, until it got to be year after year, it was anything but a time of pleasure. How often have I sat and thought, amidst my solidarity surroundings, after my unaccustomed hard days work was done, of home and dear ones. How vividly that beautiful picture came before my eyes, but I was all too soon, awakened from my reverie, and then the hoping on.

    Looking back to 26th September, 1915 with a chill running through my veins, I recall the night or rather the early evening that I was put out of action. Under heavy shell fire, shrapnel flying all around us, I was very badly wounded and had to remain where I had fallen until five days had elapsed. Thirsty and worn out, in a semi conscious condition, weak through loss of blood and want of nourishment, I was suddenly aroused by being kicked, and not too lightly! Being brought to my senses thus, it all came back to me, the horrors of war. German language I could not understand - I only knew I was in the hands of the enemy. I think I must have lost myself completely for I do not remember them picking me up. I only know I found myself in Lens Cathedral and remained there for one night.

    The following day in spite of our wounds we were conveyed in cattle trucks to Germersheim-on Rhine where I remained in hospital until January, 1916. Absolutely a wreck at this time and feeling far from robust in health I was sent to Hammelburg. From here we were sent to various other places. At one time I was working very hard in a stone quarry, at another in a forest felling trees, where, on one occasion, I got injured by a tree falling upon my shoulder and was in very great pain. Then I was transferred to Friesenhausen.

    Fresenhausen, a small village in Bavaria, is situated about 300 kilometres from the Swiss frontier. The inhabitants of this village which numbered very few chiefly famers and farm workers. Women as well as children working very hard toiling on from morning till night, religion their one thought, work their only hobby, pleasure they very rarely got.

    I was one of many prisoners here, our party consisting of English, French and Belgians. We all had our share of farm work, myself having to plough the fields with a couple of oxen of whom I did not greatly appreciate. Working on and on seeming to reach no end, the idea came to me to make a bid for liberty.

    Freedom, what would it mean? Only those who were prisoners of war can perhaps realize what freedom meant. Living under the meanest conditions, insufficient food and working from morning to late at night. I look back and wonder how we could tolerate these conditions for so long. Yes, liberty, freedom, these thought would run through my brain, every moment thinking and trying to plan some way of escape, but I found it to be no easy task. The necessary articles such as a map, compass and food, how were we to procure them?

    Watching every opportunity, although feeling our very movements were being watched, our hearts thrilled with the only joy we knew. Listening to the sentry's footsteps was like listening to a sentence of death. Consequences! What would they be? Freedom or capture and perhaps to pay a heavy penalty. Who knew? Never less do-or-die, and still retaining some of our old fighting spriit, we continued to make this bold endeavour to free ourselves from what seemed to be iron bonds or fetters holding us with their grasp. My fellow prisoners, and, I must say, my very good pals, one a Scotsman keen and alert, the other South African full of determination and spirit, reminded me of the gambler's den of Madam Tussauds tableau, as our heads were close together tracing a map trying to find a track across this unknown land, contemplating reaching the Swiss frontier.

    Sleeping in the room at an old farmhouse we had many nights of planning and, I must, say, many days working and scheming, hiding and storing food away, chiefly that which had been sent to us from home, preparing for our escapade.

    One day, while doing my usual routine of work on the farm, I cut my finger and bandaged it the best way I could with a piece of rag that was not, I am sorry to say, any too clean. I had not been working very long when I noticed someone coming towards me. A young girl of, I suppose 18 or 19 years stood before me, somehow I was rather astounded by her appearance and more astonished to hear her speak in broken English to me. Naturally I became very interested, and, after learning that she had previously to the war, been on a visit to England, and that she loved the English people who had been so good and kind to her, we were conversing very freely.

    She seemed very sensible for a girl of her years, and noticing my finger tied up with the very soiled piece of rag immediately removed my clumsy bandage and ties a very dainty handkerchief around my finger. Little did I think what an important part this young Fraulein was to take in our attempted escape, but assistance I must obtain, one day, conversing as usual, I took an opportunity to ask if she possessed a compass. This she soon provided quite secretly, and, supplying her with chocolate that had been sent to me from England, I felt a bargain was indeed made.

    Having a compass and necessary tools which we had got from the farm where we were working, and also a fair amount of provisions we thought it quite time to make this big attempt to get back to our allies.

    The eventful night came. It is possible to describe our feelings? I think not. Watching and waiting until everything was quiet, we stole to the first door, picking the lock. We had yet another door to open. Should we be successful? Yes, the task was soon accomplished, and stealing from those prison walls, as they appeared to us, we made straight ahead for the most secluded spot we could find.

    So the first night passed. Keeping our sprits up, feeling already we were breathing freely as we travelled on our way. Daytime! What would the daylight bring? Would it disclose our identity?

    Making our way towards a thickly wooded forest that we could see in the distance, weary and tired through the walking we had done and feeling hungry by now, we all sat down and had a snack from our mean provisions and then our after dinner nap, which I am afraid was with one eye open all the time. Here we stayed in hiding until nightfall when we again started on our way.

    Another day hiding. Another day tramping on. Hiding in a forest once more. Getting more accustomed to our lot. Throughly tired we slept more soundly and one day I must have been in a very deep sleep, when suddenly I started to my feet, for some fairly large animal had completely run over my body. I awoke just to see it disappearing through the bushes. It was a nightmare in reality which I shall never forget.

    Another day in hiding, we very narrowly escaped being discovered. We heard voices and the tramp of feet quite near to us. Keeping as still as we possibly knew how, not daring to breathe lest these people should find us, they passed just a little more than an arms length from us. Another snack, almost the last we should get, for or food was getting low. Another nap. And so we continued until the fifth day.

    Whether we got more daring as the days passed I cannot say but to our great disappointment we were captured near a small village. Not understanding what was being said to us while being arrested, we were put into a stable for the night and the following day were marched, under arrest back to Hammelburg. We were then searched and were deprived of our luxury - our cigarettes.

    We were put in a prison cell and the following day were brought before the German authorities, not understanding anything about the proceedings in which were taking place. We were marched back to our cells in ignorance of what the penalty was to be. it was several days before we discovered what our sentence actually was. Our sentence turned out to be fourteen days in a dark cell living on bread and water, our rations consisting of half-a-pound of black bread and a jug of water per day. The dimensions of our dungeon were about 15ft by 12ft. It took just five paces to step from end to end and four paces across. I paced up and down this prison some hundreds of times during my sentence, hungry and weary in thought. I often think that if I had a repetition of these fourteen days I should certainly go mad.

    We had no beds of any description, just an empty dark call with only the wooden floor to lie on. Not being provided with sufficient water to wash ourselves, we were indeed feeling very dirty. I can imagine my appearance by my two fellow companions. Not being allowed to shave or to wash was a punishment in itself and the pangs of hunger and the darkness of the cell seem too awful to recall. The only exercise we had was 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes during the evening. The first day or two in the cells we slept rather heavily, having had no proper sleep for some time but, as the days passed, our sides were too sore to lie down and we had to get what sleep we could in an upright position.

    Our bread and water was brought in the early morning and we have been so hungry we have eaten the whole ration at the one time. On Saturday we had the double ration for Sunday but eagerly devouring it all in the same day, meant starvation on Sunday. The time we did not know, one day seemed endless. All we heard was the changing of the guard and the sentries nerve-racking footsteps. The fourteen days of our punishment at an end, weak and utterly worn out, we were taken back to the camp, being sent from there to resume the farm work again.

    And so the time passed until the Armistice was signed. The Armistice was a day of all days, one that every soldier, parent and devoted wife living during that Great War will never forget. While we were overflowing with excitement overseas, so it was with the dear ones who were anxiously awaiting our return. And so the day came and I found "Dear Old Blighty" really was the place for me.

    1426 Private J.T. Noe, East Surrey Regiment

    D J Noe




    211355

    Ernest Dervereux Ferris 10th Battalion Middlesex

    Ernest D. Ferris served with his regiment in India. He was a champion swimmer and represented his unit/army in competitions. He suffered from malaria which he caught in India. In civilian life he was a partner in a family business of ironmongers & builders.





    211349

    Cpl. Alfred Reginald Richardson 8th Btn Bedfordshire Regiment (d.20th Dec 1915)

    Albert Reginald Ricardson was 31 years old, he was my Great Uncle and he died in the field Flanders Ypres. Albert Left a wife Amy and 5 year old son Edward. Based on his service number, Albert enlisted very early in September 1914. This was during the huge rush to answer Kitchener’s famous ‘call to arms’ that created three new armies of 100,000 men each in September. After being posted to the 8th Battalion, he trained around Brighton, Reigate and Blackdown, and was involved in building what were called the London Defences. He went to France on 30 August 1915, along with his battalion when they were mobilised for foreign service. His were one of the very few units to be engaged in the Battle of Loos in September, before his division had even been into the trenches. After a few months of trench warfare, Albert was killed during the Gas and artillery attack on his battalion’s section of trench north-east of Ypres. The bulk of the artillery was thrown at them 19 December so Albert was either killed in the shelling as it continued, or he died from wounds or gas the following day. This was also the first use of Phosgene gas in history, which was a particularly nasty and effective gas when first released. As he is remembered on the Menin Gate memorial, his body was either not found or his grave was lost during the fighting that continued in the area for 3 more years.

    Dawn Richardson




    211348

    Pte. Walter James 5th Battalion Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry (d.20th Aug 1916)

    Great Great Uncle Walter James died at the age of 46. His name is on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France and the Bletchley War Memorial. The 5th (Service) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was raised at Oxford In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette.

    Dawn Richardson




    211346

    Gnr. William Harold Story 2nd East Riding Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    I know my Grandfather, William Story was a prisoner of war in 1918. He served in the 50th Northumberland Division with the RFA & I would like to know where he was captured, his field of operations and whether he was wounded during the war. He was in the Territorial Army prior to the war and during it. My grandfather spoke very little of his experiences of the war, having been involved in heavy fighting and losses.

    James Robinson




    211345

    Lt. Hodgson Stewart Gilliland MC. 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment

    Hodgson Stuart Gilliland was born at Exmouth, Devon and enlisted in the 13th Hussars in June 1897, aged 14 years. He witnessed active service out in South Africa from February 1901 until the end of hostilities, during which period he was appointed a Trumpeter. Transferring as a Sergeant-Trumpeter to the 8th Hussars in April 1912, he was serving out in India on the outbreak of hostilities, but was quickly embarked for active duty and arrived in France in November 1914.

    In April 1916, Gilliland was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Devonshire Regiment, and joined the 1st Battalion in time for the Somme operations that summer. But his time at the Front was short-lived, for in an operation on 28 July he received a bayonet wound in his left leg and sustained shell-shock from the explosion of an H.E. shell, injuries that necessitated his immediate evacuation to England - back home the former musician was no doubt devastated to learn that the resultant loss of hearing in his right ear would be permanent. Better news was announced in the London Gazette of 18 October 1917, however, when he discovered that he had been awarded the MC:

    ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a patrol. Finding that the enemy’s wire could not be cut without giving the alarm, with one N.C.O. he crawled under the wire and lay on the enemy’s parapet for three-quarters of an hour, gaining valuable information. While he was returning the enemy opened a heavy machine-gun fire, but he skilfully withdrew his men, and, though wounded himself, helped carry a wounded man back. He brought back a valuable report.’

    Gilliland, who was advanced to Lieutenant in October 1917, was placed on the Army Reserve in August 1919, but, as accompanying research confirms, quickly returned to uniform as a Cadet Officer in the Royal Irish Constabulary, in which capacity he served in “The Troubles”. He died in 1956.

    Roy Villanis




    211344

    Pte. William Edward Jones 9th Btn. Black Watch (d.15th Sep 1918)

    My grandfather, William Jones, died of wounds two weeks after my mother was born. She had no knowledge of him at all as her mother never discussed him. Following a search via Ancestry and the little knowledge we have, we found him. I have learnt that he was in 9th Battalion The Black Watch, who were in action when part of the 47 Brigade deployed in the Annequin Defence System of the Hohenzollern Sector. They raided their German trenches on 2nd September, 31 were killed and a number injured, he was one of these. He is buried in Sailly-Labourse Communal Cemetary Extension grave reference N22

    I shall endeavour to find out from Major Ronnie Proctor MBE of the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Association to the precise action prior to 2nd September 1918 that he was involved in. The 9th were formed in Perth 13th September 1914 as part of K2 under command of 44th Brigade. I have photos of family members but I do not know who they are, no one remains who would know.

    Kate Brophy




    211342

    Pte. John Thomas Preston 1/5th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.16th March 1917)

    <p>

    John Preston served with the 15th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

    John F Preston




    211340

    L/Cpl. Samuel Baxter MM. 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My great grandad Samuel Baxter was part of the Vickers Machine Gun teams. He won the Military Medal for his bravery in taking out another machine gun emplacement.

    Zara Dunseith




    211339

    CPO William Eagles HMS Caroline

    <p>

    My Grandfather, William Eagles was born at Great Malvern in 1873 and died in Purbrook near Portsmouth in 1963. He served as a stoker with the Royal Navy from 28 June 1898 to 14 July 1920. He served in Shore Establishments at Crystal Palace, Singapore and Portsmouth on twelve separate occasions. On the 1911 Census he is listed at HMS St Vincent, Portland, Dorset. He served on HMS Fearless during the Battle of Heligoland Blight, August 1914, and the Battle of Jutland, May 1916.

    Other ships he served on were: 1 April 1899 to 12 April 1899 and again 14 January 1903 to 30 September 1903 aboard Warship HMS Duke of Wellington, 17 June 1899 to 25 July 1899 aboard Cruiser HMS Crescent, 25 July 1899 to 13 January 1903 aboard Cruiser HMS Indefatigable, 29 October 1903 to 8 February 1904 aboard Yacht HMS Enchantress, 1 March 1904 to 18 January 1905 aboard Battleship HMS Hercules, 9 May 1905 to 26 April 1907 aboard Battleship HMS Goliath, 13 August 1907 to 1 May 1908 aboard Cruiser HMS Grafton, 2 May 1908 to 17 January 1909 aboard Cruiser HMS Sapphire, 27 August 1909 to 12 February 1910 aboard Cruiser HMS Eclipse, 3 May 1910 to 27 May 1912 aboard Battleship HMS St Vincent, 1 June 1912 to 5 June 1912 aboard Cruiser HMS Vindictive, 9 July 1912 to 18 December 1912 aboard Battleship HMS Renown, 14 October 1913 to 17 July 1916 aboard Cruiser HMS Fearless and 8 March 1919 to 14 July 1920 aboard Light Cruiser HMS Caroline

    David Lindsell




    211334

    L/Cpl. Edward Turnbull Joice 1/6th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    Edward Joice died of woulds on 2nd Oct 1916 and is buried in Becourt Military Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt.

    Ticatyboo




    211332

    Pte. Wallace Preston 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. (Prince of Wales Own) (d.12th June 1917)

    Wallace Preston was born on 22nd March 1891 in Bradford, the son of Mary Elizabeth Inglehearn who later married John William Preston who regarded Wallace as his own son, giving him his surname. In 1911 Wallace was a wool comber operative working for a wool combing company. He joined up on 23rd August 1915, first serving in the Balkans before being sent to Belgium where he died of wounds on 12th June 1917 aged 26. He is buried in Cabin Hill Cemetery, Heuvelland West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

    Cathie Daniel




    211331

    Pte. Ernest East 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Ernest East died of wounds in Flanders.

    Simon Collins




    211329

    Pte. James Francis Slavin 1st Btn. Cameronians

    Private James Slavin of the 1st Cameronians was one of a large number of men who were wounded during a very heavy shrapnel bombardment on the 17th July 1916. They had withdrawn to positions 1,000 yards behind the village of Bazentin Le Petit and taken shelter in some small caves scooped out of a high bank. Packed in 2 or 3 men to each cave it offered some shelter from the rain, but they could not pull their legs, then the bombardment started and moved down the line hitting man after man.

    Private Slavin was moved to Rouen and eventually sent back to Scotland. He was never able to bend his leg again. Transferred to the Labour Corps he was invalided out of the Army in October 1917.

    Information gathered from; The Hell They Called High Wood by Terry Norman, Bazentin Ridge by Edward Hancock and A Very Unimportant Officer. Diaries of Captain A Stewart 5/6th Scottish Rifles 1915/1918. A photograph in the book by Edward Hancock on page 146 and 147, taken on the 16th July 1916 south east of Bazentin Village shows a large body of men settling in to caves on a high bank. Believe this to be his regiment in the location that they to be wounded in.

    Michael Scott




    211327

    Stoker William Valentine "Ginger" Jones HMS Anchusa (d.16th July 1918)

    William Jones was my grandfather. He served on HMS Anchusa in WWI and was blown up by a U Boat. My mother, his daughter, used to tell me about him and how proud she was of him. I wish I could have known him, but I feel honoured to be his grandaughter and would love to know more of what happened on that sad day.

    Dee Souter




    211326

    Sergeant Samuel Beecher Horsman 21st Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.7th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Taken from ‘Neath a Foreign sky’ by Paul Allen –

    After the battle of Flers the Yeoman Rifles had lost the identity that it had gone into battle with on the 15th September, the replacements for the men lost in the action coming predominately from the London area. Despite its change in character the Yeoman Rifles had soldiered on, and during 1917 had taken part in the Third Battle of Ypres. Perhaps better known simply as ‘Passchendale’, ‘Third Wipers’ had opened on Tuesday the 31st of July 1917 with the so called Battle of Pilckem Ridge, however, during these operations the Yeoman Rifles had played little part, nevertheless, by Saturday the 4th of August the Battalion had been stationed in trenches near to the village of Hollebeke, where during that day the Germans had mounted a ferocious counterattack which, despite suffering heavy casualties, the Yeoman Rifles had managed to beat off. During the following day the Germans had continued their assault a by mounting another two counterattacks which had also been driven out. However, severely weakened by this time, the Yeoman Rifle had been unable to stem a third assault which had eventually seen the Germans getting a foothold in the by then shattered village of Hollebeke.

    During these attacks the Yeoman Rifles had suffered many casualties including a Scarborough born ‘Yeoman’ who had been hit in the face by a splinter of enemy shell. This deadly piece of shrapnel had lodged in the soldier’s brain, and despite being evacuated to a Base Hospital at Boulogne the Scarborian had succumbed to his wounds on Tuesday the 7th of August 1917.

    Born in Falsgrave during 1887 at No.50 West Bank; C/12137 Sergeant Samuel Beecher Horsman had been the sixth of seven children of Sarah [formally Bilham] and ‘clerk’ Enos Horsman. A pupil of Falsgrave’s Council School, during 1901 the outstandingly bright Samuel Horsman had graduated to Scarborough’s prestigious Municipal School and had remained at ‘The Muni’ until 1905. Having chosen to lead a career in teaching, Horsman had subsequently become an assistant teacher at Scarborough’s Central School for boys. Located in Trafalgar Street West, Horsman had remained at the Central between 1906 and 1907, when he had duly left town to undergo teacher training at York’s St. John’s College. In 1909 Samuel was captain of the first eleven as cricket. Graduating as a fully-fledged teacher during 1909, Horsman had returned to Scarborough to teach at his old Falsgrave School, where he had reportedly especially excelled as a teacher in sports activities.

    Along with elder brother Enos, Sam Horsman had also built an enviable reputation as a player with Scarborough’s football team before the war, during the season of 1911-12 Samuel had appeared on forty occasions for the club, thus scoring the highest attendance record of any ‘Boro’ player that year. However, with the coming of hostilities sport had been put aside and the two Horsman brothers had prepared for war.

    At the outbreak of war Samuel Horsman had been residing with his widowed mother in ‘The Garlands’, a house located in Seamer Road. Enlisting into the Yeoman Rifles at Scarborough on the 4th of November 1915, Horsman had duly joined the Battalion at Duncombe Park, Helmsley, five days later. With his advanced education it had been obvious that Horsman had been Non Commissioned Officer, if not Officer material, and had soon been promoted to the rank of Corporal and shortly to that of Sergeant.

    Taken ill with ‘trench fever’ shortly after the Battle of Flers, Sam Horsman had eventually been evacuated to ‘Blighty’ for treatment and had thus had the fortune to miss most of the horrors that had been experienced by the remainder of the Yeoman Rifles during the winter of 1916/17. However, pronounced fit for duty by May 1917, Horsman had duly returned to war and had rejoined the battalion in Flanders, where the unit had shortly [June 1917] taken part in the Battle of Messines and eventually the start of ‘Third Wipers’

    Following the demise of one of Scarborough Football Club’s most respected players at No.13 General Hospital, the remains of Sergeant Horsman had been interred in a large civilian burial ground located in Boulogne’s ‘St. Martin Boulogne’ district just beyond the eastern [Chateau] corner of the Citadel [Haute Ville] known as ‘Boulogne Eastern Cemetery’. Amongst over five thousand casualties that had been interred in this Cemetery during the Great War, the former school teacher’s final resting place is located in Section 4, Row A, Grave 57.

    In addition to being commemorated on Scarborough’s Oliver’s Mount War Memorial, elsewhere in the town Samuel Horsman’s name can be found in Falsgrave’s St James Church on a magnificently carved ‘Rood Screen’ memorial which bears the names of fifty former members of the church who had gave their lives during the First World War [including three civilians that had lost their lives during the Bombardment of Scarborough during December 11914]. In addition, Sergeant Horsman, a former pupil of Scarborough’s Municipal School had also been remembered on that School’s ‘Roll of Honour’ that lists the names of over sixty ‘old boys’ who had lost their lives whilst on active service between 1914 and 1918. Originally erected by ‘The Old Scholars Club’, this large memorial is located in the present day Graham School, located in Scarborough’s Woodlands Drive.

    Patrick Neal




    211324

    RQMS. David Douglas Hendry 18th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    <p>

    David Douglas Hendry served with the 18th HLI.

    Jim Hendry




    211322

    Capt. James Thomas Starkie MC. Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    James Starkie served in the Boer War and the Great War. In 1917 he was serving as a sergeant on the hospital ship Britannic when it truck a mine in the Mediteranean and sunk. It had on board wounded British soldiers. James Starkie was the last person to leave the sinking ship after going below to collect bread for those in the lifeboats. He was promoted to Captain and awarded the Military Cross. He later went on to serve in Ceylon before his service came to an end. He retired with his family to Aldershot where he died in 1953.

    Brian Basterra




    211317

    Pte. Archibald Ness McCall 6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment

    <p>Arch McCall is sitting to the left of the officer in the centre.

    My grandfather, Archibald Ness McCall was with the Dorset Regiment Pte 27987 and the Wiltshire Regiment Pte 26982 during the First World War. He was a POW and returned home speaking fluent German. I would like to find out as much as possible about his service and which German camp he was in.

    Lorraine Cripps




    211315

    Pte. Thomas Martin 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.6 May 1916)

    <p>

    This story was given to me by Mark Scott and involves an incident which took place on the night of 5th May 1916 in Hamel, Thievpal Wood and the 'Sunken Road' near Authuile, Somme, France. My great Uncle, Tom Martin, was one of the men killed. He is buried in Authuile Cemetery.

    "A few months ago I was handed a diary by a relative which had belonged to my Great Grandfather, Company Serjeant Major James Scott of the 14th Royal Irish Rifles who was killed in action at Messines in January 1917. When I say 'diary' I mean a pre-printed 1916 pocket diary similar to what we would buy today only with a military slant. For instance maps of France, morse code, semaphore diagrams and general 'field craft' aide memoirs. It then had the usual day/date sections to be written in by the owner. James had not filled it in on a daily basis, in fact only six pages had been written on. The first of these pages was headed "Killed on the night of 5th May Authuile Nr. Martinsart." There was then a list of 10 names. The other pages contained surnames and addresses around Belfast.

    I decided to investigate what had happened on the night of 5th May on the assumption that these were my Grandfathers' men. The addresses had ticks or crosses added beside them and at first I could not work out why but I now know that James was granted home leave in October/November 1916 and I now believe that he visited these addresses, and those ticked he got to visit, those with crosses he didn't or couldn't before returning to the front and his death a few months later. Looking back down the years, and with not much left to give us the character of the man, It gives me a good feeling to know that for whatever reason he noted down the names in the book with the intention perhaps of visiting the next of kin of his platoon who had fallen. At the end of the day, he didn't have to write anything at all. Unfortunately James couldn't finish the job.

    I now know that on the night of 5th May 1916 the Battalion were holding the front line at Thiepval Wood, Somme in France. They were warned to 'stand to' as the Battalion on their right flank, the 15th Lancashire Fusiliers, had planned to carry out a raid on the German lines opposite and they wanted the Rifles to be at the ready in support if required. On the stroke of midnight a British bombardment opened up on the German lines, ahead of the raiding party. In retaliation, about 20 minutes later, the German artillery bombarded the R.I.R. lines thinking that this was where the then anticipated raid would come from. As a result a trench collapsed and the men manning it were buried alive. The remaining men struggled for hours in attempting to dig out those buried as a result 10 men were killed there and then and around 20 wounded with a few more dying of wounds and injuries at later dates. Five men were awarded the Military Medal for their actions and gallantry that night in trying to free their colleagues while under bombardment and machine-gun fire from the enemy lines. The result being the line of graves at Authuile Cemetery (all of the men killed that night are buried in a row alongside each other)."

    Judith Martin Blair




    211313

    Pte. Harold Frederick Lindsell 12th Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment (d.25th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    Harold Frederick Lindsell was my Great Uncle born in Nottingham on the 4 February 1896 and dying in the field at Ouderdom, Belgium on the 25th June 1917.

    He enlisted on 6 October 1915 with the 12th (Pioneer) Battalion ‘The Sherwood Foresters’ Private number 22614. Formed at Derby on 1 October 1914 as part of Kitcheners Third Army and attached as Army Troops to 24th Division. Moved to Shoreham in April 1915 and converted into Pioneer Battalion for the same Division. On the 29 August 1915 landed in France. In June 1917, he was based at Sherwood Park Camp near Ouderdom in Belgium where they were used to repair roads and railways and dig trenches mainly at night to avoid snipers. On the 25th June “B” Company were digging a new trench in the early hours of the morning when Harold was killed along with his officer by a direct shell hit. Four other men were wounded. Harold has no grave as he was rent asunder by the blast but is remembered on the Menin Gate, Ypres Panel 39 to 41 and at The Castle in Nottingham.

    David Lindsell




    211309

    Pte. Albert Ernest Roberts 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Albert Roberts served with the 20th (5th City ) Battalion, Manchester Regiment from May 1915.

    Peter Mills




    211307

    Pte. Frederick Dean 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1915)

    Great Uncle Fred Dean died at Gallipoli just after arriving, age 23.

    Sue




    211302

    Rifleman Reginald John "Reggie" Williams 1st Batallian Monmouthshire Regiment (d.8th Oct 1918)

    Reggie Williams is my great great uncle. He is documented in the book "Surrender be Damned: History of the 1/1st Battalion the Monmouthshire Regiment, 1914-18 by John Dixon". He is buried in Sequehart British Cemetery No.1 Sequehart, Aisne France, in Grave 17a. His "Death plate" with the accompanying letter from George 5th was donated to the Regimental Museum in Brecon.

    Jason




    211296

    Pte. W. Edward Clarke Essex Regiment

    I have some medals belonging to Pte W.E Clarke. I know he was from Leicester and he was known as Ted. Can any tell me anything about him?

    Andrew Munroe




    211295

    Sgt. Arthur Victor Jeffery MID 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    My grandfather, Arthur Jeffery was a regular based in Kinsale, Ireland in 1914 were he met my grandmother. He served in France until 1916 when he was wounded by bullet and bayonet. He served in RASC there after.

    Larry Garrett




    211289

    L/Cpl Edward Owen Burnell 1/6th (Carnarvonshire & Anglesey) Bn 6th Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Edward Owen Burnell was my great-uncle (Owen possibly was the name of his unknown father who had already died); Edward and my grandfather, John Rich, both of Holyhead, Anglesey, were mobilised in August 1914 and moved to Quebec Bks, Northampton. At this point, Edward was caught up by a lady named Marion Williams, also of Anglesey, whom Edward hastily married. She then returned to Anglesey and he moved on, possibly to Cambridge. On 19 July 1915, along with the 1/5th Flintshire Bn, he sailed to Gallipolli. He was apparently wounded there, was invalided out of the Army and returned to Anglesey by December 1915. For this he was awarded the Silver War Badge. He died peacefully in 1962. Silver War Badge [KR 392 (XVI)]

    Les Jones




    211284

    2nd Lt. Furman Grant CO A 18th MG Cavalry

    Furman Grant served with the 18th Machine Gun Cavalry in Defense d'Argonne

    Robert Huff




    211278

    Pte. John Thomas Taylor 4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

    John Taylor enlisted on 11th October 1915 and was a sniper for the 4th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment. Around 3rd July 1917 he was in a tree when an exploding shell blew him out of the tree and subsequently rendered him totally deaf. He was medically discharge from his Regiment on 12th December 1917. He was awarded the Kings Certificate and Silver Badge number 279761

    Terry Day




    211276

    L.Col James Henry Chadwick 24th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.May 1916)

    <p>

    James Henry Chadwick served with the 24th Manchesters.

    Robert Chadwick




    211273

    Corporal Joseph Henry Beal 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.4th Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Joseph Beal was born on the 5th May 1888 at 5 Elvins Yard Darlington, the son of Henry Beal a house painter and his wife Margaret Ann. Joseph was their second child, his sister Ethel being born in 1885. He was baptised on the 30th May 1888 in St John’s Church. In the 1891 census the family are living at 11 Ridsdale Street, in 1893 his sister Eva is born. By the time of the 1901 census twelve year old Joseph and the family have moved home and they are living at 13 Model Place. Across the street at number 20 lived Thomas and Sarah Jefferson and their family! As the years passed romance blossomed between Joseph and Faith Jefferson and on 6th October 1908 they married. The service was conducted at St Hilda’s the local parish church and the following year their daughter Gladys May was born and in 1910 Faith their second daughter was born. The 1911 census lists the family as living at 67 Model Place and Joseph is working as a labourer for the “North of England School Furnishing Co. Ltd”.

    On the 4th August 1914 Great Britain declares war on Germany and on the 17th August Joseph enlists in to the army. It must have been a difficult decision as he leaves behind his daughters and his wife whom is expecting their third child. I don’t think anyone could imagine how the events of the next twelve months would change the Beal family. Joseph joins the 10th Battalion of the DLI. As so much of Joseph’s service record is destroyed by fire it is difficult to trace all the events. However it does show him deployed in France as part of the “British Expeditionary Force”.

    On the 16th November 1914 Faith give birth to a son and on the 13th December 1914 he is baptised Joseph Henry, St Hilda’s parish records show Faith and the children were living with her mother Sarah at 22 Model Place. On the 1st December Joseph is promoted to Lance Corporal without pay. In the New Year Faith’s health started to fail and Joseph returns home on compassionate leave! Faith is diagnosed as suffering from Acute Nephritis (inflammation of the kidney) and she passes away on 13th January 1915. The funeral takes place at West Cemetery on the 3rd February. Faith’s mother is made the children’s guardian and she is also named as Joseph’s next of kin.

    On the 1st of February 1915 promotion to Lance Corporal is confirmed with pay and on the 8th of August he is promoted to Corporal, things for the Beal seem to be changing for the better. However this was not to last as on the 4th of September 1915 Joseph was killed in action near Ypres, France. Back home life became harder for Joseph’s three children as their Grandmother Sarah struggled to make ends meet. On the 5th January 1916 wrote to the paymaster in York requesting information on any monies due to the late Corporal Beal and on the 9th March 1916 was awarded a pension of 15/- a week for her and the three children. (In 2005 15/- is equal to around £32 a week) On the 4th April 1918 Sarah received the personal effects of Corporal Beal it was his army identity disc. The wheels slowly turned and on the 8th of August 1919 the infantry records office wrote asking for information to allow the release of Joseph’s commemoration scroll on the 15th of August Sarah completed an army document (W 8050) for the dependants of a deceased soldier this was then signed off by the Rev Cowgill. Joseph’s children grew up and married living in Darlington for their whole lives.

    Peter Giroux




    211262

    L/Cpl. Alexander Webster Gordon Highlanders (d.24th July 1916)

    <p>

    My grand uncle Alexander Webster enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders on 9 July, 1915. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Before the Great War, he lived with his parents James Webster and Clemantine Davidson Webster at 169 Calder Street, Govanhill District, Glasgow. He had a brother, James (my grandfather), and two sisters, Clementina and Jean.

    Alexander was killed in action in the Battle of High Wood, the Somme, France. He was laid to rest in Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France. His name is on a memorial at Govanhill Trinity Church at 28 Daisy Street., Govanhill District, Glasgow. His mother was from Dunnottar, Aberdeenshire. His name is on an additional memorial in Aberdeen, Mintlaw District. His parents immigrated to Canada in 1924. His brother James eventually immigrated to Kearny, New Jersey, USA and married Alexandrina Webster, who immigrated to Kearny, New Jersey from Glasgow in 1910.

    Mark Webster




    211260

    L/Sgt. James McKiernan 15th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather James McKiernan (service number 10642) enlisted in Salford with the 15th Lancashire Fusiliers and left for the Western Front on 22.11.1915. By the end of the war he had been promoted to the rank of Lance Sergeant. James survived the war and died in 1955.

    Maria McKiernan




    211253

    Pte. Herbert Stanley Mitchell Northumberland Fusiliers

    B.F. Barr




    211250

    Pte. Alfred Henry Carter 24th Battalion, B Company London Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Alf Carter enlisted in the 24th Battalion London Regiment, 4490 'B' Company Queen's on 8 July 1915 at the age of 46 years old. Apparent age of 40 written on attestation [correct birth year 1869 crossed out and overwritten 1875]; height 5ft 6 1/2 ins. As he died when my father was only 8 years old, I have little information about his whereabouts in France but would dearly like to give him his small token of recognition. I have three mementos of him - his photo in army khaki; a 'Forget me not' embroided postcard sent to my father and message 'Stanley Carter from your Daddy in France'; also a dedication in his YMCA New Testament to Dad's twin sister Rose - 'A present for Rosie Carter Nov 6 1915 from her Dad Pte A.H.Carter 4490 B Company, Queens.

    Diane Smith




    211249

    Pte. Wilfred Worthington 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    Wilf Worthington was called up in 1915 and sent to France. Whilst there, his Battalion was relived by another, and he saw someone he knew from Sheffield and so he waved to him. The man was killed soon after.

    In 1916, he was wanted by an iron works back in Sheffield. There exists a number of correspondences between the war office and the iron works about a mistake in the transfer process. Apparently, the war office had mistaken a service number of a Private Humphries with Wilfred's, and so sent his name to the works. The iron works checked their records and found no-one of that name on their list, and that they had requested Wilf. The War Office then asked the Lancashire Fusiliers Head Quarters in Bury who Private Humphries was, and no-one actually knew. So my Great Grandfather was sent back to England and was involved in munition works until he was officially discharged in 1919, missing out the battle of the Somme a few months later.

    Daniel Worthington




    211247

    Cpl. William James Dickson 13th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    I have in my possession my Grandfather's diary of the 13th London Regiment, his name was William Dickson and he served from November 3rd 1914 to Sept 4th 1917. It's a day to day record of his war, still quite legible but in a fragile condition.

    Geoffrey Dickson




    211244

    Pte. Lewis Walton 1/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.5th June 1919)

    I'm afraid I don't know anything about my great uncle, Lewis Walton's service except that he survived the Great War and died in Salisbury Isolation Hospital. I presume he died in the big Flu epidemic. He his buried in his home village of Thurstonland, near Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, he was 20 years old when he died.

    Russell Ives




    211238

    Pte. William James "Titch" Barnett 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment

    My father, William Barnett joined the Militia in 1899 as a 15 year old. He then transferred to the regular army in 1902 when he signed on for a 12 year engagement with the 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment when his Regimental number was 7039. He served in Egypt and for two years then did Home Service until 1914 when WW1 was declared.

    His regiment was sent to France on 12th August 1914 where they landed at Rouen. They were involved in action for almost the whole of the rest of 1914 and 1915. He was wounded in March 1915 and then for a second time at the Battle of Loos in September of 1915. This battle is known for the fact that the British used gas for the first time. It was a disaster as the wind changed and blew the gas back to the British lines. It is also known as the battle where the the son of Rudyard Kipling was killed. My father's wounds were bad enough for him to be sent back to Blighty where he underwent treatment at Tooting Hospital in London. He was there for 10 weeks by which time his 12 year engagement ended on 31 December 1915.

    This story now becomes rather sketchy. He was awarded the 14 Star, British Medal and Victory Medal. On his medal Index Card at the National Archives at Kew the first two medals are shown as awarded while he served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment but the last, the Victory Medal was awarded while serving in the R.E. This must mean that he volunteered again after serving his 12 year engagement but I have been unable to find out anything about this. I have tried researching his R.E. number of 163123 without success so if their are any kind souls out there could point me in the right direction I would be forever grateful.

    Sid J Barnett




    211236

    Gnr. Herbert George "Bertie" Dolley 48th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.25th Dec 1915)

    Bertie Dolley married my maternal grandmother, Emma Cocks, at St Marys Church, Hertingfordbury on 15th April 1909. He was 21 and she 24.He was, I believe, at that time a police constable in Bishops Stortford. They lived at Coles Green.

    He was among the first of the BEF to set foot in France in August 1914. Gunner Herbert Dolley 19963 was a member of 48th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. The photos of him at the time show him dressed as a cavalryman, when most of his comrades would have been dressed as infantry soldiers, perhaps his being groom to Captain Rupert B. Peters had something to do with that.

    He was 29 years old and had four young children, the youngest, my mother just 14 months, when on Christmas Day 1915 he was killed by enemy shelling. It was reported he climbed out of the relative safety of a cellar during the barrage of German artillery shells, to waken two men who were sleeping in a barn. The barn took a direct hit and all three were killed. A letter was found amongst his belongings, which was sent to the addressee Mrs Leslie of Birch Green Schools, in it he thanked the children for the parcel he had safely received, and said how much he would treasure the card they had sent with it. It had brought back many pleasant memories of the happy hours spent with his school chums, many of whom, he knew had given their lives for the country. Both this letter and the one from Captain Peters which accompanied, it were later published in The Hertingfordbury War Record along with the notification of Herbert's death. Captain Peters spoke of how much he liked my Grandfather who was his groom and said how deeply saddened he was for my widowed Grandmother and her four little, now fatherless, children.

    Gunner Dolley 19963 is buried in Louvencourt Military Cemetery Plot 1, Row C, Grave 24.

    John Herbert Webb




    211234

    2nd Lt. Henry Fairholm Manners 7th Btn Norfolk Regiment (d.28th Apr 1917)

    I found Henry Fairholm Manners in my family tree, I know nothing of him other than that he left a mother who died alone and 3 sisters who never married.

    James Salt




    211232

    Rfm. Frederick Thomas Edward Crawford 16th Btn. London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles) (d.15th Apr 1917)

    Fred Crawford was my great uncle and took part in many engagements including Vimy Ridge and the Somme. Unfortunately he was killed in action during an engagement at Arras. He is buried at the Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery at Saulty.

    In 1916 they were in action on The Somme, taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April. He did not take part in the action at Vimy Ridge to the best of my knowledge. He was wounded in action at the battle of Arras, and died of his wounds. The cemetery is just off the N25, Doullens to Arras Road.

    Graham Christopher Ealey




    211229

    Pte. John Thomas Beddows 1/8th Batallion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th May 1918)

    I have always been fascinated with the Great War, and have visited many battlefields in France and Belgium, but have only just found out that I have a relative who was killed in action. John Thomas Beddows was my grandfather's uncle. He is buried in Bienevillers Cemetery, I have noticed a few others in the same cemetery died within a few days but cannot research anywhere what happened in that area on the 26/05/1918. I would be very grateful if anyone could help me with any research.

    Terry Beddows




    211225

    Pte. Leslie Horace Magee 2/22nd Battalion London Regiment

    <p>

    Great-Grandad Horace Magee wasn't exact about his age when he joined, so he would have been about 15 when he signed up in Sept 1914 (born 20.Oct 1898). He served with the BEF in France from 14/3/1915 until 11/9/1915 when they found out his true age and discharged him on 29/10/1915 after he returned from France on 11/9/1915. Not to be deterred, a year later he enlisted with the Irish Guards and saw action again twice, being wounded at one instance.

    His C.O in the London Regiment, Col. Theodore (can't decipher the surname) spoke highly of him, saying he was: "sober and industrious, honest and trustworthy" in his service record. Thankfully, he survived the war and joined the Police Force in London. He has left the family his legacy of courage and strength.

    Sean Nash




    211223

    Capt. Jacob Andrew Norman Hessler 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

    Both Norman Hessler and his younger brother Jackie were killed in 1918 and have no known graves. I have done considerable research into Norman's death in the Battle of the Aisne in May 1918. He was Company Commander of D Coy which was in reserve based on Centre d'Evreux nr Pontavert. They were ordered to proceed to the intermediate line but met the Germans in overwhelming on the way. They came into contact with the enemy in either Boyeau [communication trench] or Boyeau St Pol and Jackie was killed while covering his company's withdrawal with a Lewis gun [letters from Lt CD Marley and LtCol BS Robinson to Jackie's's widow].

    In the British military cemetery nr La Ville aux Bois les Pontavert is the grave of an unknown DLI TA captain killed in the Battle of the Aisne. Four were killed and where the body was found was not far from where my uncle Norman was killed, however I came to the conclusion that it must be the body of one of the two 6 DLI captains killed in that action. 6 DLI was on the right of the 151 bde front

    Christopher White




    211221

    Pte. Thomas George Jack Woodnutt 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.28th Apr 1915)

    Jack Woodnutt of Newport Street in Ryde is my Great Great Uncle. He served In the Hampshire Regiment 2nd Battalion with the service number 9210. His name is mentioned on the Helles Memorial in Turkey. He died on 28.04.1915.

    Ashley Webb




    211220

    Cpl. Charles Edward Flint 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.25th Nov 1916)

    Charles Edward Flint was my grand uncle who was born in Eynesbury, Huntingdonshire. He got married to Eva Darrington in the middle of 1913 in Coventry where he lived until his enlistment. When he signed up he put his name down as Edward Flint. He was serving in the 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment as a corporal when he was killed on 25th November 1916 and is buried in The Brewery Orchard Cemetery Bois-Grenier France.

    At this time I am getting the evidence together for the War Graves Commission records to amend his name to that on his birth certificate to read Charles Edward Flint.

    Anthony Flint




    211217

    Cpl. Arthur John "Bulldog" Cleverley Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    I knew my grandfather, Arthur Cleverley well but he was a very quiet man. He played Football for Brentford Football club and was later transferred to Swansea Football club. He then went on to play for Newport after that. As a professional player he won several honours, including two Welsh FA Cup medals.

    He joined the army sometime between 1914-1915 and fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 with the Middlesex Regt, where he was gassed. We also know that when he was invalided home he was sent to the Irish Command Depot in Tipperary, where he was part of No. 1 Company football team which became Command Depot champions in 1918. Some years ago we found a photo of the team he was a member of whilst at the Depot, which states that it was taken in that year. One of the Welsh FA Cup medals is still in my family's possession, and I still have his Irish Command Depot (Tipperary) champions medal, which I think given his war injuries was the hardest earned. Whilst he told me many stories about his football, he never once mentioned this terrible war.

    Allan Cleverly




    211214

    Pfc. Emile E. Poulain 18th Infantry Regiment

    I am working on my family tree, and came across more information that I could have realized. Emile Poulain is my grandfather. He served in the Army during WW1, then in 1942 got drafted and served again. I did not know this until today (Feb. 2013). I have been working on this tree for many years as he came from France and it takes time to get records. I am proud to know that he served a country I love so much, and like to think he did also. Tho it was not his home country, he knew the importance of freedom. I am waiting on several documents and when they do I will be sure to share them here.

    Roxanne Brouwers




    211212

    Pte. James Henry Faithful 11th Btn. Suffolk (d.15th November 1918)

    James Henry Faithful was wounded in late October of 1918 and died of his wounds on the 15th November 1918 at Awoingt Military Hospital. He was buried in the hospital cemetery which is now the British Military cemetery at Awoingt, Nord, France. James was a London boy born and bred, he was just aged 27 at the time of his death and left a wife and baby daughter (my mother and grandmother).

    Stephen Brady




    211211

    Sgt. Todd Eaglesham MM. 10th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (d.28th Mar 1918)

    Todd Eaglesham and his younger brother John headed for the battlefields of France with the 10th Battalion of The Cameronians. Todd was soon to prove himself as a soldier and before long was promoted to sergeant.

    A fighter by nature he was in December of 1916 awarded the Military Medal. Sadly two years later on the 28th of March he was killed in action in the Battle of Arras. One historian described that day "if ever the lid was lifted from hell, then the 28th of March 1918 was the day it happened". Another quote from the book on the history of The Tenth Battalion, The Cameronians reads "At the same time the battalion lost a most devoted and gallant NCO in Sgt Eaglesham, the provost sergeant, who had been with the battalion from the first. He also had won the Military Medal". There are a couple of pages on what happened, and a report from a public meeting in Edinburgh in 1919 where Earl Haig referred to 'one of the most gallant of the minor incidents of the battle was a counter attack by a single company of the 10th Battalion Scottish Rifles.'

    The counter attack was by C company under Captain Munro towards the Feuchy Chapel crossroads. The order was countermanded and the company had to disengage from a considerably superior enemy. Captain Robb and Lt Robb who was wounded both won the Military Cross, and Sgt Barlow The Distinguished Conduct Medal, the latter accounted for fifteen of the enemy with his own rifle during the withdrawal. The original company position had been astride the Arras Cambrai road. This 'line' consisted of incomplete trenches, in most places 3 feet deep and about 7 feet wide. they found 55 newly arrived men waiting for them. These were posted for the night to the reserve Company - C. Many of them were destined to remain unknown to them by name, for at 3am an intensive enemy bombardment of gas and high explosive shell opened, killing most and causing numerous casualties. Lt Col Stanley Clarke was awarded an immediate bar to his DSO following this action.

    Sergeant Todd Eaglesham is shown in the book as getting his Military Medal on 16th of September 1916. The same day that the tank had been used for the very first time ever in the battlefield. This possibly followed the 10th Battalions involvement on 15th Sept 1916, tanks and Scotsmen, a potent force!

    John Todd




    211209

    L/Cpl. Robert Chilton 20th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish) (d.1st July 1916)

    My grandfather Robert Chilton was reported as missing at the battle of the Somme. No details are known about his death and my grandmother always hoped that because there was no grave, he could be still alive and would somehow find his way home.





    211208

    Pte. Harold Harvey 4th Btn. London Regiment

    We have my grandad's medal, it is a silver service medal and impressed on the rim is: "254061 Pte H. Harvey 4 - London - R."

    Pete Mitchell




    211205

    Gnr. Herbert Wilson Broadhead 278 Siege Btty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Herbert Broadhead, my Great-Grandfather, was a Gunner with the 278 & 535 Siege Batteries, RGA in France, he joined the Army in 1915. He was gassed in 1918 and sent to 26th Hospital, Etaples and then to Birmingham. He spent 61 days in hospital before returning to the Front.

    Nick Monaghan




    211199

    Pte. Frederick Bond 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Apr 1918)

    Frederick Bond has no known grave. His name appears on the Ploegsteert memorial in the Berkshire Regiment Cemetery. He was killed in action during the Battle of Estaires.

    F B Hayes




    211198

    Pte. Thomas Arnold Royal Warwickshire Regim,ent

    <p>

    My Grandfather Tom Arnold served in the first world war in France, he told us stories of how he got stuck in the wire and another soldier came back and helped him out. He had nightmares sometimes and Mum used to say they were not as bad as when he first came back, he sometimes used to walk around at night because he could not sleep. He told us that when the war finished he had to walk for days to get a boat back to England.

    I went to Kew to find his records and all I can find is a record that puts him with another service no. He started with the no. 25336 in the Royal Warwicks and ended with the no.5057 in the Essex Regiment. There is no information on that record to say where he fought in France. Is it possible to tell me why he ended up in another regiment. I have been told that some records were burnt during the second world war and his may have been among them. Any information would be great. Hope someone can help.

    Polly Morbey




    211193

    Pte. Thomas Humphreys Humphreys 1st/6th battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.6th November 1917)

    Private Thomas Humphreys was my uncle. He died on 6/11/1917 just a few days before the war ended, at the Third Battle of Gaza. "On the 6th November at 4am in the light of approaching dawn, the artillery barrage opened. Two water bottles, and 170 rounds of ammunition,also the unconsumed portion of the days rations were carried. The whole attack went like clockwork,and all objectives were occupied just as dawn was breaking. The enemy, cowed by the creeping barrage were bayonetted in large numbers,but the treacherous morning fog visited them again and robbed them of an important capture,and general confusion ensued.The 7th Royal Welch Fusiliers mistook advancing troops of the 6th Royal Welch and The Herefords,for Turks, and called for artillary fire, and it is uncertain whether some died from their own artillary fire. But for this unhappy accident, the whole position would have been captured in one and a half hours. During the day, the Turks made five separate attacks on the hill,but spent themselves in vain. By dusk that day, the casualties had been 36 officers and 584 other ranks."

    P.G.Jones




    211188

    Pte. John Alexander Spence Clint 9th Btn Highland Light Infantry

    My father, John Alexander Spence Clint, first served in WWI with the Glasgow 9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (he referred to it as the Boozy Fourth!). At some point, he was sent back from France to a hospital in Bradford, W Yorkshire, to be patched up, but whether wounded or suffering from "shell shock" is undetermined. He was then sent back to France to serve with the Labour Corps 12-12-1915. He was discharged 31-10-1918. He received a small pension, but though up until he died at the age of 60 and his hands shook so that he could not hold a cup of tea without spilling it, he was considered by the pensions board to be a "malingerer," with the threat of his pension being reduced or cut off. Between 1918 and 1943 he did not have steady employment, until he got a job as an engine slinger during WWII, at which he worked until his death in 1952. My father was a quiet, gentle soul, and I can just imagine how his experiences in WWI, trench warfare, shell bombardment, etc., must have played havoc on his mental/emotional well-being. Go to Google and read how over 300 soldiers were shot, though most were likely suffering from shell-shock and the hazards of warfar were just too much for them. I think we have come a long way in understanding post traumatic stress as it is referred to nowadays.

    Maisie Clint Egger




    211187

    Pte. Martin "Ba" Reid Royal Irish Rifles

    My maternal grandfather, Martin Reid enlisted in the Royal Irish Rifles in Dublin Ireland, when he was 18 yrs old, he was sent to France in 1914. Although he didn't speak about his war experiences very often or in any great detail, he told us about the awful trench conditions, which were flooded and stinking. Often they were short of ammunition. He said they were over run with lice. He told us the noise from the constant bombardment was dreadful. The cries of the wounded soldiers were inhuman. He hated the thought of war, yet he always said sometimes it was necessary, especially WW2 to rid the world of Hitler and the Nazis.

    Our grandmother told us what she knew of his time in WW1, he was in Mons, The Somme, & the Western Front as she said. He was in France from 1914 to 1918 and was gassed and eventually wounded, he had to have plastic surgery to his face. His best mate, Archie Reilly, who had enlisted with him was also seriously wounded.

    By the time it was 1918 my grandfather was seriously wounded and traumatized, shell shock as Nana said. After his physical injuries were addressed he was sent to Beaufort War Hospital in the UK. My grandmother didn't know where he was, thought he was missing in action. A friend of my grand-dad had seen him and wrote to my grandmother to inform her he was at Beaufort Hospital. She took along their 5 year old daughter to see him. Nana told us he was in a pitiful state, she couldn't comprehend how changed he was not only physically but also mentally, he was a wreck. She took him home with her, she told us he suffered dreadful nightmares and began to drink heavily, which he eventually got under control. He suffered ill health as a result of his injuries until he died, Neurasthenia and respiratory problems. He was a very good grandfather and father, but he never really smiled. Nana told us his experiences in France changed him forever, yet to his dying breath in 1978 he never shirked his duty.

    Angela Murphy




    211184

    Pte. William Benjamin Baldwin 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment (d.5th March 1917)

    Private William Benjamin Baldwin was my wife's grandfather and enlisted firstly in the Suffolks, 33659. He appears to have been transferred to the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment at some point, as yet unknown to us. We are still trying to piece together the jigsaw that was his life but as with all research there are many gaps in the story so far. We do know that he was killed at Arras on 5th March 1917. All items available and relating to his army life were donated to the Essex Regimental Museum by my wife. Unfortunately we have no photographs of him.

    Philip Dudley




    211183

    Pte. William George Woosnam 6th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry

    I am researching my great grandfather's war history, his name was William Woosnam of the 6th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

    Wyn Thomas




    211181

    Pte. Thomas Measey 101st Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.20th Jan 1917)

    Thomas Measey was the son of Joseph Measey and Martha Gladdy, who resided at Oakley in Buckinghamshie. Joseph was a shopkeeper and landlord of The Royal Oak, Oakley which had been run by the Gladdy family. I believe that he was originally in the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and joined up with his brothers Charles,Frank and George.

    The Measey boys worked on local farms in Oakey and bred horses at The Royal Oak, Oakley. Thomas later joined the Machine Gun Corps with his brother Charles Henry. The Measey boys were all given a prayer book by the Vicar of Oakley before going to their regiments. Thomas was the first of the Measey boys to be killed in action, he died on the 20th January 1917 aged 33. Thomas is buried at the Cite Bonjean Military Cementary at Armentieres His name can be found on the war memorial and roll of honour at Oakley church and a photo of him is posted on the Buckinghamshire Remembers website.

    My grandmother Mary Anne Govier [nee Measey] was the sister of Thomas and was deeply affected by her brother's loss. Mary Anne Measey was married to Henry Govier of Oakley and the Govier family lived in a large timber framed farmhouse on the Worminghall Road. In the kitchen over the mantleplace to the fire were the three death plaques of Thomas, Charles Henry and Frank although four of my great uncles had died in the 1st World War. George was not issued with a death plaque as he had died of his injuries in Switzerland. The medals, prayer books and photos of my four great uncles were given to me by my grandmother and will be passed down through my family.

    There were no Measey boys from my great grandparents Joseph and Martha had no male children, but the Measey name survives in Buckinghamshire through Joseph's brothers. Some years ago I spoke about my great uncles at Oakley church on Armistice Day. Although I was not lucky enough to meet them they are still remembered in my family and I tried to find out as much as possible about them.

    Stephen Govier




    211180

    L/Cpl James McFetridge 10th Btn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    James McFetridge was my great uncle. He enlisted in the 10th Btn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in August 1914. He was sent to France in the summer of 1915. His btn became part of the 27th brigade, 9th Division which took part in the Battle of Loos. James was seriously wounded which was reported in the Glasgow Evening times of 7th October 1915. He was eventually discharged on 4th November 1916 and lived until 1949. James previously worked in the Thornliebank printworks whose 1914-1916 Roll of Honour is now available online. It is held in the Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library

    Sheena




    211177

    Pte. Walter Oldershaw 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

    My grandfather, Walter Oldershaw, enlisted in 1915 at the age of 38 years old. He was sent to France to the front, where I don't know.

    He was wounded and then transferred to the Labour Corp. What did the Labour Corp do? Where did they operate? He remained in France until, I think, 1919. He died in 1941 I was 2 years old.

    Henry Oldershaw




    211170

    Alfred William Brown Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

    Alfred Brown, my grandfather, must have been based at Golden Hill Camp at Freshwater. This is where he met my grandmother who was a maid to a Vicar there. She went there with the family who were formerly at St Johns Church Lowestoft, her home town. Family have told me his battalion was taken to France in the depths of winter after being in the Far East, with no time to adjust to the cold, many died of frost bite.

    Mike Brown




    211169

    Pte. William Metcalfe 2/4th Batalion Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.22nd November 1917)

    My great uncle, William Metcalfe, was killed in the Battle of Cambrai. In civil street he was a stone mason, working for a local firm in his local village Long Preston. He was a fine runner winning cups in his area and when he was in Army.

    Alan Metcalfe




    211168

    Pte. Jonathan Burchell 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.24th Sep 1915)

    Jonathan Burchell is my husband's great uncle. He was born at Peckham, the son of William and Jane Burchell. According to the 1911 census he was a polisher. He married Margaret Scierloh in 1911 and they had 2 daughters, Elizabeth and Annie (who died as a baby). Margaret remarried in 1919 to a William Baldwin but I do not know what happened after that. He was killed in action and buried in the New Irish Farm Cemetery, North East of Ypres in Belgium.

    Alison Smith




    211165

    Rfm. Charles Elvin Giles 7th Battalion, B Coy, No.6 section King`s Royal Rifle Corps

    I am in possession of my father's army pay book and note book in which he has listed the men in his section,as follows:

      Number 6 section B coy
    • 8207 L/sgt. Lane L
    • R?986Cpl ?
    • R6264 L/cpl Giles C
    • R13492 Rfl. Adams. A
    • R18696 Rfl. Albam ?
    • R34487 Rfl. ??ing
    • R27375 Rfl. Lemon
    • R18040 Rfl. Butler
    • R21664 Rfl.Austin
    • R13104 Rfl. Lacy.C
    • Rl1731 Rfl. Lee.H
    He also lists the soldiers in Sections 5,7 and 8 if these are of any interest I can send them on.

    I am seeking the relevant war diary covering my father's service. I can tell you he was wounded twice.On one of these occasions whilst convalescing he was sent to Ireland to help with the Troubles there. I remember him saying he would prefer to have been in France where you could be shot from the front and not in the back!

    Alan Charles Giles




    211159

    Stoker 1st Class. William Thomas Huntley HMS Natal (d.30th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    My great-grandfather's brother, William Thomas Huntley, was a stoker on the HMS Natal, and his body was never recovered.

    This photo was among many family pictures I inherited from my grandmother's estate.  has no inscription on the back, so I do not know the names of these sailors. The man in the centre could be William, but we're not sure, as we do not know if he served on the HMS Leviathan.

    C. Hruska




    211156

    Pte. George Thomas Tracy O'Rourke 53rd Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    <p>

    Sadly I never met my Grandfather, George O'Rourke but since researching my family tree I have got to know him and those who knew him.

    CJR




    211154

    Edward Cowan 120th Machine Gun Battalion

    <p>

    Edward Cowan was my 1st Cousin 3 times removed. Unfortunately, we do not know much about him. My grandmother recently passed away and we came upon this newspaper from March 31, 1918 with his photo and military information.

    Carole Price




    211151

    Sgt. Hugh Cairns VC. 46th Saskatchewan Regiment (d.2nd Nov 1918)

    Hugh Cairns was born in 1896 in Ashington, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. In 1911 the family emigrated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. On August 2, 1915 at age 18, Hugh Cairns enlisted with the 65th Battalion and returned to England in June 1916. On June 30th, Sgt. Cairns was transferred to the 46th Battalion before proceeding to France.

    The Website http://members.shaw.ca/flyingaces/cairns/ gives an account of the actions for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross:

    Sergeant Cairns, had two brothers in the army during the Great War, Henry Cairns and Corporal Albert Cairns; the later having been killed on September 10, 1918, age 23, during the battle of Cambrai. Albert and Hugh were said to have been inseparable, and one of Sgt. Cairns’ comrades recalled that “Hughie said he’d get fifty Germans for that” adding, “I don’t think he ever planned to come back after Abbie got killed.” Only Cairns’ almost fanatical desire to avenge his brother’s death can explain his actions seven weeks later.

    "Sgt. Cairns was in charge of a platoon during the advance near Valenciennes, France. About 300 yards north of Aulnoy, when he was advancing down the Famars road, a machine gun opened on his men from a house on the side of the street. The fire was coming from a window upstairs. Sgt. Cairns seized a Lewis gun and rushed into the house. Dashing upstairs in face of fire turned on him, he killed the crew of five and captured the gun. The Canadian line advanced. It swung across the Famars road to the south side where, in front of an old French cemetery, they were held up again by fire from a strongly-held machine gun post. Again Sgt. Cairns rushed forward alone, firing his gun from the hip as he went. He silenced and captured two enemy guns, killing 12 Germans and taking 18 prisoners. Once more the Canadian line moved on, routing out the Germans from the houses and sending back scores of prisoners.

    In the outskirts of Valenciennes, in an old brickfield, the advance was again stayed by a battery of field guns firing point blank, and a large number of machine guns. Sgt. Cairns was wounded in the shoulder, but notwithstanding, he led a small party of his men around the position and outflanked it. Working his way to within 75 yards of the guns he took careful aim and killed a large number of the enemy gunners, causing 50 others to surrender. Seven machine guns, four field guns and one trench mortar were captured. The objective was gained and the line of railway in the city of Valenciennes consolidated. The two front lines of the attacking companies had instructions to push out patrols to ascertain whether or not the enemy were evacuating and to gain other information of military importance. Sgt. Cairns accompanied Lieut. J. P. G. MacLeod; D. S. O., with a small patrol to exploit Marly, a suburb east of Valenciennes. Cairns noticed a considerable number of the enemy in a courtyard surrounded with buildings, and with Lieut. MacLeod, pushed forward to the gate, where they came face to face with about 60 Boche.

    The Germans, seeing the Canadian officer and the sergeant with his Lewis gun, threw up their hands when ordered but before they could be disarmed one of them gave the signal that the two men were alone and, as he approached Sgt. Cairns as if to surrender, a German officer drew his pistol and shot Cairns through the stomach. Sgt. Cairns immediately dropped to his knees and fired upon the German officer, killing him instantly. The other Boche then took cover behind boxes and piles of debris and began firing on the two Canadians. In spite of the fact that he had received his fatal wound, Cairns got his gun into action. Again he was wounded in the hand and arm, but bleeding and in great pain he continued to operate his gun. Then another shot blew away the trigger and mangled his hand. Twenty Boche ran forward to overpower him. Seizing his broken gun, he hurled it into the face of the nearest Hun, then staggering to the gate, collapsed unconscious.

    In a moment the remainder of the patrol came running to the courtyard and a skirmish took place, during which Lieut. MacLeod dragged away the insensible form of the hero, placing him on a door to use as a stretcher. During this evacuation enemy fire was taken from the flank killing one of the stretcher bearers and wounding Sgt. Cairns yet again. They carried him back to the Canadian line and then to the field hospital where he died the next day. A spirit of recklessness had animated Sgt. Cairns from the moment of attack that day. His superior officer had suggested he not to go into action; as he had seen a great deal of fighting in all the engagements; but he absolutely refused to be left behind. His brother had been shot at his side a few weeks before and he seemed possessed with the idea of avenging his death. Sgt. Cairns led four skirmishes that day on which more than 50 Germans paid with their lives for the death of his brother. It had been a day of incredible achievement for the 21-year old Canadian soldier. One of heroic service which won him the last Victoria Cross awarded for actions during World War I. He was buried on the field of honour."

    As a one-time Saskatchewan resident, I now live in Paris, I am deeply in love with Military History. While reading a recent WWI history of France at war I saw a photo of a tank named after Hugh Cairns which had been donated by the citizens of Saskatoon to France and was simply amazed by it. I also found a photo of it in Saskatoon’s Local History Room. I find this is a wonderful example of Canadian/prairie spirit and reaching out to others. I am thus saddened that there isn’t more about this story. I am trying to discover the fate of this tank called ‘Ville de Saskatoon” and/or ‘Hugh Cairns’ (there is a street named after him here in France) and looking for anyone who might have leads or ideas about where to look. Did it ever get to France, was it demolished, buried or sold for scrap? Is it sitting in someone' backyard, or in a forgotten museum? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    David Poratta




    211149

    L/Cpl. Angus Turner 4th Battalion, D Coy Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>

    My Grandfather, Angus Turner served with the 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders during WW1. On the 22nd Sept 1914 he Attested (enlisted) in Glasgow and was posted to D Company, 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (Territorial Reserve). His Regimental number was 2294. 28 September 1914 – While training at Dingwall, Scotland he signed a document agreeing to serve outside the UK

    During October 1914 he was transferred to Bedford, UK to continue training with the Battalion which had been located at Bedford since 15 August 1914, as had the Cameron Brigade (Highland Division). On Thurs 5 November 1914, the Battalion departed Bedford between 11.30am and 12.30pm on two trains for Southampton. 8.30pm 5 Nov 1914 Embarked for Havre, France on the SS City of Dunkirk, arriving in Havre midday 6 Nov 1914. However due to a cipher radio message error they did not disembark until 8.30am 7 Nov 1914. The Battalion was involved in actions at Givenchy, Aubers Ridge & the Somme before he was wounded and sent home.

    Wayne Turner




    211146

    Pte. George Edward Linton 2nd Btn. Yorks & Lancs Regiment (d.18th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    I have only recently found out something that has got me very interested about my great great grandfather whose body was never found until we believe recently in France. We never knew that a member of our family had been asked sometime ago to provide a DNA sample because of the remains of 15 soldiers from the 2nd Batt Yorks & Lancs had been recovered by accident due to some builders doing some work in France in Beauchamp Ligny in 2006 that would verify that the remains are of George Edward Darrington /Linton. Up to now there has been no move to go further to identify these soldiers who lost there lives for there country although there remains are kept in storage in England. Our relative never passed the information on that she had been asked for DNA so now we will not know, although the time date and area are in our favour we will never know.

    Mark Anthony Lacey




    211144

    Pte. Francis Edward Haigh 3rd Dragoon Guards (d.1st July 1915)

    Francis Haigh arrived in the Ypres Salient on 18/5/1915. On the 1st June 1915 he was killed in action; 13 days after joining his unit in the trenches. Apparently on 1st June 1915, there was some heavy shelling of the British front line at Hooge, Belgium. Private Francis Haigh is commemorated with others of the 3rd Dragoon Guards who have no known grave, on the relevant panel of The Menin Gate at Ypres. Rest in Peace.

    Alec Young




    211143

    L/Cpl. Alfred Henry Grieves 24th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Alfred Grieves served in France from August 1916 as a Gas NCO. I have in my poseasion his 1916 Diary. The entries stop in September 1916 as a piece of ball shrapnel has embedded itself in the diary and bent a .303 round which was in a clip in L/Cpl Grieves breast pocket preventing serious injury and possibly death. Grieves went on to serve as a captain in the 31st County of London ( Streatham) Home Guard in WW2

    Michael Ackrill




    211132

    Pte. Robert Hamilton Brown A.O.C

    Robert Brown is my great grandfather who seem to disappear after the war. He left a family in Londonderry, who never talked about him.

    A Cole




    211130

    Pte. John William Alexander 7th Service Batallion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.6th Feb1917)

    John Alexander was born 3rd February 1892 the son of Robert and Hannah Maria (nee Arnold). He worked as a furniture remover before the war. John died of wounds in the British Mesopotamian campaign and buried at Al Amara cemetery (modern day Iraq)

    Martyn Rundle




    211127

    Durrent Suffolk Regiment (d.15th Sept 1916)

    My grandfather was captured at Suvla Bay, Dardanelles, during the Galipolli campaign. He kept a diary during his captivity and writes of a time during Sept/Oct 1916 when many died of Malaria and Yellow Fever. He says "The first to die, Sept 15, was poor old Durrent of the Suffolks. He had a bad chest and used to talk very hoarse. A Matmaker by trade. He leaves a wife and six children. He died a couple of hours after admittance to hospital" Just thought there might be family who never knew what happened. There are any others he has named but none that specify the Suffolks.

    Elizabeth Rust




    211122

    Cpl. George Clarence Page Northumberland Fusiliers

    George served in the Durham Light Infantry in West Ridge Rawalpindi, India, before been transferred to the 28th Division in 1914. He was posted to the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouk. In 1915 he took part in the second battle of Ypres and the Battle of Loos. In Oct 1915 he was posted to Salonoka. On the 2nd Oct 1916 he was at the occupation of Mazirko and on the 31st Oct was at the capture of Barakli Jum'a. on the 15th May 1917 was at the capture of Ferdie and Essex trenches and 16th Oct 1917 was at the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In 1918 he was transferred back to France and on 18-19 Sept 1918 was at the Battle of Dorian, on 22-28 Sept 1918 he was at the pursuit to the Stumica Valley. He had been wounded 4 times during the war and and he caught Malaria and Dysentry while fighting the Turks. He left the army in 1920 after 11 years service.

    Christopher Page




    211116

    Rfm. Alfred Henry Spong 8th (Post Office Rifles) Battaion London Regiment (d.19th Nov 1916)

    From his medal roll his first theatre of war was France which Alfred Spong entered on the 1-7-15. The remarks on the medal roll states 'D of W' 19-11-16. I presume this to mean he died from his wounds. In Fulham Palace Road Cemetry there us a grave In memory of Rifleman Alfred Henry Spong. 2859, 8th Bn., London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) who died aged 23 on 19 November 1916. Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

    Jackie Harris




    211115

    L/Cpl Reginald James Sheppard 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.20th July 1916)

    Reginald Sheppard was killed in action aged 21 years at Delville Wood. He enrolled at Stratford E18.

    D.Drury




    211113

    Pte. Henry Isaac "Ike" Tranter 1/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.28th Aug1916)

    <p>

    Henry Isaac Tranter was born in June 1897 at Stockend Harescombe, Haresfield, Gloucestershire, younger brother of Joseph. He enlisted Gloucester in the 1/5th Gloucestershire Regiment as a Stretcher bearer. Henry died of wounds on the 28th of August 1916 aged 21, at the Battle of the Somme, he is buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery Authuile Wood nr Albert France grave I.D.18

    Royce Tranter




    211112

    Pte. Joseph Tranetr South Lancashire Regiment (d.1st Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Joseph Tranter as born in the 3rd qtr September 1895 at Stockend Harescombe Haresfield Gloucestershire. He enlisted at Ross on Wye Herefordshire and was killed in action 1st October 1918 age 22, at the Battle of Cambrai. He served as a Stretcher bearer attached to Kings Shropshire Light Infantry service number 28246 and South Lancashire Regiment service number 452288, Joe is commemorated on Vis en Artois Memorial Pas de Calais France Panel numbe 8 as he has no known grave.

    Royce Tranter




    211110

    Pte. John Meiklejohn 1/4 Battalion, B Company, No7 Platoon Royal Scots Fusiliers ÃÆ??Ã?Ã? 

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    John Meiklejohn, 1/4 Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, was my grandfather. He was wounded at Gallipoli and again in Palistine and survied the War and went on to be a police officer. Does anyone recognise any of their family on this picture if so who are they and what happend to them?

    Nick Wood




    211109

    L/Cpl. George William Parker MM. 2/23rd Battalion London Regiment

    George William Parker Memories of service in the First World War

    In 1910 I was an Apprentice chef at Inner Temple. Breakfast and lunch provided but no salary. Along with my four brothers I emigrated to Canada. In 1912 I got a job cooking on Canadian Pacific Railway. On August 4th 1914 whilst en route to Vancouver on regular run, he learnt of Britain at war. On Aug 16th when he arrived back in Montreal Ienlisted in C.A.S.E. Soon after, we were moved to vast new camp at Valcartier, Quebec. Horse Remount Dept. Nov 6th, while first contingent were preparing to go to Britain, I had first medical and was discharged because I had only hazy sight in left eye. Went back to work.

    1915 January; I bought passage to England and as I had been a bandsman in Battersea Temperance Band before going to Canada, went to see the Bandmaster (Hawke) and was told the whole Band had joined the Territorials and were billeted at Horley, Surrey. The Bandmaster and his son (Percy) were very happy in their billet. I went to the address given and was told by the young lady (Clara) who opened the door that they were out on a route march. I met them and was invited back to lunch. Went with them to the QM stores and was kitted out with khaki uniform, boots a hat and was in the army. No medical. On the Sunday evening I went with them to the local Methodist Church and the lady who opened the door, and looked after us at the Bandmaster's billet sang-a solo during the service "God holds the key". We waited till she came out and we chatted a few minutes and I asked her if she had time to show me round the village. The upshot was we married on Dec 27th 1915.

    The regiment was moved first to Hatfield Herts, then to Bishops Stortford, then to Tinton-on-Sea. Meantime the band was doing various duties such as route marches, concerts a recruiting meetings round London. In early 1916 we moved to Sutton Veney, Wiltshire where the older men in the band were discharged and the younger ones were returned to the ranks and sent to the R.A.M.C. for instruction in first aid and did stretcher work. Four stretcher bearers to a company of nominal 120 men. We were shown how to make great use of a triangular bandage but when we got into action, we never saw one.

    In June 1916 we went via Southampton to Le Havre where we camped for a day. While there, we stretcher-bearers were issued with first aid kit, stretcher satchels with first field dressings etc., in addition to the rifles and ammunition. I decided on my own that we would carry one or the other, so we moved off minus the rifles. I don't know what King's Regulations has to say on the matter. We never heard a word about it.

    We arrived at Etrun, a small town near Arras which was to be our base for the next six months or so. We took over a part of the front line from a Scottish division on Vimy Ridge and were soon in action. A sergeant in the Machine Gun Corps was shot and there was a call for stretcher-bearers. I, with another, ran along the trench and his mates put him on our stretcher. He was a big chap and they laid him on his side so most weight was on the left side. The turns in the trench, something like key pattern, were too sharp to allow the man to be carried at arms'-length so he had to be hoisted shoulder high; the left handle on left shoulder a the right handle supported by right arm like a bracket. The Quarter mile or so to the Aid Post was agony. In those early days we now and again received a Red Cross parcel, which contained a very welcome few sheets of toilet paper, otherwise we had to put our precious letters from home to very undignified use. These pieces of paper were given the name of bum fodder, which added "bumf" to Oxford English Dictionary. A trench mortar fell in a trench used as a listening post. I went to see if there were casualties and found one dead, but no sign of any injury. Another was helpless with shock, so I got him away pick-a-back.

    Occasionally we had bathing parade. There was an old brewery a mile or so away. A trickle of warmish water spaced about two yards apart. Then we were given a change of shirt and underpants and socks. Another diversion was a lousing parade when we ran the seams of our trousers through a lighted candle to get some relief from lice. There was steam boiling or baking arrangements but our clothes were packed in too tight to be effective.

    The system was a week in front line; a week in reserve when we were able to get clean clothes, a bath of sorts and some rest; then a week in support line during which we did various fatigues during the day taking the munitions and rations to the front line. It was during this week our Chaplain gathered his flock for a service and Communion. His name was Capt. Reilley. Along the front line there were "duck boards" to keep our feet dry but the communication trenches; after rain there were inches of slimy mud, so it was necessary to look after one's feet. Some chaps didn't seem to have the savvy and after a week with wet and muddy feet, their socks had to be picked off they had got so stuck to the flesh. In December 1916 we were in reserve on the Somme and then entrained to Marseilles in vans stating "Hommes 40, cheveux 8".

    The wage for a soldier in 1914 was 1/– (one shilling) per day. When I got married I arranged an allotment to my wife of 9 pence per day (5 shillings and 3 pence per week) so when we were in camp in Marseilles I didn't bother to go ashore. Later on, the wages of a "private" was increased to 1/9 per day and the allotment was increased to 1/6. I still made do with three pence per day. Notices were put up in prominent places giving names and addresses of licenced ladies, which I thought a poor do. We were soon aboard the Allan Line ship Tunisian bound for Salonika. When we arrived at Malta, I was asked – not going ashore – to take charge of two or three lads who to their grief and shame were suffering the result of going ashore to the wrong address.

    Soon after arriving at the port of Salonika we were holding a line overlooking the marshy land round Lake Doiran. The Bulgarians held listening posts at night on little hillocks surrounded by wire defences. The listening parties could be seen at times manning their posts and raiding parties would go out to try to capture them. A party of 30 or so would be got ready plus 2 stretcher bearers. As I was the No. 4 of our squad and senior, it was generally No.4 and one other. We had little success as they could hear us coming a mile off, and as we surrounded the place pincer fashion, they would have retired, and when we rushed the vacant place from the rear, calling them all the names we could think of, they fired at us with all they had got. Once a party of three went out before dawn and a sergeant got wounded. I took a stretcher out and we carried him in. There was no room for wheeled transport so he was got away on a weird contraption. Two long poles; one end of each was fixed to the mule's harness and the other ends dragged along the ground, a stretcher being fixed halfway along.

    There was a fair amount of mild illness among the men and I had to report to the M.O. on the field phone of any serious trouble, but for smaller ones I was supplied with various tablets with instructions: Slight shivers 2 aspirins Severe 3 aspirins + 2 Dover powders + No. 9 Neuralgia 2 Phenacetin and caffein Diarrhoea: either 2 Lead and Opium per diem or 3 Bism: Sal per diem.

    For one poor chap I had to get to the M.O. to collect a mustard plaster, but getting no better I had to go up to HQ and fetch a mule. On the way down we had to negotiate a deep gully. At the edge the animal looked down, then at me, then slid his forelegs down then his hind ones and we had made it. I don't think there was a saddle, but he was got away. There were many snakes in that part of Greece and one of the chaps whose name was Watsky (?) would go and kill and skin them and plait them for officers' horses to go round their necks and down the front. Large green lizards were very common, about a foot or so long. They often made themselves comfortable in our blankets while we slept in our bivvies. Each man had a green sheet about four feet square which had buttons and button holes every six inches or so all round, and a stick about 3 ft 6" long, so two sheets buttoned together made a tent, and a sheet folded diagonally closed each end and so we 4 were snug, sardine fashion.

    These bivvies were to come in to good use - later as about September 1917 the 60th Division were sent to Egypt. We landed at Alexandria thence we went by train to a camp at Tel el Kebir, which rang a bell for me as my father in the early 1880's was a soldier in the Rifle Corps and was in action against the Boers, then on behalf of the Kedive of Egypt against the Mad Mullas. His war medals included the Khedives Star with a bar "Tel el Kebir". Soon we moved to Islamia, which is by the Lake Timsah one of the Bitter Lakes exceedingly salt, and though I was no swimmer I soon was at home in the water. We just walked in and floated. The local children did good business with slices of water melon very cheap and at the camp with "Eggsycook big one". Soon we crossed the Suez Canal and marched to Kantara. Then we went by rail which the Army had laid as far as El Arish. We marched on a road of wire netting laid on the sand and camped by the sea about 9 miles from Gaza. Here we were taught to "endure hardship as good soldiers" as St Paul puts it. Most of the men had sores on arms any exposed flesh; so every day there was a parade of dozens to be treated (or ill-treated) for the sores. The stretcher-bearers, under the direction of the Sergeant, had to clean up the scabby places, apply a blue lotion and bandage up. The water ration was one quart of water per man for all purposes when we moved into the desert. We had long marches mostly at night. We looked like a cloud with a lot of legs. We tied our handkerchiefs across our mouths to breathe through.

    Starting out with our water bottles full, we had to arrive back with them unused. A week's leave was available in Cairo for any who wished to take it. I had a week in a rest camp at El Arish during which I had my photo taken. They were not ready when my time was up. Someone who was at the Camp after me maybe offered to find me with them. They were found in a dead chap's pocket by our Padre who recognised the original and had them sent to me. Occasionally a hole was dug in the sand and a large tarpaulin was laid in it; this was filled with water and Carbolic like Jeyes fluid. Through this we had to go single file and duck under like sheep at a sheep dip and run about in the sun until we dried - no towel. It stung plenty in places!

    November 1917 saw the 60th Division in action at Beersheba under General Allenby against the Turkish Army. While we waited until the artillery cut the wire defences, we were under severe shelling and mortar rifle fire, so there were casualties of all kinds. One chap had his leg smashed just above the ankle so I had to cut the foot off and bind his lower leg back at the knee to stop him bleeding to death. Another had his upper arm smashed at the shoulder. I poured iodine over the flesh and covered the wound with first field dressing, support his arm with his puttees a got him away as quickly as possible. Our Chaplain was carrying wounded with other S-B's all the time this was going on.

    Sheria was our next engagement with the Turks and, after they had been driven out, General Shea held a parade. Several men had bits of ribbon pinned on their jackets including Capt. Reilley and myself. (M.M. 17 November 1917, from war diaries of 2/23 London Regiments East Surreys) We pressed on after the Turks and in a few days were at the walls of Jerusalem and beyond. After a lull of a few days we were off again in action at Beira about 12 miles north of Jerusalem. The Turks held a ridge and our lads had to get down a sloping hillside, very rocky. When they had got clear and we could see there were none hit, Bob Proctor, my mate and I, made a move to follow. We, being the only ones on the hill, were the target for all the enemy fire and Bob fell. He died very soon afterwards.

    The next day we were in action near Makmur and another of our four was wounded and had a leg amputated. Whenever one of the four was killed or wounded or whatever, I had to ask a chap to take their place and was never refused. Soon after this, the question was asked: "Any wireless mechanics on Parade?" As in my younger days I had some interest in industrial coils, Wimshurst machines, etc., I put my hand up. Sometimes there was a catch in such enquiries; for instance in Salonika "Any carpenters on parade?" No shortage - our H and P biscuits used to arrive, two sealed tins to a wooden box 2 ft x 1 ft x 1 ft. "Right git yer knives out and make bog seats of these." However, mine was genuine I had to proceed to Aboukir Bay R.A.F. camp for a test. I had week or so there and then was sent back to my unit. While I was away our 23rd London Regt. marched from the Jerusalem area down the Jericho Road to Jordan where the Allenby Bridge was being constructed and then on to Amman to cut the Hejaz railway in support of Laurence of Arabia. Although the operation was successful it was at the cost of a good many killed and injured. When I got back to Jerusalem I learnt about this operation and was told they were on their way back. I walked down the Jericho Road about ten miles or so and came to a munitions dump in charge of a few men. I stayed there to await my company's arrival and for a day or so felt very ill but soon felt quite fit again. A fortnight or so afterwards I had a similar attack but it passed off. A couple of weeks after we were on the Mount of Olives and I became prostrate and I was put in a vehicle and taken to the nearest medical aid post, which was in a monastery at Emaus then by ambulance and train from Lidda to Cairo. After a week or so I went on an outing with a party of patients to Aswan Dam. Arriving back I was down again with a high temperature (Relapsing Fever). A doctor said they were to try a new treatment, so I was taken to the theatre where they opened a vein and poured in with a funnel, I reckoned two or three pints of saline liquid. Soon after I felt terrible and shouted out. The nurses gave me some brandy I think it was and smothered me with blankets. The temperature went down and I was completely cured. I still have the chart of temperature and diet.

    I see, according to Pears Cyclopedia, that Relapsing Fever is caused by lice but there may be other causes. My first acquaintance with lice was in Canada in 1914. When I joined the army in Montreal, I was given part-worn Militia uniform, which had been used by more than one at annual manoeuvres. It was not long before I had "company". My next experience was in France in 1916, also Salonika, but not in Palestine. I never heard of Relapsing Fever till I saw what I was in hospital for. When we were in the hills above Makmur, a pair of us found a cave and slept in it one night and I was bitten by sheep ticks and I have always blamed them for the aforesaid fever.

    On discharge I made my way back as far as Kantara on the Suez Canal and was told the battalion was on its way back to France. I got a Field Post Card, which had a number of sentences on it. You crossed out those which did not apply, which left "Hope to see you soon". I underlined the "soon" and sent it to my wife who I had not seen for over two years. The troops arrived and we were soon aboard ship at Alex bound for France. We landed at Taranto and after 12 days travelling in the 40 men 8 horses trucks arrived in northern France. One or two in our truck had Diarrhoea so we slid the door open as we went along held him out.

    Arriving in France I was sent on ten days leave to England. I had my wife's address and arriving there I was told by a little boy who answered the door, she was out shopping. I went down the street to meet her. She came along pushing a pram with a little one in, and another one walking. (She was looking after the children while their mother was in hospital.) We soon put the children in the care of their parents and we went down to Horley where my wife was renting a room.

    1918 July. The ten days were soon over and my wife bid me goodbye at Victoria Station. I found my way to the place I had left on arriving in France in time to join my unit following on the heels of the retiring Germans. One day we came under fire from a small wood beyond a field of tall grass on our left. Our lads dropped in the grass moving towards the enemy. Some had got wounded so, to get at them, we had to crawl through the long grass, get the chap on the stretcher and drag him back to a safe shelter. Our platoon sergeant nearly always made sure that there was means of making a brew-up when the opportunity came he had a bundle of sticks on the back of his pack; but when he was crawling through the long grass, all one could see was this bundle of kindling in unsteady progress.

    Some days after this we were in Wirvick (?) on the river Lys. Some of us took over a German Pill box. I was sitting down (on a bog seat) outside this place watching the shelling going on, when something hit me on the thigh, tearing my rumpled trousers to ribbons, but fortunately not breaking my leg. I got to the nearest Field Hospital and was there about a week. I volunteered to be a blood donor, which in those days gave the possibility of being sent to Blighty. Unfortunately, feeling fit again I went out for a stroll and while I was out they were calling for me. When I got back I was too late, so back I had to go to my duties. This was in October and by November 11th we were in Ellisaires in Belgium and the war was over. We made our way back towards the coast and home. We camped in some very old bell tents on the sand dunes near Calais. There were board floors and our bodies melted the frozen ground, so the boards and we lay in water. A supply of blankets arrived which had been lying in the open somewhere, in rolls of a dozen or so, so frozen solid like tree trunks. We peeled them off, one each, but I never had a cold. I was demobbed in February 1919.

    Now a few remembered incidents.

    Summer 1916. During a lull in activities, I climbed up on the parapet by the side of an old farm machine. The sun shone, a lark was singing overhead, tens of thousands of poppies were nodding in the breeze. I sat there for a few minutes, "viewing the landscape o'er", when CRACK! Ur…., I had been spotted by a sniper. He scored a near miss. Sitting across a pole, doing what was necessary, the words from a children's hymn sometimes came to mind: "Looking upward every day, sunshine on our faces", because one had to look up and listen in case one of Jerry's big coal scuttles had wafted in my direction from his "Minnen werfer".

    One night in Salonika we were shut up in our bivvy when I felt something scratching at my shirt collar-band. I woke Charlie Keen who struck a match and saw the tail end of a centipede disappearing down my neck. It itched and scratched its way down till it came out at my shirt tail and disappeared. It was 3 or 4 inches long and half an inch wide.

    In the three days before the start of Gen. Allenby's campaign in Palestine, we had to move gradually from our positions along the Whadi Ghuzzi, which in our case was about 20 miles from the Turkish line about Beersheba. While we were making about five miles at a time hiding during the day, a smart Alec at HQ sent down orders that we should put pieces of tin from our large biscuit supplies on our backs so that the reflection could be seen from the air in the bright moonlight. Unfortunately it also showed us up to Turkish marksmen out on patrol so more than one unlucky lad got one in his back while having a game of whist in the moonlight.

    In about September 1918 our company was making its way forward to take our turn pressing hard on the heels of the retiring Germans near Tourcoing. We were in single file with a lot of traffic going the same way. There was a hold-up as there were heavy shells falling around. As we stood anxiously waiting to move on, there was a roar and a thud. The ground shook and there a yard or so away was a clear round smoking hole. Fortunately the shell did not explode, or my name would have been added to those on the Menin Gate who have no known grave and whose bodies have been added to those who through the centuries have enriched the soil of France.

    Also: When Gen Allenby entered Jerusalem as "conqueror", he walked in beside his horse, attended by non-combatant troops, including George. George was "mentioned in despatches" twice.

    Colin Parker




    211108

    L/Cpl. John Lyons 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

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    John Lyons enlisted at Dewsbury on the 10th August 1914 with the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 20th November 1915 The Batley News reported the “quick return home” for Private John Lyons. The paper reported that he had been wounded in his left arm by shrapnel, at the foot of Hill 70, and was able to walk back to the clearing station, together with a Birstall man. On returning to England, 23 days after moving up to the front in September, he was being treated in a Warrington hospital.

    No.23539 Corporal John Lyons transferred (sometime prior to 15th October 1916) to the 7th Royal Irish Fusiliers. On 20th November 1917 he received a 16th (Irish Brigade) Division certificate from Major General Hickie for gallant conduct and devotion in the field. (Tunnel Trench, Bullecourt/Fontaine Les Croissilies).

    The fighting ended for Lance Corporal John Lyons (25) 24th March 1918 when he was shot through the front of the throat. The Bullet chipped the top of his spinal column before exiting the back of his neck. He was found wounded on the battlefield by the Germans and taken to a German Military Hospital in Stuttgart and when sufficiently recovered, he was exchanged with other invalid prisoners and returned to England. He was in a hospital in the south of England for quite a while convalescing. John was discharged on the 2nd April 1919 after serving 4 years 236 days, in consequence of being no longer physically fit for war service. John's discharge certificate gives his description as 5' 2 1/4'' tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes and fair hair.

    Shaun Camponi




    211107

    Pte. Stephen Dolman 1/6th Batallion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.19th Mar 1916)

    Born 1897 St Agnes, Bristol Stephen Dolman was the son of William and Mary Christina (nee Allen) and worked in the printing department at St Anns Board Mills. He is buried at Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps.

    I believe that Stephens's elder brother William also served with the Gloucestershire Regiment and was Killed in Action but paucity of records I cannot definitively prove this.

    Martyn




    211106

    Sjt. Ernest Arthur Machin 4th Battalion London Regiment

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    My Granddad, Ernest Machin was in the 4th Battalion of the London Fusiliers and during the first year of the war, took a bullet through his jaw. Fortunately, his wound was treated and he was subsequently returned to the battlefields in France with the rest of the BEF. He was later captured and held as a POW in Oppy Wood during 1918. He was moved from various holding camps, finally being held for 6 months in Germany. He worked in fields, toiling the land growing food for the Germans. After armistice was declared, the POW's were freed but had to walk hundreds of miles north to Ostend. They boarded a ship and returned to England. He eventually arrived home in January 1919 and on walking through the door of his home, found his fiancee having tea with his parents. I have been unable to track down Ernests' Military service records, which would include medical and personal details.

    Jan Peacock




    211102

    L/Sgt. Ernest William Andrews Machine Gun Corps

    My Grandfather, Ernest William Andrews, was a Lance Sargent-Light horseman/Farrier who was a rough rider with the City of London Yeomanry 1914-1916. I am trying to find out information about him as I believe his serving records were destroyed in a fire. He was born 26th Feb 1896 and died 10th Feb 1955 and lived at Rose Cottage, Totteridge. His only son and my father, Robert Andrews, now 86 is living in Australia and would like to find out more details if somebody could help.

    Graham Andrews




    211101

    Pte. Thomas Clack Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry (d.13th Apr 1917)

    Thomas Clack was killed on the 13 April 1917. He had a son Albert who also fought in the WW1, he was taken prisoner and survived.

    Tony Robey




    211098

    Sgt. William Lovell 2nd Battalion Duke of Cambridgeshires Own Middlesex Regiment (d.25th Mar 1918)

    William Lovell joined the Army as a regular soldier at Mill Hill on 2nd April 1914. He had been apprenticed from school as a Boiler Riveter on Scrubs Lane, West London and was a Fitters Mate when he joined up. His papers said he was joining up "to better himself". He was with his unit in Malta when war broke out and arrived back in Southampton on 25th September 1914. After a brief spell at Hursely Park he sailed to Le Havre with 23rd Brigade, 8th Division to reinforce the BEF. He rose through the ranks despite being busted a couple of times for being late on parade whilst back in England at Bridgewood Camp, Rochester in 1916. He was on almost continuous active service throughout WW1.

    His parents received messages regarding two of their sons in the same week. William and his brother both went missing in March 1918. William's brother Henry (My Grandfather) subsequently turned up, he had been taken POW. Sadly however, William was Killed in Action on 25 March 1918. He had just turned 21 years old. He is commemorated at Assevillers New British Cemetery. I wish I could have known him he sounds quite a character from his records. We are so grateful for what he endured and the sacrifices he made. RIP William

    Sandra Raine




    211091

    Tpr. Stanley Brookes Hunt King Edward's Horse

    My grandfather was Stanley Brookes Hunt 1898-1955, my Dad has a spoon engraved with Trooper S B Hunt 2KEH think it had marksman on. Grandad died just after I was born in 1955, he never spoke much about his WW1 service. We believed he was injured and also went to Ireland where he was the only soldier to come out of a hospital ward alive. We haven't found his medal card or any records so far. Dad doesn't have any medals.

    Alison Smith




    211088

    Pte. Reginald G. Jopling 9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (d.5th Nov 1916)

    My Great Uncle, Reginald Jopling was missing presumed killed after the assault on Butte de Warlencourt, 5th November 1916. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. I wish I knew more.

    Geoff English




    211084

    L/Cpl. Ralph Musgrave 10th Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.1915)

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    Ralph Musgrave was my Grandmother's Uncle, born in Sunderland but living in Edinburgh by 1915. A newspaper cutting amongst her effects shows this photo. That's all I know and it would be nice to better remember him. Wondering if anyone has any further information?

    Dot Tose




    211078

    Pte. Idris Howells 17th Battalion "B" Coy Welsh Regiment

    Last year, I was lucky enough to discover seven letters on the internet dated from 21 January 1915 - Sept 1915 written by my grandfather, Idris Howells. He was writing to his wife and child in the Rhondda while training around Llandudno and Colwyn Bay before moving on to Prees Heath and later to Aldershot, in preparation to go to The Front. These letters had never been known to me before and it was quite by chance that I 'googled' him one Sunday morning and discovered that someone was trying to link them up with their long lost family. The letters must have been amongst the house clearance from the family home in the Rhondda in 1978 after my spinster aunt died (the 'child' mentioned in the letters). My father never mentioned that his father had been in the First World War and when I was young, I never thought to ask. I wonder if he even knew. We used to have holidays in Llandudno and would walk all around the Gt Orme and see all the shows at Happy Valley in the 1960s (both landmarks are mentioned in his letters) where Idris did his 12 mile route bashing. Although the letters reveal a very interesting look at the day to day life in the billet houses of Rhos and the barracks at Prees Heath from a WW1 historian's viewpoint, the most precious aspect for me is a special insight into his character by reading what he says, and how he says it. It's just like I have met him. He died in 1945 and so I never knew him. I can only say how thrilled I was that a complete stranger, who is very kind, took the trouble to post a note on the internet and then post them to me. It just goes to show how valuable personal documents and items are, and that they must be preserved and passed on, even if you don't want them yourself.

    MJ Meadway




    211076

    Pte. John Joseph O'Hare 2nd Battalion, 4th company Irish Guards

    Pre war Joseph O'Hare worked in P.J.Carrol & Co.Ltd, tobacco, snuff and cigarette manufacturers in Dundalk, Ireland. He served with the Irish Guards, 4th company 2nd Battalion and was wounded in action at the Battle of Loos, hospitalised in England about September time 1915

    Oran Hunter




    211075

    Cpl. Frank Edward Lee Royal Field Artillery

    Frank Edward Lee was born in Borrodaile Road, Wandsworth, London on 3rd November 1890. His dad died 6 weeks after his birth and he lived with his mother Susan and brother Christopher until joining the army in Aldershot in 1908.

    As a member of the Royal Field Artillery he was part of the British Expeditionary Force that entered France in 1914. I can find no records of his war service though I suppose to survive 4 years at the front was miraculous in itself. He remained in the Army after the Armistice and was posted to Athlone Barracks in Co Westmeath, Ireland. On demobilisation in 1921 he continued to live in Athlone, Ireland until 1941 when family circumstances saw him move to Limerick City.

    He never spoke of his time on the front and died in Limerick in 1970. He is buried in Cornamagh Cemetery in Athlone with his wife Emma Maud whom he married on November 25th 1915 while on a break from the front.

    George Lee




    211074

    L/Cpl. Herbert Othneil Slaughter 5th Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Herbert Slaughter was born in Bedminster Bristol in 1896, son of Richard and Jane Elizabeth (nee Dando) Slaughter. He signed up in 1915, was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916 and is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial.

    Martyn Rundle




    211069

    Pte. Andrew Miller Taylor 5th Btn. Cameron Highlanders

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    My Grandfather, Andrew Miller Taylor, survived the Great War but sadly died before I was born. I knew he was in the first world war as I have photos of him in his uniform, however I never heard tales of his exploits. I recently came upon his war record and was saddened to learn that he was shot in the head in France, returned home to re-couperate, then was sent again to France where he was shot again, this time badly enough to have him discharged being "no longer physically fit for active duty" I realise now that the medal he was wearing on his wedding day in 1918 was his Silver War Badge. I wish his medals had survived, as we are all so proud of him.

    Colin Taylor




    211068

    Sgt Thomas Walsh DCM. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    Thomas Walsh was my great Grandfather. He was awarded the DCM for srvice while attached to a trench mortar battery. Story goes he shot a German sniper, however, his citation does not mention any details. He died in 1972 and I have three of his original war medals (including his DCM), plus a replacement medal for one which has been lost over time, although it may have gone to his son John. I am trying to find information about him.

    Tony Williams




    211064

    Pte. Joseph Cecil Warren 3rd Battn Kings Own Scottish Borderers

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    Joseph Warren's war record shows he was with the BEF, being sent to France 15.6.1916. He was wounded 29.9.1915 and sent to Lord Derby Hospital Warrington. Joseph returned to the front and was again wounded (gassed) on the 28th of June 1916 and evacuated from France via Etaples (Le Torquet) via 24th General Hospital on the 1st of July 1916.

    David Harvey




    211063

    Rfn. Thomas Henry Cole 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Oct1917)

    Thomas Cole was my Grandfather, his son,(my father) was born in 1915 and never met him. I have his cherished great war plaque on permanent display and hope to visit his grave in Bard Cottage Cemetery this year. From my research it seems he was at the Polygon Wood battle and died on the last day of this particular conflict.

    Bernard Cole




    211061

    Cpl. Reginald Simpson Notts and Derby Regiment

    <p>

    Reginald Simpson served with the Sherwood Forresters and the Machine Gun Corps.

    Janet Simpson




    211059

    Pte. James Routledge Preston 13th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th May 1916)

    James R. Preston was a son of Hornsea, East Yorkshire, England. He was born 1880 or 1881. He voluntered to go to war December 1914 aged 34. He was a widower with 3 children, we believe two girls and a boy. He died in France, we believe on the Somme on 25th May 1916.

    His children were brought up by his sister Sarah. We have found out he has a grave within the Sucrerie Cemetery in France. We wonder why he voluntered at the age he was, having 3 children with no mother. He is my partner's great grandad and every year we go to Hornsea on Rememberance Sunday where my partner leaves his Poppy at the Memorial Garden. I think one day he would like to go to France to see his great grandad's grave.

    My mother has told me that her father voluntered to go to fight in the great war aged 17 (he lied about his age). She says he went to Selonika and he rode horses. Of course he lived and went on to marry my Grandma and have 6 children. I have been told he was Mustard gassed and had problems with his chest all his life, dying in his late 50s or early 60s.

    We remember them even though we never knew them, we're pretty sure they would be unaware of what was to come or of their fate would be. The very least we can do is honour them and never forget them.

    Kim Pomone




    211058

    Spr. Arthur Warnford "Joe" Payne Royal Engineers

    <p>

    My grand father Joe Payne, enlisted 16.6.15, his occupation on his army papers is Post Office Telegraph he had joined the Post Office aged 14 in 1911 i think he was in a reserved occupation being a telephone engineer and the reason for his later enlistment. He joined the R.E as a telegraphist and seems to be based in Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire. He enlists at Fenny Stratford (Blechley), the post card with him and horse says its sent from 26 Pennywinkle Lane, Hitchin, he ends up in Bedford Military Hospital and is discharged from Dunstable Signals Depot. Enlisted for only 265 days, he spoke to me about being trained to ride a horse and night time exercises, the horses had been trained not to step on fallen bodies, so that if they went over a tussock they'd jump a little, the unwary, tired rider could soon find themself unseated. They had an ex fire horse in there troop that would break into a gallop at the slightest sound of a bell.

    He spoke about being camped in tents in a Park, which one I do not know, but its possibly where the group photo was taken. They had to take hundreds of mules from there to ferries on the south coast, possibly Southampton, and from there to Boulogne, the only time he'd ever been abroad was the few hours he stood on the docks before the mules were unloaded and they had to return. He described this as "being just like cowboys" and I think one of the most enjoyable experiences for him. I did have a picture of him on an early triumph motorcycle all muffled up and in uniform but alas this has gone missing. He said that the army dentist took his top set out one week and the bottom the next!

    In November 1915 a plane went over the park and spooked hundreds of mules into a stampede, they were tethered together charging in roped lines. he said that he shouted to a friend to jump the ropes, the first two he managed and then he decided to try and get on the back of a mule, thats the last he remembered before waking up in an open hospital with ice on his blanket from his breath. He remembered my Aunt coming to look after him? Was that possible? And the other patients in this open hospital being gas casualties. His 'medical report on an invalid' says In 'November 1915 he was kicked on the top of his head by a mule, and since that date he has had continual discharge from his ears. He was discharged 16.03.16 for 'Chronic inflamation of middle ear.' Although hard of hearing and eventually deaf in one ear our family has a lot to thank that mule for. He went on to marry Florence Cull, they had one daughter my mother and my son Joe continues the family name.

    Fergus Durrant




    211054

    L/Cpl. Arthur Wanley 5th Battallion Durham Light Infantry (d.20 May 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Wanley was my grandmother's brother. He served with 5th Batallion of Durham Light Infantry. They were involved in the Battle of Arras at the time of his death in May 1917. He is buried at the military cemetery at Mont Houn, Le Treport, France. It would seem that he was taken there due to injuries received as Le Treport had approximately 5 major hospital units at the time and is a distance away from Arras.

    Paul Heal




    211050

    Pte Samuel Stewart 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.16 May 1915)

    Samuel Stewart enlisted in Belfast and served with Inniskiling Fusiliers despite the fact he was born in Barrow-in-Furness (ship building links?). His father was born in Ireland around 1865 and married Mary Hewetson from Dalton near Barrow-in-Furness. Sadly, Samuel does not appear on the Barrow-in-Furness Cenotaph but he is listed in Soldiers Died in the Great War and Ireland Casulties of WW1 1914-1918. Samuel was killed in action at the Battle of Festubert on 16 May 1915 serving with the 2nd Battalion.

    Barry Riley




    211049

    Pte Frank Rastall 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (d.19 Oct 1918)

    Frank Rastall was the youngest son of Elisha and Harriett Rastall, born in Broadway in 1890.

    Debbie Williamson




    211046

    Pte. Harry Lloyd 1/5th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    Harry Lloyd was wounded at Cambrai in November 1917 after going right through the war until then. He was a pioneer with 1/5th Cheshire Regiment. We have a copy of his regiment's war record with roll of honour in the back. It is very precious to us. He has written in the margins. It has trench maps and he marked were he was wounded. He was hit by shell fragments and coughed up a lump of shrapnel years later - I still have it in a glass phial. The three men with him were all killed. He lay in a trench left for dead until a retreating officer used him as a duckboard and he groaned out loud. He was picked up and run with, he was still holding a bacon sandwich in his hand the tendons were severed and his fist was clenched around it. He arrived back in Blighty on Christmas Eve and spent months in hospital before he recovered. The war was over by the time he did. He was my Grandad and my hero

    Meg Goodrick




    211043

    Sgt. John William "Nobby" Clark The Queen's 22nd London Regiment

    My Grandfather, John William Clark (born 1892 in Whitechapel, London)joined the Territorial Force at 6 Tredegar Road in 1909. He attended annual training camps at Sittingbourne, Shornecliffe and Aldershot. He worked as a printer for Pearce Mollison in Leadenhall Street, London. In June 1913 he was serving in the 22nd Battalion (Queen's) London Regiment. He was promoted to Sargeant in September 1914 at St Albans before leaving for France. In August 1919 he was demobbed and was awarded three medals, Victory, British War and Star. Very occasionally he would mention places in Belgium where he had fought, Ypres (which he called Wipers) and Vimy Ridge. He kept in touch and visited friends he had made in Belgium for many years. In WW2 he was at RAF Thong Lane, Gravesend in Kent, probably as a volunteer but I don't know what he would have done as he was about 47 years old by then.

    Bernadette Jenkins




    211037

    Pte. Edward Albert "Lucky" Grubb 21st London Regiment

    <p>

    Edward Grubb served with the 21st London Regiment.

    Steven Grubb




    211035

    L/Cpl. William James Horsman 2nd Btn. ÃÆ??Ã?Ã? A Coy. Middlesex Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather William Horsman was drafted into the 2nd Middlesex Battalion and was in the 3rd Battle of Yrpes where he was killed on the first day 31st July 1917 at Pilckem Ridge Ypres. He is remembered on the Ypres, (Menin Gate) Memorial. He was 38 when he died, leaving his wife & children behind in Romford.

    Howard Horsman




    211033

    Pte. Frederick John Thomas Slater 1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    My Grandfather on my father’s side, Frederick John Thomas Slater, was born at Eastney Barracks, Portsmouth on 20th July 1884. His father, John Slater, was a gunner with the Royal Marine Artillery. On 24th Sept 1915, he joined the Army as a private with the 1st Btn. King’s Own Scottish Borderers; his first posting was to the Balkans. Later, I believe he served in France, (area unknown), and was wounded, losing his left leg below the knee, due to shell-fire. He then lay out on no-man’s land for three days before being taken prisoner by the Germans. He was taken to German medical facilities, and operated on a total of three times due to gangrene infection. Eventually, he recovered, and remained a prisoner of war until the end of WW1.

    The following statement is an account of Freds time spent as a prisoner of war with the Germans, Catalogue Reference: WO/161/100/455. This was given to a solicitor on his repatriation to England. It details his treatment after losing his leg and the time spent at Furstenfeldbruck Hospital as part of the Lechfeld POW Camp.

    No. 2546.

    Name, Rank, No. and Regiment: Slater, Frederick John Thomas, Private, No. 21062. 1st KO. Scottish Borderers.

    Home Address: 20, Newcastle Place, Brumley, Yorks.

    Place and Date of Capture: Estaires, 13th April 1918.

    Nature of Wound. if any: Left leg removed by shell. I am 38 years of age. I joined the army in June 1915. In civil life I was a joiner. On the 10th April 1918 I was at Estaires. I received a bullet wound in my leg in the morning, but it was not very serious, and I was able to get about. In the afternoon of that day a bursting shell took off my leg above the knee. I lay without receiving any attention until the 13th April 1918. On the morning of that day I Was found by the Germans. I was taken to an advanced dressing station, where the stump of my leg was amputated. I had a local amesthetic—a kind of freezing stuff. I did not lose consciousness, but I did not suffer any pain. I think the amputation was properly done. A few days after the amputation I was taken by motor ambulance to the hospital at Lille.

    Lille Hospital. April 15—May 15, 1918: The hospital at Lille was under. two German doctors. One was decent, the other was rough and used to remove bullets and pieces of shrapnel without giving ame.'thetics. A few days after I arrived an English doctor who had been taken prisoner was brought in, and after that he looked after the English prisoners. The attendants were English R.A.M.C. prisoners with the help of some French women and occasionally two German women. They were changed about a good deaL They did all they could for us and I have nothing to complain of. The French women brought their own towels and soap to wash us. The bedelothing was dirty and verminous. The food consisted of the usual bread ration (about 6 oz.) and macaroni soup, with coffee in the morning. It was fairly good, but. I could not eat very much then. We were not registered. We were told we could write letters and I did write, but the letters were never delivered and I do not think they were dispatched.

    Journey. May 15-19, 1918: On the 15th May 1918 I was taken with a number of other prisoners to Furstenfeldbruck. The journey took about 31 days. We were taken in a Red Cross train. We were well looked after on the journey and provided with food. At the frontier station between Belgium and Germany, some nurses met the train and dressed the wounds of some of the prisoners while the train was waiting.

    Furstenfeldbruck Hospital. May 19—Sept. 12, 1918: At Furstenfeldbruck we were taken direct to the hospital. This. hospital is attached to the prison camp at Lechfeld, which is about three hours' journey by train from Fiirstenfeldbruck. I stayed at the hospital all the time and never visited the camp at Lechfeld, so I know practically nothing about the camp. I heard that their food at the camp was the same as ours at the hospital, but as the prisoners in the camp got parcels they were better off. A corporal from the camp who came one day to the hospital said we had better make haste and get well so that we could be transferred to the camp.

    The food at the hospital was poor. At 7 a.m. we had some coffee and our bread ration for the day (a tiny loaf weighing nut more than 31: oz. I should think). At 11.30 we had some vegetable soup. This varied a good deal. Sometimes it was like barley water, sometimes it was full of sediment like sand, quid sometimes it was thick and full of spots and looked like frog-spawn. At 2 o'clock we had some more coffee and at 5.30 some boiled vegetables—cabbage, mangolds or potatoes. The potatoes were often diseased. I never had any parcels except three emergency parcels which were sent through the British committee at the camp, two in July and one in September. just. before I left. Two British officers in the hospital wrote to the camp several times or we should not have got these parcels. I have been told that parcels were sent out to me. but I never received them. I never received any letters. We were allowed to write two letter-cards and two postcards each month. No cards were supplied to us by the hospital authorities. We had to buy them from the French prisoners, and those who had no money to buy cards could not write home. I should think there were between 400 and 500 prisoners in all at Fiirstenfeldbruck. About 80 of these were British. The remainder were of various nationalities—Russian. French, Italian, Roumanian. There were 31 men in a hut. and men of different nationalities were not kept. separate. I never observed any difference in the way prisoners of different nationalities were treated. The French prisoners had parcels and biscuits supplied to them regularly. They had a store from which a ration of biscuits was issued to each new French prisoner on his entering the hospital. I do not know why no provision is made for British prisoners. I suppose the French organisation is better. The Italian prisoners had the easiest time on the whole. They used to get jobs in the kitchen, helping the cooks. I only saw one American prisoner. He was brought in two or three days before I left. lie was treated just like the others. A doctor from Switzerland visited the hospital shortly before I left. He came on behalf of the French Government and spent his time chiefly with the French prisoners. An English officer (Lieut. Gibson) complained to him of the food. The doctor said that complaints by English prisoners were really outside his province, but he would make a note of it. If anything the food got rather worse after this. There were four doctors at the camp—all Germans. I have no complaint to make of them. They treated us with respect and kindness. One of these doctors bad charge of all the operations. We were told that the supply of chloroform was very short. The sentries were oldish men—mostly men who had been hi the army since 1914 and had been released for guard duty. We had no trouble with them. The orderlies in the huts were boys of 18. They used to shove the men about sometimes. but it was only larking. There was no ill treatment. There were no recreations for the prisoners to my knowledge, and no library. There were services fm. Roman Catholic prisoners tone of the Italian prisoners was a priest), and one Sunday a Church of Englund service was conducted by a Captain Gibson who was a prisoner. One day a Church of England elerayman (who was formerly in charge of an English chaplaincy in Germany) came to the hospital and conducted service. I do not know his name. There were no epidemics at the hospital while I was there. The sanitation was good and the bedding• was very clean. If a man was put in a wrong ward by mistake, clean bedding was supplied on his removal. even if he had only occupied the bed for half an hour or so. We had two blankets and a coverlet, but we felt the cold considerably. There were very few punishments inflicted. If a prisoner swore at a German N.C.O., or made himself troublesome. he wits put in the bathroom at the end of the ward for 24 hours or more 'on brteld and water diet. This did not happen often. and the longest period of confinement was three days. The clothing supplied to prisoners was very thin, something like apron cloth or rough shirting. The socks and shirts were very thin and ragged. There was no warmth in them.

    Journey. Sept. 12-15 1918: When 1 had been recommended for exchange, I was taken to Aachen by an ordinary train. It was a three dpys' journey. There was not much food on the journey. We had a big loaf given to us on starting, and a meal of macaroni once while on the way.

    Aachen. Sept. 1918: The Board of Inspection at Aachen seemed to be entirely composed of Prussian doctors. They were all in German uniform. They passed me without difficulty, but many very had eases were turned back. I was able to get about on crutches before I reached Aachen. I think it was about a mouth before that I left my bed. The amputation wound had healed long before, but I was suffering from abscesses and diarrinea, probably due to the food.

    Opinion of Examiner: The witness wag examined by me at the First London General Hospital on the 26th September 1918. He appeared to me to be an intelligent and truthful witness. He seemed disposed to treat his hardships as the fortune of war, but to be much concerned at the numbers of men returned from Aachen to their camps after being recommended for repatriation.

    Herbert James Wady, Solicitor. 63, Queen Victoria Street, London, 27th September 1918.

    After leaving the army, he lived with my Grandmother at a number of places, but in later years he lived in Bramley, Leeds, and then moved to Bedale in north Yorkshire, and from there, a few miles down the road to Snape. Granddad was a tall man, over six foot, and although he was on crutches, he could easily outpace my sister and me when we were children. In the last few years of his life, he lived at Marske in the north of England, where he passed away in 1970 aged 86. I can find no further information on his army career, as his records may be among those lost due to bombing during WW11.

    Derek Slater




    211027

    Pte. Percy Smallpage 2/6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.8th May 1917)

    Does anybody have any information on Percy Smallpage who was killed in action? I have conflicting dates for his death (depending on which website I look at) so I am looking if anyone has any more information.

    Sylvia Wallace




    211026

    Pte Thomas Mates 21st Battalion Tyne side Scottish Northumberland Fusilliers (d.17th October 1917)

    Private Thomas Mates died on 17th October 1917 and is buried at Cement House Cemetery Langemark-Poelkapelle, Belgium

    Carol Ford




    211025

    Gnr Edward Alexander Munroe Campbell 1st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Edward A. M. Campbell Gnr 54070, was my Great Uncle. He enlisted 25 Nov 1914 at Oldham at the age of 21. He was posted to the 1st Siege Battery, RGA 22 May 1915. Dec 1915 he was posted to the 123rd Siege Battery, 41st Brigade, RGA where he served the rest of the was. He spent a total of 3 yrs. 287 days assigned to the B.E.F. in France. He was discharged 6 May 1919. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the WW1 Victory Medal.

    Paul M. Blank




    211024

    Pte. Frederick Ewart Dyer 15th Btn. London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Frederick Ewart Dyer was my uncle. He was born in Derby and was educated at Bemrose School. On leaving school he secured a scholarship to attend Cambridge University. However, before this could come about he decided to enlist in the army. Sadly he was not to return. The family know nothing of how or where he was killed, only that he is interred in the Chambieres National Cemetery in Metz. Any additional information would be appreciated.

    Geoff Bowley




    211020

    George Galbraith Moffatt New York City Irish Fusilers

    My father, George Galbraith Moffatt the III, was named after his Uncle, George Galbraith Moffatt II. He died in France during WWI. What little I have from family history is, he came to visit family in the USA (he was from Ireland) and was recruited by the New York City Irish Fusiliers. He was 19 or 20 years of age when he was killed in action in France. He was never married nor had any children. His parents were Alfred Moffatt (from Ireland moved to New Jersey, USA) and his mother was Grace Lorana Howlett.

    Kathleen Bevin




    211018

    William Robert Meek Durham Light Infantry

    William Robert Meek was born in 1896. He went to war and it took him 3 tries to get in, twice his Dad went and got him out, the 3rd time his Dad said let him go. He became a prisoner of war, and he had been wounded. When I asked where he had been wounded his reply was, in the bottom. I asked, how was he wounded in that area, his reply was, like all the others I were running away.

    Olwyn




    211016

    Pte Alfred Coates VC 8th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Oct 1918)

    Alfred Coates was born in 1888 in Chester le Street. He enlisted in the army at the age of almost 26 years on 15th September 1914. He was a Private in the 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was killed in action on 2nd October 1918 and is buried at the Glageon Cemetery. He was the brother of my Great Grandfather and therefore, my Great Uncle.

    Andrea Unsworth




    211012

    Pte William David Nash C Company Border Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    My uncle, William David Nash, enlisted on 6th October 1914 aged 19 years 4 months. He was in the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment. Although a Yorkshire lad, he was working at Orton Hall in Cumbria as a groom or footman and so he enlisted at Kendal. His father had been a groom and carter at Kiplin Hall in Yorkshire, so in his choice of job William was following in his father's footsteps. He died on 1st July 1916 during an advance on the Leipzig Redoubt from Authuille Wood. The Battalion lost 516 men that day. He is buried in the Lonsdale Cemetery at Authuille, grave ref 1.C.18. He was very much mourned by his (much younger) sister Agnes - my mother.

    Liz Cooke




    211010

    Cpl. Louis Pettitt 13 Btn. Duke of Cambridge's Own (d.20 July 1918)

    I never knew my grand father, Louis Pettitt but have recently been presented with his medals and 'Death Penny'. From his Regimental number I have discovered that he is buried at Bully-Grenay, France and will be paying my respects to a visit there in July 2014

    Kevin Pettitt




    211008

    Pte. Alfred Bradley MM 54th Company Machine Gun Corps(Infantry) (d.6th June 1917)

    Son of Thomas and Eva Emma Bradley. Buried in grave 1.C.13 in St Martin Calvaire British Cemetery, in the Pas De Calais area.

    His brother James, served with Kings Own Scottish Borderers 1/5 Bn and was killed in Egypt on 04/08/1916. Their mother, my maternal Great Grandmother, Eva, had died in 1913, so was unaware of the loss of two sons. My Grandfather, Thomas Bradley, Alfred and James's brother was exempted from service due to their deaths. My mother, nee Beryl Bradley, their niece, was delighted to have visited Alfred' grave prior to her death. The Military Medal, won by Alfred, was given to one of his older sisters, Ada, but has not been located since.

    Kevin O'Hara




    211005

    Robert Henry Burch 13th Bn Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    While working on my wife's family tree I came across a Christmas greeting from "Bob" that was among the photos and letters in my wife's grandmother's records. The card was from the "13th Bn. The Rifle Brigade B.E.F." and had the logo of the Rifle Brigade on the face of the card. I believe it is from her brother, Robert Henry Burch.

    Jerome G Schneider




    211001

    Pte. Arthur Scarle Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Arthur Scarle was my Grandfather. Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about his service years. As far as his grand children were concerned, he never spoke of his time in the war except to say that, "It was not for the ears of children". He didn't die in service, in fact he made it through active service in both wars and died peacefully in his sleep at the grand age of 86 in the late 1970's. After the passing of my own parents I came into possession of his service medals and this is the only way I got to know his rank, number and regiment whilst serving during World war I. All I can tell you is that despite the horrors he must have encountered, he was a fine man and much loved by all.

    David Lewis




    210997

    Pte. Ralph Wile 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Ralph Wile was one of the victims of the Somme, only 19 when he died. He has no known grave, and is listed on the Theipval Memorial under the surname Wyle. Still remembered by his family.

    The Barlows




    210994

    Gunner John Edward Anderson 34th Brigade, C Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Apr 1917)

    John Anderson was an American citizen from Pensylvania. He came over with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and married Mary Ann Darby. I have a photo of him and his unit but family do not know much about him and how he died.

    Henrik Laidlow-Petersen




    210993

    L/Cpl William "Tot" Carr MM. 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northunberland Fusiliers

    William Carr, my great grandad, born 1880 a miner who enlisted in the 4th Tyneside Scottish on the 30 Nov. or 1st Dec. 1914 at the age of 39. Survived the first day of the Somme. As a lance corporal he won the Military Medal on the 30th Sept 1916 for his part in a trench raid, this is outlined on P.127 of Stewart/Sheen Tyneside Scottish book. He was gazetted 9th Dec. 1916 while serving with the 28th Reserve Batt.

    As a corporal he was transferred to class P of the Reserve, demoted to private. At this time he was entitled to wear 2 blue chevrons and one gold braid. He had a gunshot wound to left leg. On 3/2/19 he was discharged from the army as being surplus to military requirements papr 392 (xvia) KR. He had served 3 years and 307 days with the colours and 124 days with the P reserve.

    I do not know a great deal more about his service. In the only surviving photo he is in full pipers uniform. Stories have come down through the family that he got the nick name 'Tot' as he would go out into no man's land and bring in the wounded for a tot of rum. However, this could refer to another member of the family.

    Dean Lowther




    210989

    Lt.Col. Charles Christopher Grattan-Bellew MC,MID 3rd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    On the 27th Feb 1908, Sir Charles Christopher Grattan-Bellew, cadet of the Royal Military Collage Sandhurst, was granted a commission as second Lieutenant in the 3rd battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps based in Crete. The 3rd soon moved to Malta in 1909 and then onto Daghsa in India. Followlng Sir Charles promotion to Lieutenant he was seconded to the Colonial Office on the 21st June 1911,employed as an officer with the Gold Coast Regiment ,this was a popular secondment with officers of the KRRC looking for action. On the 31st July 1914 the British Colonial Administration in Accra mobilised it's military forces entering Tongoland from the Gold Coast,where on the & August a German led Police force opened fire on the British troops,who returned fire with the first shots of the first world war.By the 26th August Tongoland surrendered. Sir Charles stayed with the force until his promotion on the 30th April 1915,then he returned to the KRRC as a casualty replacement in France. Now with the 4th Battalion 80th Brigade,in the 27th division,taking part in the second battle of Yepes.On the 19 November the division sailed from Marcelle to Solonica, to make up a Franco-British force.Sir Charles served with the 4th until the 1st October 1916 were he was appointed a General Staff Officer 3rd class.On the 29th March 1917, Sir Charles is mentioned in despatches by Lt General G F Milne,ironically 5 days after his brother, Major William Grattan-Bellew Royal Flying Corps was Killed. By the 14 August 1917 Sir Charles was promoted to Brigade Major,and on the 25th Feb awarded the Military Cross, for Distinguished Military Service during operations in Solonica.On the 3rd June he was promoted to Brevet Major in recognition of distinguished service. In December Sir Charles rejoined the 4th in Belgium,and by the 23rd April 1921, now serving with the 1st battalion he gained his last promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. During WW2 Sir Charles was recalled to service and commanded troop ships for the entire war.On the 5th Feb Sir Charles ceased to belong to the Reserve of Officers,so ending a long and distinguished career.

    Nicholas.W.L.Hindle




    210988

    Pte. Harvey William "Henry" Marshall 78th Company Machine Gun Corps (d.11th Dec 1918)

    Harvey Marshall is listed on Roll of Honour in Holy Trinity Church, Bracknell. He was born in 1893 and had worked as a wagoner at a local farm before volunteering for service. He is nuried in Sofia War Cemetery

    Andrew Radgick




    210986

    Lt. George Alfred Peacock 18th Batalion Northumberland Fusillers

    My father, George Peacock joined the Northumberland Fusilliers as sapper and rose to Corporal. He served in Area 1 of France until being returned to the UK and sent to attend officer training school. He rose from corporal to lt and was transferred to the RFC as a flying officer until the war ended when he was returned to the Fusillers and demobed.

    G A Peacock




    210975

    Pte. Robert Goldie 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.19th Jan 1915)

    <p>

    Robert Goldie was the 2nd oldest son of Hugh and Grace Goldie.He was born in Liverpool, England as his father Hugh( my great grandfather)was a professional footballer at Everton FC at the time. Hugh was later transferred to Celtic FC and as a result the family moved back home to Hurlford near Kilmarnock, Scotland.

    Young Robert was a member of the local BB in Hurlford and was a budding footballer and was playing reserve team football with Kilmarnock FC at the age of 17yrs when WW1 broke out. Robert, who was also an apprentice engineer at a local factory in Kilmarnock pestered his parents over several weeks in an attempt to allow him to join up, despite being only 17yrs. They eventually relented and he joined the 8th battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders in October of 1914. In November he was transferred to Aldershot, England for further training. It was at this point during Bayonet training that he was injured and sustained a very serious stab wound which turned poisonous and on the 19th Jan 1915, Robert died of blood poisoning in the Cambridge Military Hospital in Aldershot. He was just 17yrs of age and the first casualty of the War in the Town Robert was brought home to his family and given a full military funeral with pipes and drums as well as a Full Military Escort to the Kilmarnock Cemetery which was 3 miles from his home. The whole route was lined several persons deep. His name is now engraved on the local War Memorial in Hurlford.

    John Stewart




    210973

    Pte. Harry Perry 5th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>

    Harry Perry was my 92 year old Grandmothers father. He served in the Boer war then enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in WW1. We understand he may have been involved in the sinking of the HMHS, or HMT Donegal off the Southampton coast on the 17th of April 1917, by a German U boat UC21. He survived, but some of his mates didn't. He was a bit naughty and was docked varying amounts of pay on consecutive years from 1915 to 1918 for overstaying his pass on Tattoos held in Southampton and Cowes.

    My Nan knows nothing of her family history as they all passed away when she was young. We have sisters and brothers names but nothing for her grandparents. I'm hoping to find a bit more about great granddad Harry. Any help whatsoever would be awesome.

    Jonathon Cooper




    210968

    Pte. Frederick Charles "Fred" Drew 11th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.16 August 1917)

    Frederick Charles Drew was born at Morchard Bishop in Devon in Q3 1892. By 1911 he was a butcher's assistant to his uncle at Worle, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. He enlisted into the Somerset Light Infantry at Taunton (date unknown) as a private, no 26403. At an unknown date he was transferred to the 11th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusilers (reg no 40551)and was killed in action on 16 August 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 70-72 at the Tyne Cott Memorial and on the parish War Memorial at Morchard Bishop

    Bob Patten




    210961

    Pte. William Allen 8th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.9th Sep 1916)

    William Allen was living in Boston, USA at the outbreak of the war. He went home to enlist. He died in the Battle of Ginchy. His body was never recovered. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial. His two brothers went to Canada and enlisted there.

    David Allen




    210956

    Pte. William Edward Trimmer 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.6th February 1915)

    My Great Uncle, William Trimmer, joined the Army on 2nd September 1914 aged 30.He was posted to his training unit on 4th September 1914 being posted to France on 27th December 1914 being deployed to the front line south of Laventie in January 1915.

    He was wounded in late January 1915 to early February 1915. Private William Edward Trimmer died of wounds in the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps hospital, Wimereux, France which is a small town situated about 5 kilometres north of Boulogne. He is buried in the Wimereux Communal Cemetery

    John Weatherall




    210954

    Cpl. Harry Moulton 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.19th Feb 1916)

    <p>Unveiling the War Memorial in Barley

    Harry Moulton was Barley’s young Butcher who ran his butchers shop with his sister at the top of the High St where Richmond’s Garage now is. Harry enlisted in Royston, he was seconded to the 8th Battalion the Norfolk Regiment. Promoted to Corporal, he died in Flanders, 19th February 1916.

    Chris Allan




    210944

    Pte. Jack Jones Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th Oct 1918)

    Jack Jones is buried at Etaples Military Cemetry, Pas de Calais, France.





    210942

    Pte. Mark Ellwood Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>

    Mark Ellwood lied about his age in order to join up and go to war, he had not quite reached his 17th birthday. I have not yet found a lot of detail on his service but know from relatives that he was gassed, his lungs alway having problems since. Apparently when he returned home her was quite nervous and had shrapnel injuries.

    Jo Faulkner




    210940

    Pte. J. Kemp Gretton 18th Btn, A Coy. Cheshire Regiment

    My grandfather Kemp Gretton served with 3 platoon, number 2 section, A coy. 18th Welsh Regiment. I would like to find out where he served in France.





    210938

    Pte. Wiliam James Clawson 12th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

    <p>

    William Clawson is my great grandfather, he served and was wounded in the Great War at Flanders. He has the 3 campaign medals of that time. V.M, W.M and the 1915 star.

    When the 2nd War approached being too old to re-enlist he joined the Merchant Navy and was a stoker in the engine room. His ship the SS Caleb Sprague was torpedoed and sunk in the English channel by German E boats. His ship was one of three to go down that night. The torpedo hit the engine room according to a survivor's account and out of 32 crew only 5 survived.

    Im very proud of this history and the great sacrifice my family made including my great uncle Merchant Seaman Henry Clawson who died in 1940 when the SS Privet sank.

    Craig Clawson




    210933

    2nd Lt. William Henry Mill 1/5th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.12th July 1915)

    William, or Willie as he was known to his family, was the only son of William Henry Mill, an Edinburgh lawyer, and his wife, Caroline, and was brother to four sisters, Caroline, Helen, Jane and Ruth. He was educated at Edinburgh Academy, and on leaving school enlisted with the Royal Scots Fusiliers, gaining his comission in 1914. He sailed from Liverpool on the S.S Mauretania with his Battalion and the 1/4th on May 1915, arriving at the huge harbour of Mudros on Lemnos, before sailing on to Gallipoli, landing there on June 7th. His battalion took part in the Battles of Gully Ravine and Achi Baba Nullah. Hand-written notes in his pocket Bible, recovered from his body, show him at rest camp on June 19th, in support trenches on June 25th, 27th, 29th and 30th, and in the support trenches at 'Clapham Junction' on July 3rd. His last entries show him in a rest camp on July 7th and 8th.

    Under-lined passages from the Bible clearly show that he took support from the book and was determined to do the right thing. He was killed in action on July 12th, in the Battle of Achi Baba Nullah, aged 19. His body was recovered and lies in a marked grave not far from where he fell, in Redoubt Cemetery. His parents visited the grave shortly after the war but as far as I know it was not re-visited until his sister Jane, my Grandmother, travelled there around 1965. I have his pocket Bible and one of his lapel badges, recovered from his body, and his medals.

    Tim Coleman




    210929

    Pte Joseph Goggins 7th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    My paternal grandfather Pte Joseph Goggins enlisted in the 5th Btn Royal Irish Fusiliers and was posted to the 7th.

    Ciaran Goggins




    210925

    Joseph Goodman 9th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.11th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph Goodman was born at Eastbury Cottages, Watford on the 2 April 1887, and was the son of George and Sarah Goodman; of Bourne End Lane, Boxmoor, Herts. Joseph married Jane (nee Trowles) on the 12 April 1909, he was working as a Gamekeeper. They had four children Ethel (b. 1910), Joseph (b. 1913), Lillian (b. 1914) and Dorothy (b. 1915). In 1911 they were living with his parents at 122 New Road, Croxley Green. Joseph was by now working in the same occupation as his father, labouring on a farm as a ploughman.

    On 2nd June 1915, Joseph traveled to Watford and enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment, he was living at 12 Vale Road, Bushy, Hertfordshire at the time. Joseph was given the service number 20846 and posted into the 4th battalion. It is thought he transferred to the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 14th December 1916, initially joining the 13th battalion. His new service number being 35070. Joseph was then posted to 1st battalion and sent to France. He was later transferred in the 9th battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. They were in 74th Brigade, 25th Division. On 11th August 1917, Joseph was killed in action. Following on from the Battle of Pilkem (a phase of the Third Battles of Ypres), the 74th Brigade were tasked to renew the attack on Westhoek, which had been held up so far. The Brigade successfully took their objective, but sustained very heavy casualties in the process, one of which was Private Joseph Goodman.

    Joseph was awarded the British War and Victory medals. He is remembered on the Menin Gate memorial. View the panel here. On 11 December 1917 his wife received a payment of £3/6/- owed from his pay & allowances. A war gratuity of £9/10/- was also payed to his wife on 11 March 1920. Rank: Private. Service No: 35070. Date of Death: 11/08/1917. Age: 33. Regiment/Service: The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 9th Bn.

    Caz




    210923

    Pte. Francis George Vie 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regt (Cambridge's Own) (d.4th June 1915)

    My Great Grandad was Pvt G7541 Francis George Vie enlisted in Hounslow Middlesex. We know he was in the 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own). He was as far as we know a Coal man who having had his horse requisitioned for the war enlisted himself. All we know is that he was in France from 18/05/15 and was killed on 04/06/15 near Ypres. He is buried in Ridge Wood Cemetery.

    As for any other detail we have nothing other than a few family tales and half remembered stories. The reason being that his newly wed bride who had recently given birth to my Grandad got rid of any photos medals etc etc. Francis' family saw little of her after his death and she herself died when my Grandad was a young boy. My father found his younger brother still alive in the 80's and he was able to tell my Grandad more about his dad and told him that he was shot in the head after looking over the top of the trench. I have a feeling this is possibly what most relatives were told! Unfortunately, my poor research skills have not been up to the task of finding anything more about the Battalion's movements and activities during his very brief time with them.

    Stu Vie




    210921

    Pte. Andrew Barclay 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    My great grandfather Andrew Barclay was killed in the First World War. I think 1917 was the year of his death. My granny, his daughter, now deceased asked me before she died if I would visit France as no one has been to the grave. My granny had few details only that she thinks it was Guemap Cemetry that he is buried. Is it actually in France? That's how she pronounced it not sure of the spelling. I have a beautiful canvas picture of my great grandad in his uniform. I would love to be able to find out more. Sadly, my father also passed away while still young and he was an only child so I am kind of stuck. I take my family up to Fort George every year and I would like to know more can anyone help or point me in the right direction. He enlisted in Edinburgh and my granny grew up in Newhaven, Leith.

    Editors Note: Andrew was killed on the 23/04/1917 during the Battle of Arras, whilst serving with the 8th Battalion, he was 31 years old. He is buried at Guemappe British Cemetery which is about 1 kilometre north-east of the village of Wancourt near Arras, France.

    Catherine Urey




    210916

    Pte. Ernest Augustus Whitbread 20th (Public Schools) Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.18th June 1917)

    53293, Private Ernest Augustus Whitbread of the 20th Battalion., Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) is a great uncle of mine. He was born in Oxford and enlisted at Shepherd's Bush. He died, in France & Flanders, 18/6/1917.

    Chris Clark




    210913

    Rifleman Frederick George Jones 12th Service Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.17th Sep 1916)

    Frederick George Jones was born at Peckham London in 1894. He was the second son of a George and Emily Martha Jones and came from a large family and had several sisters including my Grandmother, Gertrude Annie Jones. George's brother, Charles Jones, served with the East Surrey regiment and survived the war having suffered from frost bite early in 1915. Fred worked as a pawn broker's assistant at Hyde's of Tooting before the war but joined up as one of Kitchner's Army (K2) when the war broke out. Fred joined the Rifle Brigade and was assigned to the 12th Service Battalion leaving for France on the 27th October 1915.

    He saw action with the Battalion in 1916 and at some point in 1916 was transferred to the 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corp. The story is told that he was sitting in the trenches near Heubeterne when the Germans peppered the front line trenches with shell fire. Fred and one other soldier were killed. The date was the 17th September 1916. Fred was buried at the Military Cemetery in Heubeterne shortly after along with the other soldier killed on the same day Rifleman Attenborough. They both lie there still side by side. The 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifles war diary confirms that two ordinary ranks were killed on this date. Fred was 23 years old when he was killed and he was greatly missed by his sisters, brothers and mother and father. My grandmother would stand each year on Remembrance Day the 11th November at 11 O clock and cry as she remembered her brother.

    Stephen Head




    210909

    Pte. William Frederick Bull 2nd Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment (d.14th Aug 1916)

    We know very little about Private William Frederick Bull except that he was my uncle. Anyone who would have known more is long dead. The certificate issued by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission says that his middle name is spelt as Fredrick and not Frederick, so I am not sure which is correct. William was the son of Mr Albert Edward Bull and his wife Sophia Bull of Sutton Street, Flore, Weedon, Northants. When William first enlisted it was into the 1st Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment but when he died, aged 19 on the 14th August 1916 in the Battle of the Somme, he was listed as a member of the 2nd Battalion. I checked this out with the Regimental Museum and they advised that this transfer was a fairly normal event. William is buried in the Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

    Christopher R Lewis




    210906

    Sjt. Edward Hodgson 52nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.4th Aug 1919)

    <p>

    Teddy Hodgson, played professional football for Burnley FC before he joined the Army in 1915, quickly gaining promotion to sergeant-instructor. Again, like many professionals, he was able to return to Burnley to represent his club in the wartime leagues, playing and scoring on a regular basis. It was at Stockport in March 1919 that he wore the claret and blue for the last time.

    While serving in the Army of occupation in Germany the following summer he developed kidney trouble and was confined to hospital where his condition rapidly deteriorated. At the end of July he was returned to England where he underwent a series of operations at the Whalley Military Hospital in the Ribble Valley. It was to no avail and Teddy Hodgson passed away on 4th August 1919 at only 33 years of age.

    A perfect gentleman both on and off the field, he had been hugely popular with the Clarets’ fans and hundreds of people lined the Burnley streets as his funeral cortege moved slowly from his home in Haven Street to the town’s cemetery. The Burnley Express was moved to write thus: “Last week, the cleverest inside-left Burnley have ever had was taken to his final resting place. Teddy Hodgson was probably Burnley’s best and most consistent forward, and Bert Freeman will greatly feel the loss of so smart and tricky a partner.”

    The following month, a benefit match was held at Turf Moor, and a crowd of over 4,000 saw a Burnley XI take on a Football League XI, with more than £250 raised for Teddy Hodgson’s family. Teddy Hodgson’s senior football career, all spent with Burnley, was relatively short, lasting just four seasons, but he made an enormous impact with his abundance of natural talent. He will always be remembered as one of Turf Moor’s true footballing legends.

    Jayne Parker




    210903

    Pte William Adey 8th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

    Pte William Adey, my great grandfather, had already served in the 4th Militia S.Staffords, in the Boer war. Born in 1875 he joined as part of K2 in 1914 or 15 at the tender age of 39. Home life can`t have been good! He was posted to the 8th South Staffords; a service battalion.

    He was wounded a couple of times. On one occasion he was granted leave and upon arriving home had all his uniform stripped off by his wife Gertrude and the lice removed from it. He went upstairs and collapsed asleep. Upon waking he came downstairs and looked as white as a sheet. He had had a nightmare concerning an event which happened on the front line. Some of the younger soldiers were kicking a German head around like a football. He remonstrated with them when one of them picked the head up and threw it at him. He automatically caught it, only to drop it again pretty quickly. He had dreamt that he was in his bed (which he was) and the dead headless German was standing at the foot of the bed demanding to know where his head was.

    He survived the war. My father reckons he was probably shell-shocked because the immediate family used to put him on the veranda at the back of the house in Willenhall and leave him. He was considered to be "embarassing". He died in the mid 1950s. I never knew him, but wish I had. My grandfather told me a little, and one story was that at one point casualties were so high that the colonel was 23. He also mentioned that he thought William was a sniper, and considered one of the steadier men in the battalion. I`ll never know. Sadly I have no photos of him in WW1.

    Andrew James Adey




    210893

    John Duffett Caines

    John Duffett Caines was said to have originally lied about his age to join the Army. He took part in a display as a member of an Royal Field Artillery trotting team. He later became a railwayman and was a civilian at the outbreak of World War One. He quickly rejoined and was said by his son to be on "the second boat over".





    210886

    Robert Sudbury Wilson 5th Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather, Bobby Wilson fought at The Somme, he was a stretcher bearer and band member - I still have his bugle. He told of the tedium of the trenches, but when he took a break he would hang his helmet on a foot that conveniently protruded from the wall of their trench. Nice.

    One day their trench was shelled and a he was, luckily, standing in a 'passing place' (a recess in the trench) when one landed right in their trench. His sargeant, much bigger than he with a huge handlebar moustache, squeezed in with him to avoid the blast. So there they are, face to face, in a space probably half the size of a phonebox waiting for the smoke to clear. When he looked up, his sarge had clearly only just made it - because half his moustache had been blown off. As he sobbed with laughter his superior stomped off to attend to his pride and joy. We never found out whether he or his moustache ever recovered.

    The most chilling story was of the day he 'went over the top'. He said that they only got a little way in the smoke and chaos and when the smoke cleared, he suddenly realised he was the only one alive. God only knows how any of them came back.

    Mike Bennett




    210876

    Pte. Frederick G Comer 7th Btn. West Kent Regiment (d.27th Aug1918)

    The Battalion formed part of the 18th (Eastern) Division which successfully met all of its objectives on the first day of the Somme using the creeping barrage. Private Comer died on 27th August 1918, south of Deville Wood during a phase of the Second Battle of Bapaume.

    Andrew Bratley




    210867

    Spr. Matthias Duffy MM. 447th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.14th July 1917)

    My grandfather, Matthias Duffy, born in Whickham, Co Durham, was a miner and joined as a war-time volunteer as a territorial soldier and joined the Royal Engineers in 1914. He was posted to 447th Field Company part of the 50th Northumbrian Division.

    He crossed to France on 27th August 1915, serving at Ypres and on the Messines sector in 1915-16. In August 1916 he was in action on the Somme at Martinpuich, Le Sars and Eaucourt. He was then in action on the Arras front in battles at Wancourt and Cherisy. He died during a trench digging operation near Cherisy on 14th July 1917. "Lt Forster and 4 sappers worked on a new front line in front of Bullfinch Support between Dead Bosche Sap and Byker Sap in heavy rain at night." In an attack he was killed, Sapper Carlin and Lance Corporal Ankell were wounded. He is buried in Heninel Communal Extension Cemetery. He is commemorated on the Burnopfield War Memorial and the memorial in St Joseph's RC Church.

    Sapper Matthias Duffy was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field on the Arras front, reported in the London Gazette on Tuesday 19th of December 1916.

    Michael Duffy




    210866

    Pte. Thomas Campling 17th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    Thomas Campling was sentenced to be tied to the guns for questioning an order. "What, sentry duty again"?. He fought at the Somme, was wounded there and was one of 5 men, from his Battalion(?) who survived that battle.

    Mike Tointon




    210861

    George Croxford Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    We found this photograph at my Gran's house in Watlington, Oxon. My Grandfather was George Croxford and I know he was a soldier fighting in France. This is a postcard dated 1919. Can anyone shed any light on this please?

    Anita Hayter




    210859

    Cpt. Robert Willian Niven Young 6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    Captain Robert Young, a stockbroker, had served as Tpr. 14175 in the South Africa War in the 47th Co.Imperial Yeomanry, a select company whose members paid a joining fee of £130, took their own horses to the war and donated their army pay to the Army Widows Fund. As part of the 13th.Bn., he was taken prisoner at the Battle of Lindley 31 May 1900. After his release, he took his discharge on 15.10.1900. He received the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal.

    He was commisioned Temp.Captain in 6th.Bn. N.Staffs on 14 Dec 1914. There was no Medal Index Card for this officer and I assumed, due to his age, 45, that he had only served in UK as a training office. However, his Officers, Documents confirm that he did serve in France and Flanders and was invalided twice, once with gout and the second time after being accidentally gassed with 2 other officers after a brazier was left in his dugout.

    David Hardacre




    210858

    2nd Lt. Topham Becher Dabridgecourt "Toppy" Hough 8th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th Jan 1916)

    <p>

    Letters written home by Second Lieutenant Hough had been donated to his old school, Bridlington School, and recently they were rediscovered during reorganisation. I volunteered to read and type up these letters and the book is now nearly complete. Hough was only 18 when he was killed. I am hoping to discover exactly where he was when he died. It is said he was near St Eloi, killed by a sniper. Hough mentions snipers in his letters home. He is buried in Dickebusch Military Cemetery. Last year I published "The Great War Heroes of Bridlington," which featured all 334 men named on Bridlington's Cenotaph, with minimal details of Hough's brief life.

    Mike Wilson




    210857

    L/Cpl. William Wetherell 27th (Tyneside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Aug 1917)

    William Wetherell was Killed in Action on the 27th of August 1917 in France. He is remembered in Bellicourt British Cemetery Ref 11.J.9. He left a Widow and Family.

    Linda Brown




    210855

    Pte. Thomas Alfred Sharp 2nd Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.30th Sep 1915)

    Tom Sharp was my half uncle as my grandfather married Jane and when she died he married Bessie my Grandmother. Jane was Tom's Mum. He wrote to my Grandmother just before he was leaving for France and said he could not wait to get there (I have the letter) and also to his half brother asking him to become a soldier too "as he would have plenty of playmates".

    I have the letter from Infantry Record Office York informing my Grandfather of his death on September 30th 1915. The cause of death being wounds received in Action. He is buried in the War Cemetery in Bethune. Row E Grave No 67 so if anyone is visiting there please visit him and say thank you from me.

    Jenny Mortimer




    210852

    Pte. Frederick George Richard Townley 2/7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire (d.19th July 1916)

    Frederick Townley was killed at the Battle of Fromelles on July 19th 1916 whilst serving with the 2/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He is commemorated on the 1914-1918 plaque in St Peter’s Church, Hook Norton. During research into his family tree in April 2009 the writer discovered that Frederick, a distant relative, was one of the soldiers of the 2/7th Royal Warwick’s, listed missing from an attack at Fromelles, France on July 19th 1916. He also found that Frederick had no known grave.

    The discovery of mass graves at Pheasant Wood in 2008, containing up to 400 bodies from the attack, opened up the possibility that Frederick was among those discovered. Work by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) began in May 2009 to try and identify the remains unearthed using historic records, artefacts found and also DNA evidence from living relatives.

    Frederick George Richard Townley was born in Hook Norton on April 11th 1886, the youngest son of William and Charlotte Townley. In 1891, along with siblings John, Eliza, Tom, William and Fanny, he lived at Lower Nill Cottages. In 1893 mother Charlotte died, followed by father William in 1900. This resulted in Frederick and his siblings being dispersed to work in and around the surrounding area. In 1901 aged 14, Frederick was employed as a Ploughboy boarding with James and Martha Hall and family at Lower Nill. By 1911 he was working as an Ironstone digger while lodging with Christopher and Annie Luckett and family in High Street, Hook Norton.

    Sometime later Frederick moved to Foleshill, Coventry, where he joined the Royal Warwickshire’s. In March 1916 after training, the Regiment being part of the 61st (South Midland) Division, moved to Salisbury Plain prior to deployment to France. During June he trained in trench warfare before being deployed in the trenches at Fauquissart. Frederick’s regiment, with an Australian Division, was chosen to take part in the attack on the German lines planned for July 19th. The attack went ahead with disastrous results, some 1,547 casualties being recorded for the 61st Division, and 5.533 for the Australian’s. Afterwards the German Infantry began clearing the area and, anxious to avoid disease, arranged hurriedly to bury the dead in large mass graves near Pheasant Wood, here they would lay undisturbed until rediscovered in 2008.

    During 2010, the writer assisted the CWGC in the identification process by obtaining a DNA sample from a living relative of Frederick in the hope that this would help ascertain if Frederick was among those remains found. As of July no match has been established but the process is on-going. In the meantime, all the remains found so far have been laid to rest in graves at a new CWGC Military Cemetery at Fromelles (the first new CWGC cemetery for 50 years). This was opened and dedicated on July 19th 2010, 94 years after the battle took place. Hopefully, Frederick will be eventually identified so that his final resting place can be positively confirmed with an inscribed headstone.

    James Tobin




    210846

    Dvr William Murray 51st Highland Div. Royal Artillery

    Willy Murray transferred from the Aberdeen Police as a Constable to the RFA on 24 May 1915 and was disembodied on 17 May 1919 in Charlton. As boy he had worked on the farm with horses and on returning to the Police established the Mounted Police Unit in Aberdeen. He retired as the Superintendent of the Police having acted as Chief Constable during WW2 in 1944. He died in 1959.

    Duncan Murray Fraser




    210844

    Pte. James Henderson 20th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July, 1916)

    My great grandfather James Henderson, died in the first day of the Battle of the Somme, serving in the 20th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, 102nd Brigade, 34th Division. He left behind six orphaned children ranging in age from 8 to 16. His wife had died 7 years earlier in 1909.

    What possessed a man to enlist in the war to end all wars when he had children to whom he was responsible? I can only guess. However the steady income of army pay may have been part of his decision to enlist. That coupled with the fact he may have wanted to serve his country at a time when the war was not going well for Britain.

    I can only imagine the absolute horror of those final days on the Somme before his death. From what I have read of the movements of the Northumberland Fusiliers on the 1st July 1916, his death was probably brutal, at the hands of continuous machine gun fire.

    I believe the impact of losing their parents at such a young age was something the children carried their entire lives. When a soldier dies in war it's not just the loss of the individual that is so terrible. It's also the echoing impact on the family left behind that magnifies the loss.

    Lest we forget.

    Lauren




    210841

    Capt. Herbert Prichard Thomas 126th Baluchistan Infantry Regiment

    My step-uncle, Captain Herbert Prichard Thomas, the 4th son of Jamaican Police Inspector Herbert Theodore Thomas, my grandfather, was born in Jamaica B.W.I. on 22nd Dec,1892. In 1911 he went to the UK at age 18 and entered the Royal Military Collage Sandhurst, Surrey. He received a King's Commission on Aug 24th 1912. He waited and was accepted for the Indian Army in 1914, as an Officer & a Gentleman in the 126th Baluchistan Infantry. He did survive WW1 as a Captain, and was able to return from India for his mother's funeral in the UK. He went on to enlist in WW2 and sent to Singapore, he was able to escape through Malaysia and India. He was later awarded an OBE & five medals for his service, and died in Scotland in 1969.

    This son of H.T.Thomas was the only son of his five sons to survive both wars from his first marriage. The funny thing is that his second marriage to my grandmother only produced four girls, one which was my mother. My thanks again to Military Genealogist Alan Greveson in the UK, for his work on my family.

    Gerald A. Archambeau




    210840

    Major Arthur Crichton Thomas 355th Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.19th Nov, 1917)

    My story begins in memory of the 3rd son Major Arthur Crichton Thomas, who was born in Jamaica B.W.I. 29th Dec,1890. He also went to the UK and joined the British Army of WW-1, he died on 19th Nov while serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and is buried in Belgium at Talana Farm Cemetery. This son of my grandfather, Jamaican Police Inspector Herbert Theodore Thomas 1856 to 1930. This son is also one of five sons who fought in the British Army of WW-1. All these five brothers were my step-uncles from my grandfather's first marriage. My grandfather did marry again after his first wife died, to my grandmother Leonora Thomas in Jamaica.

    Gerald A. Archambeau




    210839

    Capt. Francis Hastings Thomas DSC. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.15th Aug 1916)

    Francis Thomas is the 2nd son of my grandfather, Inspector Herbert Theodore Thomas, from his first marriage to Gertrude in Jamaica which makes Captain Francis Hastings Thomas my step-uncle. He was born on 4th Dec 1885 in Jamaica, and went to the UK in 1900 to finish his education, prior to WW1.

    He joined the British Army and was involved with the Suva Bay Landings at Gallipoli Turkey, he went on and died in action in Africa. His body was sent back to the UK and is buried at the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, where his name is engraved on a plaque there. Sadly again this Jamaican soldier is erased and forgotten in Jamaica. Thanks to Alan Greveson UK Genealogist who revealed the facts on my four Jamaican step-uncles.

    Gerald A. Archambeau




    210836

    Sgt. Randolph Churchill Spencer MID 1st Battalion Scots Guards/Tank Corps

    My grandfather Randolph Spencer was born 11.4.1894 in Auchenflower, Queensland. His parents had emigrated in 1883. He came to the UK and joined the Scots Guards. He saw action at Ypres, Festubert and Loos. He was made up to Acting Sgt 22.6.1915 1st Battalion Scots Guards (London Gazette). He married at the Parish Church, Willesden having met my grandmother (I believe she was a nurse during WW1) on 10.6.1916. A photo shows him centre with a couple of his men at his wedding. He was Mentioned in Dispatches a couple of times having rescued his men whilst wounded. His first son Paul was born in December 1917 in Wareham (I assume as he was now part of the Tank Corps his wife was living near Wareham where they were training men). He was commissioned after the war but retired 28.10.1921.

    Gol




    210834

    Cpt. Harry Reid Thomas 34th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.25th Dec, 1915)

    My step-uncle, Harry R.Thomas, was the first son of my grandfather, Jamaican Police Inspector Herbert Theodore Thomas, from his first marriage to Gertrude Thomas. Harry R. Thomas was born in Jamaica on 15th March,1883. He attended Jamaica College in Kingston, and he first volunteered to fight in the Boer War with Baden Powell's African Constabulary as a Trooper. For his service he was awarded the King's Medal with 5 clasps. After the Boer War, he was shipped of to fight again in WW1 as a Captain in France with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and is buried in France, at Vielle, Chapelle, Lacouture. Grave-1.C, 9.

    The sad thing about Harry's story is that this officer who gave his life for his country Jamaica, and the UK His memory has been erased in Jamaica, and if I had not done research for my autobiography "A Struggle to Walk with Dignity" 2008, he would never be remembered today as so many other soldiers have been forgotten in the past. My sincere thanks to your organization for this project. I will pass on info about Harry's three other brothers who also died as Officers in WW1.

    Gerald A. Archambeau




    210830

    Pte. Felix Reuben Barltrop 12th Btn. No 1 Coy. Royal Fusiliers (d.27 Nov 1916)

    Felix Reuben Barltrop was killed in action on the 27th of November 1916. Son of Rueben and Ann Barltrop of Thaxted, Essex; husband of Mary Barltrop (Hobbs). He is buried at Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France.

    F.Barltops




    210829

    2nd Lt. Gerald James Mortimer 35 Squadron

    My father, Gerald Mortimer, volunteered firstly for the Army and following training on Salisbury Plain put his hand up to go "Flying". He was shot down on 23rd March 1918 as an Observer in FE of 35 Squadron, he and the pilot crawled to a farmhouse (my father was wounded in the thigh) where a local lady gave them coffee, best smell of coffee my father always said! He was evacuated to military hospital in Rouen and then by steamship to Dover. I have his medical records but no log book; many of them were burnt by HMG in the 60's I gather. I would like to know if there is any more history of the RFC this day in 1918 and from which airstrip my father flew from; was it Chipilly?

    Roger Mortimer




    210828

    L/Cpl. James Alfred Hayes 16th Battalion Duke of Cambridge's Own - Middlesex Regiment (d.2 February 1917)

    James Alfred Hayes was my Great Uncle - according to family information killed aged 22 - within 14 days of being posted to France (cannon backfire). Enlisted at Deptford. Buried at Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte.

    Martin Crossley




    210827

    Pte. John William Wright 8th Btn. Notts and Derby Regiment (d.20th Apr 1915)

    <p>

    I have been researching my family tree for a few years now and the most upsetting relative I have come across is the untold story of my great uncle John William Wright. I have only one photo of this brave young man, he was only 18 years old when he died. Since finding out about him, I have been trying to recover his war medals which were stolen from my grandmothers home many years ago. I have so far failed in my task.

    John William Wright served with the 1st/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters He was born in Bilisthorpe, Nottinghamshire and lived at; 47 Montague Street, Mansfield, the proud son of Joseph Wallhead Wright and Florence Wright. The Newark advertiser records him as being wounded in April 1915 when he served with D company. The Nottingham Daily Express dated 04/05/1915 shows some details of parents. His medal roll shows he landed in France 02/03/1915.

    John was killed in action by a sniper when looking over the parapet when serving in the lines in the Kemmel sector, Belgium 20/04/1915, he was buried at Kemmel Chateau military cemetery plot no e62. Kemmel Chateau was north east of Kemmel village and the cemetery was established on the north side of the chateau grounds in December 1914. It continued to be used by divisions fighting on the southern sectors of Belgian front until March 1918, when after fierce fighting involving both Commonwealth and French forces, the village and cemetery fell in to German hands in late April. The cemetery was retaken later in the year, but in the interval it was badly shelled and the old chateau destroyed. There are now 1135 Commonwealth burials of the first world war in the cemetery and 21 from the second world war (which all date from the allied withdrawal ahead of the German advance of May 1940.) The cemetery was designed by sir Edwin Lutyens.

    I feel a great sadness and joy in now knowing what happened to this very young relative who died so tragically young, what a great pride I feel in knowing he is a part of my family god bless him. I would love one day to make a trip to the cemetery in Belgium to meet for the first time my great uncle as his mother and father where never able to make the trip to Europe to see their son again.

    Nicholas James Bennett




    210825

    Pte. William Cuthbert Boud 4th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1915)

    <p>William Cuthbert Boud

    My Grandfather, William Cuthbert Boud, was killed in Gallipoli on the 22nd of August 1915. He was a Bandsman with the Essex Regiment and was shot by a sniper whilst leaving his dug out to go for a wounded comrade. The following was in the Ilford Newspaper.

    "Poor Billy Boud was buried the same night - it was very touching. We buried him on the hillside right over the sea. It was a lovely moonlight night, and one of our cooks said a few words at the graveside, so we did the best for poor Billy. I must say this is a very wild country. It is all high hills, rocks, high boulders and bushes - so you can tell what a job we have to bring the wounded in, and we have to do that at night. Every place we to we have to dig ourselves in the ground to protect ourselves from shellfire."

    William Cuthbert Boud had also served in the South African Campaign with the 1st Bn. Royal Fusiliers.

    William Cuthbert Boud, centre front with the band of the 4th Essex.

    William Cuthbert Boud (marked with an x) The band of the 4th Essex playing cards.

    William Cuthbert Boud (marked with an x) Note the white arm bands denoting the band members as stretcher bearers.

    Roger Boud




    210824

    Pte. Frank Moore 11th South Lancashire Fusiliers

    My Grandad, Frank Moore, always told us tales of getting wounded and going to India and he told me about finding a pair of shiny polished army boots and still inside them were the blown off feet from a soldier.

    I can remember three medals that he had when I was a child. One had rainbow colours on the ribbon and the other was blue orange and white. I think the other one was red, white and blue but I am a little hazy on this one after all these years! I got his army information off his wedding certificate of all places, after I had looked in all the places I could think of and when I sent off for his wedding certificate there it all was! He was married as a Private in the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers as stated on his wedding certificate in 17th May 1919 to Eveline Payne in Hinckley Mr Frank Moore, born 22nd October 1898 in Hartshill, Warks and he died on 10th June 1975 in Stapleford, Notts.

    Mrs Jane Ball




    210823

    Pte. Frederick Fowell 18th battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st Jun 1918)

    My grandmother's brother Frederick Fowell started army life in the London Rifle Brigade but some how found him self in the Lancashire Fusiliers. I'mm researching him at the moment and would be grateful of any help. He was laid to rest in Martinsart Cemetary. He died around the Aveluy Wwood area as it was being counter attacked on June the first. A lot of his battalion died or their date of death are on the 1st of June 1918.

    Jimmy Gingell




    210814

    Pte. Edgar John Neale 7th Btn. West Surrey Regiment

    <p>

    My fathers own father, Private Edgar John Neale G/13095, Queens Royal West Surrey Reg. 7th Btln., was injured twice, once on the Somme in Sept 1916 and gassed.

    Edgar John Neale letter (27th October 1916) – transcript about the Somme

    How a Kettering Soldier was Knocked out. (Kettering Leader newspaper)

    Pte. E.J. Neale, of the Royal West Surrey’s (Queen’s) who is in an Oxford hospital, suffering from wounds received in France, has written to Mr. G. Horden, of High Street, Kettering. Amongst other items of information are the following :- "You did not know that I was in the Machine Gun Section. It is a hot job if they got to know whereabouts you are. The machine gun went out of action about a quarter of an hour before I got hit in the elbow. Then about five minutes afterwards I got hit in the jaw, but as soon as the machine gun went wrong, we had to pick up dead men’s rifles, as we had not time to put it right, as the Germans were getting all round us, so we had to open rapid fire. Then they got nearer, and we had a hand to-hand fight, which was not very pleasing, but it had to be done, or we should all have been wiped out.," speaking about a charge, "over the top", he says: "as soon as we started, the Germans shelled us, put the machine guns on us,…… and opened rapid fire….. our Corporal fell, and I dragged him into a shellhole and bandaged him up". ……"in another shellhole" he says "a shell dropped only three feet behind me, and happened to be a ‘dud’, and it only covered us with soil. After a little while, I got with some more of our chaps, and we went on further as they had quietened down a lot, and we got to where we wanted to get. Night was getting nearer, and when it got dark, they started shelling heavily. Eight of us had to hold a strong place at all costs. We did hold it, but what a time they gave us! But we gave them more than they gave us. We were glad to see the day break, for we were tired and hungry. We had still to keep on till I got the knock-out, when I came to my senses, I had lost a lot of blood”. He also relates how it took him about three hours to get back to the dressing station. He is now getting on well in hospital.

    Steuart Neale




    210813

    Sjt. Walter Prentice MM. 10th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>Walter Prentice (seated right)

    Walter Prentice was my uncle. He died long before I was born but several items concerning him have come down to me. Last year a Leicester University exhibition included, among other things, his original torch (now in the Imperial war Museum) and photographs of his war medals.

    In Aug 1914 Walter joined 10th Royal Fusiliers, on the 30 Jul 1915 the 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers landed at Boulogne In this extract from “1914-1919 The Names of the Men who answered The Nation’s Call to Arms" from Bradbury Greatorex & Co Ltd. London, E.C. He is listed as: Aug 1914 - Prentice, W. - Lace - L/Corpl. - 10th R Fusiliers - Mlty. Medal 1917.

    A press cutting at Imperial War Museum, concerning the award of his Military Medal raeds: “Lance-Corpl. Walter Prentice, of the 10th Royal Fusiliers, son of Mr & Mrs H F Prentice, of Chilworth New Road, has been awarded the Military Medal for great bravery in the field. He nipped in the bud a German attempt to set a dug-out on fire, and also blew up a machine gun emplacement. Lance-Cpl Prentice, who is 26, was an old scholar of Archbishop Abbott’s School, Guildford.”

    Another press cutting from 1922 reads: "After school Walter Prentice “joined the firm of Messrs. Bradbury, Greatrex and Co., of Aldermanbury, E.C., with whom he remained, except for a break in his war service from August 1914, to February 1919, until his recent illness. At the outbreak of war he joined the 10th Royal Fusiliers and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery during a trench raid in 1916, and was later mentioned in dispatches. He went through some of the fiercest fighting on the Western Front."

    Walter Prentice (standing centre)

    Mary Prentice




    210812

    Pte. John Forster Pattison 16th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    John Pattinson was killed in Action in France.

    Lynda




    210808

    Bdr. Joseph Taylor 60th Bde, B. Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.7th Dec 1916)

    <p>

    Before the war Joseph Taylor was an agricultural farm labourer in rural Bretherton Lancashire. He moved into the local cotton mill as a cotton weaver by 1911 and I assume like many others, eagerly enlisted into Kitcherner's New Armies in 1914 for the 'great adventure' which as we know became the slaughter and carnage of Northern France. Being an ex-farmer and having worked hard and tirelessly with horses in the fields of Bretherton, it must have been a fitting position for him with the RFA.

    A transcription from the war diary of the 60th brigade RFA which covers the date of Joe Taylor's death has the entry for the 7th December 1916 and reads:- Registration and intermittent bombardment night and day of enemy communications. Direct hit by 5.9 on No 5 gun B/60 1 killed 5 wounded. This is the only other piece of information I have relating to his death.

    It was a very moving experience to visit the Somme and finally find his grave at the Hamel Military Cemetery in France.

    Kevin Lea




    210806

    Gnr. Alexander Burnett Kemp 2nd Mortar Battalion, Z Coy. Royal Field Artillery (d.7th Oct 1916 )

    <p>

    I never knew my Great Grandfather, Alexander Kemp but I'm very proud of him. I don't know that much about him he was born 12 March 1889, Port Erroll Cruden Aberdeen. He was Killed in action on 7 October 1916 aged 28 on the Somme and is buried in Collins Camp Sucrerie Military Cemetery. He served with the Royal Field Artillery, Z Company, 2 Mortar Battalion. He had enlisted in Glasgow giving his occupation as Tailor. He had married to Lilly Cowley on 13 November 1912 in Leamington Spa, His address when married was 26 Hampton Street Leamington Spa.

    Mrs Miller




    210802

    Pte. Stephen Charles Harrington 4th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My Great Uncle Pte 523347 Stephen Charles Harrington served with the 4th Field Ambulance RAMC. He was born 1881 Essex, England. He emmigrated to Canada in 1903 with his family. How or where he enlisted is not known. He married in 1919 in Halstead, Essex, England. Both he and his wife Dorothy went back to Canada soon after their marriage.

    Monique Jones




    210800

    L/Sgt. Edward William Payne 2nd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    Have just started to research my Great Uncle, Edward Payne. l have discovered his grave is at Flesquieres Hill British Cemetry, Nord, France. He was killed in action on 3rd December 1917.

    Sue




    210797

    Pte. Thomas Henry Hawker 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.14 April 1917)

    Thomas Henry Hawker died on 14 April 1917, Arras Memorial

    Lawrence Hawker




    210796

    Pte. Philip James Weaving 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    I have a photo of the wife of Philip Weaving, which turns out to be a postcard which she sent, probably as part of a package, to Pte Weaving while he was a prisoner of war. He entered the theatre of war on 11-9-14, and by February 1915 he was a prisoner in the Wahn-Schiessplatz camp.





    210794

    Fus. Leonard Gilbert White 1st Batn. Royal Fusiliers (d.16th Nov 1918)

    Leonard White had been a milkman in Shoreham Sussex, a bachelor aged 27, he enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers. In the action at Cambrai, Leonard was wounded in the head, only a few days before the Armistice. He was conveyed to hospital in Liverpool, he died of blood poisoning on 16 Nov 1918. He is buried in Mill Lane Cemetary in Shoreham-By-Sea. He is listed on the Town War Memorial. His Memorial Plaque has come down to me a great Nephew, who he never knew.

    G L White




    210793

    Pte. Richard Spencer Howard 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Richard Spencer Howard was, at the time of the 1911 Census, a musician working in the Music Halls in Leeds. He was also a violin maker. We know this because we own a fiddle that is labelled with his name and the words 'Violin No 6'. This fiddle was, in fact, never completed and was bought by a violin maker in Oxfordshire as a bag of bits and finished only a few years ago. Richard Howard served in 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment and he died on June 7th 1917, presumably when the Battalion was advancing on Messines Ridge. The Battalion War Diary describes the action in detail. He is buried, together with 6 other men from his Battalion, in Woods Cemetery, but a couple of miles from the place of his death. He left a wife, Martha, and a daughter, Rose. Presumably he left five other violins but I cannot trace them. Violin No 6 is played regularly in public and maybe, one day, it will be played for him in Belgium.

    Chris Sweeney




    210789

    Cpl. Peter B. McQuillian 2nd Btn. Gordon Highlanders

    There may be some doubt about the spelling of Peter McQuillian's surname as there were four brothers and two of them (I know of) spelt it McQuillan. I have been told that on the big penny he is reported to have died in Mesopotamia.

    Ivor S. McQuillian




    210786

    Pte. Robert Murray Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th April 1917 )

    My Grandfather Robert Murray died at the 2nd Battle of Arras on the 24th April 1917 at the age of 39 years. He was a miner from Sunderland and joined the Northumberland Fusuliers. I was told that because of this he was was used to help dig tunnels. He is buried at a cemetery near Arras in France. He left a wife and 5 children. My Father was a baby when his father was killed.

    Marsha Murrray




    210784

    Pte. William James Heath Cheshire Regiment

    William James Heath born Oct. 1885. Parents were John Heath and Elizabeth Stubbs. Siblings were Elizabeth, Ellen and Frank Ernest also served in WW1 with the Royal East Bucks. Willie married Susannah Brooks in 1920 in Hampshire. He worked as a battery maker/electrician.

    Willie James Heath served with the Cheshire Regiment. Regiment number 21114. He saw action in France where he was injured. Place of discharged was Shrewbury on July 18, 1917 at the age of 27 years 8 months. Willie height was 5 feet and half. I have come across four other Wiliam James Heath who served in WW1.

    Michael Heath




    210783

    Rfm. William Kerr 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th Aug 1917)

    <p>

    William Kerr was the youngest son of Jane and Thomas Kerr of Forthriver Gdns Belfast, young Billy lied about his age when he joined up on the 5/10/1915. He died of his wounds at Lisjssenthoek field hospital on 16/8/1917, his mother was heart broken at the news of his death and for several years would go to the top of her street to wait for his return.

    Deirdre Brennan




    210779

    Pte. Alfred A. Smith 1st/4th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.17th Sep 1917)

    I visited my Great Uncle Alfred Smith's grave in 2012, the first member of family to my knowledge to do so. I was told he died of wounds and was buried in Vlamertinge New Cemetary, but am unsure of the facts. I would like to know all information as all I have is secound hand and passed down information by word not recorded.

    John A Smith




    210776

    Pte. Leonard Ousley Devon Yeomanry

    When I was a small boy, my grandfather, Len Ousley, used to tell me stories of what he did in the Great War. I was very young and not old enough to go to school, but what he told me was so fascinating it has remained clear in my mind to this very day. For instance, I knew exactly what dysentery was, and exactly what it did to you before I was even five years old! My Nan used to tell him off about telling me such things. I loved his stories. He served in Palestine, and in France. What regiment or Battalion he was with I have no idea, but I would love to know more.

    He went over the top a number of times. Once when bogged down and hiding in a shell hole full of water, he was close enough to the enemy trenches to hear them talking to each other. He returned under the cover of darkness to the British lines with a friend, but they were very frightened of being shot by their own comrades thinking they might be Germans. They did not know the password, and had to call out their names and rank many times before they let back in.

    One night on guard duty he could see a German officer on Horseback in the distance moving about. He called the corporal, who called the sergeant, who called an officer, who then quietly woke up everyone in the trenches to prepare for an attack. They waited many hours until finally dawn came. The German officer on horseback simply turned into a small tree and bush swaying in the wind.

    Food and Hygiene were not too good in the trenches. On night duty he would pee into the water he was stood in while keeping an eye on no mans land through a home made periscope. (He made one for me to look out from my bedroom window). One night he found a large unopened tin of Bully Beef in the mud. He said that he was so hungry he opened the tin, and ate the whole lot in one go. It was the most delicious meal he had ever had. Next morning he said he felt refreshed and as strong as an ox.

    On the wall in back parlour of my Grandparents small terrace house was a black wooden picture frame with a glass front. Behind on a purple backcloth were pinned his medals. There were around half a dozen in all. Beautiful coloured ribbons. I was too young to know what they were all for, but I would love to know now. Whenever the national anthem was played on the radio he would snap sharply to attention, and make my brother and I do the same. When I was eleven my Granddad died, his medals and a broken flintlock pistol he said he captured from a Turk, lay in the bottom of an old wardrobe in our bedroom for years. I have no idea what happened to those treasures. He suffered from bad asthma all his life. He always said it was because he was gassed too many times while in the trenches.

    Can anyone tell me more about Leonard Ousley?

    Peter Spoerer




    210774

    2nd Lt. Kenneth Lees Duckett 9th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.22nd Aug 1916)

    Kenneth Duckett was born in Glasgow on the 5th October 1891 and married Isabelle Sutton Laidlaw. Isabelle was pregnant with their daughter Annis when Kenneth died during the Battle of the Somme. Unknown exactly where or how he died, but knowing he is buried at Dearden, near Albert, may help to piece his story together.

    Sarah




    210770

    Pte. Hedley Alfred Bird 16th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd Mar 1917)

    <p>

    Hedley Alfred Bird was born in Scottow, Norfolk on 22nd February 1895. In 1907, when Hedley was aged 12, his mother died of breast cancer and Hedley went to live with his grandparents and sister in Ivy House, Scottow, whose photograph he took to France with him during World War One. When war was declared in 1914, most of the village lads enlisted. Hedley enlisted when he was 20 in 1915 into the Royal Cheshire Regiment, 16th Battalion and did some training in Pocklington, Yorkshire. On March 3rd, 1917, after only three days in France, he was killed. He was just 22 years old. He is buried in Fouquescourt Cemetary, France.

    Fouquescourt Cemetery, the countryside here is very much like Norfolk.

    Marjorie Blake




    210769

    Stoker William Julian Stoker HMS Amphion (d.6th August 1914)

    My Great Grandfather and his name is on the RN Cenotaph on Plymouth Hoe

    Wayne Stevenson




    210766

    Lt. Geoffrey Phillip Legard 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th May 1915)

    Lieutenant G.P. Legard went to Chartherhouse School in Surrey. His battalion, 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, was part of 84 Brigade, 28th Division. On 8th May 1915 this formation took part in the Battle of Frezenberg Ridge, an engagement that forms part of the Second Battle of Ypres, famous for the German gas attack on 22 April. He was killed in action aged 22 years, and his body was never found. He is commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Another of his brothers was killed in action, Captain G B Legard of the 1st Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). He's commemorated at Cabaret-Rouge British Cememtery, Souchez.

    Hilary Legard




    210759

    Cpl. Herbert Stanley Clark 1/6th Batallion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Born 1891 in Bedminster, Bristol, Herbert Clark was the son of Henry Alfred and Sarah Ann Clark (nee Chivers). His Pre-war occupation was machinist. Herbert is buried in Auchonvilliers Military Cemetery.

    Martyn Rundle




    210758

    Pte Frederick Henry John Hansford 5th Btn.

    Before being transferd to the Royal Berks my Father, Frederick Hansford was in the Somerset Light Infantry and his last Regiment was the ROAC.

    Michael Hansford




    210757

    Pte David Andrews Suffolk Regement 7th Battalion (d.15th October 1916)

    David Andrews was my Grandfather. All I know is he was killed a few days before my father was born.

    We migrated to Australia in 1952 when I was nine. my Grandmother left me in her will two and one half Sovereigns which she said was her late husband last pay. Gran also migrated to Australia in 1980 she lived to 99.9 years and never remarried.

    The coins have been keeped in a safe place at home. I mentioned to my wife that one day I would have the half Sovereign made into a ring. It was my 70th birthday just recently and she surprised me with the sovereign ring, since then I have been researching that time in the war where Grandfather was when he was killed. It must have been hell on earth for those men in the valley of the Somme,I have told my Grandson that he will have the ring when I pass on and to pass it onto his children with all the details. God bless you Grand father I will think of you every time I look at the ring Rest in Peace

    John David Andrews




    210755

    Pte. David McDowell 27th (Tyneside Irish) Bn., Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th July 1916)

    David McDowell was my Great Grandad, after his death his wife was unable to cope and had to have some of her children fostered out, so no-one seems to have much information about his service record or death.

    Dawn




    210754

    Pte. Henry Hill Bicker 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.31st Oct 1918)

    My Great Great Uncle Henry I found during my family research and he was originaly born in South Shields Durham 1884. He was the son of Robert and Sarah Bicker formerly Hill. I don't know a great deal about my uncle apart from what I have found in the census. However, one other thing I found was the fact that my mother bears the names of my uncle's wife Olive. This was nice to find.

    My uncle died during the Western European Theatre and was killed in action on 31.10.1918 aged 31 years of age. He left behind a wife and three children all aged under 10 years of age. My Uncle lies buried in the British Military Cematary of Vichte Belgium.

    This is all that I know about my ancestor, but I did march in the centre of Newcastle Upon Tyne on the 11th November with my recently awarded Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee Medal upon my court dress. It was awarded to me by the Coastwatcth Organisation for my Voluntary Work as a Coastwatch Volunteer with the National Coastwatch. I marched with pride for my Great Great Uncle and all those other loved ones out there who have served theirs and my country.

    Jennifer Kaziah Davison Robson.




    210753

    Pte. James Henry "Jas" Rilley 18th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.14th Feb1918)

    This is my great grandfather's story, he was 39 years old and was married with eight children, one of these children was my granny (Annie Rilley)

    "Mrs. J. H. Rilley, 114 Mill Street, New­townards, has received news, but so far non-official, of the death at the front of her husband, Private J. H. Rilley, of the 183rd Labour Company, who originally enlisted in May, 1916. On being transferred to the Labour Company he proceeded to the Front in March, 1917, with which com­pany he was until he made the supreme sacrifice, leaving behind his wife and eight young children.

    He was for three or four years before enlisting a labourer in the employment of Mr. Robt. M’Burney, Ballyhenry, Comber. His mother resides in Killyleagh. Rev. Roland H. Streatfield, C.F., writing to Mrs. J. H. Rilley states that on the morning of 15th February he received a message that the Labour Company had been shelled on the previous night, and several men hit, among whom was her husband. He was sure she would prefer to hear from him rather than have the news sent to her on a formal War Office notification. Her husband’s death was absolutely instan­taneous, so he never suffered at all. All his officers and comrades spoke highly of him, and I realise that the company has lost one of its best soldiers. He was buried in a quiet little cemetery with military honours, the Union Jack cover­ing him, and his comrades at the grave­side sang “Abide with Me” and “Sun of my soul” as his remains were lowered to their last resting place,” which would be marked with a neat wooden cross, on which his name and date of death would be inscribed. He hoped to get the grave photographed later. He accorded his deepest sympathy with Mrs. Rilley and her children."

    Captain H. E. Vivian Kynak also writes, telling Mrs. Rilley that her husband, Private J. H. Rilley (No. 109,545), of his company, was instantaneously killed by heavy shell fire. Private Rilley was very popular with all his comrades, and a brave and honest soldier. He asked Mrs. Rilley to accept his sincere sympathy, and requested her acceptance of a cheque. Lieutenant Edwin M. Kemp, of the same company, writes describing the de­tails of Private Rilley’s death as above. In Private Rilley, he adds, they had an excellent and willing worker; in fact, one of the best, and his loss was keenly felt by all ranks. After expressing deep sympathy with Mrs. Rilley and family he concludes, “I assure you that his memory will always beheld sacred by all who knew him, for he lead a life to the full.

    The Chronicle 23rd March 1918 page 5

    For King and Country

    Rilley. Killed in action on 14th February, 1918, Private James H. Rilley, 183rd Labour Company, dearly-beloved husband of Mary E. Rilley, 114 Mill Street, Newtownards. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing Wife and little Children

    The Chronicle, 20th April, 1918 page 1.

    Sean Napier




    210748

    Pte. Godfrey Eli Green 2nd East Lancashire Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Private Godfrey Green

    My Grandfather, Godfrey Eli Green was in the Territorial Army as a Gunner attached to the 2nd East Lancashire Brigade. He enlisted at Manchester on the 8th September 1914 and must have agreed to serve abroad because photos of him show the Imperial Service badge on his right breast. I know he went to Eygpt to fight the Turks. He did his training at Chesham Fold Camp at Bury and I have two photographs of his regiment at the training camp.

    Andrew Green




    210745

    Sjt. William George Ball

    <p>

    I am trying to find record of my cousin's grandfather and his family. I only have the attached photos of him, and the following information: His name was either: William Ball, William G Ball, William George Ball, George Ball or George William Ball. He was Born abt 1889 supposedly in Chelsea Barracks (his father also served apparently). He died abt 1958.

    The family thought he was a Grenadier Guard, but the badge on his cap looks more like the Labour Corps. He lived in Chelsea Barracks. He was married twice, second time to Ivy Flower, with whom he had a son Ramon Julian Ball (prior to their marriage). Going by the photos, in later years he became Military Police. Another rumour was that he, or his father, was a saddler in Chelsea Barracks but I can find no evidence of that.

    So sad that someone can dedicate their entire life to serving the country and we know nothing about him. We have no idea who his father was, or his brothers/sisters - but we know he had several. If anyone can advise in any way, I would be so grateful. Thank you.

    Julie McCoy




    210744

    Pte. Henry Owen 9th Btn Devonshire Regimengt (d.17th Feb 1917)

    <p>

    Harry Owen was with the 9th Battalion Devonshire Regt., which was raised at the Depot in Exeter from 15 Sept 1914 as part of Lord Kitchener's Second New Army ("K2"). It was part of the 20th (Light) Division at various locations in Aldershot, also Bisley, Haselmere and Bordon till April 1915. Then went overseas via Le Havre 28 July, joining the 20th Brigade, 7th Divn.at Calonne-sur-la-Lys on 8 August 1915.

    The 7th Divn. were engaged at the Battle of Loos 25 Sept-8 Oct 1915. Possibly as a result of involvement in the latter end of this battle he left France with a gunshot wound to the neck on 12th October for a Scottish hospital. On recovery he was posted to the 11th Devons, a Reserve battalion which never left the UK, and was part of 10th (Res.) Brigade at Wareham. Returned to France & the 9th Battn. on the 17 Dec 1915, there were no major battles at that time. Harry seems to have fallen ill and been returned to the UK on the 2nd of May 1916 (and so missed the opening of the Battle of the Somme).

    He was posted again to the 11th Btn on recovery, but shortly after applied for posting to the Tunnellers RE, effected on 10 August. After due training at Clipstone Camp, Notts. as a "Tunneller's Mate" he was sent back to France 3 October 1916 joining 254th Tunn. Coy. on 16 November 1916 and remained with them till mortally wounded by an explosion from a shell or countermine? before dying of wounds on 11th February 1917.

    W Davies




    210742

    Pte. Leonard Charles Brownlie 17th Liverpool (d.14 Jan 1916)

    My father's uncle died in France during World War One. Whilst researching our family tree, I found a photo of him taken in his uniform when he joined the Liverpool Pals. I then tracked down his Medal record but, sadly, have been unable to find out any more details of exactly where he died or where, if at all, he was buried.

    Hannah O'Byrne




    210738

    Pte. Joseph Lewis 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.29th Jun 1916)

    "Soldiers Died in the Great War" recorded Joseph Lewis was born in Swansea and resided at Aberavon, Glamorgan. The CWGC recorded he was the son of Lewis and Leah Lewis of 11, Sandfield Road, Aberavon. Joseph Lewis, born about 1892, who served with the Somerset Light Infantry and was killed in action on 29th June 1916. The medal index card recorded "John" Lewis entered France on 8th September 1915 and served with the 8th Battalion SLI. This date closely matched the date the battalion crossed to France.

    The 8th Battalion was formed at Taunton in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's New Army of civilian volunteers. The battalion was billeted at Leighton Buzzard during the winter of 1914/15 and trained at Halton Park, near Tring, from April 1915 with the 63rd Infantry Brigade in the 21st Division. In August 1915 they were at Witley Camp, Surrey and then sailed to France in September.

    The Division was marched immediately to the front and actually went into battle on 25th/26th September 1915 at Loos. This was a baptism of fire, as the soldiers had not been issued with rifles until June 1915, so they had had little firing practice. After landing in France on September 10th they had marched to Vermelles in the Pas de Calais, facing the town of Loos. At 7 pm on the 25th September they moved forward to the "Chalk Pits" on the Hulloch-Lens road where they engaged the enemy, just two weeks after arriving in France. They went to Borre on October 2nd 1915 and then spent the next five months near Armentieres in trenches known as the "Mushroom". Christmas Day 1915 was spent in the front line trenches. On March 21st 1916 the Battalion moved from Armentieres to Strazelle, which is east of Hazebrouck. In April they moved, via Meaulte, near Albert on the Somme, to La Neuville where they underwent training for "the big push".

    On 27th June 1916, the Battalion moved into trenches at Ville, near la Neuville, which were to form the assembly line for the attack on the morning of June 1st 1916. The trenches were named "Marischal Street" and "Stonehaven Street" and were in front of Fricourt Wood held by the enemy's 111th Infantry. British Artillery continued to bombard the enemy positions from 26th June and on the night of 28th June 1916 the 8th Battalion moved into the trenches to relive the 4th Middlesex regiment. During the relief they lost one corporal and six men killed. On June 19th the battalion moved forward to some new trenches which had just been opened up centred on "Shuttle Lane" and the night of the 29th was spent securing the position in readiness for the attack planned for July 1st.

    The date of Joseph Lewis's death was recorded as June 29th 1916. He may have died on the night of the 28th when one corporal and six men were killed. His death would have been recorded at roll call in the morning of the 29th. He may have died during the preparation to advance, but the Battalion war diary does not list any deaths on the 29th itself. The 8th Battalion went into the attack at 7.25 am on July 1st 1916 – the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Joseph Lewis is buried in Norfolk Cemetery at Becordel-Becourt. He qualified for the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The war diary of the 8th Battalion is included in a group of diaries which can be downloaded from the National Archives Documents Online website for GBP 3-50. It is in catalogue reference WO 95/2158.

    Beckie




    210737

    Staff Nurse Kate Selwood Selvey

    <p>

    My great aunt Kate Selwood Selvey (born 29th June 1889 in Portishead, Somerset, England) worked during the Great War as a Nurse in the Territorial Force Nursing Service in several hospitals including the 1st Southern Hospital.

    Ward in the 1st Southern Hospital in 1914

    Stephanie Joan Selwood Keenan




    210736

    Cpl. Arthur Alfred Allen MM. 123rd Battery 28th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Arthur Allen was stationed in Dundalk, Ireland when War broke out, serving with 123rd Battery, 28th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 5th Division. He arrived in France on 16th August 1914 aged 18. He was in charge of a battery and was on Hill 60 the first time the Germans used mustard gas. He was awarded the MM for rescuing casualties under fire. He was eventually gassed again and was sent home on a hospital ship in June 1918 on his birthday. He lived to the age of 91, after having a lengthy career in the Metropolitan police achieving the rank of Superintendant.

    Elizabeth Price




    210735

    Charles S. "Pop" Barber 23rd Engineers

    <p>

    Charles Barber proudly served in the 23rd Engineers from 1917 - 1919.

    Brian R Barber




    210731

    A/Capt Harry Olphert McKee MID. 12th Btn Royal Irish Rifles

    Uncle Harry McKee, as I knew him, was my father's uncle and I knew him all my life until he died in 1966. He would tell us about the Great War but never about the fighting. One of his friends was in charge of some mules and refused to eat steak in Belgium in 1919 as he was not a "cannibal". After the war he had something to do with the A Specials in Londonderry, but I'm not sure exactly what. I have been unable to find anything about his service record as we don't know his Army Number, but I know he was Mentioned in Despatches at least once as he has two oak leaves with his medals, as well as a Belgian Croix de Guerre.

    Malcolm H. McKee




    210721

    Pte. Percy Dudley Burchell 13th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment (d.23rd Mar 1918)

    I know nothing more about my grandfather's cousin Percy Burchell but his details on the CWGC. Assume he died at the Battle of St Quentin as his battalion was involved in that Battle in 1918 on the date he died.

    Katharine Dudley




    210718

    Pte. Ernest Henry Hartley 103 Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.10th Apr 1917)

    It has taken me ages to find out anything about Ernest Hartley, after much research, I have now found him. He was born in Tadcaster, Yorkshire in 1890. His Dad, Henry Hartley, born 1856. His Mother, Emma Bulmer, in 1864. He was formerly 37901 West Yorkshire Reg and died from his wounds in France and Flanders on the 10th of April 1917. I am now trying to find if he was trained at Belton House in Grantham, where the Machine corps were trained to use these guns to overcome the Germans, who had been using these weapons for year and were killing thousands of our soldiers.

    Michael J Highfield




    210717

    Pte. Robert Nelson Tank Corps

    <p>Tin tobacco box given to my grandfather by a German prisoner at the end of the war.

    Growing up, I remember my mother's stories of my grandfather Robert Nelson (born 19 Oct 1890 in Hetton le Hole, Durham, England), and how he fought in the trenches in France and Belgium during WWI. Other family members have said that he was assigned to the Tank Corps and trained in Wareham, Dorset. My aunt has in her possession a small tin box (possibly to hold tobacco and papers for rolling cigarettes) that was given to my grandfather at the conclusion of the war by a German POW that he had met while in France. All family members agreed that the war was not something my grandfather liked to talk about, so there is very little additional information to be had from family sources.

    With these family stories as a guide, as well as a photograph of my grandfather in his WWI uniform, I sought to further verify what I had learned, and to find additional information that might add more depth to the story. I decided to start by using Google to search for information on the Tanks Corps and came across a number of websites dealing with Tank Corps History and research. Wikipedia, proved quite useful, as well as the Tank Museum website. Another valuable website dealing exclusively with British Army History during WWI entitled The Long, Long, Trail, provided a wealth of information. Other websites that proved extremely useful were the National Archives and Ancestry.com.

    Through information I gathered from these websites, I was able to determine that my grandfather's uniform was consistent with those worn by British Soldiers during WWI, and the arm bade, cap badge and regimental badge were those of the Tank Corps. The following was information was gleaned from a Wikipedia Article which describes the uniform:  “The British soldier went to war.........wearing the 1902 Pattern Service Dress tunic and trousers. This was a thick woollen tunic, dyed khaki. There were two breast pockets for personal items and the soldier's AB64 Pay Book, two smaller pockets for other items, and an internal pocket sewn under the right flap of the lower tunic where the First Field Dressing was kept. Rifle patches were sewn above the breast pockets, to prevent wear from the webbing equipment and rifle. Shoulder straps were sewn on and fastened with brass buttons, with enough space for a brass regimental shoulder title. Rank insignia was sewn onto the upper tunic sleeves, while trade badges and Long Service and Good Conduct stripes were placed on the lower sleeves. A stiffened peak cap was worn, made of the same material, with a leather strap, brass fitting and secured with two small brass buttons. Puttees were worn round the ankles, and ammunition boots with hobnail soles on the feet. Normally brown, they were made of reversed hide and had steel toe-caps and a steel plate on the heel.”

    The history of the Royal Tank Regiment began following the invention of the tank in 1916. At that time the six existing tank companies were part of the Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps. On 28 July 1917 the Heavy Branch was separated from the rest of the Machine Gun Corps and given official status as the Tank Corps and “a request was made for the Tank Corp's own metal cap badge.” A close inspection of the cap badge on my grandfather’s uniform confirmed that it was indeed the official Tank Corp cap badge. While waiting for the new official cap badge to be manufactured and delivered, a provisional worsted arm badge became part of the Tank Corps uniform. This arm badge continues to be worn today and is believed to be the only badge of its kind to survive the years of WWI. A closer crop shows that the badge on my grandfather’s uniform is indeed the Tanks Corps arm badge.

    The first page of my grandfather's service record was an Attestation Form, dated 11 Dec 1915. This date is significant in that it was just three days before the deadline for registration under the Derby Scheme. Britain entered the Great War in 1914. By the early part of 1915, the number of recruits had gone down significantly. The government struggled with the idea of conscription, and so decided to try a different scheme to raise enlistment numbers. In October of 1915, Edward Stanley, the 17th Lord Derby, was appointed Director-General of Recruiting and came up with idea that was dubbed “The Derby Scheme”. The scheme appealed to men between the ages of 18 to 40 to either enlist voluntarily or to attest with an obligation to come if called up. The deadline to register for voluntary enlistment was 15 December 1915. I believe that my grandfather was one of the 2,185,000 who attested for later enlistment under the Derby Scheme. A war pension was introduced at the same time, which may have helped entice him to sign up, as he had a wife and three children and would have had concern about supporting them on the chance that he did not survive. Robert was assigned to the Army reserve and sent back to his home and job until he was called up for service.

    The next step in my research was a visit to the National Archives website to search for the index card of my grandfather’s service records. My search for “Robert Nelson, Tank Corps” brought up two entries. On closer look I discovered that one of the Robert Nelson’s was an officer who died in action, so I was fairly confident that the other Robert Nelson was my man. (I should note that I paid to view the Index Card on the National Archives website, but later learned that these same Index Cards are available on Ancestry.com, to which I already had a subscription). The next step was to search Ancestry.com for the actual service records. Not all of these records have survived, so imagine my delight when I found them! There were fourteen pages!

    On August 19, 1918, Robert was mobilized and posted to the Tank Corps Depot in Wareham, Dorset for training. On the 24 of August, he was posted to a Reserve Unit. In September of 1918, his wife Margaret had a son, Joseph, who lived only two days. This must have been a very difficult time for the young father who had just left his home, and equally difficult for his wife who had to deal with her grief alone. On Oct, 25, 1918, Robert was transferred to the B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force), which was the term referring to those who served in France on the Western Front during WWI. He was given the Medical Category of A1, which meant that he was in good health, and assigned to the 5th battalion. He embarked from Folkestone, on the southern coast of England, and Disembarked at Boulogne, France on the 28 October, 1918.

    The 5th battalion , formerly named “E Battalion”, was involved in a number of battles in the months leading up to the Armistace on 11 November 1918, including the Battle of Amiens, 2nd Battle of Bapaume, Battle of Arras, Epehy, St-Quentin, and the Hindenburg Line and were part of the Allied 100 Days Offensive which led to the end of the war. Most of the major battles on the Western Front had been fought by the time my grandfather arrived, so I’m not sure how much action he saw. The German armies continued to retreat as the Allied Forces recaptured villages one by one, so he must have been involved in this effort in some way. Between October 17 and November 11, the British advanced to the Sambre and Schledt rivers, taking many German prisoners. Britain and France held about 720,000 German POWs, mostly gained in the period just before the Armistice in 1918. My grandfather's battalion may have had a role with these prisoners, as our family stories suggest. According to his service records, Robert served a total of 204 days active duty, and was demobilized on 20 Feb 1919. He received the British War Medal and Victory medal on 11 Aug 1921.

    The next step in my research will be a visit to the National Archives next time I am in London, to view the war diaries of the 5th battalion. These records will probably not mention my grandfather by name, but should give me more clues as to what specific operations his battalion was involved in. I may never find out the details of where my grandfather served or what he may have seen, but I know that even for the brief time he was there, it must have been a life changing experience for him. This Remembrance Day, I am once again reminded of those brave souls who have sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedom and I am grateful for the part that my grandfather played, however small. May we never forget!

    Judi Lee




    210716

    Pte. Edwin Heywood 9th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.9th April 1917)

    Great Uncle Edwin Heywood was killed on the first day of the Arras offensive and is buried in Beaurains cemetery, a short distance from his brother.





    210714

    L/Cpl. Amos Hodgson 7th Btn. "C" company East Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Amos Hodgson was Killed in Action, the family story is that he died after a trench he was in collapsed on top of him burying him alive.

    Simon Gleghorn




    210712

    Sjt. James MacDonald 30th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    James MacDonald was my grandmother's brother who served in the 30th Field Ambulance in Egypt, he sent a Christmas card sent to my Grandmother in 1917. At the end of the war he returned to Egypt to work on a water project. He briefly met his other sister Grace when she emigrated to Australia in 1919 and her boat stopped in Egypt. The family never heard from him again.

    Alison Burtt




    210710

    Pte. Percy Frederick Ashwell 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.2nd Jan 1915)

    I never met Percy Ashwell as he passed away 26 years before I was born, but my Grandmother always had a picture of him (her brother) in his Army uniform on the mantelpiece in her living room. This picture was always in a prominent position on his birthday and on Remembrance Day. She loved and respected him very much as he looked so striking, full of life and happiness. I wish I could have met him.

    John Ashwell




    210705

    Pte Charles Wood Somerset Light Infantry

    My paternal grandfather, Charles Henry Wood, served in the Somerset Light Infantry, the Devonshire Regiment, Suffolk & Cambridge Regiment and also the Lincolnshire Regiment during WW1. He served in France, we think at the Somme and was in Ypres at some time during that war. He joined the Devon Regiment in 1914 but was invalided out in 1915, not to be "put off" he rejoined and served in other regiments until they too discharged him on medical grounds. He also served in India, but as yet I have found no information on that, however I remember as a child being told stories of his time there. He never spoke about his time in France. I am very proud to have known him. He died in 1973.

    Sandra Roberts




    210704

    Dvr. Francis Joseph Parkes 108th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Frank Parkes, 178141, Royal Field Artillery was bornin Ewhurst in 1897. Son of Alfred & Alice Parkes. He was a member of Ewhurst Scout Troop 1912 and was working as a gardener when he was called up & enlisted, aged 19, at No 4 RFA Depot, Woolwich on 13/10/1916. His address was Farthingham, Ewhurst, Surrey. Frank was posted to France with the BEF on 01/09/1917 and joined 108th Brigade RFA on 27/10/1917, then transferred to 'B' Battery, 291st Brigade RFA, 58th (London) Division on 14/06/1918, before returning to 108th Bde on 09/03/1919 to serve in Germany as of 14/04/1919. He went on to serve with 'A' Battery, 74th Bde (14/04/1919) and 'A' Battery, 51st Bde RFA (07/11/1919) before he returned to the UK on 19/02/1920 and transferred to Z Class Reserve on 20/02/1920 for demobilisation. (source Service Records Online & Medal Record Card) These were Howitzer Brigades.

    Stephen Knapp




    210703

    James Cowan Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.1917)

    James Cowan was my great grandad. Sadly, I know little about him except he was a sniper and he was 25 when he was killed in Arras where he now rests. I have been to where he is buried twice. The 1st time we planted heather the 2nd time it had taken. He left a wife whose name I don't know and two boys, my grandad also called James, and his brother Hughie, who moved to America. I would love to know more about my great grandad.

    Helen Pinches




    210701

    Pte. Richard Houghton 31st Battalion A Company Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Richard Houghton served with the 31st Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    Mike LaLeune




    210698

    Rfm. James Edward Green 9th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.27th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle James Edward Green served with the 9th Rifle Brigade he joined the Manchester Regiment as a Territorial in 1914 (at Stretford Barracks) and was stationed around the Town of Albert. He was killed in April 1917 in the Battle of Arras (I assume), he is buried in Bucqouy Road Cemetery, Ficheaux. I know only the minimum information however I will try my up most to research the events that led up to his death.

    Steve Upton




    210697

    Pte. Bertie Daniels 1st Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    My Grandfather, Bertie Daniels enlisted in the Army on 21st August 1905 and served with B Company the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. He landed in Rouen, France on 21st November 1914. He was shot in the head and was taken to 4C Field Ambulance on 23rd November 1914. He was admitted to 7 Stat Hospital Boulogne and on 3rd Dec 1914 taken back to England on the Carisbrook Castle. He was eventualy transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers 3rd Garrison Battalion. Bertie past away in 1946 in Frome, Somerset.

    Tony Daniels




    210695

    Pte. Edward Morgan 4th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.25th Jan 1915)

    My grandmother's brother, Edward Morgan, was a coal miner from Stantsy Wrexham. He joined the Territorial Force pre 1914, serving with A Coy, 4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He arrived in France on December 9th 1914 and was killed in action, aged 25, January 25th, 1915.

    Michael Edwards




    210693

    Pte. John Thomas Robinson Sherwood Foresters

    John Robinson was my grandad. He joined as a Sherwood Forester, and later transferred to 182 Tunnelling Company. I have a copy of his diary, which is now at the Foresters Museum in Chilwell, Notts and some photos of him in uniform. I would be pleased to share any information with anyone who is interested.

    Paul Robinson




    210692

    Pte. Francis George Ross 34th Btn. London Regiment

    Francis Ross was gassed during the war and was sent to Bournemouth to recuperate.





    210691

    Pte. Charles Harry Dalton 8th Btn Leicestershire Regiment

    My Father, Private Charles Harry Thomas Dalton, service No. 42130 was taken prisoner of war at Cormicy on 27th May 1918 and detained in Langensalza camp. I have his information from the International Red Cross. I would like to know if there is anymore information regarding his Army life, i.e when did he join up and where else did he serve?

    Robert Dalton




    210690

    Pte. Charles Wright 7th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    Details about my Great Uncle Charles Wright are (unfortunately) sketchy. I know he died at Thiepval in France on 3rd July 1916 and is one of the thousands listed on the Thiepval memorial. His service records appear to have vanished. All that remains is a list of medals, nothing grand, just the ones everyone was awarded, The British medal, the Victory medal and the 15 star. I remember my Grandmother mentioning him. He'd been the only boy in the family and had 5 younger sisters. If anyone can add more information, then please do get in touch.

    A. James




    210689

    Sapper George Edward Bathe 4th Field Company Canadian Engineers

    <p>

    George Edward Bathe was born in 1883 in Nutfield, Surrey, while his father was drillmaster at the Redhill Reformatory. On 28 March 1907, he sailed for North America on the SS Kensington in the company of Lizzie Dann from Nettlestead, Kent. The couple arrived in Portland, Maine, on 10 April and then moved on to Montreal in Canada. On 14 September 1907 they married at Grace Church, Montreal, with George’s brother William Harry Bathe as one witness. George Bathe volunteered for the Canadian forces going overseas in WWI. Having already served in the militia as a member of the 4th Field Company Canadian Engineers, George was sent for training at the Canadian Engineers Training Depot, Shorncliffe, Kent, arriving on 12 July 1915. While training, George was promoted first to acting lance corporal (5 October 1916) and then acting corporal (19 November) but on 25 April 1917, he asked to revert to his substantive rank of sapper. He had received a good conduct badge earlier that month on the second anniversary of his enlistment. George Bathe went to France on 21 June 1917, joining the Canadian Engineers Reinforcement Pool before being taken on the strength of 4th Field Company on 1 July. He served with his unit – which saw action in the mud of Passchendaele – until 11 November when he reported sick and was transferred to No 1 South African Hospital, Abbeville, suffering from various conditions associated with the unsanitary conditions at the Front. After treatment, he was moved to No 5 Convalescent Camp, at Cayeux, on the coast near Boulogne. He was discharged from Cayeux, but clearly was not fit and on 6 January 1918 he was at No 3 Australian General Hospital, also at Abbeville, and was then taken back to the UK to the 3rd Western General Hospital, Cardiff, when he underwent an operation. On 6 February, he was transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom, (Hut 94 GD) from where he wrote to his brother Gunner John Victor Bathe, then serving in Salonika. On 19 April, he was discharge fit for light duties and was based at the CERD at Seaford. However he had further health problems and was admitted to No14 Canadian General Hospital, Meads, Eastbourne, on 17 September. After surgery, he was transferred to Princess Patricia’s Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Cooden Camp, Bexhill on 14 October, where he remained until 29 November before again being discharged to CERD until he was due for demobilisation. He embarked on HMT Saturnia at Glasgow on 18 June 1919 and arrived at Montreal ten days later. He was eventually demobilised on 2 July.

    Peter Bathe




    210688

    Pte. Stanley Albert Bathe 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.25th Sep 1918)

    <p>Pte Stanley Bathe

    Pte. Stanley Albert Bathe was born in Sydenham, SE London, in 1896, the youngest of the five Bathe brothers to serve in the First World War. He served an apprenticeship with the engineering firm of Merryweather – the manufacturer of fire engines – in Greenwich but then enlisted in the 4th Btn, Royal Fusiliers in May 1918. After training, Stanley went to France on 8 September and towards the end of that month, he was with his regiment at the Front near the Hindenburg Line preparing for what was to be called the Battle of Cambrai. From the village of Moeuvres, the front system of the Hindenburg Line followed the bank of the Canal du Nord for 4,000yards, then crossed it, sweeping in a bold curve round the village of Havrincourt and south of that of Ribécourt. Along the banks of the Canal du Nord there were at intervals spoil heaps consisting of the chalk dug from its bed. One heap was at the sharp bend west of Havrincourt, where the canal turned westward along the Grand Ravin. It was known as Yorkshire Bank. The 4th Battalion moved to Yorkshire Bank on 25 September where hostile bombing was to continue all night and the relief of Z and X companies greatly interfered with. The units suffered one soldier killed and two wounded that day. The soldier killed was Stanley Bathe, just 18 days after he had landed in France. He is buried at Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery and commemorated on the family grave in Lewisham & Brockley Cemetery and on the memorial panel in St Michael & All Angels, Sydenham, where he was once a choir boy.

    Peter Bathe




    210687

    Painter1. Percy Bathe HMS Penelope 1915

    <p>Painter 1st Class Percy Bathe

    Percy Bathe was born in Deptford, SE London, in 1881. On 9 August 1900, he enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry as a Private, No 11713, a member of the Chatham Division. He was at the depot at Deal until 20 March 1901 during which time he passed his musketry drill and proved his ability to swim. He then transferred to Chatham where he was at the time of the 1901 census. However, he was invalided out and discharged on 12 June 1901. A little over a year later, on 4 July 1902, he re-enlisted as a Private, No 12862, still with the Chatham Division. He was based at Chatham until November that year when he joined HMS Bacchante and served with the Mediterranean Fleet, headquartered at Malta, until February 1905. During his sea service, he passed various other musketry and gunnery drills and was awarded a good conduct badge in 1904, on the second anniversary of his re-enlistment.

    On his return to the UK, Percy was based mainly at Chatham although he did have a couple of months with HMS Wildfire, the Sheerness depot. On 13 January 1907, he joined HMS Acheron, the stoker’s training ship at the Nore, and then, on 15 May 1908, having served as a private in the RMLI for more than six years, he joined the Royal Navy as Painter 2nd Class. He spent a further two weeks on Acheron and a month at the shore station at Sheerness, before joining HMS Crescent with the Home Fleet at Portsmouth. His new service number was M318. He was with Crescent, an Edgar-class cruiser, for three months before joining HMS Clio, a Cadmus-class sloop, on the China station. On 11 October 1910, Percy joined HMS Royal Arthur, the sister ship of the Crescent, and part of the 4th Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet at Portsmouth. At the end of the year, he was back at Sheerness and then, from 17 February 1911, he was a member of the 224-strong crew of HMS Pelorus for two months, before moving on to HMS Merlin, a sister ship of the Clio. On 5 November 1913, Percy Bathe was posted back to HMS Pembroke II at Sheerness. While with Merlin, Percy passed as Painter 1st Class (23 January 1913). On 15 February 1914, Percy joined Cruiser Force C based at Harwich serving on three outdated Cressy-class cruisers – HMS Aboukir (to 31 May 1914), HMS Cressy (to 24 July) and HMS Hogue (to 5 August). These ships were, coincidently, sisters ships of the Bacchante, on which Percy had served as a Marine in the Med. In fact Bacchante was the flagship of Cruiser Force C, also known as the Live Bait Squadron.

    Family legend has it that, while Percy was at home on leave, he injured himself by sitting on his mother’s knitting needles. His injuries were said to be severe enough to prevent him sailing with his ship which was then “lost with all hands”. In fact, he was on the strength of HMS Pembroke II from 6 August to 9 December 1914 while the Harwich Squadron saw action, first as support in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, and then, when on patrol in the North Sea on 22 September 1914, all the three cruisers he had served on earlier that year – each with a crew of 760 – were sunk by U-9 in the space of two hours with the lost of 1,379 ratings and 62 officers.

    Percy joined his next ship on 10 December 1914. HMS Penelope was a new vessel which was just completing. She was an Arethusa-class light cruiser with a crew of 276 under the command of Captain Hubert Lynes, and, upon completion in August 1915, she was assigned to the 5th Light Cruiser Squadron of the Harwich Force guarding the eastern approaches to the English Channel. On 25 April 1916 off the coast of Norfolk, Penelope was damaged by a torpedo from the German submarine U-29, fortunately without loss of life. Between 19 May and 16 September 1916, while Penelope was being repaired, Percy Bathe was again on the strength of Pembroke II before rejoining Penelope which, in March 1918, was reassigned to the 7th Light Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow in the Orkneys. Percy was serving with Penelope when the Armistice came, and he stayed with her until 4 March 1919 and during his time on this ship, in 1917, he was awarded a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.

    In October 1918, Percy was promoted to Instructor Painter 1st Class. Then, in the wind down from a war footing, much of the Navy’s fleet was placed into Reserve, and many ships were subsequently scrapped. Percy Bathe seems to have had a role in this activity, being posted to the battlecruiser HMS Indomitable, then in Reserve, and remaining with her until March 1920, when she was paid off before being scrapped. He then went to HMS Erin, flagship of the Nore Reserve, for two months in 1920. His record puts his old ship Penelope in brackets alongside both Indomitable’s and Erin’s names, and his War Gratuity was paid on Indomitable’s list 14 Penelope. Percy completed the 12 years he had originally signed on for in May 1920. He signed on for a second period and remained with Erin until the end of June 1920, then to Pembroke II where he was for three months before going to sea again with two more light cruisers – first HMS Cleopatra for 10 months and then HMS Caledon for the last two years of his service. He was pensioned on 28 August 1923 after over 15 years in the Navy.

    Peter Bathe




    210683

    Andrew McDonough (d.13th August 1915)

    Andrew McDonough (my Great Grandad) died at sea, 13th August 1915. He was one of just 27 casualties from the Lancashire Fusiliers on board the Merchant ship SS Royal Edward. German UB-14 had just left the port of Bodrum Turkey, spotted the Royal Edward and torpedoed it. It went down in 6 minutes not far from the island of Kos with the loss of around 1000 lives.

    Donna




    210682

    Cpl. William Harry Bathe Canadian Ordnance Corps

    <p>

    William Harry Bathe was born in Deptford, SE London, in 1879. He enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 9 August 1897. Although he had signed on for 12 years, he spent 50 days in all with the Marines – and six of those were in hospital, suffering from cowpox, a bad reaction to his smallpox vaccination. On 29 September 1897, he transferred to the Army Ordnance Corps, and his conditions of service changing to seven years in army service and five years with A Reserve.

    3653 Private Bathe W H started his duty with the AOC at Woolwich, but spent his first Christmas and New Year in the army in hospital. He was there for 34 days while being treated for rheumatism caused by exposure. He did not stay with his new unit for long, buying himself out of the army for £18 less than a year after joining the AOC, on 10 September 1898. On 28 February 1901, he volunteered to serve in the Second Anglo-Boer War, becoming a private in the 36th Company (West Kent) Imperial Yeomanry. In fact, before he joined the Royal Marines in 1897, he had been a member of 2nd Volunteer Battalion West Kent Regiment. He was a member of the second contingent of Imperial Yeomanry to go to South Africa, on 23 March 1901. On 29 July, his mother Evangeline was refunded £12, two-thirds of the purchase money paid to buy William out of the army three years earlier. William Bathe was awarded the Queen’s South African medal with clasps for his service in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal, together with clasps to show he served in South Africa in both 1901 and 1902. At the end of the war, he returned to the UK on 27 August 1902 and was discharged at Aldershot on 3 September. Two years later, he was back in South Africa as a member of the South African Constabulary, serving with the SAC between 1904 and 1906 before returning to England.

    In July 1907, he emigrated to Canada, a couple of months after his younger brother George had done so. He lived in Montreal and joined the local militia – the Royal Rifles of Canada. William Bathe enlisted with the Canadian forces soon after WW1 broke out, joining the 12th Battalion of the 1st Canadian Division with service number 23072. He was attested on 29 September 1914 and sailed for England on SS Scotian on 3 October. What William did in the first 11 months of his service in England is unknown, but it has been suggested that he may have been seconded to a civilian armaments factory to learn about modern weapons. He was certainly in Forest Hill on 19 May 1915, when he acted as a witness to his sister Florence’s wedding, but his military records do not resume until 16 September 1915, when he “returned to duty” and was based at Shorncliffe Camp. Later, in early March 1916 he was attached to Canadian Ordnance Corps at Ashford with the rank of Armourer Corporal. In August 1918, he was promoted Acting Armourer Sergeant and finally, in October that year, Acting Armourer Staff Sergeant. During his time with COC, he worked on repairing rifles, spent a few months with the machine gun section and also was based in Greenwich for six months to February 1917 with the Canadian Arms Inspection & Repair Depot. It was not until 27 October 1918 that William served in France, being attached to 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion as armourer. He remained in France until May 1919 and then returned to the UK and was eventually demobilised in Britain on 2 September 1919.

    Peter Bathe




    210681

    Gnr. John Victor Bathe 132 Siege Battery, 424 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Gnr. J V Bathe 132nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    On 19 December 1916, 96342 Gunner Bathe J V was posted to the Macedonian Expeditionary Force at Salonika. He joined 132 Siege Battery on 8 January 1917. He reported sick on 30 September 1917 and was diagnosed with malaria. Until 17 March 1918 he was in and out of various field hospitals and convalescent camps as the disease fluctuated. When he had recovery sufficiently to return to duty that he joined 424 Siege Battery and during his time with this battery he was sent on a short course at the RA Training School to train as a telephonist. During the final assault on the Bulgarian positions, at about midnight on 17 September, Gunner Bathe was wounded by a splinter from a shrapnel shell which burst above the dugout he was in. Described as a “sitting case” he was taken to a causalty clearing station where he “witnessed the stunt of the Pips”. Later he was taken to a hospital at Dudular, where he was X-rayed and stitched up on the next evening.

    When he had recovered sufficiently, he was transferred to Ghain Tuffieha Camp on Malta where he stayed until 12 January 1919. He then started his return journey to the UK via Taranto in Italy, where he arrived on 14 January. Once back in Britain, he was posted first to the Clearing Office (30 January) and then to 3rd Battery No 3 Siege Artillery Reserve Brigade at Prees Heath, Shropshire, (22 February) and then to 1 Fire Command, Falmouth, Cornwall (10 April) from where he was posted to the Hayle Battery on the north coast of Cornwall, which was under Falmouth Garrison. Gunner Bathe was eventually demobbed on 22 September 1919.

    Peter Bathe




    210675

    Pte Patrick "Pat" Connelly 8th Black Watch (d.27 Sep 1915)

    I am researching the death and final resting place of my wife's great-uncle Private Patrick Connelly, 8th Battalion Black Watch, Regimental Number - 3257, Patrick was killed on the 27th September, 1915, at the battle of Loos in the little willie trench. We believe that he was killed in the same action as Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon due to the date of his death and whereabouts. We were under the impression that the position had been overrun by the Germans and the bodies had been lost in the mud, but given the recent events concerning Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon it would appear that the position was held and that the bodies were recovered and placed in a mass grave in the nearby quarry at Vermelles.

    Robert McClelland




    210670

    Cpl. Walter Thomas Field 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.5th Sep 1916)

    My Great Uncle, Corporal Walter Thomas Field, was killed in WW1 in France. He died on 5th September 1916. He volunteered at Winchester on 9th September 1914. I would love to find out where he actually died and where he is buried.

    Marilyn Finley




    210668

    Pte. Arthur William Woodworth

    <p>Arthur on the right next to his younger brother, my Granddad Alfred Woodworth.

    While carrying out some family history research, I came across an interesting and rather unfortunate story about my great uncle, Arthur Woodworth during the Bristol bombing in 1940. Firstly however I would like to give you some background information on Arthur so you can set a picture of what he had done in his life before 1940.

    Arthur Woodworth was born in Shepton Mallet, Somerset on the 16th November 1884. He moved to Hotwells, Bristol with his family before the turn of the century as his father William had a job at Bristol Docks. Unfortunately at 14 years of age Arthur and his father William got into some trouble stealing bicycles and Arthur was convicted on the 2nd May 1899 and sentenced at the Petty Sessional Court Bridewell to 4 years and 6 months as an inmate of the Kingswood Reformatory School. The School was for boys convicted of criminal practices for sentences of 3 years or more. The crime was reported in the Bristol Mercury. William Woodworth got two months hard labour at Horfield Prison for his involvement. The Superintendent of the Reformatory School in 1902 was a Mr B.Andreys, who was an ex army officer and this may have been why following his release, Arthur joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers as a private, where he was stationed in India from 1905. In the 1911 census Arthur was shown as a Musician in the 1st Battalion stationed at Roberts Heights Pretoria Transvaal, South Africa.

    As a full time soldier (Reg No 8583) he returned to Europe in March 1914 and in August embarked on a war that they said would be over by Christmas. He was one of some 120,000 regular troops who were in the British expeditionary army. The RSF were one of the first British formations to move to France. Arthur served with the 1st battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers in the 1st World War and was present at many battles including: Battle of Le Chateau; 1st Battle of the Marne; 1st Battle of Aisne; 2nd Battle of Ypres, which witnessed the first use of a new German weapon on the western front – poisonous gas! He also was present at The Battle of the Ancre in the freezing winter 1916/17; The 3rd Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Lys. On Armistice Day he was at Romaries according to his army records. How he managed to keep alive and even sane I don’t know!

    In 1919 his battalion had to renew the old regimental experience of duty in Ireland during the Irish civil war. He landed in Dublin on the 13th May 1919 and the battalion was stationed in Tullamore barracks, Tullamore until 1921 when the British and Irish Governments would agree on the future political structure of Ireland. Some time after this Arthur left the Army and we have stories of him and some ex- army colleagues busking on Castle Street for a living. In 1939 it is no surprise that Arthur would want to do his bit for King and Country again. He joined up with the Auxiliary Fire Service as a firewatcher. German heavy bombers could carry a thousand incendiary bombs and according to the Home Office a single bomber could start up to 150 fires over a 3-mile area. Arthur would spot fires over the Bedminster area and pass on information to the fire service.

    One cold November evening in 1940, while not on duty, Arthur ventured up the Greenway Bush Pub, Southville for a few beers with his mates. I can only imagine it would have been a busy evening and the pub was full. Main topics of conversation were probably the recent bombing in Bristol and I’m sure some old First World War stories were told as well. It was late in the evening when the dreaded air raid siren disturbed the pub and people started evacuating for the local air raid shelter. Arthur got up from his seat needing to go to the toilet. Could he hold on during the raid or should he use the pub’s facilities? He decided to use the pub toilet. A German bomb destroyed the pub and the only casualty was poor Arthur. What an unfortunate call of nature. Arthur died on the 24th November 1940 aged 56 and is buried at Arnos Vale cemetery.

    Simon Bennett




    210666

    Thomas William Allman 2nd Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    My Gt Grandfather, Thomas William Allman, enlisted in the 2nd Cheshire Reg't on 30/6/1915. He was posted to Salonika on 20/1/1916. On 15/4/1918 he was reported missing, but in May that year he was located by the United States Consul being held as a Prisoner of War at Radomir, Bulgaria. News was released that he had suffered severe gun shot wounds but was recovering well. Thomas was eventually freed from the camp on 31/10/1918 and arrived home the following January, where he was discharged from the service due to his health.

    Claire Hartley




    210653

    BSM James McNee DCM. Royal Field Artillery

    We are in possession of James McNee's medals and a few artefacts. I am finding it really hard to find out anything about his service. He joined the Royal Artillery in 1905 in Glasgow.

    David Fearnley




    210650

    Pte. Thomas Teasdale 13th Battalion King's Liverpool (d.31st Aug 1918)

    Thomas Teasdale was my great uncle. Born in Liverpool in February 1898 the son of James and Elizabeth Teasdale of 26 Farnworth St. He was one of six brothers to serve in the King's and the only one not to return home. He attended Butler St, School in Everton and later became a Sunday School teacher at Brunswick Chapel.

    He enlisted in the 8th (Irish) Liverpool Regt. in the first half of 1916 and was transferred to the 18th Battalion when posted overseas. Thomas was transferred to the 13th battalion K.L.R on 13th August 1918 and was killed in action on 31st August near the village of Ecoust St. Mein 5 miles SW of Bapaume, Northern France.

    As a youngster I visited his grave and remember thinking why did this young Scouser,(plus hundreds of others) end his days near this French village in the middle of nowhere. It helped foster an interest in history which led to me becoming a teacher of history for 36 years. My family still make frequent visits to his grave so that the memory of one "Scouser Tommy" will not be forgotten.

    JW




    210643

    Rifleman William Moore 10th Royal Irish Rifles

    Rifleman Moore was my Granda and served in France during WW1. He had 3 medals and was shot and wounded in 1917.





    210635

    Shipwright William Tiltman HMS Bayano (d.11th March 1915)

    The ship Bayano was owned by Elders & Fyffes, built in 1913. She became the Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS BAYANO in 1914. HMS BAYANO was used to move men, equipment and supplies around and at 0515am on the 11th of May 1915, captained by Commander Henry Cecil Carr, she was intercepted, torpedoed and sunk on her way from Clyde to Liverpool by U-27 (commanded by Captain Wegener) off the coast of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It was reported in the Times newspaper that the Bayano sank in less than three minutes with the loss of 197 lives.

    Emma Bowden




    210629

    Pte. Edward William Smiles 21st Batallion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    My maternal grandfather, Edward William Smiles, was born in Lyon Street Hetton le Hole on 13 May 1886. His parents were James Smiles, a coal miner, and Elizabeth Smiles née Cunningham. Though most of the men in his family were miners, he bacame a shop assistant at the Co-op. On 22 June 1910, Edward married Mary Jane Hutchinson in Houghton le Spring, and they moved to a house in South Market Street, Hetton. They had two daughters, Elsie May and Doris, my mother. He then died in the war. My grandmother Mary Smiles never liked to talk about him, merely saying that he was "lost in the war." She fell out with his younger brother Jim who shared a house with her at some stage, so we lost touch with the Smiles family. Then when she died we found a card notifying her that Edward William Smiles was killed on 9th October 1917 in "France and Flanders" and giving his unit and number as 203487, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. We later found he had joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, 21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish) with number 21/1517. This means he probably saw action on 1st July 1916 at the Somme, and was transferred to the K.O.Y.L.I. later. It seems his war service records were among those destroyed by a bomb in the second world war. The Light Infantry Office kindly sent a photocopy of the battalion war diary for the day he died: as part of 148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division, they attacked over the swollen Ravebeek stream near Gravenstafel just south-west of Passchendaele. They were repulsed by heavy German machine gun fire. The action is notable in regimental history because both Lt.Colonel H Moorhouse and his son Captain R W Moorhouse died within minutes of each other. Neither they (apparently) nor my grandfather were identified after the battle; they are commemorated on the Tyne Cott memorial. Now I always buy a poppy; but my grandmother never would.

    DB




    210625

    Cpl. Benjamin Howard Loudon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th July 1916)

    Corporal Benjamin H Loudon died on 12 July 1916, he had been injured several days earlier. He was only 23 years old.

    Allison Dudgeon




    210624

    Pte. Joseph Arthur Smith 1st Btn, B Coy. Cambridgeshire Regiment (d.12th Feb 1917)

    In memory of my maternal great great uncle, Private Joseph Arthur Smith. He was wounded on the Somme in October 1916 and was evacuated home where he died of his wounds on 12th February 1917. He is buried with a military headstone in Babraham church yard & remembered on the memorial in the village. He was 21.

    Steve Hyman




    210622

    Pioneer Henry Charles Walters 11th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.31st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Henry Walters was my grandad, he died of his wounds, and was buried in Namps-Au-Val British cemetery. He was a compositor in the print and left 8 children. He was married to Lilian Emily Coombs and lived in Chingford

    Pam Walters




    210616

    Sgt. James Keywood DCM. 8th Btn, X Coy, 6 Platoon Duke of Wellington Regiment

    Sgt James Keywood was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry on August 27th 1917, "in leading a Platoon of 36 men to attack a German stronghold which was holding up the advance of the Battalion at Peolcopell. The attack was very successful and heavy losses inflicted on the enemy, the result of which was to ease the resistance to the battalion."

    Alan Keywood




    210615

    Sgt/Mjr. Thomas Maguire MM. 2nd/5th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Tommy Maguire died at 'The Hill' and is remembered on the Arras memorial. No further details are known.

    Tom Watson




    210611

    Pte. John "Jock" Armour 35th Batallion

    My grandfather, Jock Armour, signed up for the big "adventure" in early 1916 and sailed to England on the Benalla which was the first sailing for the 35th (Newcastle's Own) Battalion. He was a 22 year old coal miner who was married to Mary Jane nee Jenkins and had one child, my father Allan, who had been born in 1913. His uncle by marriage, George Jenkins, who lived in the same town also signed up on the same day.

    They went to Salisbury Plain for training and just before being shipped off to France he went AWOL for several days. Perhaps by then I imagine they were hearing more of what to expect once they went over to the Front. He paid his fine (or more likely it was Mary Jane who was deprived of money at this time) and was shipped off to France in November 1916 ready for that harsh winter. I believe he was wounded at Armentieres on 14th Feb 1917 and shipped back to hospital in England. He returned to the front and was wounded again on 13th November 1917. Luckily for him his was was now over and after some duties at various camps in England he returned to Australia.

    Carolyn Armour




    210606

    Sgt. Frank Doughty 24th Bde, 107 Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.8th Aug 1915)

    My grandfather, Frank Doughty left an overcrowded home and lied about his age to join the army as a cadet at 15. Frank was the son of Mr W.H and Elizabeth Doughty of Kingston-on-Thames. He had completed his full service just 12 days prior to his death, having served 17 of his 21 years in India. He went to France early in August 1914 and was in the retreat from Mons. He remained at the front until February 1915, when he obtained leave and came home to marry Harriett Emily, the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Clement Taylor Russell of Ashdown Cottage, Loose, Kent ( my father was conceived at this time). He returned to the front and was killed by shrapnel at Ypres on August 8th 1915 aged 39 years. His men buried him in situ and created a beautiful grave of which I have photos. One comrade removed his wedding ring and hid it in the sole of his shoe so he could return it to my grandmother, which he did. My grandfather was subsequently moved to a cemetery in Voormezeele.





    210605

    Pte. Robert John Milligan 2/3rd Btn Royal Irish Regiment

    Granda Robert Milligan was in a pub and heard the marching feet. It was the volunteers shouting "join us". This he did. He came home & told my Gran "I've tuk the king's shillun" she replied "go down the marra (to-morrow) & tell them you were drunk". He did that and was on the 1st shipment out!

    Granda was a p.o.w. for most of the war. On his release the Germans stamped "kaput" on his papers. He had chronic TB & had a medical pension, till his death in 1922. Plus this my Gran had 3 more children-girl twins and a boy they all died in infancy riddled with TB. They had 2 pre-war children who survived. One was my mother the other my uncle, who went on to serve in WW2.

    Mary Gorman




    210593

    Rueben Peter Ewell 4th Btn.

    Rueben Ewell was the youngest brother of my grandfather, Albert Henry Ewell.

    Alice Giddy




    210584

    Stoker1. William Henry Rylance HMS Aboukir (d.22 Sep 1914)

    William Henry Rylance was a reservist recalled for service and died aboard HNS Aboukir. He was born in Poplar, Middlesex and worked in the steelworks at Scunthorpe pre war. He was my uncle married to my aunt. He was born 31st of January 1875.

    Eric Watson




    210574

    L/Cpl John Stephen Roberts Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather, John Stephen Roberts, was born in Bermondsey, London 18th November 1898 He attested on the 8th August 1917 and was called forward on 16th February 1917 as Number 39541 He completed basic training in the 98th Training Reserve Battalion in Aldershot. Whilst in 98th TRB he was appointed Lance Corporal and passed his Army Certificate of Education 2nd class on. He was also on parade during 1917 for a visit by the King. He was transferred to the MGC and issued Number 132089. He was last in England on 29th March 1918. After this his pay book only shows location as 'Field'. Unfortunately I am unable to make out the names of those who signed his pay book during this time but at a guess they may include: LT G Thomas LT G Lindsay At the end of the war my grandfather served with the army of occupation near Cologne, Germany and was eventually demobbed on 14th November 1919. Unfortunately I have no details of the Company or Battalion he served in and am looking for information that may help identify his unit.

    Niels Roberts




    210572

    Pte. John Denton 1/5th Btn. 2 Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Sep 1915)

    <p>

    Jack Denton was the only surviving son of John and Sarah Denton. He joined up (I believe as a regular rather than as a draftee) and was shipped off to France. John was killed in action on the 2nd September 1915 aged 22. This is the entry in the diary of the CO for that day:

    Casualty report in War Diary Sept 1915 1st/5th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers list at end of diary includes 16 755 Pte Denton J, 2 coy killed 2.9.15 War diary entry for the day - 2nd September 1915 Sept 2nd - Bombardment of ? 13 commenced 3.55am Over a dozen of our own shells apparently 4.7 pitched in our lines doing considerable damage to support lines. Bombardment ceased for a time. Later the 4.5 howitzer and 1.8 pdrs continued making good shooting. New sniper post built in rear of B.4 Bombardment of ?(ters) 13 and area continued during afternoon. Enemy retaliated on Hooge-Zourve Wood area 5.15pm. Enemy ceased firing 6.30pm. A vague report that a trench had been evacuated to our left came in. Enemy suddenly opened heavy bombardment in same direction. Battalion stood to ? 9.30, nothing happened. W coy returned Company of 1st ? Reg in B3 during night which was very wet. Our ? guns reported have made good progress north side of ? (ters? 13 earlier in evening. Rest of night quiet. War Diary Index No: WO95/1430

    My grandmother (Jack's niece) was around 7 at the time. She recalled coming home from school and finding her grandmother on the floor with the telegram in her hand that relayed the news he had been killed. Her grandmother had, in fact, suffered a stroke.

    Lisa Barrass




    210563

    Drum Major Peter McNeill 6th Battalion Black Watch (d.20th Nov 1917)

    Peter McNeill worked at Pullars dye work in Perth, Scotland. He was involved in The Battle of Festubert, Battle of Beaumont-Hamel, The Somme, Third Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Cambrai, where he died age 35. He left behind a widow and four sons. His regiment were part of the 51st Highland Division, one of the most feared units from Britain, and the 153rd Military Brigade. He was a piper and a drummer.

    Max Macdonald




    210562

    Pte. William Moses Elwick 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.4th Apr 1918)

    I have just rediscovered my great uncle after many decades. He was only living within our extended family for a short time. He and my Great Aunt Grace Benson were married in the last quarter of 1917. His name was William Moses Elwick. He was born in 1879 in Lythe, a small Yorkshire village. Later he moved to Middlesbrough. On December 10th 1915, age 36, he joined the British Army, was mobilised and posted - probably to France - on March 22nd, 1916. He was in the 1st and 5th Battalions of the Durham Light Infantry, in the 150th Brigade of the 50th Northumbrian Division. On April 4th 1918, somewhere close to the French/Belgium border in that brutal trench warfare of WW1, William died. His body was never found. He is commemorated on Panels 8/9 of the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

    I do not know how long Grace and William had known each other, but I do know that she never recovered from his death. She carried a torch for him for the rest of her life. The sepia photograph of a WW1 soldier on a shelf was all we children knew of him. I gave no thought to him until now. Rediscovering my Great Uncle has made me reflect on war - on this war in particular - and, upon the thousands and thousands whose lives were similarly ripped apart by death and loss. Each one deserves to be named, and remembered with gratitude. It is never too late. I now call out the name of William Moses Elwick. It will be Remembrance Day in 11 days.

    Pat Hindley




    210561

    L/Cpl. Traverra Haggas 3rd Btn. West Riding Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Traverra Haggas was a wool merchant and married man of 39 on 24th June 1916 when he was conscripted into the 3rd Btn. West Riding Regiment (3/29385). He was called up for service on 5 September, 1916 and promoted LCpl in January 1917.

    Traverra dis-embarked at Boulogne on 3 May 1917. On 19 May he was transferred to 8th Btn York and Lancaster Regiment and assigned his new number (32747) and proceeded to the front two days later. On the 7th of June Traverra Haggas was declared wounded and missing in action. He was assumed to have died on that date and is remembered on the Menin Gate. Traverra had one daughter Josephine who was born 1907. His brother Elverie served with 25th RF in East Africa and survived the war.

    Bradford




    210545

    Pte. Arthur Mitton 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment Prince of Wales Own (d.24th September 1918)

    Arthur Mitton was my great-grandad. He was 28 years old when he died, leaving a wife and 4 year old daughter. As far as I know he was a church organist before he was 'called up'.

    The family story is that his wife, Eleanor, found out he had been killed on Armastice Day.

    Yvonne Sands




    210539

    Pte. Arthur Leonard Beedham 1st Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>

    Len Beedham, could have missed the war and lived a life. He was a farm hand at a farm near were he lived at a small village in the Isle of Axholme of Westwoodside. But he enlisted in the army at Retford & did his training at Cannock then moved to Ashford, Kent were he was stationed till sent to France in May 1918?.

    Len, was a skinny 9 stone something, after his army training he had put a few pounds on and filled out and became a handsome young man. After his training at Cannock he went to Ashford in Kent, were he had the photo taken. He was on ten shillings a week he was doing some sort of extra duty that gave him a few bob more in his army pay. Len and thousands like him were not sent to France, Lloyd George kept the troops in the UK but when the German spring offensive 1918, took place he was sent to France.

    Unfortunately for him he was sent to the 1st Battalion the Worcesters, who were reforming and resting after the attack by the Germans in April around the Somme area as reinforcements. As things turned out this area, under French military along the Chemin des Dames, was the next area attacked by the Germans the Worcesters were sent up the line in defence. When the Germans attacked on the 27th May the battalion was decimated. Len was one of many killed on this day reported as missing. He and many others who were sent to the Regiment as reinforcement never stood a chance, by Bruchmullers bombardment. They did not get to learn any thing of trench war. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! He was in France a matter of days then dead. His brothers, sisters, mum and his dad only got to know he was killed reported missing near Riems the largest town near to the action. He is named on a memorial in Soissons.

    Over the years my mums cousin, Ron Shipley, [great aunt Mabels lad] did extensive research and found out more which Len's parents, brothers and sisters never had any idea of. Its thanks to Ron that we have more on poor Len Beedham 42285 1st Worcesters. He received a soft victory medal for his endeavours, it was in my grandads [Lens youngest brother Alf] wardrobe for many a year, bent and a little battered, now gone! Grandad sat me on his kneed and told me all he knew about Len as told to him by his mum and sisters & brothers Mabel, Blanche & Horace.

    Stuart Lee




    210538

    Pte. Frederick Jukes 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    My great grandad, Frederick Jukes, Private 177 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was a regular soldier from September 1904 before the 1st World War seeing service mainly in India.

    When the war broke out he had by now re-enlisted in the August 1914 & was part of 4th Division 10th Infantry Brigade. In May (3rd) 1915 whilst on the Ypres Salient Shell Trap Farm he was gassed. Original papers show the time/date my family were informed of his injury & the hospitals he stayed at both in France/UK. From these papers it shows that he, in fact, returned to France only to be medically discharged the following year in Nov 1916. The family have now photos of him in uniform which I have always wanted. I am a retired Policeman & like my great grandad I had to retire following serious injury. Strange as it is, his war badge No. is 466928....my warrant number was similar....4628. Grandad lived to a good age but always suffered with his chest. What he must have seen in those trenches stayed with him all his life. He never discussed the war except his service in India. What I experienced in 26 years of policing he & many others who served in both wars must have seen on a daily basis. I dedicate this narrative to my grandad who served his country/colours with pride, honour & respect. I also pay tribute/thought to all others who have served & given so much that we can have our today. I also include those Police officers who have given so much in serving/protecting their communities.

    Anthony Fisher




    210531

    Pte. James Mason 8th Battalion South Staffordshire (d.19th December 1915)

    James Mason enlisted 4th Sept 1915 in the 8th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. He died at dressing station South Ypres on 19/12/1915. Cause of death not known, but this was the day that the Germans first used phosgene gas.

    Peter D. Holmes




    210523

    Pte. Charles Edwin Bell 15th Veterinary Hospital Army Veterinary Corps (d.3rd September 1917)

    This is my Great Great Grandfather. I came across his details whilst searching the Commonwealth War Graves website as we always believed him to be buried somewhere in France. However he is buried in Salonki, Lembet Road Cemetery in Thessaloniki which came as a surprise. What also came as a surprise was his age, him being only 35 years of age upon death. His date of death was also upsetting as according to records the area he was in managed to push back and defeat the troops they were fighting in January 1918. He died on 3rd of September 1917. He served in the Army Veterinary Corps, Unit 15th Veterinary Hospital.

    Having done research this would appear to be along the War Horse story that has captured everyone both on film and the stage play. This would fit in completely as my Great Great Grandfather came from a family who worked the land, especially horses in York. He is mentioned in a book of the named War Dead of the Great War in York Minster. Although I have just found him, having done research I feel like I know him, my brother is the double of him looks wise and I feel so much pride to have found out the information I have about him.

    Gillian Heley




    210522

    Pte. Samuel Taylor 12th Bn King's (Liverpool) Regiment (d.20th Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Samuel Taylor was born on 10 December 1887 at 11 Hothersall Street, Lower Broughton, Salford, Lancashire, England. He was a typewriter mechanic and worked at the Smith Premier Typewriter Company of 70 Bridge Street, Deansgate, Manchester. During WW1 he enlisted in the army in Broughton, Salford and first joined the Lancashire Fusileers [41566], although later he was transferred to the King's (Liverpool) Regiment [50488]. Sailing to France to join the British Expeditionary Force, he left behind his wife Ellen and daughters, Lilian and Jessie at the family home at 14 Buckley Street, Lower Broughton. After surviving several campaigns during the war, Sam was killed on the first day of the Battle of Cambrai in 1917 and is buried where he fell in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery near the small village of Villers-Plouich in northern France.

    John Purdy




    210521

    Pte. Percy James Fellows 10th Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.13th Oct 1918)

    I have been researching Percy Fellows for about a year now, I have found out a lot about him but still do not know important things about him like date of birth and company. I also know he had enlisted in Hastings, East Sussex. I know that he was baptised on the 6th of August 1899 and that he had many brothers and sisters. He was 19 when he died from wounds suffered at the Battle Of Epehy. He is now buried at Cambrin Military Cemetery.

    Jamie Hall




    210508

    Capt. Benjamin Franklin Wray 37th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Dr. Benjamin Franklin Wray was born in Franklin County, Virginia on May 25, 1883. He graduated from the Indiana School of Medicine on June 21, 1911. He was assigned as Captain to the Scottish Highland Div. 37th Field Ambulance. He served overseas for 14 months. He returned to Camden Virgina where he practised medicine for twenty years. In 1927 he served as a State Legislature as representative from Carroll and Cass Counties.

    Douglas Wray




    210503

    Pte. Harry Easthope 12th (Service) Battalion The King's (Liverpool Regiment) (d.5th October 1918)

    Private Harry Easthope died at age 40 a few short weeks before the Armistice. He has no known grave but his memory is preserved on two memorials, one at Vis-en-Artois in the Haucourt Nord-Pas-de-Calais Region in France and another on the WW1 Memorial at the Linacre Weslyan Mission in Litherland, Lancashire. Harry had married Margaret Ann MacPherson, a Scot's lass from Perth, in 1906 at St.Andrew's Church, Litherland. They had six children the youngest of whom was less than a year old when she lost her father.

    Michael Irvine




    210501

    Pte. Cyril Webb 2nd/2nd Bn London Regt (Royal Fusiliers) (d.5 November 1917)

    Cyril was in the London Regt (Royal Fusiliers) and was posted 2nd/2nd Bn as a private 67111. he is buried at Estaples Military Cemetery Pas de Calais, France.

    S. Webb




    210499

    Pte Michael Mooney 8 Bn Yorks. Regt

    Enlisted Sept 1914 from Smith's Dock as part of 'Pals Battalion'. Wounded and awarded Silver Wound Badge. Transfered to Labour Corps (change of number) (1917?). Holder of 'Pip. Squeak and Wilfred'. Bn trained near Tring Herts. Served on Western front (France/Belgium 1915 to 1918). Discharged to Y List 1919.

    Ken Mooney




    210491

    Sgt. Henry Clarke MID 14th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Henry Clarke was my Great Uncle. His parent's were George Christmas Clarke and Lucy Brown. They was born in Bawdeswell in Norfolk. He served in Gallipoli then onto France. He did 8 years and and 350 days. Certificate of Discharge number 1405766. He enlisted in Norwich, Norfolk. He received The Star & the French bravery medal Croix-d-Guere. Mentions in Despatches British War Victory Medal. Henry also served in 15/16 Fire Command R.G.A. Regiment number 33629. He served for a Reserve for a short time and looks as if he came out of the Army in 1922. I was told that he was awarded the French Medal and was kissed on both cheeks, which at the time he did not approve of. I have one picture of him but I wish I had a photo of him in his army uniform. I just would like him to be remembered by all, as many of them also deserve.

    Faith Batson




    210490

    L/Sgt. Samuel Alexander Richardson 1st Battalion Scots Guards (d.20th Sep 1914)

    My grandfather, Samuel Richardson sustained a gunshot wound to the right shoulder during the Battle of Aisne on the 14th September 1914. His death certificate which was written in French by a medical officer by the name of Armstrong Smith states that he died from serious chest complications.

    The war diary for this day states 'The Batallion moved at 5.30am via Moulins and Vendresse to a hill between that place and Troyon - 2 companies in Brigade reserve and 2 companies sent as artillery escort to Tour de Passy'. The casualties for this day is recorded as 3 officers and 16 men killed, 3 officers and 86 men wounded and 12 missing. Information kindly supplied by the Headquarters Scots Guards, London SW1.

    John Richardson




    210479

    Rfm. Charles Alfred Edward Hipwell 17th Poplar & Stepney Rifles Btn. London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Charles Hipwell was killed in action during the Battle for High Wood, near Longueval on the Somme, 15th September 1916. He was 33 years old. Now resting in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery. R.I.P.

    Victoria King




    210470

    Pte. Bertie Balson 1st Battalion (Duke of Edinburgh's) Wiltshire Regiment (d.26th April 1918)

    Bertie Balson was the son of Alfred Charles and Emily Ellen Balson (nee Bosley). He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

    Martyn Rundle




    210467

    Dorothy NMI Axford

    My mother, Dorothy Axford, was in the Land Army. She had attended Temple University, probably in Ambler, PA. She worked on a farm owned by people named Barnett. She died in 1984 in Florida.





    210465

    Pte George Norman Smith 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd May 1918)

    George Norman Smith born in 1898 to a Laundress, Sophia Whiting and Father John Smith, half brother to Frederick Whiting and Daisy Whiting, is my great uncle. He was born in Docking, Norfolk, where the Whitings had lived for over 50 years. I knew very little about George, whilst doing my family history, I was surprised to recieve an email from a complete stranger via ancestry, that whilst cleaning the old graveyard at the Whitings local Church, St Mary's in Heacham, she had stumbled across a plaque (awaiting picture), the plaque commemorated George's passing in WW1, it read "In Loving Memory of George Norman Smith, died in action in France, Aged 20 years May 22nd 1918, Deeply Mourned, Interned at Labunere Near Bethune" . This excited me as well as stirring emotions that I couldn't understand. Now I wanted to know more. So, upon researching well into the night, I found that George Norman Smith is buried at Sandpits British Cemetery in Fouquereuil, France. He served with 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was a Private, Regiment Number 37060.

    Scott Taylor




    210457

    Pte. Samuel Liddle 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

    My grandfather, Samuel Liddle, was born 10/9/1889 and enlisted to the Grenadier Guards pre-war in 1907 on his 18th birthday. His peacetime service was spent with 2nd Bttn in 1907 at Aldershot, 1908 Wellington Barracks London, 1909 in Chelsea Barracks London and 1910 Wellington Barracks where he would have carried out Palace Duties.

    In October 1914 he was recalled to The Colours where he went with 1st Bttn to France and was counted as one of the "Old Contemptibles" disembarking at Zeebrugge from the "Turcoman" at 6am on 7th Oct 1914.

    He served with 1st Bttn Guards 20th Infantry Brigade under Maj Gen T. Capper at 1st Ypres from 20th - 28th October 1914.He returned to England in 1915 on leave then was sent back to France to join 4th Bttn and remained with them till the end of the war and was discharged in February 1919. On 1/5/1918 he suffered "Gas shell poisoning".

    My Grandfather was just an average soldier, no hero as such but by the sheer fact that he served his King and Country in the most horrific conflict ever he is considered by his family as a hero. He was, according to his service history absent on several occasions often referred to as cowardice (maybe?)(wrongly in most peoples opinion considering the horror) due to drunkenness! He served the full term of the war and died in the 1950's as an indirect result of the gassing in 1918.

    I am currently trying to research his campaigns and movements and have been sent some very interesting documents from my sister Lynne who still lives in the UK so will update as soon as I can.

    Michael Donohue




    210452

    Pte. Frederick Crow 8th Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

    Frederick Crow enlisted for Army service on 3rd September 1914. He served in France until August 1916 and in Greece from August 1916 to January 1919.

    Trevor Woolmer




    210448

    Pte. William Reginald Easey 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment

    William Easey was my great grandfather. He came from a very small village called Gisleham on the outskirts of Lowestoft in Suffolk. He signed up aged 28 and was attested on December 13th 1915. From his service records it looks as though after joining the army reserve on 14th December 1915 he was finally mobilised to his regiment in June of 1916 going overseas.

    The service records I hold for his indicate that he was initially with the 3rd Battalion then transferred to the 4th Battalion in September 1916. The records then get confusing because twice it lists he was with the 1st Battalion in 1917. We know he was in hospital from January 23rd 1917 - 6th April 1917; however the record is not that clear what he was in hospital for. There was another entry stating that he was in hospital again later that year for Trench Fever.

    My family still have a postcard he sent to my grandmother whilst he was overseas, she would have been 5 years old at the time. At some point after 1917 he must have been transferred back to the 3rd battalion because this is on his discharge records from February 1919, the dispersal unit was Thetford in Norfolk which is just up the road from where I live now.

    I am incredibly proud of William even though he died long before I was born, he served his country and was one of the lucky ones who lived to see another day and see his wife and children again, so many didn't. My dad said that he would never talk about the war and hated anything German. The farm where he lived when he went to war and came back too is now lived in by friends of my parents and when they dredged their pond about five years ago they found a bayonet and gave it to my dad guessing it must have been thrown in there by William on his return.

    I hope by sharing what little I know about my family will inspire other people to share their little pieces of what is such an important time in our history and one that should never ever be forgotten.

    Caroline Pettit




    210442

    CSM. Harry Rossington 1st Btn. D Company Cheshire Regiment (d.11th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Company Sergeant Major Harry Rossington 7923 D Company 1st Cheshire Regiment was wounded at Audregnies on the 24th August 1914, he died of Wounds 11th October 1914, aged 28.

    Harry was born in St Marks Parish, West Gorton, Manchester. He was born June 1886 and was the second son of Harry and Alice Rossington (nee Woolam). He married Sarah Jane Andrews in 1912 from Co Armagh and had one daughter Edith born 1913. His father, mother, brothers and sisters all moved to Ohio in 1912. Three of his brothers joined the War after his death and all made it. He is survived by a small number of the McCann & O'Neill family in Portadown, Co Armagh, many distant relatives in the USA and the UK. I am his great grandson and have visited his grave with my wife and two boys, he will not be forgotten and the family from Co Armagh are planning to visit again for the Centenary 2014.

    Lisa McCann




    210430

    Rfm. James Starrett 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st Mar 1918)

    My great grandfather James Starrett was a Rifleman with the 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles, formerly (T4/039455) Army Service Corps. He was Killed In Action 21st March 1918 and has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Pozieres memorial.

    Jackie




    210428

    Cpl. Sidney George Hart MM. 65 Brigade

    My grandfather Sidney Hart served with 65 Bde. RFA. He won one of the first military medals ever awarded at Loos. Not sure what for but it may have had something to do with communications.

    Graham Hart




    210427

    A/Bdr. John "Motorman" Wilkinson DCM. 112 Bde. C Bty.

    John Wilkinson was referred to as motorman as that was his occupation when he volunteered in 02/06/15 as a gunner with 112 Brigade, C Battery. His rank was Gunner 02/06/15-11/01/19, L/Bdr 11-01/19-15/01/19, Bdr 15/01/19-09/03/19

    From the London Gazette of the 26th of July 1917 the notice of his DCM states it was for putting out fire in munition dump during a gas attack.

    From his diary of 1918:

    • Mon 18 Feb Left High Wycombe
    • Tue 19 Feb Landed at Le Havre
    • Thu 28 Feb Left Le Havre
    • 01/03 Rue
    • 02/03 Albert to Bapaume
    • 03/03 Bapaume to Royal Court
    • 21/03 Left Royal Court
    • 22-27/03 Riheat
    • 28/03 Albert
    • 16/04 Statue of Albert church fell at 3.50pm on this date. Eye witness Mr Deeson 50th Battery 34 Bdg A7A
    Unfortunately I only have one diary and he didn't write much. He did say that the statue fell because of friendly fire from his gun. And, that it wasn't deliberate. The date is very different from what the papers reported.

    I have quite a few photos including the whole Brigade(I presume) and a tea party group photo of Shipley.

    Catherine Wilkinson




    210423

    Pte Joseph Hazel 9th Battalion Green Howards (d.10th July 1916)

    Joseph Hazel aged 35 died on 10th July 1916. Before the war was a stevedore unloading the ships at Middlesbrough Docks. Married to Elizabeth Ellen Bunn with 3 young daughters, Sarah, Edith and Nora.(Nora, the youngest being born October 1912).

    Joseph was born in East Hartlepool to James and Hannah Maria Hazel. His wife was told he made it through the Battle at Contalmaison but when going for water was shot by a sniper. Lived at 308 Borough Road East, Middlesbrough. Believed he may also have been in the army before his marriage to Elizabeth.

    Lesley Rands




    210421

    Pte. George Ewart Bishop 17th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.12th Apr 1918)

    My Grandfather, Alfred Osborne, passed away in 2011 aged 96. It is believed that George Ewart Bishop was his true Father, and may well have gone to war totally unaware that he had got a young local girl pregnant, my Great Grandmother. My Grandad was brought up by her mother and father as if he had been their child, as an illegitimate child (one born out of wedlock) was shameful in those days. My Grandad grew up thinking that his Mum was just his much older sister. Only in more recent years has all this been discovered, and I would love to find any other relations with information on George Ewart Bishop of 27 Asylum Cottages, Chartham Downs, Canterbury, Kent. Perhaps there is even a regimental photo of him?

    Leigh David Osborne




    210417

    Fred Porter Royal Army Medical Corps

    Fred Porter was born in Boston, Lincolnshire and was training as a chemist, when he went to the Somme in 1914-1918 as an army medic. My husband, his grandson said that he would never discuss any of his experiences with the family. Whilst in or around Puchevillers (near Amiens) he attended a young lady who was unwell. Her name was Leone Sidonie Catherine Acloque and they became very close. At the end of the war he brought her to London where they were married in 1918. In WW2 she was a staunch supporter of the Free French who visited her home in England. Her poor sister Alice, a civilian, was imprisoned by the Germans in Amiens and was unfortunately a victim of the allied bombing "Operation Jericho"

    Lindsey Porter




    210414

    Pte. William James Thomas Clarke Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather, William Clarke enlisted on the 6th of November 1914. I believe he was with the Connaught Rangers and then transferred to MGC. He came under a mustard gas attack and became a chronic asthmatic as a result. He was transferred to Army Reserve on 24 July 1919.

    Carol Mepsted




    210408

    Pte Sidney Earles 18th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1917)

    Sidney Earles was born in 1898 in Hull, Yorks, he died during war service aged 19 in 1917. Son of Mr Henry Earles & Mrs Emily Earles.

    Ken




    210403

    Pte Sidney Platt (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Sidney Platt worked as a butcher in Tyldesley Co-op and was a member of the Boys' Brigade at St George's Church. He went to France in 1917 and died at the very beginning of Operation St Michael outside Mory in North France.

    David Platt




    210402

    Pte. Albert Edward Blandford 5th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.10th Aug 1915)

    Albert Blandford was the grandson of my great great grandmother's sister. He was killed at Gallipoli,this is all I know about him through tracing our family history. He was just a young man when he fell during the Turkish offensive.

    Pete Stone




    210401

    2nd Lt. Charles Frederick Heatly 16th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.17th April 1918)

    Charles was the second son of Henry and Kate Heatly of Tufnell Park, and was born in 1894. He was killed in the Armntieres area. He had attended University College School. His elder brother, Henry, was a Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire, (Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own)and was killed while attached to the E, Lancs Regt on the 22.2.1915 at Croix-barbee.





    210399

    Rfm. Leonard William Corner 7th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sep 1916)

    My great uncle, Leonard Corner died on 15/9/1916 and is buried at Delville Wood Cemetery Longueval. He served with the Rifle Brigade in the 7th Battalion.

    Raymond Corner




    210397

    Pte. Charles Henry Wood Somerset Light Infantry

    My grandfather, Charles Wood served in WW1. He was in Ypres and served at the Somme. When he was discharged from the Somerset Light Infantry on medical grounds, he signed up again a few weeks later with the Lincolnshire Regiment. He was only with that regiment for a few weeks before again being discharged on medical grounds. He also served in India, but as yet, I've been unable to find any information about this.

    Sandra Roberts




    210387

    L/Cpl. John William "Jack" Potts 175th Machine Gun Corps (d.26th September 1917)

    John William Potts was my great uncle. He was the dearly beloved son of John William and Agnes Mary Potts, 13 Post Office Street, Thornley. He was a bugler and a Vickers Machine gunner. He was born in Gladstone, Durham in 1898. He was killed at Polygon Woods, France near Ypres, on 26/09/1917 aged 19 years.

    Mark Cranston




    210384

    Pte. William Johnston 6th Battalion Black Watch

    William Johnston. At the beginning of the First World War in 1914 when he was 18 years of age he volunteered for duty. He was at first assigned to the 13th Battalion of the Scottish Horse but then re-assigned to the 6th (Perthshire) Battalion of the Black Watch as 268693 Private William Johnston/Rifleman.

    My Father seldom spoke of what he saw or of what he did, however my research has shown that one conflict he took part in was at the Battle of The Ancre (Beaumont Hamel), 13th-14th November in 1916. On the 29th October 1918 the 6th Battalion was withdrawn from the front line and at the time of the Armistice was located in the Cambrai area. At 10.15am on the 10th of December 1918 William Johnston crossed the Belgium frontier into Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. He had scribbled this fact down on a page of a tiny German diary which he had acquired and which he kept in his cigarette case. This case had been quite intricately engraved by a fellow soldier using only a needle and a piece of leather. It was about this time, as he passed through Belgium, that he joined the church, his Army Chaplain wrote to his Minister at Midmar to let him know of this.

    It's not known for how long Dad remained in Germany but then, according to Army Form Z.11 (found in small cardboard box containing his medals), on the 29th August 1919 at the Dispersal Unit at Kinross he was demobbed from the Army and returned to the family home now at Upper Kebbaty in Midmar in Aberdeenshire.

    When he left for the War in 1914 he was told his job would be waiting for him when he returned, needless to say and in common with thousands and thousands of other returning young soldiers, this was not the case. So in order to complete his grocers apprenticeship he had to find another position in another shop to allow him to do so. He got a reference from his last employers, the Northern Co-operative Society, and then found such a position with Mr Brown who had a General Merchants business in the village of Pitmedden in Udny, here he became known as "Broon's loon"! This proved to be the most fortuitous of moves because whilst there he met and courted the miller of Udny's daughter, Lizzie Gibson, whom he married on the 24th December 1924.

    The only wartime possessions he had, and left, were, his Bible which he carried throughout the War; a metal cigarette case which is mentioned above; and his two medals. My Father died on 2/2/1988.

    William G. Johnston




    210380

    Pte. Charles Edward Stewart 6th Battalion Black Watch (d.30th July 1916)

    Charles Stewart died age 21 at Highwood, Somme, France. His body was not found so his name is on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

    Stewart Winchester




    210379

    Pte. Samuel James Dobson 3rd Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt) (d.11th Nov 1919)

    Records show that Samuel Dobson died in Liverpool of pthisis contracted as a P.O.W. but the 3rd battalion were a reserve battalion and as such didn't go overseas. Knowing that it was fairly common for soldiers to be transferred around the battalions, I looked further and yesterday I found this interseting item:

    One of the "strangest" lists which I have come across in this category is in the diary of a Division who are on the Somme during the 1916 battles, they captured a hapless German Infantryman who was out in no-man's-land during the night, his officer having sent him over to pin a list of British prisoners on the barbed wire in front of the British trenches. The list is three pages long and neatly typed, the page headings in German but the rest in English. This list gives, in the main, the men's names, numbers, ranks, Battalion, and Company, and highlights those who were wounded when taken prisoner (very efficient, "very German"). The Battalions mentioned are the 5th and 7th Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt), Queen Victoria's Rifles and the London Rifle Brigade (9th & 5th Battalions the London Regiment, respectively), the 5th Cheshires, and the 6th North Staffordshires. Officers are listed for the Sherwood Foresters, North Staffs, London Regt., and Royal Field Artillery. All the men are noted as captured on July 1st 1916, the first day of the Battle of The Somme.

    Roger Stapenhill




    210371

    Cpl. Peter Highcock Machine Gun Corps (d.14th Nov 1918)

    My granddad, Peter Highcock joined the Lancs Hussars but they were nearly wiped out. About 200 who survived then joined the Kings Liverpool, later he joined the MGC. I don't know the exact dates. He was attached to the Americans and while they were crossing a river he was shot by a sniper, the only casualty. The river was the Legrande Helpe. He was attached to 25th Battalion. He was shot on the 7/11/18 and died on the 14/11/18.

    Peter Smith




    210370

    Rfm. William Robinson 13th Btn Rifle Brigade (d.10th Jan 1918)

    <p>

    William Robinson was my paternal Grandfather's brother. I have very little information about William, just the letters from the Army informing his father that he was presumed to have been killed on 10.1.1918, and the standard letter from The King. He served with the 13th Btn Rifle Brigade Prince Consorts Own and was killed at the Ypres Salient. His name is recorded on The Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.

    Malcolm Robinson




    210347

    Pte G Draper 2nd Batallion Royal Fusiliers

    I have a copy of my grandmother's autograph book. She lived in London and worked in Burlington Arcade during WW1. On one page of the book is written: Kindest regards to all Pte G Draper 2nd Batt Royal Fusiliers. 27-12-15 Sick from Dardanelles 28 Sept Arrived in England 23 Oct I do not know anything about this man but thought it might be of interest to someone.

    Sylvia Robbins




    210338

    Pte Richard Stopforth 10th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire (d.4 May 1916)

    In April 1916 the 10th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was given a rest. It moved out of the trenches at Hannescamps and moved into billets at Humbercamps where it was inspected by the GOC on April 1st 1916. On April 9th 1916 the battalion marched to Warluzel where it took billets and remained in Warluzel for the rest of the month. On May 1st 1916 the battalion returned to the front, and after a three-hour march from Warluzel they arrived at billets in Pommier. On May 2nd 1916, they moved into the trenches in a line between Bienvillers, Hannescamps and Foncquevillers. Of the four battalions in the Brigade, the 10th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was to go into reserve in Bienvillers. However, they were tasked with providing two companies of men to support the 6th Battalion Bedordshire Regiment who were to go forward and man strong-points on the Hannescamps-Mochy road and in the support line behind the Monchy salient.

    These were the positions much closer to the enemy where the opposing trenches were about 200 yards apart. "C" Company of the 10th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was tasked to move in support of the Bedfordshire Regiment at the close-support trenches at Monchy Salient.

    On the morning, May 4th 1916, the enemy started a heavy artillery bombardment. The area of greatest threat to the enemy was the salient around Monchy where the two sides each had a bulge in the line facing the enemy's positions. The artillery concentrated on the Monchy salient and then lifted as the infantry attacked: one officer and one Other Rank killed. That one other rank was Richard Stopforth.

    The CWGC records that Richard Stopforth died on May 4th 1916. "Soldiers Died in the Great War" (HMSO 1921) recorded that he was killed in action on May 4th. It also showed that only two men of the 10th Battalion died on that date.

    Alec Crawford




    210320

    Pte Gabriel Baird Carmichael 2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.25th Oct 1918)

    My mother's middle name was Merville, the name of the place where her great uncle had died. In researching our family tree, I discovered Gabriel's burial place is in Premont British cemetery in Picardie. He died of wounds in Merville Field Hospital. I wish I could learn more about his war. It was so poignant that after all that time he is killed just 3 weeks before the end.

    Patricia Donoghue




    210306

    Lt. Walter Leonard Hudspith MC 1st Regiment Middlesex Regt (duke Cambridge own) (d.7th November 1918)

    Lt Walter Leonard Hudspith was killed by a German shell on 7th November 1918. The battalion was moving along a road just prior to going into action when a shell landed, killing him instantly. Two nights before his unit had effected the crossing of the River Sambre at Bertaimont, the first unit in the British Army to do so, having first constructed a bridge. He had previously been awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry and leadership at the Battle of Villers Guislain on September 29th.

    Linda Graham




    210284

    Pte. John McGonigal 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.3rd Oct 1918)

    John McGonigal was my Great Grandfather's eldest brother. He was born in Liverpool in 1889 and died in October 1918 as a POW in Szczypiorno Prisoners of War Cemetery. He has a headstone in Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery (Poland) and his name is also commemorated on the Bootle Civic Monument and Our Lady of Immaculate Conception RC Church in Everton.

    Prior to WW1 John worked on Liverpool docks as a labourer together with his father (also John). He was married to Alice at the time of his death and lived at 4, Daley Place, Orrell, Bootle. I would be interested to hear from anyone who had relations at Szczypiorno Prisoners of War Cemetery during WW1.

    Richard McGonigal




    210262

    Pte. Rupert Wood 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Rupert Wood was my husband's Grandfather. Prior to the Great War, Rupert worked delivering fruit and veg by horse and cart for Boyce Adams in Hanley. He served in the 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers in France and repatriated at some point to Douglas House in Bournemouth. I believe he had been gassed. There is rumour that he engaged in a romance with a nurse at the hospital. He returned home to his family, my mother-in-law was born in 1919, following his return. Mother says her father always had a cough and received a war pension. He worked as a gas lamp lighter and later at the gas works.





    210256

    Pte. William Lamb 6th Perthshire Btn. Black Watch (d.30th Jul 1916)

    I am not sure of William Lamb's story. It is listed that he died from wounds he received in Flanders. Not sure if he is buried in France or back in Scotland. There is a family gravestone in Crieff, with his details on it. He is my Great Uncle. He left a wife Mabel

    Robyn Lamb




    210251

    Pte. Edwin John Padfield 8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (d.30th Jun 1918)

    Edwin Padfield was a member of the Church Lads Brigade based at St Lukes Church, Brislington. Edwin lies buried beside his fellow CLB member John Pike (40124 Pte) in Couin New British Cemetery. They both died on the same day. I am researching all members of the CLB from Bristol who fell during WW1 and I plan to produce a booklet in 2014.

    Doug Lake




    210250

    Sgt. William Sussex 17th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    William Sussex was born 1896 son of Wiliam & Laura Sussex in 1901 they lived at 15, Secker Street, Waterloo Road, Lambeth. By 1911 William aged 15, Barbers Assistant living at 199, Campbell Buildings, Lambeth. He enlisted at Holborn, London in the Duke of Cambridge's Own. (Middlesex Regiment) 17th Battalion, which was raised in London on the 12th of December 1914, stationed White City, London. In April 1915 they moved to Cranleigh then in July 1915 they moved to Clipstone to join the 100th Brigade, 33rd. Division, before moving in August 1915 to Perham Down. On the 18th November 1915 the 17th Battalion landed in Boulogne. On the 8th December 1915 they Tranferred to 6th. Brigade, 2nd Division. William was Killed in Action on the 2nd of December 1917. He is remembered on the War Memorial at Cambrai Luoverval.

    S.J.Sussex




    210249

    Arthur Sykes 2nd Btn. 5 Coy. Duke of Wellington Regiment

    I have two photos of my Great Grandad, Arthur Sykes as a POW. One is in Heuboy, Baden and the other one is Dyrotz. There are German soldiers in the photo too. I would love to know some history of these places.

    Tanya Pearce




    210236

    Pte. Thomas Cooper 2nd Btn. B Coy. Yorks and Lancs Regiment

    My grandfather, Thomas Cooper, was a butcher (part of a family of butchers) in High Spen, County Durham. He joined the army on 11th December 1915 leaving my grandmother, Jane Ann, to care for their six children including my father.

    Grandfather is recorded as being mobilized to France in January 1917 and transferred to the 2nd Battalion Yorks and Lancs in May 1917 part of the Y and L North Command. His service record says he was wounded in September 1917 but the exact date is unclear from the record. There is then a gap until the regimental record says he was posted on 6th November (presumably to UK) after treatment in field hospital and admitted the same day to Bangour War Hospital, Edinburgh. His wound was the result of a gun shot to the left thigh. On discharge from Bangour he returned to the Yorks and Lancs depot. He was in Bangour for more than 2 and a half months. He was demobilized from North Camp, Ripon on 30th January, 1919 and awarded an army pension from 13th March 1919. His wound resulted in a 20% disability. He died in 1926, by then father to eight children.

    Geoff Cooper




    210235

    Herbert William Johnson 2nd Batt. South Wales Borders (d.23rd April 1917 )

    There is a brass-plate memorial in Burston church which gives only the above details and place of death as France. I should be obliged if anyone could give further information.

    Peter Beales




    210233

    Pte. John Joseph Wilkinson 20th Service Btn King's Liverpool Regt (d.21st March 1917)

    Killed in Action at Neuville Vitasse. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.

    Simon Wilkinson




    210216

    Albert Christie Blackwell 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire& Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    In the 1911 census my grandfather, Bertie Blackwell was based at Shorncliffe Camp, Elham, Kent. He enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. During WW1 he served as a navigator with the Army Flying Corps before being shot through the foot. I believe he was invalided out to the North Staffordshire Regiment.

    Robert Blackwell




    210214

    Pte. Edward Albert Hooper 9th Battalion Cameronians (d.25th April 1918)

    Edward Hooper was my great uncle. Prior to the war he had worked as a " boots " in an Edinburgh hotel and as a gentleman's personal servant.

    He was killed during the Second Battle of Mount Kemmel. His body was never found and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial To The Missing.

    Mike Hastie




    210207

    Sapper Tom Hulme 257 Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    My father-served June 1916-Dec 1918.Recruited at Mansfield Notts.

    Peter Hulme




    210205

    Acting Bomb. Thomas Alfred Hutson 6th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.19th December 1915)

    Thomas Alfred Hutson was born in Romford in 1886, he enlisted to the British Army in 1914 in Great Yarmouth.

    He fought with the Royal Garrison Artillery in France and Belgium, on the 19th of December 1915 he was killed in the early hours of the morning at the second battle of Ypres. The Germans launched a massive gas and artillery attack on the British front line and Artillery line. It was the first known use of the new Chlorine gas. Thomas Alfred Hutson was awarded with 3 campaign medals; Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1914-1915 star. He will be remembered.

    Samuel Leslie Hutson




    210186

    2nd/Lt. Roland Hanwell "Bulldog" Harris MC 2nd London Prince Of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles (d.27th December 1917)

    Roland Hanwell Harris was dishing out the rum to his men in the trenches, when a Moaning Minnie landed on the parapet, just above his head. Before it exploded and with great presence of mind, Roland whipped the helmet off his head and placed it over the jug of rum, so the rum ration survived (as did Roland) and, as one of his men wrote in the Regimental History "we got our rum". I also have a series of wonderful letters, written by Roland to his Mother, Florence Edith Harris (Nee Hanwell), who lived in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire. One letter starts as follows:- "Mother, I am an 'ero at last, a military cross has come my way, I know not how". The citation says that it was given "for going out into no-man's-land and bandaging wounded men under constant artillery and machine gun fire". Another letter asks his mother to send him a pricker for his Primus stove.





    210184

    Pte. William Wills MM. 130th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps.

    From what I can remember from my Grandfather's tales, my great grandfather William Wills was a stretcher bearer in WW1. He was awarded the MM which was in the London Gazette dated 14 May 1919.

    Graham Wills




    210182

    Rfm. Arthur Horton 7th Service Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.3rd Oct 1915)

    Arthur Horton joined up in August 1914 with his brother John at Winchester. Arthur Horton was a Rifleman in the 7th Service Battalion and John was a Rifleman in the 9th Service Battalion. John was given a medical discharge one month later. He went on to join the Royal Engineers T.A as a Sapper in May 1915 until his discharge in March 1918. He was wounded in 1917 and also classed as 'Shell Shock'. Arthur Horton died of wounds on the 3rd Oct 1915 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Paul Burns




    210180

    L/Sgt. George Cuddy 17th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment (d.29th Apr 1918)

    I came across George Cuddy while doing the family tree of his relation.I thought he should be mentioned here.

    Jim Clark




    210178

    Pte. Herbert Ernest King Atkins 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.26 May 1915)

    One of four brothers from London who fought in the First World War, Pte Herbert Atkins was a Regular soldier with 2nd Royal Fusiliers who took part in the Gallipoli campaign from its commencement until he was killed aged 23 on 26th May 1915 - the same day as his younger brother, William Frederick Atkins, was killed in action aged 20 at Givenchy in France. Herbert survived the initial landings and subsequent fierce fighting, but after a month of combat was shot in the head by a sniper after he and some of his comrades had climbed onto a trench parapet to avoid flooding. He is commemorated on the Helles memorial at Gallipoli, having no known grave.

    Pat Atkins




    210174

    Rifleman William Percy Russ 1/9th.London Regiment 3rd County of London Brigade

    William Percy Russ was the grandfather that I did not meet. In peacetime he was a water pipe joint maker (a jointer.) He was born on 9 April 1890, at 3, Bartley St., Cornwell Rd., Brixton Hill and returned there after WW1. He served in WW1 as a Rifleman in the 9th London Regiment, (3rd. County of London Brigade.) History off the net. 1/9th (City of London) Battalion TF (Queen Victoria's Rifles). August 1914 : in Westminster. Part of 3rd London Brigade, 1st London Division. November 1914 : left the Division and moved to France, landing at (Le) Havre on 5 November 1914. 27 November 1914 : transferred to 13th Brigade, 5th Division. 10 February 1916 : transferred to 169th Brigade, 56th Division. 1 February 1918 : transferred to 175th Brigade, 58th Division, absorbing 2/9th and becoming 9th Bn. He was devastated by his wife (Nellie's) death and volunteered for Front Line duties. He sustained severe injuries which never healed. As he was unable to cope with a young baby, other members of the Russ family (Fred and Ethel) stepped in to look after Helen, then 10 months old. She was then fostered in Reigate by Ethel's parents (the Whiting family.) When she returned to London after Mrs. Whiting, died she lived with Walter and Minnie Russ and their family for 3 years, before moving to stay with some of her Mother's relations. After the war, William lived with his sister, Charlotte, until his death at the age of 44. Mum remembered her dressing his wounds. He died of Pulmonary T.B. at 75, Lambeth Rd. I sent for a copy of his War Record, but sadly, like 60% of the WW1 Army Records they were destroyed during WW2 by bombing, fire or water damage. I did however manage to get some information when I visited the PRO at Kew and a copy of his medal entitlement. Attached is a copy of his War Medal entitlement. He doesn't seem to have got a war pension - in spite of his injuries.

    Sheila Appleton




    210173

    Pte. Cecil Edward Street South Staffordshire Regiment (d.17 July 1915)

    I am trying to establish exactly where Cecil Street fell. There is a war grave in Pelsall cemetery but I have been unable to establish any real information about his service.

    Polly Mason




    210170

    Lt. Sidney Milsom 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.30 July 1915)

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    My Great Uncle Sidney Milsom was killed in action at Hooge on 30 July 1915. I am in touch with an historian who is providing me with further information relating to Sidney's death at Hooge. Sidney was Lieutenant (T)of the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own). I do not have his service number as yet, but have found that he is Commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Panel 46 - 48 and 50. The following have also been found: "Lieutenant Rifle Brigade, 8th Bn. 29 30 July 1915 Son of Mr. F. H. MILSOM, of Audley Lodge, Bath. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium Also appears in the Somerset County Roll of Honour. Also appears in Bath College memorial in Bath Abbey. 1911 Student in Chemistry boarding at Cliff Lawn Esplanade, Fowey Cornwall. Brother of Edward" First Name: SIDNEY Initials: S Surname: MILSOM Rank: Lieutenant Service: Army Regiment: Rifle Brigade Battalion: 8th Battalion Age: 29 Nationality: British Campaign Medals: 1914/15 Star Victory Medal British War Medal Date of Death: 30/07/1915 Commemorated: British More Information:Parent: Mr. F. H. Milsom, of Audley Lodge, Bath.

    Sally Milsom




    210168

    2nd Lt. Harold Charles Davis RFC/RAF (d.26 Jun 1918)

    My Great Uncle, Harold Charles Davis, was born in 1894 in Portsmouth, one of 4 brothers who all enlisted for service in WW1. Brother Percy Bernard Davis was with the Royal Fusiliers, 11th Battalion and was KIA on 10th August 1917 during the 3rd battle of Ypres, Cyril Henry Davis joined the Royal Navy & survived the war as did George Reginald Davis who, amongst other postings was with a Siege battery in the Royal Garrison Artillery in Mesopotamia (Iraq) at Qut during 1917 fighting the Turks of the Ottoman emire. Harold was training to be an accountant in the family building business in Portsmouth prior to enlisting in the Hampshire Yeomanry before transferring to the 9th Batallion Essex Regiment then finally transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. Harold was an observer in 104 Squadron and flew in the DH 9 aircraft when he was shot down and killed on Mount Donon in the Vosges Mountains of France during a bombing raid behind enemy lines. His Pilot Charles G Jenyns survived the crash landing and was taken prisoner for the duration of the war and was able to return Harold's possesions to the family when he was released. Harold was finally laid to rest in the Plaine French National Cemetery at Plaine in the Bas-Rhin region of France.

    Jeremy Davis




    210167

    Sapper James Steele Tunnelling Co. Royal Engineers

    James Steele is my paternal grandfather. The following I have taken from James' letter dated 19th December 1920 to Army (I changed the first person to 2nd person) It was after his medal 1914-1915 star, which he was later awarded. James Steele Joined up in the colours on 25th Sept 1915 at the recruiting office in Douglas Street, Dumfermline, Scotland, then proceeded to Chatham on the night of 27th September 1915, landing in St Marys Barracks, Chatham next day 28th.

    He then proceeded on the draft leave on 3rd October 1915. Returned back for the draft on the 7th, the draft leaving on the 8th October. He landed along with the draft at Rouen on 9th October 1915, was a fortnight at No. 4 General Base, Rouen. James fell sick and was admitted to hospital being sent back to England and proceeded North in the hospital train to Glasgow being admitted to ?bhill hospital on the night of 26th October 1915. He then proceeded on 10 days sick leave, returning to Chatham some date in November. He then again embarked for France on 31 December 1915 and ws there until he was wounded on 2nd June 1917. His WW1 Army Discharge paper reads:- Serial No. 8801 Certificate of discharge of No. 132130 (Rank) Sapper (Name) James Steele (Regiment) Royal Engineers who was enlisted at Dumfermline on the 25 Sept 1915. He served 2 years, 311 days with the colours He was discharged in consequence of being no longer fit for war service. Para 392 He was 24 years and 10 months old on discharge 5ft 6inches Complexion fresh Eyes Inky Hair dark brown On discharg he was sent home from Edmonton Military Hospital to his home at 14 Quakerfield, Taylor Building, Bannockburn, was given one pound advance in money, a suit of plain clothes and an overcoat. Stories I can recollect hearing from James and his children. He remembers with horror digging tunnells to lay mines under the enemy. He said that it felt like being in a coffin and he always worryed that the tunnell might collapse. Fighting the enemy from the trenches. Watching his friends being killed, running over dead bodies. And of course, Plum jam. Plum jam in his tea, for breakfast, lunch and tea - many times. When he came to live with us (I was a child), us children loved plum jam but grandpop always waxed lyrical about plum jam during the war and would never eat it. He also told us about the time, a Scots, dressed in his kilt, big black hat, played his bagpipes early one morning in the mist. He said that the enemy, hearing this strange noise and seeing in the mist a giant of a man, turned tail and fled. (probably a furfy but still sounds feasable.) James had been shot in the leg by shrapnel from a hit that killed the man next to him in the trench. He eventually had his leg amputated below the knee while living in Australia. I believe that he got the RSL in Australia to pay for taxis for limbless ex-soldiers to be taken to and from medical appointments. James married in Scotland and emigrated to Australia in 1926 with his wife and five children on board "Ballarat". His first job in Australia was as a miner in the coal mines at Cessnock, NSW. He was amazed that the tunnells were so high that he was able to stand up straight, not have to crawl along like in the mines in Scotland. Eventually he had many positions here as a worker and moved around NSW many times, not being able to settle. He died 16th July 1971. On the day he died, his last words that day were of the horros of WW1, of gassed men turning yellow, officers shooting their own men, and plum jam.

    Jennifer Grant




    210166

    Pte. Harold Baskeyfield 24th Battalion London Regiment

    My Grandad Harry Baskeyfield told me once that he played football with the Germans on Christmas day (1914?) We have his medals & badges (including Mutton Lancer cap badge & crossed rifles one). It says South Staffs around the edge of his medals I also have his service number & a medal card image.

    Paul Baskeyfield




    210165

    Gunner Fredrick Charles Pentreath Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery (d.24th July 1917)

    Fredrick Charles Pentreath was my Grandmother's brother. He was born in Penzance, Cornwall, and is buried in Dickesbusch New Military Cemetary Extension. He was 29 when he died, and his memory was always spoken about and my Grandmother was able to visit his grave a few years before she died.

    Sally Hartley




    210161

    Gdsm. Walter Henry Moulson 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.16th Sep 1914)

    Walter Henry Moulson was my great uncle. I believe that he joined the Grenadier Guards in 1911 enlisting at Chester. He was born in Worthenbury in Ceshire in 1883 and whilst a young child his family moved to Sareshill near Wolverhampton. Walter was the eldest child of seven. His father, a groom, died at the young age of 41 years in 1899 when Walter was just 16. His mother remarried in 1901 but this happiness was short lived as she died in childbirth aged 36 years in 1902 leaving Walter to be the head of the family. He was a tile carrier for several years until his siblings grew up and when they were all settled he joined the army.

    His service number was 12390 and when World War One began he travelled from Chelsea to Le Havre between 4-15th August 1914 where, as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he was one of the first soldiers to go to France serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards. It is believed that he fought at the Battle of Mons and then the Battle of the Marne. He was killed in action on 16th September 1914 believed during the 1st Battle of the Aisne. I have no further information of the incidents leading up to his death or how he died but i suspect that as it was the early part of trench warfare he may have been shot whilst digging a trench or hit by a morter shell. Unfortunately, I have no photograph of my great Uncle Walter who was my paternal grandmother's brother. He is remembered with honour by myself and at the ancient church of St Marys in Shareshill village where there is an inscription to the fallen residents of the village during the great war.

    John Scott




    210156

    Rifleman Samuel Sloan 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.8th July 1917)

    He was the youngest son of Robert and Mary Sloan of 35 Mill Street, Whiteabbey, Co.Antim, Northern Ireland. One of three brothers too serve, the others being Charles and Robert. I have a medal roll copy confirming he was originally serving with the 6th Btn Royal Irish Rifles before, I presume, he was transfered to the 2nd Btn where he was killed in action on the 8th of June 1917 aged 20 years old.

    He was the brother of my great-grandmother, Elizabeth Creighton (nee Sloan), therefore making him my great-great uncle which makes me proud that he answered his country's call and paid the supreme sacrifice for his country and it's people.

    He is interned in Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery, Belgium Plot V Row F Grave 13. PS

    If some kind soul has the need to call to the cemetery would they place a flower upon his grave as I am disabled and will never be able to make the trip myself.

    John Blair




    210155

    Pte. Edwin James Oakes 9th Devonshire (d.6th October 1917)

    Edwin was born in East Stonehouse in Plymouth in 1893, one of the nine children of Isaac (Jacob) and Maria (nee Rimes) Oakes.

    In the 1911 census his trade is noted as Mason Labourer, tool boy in the local dockyard and is living at home with his parents and four of his siblings in 71, George Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, a street he was probably born in.

    We are not exactly sure when Edwin joined up, but we do know he married Hilda Hutchings in 1914 in Plymouth and they had a daughter Ellen the following year in September. All we can glean from the available military information is that Edwin joined up with the Devonshire Regiment 9th Battalion and was involved in the 3rd battle of Ypres. He was killed on the 6th of October 1917 and is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    After the war Edwin's brother Charlie named his first born son after his brother as a memorial and tribute to him. Whether Hilda married again is as yet undiscovered, but his daughter married and herself had at least one son Brian. In the photograph Edwin is to the left of his father (seated), behind him is older son Francis and to his right son Charlie.

    Brian Woodward




    210149

    Sgt Peter Gaskin Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17 Sep 1918)

    Peter married Alice Murray 10th April 1910 and had a son 5 months later. Marriage cert shows his profession as Porter. He signed up for the Army in Dublin. Medal Index Card shows a Qualifying Date of 2/11/14 initially with Northumberland Fusiliers, then MGC. His daughter was born 13/3/1916, suggesting that Peter returned home in mid 1915. She married first in 1936. Father's profession is shown on the marriage certificate as Cabinet Maker. Possibly a tongue in cheek reference to the fact that he was 6 feet under?

    Mark Robertson




    210146

    Pte. Kenyth Westley Rider 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment

    Kenyth Westley Rider was my grandfather, I did not know him that well as he died when I was a child and suffered a terrible stammer brought on from shell shock. According to the military records he enlisted into the Essex Regiment on 6th September 1914 and was posted to the 3rd battalion. On 9th October 1914 he was then posted to the 12 battalion before finally being posted to the 2nd battalion on 27th July 1915. I understand he was mobilised for France on the same day. He was later transferred to the labour corps on 15th July 1918 (33rd prisoner of war company) and them moved into the reserve on 15th June 1919 before being discharged on 31st March 1920. I understand he served in France between 27th July 1915 - 17th May 1919.

    John Scale




    210145

    Thomas Horn 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.21st September 1914)

    Thomas Horn was born in 1886 in Norwood, Surrey to James Horn, a plasterer, and Catherine Barnes, a laundress. One of fourteen children he lived in Dover Road, Norwood.

    On leaving school he became a stationer's errand boy. In 1906 he joined the 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry, having previously served with the 3rd (Reserve) Royal West Surrey Regiment. In 1911 he was a private in India with the trade of carpenter. The 1st Battalion were stationed at Nasirabad, Rajputana (now Rajasthan).

    In January 1914, on completion of 7 years with the 1st Battalion, he went on the reserve list and was subsequently mobilised into the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the outbreak of war in August 1914.

    The 2nd DLI proceeded to France, landing at St Nazaire on 10th September 1914 and at once moved to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF on the Aisne. . At dusk on 19 September the 2nd DLI left Bourg to enter the temporary, improvised trench line for the first time at Troyon just as the first Battle of the Aisne developed. At about 1pm on the 20th, the battalion to their right gave way under German pressure. This left the Durham's flank unprotected and open to heavy fire from a German machine gun. This fire continued for some time until the reserve battalion was able to move forward and reoccupy the position. During this period, on 21st September, Thomas was killed.

    Thomas has no known grave but is remembered on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre memorial in France. His medals are on display in the Durham Light Infantry Museum (Medal Case 36, Display Group 60).





    210130

    Pte. John George Purvis 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.10th May 1917)

    My grandfather, John George Purvis, lived at 1,Wylam Street, Bowburn, County Durham when war was declared.

    He worked at Bowburn Colliery. He was married to Margaret and they had three children by 1914, one being my mother, Ann Purvis. He joined the 10th Battalion, DLI,and landed in France 21st May 1915. He was killed in action on 10th May 1917. This was during the Battle of Arras. On the 10th May, the 10th Battalion, DLI were fighting beyond the village of Wancourt, with the enemy on the low ground, south of the Cojeul river.

    John George was just one of 70 men killed or wounded during this period of fighting - principally by shell fire. John George Purvis` body was never found. His name is on Bay 8 of the Arras Memorial.

    His widow never got over the death of her husband. My mother - the only daughter of John G. Purvis - was sent to live with grandparents shortly afterwards. She lost touch with her mother in the early 1920's.

    The War had not just claimed one victim - a whole family was broken and destroyed.

    Clive Richardson




    210127

    Pte. Hugh Elias Hughes 10th Battlion Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Hugh Elias Hughes from Llanrhos in North Wales is mentioned in the nominal roll of 9th Queen's Royal Lancers as having joined the regiment in France on the 16th June 1916. At this time the 9th Lancers were preparing for the Somme Offensive and were to be used for the break-through (that never occurred). The battle of the Somme started on the 1st July with the men of the 9th being used as "vulture parties" to collect the dead and wounded from the battlefield, On the 4th of October 1916 Hugh was transferred to the 10th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Hugh's younger brothers, Griffith and Ivor, were also serving in this Battalion, whilst their eldest sibling, William, was transferred from the 1/6th (Territorial) Battalion to the 1st Battalion of the Regiment in February 1917. On the 13th November 1916 (Battle of Ancre), Ivor was wounded during an assault on the village of Serre, being shot through the thigh. Sadly, less than a year later (2nd of October 1917) William was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest; he left a wife and two young children. Williams's injuries were sustained during a counter attack by the German 46th Reserve Battalion (consisting of 3 Battalions and 3 Sturmtruppe); the attack falling on the area of Polygon Wood covered by the 1st Battalion RWF and the 8th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. William would have first been taken to a field dressing station just behind the front line where morphine would have been administered and his wound dressed; from there he was evacuated to No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Poperinge where he finally succumbed to his wounds on the 2nd of October 1917. William's grave is in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery situated 12 kilometres west of the town of Leper in Belgium, grave reference number XXIV.F.12. William is also commemorated on his parent's memorial headstone in Llanrhos churchyard. Hugh Elias Hughes continued to serve with the 10th RWF until February 1918 when the Battalion was finally disbanded; he was then transferred to the 7th (Pioneer) Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. It was whilst serving with this regiment that he was injured. The story the family passed down regarding his wounding, is that Hugh was in a dugout playing cards with four comrades; the dugout received a direct hit from a German artillery shell and all four of his pals were killed instantly. The rest of the dugout collapsed down onto Hugh but he was eventually pulled from the carnage suffering with severe head injuries and associated memory loss. The family may well have been informed that Hugh was missing because, as the story goes, Hugh's mother was convinced that he was still alive and sent a photograph of him to help with his identification. Eventually Hugh was identified and returned home to Llanrhos in December 1918. Unfortunately the tragedy does not end here, as after leaving the Army, Hugh suffered acutely from his head wound, any loud noise would result in panic, with him displaying the terrible character changing symptoms so often associated with severe head trauma and battle stress. In August 1920, Hugh and a former sailor called Thomas Henry Lewis decided to leave the Llandudno area to try and find work; so they walked to Chester, eventually finding temporary employment at Rake Lane farm in Eccleston. Following an unsuccessful attempt to gain work in the mines in Wrexham, Hugh found himself back in Chester, by now separated from Thomas and in in a very drunken and distressed state. Sadly, whilst in this condition Hugh threw himself from a bridge over the river Dee and drowned. Hugh's father Owen travelled to Chester to identify his son's body and give evidence at the inquest, the city coroner Mr E Brassey returned a verdict of "suicide whilst of unsound mind". Hugh is commemorated on his parent's memorial stone in Llanrhos churchyard and can be considered as much a victim of the Great War as his brother William.

    Tegid Hughes




    210122

    Sgt Frank Kerman MM 7Th 7th Batt the East Kent the Buffs (d.8 April 1918)

    Frank Kerman was my great Uncle on my Mother's side of the family, younger brother of her father, John Drumgold.

    Frank was born in West Ham, London and grew up in Lewisham. He first joined the Army in 1914 but was discharged as undersize (information from pension records) he then rejoined the army under the name Kerman.

    He was awarded the Military Medal at the time the battalion fought at the Schwaben redoubt and Regina Trench in 1916(reference in book about the Buffs in the Great War), He was killed during the fighting just before the battle of Amiens in 1918.

    His medals and a photograph are in the keeping of a collector some how they had made into the collector Market. There is a photo of his grave on the Internet and I am putting all of the information together so that the CWGC can update his grave record.

    Tony Hellard




    210121

    Sgt. Thomas William King 189th "Hackney" Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    My Great grandfather was in the Royal Marine Light Infantry before the war but enlisted as a Private in the Royal (London) Welsh Fusiliers 15th Battalion on the 2/11/1914. He was quickly promoted due to his previous experience and transferred to the RFA on the 2/10/1915 as a Sergeant. He was demobbed in January 1919. In May 1916 he was severely reprimanded for an improper reply to an officer and his rank was reduced to Corporal and his pay stopped for 2 months. He didn't regain his rank as Sergeant again until November 1917. He claimed to have fought at the Somme and alongside the Guerkas of which he was very proud. Apart from that he spoke very little about the war.

    Gary Breeze




    210119

    Pte. Cuthbert Howard Brooker Army Service Corps

    Cuthbert Brooker joined the ASC as a Private and entered France on May 29th 1915. In November 1917, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, and was then stationed in Ireland for the duration of the war until his demob. If anyone can shed any light on what he might have been doing in the ASC, or where he might have been serving in France, I'd love to hear from you.

    G Brooker




    210116

    Pte. Roland Dixon

    Roly Dixon is my Grandfather. He often recalled his time at Ypres. His funny story was the fact that he had been sent home on R & R (Rest and Re-cooperation) and that when he returned to the front line, he was requested to carry a large flask of tea on his back, which was something more like and urn of tea. Unfortunately, his urn of tea had been punctured by a bullet, thereby the tea had drained from the flask. When he got to the front, they were all wishing that the urn of tea had survived and that it would be preferable that he had been shot. What a character.

    Phillip Dixon




    210115

    Capt. Dan McElduff MC. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My grandfather, Dan McElduff served in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was awarded the MC in 1916 when serving on the Somme. I have added some pictures that I have. I am looking for any information that I can find regarding him and his war service history. It would also be nice to pass on his pictures to any of the family of his friends in his pictures. This might be a big and impossible task, but would be nice to do.

    Colin McElduff




    210114

    Pte Joseph Branton 1st/6th Bn. London Regiment (City of London Rifles) (d.15th September 1916)

    Like many others he has no known grave but is commemorated at Thiepval. He was my father's cousin. I would like to know where he is likely to have been killed.

    Wendy Reeves




    210112

    Driver P. Moony 26 Battery Royal Field Artillery

    I have recieved a post card from a friend who is doing a house clearing, when he came across this postcard he sent it to me for interest.

    I would really like to pass it on to a relative of this soldier if at all possible.There is no forwarding address or date, but the content of the card is as follows:

    Dear wife and child. Just a few lines hoping that you are going on alright and in the best of health as it leaves me at present. Dear wife I recieved your parcel safely this morning Sunday. The cakes were very nice and thank you very much. Dear wife please send me some Woodbines.I will try and come and see you but I shall have to pay half my fare but it will cost me a bit of money to come and see you. Dear wife please could you spare about a 1pound to get me home)unsigned,

    W. Vanstone




    210106

    Pte George William Barnes 4th Hussars

    George William Barnes served in 8th Hussars, 1907-1914. Recalled from the Reserve in 1914, he enlisted in 4th Hussars and served with the BEF in France/Flanders. He was wounded at Wulverghem in November 1914 and treated in "Armstrong College Hospital" (1st Northern General Hospital), Newcastle upon Tyne. There is no information on the time spent in hospital, but he transferred to 14th Hussars in 1915 and was posted to Mesopotamia in 1916, where he served for the rest of the war. He was already demobilised when he was subject to a medical examination in Baghdad in 1919. He may have wished to remain in the service, like his brother, but was "no longer fit for service", due to a "disability attributable to and aggravated by service in the present war". The disability was not caused by his injury at Wulverghem in 1914, but "the improper setting of a broken foot", the result of his horse falling on him during exercises at the Curragh Camp, Ireland, in February 1915, when he was treated at the Curragh Military Hospital. There is still some confusion about his early service - he did enlist in 8th Hussars in April 1907 (aged 15 years), but, according to records found so far, he was discharged one month later, having lied about his age (given as 19 years). He obviously re-enlisted, as his later medical record states that he was posted for duty in July 1907 at Belfast. His older brother, Arthur John Barnes, served in the 4th Hussars 1907-1914 and in 8th Hussars, 1914-1928. His cousin, Herbert Edward Kerley Barnes, served in 8th and 4th Hussars from 1909. He died, while still in service, in February 1919 - the cause of death is unknown and he was buried at home, but his death is listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

    P Talbot (nee Barnes)




    210092

    Pte. Harry "Bill" Fleming 12th Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    Harry Fleming was my father. He served throughout WW1. He was with the 12th (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers from 1914 until they were disbanded in 1918. He then served in another RF Battalion and then in the Labour Corps, eventually returning from France/Belgium in July 1919. He fought at Loos, Arras, the later part of The Somme, Messines, and at the Third Battle of Ypres. Harry survived the war and died in 1954. I have been researching 12RF for over a decade and have many thousands of items in my archives and am happy to share the information with anyone connected with 12RF.

    Barry Fleming




    210087

    Pte. Michael Mitchell Cairns 9th. Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    A memorial stone to Michael Mitchell Cairns is in the church yard of St. Canice's Church in Eglinton, Co. Derry, where I now reside, This man was my grand father's elder brother. I have in the past researched my family and I had a printout of the 1911 Ireland census. My grandfather, William Cairns, is on the family list as is an older brother of his entered as Mitcheal Cairns, who was 18 in 1911. On the headstone he was in the 9th. Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, number 26700. He enlisted in Londonderry and was 24 years old when he was killed at the Somme on the first day of the Battle, 1st. July. He is also named on the Thiepval Memorial as one of the missing. I have been trying to find out his enlistment date and hopefully a picture of him.

    Mitchell Michael Thomas Cairns




    210074

    Pte. James Robert Smith 2nd Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

    My grandfather, James R Smith, was a piper in the 2nd Battalion. He and two of his cousins lied about their age and enlisted when they were just 14. He was wounded twice, once when mustard gas burned his arms and back and the second time when an artillery shell collapsed part of the trench he was in on top of him. Shortly before the beginning of the Third Battle of Ypres, his commander discovered his age, and sent him to a unit in the rear. During the Ypres battle, his former unit suffered severe casualties, and both of the cousins he enlisted with were killed. After the war, he emigrated to the United States and married.

    Ian Smith




    210073

    Pte William George Wain 9th Batt Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    William Wain served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment during WW1. His brother, George, also served in the same regiment. William survived the war and lived until 1968. George died in France in 1918 and is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery. William's baby son also died in 1918, aged three, from Spanish Flu. William kept the black bordered letters he received informing him of the deaths.

    His wife, Louisa, stayed in the village of Wootton Wawen throughout the war, caring for their other child, Margaret (Madge). When the couple were reunited after the war, they had one more child, Betty.

    Sandra Haynes




    210067

    Pte. Ellis Ratcliffe 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Apr 1918)

    This gentleman would have been my great uncle. In Memory of Private Ellis Ratcliffe 81525, 18th Bn., Durham Light Infantry who died age 18 on 12 April 1918. Son of Ellis and Mary Jane Ratcliffe, of 52, Travis St., Stockport. Remembered with honour on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission:- Ellis joined up, probably in 1916, under age for overseas service and was assigned to the Lancashire Fusiliers. Service number 51023. Later in the war, at the age of 18 he was transferred to the Durham light Infantry as a replacement for casualties.

    On 9 April 1918 the Germans opened the second phase of their spring offensive, known as the Battle of Lys. Ellis was not in action that day. It is thought that he may have been part of 50 new reserves that arrived on 7 Apr 1918. Overnight on the 10/11th the Battalion took up positions at Outtersteene, 5 km SW of Bailleul with orders to attack at 7pm. The start of the attack was delayed 30 mins then 'C' company led the way, with the other 3 companies a little way behind. the first and second objectives were captured and consolidation began to take place. Only 'D' company, on the left, had been severely troubled by an enemy machine gun on their flank.

    At 7.30am on the following day all companies reported the enemy massing in front for an attack. This attack was delivered to the battalion next to them - the 13th York and Lancaster, who were forced to retire. This left the Durhams exposed and after 15 mins they were also forced back. The Battalion had suffered 270 casualties - dead, wounded or missing. The Commanding Officer rallied the men into defensive positions with orders to hold at all costs. At this point they were accidentally shelled by the British Artillery, suffering many casualties. 'D' company was reduced from almost 250 to less than 20 men. 'B' company had a similar small number and another retreat was inevitable. They pulled back to a line astride the railway, south of Outtersteene where they held out for an hour before being forced to retreat further. A further significant retreat was ordered for the whole Brigade to a point near Bailleul. It was at some time during the above action that Ellis was killed and his body probably buried by German troops in a quieter period.

    Harold Keith Howardf




    210066

    A/Cpl. James Stanley Howard 1/6th Btn Cheshire Regiment

    My grandfather James Howard enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment Army Reserve on 13 Dec 1909. Between that date and the outbreak of the First World War he attended various annual training camps, during one of which he was promoted to lance corporal on 20 May 1914. He was mobilized into 1st Battalion on 5 Aug 1914 and promoted to acting corporal on 3 October 1914. Shortly after arriving in France he was captured at a place called Violaines, near La Basse and was confirmed as a POW on 22nd Oct 1914. Details of his units capture can be found in "The History of the Great War" by Arthur Crookenden (Col. of Rgt.) pages 28 & 29. He spent the remainder of the war in various Prison of War camps as listed below. The dates and places were supplied by the International Red Cross Committee: 16 Jan 1915 Wahn, 19 Jul 1916 Merseberg, 4 Sep 1916 Wittenberg, 25 Jan 1917 AltenGrabow, still there on 10 Feb 1917, 21 Mar 1917 Magdeburg/Sud (IRCC quote 'Hilfskrkanst' as part of the camp name) Detailed as arriving in England on 18 Nov 1918 on the SS "Willochra" on an undated list.

    Having returned to England he was transferred to Army Reserve on 18 Feb 1919 and then discharged from the Army on 31 Mar 1920. Having experienced the conditions of the Prisoner of War camps one would expect him to have settled for a civilian existence but he re-enlisted into Section D, Army Reserve at Chester on 28 Mar 1922 with Army number 4118343, rank - Private. He was finally discharged on 27 Mar 1926.

    He re-enlisted yet again into the Territorial Army (Royal Artillery) with No. 4118343) on 27 Oct 1938. Embodied 25 Jun 1939, Disembodied 20 Jul 1939, Embodied 24 Aug 1939. Transferred to Cheshire Regiment and posted to 8th Home Counties Defence Battalion 24 Jul 1940 (late redesignated 30th Battalion). Posted to No. 2 Company 27 Jun 1942. Attached to G setion, 165 Provost Company as Cook 17 Nov 1942. Attachment ceased 28 Sep 1943 Posted to 2nd Battalion 2 Feb 1944 Posted to 38 Reinforcement Holding Unit 5 Apr 1944 Posted to 35 Reinforcement Holding Unit 12 Apr 1944 Posted to 24 Machine Gun Training Centre 30 Apr 1944 Posted to No. 4 Army Selection Centre 14 Aug 1944 Discharged again on 27 Aug 1944 as his services were no longer required.

    Having survived through two wars he passed away on 5 Feb 1966 as a result of being hit by a car whilst crossing the road.

    Harold Keith Howard




    210042

    Pte Arthur Higginson 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.12th Aug 1917)

    <p>Arthur Higginson front row 4th from left.

    This is taken from diary that was returned to his family after his death with several other papers and war poems, all of which have been donated to the Imperial War Museum London.

    Diary of Private A. Higginson 12622.

    I enlisted on the 10th of February 1915. Left Stoke for Hounslow on the 13th and arrived the same day. Left Hounslow and arrived at Dover on the 20th of February. I had there, 3 months recruit drill then went in the training quarters. Went on 6 days leave on June 25th, but did not return until July 3rd. Warned for a draft for the Dardanelles on July 6th.

    Left Dover July 11th and arrived at Devonport July 12th. We then embarked for the peninsula on the S.Simla. Left Devonport harbour July 13th midnight. We passed the rock of Gibraltar at midnight July 17th. Steamed into Malta July 21st. Left Malta on the 22nd and landed into Alexandria July 25th. Left Alexandria on the 27th July and arrived at Lemnos Harbour July 30th.

    Left Lemnos on His Ms Gunboat Newmarket on the 30th and arrived at Cape Helles midnight. We landed in support on the 31st of July. Went in the firing line the same day. On the 1st of August preparations were made for an attack on H12. Our light artillery and the naval guns bombarded the Turks on the 1st,2nd,3rd,4th, and 5th of August. We were relieved by the Essex of the 88th Brigade on the 5th.

    On the 6th of August the batteries opened out a rapid fire and the 88th Brigade went over the top under heavy fire, being reinforced by us the 86th. But we were heavily repulsed and had to retire. We were relieved from the firing line and went to the beach for a relief on the 7th August. We left Cape Helles and proceeded round to Cape Sulva on the 20th.

    On the 21st of August we had a very rough time of it for the Turks made an attack on us. This lasted for 3 days. Settled down on August 24th. Relieved to the supports on the 31st. Left Chocolate Hill on the H.M.S.Usmanier and proceeded to Imbros for a rest on the 9th of September. We arrived at Imbros the following day.

    Left Imbros on the 21st midnight and arrived in the firing line on the 22nd. Went to supports Sep 28th. In the firing line again on Oct 13th. On the 16th of Oct we made an attack for a sap but had to retire and we had to go for it again on the 17th but we managed to capture it. Ten men and a Sgt. The Sgt was awarded the D.C.M. In the capturing of this sap I was wounded in the eye and shoulder by bomb splinters.

    I left the peninsula on H.M.H.S.Dongola on the 18th of Oct. landed at the 3rd Aust. Gen Hospital Oct 19th. Where I had small splinters taken from eye and shoulder blade. Discharged from Hos Nov 15th. Joined Details on the 15th. Left Mundros on the Empress of Britain on Jan 17th 1916 Drew into port at Alexandria.

    Proceeded to Mustapha Pasha arriving there Jan 20th. Entrained at Mustapha on the18th of Feb and arrived at Port Jewfick. Suez on the 19th. Went up to Al Cubery for outpost. Feb 21st Returned to Suez Camp. Mar 2nd. left Suez and embarked at Port Jewfick on the Alaunia. Mar 14th. sailed through the canal and arrived at Port Said. Mar 15th.

    Left Port Said 16th and proceeded. Via Malta to Marseilles. We arrived at Marseilles Mar 22nd. Entrained at Marseilles and proceeded to Pont Remy arriving there Mar 24th. Marched to Coulon Villiers same day. 15m. Left Coulon and marched to Beauval on the 4th April and marched to Englebelmer.

    Left Englebelmer on the 4th April for a course of trench mortar arriving at Valheureax same day. Left Valheureax and arrived at Mailly-Maillet on the 14th. Left MM and arrived at Auchonvillers April 21st. Carried on trench work at Beaumont Hamel. Relived from trenches on the 28th and went back to Louvencourt. Left Louvencourt and arrived at M-M May 8th. Went in the trenches on the 18th.

    Whilst on listening post on the morning of the 19th. we were nearly caught by a German sniper. Went back into supports May 23rd. Relieved from trenches and arrived at Louvencourt on the 7th of June and arrived at M-M. Left M-M and arrived at Auchonvillers ther I joined the trench mortar on June 11th. On the 21st of June while in trenches, hit on the arm by a small piece of shrapnel. Left Auchonvillers and went back to Acheaux on the 23rd. Preparations were then being made for an advance. The bombardment started on the 23rd. Went up trenches under bombardment to remove gun boxes on June 27th. The bombardment still continued on 28th. 29th. 30th. but it got heavier as it went along. Left Acheaux and went into supports to await advance on the 30th. On the morning of the 1st of July the bombardment was at its worst.

    Every gun spitting out fire as fast as they possibly could. At 7 o'clock in the morning we blew up a mine in the German front line and at 7-30 the great advance started to capture Beaumont Hamel every man going over the top like one, under heavy shrapnel and machine gun fire. I was hit in leg with bit of shrapnel.

    It was a terrible sight to see. Once again we had to retire with heavy losses. Beaumont Hamel was one of the strongest fortifications on whole front. We were relieved from the trenches and arrived at M-M on July 4th. Left M-M and proceeded to Hamel where we carried on trench work July 9th. On the 20th we went in front to try and put Minnenwerfer out of action. Relieved from trenches and arrived at M-M July 23rd.

    Left M-M on the 23rd to proceed to another part of the line. We arrived at Bus the same day. Left Bus and arrived at Beauval July 24th. Left Beauval and entrained at Doullens on the 27th July, arriving at Esquelbecq same day. Left Esquelbecq and arrived at Wormhout on the 27th. Left Wormhout and arrived at C.Camp July 30th. Left C.Camp on the 8th of August and arrived at St.Jean midnight.

    Just as we landed in Ypres a violent bombardment started and the Germans made a gas attack on us. Only a few being gassed. On the 14th we went in the trenches at St. Jean. On the 17th of August the Germans made another gas attack on us. Left St.Jean and went in the trenches at Railway Wood on the 18th. Relieved from trenches and arrived at C.Camp Aug 29th.

    The Germans made 2 more gas attacks on the 29th of August and the 2nd of September. Left C.Camp and arrived in the trenches again Sep 8th. Relieved from St.Jean and arrived at Ypres Sept 18th. Left Ypres and went to Railway wood Sept 25th. Relieved from the trenches and arrived at Ypres Sept 28th. On the 31st we had to take our guns up to the trenches again for a bombardment which proved successful.

    Left Ypres and arrived at C.Camp Oct 1st Left C.Camp to proceed down to the Somme. Entrained at Poperinge and arrived at Wormhout Oct 4th. Left Wormhout and arrived at Proven on the 6th of Oct. Left Proven on the 7th and arrived at Amiens midnight. Left Amiens and arrived at Durnancourt 3 miles from Albert Oct 10th. Left Durnancourt on the 13th of Oct and arrived at Mametz Wood.

    Left Marmetz Wood on Oct 22nd and arrived at Delville Wood. Carried on trench work at Gueudecourt. Left Gueudecourt and Delville Wood on the 30th of Oct and proceeded to Meaulte. Left Meaulte on the 31st and arrived at Ville-sous-Corbie. Left Ville-Sous-Corbie and arrived in the town of Corbie Nov 1st. Left Corbie and arrived at Meaulte on the 16th of Nov.

    Left Meaulte and arrived at Ginchy Nov 18th. Left Ginchy and proceeded in the trenches the extreme right of the British line on the 24th of Nov. Relieved from the trenches at Les Boefs on the 27th and arrived at Ginchy same day. Left Ginchy and arrived at Montauban 28th Nov. Carried on trench work at Les Boefs. Left Ginchy and proceeded to Mealte arriving on the 9th of Dec.

    Left Meaulte on the 15th of Dec and arrived at Picquigny same day. Left Picquigny on the 10th Jan and arrived at Corbie the same day. Left Corbie and arrived at Mericourt Jan 11th. Left Mericourt on the 15th of Jan and arrived at Carnoy same day. Left Carnoy to proceed on leave on the 16th Jan.

    Entrained at Mericourt 12-30. 17th and arrived at Le Havre same night. Left rest camp at Le Havre and boarded the S.S.Antrim on the 19th of Jan. Landed at Southampton on the 20th of Jan. Left Southhampton and arrived at Waterloo same day. Left for Wakefield on the 20th and arrived at my destination same day.

    Left Westgate Station Wakefield on the 31st of Jan and arrived at Southampton same day. Left Southampton on the 31st and arrived at Le Havre on the 1st of Feb. Marched to the Ne1 camp and arrived there same day. Left Ne1 camp and arrived at the Docks Rest Camp on the 4th of Feb. Left Le Havre en route for the firing line on the 11th of Feb.

    and arrived at Corbie Sunday Feb 12th. Left Corbie on the 18th of Feb and arrived at Meaulte same day. Left Meaulte and arrived in reserves at Combles on the 19th of Feb. Left Combles for the trenches on the 20th and arrived at Sailly-Saillisel same day. Left the trenches at Sailly-Saillisel and arrived at Foegicourt on the 23rd of Feb.

    Stayed there for one night then proceeded to Bronfay Farm on the 24th arriving there same day. Left Bronfay Farm and arrived at Combles on the 26th. Left Combles on the 27th and went into the trenches at Sailly Saillisel. On the morning of the 28th at 5-30 our artillery opened out a rapid barrage fire.

    The troops going over the top at 5-35. It was two days continuous scrapping but we gained our objective. Relieved from Sailly-Salisel on the 1st of Mar and stayed in supports for one night then proceeded to Bronfay Farm on the 2nd arriving there same day. Left Bronfay Farm and arrived at Ville on the 3rd of Mar.

    Left the Batt and joined the Brigade F.M and arrived at Treax Mar 12th . Left Treax on the 15th for a course of trench Mortar and arrived at Vaux-en-Amienois same day. Left Vaux-en-Amienois on the the 26th and arrived at Abbe a Chaucer. Left Abbe a Chaucer and proceeded via Hangest to Yeaux on the 29th Mar.

    Left Yeaux proceeded via Flixecourt and Bettencourt to Berteaucourt arriving there on the 30th Mar. Left Berteaucourt on the 1st of April and arrived at Besaincourt the same day. Left Besaincourt and proceeded via Doullens to Pommera on the 2nd of April. Left Pommera and arrived at Sus St. Leger on the 5th of Apl. Left Sus St. Leger and proceeded via Humbercourt and Saulty to Bavincourt arriving there on the 8th of Apl.

    Left Bavincourt and proceeded via Simencourt to Beaumetz-Les-Loges on the 12th Apl. Left Beaumetz and proceeded via Dainville to Arras on the 13th Apl. Left Arras on the 14th and proceeded to the next village. Carried on trench work at Monchy. Relieved from Monchy on the 19th and arrived at Arras the same day.

    Left Arras on the 22nd and arrived at Monchy Le Preax the same day. At 5-0'clock on the morning of the 23rd the artillery opened out a rapid bombardment which enabled the boys to go over shortly after. Advancing about 2000 yards. At 4-o'clock on the afternoon of the 24th our brigade were launched to the attack taking there objective this being the wood at Monchy. Also a ridge.

    Later in the afternoon Fritz made a counter Attack and recaptured the wood. Our artillery cease fired because they could not get in communication so the enemy took advantage. We were relieved from Monchy the same night and arrived at Arras. Left Arras on the 25th and arrived at Bernville. Left Bernville and arrived at Wanquetin on the 26th Apl.

    Left Wanquetin and Proceeded via Humber camp and St.Amand to Souastre arriving there on the 27th of Apl. Left Souastre and proceeded via Humbercamp to Couy-en-Artois arriving there the 1st of May. Left Couy-en-Artois and arrived at Arras on the 2nd of May. Left Arras on the 4th and arrived at Bernville same day. Left Bernville and arrived at Arras on the 15th of May.

    Left Arras and arrived at Monchy on the 25th. At 11 o'clock on the night of the 30th of May our troops were again launched to the attack. The Middlesex gained there objective and stuck to it. The Lancs also gained theirs but had to retire with only 30 men. The prussian guards were our opponent. About 3 o'clock on the morning of the 31st on account of not having enough men the Middlesex were taken prisoners and the Lancs had to retire.

    We were relieved from Monchy on the 31st and arrived at Arras the same day. Left Arras and arrived at Bernville on the 2nd of June. Left Bernville and entrained at Beaumetz for Pernois arriving there on the 3rd of June. Left Pernois on the 26th June and entrained at Candas for Andecote arriving there on the 27th.

    Left Andecote on the 5th July and arrived at Proven the same day. Left Proven and arrived at the canal banks on the 12th of July In supports. Went in trenches on the St.Julian sector on the 13th. Relieved from the trenches on the 20th and arrived at Crombeke the same day. Left Crombeke and arrived at Proven on the 24th of July.

    Went in the trenches at Boesingle on the 6th of August.1917.

    Pte. A Higginson was Killed in Action at 1 am on the morning of the 12th of August 1917. 86 L.F.M. Battery 29th Division. B.E.F.

    Peter Chapman




    210032

    Arthur Victor Jeffery MID 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    <p>Taken in Kinsale, Co Cork

    My Grandfather, Arthur Victor Jeffery, was a regular NCO in the Royal Fusiliers pre 1914, saw service in India, the 1st Battalion was stationed in Kinsale Co Cork, were he met my Grandmother Mary Madden. The photo is taken in Kinsale. He survived WW1, mentioned in dispatches, wounded by bullet and bayonet, he was transferred to the RASC. Like many WW1 soldiers he had what we now call traumatic shock, and received a pension.

    Laurence Garrett




    210018

    Cpl. Arthur Brain DMC 1/5th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.10th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Arthur Brain was awarded the D.C.M for saving three comrades under heavy fire and keeping the line together under heavy bombardment as stated in the London Gazette, he is buried at Adinkerke in Belguim, it says died 19th July on the CWGC website but on his grave it says 10th July 1917.

    David Brotherton




    210017

    Pte John Parker 9th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>John Parker in the uniform of the Queen Victoria Rifles.

    I have a picture of my grandfather, John Parker in a QVR uniform and understand from letters sent by his son (my uncle) who was in Italy at the time, to my mum that he was "out there" when he was 44. At present I can not find any confirmation or details of this but do remember stories of him riding horses during the war and one getting shot.

    Keith Hooker




    210016

    Pte William Souter 8th Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.28th Jun 1915)

    I would like to know more about how my Grandfather died at Gallipoli, he was Pte William Souter of the 8th Scottish Rifles.

    John Hill




    210011

    Pte. George Henry Brooks 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1918)

    <p>George's grave.

    George Henry Brooks died on the 22nd of October 1918 aged 29 years. He was thee son of Thomas William and Mary Ann Brooks and husband of Ruth Brooks of East Brabourne, Ashford, Kent. He also left a son, George, and two daughters, Ruth and Naomi. His family did not learn of his death until after peace had been declared. George is buried in the Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, France.

    Leonie Lucas




    210008

    Henry Brett 9th Squadron

    My father Harry Brett was first in the Royal Ambulance or Medical Corps at the beginning of WW1 and then in 1916 when he was 17 or 18 years old he joined the RFC 9th Squadron. I have a photograph of him dressed for flying duty as an observer under the command of Major Hugh Dowding. There is one other photograph of that time which shows him at an RFC stall at a fete with fellow RFC , presumably raising money for the war effort. I know no more of this period but will hope to have some feedback.

    My father rejoined the 9th Squadron RAF at the start of WW2 becoming a flight controller and was wounded rescuing aircrew from crash landings for which he was decorated. I have a cartoon of him holding a mic and talking down a young pilot in a wounded Lancaster with one engine, titled Piggy Control (his nickname) and signed on the reverse by the squadron. He then joined Headquarters Bomber Command working with New Zealander "Square" McKee. He survived, though not in the best of health and returned to my Mother,brother and I to live to 1957. He much enjoyed going to reunions with his grat friend "Batchy" Batchelor who was a great supporter of Bomber Command and a prime mover of getting the Harris statue opposite Dowdings outside St Clements Danes in spite of some venomous opposition. How they both would be cheered by the building of the Bomber Memorial after the shoddy treatment given to the Bombers after the war.

    Henry Brett




    210004

    L/Cpl. Leonard Smith 24th Queens Battalion London Regiment

    I am just researching my grandfather's war record. I can see from his roll card he went to France on the 15th of March 1915 aged 18. My mother tells my she knows he fought in the Battle of the Somme but that is all I know at the moment. Either in this war or the next he was shot in the knee. My granddad was a quiet thoughtful man and a wonderful accordion and piano player.





    209999

    Pte. Frederick Brackenbury 13th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    <p>

    We are not sure when Frederick Brackenbury joined up. His brother Albert probably joined up first. We believe he was with the 5th Rifle Brigade. Fred was with the 13th. Sadly we know nothing about his record other than he did suffer gas attacks probably on the Somme and he was wounded in the shoulder late in the war.

    Stephen Ward




    209997

    Sgt. William James Child MM. 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Rregiment

    William Child was a regular soldier, family information tells that he enlisted at 13. He was promoted to Sargent and won military medal for rescuing his CO under fire at the 2nd battle of Somme. He went on to become RSM and was during WW2 was in charge of Italian working party in UK.

    Kev Childs




    209923

    Capt. Howard Caldwell Wright MC. 17th (Stepney & Poplar) Battalion London Regiment (d.2nd Sep 1917)

    I was given Howard Caldwell Wright's memorial medallion, the 'Dead Man's Penny' and I am searching for a direct decendent of his to give it to. I found out online that he was with the Stepney & Poplar Riflemen, London Regiment, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in 1913 and died in 1917.

    Paul Ryan




    209913

    Pte. James Brookes North Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>James Brookes

    My grandfather, James Brookes, served in the North Staffs Regiment. When it lost so many men he was transferred to the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers. He served in France and after a battle in France was recorded as missing after an engagement on 12th October 1916. I still have the telegram sent to my grandmother. He survived and returned home after the war. His story was that he was severely injured by shrapnel, so badly that his best friend next to him in the trenches died of shock at his wounds. The Germans picked up my grandfather and after extremely risky surgery which left him with a concave chest, he recovered. He was sent to work in the fields and so as not to help the German war effort he broke the stem of every corn shoot he planted so that it wouldn't grow.

    I don't think my grandfather ever really recovered his health but he did marry my grandmother and had three children, and lots of grandchildren who remember him fondly and are very proud of his service to the country.

    Telegram.

    Pat Halfpenny




    209912

    Pte. George "Highlander" Forbes 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    George Forbes was a piper with the 3rd Tyneside Scottish and was wounded at the Somme. We have his sporran, sword belt, broach and sgian dubh (dirk).

    Jamie




    209873

    Pte. William Allon 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Nov 1916)

    William Allon is remembered on Theipval Memorial for soldiers with no known grave.

    Jonathan Higgins




    209869

    Pte. Noah Clarke 3rd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.18 Oct 1918)

    Noah Clarke joined up in May 1899. He served in South Africa from Jan to Oct 1902 earning the Kings South African medal with clasp. He then transferred to the army reserve. In March 1911 he was re-engaged. He was mobilised August 1917 and was posted to the 3rd Battalion in France. He was killed in action on the 18th of October 1918. The battalion was fighting on the Hindenburgh Line at the time.

    Paul Brevitt




    209855

    Pte. Peter Allen 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th Nov 1915)

    <p>

    Peter Allen served with the 9th Northumberlands, he died of serious wounds received in action at the front, whilst being traeted at the 4th Northern General Hospital in Lincoln on the night of the 5th of November 1915, he was 34 years olf and resided at Cowpen Quay. He leaves a wife, Roseann and four children. His body was brought home and his funeral held on the 8th of November at Cowpen Cemetery, Blyth. Peter is remembered on the Blyth War Memorial at the north end of Ridley Park, Blyth.

    Carly Carr




    209848

    L/Cpl. James McCann 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    James McCann was killed at Battle of the Somme

    David Morrow




    209837

    Gdsm. Noah Clarke 3rd Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.18 Oct 1918)

    Noah Clarke was born 1880 in Cheshire. In 1899 he joined the Grenadier Guards. He then served with the regiment in South Africa (Cape Colony). He then joined the reserves 1902. He re-engaged March 1911 was mobilised August 1914 posted to France October 1917. He was killed 18th October 1918 fighting on the Hindenburgh line. His grave is at St.Hilaire-les Cambria British Cemetery.

    Paul Brevitt




    209815

    Sgt Arthur Holding DCM. 3rd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    <p>

    Arthur Holding was a Sergeant with the 3rd battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry he was awarded the The Distinguished Conduct medal and the Russian Cross of St George for conspicuous bravery in action near Thiepval on 1st July 1916

    Brian




    209814

    Sgt Thomas Vayro 6th Battalion, B Company Durham Light Infantry

    <p>1917 Warrant Officers and Sergeants Out of Line relaxing playing Cricket, near Arras.

    Thomas Vayro, A Volunteer Soldier who served in the Durham Light Infantry

    My Grandfather, Thomas Vayro, was born in Aldbrough St John, North Yorkshire on 24th August 1883, one of the nine children of James Vayro (1853 -1893) and Elizabeth Pounder (1854 -1892). His father was a farm hand, who was constantly on the move, seeking and finding casual farm labour in the villages of Tunstall, Gilling, Hartforth, Forcett,Aldbrough, Skeeby, Easby and Coatham Mundeville, all close to Darlington in the North East of England.

    On the 1891 census Thomas’ elder brothers William (aged 17) and Edwin (aged 15) were known to be working on farms in Snape and Moulton both near Richmond in North Yorkshire. The main family group were at Low Coalsgarth Farm in Easby. Unfortunately Elizabeth died of Cancer of the Uterus in 1892 and James died the following year of Diabetes. Consequently Thomas by the age of nine was an orphan and though this has never been proved it is understood that the youngest children Alfred, Thomas, George, Elizabeth Mary, and Harry were placed in a workhouse in Darlington, and it was here that Thomas may have developed his self-sufficiency and toughness and probably learned to fight off the bullies.

    It is also rumoured that Martha his sister (17 years old in 1893) may have taken the youngest children to live with an Uncle George Vayro at Angram Cote Farm in East Witton but this also has never been proved. On the 1901 Census, Thomas, aged 18 was lodging with his sister-in-law Hannah (nee Sherrington), in Wesley Street, Willington, County Durham and he and his brother George were already working at Brancepeth Colliery. His elder brother William (husband of Hannah) was boarding at Mary Street in Stanley, near Crook and working at Sunniside Colliery.

    So the questions were “When did Thomas become involved in the Army? and to what extent did he serve his country, during The Great War?” My Grandfather seldom spoke of his war experience; he found it too painful, but in my childhood I had seen his 4 treasured medals, and a shell casing he had brought home, and learned that he had served in World War One in both Belgium and France as part of B Company, Sixth Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

    The publicity and interest in the Somme and “Pals” regiments made me determined to find out how exactly he had fought for King and Country in World War One. Except for a few old photographs of his time in the services, and the fact that my Aunts Ruth, Lillian, Edna and Uncles Harry and Raymond could give me very little information on where he had been and what he had done during the Great War, I had very little to work on to put together a picture of his Territorial Army life. <>At first I never really took much notice of the old photographs and certificates that I had collected from various relatives, which typically had few dates, places or names, but amongst them was a “Pioneer’s Diploma” for 50 years service from Durham Miners’ Association. There was also a “Roll of Honour” from the Willington District Working Men’s Institute showing a list of servicemen from the Willington area that had served in the forces between 1914 and 1919, “For King and Empire”. Among the 360 individuals that were listed, some with “Military Distinctions”, in copperplate script was a certain Thomas Vayro, my Grandfather.

    So there were two things to tackle; I really needed to find out more about the DLI Battalion itself and also Thomas’s own contribution and movements during the War. As it also required careful detective work to identify the details in the photographs themselves I visited the Durham Light Infantry Museum, where the Military Historian, Steve Shannon identified the various uniforms and likely dates, and suggested that I should read “The Faithful Sixth” by Harry Moses.

    There in the book he is shown as Thomas Vayro, Pioneer, representing the DLI at the Coronation of King George Vth, and also in the back row center of a group of officers at Souastre near Arras in 1917.

    Many of the bits and pieces of information that I have found are gleaned from this book by Harry Moses, entitled “ The Faithful Sixth”, published by County Durham Books in 1995. Others have been taken from details in the photographs of Thomas “An Ordinary Soldier”, who unlike many of this comrades, survived the trench warfare, the German shelling, and the debilitating mustard gas and came back from the war relatively unscathed. I cannot guarantee that the details are 100% accurate, but being a member of the Sixth DLI Battalion, his orders would naturally take him to wherever they were at a point in time, and therefore are not simply assumptions on my part.

    The earliest photograph I have found is of a company of 63 men who are all wearing “slouch hats” which were worn during the Boer War, (1899 -1902) with the peak pointing to their left. I think that the photograph dates from 1906 or 1907, and could show the point when the whole nature of The DLI Sixth Battalion changed due to the 1907 “Haldane Reforms” and when the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act became law.

    Mid way through the Boer War, (in 1900) the 2nd Battalion of The DLI had been increased from 8 Companies to a total of 11, with four main companies A, B, C and D drawn from around the Bishop Auckland, Willington and Crook areas, but at this point they were virtually all “Volunteers”. Names of all these men who served in the Boer War are recorded on a bronze plaque in Bishop Auckland town hall (unveiled in 1903) as a record of the 1st Rifle volunteers of the Battalion that served abroad.

    I am certain that Thomas never served in the Boer War itself, but because of the national demand for more armed forces that followed that war, Thomas enlisted in the Second Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry on 7th April 1908, and shortly afterwards his Attestation Papers show he signed up at Ripon on 2nd July 1908 for 2 years. Those who served were allowed to wear an Imperial Service badge above their right breast, after volunteering for service abroad, but there is no Imperial Service badge on any of his uniforms.

    Two photographs I have show him with colleagues in the dress uniform of the “Second Volunteers” D.L.I. Their uniform was at that time “Rifle Green” with red facings on collars, sleeves and shoulder bands, some with ornate sleeve decoration, small territorial volunteer army hats rather than peaked caps, and in my Grandfather Thomas’s case he is shown with a “crossed rifles” badge on his left sleeve. Both photographs show the men in front of tents, so it was obviously one of the weekend camps used for training purposes from as early as 1888 through to 1909. It is probably the Ripon camp of 1908.

    The background of the men who had joined the original 2nd Battalion DLI was from local businesses, skilled and semi skilled workmen, with many employed in the local coal mines. The men who joined had been attracted by a feeling of patriotism, following the Boer War upset, and by a sense of duty and responsibility to their local communities. Drilling and rifle practice were apparently their basic routine activities.

    It is well documented that the earlier 2nd Battalion Volunteers DLI was disbanded in 1908 and 8 new Battalion Companies were formed. A total of 30 officers and 770 men were transferred into the newly formed Sixth Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Presumably because he was already enrolled with the 2nd Battalion DLI Thomas would have been one of these men transferred alongside the others into this new Sixth Battalion fighting force in mid 1908. Thomas was already married at this point to his first wife Anne Dunn and the marriage ceremony had taken place at Durham Register Office on 21 st. September 1907. He was then aged 25 and was living in Park Terrace, Willington Co Durham. Anne must have been pregnant at the time, and succeeded in giving Thomas the first of his five sons. Unfortunately Anne died shortly after on February 1908 following complications. This could well have been his incentive for enlisting in the army full time, but of this I am not certain.

    Returning to the 2nd Battalion Volunteers their Headquarters was at Bishop Auckland, under the overall command of Colonel the Honourable W L Vane. Two of the original companies were “B” company Bishop Auckland under the command of Captain W Wilkinson, and “C” company Crook and Willington under the command of Captain J H Ramsey. So in April 1808 the DLI was reorganised into 5 new Territorial Battalions, the 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th and the original 2nd Battalion Volunteers of which Thomas was a member, became what is formally known as the 6th Battalion DLI.

    Their dress uniform was changed to Khaki with the volunteer cap badge retained. Later in 1910 all of the other Territorial Battalions in the DLI regiment changed again to uniform and badges of the “regular line” battalions. Except the Sixth Battalion, when Colonel Vane opposed the change so that the Sixth should retain its old connections as a “rifle unit”. All buttons and badges were black, Officers wore black belts and boots, and the cross belt badge stayed the same. Full dress included the Maltese Cross badge, otherwise the uniform of the 6th Battalion was the same as the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and alongside other rifle battalions the DLI had no colours.

    By October 1909 the 6th Battalion DLI had 960 on roll with 28 officers and 932 N.C.O.’s and men. This same year saw the beginning of weekend camps with the very first being held on 11th and 13th of June at Fitches Farm near Witton-le-Wear, commanded by Captain J H Ramsey. This location happens to be less than five miles from where Thomas was living in Willington. The same year a DLI camp was held at Blackhall Rocks near Castle Eden. And further annual camps were also held in 1910 at Rothbury, 1911 at Strensall, 1912 and 1913 at Scarborough and on the eve of World War One in 1914 the annual camp was being held in Conway North Wales, between 25th July and 2nd August.

    Amongst the photographs that I have of Thomas are a series of images of various camps that he attended. One shows him at Strensall camp in 1911, with a home-made plaque bearing the name 6th B DLI, Cooks. Another, shows him having competed in a rifle competition, with four other colleagues, all holding lee-enfield rifles and a large shield trophy in the foreground, and could be at Scarborough in 1913. And several more in the traditional white “uniform” of army cooks at Conway in 1914.

    The images of these men at Conway reveal some fascinating details. The Commanding Officer is shown not wearing black boots, but instead in his sneakers or tennis shoes. The burly butcher with his honing rod permanently slung on his waist from a chain, and at the other end, in rather grubby whites, a hard looking individual holding a cleaver.

    Two further events in my Grandfathers life had occurred before he became fully involved in active service in WW1 itself. The first in 1911 was the Coronation of King George Vth, where the D.L.I. were well represented at all levels, to line the route of the procession, and possibly march in the parades.

    In particular a “B” Composite Battalion had been sent including Private T Vayro “Pioneer”, who is named in the book “The Faithful Sixth”. From all accounts the term Pioneer is someone with practical skills, such as digging, carpentry, construction skills, and today may be roughly translated as an “engineer” or “craftsman”. This might reflect the work and experience that Thomas had gained from his time in the mines, and may even have been knowledge or experience with explosives as a “shot-firer” at Brancepeth Colliery.

    The second event was that Grandfather Thomas married his second wife Ethel Poole (born 6th August 1887) at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Old Elvet, in Durham City on 15th February 1913. Grandfather Thomas was then living at 71 Commercial Street, Willington. They went on to have a further three daughters, and four sons, one of whom was my father John William Vayro. Both of his Marriage Certificates and several of the Baptisms show Thomas clearly as a miner.

    I already had his DLI cap badge, and a copy of a letter from King George V th congratulating him on his release in 1918, (which infers he served time as a POW.) I had traced his medal card details in the National Archives index, as Private Thomas Vayro, Regimental number 311, B Company, No 8 Platoon, Sixth Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. His army number was 250007. He was promoted to Sergeant on 12th March 1916, and disembodied on 10th March 1919.

    Letters and small pieces of notepaper reveal information that his brother George, (who had emigrated to Canada in 1909) was with the Canadian Mounted Rifles in the 2nd Contingent at Stonecliffe Camp in Kent. George was registered as No 108598, B Squad 3rd CMP, with the 1st. Brigade C.M.R. C.O.E.F. and by the time he went overseas, attached to the British Expeditionary Force to France he held the rank of Lance Corporal. Thomas’s other brother Alfred was also serving with the Army Services Corp.

    At this point I began to search for the finer detail for Thomas himself, and though it had required careful detective work to identify the details in the photographs, further factual information gleaned from “The Faithful Sixth” by Harry Moses was invaluable.

    On returning from Conway Camp where they had received a telegram to mobilise, the Sixth Battalion stayed overnight in Bishop Auckland and on Saturday 8th August 1914 they paraded in the market place and marched to the Bishop of Durham’s Palace in Auckland Park. The following day they were put on war stations at Boldon near Sunderland, and on 19th August were encamped at Ravensworth Castle near Gateshead, a camp that was to last for over 3 months until they were moved into winter billets in the Bensham Area of Newcastle in November.

    Captain F Walton left the Battalion for Le Havre on 10th April 1915, and the transport and machine gun sections left a week later. Meanwhile the main Sixth Battalion left their Billets on the 14th, and marched to Newcastle Railway Station where they boarded 2 trains for Folkestone. The Regiment sailed on the “Invicta”, landing at Boulogne on 19th, and camped at St Martin’s, Ostrovhe. The following morning they were transported by rail to Cassel and then marched the 8 miles to Hardifort.

    On the 22nd April 1915 the Sixth Battalion were ordered to defend the villages of Ryfeld, Steenvorde and Vlamertinghe before yet another march to Ypres where heavy casualties had already occurred. Yet further on to Zonnebeke, passing the ruined village of Potijze and reaching the GHQ line that ran north from Zillebeke Lake to Wieltje and Boesinghe.

    At the Zonnebeke Road the Battalion were stopped by heavy shell-fire and lay in the hedgerow until daylight. They were then ordered to move in support of the 7th DLI and the Shropshire Light Infantry who had been under heavy shellfire. On reaching a ridge “B” company (and I can only assume Thomas with them) moved to the front line alongside the First Battalion Hampshire Regiment.

    There began an ordeal in the trenches, being constantly bombarded by German Artillery during the day, improving and repairing trenches by night, with little food or sleep. They had no periscopes for observing enemy positions and movements, no flares for illuminating “No-man’s Land” and no previous experience of this type of situation. Fortunately they were relieved five days later on the 30th April. A short sharp shock for those involved, but with only 14 NCOs killed and 55 other servicemen wounded.

    Before the war public comments about the Territorials had often been derisory, they were described as “Fireside Soldiers, playing at war” as they passed on their way to the Drill Halls. These same volunteers faced extreme danger, and were now fighting for “King and Country” and there was much worse to come.

    The situation at Ypres deteriorated and in early May 1915 the Sixth relieved the First Cavalry Division on the GHQ line at Zonnebeke Lake. Along with the 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions they became the 151st Brigade of the 50th Northumbrian Division. Both the A and B Companies were attached to the Scots Greys, while C to the 12th Lancers and D to the 20th Hussars, in order to give the Sixth “more experience of front line warfare”.

    In late May the Sixth DLI left their trenches and was encamped in huts near Brandhoek. The Germans began a fierce bombardment at 3.30 in the morning on 24th whilst most of the Battalion were asleep. Gas had been released and reached their huts, and this forced a speedy move to Potizje Chateau. In June the Battalion were ordered to Sanctuary Wood, near Hooge, rather inappropriately named, for it had already seen fierce fighting and sacrifice. The B Company trench had been so badly damaged it could no longer be used. Consequently, more digging and repair work was required.

    With his rifle skills, I feel sure that Thomas would have been an infantry marksman, but I have no proof that he was actually in the line of fire, and may well have been providing rations, or collecting supplies for the troops.

    The other theory I have is that as a miner used to heavy digging at the coal face, with his “marrars” he may well have been employed digging and repairing trenches, and tunnels under no-man’s land to lay the mines under enemy lines. The DLI men had apparently developed a reputation for excellence in digging out and maintaining their trenches, to them it may have been just another day’s work, like loading the coal into the tubs at the coal face.

    Later in the war a Second Lieutenant Lyon is recorded as saying “The Miners of Durham are some of the finest fighters the country possesses, rough in manner, they possess a power of endurance and a courageous spirit, admirable in adversity”. I would like to think he was talking about my Grandfather!

    In December 1915 Thomas hopefully would have received news that his first daughter Mary had been born, but the Sixth Battalion had moved to La Maison Blanche bear Bailleul. On Xmas day they remained in reserve until 3rd January and were back in the trenches at Sanctuary Wood shortly afterwards. Mid-winter conditions, icy winds and heavy rain turned the ground into a quagmire, with many soldiers suffering from “trench foot”, and only copious mugs of tea and the occasional tot of rum to raise their morale.

    There is another photograph that is of interest that proves that war was obviously not all continuously digging, marching and confronting the enemy. In the centre of the back row of a group of 28 Warrant Officers and Sergeants, taken at Souastre near Arras in 1917 is Thomas now aged 34. In the foreground is a set of stumps, a bat and cricket balls. They were obviously relaxing and “out of line”, though I doubt if they were playing cricket in full dress uniform!

    Thomas must obviously have received periods of leave between his terms of duty, but I have no dates for these, and his third son Alfred, wasn’t born until May 1920, well after the war itself had ended.

    At the beginning of the Great War in April 1915 the Sixth Battalion had been thrown into battle against what was then a superior German force, and in May 1918 the Sixth again fought alongside their French Allies in a similar desperate battle until they were finally successful.

    At some point during these final skirmishes with the enemy, Thomas was captured and held as a Prisoner of War for several months. Records of the dates and camp details have not yet been traced, and my search for information on his military life continues. The main Sixth Battalion continued to fight until 6th November 1918 (five days before the official end of the war) when they were demobilized and dispatched to base camp at É’taples.

    It is only very recently that I had found out that Thomas had received a letter from King George Vth, commending him on his safe release and his return from active service for the country. At the end of the war Thomas received the 1914 -1915 Star, the 1914 -1918 War Medal, the Victory Medal and the Territorial Efficiency Medal. This latter apparently was normally awarded for long service, for being in the T.A. from 1908 to 1914, and his service years from 1914 to 1920 would count double.

    After reading numerous articles about The Great War, describing the atrocities that took place, and realizing that many thousands of soldiers were lost in France and Belgium, I now understand why my Grandfather never wanted to talk about his experiences. Despite having received only small wounds, his experience of the gas released in the trenches caused him chest problems for the rest of his life.

    He set about raising his family, and returned to work in the local collieries at Brancepeth, Oakenshaw and Sunnybrow where he continued until 1950, when at the age of 67 he retired having deliberately worked an extra two years to get an additional 6 pence on his weekly pension. Thomas had moved to Willington in 1900 to find work, went to war, survived the depression and he remained there until he died on 4th September 1966 aged 83. Coincidentally he was buried at St Stephen’s Church in Willington on my 25th birthday

    By the outbreak of WW2 in 1939 Thomas had been in his 56th year and therefore too old to serve, but the Durham Light Infantry had set up an Infantry Training Camp near Brancepeth Castle, which continued through to 1958 and I can remember visiting the castle in the 1950s on a couple of occasions seeing the soldiers in uniform marching on parade from the camp and through the castle grounds

    Historically the Sixth Battalion D L I had its early inception in the Durham Rifle Volunteers of 1859 and served through both World Wars until it was disbanded in 1968. On the second Sunday of September a reunion of the D L I Association is held each year in the Cathedral on Palace Green in Durham City.

    My search for information on his military life still continues; alongside other general family research. Thanks to a fellow researcher I now have images of his full service records, which I thought were lost in the London blitz in WW2, but turned up as part of the “Burnt Documents2 in the National Archives. One area that I want to explore is the Red Cross records where I may find more information on the actual POW camp, and his dates of capture and release. He was posted missing in action on 27th May 1918, and could have been involved in the third Battle of Aisne in may 1918 where some 50,000 allied troops were taken by the Germans, and he may have ended up in the Crossen am den Oder Camp, for the rest of the war.

    My own memories of my Grandfather are of a thin wiry man, hard as nails through many years of working in the mines, and because of his military discipline would take no nonsense from his children and particularly his grandchildren. Even in his late 70s his back was relatively straight, his vegetables were planted in his council house garden, and he still walked to the local club for a pint of ale with his friends who worked or fought beside him. Perhaps he had talked to them!

    With my thanks to Harry Moses, author of “The Faithful Sixth”; an invaluable D.L.I. source record. Also to Steve Shannon, Military Historian, Durham Light Infantry Museum, Durham City.

    Images to illustrate the story


    1914 -1915 Star, 1915 -1918 War Medal, Victory Medal, and Territorial Forces Efficiency Medal

    2 Durham Light Infantry Cap Badge

    3 1953 Pioneer’s Diploma for T Vayro, from Durham Miner’s Association

    4 1914-1919 Roll of Honour, Willington and District Working Men’s Clubs

    5 1917 Warrant Officers and Sergeants “Out of Line” relaxing playing Cricket, near Arras in France,Thomas back row, fifth from left.

    6 1906 DLI Second Volunteers in Boer War Uniform, wearing Slouch Hats

    7 1908 DLI Second Battalion Volunteers, Thomas, middle row, centre

    8 1908 Second Battalion Volunteers, Thomas far right, kneeling

    9 1911 B Company DLI Strensall Camp, regular uniform, Thomas, far right seated

    10 1913 6 th Battalion DLI Competition, Sergeant Thomas Vayro centre

    11 1914 Conway Camp, “A likely looking lot “ of Cooks, Thomas next to CO in front row

    12 1914 Conway Camp, Thomas seated, second right, in what looks like the cleanest “cook’s whites”

    13 1913 Thomas, aged 30, before he married Ethel Poole

    14 1916 Thomas and Ethel, with children, Thomas Henry standing (6), John William seated (2) and Mary Elizabeth (1)

    15 1918 Letter from King George Vth

    16 1917 Addresses for Private T Vayro, his future sister in law Mrs Rennison, and brother Lance Corporal George Vayro

    17 1917 Addresses for his brother Lance Corporal George Vayro, and two of his sister in laws,Mrs George Vayro and Mrs Alfred Vayro

    18 1915 April, Ypres Salient, Advance of the Durham Light Infantry, adapted from a black drawing in “The Faithful Sixth” by Harry Moses

    19 1917 WW1 Postcards sent from France to Ethel, and his sons Thomas Henry and John William

    20 1915 -16 Group of Officers, Sergeant T Vayro, back row, second right

    21 1913 pre WW1, Thomas in Uniform, wife Ethel, sons Thomas Henry 4 standing and John William 1 on mother’s knee

    22 1950 Thomas and Ethel at 19 Gardner Avenue, Willington, Co Durham

    23 1958 DLI, Brancepeth Castle Parade, amalgamation of 1st and 2nd Battalions

    John Rennison Vayro




    209792

    Pte. Benjamin Wilfred Ridgway 15th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.30th July 1916)

    <p>Benjamin W Ridgway

    My Great-Grandad Benjamin Ridgway volunteered in November 1914, and in the same month proceeded to France. There he took part in the battles of Ypres (I and II), Neuve Chapelle, St. Eloi, Loos, and was struck by lightening on the Somme front in June 1916. Recovering from his injuries, he was in action in the Somme offensive and fell fighting a month afterwards.

    According to the National Roll of the Great War (3/265): He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory medals. "Courage, bright hopes and a myriad dreams, splendidly given" His name is recorded on the Dud Corner British Cemetery near Loos, Pas-de-Calais, France.

    DudCorner

    Andrew Gwynne




    209777

    Pte. Peter Hilton 12th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Peter Hilton was the brother of my grandfather and we discovered his story when researching our Hilton family tree. He was born the 27th August 1896 in Everton, Liverpool, the 5th child of a family of 10 children. He had worked as an errand boy and enlisted with the King's Liverpool Regiment on the 1st September 1914 when he was just 18 years and 4 days old. He arrived in France at Bolougne on 27th July 1915 and then on to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. He was killed here on 25th September 1915 just 2 months after arriving in France. He is buried in the Rue-Pettillon Military Cemetry in Fleurbaix and there is a memorial headstone to him in Anfield cemetery in liverpool.

    We have no photographs or family stories of him so it is lovely to tell his story here and acknowledge the service he gave to his country.

    Rosemarie Ramsay and Annie Davies




    209768

    Cpt. Harry George Ernest "Huge" Luchford MC 20 SQD (d.2nd Dec 1917)

    Harry Luchford was born in India in 1894. He worked for Matins Bank in Lombard Street, London W1. On the outbreak of war he enlisted into the Norfolk Regiment, transferred to the ASC, He served with the Indian cavalry division was wounded in France and after recovering joined the RFC.

    He obtained his Pilots certificate in May 1917 and recorded his first kill on June 13 1917. He is credited with 24 kills the last one on 21 October 1917. He returned home on leave to receive the MC & Bar from the King at Buckingham Palace in November, but was sadly shot down on his return to duty by the German ace, Walter Von Bulow.

    Keith Wright




    209748

    Pte. Rowland Smallwood 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    My Gt. Uncle, Rowland Smallwood, joined the Royal Fusiliers in 1896. He saw action in the Boer War during the Relief of Ladysmith. Further tours of duty took him to Burma, the East Indies and India.

    At the start of WW1, Rowland was recalled from India and posted with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force to Gallipoli. He returned to England in September 1915, prior to the remnants of his Battalion in January 1915. His medical history is missing from his service record, so it is not known if he was wounded. Rowland was then posted with the British Expeditionary Force to France in February 1916, where he was wounded. He was then based in England from March 1916. Rowland was transferred to the E.C.D, then the 5th Battalion, and finally to the 11th Battalion of the Bedford Regiment. In February 1919 Rowland was discharged, no longer physically fit for war service.

    In 1956 Rowland entered the Royal Hospital, Chelsea as an in-pensioner, where he died in 1965, aged 86 and was buried in the Royal Hospital, Chelsea plot at the Brookwood Cemetery, Woking.

    Val Kent




    209737

    Pte. James George Warner 6th Battalion West Kent Regiment (d.3rd July 1916)

    I have finally managed to locate my Great Grandfather, James Warner thanks to great websites like this, he lies at Ovillers Military Cemetery. I will make it my quest to pay my respects one day.

    Patricia Scotcher




    209731

    Frederick Glenton 7th Btn. London Regiment

    My Grandfather Fred Glenton ran away when he was 16 London England to fight in the Great War. He was in the Shining London 7th and he was the person who ran down to the trenches to say the war of over. he used to sing "It's a Long Way to Tipparery" and "The Girl that I Marry" when he was shaving when I was a little girl. He wanted to go to the 2nd World War but the SA Government wouldn't allow him to as they said he had to keep the tea industry going in the war effort, when all the soldiers came home from the war he gave all of them jobs selling tea all around South Africa and at a lot of funerals I have been to everyone started off working for Glenton & Mitchell when they came back from the war. He was an absolute gentleman and such an amazing man but he always suffered from horrendous headaches and they said it was due to the gas in the trenches. I have a brooch my grandmother had made to copy the insigna of the 7th Battalion and I wear it proudly of a great gentleman who fought in this most terrible war. Please if anyone knows anything about my wonderful grandfather please email me

    Linda Swart




    209726

    Capt. Arthur William Wolffsohn 9th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    One of the most effective war posters put out by Lord Kitchener in August 1914 was one showing some children asking their father "Daddy what did you do in the Great War?" later to be replaced by "Your Country Needs You" As military conscription was not enforced until years later, this poster shamed some thousands of unwilling volunteers to join up. As soon as conscription started, patriotism went by the board. You just waited to be called up or found the best means of avoiding it. No one was going to ask you what you did in the Great War. You just did what you were told, and that was your answer.

    As one who joined up as a volunteer in 1914 and thus completely ruined my studies and future career I always wanted to be an engineer. I am still bitter at those that by not joining up were able to get five years head start on any youngster of business age who, after having fought for his country, found on his return that the best jobs were already taken and were in fact looked down upon as totally inexperienced for his age. These are the same men who always come forward first when there was any loyalty about to show the patriotism they so surely threw away when there was a chance to give their lives for King and Country.

    I have started out some five or six times to try to give a concise answer to my son or his family as to what the War was like and what part I took in it, not that one, in so many millions who took up the colours, can claim to have played more than an infinitesimal part in winning that struggle. In fact, I have heard that the Americans did it.

    It is now 54 years since the War commenced [1968], so that anyone under 65 cannot have much idea of the sufferings of the troops living day and night in heavy thigh gum boots in trenches, sometimes over their knees in liquid mud, having to e relieved every 48 hours, with the consequent march over miles of shell holes, quagmires of mus, snow and slush in pitch darkness under shell fire to reach slightly better dug-outs. The weeks of nervous tension seeing your best friends riddled, blown up and mutilated by rifle or shell fire and knowing that the same thing might happen to you at any moment. The hopelessness of it all when neither side from 1914 to 1916 were able to advance an inch. Or from August 18th 1916 when the Allies advances were thrown back practically to the original line by the Germans after both sides had lost a million men.

    A short history of our 9th Division was published in 1919 and our Battalion Major, subsequently A/Lt. Col. T/Major H. Lloyd-Williams published his personal experiences, giving full details of the participation of the 9th RWF in that war.

    I therefore propose to condense onto one page my own war service movements in England, Belgium and France and then concentrate, not so much on the unpleasantness of the War, but on the highlights of some of the fighting I was in and the occasional amusing, at least to me, incidents that took place.

    My first experience of going up the line consisted of being driven up in an old London motor bus with solid tyres, still marked "Piccadilly" with all the advertisements intact. En route we stopped in a wood opposite some roofless houses. There was an enormous explosion and half the bus load of raw troops, including myself, tumbled out and got under the bus as best we could to avoid the second shell. Nothing happened and when we emerged we had quite an audience of grinning old-stagers. The explosion had been a salvo of our own light field guns hidden in the shelled houses.

    After sunset we left the bus and conducted a working party of men with spades to do some water drawing in the second line. As we proceeded, rifle shots burst out every few seconds, some going thump and others ricocheting over our heads with a frightening squeal. The men, now made up of veterans, did not seem at least worried over this fire, but I was convinced that unless I did some bobbing down I would surely be hit. I there chose to oversee the work being done at the lowest possible point of the ditches, and in some cases I stood in the water itself to be a foot or two lower.

    Being pitch dark I hoped the men would not notice my antics. I afterwards leant that due to the water level being about one foot below earth, the second line (that is trench) had been converted into a six foot breastwork of sandbags filled with earth. The bullets being fired at us either hit the breastworks or ricocheted overhead, so that we had been in comparative safety.

    The signs of previous battles were everywhere. Out in No-Man's-Land were strewn the corpses, which from the fragments of kit remaining could not be recognised as Scottish troops. It may sound gruesome at this moment, but one used those days to crawl and fall over such remains and take cover behind them when patrolling about in No-Man's-Land with as little concern as one would regard any other obstacle. There was much snow about and on moonlight nights the whiteness and the silence were ghost like in their effective and, when more intense than usual, the calling of some wounded or starving cat in some ruin behind the line intensified the eeriness.

    As Battalion Machine Gun Officer I had placed four guns in strategic positions so that each gun's sweep of bullets would intersect the next, thus allowing no part of No-Man's-Land to be free from machine gun fire.

    I was returning to my dug out in the second line, from which point I could visit the guns by the shortest routes, when I saw a flash-light being waved indiscriminately along communication trenches which was of course, strictly forbidden. I immediately yelled "Put out that ruddy light". A few minutes passed and the light went out. Suddenly I saw a figure shuffling past me. I thought his steel helmet seemed unusual and then "Hello Winston, I didn't expect to see you here". I realized that I was perhaps the only British Officer who has ever given such an order to Churchill. I is right about the tin hat. Winston would never wear the hat in vogue; it was a French blue steel helmet he had picked up somewhere.

    A day before Christmas in these same lines, the Germans gave us a barrage of tear gas shells which affected our eyes in spite of our crude masks. That evening they put Christmas candles on their parapets and sang suitable songs calling on us to have an armistice the next day. This had occurred on another front the previous year and had been strictly forbidden since then. At dawn on Christmas day the Germans stood on their parapet waving and cheering and we noticed they looked like boys of 16. Our 14lb battery Observation Officer was standing beside me and I saw him pick up the phone. A few seconds later four shells spread shrapnel fairly close to the Germans, who dived into their earthworks and were not seen again. Our guns were limited to firing one round per gun per day due to the intense shortage of ammunition, afterwards solved by Lloyd-George as Minister of Defence.

    The Germans holding these lines were mostly Bavarians of a friendly type. When the Prussians were to relieve them they yelled to us the previous night Royal Welch, they had found out somehow, "Be careful tomorrow, the Prussians are coming". The first man who showed his head the next morning was instantly sniped at. They also had a sense of humour. One day I saw the tops of ladders being carried along their lines. Thinking I might get a head popping up carelessly, I trained a rifle I had attached to a periscope (so I could shoot without lifting my head) on the ladders and had several shots at them. Within a few minutes, a stick with a round disk painted red was displayed above the German trench; this was waved from one side to the other the exact signal used by us when practising on our own rifle ranges to indicate a miss.

    In March 1916, by which time I had been promoted to 1st Lieut. We were in a portion of the front line where the distance between the opposing trenches varied from 800 to only 40 yards. Where the two trenches converged to the 40 yards separation was called the Ducks Bill, due to its similarity of the trench design.

    To prevent hand-bombs falling into out trenches, these later were covered with chicken wire, and there were all sorts of trap dugouts and inner defences. Actually this position became too hot for either side and we withdrew all but a few sentries.

    My dug-out was some 300 yards from this point and one night I thought I heard curious tapings. I mentioned this to some officer passing through and he must have alerted Headquarters at St.Omer who, to my astonishment sent up two mining experts with listening gear to interview me.

    Ordering everyone not to move, they listened at various points for something like two hours and reported that they could not discover anything unusual. My ears proved correct, at dawn a few days later I heard a tremendous explosion, my dug-out shook like an earthquake and, although I got out quickly I could still see sandbags, men, earth and debris some two hundred feet in the sky. The Ducks Bill had blown, causing many casualties amongst the North Staffordshire Regiment and many men were shell-shocked or completely unfit for action. Being out of my area, I could only alert my guns against a possible attack and bring one gun to bear slightly in the direction of the gap thus caused in the line. However the South Wales Borderers rushed up from reserve and held the line against a few hostile attempts to dislodge them.

    On 7th September 1916 our Battalion was in the trenches at Plug Street (Polegstreet) the home of Bairsfather's cartoons, who does not remember If you know a better hole, go to it and visited Armentieres the various Mademoiselles seemed to be employed in an open laundry within shelling distance of the Huns. Here I was nearly hit by a new German mortar shell shaped like a pineapple which buzzed like a hornet.

    As time wore on and the men saw that I never seemed to be wounded in action (out of four hundred officers passing through the ranks of the RWF during the war, the Major H.Lloyd Williams and myself were the only two left in 1918, the others being killed or wounded, missing or transferred; they seemed to classify me as a Human Tank. When one goes over the top the drill is to be single line spaced outwards, the men being at least five yards apart. On the Somme, on the first attack when I was halfway between the hostile trenches, I found no men for a considerable distance on either side of me. Looking back, they were strung out in a line behind me they explained that as no bullet would hit me, the safest place was exactly behind me.

    Aviation was very primitive in 1914/15 and planes were only used for observation, until one day an officer took out his revolver and fired at a German in mid air. It did not take long for them to take up Lewis Machine Guns with them and then came the invention of firing through the propeller.

    One day sitting in billets in Belgium we heard a hum of planes, on rushing out we saw a German crash diving into a ploughed field, his wheels hit a deep rut, the plane overturned and the Observer and his Officer fell clear leaving the Pilot, a sergeant, with a bullet through his calf hanging upside down caught by his belt. The amazing thing is that the three British planes either thought the German crew would escape or were making sure that they were their particular prize. They therefore dived down onto the ploughed field and promptly nosed into the ground or turned over. A stiff price to pay for two Germans. Our men soon turned out and watched as the German officer took out a suitcase, removed his flying helmet, windjammer etc. and replaced them with a smart drill helmet and uniform coat of a German aviator. Then, pulling out his greatcoat he held it out for one of our men to act as valet, and was surprised when he was left standing with it. I, as a machine gun officer, was given the German machine gun to take to pieces. It had jammed which probably caused their downfall, and try as we might we never managed to unjam it.

    Another day, as I was taking a long line of mule limbers up the line; I saw a German plane diving like a falling leaf. Thinking he was bluffing, I ordered the mule train off the road and, sure enough, the German straightened up and came down the road. Just as I thought he would start firing, he swerved off and crashed in a field nearby. We found him upside down in his cockpit dead as a doornail, with no passengers. As these men never flew alone, we thought the Observer must have fallen off. They must have died at considerable height and the falling leaf manoeuvre widely used later as a bluff must have been the planes natural way of crashing. Our men who had taken cover under the limbers looked sheepish when they realised that the plane could have done them no harm.

    The Germans extended their raids with their Zeppelins as proves this extract for Lloyd Williams. On the evening of Friday November 18th 1917, I found a telegram from Ian Baxter, and catching the 6 p.m. train met him and Wolffsohn at the Criterion Theatre where we witnessed A Little B it of Fluff. Later we had supper at the Trocadero, in the course of which the alarms were sounded that an air raid was in progress. We went outside to observe the kind of barrage that was said to be fired by anti-aircraft guns, but quickly hurried back to cover when we heard the whistle of bombs which fell in Piccadilly near Swan & Edgar's corner.

    Another curious affair occurred at Rocquingy in an aerodrome in the back lines near where we were camped. One night a large plane circled our field a few times and then shot off, green and red Verey lights circling off again. On the next pass the ground staff shot off similar lights and the plane glided in. A German Gotha straight into our laps. Apparently it had lost its way and the lights were the code for answering signals from German aerodromes. The bright RFC officer had brought off a scoop. The Germans had made the reply lights the same as the planes, presumably on the theory that no one would be so foolish as to devise so simple a code, and hence the British would reply in different colours.





    209725

    Pte. John Kerr Durham Light Infantry

    Never got to meet my grandfather, John Kerr, but I have his medals and look at them and wonder what madness & horrors he witnessed in France during WW1. He was the same age as my own son is now 16 years old, and yes, he told the army that he was older just to join up.

    Gary Holden




    209717

    Pte. Samuel William Parry Northamptoshire Regt. (d.28th March 1918)

    Samuel Parry was killed, I believe, from the intelligence records, at Warvilliers when the Germans took the village during the British retreat following the German advance in spring 1918. The family have given his medals and photo to the Regimental museum in Northampton. His body was not found and he is remembered on the Memorial at Poziers.

    Richard Parry




    209713

    L/Cpl. Albert Frederick Sheehan MM. 16th Btn Rifle Brigade

    My Great-Grandfather, Lance Corporal Albert Sheehan, won his Military Medal on the 20th September, 1917, the same day that Sergeant William Burman, also of the 16th Rifle Brigade, won his Victoria Cross. I never had the honour to meet Albert Sheehan, he died many years before I was born. However I am fortunate and proud to have his Military Medal and a handwritten note from Major-General Edward Feetham, which reads:

    “15848 Pte (A/Cpl) A. F. Sheehan, 16th Btn. The Rifle Brigade. The Major-General Commanding the 39th Division wishes to place on record his appreciation of your gallant conduct on Sept 20th 1917 S.E. of Ypres when, after a Lewis Gun Team had been killed, you took the gun and moved round to the flank of a strong point and opened fire on the door, causing the garrison to surrender.” The note is signed, E. Feetham (Major-General Commanding 39th Division), and dated 10-10-17.

    I recently had the opportunity to run across a field, carrying a deactivated Lewis gun. It was heavy, and I can only imagine what it must have been like to pick one up in the heat of battle, fully loaded, the barrel red hot, and run with it across unfamiliar terrain whilst being shot at and ducking mortars. I was already proud of my Great Grandfather and his part in the Great War, and this simple experience only augmented my feelings. Like so many others who fought in that conflict - and every conflict since - he was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. Albert Sheehan survived the war and returned to Hoxton to raise his family.

    Jerry Walker




    209692

    Capt. John Patrick Hamilton VC. 3rd Battalion

    John Patrick Hamilton was born in Orange, New South Wales, Hamilton described himself as a butcher when he enlisted aged eighteen, as a private in the 1st Australian Imperial Force on 15th September 1914. His father William Hamilton was also a butcher and they resided together in Penshurst, Sydney. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion (N.S.W.) and embarked from Sydney in October 1914 on HMAT Euripides. After training in Egypt his battalion sailed for Gallipoli and took part in the landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915 - his battalion coming ashore in the 2nd and 3rd waves.

    He was 19 years old when the following deed took place at Sasse's Sap during the Battle of Lone Pine on the Gallipoli Peninsula for which he was awarded the VC:

    “For most conspicuous bravery on 9th August, 1915, in the Gallipoli Peninsula. During a heavy bomb attack by the enemy on the newly captured position at Lone Pine, Private Hamilton, with utter disregard to personal safety, exposed himself under heavy fire on the parados, in order to secure a better fire position against the enemy's bomb throwers. His coolness and daring example had an immediate effect. The defence was encouraged, and the enemy driven off with heavy loss”

    The 3rd Battalion was decimated at Lone Pine but, after the withdrawal from Gallipoli and reorganization in Egypt the Battalion was redeployed to the Western Front in March 1916 and went into the line at Armentières. Hamilton was promoted corporal on 3 May and fought at the Battle of Pozières in July, the Battle of Mouquet Farm in August and Flers in November. He was promoted sergeant in May 1917 and that year his battalion served at Bullecourt and at the Menin Road and Broodseinde theatres of the Battle of Passchendale. After officer cadet training at Cambridge, England from July 1918 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in January 1919 and promoted Lieutenant in April 1919. After demobilisation, he was discharged in September 1919.

    S. Flynn




    209683

    Gnr. Louis Morrice 1st Lancashire Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery (d.10th Aug 1914)

    Liverpool Weekly Mercury, 15th August 1914

    A Cheshire Tragedy.

    The mysterious death of a gunner in the Lancashire Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery whilst engaged in military duties at Bidston on Monday night formed the subject of an inquest held on Wednesday in the Reading-room, Bidston Village, by M J C Bate, the West Cheshire coroner. The proceedings lasted for nearly two hours, and ended in the jury returning an open verdict. Major Stitt, representing the Lancashire Brigade, was present during the inquiry.

    The victim of the tragedy is Louis Morrice, aged twenty, who had been a labourer, and ha resided with his mother and stepfather at 34, Upper Hill-street, Liverpool, until Wednesday of last week, when he joined the artillery. Since that time deceased, with others, had been doing garrison duty at Bidston Hill. The evidence of various members of the corps was to the effect that about midnight on Monday and alarm was raised consequent upon the report of a sentry that a suspected person was loitering in the vicinity of the gun park. The guard turned out, and some shots were fired. The, under the direction of Lieutenant Cook, the men, split up into parties, were moved into the fir wood in extended order with the object of searching for the trespasser. Morrice was one of a party of five who made their way through the thick undergrowth towards the railing dividing the wood from Eleanor-road. When within two or three yards of the railing deceased's comrades saw a flash in front, followed by a retort. Morrice, who was nearest the railings, staggered, cried "Oh! I am shot." and fell to the ground. It was found that a bullet had passed through his body, and although medical aid was promptly summoned, the young soldier died a few minutes after the shot had been fired.

    Bombardier Beamish said that when the alarm was given he ran to the gun park. "There he is," pointing towards a man who was on the wall. Witness ran to seize the man, but he clambered over the wall into the ferns. He challenged the man, but got no response. Witness was the ferns moving. He ordered some of his men to fire, which they did. Lieutenant Cook then arrived, and ordered the men to beat the wood. When witness's men fired, the wood was quite clear so far as soldiers were concerned. The men in the deceased's party were not in complete agreement as to the direction from which the shot which killed Morrice came. One said he saw a flame in front, about ten yards outside the railings. Another said the flash came from the right-hand bottom corner of the railings near the bushes. His opinion was that the shot which killed Morrice came from the wood. A third member of the party said the shot came from the road and not from the wood. This witness did not see anything moving. On the question whether Morrice's rifle had been fired inadvertently through the trigger catching in a twig, it was pointed out by Major Stitt that this was unlikely, as the trigger would require a 6lb poll.

    Lieutenant A E Cook said he gave strict instructions that no one was to fire without challenging. The deceased could not have been in front of any portion of the line owing to the position in which witness had placed his men. Witness added that when he came back to the gun park he saw a man standing close up to the ammunition, and when challenged he ran away. Dr Thomas Brown, captain in the Royal Army Medical corps attached to the Lancashire Brigade, deposed to being called to the deceased. The bullet had gone through the lower part of his body, entering on the right side and coming out on the left near the spine. It was a clean wound, and must have been caused by a nickel bullet - either a service bullet or a bullet from a heavy automatic pistol. It was impossible to distinguish which. From the relative position of the points of entrance and exit he assumed that the bullet was fired from a spot lower than where the man was standing. Judging by the size and the condition of the wound, he thought the shot had been fired at a distance of about twenty yards. Major Stitt told the coroner that there certainly had been men hanging about the garrison "I saw a man myself later on in the night standing beside the ammunition on the Liverpool side of the gun park." The verdict of the jury was that death had been caused by a bullet, but there was no evidence to show by whom the shot had been fired. The jury expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.

    Ian Turner




    209672

    Pte William Matthew Currey VC. 53rd Btn

    William Matthew Currey was 22 years old, and a private in the 53rd Bn (N.S.W.), Australian Imperial Force when he was awarded the VC.

    "On 1st September 1918 in the attack on Peronne, France, Private Currey rushed forward under heavy machine-gun fire and captured single-handed a 77mm field gun which had been holding up the advance, killing all the crew. Later, when the advance was checked by an enemy strong-point he crept round the flank and engaged the post with a Lewis gun, then rushed it, causing many casualties. Subsequently he volunteered to carry orders for withdrawal to an isolated company, doing so under heavy fire and bringing back valuable information. The citation published in the London Gazette of 14 December 1918 concluded that his behaviour was a striking example of coolness, determination and utter disregard of danger... and his gallant work contributed largely to the success of the operation."

    Australian war historian C.E.W. Bean described the final act of Currey's heroism thus: At 3 am when efforts to reach (a Lt Waite in an advanced position) having failed Private Currey volunteered to make his third attempt and going out far into the disputed front he stood up and called with all his lung power. "Waitsy! Get in." The Germans turned on him every weapon they had; he was gassed and his respirator was shot through. But Waite had heard him and returned.

    S. Flynn




    209671

    Pte Thomas Cooke VC. 8th Battalion (d.25th July 1916)

    Thomas Cooke was born in Kaikoura, New Zealand, he was a 35 years old private in the 8th Battalion (Victoria), Australian Imperial Force when he was awarded the VC.

    "On 24th/25th July 1916 at Pozieres, France, after a Lewis gun had been disabled, Private Cooke was ordered to take his gun to a dangerous part of the line. He did fine work, but came under very heavy fire, and finally he was the only man left. He still stuck to his post and continued to fire, but when assistance finally arrived he was found dead beside his gun."

    S. Flynn




    209669

    Capt. Percy Herbert Cherry VC, MC. 26th Battalion (d.27th March 1917)

    Percy Herbert Cherry was born in the Australian state of Victoria, Cherry moved to Tasmania at the age of seven when his family took up an apple orchard. Becoming an expert apple packer, he was also a skilled rifle shot and member of the Franklin rowing club. In 1913, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 93rd Infantry Regiment, Citizens Military Force, and at the outbreak of war, Cherry was sent to Claremont Camp and for duties as a drill instructor. On 5th of March 1915, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and was allotted to the 26th Battalion, where he qualified as an infantry officer, but was considered too young for a commission in the Australian Imperial Force and was instead made a Quartermaster Sergeant. On 29 June, the battalion embarked from Brisbane for Egypt aboard HMAT Aeneas. On arrival, the battalion spent several months training in the desert, where Cherry was promoted to company sergeant major in August. On 12th September, the battalion landed at Gallipoli and played a defensive role at Courtney's and Steele's Posts, and Russell's Top.

    On 1 December, injured by bomb wounds to his face and head, Cherry was evacuated to Egypt, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 9 December. Three days later, the 26th Battalion was withdrawn from Gallipoli and evacuated to Egypt where Cherry rejoined them in preparation for service on the Western Front. Cherry was selected to attend a machine gun course in March 1916. After completion of this, he was transferred to the 7th Machine Gun Company in France.

    He commanded the company's 1st Battery at Fleurbaix, Messines and on the Somme until 5 August, when he was wounded in a duel with a German officer at Pozieres. He and a German officer, who was leading an attack against Cherry's position, were exchanging shots from neighbouring shell-holes. Eventually, they both rose, firing simultaneously. The German officer hit Cherry in the neck but was mortally wounded by Cherry in return. Cherry approached the dying man, who pulled a package of letters from his pocket, and asked Cherry to have them censored and posted. Cherry promised to do so and the German handed over the letters, with the words; "And so it ends". He died shortly afterwards. As a result of his wounds, Cherry was evacuated to England for treatment.

    Promoted to Lieutenant on 25 August 1916, Cherry returned to his unit on the Somme in November. The following month he was made a temporary captain and transferred back to the 26th Battalion as the commanding officer of C Company. His rank was confirmed on 14 February 1917, and on 1 March he was involved in the battalion's actions around the village of Warlencourt. At 03:00 on 2 March, Cherry led his company in an attack on the German held position of Malt Trench, situated between the villages of Warlencourt and Bapaume. Artillery fire had failed to adequately cut the barbwire lines for the advancing troops, and Cherry led a section of men along the wire until he found a break in it. Once through the gap, he rushed two machine gun posts, capturing one single-handed, and turned one on the fleeing Germans before being wounded himself. For his actions during the engagement, Cherry was awarded the Military Cross.

    On 26 March 1917, the 7th Brigade,of which the 26th Battalion was part, was tasked with the capture of Lagnicourt. An artillery barrage opened up on the village at 05:15 and continued for twenty minutes, allowing the infantry to close in. The plan was that Cherry's company would storm the village itself while the battalion's other companies encircled it. For the assault, Cherry split his company into two sections; he commanded one section himself and placed the other under Lieutenant William Frederick Joseph Hamilton. The company was soon in action. Cherry's section captured a large fortified farm on the edge of the village. As they entered the muddy main street, the Australians came under heavy fire from the houses lining the road and from an adjacent stable yard. Cherry "rushed the stable yard" and a fierce fire fight developed, before the Germans surrendered. As Cherry and his men moved through Lagnicourt, they found the main resistance coming from a large chalky crater. The Germans' stout defence was holding up the advance and Cherry sent a messenger back for more Stokes mortars. Becoming impatient at the delay, Cherry decided to rush the position under the cover of Lewis Gun and rifle grenade fire. Capturing the crater, he found Lieutenant Harold Hereward Bieske at the bottom wounded. Bieske had taken over command of the second section when Lieutenant Hamilton was wounded, and it had now been reduced to six men.

    After capturing the crater, Cherry pushed on through the village, where his party emerged from among the buildings on the far side. Another stiff fight ensured with a group of Germans in dug-outs by the side of the road, before the company was able to meet up with its fellow units which had bypassed the village and were already established to the north and east of the area. Cherry's orders were to fall back into reserve, but he disregarded them as he sensed a counter-attack was forthcoming. At 09:00 on 27 March, the Germans launched a very strong counter-attack under heavy artillery fire. At one point, Cherry noticed that the Germans were firing yellow flares to pinpoint Australian positions to their gunners. He found some of these flares, and fired them away from his position. The German attempts to retake Lagnicourt, at a cost to the 7th Brigade of 377 casualties, raged all day before they abandoned the counter attack.

    In the afternoon of the 27 March 1917, a shell burst in a sunken road to the east of Lagnicourt, killing Cherry and several other men. pHe was buried in Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy, Plot VIII, Row C, Grave 10. The full citation for Cherry's posthumous award of the Victoria Cross appeared in a supplement to the London Gazette on 11 May 1917, it reads:

    War Office, 11th May, 1917. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers and Man: 2nd Lt. (temp. Capt.) Percy Herbert Cherry, M.C., late Aus. Imp. Force. For most conspicuous bravery, determination and leadership when in command of a company detailed to storm and clear a village. After all the officers of his company had become casualties he carried on with care and determination, in the face of fierce opposition, and cleared the village of the enemy. He sent frequent reports of progress made, and when held up for some time by an enemy strong point he organised machine gun and bomb parties and captured the position. His leadership, coolness and bravery set a wonderful example to his men. Having cleared the village, he took charge of the situation and beat off the most resolute and heavy counter-attacks made by the enemy. Wounded about 6.30 a.m., he refused to leave his post, and there remained, encouraging all to hold out at all costs, until, about 4.30 p.m., this very gallant officer was killed by an enemy shell.

    Cherry's Victoria Cross was presented to his father by the Governor of Tasmania, Sir Francis Newdegate, in Hobart during October 1917.

    S. Flynn




    209668

    Sgt. Claud Charles Castleton VC. 5th Machine Gun Company (d.29th Jul 1916)

    Claud Charles Castleton was born in Kirkey, Lowestoft. Educated at a council school, he won a scholarship to the grammar school. In 1912 he set off on a long adventure, stopping first at Melbourne, Australia. He worked in various parts of Australia before heading to New Guinea, intending to earn funds for the return journey to England via New Zealand, India and Africa. Matters changed with the outbreak of the First World War; he joined the Australian force formed in New Guinea for the defence of the area in the face of German warship activities.

    In March 1915 he returned to Sydney and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. He subsequently served at Gallipoli, where he earned promotion. He was 23 years old, and a Sergeant in the 5th Machine Gun Company, 5th Brigade, 2nd Division when t he was awarded the VC.

    "On the night of the 28th/29th July 1916 near Pozieres, France, during a night attack the infantry was temporarily driven back by the intense machine-gun fire from the enemy trenches. Many wounded were left in "No Man's Land" lying in shell holes. Sergeant Castleton went out twice in the face of this intense fire, and each time brought in a wounded man on his back. He went out a third time and was bringing in another wounded man when he was himself hit in the back and killed instantly."

    S. Flynn




    209667

    Capt. George Cartwright VC. 33rd Battalion

    George Cartwright was born in South Kensington, London, on 9 December 1894 to William Edward Cartwright, a coach trimmer, and his wife Elizabeth. He attended the local school, before emigrating to Australia in 1912 at the age of eighteen. Settling in New South Wales, Cartwright gained employment at a sheep station in the Elsmore district as a labourer.

    On 9 December 1915, his 21st birthday, Cartwright enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force for service during the First World War. Allotted to the newly raised 33rd Battalion as a private, he embarked aboard HMAT Marathon at Sydney on 4 May 1916. Disembarking at Devonport, England, two months later, the members of the 33rd Battalion spent the following four months training at Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

    On 31st of August 1918 at Road Wood, south-west of Bouchavesnes, near Peronne, France, when two companies were held up by machine-gun fire, Private Cartwright attacked the gun alone under intense fire. He shot three of the crew, and, having bombed the post, captured the gun and nine of the enemy.

    On 30 September 1918 he was wounded and evacuated to England. Having received his V.C. from King George V, he returned to Australia and was discharged from the A.I.F. on 16 May 1919. On return to Australia, Cartwright lived in Sydney and worked as a motor mechanic. In WW2 Cartwright was mobilized on 5 March 1940, and performed training and amenities duties in Australia. He was promoted to captain in 1942.

    S. Flynn




    209661

    Sgt. Walter Ernest Brown VC, DCM. 20th Battalion

    Walter Ernest Brown was born in Tasmania and worked as a grocer before enlisting in the Australian Army in 1915. Initially he was sent to Egypt where he served in the Australian Service Corps before being transferred to the Western Front where he served in the infantry with the 20th Battalion. In July 1918, during the fighting at Villers-Bretonneux he single-handedly destroyed a German machine-gun post, taking a number of prisoners in the process. For this act he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was also later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for a previous act of bravery.

    His citation reads: 1689A Corporal Walter Ernest Brown, D.C.M., A.I.F. For most conspicuous bravery and determination when with an advanced party from his battalion which was going into the line in relief. The company to which he was attached carried out during the night a minor operation resulting in the capture of a small system of enemy trench. Early on the following morning an enemy strong post about seventy. yards distant caused the occupants of the newly captured trench great inconvenience by persistent sniping. Hearing that it had been decided to rush this post, Corporal Brown, on his own initiative, crept out along the shallow trench and made a dash towards the post. An enemy machine gun opened fire from another trench and forced him to take cover. Later he again dashed forward and reached his objective. With a Mills grenade in his hand he stood at the door of a dug-out and called on the occupants to surrender. One of the enemy rushed out, a scuffle ensued, and Corporal Brown knocked him down with his fist. Loud cries of "Kamerad" were then heard, and from the dug-out an officer and eleven, other ranks appeared. This party Corporal Brown brought back as prisoners to our line, the enemy meanwhile from other positions bringing heavy machine-gun fire to bear on the party.

    Following the war, Brown was repatriated to Australia and returned to civilian life. When the Second World War began, he lied about his age and previous experience in order to re-enlist in the Australian Army, this time serving in the Royal Australian Artillery. In 1942 Brown's unit was sent to Singapore following the Japanese attack on Malaya. He is believed to have been killed in action on 15 February 1942, although his body has never been recovered.

    S. Flynn




    209657

    Pte. John Robinson Morray 12/13th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Oct 1917)

    I have only just found the standard campaign medals for my Great Uncle John Morray. I did not even know I had a relative who died in WWI, so I am at the start of research. This may prove difficult as this was my paternal Grandmother's Brother and I don't know of any other living relatives. I don't think that there are any photographs. He is buried at Tyne Cott & was 20 years old.

    Gillian Hunter




    209636

    Sgt. Robert James Bye VC. Welsh Guards

    Robert James Bye was born in Pontypridd. He was 27 years old, and a Sergeant in the 1st Btn., Welsh Guards, when the following deed took place on 31 July 1917 at the Yser Canal, Belgium during the Third Battle of Ypres for which he was awarded the VC. His citation reads:

    "939 Sjt. Robert Bye, Welsh Guards (Penrhiwceiber, Glamorgan). For most conspicuous bravery. Sjt. Bye displayed the utmost courage and devotion to duty during an attack on the enemy's position. Seeing that the leading waves were being troubled by two enemy blockhouses, he, on his own initiative, rushed at one of them and put the garrison out of action. He then rejoined his company and went forward to the assault of the second objective. When the troops had gone forward to the attack on the third objective, a party was detailed to clear up a line of blockhouses which had been passed. Sjt. Bye volunteered to take charge of this party, accomplished his object, and took many prisoners. He subsequently advanced to the third objective, capturing a number of prisoners, thus rendering invaluable assistance to the assaulting companies. He displayed throughout the most remarkable initiative."

    S. Flynn




    209635

    Capt. Frederick Barter VC, MC. 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers,

    Frederick Barter was 24 years old, and a company sergeant-major in the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers when he was awarded the VC.

    "On 16th of May 1915 at Festubert, France, Company Sergeant-Major Barter, when in the first line of German trenches, called for volunteers to enable him to extend our line, and with the eight men who responded, he attacked the German position with bombs, capturing three German officers, 102 men and 500 yards of their trenches. He subsequently found and cut 11 of the enemy's mine leads situated about 20 yards apart."

    S. Flynn




    209634

    2nd Lt. Basil Arthur Horsfall VC. 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Second Lieutenant Basil Arthur Horsfall was born on 4 October 1887 in Colombo, Ceylon. He left a position with Barclay's Bank, London, to become a rubber planter back in Ceylon, where he also held a civil service position with the Public Works Department and served with the Ceylon Engineers. During the Great War, he served as 2nd Lieutenant with the 1st Battalion, attached to the 11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. The citation to his VC reads:

    "On the 21st March 1918 between Moyenneville and Ablainzevelle, France, the enemy attacked Second Lieutenant Horsfall's centre platoon, his three forward sections were driven back and he was wounded in the head by enemy fire. Ignoring the wound, he immediately reorganised what remained of his troops and counter attacked to regain his original position. Despite the severity of his head wound, he refused to go to the dressing station, as the three other officers in his company had been killed. Later, he made another counter attack, but was ordered to withdraw. The last to leave his position, he was shot soon afterwards."

    S. Flynn




    209631

    A/Lt.Col. John Sherwood Kelly VC, DSO, MID. att. 1st Btn Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers Norfolk Regiment

    Jack Sherwood Kelly was wounded four-times-wounded with a combat record going back to the 1896 Matabele Revolt. At 16 he fought in Matebeleland. He joined the Cape Mounted Police and was at the Relief of Mafeking, South Africa. He joined the Somaliland Burgher Corps fighting the "Mad Mullah" in Somaliland. In 1906 he toko part in the Zulu Rebellion. He married Nellie and prior to the outbreak of the First World War, he was housemaster at Langley School and a member of the Territorial Army.

    At Gallipoli, he commanded a regular army Scottish battalion. He was 37 years old, and an Acting Lieutenant-Colonel in the Norfolk Regiment, British Army, Commanding the 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was awarded the VC.

    "On 20th of November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai at Marcoing, France, when a party of men were held upon the near side of a canal by heavy rifle fire, Lieutenant Colonel Sherwood Kelly at once ordered covering fire, personally led his leading company across the canal and then reconnoitered, under heavy fire, the high ground held by the enemy. He took a Lewis gun team, forced his way through obstacles and covered the advance of his battalion, enabling them to capture the position. Later he led a charge against some pits from which heavy fire was coming, capturing five machine-guns and 46 prisoners."

    S. Flynn




    209630

    Capt. Clement Robertson VC. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Clement Robertson's father, a captain in the Royal Artillery, was serving in South Africa when Clement was born in 1890. The family was from Ireland and Clement grew up in Delgany, although he went to school at Haileybury before attending Trinity College, Dublin.

    Clement was 26 years old, and an acting Captain in The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, British Army, Special Reserve, Tank Corps during the First World War when he was awarded the VC.

    "On 4 October 1917 at Zonnebeke, Belgium, Captain Robertson led his tanks in attack under heavy shell, machine-gun and rifle fire over ground which had been ploughed by shell-fire. He and his batman had spent the previous three days and nights going back and forth over the ground, reconnoitering and taping routes, and, knowing the risk of the tanks missing the way, he now led them on foot, guiding them carefully towards their objective, although he must have known that this action would almost certainly cost him his life. He was killed after the objective had been reached, but his skilful leading had already ensured success."

    He was buried at Oxford Road Cemetery, Belgium, 2 miles north-east of Ypres. Robertson is also commemorated in his parish church at Delgany, County Wicklow, in Delgany Golf Club, of which he was a founder member, where his name is the first on the President's Cup and also on one of the panels on the walls of the entrance hall of the 1937 Reading Room, Front Square, Trinity College.

    S. Flynn




    209629

    Mjr. Oswald Austin Reid VC. 1st Btn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment

    Oswald Austin Reid was 23 years old, and a Captain in the 1st Battalion, The King's (Liverpool) Regiment, British Army, attached 6th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment when he was awarded the VC.

    "On 8th/10th March 1917 at Dialah River, Mesopotamia, Captain Reid consolidated a small post with the advanced troops on the opposite side of the river to the main body, after his lines of communication had been cut by the sinking of the pontoons. He maintained this position for 30 hours against constant attacks by bombs, machine-guns and rifle fire, with the full knowledge that repeated attempts at relief had failed and that his ammunition was all but exhausted. It was greatly due to his tenacity that the crossing of the river was effected the next night. During the operations he was wounded."

    S. Flynn




    209627

    Pte. George Leonard Ingham 19th Battalion, A Company, 3 Platoon Lancashire Fusiliers (d.15th July 1916)

    <p>

    I knew that my Grandmother and Grandfather on my Mother's side had both lost a brother in WWI. Stupidly, I never asked any questions. Last Nov. 11, I decided to research them on the internet as I knew their names. My Grandmother's Brother was named George Ingham. I easily found him on the Commonwealth War Graves' site. After finding his details I input his info in Google and was taken to a page that showed his gravestone and a scan of a letter. The letter was put there by the niece of its recipient, Alf Plater. Alf was a friend and co-worker of George's in a small mill call Thornton's outside Rochdale.

    The letter is dated July 8th, 1915, one week before George's death. It describes the 3rd Salfords' disastrous attack on the Leipzig Redoubt near Thiepval on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916. The Salfords were depth reserve for several other battalions in the first wave. When it came time for them to advance, the British front line and communications trenches were so clogged with wounded that the battalion had to advance over open ground to the British front line. Similar to the preceding Lonsdale battalion (11th Border) and the 1st Dorset battalion, the Salfords suffered crippling casualties form German machine guns firing in enfilade from a fortification call the Nordwerk. Of the battalion's 4 companies, only A, B and one half of C were sent 'over the top.' The other half of C and D company both remained under cover once it was realized that committing them would just add to the massacre.

    From the battalion war diary: "In the meanwhile A, B and part of C Company had continued their advance from the front line trenches in waves of 30 or 40 men. The leading wave, led by Lt Huxley, got within 10 yards of the German trench but out of forty men only four remained and they could get no further."

    "Capt Hibbert led the next wave and succeeded in getting into the German trench. He was followed by Lt Musker and 2nd Lt George with all the men that could be collected. These were the only three officers left with the two and a half companies that had advanced, the remaining officers having been killed or wounded."

    "During these operations the battalion experienced 268 casualties, that’s to say 50% of its fighting strength, having 20 officers and 577 other ranks when going into action." Note that this 50% battalion casualty rate was incurred but just over one half of the battalion. Casualties in A, B and the part of C company that advanced were at a much higher rate. In George's A company, the CO Lt. Huxley was wounded at duty and all three platoon commanders were killed in action.

    George's understated letter describing this catastrophe says:

    'July 8th, 1916

    Dear Alf

    Excuse me being so long in writing to you. I am in the pink and best of spirits. Charles told me you had been inquiring about me so I thought I should write when I had the chance. Things have been pretty hot here lately. We went over the top last week and I shall never forget it. I lost a good many of my chums and it was heartbreaking to see some of the wounded men. There were many German helmets to be got but they would be in the way. We have quite sufficient to carry. The German bayonets are awful things one edge is like a razor and the other like a double saw. The sight of them makes you ratty. Well Alf I hope you don't have to come up. How many more have listed at Thorntons. I have nothing more to write about so I will close wishing you the best of luck.

    George L. Ingham"

    After July 1, the 3rd Salfords were reorganized into only 2 companies. They were next in the line on July 12 at Ovillers. Interestingly one of the neighbouring battalions was the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, where JRR Tolkien was serving as the battalion signals officer. George's battalion had Tolkien's best friend, Lt. Geoffrey Bache Smith, as its Intelligence Officer. Smith would be killed weeks later, leaving Tolkien the only survivor of his school friends who joined the British army.

    In the vicious close quarter warfare in the Ovillers trenches, George's combined company was heavily engaged, again losing two of three plat0on commanders killed and one wounded. George Ingham was mortally wounded, likely by a German sniper. Per the battalion war diary most of the casualties of this fighting were due to snipers. The fact that he was evacuated to the clearing station at Warloy Baillon in the rear supports this assumption as this clearing station focused on serious head and abdominal injuries. George Ingham died of his wounds July 15th, 1916 aged 19 years. He is buried in the Communal Cemetary Extensionn at Warloy Baillon.

    C R Fraser




    209625

    Maj. William Henry Hewitt VC. 2nd South African Light Infantry

    William Henry Hewitt was 33 years old, a lance-corporal in the 2nd South African Light Infantry, when he was awarded the VC.

    "On 20th September 1917 east of Ypres, Belgium, Lance-Corporal Hewitt attacked a pill-box with his section and tried to rush the doorway. The garrison, however, proved very stubborn and in the attempt the lance-corporal received a severe wound. Nevertheless he proceeded to the loophole of the pill-box where, in his attempts to put a bomb in it, he was again wounded in the arm. Undeterred, he finally managed to get the bomb inside where it dislodged the occupants and they were successfully dealt with by the rest of the section."

    S. Flynn




    209623

    Lt.Col. Reginald Frederick Johnson Hayward VC, MC. 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment

    Reginald Frederick Johnson Hayward was born in Swartberg, East Griqualand, South Africa. He was 26 years old, and an Acting Captain in the 1st Battalion, The Wiltshire Regiment, when he was awarded the VC.

    "On 21st/22nd March 1918 near Fremicourt, France, while commanding a company, Captain Hayward displayed almost superhuman powers of endurance. In spite of the fact that he was buried, wounded in the head and rendered deaf on the first day of operations and had his arm shattered two days later, he refused to leave his men (even though he received a third serious injury to his head from a bazooka) until he collapsed from sheer exhaustion. Throughout this period the enemy were attacking the company's front without cessation, but Captain Hayward continued to move across the open from one trench to another with absolute disregard for his own safety."

    Hayward served in the Anti-Aircraft Command, part of the Royal Army Service Corps, during the Second World War. He was also commander of Prisoner of War camps from 1945 to 1947, and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

    S. Flynn




    209605

    Sgt. Henry James Nicholas VC, MM. 1st Btn Canterbury Infantry Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    Henry James Nicholas was a 26-year-old private in the 1st Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force when he was awarded the VC:

    "On 3rd December 1917, at Polderhoek in Belgium, Private Nicholas who was one of a Lewis Gun section, which was checked by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from an enemy strong-point, went forward followed by the remainder of his section at an interval of about 25 yards, shot the officer in command of the strong-point and overcame the remainder of the garrison of 16 with bombs and bayonets, capturing four wounded prisoners and a machine-gun. He captured the strong-point practically single-handed and thereby saved many casualties. Subsequently he went out and collected ammunition under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire."

    Later promoted to sergeant, Nicholas was killed in action on 23rd of October 1918, near Vertigneul in France. He is buried in the Vertigneul Churchyard.

    S. Flynn




    209604

    Rfmn. Edgar Ford Nixon Prince Consorts Own Rifle Brigade (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    Edgar Ford Nixon was my Grandad Ted Curtis' half brother who died two years before my grandfather was born. I wish I knew more, all I know is, the family are all very proud of Edgar.

    Helen Mawson




    209603

    Pte. William Edward Griffiths Swansea Battalion Welsh Regiment (d.10 July 1916)

    Private William Griffiths was the son of my Wife's Grandparents, John and Mary Griffiths. He was killed in action at Mametz Wood, aged twenty, and was interred at South West Corner Mametz Wood, near Albert, France. The family attended Libanus Baptist Church, Cwmbwrla, in Swansea and his memorial card includes the following verse from the Psalms, reflecting the family's Christian background: 'In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down and withereth.'

    Owen Milton




    209594

    Capt. Samuel Frickleton VC. 3rd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade

    Samuel Frickleton was born in Slamannan, Stirlingshire, Scotland. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1908, and worked as a coal-miner in Blackball in the South Island

    At the onset of the First World War, Frickleton and his four brothers joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and all fought at Gallipoli in 1915. After the battle, Frickleton was invalided home from Gallipoli and subsequently discharged as medically unfit for active service. Having recovered, he re-enlisted in 1916, and was posted to France as a lance-corporal in the 3rd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade.

    He was awarded a Victoria Cross of his action on 7th of June 1917 at Messines, Belgium. The citation notes that "although slightly wounded, Lance Corporal Frickleton dashed forward at the head of his section, rushed through a barrage and personally destroyed with bombs an enemy machine gun and crew, which were causing heavy casualties. He then attacked the second gun, killing the whole of the crew of twelve. By the destruction of these two guns he undoubtedly saved his own and other units from very severe casualties and his magnificent courage and gallantry ensured the capture of the objective."

    Frickleton was severely wounded later in the war, and was evacuated to England. After the war, he remained in the Army.

    S. Flynn




    209593

    Lt.Gen. Bernard "Tiny" Freyberg VC DSO Hood Battalion

    Lieutenant-General Bernard Cyril Freyberg, 1st Baron Freyberg VC, GCMG, KCB, KBE, DSO & Three Bars, was a British-born New Zealand Victoria Cross recipient and soldier who later served as the seventh Governor-General of New Zealand.

    A veteran of the Mexican Revolution, he became an officer in the British Army during the First World War. Freyberg took part in the beach landings during the Gallipoli Campaign and the youngest general in the British Army during the First World War, later serving on the Western Front where he was decorated with the Victoria Cross and three DSO's, making him one of the most highly decorated British Empire officers of the First World War. He liked to be in the thick of action-Churchill called him "the Salamander" due to his ability to pass through fire unharmed.

    During the Second World War, he commanded the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Battle of Crete, the North African Campaign and the Italian Campaign. Freyberg was involved in defeat in the Battle of Greece, defeated again as the Allied commander in the Battle of Crete and performed successfully commanding the New Zealand division in the North African, including the Battle of El Alamein.

    In Italy, he was defeated again at the Second Battle of Cassino as a corps commander, but later relieved Padua and Venice, and was first to enter Trieste, where he successfully confronted Josip Broz Tito's Partisans. By the end of the Second World War, Freyberg had spent ten and a half years fighting the Germans

    Freyberg, born in Richmond, London, UK, moved to New Zealand with his parents at the age of two. He attended Wellington College from 1897 to 1904. A strong swimmer, he won the New Zealand 100-yards championship in 1906 and in 1910. On 22 May 1911, he gained formal registration as a dentist. He worked as an assistant dentist in Morrinsville and later practised in Hamilton and in Levin. While in Morrinsville he was asked to take up a subalternship in the local Territorial Army unit, but he did not succeed in gaining the King's commission.

    Freyberg left New Zealand in March 1914. Records exist of him in San Francisco and in Mexico, where he may have taken part in the civil war then raging in that country, reportedly becoming a captain under Pancho Villa. Upon hearing of the outbreak of war in Europe in August 1914, he travelled to England via Los Angeles (where he won a swimming competition to earn money to cross the United States) and New York (where he won a prizefight to earn money to cross the Atlantic)

    In late 1914 Freyberg met Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, and persuaded him to grant him a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve commission in the Hood Battalion of the newly-constituted Royal Naval Division.

    In 1915 Freyberg became involved in the Dardanelles campaign. During the initial landings by Allied troops following the unsuccessful attempt to force the straits by sea, Freyberg swam ashore in the Gulf of Saros. Once ashore, he began lighting flares so as to distract the defending Turkish forces from the real landings taking place at Gallipoli. Despite coming under heavy Turkish fire, he returned safely from this outing, and for his action he received the Distinguished Service Order. He received serious wounds on several occasions and left the peninsula when his division evacuated in January 1916.

    In May 1916 Freyberg was transferred to the British Army as a captain in the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment. However, he remained with the Hood Battalion as a seconded temporary major and went with them to France. During the final stages of the Battle of the Somme, when commanding a battalion as a temporary lieutenant-colonel, he so distinguished himself in the capture of Beaucourt village that he was awarded the Victoria Cross. On 13 November 1916 at Beaucourt-sur-Ancre, France, after Freyberg's battalion had carried the initial attack through the enemy's front system of trenches, he rallied and re-formed his own much disorganised men and some others, and led them on a successful assault of the second objective, during which he suffered two wounds, but remained in command and held his ground throughout the day and the following night. When re-inforced the next morning he attacked and captured a strongly fortified village, taking 500 prisoners. Though wounded twice more, the second time severely, Freyberg refused to leave the line until he had issued final instructions.

    The citation for the award, published in the London Gazette in December 1916, describes the events concluding with: "The personality, valour and utter contempt of danger on the part of this single Officer enabled the lodgment in the most advanced objective of the Corps to be permanently held, and on this point d'appui the line was eventually formed."

    During his time on the Western Front Freyberg continued to lead by example. His leadership had a cost however: Freyberg received nine wounds during his service in France, and men who served with him later in his career said hardly a part of his body did not have scars. Freyberg gained promotion to the rank of temporary Brigadier General (although he still had the permanent rank of only Captain) and took command of a brigade in the 58th Division in April 1917, which reportedly made him the youngest general officer in the British Army. He was awarded a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George the same year. In September a shell exploding at his feet inflicted the worst of his many wounds. When he resumed duty in January 1918 he again commanded 88th Brigade in 29th Division, performing with distinction during the German offensive of March/April 1918. He won a bar to his DSO in September that year.

    Freyberg ended the war by leading a cavalry squadron detached from 7th Dragoon Guards to seize a bridge at Lessines, which was achieved one minute before the armistice came into effect, thus earning him a third DSO. By the end of the war Freyberg had added the French Croix de Guerre to his name, as well receiving five Mentions in Despatches after his escapade at Saros. With his VC and three DSOs, he ranked as among the most highly decorated British Empire officers of the First World War.

    Early in 1919 Freyberg was granted a regular commission in the Grenadier Guards and settled into peacetime soldiering, as well as attempts to swim the English Channel. From 1921 to 1925 he was a staff officer in the headquarters of the 44th Division.

    S. Flynn




    209588

    Sgt. Donald Forrester Brown VC. 2nd Battalion Otago Infantry Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Donald Forrester Brown was born on 23 February 1890 in Dunedin, New Zealand. After attending schools in Dunedin and Oamaru, he took up farming. When World War One broke out, he carried on farming for a year but then sold his farm and volunteered for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on the 19th of October 1915. He embarked for the Middle East to join the New Zealand Division, which had been formed after the Gallipoli Campaign and was in training in Egypt by the time he arrived in January 1916. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment, which by May was on the Western Front in France.

    Brown, by now a sergeant, earned his Victoria Cross in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette during the Somme Offensive. On the opening day of the battle, 15 September 1916, his unit was tasked with capturing a series of German held trenches from their position south-east of High Wood. While the first trench was captured with ease with the assistance of effective artillery support, his company came under heavy flanking machine gun fire while advancing to the next trench line, which inflicted heavy casualties amongst the company. Brown, together with another soldier, Corporal Jesse Rodgers, attacked one machine gun post, killing the crew and capturing the gun. This allowed the remaining soldiers to regroup and prepare for an attack on the next trench, but during a covering artillery barrage they once again came under fire from a machine gun post. Brown was amongst those who attacked this second machine gun post, swiftly dealing with the threat.

    Once the covering barrage lifted, the New Zealanders advanced and successfully captured their next objective, the Switch Line. Brown was key in immediately improving the existing defences in preparation against a possible counterattack. The following day, his company along with the remainder of his battalion was relieved and able to withdraw. Brown's company lost 123 men from its initial complement of 180 during the opening day of the battle. The Otago Regiment was back in the line on 1 October for the Battle of Le Transloy. In an attack on a German strongpoint near Eaucourt L'Abbaye, Brown was again involved in the seizing of an enemy machine gun post which was holding up the advance. Moving forward on his own, and armed only with a pistol, Brown attacked the post, killing its crew and capturing the gun. This allowed his fellow troops to attack and capture the strongpoint. During this attack, Brown was shot in the head by a sniper and killed instantly.

    Brown's company commander had recommended him for a Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions on 15th September, and his battalion commander had written to Brown's father indicating that he had hoped that Brown's recommendation would be upgraded to a Victoria Cross. However, with Brown's death it was not until the officers of his battalion started agitating for a Victoria Cross nomination that any progress was made. The award of the Victoria Cross to Brown was gazetted on 15 June 1917, and it was duly presented to his father by the 2nd Earl of Liverpool, New Zealand's Governor General, on 30 August 1917.

    Brown is buried at Warlencourt British Cemetery, France. His Victoria Cross is held by his family

    S. Flynn




    209587

    Cpl. Cyril Royston Guyton Bassett VC. New Zealand Divisional Signal Company

    Cyril Royston Guyton Bassett was 23 years old, and a corporal in the New Zealand Divisional Signal Company, New Zealand Expeditionary Force when he was awarded the VC.

    On 7th of August 1915 at Chunuk Bair Ridge, Gallipoli, Turkey, after the New Zealand Brigade had attacked and established itself on the ridge, Corporal Bassett, in full daylight and under continuous fire, succeeded in laying a telephone line from the old position to the new one on Chunuk Bair. He also did further gallant work in connection with the repair of telephone lines by day and night under heavy fire. He is quoted "I was so short that the bullets just passed over me"

    S. Flynn




    209586

    Cpl. Leslie Wilton Andrews VC, DSO. 2nd Battalion Wellington Infantry Regiment

    Leslie Wilton Andrew was born 23 March 1897 in Manawatu, New Zealand. At 20 years old, a corporal in the 2nd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the First World War, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 31 July 1917 at La Basse Ville, France:

    "Corporal Andrew was in charge of a small party in an attack on the enemy's position. His objective was a machine-gun post which had been located in an isolated building, but on leading his men forward he encountered another machine-gun post which was holding up the advance of another company. He attacked it, capturing the gun and killing several of the crew. He then continued with his attack on the original objective and finally captured the post, killing a number of the enemy and putting the remainder to flight."

    S. Flynn




    209579

    Rfm. Kulbir Thapa VC. 2nd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles

    Kulbir Thapa was a 26 year-old Rifleman in the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles, when he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

    On 25th of September 1915 in Fauquissart, France Rifleman Kulbir Thapa, having been wounded himself, found a wounded soldier of The Leicestershire Regiment behind the first-line German trench. Although urged to save himself, the Gurkha stayed with the wounded man all day and night. Early next day, in misty weather, he dragged him through the German wire, within spitting distance from the Germans, and, leaving him in a place of comparative safety, returned and brought in two wounded Gurkhas, one after the other. He then went back, and, in broad daylight, fetched the British soldier, carrying him most of the way under enemy fire. Such an incredible act of faith and courage had by now attracted a good deal of attention, and when he emerged from his trench for the third time with one more wounded comrade over his shoulder, the German soldiers actually clapped their hands to encourage the Gurkha on. Only this time, the Gurkha walked right across the No-Mans-Land back to his own side.

    The German High Command, it is believed, in recognition of that exemplary courage and self-sacrifice, wrote a citation offering to honour the anonymous Gurkha. The British Army would of course, have nothing to do with German sentiments, but when the story reached London by words of mouth, His Majesty King George V expressed a desire to see the Gurkha soldier himself in person. Accordingly, in due course of time, the Gurkha was ushered into the Buckingham Palace, where, in a rare expression of royal prerogative, the King Emperor personally decorated Rifleman Kulbir Thapa with Britain's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross

    S. Flynn




    209578

    Rfm. Karanbahadur Rana VC. 2nd Battalion. 3rd Gurkha Rifles

    Karanbahadur Rana was 19 years old, and a Rifleman in the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

    "On the 10th of April 1918 at El Kefr, Egypt, during an attack, Rifleman Karanbahadur Rana and a few other men crept forward with a Lewis gun under intense fire to engage an enemy machine-gun. No. 1 of the Lewis gun team opened fire but was shot almost immediately, whereupon the rifleman pushed the dead man off the gun, opened fire, knocked out the enemy gun crew and then silenced the fire of the enemy bombers and riflemen in front of him. During the remainder of the day he did magnificent work and finally assisted with covering fire in the withdrawal, until the enemy were close on him".

    S. Flynn




    209569

    Sbdr. Shahamad Khan VC. 89th Punjabi Rifles

    Shahmed Khan was 36 years old, and a Naik in the 89th Punjabi Rifles, British Indian Army, serving on the Tigris Front in Mesopotamia, when he was awarded the VC:

    "Shahamad Khan was in charge of a machine-gun section 150 yards from the enemy's position, covering a gap in the New Line at Beit Ayeesa, Mesopotamia on 12th/13 April 1916. After all his men, apart from two belt-fillers, had become casualties, Shamahad Khan, working the gun single-handed, repelled three counter-attacks. Under extremely heavy fire, he continued to hold the gap, whilst it was being made secure, for three hours. When his gun was disabled by enemy fire, he and the two belt-fillers continued to hold the ground with their rifles until they were ordered to retire. Along with the three men who were sent to his assistance, he brought back to his own lines, his gun, ammunition and a severely wounded man. Eventually he returned to remove all remaining arms and equipment, except for two shovels. But for his action, the line would undoubtedly have been penetrated by the enemy."

    S. Flynn




    209561

    Jmdr. Mir Dast VC. 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force)

    Mir Dast was a Jemadar in the 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force), British Indian Army, attd. 57th Wilde's Rifles when he was awarded the VC.

    "On 26 April 1915 at Ypres, Belgium, Jemadar Mir Dast led his platoon with great bravery during the attack, and afterwards collected various parties of the regiment (when no British officers were left) and kept them under his command until the retirement was ordered. He also displayed great courage that day, he risked his life to carry wounded eight British and Indian officers to safety while exposed to very heavy fire."

    S. Flynn




    209559

    Subedar Khudadad Khan VC 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis

    Khudadad Khan was the first native-born Indian to win the VC for an act of bravery on the 31st of October 1914, at Hollebeke, Belgium. Born in the village of Dab in District Jhelum of the Punjab Province, Khudadad Khan was a Sepoy in the 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis, British Indian Army, part of the Indian Corps, which was sent to France in October 1914. The 129th Baluchis were rushed to the frontline to support the hard-pressed British troops. On 31st of October, two companies of the Baluchis bore the brunt of the main German attack near the village of Gheluvelt in Hollebeke Sector. The out-numbered Baluchis fought gallantly but were overwhelmed after suffering heavy casualties. Sepoy Khudadad Khan's machine-gun team, along with one other, kept their guns in action throughout the day, preventing the Germans from making the final breakthrough. The other gun was disabled by a shell and eventually Khudadad Khan's own team was overrun. All the men were killed by bullets or bayonets except Khudadad Khan, who despite being badly wounded, had continued working his gun. He was left for dead by the enemy but despite his wounds, he managed to crawl back to his regiment during the night. The Germans had been held up just long enough for Indian and British reinforcements to arrive. They strengthened the line, and prevented the German Army from reaching the vital coastal ports. For his matchless feat of courage and gallantry, Sepoy Khudadad Khan was awarded the Victoria Cross.

    "On 31st October, 1914, at Hollebeke, Belgium, the British Officer in charge of the detachment having been wounded, and the other gun put out of action by a shell, Sepoy Khudadad, though himself wounded, remained working his gun until all the other five men of the gun detachment had been killed." London Gazette 4 December 1914.

    S. Flynn




    209556

    L/Dfdr. Gobind Singh VC. 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)

    Gobind Singh was 29 years old when he became a Lance-Daffadar in the 28th Light Cavalry. He was later attached to 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)

    On 1 December 1917 when the 2nd Lancers was surrounded by the enemy brigade, the situation became very tense because the headquarters was about six miles from this place (Epchy-France). At this time volunteers were called for to carry a message giving the position of the regiment to the headquarters on the outskirts of Piezeire. Lance Dafadar Govind Singh and Sowar Jot Ram were selected and given two different routes. Both of them started immediately on a gallop. Jot Ram was killed as he tried to make his way to the destination. L/Dfr. Govind Singh was given the open more difficult route which was under constant enemy fire. He had travelled about half a mile of the lower ground when his horse was killed by a machine gun fire. For some time Singh lay still close to his horse, then judging he was no longer watched, he got up and began to run on foot. Immediately there was a burst of machine gun fire upon him. He trembled over as if shot and waited before getting up again and running. By repeating this process varied by wriggling along the ground, he reached the brigade headquarters.

    A return message had now to be sent and he volunteered to take this too. He was given another horse and started back taking the high ground south of the valley until he reached the German post. Then dipping down and across the sunken road he had covered two-thirds the distance when his horse was shot and he had to make the rest of his way running and falling.

    An hour later another message had to be sent from the regiment. Although exhausted and wounded, Govind Singh came forward again. He was told that he has already done his share but he insisted that he knew the ground better than anybody else. On the strength of this the Adjutant allowed him to go. This time he started from the lower end of the road, turned right and passed 'Catelet Copse' and went straight through the barrage in 'Epchy'. Half way through Epchy, his horse was cut in half by a direct hit from a shell just behind the saddle. Govind Singh then ran on and eventually got into dead ground in renterent which debouches into the valley. Thence he made his way out of the sight of the enemy to Peizeire. Thoroughly exhausted and badly wounded he arrived there at 11.55 AM.

    He volunteered to make the journey a fourth time, but was not allowed to do so. For his conspicuous bravery and unwavering devotion to duty in saving his regiment and fellow men, Lance Dafadar Govind Singh was awarded the Victoria Cross.

    "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in thrice volunteering to carry messages between the regiment and brigade headquarters, a distance of over 1 1/2 miles over open ground which was under the observation and heavy fire of the enemy. He succeeded each time in delivering his message, although on each occasion his horse was shot dead and he was compelled to finish his journey on foot." London Gazette, 11 January 1918

    S. Flynn




    209554

    Rflmn Gabbar Singh Negi VC. 2nd Btn. 39th Garhwal Rifles

    Gabar Singh Negi was born at Manjood village near Chamba Garhwal Uttarakhand. He joined the Garhwal Rifles in October 1913. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 10 March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France:

    "During an attack on the German position Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi was one of a bayonet party with bombs who entered their main trench, and was the first man to go round each traverse, driving back the enemy until they were eventually forced to surrender. He was killed during this engagement."

    S. Flynn




    209550

    Darwan Singh Negi VC. 1st Battalion 39th Garhwal Rifles

    Darwan Singh Negi was a Naik in the 1st Battalion, 39th Garhwal Rifles, when he was awarded the VC, the citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 4 December 1914, and reads:

    "His Majesty the King-Emperor has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned soldiers of the Indian Army for conspicuous bravery whilst serving with the Indian Army Corps, British Expeditionary Force: 1909, Naik Darwan Sing Negi, 1st Battalion, 39th Garhwal Rifles. For great gallantry on the night of the 23rd-24th November, near Festubert, France, when the regiment was engaged in retaking and clearing the enemy out of our trenches, and, although wounded in two places in the head, and also in the arm, being one of the first to push round each successive traverse, in the face of severe fire from bombs and rifles at the closest range."

    S. Flynn




    209548

    Hldr. Chatta Singh VC. 9th Bhopal Infantry

    Chatta Singh was a Sepoy in the 9th Bhopal Infantry, Indian Army when he was awarded the VC. On 13 January 1916 during the Battle of the Wadi, Mesopotamia, Sepoy Chatta Singh left cover to assist his commanding officer, who was lying wounded and helpless in the open. The citation for the Victoria Cross reads:

    "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in leaving cover to assist his Commanding Officer who was lying wounded and helpless in the open. Sepoy Chatta Singh bound up the Officer's wound and then dug cover for him with his entrenching tool being exposed all the time to very heavy rifle fire. For five hours until nightfall he remained beside the wounded Officer, shielding him with his own body on the exposed side. He then, under cover of darkness, went back for assistance, and brought the Officer into safety."

    S. Flynn




    209544

    Rldr. Badlu Sing VC. 14th Murray's Jat Lancers (d.23rd Sep 1918)

    Badlu Singh was a risaldar in the 14th Murray's Jat Lancers, Indian Army, attached to 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse). He was awarded the Victoria Cross for actions on 23rd of September 1918 at Kh. es Samariyeh, Jordan River, Palestine

    "On the morning of the 23rd September 1918, his squadron charged a strong enemy position on the west bank of the river Jordan, between the river and Kh. es Samariyeh village. On nearing the position, Risaldar Badlu Singh realised that the squadron was suffering casualties from a small hill on the left front occupied by machine guns and 200 infantry. Without the slightest hesitation he collected six other ranks and with the greatest dash and total disregard for danger, charged and captured the position, thereby saving very heavy casualties to the squadron. He was mortally wounded on the very top of the hill when capturing one of the machine guns single handed, but all the machine guns and infantry had surrendered to him before he died. His valour and initiative were of the highest order."

    S. Flynn




    209539

    Capt. Percy Howard Hansen VC. 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    Percy Howard Hansen was a 24 year old a captain in the 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, when he was awarded the VC. His citation reads:

    "On 9 August 1915 at Yilghin Bumu, Gallipoli, Turkey, Captain Hansen's battalion was forced to retire leaving some wounded behind, owing to the intense heat from the scrub which had been set on fire. After the retirement Captain Hansen, with three or four volunteers dashed forward several times over 300-400 yards of open scrub, under a terrific fire and succeeded in rescuing six wounded men from inevitable death by burning."

    S. Flynn




    209538

    Lt. Thomas Fasti Dinesen VC. Black Watch of Canada

    Thomas Fasti Dinesen was born in Rungsted, Denmark. Following the outbreak of the First World War, Dinesen attempted to enlist in the British, French, and United States armies, before being finally accepted by the Canadian Corps in 1917. He enlisted in the Black Watch of Canada regiment.

    During the Battle of Amiens he was 26 years old a private in the 42nd (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force when, on 12 August 1918 at Parvillers, France, "he displayed conspicuous bravery when, five times in succession, he rushed forward alone against entrenched enemy troops and put hostile guns out of action. He was credited with killing 12 of the enemy using both bayonet and grenade, and with inspiring his comrades at a very critical stage of the action."

    S. Flynn




    209536

    A/Capt. Allastair Malcolm Cluny McReady-Diarmid VC. 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) (d.1st Dec 1917)

    Allastair Malcolm Cluny McReady-Diarmid was 29 years old an Acting Captain in the 17th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own), when he was awarded the VC. His citation reads:

    "On 30 November/1 December 1917 at the Moeuvres Sector, France, when the enemy penetrated into our position, and the situation was extremely critical, Captain McReady-Diarmid led his company through a heavy barrage and immediately engaged the enemy and drove them back at least 300 yards, causing numerous casualties and taking 27 prisoners. The following day the enemy again attacked and drove back another company which had lost all its officers. The captain called for volunteers, and leading the attack, again drove them back. It was entirely due to his throwing of bombs that the ground was regained, but he was eventually killed by a bomb." He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing.

    S. Flynn




    209534

    William Arthur McCrae Bruce VC 59th Scinde Rifles (d.19th Dec 1914)

    William Arthur McCrae Bruce was born in Edinburgh and educated in Jersey, Channel Islands at Victoria College and studied at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to complete his officer's training. Serving with the 59th Scinde Rifles of the Indian Army, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. His citation reads:

    "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. On the 19th December, 1914, near Givenchy, during a night attack, Lt. Bruce was in command of a small party which captured one of the enemy's trenches. In spite of being severely wounded in the neck, he walked up and down the trench, encouraging his men to hold on against several counter-attacks for some hours until killed. The fire from rifles and bombs was very heavy all day, and it was due to the skilful disposition made, and the example and encouragement shown by Lt. Bruce that his men were able to hold out until dusk, when the trench was finally captured by the enemy."

    S. Flynn




    209533

    Lt.Gn. Adrian Carton VC, DSO. 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish)

    Lieutenant-General Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart was a British officer of Belgian and Irish descent. He received the Victoria Cross when he was 36 years old, and a lieutenant-colonel in the 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish) attached to the Gloucestershire Regiment, commanding the 8th Battalion, on 2/3 July 1916, at La Boiselle, France:

    "For most conspicuous bravery, coolness and determination during severe operations of a prolonged nature. It was owing in a great measure to his dauntless courage and inspiring example that a serious reverse was averted. He displayed the utmost energy and courage in forcing our attack home. After three other battalion Commanders had become casualties, he controlled their commands, and ensured that the ground won was maintained at all costs. He frequently exposed himself in the organisation of positions and of supplies, passing unflinchingly through fire barrage of the most intense nature. His gallantry was inspiring to all."

    S. Flynn




    209532

    Sgt. Raphael Louis Zengel VC, MM. 5th (Western Cavalry) Battalion.

    Raphael Louis Zengel was born at Faribault, Minnesota. As a young boy, he and his mother Mary proved up a homestead near the village of Plunkett, Saskatchewan. He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in December 1914. Zengel received the Military Medal in March 1918 for taking command of his platoon when his officer and sergeant had been put out of action. The citation for his VC reads:

    "On 9 August 1918 east of Warvillers, France, Sergeant Zengel was leading his platoon forward to the attack when he realised that an enemy machine-gun was firing into the advancing line. He rushed forward ahead of the platoon to the gun emplacement, killed the officer and operator of the gun and dispersed the crew. Later in the day he was rendered temporarily unconscious by an enemy shell but on recovering continued to direct harassing fire on the enemy. His utter disregard for personal safety and the confidence he inspired in all ranks greatly assisted in the successful outcome of the attack."

    S. Flynn




    209531

    Sgt. George Mullin VC, MM. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

    George Harry Mullin was born at Portland, Oregon and moved to Moosomin, Saskatchewan at the age of two. He enlisted in the army in late 1914. He was 25 years old, a sergeant in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Canadian Expeditionary Force when he was awarded the VC.

    "On 30 October 1917 at Passchendaele, Belgium, Sergeant Mullin single-handed captured a pill-box which had withstood heavy bombardment and was causing heavy casualties and holding up the attack. He rushed the snipers' post in front, destroyed the garrison with bombs, shot two gunners and then compelled the remaining 10 men to surrender. All the time rapid fire was directed on him and his clothes were riddled with bullets, but he never faltered in his purpose and he not only helped to save the situation but indirectly saved many lives."

    Mullin had earlier received the Military Medal for action at Vimy Ridge.

    S. Flynn




    209529

    Capt. Bellenden Seymour Hutcheson VC, MC. 75th (Mississauga) Battalion Canadian Army Medical Corps

    Bellenden Seymour Hutcheson was a graduate of Northwestern University Medical School. In 1915, he renounced his United States citizenship in order to join the Canadian Army as a medical officer. He was 34 years old, and a captain in the Canadian Army Medical Corps, Canadian Expeditionary Force, attached to 75th (Mississauga) Battalion when he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

    "On the 2nd of September 1918 in France, Captain Hutcheson went through the Drocourt-Queant Support Line with his battalion, remaining on the field until every wounded man had been attended to. He dressed the wounds of a seriously hurt officer under terrific machine-gun and shell fire, and with the help of prisoners and his own men, he succeeded in evacuating the officer to safety. Immediately afterwards, he rushed forward in full view of the enemy to attend a wounded sergeant, and having placed him in a shell-hole, dressed his wounds."

    S. Flynn




    209528

    Pte. William Henry Carrick 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Oct 1917)

    William Carrick was a miner at Bill Quay, Durham. He married at 19 to Mary. William and his brother Thomas enlisted together for the First World War as their army numbers were 21/1507 and 21/1508 respectively. They both served in the 2nd Battalion of the Tyneside Scottish, the 21st Northumberland Fusiliers. The Tyneside Scottish wore a Glengarry hat and each battalion was allowed to maintain a pipes and drum band.

    William was killed in action on 17th October 1917 and rests at Cement House Cemetery in Langemark, Belgium. He left behind his wife Mary and two children, John and Alice Carrick. His brother Thomas survived the war and he and his wife Margaret had six surviving children.

    Pauline Harrin




    209526

    Capt. Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson VC. 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson was born in London in February 1896. He was awarded the Victoria Cross when he was 21 years old as an acting captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment. On 31 July 1917 at Bellewaarde, Belgium.

    "For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and determination in attack. The tactical situation having developed contrary to expectation, it was not possible for his company to adhere to the original plan of deployments, and owing to the difficulties of the ground and to enemy wire, Captain Colyer Fergusson found himself with a Sergeant and five men only. He carried out the attack nevertheless, and succeeded in capturing the enemy trench and disposing of the garrison. His party was then threatened by a heavy counter-attack from the left front, but this attack he successfully resisted. During this operation, assisted by his Orderly only, he attacked and captured an enemy machine gun and turned it on the assailants, many of whom were killed and a large number driven into the hands of an adjoining British unit. Later, assisted only by his Serjeant, he again attacked and captured a second enemy machine gun, by which time he had been joined by other portions of his company, and was enabled to consolidate his position. The conduct of this officer throughout forms an amazing record of dash, gallantry and skill, for which no reward can be too great, having regard to the importance of the position won. This gallant officer was shortly afterwards killed by a sniper."

    His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of The Northamptonshire Regiment in Northampton. He is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery.

    S. Flynn




    209525

    Sgt. Alexander Edwards VC 1/6th (Morayshire) Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.24 Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Alexander Edwards was a was born in Stotfield, Lossiemouth, Morayshire. He was the son of a fisherman and became a cooper working in the herring fishery. He served with the 1/6th (Morayshire) Bn, the Seaforth Highlanders, 51st Highland Division having joined the battalion at Elgin in July 1914. Edwards was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge.

    An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 14 September 1917, recorded the following: "For most conspicuous bravery in attack, when, having located a hostile machine gun in a wood, he, with great dash and courage, led some men against it, killed all the team and captured the gun. Later, when a sniper was causing casualties, he crawled out to stalk him, and although badly wounded in the arm, went on and killed him. One officer only was now left with the company, and, realising that the success of the operation depended on the capture of the furthest objective, Serjt. Edwards, regardless of his wound, led his men on till this objective was captured. He subsequently showed great skill in consolidating his position, and very great daring in personal reconnaissance. Although again twice wounded on the following day, this very gallant N.C.O. maintained throughout a complete disregard for personal safety, and his high example of coolness and determination engendered a fine fighting spirit in his men."

    S. Flynn




    209521

    Maj.Gen Clifford Coffin VC, DSO. Corps of Royal Engineers

    <p>

    Major General Clifford Coffin VC, CB, DSO & Bar was a temporary Brigadier General in the Corps of Royal Engineers, with 25th Infantry Brigade when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

    On the 31st of July 1917 in Westhoek, Belgium, when his command was held up in attack due to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, Brigadier-General Coffin went forward and made an inspection of his front posts. Although under the heaviest fire from both machine-guns and rifles and in full view of the enemy, he showed an utter disregard of personal danger, walking quietly from shell-hole to shell-hole, giving advice and cheering his men by his presence. His gallant conduct had the greatest effect on all ranks and it was largely owing to his personal courage and example that the shell-hole line was held.

    He later achieved the rank of major general and was Colonel Commandant Royal Engineers. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham, Kent.

    S. Flynn




    209517

    Gp Capt. Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees VC MC MID 11 Squadron

    <p>IWM_Q_68027

    Lionel Rees was born in Plas Llanwnda, Castle Street, Caernarfon in 1884. Rees attended Eastbourne College before entering the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. He was commissioned in 1903 with the Royal Garrison Artillery. In 1912 he learned to fly at his own expense, receiving his Aviator's Certificate (no. 392) in January 1913. By 1913-14 Rees was attached to the West African Frontier Force when he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1914, initially as an instructor at Upavon. He first saw action flying the Vickers Gunbus with No. 11 Squadron RFC in the summer of 1915, earning a reputation as an aggressive pilot and an above average marksman.

    Rees was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in 1915, gazetted as follows:

    For conspicuous gallantry and skill on several occasions, notably the following: On 21st September, 1915, when flying a machine with one machine gun, accompanied by Flight-Serjeant Hargreaves, he sighted a large German biplane with two machine guns 2,000 feet below him. He spiralled down and dived at the enemy, who, having the faster machine, manoeuvred to get him broadside on and then opened heavy fire. Despite this, Captain Rees pressed his attack and apparently succeeded in hitting the enemy's engine, for the machine made a quick turn, glided some distance and finally fell just inside the German lines near Herbecourt.

    On 28 July he attacked and drove down a hostile monoplane despite the main spar of his machine having been shot through and the rear spar shattered. On 31 August, accompanied by Flight-Sergeant Hargreaves, he fought a German machine more powerful than his own for three-quarters of an hour, then returned for more ammunition and went out to the attack again, finally bringing the enemy's machine down apparently wrecked. By this time he had claimed 1 aircraft captured, 1 destroyed, 1 'forced to land' and 5 'driven down'.

    Rees was 31 years old and a Temporary Major in No. 32 Squadron RFC, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

    In the first hours of the Somme Offensive, Rees was on patrol, taking off in Airco DH.2 No. 6015 at 0555 hours. His attempt to join a formation of "British" machines brought an attack from one of the Germans. He shot up the attacker, hitting its fuselage between the two aircrew. As it dove away, Rees attacked a Roland. Long range fire from three other Germans did not discourage Rees from closing on it; it emitted a hazy cloud of smoke from its engine from the 30 rounds Rees pumped into it, and it fled. Rees then single handedly went after five more Germans. A bullet in the thigh paralysed his leg, forcing him to break off his assault. As the shock of the wound wore off, he was able to pursue the German formation leader, which was leaving after dropping its bomb. He fired his Lewis machine gun empty. In frustration, he drew his pistol but dropped it into his DH.2's nacelle. Meanwhile, the German two-seater pulled away above him. The German formation was shattered and scattered. Rees gave up the futile chase, and returned to base. Once landed, he calmly asked for steps so he could deplane. Once seated on the aerodrome grass, he had a tender fetched to take him to hospital. The valor of his actions earned him the Victoria Cross.

    The citation reads: On 1st July 1916 at Double Crassieurs, France, Major Rees, whilst on flying duties, sighted what he thought was a bombing party of our machines returning home, but were in fact enemy aircraft. Major Rees was attacked by one of them, but after a short encounter it disappeared, damaged. The others then attacked him at long range, but he dispersed them, seriously damaging two of the machines. He chased two others but was wounded in the thigh, temporarily losing control of his aircraft. He righted it and closed with the enemy, using up all his ammunition, firing at very close range. He then returned home, landing his aircraft safely.

    For the remainder of the war Rees commanded the Air Fighting School at Ayr.

    S. Flynn




    209516

    A/CSM Absalom Bryant DCM. 8th Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.16th Nov 1915)

    DCM citation for Absalom Bryant

    For conspicuous gallantry on the 25th of September 1915, near Hulluch. When all the officers had been killed or wounded in the assault and subsequent operations Company Serjeant Major Bryant assumed command,and while so acting, by his coolness, bravery and personal example, was instrumental in rallying the men, when the enemy got round the flank of the position after dark, and succeeded in leading them back to a trench 200 yards away,and there driving back the enemy. Finally he was stunned by a German bomb while attempting to save one of his serjeants, who was in danger of being cut off by the enemy. He gave a fine example of devotion to duty.

    Alwyn Bryant




    209513

    Pte. William A. Woodburn 18th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.17th Oct 1918)

    My paternal Great Uncle William Woodburn, whose details were discovered during a research of my family tree. He was born in Belfast and the family moved from Ireland to Glasgow before 1911. William died of his wounds aged 19 the month before war ended and is buried in Lijssenhoek cemetery, Belgium. He was the eldest of four children. Unfortunately I do not have any more information as contact with this branch of the family was lost in the 1940's. We are planning to visit the cemetery in October 2012.

    Jacqueline Elouali




    209511

    2nd Lt. Douglas Monro King Baird MC & Bar. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Douglas Baird in 1918

    My Grandfather Douglas Baird won the MC and Bar almost exactly a year apart. I believe these actions were at The Somme.

    Douglas Baird in 1918

    Tony Baird




    209508

    Spr. Robert Smith 490th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.25th Apr 1918)

    My Great Grandfather Robert Smith was killed in action aged 37 and has no known grave but is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial on the Somme. He was born in Glasgow, enlisted there and had a wife and children in Glasgow.

    Bruce Smith




    209503

    Pte. Thomas Brindley 7th Btn. London Regiment

    Thomas Brindley was my late Father. He was taken prisoner of War on 28th August 1918 and the forms that I have in my possession say that at the time he was serving with the 7th London Regiment(Middlesex). It would appear that he enlisted with the South Staffordshire Regiment on 2nd March 1916 and was called up on the 4th April 1918.

    I am trying to establish (if possible)where he was captured as I would like to visit the site. I recall when I was younger that he refered to the Shiny Seventh Londoners and that when he was captured he was one of only twenty eight men who survived. He was discharged in May 1918 and then re-enlisted with the Lincolnshire Regiment.

    Phil Brindley




    209501

    Pte. Henry Blooman 48th Battalion (d.18th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle Harry Blooman was born 1890 Pancras London Middlesex, in 1901 he was resident in a Childrens Workhouse. He later lived at Balcombe, Brighton, Sussex. In 1911 sailed to Australia, arrived Fremantle port and found work as a farmhand for Mrs E.Onge, Blairmore, Kulin , East Wickepin Western Australia.

    Harry enlisted in A.I.F. at Wickepin, Western Australia and joined the 48th Battalion on the Western Front. On the 13.10.1917 he received a bayonet wound to the stomach and on the following day he was transferred from 3rd A.F.A. to 7th General Hospital, St.Omer. Harry died 18.10.1917 from wounds and was at buried ay Longuenesse (St.Omer) Souvenir Cemetery in France. R.I.P. Harry.

    Geoffrey Steel




    209494

    Pte. Thomas Albert Wilson MM. 11th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My Granddad was awarded the Military Medal and our family would like him to be recognised for this. His name was Thomas Albert Wilson. However, his number on the medal and the newspaper clipping are different, the medal says 12617 and the newspaper clipping says 13617. My Auntie has all the original documentation and the medal.

    Evening Dispatch 25th July 1916.

    Jennifer Haddock




    209489

    Pte. William George Bambury 8th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.23rd Jul 1916)

    William Bambury was born in 1896 in Bedminster, Bristol the son of James Edward Bambury and Sarah Ann Edwards. He worked as a packer in W.D. & H.O. Wills Cigarette Factory in Bedminster. He lost his life on the 23rd of July 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Martyn Rundle




    209483

    Pte. John MacArthur 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.1st Jul 1916)

    John and Gibert MacArthur were brothers who were practically compelled to enlist in the Army by the local landowner in fear that their parents might be evicted as the Highland clearances were still in operation although a little more subtle than the brutal clearances of the 19th century, nevertheless this was the situation in 1914.

    John & Gilbert both fell in the Great War although we have very little information. We understand John was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. We don't know the circumstances where Gilbert fell. We are not even sure if both were in the same regiment. Which would probably be the 8th Argylls. Both brothers were born and lived in the crofting township of Fornisaig in the Rhinns parish of Kilchoman on the Isle of Islay in Argyll, Scotland. As all the old relations are all passed away. It would be nice to know the circumstances of their deaths on active service.

    Seumas MacArthur




    209482

    Lt. H. Biggs DCM. 6th Dragoon Guards

    <p>

    I acquired two named grouping's of 2 different Soldier's of Great Britain, within a trade Deal where I sold a pick-up truck. The first being a Lieut H. Biggs, he was a member of the 6th Dragoon Guards and also the Queens 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooter's). I've been trying to research and realized he was a great man and soldier. I've also been looking through many regimental group images, to maybe locate a image of this man,to be added to his great military grouping of awards and decoration's. Before acquiring these grouping's, I didn't realize how special these are to hold. Many write-up's, of one or both of these 2 hero's occurred in the London Gazette, and other publication's, regarding this man. His decorations, were preserved in a display case with another man's, Sjt. J Arthur, who was a member of the Cameron Highlander's. In attempting to research, I discovered when this man earned his DCM's, via write up in London Gazette, on June 23rd,1915.

    Maybe through this wonder site, I could possibly make contact with a family member of one of these soldier's. I am an American, and before this, I love researching our war of the State's, WW1 and WW2. Now, I'm finding a love for the British Conflict's, through earlier generation's. If any fellow history buff, finds they have a image of one of these 2 hero's, please feel free to contact me, I'd love to view it, if you didn't mind sharing. I also thank these fine folk's who hold the men of these conflict's, in such high regard. Many Thanks.

    Timothy Alden




    209480

    Sgt. E. Victor Godrich Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars

    Grandpa Victor fought in Both World Wars. Firstly joining the QOWH in 1908 at Kings Heath, Birmingham. As to get a holiday at annual camp with his chums from the Main PO in town, who all joined up with him. When war came in Aug 1914, they all volunteered to go on active service. So much preparation went on to get horses & troopers ready for battle. Time came to leave Worcester all geared up, then onto Salisbury Plain, then onto Kings Lynn, for Embarkation to Alexandria.

    One funny thing that I remember Grandpa telling me, was while they & their horses were getting ready for the off, a Zeppelin came over Kings Lynn & bombed the place. The first time the UK had been, I believe. Thus all the horses stampeded North, South, East & West. It took them several days to gather them all back again!

    The QOWH landed as Infantry at Suvla Bay in Aug 1915, & crossed the Salt Lake to Chocolate Hill, & Hill 60. Where fierce fighting against the Turks ensued. Disease was rife, thus Grandpa caught typhus & dentistry, so he & many others where taken off, back to Alexandria. Phew...he survived Gallipoli. He was lucky again, as the Dr said there was a hospital ship going back to Blighty, "would you like to go?"! "Cor blimey Sir, yes Sir!" Ah back in Blighty up North in Lancs., then homeward to see Mum & sisters. Then back to the Regiment in Worcs.

    Several months later he did some MG Training as a Trainer, for the next draft out. They then went back to Alexandria, for the protection of the Suez Canal, & the push through Palestine to kick the Turks out. Grandpa was at the Cavalry charge at Ogreatina, HUJ (Last Cavalry charge of the British Army), & Katia (Losses V.Heavy for Regt.) Grandpa survived all that, then served in the PO Guard in WW2 as Colonel. Thus living till 96! RIP, Grandpa EVG and RIP + His Cousin HWG who served in the 10th ALH & died 1917.

    RN.




    209476

    Col. John Body DSO, MID. 5th Battalion East Kent Regiment

    <p>

    John Body became Lt-Col in October 1916 and was awarded Companion of Distinguished Order of the 5th Buffs East Kent Regiment, Territorial Force 1916 at St. James London. He was instrumental in sending The Buffs' memorial Window to Baghdad to be placed in the Mesopotamia Memorial Church to commemorate the part by the 1st Buffs in the near East Campaign. He was made Battalion Colonel of the 5th Buffs on the 21st March 1922.

    John was mentioned four times in dispatches, he entered Baghdad at 09.00 hrs on the 11th of March 1917. After defeating the Turks 9 Miles away, Capt. G K Harrison hoisted the Union Jack on the Citadel. The flag was bought back and now hangs in Canterbury Cathedral.

    John was Deputy Lt. of the County of Kent in 1945 and opened the Tenterden War Memorial Kent where two of his cousins, once removed were named having given their lives in First World War. He died suddenly at Wittersham Court.

    Col.Body's Stained Glass Window

    Ivor Body




    209473

    Sgt. Thomas Alexander Gordon MM. 16th (Tyneside Commercials) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Feb 1918)

    Thomas Alexander Gordon, known as Tom, was born on 2 March 1890, at 25 Sopwith Street, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne. His father, William Gordon, aged 35 at the time of Tom's birth, was employed as a furnace-man at the Elswick engineering works. His mother was Hannah Gordon, nee Thompson, aged 32 at the time of his birth. It would appear that he was named Thomas for his mother's father, and Alexander for his father's father. Tom was the second of four sons born to William and Hannah. It seems that William, the eldest son, served in the Royal Marines for some time. After Tom came Duncan, probably born in 1896, who enlisted during WW1 and was killed in the Pozires sector on 29 March 1918, when serving with 1st Bn The Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The fourth brother, Robert Rutherford Gordon, also served in WW1 and apparently was gassed and invalided out.

    Tom Gordon was working in the clothing department at the Newcastle Cooperative Society, as a tailor's cutter, when he enlisted in the 16th (Service) Battalion in September 1914. The Newcastle and Gateshead Chamber of Commerce raised the entire battalion in the space of eight days between the 8th and 16th of September. The battalion thus earned the nickname of "Tyneside Commercials" which its members bore proudly alongside their comrades of the "Tyneside Scottish" and the "Tyneside Irish". Tom may nonetheless have hesitated a little - his battalion number was 16/701, as he had married at the beginning of 1914, and his wife, Edith (nee Orr) was six months pregnant with their first (and only) child, William.

    When the battalion landed in France, at Boulogne, on the 22nd of November 1915, Tom appeared on the embarkation list, as printed in Captain CH Cooke's "Historical Records of the 16th (Service Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers", as "TH Gordon". He was in C Company, commanded by Captain D Lindsay, who went on to win the MC and, as a Major, to be 2 in command of the Battalion. At Thiepval, Tom served in N11 platoon, if he was already in that platoon on embarkation it was then commanded by 2/Lt R Reed.

    The Battalion moved rapidly from Boulogne into the front line, in the Thiepval sector of the Somme, to be greeted with the cry "Hallo, Northumberlands!" from the German lines. They remained in this sector, in the front line, or in support, or in reserve, or employed in working parties, until the big offensive known as the "First Day on the Somme", 1st of July 1916.

    On the day, the battalion took up its battle position at 02:30, and finally moved forward at 07:30. A and B Companies led the attack, C Company (now commanded by Captain E Thompson) were in support, and D Company in reserve. Tom Gordon (still shown as "TH Gordon") is in the list for 11 Platoon, under the orders of Sgt CA Yarrow who had enlisted shortly after Tom. At the end of the day, the platoon had lost five killed (including two of their Corporals) and had twenty two wounded. The following day only eight officers, and two hundred and seventy nine other ranks of the battalion were able to march into their quarters.

    In 1917, on 17 September (London Gazette), by which time he had been promoted to Corporal, Tom was awarded the Military Medal, along with eight other NCOs and men of the Northumberland Fusiliers. This also appeared in the 29 September issue of the regimental journal, St George's Gazette. There were no citations published for the MM (created in March 1916) but family tradition says that he had rescued a wounded officer lying out in No Man's Land, presumably on the 1st of July. By a strange coincidence, his son William, serving with the Royal Artillery in the Knightsbridge Box in 1942, was in his turn carried back to the British lines by his officer, after collapsing with rheumatic fever.

    In November 1917 the battalion moved to Belgium, in the Ypres salient. Tom Gordon, now a Sergeant, was able to go home on leave for the Christmas/New Year period. It was during this leave that the only photograph of him, with his wife and son William (who had just celebrated his third birthday) was taken.

    It is not known when Tom rejoined the battalion which at the end of January was in the front line near Poelcappelle, in the Ypres Salient. His death in action was reported to have occurred during the night of 1 - 2 February 1918. The battalion War Diary has this to say: "Battalion holding the line on right sector, from approximately V 7 b 15 40 across the Staden railway to U 6 d 90 60. In the evening, an inter-company relief was carried out, A Coy relieving B on the right, and C relieving D on the left. During the night a Battle Patrol under 2/Lt Brownrigg made a determined attack on an enemy post near Turenne Crossing and succeeded in entering the post. But the Germans had withdrawn to two pill-boxes close at hand from which a heavy fire was opened on the patrol. A further attack on the pill-boxes was attempted but the fire was too close and accurate, and the patrol withdrew with the loss of two killed and one wounded. All the casualties were successfully brought back."

    The battalion was disbanded on 7 February 1918.

    Apparently, Tom Gordon's burial place was not recorded, or else was lost. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, in response to a query, wrote: "His grave was among those which the Graves Services were unable to trace after the war and he is, therefore, commemorated by name on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Passchendaele."

    After the war, his widow, Edith, was married again, to a former colleague of Tom's from the Co-op, Ernest Kennedy. They had no children. When Edith died, in 1942, both her son William and her husband Ernest were serving abroad in HM Forces and so were unable to return home. It appears that Tom's letters and other papers, which Edith had kept, were thrown out by her second husband's family. Ironically, Tom's War Office records, along with many thousands of others, were destroyed by fire as a result of enemy bombing of London during WW2. Fortunately, when Tom and Edith's son, William (my father), returned to Newcastle at the end of WW2 he was able to recover his father's decorations, including his Military Medal.

    Keith Gordon




    209472

    Arthur William Butler Middlesex Regiment

    My Grandfather Arthur Butler was 35 when the WW1 broke out, he was married with three young sons aged 4, 2 and 8 mths. But my grandmother told me he felt it was his duty to serve his country. He went to France and served there without getting injured and returned to England sometime in 1915 because his oldest daughter was born in 1916 and then returned to France where he again fought but remained uninjured. He must of come home on leave at the end of 1917 because my mother was born in 1918. That's when his luck ran out as he lost his leg at Ypres sometime in 1918 and was sent home to Liverpool to recover. My grandmother had to travel up to Liverpool to see him leaving her five children at home with her elderly mother and other relatives.

    When he returned home to Hounslow he was a changed man. Even though he only had one leg he travelled up to London everyday to work but, unfortunately, became dependant on drink. Even though he had two more children after the war, my mother said he spend all his spare time in the local public house. He eventually died of liver cancer caused by excessive drinking in 1932 aged 52 leaving my grandmother to bring up her young daughters on her own.

    Before the war he never drank or smoked and was by all accounts a jolly man but could not cope with the horrors he had seen in the trenches. He never spoke of them but had terrible nightmares and it caused a lot of friction between him and his wife. She said after he died even though she missed him. He was now at peace and she could live her life the way she wanted to. She lived another 36 years and died at 86.





    209471

    Sgt. Joe Bradshaw DCM. 11th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

    Joe Bradshaw was my husband's grandfather and was revered as a legend in the family. He originally joined up in 1910 giving his name as Jack Bradshaw, and re-enlisted at the start of the war. He appears to have been in Egypt when he was awarded the D.C.M., and I have yet to find out the reason for the award. I am not sure whether the family actually knew as he was a very self-effacing man, so much so that on hearing that the Accrington town dignitaries and population were waiting to greet him on is return when it became known of his medal, he got off the train at the station before so avoid the fuss. If anyone knows how I can find details of the reason for the award I would be most grateful.

    Norma Bradshaw




    209464

    Gnr. Percy Bohill Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Grandfather, Percy Bohill, served for two years with the Royal Garrison Artillery in the UK. He was 30 when he was called up and was invalided out with a duodenal ulcer on the 11/07/1918.

    Richard Bohill




    209460

    Rfm. David Muir (d.12th Oct 1917)

    David Muir served with the NZ Expeditionary Force, I have his certificate of services and the telegrams sent to his parents from the Minister of Defence and the Governor-General in 1918.





    209459

    John William Webster 18th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    My Grandfather John William Webster served in WW1 with the 18th Manchester Regt. My dad died here in Australia in a farming accident when I was a child. I do not have any family history to go by. I dearly dearly want to know where my Grandfather served, in which scene he was involved( List H 738 ??), what his war wounds were.( para 392 XV1 - I do not know what it means) and if anyone has a photograph as I have no idea what he looked like. It is so important to me.

    Editor's Note: From his Service Records, John William Webster enlisted in Manchester on the 14th of December 1914, listing his occupation as Sawyer. Stating that he had previously served with the 7th Territorial Battalion, Manchester Regiment. He was 29 years and 11 months old, standing 5'2". He was married with three young children. John underwent training with the 18th battalion, but was transferred to the 25th Battalion on the 9th of November 1915 as he was physically unfit to proceed to France with the 18th Manchesters who sailed that week. John served with the 25th in the UK until he was discharged from the army on the 16th of June 1916 as "no longer physically for service." The records don't specify why he was no longer fit, but as he worked in a sawmill it is reasonable to assume that he may have been suffering breathing problems caused by working in a dusty environment. If you are able to locate his death certificate, his eventual cause of death may confirm if he did suffer from a lung condition.

    Bronwen Innez




    209458

    Pte William Henry Conroy 11th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d. 7th July 1916)

    William Henry Conroy 16550, was my Great Grandfather. My mother's mother, who we called Nan, was William's daughter. It was always thought that William died on the Somme and that he had no grave. This was until two years ago in 2010, when I discovered that he was injured on the 4th July 1916, when nearly all of his battalion were "melted away" by machine gun fire. He was casevacd to the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station at Puchevillers in Northern France.

    Sadly, he died of his wounds some days later on the 7th July. By being injured he, unlike the hundreds of men that were shot with him on that dreadful 4th July was guaranteed a burial and headstone at Lutyens's cemetery at Puchevillers, which was erected just across the track from the CCS location.

    William Henry Conroy 16550 volunteered to fight the moment the war began, he was 35 years of age, employed and the father of five children. He was not expected to fight at his age and family position, nevertheless he marched forward. On arriving in France, Sept 1915, he was sent to Belgium border at Ypres or "wipers" and was involved in Ploegstreet wood fighting. His wife never remarried and wore black till she died in the early 1960's.

    Clearly this man was immensely brave, given that he had seen the worst of fighting in Belgium, then seeing the first 3 days of the Somme, then going into battle himself on the 4th.

    My Brother Corporal Stewart Peter Frank McLaughlin, 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was killed aged 27 just after the capture of Mount Longdon ,Falkland Islands 1982, he too was incredibly brave and was cited for a Victoria Cross, sadly it appears the citation was lost in transit to the Awards Committee. On visiting William's Grave on November 11th 2010, I discovered that in the grave next to his lies a young man named Stewart, aged 27 years of age.

    Mark McLaughlin




    209453

    John Thomas Maulkerson 3/2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (The London Regiment) (d.3rd Mar 1917)

    John Maulkerson was born in 1868 and was married on the 9th Nov 1890 to Elizabeth Middleton in Bethnal Green, East End of London. He lost his life on the 3rd of March 1917.

    Andy Caine




    209450

    Sgt. William John Mark MM. 9th Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    William John Mark joined up in 1915 at the age of 17, a boy from Glasgow. He started in the Highland Light Infantry and served in France, Mesopotamia and stayed after the war in Germany. He was awarded the Military Medal for destroying a machine gun nest.

    After the war he came out to Australia and eventually settled in Sydney where he had a farm. He served in the 2nd World War training cadets as a Warrant Officer. He died in the 1950's.

    Amanda Joyce




    209445

    Pte. William Alfred Skelton 21st Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.22nd Feb 1917)

    The 21st (Service) Battalion (Islington) was formed in Islington on 18 May 1915 by the Mayor and Borough. In July 1915 they became attached to 118th Brigade in 39th Division. They Moved to Aldershot in October. In February 1916 they moved to Witley and transferred to 121st Brigade in 40th Division. In June 1916 they landed in France. On the 22nd February 1917 William Skelton was killed in action on the Somme.

    Des Adams




    209439

    Pte. James Edward Wood 7th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.14th Oct 1916)

    My Paternal Grandfather, James Wood, I believe joined up at Preston, Lancs. I have no photo of him and only know what my Father told me about him. I was surprised to learn that he was based at Perham Down before going to France, a place I lived in a few years ago. I have visited Thiepval on the Somme several times to pay my respects, as he is named on the memorial as one of the missing.

    Clifford Wood




    209437

    L/Cpl. Major Phillips 11th Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.31st July 1917)

    <p>

    My Grandfather Major Phillips (Major being his Christian name, going back in the Phillips family to 1827) was killed at Passchendale on the 31.7.1917 leaving his widow with 5 children between the ages of 12 and 1 yr, 2 months old, the youngest also named Major.

    He saved the life of his Commanding Officer, Raymond Barrington-Parry and he was given in appreciation a lovely cigarette case with an inscription on - Given to M Phillips as a Token of Deep Appreciation and Everlasting Gratitude by R.B.Parry upon the occasion of 11 July 1916 in Mametz Woods. My Grandfather saved this man's life, carrying him four miles across no man's land. As children we were told this story and of how after my Grandfather was killed R.B. Parry used to send Christmas Parcels to my Grandmother up until she re-married. The Great Grandson of R.B.Parrys' son has been in touch with my sister to say that R.B.Parrys granddaughter is still alive at 91 yrs old and this story has been passed down through generations in their family, but, they did not know of the cigarette case, which is now in the safe hands of my cousin Brian Phillips.

    My Uncle, Richard George, brother to Major was also killed in action WW1 on the 11.7.1916 both of them received the Victory Medal, British Medal and the 15 Star Medal.

    Shirley Spann




    209435

    Samuel Turner Queens Own Royal West Surrey Regiment

    <p>

    I'm searching for details of my paternal Grandfather Samuel Turner and his brothers, Arthur and Stanley. I have a photo of Arthur and Stanley. The photo of Stanley indicates from his hat badge that he was in the Queens Own Royal West Surrey Regiment and we believe all three brothers joined together so would probably have enlisted in the same regiment. The photo of Arthur indicates he was in the Royal Artillery by his hat band, was the an artillery battalion in the West Surrey. I believe at least Stanley was in the 10th Battalion and all three brothers were in the Battle of the Somme and went "over the top". Stanley and Arthur never survived the war but have so far been unable to trace a records of their deaths. By Grandfather Samuel was gassed but survived a very embittered man, who threw his medals away in disgust at the terrible loss and awful treatment he and his fellow men had suffered. I have pictures of all three brothers and intend to pursue what happened to my Great Uncles but if there is any help or information from anyone it would be much appreciated.

    Hazel Thompson




    209434

    Pte. Godfrey Hugh Pitman 10th (Service) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.17th July 1916)

    Know little about poor Godfrey Pitman other than that he was my grandfather's favourite brother and they were very close. He was killed in action on the Somme and his body was never found. Consequently he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, also on his local home memorial in Fishponds, Bristol. I've had his death researched & it seems likely he went out on a night raid and never returned. Quite probably it was his first taste of action - his Only taste of action! Imagine how that felt - being sent over the top for the first time ever, in July 1916 (knowing what had happened to tens of thousands earlier that month), in the dark & facing the enemy in their own trenches. Terrifying.

    Sadly I have no photos or other memorabilia of Godfrey, but have been to see his name on both memorials as a small gesture of respect.

    Steve Pitman




    209432

    Sgt. David Orr 20th Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th June 1917)

    <p>

    David Orr was born in Parton in Cumbria into a large family. They moved to the Ryton area of Northumberland and most seem to have worked in the coal mining industry, including David. He was married in 1905 and moved to Gosforth at some point prior to him joining the Tyneside Scottish, while some of his siblings stayed in the Ryton area.

    He is named on the memorial at Arras. His brother Thomas was a member of the 1st/4th Battalion Territorial Army of the Northumberland Fusiliers, but he was killed in 1915.

    Mal Orr




    209431

    Pte. James Ormiston 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    I'm researching my family history and found that a distant cousin, James Ormiston served in the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. It looks like he had a couple of spells with the Regiment and was in India in 1888-1891, Number 907,and then in South Africa in 1899-1903, number 3272. Before rejoining in 1914, he was a reservist from 1903 until 1910. He served in France 1914 to 1915 and was in Leeds for the remainder of 1915 and 1916 where he was discharged due to Frost Bite. He became Chelsea Pension Number 314G3/G. He died in 1947 aged 77.

    Ted Ormiston




    209427

    Pte. Ernest Percival Hughes 5th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

    I think Ernest Hughes was shot in the leg, later he got gassed.

    David Hughes




    209420

    Pte. Henry Francis Pinder 13th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.21st July 1916)

    I've heard that the Great War was so painful to so many, that often they just never spoke of it again. In my family, this meant that 3 generations down the line, we have no knowledge of Henry Francis Pinder (1889-1916). Recently, family history searches showed us Henry's existence, his service, and his sacrifice. He was the 3rd Henry Pinder, and the only son of that generation. I thought that was sad, the line ending. Then, from the Leytonstone War Memorial came the information that Henry was married. He married Laura Annie Stadwell in 1912. Their son, Henry W was born in 1914, and died in January 1915. So it really was the end of four generations of Henry Pinders. Laura Annie lived until 1969, and her daughter (born Oct 1915) died in 1976. Henry Francis Pinder is remembered on the Arras war memorial in France. He has no known grave. His war medal card shows he was in the Machine Gun Corps. His date of death is listed as 21 July 1916 on official records, but on records by the Arras memorial as 31 July 1916. The time difference is important, as it would help estimate the location of his death. It could be either at High Wood, or Delville Wood, in either case they took heavy casualties. After reading about the Battle of the Somme, which started on 1st July, this would mean Henry Francis survived the worst of those battles and must have been witness to incomprehensible horror. Henry Francis had 3 sisters. The youngest, Ellen (aka Nellie)Pinder (Turner)was my greatgrandmother. She was 23 years old when her brother died in 1916, a mother of two small girls, and alone, her own husband was away during WW1 (but survived).

    Frances Keemer




    209416

    Cpl. James William Hill MM. 87th Brigade, H2, A Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My husband`s great Grandad, James Hill, was awarded the Croix de Guerre when defending Kemmel Hill near Ypres on 25th April 1918 with 19th Division. His citation reads thus: Setting a splendid example of coolness and courage. Being ordered to remove the dial sight and the breachblock of his gun and being attacked by a German 30 yards away he took a rifle and killed his enemy. He then fired on a number of the enemy who had advanced within 150 yards of the Battery and held them in check, thus allowing the men of his Battery to get away.

    He resumed his job as a policeman when he returned home but died 12 months after the war ended from poison gas effects at the age of 33. His daughter either sold or gave away his medals and we would love to buy them back. We know all his medals are together and are owned by a dealer in the Suffolk area at this moment in time. I find his story fascinating and have managed to find out a great deal about him through various websites.





    209412

    Pte. Herbert Ingoe 18th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>

    Herbert Ingoe was a Manchester clerk, born in 1892. Joined up on 04/09/14. He is described as having Dark hair, sallow complexion, hazel/grey eyes. 5 foot 3-and-a-half; Chest 31-and-a-half inches when fully expanded (with 2 inches expansion). Weight, 106lbs. Eyesight, D6.

    As 180411, Private Ingoe, Herbert, in the 18th City Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, he seems to have stood up well to basic training. By the end of 1915, his unit would have been in France. They celebrated Christmas there. His time was divided between travel, general duties and some spells in the front line. During his service, he committed one breach of King's Regulations: reported by Corporal Beattie for losing an oil-cloth 'by neglect' - and was required to pay for a new one. The case was heard on Nov the 21st, 1915.

    Preparations were in hand for the Battle of The Somme. He was killed on July the 1st 1916, during the attack on Montaubon. He was in C Company, but we do not know precisely what part he tried to play in events at Montaubon. We have heard one story, possibly apocryphal, that he was badly wounded and left in a shell-crater by comrades, and that when they returned for him, he was nowhere to be found and the crater had doubled in size.

    His last effects were returned to his father, George William Ingoe, in two parcels: The First contained One note book and one hair-ribbon. The Second contained Two notebooks, a diary, a French/English dictionary, a New Testament, two letters, one postcard, three visiting-cards and two newspaper-cuttings. We wonder if the two letters were addressed to his family and sweetheart, Alice (surname unknown), rather than from home, or if the postcard was of the kind for use in the field, a form to let relatives know how things were with him at the front.

    He is commemorated at on the public memorial at Boggart Hole Clough, on a Weslyan Sunday Schools Roll of Honour at Blackley and at Thiepval, on the Commonwealth monument for personnel whose bodies were lost without trace. Herbert was a Wesleyan Methodist, teetotal.

    His brother Alfred (1896- 1939), joined the RAMC as a stretcher-bearer in March, 1915; served out the war in the Dardanelles and on the Western Front, and was demobilized in 1919.

    Mike Burrows




    209407

    Pte. William Fothergill 10th Btn. Manchester Regiment. (d.7th Feb 1916)

    My great uncle William Fothergill was buried in the Point 110 New Military Cemetery at Fricourt. His death is given as Feb.7th 1916, which is a mystery as the Regiment only arrived in France via Marseilles from Egypt on February 27th.1916. Someday I might find out where he was killed?

    Alan Bradbury




    209405

    Spr. James Henry Williams 172nd Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.23rd June 1916)

    I am sorry but the only information I have of my Grandfather, James Henry Williams is that he served with the 172nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers and was killed on the 23rd June 1916.

    Patricia Crabb




    209397

    Pte. John Penman R. Wilkinson 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.15th Mar 1916)

    I discovered John Penman R. Wilkinson, son of George and Jane Penman Wilkinson of 46 Hylton Terrace, Pelton, casualty of WW1 in France & Flanders on 15 March 1916, whilst carrying out family tree research. He was laid to rest in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) Zillebeke in Belgium), so far from home and so young. So far I have not located a memorial to John P R Wilkinson in Pelton, Durham.

    Aged 13, on 1911 census, still at school, who could have imagined that 5 years later he would be just a proud memory to his family. Rest in Peace, John Penman R Wilkinson, remembered with pride by your Scottish Penman relatives.

    Pat Reid




    209395

    Pte. Thomas Regan 13th Battalion Barnsley Pals Yorks and Lancs Regiment (d.26th July 1916)

    <p>

    Private Thomas Regan 14/1417 died on the 26th July, 1916, aged 29. He lived at 17 Hunt Street, Harland Common, Barnsley. Enlisted 15th September 1915. His name can be seen on Panel 8 at Ploegsteert Memorial,Belgium.

    Susan Platt




    209393

    Chap. Charles Wand Mitchell East Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    <p>

    Charles Mitchell was the son of Mr. Robert Mitchell of Maple Braes, Lennoxville, Quebec and was born April 9, 1878. He was educated first at the little country school near his home, then at the Lennoxville Academy; he then had a distinguished career at Bishop's College University, Lennoxville, ending as a Lecturer in 1901. He came up to Cambridge in 1902 as an Advanced Student, passing the required standard in the Theological Tripos in 1903 and the Oriental Languages Tripos (Hebrew and Aramaic) in 1904. He must have worked hard and been well trained in Canada, for in 1903 his knowledge and power of expression was much above that of the average student, and it was no surprise to those who had seen his work to hear that he gained the Tyrwhitt University Scholarship (Hebrew) in 1903, and the Jeremie Prize (Septuagint, etc.) in 1904. He was ordained in 1907, and took his M.A. in 1912. In 1905 Mitchell was appointed Hebrew Master at Merchant Taylors' School, London, a post which he held till he went out to the Front as a Chaplain.

    The very sympathetic notices that appeared in various papers and periodicals at the time of Mitchell's death speak of his varied interests in Merchant Taylors' School, in the parish work of S. Thomas, Telford Park, Streatham Hill, with which he was connected, and of his admirable devotion as an Army Chaplain in the most acute form of Active Service.

    Extract from http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/ephraim2_0_intro.htm





    209391

    Cpl. Godfrey Childs

    I only know that my uncle, Godfrey Childs was a corporal in the First War and that his name, along with his two brothers Henry and Victor(my father) are on a marble plaque in South Perrot Church, Dorset. My father was in the RAMC, my uncles were in another Regiment. Dad was born 1898 his brother Henry two years later and I think Godfrey was older than Dad by a few years as Godfrey served in India.

    Valerie Cox




    209383

    Pte. Stelvio Reginald Brinkworth Yorkshire and Lancaster (d.4th December 1915)

    Stelvio Brinkworth was born in Bristol in 1895, his parents were Leopold and Sarah Jane Brinkworth. He died at Gallipoli and is buried at Hill 10 Cemetery.

    Martyn Rundle




    209380

    Pte. Horace Pankhurst 1/8th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Jul 1916)

    My grandfather Horace Pankhurst died on the 16th July 1916, whilst serving with the Leeds Rifles, 1/8th Battallion, he was killed at Leipzig Redoubt near Johnsons Post. He had no known grave and his name is engraved on the Thiepval memorial, Rifleman Horace Pankhurst aged 31. Would anybody be able to tell me when he enlisted?

    Leslie Pankhurst




    209378

    Pte. William John "Smash" Tearse 10th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>

    My grandfather, William Tearse never talked of the war much and that was only after a drink as I recollect. Its taken this long to think about trying to trace his footsteps. The 10th Northumberland Fusiliers was formed in Newcastle in Sep 1914, part of 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. They were sent to Bullswater then on Dec 14th moved to Aldershot. In Feb 1915 they were send to Ashford, Kent and in May 1915 sent to Bramshott. In August 1915 the battalion landed in France. They were sent to Italy, and were at Porcia for the Italian Armistice on Nov 4th 1918. He was demobbed in 1919.

    He told us he only signed up to get some shoes, had no respect for authority always feeling the men were really led by donkeys, spent time in the glass house for fighting, he was nicknamed "Smash" for this. He carried two rifles as his friend was that small. The worst order he ever got was when he was told after the bombardment that the men must walk across as there would be nothing left of the German trenches, he said his friends were mowed down. An officer in the trenches before he blew his whistle had said "come on over the top you can't all live" He went out and carried a soldier back to his own trench who had papers on him, he was asked to take a message along the trench and couldn't get passed for rats the size of cats, as he hadn't taken his rifle decided rather than pass the rats he climbed on top of the trench risking getting shot.

    He spent time as a stretcher bearer, he and his mate were carrying a 6ft plus German on a stretcher through bomb craters, water everywhere, the bombs were going off as they were trying to avoid the explosions, he said the German fell in the slurry and sank immediately. After France they were sent to Italy. His daughter many years later asked him if he fancied a walk and her head was bitten off, "I did plenty walking in France and Italy", she never asked again

    Eric Patrick




    209375

    Bombadier William Henry "Driver" Smith (d.31st Dec 1915)

    Driver Smith was my Great Uncle. He died aged 22 years in Flanders. I know little of him, except he worked in the family Greengrocery business prior to going to fight and he had a son, Harry born in 1914. Driver is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

    Anne Gardner




    209374

    George William Davis Sherwood Foresters

    My father, George William Davis, was proud of his service, but never told me any details, partly because he had suffered greatly in that war, but mentally and physically. He was very young at the time of his service; I believe he ran away from home and lied about his age. I believe he was under 18 years of age. He was rendered temporarily blind from mustard gas for an extended period of time and he had nightmares about an event that occurred during the war until his death at age 80 in Phoenix, Arizona. I am not sure exactly what happened to him, but he would scream during the nightmare and I believe it had something to do with being ordered to shoot or bayonet their own comrades who were unwilling to go over a hill from the trenches to attack the enemy lines in Belgum or France. He also served in Egypt and while off duty suffered head injuries from being attacked by an anti-British mob who kicked him down a street until he was rescued by other British soldiers. Again--he did not discuss this with me. I learned of this from my mother who always used his military experiences an excuse for some of his problems--including alcoholism. I was also led to understand that British soldiers were given rum rations prior to battle so that they would engage in the conflict. I do not know whether this is true. Because I know so little of my father's actual experience or where he fought, I would be glad to receive any information from anyone who has knowledge about my father's experiences in the war. His home was in Herefordshire, prior to and after the war. I know he had a history book of the Great War which has disappeared and he used to look at one of the pictures in it in which he appeared with others in the trenches. I cannot locate this book. Thank you for any assistance that you could provide.

    Marilyn Davis Pollard




    209371

    Pte. Joseph James Burgess 6th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.17th Feb 1917)

    After my father died in 2010, as an only child I had the task of clearing his bungalow. I found a lot of family history including information about my great uncle Joseph Burgess, his medals death plaque and marriage certificate.

    I have since found out he is remembered at the Thiepval memorial in France.My husband and I went to France and found my uncle on the memorial. I found it very moving as, until my father died, I never knew of Joseph. He is now remembered along with his brother Alfred my Great Grandfather who was also fighting in France but survived.

    Anita Brown




    209368

    Rifleman Reuben Joseph Brown 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd October 1914)

    Reuben J Brown was my Great Great Uncle - the brother of my maternal Great Grandfather. He died at age 24.

    I would very much like to find out where he was buried so I might pay my respects some day.

    Simon




    209367

    Sgt Joseph Thomas Matthews Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.22nd April 1918)

    Joseph Thomas Matthews,aged just 21,son of Hugh and Ellen Matthews. Commemorated at Pozieres British Cemetery, Somme. Also commemorated at Rhosllannerchrugog (Rhos) church yard at the grave of his mother and father. Written with pride and rememberance by his Great Nephew.

    Mark Williams




    209365

    William Elias Morrison 15th (1st Birkenhead) Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    <p>William Morrison

    From letters from my Grandad, Billy Morrison:

    At outbreak of war, I was working with my dad and had made pals with a lad named Johnson. Early in January 1915, one Monday, we took half day off and went to join the Navy. We both passed tests and doctor, but when they got to know our ages, we had to get our Dads to sign a form. My dad put it on the fire, but my pal's dad signed his, which was his death warrant, as he went down with the destroyer Hampshire, with Lord Kitchener. Not to be done on the Friday, I went to the Army office and joined (Bob's Own) Lord Robert's Bantams Cheshire Regiment, which I was with from January 1915 until 1919 when I was invalided out of the war with gas.

    1915 was spent training more or less until one night the commanding officer came and told me to sound or blow the alarm to Arms at twelve o'clock at night and at the time we were in the Indian Barracks, Salisbury Plain. We handed in our Indian kit and were on the Monas Queen for France.

    Well, we landed at Le Havre, stayed the night in tents at Havre Fleurs then entertained in cattle trucks for four hours. I travelled with the Commanding Officer's party as I was C.O.'s Bugler and no one was allowed to leave train until I sounded it on the bugle. Now this is the start of my service in France. Next will be going up into the line. I carried the silver bugle until it was stolen when I was gassed I sounded the charge on it in the front line in France.

    We did our training on Salisbury Plain, then one night at midnight I had orders to sound the alarm to arms. At 9 o'clock the next morning, we were on our way to France. That was December 1915. We were held up at Southhampton for German subs in channel. When the word came, we left England on a four and 1/2 hour voyage down channel to Le Havre. It was dark when we got there so disembarked when it was light. We had to march up a steep hill to spend the night in transit camp at Havre Fleurs. There we handed our pith helmets in and our tropical clothing as we were going to the Far East, which was cancelled, and we were given other clothing for trenches and that is the beginning of our tour of France and Belgium.

    During the first war the British soldier's boy was it a day of which he was compelled to allot sixpence a day to his wife or parents towards the small allowance from the government. For this we went through fire mail and gunfire for the preservation of the homeland to help France and Belgium against the Kaisers German Army.

    To carry on from Givenchy and Festubert we went along the La Bassee front. We started at Lavantee which was very quiet, hardly any gun fire, then we went to Richberg in the same front here we were lucky we had the Bavarians against us. The German Regiment did not want to fight. They put up posters, "we don't want war, nor do you. If you don't fire, we won't fire," so we had a good two weeks.

    Next we went in the line at Amentieres for what was left of it. There was a few aviatians in the place behind the line. These would do their best to help us and when we went back, they treated us well, giving us hot coffee with rum in it as it was full winter and this was the place that the song "Mademoiselle from Amentieres, Parlez Vous" came from.

    Next we moved up to Nueve Chapelle, here it was more lively. We had a mock attack three minutes heavy artillery, three minutes light, three minutes trench mortar and rifle grenades then three minutes fire. Well this ended with the Germans getting the wind up they thought we were attacking and came out of the trenches to meet us. When we let go with all we had, that was the end of that. Jerry fell back so we took their trenches over. After this action, we came out of time for a rest and fell back to a town called Baileil. This place had not been hit by Jerry so we had it easy for a month.

    Then we went up to Belgium and went into the front lines at Arras. The line here was like a horse shoe, we were in the toe of it we could see the French guns firing on the left and on the right side of the horseshoe, the Canadians and Aussies were in the line there was only one way out of the horseshoe for us. After fourteen days here we were to be released, but it was on the fortieth night that the Royal Scots took over from us as the division that should have taken over was still in England and was known as the lost division, John Bulls Division. We spent three weeks with the Gurkhas and Bengal Lancers at a place called Hazelbrouck.

    From there we all moved to the Somme, ready for the attack on the first of July 1916, we were in Blightswood, the others were in Happy Valley waiting for the word to go forward. We were the third line of infantry to attack we had the Gurkhas and support of the Lancers when we attacked we went through what was termed Death Valley. You could not see the Gurkhas, they went along in front of trenches. You did not know they were there only from the rustles now and again.

    We advanced through Devil's Wood then to through Trones Wood and when we got in front of Trones Wood, there were Canadian, Scottish and German standing with their bayonets facing each other petrified by gas. Well, this was nearing my first term of the Somme. We were facing the Germans fortifications at Guillemont when Sergeant Major Barker asked me to go help the stretcher bearers to dress the wounded in no-man's land while the stretcher bearers brought them in I had been put there for hours. When I was told to go in, I went back and the S.M. said sit here, I have been there all the time so is ok, he was making a drink of tea. The date was 12th July, 1916. That cup of tea I never got because as I sat there I was wounded with gunshot from a shell. They took me down the hill and I was lying on side of road on stretcher for several hours waiting my turn for ambulance. Now you know why I always remember the twelve of July, Orangeman's day. I was taken to field hospital, got treatment and was placed on train for boat, but we were diverted going to action in Channel. I went to hospital Rouen where I was operated on and they took the shrapnel out of my knee within a few weeks I was sent to train at Etaples on a stick.

    In the first days on the Somme we were listing a thousand men a day wounded and killed. It was a thing that has never happened before the guns were wheel to wheel. There was a lot of men with shell shock. Well, after a few weeks, I was sent back to battalion, still on a stick. When the doctor saw me he said "Who sent you back like that?" He just put another label on me and sent me back until I was fit for line.

    After a while, I went back to the front. The battalion was in Posherdale with the Canadians. This is where we attacked the ridge supported by tanks and this is where the tanks got their motto (through the mud, through the blood to the green hills beyond). After this we went into Vimy Ridge where we had it rough. This brought up to Xmas 1916 where we were in the trenches at Mossiny. It was a bad winter, plenty of snow. We were issued each sheepskin coats to keep us warm and gloves on tape to go round your neck. It was hard that we got an old phonograph with records. Being Xmas the officer told Jim Whitely, me, and Tom Delaney to go with him in no man's land with the gramaphone for a bit of sport. We went at midnight and the last record Jerry did not like he opened fire on us and the officer was badly wounded. Jim Whitely went in for stretcher. Tom and I stayed with him. I dressed him and put tournique on his leg then when Jim came back, we put him on stretcher and took him in. The stretcher bearers took over and for that episode, Jim got the military medal. Tom and I got nothing. We came out of there and went to school camp by Poperinge for our Xmas dinner and rest before going into the Ypres sector. We are now going to 1917.

    At this time, those at home were working all out on munitions and comforts for us lads at the front. Your nan was working at the British American Tobacco camp making cigs which we had an allowance of twenty a week free.

    Back to school camp, this was in Belgium and as I have already said, it was very cold, plenty of snow. We were billeted to some old tin huts with a stove in the middle with nothing to burn so we went out and cut a few trees down but we were fired on by a Froggy with a shot gun. Lucky none of us were hit. We got the wood and put it under the boards of the hut. Next day an officer came round with the French farmer looking for his trees, but went back empty handed.

    From here we moved to Elverdinghe behind Nieuport Bains, which is opposite Ostend. It was while here that Jerry dropped a bomb on Brigade headquarters which was a chattico (?) the rules were if enemy planes overhead the guard would blow one blast on whistle and I had to blow lights out on bugle. It did seem funny as the brigade headquarters was blazing and I had to sound fire alarm.

    By the way, the bugle I carried was a silver one presented to me in England. I sounded the charge on it at Neuve Chapelle, but it was stolen in 1918 when I was gassed. After we left for Dirty Bucket Corner on our way to up to take the trench over from the Belgians when we got there was no one in the line, but Jerry and Belgians were each side of river washing and talking to each other. We got orders to open fire on them. They soon came back.

    It was pretty quiet here and after a month we came out then started the retreat in 1917. We went to Theipval, then in July 1917 I was told to pack up for base. I was taken by lorry to advance post from there entrained for Calais. This was it, I was on my way home on ten days leave after two years in the trenches. We stayed overnight at rest camp. Next morning, we were on the boat for England and what a welcome we got at Dover. There was tea, chocs, in fact anything we wanted as it was a leave boat from France. I sent word to my good friend, your nan, that I would be home at a certain time and I surprised my mum when I walked in as I had not let her know when I would get home. I was having my tea with a curler in my quiff when your nan came and after my dad came home, we went down to see her mum and dad, your great nan and grandad, and what a fuss they made of me. Anybody could tell I was on leave for each years service in France and the gold wound stripe under the service stripe on my right arm. Every where I went, people were wishing me well. Of course, I had a lot of visiting to do. My dad said they wanted to see me at the works, so I had to set a day for going there anyway. They made a fuss of me and my mates dad said they were all proud of me and wished me lots of luck when I went back to the trenches.

    Lynnette Siler




    209361

    John Connolly

    I have a postcard of my Grandfather's Uncle John Connolly. It is a picture of him sitting on his horse in uniform. My Grandfather was Patrick Joseph Tobin, son of: Patrick Tobin and Selina Jones. Patrick Tobin born 1865 Widnes Lancashire England died 1991 Paterson NJ , son of John Tobin born Ireland, Ann (?) born St. Helens England. Selina Ann Jones born 1865 Wales died after 1900 US, daughter of Thomas Jones, Wales

    I found this postcard in my Aunt Selina Tobin's photo album. She has passed on without explaining the details to this photo. This is a photo of John Connolly. On the album it is noted "Pop Tobin's Uncle on mother's side". Pop Tobin was my mother's father, Patrick and Patrick's mother was Selina Jones. Does anyone have any details of this gentleman?

    Lorraine Karabaich




    209356

    Sgt. Herbert Stringer 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.22nd Oct 1914)

    Herbert Stringer is a distant relative who was unfortunately killed in the early stages of the First World War in Belgium. We have inherited a number of his possessions including his "soldiers small book"; a card from Lt Colonel Walsh notifying his wife of his death, and a hand written letter from his friend in the Royal Scots Fusiliers dated 26th October 1915 (a year later?) to Mrs Stringer detailing how and where he died.Fascinating history but very sad. We also have the brass plaque from what must have been his belongings box. We know that his daughter' Lily, (who died aged approx 97 in 2005), had given his uniform and medals to a theatre.

    In 2004, while Lily was still alive we went to the Menin gate, found Herbert's memorial and placed a Red Rose on it, we took a photo and gave it to Lily as she had never been able to visit. Herbert was killed in a small village called Geluveld, which we also visited while we were in Belgium. Brave men, very brave.





    209354

    Capt. Daniel Coghlan 8th Btn. Royal West Surrey Regiment

    <p>

    Records found to date show that Daniel Coghlan enlisted as a private in the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment and was sent to France on 23rd February with the British Expeditionary Force. He applied for a commission in April 1917 and was commissioned to the rank of 2nd lieutenant in July 1917 at which time he was transferred to the 116th Labour Corp., Bologne. He was promoted to the rank of acting Captain in July 1918. Records show service in Bologne, Passchendale and Flanders. The records go on to state that when the war ended, he commanded a company of men who were charged with the task of exhuming the bodies of soldiers who had been buried in the field and re-interring them in the official war graves. This company was the 126th Labour Corps which was subsequently re-named "E" Company, Graves Registration and Enquiries in January of 1921. He was de-mobbed in France on 31st March 1921 and given the rank of full Captain. In 1923 he went back to Belgium and married a girl from Poperinghe that he had met during the war. They were married in Ypres Town Hall and he took her back to Ireland with him. He was to become a King's Messenger and to serve as military attache in Paris , Brussels and Petrograd. He was awarded the O.B.E., Croix de Guerre and French Medaille d'Honneu.





    209352

    Pte. John Hardie 33rd Btn.

    My Dad, Jack Hardie was a Lewis Gunner and saw action at Passendale, Abbeville, Armentires, La Bassiville, Ypres, Messines and Cashy-Villers Bretonneux. He was wounded by shell fire and was invalided home on eve of victory. He died in 1947 of cancer in a kidney which had been damaged in action as gas was present. He had been hospitalised twice before the "homer", but went back in on recovery. He told us he had refused promotion and spoke of climbing a building in Cachy to fly a French flag they had recovered from mud, just to annoy the enemy.

    He never forgot the sorrow of an astounding victory, where a naive attack by the enemy failed, and "We mowed them down in hundreds, and they were only lads". Jack's full story is in the National War memorial, on Red Cross paper, written down while in hospital in England.

    Glen Hardie




    209349

    Ernest Fletcher 1st Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment

    <p>

    My great uncle, Ernest Fletcher served in Karachi, India in 1913. I don't know much about him. He came from Wakefield, Yorkshire and from a photograph I have, he obviously played in the band of the 1st Battalion York and Lancaster regiment in Karachi, India on 10/3/1913. I'm trying to find more about him.

    Stuart Housley




    209347

    Dvr. Patrick John Biggins Army Service Corps

    My grandfather, Patrick Biggins did not talk much of his experiences, we only know that he used to travel to the front line with ammunition in between 2 mules with his legs drawn up in order to get through without being shot. Once, he started to unload the ammunition and realized he was too far over as he could hear German voices so he beat a quick retreat. He recalled taking the dead body of a friend to a church in France. It was literally in ruins and blood was pouring down the steps from the bodies. I, by coincidence, watched the Warhorse documentary in March and spotted him holding an injured horse. I have now bought the British Pathe film from which it was taken. We hadn't realized he had worked with the Veterinary Corps. In the 1911 census he was 15 and was a bottler in a brewery.

    Deb Selner




    209344

    Dvr. Allan Herschell 2nd Brigade, 53rd Battery. Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Oct 1918)

    My great-grandfather Allan Herschell was killed in action in France. I would be interested to find out what battle the 2nd Brigade were involved in around this time

    David J.




    209338

    Arthur William Spring London Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather, Arthur William Spring, joined the Territorial Force, London Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery on the 16th October 1912, aged 19 years, 0 months. He was given a 3 day pass to get married on the 9th of June 1915, he then went overseas.From his British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Card he served in Egypt, from 24-7-1915. He did not return to England until mid 1919.

    Steve Spring




    209333

    Spr. William Mitchell Graham 106th Coy. Royal Engineers (d.23rd Aug 1916)

    Will Graham emigrated to Canada before the war and homesteaded in Saskatchewan (then Northwest Territories) living in a sod shack. He sold the farm and returned to Lewknor, Oxfordshire in England to enlist once war broke out.

    Will died leading a forward night-time infantry trenching party, killed by an exploding German shell which fell nearby, August 23, 1916. He is buried in Authuille Military Cemetery, Authuille, France.

    Oddly, Will is buried in the same cemetery as Lt. Gerald Spring-Rice, who was a farm landlord from Pense, Saskatchewan, with whom Will worked prior to homesteading himself. Gerald Spring-Rice, also returned to England to fight serving with the Londsdale Battalion, Border Regiment and died in May 1916. Their final resting place in Authille cemetery seems almost certainly to be purely coincidental.

    Sheppard




    209332

    Sgt. Frank Cook Royal Engineers

    Frank Cook was my father, I know he served in WW1 in the Royal Engineers. As far as I know he was on barges in Northern France, but I know little else. He died in 1973.

    Vernon Cook




    209322

    Pte. George Charles Norris 2nd Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.18th Apr 1915)

    My Grandfather George Norris joined the Kings Own Scottish Borderers at the start of WW1. He was born in Reading in 1894. We don't have a great deal of information about his service before he was killed in action. He died at Ypres on the 18 April 1915. We are told that someone in the family has a photograph so are trying to track that down which will be great. We know his name is on the Menin Gate Memorial, Panel 22 - one day soon we will travel over to see it.

    Neil Postlewhite




    209321

    Pte. Norman MacDonald 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders (d.2nd Jun 1916)

    Norman MacDonald was only 18 years old when he was killed. He was born in Askernish, South Uist, the son of Malcolm and Sarah MacDonald. It is believed that he joined up to get a new set of bagpipes. He was described as a tall blonde lad whom everyone was fond of. His parents never got over the tragic loss of their son.

    Rachel




    209313

    L/Col. Frederick Hoysted Bradley DSO. 15th Field Ambulance (d.22th Sep 1918)

    <p>Frederick Hoysted Bradley.

    Fred Bradley, my great uncle, became a doctor in 1905 and joined the Regular Army. He was sent to France in September 1914 attached to the 15th Field Ambulance which he later commanded; there he met his friend Campbell McCormack, another Ulsterman who had arrived in France in August of '14. They served with the Ambulance throughout the War.

    The history is recorded well on this site. Fred won a DSO and Campbell won an MC and 2 bars for retrieving injured under fire. They were killed together by the same shell as they rested in a billet. This happened in Bus near Barrastre in front of Baupaume on 22 Sept 1918; both were married men, Fred a widower: these friends are buried together and they are not forgotten. RIP

    In 2012 I met with Campbell's great nephew whom I did not know previously: this was an evocative meeting and the lads would have enjoyed that.

    Terence




    209306

    Pte. William Wilson 1/7th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.14th Aug 1916)

    <p>

    William Wilson, my great uncle was born in Bridgeton Glasgow to parents Tom and Jeannie Wilson. He was killed on 14th Aug 1916 at the age of 22 and lies in Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He may have been killed at The Battle of Romani. Unfortunately there are not too many living relatives left in my family with any more info.

    Robert Derry




    209291

    Pte. Arthur George Pittman 25th Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.13th Oct 1918)

    Arthur Pittman was my Great Uncle, laid to rest in Highland Cemetary Le Cateau, France.

    Mrs Diana Slack




    209288

    Pte. Alfred Cuckson 6th G.H.Q. Reserve Mechanical Transport Coy Army Service Corps (d.8th Nov 1918)

    I have very little information, but Alfred Cuckson was a relation of mine on my grandmother's side.

    Editors note:

    CWGC records show that Private Cuckson was a member of the Army Service Corps, 6th G.H.Q. Reserve Mechanical Transport Coy. He is buried in the Don Communal Cemetery, Annoeullin, Nord, in grave I. B. 47. He was the husband of C. E. Cuckson, of 16, Academy St, Hunslet Lane, Leeds.

    Glyn Cutts




    209286

    L/Cpl. Reginald Valentine 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.3rd Aug 1917)

    Reggie Valentine was killed in action following the Battle of Pilckem Ridge on 3 Aug 1917. He had enlisted on 9 Sep 1914 at East Ham. He was the son of William & Sophia Valentine and my first cousin once removed. He had four brothers and three sisters.

    Reggie's brother William Valentine died in South Africa in 1921 as a result of a medical condition from his service in the 6th Bn. Essex Regt. and 54th Div Sig Coy, Royal Engineers. He enlisted on 25 Sep 1914 at Chatham.

    Pamela Valentine




    209285

    Dmr. Joseph Arthur Roper 6th Btn. D Coy. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Joe Roper was my paternal grandfather. He was wounded and discharged from the army in January 1918. It is therefore likely he was wounded either in the last phases of the Somme or maybe in the Battle of Poelcapelle (Ypres). He was with D Company of the 6th Battalion.

    He spoke little of this time but did tell me he remembered being hit and falling into a shell hole. He said it was a long time before he was found. He also recalled being put into an ambulance and the blood from the bloke above dripping down on him. He said following his treatment he was put into a ward where recovery was not expected. In his eighties, Joe showed me the scar which ran from his breastbone around the lower left ribs almost to his spine.

    Joe lived a long and honourable life, he served as a sergeant in the Home Guard in WW2 at DeHavillands airfield in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. His first wife died during the late 1930's leaving him with two teenage boys. During the depression he whitewashed people's outdoor lavatories to supplement his income.

    I live in Australia and am trying to establish which battle downed Joe. I wish I had spent more time with him.

    Pam O'Neill




    209281

    Spr. Frederick Augustus Nelson 76th Field Coy. Corps of Royal Engineers (d.5th Apr 1918)

    Frederick Nelson died on his 29th birthday and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Jean Driver




    209280

    John Charles Brownbridge Durham Light Infantry

    My grandfather Jack Brownbridge had a hard life after his mother died. His father turned to drink, and to escape, he joined the Army. All I know is he was in the Durham Light Infantry. He married in October 1919, and his son was born in 1923, at which time he was no longer serving. I presume he joined around 1918, as he is supposed to have lied about his age to get in (he was born in 1901, and would have been 17 in 1918) I have two photos of him in uniform, and that's all I know. I want to know more.

    Linda Bruce




    209276

    Cpl. Thomas Edge X/2 40th Brigade Trench Mortar Battalion

    Thomas Edge was my Great Uncle, born in Whitchurch in 1889. He served with the Royal Field Artillery in 40th Brigade Trench Mortar Battalion X/2. His medal records show he was awarded the 1914 Star, Victory and British medals. He started as a gunner and finished the war as a corporal.

    Nicola Edge




    209274

    Sgt. Francis Augustus Campbell DCM. 21st (Islington) Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Francis Augustus Campbell. DCM. served with the 21st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He originated from Chatham in Kent.

    Mark Baldwin




    209269

    Lt-Col. Samuel Stanley Sykes MC. 1/8th Leeds Rifles Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    Extract from the book, 'Leeds in the Great War (1914-1918)': "The battalion were now commanded by Lieut.-Colonel S. S. Sykes, and suffered a period of difficult outpost warfare on the ridges near Passchendaele amidst great discomfort due to weather, the state of ground, and the activities on both sides. Christmas was spent in the front line, and shortly afterwards Lieut.-Colonel Sykes went home sick, and Major Longbottom, D.S.O., assumed command, the battalion going out to rest at Staple."

    Samuel Stanley Sykes, known as Stan served with the 1/8th Battalion, Leeds Rifles, based at Carlton Barracks, Leeds. They were deployed to France in October 1915.

    Jonathan Sykes




    209267

    Pte Richard Moonan 8th Btn. Scottish Rifles (d.28th June 1915)

    Richard Moonan was one of 4 brothers from Glasgow who enlisted. Two of whom died in France. He was killed at Gallipoli 4 weeks after his only son, my father, was born.

    Alex Moonan




    209265

    Pte Edgar Glasby 7th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.2nd May 1918)

    Edgar Glasby lost his life on the 2nd of May 1918, he is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. Grave Ref. LXVII A.





    209258

    Pte William John Key Bell 2nd batt Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.28th August 1916)

    My Great Uncle William Bell was a policeman in Carlisle. He enlisted in Kendal. His batalion the 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders were involved in one of the many attempts to capture High Wood during July/August 1916, all ending in failure. He was killed on the 28th August 1916 (but could have been anywere between 25th/29th) I think.

    His brother George Arthur was also a policeman in the Liverpool City Police at that time, on hearing the news that his brother was killed on the Somme he wanted to enlist. His superiors told him, Bell! you are not enlisting your job is here keeping law and order. Nothing more was said. William J K Bell has no known grave.

    Peter Bell




    209255

    L/Sgt. William David Dowsett 6th (City of London) Battalion (Rifles) London Regiment (d.6th April 1918)

    William Dowsett was the son of William David Dowsett and Florence Sandys. Born Lambeth 17 Nov 1894. Unmarried. Buried Etaples Military Cemetery.

    Martyn Rundle




    209254

    Rflm William Hampshire 16th Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.28th January 1916)

    William Hampshire was my great uncle. Unfortunately, I only discovered him when searching my family history.

    From what I can ascertain he was my great grandmother's first child - born when she was very young and unmarried. It seems from Ancestry that he was brought up by his mother's sister's family, although it seems from records that he lived with his mum and step dad (my great grandfather)for some time prior to WW1. My grandfather (who would have been his half brother), never mentioned him to any of his children although he did keep a photo of him on his bedside table. William landed at Le Havre on 17th November 1915 and was killed in action on 28th January 1916 - after only being there 2 months, he was 21. His grave is in Cambrin Churchyard Extension France. RIP great uncle William.

    Julie




    209253

    Spr. Jesse Hampton 179th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.18th May 1918)

    Jesse Hampton was my GG Uncle on my Dad's side of the family. He was born December 1897 to Emma and Thomas Hampton in a small mining village called Ogley Hay in Staffordshire. His family were miners and had been for generations. He joined the army and was sent underground with the 179th Tunnelling Company. This was a very dangerous job, and I assume he was chosen because he would have already had a few years experience as a miner back in England. He was killed by the effects of gas on the 18th of May 1918 and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. Q.III.H.5.

    Wendy Gates




    209252

    Pte. George S. Steed 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards (d.21st Oct 1918)

    George S Steed is my father's uncle. He served overseas in the 1st Grenadier Guards. He came home with shrapnel wounds in the head. He died in Torquay later of his wounds on 21st october 1918 aged 25. He was then in the Grenadier Guards, 5th Battalion, 6th Coy and is remembered on two memorials in Torquay, Devon. One is in the public gardens in Torquay near the seafront and the other is on a Commonwealth War Grave Memorial in St Mary Churchyard. He was the son of William Steed and Emma Jane Steed. The local newspaper in Torquay did a feature on him a year or two ago in the paper. The family are very proud of him.

    Rosalind Sparkes




    209249

    Pte. William Charles Davey 50th Battalion

    William Davey was my Grandfather. He was an Iron Worker from the South Australian Mid North town of Burra where his Cornish parents settled in the 1850's. He enlisted on the 16th of Aug 1915 at the age of 24yrs. On the 26th of February 1916 his Unit were joined by 500 of all ranks of the 10th Battalion at Habieta. On the 27th they moved from the Railhead to Serapeum to Tel-el-Kebir. On the 9th 1916 they took up position in trenches & occuped 9 miles of trenches. At the end of the month the Battalion was relieved by 8th Hampshires. On the 2nd of June the Battalion moved back to Serapeum and went on leave to Alexandria in marching ordertwo days later. On the 5th of June they boarded H.M.T Ardadian and sailed on the 6th arriving at Marseilles at 4pm on the 12th of June. By the 12th of August they were at Brickfields and were ordered to move to the Wire Trench at front line, suffering heavy shelling & many casualites. Over the next four days the Battalion gained their objectives, though with many casulaties, 110 killed, 400 wounded, and were relieved by 4th Battalion. Between the 17th and 29th of August they marched from Brickfields to Warloy to La Vicogne to Montrelet to Rubempre to Vandencourt to Brickfields, Albert.

    His Casualty Form - Active Service is a little hard to read beyond this, but as far as I can make out it reads as follows:- 31st August 1916 to England via Boulogne, 21st December 1916 Transferred to 2nd Australian Hospital England, 22nd Transferred to Weymouth. December 7 - 13th 1916 (Dates are out of order here.) Report no4 Co - From Weymouth ex furlo. 4th May 1917 Received #2 CO Depot Weymouth in from Wancham? 23rd May 1917 Invalided back to Australia per A33 (Irratable Heart) for home service. 27th May 1917 to Weymouth - For embarkation to Australia

    His discharge papers cite him as being "medically unfit (not due to misconduct" with the the following medical Board proceedings & documents, B.179, B.178, B.122 & Record card A.29. I'm still doing research, so would appreciate any information on Weymouth N02 Command Depot, Australian Troops and what exactly is a "Irratable Heart"? is this a shell shock or gas attack reaction? Was it a common condition amongst the Allies?

    Source for some of the above information:- Hurcombe's Half Hundred p302.

    Peter J Davey




    209245

    Capt. Colin Campbell Mitchell MC. 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    From Lt Col Colin Mitchell's Autobiography "Having Been a Soldier" who was the son of Colin Mitchell mentioned below:

    "When the First World War broke out he (Colin Mitchell) joined up, like most of his generation, and enlisting in Glasgow was sworn in as a private in the Highland Light Infantry. He used to tell me when I was a boy that when they mustered at Maryhill Barracks there were no uniforms and no rifles, so they were issued with Glasgow Corporation tram conductor's uniforms and armed with broomsticks. He also used to joke that the British Army promoted by size and this happened to him. Anyway, he was promoted and went home to Lochgilphead on his first leave as Sergeant. In the village street he met the local laird, Malcolm of Poltalloch, who said, "You should be an officer in our own county regiment, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. In 1915, my father was commissioned in the Regiment and later joined the 10th Battalion in France, part of Ian Hay's immortal "First Hundred Thousand".

    While convalescing from his wounds with the 3rd Argylls at Kinsale in Southern Ireland, he had met my mother and they were married when the war ended.

    Like all small boys born within ten years of the First World War, the thought of it was constantly with me and I was always asking my father to tell me what had happened and about his own adventures. He was always reticent. Probably he was so amazed and thankful to have survived that he just did not want to be reminded of it. I knew that he had fought in most of the big battles and had been wounded three times and, on the last occasion in 1918, had been hit and gassed so badly that he never returned to France. I knew also that he had won the Military Cross at the Battle of Ypres but, when I asked him how, he would only say "Oh, shooting rabbits". But my mother showed me the citation, and I still treasure the gold watch chain that was presented to him by the people of Lochgilphead, for he was their local boy who had achieved distinction.

    Lorne Mitchell




    209242

    Pte Jesse Reeves 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt) (d.6th Aug 1916)

    Named after his father, Jesse Reeves was born in 1894 and worked as a Colliery Banksman at Bentink Colliery, Kirkby-in-Ashfield. At the outbreak of WW1 he enlisted with the 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbyshire Regiment). He married Elsie Raynor at St Mary’s Parish Church on 13th February 1915, and had a son, William Ernest.

    After training Jesse left for France, entering the Theatre of War on 29th July 1915. Jesse served in the trenches on the Ypres Salient moving south for the Battle of the Somme, his last battle being at Delville Wood. On 6th August 1916 whilst acting as a stretcher bearer bringing in a wounded officer he was shot through the head by a sniper and died instantly. There is no known grave for Jesse and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, St Mary’s Churchyard Cenotaph and a commemorative plaque inside the church.

    Dennis Weston




    209237

    Pte. William Day 10th Battalion Notts and Derbys (Sherwood Foresters) (d.30th Aug 1918)

    On the 29th of August 1918 William Day was wounded when the battalion attacked and took Flers and Gueudecourt, he was treated at No 3 Casualty Clearing Station which was based at Gezaincourt. He was buried at Bagneux British Cemetery at Gezaincourt having died of wounds on 30th August, his medical records stated that it was a gun shot wound. He was 20 years old.

    The 10th Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) had been fighting in the second Battle of Bapaume 1918 at the time. William had gone to France as part of a draft of conscripted reinforcements on 14th August 1918 and was at "K" Infantry Base depot when he was posted to the 10th Battalion. William was in France for 16 days before his death. He had been initially called up on 5th March 1916 but continued to work as a miner before being conscripted after a medical exam at Chesterfield on 11 April 1918. He joined the regiment at Derby on 22nd April 1918.

    Kevin Garcia




    209235

    Pte Thomas George Dix 1/8th Batalion Durham Light Infantry (d.17th Sep 1917)

    Thomas Dix was the son of Alfred Dix and Louise Isabella Alp. He enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry in 1914, and married Hannah Ford in 1916. Thomas died of wounds on teh 17th of September 1917 and is buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux.

    Martyn Rundle




    209231

    Pte. William Moodie 1/19th Dunbartonshire Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.10th May 1915)

    On the 10th May 1915 between 08.00 and 09.00 William Moody's unit was ordered to reinforce the 2nd Cameron's with two other companies. Major George Christie led. A and D. to a position 200 yards west of Hooge at 09.30 they went over the top. Sadly my great uncle was killed during this action. His body was never recovered. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate. I feel proud even though I never knew this man. I visited the Gate in Ypres, Belgium on two occasions.

    George Lowe




    209229

    Pte Pizarro William Beckett 2nd Btn. York and Lancs Regiment

    My Grandfather, Bill Beckett was not one of the officers or heroes as such, but he was one of the millions who did what had to be done, and I have a free life because of them. He is a hero in my eyes. From research that I have done, (and do not have too much of his story I might add), he left Sheffield with the 2nd York and Lancs regiment and went to the Somme in France. He was transferred on 1.6.1918 to the 861st Coy, ASC. I have read The Long Long Trail documents of others and the life they lived and I also have a few copies of his file from the "Burnt Documents" and that is all I know of his life during the Great War.

    Linda Chapman




    209225

    L/Cpl. Michael Canning 7th (Service) Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.9th Aug 1915)

    Michael Canning was born in Dublin in 1877. His father worked as a foreman in the forwarding department of Guinness' at St James Gate in Dublin. He and his family lived at various addresses around Thomas Court in the Liberties of Dublin. At an early age his mother died. Shortly afterwards his father was laid off by Guinness for being drunk on the job. It seems that his father struggled to cope with raising five children alone and he put the children into care. By the age of sixteen Michael and his siblings were formally orphaned when his father died in a workshouse in Dublin.

    At eighteen, Michael signed up with the Royal Inniskillng Fusiliers in Omagh and shortly thereafter was sent to India where he served in the Tirah Campaign. While in India his younger sister was picked up for begging on the streets in Dublin. She was admitted to care and on admission was described as being blind. Michael Canning served in India and what is now Afghanistan for a number of years before his battalion was posted to South Africa near the end of the Boer War. Shortly after arriving in Africa his record lists him as being imprisoned for an unspecified crime. He appears to have been in the same prison as 'Breaker Morant' just two weeks after Morant was executed. After three months in prison he returned to service. At the end of the Boer War the 2nd Inniskilling were posted to Egypt where he spent the next six years. He eventually returned to Ireland around 1912 and tried to return to civilian life. His family in Dublin had all moved on so he moved to Limerick where his brother Lawrence had relocated and was working on the railway.

    At the outbreak of World War One, Michael Canning reinlisted in the British Army in Limerick and joined the newly formed Royal Munster Fusiliers 7th Service Battalion. Due to his prior service he was given the slightly elevated rank of Lance Corporal. The 7th Munsters trained in Mallow and in Basingstoke in the UK before embarking by sea to take part in the efforts at Gallipoli. Following a short stop off at Mudros in Greece, he arrived on the shores of Gallipoli as part of the August offensive on 7th August 1915.

    Michael Canning was my great uncle. He died within a couple of days on the beaches of Turkey. His body was not recovered. We don't have a photo or his medals but we have rediscovered and researched his story which was lost to the family for a number of years. He is remembered on Helles Memorial at Gallipoli.

    Des Ryan




    209223

    Pte. Edmund Victor Amey 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.6th July 1915)

    I don't have any real details of my Great Uncle, Edmund Amey, but have Ivisited his grave which is at the Talana Farm Cemetry. I do not have a picture of him, and am hoping one day I may find there is one somewhere in Military records.

    Paul Amey




    209221

    Lt. Boston 31st MGC. Machine Gun Corps

    I have a German 7.50cm m15 shell made by Berndorf dated 1915 ingraved Lieut. Boston 31 st Machine Gun Corps, Jiljilia, Balkans, Egypt 1916-17-18 Palestine. I would like to find out about Lieut Boston and the battle and was he from N. Ireland. I found shell in Bangor, Co. Down. Can anyone help?

    Alan Gourley




    209220

    Sgt. Jimmy Robinson 18th Mounted Rifles

    I found a book written by Jim Robinson "For my loving wife Clara who has helped me and put up with me for these many long years" Published in 1973. It very sweet, I don't know if there is a relative that might like to have it?

    Mikki




    209216

    Pte. John Joseph Gallagher 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Apr 1918)

    John Gallagher was the eldest son of John and Ellen Gallagher, descendants of Irish immigrants. The story goes that John refused to go to Ireland where he had relatives to avoid the war and lied about his age when he enlisted. He was killed 2 months before his 21st birthday on 27th April 1918 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Cemetery in Belgium. His name is on the memorial in St Bernard's RC Church, Halifax.

    Patricia Mawdsley




    209215

    Sgt. Edward Charles Kent 18th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.24th Mar 1918)

    Edward Charles Kent was born in Lee, Kent and enlisted in Warley, Essex. He died of shell wounds on 24th March 1918, after being taken to 44th Australian Casualty Clearing Station and is buried at Nine Elms War Cemetary, Poperinge, Ypres.

    Mark Kent




    209212

    Pte. Daniel Kennedy 1/7 Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Daniel Kennedy served with the 1/7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. I am hoping to find Daniel's story and hoping that his service records aren't a part of the burnt records. My son has served in the Australian Army, my father (Daniel's nephew) served in WW2 (REME) and as part of my family history search, I would like to pass on information to my son about the war time hardships experienced by those soldiers of long ago. I am also hoping that someone may have a group photo of the 1/7 Battalion with Daniel named there.

    Kaye Griffiths




    209206

    Pte. Mark Welch Rollason 1st Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    Mark Welch Rollason of 1st Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was killed in action on 23rd October 1916. He was my paternal great grandfather of whom I know little about. Sadly he died on the same day as his daughter Elsie gave birth to his grandson, who was named after him. If anyone has any information about the family please get in touch.

    Gillian




    209195

    Pte. John Jones 1/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    My uncle, John (Jackie) Jones, was killed at Paschendale on the 26th of October 1917; he was about 18 years old. My father told me about his brother when I was growing up and told me that John was “blown up” and had no known grave. This was sadly all the family ever knew about the loss of this young man.

    I began to research my family history in 1998 and tried to find out about this young man. I contacted the War Graves Commission and was able to obtain his service number, date of death, place of death and a copy of the war diary for that day. I was then able to tell my elderly father a bit more about John. In 2006 I saw an article in our local newspaper about a family who had found a letter from World War 1 when they were clearing a relative’s home. The letter was from a young man named Joseph Lawrence informing his family that his brother Sammie Lawrence had been killed. There was also a photograph of Sammie in uniform in the newspaper. The family who found the letter were contacted by someone doing research about the Northumberland Fusiliers; her name is Katie Carr of Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Katie informed them that Sammie was killed on 26 October 1917 at Paschendale!! The same day as John Jones. I contacted Katie and she was able to give me a lot of information. She sent me a copy photograph of the Tynecot memorial showing John’s inscription. She also gave me a copy of the medal card for John showing the Victory Medal.

    John was killed on 26th October and the war diary says “during the 26th the Batt. suffered about 20 casualties from shell fire”, we presume John to have been one of these men. Kate was then able to tell me about Sammie Lawrence and that he was buried with two or three others near a place now called Tranquil House, but was then Pascal Farm. The war diary mentions Pacal Farm saying on 27 October the 6th Batt. “Remained in shell holes in the neighbourhood of Pascal Farm”. The battalion suffered about 30 further casualties from shell fire. Kate gave me copies of trench maps too. So we now know more or less where John lies and Kate did say that some of the men had graves but the graves were often lost. For comfort I like to think that John had a grave and may have been with Sammie Lawrence. Of course we will never know.

    Lastly I have been able to have John’s name added to the Roll of Honour in the church where he was baptised. I was helped in this by a wonderful man called Thomas Webster who looked after the clock of the church, St. Ann’s on City Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. I was taking photographs of the church one day for my family history research when Tommy asked me if I wanted to look inside. We discovered he was born in the same street as my dad’s family and he showed me the Roll of Honour, without John’s name. He then helped me to have the name added and a service of dedication was held for John. They read out his name now every year on the Sunday nearest to the date he died. John was never forgotten by his family and now there is a living memory of this very young man who never came home to his family.

    Maureen Maughan




    209194

    Pte Richard Parker Longstaff 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    Richard Longstaff trained with the 16th Reserve Battalion at Cannock Chase, from January 1916 until May 1916. He then transferred to 15th Service Battalion DLI for a short time and then into the 12th Battalion. He was wounded in action in June or July 1917 at the battle for Messines Ridge and was awarded Silver War Wound badge, number 270638. He was discharged on 17 of September 1917 at the age of 24 years and 10 months. He returned to coal mining in Willington County Durham, and was married twice, his first wife died in 1927 leaving one child. Had two sons with his second wife.

    Richard Longstaff




    209193

    Gnr. William Henry Rouse 242nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.16th June 1916)

    William Rouse was ‘learning electric motors’ at the age of 17, in 1911. He was at that time living with his parents and two siblings in Sheep Street (which made way for the Aston Uni Campus) – where William Hy Senior was caretaker at a working men’s residence. William joined a territorial army unit called the 3rd South Midland Brigade Royal Field Artillery, in November 1915. This brigade was headquartered in Stony Lane Sparkbrook, Birmingham (where a memorial still remains) but had been mobilised at the outbreak of war in August 1914. William joined – or was possibly drafted – in November 1915 and soon after was at the front line in France. I have a massive amount of detail as to the movements of the 242nd Brigade – which the 3rd South Midland Brigade became in 1916 – but will not cover that here.

    William died on 16th June 1916 along with the other six members of his gun crew, as a result of a direct hit from an enemy shell. The Brigade had moved there just three days earlier. They were incredibly unlucky: this was two weeks before the commencement of the main Somme offensive and the sides were firing occasional ranging shots at each other. To suffer a direct hit was truly tragic and highly unusual. Artillery crews were some way behind the front line and direct hits were rare.

    The details of his death and the process of discovery are as follows: William died on 16th June 1916, in Sailly-au-bois near Hébuterne in France. The Royal Field Artillery 242nd Brigade (he was in C battery) was based there from 13th June. It was something of a moonscape - very close to the front lines. We know from diaries that (a) it was said at times that there were 'more trenches than men to fill them' and (b) the field guns were unusually exposed.

    Three days after the unit arrived in Sailly (near Hébuterne, where he is buried) and "a shell landed in one of the gun pits of C Battery, killing seven members of the detachment, Gunner T F Eccleston being awarded the Military Cross for action which he took in connection with the tragedy". How do we know this is how William died? It has been a case of piecing together the available information - and here's how I got to the answer:

    1. Records confirm that William was with the 242nd Brigade, C Battery, of the RFA.

    2. Records conform that he died on 16th June 1916

    3. Records indicate that the unit moved to Sailly-Hébuterne on 13th June 1916 - making it likely that William died at this location

    4. By luck I discovered that there is a cemetery at Hébuterne - and that William is buried there

    5. I noticed that several others in the same Brigade died on the same day - yet this was 2 weeks before the main Somme offensive

    6. The number and ranks of these fatalities indicated that it could have been an entire gun crew

    7. The likely reason for an entire gun crew being killed simultaneously is that they were unlucky to receive a direct hit from an enemy shell

    8. I discovered a book "Before the Echoes Die Away" published in 1980. It charts the history of the regiment - and the quote* above is taken from that book.

    Without doubt it can be concluded that the names listed at the cemetery are the same men referred to in respect of this unfortunate incident reported in the book (which is based on records held in the National Archive). William Henry Rouse was one of these men. (Note that whilst the book refers to seven fatalities, only six RFA men buried in Hébuterne are shown as having died that day. The seventh was buried at another cemetery. Those that died on 16th June 1916 and buried at Hébuterne were (sic):

    • Sjt Leonard Wilson
    • Bdr Edwin Henry Prince
    • Gnr TW Holloway
    • Gnr Watkin William Henry Hughes
    • Gnr George Davis
    • and Gnr W Rouse
    Whilst this was 2 weeks prior to the main Albert (Somme) offensive, it is known that both sides were peppering the other with artillery fire. And whilst a direct hit was rare, it did happen. So William Rouse died in action, by his gun, that emplacement having taken a direct hit from an enemy shell.  

    John Hatton




    209191

    Pte. Quinten McKellar 20th Battallion Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

    Apparantly Quinten McKellar went missing for about 9 months in 1917/1918 no-one seems to know how, why or where he was, does anyone have any records of this?

    Lynn Wood




    209189

    Pte. Joseph Riley Dickinson 10th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.14th July 1916)

    I only discovered Joseph Riley Dickinson whilst researching my family tree. He was my great granddad. Those who served in the Great War underwent many horrors and I believe they should never be forgotten – I don’t know much about my great granddad but what little I do, I wish to share.

    Records show that he enlisted for General Service with the Cheshire Regiment on the 8th of May, 1915. He was later transferred to 10th Battalion and on 26th of September, 1916, was in France. On 14 July 1916, two weeks into the Battle of the Somme, he was reported missing and then listed as killed in action. He was 34 years old, 5’ 1½”, with a 34” chest and had ‘good’ physical development at enlistment. He left Lily, his wife for 10 years and three children aged 9, 6 and 1½. His name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Picardie, France.

    Ruth Sherlock




    209187

    Pte Walter John Price 5th Reserves Durham Light Infantry

    Private Walter John Price of Kidderminster, Worcestershire attested to the Durham Light Infantry on the 11/12/1915 and was discharged on the 20/02/1919. Walter was born on the 13th of March 1888 to John Price and Caroline Griffin. He was the brother to two sisters and one brother. Much about his early years is relatively unknown out of the realm of official records. Walter, before he attested, married one Florence Coates also of his hometown. They had 4 children together in all. He worked as a Ball Furnace-man in Kidderminster up until he headed for D.L.I.

    Walter was in many battalions during WW1 all within the D.L.I and for the most part of his service he was fighting at the Salonica Front in Greece. It was there he contracted Maleria and was eventually hospitalized for a long time before being discharged. Much of what is known of Walter due to events after WW1 is down to some relatives and official records. It is not clear when or where Walter died and many of his relatives and descendants do not have any pictures of him.

    Christopher James Price




    209182

    Dvr. Walter Joseph Foulkes 8th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    Walter was born 16 Aug 1894 in Eccles as Walter Foulkes, son of Charles Edward Foulkes and Mary Jane Bennett. He grew up using the surname of his stepfather John Nolan, but enlisted as Walter Nolan in the 8th Lancashire Fusiliers in Salford, in June 1913. He tTransferred to the Machine Gun Corps, 125th Coy in 1916. He was demobilized in March 1919. He lived on as Walter Foulkes, but in his contacts with the Army (application for enlistment in the Army Reserves in 1921, his medals etc.) he always was Nolan, and his address that of his mother and stepfather.

    Loes Buisman




    209177

    Pte. Frederick Alexander Dayer 8th Batallion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt) (d.9th April 1917)

    Frederick Dayer was born in Bristol in 1887 and was working in London as a Clerk for the Inland Revenue prior to enlistment with the 3/1st London Regiment. He served in France with the 8th Battalion and is buried in Gourock Trench Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines.

    Martyn Rundle




    209175

    Pte. Patrick Mellon 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.13th March 1915)

    Patrick Mellon was my Great Uncle. I have no specific information except that my Mother always kept an 'In Memoriam' card in his memory. He was 36 years old when he was killed at Neuve Chapelle. He lived in Limonds Wynd, Ayr

    James Wilson




    209173

    2ndLt. Caldwell Kennedy Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    I'm looking for information about my Grandfather, Caldwell Kennedy He was originally a Sgt and then in 1917 became a 2nd Lt. He was with 36th Division, does any one have any information?

    Rob Chivas




    209167

    L/Cpl. Angus Findlay MM. 101st Field Company Royal Engineers

    My Grandpa Angus Findlay was born 1890 in Balham, South London. He was a carpenter by trade and joined the RE in May 1915. He saw action at the Somme, Hill 60 and Messines Ridge and was posted to Italy in late 1917. On October 27th/28th he received a Military Medal for actions whilst he was constructing a pontoon bridge over the River Piave, saving his comrades from being drowned, he was also wounded in the knee.

    L Findlay




    209163

    Rfm. Francis Albert Vose MID. 9th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Francis Albert Vose served in the First World War in France. He was at Ypres and was in the trenches at Passchendaele. Went 'Over the top' three times. It is understood that when the trench was over run by German troops a captured and wounded German officer in the dugout saved Francis and cook from being killed on spot. His family were notified that he was missing between 21st and 27th March 1918 and then were notified he was a POW at Limburg on 31st May 1918. He spent time unloading scrap from railway wagons, escaped with another and, with help from Belgian and French people made their way to Calais. He was certainly there in October 1918.

    James E. Vose




    209158

    Spr. Tom Hulme 257 Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    My father, Tom Hulme was in 257 Tunnelling Company from Jun 1916 to the end of WW1. I know that in his first year of service they were in the Bethune area of Northern France and in 1918 around Nieuport in Belgium. Does anybody know the movements or activities of this unit in more detail?

    Peter Hulme




    209155

    Cpl. Arthur James Millin Royal Horse Guards

    Arthur Millin served with The Blues from 1910 to 1921. Arthur then served with police force at Newport, Mon for 20 years and joined the retired police officers association (Brighton Branch). He lived on South Coast Road in Peace Haven

    Michael Heath




    209147

    Pte. Alfred Ellis Yorkshire Hussars

    My father Alfred Ellis, served in the Yorkshire Hussars up to 1917: he enlisted as a reservist with his brother George in 1913. George only served till 1917 when he was demobilised having served the term of his service, but my father carried on and was wounded in 1917. The time and army unit are not known, though probably the Yorks & Lancs Infantry Regiment. I have a number of photos of these two brothers, but no other personal records except the service records of his brother George., those of Alfred were amongst the burnt records.

    I am trying to establish any links and gather information about this unit and other existing records, in addition to the PRO war diary records of the Hussars, showing their work and movements behind the lines etc.

    Richard Ellis




    209145

    Cpl. William Spear 2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

    Bill Spear was my Grandfather. Born in Burnley in 1890. His Father, Richard Henry Spear was the secretary of the Burnley Miners Union. Richard Henry was born in Cornwall and as a boy travelled with his Father, a miner in Cornwall, to the coal mines of Lancashire. Grandad Bill worked in the coal mines from 14 or 15 years old. In 1910 he joined the East Lancs at Fulwood Barracks, Preston and was sent to South Africa on Garrison duty.

    In 1914 he was sent back to Southampton and travelled with the 2nd Battalion to the Western Front. My father states that he did not return until 1920. Grandad became a founding member of the MGC, Machine Gun Corps.

    In WW2 he lived in Coventry and the Luftwaffe bombed his house. In the 1960s he, with his wife Ada, moved to Australia to be with us. He had a fall from a carpark roof and after a long time in hospital failed to recover. In 2007 I had a holiday in Europe and stumbled upon Fulwood Barracks. The museum is not open on Fridays. I happened to arrive on a Friday. To my surprise they opened the museum when I said that Grandad joined the East Lancs at Fulwood Barracks in 1910. Just the memory of the day makes the hair on my neck stand. We were there on 27th or 28th of June,the Regimental Day is 1 July, Somme Day. One day I hope to return to attend a Regimental Somme Day. It was a day that changed my life and I shall be eternally grateful.

    William David Spear




    209144

    Lt. Edward Basil Bury 6th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    Edward Bury was the only son of Professor John Bagnall Bury, Regius Professor of History, Cambridge University, one of the greatest historians of the time. He married Phyllis de Kay of New York who remarried in 1940. According to her second husband John Hall Wheelock (important American Poet), she divorced Lt. Edward Basil Bury in 1940 so that he does not appear to have died of war wounds as reported. The 6th Suffolk Regiment apparently was part of the Territorial Home Defence Army.

    Brian Reid




    209141

    Pte. Percival James Davis 2nd (City of London) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.16th Oct 1916)

    Percival Davis was born at Dursley Gloucestershire in 1894, son of Charles Edward Davis and Fanny Beata (Smith). He enlisted at the Mansion House London. He died of wounds and is buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen.

    Martyn Rundle




    209140

    C/Sgt William James Godfrey 10th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.21st July 1916)

    Born in 1862, my great-grandfather William Godfrey, worked as an Agricultural Labourer until 1894 when he enlisted in the East Surrey Regiment. For some inexplicable reason he gave his enlistement age as 18, despite being 32!

    After seeing action in Malta and South Africa, he was in the battle of the Somme in July 1916 where he was seriously wounded. He was brought home injured to England, but died 2 days later in Dover Hospital, his wife never seeing him again as she was unable to travel that far to visit him as she was pregnant with my grandfather who was born 4 months later - and named William James after his father. Although his widow, left with 4 young children, remarried, she was eventually buried in WJ's grave in Woking Cemetary. William James junior, my grandfather, also joined the East Surrey Regiment as a professional soldier.

    Anne-Marie Greenway




    209139

    Gnr. John Bryant 1/1st Heavy Coy Kent Royal Garrison Artillery

    Jack Bryant was posted for duty on the 8th of August 1914 at Sheerness. He was wounded at Achiet-le-Grand 23rd of March 1918 and was hospitalized for 2 years before being discharged 23rd March 1920. I would be very grateful for any information in relation to my grandfather.

    Dan Dynes




    209130

    Dvr. John Augustine Clarke 484th Company Army Service Corps

    My grandfather, John A. Clarke, served in the ASC, 484 Coy. He enlisted in Ipswich 14/6/15. Initially he was part of 54th Div Train ASC but his company was transferred to 27th Div Train leaving from Devonport for Salonika. He told me of time driving donkey limbers to the front line through valleys whilst under fire and of the privations during the persuit of the Bulgarian Army in 1918. He spoke of service with a friend called Teddy Drage who lived in Higham Ferrers, Northants after the war.

    After the armistice with Bulgaria he was transferred to Batum, in the Crimea to support the White Russians under Denniken in the Civil war. (He disliked them and became a communist after the war teaching himself Russian.) He was demobbed on May 12th 1919. After the war he was a master tailor working for the Co-op Clothing Factory in Kettering where he was a fire watcher during WW2. He often said that WW2 was not a war in comparison with WW1. He committed suicide in 1980 aged 84. I have his two medals which he never took out of the package in which he received them. My research into his service was hampered initially by a cap badge he had for the Royal Artillery until the edge of his medal got me on the the Army Service Corps.

    His father, Charles Clarke had worked at Woolwich Arsenal before the war and played for Arsenal FC until injury ended his career at Middlesbrough. Grandad last saw his father, who died tragically young, on London Bridge before he left for Salonika. Grandad used to like to go to the spot on London Bridge where he last saw his father when visiting London to see Arsenal play. He was very angry when the bridge was sold to America.

    Steve Clarke




    209127

    Mjr. C. C. L. Barlow 1st btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    I am not related to Major Barlow, but my grandfather acted as his batman during the earlier campaigns in the Sudan. I have a reference the then Captain Barlow wrote for my grandfather George Thompson. Capt. Barlow gave my grandfather the cane walking stick used by his own father, I understand, during the Crimean campaign, which we still have this. My grandfather emigrated to Australia in 1911, and I often wondered whether Capt. Barlow had served in WW1. I have just found that he did, as there is a note re correspondence from his sister in 1921 requesting his medals, I feel he must have been killed in acion or died shortly after the war.

    Shirley Powley




    209123

    William Miller 3rd Battalion, G Company. Manchester Regiment

    My mother's beloved brother, William Miller served in WW1. I don't know a lot, except he was a charming man who returned from the war alive but badly affected. He had 2 children. My mother Edith Trapnell, cared for him until his death in the 1940's in Australia. William Miller 9408 3rd Battalion, G Company Manchester Regiment was my Uncle Billy and today I remember him with pride every ANZAC Day in Australia.

    Colleen Forno




    209121

    Pte. Thomas Henry Edwards MM. Lancashire Fusiliers

    My Grandfather, Thomas Edwards, at the age of 18, won a Military Medal for his conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the British Offensive in Foret de Mormon on November 4th 1918. In spite of very heavy shell and machine gun fire and numerous casualties he carried on his duties of a runner and guide with great courage for four hours continuously. By his action he maintained communication and was of the greatest assistance in assuring the success of the attack in his sector.

    He joined the Australian army during the Second World War and was killed in action during the fall of Singapore 12th Feb 1942.

    Sandra Atkins




    209116

    William "Billy" Mailer

    William Mailer was my Grandmother's fiance and died in WWI sometime between 1916-1917. His home was Bolton, Lancashire.

    Maureen Bejar




    209115

    CQMS John Bright "Bright" Lockley 95th Machine Gun Company (d.5th April 1918)

    John Bright Lockley enlisted in the Manchester Regiment in 1898. Private 5421, 2nd Battalion. He served in the Boer War and finished his 12 years of service in 1910.

    He volunteered for service in August 1914, enlisting in the Manchester Regiment. Private 2771, 4th Battalion. He did a musketry course on machine guns and was tranferred to the 2nd Battalion and onto France.

    The Machine Gun Company of the 2nd Battalion the Manchester Regiment became the 95th Machine Gun Company in the 95th Infantry Brigade where he served as Company Quarter Master Sergeant 7733.

    Chris Lockley




    209112

    Pte. Walter Ashworth 18th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Walter Ashworth was my grandfather. He was born in Hebden Bridge in W.Yorks and served and completed his apprenticeship as a tailor in Bradford.

    He joined the 2nd Bradford Pals in 1915. After training, he was shipped out firstly to Egypt and then to France for the Battle of the Somme. He was wounded on the 1st June 1916. He had gone 'over the top' with many, many other soldiers and was shot three times, once in the mouth, once in the back and once in the leg. He was left for dead in a bomb crater filled with water for almost three days. Someone noticed him moving and he was removed from the battlefield and sent firstly to an ambulance station where an Army chaplain saw him and sent my grandmother, his fiancee at the time, a letter telling her he had been wounded and was being sent to the hospital at Sidcup. He ended the letter saying, "and may God help him."

    He spent many months in hospital having operation after operation on his face and other injuries. He was one of the first soldiers to receive plastic surgery by Sir Harold Gillies and a painting of the medical procedures performed on his wounds is in the Royal College of Surgeons in London. When he was able to return to Bradford, he tried to resume his position as tailor in a leading men's wear shop there. However, he still had bandages on his face and the owners of the business would not put him behind the counter as they told him he would scare the customers away! He worked in their workshop behind, still doing his tailoring but behind the scenes, for one week and then became so upset about the way his bosses were treating him that he resigned and went home. About a week later, his boss appeared on his doorstep begging him to come back because the customers were outraged about what had happend and nobody would deal with anybody in the store but Mr Walter Ashworth, their tailor! He felt a little better about that but still decided not to return. I should add that all the employers in the Halifax and Bradford area had stated quite emphatically that all soldiers who enlisted in the Pals would have their job held open for them when they came back. I'm afraid my grandfather felt too bitter to go back and work for that employer.

    He married my grandmother in 1917 in hospital. In 1922, he was still having operations on his face from time to time and his health was not good so the doctors suggested he find somewhere warm to convalesce so my grandfather replied to an ad in the paper from Australia where a sheep station owner was wanting a butler and a cook for two years! He applied for it, got the job and went over to Sydney by himself. When all the details were completed, he sent for my grandmother and my mother, who was a little girl at that time. They worked on this huge sheep station way out in the Aussie bush for two years, he became stronger and regained his health, both physically and emotionally, and they then returned to England. He opened a tailor's shop in Halifax, then moved to Blackpool and had a successful career until he retired in his sixties. He left his daughter, two grandchildren, and three great grandchildren at his passing.

    He was a true gentleman, never talked about his experiences in the war but carried his facial scars and a shrapnel-riddled back all his life with dignity and bravery. He was extremely popular with everybody he met and he never let his appearance get him down. We are all very proud of him.

    Delyse Smith




    209110

    Cpl. William Chappell 16th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corp (d.31st Jan 1916)

    William Chappell was born in 1896 in Batley, near Dewsbury in Yorkshire, son of Arthur and Hannah Maria Chappell.  The Chappells' lived in Ossett, near Wakefield with William, known as Willie, his brother Joe (b1894), sister Mary (b1905), and his cousin Bertram Allsopp (b1891), adopted son of the Chappells.  By 1911, the Chappell household also includes Arthur's mother Mary Chappell, 75.  Ossett was principally a cloth making town, but also employed many in the local coal miners around Wakefield.  Arthur was a Stationary Engineer and had married Hannah Maria nee Green in July 1892.  Willie's brother, Joe, was an apprentice blacksmith, and Bertram was a Mill Worker Rag Maker, whilst Willie and his sister Mary were at school in 1911.  

    Willie joined the Church Lads Brigade at the age of 13 in 1909, and the boys were disciplined locally in riffle drills and various military style exercises. In 1911 the small movement became recognised by the War Office as part of the Territorial Cadet Force and when the call to arms came in the summer of 1914 they formed the 16th (Service) Battalion (Church Lads Brigade) of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC) under Field Marshal Lord Grenfell at Denham in Buckinghamshire. In early September, despite Willie’s 17 years of age (the minimum age for enlistment was 19 but it was not uncommon for boys to have lied about their age in order to enlist), he left his family and travelled first to London's King Cross, and then to Denham. Willie writes to his mother as soon as he arrives in Denham, on a postcard he bought at the Swan Hotel on the Village Road:  

    "Dear Mother, Arrived London 2pm.  Came straight here.  Can't say where or what we shall do.  This place Denham is near Webridge.  Don't worry shall be all right.  Don't know my address yet.  Love from Willie."  He adds one more line: "Am in this hotel on the photo while writing".   

    Willie spent the next six months in Denham undertaking training and guard duties at local bridges and reservoirs, and two further months in Raleigh, Essex. In June 1915 the Lads moved to Clipstone Camp in Mansfield and attach to the 100th Brigade in 33rd Division and that summer on to Perham Down, a village near Salisbury Plain, and Andover. In November the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France, and the Brigade moved by train to Southampton with a total contingent of 30 officers and 994 other ranks, 64 horses and mules, 19 vehicles and 9 bicycles.  Willie and the 16th Battalion (Church Lads Brigade) of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps ended their journey into war with a night Channel crossing and landed on 17th November in the Haute-Normandie region of France at Le Havre.  

    The following is an account from records of the KRRC 16th Battalion:   From the Le Havre, the battalion moves first by train via Abbeville to Thienne on 19th November and then after a few days in Boesegham it marches on to Annezin by the 30th November. Various course and training continue while different parts of the battalion are giving some trench familiarisation in rotation.  Others are attached to the 180th Tunnelling Company RE as working parties for mining activities. They move to St.Hilaire on the 12th December, where they remain until the 28th December.  Christmas day 1915, passes without any special note and 28th/29th December they move to billets in Bethune. The Battalion gets the bath house on New Year's day, but there is no clean kit available. On 2nd January 1916, the first Sunday of the New Year, the battalion moves into the firing line for eight days in trenches near Bethune. The battalion's position comes under an intense bombardment that lasts for hours. As the firing and shelling dies down, the damage has to be repaired. This work, together with digging out the buried men, goes for the next few days while the enemy continue to snipe, shell and machine gun.  The battalion is relieved on the 10th of January.  Their losses for that first Sunday alone were 9 killed and 27 wounded.  

    It was at, or shortly after, this battle in Bethune that the 19-year old William Chappell was wounded and died of his injuries.  He was buried on 31st of January 1916 in Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, and a headstone marks his burial. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record his passing: "Chappell, W. Age 20. Son of Arthur and Hannah Maria Chappell of 6 Groudle Place, Broadowler Lane, Ossett Wakefield."

    John Sullivan




    209105

    Pte. Ernest Edward Henniker 9th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment (d.21st Feb 1918)

    Ernest was a brother to my grandfather on my mother's side. Ernest was born in Smarden, Kent and enlisted in Tonbridge, Kent serving with the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment in France from 1st September 1915. Ernest died on Thursday 21st February 1918. I have, as yet, found no records of his unit being involved in any major actions around this date. They where involved in the 3rd Battle of Ypres in particular the Battle of Pilckem Ridge on 31st July to 13th September 1917 and the Battle of Langemarck on 16th to 18th August 1917. Their next major engagement was the Battle of the Somme (Battle of St Quentin) on 21st to 23rd March 1918 (after his death).

    Ernest has a grave in Tincourt New British Cemetery on the Somme and is commemerated on a plaque in St Dunstan's Church, West Peckham, Kent and as a Lost Man on the War Memorial at Smarden, Kent.

    Ernest's brother George (my grandfather) also served with the Royal Garrison Artillery in France being awarded the Military Medal and surviving the war.

    David Sands




    209104

    L/Bdr. George William Henniker MM. 3rd Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    George Henniker was my grandfather on my mothers side. During my research I have discovered that he enlisted on 25th October 1915. George served with the Royal Garrison Artillery. His medal cards at the National Archive show that as a gunner he was with the 128th battery (not known if that was the 128th Heavy Battery or the 128th Siege Battery, both units saw service in France).

    George went on to be promoted to Lance Bombardier and was serving with the 3rd Siege Battery at this time. He was awarded the Military Medal on 21st December 1918 allegedly for an action involving him taking a water cart behind enemy lines and returning with water for the troops (more research required). George was transferred to 'Z' Reserve on 2nd April 1919 and returned home safely to West Peckham.

    George had a brother Ernest who served with the 9th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment who unfortunately did not survive the war and is buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery on the Somme.

    David Sands




    209103

    Pte. John Foster 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    My great, great grandfather John Foster served with the 1st Middlesex, I understand he was killed on the first day at the Battle of Loos. Aged 37, he left behind a young wife and son like many others. Unfortunately, I don't know much else we have his death medal, and telegram but no photographs it seems they have either been destroyed or gone missing with subsequent generations.

    Geeanna Langley-Finch




    209097

    Pte John Wallace Frame 8th battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.7th May 1916)

    John Wallace was my uncle. He died near Vermelles. I would like to find out any info in which battle he might have been killed.

    John Frame




    209095

    Pte. Bernard Sullivan 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.26th Oct 1914)

    Bernard Sullivan served with the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in Burma in 1911. He was later transferred to the 2nd Battalion. He died near Neuve Chapelle, companies B & D encountered the enemy when they broke through the line. There was a lot of hand to hand fighting and all of the officers and men were missing presumed killed. Bernard's date of death was therefore recorded as the 26th October. He left a wife and son. His son Dennis Bernard Sullivan died on HMS Prince of Wales, when she was torpedoed by the Japanese during the Second World War.

    Christine Faulkner




    209093

    Pte. Charles Frederick McColl 1/4th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th Dec 1917)

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    Charles McColl was a shipyard plater and therefore exempt from military service but he voluntarily joined the Army on 7th of September 1914. He enlisted into the 11th East Yorkshire Regiment in 1914 and at the end of 1915 sailed to Egypt before the battalion was recalled to the Western Front.

    In September 1916 his unit had been holding the line near Neuve Chapelle when he was wounded by a shell and invalided home with heart failure. Upon his return to France he was posted to the 4th East Yorkshire Regiment but soon went absent receiving a sentence of 10 years imprisonment. On the 28th October 1917 Private McColl absconded from his platoon which was in brigade support near Houlthult Forest in the Ypres sector leaving behind his rifle and equipment. Four days later he was arrested in Calais after enquiring about a rest camp and stating he was on his way to England.

    At his court-martial he was not represented and detailed his nervous condition and inability to control himself when in the trenches. No medical examination was ordered. He was tried by Field General Court Martial on a number of occasions but the final, fatal proceedings took place at Brandhoek on 21 December 1917. One of the two members of the court, Captain C.J.A. Pollock, was from the defendant’s own unit and although they were assisted by a Court Martial officer, Captain F.S.A. Baker, Private Charles McColl was undefended and was sentenced to death. He was held in a military prison at Brandhoek then on the eve of his execution brought to the prison at Ypres when he was told of confirmation of the sentence of death. As dawn approached he was manacled and blindfolded with a reverse gas mask and taken out and strapped to a chair and shot. This story is told by Julian Putkowski in his book "Shot At Dawn" (The Sad Campaign to Secure Millennium Pardons for British and Commonwealth Soldiers Executed during the First World War) The disciplinary regime exercised by the British Army during the First World War was truly draconian and I still believe that the conditional pardon does not represent an adequate acknowledgement of the disgraceful fashion in which these men were culled and the hardships endured by many relatives and dependents. (This comment from Julian Putkowski re: British Govt Pardon to Executed Soldiers, Section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006)

    Private C. F. McColl, 1/4th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment was executed for desertion 28/12/1917.

    Update: There are lots of errors in the original story of McColl. For example, he never went to Egypt, he was AWOL. These are often repeated from data in a very poorly researched book on those shot at dawn. Vanessa, who submitted the text, is aware and has seen our research.

    We recently held a service for him as the Padre at his execution refused him his right to a Christian burial. Our UK and Belgian researchers have tried but can find no other instance of this having occurred.

    The Hull People's Memorial adds to the story.

    The above images are copyright (c) 2014 Hull People's Memorial. Alan Brigham

    The Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull

    Vanessa McColl




    209088

    Capt. Harry Reid Thomas 34th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.25th Dec 1915)

    One of my five step-uncles, Harry Thomas, served as a Captain in the British Army. He served as the first Jamaican born officer in the British Army in WW1. These brothers were the sons of my grandfather; Jamaican Police Inspector Herbert Theodore Thomas, from his first marriage to Gertrude Thomas. Captain Harry Reid Thomas was born in Jamaica on the 15th of March 1883. He attended Jamaica College, and volunteered to fight in the Boer War with Baden Powell's African Constabulary as a trooper. For his service he was awarded the King's Medal with 5 clasps.

    After the Boer War, he was shipped off to fight again in WW1 in France where he died on 25th Dec. 1915. He is buried in France, at Viell, Chapell, Lacouture. Grave-1.C.9. This brave solder has been forgotten by his country Jamaica, and should be remembered by the UK for his service. Harry is only one of the five Thomas brothers who served in the British Army of WW1. All of these brothers were officers, and only one of them survived WW1 to fight again in WW2.

    All the research on these brothers was done by UK Genealogist Alan Greveson.

    Gerald A. Archambeau




    209086

    Pte. William E. Darby 13th Batallion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Feb 1917 )

    I came across William Darby whilst researching my own relatives. It appears he was the first husband of a relative of mine (his wife went on to marry my relative). I looked into his background and found his grave on a website. It appears he was born in Barnsley in Yorkshire in 1890 but moved to Newcastle to be a miner. He married Beatrice Cuthbertson and went on to have a daughter, Winifred in 1911.

    Kerry Aston




    209082

    Stk1. Thomas Arthur Jobbins HMS Aboukir (d.22nd Sep 1914)

    Thomas Jobbins served for five years from 1906-1911, then transferred to the Reserves. When WW1 broke out he was recalled. He had married Annie in 1909 and they had 3 sons, Thomas 4, Albert 2 and John just one year old a week before he died, on the 22nd September 1914. Annie died too,in 1917. She was a munitions worker in the Royal Arsenal. I wish I had a photograph of him.

    Sandy Topley




    209076

    Ord.Sig. Alexander Scott Ross HMS Indefatigable (d.31st May 1916)

    Alexander Scott Ross was an 18 year old Scot from Glasgow. He was an Ordinary Signaller in the Royal Navy lost when HMS Indefatigable was sunk in the Battle of Jutland on the 31st May 1916. A Glasgow newspaper report states:

    Mrs and Mrs Ross, 23 Buccleuch Street Glasgow have received intimation from the Admiralty that their son Alexander Scott Ross A.B. HMS Indefatigable was killed during the Jutland sea fight. He was 18 years of age and had enlisted shortly before the outbreak of war, prior to which he was engaged in learning wireless telegraphy.





    209075

    Pte. Harry Ellis 10th (The Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars

    Harry Ellis was a pre-war regular soldier in the Cavalry of the Line, which in those days, fought on horseback. He landed in France with 10th (The Prince of Wales' Own Royal) Hussars on 6th Oct 1914 and received the 1914 Star, but did not receive the 'Mons' bar '5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914' awarded to those who were under fire in France or Belgium during that period, although that may have resulted from his not having put in a claim.

    On the 1st of Mar 1916 Harry was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) in which he served as 51197 Private H Ellis until 2nd of May 1919 when he was transferred to the Army Reserve, Class B. He had completed 12 years service with the Colours.





    209072

    Pte Robert W Lawrence 7th Battalion York & Lancs (d.11th March 1916)

    Robert born in 1880 killed in action on the 11th March 1916 now lies in the Voormezeele Enclosure I Commonwealth War Graves, row C, grave 17.

    William Wiggins




    209071

    Arthur Rowston 8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

    We recently rediscovered a letter we though lost to history sent on Arthur's death sometime after 08 Sept 1917. He was my Grandfather's uncle, and my Grandfather remembered his mother crying years after he was born over the loss of her brother. It reads as follows:

    242813

    1/8 Lincolns

    Sept 8th 1917

    Dear Mother & All, Just a few lines to let you know we are going on a raid to-night & as you all know anything might happen. I have left instructions for this to be sent in the event of me not returning to the Batt. in case I'm wounded or a prisoner. Inclosed you will find money, photos, other keep sakes I take with me including the old half-sov – I am in the best of spirits and shall go over with a good heart & hope for the best. I have been lucky up to now so I do not grumble. You know my last thoughts will always be for those at home. With the very Best of Love, Your Son & Brother. (ps) as the case might be. P.S Don’t take things for granted should you receive this letter.

    Let the following know if the unfortunate happens. Miss Hartley Crabtree House, Brindle Chorley Lancs. and Miss A Wilson 26 Bramhall Moor Lane Hazel Grove Stockport

    Richard Kennedy




    209067

    Sgt. Arthur Lesley Kirby MM. 7th Dragoon Guards

    My grandfather, Arthur Kirby, was in the 7th Dragoon Guards. He finished his army career as a RSM but was a Sergeant during the First World War. He took part in the last cavalry charge by the British Army, at High Wood - part of the Battle of the Somme. For this he was awarded the Military Medal. Like many men of his generation, he never talked about his army service. On the occasions I asked him about his Military Medal, he always said it was for refusing a tin of bully beef, or for being first in the NAAFI queue!

    Andrea Smith




    209056

    Pte. Robert Hay 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.14th Sep 1918)

    My great uncle, Robert Hay, enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on the 12th of June 1915. He was shot through the arm on the 8th of June 1916. He was later killed in France on the 14th of September 1918, serving with the 13th Royal Fusiliers. He is listed on the war monument in Cummingston Morayshire and also remembered with honour at the Vis-En-Artois Memorial in France.

    Catharine Peters




    209055

    Rfm. Simon Bernstein 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.12th Oct 1917 )

    Simon Bernstein was 25 years old when he died in Flanders, he has no known grave and is remembered at Tyne Cot.

    Janice A. Leberman




    209053

    Cpl. Dennis Bradbury 10th Btn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regt) (d.10th Jun 1917)

    I knew very little about my great uncle Dennis Bradbury, until quite recently, when I began to research my family tree. He was involved in the fighting just South East of Ypres, at a place called Zillebeke, and among my grandmother's papers I found the following (undated) newspaper article.

    "In reference to the late Corpl. Dennis Bradbury, whose death in action we chronicled last week, his sisters have received the following letter from Pioneer G. Ingle, of the West Riding Regiment: “Dear Friends, May we, the boys who were with him (Dennis Bradbury), offer you our deepest sympathy in your loss. He died nobly. Hearing a wounded man call, he at once went to assist, and I am sorry, very sorry, to say he was killed instantly. Surely no man could do more than this. We buried him near the spot, and will do our utmost to make him a cross (a proper one) when next we go that way. As I live near you (Ilkley), we had many talks of home and promised to see each other if we got back safely. After making inquiries I obtained this address, which I think is his sister’s. We were together all the time and we realise that we have lost a good and faithful pal. He died bravely and nobly, doing his duty, helping his comrade. May this comfort all of you, his relatives at home. It reminds one of “Greater love hath no man than this.” Anything I can tell you, or do, ask me. Someday, perhaps, I may see you. Please accept our deepest sympathy in your loss. May God give you strength to bear it bravely. With best wishes”

    How very sad that I rarely heard his name mentioned during my childhood, although I have carried his photograph, in a locket my Grandmother gave me, for many years.

    Pam Howard




    209050

    CSM. Charles Henry "Jack" Bellamy Lincolnshire Regiment

    Charles Bellamy joined the Lincolnshire Regt as a boy soldier and served 21 years in India, and then the Boer War. While serving in France in WW1, he received a neck wound from a German aircraft. He was taken prisoner shortly afterwards and spent 18 months as a POW in Germany. He held the rank of CSM at the end of the war. He served in the Home Guard during WW2, and was a Chelsea Pensioner.

    Peter Bellamy




    209044

    Pte. Harry Craven Snaith 1/5th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.13th Oct 1918)

    My great uncle, Harry Craven Snaith was in the Royal Flying Corps at RAF Yatesbury in 1917 but was enlisted into the Army and sent to France in 1918 with the 1/5th Yorks and Lancs.

    He was at Haspers in October 1918 and went over the top at 6.00am on the 13th October, by the end of the day the goal had not been taken and 50 to 60% of the 1/5th battalion had been killed, including Harry.

    Adrian Snaith




    209038

    Rfm. Robert Beeley Robinson 1/7 Btn, C Coy. London Regiment (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Robert Robinson was my Grandfather's cousin. Born 1896 in Horncastle, Lincs., son of Frederick and Annie Maria Robinson. He enlisted Sun St., London and was killed during the attack on High Wood. He has no known grave and is named on the Thiepval Memorial.

    Chris Robinson




    209036

    Pte. Edward Thomas Moore 6th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.19th Jul 1916)

    My husband was once told by his father that his father had once had an older brother. Although we knew nothing of him as the family did not speak of him. We suspect because it was too painful to talk about. After considerable research we found out that he was named Edward and served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Berkshires

    We have been told by family, now gone, that Edward was a very tall, well built young man at age 15. We believe that because of this someone gave him a white feather, supposedly thinking he was older and ought to have enlisted. He promptly did just that, presumably lying about his age, and a year later died in France, age 16 years, possibly at the Battles of Longueval and Delville Wood.

    His father was in the Royal Defence Corps and was gassed and demobbed. His uncle, Joseph Edmund, who had been a regular soldier from 1897 with the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment was also killed in 1916 near Ypres. We cannot begin to imagine how the families coped at this time as they were also very poor.

    Betty Moore




    209035

    Cpl. Herbert Bowley 3rd Batallion Monmouthshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1915)

    Herbert Bowley was born 1893 in Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire to Alfred Halford Bowley & Eliza Ada Curtis. He was a Coal Hewer for the Powell Tillery Company in Abertillery. He served with the 3rd Monmouths, and lost his life on the 3rd of May 1915. Herbert is buried at the Poelcapelle British Cemetery.

    Martyn Rundle




    209029

    Bdr. George Russell "Gordie" Elder 315 Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    This book was written by my granfather, George Elder in six exercise books and was dedicted to his friend Teddy Watmough who died in action in 1917. The following extract from the book describes the event:-

    My pal, Teddy Watmough and I, constructed our little dugout as we had been accustomed to sleeping together whenever the opportunity occurred. My Signallers had rigged up a telephone pit in the bank side, so we sat down at dusk around the inevitable petrol tin fire. Someone shouted "Elder you're wanted', I came out of the telephone pit to see our Major standing there. "Oh! Elder" he said "Your leave has come through so get packed and off you go at once". I was overjoyed and started to tremble at the thought of it and it didn't take me long to get my kit together. I went to my Pal Teddy Watmough, held out my hand and said: "Well. Ta Ta Ted". He said "Geordie, there's something going to happen to me here".

    "Oh shut up man, don't be daft" I replied, "You'll be here all right when I come back",

    "Oh well Geordie, I feel it" he said. After bucking him up as best I could, I promised to go and visit his mother when I got home. I then walked about 10 kilometres to the Station at Boyelles, where I boarded a train of cattle trucks going to Boulogne. Two days later, I stepped off the train at Newcastle at 11 pm and was soon in the arms of my wife and kiddies.

    The following day I was walking through the streets of Newcastle with my wife, when I saw one of our Headquarters' Signallers coming towards us, we met and shook hands.

    "Hello Geordie" he said, "Did you hear about Teddy?". I nearly dropped at those words, my wife took hold of my arm and asked me what was wrong. Those words of my pal Ted Watmough immediately flashed through my brain. "Geordie, there's something going to happen to me". Then the Headquarters' Signaller told me the same night that I left my Battery, Teddy and a Driver who took my place, had been literally blown to pieces by an 8 inch German shell that dropped on top of the dugout. Poor Ted, he must have known, a finer lad one couldn't find. I was sick and faint with the shock of the news. I could no more visit my pal's mother than I could fly. He was uppermost in my thoughts all my fortnight at home and when my time was up to leave my wife and kiddies, it made me think deeply.

    The following extract describes the horrors of war:-

    My O/C was looking through his binoculars and without taking them from his eyes, he asked me to get the Adjutant on the phone. I rang up the brigade and got the Adjutant. Being curious, I placed my eye to the telescope and what I saw was a wide road away to the German rear and a batch of German infantry. They were close together and seemed to be making for the same direction. I knew it must be this that my O/C had been watching. Having the ear piece of the phone strapped to my head, this is the conversation I heard between my O/C and the Adjutant “Hello Brown, Langen speaking”, my O/C said, “Well, Langen, what can I do for you?” the Adjutant replied. “I have got a very good target for our counter battery if you can get them for me”. “All right Langen, just hang on and I'll get the heavies for you” the Adjutant replied as he left the phone, in about two ticks someone spoke. “Hello Major, this is the officer of the heavies speaking”. Then my O/C said, “I am sorry to trouble you, but I have such a good target I don't want to miss it. I can't reach it myself, so I want your assistance if you don't mind”. “I want you to put about a dozen shells on (a map reference meaning the roadway previously mentioned) as quick as possible”. “Alright major, just look out for them” replied the officer of the 8 inch Howitzer Battery and at that I immediately put the telescope to my eyes once more and my O/C had the binoculars to his eyes. Just as I got settled looking through the telescope, I hear the sound of six heavy shells going over our heads. On the road behind the German lines was the batch of German infantry still passing along. All I could see of the roadway was great billows of black and white smoke. I knew then where those six heavy shells were going. They had dropped dead on the road where the soldiers were marching along. This was repeated about twelve times at intervals of about thirty seconds. When the smoke did clear away, I couldn't see anything on the road. In all probability, the German infantry had been blown to pieces. During this, I heard my O/C say out loud “My God, My God, this is terrible”. He then got down and spoke to the officer of the heavy battery saying, “Thank you, and goodbye”.

    Vivienne Toon




    209028

    Pte. Thomas Joseph Brennan Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    My father, Thomas Brennan said very little about his war experiences, apart from saying that he lived mostly on fruit as the flies in the desert were terrible, covering any meat before it could reach the mouth, and that he had an ex race horse to ride. He was a sniper in his unit. I know nothing else except that he survived the war. He ended his working life as Chairman of a subsidiary company of Taylor Woodrow Ltd., Terrasearch Ltd. and became an Alderman and Mayor of the Borough of Ealing, West London.

    Kevin Brennan




    209027

    Lt. Walter Joseph Stanislaus "Stan" O'Grady 18th Battalion

    Lieutenant Walter Joseph Stanislaus O'Grady was my great grand uncle. He served in Galipoli, got very sick and was shipped out. He returned to command the School of Australian Cyclist Corps, which was later disbanded as unsuitable for the war time effort. It had been hoped that the Cyclist Corp would be more silent than horses to creep up on the enemy.

    In the Second World War Uncle Walter reached the rank of Major

    Colleen O'Grady




    209012

    Pte. Anthony Doyle 7th Batallion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.23rd Sep 1916)

    My great-uncle Anthony Doyle, an Irish boy, ran away to join the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in August 1914. He was just 16 and lied about his age to get into the army. After initial training, he went out to Gallipoli in 1915 but for some reason, missed the landing at Suvla Bay which saw so many of his comrades killed and injured on 7th August 1915. He joined the 7th Battalion a couple of days later and survived the Battle of Kiretch Tepe Sirt. With the rest of his Battalion he was moved to Salonika and lived through the harsh winter of 1915 up in the Macedonian mountains. Injured, he was sent home to Ireland in 1916, just in time for the Easter Rising in Dublin.

    In common with many Irish families, the Doyles were neither the first nor the last to have members fighting both for and against the British. Several of Anthony's brothers were actively involved in the IRA and a story from my father tells of the family hotel being raided at the front door by Crown forces whilst the arms cache hidden in the basement was hastily got out through the back door!

    Anthony resisted his elder brother's request to turn and went back to Salonika. The 7th Battallion was sent to the Struma River sometime around September 1916 to establish a line across the river against the Bulgarians. Despite gaining a foothold at first, the Allies were forced back to their own side of the river. On the 23rd September they tried again to take the village of Karadzakoj-Zir-Bala but retired in the face of fierce opposition. It was during this retreat that Anthony was killed outright by a sniper. He was 18 years old.

    The role of the Irish soldiers in the First World War is a difficult and emotive subject even now in Ireland. My father was named Anthony after his dead uncle by my grandfather Tom who was a distinguished IRA veteran. I remember this great-uncle I never knew every Armistice Day - I play The Green Fields of France for him and all those like him. He is buried at Struma Military Cemetary - IV.B.8. If you pass that way, stop a while and tell him he's remembered. Ar Dheis de go raibh seid.

    Esther Doyle




    209001

    Pte. Richard Marson 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Richard Marson was my grandfather, he was bateman to Second Lieutenant Philip Henriques. Philip Henriques was killed 24/7/1915 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. He was the son of Sir Philip and Lady Henriques. Sir Philip was then, I believe, The Lord Chief Justice of England. I was told by my father that my Grandfather retreived his body from no man's land and returned his belongings to his parents. I still have the letter sent to my grandfather from Sir Philip thanking him for the part he played, and for writing to him and telling him his son was a brave English Gentleman. Sir Philip asked my grandfather to visit him when he was home on leave so that he could give him a gift to show his thanks, but my grandfather never did visit him at his home.

    One thing I have never understood was why my grandfather did not receive the British Medal only the Victory Medal as he was obviously in Belgium and France in 1915

    Frederick Burnett




    209000

    Pte. Edward Thomas Linsley 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1915)

    Edward Thomas Linsley, was my Grand Uncle. I have discovered that his qualifying date for "Theatre of War" was 9th September 1915 and that he was "presumed" dead on 26th September 1915, which indicates that he was killed at the start of the action, aged 18. As he had no descendants, I would like to discover any other information about Edward between 1901 and his death, and if possible if there are any physical remembrances of his death in action, or any photos of him, so that he is not forgotten.

    Neil Hodgson




    208998

    L/Cpl. Joseph Edgar Wilson 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th May 1918)

    My grandfather, Joseph Wilson joined the West Riding Regiment where he was a private, he died a Lance Corporal in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He had previously served in South Africa in the Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Peter Wilson




    208992

    Pte. John McPartland 11th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.4th Sep 1916)

    John McPartland was my great-grandfather. I was unaware, until this week, that he had served and died in World War I. The death record I found at Ancestry.co.uk lists him as killed in action on the Western Front (France/Flanders). I know no other details, but assume from the dates that he was killed in one of the Battles of The Somme, either Guillemont or Mouquet Farm. His name is listed on the Altrincham War Memorial. There is a photograph online of unidentified members of his regiment/battalion in the trenches, and one soldier very much resembles my father, but I have no way of knowing, of course. I would appreciate anything else I could learn.

    Joanne McPortland




    208990

    Pte. Abel Bishop Yorkshire Hussars

    Able Bishop served with the Yorkshire Hussars, his brothers Charles and Herbert and nephew Maurice served wth the West Yorkshire Regiment.

    Richard Thomas Phillips




    208989

    Pte. Herbert Doughty Bishop 2/5th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Herbert Bishop served with the West Yorkshire Regiment, along with his brother Charles and nephew Maurice. Another brother, Abel, served with the Yorkshire Hussars.

    Richard Thomas Phillips




    208988

    Pte. Charles Bishop 1/5th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Jul 1915)

    Father Who Died Like a True Gentleman

    “He died like a true English gentleman,” is an officer's tribute to a Huby private killed in action. He was Pte Charles Bishop, of the Harrogate Territorials (1/5th West Yorkshires), and was one of the three sons and one grandson of Mrs John Bishop, of Huby, all of whom volunteered their services. Their portraits appear in this issue.

    Pte. Bishop was killed as he was coming out of the trenches, the bullet severing the jugular vein. He was 38 years of age, and leaves a widow and 4 children. The high esteem in which Private Bishop was held by his comrades is shown in the letter to his widow from Lieut J C Walker, who says, - "I have refrained from writing to you until I thought your grief would have subsided a little. But I now wish to let you know of the high opinion we all had of your late husband. He was a grand example to my younger fellows, and a good soldier who died like a true English Gentleman. I much regret his loss and example, but feel sure you will feel happier when you know we all liked him so much, and feel his loss. Believe me, etc."

    Private Bishop's son - Maurice, aged 18 - is serving in the 2/5th West Yorkshires, and in the same regiment is his brother, Herbert, whilst another brother - Abel - is in the Yorkshire Hussars.

    Richard Thomas Phillips




    208980

    Pte. Patrick McCreanor 6th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.23rd Oct 1915)

    My Great Grand Father, Partick McCreanor died at sea after serving at the Gallipoli in teh 2nd offensive. He was in the 6th Bat R.I.F. I found his Medal Card, it states his Medals were returned. I would very much like to find a photo of Patrick McCreanor 8315. It is important to me and my children to find a photo, could anyone assist?

    Brendan McCreanor




    208978

    Pte. John Cameron 1/6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    My grandfather, John Cameron joined up in September 1914. He was in the First Battle of the Somme with the 1/6th Seaforth Highlanders. He was shot in both legs on the 15th of June 1915. He lived to 85 years old and he told me plenty stories about the war. He said when they attacked the German lines in the early morning all the Germans could see was the white legs of the men as they all wore kilts.

    Graham Broadley




    208976

    Bdr. Thomas Mosedale 4th Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    Thomas was my Grandfather and I would welcome any further information about him as it appears only his WW1 Medal Roll Undex Card has survived. He may be known as Mousdale rather than Mosedale.

    Colin Mosedale




    208971

    Pte. Allison Douglas Wilson 5th East Yorkshire

    My Grandad, Allison Douglas Wilson, enlisted in the 5th East Yorkshire Regiment on 4th September 1915. I remember him telling us that it was a cyclist regiment. He was trained as a signaler and was in the trenches. He was eventually captured and spent some time as a prisoner of war.

    He wrote a diary of his experiences in the war and I will be publishing it as a kindle book on Amazon. One story he loved to tell us was that when he joined up he lied about his age and that of his brother Ken who was even younger than he was. He was blessed to make it through the war, as did his brother Ken. After the war his father Allison Blair Wilson - who was a Lloyds shipping surveyor decided to take the whole family out to Africa to what is now Zimbabwe. Some eighty seven years after Allison Douglas Wilson sailed for Africa, his descendants - son Frank Allison Wilson and family, made the move back to England completing the circle again.

    Moira Wight




    208950

    Sgt. John Allen Jones 10th (Service) Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers

    My father, John Allen Jones, volunteered for the RWF on 7th September 1914 and was trained in England, promoted Sergeant in January 1915 and sent to France with his Unit on 27th September 1915. They were deployed on the Ypres salient and took part in operations over the next few months. He was wounded, probably only slightly, on 2nd March 1916, but had returned to the line and was gravely wounded on 29th April 1916 by the explosion of a German shell which fell into a group of RWF men who had just come down from the Front and were resting in a French farmyard. Five deaths and 27 woundings are recorded in the War Diary of that day. Miraculously, within 48 hours my father was received into the Wharncliffe War Hospital in Sheffield.

    He was operated on for wounds in his right leg, as many as 20 times over the next months and, as a result of dedicated care from the surgical and nursing staff he was released to the care of Sir Robert Jones at Alder Hey Hospital Liverpool in June 1917.

    Finally he was discharged from the Army in November 1917 as 'no longer fit for War Service'. He returned to civilian life, graduated from University and served his Community in North Wales as Headmaster, Mayor and Alderman for the next 50 years until his death in 1966.

    E G H Jones




    208949

    Pte. William Brolly 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.21st Aug 1915)

    William Brolly was listed as missing, presumed dead, on Scimitar Hill, Gallipoli during the afternoon of 21st August 1915.

    Proinnsias




    208945

    Pte. James Parry 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.1st March 1919)

    My Grandmother never knew but always loved her Uncle Jimmy who died aged 21 due to the effects of mustard gas. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth Parry who were Welsh miners that had moved to Bryn, Ashton in Makerfield when the mines opened. Jimmy was injured and was cared for at the Lord Derby War Hospital in Winwick, Warrington, England. He is buried at St Thomas' Churchyard in his home town of Ashton. We have no photo's of him or the other family members who died in the service of our country. But his memory is lovingly kept in the memory of his descendants through the love of a niece who he never met.

    Donna Weston




    208940

    WO1 Walter Charles Maidlow Royal Army Medical Corps.

    Sergeant Major Walter Charles Maidlow RAMC, was treated for Chronic Bronchitis at the 2nd Eastern General Hospital in Brighton. Exact date is not known but he was serving as a WO1 RAMC in the 2nd London General Chelsea in December 1916 when he contracted the disease. He was discharged from the Army on 31st March 1919. He had served with the RAMC in India between 1914 and 1916, also serving on three Hospital Ships. The Dunvegan, The Varsova and finally the H.S. Neuralia. I am still writing Walter’s story.

    Ivor Williams




    208929

    Sgt. Ernest Larwood MM. 25th Batallion Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.8th Sept 1918)

    Ernest Larwood was born in Yarmouth Norfolk 1898 but the family moved to London. He originally enlisted in Middlesex Regiment S/16102 and won the Military Medal.

    Martyn Rundle




    208927

    Cpl. Albert George Jones Wellington Mounted Rifles

    I don't know much about my Great Grandfather, Albert Jones other than he was gassed and never recovered. He did meet his wife as a result as she was one of his nurses.

    Lawrence Finn




    208925

    Pte. Peter Flemming Cleary Highland Light Infantry Gordon Highlanders

    Grandpa Peter Cleary would seldom talk about the war. But when he did, he would break into tears and hang his head. I could see the pain of WWI, and his time in the trenches, had taken their toll on his soul. Peter was wounded at the Battle of Loos on Sept. 25th, 1915. He would sometimes speak of the hand to hand fighting and the great loss of life at that location. He served through all of WWI and finally immigrating to the U.S. in October of 1920, settling in Seattle, Washington. I have his medals "Mike, Pip, and Squeak" and I proudly display them in his memory. He was very proud to have been a Scottish Highland Soldier with the Gordon Highlanders and later with the Highland Light Infantry. Peter F. Cleary died in Seattle, Washington in 1967.

    From a proud grandson! "A Gordon for Me"!

    James R. Barbour




    208921

    Sgt. James Orrison McCullam 105 Field Signal Battalion

    This is my father's story

    I had a long & varied military career. I enlisted in Danville, Ill. 14Sept 1907. Sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri for training; then to Troop C First US Cavalry at Fort Clark, Texas. Then sent to San Francisco, CA, Manilla, Philipine Islands via Honolulu & Guam; then Nagasaki, Japan after which arrived back in US in 14 Jan 1910 & was discharged. I reenlisted with 3rd Cavalry at Fort Apache, Arizona, sailed to & stationed at the Batangas,PI till 31 Dec 1911. Then sent to & stationed at Jolo Jolo,PI throughout hostile action of Moros at Siet Lake & Tin Can Camp & Mt. Bagsak during 1912 & 1913. Left Jolo Jolo and was transferred twice-station Camp Stotsenberg, July 1913, Nagasaki, Japan, August, 1913…back to United States & was discharged in September 1913. I then enlisted in Navy at Galveston, Texas, 25 September 1913 trained in Virginia & assigned to USS Delaware; made European & West Indian cruise, then Back to U.S. to finish my Enlistment. I was discharged from Navy in Port Jefferson, Long Island, New York.

    I re-enlisted in the Army for the duration of the Great War and was sent to Camp Jackson, South Carolina and assigned to 313 Field Signal Battalion. Then I was sent overseas to England, via British Transport H.M.S. Kyber. We landed in Liverpool, then by train to Southampton where we boarded the H.M.S. Austerland to LaHarve, France. That was the first night I experienced air raids. After training I was transferred to the 105th Field Signal Battalion, 30th Division and sent to the Somme Front with the 4th British Army. We went through the Hindenburg Line at Bellicourt. Armistice found us at the Front.

    We then went to the American Embarkation area, we then left France from St. Nazaire heading for Charleston, South Carolina, USA. I was then sent to Camp Grant, Illinois for my discharge. (I did re-enlist again in the Navy and stayed on active duty until I retired after 30 years in the Military Service.) By: James Orrison McCullam

    Elizabeth Hicken




    208919

    Pte. James Thomas Downing MM. 24th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    My husband's Grandfather James Downing, joined up in 1914 with the Royal Fusiliers. He left a wife and baby son in Cornwall. He served with distinction throughout and was Mentioned in Dispatches (twice) and was awarded the Military Medal in 1917 when he saved the life of Major Christopher Stone, who went on to broadcast over the radio. Jimmy was gassed and was wounded and we believe he recuperated from his wounds somewhere in England. Presumably, he returned to England in 1919 and he died of lung cancer in 1970.

    Lynn Martin




    208917

    Pte. Samuel John Culverhouse Royal Army Service Corps (d.30th March 1919)

    Samuel John Culverhouse, born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire in 1879. Died in France, on 30th March 1919, of illness, having survived the war. His wife, Elizabeth, placed the following in the local newspaper: "We pictured him safe returning, we longed to grasp his hand But God has postponed our meeting, it will be in a better land. If we could have raised his dying head and heard his last farewell, the grief would not have been so hard, for those who loved him so well." Samuel is buried at Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension. His name can be found on the war memorial in The Peoples Park, Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

    C. Silcocks




    208908

    Pte. Percy Henry Hill 19th (Western) Battalion. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (d.1st Jan 1917)

    Born in Paddington, London 1st Feb 1884, my great uncle Percy Hill was one of the two born in this family who died in the First World War. A barber before the war and a great sense of humour he was sadly missed by my grandfather and his siblings. Percy was a crack shot so served as a Rifleman in the 19th (Western) Battalion. (Territorial) of Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own ( Formerly 3369, 3Rd City Of London (R.F Regt.) He was lost and was buried at sea on 1st Jan 1917.

    Susan Hill




    208907

    Pte. Samuel Cunningham 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.23rd July 1916)

    The Cunningham family were told by a mate of Samuel's that he died by a bullet in the back of the head. I think that he was only trying to spare Sam's mother the horrific truth about how he died. The circumstances surrounding Sam's enlistment into the army were tragic in themselves. He was one of 9 children, 4 daughters and five sons. Legend has it that his father Tom had no time for him, and was known to go into drunken rages and beat his wife and possibly sons. Sam must have lied about his age to get into the army, enlisting when he was only 15.

    The saddest thing about Sam's death is that for 90 years, no one in the family ever enquired about or visited his memorial, until in April 2006, something compelled me to start searching for him, and I found him, thanks to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. He was killed in action, aged 17 years, his body never found. His memorial is on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 3C. I also found an article about his memorial online, in the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald from 1916, with a photograph of him in uniform.

    Lynne




    208902

    Pte. John Ernest Hufton 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusliers (d.29th Oct 1918 )

    My Great Grandfather, Private John Ernest Hufton 16997, was captured by the Germans on Saturday 8th May 1915. He was with 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers. It is easy to understand that he was captured during the defence of the lines at the Battle of Frezenberg. Documentation kept by my Great Grandmother Florence Hufton, show that he was taken POW, and that he subequently was marched or tranferred to the POW camp at Soltau, near Hamlen in Germany.

    Post cards, letters, photgraphs and official documents from the Army show that he was in fine health albeit bruised and having a black eye from the recent battle. He is shown with fellow captives and a few other photos show German guards with fixed bayonets. He was eventually set to work in a local sugar factory. Later photographs show him in poor health, and just less than two weeks prior to Armitice he died on 29th October 1918. He is buried at Neiderzwehren War cemetary near Kassel, Germany.

    I paid homage and visited my great-grand father's war grave in September 2008 with my mother (who is his grand daughter) and my step father.

    Alan Bell




    208899

    Pte. George William "Bernard " Marshall 1/2 East Lancs Field Amb. Royal Army Medical Corps

    My grandfather George Marshall went to Egypt with 42 Div on the 10th of September 1914. Battling the Turks on the Suez and then Gallipoli where he was wounded in Third Battle of Krithia on 4 June,1915. He was evacuated to Imtarfa hosital, Malta for 3 months and returned to Egypt to advance in Sinai to El Arise battling the retreating Turks under the command of German officers (as at Gallipoli). He landed at Marseilles in March 1917 and remained with Division until end of war at Hautmont and demobilised March 1920. His brother Thomas served with the 3/1 East Lancs Field ambulance

    When I knew him, George had an amazing smile, chuckle and young blue eyes, he hardly ever mentioned the war.

    Bernard Marshall




    208898

    Pte. Sinclair McIntyre 9th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.29th June 1917)

    Sinclair McIntyre was a first cousin of my great-grandmother. He was one of 9 children of John McIntyre and Eliza Ann Macdonald. I have a photo of the children, but do not know which one is which. He served with the 2/6th & 9th Battalions of the Gordon Highlanders and was killed on the 29th June 1917.

    I am writing a book on my Hamilton and McWilliam ancestors. His father's branch remained in Scotland, but all the other siblings emigrated to Canada in the 1850s.

    Nancy Conn




    208890

    Cpl. Walter John Winters Army Service Corps (Remounts)

    My grandfather, Walter Winters signed up to the Army Service Corps (Remounts) on the 19th November 1916 at Budbrook Barracks, Warwick. The Approving Officer on his Army sign up form is the Colonel (looks like Carter), Commandant Remount Depot, Shirehampton.

    He was transferred to the 6th Batt. Worcester Regt on the 17th August 1917. His records show he was in Belgaum on the 7th October 1917. He disembarked in Bombay on the 26th October 1917 and was again in Belgaum from the 8th April to 18th April 1918 with Impetigo. They also show he disembarked in Basra on the 3rd November 1918. On the 2nd July 1919 he was in Baku. He did not speak to us about his time in the Army.

    Anthony Winters




    208886

    Alf Marston Leicestershire Regiment (d.8th July 1916)

    A photo of Alf's grave is on display in Blackfordby, St.Margarets Church, where Alf's name is on the war memorial. His name is also on the grave in the church yard that contains his brother Charlie as well as Mother, Florence. The photo is a copy I had made from Peter Marston's (Joe marston's son) original that he took whilst in France with the scouts in 1959.I found some photocopied details from a Leics war diary extract that declared Alf had enlisted at Loughborough.

    Alf's brother Charlie Marston, also served in the Leics Regiment and survived the Great War, although having been gassed and then worked down the pit he died in 1973. He was my Grandfather. I remember him showing me a damaged large dessert spoon and how it had been dented from deflecting a German bullet whilst tucked in his putees (gaiters).

    Andrew Smith




    208880

    L/Cpl. Harry Mee 15th Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment (d.11th Nov 1917)

    Harry Mee was born in Walsall, West Midlands in 1889, the son of Mary Ann & John Mee. Before the War he was a coal miner. He enlisted at Clay Cross on 23rd October 1914 and joined the 1/6th Battalion - Chatsworth Rifles and soon arrived in France. In June 1916 Harry was transferred to the 15th Battalion of the Notts & Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters). Then in July 1916 Harry was sent to the 2nd Western Hospital in Manchester to recover from a bullet wound to his left shoulder. His parents had separated by this time and his Mother had married a John Davies and was living in Audenshaw, so I expect she took the chance to see her son.

    On the 27th July 1917 Harry married Alice Theodorsen at Luton Church of the Saviour, then went straight back to the Front in France. How he met Alice is not known. Alice became pregnant with her first child, a child that Harry would never see as unfortunately he was killed in action on the 11th November 1917 and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was 27.

    Cheryl Thomas




    208874

    A/Sgt Albert Victor Causer 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

    My grandfather, Albert Causer enlisted at Fort George into the Seaforth Highlanders on the 28th of April 1915 and was demobed on the 14th of August 1919. He was posted to the 10th Battalion appointed paid Lance Corporal, then posted to the 1st Battalion, promoted Corporal, appointed acting Sergeant. He served in Mesopotamia, India, Palestine and Syria between Febuary 1916 and July/August 1919.

    Simon Gillies




    208871

    Pte. John Fenn 10th/11th Highland Light Infantry

    My Great-Grandfather Pte John Fenn served with the 10/11th H.L.I 33964. I know nothing really about him. From his medal record he seems to have served from 1914-1920. I have a postcard type photo with his name, number and regiment are written in pencil on the back. Written next to it is the name G Waugh 33977 - which I assume is someone he knew?

    Lucy




    208870

    L/Cpl. William Clark 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusilliers (d.27th Sep 1915)

    My great grandfather was Lance Corporal William Clark - he was a Hewer by trade but joined up and was sent to France in 1915. From what I can find out he arrived on 25 September 1915, the Battle of Loos started on 26 September and he was killed on 27 September, one of the many men who lost their lives in that awful Battle. I have found his Commonwealth War Grave which I hope to visit this year but am still looking for more information on him.

    Sue Vale




    208865

    Pte. Arthur Moore 13th Btn. East Yorkshire

    My grandfather, Arthur Moore served on the Somme during WW1. The night before the battalion was due to go over the top a mortar round exploded near him whilst he was asleep. His friends tried to wake him up the next morning but he was unconcious due to a lack of blood from 13 shrapnel wounds. He was sent back to the field hospital whilst the rest of the batallion went over the top.

    After the attack the nominal rolls were called and he did not answer (no one knew he had been wounded prior to the attack) and as a result he was posted as missing presumed dead and my grandmother was notified acordingly by letter.

    He recovered from his wounds and rejoined the batallion. However, his name appears on the Roll of Honour in Beverly Minster, but with no regimental number. He survived the war and lived until 1963.

    Stephen Moore




    208864

    Bugler H Mason

    This is an entry in a nurse's autograph book which I came across lately. It is dated 23rd November 1915 in East Leeds Military Hospital

    Henry Wright




    208860

    Pte. J. Williams North Staffordshire Regiment

    I have the 1914-15 Star awarded to Pte. Williams of the N. Staff. R. I recently found the medal at an Estate Sale, I would like to find it's rightful owner.

    Ted




    208846

    Gnr. Hubert Oscar Burton 174 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Hubert Burton is my great grandfather, unfortunately his army records have not survived but I have traced his army career through his unit's war diary at The National Archives. I found his army number through the 1918 Absent Voters List in my local Library.

    June




    208834

    Rfm. Felix John Brinn 16th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Apr 1918)

    Felix Brinn is the brother of my great-granny, who died aged 21 near Ypres in 1918. He had married Gladys Allen the year before in Barnet. His body was never found and his name is on the Tyne Cot memorial.

    In 2002 I went on a school trip to Belgium to visit the war graves. Those rows of graves and names on walls really illustrated the huge numbers of people killed and showed us the real lives that had been affected. Our bus driver played the bagpipes whilst our teacher read out the names of our ancestors that had been killed in the war. It was very moving and everyone was crying by the end, because although we were only 14, we had respect for these people who had to cope with unimaginable horrors and we were and still are grateful for the lives we live today.

    Sophie Hawkridge




    208833

    Gnr. George Noble Oliver Forster Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandfather, George Noble Oliver Forster, was born in 1883. In Sept 1914, age 31 he was posted to France & served with the 12th Division Royal Field Artillery & Royal Horse Artillery for the duration of the war. Previously he had served in the Tynemouth Garrison Artillery (Volunteer) where he trained as a Gunner. Luckily he did not sustain any major injury & returned to his work as an Iron Founder.

    In 1920 he married his fiance Ellen Maud Stone. In 1928 George was selected to form one of the Guard of Honour of Ex-Servicemen, to line the New Tyne Bridge at its official opening by King George & Queen Mary on Wednesday 10th October. A badge was issued to each member & a charge of 1d was made. A band was present to play all the old war tunes & the ex-servicemen were requested "to let their voices rip" - I still have the invitation letter & badge.

    Alison




    208830

    Pte. Charles Wilkinson 5th Btn Highland Light Infantry (d.30th Nov 1917)

    My great grandfather, Charles Wilkinson served with the 1st/5th battalion HLI during World War One. He saw action in Gallipoli, Romania, Gaza and was killed in action in Egypt on 30/11/1917 at the age of 29.

    I have his 'dead man's penny" mounted in a frame along with a silk embroidery bearing the HLI coat of arms, the places he served and a simple message... "to dear wife from Charles". He is remembered at the Ramleh War Cemetry near Tel Aviv, Isreal.

    John Wilkinson




    208829

    Cpl. James C McLoughlin 103rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    James McLoughlin enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery in November 1915 at Dover. He was sent to France with 103rd Siege Battery on 29 May 1916. 103rd Siege Battery was armed with two 12-inch railway mounted howitzers and served at Gommecourt during the Battle of the Somme. He remained with this battery for the remainder of the war and was wounded in March 1917 in the head and hand. He served in the Sudan and Cork after the war as a Sergeant.

    103rd Siege Battery was commanded by Major Kenneth Douglas Hutchison for most of the war. Other officers who served during the war with this battery at various times were

    • Captain John Carew Meredith,
    • Lt.Charles Edward Reed,
    • Lt Chadwick Nind Aytoun,
    • 2/Lt Walter George White,
    • 2/Lt Percy Tindell Maybury,
    • Major A Notley,
    • Capt. Francis Edward Rowland,
    • Capt. H. Bamford,
    • A/Capt. Edward Spalding,
    • T/Capt. Edward Granville Eliot,
    • 2/Lt. George Henry Edge,
    • 2/Lt L.J. Ginnett,
    • 2/Lt. James McIntosh Clark,
    • 2/Lt. WWL Halkier,
    • 2/Lt. Hugh Tristram Counsell,
    • 2/Lt. Charles Palmer Nethton,
    • 2/Lt/ D. Williams,
    • 2/Lt. Reginald White Gridley,
    • 2/Lt. Lowe.

    Gunners who served included:

    • 7769 Thomas H. Rooke,
    • 8693 James William Carlisle,
    • 16905 Richard Hogan,
    • 18295 Ben Scott Redfern,
    • 24084 Thomas Plowman,
    • 28872 William Charles Bartholomew,
    • 29896 William Henry Snook,
    • 30862 Arthur Holt,
    • 42878 William Page,
    • 43138 Edwin Beaumont Faulkner,
    • 46971 Arthur Merris Clatworthy,
    • 47962 Wiliam J. Fogarty,
    • 48152 Alfred J. Godfrey,
    • 52057 Frank H. Bracey,
    • 53558 Herbert Ripley,
    • 57680 Arthur William C. Tyrer,
    • 57681 Ernest Sheppard,
    • 57682 Archibald L. Culliford,
    • 57715 Thomas Ainscough,
    • 57771 Charles H. Castro,
    • 57786 Thomas W. Barrett,
    • 57794 Henry Neal,
    • 57809 William Maddams,
    • 57820 Maurice Drummond Stirling,
    • 57823 Thomas Shuttleworth,
    • 57836 Ralph O. Beard,
    • 57847 David H. Gilbert,
    • 57851 James Whitfield,
    • 57855 William Hill,
    • 57865 Cecil E. Jory,
    • 60540 William E Pellow,
    • 62443 James E. Sale,
    • 62499 Charles Henry Butler,
    • 64050 Joseph Smith,
    • 64073 Arthur Henry Dicken,
    • 64107 George Mitchell Sutcliffe,
    • 64168 Frank L. Chimes,
    • 54232 Frank M. Stephens,
    • 64280 George A. Fryer,
    • 64404 Wilfred S. White,
    • 64506 Malcolm Turner,
    • 64549 Frank Ogden,
    • 64666 Harry W. Ellis,
    • 64667 Charles Tompkins,
    • 64668 Henry Toogood,
    • 64680 Henry Jones,
    • 64694 Reginald C. Watsham,
    • 64701 Ernest Burgess,
    • 65486 Isaac Bell Armstrong,
    • 65901 Daniel Mills Fry,
    • 66074 Arthur Pickup,
    • 66334 James Henry Smith,
    • 66371 Henry B. Turner,
    • 66386 William Christopher Singleton,
    • 66608 John Strickland,
    • 66822 George Edward Deighton,
    • 67125 William George Castle,
    • 67353 Percival Joseph Bowyer,
    • 67960 Thomas Stanley Green,
    • 68151 Stanley B. Wills,
    • 70523 Frank Thomas May,
    • 70589 Arthur Moore,
    • 70828 James Walker Parker,
    • 72451 Arthur Rayner Brown.

    Mark McLoughlin




    208818

    Pte. Francis Coan 2nd Btn. Border Regiment

    My grandfather, Francis Coan fought in the First World War and lost his arm.

    Barbara Johnston




    208813

    Pte. Thomas Hughes 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Sep 1914)

    The story begins in 1914 when the First World War was only a few hours old. 26 year old Private Thomas Hughes from Stockton-on-Tees was one of the first people to be called up to the war and on hearing the news sent a postcard to his wife and 2 year old daughter sending explaining where he was going and sending his love. This was the last time they heard from him - or so they thought!

    Not only was Private Hughes one of the first people to go to war, he was also one of the first to die. His body was never recovered. On the 9th September 1914, two days before he died, he wrote a letter to his wife and put it into a green ginger beer bottle. He also wrote a letter to whoever was to find the bottle asking that they forward the message to his wife and “earn the blessing of a poor British soldier on his way to the front.” He then screwed on a rubber stopper and tossed the messages in the bottle into the English Cannel as he left to fight in France.

    It was 85 years later that a fisherman from Canvey Island, Steven Gowan, was trawling for cod of the Essex coast when he dredged up the bottle - still in near perfect condition. “Someone else may have just thrown it back into the sea or taken it home and done nothing about it,” says Steven “but I became determined to deliver the letter. Even though I assumed that Mrs Hughes must have passed away, I felt a great personal responsibility to get the letter to any family he may have had.”

    Mr Gowan began his search by placing an advert in a newspaper local to where Private Hughes was from and by amazing co-incidence, his plea was spotted by a distant relative of Mrs Hughes. She had emigrated to New Zealand eight years after her husband’s death with their daughter Emily. Mr Gowan was flown out to meet her by a New Zealand newspaper and personally delivered the bottle and the message that was meant for her mother all those years ago. Emily said it was a great source of joy and comfort to her.

    The letter, written in blue ink, reads: "Dear Wife, I am writing this note on this boat and dropping it into the sea just to see if it will reach you. If it does, sign this envelope on the right hand bottom corner where it says receipt. Put the date and hour of receipt and your name where it says signature and look after it well. "Ta ta sweet, for the present. Your Hubby."

    The covering note says: "Sir or madam, youth or maid, Would you kindly forward the enclosed letter and earn the blessing of a poor British soldier on his way to the front this ninth day of September, 1914. Signed Private T. Hughes, Second Durham Light Infantry. Third Army Corp Expeditionary Force." Local News Report





    208807

    Pfc. Edgar James Eadon 56th Infantry Regiment

    My Grandfather Edgar Eadon enlisted in the US Army on 25 Jun 1918 and served in France from 3 Aug 1918 through 27 Jun 1919 with the 7th Infantry Division, 56th Infantry Regiment. His battles listed on his discharge were Premy Ridge, Occupation Privenelle Sector, West of Moselle, and Second Army Offensive.

    He died when my father was young so I never knew him. My Grandfather's civilian job was a telephone operator when he enlisted by became an accountant after the war. It is interesting he is listed as being 5'7" tall yet my father was 6'2". My father remembered my grandfather as very anti-military and had said he would kill my father before he would let him in the Army! This is ironic as my father later served in the US Army in World War II and I served in the US Air Force in the Vietnam War. I think my grandfather's ill will towards the Army stems from the Second Army Offensive, which took place right before the Armistice. I believe many of his friends were killed taking German positions that were to be given up a few hours later by the Germans when then Armistice took place. The Generals were after Glory because there was no other logical reason for that attack.

    Paul Eadon




    208806

    Rfm. J. Fry Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.12th Nov 1918)

    Rifleman Fry from 152 Eldon Street, South Shields died the day after the Armistice, he was 19 years old. He had been posted to the 1/13th Kensington Battalion, London Regiment and now lies in Cambrai East Military Cemetery.

    W. Fry




    208804

    Pte. Thomas Cain 1/8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.9th Oct 1916)

    Thomas Cain was killed in action on the 9th of October 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and at the Lych Gate at Paston Church, Peterborough. He was the son of James and Florence Cain of 400 Gladstone Street in Peterbrough and was married to Rose.





    208798

    Pte. James Fay 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.12th Aug 1915)

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    James Fay was born 3rd April 1877, at Kilcairn, Johnstown, Navan, Co. Meath, to Patrick and Mary (nee Kelly) Fay. James grew up to work as a agricultural labourer on the family's small holding. The family story goes that James's father died at an early age, leaving the boys to help their mother to work on the small holding. Leaving his two brothers and mother with the farm, James joined the British Army in the early 1890's. According to records James joined the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) at Navan, Co. Meath, becoming 6232 Pte James Fay, serving with the regiment's 1st battalion (attached 3rd) serving in the Boer War 1899-1902, receiving the Queen's South Africa service medal with the three state clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal and Cape Colony. James served with the colours until around 1909, returning to Ireland as a reservist, he worked again on the small holding.

    When war came to Europe in 1914, James, as a reservist, returned to the Colours of his old regiment, reporting for duty at Cork within 48 hours of war being declared.This time 6032 Pte James Fay found himself travelling to England and then to France with the 2nd Battalion Leinsters landing at St Nazaire, September 1914. James was wounded during the Leinsters' baptism of fire in Europe, at Premesques 20th October 1914. He was transported back to England spending time at a hospital in Bristol recovering from his wounds.

    Returning to his regiment James found himself at Hooge, on the Menin Road just outside the famous town of Ypres, where the Leinsters met a terrible bombardment from the German artillery, where on 12 August 1915 he was killed along with 9 of his comrades. An account of his death can be found on page 68 of the book 'Stand To' A Diary of the Trenches, by Capt F C Hitchcock. James's family received the 'Death Plaque' and his medals, the 1914 Star with clasp, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. James has no known grave but is remembered with honour on Panel 44 of the Menin Gate, Ypres.

    As his great nephew, I was intrigued by this man, an Irishman who fought with the British Army, as I was born in England. I researched him as best as I could, sadly most of his records were destroyed in the bombing of the Second World War. During my research it was soon very apparent that due to his regiment being disbanded in 1922, that his memory, and the memory of his beloved regiment were passing into history and that there was no official body or organisation looking after their interests. So I set about reforming the Regimental Association for the Leinster Regiment, reforming 15 February 2003. I am now pleased to say that the Association is now thriving with many family members joining, and by joining they are bringing back the memory of the men who served.

    David Ball




    208797

    Capt. John Harold Pritchard 2nd Battalion Honourable Artillery Company (d.15th May 1917)

    Captain John Harold Pritchard enlisted in the HAC in 1909 and was sent to France at the outbreak of war in 1914. He started in the 1st Battalion and after a second injury was invalided home in March 1915. When he returned he was Captain of the 2nd Battalion and ended up at Bullecourt, near Arras, fighting on the Hindenburg Line. On May 15th 1917 he lead his men one more time and was killed along with many of his comrades.

    As a young boy he had attended St Paul's Cathedral School and sang as a chorister at the cathedral, along with his two brothers. The Cathedral has plaques to the choristers who died serving their country and each one is named. In the Minor Canon's Aisle you will find Captain Pritchard commemorated.

    The story had ended there for our family, until January 2012 when I was searching the internet for information on my family tree. JHP as he has come to be known, was my Great Uncle - my nan's brother. When I entered his name I came across the excellent Great War Forum where they were discussing how to find relatives of Captain Pritchard. I looked at the date - they were discussing it in 2010 and it turns out his body had been discovered, in the field where he had fallen, as long ago as 2009. The MoD had been looking for family ever since. They had put a new notice on the War Graves Commission website only last November, so I emailed the address given and went to bed!

    The next day my phone was red hot with relieved officials and now we can begin the process of burying this man with military honours in France. He will be re-buried with his family present to give thanks for his bravery and sacrifice. It is a long haul and we are only at the beginning. My wider family is thrilled, particularly my father's brother who, like my late father, is the nephew of this Captain. We continue to find out more about his life.

    He was an Officer of WW1 who may yet become a symbol for others to keep searching and never give up hope. Although it is increasingly less likely to be able to identify bodies now, JHP had his metal tag on and I believe a pistol. It turned out to be harder to identify his present family! Music has come down through the generations - I and another cousin are professional singers and we plan a concert in Bullecourt this summer (2012) to celebrate his life and the many others he knew. It turns out that his sword went to America and the man who owns it now has been in touch and sent photos for us.

    I think you may get to hear of this story over time, but one thing is for sure, it was just by chance that I entered the name of a fallen hero and now our generation will have the responsibility of laying him in his final resting place. We are the lucky ones who will also have a grave to visit. Thank you John Harold and may you finally rest in peace.

    Janet Shell




    208793

    Samuel Schofield Cheshire Regiment

    Sam Schofield was born 15th Aug 1870 at 25 Back Water Street, Portwood, Stockport & died Oct 1924. He married Mary Nellis at St Joseph's, Stockport on 24 Sept 1894. They had 5 Children. Marion, Elizabeth, Samuel, Frank, & my mum Mary Josephine. Who was known as Josie. At one time he was the landlord of The Portwood Liberal Club in Stockport.

    I think he was a Sgt Major in the Cheshire Regiment and played the cornet in the Army. I'm not sure if it was the 6th or 22nd regiment. I would welcome any comments or futher info regarding Sam.

    Joan Arnold




    208787

    Alfred Bryant Royal Field Artillery

    This picture is believed to be of a gunner Alfred Bryant at the time possibly at residing at 23 Southey Street, Ashley Vale, Bristol ...

    I know it's a long shot but does anyone recognise him? any information greatly appreciated.

    Dorian Gray




    208772

    Edward Gaydon Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My great grandfather, Edward Gaydon, served with the KRRC. I think he also served in the Finsbury Rifles during the Great War.

    Mark Harmon




    208769

    Pte. Harry Dowson MM. 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Harry Dowson was born in the first quarter of 1888 in Thirsk and was an agricultural labourer in pre-war life. Like his brothers, Fred and Walter, Harry joined up at the start of WWI. However, unlike Herbert (killed in action) and Walter, who was captured in action, became a POW and was discharged in 1919 with no recorded disciplinary offences, Harry seems to have committed a number of transgressions, only one of which seemed to lead to serious punishment. But he also won the Military Medal, gazetted 19/11/1917, presumably as a result of the action that saw him wounded by shrapnel in the shoulder. Harry joined the York & Lancaster Regiment at York on 2 September 1914, less than a month into the War, aged 24 years and 9 months, recorded as a farm labourer living away from his father's home. Height 5ft 8in, weight 139lbs, chest 36 ins, fresh complexion, grey eyes, auburn hair. His Reg No was 11994.
    • 09/09/14 posted to West Yorkshire Regiment
    • 22/09/14 Grantham: offence of losing his rifle(!) 3 days confined to barracks
    • 25/10/14 Grantham: neglect of duty when company cook - 3 days confined to barracks
    • 27/10/14 Grantham: unshaved on parade - 3 days confined to barracks
    • 31/10/14 Grantham: absent from defaulters parade and reveille: 7 days confined to barracks
    • 21/11/14 Grantham: not shaved on parade - 3 days confined to barracks
    • 17/01/15 Grantham: Absent from midnight until 8pm 18/01/15
    • 18/01/15 forfeits 7 days pay and 7 days confined to barracks
    • 07/05/15 Witley Camp: Absent from night operations; deprived of 2 days pay and 8 days confined to barracks
    • 28/05/15 Witley Camp: absent from tattoo until 7am - 3 days confined to barracks
    • 02/07/15 Embarked Liverpool for Alexandria (9th Battalion West Yorkshire Rgt)
    • 07/02/16 Disembarked Alexandria
    • 01/04/16 awarded 2 days loss of pay and 10 days field punishment number 2 (which involved being shackled but not tied up to any particular object) for being absent from 12.30 30/03/16 to 10.30 31/03/16
    • 25/06/16 embarked Alexandria
    • 02/07/16 disembarked Marseilles
    • 19/10/16 granted leave to 29/10/16
    • 10/09/17 granted leave to 20/09/17
    • October 1917 Wounded in action in France - date unclear - shrapnel left shoulder - fractured clavicle
    • 10/10/17 1st Canadian General Hospital, Etaples
    • 17/10/17 to England and hospital
    • 19/11/17 Award of Military Medal announced
    • 06/12/17 discharged from hospital
    • 12/12/17 Posted to Yorks and Lancs Regiment
    In 1918 he rejoined his original Regiment, the Yorks and Lancs.
    • On 06/11/18 only a few days before the Armistice he was posted to the Expeditionary Force for France or Italy
    • 11/11/18 (Armistice Day) Harry was proceeding to join the Italian Expeditionary Force and did apparently serve there, even though the war was over.
    • 10/03/19 Posted to Ripon
    • 10/04/19 Posted at York to Army Reserve Class Z on demobilisation.
    In addition to the Military Medal, he was also awarded the 1915 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal ("Pip, Squeak and Wilfred"). He married in 1922 but there do not seem to have been any children to the marriage.

    Keith Stapylton




    208765

    Pte. Maurice Duggan 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    Private Maurice Duggan Service No. 11252 of the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, 47th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division was born in Kill, Co. Waterford to Thomas & Johanna Duggan. He lived in Bonmahon, Co. Waterford and when he enlisted to fight in the Great War in Waterford City he was still single. According to official records, Maurice Duggan was 19 years of age when he died of wounds on the 7th June 1917 at the start of the Battle of Messines. It is thought that he was about 17 years old when he enlisted. The 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment was formed at Clonmel on 6th September 1914 as part of the second 100,000 troops, generally known as "K2", required by Lord Kitchener. It was attached to the 47th Brigade and to the 16th (Irish) Division. In order to bring it up to its Battalion strength of 1000, it was joined in March 1915 by a company (250) of the Guernsey Militia.It was based at Fermoy until September 1915 from where it was moved to Aldershot in Hampshire.The Battalion was then mobilised and arrived in Le Havre, France in December 1915.

    During the Battle of the Somme (July - November 1916) the Battalion gained the reputation of being a formidable fighting unit. It saw action near Guillemont on 3rd September 1916 at which stage it was "in good order, with pipes playing". 311 casualties occurred in one day of fighting and it was then moved to Carnoy to rest. On 9th September of the same year the Battalion, along with the 8th Royal Munster Battalion, made a frontal attack on trenches near Ginchy. The enemy, however, were well prepared with machine guns on the parapets, the wire virtually uncut by the British bombardment. The Brigade was relieved at dawn on 11th September and entrained to Bailleul on 21st September 1916. It is thought that Maurice was wounded in one of the above two engagements. It would appear that the Battalion then stayed in the area between St. Omer, Ypres and Lille (7th June - 10th November 1917); and during the build-up period to the Battle of Messines it actually camped at Mètèren.

    The 16th Division, along with 11 other Infantry Divisions was involved in the Battle for the Messines Ridge. This action was meticulously planned by General Sir Herbert Plummer. Prior to the start of the actual assault, the Allied Artillery undertook a 17-day bombardment. In the meantime, tunnels were dug and charges placed under the Germans' positions. At 3.10 am on 7th June 1916 the mines were detonated, literally blowing the Germans off the ridge.

    It is thought that Maurice was wounded on 6th June, during the exchange of artillery fire along Wytschaete Ridge, as it was on this part of the Messines Ridge that the 16th Division was deployed. He would have been moved back to a Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul with the intention of moving him on to a Base Hospital in St. Omer. Unfortunately, before he could be moved to St. Omer, he died and is buried in the Civil cemetery at Bailleul. The Military section is an extension of the Civil Cemetery. In this relatively quiet part of the battlefield, Maurice would have received a burial with Full Military Honours and, being from an Irish Regiment, would have had a lament played by a piper - probably "Flowers of the Forest" or "40 Shades of Green". Maurice is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension

    V Howard




    208763

    Pte Alfred John Mirfield 5th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    Alfred John Mirfield was my great grandfather. I was told by my father that Alfred was gassed at Ypres in Flanders and would gasp for air at times. He also said he was at the Battle of Somme and he remembered the horses that were casualties and that they would expand to enormous sizes. He also said that at one point Alfred was very sick and his fellow soldiers had left him in a barn with some food and water because he could not continue. After about 2 weeks he found his unit and was eventually discharged 20-10-1918.

    Robert Mirfield




    208759

    Sgt. acting WO Frederick William Battman 1st. Battalion The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

    Timeline

    14th October 1908, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. were posted to Milton Barracks.

    13th November 1908, Grandad joined the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Milton Barracks, Gravesend, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. Grandad did not do his initial 6 months training in Bodmin as was practice but did them in Gravesend.

    2nd April 1911, Grandad 1911 census Milton Barracks, Gravesend, Private Frederick William Battman, 1st. Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

    4th September 1911, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. were posted to Tidworth

    1913, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. were posted to the Curragh in Ireland.

    7-13th August 1914, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. mobilised. Days filled with route marching, drilling, getting ready for France.

    13th August 1914, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I. as part of the 14th Brigade and 5th Division travelled to Dublin and embarked on SS Lanfranc for an unknown destination (Havre).

    14th August 1914, Grandad was a Corporal in the ‘Peace Detail’, the rear party left behind at the Curragh when the Battalion entrained for Dublin, and thence to France on the following day. A rear party were sent to the camp at the Curragh to pack up regimental property

    17th August 1914, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I Arrived France Part of II Corps (Haig).

    12th December 1914, Grandad landed in France as reinforcements.

    Mid-1915, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I went south to the Somme, and took over the line at Carnoy before moving to Arras

    915, Battle Honours : Ypres, Le Cateau; Gravenstafel; St Julien; Frezenberg; Bellewaarde; Hooge

    1916, Battle Honours : Somme, Mount Sorrel; Delville Wood; Guillemont; Flers-Courcelette; Morval; Le Transloy; Ancre

    July 1916, 1st Bn. D.C.L.I returned for the Battle of the Somme, heavily engaged at High Wood, Guillemont and Morval, and by September 1916 had suffered over 11,000 casualties.

    1916, invalided home after suffering a gas attack in the Somme Transferred to 3rd Bn. D.C.L.I. Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater, Isle of White

    August 29th 1916, Grandad married Violet Gertrude Drew, Stationed at Golden Hill Camp, Freshwater, Isle of White, Sergeant, 3rd Bn. D.C.L.I.

    1917, Stationed at Freshwater on the Isle of Wight. The Battalion were stationed in the Isle of Wight until March 1918.

    22nd April 1918, Dorothy Ethel Battman was born to Granddad and Violet. Grandad's occupation of birth certificate: Sergeant, 3rd Bn. D.C.L.I. living at 13 Trelawney Road, Falmouth, which appears to be Violets parent’s home.

    1918, Grandad promoted to Acting Warrant Officer Class 2 Grandad awarded the Victory, British & 14-15 Star Medal

    30th August 1919 or 1920, 3rd Bn. D.C.L.I. moved from Freshwater to Ballyshannon where it absorbed the last remnants of the 1st Battalion. The composite body of the 1st and 3rd Battalions became the new 1st Battalion. It moved to Ballykinlar where it remained, mostly engaged in internal security duties in Belfast, until February 1922 when it again moved, this time to Dublin where the pre-Irish Independence rebellion was in full swing. I do not believe Grandad was in Ireland.

    August 1920. Grandad's original regimental number was 9188 which was changed to 5429151 when army numbers were substituted for regimental numbers.

    4th November 1920, Discharged from Reserve, Hernia L & R, Rank Sergeant acting Warrant Officer Class II

    2nd June 1919 or 12 January 1921, Joined the metropolitan police

    Helen Denise Thomas




    208732

    Pte. Robert Stack Army Service Corps

    My Great Grandfather, Robert Stack, died in WW1 and was buried in Calais according to the War Graves Commission. He originally applied to join the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in January 1915 but was medically discharged as unfit. My question is, how is it that he was too old and medically unfit for the RWF but died whilst being in the ASC and obviously was accepted by them?

    Editor's Note: The level of fitness required to join the ASC, which was a support unit, was lower than that required for the RWF which was a front line fighting unit.

    Vicki Russell




    208717

    Pte Thomas Charles Brooks 8th Bn. D Coy. Rifle Brigade (d.25th Jan 1916)

    Thomas was killed in action in the Western European Theatre of War at France & Flanders in January 1916. He was a member of The Prince Consorts Rifle Brigade (8th Btn Rifle Brigade).

    Prior to this he had also been involved in the Seige of Ladysmith. We have a letter sent to his sister at that time dated 8th March. He says he is just letting them know that he is safe and sound at that time, although they had a rough time of it at Ladysmith but that he is alright now since the column came in and relieved them on the 1st March. He says it was only a rumour that "Dundonald" had already relieved them. He says that he only received the letters from home sent in October and January on 7th March. He promises to save his "chocolate tin" when he receives it. He sends his love to his family and says to expect the same from him, signing off, your loving brother Tom.

    He is buried in plot I. B. 32A.at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery

    Carol Smith




    208689

    Pte. Harry Truswell Sherwood Forresters

    My grandfather, Harry Truswell, joined up on 3/1/1916, he lied about his age he was 16 not 18 as required. He served in France and Belgium.

    Mark Truswell




    208682

    Thomas Leonard Bowsher Royal Berkshire Regimenr

    <p>

    Thomas Leonard Bowsher (my grandad) was first drafted into the 4th Wiltshire Reserve Batallion in 1917. He was transferd just before they left for India into the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He was at Passchendale and was sent home due to shell shock. He was then sent to Ireland, I think, with the Royal Irish Rifles, until 1920.

    Anthony Silurian




    208671

    Sgt. Edward Francis Belcher East Surrey Regiment (d.31st Mar 1918)

    Edward Belcher was my Paternal Grandfather. His son, my Father, was 11 months old on 31 March 1918, when he died in the Military Hospital at Etaple sur Mer, France. He was a regular soldier who, I believe, enlisted in 1908. He is buried in the Military Cemetary at Etaple in France, in plot XXXIII,IIIB, which I managed to visit last year. His wife, Adeline, my grandmother, married again, and had 4 more children, the youngest of whom is still alive.

    My Father, who died in 2010, aged 93, spent three and a half years as a Japanese POW just outside Hiroshima. I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of my predecessors.

    Edward Belcher




    208666

    CSM.. Percy Shaw DCM. 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade

    My grandfather, Percy Shaw enlisted at Sandown, Isle of Wight on 2nd June 1894. He was initialy sent to Penninsular Barracks in Winchester and then, after training posted, funnily enough, to the 1st Battalion at Parkhurst Barracks on the Isle of Wight. After postings to Malta and Singapore his battalion was posted to South Africa. His battalion were involved in much fighting throughout the Boer war including the relef of Ladysmith (Mentioned In Despatches), Tugela Heights, Colenso and the battle of Monte Cristo. It was while defending a baggage train (F company-v-300 Boers)that he was wounded and put forward for the D.C.M. The medal being gazetted in 1900. He was wounded one more time before the battalion was sent back to U.K. in 1902. Then followed what appears to be the normal round of peactime postings one of which was Dublin.

    Then four million Germans came over the horizon!! Still with F compny, 1 Rifle Brigade he embarked for France. My mum, his second daughter, being born at Colchester Garrison 2 weeks after he left. The Battalion's actions during the War are a matter of record. During an action near Mons he rescued an officer who was wounded on a bridge and still under fire, a recomendation was made for a V.C. but the officer concerned died at the regimental aid post and the rules then were an officer must witness the deed or action. After being wounded twice more he was posted at the end of hostilities to the Labour Corps finally being repatriated to the U.K. from Le Havre in 1919 when he was reunited with the four and a half year old daughter he had never seen.

    He continued in the Army serving 25 yrs and 65 days. He then worked at the Army School of Equitation untill ill health forced him to retire in 1933. He died in Worthing in 1936. And as of this date 30 January 2012 the daughter he never saw untill she was nearly 5 is still alive and is 97.

    Gary Brocklebank




    208665

    Pte. Walter Mark Clark 12th (Service) (Bristol) Battalion Gloucestershire (d.23rd Aug 1918)

    Walter Clark died of wounds and is buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt.

    Martyn Rundle




    208662

    Sgt. Thomas Woodward Labour Corps

    I want my great uncle, Thomas Woodward, to be remembered because as a man with a crippled foot he could have used it as a very good excuse to avoid the war altogether, but he didn't. The Labour Corps was vital to the war effort and they were working for days in dangerous environments, going ahead of the troops, preparing the way. It could be a thankless and underrated task.

    Tom was born in 1887 in West Derby, Liverpool, but had Irish blood in his veins through his mother. He was, according to the 1911 census, a labourer in Bibby's Oil Cake Mills and lived in 42 Webb Street. He had four brothers and five sisters, 2 of those brothers died in two of the bloodiest battles of WW1; the Somme (Deville Wood - 1916) and Passchendaele (the 3rd Battle of Ypres - 1917).

    He joined up in 1914 at the age of 27 and survived through to the end. Tom went back to the family home in Liverpool, he never married and finally passed away in 1969 at the grand old age of 81 and a half. Unfortunately, we are unable to get any real intimate details of his army service, we only have a half burnt attestation.

    Brian G Woodward




    208660

    Pte. William Hirst West Yorkshire Regiment

    My grandfather, William Hirst was born in May 1893 in Dodworth near Barnsley. After leaving school he went to Silkstone Colliery to work as a miner. Coal miners were exempt from fighting in the First War but because we had lost so many men in conflict they looked for fit strong miners to join. William's name was put into a hat and, unfortunately, it was drawn out and that was that. He had no choice. He joined the Prince of Wales Infantry in 1916 and went for training near Hull. After some brief training William was sent to France.

    I have a cross that has scenes of Ypres in it. My grandfather, apparently like many, never spoke of his experiences to any of his eight sons. William went back to working in the coal mines after the war and retired at sixty five. He died at the age of eighty seven. I am very proud of my grandfather and I would really like to trace his regiment.

    Susan Basten




    208655

    Pte. Charles Pamphlett London Regiment

    Charles Pamphlett was my Grandfather. He fought on the Somme where he was wounded, he had his middle finger blown off and half his ring finger too. He never spoke about the war to my Father, all he would ever say was that he was one of the lucky ones.

    Steve Pamphlet




    208654

    2nd Lt. Richard William Mark Lockwood 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.14th Sep 1914)

    I have been researching names on the War Memorial in the Churchyard of St Mary and All Saints, Lambourne, Essex. 2nd Lt. Lockwood's name appears there, the only local casualty in 1914. He was commissioned into the 2nd Bn.Coldstream Guards, and was a son of Robert and Chinty Lockwood, of Havering Court, Romford, Essex, and is buried in Soupir Communal Cemetery, Aisne, France. He was probably hilled during the Battle of the Aisne in the opening encounters of the War.

    L E Higgs




    208645

    L/Cpl. Herbert Kirkby 2nd Battalion Rifles Brigade (d.31st Mar 1918)

    Herbert was mobilised in August 1914, aged 21 years, and was immediatly drafted to the Western Front, where he took part in the fighting at Mons. He also served through the Battles of Ypres, St. Eloi, Loos, the Somme and Cambrai, and was twice wounded. He fell in action in March 1918 during the Allied Retreat, and lies in Pozieres Cemetary with over 600 colleagues from the Rifles.

    He was entitled to the Mons Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals, and his relatives were in receipt of the King's Scroll. "Whilst we remember, the sacrifice is not in vain"

    John McLaverty




    208644

    CSM. David McMillan 43rd Battalion Queens Own Cameron Highlanders

    David McMillan was my greatuncle on my mother's side. He was born and raised in Dumfries, Scotland on 16/7/1887. He was one of five children two girls and three boys. All the males served during WW1 and all were wounded but survived. David immigrated to Canada in 1910 and was a bank clerk when he elnisted in the Canadian Militia the 43rd Battalion Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada and was promoted to Sgt very quickly. On 20/02/1916 he went to France. He was promoted to CSM after a few months and was wounded at the Battle of Ancre Heights near Courcelette on the Somme on 8th of October 1916. He wrote later of his experiences before, during and after his arrival in France. On the day he was wounded he said that his Battalion was chosen to attack a German trench they had nicknamed Regina. Zero hour was 4.45am. At that time they went over the top to horrendous fire, and found that the wire protecting the German trench was still intact. They were decimated, having gone into action with 800 men and the next day there were only 65 officers NCO's and men who had survived. My uncle says that they were up against 'Big Husky German Marines' and were slaughtered with rifle fire, bombs, grenades, and shells from the German rear. As he reached the German wire he realised that there were very few men left standing. He decided to make his way back to the jumping off trench to reform. As he was discussing this with a colleague, he felt the shock of a shell as it passed over his left shoulder, a large piece of shell casing embedded in is left arm and almost severed it. His colleague made a rough tourniquet of rope and tied it round his arm. He then attempted to make his way to dressing station but collapsed through lack of blood. As he lay waiting for death a runner from the Royal Canadian Regment passed him and stopped, picked him up and struggled with him to the medical station, then went on his way. My uncle never managed to identify this soldier, but he undoubtedly saved his life.

    David was eventually taken to England after having is arm amputated. He was sent ultimately to Kings Canadan Hospital Bushey Park meded and discharged back to Canada on 19/11/1917. He went on to become a bank manager A piece of shrapnel was taken from hs face 50 years later and died in 1975.

    I have put his experiences into a little booklet called 'Trench Tea and Sandbags' copies of which are in the Imperial War Museum, London, and the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa. It gives his first hand account of daily life with his Regiment from the day he landed till the day he was discharged and is a facinating insight into the daily life of a Canadian soldier in WW1.

    R. McAdam




    208632

    Lt. Victor Louis Bosker Haigh MC. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Lt. Victor Haigh is buried in Camden, NSW, Australia. His faded gravestone indicates he won an MC. The Supplement to the London Gazette 26th of July 1918 details his act of gallantry: "For Conspicuous Gallantry and devotion to duty. He kept close touch with the field batteries and placed his section in positions of extreme danger, in order to protect the batteries. On one occasion he stopped a panic, collecting stragglers and leading them to high ground, where they were most urgently needed. He had crashed one enemy aeroplane and has many times kept his guns firing until forced by heavy fire to withdraw."

    Camden has a special project going at the moment "Camden Remembers" and we would like further information about him.

    Janice Johnson




    208630

    T/Lt.Col. John G.B. Allardyce 106th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My great grand father, Kala Khan, and his two nephews Hadatulla Khan and Khan Ali Khan worked for the British Army. They were tailors for the British Army (Royal Artillery) Kala Khan (Tailor Master) did job in British Army for about 21 years. They performed his services in unit of 10 Battery R.A (1891 - 1898), 12 Battery R.F.A (1898 _ 1902) and 78 Battery R.F.A (1903 _ 1913)

    I have 2 documents Britsh army certificate handwriting & autograf of Sir John.G.B. Allardyce . One another document in my opinion is very important, he gifted wherein name of clothes were mentioned which he dressed himself The British Officer named in the certificate was Sir John. G.B. Allardyce.

    On the 2nd of Nov 1914 he was promoted to Major and on the 22nd of June 1915 he is serving with Royal Field Artillery, 106th Battery. Major J.G.B Allardyce was made temporary Lt-Col on April 26th 1916.

    I have personal dairy ok Mr Kala Khan in which he prescribed his time spend with Sir John.G.B. Allardyce. I want to present all these things (documents, name of clothes document) to any of Sir John G.B. Allardyce family members.

    Rub nawaz Balouch




    208627

    Pte. Henry Parker Hornsey 15th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    I was told by my mum that her father, Henry Parker Hornsey 1886-1955, was a member of the Leeds Pals during WW1 and that he was a POW in Germany. Can anyone tell me more about him?

    Mary Goodrum




    208616

    Pte. Ernest Daniel Tomkins 2/6th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.29th Jan 1918)

    Ernest Tompkins served with the Somerset Light Infantry, he transferred to the 2/6th Warwicks and was killed on the 29th of January 1918. He is buried in Le Cateau Cemetery.

    Martyn Rundle




    208611

    Pte Gilbert Steel Forbes 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.7th Nov 1918)

    My grandmother married Gilbert Forbes in 1918, after her first husband, Frederick Wood was killed at the Somme serving with the Yorkshire Regiment. Gilbert was killed a month later and is commemerated at Dourlers Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Elijah Conn




    208610

    Pte Frederick Wood 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th July 1916)

    Frederick Wood is my grandather whom I never had the chance to meet. RIP. You will not be forgotten. His name is engraved on the walls at the Thiepval Memorial, in memory of the missing.

    Elijah Conn




    208605

    Pte. Thomas Wright 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    Thomas Wright and his brother George joined the Derrys on the formation of the Ulster Division, Thomas had previously served with the 5th Iniskillings

    Kenny Allen




    208604

    Pte. George Wright 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Pte George Wright of the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916. His name is listed on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing, Somme, France. He joined the Derrys on the formation of the Ulster Division with his brother Pte Thomas Wright formerly of the 5th Inniskillings.

    The following poem was returned to Londonderry by a wounded soldier and was written by one of the lads from the fountain.

    At the Field Hospital:

    Come closer Bill, old comrade. I’m glad to have you here,

    It does not seem to hard to die, when one we love is near.

    For as kids we played together,”shot marbles on the walls”,

    And as youths in the good old Brandywell, we used to kick the ball.

    You’ll tell them in the dear old town, old Derry on the Foyle,

    That the boys who drilled with “wooden” guns, were worthy of their soil.

    But you’ll hardly need to tell them, e’re now the world has heard,

    What the hardy sons of Ulster for their King and Country dared.

    How, when ordered from the trenches, by just that one word”GO”,

    With the war cry “No Surrender” they quickly found the foe.

    And onward dashed from trench to trench, as streams the rushing tide,

    The Fountain, Dark Lane, Rosemount and the lads from Waterside.

    Went onward, ever onward, their progress none could stay,

    They weren’t out goose-stepping nor singing Dolly’s Brae.

    But to clear the earth of those we hate- Lord how the Germans ran,

    They hadn’t time to wait and see, like at Omagh and Strabane.

    It may be someone blundered, the fault might have been our own,

    But when we reached Trench number 5, we found ourselves alone.

    Alone and unsupported, amidst a withering fire,

    Yet we held our winnings gamely, ‘til the order came “Retire”,

    I cannot, nor will any man, the story ever tell,

    How caught in that triangle, it seemed the mouth of hell,

    With comrades falling falling, we formed as on parade,

    “You’ll fight a rearguard action” was all our leaders said.

    And in that rearguard action Bill, I got the knockout blow,

    And now I’ve got to travel, the road that all must go.

    When lying faint, from loss of blood, I heard a brother’s call,

    “We cannot leave him here to die, where one goes, we all”.

    It was a chap from Monaghan, a loyal man and true,

    He swung me cross his shoulders, and said “I’ll see you through”,

    “Right matey”?, then another said, “where one goes, we all”.

    I’ll help you brother Ulsterman, I’m County Donegal.

    The Ulsters fought the rearguard, with many a hearty cheer,

    And the next thing I remember, I was being patched up here.

    But I know this efforts useless, I feel I’m going fast,

    I see the new day breaking , for me, t’will be the last.

    I’ll ne’er again sit on the wall, of an evening calm and cool,

    To watch the youngsters playing Tig, around First Derry School.

    I thought of Derry’s Walls Away, when joining in the fight,

    I said it was for Ulster, I wanted Right, Left, Right.

    So tell them in the dear old town, auld Derry on the Foyle,

    That the men who guarded Ireland’s shore, sleep ‘neath a foreign soil,

    And when the news of victory comes, and the Cathedral joybells ring,

    They’ll raise a stone for those who fell, for Country and for King.

    Published in The Derry Sentinel on Saturday 15th July 1916.

    What makes this poem so poignant is that the Typesetter on the Sentinel, and the man who no doubt set up the page for print, was none other than Thomas Wright, Father of Pte George Wright who died only 14 days before at the Somme.

    Kenny Allen




    208601

    Frederick Harry Miller Essex Regiment

    <p>

    Frederick Harry Miller served with the Essex Regtiment, he survived the War dying in 1928 at 35, he had been gassed several times in WW1. One of the others would be Horace Philip Miller killed July 1918 and the third brother whose first name is unknown. No one in the family, including their two neices knew their names so I think it time they were remembered somewhere.

    Sheila Miller




    208585

    Pte. Arthur Foster 3rd Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Arthur Foster was my grandfather, whom I never met and now I'm trying to get as much info on him as possible, and even a picture if possible.

    I've received his medal cards which I don't understand as they have lots of different numbers on, so he must have got about a bit, if someone could tell me the best place to go for my research and perhaps explain the medal card to me I would be grateful.

    Editor's Note: Arthur's Medal Card shows that he had enlisted on the 7th of September 1914, and went to France on the 23rd of August 1915, qualifying for the 1915 star. There are two medal cards available for Arthur, the second shows him applying for the Silver War Badge, indicating that he had served his country, when he is discharged from the Army in February 1918. At that time he was serving with the Labour Corps, having previously served with the 3rd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. This would suggest that he had been injured, or suffered an illness which rendered him unfit for front line service with the DLI. After receiving treatment he would have then joined the Labour Corps, before being discharged, most likely for medical reasons, although at this time in the war, men with certain skills were discharged from the army to work in vital industries at home to support the war effort.

    Shirley Foster




    208584

    Gnr. Thomas Metcalf 118 Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.25th Oct 1917)

    Thomas Metcalf was killed aged 19 during the battle of Passchendaele. The Battery War Diary for the day records: "The guns in action registered visually on their new lines and some 200 rounds were fired in the course of the day and night on counter battery work. Two telephonists, Gunners Dunkley and Metcalf were killed when going forward for the pending attacks with Forward Observation Officer Lieut Gough."

    He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. His parents were Alfred and Mary Ann Metcalfe.





    208583

    L/Cpl. James Wilson 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    James Wilson is mentioned in the service records of his friend Albert Dixon, who was being researched by one of the visitors to The Wartime Memories Project, Time Slides event. James and Albert were both wounded at the Battle of Loos, being unable to walk, the two men crawled together for 4 days but on approaching a house, Albert was shot. James remained with him until he passed away and then crawled for a further six hours before being rescued and taken for medical treatment. He was contacted by the Vicar of Eldon on behalf of Albert's mother when he heard from another solider that he had been with Albert when he died. From his hospital bed at Lady Shadbrook's Hospital at Henham Hall in Sussex. James was able to confirm the circumstances surrounding Albert's death and bring some closure to the family who had been informed that he was missing.

    James had arrived in France on the 11th of September 1915 and was wounded on the 25th of September. After a spell in hospital, he was discharged from the Army and awarded a Silver War Badge to mark that he had done his service for his county.





    208582

    2nd Lt. Edmund Trevennin Gray 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd Oct 1915)

    2nd Lt Gray is mentioned in a letter about my relative Arthur Dixon. Edmund Gray was the son of the Rev Charles Gray, who was helping my family to enquire as to the fate of Arthur who was listed as missing at the Battle of Loos. Rev Gray had received a letter from one of his parishoners serving with the 15th DLI with news of Arthur's death. Rev Gray wrote a letter to the Army Records office on behalf of Arthur's mother to check the information they had been given. In letter, Rev Gray also enquires after the where abouts of his own son's effects as he had been killed on the 22nd October.

    The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website confirmed that Edmund had been killed on the 22nd of October 1914 and is buried in Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery, he was 19 years old and had been an undergraduate at St. Catherine's College, Cambridge. His Medal Card tells us that he went to France on the 11th of September 1915.

    Angela Higgins




    208581

    Sig. Arthur Johnson Dixon 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Arthur Dixon was the son of William and Mary Dixon, he was a coal miner when he enlisted aged 19 on the 8th of September 1914 and is described as being 5'4" with light brown hair and blue eyes. He went to France on the 11th of September 1915. He was wounded in action on the 25th of September 1915 and was then listed as missing.

    In November the Vicar of Eldon received a letter from a friend of Arthur's telling them that he had heard from James Wilson of the 15th DLI that he and Arthur had both been wounded at the Battle of Loos and had been crawling for about 4 days when Arthur had been shot and killed. The Vicar C J Gray wrote from Eldon Vicarage on behalf of Arthur's family, requesting confirmation of this information as James Wilson was in hospital, at Lady Shadbrook's Hospital, Henham Hall in Suffolk. The reply came back that Arthur and James had both been wounded on the 26th September and unable to walk had been crawling for about four days, and were approaching a house when Arthur had been shot. James had stayed with him, talking to him for about an hour. Arthur had fainted due to bloodloss and then his heart stopped beating. James stated that he was quite sure Arthur was dead when he had to leave him. He had crawled for another 6 hours before being picked up and taken for medcal treatment. Rev Gray also enquires about his own's son's effects in the same letter, he had been a 2nd Lt with the 15th DLI and had been killed on the 22nd October.

    Arthur had no known grave and is remembered on the Loos Memorial

    Angela Higgins




    208580

    Jack Appleby Websdell

    Jack Websdell served in France and was gassed, although he survived the war, he was badly affected and died of complications in 1945. His son campaigned and had his name added to the war memorial as he had died of wounds inflicted during the Great War.

    Angela Higgins




    208579

    Cpl. George Anthony Websdell 182nd Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers (d.18th Aug 1918)

    <p>George's tunneller's certificate stating he was qualified to work underground.

    George Websdell is buried close to where he fell at Marcelcave, on The Somme. He worked as a miner and was married to Lydia with a one year old son named George. He had enlisted with the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry at Bishop Auckland on the 11th of Sepetmber 1914, his medcal records describe him as being 22 years and 11 months old, 5'11" with brown hair and blue eyes. George joined the 14th Battalion and arrived in France on the 12th of September 1915.

    George transfered from the 14th DLI to the 182nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers as a Sapper for Tunnelling duties on the 21st of Feb 1916, his mining skills being required to help sink tunnels beneath enemy lines. He must have returned to England for training as George and Lydia had a daughter Violet born in May 1917, who sadly died aged just 11 months, two months before her father was killed in action.

    Angela Higgins




    208578

    Pte. Thomas Welch 11th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Private Thomas Welch, the Husband of Elizabeth Welch, son of William and Mary Blaydon, was my great-grandfather. Rose Marshall, a cousin of mine, was able to access all this information and passed it on to our family. Thomas Welch died at the age of 42 and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen France. He died on the 9th September 1916 defending a way a life we all enjoy now. He served the British Army, 11th Btn. Durham Light Infantry and is remembered with honour.

    James McFarlane




    208577

    CSM. Alexander Anson 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My Grandfather, Alexander Anson joined the 1st VB DLI on 16 March 1906 at Castle Eden. He progressed up the ranks and by the outbreak of WW1 he was a Colour Sgt. He was appointed CSM C Company 1/5th DLI on 30 January 1915 and went with the Regiment to France on 17 April 1915. He was involved in the 2nd Battle of Ypres at the Battle of St Juliaan that month and then in the Battle of Bellewaarde ridge at Sanctuary Wood. He was gassed on 24 May 1915 and invalided home. He was sent to St John Red Cross Hospital in Weymouth to recover and subsequently joined 3/5th DLI at Catterick and was appointed Acting RSM. He was then transferred to the Inland and Waterways Royal Engineers at Port Richborough in Kent for the remainder of the war. (He had been a plater in a shipyard before the war and they needed his skills) He was demobbed in 1919 WO1.

    Richard Askew




    208576

    George Stevens Rackstraw 6th Res Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My uncle, George Stevens Rackstraw served with the Royal Field Artillery, alongside my father Robert, who transferred from the 2/4th Royal Scots to serve with him.

    Charles Rackstraw




    208574

    Pte. Thomas Edmenson 1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    Edmenson, Thomas, Private, No 17925, 1st Battn, (25th Foot) The King's Own Scottish Borders, was the 3rd son of William Edmenson, Foreman Fitter at Houghton Colliery, by his wife, Catherine, daughter of Robert Potts; b Houghton-le-Spring, co. Durham, 25th Aug, 1880; educated C.E. Shcools there; joined the Navy in 1896; and was on H.M.S. Isis when that ship was commissioned for particular service during the hostilities between the United States and Spain in 1898; obtained his discharge in 1907, and was a Seagoing Steward until a short time before the war, when he became an employee at the Houghton Colliery; enlisted 13 Jan. 1915; went to the Dardanelles 18 July, and died on H.M. Hosptial Ship Dongola, 25 Aug. following, from enteric fever contracted while on active service on the Peninsula. He m. at North Shields, Annie (2 Stanley Street, Houghton-le-Spring, daughter of William McEwan, and had a son, Wiliam Hunter, b 9 May, 1909.

    Taken from: UK, De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1924 Record for Thomas Edmenson.

    Christine Stromberg




    208573

    T/Capt. James David MacKinnon MC and Bar 4th Batt. Liverpool Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    James MacKinnon was my grandfather and never talked about either war, so I know very little.

    Robert Munn




    208572

    Sgt. Nathan Brown 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Nathan Brown and his brother Edward Brown both joined the 6th Bn DLI, Edward was killed in 10 Sept 1915 and is burried at Baillieu War Cemetery, Nathan survived and became Sgt Brown DLI. He lived with wife Isabella Formerly Hind.

    Derrick Walker




    208570

    Pte. William Hunt 25th Btn, D Company Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Billy Hunt was born March 31st, 1888 at Pelton Co. Durham. He married aged 21 an Elizabeth Ann Hurst aged 16 at Benfieldside Parish Church on July 23rd 1910. In November 1914 Billy joined the 2nd Tyneside Irish (25th Northumberland Fusiliers). Prior to this date he was a miner. Whilst Billy was in training his second daughter, named Elizabeth Ann after her mother, died from bronchitis. Eight months later in December 1915, Billy's third daughter Florence dies from diahorrea and meningitis.

    On January 11th 1916 Billy left army camp in Sutton Veny for Southampton where he crossed the channel with the battalion. In February 1916 he was on the Bois Grenier line. By May he was in the Somme region and specifically in Albert. On the eve of the big push he was in the reserve trenches of the Tara-Usna line and his battalion were behind the Tyneside Scottish battalions. He left the trenches at 7.45am on July 1st, 1916 and was most likely killed before he even reached the British front line. He was most likely killed by shell fire or a hail of machine guns as he traversed the open slopes of Mash Valley. Billy's body was not recovered. There is no grave. His name is on Thiepval War Memorial, France, close to where he died. Two months after his death his widow gave birth to their fourth daughter Theresa in Consett. Billy's widow remarried and became Elizabeth Ann Redshaw. She died in 1982. Billy's first daughter Margaret born in 1910, out of wedlock, was always sad that she had lost her father at so young an age.

    Penny Baddeley




    208569

    Walter Andrew Hill

    Walter Hill was a pilot with the RFC and RAF, he served in Archangel, Russia in 1919.

    Geoff Hill




    208567

    Capt. William Albert Dent 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    William Albert Dent was the eldest son of William Dent, the photographer featured in The Wartime Memories project's TimeSlides exhibition of 2011. The family lived in Bishop Auckland, the three son's attended Barnard Castle School and were active cadets.

    2nd Lt. William Dent arrived in France on the 6th of May 1915 and went straight to Flanders to join his unit the 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who had arrived on the 21st of April. The Battalion has already had it's first taste of action near Zonnebeke and had been withdrawn to bivouac at Brielen Woods when William arrived with a draft of new officers.





    208543

    Sto 1 John Neave HMS Torrent (d.23rd Dec 1917)

    Jack Neave was my great uncle, brother of Joseph Neave. He was lost at sea on HMS Torrent.

    Patrick Draper




    208532

    Gnr. John Lovatt Royal Field Artillary

    My grandfather John Lovatt was a Gunner in WW1, born 1893 and died in 1937 from TB. There was a photo of him sitting on one of the six horse drawn cannons.

    Jane




    208530

    Spr. George William Pilkington Royal Engineers

    George Pilkinton fought on the Somme and was gassed, leading to an honourable discharge.

    Aline Reeve




    208528

    L/Cpl. Thomas Evans 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.9th Jul 1916)

    Only found out about my Great Grandfather's War Service in 2010. I knew that he had died in 1916 and that my Grandmother's middle name was Loos after the final battle he fought in and in honour of the father she never knew. We understand that he was previously wounded and spent time repatriating back in Wales (fortunately for my immediate family and myself!). Information including postcards and letters came to the surface in 2010 that gave us a greater insight into the man. First and foremost, he was a regular soldier before the War began and that he died in a French hospital of wounds he sustained in the Battle of Loos in Belgium. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery in France and my brother and his partner are planning to visit the grave when they fly to Europe later this year. As we say in Australia: "Lest We Forget".

    Update: It transpires that Thomas was wounded at the Battle of Loos and was sent home. During his recovery my grandmother was conceived. He was fatally wounded on the Somme when he returned to his Battalion.

    Michael Rees




    208514

    Rfm. James Lord 20th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    I have been piecing together such information as I have been able to find about my father's time in the KRRC during WW1. 13051 Rifleman James Lord 20th Battalion KRRC, volunteered 27th of May 1915 and was injured 26th of April 1917. The 20th Batallion, KRRC was the pioneeer batallion of the 3rd Division at that time.

    He was injured during a short interlude between two battles. There were only two men killed that day both, I think, in the same battalion so he must have been on pioneeer work at the time when he was injured by a high explosive shell somewhere in the vicinity of Monchy-le-Preux east of Arras. Possibly on road repairs on the Arras to Cambrai Road.

    Due to repositioning of forces, he was picked up by a Scottish Division and taken to W15 ADS, 47th Field Ambulance and thence presumably to a CCS. This must have been where his leg was amputated since there is an interlude of three weeks before he arrives at No.11 General Hospital, Camiers on 13 May 1917. This hospital was handed over to the Americans, presumably after evacuation of patients, two weeks later. So probably his move to Camiers was awaiting repatriation and his stay must have been less than those remaining two weeks.

    What I do not know, and would be grateful if anyone could tell me, or point me in the right direction, is the whereabouts of the CCS. From the Hospitals and CCSs WW1 website I think I have narrowed it down to three places which were within reasonable reach of Arras and the dates when they were operational. In order of distance from Arras they are, CCS 8 or 41 Agnez-les-Duisans, CCS 24 or 30 or 42 Aubigny-en-Artois, CCS 45 or 49 Achiet-le-Grand.

    I also have a photograph of him in what is obviously a makeshift hospital ward which may be Camiers or in UK, but I have not yet been able to find that out. The photograph is mounted on card and is obviously by a professional photographer.

    Alan Lord




    208510

    Able.Sea. Arthur Mark Lane HMS Black Prince (d.31st May 1916)

    Arthur Lane died on HMS Black Prince at Jutland in 1916. His name is on a family headstone in Brockley & Ladywell Cemetery in south east London. The Friends of Brockley & Ladywell Cemetery would like to find out more about him.

    Mike Guilfoyle




    208502

    Able.Sea. William Ernest Boulton Drake Battalion (d.25 Mar 1918)

    While researching my family tree, I came across a record for William Ernest Boulton, my 1st cousin, twice removed. It states that he was an Able Seaman with Drake Battalion, RN Division and that he died on the 25th March 1918 as a direct result of enemy action. It also states that he is buried about 300 metres from the north corner of Foureaux Wood, Martinpiny, France. I searched for him on the CWGC & the TWGPP sites and they say he is buried in the Arras Memorial Cemetery, Pas de Calais. He left a widow, Martha.

    Editors Note: The Arras Memorial lists the missing and those whose graves could not be identified at the end of the war.

    Dave Berrisford




    208495

    L/Cpl. Walter Dannatt 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Oct 1918)

    My Uncle, Walter Dannatt, served with the 12th Btn Northumberland Fusilers and is buried in Germany at the Niederzwehren Cemetery. He died on the 12th October 1918 in a POW camp

    Michael Dannatt




    208494

    Pte. Eric Francis Stofer 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (d.28th Oct 1918)

    While in France in July 2010 I visited Awoingt British Cemetery, Nord, France, to find the grave of my uncle, Private Eric Francis Stofer, who died, age 19, on 28th October 1918. He was the older brother of my father and, although I never met him of course, feel a strong connection with this young man who gave his life so gallantly for his country in WWI. I would love to know more about him and his last moments on this earth.

    Valerie Green




    208487

    Sdlr. Edward Oldroyd 4 Meerut Div Train Army Service Corps

    My Great Great Granddad was Edward Oldroyd. His occupation given on his death certificate was 'Master Saddler'. His father, William, was also a Master Saddler. This occupation ties in with the medal card as it gives his rank as Sdlr's which I am hoping means 'Saddler' before he goes on to have the rank A/Cpl. Under 'Corps' on the card it reads '4 Meerut Div Train ASC. I would like to find out more about Edward, where he served and was he a saddler etc.

    Joanne Barnes




    208471

    Pte. Alexander Telford 15th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    Alexander Telford was my great grand father who fought in the War and was with the 15th Battalion Royal Sussex in November 1917 when his daughter was born as this is noted on her birth certificate. My own father has no idea how his grandfather, who he didn't know, became to be in the Royal Sussex as he thinks he would of been in the Northumberland Fusiliers - unless he was to start of with. I am desperate to find any details.

    Veronica




    208461

    Pte. James Storey (d.18th Jun 1915)

    James Storey died of wounds following the Battle at Ypres. He lived at 7 Beacon Street, North Shields. Parents Robert Edward Hall and Mary Jane (Robson). He is remembered on the Tynemouth memorial.

    Richard Hanssens




    208457

    2nd Lt. Raymond Alfred Cruickshank 2nd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    Raymond was born on 11th March, 1893, in Tregegar, Monmouthshire, the eldest son of William Henry and Martha Ann Cruickshank. He worked as a clerk and in his spare time, besides being a lay preacher, he studied theology. He also took great interest in Newport Rugby matches, going to many of their games. In September, 1914 he went to Canada for a while and joined a Canadian regiment then transfered to the 2nd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment. He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd Monmouths on the 25th of October 1916 and married Gladys Maud Green in December 1916.

    The Monmouthshie Regiment was part of the Territorial Force. The 2nd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment has it’s origin in the Pontypool Volunteer Rifles Corps, which was established in 1858. Other Corps were founded at Abersychan, Abercarn, Ebbw Vale, Pontymoile and Tredegar. And in 1860 these, joining the Pontypool Corps became the 2nd Monmouthshie Rifle Corps. New Colours were presented by King Edward VII in 1908. these were deposited in the parish church of Trevethin and are now in the memorial Chapel. A memorial to those who fell in World War I was unveiled at Trevethin Church on March 3rd 1923.

    Martyn Cruickshank




    208453

    L/Sjt. Charles Keay 1st Battalion North Staffs Regiment

    Charles Keay was my Grandfather and he enlisted in the North Staffordshire Regiment in 1910, so he was amongst the first to be sent to France. He managed to survive until the North Staffords were sent to Delville Wood in August 1916, where there was heavy fighting and he sustained a serious shrapnel wound. He was hospitalised and sent back to Cork in Ireland and didn't have to return to the front. He was honorably discharged in 1919.

    Jean Lee




    208448

    CSM. George Hennessy Kings Liverpool Regiment

    Company Sergeant Major George Hennessy is my Grandfather. In researching his war record I was given a framed embroidered regimental badge. This was signed by him on the back in June 1918 "Studley Court Worcester" which I can only believe was a Convalescent home or Hospital, where this embroidery was used as a recovery aid. I have not found a Studley Court in any record of WW1 hospitals or convalescent homes so far. Can anyone help in finding information about Studley Court?

    Grandad took off to Canada secretly within four months of the end of the war and I only traced his whereabouts some years after he died. Other family members still living have no knowledge of what happened to him.

    Editor's Note: Studley Court, Stourbridge was used as a Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital during World War I.

    Derek Hennessy




    208447

    Pte. Samuel Langley 7th Battalion Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment

    My Grandfather, Samuel Langley, born in 1891, was a finisher of cloth in a family woollen firm called Hugh Kershaw and Sons Ltd in Mossley, Lancashire, was in the Territorial Army before the outbreak of the Great War. My father had been born in the March of that year. Samuel went to Summer camp in Marske, Yorkshire in 1914 and did not return home, but marched to Immingham and sailed from there to France.

    He was wounded in the leg in 1916, invalided back to Blighty, to Chichester and then to somewhere near Bentley, Doncaster, where my Grandmother (and presumably my father) went to stay with a mining family who made her very welcome, before Samuel was sent back to the Front. He was the Company barber which I think showed there was some attempt to match civilian skills with life in the army! I think he was at the Somme and Ypres. His brother-in -law was killed on Armistice Day 1918.

    He returned to his job in the woollen mill and retired from there in his early seventies, having received a gold watch for fifty years'service in 1961. Both my Grandfathers were in the 7th Duke of Wellington Regiment, but did not know each other then.

    Christine Shepherd




    208446

    Cpl. George Henry Quincey 101st Machine Gun Company Machine Gun Corps

    My great grandfather, George Henry Quincey, was a British conscript from 1916 until 1920 and was a corporal in 101st Machine Gun Corps which joined 34th Division upon embarkation to France on 3rd January 1916. I don't know the complete details but I do know that he went AWOL during his time on the front line after hearing that his younger brother, Cyril Quincey, had arrived only a couple of miles away. The pair used contacts on and behind the front line to meet up at a French ale house and spent the night getting tanked up and enjoying each others company, for all they knew, this could have been the last time they ever saw each other (Fortunately this wasn't the case as they both lived well past the 2nd World War). Upon arrival back at his post, my great grandfather was temporarily demoted as punishment but due to the lack of experienced and compitent soldiers left in the company, this demotion wasn't to last long.

    George H Quincey remained in 101st MGC until the end of the war but unfortunately saw close friends killed before him. One of these friends was a close companion from back home in Scunthorpe. My great grandfather took it upon himself to bring back his friend's belongings to the soldier's parents personally. This I am told, earned him a place in the family's heart until the day he died as they knew that their son had spent his last few moments with a man that he trusted and in a way, loved.

    Chris Kelsey




    208443

    Pte. Sidney Victor Broadbear 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regt. (d.28th Apr 1917)

    Sidney Broadbear joined the Worcester Regiment and transferred to 10th Lincolnshire Regiment, he was killed on the 28th of April 1917 aged 21 and lies in Roeux British Cemetery.

    M Rundle




    208432

    Gnr. William George Gray MM. 221st Trench Mortar Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.15th Oct 1917)

    William George Gray was a Gunner in the 221st Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action near Ypres 15 October 1917 aged 19. He was the son of Lovedon and Alice Gray of 193, Cocking. Born in Chichester, he enlisted in Horsham. He was awarded the Military Medal and is buried in The Huts Cemetery, Dickebusch, Belgium. I'm trying to find out more information.

    Andrew




    208429

    Pte. Frederick George Wiggins 2/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.15th Apr 1918)

    Frederick Wiggins was from Lime Tree Hill, Burford, Oxford, he was killed on the 15th of April 1918,whilst serving with the 2/5th Sherwood Foresters. I'm researching my family tree and would like to know more.

    Mark Simpkins




    208421

    Pte. Christopher Coleman 7th Battalion Leinster Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    A Corkman dies on the Somme

    The first week of September 1916 and the 16th Irish Division are engaged in the bloody advance across the Somme. At the village of Guillemont, men of the 7th Leinster Regiment, part of the Irish 16th Division, manage to pass through the shattered Guillemont village and secure and hold enemy trenches on the far side, but at terrible cost, losing some fifty percent of the soldiers engaged in the advance: but in the bizarre ethics of war, it was a victory.

    Following the Leinsters ‘victorious’ advance, non-combatant labour battalions are sent into the killing fields to clear up the mess left by the fighting soldiers. They clear away abandoned trenching tools, wire cutters, discarded equipment and bits and pieces of dead soldiers. It is gruesome and arduous work.

    Among their number is an Englishman, Private George Wiles of the Royal Engineers. As he scurries across the blood soaked ground he comes upon a great crater and at the edge of it, ‘as if resting after a long walk’ is the body of a well built soldier from one of the Irish regiments, the 7th Leinsters. The Englishman is struck by his noble posture, for the dead soldier was a big man, well over six foot. Even by modern standards he would have been taller than average, by the standards of 1914-18 he was a giant.

    The Englishman goes to the body. He has seen many such dead, he is accustomed to the dead, over familiar with the dead, but he is touched by the sight of this particular dead Irishman. He takes his knife and cuts open the breast pockets of the fallen soldier. From the bloody and muddy mess he takes a letter sent to the fallen man from Ireland, from his wife in Queenstown, County Cork. He buries the fallen soldier. He takes from the ruins of a nearby church a piece of rubble from the destroyed structure. There are ancient crosses cut into the stone, five such crosses, and he marks the rough grave of the fallen Irishman with the broken stone of the church.

    Later the same ground, cleared by the labour battalions, would again become a blood soaked battlefield, pounded by artillery and fought over by opposing armies. The rough, stone marked temporary grave of the Irishman would be lost. Forever lost and he thereafter would only be remembered by a name cut into the Somme memorial at Thiepval in Flanders.

    In the lull of the battle, the Englishman, alone in his own trench, by candlelight, would write a powerful and moving letter to the grieving widow of the Irishman. He poured his heart into the letter using all the paper he had. Ten pages would he write, in fading pencil, telling her how he had found her dear husband and what he had done with his fallen body.

    The dead Irishman was Christopher Coleman, Private Coleman of the 7th Leinster Regiment. He came from what was then Queenstown in County Cork. Before the war he had had been the manager of the Commodore Hotel in Queenstown. Perhaps he had been there in May 1915 when the little squares and streets of Queenstown became an open morgue for the broken and innocent civilian bodies brought ashore after the sinking by torpedo of the passenger ship the S.S. Lusitania, and perhaps, for we will never know, it is was that which caused him to volunteer for the Leinsters and to leave his family to fight in Flanders.

    He was such a handsome man was Private Coleman. His dear wife had, with considerable talent, drawn his pencil portrait from which, even after all this time, you can still sense his great size and presence. The Englishman Wiles wrote of him that, ‘..I came across this fellow in a shell hole (a very large one) & passed him as I passed others that lay about & something struck me to go back and see him, as he lay there as if resting from along walk. His statue marked me very much indeed he looked so smart & of a lovely build…’

    ‘I hope, dear madam, you will forgive me of taking liberties with your dear husband’s body. But you can rest assured (I will give you my word of honour.) that he is buried & I buried him the best I could. Not so well as some but better than thousands.’

    It is by any measure a touching act of an ordinary English soldier for a fallen Irishman, and it must have brought enormous comfort to the grieving widow. Indeed until she received the letter Mrs Coleman from Cobh had no idea what had become of her husband. She had been advised he was missing after the September battles.

    But then only silence.

    Desperate for news she, had travelled to Dover in the hope that he would be amongst the thousands of wounded, returning from the Somme into the network of military hospitals across the South of England. It was of no avail. With deepening fear she advertised for news of him in the Daily Herald. But their was no response. The English soldier’s letter confirmed her very worst fears. But it must also have been a source of great comfort and relief for she was so appreciative of the kind words of Private Wiles that she replied to him asking if he was in need of anything that she could send him to ease the discomfort of his life in the trenches.

    After the war, or perhaps before it ended, the Coleman family left the Commodore Hotel and left Ireland altogether, emigrating to America, no doubt from a ship leaving from the quayside opposite their Cobh home. The ten page pencil written letter is now held by the surviving Coleman family. No one has ever traced George Wiles.

    The broken stone crosses of the rubble that marked Christopher Coleman’s temporary grave on the Somme came from the shattered and destroyed Guillemont church, the church of St. Christopher .

    John McGuiggan




    208409

    Pte. Noah Barker 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.11th Nov 1914)

    Noah Barker was killed near Polygon Wood, Reutel, aged 33. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres. He is greatly missed by his daughter, my Nanna.

    Carl Stead




    208408

    Capt. Norman Hall 2/5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

    Born on 28th February 1892, Norman Hall studied science (probably chemistry) at Manchester University where he joined the OTC. Aged 22, he was working on glycerine development at Lever Brothers in Port Sunlight on the outbreak of war. Because of his OTC experience he tried to join the regular army, though was rejected on medical grounds.

    He joined a “Pals” Regiment in Liverpool (he achieved the required chest measurement by breathing out and having the tape held loosely and also jumped up and down on the scales so that he registered the correct weight!). He quickly transferred to the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers (Territorial Force)on its formation in Bury in September 1914. He volunteered for service overseas, although as a Territorial he was not obliged to do so. Because of his (limited) relevant experience in the OTC he was appointed as a signaller and had an important role in establishing and maintaining field telephone communications. He began as a private, promoted quickly to Lieutenant and then 2nd Lieutenant before travelling overseas to France, rising to the rank of Temporary Captain in charge of a Company. He transferred to the 1/5th in June 1917 following his return to the Front after recovering from wounds, demoted (as he saw it) to his substantive rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He attained the rank of substantive Captain by the end of the War and possibly Temporary Major.

    He was severely wounded on September 9th 1916 when he was repatriated, returning to the Front in France in June 1917. He was injured again in August 1918 – it seems that the horse he was riding to collect beer for a celebration of the Battalion’s Battle Honour (Minden Day – 6th August) fell on him and damaged his foot. He was again repatriated and did not return to the Front. He returned to his job with Lever Brothers on demobilisation.

    In the family there is a series of 5 volumes of diaries which, although written retrospectively, give a detailed account of his experiences and appear to have been based on diaries written in the field (three of which we have). We also have sketch maps of actions, letters home, slides and a couple of original battle orders. In amongst the intricate detail of troop movements and other technical military information (the layout of field telephone networks and trenches, attempts to listen in to German telephones and a plan for a “top secret” chemical gas scheme in his section) the daily routine in the trenches and other locations is vividly described. There are many reflective anecdotes and digressions (eg. about French citizens and farms, signalling procedures, dugout life, treatment of wet feet, bathing routines, management of the company including censorship of letters, rat catching, the battalion dog, a trip to Paris with Simone and her sister “the girls” etc). Whilst casualties are recorded, the account is matter of fact and generally lacking in emotion – the stiff upper lip mentality is very apparent. Yet he obviously cared for his colleagues and the men under his command and was deeply affected by the deaths of some of his close comrades. He clearly recognised that he had some narrow escapes (including one occasion when orders, which would almost certainly have been fatal, arrived too late) and was fortunate to survive. It seems that the approach adopted, and indeed the very act of writing the account itself, were his way of dealing with the horror that he experienced.

    Sue Tanton




    208407

    Pte. Frederick Ayre 2/4th Battalion, B Coy. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.13th May 1917)

    My Grandfather Frederick Ayre was born in 1889 in Boston Lincolnshire and was killed on the 13th May 1917 while serving with 'B' Coy. 2nd/4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and is buried at La Chapellete Cemetery. Sadly, I obviously never knew him and would like to get any information I can about his pre army service, life and also any campaign or service information for 'B' Coy. 2/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, also any photos, stories etc. that anyone might have. Please contact me. I am happy to reimburse any reasonable expenses.

    Michael Ayre




    208403

    Peter Leonard

    My Grandfather, Peter Leonard, served in WWI, I would like to know which regiment he was with. He was married to Mary Garvin, both came from Keighley, Yorkshire, he died in the 1930's.

    His brother, Martin Leonard, served in the West Yorkshire Regt initially, was wounded and subsequently served as a medic.

    Greg Leonard




    208400

    Pte. Albert William Hinxman 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (d.29th April 1918)

    My great uncle sadly lost his life aged just 19. The story goes that Albert was a big lad (about 6'4") and he was assumed by many to be older than he was and this led to him being accused of being a coward and was allegedly 'white-feathered' on several occasions. This prompted Albert to initially lie about his age and he first joined up when only 17 only for his mother to have to go and 'get him out'.

    Albert duly re-joined when he was 18 and fought gallantly along with all of his comrades until he was tragically killed in action. Albert is laid to rest in the Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery just outside of Ypres, Belgium.

    Barry Hinxman




    208397

    Pte. Robert Whitfield 22nd Btn. Manchester Regiment

    My Grandfather was Robert Whitfield. I know he served in the British Army during WW1. I was told by my Auntie when she was alive that he served in Belgium. I am researching Family History and would love to know a bit more about what he was actually doing over there. Robert survived WW1 and went on to be a Junior School Deputy Headmaster in the Greater Manchester area.

    Christine Bate




    208394

    Pte. John William Edgar

    John Edgar was admitted to 56 General Hospital, Etaples, France on the 9th October with a Shrapnel wound to his left arm. I have no further details, but he returned home and died in Yorkshire.

    Annette




    208393

    Nurse Muriel Dorothy Corney (d.6th Jan 1917)

    Muriel Corney was 19 years old when she was killed in an accident at Park Hospital, Hither Green. She had been to see a doctor in the morning and while in a small consulting room used only by the nurses, her skirt caught fire. She tried to put out the flames, but was unable to do so and walked into teh corridoor where the assistant steward, on hearding her screams was able to extingush the flames. She was severly burnt and died due to the shock. The Coroner at the inquest in Lewisham recorded a verdict of accidental death and expressed sympathy with the relatives, saying that it was unfortaunate that a fireguard which was in the room had not been placed in front of the fire.





    208390

    Sgt. Douglas Hunter DCM. att. 93rd Light Trench Mortar 16th West Yorkshire Regiment

    Douglas Hunter joined 16th West Yorkshire Regiment on the 21st September 1914 in Bradford. He served in Egypt 1915 to early 1916 before moving to France. He was attached to the 93rd Light Trench Mortar Battery where he took part in the battle of the Somme.

    He was awarded the DCM for Gallantry at Gavrelle on the 3rd of May 1917 for keeping his Trench Mortar in action during an attack with good effect. He was also awarded the French Medal Militair for a separate action. Douglas was later, whilst still attached to the 93rd Light Trench Mortar Battery, moved to the 15/17th West Yorkshire Regiment after the 16th was disbanded. Douglas Hunter was demobbed in 1919 but later in the Second World War became part of the Home Guard serving as a lieutenant.

    Douglas Hunter was my Grandfather I was born in his house in Batley Yorkshire and when he died I was left his DCM by my Grandmother, I have since then tried to find everything I can about my Grandfather.

    His brother, Donald Hunter, who served with the 10th Yorkshire Regiment was killed in action on the 21st September 1916 exactly two years after Douglas Hunter had joined the army, he is remembered at Thepeval Memorial France.

    Philip Douglas Lodge




    208388

    Pte. George Knight 15th Bn. Hampshire Regiment (d.15th Sept 1916)

    George Knight was our great uncle on our dad's side. His brother, Sgt, Ernest James Knight, was killed in action on 26th May 1917.

    R.J. Knight




    208387

    Tpr. Thomas Robyn Smith A Squadron Northamptonshire Yeomanry (d.30th Oct 1918)

    Thomas Robyn Smith was my Mothers Uncle and my Grandmothers brother. My Grandmother used to tell me he was a loving and generous person who was an active Scout leader. I also know that he was a deeply religious man and an artist. My mother has his watercolours, some are illustrations of flowers but one that I know most is an illustration of "Rock of ages".

    Tom answered Baden Powell's call to arms for scout leaders to enlist at the outbreak of the First World War. He was 18 years old. Tom joined the 1st Regiment A Squadron that was raised and based at Cottesbrooke. October 1914 they were moved to Winchester and placed under orders of 8th Division and on the 4 November 1914 they landed in France. Regimental HQ, A,B and C went to France. I believe that D Squadron remained in the UK as the home reserve, but I cannot confirm that.

    Following the battle of Neuve Chapelle, for which the Regiment received battle honours the Regiment was split up in April 1915. - Regimental HQ and B Squadron: 14 April 1915 placed under orders of 6th Division. - A Squadron: 13 April 1915 placed under orders of 4th Division. - C Squadron: 12 April 1915 placed under orders of 5th Division.

    A Squadron went with the IV Division to take up positions in St. Julian and Frezenburgh. This would be known as the Second Battle of Ypres. This was the first use of gas on the Western Front by the Germans and took the allies by surprise leading to a breakthrough in the British lines. The Germans could not bring up reinforcements to exploit this and eventually they were beaten back to almost their original starting point. The IV Division was almost wiped out during this battle and after a tour on the Canal Front at Beosinghe they were moved South to Beaumont Hamel, which at that time was a quiet sector, to relieve the French.

    On the 9 May 1916 Regimental HQ and B Squadron left IV Division and became VI Corps Cavalry Regiment. They were joined by A and C Squadrons two days later. Contrary to the popular myths about the British Army in 1914-18 it is my belief that it learnt rapidly the realities of war and changed tactics accordingly. Cavalry no longer performed in the traditional method as shock troops other than in isolated incidents. They became mobile troops that theoretically could move into position rapidly to exploit a gap forced by the infantry and then they would fight on foot. Also when kept as a reserve move to plug any gaps created by a counter attack. A regiment consisted of 549 Officers and Men. GHQ plus three fighting Squadrons numbering 227 each at full compliment. They also included a Machine Gun Section armed with 2 Maxims and later Vickers machine guns.

    In May 1917 VI Corps saw action in the Arras offensive with the Northamptonshire Yeomanry involved in the fighting at what is called the Battle of Scarpe. Again achieving battle honours for the Regiment. Arras saw spectacular gains initially but as with the Germans at 2nd Ypres failure to get support quickly enough led to most of those being lost. Although the British Army was mow learning and the use of the rolling barrage and integrated attacks utilising infantry, tanks and artillery could force a breakthrough. In the Summer of 1917 the Regiment left VI corps, possibly attached to XV Corps.

    Then on the 10 November 1917 The Northamptonshire Yeomanry sailed for Italy and became XIV Corps Cavalry Regiment. This move was made to support the Italians who had just suffered a major defeat at the battle of Caporetto against the Austrians, bolstered by Germans and looked likely to fall. They fell back to the Piave River and consolidated their position. The addition of the British XIV Corps, together with French forces prevented any further Austrian and German gains.

    On the 18 April 1918 the XIV corps became British GHQ in Italy, so regiment remained attached but were now GHQ rather than Corps troops. In June 1918 the Italians resoundingly beat the Austrian at the battle of the Piave River but then failed to press home their advantage. On the 9th October 1918 the XIV Corps reformed and the Northamptonshire Yeomanry joined it, becoming XIV Corps Cavalry Regiment again. Lord Cavan took command of the Tenth Army in Italy under the Italian General Diaz. This included the XIV corps.

    On the 23th October the battle of Vittorio Veneto began with an Italina attack in the mountains. On the 25th the British 10th Army had made resounding successes, capturing Papadopoli Island and establishing a bridgehead over the Piave by the 27th. Together with the Italian 8th Army they pushed the Austrians and Hungarians back to Vittorio Veneto. On the 30th October Vittorio Veneto was taken.

    It was on this day that Tom Smith was killed, together with 2 colleagues. It is believed in the family that Tom was killed by an enemy sniper having detected a potential counter attack and warned the regiment. Although this I have not confirmed. Thomas Robyn Smith now lies in a war graves cemetary at Vittorio Veneto. My mother and father were the first of the family to visit his grave a few years ago. I still have a magnificent photograph of Thomas on his horse in his full field uniform hanging in my dining room.





    208386

    Rifleman Charles Ringwood Pain 7th (Service) Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.30th July 1915)

    Rifleman Charles Ringwood Pain, B/3106, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own), 7th (Service) Battalion was my Great Uncle. He was born on 2 March 1896 in Aston, Birmingham, the 4th son of William James Pain (d'cd, Armourer Sergeant) and Minnie Drusilla Marlow. I grew up hearing about my Nana's brother dying in The Great War but not knowing any details. Charles was educated at Dartmouth Street Board School, Birmingham and was employed at Messrs Tubes Ltd, Birmingham prior to enlisting. He enlisted in August 1914 in Birmingham. He died on Friday, 30 July 1915 at Hooge aged 19 years. Like many (too many), he is remembered with honour at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. There is a memorial plaque in St Matthew's Church, Duddeston for the men of this church who fell. His brothers, William James Pain (Jnr) and Victor Herbert Pain are listed on the Roll of Honour at St Matthew's for their war efforts. RIP

    Lee Oates




    208373

    Pte. John Greenway 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.7th Nov 1914)

    John Greenway was my Great Uncle by marriage. I don't, unfortunately know much about him, except that he was married to my Great Aunt Laura Willetts for less than a year before he was killed in action. His name is included on the war memorial which is situated in Quarry Bank Park. He is buried in Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France. I know nothing else about his death.

    He left behind a little girl, also called Laura or 'Little Laura', who sadly died at the age of 5 in 1919, possibly due to the Spanish flu epidemic. I do have a photograph of John's little daughter, but unfortunately, not one of John himself. I have discovered this information in my quest to trace my family history and would love to contact any relatives of John Greenway. I just wonder if any of his friends or family have ever visited his grave in France.

    Angela Gauld




    208369

    A/Cpt. William Pritchett 17th Batt. A Company Sherwood Foresters

    My Grandfather William Pritchett was made acting Captain on 20/3/1918. He was captured on the first day of 'Die Kaiserschlacht'. In a diary he kept as POW in Mainz he drew a map of the immediate area and described what happened - it follows closely the unit diary's description of that fateful day.

    The Sherwood Foresters suffered more killed than any of the other 200 plus British battalions that fought that day. After the war he kept a chest of momentoes, German pickelhaube, bayonets, pistols etc brought home from leave periods, but at some stage he threw them into the Trent River, near Beeston. I wish he had kept them. There are some less warlike items of his in the regimental museum.

    Phil Goddard




    208367

    Pte. William Rae Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.8th May 1915)

    Our present family did not know anything about William Rae. It is through family history research we have found him. We discovered that during WW1 he served in the Royal Irish Fusiliers but, sadly, he was killed in action on 8th May 1915 in France. He is buried in the Commonwealth Grave Cemetery - Bailleul, Communal Cemetery Extension. His great grandson is a serving army officer and recently visited William's grave in November 2011 with William's great grandson. Although we have tried to find William's service records we have not yet been able to do so. However, now that we have found out some information we will always remember him for his bravery in WW1.

    Mary McGovern




    208363

    Lt. Marmaduke Morley 8th (Service) battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Marmaduke Morley was the son of A. Noel and Jessie M. I. Morley, of Lychwood, Worplesdon Hill, Woking, Surrey. He served as a Lieutenant with the 8th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, which was formed at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of K3 and attached to 70th Brigade in 23rd Division. They moved to Frensham and then to Aldershot in December 1914 and on to Hythe in February 1915 and Bordon in May. In August 1915 they landed at Boulogne. Marmaduke was killed on the 1st of July in the Battle of the Somme and is buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery, he was 22 years old.

    Nicholas Meade-Richards




    208361

    Pte. Arthur Frederick Wickenden 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    My Granddad, Arthur Wickenden lied about his age to join the Army on the 28th of January 1911 having been born 15/1/1895. He was posted to the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers who were at Kinsale in Ireland when the war broke out.

    The Battalion was moved to Cambridgeshire and then in to France on 7th of September 1914. He was either hit by a bullet, but more likely shrapnel in the stomach. Upon recovery, he was posted to 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers and went to Gallipoli as a replacement for troops killed or wounded there. 2nd Battalion went to France and Granddad was wounded again. The thought is that he was gassed. When recovered he was posted back to his original battalion. The story is that he was wounded again in an advance when he caught a burst from a machine gun and laid on the battlefield for three days. The wounds resulted in him losing the use of the fingers on one hand.

    He left the army as an invalid on 28/11/1917 shown as aged 25 years on his record but actually a month and a half away from being 23. Granddad also changed his name a little as he was baptised Frederick Arthur Wickenden.

    Nigel Wickenden




    208359

    Dvr. Edward Thomas Bush 3rd Division Ammunition Column Royal Horse Artillery (d.23rd April 1917)

    Edward Thomas Bush 12789 RFA, son of Charles and Esther Bush was born in the Parish of St.Pancras,London in 1894. He signed up as a reservist in 1911 and was mobilised at the beginning of the war and shipped to serve in France/Belgium. He served as a driver in the 3rd Royal Horse and Field Artillery, 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column. He died on the 23rd April 1917 during what was the Second Battle of the Scarpe at Arras.

    Sean Connolly




    208354

    Pte. William Pritchard 2/6th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.4th Nov 1915)

    William Pritchard was my great grandfather. He was born in Bangor, North Wales in 1866, one of 14 children. He had been a regular in the army and re-enlisted in 1914 at the age of 48. He joined the 2/6th Royal Welsh Fusailiers (Caernarfon & Anglsey) a second line unit set up after the outbreak of WW1.

    He died on the 14th of November 1915 and is buried in a war grave at Glanadda Banor.

    Edward Pritchard




    208352

    Pte. Ralph Hay Royal Engineers

    Ralph Hay served with the Royal Engineers. He and his family moved to Australia in 1923 and he served in The Australian Army in WW2, along with his two sons.

    Belinda Hay




    208348

    Sister Dorothy Jones RRC.

    Sister Dorothy Jones served in France, and returned as theatre sister at 1st Southern General Hospital Birmingham. She later became Matron of St Chads in Birmingham and died at Budleigh Salterton, Devon in 1960, I have the ARRC and RRC and a photograph taken in 1931. I wonder if anyone has any information regarding Dorothy Jones?

    Brian Hunter




    208334

    Pte. Frederick Bennett 17th Batn. (d.22nd March 1918)

    I am researching Frederick Bennett of the 17th Kings Royal Rifle Corps for our Village Archives. He lived in Marton, Warwickshire for many years. We know that he was a farm labourer, and was in the Warwickshire Yeomany and the Army Service Corps prior to the Kings Royal Rifles. Would love more information about him and his family's life.

    Ann Gregory




    208329

    Pte. John Carrick 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders (d.9th April 1917)

    I am Canadian and learned of my Grand Uncle, John Carrick only just this past week. My sister gave me a photo of him along with a framed "In Loving Memory" tassle with information of his battalion, date of death and an inscription from his family. He was my mother's uncle and I have begun researching his history.

    Bill Swan




    208326

    Pte. James Nutter 9th Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    My great grandfather, James Nutter, enlisted on 18th November 1914 in his home town of Colne, Lancashire. He initially was posted to the 15th battalion of the King’s Liverpool Regiment then transferred to the 9th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in November 1915. In December 1915 he was shipped to France.

    On 30th July 1916 James was injured in the right thigh by a shell. The wound resulted in the amputation of his right leg. He was sent back home in August 1916 and officially discharged from service in August 1917. He returned home to his wife Ethel May and had at least one more child, my grandfather, Harry Nutter.

    Stuart Gill




    208324

    Bdr. Samuel Fishburn 138 Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather, Samuel Fishburn was a bombardier with the Royal Garrison Artillery, in the Somme Region. I have been told that he was gassed in one attack, but survived. He enlisted 29th February 1916 and was discharged 12th June 1919. I have located an image of his medal index card, but unfortunately it does not give details of the medals he received. The medal themselves have been lost during their passage through the hands of family members. I have also obtained the war diary day headings for the 138th Battery and hope to add more information as I discover it.

    Ian




    208323

    Pte. William "Wallie" Chappell 16th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.31st Jan 1916)

    I came across a rather sweet postcard from this boy to his mother as he prepared to leave for war, and, so I decided to find out more about this soldier and from where he had come. William Chappell was born in 1896 in Batley, Yorkshire, son of Hannah Maria and Arthur Chappell. The Chappells lived in Ossett, near Wakefield with William, known as Wallie, his brother Joe (b.1894), sister Mary (b.1905) and his cousin Bertram Allsopp (b.1892, adopted son of the Chappells. By 1911, the Chappell household also included Arthur's mother Mary Chappell, 75.

    Ossett was principally a cloth making town, but also employed many in the local coal mines around Wakefield. Arthur was a Stationary Engineer and had married Hannah Maria c.1891. Wallie's brother, Joe, was an apprentice blacksmith, and Bertram was a Mill Worker/Rag Maker, whilst Wallie and his sister Mary were at school in 1911.

    Wallie joined the Church Lads' Brigade sometime around 1909 at the age of 13, and the boys were disciplined in rifle drills and various military style exercises. In 1911 the small movement became recognised by the War Office as part of the Territorial Cadet Force and when the call to arms came in the summer of 1914 they formed the 16th (Service) Battalion (Church Lads' Brigade) of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps under Field Marshal Lord Grenfell at Denham in Buckinghamshire.

    In early September 1914 the 18-year-old Wallie Chappell left his family and travelled first to London's King Cross, and then across to Denham. Wallie writes to his mother as soon as he arrives in Denham, on a postcard he bought at the Swan Hotel on the Village Road:

    "Dear Mother, Arrived London 2pm. Came straight here. Can't say where or what we shall do. This place Denham is near Webridge. Don't worry shall be all right. Dont know my address yet. Love from Wallie." He adds one more line: "Am in this hotel on the photo while writing".

    Wallie spent the next six months in Denham undertaking training and guard duties at local bridges and reservoirs, and two further months in Raleigh, Essex. In June 1915 the Lads moved to Clipstone Camp in Mansfield and attach to the 100th Brigade in 33rd Division and that summer on to Perham Down, a village near Salisbury Plain, and Andover. In November the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France, and the Brigade moved by train to Southampton with a total contingent of 30 officers and 994 other ranks, 64 horses and mules, 19 vehicles and 9 bicycles. Wallie and the 16th Battalion (Church Lads' Brigade) of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps ended their journey into war with a night Channel crossing and landed on 17th November in the Haute-Normandie region of France at Le Havre.

    The following is an account from records of the 16th Battalion:

    From the Le Havre, the battalion moves first by train via Abbeville to Thienne on 19th November and then after a few days in Boesegham it marches on to Annezin by the 30th November. Various course and training continue while different parts of the battalion are giving some trench familiarisation in rotation. Others are attached to the 180th Tunnelling Company RE as working parties for mining activities. They move to St.Hilaire on the 12th December, where they remain until the 28th December. Christmas day 1915, passes without any special note and 28th/29th December they move to billets in Bethune. The Battalion gets the bath house on New Year's day, but there is no clean kit available.

    On 2nd January 1916, the first Sunday of the New Year, the battalion moves into the firing line for eight days in trenches near Bethune. The battalion's position comes under an intense bombardment that lasts for hours. As the firing and shelling dies down, the damage has to be repaired. This work, together with digging out the buried men, goes for the next few days while the enemy continue to snipe, shell and machine gun. The battalion is relieved on the 10th January. Their losses for that first Sunday alone were 9 killed and 27 wounded.

    It was at, or shortly after, this battle in Bethune that William 'Wallie' Chappell was wounded and died of his injuries. He was buried on 31st of January 1916 in Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, and a headstone marks his burial. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record his passing: "Chappell, W. Age 20. Son of Arthur and Hannah Maria Chappell of 6 Groudle Place, Broadowler Lane, Ossett Wakefield."

    J Sullivan




    208320

    CQSM. James John Sheridan Lincolnshire Regiment (d.28th Jan 1916)

    My great-grandfather, James John Sheridan, was born on January 26, 1864 in Rushivee, Painestown, Co. Meath, Ireland. He served in India in late 1800's and several of his children were born there. He also served in the Boer War. My grandmother was born in 1900 in the British Military Barracks, Wexford, Co. Wexford, Ireland.

    James John Sheridan transfered from South Staffs to 1st Garrison Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He died on the 28th of Jan 1916 and is buried in Pieta Cemetery on the Island of Malta. I have photos of grave taken through the auspices of War Graves Commission.

    George A. Bausman, Jr.




    208314

    Pte. George Frederick Penfound 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment (d.12th May 1915)

    Tues 11th 1915 May. Resting in bivouac, in the evening proceeded to relieve the 5th Bn Cheshire Regiment in the trenches about Oosthoek abutting the Yser canal.

    Wed 12th May 1915. A fairly quiet day, except for the shelling of trench 27. by the enemy, at the cost of several casualties. During the evening our own Artillery, unfortunately placed several shells, in our own trench 28. seriously wounding one man, and killed other ranks 3. wounded other ranks 11. to hospital other ranks 5.

    The above extract is taken from the officer of the day diary. My great uncle was one of the 3 killed. George Frederick Penfound aged 30 of 39 Monument st Devonport Plymouth. I have my great uncle's medals, cap badge and death plaque, and yearly I place a poppy cross,at the memorial at St Aubyns Church in Devonport.

    He is buried in Plot1, Row D, Grave 3 in Spoilbank, Zillebeke, Belgium. Nobody from the family has yet visited, it is something I hope to do before I die.

    M. E. Blackmore




    208313

    Sgt. William Watford 2nd Btn. The Queens Regiment

    My grandfather was William Watford, he served as a Private & Sergeant in The 2nd Battalion, Queens Regiment. I also know that during the 1917 ‘Battle of Arras’, France he was captured and became a Prisoner of War. I have recently found some group photographs which I believe were taken during his capitivity. All the photographs were taken by ‘Frau Anna Nieworth, Gamsen Kastorp, Kr Gifhorn’. One photo refers to "S Thomas 14th Battn A.I.F" On the reverse of another postcard is written “With Best Wishes for 1918 Sgt 106970 Harry Bra(u?)ce, 27853 Matthews, 9863 Leonard C Brown, 6551 George (William J) Quinnell. If anyone recognises these names please contact me.

    Phil Watford




    208310

    Stoker George Charles Pickett HMS Arbutus (d.15th Dec 1917)

    George Pickett is one of eleven men named on the memorial at the entrance of his place of work, Hafod Isha Nickel & Cobalt Works, Swansea. He was killed on 15 December 1917, the date that the ship he was serving on, HMS Arbutus (K86) a Flower-class corvette, was torpedoed by UB.65 off the Irish coast. The ship sank during towing on the 16th.

    John Powell




    208307

    Gnr. Samuel Davies 170th Siege Bty Royal Garrison Artillary (d.13th May 1917)

    We know nothing about Samuel Davies' service during WW1, except that he served with 170th Siege Battery and is buried in France, at Duisans British Cemetery Etrun, Plot 1V, Row G, Grave 23. How do we find out more information? Can anyone help?

    Alan Mason




    208306

    Pte. James Roach 7th Btn North Staffordshire Regiment (d.6th Dec 1915)

    Unfortunately I don't know much about my Great Grand Uncle, John Roache, he was one of many of my relatives who served during the Great War and one of several who it appears were casualties. I know that his name is inscribed on the Helles Memorial for those who fell in Gallipolli but know little about him apart from that.

    Anthony Salkeld




    208303

    Pte. John McIlhone Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My Great Grandfather, John McIlhone, served in the Boer War and upon declaration of war with Germany in August 1914 joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was stationed at Fort Matilda in Gourock prior to embarking for France.

    He fought at the first major battle at Mons. He was then badly wounded at Neuve Chappelle on 17th of March 1915 spending 6 weeks at a Base Hopsital near Rouen. After this he was transfered to the Machine Gun Corps. He was wounded again in early 1916. In 1917 he received a 10 day pass home to Edinburgh and in March 1918 a 14 day pass. Upon returning to France in March 1918 he was wounded for the fourth time and duly hopsitalised. He survived the War and returned to Edinburgh.

    John McIlhone




    208297

    Rfm. David Boswell 10th Bat, B Coy King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.29th Feb 1916)

    Family folklore is that David Boswell died in a trench collapse. I do not know if this was due to enemy artillery action or a failure of construction. He is buried at La Belle Alliance Cemetery, Ypres.

    Ian Boswell




    208294

    Rfm. Arthur Emeny 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Arthur Emeny was a cousin of my grandfather. He is buried in the Guards Cemetery, Lesbouefs. Arthur died on the same day as his brother William Emeny who was a Lance Cpl. in 17th Battalion London Regiment and is buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval.

    Caroline Wimble




    208292

    Pte. Harry Owen 17th Btn Middlesex Regiment

    Harry was my Grandfather, he signed up using a false name, Harry Owen, he was actually, Harry Marke born in 1897 and was just 14 years old. I believe he went to Ypres and he lost his left arm below the elbow. He was discharged in 1917. My Mum told me he wouldn't wear a sock or useless prosthetic (his words) and proudly showed it off. I met him once when I was around 3 years old, which I don't remember. Mum last saw him living in an hostel for the Homeless in London. We don't know where he is buried, but I am determined to find him. God bless Mum and Grandad, finally reunited.

    Lel




    208290

    Rfm. Arthur Charles Franklin 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.3rd May 1917)

    All I know is that my Gt Grandfather, Charles Arthur Franklin served and died at Arras on the 3rd May 1917 and would like his memory kept.

    Trevor Franklin




    208286

    Rflm. James Alfred Noble 7th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.21st Mar 1918)

    Great Uncle James Noble left behind a wife and five children. He is buried at Grand-Seraucourt British Cemetery.

    The sacrifice made by him and all those brave men will not be forgotten.





    208285

    2nd.Lt. Frederick Clegg Army Cyclist Corps

    My Grandfather, Frederick Clegg, was born in Newcastle on Tyne in 1892 to a William and Eliza Clegg originally from Yorkshire. He was a Cpl in the 1/6th Lancashire Fusiliers, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieut in the Army Cyclist Corps. He served in France but I don't know when. In common with other WW1 soldiers he never spoke about his experiences during the war and died in 1991 aged 99 years.

    David Roach




    208282

    Pte. Robert Niles 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.13th Nov 1915)

    Robert Niles was my great grandfather. He died 2 months after my grandmother was born she never met him. He has a gravestone in Houplines Cemetery in France. I have been 3 times to visit this cemetery.

    Gail Hunt




    208281

    BQSM. William Henry Walker Royal Field Artillery

    William Henry Walker was born in 1871 - he served in the RFA from 1892 to 1906, during which time he served in India from 10 Oct 1894 to 8 April 1900. He married in 1894 before he left and his bride waited at home for 6 years. Her father was also in the Army and they had met at the church in the Barracks in Woolwich. Their first four children were born in Ireland, two in Fermoy and two in Cork. In 1906 he left the army and returned back to Sheffield, where he and his wife raised another three children.

    When WW1 broke out he was called up as a special reservist - the family say he said he would rejoin if he could get his old rank back and the authorities agreed if he passed fit. He was 48 years 169 days old when he reenlisted. He was in England with the 1st Division RFA until 29th of August 1914 and during that time he was made up from driver to corporal on the same day he enlisted. By the end of August 1914 he was promoted to sargent.

    On the 24th of October 1914 he was then transferred to the 13th Division then attached to the 209 Bh(?) on the 26th. On the 9th of Feb 1915 he was promoted to BQMS with the 66th Bde. On the 14 June 1915 his record says he was serving in Mesopotamia but the statement of service says posted 9th Sept 1916 so I am a little confused here? He left Mesopotamia on the 26th Jan 1916 and was sent to Egypt where he stayed until 5 Nov 1916.

    On the 5 Nov 1916 they were sent to Salonika where he stayed until 25 March 1919 and was serving back in England between 26 March 1919 and 24 April 1919 (But the military history sheet says he embarked for England on the 11 March 1919 - so once more I am confused?) It would also seem that he was transferred to the Labour Corps on the 12 Jan 1918 and there is a note before this saying classified PB 25th Oct 1917 - (I have no idea what this means?)

    He had served with the Royal Artillary a total of 14 years 12 days which of course qualified him for a pension. I find it amazing that he survied the complete WW1 and returned to his family, obviously well and fit as he went on to father two more children.

    He died on the 13 Sept 1944 - I am currently trying to put together a family history book for him and am investigating what battles were fought and gathering illustrations when and where I can.

    John alfred henry, William Henry, Jane Alice, Jane Alice Elizabeth. Taken in Ireland possibly Fermoy prior to leaving in 1906

    This was taken between 1915 (when he was promoted to Sargent) and 1917 when the girl to the far right died.

    Dorothy Walker




    208278

    Pte. Alfred Clarson 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.9th Jun 1917)

    Alfred Clarson was born in the June 1882 quarter at Tamworth, Staffordshire, the eldest child of Alfred Clarson, a bricklayer and builder’s labourer, and his wife Margaret Bennett Storer. They lived at Moor Street, Tamworth from 1891 to the 1950s. In 1911 Alfred Clarson, aged 29 and unmarried, was working as a fish hawker on his own account, and living with his parents at Tamworth.

    In April 1916 Alfred Clarson junior of 10 Moor St, Tamworth, aged 33 years 9 months, papermaker labourer, enlisted with the 11th Bn of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters), at Gateshead on Lyne. He was 5ft 2in, 36 in chest, good physical development, and his next of kin was father Alfred Clarson senior, 10 Moor St, Tamworth. He must have enlisted earlier at Tamworth, as he was referred to a medical specialist on 12 Dec 1915.

    Alfred was sent to France on 13 Oct 1916, and served a total of one year and 178 days. He was in the Calais hospital as a result of injury on 25 Oct 1916. He rejoined the Battalion in the field from 28 Dec 1916. He was killed in action 7 June 1917 at Messines and is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Tamworth Herald, Sat 15 Jun 1918. In Memoriam: “Alfred Clarson, 11th Sherwood Foresters, the beloved son of Alfred and Margaret Clarson, who was killed in action June 7, 1917 at Messines. Death divides, but fond memory ever clings. From his loving father, mother, sister, and brother.”

    Tamworth Herald, Sat 10 Jun 1922. In Memoriam: “Clarson. In loving memory of our dear sons and brothers, Ptes. Alfred and Arthur Clarson, who were killed in action in France on April 9 and June 7, 1917, respectively. Time changes many things, but fond remembrance ever clings....”

    Jean Ffrench




    208274

    Pte. Thomas Boyle Machine Gun Corps.

    I'm afraid I don't know much about the story of my Great Grandfather, Thomas Boyle's war experiences, apart from him leaving Ireland to enlist in 1914 due to family reasons. A situation which was highly contentious given the fact that the subsequent 1916 uprising was yet to happen. What I do know is that he enlisted in the Royal Irish Regiment on the 8th or 9th of August 1915, and was injured in Ypres whilst serving with the Left Wing Coy., Machine Gun Corps., on or about 26th of November 1917. A letter to his mother in Clonmel, Tipperary states the injury as 'gunshot wound, right side, mild'. It appears he had taken shrapnel to the face and in later photographs it is possible to see a disfigurement in his jaw.

    The records are sketchy, but it seems he was to convalesce at a British hospital, maybe in the Oswestry area, as his dispersal record has a stamp from there. He left the army on the 9th of March 1919, when he was placed on the reserve list. Unfortunately, my Great Grandfather's wound would serve to trouble him after the war and he died quite prematurely in 1942, at the age of 44. From what I have been told, the cause of his death was said to have been related to shrapnel poisoning.

    Gavin Rhys Jones




    208263

    Pte. Thomas Penston 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    My Great Grandfather, Thomas Penston, served in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles and later in the Royal Irish Regt. He arrived in France in August 1914, he was discharged due to wounds under Kings Regs 392 in 1916 and received a Silver War Badge upon discharge. I have his medal card, discharge papers and medal/SWB roll entries but do not have any photographs, if anyone has photos of 2nd Bn R.I.R circa 1914 I would be extremely grateful if you could contact me.

    Mark Smyth




    208255

    Pte. Harold Victor Atkinson MM. 15th Battalion, C Company Lancashire Fusiliers

    My Great Uncle Harold Atkinson fought in WW1 with the Lancashire Fusiliers. My grandfather, a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery, said that Harold had been a despatch rider. He enlisted in Burnley, Lancashire and initially was in the East Lancs Regt (23517) but eventually became 35736 in C Company of the 15th Lancashire Fusiliers.

    During The 3rd Battle of Ypres 1-3rd December 1917 he is cited in the book 'The Lancashire Fusiliers' on page 277 as, "Much individual good work had contributed to the battalion's achievement. The Military Medal was awarded to 2 runners, Privates H. V. Atkinson & G. Beardsall, for gallantry in carrying messages throughout operations." The Burnley Express says he did this "under heavy shell fire, work for which he volunteered to do." The award of his Military Medal was also reported in the London Gazette, Issue number: 30573 Page:322, 13th March 1918.

    He died not long after winning his medal on 25th December 1917 - having been killed instantly as reported by his friend Pte, W Smith - the day before he should have had the ribbon of the Military Medal pinned to his chest. He wrote to his parents the day of his death to inform them he had won the Military Medal, having found out about his award on the 23rd.

    In a report in the Burnley Express, Captain Kenneth Leeming said "Pte. Atkinson was his own messenger and he had learned to love him like a brother as he was always so cheery. He was thankful that Pte. Atkinson lived to know he had won the Military Medal, which he thoroughly deserved".

    He is buried in Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, Belgium and is also commemorated on St. Cuthberts Memorial, Burnley, Lancashire. He is also said to be commemorated in Droylsden Cemetery, UK

    His elder brothers Roy Atkinson (781701) Royal Field Artillery and Herbert Atkinson (6806) 18th Hussars also served but survived.

    Alison Ford




    208253

    Cpl. Stanley Gilbert Gordon Vince 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment

    Stanley Gilbert Gordon Vince was born in Monks Eleigh, Suffolk in 1895. In the early years of World War One, Stanley worked as a Clerk in the Packing Room of Henry Poole & Co, tailors in London’s Saville Row. His responsibilities included the processing, packing and despatch of customer orders and his salary was £52 per annum. Working for a tailor he was always immaculately dressed.

    Stanley enlisted as a Private in the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) on the 11th January 1916. He was posted to the 24th Infantry Brigade at Etaples in France on 29th June 1916. On the 9th July he was attached to the Manchester Regiment 20th Battalion & on 25th October 1916 he was with them in the field. Stanley and other Royal Fusiliers from London were reinforcements to replace the heavy casualties suffered by the Manchester Regiment during the Somme campaign. As Stanley was in the field with the Manchester Regiment 20th Battalion during May 1917 there is a high probability that he took part in the battle for Bullecourt either on 4th May 1917 or the 13th May 1917.

    Clive Mabbutt, Stanley’s grandson said that he never spoke of the war to him. However his grandmother, Lillian Vince, told him of Stanley’s involvement in ‘hand to hand fighting’ and ‘being buried alive’ by mud from an exploding shell.

    Stanley’s war service record shows his appointment to Acting Corporal on 4th April 1918 and from 13th May 1918 he was in action with the Manchester Regiment on the Italian Front. On 30th November 1918 he was invalided out of the war after suffering a heart attack whilst serving with the 22nd Battalion in the Italian mountains. Two or more years enduring the horrors of war on the Western Front and on the Italian Front had taken their toll and severely affected his health.

    Stanley returned to employment with Henry Poole & Co in their Counting House. Responsibilities now included billing customers, compiling ledgers and paying staff. For this he was paid £107.4.0, double what he received when he left them to enlist. In his war service record there is copy of a telegram sent to his employer confirming that he was suffering from a 'Dilated Heart with Valvular Disease'. Despite suffering heart problems Stanley volunteered service as a Special Constable immediately after the war giving 9 years unpaid service with at least 50 duties per year. In 1939 he received The Special Constabulary Long Service Medal with bar. When World War Two broke out it is believed that Stanley continued service as a Special Constable because at the end of the war he was awarded The Defence Medal.

    From 1929 Stanley Vince owned the Post Office and General Stores in Monks Eleigh with his wife Lillian. In 1952 ill health and further heart problems arising from his World War One service forced him to retire and he moved to Plymouth with his wife and daughter, Doreen. He enjoyed watching cricket and boxing and the odd bottle of ‘Mackeson’ Milk Stout with a Woodbine!

    Stanley Vince died in 1969 and was buried in the cemetery of St. Budeaux Church, Plymouth, Devon. His wife Lillian was buried with him in 1995.

    Stanley in 1916, when he enlisted as a Royal Fusilier. There is damage to be seen to this photo. Stanley’s younger brother, Sydney Vince was an Able Seaman who served with Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division and he carried this photo of Stanley in a wallet in a breast pocket of his RNVR uniform. It was returned to his family with his personal effects after he was killed in action. The damage is reputed to be from a bullet that killed him during the battle at Varlet Farm, near Passchendaele on 26th October 1917. Sydney has no known grave but he is thought to be in one of the thousands that are unidentified at Poelcapelle. His name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Stanley in 1918, with his Manchester Regiment Corporal Stripes.

    Stanley’s older brother, Alfonso Vince, was killed in action whilst serving as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment on 25th October 1915. He has no known grave but his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

    Clive Mabbutt




    208251

    Gunner Reginald Charles Evans MM. 276 Brigade, D Battery. Royal Field Artillary

    My Grandfather, Gunner Reginald Charles Evans, fought alongside Sgt. Cyril E. Gourlay V.C. at Little Priel Farm on 30th November 1917 during the German counter attack at the Battle of Cambrai, France. Sgt. Gourlay was awarded the V.C. for his actions that day, and all other men who helped him keep the 4.5 inch Howitzer firing against almost imposible odds were awarded at least the M.M.

    Wayne Finch




    208250

    Pte. Arthur Binns MM. 15th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    At the Battle of the Somme in 1916, a German hand grenade fell into the trench, close to Arthur Binns of the Leeds Pals. Whilst his pals were frozen with fear he strode forward, picked it up and threw it back where it came from. For this action he was awarded the Military Medal. Of the Leeds Pals 750 of 900 were killed in that battle.

    Later in 1918 at The First Battle of the Somme (1918) at the end of March Arthur was taken Prisoner of War and at repatriation he returned so terrible thin. On the 25th of Feburary 1919 he was discharged and married his sweetheart Alice on the same day.

    David Kidd




    208245

    Pte. Peter Carlton Forbes 22nd Brigade, "B" Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.28th Sep 1918)

    Peter Carlton Forbes was born to Peter Grassick Forbes of Dunfermline Scotland and the Late Jane Forbes who came from Broken Hill Australia. It is understood that on the outbreak of the WW1 a number of men including immigrants from the UK and, of course, Peter and his father left Australia to join the British Army and fight the war. He had married Margaret Elizabeth Magraw and fathered a child, named Peter Grassick Forbes. He came home to visit his son before going off on a campaign from which he never returned.

    Peter Carlton Forbes was 24 when he was reported initially missing and subsequently confirmed dead on the 28th of September 1918. His remains are buried in Fins New British Cemetry, Sorel-Le-Grand. His widow was advised that because his family had emigrated to Australia she was not entitled to any War Widows pensions or assistance from the British Goverment.

    T Forbes




    208243

    Staff Nurse Cecilia Gertrude Tyson HMHS Syria

    My Great Aunt, Gertie Tyson enlisted in 1915 in the Queen Alexandria's Imperial Military Nursing Service having been a Sister at the Royal Infirmary in Hull. She served on the Hospital ships Syria and Varsover for 2 years before choosing not to re-enlist due to 'urgent family matters'. Her brother Fred had died in Belgium 8 months earlier, his body never having been found. His name is on the Menin Gate. I have a photo of Aunt Gertie on board one of the ships with some of her patients. After the war she continued her nursing career and became Matron of a hospital in Hull and after her retirement, a District nurse in Rawcliffe, near Goole.

    Maggie Risby




    208240

    Pte. George Cockfield 1st Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1916)

    I know very little about my great uncle, George Cockfield. He died on 23rd Oct 1916, I suspect during an attack on Spectrum Trench as part of the 1st Btn., King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, he was aged just 20.

    Noel Cockfield




    208238

    Sgt. Thomas Edward Blacklock MM. 9th Battalion Border Regiment

    Thomas Edward Blacklock, born 3rd Nov 1894, was my father, he was known as Ted. He signed up in 1914 at a recruiting meeting held in the Lamplugh Murton Assembly Rooms with seven other former pupils of Lamplugh Parochial School all volunteering for military service. He was aged 19. The recruits were motored to Whitehaven for a medical examination by Mr George Dickinson, Red How Lamplugh. Ater passing the examination Ted was assigned into the 9th Borders as a private. After training he crossed over to France along with many other Cumbrian 'Lads'. He spoke very little about his life in France putting me off by saying I really did not want to know what 'it' was like. [I did!] I found some information when I discovered papers and letters that had been kept by my grandmother. One stated

    "Regret to inform you that on 12th Oct 1915 Thos. Ed. Blacklock 9/14980 is in an isolation hospital at Etables, France suffering 'Enteric (severe)'" and in November 1915 another states he was admitted to the Royal Herbert Hospital Woolwich suffering from 'not known'”. He also suffered from lupus and had facial disfigurement which remained with him for the rest of his life. After recovery he returned to the 29th Division, Border Regiment but to a different unit. He was unable to join his former border comrades as they had by then moved to another theatre of war.

    By April 1918 he was still serving in the 29th Division but had been sent to join the 1st Battalion of the Border Regt. It was then that he became engaged in the Battle of the Lys near Vieux Bequin. I understand in this Battle he helped to capture a German gun which can now be seen in the Border Regimental Museum in Carlisle Castle. For brave actions his commanding officer Capt. A/Lt Col J Forbes-Robertson was awarded the Victoria Cross and my father, now Sgt. Thomas E. Blacklock No.14980 was awarded the Military Medal.

    I have in my possession some letters sent home to his parents which tell and refer to some of the above information and about conditions and life etc. I have used these to discover some of the above story.

    Mary E Marshall




    208237

    Pte. Edwin Wright 2nd/5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.24th Apr 1918)

    My great uncle Edwin Wright was born in Castleford, West Yorkshire in 1899. He was the son of William Wright, a miner born near Preston Lancashire, and Phoebe nee Vice, originally from Dudley in Worcestershire. I know little about his life but that would be because he died so young. Here is his obituary as printed in the Castleford local press on March 24th 1919:

    "Died as a prisoner of war, Private Edwin Wright of the 2nd/5th Lincolns of whom no news has been received since April 15th last year, is now reported to have died from shrapnel wounds in the abdomen at the war hospital St. George on 24th April 1918 while a prisoner of war. Private Wright who was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. William Wright of 8 William Street, Wheldon Lane, Castleford, was buried in the South cemetery, Lille. Before the war he assisted his father in the latter's greengrocery business. He enlisted in the West Yorks on April 2nd 1917, and went to France in March 1918."

    Anthony Tate




    208234

    Gnr. Daniel McAllister 277th Bde. A Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.21st Aug 1917)

    My uncle, Daniel McAllister, served with the Royal Field Artillery from 1916 through to his death in 1917. He died of exposure to a German Gas attack on his position just south of Ypres. He probably died within a few days, but not instantly. He is buried an Brandhoek New Militry Cemetery No 2.

    John McAllister




    208228

    L/Cpl. John William Yates 1st/5th Battalion, A coy. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.18th Jun 1917)

    I have been researching the records of my great granddad, John Yates, who died in WW1. The records I have found are amazing and really given me an insight into his life and how he died. John was 40 when he was enlisted as a Private and then promoted to Lance Corporal. He was 5ft 9 3/4 according to his war records and had a 36 inch chest. Between 1914 and 1917 John returned home for one period but soon returned to battle. John was husband to Alice Yates and had 6 children, the youngest Reginald (my grandfather) never met his father as he died before being able to return home to meet his baby son. He died of wounds to his thigh on the 18th of June 1917.

    John William Yates is buried in a war grave at Chocques Military Cemetery in France.

    Hayley Fairbairn




    208226

    Pte. Walter James Myers 4th Battalion

    My great Uncle, Walter James Myers, was treated at the 2nd Northern General Hospital between 29th July and August 1916 after receiving gun shot wounds at Poziere, France. Any information would help.

    Jamie




    208217

    W/O William Jamison Royal Irish Rifles

    My great grandfather, William Jamison, served with The Royal Irish Rifles as a Warrant Officer. I would like to get more information on where his unit or battalion served during the Great War and want to learn about this man that I didn't have a chance to meet. He passed away in 1958.

    Ryan




    208216

    L/Cpl. William Charles Tame 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.29th Jul 1917)

    My Grandfather, William Charles Tame was born on the 2nd of July 1870, in the Parish of St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol. He was the son of a Catholic couple William Thomas Tame and Clara Tucker. His Parents were barge people who earned their living on the River Avon. His Father died as a result of falling from his barge into the mud.

    When he was 18 years old William Charles enlisted into the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots. He served in South Africa for two years and twenty-eight days between 1899 and 1901. He was entitled to wear the South Africa Medal. He was discharged at Glencoe in Scotland after serving thirteen years and thirty-two days. He is described on his discharge certificate as being 5'5''tall and having a fair complexion with brown hair and hazel eyes. On the 2nd of February 1894 he married Margaret Rafter at St George's Parish Church in the City of York.

    In 1914 the First World War broke out, and on the 3rd of December that year William volunteered. He was enlisted into the Gloucestershire Regiment in a Battalion known as "Bristol's Own" made up of men from the Bristol area. He completed basic training and was posted to France in 1915. On the 23rd of July 1917 he returned to France having spent ten days at home on leave. On the 29th of July whilst on guard duty at the front, he was struck by lightening and fatally injured. He was buried with full military honours at Rocklincourt Cemetery near Arras in France. A family friend who survived the war gave the details of his death to his wife.

    William and Margaret had five children who survived infancy. Four sons and a daughter. Their son William was also killed in the early days of the war, his body was never found. Charles their second son narrowly missed being killed when his ship was sunk with all hands while he was home on sick leave. Their son Reginald served in the Army in India. Their youngest son Leonard and daughter Gladys stayed at home with their mother and moved to York after the War. They settled in Hope Street in St George's Parish, not far from where Margaret was born.

    John Pattison




    208209

    Pte. John Dixon 7th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Terry Douglas




    208200

    Pte. Robert Henry Earl 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.13 April 1917)

    <p>Robert's headstone in Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

    My husband's great uncle who died 13 April 1917 in France. Here is a poem he sent to his local paper from the front:

    "Doing your Little Bit"

    • 'When the Allemans blow off your hat, or helmet with a crump
    • When the ariel torpedoes scarcely give you time to jump:
    • When you're always in the hottest place, and never have no luck:
    • ... ...
    • When the whizz-bangs come so thick you haven't time to duck:
    • When trench mortars, bombs and shrapnel seem to have a love for you:
    • When trying to retaliate other guns shell you too:
    • When you hear the bullets singing, and your head they nearly hit:
    • Never mind but just remember, you are doing your little bit.
    • When you're sleeping on a firestep, with your blanket soaking wet
    • When the mud is in your eyes and mouth and in your hair you bet,
    • When the rain comes through your dug out roof and drips down on your nose
    • When your feet are blinking icebergs, and you cannot feel your toes
    • When the neighbours in your shirt are dancing.......
    Sadly I dont have details of the end of the poem, but it paints a picture of life on the front

    Another letter he wrote to the West Cumberland Times 28/9/1916

    Dear Sir, Just a few lines to let you know that I am back in the firing line again, and hoping that it won't be long before the war is over. I was very sorry that I was not in li...ne when you sent me the grand parcel of Old Toms: I was hit three days before the landed and I was along day down the line by then. My platoon Sergeant told me that he shared them among my platoon so you can see that they did not get lost. I don't think it will be long before I am down the line again for when I walk any way fast the piece of shrapnel that is in my thigh gives me stick. Wishing you and all the readers of the 'Star' every success. My sergeant and all my platoon send their best wishes to all the town people who support the 'Star' Smoke Fund. Good Night and best of luck to you all

    Robert is buried in Feuchy Chapel British cemetery Pas de Calais France. We visited his grave in 2009. Such a moving experience

    Karen Rooney




    208187

    Rfm. Jeremiah Donovan 2nd Btn. C Coy. Royal Irish Rifles (d.27th Oct 1914)

    My great uncle, Jeremiah Donovan died in France at the age of 19 yrs and his body, like thousands of others, was never found. It is only through resourses like this one can his heroic deeds be rightly recorded. May he rest in peace.

    Frank Lingwood




    208185

    Gnr. Frank Herbert Butler 35th Heavy Battalion Royal Garrison Artillery

    Frank Butler served with 35th Heavy Battery and was discharged sometime in 1916. I would like to know why.

    David Keene




    208182

    Sgt. Cyril James Greenwood 82nd Brigade, C Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.21st Mar 1918)

    My great uncle, Cyril Greenwood, was born on 8 Feb 1892 in East Morton, nr Bingley, Yorkshire. He was the son of Wilkinson and Martha Greenwood, and had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. I have not yet found out when how early in the war he joined the Army, but he was a Sergeant in the Royal Field Artillery, 82nd Brigade, C Battery. He died on 21st March 1918 and his name is commemorated on the Memorial at Pozieres, near Albert in France. He was 26 years old. The battle in which he was killed was in the area to the west of Fort Vendeuil.

    Information from the journal of the Royal Artillery on this battle gives the following information: On 21 March 1918, A Battery, 82nd Brigade, RFA commanded by Captain W. Dennes, MC, was in action about 1000 yards west of Fort Vendeuil. About 12 noon German infantry appeared in large numbers in front of the wire of the Ly Fontaine - Vendeuil switch line that was some 300 yards in front of the guns. From this time onward the Battery engaged the enemy infantry at close range, inflicting very heavy casualties on them and driving them back for a time.

    About 3:45 pm Captain Dennes sent a message by runner asking for assistance, saying that he was holding his own but the enemy had worked up close, were sniping gunners on the guns, and he was loosing a good many men. Shortly afterwards Dennes was hit by a sniper and believed to be killed. 2nd Lieut. R G M Jones took command and sent a runner back to the nearest infantry post with a message saying he was intending to remain where he was and hold out to the last, and asking for the support of rifle fire on his flanks. The runner, however, lost his way- the message was not delivered in time and about 5 pm the battery position was rushed by the enemy and the few survivors in it were captured

    I have three letters in my possession, written to Cyril's sister. The first is undated: "I have received a letter from The Rev P B Clayton at Poperinge, and spoken to the OC C/82 about your brother. The OC C/82 has already written to you and by now I expect you have received his letter giving you all facts. From what I hear it is most probably your brother is a prisoner of War and if you apply direct to the War Office you may hear better news."

    The second dated 19th October 1918 from the British Red Cross: "Dear Madam, It is with deepest regret I write to inform you of a sad report just obtained regarding the above from Cpl L.W.Peck, 22159. R.F.A. 82 Brigade, C. Battery, at present abroad. He tells us he was informed by Bombardier S.J. Elliott of the same Battery that he had seen the above badly wounded at Vendeuil. We wish we could hold out hopes of his having survived, but we fear the chances of this are getting sadly small as he has been missing so long."

    The third dated 29th April 1919 from the RFA Record Office: "Madam, It is my painful duty to inform you that no further news having been received relative to 26612 Sergeant Cyril James Greenwood C/82 Bde Royal Field Artillery who has been missing since 21 March 1918, the Army Council have been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead, and that his death took place on the 21 March 1918. By His Majesty's command I am to forward the enclosed message of sympathy from Their Gracious Majesties the King and Queen. I am at the same time to express the regret of the Army Council at the soldier’s death in his country’s service."

    Sue White




    208179

    Pte. William Bennett 1/6th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.28th Aug 1917)

    William was one of three brothers who did not see peace. Private Herbert Bennett served with the Northumberland Fusiliers and Corporal John Bennett MM with the Welsh Fusiliers. Any info please.

    C. Riley




    208178

    Cpl. John Bennett 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.1st Sep 1916)

    John was one of three brothers who died in the War. Private Herbert Bennett served with the Northumberland Fusiliers and Private William Bennett with the Cheshire Regiment. Any info on this family please.

    C. Riley




    208176

    Pte. Herbert Bennett 2nd Garrison Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Herbert was one of three brothers who went to war and didn't live to see peace. His brothers, Corporal John Bennett MM, died in 1916 and Private William Bennett, in 1917. Any info on this family would be appreciated.

    C. Riley




    208175

    Pte. John Henry Miller 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.24th Apr 1915)

    John Henry Miller is Remembered with Honour at the Menin Gate Ypres

    Notes on one man’s background and entry into the Great War. A portrait of the average soldier:

    Private 1016 J.H. Miller of the 1/5 Durham Light Infantry, part of the York and Durham Brigade, Territorials, was my Great Grandfather. He was born in 1869 in the parish of St. Johns, Hull; his father Isaac was a stevedore in Hull docks. I have no idea yet, how and why John Henry came to Darlington but on 23rd December 1899 at age 30, he married Susannah Brown aged 21, in the parish church of St. Paul’s in Darlington. Susannah was originally from Brierly Hill in Staffordshire where her father Robert Brown had been a Brick maker. The 1901 census records John Henry as 31 years old and as a Railway Plate Layer; their first child Charlotte was not yet one year old. This new family of 3 lived with Susannah’s parents, Robert and Sarah Brown, and Susannah’s siblings in overcrowded conditions at 10 Boyne Street, Rise Carr in the Harrowgate Hill area of Darlington. By the time of the 1911 census, John Henry is recorded as being 43 and not 41 years of age and now living at 3 Boyne Street, with Susannah and their children, Charlotte (10), Isabel (8), John Robert (6) and Lillian (4). Louise Miller, my Grandmother was yet to be born and in fact was 2 days short of her first birthday when John Henry was eventually killed in action. The same census records my Great Grandad as being a Blacksmith Striker and Puddler in an iron works.

    In spite of being only 5’ 7” tall John Henry Miller was clearly a fit and strong man involved in heavy industrial labour. Additionally, it is clear that by this time, this man had already become a “Saturday Night Soldier.” Enlistment Papers and Army Medial Reports show Private Miller as fit on 11th March 1908. The same papers also indicate previous military service by John Henry as a gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery Regiment, being discharged from the terms of his engagement at Dover on 9th August 1907. Previous service in the West Indies and Boer Wars are not the focus of attention here and remain the subject of research elsewhere. Suffice to say all indications are that he was a very good soldier and bandsman. Why was my Great Grandad in the T.A.? Perhaps the reorganization of the army in 1908, perhaps a sense of duty and pride, but more likely the need for extra money for a large and growing family. The King’s shilling was of great importance to many struggling working class North Eastern families at that time.

    At the outbreak of war in August 1914, Private 1016 Miller was a member of the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, in D, E or H company (Darlington) and based at Stockton on Tees as part of the York and Durham Brigade. Kitchener’s Saturday Night Soldiers were the object of scorn and contempt from many senior army officials at that time. Ironic that their contribution to the war effort would prove to be so significant and invaluable. There is to me additional and greater irony that Lord Kitchener should add his stamp to the pro forma message of condolence and sympathy from His Majesty following Private Miller’s eventual death.

    On 10th August 1914 the battalion moved from Stockton on Tees up to Hartlepool and by October that year via Ravensworth Park, the battalion were billeted in Newcastle. It is worth noting that during this time many Officers were taken ill due to the apparently poor living conditions in which they were placed. Also during this time Private Miller signed along with thousands of others an agreement to serve overseas. This was a period of increasingly intense preparation and training.

    On 16th April 1915 the battalion boarded a train at Newcastle station and departed at 1.30 pm bound for Folkestone via York, Doncaster, Spalding, March and London. 17th April 1915 saw the arrival of the Battalion at Folkestone between 12.45 and 1.00 am. and there began the immediate embarkation on board the Invicta. Records show that by 2.00 am they were underway on a very calm sea. A famous poem by a Sgt. Wilkes notes there was “no merriment or singing.” As an aside the Invicta was a cross channel turbine steamer of 1680 tonnes built in 1905 by William Denny and Sons in Dumbarton, owned and operated by the South Eastern and Chatham Rail Company before she was sold in 1923 to a French company Saga. The battalion arrived at Boulogne in France shortly before dawn on the 17th April. They disembarked immediately and began a cold and damp march up a steep hill to the outskirts of Boulogne and St. Martin’s Camp. Here the battalion rested until 5.30 pm that day. In the early evening John Henry and his comrades marched some seven miles to Pont de Briques where they entrained for Cassell at approximately 2.00 am.

    18th April, the whole battalion marched 8 miles to Steenvoorde and were billeted by company in various local farms. The march had been accompanied by the sound of distant gunfire as a reminder that their 5 day stay was a preparation for war in the trenches.

    22nd April was prior to my Great Grandad’s involvement but records (falsely) the first gas attack by German forces on French Algerian and Moroccan troops. Some 5700 canisters/168 tons of chlorine gas were unleashed and the devastating effects are well recorded elsewhere. This new lethal weapon of mass destruction had been in place and prepared since early February and it was only poor weather conditions that prevented its earlier use. At 5.00 pm the same day heavy shelling on Ypres and French trenches recommenced as a prelude to a German Infantry attack. Numerous texts explain in great detail the events of that day and the courageous actions of, for example, Canadian troops near Kitcheners’ Wood. NB: the use of the apostrophe in Kitcheners’ Wood is because it has nothing to do with Lord Kitchener but rather the “Bois de Cuisinieres”, and is therefore appropriately placed.

    23rd April was as usual St. George’s Day of 1915. At this point the battalion was 103 strong and commanded by Lt. Col. G.O. Spence. Spence had been warned the previous day to be ready at a moment’s notice. The more usual 4 company structure had been adopted and Private J.H. Miller was recorded as one of two official stretcher bearers with C company; he along with a Private Filtcroft and 3 attached RAMC are in evidence. I have no indication at this point why John Henry Miller was a stretcher Bearer – age, inclination, objection, experience and more research is required.

    The battalion was moved closer to the action en masse by motor bus to Poperinghe and then marched in silence and darkness to Vlamertinghe. From Vlamertinghe John Henry and his comrades marched to Brierlen where a hutted camp was to be their rest. Brierlen was, however, already under shell fire and the men were forced to lay on open ground during a wet, cold, grizzly night. No casualties are recorded at this time and Brierlen marked the boundary with French and Belgian troops.

    On 24th April at 1.00 am the battalion was assembled to move into action. They moved to take up positions on both banks of the Yser canal. From here the men moved to Potijze and in the early daylight they passed refugees and the gassed and wounded soldiers from the Front who warned them of their impending death. Ypres was to their right flank and visibly in flames. In occupying a line of reserve trenches at Potijze the first casualties were recorded and it appears that John Henry Miller was among the six that died that day. Three had belonged to A company and had died at Fortuin in support of Canadian troops. Private J.H. Miller was the only one listed with C company and the only official stretcher bearer killed. It had been noted in dispatches that 2ndLt. E.W. Faber and 2 or 3 of the old bandsmen were doing “splendid work as stretcher bearers.”

    My Great Grandfather was now dead and Susannah Miller was now a widow with 5 children living in 6 Elmtree Street, Rise Carr, Darlington. John Henry Miller had lasted 6 days from landing in France and had made the ultimate sacrifice for his King, Country and Comrades. Thousands had already died and many thousands more were to die on both sides in the following months and years.

    To some, 1016 Pte. J.H. Miller may have been mere working class cannon fodder … but to me he was, alongside many others, a hero. To my immense satisfaction and pride his name is recorded at the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium and his name and contribution are remembered with sorrow and honour. “… At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them.”

    Editors Note: Bandsmen traditionally serve the role of stretcher bearers during combat.

    Chris Charlton




    208171

    Pte. John Scannell 22nd (Wessex & Welsh) Battalion Rifle Brigade

    My grandfather, John Scannell was born in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales in 1873 the son of Irish immigrants. Before he married my grandmother, Jemima Morgan in 1901, he had served as 9874 Private John Scannell with the 1st Battalion, The Welsh Regiment during the Boer War. During that campaign he was awarded the South Africa medal with 5 bars for his action at Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Driefontein, Paardeberg and the Relief of Kimberley. After the Boer War he married and settled in Porth, Rhondda, Wales where he brought up a large family, including my mother Catherine Scannell. My grandfather found work as a coal miner in the Rhondda until the call to arms in 1914 when he was sent off to fight with the Rifle Brigade in places such as Usemli and Sokolovo to name just a few. He received the Great War Medal and the Silver Badge and was discharged 15/02/1919, he returned to Wales where he died in Merthyr Tydfil in 1929 aged 56. I have recently discovered that his last resting place is an unmarked grave at Pant Cemetery, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. R.I.P.

    Graham Williams




    208163

    Pte. Frederick Fox 23rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.28th Sep 1918)

    Frederick Fox was born and enlisted in Sheffield. He was a wartime enlistee joining the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1917. Posted to France in 1918 he joined the Labour Corps. He then moved to 23rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers in May 1918 as it became part of the 40th Division. He was involved in the Final Battles of Flanders being wounded near Nieppe on the River Lys. He died from his wounds and is buried at La Kreule Military Cemetery near Hazebrouck.

    Brian Hutson




    208161

    Pte. Edward "Ned" McGuirk 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.21st Apr 1915)

    My great granduncle, Edward McGuirk was killed in action in April 1915 whilst serving with 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He was born in Blackrock on the 8th of April 1889 to Edward McGuirk and Mary Anne Davis. I don't know much about him except that he worked as a gardener in Frescati House. I'm a bit confused as to what his date of death is. On some records it says he died on April 12th 1915 and on others it says April 21st 1915. I have a copy of his baptism cert from St.John the Baptist Church, Blackrock dated 21st April 1915 which I presume the family got on hearing of his death which would make April 12th the more likely date unless it's just pure coincidence.

    Ned is not on any of the memorials (something which I'm going to change)or listed in any cemetery records so I don't know if they ever recovered him or if he's one of the thousands of unknown soldiers buried in the cemeteries.

    His older brother, Michael, was also a soldier in WW1 and survived but I'm not sure what regiment he was in. I heard that more of the McGuirk brothers went to war but I haven't confirmed it yet.

    Louise Maher




    208160

    Pte. William Henry Allen 2/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.11th Jun 1917)

    William Allen was my great uncle who died in France. His brother, Sgt. George Allen of the same address, was also serving in France but at a different locale was not notified of his death till weeks later. William is buried at the Gorre British and Indian Cemetery

    Phill Allen




    208155

    Cpl. Walter Tomlinson 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.10th Apr 1918)

    Walter Tomlinson was my grandparent's first child, my father's oldest brother. He was employed in the textile industry in Lancashire and joined the 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. Although his name appears on a gravestone in Shuttleworth church yard, Walter never returned and there is a memorial to him in the Cemetery at Croix du Bac near Lille. My daughter and I visited the cemetery and were amazed to find that we were there on the 10th April 2008. That was exactly 90 years to the day since Uncle Walter was killed. I think we were the first people from the family to visit the cemetery and no one had ever mentioned it to me in the family. We traced him through the War Graves web site and were both pleased that we had been able to visit the memorial.

    John Tomlinson




    208149

    Thomas Wright 46th Battalion Saskatchewan Regiment (d.22nd Sept 1917)

    Thomas Wright, born 20th January 1886 at Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, Ireland was the fourth child of James and Catherine (nee Smith) Wright. By 1901, the family had moved to Kilbride in Co Antrim. Thomas emigrated from Ireland in 1908 and, by 1911, was working as a labourer at Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. He enlisted in Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 28th Jan 1916 and served as a Private in 46 Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment (which became known as "The Suicide Battalion").

    The 46th embarked from England for France on August 10, 1916, becoming an integral part of the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division. Having survived both the Battle for Vimy Ridge and Arras, Thomas Wright sustained multiple gunshot wounds at Hill 70 near Lens and died at No 22 Casualty Clearing Station on 22nd September 1917. He is buried at Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension, Bethune (Pas de Calais) Plot K 29.

    Hilary Kennedy




    208148

    Daniel Storey Labour Corps

    Daniel Storey was my maternal grandfather, who unfortunately I never met. He died in 1939 of Rheumatoid Arthritis. When she was a child, my mother remembered him as an invalid. According to her mother, Daniel went to France or Belgium immediately after the First World War to 'bury the dead'. I've since discovered his service record which shows he did this in 1920. Apparently the sights he witnessed were truly appalling, and he came back from Europe a changed man. The family attributed the onset of his condition to the trench gases.

    Marilyn Fountain




    208145

    L/Cpl. Allen Ager 11th Btn Royal Sussex Regiment (d.3rd Apr 1918)

    I have just recently found out about my Uncle Allen Ager. He died in The Great War. I have no living relatives to tell me anything but I am trying very hard to get as much info as I can about him. He, along with my father Arthur and their siblings, were all born in the vicinity of Haughley which is near Stowmarket in Suffolk. My Dad was born in 1888, he was 63 when I was born and we never spoke much about WW1 but when another uncle died a few photos came my way and a little info to say that Allen had died on the Somme. I hope to get the military history of Allen, and also of my Uncle Hugh who was wounded and lost his left arm in 1917.

    Linda Houlden




    208143

    Sgt. William John Mulholland 7th Battalion Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers (d.6th Mar 1916)

    William Mulholland was born in July 1890, the eldest child of Gawn Alexander and Agnes (nee Morrow) Mulholland in Belfast, Ireland. In 1911, he was living at home, 30 Frankfort Street, Belfast and, like his father, worked as a labourer. On 24th March 1914 he married Martha Hunter at Willowfield Parish Church, Woodstock Road, Belfast.

    He served in France as a Sergeant with the Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers and was killed in action on 6th March 1916 at Loos Salient. He is buried in Philosophie British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France.

    Hilary Kennedy




    208142

    Pte. Alexander Mulholland Royal Irish Rifles

    Alexander Mulholland was born in December 1891, the second son of Gawn Alexander and Agnes (nee Morrow) Mulholland in Belfast, Ireland. Until the outbreak of war, he lived at home at 30 Frankfort Street, Belfast and worked as a machinist - presumably in one of the many Belfast linen mills.

    He served as as Private in the Royal Irish Rifles and qualified for a medal on 5th October 1915, having served in France. One can only guess at the horrors he witnessed during the War which led him, on 2nd October 1919, to take his own life. His death certificate indicates that he died in a War Hospital, but not in Purdysburn, Belfast as there is no record of his admission there. Perhaps he was a patient at Richmond Hospital in Dublin? He was buried on 6th October 1919 in Public Ground at Belfast City Cemetery. As his grave is unmarked, his details are engraved on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Memorial Screen Wall in Section H 444 of the Cemetery.

    Hilary Kennedy




    208141

    Cpl. Ivor Cecil Thomas Glamorgan Yeomanry

    My father, Ivor Thomas, joined the Glamorgan Yeomanry the day war was declared in 1914. He was sent to France and transferred to the Royal Engineers when policy scattered county regiments among other units to disguise casualty rates.

    As a child I met a fellow Yeomanryman, a Mr Williams, then a coal merchant in Porthcawl, who had also served in GY. He had transferred into Transport Corps and ran mule trains in the Balkans where he saw his first Negro, driving a mule train in the opposite direction. Since Cardiff (30 miles away) had a sizeable black population at that time it shows how little people traveled before WWI.

    Gabe Thomas




    208140

    CSM. Thomas Rush MC. Norfolk Regiment

    CSM. Thomas Rush, Norfolk Regiment: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy had succeeded in penetrating between the front and support platoons of his company, and all the officers had become casualties, he took charge of the company, and rallying his men held up the enemy with rifle fire and bombs, inflicting heavy losses on them. By his cool and gallant leading he set a splendid example to.

    That's all we know about our grandfather. He joined the Norfolks before the War about 1904. He got shot a couple of times and his Military Cross is in the museum in Norwich.

    Steve Rush




    208138

    Pte. Arthur William Skilton 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.21st Jul 1916)

    After resarching some family history recently, on my mum's side, I discovered my great uncle, Private Arthur William Skilton, 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of wounds on 21 July 1916 aged 21.

    During the night of the 21 July 1916, Arthur's division relieved the 7th division, which had earlier in the day attacked and taken part of High Wood up to Black Road. They were holding the line prior to mounting an attack the next day on the trench 'wood lane' in High Wood. This attack on 'Wood Lane' cost the lives of 132 men from the 1st Battalion Royal West Kents. Before the attack took place, Arthur was wounded by a gunshot to his head, most probably by a sniper. He is buried in plot ii.c.53 Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-l'abbe. At the time this was a centre that had several casualty clearing stations. My family and I plan to go to France in the near future and visit his grave.

    Wayne Lymburn




    208135

    Pte. Henry Humpherson Edwards 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.25th Oct 1918)

    Harry Edwards died at the Royal Fortress Hospital, Cologne, Germany. Interred in the Sudfriedhof Cologne. Grave No VII E 2 . Harry died 18 days prior to Armistice being signed, in Koln of injuries sustained in Belgium he died on the 25th of October 1918. His Death Certificate States that Harry died a Prisoner of War of wounds.

    The 10th Battalion was Formed at Warwick September 1914 part of Kitcheners 2nd new Army. They trained on Salisbury Plain in 57th Bde. 19th Div. and in December 1914 went into billets for the winter. In March 1915 19th Div. Concentrated around Tidworth. On the 17.7.15 they landed in France.

    Harry died on the October 25th 1918, fourteen years before I was born. I seem to have been raised in his shadow. Harry was my nanny's younger brother. I was brought up at 194, Yardley Road where the family lived. I remember the huge photograph of Harry, in uniform, on the wall over the sideboard and the scroll and his medals in a large glass frame which were by the hearth until at least 1960.

    Nanny always told me that on Christmas Eve 1918, Armistice having been signed on the 11th November, they were looking forward to Harry's prompt return from Flanders. As they sat down for lunch a telegram arrived to say that Harry had fallen, Nanny's mother, having lost her first baby boy as a baby never recovered from this great shock, the loss of her only surviving son, she did not have the strength to fight pneumonia, and died, 5 years later.

    My bedroom was 'Harry's room', the constant reminder of my great uncle. Further research proved that he, in fact, died of wounds on the 25th October, a prisoner of war, in Cologne, and is interred in the military cemetery there.

    In the 38 years I have lived in Germany I have never forgotten the great sacrifice he gave and the heartbreak, my great grandparents and sisters suffered. Nanny maintained that he had been shot in the lower back. he was just nineteen years old. Harry is buried in the Commonwealth War Cemetery Cologne (Germany - Nordrhein-Westfalen - Köln)

    Cologne War Cemetery lies within a large civil cemetery known locally as Köln Südfriedhof. There are now 2,482 First World War servicemen buried or commemorated in the Commonwealth plots at Cologne, all of them POW's. The total includes special memorials to a number of casualties buried in other cemeteries in Germany whose graves could not be found. The Commonwealth section of the cemetery also contains 132 Second World War graves, mostly those of servicemen who died with the occupying forces. There are, in addition, 676 non-war graves and 29 burials of other nationalities.

    David Sealey




    208133

    Pte. William George Pritchard Minton 6th Battalion Lincolnshire (d.9th Aug 1915)

    William George Pritchard Minton was my great uncle; he was my paternal grandmother's brother. I had never heard his name mentioned by my family and only found out about him whilst researching my family history. He could not have been enlisted for long as he was only 18 years old when he was killed on 9th August 1915 at Gallipoli. There is a memorial stone for soldiers killed in the Great War at Stamford St Mary, Lincolnshire, which bears his name.

    Liz Hesford




    208132

    Pte. Sidney John Trevelyan 12th Battlion Somerset Light Infantry (d.6th Nov 1917)

    My Uncle Sidney Trevelyan was the youngest in the family and lived with his Mother Martha on a farm near Wellington, Somerset. He was the first to join the forces, followed by his brother Edward who joined the Canadian CEF in 1916 and then his older brothers Albert in 1917 and Francis. Sidney was killed in action and is buried at the Commonwealth Graveyard in Beersheba.

    Robert Edward Trevelyan




    208128

    Pte. Arthur Gee 1/4th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

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    I was told by my father years ago that my Grandfather, Arthur Gee, was at the Somme and was shot. Luckily he did survive.

    Faith Jones




    208123

    Sgt. George Henry Platt 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th Feb 1916)

    Serjeant George Henry Platt was born in Wolverhampton and enlisted in Wolverhampton. He died of wounds on the 13th of February 1916 aged 29. He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He left behind a wife, Mrs Mary Louisa Platt, and a 3yr old son Leslie Joseph.

    Julie Harris




    208118

    Rfm. Walter Barton 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.27th Sep 1915)

    My great uncle, Walter Barton, is buried in Merville, located about 15 kilometers from Bethune, Northern France. It was a billeting and hospital center from 1915 to 1918. All the British soldiers buried there were those who died in hospitals. There are over 1000 graves of British casualties in the CWGC cemetery at Merville Communal Cemetery. Unfortunately I do not know where he was injured and when exactly it happened.

    Regis Tully




    208117

    Fireman Alfred Banks HMS Aegusa (d.28th April 1916)

    My grandfather's brother, Alfred Banks, was one of the six crew members lost on board HMS Aegusa. He had a wife and child in Southampton.

    David Banks




    208113

    2nd Lt. William Lionel Brownlow Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th May 1915)

    I run our local unit of Army Cadets and have a plaque on the wall dedicated to 2nd Lt. William Lionel Brownlow. Our unit has been open many years and I have been there for 22 years on and off. It was only recently, whilst doing a spot of sorting out, that I looked at this plaque in great detail. It has a dedication from King George and I can only assume that the families of the deceased received these in memorium? Or perhaps they were able to purchase them?

    I have searched the internet and discovered that 2nd Lt Brownlow was killed on 9 May 1915 whilst attached to 2nd Btn, Black Watch and was buried at St Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg l'Avoué, France. He was 18 years old, the son of Brig. Gen. D'Arcy Charles Brownlow and Mabel Laura Brownlow, of 58, Wilbury Rd., Hove, Sussex. He had been educated at Marlborough College and Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

    I would love to know more about this young man, who bravely lay down his life in service of his country.

    Sgt. V. Gardner




    208111

    Pte. George Hardie 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.14th Dec 1914)

    My uncle, George Hardie was lost without trace in the defence of the Ypres Salient. His name is on panel 38 of the Menin Gate.

    George Hardie




    208109

    Pte. Henry Lesie "Ted" Jasper Monmouthshire Regiment

    My late father, Ted Jasper was a Lewis Gunner 1st class, shot sometime between 1917 and 1918. He survived a gas attack and after spending time in hospital in Aberdeen was sent to Ireland. I have been able to trace his medal card record which gives his service number with the Monmouthshire Regiment as being 60951 and also 94073 with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. I can find no other service records for him. He never told us any real details although he lived to be 87 years old.

    Xarifa Cooper




    208105

    Lt. Ralph Lindsay Christie MID 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment

    My father fought in the First World War with the Yorks. We have all of his letters from the trenches and I know of several fascinating stories of his period in the front line including going over the top, incomings striking his dugout when they were saved by a cat which acted as a direction finder for howitzers, going forward into machine gun fire which took out hundreds in minutes, sheltering in shell holes, sitting the Lewis gun, comrades being killed alongside and so forth. He contracted amoebic dysentery from the Indian troops and had to be invalided out spending time in a British military hospital in Italy and requiring a lengthy prescription of emetine with unpleasant consequences. I came across your website while attempting to find out more about the regiments service in Flanders - at least I suppose in Flanders - you will understand that his letters could not reveal his whereabouts. He was mentioned in dispatches and we have his citation with Churchills signature.

    I should add that the history of my father's association with the Yorks is somewhat drole - his eyesight was poor and such Scottish regiments as he approached would not accept him as a frontline soldier hence his application to the 9th Yorks. The eye test consisted of reading letters from a board at a standard distance; a sergeant read them out for him and he was in. He called it the British Expeditionary Force and explains that they were poor fellows 'keen as mustard'.

    James Christie




    208104

    Pte. Abraham "Louis" Edgar MM. 11th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My father Abraham Edgar, joined the Durham Light Infantry in 1914 but was discharged when it was discovered he was just 16. As soon as he was 18 he re-enlisted, this time in the Royal Scots Fusiliers. I would imagine he went to France in 1917 but am confused as to whereabouts he went.

    He spoke little of his experiences - he was a very emotional and traumatised man. However, we were told by him that on one occasion he was going to be shot at dawn for disobeying an order to go through the wire to rescue men on the other side. He had been through the wire many times on that particular day and was dog tired. He was told that because of this refusal he would be shot the next day. He was too tired to care. However, after some time he was woken up and asked, again, if he would go through the wire. This time he agreed to go and was able to rescue several men including an injured officer.

    He was awarded a Military Medal for this action and the officer he rescued was awarded a Military Cross. (I think that's what he said it was). The date of Gazette is not known but is marked No.59. The registered paper is 68/121/772 Schedule No. 214199.

    He married in the late 20s and moved to the South Coast. In the late 1970s he went with my mother to visit my sister in Leeds who drove them to the area they had come from (Newcastle area) where we were all amused by a photo they took of my father pointing to his own name on a War Memorial for those killed in action. He lived to 80 years of age.

    I would love to know where he won his medal and more about the officer involved, who incidentally gave him a silver Omega pocket watch as a memento. This, and my father's medals are now owned by my eldest son.

    Pauline Scutt




    208091

    Pte. James Amos Smith 11th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment (d.6th Nov 1917)

    James Smith is my great grandfather. I know he was one of a band called `Lowther's Lambs`. He was mortally wounded possibly with head injuries at the Second Battle of Paschendale, shipped back to the UK and died in Southern General Hospital, Birmingham.

    Christopher Nice




    208087

    Gnr. Archibald Henry Deadman 45th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Archibald Deadman was attested on 13/11/1914 at Newhaven and posted to 22nd Company on the 14/12/14, followed by the 18th Company on the 8/2/1915. The 18th and 22nd Companies were Sheeness, Eastern Coast Defences. He was posted to the 45th Siege Battery on the 17/7/1915, on the 31/9/1915 the Battery embarked at Southampton, disembarking at Boulogne on the 1/9/1915. He served with the 45th throughout the war except for a short posting between 2/5/1918 and 8/10/1918 to II Corps Supply Column Rgt. He was embarked at Boulogne on the 16/1/1919 and demobed at Shorncliffe on 18/2/1919.

    Paul Hayter




    208084

    Edward Arthur Bryans 3rd Battalion (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Edward Bryans was my great uncle. He was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland in 1886. His parents were Edward and Bessie (Moore) Bryans. He went to Australia around 1905 and I think he sailed on the ship HMS Encounter. This ship was sent from England to help Australia defend its country. Previously he had spent four years in the militia in England and four years in the British Royal Navy. In the navy he was a stoker first class on HMS Encounter. He married Elizabeth Morton Riddick in 1915 and they had two daughters Myee and Edith.

    He enlisted on 17th of January 1916 and arrived in England on 3rd of August 1916. He proceeded to France and marched into the 1st Australian Division Base Depot in Etaples on 17th of Sept 1916. Edward was wounded in the spring of 1917 and sent to England for medical care. A few months later he returned to fight in Belgium. He was killed 4 Oct 1917 during the Battle of Passenchendale. His name is on the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and also on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

    Elaine Langlois




    208081

    Pte. John Breen 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.3rd Mar 1917)

    My granduncle, John Breen, as far as I know he joined up at age 15 in 1905/6. with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment. He served until Oct or Nov 1916 when he joined or was posted to 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fuseliers. He was wounded in action at Sailly Saillsel, France (near Amiens) on the 28th or 29th of Feb 1917. He was transferred to dressing station at Meaulte, France where he died on the 3rd March 1917. He is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, France.

    Has anyone any info on this battle or any ancestors who were treated at the dressing station at Meaulte or buried in the nearby cemetery?

    William Gilbert




    208078

    Pte. John Tibbatts 1st Battalion Welsh Guards (d.1st Dec 1917)

    John Tibbatts was born on December 19, 1897, the youngest son of Albert and Bridget, and was baptised at St Catherine of Siena Church at the beginning of 1898. We know little of his early years, other than he attended St Catherine’s School. Albert, his father, believed that school was very important and it is certain that John completed his education before beginning his working life.

    At the beginning of the Great War in 1914, John, who was by then 17 years old, joined the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards Regiment. After training, he was sent to France in 1916, to fight. Life in the trenches was unbearable and it is difficult to imagine the living conditions that these young men were to endure. I can only imagine what it must have been like to live in constant fear of dying, every minute of the day. History books teach us that these soldiers had not only to fear the enemy but also their superior officers, who often gave the order to shoot onsite men who refused to move towards the opposing guns.

    Many years ago I talked with my father of his experience of the war and asked the question: What was it like? "I kept my head down, I prayed a lot, did what I was told to and I thanked God every morning that I woke up alive." I first thought it was glib response from a man who didn't wish to share or relive that traumatic period of his life. But on reflection, I realized that it was how he chose to accept his lot and still not lose the spirit to fight.

    It was during the Battle of Cambrai, which began in November 1917 that tanks were first used on a large-scale, although they had been considered of little value in offensive operations, as they were prone to defects in operation. The Commander in Chief, Sir Douglas Haig, disappointed by the lack of progress in the village of Passchendale and attracted by the possibility of obtaining a profitable victory before the end of the year, decided to continue using tanks, supported by infantry. Haig described the purpose of Cambrai operations as "obtaining a local success by a sudden attack." in a place where the enemy was least expecting an attack, and, to some extent, it worked.

    The assault approach was novel because artillery had not bombarded the placements beforehand. Tanks were required to pass first through the German wire followed by infantry, concealed by smoke dams (a blanket of smoke bombs) The attack began early on the morning of 20 November 1917 and advance was remarkable. But, by the 22nd, it was decided to stop and give soldiers time to rest and reorganize, unfortunately for the Allies it also gave the Germans time to strengthen their lines. From 23 to 28 November, fighting was concentrated almost exclusively on Bourlon Wood, and by November 29, it was clear that the Germans were ready for a counterattack.

    During the terrible battle of 1st December 1917, and a few days before his 20th birthday, John, like many other young men, lost his life. John is buried with 7047 other men, British and South African, and Canadian who lost their lives during the Battle of Cambrai. "Their Sacrifice is commemorated in the cemetery of Louverval, in the Cambrésis".

    Eugene Hayden




    208074

    Pte. Frederick John Collier 2/8th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.12th May 1917)

    Frederick John Collier was my Grand Uncle. Records state he was killed in action at France & Flanders. Frederick is noted as being formerly with the Suffolk Regiment.

    Peter Barrett




    208072

    Cpl. William Thompson 3rd (King's Own) Hussars

    My grandfather William, ran away from home, added a year to his age, adopted the name "Thompson" and joined the 3rd (King's Own) Hussars in June or July 1913.

    At some point in the war, probably about 1917/1918, he was hospitalised in Bristol. There he met my future grandmother, Amy Louisa Goodman. She lived in Westbury on Trym and was a volunteer auxiliary nurse. I imagine she would have worked at a local hospital, either the Southern General or Red Maids.

    I am trying to find out when and in which hospital she worked. This information or any other, would give me another very small piece of the jigsaw which is my Grandfather's mysterious life.

    David Marshall




    208068

    Pte. Archibald John Cuff 1st Battalion Royal ÃÆ??Ã?Ã? Hampshire ÃÆ??Ã?Ã? Regt (d.14th May 1915)

    <p>

    Archibald John Cuff died in the Great War. Jack, as he was known, was born in Bournemouth in March 1887 to Richard John Cuff and Emma Elizabeth (nee Venn). His father was a railway porter with the London and South Railway. In the 1901 census Jack was a newspaper boy, living with his parents.He married Agnes Kate Slade from Church Knowle, Dorset in 1910.

    As Jack's records were destroyed it is hard to follow his military career. In 1911 he was at the Barbados Barracks in Aldershot, Dorset in the 1st Battalion, Royal Hampshire Regiment. Jack was a stretcher bearer and a musician. He was killed in action in France in May 1915. His name is on the Menin Gate and at Waterloo Station Memorial, London.He left behind 2 young children, Jack and Winnie. Kate, his wife, never remarried and when she died she had all his letters from the war in a handbag that never left her side. She was 26 years old when her husband died and she lived to be 89.

    Michele Dore




    208063

    Pte. William Ford 2/1 Btn. Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars

    My grandfather, William Ford, joined the Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars in February 1917. I know this for 2 reasons. I have his diary for 1917. He kept very brief notes of where he was in 1917 and I tracked him to 2/1 Battalion. He had his photograph taken in uniform in April of that year and his cap badge is that of Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars. His diary states he was "draughted" to France on the 19th of August 1917 at 8am. He was wounded in France. A bullet passing through his right arm into his left leg and he was missing for some days. His diary states that he was "removed to Manningtree" on 20 October. No mention of being wounded or where he had been. Family tradition has it that he was on the French/Belgium Border. The problem is I can't find a record of his battalion serving in France or any other details of where he might have been wounded.

    Editor's Note: Many of the Cavalry regiments were split up and troops transferred to other units in 1917, or he may have been draughted to another unit in France, so it is likely he would have been with another regiment when he was wounded.

    Roger Heath




    208062

    Pte. J. "Tomle" Parkinson DSO 1st Btn. B Company Gordon Highlanders

    Private J. Parkinson, B Coy., Gordon Highlanders, who was invalided home wounded in the thigh, gave this letter to Mr. W. G. Temple of West View, Bedlington, before recovering and returning to the war:- "We formed part of the 3rd Division of the Expeditionary Forces and landed at Boulogne on the 13th August, 1914. We marched up country to St. Quentin and took the train from there. We spent a week billeting at farms in the mining districts of Hyons Cypoli. At Hyons Cypoli we stopped four hours. The miners brought us wine and various other luxuries. At 6 o'clock on the 21st August we marched into Mons and our company was billeted at a large house supposed to have been vacated by a German.

    While there we saw a German aeroplane pass over and we heard our troops on the left flank open fire upon it. As soon as the firing ceased we went to bed, but were called to arms at 2.30 a.m. We went right out for one mile along the main road to the right of Mons and started to entrench there, leaving the Middlesex and the Royal Irish in reserve. We got no breakfast and the cookers commenced to prepare dinner - in fact very few of us had watches, and we had lost account of time altogether. The Royal Irish were having dinner in an orchard close at hand.

    There was a wood situated about 1,400 yards in front of our position, and the Germans opened fire out of the wood with their machine guns and artillery. A Lance-corporal, two privates and myself were sent out as a picket or scouting party. We were out about 15 minutes and had got about half-a-mile in front and were talking to some civilians when the Germans opened fire upon us. We turned round and doubled back to the trenches after seeing Germans moving in column out of the wood. As soon as our report was given we opened rapid fire. Long before this we had heard the heavy guns playing on Mons. We hung on in the trenches and kept on firing until 12 a.m. At 6 p.m. Major Simpson and a private went down to the village to seek more ammunition, but a shell burst very near and struck both of them. They were taken to hospital and a short while after we heard the hospital had been blown up.

    The enemy, who completely outnumbered us, were pressing us hard, but we hung on until 12.30. We had almost given up and thought we were cut off when the word came to retire. We retired along the main road and the rest of the battalion retired until 4 a.m.

    We lay in a field for two hours, but the German artillery got upon us. Some made trenches but had to leave them. Behind Hyons Cypoli we made more trenches, and our artillery (18 pounders) took up position behind us. The German artillery took up a position behind a pit heap, but were silenced in half-an-hour. We entrenched for one hour in a railway cutting, but were forced to retire along it, owing to the shells bursting around us. We kept on retiring all the day and the next day (Tuesday.)

    Our company was billeted in a village. The majority of us had a good sleep in the barns. We were called out the next morning, and we went into the trenches in a cornfield a little to the left of the village. There was a railway in front of us and a wood and turnip field on the right.

    The transporters and the cookers were left in the village to look after the dinner. Dinner was almost ready for serving when a shell burst in the midst and did a great deal of damage. We held on until 4.30, when the Major, who was wounded, ordered us to retire. The rest of the battalion were trapped. We retired and fought our way to Senlis. Captain Marshall, bayoneted in the back, was captured and imprisoned in a house. The house was either shelled or fired, but Captain Marshall escaped and managed to get back to the British lines. This gallant officer is now in command of the 175 survivors out of 1,100. The R.A.M.C attempted bravely to do their work, but were seldom able to get near the wounded. They were instantly fired upon by the Germans; in fact, I don't think a single medical officer attached to the brigade survived. At Senlis, we, the wounded and unfit, thought we were going to Paris, but were sent to Havre. We were sent in the St. Andrew to Southampton and from there by hospital train to Waterloo Station. We were then taken by motors to St. Thomas' Hospital, where we received the best of treatment.

    Dom




    208055

    Pte. George Morson Wiltshire Regiment

    <p>George Morson, taken at Bedworth in 1914

    George Morson joined the Wiltshire Regiment at the outbreak of the First World War. He was a miner before joining up and took the chance to join the Canadian forces on Vimy Ridge after four hard years in the trenches. He told me that he heard the soil in the Vimy Ridge area was chalky, so he hoped to be rid of living in the muddy trenches and volunteered. His mining experience was the key to this opportunity and he was transferred there in early 1917. After carrying out several tunnelling attacks (including two counter mine attacks) he was captured when the Germans made a full scale counter attack at the end of the Battle of Arras.

    He was a prisoner of war until relieved by the allies at the end of the war and returned a very emaciated man. He didn’t complain about his treatment at the hands of his captors… it was just that the Germans themselves had no food. During the last four months of captivity they had nothing but turnips to eat every day.

    Steven Morson




    208052

    Pte. Harry Austin Royal Army Medical Corps

    My maternal grandfather, Harry Austin, enlisted on 16th November 1914, aged 19 and joined the RAMC, but I do not know to which army regiment he was attached. He went to France on 18th February 1915 and was badly injured on 4th March 1917, but we do not know in which particular battle apart from "the Somme". He was discharged on 10th October 1917 because of his injuries.

    Stephen Kellie




    208045

    Pte. Hedley Alfred Bird 16th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.3rd March 1917)

    <p>

    When war was declared in 1914 and most of the village lads from Scottow enlisted. Hedley Alfred Bird enlisted in 1915 but on March 3rd, 1917, after only three days in France, he was killed. He was just 22 years old. He is buried in Fouquescourt Military Cemetary in France.

    Marjorie Blake




    208034

    Pte. Albert William Moss Notts & Derby Regiment

    Bill Moss enlisted at Huddersfield on the 12th of March 1917 when was 18. He never spoke about his experiences. He was wounded in the knee when a shell hit the gun he was firing and he had to have his right leg amputated above the knee.

    I have a letter written to his mother from the sister in charge of the ward where he was treated, at 54th General Hospital BE?H (the letter is handwritten and not clear in places). I think the signature is Muriel Hocken. I would very much like to know more about this hospital and where it was situated.

    Bill was sent back to England for further treatment and asserted that one of the nurses was a young lady who later became famous, Barbara Cartland, doing her bit for the war effort. Again, I don't know where this was. Does anyone else know?

    Editor's note: 54th General Hospital was at Wimereux in France.

    Kate Haworth




    208033

    Pte. Peter Archibald McGregor 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.31st Jan 1915)

    Peter McGregor is my great Grandfather. Peter is buried at Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue, France. I hope to travel there soon to lay flowers and to remember the sacrifice he and many others made so that we may live our lives in peace.

    Archibald McGregor




    208029

    Pte. John Alexander Glen MID 18th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st Oct 1917)

    <p>Alex Glen with wife Esther and daughter Winnie, taken in 1915 before my Great Grandfather left for the Western Front

    Alex Glen served in the 18th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Pioneers) and arrived in France in early January 1916. The Batallion saw action across the western front, and as a pioneer batallion was responsible for construction work, digging trenches and tunnels, laying railway lines as well as being called upon to fight 'in the line'. His platoon prepared for the disastrous Somme offensive of July 1st 1916 and was then engaged in the gruesome task of burying the dead in the aftermath. He fought at Vimy Ridge, Arras, Armentieres and other areas of the front.

    In 1917, the batallion was moved to Ypres where they laid the railways to carry men and ammunition to the front, often being accused of attracting enemy fire. Well, the batallion was regarded as a 'lucky' one and with only a few hundred killed, statistically this was true. While out on the battlefield in the battle for Passchendaele, Alex was caught in some fighting near the beautifully named Juliet Farm, near Poelkapelle in Belgium. He returned to help one of the other men, and was hit (we don't know what by) and taken to the Dozinghem Casualty Clearing Station near Poperinge, where he died of his wounds. His grave is in the Dozinghem Military Cemetery along with 1300 others. It is a beautiful place.

    Ray Wilkinson




    208025

    Pte. Arthur Ernest Kind 14th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

    Arthur was my great-grandfather's brother, born in Havant, Hampshire in 1896. He was killed in action on the 26th of September 1917 probably in the British advance on six-mile front east of Ypres; Polygon Wood cleared, Zonnebeke stormed; advance towards Passchendaele. He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    Stephen Oxford




    208024

    Dvr. John William Brown 378 Battery Royal Field Artillery

    John was born in Dunlop, Ayrshire on April 4th,1894. He was living in Hatesbury, Wiltshire in 1917, when he married my great aunt in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. John served with the Royal Field Artillery, 378 Battery as a driver.

    James Ferguson McIntyre




    208022

    Pte. Joseph Hillery 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Jul 1917)

    Joseph Hillery was my Grandmother's uncle, from a long line of miners living in the north east of England, based around the Durham, Consett, South Shields area. He enlisted with the territorials in the 9th Btn prior to the Great War, but doesn't appear to have deployed to France until the 20th of April 1915 according to his record card.

    At some point, thereafter, he was attached to the 171st Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, but further details are sketchy (My Gran not knowing very much and being very ill at present). It is assumed this attachment was because of his mining background prior to the war. Tunnelling was to be his undoing, as from the records I have, he was killed in action 25th of July 1917 during a mining expedition aged just 23, during preparations for the 3rd Battle of Ypres. Being laid to rest at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery.

    Chris Harris




    208016

    Cpl. James Horsley "Norval" McCartney 6th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.7th July 1916)

    My uncle, James Horsley McCartney, was born in 1895 and joined the 2nd Battalion of the KOSB in Leith probably in late 1914 and was sent to France on the 9th February 1915. He was transferred to the 6th Battalion as a corporal and was killed at Bernafay Wood during shelling whilst he was replenishing stores to the front line on the 7th July 1916. I found out about my Uncle Norval when I was a little boy from my mother who did not know any of the details about him, his regiment or where and when he died. Apparently his death was such a blow to my grandparents that he was never spoken of after this tragic event. I feel that despite the pain that still lingers over the deaths of so many young men their memory should never be erased from this earth. My children and grandchildren have been told his story and copies of his medals and scroll are on prominent display in my home to remind everyone who sees them of the pride and love we have for him.

    Alex McCartney




    208014

    Pte. Herbert Callister Royal Scots

    My grandfather served with the Royal Scots during the 1st World War, Private Herbert Callister, I know he received the Silver War Badge D/A/551, also the Victory Medal and Campaign Medal (I am unable to read the references for these from the Medal Index Card). I would like to discover which Battalion of the Royal Scots he actually served with, but have such little information.

    Editor's note: The Medal Roll reference from his card reads, D/101 B17. page 1735.

    Marilyn Mercer




    208012

    Pte. Andrew "Darky" McMillan 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    8428 Private Andrew McMillan. My Grandfather served with 1st Seaforth Highlanders in India and trained as Mounted Infantry at Bangalore April –June 1903. Served with Mounted Infantry in Somaliland 1903-1904 (unit unknown). Was discharged from 2nd Seaforth Highlanders at Edinburgh Castle September 1908. Coalminer in civilian life. Recalled to 2nd Seaforths in August 1914 and went to France with 10th Brigade, 4th Div. Transferred to Royal Engineers as 156462 Private Andrew McMillan on 1st June 1916 and served with 252 Tunnelling Coy until discharged. 252 Tunnelling Coy is shown as being with British Third Army on 11 November 1918. I cannot find any documentation as to when he was discharged but he returned to being a coalminer.

    George Reid




    208004

    Sgt. Charles Henry Downard 2/8 Battalion Royal Warwickshire (d.16th Aug 1916)

    <p>from a French newspaper article Monday, 19.07.2010, La Voix du Nord

    Charles Henry Downard, and his comrades of the 61th Division, were veterans of the Battle of Fromelles. Charles Henry Downard, born in 1888 in Brighton, Sussex, moved to Birmingham in 1893 and became a tram driver there in 1911. He married at age 26 Nellie Bracebridge, who gave birth to Gwendoline on 19th February 1915. She died aged 90 in 2005 and never saw her father.

    Charles was enlisted as a sergeant in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and because of varicose veins was not required for front line duty. However, he became so depressed by the numbers of men he trained were being killed, he volunteered for France. His unit, assigned to the 61th British Division, landed in France in May 1916. After a short training in trench warfare, the division was selected to participate in the Battle of Fromelles, 19 July 1916. On 9th August 1916, Charles left the billets at Riez bailleul for a ten-day tour in the trences. (In a letter home he complains that they are asking too much of the men). On the 16th August around 6.00 pm, Charles and his comrades were ordered to engage the right flank of the German Army at Fauquissart. Wounded by a mortar bomb that appears to have disembowelled him, he was evacuated to a military hospital where he died after two days. We have letters from Medical Officer and Nurse to his wife Nellie confirm that he survived 2 days after his official date of death. Charles is buried in the British military cemetery at Merville

    In the 1930s, the British survivors, traumatized by these early battles, placed on the wall of the town hall in Laventie a plaque in memory of their comrades, such as Charles Downard, killed in battle nearby. This is a major place for the commemoration of the British victims of the battle. Red poppies are regularly hooked upon it. This year a new place will commemorate some of the victims of the Battle at Fromelles, where now lie some 250 bodies of Australian and British soldiers exhumed from mass graves dug by the Germans after the battle.

    Greg Turton




    208003

    Pte. Henry John Allcroft 16th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment

    My father, Henry John Allcroft, served with the Royal Sussex Regiment during World War 1. He was born in Chelsea, Middlesex on the 31st of May 1898 he enlisted on 11th May 1916 having falsified his age. He was exactly 17 years 11 months when he joined up.

    In 1917 he travelled to Egypt where the 16th Battalion was forming and there he joined at Mersa Matru. He took part in the Battle for Gaza and other battles on the advance on Jerusalem. In 1918 the Battalion embarked for transfer to the Western Front in France arriving at Marseilles, travelling by train the length of France to arrive on the Flanders battlefields.

    Harry Allcroft was involved in the push forward that took place during late August and early September of 1918 across a front stretching to the north of Peronne. On 3rd September 1918 he was wounded during actions at or around Brunn Trench near the Canal du Nord by the village of Haut Allaines. He was wounded by shell blast which caused him to be quite deaf in his left ear and only partially sighted in his left eye. He also carried scarring to his left shoulder.

    Harry went on, after the War, to qualify as an architect and became Clerk of Works for Trowbridge in Wiltshire. He married and had three children, two girls and one boy. Harry died in 1952. The boy he had remains very proud of him.

    Alistair Henry George Allcroft




    208002

    Cpl. Albert Edward Tinsley MM. 12th Battalion Manchester Regiment

    I remember my great uncle Ted when I was a child, but it was not until his daughter Alice died in the 1980s that I realised what he must have gone through during the Great War. On clearing the house I came across some letters and documents which detail some of his movements from 1914 to 1919.

    Ted enlisted at the age of twenty in the 12th Battalion Manchester Regiment at Ashton Under Lyne and soon embarked for France. Somehow he managed to come through it all and I have his gallantry citation awarded 26th August 1918 for actions at Martinpuich and High Wood where he was awarded the Military Medal. Shortly after he was captured by the Germans and I have the letter from his commanding officer to his wife stating that he was missing from 9th September. I also have his dog tag and demob certificates.

    I remember him quite well as he was a bit of a character in the village where I grew up, and as children we never knew what he and his pals had gone through.

    David Tinsley




    207999

    Pte. James Comer 9th Battalion (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>James Comer (Seated)
other soldier unknown

    James Cormer was born in Ryhill, Yorkshire in 1895. We have his medals and the letter from the King to his parents when he died. We had no photograph of James, but a relative from America sent us a photograph with another soldier on it who served with James being a corporal and physical instructer with the 9th Battalion same as James.

    James died the first day of the Battle of The Somme but has no known grave. He is remembered on the War Memorial at Thiepval. We visited The Somme this summer and we went to Thiepval and many of the very well kept cemeteries there. We found one where some of the soldiers of his battalion are buried and placed a poppy cross on one of the graves of an unknown soldier who died on that day. It was so sad to see all the people who died serving their countries. God Bless them all

    Maureen Moran




    207993

    Donald William McMillan Black Watch

    My grandfather, Donald McMillan fought in the second Boar War and the First World War. We think he was in the Black Watch, but unfortunately, my mother's house was burgled sometime ago and his medals were stolen. I am trying to find out more about my grandfather and get replica medals for my brother.

    Karen McMillan




    207989

    Pte. Arthur J. Thomas 7th (Cyclist) Battalion The Welsh Regiment

    Arthur Thomas was aged 19 years 3 months when he joined the 7th (Cyclist) Battalion (Territorial Force) in 1914 before the war broke out. After the war he was a miner and he died in 1964.

    A.J. Thomas




    207983

    L/Cpl. Ira William Turner 2nd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th Sep 1918)

    Ira Turner is buried at the Abberville Communal Cemetery, he was 27 years old, the son of Ira William Turner.

    Simon Lathlane




    207976

    Pte. Robert Hamilton Elder 18th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.18th July 1916)

    Robert Hamilton Elder, the son of David & Janet from Glasgow, was one of thousands of young men who went off to the Great War never to return. He was lost to the memory of the family, until I came across his birth and finally his tragic loss with the 18th Highland Infantry in Flanders. He is remembered on the Theipval Memorial.

    Frank Micoud




    207969

    Colour Sjt. Alexander McNeil McIntyre 1/4th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    I recently had a trip to the battlefields of WWI in Northern France (Vimy, Ypres etc) and went there completely oblivious to the fact that I was walking in my Great Great Uncle's footsteps. It was only in April 2011 that I was told of the medals which my grandmother has from him. She has two of the three that he should have, The British Victory medal, War medal and the 1914/15 Star, the latter I don't know what happened to. My Grandmother had been told that he had died in the war but I was sceptical as I could find no record of his death. In July 2011 I had another shot and found that he had survived. It wasn't until late August/early September when I found out that he had emmigrated to the USA to start a family.

    David Nisbet




    207967

    Sgt. Frederick Betts 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.27th Aug 1914)

    My two uncles were both serving in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1914. Serjeant Frederick Betts 2nd Battalion was killed in the first Battle of Mons on the 27th August 1914 only three day after the war started. His Brother 10855 Corporal Alfred Betts 1st Battalion landed from the HMT River Clyde on the 25th April 1915, onto "V" Beach at Gallopoli. He was killed on the 1st November 1915.

    My Mother saw her two dear brothers leave these shores, never to return, they are gone but never forgotten

    Eric




    207965

    Rfm. Joe Willie Holdsworth 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Joe Willie Holdsworth was a great grandfather I would never get to meet. He enlisted on the 6th of July 1915, and was killed in action on the 20th of September 1917. His name is on the Memorial wall at Tyne Cot Memorial. I would like to know where the 18th Bn was fighting on that day. I only have a photo of him as a boy. Even then he was dressed in uniform.

    Mick Stead




    207964

    L/Cpl. Horace Ancell 28th Btn (1st Artists Rifles) London Regiment (d.27 Mar 1918)

    I have just started researching my family history, and have discovered that my Grandmother married Horace Ancell in January 1918. Like so many others, Horace then went off to war and was killed on 27 March 1918. He is commemorated on the memorial at Arras, and I hope to pay my respects to him, and all the fallen, in the near future. My Grandmother remarried in 1919. I have very little information about Lance Corporal Ancell, either as a person or as a soldier, and would appreciate any assistance in getting to know more about this man and his comrades.

    Nigel Richardson




    207962

    Pte. Charles William Bailey 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.26th Oct 1914)

    Charles Bailey was my great great grandfather, he served with the 2nd Battalion the Coldstream Guards having enlisted at Wath. He was killed in action on the 26th of October 1914 and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium, panel 11.

    Andrew Bailey




    207953

    Pte. Thomas Henry Clemson 20th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.26th March 1918)

    Tom Clemson was my great uncle killed in March, 1918 aged 21. I never knew him, but I have a memory from when I was a child of a sepia photograph taken of him before the War of a smiling man. Unfortunately this photograph is now lost. All I know was that he was wounded in France and I believe my Great Grandmother (his mother) visited him after he was wounded before he died. As I knew all his brothers and sisters (my great Uncles & Aunts) I have often thought about him and what he was really like. It seems that everybody liked him. It seems such a tragedy that he was killed at only 21. In 2010 I traced his burial to the Etaples Military Cemetery near Le Touquet. I had the opportunity to visit the cemetery and it was a very emotional experience. We found the grave from a plan amongst the nearly 12,000 others buried there. The cemetary was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is an imposing site from the terrace where you enter. The thousands of graves are laid out in lots of rows and make you realise how many soldiers lie there. We walked along the row where he lies and there is a simple headstone like all the others giving his name,regiment and date of death. We placed some flowers on the grave and I believe I am the first person from my family to visit his grave. When I think about Tom now I have the picture in my mind of this peaceful place in Northern France where a member of my family lies and I hope he is at peace at last.





    207942

    Thomas Dawson

    We have found a "Dead Man's Penny" with the name Thomas Dawson on it. We were doing some digging work down our field and have found this penny would be greatfull if any one had any information on Thomas.

    Graham Wall




    207935

    Act.Bdr. Francis Alan Rollins "D" Bty. 23rd Bde Royal Field Artillery (d.14th Apr 1917)

    Acting Bombardier Francis Alan Rollins, my Great Uncle, was serving with the Royal Field Artillery in France. He was killed in the Battle of Arras on April 14th 1917 aged 20. I have visited his grave in Athies Communal Cemetary Extension. He was from a little village in Bedfordshire and was one of six. Sadly his own Father passed away the same year before he was killed.

    Ursula Bacon




    207932

    Sgt. Joseph Edward Goode MM. 6th Battalion London Regiment

    My grandfather, Joseph Goode enlisted in "The Cast Iron" Sixth (also known as the Printers Pals) on the 6th September 1914 at the age of 34. From the 3/6th (Reserve Batt) he was absorbed into the 1/6th as an Acting Sergeant on the 19th April 1916. Within 3 weeks he was a full Sergeant and by November he was Acting Quarter Master Sgt (A/QMS) in "D" Company. He relinquished the "cushy" post in January 1917 and reverted to Sgt.

    The verbal family history is that he won the Military Medal for capturing six drunk Germans. In fact his was one of 14 MM's that were awarded for the most successful raid in the whole of WW1. A total of 24 medals were awarded for the capture of 1 Officer, 117 ORs and 5 machine guns, and the destuction of 3 mine shafts and the opposing trenches south of Hill 60 in the Ypres Salient. The Battalion suffered 76 casualties including 14 killed and 2 missing. As the action took place on the 20th Feb 1917 and weeks were spent practicing behind the lines it would seem that Grandad gave up the A/QMS role to be in on the raid.

    He stayed with the 1/6th until they were disbanded in February 1918 and spread around other Battalions. He was posted to the the 2/6th and was with them when the Germans launched their last ditch attack on the 21st March. On the 4th April the Battalion was in support of the Australian outside Villiers Bretonneux and were called forward to fill a gap in the line and it was during this action that Granddad Goode got his "Blighty wound" a shrapnel injury to his left hand, right arm and head. On the 16th he was back in England at No. 1 War Hospital, Reading from where he was discharged on the 1st June.

    He was then passed fit and returned to the Reserve Battalion but not for front line infantry service and in November was transferred to 358 Coy. Labour Corp escorting prisoners of war. Because of his meritous service he was allowed to keep his infantry rate of pay. He was demob'ed on the 14th Feb 1919 and was awarded 6s-6d (65p) a week for 52 weeks for his injuries. He died in 1947 when I was 8 years old and as the eldest son of the eldest son I should have inherited his medals but the story goes he gave them away to one of his drinking mates. I do however have his Gold half-hunter watch that was presented to him by his employer for winning the Military Medal.

    D.J. Goode




    207929

    Pte Ernest Brocklehurst 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.12th Nov 1919)

    <p>Ernest Brocklehurst's grave

    My Grandfather, Ernest Brocklehurst, served in the First World War. On return to England he had both feet amputated because of trench foot, soon after the operation he died. I only knew my father for the first 5 years of my life as he passed away and there is so much I would have asked him about my Grandfather as I got older. Sadly that was never to be. No matter how much I attempt to find out where my grandfather enlisted (although I was led to believe it was Rochdale Lancs)I seem to draw a blank. I have checked as much as I know how and found enlistment details on the web but his name is never mentioned, but he is on the Commonwealth War Graves' website. He died on the 12th of November 1919 aged 32. I really do believe there is something out there about him, exactly where he enlisted, where did he go, where did he serve etc? I keep my fingers crossed. As I grow older and have not had so much luck with family life as a child it would be nice to fill in so many missing pieces of my history jigsaw

    John Brocklehurst




    207923

    Gnr. Joseph Benfield MM & Bar. "C" Bty. 124 Brigade Royal Horse Artillery

    Joseph Benfield is my granddad. We in the family know nothing apart from that he was wounded 3 times in France. He was mobilised in 1914 and demobed in 1920 although transferred to the Z reserves in 1919. I have confirmed with the RA museum the facts as stated.

    If anyone can give me futher info I would be very greatful.

    Keith Benfield




    207921

    L\Cpl. Ernest Pacey 1st Btn. Cheshire Regt

    Ernest joined the Cheshire Special Reserves on 26 Aug 1909, he attended annual training camp and qualified skills in musketry. Training camps 09,10,11,12,13 and 14. Ernest was promoted to L\Cpl in 1914 and later Mobilized on the 8 Aug 1914 to France.

    He was posted to 1st Bn on the 20 Aug 1914, but was reported missing in action on the 22nd of October 1914. His wife, Rachel, who lived with their 2 children, Lucy and Lillian, was informed he was missing. On the 3rd of Apr 1915 it was unofficially reported he was a POW, on the 9th of October 1916 the War office was informed Ernest Pacey was a POW in Slammlaga. After the end of the war Ernest was repatriated on the 9 Jan 1919 and later discharged on the 31 Mar 1921.

    Colin Booth




    207919

    Pte. Ernest Alfred Laflin 16th (Service) Battalion, C Coy. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    Ernest Alfred Laflin was born in 1886, he married Elizabeth Annie King in 1908 in Richmond Surrey and in 1911 he gave his occupation as General Assistant on the census, he had one daughter Bessie at this time born in 1900 and had a son born about 1915, also called Ernest

    Ernest joined the 16th (Service) Battalion Rifle Brigade, C Company as a Private and was killed on the 3rd of September 1916 aged 30 years and is burried in grave V.F.37 Ancre British Cemetary, at Beaumont Hamel. The records note he was the son of Edward and Sarah Laflin of Camden Town, husband of Elizabeth A Laflin (nee King) of 1a Glenwood Road Harringey. This address was also the address of Elizabeth's sister Ada Mary Board and her husband John Henry Board. The two sisters lived together throughout the First World War.

    Andrew Board




    207907

    Rflm. Thomas Eldred Page Rifle Brigade (d.1st Nov 1918)

    Thomas Page died in Lewisham Military Hospital, and is commemorated on the Memorial in the hospital grounds. Maybe he was a victim of the great Spanish flu epidemic of 1918: aged 18, he was a member of a Graduated Battalion, Lewisham was obviously the nearest he got to the front. The youngest son of my maternal grandmother's family, he is buried in a family plot at Hither Green Cemetery, Lewisham.

    Andrew Heron




    207906

    Rflmn. Albert Edward Southgate 6th Battalion City of London Rifles (d.19th Apr 1918)

    Albert Southgate was (or would have been) my mother's uncle: he died of wounds, aged 24, exactly eight months before her birth. He was married in 1916 to Alice M. Durtnall. He is buried at Namps au Val British Cemetery, presumably having been wounded in the defence of Amiens during the German Michael offensive and passed back to one of the several Casualty Clearing Stations which were based at Namps until the end of April 1918.

    Andrew Heron




    207905

    Pte. Andrew McShee 11th Batallion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.20th Jan 1917)

    In 1914 Andrew McShee joined up and left Rhu, Dunbartonshire, leaving behind his wife, Catherine and a baby boy, William Nielson McShee and in 1915 his wife had a second child Andrew Miles McShee. He died in action on the 19th of January 1917, reported as 20 Jan, near the front line in France, by the account of Richard Beeseley, who wrote in his diary - "19th Jan 17. Round the line with the C.O. who 'strafed' everybody. Got down for a sleep about 6.30 a.m. Fairly busy afternoon. Out at night. C.O. Still strafing. Got back at midnight. "C.O." here does not refer to Colonel MacNeil (of blessed memory - he was probably on leave at this time), but to "Conscientious Obstructor", Major H.A.Duncan, temporarily i/c. Three of a Lewis gun team killed, including McShee who was a master at my school, Hillhead High School, and some wounded. They were in an advanced post at the time. Short shooting as cause. I suppose difficult to avoid, but most embarrassing to infantry who have enough to do to keep out of the road of Hun stuff."

    Andrew's wife died in a sanitorium in 1920. His eldest son William Nielson became a maths teacher and second son Andrew died on HMS Glorious on the 9th of June 1940.

    D McArthur




    207904

    Pte. John Gilleeney 4th (Extra Reserve) Kings Liverpool

    John Gilleeney served in the 1st Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment (KLR) during the Boer War and was awarded a South Africa medal for his involvement in the Defence of Ladysmith. He was injured and was invalided out in 1901. After the Boer War John Gilleeney remained as a reserve with the KLR and at outbreak of WW1, at the age of 44, joined the 4th Battalion (extra reserve). The movements of the 4th Bn are listed below:
    • 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion
    • August 1914 : in Seaforth, Liverpool.
    • 6 March 1915 : landed at Le Havre and attached to Sirhind Brigade, Lahore Division of Indian Corps.
    • 10 November 1915 : transferred to 137th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division.
    • 3 December 1915 : attached to 56th and 58th Brigades, 19th (Western) Division.
    • 27 February 1916 : transferred to 98th Brigade, 33rd Division.
    The 4th battalion was involved in some of the worst fighting of the war and John was injured and was unable to continue fighting. He returned to the front in the Labour Corps and finally given Honorary Discharg on the 6th March 1919. John often spoke about his time in the Boer War but never spoke about his time in the 1st World War.

    Phil Lomax




    207901

    Sgt. William Perkins 65th Anti Tank Regiment RA The Norfolk Yeomanry

    William Perkins was born in Swaffham Norfolk in 1916. Swaffham, is a small, rural market town with not much scope for adventure. It was for adventure that in 1934 Billy Perkins joined the local Territorial Army unit the 65th Anti Regiment Royal Artillery (The Kings Own Royal Regiment The Norfolk Yeomanry).

    At this time Billy’s unit had 14 pounders pulled by horses. Billy’s younger brother also joined the Norfolk Yeomanry. Both of them very nearly joined the International Brigades to fight against the fascists in the Spanish Civil war. However their Dad Charley, a veteran of the First World War, said “don’t be daft buggars, we’ll be fighting the Germans again soon”.

    Billy and Charley’s Dad was right and in 1939 their unit went to France with the BEF. By this time Billy’s unit was mechanised with 2lb Anti Tank guns. As everybody knows that when the fighting did eventually start things went bad for the BEF. Billy and Charley got split up. Charley was eventually evacuated from Dunkirk and Billy was eventually rescued from Bray Dunes by merchant seaman.

    After a stint on home defences Billy and Charley went to North Africa with the MEF and both were captured in 1942 during Gazala Line Battles. Billy and Charley remained prisoners of war until liberated in 1945.

    Billy was a devoted family man and like many of his peers generally kept his wartime experiences to himself. However his family were and are very proud of him. Billy did have respect for his German adversaries particularly the Afrika Corps and did say that he saw Rommel briefly. However Billy did not have a good word for the Vichy French who he said were a “disgrace” and the Italians who he said mistreated him after he was captured.

    Dean




    207897

    A/Mjr. Albert Anderton MC & 2Bars Royal Field Artillery (d.4th May 1918)

    Albert changed his name by Deed Poll from Albert Cuckow. I am a Cuckow with a keen interest in the Great War. Can anybody throw any light on the life of Major A. Anderton MC and 2 Bars.

    Roger Cuckow




    207891

    Pte. Thomas Albert Horsman 9th Batallion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.27th Sep 1916)

    Thomas Albert Horsman was my great grandfather. He was killed at the Battle of Somme and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He left a widow and three children, his son, my grandfather, was just 7 years old and, sadly, I was almost the same age when he passed away. So unfortunately I have very little information about his father or his battalion and would really like to know more. So all info would be greatly received.

    Karen-Lise Clark-Darby




    207886

    Sgm. Alfred John Seymour Royal Engineers (Signals)

    My grandfather Alfred Seymour was an "old Contemptible" and was in the Signals. I have a copy of his war records but sadly not his medals.

    He worked his way up to Sgt Major but had a stripe taken away for a period of time for smoking in the barracks in bed. He married in 1917 but was widowed in 1919 whilst he was stationed on the Rhine. He met and married his second wife (my grandmother) in 1921 and they married in the Garrison Church in Cologne in 1922. I have photos of the wedding and I have donated lots of photos of the WW1 battlefields and his battalion photos to the Royal Signals Museum. He went on to be stationed in Hong Kong and left the Signals when stationed back at Bulford Camp (36 Sling Cottages)

    J Seymour




    207881

    Dvr. Edward Hector Judge 33rd Battalion (d.27th Nov 1918)

    Edward Judge and friends.


    Edward Hector Judge joined at Armidale N.S.W on the 19th of January 1916 leaving behind a wife and two sons Roy 16 years and George 2 years. He left Australia on HMAT Marathon on the 4th of May 1916. He served on the Western Front and died in France on the 27th of November 1918 of pneumonia. He is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Edward (standing) in both photos.

    His son Roy Garfield put his age up and joined from Tamworth in 6 March 1916 (he had been born in September 1900) and embarked on HMAT A23 Suffolk on the 24th of April 1917 and was sent to France and ended up in his father's battalion. His father had him sent back to England till he came of age, Roy then went back to France (how unlucky can you be?). He returned to Australia on the 3rd of July 1919 on the Prinz Hubertus.

    Lorraine Judge




    207877

    Pte. Frederick William Gamage 2nd Battalion Border Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    Frederick William Gamage was born in November 1872 in Shoreditch Middlesex; he was the son of John Smith Gamage and Sarah Harriet (nee Arnold). At the age of 19 he enlisted in the Army and is described as 5ft 61/4 inches tall weighing 119 lbs, dark brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. He was posted to Hamilton in Scotland to join the Cameroon’s (Scottish Rifles). He was soon struck down with bronchitis and was in hospital until Feb 1892. Soon after being released from hospital he was transferred to 2nd Border Regiment and became Pte. Gamage 3808. He soon embarked for India and was stationed in Mooltan but was again hospitalized. He was discharged from hospital and sent back to England and discharged from the Army as an invalid in 1894. He married Annie Law in London in 1896 and had 9 children.

    At the outbreak of war he enlisted again at the age of 37 years and was posted into his old battalion 2nd Border Regiment. He served in France at Neuve Chapelle but was he was invalided back to England once again in 1915. During this time he was granted leave to visit his family but overstayed his pass and became an absentee but no action was taken. There is also a note to say the he was claimed to have enlisted fraudulently” but a memorandum was sent to Preston saying that “he was serving with the expeditionary force” and no further action was taken once again.

    We find him in trouble again when he is absent without leave in December 1915 and this time he had to forfeit 22 days pay and 14 days field punishment. During this punishment he escaped and went absent without leave again on 17 December 1915 until 16th January 1916 during which time he sold his uniform and equipment. This time when he was captured he was tried for being absent and losing his clothing and regimental necessaries and sentenced to 56 days detention.

    On the 28th of April 1916 Private Gamage embarked on a troopship for France and by the end of June 1916 was billeted in the village of Morlancourt. On the 30th of June 1916 the battalion was moved up to the front line for the attack on the village of Mametz in what was to be the biggest battle the world had ever seen, the Battle of the Somme.

    At 7.30 on the morning of 1st July 1916, the hottest day imaginable, after intense bombing all along the front, tens of thousands of British soldiers climbed out of their trenches to the shrilling sound of whistles and the sun glinting on their bayonets, advanced in a line.

    Private Frederick Gamage was among the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 14 Platoon D company, of the Border Regiment 7th Division on the fateful day. They came under heavy machine gun fire from Hidden Wood. Sadly Pte Gamage was one of the casualties being posted as “wounded and missing” on the morning of the attack. His body was never recovered and he is now commemorated at the Theipval Memorial in France. I was lucky enough to go and see this for myself 2011

    Jen Mackie




    207872

    Pte. Ernest Strode 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.29th Apr 1917)

    The 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers were in 76th Brigade of 3rd Division. They had been in action on the 9th April 1917 in the 1st Battle of the Scarpe, then relieved for a while but were back at the front on the 19th in the area east of Monchy-le-Bois in order to take part in the attack of the 3rd May. The divisional commander kept two of his brigades fresh for the attack whilst 76th held the line. It was constantly under bombardment and in the time between 24th April and 1st May when the two other brigades took over there were 464 casualties.

    My great uncle Ernest Strode, would have been one of them. The fact that he was killed in the British lines is why he has a grave, unlike so many who fell in April and May 1917. The war diary for the 10th for this time simply notes Fine (meaning the weather) Holding Line; two officer deaths the only other entries. Incidentally the CWGC has my great uncle's death as on the 28th, not the 29th.

    The War Diary printed by Lt.Col. F.N. Burton gives the rank and names of the 10th RWF casualties on a day by day basis and shows Pte 15178 E Strode Died of Wounds on Sunday 29th April. On 1st May it is endorsed 'This eight day tour of duty in the Monchy trenches was a costly one to the battalion, the casualties amounting to 3 Officers and 24 other ranks killed in action: and one officer and 85 other ranks wounded. Ernest is not shown on the wounded list for any of the previous days.

    Ernest Strode was born Caldicot, Monmouthshire, enlisted in Wrexham and was resident Loughop, Glamorgan. He is at rest a Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras

    Paul Jackson




    207868

    Cpl. William Granthan Millen 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1917)

    William Granthan Millen was one of my great uncles. A brother of my father's mother. Born in 1886, he was the son of George and Ellen Millen of 62, Oakfield Road, Croydon. He was educated at Oxford County School after which he became a journalist finally becoming editor of the Weekly Journal until enlisting with the Wiltshires in 1914. During his time with the Wiltshires he served in Galipoli and then in France.

    The regimental diary for the action of the 9th April tells us that - "At 11.38am the 21st Brigade attacked with the 2nd Wltshire Regiment on their right and the 18th Kings (Liverpool) Regiment on the left with the 19th Manchester Regiment in support. - The distance between the Battalion and their objective (the Hindenburg Line) varied between 2000 and 2500 yards. - Considerable hostile shelling was experienced throughout the advance which became more intense as it proceeded. To reach the objective, 2 sunken roads had to be crossed where heavy machine gun fire was encountered. - The advance continued right up to the enemy wire by which time the ranks were consideraby depleted. It was found that though damaged the wire was not cut sufficiently for the troops to enter the enemy trenches. - Shelter was sought in available shell holes but finally the troops had to fall back to the sunken road running from Neuville Vitasse to St Martin sur Coseul where they dug in."

    Total casualties for the action included the deaths of 2 Captains, 12 Subalterns and 328 Other Ranks, Great Uncle William being amongst them. His grave can be found in the Neuville-Vitasse Road War Cemetery to the south east of Arras.

    Philip Beecher




    207866

    Pte. John O'Boyle 12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (d.11th Apr 1918)

    John O'Boyle was killed during the Battle of Lys.

    F O'Boyle




    207865

    Sgt. Edward Coe MM. 11th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Edward Coe was my Grandfather. His Military Medal was gazetted on 13 March 1919. I have no citation or other information on his service, as it appears that his service record was destroyed in the Blitz.

    Susan Potts




    207861

    Ord.Sea. Robert Shipley Howe Battalion (d.2nd June 1915)

    <p>Robert Shipley, 2nd Row (kneeling)

    My Great Uncle Robert Shipley, joined up 2nd Sept 1914 with the Northumberland Fusiliers but was transfered to the Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division on the 11th September 1914.

    The Howe Battalion did their training at Blandford Camp and were sent as part of the Mediterranean Expedition Force, landing in the Galipolli Landings. He was injured by enemy fire during, I think the 2nd Battle of Kaithia on the 6th of May 1915 which resulted in him being shipped back to the England, where he died of his wounds at Hasslar Hospital, aged 25.

    His death certificate says: "Wounded being struck by enemy rifle bullet sustaining an injury to his spinal cord resulting in paralysis of the lower half of the body". He is buried at Wallsend Church Bank.

    Jan




    207860

    Pte. Robert McClelland 594th MT Coy. Army Service Corps (d.12th Sep 1917)

    Robert McClelland was the son of Hugh and Grace McClelland of Hamilton, Scotland. I have no idea what happened to him but he is buried in Westouter Churchyard, West Vlaanderen, Belgium.

    Robert McClelland




    207853

    Cpl. Frederick Evans Army Cyclist Corps

    Fred Evans was so keen to fight for his country he first enlisted when he was only fifteen, he was tall for his age and claimed he was nineteen. He was discharged eight months later when his mother reported him as being under age. However, as soon as he was old enough, he enlisted again and served until the end of the war in the Cyclist Corps. Fred was my father.

    Derek Evans




    207851

    Gunner Francis Richard Scott 247 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Like many others I guess, my Grandfather, Francis Scott left nothing except his "Active Service Testament 1916" book which the men each received from Lord Roberts and some photographs. He was born in 1877 in Ashby, Leicester and was 39 years old when he entered service. Mercifully he lived through the war and I have been asking myself ever since he died why I never asked him about the war. He never mentioned it as far as I can ascertain.

    We have been to Kew to look up the records; although we have found a Francis Richard Scott in 214 Siege Battery (not 247 as he wrote in the book from Lord Roberts) and we have the war diaries from Kew for this group of men, we cannot tell whether it was my Grandfather or not. Was he transferred from 214 Siege Battery to 247 Siege Battery? We cannot find out how to check this. Any help would be highly appreciated.

    Brian Scott




    207836

    Gnr. John H Miles 42 Trench Howitzer Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.9th Aug 1915)

    John Miles was my wife's Great Uncle, he was killed at Ypres within 6 weeks of arriving at the front. He is buried at Lijssenhoek Cemetery, alongside others who seem to be from the same gun crew.

    R Horne




    207835

    Pte. Joseph Samual Hollands 541st Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My Great Grandfather Joseph was 22 years old when he joined the army. He was 5 feet 5 inches and was married to my Grandmother Florence Avery Hunt. I would love to see if I could find anyone who may have heard of him or knew him. He lived a long life and had many children.

    Samanta Samarron




    207833

    John Woodruff 564 Signals Coy. Royal Engineers

    My dad, John Woodruff served in India and Burma. He was in charge of pigeons used to send signals to and from the front line. I would be greatful if anyone could give me any information regarding where the pigeon lofts were and if they had any relatives in the same squad which was 564

    Stephen Woodruff




    207832

    L/Cpl. Wilfred Arthur Hutchins 8th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.5th Jul 1915)

    Given the day, 11th of November, my mind has been on the Great War rather than work. There is new access through the National Archives to some war diaries and I found this reference to Billy Hutchins - he died a day after that stated on the menin gate and it shows he was a machine gunner - killed by a shell. I just wanted to share this.

    July 1915 Ypres.

    July 1st Thursday. Battn remain in Ypres. Some shelling. Rfn Barnes killed & 1 man wounded both M/G section. More care about Aeroplane sentries.

    2nd Friday. Battn remain in Ypres. Fatigue parties to clear up roads.

    3rd Saturday. Battn remain in Ypres. Heavy shelling of Ecole. Then fire opened at Sally Port. One shell exploded in shelter in which A Coy were cooking Teas. 3 killed 15 wounded (2 subsequently died in hospital at Asylum).

    4th Sunday. Battn remain in Ypres. Carrying parties each night. Btn also construct ? Dugouts. (7 wounded very slightly). Sgt Hughes poisoned from drinking from a bottle found in the Town.

    5th Monday. Battn remain in Ypres. New method of spraying smoke helmets carried out. Bomb throwers under Danville go to trenches in morning. Rfn Hutchins & Rfn Freeman m/gunners killed by shell. Rfn Andrews & Rfn Fletcher wounded.

    6th Tuesday. Battn remain in Ypres. Rfn Terry & Hawkin (?) C Coy killed on carrying party & six wounded (of whom Rfn Hodges & Harris subsequently died).

    7th Wednesday. Battn remain in Ypres. Very quiet day as regards shells. The Prime Minister, Lord Kitchener & large party visit YPRES. Two sick men to Hospital. Several houses fell down owing to wind, & roads had to be cleared. Major Crum slightly wounded.

    John Hutchins




    207828

    Pte. Richard Starkie 17th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    I have recently obtained the Victory Medal belonging to Richard Starkie Pte 26441 who was born and enlisted in Manchester. He died in action on the first day of The Battle Of The Somme and is buried in the Serre Road Cemetery No2. His medal was sent to his wife who lived Oldham Road Manchester. I purchased the medal from a dealer to keep it in Manchester.

    D.R.Hill




    207820

    George Stephens Seaforth Highlanders (d.28th Mar 1918)

    George Stephens was my Grandad he enlisted in Invergorden Rosshire. I have no photos of him at all. He fought in France and Flanders. He was formerly in the Gordon Highlanders.

    Kathleen Chapman




    207819

    Charles Bage Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    Charles Bage, my great great grandfather served from 1895 until at least 1917 in several services. Signing on with the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1897, he then moved to 3rd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Regiment. He served in the Boer War at the Relief of Ladysmith and received the South Africa medal.

    He was then in the reserves until he signed up for ASC Remounts as a nagsman. In 1916 he joined the Loyal North Lancashires. In 1917 his service records stop and I have had great difficulty finding out what happened to him after that, no family members are left to ask, so I am afraid his story probably ends there for me. I would love to have known more about him as I am currently tracing my family history.

    He was born in Sheffield in 1878. His service record shows he had a large scar of a burn on the left side of his face, but there is no record of how he received it. I think he may have passed away after the war but cannot be sure as every search I try does not bring his name up.

    This entry is in memory of my great great grandfather,I am proud to know that he served his country, and am grateful to him and all the men and women who have given so much to ensure the freedom we enjoy today.

    Julie Townend




    207814

    Pte. Frank Farley 1st Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.4th Oct 1917)

    Frank Farley was my paternal Grandfather. He enlisted in the East Surrey Regiment in Chichester. Precise details of his service were destroyed when military records were destroyed in London by enemy action in WW2. He was killed at Ypres on 4th October 1917 near a village called Broodseide.He has no marked grave as his remains were never found, but his name appears, with others from his regiment on the frieze at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Flanders.

    Roger Farley




    207802

    Pte. Arthur Robert Coles 12th/13th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Oct 1918)

    Arthur Coles was my Grandmother's uncle. He was 19 when he fell, but I'm not sure how old he was when he enlisted, he was formerly 26590 Terr Res. 36098 Border Regt. I think he fell during the battle of Cambrai. He is buried in Naves Communal Cemetery extention.

    David Williams




    207799

    Rfm. James Flicker MM 9th Battalion, "A" Company Rifle Brigade (d.24th Mar 1918)

    I have been trying to reseach into the war record of Rifleman James Flicker. I have obtained his Medal Roll Index Card as he was awarded the Military Medal. Although I have researched extensively, I cannot find any where that may tell me why he was awarded it and the circumstances around the incident. Please can anyone point me in the right direction, as there doesn't seem to a surviving record for his service or war diary for his particular battalion.

    Georgina Southall




    207796

    L/Cpl. Michael "Spud" McGeeney MM. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Michael McGeeney was severly wounded 3 times during the time he served in France. He was awarded the MM for galantry, apparently it would of been the Victoria Cross ... but he was Irish. He was given leave to return to Hartlepool, where they had a brass band waiting for him.

    His nick name was Spud McGeeney and he was known as the Mushroom King, as he knew where to find them. He was also in the Royal Navy at some point on HMS Dido.

    Graham Milburn




    207791

    Robert Reid 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.13th Sep 1914)

    Robert Reid is reported to be the first Wigan soldier to be killed in WW1. It is clear from his low army number 9994, that he was an early volunteer. He is recorded on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial for those with unmarked graves and his mother, Rachael Reid, was the first to lay a wreath at Wigan War Memorial at the time it was unvailed. It is a sad fact that he married only 9 months before he was killed. He was stationed in Malta when he wrote these letters to his sister.

    Dear Sister, I write to answer your kind and welcome letter.I am sorry I cannot send you any presents this Yuletide as we are in a camp in a place called "Pembroke" close to Slima a place about 7 miles from Valletta. It is still very hot in the day and freezing cold at night. I suppose that you will be having a happy time during the insueing week. I sincerely wish I was at Home for it, but circumstances alter cases. But I hope you do enjoy yourself as I cannot here. Please give Dick my best regards. I was very sorry to learn that Tommy's leg was so bad, I thought he would have been better by now, it seems fate is against him, tell him to "keep his heart up", and he"ll pull through al right. I wish to know how Mother and all the family are going on; Ernest, our Agnes, Little Thomas and the Baby. I havn't any news this time so I will now close. With a Brotherly Love to you and all. "Bons Woir" and Allah Blesses. PS. Please write back by return of post as I am Postman at Present

    Dear Sister, I am in Good Health hoping you are same (no news 4th Division) at present with love. Bob.

    This letter is dated 16 August 1914. He was killed 4 weeks later in France.

    R.M.V. Woods




    207788

    Pte. Herman Fieldhouse Myers 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Sept 1918)

    Herman Myers was my mother's brother and died at Flesquieres in France. He is buried in Flesquieres Hill Military Cemetery.

    Nigel Coggings




    207786

    Rfm. John Edmondson 1st Battalion The Rifle Brigade. (d.1st Nov 1918)

    My Paternal Great Grandfather, John Edmondson, enlisted at Dalton in Furness on 7th August 1914 with the 4th Battalion of Kings Own Lancashire Regiment. From 1915 to 1918 John sent my Great Grandmother (his girlfriend), Jane Wall, known as Jenny, many postcards from France, the last one received was in September 1918.

    On John's Record for Soldier's Died in the Great War his Regiment was the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) 1st Battalion, Rifleman B/202112 (Comments: Formerly S/4/122327 R.A.S.C). He died of his wounds on 1st November 1918 and is buried at Ramillies British War Cemetery, Ramillies, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave Ref: G.24.

    The very sad thing about this story is that he never knew that Jenny was pregnant with his son when he died. She brought up their son by herself, which I know in those days must of been tough as a single mother. Although through her life Jenny had a few chances of marrying she never accepted the proposals and died in her 92nd year a single lady.

    Katherine L Wall




    207783

    Pte. Joseph Henry Ledger 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.28th June 1918)

    Joseph Henry Ledger was the youngest of 3 brothers, the middle of which was my maternal grandfather. I have little knowledge of Joseph, other than that he served with the 10th Battalion of the East Yorks Regiment, he was killed, has no known grave and he had been to visit my Granddad in hospital when he himself had been badly wounded.

    I have attempted research over the last 10 years or so – initially finding him on the Commonwealth Graves Commission website. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium and in Beverley Minster. Efforts to find out more led to nothing. I discovered that records that might have given insight into the circumstances of his death had been destroyed in London during the Blitz. I have seen a regimental war diary for the day he died – it recorded an attack on a village that went easily with the only non-commissioned casualties being those of men who had strayed into the path of an advancing artillery barrage; friendly fire in other words. As the names of ordinary rank casualties were not recorded in war diaries, it is a long shot to believe that he was one of those men; although that would explain the lack of a body. Though Family lore says he went missing on his way back to his unit after visiting my Granddad at the hospital. I assume that this was in Belgium.

    I don’t know why, but I feel an affinity with this young man. Maybe because he looks a bit like I did when I was younger. He was 20 when killed, had lived with his Mum and Dad and was plunged into God knows what. He would never marry, have kids or live to see his brother’s family. I wonder how he would have felt leaving my Granddad to return to his unit. His older brother, John William, had been killed the month before and he had just seen his other brother, crippled for life. What odds would he have given for his own survival?

    My mother is the only survivor now of her family, and although no-one has ever asked me to, I feel a responsibility to ensure Joseph Henry is not forgotten.

    PeterÃÆ??Ã?Ã? Renardson




    207778

    Pte. George Measey 2/4th Battalion Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry (d.5th Oct 1918)

    My great uncle, George Measey, was born at Oakley, Buckinghamshire on the 21st December 1888, to Joseph Measey and Martha Elizabeth Gladdy who were landlords of the Royal Oak, Oakley and farmers.

    George fought in France and Flanders with the Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 2/4th Battalion. He was taken prisoner of war and sent to Switzerland to recover from illness, but died on the 5th October 1918 aged 29.

    His funeral procession

    George was buried at Vevet St Martins, Lake Geneva, Switzerland. He along with his brothers, Frank, Thomas and Charles are recorded on the war memorial at Oakley.

    I was given his medals and photo by my grandmother Mary Anne Govier [nee Measey] who was married to Henry Govier of Oakley. Although I never had the opportunity to meet with him he is remembered in our family along with his brothers who never came back to live with their family in Oakley.

    Stephen Govier




    207777

    Cpl. Frank Measey 7th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (d.22nd June 1918)

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    My great uncle, Frank Measey, was born in Oakley, Buckinghamshire on the 8th January 1895, to Joseph Measey and his wife Martha Elizabeth Gladdy who were farmers and publicans. The Measey family lived at The Royal Oak in Oakley.

    Frank and his brother George joined the Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Light Infantry during the 1st World War as did their brothers Charles and Thomas, who later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. All four brothers are recorded on the war memorial at Oakley.

    Frank was killed in action on the 22nd June 1918 whilst fighting in Salonika. He is buried at the Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. My great uncle's medals, death plaques, letters and prayer books were passed onto me by my grandmother and will be passed on through our family. She was Mary Ann Govier [nee Measey) the sister of Frank, George, Charles and Thomas. She was married to Henry Govier of Oakley.

    Some years ago I was at the rememberance service at Oakley church and spoke to the congregation about my great uncles. Although I never met them, I have researched their stories and am proud of their sacrifice, but sad that I never had the opportunity to meet them. Not many families lost four soldiers during the 1st World War and it is a fitting tribute to remember them.

    Stephen Govier




    207773

    Rfm. Leslie Childs 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own) (d.21st June 1917)

    I recently found out that my Great Uncle, Les Childs was killed in action in June 1917 and is buried in Perth Cemetery China Wall. He was 19 years of age. Perth cemetery is small in comparison to Tyne Cot and was originally a French cemetery. It is near Zillebeke. The name China Wall refers to the name the troops gave to a communication trench. I would welcome any information on action on this part of the Western front in June 1917.

    His younger brother, my grandfather, was gassed on the Somme in 1916 but survived the war.

    Mike Harvey




    207771

    Pte. Bernard Penman 1st/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd May 1915)

    Benny Penman joined up along with with younger brother Thomas. They went to France with the Durhams on the 18th April 1915. Around the 19th of May they reached dugouts on the boundaries of Sanctuary Wood, Hooge. Bernard was killed on the 22nd May 1915. Thomas was killed on the 24th May 1915.

    Tom Knight




    207768

    Pte. William Henry Dunnicliffe 10th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1917)

    William Dunnicliffe was killed on the 27/9/1917, at the Battle of Passchendaele, 3rd Battle of Ypres, two months before his brother Harold. There is no known grave but his name is commemorated on panels 63/65 at the Tyne Cot Cemetary, Belgium.

    David Buckley




    207767

    Cpl. Harold Dunnicliffe Notts & Derby Regiment (d.11th Dec 1917)

    Corporal Harold Dunnicliffe, Notts & Derbys Regiment was killed at the Battle of Bethune on 11th December, 1917 aged 22 years. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Panels 87/89 of the Loos Memorial in Northern France.

    David Buckley




    207762

    Pte. Walter Andrew Smith 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.10th Oct 1917)

    I have recently discovered information about my Great Uncle, Walter. A. Smith who fought in the Great War. He enlisted voluntarily after the outbreak of the war into the 6th Battalion Essex Regiment and landed in Gallipoli with the 1/6th Battalion at Sulva Bay on 10/10/1915. I believe the 1/6th then left Gallipoli for Egypt in Dec 1915 to defend positions in the Sinai Desert near the Suez Canal. In 1917 He was posted to the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment and took part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres and was killed in an attack near Poelcapelle 10th October 1917 just a day after the battle commenced.

    His name is on the Tyne Cot Memorial. I plan to visit there this year to pay my respects to my Great Uncle and to all of the fallen who never made it home. I sadly do not have a photograph of my Great Uncle to post, nor do I know the whereabouts of his medals that he would have received.

    Alan Seaton




    207755

    Pte. George Bertie Wharton 8th Btn. Norfolk Regimengt (d.1st July 1916)

    Just before my father died last year I found out through family history sites that his uncle George Wharton was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. My father was not aware of this, the family never having discussed it. I'm trying to find out more, but so far I know that he is memorialised in Thiepval. He was 21.

    I'm proud to think that amongst my family of farm labourers there is a young lad that gave his life for this country. I was able to tell my dad before he died suddenly last year. I hope he was proud too.

    Alison Wentworth




    207749

    Pte. Andrew W.T. Greenwell 18th Btn. (1st Tyneside Pioneers) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th April 1916)

    My great uncle Andrew, born about 1888, was originally Andrew White until his mother Elizabeth married her second husband William Greenwell. No-one in the family had ever mentioned him and we only discovered him whilst researching the family history through census records. My grandfather, Andrew's step-brother would have been a teenager when Andrew died. Andrew was a coal miner and the family breadwinner after the death of William. providing for his mother, step brother and 2 step-sisters. He was a single man, living in Fryers Terrace above the Co-op in Burradon, when he joined the Tyneside pioneers. After guarding trenches in the next village (Cramalington) he was sent to France in early 1916.

    We found his death recorded as 25th April 1916 and were able to track the details from a book Historical Records of the 18th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Pioneers) by Lt.Col. J. Shakespeare. He set out on the night of St Georges day with comrades to lay cables in the trenches around La Boisselle near Albert when a "petrol mine" landed in the trench killing him and a number of his comrades. All present were injured and for some, no bodies were recovered. Andrew was taken to hospital but died on the 25th. He is buried in Warloy Baillon Cemetery.

    Why was he forgotten by his family? By volunteering he left my grandfather at the age of 18 as the "man of the house" and when killed left a family living in relative poverty. Why did he join up? He was a miner and there was a recruiting campaign to enlist these men for their experience. He had never married, had taken responsibility for his step-family, worked in a dangerous "gassy" mine and the prospect of seeing new things and adventure lured him. The saddness was that within months he was dead and until we found him in the records it was as if he had never existed.

    Pamela Greenwell




    207743

    Pte. Issac Wallis 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.30th Nov 1917)

    I have very little information regarding my Great-Grandfather, Issac Wallis but I am on a quest to pay my respects to him and his gallant fellows who fought for my Freedom. He was killed in France on the 30/11/1917, blown up by a German Bomb. There were no remains of him to bury, which is why he is hounoured at the village of Louveral at the Cambrai Memorial. He served as a Private in the 14th Battalion of the DLI and I will continue to search for a picture of him to show my respect and pride of his sacrifice.

    Dawn Wallace-Bland




    207734

    McCall 6 Squadron

    Mr McCall joined 6 squadron in 1914 and served through to 1918 but did not join the RAF. He was recalled in 1939 and served in Malaya escaping Singapore and taking some months to get to safety and Karachi. I believe that the family were based in Malaya until the fall of Singapore.

    Edward Cox




    207728

    Pte. Clive Williams 1/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.20th Nov 1918)

    My family is fortunate not to have endured any casualties during either WWI or WWII. After many years attending the Cenotaph in London, I realised that I wanted to focus my remembrance on one particular service person. In November 2005 I undertook a search of the Commonwealth War Grave Commission website to see if a Clive Williams had died in either War.

    I found 57334, Private Clive Williams, 1/8 Royal Warwickshire Regiment, I now do all I can to research his life and keep his memory alive. I plan to visit his grave in France, but I would really like to find relatives, or perhaps even a photograph.

    To the best of my research, Clive did not marry, and so, like many others of his generation, he died leaving nothing but his name. I am not sure if that is better than leaving behind a wife and family, but at least in one’s children, one can survive and live on. Clive, as far as I know, has no one to remember him.

    It seems strange writing from my heart about a man I never knew, who had no connection with me other than sharing a name, and who had already been dead for over fifty years by the time I was born in 1972. I fear disturbing his spirit, when he laid down his life to rest in eternal peace, yet I feel driven to search out more and more information about this stranger. I am no relation to Private Clive Williams but I share his name and wish to keep his memory alive. I wish I could find a photograph.

    Clive was born on the 18th of May 1894 at Langley, Worcestershire. His Grandfather was Levi Williams, who married Dinah Lewis, 10 June 1840 at St. Leonard’s Clement, they had a child, Levi Arthur. Levi senior married a second time to Jane Shaw on the 1st of September 1862 at St Thomas’s, Dudley. Clives parents were Levi Arthur Williams, (1854 - 1909), and Emma J Godfrey, who married in the September Quarter 1874 at Rowley Regis. Clive's sister was Henrietta Amplias Swain Williams, (1882 - ?), born in Rowley Regis, Staffordshire. She married Dr Daniel McColl, in the September Quarter 1911, at Tamworth. He also had a brother, Arthur Swain Williams, (1892 - ?), born at Rowley Regis, Staffordshire.

    Clive worked as a Colliery Labourer, at Pooley Hall Colliery and at Kingsbury Colliery Co. up until 1916. In 1894 he lived at Vicarage Road, Langley, Worcestershire, In 1901 then Census records him at ‘Myrtle Cottage’, Waterfall Lane, Rowley Regis, Warwickshire (now Staffordshire) and on the 1911 Census at 4 Watling Street, Wilnecote, Tamworth, Staffordshire. In 1918 his sister Amplias lived at ‘Holy Cottage’, Polesworth, Tamworth, Warwickshire (now Staffordshire)

    Clive enlisted in 1916, Tamworth, Warwickshire and died on the 20/11/1918 at No. 12 General Hospital of wounds sustained in the Battle of the Sambre. He is buried in grave S.III.W.5, at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. His death was reportedin the Tamworth Herald on the 7/12/1918 & 14/12/1918 with a memorial message on 20/11/1919: "Make Firm O God The Peace For Which He Died". He is commemorated in the War Memorial, Holy Trinity Church, Wilnecote, Tamworth, Warwickshire (now Staffordshire), on the Tamworth & District War Memorial, Tamworth, Warwickshire (now Staffordshire) and Pooley Hall Memorial, Warwickshire.

    Clive Stanley-Williams




    207724

    Pte. Sampson Ashby 1/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.5th Aug 1917)

    Before the war Sampson Ashby worked as a pottery labourer in Stoke-on-Trent. Sampson served in France & Flanders and Egypt. He died at the 3rd Battle of Ypres aged just 21.

    Victoria




    207710

    Pte. Ernest Moulton 8th Btn. London Regiment

    My grandfather Ernest Moulton joined up in November 1916 and after training was sent to France where he took part in engagements on the Somme. He was wounded at Ypres. Later at Cambrai he was again seriously wounded by shell fire and lay unattended in the snow for over a day resulting in the loss of his right leg and was subsequently invalided home being discharged in 1919. Eventually dying of his wounds in 1960.





    207706

    Pte. Frank Clayton Lancashire Fusiliers

    Frank Clayton was my grandfather, whom I never met as he died in 1928. My grandmother told me he was gassed in WW1 and that hastened his premature death. Frank enlisted in 1898 and was discharged in 1915, he was a 207706.

    Linda Buckingham




    207694

    Pte. Peter Crawford 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.15th Oct 1915)

    In memory of my great uncle Peter Crawford born at 56 Florence Street, Hutchesontown in Glasgow on 4th January 1896. He enlisted on the 17th August 1915 with 10th Battalion Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders). Killed in Action on the 15th October 1915 in Ypres, Belgium. He has no known grave and is mentioned on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His CWGC certificate reads: In Memory of Private Peter Crawford S/8248, 10th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who died age 19 on 15 October 1915. Son of Donald and Janet Crawford, of 106, Florence St., South Side, Glasgow. Remembered with honour

    He is also mentioned in The Scotsman on the 13th of March 1916 on page 7 in an article entitled "Other Rank and File Killed: Peter Crawford 10th A and SH., was 19 years of age, and was the third son of Seaman Donald Crawford, Florence Street. His father and two brothers are on active service in the Navy, and a third brother was wounded and taken prisoner at Loos.

    Colin Quigley




    207693

    Driver Hugh Quigley 9th Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    Dedicated to my great grandfather, Hugh Quigley, born in Govan, Lanarkshire on 29th September 1883 and died in Glasgow on 29th October 1955. On the 23rd June 1915 Hugh enlisted with Royal Field Artillery - Regimental Number: 96527 - Rank: Driver. On the 20th November 1915 Hugh was sent with the British Expeditionary Forces to France. On the 21st March 1918 Hugh suffers mild gunshot wound to face and is taken to hospital in Le Treport then to a hospital in Havre. On the 28th May 1918 Hugh is transferred to the Labour Corps - Regimentall Number: 580865 - Rank: Driver. On the 18th April 1919 Hugh is demobilized with a Class 5 Pension. Disability: Gunshot Wound to Face and Neurasthenia (shell shock). Before enlisting Hugh was employed as an Iron Forge Furnaceman and also a Dock Labourer, when he left the Army one of his first jobs was a Ship Stoker onboard SS Nortonian at Vercruz in Mexico the ship belonged to the Leyland Steamship Company.

    Colin Quigley




    207682

    Edward Timmons

    I have inherited a photo of a group of soldiers taken at Rabaul, New Guinea in 1914. I believe it contains my great uncle Edward Timmons, who we think went to Australia and enlisted from there. I would love to know if anyone can tell me more about this group of soldiers.

    Bernadette Whitlock




    207680

    2nd Lt. George Whelan MC. 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.16th Aug 1917)

    The late Lieut. George Whelan was killed in action on August 16th 1917. He was a good sportsman & took a great interest in boxing & cross country running: winning the lightweight championship of the regiment and also being the champion all round athlete whilst stationed in Colchester.

    He went out to France at the commencement of the war (actually 5/11/1914) and quickly attained promotion to Regimental Sergeant Major. After a short period in that rank he was promoted to lieutenant and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. He won the 8th divisional cross country race, and on December 16th 1916 he was the winner of the 23rd Infantry Brigade cross country race. The Colonel & all ranks had a very high opinion of Lieut. Whelan's qualifications, both as a soldier and a sportsman. He was a native of London.

    Extract of letter to his widow:

    "All ranks speak with the greatest admiration of the gallant way in which your husband met his death. The battalion had made an attack, at first successful, but later we had to retire owing to the heavy German counter attack. Your husband carried on with four Lewis guns and kept them in action, covering the retirement of the battalion and inflicting heavy loss on the enemy, while he himself fell shot by enemy machine gun fire. No man could have died more gallantly than he did, giving his life for the regiment. Had he lived he would certainly have been recommended for the DSO. He was most popular in the regiment, who will feel his loss deeply."

    Eric Darling




    207679

    Drv. Walter Joseph Caiger 149th Battalion, 26th Brig. Royal Field Artillery

    This story of my Grandfather, Walter Caiger, was pieced together after considerable research due to his British Army Service records having been destroyed during WW2. Walter had entered the Army in 1899 at age 16yrs, and had taken part in the Anglo Boer War in South Africa during 1899-1902.

    Serving as a regular soldier when WW1 broke out, he was deployed from Aldershot with the 149th Battalion 26th Brigade Royal Field Artillery to the Western Front with the 1st Division of British Expeditionary Forces under the command of Lt-Colonel Cunliffe-Owen, landing in France on 16th August 1914, where their first encounter with the German forces occurred on 23rd August 1914 at Mons. He also served with the Allied Expeditionary Forces at Thessaloniki (Salonica) in central Macedonia/Greece 1915-16.

    Walter experienced a great deal of action in WW1 as quoted in the National Roll of the Great War:- "Caiger, W. R.F.A. A serving soldier who enlisted in 1900, he was drafted to the Western Front on the outbreak of hostilities. His service overseas lasted for 5 years, and during this time he took part in important engagements in practically all sectors, and was wounded. He was discharged on his return to England in February 1919. 23 Smalley Road Stoke Newington N16 Entry No. 7297"

    The wounds he received were a result of Mustard Gas first used by the Germans in 1917. A lethal chemical, only requiring minimal amounts to be effective. It was almost odourless and took 12 hours for the effects to show, remaining in the soil for several weeks. Victims suffered blistered skin, sore eyes, vomiting, internal and external bleeding, with the mucous stripped from their bronchial tubes, they suffered a slow and agonising death over a period of 4-5 weeks. Walter was fortunate to survive but as a result, not able to continue his Army duties and was discharged in January 1920.

    Walter was awarded the 1914 Star & Clasp, General Service and Victory Medals (Clasp No.14526 “Clasp & Roses” issued)W7585 c/a d29.1.20 Qualifying date 16.8.14. When the full size medal was worn, the clasp would have been attached to the ribbon, and when just the medal ribbon was worn, a small rosette was mounted in the middle of the ribbon to signify the recipient had earned the clasp.

    Post war Walter took up duties with London County Council, which acknowledged its employees contributions during the Great War 1914-18, by keeping a Record of Service for each of them. Walter’s being: Caiger, Walter Joseph (1914-19); Sapper, U.F. ; France and Salonica 3 years.

    Although not having known Grandfather, we admire the stamina, courage and valour he and his comrades would have shown throughout these hostilities, and give thanks for his safe return to his homeland, England.

    Victoria Cope




    207677

    Pte. George McLeod 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Feb 1915)

    George McLeod was my Great Grandfather, he was one of nine children and came from Byker near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he was killed in action near St. Eloi near Ypres, to which I have just recently visited and saw his name listed on the Menin Gate wall, which was indeed a very moving experience. I only wish I had a picture of him.

    Tracy Young




    207665

    Sgt. Josiah "Si" Ord MM. 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My Grandfather, Josiah Ord, was a miner living in North Seaton, Ashington, Northumberland and working at the local colliery. He joined The Northumberland Fusiliers in the early years of the First World War and served through to the end having been appointed Sergeant after winning The Military Medal during the Battle of the Somme. He was wounded and lost a large portion of his right bicep during the action resulting in The Military Medal award. I have not been able to find any other details other than the award was gazetted on 28th of August 1916.

    Jim Shotton




    207658

    Pte. Arthur Jones 33rd Battalion

    Arthur was the eldest son of Alfred Singleton Jones a 4th generation Australian, descended from convicts William Jones and Mary-Ann Sullivan. He was 1 of 9 children.

    He was wounded three times during the war, the last on September 30 1918, just days before the AIF's final withdrawal. All three injuries were to the left thigh, the final one leading to an amputation.

    He moved to Sydney on the 1930's and set up home with his wife in Legge St., Lakemba until his passing in 1965.

    Peter Jones




    207657

    Pte. Herbert Cathcart 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th June 1917)

    I am called after Herbert Cathcart and he was always held up as an example to me by my Grandmother (his sister). I have just come back after making a long promised pilgrimage to his grave in the Wulverghem-Lindenhoch Road Military Cemetery near Ieper in Belgium. Although he died 94 years ago, 30 years before I was born, I found it a very moving and tearful experience. I have lead a good, successful and enjoyable life, something he was unable to do, and I hope I have lived a life that he would have been proud to live.

    Herbert Karl Murray




    207652

    Pte. Henry Manville 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment (d.20th Nov 1914)

    Henry Manville died of wounds in France & Flanders on the 20th November 1914, aged 35. He was born in Burgess Hill, Sussex, the son of John and Elizabeth Manville of Coxe's Cottages, Plumpton, Sussex and enlisted at Uckfield, Sussex. Henry is buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, France in Plot III. Row A. Grave 25. He is commemorated on the War Memorial at All Saints' Churchyard, Plumpton and on the Roll of Honour inside All Saints' Church where he shown as enlisting in The Royal Sussex Regiment in 1914. However he first enlisted in the RGA before transferring to The Royal Sussex Regiment. Henry was my Grandfather's older brother and was the only one to not return from the Great War out of all his brothers who enlisted including my Grandfather.

    Julie Maville




    207644

    Pte. James Arthur Agnew 56th Battalion

    Sixteen year old Australian soldier, 3006 Private James Arthur Agnew, was wounded in action near Wimeraux, France 20 July 1916. On 22 July 1916 he was evacuated on Hospital Ship Jan Breydel through Boulogne and taken to England. He was admitted to 1st Northern General Hospital, Newcasle on 23 July 1916 for treatment and recovery. He later returned to his unit in France.

    H. Bateup




    207640

    Pte. Sydney Edwards 4th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My grandfather, Sidney Edwards, (born in 1877) learnt tailoring while he was an orphan and this trade and his self-reliance helped him during WW1 too. He was only 5ft 2 ins tall, but joined the 9th Durham Light Infantry when he enlisted at Leyton, London on 21/7/1916 (his service number on joining was 5956 and his regimental number was 301741)

    He was a Private and was posted to France on 5/1/1917. On 27/5/1918 he was gassed and reported missing. While he was lieing in a shell hole, still very badly disabled by the gas attack, a young German soldier appeared over him and was about about to bayonet him when Sidney threw up his arms and shouted "comrade, comrade". So the German took him prisoner instead. Sid was eventually transferred to a POW camp in Germany.

    On arrival at the camp the new prisoners were all lined up for inspection by the Camp Commandant, sitting on his horse. When the Commandant stopped at Sid he asked him where he was from and what he did. Sid answered he was a Tailor from Leyton. While they were talking Sid noticed a small tear in the Commandants uniform and told the Commandant he could repair it invisibly so it would not be noticed.

    Sid became the camp tailor and was soon repairing the all uniforms of the very smart German officers and camp guards, who gave him small favours, plus extra rations which he shared with his hut mates. So he became popular with his colleagues and captors! He also slyly told the Germans he needed pork fat in order to "make their seams waterproof" but he, of course, used this to supplement the meagre prison rations of his hut too. So his early days of self reliance and quick wittedness, learnt as an orphan, in another large authoritarian institutional setting, served him very well again inside the prison camp and helped his survival in spite of his very small size. During his time in the prison camp he secretly made a large tailor made Union Jack by hand. When the armistice was declared he raised the Union Jack over the camp, on German soil!

    When he was gassed and reported missing his wife was officially informed he was 'missing believed dead!'; so on his arrival back home, after his release, he was surprised to find his name had been included on the Honour Board, at his local chapel, for local men who had given their life in the service of their country during The Great War! However he was able to present, in person, his tailor made Union Jack 'victory flag', from the camp, to the chapel in Leyton in patriotic commemoration of the victory.

    After the Great War he went on to become a Master Tailor living and working in Leyton. My cousins still have his medals and old German made treadle sowing machine.

    George DeHaas




    207638

    Pte. Luke Mizon 3rd Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Little is known about Luke Mizon (my great, great grandfather) and I am still researching the family history. What we do know is that he was born in 1860 and died in 1929. He joined the army on 6/12/1914 and was discharged due to sickness on 20/3/1916. I understand the Royal Fusiliers joined with the 86th Brigade and 29th Division and were part of the Gallipoli Campaign. Luke survived and was discharged upon return to England in March 1916.

    Sarah Smith




    207637

    Gnr. Donald Calderhead 108 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.16th Feb 1917)

    Donald Calderhead is buried At Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of John Calderhead and Mary Wotherspoon of Wishaw

    Stewart MacPherson




    207636

    Pte. Edward Beech 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th June 1915)

    9285 Private Edward Beech was my grandfather's cousin and served with W Company, 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action at the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge 16th June 1915. Edward was the son of William Beech, a Coal Miner, and his wife Annie, and was born in Nottingham in 1887. Before joining the army Edward worked as a Printer’s Boy.

    Edward joined the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers in 1903 and enlisted at Gravesend, Kent. In November 1903 he became an un-paid Lance Corporal with a promotion to Corporal in early February 1904 and completed his tour of duty. Edward married Mabel Grice, in Nottingham in 1907. They had no issue.

    Recalled to duty from the reserves at the outbreak of war, Edward was posted to the 1st Battlaion as the 2nd Battalion had left for service in India the previous year. He disembarked for service in France on 13th August 1914 and was among the original contingent of his unit, the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Although I have not been able to confirm it beyond doubt, Edward probably saw action in all the early battles of the war that the battalion was involved in including Mons, Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914, Aisne 1914. On 16th June 1915 the battalion, as part of 9th Brigade, attacked Bellewaarde Ridge which had been captured earlier by the Germans creating a bulge in the British Lines. Below is attached an extract from the Battalion War Diary covering this action:

    Our artillery started the bombardment at 2:50 Hrs. and with two pauses, continued till 4:15 Hrs. the time laid down for the attack to commence. The enemy soon replied at first with shrapnel, later with heavy shell. His fire was mostly directed at Railway Wood, and a certain proportion of gas shells were fired. Owing to the proximity of the enemy’s trenches and the necessity for low bursts to cut the barbed wire entanglements, our own artillery caused us a certain number of casualties before the attack commenced.

    At 4.15 a.m. the attack was launched, the front line of the trenches was quickly taken also the alternative trenches behind. In front of the trenches a certain amount of resistance was offered, in others the enemy surrendered almost at once. The battalion suffered rather heavily, many prisoners were taken.

    The battalion started for the 2nd line of the enemy’s trenches after a very short interval and letter Z, Co. which was in support came forward to the front line. Z, Co. suffered severely from the very heavy shell fire brought to bear on them by the German artillery, both light and heavy.

    Letter W – Y Co. bore to the left and started bombing down the enemy’s trenches. Here there was severe fighting. The tide of battle ebbed and flowed, finally the enemy received reinforcements of men and bombs and that combined with strongly placed machine guns, forced us to abandon the idea of a further advance in that particular direction for the time being. (viz to Y7 and Y8, vide map appendix).

    In the meanwhile portions of Z and X Cos. With some of the Liverpool and Scottish advanced and made good a line just W (west) of Beelwarde Farm. Here being exposed to sniping from both flanks and machine gun fire from the left flank they halted near old and shallow French trench and dug themselves in. This trench was only very lightly held owing to the paucity of men.

    Casualties though not heavy were frequent. Captain Sloper and a party bombed down a communication trench and rushed the enemy’s third line of trenches. They remained here about an hour. The adjoining troops returned and a good many casualties occurred. So both flanks being in the air a retirement was made to the new trench dug behind Bellewarde Farm. Only thin metal entrenching tools were available to dig this trench and the ground was hard and there had not been time to finish digging the trench properly. During this time the enemy heavily “Crumped” Railway Wood and Bellwarde.

    There was a lull as regards direct fire on the advanced trenches for two or three hours, but casualties from fire from the left flank were frequent and Railway Wood and its vicinity were continually “Crumped”. In the meantime on the left positions Cos. W and Y had consolidated the positions a little N (north) of Y.ll.

    Early in the afternoon the enemy marched E (east) of Bellewarde Farm in their trenches and opened a heavy rifle and machine gun fire on our advanced position from close range. Attempts were made to block the assault up a CT (communication Trench) towards Y.ll. With bombs, but all our bombers were killed.

    Finally the troops on our right having retired some time previously and so leaving us outflanked on both sides, the front line was withdrawn under heavy fire of rifles, machine guns and artillery, light and heavy, to the first line of German trenches captured in the morning, where the battalion was relieved after dark by the Royal Scots of 8th Infantry Brigade. A number of gas shells were fired during this retirement.

    The battalion went into action with 15 Officers and 645 Other Ranks. At the end of the day, the War Diary records that all the officers and 414 men were identified as killed, wounded or missing. I have since identified a further three men who do not appear in the War Diary but are listed on Soldiers Died and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website as casualties on the day.

    The majority of the casualties have no identified graves and are recorded on the Menin Gate. Whilst I am currently working through the list, I have found very few men who have a marked grave. It is intended to publish this research at a later date.

    W Company have 119 casualties listed in the War Diary including all the company officers. One of these is 9258 Private Edward Beech, who is listed as a Lance Corporal, so may have served in an unpaid capacity. Edward was listed as killed but either his body was hastily buried and subsequently lost or not recovered, as he is listed on the Menin Gate. To date I have only identified three soldiers in this comapny with a marked grave - one at Tyne Cot (3065 Private Arthur Nettleton) , one in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery(7718 Private R Lambert) and one in Moorseele Military Cemetery (7917 Private J McCullagh) The latter two died in the days following the attack, presumably of wounds received. Moorseele remained behind the lines until 1918, so it is likely that McCullagh was also a POW when he died.

    In addition to Edward, my grandfather Thomas Beech, served throughout the war in the 454th Company ASC, 46th Divisional Train, having been a pre war Territorial. His brother Charles served in the same unit having also been a pre war Territorial. A third brother, George, was conscripted in 1918 and after training, joined No.5 Squadron RAF as an armourer arriving in France on 3rd November 1918. A forth brother, Harold joined up as a regular soldier in 1919 and rejoined the army in 1941 seeing service in North Africa and Italy with the RASC. A more distant relative, Private Albert Royston, joined the 1st/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters - The Robin Hood Rifles - as an underage volunteer in 1914. He was killed in action with the battalion at Gommecourt on 1st July 1916, he was 17 years of age.

    Today, all these men are long gone, my grandfather died in 1946 when my father was five, and very few people remember them or the deeds they performed. To me, it is important that we remember the sacrifices they made.

    Lest We Forget

    John Beech




    207632

    Pte. Walter Beet 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.11th April 1918)

    I have only just found my grandmother's cousin, Walter Beet, and I wondered why he joined the Durham Light Infantry when living in Yorkshire. Could it be that they marched through Wadsworth on their way to war and he decided to join them?

    Editors Note: Walter Beet enlisted in 1917, at this time men were assigned to which ever Battalion required reinforcements and conscription was in force. The concept of Pals Battalions, made up of men from their local area was a thing of the past by the time Walter joined up.

    Diana Walshaw




    207630

    Pte. Joseph Craik 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th May 1915)

    Private Joseph Craik, 3260, 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, was born in Howden, Tyneside in 1893. He was the son of Jonathan and Margaret Craik. Joseph was one of 6 sons to serve in World War I. Originally, Joseph was a labourer in a working class family and enlisted at the outbreak of war. The family story is that Jonathan marched his six sons to the recruiting office, set up at a cinema in Jarrow.

    Joseph died on the first day of the the Battle of Frezenberg Ridge, 8th May 1915 near Ypres, along with 82 of his comrades, their trenches over-run by a huge German attack on that day. Due to the Germans capturing the ground, no known graves exist. Joseph is commemorated with his 82 comrades on the Menin gate.

    His younger brother John, serving in the same Battalion was wounded by gas in his lungs, and was so disabled that he was never able to work again. John died from gas related complications in 1940.

    Joseph's brother William, serving with the Gordon Highlanders was killed 8 weeks later at Neuve Chappele. The loss of two sons and the wounding of another took its toll on the family and their mother Margaret died in June 1915, presumably from grief and shock. All very sad.

    Dr. Dave Craik




    207623

    Lt. Arthur Roberts 16th Battalion (Cardiff City) Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    I have a old Ordnance Survey map of the Winchester area and on the front cover is written 'Lt. Arthur Roberts, 16th. Battalion/Welsh Regiment Cardiff City'. I believe they moved to Winchester in August 1915. I would be interested to know what happened to him in WW1 and whether he survived the war. Thanks

    Tim Deacon




    207620

    Capt. Frederick George Coxen 40th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My grandfather Frederick Coxen joined the RFA as a reservist around 1907 and was called into active duty August 4th, 1914. By 1907 he had achieved the rank of Bombardier and when he was called to active duty he served in the newly created 40 battery which was part of the 43rd Brigade, first corp. He went over to France with the BEF in 1914 and fought in the battles of Mons, Marne, Anise, first Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, and second Ypres.

    During the war he received a field promotion to 2nd Lieutenant and by the end of the war he held the rank of Captain. During the first part of the war he was in charge of establishing observation posts and maintaining telephone communications between the gun batteries and the observation posts. He kept a journal that has been handed down to me and I've created a website where I post excerpts.

    I'm in the process of self publishing a book based on my grandfather's war journal and how it helped me try to keep a promise he made with three fellow soldiers but failed to keep. The four chums made a promise with each other that if one or more of them survived the war then those that survived would find the families of those that didn't make it back and tell them how and when their loved ones died. My grandfather was the only one that survived but he failed to keep his promise. I've spent the last two years trying to locate relatives with only marginal success. If anyone had a relative that served in the RFA, 43rd brigade, I would like to find out move information about those that served, especially those from the 40th battery.

    Rick Coxen




    207617

    Pte. Charles Elliott 1st/5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

    I'm trying to find out more about the part my greatgrandfather Charles Elliott played in the First World War as I haven't got much info about him. He lived during 1912 at 73 Luther Street, Everton, Liverpool, Lancashire. His wife's name was Mary Elliott [nee] Fullerton and his father's name was Phillip Elliott. I know he died in 1919 and is buried in Everton Cemetery and there is a war cenotaph there.

    Lisa Crosbie




    207614

    Pte. Andrew Conley 10th/11th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.24 Apr 1917)

    Just back from Arras, My wife and myself were shocked and amazed by the magnitude of life lost at the front, and really has to be experienced by a visit to see first hand the sacrifice these men made. The Graves, tours, sites and the people we met, made this visit a memory that will never fade.

    Remembering Private Andrew Conley of the 10th/11th Bn. Highland Light Infantry. Age 22 who died on the 24th of April 1917 and is commemorated on Bay 8 of the Arras Memorial. Anyone with any extra info on this day in Arras please let me know.

    Jim Conley




    207607

    Joseph Neill 18th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Hi. I am tracing my grandfather's career in the Royal Garrison Artillery. I have been told he was appointed officer commander of 18th Siege Battery RGA 1917-18, though I can not confirm this myself. If I can be of any help or if anyone can provide me with information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

    Roger Neill




    207604

    Cpl. Richard Hetherington 1st Btn. C Coy. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.18th Sep 1914)

    My grand uncle, Richard Hetherington, was born 1st May 1886 to Patrick and Anne(nee Farrell) Hetherington in a small village in the Irish Midlands called Mountrath. Which at that time was known as Queens County and is now County Laois. He joined the army before WW1 and was on leave when he was called back to duty. He was 28 years when he died 18th September 1914. He is remembered with other fallen soldiers who have no graves on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial.

    Madge Hetherington




    207601

    Pte. Jack Jackson MM. 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards

    My grandfather Jack Jackson was the son of and grandson of army regulars. He joined the Coldstream Guards in May 1915 having been a miner in Co.Durham. His MM was awarded 9th October 1917 for actions [that I have never been able to elicit] at the Battle for Poelcappele. Gazetted 18 January 1918. He served with the Regiment as part of the occupying forces. He hated non-regimental officers and particularly the 'Staff' and as result refused to work for 'them' after the war, becoming a trusted bookie's runner. As a youngster I twice carried the leather bag with clock so that if he was stopped by our friendly policemen he was 'innocent'.

    My father was also a regular with the Royal Tank Corps after TA service with the KOYLI's. He was killed in action on the 17th June 1941 with the 7th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment while helping to save some Guards Regiments during Operation Battleaxe. As it happens one of the regiments was the 3rd Coldstreams.

    I joined the RAF as a regular in the '50's and my grandfather never spoke or wrote to me for 2 years until he saw me in uniform for the first time. I was then the first member of the family to be invited for a pint at his working mans club. He claimed that one of our forebears was the CSM of one of the newly formed cavalry regiments [Maybe Hodgson's Horse] that helped to quell the Indian Mutiny, as the only other 'white man' in the Regiment. The real claim to fame was that British soldiers of the Army in India had been injured or killed by cannon balls that rolled across the parade ground after being fired through mutineers. He suggested,and it was adopted, an easier method, just fire the gunpowder, same punishment result but no injured soldiers from the British regiments.

    Robert Hoyle




    207599

    Sgt. Michael Dunne 1st Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Michael Dunne was 1 of 4 boys in his family. His father was Patrick and his mother Anne. His younger brother Patrick also joined the army with him. Their other brother, John, also joined up. Sadly, Michael lost his life. His brother, Patrick, lost his life on the 17 of April 1916. John, was wounded and was sent home and was discharged. He tried to rejoin but was not allowed.

    Michael was married to a woman by the name of Margaret. I do not know her surname. They had a child but when Margaret heard the news of Michael being killed she fled, to where no one knows. Family stories say she went to America with the child but no trace can I find. I've searched for a long time and as a last resort I'm trying to find Margaret's grandchildren, if any have.

    I am the great grand nephew of Sargent Michael Dunne 1st Bat., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, can anyone help me to find what happened to Michael's child?

    Paddy Dunne




    207595

    Cpl. George Ansell 1st Btn. Royal London Fusiliers (d.21st March 1918)

    George Ansell joined the 1/19th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and trained at St Albans, before going to France and joining the 1st Btn. He was killed on the 21st of March 1918 fighting with a company of the 2/2 Btn Royal London Fusiliers at Travesty, France. His c/o Capt. Harper wrote a citation recording his bravery before his death. Stating that George had killed many advancing enemy before being shot by a sniper. Unfortunately, there is no record on the Roll of Honour of the 2/2 Btn as he was lent from the 1st Btn.

    I remember a photo of him at my grandmother's before WW2, when at the age of 5yrs. Sadly his photo was lost during the war. Are there any photos of the 1/19th TA Regt who did their training at St Albans, North London in 1914 before they went to France in March 1915?

    John Ansell




    207590

    Cpl. James Penrose MM. 184th Brigade, "A" Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Corporal James Penrose of Sutton, Co. Dublin, Ireland joined the 184th Brigade "A" Battery of the Royal Field Artillery in 1915 which was formed at Deptford on 20th July 1915. They embarked for France on 6th March 1916. The 184th were disbanded on 1st December 1916 and became part of the Divisional Artillery, 184th Brigade "A" Battery became known as C/174 which was disbanded after the war in 1919.

    Corporal Penrose was awarded the Military Medal which was documented in the London Gazette on 2nd August 1918. From research, Corporal Penrose was wounded near Aubigny, France on 16th September and was listed on this date as Acting Sergeant. He was Honourably Discharged from the Army on 31st May 1919.

    On his return to Ireland James Penrose married Mary Quigley and went on to have eight children. However, he died in 1945 at approximately 50 years of age, in Raheny, Dublin, Ireland.

    D O'Driscoll




    207589

    Sgt. William Riding South Lancashire Regiment

    So far I have found out, with the help of my dad, about my great grandfather, William Riding. On the 8th Jan 1890 he had a medical at Warrington & was pronounced fit for service in the South Lancashire Regiment at the age of 20. Regiment number 2990. Prior to this he had spent 83 days with the Liverpool Regiment 3rd Battalion . He was appointed L/corporal on 28.4.1891, Corporal 13.4.1892, Lance Sergeant 3.9.1895 and Sergeant on 6.2.1896. During this time he served in Gibralter, Malta, Egypt, India & South Africa. He was then transferred to the reserve 7.11.1897 being recalled on 13.11.1899 for the 2nd Boar War. He sailed on R.M.S Canada on the 1.12.1899 arriving at the Cape around the 20.12.1899 with the 1st Batt South Lancashire Regiment. With them was the 2nd Royal Lancaster, 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers & 1st York & Lancaster Regiment. They formed the 11th Brigade under Major General Woodgate & where part of the 5th Division under Lt General Sir Charles Warren. In 1902 he was discharged on completion of 12 years service.

    On the 7th September 1914 he had a medical at Southport & again passed fit for service in the South Lancashire Regiment, Regiment number 627154. He joined as a Private but on the same day he was promoted to Corporal then Sergeant. He was posted to Seaford near Brighton with the 10th Battalion.

    He was posted to France on the 1.12.1914. He was then transferred to the Chinese Labour Corps 5.12.1918 & discharged from active service on 22.3.1919 as no longer physically fit from Stoke on Trent Military Hospital. He was 49 years old when he finally finished military service having served over 16 years.

    A.Riding




    207581

    Captain Harry John Temple

    My Uncle, Harry John Temple, was a Captain in the British Army. I don't know much about him, except I think that he was in Africa & that he suffered a very serious case of malaria. We had a photograph which has since gone the way of so many precious family photographs. The photo was of Captain Temple mounted on his horse with his Company. I have been told that my Uncle would never ride when his men had to walk. He would walk with his Company and perhaps put the horse to carrying someone more needful of the ride.

    Mary E. Pattle Hover




    207573

    CSM. Charles Middlewood 2/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My Grandfather Charles Middlewood was a CSM in the DLI 2/7th. I also know he won a boxing cup presented to him in 1918 in Colchester in the 67th Divisional Boxing competition by Brigadier General AG Pritchard CMG. But I can not find any other information about him and would love to hear from someone who can help.

    Caroline




    207569

    Pte. Sydney Crawford Booth 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My father, Sydney Booth enlisted in 1914 and trained at Cochen Hall. He sailed for Egypt 1915 and the ship was fired on. Torpedoes were seen to pass missing their target.

    My father was at the Battle of the Somme, July 1st 1916. He never forgot his experiences and often told me of them. Men lying wounded who could not be helped because of enemy fire. In March 1917, near Arras, he was severely wounded with a shell splinter in his side. He told me he was saved by an American doctor who decided he would operate, as my father had been left as not treatable due to the number of causalities. I still have the shell splinter wrapped in bandage also a bullet which hit his rifle.

    S. Booth




    207561

    Pte. George Mcleod 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Feb 1915)

    George McLeod is my great grandfather and I have been trying to research him for a while. Sadly, I don't have any photos of him, only his war penny and certificates and his obituary in our local newspaper. He was born in December 1889 and died 15th February 1915. His father was William and his mother was Mary Jane (nee Cocking). This time next week I will be visiting the Menin Gate in Ypres where he is mentioned. I just wish I had a picture of him.

    Tracey Young




    207560

    Sgt. Thomas Charles Benton 9th Battalion Green Howards

    My grandfather Thomas Barton joined up on the 31st of August 1914. He was wounded on or about the 7th of July 1916, receiving gunshot wounds left arm and right ankle shrapnel to right foot. The damage to his foot was so severe that after a year in hospital he was discharged unfit for further active duty.

    Bob Benton




    207554

    Gnr. John McGrogan 124 Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.26th Aug 1914)

    My Gt Uncle, John McGrogan was born in Belfast in 1896 and as a youth was wayward and spent some time in the notorious Artane Boys Home outside Dublin. When he left the boys home at 16 he joined the Army underage rather than return home to Belfast. He first enlisted in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1912 and later joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner in 1913.

    When war was declared in Aug 1914 he left Dundalk with 124 Bty and took part in the Battle of Mons and the retreat that followed. As part of the rearguard that followed the retreat his unit took part in the Battle of LeCateau on the 26th of Aug,. During the battle his battery was facing the opposite way to the advancing enemy and for some time they had taken shelter in front of their gun shield from machine gun fire, eventually they managed to turn the guns and fire over the heads of 122 Battery that was directly in front of them. This action went on for some time until two guns were put out of action by direct hits and their ammunition wagon was blown up. They were too far in front to receive a signal to retire, they could not save the guns but they sabotaged them by breaking the breach and sights. Gunner John McGrogan was killed during this action.

    At Christmas 1914 his mother had written to the Ministry asking for word of her son as she had not heard from him since he left, She was to hear the bad news from his friend who had been wounded and was back in Belfast on New Years Eve.

    Michael P Doyle




    207550

    Pte. Alfred Dunn 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.19th July 1918)

    Alfred Dunn was born on 16th December 1899, became an apprentice brass finisher after leaving school and joined 18th Battalion DLI on 1st February 1918.

    After training, he left for France in June 1918 and was killed on 19th July 1918. In a letter to his mother, Rebecca Dunn of Stephen Street, West Hartlepool, an officer wrote: "A machine gun was harassing the advance, and his officer and he charged it together, when he fell in the bravest way a man could to assist and save his comrades. It was impossible to recover his body in the face of the strong enemy opposition." The officer also remarks that he was a capable Lewis gunner.

    He is remembered with honour at the Ploegsteert Memorial. My father was his nephew and named after him; I also have his name and my son too.

    Kenneth Alfred Dunn




    207547

    Cpl. Albert Oates 7th Btn, D Company Northamptonshire Regiment (d.19th March 1916)

    The Northampton Independent (Date unknown but probably 1916)

    "With the 7th Northamptonshire Regiment In "No Man's Land."

    Dead Corporal's Thrilling Story.

    The thrilling story we publish below was written by Corporal Albert Oates, a machine gunner of the 7th Northamptons, whose pen, alas will tell no more of the glorious episodes of the war. He died in Etaples Hospital from pneumonia, a few days after the story was written, and his death will be deeply regretted by a large circle of friends. Twenty eight years of age, and the son of Mrs W. Oates of 22 Garrick road, Northampton, he joined "D" Co., 7th Northamptons, in September 1914. he was a well-known footballer, and played for St. Michael's, the Nomads, and Rushden Fosse. The deepest sympathy will be felt with the bereaved mother and other relatives in their great loss.

    In his story he tells of how his gun repulsed a German attack, in the following words: "Our gun," he wrote, "was sent to hold the position against a counter-attack, whilst our working party consolidated our side of the crater. To get to the crater we had to crawl through a hole in the bottom our trench and drag the gun and ammunition up a shallow sap almost two feet deep, by which times a German machine gun was traversing fire on it.

    "However, the two of us with the gun and Max Ruston, who is our machine gun sergeant, reached the crater safely to find that the working party were just digging a T-shaped trench to consolidate the position. We had no cover, so just placed the gun on the edge of the crater and lay down behind it ready. In the meantime the bombing Corporal fired a powder light which showed us a deep trench running right into the crater from the German trenches. I trained my gun on this and waited. In a few minutes a terrific explosion a few yards from the gun announced the fact that the Germans were about to make a counter-attack with bombs.

    "I waited a few minutes, and then pumped my gun at them. I did not heard myself, but the men on my left said it caught the Germans properly, and they screamed with fright; no doubt they never expected we should get a machine gun up so quickly. Well, the attack lasted about a quarter of an hour -bombs bursting all round us, but they could not quite reach the gun within about five yards, which was lucky for us. They soon retired, and we had the honour of repulsing the attack. These spasmodic attacks were attempted several times during the night, but were repulsed each time."

    Sergt. Max Ruston, whom he mentions, is one of the six sons of the late Rev. Thomas Ruston serving with the forces.

    Mark Thomas




    207513

    Pte. Charles Earl "Bud" Hover Machine-Gun Coy.

    <p>Charles Earl Hover, 2nd right at back in France 1918.

    "Uncle Bud" told us children that he was in a machine-gun company. He told us that his group was attacked with mustard gas somewhere in France and was awarded the Purple Heart. He told us youngsters that he slept through the whole attack because his job was to look after the mules & he was out back in the barn with them.

    Mary Hover




    207510

    Pte. Robert Cooper Walker 4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusilers

    My Grandfather Bob Walker, served in the Great War with his 4 brothers James, Alexander, John and Peter. As far as I know all 5 brothers survived the war. Bob who was first with the 5th Battalion Royal Scots and was wounded, when he recovered he joined the 4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusilers. He died in November 1977.

    Bob Walker




    207506

    Cpl. William Robert Humfrey X/35 Trench Mortar Battery Royal Field Artillery

    Corporal William Robert Humfrey (spelled, incorrectly, as 'Humphrey" on his records) was badly wounded in June 1918 and evacuated to 56 Casualty Clearing Station at Gezaincourt. His mother subsequently received a communication from Army Records (Army Form B 104-82) dated 8th of July 1918 stating that he had died at 56 CCS on 17 June 1918 from wounds received in action. You can imagine the shock and grief this caused his family and particularly his fiancee who had already lost one previous sweetheart as well as her brother to the war.

    But on the 12th of July 1918 they received a telegram from Artillery Records stating that "155293 Corporal W R Humphrey is now reported improved and transferred to base". He was eventually tracked down to 11 Stationary Hospital at Rouen from where he was repatriated to the UK on the A.T. "Warilda" on 30 July 1918. He lived until 1964 when he finally died, his wounds in 1918 recorded as being a contributing cause to his death.

    P Laing




    207490

    Sgt. Philip Henry Ward MM, DCM. 3rd Battalion

    Philip Ward enlisted in Sydney, New South Wales, where he was working as a labourer. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 9th August, 1915, at Lone Pine (Dardanelles). During a strong counter attack by the enemy, he, with the greatest coolness and bravery, mounted the parapet under a heavy and continuous fire in order to bring more effective fire on the enemy. His gallant conduct set a fine example and materially contributed to encourage the men of his section in repelling the attack.'

    He received his medals from George V on Salisbury Plain and was supposed to have received the Freedom of Ipswich, Suffolk England but with family and dignitaries waiting at Ipswich Station, he never arrived and returned home with his Anzac mates instead. (He is listed as departing for Australia on 20th December 1918) This story was from my mother his sister but I cannot find any confirmation of this.

    Philip was born in Ipswich in 1895. He was 21 when he embarked from Australia, he was 5' 5.5" and his weight was 126 lbs. He listed his Next of kin as his Mother, Mrs Annie Naylor, 19 Pottery Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, England, when he enlisted on the 29th of January 1915. His unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on 17 March 1915

    He was awarded the Military Medal, listed in the 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 174, on 11th of October 1917

    He was taken on strength, with the 3rd Bn, at Gallipoli, 31 May 1915. Disembarked Alexandria, 29 December 1915 in the general Gallipoli evacuation and embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, on 22 March 1916, arriving at Marseilles, France, on 28th of March 1916.

    Philip was wounded in action, 26 July 1916 (gun shot wound, chest: severe) and admitted to 9th General Hospital, Rouen then transferred to England, 26 July 1916, and admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital, 28 July 1916. He was discharged to No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs on the 28th of September 1916; granted furlough, 30 September 1916; marched in to No 1 Command Depot, from furlough, 20 October 1916. He was found guilty, on the 20th of October 1916, of being absent without leave from 3 pm, 16 October, till 4 pm, 19 October 1916: admonished, and forfeited 4 days' pay. He was found guilty, on 10th of January 1917, of being absent without leave from midnight, 26 December 1916, to midnight, 4 January 1917 and given 9 days' detention, and forfeited 23 days' pay.

    He proceeded overseas to France, 14th February 1917 and rejoined 3rd Bn, in the field, on 14th March 1917. He was promoted Corporal, on 20th of April 1917.

    Philip was detached to 1st Australian Division School, on 12th of May 1917 and rejoined his Battalion on 14th June 1917. Appointed Lance Sergeant, 18 July 1917 and Detached to 1st Brigade Musketry Class on 23rd August 1917; rejoining his Bn on 4th September 1917. He had leave to Paris, from the 16th to 22nd of September 1917 and was promoted to Sergeant on the 27th.

    On the 1st of October 1917 he was admitted to 17th Casualty Clearing Station and transferred to 39th General Hospital, Havre, on 3 October 1917 and discharged to duty, 27 October 1917; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 27 days; rejoined Bn, 20 November 1917. He was admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, on the 8th of December 1917 with scabies and transferred same day to 20th General Hospital, Camiers and rejoined his Battalion, in the field on the 26th of December 1917.

    He was on leave to United Kingdom from the 19 January 1918 and detached for duty with 1st Training Bn, in England, on expiration of his leave on the 2nd of February 1918. He was admitted to the Isolation Hospital on the 20th February 1918 again suffering from scabies and marched in to 1st Training Bn from hospital on 5 March 1918.

    He left England to return to Australia on board HT 'Orontes', 20 December 1918 and disembarked Sydney, 1 February 1919; He was discharged, in Sydney, 9 April 1919.

    I. Body




    207480

    Pte. Richard McCarthy 15th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    Richard McCarthy enlisted with his pals and before the war he worked at Manchester Victoria Train Station, in which he is commerated on the Great War plaque there. We know he lost his life serving King and Country on the 1st July 1916. His final resting place is at Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval, Somme, France.

    Richard McCarthy




    207470

    Pte. Henry Stanley Stainton Bragg 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.17th June 1918)

    Henry is my great uncle & 19yrs old when he was killed. He is buried in Perreuse Chateau Franco British National Cemetery, France.

    Hilda Ratcliffe




    207465

    CSM. Matthew James Aithwaite 2nd Btn. B COY York and Lancaster Regiment (d.21st Sep 1916)

    Matthew enlisted in Feb 1900, he served as a Private in B coy 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. On 9th September 1914 he landed at St Nazaire as part of 16th Brigade in 6th Division.

    Matthew reached the rank of Company Sergeant Major during WW1 and fought a battle to take The Heidenkopf on the 18th of September 1916. The York and Lancasters (16th brigade) also the 14th Durham Light Infantry (18th brigade)and the 1st West Yorks (18th brigade) took The Heindenkopf and helped to secure 7 German machine guns and took 140 prisoners.

    Matthew was wounded on the 18th Sept and died on 21st Sept 1916. He died of a gunshot wound to the neck. Matthew is buried at Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, France Plot: I. H. 1.

    T.




    207460

    2nd Lt John William Wellesley Sutton MC. attd. 28th Bde RFA. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.29th Jun 1917)

    I have researched two large candle holders in our local church both of which have memorial plaques on their bases. These candle holders were given to our church when the navy moved out of Portland, Dorset and closed the naval chapel. I could not understand why the two men on the memorial plaques did not appear on the village memorial tablet in the church. Upon researching the two men I found their fathers were high ranking officers in the Royal Navy who must have had the plaques made in memory of their lost sons.

    John William Wellesley Sutton was killed at the battle of Vimy Ridge on the 29th June 1917 where he was killed by poison gas. The other memorial plaque is to another 2nd Lieutenant, John James Fraser Shand R.G.A 185th Heavy Battery killed at the battle of Salonika on the 6th August 1917 at the age of 19.

    C Taylor




    207458

    Pte. Martin Hoath 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.29th Aug 1916)

    Martin Hoath, enlisted into the Army at the outbreak of the War. He was attached to the 11th Manchester Regiment. The regiment was deployed to the Dardenelles, where he took part in the Sulva Bay Landings Gallipolli. After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, Martin went with his regiment to France. For some reason which has never been explained he was killed on the 29th of August 1916, whilst with the 21st Manchester Regiment who were deployed into trenches south of Delville Wood. He has no known grave and his service records were destroyed during the bombings in World War II. He left behind his wife Mary and four children all of school age. His name appears on the Theipval Memorial, France.

    Chris Davies




    207456

    Sgt. Joseph Samuel Herbert 21st Battalion Manchester Regiment

    Sgt Joseph Herbert joined the Manchester 21st Battalion 'E' Coy around August 1915 just after he turned 18. We know he trained at Heaton Park because he told us he did. We also know that he did not serve abroad due to his fitness but this is a bit of a mystery to us. We have some records such as information from when he left and we know he was based at Riby when he left on 1919 and he worked there as a clerk. On his wedding certificate in 1917 he is down as a clerk in the 70th training reserve.

    I would like to find out more about what he did and why he was promoted to Sgt but haven't been able to get hold of any records of his service.

    Claire




    207446

    Pte. Joseph Firth 8th Bn East Lancashire Regiment (d.22nd April 1917)

    Joseph Firth is my paternal mother's brother, my great uncle born in Bacup, Lancashire in 1898. I know very little about him other than that he enlisted without his mother's knowledge and he died in WW1. His elder brother, William Roberts, re-enlisted to search for him and prior to his departure to Salonika he absconded and was missing for more than 21 days when he was declared a deserter. He had previously earned the 1914 Star which was rescinded because of this situation.

    I have visited the National Archives in Kew and obtained a copy of the War Diary for the 8th Btn of his unit in the month that he died.

    Ann Kempson




    207432

    Pte. Charles Radley 7th (Service) Btn. York & Lancaster (d.30th Jun 1918)

    My Great Uncle Charles Radley enlisted in 1914 when he was 17 yrs old. The only details I have are that he died of wounds on the 30th June 1918 in "France & Flanders" and he is buried in the Herissart Communal Cemetery. I have photographs of the cemetery and his grave. There is a memorial to him and others in Adwick village where he came from.

    Glyn Cutts




    207428

    2nd Lt. Frederick John Weare 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.9th Oct 1918)

    Gordon Weare




    207427

    Pte. James Worrall 282 Brigade, A Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    Gunner James Worrall,66959, of the Royal Field Artillery died on the 23rd of October 1918, and is buried at St Aubert British Cemetery, Nord France. This man was my Grandfather,he first came to my attention around 1999 when I was talking to my old Aunty before she died. Nobody in my family had ever spoken of him as I can ever remember, not even my mother! I was quite upset at the time so I started trying to find out about him. My Aunty gave me two old photos, one of him and one of his grave.

    In 2001 my son and I went to France and found the cemetery where he is buried. Since then I have been there every year to visit. What hurt the most was the words,"Their name liveth for evermore" to me it did not apply in his case as I could not find his name on any cenotaph in this country. So, after a lot of letter writing, phone calls, and red tape, I got his name put on the Littleborough Cenotaph in 2005. Hopefully, now, his name will live on in his homeland.

    He was in the "A" Bty. 282 Bde,of the Royal Field Artillery, and was married with four children when he died. All I have been able to find out about him is he was awarded three medals. Where they went I do not know.

    Is there anybody out there who can point me in the right direction to finding out more about him, sevice records, etc., as sometimes trying to find anything out is like banging your head against a brick wall. It's so complicated.

    W. Peatfield




    207423

    Captain Edmond William Bury 11th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.5th Dec 1915)

    Edmund Bury was killed in action in France on the 5th of December 1915. His son David lost his life during the Second World War whilst flying with 111 Squadron RAF and is also buried in France

    Jim Ruff




    207419

    George "Spoe" Fletcher Gloucestershire Regiment

    I wish to add to your Northwick Park page. My Grandfather, George Fletcher, originally from Chipping, Campden, served served in the Gloucesters during the Great War.

    He worked at Northwick Park before and during WW2. His chief occupation, I am told, was looking after the horses. He was a crack shot and used to help make ends meet in WW2 by a bit of poaching. He was a first class shot with a catapult and would kill rabbits and sell them on to the Americans at the Park. He would also lay bets on hitting small targets such as cigarette packets on window sills etc. Should anyone recall George "Spoe" Fletcher I would be very pleased to hear from them.

    Ducan Jolly




    207418

    Pte. James McRoy 6th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th Aug 1917)

    James was my uncle [my father's brother]. He was the son of James and Rosehanna and lived in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland. My grandmother had 4 sons, 3 of them were at war and only one came home.

    James was killed on August 27th 1917. He does not have a resting place as his body has never been found but his name is on the plaque at Tyne Cot Cemetery. His brother John was killed on 17th of June 1917 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belguim which we have visited many times.

    We will always be grateful to them for giving their lives as they did.

    Muriel Smith




    207416

    Pte. Henry James Qualtrough Royal Army Ordnance Corps

    My Father, Henry Qualtrough, served France, Belgium and Dublin between 1917 and 1919. He was invalaided to Netley with Typhoid and also had his foot run over by a gun carriage.

    John W. Qualtrough




    207414

    Pte. Mathew Connor 7th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusilliers (d.3rd Oct 1916)

    Matthew Connor was my great uncle. All we know is that he died in Greece on the 3rd Oct 1916 and is buried in Commonwealth War Grave at Struma Millitary Cemetery at Selonika. We would love to know how he died and what service he did before going to Greece or if he was awarded any medals etc. My Dad and his sisters are all getting on in life now and would like to know more about their uncle before it's too late.

    Linda Kenny




    207412

    Pte. Evan Lewis Phillips South Wales Borderers

    My father, Evan Lewis Phillips, enlisted in the South Wales Borderers on 16 January 1916. He saw action at Ypres and was later a patient at the War Hospital in Norwich. He was presented with an inscribed watchchain by his home community following his demob, for giving blood to a wounded soldier. He was in Norwich apparently to give blood. He had a rare blood group. He also had badly frost-bitten ears. That is all I can report.

    Ian Gwylon Davies Phillips




    207411

    Batman James McKinley Gunn 5th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

    My grandfather, James Mckinley Gunn, was a member of the 5th Scottish Rifles. A note in a book on this outfit states he was Batman to the Colonel.

    He died before my birth but, having an interest in military history, my Grandmother passed his badges and books to me. I recently attended a Scottish festival in Bridgeport, West Virginia, USA, and found it unusual that no-one there could speak of this outfit. My Grandmother represented it as famous (maybe only to her). I would like to make contact with anyone with knowledge or an interest in this outfit.

    R.E. Rogers




    207407

    Pte. Richard George Pateman 1st Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment (d.19th Nov 1914)

    Richard Pateman was killed in action on Monday 19th November 1914 in France, aged 28. He was born and was resident in Wootton and enlisted in Ampthill. Son of Frederick and Fanny Pateman, of Church Row, Wootton, Beds. He is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, and in the National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton, as follows:

    Pateman, R.G., Private, Bedfordshire Regiment. Mobilised at the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he was immediately ordered to the Western front. There he participated in the Battle of Mons and the subsequent Retreat, and also took part in the Battles of the Marne, the Aisne, La Bassée and Ypres, where he fell in action on November 19th, 1914. He was the first Wootton man to make the supreme sacrifice in the war. He was buried at Ypres, and was entitled to the Mons Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.

    "He passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice."

    Janis Pateman




    207405

    Pte. Nicholas Welsh 2nd Battalion, B Company Border Regiment (d.16th May 1915)

    My Great Grandfather, Nicholas Welsh lost his life during the Battle of Festubert, France, not far from Ypres. His body was never found and he is honoured at Le Touret Memorial on Panels 19 & 20. The Cockermouth Memorial in Cumberland also commemorates him.





    207404

    Signalman William James Jones HMS Bergamot

    William Jones was a Signalman on HMS Bergamot. Her Captain, from commissioning to sinking, was Lieut-Commander Percy Tennyson Perkins, RNR. The ship suffered 14 casualties when torpedoed by U-84. These were:
    • Mather, Ernest, O.S., J 57500.
    • Francis, George W., Cook's Mate, M 25094.
    • Silvester, William E., Stoker 1c, K 4986.
    • Caplin, Frank, L/Stoker, K 7087.
    • Letouze, Franck C., C.E.R.A., RNR, E A 1469.
    • Collingham, David A., Stoker 1c, K 28401.
    • Harding, Wallace, P.O. 1c, 173203.
    • Dyer, Richard E., Stoker 1c, K 28742.
    • Glasson, William E., Officers' Steward 2c, L 6890.
    • Morton, William, C.P.O., 173885.
    • Stevenson, John, TY/LT, RNR.
    • Allen, Philip H., A.B., J 23773.
    • Allen, John A.C., Engineer S/LT, RNR.
    • Turner, George W., TY/Paymaster (acting).

    Richard Jones




    207402

    Robert George Matthews Royal Horse Artillery

    My Grandfather Robert George Matthews, a blacksmith before the war, served with the Royal Horse Artillery. Born in St Pancras, London ,on 2nd November 1872, the 1901 Census shows him to be working as a Farrier.

    R Slater




    207401

    Boy Robert George Matthews HMS Invincible

    Born in Kentish Town London, Robert lived a rather full life. His father and three generations before him had all been Blacksmiths. His Mother was a laundry assistant. He was the oldest of a family of 12.

    When he was 15, Robert ran away from home and joined the Navy No. J 26013 at the beginning of WW1. After training in Portsmouth and Plymouth, he sailed on the Invincible, as a boy, to the South Atlantic to the first Battle of the Falkland Islands. It was a very hard life aboard ship. One of his duties was to take the Captains dinner to his cabin and afterwards he was allowed to eat the leftovers. One day he mistakenly ate some of the food thinking the Captain had finished, and was flogged.

    After coming back to England he jumped ship and went absent without leave, staying around London for a while, working as a Pot boy in the pubs. A very wise move, as the Invincible was sunk in the Battle of Jutland, with most hands and I would not be here to put these notes together.


    Robert then joined the same regiment as his father. The Royal Artillery army no. 1048820 under an assumed name, Robert G. Smith and was sent to France. He was there in The Royal Field Artillery and The Royal Horse Artillery from July 1915 To May 1919. I cannot find his Army records, but do remember him talking of the area of Loos. He was sent home to England during these years with frost bite in his feet and was in hospital in The Nunnery, on Nunnery Lane in York. My grandparents, living in Nunnery Lane, would ask recuperating lads to tea on a Sunday and this is how my mother and father met. He went back to France for the rest of the war. In 1919 he transferred to Meerut, India with The Royal Field Artillery, training as a blacksmith, which had been a family profession going back four generations at least. He was in India, moving around quite a lot until November 1925, then going on the army reserve until 1931.

    On leaving the Army in 1925 he lodged with a lady called Mrs Ball, in Altofts, and worked as a blacksmith at P & P Pit, shoeing the pit ponies. Later he worked as an ARP Warden during the Second World War and as a British Railways Goods Guard until his retirement in November 1967 at the age of 70.

    Also from 1939 to 1963 Robert was a Special Constable in Normanton, becoming a section leader and rising to the rank of Sergeant. He was also very keen gardener, and for many years had two and three allotments. He always said food came before flowers, but there were usually a few flowers too. During the war and times of shortage he would have as many as 60 rabbits, for our own pot and neighbours too. Spare vegetables and fruit were also sold for coppers to make a bit of money for next year’s seed.

    Robert had a long and happy retirement, living latterly in Attlee Street and died aged 92 in 1990. He is buried in Altofts cemetery with Rose who had died many years before.

    If he had not jumped ship, I would not have been here to tell this short tale, as there were only 5 survivors from the Invincible in the battle of Jutland.

    R. Slater




    207395

    Harry Heybyrne 17th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.5th Dec 1917)

    Harry was one of five brothers who served. He was killed while visiting his brother Henry in No.1 General Hospital at Etretat by "Drop Short".

    I Heyman-Heybyrne




    207393

    Sgt. Bernard Pilkington Army Service Corps

    I have been researching my Gt Grandfather Bernard Pilkington. In the 1901 UK Census he is described as a soldier clerk in the Army Service Corps. He is listed as born in Ireland, living at Aldershot Military in Stanhope and Wellington Lines, Hampshire, District Army Service Corps Cleaning Area, aged 20. In the 1911 census he was in Southampton.

    In 1915 he was described as a Sergeant in the ASC(administration. Soon after 1915 he was stationed in France, and about 3 years later went to India.

    This is all I know. It is not a lot but I would love more info or help on how to find out more. I have tried looking online and at Kew, but to no avail.

    John Kelly




    207392

    Pte. William Simpson 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    William joined up in Sept 1914 and left for France on 25th August 1915. He was accidently shot in the leg by a colleague on 24th March 1916 and returned home to recover. He returned to France in May 1917 but was shot in the shoulder (presumably this time by the enemy!) and returned to England in June 1917, being discharged as unfit for service in Dec 1919. He suffered from being gassed and his war wounds and died in Dec 1920 aged 36 years. I have been told he was buried with a military headstone in St George's South Moor.

    Janet Wilsher




    207390

    A/Sgt. Percy Alfred Friend 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My grandfather, Percy Friend was a member of the 11th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. My uncle sent me a photograph of him which I have restored, and started researching his history in World War 1. I do not have a service record for him and I was told it was lost in the fire bombing of London in World War 2. However I do have his medals card and all the information and I have started with that.

    Tony Friend




    207389

    Pte. Edward Lyon Alexander 5th Battalion (Buchan & Formartin),D Company Gordon Highlanders

    My grandfather, Edward Alexander volunteered for the 5th Battalion (Buchan & Formartin),D Company Turriff, Gordon Highlanders in 1914. I think he was wounded in 1915. He was transferred to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers & Labour Corps. I am trying to find out why he would have been transferred and if there are any records of him in the Inniskillings.

    Gordon Edward Alexander




    207386

    Sjt. Murray Edward Morgan (d.6th May 1917)

    I am trying to find out about my Dad, Murray Edward Morgan. Anything, pictures, army enlistment, anything.

    Valerie Morgan




    207385

    Stoker Samuel Osborne HMS Bittern (d.4th Apr 1918)

    My great uncle Sam was 23 years old when he was drowned during the sinking of HMS Bittern.

    Gloria Harris




    207383

    Rfm. David Fergus Ferguson "Dan" Kelly MM. 9th then 15th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    I am proud to have known my Godfather, David Fegus Ferguson Kelly who served in the 36th (Ulster) Division throughout the 1st World War and was gassed in 1917. A brave man amongst many.

    Royce Morrison




    207381

    Capt George Edward Schultz 15th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1917)

    George Schultz died of wounds, received whilst leading W company in an assault on "the Knoll", near Lempire. He is buried in CWGC annex to the village cemetery at nearby Villers-Faucon.

    He had emigrated to British Columbia around 1912, leaving his fiancee behind while he established himself as a fruit farmer. As he had served in the Territorials, he returned to enlist in response to Kitchener's call. He married his fiancee in 1915 and a wedding present from fellow officers, a silver rose bowl, was donated by family to Cheshire Military Museum and is currently on display.

    He supposedly rejected suggestion by Mayor of Birkenhead that he should change his German-sounding surname. His son was born in 1916 and his telegram home to congratulate his wife and welcome his son is still in possession of family. A photo suggests he did see his son once. His widow lived for another 57 years, but never remarried.

    John Schultz




    207376

    Pte. Samuel Warburton Stark 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Samuel Stark 8389 was my great grandfather. He was taken prisoner at the beginning of 1914. I have been told that he may have been a regular soldier in the army. We have a photo of him in a red tunic. Unfortunately we have not been able to find which camp he was taken to.

    C. Frost




    207375

    Pte. William Mozley MM. East Lancashire Regiment

    My grandfather, William Mozley was born in Slough. He served in the East Lancashire Regiment in France, attached to the Medical Corps. I believe he was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry for going into No Mans Land to drag injured soldiers back to trenches. I am interested in searching for his complete war history.

    Darian Mozley




    207373

    Pte. Samuel John Harding 7th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment

    Sam entered France in September 1915 and survived, having suffered from shell shock and a mustard gas attack he was eventually discharged in April 1917.

    Chris Frankham




    207372

    Pte. John Bernard Coggins 6th Service Battalion (Pioneers) South Wales Borderers

    <p>

    My father, John Coggins, was shot in the neck and gassed on the 10th of April 1918 in the River Lys area during the German offensive. On recovery in Blighty he attended a Gas Instructors Course and his notes (122 pages long with coloured crayon diagrams) are currently on indefinite loan at Winterbourne Gunner (the NBC Instructors training school) and are used for training to this day. Frank Baldwin, Chairman of the Battlefields Trust, also uses them as an aid in his WW1 tours with Sandhurst cadets and the The Western Front Association has a flicker page link to them on their website.

    John Bernard Coggins joined the young soldiers' unit of South Wales Borderers on 23 September 1916 Regimental Number 41722. He transferred to 6th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers) which was attached to 75th Brigade, part of the 25th Division. He was with his Unit throughout almost all the German offensives in the Spring of 1918 and eventually when his Unit became decimated he attached himself to French Canadians and was severely wounded in the neck and jaw on the 10th of April 1918.

    The following action (part of the German Luddendorf Offensive) is probably when neck and jaw wound were received (extracts from the Official History of the 25th Division).

    The Battle of Estaires (first phase of the Battles of the Lys) - 74th Brigade was in Divisional Reserve when the enemy attacked the British positions to the south (between Armentieres and Givenchy) on 9 April 1918. It was ordered to join the defence south of Steenwerck and held on only with difficulty.

    The Battle of Messines, 1918 - The enemy attack broke through the British line at Ploegsteert and advanced along the Ypres road, endangering the garrison holding Ploegsteert Wood. Ordered to counter attack, 75th Brigade, the Royal Engineers, Machine Gun Battalion and other elements of the Division became involved in heavy fighting. With the enemy infiltrating on either side on 10 April, losses at the Catacombs of Hill 63 were serious although there were many remarkable acts as some units managed to extricate themselves and withdraw. Further retirements were forced upon the Division - which also had 100th Brigade of 33rd Division under orders - on 12 April; the forward position on this day ran through Kortepyp. The army's line of defence that ran in front of Dranoutre and Kemmel, was held by a hastily organised composite force of units and men of the Division.

    The Battle of Bailleul - By the morning of 13 April, 74th Brigade was established on the high ground east of Bailleul. Coming under bombardment from 9.30am onwards and attacked by infantry two hours later, the Brigade fought a staunch defence - as did 7th and 75th Brigades nearby. Fighting continued throughout the 14th, and next day the high ground and the town of Bailleul itself fell to the Germans. The Division was by now thoroughly shattered: broken up, exhausted by continuous fighting for five days, and fragmented by heavy losses. A sad composite formation of what was left of 7th and 75th Brigades withdrew through Boeschepe on 16 April but were ordered up to the area south of Mont Noir in support of 34th Division.

    The First Battle of Kemmel - By 17/18th April it had been withdrawn to Abeele. 74th Brigade came out to Proven on 20/21 April.

    According to my father when he was shot, he fell into a trench where barbed wire ripped off his gas mask and he was gassed. A Canadian dragged him back to a first aid station. He was invalided home (apparently all head wounds went back to Blighty). He recovered sufficiently to rejoin his reserve Battalion of SWB and after certain moves on drafts joined as a prospective NCO of 53rd Young Soldiers' Battn (SWB). When this Unit was being prepared for service overseas the now Cpl Coggins was promoted in Battalion Orders to Sergeant but on appeal was permitted to revert to his rank of Corporal seeking early demobilization to return home to his very aged parents. He qualified as a 1st Class Anti-Gas Instructor at Western Command Course, Prees Heath, nr Whitchurch, Shropshire and Drill Instructor and when his Unit left (South Wales) for the Rhine Army of Occupation he was transferred (category B2) to North Elham in Norfolk as Senior NCO of the Guard of POWs until demobilization in 1919.

    Anti-Gas Instructor 1st class 6th Jul 1918 and NCO Drill Instructor 1st class Oct 1918.

    He served from Jul 1919 until 13th Nov 1919 at POW camp in North Elmham, Norfolk. Acting Corporal. Discharged 31 Mar 1920. Initially received a disability pension of 8'8d pw terminated on 7th Dec 1920 when he passed a medical.

    Mick Coggins




    207368

    Pte. William Bernard Tyler 5th Light Horse (d.10th Nov 1917)

    William joined the 5th Light Horse with the 9th Reinforcement. His brother, Samuel Alloisous Tyler (my great-grandfather), was also killed in WWI, 2 months prior to William.

    Judy Graham




    207367

    Pte. Samuel Alloisous Tyler 13th Machine Gun Company. (d.27th Sep 1917)

    Samuel Tyler is my great-grandfather, he went to war with the 6th Reinforcements. His brother, William Bernard Tyler, also died in WWI. Two of his sons were killed in action in WWII. His third son served with the RAAF in WWII but returned.

    Judy Graham




    207366

    Sgt. Enoch "Knocker" Nash MM. 10th Btn Kings own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    My grandfather, Enoch Nash served in the KOYLI during WW1 from 1914 until demobbed in February 1919 in the 10th Battalion. He was awarded the military medal for bravery which I have in my possession, along with his 1914/15 star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. I believe he was awarded the Military Medal for bringing in his wounded captain (Capt. W. M. Penny) although he very rarely spoke of his war "it being too terrible". I don't have the citation for the medal and have had no luck trying to trace it.

    Barry Nash




    207364

    2nd Lt. Harold Vernon Brown 8th Btn. East Surrey Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    Harold Brown was my husband's uncle. He was killed in 1917 whilst attached to the 11th Bn. East Surrey Regiment and his remains were never found. His name is on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

    Miriam Tappin




    207363

    Pte. James Burns

    My father James Burns was born in 1892 in Salford Lancashire, he was badly wounded in the battle of the Somme, I cannot find any thing about him in any records I have looked up, but I know he received a pension of ten shillings a week for the term of his life. All the time I knew him he had a bad limp and a indentation in the back of his head and suffered bad headaches. I do not even know which regiment he was in or his service number, he never spoke of the war, this is not much of a story I know but I loved him and will never forget him.

    Josie Frain




    207360

    Sgt. Christopher James Knight 5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    Jim Knight was my Grandfather and he fought at Hohenzollern Redoubt, I was told as a young lad he should have been decorated for his bravery but due to the loss of all but one of the officers he was never awarded anything. I have in my possession a wonderful collection of his war service including photographs of reunion dinners, embroidery done when he was in the military hospital twice, once gassed then shrapnel wounds. All his life he kept in touch with his old comrades and November the 11th was always so special to him. I can remember him saying "they were only bains you know" and he said when he arrived to Barton station it was the most tragic day in his life, as all the mothers waiting wanting to know how their sons had died.

    L A Robinson




    207352

    Pte. Herbert McKenzie 10th Btn. Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.8th Oct 1917)

    My Great-Grandfather Herbert McKenzie was born in Bury, Lancashire in 1885. He enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment 10th Battalion in 1916. He was transferred at some point to the 10th Queens' (Royal West Kents) and in October 1917 he was in the 118th Coy, Labour Corps.

    He was killed by enemy artillery fire, south of Ypres on the 8th of Oct 1917 and is buried in Poperinghe New Military Cemetery.

    Michael Deakin




    207340

    Charles Henry Bradley West Yorkshire Regiment

    My Grandfather, Charles Bradley married my Grandmother, Emily in 1912 in Leeds. They had one daughter, my mother, Marjorie, born posthumously. Charles died at the beginning of March 1920 and my mum was born the end of March, so he never got to see her. She only ever knew her stepfather, when my Gran remarried 5 years later.

    I am trying to find out about Charles, my mum did have a photo but it was destroyed when she died, to my great regret. I am not sure if he received a medal or not, I have tried researching him but the facts do not seem to tie in as at that time he was married, I have the wedding certificate. I think this is such a sad story, one of thousands. All I know is he was born in Bradford,in 1887, but moved to Leeds when young.

    Jean Andrew




    207336

    Cpl. Ernest Dodd 5th Btn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.16th Oct 1915)

    Ernest Dodd was killed in action in France & Flanders died aged 36. He is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, panels 37 and 39

    Les Robottom




    207333

    Pte. William Ryder 1/5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    William was one of three brothers who signed up at Alnwick at the start of the Great War, the oldest Richard born 1891, George born 1895 and William born 1897, William was the brother who died in France and Flanders in 1917.

    Debra Dixon




    207330

    Pte. Charles Nicol 6th Perthshire Battalion The Black Watch

    Charles married his wife Amelia Drydon in Perth, Perthshire, on June 26, 1915. He was a watchmaker and on his wedding certificate he notes that he is a Private in the 6th Perthshire Battalion, The Black Watch.

    Ellen Stewart




    207321

    Rfm. George Smyth 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.30th Dec 1914)

    My Great Grandfather served with the Royal Irish Rifles, 1st Bn. He was Rifleman George Smyth, Service No. 9001. he was killed on December 30th 1914 in Flanders and was buried at Laventie Cemetery. He was born in Shankill, County Antrim and enlisted in Belfast

    Joan K Bourgeois




    207274

    L/Cpl. William Musgrove 3rd Btn. Machine Gun Corps (d.5th Jul 1918)

    William Musgrove volunteered in December 1914 and joined Royal Lancashire Regiment in Liverpool. He was a serving police officer in Liverpool Constabulary. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and died on the 5th of July 1918 at Clipstone Camp, Notts, after contracting influenza and is buried at St Alban's Churchyard, Forest Town, Mansfield, Notts.

    Colin Musgrove




    207273

    Pte. George Reay 20th Battalion Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th Jun 1917)

    George would have my mother's uncle. All she knew was that he was killed sometime in the Great War and had no known grave. He was 31 when he died, some years before she was born. I have recently managed to ascertain he is named on the Arras memorial and have taken the above details from their website. Does anyone have any more information?

    Susan Scott




    207270

    Lt. John Robert "Old Jimmy " Jamieson Highland Brigade; later 178 Siege Battery RGA RFA (Aberdeen); later RGA

    <p>

    My father John R. Jamieson (1877-1936) enlisted in Edinburgh. Used to handling heavy horses, he joined the RFA (Aberdeen) Highland Brigade. He was later commissioned into the RGA and served in France. I was 2 when he died and have no personal memory of him, but I have a number of interesting mementoes including: His diary for 1918 (including positions of the Battery), and notebook of lecture notes; Six Trench Maps. A copy of "The Old Front Line" (John Masefield, 1917). A copy of "A Battery in France", an account of the service of 178 Battery RGA, including some amusing anecdotes about JRJ. Picture postcards of Arras, Albert and elsewhere. His uniform, including sword; "Pip, Squeak & Wilfred" medals. Ashtray made from bullets and hand bell made from Ypres brass;

    At the end of the War JRJ was made a Chevalier de Merite Agricole.

    Ian Jamieson




    207268

    Cpl. George Brain 10th Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    <p>

    George started his overseas service on 31st Dec 1915 in the Balkans in Gallipoli with 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Believed to have joined the regiment at Imbos. In early 1916 whilst on leave in Egypt he met up with his brother Harry Brain of the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars. A family photograph records this event. (Harry on left George on right)

    By July 1916 the 9th battalion was in France as was the 10th Battalion. At some time between July 1916 and March 1918 George transferred to the 10th Battalion.

    George was killed on 22nd March 1918 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. On the day of his death the battalion was at Hermies retreating from the Germans and was probably caught by machine gun fire as his unit passed along the Havrincourt/Bertincourt valley. George is also commemorated on the Tollerton, Notts village war memorial.

    Keith Brain




    207262

    Charles Leonard Doherty 5th Battalion, C Company Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Charles joined the 18th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment in December 1915 when aged 16, but was brought back by his Father as he was under age. He later went to France with the Welsh Regiment (no 73148) and then joined Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 5th Battalion, C Company (80223). He was wounded in France by shrapnel and gas. He was sent to Tralee near Limmerick during the troubles, after he was wounded.

    Ann Wilkinson




    207256

    Surgeon Probationer Wesley Cope Holdsworth HMS Begonia (d.6th Oct 1917)

    Wes was a gifted academic at school, winning many prizes for his efforts. On leaving, he changed his plans to read Arts at Glasgow because of the war, and entered medicine instead. He had taken his "Second Professional" when he joined up and was killed very soon afterwards, having been posted to the "Q" Ship, HMS Begonia as a Surgeon Probationer. He had two other brothers; Joseph who served with the Lancashire Fusiliers who sadly died of his wounds in June 1918 having won an MC, and Benjamin, who survived the conflict. The three brothers are all my Great Great Uncles.

    Antony Wiles




    207255

    Pte. Daniel Hanlon Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.Aug 1915)

    Daniel Halon was my father's brother. He enlisted in the Royal Munster Fusiliers and was a casualty of the Gallipoli Campaign. This is all the information I have,as I come from a family where my mother was Republican and my father wouldn't speak about his families service in the British forces. I would appreciate any information as to the whereabouts of the above soldiers grave or his service record.

    Patrick J O Hanlon




    207250

    Wilfred Henry Richards HMS Anchusa (d.16th July 1918)

    I have recently discovered postcards written by Wilfred to his wife Elsie (our Grandfather and Grandmother)which indicate he was writing to her weeks after he was killed. Official documents indicate the ship he was torpedoed on (H.M.S. Anchusa) was sunk on 16th July 1918 and yet postcards have dates of August 1918. Has anybody any similar tales about dates?

    Robert G. Nunney




    207249

    L/Cpl. William Smithson 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.18th Aug 1916)

    When William was 5, his parents John and Mary Jane Smithson split up. John took William from the Bramley area to Stockport near Manchester. Mary Jane had no choice in this matter as money was an issue. She practically lost touch with her son, and through family conversations, Mary Jane was not informed of her sons death, only John smithson. Her only memories were a photograph that was given to her years later by John's family. I have been researching William and his regiment. I have been fortunate to find his place of rest at Caterpillar Cemetery, Lonqueval.

    Karen Mosby




    207247

    Pte. Colin Smart Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>

    Colin was posted to the 5th Northern General Hospital, Leicester, on January 19th 1918.

    Alexander Cunningham




    207240

    Pte. James Jones South Staffordshire Regiment

    My Grandfather James Jones was born in 1873. This story was told to my cousin by his Mother, daughter of James, James tried to join the North Staffs Regiment but was told he was to old, so he applied to the South Staffs and lied about his age and went out to Gallipoli. By this time my Grandmother back home had died and my Auntie age 16 was looking after 6 children.

    In Gallipoli James and another soldier were told to get down the mountain to get supplies, on the way down they were stopped by a Australian troop, when asked what regiment they were in and why they were there, they were told by the Australian officer that the regiment they said they were in had been wiped out, so both were put on a charge. Back home my Auntie got a letter saying James Jones was on trial for desertion.

    Back in Gallipoli a Sargent Woodvine who was wounded, turned up at the Aussie camp and tells them that both Privates were sent for more stores, and they were free to go.

    From Gallipoli Granddad James was sent to India, he was taken very ill there, but when he arrived back at Gibsons Row Chesterton his Family could not believe their eyes when he walked in. He died 1956, but never told us the story. We would love to find out more about the story, and what troop he served with.

    John Baddeley




    207236

    Pte. John Day 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.30th Apr 1916)

    I would love to know what battle did John die in .I know he is buried in Bethune town cementry France or any more information available if anyone knows any more. Siobhan

    S Curran




    207234

    Pte. Cecil Wiles 21st Battalion Kings Royal Rifles Corps (d.8th Jul 1916)

    Cecil was not called up as he was in a "protected occupation" as the eldest son of a farmer. However one Sunday morning outside the village church in West Pinchbeck a woman from the village thrust three white feathers into his breast pocket. He resolved to join up and left his wife of three months. He was killed six months later.

    Dr P Christian




    207230

    Pte. Charles Luckraft 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    Charles Luckraft joined up some time in the middle of 1915 and came home in early 1919. I think that following the Battle of Arras in 1917 he transferred to the the 8th Tank Regiment

    G Luckraft




    207229

    Pte. William Trull 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.31st Jul 1917)

    <p>

    William was the second brother killed during the Great War. I have his obituary which reads:

    Private William Trull of the Coldstream Guards was wounded in action in France on July 29th and succumbed to his injuries two days later, at a Casualty Clearing Station. He was twenty six years of age. He joined the Army in September 1916 and went to France in the following March. William is buried in plot II.D.17 Dozinghem Military Cemetery.

    Jon Eeley




    207228

    Pte. Charles Henry Trull 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards (d.17th Oct 1915)

    Charles Tull was the first of my Great Grandfathers brothers killed in WW1, I will apply to the Grenadier Guards for his service record one day. The only information I have is his obituary which reads:

    The first of the four sons of William and Margaret Trull to fall in action. He met his death on the western front on October 17th,, he was only 23 years of age, and had been in the army about 3 years.

    Charles may have been killed in very early action at the Battle of Loos, he has no known grave but is commemorated on panels 5-7 of the Loos Memorial.

    Jon Eeley




    207227

    Pte. James Trull Machine Gun Corps

    I have been researching the history of my great grandfather's family during WW1. My great grandfather James survived the Great War and spent his working life at R.A.Lister's in Dursley Glos. (my hometown) where he joined the factory fire service and served in the Dursley fire brigade (I'm led to believe this was common practice for ex WW1 servicemen) I know nothing so far about his army service because I have been researching his 4 brothers who also served in WW1 but were all unfortunately killed in France and Flanders. I have heard rumours that James was removed from active service because of the deaths of his brothers. James died in 1968, 5 years before I was born and my Dad says he never talked of his brothers or his time in France and Flanders.

    Jon Eeley




    207226

    Pte. Arthur Samuel Plumb 8th Service Battalion The Rifle Brigade Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Oct 1915)

    Arthur was a volunteer Rifleman in an Infantry Unit the 8th Service Battalion the Rifle Brigade, The Kings Royal Rifle Corps (The Prince Consorts Own), formed as part of the 'First New Army' Kitchener's Volunteers or K1 (The first 100,000 volunteers), at Winchester 21st August 1914. Attached to the 41st Brigade a.k.a. the 14th Light Division. they were deemed ready for action and arrived in France in May 1915 (The 2nd Battle of Ypres ended on 24th May 1915. The recruits could not join the front because of a shortage of rifle and artillery ammunition).

    Arthur's division fought at Hooge on the 19th July 1915, 30th July 1915 and on the 9th August 1915, those who survived lived to fight again at Bellewaarde 25th and 26th September 1915. Arthur died on October 30th 1915 and is buried in a double grave at Le Treport Military Cemetery, Plot 1, Row M, Grave 3B.

    Arthur was 30 years old when he died and left a wife Edith aged 33 and 5 children, 2 boys and 3 girls one of whom was named May Plumb aged 9 years. May Plumb's eldest child Edward (Ted) Noble was one of the glider born Ox & Bucks who took part in the successful coup de main at Pegasus Bridge, Normandy in the early hours of D-Day in 1944

    I'd be interested to hear from anyone with photo's or information of Arthur's unit.

    Mike Allsopp




    207224

    Pte. Frederick Short 1st/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment

    <p>

    My grandfather Fred always referred to himself as "Short by name, short by nature" - he was you will deduce not tall! I recall as a child asking my mother why my grandfather always cried on remembrance day. She said it was because he was remembering all his friends he had lost. Particularly so on one day when his squad was assembled at the top of the trench ready to launch an attack when a shell exploded right on the edge of the trench. All his mates were killed and he was the only one to survive, although injured (he had a dent in his cheek which I understood was from the shrapnel), he was thankful for his small stature from that day on. Pre war he worked in Huntley & Palmers biscuit factory in Reading and he returned there after the war, working there until he retired.

    Mike Henwood




    207221

    Pte. George Jackson 1st/7th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    My fathers George Jackson, as a 19 year old in 1911 enlisted in the 1st/7th (TA) Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers in October 1911 at Cross Lane Barracks Salford. In the war he went to E Egypt then Gallipoli. George was wounded on 6/7th August 1915 was sent to Hospital in Malta then England. When recovered he was sent to 3rd training Battalion near Hull in January 1917 he was transferred to the Labour Corps and was sent to France where I believe he was wounded again.

    Dorothy Ashton




    207220

    Pte. Ernest Ward 11th Battalion. Essex Regiment (d.15th Oct 1916)

    Ernest died on 15th October 1916 in Ypres, aged 19. He is buried in Bancourt British Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France.

    Valerie O'Sullivan




    207219

    Pte. Harry Rhodes 1st/8th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

    I have only recently found Harry during my ancestry research. He was my great-uncle. I know he had a job as a bottle washer at the time the First World War began. He enlisted and went to France on 16th April 1915 as a Rifleman and was killed in action on 9th May 1915. Harry has no known grave but his name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. I have not been able to find out if he was killed in a battle or a skirmish, though the only battle I have found that took place on the day he was killed was Aubers Ridge. I have asked family members including my father - they tell me they didn't know about Harry and have no information.

    Valerie de Burgh




    207217

    Pte. William Wilson 8th (Service) Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.14th Oct 1918)

    William Wilson was 21 when he died and was buried at St Mary's ADS Cemetery in Haisnes near Lille. We know nothing of his movements or how he died but it is possible that he died on the first day of the Battle of Courtrai during the final advance and just under a month before Armistice Day. William's parents Mr and Mrs Alexander Wilson (to the best of our knowledge) never managed to visit their son's grave. We do not know if any other family relative to has been. This year (2011) I hope to visit on behalf of my family to pay our respects - a journey too long overdue. William does however have an entry in the book of remembrance at Edinburgh Castle.

    Lindsay Warren




    207214

    Pte. Samuel Crawford Royal Irish Fusiliers

    Samuel was my great uncle and he died in a sanitorium at the age of 21 on the 2nd of November. He left behind a wife,Margaret,and a baby daughter,Annie, another child,a 10 week old called Samuel,had died on 13/1/1920. Samuel senior was buried in the military wing of Belfast City Cemetery. His wife never remarried and still lived at their old address until she died in 1978. She was buried with Samuel 58 years after his death. The house they had lived in was demolished soon after Margaret's death as she had refused to leave the area which was to be re-developed. I would appreciate any information about Samuel who may also have served with the Royal Irish Regiment. I'm not sure but I think he may have died because of a war wound.

    Wesley Phillips




    207213

    Capt. Jacob Andrew Norman Hessler 5th Battalion. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

    Jacob Andrew Norman Hessler was one of two brothers, both were Captains in the 5th Battalion D.L.I. His brother was called Jacob Kruse Muller Hessler (Jackie) he was K.I.A. on 23/3/18. I am having trouble finding any records other than medal rolls. Their father was the Vice Consul to Norway at West Hartlepool.

    Steve Robinson




    207210

    David George "Dave" Irvine 30th Battalion

    David G. Irvine embarked to join the REF Alexandria ex Hororata on June 16 1916. He disembarked in Marseilles France one week later on June 23, 1916 and less than one month later on July 20 1916 in France he sustained a major gunshot wound to his left leg and was shipped out on the hospital ship St David to England on July 21, 1916. During recovery he was admitted to the Ontario Military Hospital also known as The Orpington Hospital, in Sevenoaks Road, Orpington Kent, England on July 22, 1916. After Orpington, David was moved to the 2nd Scottish General Hospital on January 20, 1917. He returned to Australia on HMAT Euripides on September 19, 1917 and was discharged from AIF on October 16, 1917 as medically unfit.

    H Mallins




    207206

    Pte. Robert Casey 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    My Grandad Robert Casey was born in Stockton on Tees, Co Durham 1895, he worked as a Heaters Lad (Rivetters) with Ropners & Sons on the rRiver Tees, in 1912 he joined the army in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, 3rd Battalion special reserve. At the out-break of the Great War, Robert was sent to join the 2nd Battalion with the BEF, 4 weeks after they landed in France in 1914. For reasons not known to me, my Grandad Robert at some time ended up back at the depot hospital Berwick upon Tweed, then he was sent with the 1st Battalion to Gallopli, he was there until campaign was over, then he was sent back into France for the Somme Offensive. On the 1st day of the Battle my Grandad fell badly wounded with bullet & shrapnel wounds to his left leg, many months in hospitals followed, operations and much probing of his wounds, until Grandad said enough, he was discharged from the K.O.S.B 1918. His medals indicate he was one of those men who would become known as the Old Contemtables. The wounds he received on the Somme that day would lead to his early death in 1939, a year before he died Grandad Robert applied to join the Old Contemtables Association and was accepted.

    We, his grandchildren never got to see or know our Grandad, no photo survived so we don't know what he looked like, I have spent many hours trying to find if any photos existed but no luck so far, in the last 2 years I have been doing my Casey ancestry and discovered we, have lots of Casey relations up in Scotland and Glasgow in particular, always hoped my Grandad being so close to the border might have went and visited relatives and had a photo taken. Perhaps some one reading this might have a Casey connection or a relative who served in the K.O.S.B with Grandad Robert? I still believe in miracles and hope a photo of Grandad Robert will turn up.

    Derek Casey




    207204

    Pte. Samuel Hickling 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Samuel was killed in action on the 25th Sept 1915, during the battle of Loos, and is commemorated on the wall at the Loos Memorial for the fallen whose resting place has not been identified. He left behind a wife and five children.

    Samantha Hill




    207200

    Pte. James Wilson 4th Battalion The Royal Fusiliers (d.11 Nov 1914)

    James was born in Gale Street, Poplar, East London, which was not a nice place in 1884. He came from a poor family who had just arrived from Liverpool, his father Edward a Galvanized Roofer and his Mother Mary.

    In 1901, James was incarcerated under Reformatory Act Victoria 29-30 on the Reformatory ship "TS Cornwall" which was moored off the River Thames at Purfleet, West Thurrock, Essex. On his release he joined the 2nd Battalion of the London Regiment and served in Jubbulpore, Central Province, India.

    At the outbreak of the First World War, James returned and was sent to France as part of the BEF II Corp, 3rd Division, 9th Brigade, 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. He fought at Mons before arriving at Ypres. He was on the front line on the Menin Road when the German 4th Guard Grenadiers attacked on what became known as the Battle of Nonne Boschen Wood in the First Battle of Ypres. James was killed during the main attack which overwhelmed the 4th's lines on the 11th November 1914. As with many that day, his body was never found and his name appears on the Menin Gate Panel 6 and 8. His medal card states that his father requested his 1914 Star.

    Steve Wilson




    207198

    Cpl. Alexander John Richardson 1st Battalion, D Company Notts & Derby Regiment

    <p>

    Alexander, originally from Paddington, England, was employed as a motor driver at Welbeck for at least a year before the outbreak of the first World War. At 18 yrs old, he enlisted at Worksop on Sept. 2, 1914 and was posted to the 4th Battalion Notts & Derby for his basic training, which I believe was at Sunderland. Alec landed in France on Jan 4th, 1915 and was posted to the 1st Battalion Notts & Derby, joining the battalion on Jan. 22, 1915. He was wounded in the abdomen by shrapnel on Feb 25, 1915 while in the line, but stayed in France and returned to the battalion. It is unknown how long he was recovering, but I assume he luckily missed the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.

    Alexander joined the Tank Corps on Dec. 28, 1916 because of his mechanical abilities, originally with "A" battalion, 77047. He was a driver in action during the June 7th, 1917 Battle of Messines. Shortly after, he became part of the "Hush Operation", a plan to land on the Belgium coast with troops and tanks. According to my grandfather's notes this plan was "duly washed out" and his group returned to England to become the core of the 16th battalion, Tank Corps. He was an instructor (including bayonet and physical training) during The Tank Corps build up in the first half of 1918.

    The 16th battalion, Tank Corps landed in Sept. 1918 and took part in the Battle of the Selle, driving the Germans back. Alexander was wounded when his tank was hit by a shell on October 5/6, 1918 in the Ramicourt valley during the Battle of Montbrehain. He stayed in France and rejoined his battalion after recovering, promoted to Sgt. on Nov. 30, 1918. He survived the flu in late Dec. 1918 and was sent to the UK on Jan 30, 1919 for demobilization.

    His notes state the he worked with the Air Ministry, assisting in the return of parts to Leyland motors for a year. Alexander sailed to Canada in April 1920, started a family, and lived until 1981.

    I remember him talking about his war experiences around the dinner table only when asked. He remembered mostly being "cold and wet". My father told me he saw many horrible things, lost close friends and would wake up at night screaming.

    I ask my teenage children, who watch their TV's, chat and text on their phones, listening to the Ipod's and wear the name brand clothing, "can you imagine going to war at 18 years old, living in water filled trenches all year round with lice and rats, always hungry, being shot at, shelled, bombed, watching your comrades be blown apart or shot, dieing in front of you for almost 5 years".

    They can't.

    John Douglas Richardson




    207193

    L/Cpl. James Muir 1st/6th Bat. Highland Light Infantry (d.24th Aug 1918)

    James was one of 19 children, he was an accountant with the Clydesdale bank in Irvine, Ayrshire, one night he was late home from work, and his sister (my grandmother) and his brother were sent to look for him, he had missed the last bus and they found him walking home, they had been a half-penny out on their balancing, and the manager of the bank made everyone stay until it had been found.

    once he left for overseas service with the HLI, he never returned to Scotland, his mother got a letter one Saturday saying he would be home before Christmas, the following week she got a visit from the local doctor and the mayor tell her that Jimmy had died of wounds. He is buried in Wancourt British War Cemetery, which is near Arras.

    Catherine Muir Davidson




    207188

    William Skidmore

    I have a Death Plaque for a William Skidmore. I am unsure what service he was in, but the plaque information I have googled says that if the letter 'H' on the word 'HE' from "HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR" is slim, then it was most likly a Navy Plaque...as the deliberate wider 'H' was predominantly 'Army'. But I am not sure if this is correct information?? Please contact me if it is your relative or if you have any further info. for me.

    Leigh Osborne




    207187

    Private George Ewart Bishop 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.12 Apr 1918)

    The Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives his age as 19 years when he met his death on 12th April 1918. Records say that he was shot and taken prisoner, but died of his injuries. There is a grave (IV.C.5) for him in Niederzwehren Cemetry,Germany.

    Leigh Osborne




    207185

    Rifleman James Thomas Herrmann 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.15th October 1917)

    My mother was 3 years old at the time of her father's death and her brother who was 6 years old living with their mother in Fulham. One Sunday in 1916 my mother, brother and grandmother took a walk by the River Thames at Putney where Jimmy got into trouble in the tidal flow. My Grandmother, who could not swim, got herself into difficulties attempting to save her son. She was drowned but two boys who were fishing managed to save Jimmy.

    My Grandfather was not allowed at the time to return to England for his wife's funeral and when he was able to return to arrange for the children, he married the sister of my Grandmother. He then returned to Belgium and was wounded and died 15th October 1917. My Mother never forgot these terible events in her life and I will be visiting my Grandfather's grave at Dozinghem to pay my respects to my Grandfather





    207183

    Pte. Edward David Pugh 20th Battalion (Blackheath and Woolwich) London Regiment (d.28th Jan 1917)

    Edward enlisted into the 20th Blackheath and Woolwich Rifleman and went to fight in France and Flanders fields. As the army were stuck in their trenches, Edward wrote a letter to his mother telling her about where he was saying that the trenches weren't as nice as the drawing room at home and he told his mother he loved her. His battalion advanced and they were under attack, Edward was killed on 28/1/1917, nineteen days after writing his letter to his family. Edward David Pugh is remembered with honours in the Lissenthoek military cemetery.

    Robert Pugh




    207175

    Qtr.Mstr.Sgt. Harry Vernon Cockbill 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.10th April 1918)

    <p>MGC Harry 2nd from left sitting

    My Mum was adopted in 1933 by the Budgen family in Croydon, Surrey. We found her registry of birth as Margaret May Cockbill and with my mum's permission (she said we could look after her passing on as she was happy with her adopted family and had no wishes to look for her birth family). We found that her Grandfather Harry Vernon Cockbill died on April 10th 1918 from wounds. He's buried in Rue-Pettillion Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Pas de Calais, France. He was the son of Edwin and Mary Anne Cockbill of Oxford. Husband of Rosa Loiusa Cockbill of Clapham, London. He also served in Egypt 1895 and in India 1908. He was in the 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment which joined the 57th Brigade. He was in the German Offensive in Flanders from the 9th April 1918.

    He had 5 children Mary, Harry Reginald 1907, Alice Dorothy 1905, Rosa Helen and Rose Ellen 1904(twins) all were born in India. We won't ever forget him even though we never knew him.

    Warwickshire Regiment at Budbrooke Barracks

    HarryCockbill 2nd from left

    Wendy Mortimer




    207174

    Private Arthur Patrick "Paddy" Burke 5th Pals service Manchester (d.9th October 1917)

    My Great Uncle Art/Arthur/Pat/Paddy Burke served from app Nov 1915 to his death, at Paeschendael, in Oct 1915.

    He was part of A company and spent 1916 around Mametz/ Fricourt, moving between the trenches and Morlancourt. He wrote some 200 plus letters, now with the Imperial War museum, many addressed "Somewhere in France". The recepients were his mother, brother Reg, and his sister (my Grandmother) Tot.

    As a "picture" of the life of the private in the Great War these letters are as good as any that have been saved. He managed to circumvent the censor by sending some letters back with friends on furlough, or some who had "got a Blighty one".

    Radley Searle




    207173

    Pte. Frederick Bertram Walter Bishop 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment (d.10th Aug 1918 )

    Private Bishop was my Great Uncle. He was killed in France and buried at Connehem British Cemetery, Pas De Calais.The cemetery holds 200 First World War burials..198 Identified.

    Alan Parish




    207172

    Pioneer George Joseph "Joseph" Messenger 7 Labour Battalion

    George Joseph Messenger was my great grandfather. He enlisted on 8th September 1915 and gave his age as 46. Later in his war papers he also gave his wife's name as Kate New and date of marriage as 16/07/1876. I have a copy of his marriage certificate which confirms this. I also have a copy of his birth certificate showing he was born on 24/12/1852 Therefore he must have been at least 62 years of age at enlistment and "pulled the wool" over the enlisting officers eyes. He embarked to France on 17th September 1915 and was returned home on 24/04/1916. He was discharged 02/06/1916 as no longer fit for active service - hardly surprising given his age. He was awarded 1914 -15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

    Derek Messenger




    207171

    Private Harold Hobson DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medal 8th Battalion Gloucester

    DCM for distinguished conduct under fire, 18/07/1915 Served in France during WW I Served in the Home Guard during WW II

    Sharon George




    207162

    Thomas Kimbley Army Service Corps

    Thomas Kimbley was my great grandfather who unfortunately died before I was born. I know very little about him and have only managed to find his medal card so far. It is rumoured that Thomas lied about his age in order to enlist but I have no idea if this is in fact true or not.

    I Williams




    207156

    Cpl. George Major House 56th Field Bakery Army Service Corps

    George House was my great grandad and I have only just found his First World War service records. He was a baker before enlisting but I didn't realise that they had separate battalions just for the bakers, did they have the same for other trades? I would be grateful for any information regarding him or 56th Field Bakery.

    Christine Cheesman




    207151

    Pte. Rhys Griffiths 9th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.24th Jul 1918)

    Rhys Griffiths is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery

    D.M. Griffiths




    207149

    Private George Gough 14th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.19th Dec 1915)

    My grandfather Samuel’s older brother, George Gough became Private 17868, of 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in the First World War. George was one of those who died after the gas attack on the trenches on Sunday 19th December 1915, near Ieper (Ypres), Belgium. He is buried in Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave reference V 19.

    I had the privilege of visiting the cemetery in August 1998 where I paid my respects to a Great Uncle that, until a few months earlier, I never knew existed. The cemetery is neat and rectangular with a wall surrounding it and an entrance gate. Near the entrance to the graveyard is a small cupboard in the wall. In it is lodged the register of the graves for this particular cemetery. There is also a plan of the graves. I looked at this register. The book was neat and not finger marked or dog-eared. It might have been drawn from a Library shelf and not from a cupboard in a wall in the middle of a village. I think that if this cupboard in this foreign field had been in England, the door would have been wrenched off, the gates nicked and “Skins”, “Col Luvs Sue” or “Man. Utd” sprayed all over the walls. The notion of a register so freely available in England seems nonsense. However for all the dead who lay there and the filthy, futile deaths they died, it was still hard to suppress a twinge of imperial pride and think how brave Great Uncle George had been. I had never known he existed. I can’t remember anyone mentioning his name. There was no photograph and apart from my brother Alan, I don’t think anyone else has visited his grave. It was only through conversation with my brother Alan that I found out about him and War Grave. He had found out about it from my mother when he was about to go on holiday to Holland and Belgium. My mother had never spoken to me about George at all. I don’t know why because as the story further unfolded my grandfather had been the last of the family to see him alive. He had gone down to Ferryhill Railway Station to wave goodbye to him. Also by a strange twist of fate George’s Sergeant on that fateful day, eventually turned out to be my dad’s sister Lily’s husband Joe Handy’s, Aunt Elizabeth (Bessie) Handy’s father Edward(Ted) Handy, if that makes any sense. When my dad was courting my mother they were visiting the Handys and Ted asked my mother if she was any relation to George Gough. When she said yes the story came out of the gas attack. The soldiers being ordered to put on their gas masks. These were very primitive affairs and had not really been tried and tested. When some of the younger soldiers began to scream that theirs were not working, George, being much older at 35 years, apparently exchanged his mask with a teenage soldier, who was in trouble. Presumably this exchanged mask did not work as he died of gas poisoning. This is the story that Ted Handy told my mother. It made me feel very proud to stand in front of the gravestone and pay my respects that day.

    Eric Suddes




    207131

    Dvr. Frank Richards Royal Field Artilliery

    My uncle, Frank Richards, went to war from New Tredegar where he lived and worked. He was wounded and gassed and returned to his home at Iron Brdige, Shropshire following his discharge. However his landlady in New Tredegar was unaware of this and had his name put on the local war Memorial. It is out of alphabetical order at the very bottom of the list. I wander how many other cases there are like this.

    Frank eventually died in Sept 1951 as a result of the gas he received during WW1. His elder brother Eli Richards also served in the WW1 and received the MM.

    Miriam Newbound




    207125

    Pte. Francis Wharton 18th Btn Manchester Regiment (d.12th Oct 1916)

    Sadly I don't know anything about my Great Uncle Frank Wharton, other than he fought and died in the Battle of the Somme. I never knew him, but feel enormous pride - I don't want him to be forgotten. Thank you for the opportunity to add him to this site.

    Tracey




    207124

    Helen Grace Brownrigg MID

    Helen Grace Brownrigg was a V.A.D. nurse in WW1. She was attached to Surrey Detachment 56 when she was posted to France to the military hospitals at Harfleur and Étaples from 1915 to 1919. In 1917 she was mentioned in despatches and was awarded two scarlet efficiency stripes. She served under the Joint War Committee of the British Red Cross and Order of St. John. She became an Associate of the Royal Red Cross in 1919 and continued to work for the Red Cross in peacetime for many years.

    Helen kept a scrap book of her experiences in France, with numerous photos and mementos. The latter includes poems by Pte. A.E.Tilsley of 40 Stationary Hospital, Harfleur which won a prize in 1917: 'Harfleur in Spring''Harfleur in Summer''Harfleur in Autumn' 'Harfleur in Winter' - also songs such as 'Sing me to Sleep' (Pte. J.H.Jackson, 4th Platoon, 44th Labour Company, B.E.F.)and 'There's Nobody Home in Blighty' (Sgt. H.W.Ellereton, 44th Canadians)- also lots of cuttings about the awards and bravery of women at war, and examples of German bombing of Red Cross Hospitals, contrary to the rules of war.

    One cutting of 9th February 1920 expressed surprise that 'Oldhams ABC of the Great War' (E.W.Colbrook) gave the impression that WW1 was almost exclusively a masculine affair, with no mention of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service or their Matron-in-Chief, Dame Ethel Becher, the Territorial Force Nursing Sisters and their chief, Dame Sidney Browne, or even the principal matron in France, Dame Maud McCarthy. Only Nurse Cavell was mentioned by name but...'women did so much in the war that probably they could justify an 'ABC' of their own'.

    The scrapbook also contains her card for a Progressive Whist Drive, a Christmas Greetings Card [1918-19] (R.A.M.C.)and the signatures of staff and patients (No. 5 Ward, 40 Stationary Hospital, Harfleur) on Armistice Day in 1918. There is also a menu card for a postwar reunion in February 1920 at the Florence Restaurant in Rupert Street, London, with former colleagues and relatives.

    Helen Grace Brownrigg was my great aunt and she died in 1964 aged 80.

    John Brownrigg




    207119

    2nd Lt. George Alfred Peacock Northumberland Fusiliers

    My father George Peacock served in the First World War and was promoted from the ranks of the Royal Engineers in France to 2nd Lt in the Northumbrian Fusilliers. While serving with the Fusiliers he was attached to the RFC as a Flying Officer and an Observer and was sent to a School of Aeronautics where he flew a Bi Plane over Salisbury Plain. Probably an RE8/9 target spotting or towing. He was latter promoted a Lt. The family used to have a picture of him standing next to the plane together with a roll of Gun Camera film, so we know it is fact.

    I am desperately trying to find out more about the SofA and the RFC connection and have obtained his Officer Service Records from the national archives.

    G A Peacock




    207118

    Petty Officer Herbert Edwin Newdick HMS White Head (d.15 October 1917)

    Died when HMS White Head was torpedoed by a German Submarine, 40 miles N.N.E. of Souda Bay, Crete.

    Paul Lilly




    207117

    Pte. Felix Sayer Holme 15th Battalion (Bantams) Cheshire Regiment (d.20th Aug 1917)

    Felix Sayer Holme was born on 19th April 1889 at 27 Mill Lane, West Derby, Liverpool, the ninth child of William and Mary Holme nee Allen, a family that had migrated to Liverpool from Garsdale in Yorkshire in 1877. His Father William Holme was a Cowkeeper and Felix worked in the milk distribution business after leaving school around 1903. The family moved to Bolton, Lancashire shortly afterwards.

    Having been of slight build, but with immense strength, he joined the 15th Cheshire's, a Bantam Battalion raised at Birkenhead in Cheshire by the local Member of Parliament Alfred Bigland, and after undergoing basic initial training, Felix embarked for France in 1917. The 15th Cheshires fought along the Somme, and from the middle of August 1917, Felix found himself engaged in a brutal engagement at a place called The Knoll, close to Guillemont Farm near Lempire.

    The 15th Cheshires, together with the Sherwood Foresters, had trained together for some weeks in preparation for what was to be the planned assault on The Knoll, defended as it was by well-dug-in German troops. During the fiercest of the fighting on the night of 19th August 1917, a number of his comrades were killed when a full-blown assault was made on The Knoll, and Felix was gravely injured by machine gun fire. He was conveyed to the 55th Casualty Clearing Station near Villers Faucon where he died of his wounds the following day.

    Prior to his embarkation, Felix's wife Mary Jane Holme nee Fishwick was pregnant with their first child, and soon afterwards left their home in Bolton Lancashire to be closer to her family at Ravenstonedale in Westmoreland, where their son John Fishwick Holme was born. There is no evidence to suggest that Felix Sayer Holme ever saw his son.

    He is buried at the beautiful British Cemetery at Villers Faucon.

    John Holmes




    207112

    Pte. Alfred John Haynes 36th Battalion

    The Manning Valley Historical Society has published a book based on over 200 postcards sent by Alf Haynes over the years 1916 to 1919 tracing his life during this period including training at Lark Hill, transport to Britain and service in France. They are a graphic record of one man's war and include references to being buried alive at Passchendaele and the breaking up of the Battalion. There are letters also from a French girl sponsored by Alf to come to Australia to meet up with her soldier boyfriend. Unfortunately when she arrived she found that he was already married!!

    The book "Postcards from the Front - Still Going Strong" is available via the Society's website.

    Margaret Clark




    207109

    Rfm. Frank Cliffe 12th Battalion Rifle Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Frank Cliffe was my great uncle. He joined up in Sept 1914, at Winchester. He then went to Larkhill, from there he landed in Boulogne. He then took part in the Battle of Loos, in the attack at Pietre, where he was killed on the 25th of September 1915, on the first day of the Battle, at the age of 19yrs.

    Ian Cliffe




    207105

    Pte. George Huxley MM.& Bar 12th Btn East Surrey Regiment

    My Grandfather, George Huxley, born in Bromley, served in 12th E.Surrey Regt in France, I think, as a disaptch rider. He was awarded the Military Medal and received a bar to same, for Bravery in the Field. The family know little of his service or deeds.

    Douglas Rowland




    207104

    Francis Sidney Thorpe Lincolnshire Regiment

    I would like to know which Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment my Grandad served in during WW1. His name was Francis Sidney Thorpe born 1896 20th April, I think he joined up In Lincoln before the outbreak of war.

    Jackie Gore




    207102

    Sto. 2nd Cl. Walter Edgecombe HMS Amphion

    <p>

    This is a picture of some of HMS Amphion crew. My nan's father Walter Edgecombe is one of these men, he was a 2nd class stoker.

    Robert Snowball




    207095

    Claude John Ainslie 222nd Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather, Claude John Ainslie, served with the 222nd MGC Company in 1917 and 1918 in Campbellpur, (modern Attock), in what was then British India. In 1913 he helped form the Calcutta Scottish and trained all recruits in the use of the Vickers, forming the 22nd (sic not 222) Machine Gun Battery. This was an Indian Army Unit. as he was issued with a British Commission in 1917.

    He later in 1918 joined the staff of the Rawalpindi Division who fought in the 3rd Afghan War. Attock is of course very close to Pindi which

    Anthony Ainslie




    207090

    Pte. Henry Edward Allen 5th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.21st Jun 1915)

    Henry Allen was my uncle and was married to Rose Rann. They had a son Henry.

    Henry senior was a sniper with the Territorials Royal Warks Regt, the unit was based at Thorpe Street Barracks in Birmingham City Centre. Harry, as he was known, was shot by a German sniper. Apparently, so the story was told to his mother by a fellow that served with him and was present at his death. He went to fetch some water when he was shot in the head which took the back of his head off. He is buried at, Comines-Warneton, Hainault, Belgium in Berks Cemetery Extension.

    P Triplett




    207088

    Sjt. Ernest James Knight 312th Bde. D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.26th May 1917)

    Ernest James H Knight { who is my great uncle} son of Levi and Helen Knight and husband of Emily Knight of 284 Somers Road, Portsmouth was killed on 26th May 1917 aged 28. The camouflage neting around the field gun caught fire and it spread to the stack of shells, were they exploded and killed Ernest and the rest of his men. He is layed to rest at Hac Cemetery, Ecoust-st-Mein.

    Robbie Knight




    207072

    Pte. Harry Nelson Bartley 15th Btn. (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifl London Regiment (d.29th Jan 1916)

    I'd love to know whether anyone has any information about this Harry Bartley, who I believe to be my grandfather, whose baby daughter was born in August 1916.

    April Wood Ashton




    207068

    Pte. Charles Alfred William Williams 10 Battalion Essex Regiment (d.20th July 1916)

    Charles Williams was reported missing, presumed dead whilst serving with the BEF in France. He is known to have died in Delville Wood on the Somme. He has no known grave, his name is on the Thiepval Memorial near Albert in France.

    Hazel Vickery




    207067

    Drummer. Reuben Septimus Williams 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (d. 23rd Aug 1914)

    Reuben Williams was reported as being presumed dead in France and this is stated on his Death Certificate. We know he died fighting on the North Side of the Mons Canal there is a A War Office Artist painting of the 1st. Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers in that area. He has no known grave but his name is inscribed on the La-Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial on the right bank of the River Marne at Fienne et Marns France.

    Arthur Allen Vickery




    207066

    Walter Henry Gray 2nd Canadian

    Walter Henry Gray was my great uncle, brother to my maternal grandmother. Of English birth, the Gray family moved to Ireland around 1910. Walter and his brother Christopher took a boat to Canada in 1912. Walter settled in Winnipeg and in 1915 he signed up to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force and on Sept 14th 1915, he was to be found in Arras, France. He was a coachman by trade so, naturally, the Army found him a position as a blacksmith.

    In February 1916 he was injured when his Colonel's horse kicked him in the knee. He continued to work nursing the injury until March 1917, now 'smithing' in Belgium. He was finally sent to Etaples Hospital (France) and onwards to the UK for treatment. On June 24th 1918 he was sent back to Canada, being declared unfit for work.





    207064

    Tpr. Norman Wainwright 5th Light Horse Brigade

    Norman Wainwright was Trooper 521 in 5th Light Horse Brigade. He was b.1896 Eldwick, Bingley, Yorkshire and enlisted at Lismore Barracks, Australia giving his next of kin as Harrison Wainwright Glenview Cottage., Eldwick, Bingley, Yorkshire

    Norman was wounded 25/11/1915 receiving gunshot wounds to his leg and hand. He arrived at London 3rd General Hospital from the hospital ship Britannic and was discharged from London 3rd General Hospital on 6th Sep 1916 tand returned Australia on the HT Euripides. I am a descendant of the Wainwright family and trying to find Norman's hospital record.

    Patricia




    207049

    Spr. Herbert Potter 208th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    My Great Grandfather was Herbert Potter, Sapper 84711, 208th Field Company, 34th Division the Royal Engineers. on 10 August 1916 he was wounded (shell shock) near Pozieres / Bazentin-le-Petit, Somme, France. He was under the care of 104th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps until 17 August 1916 when he rejoined his unit.

    Simon Potter




    207048

    Sjt. William John Toyer 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Bill Toyer was born in Radlett, Herts on 19th Dec 1890. He worked as a Railway Platelaying Gangmaster and was a pre war member of the Hertfordshire Territorial Force. His date of attestation was 5th Sept 1914, when he joined "B" Company 15th (2nd Reserve Battalion) Middlesex Regt, as an Acting Corporal He was Promoted Sergeant on 22nd Aug 1916, according to his Active Service Pay Book, and his Will was signed as 'Serg, 23rd Middlesex Reg, 13th Sept 1916. The last pay entry states 'In The Field' 31st May 1917 and he was believed wounded in the Messines campaign, with shell fragments in left arm. He was evacuated to Dublin Hospital Ireland, and believed released from hospital 'not fit for active service' but not discharged until the wars end.

    He told me He was present when the mines were detonated, (Hill 60) they were all told to lay face down, he said the ground tremor moved him 15 feet backwards!

    I retain his medals,(Pip Sqeak and Wilfred) and the battered remains of his Active Service Pay Book, my cousin has his 'Certification Of Serving His Country'Plaque, presumably intended for display by his family whilst away?

    After the war Bill returned to the Railway, as before living In various tied company properties until finally moving to Irchester Northants In the early 1930's. He died in 1978.

    G W Toyer




    207047

    Pte. John Thomas Noble 10th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Jun 1917)

    when my father who was 13 read out the telegrame informing his family of the death of his father, he stuttered out the words and continued to speak in this way until he died 77 years later.all three of us suffered in some way because of that battle

    John Thomas Noble 3rd.




    207045

    A/S/Sjt. John Henry Philo 70th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    John Philo was born 1879 in Camberwell. He joined the 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment (Militia) and then in 1902 joined the Border Regiment as a Lance Corporal and served in Burma. In 1905 he transferred to the reserves and then in 1909 transferred to the RAMC reserves. On the 13th July 1914 he was discharged from the reserves, but was Called up on 1st September 1914. He married in 1915.

    Samantha Philo-Gill




    207044

    Pte. Joseph Henry Oxby 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Joseph Henry Oxby was my great Uncle. I have post cards sent from him to my relatives from the front. All I know is that he was killed at Messines and he was never found. I have found his name on the Menin Gate, and on the memorial in Canwick.

    On the otherside of my Grandparents, my Grand mother's father was killed near Tyne cot with the 5th koyli. A book has been published by Malcom Johnson about him called "Surely we are winning" I have spoken to Malcom Johnson about my interest in doing a follow up to his book, with myself cycling the places where he was. I would like to find any more info about Joseph, and also a cousin of his called Joseph, and brother Robert. All were killed in action. There is also a Harold Oxby killed 23rd Oct 1917 whilst with the Royal Field Artillery, buried at Buffs Road Cemetery.

    It seems my family made a large sacrifice in the Ypres area.

    Richard Oxby




    207042

    Pte. William Cahill 7th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.31st Jul 1917)

    My Great Grandfather, William was born in 1881 and enlisted in Mullingar sometime in 1916. He was killed in action on 31st July 1917 on the first day of 3rd Ypres, whilst on a digging party at Potijze crossroads.

    He is buried with 9 other personell from the 7th Leinsters who were killed in the same incident. According to the family he was only in the trenches for about 6 months before he met his end. He is buried at Potijze Chateau Lawn Cemetery and his stone includes the epitaph 'He died with a smile his country to save - his memory lives with the true and the brave".

    Mike Hegarty




    207041

    Pte Thomas Torrens A Coy. 34th Btn. (d.7 Jun 1917)

    Thomas was born Garvargh, County Derry, Northern Ireland. He moved to Australia in 1913, lived with his brother John Torrens at Quia Road, Gunnedah and worked as a farmer until he volunteered with the Wallabies in 1916. His mother, who survived him, was Martha Torrens of Ballinameen, Garvagh, Co Derry, Northern Ireland. Thomas was not married.

    Update:

    Thomas had emigrated from Garvagh, Londonderry, Ireland after taking part in the "Living Funeral"and had initially gone to Canada where he had worked for a while. Working, we believe as possibly a Taylor, he was always well dressed in quality suits. He made his way down through Canada to America where one of his sisters had emigrated to, Tom eventually made his way to Australia where his brother John and John's bride Christina Richmond had emigrated immediatly after marrying in Ireland. Christina's four brothers were also in Austalia.

    Tom enlisted along with his brother in law, William John Richmond, and about 40 other local men. William, known as "Bully" begame a Sergeant, and was killed in action at Armentieres on the 28th of Jan 1917. "Bully" had been the Battalion Boxing Champion and was a Sniper Sergeant.

    They joined the "Wallaby" recruiting march at Gunnedah and were original members of 34 Bn. Tom was Killed along with 5 other Gunnedah men on 7th June at Messines.

    • Pte Thomas Torrens, age 32.
    • Pte J W Sampson, age 23.
    • Pte G R Sullivan, age 26.
    • Pte Lance A Turner, age 23, Lance was apparently a crack Lewis Gunner.
    • Pte R W Adams, age 23.
    • Sgt R N Young, age 21.
        Christina's brothers Joseph and Alexander also joined 34 Bn and survived the war.

        Ken Norman




    207039

    Pte Harry Jones 23rd Divisional Trench Mortar Battery Royal Artillery

    The Royal Naval Divisional records show that Harry had been with the Royal Marine Cyclist Company MEF at Cap Helles in the Dardanelles, injured then rejoined the Cylists at Etaples 12/10 to 6/16 transfered to the Z Trench mortar company 27/7/16 until 1/3/17 when injured again and invalided back to UK. He was later taken prisoner at the battle of St Quentin 21/23 March 1918, whist serving with 2nd RM Bn.He was repatriated in December 1918 and died of his wounds and after-effects of torture on 25th June 1919

    Simon Jones




    207035

    Rfm. George William Southam 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (d.8th Sep 1915)

    George Southam was almost 20 years old when he died from War wounds in France and Flanders. I know very little of the man himself, as I am researching in regards to my family tree, and have traced him to be my 1st cousin twice removed. He was the eldest of his siblings and was the only one who was able to fight, my heart goes out to all of those who fought in any of the wars, and to anybody who lost somebody dear.

    Paula




    207019

    Cpl. John Doulton Heath 7th Btn Black Watch

    John Doulton Heath was my grandfather who drove ambulances in France and Belgium during the Great War. I have studio photos of him in uniform and in France by vehicles with colleagues. I also have postcards sent from France by him to my father.

    Trevor Heath




    207016

    Rfm. Hugh White 9th Btn. D Coy Rifle Brigade

    Hugh White was my Grandfather on my mother's side, I never met him as he died of TB before I was born, I was told he was born in London. I am in possession of his two Army pay books, for use on active service, which record that he was 19 years old when he enlisted. Date of attestation 14.10.04. I am just starting to do a little research based on the information in the books.

    My Grandfather was wounded at the Battle for the Aisne, suffering an injury to his right foot on 26th September 1914. He was taken prisoner by the Germans 21st March 1918, no further details are known of his capture. I have no idea why he has two Army numbers, 20447 and 603.

    His Officers Commanding are shown as: J H Hayes - Capt (30.9.15)stationed at Sheerness and H J Gallagher (4.6.17) stationed at Eastchurch.

    I am a TA soldier with over 30 years service in and this is the first posting I have done in respect of my Grandfather.

    Les Norman




    207015

    Pte. Albert E. Bowder 1st Btn. C Company Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Oct 1916)

    Albert Bowder first joined the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1915, then transferred to the Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment, 1st Battalion C Company during the battle of the Somme in September 1916. He was killed in action on 19th October 1916 possibly during attack on Spectrum Trench at Les Beoufs towards end of Battle of Somme.

    Steve Matthews




    207011

    Pte. Reginald Binns 2nd Btn. Runner Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.30th July 1916)

    Reginald Binns, born in Leeds, was my Great Grandmother's brother. He joined up in March 1916, along with his brothers, Clifford and Sydney. Clifford and Reginald both joined with Kings Own Scottish Borderers before being transferred to the Royal Scots Fusiliers. Before his posting in June, Reginald married his fiancée, Edith Argyle. He was then sent to France with the 2nd Battalion. He was assigned the job of a runner, meaning he had to run between trenches to carry messages, often with German fire waiting for him.

    As far as I know, the Royal Scots were involved in the Battle at Guillemont, France. An offensive was launched on 30th July, 1916. A group of Royal Scots Fusiliers were caught by German troops and killed. I believe Reginald was killed either here, or in a nearby battlefield as he went missing, presumed dead on this day. He was 23 years old. His body was never found, and his name is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme. However, recent research has led me to believe that his body is buried in an unmarked grave in Guiellmont Road Cemetery.

    His wife, Edith remained a widow for over 7 years, before marrying Thomas Sandells. They together had a child who they named Reginald. In addition to this, Clifford also had a son who he named after his brother Reginald. However, this Reginald was killed at the Battle of Monte Cassino, 1944.

    It was only after visiting Theipval last year that I began my research into Reginald, with only a photo and family memories. I would greatly appreciate any help into Guillemont or the 2nd Battallion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.

    Filippa Lockwood




    207004

    Pte. Thomas William Hobbs 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    Tommy Hobbs was my wife's grandad. He was 24 years old when he died leaving a wife and 3 children, one whom he never saw. He died in the 3rd Battle of Ypres and is commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial.

    R.Rosewarn




    207000

    Cpl. Robert Neillands 2nd. Btn. Imperial Camel Corps (d.8th Aug 1918)

    I am the proud grand nephew of Cpl. Neillands whos erved with the Imperial Camel Corps in the Great War.

    A United States Coast Guard Veteran myself an the proud nephew of 1stLt. Richard G. Neillands M.I.A. August 18th 1951 over the skies of Korea, and the son of Sgt. James D. Neillands 20th U.S.A.A.F. B-29 Superfortress Flt. Engineer. God bless the Neillands Family and the Forces for freedom

    John G. Neillands




    206994

    Capt. John William Griffin MC. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    John William Griffin was a regular solder and initially joined the Royal Dragoons in 1907 as a trooper, and served time in Britain, India and South Africa.

    This was where his unit was in 1914 when his Regiment was recalled to England where he reached Tidworth in Hampshire in early September. His unit reached France in October and fought through the 1st Battle of Ypres. He progressed through the ranks and at some point was given a wartime commission and was transferred to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

    In April 1918 he organised the defence of his section of the line under severe pressure and being greatly outnumbered. For this he was awarded the Military Cross. But was captured by the Germans afterwards. He spent the rest of the war in a prision camp in Germany, now in what is modern day Poland. As an officer he was allowed to visit the local town to obtain a few extra rations, and we have a number of postcards purchased there, along with his prisoner of war identity pass.

    In 1919 on discharge he trained as a veterinary surgeon in Edinburgh. This was a reaction to the suffering of animals in wartime, he lived in South London and then Sussex until his death in 1952.

    L Griffin.




    206990

    L/Cpl. Percy Cresswell 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.25th Sep 1915)

    Percy Cresswell was born 6 September, 1888, at Dunnington Salford, Warks, to parents, Lucy & Walter Cresswell. It is not known when Percy joined the Army, but he did enlist at Warwick, and because he had a three figure Army number, it seems likely that he was a pre-war regular. He appears in the Medal Roll of the India General Service Medal 1908, with Northwest Frontier Clasp, which shows he was serving with the 1st Battalion R.W.R., in India, and was in action in April & May 1908. The Medal Roll shows that the then, Private Cresswell served against the Mohmands and also in action at Matta.

    After the Great War began, Percy, still with the 1st Battalion, is recorded in the Birmingham Daily Post, dated, 30th November 1914, as `Missing` then, in the same paper, dated 11th October 1915, he is recorded as `Rejoined`. Finally, now with the 2nd Battalion, again the same paper, dated 21st October 1915 he is reported `Killed`.

    This was at the Battle of Loos. Percy was killed sometime between 6.30am, when the Battalion advanced, and Midnight, when they were in position in a support trench 400 yards west of the "Quarries". On the 1st September 1915, the Battalion Diary records a strength of 24 Officers and 936 Other Ranks . At Midnight on the 25th September, it records; Missing, 273 - Wounded, 171, and, Killed, 64. The Battalion could only muster (No figure,) Officer and 140 Men.

    Like many, many other poor souls, Percy`s body was never recovered, but he is commemorated on Panel 22 - 25 at the Loos Memorial.

    To All Who Gave Their Lives ~ R.I.P.

    Paul Cresswell




    206981

    Sgt. Edward V Godrich 1st Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars

    Grandpa, Edward Godrich joined the Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars TA in 1908 to get an annual holiday from the Post Office. He was at the landings at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli in 1915. He suffered with dysentry, typhus etc. like so many in that theatre of WW1. He was taken off as he was so ill, then back to Blighty, to recuperate.

    He was then sent out to Palestine to help push out the Turks. He again fell ill. One night he did double sentry duty in a trench which he should not have done. He fell asleep on duty and was caught! He was marched under guard to his CO's tent for a court martial, past a couple of soldiers digging graves. He thought one of them was going to be his! He was tried and luckily his commanding officer gave him a very good report and he only lost a stripe. Thus I am here to tell you this story. Edward's army records do show that he was ill which was the reason for him dozing off. He was suffering from typhoid.

    Grandpa also fought in WW2 by being in the P.O. home guard as a Colonel. After all the above, he lived to the ripe old age of 96, out-living all his younger sisters.

    R Godrich




    206968

    Pte. John O'Hara 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.25th Feb 1918)

    I joined the army myself in 1985 and did a full career leaving summer last year. In my last year of service I decided to research my family tree. I had not been told of any ancestors or relations other than myself who had served in the army. I read about the Battle of the Somme and saw in the orbit how many Infantry Battalions from the North West served in that Battle, a massive amount of soldiers and wondered why male members from my family had escaled serving in the war. Research of my family tree revealed that I did indeed have a relative:

    My great grandfather John O'Hara who had not only served in the army like but shared the same birthday. He died in WW1 in Belgium. I find it amazing that nobody in my family had told me about this especially since I had made the Army my career as well. But, I put it down largely to the attitude of the time of 'shutting up and putting up' with it and the desire to just get on with life after such tragic events. All the time I used to travel home on leave from Germany through Belgium and I never knew I had a relative buried there.

    This weekend I have been over to Belgium to visit my Great Grandfather's grave in the War cemetery at Poelcapelle. We took over a wreath formed in the shape of a cross with Lancashire red roses, bought from a florist in Oswaldtwistle where he used to live and where his name is engraved on the cenotaph.

    It was a proud moment to place the wreath on his grave and be the only one from my family who has paid him the respect he deserves. I am immensely proud of his sacrifice and to be associated with him.

    Stephen Ball




    206959

    CSM. Ernest Irving 2nd Battalion Coldsteam Guards (d.27th Sep 1918)

    My grand-father, Ernest Irving, was killed on 27 Sept 1918 near Cambrai, I presume on the first day of the Battle of the Canal du Nord. >He was a professional soldier and appears to have served at the Front throughout the war. His daughter - my mother - was born only 5 months before his death. I wonder if he ever actually saw her. To compound the family tragedy, Ernest's wife was killed in the Blitz on London in 1942

    Thomas Irving Crozier




    206942

    J. Newcombe 32nd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.9th Nov1918)

    My grandfather, J Newcombe, was in the 32nd Company, Machine Gun Corps and was killed in Maubeuge on 9th November 1918. I plan to visit his grave, for which I have the details in September, but would love to know what the initial J stood for. My mother was only three months old, and therefore did not mention him by name, and she has since died.

    Annette Kent




    206917

    Pte. Aubrey Edward "Grif" Griffiths 33rd Batt. D Company (d.1st Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Aubrey Griffiths lived and fought through all the battles that the 33rd was in, except for Morlancourt and Accroche Wood as he was still in England recovering from wounds. He was killed in the Battle of Road Wood, below is his mates description of the event written to Aubs sister.

    I first met your brother in France and did not know him before, we chummed up together and then I was pretty well always with him. Well Mrs. Boston I will now relate to the best of my ability what happened that day. We had a battle on the 22nd of August and it was a good one as far as casualties go and we both got out of that safe. But I and Aubrey had some narrow squeaks as we were what you call “Runners” that is taking messages back to our officer. Aubrey got hit that day on steel helmet and it cut through his helmet but never touched his head, so you see that was a bit close. Well after the 22nd of August the Germans were retreating and they retreated right back to a place called Mont St. Quentin where they stopped. We were a couple of miles from this place and we got orders at about 4 in the morning to move up, and then we were told we had to “Pop the Bags” (climb out of the trench) at 6.

    So away we went at 6 in the morning and I was with “Grif” (Aubrey) and this Mont St. Quentin is a big hill and a party of us got half way up when a shell fell among us and sorry to say I think your brother got most of it. I was wounded with a piece of it but poor Aubrey was in a terrible state. I was taken to the dressing station and their I see your brother who was laid next to me. He had his face cut to pieces (I don’t like writing this part) and half his tunic was simply saturated with blood. I tried to speak to your brother but he could not speak as he tried to mumble something but could not get any further as he seemed in a bad way and I thought then that it was all over for him. I heard soon after that the poor fellow had died through the wounds he received. Your brother was very unlucky in getting killed after being out there for such a long time and the war coming to a quick close. I was very sorry I can assure you for the way he met his death and I wish to sympathize with you in your grief.

    Andrew Wilson

    Milton Griffiths




    206867

    Samuel Mather

    My Grandfather Samuel Mather went to war in 1915 and returned in 1916 on medical grounds. I have been trying to discover more about the country and battlefield he was at but unfortunately to no avail.

    Samuel passed away in 1919 only 3 years after returning from the war. I visited his grave in 2008 and was saddened to find that he did not have a commonwealth war grave. I have been told that this was because he did not die from war related reasons. I fail to see how this could be after he was discharged on medical grounds and his death certificate states that he was on a war pension when he died. My father always told me that his father Samuel had died from mustard gas poisoning. Is there anyway I can find out more about my grandfather?

    Louise Mather




    206863

    Pte. Harold Cooper 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.16th Sept 1916)

    Harold Cooper was my uncle, he was half brother to my mother and the eldest child of my maternal grand father's first family.

    Richard Hallam




    206860

    Pte. Alexander Rees Davies 2nd Battalion The Welch Fusiliers (d.25th Feb 1917)

    Alexander Rees Davies was born in Llanychaiarn, Cardiganshire, Wales in 1881. His father was a tailor and he was a plasterer by trade. His first regiment was the Welsh Horse and his service number was 11722. This Regiment then became absorbed in the Welch Regiment, I believe.

    His death Certificate shows that he died at the Netley Hospital (the Royal Victoria Hospital) on 25 February 1917, of "multiple G.S. wounds of body and limbs and septicaemia and collapse". He was 36 years old and had been married for just over a year.

    He is buried in the Llanychaiarn churchyard. His headstone reads:

    In loving Memory

    Alex

    The beloved husband of Kate Davies of Towyn, Merioneth.

    "Duty and honour bid us part 'Til the day breaks and shadows flee away."

    Sharon Immelman




    206858

    Sjt. Herbert Walter Hills DCM, MID. 1st Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.31st May 1918)

    My great great granddad, Herbert Walter Hills, died aged 25 leaving 3 children, one being my grandma Mildred, she never met her father. It appears Herbert enlisted in the Army at aged 16 on 5th June 1909 and went straight to France. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the 2nd class of the Russian Order of St. George, the order was granted by the late Tsar.

    I feel so proud of Herbert in so many ways and it saddens me thinking of him as just a boy fighting in such horrible conditions. I would love to know what he did to obtain his awards. I wear my great grandma's wedding ring and will now wear it with such pride.

    Rest in Peace Herbert Walter Hills DCM.MID. "The Buffs"

    Karen




    206857

    Pte. William Henry Hodges 1st Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.10th Nov 1917)

    William Hodges was born on 10 Aug 1892 at No7, Cardigan Terrace, Nantymoel, Llandyfodwg, South Wales. He was the only son of Thomas James & Minnie Hodges. Thomas was a collier from Bristol, St. George and he had moved temporarily to South Wales to search for work in the coal mines. By the time William was old enough to work, he too, was a collier. In 1913, like many young men, disillusioned with life in the mines, William joined the 2nd Battalion of the South Wales Borderers army regiment. Many young men saw this as a way out of the dreary and dangerous life of a pit worker.

    The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand on June 28th 1914 set in motion a chain of events that erupted into WW1. William Hodges had been in the Tiensin area of China since enlisting in 1913. At the outbreak of war he was involved in the attack on the German-controlled port of Tsingtao. The Germans surrendered control in November 1914 and by January 1915 William had been transferred to the Gallipoli Campaign in which he was wounded on 2nd May 1915.

    He was shipped back to England to recover. During his recovery he either visited or was convalescing in Liverpool. Sometime between December 1915 & March 1916 he met my Grandmother Elizabeth.

    Elizabeth’s first husband, Daniel Butterworth, had been killed in action 12 months earlier in France leaving her with 2 young children to support. By February 1916, William must have known that he too was going to be shipped out to France or Flanders once his recovery was complete.

    I have often wondered what William & Elizabeth must have been thinking during this time. She, widowed at the age of 20, with 2 children, must have been terrified at the prospect that, without a husband to support her, she and her children could possibly be forced into a workhouse. William, a young 20 year old batchelor, who had already witnessed the horrors of the war and had narrowly escaped death in Gallipoli, was probably worried that he would not be so lucky in Flanders. His dreams of marriage and starting his own family were far from certain.

    It was with this uncertainty, surrounding both their lives, that they married at the parish church of Liverpool on 16th February 1916. One month later Elizabeth was pregnant. Sometime during the summer of 1916 William took Elizabeth to meet his parents who, at this time, were living in Treherbert, Blaenrhondda, South Wales. After the trip William, now fully recovered, received his orders. He was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the South Wales Borderers. And after intensive training & exercise the Battalion set sail for France and Flanders. In November 1916, while William was away in Flanders, Elizabeth gave birth to a baby girl. She called her 'Martha' and she was my Grandmother.

    In Flanders, On 6th November 1917, the town of Passchendaele was captured by Canadian forces but, the battle for the high ground to the north of Passchendaele was still raging. Allied forces including: The 1st South Wales Borderers & The Canadian 8th Army had established a defensive line on the ‘Goudberg Spur’. This spur was situated near ‘Goudberg Copse’ and was populated with small farm houses & buildings that were occupied by German forces. An attack was planned for the 10th November 1917. This was to be the last offensive of the Ypres, the Passchendaele Battles.

    At 5.00am William Henry Hodges & his company would head north from 'Valour Farm' after the British Rolling Barrage had pummelled the German positions. Heavy rain had partially flooded the trenches and surrounding shell craters. The wooden ‘duck boards’, on which the soldiers walked, were submerged and if a man should slip off while carrying his full pack he would almost certainly slide into one of the many mud filled shell holes with no chance of rescue or escape.

    When the barrage started the terrain was so unrecognisable that it became difficult for the artillery to locate the German positions. To make matters worse, as ‘A Company’ went over the top they ran into their own barrage causing several casualties and resulted in the battalion edging off to the right. The soldiers had trouble locating their objectives and gradually as German counter attacks became stronger the offensive stalled.

    During this offensive and somewhere, in the vicinity of Goudberg on the 10th November 1917, William Henry Hodges was killed in action. The exact location is not known and his body was never found. Elizabeth received a telegram several weeks after the Battle and was devastated.

    One night in a drunken rage she threw William’s medals into a coal bunker. In the dead of night Martha, now aged 5, went out and retrieved them. She kept them, safe and hidden, under her mattress for many years. Occasionally, when nobody was around, she would take them out and polish them. Martha, my Grandmother, never met her father and no photograph of him survives. She knew very little about his life and so, shortly before she died in 2002, she was thrilled to be taken to 'Nantymoel' to see the house where her father was born.

    Pte.William Henry Hodges (10857) 1st Battalion. South Wales Borderers.

    Not Forgotten.

    Alan Fennah




    206851

    Pte. Ernest Whitehead 1/8th Btn Sherwood Foresters

    My father, Ernest Whitehead, enlisted in October 1914 and lost an arm whilst serving in France in 1916. He subsequently became a postman, the only disabled postman I have ever come across. He served as a postman for 29 years.

    My father, who was a farm waggoner, enlisted on 22nd October 1914 and served with the 1/8th Sherwood Foresters in France from 6th June 1915 to 25th April 1916. He returned to the UK after losing his right arm just below the elbow. He would never talk about that time and I don't even know the circumstances in which he was wounded. It looks likely that he lost his arm on the 15th or 16th April in the trenches east of Berthonual farm near Mt St Eloy.

    It is interesting that, until I unearthed it, even my mother didn't know that it was the second time he had been wounded (Aug 1915). After a period in Roehampton Hospital and discharge he became a Postman in October 1919, a job he held down until he was retired at 60 in 1949.

    An amusing aside - My father had two artificial arms complete with hand. One for everyday use and one for “best”. When my father died he was buried wearing his “best” artificial arm and hand. My mother could not decide what to do with the other arm and hand. The NHS did not want them back and she could not face putting them in the dustbin. So for whatever reason decided to bury them in her garden. We chuckled but Mum couldn’t understand what we found so funny. We could picture the scene years later when some poor person digging in the garden found a hand and arm emerging. What a shock.

    Apart from discharge papers etc. I have nothing from my father's time in WW1.

    The little Dad said: He said once with a chuckle about the Belgians running along the trench and shouting " La Boche La Boche". He said that he had been to Armentiers when the song "Mademoiselle from Armentiers Parlez Vous" was on the wireless. My sister says that our father was in hospital with gassed Canadians. He mentioned this once while watching All Quiet on the Western Front. My sister also says that when he lost his right arm a shell burst in the trench and killed all the men by him including someone he enlisted with. For other family connections in WW1 see www.whiteheadm.co.uk

    Mike Whitehead




    206840

    Capt. William Pritchett 17th Btn. Notts and Derbys Regiment (Sherwood Foresters)

    William Pritchett went out into no mans land, leading a squad, with orders to blow up a knocked out tank the Germans were using for artillery ranging. Looking inside the tank he saw it'd been caught in a gas attack, as the interior was yellow, and the remains of the crew and their uniforms were broken down by the mustard.

    He lost his rank as Acting Captain when the 17th Sherwood Foresters were disbanded but regained the rank on 21/3/18 with the 7th Robin Hoods, only to be captured that very day. The day of The disaster at Bullecourt.

    Phil Goddard




    206833

    Spr Archie Joseph Young 1st Australian Tunnelling Company (d.20th Oct 1917)

    My Great Uncle, Archie Young, had been conscripted in Queensland, Australia my late grandfather informed me. He was wounded in action, possibly by a sniper in October 1917 and died of his wounds. He is buried at the Huts Cemetry Ypres, Belgium.

    John Cantway




    206826

    Pte. Walter Woodward 7th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.31 Jul 1917)

    I must admit I don't know a great deal about what my great uncle Walter Woodward did at war, but I most of all want him to be noted on your website as a member of the Loyal North Lancs and someone who died for the cause. Walter was born in February 1898 in West Derby, Liverpool. He was the 2nd youngest son of Margaret and William Woodward. He had 5 brothers and 4 sisters.

    At the time he was called up to service he was a capstan fitter living in 42, Webb street, West Derby, he was unmarried. He joined at the technical college, which I think was in Seaforth (he was 18 years and 10 months) on the 20th of December 1916. To bring a little background in, the family had already lost one of the brothers in July 1916, Reginald (born 1894) of the Liverpool Regiment had been killed in Delville Wood in the Battle of the Somme, so everyone was warning Walter to keep his head down and not take any chances.

    According to his war record he was in France* from April up to July 1917. He died in the field on the 31st of July that year during an offensive, according to my uncle by a gunshot wound to the head. Inexplicably he is remembered at the memorial at Ypres, Menin gate, which makes us wonder if he was moved to Belguim for the 3rd Battle of Ypres and perhaps died on the first day of fighting.

    Editors Note: *Most Great War records consider France and Flanders as a single entity, usually written as France, shorthand for anywhere on the Western Front. 7th Btn Loyal North Lancs served with the 19th Division who took part in the Battle of Passchendaele which began with an attack on the 31st of July 1917, so it would be safe to assume that this is the offensive in which Walter lost his life.

    Brian




    206824

    Sgt. Maurice "Tony" Mendes 1/9th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    My father Maurice Mendes enlisted with the 1/9th Btn Middlesex Regt in August 1914 at Willesden, London. He sailed with the Btn for India in October 1914 on board the SS Dilwara arriving in October 1914. He was promoted to the rank of Sgt before taking a commission in the 1st Bn 103rd Mahratta Light Infantry where he served on the North West Frontier, returning to civilian life in late 1919 or early 1920.

    He took a large number of photographs during his time with both the 1/9th Btn and later with the 103rd Mahratta Light Infantry. This photo album recently turned up, after many years when it was believed to have been irretrievably lost. I had the 65 pages (containing approx 250 images )professionally digitally photographed and am currently cooperating with a website owner in having selected photos put up on his website. www.king-emperor.com where some of these photos have already been put up on this website. It is a project in process and will be developed in due time.

    I would be interested in having these images seen by all who may have an interest in the British Military during that period and perhaps collect material related to photos taken by my father, almost 100 years ago.

    Brian Mendes




    206819

    Gnr. Thomas W. Robinson 181st Bde. D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd Jun 1918)

    Thomas Robinson was a Gunner with the Royal Field Artillery, he was killed in action 03/06/1918 and is buried at Duchy-les-Ayette Cemetery (I. A. 15), in northern France. Unfortunately, my great uncle's Army records seem to have been destroyed during WWII, so I have no way of knowing how, when or where exactly he was killed. If anyone knows how or where I might find this information, I would be grateful of an e-mail.

    M. North




    206805

    Pte. Carl Albert Carnley West Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Jan 1918)

    I was researching my grandfather, Carl Carnley's family history and I came upon a family who served in WW1. There was
    • John William Carnley- Private - Kings own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • George Arthur Carnley - Gunner - Royal Field Artillery
    • Cyril Carnley Military Service
    • Walter Carnley -Corporal- Border Regiment
    • Carl Albert Carnley - Private- West Yorkshire Regiment. He died 10th January 1918 in Flanders of wounds received.
        I am still trying to find out more.

        Brenda Grant




    206800

    Ord.Sea. Charles Edgar Lamprey HMS Invincible (d.31st May 1916)

    Charles Lamprey was 18yrs old when HMS Invincible went down. Two other Lampreys went down with their ship at Jutland, one aged 15.5 the other 16 years old.

    Peter Lamprey




    206799

    Pte. Thomas Alfred Goldup 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment (d.26th Jul 1915)

    Thomas Goldup was a horseman at Green Farm, Shorne before enlisting at Gravesend in Kent. He was born in Chartham, Canterbury in 1880 not Chatham as listed in Kent's Fallen. He was my Great Grandad's older brother and is buried at Voormezeele Enclosures Nos. 1 and 2,West-Vlaanderen,Belgium.Grave Ref I.C.1 .

    Thomas is remembered on the Roll of Honours at St Mary the Virgin, Chalk, Gravesend.

    Shane Goldup




    206796

    Lt. William Thomas Walmsley MID HMS Drake

    My father, Walmsley was born in November 1890 and I know very little about his service in WWI. He went to HMS Excellent to train as a gunnery officer and I believe he also worked on paravanes. He subsequently served on HMS Drake and HMS King Alfred. My brother had my father's medals but I could not find them when he died. I also believe that there were Oak Leaves on two of the ribbons but this is only a childhood memory.

    My father was with the Bibby Line as Chief Officer after WWI but was without a ship from 1927 due to the 'slump'. Unfortunately I was born in 1931 which added to my parents misery and I believe he did not get a ship until later that year. He also had to take a lower rank. It was a case of 'take it or leave' My father and all his crew were killed during the second world war whilst running the Atlantic which was awash with U-boats. He was then Captain of the Shell Tanker MV Anadara. He was torpedoed in the morning of 24th February 1942 and later torpedoed and fired on until she started to sink. No prisoners were taken.

    Yvonne Gutsell




    206794

    Pte. John Stewart 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry

    My Grandfather, John Stewart, enlisted in the 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry on 14/1/1915. He served at Gallipoli, Mudros, Suez Canal, Gaza and Palestine, before transferring to the Western Front with the 52nd Lowland Division in early 1918, where he survived till the end of the war. He was demobbed in 1919, then rejoined the 6th HLI on 2/9/1939, aged 46. A glutton for punishment or maybe just in need of a job at the end of the great depression.

    John




    206787

    Sgt. Ben Smales 2nd Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Sept 1914)

    Sgt. Ben Smales was my great uncle, and we are presently trying to establish the exact location of his death so we can visit the area and pay our respects. All we know is that he was killed by German Artillary during the First Battle of the Aisne and has no known grave. His name is carved on the Memorial at La Ferte sous Jouarre.

    If anyone could help us locate the location of his death, it would be greatly appreciated, and any other details about him would be appreciated too. We know the area of the battlefield but its closer locations within it we are trying to establish.

    David Whittaker




    206773

    John Joseph O'Brien Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

    My father, John Joseph O'Brien, joined the British Army in 1914 in Manchester. He was in France, Malta, Gibraltar, North Africa, Mesapotamia and India. He was wounded in the War with shrapnel in his neck, head and back. He was found in the trenches and survived. He was also in a camp in Bacuba, Iraq, where he met my mother who was an Assyrian refugee. I had a sister who was born in Bagdad and was at the coronation of King Fezel. The British Government wanted my father to stay to help build the new rail road to India but he wanted to go back to England. He went back to England in 1918/19 then went to America in 1922 where he settled until his death in 1976.

    Dennis L. Bryant




    206765

    2nd Lt. William James Moffatt

    On 31st July 1916, The Irish Times carried the following report on page 6:

    Second Lieutenant W.J. Moffatt, Royal Engineers, only son of Mr and Mrs William Moffatt, Drumgoff, Stillorgan Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, is reportedly wounded. He was educated at Avoca School, Blackrock, afterwards entering Trinity College, Dublin, where he took his BA and BAI (Hon). He got his commission in September last, and has been at the front since December of last year. He was wounded on the 12th July, and is now in hospital in Lincoln. He is in the twenty second year of his age. His captain wrote regretting he had been knocked out, and saying he had done most excellent work at the front.

    Turtle Bunbury




    206761

    Dvr. Robert Baxter "Racka" Rackstraw 6th. Reserve Battery Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>Robert Baxter Rackstraw ( 2nd Right )

    My father, Robert Baxter Rackstraw, was in France for part of the war, he was in the 2/4th Battalion Royal Scots No 4973, 4th Res and was transferred to the Royal Field Artillery, No91930 driver, 6 Res Battery, after being claimed by his older brother, George Stevens Rackstraw. Date of the transfer was 16th July 1916. When he was in the Royal Scots he was based at Terling Camp, Witham and when the transfer was complete he was based at Forrest Row, Sussex.

    George Stevens Rackstraw(Sitting Hat On) & Robert Baxter Rackstraw (Standing Hat On).

    C.H. Rackstraw




    206759

    Pte. Joseph Goodyear 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire (d.26th Apr 1915)

    Joseph Goodyear was my Grandfather. He went to war leaving a wife Elizabeth and two daughters Mary and Emily at home, my mother, Emily, was born in June 1914 and never knew her father. There are no photos of him and my mother had no memories of him to share with us.

    I have found out that he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. If anyone has any photos of this Battalion or of my grandfather I would truly love to see them

    Doreen Smith




    206758

    Gnr. Benjamin Auty West Riding Regiment

    Benjamin Auty joined up with the West Riding Regiment as Private 11377. He was sent to France on the 5th of December 1914 and later transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 211575.

    Pete




    206754

    Pte. James Gallagher West Yorkshire Regiment

    I'm trying to find more details of my Grandfather James Gallagher. I know from his short service record he was in the West Yorks Regiment and according to family stories he was in Malta but would like to more details.

    Elaine Gallagher




    206744

    Pte. Edward Cross 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Oct 1915)

    Edward Cross was my great uncle. He was born in Kings Sutton, Northampton in about 1892. His parents moved to Beaconsfield Street, Norton, Stockton-on-Tees (the house is still there) about 1899. His younger brother was also killed in the Great War, his name being George Oliver Cross of the 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Both names are inscribed on the War Memorial at Norton Church. Both buried in Northern France.

    Trevor Ayre




    206741

    Pte. John McCaig 1st/5th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.19th Sept 1915)

    John McCaig enlisted in Troon Ayrshire and after initial training was sent to Gallipoli. Unfortunately, my grandfather`s brother was one of those destined to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was killed in action 19th September 1915. His body was never found, he is mentioned on the Helles Memorial to the Missing overlooking the Dardenelles.

    I try to imagine a young Scotsman from a rural area, probably hardly having travelled anywhere before enlisting in the Army and then finding himself on board a troopship heading across the Mediterranean bound for Turkey. Foreign travel was the preserve of the rich in those times,it must have been the greatest adventure of his life!

    George McCaig




    206736

    Pte. James Foster Leicester Regiment

    James Foster joined the Leicestershires in 1916, after the upper age limit was reduced. He was released after being gassed at the Somme. He had also served in Sherwood Foresters in the second Boer war.

    David Foster




    206735

    T/Capt. Charles Duly DSO. 11th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

    Captain Charles Duly DSO (b. 1875) of the Worcestershire Regiment, 11th Battalion, was my grandfather. We have researched, that his commission was relinquished on the 9th July 1915 due to ill health, having fallen from a horse resulting in sustained head injuries. Our family have been trying in vain to track his whereabouts since this date - but to no avail.

    His son, also Charles Duly, was born 1919 in Glasgow. We believe that his father Charles Duly stayed with the family until circa. 1922/23 in Glasgow before separating from them. His whereabouts since this time have been a mystery. The son, (my father) Charles Duly, now Charles Duly Blount - (mother remarrying a gentleman by the name of Blount) served in WW2 with the Lanarkshire Yeomanry/Argyle & Southern Highlanders/5th Parachute Regiment. He also attained the rank of Captain as per his father (also at the end of WW2 Temp. Major).

    There is some confusion with another Charles Duly DSO who served in East Africa he was born 1870 (5 years before my grandfather.) We are trying to establish details of my Grand Father's life after 1922/23 up until his death. Is there anyone out there who can help us with this information?

    Christine Ramsay




    206733

    Cpl. Frank Maskell 5th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.11th Aug 1918)

    After my mother-in-law died we found a letter which she had kept from when she was 8 years old from a soldier. It is dated November 16th 1916 and was written from no.14 General Hospital, Victoria Hotel, Boulogne France, with the title of 564 Cpl F Maskell (or Marshall), 5 South Staffs and he signed his name as Frank. The letter reads as follows:

    My dear Miss Gladys,

    Just a few lines thanking you very much for your egg which I had for my tea and it was quite good too. Well I hope you wont be offended at such strange a letter, but I know it is so nice to hear where the eggs get to at times. Well I sincerely hope you are keeping all right and still sending eggs out to France as it is quite a nice change down here from up in the trenches. I am a little better myself today and I hope you certainly won't mind me answering the egg I received to day in such a common way. I must close now or I shall miss the post.

    Your sincere friend, Frank.

    I would love to know if he survived and what his name was. I would like to find out if he had any relations who might like this letter.

    Editor's note: The soldier was Frank C. Maskell of the 1/5th South Staffordshire Regiment. He recovered from his stint in hospital and and returned to the front line, he was promoted to Acting Sgt. but lost his life on the 11th of August 1918 and was laid to rest in Fouquieres Churchyard Extension Cemetery in France. Many of the men who are buried here were injured on the battlefield and succumbed to their injuries whilst being treated at the Field Ambulances which were based in the village of Fouquieres, which is near Bethune in Northern France.

    Janet Rennie




    206732

    Tptr. Sydney Charles Walker 541 Battery Royal Field Artillery

    I would like to know more about my father's time in India from 1914 - 1917, he was Trumpeter Sydney Walker.

    Jan Rossington




    206731

    William O'Brien Dublin Fusiliers

    William O'Brien was on the SS River Clyde in the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign. Of the 1100 Royal Dublin Fusiliers only 11 survived the Gallipoli Landings, William was one of the lucky few.

    Ruth O'Brien




    206728

    Pte. Harold West Furniss 6th Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment

    Harold Furniss enlisted 7/9/14 at Northampton, and joined 6th Northamptonshire Regiment as a private, he trained on Salisbury Plain to May 1915. He landed in France 26/07/15, and was posted near Le Cateau. Harold was wounded in the field on 4/07/16, and sent back to England on 17/07/16, where he was admitted to the Lord Derby War Hospital until 22/07/16 for a neck injury. He was posted to France 28/09/16 and rejoined his Battalion 10/10/16. He transferred on 1/03/17 to the Royal Engineers as a Pioneer (Roads and Quarries). Harold survived the war and returned home via Purfleet on 28/01/19, and transferred to army reserve on demobilization on 25/02/19.

    Nigel Furniss




    206708

    Pte. John Thomas Richardson 15 Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    John Richardson was my great uncle. He joined the Durham Light Infantry in August 1915 as a volunteer. He was in the 6th Battalion (3769) and then went onto the 15th Battalion in July 1916. In September 1916 he was killed in action. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

    I am looking for any information and photos that could tell me more.

    Anita Pinkney




    206707

    Pte. John Albert Arrowsmith North Staffordshire Regiment

    My grand father Jack Arrosmwith joined the Army at the out break of World War One. He was wounded by shrapnel in his stomach and back, when he was wounded he spent several hours in a shell hole with a dead enemy solider before he was picked up by the medic, and spent time in a French hospital.

    John Turner




    206706

    Nurse Alice Penson

    Alice Penson was my grandmother, she met my Grandfather, John Tilbury, at the hospital where he was convalescing after breaking a knee on duty in France. She married whilst serving and therefore her name changed during the war.

    Ian Harrison




    206699

    Gnr. Joseph Charles Trull 160th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.9th Apr 1918)

    Joseph Trull was one of five brothers went to France and Flanders in the Great War. Only one survived, my great gramp James Trull.

    Jospeh's Obituary reads:

    A few weeks ago we recorded the distressing news that Mr. and Mrs.W.Trull of Shadwell, Uley had lost their fourth son in action in France - Gunner Joseph Charles Trull of the Royal Garrison Artillery, husband of Mrs. Bessie Trull of Bencombe. He was killed on April 9th in the 26th year of his age. Letters since to hand from officers gave particulars as to how the deceased soldier met his end.

    2nd Lt.P.P.Howe, Siege Battery, France, writing on April 10th to the Rector of Uley (who was asked to break the news to the widow) stated that Gunner Trull was killed instantaneously by enemy shell fire on the previous morning at about 11 o.clock. He was that afternoon laid to rest in a little military cemetery in rear of the line. The Chaplain who buried him was present almost at the scene of his death, and the service was attended by the Commanding Officer and others of his comrades who were able to. There was especially, a little contingent of the signallers among whom he had done his work, and now laid down his life.

    2nd Lieut.C.W.Ruddle of Battery, R.G.A France, the officer with whom the deceased went overseas in the previous June, wrote a most sympathetic and appreciative letter to the widow, in the course of which he said "Your husband had been with me for over a year. Men of his stamp are few and far between. He always did his duty in a quiet way, and made no fuss, however hard his task. At the time of your husbands death the Battalion was not actually in action, but was being shelled, and he, like all of us, was sheltering in a dug-out, when a shell hit the side of it, the concussion causing instant and painless death".

    The late Gunner joined up on Oct 6. 1916 and went to France in June 1917. He returned from his last leave the 6th March only five weeks before his death. His wife is left with two little children. Mr. William Webb's band will play selections of music on Uley Bury tomorrow, Sunday afternoon.

    Jon Eeley




    206697

    Rfm. William Arthur Winnett 13th Btn Prince Consort's Own Rifle Brigade (d.11th Apr 1917)

    William Winnett was the brother of my great-grandfather and I have just found out that he died in Arras, France on 11th April 1917. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

    Roger Winnett




    206692

    Pte. Edward Myers 7th Btn. A Company Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Edward enlisted at the age of 34 in Middlesbrough. He was married to Mary Elizabeth Williams in 1909. At the time he was a Stevedore working at Middlesbrough docks. Edward was awarded the three medals, the Star, War medal and Victory medal.

    I have only found this information by completing my family history, now I have copies of his medals, medal card and scroll which I have put in a presentation frame, next to my father's and mine.

    David Williams




    206686

    Pte. John Shores 14th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Jack Shores was another young man, an ordinary insurance clerk, with only a name on the Thiepval Monument. My uncle joined 29/10/15. His service attestation form with his signature has been located on line but no photo has been found.

    Jill Clarkson




    206676

    Pte. Percy Charles Heazelton Royal Army Services Corps (d.27th Mar 1919)

    My Great Uncle Percy Heazelton was the son of George and Mary Ann Heazelton, born 15th October 1889. It seems he was part of the Italian Expeditionary Force when he died and is buried at Arquata Scrivia (Grave reference 11.A.13)

    Jacqueline Nash




    206673

    Mjr. John Harcourt Allen MC. MID. 144 Siege Battery. Royal Garrison Artillery

    John Allen served in France with 122, 220 and 144 Siege Batterries and was mentioned in Despatches in 1918 the same year he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry for saving the battery's guns during a retreat.

    After the war he served with Territorial Service, Suffolk Heavy Brigade, winning King's prize on four occasions. In 1938 he was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Brigade and commanded East Coast of England's defences 1939 - 1942.

    Mike Fulford




    206669

    L/Cpl. Walter John Bull 14th (1st London Scottish) Battalion London Regiment (d.28th Mar 1917)

    I don't know any more about L/Cpl W.J.Bull, but I found a photo of his grave in an album belonging to my grandmother.

    Editors Note: Walter John Bull was the son of James Walter and Kate Elizabeth Bull, of Wharf House, Ashlone Rd., Putney, London. He served with the 14th Btn and lies at Agny Military Cemetery near Arras in France.

    Peter Wootten




    206666

    L/Cpl. Bertie Edmund Titmas 12th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.16th Aug 1917)

    Bertie Titmas was my Mother's Father born c.1881. He was killed in action in possibly at the Battle of Langemarck, Third battle of Ypres 16-18 August 1917. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne-Cot Memorial He was born in Stepney, Middlesex and enlisted at Ratcliffe. He was married to Charlotte nee Bonner, and had at least 6 children.

    Ken Terry




    206663

    Pte. William Sidney Newberry 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.4th Oct1917)

    I am sorry but I do not know anything about Wiliam Newberry, he was my great grandfather and I would like to know something about him. Please, if anyone has any information could you forward it to me.

    Martin Hawkins




    206659

    James Henry Longman Royal Field Artillery

    I know my grandfather James Longman served in the RFA during World War 1, but there is much that I don't know. He was working as a clerk until he signed up on 1 December 1914 serving in France (Western Front) from 19 October 1915. I know he was gassed while in action as he lost the use of a lung, but I remember him smoking up to his death in 1975 aged 81. He never spoke about his experiences and therefore I have never known the details of his service record. Any help would be much appreciated.

    Timothy James Longman




    206649

    Sjt. Charles Noel "Blanco" White MM. Royal Garrison Artillery

    I have no record of my Father Charles White, as to how he was awarded the Military Medal. My Siblings tell me he captured a German Machine Gun Post and took Prisoners. He apparently was awarded this as a Sgt., but records show him as a gunner, and no other information. I have his War Medals,including his M.M. I would be grateful if anyone could contact me with any information about my Father, Charles Noel White 44883, who was 65 yrs old when I was born.

    B.V.White




    206647

    Pte. Alvin Smith 1/7th Btn Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (d.17th Sept 1916)

    From FOR A SHILLING A DAY (Bank House Books)

    Private Alvin Smith’s war. Lothersdale, North Yorkshire: This is where it began, in a village where the Smiths had farmed for generations. At Christmas 1915 Alvin Smith, the nineteen-year-old son of farmer Edmund and Sarah Jane Smith was walking with his girlfriend, Amy. The First World War had been raging for more than a year. Alvin’s brother, John (my grandfather), had joined up at the start, but Alvin had been needed to help run Burlington Farm. His dad insisted, it was an embarrassing position, as all the best chaps seemed to be in khaki. It would not take much to make Alvin defy his parents. At Christmas it came.

    ‘Would you love me if I was a soldier?’ Alvin joked as he walked with Amy.

    ‘Well,’ teased the pretty eighteen-year-old, in a reply that was to haunt her for the next eighty years, ‘I might respect you a bit more.’

    Respect. That did it. Over Christmas dinner with friends and family, Alvin turned to his best pal, Willie Smith, and said, ‘We’d better enjoy this Christmas, Willie, because we probably won’t see the next one.’

    ‘There was nothing dramatic about the way he said it,’ Amy told me many years later. ‘It was just a statement of fact.’

    Alvin and Willie enlisted together on 29 January 1916, as privates in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding). They were innocents in arms, rushed over to France after a frantic few weeks of training to take part in the long-awaited British offensive, which was already being called The Big Push. Soon it would be known by a name that became a byword for slaughter: the Somme.

    Thiepval, the Somme: This is where it ended, a placid corner of northern France where the autumn sun blazes down on dry, new-ploughed fields and the potato harvest is piled in tons beside the farm tracks. The scars of the 1916 trenches can still be seen and every year’s ploughing uncovers the ‘iron harvest’ of unexploded shells. A few years ago, walking the route that Private Alvin Smith and his pals followed, I found something white sticking out of the earth bank of a sunken track. As I pulled it, eighteen inches of human thigh bone emerged, a reminder of the carnage on these gentle chalk slopes. In 1916 the Germans held the high ground here, commanding every hill-top and valley slope. The village of Thiepval and the 1,000-yard-long Thiepval Spur, which stuck like a giant finger into the British lines, were bristling with concrete gun emplacements, trenches and deep dugouts, all screened behind vast hedges of barbed wire. Alvin’s battalion, the 1st/7th, was in reserve on the terrible first day of the Somme on 1 July 1916, and was spared the horror that left 20,000 young Britons dead and 40,000 wounded. Alvin’s friend, Willie Smith, was reported killed on 7 July.

    The division got its first blooding in an attack on 3 September. It failed wretchedly. The British commander-in-chief, General Sir Douglas Haig, was furious. He wrote scathingly in his diary, ‘The total losses of this division are less than 1,000!’ In the grim arithmetic of the Somme, where every yard was measured in deaths, the West Riding lads were not dying quickly enough. To infuriate the top brass further, some of the division’s troops had failed to salute a visiting general, which probably explains the terse entry in the 1st/7th Battalion’s diary for 8 September: ‘Games before breakfast followed by saluting drill.’ On 15 September another Yorkshire battalion seized German trenches south of Thiepval. Three companies of Alvin’s battalion, about 700 men, moved forward that night to take over the trenches and prepare for another attack.

    It began, disastrously, at 6pm on Sunday 17 September with a terrible misjudgement. The battalion’s mortars got the range wrong and hit their own trenches, exploding a store of hand grenades. Amid the dead and wounded and the confusion of this ‘friendly fire’ incident, Captain Lupton calmly climbed on to the trench parapet and heroically rallied the men.

    The attack was all over in an hour. It was such a success that a general visited the battalion two days later to offer his congratulations. The West Riding lads had advanced 350 yards beyond their objective. In doing so they lost 220 men. The arithmetic of the Somme was working.

    They never found Alvin’s body. During a lull in the fighting one of his mates went back for water. When he returned the captured trench had been found by German guns and the occupants blown to shreds.

    The name of Private Alvin Smith is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to those who died on the Somme and who have no known grave. There are 73,000 names. A few days after his death, the local newspaper in Yorkshire recorded: ‘He was well known in the village and district and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was a well-built youth, of a pleasant and cheerful disposition.’

    Peter Rhodes




    206646

    Sjt. John Hood Clark 12th Btn. Royal Scots (d.12th Oct 1917)

    John Clark was my grand father. I don't know too much about him only that he was a son of Mr & Mrs Alexander Clark from Aberdeen and that he was killed in the Ypres salient and is remembered on the Tyne-cot Memorial in Belgium. Have I relatives of this family in Aberdeen who could tell me more, I wonder?

    Philip Howard




    206645

    Bdr. Eugene Mahy MM. 50th Bde. C Bty Royal Field Artillery (d.25th April 1918)

    My great uncle Eugene Mahy was awarded the Military Medal on 4th February 1918 and died just a few months later. Does anyone have any information about how he earned the medal or where he died?

    Marcus Mahy




    206635

    Sdlr. Harold Taylor F Troop Royal Horse Artillery (d.1914)

    My Grandad Harold Taylor, was a saddler with F Troop and was killed at Ypres very early in the War.

    Peter Brinkley




    206634

    Cpl. Sidney Arthur O'Dell 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    My grandfather, Sidney A. O'Dell of Walthamstow, London, served in the Army Pay Corps during the first years of WW1. After war broke out in 1914 he tried to enlist into Kitchener's Army but was rejected on account of his flat feet, and the fact that he was a married man with a child. Instead he served in the Army Pay Corps for around two years.

    Later in the war when they relaxed their standards he enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers 26th Battalion in early 1917 and went to France in July 1917 to take part in Passchendale. Later that year his Regiment was sent to North Italy to bolster the Italians against the Austrians, returning to France in February 1918. He was severely wounded in the leg in March 1918 resisting the German offensive and repatriated to England to recover but did not serve in France again.

    Ray Greer




    206625

    Gnr. Maurice Chevrier Lalonde 46th Btn. Saskatchewan Regiment (d.6th Apr 1918)

    Maurice Lalonde was the youngest of three brothers, all of whom joined up in the Great War with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Maurice was my Uncle, he joined the 49th University Canadians and then served with the 46th Btn. Saskatchewan Regiment and was in charge of a machine gun crew of three men, sadly they all lost their lives together during the Battle for Arras in France. He is buried in Rochlincourt, France where his grave is perpetually cared for.

    His brothers, both members of the RFC then the RAF, survived the war and returned to Canada. Leon Arthur Lalonde one of the brothers was my father.

    Maurice Denman Lalonde




    206623

    Rfm. Frederick William London 3rd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.4th May 1915)

    Unfortunately not a lot is known from family members as Frederick was killed in Action and no medals or service records remain in our possession. All info comes from military death records and British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards.

    Frederick William London was my Great Grandfather, a French Polisher, son of Frederick London a Cabinet Maker from Salibury, Wiltshire. Born in St Pancras, London, in approx 1877 and married in 1899 to Georgina Henrietta Jobe in Christ Church, Somers Town, St Pancras, London.

    He enlisted into the 3rd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps from St Pancras, I think in 1914 and would have travelled to Winchester and joined the 80th Brigade in the 27th Division. The 27th Division embarked at Southampton on the 19th - 21st December and disembarked at le Havre between the 20th and 23rd of December. The 27th Division served on the Western Front in France and Belgium until November, 1915. In the following month it embarked for the Macedonian Front, on which it served for the remainder of the War.

    From what info I can find and his date of death I think Frederick died in the Second Battle of Ypres 22nd April to the 25th May 1915 possibly the Battle of St Julien. He was 39 years old and left his wife Georgina, daughter Agnes 13 yrs, son George 5 yrs and son Fred 2 yrs. He is remembered at the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial Panels 51 and 53

    Scott London




    206617

    L/Cpl. William John Harrington 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    William John Harrington was born in Bowburn County Durham. He served with the 8th, 9th and 10th Battalions DLI during the Great War He was killed in action with the 10th DLI on the 16th of September 1916 during an attack on Grid trench, north of Flers, during the Battle of the Somme. William was 22 years old and has no nown grave, he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and his medals are on display in the DLI Museum in Durham City.

    T.R.Harrington




    206616

    Pte. Joseph Harrington 17th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Jun 1918)

    Joseph's headstone

    T.R.Harrington




    206609

    L/Cpl. Richard Leonard Blakeman DCM. 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

    Richard Blakeman was my Grandfather and served during The Great War from 5th November 1914, when he would have been just 19 Years old and was discharged injured on 8th June 1917. According to information I have from my Aunt he rescued two comrades at The Battle of Neuve Chappell. I have very little other information of my Grandfather but do have his DCM which bears his rank name and Service Number, it seems for his bravery he was promoted to Lance Corporal.

    I have searched Ancestry.co.uk records but only have basic information and cannot find any record of his DCM award other than the fact I have the medal in my possession. It would be lovely to find out more.

    Editors Note: Medal awards are listed in the London Gazette, which will give you the date of the action.

    Hazel Mason




    206607

    L/Cpl Albert Arthur Wykes 2nd Btn. Black Watch (d.18th Jun 1917)

    Albert Wykes was a 2nd Cousin of my wife. It would appear he served in the Royal Field Artillery No 99081 and also the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) No s/10238. He is shown as having died from his wounds.

    Can anybody explain why he would have served in 3 different Regiments? I understand that some men who had been wounded or were unfit for Front Line Duty transferred to the Labour Corps, but I am unable to work out in which order he served in the RFA and the Royal Highlanders and how would a cockney come to be in the Black Watch, any suggestions please.

    Editor's Note: As Albert's record on CWGC shows him as being with the Black Watch, and transferred to the 13th Coy Labour Corps, it is reasonably safe to assume that he was with the Artillery as his first unit. It is quite common for men to serve with more than one unit, if injured and taken out of the front line for treatment, their place in the regiment would have to be filled by another man to maintain unit strength. On returning to duty they would be assigned to which ever unit required additional personne, so the regional identity of the regiments soon became muddled. Or a man with specialist skills might be transferred from one unit to another if there was a shortage of skilled men in another unit. The Labour Corps was largely made up of men who were not fully fit for front line fighting, so it is possible that Albert was injured or taken ill whilst with the Black Watch and transferred to the Labour Corps for a period of recovery.

    Dennis Walker




    206602

    Pte. John Millar Seaforth Highlanders

    My father, John Millar was in the Seaforth Highlanders. He was in France from 1914 to mid 1916 when he was wounded and spent a long time in a military hospital.

    He was born in Glasgow, Maryhill, in 1894, I believe, and after being discharged lived the rest of his life in Hull. These are the only details I can remember about him but would like to know more if possible.

    Bernard Millar




    206601

    William Orr 6th Inniskilling Dragoons

    I used to own a house in France which had an old barn attached to it. Inside I found what I understand to have been an old hand operated threshing machine made of wood upon which was clearly handwritten in green ink the words "Willie Orr, S.S.6 Inniskilling Dragoons B.E.F"

    I assume this soldier had stayed here on route to somewhere, the house was in a tiny village called Marant, near Montreuil-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais. I have tried searching through on-line records but the nearest I could match up was Pte William James Orr, 9 Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1. 7.1916 which I found on the Memorials to the Dead website, http://thereformation.info/war3.htm on the Thiepval List but this I guess would not be him. It is interesting to think that he may have descendants who would be interested in this information.

    Dennis May




    206598

    Pte. Jeremiah Cunningham 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    Jeremiah Cunningham died whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own ) in France.

    He was called up on the 28th March 1917 and enlisted at Richmond Yorkshire, he was posted to Rugely Camp before leaving for France 5th April 1918. He lasted a little over a month and was reported missing in action and presumed to have died sometime between 27th and 29th May 1918. Jeremiah is remembered with honour on the Soissons Memorial

    Ian Cunningham




    206595

    Pte. Henry Ardley 5th Dragoon Guards (d.19th Sept 1914)

    I have managed to find a lot of documents for my Great Grandpa, Henry Ardley. His attestation, his medical, death, medal receipts. I am trying to find out as much as I can so that I can ensure my children know all about him.

    Henry had 3 children, Henry 1911 (my Grandpa), Daisy 1911 and George 1914. George was born just a month before his father was killed in action. My Granpa, Henry -(or Harry as he was nicknamed) died aged 85 and I never got to speak to him about his father, what he knew or anything. It never came up in conversation. It is a shame as I think he would have loved to have learned about the man he lost so young.

    One story I enjoyed reading in the documents I have found was the time he was riding down an incline and his horse falling, his right leg got caught in the stirrups - his horse got back up and bolted - dragging him a few yards, they had court papers to enquire into what happened and whose fault it was. Thankfully he was not charged - he was exonerated - as well as having a badly sprained ankle and 20 days in Hospital!

    Henry is buried in the Vailly Cemetary in France and I think was in the Battle of Aisne as far as I can determine. There is still more to research and uncover.

    Natalie Branch




    206588

    L/Sjt. George Young 17th (Service) Battalion (Rosebery's) The Royal Scots (d.18th Oct 1916)

    My Great grandfather, Lance Sergeant George Young, tried to enlist for the Great War in Aberdeen where he lived, in March, 1915 but failed the regulation height of 5 feet 3 inches, as he was "too wee". He was recommended by the recruiting officer for enlistment in Edinburgh for Lord Rosebery's newly formed 17th (Service) Battalion.

    The 17th (Service) Battalion (Rosebery's) was formed in Edinburgh in February, 1915 as a Bantam Battalion; Glencorse April, 1915; Selkirk May, 1915; Masham June, 1915 serving with 106th Brigade; 35 Division; France and Flanders February, 1916.

    George was wounded on the 29th of April, for the first time. He would be promoted twice in August. George would then be wounded again on the 17th of October and died of his wounds the following day, 18th of October at 106th Field Ambulance. George is buried in Habarcq Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais Region, France. Grave/Memorial Reference : VIII.E.5.

    George was born in Birmingham, date of birth unknown, son of William and Elizabeth Young, of Birmingham. He was survived by wife Margaret Young (nee Main) and daughter Ethel Harper Young (my granny), born 12 Jan 1913. RIP.

    Keith Adamson




    206582

    Pte. William Cannadine The Labour Corps

    William Cannadine was my grandfather and he served in The Labour Corps during the First World War. Sadly he died in 1946 aged 50, after a very long illness, never having met any of his grandchildren. We know very little about him and even though 2 of his children are still alive we have never even seen a photo of him. We would love to find out some information about him if possible.

    Diane Hall




    206580

    Pte Frederick William Brook 11th (Service) Bn West Yorkshire Regt (d.4 July 1918)

    Pte Fred Brook, great uncle of Maureen Thwaite, died of wounds in Italy on 4th Jul 18 and is buried in the British Cemetery on Mount Cavalletto in the Asiago region. This was the site of a Forward Dressing Station. LEST WE FORGET

    Martin Thwaite




    206576

    Walter Woodcock Army Cyclist Corps

    Walter Woodcock regimental number: 16829 19 Dec 1916 he enlisted in the Army Cyclist Corps at Chisledon, Swindon aged 17 and 11 months. He lived at 59 The Grange, Bermondsey and was a leather dresser by trade. Unfortunately that is the last record I can find. He was brother to my grandfather, Henry Childs, John (Jack)and Mabel Edith Woodcock.

    Lyn Harding




    206567

    Thomas Turnbull Royal Horse Artillery

    Sadly I did not get to know my Grandad Thomas Turnbull very well as he was estranged from my grandmother for many years. I only got to know him briefly before he died. I understand he was in the Royal Horse Artillery.I have a few of his medals which were left to me in a will.

    I would love to know anything about his exact regiment, anything really would be useful, I would be really grateful.

    Spencer Monks




    206562

    Pte Ethelbert Samuel Gerald Elliott Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers

    Bert Elliott was my Grandad. He died when my father was young so I never had the privilege of meeting him sadly.

    He served in the Tyneside Scottish Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and was shot in the face during the Battle of Arras. He was injured on 9.4.17 with a gunshot wound to the face which gave him a 40% disability to his face. He was discharged on 13-11-17.

    He came from Aldershot in Hampshire, and was the son of George and Eleanor Elliott. According to his short service record he joined up in Hartley Wintney on 7/10/15. He died in 1937 at the age of 37 and is buried in Aldershot Cemetery as most the the Elliott family with his wife Frances Amy Elliott. He had one daughter Brenda who died some years ago and my Dad Dennis who died recently after a short illness.

    Janis Harris




    206551

    Pte. John Nelson Winchcombe 6th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Feb 1917)

    John Nelson Winchcombe was my great uncle. He signed up on 24 Jun 1915 at Mill Hill. He served at 'Home' from 23 June 1915 to 7 December 1915. He joined the BEF France on 8 December 1915 and he was killed in action on 26 February 1917.

    His parents were not informed of his death until 14 August 1917. His medals 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal were received by his father on 8 July 1921 John Winchcombe is buried at the Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetary, Arras - III D 15.

    His brother of Walter George Winchcombe died in 1916.

    Karin Budd




    206549

    Dvr Herbert Wilfred Welburn 411th Battery Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandfather, Herbert Welburn joined up at the age of 18 years and 11 months of age. He was brought up on a farm and was used to heavy horses, and so became a driver. I am still researching my Grandfather, and have been lucky enough to find his service record on line, although it is hard to read!

    Grandad did not talk too much about the war, but he told me that when he was in France, he had a girlfriend, who was French, and she worked in the kitchen.He said he used to get through the window for extra food and would have been shot if his superiors knew what he was up to! Of course I was listening to this story when I was eight or nine years of age, so it could have been exaggerated a little!

    He said that one day he was stood in a trench talking to another soldier, when there was a large explosion. He carried on, but then realised the other soldier was dead, although he was still standing up. It was due to compression of the lungs he told me.

    Once he was told to go and move a field gun, but refused saying 'I would sooner be a living coward than a dead hero'. The office threatened to have him court-martialed when the gun was hit by a shell. If he had gone to move it he would have been killed. He did, however, disobey an officer saving a soldier who had been hit after being told not to. The officer received a medal for bravery although he did not go to help.

    One day, a soldier asked Grandad if he smoked. 'Yes' said my Grandfather. 'What kind do you smoke?" asked the curious soldier. 'Abide with me' replied my Grandfather.

    Robert Welburn




    206541

    Lance Corporal Walter George Winchcombe 12th Btn. "B" Coy. Middlesex Regiment (d.14th Jul 1916)

    Walter Winchcombe was my great uncle and joined up on 1st September 1914 at Willesden in Middlesex. On the 9th of September he was posted to Colchester.

    He left Southampton on 5 July 1915 for France. He was wounded - believed to be on the Somme - on 13th July 1916 and died the following day from his injuries. My grandfather, John received Walter's 1914/15 Star on 13 August 1920 and his Victory medal on 26 June 1921.

    Karin Budd




    206536

    Pte. George Albert Cole 17th Btn. London Regiment

    For many years I have been researching our family history. My Uncle George A. Cole and his wife Rosetta (Snell) lived with our large family for many years especially during the 2nd World War until Uncle died in 1964. During all this time Uncle George was not in good health, both physically and mentally and often mentioned that he was gassed during the First World War. Does anyone have any information on his war service?

    Gordon Bickmore




    206535

    G Curd 11th Btn. Suffolk Regiment

    We are tying to find out what happened to the men who had engraved names in the attic in our French Farm House in La Somme including G. Curd of the 11th Suffolks from Brighton

    H Gould




    206534

    W B Young 119th MC Coy Machine Gun Corps

    I am trying to find out what happened to the many men who had engraved names in the attic in our French Farm House in La Somme. We believe W B Young is from 119th MG Company.

    H Gould




    206533

    V G Langford 119 MG Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    I am trying to find out what happened to the many men who had engraved names in the attic in our French Farm House in La Somme. We believe V G Langford is from 119th MG Company

    H Gould




    206532

    Sgt. G H Parker 119th MC Coy Machine Gun Corps

    I am trying to find out what happened to the many men who had engraved names in the attic in our French Farm House in La Somme. We believe Sgt G H Parker is from 119th MG Company.

    Heidi Gould




    206531

    Cpl. J. W. Timms 119 MG Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    I am trying to find out what happened to the man names J W Timms, who had engraved his name in the attic in our French Farm House in La Somme. We believe he is from 119th MG Company

    Heidi Gould




    206519

    2nd Lt. Raymond Alfred Cruickshank 2nd Btn. 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

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    Alfred Cruicksjhnk was the eldest son of William Henry & Martha Cruickshank of St Julians Avenue, Newport, Mon. He was in the 2nd Batt of the Monmouthshire Regiment, and commissioned in October 1916.

    Martyn Cruickshank




    206517

    Pte. James Henry Hartley 46th MG Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.20th Apr 1918)

    The Machine Gun Corps in Kentucky - The Story of James Henry Hartley

    Earlier this year, I visited Cave Hill National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky, located within the much larger and quite beautiful Cave Hill Cemetery. It is the largest cemetery in Kentucky's largest city. The remains of notables are buried there, including 19th Century baseball great Pete Browning and Colonel Harlan Sanders.

    I was there to visit the grave of Great War Medal of Honor Winner, Sergeant Willie Sandlin of Devil's Jump Branch, Hell for Certain Creek, Leslie County, Kentucky. Sergeant Sandlin was buried at the Hurricane Creek Cemetery, Leslie County, upon his death in 1949 but, when his widow moved to Louisville to be near a daughter, she took his body with her. I learned that day that he is not buried there, but in Louisville's other National Cemetery, Zachary Taylor National Cemetery. Zachary Taylor National Cemetery and Camp Taylor, Kentucky were named after Mexican War hero and President of the United States, Kentuckian Zachary Taylor.

    Within Cave Hill National Cemetery, there is a headstone which is considerably larger than the headstones which surround it. It's about 4 feet tall and 2½ feet wide, weighs at least 400 pounds, and is made of marble. On both sides at the top corners are carved Union Jacks. It reads: Private James Henry Hartley, Machine Gun Corps, British Military Mission. Died at Camp Zachary Taylor April 20th, 1918 - If I should die think only this of me that there's some corner of a foreign field that is forever England. These are the words at the grave on the Island of Skylos, Greece, where the famous English poet, Rupert Brooke, died while preparing for action at Gallipoli. They are from his poem, The Soldier. The reverse reads: Erected by the Officers of the United States Army Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky May 30th 1918. James Henry Hartley's Commonwealth of Kentucky Death Certificate reveals that he died at Camp Taylor Base Hospital, that he was a married, white male, born in September of 1880, and that his occupation was soldier. He was born in England and his wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Ellen Hartley of R.F.D. 11, Box 8, Darwin, England. It states that he died of lobar pneumonia of eight days duration with a secondary contributing cause of emphysema of six months duration. This leads me to believe that he had been exposed to gas on the Western Front. He was buried April 25, 1918. There was no obituary in the Louisville or Camp Taylor papers. There were no obituaries at all in the camp paper.

    Private Hartley had been a member of The King's (Liverpool Regiment) No. 31922. He was No. 3389 of the Machine Gun Corps and, since the numbers began at 3000, he was an early member of that Regiment indeed. His brother, Lawrence, formerly of the Prince of Wales' Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) was number 3390. He survived the war. Pictured with this article is Boy David, the Memorial to the Machine Gun Corps in Hyde Park, London. Beneath David are the words "Saul has slain his thousands but David his tens of thousands." This memorial has a commemoration panel which reads: The Machine Gun Corps, which his Majesty King George V was Colonel-Chief, was formed by Royal Warrant dated the 14th day of October, 1915.

    The Corps served in France Flanders Russia Egypt Palestine Mesopotamia Salonica India Afghanistan and East Africa.

    The last unit of the Corps to be disbanded was the Depot at Shorncliffe on the 15th day of July, 1922. The total number who served in the Corps were some 11,500 officers and 159,000 other ranks, of whom 1,120 officers and 12,671 other ranks were killed, and 2,881 officers and 45,377 other ranks were wounded, missing or prisoners of war.

    At the outbreak of war in August 1914, the tactical use of machine guns was unappreciated by the British Military. Consequently, the Army went to war with its infantry battalions and cavalry regiments each having a machine gun section of only two guns each. This was added to in November by the forming of the Motor Machine Gun Service, administered by the Royal Artillery, consisting of motorcycle mounted machine gun batteries. A machine gun school was also opened in France.

    A year of warfare on the Western Front proved that to be fully effective, machine guns must be used in larger units and crewed by specially trained men. To fulfil this need, the formation of the Machine Gun Corps was authorized in October 1915 with infantry, cavalry, motor and early 1916 a heavy branch. A depot and training center was established at Belton Park in Grantham, Lincolnshire and a base depot at Camiers in France.

    The Infantry Branch was by far the largest and initially formed by the battalion machine gun sections transferring to the M.G.C., and grouping into Brigade Machine Gun Companies. New companies were raised at Grunthal. In 1917 a fourth company was added to each division. A further change in February and March 1918 saw the four companies of each division form battalions. The Cavalry Branch consisted of Brigade Machine Gun Squadrons.

    The Motors Branch after absorbing the M.M.G.S. formed several types of units, i.e., motorcycle batteries, light armored motor batteries (LAMB) and light car patrols. As well as motorcycles, other vehicles used included Rolls Royce and Model T Ford cars.

    The Heavy Section was formed in March 1916, becoming the heavy branch in November of that year. Men or this branch crewed the first tanks in action at Flers, during the Battle of the Somme in September 1916. In July 1917 the heavy branch separated from the M.G.C. to become the Tank Corps.

    In its short history, the M.G.C. gained an enviable record as a front line fighting force, seeing action in all the main theaters of war. At the end of hostilities, the M.G.C. was again reorganized in a smaller form as many of its soldiers returned to civilian life. However, the Corps continued to see active service in the post war campaigns of Russia, India and Afghanistan until being disbanded in 1922 as a cost cutting measure.

    Some 170,500 officers and men served in the M.G.C. with 62,049 becoming casualties, including 12,498 being killed. Seven men of the Machine Gun Corps earned the Victoria Cross. Captain Kermit Roosevelt, Military Cross, son of President Theodore Roosevelt, was at one time attached to the 14th Light Armored Motor Battery.

    Hartley's Service

    Private Hartley's records were destroyed by World War II German bombing, as were the records of most British Great War soldiers, including his brothers. We do know that he was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. We know from Soldiers Died in the Great War, that he was born in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, and enlisted at Darwen. He served in France and Flanders. The conditions of award of the British War Medal were that the soldier enter the theater of war on duty as a member of the British, Dominion, Colonial or Indian forces. The Victory Medal was authorized in 1919 to commemorate the victory of the Allies over the Central Powers. It was granted to those who actually served on the establishment of the unit within a theater of war between 1914 and 1919.

    Since his records have not survived, we do not know with particularity in what actions Hartley served. We do know however that he was a member of the 46th Machine Gun Company and that company joined the 15th (Scottish) Division February 12, 1916. It was moved to another division March 17, 1918, but we must assume that before then Hartley came to the United States.

    In the spring of 1916, the 15th Division suffered a German gas attack near Hulluch, 27-29 April. During the Battle of the Somme, it participated in the Battles of Pozieres and Flers-Courcelette and captured Martinpuich. It participated in the Battle of le Transloy, including the attack on the Butte de Warlencourt, which is owned by the WFA. During the Arras fighting, it participated in the first and second battles of the Scarpe. It participated during third Ypres or Passchendaele, at the very beginning in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge and the battles of Langemark during the second phase of Passchendaele.

    Other units composing the 15th Division were the 1/9 Royal Scots, 1/4 Suffolks, 7th King's Own Scottish Borderers, 8th King's Own Scottish Borderers, 10th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 4/5 Black Watch, 9th Black Watch, 10/11 Highland Light Infantry, 12th Highland Light Infantry, 1/4 Seaforth Highlanders and the 46th Trench Mortar Battery. It is interesting that the Highland Light Infantry was composed largely of Glaswegians, and Glasgow is certainly not in the Highlands!

    In my attempt to find our more about Private Hartley, I was given considerable assistance by Andrew Fitton of the Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the Western Front Association. Andrew has written the following account of his attempt to discover more about Hartley's life.

    Andy's Account

    I first saw Paul's request for information regarding James Hartley in the summer, on the WFA website forum. As he was born in a town not far from me, I volunteered to see if there was any information available. The search has carried on for five months or so and has taken me to several towns in the area.

    I will describe where the towns concerned are. Rawtenstall, the town where he was born lies about 15 miles north of Manchester. Darwen is about 8 miles west of Rawtenstall, across the moors which are a common sight in the area, and where he enlisted. Darwen lies a mile south of the City of Blackburn, indeed they are so close they now form one large administrative area. The local government is run from Blackburn. Bacup is about 5 miles east of Rawtenstall. All are in the county of Lancashire and were a large recruiting ground for the Lancashire Regiments during WWI.

    Being an amateur historian, not an expert, I thought I would conduct my search for information using the methods I have picked up over the last couple of years. These methods have almost always worked in the past and there was no doubt they would work in the case of Hartley. How wrong can one be!

    Taking the information from Soldiers Died and the C.W.G.C. website, the first visit was to the War Memorial at Rawtenstall. Unfortunately were no names on the memorial due to the large number of dead. In such instances, books of remembrance are compiled. A good friend from the area has the same Great War interest as me. He was contacted and recommended a visit to Bacup library as they hold files on local casualties, also a scan through the local paper for 1918 may find an obituary or an article regarding his death. After an evening of reading the paper and talking to members of the local Historical Society, I was informed that Rawtenstall had its own newspaper and filmed copies were held at the library in that town. Off I went.....

    The same search was carried out at Rawtenstall with the same result, nothing, not a sausage.

    Looking through the Rawtenstall telephone directory, I found one person with the surname Nerney. This was the family name taken by his widow when she remarried after the war. A phone call found me talking to a very nice but confused elderly lady. While I was trying to explain the story of his dying in WWI, she could only remember a relative who died in Africa in WWII. I sent her a letter asking her to contact me if she or her family had any information that would be helpful. No reply to date.

    My next course of action was to contact the local paper in Rawtenstall, "The Rossendale Free Press". An interview was arranged with a reporter and an article appeared in the paper the next week. Same negative response, very disappointing.

    I then turned my attention to Darwen, the town where he enlisted. What if he moved there after getting married? My wife Wendy was pleasantly surprised one evening when I asked if she would like go out for a meal rather than cooking. When I told her we had a little detour to make to look at a war memorial in Darwen I was rumbled (Lancashire speak for found out! PFG ). We went over to Darwen and found another memorial with no names on it. While we were in the town, I booked myself in at the library to take a look at the local paper, this I had to do a few days later due to work commitments. The meal on the way home was a delight...

    An entire afternoon was spent at the Darwen library, again searching the local paper, and also trying to locate the memorial book for the Great War. Nobody in the library knew where it was, or indeed if it still existed. I called at the local town hall which closed in 1974 after local government reorganization and it was empty. A sign told people to contact Blackburn Town Hall for help. A phone call to the local paper did not help as they did not know where the memorial book was held. Just before I left the library, I noticed a book in which a man from Blackburn had compiled all the names of men from the Blackburn area who had died in the Great War and were mentioned in the local press. In the book was a James Hartley! Was this our man?

    Blackburn Library was visited a few days later and a search through the papers found that this James Hartley was an officer in the East Lancashire Regiment and his address at the time of death was in Rochdale, the town I live in, 15 miles from Rawtenstall. This is not the man we were looking for. The wasted trip was compensated by a visit to the East Lancashire Regiment's chapel in Blackburn Cathedral. To see the battle honors on the standards was a very humbling experience indeed.

    On the way home Rawtenstall library was visited again. After a chat with a man in the library, I was directed to the local cemetery because, as the man told me, "If he's from 'round here, his name will be on the memorial." What memorial? I had to take a look. In the cemetery is indeed a memorial. It is quite unique. It was started in 1915 and was one of England's first. As men became casualties, their names were added. I was pleased but a little annoyed that the library staff, who work only half a mile away, did not know of this stone. A slow search of the names produced the same result, no Hartley.

    Along with the search, several friends and a relative helped me with some other details, many of which applied to him after his death. My brother (in Australia) found him on the recently released 1901 census. At this date, he was living on Hope Street, Rawtenstall with his two brothers and mother. His occupation was a quarryman, and his mother's birthplace was Musk, Ireland. Also, the certificate of his 38 year old widow's marriage to James Nerney , 58, (of Prospect View, Rawtenstall) in 1920 was found. When the then Imperial War Graves Commission (as C.W.G.C. was known then) were given his details, his widow was by this time married to Nerney, hence her address in Rawtenstall. The fact he was not on the "unofficial" war memorial, coupled with the fact that he was not mentioned in the local press of 1918, probably means he did not live in that town.

    James Nerney was also caught up in the tragedy of the war. James, Jr. died in 1917 while serving with the East Lancashire Regiment and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    Breakthrough

    As the deadline for completion of this article was nearly upon us, Wendy and I decided on a last chance tour of all the local towns and villages to see if there was any reference to James Hartley on any of the smaller war memorials, lunch in a pub, of course!

    We made an early start on a dismal Saturday morning and duly did a tour, starting south of Rawtenstall and working our way through towns with such names as Ramsbottom, Holcombe Brook and Belthorn, all old towns with their own beautifully kept memorials. However, by mid-afternoon it was becoming obvious his name was not going to be found and, with the light fading, we went back to the Darwen Library. This visit found us talking to a different librarian who really knew her stuff. Right next to where I had sat on the previous visits, was a shelf full of information on Darwen's war effort in WWI and WWII. One of the books listed all the Darwen men who died in WWI and were mentioned in the local press. In there was a J. Hartley of Pilkington Street. A quick search in the 1912 electoral register showed this man to be John Hartley who was a shopkeeper, not our man.

    I was busy reading when Wendy came over casually with a book compiled by the library listing all the men of Blackburn who died in WWI. There he was! J. H. Hartley!

    We found out the original Book of Remembrance was held at Blackburn Town Hall, but we would have to wait a little longer as the town hall only opens Monday to Friday. I made a little detour while at work on Monday, November 18, 2002 and called at the town hall to take a look at the book. His name was there. Paul's fear of his name not being recorded anywhere in England was put to rest . A man who died so far from home was remembered back home.

    From the few facts gathered, I will try and put together his story before he went to America.

    He was born in 1880. He lived on Hope Street, Rawtenstall in 1901 with his mother and two brothers. He found work in one of the many quarries that littered the hills in this area. His mother's birthplace was in Musk, Ireland and I would take a guess, that as Musk is on the west coast of Ireland, he was probably Catholic. He probably married Elizabeth Ellen Kelshaw before the war. They must have made a home somewhere in the Blackburn area, but Elizabeth moved back to Rawtenstall after his death and married again. This would explain her surname of Nerney and the Rawtenstall address on the C.W.G.C. website. He joined the Liverpool Regiment and trained as a machine gunner before being transferred to the newly formed M.G.C..

    It is safe to say though that, after seeing heavy combat, this 38 year old soldier, upon learning he was being assigned to train American soldiers in the United States, believed that he would unquestionably survive the war. He was wrong. I had feared that no one had cared enough to have him memorialized. I was wrong.

    It's been quite a pleasant search and I've learned a few new ideas for researching WWI casualties. I'll use some of them on my search into my Grandfather, Harry Wellens, 7/Kings Shopshire Light Infantry, Military Medal and Order of St. George (Russia), died of wounds September 5, 1916, age 34. He is buried at Abbeville Communal Cemetery. I started researching him five years ago..... but that's another story.

    Roberta Bennett




    206505

    Pte. John Joseph Dormer 2 Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.30th Jan 1916)

    My great uncle Jack Dormer was killed in France on the 30th of Jabuary 1916. He was about 36 years old married with two daughters, he was born in East London.

    I would like to know when he may have enlisted and also what battle or action he was engaged in when he died. He is buried in Rue Petilon Cemetry Fleurbaix. This information I have was from the CWGC there are no family members who could help. My thanks to anyone he may be able to help.

    Marie




    206504

    Cpl. William Green 1/5th Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.10th Sep 1916)

    William Green was my grandma's brother. His war records were destroyed in the WW2 blitz but we do have a letter from the trenches to his mum and dad, Elizabeth and John Green who lived in Wesham nr Preston, Lancashire.

    He was aged 29 when he died and was married to Mary. If anyone has any more info on him or anyone else from the same regiment, please get in touch by email. There is a photo of him in our local church, I will try to upload a copy at a future date.

    Elaine Cottam




    206497

    Pte. William Turner Durham Light Infantry (d.1917)

    All I know of my Grandfather, William Turner was that he was killed in World War 1 and my grandmother was sent a Scroll which read as follows:- "He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who at the call of the King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives so that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that his name not be forgotten."

    Henry Watling




    206495

    Richard John Gammon DFC. 104 Sqd.

    Richard John Gammon enlisted at Hampton Court in 1914/1915 and served in the trenches until getting 'trench feet'. He then volunteered for the R.F.C and flew D.H.9a bombers and was awarded the D.F.C He served with 104 squadron until 1919 when he was demobilised.

    J.A.Gammon




    206492

    Cpl. Hercules Sossick Royal Army Medical Corps

    Hercules Sossick was my Grandfather and before WW1 he was a Fine Art Plaster Moulder working in the family business, 'Sossick & Sons Fine Art Moulders', Chelsea. He joined the 1st Middlesex Royal Engineers (Volunteers) in College Street, Chelsea, S.W. on 19/11/1906.

    The story that I remember being told was that he was on parade one day when the men were asked if anyone had experience of plaster work. He stepped forward and ended up in the RAMC at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool. He spent the war years there making moulds of stumps and limbs for the manufacture of artificial limbs, which were in such great demand due to the tremendous number of amputees returning from the front. He was transferred to the reserve on 10/11/1919 and returned to his business.

    In 1927 he went to work for J.F.Rowley (1919) Ltd. which later became J.E.Hanger & Co. at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton. He worked there for over 30 years and retired as the foreman of the artificial limb repair shop. It was said that if anyone had a squeak or rattle in their artificial limb, my grandfather was the man they went to see. I have a number of photographs taken in the workshops at Alder Hey and have passed copies to the RAMC Museum at Mytchet.

    S.H.Sossick




    206486

    Pte. James Edward Wood 7th Service Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.14th Oct 1916)

    I know so little about my Grandad James Wood. My father, a WW2 veteran said Grandad had been killed on the Somme in 1916 when all his children were very young. I have seen his name at Thiepval and each time I visit I find it very moving. I will in time, I hope find out more.

    Clifford Wood




    206484

    Pte. Percy Goddard 1/7th Battalion Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment (d.12th Jun 1916)

    I know little about my great grandfather, Percy Goddard except that he settled in Swansea and worked on the railways, but having read about the horror of the war I would like his contribution to be recorded.

    Dianne Bowen




    206482

    Cpl. Harry Prentice Snell 1/5th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.16th Aug 1917)

    My uncle Harry Prentice Snell served with the Suffolk Reg (Territorials) and the the Gloucestershire Regiment. At 82 years of age I am completing my Family History and have already contacted the Gloucestershire Regiment and obtained from them a report covering the action in Ypres, Belgium also the aftermath resulting in the death of Uncle Harry. Having paid a visit to Ypres in September last and honoured his passing at the Commonwealth Memorial at Tyne Cot, Zonnebeke, West Vlaaderen, Belgium I am wondering if anyone may have any other information about him and maybe a photograph?

    Gordon Bickmore




    206467

    Sjt. Walter Gordon MacDonald MID. 12th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.12th May 1917)

    Walter McDonald was my great grandfather. I have been researching him for some time but have come to a dead end. He was mentioned in dispatches, but as of yet I cannot find out why. I have contacted the regimental HQ who helpfully sent me a copy of the war diary for this period, but alas Walter is not mentioned. I have acquired 2 differing copies of his Medal card, one with the Great war trio on and the other with just his MID. Any advice of avenues to follow would be gratefully received.

    John Macdonald




    206466

    Pte. James "Snowy" Brown 8th Btn Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My grandfather, James(Snowy) Brown enlisted when he was very young, some say at sixteen. He received the three medals better known as Pip Squeak and Wilfred. I have just inherited two of the three medals, (Squeak and Wilfred). The other is lost and may never be found. Although these medals have no financial value I treasure them and think how brave these young men must have been to face such horror at such a young age -God only knows what they went through. I can only imagine the shock and horrors that these men saw and lived. I can only say that I am indeed glad that it wasn't me.

    Kevin Kirkwood




    206463

    Pte. John Arthur March 1/6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    John Arthur March was my Great Grandfather. He passed away in 1987, when I was 4 years old and because of this I don't remember him, but I'm always interested in hearing about him.

    Jack joined the Army on the 5th January 1916 at the Glen Parva Recruitment Office in Leicester. On the 12th February 1916 he enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry and was sent to France and fought, as you might expect, in the Trenches. Because of his time in the Trenches he developed Trench Feet. It became seriously infected and it required him to be sent to the Graylingwell War Hospital in Chichester, England for 8 days. He was admitted on the 24th April 1917 and discharged on the 2nd May 1917. After that period he was then transferred to the Convalescent Hospital in Eastbourne, England and stayed there for 48 days. He was admitted on the 2nd May 1917 and was discharged on the 19th June 1917 and was then deemed reasonably fit to return active service, but had to stay in England. In total he spent 1 year, 7 months in France and 1 year 6 months in England as, but was also transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers at some point during the War. I'm trying to gather as much information about his time in the Northumberland Fusiliers as I can but it's proving to be tough to find out anything about it. During his time in the Trenches he would get bored at times and end up shooting the rats which may sound funny but this ended with him getting into trouble and he was called up on a Disciplinary, but he got off lightly and was cautioned. Whether he continued his assault on the rats I don't know.

    John March (Benfield) and his son John Arthur March. John Arthur March c1916 just before he was sent to France with the Durham Light Infantry & John March just before he was to join the National Reserves in England

    On the 4th April 1919, after the end of the War, he wasn't formally discharged. Instead he was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps as he was deemed too physically unfit to be able to be on the front line. Which I believe was due to developing Trench Foot. So, he survived the War and was able to return to his family and friends. Which I am extremely pleased about as it meant that I had a chance to meet my Great Grandfather. One strange thing is that both of his discharge dates are birthdays in my immediate family. Excluding the years, the 2nd May is my Mum's birthday and the 19th June is my brother's birthday.

    Martin Lewis O'Neill-March




    206456

    Sjt. William Dickinson MM & Bar. 18th Btn Durham Light Infantry

    My father William Dickinson couldn't get into the army fast enough in the summer of 1914 as he thought the war would be over by Christmas an didn't want to miss out. He went to Egypt then back for the Somme on July 1st 1916 where he was awarded his first military medal. He was awarded a bar to his MM. in April 1918 and was sent home for officer training by May/June and transferred to the RAF. He was demobbed from the RAF after training to be a pilot. He died in 1968 in Darlington.

    Geoff Dickinson




    206454

    Sjt. Isaac Waters Flintshire and Denbighshire Yeomanry

    Sergeant 3177 Ike Waters was my grandfather. He was a member of the Denbighshire Yeomanry, a mounted Territorial Force, prior to WW1 and then at the outbreak of war the Yeomanry formed part of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He served in that regiment with service number 345393. I recall as a young boy seeing a photo of my grandfather on his horse in Egypt and I believe this was taken in 1915. He then went back to the Denbighshire Yeomanry with service number 340401 and ended his army service with the RASC, number T/232880. Unfortunately I've not been able to trace his war service record and assume it is amongst the many that were destroyed.

    David Waters




    206452

    Rfm. Thomas Owen 5th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Thomas Owen was my grandfather on my mother's side. Unfortunately I never knew him or anything about him and as my mother was orphaned as a very young girl, she never knew him either. The information I have here was gleaned from his War Service Record.

    Thomas Owen enlisted in the army on 8 October 1914, just 2 months after the birth of his first child and the following day he found himself at Tidworth Park Camp. He was transferred to the 5th Battalion The Rifle Brigade in June 1915 and was posted to France on 28 July 1915. On 27 September 1915 he was wounded in France and returned to England. Thomas went back to France in January 1916 but on 26 March 1916 he was shot in the leg and returned to England. As a result of his wounds he was invalided out of the army and his discharge papers show that he was then in the 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade.

    I would be very interested to learn anything about the battles fought by the Rifle Brigade that might help me piece together his WW1 service.

    David Waters




    206445

    Thomas Wilson

    My grandfather, Thomas Wilson was born in 1883 in York. From word of mouth I believe he worked in the coal mines of Lancashire near Boothstown when he was called up for service in WWI, probably in 1916, or maybe 1917, when he was about 33. He was sent to fight in France. He was injured and sent back to a hospital in Lincoln, I believe the 4th Northern General Hospital. He recovered and took his wife and babies back to Boothstown in Lancashire before the war ended. I don't think he did anything heroic. But he lived, and I would like to find out his injuries, his regiment and anything else about him that is on file somewhere.

    Eunice Paulett




    206442

    Rfm. Francis Henry Oliver 1/17th Btn. London Regiment

    Frank Oliver was my Grandfather, he was a lewis gunner with the 17th Londons during the Great War. When my Father was a small child he asked him how many Germans he shot, to which Frank replied "I don't know. I couldn't see any. They were too far away. We were just ordered to shoot".

    My sister recalls he often complained of an aching leg due to a shrapnel wound. He would then tell her how he was wounded. He was in the trenches in France and said that his best friend saved his life. Apparently his friend was standing in front of him when a bomb fell. His friend took the full force of the bomb and was blown to pieces, while he was just left with shrapnel in his leg.

    Michele Minett




    206440

    Pte. John Edward Gledhill 1st Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.26th Sept 1917)

    My Great Uncle, John Gledhill perished at Polygon Wood on the 26th Sept 1917 during the 3rd battle of Ypres. He is mentioned in the War records as killed in action; however his body was never found and he is remembered at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium. What is unusual is that my mother's family never knew of his existence. It was as if he had never been born. He was the eldest of 4 Gledhill brothers that went to war, and he was the only one that never returned. I just feel that like many other soldiers who gave their lives, John Edward Gledhill, should not be forgotten.

    If anyone knows any further information about John Edward Gledhill, I would like to hear from them.

    Allan Dawkins




    206434

    Pte. Maurice Marshall 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    My Great Grand-Uncle. Maurice Matrshall died of his wounds and is buried in Grave IV, A18, Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France.

    His two brothers, William & David, survived the war only to both be struck down and die whilst still in France as a result of the Spanish Flu epidemic. William died Dec 16 1918 and David 5 Dec 1918. Both are buried in Glentham Lincolnshire.

    His nephew, my Grandfather, 9331 Private James William Marshall, survived the War. He also served with the Lincolns possibly 10th Bat. It was rumoured that he performed some act of gallantry during the conflict which would have led to the award of a senior medal award if this had been substantiated; alas his CO was killed later that day and with it his sponsor.

    G Marshall




    206432

    Pte. John William Taylor 12th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.7th Jan 1917)

    Jack Taylor was one of 4 killed men when a German shell burst in the trench. Three others were wounded.





    206430

    Pte. Reginald Francis Moore 1st Btn. Artists Rifles (d.10th Oct 1917)

    Frank Moore was is my Uncle, he died in the Great War at a place called Irish Farm. I know very little about him. My Mother, now deceased, was five years old when he died. He is remembered at Tyne Cot and I have seen his name there. I would love to know more but never will now so this is just to remember his name and the life he sacrificed for us.

    Valerie Brooks




    206423

    Pte. John Pitt 1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    John Pitt was my Great Grandfather, he was in the Territorial along with his brother prior to WW1. He lived with his wife and 2 kids before the war at his widower brother-in-law's place, who had a young daughter (Simmons family, I can't find anything on the brother?). They served around Hill 60 I believe for a while before moving to Loos.

    John's widow remarried an old cavalry soldier after the war and had one son but she never got over the loss of her first husband and cherished his medals, death plaque and few possessions. His widow eventually lived her last years with her first husband's son (my granddad and nan). She was upset at moving in the 1940s and losing a letter written by one of the few surviving officers from the assault on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. I think he said the usual but something about a trench barricade and Pte Pitt was in a bombing/bayonet party that was holding the Prussians off as long as they could and died bravely. I suppose that's the usual but it was sad both sides had very brave men who ended up killing each other. There were no prisoners or quarter given. I heard later it was one of the bloodiest close quarter battles of WW1 for the Brits on the Western Front, despite the bigger battles of 1916 onwards. Also heard the attack managed to take more of the redoubt than the main phase or any other unit - at least so.

    I appreciate the bloody casualties of the earlier Sept fighting, especially for the Guards and Highland Divisions. But where is the big historical and national coverage of what these part time soldiers did? I also heard when the Guards finally relieved them they cheered and wept at how few of the 46th Division survived. I believe it was also the largest battle a territorial unit the size of a division had fought in before - up to that time 1915. Sad both sides had very brave men who ended up killing each other.

    I lost a load of family in WW1 but few in WW2. Other G. Granddads survived, one served in Egypt, Gallipoli, Somme and beyond in the N Staffs and the Devon and Dorsets. I had one WW2 Gt Uncle (Leading Signalman Harry Barker)who served on the Hood but transferred before it went down. Alas he went down later in a destroyer with all hands - Signalman Henry Barker C/SSX 33062, H.M.S. Veteran, Royal Navy, Saturday 26 September 1942. Age 24. That's for another entry I guess!

    Beverley Dodd




    206418

    Pte. John Thomas Plant 8th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    <p>John Plant in abt. 1909.

    My half sister and I have just returned from a long planned pilgrimage to the grave of our paternal great uncle. It was a wonderful experience to see the now tranquil place in which he lies and very difficult to imagine the horrors of the battlefield that it once was.

    Private John Thomas Plant was a coal miner before he enlisted during the first war. John was the son of Job and Sarah Ann Plant(nee Salt) and was born in Cheadle Staffordshire. His older sister was our paternal grandmother. John came from a poor family and, in those days, TB was very common amongst the poorer folk. The irony of John`s early death at just 24 is that, from the very start of his life he was doomed to an early death. His sister, my grandmother, died at just 21 leaving behind her only child, my dad who was only 18 months old at that time. In later years, my Dad often told the tale of how his grandfather talked about his only surviving daughter, Harriet being on her death bed and saying "Our John is hurt, he is on the ground and won`t get up" soon after this Job had the telegram to say that John had been killed in action near Thiepval. My point is, that being a miner John could easily now lie at the bottom of a coal mine or have fallen victim of TB instead of now resting within view of the Thiepval Memorial and the Ulster tower from his grave in the Connaught Cemetery. John, being from a poor family, would never have had a headstone to his grave or lie in such peaceful surroundings and, having no wife or children to carry on his memory, he would now have been forgotten. Thanks to the CWGC his grave will always be tended and now bears a poppy wreath telling all who care to pause there that even though we, his great nieces, never actually knew him his memory will be loved and honoured down through the family. All we had is one single photo of a handsome young man, not in Army uniform but clad in his Sunday best. Now, we have memories of a beautiful sunny day and the photos we took of his family paying their respects, not just for themselves, but on behalf of our own father as well as those of his own father and mother who would never have been able to make that pilgrimage themselves.

    Estella Nobles




    206416

    Grace Dolman Anderson

    I am not sure of many facts regarding my great grandmother Grace Anderson (married name Lucas) as she died before I was born and my grandfather remembers very little. He says she was in the Women's Land Army as a young woman and married a middle class man called George Samuel Lucas. Apparently this caused a stir in the middle class Lucas family and George was cut off as he had married beneath himself.

    I do have a photograph of her as an old woman, but none when she was young, as my grandfathers house burned down in the seventies and most family photos were lost. I really want to find out more and would be so grateful for anything anyone can tell me.

    Sarah Rose




    206415

    Pte. Alexander Ewan 2nd Btn Seaforth Highlanders (d.13th Apr 1917)

    Alec Ewan is my wife's great uncle and he is buried in the military cemetery at Aubigny-en-Artois near Arras. We don't know much, but we do know he "died of wounds" so we suspect he succumbed to his injuries at a Casualty Clearing Station, of which there appears to have been three at Aubigny (No's 24, 30 and 42) around this time.

    The 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders were in action on 11 April 1917 between Fampoux and Roeux (part of the Battle of Arras) and we can only surmise that he was wounded there, removed from the field to the CCS where he died two days later. Alec was 19.

    Stephen Procter




    206404

    Pte. John William Welch 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1917)

    William Welch was my great uncle. He was in the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and then transferred to the 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment. He was killed in August 1917 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres in Belgium. He was 24.

    I have been researching my family tree and knew of my Grandmother's brother who died in WW1, but thought it would be too difficult to track him down as we had no details. However, a visit to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website found him and googling his details gave us the information that he had worked for the South Eastern & Chatham Railway Company as a checker before enlisting. As well as confirming that he had started the war in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry.

    My Father is thrilled at the information we have managed to find as he knows very little about his family and reading about him and knowing that he gave his life makes us very proud.

    Hayley Smith




    206397

    L/Cpl. George Neale MM & Bar 22nd Btn. (Trench Mortars) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Aug 1916)

    <p>George Neale MM & bar (Sitting)

    I was researching our Family Trees and attended a course at our local library. The tutor on the course was researching his ancestor in The Tyneside Irish and he was very interested when I told him about the MM and Bar of my husband's grandfather, George Neale. He arranged for my husband and I to accompany him to the Archives in Alnwick Castle. I did not find out much more than I had already researched.

    However during the course I told the tutor that I remembered my uncle William Emmerson Metcalfe had several medals which I had seen when I was a child. I thought he was in the Durham Light Infantry, but after much searching on the internet I found he too had served with the Northumberland Fusliers and he too had been awarded the MM. He did survive the war and lived into his 70s. Other than his Medal card I could not find anything more as he and his family are all deceased now .

    I thought that was the end of it until someone on one of my genealogy sites informed me that uncle Emmerson's medals were for sale at a Medal Dealers shop in Hexham. I was able to buy back the medals - I don't know how they came to be for sale - and now, along with George Neale's MM and Bar, we will pass them down through the family. Sadly, however, when George's widow died his other medals and many mementos were split among the family and are now in Canada with the family of George's only daughter.

    This is not the end. On reading on your website today I think I am right in assuming that both George Neale and William Emmerson Metcalfe were involved in the same assault on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the day that George was awarded his MM. Emmerson Metcalfe had to wait until 2 Nov 1918 for his MM and he survived but George was killed on 30 Aug 1916 .

    Irene Neale




    206391

    Pte D. H. Richards South Wales Borderers

    I have found a silver George V "coin". It is the size of a crown (5 shillings)It has a horseman on the back armed with a sword and at his feet a skull and crossbones. It is dated 1914 - 1918. Around the rim is engraved 44473 PTE D. H. RICHARDS S WALES BORD. It looks commemorative and but has no value engraved on it. I just wondered if you could throw any light on this? It just turned up in my late father's random coin collection with a load of old pennies and half crowns.

    Editors Note:

    What you have is a British War Medal, which was awarded to all ranks who rendered service to His Majesty's Forces between 5th of August 1914 and 11th November 1918 in a theatre of war.

    T. Stone




    206388

    Able Sea. Stanley Riseborough Nelson Battalion (d.10th Aug 1917)

    My great uncle, Stanley Riseborough was often talked about in my youth by my two great aunts, who died only about 20 years ago. Stan was an insurance agent and enlisted in the Royal Navy to go to sea.He was 31 years old and was attached to the 6th battalion RND on 4/11/1915.

    He was then drafted from 7th Reserve Battalion at Blandford to 189 Brigade Machine Gun Company and embarked on SS "Onward" to France. After being wounded on 26.2.1917 he was invalided to England by HMS"Formosa" eventually going on leave to Gateshead from 30.04.1917 until 09.05.1917. On 20.06.1917 he was drafted to Nelson Battalion from 4th Reserve Battalion at Blandford and joined the Battalion on 22.07.1917.

    He was killed in action on 10.08.1917 after only 19 days in his second tour of France. He was 33 years old. He is buried in a peaceful place near to where he fell. He was regarded by everyone as a "canny man" with a great sense of fun. We have all his postcards he sent from Blandford after he was wounded and they make poignant reading as he describes "Peace, perfect peace"

    His brother Leith graduated from Kings College Durham and was captured in 1914 and escaped twice but was recaptured. His account of his time as a prisoner-of-war is now with the Imperial War Museum in their archives.

    Tony Bell




    206387

    Pte. William Edward Thompson 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    William Thompson joined up at Wingate, Co Durham and served with 14th Battalion DLI until her was wounded in September 1915. He returned home and on recovery was posted back to France with 15th DLI.

    William was killed in action on 1st of July 1916 but he has no known grave. He is listed on pier and face 14a and 15c on the Thiepval Memorial. He left a wife but no children. My father, his nephew, was born in 1919 and was named William E., in his honour.

    Alan Thompson




    206380

    Pte. Thomas Albert Wilson MM. DCM. 11th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Thomas Wilson was awarded the D.C.M. for Gallantry on Somme, a member of my family is in possession of the Military Medal he received. I have a copy of the telegram which reads:

    11th. (S) Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment. No. 13617. Pte Thomas Albert Wilson.

    For the conspicuous gallantry on July 5th. during a German bomb attack on our trenches before Contalmaison. After being ordered to retire, and armed with a clogged rifle, he remained behind alone in order to give more time to organize defence lower down the trench, and thereby successfully enabled the position to be held at that point.

    Jennifer Harrison




    206374

    Sjt. Edward John Young 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916)

    My Great Uncle, Serjeant Edward John Young, died on July 1, 1916 aged 35, at the Battle of the Somme fighting for freedom with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with the 36th Ulster Division of the British Empire trying to take the Thiepval Plateau.

    He died with his men, and his family would like his name to be forever remembered as a proud Irish farmer that fought for freedom. He is buried in the Bray Vale British Cemetery, in the village of Bray-Sur-Somme, France, having been moved there in 1923 from the Fields of Thiepval where he fell in defense of freedom.

    I visited his grave, the first member of my family to do so on September 13, 2010, and it was one of the most moving experiences of my life.

    Dennis G. Bellingtier




    206372

    Cpl. Charles Duckworth 3rd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

    I am researching my grandfather's army details. If any one has any information about his service between 1914 when he enlisted aged 40 and when he was pensioned out in 1919 suffering from malaria, I would like to hear from you.

    John Duckworth




    206371

    Pte. James Henry Eustace 8th Battalion Princess Charlotte of Wales Royal Berkshire Regime (d.25th Sep 1915)

    James Henry Eustace died at the Battle of Loos. The family has no information as to whether he is remembered on any epitaph or monument in France. All we know is he is listed as killed in action.

    His father, Thomas Henry Eustis, (as the surname was spelt until he enrolled) died in 1900 when James was 5 years old. James's younger brother, Gabriel, enrolled in 1916, after James's death and survived the war. Which must have been a relief to their mother, Matilda, after having already lost her husband at the age of 28, leaving her with three children under the age of 8, with no way of supporting them and so having to give the first born child, a daughter to her in-laws to bring up. Losing both sons I think would have been unbearable

    Julie Anne Eustace




    206370

    Pte. Alexander Mccallum 6th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.28th Dec 1918)

    I am trying to find information of my Great Uncle, Alexander McCallum born in Co. Down 20/11/1879. I know he is buried in a Military Cemetery in Dublin. I have very little information about him, except his birth place & his parents. I would appreciate any help anyone can offer.

    Pat Hammond




    206367

    Pte. James Leahy 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.13th Mar 1915)

    My great great great uncle, James Leahy, fought in the First World War. We traced him through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.His name is on the Le Touret Cemetery. We visited there about 4 years ago and it is kept really beautifully.W e also visited the Royal Green Jackets in Winchester where we were given a copy of his Battalion diaries for the days up to, and a few days following, including the day he was killed in action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. We also visited the area where the battles would have taken place very very moving. We laid flowers around the area we looked at for our James, as well as laying them at the cemetery where his name is engraved. There is also a book at the Cemetery which is available for relatives to look at which, when we looked it, had James' parents' names in there.

    If any one has any photographs of the 2nd battalion Rifle Brigade I would love to see them.

    Maria Thornes




    206365

    Pte. Albert Ishmael "Abby" Grocock 1st/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Apr 1918)

    <p>

    My great uncle, Pte Albert Ishmael Grocock (Formerly 14069, East Yorks Regt.), was killed on the 9th April at the Battle of Estaires which was fought between the 9th and 11th April as one of the Battles of the Lys. Like so many, his body was never recovered and his bones lay scattered beneath the fields in Flanders. The story goes that he was blown up by a shell whilst trying to capture a bridge in the French town of Estairs. He was aged just 20.

    Does anyone know who the soldier is having his hair cut by Albert?

    We have pictures of Albert (or `Abbey' as he was known), as an army barber, cutting one of his mate's hair. Another picture shows him having fun, engaging in a mock battle, for the sake of the photograph, capturing one of his mates. All a stark contrast to what lay ahead. If any one can identify any of the other people in the photographs, it would be greatly appreciated.

    Albert (left) finding time with his mates to perform for the camera a mock capturing of the enemy!

    Albert sitting for the camera in uniform. A young man, who's life, like so many of those who will have sat in that very chair, was tragically cut short so soon after this photograph was taken.

    Rest in peace Albert. We have helped ensure that you will never be forgotten. Thank you to the creator of this website.

    David




    206364

    Pte. Alexander Wood 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th Oct 1914)

    <p>

    Alexander Wood was my great, grand uncle and I only discovered him recently when researching my family history. I know that he was aged about 28 when he was killed in action at Ypres, France. I found his service records but they are largely illegible. Any further information that anyone may have would be greatly appreciated. Sadly, we have no pictures of Pte Alexander Wood so would be overjoyed if someone submits one to this site.

    Rest in peace great grand Uncle Alex. You would never have dreamed of this future technology (the internet)and how it will ensure that you won't be forgotten. Thank you to the creators of this website.

    David




    206358

    Pte. Thomas Edwards Remount Squad Army Service Corps

    I don't know a lot about my great grand father, ThoMas Edwards. All I have is name rank and number and 2 War Medals that he received for his service. But I would like to know more about the job he did and if he went to France. Are there any photos? Has anybody ever heard of his name? I would love to hear any stories.

    Anthony Edwards




    206344

    Pte. James Broadley 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    My Grandfather's name is James Broadley. He was born into a mining family on 1st Jan 1895 in County Durham. In 1914 he was living in a poor area of North West Durham at 69 Wood Street, Shotley Bridge. At the outbreak of the WW1 James Broadley, service number 1798, and his older brother William Broadley, service number 3207, joined the the 6th Reserve Battlion DLI at Consett.

    In 1915 the Battalion was sent off to France with 151st brigade, 50th Division to take part in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. On 26th April the 6th went into the line under fire on Hill 37 near Zonnebeke. On the 30th April during the German shelling my Grandfather and three other soldiers were buried by an explosion. Lance-Corporal J.J.Robinson from Shotley Bridge, single handedly dug them out under shell fire and was awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The casualties during this baptism of fire were 45 out of 120. Total losses to 151 Battalion during the five days of fighting were 245 and 34 missing.

    My Grandfather survived WW1 although he was later gassed, taking part in Battles at Sanctuary Wood, Hill 60, Arras and The Somme. James Broadley was again lucky to survive the German push in 1918 when the 6th battalion was decimated. After the battle he was transferred and finished the war with the South Staffs, service number 238077.

    My father told me that the 6th DLI survivors in the village often laughed when relating the story of my grandfather being dug out by J. J. Robinson. Grandfather's brother William also survived the war in a German POW camp after being gassed and captured in 1918.

    David Broadley




    206342

    Sjt. William Albert Cross 21st Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.25th Jan 1918)

    My Great-Uncle William Cross was killed in action at the age of 22yrs and is buried at Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. I have not been able to locate William's service records, so if anyone has any information about him, I would love to hear from them.

    Andy Cornell




    206332

    Capt. George Archibald Rosser MID. 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    George Rosser was commissioned into the Hampshire Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant on the 18the of Sept 1909, he was promoted to Lieutenant on the 1st of Novemeber 1911, and to Captain on the 13th of April 1915.

    At the Gallipoli Landing, Lt Rosser served on board the 'River Clyde' in command of the machine guns. The action that took place on V beach has been well documented, but what is not well know, is that 'only the machine guns in the bow of the River Clyde ably controlled by Lt G.A. Rosser of the 2nd Hants and Commander Josiah Wedwood, M.P,, of the R.N.R, the moral effect of the naval guns, and possibly the barrier of wire prevented the Turks from counter-attacking and annihilation the party at the water's edge' - an Extract from the "History of the 29th Division" by Captain Stan Dillon.

    Promoted to Captain and Adjutant, Rosser was present at the Battle of Krithia on the 28th April 1915, the second battle on 8th of May 1915 and the third battle on 4th of June 1915, during which, he was wounded. Captain Rosser later served in command of the 133rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps, serving in Mesopotamia and Egypt.

    After the war Captain Rosser transferred to an armoured car unit of the Royal Tank Corps and served in Malabar, in command of No 8 Armoured Car Coy, later transferring to No 9 Armoured Car Unit, then serving in the Waziristan Campaign. Rosser ended his army career as Lt Colonel of the 1st (Light) Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment.

    Anthony Conroy




    206326

    Sgt. Walter Ernest Frost MM. 7th Btn. Royal Warwicks

    My Grandfather, Sgt Walter Frost, served in the 7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1914-1918. We know he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the Italian Campaign but the records were destroyed in the Coventry Blitz 1940. I have his medals and also correspondence relating to the Military Medal but this medal is not recorded on his medals card. I have the original medal but we are unable to find any facts as to what lead to the award.

    Ian Frost




    206317

    Cpl. Fred Mortimer Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>Brass band of the Royal Irish Rifles, including nine bandsmen from Luton Red Cross Band. Fred Mortimer on extreme left.

    In 1914 my grandfather, Fred Mortimer, was the bandmaster of Luton Red Cross Band. When war was declared he and the other eight bandsmen of military age volunteered for France, expecting to work as military bandsmen.

    Once in France, though, they were employed as stretcher-bearers. Fred thought this was because of the "Red Cross" in the band's name. As bandmaster he was told he could either be a sergeant unpaid, with the privileges of the rank,or a corporal unpaid. Living in Luton he might be, but Fred was a Yorkshireman, from Hebden Bridge, with a wife and six young children to support. He chose to be paid.

    As the war dragged on the powers that be decided that morale needed lifting and so the band members were given back their instruments. However,because he was only a corporal Fred could not now lead the band. He had to take his orders from an unpaid sergeant, a well-meaning vicar who played the organ and had no experience of brass bands whatsoever. Fred said that the first parade they did was a shambles because the vicar insisted on putting the trombones at the back, giving the horns in front of them a very uncomfortable time indeed.

    Fred survived to become the most successful band conductor of the 1930's leading Foden's Motorworks band to victory at the Brass Band Championships no less than seven times.

    Deirdre Linton




    206312

    Pte. Edward Raynor Midgley 9th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.27th September 1917)

    Edward Midgley was one of about 450 casualties at Dickebusch near Ypres on 27th September 1917. His body was not found and he is listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial where his brother John Thomas Midgley is also listed.

    He was 24 years old. He was the uncle of Harry Mortimer the brass band conductor and radio personality who told how the two uncles, along with his aunt Mary Eliza Mortimer of the Women's Service, managed to have a reunion in Belgium not long before Edward's death.

    Deirdre Linton




    206311

    Pte. John Thomas Midgley 1st/6th Battalion West Yorkshire (d.3rd May 1918)

    John Thomas Midgley was 34 when he died. "Son of the late John and Elizabeth Anwell Midgley, of 24, Woodbine Place, Hebden Bridge; husband of Florence Midgley, of 9, Cliffe St., Hebden Bridge, Yorks." as it says on the War Graves record. He is listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

    He was the uncle of Harry Mortimer OBE, the brass band conductor and radio personality. In his autobiography "On Brass" Harry wrote: "Two of my uncles on my mother's side and aunt Eliza, [my father] Fred's sister who had joined the Women's Service, somehow managed amongst all that chaos to meet up for a brief reunion [in Belgium]. It was the last time the two uncles had any family contact, as they were soon to be yet another two digits in the lists of the fallen." The other uncle was Edward Raynor Midgley.

    Deirdre Linton




    206290

    Sjt. Tom Willey Lincolnshire Yeomanry

    I don't know very much about my great grandfather, Tom Willey but so far I have learned that he joined the Lincolnshire Yeomanry, having been a farmer in North Willingham, Lincolnshire.

    My grandmother was born in 1911, so aged 3 at the time of her father going to war. My great grandfather took his horse with him and served in the Middle East although I don't know which campaigns.

    I have a photo of my great grandfather is a parade through a street in the Middle East or possibly North Africa. I do not know the country or city in the picture. I also do not know the year of the photograph. I knew he was in the photo because he is right at the front of the parade with his sergeant stripes very clear along with two officers. He also looks exactly like my father!

    My great grandfather returned from the war and lived in New Bollingbroke, Lincolnshire until his death in the 1960s. I would love to find out more about his life and war service.

    My grandmother is now deceased and not much information was passed on to my father. I hope to scan the photo (which is huge) and enter onto the computer to preserve it in another format. Another fact about the photo is that I think it was an army photographer, the name on the bottom being based in Aldershot.

    Kate Pine




    206287

    Albert Edwin James Richardson HMS Clan McNaughton (d.3rd Feb 1915)

    I recently acquired a death plaque circa 1915, bearing the name Albert Edwin James Richardson. Having carried out a brief search on the net I believe he was a Royal Marine serving on HMS Clan McNaughton lost 3 Feb 1915. If there are any surviving descendants I would be pleased to give them the plaque.

    Bob Hughes




    206285

    Pte. John Wallace Keith 14th (Fife and Forfar Yeomanry) Btn. Black Watch (d.2nd Sept 1918)

    My Grandmother's youngest brother, John, worked in the ticket office of Kirkcaldy Railway Station and either enlisted or was called up in 1916 aged 20. He was first sent to Egypt but after a bout of dysentry was sent back home to recuperate. John returned to France but was killed on the Somme at the village of Moislains, 2nd September 1918, aged 22. Three officers and 37 other ranks died in the same action.

    John Keith is commemorated on the War Memorials in his home town of Ladybank and in nearby Giffardtown also in Fife, also on the National Railworkers Memorial in Waverley Station, Edinburgh. The Keith family never knew where John was buried, the Books of Remembrance inside Edinburgh Castle show 'no known grave'. However, many years after his parents and siblings had died, the Commonwealth War Graves website put full details of WW1 casualties online and the final resting place of John Wallace Keith was found to be the Communal Cemetery in Peronne. Surviving members of his family have visited the site and say it is a quite beautiful place. RIP John

    Audrey Wilson Wade




    206284

    Gnr. William Hardy 1st Lowland Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    William was my Granddad. He died before I was born but had survived the War. He joined up in August 1914 serving with the 1st Lowland Battery and suffered a shrapnel wound to his right leg on 28/3/1918 which shattered bone. On his discharge from hospital William was transferred to Unit 185 Labour Company where he remained until the end of the war. He "proceeded to Purfleet for Demob" on 12.01.1919 (Long Service). His date of transfer to reserve is listed as 17.02.1919 This is about as much as I could glean from Grandad's service records. Most of the records were held at the War Office Building at Arnside Street in London which was destroyed by fire resulting from a German air raid in 1940. Well over half the records there were lost and many that did survive were damaged by smoke and water (as with my grandad's). Happily, part of his record had been copied to the Pensions Office - I obtained copies of the burnt and unburnt records via Ancestry.co.uk.

    James Knight




    206280

    Pte. William Henry Oyitch 2/5th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1917)

    Pte W.H.Oyitch was killed on the 1st July 1917 at the Battle of Arras. His officer, Lt. James B O'Reilly wrote that he was very cool and very useful right up to the time of his death and all his comrades all mourn his death, He certainly would have received a decoration and also have been promoted.

    Kevin Reynolds




    206278

    Pte. William Sissons West Yorkshire Regiment

    My wife's grandfather, William Sissons served in the West Yorkshire Regiment during World War 1. I believe he was wounded in the Dardenelles Campaign and was evacuated to a hospital in France. we have been unable to find his service records. Any assistant anyone can give me, would be much appreciated.

    Gordon Birch




    206270

    Pte. George Higgins 1/7th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.22nd Sep 1915)

    George Higgins was born at Sutton Farm, Shrewsbury. He went to live in Lancashire when he was a young man. He married Hannah Roberts. They had two daughters.

    He served at Gallipoli where he was killed on the 22nd of September 1915. He left his wife and daughters, the eldest being 3years old and the youngest only 4 months.

    Margaret Clarke




    206261

    James E Furniss 4th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (d.30th July 1917)

    I am looking for information about a British Officer from World War 1. The reason is that I have bought an officers sword M/1897 with the owner's name engraved and I want to know more about this officer and the unit he belonged to: James E Furniss Second Lieutenant Royal Irish Rifles 4th Bn. Killed in action 31/07/1917 Age 29 Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Son of John E, and Ellen Furniss, of Straid, Ballynure, Co. Antrim I would appreciate if anyone could help me with any information about this officer, his background, his career, his units, were he fought and were he died and a picture of him and about the Royal Irish Rifles 4th Bn. I visited the Somme-area this summer including the Ulster Tower and Thiepval and my interest increased when I recently bought the sword

    Martin ÃÆ?Ã???kesson




    206260

    Pte. Andrew Gove 7th. Bn "C" Coy. Gordon Highlanders (d.14th Nov 1916)

    KIA at Beaumont Hamel. Age: 19 years

    Stewart Robertson




    206257

    Pte. Robert William Platt Royal Field Artillery

    I am trying to search some history on my Grandad R W Platt who, I believe, was aged about 15/16 upon joining the Army (possibly Royal Artillary) and would appreciate any information or assistance.

    I was told that he was awarded a Medal for capturing and taking several German prisoners alive and back to Allied lines during some stage of the battle .

    This is the only information I can recall so if anybody could assist,fill in the gaps or point me in the right direction this would be appreciated .Thank You

    lorraine




    206247

    P.O. Maurice Reid HMS Illustrious (d.23rd Aug 1914)

    We, as children knew only that our Grandfather died in the First World War but we knew hardly anything about the man our Grandmother married and sadly lost when she was a young woman of 31. Our Grandfather was 47 when he died leaving two daughters and a son and a third daughter was born after he died. Through the internet and some wonderful sites like your own I found out quite a bit about him but never saw a photograph of him and I know nothing about his family. My Grandmother was from Whitegate, Co. Cork so I assume they met in Spike Island or some such place. I'm passionate now about finding out as much as I can about him. Will keep in touch with your site.

    Patricia Dillon




    206245

    Pte. William Frederick Sinclair Welsh Regiment

    William Sinclair enlisted 10th March 1911 and entered Theatre of War France on 16th Jan 1915, he was discharged due to wounds 21 August 1919. He was married with one son also named William Frederick Sinclair,born 1911. After the War he never returned home and joined the Fleetwood Fishing Fleet serving on the MV 'Rachel' registered at Fleetwood. He complained of constant 'Gas' attacks to the crew, unfortunately whilst docked at Milford Haven on the 25 August 1924 other crew members heard him complain of a 'Gas' attack he went up top and was being sick when they heard a splash and he disappeared believed having fallen over board. After a search his body was found the next day. An inquest was held on the 4th September 1924 and a decision of accidental death was recorded with the War being a contributing factor.

    A very sad and familiar story of a regular Soldier stationed in India before the War who went to war and suffered as a result of 'the Gas' unfortunately his son (my father) never knew his father and I never knew my grandfather. It took many years to even trace who he was and where he went, I am still unable to trace where he was buried. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British war medal,Victory Medal I have never seen a photograph of him but through the search to trace him I have seen photo's of his Grandfather.

    Update I have since learnt that in 1921 I believe bigamously he married a Mary Richardson in 1921 in Blackpool, I can find no trace of any children.

    G J Sinclair




    206244

    Rfm. William Phillips 6th Btn. London Regiment

    My step grandfather, William Phillips was born in Milton,Gravesend in Kent on 20.6.1892. He was posted to France on 24.12.1916 with the 6th Londons. He was blown up by a shell and had abdominal pain. He was sent to Huddersfield War Hospital and subsequently sent back to France. He sufferred from inhaling gas on five occasions but managed to see the war out and was discharged on 11.3.1919.and sent home. He married my grandmother on 28.12.1915 and lived until 29.9.1973.

    Valerie Skelton




    206240

    Bdr. Walter Pollard Royal Horse Artillery

    My Grandad Walter Pollard was in the Royal Horse Artillery as a Bombadier, his medals are the `1914- 1915 Star` `Victory Medal` and `British Medal`. On his records there is a reference to `R.F.A 346B` I assume this is the Royal Field Artillery (346 Battery, Battalion, bombadier?) Family members think that he may have been at The Battle of Mons. I am afraid that is all I know about his war. But, when he came to live with us (near Salisbury in the late 60`s) in the last years of his life,and as a young boy (about 10 years old),I would see him waving a clenched fist, and shouting `Bloody Hun`. This used to frighten me and I would leave the room.Nobody in the family would talk about it.

    In WW2, Grandad worked on a Lightship near Gt Yarmouth, I think it had `Cromer` on the side. Grandad told me a story when on board the lightship he and his mates were watching a dog fight, when a German plane attacked their ship and several of his mates were killed.

    Gary Pollard




    206239

    Christopher Laffan Leinster Regiment

    I am trying to trace my grandfather's Regiment in the Army from circa 1909-1918. He served in Ranikhet, India. My mother,his daughter, was born there. Her name was Margaret Mary Laffan born February 6 1913. Her mother's name was Annie Laffan, nee Griffin. He served in Ranikhet, India, his daughter, was born there. Her name was Margaret Mary Laffan born February 6 1913. Her mother's name was Annie Laffan, nee Griffin.

    Editor's Note: Christopher served with the Leinster Regiment. Regiments can be traced from the WW1 Medal Cards, for further information please see our Family History FAQ page

    Margaret J Doran




    206232

    L/Cpl. Frederick Moon 10th (Service) Battalion Cheshire Regiment (d.26th July 1916)

    Enlisted in 1914.

    Originally posted to 9th Cheshire's. Transferred to 10th Cheshire's.

    Wounded in hip in 1915 returned home for a couple of months.Sent back to France on 24th Dec 1915.

    Killed in action on 26th July 1916 some where just outside Albert he is buried in Knightsbridge Cemetery in France.

    William Churm




    206224

    Pte. Charles Felix Shaw Royal Engineers

    My grandfather Charles Felix Shaw enlisted on 3 May 1915 at Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green and was given an immediate medical. His war record file at Kew shows he was aged 37 and was enlisted in the Royal Engineers. His trade at that time was a "pianoforte finisher". He was sent to France in Feb 1916 and received gunshot wounds on 1 July 1916. He was operated on in France and sent back to England on 18th July 1916. He seemed to be transfered between hospitals in Ipswich, Seaford and Thetford. Whilst in the latter hospital he was diagnosed as having a heart condition and was eventially dischanged as permanently unfit for active service on 7 Nov 1917. He was granted a weekly pension of £1 7s 6d. He brought up 3 children including my father Leonard. He died in London in 1947 of pulmonary tuberculosis

    Brian Shaw




    206221

    Private Luke Potts 174 Tunn. Coy. RE Royal Engineers (d.31st Jul 1916)

    I am afraid that I do not know anything about Luke Potts. He was my father's older half brother. I would love to know more about him. Our family do not seem to have any photographs of him either and we would love to have one. In the family altogether there was 17 children as gran and grandpa had both been married before then when they married and they had a family together.

    He must have been highly regarded by he fellow friends in the village as they presented him with a bible inscribed:-

    'Presented to Sapper Luke Potts 174 Coy. Royal Engineers by the workmen and inhabitants of Kibblesworth as a mark of appreciation of his self sacrificing duties to his country cause. 30th December 1915.' I have this bible and treasure it very much.

    He is burried at Auchonvillers Military Cemetary, France and my cousin has visited his grave on many occasions and finds it very moving every time he goes.

    Catherine Cowing




    206217

    2nd Lt. Leslie William Hawkins 6th Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment

    Leslie Hawkins was my Grandpa. He enlisted in the Second County of London Yeomanry in December 1915. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in August 1917, then Kings Own Royal Lancs. Then after a discharge, he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant of the 6th Battalion in the Sherwood Foresters in March 1918. He saw action at Bellenglise, Sambre-Oise Canal and Cambria. He survived, resigned his commission in 1922.

    Apparently he rarely talked about the horrors. He died at 80, but sadly being too young to know, I never got a chance to talk to him, recognise what he had done or really appreciated his experience in his presence. Clearly an extraordinary man but also in my memory, good to be around. Gone but never forgotten.

    Brian Neil




    206216

    Sergeant Roland Cavendish "Bob" Gamble Machine Gun Corps

    My Grandfather lived in Leeds and was serving an apprenticeship as a printer when he joined the army. His employer very kindly kept open his job until his return. He died in 1978.

    Victoria Thompson




    206212

    L/Cpl William Job Packer 8th Btn. A Coy. Royal West Kent Regiment (d.6th April 1916)

    William was my Great Uncle and I discovered him through family research. According to his army records he was a L/Corp but was disciplined by a court-martial. The basics were that he was demoted due to 'behavior unbecomming'. No exact details which I'mm sure would make an interesting read! The Company records show that no entry was ever made of his death nor were there records in the attached field hospital attached to the Division. William was billeted in a barn at Dranoutre with other Corporals and Sergeants and during the early hours the first shell of the day scored a rather unfortunate direct hit on the barn. He was one of 6 to die as a result and I have not been able to find details of the other casualties. All I know is that they are not buried in the same place.

    Simon Dennis




    206210

    L/Cpl. William Oliver Crathorn 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Birth: Sep. 27, 1891 Birmingham Warwickshire, England Death: Sep. 15, 1916, France [Edit Dates] William Oliver Crathorn was born on the 27th September 1891 at 21 Cavendish Road, Ladywood, Birmingham,Warwickshire, England. He was the only child born to William and Alice (nee Holmes),

    On the 1901 census William, aged 10, is shown living at "back" of 103, High Street, Harborne, Birmingham, England, with his Mother and Father. Ten years later, on the 1911 Census, aged 19, he is still living with his parents at number 20, back of 141 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham, England. He is listed as an unemployed gardener.

    After his death, his name W O Crathrn was entered on the War Memorial that stands in the churchyard of St.Peter's Church Harborne, Birmingham, England. The wording on the Memorial reads; To the glory of God and in remembrance of the men of Harborne who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1919. Their name liveth for evermore. The following information appears on the Commonweath War Graves site. Crathorn, William Oliver Cemetery: Thiepval Memorial Country: France Area: Somme Rank: Lance Corporal Official Number: 16150 Unit: 4th Bn. Coldstream Guards. Force: Army Nationality: British Details: 15th September 1916. Pier and Face 7 D and 8 D. This small report was found on the internet made by a visitor to the Battlefield in 2003. The Guards Division didn't join the Battle until September as they were serving on different part of the line. On the 15th September 1916, the Guards Division took to the line at Ginchy where another large attack was planned.

    This was the first battle in which tanks were committed and the Division was allocated three. Unfortunately, despite initial success, the tanks were prone to mechanical failure and soon broke down.

    This was also the first occasion in which three Coldstream Battalions fought side-by-side in line. The 4th (Pioneer) Battalion was also present in support. The initial assault soon became muddled as a German machine-gun on the flank was causing much trouble. It was here that Lt Col J V Campbell, Commanding the 3rd Battalion, rallied the troops of various battalions, who had by now become completely mixed up, and led them to take these German positions and protect the flank. Once this was achieved he led them on to their objective. For his valour on that day, Colonel Campbell was awarded the Victoria Cross. Sunday morning saw us at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing on the Somme. This impressive memorial holds the names of over 73,000 men from the Somme Battles who have no known grave.

    Stev Crathorn




    206208

    Pte. John Ellis 1st Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry (d.12th Oct 1916)

    My great uncle enlisted in Bangor, North Wales into the 284 Denbigh Yeomanry.

    He had been working with horses on a farm in Anglesey, where his mother thought he was. It was not until she received the telegram to say that he had been killed did she know that he had enlisted. He died aged 22. As her first language was Welsh she had to take the telegram down to the village Post Office so that it could be read to her. Apparently her hair turned white overnight.

    Her other son was serving with the Navy. Whilst on deck one night during an attack he heard a voice telling him that he would survive the War but his brother would not. He had no idea that his brother had enlisted. After the war he became a lay preacher.

    At some time John changed his unit to the King's Shropshire Light Infantry 1st Batt. He was killed on 12 October 1916 during the Battle of Transloy attacking Zenith Trench. All this information came to light when I visited the Thiepval memorial. My sister and I were the first in the family to read his name on the Memorial. It is good to keep these names alive and to remember that these were real people.

    Sally Watkinson




    206207

    Pte. Henry Moore 1/4th Battalion

    Henry Moore, born Oct. 1899 in Kirkintilloch, Scotland served with the RSF in France as a Lewis gunner.

    The RSF was mobilized in Edinburg Aug. 1914 and sent to France Apr. 1918; returned from France May 1919.

    Henry lived in Glasgow after the War, then sailed from Glasgow to Canada in 1923 and then on to the Detroit, Michigan USA area.

    Harry Moore




    206205

    Pte. Frederick Hiley 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.22nd Jul 1916)

    Brother of William Hiley who was also sadley killed in the First World War.

    Fred initially served with the North Staffs Regiment (Pvte. 8143) before being assigned to the Lincolnshire Regiment with whom he was serving when he died of wounds recieved in battle in July 1916.

    Buried at Longuenesse Cemetry near St.Omer in France.

    S. Setterfield




    206203

    Pte. James Clark Warwickshire Regiment

    There is a family story that James signed up for the services under age and gave his brothers date of birth. James enlisted on 30 November 1904 and served for 13 years 200 days and was discharged for being no longer physically fit for War Services. His certificate states that he had 6 wound scars on his left leg.

      He served in South Africa 29.11.1904 to 28.11.1906;
    • India 29.11.1906 to 08.11.1912;
    • France 09.08.1914 to 05.06.1915;
    • France 08.05.1916 to 19.08.1916;
    • France 09.06.1917to 07.08.1917.

    He received 3rd Class Certificate 21.03.1905 and 2nd Class Certificate 29.04.1912.

    I have been unable to find James on the 1911 Census, although I have found his brother, Amos Stephen Clark. Amos was serving with 2nd Battalion North Staffs Regiment in Peshawar NWFP India. He is recorded as a drummer, 24 years unmarried born Birmingham.

    I would love to know more about my great grandfather.

    Cathy Cunnington




    206201

    Gnr. Arthur Merridan 110 Bde. D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.20th April 1918)

    Arthur Merridan was born in Woolwich in 1890. In 1914 he married Minnie Page and they had a son also named Arthur was born in 1916. He was killed in 1918 and is buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery.

    A Narcisi




    206197

    Bosun Samuel Baker DSC & M d'oro

    As he was my Gt Grandfather I know nothing about him except for his life in the Royal Navy which I am researching at the moment.

    He was awarded the The Army Long Service & Good Conduct medal

    Nigel Robert Baker Linwood




    206194

    Cpl. Bertie Rye 1/4th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment

    This is my grand father who was evidently wounded at Gallipoli but survived the War.

    Re enlisted in the Pioneer Corps in the Second World War aged 44. Captured by the Germans, escaped and then served with Monty.

    I am currently trying to reasearch more of his history, a little difficult as I live now in Ausralia. Love to get more info on the 1/4th during World War 1. Would like to build a history for his future generations to be aware of.

    Ivan Rye




    206193

    Pte Thomas Adams 36th (Ulster) Division

    <p>Thomas Adams, his wife Charlotte and only son, Thomas

    It was only recently, while doing some family tree projects,that I discovered my grandfather, Thomas Adams (Snr)had actually fought in the first Great War. He joined the 36th (Ulster) Division before I was born,(I was born on 9 June 1950), and after it was all over, it was never talked about. ..

    He served with distinction at Dadizeele, receiving a Certificate and Medals. Unfortunately, a number of years ago, the medals were stolen, and never replaced. The Certificate only survived, along with a photo of him and his wife and young son (my father).

    He was born on 29 June 1880. He married Charlotte Turner, from Ballyness, Somerset, Coleraine, County Londonderry at Camus Juxta Bann, St. Marys Church in the village of Macosquin on 26 Dec 1911.

    After the Conflict he was demobbed and their Division was disbanded. (I only today found out, while reading your brilliant site that he could have been attached to any one of the 3 Irish Regiments, here in Ulster - but which one, I haven't been able to find out yet).

    Upon returning to Ireland he became a labourer and worked as a docker at Coleraine Harbour, on the banks of the River Bann, which at that time had dozens of ships per week coming in. This dock area now, sadly, is a large supermarket and carpark.

    He sadly died on 23 Nov 1973, aged 93 years. A good innings.. I think this website is a remarkable idea, to keep the memory alive of those who gave up so much, so that we could have our tomorrow. Good luck for the future.

    Brian Adams




    206192

    Pte. Joseph Brunton McNally MM. 149th MGC Machine Gun Company

    Joseph McNally was born in the Walker area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne enlisted as No 5/1334 in 1/5th Nortumberland Fusiliers

    On the outbreak of War in August 1914 the Regiment consisted of the

      1st Battalion at Portsmouth in the 9th Brigade,
    • 3rd Division,
    • the 2nd Battalion at Sabathu, India,
    • the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, which mobilised to train recruits, and
    • four Territorial Force Battalions,
    • The 4th at Hexham,
    • 5th at Walker, Newcastle-upon- Tyne,
    • 6th at St George’s Drill Hall, Northumberland Road, and
    • 7th at Alnwick.
    By November 1918 the Regiment had raised a further 44 Battalions, earned 67 Battle Honours, won five Victoria Crosses and sustained an estimated 16,000 casualties

    Joseph served in the 1/5th Battalion The Northumberland Fusiliers, on the outbreak of War was at Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne part of the Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division, (later called the 149th Brigade, 50th Division) . On Tyne defences until April 1915 and then sent to France.

    The 50th (Northumbrian) Division

    The Northumbrian Division, a pre-war Territorial Force formation, was drawn from Northumberland, Durham, North Riding and East Riding of Yorkshire. The Divisional HQ was at Richmond Castle. Brigade HQs at Newcastle, Malton and Durham, and titled Northumberland , York & Durham and Yorkshire Brigades. The Infantry came from Alnwick, Newcastle (2), Hexham, Stockton, North-Allerton, Scarborough, Hull, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham and Bishop Auckland.

      The Artillery Brigades, No I Northumberland concentrated at Newcastle,
    • No II at Hull,(a battery at Scarborough),
    • No III at Seaham Harbour (batteries at Durham and West Hartlepool),
    • No IV Howitzer Brigade at South Shields (a battery at Heburn) and the
    • Heavy Battery from Middlesborough.

    The Field Companies their HQ and No 1 Signal Company were at Newcastle. The Field Ambulances were at Newcastle, Darlington and Hull. The Divisional Transport and Supply Column companies were at Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and Hull. On the 3 August, units returned from their annual training camps. On 4 August orders to mobilise were received, the Division became part of the Central Force, Home Defence; it garrisoned the Tyne Defences and trained for war.

    Early April 1915 the division was informed it would be sent to France, embarkation orders were issued 5 April. 16 April units began to entrain for the ports of Southampton and Folkestone. After crossing to France the 50th Division completed its concentration in the vicinity of Steenvoorde on 23 April 1915. The next day, units of the division were under fire.

    The 50th (Northumbrian) Division was engaged in the following actions in France and Belgium.

    1915

    Battles of Ypres

    4 April/3 May Battle of St Julien (V Corps, Second Army until 28/4 then Plumer’s Force “The St George’s Gazette”, the Regimental Magazine of the Northumberland Fusiliers, reported that Joseph was wounded in action in April 1915. There are no further details recorded. Thus we do not known when (or if) Joseph returned to his Battalion on recovery, or indeed if he was required to leave the Battalion.

    11/13 May Battle of Frezenberg Ridge (V Corps, Second Army)

    24/25 May Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge (V Corps, Second Army)

    16 June Bellewaarde (149 Bde) (V corps, Second Army)

    1916

    149th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed in the 149th Infantry Brigade from the machine gun sections of the 1/4th, 1/5th, 1/6th and 1/7th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers on 6 February 1916. Joseph was a founder member of this unit. He transferred, willingly into the Machine Gun Corps and allotted the number 23981. The following incomplete list is of men with similar numbers who therefore transferred at the same time:

      23962 Pte Walker J NF 1645 Disch 050918
    • 23963 Lcpl Irwin J NF 1751 Kia 031016 149 Co, 50 Division
    • 23964 Pte Robinson J NF 1035 Dismb 150119
    • 23965 Cpl Gordon FH NF 1744 Dismb 110319
    • 23967 Pte Callender G NF 19 Battalion, A Co
    • 23968 Pte Simpson S NF 50 Battalion
    • 23969 Pte Turnbull J NF 1942 Demob 250219
    • 23970 Pte Lowrey W NF 558 Dismb 030219
    • 23973 Pte Robson J NF 2733 Dow 190916 150 Co, 50 Division
    • 23980 Pte Nesbitt C NF 2616 Dismb ??0119 5 Battalion
    • 23981 Pte McNally J MM NF 1334 Dismb 110319
    • 23982 Pte Bly J NF 1371 Disch 14??18
    • 23983 Pte Fox A NF 1890 Demob 090319
    • 23984 Pte Oldham A NF 2357 Demob 100219
    • 23985 Sgt Gascoigne J MM NF 2373 Died 030118 218 Co, 18 Division
    • 23986 Pte Bell WJ NF 2471 Dismb 190219
    • 23987 Lcpl Douglas J MM NF 2988 Dismb 150319 50 Battalion
    • 23988 Lcpl Plumb C NF 2994 Dow 271016
    • 23989 Pte Young A NF 3172 Dismb 150419 50 Battalion
    • 23890 Cpl Wilding JH NF 2495

    Battles of The Somme:

    15/22 September Battle of Flers-Courcelette (III Corps, Fourth Army)

    25/28 September Battle of Morval (III Corps, Fourth Army)

    1/3 October Battle of the Transloy Ridges (III Corps, Fourth Army)

    In mid May 1917 the 245th Machine Gun Company disembarked in France from Grantham and joined the Division on 30 May 1917.

    1917 Battles of Arrass:

    11/14 April First Battle of the Scarpe (XVIII Corps until 11/4 - VII Corps, Third Army

    13/15 April Capture of Wancourt Ridge (VII corps)

    23/24 April Second Battle of the Scarpe (VII Corps, Third Army)

    Battles of Ypres:

    26 October/9 November Second Battle of Passchendaele (XIV Corps until 29/10 XIX Corps Fifth Army

    50th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed February 1918, with the unification of 149th, 150th, 151st and 245th Machine Gun Companies, which then became “A” to “D” Companies, of the battalion.

    1918

    Battles of The Somme:

    21/23 March Battle of St Quentin (Fifth Army Reserve til 21/3 - XIX Corps, Fifth Army)

    23 March Actions at the Somme Crossings (XIX Corps,)

    26/27 March Battle of Rosieres (XIX Corps, Fifth Army)

    Battles of The Lys

    9/11 April Battle of Estaires (XV Corps, First Army)

    12 April Battle of Hazebrouck (XV Corps, First Army)

    Friday 26 April the Division entrained for the Aisne. 28 April detrained joining IX Corps, under the Sixth French Army. Monday 6 May moved into the line taking over the Beauriex Sector from the French.

    27 May/6 June Battle of Aisne (IX Corps, Sixth French Army until 29/5 Fifth French Army)

    Between 3 and 5 July the Division returned to the British Zone, by 14 July it was in the Dieppe area, where it reorganised. (Due to the heavy casualties sustained whilst under French command. For example, 21 officers of the 50th Battalion were captured during this action).

    The Advance to Victory:

    Battle of The Hindenburg Line

    1 October Battle of the St Quentin Canal (XIII Corps, Fourth Army)

    3/5 October Battle of the Beaurevoir Line (XIII Corps, Fourth Army)

    8 October Battle of Cambrai (XIII Corps, Fourth Army

    11/12 October Pursuit to the Selle (XIII Corps, Fourth Army)

    The Final Advance in Picardy

    17/18 October Battle of the Selle (XIII Corps, Fourth Army)

    The London Gazette published the award of a Military Medal to 23981 Pte J McNally on 21 October. No citation was published at that time.

    4 November Battle of the Sambre (XIII corps, Fourth Army)

    After crossing the Sambre the division remained in the line until it was relieved on 10 November. By this date it had fought its way forward to Solre le Chateau. 11 November in billets between Flourcies and Monceau. On 2 December HM the King accompanied by Major General Jackson visited le Catelet where the division had crossed the St Quentin Canal in October. On 3 December His Majesty visited the division in its billeting area. In the middle of the month the division moved back to billets in the le Quesnoy area.

    Demobilisation started in December and continued steadily until units were reduced to cadre and ceased to exist in France.

    Joseph was transferred to the Army “Z” reserve on 11 March 1919, a veteran of the Corps. A VETERAN OF THE CORPS

    Tom Vart




    206189

    Pte. George Francis Currie Machine Gun Corps

    My grandmother told me that my grandfather(above George Currie) had a beautiful set of teeth until he was gassed during WW1, and he lost all his teeth thereafter.

    Maureen Richardson




    206187

    L/Cpl. Frederick Samuel Fentem 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbyshire) Regiment (d.19th Jun 1919)

    I came across Fredrick Fentem, a Great Uncle, when tracing my family tree. I always knew he had died in the First Wold War, as my grandmother (Nanny) named my dad after him so I heard his name quite often.

    I hadn't realised he was a professional soldier having enlisted in 1907 at the age of 18 years, and at his death was a Lance Coporal. Frederick died in Flanders, France in 1915. I think Nanny grieved the loss of a favourite younger brother.

    Jane Blofield




    206182

    Cpl. John Lutjen 2/7th Battalion London Regiment (d.8th Sep 1918)

    <p>Jack Lutjen

    John Lutjen was the son of a German father and English mother. He was born on 18th August 1893 and lived in Canning Town for all his life until he joined the 2/7th Battalion, The London Regiment sometime during the early part of 1916. His unit arrived in France on 27th January 1917 and he remained in theatre until his death on 8th September 1918 at Epehy. John Lutjen fought at Bullecourt, St Julien during the Second Battle of Ypres, Malard Wood and finally Epehy. He survived being buried when a shell hit his trench at Bullecourt, weathered two gas attacks and a bout of Spanish flu, not to mention numerous bombardments and close quarter battles. Because of a manuscript error following his death his correct name did not appear on any memorials neither was he correctly identified in the official records. This was brought to the attention of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in 2009 and the record has since been put straight and his correct name restored to his gravestone in Epehy Farm Wood Cemetery.

    John Chuter




    206177

    Pte. Richard Brannick 8th Btn Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    <p>

    I have been researching my family history for the last 3 years. During my research I found references to my Grandfather, his brother and their part in WW1. I visited Richard's grave and the Menin Gate in August 2010 which was a very emotional experience for me. I would like to pass on my Grandfather's story to you as follows:

    My Grandfather Richard would have been 31 years of age when he joined up. I can only assume he wanted to do his bit for the country, at 31 he would have been one of the older members of the Regiment. He enlisted in October 1914 and after basic training he was shipped out to the Western Front landing on the 27th September 1915 full of excitement and trepidation about the adventure he was embarking on. He sent his wife Mary a standard field postcard on the 2nd of October 1915. On it were pre-printed comments such as, I am well, I have been admitted to hospital, etc. etc. He had crossed out all the pre-printed comments, but just left in the "I am well" comment. On the 13th October 1915 he was struck by a shell during heavy bombardment. He was killed instantly, just 17 days after arriving on the Western front. Captain E.W.S Bardsley, Richard's commanding officer, sent Mary a printed sympathy card advising her of Richard's death. He was buried at Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery. His brother 37816 Private James Brannick was also killed in action on the 10th August 1917. His name is inscribed on the Menin Gate. He was with the 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

    Andrew Brannick




    206171

    L/Cpl. Joseph Benson 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.9th Jan 1917)

    As yet I do not have a lot of information on Joe. He is buried in Hamel Military Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel, Somme in France. He is on the war memorial in Audenshaw Cemetery and was on the Gate Street Memorial in Dukinfield.

    Alex Schofield




    206166

    Sergeant John Cecil Clough Durham Light Infantry

    My father was injured in WW1 and, along with his father, belonged to the Durham regiment. I am wondering what was the field of battle of the regiment?

    Jim Clough




    206163

    Private Frank Thornhill The Cheshire Regiment

    I know very little about my dad's war. He was 50 when I was born. He was injured at the Somme, but when I do not know, then he went back to UK to train others. If anyone knows anything about my dad please let us know - my son is very interested.

    Valeire Williams nee Thornhill




    206161

    Pte. Lewis Ainsworth Whitmore Durham Light Infantry

    My father, Lewis Whitmore was born in 1898 and was very young when he went to war as others were. We are trying to determine where he went during the war. He served with the Durham Light Infantry and the 258 Graduated Training Reserve Battalion which is an obscure one and as yet we do not know exactly where he served, but he was gassed during the war ending his service and he later died of lung disease, leaving a wife and very young son, my father. We hope soon to shed more light on his life.

    Lynn Whitmore




    206158

    Pte. John Timlin 2nd Btn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (d.28th Aug 1916)

    John Timlin's death during World War 1 was discovered whilst researching my husband's family tree. He was my husband's great great grandfather's brother's son. His service record shows that he was previously in the 6th Argyll and Sutherland Highlander's Band. He enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on 10th September 1914. He left behind a wife and two year old daughter.

    Christine Mackenzie




    206155

    Stoker 1st class David Joseph Williams HMS Contest (d.18th Sep 1917)

    My Great Uncle was one of the crew who was killed on this night. The Contest was torpedoed on the 18th September at midnight. in the North Atlantic in the South Western Approaches to the English Channel - torpedoed by German U-boat. Possibly one of the ships transferred to Devonport and on convoy escort or patrol duties. Her wartime crew was around 77. Fifty men were picked up

    Gwenllian




    206152

    L/Cpl. Thomas Henry Hermon Gosden 16th Battalion (Sussex Yeomanry) Royal Sussex Regiment

    Before he entered the Battle of the Somme, he was in Palestine in 1917. His eldest son followed in his footsteps in 1947 to the same place. My grandad was a runner for the 16th Battalion in WW1 and was wounded 3 times including the last time on 18th September 1918 when he was discharged.

    Karen Gosden-Adams




    206150

    Pte. John Blacklock 6th (Perthshire) Btn. The Black Watch (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    I was researching the family tree recently and found out the John who is my maternal great grand father was killed in action in Arras on 23/04/1917. If anyone can give me any more info on him I would appreciate it.

    Lorna Charnick




    206149

    Pte. Charles Thomas Muskett 1/6th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.15th Oct 1915)

    No events to tell as I cannot find any records that mention him. However, I know he died at Gallipoli on the date shown and that alone deserves mention here. However, if anyone knows any more then please let me know.

    Marco Curran




    206147

    Capt. Herbert William Mottley M.C. 1st Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    This was my grandfather, Herbert William Mottley. I have only now learned his story (or part of it). The Supplement to the London Gazette, 30 July, 1919 gives the outline of the engagement that earned him the M.C. At that time he was T./Lt. (Acting Captain) 1st Batt York Light Infantry. It reads: "For conspicuous gallantry during the attack on Prospect Hill in front of Le Catelet on Oct 3rd, 1918. In face of many difficulties and strong opposition he showed great skill and determination in gaining the objective which he suceeded in holding throughout the day. Again on the night of Oct 8th, when his company attacked Villers Farm near Villers Outreaux, he carried out a critical operation with extreme coolness under heavy machine-gun fire."

    I do not have any details of this engagement or indeed others in which he was engaged or any photographs of his time in the army. Unfortunately I did not know him as he died when I was one year old, but I would like to pay tribute to him and his comrades.

    Denise Sorensen




    206139

    Charles Thomas Porter 1/7th Btn Worcestershire Regiment (d.6th Sep 1917)

    I would love to have a better story than just facts about my Great Uncle Charlie. I have a few of his letters home to my Grandparents as well as the psychic's letters to them too! The psychic passed on messages to my grandparents from Charlie long after he was dead. I was the first to visit his grave in Wimereux, Northern France but prior to me finding his grave, the exact location was unknown all those years. How can I find out where he died or even how? Did he die right away? Those buried in Wimereux would perhaps have been fighting a certain battle? I think there was a hospital there, so does that mean he was alive at first? And where did his Battalion train? How can I find out the date he would have enlisted and even when he went to France? His cousin "Stinty", Wilfred Stinton Hudson, died in the 'Great War' too... how sad it is but I vow to keep them alive in our lives. Thank you for any help you can give me to find out more about Uncle Charlie.

    Susan Gardener




    206123

    Cpl. Edward Albert Lombard 18th (Service) Battalion, ÃÆ??Ã?Ã? No.2 platoon Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>Edward Albert Lombard, 18th Service Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers(1st Tyneside Pioneers)

    Pte Edward Albert Lombard member of 18th Service Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers(1st Tyneside Pioneers). Member of No.2 platoon of A Company. Is on the embarkation role of the battalion when they went to France on 17th January 1916. Promoted to Corporal during his service, 1520 Corporal E.A.Lombard.

    My grandfather born 9th June 1895 in South Shields, died 10th September 1963 in South Shields. After the war he became a tram driver. I believe he worked in a munitions factory during the Second World War and then became a bus conductor until his retirement. A quiet, gentle and kind man whom I wish I had known for longer.

    Philip Lombard




    206100

    Alexander Telford 15th Btn Royal Sussex Regiment

    I am looking for any details on my great great grandfather Alexander Telford who lived in Northumberland but was in the 15th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment WW1.

    Veronica




    206095

    S/Sjt Mjr. Edgar Nicholson DCM Northumberland Hussars

    Edgar Nicholson volunteered to join the Army on 6 January 1897, and was sent to India with 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry. From India, he sailed for South Africa in 1900 on the outbreak of the Boer War, serving right through to the conclusion of hostilities, much of the time as a member of a DLI mounted infantry unit (Burmah Mounted Infantry?). His South Africa medals carry clasps for the Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal and Langs Nek.

    ollowing transfer to the Reserve in 1905, and final termination of engagement in 1909, he joined the Northumberland Hussars to become a member of the Territorial Army, quickly reaching the rank of Sergeant.The Regiment was mobilised upon declaration of war in 1914 and was well established in Belgium by October. He was mentioned in dispatches on 20 November 1914 (during the first battle of Ypres) and again on 14 January 1915(London Gazette, 17 Feb 1915). On 22 March 1917, now in the rank of SSM, he was in command of a "party" sent to protect a detachment of three artillery pieces defending part of the line of the canal at Jussy. He had a company of the 5th Lancers on his right, and a company of the "Scottish Rifles" on his left. The Germans broke through on the left and during the withdrawal he was wounded by rifle fire and evacuated to England for hospitalisation.

    He was exceptionally fortunate in his subsequent lengthy convalescence which was spent at a country house military hospital where his wife was cook and resident there with their small daughter. He did not return to France, but remained with the colours until 20 February 1919.

    David Geeves




    206094

    Pte. Walter Aukland 1st/4th btn Lincolnshire Regiment (d.17th Sep 1915)

    Today is a memorable day, because I have been able to confirm the whereabouts of my uncle's war grave. My father and cousin visited a war grave in Ypres some years ago believing it to be that of my uncle, however I have since inherited all the details they had pulled together and there were discrepancies.

    'My Walter', as I now call him, is buried at Longuenesse cemetery in France. Can you believe there were 2 Walter Auklands who joined the Lincolnshire Regiment at almost the same time, both died in 1915. My Walter died of wounds whilst being transported back home, so he never made it back to his family. He has remained 'undiscovered' until today. I can now make plans to visit his grave and pay my respects.

    My father died 7 years ago, believing he had visited his brother's grave. However, he has visited someone's son and they will be indebted to him for that. So, My Walter, I am on my way .

    Heather Clint




    206093

    Pte. John F Limerick 1st Btn Sherwood Foresters (d.27th Apr 1915)

    My uncle Jack was the eldest of nine children, he is buried in the Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery at Fleurbaix.

    Terry Jones




    206090

    Pte Adam Roy Miller 321 Field Artillery (d.1918)

    <p>

    This was my grandmother's brother who was in killed in action in WW1.

    David Neil




    206086

    L/Cpl. Henry Ashton Cheshire Regiment

    <p>Henry Ashton (seated)

    My father Henry Ashton, served with the Cheshire Regiment, Transports then transferred to the Royal Engineers and then back to the Cheshire Regiment. If anyone has any information about his service, I would love to hear from you.

    William Ashton




    206079

    Pte. Joseph Mingham Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    My grandad, Joseph Mingham started the war in the Kings Own Lancashire Regiment. Later he transferred to the Manchester Regt which I believe was, or was going to be, converted totally to operate as a machine gun unit. He told me he spent some time attached to the 'Staffords'. I'm sure he also mentioned time served in Burma?

    He didn't talk a great deal about his time in the war. A few things I do remember though were that rats were always present and they helped provide 'fresh' rations! The blokes tied string around their trousers at the ankles and thighs to prevent the rats having access to their private parts. They would cover their legs with a tin of dubbin on each leg to help prevent rot/trench foot. You had to be extremely careful if you were going to enter German trenches and shelters. He said that 'jerry' was very good at 'booby-trapping' and at engineering. Their bunkers were much more comfortable and deeper than ours and often had pianos down there. In the photo my grandad is seated at the front. He was the No1 on the Vickers in 'The Suicide Club'.

    Joe Hathaway




    206078

    L/Cpl John Stanley Seaborne 12th Battalion (The Rangers) London Regiment (d.24 Aug 1918)

    He has no known grave. His name is listed on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Panel 10. At Vis-en-Artois British (CWGC) Cemetery, Haucourt, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, France

    Lynda Seaborne




    206077

    Sergeant James Halstead Nutter MM with Bar Royal Army Medical Corps

    An account of James Halstead Nutter's gallant act may be seen in the Burnley News on Saturday, 27th January 1917

    Mrs Margaret Boyd




    206076

    Pte. Vernon Greenhough 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.4th Oct 1917)

    <p>

    Vernon Greenhough was a miner from Crich in Derbyshire the eldest son of William and Elizabeth Greenhough, he enlisted in the 16th Battalion Chatsworth Rifles on 4th June 1915. He suffered a viii gun shot wound on the 9th October 1916. He recovered from his injury and reposted to join the 9th Battalion, Sherwoods (Notts and Derby Regiment). Vernon was killed while on an attack (the same assault where Fred Greaves was awarded the vc) near Poelcappelle, Belgium, on the first day of the battle of Broodseinde, Passchendaele. His body was never recovered but his spirit is always in our hearts.

    Michael Greenhough




    206073

    Pte. Robert Ernest Beazley Hampshire Regiment

    I am trying to find out which battle my grandad was injured in during WW1. I have a copy of his honourable discharge certificate dated 1st June 1916. I know he spent time in hospital in London and had other operations there after the war. They were unsuccessful in removing shrapnel from this injury and he died with it still embedded in his hip, aged 89.

    I am not sure if he was living in Portsmouth or Ryde,Isle of Wight in 1914. I would love to know when he signed up for duty, where he was sent, and which battles he fought in, but have drawn a blank so far. Can you offer some suggestions on where I could get any of this information? Many thanks.

    Pauline Long




    206068

    Gnr. Frederick Jolley 239th Siege Bty Royal Garrison Artillery (d.3rd Aug 1918)

    My great uncle, Frederick Jolley was born in 1890 in Wigan, Lancashire. As I can only find a medal card I assume his service records where in those that have been lost. He served as a Gunner with the 239th Siege Bty, RGA. He was killed on Monday August 3rd 1918 and is buried in Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras. This is all I know about his time in the service any information about the 239th Siege Bty or Fred himself would be fantastic.

    Ian Wiggans




    206064

    Pte. John George McRoy 21st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Jun 1917)

    John George was my uncle [my fathers brother]. He was the son of James and Rosehanna and lived in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belguim which we have visited many times. My grandmother had 4 sons, 3 of them were at war and only one came home. Johns brother James was killed on August 27th 1917, 3 months after after John. He does not have a resting place as his body has never been found but his name is on the plaque at Tyne Cot Cemetery. We will always be grateful to them for giving their lives as they did.

    Muriel Smith




    206062

    Pte. James Burke 23rd(Service)Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.27th Sep 1918)

    Private James Burke, my grandfater, died on 27t Sept 1918. He enlisted into the Manchester Regiment (later Lancashire Fusiliers) on Jan 1915 aged 39. Drafted to France towards the end of 1915, he took part in heavy fighting at Loos, St. Eloi, Albert and Vimy Ridge. He was wounded on the Somme in July 1916. He was invalided home, but on recovery returned to France and took part in further fighting at Amiens, Bapaume and Havrincourt before he was killed in action at Cambrai. By Feb 1918, the 18th, 19th and 23rd Manchesters were disbanded and later he was transferred to 23rd Lancashire Fusiliers. His grave was never found and so his name is commemorated on Panel 4 of the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

    J. Mills




    206055

    Pte. Frederick Turner 13th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Sep 1918)

    Frederick is my Great Grandpa Brother - (George) I would like to seek further info if anyone can help please. I believe the following to be true:- Frederick joined the Army in Hull - T'others - East Yorkshire Regiment I have Frederick's war medal with his name inscribed Frederick was a Private in the Army and lost his life fighting for his country on 10 Sept 1918 - as did so many others - brave and honourable men until the end and their courage lives on in my heart. Fredrick is buried in France - Pas De Calais - Vis En Artois Memorial - Panel 4 Although I never knew Frederick - he seems very close to me Do you know of anyone who may have joined? - I would love to hear

    Sue Turner




    206053

    Sgt. George Connor 6th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.2nd-4th Oct 1916)

    This is my great grandfather. I remember my Granddad used to tell us how he remembers his mother receiving the telegram that informed her of his death, quite an impression it must have made as he was only 3 at the time. My cousin has been looking into great granddad's records and has been to Greece to visit his grave which is in Struma. We have no photos of him and have no idea what happened to his medals. I would like to know what his regiment did - all I know is that it was front line combat.

    Caroline




    206052

    Lt. George Dundas MC & Bar "A" Bty. 61st Bde (d.2nd Sep 1918)

    <p>

    Lt. George Dundas attested to the Canadian Expeditionary Force on Mar 3rd, 1915. He enrolled directly from the University of Toronto into the Eaton Motor Machine Gun Brigade. While motorized machine guns were cutting edge technology at the time, they didn't fit easily into static trench warfare & were used very little. Due to boredom, George found a chance to enlist with the RFA, which he did. He joined either 61st or 161st brigade (not clear on that)in France during March 1916.

    Bored again with the 18 pounders he transferred to trench mortars. At that point, as he says in a letter to his friend, "I wanted excitement and action and I bally well got it." He received the Military Cross in October 1916 at the Somme and added a bar in March 1918 during the German's spring offensive - a very rare combination. Less than 350 were awarded during the war I believe. Officers usually didn't live long enough to receive two commendations for bravery.

    Lt. George Dundas, enrolled very near the beginning of the war & managed to come within about a month of seeing the end of it. He died Sept 2nd, 1918 and during the push east of Amiens. He is buried in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Lt. George was my Great-Great Uncle. I'd like to know more about the activities of his brigade or any other information related to him.

    Kelly Dundas




    206041

    Private Frank William Perfett 2/5th Btn Lincolnshire Regiment

    The above named was my grandfather who died after the Second World War. At the outbreak of WW1 it is not known whether he tried to enlist or not. But due to his job, a signalman on the Great Northern Railway, he was considered to be in a trade/profession that was of national importance. It is recorded that he enlisted as a 'Lord Darby's' man and wore an armband with a red crown affixed. Sometime in 1917 he enlisted in the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and after training, he he was posted to the 2/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment part of the 59th (North Midland Division)and he joined them near Arras, northern France. The Battalion Diary entry dated 1st & 2nd March 1918 indicates that the Battalion was at a place named Ecoust St Mein. At 4.00am, 21st March 1918, the Battalion was now part of the 9th Division and encamped at Mory. There had been intermittent gunfire through the night but at 4.00am this became more intense and there was no doubt that the front line was now taking in heavyfire from the German artillery. This was to be the start of the German offensive on the Hindenbrg Line and known as the 'Kaiserschlact'. At 5.00am the Battallion was ordered immediately with other units to their allotted positions in the support line third system which ran east of the Vraucourt-St.Leger road. At 12.00noon the 2/5th Lincolnshire with the 4th Leicesters were ordered to occupy the second system trenches. It is known that he was in the front line near to the village of Epehy. At some time during the next few days, my grandfather was severley 'Gassed' and was returned to Battalion HQ and subsequently returned to England. He was demobilised in 1919. During my time with grandfather, he always seemed to suffer with his chest. He also had pox marks on his face but dismissed them.

    Richard W. Sandall




    206040

    Pte George Berridge 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    My Grandfather George Berridge was in the 6th Lincolshire Regiment WW1. On June 30th 1915 the Ballalion went to Liverpool and embarked on the RMS Empress of Britian for service with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. They then set sail for Gallipoli. They enjoyed lovely weather on the way. They arrived in Gallipoli on August 5th or 6th .

    randad was shot by a sniper who was hidden in a tree on August 15th. He was shot in his shoulder and the bullet lodged in his throat. He lay for three days in the blazing sun on the battle field. Whilst being robbed by another soldier he was seen to move. After that he was taken to the field hospital and stabilised then he was taken to a hospital in Alexandria.

    After that he came home on the hospital ship HMHS Asturias and was taken to a hospital in Birmingham. It took 13 operations to give him his voice back again. The operations left him with a weak heart, but he went on to live to be 76 years old and died in 1964. I think this was due to the loving care given to him by my grandmother Eva.

    Sandra Oakford




    206031

    Bty.Sjt.Mjr F G Wise MM. 82nd Bde. 'A' Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.18th Nov 1918)

    I found this soldier's medals with my father's effects. I do not know of any family connection or why the medals were not forwarded to the n.o.k. I have ascertained that he originally came from Perth, Australia. I have not further information and I would dearly like to know why these medals were in my family's possession.

    Jill Sandy




    206026

    2nd Lt. David Caldow Simpson Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>

    David Caldow Simpson joined the Kings Royal Rifle Corps as a temporary 2nd lieutenant and served in the trenches in France, then transferred to the RFC. Listed in the London Gazette 18 October receiving a temporary commission in the RAF as '2nd Lieutenant, Observer Officer'. After the war he founded a transport company called Holme & Simpson, later North British Transport. During WW2 he was an Army Welfare Officer with the rank of Captain and organised entertainment. Founder member of the Road Haulage Association and became Freeman of City of London in 1946. Died 2nd March 1969.

    John Simpson




    206025

    L/Cpl. James Lawson Cairns DCM. MID. 9th Btn. Royal Scots

    Lawson Cairns was posted to France, departing by train from Edinburgh and arriving at Le Havre on February 26th 1915. He was made a Medical Orderly on 22nd March 1915 and continued in this role throughout the war. His niece has 2 diaries written in pencil starting on 26.02.1915 and ending on 2nd Dec. 1917. He survived the war & received the DCM when he stayed with a wounded man for 2 days and a night in "no-mans' land. He was also mentioned in dispatches. He was gassed sometime during the war and his health was damaged in later life. He refused a commission as he was anti-war. His niece has transcribed the diaries and intends to donate a copy to the Royal Scots' Museum at Edinburgh Castle.

    Margaret Donaldson




    206022

    Gnr. Francis T Brooks Royal Garrison Artillery

    I do not have too much information on my great grandfather, all I know is that he signed up to the Royal Garrison Artillery and was a Gunner on 2nd August 1905, aged 22 years old. I know he was based at Pembroke R.G.A. I have his Military History Sheet, which included which missions he was sent on during WW1.

    Before teh Great War he served in Aden, 13/01/1906 to 28/12/1906 and India, 29/12/1906 to 30/01/1907. He came back home as was struck down with malaria caught whilst touring in India. Then he went back to India, 21/01/1908 to 05/02/1914

    During the great War her served in Sierra Leone, 28/05/1916 to 24/05/1917 and with the B.E.F, 20/11/1917 to 27/12/1918. In between those dates he was back at home or back on British soil.

    Now I know after WW1 was over, he didn't go into WW2, rather he did for just 8 months, because he got injured when coming back from a mission at the end of WW1. By then he was married and had 3 children. He moved to Leicester and they owned a pub and a local grocery store in Leicester city centre. Then he committed suicide in 1954 owing to the decline caused by local big shops coming in and taking the trade of small businesses.

    Donna Harrup




    206021

    Hector Cameron Gardner 6 Squadron

    <p>

    Hector Cameron Gardner was my grand father born in Gateshead-on-Tyne in January 1898. He served as apprenticeship with the Austin Motor Company at Longbridge, Birmingham and then served 3 years in the RFC 6 squadron as pilot/navigator during WW1.

    He married Dorothy Chandler in the early 1920's. Dorothy was employed in the design department of Handley Page during WW1 and was among the 40 passengers taken up on the test flight of the V1500 in November 1918.

    After WW1 he found employment with the London Agents for Sunbeam cars in London. He was successful in the Motor Trade and by the early thirties was Managing Director of Dagenham Motors, Ford's London Agents. With the curtailment of the Motor Trade in the 1939-45 war, he was brought into the Ministry of Aircraft production by Lord Beaverbrook as Director of Mechanical Transport and Marinecraft Production. After WW2 he started his own company H.Cameron Gardner Ltd, operating Ferguson Tractor agents and later manufacturers of Hydraulic Loaders for agricultural tractors. He died in January 1981.

    Marguerite Blackman-Fontaine




    206020

    Pte. Henry John Cooke 1st Btn East Surrey Regiment (d.5th Nov 1916 )

    Henry Cooke is a distant relation, he is buries in Gorre British and Indian Cemetery, grave 111. 8. 19.

    David Scott




    206010

    L/Cpl. Ben Schofield 1st Btn. Cheshire Regiment

    My great grand father, Lance Corporal Ben Schofield no:9594, enlisted in the 1st battalion Cheshire Regiment on the 28th Feb 1911 at Chester.

    He was posted to Belfast on the 10th July 1911, where he had his tonsils removed in Musgrave Park Military Hospital and was paid 2 shillings compensation.

    He was then transferred to Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry on the 10th Jan 1913.At the out break of the War he was returned with the Regiment to the Regimental Depot and sent to France, arriving there on the 16th January 1915.

    Overall his conduct was listed as good for his time in the U.K. There is only one entry on his ‘crime sheet’ dated 20 January 1914 ‘’Awarded 21 days detention by the C.O for being in possession of goods which where the property of a comrade.’’

    The Regiment then took part in the second Battle of Ypres. On the 8th of May the First Battalion were fighting around the village of Frezenbuerg, L/cpl Schofield was wounded in the right arm and back then captured.

    After receiving medical treatment in a German field hospital he was transferred to Mersburg Prisoner of War Camp, Saxony, Germany. It was here that he joined No 2 Company, being given the P.O.W number 1514.

    He was repatriated to Britan on the 9th of January 1919 and discharged on the 9th of April 1919.

    After the war he settled in Belfast, he married and raised 5 children after finding work as a tram driver for the Belfast Transport Corporation.

    Neil Wilson




    206002

    Pte. Benjamin Thomas Corbett 2nd Bn. Warwickshire Regiment (d.18th Dec 1914)

    Benjamin served under the false name of Thomas Franklin with the 1st & 2nd Bn Royal Welch and served during the Boer War.

    He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with Clasps for

      Cape Colony,
    • Tugela Heights,
    • Relief of Ladysmith,
    • Orange River Colony &
    • Transvaal
    .

    He went on to Hong Kong, Pekin & India finally being demobed in May 1906.

    In 1911 he married a widow, Edith Mary Franklin in Birmingham and in September 1913 was sentenced to three months hard labour in Birmingham Prison. During this time he was still a 'reservist' with the Royal Welch.

    On 11th August 1914 he enlisted in the Warwickshire Regiment and was posted to the 3rd Battalion who were stationed on the Isle of Wight. On the 11th November 1914 he was transfered to the 2nd Bn. and moved to France. In a letter home written on the 10th November says, ''Whitehouse is not for it''. On 20th November he arrived at Fleurbaix and until the action on 18th December the battalion are either in trenches or in billets at Rue de Bataille.

    The weather was very wet when on the 18th December the 961 men of the 2nd Warwicks saw action. They were ordered to attack German trenches which were in front of the village of Le Maisnil. The attack commenced following an artillery bombardment at 4.30 p.m. when the battalion were formed into three lines . As soon as the advance started the Germans opened up a withering rifle and machine gun fire. The battalion advanced but suffered very heavy casualties. The 2nd Queens sent one and a half companies in support but to no avail and the attack failed in its objective.

    Lt. Col. Brewis with four officers and thirty four men were later found forty yards from the enemy position and some men did get into the trenches but they were either killed or taken prisoner. Ben Corbett was missing, his remains never found, but was only recorded as being dead in July 1915. The Battalion's War Diary shows that from September 1914 to the end of December that year 66% of the battalion had been replaced with no leave granted.

    William Dunn




    206001

    L/Cpl. William Charles Hawkins 1st/4th Bn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.22nd Nov 1917)

    <p>

    Lance Corporal William Charles Hawkins, died of wounds and is buried at Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel. His Brother George Hawkins of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry also fell.

    Andy Wilkinson




    206000

    Pte. George Hawkins "D" Coy. 1st Bn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.21st Oct 1914)

    <p>

    George Hawkins joined the Army in 1908. His Battalion was rushed from Ireland to Mon's at the outbreak of the Great War. He took part in the Famous Mon's retreat when on 21st October 1914 the German Army launched a massive attack which resulted in most of "D" Company being either killed in action or taken prisoner. George Hawkins' body, like many others on that day, has never been found, he is remembered in our hearts and on panel 19 at the Le Touret Memorial.

    His Brother William Charles Hawkins of the Wiltshire Regiment also fell in 1917.

    Andy Wilkinson




    205998

    Pte. Thomas Gabbitas 1st Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.9th Apr 1917)

    My Great Grand Father, Thomas Gabbitas, was born in Ormskirk, Lancashire UK. He joined the Army in 1902, He served with The King's Own Regiment Lancaster,

    He spent time in India, Had time in hospital with Nephritis and was finally posted to Arras in France.

    He was Killed in Action on 9th April 1917. He has no known grave. This year 2010, I went to Arras to visit the Battle Fields and visited the site were he died !! Very moving moment..

    Sandra Lee




    205996

    Henry Ivor Heybyrne 33rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps

    My Father, Henry Heybyrne served in WW1 in the 33rd Machine Gun Corps. His brother's also served.
    • Harry Heybyrne RAMC. Killed while visiting brother Henry in Hospital by "Drop Short"Edward Ernest Heybyrne RAMC
    • Arthur Heybyrne Royal Navy.HMS Talbot
    • 'Eddie' Heybyrne RFC
    • Francis Heybyrne RfC
    I remember my father showing me a great deep dent in his back. A scar from shrapnel wound. And scar of spent bullet which went through his cheek and out his mouth. He considered himself lucky on both counts. I believe he served in France at some famous battles, but I should dearly love to hear of his and his brothers' service records.

    I.Heyman-Heybyrne




    205994

    Private Charles "Yorkie" Hoyle Yorks & Lancs

    My father joined up in January 1917 at the age of 17. The first time he tried, aged 16 he was told 'Join the scouts sonny',

    He was made a Corporal quite quickly as he had a carrying vioce - so he said, but went absent without leave when he realised he would not be sent to France but stay in England training troops on parade ground duty.

    He lost his stripe and was sent to France. He was in Ypres, Cambrai and also went to Germany at some stage. I don't know the dates.

    He was a Runner in France as he was good at cross country running. He stayed on in the army after the war and was sent to Persia (I have his Medals) then to India. I have some interesting photos. I would like to know where his regiment went and when.

    Jenny Morton




    205991

    Pte. Joseph Carson 2nd Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Joseph Carson on the 13th November 1916 at the Battle of Ancre in the Somme, France. His memorial is on Pier 1A Thiepval Memorial.

    Mike Horne




    205990

    Dvr. Charles McCue 2nd Reserve H.T. Coy Army Service Corps (d.5th June 1915)

    While compiling my family tree, I found Charles MccCue by sheer luck and discovered he was my father`s uncle.

    I know he enlisted at Berwick in 1915 and died at home in 1915, but can find no death certificate to discover the reason why. I have found his birth and marriage certificates but have tried all resources without success for his death certificate. I find it tragic that he enlisted and died within months of each other and would really like to find out why.

    Cathy McCue




    205988

    Pte. James "Longfellow" Rathbone Motor Company Army Service Corps

    <p>James Rathbone before he left for overseas duties.

    My Grandfather, James Rathbone, was chauffeur to Lord Leverhulme prior and after the War. I have a letter written from John Roebuck of the Star Works, Coventry, written in July 1915. It relates to a bus that my grandfather was to collect, but it does not specify what it was required for. The letter states that if asked, my grandfather was only to say that Sir William (Leverhulme) required it for a very special purpose and that he was not to give away any information to anyone about any other vehicles that Sir William had in use. Very mysterious!

    Grandfather spent the war years in the East Africa Campaign as a Motor Driver, but what action he saw I was never told. He embarked at Devonport on the HMAT Beltana on 19th August 1916 and arrived in Kilindini on 3rd October 1916. He contracted malaria on 30th March 1917 and was admitted to hospital in Mombasa, but transferred to Nairobi on 4th April 1917. He was discharged on 9th April 1917 when he returned to duty. He also seems to have passed through Dar es Salaam, but how long he spent there is not known.

    My grandfather died during WWII, not as a direct result of enemy action, but he was repairing a roof, possibly as a result of bomb damage, when he fell and sustained head injuries. He was in the Home Guard in WWII and carried out Fireman duties. I still have his fireman's axe. Sadly I never met my grandfather as I was born after he died.

    Gloria Rathbone




    205985

    Pte. William Alfred Hemmett 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.25th April 1916)

    My Grandad died in April 1916, which was a quiet month for casualties from the Hampshire Regt. He did not die in action, but from a hemorrhage . He is buried at the Military Cemetery, New Hannescamps, Pas de Calais.

    Lilian Harris




    205980

    L/Cpl. Arthur Edmund Hall 3rd Battalion Australian Imperial Force

    Arthur enlisted September 1915 and fought in Europe from during WW1 from August 1916 until the end of the War. He was wounded in May 1917 at Bullincourt and spent 2 months recuperating in England before returning to France and resuming his role as a stretcher bearer on the frontline for the duration of the War. He eventually returned to Australia in July 1919.

    Rod Hall




    205979

    Private Henry Ord 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.17 April 1918)

    Henry Ord was my great great Grandmother's brother. He was a Private in Durham Light Infantry, 15th Battalion - Regiment Number 22390.

    I also found he died of wounds (Western European Theatre) in France and Flanders 17 April 1918. He is buried at Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge West-Vlannderen, Belgium. Grave/Memorial Ref X.A.21.

    Sara Jackson




    205977

    Private, then Lance Corpo George Wilding Mons Star 7th (Service) South Lancashire (d.22nd/23rd Nov 1916)

    George Wilding was my brave great uncle, the only one of 5 brothers to be killed in action. He's buried at the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery on The Somme. I wish I knew more about the circumstances of his death but assume it related to the fighting around High Wood.

    He had been made a lance corporal on 8 March 1916 and had been injured in the February of the same year, when he accidentally grabbed a bayonet, whilst trying to break a fall from a parapet. He was 22.

    Crispin Powell




    205974

    2nd Lt Joseph Acheson 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1918)

    <p>Gravestone of John and Maria Acheson commmorating also their sons 2Lt Joseph Acheson and William John Acheson.

    I can find no war memorial to his man - my Great Great Uncle so I wish him to be remembered here - I hope.

    Second Leiutenant (Temporary) Joseph Acheson. Born 09 Nov 1889 in Drumadillar, Co Fermanagh, Ireland. Death 7 Jun 1918 DOW No 34 French Canadian Hospital, Troys, France.

    Notes from his Army Service Record...

    Former No 202636 or 5700 LSgt, 5th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment, Territorial Force.

    Temp Commission 27 Jun 17 2Lt., 8th (Service Battalion), attached 2nd Battalion, Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment). Wounded 29 May 1918. Died 17 Jun 1918.

    Attended Derrygonely National School. Character Ref by Rev W B Steel, Levally, Enniskillen. Next of Kin - Mrs J Acheson, 62 Windsor Road, Truebrook, Liverpool. Effects form signed by Mary Evelyn Acheson, 39 Windsor Road, Truebrook, Liverpool.

    Letter from James Roberts, Solicitor, 5 Castle Street, Liverpool enquiring if wife and child are entitled to any pension (child = Violet Josephine). Copy of Death certificate stating he died in No34 French Canadian Hospital, Troyes, France.

    Letter from Mrs E Acheson requesting a copy of the Death Certificate. A copy of his Will... "I Joseph Acheson of the 6th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, 2Lt in the event of my death do hereby request that my wife Mary Evelyn shall have all I possess in money or articles etc. And that she draw any allowance which is her due. I also specifically request that she shall under all circumstances be as cheery as possible and fully realise that my death has resulted whilst doing my duty and I die with one last wish that we both meet in a better land." Signed, Joseph Acheson 2Lt on the field 7th Sep 1917. Total of estate £68-08-10p.

    Letter from his mother to the War Office requesting information on his death. Letter from his wife also asking for details.

    The following is the insertion about his death in the Impartial Reporter (Newspaper) at the time of his death...

    2nd Lieutenant Joe Acheson, South Lancashire Regiment, whose house is at 39 Windsor Road Truebrook, Liverpool, died of wounds received in France on 07 Jun 18, was 28 years of age. He was the youngest son of Mrs Acheson, Drumadillar, Enniskillen. He had been wounded by a bullet in the arm and despite all medical attention he succumbed. He was buried with full military honours at Troyes, the French Commandant and his staff attending the ceremony.

    The commanding Officer wrote to say that the Battalion had lost a valuable Officer and one that was admired by all, being of a cheerful disposition. He gained popularity wherever he went. The deceased Officer had seen a good deal of service from 1914, this being his third time out to the French front. He took part in several engagements including those of the Somme of July 1916, escaping without even a scratch. He was recommended on the field for a commission and was gazetted to the South Lancashire Regiment and sent to France. He was a keen territorial and originally belonged to the 7th Kings Liverpools before the war. Deceased Officer was in business with his brother, W J Acheson at 35 West Derby Road and 86 Kensington, Liverpool; he was also in the employment of the Tramways Committee for many years. In his last letter to his wife he asked the following request, that a small Union Jack be placed above his photo for the honour of old England. His wife who mourns his loss is the second daughter of Edward Morrison, Kinmore, Lisnaskea.

    Alan R McDade




    205971

    2nd Lt. Thomas McKnight 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.21st Feb 1917)

    Thomas Mcknight was my great uncle. He is buried in Berks Cemetry in Belgium.

    Anne Dunlop




    205963

    Cpl. Wesley Costen 7th Btn. D Co. Northamptonshire Regiment

    Wesley Costen served with D company of the 7th Northamptonshire Btn and arrived in France on 16 December 1916. He was a corporal at the time of arriving in France and was married with one child (my Grandfather). He was gassed but never seriously wounded (from my limited research). He was transferred to the Sufolk Reg in March 1919 and stayed on in Germany as part of the occupation force. He died in 1972 from a chest infection.I am continuing to research his service. Regards, Andrew Costen

    andrew costen




    205962

    L/Cpl. Edward Alfred Williamson 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Sep 1917)

    The above was my great uncle, older brother of my maternal grandmother. He along with his older brother both enlisted as part of Kitcheners army of 1914, His older brother John also died as a result of wounds during the Somme battle of 1916. He was in the 11th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. They were both coal miners around the Wakefield coal fields, both married, but never to return home. John left a wife and four children, Teddy as he was known by his family had one child. All I know about Teddy is that he voluntered and was killed in action just pror to the battle of the Menin Rd,20th September 1917. His body was never found and he is commemerated at the Tyne Cot cemetery.

    Brian K. Holford




    205960

    Pte. Reginald Wallinger Looms 4th Btn. East Surrey Regiment

    Reg was my Grandfather. He served on the Western Front and was wounded in the neck, but survived, married and had a son in England (my dad). He emigrated to Melbourne Australia, but returned to England during the Depression. He followed his son back to Australia after WW2 and lived out his days in Victoria dying at the ripe age of 80.

    Wendy Walton




    205958

    Gnr. Harry Powell 459th Howitzer Bty. Royal Field Artillery

    Harry Powell, Gunner 35181 was born in 1883 in Leeds. On 02/09/1904 Harry joined the Army in Leeds as a 7 year reservist and served as a Gunner. He married in Leeds in 1906 and left the Army in 1911. He emigrated to Australia in 1912 and was called up again in Dec 1914 while in Melbourne (He went AWOL in Egypt for a while en-route back to the UK - a wild lad )

    Harry served with the 459th howitzer RFA, 118th brigade with the First Canadian Division. He was discharged 11/12/1918 and given the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal & Silver War Badge. I have spent years trying to find his DOB and where he joined up in Leeds but sadly to no avail, can anyone help?

    Steve Hope




    205956

    Sjt. John Edward Christie MM. 10th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    John Edward Christie was my grandfather, he never talked very much about the war so I know very little about his time in the Army. He was wounded at the Battle of Passchendaele in September 1917 and he once spoke about going to make some tea in the trench - as he was doing this a shell landed and killed his younger brother who was in the same unit.

    Carl Christie




    205945

    2nd Lt. Richard Dolman MM. North Somerset Yeomanry

    My great grandfather Dick Dolman joined the Nth. Somerset Yeomanry around 1909. Equivalent to the TA they were called up in Aug 1914. I have a photo of him in Queen Square, Bath with his horse, waiting to entrain for Salisbury Plain. I'm sure he told me he had to supply the horse himself.

    At some point he moved to the Som LI and having been a sergeant in 1914 ended the war as a 2nd Lieut. No one in the family knows for what deed his MM was awarded. He survived the war unscathed and died in may 1970 at the age of 92.

    Bill Ford




    205943

    Lt. Owen Augustus Ellis Allen 81 Squadron (d.3rd Nov 1917)

    Pilot. He was flying an Avro 504J (aircraft B3194) when he collided in mid-air with another Avro flown by Lt. C. P. F. Lowson. He was taken to the 4th Northern General Hospital in Lincoln, where he was pronounced dead.

    William de Villiers




    205940

    L/Sgt. Henry Clarke Dixon 2nd Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.17th Nov 1914)

    To-day I was browsing around my local car boot market in Tyrone, N.Ireland and going through a box of old books. The book is called "The Pirates Gold".Anyway it states that this book was presented to Henry Dixon in the year 1898.First prize at(St Jude's South Ulversion Sunday School) Class No6 by Teacher J.Oliver. Rector J.W. ? can't really make out.A fountain pen inscription on inside is by his nephew W.Parnell. It states,this book belonged to my Uncle Henry Clarke Dixon who was killed in the Great War in Africa during 1914.

    What I'd like to know does anybody know anything about this man of war, is there a great story behind him?

    Editor's note:

    The CWGC website tells us Henry Dixon served with the 2nd Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment in Mesopotamia (Iraq). He lost his life on the 17th of November 1914 and is buried in the Basra War Cemetery.

    Francis Gervin




    205932

    Timothy Gorman 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    My Grandad, Tommy Gorman, was a sinker at a colliery and served with the 12th Durham Light Infantry. I believe he came from Ireland. I found the details above on my father's birth certificate that I obtained from Gateshead Births Marriages and Deaths.

    There was also an article from a Hebburn paper about the death of a Thomas Gorman who after a night of drinking got caught in barbed wire on the way home and died of exposure on the 26th february 1909 that could have been my grandad's brother or other relative.

    If anyone could share information to help me that would be great. I live in Australia but am visiting friends at the moment. My family all lived in Hebburn before going to London before the 2nd World War. My gran was Annie and she had 10 children two of which died young they were Tommy and Alice.

    Margaret Gorman




    205925

    Rfm. George Hatcher 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th Mar 1915)

    My early record is that my grandfather, George Hatcher was killed at Flanders in 1915. A conflicting record says he died in Eastbourne in 1914. Does anyone have a record of those who died at Flanders from 1st Bat. KRRC?

    Editors Note:

    The majority of Commonwealth casualties are recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission They list a L/Cpl. George Hatcher 1st Btn KRRC as being killed on 10th March 1915 in Southern Flanders. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial in the Military Cemetery at the village in Flanders.

    Keith Hatcher




    205923

    A/Bdr. Robert Bennett-Pitts MM. D Bty. 153rd Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.25th Sep 1918)

    Robert Bennett-Pitts was my Great Uncle, he was born on 27th February (I was born on 27th February) and died on 25th September (my sister was born on 25th September. My dad was named after Robert, but he didn't know this until a few years ago. I never knew Robert and no-one ever talked about him. I have been in touch with a wonderful man called Pierre who has kindly sent me a photo of Robert's grave in Belgium. It made me cry when I received it. I feel so proud of the Great Uncle (and all others) who gave up their lives for us all RIP to my very brave Great Uncle and all who lost their lives in any war xx

    Diane




    205922

    Pte. Albert Charles Webb 5th Btn. Welch Regiment

    My Grandfather, Albert Charles Webb, known as Charlie, served in 5th Welch Regiment from 9 August 1915 to 28 March 1917 when he was discharged on medical grounds having frostbite in both feet. He eventually lost most of his toes. His daughter,Beryl, said that a Mr Workman covered her father's toes with grease from the guns in an attempt to save the toes.

    Jacqueline Stanway




    205921

    Gnr. Daniel McAllister A Battery 277th Brigade (d.21 Aug 1917)

    <p>

    My uncle, Gunner Dan McAllister, died during the last Battle of Ypres. I have been told he died of gas poisoning, but I do now know for certain. He is buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3 in Belgium

    John McAllister




    205919

    Pte. Abraham Hill Lord 10th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    My grandfather 8221 A H Lord RAMC was sent back from France sick, but not wounded, in Oct 1916. Probably gassed. Reclassified C2. Transferred to RAMC Prov Company Aldershot then Blackpool. Transferred to 362 Reserve Employment Company. Given new Army No. 251473. Reclassified B1 Aug 1917. Sent back to France. Then to 236 Divisional Employment Company, 39 Divn, Varangeville.

    I am trying to establish when he went to Varangeville, probably Mar 1918, and when he was demobilised, probably mid Jan 1919. I have some notes he made about pay. The amount he was due in Sterling (old pence)and the amount he had already drawn, in Francs. From 22 Mar 1918 to 10 Jan 1919 304 days at 1/- (12d) which would be army pay, probably from when he was posted to Varangeville, but he also records an additional 304 days at 4d and a further 150 days at 4d.

    I feel that these sums may give a clue to dates. Was the extra 4d per day anything to do with his good conduct stripe or was it for some other reason.

    Alan Lord




    205918

    Pte. William Henry Langford 8th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    My mother was 2 days from her first birthday when her father was killed. He had come from Storridge in Worcestershire with his brother George Ernest, when the coal mines in Wales closed down and they wanted and found work in the West Yorkshire coal fields, living in Normanton W Yorkshire and marrying 2 cousins there. My mother knew little of her father because her mother told her he was blown to pieces and never found, and she, mother, married again but died when my mother was just 14, in Normanton W Yorkshire leaving mum to leave school to look after 5 children - her step brothers and sisters.

    It wasn't until I began researching my family tree that I found a photo of 'grandad' and also that he had a grave near ALbert in N France, being killed on July 1st 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. I always promised mum I would take her there but sadly she died before I managed it................ BUT On June 27th this year, I am going across with a trip arranged by the British legion, to stay in the Somme area/Albert and to visit the graveyard where grandad is buried and see his grave.I'll stay in the Union Jack Hotel in Waterloo London at each end of my trip. I cannot wait - it will be very emotional and I will only visit once - mum will be with me in spirit and I can add my visit to my Family Tree, with pride and thanks.

    Maureen Pepworth




    205917

    George Gardiner Highland Light Infantry

    How can I find out what happened during his service. He was born in 1891. He's my great grandfather.

    Cathryn




    205916

    Hubert Brooks Army Service Corps

    I'd be interested in establishing a connection to Hubert Brooks who served with the Army Service Corps and his family

    Keith Brooks




    205914

    Sjt. Charles Casio Lawrence MM. 7th (Service) Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.12th Oct 1917)

    He is my Grandfather's Uncle, born to a working class family in Hackney in 1894. He had several jobs culminating in being a plasterer's mate in 1911 and living in a very small back street flat with his mother. Come the outbreak of war in 1914 he must have joined the patriotic crowds and volunteered on 31/8/1914. He was posted to the 7th RB and trained around Aldershot and Churt in Surrey. The battalion marched out of their final training camp on 19 May 1915 and on 20th May entered the rest camp upon arrival in France. Charley was in C Company, one of whose officers was Lt Talbot, son of the Bishop of Winchester and the inspiration for the Toc H movement which sprang up during the war as a rest and relaxation centre for troops around Ypres. He would have been heavily involved in the carnage at Hooge Crater on 30 July 1916 where Lt Talbot was killed and the battalion suffered heavy casualties. They had been relieved after a tour in the front line and marched back to the rest area. Within an hour they received orders to be ready to return to the front and within two hours were returning, heavily laden with rations and as much ammunition as they could carry. Soon after 1pm they counter attacked the German positions but failed no one got within each of the enemy.

    As to casualties the war diary states" ...A current casualty list is very hard to prepare without details from the clearing stations and owing to many being killed and wounded beyond reach at present - the following is approximate - Officers, missing 1,killed 6,wounded 4, shock 1. during the week the Batt'n has lost 8 officers killed, 1 missing 7 wounded. All the Captains and 2nd in commands of Coys are amongst these. casualties in Other Ranks cannot be computed yet. Roughly 300 on 30 July." Charley initially seems to have been 'a bit of a lad' but must have settled down and in December 1916 was gazetted for the award of the Military Medal. This was possibly won for actions during the Battle of Flers Courcellete on 15th September 1916. My Grandfather remembers that he was awarded it for "chucking hand grenades at the Germans" At about this time he was fairly rapidly promoted to Sergeant. Charley appears to have suffered shell shock several times in this later period. From what can be deduced from his record he never returned to England after marching out in 1915. The day of his death, 12 October 1917 seems to have been a very ordinary day for the battalion. Nothing of note is recorded by the battalion war diary, just a matter of fact entry recording the day's casualties. Rest in Peace Uncle

    Simon Lawrence




    205911

    Pte. Walter Charles Miller South Lancashire Regiment

    My grandfather was gassed twice during the war, received shrapnel wounds to both legs and his head. I have a photograph of him whilst at the West Ham Red Cross Hospital, Basingstoke. He did not receive a pension, but until his death in 1948 from lung cancer which we believe was related to the gassing. He was never fully fit, suffering from constant lung infections and femoral thromboses.

    Born in Manchester, he was a highly intelligent man of uneducated Irish parentage who taught me to read before I went to school and continued to oversee my education, particularly in the spoken & written word, until his death. A life-long supporter of the Labour Party, he was an early member of the ILP and was elected to the Fabian Society.

    Margaret Ellison




    205906

    Pte John Arthur Sullivan 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Oct 1917)

    I have only just discovered my great Uncle (Arthur John, but usually went by John), who was born in Chelsea, London c Dec 1893. He moved to 38 John St, South Moor, Stanley and was a miner. He enlisted 11th Sep 1914 aged 20 years 10 months at Newcastle in the 3rd Reserves and embarked to France, posted to the 13th DLI 13th Apr 1916. He was killed in action 18th Oct 1917 and is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial

    Julie Shields




    205905

    Pte. Thomas Kane 11th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    I'm currently trying to find a photo of my great grandfather who is buried at Arras in France. Even a photo of his 11th Bt as I'm going over to meet him with my family in the near future and would love to have more than a name to show them. His name was Thomas Kane 11th bn argyll and sutherland highlanders Killed at Arras 23 4 1917 serv nu s/4992

    Shane Walker




    205901

    Pte. George Henry Rich 5th Btn. Dorset Regiment

    The only history I have is from my (now long dead) mother, as my grandfather died when I was only ten. He signed up the day after War was declared, leaving a pregnant wife (my mother) and small son. He became a machine-gunner. Took part in Gallipoli landings, which according to brief research places him in 5th Batallion. Served throughout the war, miraculously without injury. Died peacefully circa. 1958 in Whyteleafe, Surrey.

    Richard Fuller




    205891

    Charles Gordon

    I have photos of the Lady Bagot Hospital of Friendship in Adinkerke Belgium. The both have references on the back to the "everyman" bed and 1915. I think my great grandfather must have been in this hospital as he was wounded in WW1 and these were amongst my great grandmother's photos. I cannot seem to find any information about this.

    Lis Cassey




    205889

    A/Cpl. Edward Brett "Dewey" Goddard Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Edward Goddard on enlistment

    My newly discovered Cousins & I are trying to find any information on our Great GrandFather, Edward Brett Goddard, known as Dewey. He left his family in Rutland to fight in WW1 & never returned.The family reached the obvious conclusion that he was lost in battle but, upon my Grandmothers death we discovered that, when she had told us that he "didn't return from WW1", She wasn't exactly lying, she just ommitted to tell us that the reason he didn't return was that he ran off with a German woman & ended up emigrating to America!!! I've contacted some of the "second" family that he subsequently had in America & they have very little information on him at all. We have mamaged to track down a medal card at Kew that lists him as serving in the Royal Garrison Artillery with the rank of Acting Corporal. His regiment number is shown as 132460. One of my American cousins seems to recall him talking of having a horse shot from under him & having to use it as a "shield" in the Battle of the Marne, but he doesn't know which one! Apparently my Great Grandfather "liked to tell a story" so we really have no idea if he was a bit of a fantasist or whether his stories were actually true!! Any information that anybody has or if anybody knows how I can extend my research (without it costing more than I can afford by joining one of the online Genealogy sites!) would be gratefully received.

    Editor's Note: The cap badge worn by your Great Grandfather isn't that of the RGA, the copy of the photo isn't clear enough to tell which it is, but if you have the original you may be able to match it. Have a look at our cap badges page which displays many badges for guidance

    Shaun Jackson




    205877

    Pte. William Edwin "Ted" Clarke 9th Btn. Essex Regiment

    This was my Uncle Ted, who survived WW1 with a head injury. He was in Napesbury Hospital, The County of Middlesex War Hospital for a while. I would like to find out more, but there is no one in the family to ask. I believe he was injured the middle of September, 1918. Where would I find out where the 9th Essex was fighting during and before and after this time? Thank you.

    Diana Clarke




    205872

    Private Joseph A Allerton Royal Marine Light Infantry

    I would like some information on my grandfather please as I'm doing up a gift for my grandson of his grandfather and great grandfather's service medals from both WW1 and WW2. Any help would be fantastic. Hoping you can help.

    Alan Tomkins




    205871

    Pte Joseph Marker Royal Devon

    My Grandfather fought in World War I in the trenches. Before the War he lived and worked in Budleigh Salterton,Devon, where he was born. He was a Draper's Assistant in a smart Gentleman's Outfitters. And I do remember him always looking smart - with a gold watch and chain. He went to Exeter Barracks when he was called up - but in the latter years of his life we took him over towards Wareham where the tank regiment now is. He remembered training on the heathland. When I was a little girl he mentioned eating rats whilst he was serving in France! He was injured at the Battle of the Somme and came home on the King of Belgium's yacht - though not in style. He was 2 days in a shell hole in the winter and frost - and suffered desperately from frost bite. He was also deafened and had a leg wound. When he arrived back in England, he was sent to a Convalescent Home in Brighton - run by nuns - I have some p/cards of it with the servicemen lying in their beds in rows.Eventually he returned home to Budleigh to my grandmother and Dad.

    Life was very hard - he got 10 shillings a week war pension (after a long fight - there was no British Legion then, it was just before they were formed). He and Grandma had an allotment and grew vegetables and had chickens (but only for eggs, as Granddad would not allow them to be killed, he was a very kind and generous man). Grandma took in lodgers and somehow or another they owned their own house. Granddad did work for the Rechabites and also became the local Secretary and Welfare Officer of the Royal British Legion. He had no transport, but walked miles on his crutches collecting peoples shillings. But more often than not, trying to open the orphans and widows living on next to nothing - he got them coal and food allowances. He served on the Parish Council for about 40 years. His son, my dad, Bill Marker, also served in the Devon Regiment in World War II before being transferred to the Royal Sussex and later volunteering for the Royal Navy (Signals). Dad died last year. I remember them both with great love and great pride.

    Celia Marker




    205870

    Pte. John Duffy att. 258 Tunnelling Company RE. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.31st Jul 1917)

    I am trying to trace details of my grandfather's service in the First World War prior to him being killed in action 31-7-1917. I have only recently found paper work that indicates he was attached to the 258th Tunnelling Company. I am now researching 258 Tunnelling Company and found this web page. I would be grateful if you could give me any information on the 258th Tunnelling company regards

    james duffy




    205865

    L/Cpl. Frank Owers 161st Coy. Machine Gun Corps Infantry (d.5th Apr 1918)

    Frank Owers was a great uncle of mine. He joined the East Yorkshire Reigment. Later he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps Infantry and was killed in action 5.4.1918 aged 20. His parents Owen and Ann Awers lived at 1 Wilbeforce Terrace, Campbell St, Anlaby Road, Hull. It is such a shame that he died so young and so close to the end of the war.

    C Carter




    205853

    Samuel Eyre HMS Ganges

    My father Samuel Eyre was serving on the HMS Ganges and I have a photo of the funeral procession for some of the sailors of the Amiphon

    Joan Matthews




    205846

    Pte. Ethelbert Samuel Gerald Elliott Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>Bert Elliott

    Bert Elliott was my grandfather on my father's side, he served with the Northumberland Fusiliers from 7th October 1915 to the 13th of November 1917.

    Janis Harris




    205832

    Pte. Mathias Oliver 6th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    My great grandad, Mathias Oliver served with the Welsh Fusiliers during WW1. He was a miner before the war and joined up at the age of 25 we think. He was a private in the Fusiliers and ended up going to fight the Turks in Palastine. He was gased and captured by the Turks and we think he spent 2 yrs in a POW camp.

    He was released after the war but died 1 or 2 yrs later from gas poising leaving 3 children and a wife. On his death bed he asked his best mate to look after his family.That he did as a lot of folk did in those days. He has a plaque in Manchester (screen wall 1839) Philips Park Cemetery.

    I would love to find out more about him and the battles the brave men fought on the campaign. I'm sure there's more to his story but it's quite hard to find out being it was so long ago. If anyone has any info on his Regiment and photos I would love to hear more, thanks.

    David Oliver




    205824

    Pte. Reginald Binns 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.31st Jul 1916)

    Reginald Binns was one of four children born to the Binns family, Leeds UK. All 3 brothers - Clifford, Sydney and Reginald joined up for the war through Leeds Pals, but Reggie was sent to join the Royal Scots Fusiliers. As a fast runner, he was appointed as a runner. This was a job that involved being sent to run through No Mans Land with messages to other trenches. He was inevitably killed in 1916.

    Both his brothers survived and returned to Leeds after the war. Clifford married Gladys May and they had a son whom they named Reginald after the first, Clifford's brother. Tragically, aged just 19, Reginald Binns II died in Italy on 04/02/1944 whilst serving in the second world war. The first Reginald Binns is commemerated at Theipval memorial in France, whilst the second is at Casino Memoria, Italy

    Filippa




    205823

    Pte. Michael Wilson 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Jun 1916)

    My great grandfather Michael Wilson was with the 6th battalion DLI in France. He died on 26/6/1916 and all we know is, he died of wounds and is buried in Bailleul.

    I can find no service records for him apart from his medal card, nor can I find any information as to what his battalion was doing.

    If anybody has any information that could help I would love to hear from you. Many thanks

    Katherine Canning




    205817

    Private William Hunter 9th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.4th Feb 1918)

    My uncle William died in St Steeven's Hospital in Dublin "as a result of wounds" according to the official War Office notification. I have no information on where he served or was wounded.

    A Hunter




    205814

    Albert George Harry Cox Remounts Army Service Corps

    <p>Albert Cox in 1916

    My grandfather was born on 10 Mar 1894 in Chailey, Sussex. He enlisted into the Army Service Corps Remounts at their depot in Swaythling, Kent on 27th Oct 1915 Aged 21. I have no further history of his Army career, medals awarded or theatre of service. My grandfather died in Lewes in 1983.

    Rick Ward




    205813

    Pte. Thomas Henry Humpherys West Yorkshire Regiment (d.11th Jul 1918)

    Thomas Humpherys is the invisible man, son of Thomas Henry Humpherys and Mary R. Thomas Henry Humphreys was born in the year 1897, South East Holbeck Leeds West Yorkshire. There seems to be no death certificate or place of death given or cause. I have tried all avenues but noone seems to know anything.

    Thomas was a Private Soldier in the 1914-18 War serving in the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own). Regimental number 49025. He also served in a secondary Regiment called the Labour Corps, number 545169. This Labour Corps was formed in the year 1916 in Millington, France. Thomas died whilst on active service in France on the 11th of July 1918. Casualty type. Commonwealth War Dead General Number 6817.

    It is possible he died in Ireland in the Mater Hospital. He is the son of Thomas Henry Humphrey's and Mary Rebecca Humphreys nee Atkinson. He is in Grave Number 6817 General Inscription Grave Holbeck Cemetery, Leeds, West Yorkshire.I have gone through the French B M D,+ Leeds B M D,to no avail can anyone help me close this? Did he die from the Flu epademic?

    Leeds Holbeck Cemetery. This Cemetery’s locality is in Leeds, West Yorkshire within the United Kingdom. The Historical information highlights the use it was put to during the Great War in 1914-18.

    The major hospitals in Leeds were the 2nd Northern General with 1,800 beds and the East Leeds War Hospital with 1900. Leeds was also one of the Principal hospital centres in Yorkshire during the Second World War. Leeds (Holbeck) Cemetery contains 65 First World War burials and 21 from the Second World War, all scattered. A Cross of Sacrifice stands by the cemetery entrance. The number of Identified Casualties is 86. The figures quoted include Foreign and Non World War Graves in CWGC care.

    During the two World Wars, the United Kingdom became an island fortress used for training troops and launching land, sea, and air operations around the Globe. There are more than 170,000 Commonwealth war graves in the United Kingdom, many being those of service men and women killed on active service, or who later succumbed to wounds. Others died in training accidents, or because of sickness or disease. The graves many of them privately owned and marked by private memorials, will be found in more than 120,000 cemeteries and churchyards.

    I have searched for 3 months. Nce Aspera Terrent.(Nor do difficuties deter)

    Trevor Geoffrey Holmes




    205808

    A/Sgt Albert Edward Moat 31st Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.9th Jul 1919)

    Albert died on 9th July 1919 in Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot.

    Julie Moat




    205802

    Capt. William Henry Bloor Royal Field Artillery (d.3rd Jan 1918)

    I am in the process of writing a history of the Denbighshire Hussars Yeomanry, pricipally during the First World War.

    William Henry Bloor was a Sergenat in the Denbighshire Yeomanry, before being commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery. As a Captain he was killed-in-action on 3 January, 1918. His father Reginald Henry Bloor or Rex Bloor also served in the DY. I am looking for any photos of Officers, NCOs and Men who served in the Denbighshire Yeomanry from 1900 to 1921.

    I gained my BA in History in 2003 and my thesis was on the DY. Any photos or stories which could be copied/photocopied would be of great help to me.

    Nick Peacock




    205800

    Private Issacc Thomas Pritchard M Milt. 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    My granfather, Issac Thomas Pritchard, was a career soldier signed up at age of 18 around 1893. He spent over 24 years in the Army.

    He had six children with his first wife, only five survived. he was given a discharge in 1917 when his wife died.He remarried and had a further son.

    During his 24 years we can trace him as having been in India, Ireland, England and France.It's the France part that is the main interest as we have a copy of the citation when the French Military presented him with the Medale Millitaire on 15th Nov 1914.

    Due to the fact his first marriage children went into a home.On his death all his effects went to his son from his second marraige.After his death this medal was, we are told, given to the Regimental Museum then in Warrington. We are very interested in trying to find out what battles he was in and what did he do to get this decoration.

    My mother now passed on at 92 along with her twin.

    He was also a career soldier in South Lancs and an invalid after Dunkirk.The elder brother died in captivity in Greece 1942 he was Royal Artilitary. I am the eldest in the family of Ivy Margaret Pritchard she married John Thomas Bright

    Reg Bright




    205795

    George R. Percy 255th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    I have found a charming little album with WW1 drawings and poems and writings, trying to trace one of the inserts, this is what it says......

    Here's wishing you all that you wish, Good luck to all at No 4! (from one of the West Riding boys) signed Geo. R. Percy 255th Coy R.E 21st June 1916.

    I would love any info on anything to do with this. Many thanks.

    Editors Note:

    This type of album was often kept by nurses, the sketches and poems being from the patients in their ward, often as a parting message. There were several hospitals with No.4 in the name, including the 4th Northern General Hospital at Lincoln.

    Jo Smith




    205794

    Pte. Joseph Balcon Royal Army Service Corps

    I am trying to trace my father's army records, no luck, I know lots of records were lost during the Blitz. His name was Joseph Balcon and he served with the 2/20th Battalion, London Regiment and the Army Service Corps, he told me he fought in Odessa? Can anyone tell me where would I find any records of this?

    Michael Balcon




    205791

    Pte. Fred Thomas Bennett Keeton 9th (Service) Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

    My Grandad, died before I got any chance to talk to him about his war experiences. It was only after his death that I became aware of his service.

    He joined up on 10/05/1915 and served throughout the war 'till his demob. I have seen his medal record and although they are the ones they all received they still make me proud. I would love to know more about him but fear that will no longer be possibloe unless he was mentioned in a war diary somehwere. But its very good to know that although he would have spent much of his years digging trenches etc. he could have also been involved in heavy fighting as well.

    Tony Woodhouse




    205788

    Sister Emma Louise Daisy Dodd

    <p>

    Emma Louise Daisy Dodd (known as Daisy) trained as a nurse in Camberwell and served on the Hospital Ship H.M.H.S. Eurypedes (so spelled) and at the 36th General military hospital in Salonika.

    List of addresses

    After the war she went on her own to Korea via the Trans-Siberian Railway. Was a governess in the household of King Farouk of Egypt. She died in England sometime after 1952.

    W B Dodd




    205784

    Henry Charles Billington Kings Liverpool Regiment

    Henry Charles Billington was born in 1894 in Everton, Liverpool. At the out break of WW1 was a merchant seaman. He arrived home from a voyage and was presented with a white feather because he was not in uniform and it was this act that prompted him to join up. He joined the Kings Liverpool Regt. in 1914 possibly 1/5 Battalion (although not 100% sure). He was a Lewis Gunner and served during the Battle of the Somme and during the first Battle of Ypres better known as Passchendaele.

    He was at some point taken prisoner of war during the Battle having spent two days in a shell hole with a dead German soldier. When taken prisoner he was located in a camp in Southern Germany where he got a job as a trustee in the bakery, and believe that it was mainly a Russian prison camp. Although, thankfully, Henry survived the war it's my understanding he was wounded twice during his time at the Front prior to being taken prisoner. Henry lived to a good old age of 71 and died in Prescot Liverpool in 1966.

    Russell Billington




    205780

    Pte. William David Vaughan Royal Army Medical Corps

    William David Vaughan was my great-grandfather. I've recently begun researching my family tree and have found he was a Private in the RAMC. I don't know much about his service except that he served in Salonica in Greece in 1916.

    Jenny Vaughan




    205779

    Pte. Henry Hill 2/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshires

    I have various items relating to my Dad's service in WW1, including his Pay Book, Lifetime Pension papers, photographs and medals. I took this 'memorabilia' to the Royal Warwickshire's Museum and the Superintendent there was able to give me some fascinating details about my Dad. First of all - photographs. One shows him sitting with a group of other soldiers, nearly all with different cap badges. I know that because some of the battalions were decimated, regiments were made up from survivors of other units. Secondly, Dad has 3 stripes on the lower part of his sleeve. I was told, no it didn't indicate his rank, it indicated that he had been wounded 3 times. Well, the words '3rd time B.E.F' are written in the front of his paybook. The date of his Attestation is written as 18.10.15 (age 18). His Pension papers show 'Gunshot Wound to the Head' and Neurasthenia. An attempt had been made to delete the latter word! Two puzzles. 1). Why only 1 payment made - One shilling and fourpence, dated 2.4.1918 in his Pay Book? The Station is Horton Hutments, and 2) it is in regard to a badge found in the same box as his 2 WW1 medals. It has 'On War Service - 1916' and shows 3 cannon. Was he in munitions for a time? His vaccinations show Feb 1916 and TAB 1.3.1918. I know that Horton Hutments was in Northumberland (Newcastle). He married my mother in 1919 - she came from Newcastle. Like many other ex-soldiers, D ad never talked about his war experiences. He briefly mentioned 'Wipers' - Ypres - and Amiens, but that is all. (A programme featuring those two battles happened to be being shown on TV at the time). He walked out of the room, clearly upset. His war record was destroyed along with a lot of others during WW2 bombing. Such a pity.He died on 2.2.1969 aged 72.

    Myra Lyng




    205775

    Pte. Vernon Aubry Body 1st/4th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.18th Oct 1915)

    Vernon Body (also spelt Boddy) was one of six sons. His father Harold Hermon Leopold also served in the war as did his older brothers Harold Valentine and Wilfred Reginald. His two youngest brothers, Clarence (my Grandfather) and Norman were too young to enlist.

    A twin, Vernon and his brother Alwyne Victor signed up when they were sixteen, claiming they were nineteen. Vernon joined the army, Alwyne, the navy. Vernon enlisted with the 1st/4th Leicestershire Regiment on 12th November 1914. He was sent over to France 25th June 1915.

    In September he was admitted to a field hospital with influenza. He was discharged 23rd September 1915 and three weeks later his battalion was given the task of attacking the Hohenzollern Redoubt, a German strongpoint near Bethune, France.

    400 of the Battallion were killed and wounded, among them was Vernon who had gun shot wounds to the abdomen. He was admitted to the field hospital at Forquieres and he died from his wounds on 18th October, 1915.

    He is buried at the Chocques Military Cemetery, memorial reference I.G.74 he had just turned 17 years.

    V.M.Clements




    205770

    Rfm. Joseph James Randall 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade (d.1st Feb 1915)

    My grandfather, Joseph James Randall was killed in action on 1st February 1915. His body was never found but he is listed on the Ploegsteert Memorial. I have not been able to find out any information about him and would be grateful if anyone has any information. He was killed two weeks before my father was born.

    Colin Randall




    205761

    John Cameron

    My grandfather was in the first battle of the Somme, one of the 6th. My grandfather never really talked about the Somme, but he told me this story when I was 10 years old and this memory will always be with me:

    He was wearing the kilt at night during the attack. All the Germans could see was the white of their legs. He was shot in both legs and was shipped back home, not like many of his friends who never made it.

    Graham Broadley




    205759

    Sgt. Joseph Edward Houghton 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.9th Jan 1917)

    <p>

    Joseph was the loving son of Eliza Ellen Stewart. He was born Joseph Edward Treadwell, but changed his surname to his mother's maiden name. He was engaged to be married, but unfortunately he was killed. On his death certificate it stated Turkey, although he is remembered with Honour on the Basra Memorial. We will always remember and love him for ever.

    Delma Collins




    205741

    Bombardier Charles Alley Tattam Royal Garrison Artillery (d.18th Nov 1918)

    Bombardier Charlie Alley Tattam was my stepfather's uncle. He is buried at Saint Andre Communal Cemetry, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. He died on 18th November 1918, but I don't know how he died. Presumably it was from injuries received during the war which had ended only a few days earlier.
    Lesley Bowman




    205734

    Pte. William Truesdale 15th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    William Truesdale was my grandfather's brother, they both joined up for the Great War but my grandfather was in the Royal Irish Rifles and survived the war, dying at home in Castlewellan in 1965.
    Christine Barron




    205731

    Surg. H. S. Carter 2nd Northern General Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps

    I am trying to gather information about a surgeon called HS Carter, who worked in the 2nd Northern General Hospital, Leeds, during the first world war and submitted a thesis for the degree of MD, to the Leeds University, in 1922. His field of interest was Causalgia.

    The original article states "The work has been carried out at the 2nd Northern General Hospital, now the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Leeds".Do you know whether these were the same? I am conducting research into the history of Causalgia, and would be interested in any information about Mr Carter and the two hospitals mentioned. Thank you Kind regards

    S Duttagupta




    205729

    L/Cpl. George Potts 4th Btn Worcestershire Regiment (d.28th Jun 1915)

    George Potts was my great uncle. He was killed in Gallipoli on the 28th of June 1915, pobably during the attack on Gulley Ravine but, little more is known. He served in the 4th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment. George had an unusual history. His parents, George Benjamin and Clara Potts, were both from Kent being born in Faversham and Barming (near Maidstone) respectively. The Potts family, near Faversham, were numerous. It is understood many converted to the Mormon faith during the second half of the 19th Century. This faith lead them to emigrate to the USA. George and Clara Potts did live near the Salt Lake City in the USA. Their son also named George was born there in 1890. For reasons unknown, George and Clara left the USA, settling back in England eventually moving to Maidstone Kent. Their son George was registered in the 1901 census as being born in the USA. George Potts (Junior) was thus a US citizen and may have been the first to have died in the Great War. We would like to know more but, the above is all that is known.

    Clive James




    205727

    Pte. H. A. Gentleman Middlesex Regiment

    I have in my possession a medal in the shape of a star with crossed swords topped with a crown,on the reverse is en-scribed 1480,Pte,H.A.Gentleman, Middx.R.

    I would like to return this to any family members if possible, can you help? Regards

    A Crossley




    205725

    Pte. Thomas Wright 10th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    My grandfather Thomas Wright was injured at Mons, France, under the Yorkshire Post Office Rifles, I believe in 1917. He was wounded by shrapnel on the bridge of the nose and never fully regained his health. He died in 1961 in Sheffield where he had lived all his life. My father Jack Wright b. 1911 and Arthur b. 1917 both served in the Army in WW2 and thankfully came home safely. My Dad was in the REMY and Uncle Arthur (still alive) was in North Africa. In 1949 Jack immigrated to Canada with our family and I never got to know my grand dad and would like to know what happened to him, where, when etc. if possible. Thank you kindly for any assistance you can offer.

    Ann Sullivan




    205716

    L/Cpl. Albert Dixon 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d. 6th May 1918)

    My Great Grandfather, laid to rest in the Commonwealth War Graves, Dueville, Italy.

    Sue B.




    205715

    Pte. James William Leary Royal Irish Rifles

    My Grandfather James (William ) Leary enlisted under age in WW1 into the Royal Irish Rifles,Regiment (Unknown ). He fought in France on 22nd December 1915 and was wounded . He was awarded the Victory/British/Star.1914-1918 Any Information I would be greatful to receive.

    Tony Leary




    205714

    Pte. Robert Casey 1st & 3rd Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers

    Robert Casey. Pte 6371 K.O.S.B, enlisted 22 April 1912 as Pte 3rd Special Reserve K.O.S.B. Mobilised 8th August 1914 Berwick, B.E.F France 11th September 1914 17th October 1914 with 2nd K.O.S.B home 18th October 1914 {reasons not known} but likely illness.

    K.O.S.B Depot 18th October 1914

    1st Febuary 1915 {on depot roll so probably in hospital}

    3rd K.O.S.B 2nd Feb 1915-2nd of July 1915 Mediterranean Expedition Force Gallipoli

    3rd July 1915-9th March 1916 with 1st K.O.S.B. EXpeditionary Force France

    10th March 1916- 7th July 1916 K.OS.B.

    Wounded 1st day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Home 8th July 1916-23rd Feb 1918 disharged no longer physically fit age 23 years.

    This is my grandad, he died in 1939 due to the wounds he received on the Somme that day.

    None of grandad's grandchildren ever got to meet or see him. His first grandchild was born the same year he died. I can't help but wonder if all those years ago he had a photo taken with a mate or mates and it's hidden away some where or still proudly hanging. My grandad was from Stockton-on-Tees and lived at Housewifes Lane.

    I have found that several young lads joined the K.O.S.B from our town. Grandad's mate was Patrick Sullivan he died, I believe, in 1915. There was also Tom Bowes living near to grandad same area of Stockton. He was also disharged due to wounds in 1918.

    Wish by some miracle a photo of grandad would turn up, just feel one may be out there with my grandad proudly standing in his uniform.

    He did just before he died join the Old Contemtables Assocciation this was in 1938.

    I am appealing to all who had grandfathers serving in the K.O.S.B 1912-18 check those photos you have and perhaps you will find my grandad on one. All the best Derek

    Derek Casey




    205701

    Pte. Robert Goldie 8th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.19th Jan 1915)

    <p>Private Robert Goldie aged 17yrs from The Kilmarnock Standard of 25 January 1915

    My Great Uncle Robert Goldie, was born in Liverpool in 1887, due to the fact that his father was playing profesional Football for Everton F.C. after having been transferred from Celtic F.C. about a year earlier. On moving back home to Scotland in 1898 due to his father being transferred to Dundee and then Morton the family eventually settled in their home town of Hurlford/Crookedholm which, like to day, is a suburb of Kilmarnock. Robert, like most young boys, took part in many organisations including the Boys Brigade and football with the local team, Hurlford. In his early teens he was an apprentice at Glenfield and Kennedy (water valve makers) as well as playing occasionally for Kilmarnock F.C. as a reserve player.

    When war broke out he pestered his parents to such an extent that they eventually gave in and allowed him to join up. He was only 17 yrs old and like most young man who were eager to join up lied about his age stating he was 21 yrs. He joined the 8th Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders in September and was transferred to Aldershot for training. It was during this time that he sustained a bayonet wound which eventually led to septicemia and pneumonia. He succummed to his injuries on the 19th January 1915.

    He was given a full military funeral on his return home with the whole of the populations of Hurlfiord, Crookedholm and most of Kilmarnock attending.

    Letter of Condolence to my Great Grandparents on the death of their son Robert.

    He is buried in a quiet corner of Kimarnock Cemetery along with his grandparents. He was fortunate he did not befall to the horrors that were about to be unleashed on his Battalion later that year.

    John Stewart




    205693

    Pte. Patrick Sullivan 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.28th Sep 1916)

    My grandad lived in Stockton-on-Tees, North East England. He was an apprentice riveter working for Ropners & Sons Ship Builders on the Tees.

    In 1912 he joined the K.O.S.B. and was in the 3rd Battalion Special Reserve. When the Great War broke out he was sent to France for reasons we don't know. He ended back at the Depot in Berwick in hospital, not mentioned if wounded or illness brought him back.

    He was then sent with the 1st Battalion to Gallipoli then to France for the Somme Offensive. On the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme grandad fell badly wounded with bullet and shrapnel wound to left leg. He spent months in hospital operations and much probing by doctors until grandad said enough!!!

    On June 6th at St. Mary's Church, Stockton-on-Tees he married Gran. She was Beatrice Warhurst Kirk.

    In 1918 grandad was honourably disharged from the Army. He was much troubled by the wounds he recieved and just before he died in 1938 he joined the "Old Contemptibles Association". He died in 1939, the same year his 1st grandchild was born.

    We, his grandchildren, never got to see our grandad. I have searched for old photos of him but as yet nothing turned up. I did find that his best mate joined about same time as grandad. He was Patrick Sullivan.

    Just before the war broke out grandad and patrick had photos taken in their uniforms. This photo hung just 16 doors away from me when I was a young lad and never knew about it. Hoping for some small miracle this photo still exists.

    Also know a few lads from Stockton-on-Tees in the k.o.s.b during the great war.

    Derek Casey




    205688

    Lt. John Clemo Royal Artillery

    <p>

    John Clemo was born in 1924 and joined the Royal Artillery in 1942 where he served until 1982 reaching the rank of Major. On leaving the army he settled in Australia.

    Chris Lordan




    205684

    Pte. John George Weeden East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    John George Weeden was born 29-01-1889 and died in 1975. He joined the East Lancashire Regiment on 10-04-1907 at New Cross, London signing on for seven years as a regular and 5 years as a reserve. On 27-07-1914, a few days before WWI commenced he was serving as a reserve in South Africa. On 05-11-1914 he landed in France and was described as an honest, hard working soldier and a good horseman. On 09-04-1919 he was discharged and awarded the "1914-1915 Star with clasp" "British war Medal 1915-1920" and the "Victory Medal".

    John's brothers who also served in the East Lancashire Regiment during WWI :- Thomas b.1886 served between 1914 and 1920 with the service number of 10029 and Albert b.1894 served between before 1914 to 1920 with the service number of 6210

    Chris Lordan




    205683

    Pte. Albert Weeden East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>

    Albert Weeden's war records, like many others were were destroyed by enemy action during WWII. He is known to have joined the East Lancashire Regiment and believed did so long before the commencement of WWI. This is based on him receiving service number 6210 and his brother, John b.1889, received the service number 9310 on joining the same regiment on 29-01-1907. A third brother also joined the regiment, he was Thomas b.1886, who received service number 10029.

    Albert was not allowed to speak of his service due to a domineering wife but it is known he served at the Somme and in Poona, India. Sometime during his service he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and received a service number 176623.

    He was awarded the "1914-1915 Star" "British War Medal 1915-1920" and the "Victory Medal". All three bear his name, his 6210 service number and the name East Lancashire Regiment. His medal role shows the word "Disembodied 24-04-1919" but his Machine Gun Corps service sheet states "Discharged SR 14-08-1920". Does SR mean special reserve ? I could not find out what happened between 24-04-1919 and 14-08-1920.

    Have photographs of the man, one is where he is "dressed up" and was wearing a kilt. Another shows him in "whites" with a Naval badge of rank on his arm. First thoughts were of "dressing up" again but the uniform appears to be a perfect fit and as he was a very small man I think it doubtful he would have found another "loaned" uniform to fit.

    Chris Lordan




    205682

    Pte. Frederick Thomas " " Jones 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment

    <p>

    Frederick Jones was born 29-05-1899 and like many others lied about his age in order that he could join the conflict. Became a qualified signaller and saw service at the Somme, Passendale Ridge and Ypres. He was put forward for a gallantry award as, under fire, he pulled a comrade from a trench who had lost both legs due to a blast. He was gassed and received an honourable discharge dated 17-07-1918. He died 25-10-1969.

    His Discharge Certificate.

    Chris Lordan




    205678

    Sjt. Harry Pemberton 23rd Field Company Royal Engineers

    He was my Grandfather and was a regular who sailed to France on 23rd August 1914 and served there for the duration of the war. He was wounded in the arm and evacuated to England but later returned to his unit.

    In WWII he served as an instructor in the Scots Guards.

    I served in 1985 - 1991 and 2001 - 2003 in the same unit in the Royal Engineers - 23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron and went to war with them to Iraq when I was serving as their Quartermaster in 2003.

    Major Stuart Pemberton




    205676

    Harold Geoffrey Dane The Hampshire Yeomanry (Carabiniers)

    <p>

    My father Harold (born Jan 16 1884)was an apprentice joiner in the shipyards, with John I Thornycroft. He enlisted Aug 4 1914, seeking adventure, and served initially in the Cavalry, seeing action in France. Group C, Southampton was disbanded and the members placed in the infantry.

    However, dad had proved himself valuable with his carpentry skills and was given additional training (in 1916?) and assigned to Number 6 Observation Group, Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers, British Expeditionary Force, France (sapper #521715).

    He spent the remainder of the war at the front, including 18 months at Paschendale.

    His lucky number was 2: he was promoted from the ranks twice, and demoted twice; he was mentioned in dispatches twice, and he was a witness at two court-martials, and the accused were declared innocent in both cases (amazingly, the witnesses saw nothing).

    Dad credited his survival to his Captain, an "upper-class" man who stood up for his men, persuading his superiors that they were too valuable to risk on full offensives, although they did do duty as scouts. I have in my possession a map of the Front, Belgium and Part of France, dated September 29, 1918 (Sheet 28 SW) complete with mud and dad's reference marks and notations. Following the war, armed with glowing references from his Captain, dad rejoined Thornycroft and completed his training, becoming a Master Joiner. However he had, in today's jargon, post-traumatic stress, and was unable to hold a job although he had many opportunities including a stint building airplanes. Shortly after the war he attended the Carabinier's reunion, and concluded that he was the only survivor of Group C.

    Dad emigrated to Canada in 1920, joined his brother on his homestead on remote northern Vancouver Island, and after a year of isolation "was cured".

    Les Dane




    205675

    Edith Bennett Womans Army Auxillary Corps

    Born 20-09-1900, married and became Edith Back and died 12-08-1981. Joined so that she could do "her bit" as her two older brothers, George b.1897 and Walter b.1899, were serving as regulars in the Royal Navy. She was discharged 21-10-1918 against number 51064. Her unit was later changed to the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. I understand that such members of the unit were not given service numbers.

    Chris Lordan




    205667

    Pte. Wilfred James Simshauser 33rd Battalion (d.30th Mar 1918)

    When Wilfred was wounded, and while he was recovering in England, he met a young woman named Alice Ferguson with whom he corresponed when he returned to the Western Front.

    When he was killed in action on his body was a letter adressed to Miss Ferguson.A Corporal Evans found this letter and posted it to Miss Ferguson of the Australian Postal Section in London. Alice did not find out about Wilfred's death until three months later.

    Barry Simshauser




    205654

    Pte. Frank Monaghan 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Feb 1915)

    <p>

    Frank Monaghan.

    Francis was the youngest son of William and Catherine Monaghan (nee Casey) He was born 30th April 1891 at the Caretakers house at 10 Dunn Street Jarrow. His father William had been Caretaker of Dunn Street School since about 1885. Both of his parents were Catholics from County Monaghan in Ireland. He had four older sisters and a brother. Catherine born 1881 in Watson Street. Margaret born 1883 and Mary born 1884 in Tyne Street. William born 1887 and Sarah Ann born 1889 at 10 Dunn Street. Francis was baptised at St. Bede’s RC Church in Jarrow by Fr. Denis Duggan on 23rd May 1891. In 1893 another daughter Elizabeth was born at the Caretakers house at 10 Dunn Street. Frank attended St. Bede’s RC Primary School at Monkton Road Jarrow, then at St. Bede’s RC School at Low Jarrow, were he was taught by the Marist Brothers. Frank was an amateur weightlifter who probably trained at St. Kilda’s in Wear Street.

    Around 1900 his father decided to go over to North America to start a new life, and when he got established, fetch his family over. William Monaghan senior had lived and worked previously in New York for about 12 years, and had other members of his family there. He had left New York in 1880 and came to Jarrow visiting a family he knew from County Monaghan. He ended up marrying one of the daughters in Jarrow. So Catherine Monaghan and the rest of the family had to move out of the caretaker’s house in Dunn Street, when her husband left his job. They moved over to Hodgson Street in Willington Quay, next to the oldest daughter Catherine, who had just married Thomas Wadey. The oldest son William at this time was at the Chadwick Memorial, Industrial School for Catholic Boys at the Moor Edge in Newcastle, training as a Tailor, he had been sent there for some minor misdemeanour.

    In early 1903 Frank’s mother Catherine died at Hodgson Street (she is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Wallsend) So the father William Monaghan had to relinquish his plans, and come home from North America. William Monaghan and his family moved back over to Jarrow again. By now Frank had followed his older brother William into the Tailoring trade. After his apprenticeship was completed, there was little work for Frank and his brother William So William joined the Army. And Frank the Royal Navy. Frank signed on at Devonport on 11th August 1909. He served on board the HMS Vivid I, Mars, Andromeda and the Monmouth It was whilst serving on HMS Monmouth 1910-11 that photo was taken (the only photo of him known that exists today) In August 1911 he got into an affray with a non-commissioned officer and spent 7 days in the cells. When HMS Monmouth got to port he was unceremoniously drummed out of the Senior Service at Devonport.

    Frank was 20 years old now, when he got back to Jarrow, and there was very little work in the tailoring as times at the shipyard was hard in Jarrow. Frank’s older brother William had signed up to the Regular Army in 1908 at Haddington into the 1st Royal Scots, and was now stationed at Allahabad in India.

    In July 1912 Frank signed up into the Regular Army at the Recruiting Office at 21 Ellison Street, Jarrow. He stressed he wanted to serve in India with his brother. Frank was signed up in the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 3428 to be stationed at Sabathu in India. When his father found out he said 'No true Irishman would wear the khaki' He did his basic training at Hillsborough Barracks in Sheffield and got a 3rd Class Certificate of Education awarded on the 30th July 1912.

    In September 1913 the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers sailed from Plymouth (where he had seen service in the Royal Navy 2 years before) In November 1913, the 2nd NF disembarked at Karachi, to relieve 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers of the 9th Sirhind Brigade at Sabathu. It is not known if he seen his older brother William in India, as it is 585 miles from Sabutha to Allahabad where the 1st Battalion Royal Scots were stationed.

    War was declared in August 1914 and by October the BEF was getting a hammering at Ypres. So Britain had to start withdrawing troops from the colonies.

    • August 1914 the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in Sabathu.
    • November 1914 the 2nd NF are recalled from India.
    • Tuesday 20th November 1914 the 2nd NF sailed from Karachi.
    • Thursday 22nd November the 2nd NF arrived at Devonport and entrained for Winchester, transferred to 84th Brigade, 28th Division.
    • Saturday 16th January 1915 the 2nd NF are mobilised to join the BEF in Belgium.
    • Sunday 17th January 25 officers and 970 other ranks of the 2nd NF depart Southampton for Le Havre, France on the troopship S.S. Australind.
    • Monday 18th January the 2nd NF disembark at Le Havre.
    • Tuesday 19th January the 2nd NF arrived Hazebrouk by train. (first fatality) Private Robert Henry Fisher 3078 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Tuesday 2nd February 1915 moved forward in buses to Vlamertinghe. Then took over trenches near Zwarteleen, and to the south and south-east of Zillebeke. (Brigadier H. R. Sandilands records in his book "The fifth in the Great War" that the line taken over was 1,140 yards in length and ran from opposite Hill 60 to the left boundary of the 28th Division)
    • Wednesday 3rd February (5 fatalities) Private Leo Manley 613 "B" Coy. - Private John Murphy 2949 – Private Bernard Pike 2027 "B" Coy. – L/Cpl Matthias William Purchase 2712 "B" Coy. (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) – Private Arthur William Taylor 2986 (buried Divisional Collecting Post Cemetery)
    • Thursday 4th February (1 fatality) Private John Charles Goudie 4035 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Relieved by the 1st Welsh and moved back to support line at Zillebeke. Casualties from first tour in the trenches - 6 other ranks killed, two officers and 27 other ranks wounded.
    • Friday 5th February (1 fatality) Private James Brown 3864 “A" Coy. (died of wounds and buried Hazebrouk Communal Cemetery)
    • Tuesday 9th February (1 fatality) L/Cpl George Gray 2783 (died of wounds and buried Hazebrouk Communal Cemetery)
    • Thursday 11th February (1 fatality) Cpl William Johnson 3147 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Carried out further tours in Zillebeke area then moved in reserve at Ouderdom.
    • Friday 12th February (4 fatalities) Private George Buglass 2570 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) – Private George Burton (died of wounds and buried Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles) – Sgt Arthur Robson 2721 – Private John Shortt 2441 (both commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Sunday 14th February (1 fatality) Private Arthur Denbigh Williams 3183 (died of wounds and buried Longuenesse St. Omer Souvenir Cemetery) Moved to Ypres then later in dug-outs on canal bank near St Eloi. Monday 15th February (4 fatalities) Private Robert Holmes 8823 – Private George McLeod 8831 – Private Stanley Pendall 3301 – Private Alfred Edward Reavell 2386 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Tuesday 16th February (5 fatalities) Private William Day 2296 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) L/Cpl Samuel Forrest – Sgt Daniel Smith 7198 (both died of wounds and buried Ypres Town Cemetery Extension) Sgt Arthur Edward Frame 920 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Private Andrew Wilkinson 2083 (buried Bedford House Cemetery) 'A' and 'B' companies withdrew to Bedford House during night, then 'C' and 'D' companies took part in counter-attack on 'O' trench. Withdrew later to Bedford House. C.O. Lt Col S. H. Enderby (wounded) among the casualties. Took over front line North of Canal.
    • Wednesday 17th February (5 fatalities) Private George Brookes 2798 – Private Thomas Fearnley 2987 – Sgt Edward George Harvey 1446 – Private Abram Walker (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Relieved by 1st Suffolk’s.
    • Thursday 18th February (7 fatalities) L/Cpl Edward Lawson 3387 (buried Ramparts Cemetery, Lille Gate) Private William Herbert Ingram 2914 (died of wounds and buried Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery) Private Henry Poulton – Private Charles Smalles 11981 - L/Cpl Henry Sykes 3449 – Private William Webster 2937 – Private Thomas White 12483 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Friday 19th February (3 fatalities) Private Thomas Green 2942 – Private John Morgan 3355 – Private Joseph Sanderson 2269 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Saturday 20th February (1 fatality) L/Cpl Harry Forrester 2706 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) On to Kruisstraat. Moved forward again, later to La Chapelle Farm, and during night took part in attack on 'Z' trench. 'A' Company went forward at 12.30 am followed by 'C' and 'D'. (Brigadier Sandilands records that the ground to be crossed was a quagmire, the troops struggling on to within a close distance of their objective. An attempt to charge the enemy's line was met by heavy fire-two officers being wounded and the leading wave’s almost wiped out) 'B' company was later sent in, but a renewed attack at 2 am also failed. Battalion withdrew at 5 am to Kruisstraat. Casualties - 3 officers wounded, 6 other ranks killed, 61 wounded, 40 missing.
    • Sunday 21st February (22 fatalities) L/Sgt Edwin Abbott – Private William Whitfield Anderson 3110 – Sgt Bertie George Annets 7878."B" Coy. – Private Thomas Blades 8930 – L/Cpl Thomas Alfred Charlesworth 1627 – Private Peter Cornwall 8735 – Private William Donnison 12743 – Private William Arthur Fuller 2308 – Private John Gilbert Hope 8745 Private William Arthur Hurley 2293 Sgt Samuel Albert Jackson 1131 – Cpl William Campbell McDonald 2640 – Sgt Henry Morris 1271. "A" Coy – Private John James O’Hare 8321 - L/Cpl Tom Priestley 819 Private John Rudd 2354 - L/Cpl Arthur Slingsby 475 – Private Hugh Smith 2458 – Private John Ernest Spencer 3049 – Sgt Wilfred George Woodward 9798 – Private Joseph Wright 3416 born Jarrow - (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Private John Burn 8806 (buried Bedford House Cemetery) There is a soldier from Jarrow and he is not on a Cenotaph in Jarrow. "Hill 60" was one of the heights from where the Germans had an excellent view on Ypres and the front area. Which made it a thorn in the flesh for the British.
    • Monday 22nd February (8 fatalities) Private Edward Felix Baker – Private Alexander Boothman 2822 from Jarrow – Sgt William Burnip 7839 – Private John Butler 3295 – Private Michael James Cavagin 2923 – Private Robert Reed 2459 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Private Frederick Webb 3141 (died of wounds and buried Bedford House Cemetery) Private Frank Monaghan 3428 born Jarrow (commemorated Hooge Crater Cemetery) The 2 soldiers from Jarrow are not on a Cenotaph in Jarrow. To date - 69 Other Ranks had been killed.

      After four days of heavy fighting near Verbrandenmolen. Zillebeke. Belgium (Hill 60) Frank Monaghan was killed at La Chapelle Farm. Years later an old soldier who had served with him, told his sister, that Frank was resting in the trench with his boots off, when the Germans led an attack. The whistle sounded to counter attack and Frank went over the top in his puttees. Frank was buried at La Chapelle Farm with a wooden cross as a marker (most probably by the Germans as they held it for most of the war) Out of nearly 50 killed from the 2nd battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, during the four days fighting Frank was the only one who got buried at La Chapelle Farm. Did he make it to the German Trenches? All the others that died in the counter attack, were lost without trace and are commemorated on the Menin Gate. Buried alongside him were 12 other crosses, 10 from the 1st Lincolnshire's, 1 from the 1st Dorsetshire's and one from the 1st Bedfordshire's. (these battalions served alongside 2nd NF)

      During the preceding years the little wooden cross cemetery was pounded by shellfire and by the end of the war there was no trace of any graves. After the war the Commonwealth Graves Commission made a Duhallow (special memorial) at Hooge Crater Cemetery, to those lost graves at La Chapelle farm (the Cemetery is a kilometre away from La Chapelle farm.

    • Tuesday 23rd February 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers left the 28th division and joined the 5th division for a month due to heavy casualties in the 5th division.
    • Wednesday 24th February Heavy snow blizzards.
    • Thursday 25th February (1 fatality) Private George Jewitt 3513 (died of wounds and buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery)
    • Saturday 27th February (1 fatality) Private James Moorhead 9619 (died of wounds and buried Zantvoorde British Cemetery)
    • Sunday 28th February (1 fatality) Private Frank Tanner 3193 (died of wounds and buried Entratat Churchyard)
    • Monday 1st March 1915 (1 fatality) Private Frederick Foster 3529 (buried Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery)
    • Friday 5th March (1 fatality) Private William Henry Holmes 3098 (died of wounds and buried Netley Military Cemetery)
    • Saturday 6th March (1 fatality) L/Cpl Edward Eddy 8603 (died of wounds and buried St. Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery)
    • Sunday 7th March Private Arthur Thomas Barron 581 (died of wounds and buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery)
    • Thursday 11th March (1 fatality) L/Cpl Edward George Burling 2317 (died of wounds and buried Wimereux Communal Cemetery)
    • Friday 12th March (7 fatalities) Private James Allison 9923 from Jarrow – Private Albert Brown 1518 - L/Cpl Michael Coyne born Jarrow - Private Arthur Lake 3921 – Private Alfred Scott 1830 "A" Coy. (all commemorated Ploegsteert Memorial) Private James Hough 9758. "D" Coy. (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Private Henry George Reinbach 3281 (commemorated Loos Memorial) - (his date could be wrong?) The 2 soldiers from Jarrow are not on a Cenotaph in Jarrow. Saturday 13th March (2 fatalities) Private Walter Starling 2128 (died of wounds and buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery) Private George Whitham 3235 (died of wounds commemorated Ploegsteert Memorial) Monday 15th March (1 fatality) Private Anthony Sanderson 9621 (died of wounds and buried Loker Churchyard) Sunday 21st March (2 fatalities) Private Francis Cannon 2990 – Private Benjamin Stewart (both commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial) Wednesday 24th March (2 fatalities) Private Felix Leonard Chatter 16895 (commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial) Private William Dews 7805 (died of wounds and buried Brompton Cemetery)
    • Saturday 27th March (2 fatalities) L/Cpl Jeffrey Liddell 7905 (died of wounds and buried Newcastle-upon-Tyne Byker and Heaton Cemetery)
    • Monday 29th March (1 fatality) L/Cpl Frederick Smith 3858 (died of wounds) Commemoration not known
    • Tuesday 30th March (2 fatalities) A/Cpl Joseph Holland 8805 (buried Dranoutre Military Cemetery) Private George Patterson 8466 (buried Dranouter Churchyard)
    • Friday 2nd April 1915 (1 fatality) L/Cpl Thomas Crossland 9707 (died of wounds and buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery)
    • Friday 16th April (8 fatalities) L/Sgt Arthur Adcock 2729 – Private William Ewart Gladstone Bagshaw 3072 - Private William Brown 3209 – Private George Francis Lawrence 2896 – Private Matthew McMillam 17200 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Private George Henry Anderson 4209 (buried La Laiterie Military Cemetery) L/Cpl John Skelton 8844 Commemoration not known Private Peter Welsh 2488 (died of wounds and buried Newcastle-upon-Tyne Byker and Heaton Cemetery)
    • Saturday 17th April (6 fatalities) Sgt. Albert Henry Gold – Private Horace Green 16669 – L/Cpl James Kyle 4799 – Cpl Albert Arthur Moran – Private Alexander Walker 6901 – Private Frederick Young 7440 (all buried La Laiterie Military Cemetery
    • Wednesday 21st April (1 fatality) Joseph James Hughes 3020 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) 2nd battle of Ypres.
    • Thursday 22nd April (1 fatality) Private Robert Jackson 2998 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Friday 23rd April (2 fatalities) Private Henry Devlin 8590 (buried Divisional Cemetery) Private David Lynn Wharton 8554 (died of Wounds and buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery
    • Saturday 24th April (10 fatalities) Private John James Ashton 9102 – Cpl Frederick Barnes 2325 – Private John Alfred Brown 8960 – Private Morris Dawson 9742 – Private Daniel Doran 9107. "B" Coy – Private Private Henry Snow Foy 1769 – Private Henry Small 8958 – Private Fred Woolf 3324 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Private Charles Emmerson 6828 (buried Bedford House Cemetery) Private John Hodd 2848 Commemoration not known
    • Sunday 25th April (9 fatalities) Private Patrick Carroll 7911 - Private Robert Fuller 9363 – Private Gilbert Greening 3562 – Private Robert Savage 6319 (all buried Tyne Cot Cemetery) ('Tyne Cot' or 'Tyne Cottage' was the name given by the Northumberland Fusiliers to a barn which stood near the level crossing on the Passchendaele-Broodseinde road) Private William Dunn 9452 – Cpl Herbert Green 452 – Private Matthew Leach 9904 – Private Maurice Simmonds 4945 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) L/Cpl Alweyne Montague Fisher Turner 3532 (buried Bedford House Cemetery)
    • Monday 26th April (7 fatalities) Private George Henry Blanch 8385 – Private William Davison 16492 – Private William Willett 16889 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Private James Fitzpatrick 3134 (buried Bedford House Cemetery) Private Walter Fletcher 2753 – Private Harold Snowdon 3395 (both died of wounds and buried Bedford House Cemetery) Private Charles Albert Musgrove 3247 (buried Tyne Cot Cemetery)
    • Tuesday 27th April (1 fatality) Private Sidney Clarence Wheels 3143 (died of wounds and buried Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery)
    • Wednesday 28th April (1 fatality) Private William Brayson 8947 (buried Bedford House Cemetery)
    • Thursday 29th April (1 fatality) Private James Edwin Tait 15395 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Friday 30th April (2 fatalities) Private Earnest Payne 2888 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Private John Smith 8218 Commemoration not known
    • Saturday 1st May 1915 (3 fatalities) Private George Gunn 12370 – Private William Rowan 3488 (both buried Tyne Cot Cemetery) Private James White 2388 (died of wounds and buried Le Treport Military Cemetery) Sunday 2nd May (1 fatality) Private Thomas Lamb 328 (buried Bedford House Cemetery)
    • Monday 3rd May (2 fatalities) L/Sgt Bert Butler 939 real name Bert Munday – Private George William Darling 2490 (both commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Thursday 6th May (1 fatality) Drummer William Albert Titterton 2586 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Friday 7th May (6 fatalities) Private Thomas Crone Brown 5125. ‘B’ Coy. – Private Tom Denton 3923 – William Elsdon 2996 – Private Michael Morton 3327 – Sgt James Henry Spaxman 3362 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) Private Hugh Makin 4846 Commemoration not known
    • Battle of Frezenberg (8 - 13 May) The battle began on May 8 with a bombardment that disrupted the 83rd Brigade holding trenches on the forward side of the ridge but the first and second assaults by German infantry were repelled by the survivors. The third German assault of the morning pushed the defenders back. While the neighbouring 80th Brigade stopped the advance, the 84th Brigade was broken giving a two mile gap in the line. Further advance was stopped through counterattacks and a night move by the 10th Brigade.
    • Saturday 8th May (96 fatalities) Private James Askew 9527 – Private George Bartley 8670 – Private Samuel Bennett 8886 – Private Charles Birkitt 2244 – Private Thomas Bowman 8938 – L/cpl Thomas Boyd 1387 – Cpl James Bradford 2593 – Private John Brooks 2971 – Private Samuel Broome 3708 - Private Walter Browne 8579 – Private James William Bulmer 3521 – Private George Henry Calvert 2947 – Private Thomas Gregory Chambers 7356. "A" Coy. – Private Joseph Chater 5114 – L/Cpl Peter Clarke 2152 – Private James Connolly 9937 – Private Joseph Craik 3260 from Jarrow - Private Robert William Daglish 2439 – Private James Davison 2086 – Private Matthew James Disberry 8397 – L/Cpl William Henry Dixon 8744 – Sgt William Donaldson 7703 – Private Martin Duffy 8512 from Jarrow – Sgt William Donaldson 7703 – Private Arthur Dye 16608 – Private Eaton Horace 2599 – L/Cpl Ernest Edgar Elsworth 3263 – L/Cpl Frederick Evans 3212 – L/Cpl Joseph Fogarty 1763 – Private George Garrett 16890 – Private Henry Gibson 9892 – Private Robert Hall 8405 - Private George Hallam 8348 – Private George Edward Halliday 10718 - Private William Henderson 2158 – Private Joseph Hine 2159 – Private John Thomas Hirst 9183 – Private Stirling Hood 12473 - Private Andrew Jardine 3371 from Jarrow – Cpl Walter William Kerner 2281 "G" Coy. – Private George Lichfield 2654 – Private Edward Marshall 4134 – L/Cpl William Martin 17019 – Private Peter McCluskey 8667 – Private Edward McCormack 4112 – L/Cpl John McGurk 8697 - Private James McMorris 8650 - L/Cpl James Melville 9718 born Jarrow – Private Thomas Mulgrew 4831 - Private Joseph Mumford 8111 born Jarrow – Private Ronald Murray 9738 – Private Thomas Frederick Newbury 3427. "F" Coy. – Private Robert Oliver 16715 – Private Robert Penrose 3304 – L/Cpl Frederick Pierson 2897 – Private Ernest Price 16640 – Private Charles Edward Puxty 2405 – Private Peter Guinn 3158 – L/Cpl Arthur Rhodes 3019 – Private Albert Robson 3383 – Private Thomas Rutherford Robson 3680 - Private Thomas William Robson 9324 – Private Harry Seed 16674 – Private David Smith 3754 – Private James Herbert Spencer 3489 – Private Joseph Stanley 2627 – Private Geoffrey Leonard Storey 16610 – Private John Thomas Straker 9929 – Private Michael Talbot 8415 – Sgt Thomas Taylor 7536 – Private Joseph Thoms 20927 - Private Ernest Towler 1124 – Private Fred Charles Waite 9914. "B" Coy. - Private Maddison Horsley Watt 3294 – L/cpl Frank John Wiffen 830 – Private George Vincent Wilkins 16509 – Private Thomas Wilks 8955 – Private John Wilson 253 – Private Robert Wilson 11223 – Private Thomas Wright 16703 born Jarrow – Sgt James Young 2377 – L/Cpl John Young 2381 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) All 83 soldiers from one battalion killed on the same day have no known grave. Out of the 6 soldiers from Jarrow, only one, Private Joseph Mumford 8111, is on a Cenotaph in Jarrow. Private Peter Byrne 2808 – Private James Christie 3091 – Private James Albert Hardy 2880 – L/Sgt Percy Douglas Webb 2625 (all buried Sanctuary Wood Cemetery) Private David Scott 2938 (buried Perth Cemetery, China Wall) Private John Sheard 2650 (buried New Irish Farm Cemetery) Private James Trall 16639 – Private Robert William Daglish 2439 – Private Basil Clement Ferninger 1980 – Private Lionel William Kennersley 3097 – Private Alexander McCleanghan 17199 – L/Cpl Patrick McDonald 8711 - Private George Miller 2611 (all Commemoration not known) 96 soldiers from one battalion (10%) Private Charles Lazenby (wounded taken POW)
    • Sunday 9th May Frank Monaghan’s older brother Private William Monaghan 9918 1st Battalion Royal Scots, was killed today, within a mile of here at Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62)
    • Monday 10th May (1 fatality) Cpl Charles William Finch 2725 (buried Roeselare Communal Cemetery (POW) Tuesday 11th May (3 fatalities) Sgt Hugh Frazer 2091 (died of wounds and buried Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery) Private John William Hall 16846 (buried Cologne Southern Cemetery (POW) Private Harold George James Woodbridge 3903 (buried Tyne Cot Cemetery (POW)
    • Wednesday 12th May (1 fatality) L/Cpl James Higgins 8366 (buried Poelcapelle British Cemetery)
    • Sunday 16th May (1 fatality) Bernard Reynolds13852 (buried Tyne Cot Cemetery (POW)
    • Thursday 20th May (1 fatality) Sgt George Ernest Victor Cullingworth 2492 (buried Cologne Southern Cemetery (POW)
    • Friday 21st May (1 fatality) Private Thomas William Morris 3365 (buried Cologne Southern Cemetery (POW) Sunday 23rd May (1fatality) L/Cpl William Bell 2840 (buried Tyne Cot Cemetery (POW)

    • Battle of Bellewaarde (24 - 25 May) On 24th May the Germans released a gas attack on a 4.5-mile (7.2 km) front. British troops were able to defend against initial German attacks but eventually they were forced to retreat to the north and south. Failed British counterattacks forced a British retreat 1000 yards northwards. Upon the end of the battle the Ypres salient was 3 miles (4.8 km) deep. By the end of the battle the size of the Ypres Salient had been reduced such that Ypres itself was closer to the line. In time it would be reduced by shelling until virtually nothing would remain standing. The surprise use of poison gas was not a historical first (poison gas had already been used on the Eastern Front) but did come as a tactical surprise to the Allies.
    • Monday 24th May (45 fatalities) Private Arthur Surtees Adamson 16374 "A" Coy. – Private George Frederick Atkin 17009 – Private Robert Bell 20909 – Private John Bennett 1577 – Private Stanley Birlinson 2565 – Private Neville Bell Bradford 15537 – Private John Robert Brown 20895 from Jarrow – Private Edward Carroll 8647 born Jarrow – L/Cpl George Collinson 20906 – Private John Cooke 17008 – Private Samuel Drydale 5960 – Private John Fenton 21075 from Jarrow – CSM John Fletcher 9273 – Sgt Benjamin Hague 8625 – Private John Edward Hamplett 16549 – Private William Joseph Hann 3167. "H" Coy. – Private Charles Edward Higgins 6833 – Private Frank Howard 16817 – Frederick William Howes 8697 – Private John Hutson 44767 – Private John Hynes 3190 – Cpl John Innerd 3244 – Private Stephen Joyce 2182 from Jarrow - Private John William Kemp 8493 – Private James Logue 3215 (DCM) – Private Albert Makin 6066 "B" Coy. – Private Archibald Alexander McCorkindale 2130 – Private James William McCoy 21069 – L/Cpl Robert James McIntyre l 8710 – Patrick McMullen 21054 – Cpl Richard Mitchell 2877 – Private Richard Newton 21013 – Private James Nicholson 20993 – L/Cpl Joseph Paddin 3940 – Private John Pumford 1086 – Private Ernest Reed 6065 – Private Alfred Shinn 2505 Private William Stewart 4193 – Sgt George Wilson 20915 – Private Ralph Wilson 21084 – Private William Wynn 17348 – Cpl George Henry Yendell 3303 - (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) All of the above 42 soldiers from one battalion killed on the same day have no known grave. Private John Ayres 20936 – Private James Erby 14054 – L/Cpl George Victor Whitford 8210 (all Commemoration not known) Out of the 4 soldiers from Jarrow, only one, Private Edward Carroll 8647, is on a Cenotaph in Jarrow.
    • Tuesday 25th May (8 fatalities) Private Edward Burke 20918 (buried Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery)
    • Private James Clark 3091 – Private John Elliott 20974 – Private James Fish 21021 – Private George Richardson 20976 – Private William Sanderson 9526 – Private George Webster 20903 – Private Richard William Winter 615 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Wednesday 26th May (62 fatalities) Private James Aram 16767 – Private Patrick Aspell 12468 from Jarrow – Private Stanley Robert Atkinson 16701 – Private John Bailey 21031 – Private Richard Bayldon 8799 – Private Stephen Blyth 2561 – Private Arthur Bell Browbank 21038 – Private William Burton 20928 – Private Robert Carr 16934 – Cpl Harry Cave 2747 – Private Charles Edward Chapman 20949 – Private William Clelland 16808 – Private John Crawford 20899 – Private Robert Croft 21000 – Cpl Thomas Edwin Cummin 6634 – Private Robert Dixon 17076 – Private Patrick Dorian 20958 Private Joseph Dyson 21014 – Cpl William John Donald Stuart Frazer 8774 "B" Coy. – Private James Goodman 20990 – Private Joseph Henry Hall 14658 born Jarrow - Private James Edward Harwood 21005 - Private William Hutcheon 21003 from Jarrow – Private John William Irving 21076 – Private John George Lawson 21088 – Private William Lee 3403 – Private William Lynn 20972 – Privte Robert McGuire 16717 – L/Cpl William George Malyon 3726 – Private Samuel Martin 21052 – L/Cpl Martin McCail 21043 – Private Robert McDonough 20984 – Private William James Merritt 20931 – Private Robert Walter Nealings 19357 – Private Thomas Alfred Newell 3018 Private Alfred Noble 3777 – Private Robert Paul 2919 – Cpl Archibald Pearson 3815 – Private Edward Pearson 20992 born Jarrow – Cpl Herbert Roe 2963 – Private John Sanderson 20980 – Private Albert James Scott 3381 - Private Samuel Spears 21062 – Private Frank Stephenson 6875 – Cpl Albert Stone 3264 – Private David Storey 5111 – Private George Swaddle 21072 – Private Edward Theaker 16577 – Private John Thompson 21091 – Private George William Urwin 21055 – Sgt John Walker 2847 – Private Matthew Musk Ward 20902 – Private Charles Waterhouse 21060 - Private Stephen Watt 21058 from Jarrow – Private George Robert Wheatley 10985 – Private Robert Edward White 9440 – Private James Younger 2667 (all commemorated Ypres Menin Gate) All of the above 58 soldiers from one battalion killed on the same day have no known grave. Private John McCauley 20932 born Jarrow (buried Brandhoek Military Cemetery) Private John Thomas Smith 16712 (buried Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery) Private John Barraclough 20896 – Private Thomas Ealy 20904 – Private Charles Francis Sowell 20908 (all Commemoration not known) The 5 soldiers from Jarrow are not on a Cenotaph in Jarrow.
    • Thursday 27th May (2 fatalities) Private Thomas McClusky 15383 (died of wounds and buried Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery) Private John Wilson16680 (died of wounds) Commemoration not known
    • Friday 28th May (1 fatality) Private Edwin Shanks 8528 (died of wounds and buried Cologne Southern Cemetery)
    • Wednesday 29th May (1 fatality) L/Cpl Jim Harold Fletcher 2587 (died of wounds and buried Wandsworth (Earlsfield) Cemetery)
    • Monday 31st May (1 fatality) Sgt Henry Victor 1258. "D" Coy. (died of wounds and buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery)
    • Wednesday 2nd June 1915 (1 fatality) Sgt George Shepherd 3084 (died of wounds and buried Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery)
    • Monday 7th June (1 fatality) Private Matthew Ellison Wood 8979 (died of wounds and buried Newcastle-upon-Tyne All Saints Cemetery)
    • Tuesday 8th June (1 fatality) Sgt Samuel Barlow 197 (died of wounds) Commemoration not known
    • Thursday 10th June (1 fatality) Cpl William Hoare 2865 (died of wounds and buried Paddington Cemetery)
    • Saturday 12th June (1 fatality) Private William Mirrilees 3086 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Monday 14th June (1 fatality) Private Thomas Robey 21158. "C" Coy. (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Monday 28th June (1 fatality) Cpl John Sinclair 20962 (died of wounds and buried La Clytte Military Cemetery)
    • Wednesday 30th June (1 fatality) Private Frederick Allen 7793 (died of wounds and buried Leicester Welford Road Cemetery)
    • Thursday 8th July 1915 (4 fatalities) Private Thomas Hirst – Private William John Little 8504 – Private William Murray 21111 – Private Sharp Watson 21179 (all buried Ridge Wood Military Cemetery) Monday 12th July (1 fatality) Private Frederick Richard Rowden 2911 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Tuesday 13th July (1 fatality) Private Edward Rumney 16763 (died of wounds and buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery)
    • Saturday 31st July (2 fatalities) Private Harry Elcock 980 – Private Patrick Masterson 9607 (both buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery) Tuesday 3rd August 1915 (1 fatality) Private Robert Dunn (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Saturday 7th August (1 fatality) Private Frederick Evans 16936 (buried Etaples Military Cemetery) Wednesday 11th August (1 fatality) Private John Mason 20901 born Jarrow (buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery) The soldier from Jarrow is not on a Cenotaph in Jarrow.
    • Saturday 28th August (2 fatalities) Private Andrew Hedley 17339 (buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery) Private James Thompson 2478 (Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery)
    • Sunday 29th August (2 fatalities) Private William Harris 8379 – Private Thomas Shannon 335 (both Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery)
    • Monday 30th August (1 fatality) Private Henry Woodcock 14681 (buried Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery) During the First World War, the village of Lijssenthoek was situated on the main communication line between the allied military bases in the rear and the Ypres battlefields. Close to the front, but out of the extreme range of most German field artillery.
    • Monday 6th September 1915 (1 fatality) Private John Alfred Tillotson 2791 (died of wounds and buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery) Friday 10th September (1 fatality) L/Sgt Snowden Foggan Orange 14588 (died of wounds and buried Loker Churchyard) Saturday 11th September (1 fatality) Private Tom Whittles 21446 (buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery)
    • Thursday 16th September (1 fatality) Private William Edward James 3371 born Jarrow (died of wounds and buried Loker Churchyard) The soldier from Jarrow is not on a Cenotaph in Jarrow.
    • Saturday 18th September (1 fatality) Private Joseph Harold Darling 17129 (buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery)
    • Sunday 19th September (6 fatalities) Private Joseph Cawley 21145 – Private James William Elliott 21378 – Private Charles Gott 15328 – Private John James Ramsey 21372 – L/Cpl Edward Sykes 9115. "B" Coy. – Private Alan Young 15337 (all buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery)
    • The Battle of Loos (25 September – 14 October) The first time the British used poison gas during the war, and is also famous for the fact that it witnessed the first large-scale use of new army or "Kitchener's Army" units. The battle opened on 25 September and the British were able to break through the weaker German trenches and capture the town of Loos, mainly due to numerical superiority. However, the inevitable supply and communications problems, combined with the late arrival of reserves, meant that the breakthrough could not be exploited.

      A further complication for many British soldiers was the failure of their artillery to cut the German wire in many places in advance of the attack. Advancing over open fields in full range of German machine guns and artillery, British losses were devastating.

    • Sunday 26th September (1 fatality) Private Joseph Hartshorne Newsome 6072 (commemorated Ypres Menin Gate)
    • Thursday 30th September (1 fatality) Private William Chalk 8338 (commemorated Loos Memorial)
    • Friday 1st October 1915 (61 fatalities) Private Robert Bailey 17286 – Private Arthur Barker 21482 – Private William James Beal 3017 – Private Thomas Bell 16947 - Private James Henry Bentley 18055 – Private Thomas Bisset 10101 – Private Thomas William Bland 18364 - Private James Brankston 21034 – Private John Byrne 9817 – Private Arthur Calladine 16908. "D" Coy. – Private Albert Carr 4817 – Private James Carroll 17360 – Private Thomas James Dixon 17665 – Private Alexander Douglas 8998 – Private Frank Dunlavey 17560 – Private John Farrier 5618 – Sgt Edgar Gater 17250 – Private George Getley 16995 – Private John Allison Hall 9189 – Private James Henderson 667 – Private Harry Hill 17466 – Private John Howitt 8530 - Private Alexander Mather Johnson 15445 – Private Thomas Johnson 15289 – Private John William Johnston 15520 – Private Walter Kitching 18386 – Private Harry Lawson 6022 – Private Thomas James Leather 21006 – Private William Lowery 15458 – Private Charles William Marsden 16690 – Private George Horace Massey 16901 – Private Alfred Mawhood 21444 - Private John Mole 5814 (real name McCarthy) – Private Peter William McDonald 9737 – Private Harold Mercer 16463 – Private Henry Morrison 21068 - Private Robert Chrishome Pearson 14626 – Private Harry Pettit 17060 – Private Edward Poole 8402 - Private John Alfred Preddy 16836 – Private James Punton 18497 – Private William Pyecroft 21019 – Private Benjamin Rackham 17542. "D" Coy. – Private Joseph Robshaw 3548 – Private Alfred Henry Saunders 1925. "D" Coy – Private Jack Scholes 17227 – Cpl John Shearer 8622 – Private John Sheehan 17203 – Private George Henry Speller 2699 – Private John Storey 15890 – Private Joseph Tinnion 15336 – Cpl George Vose 9540 "A" Coy. – Private Richard Warden 18116 – Private Albert Edwin Webb 2967 – Private Thomas Williams 21082 – Private Walter Richard Willis 17741 Private Joseph Young 21480 (all commemorated Loos Memorial) Private John Auld 21033 (buried Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery) Private Thomas Frisby 9709 (buried Cabaret-Rouge Cemetery Souchez) Private Charles Baines 21070 – Private Edward Hutchinson 10162 (both Commemoration not known) 59 soldiers from one battalion in one day with no known grave
    • Saturday 2nd October (13 fatalities) Private Michael Brannan 20898 – L/Cpl Alfred Brierley 1257 – Private Herbert Carrier 5735 – Private Isaac Longbottom 18384 – Private John Macdonald 15241 – Private Thomas Smith 3013 – Private William Smith 20952 – Private James Stonehouse 15211 – Private Henry Sweet 16349 – Private John William Taylor 9500 – Private Claude Eugene Turton 8663 – Private Thomas Hagarty Watson 21140 (all commemorated Loos Memorial) 2nd Lt. Ivan Hamilton Learmouth Gilchrist (buried Vermelles British Cemetery) 12 soldiers with no known grave
    • Sunday 3rd October (1 fatality) Private Albert Battle 18473 (commemorated Vis-En-Artois Memorial)
    • Monday 4th October (25 fatalities) Private James Albert Barnes 15095 – Private Frederick Binks 21491 – Private John Robert Burns 18331 – Private John Smith Coggings - 21506 Private Benjamin Byron Crossly 21016 – Private William Finnigan 17513 – Private Frederick Hall 16803 – Private John William Hall 17194 "D" Coy. – Private Thomas King 2481 – Private Thomas Lockyer 16705 – Private William Henry Marsh 16810 – Private Frederick Wallace McKay 8506 – Private William Reed 17328 – Private John Rose 3936 – Private Christopher Skipsey 16941 – Private Arthur Percival Smith 21489 "D" Coy. – Private John Stewart 17904 – Private Ralph Taylor 17418 – Private Frederick George Usher 17228 - Sgt Frank Wilkinson 2612 – Private Andrew Young 16939 (all commemorated Loos Memorial) Private John Hegarty 16938 – Temp 2nd Lt Geoffrey Wilkins (both died of wounds and buried Chocques Military Cemetery) Private John William Proctor 2084 (buried Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt) Private John Stoker 15486 (buried Canadian Cemetery No.2, Neuville-St, Vaast) 21 soldiers with no known grave
    • Tuesday 5th October (2 fatalities) Private Thomas Currey 22154 (died of wounds buried Abbeville Communal Cemetery) Sgt Stanley Dundas Stanley 16939 (died of wounds buried Longuenesse St. Omer Souvenir Cemetery)
    • Sunday 10th October (1 fatality) Private John Jenkins 3470 (died of wounds buried Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles)
    • In the second week of October 1915, the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers pulled out of Ypres for good, with the remnants of the Battalion. The 9 months the 2nd NF spent at Ypres 1915, 2 officers and 525 other ranks had been killed.
    • In January 1915, the 2nd NF had went out with 25 officers and 970 other ranks. There are 380 of the other ranks on Memorials to the missing (73% of those who died have no known grave) The 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers lost 23 soldiers from Jarrow at Ypres, and 20 of the 23 who died from Jarrow have no known grave. Only 2 of the 23 are on a Cenotaph in Jarrow. By the end of 1915 most of the Regular Army ceased to exist. That's why in mid 1915 Britain had to hurriedly formed a new army from scratch (Kitchener's Army)
    • 24th October 1915 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers sailed from Marseilles.
    • 29th October arrived Alexandria.
    • 21st November 1915 left Alexandria.
    • 24th November arrived Salonika.
    • 24th November 1917 arrived in Italy
    • 26th to 27th June 1918 sailed from Itea to Taranto, Italy.
    • June 1918 left 28th Division and sailed for France.
    • 16th July 1918 to 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division at Martin Eglise.
    • 11th November 1918 located at Dourlers, north of Avsesnes, France.
    • 25th March 1919 a new 2nd Battalion was formed of 6 officers and 30 other ranks from the Depot of the Northumberland Fusiliers, although the original 2nd Battalion was still at Wargnies le Grand.
    • 9th April 1919 2nd Battalion NF moves to Catterick.

    In WW1 The Northumberland Fusiliers raised more battalions, than any other of the regular army regiments. It raised 52 in all, and its total of dead was the highest, 16,159. They also had five Volunteer Battalions affiliated to them from the Northumberland Volunteer Regiment in 1918. They raised a further two battlefield clearance battalions in 1919. The Northumberland Fusiliers had a total of 59 Battalion's from 1914-1919. The Northumberland Fusiliers was one of the oldest regiments in the British Army. Descended from an Irish regiment raised in Holland by Lord Clare in 1674 it became part of the British Army in 1688. In 1747 it was numbered the 5th Regiment of Foot "Fighting Fifth" During the next 155 years it fought in North America, Canada, South America, the West Indies, the Peninsula, India (where three VCs were won during the Mutiny) and South Africa. In 1968 the Northumberland Fusiliers became the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

    Vin Mullen




    205649

    Pte. Albert Edward Brain 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire (d.21st Nov 1914)

    Albert enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Coventry whilst living in Banbury. The date of enlistment is not known but the 1911 census records taken on Sun 2nd April 1911 shows that he was then serving overseas in Bombay, India with the First Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

    The 1st Battalion sailed for England on December 11th 1912 arriving there on 2nd Jan 1913. It was then based at Shorncliffe, near Folkestone. The battalion was in the 10th Brigade 4th Division. It is probably safe to assume that Albert was transferred to the 2nd Battalion at some time on or after 6th October 1914 the date when the Second Battalion landed in France. So Albert was possibly with the First Battalion in France from 23rd August to 6th October. We cannot, of course, be certain of this since, for some reason, he may have stayed behind in England and did not travel to France with the First Battalion but travelled with the Second Battalion from England. It is possible to ascertain the events leading up to Albert’s death on 21st November 1914 from the 2nd battalion’s war diaries. The 2nd Battalion was not engaged in an actual battle i.e. major offensive at this time. It had been withdrawn from the Ypres Salient on 7th November before the First Ypres Battle ended on November 17th 1914. Trench warfare then took over. On the 10th Nov the Battalion was in Bailleul. On the 11th to 12th Nov it was in Merris. Four hundred and eight new drafts arrived during the stay at Merris. We cannot tell if Albert was one of these.

    On the 15th to 20th Nov they were in trenches at La Boutillerie near Fleurbaix. On the 20th Nov the Battalion was relieved by the 2/Queens (Royal West Kent) Battalion. It then marched to billets at Rue de Bataille in Fleurbaix.

    Another draft of 98 OR’s under Lt B. Bernard joined on that day, presumably, whilst in the billets. The Battalion remained here up to the 23rd Nov when it returned to the trenches near Fleuraix. So, curiously, it appears that the Battalion was in billets on 21st November 1914 when Albert died. What is known is that the relief of a regiment/battalion usually took place overnight, for obvious reasons. They were often protracted affairs, consequently, this relief could have spilled into the early hours of the 21st November. The 2/Queen’s war diary states that they started to enter the trenches at 4.45 pm on the 20th. Men were put at risk as they were leaving the front line. It was likely, therefore, that Albert was killed during the relief of the battalion. Albert is commeorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

    Keith Brain




    205642

    Gnr. John William Stevenson 69th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.4th Nov 1918)

    <p>

    Johnny Stevenson went to France in 1917, the eldest son of John and Mary Stevenson on the Island of Stronsay,in Orkney.

    We do not know much about his time in the war, but he was in the RGA and was killed when a gun carriage rolled back on him, just several days before the war ended. He was 21 and is buried in La Vallee Mulatre Cemetery, France.

    One relative visited there in the 1940's and now two of us, his niece and grand niece, are making the journey there.

    Marlene Mainland




    205641

    William S Wark 6th Btn. King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.3rd May 1917)

    Wiliam was the son of Thomas and Marion Wark, of 545, Alexander St., Coatbridge, Lanarkshire. He was killed aged 19, has no known grave and is remembered on the Arras Memorial. I am tracing family and would like to more about William.

    Richard Blake




    205640

    Pte. George Swaddle 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th May 1915)

    I am trying to find out details about my Great Grandfather, George Swaddle, who died at Ypres on 26th May 1915. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres. We have some old photographs of him which look as if they may have been taken around the time of the Boer War. Unfortunately, we do not know anything about his service record or how he was killed at Ypres. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

    Sandra Robinson




    205636

    Robert Thompson Clements Lothian And Border Horse

    Looking for more information on my grandfather - Robert Thompson Clements. The story is that he joined the Royal Field Artillery at the onset of WWI, and was in the RFA with his elder brother, Walter. Unfortunately, my grandfather had lied about his age and was only 15 at the time. He was dragged off the train headed for France by his mother, Mary. That I would love to have seen! When he finally reached the required age he went into (here's where it gets sketchy) the Lothian and Border Horse. I believe he made Corporal due to his previous army experience! I think he was part of the group that went to Ireland in 1918.

    According to the stories I heard, my Uncle Walter had also made that transition after serving at the Front.

    Owing to my grandfather's love of pranks, his elder brother took it upon himself to repay him, and haze him. He gave him a horse to ride that was the equivalent of "Old Thunder". Riding that horse apparently nearly saw Granddad off. Apparently my Great-Uncle Walter got the laugh of his life out of it. After the war he worked in the Wandsworth Gas Works and retired from there. He died in 1971. He was also a member of the St. John's Ambulance.

    Ian Clements




    205634

    Pte. Joseph " " Doyle 6th Dragoon Guards

    This is my grandfather. Like so many men of his time they gave so much. And, as we get on, they will be forgotten. So that the next generation can learn we must preserve their memory or it will be lost. Keep up the good work it not easy

    Kevin Doyle




    205631

    Gnr. Bertie Charles Pobjoy MID. Royal Field Artillary

    Trying to find more information about my wife's grandfather who was mentioned in despatches by General F.R. Cavan dated 18th January 1919. I have a plaque signed by the late Winston Churchill who was Secretary for War at that time.Can anyone help me uncover any more information please?

    Robert Gough




    205628

    Pte. James Slorach 1st/4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders

    James mobilized august 5th -7pm at Robert Gordon College sent for garrison duty to Stoneywood Naval Wireless Station 3pm- -august 5th

    Returned to Aberdeen 8pm-aug 7th

    Joined Aberdeen for Perth 7am-9th

    Started field training and route marching till aug 13th

    Left perth for bedford midnight aug14th arrived bedford 8pm-aug15th started general training for over seas service

    Signed for service abroad voluntary by appeal of Earl Kitchener -sept

    Highland Division formed in Bedford and inspected by General Sir Ian Hamilton -Oct inspected by HM George V in December 1915

    Had embarkation leave Feb 15

    Left Bedford for Southampton 6pm-19th Feb

    Left Southampton 6pm 19th Feb

    Anchored off Le Harve, France on morning of feb 20th

    Proceed to camp (Le Harve) after dinner at docks 12noon stayed 2 nights and one day at camp Le Harve

    Had 38 hour journey in cattle trucks detrained at Bailull in North France noon 23 feb and proceeded to billets (the north vineyards) and stayed overnight in same town

    Started marching 9am for the village of "La Clytte" across the Belgian frontier, arrived there the same day 4pm weather bitterly cold "La Clytte" 5km+ from firing linr =3 and a half miles inspected and addressed by General Smith-Dorrien

    Were taken on strength of 3rd Division 8th Brigade -26th feb and recognized as the "sister" battalion to the 1st Battalion of the Gordons.

    Went to trenches for the first time on night of the 29th with two different battalions 1st Gordons and 2nd Suffolks had no casualties after

    Had 6 days rest and went to trenches further to right on the front of Messines Ridge had first man killed there.

    After 6 days rest 10 men of transport go to frontline with battalion & I went with "B" coy. and do 6 days & come back for 6 days and same again in march.

    April Germans start gas attacks and 3rd Div.called upon 4th Gordons to proceed to "hill 60" and B Reserve to the Canadians (1st Contingent)

    April 3rd take up position on Memin Road in front of Ypres which was burning furiously.

    June, battalion does 26 days in frontline and has 15 hours bombardment from Germans about 90 casualties.

    June 16th 9th Brigade attacks "D" Coy and 4th Gordons go over on right at "Y" woods and is almost wiped outby machine gun fire.

    Sept 24th 8th Brigade composed(for attack only) of 1st gordons,4th Gordons and 2nd Royal Scots, 1st Royal Scots Fusilliers inspected by Lord Kitchener (eve of Battle of Loos)

    Sept 25th Battle of Loos 4th Gordons have terrible casualties reduced to 4 officers and 150 men - former strength 16 officers and 750 men

    The battle station position - Sangutary Wood right of Ypres (loss 600 men and 12 officers)

    Sept 28th another 10 days of trenches without reinforcements

    Oct leave the line for rest billets by rail to Ceeke.

    Nov.1 leave ceeke on 7 days pass arrive in Aberdeen after a disagreeable passage

    Tueday leave aberdeen for France

    Sunday after painful leave of 4 days

    December arrive back in France after delay and rejoin Battalion after further delay at Reninoghelst in Belgium

    Dec Battalion does poneer for 2 months on account of low strength.

    1916 Feb granted another rest at Éperlecques, France

    Feb20th celebrate anniversary of arrival in France

    Feb 26th leave 3rd Div.farwell speech from General Haldane.March on St Omer and train to Somme - after 24 hrs jounery 6 transport men lose train detrained and march via Valley of Somme and reach Corbie ground covered with snow and very cold meet 51st Div and relieve 4th Camerons in 154th Brigade

    After a week's rest proceed by road marching to Arras a distance of 200 kms taking almost 2 weeks to complete.

    Relive French troops at Rocklincourt and hold the line there until July.

    First transport man killed behind Vinney Ridge. I.along with other 3 men, do work on light railway behind vinney ridge for two months and have one man killed and one man wounded and two mules killed,

    End of July take road for Somme arrive at village of Fricourt which had fallen to the British 2 days before.

    Battalion proceeds to...

    This is where the dary ends James 's thoughts : Where have all the young men gone? gone to a graveyard every one, when will they ever learn- when will they ever learn

    Fay Hill




    205616

    Robert Henry Girling Army Service Corps

    My Grandfather Robert Henry Girling was a member of the A.S.C. Mechanical Transport, as stated on his wedding certificate in 1915/16. Does anyone have any information regarding him, I would be grateful for any information anyone may have.

    Alan Girling




    205606

    Marine. William Banks HMS Clan McNaughton. (d.3rd Feb 1915)

    My grandmother often told the story of how as a child, she opened a telegram and wandered into the parlour asking her mother Mary Banks, [nee Brady] and her grandmother, "how can they lose all their hands?" Never understanding the significance of her words, yet seeing all too quickly the effect upon her now twice widowed mother. Her stepfather was William Banks, I believe a stoker aboard HMS Clan McNaughton. I have a photo of him in his Naval Uniform taken prior to his marriage to my great Grandmother.

    Patricia Donoghue




    205605

    Pte. John William "Jerry" Wiggins 14th Battalion York & Lancs Regiment

    Jerry Wiggins a miner enlisted on the 5th January 1915, he served in the Middle East from December 1915 to March 1916 before being transferred to France.

    He went over the top on the 1st July 1916, the first day of the Somme, he was carried out of no mans land by an unknown colleague, he received gunshot wounds to arm, scalp, chest and thigh shrapnel to shoulder, ring and little finger on right hand gone.

    After 10 months in Fulham military hospital he was discharged from the Army, no longer physically fit for service. He went back to the mines in Cudworth Barnsley, he raised 10 children but died aged 61 in 1951.

    William Wiggins




    205603

    CSM. George Page 1st Battalion East Lancashire (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    My Grandfather Company Sergeant Major George Page 9261 was killed on the 1st July 1916 at Redan Ridge nr Beaumont Hamel the first day of the battle of the Somme. He joined the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Reg in 1907 and served 5 years, He was called back to the battalion on the 22nd of August 1914 on the outbreak of the Great War and sent to France and was in action on the 26th August.

    He saw action in the Battles of the Marne; the Ainse and the retreat from Mons. He was wounded on the 15th February 1915 at Pleogsteert Wood, Belguim and spent 5 months in hospital recovering from shrapnel wounds to the head. He rejoined the Battalion in September and was in the Beaumont Hamel area when he was killed.

    He was married to Edith and they had four children George, Mary, Cecil, and Charlie. His name is engraved on the Theipval Memorial as he was never found.

    Ian Page




    205602

    Pte. Henry Salkeld 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    <p>

    Henry Salkeld died aged 29. He was my grandfather, he has a grave at the A.I.F Burial Ground, Grass Lane, Flers, France.

    Soldiers of the 10th DLI

    His older brother Thomas as he was also a soldier in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He died aged 32 on 1/7/1916. Thomas is commemorated at Thiepval.

    Karen Bonollo




    205597

    Pte. Nicholson Braddock 10th Battalion Duke of Wellingtons (West Rding Regiment) (d.20th Sep 1917)

    My Great Uncle, the youngest of 3 Braddock Brothers all killed within a year of each other (incl my G-Grandad Nicholas William Braddock) in different regiments on the western front. I have his service records which, unlike his brothers, were not destroyed by damage to the National Archives.

    Apart from a big KIA scribbled across the top of them, they hold clues to a great little wartime story which I simply love, although the ending is not the best... Nicholson was detained for a period of 7 days, unpaid,for 'scrumping' the act of taking apples from an orchard without permission (a bit harsh considering the circumstances) however, he was eventually released..... on the 19 Sep 1917, just in time for the operations and his unfortuante death. But as a 5'2" soldier and a very young man (19), I just love it, the "cheeky little sod" as would be said in the North but a hero to me.

    Gary Braddock




    205594

    Pte. Thomas Edgar Swan Royal West Kent Regiment

    My grandfather enlisted on the 8th September 1914. He never spoke of his experiences during the War. All I know is that he was sent to fight and my grandmother was informed that he was missing in action. She believed him to have been killed. She was left with two young children. She did not see him again until the end of the War when he was discharged on 26th March 1919. It transpired that he was a prisoner of war during the time he was missing. My grandfather died in 1973 six years after my grandmother. During my lifetime I cannot recall him laughing or smiling. He was skeletal thin. He must have suffered terribly during that period whilst a prisoner but did not tell his family so far as I am aware. I am sorry I have no other information other than his demobilization certificate and Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity. I would like to know what really happened to him.

    Geraldine Collins




    205589

    Pte. John Ridgway 16th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.24th Nov 1916)

    <p>John Ridgway before he was sent to the front

    John Ridgway was my uncle who, unfortunately, I never knew. I have his medals and death plaque, a leather purse containing gold charms and also his dog tags, these were collected by my grandfather who had to go to France to collect them. He died of wounds at the Somme and is buried at Puchevillers British Cemetery.

    The original cross at John's grave.

    Peter Ridgway




    205587

    2nd Lt. Sydney Leonard Spalding 200th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    Not too much known at this point,but definitely was in action in the Loos area between January and April 1917 possibly in support of 16th Infantry Brigade.

    Obviously went on to Egypt, when I do not know but I do have a photo of the guns in action there though this may have been practice. He came back to work at his family's firm of Spalding & Hodge but could not settle down and left under a cloud. Lived in London & Cambridge and died in 1962.

    Malcolm Spalding




    205585

    Lt. George "Dirty" Anderton MID. 15th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

    <p>

    I have copies of four letters dated 9-14th March 1916 from BEF France. In the first, my Uncle Norman Hurst Anderton of the 16th battalion, the Lancashire Fusiliers is writing to his parents while in the front line for the first time under heavy bombardment.

    In the second and subsequent letters, my father Lieutenant George Anderton of the 15th Battalion which was in the immediate rear, writes to console his parents that his brother Norman was probably taken prisoner, as there was no blood in the trench when he went forward to investigate.

    George Anderton was an intelligence officer and sniper. His nickname "Dirty" related to his many forays into "no man's land", hands and face camouflaged with a good layer of mud. He had a narrow escape when, standing on the firestep, a German sniper bullet hit the end of his telescopic sight and ricocheted into the trench below wounding one of his men. He was wounded later in 1916, shot through the neck. He is alleged to have told stretcher bearers not to bother with him as "they have blown my head off".

    After hospital treatment he eventually landed up in the Convalescent Hospital on the Promenade in Southport where he met my mother to be, who was serving as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment). Another relic is a torn piece of paper with the medical details of his wound recorded in red crayon, perhaps written by one of the MOs of a Field Ambulance or CCS. He survived the war ending up as a Captain.

    Edward T Anderton




    205583

    Pte. Edward Cassidy 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.16th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Edward Cassidy was my great uncle and I have only heard of him in the past few years from a cousin of my father. She is Edwards niece but was born long after World War1.

    My father nor my aunts ever mentioned their uncle who died before they too were born. But, my cousin showed me a photograph of Edward in his uniform that she just happened to come across . Imagine my surprise to find my son's face staring out at me! There are no other members of the family who look like this, and to find this connection has drawn me to him greatly .

    Edward was 38 years old, married with three children. Iknow nothing of their life stories. He was the oldest of 13 children born to Thomas and Ann Cassidynd. His name is on the Thiepval Monument in France but he has no known grave .He was killed at the Battle of the Somme on 16th July 1916 . I wish to keep his memory alive,if only for myself but feel that this is also to hope he did not die in vain and will not be forgotte

    Kathleen O'Sullivan




    205579

    Rfm. Joseph Sedgwick 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Jul 1915)

    <p>

    Joe was my Grandma's brother who she never met. I'm going through the family history and trying to gather as much information as I possibly can. A long shot but can anyone give me any information on what or where Joe could have been. What battles? All we've got is Flanders France, like so many others there is no body no grave. Please email me..

    Natasha




    205575

    Gnr. David Glassford Royal Garrison Artillery

    David Glassford was my grandmother's uncle. I have two postcards of him in the trenches December 1916.

    He married in 1918,his marriage cert states that he was a gunner in the RGA and still in service.

    The only David Glassford that fits in the medal cards has regimental number 69321.

    David Todd




    205566

    Pte. John Wagstaff 19th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.13th Oct 1918)

    <p>

    My great great uncle lived in Radcliffe, Manchester. He was in the 19th battalion for the Lancashire Fusiliers and died in Haspres, France. He was shot in the head on 13th october 1918 during night duty 2 days after sending a telegram to his family saying he would be home for Xmas and to get the turkey in the oven. He was only 23 when killed

    Sophie Lomax




    205556

    Fus. Richard Bush 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

    <p>

    This is no great story of gallantry. Richard Bush was my mother's brother. I know he served on the Somme (1st battalion I would guess). There is a story in my family that he was under age so his mother got him pulled out of the line. I do not know if this is true or not. Anyway, he must have been a glutton for punishment he rejoined the army (I don't know the regiment) and fought in the Salonika Campaign.

    Arnold Keppel




    205554

    Gnr. William James Stretton Royal Garrison Arillery

    <p>

    I don't know much about my great grandfather, William Stretton but we do have a lovely photo of him in uniform, and his original discharge certificate.

    William James Stretton in WWI army uniform. Discharge certificate and Medals Roll Index confirm he was a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery. First active service, France July 1915.

    His daughter remembered him training at Woolwich and creeping in quietly one night to kiss her and her brother goodbye the night before he left for France. She said he was "on the guns" in France and Belgium, and was in charge of 6 horses to pull the guns. William James Stretton was born in Hastings, Sussex, in 1879, and then moved to the Hackney area of London by 1901. After being invalided out of WWI, his daughter said he moved to Essex to look for a new job.

    L Dixon




    205546

    Pte. Jeffrey May 22nd. Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.28th May 1918)

    He was my grandmother's cousin.

    Jeffrey was born in 1899 and was killed in action in 1918. It appears that he was bought up by his grandparents, John and Julia (née Drake). There is some question about the identity of Jeffrey's father, but he was probably john and Julia's son, Lancelot May. Jeffrey's British Army records indicate that he was a slight lad. He enlisted in September 1917 and was killed in France on 28 May 1918. He served with the 22nd Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. His name is listed on the Soissons Memorial by CWGC. If there are further details about this young soldier, please let me know . . . Lest we forget . . . Thank you.

    Ruth Jones




    205540

    Bdr. George Thomas Roberts King's Shropshire Light Infantry

    Trained at Morpeth 1915, ended up in the KSLI.Wounded in the leg and hand from shell fragments on the Somme.

    John Roberts




    205532

    2nd Lt. George Cecil "Papa" Maudslay 2nd Volunteer Battalion The Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment

    <p>George Maudslay's Commission

    Papa George survived WWI and married Florence Phillips who subsequently gave birth to three children, Winifred Irene, Craig and "Babe".

    Phillip Stephen Sheldon




    205531

    L/Cpl. Charles Joseph Beacham 4th Battalion The Rifle Brigade (d.25th Aug 1915)

    <p>Killed in action, 25th August 1915. Buried at Desplanques Farm Cemetery, La Chapelle - D Àrmentieres, France.

    This is taken from an article in a magazine called Light and Truth dated October 1915:

    Fell In Action, August 25TH 1915.

    A/Cpl. Charles Joseph Beacham, 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade, was one of our heroic men who answered his country's call last December. He had previously served his King nine years in India, and after three years' service in the Homeland, he returned to civil life, and was free from further military service. Notwithstanding this, when war broke out he felt the call of duty, and in reply to his wife said: "I should feel a coward if I stayed at home." So on December 4 he again answered the call of King and Country.

    He and his excellent wife joined us in membership at St. George's Hall some three years ago. Mr. Beacham's duties prevented his being in regular attendance at divine worship on Sundays, but when off duty it was a pleasure to see him and his wife sitting together in the House of God.

    We greatly sympathise with Mrs. Beacham in her sore bereavement; she is a capable worker, and rendered this Mission valued service during the great Dock Strike both as a voluntary visitor and assistant in the extra clerical work which the Strike involved.

    Her husband is one of the many obscure, unknown heroes of this terrible war, who, if they had their due, would doubtless have received the Victoria Cross for distinguished and heroic service. Mrs. Beacham was accustomed to receive a daily letter from her husband, and has given me the privilege of reading some of them, from one of which I have taken the liberty of making the following extracts.

    This letter was written from:- "Somewhere, 15/5/1915. "...I am pleased to say I am in the best of condition again. My slight wound has healed up. The captain of my company was shot down and me and my chum were called on to pick him up, and we had to carry him across an open space, where shells were bursting and falling like rain, but, thank God we got him through safe, and ourselves, except for a wound behind the right ear for me, and my chum was hit on the right knee. It was as if we were walking to our deaths, for scores fell trying to reach the other side, and we went through it three times and only got slightly wounded, and mine is quite healed now. Then, two days after, we had a badly wounded man in the trench, and they asked for two volunteers to carry him to safety, and me and my chum carried him away, and the Germans fired on us all the way. Shells were bursting all round us as we carried him down the road, then we got into a ditch and walked along that but they still fired, then we got into the growing corn and, thank God we got him to safety. There is no doubt God's guarding hand has been over us two during the last week, for we have faced death to help others and pulled through. The doctor says we were heroes, but the sacrifice was too great, and he could not understand men facing death like that. I told him we were thinking of the wounded man not of ourselves. At the time I lost all my belongings...all we had was what we stood up in...My regiment has been in the heaviest and thickest fighting, and about 300 of us faced thousands of Germans and kept them back and saved the situation, and they are all proud of us and say they do not know how we kept them back as we were only a handful; they could have walked over us, but they have not got the pluck to face our bayonets. I will tell you all about it when I come home...Have you read the story of Neuve Chapelle...Our battalion made their name there and my chum was recommended for gallantry there. Poor Humphrys is dead, Manville was hit in the back, and I carried Jimmy Fryer out on a stretcher from the trenches on Wednesday night, shot in the stomach."

    What manner of men and women ought you and I be for whom such a price is being paid?

    Jennie Johnson.

    Andrew Beacham




    205525

    Sjt. Alfred Parkins Lancashire Fusiliers

    My father served in the First World War 1914 to 1918 and I think his regiment was the Lancashire Fusiliers. His rank was sergent.

    L Parkins




    205521

    Pte. Walter Underwood 4th Btn Hampshire Regiment

    Before the war Walter worked as a Carter for the Urban Borough Council. He was married to Violet and had 9 children. He joined the army on 14/7/1916, joining the Hampshire Regiment before being transferred to the Labour Corps. He served in France from 14/8/1917 until 12/3/1919

    Stephen Underwood




    205520

    Gnr. Chestney George Overton Royal Garrison Artillery

    British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 Record for Chertney G Overton: RGA 144B, Page 4433 further info :SWB list rls a500 ? Please could someone advise of any Battilion or section, so we might find further records or photos. Thank you.

    Simon Whittaker-Overton




    205509

    Dvr. Ronald M Burns Royal Field Artillery

    My mother recently inherited several items that had once belonged to her father who died in 1968. Among the items was a medal belonging to the person named in the details above. My mother told me she knew nothing of Mr Burns. My Grandmother never showed any of us this medal over all those years, yet it was among the items left when she recently passed away. Can anyone shed any light on who he was, as apart from a basic write up on one of the Army archives sites, I can find nothing else of Mr Burns. I would like to return the medal, as I am sure the late Mr Burns will have relatives out there who would be excited to have it returned..even after all this time

    Joe Kelso




    205508

    Driver Thomas George Sparrow 2/6th Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    He would never talk about the war when he returned home. His brother (John Edward Sparrow) also fought in WW1 but sadly lost his life in April 1918.

    Keith Sparrow




    205505

    Pte. Charles McManus 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.24th Jul 1916)

    Wounded in battle in France and died later as a result of his wounds on 24th July 1916..

    Charles McManus




    205497

    Pte. Robert Samuel Rivers 8th Battalion East Kent Regiment (d.18th Aug 1916)

    Robert my Grandad was killed in action in France aged 34 leaving a wife and six children, one of them my Dad.

    Jean Fuller




    205496

    Pte. John William Webster 18th Battalion Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather John William Webster was with the Manchester Regiment, I think in the 18th Battalion, he was born in 1886 in Salford, Manchester. He enlisted Dec 1914, and was discharged with wounds in June 1916. Cause of discharge is listed as "Para 392 XVI KR Wounds Action taken H738"

    Bron




    205494

    CSM. William George Motum 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.10th Mar 1915)

    <p>

    My great grandfather was William George Motum. The war graves commission which is the only place I can find information on him, shows that he was Company Sgt Major with the 1st Battallion Royal Irish Rifles and died aged 31 on 10 march 1915. He was the husband of Hannah Motum from Caledon Rd Aughnacloy Co Tyrone, N Ireland. I know that from my grandfather he served in India and returned to Aden possibly in the early part of 1914.

    When war broke out the Bn was shipped to France. Aden was not an accompanied tour so on return from India the family returned to their home in Aughnacloy. My mother is the only one of the family still residing there. The recent death of my father Malvern Wiggam has prompted me to try and trace down the ancestral line.

    Although he was in the Royal Irish Rifles my GG was actually English and met his wife Hannah in Dublin. My grandfather William Robert Motum was born in Ireland but his three siblings were born out in India. I would really like to know more about his service record but was told by the museum in Belfast that records were destroyed during the 2nd World War bombing of London.

    I always thought he had been killed at the Somme but this did not take place until 1916. I am now researching battles that took place prior to his death. By the wording it implies that he may have been wounded prior to his date of death. Anyone with any ideas or information would be greatly appreciated

    Allan Wiggam




    205487

    Pte. Algernon Alfred Casterton 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regt (d.30th Nov 1917)

    Cousin Algie (to my mother) always called at her parent's house prior to travelling home on leave during WWI. This was so that she and her sister could get him cleaned up before his mother saw him.

    Initially he joined The Leicesters and then transferred to The Warwicks. He was wounded during an attack near Les Boeufs (halfway between Bapaume & The Somme) in October 1916 and subsequently killed, aged 25, by sniper fire on 30th November 1917. He lies in the Windmill British Cemetery at Monchy-le-Preux just to the east of Arras.

    Chris Chambers




    205485

    Spr. James Diamond 179th Company (Tunnel) Royal Engineers

    My Great Grandfather who was a coal miner in Rutherglen, Glasgow, Scotland who had 6 children and 3 later dying along with his wife of TB. He joined in 1915 to the Tunneling Company as they needed trained men for this task. He was born 1865 in Glasgow.

    Lawrie Edwards




    205481

    Pte. John William Webster Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    My Grandfather John William Webster who was born in 1886 served in WW1 with the Manchester Regiment and was medically discharged in June 1916. I would love to find a regimental photograph as I have never seen a photo of my Grandfather, and would be moved beyond words if someone can help me find same. I would also like to find his pension details to help me trace what happened to Grandfather after his discharge in 1916, and possibly one day some relatives.

    Bronwen Innez




    205478

    Pte. Reginald Harry Lawrence 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

    My Father Reginald Harry Lawrence enlisted at Nottingham Recruiting Centre on 19th October 1916 when he was 17 years old, like many other recruits he said he was older than he was. He joined the Army Service Corps and was mobilized on 23rd February 1917. On 10th July 1917 he left Southampton to join No.4 Base Remount Depot B.E.F. France arriving in Boulogne on 11th July. He was compulsorily transferred to the Somerset Light Infantry for posting to the 7th Battalion on 13th March 1918. He was sent up line and on the second day up line was gassed. After this he complained of general nervousness & dibility but was not sent off Line. He carried on after this with much difficulty. Everything else that happened is very vague. I know my Father had shrapnel wounds in his legs and that he spent almost two years in hospital after the war, his date of discharge from hospital was 5th March 1920.

    Shirley Graylen




    205469

    Pte. Richard Gribbin 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade Prince Condort's Own Regime (d.30th July 1915)

    It would appear that Richard's regiment was on the front line at the Hooge Crater near Ypres. His death is recorded as 30th July 1915 . His body was never found. Was he in the forefront of the 'Liquid Fire' used in this area on that date? Is that how he died? His name is remembered on Menin Gate.

    Our family were proud to visit Menin Gate see his name and be part of the Last Post ceremony which is portrayed there every night at 8.00p.m. We definitely should 'Remember Them'

    Gribbin Family




    205466

    L/Cpl. Arthur "Buzzer" Marriott 7th Btn. City of London Regt

    I eventually arrived back at my unit feeling more scared than ever and wondering if I would survive the war.

    When I arrived at base I was told my unit was in the Front Line not far from Amiens and I was to join them at night going with the mule train which took up our rations and brought back the dead for burial.

    We started off and passed by the heavy Howitzer guns which were firing and scaring the mules to death. After we had gone so far the Sergeant told us we must now go by communication trench up to our Front Line. We were walking through the winding trenches for what seemed ages, so that we arrived at about “stand to” at 6am, and we were detailed to take up positions on the firing step looking out for any possible German attack.

    After “stand down” I was back on my old job of inspecting our wire defences making a note of where we had to repair the gaps made by shell fire. To do this when Jerry was only a short distance away I had to use a box periscope, making a note of the gaps.

    I would have some breakfast and get in my little dug-out and go to sleep very often to be awakened by a “close one”. Up in the evening again things seemed to be rather quiet, not a very good sign and usually a portent of things to come later on.

    My gang was ready for going over with coils of barbed wire and stakes, when the Fighting Patrol Sergeant came and told me that they would be going out and not to mistake them for the enemy. He was a man with a charmed life. He held the Croix de Gare, Belgian Militaire, the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Medals (British). A quiet unassuming individual but very efficient. I assured him we would be on the look-out but at the same time not to cause a rumpus out there and get us all killed. “All right, don’t worry,” he replied.

    We had finished our job and were creeping in at a given time so that our men in the front trench would not start firing at us or lobbing hand grenades over to us, when suddenly someone grabbed my arm. It was the Patrol Sergeant and he whispered: “Come with me I want to show you something.” I followed him but knowing him I was really scared, “very lights” seemed to increase in number as we went into the unknown, but he was a man who seemed to give one confidence with his quiet manner. He started to go down what seemed like a sunken road and I followed. Suddenly I realised that we were in a tunnel, I could see little pin points of light scurrying about and he said: “Don’t be afraid of the rats.” Then, to my horror, he shone torchlight in front of him. I said: “Put that bloody light out.” But he calmly replied: “You’re all right, they can’t see us in here”. He shone the light all around this German dug-out in the middle of “no man’s land”. The dug-out was well fitted out with wire beds in rows and I nearly screamed when I saw every bed was occupied by a German but the stench told me that they were all dead and the rats kept running away from the bodies when we approached the beds.

    He took my arm and led me to the end cubicle occupied by the “Kammandant” who had with him female company, a French woman he had smuggled in for a night. The sergeant said that they had been there for months undisturbed only by death from poison gas. The bodies were so decomposed that they were frightful to look at and I was very glad to be out of there in the fresh night air.

    The sergeant showed me the way back to our front line. I was expecting him to come with me, but he said he had more work to do. I found out afterwards that he had been in the German front line and brought back a box of oranges and a German prisoner. His method was stealth. By sneaking in on the enemy he would stun him and carry him over his shoulder back to our lines for interrogation, very often the sergeant would be missing for several days and nights.

    David Marriott




    205465

    Lt. Frederick James Harris Highland Light Infantry (d.13th April 1918)

    He was the eldest of 4 sons and 1 daughter of F W and Nellie Harris. Attended Allan Glenn School for boys in Glasgow then studied engineering at Glasgow Technical College. Killed in action at Flanders 13th April 1918. Grave is 11 G 29 at Wulverghem-Linderhoek Road Military Cemetery, Belgium.

    Lorna Macgregor




    205464

    Cpl. Walter Harry Parker 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    He was in the 2nd Middlesex Regiment and had a campaign medal from august 5th-22.november 1914.

    Roy Smith




    205463

    Pte. George Smith 10th (Service) Btn. York & Lancs Regt. (d.12th Aug 1917)

    He went to france in 1915. He might have been with some engineers with some more of the battalion near a place called White Sheets, when there was a lot of shelling. He was wounded and was transferred to no: 53 Casualty Clearing Station, where he died of wounds on the 12th of August.

    This would be the 3rd battle of Paschendale. He was buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetry Extension (nord).

    Wayne Thacker




    205462

    Pte. Albert Walter Sear 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.26th Sep 1914)

    Albert Sear was killed in 1914, we only know that he was a Runner Messenger and that he died on active service 1914.

    Royston Butterfield




    205461

    Pte. Digby Metcalfe 2/20th Btn. London Regiment (d.31st Aug 1918)

    Digby joined the RWK and in 1918 he was posted to the London Regiment. He died on or near Bailleulval, France.

    Sergio




    205459

    Pte. James Nutall Watson 5th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.9th April 1917)

    My great grandfather James Nuttall Watson fought in World War I. I gather from dates that he died at Arras. but that's all I know. His father's name was James Nuttall Watson (Snr). His mother was Emma Yates. They came from Bolton Lancashire. .

    Elissa Proctor




    205452

    Pte. George Walker 11th Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    We have a world war one memorial penny and that belonged to George Walker. Walker,George 19288 Notts and Derby Regiment, 11th Battalion.Killed in action the Somme 01/07/1916 no known grave remembered at Thiepval.

    Iain Kerratt




    205445

    Robert George Ogg Highland Guards

    My Pop serviced in Gallipolli and was injured and sent to Ulster for rehab. He served in the Highland guards in Stirling Castle. He and family migrated to West Australia in 1921.

    J.Ross Ogg




    205441

    Sjt. Jack East 2nd/10th Btn. Middlesex (d.11th Feb 1918)

    Jack East was born John Henry East on 5 Nov 1888 son of Henry East and his wife Martha Irons. He was a regular who enlisted on 16 November 1906. In 1911 he was serving in India. He is described in his papers as 'a well educated steady man, clean & sober'. He suffered several bouts of malaria from 1909. He was wounded in action on 27 Dec 1917 and died 11 Feb 1918 in Palestine. He is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery.

    Jennifer Cranfield




    205439

    Pte. John Markham Cook 10th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.11th Apr 1917)

    I was the first person in our family to visit Uncle Jack's grave - a very moving experience. I was able to take my mother , his sister, to the cemetery some years later.

    Paul Denman




    205431

    Rfm. James Lord King's Royal Rifle Corps

    James Lord served with the KRRC, I am looking for a photograph of No 11 General Hospital, Camiers at about end of April 1917.

    Alan Lord




    205427

    Dvr. Abel Beechey 120th & 111 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    My Grand uncle Abel Beechey, born and bred a canal boatman joined up on 23/4/1916, could not read or write but decided to fight for his country. Served until the end of the war when demobilised 22/7/1919 and returned to his canal boat. Received the war and Victory medals

    Andrew Beechey




    205425

    Pte. Thomas Albert Wilson DCM. MM. 11th. (Service) Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    Thomas Albert Wilson was my Grandfather and we have a clipping from the Evening Despatch Newspaper No. 4,515 from Wednesday 25th July 1916. It reads: Awarded D.C.M. for Gallantry on Somme...

    I also have a copy of the telegram which reads: 11th. (S) Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment. No. 13617. Pte Thomas Albert Wilson. For the conspicuous gallantry on July 5th. during a German bomb attack on our trenches before Contalmaison. After being ordered to retire, and armed with a clogged rifle, he remained behind alone in order to give more time to organize defence lower down the trench, and thereby successfully enabled the position to be held at that point.

    A member of my family is in posession of the Military Medal he received.

    Jennifer Harrison




    205422

    Sig. Frederick Richmond 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.19th Apr 1918)

    Signaller Frederick Richmond was born in 1900 to Albert and Jane Richmond of Blackburn, Lancashire. When WW1 broke out Fred left home to join the army. He would only have been about 16 years old. He went against his parents wishes. No-one ever knew what became of Fred and to the day she died my grandmother Jane always believed that one day Fred would walk through her door.

    Upon becoming interested in family research along with my cousin Jack Duckworth, I began looking through records and came across the Commonweath War Graves Commission internet site. Upon searching this site I found that Fred had a commemoration in the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. According to that information he died on 19th April, 1918 aged 19 years.Some time later Jack Duckworth was in Blackburn Public Library and came across a newspaper cutting referring to Fred. He took a photocopy of it which reads as follows: "Signaller Fred Richmond (35549, "A" Company, 10th Royal Warwickshires and late of the 3rd East Lancs. Regt), whose parents reside at 168 Accrington Road, Blackburn, is reported missing since the 10th April, 1918. Information concerning him will be gratefully received at the above address." However, nothing was heard of Fred. My grandparents were always in the dark as to what happened to him. Since that time, in 2005, Jack Duckworth along with his wife and son, went to pay a visit to the Tyne Cot Cemetery and they found Fred's name in the memorial book with Panel Numbers 23-28 & 163A. Jack found the name on a panel with others of the same regiment. He was also told that as bodies were recovered, they are buried in separate graves and if they can be identified their names and regiment are put on the headstone. Unfortunately, Jack couldn't find 163A as there are so many graves. So it is still a bit of a mystery about Fred's grave, but his name is there on a panel. It was very moving to finally uncover the mystery of Frederick Richmond, who would have been my uncle if he had survived the war.

    Jean Ormerod




    205420

    Sgt. Thomas William Toop DCM. 33rd Div Royal Field Artillery

    My Granfather Thomas W.Toop enlisted about the age of 18 years and became a officer's servant. He was stationed at Canterbury Camp in 1910 and then moved to Trowbridge, Wiltshire by 1913,he received the D.C.M in 1914 and went to France.

    He was promoted to Sargent and possibly to Sargent Major and survived the war to return home and run the family transport business that his father started. I have only been able to find his medal record but not his full history,if anyone could help with this I would be truly gratefull.

    Christopher Toop




    205417

    Probationer Surgeon. Wesley Cope Holdsworth HMS Begonia (d.17th Oct 1917)

    Wesley Holdsworth was, my Great Great Uncle, all I know was that he was a very academically talented boy, who won many awards whilst at school for being a top student. He joined the Navy as a probationer surgeon, but was tragically killed when HMS Begonia, a Q Class sloop, was lost in the Atlantic (possibly in the Bristol Channel?) when it was sunk with all hands having either been torpedoed or colliding with a German U Boat. Tragically, his brother Arther Holdsworth was killed less than a year later whilst serving as a Captain with the Lancashire Fusiliers, succumbing to wounds whilst a POW, which he received on the Western Front. He had already been awarded the Military Cross. They were both survived by their eldest brother, Benjamin Holdsworth, who served in Mesopotania.

    Antony Wiles




    205408

    Pte. C. Hall West Yorkshire Regiment

    We have a medal issued to above named soldier. Can you tell me what is the medal and anything more about Pte. Hall. Much appreciated. DB

    Dorothy Baker




    205406

    Pte. Alexander Gemmell 326 Seige Battery Royal Garrison Arillery

    <p>

    This is the story of my father - a soldier, like many others, because he had to be and would not have considered himself a hero in any way. However, also like many others, he did what was asked of him to the very best of his ability and Sandy was described by an officer as 'a capable and intelligent soldier'. Alex (Sandy) Gemmell was born on 10th July 1895 at Letterfinlay near Spean Bridge where his father, Andrew Gemmell worked as a sheep manager and gamekeeper, but who also had a croft in the nearby township of Stronaba. As a youngster Sandy spent a lot of time on the hill helping his father and also becoming a good shot with the gun. He, with his siblings, was educated at Glenfintaig School at Invergloy which was a one teacher school. He walked the three miles there and back each day.

    As he had gained employment as a railway surfaceman on the Invergarry and Fort Augustus railway when WWI broke out he was exempted from military service because of his occupation. He was attested and placed in the Army Reserve on 23rd February 1916 giving his year of birth as 1894 when in fact he was born in 1895. He used to laugh about this but I do not recall any explanation for his doing so. On 18th August 1917 he was mobilised to Royal Garrison Artillery Depot in Plymouth until 6th of September 1917 when he joined 495 Siege Battery RGA where he remained until he embarked from Southampton for France on 1st April 1918, arriving at Le Harve the next day. From there he was posted to 326 Siege Battery in the Field. On the 25th July 1917 he was granted Class 1 pay. On the 3rd of August 1918 he was sent to Corps Rest Camp before rejoining his unit 326 Siege Battery. On 21st February 1919 he was granted leave to UK and being four days late in reporting to his unit on return forfeited four days pay! Instead of returning on 7th March he did not report until the 11th. No reason was given and the evidence was apparently 'documentary'. Although the Armistice had been signed by this time and the war over, he was still on 'active service'.

    Sandy was released from the army on 27th September 1919 and returned to his parent's croft at Stronaba resuming his occupation on the railway as before. He later transferred to The West Highland Line where he worked as a ganger on the permanent way along with his two brothers, Harry and George. Sandy married in 1932 and lived at 2 Railway Cottages close to the 90th milepost of the West Highland Line near Spean Bridge. In 1952 with his wife and daughter he moved to live in the village of Spean Bridge where he died very sudddenly on 17th February 1957. He was, in the post WW1 years a keen shinty player and played as goalkeeper for Spean Bridge. Extremely clever with his hands he made walking sticks and crooks, shinty sticks (camans), acted as barber to his friends and relatives. Not educated beyond 14 years of age he was nevertheless a man who was able to learn skills very quickly and to size up situations before taking any action required. Very knowledgeable about natural history and of local folklore he had a wicked sense of humour and often had a pertinent and witty comment to make. He died when I was 16 and I missed out on so much of his knowledge and wisdom by not knowing him when I was an adult. I have his RA spurs which were found rusting in an outhouse in his father's old croft about 20 years ago. He rarely spoke of the war and his experiences. On the occasions when he did it was in connection with the horses that formed part of his daily life in the army or of escapades he and his pals engaged in. In contrast to the experiences of so many, Sandy's war was relatively short and in the RGA he was usually some way behind the front lines. However it is interesting that in 1922 he acquired his medals so his experiences must have meant something to him more than he cared to admit.

    Catherine Lockhart




    205404

    Private Barner Laver 3rd Bn. attached. 2nd Bn Essex Regiment (d.22nd June 1917)

    There is no story - there cannot be. The man who would have been my Great Uncle didn't make it through. As a child I "inherited" his medals, the 'plaque' for his grave and the letters of thanks from the Palace.

    For many years these intrigued me until at last old enough to venture further afield on my own I set out for Billericay and discovered his name on the War Memorial. Research was not easy when I was younger and trips to St Katherines House to learn more foundered.

    The advent of the internet and my surprising ability to grasp it's techniques led to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission pages and the surprising information that Great Uncle had been quite close all the time having been interred at Felixstowe, Suffolk. Why Felixstowe? I think his Battalion of the Essex Regiment may have had a base in the area thus the wounded may have been afforded local burials. But why not take his body the relatively short distance back into Essex and to his home town? Maybe the cost was prohibitive or possibly the family were "annoyed" that this young man had gone off to war, perhaps against their desires. We will never know - the last person who could possibly have shed light on these times (my Grand Father - Barner's Brother) died in the 1960's even before my medal "inheritance" started my curious mind off on it's search.

    I am glad that I found Uncle and have been to visit his grave to "let him know" about the family that he could never have met. I often think about him even though I know so little about him.

    Ray Laver




    205383

    Sjt. William George Hunt 7th Btn. A Coy Somerset Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

    I never really knew anything about my grandfather, William Hunt, people didn't talk about it when I was young, but I obtained an interest when my great grandson joined the army cadets. I told him about my grandfather, and he was so interested I was determined to find out all I could, sadly mostly about his death, but I will try to gain other information. We have not one photograph of him, so that is my next project.

    M A Rice




    205380

    Pte. William Hedley Worley North Staffordshire Regiment

    Hedley Worley, my uncle, he was called up under the Derby scheme 1916, and spent a short time making shell cases at Sharp Bros, Burton on Trent. After a short period of training he was drafted to Ireland to put down the Sir Roger Casement Rebellion. He took part in the seige of Jacob's Biscuit Factory in Sackville Street.

    Late in 1916 he was drafted to France, captured and spent the rest of the war on a POW camp in Limburg on the Lower Rhine. At this camp Casement, had through German influence, offered a large number of Irishmen their freedom if they would return to Ireland to fight the British. He was stoned from the camp and nearly all of the prisoners remained loyal. Pte Worley developed double pneumonia and was taken to hospital in Cologne. After returning to camp he remained there until the end of the war. The camp was thrown open and the prisoners were allowed to go where they pleased. Only the Red Cross parcels had kept them alive. Their diet was rye bread, potatoes and mangold soup. Hedley, and others who were fit to walk did so, to Metz and from there they went by cattle truck to Nancy. They reached Calais where they were medically examined, reclothed and re-equipped.

    He arrived home in December 1918. It took him along while to get really fit and went through a period of unsettlement. He married a nurse who during the war was nursing at an RAF hospital in Luton.

    Jo Baker




    205378

    Pte. Thomas Henry Shillingford 13th Btn. D Coy. Essex Regiment (d.30th July 1916.)

    My great uncle, Thomas Henry Shillingford of D company, 13th battalion Essex Regiment (West Ham Boys) was killed at the battle of the Somme on the 30th of July 1916. He is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial and I intend to visit the area and would like to know were he actually fell. Is there anybody who can help me in pin point where he might have been on the day he was killed? I have tried many websites but nothing seems to match his regiments whereabouts on that day. I can only guess it might have been at the battle for High Wood but I really am stumped on this one.

    Mike Howlett




    205366

    Pte. Joshua Cooper 9th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers

    Joshua Cooper was my Grandad, and unfortunately I know very little about him. He was born in Wolverhampton, England but moved to Belfast when he was around 2 or 3. In Dec 1915 he joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers in Belfast as an engineer. I believe he was in France between July 1916 and December 1917 where he received gun shot wounds to his left hand. I believe he was sent to Birmingham to one of the military hospitals, where I think he was demobbed in March 1919 and met and married my Grandmother. In September 1919 he re-enlisted in the RAMC for a 12 month short service. I would appreciate if anyone has any information they think may help me.

    Netty Cooper




    205355

    Pte. George Harry Lawson 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.21st Aug 1918)

    George Harry Lawson was my uncle and the first son of George & Martha Lawson and my father's only brother. I discovered the whereabouts of his grave in Queen's Cemetery, Bucquoy on the CWGC webite and visited it for the first time in 2004. The visit was an intensely moving experience especially as it was very likely that I was the first family member ever to have visited it in almost 90 years. I visited the National Records Office in Kew in the hope of finging his service records but came away dissappointed. I believe that George was initially enlisted in the KOYLI and must have been transferred to the Lincolnshire Regiment. It seems that he was killed during the Allied offensive in the Acre Valley north of Albert

    Frank Lawson




    205351

    Pte. Horace Victor Chatterley 12th Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (d.25th Sep 1917)

    Horace was my uncle. He joined the Royal Warwickshire in 1917. I have photo of him in uniform at home and at training camp. He was at Southampton on the 3rd September 1917 awaiting embarkation, I have a lettercard from him describing the port and all the ships. Apparently he was a good rifleman, due to his childhood upbringing by his father who used to teach him to shoot rabbits.

    He was killed at Dumbarton Lakes on 25 September 1917, he was shot by a German sniper, and is buried at Hooge Crater cemetery. His gravestone gives him as serving in the Royal Sussex Regiment. I have his Captain's daily log extract (12th battalion Royal Sussex) for the days leading to his death and the operations the battalion was undertaking.

    I would like to know more about his enlistment and his service number whilst he was with the Warwicks and why he was transfered.

    David Chatterley




    205338

    Pte. Corneilius Penman 1st/1st Lanarkshire Yeomanry

    My Grandfather, Neil Penman was born in Law, Lanarkshire in 1886 married Susan Mcmanus in 1911. He joined the Larnakshire Yeomanry on the 10th of April 1909 his address at the time was Douglas. He left for the war from Devonport on the 27th Sept. 1915. He disembarked at Mudros 11th Oct. 1915 and embarked for Gallipoli the same day.

    He was sent to St. Andrews Hospital, in Malta on the 6th Nov. 1915 and embarked on HS Nevasa for England on 29th Nov. 1915. He was sent to Brokenhurst Hospital and arrived 14 Dec. 1915 and discharged 27 Jan. 1916. Not a long war for him but according to him very harrowing. He died in 1952 having lived around the Armadale area.

    Sheila Brine




    205322

    Sgt. Walter Lindsell 16th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.10th October 1916)

    Walter Lindsell enlisted on the 15th of May 1915 with 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters and was sent to Buxton. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 25th of May 1915. The Battalion were at Redmires Camp near Sheffield from the 9th of June 1915 and Walter was promoted to Corporal on the 18th June 1915. He was demoted to Private at own request on the 4th of August 1915. On the 2nd of September 1915, they transferred to Hursley Park and moved to Aldershot on the 30th of September 1915. Walter was promoted to Corporal on the 28th of October 1915 and finally to Sergeant on 12 November 1915. They moved to Witley Camp, Surrey on the 8th of November 1915 and embarked from Southampton for France on the 6th of March 1916.

    Walter was seriously reprimanded for highly improper conduct in the field on the 3rd of June 1916. He rejoined his Battalion in the field on the 9th of September 1916. Walter was listed as wounded, missing and presumed dead on the 10th of October 1916.

    David Lindsell




    205317

    Dvr. John Turner 86th Brigade, C Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.6th Sep 1917)

    <p>Dvr John Turner

    John Turner was 23 when he died of wounds. He was a driver in the RFA and was killed by shelling, whilst riding through Hellfire Corner near Ypres.

    Peter Jenkins




    205314

    Pte. John Riddell 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    John Riddell was from a farming family at Elsdon, Northumberland. Family history relates that he was in the choir of Elsdon church, where his name is now engraved on the war memorial. He enlisted and was placed in the Durham Light Infantry, 14th Battalion. It's known that he did come home on leave at one time as he was seen heading for the train station to go back to the war, someone who knew him reported he was crying.

    He fought at the battle of Cambrai and was either killed or died from wounds on 3rd December, 1917 at the age of twenty-one. He is buried at Marcoing Cemetry. Apparently, his mother went to their door, convinced that John was coming home and a short while after they received the letter informing them of his death.

    Stella Riddell




    205311

    Bdr. Arthur Duncan Whyte MID. 118th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather Arthur Duncan Whyte was a signaller in 118th Siege BAttery RGA served from June 1916 to 1919 just about everywhere on the Somme and Ypres battlefields. His story is told in a book 'Gunfire :Diary of a Siege Gunner' by A.W. Paton and published in 1927. He was a very proud man and spent many hours helping those returned servicemen who did not come away from the war unscathed.

    The battery was a Scots battery and was raised round Edinburgh in 1915. It was nicknamed the "Crown Nine" battery.

    Geoff




    205310

    Pte. Arthur Andrew Skilleter 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    Arthur Skilleter was my great grandfather. The family story, which I am trying to authenticate, is that he was in a trench as part of The Battle of Passchendaele, 3rd Ypres, and suffering badly from shell shock. Somebody shouted at him to move as they were under attack. He was incapable of moving so was left. When the others returned they found him minus one arm and both legs, they were told to give him some chocolate as he would be dead by morning. He told them in no uncertain terms that he would not! True to his word he was still alive in the morning and was taken to CCS 3 and then sent home. He lived many years with prosthetic limbs and I would not be here today if it was not for his sheer bloody mindidness.

    Lorie Coffey




    205306

    Pte. William Clarke 21st Btn. (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    William Clark was my great grandfather and sadly we don't know very much about him at all apart from the fact that he was killed on the first day of the battle of the Somme.

    Helen Hay




    205298

    L/Sjt. David Nicol 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    David Nichol served in the trenches in Europe, and was then sent to East Africa to participate in the East African Campaign in Tanganyika (Present-day Tanzania). He was invalided out to the UK, but returned to Kenya after the war.

    I am still seeking much of the history of this little-known theatre of WW1.

    G.Tim. Nicol




    205286

    2nd Lt. Thomas Richmond Rowell Machine Gun Corps

    My grandfather, Thomas Richmond Rowell, was in the first attack at Thiepval on the 1st of July 1916, aged 19. He was wounded twice by a german machine gun and spent some hours in no-man's land. Fortunately his mother had given him a bottle of iodine which he poured over his wounds. The surgeon later told him this certainly saved his legs and probably his life. He made a full recovery and died in 1974. This information came from my mother and although true I cannot verify all the facts as he would never speak to me about it, although I do have his picture as an officer in the Lancashire Fusiliers.

    After the war he joined the colonial civil service in Hong Kong and became Director of Education but was sent on leave shortly before the surrender of Hong Kong and evacuated to Australia. He left there in 1942 in the last rubber boat to leave Malaya before It's surrender. Bound for Britain the ship was torpedoed off Halifax but being full of rubber it took a long time to sink and everyone was picked up. My mother worked as acipher clerk at Bletchley Park. I can follow his life after the war but information on his service record is sketchy. Can anyone help please?

    Editors Note: Thomas Richmond Rowell is listed as having served as a Private in the Liverpool Regiment then commissioned into the Machine Gun Corps.

    Roger Lewis




    205274

    Sgt. George Kettley City of London Yeomanry

    I have the Victory Medal of Captain George Kettley of the Royal Defence Corps plus service record and also a photograph. He served as 9939 & 300238 Sgt in the 1/5th London Rifle Brigade and City of London Yeomanry from 1898 to 1916, thereafter being commissioned into the Royal Defense Corps. In 1918 he was apparently C.O. of the POW Camp for German Officers at Ripon. I wonder if anyone has any further information on him ?

    Peter Leonard




    205271

    Pte. John William Ray 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.26 Mar 1918)

    John Ray was my grandfather's cousin, though I only found out about him when I started doing family history. He was born in 1888 and was a hairdresser before the war. He married in 1910 and in the 1911 census he was living with his in-laws. Reading between the lines, this arrangement might have been a bit awkward, as he'd obviously got his wife Jane (nee Bowman) pregnant well before their marriage. He was killed during the German offensive of March 1918 which inflicted heavy casualties on the Allies and is buried in Assevillers war cemetery. He left behind a daughter, Mary Annie, aged 7 and two boys: John (5) and Robert (3).

    Patrick Ray




    205270

    Spr. Robert Riddagh Canadian Engineers

    Recently I obtained my grandfathers war records from the 1st World War. On his attestation papers for the Canadian Over-seas Exp. Forces, he indicated that he had served for 2 years with the Lanarkshire Yeomanry as a Pte. His name was Robert Riddagh of Ayrshire, born May 18, 1883. I know that he emigrated to Canada about 1913 and went back to Europe as a Sapper during WW1. In some of his personal effects is an odd brooch shaped like a horseshoe and engraved on the flat of the shoe is "So. Africa, 1900". I'm wondering if he could have served in South Africa?

    Bob Thomas




    205264

    Gertrude Elizabeth Ann Curtis

    Gertrude Curtis was my Grandmother, she served in the Land Army whilst her boyfriend, my Grandfather, was serving with the Norfolk Regiment in Mesopotamia. I have a copy of her discharge certificate which states that she was 'a excellent milker'. She was awarded a badge amulet stripe for this achievement. She was enrolled at Norwich on 10th July 1918 and demobilised on 30th November 1919.

    She and my Grandad, James Richard Hipkin, were married at Great Ryburgh Church in Norfolk on September 17th 1919. They had three children, two sons and a daughter. Their daughter was my mother, Kate Elizabeth Ann, who was in the Land Army during WW2. She worked on a farm at Docking. Kate had wanted to join the WAAF but was declared medically unfit.

    Brenda Ann Scade




    205250

    Pte. James Paul Cullen Norfolk Regiment

    James Cullen was my grandfather. He died in 1921 of his war wounds when my father was seven. I understand he was bayonetted in the back whilst fighting in the Dardanelles and that he served from 1914. I am proud to possess the document signed by King George which states that he served with honour and was disabled in the great war. It indicates that he was honourably discharged on October 25th 1918 having previously served in Kent Fortress

    J Cullen




    205242

    Pte. Samuel Tyndall Royal Irish Rifles

    I am researching a friend's family and we came across a WW1 medal card for a family member Samuel Tyndall. The card is marked KIA with no date. I have searched CWGC Debt of Honour, trying out variations of spelling all to no avail. An expert friend of mine says this is almost unheard so I am exploring all possibilities.

    Editors Note:

    Due to the vast numbers lost in the Great War and the loss of paper records in the 1940 Blitz, there do remain a few who are still not recorded by the CWGC. If you visit their website, there is a procedure where by you can submit evidence of Samuel's death with a request that he be added to their records.

    Geoff Whaley




    205237

    Gnr. Hodgson Harold Telfer Royal Field Artillery

    I am reseaching Hodgson Harold Telfer's life for an elderly relative who was named after him, Hodgson was his uncle and he knows little about him. We have his war medals; a wallet with hand embroidering; his bible; a newspaper clipping of him retiring after 42 years as a butcher and a couple of his uniform embellishments.

    After a few hours of research over the last couple of days, I have the following: Born 1884, Bellingham, Northumberland. Seems he was known as Harold rather than Hodgson. He was a Butcher by trade from at least the age of 16 and had his shop in 'Market Place' Hexham for at least 42 years and had a Mr A Riley working with him for 34 of those. His father was James TELFER a butcher of Bellingham and Hexham and mother probably Eliza or Johannah nee Hodgson, it appears 2 sisters had a double wedding and one of them married James, the other married a Roger Smith. Both these women died within a year of each other - I suspect Hodgsons mother is possibly Johannah, as Hodgsons youngest sister Johanna was born 1889 at the time of death of both these women, so possibly named after her mother who may have died in childbirth or shortly thereafter. He married Margaret GOWANS date unknown. His siblings were William Stanley b1882 and Johanna b1889. He died 1967 in the Northumberland West registration district.

    Can anyone add any further details?

    Sarndra Lees




    205214

    John Bertram Willson Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My relation John Willson was with the KRRC from 1911 to 1914 then he joined the Machine Gun Corps from 1914-1919, he was on the reservist list until 1931.

    Terry Willson




    205204

    Pte. James Geddes 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.27th Mar 1917)

    I am the only grandson of James Geddes and since my mother and uncle are now deceased I would like to find out more about him, perhaps his service record and how he died. I only know he was killed at Arras on the 27th of March 1917.

    G. Mackenzie




    205200

    Joseph Hope Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather's brother Joseph Hope served in the Royal Field Artillery during WW1. I have checked the medal rolls and unfortunately there are 4 Joseph Hope's serving in the Royal Field Artillery, so I don't know which one he is. When the backs were digitised on Ancestry.co.uk I checked them but there was no information there.

    My Mum was a war orphan, she was 3 months old when her father was killed and she was brought up by her maternal grandmother and she wasn't encouraged to know her father's family (family feud perhaps). However when she was about 14 she met her Uncle Joseph who was then working as a commissionaire outside a local cinema, this would have been in Longton or Fenton, Staffordshire, in the late 20's early 30's.

    If anyone has any other information I would love to know it.

    Hope Morgan




    205199

    Pte. James North Hinch 9th Btn. King`s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916)

    James Hinch was my Great Uncle, he died at the age of 40, and is remembered along with his brother George, on the Thiepval Memorial, sons of John Milton Hinch and Anice Cossy Hinch, James was the husband of Georgina Hinch of 41 Faraden Road, Attercliffe, Sheffield.

    Robert N. Kesterton




    205198

    Cpl. George Edmund Hinch 7th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.9th Feb 1917)

    George Hinch was my Great Uncle, he was killed on the 9th of February 1917, the sad thing about it was that his brother James was killed on the First Day of the Somme Offensive. They were the son's of John Milton Hinch and Anice Cossy Hinch, from Sheffield.

    Robert N. Kesterton




    205197

    Fredrick Ambrose Clarke Leicestershire Regiment

    My Grandfather Fredrick Ambrose Clarke 1893-1974 joined the Leicestershire Regiment in 1914. I have no idea what battalion etc. except that I know he served in France in the trenches. Family history recalls that upon his arrival home at the end of the war he went into the garden and burnt all his medal and also his "cap" that he was given upon playing rugby for England Boys. He refused ever to speak of his time in the army. I have one regimental photo of 27 men including an officer, what is interesting is 4 of the men are holding puppies.

    If anyone has any information pertaining to my grandfather I would love to hear from them.

    Chrstina Y Crofts




    205192

    Sjt. James Edward Grinham DCM. 8th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

    I was researching the family tree when I came across the records of a great uncle, my grandmothers brother, unfortunately my grandmother died in the 1980s and the great uncle died in 1932. All I have is the research I have done so far.

    My great uncle was Sgt 22631 James Henry Grinham he joined the Army in October 1915 it would appear he initially joined the Suffolk Regiment, he then transferred to the Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment on the 31st March 1916. He was awarded the DCM it was published in the London Gazette 3rd June 1918 "22631 Sjt. J. E. Grinham, R. Lanc. R.".

    Also in the London Gazette on the 21st October 1918 I found the following extract :-

    With reference to the announcement of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, which appears in the London Gazette dated 3rd June, 1918, the following are the acts of gallantry for which the decoration has been awarded: —

    22631 Sjt. J. E. Grinham, R. Lane. R. (S. (Croydon).

    'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the trenches, on patrol, and with wiring parties. He was a persistent volunteer for all enterprises of a dangerous nature, and has saved many casualties in his platoon during heavy bombardments by his intelligent leadership and initiative'.

    Neither my father nor my grandmother ever spoke of this great uncle I presume because he died so many years before, I wish I could have spoken him.

    David Hawkridge




    205191

    L/Cpl. John Cook 9th Btn. Yorks & Lancs Regt (d.30th Sep 1918)

    My great-uncle, Jack Cook, had volunteered in the early days of the war and by summer 1916 was in the 9th battalion, the York and Lancaster Regiment. On Midsummer’s Day 1916 the great artillery bombardment opened on The Somme. In theory the German front line was to be so pulverised that the British troops, whom Haig seems to have considered incapable of little more than obeying simple instructions, could walk across and occupy the enemies positions.

    On the night of 29-30 June 1916, Jack's battalion moved forward to their assembly position. They had to wait over a day, but then July 1st dawned fine but misty, and at 6.25 the final bombardment began. At 7.30 all along the line of 15 divisions men went over the top, each carrying 66lb of kit, and expecting little if any resistance. In reality, as John Keegan in 'The Face of Battle' so elegantly shows, there was a race on for the top of the German front lines. Whoever arrived first had won: the loser would face annihilation. The awful reality was that that the Germans had largely survived the bombardment and were able to bring their machine guns to bear upon the advancing infantry struggling with the barbed wire that had also defeated everything the artillery could throw against it.

    Unusually the wire in front of the 70th Brigade was completely cut and the first and second German lines on Thiepval Ridge were captured, with some troops even reaching the third line. Meanwhile the 9th York and Lancaster’s were coming up in support. By then the German barrage was intense: one of the four companies losing 50% of its men before it left its assembly position. Ahead and to both left and right was severe machine-gun fire but the first wave gained the German line. By 10 am. all communication between British lines and the brigade headquarters had ceased since every telephone wire was cut and it was impossible to stand-up in no-man’s-land.

    During the night they were relieved. Out of 25 officers and 736 other ranks of the 9th York and Lancs who went into action, 22 officers and 556 men were casualties in the bloodiest day the British Army has ever known, with 31 581 killed, wounded or missing. Behind them was the sound of countless men lying out in no-man’s-land, described by one survivor like 'enormous wet fingers screeching across an enormous pane of glass'. Some of the wounded screamed, some muttered, some wept with fear, some called for help, other shouted in delirium or groaned in pain. Their Brigade Commander wrote, 'I cannot speak too highly of the gallantry and determination of officers and men. Artillery could not stop them, but with nothing on their flanks save German machine guns, with the support exhausted and German reinforcements coming up, they fought for over six hours in positions won by them from the enemy, until they died'.

    My grandfather was also to take part in the Somme with his regiment, the Northumberland Fusiliers, a little later. In his own words, 'at daybreak, 14th July the barrage of constant very heavy shell fire lifted and our men went over to take the village of Bazentin-le-Petit from the occupying Germans. The stretcher bearers follow and we left at intervals of one minute, knowing that our journey would not be in vain. Before my particular stretcher had reached the village we saw Number One coming back but with only two men carrying. The third man had been hit in both legs and the fourth shot though the throat (a particularly disturbing event for the company for this man had had a clear premonition of his own death, apparently so unusual that my grandfather clearly remembered it 50 years later).

    'The village was now the centre of a bitter battle which was often hand-to-hand with the Germans putting up stiff resistance. Pratt (a chum since he joined up in early 1915) was going forward with his section when they were held up. He could not be dissuaded from going forward alone to clear a house which had already cost us dear when he was killed outright.

    'By mid morning the scene at the dressing station was pitiable in the extreme with Captain Glyn (the M.O.) and Corporal Burns (his dresser) working without a moments relaxation as we brought in a stream of wounded. There were no priorities here as they lay where we put them (outside) in their dozens to wait their turn. Those who were known to have no possible chance of recovery had to be put into a nearby dugout to wait a merciful death. Captain Mellish VC,(the Chaplain) gave them the comfort only such a man as he could.

    Walking wounded went straight off under their own strength to reach some aid in the back area, but many must have died on the way for the whole area was shell ridden. The gun crews worked ceaselessly loading and firing, paying no regard to the hail of shells seeking them out and bursting all around. The horse-driven ammunition columns rode up at full gallop, discharging their loads and turning about to bring still more from the rear.

    'There was no time for panic. Carrying one man shoulder high we heard a large shell coming very close indeed. I actually saw it plunge into the ground almost at my feet and burst. We walked on out of the black cloud of smoke, hurling earth and metal unscathed...

    He then described how their sergeant, a hard-bitten pre-War veteran, had been reduced to tears to have to bring out a very badly wounded lad of sixteen who started crying for his mother.

    'To add to our emotional worries we noticed a tall figure running around in circles alone and in a very exposed place. I ran over to him; he was dazed but knew me. "Cooky, where are the others. They can't go on like this, its sheer hell and we'll never get them back again. Poor Tim (the man shot through the throat), he knew all the time what was going to happen by his dream and went in like the man he was.... He got to his feet and I walked him back to the dressing station. He left for hospital and it was not for some weeks that he overcame his shell-shock.

    'Withdrawal on the 19th to the divisional reserve brought a letter from home to tell me that Jack had been wounded on the first day of the battle and had returned to England. Later I was to learn that he had been shot through the body almost immediately he left the trench. The bullet had missed his spine by fraction of an inch yet he walked down to the first aid post alone. It was not expected that he would ever be A1 again but such was his strength that he later returned to his battalion.

    John Holden




    205187

    Pte. Frank Mark Finan 10th Btn Sherwood Foresters (d.24th Aug 1918)

    Frank Finan was born on the 4th May 1894 in a village called Dromore West in County Sligo. As far as I know he was an only child. He lived in a one or two room house with his grandparents and two aunts and his mother. The house is still standing to this day.

    He joined the 3rd Battalion Irish Guards on the 20th of Jan 1916 and was transferred to the Connaught Rangers 22nd of June 1916 then posted to the 3rd Battalion at Kinsale on the 4th of July 1916. His transfer to the Royal Irish Rifles took place on the 1st of Nov 1916 and he was then transferred to the RFC as 3rd Class Airman on the 19th of December 1916. He served with No.2 Balloon Section, RFC and was attached to 63rd Royal Naval Division from the 3rd to 24th of Sept 1917 for Infantry Training, after which he was transferred to 10th Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment. Frank was 5ft 9 inches in height, with red hair and grey eyes.

    There was mention in the 10th Bn history of a heavy gas attack on 15th August. "All remained quiet until very early on 15th. About 12.15 a.m. the enemy started a very heavy gas bombardment on the whole area occupied by the 17th Division; mustard gas presominated. For three hours he kept up a steady stream of shells; he chiefly bombarded the ridges, and as the night was absolutely still the gas floated down into the valleys and clung to the dense undergrowth. The area shelled stretched from our support line some 2000 yards westward, and this all became saturated with the deadly stuff. The sunrise brought with it a ghastly state of affairs; the casualties from the gas poisoning steadily mounted up, and long strings of men with their eyes bandaged, each holding the man in front, trailed slowly backwards down to the dressing station. Lieut-Col King, D.S.O. and Adjutant Capt. G F March M.C. both became casualties, and in all the battalion sustained losses to 18 officers and 510 other ranks; a total which for the moment made it almost cease to exsist as a fighting unit; only the garrison of the forward posts escaped the effects of the gas."

    This is the date of the gas attack that Frank died from on the 24th of August 1918. His mother died 3 yrs to the day after Frank died, she had never married and the whole immediate branch of his family died out when he died. Frank is buried in Mont Huon Cemetery in France, he was 24 years old.

    Paul Freehill




    205184

    Sjt. William Elias Skidmore DCM 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers (d.30th Jul 1916)

    Willia Elias Skidmore's name appears on the war memorial of Marston Montgmery church, Derbyshire and I have been asked to write a short artice on him for their parish magazine. I have gained some details, that he gained the DCM during the battle of Festubert 1915 and his date of death. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. The family kowledge is that he was killed at the battle of Guillemont, but this was of course after his date of death [30/07/1916] and I have come across mentions of the Royal Scots being engaged in the battle of Delville Wood during July, and also in Chris McCarthy's 'Day-by-day' Somme account that the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers were engaged on 30 July 'astride the Trones-Guillemont track' and ultimately 'were cut off and eventually overrun'. [p.63] This rather sounds like the place where William Skidmore met his death. Would anyone be able to shed more light on this particular action?

    Simon Barber




    205173

    Pte. John Larkin 2nd Btn. Royal Scots (d.9th Apr 1917)

    John Larkin was my great uncle he died on the 4th of April 1917 taking the village of Les-Mofflaines from the Germans.

    I have found the cemetery in France where he is buried and intend to visit his grave very soon. I will be the first member of the family to visit his grave since his death. I found all his information om the Commonwealth War Grave Commission web site.

    Bill Harden




    205170

    Lt. David Christie Macarthur No. 8 Mt Bty Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Grandfather, David Christie Macarthur served with No 8 Mt Bty, Royal Garrison Artillery in Peshawar, India during WW1. He was born on 3 March 1898, and was awarded medals which he applied for on 11 March 1921 shortly before his first marriage. The family does not know when he left the service.

    Joyce Surenne Penny




    205169

    Pte. John Binns 9th Service Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.2nd Oct 1916)

    <p>

    My grandfather John Binns was born in Leeds in January 1893. He married Katie Carroll in August 1912. At the time of his marriage John worked as an oil blender in Leeds.

    In August 1914 John volunteered for military service shortly after the outbreak of the Great War. After his initial training period at Belton Park in Grantham and at Whitley Park in Godalming he sailed with the 9th Service Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment from Liverpool on the 3rd of July 1915 and arrived at Mudros in Greece on the 10th July. His regiment formed part of the relief invasion forces landed at Suvla Bay on the Gallipoli peninsular on the 6th of August 1915. These forces were eventually evacuated from Gallipoli back to Mudros and his regiment arrived in Egypt on the 7th of February 1916 to form part of the garrison protecting the Suez canal.

    In June 1916 his regiment received orders to transfer to the western front in France, and they arrived at Marseilles in the south of France on the 1st July 1916. His regiment were transported to northern France to assist with the major allied offensive designed to break through the German lines in the Battle of the Somme.

    John was wounded during the battle and he died of those wounds 2nd October 1916, he was 23yrs of age, he left a widow and three children under four years of age Alfred, Eunice and John (my Dad). He is buried in the British Military cemetery at Contay, northern France.

    SS Aquatania troopship Liverpool to Mediterranean

    Tony Binns




    205166

    Dvr. Samuel Lewis Royal Field Artillery

    My father Samuel Lewis was born 5th of January 1897 in Withington, Manchester, he enlisted on his 18th birthday at Mansfield, Notts. He served through the great War with the RFA. Little is known about his service but I am hopeful of finding out the areas he served in.

    Dave Lewis




    205164

    Pte. Albert Lewis Glamorgan Yeomanry (d.23rd Sep 1918)

    Albert volunteered for the Glamorgan Yeomanry and served in Egypt with them in 1916. They were called to France in May 1918, and on September 18th whilst fighting at Giuillemont Farm near the Hindenburg Line, he was wounded, and he died on the 23rd. Albert is buried at St Emillie Valley war cemetery.

    Malcolm Lewis




    205163

    Tpr. Henry Gould Middlesex Yeomanry

    My relatives have a photo taken in or about 1915 of Harry Gould.He is wearing WW1 khaki uniform with bandolier across his chest, on the right breast pocket he wears a bar surmounted by a crown . He has brass shoulder titles which cannot be decifered, collar dogs and Middlesex Yeomanry cap badge. He is known to have survived the war and he served in Macedonia.

    John Sills




    205161

    Capt. Charles Banfield Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>Photo taken in 1919 of Capt Charles Banfield, RGA and hs wife Sarah Beatrice Williams and sons Stewart Alfred George and Stanley

    My Grandfather was Capt. Charles Banfield. He retired from the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1926. He was married to Sarah Beatrice Williams and had two sons - Stewart Alfred George Banfield in 1914 and Stanley Banfield in 1911.

    Colin Banfield




    205159

    L/Cpl. John Hamilton Imperial Camel Corps

    My grandfather Jack Hamilton, was an apprentice working at a Dunfermline Bank, he was initially in the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry but was then in the Imperial Camel Corp and was at Gallipoli. He had a camel which he named 'White Lightning', they would race their camels in any quiet periods to ease boredom but he complained his was very slow (it was also coloured black!). He also told me that they would keep 'pet' scorpions in match boxes.

    My dad has a book 'roll of honour' from the Commercial Bank of Scotland Ltd (Dunfermline branch) which lists my grandfather as: Hamilton John (L. Cpl. Imperial Camel Corp). He caught dysentry in the great war and nearly died, but for the care of a staff nurse who insisted on him regularly taking Castor oil.

    He went back to working in the bank when he returned from the war. He later went to work for the MOD at a dockyard in scotland and was awarded an MBE in 1960 for 'civil services'. My Grandfather survived both wars (in WWII he was in the Home Guard I believe) and died in 1984.

    Gillian Norris




    205156

    Pte. George Reid 7th Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.5th Nov 1917)

    George S Reid was born in Cardiff in 1889 and was killed in action on 05/11/1917, he was with the South Wales Borderers, 7th Battallion during The Great War. He is buried in Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece/Macedonia.

    He appears in the 1891 Wales Census age 2 yrs and is in the 1901 Wales Census age 12yrs resident at 27 Eleanor Street, Cardiff.He is listed with his parents John Reid born in Govan, Scotland and Mary Reid nee Murray born in Scotland.His father came to Cardiff to work in the Cardiff Dry Dock as a Boilermaker. George came from a large and loving family, with two step sisters and a step brother from his fathers 1st marriage; William, Maggie and Mary Anne and siblings, Jennnie, Joseph, Edith, Mary, Christina, Jessie and John. George S Reid will live forever in the hearts of his family. We honour and respect his memory.

    Elaine Jenkins




    205139

    Pte. William Town 1/6th Btn. Sherwood Foresters (d.30th Apr 1917)

    William Town was my grandfather. He joined the 1st Derbyshire Yeomanry in 1914 and served in the Mediterranean and was invalided home. During his time convalescing he married my grandmother on 17th November 1916.

    He was sent to Ireland and in December 1916 drafted into the Sherwood Foresters 1/6th Battalion, C Company and sent to France on 4th January 1917. He was seriously wounded in the legs, arms and jaw on the 23rd April 1917 at Fosse 3 de Leivin and died on the 30th April 1917. My father was born 6 weeks later on the 6th June 1917.

    William is buried in a war grave at Wimereux Communal Cemetery France just outside Calais. I visited William's grave some years ago. It is one of the only war graves cemetery where the headstones lay flat due to the sandy soil. I found it a very emotional visit and was glad to see how well the graves were kept.

    My grandmother was re-married within the year her second husband served in the Northumberland Fusiliers and after he to was injured served in the Labour Corp. My father did not know his birth name until he was 14 years of age when both his mother and step-father died of TB within days of each other, having been brought up with his step-fathers name. All the above information has been gathered on and off over the last 15 years but I still yearn for more.

    Pamela Thornton




    205138

    Gnr. Archibald Workman 150 Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    My grandfather served throughout the Great War, with a minor wound once, and dysentry in 1917. He returned to his home town to pick up his job as village postman until he retired in 1948. He died before I was born, but am told he never talked about his war experiences. But I do have a wonderful collection of postcards he sent my grandmother throughout the fighting, which is most prized!

    Lorna Proctor




    205135

    Pte. Frank Cook 7th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.9th Aug. 1916)

    Frank Cook died at the battle of Delville Wood on the Somme. It was called Devil's Wood by the Tommies for obvious reasons. His body was never recovered.

    John Baxter




    205133

    Pte. Joseph Dunne 8th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.27/29th Apr 1916)

    My Great Grandfather Joseph Dunne s/n 14020, 8th Battalon Royal Dublin Fusiliers part of the 16th division, enlisted in Dublin in the summer of 1915, they were sent to the Curragh army camp in kildare for training and in Sept 1915 they moved to Blackdown near Aldershot in Surrey England for trench training. They remained there till 18th of December when they were sent to France.

    They were introduced to trench warfare trauma for the first few weeks of 1916, then they found themselves in the front line trenches in Hullach near Loos. There he stayed till his death 27th/29th April 1916 and this is stated on his death cert, the reason was because the Germans gased the trenches on the 27th and nobody returned till the 29th and this is why 27th/29th is stated on his cert. We found his name on the wall of the Loos Memorial 200, 2 panel 127 - 129. He is also mentioned on a plaque in Hueston Station Dublin and this states "In memory of the following members of staff of the Great Southern & Western Railway who laid down their lives for their country in the Great War 1914-1918."

    Other than this I cannot find anything else about him no photos, notes or diary. I would love to find a photo of him.

    Damien Dunne




    205131

    Pte. Thomas Henry Blight 5th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.26th Aug 1918)

    I came across Pte Blight's death plaque in a junk shop. I believe he served with the 5th batt Royal Berkshire Reg.

    C. Smith




    205126

    Pay Sjt. Herbert "Squirt" Martindale 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment

    My Father's brother, Uncle Bert served in India. A few postcards have recently been found stuck in an old album and I have been able to detach them from their glued positions to reveal messages from Khandahar barracks in Fyzabad India. They were sent to my Father and his family and are dated between Dec 1917 and April 1918.

    He speaks of the intense heat in March - 107 degrees and the Smallpox and Bubonic plagues and says the people are "dirty" and their straw houses had to be burned to the ground, so they were given tents to live in. He also says not to worry about him because he is in the "Land of Plenty" and he refers to parcels he has sent over requesting to know whether they have arrived so that he can have receipts. I was told that he sent ivory and brass ornaments and a cigar and he mentions a tin of tea and sugar. He says he expects the unit to be moved, the move abroad was cancelled but there is to be a move within India. I don't think that came about as in the April 1918 postcard he thinks "--this is the last few months of the war." His brother, my Father, didn't have a good war, he was badly wounded in Ypres while all this was going on.

    Uncle Bert was in Hong Kong in the Military Police force at some time and was partially blinded due to an accident. He later married and two of his children are living. Having just telephoned one of them he tells me his Father first was at Hydrabad, and he referred to Fysabad as "flies are bad"!! The posting to Hong Kong was around 1920.

    Shirley Ross




    205123

    William McKenzie Royal Field Artillery

    I am currently reaching desperation point to find any further details about my grandfather's military service. The few things we know for sure is that he enlisted virtually the day war was declared but at the time he was only 14. He served in France in the early days and was somehow discovered to be under age and was returned to UK.

    He re-enlisted in 1915, aged only 15 and was to see action in Ypres and Passchendale. I have a picture of him on horseback at what seems to be a pretty substantial stable block so I assume its in England. He survived the war and took part in a football tournament in Belgium in 1919 and won a medal.

    Unfortunately, because he was under age , records probably would not be accurate, as he would no doubt, have lied about his date of birth if not his name as well, on both occasions. If anyone can help or advise a course of action , I'd be eternally grateful. Many thanks.

    Pete McKenzie




    205120

    Pte. Aaron Hare 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Mar 1918)

    Aaron Hare was my great great uncle. He was born in 1885 in Kelloe, East Hetton in the county of Durham one of seven children,the youngest son of John & Elizabeth Hare. He had a number of siblings (in age order) Henry, Samuel, John, Mary Ann, Francis (my great grandmother) & Elizabeth.

    Aaron Hare was married to Isabella Ann Hare and lived in Choppington, Northumberland. He was killed in WW1 in France on 29th March 1918 aged 32 years and is remembered at the Arras Memorial.

    His brother John was a private in the 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, service No. 10627, he was killed in action aged 39 on 27th of Sep 1915, and is remembered at the Loos Memorial.

    D Walmsley




    205119

    Pte. John Hare 12th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1915)

    John Hare was my great great uncle. He was born in 1876, one of seven children, the 3rd eldest,son of John & Elizabeth Hare. He had a number of siblings (in age order) Henry, Samuel, Mary Ann, Francis (my great grandmother), Aaron & Elizabeth.

    John Hare was married to Margaret and lived in Choppington, Northumberland. He was killed in France on 27th September 1915 and is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

    His brother Aaron also died in WW1 on 29th March 1918 aged 32 years as a member of the 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers, service No.777 He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

    Additional information from family member, Barbara: John was my great grandfather. He was killed at the battle of Loos. I was named after his daughter.

    D Walmsley




    205115

    Bdr. Arthur Burgess 20 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Arthur Burgess was my Grandfather and he served in WW1 in the Royal Garrison Artillery. I know he served in Salonika in 1917 but cannot find any information as to where else he served. He was wounded to the hands and face in Salonika and was admitted to 28 General Hospital in Salonica on 9th April 1917. He survived the war being demobbed on 27th March 1919 and died in 1965.

    Arthur Burgess is sitting down on the left. I have no idea who the others are.

    Derek Burgess




    205108

    Bdr. John Alfred Howton 1st Training Battery

    John lied his age to enlist in the army so as to carry on as his father and grandfather with The Royal Artillery. We know he served in France but not where or when.

    His father, Driver George Howton RA9490, served 21 years and had 1 year and 9 months in So Africa in 1900-1901. His grandfather John William Howton enlisted in 1861 at Woolwich, he died in 1888.

    Wayne Millard




    205107

    Cpl. Matthew Nielson Bowman 2nd Btn. D Coy Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Matthew Nielson Bowman of Irvine Scotland was born in 1883, was a corporal in the 2nd Battalion, Company D of the Royal Scots Fusiliers during WWI. On his arrival in France he was attached to the 9th Infantry Brigade which in turn was subordinate to the 3rd Division. He was captured by the Germans and spent time in a POW camp. The Red Cross Archives in Geneva attest that he was captured March 23, 1918 at Ham, France. He was a prisoner of war in German hands, present in the camp of Soltau coming from Aachen (according to a German list dated 23.9.1919). Family anecdotes say that he was captured when he was shot in the knee and that he was made to work in the salt mines while he was a prisoner. Like many veterans, he never liked to talk about his wartime experiences.

    Eleanor Clouter




    205098

    T. H. Walker 6rd Gun Station Royal Garrison Artillery

    I have in my possession a bible given to T H Walker, dated 4th June 1918 and on active service 1917. I am trying to trace the gentleman in question and find out any more info, with having had his bible given to him during his service in my possession for a number of years now, I'd be grateful of any help.

    Jane Robinson




    205096

    Walter Henry Nichols HMHS Panama

    Merchant Mercantile Marine Walter Henry Nichols, was a survivor of the Titanic, he served on Troop ships at the start of WW1 as part of the catering crew. He sailed in the same capacity aboard HMHS Panama leaving Southampton on 3rd October 1918 remained sea continuously until returning to Southampton, until 9th May 1919. We, the family descendants, know of all his sailings from 1891 on various ships until 1929, but no idea where the Panama went between the two dates given. Can anyone help us?

    Howard Nichols




    205094

    Pte. James C. T. Wooler 10th (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.14th Sep 1918)

    James C T Wooler was my Great Uncle. I cant find which battle he died in, records just say Trescault. He was working a lewis machine gun when he shot through the head, His body was never found and this year I got onto the War Graves Commission and sent them information about my great uncle, they got in touch with Ministry of Defence and his name is being put on the addenda panel on the Vis-en-Artois memorial in France in a few months.

    My other great uncle was killed in November 1917. My Grandad was a volunteer who joined in Sept 1914 and survived the war, I can't find his army record, I have tried for a least a year.

    Algy Metcalfe




    205090

    Pte. Richard Henry Glover Royal West Kent Regiment

    I have a photocopy of the Warrington Guardian newspaper of 7th September 1918 which refers to Richard Glover, my paternal grandfather, as having been "seriously wounded in the back and right arm and is now a patient in the Mayor of Hereford's home. He was wounded on August 27th and arrived in England on the 31st.Private Glover when barely 16 years of age enlisted in one of the Border regiments, but on his age becoming known he was sent home. When he reached military age he again joined up in January 1918. He went to the front 3 months ago. He was educated at the Parochial School, was a regular attender at St George's Mission, and was employed by the Vernon Street Tanning Co."

    Malcolm Glover




    205088

    RSM. Henry John Cross Croix de Guerre Royal Field Artillery

    I am trying to trace the details of this soldier, Henry Cross on behalf of his grand-daughter. The details of his life have been presented by her and I can not vouch for their authenticity. I would appreciate any information anyone can give me.

    Brian Taylor




    205080

    Dvr John R. Cowan 126th Bde. (d.10th Sept 1918)

    <p>This photo may be of John R Cowan

    John died in September 1918 and was a driver in the Royal Field Artillery. I am trying to piece together his family history and descendants who I believe include a son born shortly before he was killed.

    There is a photograph which I believe is him and showing him in uniform with breeches and a collar and tie. Would this have been correct for his rank in the RFA?

    Pat Newton




    205075

    Arthur Stanley Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather, Arthur Stanley was a driver in the Royal Field Artillery, I found he is on the great roll of 1914-18.

    Byron Leeming




    205073

    Pte. John King Queens Own Cameron Highlanders

    We have a document that my father in-law John King received when he was injured and discharged from the war on 23rd June 1917. We are looking to find out were he was injured? We would love help to do this.

    Angela King




    205069

    Pte. Elijah Warrilow North Staffordshire Regiment

    I am looking for any information on Pte E. Warrilow, 14204, North Staffordshire Regiment who served in WWI. I have acquired his war time medals with his name engraved and I would like to return them to his family or heirs.

    Bob Mapson




    205065

    Pte. Charles Miles 5th Btn. Cameron Highlanders (d.3rd May 1917)

    My Uncle Charlie Miles, was 24 years old when he died. He enlisted in Sheffield with a friend, Claude Pickard, (S/40469). He, together with about 300 other members of the battalion, were killed by British Artillery - friendly fire! Apparently the British maps weren't accurate.

    John Miles




    205064

    Pte. Charles William Boulton Army Cyclist Corps

    My Grandad Charlie Boulton served in the Army Cyclist Corps during WW1. His date of entry into France was 6 September 1915, and he was de-mobbed from Salonika in 1919.

    His war records do not survive, other than his de-mob certificate and medal roll index card. My sister has a tiny war diary which mainly has shopping lists from when he was a batman to Charles Garfield Lott Du Cann (father of Sir Edward Du Cann and Richard Du Cann) - the lists always include a lemon so I reckon they always had gin! There is also the record of a sea voyage where they made the tea with sea water, so no great details of battles - only food!

    I hope to transcribe the diary and get in touch with the Du Cann family to see if there are any family records there, as Charles Du Cann was a journalist and author.

    Liz Boulton




    205054

    2nd Lt. Samuel McCullagh Linden MID 90th Heavy Artillery. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.31 July 1917)

    Samuel is my Great-great Uncle, I have got most of the information about him, but I'm unable to find out why he was mentioned in despatches. Any help in this matter would be great.

    Ian Fereday




    205045

    Pte. Thomas "Tukker" Walsh South Wales Borderers

    Thomas Walsh was born in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny around 1896 his Mother and Father were Mary Ann Walsh nee Deady and John Walsh from Cloughabrody, he inlisted in the South Wales Borderers and fought in France. According to my Great grand mother my Great Uncle was injured in fighting at Ypres and was gassed which meant he suffered from breathing problems. I am currently trying to find my Uncles Army records.

    Kevin Brown




    205044

    Pte. Augustus Charles Cook 2nd Battalion Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment (d.10th Jun 1917)

    I understand my great grandfather, Augustus Cook, died age 41 and is commemorated at the Basra war cemetery but I have little information regarding him.

    Claire Lewis




    205040

    Sjt. Edward George Hunt 6th Btn Army Cyclist Corps

    I have some pictures of my grandfather, Edward Hunt in the war. He was in the 6th battalion of the Cyclist Corps.

    Ian Hunt




    205037

    Rfm. John Frank Standcumbe 9th Battalion (Queen Victoria Rifles) London Regiment (d.10th Apr 1917)

    I have been researching my family tree, and found records of my father's (maternal) grandfather, John Standcumbe who fell in WW1. We have a photograph of him and his medals. I'd really like to learn more about the engagement in which he fell. I believe is was the first battle of Bullecourt - but I am not completely sure of this yet. Any information about the 9th Battalion of the QVRs would be appreciated.

    George




    205036

    2nd Lt. William Frederick Samuel Harkness 42 Bde.

    My father, William Harkness, joined up from the Trinity College Dublin OTC in 1917 and was commissioned 2Lt on 1/10/1917. He served in France and subsequently in the occupation of Germany in 1919, was promoted Lt on 1/4/1919 and was demobilised on 7/11/1919, relinquishing his commission, retaining the rank of Lt, on 1/4/1920.

    I have a map of Koln area indicating that he was in the 195th Siege Bty during this latter period. I would like to find out more about his service. He left behind Richard Blaker's Medal Without Bar (published by Hodder & Stoughton in 1930) which gives a very vivid account of the life of a junior officer in the Artillery in action in France.

    His slim record at Kew described him as a good officer and mentioned one or two periods of leave and his appointment as Brigade gas officer(42 Bde & 29 Bde, RGA) 13/5/1918-3/6/1918. He never talked of his service so if anyone out there can add anything I would be delighted.

    David Harkness




    205033

    Dick Muggleton 2/4th Btn. Leicestershire Regiment (d.17th Apr 1918)

    My Grandmother told me she remembers the soldiers going off to war, Dick Muggleton was her uncle, although he wasn't much older, he never came back, I'm not sure which battle he was in but there's a plaque in the church at Lyddington bearing his name.

    Pete Bell




    205029

    Pte. Charles Thomas Goforth 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th Mar 1918)

    My grandmother was Charles Goforth's younger sister and she never got over losing "Tommy" and she always wanted to visit his grave. He has, like so many of that conflict no known grave and I am going to visit the area shortly and pay my respects at the Arras memorial.

    I have detailed maps of the places where the battalion fought during the 1918 German offensive and I hope to try and re trace the steps he and his comrades took all those years ago.

    Ian Padget




    205025

    Pte. Robert Langley

    Robert Langley is my Grandfather. He served on the western front and was gassed on the Somme. All his hair fell out and never grew back. He was a stretcher bearer and once had to fight hand to hand with a German in no man's land. I'm trying to find what Regiment and Batallion he was in.

    Clive Langley




    205020

    Thomas Edmenson Durham Light Infantry

    My relative's name, Thomas Edmenson appears on the War memorial in West Hartlepool, in spite of extensive search I can find very little information about him. If anyone are able to help in any way it would be appreciated..... Thank you.

    June Fereday




    205019

    Sjt. John Ernest Elgie 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    John Ernest Elgie, was my Gt Grand father, Son of the late Tom Elgie, of Black Lion Hotel, Thirsk, Yorks.; husband of Lily Elgie, of 13, Alexandra Rd., Grangetown, Yorks.

    Christopher Tranter




    205018

    Dvr. William Silver 190th Bde. B Section Royal Field Artillery

    I'm currently trying to find out information about my great grandad's movements in WW1, any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Clare Cregg




    205017

    Cpl. William Henry Hewing 7th Btn. Sherwood Foresters

    My Grandfather, William Hewing was 19 when he went to war in France and was involved in some of the bloodiest and most gruesome battles ever endured by soldiers of the British Army. He was with the infantry in Richelbourge St Vaast in 1915, The Somme in July 1916, Vimy Ridge in winter 1916, part of the attack on Gommecourt later he saw action with the tanks at Ypres, Cambrai, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Arras, Selle Villers and Bretonneaux.

    I have a detailed account of the time he spent in France written by his own hand some years after the war. It is a very moving account which is being printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph on Monday 9th November.

    AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM.

    Kay Bestwick




    205014

    Pte. Joseph William Walker 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Apr 1917)

    We always believed Uncle Joe died in Turkey, but after a more in depth research discovered he died in France and buried at Tilloy British Cemetary, Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines, I would like to know more of the battle he was engaged in.

    Jackie Rushton




    205012

    Pte. Frederick Robert Brewis 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1915)

    <p>Fred Brewis

    My Great Uncle Frederick Robert Brewis, died on the 16 December 1915 in the First World War, he is buried at Potijze Burial Ground, Ieper, Belgium.

    John A Brewis




    205011

    Sjt. Alfred Edward Jones MM. Royal Field Artillery

    <p>Grandad Jones with family prior to going to france with the Expeditionary Force 1914

    My Grandad, Alfred Jones, first joined the Grenadier Guards in 1906 and went to India where he met my grandmother. He transferred to the RH then the RFA starting off as a private then acting corporal, by the time he was in the Royal Field Artillery he was Sargent. He was with the Expeditionary Force France 1914 and won the Military Medal on the Somme. Like most soldiers Grandad didn't want to talk about the war and I can't blame him for how he suffered and came home alive one will never know. Grandad was 19 when he joined the grenadier Guards in 1906 and saw plenty of action.

    He came home to East Ham after the war and joined the police force in 1919 and became a Sargent. He won the bronze medal for saving a woman from a burning shop in 1940. He was born 3rd September 1886 in West Ham and had 11 children. Grandad died in 1965.

    His brother Christopher Edward Jones also served in the Great War but sadly was killed 26th October 1914. He was with the 2nd Btn Border Regiment. His wife and son are in the picture also grandmother(wife of Alfred) and his 2 children. Christopher Edward Jones is remembered at the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

    Barbara Smith




    205009

    L/Cpl. Jesse Birkinshaw MM. 8th Battalion Royal Highlanders

    Jesse Survived the war but died in 1920 at his home in Ossett, West Yorkshire, he died of trench fever.

    Paul Ives




    205006

    L/Sgt. William Mulvey 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1918)

    <p>

    I only had a name and a single photo of my Grandad, William Mulvey in Army uniform and knew nothing about him until I received his medals from a cousin in Canada. This began a long, interesting, sometimes frustrating but deeply satisfying journey to discover something about him. Through my research and reading his Battalion War Diaries I now know he was at Hulluch, Ginchy, Guillemont, Messines and Wytschaete and would have seen the beginning of air warfare and the introduction of tanks to the battlefields.

    He contracted 'Trench Fever' a debilitating louse born disease that invalided him out of the horror and filth of the trenches back home to Ireland to recover over several months whilst serving in the Labour Corps barracks in Kildare only to contract 'Spanish Flu' and Pneumonia and die in 5 short days just three weeks before the end of the war.

    He had effectively been demoted because of ill health, and for a man who had the responsibilities of a L/Sgt that could not have come easily to him. I have yet to track down his service records but I consider my work as a memorial to a life I was not privileged to be part of. He had two children a daughter and my own Father who was born whilst he was away in France and whom I doubt he ever saw, like so many of his generation he was robbed of the chance of a normal life so my work is keeping his memory alive.

    Catherine M. Mulvey




    205004

    Pte. James Edward Booth 11th Btn. C Coy. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27th Apr 1918)

    James Edward Booth, my grandfather, died when my mother was five weeks old. All I have ever known about him is his name and that he got killed in the war in France. However, I recently managed to obtain a commemorative certificate by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which has a picture of Esquelbecq cemetery, where he is buried. From that I found he was Private 3866, C Coy, 11th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers, he died aged 30 on 27 April 1918, and his mum and dad were Eliza and Edward Booth.

    The cemetery was opened in April 1918 during the early stages of the German offensive in Flanders, when the 2nd Canadian and 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Stations came to Esquelbecq. It was closed in September 1918. It obviously was soon filled.

    My mother is now 91 and has dementia but when I gave her a copy of the certificate I read it to her and showed her the picture of the cemetery where her Dad is buried. She was overcome with emotion, it was so moving. I am desperately trying to find out more about her dad so I can tell her.

    Diane Pleasant




    205001

    Pte. Frederick Critchell 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.26th June 1917)

    I do not know much about my great grandfather, Fred Critchell and most of my older relatives on my mother's side of the family have all died before I started my family research.

    I do however believe that at the time of his enlistment he lied about his age and added approx. 5yrs to his age. He was married by this time to a woman older than him as well. She was pregnant for a 3rd time by the time he left for duty and gave birth to a baby boy in 1916. I do not know when my great grandfather enlisted, but do know it was in Woolwich, Kent. I also do not know if he knew about his last son. Before he enlisted, he worked as a labourer. This is all I know at this time.

    Claire




    204999

    George Thomas Higton Sherwood Foresters (d.1917)

    George Higton was my great uncle. For several years, I have heard disjointed stories about a relative who served in the great war, but have been unable to find out any information about him. If any one can help me in my search, please contact Thanks.

    Shaun Higton




    204998

    Gnr. John Frederick Symes DCM. Royal Field Artillery

    John Frederick Symes was my Great Grandfather he was a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery he served in India, Mesopotamia and the Western Front,where he took part in the battles of Arras, Loos, Neuve Chapelle and Ypres. He later went with the Army of Occupation to Germany. He was demobbed in 1919.

    John served with honours in WW1. In March 1918 he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the Field by his Major for Conspicuous Gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. The award was reported in the London Gazette issue No. 30879 page 97 published on 3rd September 1918. He helped in repelling the enemy by rifle fire and then assisted in dismantling a gun whilst under fire. His Officer Commanding having been shot in both legs was carried by John although surrounded by the enemy, under cover of the mist to the safety of the R.A.M.C.

    John returned to England where the effects of the war took its toll and he went A.W.O.L. and was arrested by the Military Police, however his Commanding officer intervened and no action was taken against him, he then returned to action as the hero he was. Sadly I have been unable to trace his Army records.

    Chuck Gaish




    204997

    Pte. Alexander John Lawrence Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th May 1918)

    Any information on Alex would be gratefully received. Believed to have been killed accidentally by a colleague.

    Kate




    204996

    Pte. Thomas Edward Hunt 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.28th Jul 1918)

    Anyone who may have some information about Thomas or where the Battalion fought around the time of his death, the information would be very gratefully received.

    Kate




    204994

    Pte. Frederick Joseph Anderson 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.31 March 1918)

    Fred was the twin brother of my grandmother Edith Walker nee Anderson. They were born on 16th March 1891. He enlisted in the DLI 15th Battalion at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 28 February 1916.

    My husband and I studied movements of 15th Battalion DLI at Durham Records Office. The Battalion was billetted at Frechencourt (12kms north of Amiens)on the Somme on night of 30th March 1918. They moved to nearby Allonville (8kms north of Amiens)on 31st March 1918, the fateful day when Fred was Killed-in-Action. By then he was aged 27yrs 15 days. He has no known grave but is remembered with honour on the Pozieres Memorial.

    Sadly, none of the family possess a photo of Fred.

    Mavis Bulmer




    204991

    A/Cpl. Arthur Munton Leicestershire Regiment

    My grandfather was Arthur Munton who died at 'Dooraville' in Belmesthorpe Lincs in 1966 when I was thirteen. As we approach Rememberance Day it ony serves to reinforce my determination to find more about what he did in WW1 and in particular at the Third Ypres Passchendale and it is my intention to visit the battlefield sometime next year

    As part of my research I have found what I believe is my grandfathers general service medal it is inscribed with THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION 1914 - 1919 and around the edge of the medal is engraved 25881 it could be 25887 A.CPL.A.MUNTON.LEIC.R.

    When I look back and attempt to recall what my grandfather told me about WW1 and his involvement he always described Passchendale in one word 'quagmire' having read some of the accounts and seen some photographs of this battle it seems an apt description

    If anyone has any information that would assist me with my research I would much appreciate hearing from them

    The only footnote I would add is an oddity but neverless a common thread when I talk to other people who are undertaking similar research is that my father would often tell me that my grandfather would recount stories of WW1 to me and yet not to him, why is this so?

    Keith Munton




    204990

    Chief Carpenter Albert Edward Scarlett HMS Minotaur

    Albert Scarlett was my great-great grandfather, I would love to hear any memories passed down by other people's ancestors. Apparently he didn't talk much about his wartime service, but I have managed to work out that he was aboard HMS Minotaur during the Battle of Jutland.

    Hayley Davies




    204988

    Pte. Albert Brain 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.21st Nov 1914)

    Albert enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire regiment at Coventry whilst living in Banbury. The date of enlistment is not known but the 1911 census records taken on Sun 2nd April 1911 show that he was then serving overseas in Bombay with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire regiment. The 1st battalion sailed for England on December 11th 1912 arriving there on 2nd Jan 1913. It was then based at Shorncliffe, near Folkestone. The battalion was in the 10th Brigade 4th Division.

    On 8th Aug 1914 the battalion travelled by train to Yorkshire (to assist in countering any threatened German invasion). From Yorkshire it moved to Southampton. On 22nd August the battalion sailed on the SS Caledonian disembarking at Boulogne on 23rd August.

    Sadly, Albert was killed on 21st November 1914 whilst serving with “A” Company of the 2nd battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. Albert’s death certificate states that he was ‘Presumed Killed In Action’. The certificate also states his rank as Lance Corporal. Therefore, sometime between 21st January 1913 (when the First Battalion arrived back in England) and 21st Nov 1914 Albert transferred from the First Battalion to the Second Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

    The Second Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire regiment was in Litchfield from 1908-1911. Then for a short time at Shornciffe then Portland until it sailed for Malta on December 22nd 1912. It remained in Malta until 19th August 1914 when it left for England landing there on September 19th 1914. Based in Lyndhurst the battalion was then attached to the 22nd Brigade 7th Division and the battalion subsequently left for Flanders landing at Zeebrugge on 6th October 1914.

    Unfortunately the true manner of Albert’s death is unlikely to ever be known but it is very probable that he was killed whilst the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Warwicks was being relieved by the 2/Queens (Royal West Kent) Battalion.

    Keith Brain




    204983

    Pte. Leonard William Heygate Northamptonshire Yeomanry

    My Grandfather Leonard William Heygate was born on the 3rd September 1889. His father, Richard Ralph Heygate (1852 to 1923) was a varnish manufacturer in Hackney and a gentleman farmer in West Haddon, Northants. Leonard had a brother Gerald Ralph (1886 to 1951)who also joined the army in the First World War. Their Mother Lizzie Emma was also from the Heygate family.

    I have not been able to find very much First World War information on my grandfather Leonard, except that he joined the Northamptonshire Yeomanry as a Private and apparently, according to my Mother Margaret Ruth Heygate, he was engaged to my Grandmother Evelyn Lucy Underwood of Long Buckby, Northants. He had to go to Ireland to learn to ride horses and Evelyn, accompanied by her Mother, travelled to Ireland to see him! Leonard had been training to be an Auctioneer at Rugby but was also joint owner, with his Father of some agricultural land at West Haddon, Northants, where he lived.

    I have some information that he served in France, date of entry 18.04.1915. He also seemed to have served with the Bedfordshire Yeomanry. At the Army Museum it states in the Army list February 1918 L W Heygate 333 Yeomanry Territorial Force 332, Bedforshire, Ashburnham Road, Bedford. Uniform blue. Facings white. Plume black and white. Commissioned 3/1st Beds Yeo 16.4.17, 2nd Lieutenant 17.4.1917. Reserve Brigades Artillery (TF). L W Heygate September 1918 332 (attd 2-1) York, Dns, Yeo 17 April 1917. Attached to the York Dragoons Yeomanry. On one piece of paper I have Medal 15 star, roll cc/5b page6. Also it states 'on R T or and F Roll CC/106B1/36. NW/2/3606.

    My Grandfather was rather a shy, quiet gentleman and would not talk about his experiences of the First World War. Years later, my brother was on a school trip to France and he happened to send his Grandparents a postcard from Arras. The only thing my Grandfather said to my Mother was, 'I was there' and he was very sad. He apparently, on hearing that World War 2 had broken out, disappeared out of the house into the fields and probably cried. I just want to know more about where he was in France and whether he was at the Battle of Arras. I think I am right in saying that he had a wound to his face from shrapnel.

    He was very fortunate to survive the war and had a pleasant life as a gentleman farmer at Creaton and West Haddon, Northants. He married Evelyn and produced three children, Margaret, Barbara and Michael John. He had five grandchildren. He died on 3rd August 1975 and is buried in West Haddon Churchyard.

    The only other thing I would add about the Second World War. When Coventry was bombed, Grandpa had a bonfire in one of the fields at Creaton and to the family's horror, they saw the German aeroplanes flying overhead and the bonfire which had been earlier put out, sprang to life, so the family ran across the fields with buckets of water to put the flames out! They all survived but witnessed the sky all lit up from Coventry and could hear the bombs landing.

    Elizabeth Anne Heygate Gates




    204980

    Gnr. John Hudson Medcalf 251st Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.5th Nov 1918)

    My Great Great Uncle, John Medcalf was a prisoner of war and died 6 days before the end of the War. He is buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery.

    Angela Cockburn




    204977

    John "Jack" Ellis Eaton's Machine Gun Battery

    My father Mr. John Ellis served with Eaton's Machine Gun Battery during WW1. Dad was living in Canada when war broke out but was originally from Barking in Essex. Dad joined up in 1915 according to the photo I have of his unit, Dad would have been 25 in 1915 having been born in March 1890. The only thing we know about his service is that he was shot in the palm of his right hand which left his second finger permanently bent. Unfortunately he died when my siblings and I were only in our teens and none of us were very interested in history then, also his war medals were stolen when my mother's house was broken into in July 1968. I have tried to do some research on the web but as his unit was only commissioned for the duration and his name seemingly very common I keep coming up against a brick wall. Can anyone let me know which of the battlefields his regiment would have been present or where I can search further myself? Here's hoping that there is a light out there.

    Linda Pease




    204976

    Ernest Bradshaw

    I am trying to find all I can regarding my Grandfather, Ernest Bradshaw. I have no photo's and no history, only what I can remember of what my Grandmother told me in the 1950'S.perhaps he served with the Sherwood Foresters in The Great War?

    Ernest was badly gassed in the conflicts and was returned to England to convalesce, he did not get any better and on doctors advise departed to Australia, for better health in 1919-20 but passed away at Royal North Shore Hospital Sydney on 15th June 1921, aged 37. He left my Grandmother at the time of the depression and my Father (aged 8) and his sister (aged 11) all alone. I think with all the hardship they had to face, was a big enough factor for them to return to England,of which they did. The year I am not sure.

    My son emigrated to Australia some 8 years ago to Melbourne, so on a request we asked him to look into the possibility of finding Ernest for all the family. He flew to Sydney and went to the Archives in the City. He found out that Ernest was buried in The Field Of Mars cemetery north of Sydney. He was the first visitor to Ernest in probably 80 Years! A First World War Veteran, and we were so pleased to find him. My wife and I have since visited his grave side and are hoping to do so this coming year.

    I never knew my Grandfather, me being now 66 and I would love to know a little bit more of Ernest before I expire. A Grandfather I never knew. Can anyone help?? Thank You

    Keith Bradshaw




    204975

    Private Albert Samuel Rose 10th Btn. "A" Coy. Royal Fusiliers (d.26th May 1916)

    Albert Samuel Rose known as Sam by his family, is my Great Uncle. He was born 19th November 1895. He was the only boy of 12 children. He died aged 20. He has a grave in Berles-Au-Bois graveyard in France. I only found one old photos of him and have no other information about him. He was awarded 3 medals and I have a copy of his medal roll. He had the Victory medal, British medal and the 1915 Star. Where these medals are I have no idea. I would love to be in possession of them or have photo evidence of them. I know that all medals were inscribed at the back. If anyone knows about my great uncle or has any other information, it would be greatly accepted.

    Miranda Giles




    204974

    Pte. Leonard Twamley 2/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.19th Jul 1916)

    <p>Appeal for information 1st September 1916 from his mother Drucilla in the Coventry Herald. Len was killed at the Battle of Fromelles on 19th July 1916.

    Leonard Twamley was a 19 year old lad who joined the 2/7th Royal Warwickshires in November 1915 as a volunteer. He had formerly been a turner at the Singer factory in Coventry. 2/7th was a territorial battalion whose base was Coventry. It became part of the 61st Division which after training in Northampton, Essex and Salisbury Plain left Southampton on 22nd May 1916 for le Harve.

    The 2/7th together with a number of other South Midlands battalions were near Laventie in July 1916. On 19th July 1916 he was part of three companies of the 2/7th that went into battle about 6pm and reached the German trenches. Within a couple of hours they retreated and Len was killed together with a large number of others, British and Australian in the Battle of Fromelles.

    On 1st September 1916 his mother Drucilla placed an appeal in the Coventry Herald for information as he was missing in action at the time. In 1917 He was officially assumed to have been killed in action. Len's total service in the army was 245 days. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos memorial. He is also commemorated, together with his brother George on his mother's grave in London Road Cemetery, Coventry. George was killed in Belgium in July 1917.

    Richard Parker




    204972

    Pte. Jeremiah Reid 2/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.28 Mar 1918)

    Jeremiah Reid was my late Dad's older brother b. 27 February 1899 in Liverpool and baptised on 3 March 1899 @ St Augustine's RC Church, Gt Howard St., Liverpool. His parents (my grandparents) were Christopher & Christina Reid, both of whom were born in Liverpool. My grandfather Christopher was a merchant seaman.

    On 18 September 1915 my uncle Jeremiah enlisted into the Kings Liverpool Regt., in Liverpool and undertook training in nearby Seaforth Barracks. He would have been 16 years old at the time. His regimental number was 46128 and his description was as follows:- height - 5 ft 2 1/4 ins, weight - 104 lbs, 33" Chest - girth fully expanded, Range of expansion - 2 1/2",

    During his time in the army he was transferred to several regiments including Herefordshire Regt., Monmouth Regt., Base Depot and finally Royal Warwickshire Regt.

    At one point he acquired another army number, 228873 or 2128873 (I can't quite make it out from the damaged document) but on transfer to the Warwickshire's he became Pte Jeremiah Reid 315136.

    On 28th March 1918 my uncle was killed in action, in the field, aged just 19 years. Theatre of War is given as - France & Flanders. Sadly, we have no photographs of him. Like thousands of other parents, on receipt of this dreadful news my grandparents were devastated.

    My family have been researching our family history for about 30 years now and, thanks to a cousin who discovered a bag containing old documents in his deceased mother's loft some years ago, we have been able to piece together a short story to our uncle Jeremiah.

    On finding his details on CWGC website my sister and I travelled over to France to 'claim the grave' in our late Dad's memory and I am now working on our family history book in which I'm incorporating every letter, document and detail I can find. I have photographs of the grave which is situated in Roye New British Cemetery, France.

    Pte Jeremiah Reid 325136 will always remain in our thoughts and in our writings for future generations.

    Maureen Reid




    204971

    L/Cpl. Noah Turpin 1st/6th battalion Prince of Wales West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

    Noah worked as a warehouseman in Bradford before the war and was part of the local territorial army. The unit landed in Boulogne on the 15th of April 1915 and was part of the original expeditionary force taking part in the trenches at Neuve Chapelle, Laventie, Fleurbaix, Ypres, Bouzincourt and Thiepval.

    Sadly Noah was killed going over the top on the 1st day of the Somme at Thiepval Wood when the unit was supporting the 36th Ulster Division, his body was never recovered, but on the letter sent home from the army informing the family of the loss, a positive id was made by a surviving officer who saw Noah caught in the wire in no man's land and unfortunately he was already dead.

    Noah was 27 when he died and is remembered on the Thiepval memorial, what a privilege it is to be related to a truly gallant and noble person who laid his life down for his country.

    James Stevenson




    204967

    Pte. Edward Cope 5th Dragoon Guards

    Amongst my Grandfather's WW1 documents I have a copy of an Army Form W3288, which is overstamped 5th August 1918 from the Southern General Hospital Records (looks like Stourbridge Saffron, Birmingham):-

    Herewith Army Form B.178 (Medical History Sheet)in ... D/7832 Pte Edward Cope 5th D.G..S, Received W Kirkpatrick and signed Cdonce?, dated Canterbury 18.8.18.

    I believe my grandfather served on the Somme and at Paschendale and was injured. His horse (14h high) black and called Ni**er was also badly injured and died shortly after, despite much veterinary attention.

    Perhaps my Grandad wouldn't be classed as a Hero because he survived! However, I strongly believe that anyone who took part in those dreadful battles were Heroes nonetheless!

    I have such fond memories of my grandfather and have collected over 50 documents relating to his Army Service dating back to 20/6/1911. I am researching his life as my personal Memorial to him. Edward's eldest son is now 88 years of age and sadly not able to add to Edward's story, but my Uncle (2nd son) at 83 is very excited by everything I find.

    Carole Matthews




    204965

    Charles Smith London Regiment

    I am seeking information about Private Charles Smith of the London Regiment. The only reference that I have is a scroll which commemorates his self- sacrifice in the First World War. The reason for the enquiry is that I believe that I am a member of his family.

    Ron Smith




    204960

    Pte. Alaexander George "Jock" Farquhar MM and bar, MID. 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry

    My father Alaexander Farquhar joined the HLI as a Boy soldier and was proud of it`s history and passed that pride on to me. He was a Field signaller and scout and except for short periods when he was in hospital and once home on leave, he saw all the action from 14th August 1914.

    I still have his medals,although the War and Victory ones are replacements. He married my mother during his Home leave and they eventually had two sons and a daughter.

    During WW2 he served with distinction in the Home Guard. I remember his disgust when in the LDV in 1939 being taught to present arms with a broomstick! after 15 years service with a rifle regiment.

    A.S. Farquhar.




    204958

    G. H. Brincklow Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Private G H Brincklow served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He died in 1920 and was buried in Birmingham Plot 10.

    Eileen Wild




    204947

    Dvr. David Cliff Brown 43rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.5th. Jun 1916)

    David Cliff Brown lost his life on board HMS Hampshire. The Memorial at Southampton. Panel No.1. records his name and many more who perished on that awful day. He is my Great Uncle.

    Adrian Inman




    204946

    Campbell Wilson Royal Field Artillery

    I am trying to find out more about the war service of my grandfather, Campbell Wilson. I have very little to go on as both he and my mother are deceased. I know that he was affected by a gas attack and that he was awarded 2 medals. I think he drove horses. He was born and brought up in Muirkirk in Ayrshire. Can anyone help me find out his details?

    John Campbell




    204945

    Percy " " Harvey 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    I am looking for information on my grandfather and his son, my uncle. My grandfathers name was Percy Harvey and he was in the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He was wounded and captured at Mons and taken POW, I think to Chimintz in Germany.

    My Uncle's name was Roy Harvey and he was in the 1st Airborne and was captured at Arnhem and made POW but I do not know where. It is a remarkable story that both father and son would be POW's in 2 different World Wars. Both men survived and my grandfather lived on into old age (97) and I have some photos of him in uniform. He join the Duke of York's School in Chelsea when he was about 12 and was 23 when the Great War started.

    Alan Twyford




    204942

    Pte Patrick Moreland 2nd Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    My Grandfather Patrick Moreland was in the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was held by the Germans in Limburg Lahn

    John Moreland




    204939

    Dvr. Richard Stanley "Derry" Edwards 124 Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My grandfather was born Richard Stanley Rowlands, but changed his name to Edwards, his mothers previous married name. He signed up twice to a Welsh regiment but his Mother 'retrieved' him as he was under age born 2nd Jan 1898. He then managed to join the Royal Field Artillery but his records appear to have been destroyed in WW2 and I cant find any more detail other than that listed on his medal card.

    If my deductions are correct he was in 124 Brigade as part of 37th Division serving from 1916 in France at the battles of the Somme, Ypres and Passchendaele amongst many others. He was a driver and rode the lead horse of a gun team. He survived the war and lived until the mid 1960's when I was only 3 years old.

    In the Second World War he was a chief fire watch officer and defused many incendiaries falling around Twickenham in London. My uncle still has his slide rule from his days as a RFA driver, and fire axe from WW2.

    Alan Wenham




    204934

    Pte. Allan Treadwell Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My Grandfather Alan Treadwell joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers on 8th February 1915. He went to France with the British Expeditionary Force on 23rd March 1915, was wounded and discharged from the Army on 22nd July 1915. His discharge papers (which I have in front of me) state he was discharged due to `mis statement as to age in enlistment!` He was 16 years of age when he was discharged!! He served 3 Months in France.

    L.Treadwell




    204925

    Gnr. Leonard Reth Dawe 31st Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.21st Oct 1917)

    Leonard Dawe was my cousin and I have a copy of the notification of death sent to his widow but I cannot read where the death occurred other than at "St John's Hospital....???" Would records show where this hospital was situated and where he was buried please?

    Editors note: Leonard is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, which is situated to the north of the town of Etaples on the coast of Northern France not far from Boulogne. There were a number of hospitals around the town and it is very likely that St John's Hospital was the St. John Ambulance Brigade Hospital which was at Etaples. The most likely scenario is that Leonard was injured and evacuated from the front line to the hospital where he died of his wounds.

    Marjorie Cunningham




    204924

    Sgt. Arthur Anthony "Tiny" Johnson King's Royal Rifle Corps (d. 1st July 1915)

    My father was delayed from the D Day landings with Appendicitis and join his unit in France later. He travelled through France, then I believe into Germany ending up crossing the Rhine. There were many stories of the the troops finding food which the Germans had buried and hidden in their gardens. On the night of the victory my father was billeted in a house with some other men. They had placed a blanket over the door so that the door could remain open for ease of access. My father was standing outside the door when a very happy soldier celebrated by pushing open the blanket and firing off some rounds. One of which burnt my father's ear. That is what you call a close shave! He was as white as a sheet upon realising how close he had come to killing my father. My father was responsible for keeping all of the rolling stock rolling. He was never more happy than when he had his head under the bonnet. He drove Sir Anthony Eden when stationed in the UK.

    Tessa Raeburn-Keslake




    204921

    Pte. Richard Hartshorne 8th. Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment (d.3rd June 1917)

    We have found out so far that Richard Hartshorne served in France and Flanders. We know that he is buried near Arras and would love to find any photographs or information about his time in the war.

    Samantah Terry




    204916

    Gnr. John Henry Raymond Fox 13th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Ray Fox joined up on the 30th of November 1914 and served with 13th and 14th Siege Battery, RGA. I have his army form b2067, but can't read the hand writing on the campaigns section. I can make out home, 30/11/14 to 15/12/15 then some where (could have been Gallipoli) 16/12/15 to 14/4/16 France 15/4/16 to 26/11/16, Home 27/11/16 to 25/6/18. He was then given a medical discharge, Nephritis.

    Can anyone help find more info, the records I have down loaded are water damaged and have gaps. Does anyone have regimental diarys, for the 13th or 14th Siege Batterys?

    Richard




    204914

    L/Cpl. Charles Wilkinson 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (d.19th Sept 1918)

    <p>Charles Wilkinson 1893-1918

    Charles Wilkinson is buried in Savy British Cemetery in France.

    T Morris




    204912

    Pte. John Grimshaw 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Born in Manchester in 1885, Jack Grimshaw first saw service in South Africa before moving with his unit to Ireland just prior to the outbreak of World War I. He was an 'Old Contemptible' and served with the BEF at the battle of Mons including the famous rearguard action at Le Cateau on 26th August 1914. He subsequently took part in the Battle of the Marne on September 5th.

    He was always clear about these details and exhibited pride in having helped to 'save Paris.' He moved up to Ypres sector with Fergusson's 5th Division but was always rather hazy about this part of his service. He did mention La Bassee in Northen France and also described how the British and Germans used to exchange goods between them, throwing items like tins of bully beef over to the enemy trenches, and they in turn sending over 'delicacies' of their own.

    At one stage he was quite badly wounded and spent time in hospital in Versailles and he was also badly frostbitten - the index finger on his hand remained stiff and unusable to the day he died. The family thought he was invalided out at some stage - possibly 1915 or 1916 - and undertook munitions work with Armstrong Whitworth. The only subsequent service that was military in character was as an active member of the Home Guard in the next war.

    His powers of description were always worth listening to. The way he described the Germans advancing like a cloud or fogbank in 1914 'what looked like this cloud coming towards us. It gradually became clear what we were up against: thousands and thousands of men all clad in Jerry Blue!' He also confirmed his regiment's expertise in rapid fire saying that the barrel of his rifle became so hot he had to cool it down in a puddle.

    Jack died in 1968.

    Alan Grimshaw




    204911

    James Duley HMS Antrim

    My father, Jellicoe Antrim Duley was born on 12th July 1914. He was born with a cawl (a double membrane enclosing the baby's head). An older brother, James, was home on leave pending the outbreak of war. My father was the seventh son and his elder brothers were born from about 1890 onwards. James returned to HMS Antrim with my father's cawl which was carried onboard HMS Antrim and my father carried the warship's name and also the then national hero, Admiral John R Jelliocoe commander of the Grand Fleet.

    Apparently there is/was an a belief amongst sailors that a ship carrying a cawl would not lose a crew member by drowning. I do not know if this family story is true, my father and his brothers have all passed on. However, I do know that HMS Antrim survived WW1 and eventually went to the breakers yard in 1922. I would love to know if there is any record in the ship's log or crew lists that might support this story.

    Terence M. Duley




    204909

    Gnr. Joseph Ward Hodgson 42nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Joseph Hodgson was my maternal grandfather, he was the headmaster of the local C of E Board school that took children from the local villages of Gleaston, Leece, and Dendron (on the north side of Morecambe Bay) to the age of 14.

    He signed up, aged 34, for service on 10th December 1915 and was called up for service with the RGA on 8th April 1916 at Fort Brockhurst, Gosport and was posted to BEF in France on 8th August 1916 and joined 42nd Siege Battery on 24th August that year, staying with his unit from that time until his discharge on 17 January 1919.

    Unfortunately he died in 1946, three years before my birth, but my mother said that like so many of his generation who were close to the front, he never spoke of the War. However, she did tell the storey of going on a painting holiday to Belgium (he was a keen amateur watercolourist) in the early 1930s and all was normal until they visited a graveyard when this six foot 2 inches tall man, her daddy and a pillar of the local establishment in her home area, collapsed to the ground sobbing and shooed her and her stepmother away until he could regain his composure

    Peter Tate




    204908

    Sjt. Edward Edwin Priddice 1st Btn. Somerset Light Infantry (d.3rd May 1915 )

    Edward Priddice was a game keeper in Broomfield, at the foot of the Quantock hills in Somerset. He was the son of Levi Elia Priddice of Rashill, Broomfield. He was killed by German fire and died on the 3rd of May 1915 at Ypres aged 22 and nine months.

    Alan Parish




    204906

    Mjr. John Johnson Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    John Johnson was my paternal grandfather whom I never met but have only heard of through other family members. I believe that he was a career soldier.

    Patrick Johnson




    204905

    Pte. Cyril Stephen Horton Royal West Kent Regiment

    Cyril Stephen Horton was my grandfather. He joined The Royal West Kent Regiment on 6th June 1918 and on 4th October was sent to fight in France. After just twenty-two days in France he was seriously wounded, resulting in the loss of a leg, and was sent back to England on 26th October. Just sixteen days later the armistice was signed.

    Despite his disability, he remained active until his death in 1981 at the age of eighty-two. For many years he even managed to `run the line' as a linesman at local football matches! He had a great sense of humour and would sometimes bet people that he could stand the pain of being hit on the shin with a hammer. He'd offer them his artificial leg of course and would wince convincingly as it was struck! Even in his late seventies, he could `walk the legs off' both me and my young son! What a guy.

    I have been trying to find out where exactly in France he was and what action he was involved in when he was wounded. From the dates of his service there, it seems very likely that he was involved in `the final advance' in either Flanders, Artois or Picardy. So far I have been unable to establish the location of The Royal West Kent Regiment at that time. If any one can advise what it was doing between 4th and 26 October 1918, I will be very grateful for your help.

    Editors Note: to establish the location, you woul dfirst need to establish which battalion of the Royal West Kent's your Grandfather served with.

    Michael Anthony Morris




    204900

    Pte. John Nicholson 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.8th Feb 1916)

    John Nicholson was my grandmother's younger brother who was only 19 when killed in action in France.

    Jo Alexandrou




    204897

    Able Seaman Robert Foster Brown Drake Battalion

    The assassination on the 28 June 1914 of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist activated a sequence of alliances. Within weeks the major European powers were at war. At the outbreak of World War One in 1914, the British government had no hesitation in appointing Lord Kitchener the Secretary of State for War. At the same time, Kitchener was used on the recruiting poster for British soldiers. His handlebar moustaches, steely gaze and pointing finger, were all instrumental in the recruitment of the 'New Army'. The phrase "Your Country Needs You" became the most famous image of the war.

    The recruitment poster of the Royal Navy Division (as part of the Senior Service) was less dramatic.

    When the First World War began, the Reserves of the Royal Navy were found to have a surplus of thousands of sailors even though the warships were fully crewed. This war would be conducted mainly on land so there was an obvious solution. Reserve personnel were brought together at Crystal Palace to form the Royal Naval Division (RND) in September 1914. The RND was commonly known as "Winston's Little Army" because it was founded by Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty.

    Royal Naval Division at Gallipoli .

    Following the engagements at Antwerp the brigades in the division were re-formed by recruitment. These arrived through the Royal Navy depots in London and several ports on the British coast. .

    Blandford Camp in Dorset and Crystal Palace in London were arranged as training camps for the new recruits. In navy parlance, the training camp in London was referred to as boarding HMS Crystal Palace. .

    After the Western Front bogged down into trench warfare, calls were made by the end of 1914 to start operations on the Eastern Front. This resulted in the campaign at Gallipoli to attack Germany's ally Turkey. The operation would also serve to support Russia, an ally of Great Britain. .

    Churchill was one of those behind the campaign, and felt that the Royal Navy could neutralise the Turkish fortresses along the Dardanelles in order to clear the route to Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). That proved to be more complicated than originally thought when the British-French fleet sailed into a minefield, and the Turkish fortresses were not all destroyed. .

    Landing troops were formed to carry out an invasion. As Churchill was involved in the operation at Gallipoli, it was only logical that his Royal Naval Division would play a significant role there. .

    The British share of the attack force was made up out of the Royal Naval Division and the professional soldiers from the 29th Division as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. There was also a large number of Australian and New Zealand troops (ANZAC) as well as a French division. These added up to 75,000 men, commanded by the British general Ian Hamilton. This number would be augmented further later on. .

    At the Gallipoli landings on the 25 April 1915, the Drake Battalion formed up on the beach and in silence, marched in single file to a place on the cliffs about a mile away. It was very cold and little sleep was had. Later on the 7th May 1915, Drake Battalion left for the trenches and fought the Turks until the 25th May 1915 when they retired to the rest camp. During the following months, the brigades of the Royal Naval Division would participate in attacks on Turkish positions towards the hills of Achi Baba above Cape Helles. These engagements have become known as the battles for Krithia. However, the Turkish forces led by the German military advisor general Otto Liman von Sander, were not so easily pushed aside. .

    The Royal Naval Division suffered considerable losses in those battles, or through disease in the sub-tropical climate. These losses are estimated at 330 officers and 7,200 men. By June, those losses had mounted up to such an extent that Benbow and Collingwood battalions were abolished and the men deployed with other battalions. By August, two of the four battalions of marines suffered the same fate. The Division would no longer be deployed in frontal assaults on Turkish positions.

    New replacements were needed for the Royal Naval Division fighting at Gallipoli. My father was one of those sent there to bring the Drake Battalion up to strength. Despite a family story, that my father's friends were older than him, so he lied about his age, so he could enlist with them, his service records in the National Archives show otherwise. My father volunteered to serve his country after the start of the Gallipoli campaign. Robert Foster Brown enlisted in the Tyneside Division (service number Z/4609) on the 19th May 1915, aged 20, meeting their recruitment criteria except for one item. His height of 5 feet 1 and half inches was actually two inches below the minimum height.

    Nevertheless he passed the medical and five days later left for Crystal Palace. He received his basic training of 25 days with the 4th Depot Battalion before being assigned to the 2nd Reserve Battalion at Blandford Camp on Salisbury Plain, Dorset where he received further operational training. The men were billeted in tents.

    My father transferred to Drake Battalion, part of the 1st Brigade of the Royal Naval Division on the 21 September 1915 and sailed from England to join them in Gallipoli.

    It would take a few years before the British army command understood that the war could not be won by cold steel. In spite of courageous fighting with major losses and new landings on the western shore of the peninsula, the Allied force achieved nothing. By the end of 1915 it was decided to withdraw the troops, ending the Gallipoli campaign on 9 January 1916. The debacle meant the end for Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty.

    On the 24th December 1915 the Drake Battalion was recalled for Sea Service. They left camp in Gallipoli for V-Beach at 8pm and sailed at midnight arriving the next day at Mudros early in the morning and transferred to SS Aragon. (HQ Ship). After Gallipoli the remnants of the division rested for six months in the Greek islands of Salonica, Tenedos, Imbros and Mudros.

    In the aftermath of Gallipoli, a discussion was started on the future of the Royal Naval Division. The outcome was to maintain the division, but under Army rather than Navy command. In May 1916, the division was transferred from the Greek islands to the Western Front. The unit entered France through Marseille rather than the Channel ports. We know that my father embarked from Mudros on the hired transport Menominee on the 1st June 1916 arriving at Marseilles in the South of France on the 7th June 1916.

    The Royal Naval Division did not reform until arriving back in France in May 1916. For the first time, the Royal Naval Division became a true division with its own artillery and support services. The Royal Naval Division was transferred to France to fight alongside the army, but at first the Admiralty retained control. This contributed to tensions, as did their observance of naval tradition. For example, the RND used naval ranks, they flew the White Ensign and were allowed to grow beards and they remained seated during the toast to the King's health.

    The following month the Division was transferred to Army control. The name was changed to 63rd Division, but the subtitle of Royal Naval Division was kept. From this time they were known as the 63rd (Royal Navy) Division, part of the British Expeditionary Force (France & Belgium), and the brigades were numbered the 188th, 189th and 190th. Two battalions of marines and the Anson and Howe battalions made up the 188th Brigade, the other four navy battalions (Hood, Nelson, Drake and Hawke) the 189th Brigade. The two battalions of marines became the First and Second Royal Marine Light Infantry. Khaki uniforms were introduced, but with navy insignia. Four regular army battalions were added to the division to bring it up to strength, which made up the 190th Brigade.

    The further history of the division does not substantially differ from other units at the Western Front. Battalions and Brigades were deployed, fought for one or more days with usually large losses during a battle. They would then be with drawn to be brought back up to strength with new recruits or men, recovered from injuries. And back into the fray again.

    The Royal Naval Division in the battle at the Somme in 1916

    It served in the trenches around Souchez near Arras, the place where the French had fought their bloody battles for the hill with the chapel of Notre Dame de Lorette. In 1916 this part of the Western Front was relatively quiet. Conditions in the trenches on the Western Front were physically onerous due to flooding and the cold & wet climate. My father was laid low with influenza and entered hospital on the 19 September 1916 but was discharged two days later and returned to his unit.

    In early October, the division was directed to the Somme, where British and French troops had been trying to break through German defensive lines since 1 July 1916. The Royal Naval Division was only deployed by the end of the battle of the Somme in what was to become known as the battle of the Ancre, a tributary river of the Somme. The division was part of the British Fifth Army under General Hubert Gough, and through this deployment would be able to show its mettle.

    British supreme commander General Douglas Haig thought he could do with a success in view of the forthcoming conference with the French High Command at Chantilly, and proceeded to exert pressure on Gough. At Chantilly, the allied strategy for 1917 would be discussed.

    Haig however was more worried about the meeting with British and French heads of government which would follow the military meeting. There was criticism of Haig's policy from his political superior, Minister of War David Lloyd George. Until October, the Battle of the Somme had not yielded the results expected of it, and there had been no Big Push. Conquering the ridge of the Ancre could counteract some of this criticism.

    My father transferred on the 27th October to the 188th Brigade Headquarters as a batman to Sub-Lieut. Andrews just before the battle of the Ancre.

    Able Sea. Robert Foster Brown, seated

    The battle at Beaucourt Since the start of the Battle of the Somme, the front had been deadlocked near Beaumont-Hamel on the left shore of the Ancre River. Serre, one of the aims of the first day of the assault of 1 July 1916 had never been reached.

    Hoping for a breakthrough here by the end of the year was in no way possible by a long way. The rain had turned the battlefield into a mud-bath and mud prevented any movement. Particularly the area along the Ancre had been turned into a morass. Nonetheless, an attack was launched on Monday 13 November after a dry spell of a few days.

    Of the Royal Naval Division the 188th and 189th Brigades, those containing the marines and the sailors, attacked along the left shore of the Ancre. The 152nd and 153rd Brigades of the Scottish 51st Highland Division operated to their left - the sailors next to the Celts.

    Of the 188th Brigade, Howe-battalion and the first battalion of marines had to launch the attack, with the Anson battalion and the second battalion of marines in the second line. Of the 189th Brigade, the Hood and Hawke battalions launched the attack, with the two other battalions (Nelson and Drake) in the second wave.

    The assault began in the dark at 5.45 a.m., with a successful artillery barrage on the German frontline. This was stormed and taken with heavy losses, with the extensive network of German trenches causing confusion and chaos in the forward march. Nonetheless, progress was made and Beaucourt Station was reached. Hawke battalion was put under heavy machine gun fire and took 400 casualties. By the end of the day, it had virtually ceased to exist.

    Re-enforcements of the 190th Army Brigade were sent to the front. The next day, the assault was continued from the station by the 190th Brigade and the combined remnants of the other brigades. The village of Beaucourt was subsequently taken at 10.30 a.m. By the end of the day, the eastern side of the village could be consolidated. After two days' fighting, the Royal Naval Division, of rather what was left of it, was relieved on 15 November 1916 by units from the 37th Division. The Royal Naval Division had shown what it was worth, at the cost of heavy losses. There were 4,000 casualties, of which 1,600 fell during the assault on November 13th and 14h.

    The monument to the Royal Naval Division is in Beaucourt village, elevated above the entrenched road through the village. It was erected in the 1920s. The monument is a white obelisk, which shows beautifully against a blue sky, and a plaque. The obligatory text runs: In memory of the officers and men of the Royal Naval Division who fell at the battle of the Ancre, November 13th-14th November 1916.

    My father entered hospital again on the 30 November suffering from scabies. When he returned to duty in early December 1916 he was assigned to the 189th Brigade Headquarters.

    In spite of the losses sustained, the Division issued a Christmas card with a pun - Up Anchor! - on their performance at the Ancre River. The sailors would be able to use their seafaring skills to survive in the quagmire of trenches. Gallows humour is one way of coping with difficult circumstances.

    My father then obtained his first leave of ten days, which he spent in the United Kingdom in late January 1917. He then rejoined his Division's operations on the Ancre (January-March 1917)

    The Royal Naval Division in the battle near Arras in 1917

    The next major battle in which the Royal Naval Division was deployed was at Arras in April 1917. This battle became known primarily for the conquest of Vimy Ridge by the Canadians, who have placed their national memorial there.

    The Britons launched their offensive on April 9th, 1917, and the Third Army, led by General Edmund Allenby, was under orders to proceed to the north and south of the Scarpe River. The 4th British and 9th Scottish Divisions were to attack to the north of the river.

    The first day went well, the Germans were surprised and the aims were achieved. Making some 3 miles of progress in one day was unheard of since the battle at the Somme. The front moved north of the Scarpe to beyond the line between Athies and Vimy, and even the village of Fampoux was reached. Progress after that was appreciably more difficult on account of German action. In mid April an attack on the village of Roeux, situated on the Scarpe River, failed and Douglas Haig ordered a break in operations.

    On April 16th, meanwhile, the French had launched their attack at the Chemin des Dames, which was a failure from day one. The French demanded however that the British continue their offensive. And thus, fighting carried on.

    The Royal Naval Division was ordered to take Gavrelle and breach the third German defensive line. The attack on Gavrelle was commenced on 23 April and was carried out by the 189th and 190th Brigades. At 4.45 a.m. Nelson and Drake battalions went over the top under cover of an artillery barrage. The first line of German trenches was quickly taken, and an hour later the attack was ceased at the edge of the village.

    The artillery barrage was relocated across the village, which was reduced to rubble. Other battalions from the brigade were moved forward. House to house fighting led to the taking of Gavrelle, at the cost of 1,500 casualties. In the street fighting the Division showed skill and determination. The next day, the Germans launched a counter-offensive to retake Gavrelle, starting with an intense bombardment. When this was beaten off, the division had taken 479 prisoners and in defeating the counterattacks had obviously inflicted heavy loss upon the enemy, and on 26th April, the attacking battalions were relieved. The relief troops had to continue the British attack towards the windmill, a reinforced German position northeast of the village. This task was allocated to the marines and the Anson battalion of the 188th Brigade, who had not been deployed on April 23rd.

    The attack started at 4.25 a.m. The second battalion of marines succeeded in taking the windmill, and holding it as an enclave in German-held territory. That was the only British gain, because after a day of bloody fighting, the situation was basically unchanged from the start. That did not change until the troops of 31st Division relieved them in the night of April 30th. The fighting at Gavrelle had claimed 3,000 casualties from the Royal Naval Division.

    In particular, the losses of the Royal Marines Light Infantry were severe, with 850 casualties and many dead, including the commanding officer of the first battalion of marines, lieutenant-colonel Cartwright.

    Virtually all the remaining reservists of the original Royal Naval Division lost their lives at Gavrelle. They were the veterans who had survived the fighting at Gallipoli and at the Ancre.

    The division was rebuilt however, and on 24 September 1917 the Royal Naval Division would be withdrawn from this part of the front to be deployed at Ypres.

    The Royal Naval Division in the third battle at Ypres in 1917

    On 31 July 1917 the British army launched the third battle at Ypres, also called the battle for Passchendaele, after the village where the assault was finished. Haig thought he could finally force a breakthrough, and deployed every available division from the British Empire to achieve that goal. The offensive was larger than the battle at the Somme in 1916. The German defensive position east of Ypres consisted of a number of lines. The position bent, but did not break. The shot up ground and copious rainfall turned the battlefield into a huge quagmire. British, New Zealand and Australian divisions literally fought themselves to death here.

    By late October, the Canadian corps of General Arthur Currie, under protest, would launch a final attempt to conquer Passchendaele village. This part of Third Ypres is known as the second battle of Passchendaele and lasted from 26 October until 10 November 1917. The Canadians would attack in three steps, progress 500 metres in every stride, and then pull in the artillery.

    The Royal Naval Division was tasked to attack alongside the Canadians. The division was to cover the left flank of the Canadian advance. Much like at the Somme, the division was deployed in the final phase of a battle in a quagmire. And like at the Somme the sailors had to endure mocking asides that they, in view of the conditions, would be completely at home. When, they got up to the Front, there was no front line to speak of, just a series of posts scraped in the mud. A machine-gun crew here, a few riflemen there, further on a Lewis-gun crew.

    On 26 October at 5.40 am, the Canadian divisions launched the attack for Passchendaele. The first battalion of marines and the Anson battalion of the 188th Brigade attacked at the same time. Like during previous days, it was raining. A few hours later, Anson battalion took Varlet Farm, a reinforced German position midway between Poelkapelle and Passchendaele. The area had to be fought over metre by metre in the following days. The mud-bound fights east of Varlet Farm symbolise in miniature what the whole Third Battle at Ypres had been like. Mud in which men would sink and drown. Mud which clogged guns and machineguns, rendering them useless.

    On October 30th, the second step was taken and the 190th Brigade attempted, with regular army soldiers, to proceed through the mud towards the Paddenbeek River. For one of those battalions, it was their baptism of fire in the war. Of the 470 men who went on the attack, 350 became casualties, of whom 170 were fatalities. On 4 November, the 189th Brigade's marine battalions had their turn. The Hood and Drake battalions conquered Sourd Farm, another German position near the Paddenbeek River.

    Less than 1 kilometre of territory was gained in the days that the Royal Naval Division fought at Passchendaele, at a cost of 2,000 casualties.

    On November 6th, the Canadians were finally to take the ruins of the village of Passchendaele. On November 10th, an attempt to progress further was made, but the Third Battle at Ypres was ended by Haig. The Royal Naval Division was withdrawn from the frontline on that day.

    After Ypres, the Royal Naval Division was incorporated into the Third Army, now commanded by general Julian Byng. On 30 December 1917, the division found itself west of Cambrai, near Flesquières on a ridge which became known as the Welsh Ridge, and did not get a peaceful New Year celebration there. The hill was a bulge in the British frontline, a part of the Hindenburg line taken from the Germans after the battle for Cambrai in late November 1917.

    The Germans decided to straighten this vulnerable bulge so the Royal Naval Division was on the defensive for two days, rather than on the attack. It was a localised trench battle, which claimed many casualties. As a result, Hood Battalion had to be withdrawn from the frontline on New Year's Day 1918. On the 19 January 1918, following the close of this action, my father proceeded on leave returning home to England for two weeks.

    The Royal Naval Division in 1918

    In March 1918, the Royal Naval Division was located south of Cambrai in Northern France, near the Belgian border. My father's brigade, the 189th , remained the sole brigade with exclusively naval battalions, namely Drake, Hawke and Hood.

    The period of trench warfare on the Western Front was over. The Germans were planning a mobile spring offensive (the Kaiserschlacht). In the week leading up to the major offensive an artillery barrage was launched by the Germans, in which many mustard gas grenades were fired. The Royal Naval Division was gassed, but remained on the frontline in spite of 2,500 casualties. On the 12th March, my father became one of those casualties. He was so severely wounded he was invalided four days later to England and admitted to St John's Hospital, The Grange, Southport on Merseyside. (In later life, due to chronic damage to his lungs he would contract pleurisy in winter time forcing him to take sick leave from his work on the tugboats). Meanwhile, like the other divisions of the British Third and Fifth Armies, the Royal Naval Division fought in the retreat when the real German offensive started on 21 March 1918.

    The Germans now did take the Flesquières salient. Withdrawing further, the division fought at Bapaume on March 24th and 25th, and on April 5th at the Ancre, well known territory for the old stagers of the division left alive. The British armies had to yield a lot of terrain in March and April, but were able to hold at Amiens. Gough's Fifth Army was practically annihilated.

    Meanwhile, my father was undergoing two months treatment before he went on furlough for 10 days in May at South Shields before being sent to a base on the Greek island of Mudros for rehabilitation and recovery. He then returned to England in July joining the 2nd Reserve Battalion at Blandford before being granted a week's leave.

    When the balance swung in the allies' favour, the Royal Naval Division took part in the second battle at the Somme on August 21st - 23rd, the second battle for Arras on September 2nd and 3rd, and the September battles to breach the Hindenburg line.

    In September my father returned to France via Calais before rejoining Drake Battalion on the 16th September 1918. The division crossed the Canal du Nord to take Cambrai with the Canadians on October 8th. The Division had its final act of war in the march into Picardy, crossing the Grande Honnelle River on the border between Belgium and France.

    The war ended for the Royal Naval Division in Belgium, the very place where it had all started in 1914. On 11 November 1918 the division was at Saint Ghislain, at that time a village west of Mons, now part of the conurbation of Mons. The name of that city still rings magical in British war history, as it was there that the British fought their first battle with the German army on 23 August 1914. Thus the end of World War 1 occurred on the 11th November 1918 when an armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany at Rethondes, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning - the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month".

    The end of the Royal Naval Division

    It was February 1919 before my father left France from Boulogne for demobilisation at North Camp, Ripon on the 20th February 1919.

    The Royal Naval Division was finally abolished in April 1919. This happened during an official parade at Horse Guards Parade in London. This parade was taken by the Prince of Wales in the presence of Winston Churchill, who had founded the division. Like the division itself, he had moved from the Navy to the Army and had become Minister of War.

    Churchill would also write a preface to the book 'The Royal Naval Division' by Douglas Jerrold from 1923 about the history of the division. Jerrold served in the Royal Naval Division and fought at Gallipoli and in France. The book is as good a memory as a physical memorial.

    The Royal Naval Division was and would remain a unique war formation. But it was one that had fought in the Great War from beginning to end in all major battles of the British army. And one that had gained a good reputation. The division suffered total losses - killed, injured or missing - of some 47,000 men, of whom 37,000 were on the Western Front. Six Victoria Crosses were awarded to the division. It is slightly ironic that more than 40 percent losses, incurred by the Royal Navy during World War I were sustained in the trenches.

    Gary Brown




    204892

    Harold Evans Hartney 20 Squadron

    My grandfather, Harold Hartney, was a Canadian who was in the Canadian army at the start of the war and transferred to the RFC while stationed in England. He joined 20 squadron and scored 5 enemy planes shot down. He transferred to the American Army Air Corps in 1917 and commanded the 27th Areo squadron and then the 1st Pursuit Group.

    Fred Yeager Jr.




    204889

    Cpl. John Hindle 11th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

    John Hindle was my paternal grandfather's brother and I can't remember there being any stories except that he died in WWI. I found the details on checking UK, Soldiers who had died in the Great War. I would like to find out more and am continuing to 'dig'.

    Liz Newton




    204888

    Able Seaman William Joseph Boulter Eneas (d.1st June 1916)

    Will Eneas was my mothers uncle, he and his brother Alfred Eneas of the Scots Guards, were killed. My mother's father Herbert Eneas survived WW1, serving in the Royal Navy. Like many families in the UK nothing was ever mentioned about the men in the family that had died. My mother was 15mths old when Will Eneas died and many years later was told briefly how he and his brother had died. Through just snippetts of conversation with my mother I have managed to find out alot more about these young men. Will Eneas left behind a wife and a baby daughter, he was awarded the Royal Humane Society's Bronze Medal for saving life at sea. Alfred Eneas was not married.

    They are still remembered with affection within our family.

    Jennifer Davies




    204881

    Lt. Graydon William Goldsworthy MC. 3rd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    Graydon Goldsworthy was my uncle and I am serching for his records. I have a copy of him joining in 14/11/1915, commisioned 4/9/1916, awarded M.C. 21/1/1919, retired 10/10/1921. I have recently received from his daughter, copies of his hand wrtten letters sent home to his parents from the trenches in France between Nov 1915 and Feb 1916.

    Dr Peter Goldsworthy




    204878

    Leading Mechanic Wilfred Claude Rowland

    Wilfred Claude Rowland was born at 15 Lorne Street, Reading on the 11th May 1894. He was called by his second name, Claude, from a fairly early age. I have his Bible, it is inscribed: ‘Claude Rowland, All Saints Sunday School, Reading, chmas 1905. Emily Raikes/Super’ According to his Navy record his civilian occupation was as a motor mechanic and driver.

    On 18th February 1916, during the First World War, he joined the Royal Navy. Served in: President II (Kingsnorth) this was one of the stations that constructed and operated Submarine Scout class airships. Kingsnorth Air Station was set up before the First World War, on the south side of the Hoo peninsula and the opposite side of the Medway to Chatham Dockyard.

    Starting as an AMII, he was promoted to acting AMI 30th April 1917. He was transferred to Daedelus 1st July 1917. Daedalus was a hulk in the Medway used as the nominal depot ship for all RNAS personnel serving on other stations, which makes it impossible to know where he was at this time. His Trade Classification was Hydrogen Worker. Hydrogen balloons were used for spotting enemy positions and directing the targeting to hit them, the Navy used them to spot mines and submarines, not surprisingly the enemy was quite keen to shoot them down. Filling the balloons from tanks of compressed gas was a hazardous task even before they were launched. He was promoted to Leading Mechanic 1.Feb.1918 just as he was being transferred into the newly formed RAF. When the R.F.C. (Royal Flying Corps) and the R.N.A.S. (Royal Navy Air Service) became the Royal Air Force his rank changed to Cpl. Mech. and his service number became 212,110. At this time he was earning 5 shillings a day, over 3 times as much as a private on 1 shilling and sixpence a day.

    The family believed that he was shot down whilst in an observation balloon, landed in no mans land during a gas attack and his lungs were damaged. His RAF service records do not corroborate this story. When he transferred to the RAF he was stationed back at Kingsnorth, he passed his Sergeant’s exam on 29.Oct.1918. He is still listed as a Hydrogen Worker but has no ‘special qualifications’ and the section headed ‘Casualties, Wounds, Campaigns, Medals, Clasps, Decorations, Mentions, Etc.’ has nothing recorded in it.

    He moved from Kingsnorth 64470 Unit to the Discharge Centre at Crystal Palace on 3.Feb.1919 where the medical board gave him medical category ‘a’. He was transferred to RAF G Reserve on 5. March 1919. The discharge date is blank but the records either side have ‘deemed’ Discharged 30.Apr.1920 on them, perhaps they turned over two pages as they whizzed through discharging everyone. His RNAS medal card records his eligibility for the British War Medal and nothing else so the other medal ribbons on his photo are a mystery.

    So how did the story about the gas attack come about? Hydrogen gas is very volatile and no doubt he inhaled at least a little every time he changed the pipes on the gas cylinders, this will have affected his lungs. It is possible the effects of the gas didn’t show up till later which is why he was passed as fit when he left the service, less charitable is the thought that the RAF Doctors were instructed to declare ‘fit’ as many men as possible to reduce the possibility of disability claims later. From his photo album it is clear he kept in touch with at least some of his comrades from the forces and probably discovered that he was not alone in developing a weak chest, it wouldn’t have taken much to put two and two together and realise the cause was the hydrogen gas. If anyone asked him about it he probably just told them it was the result of the gas he’d inhaled and they jumped to a wrong conclusion.

    Tina Bilbe




    204876

    Cpl. Bernard Kirkham 2/4th Btn (d.1st Nov 1917)

    Bernard Kirkham was my Mother's Uncle, I would love to hear from anyone who has any information about him.

    Susan Lears




    204873

    Pte. Frank Ernest Cuthbert 13th Btn.

    My Dad was born in Leicester England Sept 9 1892 and emigrated to Canada in 1915 on the ship Mauretania. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in September 1915 and was wounded in Ypres France. (Gunshot wounds to right leg and shrapnel wound through the hand.) He was treated in Boulogne France, Folkeston, No 4 Northern General Hospital Lincoln, also Shorncliffe, Etchinghill, Shoreham, Wohingham and Epsom.

    The story that first came back to his fiance in Canada was that he had been killed, but this was later corrected. In 1918 he returned to Canada, married, lived in Hamilton Ontario, had seven children (4 girls 3 boys) and many Grandchildren. He subsequently died of a brain tumour in 1962 at the age of 70, his wife died in 1964. I have pictures of him in Uniform etc. I would be interested in hearing from the familes of any who may have crossed his path.

    Rowland H Cuthbert




    204872

    Charles Frederick Chapman 11th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    My grandfather Charles Frederick Chapman was working on the Central Hall Westminster in 1914/15. He was married with 3 small children. He enlisted at 22 Tufton Street Westminster under the Derby scheme in December 1915. My Grandmother told me that he came home from work and told her that he had to go as all his friends had enlisted.

    He went to France in May 1915 and was posted to 11th Rifle Brigade in 20th Light Division. He was a good shot, even in old age he could knock needles out of a fence post at 25yds and I believe he was a sniper.Eventually he was posted to 12th Rifle Brigade.

    On 16th August 1917 he took part in the Battle of Langemark and was seriously wounded in the chest and buttock by machine gun fire from a German position called Rat House. I have his wound ticket, the card from the field ambulance and his hospital card together with the brown envelope in which they were pinned to his tunic. His Battalion war diary records that most of the casualties on this day were to the right side & back so I can tie down the timing of his wound pretty precisely to 16.30hrs on that day.

    He lay on the battlefield for at least two days as his field ambulance card is dated 19th August and he was picked up by 131 Field Ambulance which was from 38th Welsh Division which had relieved the 20th Division on 17th August. He was sent to No 6 General Hospital in Rouen and on 18th October 1917 his card was marked as England (A) Ship. I know this because I still have the card. In England he was admitted to St Georges Hospital, Hyde Park Corner, now a hotel and whilst he was there the patients were inspected by the King. He was discharged as unfit for war service on 23rd March 1918, was granted a disability pension and died in 1959

    Terence Chapman




    204865

    Pte. John Kirk 15th Btn. (d.21st Mar 1918)

    John Kirk was my grandfather's youngest brother. He was born in 1899 in Kimberley, Notts, we did not know anything about John until my grandfather informed us just before he died, that he had a younger brother who died. Seeing that I am doing my family tree, I just happened upon John being on the roll of honour. I even found his photo in my old photos, it put a chill down my spine. Its just nice to know that I can put him on this website, so he is remembered. I hope one day to go to Pozieres to see his name there so future generations of the Kirk family will be able to see this.

    Beverley Kirk




    204861

    Gnr. John Rudiger 7th Divisional Amunition Column Royal Field Artillery

    I am the youngest son of John "Jack" Rudiger who went off to war with his two brothers, Harry and Ernie. I have a cutting of the three of them from the Hackney Gazette, at the time. All three returned although my Father sustained a head wound.

    You may find a certain irony in the fact that my Grandfather was of German origin, hence the name! He came to this country as a young lad, and the fact that he sent his three sons off to war against his native country showed how he had integrated in the UK.

    Dad never spoke too much about the WW1, he was an ARP Warden in WW2. I have my Father's 'Pip Squeak & Wilfred' but have no further details of his military career or where he fought. You would think with an unusual surname name like ours it would pose no problems, but all internet searches show no trace! I do not know his Battalion or Brigade, so if anyone out there can offer any help or assistance, it would be most gratefully received. I am endeavouring to get something together for my Grandchildren.

    UPDATE: Jack's medal card has now been located on Ancestry.co.uk and it shows he served with the 7th Divisional Ammunition Column.

    David Rudiger




    204858

    Pte. William Joseph Law 11th Battallion (Pioneers) (d.3rd Sept 1916)

    My grandfather William Joseph Laws (correct name Law)was a miner at Heworth Colliery. He enlisted 31st August 1914, then aged 27 years 4 months. Entered the field of operations (France) on the 20th July 1915. In May & June 1916 he was treated for spinal fever at St. Omer. On Sunday 3rd September 1916, at the Battle of Guillemont,he was killed by a single bullet which pierced a photograph of himself which he carried in his battledress pocket. I have that photograph. He is buried in Plot 7, Row B, Guillemont Cemetery, France. The Battle of Guillemont was a subsidiary attack of the Somme offensive. With its maze of underground tunnels, dugouts and concrete emplacements it was a tough nut to crack.

    In the Second World War one of his sons, also named William Joseph Law joined the 9th Battalion D.L.I. (Private 4454416)and was also killed-in-action at Vimy Ridge, near Arras, on the retreat to Dunkirk. His name appears on the Dunkirk Memorial, Nord, France which commemorates those soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force who have no known grave.

    George Law




    204857

    Capt. H. D. Baines 7th Btn. London Regiment (d. )

    Can anyone help me find out about a Captain H.D.Baines of the 7th Battalion City of London Regiment? I found an old book in a junk shop and his name was written in ink inside as if the book belonged to him also printed is Captain. 7th Battalion City of London Regiment and stamped date for August 20 1908. I would very much like to find out about this man and if possible return the book to his relatives if he has any, after all it is a very long time ago now. The book is called Old Time Paris, A plain guide to it's chief survivals by George F.Edwards M.D. It would appear to be an early edition as the pages have been cut by hand and similar on A.B.E. Books site all seem to date from the 1920's.

    Mark Copeland




    204855

    Pte. Frederick Stanley Daymond 7th (Service) Battalion (d.22nd Sept 1917)

    Officers and men of the 7th. Somerset Light Infantry were conveyed in buses to Dawson's Corner, Elverdinghe Road (NW of Ypres) on the 22nd. September 1917 to provide carrying parties in support of the attack on the German's Eagle Trench, east of Langemarck which was planned for the 22nd but had to be postponed until the 23rd.

    On the 22nd German Gotha aircraft dropped 2 bombs on the Somerset's tented camp, killing 8 and wounding 22. Those killed were Privates Shier, Gillett, Haines, Jarris, Chamberlain, Price, Daymond and Callow.

    David Blackmore




    204851

    Dvr. James Hughes 2nd Battery Royal Field Artillery

    <p>James Hughes, RFA in 1919

    James Hughes was born on 23 September 1893 at Joicey’s Cottages, Hill Top, Dipton, Co.Durham, the eldest son of Thomas and Catherine Hughes. He was educated at Flint Hill National School, before working in the colliery as a Pony Putter(1911 census).

    Three years later in Newcastle on 28th December 1914 he enlisted for six years in the Royal Field Artillery (RFA). The Royal Regiment of Artillery combined the RFA and RHA and as the war progressed a recruit could expect to be moved between the two depending on service demands.

    This photograph c.1915 shows James in combat uniform posing with ‘E Sub’. This would be a Sub Section of E Battery in the RFA. The Batteries were designated by the letters A to F; each battery had six guns, one gun for each sub section manned by 20 men. James appears to have started with the 2nd Battery RFA on 12/01/1915.

    The description of James on enlistment gives us a snapshot in time. He was 21 years and 3 months, height 5’ 6”, weight 124 lbs, chest expanded 37”, complexion ruddy, eyes brown, hair auburn. He was passed fit for the Army based on medical examination and his own declaration that he did not suffer from anything that would be an impediment to him.

    He was part of the British Expeditionary Force that was sent to fight in France. He alternated the duration of the war between France and home leave. In total spending 5 years and 86 days in the service up to the time of his discharge on 22/03/1920. He spent 2 years and 29 days in France.

    The record stated that he was wounded on 29/08/1918 and sent to Queen Mary’s Military Hospital in Whalley, Lancs on 29/08/1918 By his discharge he had suffered deafness and defective vision, enough to merit his discharge from the Army as being ‘no longer Physically Fit for War Service’. One record stated he was awarded a single man’s pension of 12/- per week. At the end of the war he was awarded the ‘Star Medal 1914-1915’, the ‘British War Medal(1914-1920) and ‘Victory Medal’, awarded in 1919 and affectionately known as ‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’.

    A photo of James(c.1920) wearing military khaki plus medal stripes and what appears to by a lance-corporal’s cord but his left arm is out of view which would have shown a single stripe.

    There is another photo of him in the full dress jacket of the RHA taken at Aldershot (c.1920). So it seems likely after the war ended he was briefly in the RHA.

    On 14 May 1921 James Hughes was married to Isabella Smith at St. Joseph’s RC church in Stanley, Co.Durham. He had survived the carnage of WWI and went back to being a coal miner, raising his family in the colliery villages near Stanley.

    Godfrey Duffy




    204846

    C.S.M. William Wilson 1st Btn. (d.25th Apr 1915)

    My great uncle Bill Wilson, was killed on on the 25th April 1915 on Lancashire Landing beach at Gallipoli. I would like to find out details of N.O.K. & his service.

    His brother Charles also a C.S.M. in the 2nd K.O.S.B.was killed at Mons in the opening shots of W.W.1 in August 1914. My great grandparents had previously lost a son in the Boer War in the 1st K.O.S.B. As they were an Army family they took the loss of 3 sons with stoicism.

    James Wilson




    204845

    Pte. Charles Sandell 13th. Btn. (d.31st. Aug 1916)

    I have a very substantial amount of data concerning my uncle Charles Sandell, some of which is being included in an autobiography. I also carried out a lot of research into his brief army career, and the incidents surrounding his death near High Wood in 1916.

    Ron Sandell




    204837

    Able Seaman Harry Bernard Emerson (d.4th Sep 1914)

    Harry Emmerson joined the Royal Navy as a boy in 1911 on Ganges 2. He spent time following this on HMS Commonwealth, Formidable, King Alfred and Talbot. Following this period he became an Ordinary Seaman and went back to the King Alfred. Afterwards he qualified as Able Seaman in 1912 and then went HMS Vivid 1. After a short spell there he was then sent to HMS Amphion until it was sunk 36 hours into WW1 on 6th August 1914. Fortunately he was one of the survivors and ended up on the Dido(Faulknor). Sadly though on September 4th 1914 he died at RN Hospital Haslar of pneumonia. His remains were then removed to his home at Loughborough in Leicestershire where he was buried in the local cemetery.

    O.Lewis




    204835

    Pte. George Foster 19th Battalion. D Company (d.22nd Aug 1917)

    George Foster enlisted at Cocken Hall, 14.06.1915. He was killed in action on the Western Front, 22.08.1917 at 13.10 local time. He served with the D.L.I and 173 Company (Tunnellers) Royal Engineers.

    He was the brother of Matthew Foster, (Enlisted D.L.I, 30.09.1914) and Joseph Henry Foster (Enlisted -1914- Northumberland Fusiliers + 172 Company (Tunnellers), Royal Engineers. KIA Western Front, 18.04.1915.

    Matthew Foster




    204833

    Pte. Matthew Foster Durham Light Infantry

    Matthew Foster enlisted 30.09.1914. He served on the Western Front and was discharged due to wounds on 07.04.1916.

    Matthew Foster




    204824

    Gnr. Keneth Stiling (d.June 1918)

    I am trying to trace Gunner Keneth Stiler, he is on a plaque in Plymtree church but I cannot find any military records.

    Sharon Bowen




    204822

    Sjt. Charles E. Spour Durham Light Infantry

    My great grandfather, Charles Spour joined the DLI in february 1914. Very little is known of his service records, but he did serve in france & recieved medals for action on 9th December 1915. It is believed he was gassed. This is the only information I have so far, I would love to know more.

    Michael Henry




    204821

    Pte. Harry Baker (d.9th Oct 1918)

    Harry Baker was my great uncle and as he was single, not much is known of him. He was only posted to France very shortly before he died, and the war ended shortly after, so its a great shame. He served with the South Wales Borderers and the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He is buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt. One day I'd like to be able to pay my respects there.

    Karen Dummett




    204813

    Pte. Fred Bellamy 6th Battalion (d.20th May 1918)

    My Great Grandfather, Pte Fred Bellamy 2060 was killed in action on the 20th May 1918 whilst serving with the 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment somewhere in France. Can anyone tell me where the 6th battalion were in May 1918?

    Steve




    204810

    Pte. George Eastwood 15th Battalion (d.10th Sep 1918)

    My great uncle, George Eastwood, was killed in France on the Western Front, somewhere near Sailly-Saillisel. He died before my mother, Joyce Curson, was born, so I knew very little about him - just that he died at the age of 18, just a couple of months before the end of the war and that he was the brother of my grandmother Margaret Eastwood. When my grandfather died I found, amongst his papers, the medal and commemorative plaque for George and I decided to see if I could find out more.

    I now know that he has no known grave but is commemorated at the Vis-en-Artois Memorial at Pas de Calais. One day I hope to go and leave a flower for the young man who died in a muddy field and whose remains probably lie there still. My only regret is that I have no picture of George. If there are any distant relatives researching his story and who have a photo of him, I would love to see a copy.

    Janet Woollacott




    204809

    Pte. William Henry Sharpe 7th Btn. (d.9th Apr 1917)

    I am looking For any further information about William Sharpe. He is buried in St Catherine British Cemetery nr Arras.

    Steve Sharpe




    204808

    Pte. A Redford 20th Battalion (d.15th April 1917)

    I knew nothing about Pte. Redford, while doing my family tree I found were he was buried and went over to France to see his grave stone and leave flowers. I just want to pay my respects to him, and put him name on here. He will never be forgotten.

    Sean Redford




    204803

    Cpl. W. Hancock North Staffordshire Regiment

    I have in my possession a WW1 medal "THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION 1914-1919", around the side of the medal are the words, "4638 CPL W HANCOCK N STAFF R. the medal has no ribbon or clasp. I used to work in construction, rebuilding military barracks so I may well have found it then. I also used to live in Kirton in Lindsey, North Lincolshire.

    I cannot recall how it came into my possession but I would like it to be reunited with the family of the person in question. If any of this information helps anyone out there, please contact me. Thank you for your time and trouble, believe me I've tried all sorts to reunite this medal with its rightful owners.

    Trevor Biggs




    204802

    Lt. Walter Alan Leckie 90th Field Coy. (d.21st Feb 1916)

    Are there any hospital records about my great uncle, Walter Leckie? He was wounded at Armentieres, his brother (my grandfather) went to a London hospital to see him before he died.

    Update: Red Cross records are currently being digitised and will be available in the not too distant future/

    Elizabeth Chen




    204801

    Pte. Arthur Furness

    My grandfather Arthur Furness was one of the first volunteers in the Leeds Rifles, West Yorks in 1914, he was lucky and survived until the end of the war. He made Corporal but was reduced in rank through being awol. At the time my grandmother had six children and was having the seventh when he went awol. It looks like he repeated this later when she had another child. He got 28 days loss of pay, and 9 days loss of pay. In about 1916 he was transferred to the Lincolnshire Regiment probably to make up depleted numbers. He must have been wounded as he received a pension after the war it looks like they kept giving him a medical to assess him.

    Benjamin Gill




    204800

    James Frederic Dyer 1st Battalion East Lancashire Resiment

    I have a silver mug inscribed: "To My Dear Son Bt. Major James Frederic Dyer 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment in loving recognition of Duties well fulfilled in the Great War 1914-1919 from Mother July 8th 1919"

    He was my grandfather

    Jane Dyer




    204798

    Pte. James Cleave Todd Wooler 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.14th Sept 1918)

    My great uncle James Wooler died on the 14th of September 1918 near Trescault while using a lewis machine gun, he was shot dead is friend Pt Ayling was captured by the Germans. My uncle's body was never found, so this year I tried to find more about him, got in touch with the commonwealth war graves commission. I got old local papers from 1918 with his death in it but He had no death certificate, so I sent all info to them, they got in touch with the Ministry of Defence and they are going to put his name on war memorial at the Vis-en-Artois memorial in a few months time. A lot of hard work help from a lot of good people and all worth it. I'm glad I did it, he wont be alone any more.

    Alan Metcalfe




    204797

    Pte. George Arthur Cook 1st Btn.

    I am now 80years of age and before I pass on I would like to find out more about my dear father, George Cook to pass on to further generations. I, like so many other young men was only interested in chasing young girls and not taking all that much interest in my fathers war. Just lately I have found out that he must have been in the thick of battles having been into hospital at Etaples in 1917 for a gunshot wound and then into Rouen hospital 9th August 1918 for results of a gas shell. He apparently served 4years and 303 days with the 1st Btn, Cambridge Regiment and then the 7th Btn Suffolk Regiment, so must have seen a vast amount of fighting. I would love to know in what battles he must have fought and any other aspects of his war.

    He had great courage and joined the AFS in Ipswich during WW11, going to the dock area where he came home with a live, perfect condition incendiary bomb which I de-fused and used the contents to make fireworks. I kept this bomb on display in my hall until about four years ago when I presented it to the Ipswich museum and I only hope it has been saved and not destroyed.

    Russell G. S. Cook




    204792

    Dvr. George Thomas Hawkins 14th Bde Ammunition Col. (d.8th June 1918)

    I recently found George Hawkins's death details via Ancestry. His only child, Theresa, was my grandmother. George's wife Edith Dane died 6 months later in December 1918, and Theresa was adopted by Edith's sister Emma Lufkin.

    I have not been able to locate George's war records, I suspect they were destroyed like so many others in WW2, so have no evidence that he ever saw his daughter Theresa.

    George was listed as a driver in RFA 14th Bde Ammunition Col. I would like to know where and what the 14th Bde was up to around the time of George's death.

    Sally Hyland




    204791

    Pte. Thomas Leonard Bowsher 4th Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

    My Granddad, Thomas Leonard Bowsher was first drafted into the 4th Wiltshire Reserve Battalion in 1917. He was transferred just before they left for India. I think he served in France at Pashendale, then he went to Ireland. possibly with the Royal Irish Regiment until 1920.

    Anthony Puffett




    204787

    Pte. Henry Fitzgerald MM. 110th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    Does anyone have any information about my Grandfather, Henry Fitzgerald? He died before I was born and have very little knowledge about his service during the Great War when he was with 110th Field Ambulance.

    Barry Fitzgerald




    204786

    Pte. John Charles William Cumberland Shorrocks (d.18th Sep 1916)

    John Shorrocks is remembered on the war memorial in the park at Marsden near Huddersfield, but is listed as Sharrocks.

    V Howley




    204784

    Pte. Benjamin Bennett 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    I believe at sometime my grandfather, Benjamin Bennett was a prisoner of war. This is a memory of a conversation with him over 40 years ago. He served with the 2nd Btn DLI and also with the West Riding Regiment.

    Edward Roxburgh




    204782

    Dvr. Ernest Bradley 33 Brigade, 8th Division Royal Field Artillery

    I have been searching for a photograph of my Grandfather, Ernest Bradley for over 40 years. He was born in Skipton Yorkshire and in 1913 he moved to South Elmsall, Pontefract, West Yorkshire where he married my grandmother Mary Jane Crofts in 1914, and where my father was born in 1916. My Grandfather was a hairdresser and owned his own shop in the village, prior to joining the Royal Field Artillery at Newcastle upon Tyne on the 19th December 1915.

    On 13th January 1916 he was posted to No1 Reserve Brigade and later appointed Acting Bombardier.

    On 17th January 1917 he was posted with the British Expeditionary Forces to France where he served with the 33 Brigade RFA part of the 8th Division and to part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres 1917, 1st Battle of the Somme 1918 and 2nd Battle of Arras 1918 and at some point suffered injuries from mustard gas, he received treatment and reverted back to driver. Finally discharged on Demobilization 9th August 1919. He returned home and continued he hairdressing career in South Elmsall and Leeds, where he died 10 years later 31st December 1929.

    I would be very grateful if anyone could provide me more information regarding the 33rd Brigade and 8th Division and if possible any photographs.

    Jane Christine Murray




    204781

    Cpl. Oliver Bennett 12th Battery (d.21st Oct 1914)

    HOLT, St ANDREW THE APOSTLE, WAR MEMORIAL

    We pray you remember before God, Charles Henry Steer and Oliver Bennett former members of the choir who lost their lives fighting for King & Country in the Great War 1914. RJ.D.

    BENNETT, Oliver Corporal 32124. 12th Battery Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 21st October 1914. Aged 25. Born at North Walsham. Enlisted Norwich. Son of William and Rebecca Bennett, of Holt, Norfolk, Norwich, Norfolk. One of two choir members commemorated on the stain glass window in St Andrew the Aposlte church. Buried in Harlebeke New British Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. XVI. A. 8.

    If anyone has more information on Oliver or his family please email me.

    Rhian




    204778

    Pte. William Norrish Warren 9th Btn. (d.1st Apr 1916)

    I am trying to find the resting place of William Norrish Warren, who died from wounds, received in this Country. There is a memorial stone in the Ashburton Churchyard, but not an actual grave. Would there be any more detail in the Royal Victoria Hospital records? Any information anyone can offer would be much appreciated.

    Marion Coak




    204776

    Sgt. Albert Woolman MID. (d.5th Nov 1917)

    My Father, Robert Heaton, was in the RASC and served with the BEF in Europe and later with the Eighth Army in the Middle East (and I think in Italy) after the war he was with BAOR in Germany. I think he may have transferred regiments, as his service medals are in a box which has RA (presumably Royal Artillery) on the back.

    When he was first in the Army he had the prefix T before his number, by the time of his discharge the prefix was S. I think that he was a driver at first but later was a despatch rider. He has the France and Germany Star, 1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and an oak leaf on a ribbon with a narrow red stripe in the centre with a narrow white stripe, then a blue, then a red on either side. I don't know if there should be a medal to go with that.

    I have a birthday card which he sent me with T 50124 Dvr R Heaton, H Q 5th Div, BEF on the back. I know that he was at Dunkirk and that he was home more than once on embarkation leave (he seemed to get sent back to Fulwood Barracks Preston before embarkation).

    Quite often I was allowed to sew new insignia on his uniform and I was very proud whenever he added a stripe, he also let me clean his buttons - as I was very young I wonder now if he got into trouble for things not done correctly but I know that he would think it worth it for the love that went into those tasks.

    I would love to know his full record, particularly why he was mentioned in despatches (he always said that it was for getting the General's beer through, but didn't say which General although I know that Monty was his great hero)

    NOTE: The medal ribbon described is for the War Medal and there should be a medal to accompany it, it is a circular medal with the kings head on the front and a lion and the date 1939-1945 on the reverse. The bronze oakleaf represents his Mention in Dispatches.

    Barbara Radway




    204771

    Lt. Walter Beakley 5th Btn. Sherwood Forresters

    My grandfather Walter Beakley could not talk about the war I know he was wounded in the arm as he was not able to play the flute after the war I know he trained at Halton near Wendover Buckinghamshire. I believe he fought at the Somme with the 5th Sherwood Forresters and also served with 194 Coy, Chinese Labour Corps.

    Patricia Beakley




    204765

    RSM. Arthur William Thew DCM, MSM. 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    R.S.M. Thew was my grandfather. He was born in Elvet, Durham in 1877 and was educated at the Bluecoats School. After a few years as a clerk at the pits, probably elvet pit, he enlisted with the DLI in 1896. He served with the 1st battalion in South Africa during the Boer War. He was transferred to India in 1902 where he stayed until 1907. He returned to the UK in 1907 and married Durham girl Mary Elizabeth Wandless.

    He then joined the regiment in Cork, Ireland. He also spent some time in Colchester and Newcastle. In 1915 he went with the 1/5 battalion to France. He was returned to Stockton in 1917 [age 40] to help with recruitment and training. He died in 1943, 3 months before I was born. His SA medals which included bars for Tugela Heights /Laings Nek and the WW1 medals were donated to the DLI museum. These medals were lost to the family for many years until in the late eighties on a chance visit to the old family home in Durham Road, Stockton, my mother and I met the current occupant, a WW2 DLI veteran, who had the medals, he promised the to us and several days later they arrived in the post.

    MauriHhardy




    204763

    Cpl. Williams Henry Moreby DCM. 1st Btn. (d.25th Oct 1914)

    William Henry Moreby was a serving police officer in the Leeds City Police and enlisted at the outbreak of war. He was awarded the DCM and died on 25th October 1914 and is remembered at Ploegsteert Memorial panel 4

    Keith Williams




    204761

    Gnr. George William Miller 50th Brigade, A Bty. (d.15th Nov 1917)

    George William Miller is one of 3 brothers to died in WW1 he was the eldest born 1889. He died in Nov 1917 whilst serving with the RFA, his brothers Edwin John Miller born 1891 died Nov 1917 and Horace Philip Miller born 1895 died July 1918, both were in the Middx regt. Their brother Frederick Harry Miller born 1892 died in 1928 having been gassed 3 times in the trenches. Their father had predeceased them aged 35 in 1906. Their mother lived to 1956 but was never a happy woman. God bless them all.

    Sheila Miller




    204756

    Pte. Irvine Kellyn (d.6th Aug 1914)

    Irvine Kellyn is not a relation but I am interested in local WW1 deaths. He lived at 25 Pontefract Rd Castleford, his father Alfred was a clerk at a glass works and his mother Jane was an elementary school teacher. He lost his life on HMS Amphion aged 28 and is remembered on the Plymouth Memorial.

    Gordon Claughton




    204749

    Pte. William James Cornell 15th Battalion (d.14th Oct 1918)

    My Great-Uncle, William James Cornell joined the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry on 28th May 1915, aged 15, using his elder brother Frank's date of birth. He was transferred into the Bedford Regiment and eventually into the 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters on 4th April 1918.

    William was killed in action on 14th October 1918, aged just 18, taking part in an attack on Cable Copse, Belgium. He has no known grave and is commemorated at the Tyne Cot memorial. If anyone knows anything about the action at Cable Copse, or about William, I would be grateful for any extra information.

    Andy Cornell




    204748

    Pte. Horace Philip "Holly" Miller 13th Btn. (d.20th Jul 1918)

    Horace Miller is one of 3 brothers who died within a week of each other. All 3 forgotten, the names of the other 2 unknown, not even found as yet on 1901 or 1911 censuses. We only found Horace (Holly) because we have a Middx Regt banner with his nickname on it and trolling through the CWGC list of casualties. His widowed mother did not talk about it, in fact the family were kept at a distance at the time of deaths. I would greatly appreciate it if Holly can be remembered and even more if his brothers can be found to be remembered by descendants including his 2 nieces.

    Sheila Miller




    204746

    Pte. Thomas Bell Shepherd 3rd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    My grandfather Thomas Bell Shepherd joined the 3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers c 1915, transferring to the 1st Platoon of the Machine Gun Corps where he fought in the Battle of the Somme. At some point he was wounded by shrapnel and spent time recovering at Frodsham Auxiliary Military Hospital, Cheshire, where he met local girl Minnie May Duncalf. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps at the beginning of 1918. He ended the war as a 2nd Lieutenant in the RAF. On February 1st 1919, he married Minnie May, my grandmother, in Aberdeen. He was at that time posted at Longside Airship Station, near Peterhead, Scotland. By 28th February 1919 he was transferred to the unemployed list.

    Suzanne Parry




    204743

    Pte. Augustus Charles Cook 2nd Battalion (d.10th Jul 1917)

    I have been researching my family history and it would appear my great-grandfather was Augustus Charles Cook who was a private with the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment and that he was in the 2nd battalion. I understand he died on 10th of July 1917 aged 41 leaving a wife and young son behind to my knowledge his theatre of war was the Mesopotamian Expedtionary Force and he is buried in the Basra War Cemetery.

    Claire Lewis




    204742

    Sjt. Horace Woods MM. 24th Btn. London Regiment

    My father, Horace Woods was awarded the MM for "great gallantry during an enemy attack" and survived the 1914/18 War. I am trying to obtain the words of the citation but don't know where to start. A copy of his record card merely shows France 10-11-15

    Eric Horace Woods




    204741

    Pte. James Joesph Holmes 33rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.12th Oct 1918)

    Born and enlisted in York, James Holmes also served in the Army Service Corps service number T4/159786. Killed in action on 12th October 1918 with the 33rd Machine Gun Corps, aged 30 at Le Cateau. He is commemorated on Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Panel 10. He is commemorated St Cuthbert's Church War Memorial, Peasholme Green, York. Also on the official North Eastern Railway War Memorial, Station Road York. His name appeared in the Yorkshire Herald on 10th December 1918 in a list of men from St Cuthbert's parish who died during the war.

    Roger Holmes




    204739

    A/Sjt. John William Deacon

    My mother’s grandfather was in the First World War his name was John William Deacon, he was born in 1877 at 40 Clark Street, Leicester. He was in the R.H.A. before he went in to the corps he was a steeple jack, which we didn’t know until I started to research him. He fell 40 foot down a chimney, after that he joined up. I have photos of him in uniform with some of his men and with his wife Sarah Pryor who was born in Barkby Leicester in 1872, they married in 1904

    We know that before the regiment went to fight they did there training on Salisbury Plain and then went out to Egypt and were based in Mustafa.

    On the 5th of September he got in to some sort of trouble and he got 7 days field punishment N0.2 and on 30th Dec 1916 he forfeits 3 days pay under royal warrant for Absence. On his medical record he was sent home due to his knee problem, when he embarked home he came back via Caldonia, Portsaid

    We would like to know more about the Egyptian Exp. Force as we don’t know much about them and the x a park raf at Romtaraonm where he was employed in packing duties in 1918.

    Steven Woolman




    204736

    Pte. John Greenwood 4th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    My father enlisted Leeds on 21st Sept 1916, serving first with 4th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and posted to Queen's Own Yorkshire Dragoons (I was told they had no horses so were issued with cycles). Chevrons One B; wound stripe one. He served in France was wounded in action, and received an honourable discharge on 20th December 1918. Discharge Certificate army form B2079, No.2 Infantry records Yorks (serial number 2841). Discharge certificate bears serial number 3748YLI, being no longer physically fit for war service.

    He had served 1 year 299 days with the colours and 157 days in army reserve (does the latter indicate the time in hospital care?) Para 392 (XV1) KR. The name of my parents' house was Neuf Eglise which might signify the area in France where he was wounded.

    I was never given details of my father's war service when I was younger but now as I near 80 years of age I have studied the Discharge Certificate and scrap of paper attached to it and would like to know the following. I feel perhaps the Regimental War Diaries will give the places to which the Unit was moved.

    When did the Unit go to France? The Movement of the Unit thereafter and the actions in which they were involved. Would my Father's Unit be involved in action on a certain date in or near Neuf Eglise? Is there a record of exactly where he was wounded and his movements thereafter. I believe he was eventually in a hospital at Burton Agnes on the east coast of Yorkshire. My understanding from Carlisle Military Museum is that Neuf Eglise was a much fought over area in 1914/18. Any information you can give me would be most welcome.

    Pauline Anderson




    204734

    Pte. Francis William Bailey 1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Enlistment and training

    Francis William Bailey was enlisted as a conscript under the Military Service Act of 1916. This Act deemed all males who reached the age of 18 years to have enlisted. They could choose if they preferred to go into the Royal Navy but other than that had no choice in the matter of regiment or unit to which they were assigned. Enlistment was a two stage process. First, the recruit, who was called up in accordance with details given during a process of National Registration in 1915, would attend a session where he would be medically examined and attested for service. He would then be placed on the army reserve and return home to await a mobilisation notice. The information already listed provides a context for his early service. He reached 18 in October 1917 and could have been called for attestation and then mobilised at any time after that.

    The 53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment was created on 27 October 1917 in a reorganisation of the army’s infantry training structure. The Young Soldier units carried out the 14 week basic training course, after which the soldier would be passed on to a Graduated Battalion. The 53rd Battalion was based at Chisledon but moved in early November 1917 to Larkhill, both places being on Salisbury Plain. For Francis to be with the battalion on 7 February 1918 probably implies that he had not joined the battalion straight away after his 18th birthday but it was clearly not long after that. It was at this time not legally possible to send a conscripted soldier overseas until he was aged 19. The 18 year-old trainees were held in England, carrying on training or any other useful duty, once they had completed their basic training. The young recruits were known as “A4 men”, after a medical category that defined them as fit in all respects except age. Had these conditions continued, Francis would not have been in France until late in 1918. It is possible that he went straight from the 53rd Battalion to France, but more likely is that he had passed for a brief time to either 51st or 52nd (Graduated) Battalion. Both moved to Lowestoft in January 1918.

    On 21 March 1918, the enemy launched a huge attack against British Fifth and Third Armies. So great were the losses and so few the reserves that an emergency act was carried in Parliament which enabled men who were 18½ years or more and who had more than six months training to be sent overseas. They were hurriedly despatched to France. We believe that Francis was among them.

    Either just before embarkation or on arrival in France, Francis was renumbered to Private 50854. By examining the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, it is certain that men numbered nearby were in France by late May 1918 although of those posted to 1st Battalion none lost their lives before August.

    Service in France

    On arrival in France, Francis was posted to join his regiment’s 1st Battalion. Later in our report we have provided an outline of the history of the battalion. It is reasonable to assume that Francis moved with it and took part in its actions until he was taken prisoner. Unfortunately it is not possible to tell solely from his number his specific role or which of the four Companies he was posted to. It is not easy to discover when Francis arrived or was captured. The war diary kept by the battalion does not name other ranks. We have checked it throughout the period March to November 1918.

    Small numbers of reinforcements arrived at intervals during late March and April 1918, and in larger drafts during May. There was a particularly large draft of 130 men that arrived on 14 May. From June to August, there were once again small numbers dribbling in.

    There are relatively few occasions when men were reported missing. These figures undoubtedly include some men were later confirmed or presumed dead, but the remainder will have been taken prisoner:

    • 15 April 1918: 13 missing (along with 31 dead and 183 wounded) in desperate defensive fight near Hinges.
    • 11 June 1918: 1 man reported as wounded and missing from a patrol.
    • 30 June 1918: 1 man reported missing from a raiding party but believed to have been taken to a Casualty Clearing Station.
    • 1 July 1918: 1 man reported missing. Battalion was bombarded as it was being relieved and moving to rest.
    • 9 August 1918: Second Lieutenant P. Horsley and 9 men missing when their patrol, advancing near Bobeme, found itself surrounded by the enemy. Three men escaped back to battalion.
    • 30 August 1918: 24 men reported missing after a disorganised attack near Remy.
    • 24 October 1918: 2 men missing after an attack near Verchain. These are the last to be reported as such before the Armistice.

    Given that it appears that men with numbers near to Francis were not with 1st battalion before May, clearly the most likely times for him to have been captured were on 9 and 30 August.

    Return from POW camp, discharge from the army and after the war

    Although the medals documents give no information, Francis would have been discharged by being transferred to Class Z Army Reserve some time in 1919. This was the standard route out of military service for wartime volunteers and conscripts to the regular army. It meant that the soldier could return to civilian life but subject to being recalled if required, for twelve months after discharge. In the event, no Class Z men were recalled and the Class was abolished on 31 March 1920. His campaign medals were sent to him automatically. It was not necessary to claim them. The British War and Victory Medals were usually despatched in 1921. They were to recognise that the soldier had left his native shore and entered a theatre of war, respectively.

    Men could make a claim as to any form of disability or medical problem arising from their war service and, subject to the approval of a Medical Board, were usually awarded a pension, the value of which related to their marital and family status and their degree of disablement.

    Yeoman Warder Bob Brown




    204733

    Pte. George Edward Jackson 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    George Jackson, enlisted 25th September 1914, and arrived in France on the 1st May 1915. he was wounded on the 11th of March 1916 and discharged as no longer fit for service on 10th October 1916.

    Barry Jackson




    204731

    Captain Benjamin Chave KBE. SS. Alnwick Castle

    Captain Sir Benjamin Chave KBE (1870-1954) was my grandfather. He was captain of the Alnwick Castle when she was torpedoed on 17th March 1917 bound for the Cape. My brother has original letters sent by the master of the French steamer Venezia and two letters from those with him during the five days spent adrift before being rescued by the Venezia.

    Penelope Alexander




    204730

    Pte. William Leonard Dean 7th City of London Battalion London Regiment

    I am researching my fathers life. I have discovered that he joined the 7th (City of London) Batalion, The London Regiment at Kingston-On-Thames at the age of 18 years & 1 month during 1917.

    R Dean




    204725

    Pte. Edward Thomas Probert Essex Regiment

    My grandfather, Edward Probert served in the First World War. No funny stories to tell, no anecdotes, unfortunately he was one of those who didn't want to talk and by the time I was old enough to know, he had already died. However he did serve until 1917 when he was invalided out of France with shrapnel wounds.

    Linda Milton




    204723

    Dvr. Walter Joseph Stevens (d.2nd Jul 1916)

    Walter Joseph Stevens was my grandfather on my father's side. My family know very little about him except that he died in the UK, aged 37, after being gassed whilst in the Royal Field Artillery on the Continent.

    He was married to Florence Lucy (nee Savage) who had three children by him - William, Percy (Jim) and Charles (my Dad). The information we have about him is taken from the cross on his grave in West Clandon Churchyard, Surrey, where the Cenotaph there records his name as Joseph Stevens. So I am unsure which is his first name - Walter (as on his grave) or Joseph (on the Cenotaph). We believe he was a gardener before the war, possibly at Clandon Park. During WW1 his wife (my grandmother) worked as a "postie" in the village, living in a small cottage owned by the Onslows Family who lived in Clandon Park.

    Bruce Stevens




    204718

    James Hodkinson Royal Garrison Artillery

    All I know is what my Grand Mother told me, and that is James Hodkinson moved from Wrexham to Bath and served with an Artillery Garrison in Bath ,and he was gassed in the the war.

    John




    204715

    Cpl Thomas Stroud 141st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Grandfather, Thomas Stroud served in the Boer War in the Army and I have the New Testament Bible given to him by Queen Victoria (not in person of course!). He joined the 141 Siege Battery R.G.A. in WW1. I know this much from the trench art bracelet with a German coin soldered onto it made for his wife and engraved on it was 141 S.B.R.G.A. and he made WW1 tank money box and 2 coal-scuttles which I still have. I did not know what the insignia was until today when I looked through the internet. He died in 1945 a few months before I was born so I never got to meet him.

    My other Grandfather on my mother's side served in WW1 in the R.E.M.E. and I have his diary from the trenches and also some trench art also.

    Victor Stroud




    204714

    Pte. Henry Rixon 18th Aux Bus Coy. (d. 24th Aug 1918)

    I am trying to trace more information about Henry Rixon. I do know that he served in the Hundred Days Offensive, the final period of World War 1. He was killed in Action 24th August 1918 and is commemorated at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres.

    Nicola Laurens




    204713

    Pte. Hugh Kenworthy 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.16th May 1916)

    Hugh Kenworthy was my great great grandfather. The family never knew where he was killed and as far as they knew he had no known grave. I have been online today searching the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and have found that he is buried in a French cemetery in Ecoivres. He was killed at Vimy Ridge on May 16 1916. I have let my mother know and she is going to tell the rest of the family. Hopefully we will be able to visit his grave soon.

    Hugh left a wife and 8 children, some of whom ended up in the workhouse until rescued by their grandmother. Hugh was not forgotten!! We are trying to find out how he died, although at least we now know where he is.

    Dawn Foster




    204710

    Reuben Zinzendorf Bullock Sussex Regiment

    Reuben Bullock was my great-grandfather. He had been employed as a gardener at Penlynn Castle before the war, he continued this when posted to France. We have some of his records showing detailed accounts relating to the growing of various crops whilst serving in the Labour Corps.

    He was also with the Royal Sussex Regiment. Paperwork lists his role as a scout, which earned him a mention in dispatches. He was awarded a number of medals, which we are currently researching.

    Jodie Knight




    204707

    Pte. James Quinn 2nd Btn (d.15th Sept 1914)

    This is the story of one man in what was called a contemptible little army Jimmy Quinn had been away for 6 years in India and returned home to marry his sweetheart Emmilene Ryan. He took a civilian job mining and in the summer of 1914, a child was born named Constance and then war was declared. He answered the call to arms and soon he was at Colchester, awaiting the move to France which came all to soon.

    From the ferry they marched to Mons, ironically fighting Germans among the coal heaps of that area. They were told to retreat, he fought at Le Cateau where they say the dead were piled shoulder high and from there they moved to near the River Aisne. On the night of the 14th/15 September 1914 he went missing, believed dead in The Battle of the Aisne. His body was discovered in 1920, his regiment was known by his silver cap badge of the K.O.S.B, his details by the fact he had two identity discs, the composite one which had perished and a metal one soldiers bought in the markets of India, which he also wore. He and one other KOSB known only to God, lie among about 12 soldiers of Britain in a french military cemetery in Crouy Vauxrot a small village near Soissons.

    His descendents were one daughter, Constance who never knew her father 2 Grand-Daughters and their children, one of which like his ancestor Jimmmy Quinn has joined the British Army. Jimmy was my Uncle, he was born in 1888 and my father told me of him he was the youngest of a large family, he kept his memory alive and I have tried to continue that by my interest in genealogy.

    Patsy Norman




    204706

    Pte. Edward Snee West Yorkshire Regiment

    My father, Edward Snee was serving with the West Yorks in the Great War and was badly injured whilst defending a gun position and the result of this was that he was taken prisoner and sent to a "stalag" hospital camp either no 10 or 13, his army regimental number looks to be 51337 which is handwritten on his discharge certificate old way of writing, but his discharge date is clear and that was 15th Nov 1918.

    Bill Snee




    204705

    Pte. Arthur William Mackie 1st Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    I am trying to trace the battles my Grandfather, Arthur Mackie was involved in during the WW1. We believe he had his 18th birthday in the trenches, we are pretty sure it was at the Somme.

    Gary Mackie




    204702

    Pte Thomas Bennett 8th Battalion (d.13th Mar 1917)

    I am looking for final resting place of Pte. Thomas Bennett. I'm compiling data on all names listed on the Shieldhill War Memorial in Falkirk, Scotland. If anyone has any information please get in touch.

    William Hunter




    204700

    Lt. Cecil Avery "Muddy" Baker MC. 1st Battalion Soy=uth Wales Borderers

    I never met my great grandfather, Cecil Baker, as he died the year I was born. But the whole family talk about what a great man he was. He went out with the B.E.F. in August 1914, he kept a scrap book full of newspaper clippings of his time in the Army, mainly his rugby career, where he raised and trained the battlion rugby team, winning the army cup on four consecutive years, in 1913 he became the first gentleman cadet from Sandhurst to play for the army.

    James Baker




    204697

    Michael Ward 9th Btn. Dublin Fusliers

    My Great Grandfather, Michael Ward left Dublin in 1916, 3 years after the death of his wife Elizabeth. He left 8 young children behind in a tenement house. He served for 2.5 years and returned to Dublin where he worked in Guinness's. He died at the age of 92. I am so proud of him.

    Eamonn Tynan




    204696

    Pte. John Joseph Paulson 10th Btn. Sherwood Forresters (d.7th July 1916)

    John Paulson was the son of the late Jabez and Hannah Paulson, he was 23 years old when he lost his life on the 7th of July 1916. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.





    204694

    Pte. Kenneth Weeden 8th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Kenneth Weeden was my late father's younger brother who family conversations indicate he was killed within a short time of arriving at the front. He was, I believe, just 17 years old. There is a memorial to him in St Giles's Church, Ickenham, Middlesex. I have previously tried to find more details of his army service with no success. Does anyone have any information, please?

    Michael Weeden




    204687

    Gnr. Matthew Baxendale 9th Reserve Royal Field Artillery

    I am currently tracing my family tree and have come across a great grand father, Matthew Baxendale, who served as a Gn. in the RFA. I have his pay books, which show that my grand father enlisted at the age of 25 yrs. and 6 months on 9th December 1915. He was paid 1 shilling tuppence ha'penny from 15/6/1917 and had 6 pence per day taking off, under the heading "Deduct Voluntary allotment/compulsory stoppage". The lines for Voluntary and compulsory are one and the same so I do not know the actual reason for the stoppage.

    A new page was pasted in over the original which shows he was then paid 1 shilling 6 pence per day from 3/1/1918, with no stoppages; this includes three pence for proficiency pay and also ha'penny to make up the minimum up the Army Order. On the new page there are separate lines and entries for deductions.

    I can only trace records via the pay book to show that my grandfather disembarked to France on 5/7/1917, he was paid, on average 10 francs per week. He appears to have had leave to the UK for 15 days from 21/12/1917 though three subsequent entries suggest that he may still be in England on the 25th February 1918 as two rail warrants were issued.

    The next entry 27/4/1918 shows a Field payment at No 13 Convalescent Depot. He continues to receive his pay in the field up to 16/8/1918 when he receives 20 francs. For some reason the next entry is dated one month later and is stamped 15 Oct 1918 admitted to No 7 Convalescent Depot. From this date he receives regular field payments; again there is a rubber stamped entry which is a little smudged. From this stamp all that I can decipher is that my grand father was sent "To Rest Camp 08 Nov". The last payment shown in the pay book is dated 13/12/1918 for 50 Francs.

    I would like help in locating the area/towns where two convalescent Depots were located, namely number 13 and no 7 Convalescent Depots.

    Jim Wood




    204682

    Pte. William Ratcliffe 28th Divisional Cyclist Company Army Cyclist Corps

    My grandfather William Radcliffe, enlisted in the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment on 24/01/1911. He was serving in India with the 2nd Battlion at the outbreak of WW1, and was brought back to England. It appears that on arrival in the UK, he was transferred to the newly formed 28th Divisional Cyclist Company latterly XVI Corps Cyclist Battalion. William arrived in France 19/01/1915 and served there until 24/10/1915 when the unit embarked for service in Salonika. I regrettably have no other details until his ultimate ill health discharge on 15/01/1919.

    W H Lloyd




    204681

    Pte. William Joseph Duffy Dublin Fusiliers

    William Duffy signed up with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on the 8th of August 1914, he first saw action in France on the 9th of Febuary 1915, and then went on to serve in the Dardanelles until he was discarged 8th of August 1916 due to sickness. He was awarded the silver war badge, also the 1914 star ,the 1915 star and the victory medal. He died 1965 in Dublin.

    David Walsh




    204680

    Pte. James Collins 2nd Btn (d.24th May 1915)

    My Great Uncle Jimmy Collins was gassed at Mouse Trap Farm on 24 May 1915, aged 19 years.

    J Anwar




    204679

    Sjt. William Wolstenholme MM. & Bar 2nd Btn. Royal Scots

    I am in possession of 4 documents & 4 medals relating to my Grandfather Williamm Wolstenholme, who died when I was a small child. All the papers tell me about his military service are that:
    • Promoted Sergeant 4.9.1915.
    • 31.7.17 Mentioned for Gallant & Distinguished Conduct in the Field
    • Routine B(o?)rders No 2958 11.8.17 Capt Edgar
    • 20.8.17 Awarded Military Medal for Gallantry at Ypres
    • Brought to Notice for Gallant & Distinguished conduct in Action 21-28.3.1918 J K Murray Capt
    • Awarded Bar to M M 5.1918. J K Murray Adjt.
    After the war he started a bakery business & was also a Baptist Minister. I am told that he never spoke about his war service, the papers & medals only came to light after his death. I would like to know if it is possible to find out the exact circumstances which led to his citations?

    Cynthia Budd




    204677

    Pte. Bernard Meeson 7th Service Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.9th Dec 1917)

    Bernard was born in Penkridge, Staffordshire. While he was known as Bernard Meeson, he was registered as Bernard Lowe. After his mother married Richard Wincer he was sometimes known as Bernard Wincer.

    When war broke out in Europe he was living in Cannock. He signed up at Hednesford Drill Hall in 1914. He had 2 daughters Doris and Eliza with Isabella Mary Gripton whom he married in 1911. Eliza was killed while carrying milk back from the shop across the road. She stepped out in front of a bus and was dragged into the wheels and died instantly aged 7. His wife Isabella later married a local widow John W Amos.

    Doris, my nan, had only vague memories of him going away. She died recently and with the exception of this photo I found two years ago, on a grainy fiche copy of the Cannock Advertiser, she had no pictures of her father Bernard.

    David Bate




    204676

    Sjt. John Thomas Barton 1/8th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    These are transcripts of three letters written to my grandmother by my grandfather, John Barton while he was serving with 1/8th Manchesters at Cape Helles, Gallipoli. Although undated my research has led me to be fairly certain that the first letter was written soon after the famous "Charge of the Manchesters" at Krithia on 4th June 1915 and explains his rapid promotion to Sgt, "on the field," (the loss of men was enormous). The second letter speaks for itself as he recovered from a shrapnel wound to the knee. The "Big Battle" mentioned in the third letter was the dreadful struggle to capture Krithia Vinyard which began on 7th August 1915.

    Dear Lizzie.

    I bet you will be surprised to hear that I have been made a sergeant on the field. We made a magnificent bayonet charge and came off victorious. We didn't half make the Turks fly. I was sorry to hear of my poor pal Sam Brookshaw's death, it came as a shock to me, but never mind, he died for his country, like a brave soldier, and that is something to remember. Do please remember me to all my pals, only I suppose they have all 'listed. We shall want them all in this great struggle. I am in the best of health but get very weary with no time to stretch my legs having been in the trenches for many weeks now. We have not had a farthing of our pay, but there are no shops so we can't buy anything. I am getting quite used to living like a rabbit; it is a case of burrowing for your life.

    Dear Lizzzie.

    I am in hospital. I got a crack on my knee and it has produced cynivitus. It is much better in here than in the trenches and quite a rest after the peninsula; no shrapnel in here. Don't upset yourself, it is nothing very serious and I expect to be back in the trenches soon. It is about time we got a furlough; twelve months have passed since we left dear Old England and it seems like twelve years. Still, we must not grouse. We shall get over it alright.

    Dear Lizzie

    I went for a swim in the Dardanelles the other day. The Turks threw a few Jack Johnsons at us but they are poor gunners. When they drop a shell on land it makes a tidy dugout where you can take cover quite safely as they never drop two in the same place. It is very nice country around here only we have not had a chance to explore it. We hope to see a little more of it shortly. I am writing this to you in the midst of a big battle, but we are not down hearted yet, not by a long chalk. Love to you and our boy. Tommy.

    Tommy left Cape Helles with the rearguard in January 1916, one of the last to leave the Gallipoli peninsula. He survived his later war in France, joined the Coldstream Guards in 1920 as a substantive Sgt and stood, arms reversed, at one corner of the coffin of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey in 1921.

    Michael Barton




    204672

    Pte. Harry Atkinson 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    My Great Uncle Harry Atkinson was killed in action on the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme.

    Michael Head




    204671

    Pte. Horatio Nelson Cross 2nd Battalion Ox & Bucks Light Infantry (d.14th Mar 1915)

    Horatio Cross was my Great-grandfather whose history I am just learning about. Unfortunately, his medals have been mislaid over the years but his wife had had them framed along with a regimental photo of which I have a small copy. I have information stating he is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Bethune is 29km north of Arras. I would love to find out if this is near where he fought, or if he was taken there after being injured. As I said this is early days for me in my quest for info so if anyone can be of any help I'd be really grateful.

    Marsha Smedley




    204668

    Dalton E. Colins 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    I'm trying to find any information regarding a young man called Dalton E Collins. I recently bought a poetry book and on the flycover was the name Dalton E Collins, Bristol 1917, 2nd Lanc Fus and I'm fascinated as to what became of this man. Please can anyone help in any way? I have submitted his name into the national archives with no luck. I realise its a long shot but I so want to find out what became of him and his war record.

    Jane Booth




    204666

    Gunner Thomas Curtin Royal Field Artillery

    I recently found this site when looking for images of the RFA in WW1. I found the picture of George Uren added by his great granddaughter Denise Chapplow. The man sitting to his right is my great grandfather Thomas Curtin.

    Natalie Paskell




    204665

    Pte. George Smart 7th Btn. Leicester Regiment (d.1st Oct 1917)

    George Smart joined the Army in 1909, he married Mary Elizabeth Garner from Glenfield Leicester in 1915. George was killed in action on the 1st October 1917and is remembered with honour on the Tyne Cot memorial.

    A. Barratt




    204661

    L/Cpl William Jones 2nd Btn. London Regiment

    I found an honourable discharge certificate for my Grandfather, William Jones, from WW1 and wanted then to trace his war record. I discovered he was gassed on the Somme. He had enlisted 12th Jan 1915 and was discharged 12 Dec 1916. He was always in the Territorials and after the war he remained very active in the Territorials in his home village and always led the march proudly each year on 11/11 with his baton. I visited the Somme in June and it appears his regiment fought in the battle for High Wood in 1916 but I would like to know if this was where he would have been gassed. He never talked about his experiences so his family of 5 children know nothing about what happened to him during the war before he was gassed.

    Valerie Rowlands




    204641

    Thomas Neale HMS Minotar

    I am looking for any information about Tom Neale who served on HMS Minotaur, in the First World War, maybe prior, during and after.

    Brian Neale




    204639

    Pte. Thomas Davies 1st Btn. South Wales Borderers (d.25th Jan 1915)

    Thomas Davies was my grandmother's brother, I am trying to piece together details, such as when and where he signed up and any other specific information.

    Richard Carter




    204638

    L/Cpl John James Hamer 2/5th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    John James “Jack” Hamer (200871) 1899-1962 joined the 2/5th on 7 December 1914 at Wigan; walking 8 miles from Bolton. While in training Jack was granted leave and went back home and married Isabella Billington on 17 Feb 1915. As a Private he also served, and ended the war, with the 12th Bn, Manchester Regiment. He stated that during the war he was a Postman, undoubtedly one of the duties as a Company Clerk for the Regiment. At one time, during the war Jack was listed as missing in action, most probably due to miscommunication of his whereabouts, but it was long enough that notification was sent to his wife. He survived without any wounds and was promoted to Lance Corporal or Acting Corporal by the end of the war. Jack was granted furlough from 19 Feb 1919 until he was demobilized on 19 March 1919. Jack and Isabella emigrated to Canada in 1929 with their only daughter, Joyce.

    Bruce Walter




    204634

    L/Cpl Francis John Hopkins 101st Machine Gun Corps

    My father, Francis John Hopkins,was born in Kingston - on - Thames, on 29 December 1887. He enlisted with the Territorials (Berkshire Yeomanry)in 1912 and volunteered for service in August 1914 at the outbreak of WW1. After training he was drafted to Egypt as part of the 2nd Mounted Division and left Avonmouth,Bristol on 8 April 1915 on the SS Menominee arriving in Alexandria on 19 April 1915.Remained in Egypt awaiting orders to go to the Dardenelles.

    Although training in the middle east had been as mounted troops, the decision was made in early August that the Yeomanry would fight dismounted. The Regiment (as it was now called) sailed from Alexandria aboard SS Lake Michigan; after transshipment at Mudros, they landed at A-Beach, East Suvla on 18 August. The Regiment were engaged in some bitter fighting against insurmountable odds and in early November 1915 it was decided to 'withdraw' and the Regiment finally embarked for Mudros and Egypt.

    In December 1915 the Western Frontier Force was formed, a part of which was the Camel Corps to which my father transferred.

    During the summer and autumn of 1916 the Berkshire Yeomanry were employed in patrolling and outpost duties in the Western Desert and Upper Egypt. They later moved east to the Suez Canal where the defences were extended into the Sinai Desert. My father writing in a letter home on 29 February 1916 (from Mersa Matruh) said 'inter alia' "I haven't seen any fighting here yet, although the Brigade has been in action several times, and I assure you I don't want to as I saw warfare with all its horrors on the Peninsular (Gallipoli), as I very often think of the three months I spent there as the most miserable one could possibly imagine..."

    In January 1917 saw the British begin their advance towards Jerusalem. My father saw action in both battles for Gaza in March and April and again in the beginning of November following which the Turks were finally beaten off. A greatly reduced 6th Mounted Brigade withdrew from the front line on 30 November and returned to Egypt to re-group.

    In January 1918, after being brought up to strength, the Berkshire Yeomanry resumed training and refitting. In April they were amalgamated with other units to form the 101st Machine Gun Corps. In May 1918 the Battalion was ordered to France because fighting on the Western Front had reached a critical stage. Within hours of leaving Alexandria on the night of 26 May the SS Leasowe was torpedoed (with a loss of +/- 199 lives). There was a three week delay whilst equipment was replaced. After re-embarkation on HMT Caledonia the regiment landed at Taranto, southern Italy on 21 June and entrained for France, arriving in time to take part in the final allied offensive which began on 8 August 1918.

    The Battalion saw their first action at the Battle of the Scarpe on 29 August. The fighting was in complete contrast to that in Palestine - the dash across the desert on horseback and/or camel was now replaced by slow deliberate assault across muddy fields and shellholes. On 16 September the battalion moved to Belgium and was involved in numerous actions up until the last one on 31 October 1918. At some point about this time my father was made a Lance Corporal and was later posted to the Labour Corps (Reg No. 618560) and was finally discharged from the army on 12 March 1919

    Henry John Hopkins




    204627

    Sjt. Edward Harold Westley 8th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    My father, Ted Westley, served with the 8th Middlesex and was also in the Lancashire Fusiliers. As I am a retired invalid I spend a great deal of time building my family tree and would like to get as much info on my Dad as possible. I think he was awarded medals but have no info on them. All I do know is he was at the Somme and Ypres and was badly wounded in the chest.

    When he came home he later became instructor at Hounslow TA. Centre I also remember he won the Bisley shot one year but cannot confirm this. He did try to get sign up in the second war at the age of 40. but owing to his job they would not let him. One thing I know is he loved every bit of his service.

    Eric Westley




    204625

    Sgt Mjr. Andrew Bell Moffat 4th Low Bde Royal Field Artillery

    Please can you tell ME the abbreviations of the units he was in Joined as TA in 1911 and left 11/4/1930 with a presentation of a Gold pocket watch inscribed as follows:- 312 Bty Sgts Mess On occasion of leaving the battery 11/04/1930 I believe he went to Egypt....and if your information can confirm I would be grateful Will try and attach documents I got of the web but unfortunately as I have no knowledge of army procedures I do not understand them all Hope you can help Thank you Avril Anderson ...grandaughter p.s. not able to attach files ....please send me an e-mail address to forward them to you Avril

    Avril Anderson




    204622

    Pte. Michael Keogh 2nd Btn. Dublin Fusiliers

    My father, Pte. Michael Keogh,(No.32276 'A' Company - 2nd Battalion), joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, I think around 1918, putting his age up in order to join his brother Patrick Keogh who had just returned from serving in France. My father went to Turkey, Asia Minor, with the Black Sea Army and served in the Anatolian Mounted Infantry. From there he went to India with the RDF and served on the northwest frontier(Punjab) in what is now Pakistan. His discharge certificate is marked 30-10-1926.

    He wrote numerous poems and vignets about this period of his life; some of which show extraordinary sensitivity in one so young. In addition, his sense of humour as experienecd through the daily life of a soldier, speaks of another generation of tough, hardy and resourceful men. I grew up listening to his 'war stories'and I gathered the impression that despite the dangers and hardships, the time he spent with the "Dubs" was the happiest in his life. Although he abhorred war and its futility, he held his comrades in high esteem and the code of honour they shared.

    Michael Keogh migrated to Australia in 1924 and died there at the age of 70 years in 1971. To his last day he still maintained the bearing of a soldier, something he attributed to his training with the Royal Dublin Fusliliers.

    I have some photographs and articles which I will post at a later date. I would love to hear from any relatives of former RDF members who served during this time.

    Colleen van Hemert




    204620

    Pte. William Kimber 10th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusliers (d.26th Sept 1917)

    My mum never knew her father, William Kimble, as she was 2 years old when he was killed in action but she had some photos, which she looked at every day but never talked much about him, so when she died I decided to find out about this man (my grandad) who gave his life for us.

    I cannot find out how and were he died. Mam said he got blown up but how could I find out were it was as we are going to Sanctury wood in a few weeks were he is buried. Mum says he was never found but I have found a grave number but would like to see were he was fighting and lost his life but need to find out were the 10th battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers were fighting that day. Can anyone help?

    Update: William's service records are available online at Ancestry.co.uk He is listed as "wounded & missing" on the 26th Sept 1917. The cemetery in which he now lies was created after the war and many men who were buried in smaller cemeteries or recovered from the battlefield after the war were laid to rest there, it is very likely he was amongst their number.

    On the day William was killed, his battalion were taking part in the Battle of Polygon Wood, the 10th RWF advanced over ground near Zonnebeke to the right of the railway and crossed the Steenbeek along with the 2nd Suffolks. After they had crossed the railway line they came under heavy machine gun fire from the railway station and were unable to capture it, though parties from the RWF did manage to enter the centre of Zonnebeke. The the 10th RWF held 150 yards of the road running north-west from the church.

    M Binks




    204616

    Pte William Brown 10th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Sept, 1915)

    William Brown joined up in August, 1914. I think he may have thought it was going to be an adventure, as his records show repeatedly that he was punished for being drunk! He died 13 months after enlisting and in that short period he was punished several times for being drunk and once for being late back off leave. He left a wife and two sons, age 4 and 3. I don't suppose they thought it was much of an adventure.

    Carol McNicoll




    204612

    Pte. William Carberry 18th Btn. (Irish Rifles) London Regiment (d.24th Nov 1917)

    My Grandfather Patrick Markey served with his cousin William Carberry. I believe they were serving together in France in the 1st World War when William was killed by a mine or a bomb. My grand father saw it, or as the story has been told to me by mother. I would like to hear from any one who knows of either of these two men as I am trying to put a family history together.

    Lindsay Johnson




    204610

    Lt.(E) William James Urquhart HMS Avenger

    My father was aboard the Avenger when it was sunk in 1917. He said all he got out with was his camera and I have the photos he took of the ship going down and of the men aboard the life boat.

    Felicity Podger




    204609

    Private John Henry Evans 2nd Btn. Royal West Kent Regiment

    John Henry Evans was my Grandfather but I never knew him as he died in 1935, many years before I was born. I have just found out that he was a member of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal West Kent Regiment with the release of the 1911 Military Census records and in 1911 he was based in Peshawar, India. My grandparents married at the start of WW1 while he was still a serving soldier with the 2nd Battalion, but sadly after having 5 children they both died young leaving the children orphans. If anyone has a picture of the 2nd Battalion The Royal West Kent from 1900 to the end of WW1 I would be eternally grateful as it may show my grandfather, no photo's have survived to be passed down to us.

    Julia Gander




    204606

    Cpl. Thomas Albert Crawford 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    My stretcher is one scarlet stain,

    And as I tries to scrape it clean,

    I tell you what - I'm sick of pain,

    For all I've heard, for all I've seen;

    Around me is the hellish night,

    And as the war's red rim I trace,

    I wonder if in Heaven's height

    Our God don't turn away his face.


    I don't care whose the crime may be,

    I hold no brief for kin or clan;

    I feel no hate, I only see

    As man destroys his brother man;

    I wave no flag, I only know

    As here beside the dead I wait,

    A million hearts are weighed with woe,

    A million homes are desolate.


    In dripping darkness far and near,

    All night I've sought those woeful ones.

    Dawn suddens up and still I hear

    The crimson chorus of the guns.

    Look, like a ball of blood the sun

    Hangs o'er the scene of wrath and wrong,

    "Quick! Stretcher-bearers on the run!",

    Oh Prince of Peace! How long, how long?"


    Written by Thomas Albert Crawford, my father, who served with the 15th DLI. Tommy was injured on 1st July 1916 on the Somme at Fricourt. He survived the war only to lose his wife (from cancer) and his two sons in their early 30's. Tommy re-married and had two sons, Colin and Brian. Colin died at 25 years of age and six months later in 1980 Tommy passed away. I have recently published Tommy's memoirs entitled "Tommy" available from Woodfield Publishing - all royalties go to the Commonwealth Graves Commission.

    Corporal 28695 Thomas Albert Crawford, 15th (Service) Bn. Durham Light Infantry (later Labour Corps, service no. 123884). The 15th Bn. was part of the 21st Division, which arrived in France in September 1915. The division attacked Fricourt on the 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme in which action Corporal Crawford was wounded.

    Brian Crawford




    204603

    Pte. George Collins 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.7th Jul 1916)

    I don't know about any events in his life but when I discovered that my great uncle George Collins was killed at the Battle of the Somme I was very emotional. I will try to find more relatives who I know served in both wars.

    Bernard Edge




    204602

    Sjt. Althol Williamson 6th Btn. Highland Light Infantry

    My Grandfather Althol Williamson was honourably discharged on the 30th November 1917

    He was so badly injured during one battle that his friend hitched him to a gun carriage by his kilt. He was taken back behind British Lines where he was laid out under a sheet as he was presumed dead. We have no further details on this as my grandfather died in 1965. He didn't really want to talk much about this.

    My grandfather told me that whilst he was lying on the battlefield, someone or something was moving from the bodies lying on the field and when it came to him it told him he would be aright. He said it was a bright light in the form of a man.

    He was sent home, and used to sleep between his mother and father owing to the severe shellshock

    One day he went out in London where he then lived using his crutches, he got onto a bus and sat on one of the side seats, the conductor took his crutches and put them under the stairwell. A couple of stops later a woman got on the bus, she was wearing a hat with white feathers in it, she took one of the feathers and put it in my grandfathers lapel. He did nothing, when he got to his stop the conductor gave him his crutches, he looked at the woman, my grandfather said he would never forget her face. He kept the feather in an England's Glory matchbox for many years, and told me he wished he could find that woman to give her back the feather

    He remembered waiting in the trenches with the german machine gun bullets pinging on the top of the trench. All waiting for the officer to blow the whistle knowing that as they climbed the ladder to the top of the trench some of them would be instantly killed, my grandfather told me that even with them knowing this no-one faltered and up that ladder they went.

    He was 6' 6" tall and cut himself out a special place when they were in the trenches, one day when he came back from a sortie, someone was using my grandfathers special cutout, my grandfather commented to the other soldier but he stayed in my grandfathers cutout. As my grandfather moved along the trench a shell exploded above his cutout and the occupant was killed.

    Philip A Jenkins




    204597

    Pte. Duncan Campbell Labour Corps (d.20th Oct 1918)

    Duncan Campbell was the youngest son. Two of his older brothers, Thomas and David, both also served in WWI but, although wounded, they survived. David was with the Canadian Army. I have been unable to find out in which unit Thomas served. Duncan is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery.

    Valerie Campbell Ackroyd




    204596

    Pte. Thomas Henry Willis DCM. MID. Hampshire Regiment

    Thomas Willis was my Grandfather, who never talked about the Great War. However a recent trip found me on the Zonnenbeke - Ypres road where Grandad won his DCM. When the driver of the coach announced where we were, a cold shiver went down the back of my neck and I started to sweat. I cannot account for this reaction but my wife Ann asked if I was OK. The feeling continued until we left the road.

    Grandad started his military service in the Hampshire Regt. During my boyhood he acted as my father as Dad was away during the last year of WW2 and off to Korea in 1950.

    Trevor Cooper




    204585

    Deck hand James Nicholson Lambie (d.31st Oct 1915)

    My Dad was only 7 years old at the time his brother James Lambie was lost, but even in his 91st year, still cried when he recalled the time the family were told of the loss his brother "Jimma". A survivor had recalled seeing him clinging to a piece of wood, but he was never rescued.

    Barbara Miller




    204584

    Pte. John Molyneux 6th Btn. Army Cyclists Corps (d.1th Oct 1918)

    Private Molyneux is remembered on the Broseley (Shropshire) Memorial and also on the beautifully produced Maw & Company (Jackfield) Memorial, made from their own ceramic tiles, in memory of their employees.

    Private Molyneux, although born in Staffordshire, came to live with his grandfather in Broseley, he enlisted during the war initially as 7186 with the Shropshire Light Infantry and transferred to the cyclist corps.

    Janet Doody




    204579

    Pte. Lancelot Lucien Martin Dorset Yeomanry (d.21 Aug 1915)

    Lancelot Lucien Martin, my Great Uncle, was born in 1893 in Tarrant Keyneston Dorset, son of Montague Francis and Carrie Martin, nee Voss, of Manor Farm, Handley, Salisbury. Lancelot was killed in action on 21 August 1915, aged about 22, in Turkey. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial panels 17 & 18. Private 957 Dorset Yeomanry (Queen's Own)

    Joy Reynolds




    204578

    Lance Corporal Frank Cressall 2nd Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.04 Sept 1916)

    Frank Cressall, my Great Uncle was born in 1892 in Handsworth, Birmingham, to George Cressall and Louisa Cressall, nee Leather. Frank was killed in action in the Somme, on 4 September 1916, aged about 24, He was buried in Plot 2, Row C, Grave 9, Corbie Communal Cemetery, Somme, France.

    Joy Reynolds




    204577

    Sgt. Horace Charles Ernest Knightly 15th Brigade, "A" Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Mar 1918)

    I am trying to find any information on my great uncle Horace Knightly, who died in WW1. I have no idea when he joined the army and cannot find him in the 1911 Census when he would have been about 28 (born 1883). He registered his mother's death in 1914 from an address in Hackney where he lived when he married in London in 1917.

    Any help in finding out anything at all would be greatly appreciated.

    Update: Thanks to a very helpful lady, I now know that in 1911 Horace was serving in India.

    Jean Fuller




    204572

    Cpl. Alexander Nisbet Lothians and Border Horse Yeomanry

    I am currently researching a Roll of Honour published by Lodge Canongate Kilwinning Number 2 (Edinburgh) on June 28th 1919. There are 26 names of members who died in the First World War. One of the entries is "Nisbet Alex. Corpl., Lothian and Border Horse." There are five men with that name in the CWGC web site. One of them is from Edinburgh but none of them were in the LBH or 17th Bn.Royal Scots.

    Does anyone have any information or records that will help me and the Lodge to expand the entry?

    George M Docherty




    204568

    Gnr. Stephen Powell Royal Garrison Artillery

    I'm searching for information on Stephen Powell of the RGA. Stephen was my wife's Grandfather. We know little other than he was at the Somme and mentioned Flanders. He was also gassed but survived. He was born in 1897, Longton Staffs.

    Steve




    204565

    Private William Bridges 22nd Wessex & Welsh Rifle Brigade (d.27th Jun 1918)

    William Bridges died at the age of 52 and is buried in Salonika Cemetry in Greece, grave/memorial No:1430.

    Julie Bridges




    204563

    Private Donald McKenzie 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

    Donald McKenzie was my grandfather. We have no information - just that he was a private in the 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, this was on his marriage certificate. He never talked about his experiences to his sons. We would like to find out more.

    Fiona McDonald




    204556

    Pte. Charles William Palmer 1st Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment (d.24th April 1917)

    My great grandfather, Charles Palmer, was killed in action at the Battle of Arras on 24th April 1917. I know very little about him and would like to find out as much as possible. All I know is that he enlisted in Chiswick and was resident in Gunnersbury. I have a picture of his gravestone I would really appreciate any help in finding out as much as I can about him from the regimental records, a photo would be great but I know many were destroyed.

    Malcolm Howard




    204549

    Pte. John Jefferson MM & Bar 15th battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.4th Oct 1917)

    22848 Pte John Jefferson MM&Bar Born Tudhoe Co. Durham enlisted Spennymoor Killed in action (Passchendaele) 4th 10th 1917 Award of Military Medal published London Gazette Tuesday 12/12/1916 and the Bar published London Gazette Friday 28/9/1917 Unable to gain information on why these Medals were awarded due to the fact that these records were destroyed during world war 2, I would be more than grateful if anyone out there could supply any. A very proud Grandson Thomas Jackson.

    Thomas Jackson




    204546

    Pte. George Lay 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    From Pte. G. Lay (West Yorks) to his parents at 36, Clockwell Street: “We are at present in the trenches, but we expect to be relieved on December 1st. We go back after five days rest and stay there till Christmas Day. We have each got a body shirt and a belt as a present from the Queen and the ladies of the Empire, and I can tell you we are getting well treated by the people of England … I am in the best of health and have not lost weight since I came away.”

    In another letter Pte. Lay wrote to his parents from a Glasgow hospital December 1914:

    “Just a line to let you know I am all right. I have been wounded in the back, but not badly. It was a lucky shot, but they nearly got me, as it was the back of my braces that kept me on my feet. We had a very canny trip over the channel and arrived in England about 6 o’clock on Sunday morning. I got all your birthday cards and cake and I got my shot the same day, so you will think it a rotten present indeed. I expect it will not be long before I see you all again. I will be home for Christmas and will have my pudding at home”

    In addition to above I also received the following about my father from MOD 1978: "I am to reply to your letter and in reply to state that it is recorded that 3/8157 Private George Lay, West Yorkshire Regiment, 1st Battalion, suffered Gun Shot wounds at Arras (France) on 30th April 1917."

    Robert A Lay




    204544

    Rifleman Harold Wilfred Cork

    i have a book of photographs and drawings of life in dulmen pow camp whick were left to me by mr cork when iwas a young lad

    David G Griffin




    204543

    Pte. Joseph Richardson Summerson 6th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Joseph Richardson Summerson was born 7th April 1892 at Kirk Merrington, County Durham to parents Thomas and Mary Jane, nee Richardson, at the time of his enlistment on the 28th September 1914 was living at 51 Lincoln Street, Leeholme, County Durham.

    On the 29th September 1914 he was posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion, 19th April 1915 posted to France, 26th August 1918 posted to the 15th Battalion. On the 9th Sept 1918 reported as a prisoner of war in Germany , Then on the 12th January 1919 was posted to the Depot and on the 18th April 1919 discharged.

    My grandfather was gassed during the war and was captured by the Germans and imprisoned in a forced labour camp which was Berlin Gasworks , most of the time he had to just live on potatoes as also had to eat the potato skins just to survive.

    I remember my grandfather could speak some French and would often play his harmonica,one of the story's of his time during the great was that he on one occasion slipped in to the French lines for a drink and drank schnapps with the French and would sing with them, but was caught by a commanding officer on his way back to the British lines , no mention of any disciplinary action given for this either from his story's or in his army records, so am guessing that it was not an unusual occurrence in the war at that time?

    Grandad sitting on the front row second man in on the left,stripes on his right forearm.

    I have two photos of him taken in the prisoner of war camp, on the group photo he is the second man sitting on the first row on the left hand side, second man in with the stripes on his forearm, there is a story that he was offered promotion in the ranks but later refused it as he did not want to be a higher rank to his pals, but there is no mention of this promotion in his army records? On the photo you will see that the words Berlin Gasworks is chalked on the shovel.

    The second photo is one of him with a friend and is standing on the left of the photo,don't know of a name of his friend all I do know is that he died of Pneumonia on the return trip to England?

    Second photo was taken just before he departed England for France in 1915, story goes that he and a few others got soaked in the rain that day and decided to get their photo taken before they boarded the ship?

    This picture is the Roll Of Honour that mentions my grandfather and is for the men of Coundon and Leeholme, that fought in the Great War, the men listed with stars along with the names are ones that died in service, this Roll of Honour hangs in the entrance to Coundon Workingman's Club, Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, Durham.

    Colin Summerson




    204537

    Sjt. Robert Laughton Harper MM. 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

    Robert Harper was my uncle whom I never met, he having died in 1920 from the effects of gas during WW1. He won the Military Medal and I would like to know what he did to deserve this award.

    Donald Harper




    204536

    " "

    I have lived in Warrenpoint County Down, Northern Ireland for the great majority of my life, I am now 60, and I have always been fascinated by ww1. Because of the political situation here in the North of Ireland,people like my self with a nationalist background, were urged not to look to closely at Irish soldiers participation in ww1. We were told only people from the unionist/loyalist persuasion fought for Britain, which was a damn lie. To cut to the chase I am trying to compile a list of all the men,and women, regardless of class,creed or political affiliation, from the town of Warrenpoint who participated in this terrible conflict.

    There are lists of the fallen, and survivors in all the local Non-Conforming Churches, and these I have in my possession. There are no official records of the Catholic/Nationalist men who were killed or survived. It is as if that piece of our history does not, or never existed.

    Ultimately I would like to attempt to correct that piece of amnesia, I would dearly love to see a list of all the men's names on a plaque in the local Town Hall.

    For the last few years I have been visiting the local libraries and newspaper archives, trying to get as much information as I possibly can. I would appreciate any pointers you can give me, or any web sites, books, that may help me in my quest.

    Hugh B. Heatley




    204535

    Sergeant Frederick Charles Dixon 12th Btn. The Rifle Brigade (d.9th Sep 1915)

    Frederick Charles Dixon was born on January 7th 1882 at 18 Bramley Terrace, Wells Lane, Streatham. The 1891 census puts him as a scholar living at 135 Wellfield Road, Wandsworth. 1901 has him living at 116, Wellfield Road, Streatham employed as a Tramway Employment, Night Washer. By 1915, he is Head gardener at Avery Hill Park in South London.

    It is not surprising that he became a gardener. His father Peter Dixon, is described as a gardener all through his life from 1861 as an 18 year old to 1901 when he was working as a gardener ‘on his own account’. He is described as a retired gardener on the marriage certificate of Florence and Frederick. Frederick’s mother was Eliza Roberts who was born in Bangor, North Wales.

    Florence was known to everybody as Fiddy - she was born on 28th May 1889 and would have been just 19 when she & Frederick got married on 2nd July 1908 in The Registry Office of Dartford District, although her age is given as 21 on the certificate.

    Frederick must have been amongst the first volunteers to answer Kitcheners call on August 7th 1914 for ‘100,000 men to join your Army’. Up to 33,000 men per day volunteered; 3 million in the first 2 years of the war, which caused major shortages of guns, ammunition and equipment.

    The 12th Rifle Brigade was formed at Winchester in September 1914, moved to Blackgang, going on in February to Witley and then in April to Larkhill.

    On July 21st 1915 they landed in France at Boulogne. On this date Frederick had two daughters at home – Violet aged 6 years and Doris who would have been 5 years old later that week.

    On 5th Sep 1915, Frederick was wounded near Laventie. He must have been moved through casualty clearing to the rear, as on 9th Sep, he died of his wounds and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Commonwealth War Graves cemetery.

    S/123 Sergeant Frederick Charles Dixon, 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own), Born - Streatham, Surrey, Enlisted - Marylebone, Middx. Residence - Sidcup, Kent.

    Son of Peter and Elizabeth Dixon, of 112 Wellfield Rd, Streatham, London Husband of Florence Catherine Dixon, of 25 Wingfield Place, Halfway Street, Sidcup, Kent.

    Died of wounds 09/09/1915 Buried, Boulogne Eastern Cemetery - Grave Reference: VIII.B.77

    Tim Smith




    204532

    Pte. William Thomas Royle 4th Btn. (d.23 March 1918)

    William Thomas Royle was born in Rochdale in 1891. In 1911 he married Mary Ann Hall from Blackburn. Billy and Polly, as they were known, settled in Blackburn and had three daughters Elizabeth (Betty), Jane (Jenny) and Sarah (Sally).

    When the First World War broke out, Billy was working as a painter's labourer. As family members, friends and colleagues signed up as volunteers Billy said he was not going to fight until he had to because he had a wife and three children to care for.

    One day, opening his lunch box at work, Billy found a white feather. White feathers were given to men, mostly by women, as a sign of their cowardice in not joining up. Originally given by society women to their better off boyfriends when they wanted to get rid of them, the practise was adopted around the country by other classes. Some men actually started wearing badges stating that they were in reserved occupations to avoid being presented with the white feather. On his way home from work that day Billy went to Canterbury St Barracks in Blackburn, signed up and went home to announce what he had done.

    Billy was a member of the 4th Battalion East Lancs Regiment. In early 1918 he came home on leave. When he had left home to return to Barracks at Colchester, Polly noticed he had left his dogtag on the windowsill. Bill's brother in law, who was returning to Colchester the next day said he would take it with him. When he arrived in Colchester, Billy had gone, posted overseas.

    On March 23rd 1918, in the early hours of the morning, the 4th Battalion East Lancs Regiment was in the trenches of the Somme, waiting for the order to go over the top. Billy, as lookout was one of the first to go. Billy was killed as he went on the offensive, his body was never identified and he remains missing to this day. Billy is commemorated on the memorial to the missing at Pozieres in Northern France

    At the end of the war, when the soldiers returned to parade through Blackburn, Polly went along with her mother Sarah. She saw a soldier, who from behind she thought was her Billy. He was Walter Peace and Polly later married him

    His story was told to me by his daughter Jane, who was my grandma, and by my great-gran Polly.

    Julie Aspin




    204531

    Rifleman William James Robinson 8th Battalion, C Coy. The Rifle Brigade (d.15th Sept 1916)

    Rifleman Z/1227 William James Robinson, 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade, “C” Company is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial face 16B/16C

    He was killed, on 15th September 1916 at the battle of Flers and Courcellete. It is likely he was killed by German enfilade fire from Pint Trench as the Battalion attacked Flers from the rear of Delville Wood as they advanced out of Brown Trench.

    William was born on 6th June 1895 in Birmingham, the eldest son of William James Robinson (b.1871) and Georgina Robinson (b.1876). Before enlisting he lived with his parents and brothers and sisters; Nellie (b.1896), Albert (b.1899), Elsie (b.1904), Rose (b.1907) and George (b.1910) and Edna (b 1913). The family home was a back-to-back house in Edgbaston, Birmingham. The house had a kitchen/living room, a bedroom and an attic. William’s occupation at 15, listed on the 1911 Census return was Capstan Operator. He lived in the same house all of his short life.

    William became one of the many soldiers known as ‘Kitchener’s New Army’ that were used to fill the ranks when after the British standing Army and Reservists “The Old Contemptibles” were decimated in the first few months of the War.

    He was among the early volunteers enlisting after the declaration of war in August 1914. This is indicated by the “Z” prefix to his service number. The “Z” Prefix was used by the Rifle Brigade for Special Reservists signing up for a period of three years and was only used for about 1 month. All the men with “Z” prefixes enlisted in late August 1914 to mid September 1914 and numbered just short of 3000.

    At the time of his enlistment he would still have had the choice of regiments to serve in, so he actually chose to join the Rifle Brigade. The 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade was part of the 14th (Light) Division. The Division was called Light as it contained all Light Infantry battalions such as the Rifle Brigade and the Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

    His 1914-15 Star Roll shows that he entered theatre on the 9/8/15. Before then it is likely he was training or at the depot of the 5th or 6th Rifle Brigade in the Isle of Sheppey. These training and feeder battalions were also used as the north River Thames Garrison on Guard duty.

    Unfortunately, his record, where his destination in France would have been listed, has not survived. However, it is possible he would have gone to an Infantry Base Depot in France (most likely the 47th at Havre) and then from there would have been posted to the 8th Rifle Brigade.

    His record would also have recorded the exact date that he arrived with the 8th Battalion in the field. However, there were drafts of men who joined the 8th to reinforce after the Battle of Hooge, on the following days:-

    110 draft - 9/8/1915, 50 draft - 14/8/1915, 67 draft - 22/8/1915

    It is very unlikely but possible that he joined with the 9/8/1915 draft. It is more likely he joined with the 14/8/1915 or 22/8/1915 drafts of men, which probably meant he was at the 47th Infantry Brigade Depot at Havre for a couple of days before being posted to the 8th Rifle Brigade.

    The Battalion war diaries show that he served in and around the Ypres/Arras and Poperinge areas before moving down to the Somme area just before the battle of Flers and on the 15th September 1916.

    According to Trevor Pidgeon (Flers & Gueudecourt 2002), the men of the 14 Division (of which the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade were part) were deployed along the Longueval-Ginchy road and out into the fields north of Delville Wood. The area was called the Brewery so-called because of the trench names Beer, Ale, Hop, Lager, Stout, Bitter, Pilsen, Pint, Porter and VAT. Many of these trenches were still held by the Germans so that when the British advanced they would be superb enfilade targets for the German machine gun and rifle fire.

    The leading troops at zero hour were to be the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade and the 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. William’s Company (Company “C”) was in Brown Trench. At zero hour the Company was to advance in a north easterly direction towards Flers.

    According to the war diaries of the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade, there was an intense bombardment at zero hour (6.20 a.m.). The battalion moved forward under the barrage. For the first 150 yards casualties were reasonably light, however in the next 200 yards they came under heavy fire and the casualties were very high. This was mainly due to heavy fire from Pint Trench. It is likely but not certain that William was killed during that fateful 200 yards. The Battalion did continue its advance and by around 7.00 a.m. had captured its objective, Switch Trench, but in doing so encountered formidable resistance involving fierce hand to hand fighting, so he may have been killed there.

    Captain S. J. Worsley, D.S.O., M.C. describes the fighting around Delville Wood as follows:-

    Every semblance of a trench seemed full of dead-sodden, squelchy, swollen bodies. Fortunately the blackening faces were invisible except when Verey lights lit up the indescribable scene. Not a tree stood whole in that wood. Several, including myself, had dysentery, and that in a ghastly battered trench with no prospect of medical attention. After all, we stood and lay on putrefying bodies and the wonder was that the disease did not finish off what the shells of the enemy had started. There was hand-to-hand fighting with knives, bombs, and bayonets; cursing and brutality on both sides such as men can be responsible for when it is a question of "your life or mine"; mud and filthy stench; dysentery and unattended wounds; shortage of food and water and ammunition.

    From an historic point of view the attack was the very first to see the use of the new ‘tanks’ in combat. The Rifle Brigade was to be protected by Tank D1, commanded by Captain Harold Mortimore. Although the tank was able to clear the Brewery Trench, it was early on hit by a shell which put it out of action. William’s Company (“C”) were within a hundred yards or so of the tank.

    It has not been possible to discover exactly how he died, by bullet, shell, grenade or hand to hand fighting. However, following his death, some personal possessions were returned to his parents. So at some point I assume there must have been an identifiable body (which it is always possible was buried in a makeshift grave). But as his death is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing, then the body or possibly grave must have subsequently been destroyed.

    William James Robinson like the millions of other young men of his generation lived, fought and died in conditions so horrendous that we can scarcely comprehend. His sacrifice will be remembered in perpetuity by a grateful family. His body lies somewhere in that corner of a foreign field that will be forever England.

    Malcolm Robinson




    204524

    William Roxbourgh Ayrshire Yeomanry

    I have a question did the Ayrshire Yeomanry have a tartan that was specific to their unit? My Great grandfather William Roxbourgh was in that unit in World War 1. He lived in Ayr and was at one time the Harbourmaster in Ayr. Anything would be appreciated.

    Donald Stewart Landies




    204523

    Captain Thomas Erskine Wardle DSO HMS Alcantara

    Thomas Wardle was my 2nd cousin twice removed, which although seems quite a distant relation, he and my father were very close. He was the officer commanding when the Alcantara was sunk by SMS Greif. He was awarded the DSO for his actions, but some stories say that it was bad seamanship and good luck that bought about the demise of the Greif. The loss of the Alcantara was hushed up, so Thomas was made into a hero.

    Thomas was promoted and attached to the Australian squadron for nearly 2 years, and was also attached to the Greek Navy for some time. He was an Admiral by this time, but I'm not sure if this was an honorary rank. I am still trying to research this. On King George's birthday honours list 1926 he was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath. I do have a photo of him which I will send at a later date

    Shelley Dimmer




    204520

    L/Cpl. Harold George Boland 2nd Btn South Lancashire Regiment

    I am trying to find information about my Grandfather, George Harold Boland, he was killed in France, His name is on a monument in Arras. Any information would be greatly appreciated

    Update: CWGC Lists George Harold Boland as being killed 20th Sept 1914 who is remembered on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, which commemorates nearly 4,000 officers and men of the British Expeditionary Force who died in August, September and the early part of October 1914 and who have no known grave.

    Gordon G Boland




    204519

    Pte. Charles Francis Royal Garrison Artillery

    Charles Francis was my grandfather, he served with the RGA and I am trying to trace him for my mother. She was born in 1920. She is the only offspring of Charles Francis and Margaret Annie Kennedy who were married at Mablethorpe in April 1920.

    Robert Smith




    204517

    2nd Lt. William James Knox Bell M.C 9th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.5th Apr 1918)

    I am trying to obtain more information on William James Knox Nell, whose name appears on our village War Memorial in Orton. The CWGC says that he was Second Lieutenant in 9th Seige Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery and his parents were apparently of Ashbrook, Coltraine. Nothing else is known about him in our small village of Orton in Cumbria. Can anyone help, please?

    Mary Jenkin




    204516

    Shoeing Smith Gunner Robert Wallett 112th Brigade. "A" Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.19th Sept 1918)

    I am trying to find a bit more about this particular relative of mine, Robert Wallett. I know when he was born and when he died but little of the short life in between other than he obviously took up the family trait of "Smithying" and this skill was utilised by the Army. This is probably a stab in the dark but the usual avenues of enquiry have proved fruitless, I have been researching my family tree for some time, as is probably the case with tens of thousands of people everywhere there is more than one or two sad endings to young live's attributed to the various conflicts of the 20th Century and none more so than "World War One". Any help would be appreciated.

    Ian Cunningham




    204515

    Pte. Arthur Edward Earl 2nd Btn, 'A' Company Norfolk Regiment

    My father, Arthur Earl, enlisted aged 18 with the Norfolks in 1915, serving with the 7th & 2nd Btns, in France until the end of the WW1 war. Being wounded by gunshot on two separate occasions and then went on to serve in Waziristan and Pakistan and was discharged in 1927.

    He vary rarely mentioned the war to me, only saying that he served in the Indian region and how he played football against the locals, who did not wear boots and when the football bladder burst how they used to play on with the ball stuffed with straw. It is only this week that I have found out that he served in France, although he did say once that he used a machine gun during the war. Dad died at the age of 72 in 1969.

    Ron Earl




    204514

    Sgt. G. Doors Royal Army Medical Corps

    I have just bought a pair of rather movingly hand-made trench art coffee pots from a charity shop. The main body’s of each are German shell cases, both dated 1917, the handles appear to be brass coolant tubes and the lids of each are mounted with three bullets. Both coffee pots carry roughly the same hand engraved inscription:

    Sgt Doors G, RAMC

    France 1914,15,16,17,18

    Italy 1918

    I would love to know more about this man who had such an apparently long service record, where he served and what he was doing in Italy, I would guess after the war, when he made these.

    Any information that could add the personal story to these stirring relics of the war would be very gratefully received.

    Steve Harper




    204512

    Pte. Arthur Turner 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (d.29th Nov 1915)

    Arthur Turner was my Grandfather, I always knew that he died in the Great War, but like most people, questions are never asked from those who have now died, and would have provided lots of information if I had only taken the time to ask when they were still with us. Take his wife, Margaret, my grand-mother who died just 3 weeks before her 100th birthday. I always knew that my grandfather had medals, and it is these that I have now been given from a member of the family who found them at the back of a drawer and this is how I got hold of his service number.

    What I would really like to know, if anyone can help, is if there are any photo's in some archives,of the 6th Battalion regiment, because my grandfather just might be one of them.

    Lorraine Tattersall




    204511

    Pte. Joseph Bryant 2nd/8th Btn. (d.10th Aug 1917)

    Joseph Bryant was born in Moonee Ponds which is in Victoria, Australia, in 1895 he joined the Lancashire Fusiliers in England. He was injured in 1917 and sent to the hospital in le Treport, he died there on the 10/08/1917 of his wounds. He is buried in the Mont Huon Military Cemetery.

    Kathy Rawsthorne




    204510

    Cpl. George Henry Collins 26th (Tynside Irish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Nov 1916)

    I am looking for any information at all on my Great Uncle George Collins. There is a Supplementary Note that he was Formerly 18188 West Riding Regt from CWGC but I believe his records were lost in a fire. Any help will be greatly appreciated

    James Collins




    204507

    Pte. Montague William "Br" Christopher 11th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

    Just another name in a foreign field who left a wife and small children and whose memories died with them. You are still remembered by those who followed many tears later.

    Bob Frost




    204505

    Pte. James Harold Parish 11th Btn Royal West Kent Regiment (d.1st Aug 1917)

    James Parish was my Great Uncle and the second eldest of a family of 12 children. He joined the Queens Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) in Bury St Edmunds in probably 1916. He was killed in action on 1 August, 1917 and buried at Bedford House Cemetery. He was in his 30s when he was killed and was single. I am trying to research his war service and to find a picture of him. He was a miller by trade, although his family were mainly farmers.

    Swavesey is a small village eight miles from Cambridge on the busy A14. It paid a heavy price in the Great War, losing many young men. Any information regarding James's service would be very welcome

    Linda Parish




    204502

    2nd Lieut Lewis John Dalgliesh Butt 16th (Service) Bn. The Rifle Brigade (d.4th Jul 1916)

    I would like more information on 2nd Lt Butt, who I am currently researching. He was the son of The Revd. Canon G.H.Butt and I have letters he sent from the trenches to his wife Marian Ida Butt.

    He joined the 16th (Service) Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (St Pancras)in late 1914/early 1915. He was promoted to 2nd Lieut on the 21st October 1915 and sent to France on 8th March 1916.

    He met up with his brother Captain Harry A. Butt of the Gloucestershire Regt. in France in May 1916 as he was stationed nearby. Unfortunately Harry was killed a couple of weeks later on 8th June which Lewis probably never knew about. Lewis was killed on 4th July 1916 and is buried at Le Touret, Northern France not far from Harry's final resting place.

    Andrew Weal




    204499

    Dvr. William Robert Harvie 28th Highland (Howitzer) Division Royal Field Artillery

    I am attempting to trace my family tree. My paternal grandfather, William Harvie, was a Driver with the 28th Highland (Howitzer) Division, RFA in WW1 and was injured on a number of occasions, finally being critically injured just before Armistice Day. Following amputation, he was apparently transferred to Stobhill and remained there for quite some time. I am very keen to find out information regarding his posting in France and his subsequent injuries for two reasons. I am taking my father to France to visit the Western Front at the end of June and would love to know where he was posted but have absolutely no idea where to start.

    Secondly, I am a Registered Nurse who trained at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and became a serving Officer within the RAF. On leaving the forces I worked at Stobhill for at least a decade and knew my Grandpa had been admitted at some point but was never able to find any information. I would dearly love to know the true extent of his injuries, suffering and subsequent treatment.

    He did not talk of this when I was younger but his injuries were extremely evident and he must have suffered greatly. He was issued, on one occasion, with Army Form B104-80A for receipt of gunshot wound to left thigh and left hand (severe). His final injury necessitated a Right Above Knee Amputation, plastic surgery to his face and ear, the surgeon was, apparently, Mr McIndoe. He was sent to Stobhill following his amputation - although due to his critical injury, the operation had to be delayed for 3 days. (This was learnt via a letter to his mother).

    He was a loving and caring man who suffered greatly, initially and chronically, as did so many hundreds of thousands, too few nowadays do not always appreciate. I would be grateful for any advice.

    Jane Morrison




    204498

    Lt Cdr. Ernest Kirkbank Irving DSC, MID. HMS Bittern

    I have the medals of Lt Cmdr Irving. He was the Captain of the HMS Bittern, a destroyer. He had an injury a few hours before the Bittern sailed and he went ashore for medical care, his second in command took the ship out and the ship was hit and sank by the SS Kenilworth Castle 12,700 tons. All lives where lost as it was a very heavy sea that night. The Captain was a very lucky man.

    He was was an Captain in the Merchant Navy with an Extra Masters Certificate before also getting a commission in the RNR in 1909. He regularly sailed from Liverpool to Sydney on the White Star Line ships Runic and Celtic.

    Tony Schueller




    204497

    Cpl George Costall MM Welch Fusiliers

    George Costal attested into the British Army on 12 Aug 1904. During World War One he was a corporal with the Royal Welsh Fusilliers, service number 8458. He was wounded and discharged from the army as a result of injuries on 17 Jul 1917. He was awarded the Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Information from the Medal Index Card (The National Archive, London)

    Susan




    204496

    Gnr. James Worsnip 395th Siege Battery, B3 Royal Garrison Artillery

    James Worsnip was in the English Artillery Group in Italy. I have a certificate from the Italian Army which awards him with a decoration, It is dated 4 October 1917 and signed by the commandant of the regiment - E. Picconey. I would like to know more about this as he was my grandfather. From Italy he was sent to Mesopotamia in October 1917 and was there at the end of the War.

    Barbara Charlton




    204494

    Frank Meredith Flintshire and Denbighshire Yeomanry

    My Grandfather, Frank Meredith, was a member of the Denbighshire Yeomanary. He fought in Egypt in about 1916/17, not too sure as my Dad was only 12 when his Dad died, he just remembers the two horses frank's father bought him as my father has followed in his footsteps with the equine interest,as i have. We do have pics of Frank in uniform, and have a curb chain off the bridle,and only one spur off his boots!

    vivien meredith




    204490

    Private James Lafferty 1/1st Lothian and Borders Horse (d.31st Dec 1918)

    All I can tell you is that James Lafferty was my mother's great uncle, who went through the whole war and was stationed in Solonaka in Greece and died on the 31st Decmber 1918 of Phuemonia aged just 23. What I can gather is a lot of soldiers over there at that time died from various ilnesses

    Stephen wright




    204487

    Private Prospero "Charlie" Novembrino Manchester Regiment

    My Grandfather was an Italian migrant from Genoa. he ran away to sea when he was 12 years old and sailed to New York as a Cabin Boy on a huge Steamer, Eventually he attended San Remo Cooking Academy. His profession in England was Chef and he worked at the Grand Hotel in Manchester. He Married Alice Maude Carroll of Hume, Manchester. His nickname was Charlie because he looked like Charlie Chaplin. He was 3 years younger than Alice Maude and was a lodger in her Mother's House. Te local parish priest placed him in that house because Alice was of an Age to marry. Alice died in 1951 at the age of 64. She was 28 and Grandad was 25 when they wed. He enlisted in the Manchester Regiment and served in France in 1915? He was shot in the groin and was operated on in a field hospital by a captured german surgeon. When he recovered from his wound he was seconded to cook for the Officers. He eventually came home in 1919. Charlie returned from the war and had a Daughter to his adored wife Alice who was my mother Sheila Novembino. He always walked with a limp and sported a walking cane. He always told us when rain was coming because his war wound used to cause him pain.

    Alison Donohue




    204480

    Lt. Col. Dr. Edward William Kidd No. 3 AMC Depot Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps

    Dr. Edward William Kidd was a 60 year old physician, who was working in Trenton, Ontario up until July 15, 1915 when he decided to help out overseas during WW1. Edward graduated from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. Although he was quite old to be volunteering for war activity, he joined the No. 7 Canadian Hospital Queens. His military records indicate that he had served in the Canadian Militia 25 years as as Medical Officer of the 16th Regiment and the 4th, although there is no other reference to this in our family history. (He was the Mayor of Trenton for several years). Our family has an original photo of The No. 7 Canadian General Hospital Queens - the same one as on your website.

    Jane Minden




    204479

    Private Henry Edward Brain D Squadron Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars

    Harry Brain enlisted in the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars in 1910 yet his war service started on 20th April 1915 when he landed in Egypt whilst attached to the Corps of Hussars. He had a younger brother Albert who was sadly killed on 21st November 1914 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Harry returned from Egypt some time in 1916 as he is recorded as joining the QOOH in April 1916.The QOOH was split into 3 line units. The 1/1st, which went to France, and the 2/1st and 3/1st which remained in the UK. He must have been attached to the 2/1st or 3/1st unit at this time. The Yeomanry 2nd and 3rd line units were constantly called on to provide drafts for overseas reinforcements and, in fact, all fit officers and men were eventually posted abroad. This must have happened to Harry when he went to France in December 1916. The regiment was in Vaulx in France in December 1916. The regiment served in Arras, Gillemont Farm and Cambrai areas during the period that Harry was with them.

    Harry’s service ended on 23rd March 1918 when he was wounded East of Noyon in the Battle of St Quentin during the Kaiserschlacht, Germany’s last great gamble to win the war. His son, my father (Bill) told me that Harry was wounded in the leg and the bullet was never removed. The Battle of St Quentin was a costly one for the QOOH. 4 officers were wounded, 19 OR’s (Other Ranks) killed or died of wounds and 46 OR’s wounded. Harry’s movements after being wounded are not known. What is known is that there was a Casualty Clearing Station (C.C.S No.46) in Noyon from 4th February 1918 to 28th March 1918). He may have passed through this C.C.S. Also, for part of his treatment he was in a military hospital in Grimsbury in Banbury. Harry was discharged from service on 22nd February 1919

    Keith Brain




    204477

    L/sgt Andrew Charles "Mac" McIver 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    From his service records, I have discovered that my grandfather Andrew Charles McIver initially joined the special reserves at the age of 17, ( No 400700 ). After a few months he reached the age of 18 and joined the Durham Light Infantry, ( No 11555 ), and I believe, posted to Colchester for training with the 3rd Battalion. He was posted to France in May or June 1915 to join the 2nd battalion DLI, where, on the 8th August he received a bayonet wound at the "Hooge". He was sent to the 5th northern hospital in Leicester for treatment until Dec 1916 when he posted back to France. Between this posting date and Mar 1917 he was gassed and once again returned to England but only until May 1917 when he was returned to France but I am unsure if he was still part of the DLI or he had at this point was in the 798 area employment coy. Its very difficult to decipher the service records as they are very faint and damaged, I do however know that in May 1919 he was a stretcher bearer at the Windmill camp in Boulogne from an order slip that he kept that is now 90 years old. On his discharge he was serving as a L/sgt with the West Yorkshire Regiment at the Northern command discharge centre in Ripon. Grandad very rarely spoke of his time in WW1 so its only by the aid of various wesites, mostly unreadable records and the DLI museum that this part of his life can be recorded and remembered.

    The only story that he ever related to me was that at some time he was a "runner" between trenches. On carrying a message to his officer he was slightly wounded in the leg, when entering the command post his officer glared at him and ask " why are you not standing straight man", "I've been injured in the leg sir, sorry sir", grandad replied, with that the officer moved over to him and proceeded to cut open his trouser leg, with this grandad got very aggitated, " stay still, whats wrong with you man?" the officer growled, "Its the other leg sir", said poor grandad. He went two days with a racy split in his trouser leg.

    D Coldrake




    201435

    Charles "Skin" Jackson Royal Artillery

    I am trying to find more info on my grandfather Charles Jackson. He was gassed and sent back to England to get better which he duly did. However after a night in the pub and a scuffle with 2 policemen who whilst he was drunk insisted my grandfather rode his bike home. As in the day it was illegal to walk a bike on the pavement. Anyway he was charged and given a choice 4 months in jail or go back to the front line. He went back and served in the Royal Artilery. A shell went off and he back again in hospital. He survived the war and lived till he was 80. I am trying to find his hospital records. Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to give. Kind regards Alan

    Alan Jackson




    201188

    Gunner Thomas Frederick "Pick" Lawton 45 &138 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Thomas Lawton, enlisted in the Army at Grange Road Middlesbrough on 9/10/11 when he was aged 18 years & 6months He Trained at Newhaven & was posted to Bermuda from 14/11/12 to 14/11/14. Then he went to to France aboard the SS. Oratava. His brothers James & George are named on Thomas' Military history sheet as next of Kin They both served with the Royal Navy, James Henry Lawton for 22 years 1900 - 1922 and George Robert Lawton served 15 years from 1904 to 1919.

    Jon.L.Lawton




    198293

    Private Frederick Hele Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    My grandfather Fred Hele was in the KRRC in 1915 as i have a photo of him in his uniform with his wife and young son who was a baby at the time. He was born on 11th December 1886. His medal card also shows he was awarded a Silver War Badge (SWB)List M/1410 which i think i still have at least i have two SWB both with different reference numbers on, so one could be his. I don't know if you can help but i am trying to find out why he was given the SWB but do not know which Battalion/Unit he was in. If I can find this out then I may be able to unravel his story through War Diaries. Would you know where i may be able to find out which Battalion/unit he fought with. Many thanks for any help you can give. John Hele

    John Hele




    197387

    Pte. Arthur McWhirter D Company, 15th Btn Highland Light Infantry

    Found a few photos and wanted to add some history to them

    Anne Michaels




    196346

    Gunner Henry Clarke 103rd TR Battalion Royal Garrison Artillery

    Sorry I was wondering if you had any pictures of the Guns he may have used during WW1? I know he was based at Dover. His Regimental number was I think 191913. If you can help it would be fantastic.

    Ian Clarke




    195120

    Rifleman Alexander E R Hirst 1st/6th Bn. London Regiment (City of London Rifles) (d.15th Sep 1916)

    Alexander Hirst was my wife's maternal Grandfather. He worked for the Gas Company in the Old Kent Road,London as a gas fitter. A neighbour threatened to report him to the Gas Company for "moonlighting" which in those days may well have led to his dismissal, so he volunteered to join the Army and was sent off to France where he died during one of the Battles of the Somme. Ironically, with a wife, 2 children and another baby on the way, he was probably unlikely to have been called up! His name appeared on the Roll of Honour displayed by the Gas Company at their premises in the Old Kent Road, but no-one seems to know what happened to it. Perhaps your contributors or readers might be able to help?

    Ken Cook




    194247

    Pte. Benjamin Dodds Durham Light Infantry (d.30th Dec 1915)

    This information was given to me by my Cousin to whom I am most grateful

    Pamela White




    194136

    Private James Broad 11th Bn Suffolk Regiment (d.17th Nov 1918)

    I am contacting you to let you know that my Grandfather is listed on a Memorial wall at what was called the Royal Northern Hospital in Islington North London. I have often wondered why my Grandfather who lived in London all his life ended up serving in the Suffolk Regiment.He is buried in Mont Huon cemetery in Le Treport France.

    Phillippa




    193537

    Able Seaman Edward William Chamberlain Hawke Btn. (d.28th August 1918)

    died at 29th clearing station age 21

    Helen Moye




    192749

    Sergeant John Heywood Lancashire Fusiliers (d.27 Apr 1916)

    John "Jack" Heywood was married to my Grandmother's sister, Elizabeth Alice Clough. The following is the text of an undated newspaper clipping describing his death: "Killed by a Sniper" "The death in action is announced of Sergt. John Heywood, Lancashire Fusiliers. He leaves a wife and seven children, who live at 75 Gate st, Bolton. News of the casualty is conveyed in a letter from Capt. J.C. Metcalfe of the same regiment, who writes -- "I cannot tell you how exceedingly sorry I am at the death of your husband. He has been under me ever since the regiment was formed, and I have always liked him and had the greatest confidence in him. He was always cheerful and in times of difficulty showed what he was really worth." A message was also received from a comrade who states that Heywood was shot through the mouth by sniper on April 27th. The deceased soldier, who had previously served 13 years in the army, fought in the Soudan, South African and Boer wars, and holds medals for each. He re-enlisted in September, 1914, and after training a number of recruits at Salisbury Plains, Aldershot, and Codford, he went to the front in September, 1915. Prior to enlisting he was employed by Mr. W. Cunliffe, contractor, Deane-rd. He was very well known in the Deane-rd district and is on the Roll of Honour at the Savior's Church."

    Rebecca O. Hill




    192684

    Lance Corporal Joseph Henry Hills MM and 2 Clasps 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

    My Grandfather was an orphan and went straight from the orphanage to the army. He was born in 1898 and was therefore to young to fight at the beginning of the war. I do not know very much about his active service other than the dates of his citations for the Military Medal. The first was 21st October 1918, the second was 13th March 1919 and the last was on the 17th June 1919. I believe that the last was awarded for action with the BEF in Archangel fighting for the White Russians. I believe that my Grandfather is the only member of the Royal Scots Fusiliers to have been awarded 2 clasps to the Military Medal.

    Alan Wild




    192582

    Petty Officer Stephen Henry Lawrence Macey Belgian Croix de Guerre HMS Minotaur

    Looking for informationm





    191620

    Driver Peter McGuiggan C Btty, 78 Bde. Royal Field Artillery (d.19th Apr. 1917)

    TWO GEORDIES AND A WELSHMAN. Lying in the military cemetery at Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines are three headstones of soldiers of "C" Battery of the 78th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, all members of the same gun team, who were killed outright on the night of the 19th April 1917. In the middle is Driver Peter McGuiggan, aged 26 and on either side of him are Gunner James E. Martin, aged 34 and Gunner Albert Seymour Lloyd MM, aged 23 The War Diary of the 78th Brigade records that the Brigade was positioned at Monchy in foul weather and under constant barrage. All three were killed instantly when their gun recieved a direct hit from enemy shelling during the night of the 19th April 1917. Driver Peter McGuiggan had been a miner in Gateshead. In fact a putter and was therefore accoustomed to working with horses. In the RFA he became a driver (of horses) and would have ridden one of the pair of horses making up the six horse team that carried the guns into action. He was married and had two small boys. Gunner James E. Martin came from Chester-le-stret in County Durham and I unfortunately know little of his pre-war life or occupation. Gunner Albert Seymour Lloyd was prior to the war an apprentice in Pembroke Dockyard. His father was an Alderman of that town. The lie togethe these three comrades, two geordies and a welsheman.

    John McGuiggan




    191147

    Gunner George Henry Saunders 4053 1st Division Royal Field Artillery

    Trying to find out where he was in the war for a friend of mine who has not got the internet.

    Neal Anderton




    190650

    Pte. William Henry Cooper 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.12th Apr 1918)

    William was 36 years old when he was killed, his name is remembered at the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. He left a widow Charlotte and two children. William was killed in the Spring offensive near or at Vieux Berquin on the 12th April 1918.

    James Cooper




    188610

    L/Cpl. Albert Henry Garnett North Irish Horse

    I have some photos of my Uncle Albert Garnett and recently a research archivist in England has finally identified the cap badge. It appears that when he left England for the Western Front he was seconded to the North Irish Horse. Due to missing records we are unable to determine which year he joined up, but in 1914 he was only 15 years old so perhaps it was later in the war.

    Michael Garnett




    188296

    Pte. William James McKibben Royal Irish Rifles

    William McKibben and his brother John, both served with the Royal Irish Rifles.





    188294

    Cpl. John Hill McKibben 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.9th May 1915)

    I have only just discovered my long lost relative, John McKibben. At the moment all I know is that he was 22 when he died, and his name is on panel 9 Ploegsteert Memorial. His parents were James and Mary of 47 Robert Street Newtownards.

    Pat Gallon




    187925

    Gnr. Arthur Hills "K" Anti-Aircraft Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.17th Oct 1918)

    Arthur Hills died on 17th Oct 1918 aged 31. I have a card of him with an unknown female, with the writing on the back, to Mary with love dated 02/03/18. I would be interested in any further information





    187819

    Pte. Andrew H. "Dan" Rule MM. 1st/4th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.17th Sep 1918)

    Private Andrew H. Rule was in the Machine Gun Section of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, 1st/4th Battalion. He was reported killed in action on 17th September 1918. He was the third son of the late Robert Rule and of Mrs. Rule, Hawick, and the grandson of the late John Rule, Inspector of Poor. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field.

    Private Rule's uncle, Private Harry Rule, was lost at sea on 1st January 1917 when SS Ivernia was torpedoed and sunk near Cape Matapan, Greece.

    Wilma G. Rule




    187813

    Pte. Harry L. Rule HQ 52nd Lowland Division Army Service Corps (d.1st Jan 1917)

    My late Grandfather, Private Harry L. Rule was born in Hawick, Scotland. He was the son of Mr John Rule, Inspector of Poor, and Mrs. Rule. Private Rule died at sea, aged 41, on 1st January 1917 when SS Ivernia was torpedoed and sunk near Cape Matapan, Greece, by German submarine UB-47. 121 lives were lost when the ship went down. Private Rule left a widow, Elizabeth, and three young children, John, Jim and Janet. His name is recorded on the Mikra Memorial, Kalamaria, Greece.

    Wilma G. Rule




    187367

    Michael Donnelly 3rd Battalion, E Company. Connaught Rangers

    Michael Donnelly was my grandfather, whom I never met. Indeed, my own father only knew him for a short time as Michael died around 1932, when my father was about 3 years of age. According to what we do know about Michael, he allegedly drove the "chuck wagon" (food service) and served on the front lines during the Battle of the Somme. He was gassed during that battle which, eventually, led to a declined health and subsequent early death.

    Patricia Donnelly




    187234

    Rfm. Edward Thomas Selby 7th Battalion, C Coy Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consorts Own) (d.4th June 1917)

    Thomas Selby died of wounds in hospital at Le Treport, he was 34 years old. R I P.

    Nelia




    185828

    Group Capt. Hugh Caswell Tremenheere "Stuffy" Dowding

    My Stepfather, Hugh Dowding, was educated at his father's preparatory school at Moffat and then Winchester, after which he entered the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich in 1899. Failing to gain a commission in the Royal Engineers, he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery, being posted to Gibraltar, then to Ceylon and Hong Kong. In 1904 be was posted to No 7 Mountain Artillery Battery – NWF, in India. From January 1912 he attended Army Staff College. In 1913 he joined the Garrison Artillery on the Isle of Wight

    He learnt to fly at the Vickers Flying School, Brooklands, gaining his RAeC Certificate (No 711), on the day he passed out from Camberley, after 1 hour 40 minutes. At the Central Flying School his instructor was Capt. John Salmond. Having gained his 'Wings', he was added to the RFC Reserve List returning to his Garrison Artillery duties on the Isle of Wight. In 1929, following the escalation of trouble in the area, he was sent to Palestine to undertake an inquiry into the need and form of possible re-inforcements for the area.

    At the outbreak of war in August 1914 he was Commandant - Dover Assembly Point and later that month he was posted as a Pilot to No 7 Sqn RFC, transferring to No 6 Sqn on the 6th of October 1914. On the 18th of November he was transferred to GSO3, HQ RFC and on the 8th December 1914 he was appointed Flight Commander of No 9 Sqn RFC. On the 27th of January 1915 he became Flight Commander of No 6 Sqn RFC. On the 4th of March 1915 he was appointed Officer i/c Wireless Flight, No 4 Sqn RFC and from 17th March 1915 he became Officer Commanding No 9 Sqn/Wireless Experimental Establishment RFC. From July he was Officer Commanding No 16 Sqn and on the 1st of February the following year was posted to Farnborough to become Officer Commanding, 7th Wing RFC. On the 22nd June he became Officer Commanding, 9th (HQ) Wing RFC. On New Year's day 1917 he was promoted to Officer Commanding, Southern Group Command and on the 5th of August 1917, he became Brigadier-General Commanding, Southern Training Brigade. In 1918 he was Brigadier-General (Administration), HQ No 4 Area. and then Brigadier-General (Administration), HQ North-Eastern Area. In January 1919 he became Brigadier-General (Administration) York, HQ North-Western Area and in June, Brigadier-General (Administration), HQ Northern Area. On the 1st of August 1919 he became Group Capt (Administration), HQ Northern Area and was Re-Seconded to the RAF for further two years.On the 1st of September he became Temporary AOC, Northern Area and on the 18th of October 1919, Officer Commanding, No 16 Group.

    Between the wars he was Officer Commanding, No 1 Group then Chief Staff Officer, Inland Area. In August 1924 he became Chief Staff Officer, HQ Iraq Command. In May 1926 he became Director of Training ad in December 1929 AOC, Fighting Area, Air Defence of Great Britain.

    On 28 January 1936 he was one of three officers representing the Air Council at the funeral of HM King George V. On the 14 July 1936 he became AOC in C, Fighter Command.

    As Air Member for Research and Development in the 1930's he was in a position to oversee the development of the eight gun fighters, Hurricane and Spitfire, but even more importantly his previous experience in wireless experiments gave him an excellent insight into possibilities of it's use in the detection of aircraft. He was able to take these preparations to their logical conclusion when given command of the newly formed Fighter Command in July 1936. He immediately set about developing a system able to make best use of his limited resources and it was this system as much as anything that ensured success in 1940. He established the coastal chain of radar stations (then known as RDF), but the success of radar really lay in the reporting and control system he set up which allowed aircraft to be placed in the right place at the right height in time to meet the threat.

    During the Battle of Britain his most difficult problem was the conflict between AVM Leigh-Mallory and AVM Park over tactics in which he supported both Group Commanders and saw that both sets of tactics had their advantages but that they were not necessarily suitable in both situations. From 1938 Dowding was advised of five separate retirement dates, but each one was rescinded for various reasons, therefore, his replacement in November 1940 as AOC in C Fighter Command, when flush with success in the Battle of Britain was seen as a snub by many, although it had in fact been planned.

    A Whiting




    185707

    Captain Isaac Henry Woolf "Jack" Barnato (d.25th Oct 1918)

    Isaaac Barnato was a Captain in Royal Air Force. He had formerly served with the Public Schools Battalion of The Royal Fusiliers, whom he joined as a Private. He died of Influenza at home 25 October 1918, he was 24.

    Brian Modra




    184222

    Private Harry Stokes 2nd Battalion

    My great great grandad Harry Stokes, served in the Cheshire Yoemanry, I'm still trying to trace his war details. I've been told that he does have a medal somewhere within the family, but as of yet, I can not trace it. Can you please tell me if this regiment actually went to war? Information I have recieved have been "no they didnt and he wouldnt have a medal" I know he voluntered around 1913-14, and when his wife died in the workhouse in 1917 he was still in the Regiment. Any help would be much appreciated.

    Note: The 2nd Sqd cheshire Yeomanry served on the home front from 1914 until 1918 when they served in Ireland. WW1 medals were only issued to those who served overseas.

    Val Pickles




    181736

    Pte John Pearcy 6th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    My Grandfather,John Pearcy served on the Western Front from 1916 with the 6th batt. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, in early 1918 this battalion was disbanded and Grandfather was posted to the 16th Entrenching battalion. Shortly after this the Germans launched their spring offensive and grandfather was then posted to the 3rd London Regt. and went back into front line actions.

    On the 8th August 1918 the 3rd London's went into action on the first day of the battle of Amiens, their jumping off point was on the green line near Malard Wood, on exiting the wood they came under heavy fire from the German positions on Chipily ridge and Grandfather was wounded in the chest with shrapnel. After being taken to a Casualty Clearing Station, Grandfather was moved out of the line to the Australian General Hospital at Rouen.

    On the 17th October 1918 Grandfather returned to his unit and went into action in the final advance in Artois and Flanders. In the early hours of the 31st October 1918 the 3rd Londons were trying to establish a series of posts between the lines near the village of Bleharies in Belgium when they came under shellfire, Grandfather was badly wounded and had a leg amputated on the battlefield before being moved to hospital in Boulogne.

    Later that month grandfather returned to the UK on board the hospital ship St David and spent time in several hospitals in Kent, having a re-amputation before being moved nearer home to the Leeds War Hospital in Yorkshire where he was fitted with an artificial leg but it was to be 1920 before he was discharged from hospital and returned to his family.

    Grandfather became an active member of his local British Legion branch and led several remembrance day parades in his home village, Grandfather passed away in 1947.

    John Pearcy




    180689

    Pte. Arthur Edmond Orsler 1st Battalion. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) (d.2nd Oct 1917)

    My Grandfather, Arthur Orsler was a newsagent. He married in 1915 and his only child, my Father, was born later that year, after my Grandfather had gone off to war. My Grandfather never came back and his only child was left orphaned a couple of years later.

    Brenda Orsler




    180491

    Pte. James Walker 2nd battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Aug 1915)

    My great grandad James Walker was killed in action on the Western Front on 9th August 1915 aged 30 years, leaving a wife and 4 children. My grandad would of been 3 the last time he saw his dad. My respect for him knows no bounds he died for his country yet is forever alive in my thoughts.

    Lisa Cassidy




    179629

    Claud Barrington Barry DSO

    My father joined the navy as a cadet in 1904.Becoming a Submariner in 1914 he commanded various submarines in the war including C14.D4 and R12 Between the wars he commanded two J boatslent to RANthen K22,K26 ,Thames and Medway,attended Staff college and was Chief of Staff to Flag Officer Submarines 1939 saw him as NA to 2nd Sea Lord and then commanding HMS Queen Elizabeth and Then Valiant As a Rear Admiral was Flag Officer Submarines 1943-44 and then Naval Secretary followed by Director of Dockyards He died on the 27th Dec 1951 4 days before Retirement Final Rank Admiral

    colin barry




    179013

    Gunner Henry Charles Ault Royal Garrison Artilery

    My grandfather, Henry charles Ault is one of those soldiers whose records apart from medal card are lost. He was a Gunner with the RGA and I believe he was with the seige batt. Mobilised to No 1 Depot, Fort Burgoyne, Dover at the end of August 1916. His Regt no is 115850, Roll RGA/166B. Thats it thats all I have and up until 2 months ago I didn't even know he was a soldier in the 1914-1918 war, I'm sure he was brave and hopefully may even have helped save a life.

    Susan Ault




    177894

    Pte. George Duncan Hill 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    My great grandfather, George Hill was a Private of the Durham Light Infantry 2nd Battalion. He saw active service right at the beginning of the First World War but became a Prisoner of War some time in 1914. He returned to Jarrow living in either St Pauls Road or Ferry Street in Jarrow and married Catherine Doogan in 1919. He went to work in the ship yards and later on when he was 52 years old, took part in the Jarrow March. Two of his medals, the 1914 star and victory medal (1914-1918) are on display in the Durham Light Infantry Museum.

    Sarah Ford




    176807

    Pte. Thomas Edward Stanbridge Royal Fusiliers

    I would love to find out more about the service of my much loved uncle, Thomas Stanbridge. As the only surviving family member I would like to put a little something about him on record somewhere. I just have two service medals, an embroidered postcard "To my Mother" containing slip of paper saying "a kiss from France". Also a black and white postcard of 36 men with two bicycles and a tan and black mongrel arranged on the steps of possibly a town hall, each man has signed the back and there is an index of who was who.

    I know Uncle Tom's lungs were never very good after the war and he was very sad, never married and lived with my Grandmother all his life. The only stories he told were that he was asked to take an officer's horse back to camp and no account to ride it - but he rode it and it bolted and there was Trouble. Also, coming back for rest he was in a long queue in a tunnel in the trenches and someone in the queue coming out as they shuffled past one another offered him a drink as he looked "done in". He promptly passed out and was passed over everyone's heads to the rest area. So he never pretended to be a hero in the war! That is all I know, wish there was more.

    Carol




    176700

    Pte. Albert Ernest Roberts 20th (Service) Battalion Manchester Regimet

    Albert Ernest Roberts was my Grandfather who was wounded at the battle of the Somme in July 1916. Having volunteered in may 1915 and having completed his training, he was sent overseas serving on the western front in the Albert sector. In July 1916 he was wounded in the right lower fore arm. Having recovered from this wound he went on to serve as a despatch rider at Etaples. He never talked to anyone about his time in the Great War nor did he approve of any war films. In WW2 he served in the Home Guard as a Sergeant at Weaste, Salford, Manchester.

    Peter Mills




    176376

    Dvr. Thomas Hole Y Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    My Granddad Thomas Hole joined in 1916 as a gunner but I don't really know anything more. On a card I have from 1919 he transferred to the reserves at the end of the war and it says one of his specialist military qualifications was as a driver, not that this seems something that would be classed as specialist but maybe then it was. If anyone could help with any information or knows where I could find information that would be a great help and then I could add more to his story.

    Allison Hole




    175916

    Pte. Patrick McCabe 18th Btn. Kings Liverpool Regiment (d.22nd Sept 1917)

    Pat joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1914 and served in the Balkans and France. He deserted in January 1917, then re-enlisted under the name of James Conway in Feburary 1917 in the King's Liverpool. He was killed on the 22nd September 1917 whilst stringing wire with 7 others. He is buried at Torekien Farm no 1 Cemetery near Wijtschate.

    H. W. Lindsay




    174844

    Pte. Joseph Edwin Halls C Coy. 33rd Btn.

    I was trying to research my grandfather who died at Arras in 1917 and I found his brother Joseph who was born in London, emigrated and then joined the Australian Imperial force in 1916.

    I am amazed that Joseph survived the WW1 as he had a shrapnel wound to the head, an infected foot and had been gassed twice. Possibly some dysentry as well as he did have symptoms. He was hospitalised a few times and was also hospitalised in England 1st Southern General Hospital Birmingham. and eventually was medically discharged as being unfit in 1919.

    I wondered about this man, did he ever marry, he was single when he joined up and only his father and sister in England as next of kin. I wondered if there were any children. Surely a man who fought in this terrible war deserved companionship. Again I was amazed, further research showed that Joseph had joined the army again in 1930 and giving a false younger age. This time he had a wife as a next of kin and it appears they married in the same year as being discharged. That made me feel happy. I still don't know if there were any children though. It seemed he lived until 1950 and died at age 66.

    Susan Horton




    171511

    Pte. Alexander Mackenzie 11th Battalion Argyll & Southern Highlanders (d.28th Aug 1916)

    Alexander Mackenzie's name is on the Glendale War Memorial honouring the 21 Glendale residents who died in combat during World War 1.

    Donald Mackenzie




    171466

    Pte. William "Darkie" Cole 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.15th July 1917)

    William Cole was my grandfather and I visited Belgium to try and find his grave in the 1970's. He having been killed in July 1917 somewhere near Neuwport, Belgium. My wife and I spent many hours searching War Grave sites without success. We then spoke to two workman beside the small country lane who suggested a nearby church. It was their that we found his grave together with just a handful of others. We were surprised to find that he was in the Manchester Regt., having as far as I know, no historical connection. I am now searching for any record surviving of the actions taking place and any cause of death that can be found.

    D.F.Cole




    171347

    Company Quarter Master Charles Tancred 2nd/6th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.7th Nov 1918)

    I have only just found out that my great uncle Charlie, served in WW1. He joined in 1908, left the army in 1913, and re-joined in 1916 into the Lancashire Fusiliers. I have got the dates of what his Battalion did from the time they landed in Le Harve on the 26th Febuary 1917. I have never seen so much movement of a Battalion, fighting, resting , moving, fighting, one that sticks out the most is Passchendaele. He was there in all that horrible battle called the "The third Battle of Ypres", fighting all those times and surviving as well. To be told he went into hospital at Rhouen in Oct 1918 with bad flu, to eventually die of pneumonia on the 7th Nov 1918, 4 days later we all know what happened there. I feel honoured and privileged to know that these people did and had to go through, may their memory never be forgotten

    John Whitehead




    168824

    2nd Lt. Thomas George 16th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Thomas was the Son of John and Lettice George, of Brynhir, Pembrey. He came from a coal mining family and was one of eight children. He had been commissioned into the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who were attached to the 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division.

    The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The attack on the wood began on the 7th July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until the 14th July to clear the wood.

    The Division suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the line, and moved to Ypres to rebuild. Here they fought at Pilckem and Langemarck, then moved to Armentieres, where they remained from September 1917 until March, 1918 when the German Spring Offensive was launched.

    The British had been over-run on the Somme, and so in April the Division was moved south, taking up positions North of Albert, from where they weathered the storm of the coming months, until the war turned during the Battle of Amiens, on the 8th August, 1918. The Germans had now lost the upper hand, and the British regained the lost ground on the Somme after an attack which began on the 21st August, with the 38th Welsh in the midst of the attack during the Battle of Albert.

    Thomas was killed in action just 6 days into the attack, on the 27th August, 1918. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval. There is a a commemorative bronze candlestick to Thomas in St. Illtyds church, Pembrey. Thomas is cited on the Pembrey war memorial. I would welcome any further information.

    Sharon George




    168464

    Gnr. Frederick Lewis Bond 1/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    My Grandad Frederick Lewis Bond served with Royal Navy in Devonport from 1914 to 1915 then went into 1/7th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment to back up troops of the regiment that lost their lives on the Somme. His dad Abraham James Bond was with the 3rd Reserve Battalion that did all the training of the troops ready to go to the war so he probably trained is own son. He was shot and blown up in France and Flanders but survived the war, coming home at the end of 1918.

    He worked in a factory in Coventry called Courtalds for about a year then he rejoined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment again in 1919 and stayed in until 1923. He then left the Royal Warwicks and joined the 5th Pack Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery at Warwick on the 20/4/1923 as a gunner, aged 28 years 353 days. He went to Helmieh in Egypt with the RGA and was discharged on 8/10/1925 at Dover.





    167623

    Pte. Arthur Dick 8th (Canadian Rifles) Btn.

    I am looking for any information on my Great Great Grandfather Arthur Dick, I currently have a photo of him in his military uniform with his wife and first child.

    Jason Pinkett




    167366

    Pte. Alfred Marston 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1916)

    Alfred Marston is buried at Warlincourt Cemetery, I would like to know which battle would he have been involved in? I am also trying to locate a photo of his grave.

    Stan Marston




    166923

    Sgt. John Smith Lindsay DCM, MM. and Bar 32nd Divisional Cyclist Company Army Cyclists Corps

    My Grandfather, John Lindsay won a DCM and Military Medal and Bar during the Great War but like a number of soldiers of his generation did not talk much about his experiences. He served with the Army Cyclist Corps, 32nd Division, attached to the 15th HLI (Glasgow Tramways). We never knew what he did to deserve the medals and would be grateful if anyone had any information in relation to his actions.

    Scott Hannigan




    166084

    Robert Anderson

    I don't really know much about my grandfather Bob Anderson but i do know he served in WW1. I have the only surviving picture of him in his World War 1 uniform taken at a photographers studio in Paisley. I think he was only 17 at the time. Judging by the spurs he was wearing he probably served with a cavalry regiment.My mum thinks he was in Egypt at some point during the war. There is an embroidery of the crossed rifles of the machine gun corps but no one seems sure who it belonged to but it did mysteriously appear after my grandads brother died so grandad may have been in the artillary as part of a machine gun grew. He did survive the war but sadly died in 1927, aged 27 from tuberculosis so regretably ,as i am particularly fascinated by the Great War, i did not have the privilage of meeting him or of talking to him about his experiences.I would like to know what regiment he was in, where he was, and what battles he fought in. Can you help please?

    Fiona Vivers




    165841

    Pte. John Henry Benbow 1st/5th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.17th Oct 1916)

    I am proud to say that John Benbow was my great uncle. He joined up early by lying about his age. Rumour is that he signed up in Shrewsbury with his friend who was 18. He was the only son of Jonathan and Sarah Benbow who ran he farm at Attingham Estate. Even though the family were proud of him they were also devastated by the fact that he had been accepted. The remainder of the family - 3 girls - had to do their share on the farm plus his chores. He became a casualty in the square at Ypres in 1916 and died as a result of those wounds on 17th October 1916 at the age of 18. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. None of his immediate family ever travelled to visit his grave but that has now been rectified by the remainder of the family who have all been there since.

    The only thing we now want to do is to find out what and where he served during those two years as we have no further details. If anyone can be of any help and advice we would be most grateful.

    Gail Davies




    163410

    Pte. Joseph William Hubert Royal Horse Artillery

    My Great Grandfather, Joseph William Hubert who was actually born William Joseph Hubert on 18/2/1885 in Rotherhithe. He enlisted for military service in Woolwich on 16/10/1905 and was a horseman of the Royal Horse and Field Artillery.

    He served during the Great War as a Head Horseman and according to family history would lead a group of six horses towing a field gun on to the battle field. During the conflict he lost three horses and their loss was paid for from his own wages. He also rode the horses bareback. One such time he did this was during a Royal tournament of the armed forces to which he presented the Queen with her handkerchief which she had dropped. This being all part of the display. We also know that Joseph fought in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

    He was discharged from the Army in consequence of termination of a period of engagement serving 16 years and 61 days and 304 days in the Army Reserve. His description is: 5'6" in height, grey eyes, dark hair and bears tattoos on both the right upper and lower arm of flags crossed. He married Catherine Sinclair in 1909. He survived the war and died in the late fifties. Unfortunately I have been unable to find out his battalion number or rank number but I do know he had the Great War of Civilisation medal plus two others which have since disappeared.

    Dan Collard




    162837

    Edwin Foster Royal Army Medical Corps

    Father Edwin Foster served in the Royal Army Medical Corps and lived in Burnley at the time, previously Wigan. I know he served in Salonika during the First World War. The only story he told us as children was of a man being brought in from the field with a bad leg injury and all that had saved him were the maggots eating his rotting flesh. He lost his leg and the maggots were put back on to prevent Gangrene.

    Cynthia Ingram




    162784

    Pte. Thomas William Cooper MM. 20th Battalion London Regiment

    My grandfather, Tom Cooper, joined up in September 1914, at the age of 23. He was awarded a Military Medal (which I have -- but I would like to find further details of the reason for this award). Sadly, he was gassed, which probably contributed to his early death (from TB) in 1946, but he survived WW1 and is recorded as 'serving with the colours' Sept 1914 to April 1919. He was demobbed in March 1920.

    Elizabeth Wager




    162531

    Gnr. Antonio Edward Mussalli Royal Garrison Artillery (d.22nd Apr 1917)

    I have recently acquired a large portrait photograph of Antonio Mussalli which has the notation of his name, regiment and the day he died at Arras. I would like to trace any family members who may want to have this portrait of one of their ancestors.

    Ann Robinson




    161379

    I wonder if anyone can help, my family name is Mates, I am trying to find details surrounding the service lifes of 13 men, 11 of whom were killed in the Great War and two killed in WW2. I am not interested in family links, but the events leading to their deaths. As a serving army reservist I think it is important to remember these men and this is me doing my little bit to tell their story, any more info (names and numbers can be requested)

    Tom Mates




    161191

    Pte. Andrew Bouglas 2nd Battalion Royal Scots (d. 26/09/1917)

    Unfortunately I don't know much about my Uncle Andrew Bourgas, as he was killed at the early age of 22. My only information was gleaned from the Commonweath War graves casualty web site. As his remains were never found his name has been inscribed on The Tyne Cot Memorial to the missing. It is located 9 kilometers north east of Ieper town centre, on the Tynecotstraat, a road leading from the Zonnebeekseweg. God rest his soul.

    Andrew B.Drummond




    160711

    Cpl. James Henry Warnes 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment

    My Grandfather, Jim Warnes was mobilised at the commencement of hostilities and saw action on the Western Front in Retreat from Mons, Battle of the Marne, The Aisne, La Bassee and Ypres, he also fought at Hill 60, Loos and the Somme and was wounded in May 1917 and was discharged in May 1918. He had sustained injuries to his foot from shrapnel and his leg was amputated after the war just below the knee.

    He worked as a writer at the local dockyard. Because of his knowledge of dressing wounds many people came to him for advise about cuts, wounds and splinters. He was a much loved father and grandfather, he had one daughter and four sons, 13 grandchildren and died in the 1960s. He enjoyed a pint and I can remember him cocking his leg over the fence to save walking up the steps to his flat when he returned home from a local pub.

    Linda Stephens




    160615

    Pte. Gilbert Moulton North Staffordshire Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

    Gilbert Moulton was killed Battle of Loos in Oct 1915, aged 19.

    Jenny Hirshberg




    159791

    Pte. Thomas McKinley Kings Own Scottish Borderers

    Our grandfather Thomas McKinlay lived in our house in Ayr, till he died in 1946. I grew up to stories about India, Lord Roberts and the famous march in 1880 from Kabul to Kandahar. I have a record of his marriage to our grandmother in 1894 but I have never been able to find substantial records of his life prior to this date.

    Another story I was told when I was growing up, is that it was said during WW1 he coloured his hair black, enlisted, then washed the black out and came home. I always thought this was just a story till I was using Ancestry search and found 9 pages of his WW1 military history.

    He enlisted in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers on the 13th Oct 1914 in Dalmillington, regimental #8323, his age was listed as 34yrs. The history sheet shows my grandmother's name and where they lived it also listed my mother name [Flora]. He was discharged 22nd Dec 1914 as not suitable for service, they were unsure if his real age was 44 or 49, although Lieut Colonel A.W. Pennyman of the KOSB in Berwick wanted to retain him

    I also have a picture of him in an army uniform which I think may be around that time, but I can't identify the cap badge. These records did give me further history on him . He served in the Scots Fusiliers #1923, 7yrs 127dys with the colours and 4yrs, 238dys in the reserve , discharged in 1898. Although I have this info its difficult to get more records from these days.

    Thomas Strachan




    159700

    Pte. Ernest Walter Pratley 1st/4th Btn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (d.12th Jan 1916)

    Ernest Pratley was my Great Uncle. He was killed in Pas de Calais and is buried at Hebuterne War Cemetary. He was married to Margaret Louisa for less than a year when he died. Apparently (though I cannot source it) he was sheltering in a church waiting to come home when the church was bombed. He was about 23 years old

    Simon John Broderick Pullin




    158856

    Private Thomas Henry Bache 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters Notts & Derby Rgt (d.23rd Jul 1918)

    This man was my Uncle and died 22 years before I was born.Presently I am researching my family tree,but at the moment I need more information regarding My Uncle Tom,I need to know if he as gassed or died of the flu.

    James Bache




    158426

    Pte. Horace Edwin Irons 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment (d.2nd April 1916)

    Horace Irons was my Grandfather and I have been trying to find out how he was killed. I have been unable to find out anything except where his grave is, which I visit occasionally.

    Harry Irons




    157932

    Pte. J. D. Jones 3rd Battalion South Wales Borderers (d.18th October 1918)

    J.D. Jones is buried in Gelliwen Chapel Yard Gelliwen near Carmarthen

    Tom Johnston




    157805

    Gnr. George Orr 82nd Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery (d.28 May 1917)

    I am trying to find some information on George Orr, the Uncle of my father, now aged 84, who would love to know where his uncle fought, where he died etc. I am hoping to take my Dad to see his uncle's grave in Bucquoy Road Cemetery near Arras.

    S Pelissier




    156978

    Sjt. Thomas Humphrey DCM. O Battery Royal Horse Artillery

    Thomas Humphrey joined the Royal Horse Artillery in 1905 and served until 1912. He was then on the reserve list and recalled in August 1914.

    O Battery were involved in the battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915. During the battle Thomas was at a forward observation post approximately 100 yards from the German front line. The telephone lines linking the observation post to the guns had been cut by shell fire. He went out on two occasions with a comrade to repair the wires during a heavy enemy bombardment. For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His story is recorded in the book "Deeds That Thrill the Empire".

    Catherine Humphrey




    156807

    Pte. William Ernest Clifford Royal Inniskillin Fusiliers

    William Clifford was my Grandfather. He joined up in 1916 and left for France on Christmas day that year. He then went to Salonika, fighting up on the Dorion front before being ordered to Egypt where he fought alongside General Alenby. From here he went to Taronto and up through Italy, joining units on the Somme. He was wounded once but returned home safe on August 30th 1918. I have his war notebook/diary and his identity documents and his demob papers. I have been trying to research his movements with limited success but I keep searching. He travelled on the ships "Royal George", "S.S.Malwa" and the "Derflinger" (Huntsgreen).

    David Clifford




    155111

    Seaman George Charles McConaghy HMS Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    George McConaghy of HMS Amphion is listed on the War Memorial in the town of Limavady Co. Londonderry. I am an Ex Lt Cdr RN and am researching the stories of all the names mentioned, if you have any information please get in touch.

    Robert M Stewart




    155051

    Chief ERA Albert Victor Austin H.M.S Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    Albert Victor Austin was my Great, Great Granddad on my Mum's side. I am searching for more details.

    Darren Hilton




    154023

    Private H Collins South Wales Borders

    I am trying to find information about a relative of mine. The information I have about him is as follows:- A rather faded discharge notice which is from the No 1 Infantry Records, Shrewsbury. The notice is for H Collins - No 229023 of the South Wales Borderers - Monmouth Regiment. The notice is dated 2/6/20. The discharge notice accompanies a Will issued by the Army Pay Office 24th January 1917. It would appear that H Collins (my grandmother's brother) was transferred to the Monmouth regiment on 20th January 1917. His will is dated 26th January 1916. I hope someone can give me some information on him or at least point me in the right direction

    John Marriott




    153310

    Private George Humphreys Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    the family story goes that great grandfather george ran away as a 14/15 year old to join the fusiliers at the turn of the 20th century.(1902 or 1903) and was posted to india.nothing is known of his time in india,but his medal card from ww1 shows he first saw action on 25 april 1915,the first day of the gallipoli campaign.after remarkably surviving this he was sent to the western front.he was pensioned out in 1916 due to wounds and returned to dublin where he raised his family with wife,katie.very little detail is known as he never spoke of his involvement in ww1.

    Trevor Dunne




    153292

    Private Harry Semmons Donkin Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.17 May 1918 )

    My uncle Harry Donkin died in a hospital in Maidstone of his wounds on 17 May 1918. He was 19 years old. I have started to research his war record and know that:

    He enlisted in West Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, in the King's Royal Rifle corps with service number 19574. He was transferred to the Royal Scots at some point (I have a photograph of him in this regimental uniform) with the service number 302284. He died of his wounds in a hospital somewhere in Maidstone. Although he is recorded by the commonwealth war graves as being in the 9th battalion of the Royal Scots, he appears in 'Soldiers Died' under the 1st Battalion 'depot' as Harry Doukin (the n being mistaken for a u). On the medal roll index he originally appears as Dorkin but this has been corrected to his proper name of Donkin. The family apparently requested his medal in 1923 and one was issued at that time. I am interested to know where he served, where he was wounded and the nature of his injuries. I understand I will need to find out when he transferred from the Rifles to the Scots. Many thanks for your help.

    Kathryn Moor




    153222

    Lt. John Rogers D.C.M. Gordon Highlanders (d.13th June 1918)

    My Great Grandfather, John Rogers D.C.M./Gordon Highlanders 1895-1918 died at the 1st Scottish General Hospital, Aberdeen on the 13th June 1918 of "Cut throat Haemorrhage shock". We believe he was assaulted in Callander possibly a week before. We have tried police and court records but have had no success. Nothing was recorded as far as we know. The Hon. Curator of the Tayside Police Museum believes the the Army would have conducted their own investigations but the Police Sergeant stationed at Callander would certainly have had knowledge of the assault. I have contacted the Scottish National Archives and been to the National Archives, Kew but again had no success. Would anybody have any ideas where I could collect information regarding the assault and his hospital record?

    James McCoo




    152509

    Private Daniel Davies Prince of Wales Volunteers (South Lancs Regiment) (d.21st Aug 1918)

    My great great uncle Danny was born into the welsh valleys mining community of Treherbert. His wish was to be a farmer but he helped in the family dairy. He joined the Prince of Wales Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment) and went to France to fight. He was killed on the 21st August 1918 and is buried in Tynecot Cemetry. He is still missed & remembered by his family. RIP If anyone has any information about this regiment in the Great War I would be grateful for the information.

    Rhian Brett




    149872

    Drv. Myer Bookman Army Service Corps

    My Grandfather, Myer Bookman is reputed to have been a driver for T E Lawrence which I would like to try and confirm. He is also supposed to have been imprisoned for a short while for refusing to go on a firing squad.

    David Cutler




    149098

    Pte. John Christie Mechanical Transport Army Service Corps (d.28 Nov 1915)

    John Christie was born in Darlington in 1881, one of twins who were the eldest of 8 sons. Four of those brothers were fatal casualties in WW1. I am trying to establish what actually happened to John, did he die from injuries received? He is listed as having died in Brough, a town in what was Westmorland - was there a military hospital there in 1915? The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website tells me he is buried in All Saints Cemetery in Newcastle. Can anyone shed any light please? If so, I would be delighted to hear from them.

    Ian Hayley




    148359

    James McCall HMS Topaze

    My Father, James McCall joined the Navy at age of 24, he did his training on HMS Victory on 7.12.1915 to 29.12.1915. Was on HMS Fisgard from 30.12.1915 to 19.4.1916. From was on the Q10 a Brig 20.4.1916 to 1.3.1917, that ship was torpedoed in Atlantic later that year. Dad was at HMS Excellent from 2.3.1917 to 3.3.1917. He travelled all the way by train in a cattle truck, through France and Italy to be on HMS Topzae in the Red Sea 4.3.1918 to 22.2.1919 and was demobilised on 20.5.1919. He was a joiner on all these ships, he was a joiner by trade and was foreman in Gibsons business in Glasgow before he joined the navy. Later on he became a farmer and I followed as a farmer I am now in my 80th year, I want to do his life story and find out more about him. I have photos of him in the Navy, I have a picture of the Topaze, but not the Q10 which I would like and any other information to be had.

    John P. McCall




    148082

    Cpl. William George King 6th Btn. Ox & Bucks Light Infantry

    My Dad, William King, joined up in Wolverton on 14 November 1914, aged almost 21. He first went to France in April 1915 as, having previously been in Wolverton TA, he was classed as an experienced soldier. I believe he was involved in the battle of Festubert south of Vimy Ridge in the Bethune area. I am currently trying to find out where else he was whilst in Ox & Bucks Light Infantry. He left them in 1917 after being recommended for a commission.

    He did his officer's training at Bristol University. He was commissioned in April 1918 & joined the Rifle Brigade. A war diary entry for September 1918 shows he was among a group of 2nd Lieutenants who joined the regiment at a village in Northern France called Frevillers. The diarist described this village as "quite the nicest billet we have been in for many a long time, we have organised a sports day for the local children who run for pennies we throw to them". I, my husband and son have been privileged to have walked along the road running through this village where my father walked in September 1918 when he was just 24 years old.

    He was injured some weeks later and demobbed in 1919 from Chiseldon in Wiltshire, only a few miles from where he would eventually spend the rest of his life.

    Jean Berwick




    147653

    Pte. Monthem Frank "Monty" Wood 6th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    Monty is listed as Frank Wood in all official records, apart from the local Booklet: Southall Men Enlisted 1915 where he is listed on page 59, serving with the Royal Fusliliers, 6th Battallion, No 14737 Pte Wood, M. F.

    April Wood Ashton




    147336

    Private Roland Bullick 5th Battalion Sherwood Forresters

    Roland Bullick was my father. He was a Company Runner with the 5th Battalion Sherwood Forresters and survived the war. I believe he 'lied about his age' to join up. I would like to know more about where he was trained, where he was in France etc. He talked about 'Wypers' and Poperinge but I dont know whether he was there. He talked about being in Paris after de-mobilisation. Any information would be very welcome.

    Christine Turnbull




    147334

    Private Frank William Cox 3rd Sherwood Forresters Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (d.13th Aug 1917)

    Frank was born in Leek in Staffordshire in 1889.Shortly after his birth his Father William Cox,mother Ameilia Annie and sister Emily along with Frank emigrated to Queensland Australia.However, after a short space of time William returned alone to England as the heat of Australia proved to much for him,the rest of the family remained.At some time Frank also returned to England,and at the age of 26 he was employed as a windowcleaner in Ashbourne.By this time his father had had two children with my grandmother,but they did not marry until 26 years later when his wife died in Australia.Frank was called up in 1916,and was sent to the front 5 months later.He was wounded 3 times in battle and in November 1916 he was returned to England to the Northern General Hospital Manchester suffering from combat fatigue.After,2 months he was posted back to the front and was killed in action at Passendale.In 1918 his effects were returned to my grandfather,letters, photos,a 50 cent Australian note(mutilated)a frenchbook and a cottonbag. His mother in Australia applied for his medals in 1919 but they were sent to my grandfather in 1921,The Victory medal and the British medal.He served 1 year and 249 days. Frank is remembered on The Menin Gate.

    HilaryBbrown




    147289

    Corporal Wilfred Sutcliffe 4th London General Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps

    I cannot find out a lot about my grandfather-just snippetts from mymother who is now 87! I know that he met my grandmother Irene May Andreae whilst serving at the 4th London General Hospital. On their marriage cert he states his rank and address also listing that he is a clerk. I understand that units were stationed at the hospitals in order to 'pay off' injured and dead soldiers. My grandfather was deaf so would not have been classed as A1 at his original medical. He lived in Todmorden,Yorks and we believe that his deafness was caused by working in the cotton mills from a young age. He moved to Loughborough,Leics after his discharge and worked for Brush Electrics for many years. I understand that he got this job through his commanding officer. Would love to know who the officer was as it would guide me to which unit grandpa served in. Have tried the RAMC but they have no record and I know that a lot of archives were destroyed during the 2ndWW. My grandmother and her father served as volunteers with the St John Ambulance at 4th London General and have some oof their records supplied by the Red Cross Archives.

    Ann Harrison




    147277

    2nd Lt. A. H. Stretch 4th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regt.

    I have in my possession an id. disc for A.H.Stretch.one side shows Sgt.A.H.Stretch5820 10th.Liverpool Scottish.The reverse shows 2nd.L.T A.H.Stretch 4Th.L.N.L. I found no records in C.W.G.C.so I assume he survived the Great War.I found no record of medal awards.Would love to know some details of this man.Perhaps make contact with his decendants if possible.

    Barry Taylor




    146547

    Quarter Master Sjt. Jack James Foley Royal Engineers

    Jack Foley enlisted at Suffolk St, Birmingham Recruitment Office in 1916 aged 17. He was discharged 23rd Oct 1919.

    Brett Bates




    146539

    Pte. Thomas William Foley 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (d.5th Nov 1914)

    William Foley was the son of William and Edith Foley, one of fourteen siblings. He arrived in France on the 4th of October 1914 and was killed in the first battle of Ypres on 05th Nov 1914, aged 22.

    Brett Bates




    146535

    Pte. Richard Fountain 1st/6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (d.22th May 1916)

    Richard Fountain arrived in France on 22nd March 1915. He was wounded and died of his wounds at the CSS at Gezaincourt on 22nd May 1916.

    Brett Bates




    146531

    Private Matthew Price Royal Berkshire Regiment

    Matthew Price joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1904 aged 17, he was injured at Passchendale in 1917, we think, and transferred to the Royal Berkshire Home Service Battalion due to wounds.

    Brett Bates




    146301

    Pte. James Maher Royal Irish Rifles

    My grandfather, James Maher was in the Royal Irish Rifles between 1915 and 1919. He was born in Dublin in 1898. I am researching him for my mother as she now 83 and she never met her father and knows very little about him, so any info would make her very happy.

    Hayley Edmonson




    146234

    William James Udy Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

    William James kept a small diary of his service, now held at the DCLI museum, Bodmin, Cornwall. He served in Ypres.

    Anne Jones




    146143

    Pte Arthur Cyril Bloore South Nottinghamshire Hussars

    I am trying to find out where my grandfather went and what he did during his service years. I know he joined up 27/04/1915 he had a horse he called Jeanne (Ihave a photo of him on it) and that he was in the middle east. (SERVICE AREA 3)and that he was in the machine gun corps. I would like to know a little more about where he was sent, a bit of a timeline might be a better way to describe what I'm looking for.

    Andrew Bloore




    145839

    Rfm. Percy James Hayden 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade

    Percy Hayden was my father. From his War Record he joined the Army in 1917 and embarked for France 17 Feb 1918, was reported missing 23/30 March and then a POW at Stendal. I am wondering if it is possible to find out where he was taken prisoner.

    Mrs A Bullen




    145817

    Pte. Marcus Mcleod Mcaskill 6th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders (d.16th Apr 1917)

    I am trying to find out what happened to Marcus Mcaskill, he died of wounds and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. My husband and I went to visit him this summer and the whole family would like to find out where he was stationed, and if possible a record of his military service. I have tried just able every where but can only find out that he died of wounds but nothing else. Please can anyone help me?

    Elaine Downie




    145793

    Pte. Joseph Mingham Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

    I am trying to find info on my granddad, Joe Mingham. He served with the Kings Own and the Machine Gun Corps and was on the Somme at some point and was injured by flying shrapnel in his kidney area. I believe he was also temporarily in action with the Staffords. I always remember him saying one of their officers sent two men to a nearby farm house to shoot some local French woman who was signalling to 'jerry'. I also seem to remember him saying he was in Burma. My granddad died in 1977 in Morecambe, it seems his wounds finally caught up with him.

    Joe Hathaway




    145401

    Lt Col Joseph Griffiths CMG. First Eastern General Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps

    Lt Col Griffiths was a surgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge before the Great War. He commanded the 1st Eastern General Hospital during the Great War.

    Hilary Ritchie




    145346

    Lieut James William "Billy" Budd 2/5th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regt

    This is a potted history of my Grandfather, James Budd he was born 22/12/1893 in Finchley. He had a good standard of education and became a qualified dentist. Joined 8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders October 1914 (Home service training in Bedford. March 1915 Commissioned into 2/5 Royal Warwickshire Regt.

    Training in England until May 1916 when landed in France as part of 61st Division which was in the LAVENTIE sector. Trained in the area for the Battle of Fromelles which was due to take place on July 19 1916 and was a feint to draw German troops from reinforcing the Somme sector. War Diary - 1st July 1916 In trenches Moated Grange "Germans opened intense bombardment of our front line and placed a barrage on our post at M Sq.D. They attempted to raid but were driven off. Bombardment ceased 11.30pm. Trenches obliterated for 50 yards and serious damage along whole of line." This damage unfortunately included James "Billy" Budd who was blown up twice - according to the medical records but 3 times according to JWB. On the second occasion he was rendered unconscious and removed from the line when the Bttn went into reserve on 4th July 1916. His friends Lieut Leonard Lamaison and H Truman were killed in the same bombardment along with 21 other ranks, who are all buried together in the Rue-de-Bacquerot No 1 cemetery, Laventie. There is no record of these deaths in the war diary! JWB was unconscious for three weeks and repatriated from Boulogne on 28th July 1916 and admitted to No 4 General Hospital Denmark Hill, suffering from shell shock.The officer who signed the initial admission form at No 4 General hospital was Major Biggs. He was finally pronounced fit on August 22nd 1917 and returned to his unit at Horton Hutments Northumberland.

    He served the rest of the war and became ADC to Brig Gen Boyd ending up relinquishing his commission in 1920 when he was serving with 2nd Leicestershire regiment.. JWB suffered throughout his life from the devastating effects of the concussion and although becoming a company director in a pub and catering company NEVER was able to take noise of any sort, including rustling of paper, leaves blowing and doors shutting. His condition worsened with age. He died in 1965. On the day he was finally admitted to hospital in 1964, my grandmother went around the house singing and slamming all the doors. We all wondered what she was going to slam next! JWB always said that he "Left his ears at Neuve Chapelle"!

    Robin Keyte




    145132

    Private William Barwise Sherwood Foresters (d.23rd April, 1917)

    I am trying to help an elderly lady who is trying to trace this person. He was killed in an assault in/or near Arras, and is buried in a cemetary in Arras. His brother, in the same assault saw him killed, and was never the same man again for the rest of his life. I cannot find any trace of him in Commonwealth Graves Commission. Has anyone any ides please? Reg.

    Reginald C Clifford




    145108

    Private Richard Henry Arnold 2/5th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.3rd May 1917)

    In Memory of Private Richard Arnold 242164, 2nd/5th Bn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who died on 03 May 1917 Remembered with honour Arras Memorial. Richard was born in Thurnscoe, Yorkshire on 25 Aug 1895 to parents Richard and Sarah Eleanor Owens, who married in Cardiff on 20 Feb 1892. He had four sisters, Eleanor born in Wales 1887, Elizabeth also born in Wales 1888, Maggie also born in Wales 1891 and Dorothy my grandmother who was born in Thurnscoe, Yorkshire 1894. One brother, Thomas born in Wales 1892. The family lived in Cardiff until around 1893 before relocating to Yorkshire and as can be seen the parents did not marry until 1892.

    David Healy




    144722

    Private Victor G Harvey North Somerset Yeomanry (d.18th Nov 1914)

    Victor was a tall strong man and it is this, according to family tradition, that proved his undoing as he was shot in the head by a German sniper near Yprs. He died of his wounds and is buried in Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery. His regiment had been in France a matter of two or three weeks. Victor had survived the First Battle of Ypres only to be killed within days of it's official ending.

    C Flynn




    144449

    Pte. William C. Richardson 9th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    My Grandfather William C Richardson joined the 9th Seaforth Highlanders on the 2nd Nov. 1914. He went overseas with the unit in 1915 and the 9th Seaforths became a pioneer unit in May 1915 and was attached to 9th Scottish Div. William was captured on the Somme at Combles, France on the 24th March 1918 during the major German offensive which began 21st March 1918. He was held in Rennbahn Camp, Westphalia. He was released in 1919 and discharged on the 17th April 1919.

    Thomas Richardson




    144413

    Private George Aspinall 15th Cheshire (d.15th Oct 1918)

    My Father, Arthur Aspinall, joined the Cheshires in 1916 in the Bantam section. His Brother George Went in 1914...During the last Months of the War my father actually passed by him my Father coming "off" his brother going into the fray... He never saw him again. He heard that George had died of wounds. My Father Arthur Aspinall suffered during a gas attack and until he died he suffered nose bleeds and severe headaches. The surgeons operated on him and found a massive tumour

    I would be so pleased if I could obtain a photo of Dad and especially one of my dear Uncle George who gave his life... I feel quite sad now...I am 81 yrs young going blind, but looking forward to seeing them together at last

    Arthur Aspinall




    144341

    Pte. James Carnegie 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders (d.26th Sept 1917)

    My husband's father Stanley Jones served in the Gordon Highlanders, Recently going through his papers we found a faded photograph of a Gordon Highlander, on the back is written James Carnegie (Barry Carnoustie). This gentleman appeared to have been a great friend of his. Researching on the internet we have found that a James Carnegie S/17411 lst Btn. Gordon Highlanders died at the age of 22 on 26th September, 1917 and is remembered with honour on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Stanley was in the lst Btn Gordon Highlanders (service number S/6402) so we think we have found the young James Carnegie in the picture lovingly kept by Stanley in his precious papers of the Great War.

    If anyone of James's family would like to get in touch we would be so happy to hear from them.

    Irene Jones




    143985

    Robert Allan Seaforth Highlanders

    My grandad was apparently born in Elgin, Scotland in about 1898.As a member of The Seaforth Highlanders he served in the 'Great War'and was badly wounded in 1916 when he he received a bullet in the spine.He was returned to England with the injury. He married a nurse from Norfolk, named Florence, in 1917 and my mother was born in 1918.He worked for the post office between 1920 and 1930 as an odd-job man.In 1930 he moved to Herne Bay in Kent where Florence became the manager of 'The Chez Laurice' restaurant and dance hall.Robert died in 1950.

    Roy Nutt




    143924

    Private Emmerson Beckwith 8th. Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.29th. April 1917)

    Emmerson (Emmy) was my father's step brother (aged 25) was killed in the Second Battle of Arras just 6 days after my father's brother in law, Lance Corporal Robert Lightburn (Aged 29) was killed, serving with 11th. Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, in the same battle, but different sectors. The two families lived within 1 mile of each other in the same mining village in North West Durham

    Ramsay Hall




    143813

    Edwin Walter Howe MM. Royal Artilery

    I am new 67 and I never knew my Dad, Edwin Howe. I am the youngest of 5 children and I know only know what what I have been told , Dad came out to Australia married mum ,and had 5 children, he died as a result of injury many years later. When he migrated to Australia, they lived in Moorabbin Victoria Australia where he worked as a storeman at the Moornabbin council as a storeman, he served with the Royal Artillary in the Great War and I was told was awarded the military medal. Any information would be just great.

    Christopher Howe




    143622

    William Henry Sweeney 103rd Battalion Canadian Scottish

    William joined the CEF in January 1916 at the age of 19 and saw action at the Battle of the Somme. Family legend says he was severely traumatized by what he saw there, including the horrific death of a good friend who died in his arms. William was sent back to England and treated for shell shock but he never fully recovered. He never returned to Canada, and died in hospital in Warrington in Sept 1928 as a result of his war service. This is all the information the family has about William - we don't even know exactly where he is buried. His mother's family was from Warrington, so I suspect he is buried there. Someday I hope to find out more about Great Uncle William, including where he is buried, and to visit his grave.

    Gail Lewis




    143560

    Cpl. James Carrigan M.M. 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Oct 1917)

    I would like any information on the 10th battallion of the DLI.My grandfather was killed in France in 1917. His name appears on a tablet at the tynecot memorial cemetery.I would dearly love to find out the circumstances in which he was awarded the military medal. His son, my father, died last year without knowing him.I would be grateful for information on any web sites specific to the 10th battalion and possible war diaries.I was told by the DLI museum locally that many records were destroyed in a fire so I am concerned that not much may exist

    Brian Carrigan




    143526

    Lance Corporal Alma Horton 18th Batn Cyclist Corp (d.22 Oct 1917)

    I am adding my unknown story of a young man who enlisted in 1916 age 19 and died age 20 from an injury to his arm on the above date...I have no other info on this man my Uncle..not even in his civilian life..am saddened that he along with many other young men at this time did not live to have families of their own...but heartened that they are all remembered...if there are any photos of his Battalion on your site...how are they to be found..I will retain the details of the Cyclist Corps..for my Family History File. Writing about him acknowledges that he existed albeit his existence cut short by The Great War..

    Jacqueline Spencer




    143461

    A/Cpl Joseph Sefton South Lancashire Regiment

    I have done some research on my Grandfather Joseph Sefton I have a record from Ancestry.co.uk stating he was regt no 2029 on attestation to the 1st Btn South Lancs in Oct 1886, but it mentions that he had served with the 4btn Liverpool Regiment (saying at the age of 18). I also have several other Regt numbers appearing on his records. 124 (1901 record) 8109 (1905 record) and 267813 (1914 record). He was discharged in Oct 1898, re joined in 1901 given Regt no 124. He subsequently went to to Gibralter, Malta, Egypt and South Africa and was discharged in 1906.

    He then joined up once more 1/10/1914 He lied about his age and said he was 44 when he was 46, he had six children (one my mother) He was posted to South Lancs and also served in the Labour Corps (I think) and stayed in until Feb 1919.

    Unfortunatly I have been unable to gather any information regarding the following: What(if any) medals would have been awarded for all or any of his service? Was he actually in the Liverpool Regiment? Are there any photgraphs of the South Lancs? I Would love to find out more about him or the South lancs. Can anyone help?

    Bob Scott




    143195

    Private Henry Chappell 1st Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt (d.20th Oct 1914)

    Henry Chappell was my grandfathers brother and it looks like a pre WW1 serving soldier with the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt. My Grandfathers family orginated from London/Kent so it is strange Henry belonged to a Northern Regiment. I have no information regarding henry and am unaware of where he was living and whether he was married etc. I know that he landed in France/Belgium on the 12th September 1914 and was killed in action in October 1914, he has no known grave so his name is recorded on one of the many memorials. If anyone has any information or is a relative of Henry please contact me

    Steve Learmouth




    143068

    Sjt. Ivan Clarence "Chips" Hamblin MSM, MID. 2nd Btn. East Kent Regiment, The Buffs

    "Chips" Hamblin was a regular army soldier. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for Gallantry during WW1 also mentioned in despatches and awarded Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. His other Medals include Victory Medal, 1914-15 Star, Great War Medal. Chips died at Catterick in 1928 due to influenza.

    Peter Hamblin




    143047

    Pte. John Schneider 1st/4th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917)

    My Great Uncle Private John Schneider was killed during the attack on the 9th October 1917 at Battle of Poelcappelle. His memorial is on panel 125-128 Tyne Cot Memorial.

    I believe he had previously been injured and spent some time in a hospital. Whilst there he knitted a belt which has been handed down to me. It has knitted on it his initials J.S, the initials Y & L for his regiment and the regimental badge, the union jack flag, a flag which is red with a small union jack in the top left corner, and the initials S P H which I believe to be the initials of the hospital. All my efforts to trace the hospital have failed, can anyone please assist?

    John Wright




    142977

    Pte. George Palmer MSM. 30th Coy Labour Corps

    George Palmer was my grandfather who died in the year of my birth 1949. As a child I was told that he won his medal saving the life of a fellow soldier who had fallen into a frozen river in 1917. I love to be able to confirm this but in any event would welcome any details as to where and if his battalion saw action during WW1.

    Kevin Palmer




    142968

    Cpl. James Patrick Brennan 8th Company 55th Artillery Regiment

    My paternal grand father, James Patrick Brennan (1886-1968) enlisted in the US Army at Fort Andrews, MA. His military service lasted from 29 Aug 1917 to 18 Feb 1919. He was promoted from PFC to Corporal on 22 Aug 1918. He was honourably discharged at Camp Devens MA.

    He served in France with the American Expeditionary Force from 23 Sept 1918 to 4 Feb 1919. He was a member of the 8th Company, (formerly the 29th Company, NG. of the Coastal Defences of Boston), of the 55th Artillery Regiment, which provided support to the US III and V armies in France during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive (29 Sep - 11 Nov 1918). According to his family, after the War he suffered from shell shock or what would now be described as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

    Prior to his enlistment, he had worked as a motorman for the Boston Elevated Railway out of the Grove and Milk Street Railway Stations. He returned to Ireland in 1920, married and settled down in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo farming a small holding until his death on 8th May 1968.

    John Brennan




    142962

    Acting Corporal Jeremiah Francis Aherne Royal Engineers

    Jeremiah Aherne was attested as a sapper on 3 January 1910 in the trade of carpenter in the Royal Engineers. He served at home from 1910 to 1914, then in Bermuda from January to October 1914 and finally in France in 17 Field Company and then the 32nd Railway Operating Company from 20 November 1914 until July 1918 when he returned home as he had applied and been recommended for a commission. By the end of the War he was an acting Corporal. Having started his Officer training he was told that commissions were being suspended because the War was over. All cadets were offered the choice of returning to their units or continuing training, but they would be discharged immediately on commissioning and would not receive any uniform allowance or pay as an Officer. Jeremiah chose the latter option and was appointed to a temporary commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Munster Fusiliers on 5 March 1919 and immediately discharged to the Reserve. At the outbreak of WWII he returned to military service. In 1943 he was listed on the Regular Army Reserve of Officers in the Auxiliary Pioneer Corps as a Class II 2nd Lieutenant 18 January 1940 (War Substantive Captain 22 July 1941). He subsequently attained the rank of Major. His family believes that he oversaw the construction and development of coastal defences during WWII and that he was based in Aberdeen, Scotland.

    John Brennan




    142824

    L/Cpl. John William " " Paddock MM & Bar. 173rd Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers

    John Paddock was my Granddad, he survived the war but was discharged because of his wounds, he was blinded in one eye. He was decorated but would never say why. He always maintained that his medals really belonged to the lads that never came home. He was a bit of a lad and was relieved of his stripe on a couple of occasions, or so I am led to believe. I would appreciate any light anyone could throw on his military escapades I do not expect there is much you could tell me but we live in hope.

    My granddad died many years ago I loved him dearly but was in awe of him he told me many stories sadly the passing of the years as dimmed my memory of these.However I do remember him rolling up at our house at the time of the Suez crisis. He was in full battle dress and had his old army rucksack on his shoulder. He was slightly the worse for drink but had called in to say bye bye as he had to get to Egypt to save the Suez as he put it. He was deadly serious and rather annoyed that although in his seventies the army considered him to old to join in the current fighting.

    Jack Thompson




    142771

    L/Cpl Victor Henry Hawkins MM. 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment (d.28th Apr 1918)

    Victor Hawkins was my great uncle, we have only just found out about him recently. He was killed in action during the Battle of Kemmel. He's buried at La Clythe Military Cemetery in Belgium. Rest in Peace.

    Jayne Baker




    142767

    L/Cpl. Alfred Chamberlain 2nd Btn Durham Light Infantry

    My father, Alfred Chamberlain was Lewis gunner. He told me of forced marches in lower Alps in Italy 1917-18, when buglers played to boost the speed and their lips were blue with cold and swollen.

    Janet Annison




    142761

    Pte. Richard Henry Webb 4th Btn East Yorks Regiment

    Richard Henry Webb was my mother's father, he was born in Bermondsey 1st Feb 1896 (to a family with roots in both East London and Hull). He lost his father in 1899, and his mother in 1906, and grew up in the family of his aunt in Hull. He enlisted 7th Nov 1912 with 4th Bn East Yorks Regt and served with Army Cyclist Corps and Royal Horse Guards.

    On the back of his cycling map he has written the following: "V Corps Army Cyclist", "My Best Friend in France and Belgium 1915-1918", "Landed April 17th 1915", "Ypres 2nd Battle", "R.H.Webb". His Movement Order (in very frail condition) is dated 11 December 1917, and bears the stamps "Poperinghe" "Hazebrouck".

    By late January 1918 he was convalescing,I don't know any details of his injuries, in Stamford, Lincs, where he struck up a relationship with Cathie Piggott, my grandmother, just before his 22nd birthday. The relationship started very suddenly, and became serious so quickly that Cathie ditched her current boyfriend just as he had decided to propose to her! They became engaged in May, and were married by licence on 23rd October in Stamford, his address on the Bishop's Licence was "The Parish of Great Bentley, Colchester in the county of Essex".

    Dick Webb transferred to the Royal Horse Guards, taking the Service Number 3157, in February 1919, and was disembodied on April 21st. He enlisted with the Territorials at Stamford in 1920, and stayed with them until 1923. He died in October 1936, on their 18th wedding anniversary, when he collapsed with a heart attack at his garden gate, having just been to his allotment to get some vegetables for Sunday lunch. My grandmother noted that the doctor told her "his arteries were like a man of 60, and it would be aggravated by his war service". He left a widow and four children aged 5 to 15. His only son, Arthur, died aged 19 in December 1944 on the Arctic Convoy when his ship HMS Cassandra was torpedoed near Murmansk.

    John Riley




    142742

    Pte. Walter Arthur Tompkins Royal Fusiliers (d.30th June 1917)

    I am trying to find out where my mother's uncle, Wally Tompkins was killed.

    Christine Rooke




    142733

    Pte. Frederick Martin Royal Sussex Regiment.

    I have just been given the information on my Great Grandfather, which was found in diary it reads: Private F. Martin 267442 Royal Sussex T Regiment, Balun Barracks, Kalhousie, India. This is the only information we have did not know until today that Frederick was in the Army. There is also picture of a Camel and Indian soldiers wading through floods.

    Linda Pereira




    142575

    Private Walter Wheeler 9th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.3rd Jul, 1916 )

    I am desperately trying to find out more information about my Great Uncle, Walter Wheeler, who was killed on the third day of the Battle of the Somme. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial in France and he was one of those whose remains were never found. He was just 19 years old. I have tried to trace his Army records without luck so far and wonder if you could offer any advice on how to trace more about him. He was one of a family of seven children, born in the small village of Potter Street, which is now incorporated into Harlow, Essex, and was the son of a haybinder. I have been in touch with Pam & Ken Linge, who are building an online archive of the Thiepval soldiers, and my Great Uncle now has a record on the site. I sent them a photograph of Walter and they now say that he may have been in the Royal Field Artillery, having seen his cap badge, but the entry at Thiepval quotes the Essex Regiment as his unit. I hope you can help. Many thanks

    Dawn Helder




    142551

    Pte Charles Ellis Sherwood Foresters

    My Dad, who was born on the 20 September 1899 enlisted when he was 16 years old. He didn't talk much about his time in France and I failed miserably to be interested in what happened, which I very much regret. He always made us eat up out meals as children and told us the story of how luck he was when he had a tin of jam, yes, just a tin of jam - his mate had a tin of golden syrup. Imagine that - a growing boy of 16 and that was your meal! He did mention how scared he was when, one night he was on "Sentry go" and there was an awful banging noise very close to him - he HAD to investigate and it was a rat with its head stuck in a bully beef can. He was badly gassed and spent some time at the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley. After the war he was based an the Cologne Cavalry Barracks where he was friendly with a German family. Being gassed caused enormous abcesses and I remember he could not sit down for three Christmas dinners. He died at the age of 75 and I still miss that very brave man.

    Molly Taylor




    142344

    Pte. Thomas James "Paddy" Harragan Middlesex Regiment

    My Grandfather, Paddy Harragan joined up in 1914 with his best friend Charlie Brown, a brother so to speak, they were Cads, wide boys, but duty bound. My Grandad married Charlies' sister, my granny, love was all. The rest of this occurrence is highly speculative as I only have his written words and the verbal words of his sons and daughters.

    My Granddad, Charlie, and others were sent on a recce/snatch party, with an officer. Granddad and the officer got back to the lines, leaving Charlie and other mates screaming on the wire. Pte T.J Harragan disobeyed his officer, defied enemy fire went back into No Man's Land, dis-entangled several, including Charlie and led the rest to safety. For this action the officer received the V.C. My granddad cuddled Charlie till he was cold. He got leave and my Nan had To wash her brother's blood from his uniform and send him back.

    My Granddad survived the war, he never returned to Ireland,h ad three sons who served in WW2 and a fascinating postscript, stayed in his bed during the Blitz saying, they didn't get me then! He lived until 1963 I served 5yrs in the Royal Engineers I saw a bit, but nothing I could possibly imagine compared to what my Granda went through

    We would love to find the citation for the officer's VC, can anyone help?

    Hadyn T Guest




    142211

    Pte Harry Eugene Turner 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers

    The above soldier was my father who enlisted in 1906 and served until 1919. I would be pleased to find any army records of his regimental service.

    Alec Turner




    142115

    Serjeant James Mullett M.M. A Bty, 82nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.10th Nov 1918)

    James Mullet was a serjeant with A Battery, 82nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. I just wondered if there were any photographs of this brigade or if anyone could tell how I find out why he was awarded the military medal.

    carol middleton




    141803

    Sjt. Abraham Eden Todd 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.31st May 1918)

    My great uncle, Abraham Todd died of wounds during the battle of the Aisne, May 1918. He is buried at Beaurepaire, French National Cemetry, Pontavert.

    Rob Todd




    141774

    John Cummins

    I can not find an record of my grandad, Jack Cummins. All I know is he drove the supplies to the front, I don't even know what that part of the army he would have been in. I can't find a J. Cummins anywhere, even though I know he was born in 1894 in Shoreditch, and he went to France and he did come home.

    His elder brother George had emigrated to Canada and joined up on November 5th, 1915. George died at Vimy, on October 2nd, 1916. I found all this out from Canadian records recently; I even have a photocopy of his attestation papers. This document is very thorough; I even learned my great-grandfather's name, and address in London from it. If this would interest you I would be glad to send a copy. If anyone can help me, but I would be terribly grateful.

    Editors note: There are at least 20 men named J. Cummins, listed in the medal cards at the National Archives, these can be viewed on their website or on Ancestery.co.uk. It may be that he joined his brother in the Canadian Army, many British men served in the Canadian Forces.

    Jennie Pencarrick




    141620

    Pte. Charles Henry Morrison 17th Battalion Rifle Brigade

    Charles Henry Morrison was my Grandfather, he died in 1921 and his name is on the monument at the East London Cemetery, he was a rifleman, enlisted from Poplar and Stepney men. He enlisted in WW1 but it is difficult to trace his movements as most ww1 papers got destroyed in the blitz.

    When Charles died in the Fulham Military Hopital he left a young widow and five young children, he was only 32. My Grandmother recieved ten shillings a week as a war widow, there was no income support back then, she was evicted from a flat in Limehouse and the family went from room to room, my mother Emma had no shoes to wear. She had a young brother also named Charles and he had been born an imbecile, my grandmother had no choice but to take him to a children's mental institution, the hospital was St Lawrence's at Caterham, he was only 5. There were to be no visitors for Charles as the family were desperately poor, imagine that child with no visitors until he died at the age of 24 from TB. He is buried in the unapt name of Happy Valley a golf course laid in the grounds of the hospital. I did trace Charles Junior and laid flowers on the mound where he is buried with dozens of other inmates, who died from TB. Charles therefore was a victim of the war as well as my grandfather.

    Charles Senior had another 2 sons who fought for Great Britain in WW2, both came home safe, but Uncle Tommy was blown up at Albert Docks while unloading food for London, and a further cousin Danny died at Dunkirk. I am 70 years of age but I never forget the courage and the sadness that arose from WW1 and WW2. I honour all the brave men that gave their lives for this country of ours.

    Colleen Bennett




    141321

    L/Cpl. Roland Tompson

    My Father, Roly Tomlinson attended Clarance School in Weston Super Mare. He served as Lance Corporal at Ypres with the North Somerset Yeomanry. He used to tell us stories about the wonderful horses which he helped to break in, then the regiment went mechanical and the chaps were issued with motor-bikes, so at 18yrs of age he transferred to the RFC. He told us he trained at a flying school in Princess Risborough and was commissioned for duty with the RFC as a 2nd Lieutenant, stationed at St Leonards on Sea.

    Helen




    141305

    Pte. Hedley John " " Cummins 16th (Sussex Yeomanry) Btn Royal Sussex Regiment (d.10th Oct 1918)

    Hedley Cummins lost his life one month before the end of hostilities. I would like to discover where he lost his life.

    Ernie Cummins




    141238

    Corporal David Stoddart 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.25 Sept 1915)

    Loos memorial

    James Henderson




    141236

    Corporal Andrew Crooks Henderson 10th/11th Btn. Highland Light Infantry (d.23 April 1917)

    Arras Memorial

    James henderson




    141190

    Pte. Alfred Joseph Deadman 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.1st Aug 1916)

    My Grandfather, Alfred Deadman enlisted at Kingsway London on 16th March 1915. He was employed as a butler and had married my Grandmother Bessie Louisa Baldwin on 25th July 1911. He served from 16th March 1915 at home and then served in France from 17th November 1915 until he was killed in action on 1st August 1916. He is buried at the Quarry, Mauntaubaun. My Grandfather's name appears on the war memorial at St. Margaret's Church in Kirstead, Norfolk.

    Diane Sambridge




    140742

    Ronald Cecil Elliott 144th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    My father, Ronald Elliott served with the 144th Heavy Battery, RGA, but I can find no record of him at Kew, he did not come home until 1919, having been there from June of 1916, we know this by the postcards he sent to my Mother. He also had four brothers serving in the army, at the same time, one taken prisioner. I can find none of these records either. Any help or suggestions would be gratefully received.

    Pam Murphy




    140669

    Albert Clatworthy Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My Grandfather's first name was Albert and my Grandmother's first name was Alice but they never used these names to each other. It was always Bert and Mag. Well my grandfather was in a place called Albert and as you know serving people are not allowed to write home with the address where they are at for security reasons. Well he thought he would be a bit clever so when he wrote home he signed the letter from Albert. When my grandmother received it, she thought he was being posh so when she replied she signed her letter from Alice. I do not know anything about my Grandfather's time in the army, all I know is he served right through and got all the medals awarded for the whole war. When the First World War broke out he had just got over Glandular fever and when he told my Grandmother he was going down to sign on she told him, you can try but they wont want you, but they did.

    Albert Clatworthy




    140620

    Sjt. John Geary Leicestershire Regiment

    My great great uncle John Geary was born in Mountsorrel, he joined up on 3rd January 1915.

    Dawn Baron




    140419

    Pte. Daniel Burton 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.8th March 1916)

    My Great Grand-father, Danny Burton joined up at the age of 34, he died at the Battle of Dujaila in Mesopotamia on the 8th of March 1916. He left a wife and 4 daughters.

    D. Jackson




    140417

    Pte. Joe George Rey Army Service Corps

    I have recently discovered that my great grandfather, Joe Rey served in ASC during World War 1 and was in France between 12/8/1914 and 23/8/1915. I would be very interested to find which unit he served with and and any stories related to the unit, I would especially like to see any pictures of the unit.

    Joe Rey




    140398

    Dvr James Henry Mitchell Royal Field Artillery

    James Mitchell was my Grandfather, I would do much like to know more about his service.

    Tony Bennett




    140371

    Staff Sgt. William Albert Wright 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (d.7th Dec 1917)

    My Grandfather William Wright was killed at Cambrai on the 7th December 1917 and his name is on the memorial at Cambrai, but if there is anymore information anyone can give me I would be very appreciative.

    Pauline Leahy




    140023

    Pte. Garside "Ned" Edwin 1/9th Batallion Manchester Regiment (d.25th April 1917)

    To the memory of Edwin Garside father of Maurice Garside R.I.P This is the day my Great Grandfather Edwin died in WW1 in the Arras battle at Epehy. He was 22 with a baby boy at home, also called Maurice. He was married to Annie Williams and lived in Market Street Droylsden. May we never forget our soldiers of the past, present and future.

    The 1/9th Battalion war diary states the following.

    8.45pm 24th through to 25th April 1917.

    Epehy - Operations of the morning to be continued, the 1/5th East Lancs to attack the Knoll from the NW. and W. 4th East Lancs Division out of trench F6a by German counter attack, retire on Little Priel Farm. The 4th East Lancs ordered to withdraw to No 13 Copse. The attack of the 5th East Lancs timed for 11pm delayed till situation cleared up. 5th East Lancs attack about 2am, but are not successful. Reported that Knoll was taken on right. C Company provide artillery, of 2 sections at F 3 d 88. Patrols penetrated Ossus Wood to about 300 yards, and were digging in but were forced to retire. Sniping Post established 50 yards from west end of Wood and on southern edge of wood. Enemy Machine guns known to be in Ossus Wood but not located.

    Capt Stephenson and 2 platoons relieve 4th East Lancs in Spur Post. Attempt to relieve 2nd Lt Gray at Grays Post unsuccessful owing to difficulty in finding post. Requin and 14 Copse ----. Lt. Shatwell and 2 platoons D Company, attack Old German Trench, but it was strongly manned by enemy and is forced to withdraw. Heavy barrage and machine gun fire caused casualties.

    Casualty Report for April : Killed 6, Missing 7, Wounded 39, Sick 90.

    Edwin is remembered on the Arras Memorial Bay 7. God Bless you Edwin, we never got to know you, but you will never be forgotten X

    Jane Moulton




    140016

    Private William Henry Dixey 4th Battalion Worcestershire Rgt (d.22nd August 1918)

    William H Dixey was my Great Uncle. I know that he is buried in the Borre British Cemetery in Northern France nr Hazebroeck.Unfortunately I do not know where or how he died. His war record appears to be one that did not survive the second world war bombing!

    Jackie Riche




    139816

    Pte. Harold Wooldridge 8th Battalion Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment (d.13th Dec 1916)

    Harold Wooldridge was the youngest child of Thomas Wooldridge & Eliza nee Grice. All of my father's family had always been led to believe that their father was an only child. It was only when I started researching my family history that I discovered the there were infact six brothers & sisters. Two years ago I found that my Great Uncle Harold, details above had died in France in 1916. That is all I have been able to find out. Could anyone help me find out any more information? I would love to know how some one from Staffordshire came to be in a West Riding regiment, when did he join? how did he die?

    Gabrielle Wooldridge




    139648

    Lt. John E. Holloway 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, City of London (d.7th May 1915)

    John 'Jack' Richardson, born in 1893, was the son of the headmaster of Shaftesbury Road Elementary School in Forest Gate, East London. After the outbreak of WW1 he battled red-tape to be allowed to fight, despite a heart problem.

    "The battalions now at Malta are going to France. Were I only there! But for evermore will I pity the unemployed."

    He managed to join the newly formed 2nd Batallion of the City of London Fusiliers as a Lieutenant, and embarked for France on 17th March 1915. "We passed torpedo boats at Portsmouth and minesweepers. Cruisers and one submarine going on the surface with a long trail of black smoke coming out of the back - it looked uncanny creeping along, like a long, black water snake."

    He wrote regular letters to his fiancée, May Larby (my grandmother - the daughter of a local police constable) which have been published as "There Are No Flowers Here", available from www.lulu.com. All the quotes I have included are from this book.

    Here are some excerpts that might be of interest. "My dear girl, I am writing this on Sunday morning with the British shells passing over our heads, the German snipers occasionally potting at us and aeroplanes sailing round and being followed by white puffs from the smoke bombs fired by the anti-aircraft guns. These white puffs look for all the world like pieces of cotton wool. I came into the trenches for four days last night about 6.30. We marched along a railway line and then a road with just one or two bullets whistling here and there but with no casualties. We got safely into our breastwork and then followed a continual fusillade from the German trenches 400 yards in front of us, rifles, star bombs, and a search light. The result was nothing as far as we were concerned. Still, it was a fine experience. I, with a second lieutenant and two men were employed in building a bombproof shelter with sandbags and boards, corrugated iron etc.. The 2/Lieut.,to whom I am, of course junior, and I went on duty of inspection of the whole line of the trenches from 1-3 p.m.and got to sleep at 3.30, to be roused at 5.0 this morning by the “Stand To” when every man has to stand by his arms for an hour. The Germans giving us quite a rifle bombardment as a “reveille”. They keep this up more or less all day and night. They are just waking up again now. The rest of the morning we have had nothing in particular to do except fire sometimes at the Germans and keep our heads below the parapet. The British 4.7 guns have just started sending shells over us on to (one just gone) the German lines. The last just burst over their trench. The Germans are using a trench mortar now, but not on us, on the trenches to our right. The whole of the country here is desolate - the farms mere skeletons and the fields ploughed with earthworks. But, do you know May, I don't feel at all strange - almost exactly as if all the shots were blank and we were on field manoeuvres. I thought I should feel fearfully funky, but some how I don't. Besides it's such lovely weather today and the fellows here are jolly decent. I've even begun sketching the ruined houses etc. I must send you them when I manage to do some worth the transit. We stay here in the trenches 4 days and then have 4 in billets. The latter are quite nice and we live in comparative luxury, although shells come quite close and knock corners off houses and break windows.( We just rushed into a dugout because an aeroplane coming over our trench was shelled and we're afraid of the shrapnel pieces - however none came). What strikes me most is that the natives still stay with their homes and work in the fields even in the zone of fire. In the town the majority of the shops are open again, but it has a desolate look. My love, I musn't tell you where I am, because my letters are not read and they trust me not to say anything censorable. But I can say we have Germans in a horseshoe round us and we are in one of the most advanced trenches of the Allied line. Swank!

    My dear, this letter is very incoherent but I am writing things down as they occur to me. I am too lazy today to compose. Still, I hope you will find it interesting. And, comrade, do not be more anxious about me than you can help. There is really very little danger here and I am thoroughly enjoying myself. The business doesn't seem nearly so horrible now I am here. I'm in that frame of mind which is prepared to take the whole thing as a game, and a good one too. Anyhow I'm glad I'm not funky. Comrade, please write to me soon and tell me all about yourself and how you are and what is happening. Now I am here I know nothing about the war!"

    "It's now 11.30. The Maxims are going all along the line tonight and they make a fearful din. Last night was quite exciting. A sergeant and I crawled along in front of the trench to inspect the barbed wire entanglement - and it was cold - the ground all frosty and sparkling in the moonlight. Fortunately the enemy were quiet and we got very few shots, though they must have been able to see us quite plainly. Later I took out half a dozen men to put up some fresh wire and still few shots came our way. Very considerate of the Saxons who are opposite. During the night we were shouting across to them and they to us! “how do you do,” said they - many of them speak English; they wanted a game of football on Easter Monday. “Bully beef” was another cry of theirs. These “conversations” went on for quite an hour and not a shot fired. They woke up today however and plenty of sniping has gone on, and they at Maxims tonight."

    "Yesterday we had a little diversion. Two German and two British aeroplanes were over us at once and the sky was literally filled with bursting shells - over a hundred were counted at one time. One of the Germans was hit, but he got back to his own lines. We heard today that another had been brought down in our “Billets” town itself. The change of pencil in this letter was due to my rushing out to see if a passing biplane was English or German. If it is an enemy we all fire and drive him off - otherwise he finds our range and shells come over later. It was British." "But my dear, I've got a splendid sergeant just come back from hospital of the name of Macleod. He's the son of an Indian judge and as mad as a hare, though awfully useful and full of ideas and energy. We two went out last night to prospect the German front and we have plans against their snipers and listening post. Of this, more anon. Unfortunately he is likely to get a commission and I shall lose him."

    "Yesterday afternoon I spent some time sniping from a plate at the Germans and I think I managed to worry them. You see we have square iron plates put in the parapet with a hole just big enough to put a rifle through and they form jolly good loopholes. After putting several through the German sniping hole opposite me and splitting the sandbags round about I got a reply - and this was rather too good. It caught the stock of my rifle and sent the splinters and pieces of earth through my loophole and they caught my left hand slightly. However, very little damage was done and after getting it dressed by the stretcher bearers, to whom I went, I walked down to the Field dressing station and got it seen to again. I returned to the trench but the Captain insisted on my going down to see the Medical Officer in the evening and so spoiled my plans with Sergeant Macleod of which I told you." "While I was away our artillery gave them five minutes rapid shrapnel fire and our men blazed off rapid rifle fire. The sergeant I spoke about got so excited that he jumped up on top of the parapet to fire at the Germans. Luckily he wasn't hit nor did we have any casualties. Of course it would be my luck not to be there, but I expect we shall repeat the experiment later on." "The night before last I went out with Macleod and a private to look at a wagon standing in front of the German lines, in which we thought there was a sniper. We crawled out about 250 yds. along the side of a ditch - very, very cautiously and lay and watched. But there was no sniper - only German shells came flying overhead, though of course they couldn't do us any harm. To make sure I then crawled on for 20 yds. or so and just as I got flat on the ground the “Bosches” sent up a flare which fell quite close to me - of course they saw me and when I turned to go back to the other two, shots began to come our way, though you know it is very difficult to aim in the dark with any certainty so there wasn't really very much danger. We all slid into the ditch and then a machine gun opened fire on us, or rather where they thought we were. We slowly made our way down the ditch, and the mud and water came up over the thighs, and the Germans, thoroughly alarmed, for they could hear our splashing as we went, sent up flares and rattled off with rifles and machine gun. Half way down the ditch was a bridge, and here they thought we should have to come out of the ditch and crawl along to pass, so they set the machine gun on it. Fortunately they were wrong - there was about 2 ft. between the top of the water and the top of the bridge, so we could just get through and make our way right to our own trench, accompanied with flares and musketry. So worried were the Germans that they sent up a red flare which is a signal to their own men an attack is expected! There's quite a “Three Musketeers” touch about that, isn't there? But we cost them quite a lot in ammunition etc. and quite annoyed them. More than this there has been little happening - we had some fifteen shells over two nights ago, two of which slightly damaged the trench but there was no harm done. Since we've been up I think there have been two casualties in the whole Battalion. You know we're nearly as safe as you who cross London streets daily."

    "Really my dear, Macleod is a very useful man and I'd rather be out at night with him than anyone. He is not the sort who would get jumpy and let off his gun at awkward moments or do things like that."

    On Sunday April 25th. 1915 Jack was wounded while reconnoitering at night in front of his trench with his sergeant. He died of these wounds on Friday May 7th. 1915. He was 22 years old.

    Paul Holloway




    139579

    William "Sailor" Hayes Royal Engineers

    To be honest, all four of my grandparents have proved challenging as far as family research is concerned but, from the days when a polite letter and an SAE to The ministry of Defence prompted a personally typed reply, at least I have a chronological account of the military service of my maternal grandfather, 17123 Driver William Hayes - Royal Engineers. In essence it is probably no more or less remarkable than many such records. He enlisted in Poole 20.1.1908, was transferred to Reserve 20.1.1910 and was mobilised 7.8.1914, serving until 22.12.15 in the Expeditionary Force France.From 23.12.1915 to 7.8.1919 he was a member of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, during which time, in 1916, he joined No 2 Train Transport Company. Along with many others, he was awarded the 1914 Star, the British war Medal and the Victory medal. But, was he really serving with the 3rd Dorsetshire Regiment Militia upon attestation? ... the record contains no details of this previous service. Where did he buy the beautiful postcard he sent to my mother during the war? What exactly did he do in No 2 Train Transport Company? Where and when was he buried alive? .... members of which other regiment dug him out? Perhaps a Scottish one judging by the photo! Incidentally, his pay was stopped when he went missing and, although reinstated upon his reappearance, not made up! My grandmother, with five small children to care for, was not impressed! Did he at some point really serve with the Gurkhas? Certainly my mother and my Aunt could remember a friend called Gopal Singh visiting the house .... and what about 'The Turban Photo'? Oh .. and the nickname 'Sailor'. Well, it seems that his early life was rather fraught, culminating in a bit of a set-to with his stepfather after which my grandfather ran away to sea, later jumping ship and changing his name. To me, of course, he was just my grandfather. Someone who took me to the pictures, bought me a snow shaker and trusted me to play with the beautifully carved wooden figures in the cabinet. I wish I had asked my grandfather the kind of questions the anwers to which would have solved the mysteries, but I was a child so I didn't. And would he have told me? He didn't even talk about it to my Nan and my Mum. Like so many other 'unremarkable men' he just got on with it.

    Angela Heaviside




    139573

    Joseph Oates

    My husbands grandfather Joseph Oates marriage certificate has him based as follows: 3rd Balloon Squadron Abbey Wood, London.1918 I have tried hard to find any mention of this squadron or anything to do with balloon squad at Abbey Wood. My husband seems to think his grandfather was initially in the Cavalry Can any one point me in the right direction? Thank You Jennifer Oates

    Jennifer Oates




    139555

    Colonel Arthur Charles Washington Horne

    This is the only information that I have on my great grandfather, his last rank was Colonel, commanding officer of Shorncliffe Camp in Folkestone, England. All of the documents that the family had have been donated to the Ontario Archives by my grandfather/grandmother a few years ago. I thought that you would like this info for your site as little as it is. My great grandfather died in 1979 in his late 90's here in Toronto. I do have lots of great photographs that I can scan, just let me know where to send them. Katherine

    Katherine Horne-Lalonde




    138332

    Rifleman William Gladwin 11th Btn Rifle Brigade (d.3rd Sep 1916)

    My Great uncle killed in WW1. I would be interested in any history published on the 11th (Service) Bn

    Jim MacKenzie




    137346

    James Holroyd Army Cyclist Corps

    My Grandfather James Holroyd of Halifax Yorkshire, served in the Army Cyclist Corps durring WWI in either Mesopotamia or Macedonia. He tried to retrieve his military records but they were destroyed in WWII. I have been trying to at least find some general information on the cyclist corps to have some background. There is one picture of him with his bicycle and I have buttons etc. off his uniform as well as general service medals.

    Heather Holroyd Potvin




    135674

    L/Cpl. Thomas Arthur Fosbrook 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment

    Thomas Arthur Fosbrook was my Grandfather. He enlisted in the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment on 23/08/1906 aged 18 yrs and having served 9 years 112 days with the colours. He was declared unfit for service and discharged 12/09/1916, aged 28 yrs. He received the British War Medal, The Mons Star, and the Victory medal, which I have in the family tree album. Prior to that he was a estates worker, attached to Hatfield park which is owned and run by the Salisbury family.

    Colin Goodwin




    135542

    Private Mark Westcott King's Royal Rifle Corps

    My grandfather, Private Mark Westcott served with the King's Royal Rifle Corp. The only record I have is that he was awarded the 1915 Star, the War Medal, and the Victory Medal, which has given me his Service Number and Corps. Apparently he stayed enlisted after the war and retired in service. He died in 1949 in Exeter, but, according the family legend, he joined up in 1914 and returned home in 1928.

    Tim Westcott




    133798

    Private Endicott Linden Luke 5th Machine Gun Company 9th Btn.

    My Grandfather, Private Endicott Luke was wounded in France during the Battle of the Somme on 14/15th Nov. 1916 and was eventually evacuated to Beaufort War Hospital for treatment, surgery and recuperation. Was wondering if there are any records or photos of his stay. I have a couple of photos but are not sure if they were at Beaufort.

    Robert Luke




    133144

    Pte. James Henry Bray 6th Battalion Manchester Regiment

    I am looking for any pictoral history of my Great Granddad Pte. J.H. Bray, if anyone has any photos, my family would be extremly grateful.

    Craig Bray




    133124

    Pte. White Thomas 1st Battalion, B Company Sherwood Foresters (d.13th Mar 1915)

    Thomas White died of wounds at Rue De Tilleloy, at Signpost Corner, near Neuve Chapelle, France.

    M. Gregory




    132396

    Pte. Horace Walker 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.29 October 1914)

    Horace Walker was my grandmother's younger brother & had been in service in Lincolnshire before the war but on his death certificate his home address is that of my grandmother in Sheffield. He was 32. He died in the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth with the cause of death given as malignant oedema of the thigh.

    I would be most interested to discover more about his war experiences & how/where he received the thigh wound. His medals suggest that he had served on the continent but I have no other details. It must have been a very early engagement for him to have been injured, repatriated by this date in the war; or perhaps he was just kicked by a mule before seeing any action. If anyone can enlighten me in any way I would be most grateful.

    Jose Bosworth




    131403

    Second Lieutenant Stanley Victor Watton 3rd/7th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.27th Aug 1916)

    It started back in 2001 when i was on holiday with the ex wife and outlaws in france, when we stumbled upon a first world war cemetary at Etaples. we spent about 10 - 15 mins or so looking round, as i turned to walk back through the cemetary i caught sight of a grave stone with the name and rank of a Second Lieutenant Stanley Victor Watton, South Lancashire Regt, 27th Aug 1916. Since that day i have often wondered if 2nd Lt S.V. Watton was any kind of relation to myself/family. I know my grandad (dads dad) fought during the Great War but have been wondering for the last 7 years if Stanley was a lost member of the family?????. I know that his parents were called John and Clara, from Lancashire but thats it. Is there anybody out there who might be able to shed light on the matter as my family are in the dark. Thanks for any time and effort.

    Lee Watton




    131390

    Rfm. James Mcannally 15th (N. Belfast) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

    James was my grandfather, I have a war photo, a leave pass from a hospital in England for Nov 1918 and also his wallet, which he carried through the war with some items still in it. I think it is great what you are doing with this website,keeping the memory alive of so many brave men.

    Sam Mcquillan




    131363

    Private Sam Ashton 5th & 3rd Btns Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    This is an enquiry as I have been trying to research my Great Grandfather’s War record (what he did, where he went, did he take part in any battles) for 2 years now and seem to be getting nowhere. I am getting old now and only me in my family seems to be interested in finding out. The following two addresses are the only details I have and I know for sure that my Great Grandfather was in Germany at the end of WW1. E. COY. 3rd K.O.Y.L.I. No 9 Hut HEDEN Racecourse. Nr. HULL and 5th K.O.Y.L.I. No.6 Con CAMP. N. Coy. B.E.F. FRANCE. Please could someone help and tell me some history? I have researched in the National Archive, read books etc, but I still cannot figure the history of these Battallions. There is a family rumour that Sam was a sniper but i am not sure at all about this.

    Michael Ashton




    130971

    Pte. Walter Lenton 1st. Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.16th April 1918)

    Walter Lenton, my grandfather, is commemorated on the wall of the Tyne Cot cemetery. My mother is in her hundredth year and remembers that when she was a child her father was reported missing for about a year. I am concerned therefore, as to the accuracy of the date of death given shown in the Government register. Is there any way it can be verified and is it possible to establish exactly where he died?

    Update: Commonwealth War Graves deal with all memorials, they can be contacted via their website.

    Keith Savage




    128012

    Pte. William Bisset Donaldson 1/4 Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers (d.17th July 1915)

    My great uncle, William Donaldson was wounded at Gallipoli on 12/07/1915 and died of his wounds on HMHS Astruias on 17/07/1915. He was buried in Alexandra, Chatsby Cemetry, Egypt. He joined the 4th Bn The King's Own Scottish Borderers, Territoral Force on 17/11/1913.

    Stephen Donaldson




    127977

    Pte. Frederick George Gilham 2nd Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment

    We are trying to trace a photo as we have an old photocopy of Frederick George Gilham with a group of soldiers and in front of them there is a remarkable array of trophies. We think it may be boxing trophies? Musical trophies? Around 1916. Possibly in India. Or at East Surrey Barracks in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey. Also we are led to believe Frederick George Gilham was India Boxing Champion for 1918. Does anyone know anything about the Army boxing in India during WW1?

    Fiona Rabbetts




    127127

    Lance Corporal William West 3rd Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.12th Jan 1915)

    William died aged 31 and is remembered at the Ploegsteert Memorial, he has no known grave. William was married to Daisy (nee Boulter), my grandmother, unfortunately I was only 4 when my grandmother died so I have little information with regard to William.

    Denniese Haynes




    125158

    Pte. Malcolm McLeod 85th Overseas Btn. (d.22 March 1918)

    My Great Uncle, Malcolm McLeod died of shot wounds to the head, arms and legs on 22nd March, 1918. His Official Casualty Form reports that his wounds were received in action and that the #1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station tended to his wounds and recorded his death. Can anyone provide me with the location of the #1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on 21st March, 1918?

    I am having difficulties determining which battle that he was involved. What I know: The German "Kaiser's Battle or Ludendorff Offensive" commenced on the 21 March, 1918. The attack was on the British 5th and 3rd Army. The attack was launched in the St Quentin area and advanced to the line of the Somme. Pte McLeod was a member of the 85th Battalion and he was received by the #1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station 21 March, 1918.

    My hopes are to link Malcolm and the #1 C.C.C.S. with a location to determine where he was on 21 March 1918. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

    Leo McDonald




    124984

    Pte. Louis Fox 18th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.9th Jul 1916)

    Louis Fox was not a direct relative of mine. He was taken in as a homeless teenager by my maternal grandmother in the early years of the 20th century and remained with the family as a well loved family member until his death in 1916.

    Jeff Hampton




    120625

    Pte. James Edmond Rowen 24th Battalion (The Queens) London Regiment

    James Edmond Rowen was my uncle and one of 4 brothers who served in the war. He was in the 24th London Regiment (The Queens) and saw action at Mazingarbe Sep 1915,High Wood 14th July to 15th Sep 1916, Somme, Vimy Ridge April 1917, Ypres 1917 and Bapaume August 1918 James died in 1927

    David Bird




    120607

    Pte. Charles Victor " " Rowen 1/22nd Battalion London Regiment (d.21st Dec 1920)

    Charles Rowen was the brother of John George, Walter and James Edmund Rowen all of whom served in WW1

    Charles enlisted 24th Feb 1916 and was enrolled 2nd August 1916 in the 1/22nd Battalion London Regiment. On the 3rd Dec 1916 he embarked from Southampton and disembarked Le Havre on 4th December 1916

    He was wounded in his left eye at Ypres 30th August 1917 and after treatment was discharged to Duty 8th Sept 1917. On 13th December 1917 Charles as gassed by shell and was admitted to 12th General Hospital in Rouen on 20th Dec 1917. Folllowing treatment he was sent to Base Medical Board on 1st Feb 1918 and to Comp B Depot (1311) 6th Feb 1918

    On the 18th Feb 1918 Charles joined 50th P.O.W Labour Battalion for Duty at Les Sants. He was transferred to P. of War Company 15th July 1918, and retained his infantry pay for Benefit of Service and was allotted a new number, 564875. Charles went on leave from 22nd July to 9th August 1918 and on 25th August deducted one days pay due to being absent from 9.30 p.m to 7.15a.m. on 26th August 1918. He had leave in the UK 8th Feb 1919 to 22nd Feb 1919.

    On the 5th April 1919 he was admitted to No 12 Stationary Hospital at Abbeyville and invalided home on the A.T Brighton due to Rheumatism. LCCO Posted 6th April. Between 6th April and 6th May 1919 he was treated at Nell Lane Military Hospital, in Didsbury then being transferred to the Lord Derby War Hospital in Didsbury for mental observations, he was there until 30th May 1919 when he was transferred to the County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St Albans. Records state "Somewhat Dull in appearance when admitrted but cheerfuland rational. Hearing slightly impaired. Much improved. Recommended PU"

    Charles was discharged from the Army on 3rd July 1919 due to Mental Instability due to Active Service. He died 21st Dec 1920 and is commemorated on the War Grave Panel in Streatham Cemetery.

    David Bird




    120604

    Rfm. Walter " " Rowen 2nd/6th (City of London Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.28th Oct 1917)

    Wally was born in 1900 and at the age of 15 he signed up and was posted and embodied on 21st May 1915 at 57a Faringdon Road in the 3rd/6th Battalion City of London Rifles. He was in England from 21 May 1915 to 2 Dec 1915. He received 28 days detention 25th Oct 1915 to 21st Nov 1915 and on 30th Nov 1915 he was transferred to 1/6th London Rifles.

    He embarked for France on 3rd Dec 1915 from Southampton, and disembarked 4th Dec 1915 at le Havre. On the 15th Dec he joined his new Battalion in the field. But on 30th Dec 1915 he had Chilled Feet and was treated at No 4 L. Field Ambulance. On the 7th Jan 1916 He was admitted to hospital with Chilled Feet and 8th Feb he was transferred to England as Under Age. Between 14th July 1916 to 25th July 1916 he was awarded 10 days Field Punishment No.2

    His mother consistently wrote to the War Dept who merely returned his birth certificate saying that he had "Stated Age as 19 years 3 months" on enlistment. I have the letter. Eventually he was discharged 25th July 1916 because he "Made a false statement as to age on enlistment".

    His medical Card shows Height 5ft 3 inchs Chest 34. Physical Development Good

    At the end of the War Wally was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He died in 1969 following a road traffic accident.

    David Bird




    120599

    Rfm. John George " " Rowen 2nd/6th Battalion London Regiment (d.28th Oct 1917)

    John Rowen was born in 1894. He served with the 2nd/6th Battalion City of London Rifles as a Rifleman, enlisting in 1916 in B Company. The regiment was part of the 58th Division and he saw action in France during the German Retreat to Hindenburg Line 14th Mar 1917 to 5th April 1917, The Battle of Bullecourt 3rd May 1917 to 17th May 1917, Actions on the Hindenburg Line 20th May to 16th June 1917 Battle Menin Road 20th to 25th Sept 1917, Battle of Polygon Wood 26th Sept to 3rd October 1917, Second Battle of Passchendaele 26th Oct 1917 to 10th November 1917.

    John was killed on 28th October 1917 and is remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial on Panel 150 as he has no known grave.

    David Bird




    119084

    L/Corporal Cecil Stewart 12th Rifle Brigade (d.1st May 1917)

    My Grandfather Cecil Stewart is buried at Bray Sur Somme having died from shrapnel wounds at the 48th Casualty Clearing Station sited in the village church on the 1st May 1917. He was 26 and my mother(his only child) was 3 months old. Enlisted May 1915 as one of Kitchener's volunteers, he was a Painter and Decorator in civilian life and did what he believed was his duty to his country. In reality they had no choice but to enlist in a war that they did not understand.

    Annette Cotter




    118487

    Private William Senior 1st / 5th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.9th Oct 1917)

    Would like to find out the military record of my relation.

    Graham Senior




    118481

    Lance Corpral Joseph Fearns Senior 1st / 7th Bn West Yorkshire Regt (Prince of Wales Own) (d.17  Nov 1917)

    Would like to find out my relations military history

    Graham Senior




    118390

    Lewis George Brown 32nd Battalion (d.19th Jul 1917)

    I have had this mans victory medal from WW1 since I was a small boy , I would like to know if someone knows of him so that the medal can be rightfully returned as he does not figure in my family and my relative do not know him . His mother is Elizabeth Brown of Wimington South Australia

    Chris Haynes




    118054

    Pte. William "Twinny" Rainsforth 5th Btn. Lincoln Regt

    I am researching my Family History and have found several very interesting stories about some of my male family members who fought so bravely in WW1. Some made it through WW1 - others were not so lucky. I have found it very harrowing and yet very rivetting to take a look at the parallel stories of the WW1 encounters of each of the four men that I have selected from my own Family History research and feel it worth writing in: so that other people can feel the impact of such a senseless war: as I have felt it myself. I am torn with the futility of war and yet have so much admiration for those who fought it. Born in an era after both World Wars: I feel that I owe it to all soldiers who fought in both conflicts, and to myself, to explore the inevitable outcomes and sacrifices of precious lives in war and yet to marvel at the bravery of those who so willingly engaged for King & Country at the certain risk of loosing their souls in a foreign land. In those days: men did as they were ordered to do without question and willingly. I believe we who follow owe it to them to remember them and to delve for their personal stories, as I have been doing of late. I hope that my discoveries about 4 of my soldier ancestors will be of interest to many of you and may set you along the course of investigating your own family members who made the same sacrifices and endured memories of similar experiences and who had to live with the consequences - for the remainder of their lives - as mine did. Who knows how they managed to live "normal" lives after such events?

    There are 4 soldiers in particular whose very different stories I should like to relate, the first of whom is William Rainsforth. William was my Grandad's younger brother. He was born 14th February 1887 in Gainsborough, Lincs - the youngest son of John & Christania RAINSFORTH and one of eight children. In the 1901 census, William is listed living at home at 57 Ashcroft Road, Gainsborough, Lincs and is a grocer's assistant. Just like his 3 elder brothers, William was football mad and played for the local Working Men's Club: later playing and refereeing for Gainsbro Trinity - so he could run fast!!!!! Because William had twin older brothers: Ernest (my Granddad) and George who were locally each called "Twinny Rainsforth", William also inherited that same nickname even though he was not a twin himself. It seems if your name was RAINSFORTH and you lived in Gainsbro - you were automatically and fondly nick-named "Twinny". By 1907: William was married to Nellie Forrest and he had begun to have children of his own. At the time of going to war, he and Nellie had 3 young sons. William was there, as a machine gunner, on 13th October 1915 - that fateful day - when the 46th North Midland Division were ordered to go over the top and to take the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Less than half an hour into the attack - 1309 men lay dead, masacred by machine gun fire - 357 of them from Lincolnshire. News of this terrible slaughter was slow to filter through to the local townspeople of Gainsborough: although most knew that there had been a dreadful battle that day and many were anxiously awaiting news of their fathers, brothers and sons. As even today, Gainsborough people are community spirited so when one person received word - they rushed off to the local newspaper clutching their missive and allowed their letters from their own loved ones to be published in the local paper: to give others hope or just to try to make sense of what had happened in France to their boys on that day in October of 1915. William's wife received a letter at their home at 3 Willoughby Street, Gainsborough, Lincs from William quite soon after the battle and had the enormous relief of knowing that her man had survived the carnage and the heavy machine gun fire from the German defenders of the Hohenzollern Redoubt that day. In the edition of the Gainsbro News dated 22/10/1915 was William's harrowing published firsthand account transcribed as follows: "October 13th Gainsborough Will Always Remember Sad & Glorious Day for the 5th Lincolns Thrilling letter from Gainsborough Territorial I am safe and sound thank the Lord. For we have had one of the worst experiences we have ever had. I dare not tell you how many men we have lost, but it is awful to think about and I don't know what Gainsborough will think. How on earth I got through I don't know. We did real well. we took four lines of German trenches and captured a farmhouse, a big fortified position. When we got in the second line of of German trenches, two Germans came out of a dugout. I said "Hands up" and they dropped their rifles and cried for mercy. But I thought of my pals that had gone under and shot them both. I am not telling lies it is true, as if I had gone on they would have shot me, but I daresay someone will tell you about it. I cared for nothing and I don't know how I kept my nerves. Poor old--------. He said he would get killed before we went over the top and -------said I was to let the know if anything happened to him poor lad. He was the second to be shot down in his Comapny, so they will be able to get to him to bury him properly. Gainsborough will always remember the 13th October--- you don't know the half yet. The Band were pleased to see me get through all right. Six of us have been recommended for bravery on the field. We got our gun the farthest of any,and got it into action. We did mow then down. I was rushing over the open ground when two of my mates at the side of me were shot down. I think I have been very lucky but I put my trust in God. It was a treat to see us charge. Every man went over without a flinch. When we who were left came out of it we rode way in buses. They kept asking us who we were. When we said "5th Lincolns" you ought to have heard them cheer. We had taken a position the Regulars could not take, but we have suffered for it. Hope they will semd us home to dear old England after this. Good-bye and God bless till we meet again." William lived until the ripe old age of 86 dying in Gainsbro in 1973. No doubt he carried the memories of that day with him - and of his part in the battle - for the rest of his life? I expect that there may well be some German counterparts of mine now researching their own family history and just as anxious and curious to know who killed their Great Uncle or Grandfather at the Hohenzollern Redoubt that day? Well....William, by his own written admission, killed at least two such persons in that charge that day..... but what choice did he have?

    The other 3 persons who I wish to mention were my Grandfather - Ernest Rainsforth, elder brother of William whose story I have told above - who was badly injured but also survived and was repatriated to England from France with his bicep blown off and with a serious knee injury from sharpnel: whilst fighting with the 2/5th West Riding Regiment as the Germans pulled back from the Hindenberg Line in March 1917. I am lucky enough to have my Grandad's war discharge papers - discharged as being medically unfit for further war service - and the original telegram sent to his Mother advising her that Ernest had been wounded and admitted to hospital in London. I ache with sheer anguish for her when I read that telegram and know what his Mum must have felt at the time. My Grandad survived the war: met my Nan at Malden Hospital in Middlesex where she was nursing during WW1 and returned to his home town of Gainsbro with a beautiful new wife. Ernest lived until the age of 94. He never chose to speak to anyone about his experiences in France except to say to my younger brother - when my brother was a boy - that he laid on a stretcher in a field at a Clearing Station - gagging for a drink of water for over 24 hours and when he called the orderly for water the orderly said "shut-up Rainsforth, the bloke laid next to you has 16 bullits in him ". Grandad unrolled his shirt sleeve and showed my brother a massive intentation in his left arm where his bicep had been literally blown off.

    Then there is my Grandmother's Uncle Albert H Dean; an ambulance man from New Malden in Surrey who survived almost to the last day of the war only to die in the 10th Military Hospital in France of bronch-pneumonia, leaving a young and devoted widow named Mabel and two very young sons. Albert had asked his cousin to "look after Mabel and the boys" should anything happen to him. His cousin married Mabel and did take good care of his boys. I am in possession of Albert H Dean's original military death certificate and I was lucky enough to meet his 95 year old surviving son, Arthur Dean, a couple of years back who was able to describe the day that they received word that his father had died and was to be buried at Rouen. Arthur Dean still commemorates his father's life - all of these many years later - on Armistice Day. He cried when I was able to hand over a small Bible (which had been left to me amongst family papers and photos and other memorabilia) that had once belonged to his father when his father was a boy.

    My final candidate is another ancestor named Robert Edward Ryder from Harefield in Middlesex. Robert was born in December 1895 in Harefield and served with 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge Own) enlisting in 1914. He won the Victoria Cross for " most conspicuous bravery" at Theipval on September 25th 1916. Robert was just 20 years old when he found himself fighting to take Theipval, with all Officers wounded, dead or down. He single handedly charged a German trench with his lewis gun when, for want of leadership, the attack was flagging. When I discovered that Robert's very young wife had recently died of "consumption" (more likely of asbestosis because she had been working in a local asbestos factory near Harefield), it did make me wonder if Robert just "did not give a damn" since his lovely young Bride had just died so horribly? His VC is now in the Imperial War Museum. The quote with his medals says quite simply: " I don't know what came over me...normally...I wouldn't hurt a fly".

    Just a story of 4 men. As William Rainsforth said in his letter in 1915 to his wife, Nellie, "Gainsborough will always remember 13th October"... and yet...I wonder just how many Gainsborough people alive and well today even know about this piece of history and think about the impact that it had on so many lives?

    Miriam Bailey




    116666

    L/Cpl Matthew Richardson 1st/5th Btn King's Liverpool Regiment (d.14th March 1918)

    Brian Johnston




    116552

    Capt. Richard Knox Royal Horse Artillery

    Captain Richard Knox was apparently my grandfather. I am 64 yrs old now and have gone through life assuming my mother was illegitimate as granny never spoke of a husband. But I came across my mother's wedding certificate which had Richard Knox as her father. I would be most grateful if someone out there could point me in the right direction to find out more about him.

    Jacky Myers




    116321

    Private Robert Atton 1/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Sept 1916)

    Robert Atton was my Great Uncle,he died at the Battle of the Somme and his name is on the Thiepval Memorial. He was the son of Dick and Emma Atton who moved to Burton-on-Trent from Hallaton in Leicestershire around 1870.He was one of 7 children and born in 1883.As far as I know he never married. I am still working on his family tree and hopefully may update his life story at a later date

    Christine Kennell




    115723

    L/Cpl. Cecil " " Stewart 12th Btn. The Rifle Brigade (d. 1st May 1917)

    My Grandfather Cecil Stewart died at the 48th Casualty Clearing Station at Bray sur Somme on the 1st May 1917 (a quiet period) He was 27 years old. The war diary notes that on the 27th April a platoon post was hit by a shell. 4 other ranks killed (all buried at Bellincourt where the action took place) and 5 other ranks injured.

    The 12th Rifle Brigade were a service batallion recruited from around Stratford/West Ham/Stepney - East London. All those buried at Bellincourt are from these areas of London.

    My mother (his only child) was three months old at the time. In peacetime he was painter and decorator - one of Haig's 'cannon fodder' who joined up in 1915. Prior to his death he survived actions at Ypres and the Somme

    Annette Cotter




    114757

    Gnr. Robert Brown Royal Garrison Artillery

    I have in my possession a world war one medal awarded to Gnr. Brown, 176780, RGA, it was purchased by myself at a car boot sale in Bury, Lancashire, I would appreciate any information that would lead to the recipients family having the medal returned to them.

    M Dempsey




    112189

    Captain Frederick George Roberts MC, DCM 1/5th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    Served in the Boer war with the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers, as a sergeant. Awarded the DCM in 1900. In 1901 was promoted to Colour Sergeant in the 12th Mounted Infantry for further distinguished service in the field. Awarded the Military Cross for the defence of Dueidar (Egygt, 1916) when a Turkish force, 1,000 strong, with onegun, attacked Dueidar, the most advanced defensible post, which was held by 100 men of the 5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, under the command of Captain Roberts, 5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. The citation states that this officer, who throughout showed conspicuous skill and ability, succeeded in repelling two determined attacks on the position at 6.30 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. respectively. Both attempts cost the enemy dear. Served in Gallipoli, Egypt, Palestine and France Retired 1923

    Anthony Conroy




    111591

    John Wooley Lord

    Trying to find anything out about my grandads service in france. I have a couple of photos of him with a group of other soldiers and artillery pieces but cannot identify the insignia on the uniforms.

    Andrew Lord




    111590

    Andrew J Lord

    Trying to find out anything about my grandad's time in france i have a couple of photos but can not recognise any badges. All i know is that at some stage he met or was involved with the composer Ralf Vaughan-williams and that my grandma kept up correspondence's with his 2nd wife Ursula for some time after the war.

    Andrew Lord




    111566

    Private Thomas Edward Lord Royal Army Medical Corps

    My uncle Tom was in France during WW 1, and as a result of shell shock was sent to Beckets Park, Leeds (2nd Northern general Hospital). I am interested to find any records of him. Yhnak you

    Janet Beardwood




    109922

    Sergeant Frederick Ford 7th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

    Frederick Ford was my maternal Grandfather He enlisted on the 29th August 1914 with the Cheshire Regiment but transferred to the 7th Batallion of the South Lancs Regiment on 7th September 1914 He embarked from Folkestone on the 17 July 1915. He had been promoted to Lance Corporal on the 16th June 1915 He was promoted to Corporal on 27th September 1915 Lance Sergeant on 02 June 1916 and Sergeant on 23rd July 1916 He was referred to the Field Ambulance on 7th April 1916 as the result of a gas attack He was wounded on 29th October 1916 shrapnel wound to left shoulder and went to 58th Field Ambulance . He was sent to 13th General Hospital Boulogne on 30th October 1916 and transferred to England on hospital ship St.Denis on 3rd Nov 1916 He was in the County of London War Hospital Epsom 04 Nov 1916 to 18 Dec 1916 He remained in England until 01 April 1918 when he left and joined H I B D and was posted to 2nd Battalion South Lancs Regiment on 08 April 1918 He returned to England on 15th July 1918 as a candidate for a temporary commission in Infantry Officer Cadet Battalion no. 18 Bath He received his temporary commission as a 2nd Leiutenant on 18 March 1919 and was decommissioned in January 1922 He was said to be a 1st class shot and was also a gym instructor

    David Beresford




    108022

    Private Michael Joseph Leonard 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st May 1915)

    My Great Uncle was in Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, but died aged 22 of Pythisis in India in 1915 - any information, or pointers in right direction as to how he would have lived and died. I know he is remembered on the War Memorial at Chennai, or Madras. WOuld love to know more, please. All we have is a photograph of him as a young boy. He was originally from Ireland.

    Sheila Shanley




    107195

    Second Lieutenant George Rowland Howson 1st Battalion Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt (d.9th April,1917)

    George Rowland Paget Howson - "Uncle Rolly" worked in the Liverpool and Manchester District Banking Company,later the District Bank Ltd.,in various branches around Lancaster before the Great War. His father,Robert G.W.Howson,was Manager of the Morecambe branch of the Lancaster Banking Company (which became the District Bank).(He was a great friend of Sir Edward Elgar, who wrote a part song in his memory when he died in 1905). I am not sure when Rowland went off to the War - having been born in 1886 - he would have been 28 in September 1914 and therefore older than many who joined up. However, I have a postcard of him in uniform taken in May, 1916 at Argues, Pas de Calais. Another postcard sent to his mother showing two soldiers carrying a metal tub states "My leave has been cancelled. This photo is of the schoolmaster chap and myself as hut orderlies. We have just finished washing up. Yours R." In his sister's scrapbook (my grandmother),I have the original Post Office Telegram dated 23rd April,1917 from Buckingham Palace stating "The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the Army have sustained by the death of your son in the service of his country. Their majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow. Keeper of the Privy Purse." Rowland's obituary (probably in the "Lancaster Guardian and the "Morecambe Visitor" - about April 20th,1917)has a photo and states "Information has come to hand that 2nd Lieutenant George Rowland Padgett (should be "Paget")Howson,Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, younger son of the late Mr and Mrs R.G.W.Howson was killed in action on Easter Monday leading his platoon in the attack". (More to follow)

    Anthony R.Paget Williams




    104993

    Gunner Jack Stallard Royal Garrison Artilery

    I have been asked to enquire by Joseph Stallard about his uncle Jack Stallard and his brother Robert who served together in the RGA. Robert is the father of my negbour Joseph Stallard. Jack Stallard was badly wounded and discharged but died as a result of his wounds on 20 Oct 1918. The family have always said that he was promoted on the field to W.O., but there is no evidence for this. Can you possibly provide any information or the service records of the two brothers Jack and Robert Stallard, please. Thank you

    Gwilym Davies




    104412

    James Webb South Wales Borders

    Researching the family tree. James Webb served in the S.W.B. (possibly a drum major or twirling a baton at the front of marching men). He was married in 1917 in Pontypridd to Annie Price, He died in April 1937 (possibly gassed during WW1 and had problems throughout his life). ANY help appreciated.

    Jeff




    103492

    Pte. Alfred K Robinson Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt

    I have come across some old medals at my mums house that are not from my family and am trying to return them to the next of kin of Pte Robinson. Does anyone know of his family?

    Mark Robson




    103279

    Driver Maurice Greaves 1st West Riding Field Company Royal Engineers (d.9th Dec 1915)

    Maurice Greaves enlisted in Sheffield in the 1st West Riding Div. Field Company of the Royal Engineers. Although he enlisted as a driver, he was involved fully in active service in the first major assault of the Gallipoli campaign, and he is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery. His name is on the roll of honour of Cammell Laird and Co of Sheffield, where he had been employed. In early 1915, his company of the Ist West Riding Div. Field Company Royal Engineers became one of the units in the newly constituted 29th British Army Division. As usual for a “Division”, this consisted of units of all ground forces: infantry, artillery, engineers, transport, signals, medical, training units, etc. The 29th Division included troops from Ireland, Scotland and the north and south of England. Maurice Greaves’s West Riding company of Royal Engineers was the only company of engineers in the overall force of the Division, which contained about 17,000 men. The Division was initially earmarked for the Western Front, but was then selected for the campaign in the Dardanelles which included the Gallipoli campaign. In due course, eleven British and Commonwealth Divisions were involved in that campaign over eight months, but this Division was the only one assigned for the initial major assault. Training and mobilisation took place in the Midlands (in the area Warwick-Leamington-Nuneaton-Rugby) between January and March 1915.

    A History of the Gallipoli Campaign says: “The 29th Division was probably the best British division that served at Gallipoli, and one of the best of any nation in the campaign. Although brand new as a division it had the advantage of containing a large number of professional soldiers who had not yet been worn out on the battlefields of the Western Front. The 29th can thus be considered as a crack division of well-disciplined and well-trained men. The Division’s historical performance in the campaign also bears witness to the division’s resilience, as the 29th was to attack again and again on the Helles Front, losing heavily in the process, but nevertheless always seemed to be able to spearhead one more push. When the 29th Division first set out for Gallipoli they were 17,000 strong. Over the next 9 months they suffered 34,000 casualties. So in other words they were effectively wiped out twice in nine months. The casualties of this one British Division were more than the total casualties of the whole Australian and New Zealand forces.” The Gallipoli campaign eventually involved a total of 468,000 British, Commonwealth troops and French troops, and there were a further three Australian/New Zealand (ANZAC) divisions. The British and Commonwealth casualties (dead, missing and wounded) totalled 119,400. The ANZAC casualties were 26,000. The Campaign The eight month campaign in Gallipoli was fought by British, Commonwealth and French forces in an attempt to force Turkey out of the war, to relieve the deadlock of the Western Front in France and Belgium, and to open a supply route to Russia through the Dardanelles and the Black Sea. The Dardanelles were a fifty-mile long strait separating the Aegean Sea from the Sea of Marmara and on to the Black Sea. Turkey controlled both sides of the Dardanelles at that time. Gallipoli was the name of a Turkish town (Gelibolu) near to where the main attack took place, and its name became later adopted by the British and their allies for the whole campaign. The intention was that a series of major naval attacks on the fortifications in the Dardanelles from 19 February onwards would soften up the defences and make it relatively easy to invade with land forces. However, this was abandoned as the major strategy in late March after some ships were lost to mines. The commanders shifted the emphasis of the operations from a mostly naval to a military orientation. The naval attacks had forewarned the Turks who were able to fortify and strengthen their defences for two months before the assault by military forces. Of the British troops, only one army division – the 29th Division – was available for a difficult and dangerous assault on well-defended terrain, together with a naval division, a French division and the ANZAC contribution. The original intention had been that this relatively small force (with other allied troops) would be sufficient to attack and hold an area already defeated by naval battering. This proved to be significantly over-optimistic. The 29th Division and its part at Gallipoli Setting off on their journey from Britain, on 16 March 1915, the 29th Division sailed from the port of Avonmouth, landing in Alexandria in Egypt two weeks later. On the medal card of Maurice Greaves (obtained from the National Archives), the date of his entry into “theatre of war (3)” is given as 30 March 1915.

    The “theatre of war (3)” was Egypt, a British protectorate which was the base for all British military operations in the Near East and Middle East at that time. A contemporary account from a soldier stated: “We arrived in Alexandria and boarded trains bound for Abbassia Barracks just outside of Cairo. These barracks were nothing more than four walls with a roof. Here we stayed for 4 days. Next, we were on to Polygon Camp. This camp consisted of tents that the Regiment set up themselves. The tents were designed for the desert heat, having a double roof that provided some insulation from the scorching sun. But nothing could relieve us from the flies that came by the thousands and tormented the men constantly during the day. The men switched from their "heavy" uniforms to the "desert" shorts and sun helmets. We trained daily and paraded often.” Early in April, the 29th Division set off on their route towards the place of battle, starting with a train journey to the port of Alexandria. The troops then embarked onto ships, and headed for the main transit base of Mudros on the Greek island of Lemnos. The sea trip took nearly four days. Here they waited for the invasion force to be assembled, and did more training, including training in disembarking from ships for military assault on land.

    The force now gathered was called the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. It consisted of 77,000 Allied troops. They were, principally, the British 29th Division, the 1st Royal Naval Division, the Indian Division, the 1st French Division and ANZAC troops.

    On 23 April at 5 pm, the transport ship Caledonia left Lemnos with the troops, and on 24 April had reached the Greek island of Tenedos where the troops transferred to the assault ships.

    The 29th Division had been allocated five main assault beaches on the peninsula: Beaches S, V, W, X and Y. These were all around Cape Helles. Two other assault beaches were allocated to the ANZAC troops and one to the French. The 1st West Riding Company (Royal Engineers) were among the 2,000 troops allocated to “V” Beach which proved to be one of the most difficult beaches for assault. (The area was named Sedd-el-Bahr by the Turks) The ship which carried most of the troops for “V” Beach was the SS River Clyde, an old 4,000 ton converted coal freighter. The troops were mainly carried in the coal holds, and some openings had been cut in the upper hull to allow the men to embark via gangways. SS River Clyde The troops on board SS River Clyde for the invasion were recorded as: No. 1 Hold (upper deck). 'X', 'Y' and 'Z' companies, Royal Munster Fusiliers. No. 1 Hold (lower deck). 'W' company, Royal Munster Fusiliers. One company Royal Dublin Fusiliers No. 2 Hold. 1st West Riding Company Field Engineers. Two companies Hampshire Regiment. Nos. 3 and 4 Holds. Two sub-divisions Field Ambulance. One platoon 'Anson' Battalion Royal Naval Division. One signal section The assault took place on the morning of Sunday 25 April. (A soldier on board reported that they had been provided with iron rations to cover three days - biscuits, canned bully beef and half a pint of water per day - and that all men had been issued with cocoa the previous evening.) V Beach was about 300m (330yds) long at the base of a steep incline. The beach had been sealed off at both ends by fortifications and cliffs. The beach was combed with trenches and barbed wire entanglements and strongly defended. As the first wave of troops made their way to the beach, for a considerable distance the bottom had been strewn with barbed wire and as the soldiers leapt into the water they found themselves entangled in the wire and were shot down where they stood. Turkish fire ravaged their numbers and caused severe casualties. Six Victoria Crosses were awarded on the first morning.

    Those troops reaching the shore alive took shelter beneath the sandhill at the water's edge and could not move. Turkish fire prevented any movement inland as well as any attempt to reinforce the survivors on the beach. The British forces held until nightfall when firing died down and the rest of the troops on board (including the West Riding Company in this second wave) could make it ashore. Fighting resumed the next day again with severe casualties, but 29th Division troops were able to seize their first-day objectives and establish a continuous line between the separate landing beaches. A further three Victoria Crosses were earned. V Beach was handed over to the French eventually, in whose hands it remained for the remainder of the campaign. One of the French troops who joined the assault left this account: “On April 28th, 1915, we landed on Gallipoli. We were the first French troops to do so. We went ashore on V beach just beside the River Clyde, the ship from which the British had landed a few days before. The sea was full of dead bodies.

    The English had cleared the way and our landing was without incident, That day we started marching and in the afternoon (the 29th) the real fighting began. We were holding the right of the line farthest from the sea with the British on our left. It was chiefly hand-to-hand bayonet fighting and we were up against what seemed to be an inexhaustible force of Turks. It was terrible to see the way our men were slaughtered. We lost about half the battalion and three-quarters of our officers were killed.” The battles throughout the peninsula dragged on for eight months with much loss of life.

    Essentially, the two sides - Allied and Turkish - were left in a state of deadlock. It was reported that they faced each other, sometimes only metres apart, in a state of increasing discomfort. Searing heat and the swarming flies (made worse by unburied corpses in no man's land) tormented the men. The conditions were exacerbated by water shortages. In October and December 1915, winter storms caused much damage and human hardship. Disease flourished in the insanitary conditions. Of the British casualties on Gallipoli in the trench warfare conditions, over half were due to diseases. Chief causes were dysentery, diarrhoea, and enteric fever. Total Allied withdrawal of its troops and abandonment of the entire campaign – after so many deaths and casualties - took place by January 1916.

    Maurice Greaves did not survive the war; he died of dysentery. He was not buried in the military cemeteries on the Gallipoli peninsula itself, which suggests that he was transported by ship in his illness to hospital and died there. The bodies of those who died on the hospital ships on the way to Egypt were consigned overboard for reasons of health for the remaining patients. The Cairo War Memorial Cemetery was the main cemetery used for those who died in the military hospital in Cairo. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record is: Name: GREAVES Initials: M Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Driver Regiment: Royal Engineers Unit Text: 1st West Riding Div. Field Coy. Date of Death: 09/12/1915 Service No: 936 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: D. 212. Cemetery: CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY There is another source of information about the service record of Maurice Greaves. The National Archives hold the First World War Campaign Medal Cards of many service men and women. Following the First World War, campaign medals were awarded to those who had served in the War. Maurice Greaves was awarded posthumously the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914/15 Star. 1914/15 Star Authorised in 1918, the 1914/15 Star was awarded to those individuals who saw service in France and Flanders from 23 November 1914 to 31 December 1915, and to those individuals who saw service in any other operational theatre from 5 August 1914 to 31 December 1915. British War Medal The British War Medal 1914-1920, authorised in 1919, was awarded to eligible service personnel and civilians alike. Qualification for the award varied slightly according to service. The basic requirement for army personnel and civilians was that they either entered a theatre of war, or rendered approved service overseas between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. Service in Russia in 1919 and 1920 also qualified for the award. Victory Medal The Victory Medal 1914-1919 was also authorised in 1919 and was awarded to all eligible personnel who served on the establishment of a unit in an operational theatre. Medal Card of Maurice Greaves, obtained from the National Archives.

    Tony Jackson




    103060

    L/Sgt. Frank Button 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd Aug 1914)

    My great uncle was killed by a snipers bullet at Mons in Belgium on the 23rd of August 1914. He is buried at St.Symphorien cemetery in Belgium. R.I.P. Uncle.. I have no other info. other than that his military record may of been destroyed in the bombing of London records office in ww2. I have found my other great uncles record on the C.W.G.C. Alec Button, he was torpedoed in 1914 on the Bayano and was subsequently killed.

    Dave Button




    102995

    Pte. Walter Elliott 1st Battalion Ã?� Ã?� Ã?� West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.26th June 1915)

    <p>Walter Elliott West Yorkshire Regiment, circled

    Could anyone identify the soldiers I have on these war time postcards. Someone in my family has ringed the face of one soldier who I believe is my great great uncle Walter Elliott who died 26/6/1915. His brother Thomas was also in the same regiment, the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own).

    Joyce Davies




    102455

    Corporal Thomas Walter Giudie Bandsman

    I am trying to find details of my maternal grandfather, named above. I have no details of date of birth (probably born around the 1890's) only what I have detailed above. Can you help or can you give me contact details of a body who can? Your help would be very much appreciated. Marcua Walter

    Marcia Walter




    101662

    Cpm Sgt. Major Walter Charles Gorin 23 Battalion ( Bantam) Manchester Regiment (d.20th. July 1916)

    Mr. Walter Gorin served with the Grenedier Guards but was then seconded to train the Manchesters before going to the Somme.Sadly we believe he was killed by a sniper leaving a wife and four children his body was not recovered from the trenches. He served from 1899 to 1902 with the Guards,he served with the 3rd Batt. Grenedier Guards through the South Africian Wars.In 1902 he was discharded to the Army reserve. Was rewarded medals possibly Queens and Kings South African medals. In 1914 he was recalled to the colours serving as a Sgt. Instructor with the Guards at Chelsea Barracks and also served at various other places till Christmas 1914. Records for Walter did not survive the WW2 Blitz.A letter to his wife in July 1916 remarked how of Fifteen sergents transferred for training to various places only two remained. The Battalion disembarked at Bolougne on the 30th January 1916 my Grandad was killed on the 20th July that year.His name is on the Memorial at Thiepval Pier and face 13 A and 14 C he was aged 37.

    George Piff




    101415

    Private Ellis Taylor 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regt (d.22nd Mar 1915)

    He joined the militia in 1901 as a boy soldier and transfered to the teritorial and volunteer force in 1908. His regular job was as a waggoner working for the LMS railway at New Street Station in Birmingham. At the beginning of the war he was transferred to the 2nd battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment which had recently returned from Malta. They were sent to Belgium as part of the 7th division to assist in the defence of Antwerp, landing at the port of Zeebrugge on 6th October 1914. They arrived too late for their intended task as Antwerp had already fallen and they were transferred in to the Ypres area where they helped to stop the advance of the Imperial German Army in the action known as the first battle of Ypres. Ellis was wounded in the leg and was brought back to Englang around the 1st of November to the Countess of Suffolk hospital in Malmesbury where he stayed until after Christmas. He died of pneumonia on the 22nd of March, 1915 whether this was caused by his wound is unclear. He is buried in Witton cemetery and his name is included on the war memorial there, on screen wall 30 05213.

    Will Taylor




    100921

    L/Cpl Jack D'Hooghe 7th Bttn Suffolk Rgt (d.3rd July 1916)

    <p>Lance Corporal Jack D'Hooghe, 7th Bn Suffolk Regiment. Died, aged 23, on 3rd July, 1916
Son of Thomas Henry and Kate Clara D'Hooghe, 64 Robin Hood Chase, Nottingham.

    It is 92 years ago today that my great uncle, Jack D'Hooghe, was KIA at Ovillers on the 3rd day of the Somme offensive. 21 officers and 458 other ranks were killed, wounded or missing after this assault. Jack is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and there are several headstones to unknown members of the Suffolk regiment in Ovillers cemetery. We shall not forget.

    Jonathan D'Hooghe




    100790

    Private William Edward Turrell 2/3d Btn London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) (d.16th June 1917)

    I found the citation to William Ernest Turrell in original condition as given out in the name of George V to those who sacrificied their lives in W.W.1. it says private in the London Regiment. so I thought I would try to find out wnen he died and whatever I can about him. I found his original commemoration in a second hand shop on the Isle of Wight. I want to know how to find information about him.

    Update: William was killed on the 16th of June 1917 in the Arras sector, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras memorial in Northern France

    Ben Casavino




    100733

    L/Cpl. John Mitchell 1/5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (d.27th Jul 1918)

    Any information or photos of my great grandfather would be much appreciated - not much chance I know 90 years on, but someone somewhere may have come across an old photo in a relatives album or posessions.

    Simon Bygrave




    100729

    L/Cpl John Dixon MM. 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    I have been looking for the records of my Grandfather's military medal and why he won it. I can remember my father telling me that when he was on sentry duty he closed his eyes and heard a click and when he opened them he saw a gun pointed at his head. Who ever it was said you asleep weren't you, of course he denied it, other wise he would have been shot for sleeping on duty. He also told me that he held his brother on the battle field when he died then buried him on the field.

    Alan Dixon




    100722

    John Seals Rollo

    My Grandfather, John Seals Rollo served during WW1, I am trying to get more information about him.

    Gord Rollo




    100718

    Private Sydney Clark 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

    <p>The War Memorial in Soisson

    This would have been my Great Uncle whom my father was named after. He is commemorated on the war memorial in Soisson France along with nearly 4,000 others from the first world war. We guess something awful happened to the 15th battalion on the 27th May 1918 as so many of the 15th were killed in action including their Captain Charles Stanley Herbert. MC. Sydney was only 18 when killed and we believe only given 6 weeks basic training before being sent out to France. Is there any one who knows any more detail about the 15th Battalion and what went wrong? we can only surmise that the unit was obliterated into nothing as we know they died on this day but no trace must have been found.

    Sally Smith




    100681

    Pvt 1st Class George D. Vallen Company F 146th Infantry Rgt

    My paternal grandfather George D. Vallen Sr. was a Private 1st Class of the 4th Army Corps-37th Division-73rd Brigade-146th Infantry-Company F. I have many pictures taken from his enlistment time where he originally reported to Camp Akron at Silver Lake, Ohio where they spent a few weeks organizing and beginning their training. They were then transferred to Camp Sherman in Montgomery, Alabama for further training. That's where the pictures ended. From there they went to Camp Lee in Virginia and prepared for embarcation. They left Camp Lee on June 12, 1918 bound for New Jersey where they boarded the USS Leviathan bound for France.

    They disembarked June 23rd at Brest, France. His group was involved in the following Battle deployments: Baccarat Sector, France – August 4 to September 16, 1918 Meuse-Argonne offensive, France – September 26 to 30, 1918 Meuse-Argonne offensive, France – October 7 to 16, 1918 Ypres-Lys offensive, Belgium – October 31 to November 4, 1918 Ypres-Lys offensive, Belgium – November 9 to 11, 1918 Embarked on the USS Maui on March 18, 1919 at Brest, France to return to the US. He was discharged the 13th of April. He also kept a journal from 1917 just prior to enlisting until he was mustered out in 1919.

    He took it upon himself to convene a reunion of his Company beginning in the early 1940's and continued until about 1965. Because of that he was given some a record that had been used in their company headquarters that recorded the ins and outs of members of that Company. I have that book and have submitted it to RootsWeb.com so everyone will have access now to that information as it has a listing that containst the following information: Surname, First name, Middle initial, Serial no., DOB, DOD (which was upkept by my grandfather), Enlistment date, City reported to, Camp reported to, Initial rank, Rank as of Nov 1917 at Camp Sherman, Rank as of AEF October 1918, Remarks (many various: in hospital, training, AWOL, etc.),Rank as of AEF January 1919, Promotion, Date of Promotion, Transfers, Date transferred, Final assignment, Date, Next of kin, relationship, address, Soldier's address at enlistment, Previous company, date transferred, Furloughs/Leaves, and Other.

    James Vallen




    100655

    Private Robert Cartmell 9th Battalion Kings Own Lancashire Regiment

    Alas I have very little info, as I only knew through my mother that my father Robert Cartmell served in the Great War, he was wounded in the legs, I dont recall my father, not even a photo, perhaps through this site I might find more out, as I understand his service records were destroyed in an air raid during world war two, all I have is his Medal Card, perhaps some one can help me? Very little is known of him at the Kings Own Royal Lancs Museum, is there anyone that might have old photos of the Regt? I would be most grateful for anything.

    Patricia Wilton-King




    100585

    L/Corporal Alfred "Alfie" Bloomfield M.M. 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    I am trying to find out more about my father's army service in WW1 and wonder if anyone can help. I have visited National Records Office at Kew but have found only a record of his award of M.M. Durham Records Office holds war diaries of 2 D.L.I. and my father's name is mentioned as recipient of M.M. in the appendix to the action for which it was awarded.

    I still have his medals, the Military Medal, War Medal & Victory Medal plus two citations which read:

    1. Your Gallant Conduct in the Field on July 14th 1918 near Dickebusch; by capturing a machine gun and team and thus preventing serious loss to your company, has been reported to me, and I have much pleasure in reading the record of your gallantry. J.G.Crawford, Brigadier General Commanding 18th Infantry Brigade.

    2. Your Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander have informed me that you distinguished yourself on the 14-7-18 by conspicuous gallantry and coolness when you rushed a machine gun and captured it. I have read their report with much pleasure. T.O. Marden, Major General Commanding 6th Division Awarded M.M. 29-7-18

    I also have a newspaper cutting of a social evening in Burnmoor Parish Hall at which my father was presented with an inscribed gold watch by Lord Durham and a gold chain by Lady Anne as the first employee on Lambton Estates to receive the Military Medal. All the other information I have tends to be anecdotal. Is it possible from his service number to discover when he enrolled or was conscripted and when he was demobilsed? Are there any Battalion disciplinary records and if so, where might these be found? I know from a photograph that he was a full corporal, and from what he did tell me, he was reduced to the ranks for striking a sergeant. I assume that he had been promoted back to L/Cpl before the action on 14-7-1918.

    I would be grateful for any help and advice on where I can search further.

    Eric Bloomfield




    100564

    Sergeant Gilfred "Gilly" Abbott 6th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

    My Grandfather Gilfred Abbott served with the 6th Lancashire Fusiliers and we would welcome any information on any known activities during the war. His son Geoffrey Abbott joined the same battalion, the same regiment during World War Two. Any information on either my grandfather or my father would would be appreciated. Hoping for a response

    John Abbott




    100403

    L/Cpl. Samuel Verity Taylor 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    My Grandfather, Samuel Taylor left England on July 3rd 1915, his first action was at Suvla Bay on August 6th 1915. He was wounded by a sniper September 2nd 1915.

    Ann McDonald




    100400

    Pte. George William Thurley 1st Btn. Dorsetshire Regt

    i am looking for imformation on my grandfather Ive tried every ave but cant seem to trace him , he was born in islington london around 1894 his father was called charles thurley a platelayer, his mother was mary thurley nee hollister, george joined the army and in 1918 / 1920 he was stationed in northern ireland in a barracks called embrigton barracks in derry city nth ireland here he met my grandmother a nellie evans who he then married in may 1920 at all saints church near his barracks , they both went to england were they had 3 children all girls my grandmother returned to derry a few years later around 1930,s but on her own george did not make any attempt to contact any of his childern ,all of whom are now dead but they all married and had families of their own. georges wife nellie died on boxing day 1957. any info on george would be great

    patricia glenn




    100391

    2nd Lt. Peter Robertson Purdie M.C Royal Garrison Artillery (d.17th Aug 1917)

    My great uncle, Peter Roberson Purdie died in Flanders and is burried at Coxyde Military cemetery in Belgium. I Would like more information about him and about the circumstances of his Award.

    L. Robertson-Mackay




    100369

    Private Arthur Munton Leicestershire Regiment

    I am trying to establish if the royal leicestershire regiment fought at the third battle of ypres - passchendale from the information i have been able to obtain i know my grandfather was enlisted with the royal leicesterdshire regiment and i understand he was wounded several times in some of the key battles of WW1 he always said that passchendale was the worse and i assumed he was there was he?

    Keith Munton




    100334

    Pte. James Page 12th (Service) Battalion Cheshire Regiment

    In researching my grandfather's WW1 career, we would like to know how much a private soldier was paid, and how he managed to send money to his wife and young baby. My grandfather enlisted in September 1914, was sent to Salonika in 1915 and was not discharged until 1919. In 1918 he suffered from malaria, stated to have 20% disability and was transferred to the Labour Corps. I should be grateful to know about his pay, as I can find nothing online on this subject.

    Ian Buckley




    100271

    Private Thomas Lees Young 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards (d.16th Sep 1916)

    Thomas has no known grave, but is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme.

    Melanie Bishop




    100238

    Cpl Frederick Thomas Toohey Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry (d.1914)

    I found his commemoration scroll thrown on the tip in 1984 in Northamptonshire in a place called Wollaston. I felt quite sad as I come from a military family and knew how special it was. Every year we buy a new poppy to put on it as it is in a nice frame. I would like to find out more about him.

    elizabeth




    100217

    Pte. John Traylor 26th Btn. Middlesex Regt.

    I have in my possession the original discharge certificate of John Trayler, called up for service 31/3/1917, discharged 11/4/1920. Regimental No 53448 of 26th Middlesex Regiment. Served overseas on active service. John Trayler was born 13/2/1899 at 37 Grafton Terrace Pancras to Mark and Matilda Trayler, nee Godfrey. His father was a tram car driver. From his birth certificate extract 1/5/1931 I also have four photographs:, two in Military Uniform, one in a suit and the fourth aged 84 years. Unfortunately, I cannot locate him on the Nominal Roll per "Find Your Past",nor immigration records to 1949 to Australia.

    Graeme Morris




    100150

    Pte. Ernest Evenden 9th Btn. The Royal Sussex Rgt. (d.1st Sep 1916)

    Ernest died of wounds at the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley on the 1st of September 1916, aged 19. He was buried in the Military Cemetery in the hospital grounds.





    100126

    John Lang Royal Field Artillery

    My great grandfather was John Lang, a soldier with the RFA. I don't know much about him other than he was born in Scoltland. The connectin to Shorncliffe camp is that my grandmother was born there in 1908. On her birth certificate it says John was a bombadier. John married a Kent girl from Warhehorne, Kate Mannings. On their marriage cert (1903)he gives his ocupation as gunner RFA. He was 33 at time of marriage. Apparently John died when my gran was a child. The story goes that his gun back-fired while he was cleaning/inspecting it. I have not been able to find a death cert & have no idea which year this would have been. If anyone can shed some light on this mystery I'd be most grateful. Sharon

    Sharon




    100112

    Serjeant David McCann 9th Svc Bn, Royal Highlander Regt. (Black Watch) (d.15th Sep 1915)

    <p>My Great Uncle, Serjeant David McCann

    Sergeant David McCann was killed in action at the battle of Loos, France.

    Patrick V Garland




    100110

    Thomas Norton HMS Irresistible

    My Grandad, Thomas Norton, served in the Navy during World War 1, he was sunk twice in the same day. Grandad was on the Irresistible which was sunk in the Dardanells on the 18th March 1915 he was rescued and taken onboard the Ocean which was also sunk later the same day. How unlucky can one be or in his case how lucky was he to survive both wars.

    He served on the HMS Hunter during the Second World War and was sunk on the 10th April 1940. He was then taken prisoner and taken to Sweeden, there he signed papers to say that he would not take up arms against the Germans again. He did this knowing that due to his age he would not be called up again to fight.

    J A Johnson




    100107

    Pte. Alexander Porter 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles (d.2nd Jun 1916)

    Alexander Porter was born in 1894 at 188 Leopold Street County Antrim, Belfast Ireland. He joined the army in Toronto Ontario in Feb 1915. He was killed on the 2nd June 1916 in France. His father was George Porter and his mother was Elizabeth Smyth.

    Wayne Colton




    100100

    Lt K J Fisher 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Lt K J Fisher DLI is commemorated on the Grantown on Spey War Memorial. His name appears under the "Duthil" section. Can anyone supply me with more details about this officer? pp.aanderson@btinternet.com

    Peter Anderson




    100093

    Private Richard Harrison 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles

    Richard Harrison was my mothers first husband, they were married in Belfast Ireland on Nov 22nd 1917 while Richard Harrison was on leave. Richard survived the war and came to Canada in 1919 and was discharged at Quebec City. I understand that his unit was gassed and his health was not good on his return to Canada. He died in August of 1924 in Woodbridge Ontario and is buried in Hillcrest Cemetery in that village. I do have a picture of Richard and also a picture of his brother in law Alexander Porter who was killed June 12th 1916 in France.

    Wayne Colton




    100061

    Private Albert "Bert" Stephens Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    This is a very long shot but, in the words of John Mills (....it might just work! My Grandfather, Bert (Albert) Stephens, served in the KRRC throughout the first world war and , as much as I do not seriously expect anyone to still be here and who actually knew / served with him in all of the various battles, he at least survived to tell the tale (which is why I am here today, of course). I am mortified by the fact that he gave me his cap badge (Relief of Ladysmith, etc.) and I have somehow lost it in various moves since then, and it is actually very hard to forgive myself for that. I would therefore very much like to find out more about both his and his comrades' exploits during that terrible time and, if anyone else on this site has any relative or even access to better records that can possibly tell me more about it all, I would be tremendously grateful for your help. That's about it....any help would be gratefully received.

    Neil Haverty




    2197

    RSM. Gilbert Smith 16th Battalion

    My Great Grandfather, Gilbert Smith was I believe, a Regimental Sergeant Major in the 16th Battlion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was based at Shornecliffe, Kent, U.K. around 1917.

    I've received a birth certificate for my Grandmother who was born in Hastings in 1917 and Gilbert was married to a Lilian Mary Smith (formerly Hayes). The record indicates that the residence of Gilbert at that time was Shorncliffe. It also states that the certificate is 'care of' the Assistant Provost Marshall, Canadian Camp, Shorncliffe. Can anyone give some info as to whether he was at Shorncliffe or give a contact where I may be able to get information, it would be much appreciated. Many thanks in anticipation.

    David Williams




    2196

    Pte. Ernest Mayes 12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

    Shipley Family of Patriots. Four Brothers and Two Sisters’ Husbands

    Four sons and two wives by marriage of Mr and Mrs J Mayes of Shipley is a record of patriotic service of which all concerned may well feel proud. Of the four sons one has paid the supreme penalty. Appended are particulars:

    • Pte. William Henry Mayes, West Yorks, Born 1886 Bradford is the eldest son. He joined up shortly after the outbreak of war, and after having been wounded and suffering from shell shock he was again at the front.
    • Pte. Ernest Mayes, West Yorks, Born 1888, Reg. No. 38206, 12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales) Received the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, was killed in action 13/12/1917. Remembered with honour at Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Mory, France. He had been in the army about two years. He was married and was previously in the employ of Messers Parkinson of Shipley.
    • Pte. Albert Mayes of the West Yorks, born 1891, three years service in the Army and has been once wounded. Had quite a colourful time, served in the army with one or two absences for which he forfeited pay.
    • Pte. Norman Mayes the youngest son, born 1899, Bradford. Joined the West Yorks and afterwards transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He was in the army about three years.
    • Pte. J Armitage (regiment un-known) of Bolton Woods served twelve months including Palestine. He was previously in the employ of Messrs. Fattorini and Sons, Bradford and is the son-in law of Mr and Mrs Mayes.
    • Pte. J W Yarker, West Yorks, another son-in law,was in Kings Own Light Infantry, received the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Was promoted to Lance Corporal but requested to be reduced back to private. He was gassed twice and received a bullet wound to the leg. John William Yarker was in the reserve army from 1913 which was officially disembodied in 1920. There are two absences on his war record.

      Steve




    2195

    Pte. Peter Rooney 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916)

    My Great Uncle, Pte. Peter Rooney of the 14th battalion RIR was killed on the 1st of July 1916.

    Eugene Rooney




    2194

    Samuel Edgar Carlile Royal Engineers 78th Field Coy (d.22nd November 1915)

    Sapper Samuel Edgar Carlile was born in Bradford, Manchester, the son of Robert & Lavinia Carlile. He died at age 25 and is buried at Divisional Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium.

    Jules King




    2193

    Rifleman Francis Cheevers 13th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (d.1 Jul 1916)

    Francis Cheevers from Fredrick Street, Killyleagh, Co Down, Northern Ireland was aged 21 when he was killed in action at Theipval Wood The Somme, France on 1 July 1916. He was the eldest son of John and Sarah Cheevers

    Janette Kerr




    2191

    Charles Patrick Anderson 11th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>This photo was taken in 1922 when he was in the

    My Grandad, Charles Patrick Anderson served with the 1/11th London Regt. After the war he was in the "Black and Tans"

    Kevin Anderson




    2190

    CSM. William Foster 10th Btn. B Coy. Royal Irish Rifles

    <p>

    William Foster was the Company Serjeant Major of B Company 10th Royal Irish Rifles whilst they were in France and became an active member of the Memorial Association.

    William Foster




    2187

    Gunner Hector Hill B/150th Army Bde. RFA (d.9th April 1918)

    Gunner Hector Hill, Service #221636, B/150th Army Bde, RFA, was killed in action on Tuesday, 9th April, 1918, during the German spring Offensive on the Somme. He was 20 years of age. spring Offensive on the Somme.

    H. J. Hill




    2186

    2nd Lt. Alfred Victor Blenkiron

    <p>

    Alfred Victor Blenkiron served with the Somerset Light Infantry and became an ace pilot as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps.





    2185

    Pte. Adam Jamieson Sangster 1st Btn. Black Watch (d.5th Sep 1916)

    <p>Adam Jamieson Sangster 1887-1916

    Uncle Adam Sangster was a member of the Black Watch, Royal Highlanders. He lies in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe.





    2184

    Pte. Joseph Taylor

    <p>Joseph Taylor top right holding the axe

    This is a photo of my great grandfather Joseph Taylor, (top right holding the axe) during the Great War. I'm not sure where the picture was taken, it could be France. I'm also not sure of his regiment, it could be the Royal Warwickshire Regiment as he lived in Birmingham. Does anyone know? I can't quite make out out his cap badge. He lost his left arm sometime during the war.

    Editor's note, the cap badge isn't that of the Warwick, could possibly be Gloucestershire Regiment.





    2183

    Matthew Cowing

    <p>

    Matthew Cowing served 1914 to 1917 with the RNR.





    2182

    Pte. Frank Herbert Clarke Army Service Corps

    <p>Frank Herbert Clarke A.S.C with Edith his first wife in 1914.

    Frank Clarke served with the Army Service Corps.





    2181

    Rfm. Edwin Franks 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.2nd Feb 1916)

    <p>

    Edwin Franks was my Great Uncle, he was in the Prince Consort's Own 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Killed in action 2nd of February 1916.





    2180

    Gnr. Lewis Richards 275th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.11th Dec 1918)

    <p>

    Lewis Richards died of Spanish flu in Belgium on the 11th of December 1918 He was a gunner in the Royal Garrsion Artillery, 275th Siege Battery.

    Helen Baker




    2179

    Sgt John Huitson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Sep 1917)

    Huitson, John. Serjeant, 19/225. Taken prisoner 24th August 1916. Later reported as died of wounds in Lazarett (hospital), Langensalza POW camp on 2nd September 1917. Aged 22 years.

    Buried in Niederzwehren, Prisoner of War cemetery, Kassel,Hessen, Germany, in grave VI. M. 9. In 1922-3, this cemetery received 225 burials from the No 1 & 2 Langensalza POW cemeteries.

    Son of Euphemia Huitson, of 51, Princes St, North Shields, and the late Robert Huitson.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2178

    Pte Walter McDonald 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Mar 1918)

    McDonald, Walter. Private, 59194. Killed in action on 29th March 1918.

    Buried in Serre Road Cemetery No.2, Serre-les-Puisieux, Somme, in grave VIII. G. 8.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2177

    Pte Wilfred L Lee 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Aug 1916)

    Lee, Wilfred, L. Private, 19/221. Killed in action on 24th August 1916. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Serre Road Cemetery No.2, Serre-les-Puisieux, Somme, in grave XXVII. B. 13. 19th Btn records show originally buried at Beamount Hamel bel’d moved later.

    Son of Mr. and Mrs. Laban Lee, of 171, Rawling Rd, Gateshead-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2176

    Pte J Hart 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Oct 1916)

    Hart, J. Private, 19/1242. Killed in action on 10th October 1916. Aged 30 years.

    Buried in Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, in grave I. G. 56.

    Husband of Eveline May Hart (nee Digman), of 41, Garden Terrace, Earsdon, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2174

    Pte R E Crozier 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Crozier, R, E. Private, 19/1190. Killed in action on 11th July 1916.

    Buried in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, in grave I. B. 26.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Private Crozier was a member of the 19th Btn and is shown in both Btn and CWGC records as such with service number 19/1190. However as at 18/07/2012 his CWGC headstone incorrectly shows him as 17/1190, this is the 17th Btn. The CWGC have been requested to amend the headstone.

    Dave Willis




    2173

    Pte A Shreeve 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    <p>Headstone for Private Shreeve

    Shreeve, A. Private, 19/1173. Killed in action on 11th July 1916. Aged 27 years.

    Buried in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, in grave I. B. 28.

    Son of the late Mr. C. Shreeve; husband of G. Shreeve, of 31, Grey St, Wallsend-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2171

    Capt Talbot Ronald Arthur Herbert Noyes 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    <p>

    Noyes, Talbot Ronald, Arthur, Herbert. Captain, Killed in action on 11th July 1916. Aged 30 years.

    Buried in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, in grave I. B. 27.

    Son of the Rev. Frederick Robert Halsey Herbert Noyes, then Rector of Crichel, Dorset, and of Emily Mary Noyes. Born at Crichel.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2170

    CQMS. Fred Beaumont West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>

    Fred Beaumont served with the West Yorkshire Regiment.





    2168

    Sgt. M. Tickner

    <p>early 1916

    This portrait photo fo Sgt M Tickner was taken in early 1916.





    2167

    S/Sgt. Charles Edward Thompson Kings Own Scotish Borderers

    <p>Edward Charles Thompson on the left, others unknown.

    Edward Charles Thompson front right, in the Serjeant's Mess.

    My Grandfather, Charles Thompson rose to the rank of Staff Sargent in the Scotish Borderers





    2166

    Fus. John Maltman MM. Royal Scots Fusiliers

    <p>John Maltman in 1919

    My Grandad John Maltman served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers

    John Liddle Maltman




    2165

    2nd Lt Arthur George Richard Whitworth 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Mar 1918)

    Whitworth, Arthur, George, Richard. Second Lieutenant, Died of Wounds on 30th March 1918. Aged 20 years.

    Buried in the Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1, Somme in grave III. A. 17.

    Son of Julius Harry and Selina Elton Whitworth, of "Strathray," Birling Rd, Tunbridge Wells. Born at Fordham, Cambs. Educated at Persse School, Cambridge, and Downing College, Cambridge.

    19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers records, show that 2nd Lt Whitworth joined the Battalion in France from 24/27th Btn N.F. CWGC records show him as 24th Btn N.F.(Tyneside Irish) He may have been attached.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2163

    Pte James Emmanuel Wymer 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Apr 1918)

    Wymer, James, Emmanuel. Private, 41492, Died of Wounds on 13th April 1918. Aged 25 years.

    Buried in the Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1, Somme in grave VI. B. 26.

    Son of John and Elizabeth Ann Wymer, of Aylsham, Norfolk.

    19th Btn records, believed in error, show surname spelt as Wymar.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2162

    L/Cpl William Shannon 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Mar 1918)

    Shannon, William. Lance Corporal, 19/1534, Died of Wounds on 29th March 1918. Aged 32 years.

    Buried in the Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1, Somme in grave V. B. 21.

    Son-in-law of Emma Wright, of 67, 4th Row, Ashington, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2161

    Pte Andrew Coulson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Apr 1918)

    Coulson, Andrew. Private, 19/37, Died of Wounds on 12th April 1918. Aged 39 years.

    Buried in the Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1, Somme in grave VI. B. 14.

    Native of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Husband of Mrs. M. Coulson, of 29, Bell Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Served in the South African Campaign.

    19th Btn records show that Private Coulson died of wounds on 11th April 1918.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2160

    Pte S Parkin 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.31st Mar 1918)

    Parkin, S. Private, 40912, Killed in action on 31st March 1918.

    Buried in the Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1, Somme in grave VI. G. 43.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2159

    Pte Daniel Burrows 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Apr 1918)

    Burrows, Daniel. Private, 23435, Killed in action on 16th April 1918. Aged 21 years.

    Buried in the Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1, Somme in grave VI. B. 33.

    Son of Daniel and the late Annie Burrows, of East Hedley Hope, Tow Law, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2158

    2nd Lt Ralph Eustace Williams 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Jun 1918)

    Williams, Ralph, Eustace. Second Lieutenant, Killed in action on 28th June 1918. Aged 32 years. Joined the Battalion in France on 18th September 1917.

    Buried in the Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, Somme in grave III. C. 10.

    19th Btn records show Second Lieutenant Williams was Killed in action whilst attached to Divisional HQ and the date shown as 29th June 1918.

    Son of W. Clement Williams and Mary Williams, of Halifax.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2157

    2nd Lt George Aloysius "Louie" Priestman 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th May 1918)

    Priestman, George, Aloysius (Louie). Second Lieutenant, Died of wounds on 15th May 1918. Aged 26 years. Joined the Battalion in France on 25th August 1916.

    Buried in the Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, Somme in grave I. F. 13.

    Son of William and Catherine Priestman, of 8, Kensington Gardens, North Shields.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2156

    Pte A V Siebert 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Jun 1918)

    Siebert, A, V. Private, 69605, Killed in action on 17th June 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in the Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, Somme in grave II. E. 14.

    Son of Walter and Phoebe Mary Siebert, of 77, Old Ford Rd, Bethnal Green, London.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2155

    Pte Henry W Campbell 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Sep 1916)

    Campbell, Henry, W. Private, 19/252, Killed in action on 24th September 1916. Aged 21 years.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial on the addenda panel. This casualty was only recently accepted for commemoration by the Commission and is now listed on the addenda panel.

    Private Campbell was a member of the 19th Btn N.F. with service number 19/252, Btn records state that he was killed with 1st Btn N.F. but CWGC records show him as 11th Btn N.F. this could be in error.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2154

    L/Cpl George Lawson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Dec 1916)

    Lawson, George, Lance Corporal, 19/1314, Killed in action on 13th December 1916. Aged 37 years.

    Buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, in grave VI. Q. 1.

    Husband of Elizabeth Lawson, of 12, Douglas Terrace, Dipton, Co. Durham.

    Lance Corporal Lawson was a member of the 19th Btn N.F. with service number 19/1314, but CWGC records show him as 11th Btn N.F. this could be in error.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2153

    Cpl John Allison 14th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Oct 1917)

    Allison, John, Corporal, 19/676, Killed in action on 28th October 1917. Aged 22 years.

    Buried in The Huts Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, in grave XII. C. 14.

    Only son of William and Margaret Ann Allison, of 224, Windsor Avenue, Gateshead.

    Corporal Allison was a member of the 19th Btn N.F. with service number 19/676, but was attached to 14th(Pioneer) Btn Northumberland Fusiliers.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2152

    2nd Lt F Heslop 1st Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.26th Apr 1918)

    Heslop, F. Second Lieutenant, Killed in action on 26th April 1918. Aged 23 years.

    Buried in White House Cemetery, St.Jean-Les-Ypres,Ieper,West-Vlaanderen, in grave IV. A. 15.

    Husband of Anne Heslop, of 18, Flag Terrace, Gateshead-on-Tyne.

    Second Lieutenant Heslop is shown within 19th Btn N.F. records and must have been a member of the battalion before joining the 1st Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own).

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2151

    Pte T Grieve 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Sep 1918)

    Grieve, T. Private, 19/1459, Killed in action on 14th September 1918.

    Buried in White House Cemetery, St.Jean-Les-Ypres,Ieper,West-Vlaanderen, in grave III. R. 25.

    19th Btn N.F. records show Private Grieve as originally buried near Vlamertinghe.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2146

    Sgt Albert Robinson 23rd Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Feb 1917)

    Robinson, Albert. Serjeant 19/1682, Killed in action on 11th February 1917.

    Remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belguim, on Panel 2.

    Serjeant Robinson was attached to 23rd Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish).

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2145

    Pte Oliver Wilson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Oct 1917)

    Wilson, Oliver. Private, 19/58, Killed in action on 26th October 1917. Aged 24 years.

    Buried in Ruisseau Farm Cemetery,Langemark-Poelkapelle, West-Vlaanderen,in grave C. 17. Originally buried about 2,000 yards due west of Langemarck, about 200 yards from canal embankment, Hannebeck.

    Husband of Margaret Ann Foster (formerly Wilson), of 19, Westmorland Avenue, Willington, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2144

    Pte A C Ralph 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd Nov 1917)

    Ralph, A, C. Private, 57950, Killed in action on 3rd November 1917.

    Buried in Ruisseau Farm Cemetery,Langemark-Poelkapelle, West-Vlaanderen,in grave A. 1.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2143

    Pte W J Corr 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Oct 1917)

    Corr, W, J. Private, 25009, Killed in action on 29th October 1917.

    Buried in Ruisseau Farm Cemetery,Langemark-Poelkapelle, West-Vlaanderen,in grave D. 1.

    19th Btn records show, Private Corr, as a member of the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers, however the CWGC record him as a member of the 9th Btn N.F.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2142

    Pte Frank Burnett Anderson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Oct 1917)

    Anderson, Frank, Burnett. Private, 19/523, Died of sickness on 16th October 1917. Aged 24 years.

    Buried in Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen,in grave I. A. 16.

    Son of Annie Anderson, of 57, Sanderson Rd, Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and the late William Edgar Anderson.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2141

    Pte G Ingledew 9th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Apr 1918)

    Ingledew, G. Private 19/1188, Died of wounds on 16th April 1918. Aged 25 years.

    Buried in Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen,in grave II. E. 7.

    Husband of Lily Maud Cox (formerly Ingledew), 1 of 16, Sarah St, Gateshead-on-Tyne.

    Was in the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers. However the 19th Btn records show, Private Ingledew, as posted to the 9th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers at the time of his death.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2140

    L/Cpl James Straughan 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Sep 1918)

    Straughan, James. Lance Corporal 19/1040, Died of wounds on 18th September 1918. Aged 26 years.

    Buried in Houchin British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, in grave III. E. 7.

    Son of Adam and Mary J. Straughan, of Eastern Way, Darras Hall, Ponteland, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Native of Hazlerigg, Northumberland.

    Was in the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers. However the 19th Btn records show, Lance Corporal Straughan, as serving with the 22nd Btn Northumberland Fusiliers at the time of his death.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2139

    Capt A H Jeffreys 20th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th Nov 1916)

    Jeffreys, A, H. Captain. Killed in action on 6th November 1916. Aged 20 years.

    Buried in Ration Farm Miliatry Cemetery, La Chapelle-Darmentieres, Nord, in grave II. A. 6.

    Son of Sydney and Amy Jeffreys, of 56, Carlton Hill, St. John's Wood, London.

    Was in the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers. However the 19th Btn records show, Capt Jeffreys, as serving with the 20th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers at the time of his death.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2138

    Pte George William Sams 12th/13th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1918)

    Sams, George, William. Private, 19/1037. Killed in action on 27th September 1918. Aged 22 years.

    Buried in Le Quesnoy Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, in grave I. C. 2.

    Son of William and S. E. Sams, of 3, Strawberry Terrace, Hazlerigg, Dinnington Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    Was in the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers with the service number 19/1037, However the 19th Btn records show, Pte Sams, was serving with the 12th/13th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers at the time of his death. It also states that he died in Germany.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2137

    Pte Chas Scorer 12th/13th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Mar 1918)

    Scorer, Chas. Private, 19/1317. Killed in action on 8th March 1918.

    Buried in Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-Le-Grand, in grave IV. C. 30.

    Was in the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers with the service number 19/1317, However the 19th Btn records show, Pte Scorer, was serving with the 12th/13th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers at the time of his death.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2136

    Pte John William Nelson 13th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Apr 1917)

    Nelson, John, William. Private, 28/45. Killed in action on 12th April 1917. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, Pas de de Calais, in grave VIII. C. 5.

    Son of Elizabeth Piggales (formerly Nelson), of Hawthorn Rd, Ashington, Northumberland, and the late Edward Nelson.

    Linked to the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers but has the service number 28/45, this indicates he was in the 28th Btn N.F. However the 19th Btn records show, Pte Nelson, was attached to the 13th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2135

    Pte Robert Sewell 2nd Btn, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.5th May 1918)

    Sewell, Robert. Private, 32824. Killed in action on 5th May 1918. Aged 23 years.

    Buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, Pas de de Calais, in grave XII. B. 3.

    Son of William and Martha Sewell, of 36, James St, Gateshead-on-Tyne.

    Was originally in the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers with service number 19/499, Transferred or attached to the 2nd Garrison Btn of K.O.Y.L.I. where he had service Number 32824.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2132

    Pte Frederick Varley Adamson 2nd/4th Btn, "A" Coy Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.4th Nov 1918)

    Adamson, Frederick, Varley. Private,63882, Killed in action on 4th November 1918. Aged 20 years.

    Remembered on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, Panel 8.

    Son of Henry Varley Adamson and Martha Ann Adamson, of Garden Cottage Allotment, Shiremoor, Northumberland.

    Was originally in the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers with service number 19/1844, Transferred to the 2nd/4th Btn of K.O.Y.L.I. "A" Coy, where he had service Number 63882.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2131

    Capt Robert Cecil Knott 20th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Aug 1916)

    Knott, Robert, Cecil. Captain, Killed in action on 14th August 1916. Aged 21 years.

    Buried in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Pas de Calais in grave IV. C. 16.

    Son of John Ellis Knott and Emma Jane Knott, of 13, Resham St, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    CWGC records show Captain Knott as in the 28th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers, however this is probably incorrect as the 19th Btn records show him as attached to the 20th Btn N.F.(Tyneside Scottish).

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2129

    Private Edward "Eddy" Whitlow 2/4th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

    Private Edward Whitlow enlisted in the 2/4th Btn South Lancs regiment part of the 57th 2nd west lancs division. He joined the territorials at Warrington on 22nd November 1915, under the Derby Scheme. This meant that he was immediately posted to the Army Reserve and sent home to await call-up. The call came on 20th January 1917 he was sent to France 15 February 1917 arriving at Merris on 23 February 1917 and 3 days later 26 February 1917 sent to the front just North of Le Tilleloy. He was gassed and evacuated back to UK (Eastbourne) on 1 August 1917. When he was sufficiently recovered, he was posted to ‘A’ Company of the 3rd Btn. of his regiment on 19th February, 1919, and served in Dublin, Ireland for some time. He was finally discharged from the Army on 13th June, 1919. He was adjudged to be 30% disabled due to “Inflammation of the stomach” which was attributed to his war service. He was granted a pension of 8s. 3d per week to be reviewed after 1 year. On discharge, his military character was described as “good”.

    Graham J Hughes




    2125

    Lt William Cecil Rutherford 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Mar 1919)

    Rutherford, William, Cecil. Lieutenant, Died on 10th March 1919. Aged 25 years.

    Buried in Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery, St.Omer, in grave V. F. 51.

    Son of John George and Annie Rutherford, of 8, Beech Grove, Whitley Bay, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2124

    2nd Lt Robert Archibald Storar 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Dec 1915)

    Storar, Robert, Archibald. Second Lieutenant, Died on 16th December 1915. Aged 19 years. A member of "Y" Coy.

    Buried in Tidworth Military Cemetery, Wiltshire, in grave E. 5.

    Son of Robert and Eliza Storar, of "Hawthorn," 271, Durham Rd, Darlington.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2123

    Pte J H Moorhouse 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Jan 1918)

    Moorhouse, J, H. Private 205460, Killed in action on 12th January 1918.

    Buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, in grave IX. C. 6.

    Son of Mrs. Moorhouse, of 31, Buller St, Shiker Lane, Bradford.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2122

    Pte John White 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Dec 1917)

    White, John. Private 19/1274, Killed in action on 17th December 1917. Aged 22 years.

    Buried in Minty Farm Cemetery, Langemark-Poelkapelle, West-V, in grave II. A. 2.

    Son of Mary White, of 54, Park Rd, Gateshead.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2121

    Pte Henry Christer 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Nov 1917)

    Christer, Henry. Private 19/1012, Died of wounds on 23rd November 1917. Aged 37 years. Member of "Z" Coy.

    Buried in Solferino Farm Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, in grave II. B. 16.

    Husband of Jane E. Christer, of 8, Western Terrace, Dudley, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2120

    Cpl Charles James, William Dexter 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.31st Oct 1917)

    Dexter, Charles, James, William. Corporal 45080, Killed in action on 31st October 1917. Aged 20 years.

    Buried in Bleuet Farm Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, in grave II. A. 49.

    Son of Ada Merrifield (formerly Dexter), of 27, Exmouth Rd, Walthamstow, London, and the late William Dexter.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2119

    Pte F R Moat 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Jul 1916)

    Moat, F, R. Private, 19/366, Killed in action on 8th July 1916.

    Buried in Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, in grave D. 9.

    Husband of Mrs. Moat, of 75, Buddle Rd, Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2118

    Pte John Metcalfe Wilson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Jun 1917)

    Wilson, John, Metcalfe. Private, 19/1585, Killed in action on 13th June 1917. Aged 26 years.

    Buried in Heudicourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, in grave B. 9.

    Husband of Elizabeth Harris (formerly Wilson), of 132, Church Rd, Tottenham, London.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2117

    Pte J Verow 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Mar 1918)

    Verow, J. Private, 19/68, Killed in action on 30th March 1918.

    Buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension Somme, in grave VIII. E. 5.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2116

    Pte William Simm 15th Btn Cheshire Regiment (d.21st Oct 1916)

    Simm, William. Private, 23379, Killed in action on 21st October 1916. Aged 22 years.

    Buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension Somme, in grave VI. C. 1.

    The 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers records show that Pte Simm was a member of the 19th Btn with service number 19/396. He had transferred to the 15th Btn, Cheshire Regiment and was killed with them.

    Son of Jane Ann and the late John Simm, of Wooler, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2115

    L Cpl A Devlin 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.31st Oct 1918)

    Devlin, A. Lance Corporal 19/1388, Killed in action on 31st October 1918.

    Buried in Awoingt British Cemetery, Nord, in grave II. E. 5.

    The 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers records show that L Cpl Devlin was a member of the 19th Btn with service number 19/1388. He had transferred to the 9th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed with them.

    Nephew of J. A. Devlin, of 10, Hester Gardens, New Hartley, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2114

    L Cpl W Lillico 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Nov 1918)

    Lillico, W. Lance Corporal 19/514, Killed in action on 4th November 1918.

    Buried in Cross Roads Cemetery, Fontaine-Au-Bois, Nord, in grave IV. C. 23.

    The 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers records show that L Cpl Lillico was a member of the 19th Btn with service number 19/514. He was on Attachment to the 2nd Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers at the time of his death.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2113

    Pte Joseph William Bower 183rd Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.3rd Dec 1917)

    Bower, Joseph, William. Private, 5661, Killed in action on 3rd December 1917. Aged 24 years.

    Remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord on Panel 12 and 13.

    The 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers records show that Pte Bower was previously in the 19th Btn with service number 19/1207. killed in action whilst serving on Attachment to the 183rd Coy, Machine Gun Corps, his new service number suggests that he had transferred.

    Son of Adam and Matilda Bower, of 39, Avenue Rd, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2112

    Sgt Levi Henry Evans 95th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.11th Nov 1917)

    Evans, Levi, Henry. Serjeant, 30842, Killed in action on 11th November 1917. Aged 39 years.

    Buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, in grave XXII. EE. 12.

    The 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers records show that Sgt Evans was previously in the 19th Btn with service number 19/1221. killed in action whilst serving on Attachment to the Machine Gun Corps, his new service number suggests that he had transferred.

    Husband of Ethel Evans, of 53, Regent St, Gateshead.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2109

    Pte F Houston 2nd Btn West Yorkshire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1917)

    Houston, F. Private 41001, Killed in action on 1st August 1917.

    Buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, in grave XVI. J. 12.

    The 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers records show that Pte Houston was previously in the 19th Btn with service number 19/1288. killed in action whilst serving on Attachment to 2nd Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment, Prince of Wales's Own, his new service number suggests that he had transferred.

    Brother of Mr. C. Houston, of 145, Rawling Rd, Bensham, Gateshead-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2107

    RSM Fred Burton DCM 12th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Oct 1918)

    Burton, Fred. Regimental Serjeant Major 89031, Killed in action on 27th October 1918. Aged 34 years.

    Buried in Tezze British Cemetery Italy, North of Venice, in grave Plot 6. Row A. Grave 17.

    The 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers records show that RSM Burton was previously in the 19th Btn with service number 19/184. Also that he was to the UK sick 29.1.18, Later killed in action whilst serving with 12th Btn Durham Light Infantry. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

    Husband of Frances Burton, of 8, Grasmere Ave, Newburn, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2106

    Pte Wallace Pennie 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.8th Apr 1918)

    Pennie, Wallace. Private, 19/1308, Died on 8th April 1918. Aged 27 years.

    Buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery, Koln(Cologne), Nordrhein-Westfal Germany, in grave XIII. D. 6.

    Attached to 25th Btn, Tyneside Irish, Northumberland Fusiliers. The 19th Btn records show his surname as Pennil. The cemetery location and date of death would suggest that Pte Pennie was a Prisioner of War.

    Son of George and Elspet Janet Pennie, of 138, Farndale Rd, Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2102

    Pte Ralph Snowdon 1st/7th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Oct 1916)

    Snowdon, Ralph. Private, 7030, Killed in Action on 1st October 1916. Aged 31 years.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 14 A and 15 C.

    19th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers records show that he was formerly a member of the 19th N.F. with service No- 19/1634 and Btn History shows surname as Snowden.

    Husband of Alice Byrne Snowdon, of 13, Northfield Rd, Piershill, Edinburgh.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2101

    Pte John McKenzie 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th Jan 1917)

    McKenzie, John. Private, 19/895, Killed in Action on 5th January 1917.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.

    19th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers records show that he was attached to and died with the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2100

    Cpl Fenwick T Wilson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Jul 1916)

    Wilson, Fenwick. Private, 19/1352, Killed in Action on 30th July 1916. Aged 20 years.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.

    19th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers records show that he was known as F.T.Wilson. killed in action and buried by 1/4 Lancshire Regt. This may possibly be near Maltzhorn trench, Somme. See entries for AMERS & GIBSON.

    Son of Mrs. Annie Wilson, of 3, Howard St, Gateshead, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2099

    Cpl Thomas J Gibson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Jul 1916)

    Gibson, Thomas. Corporal, 19/818, Killed in Action on 30th July 1916. Aged 25 years.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.

    19th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers records show that he was known as T. J Gibson. killed in action and buried by 1/4 Lancshire Regt near Maltzhorn trench, Somme.

    Son of Frances Gibson, of 38, Dene Row, Bates Cottages, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, and the late Anthony Gibson.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2098

    Pte Joseph Amers 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Jul 1916)

    Amers, Joseph. Private, 19/1369, Killed in Action on 30th July 1916.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.

    19th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers records show that he was killed in action on 30th June 1916, but CWGC has the date as 30th July. Buried by 1/4 Lancshire Regt near Maltzhorn Farm, Somme.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2095

    CQM Sgt. John Hodkin Duke of Wellington Rgt

    I have just found out that a great uncle served in Malta from 1915. John Hodkin No 9261 or 22725 joined the Duke of Wellington Rgt in 1908. He was part of the BEF going to France 14/8/1914 - 16/8/1915. On 31/71915 he was posted to West Yorks Rgt, specifically 1 Garrison batt which was sent to Malta. His rank at the time was L/Cpl but he was discharged in 1919 as CQM Sgt. Could you give me any information on what this Batt did in Malta, whereabouts it was stationed on the island. I noticed from one web site that 16 men died whilst based on Malta with the Batt. Are there any photographs or details of the troops who undertook this duty? Although I have obtained details of his military service from the National Archives, many of the original sheets were badly damaged from water/fire or smoke so that some information is unreadable.

    Lynne Moses




    2094

    L Sgt Thomas Crosby 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Crosby, Thomas. Lance Serjeant, 19/470, Killed in Action near Albert on 11th July 1916. Aged 24 years.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.

    Son of William Witty Crosby, of 20, Fifth Avenue, Blyth, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2093

    Pte Harry Falgate 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Falgate, Harry. Private 19/1467, Killed in Action on 11th July 1916. Aged 19 years.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.

    Grandson of Henrietta Falgate, of 12. Muriel St, South Moor, Stanley, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2092

    Pte Robert Verney Roberts 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Roberts, Robert, Verney. Private 19/495, Killed in Action on 11th July 1916.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2091

    Pte William Graham 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Graham, William. Private 19/1598, Killed in Action on 11th July 1916. Aged 35 years.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B. CWGC record shows his service number as 18/1598, believed incorrect as this would indicate he was a member of the 18th Northumberland Fusiliers whereas he is clearly shown in the 19th records.

    Son of Archibald and Elizabeth Graham, of Cummings Lane, Carlisle; husband of Amie Graham, of 902, Scotswood Rd, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2090

    Pte George Westle 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Westle, George. Private 19/1604, Killed in Action near Albert on 11th July 1916. Aged 20 years.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B. CWGC record shows his service number as 18/1564, believed incorrect as this would indicate he was a member of the 18th Northumberland Fusiliers whereas he is clearly shown in the 19th records.

    Son of the late Edward and Elizabeth Westle.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2089

    Pte James Haswell 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Haswell, James. Private 19/356, Killed in Action near Albert on 11th July 1916. Aged 25 years.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.

    Son of Jane Haswell, of 13, Quebec St, Langley Park, Durham, and the late Christopher Haswell.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2088

    Pte John Chantler 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Jul 1917)

    Chantler, John. Private 19/38, Killed in Action on 13th July 1917. Aged 22 years.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B. CWGC record shows his service number as 19138, his number is infact 19/38.

    Son of Mary Chantler, of 16, Faraday Grove, Gateshead-on-Tyne, and the late John Chantler.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2087

    Pte Thomas Birnie 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

    Birnie, Thomas. Private 19/1407, Killed in Action on 11th July 1916. Aged 20 years.

    Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.

    Son of Thomas and E. Birnie, of 9, Gordon Block, Sunnyside, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2086

    Pte Alfred Cato 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6thMar 1917)

    Cato, Alfred. Private 44890, Killed in Action on 6th March 1917.

    Buried in Rosieres Communal Cemetery Extension, Heilly Station, Somme, in grave III. C. 32.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2085

    Cpl Henry Edward Graham 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Cook, Humphrey, Welsh. Private, 19/172, Died of Wounds on 9th April 1918. Aged 28 years. A member of "W" Coy. He is Buried in Varennes Military Cemetery. Son of Robert and the late Elizabeth Cook, of Burnmoor, Fence Houses, Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2084

    Pte Humphrey Welsh Cook 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Apr 1918)

    Cook, Humphrey, Welsh. Private, 19/172, Died of Wounds on 9th April 1918. Aged 28 years. A member of "W" Coy. He is Buried in Varennes Military Cemetery. Son of Robert and the late Elizabeth Cook, of Burnmoor, Fence Houses, Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2083

    Pte J S, T Robertson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th Sep 1916)

    Robertson, J, S, T. Private, 19/1563, Killed in Action on 7th September 1916.

    Buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe, Somme, in grave IV. A. 4. 19th Battalion records show that he was killed on 2nd August 1916, at odds with the CWGC record.

    Husband of A. Boyd (formerly Robertson), of 98, Wansbeck Terrace, Ashington, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2082

    Pte John Thomas Storey 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st Aug 1916)

    Storey, John, Thomas. Private, 19/457, Killed in Action on 21st August 1916. Aged 26 years.

    Buried in Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz Somme, in grave III. S. 7.

    Son of George and Annie Storey, of 3, Western Terrace, Dudley Colliery, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2081

    Pte Frederick Harvey 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Aug 1916)

    Harvey, Frederick. Private, 19/1254, Killed in Action on 26th August 1916. Aged 36 years.

    Buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, in grave Plot 2. Row B. Grave 66.

    Son of Benjamin and Mary Harvey, of Esh Winning, Co. Durham. Husband of Maria Harvey, of 22, Heatherdale Terrace, Wrekenton, Gateshead-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2080

    Pte Claude Redshaw 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Jul 1916)

    Redshaw, Claude. Private, 19/983, Killed in Action on 30th July 1916. Aged 20 years.

    Buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, in grave Plot 1. Row H. Grave 17.

    Son of William Henry and Penelope C. A. Redshaw, of 10, Queen's Drive, Whitley Bay, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2079

    Pte Addlebert Yare 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Aug 1916)

    Yare, Addlebert. Private, 19/54, Killed in action on 25th August 1916. Aged 27 years. CWGC records show his service number as 19154 this is incorrect.

    Buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, in grave II. O. 2.

    Son of Joseph and Minto Yare, of 5, Wadham Terrace, Tyne Dock, South Shields.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2078

    Pte Frederic Southren 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Aug 1917)

    Southren, Frederic. Private, 19/1103, Died of wounds on 23rd August 1917. Aged 24 years.

    Buried in Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, in grave I. E. 44.

    Son of Thomas James and Mary Jane Southren, of 3, The Fold, Burnopfield, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2077

    Pte R E, A Mason 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd Sep 1917)

    Mason, R, E, A. Private, 19/931, Died of wounds on 3rd September 1917.

    Buried in Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, in grave I. F. 3.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2076

    Pte Tom Cheffings Dales 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd Sep 1917)

    Dales, Tom, Cheffings. Private, 45055, Killed in action on 3rd September 1917. Aged 26 years.

    Buried in Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, in grave I. F. 4.

    Husband of Pattie Dales, of 8, Victoria Terrace, Cleethorpes, Lincs.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2075

    Cpl Henry George Findlay 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st Aug 1917)

    Findlay, Henry, George. Corporal, 19/763, Killed in action on 21st August 1917. Aged 23 years.

    Buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery, Somme, in grave II. G. 8.

    Son of the late Supt. Andrew Findlay and Mrs. Mary Ann Findlay, of Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2074

    Pte A J Walsh 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st Aug 1917)

    Walsh, A, J. Private, 19/537, Killed in action on 21st August 1917.

    Buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery, Somme, in grave II. G. 7.

    Son of Mrs. S. A. Gamblin, of 81, Chichester Rd, South shields

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2073

    Pte N H Goss 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th Jul 1917)

    Goss, N, H. Private, 33551, Killed in action on 5th July 1917. 19th Btn N.F.Records show his name as just H.Goss.

    Buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery, Somme, in grave II. F. 3.

    Husband of E. M. Goss, of Chapel St, Settle, Yorks.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2072

    Pte Edwin Sherwin 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Jul 1917)

    Sherwin, Edwin. Private, 45032, Killed in action on 13th July 1917. Aged 21 years.

    Buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery Somme, in grave II. F. 10.

    Son of Elijah and Ann Sherwin, of 13, Oldham St, Hyde, Cheshire.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2071

    Pte E Norbury 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Jul 1917)

    Norbury, E. Private, 45001, Killed in action on 13th July 1917. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery Somme, in grave II. F. 12.

    Son of John and Sarah Norbury, of 23, Alldis St, Mile End, Stockport.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2070

    Pte J McKee 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Jul 1917)

    McKee, J. Private, 19/120, Killed in action on 13th July 1917.

    Buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery Somme, in grave II. F. 11.

    Son of Mrs. D. McKee, of 16, Birkett St., Wallsend-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2069

    Pte Alfred Brown 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Jul 1917)

    Brown, Alfred. Private, 19/1209, Killed in action on 13th July 1917. Aged 31 years.

    Buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery Somme, in grave II. F. 13.

    Son of the late Charles and Martha J. Brown, of Boldon Colliery, Co. Durham; husband of Ada I. Brown, of 98, Salem St., Jarrow.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2068

    2nd Lieut J P, H. Hall 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Nov 1918)

    Hall, J, P, H. Second Lieutenant, Killed in action on 1st November 1918.

    Buried in Vichte Military Cemetery, Anzegem, West-Vlaanderen, in grave II. D. 5.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2067

    Lieut William Robert Davies 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Nov 1918)

    Davies, William, Robert. Lieutenant, Killed in action on 1st November 1918. Aged 21 years.

    Buried in Vichte Military Cemetery, Anzegem, West-Vlaanderen, in grave II. D. 6.

    Son of William and Kate Davies, of 61, Harbury Rd., Cannon Hill, Birmingham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2066

    Pte Thomas Tweedy 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Nov 1918)

    Tweedy, Thomas. Private, 19/776, Killed in action on 1st November 1918. Aged 25 years.

    Buried in Vichte Military Cemetery, Anzegem, West-Vlaanderen, in grave II. D. 4.

    Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Tweedy, of 2, Gregson St, Scotswood, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2065

    Pte S Charlton 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th Oct 1918)

    Charlton, S. Private, 19/605, Died of wounds on 20th October 1918. Aged 28 years.

    Buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, in grave XXX. H. 7.

    Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Charlton, of St. Anthony's, Newcastle; husband of Leonora Charlton, of 7, Lansdowne Terrace, Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2064

    Pte Thomas Nocton 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th Oct 1918)

    Nocton, Thomas. Private, 45949, Killed in action on 20th October 1918. Aged 25 years.

    Buried in Dadizele Communal Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, in grave II. 4.

    Son of Michael and Ellen Nocton, of 31, Butterfield Place Wigan St, Bradford. Born at Bradford. 19th Btn N.F. records show his service number as 45945.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2063

    Pte C A Hartley 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Oct 1918)

    Hartley, C, A. Private, 50912, Killed in action on 19th October 1918.

    Buried in Dadizele Communal Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, in grave II. 4.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2062

    Cpl R Brown 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Oct 1918)

    Brown, R. Corporal, 19/1077, Killed in action on 19th October 1918.

    Buried in Moorseele Military Cemetery, Wevelgem, West-Vlaanderen, in grave D. 8.

    Husband of Mrs. A. J. Brown, of Barbess Buildings, Block House, Edmondsey, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2057

    Pte G Charlton 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Oct 1918)

    Charlton, G. Private, 19/1240, Killed in action on 19th October 1918.

    Buried in Moorseele Military Cemetery, Wevelgem, West-Vlaanderen, in grave D 8.

    Son of Mrs. M. A. Willis, of 1 John St., South Moor, Stanley, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2056

    Pte William Chambers 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Oct 1918)

    Chambers, William. Private, 76014, Killed in action on 19th October 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Moorseele Military Cemetery, Wevelgem, West-Vlaanderen, in grave D 8.

    Son of Mr. W. H. Chambers, of Fyting Villa, Robin Hood's Bay, Yorks.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2055

    Pte William Lamb 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Oct 1918)

    Lamb, William. Private, 66116, Killed in action on 19th October 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Moorseele Military Cemetery, Wevelgem, West-Vlaanderen, in grave D 8.

    Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Lamb, of 16, Burder St, Limeside Rd, Hollinwood, Oldham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2054

    Pte T Lister 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Oct 1918)

    Lister, T. Private, 19/585, Killed in action on 19th October 1918.

    Buried in Moorseele Military Cemetery, Wevelgem, West-Vlaanderen, in grave D 8.

    Husband of Mrs. E.E. Lister, of 2, Hedleys Buildings, New York, Backworth, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2053

    Pte A A, E. Stow 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Oct 1918)

    Stow, A, A, E. Private, 69611, Killed in action on 19th October 1918.

    Buried in Moorseele Military Cemetery, Wevelgem, West-Vlaanderen, in grave D 8.

    Son of Mr. A. A. Stow, of 31, Lawrence Rd., Kensington, London.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2052

    Pte W Collins 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Oct 1918)

    Collins, W. Private, 19/696, Killed in action on 19th October 1918.

    Buried in Moorseele Military Cemetery, Wevelgem, West-Vlaanderen, in grave D 8.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2051

    Pte G Carroll 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Oct 1918)

    Carroll, G. Private, 24808, Died on 19th October 1918.

    Buried in Moorseele Military Cemetery,Wevelgem, West-Vlaanderen, in grave D 8.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2050

    Pte John Haker 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Aug 1916)

    Haker, John. Private, 19/1004, Died of wounds on 26th August 1916. Aged 42 years.

    Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery, Somme, in grave IV. A. 20.

    Husband of Eleanor Cowen Haker, of 25, Coldwell Terrace, High Felling, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2049

    Pte William Squires 2nd Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th Sep 1916)

    Squires, William. Private, 10100, Killed in action on 10th September 1916. Aged 37 years. Attached to 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Transferred to 2nd Bn N.F. Was formerly with the 19th Btn N.F. with service number of 19/1238.

    Buried in Struma Military Cemetery, Greece, in grave V. E. 2.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2048

    Pte Robert Robinson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Robinson, Robert. Private, 19/373, Killed in action on 11th April 1918. Aged 24 years. Attached to 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers.

    Buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece, in grave 242.

    Son of Thomas Johnson Robinson and Mary Arm Robinson, of 8, Loud Terrace, Annfield Plain, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2047

    Sgt Chas Ed Snowball 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Snowball, Chas, Ed. Serjeant, 19/502, Killed in action on 11th April 1918.

    Buried in Hedauville Communal Cemetery Extension, in grave F. 27.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2046

    Cpl B Harrison 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Harrison, B. Corporal, 19/1340, Killed in action on 11th April 1918.

    Buried in Hedauville Communal Cemetery Extension, in grave F. 28.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2045

    Pte T W Wintle 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Wintle, T, W. Private, 19/876, Killed in action on 11th April 1918.

    Buried in Hedauville Communal Cemetery Extension, in grave F. 30.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2044

    Pte J Bradley 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1918)

    Bradley, J. Private, 66192, Died on 11th April 1918.

    Buried in Hedauville Communal Cemetery Extension, in grave F. 29.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2043

    L Cpl Robert George Duncan Roberts 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th Oct 1917)

    Roberts, Robert, George, Duncan. Lance Corporal, 19/93, Died on 7th October 1917. Aged 33 years.

    Buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, in grave II. D. 20.

    Son of the late John Hooson Roberts and Mary Roberts, of Amble, Northumberland.

    CWGC records show him as serving with the 24th Tyneside Irish Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2042

    Pte Frank Bailey 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Jul 1917)

    Bailey, Frank. Private, 19/1097, Died on 28th July 1917. Aged 28 years.

    Buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, in grave I. C. 9.

    Son of Ellen M. Bailey, of 44, Sturry Rd., Canterbury, and the late Mark Bailey.

    Not to be confused with COULSON. A.W. Also shown as 19/1097 on CWGC records, there is believed to be an error in Btn records.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2041

    Pte H Baines 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Jul 1917)

    Baines, H. Private, 19/189, Died of wounds on 15th July 1917. Aged 26 years.

    Buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, in grave I. B. 8.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2040

    Pte William Dent 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Jul 1917)

    Dent, William. Private, 19/165 , Died of wounds on 14th July 1917. Aged 26 years.

    Buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, in grave I. B. 7.

    Son of William and Margaret Ann Dent (nee Coates), of 10, Emerson Road, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2039

    Pte William Holmes 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Jul 1917)

    Holmes, William. Private, 19/229, Died of wounds on 13th July 1917. Aged 33 years.

    Buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, in grave I. B. 5.

    Son of Absalom and Sarah Holmes, of 11, Moss Side, Wrekenton, Gateshead.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2038

    Pte James Minter 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Jul 1917)

    Minter, James. Private, 19/117, Died of wounds on 13th July 1917. Aged 27 years.

    Buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, in grave I. B. 6.

    Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Minter, of 3, Collingwood Terrace, Blyth, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2037

    L Cpl C R Nicholson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Jul 1917)

    Nicholson, C, R. Lance Corporal 19/2, Died on 14th July 1917.

    Buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, in grave I. B. 1.

    CWGC show his Service Number as 1912 in error. 19th Battalion Records show him as 19/2. Believed he was only the second other rank to enlist in the Battalion.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2036

    Pte J W Priest 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Jul 1917)

    Priest, J, W. Private, 19/1282, Died on 15th July 1917.

    Buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, in grave I. B. 9.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2035

    Pte H R Richardson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Jul 1917)

    Richardson, H, R. Private, 47910, Died on 26th July 1917.

    Buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, in grave I. C. 7.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2034

    Pte Matthew Alexander 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Jul 1917)

    <p>

    Alexander, M. Private, 28344, Killed on 24th July 1917. Aged 24 years.

    Buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, in grave I. C. 2.

    Husband of Jane Ann Alexander, of 116, City Rd, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2026

    Pte. Benjamin Milburn Stafford 149th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.20th Apr 1917)

    Benjamin Stafford was a farmer from Hartlepool. He joined the 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment whilst he was living in Lincolnshire, declaring himself to be 5 years younger than he actually was, being unmarried with no children. He was separated from his wife and had a grown up daughter.

    He was killed on the 20th of April 1917, with the 149th Machine Gun Coy of the 50th Division. He is commemorated on the war memorial at St Peter's Church, Elwick and on a special memorial at Wancourt Cemetery near Arras, where he is one of 76 casualties believed to be buried in one of the 829 graves of unidentified men. Most likley his remains were moved from the Signal Trench Cemetery, Heniniel and he may well lie in the grave of an unknown solider between two men of the 149th MGC also killed on the 20th. Presumably he was killed in the battle for Wancourt Tower which was taken by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 13th April. The enemy 35th Division and 3rd Bavarian Division, made attacks on the hill over the following week.
    The following is an extract from a letter to the men of the 50th Div from P.S. Wilkinson Major-General Commanding 50th Division on the 27th of April 1917:

    "The 151st Infantry Brigade took Wancourt Tower on the night of 12/13th April, and we handed over a front line, one mile further East on the night 25/26th April. On April 14th the 151st Infantry Brigade, with the object of protecting the left flank of the Division on our right. All attacks failed, and the 151st Infantry Brigade, who advanced a considerable distance, were forced to withdraw.

    The 149th Infantry Brigade then took over the line on the night of 14/15th April. From that night until 150th Infantry Brigade took over on the night of 21/22nd, the enemy made six attacks on the Tower, any one of which was successful. Of these attacks the 6th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers repulsed four, and the 5th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers one.

    The 149th Infantry Brigade carried out two attacks on the Tower, both of which were successful. One attack was made by the 6th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers and one by the 7th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers. The 150th Infantry Brigade took over the line on the night of 21/22nd in preparation for a big attack by the whole of the Third Army on the 23rd April..

    The total enemy casualties opposite the 50th Division therefore on April 23rd amounts to at least 2,200 as oppose to our 2,300 for the whole period of 14 days, including the fighting on April 23rd. The Divisions opposed to the 50th Division were the 35th Division and part of the 3rd Bavarian Division. Prisoners of the 141st, 61st, and 176th Infantry regiments of the 35th Division were captured during this period, and of the 17th and 18th Bavarian Infantry Regiments of the 3rd Bavarian Division. The net result of our fight have been that we have soundly beaten the 35th German Division, who fancied themselves, and judging by the numbers of Iron crosses worn by all ranks they must have fought well in previous battles.

    The above record speaks for itself without any further commend. You have all done splendidly."

    Captain Francis Buckley of the 50th Div. Wrote:

    "About April 16, 1917, Lieut.-Col F Robinson of the 6th N.F. discovered the enemy approaching the ruined buildings on the Wancourt Tower Hill, and promptly ordered a platoon to attack them. This plan succeeded admirably, and the Tower and house were captured. The place was of vital importance to us as it commanded direct observation on all the roads leading to our part of the front. On April 17th the enemy shelled the Tower with 8-inch howitzers- generally a sign that he meant to attack sooner or later. The Tower contained a formidable concrete machine-gun emplacement, facing of course our way, but by General Rees orders it was blown up by the Engineers. Sure enough the enemy attacked the Tower that night, and at an unfortunate time for us, for the 7th N.F. were in the process of relieving the 6th N.F. in the front line, and it was a vile night, with a blizzard of snow. The German attack succeeded in driving our men out of the Tower and buildings, and though several bombing attacks were made that night to recover the position it could not be done. General Rees at once prepared to storm the position at the earliest opportunity next day, the 7th N.F. having completed the relief of the trenches during the night. It is difficult to describe the confidence which our General inspired at this critical time; he was rather graver and more thoughtful than usual, perhaps, but he treated the matter with great confidence and made everyone feel that the misfortune could and would be retrieved at the first attempt. His plans were made in conjunction with Major Johnson of the 50th Divisional Artillery; and as a result it was arranged to attack across the open, supported by a barrage from five brigades of field artillery. The hour was fixed for twelve noon (German time) just when the enemy is thinking about his dinner. Without any preliminary bombardment, the barrage opened out at the appointed hour, and fairly drove the enemy off the hill top. The 7th N.F. advanced in perfect order, and with little opposition, recaptured the Tower and the neighbouring trenches. Two or three prisoners were sent down, who had been unable to get away before the attackers reached them. It was a little attack, but carried out with admirable precision and practically without loss, and every credit must be given to General Rees for the way he handled the problem. As this operation was carried out in full view of all the surrounding country it attracted considerable attention, and congratulations soon poured in from all sides. "

    Ben's army records reveal the consequences of lying about his age. He had listed his brother as next of kin, but Milburn wrote back to the military stating that Ben's medals should go to his daughter Florence. Which the army dispute as taking 5 years off Ben's age meant that instead of having a child when he was 19, her birth appeared to be when he was only 14 years old. After an exchange of documents the army accepted that Ben had been over age when he enlisted and his medals were sent to Florence.

    If anyone has any further information or a photograph of Ben, I would very much like to hear from you.

    Angela




    2019

    Bdr. Fred Richardson Royal Field Artillery (d.22nd Dec 1917)

    My great grandfather served with the Royal Field Artillery from 1914 to 1917 when he died. He was Fred Richardson, Bombadier 31944. He was sent home and died 22/12/1917. He is buried at James Bridge Cemetery in Darlaston.

    I am trying to find out which battle he was injured in, which hospital he was treated in England and as yet I have no photographs of him. If anyone can help in any way I would be so grateful.

    Adele Bradley




    2018

    Sgt. M. Davies DCM. 32nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps

    My Step Grand Father served in The 32nd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps and I believe that he was awarded the D.C.M. in March 1919. I have been trying to find out about him. He was Sergeant 7811 M. Davies. Transport Command, Fourth Army. He was from New Zealand and he is buried there in Wellington. Any information would be appreciated.

    Kevan E. Price




    2016

    Mary Elizabeth Connor

    My Grandmother Mary Elizabeth Connor served in the Women's Land Army (the surname may have been O'Connor at that time as I am not sure when the O was dropped). I remember being told that she joined without telling her parents and that she was given a hiding from her father for having her hair cut as previously it had been below her waist.

    After my mother passed away I came across a photograph of my grandmother, in the uniform of the WLA, the photographer was by F & G Beales, High St., Boston, England and I would like to know if there are records of when and where she served, can anyone help?

    Anita Masters




    2015

    James Topping

    My Grandfather received a certificate for gallantry for bringing wounded men from no man's land on the 3rd & 4th of July 1916, Certificate no56, James Topping of Waringstown, Lurgan, N Ireland. I would like to find out more details.

    James Topping




    2014

    Edward Hayes 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.27th June 1919)

    My Gt Gt Uncle Edward Hayes served in the 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment.

    Mark Hayes




    2013

    Thomas McCabe Royal Irish Fusiliers

    My grandfather, Thomas McCabe, served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers during WW1. Unfortunately, I have no idea of the battalion he served with or the date he signed up or left. I believe he was wounded in the leg during his time served. His parents were James & Mary McCabe and he may or may not have been married to Sarah McConville during the time he was serving.

    Any information anyone can give me would be much appreciated.

    Seamus McCabe




    2012

    Henry Owen 254th RE Tunneling Co Royal Engineers (d.11th February 1917)

    Henry Owen 175870, 254th RE Tunneling Co Killed 11/02/1917 Date: 13 November 2009 10:29 Hi,   I would like to inform you that while researching my great granfather Sapper Henry Owen 175870 in WW1, it came to my attention that he was in the 254th Tunneling Co, he was killed onm the 11th Feb 1917 aged 34. He was from Llanddyfnan, Anglesey   Regards Will Davies

    Will Davies




    2011

    Frederick James Moore

    <p>

    Frederick James Moore born 1895/96 Here is a picture of my Grandfather serving in the First World War. He was injured at the Somme or Ypres but recovered and rejoined the front. Whilst injured he was sent to convalesce in Luton were he met my grandma. Can this help track him down. Is he wearing riding boots?

    Deborah.Moore




    2010

    John William Gregory Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    My Grand-father, John Gregory, Whom I believe served in the Durham Light infantry during WW1, was born approx 1896 . I have attached a picture of him. I am trying to find more details. Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated.

    George Gregory




    2009

    Pte T Hays 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Mar 1916)

    Hays, T. Private, 19/147 Killed in action on 14th March 1916. Aged 21 years.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave III. I. 6.

    Son of John Hays. Born at South Shields. The CWGC records show him as attached to the 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2008

    Pte J Stevenson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Apr 1916)

    Stevenson, J. Private, 19/1062 Killed in action on 26th April 1916.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave I. A. 6.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2007

    Pte T Hutchinson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jun 1916)

    Hutchinson, T. Private, 19/426 Killed in action on 1st June 1916.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave I. C. 3.

    His service number may have been 19/428 rather than 19/426.>p> From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2006

    2nd Lt Reginald Charles Davies 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Jun 1916)

    Davies, Reginald, Charles. Second Lieutenant, Killed in action on 1st June 1916. Aged 21 years.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave I. A. 11.

    Son of Edward J. V. and Georgina Peabody Davies, of "Brooklyn," 8, Private Rd., Enfield, Middx. Enlisted at the outbreak of war. Born at Wood Green, London.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2005

    2nd Lieut Brinley J Williams 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th May 1916)

    Williams, Brinley, J. Second Lieutenant, Killed in action on 20th May 1916. Aged 28 years. Joined Battalion in France 9/3/16.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave I. A. 10.

    B.Sc. Son of Rhys and Ann Williams, of 2, Rockcliffe Gardens, Whitley Bay, Northumberland. Born at Merthyr Tydfil, Glam.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2004

    Pte Thomas Cameron Walton 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th May 1916)

    Walton, Thomas, Cameron. Private, 19/1049, Killed in action on 15th May 1916. Aged 19 years. Member of "Z" Coy.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave I. A. 9.

    Son of Thomas Cameron Walton and Mary Ann Walton, of 1 17, West View, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Born at Alston, Cumberland. A student teacher.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2003

    Pte R W Horner 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th May 1916)

    Horner, R, W. Private, 19/653, Killed in action on 5th May 1916.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave I. A. 7.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2002

    Pte R W Horner 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th May 1916)

    Horner, R, W. Private, 19/653, Killed in action on 5th May 1916.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave I. A. 7.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2001

    Pte W Edwards 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd Jun 1916)

    Edwards, W. Private, 19/419, Killed in action on 3rd June 1916.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave I. C. 2.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    2000

    Pte Arthur Edward Burke 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Mar 1916)

    Burke, Arthur, Edward. Private, 19/248, Killed in action on 2nd March 1916. Aged 19 years. Member of "W" Coy.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave I. A. 5.

    Son of James William and Jane Elizabeth Burke, of 30, Kelvin Gardens, Dunston, Gateshead, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1999

    Pte John Capel Barker 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th Jun 1916)

    Barker, John, Capel. Private, 19/326, Killed in action on 5th June 1916. Aged 23 years. Member of "B" Coy.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave I. B. 1.

    Son of Councillor and Mrs. John Barker, of Wylam House, Wylam Rd, Newcastle-on-Tyne. His brother also fell.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1998

    Pte J Askew 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Jun 1916)

    Askew, J. Private, 19/1247, Killed in action on 9th June 1916.

    Buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, in grave I. B. 3.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1997

    Pte James Reid 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Jul 1916)

    Reid, James. Private, 19/984, Killed on 15th July 1916. Aged 31 years.

    Buried in Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, in grave Div. 3. A. 6.

    Son of the late James and Margaret Foster Reid, of Walbottle, Newburn-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1996

    Pte William Robert Birkett 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th Oct 1916)

    Birkett, William, Robert. Private, 19/1007, Died of sickness on 20th October 1916. Aged 25 years. Member of "D" Coy.

    Buried in Avesnes-Le-Comte Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, in grave II. B. 6.

    Nephew of James Birkett, of 1 13, Parker St., Byker, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1995

    Pte Richard Moore 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Jun 1918)

    Moore, Richard. Private, 326224, Killed on 18th June 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas de Calais, in grave I. A. 35.

    This Richard Moore is believed ident with Pte 19/1141 Richard Moore. This is the only Richard Moore shown on CWGC records in the 12th Royal Scots. 19th N.F. Btn history states he was attached to 12th Royal Scots and was killed with them. Also his parents home address supports this theory.

    Son of Mary and the late Robert Moore, of Shieldfield, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1994

    Pte N Lightfoot 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Nov 1918)

    Lightfoot, N. Private, 66255, Killed on 2nd November 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas de Calais, in grave X. A. 12.

    Believed that the Commonwealth War Graves Commision may have shown him incorrectly as a memeber of 9th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers. This will require further research, but will record in both Btn's at this time.

    Son of William and Emily Lightfoot, of 29, Grimshaw St., Darwen, Lancashire.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1993

    Pte F J Watson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Nov 1916)

    Watson, F, J. Private, 19/1836, Killed on 9th November 1916.

    Buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, in grave XVIII. L. 3.

    Believed that the Commonwealth War Graves Commision may have shown him incorrectly as a memeber of 9th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers. This will require further research, but will record in both Btn's at this time.

    Brother of Mr. J. R. Watson, of 16, Murton Row, Percy Main, North Shields.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1992

    Pte James Gardner Taylor 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Mar 1918)

    Taylor, James, Gardner. Private, 51505, Killed on 28th March 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Norfolk Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, East of Albert, in grave I. D. 62.

    Son of Mr. and Mrs. James G. Taylor, of 30, Conyers Rd., Byker, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1990

    Cpt. Michael Cardiff HMHS. St. George

    <p>

    Captain Michael Cardiff was the Master of the St. George during WW1 and received decorations for his service. The St. George was built in 1906 and served as a Rosslare to Fishguard Steamship until 1913 when it was sold by the Great Western Railway to Canadian Pacific who used it in Bundy Bay. The ship was requisitioned in 1917 to become a British Hospital Ship until 1919. It was then bought by the Great Eastern Railway and probably worked between Harwich and the Hook of Holland. It was scrapped in 1929. I do not know if Captain Cardiff had associations with the vessel before and after WW1. He did however spend his last working years as a Master on the Rosslare to Fishguard line.

    Michael O'Neill




    1945

    L/Sgt Anthony Herbert Portsmouth Bn RN Division (d.3rd May 1915)

    My Great Grand Uncle, Anthony Herbert was a Pte. in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, Portsmouth Battalion, promoted to L/Sgt 13th November 1914. He died at Gallipoli on 3rd May 1915 and is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Panel 2-7. I believe he first enlisted in August 1902 He was awarded the 1914 Star & Clasp, BWM & VM. The clasp was awarded on 14th July 1921. His medals were sent to his father William Herbert on 4th July 1919. I am not sure of the accuracy of this information but I believe that forces at Anzac Cove were relieved by RN Division on 28th April 1915. At dawn on 3rd May Portsmouth Battalion were ordered to march in support of an attack that had clearly failed. I believe it is possible that my GGU would have been forced up "Dead Man's Ridge" in full view of enemy machine guns. Unfortunately he, and many others, lost their lives. He was 30 years old. If anyone has any information about Anthony or his Battalion I would be very interested to hear from you.

    Beverley Herbert




    1944

    Pte John Wardle 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st June 1918)

    Wardle, John. Private, 31511, Killed on 1st June 1918, aged 29 years, believed in action in Aveluy Wood.

    Buried in the Martinsart British Cemetery Somme, in grave I. B. 35.

    Husband of Alice Wardle, of 69, Camborne Grove, Gateshead.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1943

    Pte G Coulson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st June 1918)

    Coulson, G. Private, 19/838, Killed in action in Aveluy Wood on 1st June 1918.

    Buried in the Martinsart British Cemetery Somme, in grave I. B. 29.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1942

    Pte Thomas William Parkin 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st June 1918)

    Parkin, Thomas, William. Private, 19/863, Died on 1st June 1918. Aged 31 years. Killed in action or died of wounds on or shortly after Aveluy Woods. Member of "Z" Coy.

    Buried in the Martinsart British Cemetery Somme, in grave I. B. 57.

    Son of John and Marie Parkin; husband of Mrs. M. A. Parkin, of 6, St. Ives Rd., Leadgate, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1941

    Pte Thomas James Reed 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st June 1918)

    Reed, Thomas, James. Private, 19/900, Died on 1st June 1918. Aged 24 years. Killed in action or died of wounds on or shortly after Aveluy Woods. Member of "Z" Coy.

    Buried in the Martinsart British Cemetery Somme, in grave I. B. 32.

    Son of William Guy and Elizabeth Reed, of 29, Springbank Rd., Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1940

    Cpl Thomas Hedley 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st June 1918)

    Hedley, Thomas. Corporal, 19/972, Killed in action Aveluy Wood on 1st June 1918. Aged 41 years. Member of "Z" Coy.

    Buried in the Martinsart British Cemetery Somme, in grave I. B. 33.

    Son of Eliza Hedley, of Dene House, Chow Dene, Low Fell, Gateshead, and the late Thomas Hedley.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1939

    Pte James Arthur Gunn 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st June 1918)

    Gunn, James, Arthur. Private, 19/145, Killed in action Aveluy Wood on 1st June 1918. Aged 30 years. Member of "Z" Coy.

    Buried in the Martinsart British Cemetery Somme, in grave I. B. 48.

    Son of James and Elizabeth Gunn, of St. Aidan's Terrace, New Herrington, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1938

    Pte Hugh Atkinson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st June 1918)

    Atkinson, Hugh. Private, 19/1006, Killed in action Aveluy Wood on 1st June 1918. Aged 31 years. Member of "Z" Coy.

    Buried in the Martinsart British Cemetery Somme, in grave I. B. 5.

    Son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Atkinson, of 5, Dene Gardens, Station Rd., Bill Quay, Pelaw, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1937

    Pte Ernest Forster 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Aug 1918)

    Forster, Ernest. Private, 19/1729 & 353131, Killed on 1st August 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Remembered on the Soissons Memorial, Aisne.

    Son of James and Elizabeth Forster, of 39, Douglas Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    19th Battalion Service History shows him as having been attached to 2/9th Royal Scots.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1936

    Pte Edward Palmer 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th May 1918)

    Palmer, Edward. Private, 19/1411, Killed on 29th May 1918.

    Remembered on the Soissons Memorial, Aisne.

    19th Battalion Service History shows him as having been transferred to 14th N.F.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1935

    Pte Albert John Galyer 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th May 1918)

    Galyer, Albert, John. Private, 69647, Killed on 27th May 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No 2, in grave I. C. 6.

    Son of Herbert John and Mary Ann Galyer, of 159, Gloucester Rd., Regent's Park, London.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1934

    Pte Richard Ralph Wilson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th May 1918)

    Wilson, Richard, Ralph. Private, 69626, Killed on 25th May 1918. Aged 19 years. Member of "Z" Coy.

    Buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No 2, in grave II. C. 28.

    Son of Robert and Amelia Wilson, of 31, Wayford St., Battersea, London.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1933

    Pte T McCricket 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th May 1918)

    McCricket, T. Private, 66267, Killed on 25th May 1918.

    Buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No 2, in grave II. C. 26.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1932

    Pte A Street 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th May 1918)

    Street, A. Private, 69663, Killed on 24th May 1918.

    Buried in Senlis Communal Cemetery Extension, North West of Albert, in grave I. A. 13.

    Battalion Service History shows his service number as 69623. From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1931

    Pte Thomas Leslie Kay 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Jun 1918)

    Kay, Thomas, Leslie. Private, 66253, Killed on 2nd June 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Senlis Communal Cemetery Extension, North West of Albert, in grave I. B. 12.

    Son of Alice Ellen Bickerstaffe (formerly Kay), of 77 Bold St, Accrington, Lancs. and the late Thomas Kay.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1930

    Sjt. Paul Airson 19th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>19th Durham Light Infantry

    Paul Airson was a miner, he enlisted at Hartlepool on the 1st of March 1915, requesting to join "Bob's Durham Bantams", he is described as being 5 feet 2 inches tall and 29 years old. He was married with two young daughters and a son. He emarked for France from Southampton on the 31st of January 1916. He returned to Britain suffering from Influenza and was later transferred to 188th Coy. Labour Corps and returned to France, possibly based at Bologne.





    1929

    Lt. Arthur Hewitt Allen 1st Btn. att 72nd MGC. orth Staffordshire Regiment

    Arthur Hewitt Allen was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment on the 23rd of July 1915 and joined the battalion in France. During the Battles of the Somme, he was attached to 72nd Company, Machine Gun Corps and commanded of a section of two Vickers machine guns. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 10th January 1917. He served at Arras in April 1917 and at the Battle of Messines Ridge, which opened with massive Mine explosions which rocked the German defenders. Despite early set backs, the Germans staged a vigorous defence of the ridge and the slopes. As Lieutenant Allen led his Machine Gun Company forward in support of 1st North Stafford’s, they came under heavy artillery & machine gun fire. He located and attacked an enemy machine gun that was mowing the men down. He personally killed and captured the crew, then took command of an infantry company whose Officers had all been hit, and was soon joined by the survivors of the whole Battalion. He was awarded the Military Cross which was Gazetted on the 26th of September 1917. His citation reads:

    “For conspicuous gallantry & devotion in leading his company in an attack. He directed an attack on an enemy machine gun , which was holding up our advance, captured the gun and killed or captured the crew. Afterwards believing himself to be the only officer surviving in the attacking companies, he directed their fire on enemy machine guns and snipers, moving from shell hole to shell hole with utter disregard of his own personal danger to satisfy himself that the line was being properly maintained. Later, he was knocked down & severely bruised by a shell, but refused to leave his company and directed the carrying of rations to the front line.”

    He later fought in the 3rd Battle of Ypres in the Autumn of 1917. Having suffered effects from his close encounter with the shell at Messines and also possibly being further wounded in action, he returned to ‘Blighty’ in 1918 and served for a period with the Ministry of National Service.

    B Allen




    1928

    Pte. William Hemming Durham Light Infantry

    <p>William Hemming and his family

    William Hemming went to France with the DLI on the 15th of July 1917. He returned home and wore the Silver War Badge.





    1927

    A.Cpl. Harry Howells 56th Btn. Machine Gun Corps

    <p>

    Harry Howells served with 56th Battalion Machine Gun Corps.





    1926

    Pte. A. C. Smith 13th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>

    Pte A.C. Smith served with the 13th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps and was held as a POW in Germany





    1916

    Pte R Banks 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st Jul 1916)

    Banks, R. Private, 19/831, Died of wounds on 21st July 1916.

    Buried in Dive Copse British Cemetery, Sailly-Le-Sec Somme, in grave II. F. 8.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1915

    Pte George Edward Smith 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Mar 1916)

    Smith, George, Edward. Private, 19/705, Killed on 30th March 1916. Aged 22 years.

    Buried in Sailly-Sur-La-Lys Canadian Cemetery, in grave I. B. 25.

    Eldest son of Edward and Pleasance Agnes Smith, of Maru House, 179, Stanhope Rd., South Shields.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1914

    Pte H Lane 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd May 1918)

    Lane, H. Private, 47258, Killed on 22nd May 1918.

    Buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, in grave II. C. 4.

    Son of Mrs. Lane, of 32, Woodstock Rd., Finsbury Park, London.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1913

    Pte R B Pearson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Jul 1918)

    Pearson, R, B. Private, 76006, Killed on 18th July 1918.

    Buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, in grave II. A. 6.

    Son of Mr. W. Pearson, of 32, Vine St., Askew Rd., Gateshead.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1912

    Pte J C Percival 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Jul 1918)

    Percival, J, C. Private, 66129, Killed on 23rd July 1918. 19th Btn Historical Records show his service number as 66120.

    Buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, in grave II. A. 22.

    Son of Mr. J. Percival, of 25, Albion Grove, Sale, Cheshire.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1911

    Pte James Quinn 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Jul 1918)

    Quinn, James. Private, 66135, Killed on 23rd July 1918. Aged 20 years.

    Buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, in grave II. A. 16.

    Son of Hugh and Mary Quinn, of 240, Price St., Birkenhead, Cheshire.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1910

    Pte Bernard Samuels 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Aug 1918)

    Samuels, Bernard. Private, 69606, Killed on 24th August 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, in grave II. C. 19.

    Only son of Isaac and Sarah Samuels, of 15/17, Pimlico Walk, Hoxton, London.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1909

    Pte W A Ford 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Aug 1918)

    Ford, W, A. Private, 69643, Killed on 24th August 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, in grave II. C. 18.

    Son of Mrs. E. Ford, of 46, Heman St., Wandsworth Rd., London.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1908

    Pte James Henry McNamee 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    McNamee, James, Henry. Private, 66270, Killed on 22nd August 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, in grave II. C. 5.

    Son of Mr. and Mrs. James McNamee, of 88, Sunbeam Rd., Old Swan, Liverpool.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1907

    Pte Harold Hickman 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    Hickman, Harold. Private, 58152, Killed on 22nd August 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, in grave II. C. 3.

    Brother of Elizabeth Hickman, of Ashworth Cottage, Badby, Daventry, Northants .

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1906

    Pte Robert Norman Goddard 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    Goddard, Robert, Norman. Private, 66095, Killed on 22nd August 1918. Aged 19 years. 19th Btn Historical record shows surname as Goodard.

    Buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, in grave II. C. 6.

    Son of Robert and Sarah Ann Goddard, of 24, Stalybridge Rd., Mottram, Manchester.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1905

    Pte Henry Bristow 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Aug 1918)

    Bristow, Henry. Private, 66479, Killed on 22nd August 1918. Aged 19 years.

    Buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, in grave II. C. 7.

    Son of William and Eva Bristow, of 56, Webster's Villas, Cave Lane, East Ardsley, Wakefield, Yorks.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1904

    Pte W Bainbridge 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Apr 1916)

    Bainbridge, W. Private, 19/609, Died of wounds on 12th April 1916. Aged 18 years, Btn historical records record date as 8th April 1916.

    Buried in Merville Communal Cemetery, in grave VI. P. 14.

    Son of William and Catherine Bainbridge, of 24, Hayward Avenue, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1903

    Pte David McKibbin 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1916)

    McKibbin, David. Private, 19/618, Killed in action on 29th August 1916. Aged 21 years.

    Buried in Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, in grave IV. G. 9.

    19Btn Historical records shows him as 19/618 & 19/619. ALSO spelling his surname as McKibbon, CWGC has it spelt McKibbin.

    Son of David and Elizabeth McKibbin, of 41, Marian St., Bensham, Gateshead-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1902

    Pte Francis Robinson "Frank" Shaw 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1916)

    Shaw, Francis, Robinson. Private, 19/708, on 29th August 1916. Aged 32 years.

    Buried in Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, in grave III. B. 8.

    Son of William Shaw, of Bedlington, and the late Martha Shaw; husband of Dorothy Ann Shaw, of 26, Milbank Crescent, Bedlington, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1901

    Pte J G Hunter 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1916)

    Hunter, J, G. Private, 19/652, Killed in action on 29th August 1916.

    Buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, in grave XXXI. I. 2.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1900

    Pte E Clark 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1916)

    Clark, E. Private, 19/1581, Killed in action on 29th August 1916. Aged 29 years.

    Buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, in grave XXXI. I. 3.

    Commonwealth War Graves commision show him as Clark, 19th Btn Historical Records show him as Clarke. Son of Jane Clark, of 20, Morvin Terrace, Ashington, Northumberland, and the late W. Clark.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1899

    L Cpl Edward Stanley Page 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Aug 1916)

    Page, Edward, Stanley. Lance Corporal, 19/542, Killed in action on 29th August 1916. Aged 21 years.

    Buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, in grave XXXI. I. 1.

    Son of Mrs. A. J. Page, of 5, Cromwell Terrace, North Shields, and the late Arthur S. Page.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1898

    Pte F Charlton 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Feb 1917)

    Charlton, F. Private, 19/508, Killed on 1st February 1917.

    Buried in St Pol Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, in grave D. 6.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1897

    Pte J J Crozier 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.31st Mar 1918)

    Crozier, J, J. Private, 19/406, Died of Wounds on 31st March 1918. Aged 27 years.

    Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, in grave XXXIII. B. 4.

    Son of James and Jane Crozier, of 171, Malcolm St., Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Native of Newcastle.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1896

    Pte Arnold Coates 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th Mar 1918)

    Coates, Arnold. Private, 19/409, Died of Wounds on 29th March 1918. Aged 28 years.

    Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, in grave XXXIII. A. 30A.

    Son of William John and Mary Ann Coates, of 7, Shafto Terrace, Craghead, Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1895

    Pte Frederick Ambrose Spencer 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1918)

    Spencer, Frederick, Ambrose. Private, 203905, Killed on 9th April 1918. Aged 33 years.

    Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, in grave XXXIII. F. 16.

    Son of Fred and Jeannie Spencer, of Hemsworth, Yorks; husband of Mary Esther Spencer, of 67, Colonel's Walk, Goole, Yorks.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1894

    Pte William Burn 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1918)

    Burn, William. Private, 19/1136, Died of wounds on 9th April 1918. Aged 36 years.

    Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, in grave XXXIII. F. 10.

    Son of Thomas and Mary Ann Burn, of Shiremoor, Northumberland; husband of Lizzie Burn, of 16, Taylor Terrace, West Allotment, Shiremoor, Northumberland.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1893

    Pte Robert Frankish Barwood West Yorkshire Regiment (d.11th May 1917)

    Barwood, Robert, Frankish. Private, 43457, Killed on 11th May 1917. Aged 21 years. Serving with the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)but was originally with the 19th Northumberland Fusiliers with service number 19/49

    Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, in grave XVIII. M. 3A.

    Son of William and Ellen Barwood, of South Shields, Co. Durham.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1892

    Pte. William Fletcher 21st Btn. A Coy. Durham Light Infantry

    William Fletcher was a grocer from Billingham, he enlisted in Middlesbrough aged 21, in June 1915. He served with A Company, 21st Battalion DLI and went to France on the 26th Of April 1916, suffering a gunshot wound to his face in June. He returned to England for treatment. In Feburary 1917 he transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers and then to 412 Coy. Labour Corps.





    1885

    Cpl. G. Dick Royal Engineers (d.16th Aug 1916)

    Corporal G. Dick is remembered in Edinburgh Eastern Cemetery.





    1882

    James Lennox Dawson VC. 187th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    James Dawson enlisted into the 5th Cameronians in November 1914 and transferred to the Royal Engineers in March 1915. He was awarded the VC as a Corporal in the 187th Company, Corps of Royal Engineers, he was 23 years old. His citation reads:

    "On 13 October 1915 at Hohenzollern Redoubt, France, during a gas attack, when the trenches were full of men, Corporal Dawson exposed himself fearlessly to the enemy's fire in order to give directions to his sappers and to clear the infantry out of sections of the trench which were full of gas. Finding three leaking cylinders, he rolled them well away from the trench, again under heavy fire, and then fired rifle bullets into them to let the gas escape. His gallantry undoubtedly saved many men from being gassed."

    He was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in December 1916 and demobilised as a Major in 1919. After graduating from Glasgow University he was commissioned in the Army Education Corps in 1920, but transferred to the Indian Army Ordnance Corps in 1931 and later achieved the rank of colonel.





    1881

    A/Mjr. Brett Mackay Cloutman VC. 59th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Acting Major Brett Cloutman was commanding the 59th Field Company, Royal Engineers, when he won his VC, he was 26 years old.

    His citation reads:

    "On 6 November 1918, at Pont-sur-Sambre, France, Major Cloutman, after reconnoitring the river crossings, found the Quartes Bridge almost intact but prepared for demolition. Leaving his party under cover he went forward alone, swam across the river and having cut the 'leads' from the charges returned the same way, despite the fact that the bridge and all the approaches were swept by enemy shells and machine-gun fire. Although the bridge was blown up later in the day by other means, the abutments remained intact."

    This was the last act to win a VC in the First World War.

    Brett Cloutman later achieved the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He served in The Second World War and in 1947 became Senior Chairman of the War Pensions Tribunal. He eventually became His Honour Lieutenant Colonel Sir Brett Cloutman VC MC. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum, Chatham, Kent.





    1880

    Spr. Adam Archibald VC. 218th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

    Adam Archibald enlisted with the 7th Durham Light Infantry in 1915. He transferred to the 218th Field Company, Royal Engineers during the Second Battle of the Sambre. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for action while his unit was attempting to bridge the Sambre–Oise Canal, he was 39 years old. He received his medal from King George V at Buckingham Palace in May 1919.

    His citation reads:

    "On 4 November 1918 near Ors, France, Sapper Archibald was with a party building a floating bridge across the canal. He was foremost in the work under a very heavy artillery barrage and machine-gun fire. The latter was directed at him from a few yards distance while he was working on the cork floats. Nevertheless he persevered in his task and his example and efforts were such that the bridge which was essential to the success of the operations was very quickly completed. Immediately afterwards Sapper Archibald collapsed from gas poisoning."





    1864

    Pte. William Critchley 11th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.6th May 1916)

    William Critchley was born in St Helens and enlisted at Warrington in November 1914. He was the son of James and Mary Ellen Critchley of St. Helens, was killed in action on the 6th May 1916 and is buried in Ecoivres Military Cemetery, St Eloi.





    1863

    Pte John Ling 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Apr 1917)

    Ling, John. Private, 19/647, Died of appendicitis on 30th April 1917. Aged 20 years.

    Buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, in grave P. I. B. 7B.

    Son of John and Mary Ann Ling, of 13, Blyth St., Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1862

    Pte J Barry 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.30th Mar 1918)

    Barry, J. Private, 19/1758, Killed 30th March 1918.

    Buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, in grave P. IX. E. 12A.

    Battalion Service History believed incorrect as states he is buried within Etaples cemetery.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1861

    Pte W R Brooks 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Brooks, W, R. Private, 19/250, Killed 12th October 1917.

    Buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, in grave P. III. H. 5A.

    Battalion Service History believed incorrect as states he is buried within Tincourt cemetery.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1860

    Pte J J Hume 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Apr 1918)

    Hume, J. Private, 19/133, Died of wounds 12th April 1918.

    Second initial of “J”

    Buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, in grave P. VII. K. 12A.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1859

    Pte G H Ellis 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th Apr 1918)

    Ellis, G, H. Private, 5498, Killed 7th April 1918.

    Buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, in grave P. IX. F. 1B.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1858

    Cpl Andrew W Coulson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st Jun 1917)

    Coulson, Andrew, W. Corporal, 19/1097, Killed 21st June 1917, 23 years old.

    Son of Henry and Margaret A. Coulson, of 22, Bolam St., Byker, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    Buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen in grave P. II. P. 2B.

    Shown in the 19th Btn Service History as attached to the 12th Btn N.F. CWGC records shows 19/1097, but serving in 12th Btn. 1097 is shown as Pte F. Bailey in Battalion Service History, so is Coulson. A.W. this maybe an error in Btn records.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dave Willis




    1857

    Sgt Albert Turner Forester 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Jun 1917)

    Forester, Albert, Turner. Serjeant, 19/1630, Killed 16th June 1917, 32 years old.

    Son of Frederick William and Dorothy Forester, of 17, Marine Approach, South Shields; husband of Ethel Ivydene Mary Forester, of I, Doxford Terrace, North Murton, Co. Durham.

    Remembered on the Arras Memorial bay 2 and 3.

    Shown in the 19th Btn Service History as attached to the 12th Btn N.F. Possibly killed alongside Pte Ernest Sutton also attached to the 12th Btn N.F.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1848

    Pte Ernest Sutton 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Jun 1917)

    Sutton, Ernest. Private, 28/342, Killed 16th June 1917, 21 years old.

    Son of John George E. Sutton, of 36, Rede St., Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    Remembered on the Arras Memorial bay 2 and 3.

    Possibly attached to the 12th Btn or 19th Btn N.F. Shown in the 19th Btn Service History as service number 28/342.

    From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1843

    Cpl Thomas Gray Leach 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Nov 1916)

    Leach, Thomas,Gray. Corporal, 19/441, Killed 25th November 1916, 28 years old. Member of "X" Coy.

    Son of Ambrose and Alice Leach, of 74, Stephen St., Byker, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    Remembered on the Arras Memorial bay 2 and 3.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1838

    Pte. P. W. Allenby 4th. Yorkshire Regiment (d.6th Oct 1916)

    Pte. Allenby is buried at Linthorpe Cemetery, middlesbrough, he was 21 years old and was married to Elizabeth.





    1833

    Pte James Wilson Davidson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Nov 1916)

    Davidson, James, Wilson. Private, 19/1073 Killed in action 25th November 1916, Remembered on the Arras Memorial bay 2 and 3. From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour Battalion Service History shows 1073 as Davison T.W. Killed in action 25/11/16, Buried in British Cemetery, Arras.

    Dave Willis




    1818

    Pte. Richard Henry Smith 10th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.3rd May 1917)

    Richard Henry Smith enlisted in the 10th East Yorkshire Regiment and was one of the original Hull Pals, going to Egypt on the 22nd December 1915. The Battalion moved to the Western Front in March 1916. He was appointed an unpaid Lance-Corporal in January 1917. Richard was reported as missing, presumed dead, after the attack on Oppy Wood on the 3rd of May 1917, when the Battalion went into the attack with a strength of 550 and sustained over 200 casualties. He has no known grave.

    H. Smith




    1817

    James Valentine Smith 10th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment

    James Valentine Smith survived WW1 and was a founder of the Newbald Home Guard in WW2.

    Angela




    1815

    Pte. George H. Johnson 10th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th Jun 1916)

    George Johnson was killed in action on the 4th June 1916. He was serving with the 10th (1st Hull Commercials) Battalion, one of the original Battalion members. He was born and lived in Hull.





    1802

    Pte. James Neville 8th Btn. Cheshire Regiment (d.25th Aug 1915)

    James Neville was Killed on the 25th of August 1915 just a few days after the 8th Cheshires took part in the Gallipoli landings. He is buried in East Mudros Military cemetery.





    1782

    Dvr Hedley Vickers Davis 38th Btn.

    Hedley Davis was a driver with the Transport Section. He departed Australia on the 20th of June 1916, arriving in England on the 10th of August. He arrived France on the 29th of Novemember and was at Armentiers until the 20th of February 1917. He was in the Messines sector from the 27th of March 1917 and took part in the attack on the 7th of June. He was in the 3rd battle of Ypres from the 29th of September, at Broodscinde and Passchendale and was on The Somme in early 1918, fighting at Mont St Quentin, the St. Quantin Canal, Amiens and the Hindenburg Line. He was hospitalized in England and arrived home in 1919.

    Susan McPherson




    1781

    Cpl Christopher John Cobb 180th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandfather, Christopher Cobb lied about his age to get in. He was not wounded and lived until his 70's. He was a remarkable person.

    Chris Evans




    1780

    Pte. James Ormerod 8th Btn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

    My Great-Grandfather Jim Ormerod signed up in December 1915 aged 18, but didn't land in France until January 1917 with the 8th Battalion for which he served until they were disbanded in February 1918, he was transferred to the 2nd/4th battalion Loyals and in the spring of 1918 suffered a gas attack and returned to recover in a hospital near Sheffield, what happened after that is a bit of a mystery, his medal index card suggests he served with the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, however, there was a story saying he was part of Operation Archangel, he survived the war but suffered tremendously with chest problems, he died in 1962.

    Paul Watters




    1779

    Pte. Enoch Butterworth 6th Btn. Border Regiment (d.13th Jul 1917)

    My grandfather thinks his brother, Enoch Butterworth, was killed or wounded while playing in a military band in the centre of Ypers. A shell apprently landed in the middle of the group causing terrible damage. He is buried with seven others of the 6th at Belgian Battery corner cemetry, Ypers.

    Alan Butterworth




    1778

    Spr. John Brown 171st Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.23rd Mar 1916)

    I know nothing of John Brown other than he is remembered on the Kingswinford war memorial of which I am researching with the aid of the heritage lottery funds with a view to having a non profit making remembrance booklet printed in their memory.

    Joy Marshall




    1777

    Pte. William Dunn 1/24th Btn. London Regiment

    William Dunn joined the territorials in June 1913. He went to France on 15th March 1915 (aged 29) and was wounded at Erquingham on 14th October 1918. He was demobilised in London on 1st March 1919. His service record indicates he was posted on the western front for the entire period and would, presumably, have been involved in the Battle of Messines as he was not absent from his unit at any time during June 1917. Unfortunately I cannot find any information about what happened to him after the end of the war or when he died.

    Christopher Dunn




    1776

    Spr. Angus Findlay MM. 101st Field Company Royal Engineers

    My Grandpa Angus Findlay enlisted into the RE on the 3rd of May 1915 at Wimbledon, S London, his occupation being a carpenter and joiner. He was the third eldest of 5 sons of William and Mary Findlay, all of whom enlisted at some point. Malcolm, the eldest, enlisted into London Scottish and died at Hebuterne 1st July 1916.

    Grandpa also was at the Somme fighting at Contalmaison 4th July 1916 and fought on twards November that same year. In 1917 he went to Messines and helped to excavate Hill 60 and later fought at Passchendaele. In November that same year he was posted to Italy, when in Oct 1918 he received a Military Medal whilst he was constructing a pontoon bridge over the River Piave across Papadopoli Island.

    Lynda Findlay




    1775

    Dvr. John Mountford 2nd Bde. New Zealand Field Artillery

    John Mountford was born in South Australia and enlisted in New Zeland in August 1915, joing the Wellington Mtd Rifles. In April joined the NZFA and served in the 2 BAC (Brigade Ammunition Column)of the NZFA until discharged on the 28th of August 1919.

    Rod Mountford




    1774

    Pte. Harold Emmott 11th Australian Trench Mortar Battery

    My Father-in Law Harold Emmott was a British citizen, he joined up on the 17th of August 1914 at the age of 22yrs and 2mths, listing his next of kin as Mother - Mrs S Snow. We don't know if this was his birth Mother. I believe he went to Gallipoli then went back to England and joined the English Army. Not too much more is known about him. Harold died in the 1980's and my husband knows nothing of his father who left when he was three months old.

    Bernice Emmott




    1773

    Pte. Albert Sinclair 38th Btn.

    My great grandfather, Albert Sinclair was taken on strength of the 38th Battalion as part of the 3rd reinforcements on the 26rh of January 1917. During his time with the Battalion he was Gassed on the 13th of October 1917 and wounded a second time on the 17th of July 1918 with a gun shot wound to his left hand. I do not know much more about him.

    Dallas Fitzgerald




    1772

    Capt. Harold Walter Joel 1/21st Btn. London Regiment (d.7th. June 1917)

    Harold Joel was my great-uncle (my mother's mother's brother) who was born on 25th. March 1897. Sadly, I do not know much more about him. I have a photograph, which is kept inside a pocket watch engraved with the 21st. County of London badge and details of HWJ, which I have inherited.

    John Dixon




    1771

    Spr. Jonathan Tither 1st Australian Tunneling Company

    Jonty Tither left England sometime after 1906 and worked in Abermain NSW until he joined up in April 1916. He served with the 4th Tunnelling Coy then transferred to the 1st Tunnelling Coy 1916 in France. He was demobed in Aapril 1919 in England and returned to Lancashire to my grandmother and their two sons, my father was born in 1920. Jonty died in November 1943, I have his medals but few memories of this side of the family.

    Jonathan Tither




    1770

    Bdr. Thomas A Sumner 58th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    We are trying to find records of our grandfather, Thomas Sumner born 19th October 1883, Hanley, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. We never met him and are anxious to trace perhaps a member of his family or any relatives who can help us to track his last days which we believe were spent in Madras, India where he served in the Police Force as a high ranking officer, being Superintendent of Police in Travancore and Trevandrum. We would very much like to know where he was laid to rest as we do not seem able to get any information on this.

    Sandra McPherson-Bennett




    1769

    Pte. Stafford Pogson 8th Btn. Green Howards (d.2nd Jul 1917)

    Stafford Pogson enlisted in Huddersfield and served with the 29th Northumberland Fusiliers, he was transferred to the 8th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment and died of wounds on the 2nd of July 1917.

    David Pogson




    1767

    Pte. George Rockley 9th Btn. Sherwood Forresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (d.7th Jun 1917)

    George Rockley was my grandfather who was killed in action when my father was 18 months old.

    Sue Barrett




    1765

    Sgt. Fred Albert Christian 156th Field Company Royal Engineers

    Fred Christian was my 1st cousin twice removed. I have a photo of him in uniform, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

    Jake Sales




    1764

    Sjt. Peter Stevenson 106th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.7th Jun 1917)

    I have a note on squared paper and, I presume, a copy also, of a letter from my great uncle's commanding officer sending condolences from the front. It reads:

    10th July 1917, Dear Mr. Stevenson, I suppose you have already been informed by the authorities of the death of your brother, Sgt. P.Stevenson. I regret not having been able to write before, but we have only just come out of action. I am writing to tell you that all the officers and men of this battery sympathise most deeply with you at the loss of your brother. He was very popular and was like by all. Speaking personally, and for the battery, we lost our best NCO when Sgt. Stevenson was killed. Everything had been comparatively quiet for about 2 hours when the Germans sent over one shell, they did not any more for at least another 2 hours, unfortunately that pitched at Sgt. Stevenson's feet just as he was pointing out to another Sgt. where a new pit was to be dug. It killed him and wounded the other Sgt. Yours sincerely, W.M.Welsh. Major RFA, Coy. C/106 RFA

    The signature of the major is hard to make out. It actually looks just like Wehs, but might be Wells or more likely Welsh.

    Alan Sorensen




    1763

    Pte. Alfred Burns 57th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.6th Oct 1918)

    My Uncle, Alfred Burns, entered the War in France on 18th July 1915. He was taken Prisoner of War at Messines on 10th April 1918. He was initially held at the Friedrichsfeld Lager P.O.W camp and then transferred to the Kraushaar Remischule at Charleville where he died on the 6th October 1918 after contracting dysentary. He was buried in the camp cemetery at Charleville and on 11th December 1962 Alfred was re-buried at the Terlincthun British War Cemetery near Calais. My Father told me that his Mother received a letter from a German Doctor praising Alfred for his efforts at the P.O.W camp ,treating wounded German and British troops.

    Robert Burns




    1762

    Gnr Richard Grant Middleton 21st Bty., 2nd Bde Royal Field Artillery (d.10th Oct 1916)

    My Grandfather, Richard Middleton is buried at Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension. I have an extract from "The London Typographical Journal" :

    R G Middleton, late of the Evening News, Shot in both legs. The left below the knee, the right thigh. Succumed after amputation of right leg. He was volunteer of 3rd London Rifles 1895 to 1908. Family illness kept him out of war until Sept 1915 when he joined the Royal Field Artillery. A good correspondent, his letters to his companions were looked forward to, and although he went through some exceedingly rough experiences, there was always a cheerfull tone running through them. He was 36 Yrs of age.

    Any information would be gratefully recieved.

    Stanley Grant Middleton




    1761

    Spr. Thomas Walter Church 150th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.5th Aug 1917)

    Thomas Church was my great grandfather. I have only recently discovered this information about him. His name is listed on the War Memorial in the church in Beeston. A great many of his relatives still live in the Beeston area of Nottingham. We have a letter which his commanding officer to wrote personally to his wife regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.

    Glenn Palmer




    1760

    Pte. Charles Arthur Millard 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.29th Jul 1918)

    Charles Millard is among those listed on Waddesdon War Memorial. I am trying to write an account of each person named, so for those interested, they will cease to be just a list of names to be read out each Remembrance Day. CWGC records show him to have been attached to 123rd Trench Mortar Battery at the time of his death. I assume that as this is officially noted, his attachment was not just to haul supplies on a few nights. I wondered if someone can advise me whether 123rd T M B War Diaries or other records exist for July 1918? Also any other advice will be gratefully received.

    Norman Carr




    1758

    Sgt Griffith James Morgan C Company 37th Btn. (d.8th Jun 1917)

    An extract from a letterfrom a Major at base records to Grace Morgan (Griff's Mother) in 1922:

    “The only information received regarding your son’s burial is to the effect that he was buried in vicinity south-east of Messines between Bellheinm Farm and Septime Barn – 700 yards to the south, but no official advice of registration has come to hand, and I regret at this juncture it must be concluded that the grave Grave Service have not succeeded in locating his resting place. Failing the recovery and identification of his actual remains, it is the intention of authorities to perpetuate his memory by including his name regimental particulars, and date of death on a collective memorial.”

    Griff Morgan was a farmer from Ovens Vale, Victoria. He enlisted on the 25th of February 1916. He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A34 Persic on the 3rd of June 1916, he was 40 years old. He was killed in action on the 8th of June 1917 at Messines.

    Gregory Morgan




    1757

    Pte. Joseph Henry Oxby 8th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry ÃÆ??Ã?Ã?  (d.7th Jun 1917)

    I came across the memorial in Canwick to my great uncle Joe Oxby, while researching family records. I do have some post cards sent by him to my great grandfather, then living in Fitzwilliam, Wakefield. Joe was killed at Messines and his body never found. I believe he was with the 8th koyli ans was taking Imperial Trench. I have found his name is on the Menin Gate memorial. I am still trying to find more info, as I have been told he had a son, Tony who was brought up by my great great grandparents, and maybe linked to a public house in Retford, Nottinghamshire. Most of my family generation of that time was wiped out in the war, but very little info is available on Joe.

    Richard Oxby




    1756

    Pte. Walter Collis 3rd NZ Machine Gun Coy

    Walter Collis was my Grandfather, and was attached to the 3rd NZ Machine Gun company on 16 May 1917. He was severely gassed on the day of the attack at Messines on the 7th of June 1917 and spent several months recovering in England before returning to New Zealand in February 1918.

    Craig Collis




    1755

    Lt. William John Thomas Neal DCM. 13th Australian Machine Gun Coy

    Billy Neal enlisted at Toowoomba, Queensland, he named his father, William Neal as his next of kin.

    Justin P Neal




    1754

    L/Sjt. Frank Mason Jenkins MM. 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.8th May 1918)

    <p>

    Frank was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jenkins, of 4, Nevill's Terrace, Dafen, and he enlisted at Llanelli into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which were part of 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division crossed to France during July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos. The Division fought during the opening attack of the Battle of Loos, and then moved to the Somme, where they took part in the second wave of the attack on Ovillers-La Boiselle on the 1st of July 1916, capturing the village at heavy cost, and fought through the Somme Battles of Pozieres and the Ancre in 1916. They then moved North to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and fought on the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood, before moving up to Broodseinde, Poelcappelle and Passchendaele Village itself. In 1918 they were caught up in the German Spring Offensive near St. Quentin, where they suffered terrible casualties. They moved to Ypres, but were caught up in the German attack at Messines. Frank was wounded here, and died on the 8th of May 1918. He was 27 years old, and is buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium. Sadly Frank is not commemorated on the Dafem Memorial.

    Martin Jenkins




    1752

    L/Cpl. Ronald Ratsey Caws 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    My father wrote a vivid account of the Ypres and Plugstreet battles and also of the 15th Sept 1916 Flers attack; Although badly wounded, he survived the war and serve as a territorial in the second world war as an Lt Col RE's He writes a moving account of the bombardment of the 14th Sept 1916 where he lost many friends and also of the attack the next day, where he was severly wounded!

    Richard Caws




    1749

    Spr. Ernest Albert Essig 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company

    Ernest Essig from Galt, Ontario was sent overseas as part of the 18th Batallion. On August 10th, 1917 he was injured in the line of duty from a high explosive shell, suffering the loss of his index finger on the left hand and partial loss of function in his left thumb, arm and left thigh. Ernest spent 119 days in hispital and was eventually discharged from duty because as unfit for service due to wounds.

    John Miller




    1748

    Dvr. Alfred Frank George 47th Divisional Ammuntion Column Royal Artillery (d.3rd Jan 1918)

    Alfred Frank George was a driver with the 47th DAC and originated in the 2nd London Regiment. He was killed on the 3rd of January 1918, by an enemy aircraft attacking his convoy. He left a wife and son (my Grandfather) at home. Alfred is buried in Equancourt Cemetery.

    John Abbots




    1746

    Pte. Sidney Harold Stewart 34th Btn.

    Sidney Stewart was my grandfather of whom we know very little.

    Mark




    1744

    Pte. Isaac Fisher 250th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers.

    Isaac Fisher was my grandfather and was a miner who originated from Tipton in Staffordshire. Around the turn of the century he moved with his mother and father to Atherton in Greater Manchester. Prior to the Great War Isaac was married and had my father in 1908, but his wife died in 1911. Throughout his army career, so his war records tell us, he was frequently reported as AWOL, I'm unsure if this was due to his responsibilities towards his son or not. He had two service numbers 265326 and 442540 we think the second number was when he was transfered to the 250th tunneling company. His records are not always clear to read but we think he was a casualty at Bethune. If anyone can help to decipher records it would be very much appreciated.

    Ernest Fisher




    1742

    Cpl. George "Sid" Bennett 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment

    My Uncle, George Bennett served in the 15th Hampshire Regiment, I have an amazing photo of him in uniform with a hand written commendation by "Sydney Lawford" Major General of the 41st Division. I would love to know what medal he won and a little more about his regiment.

    Valerie Colclough




    1741

    Spr. Paul Benjamin Collis 1st Australian Tunnelling Company

    <p>Paul Collis, 2nd from left, with his mates from the 1ST ATC in an Estaminet in 1918.

    My Great Uncle, Paul Collis emigrated to Australia before the War and worked in the mines. He had been a motor engineer in London, born in the East End, and he saw one of his open topped buses from London in service in France, transporting troops. He was at Hill 60 and he left me a cap badge given to him at Hill 60 by a soldier from the Royal West Kents. He also left me a letter his cousin wrote to him, shot through the heart and the letter whilst going over the top in another part of the line. My Great Uncle Paul also left me a letter he wrote whilst in a dug out under Hill 60 in which he describes travelling there in an armoured train.

    Great Uncle Paul Died in 1976, but I did return with myself to Hill 60 after my graduation in 1973. I have a picture of him with his mates from the 1ST ATC in an Estaminet in 1918. One of the soldiers in the Photo was featured in the film Beneath Hill 60. I sent a copy of the photo and it is on the films website.

    Neil Coleman




    1740

    Pte. Henry Bone Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

    <p>Henry Bone (Seated)

    Henry Bone from Gravesend was wounded twice during the Great War.





    1739

    Pte. John Heaton 2/5th Btn. A Coy. No 1. Pltn. Manchester Regiment (d.14th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    John Heaton was killed on the 14th of APril 1917, he was 19 years old and had written to his parents, John and Jane just the previous day. He lies in Cambrin Military Cemetery, France.





    1738

    Duncan Stewart 13th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>





    1737

    Fus. Herbert Samuel Mills 31st Btn. Royal Fusiliers

    <p>Herbert Samuel Mills 31st Royal Fusiliers

    Little is known about Herbert Samuel Mills (my grandfather) except that he served and survived WW1, however he lost his left arm in an explosion. He is believed to have belonged to the 31st Royal Fusiliers.

    Herbert is on the left hand front row, sixth from left.

    M Mills




    1735

    CSM. William Millar MC. 5th Btn. A Coy. Seaforth Highlanders

    <p>A Company 5th Seaforths

    My Great Grandfather was C.S.M William Millar MC and this is one of the photos found amoungst his memorabilia.





    1734

    John Hallmark Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>John Hallmark and eldest daughter May.

    John Hallmark 3rd from right

    John is seated in this photograph.





    1732

    John Bertram Wilson Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>

    John Bertram Willson served with the KRRC from 1911 onwards.





    1731

    Pte. George R. Green 7th Btn. London Regiment

    <p>

    I have a wristwatch engraved on the back, R. Green, 3401, 'D' Company, 7th City of London Regiment. His medal card reveals that he later served with the 3rd Battalion.





    1730

    2nd Lt. Edward Albert Beer 298th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.22nd Sep 1917)

    <p>

    Bert joined the army after leaving school and served until 1913 when he was transferred to the reserves. Recalled from Australia at the outbreak of war, he left his wife in Toowoomba and returned to England to rejoin his regiment. He was sent to the front where he was promoted through the ranks. Bert was killed by a sniper whilst attempting to rescue one of his men who had been wouned in no-man's-land in September 1917 near Voormezelle. He was 30 years old.

    Bill Beer




    1729

    Gnr. William Thomas Beer 39th Ammunition Supply Park Royal Garrison Artillery (d.22nd Dec 1917)

    <p>Gnr William Thomas Beer, RGA

    My grandfather, William Beer, was killed by a shell while on police duty at an Ammunition Park outside Ypres in December 1917. William Thomas Beer joined the Territorials in August 1917. He was transferred to 39th Ammunition Park and sent to the front.

    William Thomas Beer, wife Rosina Mary, & children Lillian, Ethel, Winifred, William Alfred & Doris.

    The children were orphaned 4 months after this picture was taken when he was killed near Ypres in December 1917. William is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemettery.

    Bill Beer




    1726

    Pte. Walter Fitton 24th Btn. C Coy. Manchester Regiment

    <p>Walter Fitton 24th September 1916, at a home for wounded soldiers Claxton on Sea

    Walter Fitton served with the Oldham pals. He was injured in 1916 and convalesced at a home for wounded soldiers in Claxton on Sea.

    Walter Fitton, 2nd from front.

    Walter Fitton, 1st left backrow.

    Walter Fitton front left with dog.

    Lynn Booth




    1725

    Pte. Mathew Bryce Leitch Machine Gun Corps

    <p>Photo of my dad Mathew Bryce Leitch taken on leave before demob

    My Dad, Matthew Leitch served with the Machine Gun Corps

    Alan Leitch




    1724

    Spr. Bertram Maggs Machine Gun Corps

    <p>Bert Maggs in the 3rd Glosters

    My Grandfather Bert Maggs served with the Royal Engineers, then with the 3rd Glosters and transferred to The Machine Gun Corps in 1917.

    Bertram Maggs in the MGC 1917.jpg

    My Grandfather is in the back row first right.

    Peter Maggs




    1723

    Pte. William John Lathlane 34th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.11th Jan 1917)

    <p>Pte William John Lathlane Photo taken by E.G.Brewis at Newcastle upon Tyne October 1914 showing William John Lathlane wearing the Blue Kitchener uniform given to new recruits at the outbreak of war.

    This photograph of Esther & William was taken at the Pleasure Gardens Studio possibly when William was home on leave November 1916

    A locket owned by the family of Esther Isabell Lathlane showing her late husband William John Lathlane killed in action 11th January 1917.


    William has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, he was 27 years old.

    Simon Richard Lathlane




    1722

    L/Cpl. Patrick Joy 4th Btn. Royal Fusiliers (d.23rd Aug 1914)

    <p>David Joy (left) with brother Patrick in 1914

    My Great Uncle Patrick Joy served with 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers and was killed in action soon after this photograph was taken, at Mons on the 23rd of August 1914, he was 21 years old. My Grandfather David H Joy served with 1st Field Ambulance, RAMC.

    Jonathan Joy




    1721

    David H. Joy 1st Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

    <p>David Joy (left) with brother Patrick in 1914

    My Grandfather David H Joy served with 1st Field Ambulance, RAMC. His brother Patrick served with 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers and was killed in action soon after this photograph was taken, at Mons on the 23rd of August 1914

    Jonathan Joy




    1720

    Pte. John A. Outram 12th Btn. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    <p>John A Outram with wife Mary and daughter May

    John Outram served with 12th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, he was killed on the 1st of July 1916 and lies in Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps.

    M Moran




    1718

    Clement Green Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>Left Sgt Charles Downard; right Clement Green, standing unknown

    Clement Green appears in this photograph from a from French newspaper article on Sgt. Downard in La Voix du Nord.

    Greg Turton




    1717

    Pte. Albert Alfred "Tom" Kellaway 5th Btn. C Coy. Dorset Regiment

    Albert Kellaway served in the 5th Btn Dorset Regiment from 18 April 1915 in the Dardanelles. He returned home onboard HMHS Britannic when she left Mudros on the 1st of January 1916, she sailed straight for Southampton, where she arrived on the 9th. He was treated at Lord Derby's Warrington War Hospital

    The Cot card (Cot 43, L Ward) of Albert Alfred Kellaway Pte. 13149 C Company 5th Dorset Btn, still actually only 17 years old (d.o.b 8/3/1898) suffering from Enteric fever. Clearly the cards were printed for the purpose by the company.

    The patients in this shot include Private Albert Alfred Kellaway, left side (from front) of nurse on bottom step. He was there recovering from Malaria in early 1917 as far as we know.

    Private Albert Alfred Kellaway, front row seated far left at Warrington War Hospital

    Albert Alfred Kellaway, front row seated far left at Warrington War Hospital.

    We should like to know the dates of entry and exit from the Hospital. He was sent there either upon return from the Dardanelles after final evacuation Jan 1916 with Enteric fever (Typhoid) and to have left the hospital just before July or in July 1916 or he was there with Malaria after returning from East Africa in Nov/December 1916 and left we know not when.

    He ended the War in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, first in East Africa (Autumn 1916) and later at the 3rd battle of Ypres (Autumn 1918).

    J P Bullock




    1713

    Pte. Albert Samuel Lowe 16th Btn. Norfolk Regiment

    <p>Albert Samuel Lowe (right) and his brother

    Albert Samuel Lowe was born on 22nd September 1889 in Scottow, Norfolk, the son of Robert Lowe and Sarah Eliza Rump. There were 6 children in the family, 4 boys and 2 girls. He and his brothers were keen brass band enthusiasts. Albert played the flute and clarinet. He was in the Fife and Drum Band as a Drummer and in the Royal Norfolk Regiment in the First World War. He was very fortunate to come through it as he was in the Battle of the Somme and not many came out of that. He always said that it was the only time during the war that the order "every man for himself" was given. Before the war, he was a farm foreman and team-man and looked after lovely Shire horses.
    Marjorie Blake




    1710

    Spr. H. J. Fry 4th Div Signals Coy. Royal Engineers

    <p>

    This photo was found amongst a number of postcard photos of Bill Watford in a WW1 POW camp.

    Phil Watford




    1686

    L/Cpl Colin Sumpter 19th Btn Z Coy Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th April 1918)

    Sumpter, Colin, Lance Corporal 238056, Killed in action on 14th April 1918. Aged 25 years. A member of "Z" Company. Battalion Service History shows his surname as Sumpster.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Husband of Ethel Sumpter, of 4, Syke Lane, West Ardsley, Wakefield, Yorks.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1685

    Pte Hugh Thompson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th March 1918)

    Thompson, Hugh, Private, 19/459, Killed in action on 29th March 1918. Aged 22 years.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of James and Margaret Thompson, of 87, Joan St., Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1684

    Pte James Teasdale 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th March 1918)

    Teasdale, James, Private, 19/680, Killed in action on 27th March 1918. Aged 27 years.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of Mrs. Margaret Teasdale, of 10, Moore Avenue, Dunston-on-Tyne, Gateshead.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1683

    L/Cpl Joe Shepherdson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th March 1918)

    Shepherdson, Joe, Lance Corporal 37898, Killed in action on 27th March 1918. Aged 32 years.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Husband of Sarah Irwin formerly Shepherdson, of 8, Riddle Terrace, Coxlodge Rd., Coxlodge, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1682

    Pte William Ridley 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th March 1918)

    Ridley, William, Private, 51480, Killed in action on 27th March 1918. Aged 25 years.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Ridley, of 1927, South Seventh St., Springfield, Illinois, U.S.A.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1681

    Pte Bertie Stevens 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Stevens, Bertie, Private, 203910, Killed in action on 28th March 1918. Aged 25 years.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of James and Elizabeth Stevens, of 10, Stone Row, Parkgate, Rotherham; husband of Bertha Stevens, of 21, Holmes Lane, Masborough, Rotherham.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1680

    Pte Alfred Swain 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Swain, Alfred, Private, 235977, Killed in action on 28th March 1918. Aged 20 years.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of George and Martha Swain, of 73, Victoria Cottages, Windsor.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1679

    Pte James Tully 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Tully, James, Private, 19/950, Killed in action on 28th March 1918.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1678

    Pte Harry Taylor 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Taylor, Harry, Private, 242932, Killed in action on 28th March 1918.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1677

    Pte Joe Shaw 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Shaw, Joe, Private 41056, Killed in action on 28th March 1918.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1676

    Pte Thomas Samson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Samson, Thomas, Private, 19/1342, Killed in action on 28th March 1918.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1675

    Pte John George Richardson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Richardson, John, George, Private 19/822, Aged 29 years, Killed in action on 28th March 1918.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Husband of Jane Richardson, of 7, Castle Square, Morpeth, Northumberland.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1674

    Cpl Raymond Reay 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Reay, Raymond, Corporal 19/938, Aged 30 years, Killed in action on 28th March 1918. Battalion service History also shows his service number as 928

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of John and Elizabeth Pool Reay, of Greencroft Villa, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead-on-Tyne.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.

    Dw




    1673

    Pte James Pickles 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Pickles, James, Private, 267905 Aged 29 years, Killed in action on 28th March 1918.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of Mrs. Ellen Pickles, of 10, Rook Lane, Dudley Hill, Bradford.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dw




    1672

    Pte Edgar Herbert Palmer 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Palmer, Edgar, Herbert. Private, 60024 Aged 19 years, Killed in action on 28th March 1918.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of Benjamin Palmer, of 1, Claremont Villas, Highfields, Coalville, Leicester, and the late Annie Palmer.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dw




    1671

    Pte Frederick Oswald 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st June 1918)

    Oswald, Frederick. Private, 19/1033, Aged 20 years, Missing in action on 1st June 1918 in Aveluy Wood. Battalion Service history show service number as 19/1032

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of Robert P. and Mary E. Oswald, of 4, Patterson Court, Percy St., Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dw




    1670

    Pte Harry Ogden 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th March 1918)

    Ogden, Harry. Private, 267975, Aged 22 years, Killed in action on 27th March 1918. Battalion Service history show service number as 47975

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of Herbert F. and Sarah Ogden, of 6, Clough Cottages, Manchester Rd., Mossley, Manchester.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dw




    1669

    Pte William Nicholson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Nicholson, William, Private, 54488, Killed on 28th March 1918, aged 27 years, Son of John and Ellen Nicholson, of 23, Midland St., Broughton Rd., Skipton, Yorks. p> Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1668

    Sgt Vincent Mullinder 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Mullinder, Vincent, Sergeant, 19/1032, Killed in action on 28th March 1918, Mentioned in despatches and Decoration Militaire.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1667

    Sgt John George Moffatt 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Moffatt, John, George Sergeant, 19/857, Killed in action on 28th March 1918, aged 26 years. Son of the late George T. and Annie Moffatt.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1666

    Pte George Raimes Miller 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th April 1918)

    Miller, George Raimes, Private 19/1495, Killed in action on 14th April 1918, aged 25 years. Son of William and Eleanor Miller, of 129, Wharton St., South Shields. .

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1665

    Pte Joseph William Lancett 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27h March 1918)

    Lancett, Joseph, William, Private 241266, Killed on 27h March 1918, aged 30 years. Son of Joseph and Sarah Ann Lancett, of 76, Lord St., North Shore, Blackpool.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1664

    Pte Charles Laken 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Laken, Charles, Private 55848, Killed on 28th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1663

    L/sgt Robert Jobling 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th March 1918)

    Jobling, Robert, Lance Sergeant, 19/974, Killed in action on 27th March 1918, aged 22 years. Son of Charles W. and Mary Jobling, of 7, School St., Bensham, Gateshead.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1662

    CSM Arthur Whitwell Hutchinson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th March 1918)

    Hutchinson, Arthur, Whitwell, Company Sergeant Major, 19/759, Killed in action on 27th March 1918, aged 26 years.

    Son of John and Isabel Hutchinson, of Thornley Village, Tow Law, Co. Durham. Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1661

    Pte Albert Hullah 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Hullah, Albert, Private 41615, Killed on 28th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1660

    Pte Joseph Hickman 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th March 1918)

    Hickman, Joseph, Private, 271323, Killed on 29th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    19th Btn Battalion Service History shows his service Number as 27/323, so he may have been on attachment from the 27th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1659

    L/Cpl Timothy Hebron 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Hebron, Timothy, Lance Corporal, 19/1200, Killed in action on 28th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1658

    Pte Thomas Hamilton 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Hamilton, Thomas, Private, 13224, Killed on 28th March 1918, aged 36 years

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18. Son of the late John and Hannah Hamilton, of 42, Sycamore St., Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1657

    Pte Patrick Hall 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Hall, Patrick, Private, 43184, Killed on 28th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Battalion Service history shows his service number as 43164.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1656

    Pte Evans Griffiths 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Griffiths, Evans, Private, 59180, Killed on 28th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Battalion Service history shows his service number as 159180.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1655

    L/cpl James Brown Gillinder 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st June 1918)

    Gillinder, James, Brown, Lance Corporal, 19/478, Killed in action in Aveluy Wood on 1st June 1918, aged 23 years,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of Thomas William and Margaret Gillinder, of 150, Northbourne St., Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have him shown incorrectly as 9th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1654

    Pte Jesse Gebbett 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th March 1918)

    Gebbett, Jesse, Private,242615, Killed on 29th March 1918, aged 34 years,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of Alfred Gebbett; husband of Olive Gebbett, of 48, Wallbutton Rd., Brockley, London.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1653

    Cpt Walter Fawcus MC 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th March 1918)

    Fawcus, Walter, Captain, Killed in action on 25th March 1918, aged 37 years,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of Arthur and Fanny Fawcus, of 50, Winn Rd., Southampton A former Pupil at Highfield School, Southampton Awarded the Military Cross.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1652

    Pte James Elliot 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st June 1918)

    Elliot, James, Private 19/1780, Killed on 1st June 1918.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1651

    Pte Ambrose Chapman 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th March 1918)

    Chapman, Ambrose. Private, 19/1201, Killed in action on 25th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1650

    Pte Ralph Bulmer 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th March 1918)

    Bulmer, Ralph. Private, 19/1428, Aged 33 years, Killed in action on 29th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of Mary Jane Bulmer, of 15, Bailey St., Tantobie, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and the late Robert Bulmer.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1649

    Pte William George Brain 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th March 1918)

    Brain, William, George. Private, 242642, Killed on 27th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1648

    CSM Michael Bond MM and Bar 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.29th March 1918)

    Bond, Michael. Company Sergeant Major, 27/827, Killed on 29th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    The service number shown 27/827 indicates that he was a member of the 27th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers, however he is shown in the 19th Btn Service History issued after the war and the Commonwealth war graves commision also shows him as a member of the 19th Btn. He was awarded the Military Medal with Bar and the Cross of St. George, 3rd Class (Russia).

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1647

    Pte Martin Bates 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Bates, Martin. Private, 202514, Killed on 28th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1646

    Pte David Dewar Barr 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th March 1918)

    Barr, David Dewar. Private, 19/183, Killed in action on 27th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1645

    Pte George William Bailey 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th March 1918)

    Bailey, George William. Private, 60189, Killed 27th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1644

    Cpl William Armstrong 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Armstrong, William. Corporal, 19/957, Killed in action 28th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1643

    Sgt Francis Armstrong 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Armstrong, Francis. Sergeant, 19/1005, Killed 28th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1642

    Pte Archibald Anderson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Anderson, Archibald. Private, 59133 Killed 28th March 1918,

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1641

    Pte Harry Allsop 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

    Allsop , Harry. Private, 48459 Killed 28th March 1918, aged 40 years.

    Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.

    Son of Joseph Henry Allsop, of Hatton Rd., Tutbury; husband of Mary Ann Allsop, of 38, Church St., Tutbury, Burton-on-Trent.

    From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave WILLIS




    1640

    L/cpl John Thomas Dodgson 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Mar 1918)

    John Dodgson was killed in action on 27th March 1918 age 31 years. Remembered on Panel 16 to 18 Pozieres Memorial. Son of John and Sarah Dodgson, of 13, Ivy Terrace, Langley Park, Durham. From the 19th Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1639

    Capt. Ernest William Brabazon 4th Bn Coldstream Guards (d.17th June 1915)

    He was born in Richmond Surrey on 22nd March 1884 to the Earl & Countess of Meath. He was married to the Hon. Dorothy Mary Brabazon of Bridley House, Worplesdon Hill, Woking, Surrey. He was killed in action and buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Pas de Calais, France

    S. Flynn




    1638

    Cpt. Terence Anthony Chaworth Brabazon 1st Btn. Essex Regiment (d.3rd August 1916)

    Born in Rochester, Kent. Son of Lt. Col. W.B. & Mrs. Mabel Brabazon. He died of wounds aged 20 and is buried in Wilton Cemetery, Wilshire.

    S. Flynn




    1637

    Sydney Hamilton Brabazon 4th Bn. (d.25th July 1916)

    He is buried in the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, France

    S. Flynn




    1636

    Sgt. Ralph Austin Brabazon 5th Bn. (d.26th June 1918)

    Son of John & Hannah Jane Austin Brabazon of Westmeath, Ireland. Husband of Adelaide Brabazon of Portsea, Victoria, Australia. He died at age 37 and is buried in Herne Bay Cemetery, Kent, England

    S. Flynn




    1635

    Private George Bernard Brabazon 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.11th April 1915)

    Son of William Percival Brabazon. He died aged 23 and is buried in the Aeroplane Cemetery in Belgium

    S. Flynn




    1634

    Pte. Frank Brabazon 8th Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.12th June 1916)

    Son of Frank & Elizabeth Brabazon of 44 Mountjoy Street, Dublin and husband of Mary Brabazon. He died aged 37 and is buried in the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France

    s. Flynn




    1633

    Cpt. Alan Brabazon MID 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment (d.8th March 1918)

    Twice Mentioned in Despatches. Son of Thomas and Haddie Brabazon of Churchtown, Co. Westmeath. He died of his wounds and is buried in the Jerusalem Cemetary in Israel.

    S. Flynn




    1630

    Pte. Emanuel Spencer East Lancashire Regiment

    <p>Emanuel Spencer and his wife Clara

    Manny Spencer served with the East Lancashire Regiment.





    1629

    Pte. Thomas Hartigan Sherwood Forresters

    <p>

    Thomas Hartigan was my Mother's uncle, he served in the Sherwood Forresters with his brother Patrick who was sadly killed in action in 1918. They were from Moymore Ennistymon County Clare, the Republic of Ireland

    Roy Mullin




    1626

    Pte. James Eldred Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    <p>James Eldred in 1916

    James Eldred served with the Royal Warwicks

    Donald Eldred




    1618

    Cpl Stanley Davis 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Mar 1918)

    Davis, Stanley, Corporal 45078 Died 27th March 1918, Remembered on Panel 16 to 18.Pozieres Memorial 19th Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour

    Dave Willis




    1617

    Cpl Martin William Dodds 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Mar 1918)

    19th Northumberland Fusiliers Role of Honour Dodds , Martin William. Corporal 19/164. Died 28th March 1918. age 30 years. Remembered on Panel 16 to 18.Pozieres Memorial Killed in action. Son of the late William P. and S. Dodds; husband of Aylice Bulmer Dodds, of Lichfield House, Regent Parade, Harrogate, Yorks. Cpl Dodds enlisted in a territorial unit, 3 Tyneside Commercial Corps in 1914. He was posted to the Western Front in February 1916 where he served with a machine gun section. Cpl Dodds was killed in action at Depencourt, while waiting for his application for a commission to be approved.

    Dave Willis




    1616

    Pte. Thomas Penman 1/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.24th May 1915)

    Thomas Penman joined up along with with older brother Bernard. They went to France with the Durhams on the 18th April 1915. Around the 19th of May they reached dugouts on the boundaries of Sanctuary Wood, Hooge. Bernard was killed on the 22nd May 1915 and Thomas on the 24th May 1915.

    Tom Knight




    1615

    Roy Garfield Judge 33rd Btn.

    Roy Garfield Judge, born in September 1900 put his age up and joined from Tamworth on the 6th of March 1917, a year after his father, Edward, had joined up. Roy embarked on HMAT A23 Suffolk on the 24th of April 1917 and was sent to France in December, where he ended up in his father's battalion. His father then him sent back to England till he came of age, Roy then went back to France(how unlucky can you be?). He returned to Australia on the 3rd of July 1919 on the Prinz Hubertus.

    Roy's father Edward died in France 27 November 1918 of pneumonia and is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

    Lorraine Judge




    1614

    Colin Ritchie Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

    My Grandfather Colin Ritchie served in the First World War, I think in the Argyll & Sutherlanders. He did not talk too much about what happened, but I think he was captured at some time by the Germans. He and my father were both crewmen on S.S. Athenia when she was torpedoed on the 3rd of September 1939.

    Alistair Ritchie




    1613

    Cpl. Alfred Betts 1st Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.25th Apr 1915)

    My two uncles were both serving in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1914. Corporal Alfred Betts 1st Battalion landed from the HMT River Clyde on the 25th April 1915, onto "V" Beach at Gallopoli. He was killed on the 1st November 1915. His brother Serjeant Frederick Betts 2nd Battalion was killed in the first Battle of Mons on the 27th August 1914 only three day after the war started.

    My Mother saw her two dear brothers leave these shores, never to return, they are gone but never forgotten

    Eric




    1603

    Ernest W. Prentice Suffolk Regiment

    <p>Ernest W Prentice, a Lewis Gunner in WW1

    My grand-father Ernest W Prentice from Suffolk, served as a Lewis Gunner in WW1. It would be nice to know if anyone knows who else is in the photograph. My grandfather Ernest Prentice is bottom row far right.

    Linda Churchill




    1602

    2nd Lt. John James Fraser Shand 185th Heavy Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery (d.6th Aug 1917)

    I have researched two large candle holders in our local church both of which have memorial plaques on their bases. These candle holders were given to our church when the navy moved out of Portland, Dorset and closed the Naval chapel. I could not understand why the two men on the memorial plaques did not appear on the village memorial tablet in the church. Upon researching the two men I found their fathers were high ranking officers in the Royal Navy who must have had the plaques made in memory of their lost sons.

    John James Fraser Shand R.G.A 185th Heavy Battery was killed at the battle of Salonika on the 6th August 1917 at the age of 19, he was the son of Surgeon Rear-Admiral J. Shand (R.N.) of Royal Naval Hospital, Malta.

    The other memorial plaque is to another 2nd Lieutenant John William Wellesley Sutton was killed at the battle of Vimy Ridge on the 29th June 1917 where he was killed by poison gas.

    C Taylor




    1582

    Spr. John Montague Smith 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company (d.1st Jun 1916)

    Jack Smith enlisted in the Grenadier Guards in Hailebury, Ontario in December 1915 aged about 22 or 23 years old. Volunteers were wanted for the Canadian Royal Engineers so he transferred to that arriving in England in early January and transferring France shortly after. He went through several engagements until injured about 3 weeks before he died at Yarrow Hospital Broadstairs, in June 1916. His brother Donald was with the 4th Canadian ML I have an account of the funeral. But why did these Norfolk boys land up in Canadian forces or in the case of another brother the South African, where as the the other seven brothers were in British units. A mystery still to solve!

    Celia Ellis




    1580

    Rfm. Robert John Henry Yardley 1/8th Btn. London Regiment

    Rob Yardley enlisted on the 2nd of January 1916. He served and was wounded in France with the BEF. He was entitled to wear one gold braid wound distinction.

    Jane Yardley




    1579

    Edward Coates 3th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment

    Ted Coates was my paternal grandfather, he was based at Tidworth, Hampshire before deployment to France. Awarded the Mons Star and bar for those who served underfire and volunteered. I would love to know more about him.

    Heather Goodwin




    1578

    2nd Lt. Norman Nunns 1/21st Btn. London Regiment

    Norman Nunns was my grandfather; he was apparently a marksman and used to train men in sharpshooting. He was initially turned down for active service, on account of TB; He was commissioned in March 1917.

    I'm not sure whether he served in the Battle of Messines, though it seems likely that he must have done. He was wounded at Passchendaele on 16th August 1917 and was apparently rescued from open ground by his batman. He successfully applied for a War Wound Gratuity and also received the Silver War Badge. He was promoted to Lt on the 28th of September 1918 but did not recover sufficiently to return to active service. He was medically discharged on the 21st of October 1919.

    Timothy Nunns




    1577

    Cpl. Arthur "Buzzer" Marriott 1/7th Btn. London Regiment

    Arthur Marriott was one of three Leicester pals who joined at same time,in March 1915. He was was attached to the Australian Diggers at Hill 60, then through Battle of Messines, being wounded in the knee & arm in 1917 near Croisilles. After the war he became an Engine driver on the railways.

    David Marriott




    1575

    Rfm. James Morrison McCready 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.25th Aug 1918)

    James McCready was my grandmother's brother who served with teh Royal Irish Rifles and died of his wounds. He is buried in Arneke cemetery, but don't know how or where he was wounded.

    James McEwan




    1574

    2nd Lt. William Joseph "Tomsie" O'Malley 47th Divisional Trench Mortar Battery Royal Artillery (d.9th Apr 1917)

    Tomsie O'Malley was my Great Uncle, his father, William O'Malley, was a Home Rule MP for Connemara in Ireland and he tried to block his only sons enlistment. Tomsie is buried at Bedford House Cemetary, which I visit will this weekend, to pay my respects, I am the last of the line.

    Kevin O'Malley




    1573

    Pte. Frank David Chambers 10th Battalion, "C" Company Royal West Kent Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    My great uncle Pte. Frank David Chambers was a 20 year-old dispatch rider (motorcycle messenger) who was lost in action with the exploding of the mines at Messines on the morning of June 7th. His name now appears on Panels 45/47 on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

    All we have left to remember him by is the Army's letter of condolences sent to my great grandmother. Attached with a paper clip to the top of the letter is a single one penny stamp, which according to the text of the letter, is all that was left of my great Uncle David's army pay after his expenses had been paid.

    John Kendrick




    1571

    Pte. William Joseph Connolly 1/7th Btn. A Coy. London Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    William Connolly was employed as a van guard for a wine agent before enlisting into the 1st/7th (City of London) Battalion of the London Regiment. Two of his brothers also enlisted, John with the R.A.M.C,and James into the 2nd London Regiment (later discharged due to ill health).

    William's Company 'A' were given the task of taking what was known as the 'White Chateau' on the day of the 7th June, after the 19 mines were blown at Messines. Very few made their destination that day, and those that did were reduced in number by German snipers. Sadly, William fell that morning, although the battle itself was a success. The land won that day was retaken by the Germans some months later!

    Sean Connolly




    1570

    Pte. Herbert Allen 8th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.5th Aug 1917)

    Bert was the son of Edward and Margaret Edith Allen, of Chapel Road. Born in Epping, he enlisted into the Dorsetshire Regiment in Chiseldon, Wiltshire, and later transferred to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was killed in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. There is a memorial to him on the Allen family grave headstone in Epping Cemetery, and he is commemorated in a memorial tablet in Epping Methodist Church.

    John Duffell




    1569

    Dvr. Ernest Lees MM. 103rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.2nd Jun 1917)

    I am currently researching Ernest Lees, he was gazetted for a Military Medal in September 1916 and was killed in action on the 2nd of June 1917 serving with the 103rd Brigade RFA, 23rd Division, at Messines.

    Adam Richardson




    1567

    Capt. Jack Valentine Cook MC. 11th Btn. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.1st Oct 1918)

    Published in The Mercury Newspaper, Sat 11th March 1916

    Intimation has been cabled from Lance-Corporal Jack V. Cook, an old Officer College boy, and son of the late Superintendent J.V. Cook, saying that he had passed a successful examination and been appointed to Lieutenancy in the Royal West Surrey Regiment, generally known as the "Queen's Own" Lieutenant Cook is at present in residence at Keble College, Oxford.

    Published in The Mercury Newspaper, Sat 21st Dec 1918

    Killed in action on October 1st, 1918 in France. Captain Jack Valentine Cook M.C, only son of the late Superintendent J.V. Cook, in his 26th year. (T)

    Jillian Loring




    1565

    Pte. Harry Carpenter 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Harry Carpenter was born in 1893 in Medmemham, Berkshire and enlisted in the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry, no.14299. He transferred to Glosters and was killed on the 8th June 1917. Harry is listed on Menin Gate, he was a cousin of mine.

    Reg Bristow




    1562

    Mjr. Ralph Conran Smythe 2nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.24th Nov 1915)

    Ralph Conran Smythe was the son of Captain William W. Smythe RN of Plympton St. Mary and his wife Robina Augusta. Ralph was born in Plympton and died aged 35 on 24 November 1915 of wounds received on Monday 22 November 1915. His younger brother Andrew served with the 10th Seige Battery.





    1561

    Gnr. Robert Patchett 2nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.12th Jun 1917)

    Robert Patchett was killed in action on the 12th June 1917. He was the the son of William and Harriett Patchett, of Leicester and husband of Ann Lucy Clarice Patchett, of 68 Ivanhoe Street, Leicester. He lies in in Henin Communal Cemetery Extension, near Arras in France.





    1559

    Gnr. Cecil Wood 2nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.11th Feb 1916)

    Cecil Wood died of wounds received in action in France and is buried in Northwich Cemetery, Cheshire, he was 25 years old.





    1556

    2nd Lt. Ernest Walter Winton 2nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.15th Dec 1917)

    Second Lieutenant Ernest Walter Winton, 2nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, killed in action while taking ammunition up to the firing line 15th December 1917.

    Ernest was was the younger son of Mr & Mrs Weintraud, of Hampstead. The family, like so many at this time, changed their Germanic sounding surname. Born in February 1898 Ernest was educated at Oundle, UCL & Clare College, Cambridge, where he read for the Economics Tripos. Leaving University after 2 terms, he passed through the RMA Woolwich, being gazetted to the RGA in June 1917. He joined his battery on 27 November 1917, and was killed when going into action with his battery for the first time, aged 19. Ernest Winton is buried in Bleuet Farm Cemetery, Belgium.





    1548

    Cpl. Fred Kerry MID. 105th Field Company Royal Engineers

    Fred Kerry was the son of a well established Nottingham family who joined in late 1914 and went to France in 1914 with 105th Field Coy RE 25th Div. He was a driver but as he also was a trained butcher (his father own a farm and bred poultry & horses) so must have been a useful chap to have around. He was gassed three times and had scars on his legs where the gas had crept through his puttees, lucky he was on horseback not in the trench at the time. He was wounded twice and got married in Jan 1917 on a Christmas leave. He remained in service with 105th Field Coy until 1919.

    A photo of him in uniform on his wedding day.

    A copy of his MID which he was awarded in the Kings birthday honours list 1919, this was signed by Winston Churchill.

    Two very small photos of him with his troop.

    He rarely spoke about the war as he lost many of his friends. If anyone has any information of 105th Field Coy to share I would be really interested.

    Martin Kerry




    1546

    Rfm. David Muir 2nd Bn. 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade. (d.12th Oct 1917)

    David Muir was my grandmother's younger brother. I have the telegram sent by the Minister of Defence, and the letter from the Governor-General, to his parents on the 8th of May 1918. I have a photo of David Muir and his older brother, John, who went to the Boer War and died 2 years later of Tb. A tragedy for the parents who had settled in 1870 after migrating from Orkney.

    John Bruerton




    1545

    Spr. Joseph Dunmill 94th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.20th Sep 1917)

    Joseph Dunmill was my grandfather Jesse's brother. Jesse was also a member of the Engineers, was gassed but survived the war. Joseph was the son of William John Dunmill & Elizabeth Dunmill nee Moston, born 15th September 1884, Lewisham Street, Westminster, Middlesex. He married Miriam Louis Pawsey (Winnie) on the 25th of December 1903 and had 4 children, William, Beatrice, Joseph & Rosetta.

    Brian Edward Dunmill




    1543

    Cpl. Samuel Macaulay 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Samuel Macaulay was engaged to my grandmother but was killed in the war and his brother, my grandfather, who was a sergeant in the R.A.M.C. married her instead. Samuel is buried at Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery.

    In Memory of Corporal Samuel Macaulay

    14/16726, 14th Bn., Royal Irish Rifles who died age 24 on 07 June 1917. Son of Susan Macaulay, of 14, Mount Collyer Avenue, York Rd., Belfast, and the late Samuel Macaulay.

    Remembered with honour at Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery. Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

    Andrew Macaulay




    1542

    Pte. Hector Sowry 3rd Canterbury Regiment, 12th (Nelson) Coy. 4th NZ Rifle Brigade.

    Hector Lyle Sowry was the first cousin of my Great Uncle Leonard Sowry, they both attended Makomako school and participated in two hours a week (fifty two hours in total each) compulsory military training. On leaving school Hector and Leonard enrolled with the 17th Ruahine Regiment a local territorial group.

    After the declaration of war they both continued to train with this regiment until 1916 when at the age of twenty they volunteered and were accepted into the New Zealand regular army. Mobilising together with the 19th Reinforcement at Trentham Camp 25th July 1916. Both the boys went on to train at Featherston Military Camp. On the 15th of November 1916 together Hector and Leonard embarked with the 19th Reinforcement on board the troopship Maunganui HMNZT 68 where they sailed via Albany Australia, Capetown South Africa the island of St Helena and then onto Devonport UK. The two troopships that embarked together the Maunganui and Tahiti then disembarked 29th January 1917 on a cold and snowy day at Plymouth and the later ship at Devonport.

    On arrival Hector and Leonard were both posted to the Canterbury reserve battalion. Having marched to Sling Camp and then onto Codford Camp both again were posted together to the 12th (Nelson)Coy of the 3rd C.I.R 4th Infantry Brigade. Leonard applied unsuccessfully for the artillery and Hector successfully as a marksman. After sixteen weeks training at Codford they both then embarked for France on the 28th May 1917. Arriving at Boulogne Leonard and his regiment travelled to Messines via Hazebrouck, Le Havre and Bailleul. Upon arrival the regiment set about repairing the Wulverghem-Messines Road. After three two week stints in the front line trenches of the New Zealand sector Leonard was killed in action on the 11th August 1917, he was believed to be in the La Basse-Ville neighbourhood at Au Chasseur Cabaret. He is buried at the London Rifle Brigade Cemetery.

    Hector rejoined the regiment on the 28th of December 1917 after completing marksman-ship training at Estaples. He went on to serve in the 12th Coy and survived the war, returning to New Zealand on board troopship Pakeha. Hector married his sweetheart Edith, he died 27th July 1984 aged 89. Hector is buried at the Featherston Return Servicemen's Cemetery, Featherston New Zealand.

    Five of my great uncles served 1914~1919, Leonard was the only great uncle to not return to New Zealand.

    Wendy Macpherson




    1541

    Pte. Leonard Herbert Sowry 3rd Canterbury Regiment, 12th (Nelson) Coy 4th NZ Rifle Brigade. (d.11th Aug 1917)

    Leonard Herbert Sowry was born 5th June 1895 at Woodville New Zealand. He is my great uncle and was the second son of Herbert and Eliza Sowry. As a lad Len and the family moved to Rose Farm in the newly opened bush settlement area of Makomako. He and his first cousin Hector Lyle Sowry attended Makomako school and participated in two hours a week (fifty two hours in total each) compulsory military training.

    On leaving school Leonard and Hector enrolled with the 17th Ruahine Regiment, a local territorial group. After the declaration of war they both continued to train with this regiment until 1916 when at the age of twenty they volunteered and were accepted into the New Zealand regular army. Mobilising together with the 19th Reinforcement at Trentham Camp 25th July 1916.

    Both the boys went on to train at Featherston Military Camp. On the 15th of November 1916 together Leonard and Hector embarked with the 19th Reinforcement on board the troopship Maunganui HMNZT 68 where they sailed via Albany Australia, Capetown South Africa the island of St Helena and then onto Devonport UK. The two troopships that embarked together the Maunganui and Tahiti then disembarked 29th January 1917 on a cold and snowy day at Plymouth and the later ship at Devonport.

    On arrival Leonard and Hector were both posted to the Canterbury reserve battalion. Having marched to Sling Camp and then onto Codford Camp both again were posted together to the 12th (Nelson)Coy of the 3rd C.I.R 4th Infantry Brigade. Leonard applied unsuccessfully for the artillery and Hector successfully as a marksman.

    After sixteen weeks training at Codford they both then embarked for France on the 28th May 1917. Arriving at Boulogne Leonard and his regiment traveled to Messines via Hazebrouck, Le Havre and Bailleul. Upon arrival the regiment set about repairing the Wulverghem-Messines Road.

    After three two week stints in the front line trenches of the New Zealand sector Leonard was killed in action on the 11th August 1917, he was believed to be in the La Basse-Ville neighbourhood at Au Chasseur Cabaret. He is buried at the London Rifle Brigade Cemetery.

    Hector rejoined the regiment on the 28th of December 1917 after completing marksman-ship training at Estaples. He went on to serve in the 12th Coy and survived the war, returning to New Zealand on board troopship Pakeha. Hector married his sweetheart Edith, he died 27th July 1984 aged 89. Hector is buried at the Featherston Return Servicemen's Cemetery, Featherston New Zealand.

    Five of my great uncles served 1914~1919 Leonard is the only great uncle to not return to New Zealand.

    Wendy Macpherson




    1534

    Pte. Joseph Reed 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1915)

    Joseph was the second son of Edward and Alice Reed, of 133, Northbourne St., Elswick, Newcastle-on-Tyne, twin brother of Mary. I believe Joseph may have been a regular soldier, he served in the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fussiliers and was killed in action on 3rd May 1915. The eldest brother, Edward survived the war, but the youngest, Thomas was also killed in action at the Battle of Messines on the 7th of June 1917 whilst serving with the 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers. Both Thomas and Joseph died aged 25 and their sister Mary never forgot them and referred to them always as "our Joe and our Tom". Thomas is listed on the Menin Gates Memorial and Joseph is buried in Bedford House Cemetery.

    John McGonigle




    1533

    Lt. John Hunter Doole 13th Australian Machine Gun Coy

    <p>

    John Doole was promoted to Lieutenant on the 17th of Feb 1917. He was severely wounded at Messines on the 12th of June 1917 and returned to Australia on the 18th of Oct 1917. He lived in Townsville until his death in 1947. He married in Townsville in 1919 and had three daughters (all still living).

    David Laurie




    1532

    Pte. William Leslie "Rasso" Sneddon C Coy, 9 Pl 34th Btn. (d.7 Jun 1917)

    My Grandmother's uncle, William Sneddon was born & raised in Minmi, NSW and worked as a miner. He joined up aged 27.

    Red Cross records based on witness accounts state that he died in early hours on 07 June 1917. Was gassed initially but fought on a short while before dying. One reports states he was buried in a shell hole or crater some 1 mile SSE of the village of Messines. Others report him being buried near Mine Crater No. 2. Another states him being buried in a shell crater with other dead just before Ploegsteert Wood. Sadly our family has no photo, medals or other momemto's of his service. His only marker is on The Menin Gate memorial.

    Trish Hunt




    1531

    Pte. Thomas Reed 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th June 1917)

    Thomas was the fourth child of Edward and Alice Reed, of 133, Northbourne St., Elswick, Newcastle-on-Tyne, the youngest of three brothers. The eldest Edward survived the war, as did his sister Mary the twin of the second son Joseph. I believe Joseph (Service number 2346) may have been a regular soldier, he served in the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fussiliers and was killed in action on 3rd May 1915. Both Thomas and Joseph died aged 25 and their sister Mary never forgot them and refered to them always as "our Joe and our Tom". Thomas is listed on the Menin Gates Memorial and Joseph is buried in Bedford House Cemetery.

    John McGonigle




    1530

    Pte. Frederick George Wells MM. 1/15th Btn. London Regiment

    I believe my grandfather Frederick Wells was at Messines, he was with the 1/15th Btn. from the beginning of the war, and won the Military Medal at some point, although I'm not sure for what action. He was certainly in the Battle of Amiens in 1918, and is mentioned in Rowland Fielding's book "War Letters to a Wife". I'd be very grateful if anyone could suggest any other relevant books covering his unit's service.

    Norman Wells




    1529

    Lt. Frederick Philip Smith 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Frederick P Smith is mentioned in the book Landers War: The War Diaries of Lt. Charles Herbert Lander Frederick was Bert's best man. He was gassed towards the end of June, 1917, and was evacuated to England and convalesced in Dover with Slim. He rejoined the battalion in time for the Armistice.

    Simon P Smith




    1527

    Pte. Albert Joseph Wheatland 11th Btn. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (d.7th June 1917)

    I discovered my Grand Uncle, Albert Joseph whilst researching my family history, and was very touched to find that he had served and died in WW1, enlisting at Clapham. Coming from a service background myself, and with an interest in both World Wars it means a lot to me and has started a further interest in the 11th Bn, Queens Royal West Surrey Regt. I am hoping now to find out more about the battle at Messines. I am also going to look out a couple of postcards from WW1 that possibly could have come from Albert. There are also a couple of old photographs, and because I have now found out what the cap badges of the Regiment looked like, it is possible, with the aid of a magnifying glass, that I can identify if Uncle Albert is in them.

    Fhiona Brett




    1524

    Cpl. George Norman Prentice MM. 12th Australian Machine Gun Coy (d.19th Sep 1919)

    George Prentice was one of three brothers and their father who served in WW1.

    George served in France and Belgium, his movements during the war are recorded in his personal diary which has been passed down to me by my grandmother who was George's sister. George was awarded the Military Medal for action on the 8th of August 1918 which is described in the Australian Official War History. He was wounded in the attack on the Hindenberg Outpost Line on the 18th of September 1918 and died the next day. He is buried at the Brie British Cemetery.

    George's youngest brother John Richard Prentice died of dysentery in Port Said on 1 October 1915. He served with 5 Light Horse. The other brother William Arthur Served with Second Light Horse on the Gallipoli Peninsula and in Egypt from 1915 - 1919 and returned to Australia. Their father John served with Second Remount Regiment in Egypt during 1916 and returned to Australia.th

    Lester Jackson




    1523

    Pte. Christoper O'Connor 9th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.5th Sept 1917)

    Christopher O'Connor was killed in action on the the 5th of September 1917, he also served in the African campaign.

    M Connors




    1522

    Pte. Sidney Haigh 8th Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Sidney Haigh was 19 years old, married and had one daughter. He lost his life on the 8th of June 1917, he has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Daniel Smith




    1521

    Capt. Thomas Harry Boss OBE, MC, MID. 1/8th Btn. London Regiment

    Captain (later Brigadier) T. Harry Boss won the MC at the Battle of Messines whilst serving with the Post Office Rifles. He survived WW1 transferring to the Indian Army which he served until 1947. He was also the President of the Post Office Rifles Association (Old Commrades Association) until his death in 1981.

    Jeremy Boss




    1519

    Pte. Daniel McLaughlin 7th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Daniel McLaughlin was born 1898, to James and Ellen. His sister Miss M. McLaughlin lived in Ballyleighery, Bellarena, Limavady, Co. Londonderry. Daniel lost his life on the 7th of June 1917 and is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery.

    The family wish to obtain as many records of Daniel as possible and none of the family members currently alive have any idea of where Daniel's medals are or where any documents have gone to. We would be grateful for any info or help.

    Editors Note: Bailleul is several miles behind the front line and was the location of a number of Casualty Clearing Stations, it is safe to assume that Daniel was wounded in the opening attack of the Battle of Messines, evacuated via the medical routes and succumbed to his injuries whilst being treated at one of the Casualty Clearing Stations.

    William




    1518

    Pte. James Mckee 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    My Grandfather James McKee was Private 40652, 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Formally 2090 North Irish Horse), he was badly wounded Passchendaele in August 1917, suffering wounds to his neck and waist. On release from hospital he was transferred to The Royal Army Service Corps, Horse transport section.

    David Hawthorne




    1516

    Pte. Leslie John Metcalf 40th Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Leslie Metcalf was the fourth child born to Edward Joseph John Metcalf and Caroline Selina Watts, he had four siblings; three sisters and a brother. He was born in 1894. He was killed at the Battle of Messines on the 7th of June 1917, he has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Craig Sutton




    1514

    Pte. Walter William Sutton 37th Btn.

    My grandfather, Walter Sutton fought during the First World War and was transferred from the 7th Training battalion to the 37th Battalion. He was close to Private Christopher Sutton MM. who I believe was a cousin and friend. I am not certain if he was involved with Messines though he was wounded about this time. I believe that he was a Signaller.

    Peter Sutton




    1513

    A/Cpl. Clement Forester Buckingham 7/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

    <p>

    Forester tried to join up in 1914, but aged a little under 17, was turned back when his medical check was done by the family doctor. He attested young under the Derby Scheme, and signed up as soon as he was 18 and a half.

    Only last week discovered cassette tapes which recounted his experience at Messines. this is a transcript of that day's events from his perspective:

    Towards the end of May, there was a lot more activity in the part of the line we were then occupying: a movement of other troops, different regiments, coming up to the rear link lines. There were more men in the front and reserve trenches than usual; rather more artillery firing by our own guns. We sensed something big was coming up, but of course we weren't then quite aware of what was going to happen, although we sensed there was something big happening. We had had heard rumours there was going to be a big advance, because of the extra people being brought there.

    Our own regiment was brought up to the support trenches on the morning of the sixth of June. That night, about ten o'clock, we moved to the reserve line. And at about 2 a.m. went into the frontline trenches. They were more or less absolutely packed - what we would call double-packed. There was men standing on the fire-step, and then we were in the trench behind them. There was about three rows of men. It seemed very quiet for once. Ever so quiet and still. Very little gunfire or shelling from our side, but quite a lot from the German lines the other side. They sort of sensed, I think, that something was coming off.

    At ten past three in the morning all hell was let loose: terrific explosions, all on a stretch of the line to the left and the right of us. I think there was nineteen lines exploded on the German trenches. I counted at least six, perhaps seven, where there was a glow in the sky, and earth and soil shooting up. I understand that Lloyd George, and members of the then government, were waiting in London and could hear the noise in London all the away across from France. That was such a terrific din.

    Our artillery fire went off with a crash, and it was constantly shell fire. you couldn't hear yourselves speak. At the same time, our first wave of men went over from the front, straight towards the German lines. There was quietness for a while from that side, and then all of a sudden machine-gun fire burst out quite from the back. And then many men got hit. Quite a number of casualties. I had a very good friend of mine, a young cornishman called Pengelley, he was our company runner. He was running just to the left of me as we went over the ... went advancing.

    Of course it was reasonably daylight then, because of how early in the morning, we could see quiet well, apart from the smoke and all of the confounded din. Poor chap ..[tape cuts out, starts out again] ...?? that. But then of course Jerry got a lot of his machine-guns going behind and he was letting rip and poor old Pengelley got one straight in the head. I ran over to him and he was as dead as a doornail. He really got an awful bang. Anyway, we couldn't stop. We were not allowed to stop. We had to carry on with our advance, and we got up to the top of the Wytshaete Ridge - what you call the Woodshet Ridge - and there we were ordered to dig in, and make a line of support trenches to hold the part of the line there, while other people were still advancing quite through to the village. After a while, we were ordered on a bit further, and we went up quite in the village. the devastation was terrific. It was only holes everywhere.

    Meanwhile, Jerry had now got his big guns going, and he was slamming over stuff as hard as he could at us. Then our regiment was made to retire to the top of the ridge, where we were digging in, and we still carried on digging there, while other troops passed through us. The advance went on quite well, apparently - a very large number of prisoners were taken. Heaps of them came streaming past us, poor devils. I was rather moved to see one who was eating a piece of English white bread. Who he got it from, I don't know, but he was thoroughly enjoying it. He waved his hands and grinned. A lot of them were very pleased to be captured.

    My particular part of the line we were in, we had to still carry on digging, consolidating our position. We didn't have orders to advance further. We were more or less making lines there, so that if any of the men were forced to retire, they'd got a place to retire to. Well the day wore on, it got nice and bright and sunny, being early May ... it was early June, I should say - it was quite pleasant, except for the incessant gun fire and the constant machine-gun fire, which was very uncomfortable at times.

    And then at ten past three in the afternoon, Jerry must have opened up some more heavy stuff, and all of a sudden there was a terrific bang and a whistle near me, and a huge crash. And all I remember now is going spinning up into the air, twisting round and round. Well I don't know if I was knocked unconscious or not, but I wasn't actually - but I just sensed , 'Oh Blimey! Is this death?' And it seemed so peaceful, and then all of a sudden crash! as I hit the ground. And a lot of muck all tumbled bang, and I was more or less half buried. Very nearly buried alive. It was really most uncomfortable, and I was in a lot of pain. Any rate, some of the lads who hadn't been .. there must have been eight or nine casualties, cos I can see whether .. almost the faces of my pals as this damn great shell exploded. Any rate. Two or three of them must have rushed over, that hadn't been hurt, and pulled me out, and, well, that was that.

    I was carried some hundreds of yards back to what was a first aid station, and there they examined me carefully, and found I hadn't got any what they call 'bad' injuries. I was merely .. my clothes were half torn off me, and I was dreadfully bruised, and very painful all down my right side, and could hardly move my right leg, it was so stiff. That's where I suppose I had been hit with the shell contusions, and the force of the explosion. I later heard from one of my mates when in hospital, that that particular shell had killed six of our chaps in the trenches - four who I knew personally, and were good friends of mine. But still, that was life. Some little time later I was carried by two big hefty German prisoners of war on a stretcher way back to where we hopped .. to near our original front line.....

    Lewis Buckingham




    1511

    Pte. George Thomas 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment

    <p>

    George Thomas was my grandfather he was born in Wednesfield, Staffordshire, in 1895. The family moved to Enfield were his father had a boot makers shop, they lived in Ordnance Road and Alma Road.

    George served with the 23rd Middlesex Battalion in France and also in Italy on the Piave front. From information that I have gathered and from personal accounts of talking with him, he told me that he served at Messines, Hooge, Kemmel and Boesinghe amongst others places. He was wounded twice, on the first occasion a steel plate was fitted in his kneecap, I recall seeing the bullet entrance scars on his leg, this was a Blighty wound and I believe he returned to Saint Thomas's Hospital in London to recuperate, later returning to the Western Front. I do not know the exact place were he was wounded but wish I could find out this information and any other that would be relevant to his service records or movements.

    The photograph above is of George Thomas seated, and standing beside him, his friend William Godfrey g/11588 23rd Middlesex, whom I believe died age 26 on the 10th August 1917 and is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial. My grandfather died in 1983.

    Certificate of service and his Silver War Badge.

    Gary Humphries




    1508

    Rfm. James Arthur Gardiner 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.14th Jun 1917)

    James Gardiner was my great, great grandfather who served with the 18th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. All I know is that apparently (according to great nan), he was on the front line and he lay on top of his commanding officer to save his life and then he was killed. He has no grave and had his name put on the Menin Gate. I found his WW1 Medal Card and I found out he got the British and Victory Medal. Also he would have had a Memorial Plaque given to the next of kin.

    I feel very proud of him because he gave his life for somebody else and I believe that he must have been a very kind and caring person. If anyone is able to find anything else out for me I would be most grateful.

    Thomas Parker




    1507

    Lt. Charles John Casey 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

    Charles John Casey was my Grandfather. He was an Officer cadet and then a Lieutenant in the 15th Battalion RIR from early 1916 until at least July 1918. My research into his army days has so far revealed the at he was a school teacher by profession and enlisted initially as a Private in the 18th Btn Royal Fusiliers (1st Public Schools) at Epsom, Surrey on the 11/09/1914, age 26.

    They landed in France on the 14/11/1915, and he fought there with the Fusiliers until the 24/04/16 when the battalion was disbanded owing to 'many men having gone to take commissions'. My Grandfather left the Fusiliers as a Corporal, presumably on that date.

    The next we hear of him is in the London Gazette on the 7th July 1916, as 'Cadet Charles John Casey made temp 2nd Lt.' This is in reference to the RIR, and his 14-15 Star medal card confirms the 15th Battalion. There is a final mention in the Gazette for him on the 7th January 1918, which reads 'C.J.Casey temp 2nd Lt. to Lieut.'

    I currently have the 15th battalions War diary on order from the National Archives, so will be interested to see if there are any first hand accounts of things he actually did in France. Obviously both I and his son, my Father, have the greatest of admiration for his wartime service and so are very interested to find out as much as we can. My Grandfather died in 1967.

    Edward Casey




    1506

    Pte. Lindsay Lee "Jacko" Jacgung D Company 38th Btn.

    L.L.Jacgung was my grandfather. He was born in 1897 and was from a farm at Budgeree in the Gippsland region of Victoria. Although he was present at the formation of the battalion, he arrived in England as part of the second reinforcement before the battalion left for Belgium.

    The unit's history records that they were shelled heavily when they arrived at the front line for the first time. There were three casualties and L L Jacjung was one of these, his service records states he was suffering from 'shell shock.' He was back at the front line after a few days in hospital. He was gassed at Messines and again in the same year, but I believe he was at Passchendaele and Broodseinde Ridge. Due to the effects of the gas he spent a long period in hospital in England where he contracted pneumonia. He rejoined the 38th and was present at Mont St Quentin and the assault on the Hindenburg Line.

    On returning to Australia in 1919, he was hospitalised. He never recovered fully from the effects of the gas and was eventually classified as 'totally and permanently incapacitated' and suffered respiratory problems until he died in 1973.

    I believe he was a good shot and he continued competitive target shooting until at least his 60s. He was a Lewis gunner during the war. One unusual note on his enlistment paper is that it says his 'grandfather was a Chinaman', which is true. His grandfather was from Canton and he married an Irish woman. Like many, they made and then lost their fortune during the gold rush, so they took up farming instead.

    Wayne Caldow




    1505

    Pte. David Gray Findlay 47th Battalion (d.7th June 1917)

    David Gray Findlay was the son of John Bisset Findlay and Jessie Findlay, he was 29 years old. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres. If you have any other information, particularly any photos I would love to hear from you. Lest We Forget.

    Rachel Findlay




    1503

    Pte. Herbert William Ellery Morris MM. 2nd Otago Btn.

    Herbert Morris was my Grandfather, he was was a company runner attached to the 2nd Otago Battalion. He was wounded in September 1918 and awarded the Military Medal for actions on the 12th of October 1918 at Passendale. Herbert survived the war and trained troops in New Zealand during the Second World War.

    David Morris




    1502

    Mjr. Stuart M. Thorne CDG. 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company

    Stuart Thorne is written about in Grace Morris Craig's "But This is Our War" (University of Toronto Press). He received the CDG for designing the mines at Messines.

    Craig Williams




    1501

    Pte. James Pailing Ward MM. 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.18th Apr 1918)

    James Paling Ward was born in Twyford, Leicestershire, son of George Paling Ward and Lydia Anne Ward. He is listed in the 1911 Tiddington Warwickshire census aged 16, living at home with his parents and employed as a Domestic Gardener. He enlisted at Birmingham and went to France with 8th battalion Gloucestershire Regiment on the 18th of July 1915. His award of the Military Medal for Bravery in the field was gazetted on 16th August 1917, having been notified in battalion special order of the day for 2nd July 1917. This was for his part during the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917. The battalion war diary records:-

    Wytschaete Beek Onraet Wood

    7th [June] Attack launched at 3.10 a.m. by 19th Division

    8.10 am. Battalion attacked Black Line in front of Onraet Wood & took its objective. Patrol pushed out & line in front of Oostaverne Wood also held.

    3.10.pm. Further attack was launched against village of Oostaverne and Odonto Trench. Battalion took its objective and consolidated position. The result of the day’s operations was highly successful and over two hundred German prisoners were taken.

    Private J P Ward was killed on 18th April 1918 when 8th Battalion was retreating during the great German offensive of April 1918. On the 18th April the battalion was withdrawing from its trenches near Beaver Corner, arriving in a field near Wippenhoek siding about 2 miles east of Abeele.

    James Pailing Ward is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the missing at the Ypres area of Belguim. And also on the war memorial at Tiddington Warwickshire.

    His brother, Mark Whitworth Ward also served in 8th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. He was killed in action on 3rd July 1916, during the battle of the Somme.

    Kevin Gemmell




    1500

    Sgt. Arthur Willis Martin 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.7 Jun 1917)

    Arthur Martin was my grandfather, he was killed in action during the Battle of Messines. I believe him to have been at Butterfly Farm prior to his death. Unfortunately his service records are not available as they are part of the records destroyed during WW2. I know that he was wounded at Gallipoli but have found no war diaries available. I have been able to look at the 6th Lincs War Diaries for 7th Jun 1917 but the page is written in pencil and almost illegible.

    His name is on the Menin Gate and I believe his remains could be in cemetery at Whytschete although grave would be unmarked.

    Glenda Hewitt




    1499

    L/Cpl. Henry William "Bob" Jeater MM. 518th Field Company Royal Engineers

    Henry William Jeater was my maternal Grandfather, he was reported killed in action on 21st or 22nd March 1918 but was in fact wounded and captured and survived the War.

    Trevor Davies




    1498

    Pte. T. Pengelley 7/8th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.7th Jun 1917)

    T Pengelley was a good friend of Forester Buckingham, in his account of the 7th of June, Forester recalls the young Cornishman's last moments.

    "Pengelley, he was our company runner. He was running just to the left of me as we went over the ... went advancing. Of course it was reasonably daylight then, because of how early in the morning, we could see quiet well, apart from the smoke and all of the confounded din. Poor chap ..[tape cuts out, starts out again] ...?? that. But then of course Jerry got a lot of his machine-guns going behind and he was letting rip and poor old Pengelley got one straight in the head. I ran over to him and he was as dead as a doornail. He really got an awful bang. Anyway, we couldn't stop. We were not allowed to stop. We had to carry on with our advance"

    Pengelly was the son of Fredrick and Susan Topp Pengelley, he was 21 years old and is buried in Wytschaete Military Cemetery.





    1497

    L/Cpl. William Godfrey 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regt (d.10th Aug 1917)

    <p>Willian Godfrey (standing) with George Thomas, both 23rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment.

    William Godfrey was a friend of my Grandfather, George Thomas. They both served with the 23rd Middlesex Regiment. William was killed on the 10th of August 1917 and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial.

    Gary Humphries




    1496

    Pte. Mark Witworth Ward 8th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd Jul 1916)

    Mark Whitworth Ward was born in Melton Mowbray and enlisted at Stratford on Avon. He went to France with 8th Battalion on 18th July 1915. He was killed in action on 3rd July 1916, during the Battle of the Somme.

    At 03.15 the battalion took part in an assault on eastern end of the village of - the western end of which had been taken by other British troops the previous day. A German counter-attack drove 57th Brigade, including 8th Battalion out of the eastern end of the village again and furious fighting raged in the village for the rest of the day. 8th Battalion lost over 300 men in killed, wounded and missing that day.

    Mark Whitworth Ward is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing at the Somme area of France. And also on the war memorial at Tiddington Warwickshire.

    His brother James Pailing Ward also served with the 8th Gloucester Regiment and lost his life in April 1918.

    Kevin Gemmell




    1493

    Mjr. Cyril Rutherford Young 253rd Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.1st Jul 1917)

    Cyril Young studied engineering at Durham University. He went to France as a subaltern with the 41st Siege Battery, R.G.A., in early 1915. He returned to England in 1916 to train and command the 253rd Siege Battery, returning to France as a Major, early in 1917. On the 7th of June 1917 he was severely wounded at the Battle of Messines. He was sent back to England on the 9th June and died of his wounds in a London hospital on 1st of July 1917.





    1491

    Gnr. Ernest Johnson 297 Seige Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    my grandfather Ernest JOHNSON. He served in WW1 as Gunner 142011 with the 297 Seige Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery in Salonika, Greece, where he died in 1918 and is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria. I have gone through the usual channels in an effort to research him but his was one of the many records destroyed in WW2. I would be very grateful for any information no matter how small about him or the part played by the RGA in the Salonika campaign.

    Michael Johnson




    1490

    John William Lancelot Wright Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

    My grandfather John William Lancelot Wright, was in the trenches in France. He was with his friend Henry Bamford who was killed by a mine. My grandfather got shrapnel and shell shock and was in hospital for twelve months. My grandma was married to Henry at the time and my grandfather went to see her after the war, they fell in love and were married in 1921.

    My Grandfather had two brothers who were also in France fighting, Charles and Clarence Wright. I'd like to know what my grandfather did in the Great War as I know next to nothing about what he did.

    Carole Neville




    1488

    Pte. George Oliver Cross 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.26th Jun 1917)

    George Oliver Cross was my great uncle. He was born in Kings Sutton, Northampton in about 1897. His parents moved to Beaconsfield Street, Norton, Stockton-on-Tees (the house is still there) about 1899. His elder brother Edward was also killed in the Great War, whilst serving with the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Both names are inscribed on the War Memorial at Norton Church. Both buried in Northern France.

    Trevor Ayre




    1486

    Pte. William Trull 3rd Btn. Coldstream Guards (d.17th Oct 1917)

    The first of the four sons of William and Margaret Trull to fall in action. He met his death on the western front on October 17th. He was only 23 years of age and had been in the army about 3 years.

    Private William Trull of the Coldstream Guards was wounded in action in France on July 29th and succumbed to his injuries two days later at a casualty clearing station. He was twenty six years of age. He joined the Army in September 1916 and went to France in the following March.

    My great gramp James was 5th son who went to war, he was the lucky one.

    Jon Eeley




    1474

    Pte. Norman Arthur Jorgensen 3rd Aust Division 37th Btn. (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Norman was my great uncle and I'm afraid I know little about him other that what I have obtained from the AWM records. He was a carpenter before joining up. He sailed to France of SS Persic, arriving 3.6.1916 and died on 8.6.1917 He was killed by an exploding shell and is believed to be buried in a grave in Steenverck Road in Belgium close to the Australian CCS. When I visited a few years ago,I found 5 graves in a civilian cemetery there, all marked, An Unknown Australian Soldier. His name is on the missing plaque at the Menin Gate Memorial.

    Norman Jorgensen




    1460

    Pte. Robert Addison 108th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Robert Addison enlisted in January 1915, he was killed on the 7th of June 1917 aged 23, and lies in Dranoutre Military Cemetery.





    1457

    Pte. Geoffrey Maurice Barnewall Hales 13th Australian Field Ambulance

    Geoffrey Hales was studying medicine at the University of Sydney when he enlisted on the 1st of September 1916. He left sailed for England on the 9th of November with the 8th Reinforcements, 4th Divisional Ammunition Column. He transferred to the 13th Australian Field Ambulance in April 1917 and served at Messines and Ypres. He returned to Australia on the 17th of April 1918 and resumed his medical studies.





    1455

    Sjt. Harold John Williams 9th Australian Field Ambulance

    Harold Williams attended Woollahra Superior Public School, leaving at the age of 14,. He worked as a messenger-boy, then as a railway stores clerk. He sang with the Waverley Methodist Church choir as a boy soprano and was later an amateur baritone, he enjoyed football and cricket, playing for Waverley Cricket Club (1906–15) and finding success in Rugby Union as a wing-three-quarter with the Eastern Suburbs team, representing New South Wales against New Zealand in August 1914.

    Harold enlisted on the 24th of July 1915 and travelled to England aboard the troop transport ship Argyllshire in May 1916, as a corporal with the 9th Field Ambulance. During the voyage he entertained his fellow soldiers with his ballads. After training in England, he was promoted to sergeant and proceeded to France with his unit in November 1916, seeing action at Armentières during the harsh winter. In January 1917, he was transferred at General William Birdwood's request to an entertainment unit, known as the 'Anzac Coves'.

    Harold rejoined the 9th Field Ambulance in March, saw action at Messines and Passchendaele. He was appointed regimental quartermaster-sergeant.

    Whilst on leave in England, Williams sang at a private party at Sheffield in 1918 and was heard by several musical luminaries who insisted that he should begin voice lessons.

    In August he transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, where he met Dorothy Mason, a staff nurse in the Australian Army Nursing Service, who he would marry in May 1919.

    After the Armistice Harold was attached A.I.F. Headquarters in London and studied singing with Charles Phillips. Demobilised from the army in July, he remained in London and found a civilian job as secretary to the Stearn Electric Lamp Company. Later he went on to a long and successful career in England and his native country, performing in opera, oratorio and concerts and giving radio broadcasts.





    1451

    Sjt. Michael Mallon 207th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.26th Sep 1917)

    Michael Mallon enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment in Whitehaven and transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, he was killed in action and is remembered on the Tyne Cot memorial.





    1450

    Pte. Willis Hirwen Frith 207th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Willis Frith was studying at the University of Nottingham before he enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters in August 1916 and transferred to the 207th Machine Gun Coy when it was founded. He was killed in action at the Battle of Messines and has no known grave, he was 20 years old.





    1449

    Pte. Charlie George Melrose Sampson 207th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.11th Jul 1917)

    Charlie Sampson died of wounds on the 11th of July 1917 and was buried at Kandahar Farm Cemetery, close to the dressing station. He was 31 years old.





    1448

    Sergeant Walter Henry Bennett M.M. 102nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery (d.31st Oct 1918)

    Walter was born in the June quarter, 1888, in Sparrow Pitt, Peak Forest, Buxton, the second son of Joseph (Quarry labourer) and Annie (née Vernon) Bennett. His older brother was Joseph F. and he had two younger brothers, Tom Albert and Leonard, and three younger sisters, Martha, Annie and Lily. (1891 Census RG 12/2780 and 1901 Census RG 13/4060) In 1901 Joseph (Snr.) was a surface coal labourer at the Normanton, Yorkshire, colliery and his two elder sons were both working underground. The family were lodging at 117 Wakefield Road, Normanton. (1901 Census RG 13/4280), The rest of the family (wife and four youngest children) were living at 7 Albert Street, Baildon, Yorkshire. The CWGC records show Walter’s family living in Fernilee, nr. Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire after the War. The 1911 Census (RG 14.24333) shows Walter living at Hopkins Farm Stalybridge, working as a Farm Labourer. In the March quarter 1905 he had married Annie May Wood, at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumberland. By 1911 they had two daughters, Annie May and Grace Margaret, both born in Cowdale, Nr. Buxton.

    Walter enlisted in Buxton and his Medal Index Card shows that he entered France with the Royal Field Artillery as Driver 44674 on 24th August 1915. The 102nd Brigade, R.F.A. were attached to 23rd Division between the 6th June 1916 and the 22nd August 1916 having previously served with 34th Divison. During the Battle of Messines, on the 7th June 1917 they were in the area near Hill 60 and The Caterpillar. They saw action at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, The Battle of Messines and the First the Second Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, before moving to Italy in October 1917 where they fought in the Battle of Asiago and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto.

    Walter was 'Acting/Sgt' in October 1918 when he was Gazetted as one of whom "His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the Field" (London Gazette 21st October 1918). He was killed in action on the 31st of October 1918.

    Graham Conway




    1445

    Lance Corporal Jesse Dean 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Jesse Dean is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial for those men who have no known grave.

    Tom Lacey




    1444

    Rfm. Samuel Sloan 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th Jun 1917)

    He was the youngest son of Robert and Mary Sloan of Whiteabbey, Co.Antrim, Northern ireland he previously served with the 6th Btn of the Royal Irish Rifles

    John Blair




    1443

    Pte. John Henry Clark 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    J.H. Clark was my great-grandfather. He enlisted at the outbreak of war and went overseas with the battalion on August 25th 1915. He saw action throughout the war serving with a rifle platoon in C Company, and was discharged to the Class Z Reserve after the end of hostiliites. He was an early member of the British Legion and returned to his pre-war job as a miner -on August 26th 1936 he was killed by a fall of stone whilst working in Witton Colliery in County Durham.

    Paul Blackett




    1442

    Sjt. Harry Craddock MM, DCM. 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.20th Sep 1917)

    This is my great grandfather and nearly all the information about him is on my website.

    Mark Williams




    1441

    Cpl. Knightley Trevor Barlow MID. 1/6th Btn. London Regiment

    My grandfather served with the Cast Iron Sixth throughout WW1. He wrote an account (not very detailed) in 1973 which gives snippets of information and has inspired me to find out more. He was gassed in August 1918 and was given a medical discharge in October 1918.

    S Thiele




    1440

    Sjt. John William Wardman DCM, MM. 10th Btn. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment

    As far as I know, my great-grandfather, John Wardman, served in the 10th Battalion, the West Riding Regiment. I have his service records, but like many surviving from ww1 they are quite faded and difficult to read. He was awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal for bravery but I have only the London Gazette listings for these, as I have not yet been able to view the war diaries to find out more information.

    Paul Bishop




    1439

    2nd Lt Ernest Henry Austin Lucas 8th Btn. The York & Lancaster Regiment (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Ernest Lucas was born on the 10th of December 1890, the son of William Austin Lucas and Louisa Lucas. He worked for London County Westminster and Parr's Bank before the war. He enlisted into the Artists' Rifles in June 1915, and was commissioned into the York and Lancaster Regiment in November 1915. He was posted to the 1/5th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment in France in January 1916. He was wounded in action during the Battle of the Somme whilst attacking German trenches at Thiepval on the 6 July 1916.

    On his recovery, he was posted to the 8th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, and was listed as missing on the 7th June 1917 at Messines. On the 18 April 1918 he was listed officially as having been killed in action on the 7 June 1917.

    Louise Hudd




    1437

    Spr. Frederick Gabriel 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company (d.4th Dec 1917)

    Fred Gabriel was a farmer's son. His older brother took over the farm on which they'd lived after their father died. Seeing that his father would not write out a Will and Testament and knowing the mind of his brother to own the land exclusively, Frederick left and joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was sent to Ypres.

    I know he served at the Battle of Messines but he died in December not June and I am unaware of what took his life. Another action in which he was involved, a previous injury, or succumbing to disease? I would like to know but have been unable to find any answer thus far.

    His brother Alphonsus had a son Norman and I am Norman's child but named for "Uncle Fred". He is interred in Etaples military cemetery in Pas de Calais, France, section XXX plot 0-6

    Editors Note:

    Etaples was the location of many military hospitals, so it is likley that Fred passed away in one of these hospitals as a result of being injured.

    Gerald Frederick Gabriel




    1436

    Pte. Fred Davies 8th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment (d.22nd Sep 1917)

    PLEASE CONTACT IF YOU HAVE FURTHER INFO, I HAVE PHOTO IN UNIFORM. MATTHEW DAVIES

    Matthew Davies




    1435

    Pte. John James Lillis 37th Btn. (d.8th Jun 1917)

    <p>

    John Lillis was born in Outtrim and attended Gippsland Victoria school and Korrumburra State School. Prior to enlistment he had served as a cadet from age 14-18yrs and he worked as a printer. His mother was Hannah Elizabeth, father John James Lillis.

    John Was killed in action on Messines Ridge, aged 19yrs and 1 mth Whilst serving with 3rd Reinforcement, 37th Btn. Some records show he may of served in B & C company. He has no-Known grave and is listed on Menin gate Memorial.

    Steven Lillis




    1433

    Sergeant John Thomas Nicholls DCM. 9th Btn. Welsh Fusiliers

    Sgt Nicholls was my great-grandfather, a coal miner from St Helens, Lancashire. He volunteered for service in 1914 and sailed for France on 19/7/15.

    On 28th August, 1917, the following appeared in the London Gazette: "13621 Sjt. J. T. Nicholls, R. W. Fus. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He reached the enemy's lines some distance ahead of his assaulting platoon, whereupon he attacked twenty of the enemy single-handed, bayoneted three of them and kept the rest prisoners until the arrival of his platoon. He later showed marked ability and coolness in assisting his company commander under heavy shell fire."

    I am not certain of where this action took place, but as it usually took around 3 months for medal awards to appear in the Gazette, there is a good chance it was at Messines. Later in the war, John was posted as missing on 13/05/18, but there is no record of him having been a POW, so it is possible he managed to return to his unit- this being in the midst of the German Spring Offensives. He ws discharged on 25/3/19 and returned to St Helens and mining. He died in 1945, aged 59, leaving behind his wife Sarah and six daughters, including my grandmother, Ada.

    Chris Fyles




    1421

    L/Cpl. William Bell 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd May 1915)

    William Bell died whilst being held as a POW, he is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1420

    Pte. Thomas William Morris 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.21st May 1915)

    Thomas Morris died whilst being held as a POW, he is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1419

    Sjt. George Ernest Victor Cullingworth 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.20th May 1915)

    George Cullingworth died whilst being held as a POW, he is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1415

    Pte. John William Hall 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th May 1915)

    John William Hall died whilst held as a POW he is buried at Cologne Southern Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1414

    Sjt. Hugh Frazer 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th May 1915)

    Hugh Frazer died of wounds and is buried at Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1413

    Cpl. Charles William Finch 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.10th May 1915)

    Charles William Finch died whilst a POW, he is buried Roeselare Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1412

    Pte. Charles Lazenby 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    Charles Lazenby was wounded on the 8th of May 1915 and taken POW.

    Vin Mullen




    1323

    Lance Sjt. Bert "Butler" Munday 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1915)

    Bert Munday served under the assumed name of Bert Butler, he is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    1286

    Pte. David Lynn Wharton 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd Apr 1915)

    David Wharton died of wounds and is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    1276

    Pte. Peter Welsh 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th Apr 1915)

    Peter Welsh died of wounds and buried in Byker and Heaton Cemetery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

    Vin Mullen




    1268

    L/Cpl. Thomas Crossland 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.2nd Apr 1915)

    Thomas Crossland died of wounds and is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1264

    L/Cpl. Jeffrey Liddell 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Mar 1915)

    Jeffrey Liddell died of wounds and is buried in Byker and Heaton Cemetery in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

    Vin Mullen




    1263

    Pte. William Dews 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.24th Mar 1915)

    William Dews died of wounds and is buried at Brompton Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1259

    Pte. Anthony Sanderson 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.15th Mar 1915)

    Anthony Sanderson died of wounds and is buried at Loker Churchyard

    Vin Mullen




    1258

    Pte. Walter Starling 2nd Btn. D Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.13th Mar 1915)

    Walter Starling died of wounds and is buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1250

    Pte. Arthur Thomas Barron 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.7th Mar 1915)

    Arthur Barron died of wounds whilst being treated in hospital and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1248

    Pte. William Henry Holmes 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Mar 1915)

    William Holmes died of wounds whilst he was being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, he was buried at Netley Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1247

    Pte. Frederick Foster 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.1st Mar 1915)

    Private Frederick Foster is buried in Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1246

    Pte. Frank Tanner 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.28th Feb 1915)

    Frank Tanner died of wounds and is buried in Entratat Churchyard.

    Vin Mullen




    1245

    Pte. James Moorhead 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Feb 1915)

    James Moorhead died of wounds and is buried at Zantvoorde British Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1244

    Pte. George Jewitt 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.25th Feb 1915)

    George Jewitt died of wounds in hospital and is buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    1243

    Pte. George Jewitt 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Feb 1915)

    George Jewitt died of wounds in hospital and is buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    1242

    Pte. Frederick Webb 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd Feb 1915)

    Frederick Webb died of wounds and is buried Bedford House Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1190

    Pte. Arthur Denbigh Williams 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th Feb 1915)

    Arthur Williams died of wounds and is buried at Longuenesse St. Omer Souvenir Cemetery.

    Vin Mullen




    1187

    Pte. George Burton 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Feb 1915)

    George Burton died of wounds and is buried in Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles

    Vin Mullen




    1186

    Pte. George Burton 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Feb 1915)

    George Burton died of wounds and is buried in Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles

    Vin Mullen




    1185

    Pte. George Burton 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Feb 1915)

    George Burton died of wounds and is buried in Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles

    Vin Mullen




    1182

    Pte. George Gray 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th Feb 1915)

    George Gray died of wounds and is buried in Hazebrouk Communal Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    1181

    Pte. James Brown 2nd Btn. A Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th Feb 1915)

    James Brown died of wounds and is buried in Hazebrouk Communal Cemetery

    Vin Mullen




    1180

    Pte. John Charles Goudie 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.4th Feb 1915)

    John Goudie was killed near Zwarteleen and is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

    Vin Mullen




    1174

    Lieutenant Adolf B Cohen Prince Of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regiment (d.22nd july 1917)

    My wife's Paternal Grandmother was originally married,in about 1915,to a Lieutenant Adolf Cohen,of the West Yorkshire regiment. He died in, we believe, 1917 and his Widow subsequently married a RA Officer in 1919 - my wife's Grandfather. Recently,we came across a walking stick with a cap badge of the W Yorkshire Regiment attached, on which were marked the various battles in which Adolf Cohen fought. We would like to obtain more information on Adolf Cohen's life, in particular his time in the regiment.

    Anthony Day




    1173

    Captain Robert Holdsaworth Goldthorp Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (d.March 1925)

    Captain Robert Holdsworth Goldthorp was born in 1879 eldest son of a woollen manufacturer, Benjamin Holdsworth Goldthorp, of Cleckheaton. In 1910 Robert had enlisted with the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. After the outbreak of war in August 1914 he was commissioned into the 4th battalion as a Second Lieutenant, promoted to Lieutenant in March 1915 and later to Captain. He was posted to France in January 1917 and saw action returning home after the end of hostilities. His time in the trenches saw him develope 'trench foot' and for many years after the war he suffered from the affliction. In March 1925 he underwent surgery on a leg and as a result died shortly after from what was believed to have been a blood clot. He is buried in the family plot in the Whitcliife Road Old Cemetery Cleckheaton.

    William Dunn




    1172

    Sergeant Joseph Young B Company King's Royal Rifle Corps

    <p>Joseph Young

    This is a photograph of my great grandfather Sgt. Joseph Young. The postcard has on the back: King's Royal Rifle Corps
    "B"" company
    Sergt J Young
    No.245309 (I think) 2/7th (then something that looks like) N F1
    Hollinside Camp
    Swalwell

    Philip J Young




    1171

    William Rainsforth Machine Gun Section 5th Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>William Rainsforth, 5th Lincs

    William RAINSFORTH is the 1st man 2nd row from the back - to the left in the Machine Gun Section of the 5th Lincolnshire Foreign Service Territorial Regiment - 13th October 1915 - before the battle to take Hohenzollern Redoubt.

    This is also a poem (attached) that was published at the time in the local Gainsbrough newspaper in which William "Twinny" Rainsforth is mentioned.

    Boys of the Old Brigade

    The boys I’m going to write about,
    Though not up to perfection,
    I’m simply paying a tribute
    To the veterans of our section.

    Comprised of men from Gainsborough,
    And also from Grimsby.
    Some of the very finest men
    That you could wish to see.

    A year and half in different parts
    They’ve stood the mud and the stench.
    And though they’ve been through trying times,
    They’ve never lost a trench.

    There’s Twinny Rainsforth, Tommy Dann,
    And also Billy Gunthorpe.
    Three of the very best we’ve got,
    Although one comes from Scunthorpe.

    There’s Sergeant Duncan, Sergeant Holmes,
    The Senior N.C.O’s.
    You’ll always find them thereabouts
    To guard against the foes.

    And then we’ve two full corporals
    Walt Jenkinson is one,
    And then comes young Bert Holliday,
    In French he’s simply bon.

    There’s still a lot of splendid boys,
    Too numerous to mention,
    And I can tell you all of them.
    Deserves an army pension.

    At ___________ when they first went in
    To do their little bit,
    Up to their waist in water,
    They were never known to quit.

    They stuck it there for three long months.
    Then someone an order sent
    Saying we want these men at ___________,
    To hold the salient.

    Oh what a change from __________ boys,
    Was _______ salient.
    But they stuck like glue for fourteen weeks,
    Before relief was sent.

    And then came _________ offensive.
    To that district they were trailed.
    And they tried their hardest to succeed,
    Where other men had failed.

    They made a brilliant charge and though
    So many were knocked out,
    At last they gained a footing,
    In Hohenzollern Redoubt.

    At last the _________ came to relieve
    And looked on them with pride,
    For they knew without us telling them,
    How many poor lads died.

    Excepting once at ______________
    And once at _______________
    They were given, I am pleased to say,
    The rest they’ve earned so well.

    Early in the present year
    They received a big surprise
    They were booked to go to _____________-
    That’s good, the boys all cried.

    So oe’r the sea we went these good men,
    Where many dangers lurk.
    To take part in a new campaign.
    And crush the mighty Turk.

    I’ll say no more of these good boys,
    But before they had the chance,
    To have a go at the Sultan’s troops,
    They were hurried back to France.

    They once ran Territorial’s down,
    But by the God Almighty,
    A different tale you’ll hear them tell,
    When we’ve won and got to Blighty.

    By Private Charles Tear, 138th Brigade, M.G.C.

    Miriam Bailey




    1170

    Daisy Lavender

    <p>Daisy Rainsforth (nee Lavender)

    This is my Nan (my Mum's Mum) who is Daisy Rainsforth nee LAVENDER b. 21st March 1893 in Kingston-on-Thames.

    Daisy worked 'in service' at 79 Eaton Place, Knightsbridge up until 1916 when she left her work there and went back to her home town of New Malden to help with the thousands of wounded soldiers coming back from France injured. That is where she met my grandad ERNEST RAINSFORTH - 2/5th West Riding Regiment who had been badly wounded in battle in N France. As near as I can tell, Ernest was wounded around 9th March 1917.

    Ernest was transferred to Malden Hospital, New Malden where Daisy had volunteered to be a nursing auxiliary. She met Ernest - fell in love with him - and married him in his home town of Gainsbrough on 16 March 1918.

    This picture of Daisy was taken in Gainsbrough on 21st March 1918 just one week after her wedding to Ernest. It was taken on her 25th birthday.

    Daisy certainly did her bit in the way of war work too.

  • Daisy was the sister-in -law of William RAINSFORTH mentioned - 5th Lincolns - Hohenzollern Redoubt.
  • She was the niece of Albert H DEAN who died at 10th Military Hospital France(he was her Mum's brother).
  • Daisy became the wife of ERNEST RAINSFORTH - my Grandad.
  • Daisy's great-great grandmother (Anne Howard nee EDLIN formerly TRUMPER b. 1800 of Harefield) was also the Gt Grandmother of Robert Edward RYDER VC so that makes Robert some kind of cousin to Daisy I think !!!!!!
  • Robert Edward RYDER's Mum was Jane Howard - grand-daughter of Ann Howard through Ann's son Robert Howard.
  • Daisy Lavender's grannie was Ann Maria Trumper b. 1853 d. 1925 whose father was Henry TRUMPER b. 1829 d. 1892 who was the son of Ann Howard nee EDLIN formerly TRUMPER b. 1800.

    One last thing - my Nan's sister named Violet Lavender (my great-aunt) b. 1895 d. 1981 was an avid collector of all sorts of things in her youth. I have over 250 old post cards circa 1910 - 1930 which were a part of her collection. All are stamped and form a massive insight into what girls/ young women of her age in that era were like. The postcards have been invaluable to me in tracking the lives of both Daisy Lavender/Rainsforth and her sister, Violet Lavender during WW1 as they wrote and communicated with one another by post cards.

    Miriam Bailey




  • 1169

    Daisy Lavender

    <p>Daisy Rainsforth (nee Lavender)

    This is my Nan (my Mum's Mum) who is Daisy Rainsforth nee LAVENDER b. 21st March 1893 in Kingston-on-Thames.

    Daisy worked 'in service' at 79 Eaton Place, Knightsbridge up until 1916 when she left her work there and went back to her home town of New Malden to help with the thousands of wounded soldiers coming back from France injured. That is where she met my grandad ERNEST RAINSFORTH - 2/5th West Riding Regiment who had been badly wounded in battle in N France. As near as I can tell, Ernest was wounded around 9th March 1917.

    Ernest was transferred to Malden Hospital, New Malden where Daisy had volunteered to be a nursing auxiliary. She met Ernest - fell in love with him - and married him in his home town of Gainsbrough on 16 March 1918.

    This picture of Daisy was taken in Gainsbrough on 21st March 1918 just one week after her wedding to Ernest. It was taken on her 25th birthday.

    Daisy certainly did her bit in the way of war work too.

  • Daisy was the sister-in -law of William RAINSFORTH mentioned - 5th Lincolns - Hohenzollern Redoubt.
  • She was the niece of Albert H DEAN who died at 10th Military Hospital France(he was her Mum's brother).
  • Daisy became the wife of ERNEST RAINSFORTH - my Grandad.
  • Daisy's great-great grandmother (Anne Howard nee EDLIN formerly TRUMPER b. 1800 of Harefield) was also the Gt Grandmother of Robert Edward RYDER VC so that makes Robert some kind of cousin to Daisy I think !!!!!!
  • Robert Edward RYDER's Mum was Jane Howard - grand-daughter of Ann Howard through Ann's son Robert Howard.
  • Daisy Lavender's grannie was Ann Maria Trumper b. 1853 d. 1925 whose father was Henry TRUMPER b. 1829 d. 1892 who was the son of Ann Howard nee EDLIN formerly TRUMPER b. 1800.

    One last thing - my Nan's sister named Violet Lavender (my great-aunt) b. 1895 d. 1981 was an avid collector of all sorts of things in her youth. I have over 250 old post cards circa 1910 - 1930 which were a part of her collection. All are stamped and form a massive insight into what girls/ young women of her age in that era were like. The postcards have been invaluable to me in tracking the lives of both Daisy Lavender/Rainsforth and her sister, Violet Lavender during WW1 as they wrote and communicated with one another by post cards.

    Miriam Bailey




  • 1168

    Pte. James William Bucknall 33rd Btn.

    James Bucknall was a 26 year old Fireman when he enlisted. He was wounded at the Battle of Messines on the 7th June 1917. He was evacuated to England and admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital in Birmingham on the 14th June suffering from gun shot wounds to his face and chest. He was discharged from the army due to his injuries and returned to his wife Jessie, in Australia onboard HMAT Persic in February 1918. James died in 1949.





    1165

    Pte. John Arent Arnesen 33rd Btn.

    John Arnesen emigrated to Australia in about 1915 and was working as a tram conductor in Sydney when he enlisted. His first experience of military life was very short lived as he was discharged after few weeks being medically unfit. He re-enlisted and arrived in France in May 1917, joining the 33rd Battalion at the front on the 10th June 1917. His time at the front was very short, being admitted to hospital on the 23rd of June having injured his leg on the parapet in the support trenches, some years before he had suffered a compound fracture to this leg and he was discharged from the army for medical reasons and returned to Australia.





    1162

    Lt. Thomas Acheson Armstrong C Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.12th Oct 1917)

    Thomas Armstrong was a 24 year old medical Student studying at Sydney University when he enlisted on the 16th March 1916. He was wounded in action by a shell at the Battle of Messines on the 7th June 1917 and was admitted to the 24th General Hospital at Etaples with a wound to his right shoulder the following day. He was transferred to England and two days later was admitted to the Reading War Hospital. He rejoined his unit at the front on the 17th of August.

    Thomas was killed in action on the 12th Oct 1917 in Belgium. His mother, Elizabeth, requested his headstone be inscribed: "How went the fight? I died and never knew, But well or ill, England I died for you." Thomas is commemorated with the missing on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    1154

    Pte. Joseph Harold Alfred Applebee 33rd Btn.

    Harold Applebee was a 19 year old Labourer when he enlisted, he was described as being 5'8", having very dark complexion, black hair and brown eyes. He embarked from Australia in May 1916 and after training in England, proceeded to France in January 1917 where he transferred from 33rd Btn to the 9th Machine Gun Company. He saw action at the Battle of Messines and was wounded on the 18th of July, had a short spell in hospital and was again wounded, this time by gassing on the 31st. After a longer spell in hospital he rejoined his unit in September and suffered a 3rd Wound in action on the 2 October, he was invalided back to England with a severe wound which had fractured his skull and treated at the King George Hospital. By mid February 1918 he was fit enough to return to France and rejoined his unit on the front line. He had another spell in hospital in England, this time at the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley in June 1918 suffering from Tonsillitis but again returned to France. He returned to Australia in 1919.





    1153

    Pte. Carl Hugo Anderson 33rd Btn.

    Carl Anderson was born in Horrkoping Sweden, he was 36 years old, married and working as a fireman in Sydney when he enlisted in the AIF in November 1916. He is described as being 5'6" tall with brown hair and brown eyes, he had a tattoo of a lady on his left forearm and a vase of flowers on his right.

    Carl arrived in England at the end of January 1917 and undertook training at Sutton Mandeville and Larkhill before proceeding to France on the 25th June 1917. He joined the 33rd Battalion on the 20th July 1917. After three months in action he was admitted to hospital suffering from Trench foot and was transferred to England for treatment at the 1st Western General Hospital. Carl returned to the front on 16th March 1918 and was Killed in Action on the 30th near Fouilloy, he now lies in the Villers-Bretonneux Cemetery.





    1152

    Pte. Andrew Anderson C Coy. 33rd Btn.

    Andrew Anderson was a 39year old farmer from Inverell who joined up in 1916, he was 5'10" tall with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He arrived in England in July 1916 and proceeded to France on the 16th September 1916 to join the 3rd battalion at the front. On the 11th January 1917 he was admitted to the 25th Stationary Hospital at Rouen in France suffering from Mumps. on the 6th February he was transferred to England aboard the Hospital Ship Sr David having developed Bronchitis. By March he had recovered enough to leave hospital and return to camp in England. In September he returned to France to join the 33rd Battalion. Andrew was reported as wounded in Belgium on the 20th October, but this was then amended to reported Sick. He was killed in Action near Ypres on the 13th November 1917 and was reported to have been buried in that vicinity by men from the 36th Battalion. His name is amongst those with no known grave who are remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    1150

    Pte. Albert Alexander Anderson 33rd Btn.

    Albert Anderson was a 20 year old railway porter when he enlisted in June 1916. He arrived in England on board the SS Port Napier and joined his unit on the front line on 4th May 1917. He was wounded in action on the 6th April 1918, and admitted the the 2nd General Hospital at Le Harve with a gunshot wound to his scalp. He returned to his unit on the 20th July and returned to Australia in June 1919.





    1146

    Pte. Godfry Hugh Wallis Allison 33rd Btn. (d.9th Jun 1917)

    Godfry Allison joined the 33rd Battalion at the front on the 23rd March 1917. He was wounded in the left leg on 7th May 1917 and was treated by 11th Field Ambulance. He rejoined his unit on the 25th May and took part in the launch of the Battle of Messines. Godfry was Killed in Action on the 9th of June and was laid to rest in Toronto Avenue Cemetery. The personalised inscription on his headstone was chosen by his siblings, he was the eldest of the boys and three brothers Hugh, Stephen and Matthew survived him. He had nominated his sister Agnes as his next of kin and names his nieces and nephews as beneficiaries in his will.





    1142

    Pte. Alfred Miller Connovy Alderton C Coy. 36th Btn.

    Alfred Alderton was a 23 year old carriage painter from Newcastle NSW. He saw action at with C Company 36th Battalion and was wounded in the left knee at the Battle of Messines on 11th June 1917.





    1138

    Pte. Lachlan McDonald Aird 33rd Btn.

    Lauchlan Aird was born in Helensburgh, Scotland, when he enlisted in the army he was a 25 year old labourer, He was 5 feet 4 iches tall with fair hair and grey eyes, his records list that he had a tattoo on his right forearm, showing an anchor, a heart and the name of his wife, Hughina.

    He arrived in France on the 14th June 1917 and saw action with the 36th Battalion, he was wounded in the back on the 27th July at the Battle of Messines, he was treated by 11th Field Ambulance them transferred to hospital, he rejoined his unit on the 5th of August. He transferred to the 33rd Battalion in May 1918 and after the end of hostilities spend three months undertaking training as a Rigger with shipbuilders, Vickers Ltd in Barrow in Furness. He returned to Australia and was discharged from the army on October 1919.





    1135

    L/Cpl. Thomas Edward Addison B Coy. 33rd Btn.

    Thomas Addison was a 29 year old married labourer when he enlisted, he was wounded in the left arm, in action at the Battle of Messines on the 9th of June 1917 and was treated at the 6th general Hospital in Rouen. In April 1918 he was gassed and was admitted to the Beaufort War Hospital, after his convalescence he was attached to the Australian Provost Corps and served at Tidworth and in London. Thomas returned to Australia in late 1919 and declared that he was "fit and well" when he was discharged from the army.





    1130

    L/Cpl. George Adams 33rd Btn.

    George Adams was a farm hand from Richmond, Ballina, he enlisted at the RAS Grounds in Sydney on the 30th March 1916 at the age of 21. He sailed for England in September 1916 and proceeded to France in February 1917. George was wounded in action on the 11th June 1917 at the Battle of Messines, with an injury to his back due to a gun shot, he was treated by 12th and then 9th Field Ambulance and returned to duty on the 21st of June.

    George was wounded for a second time on the 31st August 1918, this time a shrapnel injury to his head, he was treated by 9th Field Ambulance and transferred through 53rd CCA at 10th General Hospital then moved to England on the 3rd September. He was admitted to the Baptist School Hospital in Yeovil with a severe flesh wound to his scalp. George remained in various Hospitals in England through out the remainder of the war and returned to Australia in December 1918 onboard the Nestor.





    1127

    Pte. Norman Abbott 33rd Btn. (d.3rd Aug 1918)

    Norman Abbott left Australia in July 1917 and joined the 33rd Battalion in France in March 1918. He was wounded in action twice, in April 1918 he was admitted to 3rd General Hospital at Le Treport, he returned to his unit after treatment and suffered a gun shot wound which fractured a finger on the 25th July 1918. After treatment at the 3rd General Hospital it was decided that he needed further treatment in England. Norman embarked on the hospital ship HMAT Warilda on 2nd August. During the crossing from Le Havre to Southampton the ship was torpedoed by the enemy. Norman was listed as missing believed drowned and is commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial in Southampton. He left a wife, Ida





    1123

    Herbert Eneas

    My mother's father Herbert Eneas served in the Royal Navy and survived WW1. His two brothers, Alfred who served with the Scots Guards and Will, who was also in the Royal Navy were killed during WW1. Like many families in the UK nothing was ever mentioned about the men in the family that had died. My mother was 15mths old when Will Eneas died and many years later was told briefly how he and his brother had died. Through just snippetts of conversation with my mother I have managed to find out alot more about these young men. Will Eneas left behind a wife and a baby daughter, he was awarded the Royal Humane Society's Bronze Medal for saving life at sea. Alfred Eneas was not married.

    They are still remembered with affection within our family.

    Jennifer Davies




    1122

    Pte. Alfred Eneas 2nd Btn. Scots Guards (d.1st Mar 1915)

    Alfred Eneas was my mothers uncle, he and his brother Will Eneas were killed during WW1. My mother's father Herbert Eneas survived WW1, serving in the Royal Navy, as was Will. Like many families in the UK nothing was ever mentioned about the men in the family that had died. My mother was 15mths old when Will Eneas died and many years later was told briefly how he and his brother had died. Through just snippetts of conversation with my mother I have managed to find out alot more about these young men. Will Eneas left behind a wife and a baby daughter, he was awarded the Royal Humane Society's Bronze Medal for saving life at sea. Alfred Eneas was not married.

    They are still remembered with affection within our family.

    Jennifer Davies




    1121

    C.S.M. Charles Wilson 2nd Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers (d.Aug 1914)

    My great uncle Charles Wilson, a C.S.M. in the 2nd K.O.S.B.was killed at Mons in the opening shots of W.W.1 in August 1914.

    His brother Bill was killed on on the 25th April 1915 on Lancashire Landing beach at Gallipoli. My great grandparents had previously lost a son in the Boer War in the 1st K.O.S.B. As they were an Army family they took the loss of 3 sons with stoicism.

    James Wilson




    1038

    Arthur Pratt The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

    Arthur Pratt

    These two photographs are also taken from my late father's collection. They are of Arthur Pratt. Written on the back of one of the photos:- To Nellie and Godfrey, (my grandparents), 1919. On the other photo it says to Nellie, (I believe maybe Arthur's wife). The address is Camden Terrace, Brighton.

    Maralyn Eden




    1031

    Pte. William Henry Drury 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment

    <p>William Henry Drury And Annie Eliza Drury

    My father Wiliam Drury was in the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment from August 1914. He kept a diary for part of that time including the surrender and time as a prisoner of the Germans. It stopped until he came home at the end of the war:

    I, William H Drury reservist 1st Yorkshire Regiment was called away from my home at the outbreak of war with Germany. Along with thousands of others I went to my depot at York where I received my arms and equipment and proceeded to the barrack room where I changed into military clothing, and a few hours later we left here to join our regiment at Litchfield. Arriving there late at night we were given food and put into different companies and settled for the night. The following day we were joined by some more reservists and were very busy getting everything in working order.

    Our next move took us to Scotland to the town of Dunfermline. Arriving there on the Saturday afternoon we had a good reception and a plentiful supply of refreshments from the town people. Here we were billeted in the schools for the night and then moved into tents. The following days we were busy getting into war trim and here we received inoculation as a preventative against enteric fever. Our stay here lasted six days. Leaving the town we passed over the splendid Firth of Forth Bridge at night time, our naval comrades down below being very busy with their searchlights. We travelled in darkness all night. The following day we arrived at our destination that turned out to be the town of Cambridge. Here again we were given a splendid reception by the townspeople. We proceeded to one of the commons and soon had our tents up and got settled. Our stay here, which lasted three weeks, was very enjoyable, fruit round this district being very plentiful we came in for a good supply. We now got the order to leave here so packing our things we marched 13 miles to Newmarket and there entrained for Southampton. Our journey was a good one, the people of London giving us a good send off as we passed through. On our arrival at Southampton we embarked on the `Cawdor Castle' and steamed off the following morning. On the journey across we were escorted by three French warships their band playing the National Anthems of England, France and Russia.

    We disembarked at the seaport town of Saint Nazaire and proceeded to a rest camp and seven hours later we left here for the station where we were put in the carriage, given bully and biscuits and started on our long train ride, which lasted 36 hours. The journey took us through many noted places. We left Paris on our right, the Eiffel Tower being very noticeable in the distance, arriving at the town of Collumiers we left the train and it was here we got our first glimpse of the damage done by the German soldiers. Here also were a few German prisoners, they being taken on their retirement a few days previous. We proceeded to an old disused factory and were given food and a few hours rest and then left for a village 7 miles away called Cloupeck. Here we were billeted for two days. Now being on the line of communication we expected a move to the firing line any time. We heard here that the German Cavalry had been seen in a wood close by and our company were told to search for them but found nothing. From here we commenced a forced march doing about 25 miles a day. We passed miles of vineyards and peaches, the people giving us a good helping. The weather up to this had been splendid, but now rain set in lasting several days. Arriving at Vichy we had a two hours halt for tea and set off again, arriving at the town of Chateau Thierry where we spent the night in a hospital (the first bed since leaving home). The following morning we were off again and landed at night at the village of Harteneese. Here we received our first post from England. Leaving here the next morning we had another good days march and stayed for the night in an open field, rain coming down very fast we were soon soaked through. The following morning we were off again, this time our company doing rear guard. Here we met with our first real danger, the transport sending word back that the German Artillery were shelling the road in front. We again attempted to get through so splitting up into small parties we made a dash, getting through with the loss of only one life. We proceeded to the village of Bourg where we had food and were getting prepared for a rest when the enemy started shelling this place, we doing a hasty exit to the woods close by for safety. Here we had to take cover from the German aeroplanes and a gear artillery duel was on at the time. We now had our rest as we were going into the trenches at night. Six o'clock came and we fell in and were marched toward the trenches. Waiting here until it got dark we counted 12 dead horses and many other things. It looked like a busy time round here, a few good words of advice were given us by our officers. Up to our knees in mud we were taken quietly to the trenches to relieve the Coldstream Guards. We were getting nicely into our position when our advanced post came running in and reported the Germans advancing. This was the signal to open fire, which lasted one and a half hours. As the enemy trenches were only 300 yards from ours their rifle fire was very plain to see. The firing now ceased and our advanced posts were sent out again. We were kept busy all night bettering our trenches. Early next morning we were ordered to stand to. Here the General paid a visit to the trenches and was seen to be walking about as cool as ice. We could now see a few of our comrades who met their fate the night before. The morning opened with German Aeroplanes hovering above, showing our positions to their Artillery who opened a heavy shrapnel fire on us, their shells bursting 30 yards behind us (what luck) our Artillery replying. Now the fire of the big guns ceased our work started as the enemy's infantry started to advance but they were driven back with decent losses, our men and the French Turkos on our right fighting well. Still the enemy came again in much larger numbers their machine guns doing terrible damage amongst us. Things were now looking bad for us as our machine gunners and a lot of the men were put out of action. Matters came to a crisis when the Turkos who had fought well up to this started to retire leaving us to the mercy of the enemy who were much superior in numbers. Still we kept the enemy in check until our ammunition began to run out. Now the Turkos opened a heavy fire from their new position, but evidently there was a mistake for their shots were falling amongst our men. Reinforcements were sent up to us but owing to the deadly fire of the enemy it was very few who reached the firing line. A heavy thunderstorm came on now this making our position hopeless as our rifles became clogged with clay from the newly dug trenches. The Germans were now only 50 yards away and there was the choice of two things for us, either to be butchered or surrender, the latter being chosen.

    We were now prisoners of war and taking the wounded that could walk along with us we were split into two parties and marched to the enemies quarters where we left our wounded in the hospital. We were now joined by the other party who reported the German losses to be heavy ones as the dead men were piled four and five deep around their trenches. We were taken now to a field and searched, everything being taken away from us. Some French prisoners now joined our party and we commenced a 17 mile march, being made to carry the Germans pack on the way. On the journey we passed a transport, the soldiers hitting us with sticks and whip stocks. The French people offered us food and water but the Germans would not allow us to take them. While still marching in the dark a heavy motor car ran into our party but luckily there was no one injured. Arriving at our destination the town of Leon we were placed in a fort where our overcoats were taken from us and a lot more assaulting we had to endure. We passed the night in agony as the Germans kept kicking us while sleeping. The following morning 14 of us were picked out to work. We received a spoonful of coffee and were now taken to a deserted hospital giving this a thorough clean out. This finished we returned to our comrades where we received a plateful of soup and then set off for a town 18 miles away (good roads thank God). On the journey a halt was called near a turnip field, our lads making a raid on them, arriving at the town of Marle we were packed in a hay loft and received some bread and scilly and a good nights rest. The following morning we set off again this time to the station where we were put into wagons (72 in mine) and started for a town 30 miles away. In the morning we were shunted into a large siding and stayed here for 7 hours. When darkness came on we continued our journey which ended at a place named Origny en Thierache where we were again put in a hay loft until morning when we paraded and the first sixty men were left behind, the remainder setting off for Germany. We received half a loaf of black bread and a pot full of coffee and were then put to work loading ammunition and sacks of flour from a transport into a railway truck this lasting from 7 am until 8 pm at night with 20 minutes interval for food. A week passed like this when sickness overcame us, many men being put in hospital with dysentery.

    We were now split into two parties, one working day and the other night. Things became so bad that they sent the party to Germany leaving six of us behind working as a kind of housemaid to men on guard, the others working in the cookhouse. I got good food and a good wash (the first since captured 9 days ago). Again we were parted, 2 going to Cambria, 2 Marle and 2 staying here. We could see many things happen here (but least said soonest mended). Here we heard that an English soldier had died from wounds in the hospital and being the only two Englishmen in the place we asked permission to attend his funeral, which was granted us. We were marched with a party to the hospital where the coffin was placed on a farmer's cart. We waited here for one hour for the arrival of the parson, but he never came, so we were marched back to our quarters and did not see the last of our comrade after all.

    We were now attached to a German engineer company and a few days later we left here for the town of Laon, where we joined by our two comrades from Marle. We were now employed in the cookhouse where we received food and a good bed. A few days later we moved to a place called Noyon where we saw a German armoured train and lots of infantry being sent to the firing line. From here we returned again to Laon and two days later we were off again to a place called Margival, here the company were very busy making a landing stage for unloading the transport. Here we were only 300 yards behind the enemies artillery and there were thousands of their troops on the move, which looked like a retirement. It was now that we had to make a quick move, as our artillery starting shelling the station and we again went to Laon This company were now expecting a move to Russia and a few days later we commenced the journey which took three days. On the journey we passed through Belgium and many places where heavy fighting had taken place. We stayed a short time at Namur and Luttich. Continuing our journey we now arrived in Germany on Sunday where many Dutch women were to be seen in their picturesque clothing. We were an object of curiosity as we passed through the stations of Hanover, Minden and Posen. Around the latter place were miles of trenches and barbed wire entanglements, also big size guns.

    Arriving at Montivey we were shunted into some sidings and here we stayed for two months, the company being busy making a field railway into a Russia for carrying supplies to the troops. Here could be seen dozens of Red Cross trains passing to and fro. We now had a very good friend, a German Corporal, who could speak very good English, having lived in London for 5 years, this man reading the paper and letting us know how things were going on (all German victories). Our stay with this company ended here as a high ranked officer heard we were here and ordered us to be sent to a prisoner's camp. Leaving here on the 17th January we travelled to Hohenzalsa and changed here for Ginesen where we arrived at 11 am Sunday. We were taken to the Commander of the town and examined and then taken to a civil prison being followed by hundreds of people. Here we had a bath and changed into prison clothing and then made to wash our clothes which we handed to the women prisoners to be dried. This finished we were taken back to our cell, four of us being in one. Two days passed and we were getting ready for bed when we were ordered to dress as a guard had come to take us to a camp. After several changes we arrived at Sagan the following morning and were taken to some barracks where we expected to see some Englishmen. (What a shock, there were only Russians). Here we were given dry bread and tea and then taken for a bath. This finished we were taken to our new quarters, sleeping with some Russian students until a few days later the commander saw us and showed his hatred by having us placed in different companies. We were now living in artillery stables packed like herrings, 600 men in mine, as the place was only 150ft long, 14ft high, 28ft broad (what a living). We were soon stricken with vermin and lice as the washing accommodation was bad, there being only 4 small tubs for five and a half thousand men and two oz's of soap in 7 weeks. They now stopped us writing home, as there was fever in camp. Things passed on like this so we asked the officer to send us to an English camp but he replied that we must stop with our fighting comrades the Russians.

    In February we proceeded to a new camp, which had just been built only 2 miles away. Here we were placed 50 men in a room and things got a little better. One must condemn the German method of cruelty, striking men with bayonets and sticks for no cause whatever, one man being shot. Our diet now consisted of one mouldy loaf of bread for 5 men a day, with potatoes boiled with their skins on for dinner with a little minced horse flesh put in to make it taste. One can understand the hunger in the camp, the men digging in the refuse pits for any old food. We now got turnips added to our dinner, the Russians fighting in lumps for the peelings, the Doctor watching the distribution of the same. The weather up to this had been very bitter and, only having a blanket, it was difficult to keep warm. It was very amusing to see the tricks the Russians had for getting extra food and their efforts to dodge the German sentries. Now we were able to keep ourselves clean as there were fumigating machines and baths open. About this time there were thousands of Russians being sent to work in factory and farms.

    Things now became a little better for us we were in communication with home and received parcels of food, There now arrived 25 Algerians who had come from hospital, these men living in Africa when at home, we and them forming one company. On Thursday 24th of June we received a surprise visit from an English Minister who gave us a good sermon and told us he was the only minister visiting the English prisoners. On the 22nd of July we witnessed a very strange performance by one of the African prisoners, he passing a threaded needle through the ear, cheek, mouth and through the other cheek and ear, also needles and nails through the muscles of the arms. On the 11th day of July we received a letter smuggled by the Russian prisoners from some Irish men in another camp. These men told us that all Irish prisoners were put together in a camp at Remberg then the Germans led by a man named Sir Roger Casement and two priests from Rome and an American named Nicholson were trying every means possible to get them to take arms against England, offering them money and freedom. As these men refused they were split in to smaller parties and sent to different camps. Still these men were preached at and a few of them joined the enemy and were given uniform and sent to Berlin but they soon ran amok and were sent to camp again at Zossen. I heard later from a French sergeant who came from Zossen that most of the men had planned to give way and so have a cheap do at the enemy's expense. We were also asked our religion and when we answered we were protestants we were told if we had been Irish or Scottish men we should have to be sent home as Ireland and Scotland were in arms against England (but we knew better). We were also shown a German paper where a sea battle had taken place near Helgoland with large headlines 24 British ships caput (sank) to 3 of the enemy but the German soldiers say the they too have read between the lines. On the 7th of August the American Ambassador paid us a visit to see if we had any complaints to make. He said he would try and get us moved to an English camp. On the 7th of September we got another move to another camp a short distance away, 7 days later we were sent back to the old camp and joined by some more Algerians and one Indian prisoner. During the month of November we got another change, this time to the town of Gouletz. Here we were compelled to work. The work was making a reservoir and we received three pence a day for our labour but it was grand to get amongst some English men. Again these man had only arrived the day before and day after us having been working on land and in factories. The Commander here was very strict on us here on our first parade, one Sergeant and two Copl. received 3 days in a cell on bread and water for having woollen mufflers. As the month was November and was very cold this punishment was unjustified. We now received a weekly bath, also disinfection once a month. The worst thing about this was having to stand after bath for three to five hours, naked, about 50 men in a room, until our clothes were finished in the machine. As summer was getting near nearly all the prisoners were sent out working on farms, myself and four more being sent on a farm in May, here we stayed for a little over 7 months and when the work was finished we were returned for the winter in Lagar. The farms around here are nearly all being farmed by prisoners and refugees, we were lent to other farms for thrashing, it was rather strange working with French, Russians, Austrians, Polish and Germans. I returned to the camp on 6th January, following Monday we were taken on parade and the 300 English all had their boots taken from them.

    9th January, great commotion in the camp a fire having broken out, but it was soon put out. There are 4 to 6 men dying every day here from fever and consumption, but we English have had a large case of medicine sent from home so we are not as bad. No good a man giving rich here as he is only laughed at. I am now sent out to a farm again staying 5 months. I returned to Lagar once more sick. The farm hours are in summer 4 on a morning returning to 7 to 8 at nights, too long. It is strange how these German people keep going on the food they are receiving, mostly potatoes, 4 pounds of bread a week, 3 ounces of meat and butter a week. I thought slavery days were over but I find now that is not so in Germany as most of the masters are nothing else but bullies and the slave drivers. The spare women working on farms mostly receive 8 pence a day and the farm girls get 70 to 90, or about 12 to 14 pounds a year. I think it's about time the people of this land rose up against such cruel treatment. I am now sent out again, farm work staying half a year.

    Returned to Lagar 3 days later, sent out again driving post wagon. Returned again, three days later sent out again farm work.

    This is where the diary ends. There are just a few notes that are difficult to read at the very end. Looks like `Officer sweeping road Over co at Duneshire Bayonet wound in the hand. Teeth knocked out (this could explain why there are no more entries.) Personally he told me some of the other things that happened to him. When I asked how got a German Eagle tattoo all over his back , he told me the Germans did it as part of his punishment for escaping , I also believe that is how he lost his front teeth. He would not say more about it. During the WW2, he was too old for the army but went and volunteered for the Auxiliary fire Service in Leeds Yorkshire. He was with them when they went to Coventry when the Luftwaffe bombed there. He died in 1955, The Old Contemptibles attended his funeral.

    Peter Drury




    1023

    Thomas Blyth

    <p>

    My Granda's older brother Thomas Blyth is in this photo, unfortunately we do not know which young man he is. He was killed at the end of WW1. If anyone can help me out with this it would be much appreciated. Thank-you.

    June




    1022

    Able Seaman. George Arthur East

    My Great Grandfather George Arthur East joined the Royal Navy in 1914 when he was 14 years old (having lied about his age!). The story I have been told is that he was the first ever able bodied seaman to dive using a diving belt. He died some years ago and so did his wife. I cannot find any further information such as what ship he was on etc. I would love to find out anything at all and a photo would be good because I'm sure it would have been recorded at the time.

    Clare Chapman




    1021

    Fanny Session

    My grandmother Fanny Session worked in a munitions factory during the great war. She came from Tunbridge Wells. How can I find out which factory she worked in?

    Maria Wilson




    1020

    I am trying to find out if there were any German POWs in the Flookburgh area in 1918. My family lived there around Flookbough and Cartmel. They worked on farms and in the gunpowder makers. My father was born in Preston, Lancs and he told me his father was a German POW. I have a copy of his birth certificate and he was named Joseph Festubert Hartley, born 17.9.1919. I have a 1901 census and the Hartley family lived in Flookbough at that time but I don't know when they moved to Preston. Thank you

    Angela Duckworth




    1019

    Capt. Harry Alfred Butt 14th btn. Gloucestershire Rgt (d.8th Jun 1916)

    Harry Butt was the son of Rev. Canon George Holden Butt, from a letter I know that in May 1916 whilst in France he met up with his brother Lewis, who was serving with the Rifle Brigade. Unfortunately both were killed with in weeks and are laid to rest in Northern France.

    Andrew Weal




    1017

    Farrell Royal Artillery

    <p>

    This is a photo of one of the Farrell family in the Royal Artillery, taken in Liverpool.

    Jackie Dunn




    1016

    Lance Corporal Farrell 2nd Btn Manchester Regiment

    <p>

    The man on the right is L/Cpl Farrell of the Manchester Regiment, but I am not sure of his first name.

    Jackie Dunn




    1015

    Private Francis James Wailey Manchester Regiment (d.10th November 1917)

    <p>

    This is a picture of my grandad, Sgt Thomas Farrell (on the right) and his wife's uncle (in the middle), Francis James Wailey, 1/7th Manchester Regiment, Service No 295124, who was killed on 10th November 1917 and is buried at Coxyde Military Cemetery.

    He was the husband of Rose Wailey of 20 Wolsey Street, Stanley Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool.

    Jackie Dunn




    1014

    Sjt. Thomas Farrell Loyal North Lancashire Regt.

    <p>

    This is a picture of my grandad, Sgt Thomas Farrell (on the right). He was born in Bootle, Liverpool in 1886, a week after his dad was killed in an accident at the docks. The man in the middle is L/Cpl John William "Jack" Potts (d.26th September 1917) Thomas was a long-standing military man who joined the Loyal North Lancs Regiment around 1904 and went on to the Machine Gun Corps in Feb 1917 and the Tank Corps in 1918. He was a 2nd Lieut from 19th December 1917. He was wounded 3 times (September 1914, June 1915 and October 1918) and was still removing shrapnel from his back in the 1930s.

    He spent some time in 'A' Ward at Red House Auxiliary Hospital, this photo was taken in September 1916, Tom is 1st left at the back. I don't know where this hospital was.

    In this photo Grandad Thomas Farrell is on the right. Obviously taken when in hospital around 1916. I have no idea where the hospital was or who the other 3 people are.

    This picture was found in the papers of Thomas Farrell but he doesn't appear to be one of the soldiers.

    Update: It is possible that Red House Auxiliary Hospital was in Leatherhead.

    Jackie Dunn




    1013

    Captain Robert Haylett MC & Bar 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    I have, for a number of years, tried to trace how my grandfather, Robert Haylett, 37931, 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, won his Military Cross.

    I have an old portrait of him in the uniform of the Home Guard during WW2, it is a photo that has been “touched up” i.e. coloured. On it he shown wearing his WW1 medal ribbons and what appears to be two white and purple ribbons. I remember seeing the medals many years ago and there was a small silver rosette on the MC, signifying a second award. I also know he was commissioned in the field from Company Sergeant-Major to Lieutenant and then to Captain.

    If you have any information or know where I can obtain it please contact me.

    William Haylett




    1012

    Private Alexander Gray 18th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.31st July 1917)

    I am trying to find out about my uncle, Alexander Gray of Cambuslang, enlisted in the 18th Battalion Highland Light Infantry and died in Belgium in 1917.

    I think he was also in the Queen's Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry before the war, and would like to find out more about the history of both units. Are there any photographs of individual infantry companies taken before going into action or during initial deployment?

    Tom Gray




    1011

    CSM John McCarthy 4th Btn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (d.8th Jan 1916)

    Thanks to this site I have located my grandfather's grave site, a place we as a family could never visit, until now. He was CSM John McCarthy of the 4th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers, and who died 8th January 1916.

    I will be visiting his grave in Douglas this Saturday. Due to family circumstances my Dad did not know where his father was buried. My Dad passed in 1985 but now as a family we can make this link. Again many thanks.

    Pat Dempsey




    1010

    L/Cpl. George William Burgess 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    I would like to remember my great grandfather:

    Lance Cpl George William Burgess 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, service no:1801/300098. He survived the war but was taken prisoner 26th April 1915 at Ypres.

    Ann Burgess




    1009

    Private Robert Stephenson Gould 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1917)

    <p>

    I would like to remember my great-grandfather: Private Robert Stephenson Gould, service no:30722, 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 9th April 1917 near Arras.

    Ann Burgess




    1008

    Private Patrick Vesey 7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.5th Sep 1916)

    I have recently discovered that my great-granddad, Patrick Vesey, Royal Irish Fusiliers - 7th Battalion. no. 22754 died in the Somme on 5th September 1916 near Combles in France. I have visited Thievpal in France and found his engraving on the missing memorial.

    I understand from family members that he joined up with the Royal Irish Fusiliers 7th Battalion. 16th division, 49th brig. He enlisted in Armagh, when he was living in the town of Belturbet.

    I would love to be able to find records of his enlistment, maybe a photo or any documentation on him or his Battalions movements.

    Peter Scott




    1007

    George Sewell Royal Horse Artillery

    I am in the process of constructing my family tree. My mother when she was alive told me that my Grandad George Sewell was a long-serving member of the Royal Horse Artillery. He was killed in a road accident in Sheffield, around 1930 and the Royal Horse Artillert supplied a horse drawn gun carriage and a guard of honour. My mother used to have a cutting about his funeral from the Sheffield Newspaper.

    I would like to know more about him and if possible find a copy of the paper.

    Michael Suter




    1006

    Sjt. William Edmund Pittaway 242 Brigade, A bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.24th Mar 1917)

    I have a copper bracelet that is handmade and engraved by, I assume, Mr Pittaway. It has been engraved with his name and various battles that took place in the Somme which, again I assume, that Mr Pittaway took part in. These are "Somme", "Albert", "Hebuterne", "Poizieres", "Ovilliers", "Arras", "Mesnil", "Le Sars", "Martinpuich", "Thiepval" and "Au Bois". I have checked on a map and all these places are located just south of Arras. One or two of the place names have been spelt incorrectly and I have spelt them above as they appear on the bracelet in case the names or spelling has changed in the last 95 years.

    Above his name Mr Pittaway has engraved the following: 2335 R.F.A. A-Battery 242 Brigade and either side of his name are the dates 1914 and 1916, these are the dates, I believe, during which 242 Brigade was in existence.

    I would like to try and find out more about Mr Pittaway.

    Update: Information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Serjeant William Edmund Pittaway, who served under the name of Thompson, was killed on the 24th of March 1917, age 33. At his death he was a Sergeant with the King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), 'A' Company, 1st Battalion. He was the son of William Edmund and Maria Pittaway and also served in the South African War. He is buried in Birmingham's Witton Cemetery.

    Robin Mortiboys




    1005

    Michael McNamara Royal Horse Artillery

    <p>

    My grandfather, Michael McNamara (extreme right against post in this photo), served I am told with the Royal Horse Artillery during WW1.

    If anyone could give me some more info on this attached photo I would be very thankful.

    Derek Hall




    1004

    Rifleman Alfred A Wood 4th Battalion The Rifle Brigade (d.10th May 1915)

    I have a person in my family tree called Alfred Wood who was killed 10 May 1915 and the CWGC tells me that he was a Rifleman in the 4th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, and the medal roll tells me 2/Rifle Brigade. I am trying to find out a little bit more information on him.

    Information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission: He was the husband of Rose Hurst (formerly Wood) of 53 Allerton Street, Nile Street, Hoxton, London. He was age 28 when he was killed.

    Ken Rhoades




    1001

    Private Herbert James Boyer 22nd Battalion London Regiment (d.3rd Sept 1918)

    Herbert James Boyer died in WW1 and the CWGC records show he fell on 3rd September 1918. He was a member of the 22nd Battalion, London Regiment and is buried in the Heilly Station Cemetery. Mericourt-L'Abbe. I believe he enlisted initially in the 5th Royal Fusiliers (G/25502). I am related on my mother's side, and have obtained replicas of his medals, which I will frame along with the relevant cap badges.

    Rob Robb




    1000

    Sergeant R J McCleary 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.22nd July 1915)

    <p>

    This is a photo of my great-grandad, Sgt R J McCleary, Service No 4775 of the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He was the son of Robert McCleary of Tonaghmore,Banbridge and husband of Amy McCleary, of Saul St., Down Patrick, County Down. He died on Thursday 22nd July 1915 at the age of 27, and is buried at Merville Communal Cemetry, Nord, France.

    I am visiting his grave in August as my Nana (who sadly has died) always wanted to visit her father's grave but never got the chance.

    Teresa Price




    997

    William Powell Durham Light Infantry

    <p>

    My grandfather, William Powell, served during the Great War. This is his wedding photo, he is the little guy on the right.

    John Powell




    996

    William Webster Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    My grandfather, William Webster, was a Driver, later a Bombardier, in the Royal Field Artillery. He survived the war and received the 1914/15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. I have attached a photo of him in uniform with an unknown colleague (he is seated, on the left).

    Dave Webster




    994

    Albert Mallinson 15th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (d.23rd February 1917)

    My great-great-grandfather, Albert Mallinson from Elland in Yorkshire, was killed 23rd February, 1917, in Somme, France. He is interred at Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery, Somme. If anyone has any information concerning him, please get in touch.

    Laura Brown




    993

    Cpl. Arthur Huitson 2/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

    <p>Arthur Huitson standing beside his brother William Huitson
 who served with the Northumberland Fusiliers.

    My grandfather Arthur Huitson was born in Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham 17th September 1889. He served with the Durham Light Infantry (No. 276005) in WW1. He was married and lived in Sunderland when he joined up early in the war. His date of discharge was 19th April, 1919.

    He was also in the East Surrey Regiment (No. 204320) as Corporal Arthur Huitson, 2/7th DLI, 6 squad Command School of Musketry at Aldershot between 20th January 1917 and 22nd February 1917 (according to his study note book which he used at Aldershot).

    He was a POW but I don't know where. He most likely went to Archangel with the 2/7th but don't know whether he served in France or where he was a POW.

    He and his wife and daughter came to Australia in 1922. He was a carpenter. He died on in January 1957 in Ipswich, Queensland.

    Heather Noble




    992

    John Macrae Seaforth Highlanders

    I'm trying to look into my maternal grandfather's WW1 history with the Seaforth Highlanders. He sadly died in 1980 aged 85, and quite understandably rarely talked of his experiences other than to berate my mother and her siblings over their groans when they were "starving" or such flippancies.

    I have very little to go on other than a very common West Highland name, John Macrae. He was born 1895 and was from Applecross, Wester Ross. He was wounded during one of the epic battles of the First War. I had heard a rumour that he had gone missing or had got lost during the mists in one of the best known battles, First Ypres (maybe the Somme) and turned up in a farmhouse with other soldiers but this is largely hearsay.

    Alastair Macrae




    991

    Pte. William Bainbridge Bailey 13th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    I have been doing some research into my great-grandfather who fought in the Great War.

    His name was William Bainbridge Bailey. Rank: Private. He fought with the 13th Durham Light Infantry at Contalmaison on the Somme and also with the Northumberland Fusiliers in many fronts, including the Third Battle of Ypres.

    There is some confusion with the Battle of Contalmaison; his war diary (now in the University of Leeds) says he fought on the 4th August 1916. However the websites I have researched show the Battles of Contalmaison were in July 1916. If anyone has any information on this I would be grateful. I would also love to hear about any connections with my grandfather.

    Main Events from 1915 – 1917

    Joined the Royal Fusiliers on November 1915, aged 19. Transferred to Northumberland Fusiliers June 24th (part of Tyneside Scottish Regiment). Arrived in France July 15th. Transferred to 13th Durham Light Infantry in Franvilliers. Fought at Albert in front line 28th July. Said there were very heavy casualties. August 1st was deployed to Contalmaison (part of the Somme front). 4th August attacked Contalmaison at dusk (hit by machine gun bullet in right thigh and lay in no-man’s land for three days). 7th August crawled back to trenches. Sent home to England for treatment 13th August.

    Served in reserve Northumberland Fusiliers four miles from Hull. Transferred to Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish) 9th January 1917. Deployed to Armentiers. 11th February went on bombing raid at Armentiers. Not injured although the battalion suffered heavy casualties.13th February came back to battalion at Gadewelde. 9th April (Easter Monday) went over top at Arras. 24th April left Arras reserve and went to front line. Had a rough time taking position and Battalion suffered heavy casualties. 30th April, just one hour before being relieved, the unit was shelled heavily. Had a very narrow escape, five men killed next to him and two wounded.

    After being in and out of hospital with a skin disease, he returned to Northumberland Fusiliers. 5th July left for front lines at Peronne. 8th July went to front for four days. Said it was ‘very hot’ with no let up at all. Went over the top just East of Hardecourt. Captured 600 yards of enemy trench.

    7th October deployed to Ypres. 16th October was sent to Ypres front line (Passchendaele). Night of 16th October was hit with shrapnel in both legs and right arm. Sent to Number 2 Canadian General Hospital, had three operations and left leg was amputated just above knee. Left for England, or in his words, ‘Back to Blighty.’

    Overview

  • - Trained with Royal Fusiliers
  • - Fought for Durham Light Infantry at Albert and Contalmaison (The Somme).
  • - Fought for Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish) at: Armentiers, Arras, Peronne, Hardecourt and Ypres. (Passchendaele).

    War Reminiscences

  • “Enough of War”
  • “I realized how close God always is to us, one always feels a little reserved about one’s own experience, suffering and hardships. Never boast. And your never alone in trouble.”

    Main Reminiscences

  • - Laying alone in no-man’s land.
  • - Crossing channel for third time in a paddleboat when he encountered a mine. Suffered worst sea-sickness but said, “Navy, good work.”
  • - Etaples, never ending stream of men.
  • - Doing gas guard.

    His Lucky and Unlucky Fridays

  • - Born on Good Friday April 3rd 1896.
  • - Sworn into the army Friday November 19th 1915.
  • - Left England for France Friday July 14th 1916.
  • - Wounded at Contalmaison Friday August 4th 1916
  • - Home on sick furlough Friday October 1916.
  • - Left leg amputated Friday November 12th 1917.

    Peter Atkinson




  • 988

    Thomas Armstrong Royal Artillery

    <p>Thomas Armstrong

    My grandad Thomas Armstrong from Kibblesworth Newcastle upon Tyne (on the right in photo) served in the Royal Artillery during the 1914-18 war. I don't know much else about his army time, but believe this photo was taken in France. He survived the war and worked in the pits for several years, then moved to Gateshead to run a pub.

    Mark Armstrong




    987

    Fred Eley 76th Overseas Battalion

    Fred Eley (on the census as Ely, on other paper work as Healy, or Healey). He mentions on his attestation sheet when he signed up for the 76th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, that he had been in the 6th North Staffordshires for 8 years. He was born in Bingley in Yorkshire in 1886.

    Can you help or point me in the right direction? Fred Eley is my gran's brother.

    Kevin Rayson




    986

    Fred Eley 76th Overseas Battalion

    Fred Eley (on the census as Ely, on other paper work as Healy, or Healey). He mentions on a attestation sheet when he signed up for the 76th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, that he had been in the 6th North Staffordshires for 8 years. He was born in Bingley in Yorkshire in 1886.

    Can you help or point me in the right direction? Fred Eley is my gran's brother.

    Kevin Rayson




    985

    Edward Alfred Gaydon 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corp

    <p>

    My great grandfather, Edward Alfred Gaydon, was in the 8th battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

    Mark Harmon




    984

    Pte. George W. Spence 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers (d.7th June 1917)

    George Spence lost his life on the 7th of June 1917, he is buried at Irish House Cemetery near Wijschate.

    Robert Spence




    983

    Private Frederick Arthur Hopps 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.2nd September 1918)

    Frederick Hopps was compulsorily transferred from Army Service Corps to 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers mid January 1918 and was killed in action 2nd September same year. Grave at Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery (near Ypres) - Grave reference IV.G.17. At rest with about 20 (actually 21 others) comrades from the same battalion who died on the same day. R.I.P. He was the son of Mrs. A. E. Hopps and was aged 24 when he was killed. The others who died that day are: BOYLEN J 41678 7TH BN CROWTHER H 41905 1ST BN DOORIS T 26917 1ST BN HARDY C J 49978 1ST BN HEATH G D 49993 1ST BN HEATHMAN H 50019 1ST BN HOLLAND H 49811 1ST BN HOPPS FA 41860 1ST BN HYLAND J 11056 1ST BN JAGGER E 41882 1ST BN JONES WJ 49911 1ST BN KOSZEGI F 29616 1ST BN LEAH J 23478 1ST BN LINNEY E H 41811 1ST BN MCGEEHAN N 40134 1ST BN MONTGOMERY S 2482 1ST BN O'CONNOR H 6964 1ST BN PARFITT F E 50018 1ST BN PARTINGTON M R 49980 1ST BN SHERIDAN P 23754 1ST BN

    Liz.Lithgow




    982

    Ordinary Seaman Peter James Lambell HMS Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    <p>Peter Lambell

    My great uncle, Ordinary Seaman Peter Lambell, went to HMS Ganges when he was 16. He served on HMS Donegal, Vivid and Magnificent and on 2nd April 1913 went to HMS Amphion. He died on his 18th birthday, the 6th of August 1914. He was the son of Peter James and Mary Lambell, of 6 Back Lane, Woolwich, London.

    Dierdre Tennant




    979

    Pte. William Joseph David Hynes A Coy 37th Btn. (d.8th Jun 1917)

    William Hynes served with the 37th Battalion, he had enlisted in Melbourne in March 1916 giving his name as William Wilson. William embarked from Melbourne onboard HMAT Persic on the 3rd of June 1916. Whilst at Larkhill Camp in England he signed a statuary declaration on the 16th of September 1916 declaring his true name. He lost his life on the 8th of June 1917 and was laid to rest in the Bethleen Farm West Cemetery.





    975

    Pte. Francis William Cooper 33rd Btn. (d.11th July 1917)

    Francis Cooper lost his life during the Battle of Messines and is buried at Bethleem Farm West Cemetery. He was 24 years old, son of John and Elizabeth Cooper, of 33, Worthington Rd., North Kensington, London, England.





    974

    Pte. Frederick George Chadwick 42nd Btn. (d.9th Jun 1917)

    Frederick Chadwick lost his life during the Battle of Messines and is buried at the Bethleem Farm West Cemetery. He was 22 years old and the son of William John and Mary Chadwick, of 43, Blackstone Rd., London Fields, Hackney, London, England.





    956

    Lt Harry Rowland Thelwell 3rd Btn. West Yorkshire Regt (d.8th July 1916)

    Lt Harry Thelwell, 3rd Bt, (att 2nd) Duke of Wellington's West Riding Rgt, died of wounds on July 8th 1916. When war broke out Lt Thelwell joined the Queen Victoria Rifles in which regiment he had already served for four years and went to France on October 1914. he took part in the attack on Hill 60 following which he was given a commission in the Duke of Wellington Rgt and was sent to France where he received his second star. He was the only son of Mrs Thelwell and the late Mr George Thelwell of Commercial Street, Leeds. He was 23 years of age and was educated at St Cuthbert's College, Worksop.





    954

    Lance Sjt. William Watson 10th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers

    William Watson was my husband's father who had a very colourful war. He enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers his Reg No was 19837, he was in the 10th Northumberland Fusiliers he became a L/Sgt. The principle actions he took part in were:

    1916 Battles of the Somme - Battle of Albert 4 - 11th July - Capture of Contalmaison 10th July - Battle of Pozieres Ridge 26th July - 8th Aug - Battle of Flers Courcelette 19 - 22 Sep - Battle of Morval 25 28 Sep - Battle of Transloy Ridges 1 - 9th Oct - Capture of Le Sars 7th Oct

    1917 Battle of Messines 7 - 14th July - Battles of Ypres - Battle of Menin Road Ridge 20 - 24th Sep - Battle of Polygon Wood Sep 2nd Oct - First Battle of Passchendaeles 12th Oct

    He was wounded three times but only one wound recorded in Regimental magazine dated April 1917 I'm not sure which battle he received his wound.

    I have a blank space before he turns up again in the Royal Flying Corps his number is 319479. He was Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant 4th July 1919. Any information to fill in my blanks would be greatly appreciated

    Carol Watson




    952

    Pte. George Harold Parker D Coy. 33rd Btn.

    George Parker was a 19 year old labourer from Saudon, Armidale NSW when he enlisted in the 11/13th Btn AIF in August 1915. He was discharged as medically unfit on the 13th of September 1915 due a medical problem with his knees and he re-enlisted on the 5th of January 1916 with the 33rd Btn, stating that his occupation as Miner and that had not previously served. Whilst training at Larkhill in England he was fined 1 days pay and given 14 days field punishment no 2 by Lt Coll Morshead, for being absent without leave from midnight 11th Nov 1916 to 5pm the following day. He proceeded to France with the Battlion and was admitted to hospital, sick on the 28th of Feb 1917 and rejoined the 33rd on the 3rd of March. On the 10th of July 1917 he was given 14 days No 2 field punishment for being absent from his billet without a pass after 9pm. He was admitted to hospital again having been wounded in the back on the 25th of July and rejoined the 33rd on the 6th of August.

    On the 12th of Oct 1917 George was wounded in action in the left arm, right leg and left thigh and invalided to England where he was admitted to the 4th Northern General Hospital in Lincoln, he returned to Australia in March 1918 aboard HMAT Field Marshall and was discharged for medical unfitness. Whilst in hospital in Lincoln he was fined 2 days pay for being AWL from 5pm until 8pm on the 13th Jan 18 and "breaking into the hospital"





    950

    Pte. John Ahern D Coy. 33rd Btn.

    John Ahern was a red haired labourer from Walcha, he was 27 years old when he enlisted. Whilst training at Larkhill Camp he was recorded as absent without leave from midnight 24th Oct 1916 until 4.5pm the following day and was fined fined 1 days pay and given 14 days field punishment no 2 by Lt Coll Morshead. In France John was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 14th of November but he lost his stripe on the 6th of May 1917 being found absent from billets after 9pm the previous evening. John saw action in the Battle of Messines and received a severe gunshot wound to the left shoulder on the 10th of June. He was evacuated to England from Boulogne on the Hospital Ship St Patrick and was admitted to the County of Middlesex war hospital on the 13th. He returned to Australia in September on board the Ulysses, was treated at No 4 Australian General Hospital, Randwick and was later discharged.





    948

    Pte. William John Galvin D Coy. 33rd Btn.

    William Galvin saw action with the 33rd Battalion at the Battle of Messines in June 1917. He was wounded in action and treated at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in England in October 1917. William also served during the second world war.





    947

    L/Cpl. Harold Henry Partridge D Coy. 33rd Btn.

    Harold Henry Partridge, known as Henry was a farmer from Niangala, NSW, he enlisted in January 1916 when he was aged 25 and went abroad with the 33rd Btn AIF. He saw action at the Battle of Messines in June 1917, was promoted to Lance Corporal in the field on the 31st August and on the 2nd of October was wounded in action and invalided to England aboard the hospital ship St Denis. He was admitted to Boscombe Hospital in Hampshire with a severe wound to his upper jaw. He returned to Australia on the 7th of March 1918 on board HMAT Port Darwin.





    946

    Capt. James William Shreeve 33rd Btn.

    James Shreeve was a professional soldier who had seen action during the Boer War, when he volunteered for overseas service he was working as a staff sergeant instructor, he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the 33rd Battalion on the 23rd of February 1916. He was 36 years old and married with two children.

    James was promoted to Captain on the 19th of December 1916 whilst in France and was seconded to be Adjutant of the 3rd Division School on the 23rd of February 1917. He rejoined the 33rd Btn on the 1st of June 1917 and was wounded during the Battle of Messines on the 10th of June. He was admitted to the 14th General Hospital on the 11th with a gun shot wound to his left foot By the 17th of July he was discharged from the base depot at Wimereux. He marched out to the front and rejoined his unit on the 21st of July. For two weeks in August he was detailed as an infantry instructor at Le Harve then returned to his unit

    James was wounded in action for a second time on he 18th Oct 1917, a gun shot wound to his abdomen, was treated at the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station and was then admitted to the 8th General Hospital in Rouen then transferred to the 3rd London General Hospital where he remained until the 20th of December when he joined the Overseas Training Brigade at Wandsworth. On the 8th of January he returned to France departing from Southampton, and joined 9th Brigade HQ. He rejoined the 33rd Btn and was wounded for a third time in action on the 31st of March 1918, this time a gun shot wound which resulted in a compound fracture of his left thigh, he was treated at the 41st Casualty Clearing Station and evacuated to No 2 British Red Cross Hospital in Rouen then to the 3rd General Hospital in London. James returned to Australia on board HMAS Kanowra arriving at Melboure on the 7th of March 1919, his appointment was terminated on the 27th of August 1920.





    945

    Pte. James Hubert Cameron D Coy. 33rd Btn.

    James Cameron enlisted in January 1916, he was a 23year old Devinty Student. He saw action in the Battle of Messines and was wounded in action in the left leg on the 28th of July 1917, he was transported back to England and admitted to the City of London Military Hospital. He returned to Australia in November 1917 on board HMAT Karoola and was discharged from the army on the 12th of July 1918 due to his injuries.





    944

    Pte. Neil Nilsson D Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.8th Jun 1917)

    Neil Nilsson was born in Ystad Sweden, he came to Australia and was working as labourer in Tanworth when he enlisted. He lost his life in the Battle of Messines and has no known grave, he was 36 years old.





    943

    Pte. Edwin Charles Wilson A Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Edwin Wilson was born in Bingara NSW, he enlisted aged 29 when he was working as a labourer in Moree. He trained as a lewis gunner and lost his life during the Battle of Messines. Edwin is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    942

    Pte. Samuel Taylor Robertson D Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Samuel Robertson was a Miner from Stannifer, New South Wales. He was killed by a sniper on the front line during the attack on Messines Ridge, Ploegsteert on the 7th of June 1917, Samuel was 30 years old.





    941

    Pte. Kenneth McRae D Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Kenneth McRae was a grazier from Wongurbinda. He enlisted aged 32 and lost his life the following year on the 7th of June 1917 in the Battle of Messines. He was reported to have been buried at Dead Horse Corner in Ploegsteert Wood but his grave was lost and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    940

    Pte. Alexander McDonald A Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Alexander McDonald was born in Coonabarabran NSW, he enlisted aged 26 and had been working as a labourer. He was married and lived in Cowper Street, Tenterfield. He was killed during the Battle of Messines and is listed amongst the missing, having been buried near St Yves on the 18th of June, his grave subsequently being lost.





    939

    Cpl. Joseph Cyril Lennon D Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Joseph Lennon was a Miner from Emmaville, New South Wales. He was killed on the 7th of June 1917 and has no known grave.





    938

    Pte. James Archibald Lennard D Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    James Lennard was born in Nullamanna NSW, he enlisted aged 21 and had been working as a labourer in Nullamanna NSW. He lost his life in the Battle of Messines and has no known grave.





    937

    Pte. John William Lambert D Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    John Lambert was born in Sheffield, England and came to Australia when he was 23. He was married and was working in Manufacturing in Perth when he enlisted. He was killed on the 7th of June 1917 during the Battle of Messines and is listed amongst the missing on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    936

    Pte. Thomas Evan Hyde A Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Thomas Hyde was a farmer from Barraba, New South Wales, he enlisted aged 23 and lost his life in the Battle of Messines. He was buried near Ploegsteert Wood but the exact location of his grave was lost and he is commemorated amongst the missing on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    935

    Pte. Thomas William Holloway A Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Thomas Holloway was a Labourer from Uralla, New South Wales, he was killed on the 7th of June 1917 and has no known grave.





    934

    Pte. Abraham Norman Holloway D Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jul 1917)

    Abraham Holloway was a farmer from Bald Nob, Kellys Plains, Armidale, New South Wales, he was killed in action on the 7th of June 1917 and is one of the missing commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    933

    Pte. Charles Archibald Harris D Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jul 1917)

    Charles Harris was born in Bourke, New South Wales, he worked as a labourer before enlisting. He lost his life on the 7th of June 1917 the first day of the Battle of Messines, he was aged 25 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    932

    Pte. Dennis Bernard Day 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Dennis Day was born in Narrabi and worked as a farmer in Manilla, New South Wales. He was 22 years old when he enlisted and he was killed in action on the 7th of June 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    931

    Pte. Ernest John Coles 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Ernest Coles was born in York, Western Australia and attended Mundigong State School, he worked as a farm hand at Blackboy Hill and enlisted aged 22. Ernest was killed in action during the attack on the first day of the Battle of Messines and has no known grave. His name is listed amongst the missing on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    930

    Pte. Leslie Ernest Church A Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Leslie Church was a plumber from Ross Hill, Inverell, New South Wales, he was 35 years old when he enlisted and was married. He was killed during the Battle of Messines, being buried by members of his own company near Dead Horse Corner in Ploegsteert Wood. The exact position of his grave was lost and he is commemorated amongst the missing on the Menin Gate in Ypres.





    929

    Pte. John Ernest Chapman 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    John Chapman was a 36year old Miner working at Bismuth Mine, Torrington, New South Wales when he enlisted in March 1916. he was killed in action on the 7th of June 1917 during the Battle of Messines. He has no known grave.





    928

    Pte. Percy Clarence Cant A Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Percy Cant was a Miner born in Bingara, New South Wales, he enlisted aged 20 in January 1915. He was killed on the 7th of June 1917 in the Battle of Messines and has no known grave.





    927

    Pte. Wilfred John Bucknell D Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Wilfred Bucknell was born in Chelmsford, Essex, England and attended Maldon Grammar School in Essex. He arrived in Australia with his family in 1910 at the age of 17 and became a farmer at Spring Vale, Nullamanna, Inverell, New South Wales. He was killed in action on the 7th of June 1917 during the first attack of the Battle of Messines. He was 24 years old and has known grave.





    926

    Pte. Robert William Bowden 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Robert Bowden enlisted aged 19, he was a Labourer from New South Wales and had attended Yarrowitch Public School. He was killed in action near Plugstreet Wood during the Battle of Messines on the 7th of June 1917, he was then 20 years old and has no known grave.





    925

    Pte. Reginald Bartley B Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    Reginald Bartley was a 19 year old Farm Labourer from Howell, New South Wales. He was killed in action near Plugstreet Wood during the attack on the 7th June 1917, he has no known grave.





    924

    William Henry Bacon D Coy. 33rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    William Bacon was killed during the attack in no-man’s-land in front of Plugstreet Wood on 7th June 1917. He has no known grave.





    876

    Lieutenant Corporal Thomas McDermott 10th/11th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.29th March 1917)

    I am researching about my grandfather Lieutenant-Corporal Thomas McDermott.He was a member of the 10th and 11th Highland Light Infantry Battalion and was killed in Arras on 29th March 1917.His name is inscribed on the Arras memorial.My grandfathers parents were Thomas and Mary Anne McDermott and his wife Jane Malone McDermott. If anyone has any information I would be glad to hear from them.

    John Keely




    874

    L/Cpl Thomas McDermott 10th/11th Bn Highland Light Infantry (d.29th March 1917)

    I am researching my grandfather L/Cpl Thomas McDermott. He was a member of the 10th/11th Bn Highland Light Infantry killed at Arras on 29th March 1917. His name is inscribed on the Arras Memorial. His parents were Thomas and Mary Ann McDermott and his wife was Jane Malone McDermott. If anyone has any information I would be glad to hear from them.

    John Keely




    873

    John Thurgood Yorkshire Regiment

    My grandfather John Thurgood, known as Jack, served in the Yorkshire Regt. I believe he made a good friend in Capt. Nicholson. It was thought that he had died in action. However he returned home 6 months later saying he had been on official business elsewhere with Capt. Nicholson at the time his regt. had gone forward. If you have any information regarding my grandfather (or stories of his regt.) please contact me.

    Bev Garland




    872

    Arthur Aspinall 13th Btn. Cheshire Rgt

    My Father, Arthur Aspinall, joined the Cheshires in 1916 in the Bantam section. His Brother George Went in 1914...During the last Months of the War my father actually passed by him my Father coming "off" his brother going into the fray... He never saw him again. He heard that George had died of wounds. My Father Arthur Aspinall suffered during a gas attack and until he died he suffered nose bleeds and severe headaches. The surgeons operated on him and found a massive tumour

    I would be so pleased if I could obtain a photo of Dad and especially one of my dear Uncle George who gave his life... I feel quite sad now...I am 81 yrs young going blind, but looking forward to seeing them together at last

    Arthur Aspinall




    870

    L/Cpl Thomas McDermott 10th/11th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (d.29th March 1917)

    I am researching my grandfather, L/Cpl Thomas McDermott. He was a member of the 10th/11th Bn Highland Light Infantry and was killed at Arras on 29th March 1917; his name is inscribed on the Arras Memorial. His parents were Thomas and Mary Ann McDermott and his wife Jane Malone McDermott.

    If anyone has any information I would be glad to hear from them.

    John Keely




    869

    Edward Roderick MacIntosh Royal Edmonton Rifles

    My paternal Grandfather, Edward Roderick MacIntosh served with the Royal Edmonton Rifles, C.E.F. and survived WW1.

    Lynda Pollitt




    868

    Chester Hazen Middlemiss Military Medal Fighting 25th New Brunswick Regiment

    My maternal grandfather Chester Hazen Middlemiss served with the Fighting 25th, New Brunswick Regiment, C.E.F. and won the Military Medal for bravery at the Battle for Arras. He survived WW1.

    Lynda Pollitt




    867

    Daniel Overfield 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.1st July 1916)

    Daniel Overfield from Lilac Road, Eaglescliffe Junction, Co. Durham served with the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He was killed on the 1st of July 1916 and was buried in Gordon Dump cemetery Ovillers-laboisselle. He was 27 year old.

    W. G. Stacey




    866

    Rifleman William James Summers 17th Battalion (d.4th July 1916)

    I have a photograph of a family grave at Manor Park which lists two brothers who died in the Great War, but one of them, William James Summers is not listed on the CWGC debt of honour. I know this is not at all unusual and there is an organisation devoted to adding the names of those missing, but I'd rather like to check the records of The KRRC to see if he enlisted under this name. He served with the 17th Battalion and died at Festubert on July 4th, I think, 1916 aged 26. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might check this out further?.

    Geoff Gillon




    864

    Lieutenant Corporal Samuel Riley Military Medal 18th Division 80th Field Company Royal Engineers

    My father, Samuel Riley was awarded his M. M. at Thiepval on the 26th of September 1916 for "Gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field" by Major General F. J. Maxse, Commanding Officer 18th Division at the battle of Thiepval. My Father was a L/Cpl. in the 80th Field Company Royal Engineers. He died some years ago and I have his medals. Like most of his colleagues he would not talk about his experiences. I would very much like to find out the reason for the award of his medal. Can anyone help?.

    Christopher Riley




    863

    William Gordon Luke Military Medal Drake Battalion Royal Naval Division

    William Gordon Luke served with the Drake Battalion. I believe he received the Military Medal, but do not know the reasons why. I would be grateful for any further information.

    Rose Mayoh




    860

    Harry Simmonds HMHS Neuralia



    This is a letter from my great uncle Harry Simmonds to his brother Charles, written whilst he was onboard HMHS Neuralia in the Med.

    Spencer Dearing




    859

    Dvr. Charles Simmonds 271 Bde. A Bty Royal Field Artillery

    <p>

    This is a picture of my great uncle Charles Simmonds taken in 1915, when he was 20 years of age. He was a driver in the The 54th (East Anglian) Division.

    The Divisional Artillery remained in England when the Division moved to Gallipoli. It moved independently to France in November 1915 coming under the command of 33rd Division. Officers and men were attached to the Divisional Artillery of the 2nd, 7th and 12th Divisions. It moved to Egypt and rejoined the Division in Egypt in February 1916.

    I don't know too much about him, other than he lived to a ripe old age.

    Spencer Dearing




    858

    Spr. Ball Royal Engineers

    <p>Sketch in an autograph book by Spr Ball

    This is a extract from an Autograph Book which at a guess belonged to a nurse who treated wounded soldiers in various hospitals in the UK between 1913 and 1917. My Mother rescued the book which was about to be thrown away with the rubbish in 1968.

    Sapper Ball served with the Royal Engineers, unfortunately we don't know who "Darky" is.

    Pat Lawlor




    857

    H. Wilkinson 9th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>Poem written in an autograph book by H Wilkinson


    This is a extract from an Autograph Book which at a guess belonged to a nurse who treated wounded soldiers in various hospitals in the UK between 1913 and 1917. My Mother rescued the book which was about to be thrown away with the rubbish in 1968.

    H Wilkinson served with the 9th Northumberland Fusiliers and was treated in the Acute Hospital at Alnwick in July 1917.

    Pat Lawlor




    856

    Cpl. Robert Kinghorn 2nd Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    <p>Poem written in an autograph book by Robert Kinghorn


    This is a extract from an Autograph Book which at a guess belonged to a nurse who treated wounded soldiers in various hospitals in the UK between 1913 and 1917. My Mother rescued the book which was about to be thrown away with the rubbish in 1968.

    Robert Kinghorn served with the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He must have recovered from his injuries as his medal card shows him as Lance Corporal and later a Lance Sergeant with the Royal Highlanders.

    Pat Lawlor




    855

    Pte. Thomas Frain 25th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

    <p>Thomas Frain 2nd Tyneside Irish.

    This is a extract from an Autograph Book which at a guess belonged to a nurse who treated wounded soldiers in various hospitals in the UK between 1913 and 1917. My Mother rescued the book which was about to be thrown away with the rubbish in 1968.

    Thomas Frain served with the 2nd Tyneside Irish, 25th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers. He signed this autograph book whilst he was being treated at the Acute Hospital Alnwick on the 13th July 1917.

    Pat Lawlor




    854

    J. F. L. Ward 27th Battalion

    <p>

    This is a extract from an Autograph Book which at a guess belonged to a nurse who treated wounded soldiers in various hospitals in the UK between 1913 and 1917. My Mother rescued the book which was about to be thrown away with the rubbish in 1968.

    Pat Lawlor




    853

    Thomas Lee West Yorkshire Regt

    <p>Thomas Lee, West Yorkshire Rgt

    This is a postcard I have from my mother of my paternal grandfather, Thomas Lee.

    Thomas Lee was my maternal grandfather who I believe was gassed and as a consequence died soon after the war. My mother's birth certificate (January 1915) shows his regiment as the West Yorks and his number as 112 47. Apparently my paternal grandmother died soon after giving birth to my mother (Jane Louvain Lee) 11th Dec 1914 - named for Louvain (Leuven) in Belgium, I assume owing to the German atrocity there in August 1914. Coincidently, my former mother-in-law, born in 1914, also had that middle name. Thomas Lee, a miner, died soon after, I believe due to the effects of gas poisoning. The address on the card is that of my mother's grandparents, with whom she lived. The date on the postcard looks like June 17th 1917.At the moment I'm still trying to track down the date of Thomas' marriage to Jane Ann Murray so I can get the marriage certificate with the info on that of ages which could lead me to birth dates, etc. Jane Ann Lee (nee Murray) died about March 1915, but I don't yet know the dates of Thomas Lee's death, but my mother told me in the past it was soon after he returned to the mines after the war.

    John Nealon




    851

    2nd Class Stoker William John Knight HMS Amphion (d.6th August 1914)

    My great uncle K/21305 William John Knight, 2nd class stoker served and died aboard HMS Amphion. He was from Forder, St. Stephen's, Saltash and was 20 years old.

    David Knight




    850

    Edgar Simms 7th Service Battalion Yorks and Lancs Regiment (Pioneers)

    My grandfather, Edgar Simms, served with the 7th Service Battalion Yorks and Lancs Regiment (Pioneers) from 1915-1917. He did survive the war, but 44 of his pals in A company did not return. My husband and I have found the final resting place of those who have known graves and in September we are returning to the Somme area to place poppy crosses on all of the graves in the area. Next year, we shall visit Belgium and place the rest of the crosses on the graves in the Passchendaele area and the final crosses at the Menin Gate during the 90th anniversary of that battle. If anyone has family members with graves in either area we will be more than happy to visit the graves and place a poppy for them.

    Joan Clark




    839

    Petty Offcr. Charles Jennings HMS Minotaur

    <p>Charles Jennings, Naval Record

    In 1901, Charles Jennings was living in Alderney with his family, on the night of the 31st March, 1901, according to the Channel Island census which was done that night. He was aged 16 years. In the same year Charles Jennings started his naval training on the 9th August 1901. The first training ship Charles started his navy training with, was the Boscawen, the second training ship is unreadable on his service record. The third training ship was Minotaur. On the 7th February 1903 Charles began his 12 years service which he signed up for. Charles remained on HMS Minotaur Charles as an ordinary seaman.

    The Duke of Wellington was launched in 1852, and was the flagship of Sir Charles Napier, manning one hundred and thirty one guns. She served in the Portsmouth Dockyard Reserve as a depot ship and was finally sold in 1904. From 8th march 1903 to 15th June 1903 Charles was on HMS Duke of Wellington. From 16th June 1905 to 22nd April 1905, Charles was on HMS Leviathan. Charles went from ordinary seaman to able seaman on the 1st January 1905. From 23rd April 1905 to 9th September 1905, Charles was on HMS Brilliant. From 10th September 1905 to 19th September 1905, he was on HMS Victory I. From 20th September 1905 to 3rd February 1908 Charles was on HMS Jupiter. HMS Jupiter which was a Royal Naval battleship of the Majestic Class. She joined the Commissioned Reserve at Portsmouth in August 1905 and became part of the Home Fleet in 1908.

    From 4th February 1908 to 12th February1908, he served on Victory I and from 13th February 1908 to 5th September 1908, on Mercury. The Mercury was built at Pembroke dockyard. Laid down 16th March 1876, Launched 18th April 1878, commissioned into the Royal Navy September 1879. Became a submarine tender in 1905 and between 1914-18, served as a hulk at Chatham, finally sold and scrapped in 1919. Charles served on Excellent from 6th September 1908 to 21 November 1908. Excellent was originally built as the Queen Charlotte at Deptford Dockyard in May 1810 and was a 1st rate ship of the line, 190 feet [57.9 mts.] long by 53 1/2 feet [16.3 mts.] wide. In December 1859, the Queen Charlotte was renamed Excellent when she took over the function from the original Excellent of being the Royal Navy's gunnery training ship, permanently moored in Portsmouth.

    Until the establishment of Excellent the Royal Navy did not have any formal system of teaching gunners on its ships the science of gunnery and much was left to individual captains to train their own gun crews. The men who came to Excellent were to be taught: the names of the different parts of a gun and carriage, the disport in terms of lineal magnitude and in degrees how taken, what constitutes point blank and what line of metal range, wind age - the errors and the loss of force attending it, the importance of preserving shot from rust, the theory of the most material effects of different charges of powder applied to practice with a single shot, also with a plurality of balls, showing how these affect accuracy, penetration and splinters, to judge the condition of gunpowder by inspection, to ascertain its quality by the ordinary tests and trials, as well as by actual proof."

    Charles served on Victory I from 22nd November 1908 to 20th April 1909 and from 21st April 1909 to 8th May 1910 was on HMS Forte. It is thought that the wreck of a ship of the line near the wreck of the "Princess Irene" is "HMS Forte" a captured French Frigate that was called "La Forte" and renamed in to the Royal Navy. Towards the end of the ninetieth century the frigate was reduced to a coal hulk at Sheerness and was alongside the "Princess Irene" when she blew up. A replica figurehead of "Forte" stands in the Broadway Sheerness and the wreck has recently been moved to within a quarter of a mile of Burntwick Island and is marked by an isolated danger buoy. On the 9th May 1910 it says leave breaking, Charles returned on the 24th May 1910 and there are two further dates (1) from 25th may 1910 to 1st November 1910 and (2) from 9th November to 11th April 1911 but ditto marks under the same ships name HMS Forte. From 12th April 1911 to 7th May 1911 Charles was on HMS Vindictive. From 8th May 1911 to 9th June 1911, he served on Victory I and from 10th June 1911, on HMS Imperious with no to date but it says in the service record P26575/21. Then he returned to the Imperious again but as leading seaman, from 20th February, 1912 to 17th April,1912. The HMS Imperious, Royal Navy armoured cruiser was built at Portsmouth Dockyard and launched on 18th December 1883. She served as flagship to the China Station 1889-1894 and moved to the Pacific Station 1896 -1899. She became a destroyer depot ship at Portland in 1905 and was renamed HMS Sapphire but reverted to HMS Imperious again in 1909. She was finally scrapped on 24th September 1914.

    From 18th April, 1912 to 24th March 1912, Charles is on HMS Spartiate and from 25th March 1912, he served on HMS Minotaur as a leading seaman. HMS Minotaur served at the China Station between 1910 and 1914 when Charles was serving on it. The war happened because of the following incident.

    On June 28, 1914 a Serbian terrorist named Gavrilo Principe, assassinated Archduke Francis Ferdinand. The Archduke's assassination triggered the outbreak of World War 1. On July 28, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Because of Austria-Hungary's alliance with Germany, Serbia sought help from Russia. In 1914 Russia vowed to stand behind Serbia, but first Russia gained support from France. Germany declared war on Russia on Aug. 1, 1914, in response to Russia’s mobilization. Two days later Germany declared war on France. The German Army swept into Belgium on its way to France. The invasion of Belgium caused Britain to declare war on Germany on Aug. 4 1914. After the outbreak of world war one, HMS Minotaur escorted Australian troop ships during November 1914. She returned back to Britain for a refit in December 1914.

    Charles’ service with the navy should have been completed on 7th February 1915 but he reenlisted and remained on HMS Minotaur from 1st September to 1915 to 29th January1919 as a Petty Officer.

    From 30th January 1919 to 12th July 1919 he served on HMS Cumberland as a PO. HMS Cumberland was a 9800 ton armoured cruiser launched in 1902. She was re-commissioned in 1917 and was used to escort Transatlantic convoys from Nova Scotia and New York to the United Kingdom, a duty which occupied her until the end of the First World War. Built London and Glasgow, Glasgow, laid down February 1901, completed December 1904. 5th Cruiser Squadron Atlantic September 1914 Cameroons, captured 10 German merchant ships. January 1915 6th Cruiser Squadron Grand Fleet. 1915 West Indies and North America Station. In 1921 she was sold and from 6th March 1920 to 15th September 1921 he was on HMS Antrim as Petty Officer.

    HMS Antrim started her service with the 1st Cruiser Squadron in the Channel Fleet but moved to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron in March 1907. In September the next year, HMS Antrim joined the Atlantic Fleet and then served with the Home Fleet in the 3rd Division at Nore in April 1909. In December 1912 she became flagship to the Rear-Admiral in the 3rd Cruiser Squadron before joining The Grand Fleet in August 1914 and capturing a German merchant ship that same month. She survived a u-boat attack on 9th October and two years later in June she was sent to Archangel before being sent to the American and West Indies Station. HMS Antrim was put into reserve at the Nore in 1919, but was refitted as a wireless and Asdic trials ship and recommissioned in March 1920. She was then used as a Cadet Training Ship in 1922 before being sold for breaking in December 1922.

    From the 16th September 1921 to 15th July 1922, Charles was on HMS Renown as PO HMS Renown served with the Grand Fleet in the North Sea during the remaining two years of World War I. In 1920-21, following a refit, she carried the Prince of Wales on a voyage to Australia and America. Sold for Scrap 1948. From 16th July 1922 to 3rd January 1923, Charles was on HMS Victory I as PO. From 4th January 1923 to 21st November 1923 Charles was on board HMS Barham as a PO until 22nd November 1923 when he became a CPO until 12th May 1924. She was commissioned on 25th August 1915. With a weight of 27,500 tons and planned with a top speed of 25 knots. She served in The Grand Fleet during WWI, and at The Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916 was flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir Hugh Evan-Thomas, commanding the Fifth Battle Squadron. In the battle she received six hits and fired 337 15-Inch rounds. In 1916, two of Barhams 6" guns were removed and two 3"/20 Mk I guns added. At Jutland she fired 337 shells and took 5 hits in return. In 1918 she was given aircraft platforms on B and X turrets. From 1920 to 1924 she was part of the Atlantic Fleet, and by 1926 the 3" guns were removed and replaced by four 4" Mk V AA guns she was Torpedoed and sunk on the 25 November 1941 From the 13th May 1924 to 10th June 1924, Charles was back on HMS Victory as CPO. From the 11th June 1924 to 11th March 1925, he was on his last ship. It is very difficult to read the hand writing it looks like HMS Vernon.

    Paulette Burgess




    838

    Boy 1st Class Thomas Cripps HMS Malaya (d.31st May 1916)

    Thomas Cripps was just 16 years old when he lost his life on board HMS Malaya.





    837

    Ord. Seaman John William Floyd HMS Malaya

    <p>

    This is a photo of my father John William Floyd taken on the HMS Malaya in World War 1. On the original photo you can see HMS Malaya on the hat band of the sailor back row centre. My father born 1897 served as o/s on the Malaya from 28th January 1916 till 15th March 1917. Can anyone give me any info on the photo?

    Peter Floyd




    835

    Charles H. Watts HMS Fearless

    <p>This photo is one of my Great Uncle, Charles Watts in WWI

    My Great Uncle Charles Watts served on HMS Fearless. I don't know my Great Uncle Charles' story so if anyone can fill me in, from seeing this picture, I'd be grateful.

    Jennifer Heward




    833

    Stoker 1st Class Frederick William Pound HMS Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    Frederick Pound was only 18 years old when he lost his life on HMS Amphion.





    832

    Staff Paymaster Joseph Theodore Gedge HMS Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    Staff Paymaster J T Gedge was the first British Officer of all the fighting services to be killed in the 1914/18 war. He lost his life on the 6th of August 1914 when HMS Amphion struck a mine off the Thames Estuary.





    830

    Pte. Jerome Cann (d.6th Aug 1914)

    Pte Jerome Cann of the Royal Marine Light Infantry lost his life on the 6th of August 1914 when HMS Amphion was sunk. He was 17 years old and came from Trevena, Tintagel, Cornwall.





    829

    Capt. Cecil H. Fox HMS Amphion

    <p>Captain Cecil H Fox of HMS Amphion

    The official press bureau on Wednesday afternoon issued the following:-

    3.30pm - at 9am on August 5th, HMS Amphion with the 3rd flotilla proceeded to carry out a certain pre-arranged plan of search and about an hour later a trawler informed them that she had seen a suspicious ship 'throwing things overboard' in an indicated position. Shortly afterwards the mine layer Konigen Luise was sighted steering east. Four destroyers gave chase and in about an hour's time she was rounded up and sunk. After picking up survivors the search continued without incident till 3.30am when the Amphion was on the return course.

    At 6.30 am Amphion struck a mine. A sheet of flame instantly enveloped the bridge which rendered the Captain insensible and he fell on the fore and aft bridge. As soon as he recovered consciouness he ran to the engine room to stop the engines, which were still going at revolutions for 20 knots. As all the forepart was on fire, it proved impossible to reach the bridge or to flood the fore magazine. The ship's back appeared to be broken and she was already settling by the bows.

    All efforts were therefore directed to placing the wounded in a place of safety in case of explosion and towards getting her a tow by the stern. By the time destroyers closed in it was clearly time to abandon ship. The men fell in with composure and 20 minutes after the mine struck, the men, officers and captain left their ship.

    Three minutes later it exploded. Debris falling from a great height struck the rescue boats, destroyers and one of the Amphion's shells burst on the deck of one of the latter killing two of the men and a German prisoner rescured from the cruiser. After 15 minutes the Amphion had disappeared.

    Captain Fox speaks in the highest terms of the behaviour of the men throughout.

    from the Ballymena Observer 21st August 1914





    828

    George Lovett HMS Amphion

    My mother's father George Lovett was a survivor from the sinking for HMS Amphion on the 6th of August 1914. She is now 96 years old and would dearly love any more information as to where the survivors were taken. She has some mementos of the ship as I think her father was the purser? I would be interested in any more info that you have.

    Charlotte Rathbone




    827

    Sydney Smith Royal Engineers

    Sidney Smith, serving the The Royal Engineers, he was from South Hackney, London, photographed on 21st March 1917.

    A group of Royal Engineers 7th June 1916.





    826

    Joshua Margerison Signals Royal Engineers

    <p>

    This is the story was told me by my father pictured above, I have used poetic licence in telling it, but it truly happened.

    Boots, Boots, Boots.

    Bloody boots! Thought John as he stamped his feet. They were hurting him badly where the leather had rubbed the skin from his heels. He'd tried every trick in the book to make the leather softer, including peeing in them and leaving them to soak all night, but they still hurt. He wriggled his toes and stamped his feet again. He ought not to grumble. His platoon had drawn a week behind the lines and all he had to do was make sure the colonel's horse was groomed and ready for its owner. But even on a cushy job like this his feet gave him gyp. Like a lot of the lads he was convinced that the only cure for his foot problems was to find himself a pair of decent boots, and by decent boots he meant a pair of German officer's knee boots. Some of his mates had managed to get hold of a pair and to hear them talk you would almost believe that such footwear was created by God's Holy Angels.

    He heard the colonel approaching so he put down his currycomb, straightened up, and saluted. The Officer smiled at him as he took the horse's reins.

    "You've done a good job there, Private, but it's time you were off to breakfast. I won't be needing you for the rest of the day."

    John put away the curry brush and walked quickly across to the barn, which served as mess for his platoon. He pushed open the door and was greeted by a loud shout of laughter which came from his mates who were sitting round inside. Quickly he held out his mess tin to Cookie, who slapped in a dollop of porridge and two thick slices of bread, which looked stale as usual. He longed to be home enjoying an oven bottom cake straight from his mother's oven. Army bread was always stale. He made his way to the table he raising an inquiring eyebrow to ask what the laughter was about. His expression was enough to set the men off spluttering again.

    It turned out that they were laughing at Alf, the platoon scrounger, who'd been to the nearby farm to try to beg, borrow or steal a fresh egg from the French widow woman. As he'd gone through the gate he'd noticed two of her cows were loose. Slapping the nearest one on the rump he'd attempted to drive them back into the yard, all the while yelling at the top of his voice, "Madam, la leche promenade, la leche promenade." Despite his muddled French Madam knew exactly what he meant. She'd gathered her long skirt up at the waist and yelling French swear words at the top of her voice joined in the chase. Once the cows were behind the rail the widow had shown her gratitude with a fine reward.

    "She gave him that egg there," shouted Taffy pointing to Alf's mess tin, which was smeared with the remains of an egg yolk. "Lucky bastard."

    John finished his porridge and reached for the tin of Tickler's raspberry and apple jam; a jam that owed its existence more to turnip fields than the raspberry canes. Some of the lads reckoned the pips were made from bits of wood. He chewed with a gusto, it softened the stale bread and filled the emptiness in his stomach.

    His best mate, Bert, was nattering about some German boots he'd spied as he was coming away from the trenches that morning. Bert, the company dispatch rider, had owned a market stall in civvy life, and he still kept his eyes skinned for a bargain. It was amazing what he 'found' on his errands. He spent most his time with his head down looking for something to half inch. It was a wonder he didn't crash his bike. Though to be honest you couldn't really blame him, there's nothing more enticing to a sniper than a head in the sights of his gun.

    Bert described how gob struck he'd been when a fine pair of German boots lying side by side in a rut at the edge of the track. He reckoned he'd get at least five bob for them from one of the lads. He'd balanced the bike and rushed across to grab them.

    At this point Bert's story came to a sudden halt. He reached for his mug and took a great gulp of tea.

    "Get on, with the story, lad," begged Taffy. Like all the rest he was determined that one day, he too, would own such a pair. John was busy working out whether he'd enough money to make a bid. Pay day was tomorrow, surely Bert would wait till then, after all they'd been best mates long before they left Blighty. He just hoped they'd fit him.

    Slowly Bert lowered his mug and gazed one by one at the men sitting at the table. "Don't get too excited like," he announced, " I ain't got no boots."

    A groan went up from the group.

    " But, you said you found some this morning. Where are they? Why haven't you got them? Oh, don't tell me you've sold them already?" shouted John in disgust. "Some pal you've turned out to be, you could have given me first chance at them. I thought we was mates."

    "Now hold on a minute lad," replied Bert. "I haven't finished yet. I haven't sold nothing, them boots are still where I saw them. If you're that damned keen to have them go and fetch them yourself."

    The men at the table fell silent at this remark; it wasn't like Bert to get shirty, he was usually the most placid of men. It took the Duty Sergeant's cry of, "Any complaints?" to rouse them, and for once there were no smart Alec replies.

    "Well if you've nothing to complain about you'd better get the hell out of here. You're like a lot of Chelsea Pensioners sitting around enjoying retirement. Get a shufti on or I'll arrange for some pack drill keep you busy."

    As they piled out of the barn John caught up with Bert.

    "If they didn't fit you, you could have brought them back for me. You know I've always wanted a pair."

    "Brought them back for you," echoed Bert as he kicked the dust up under his feet and looked anywhere except at his mate. "If you want the damn things lad, you can fetch them for yourself. I don't mind saying that you're welcome to them! They'll still be there, if you want them, about half a mile back down the track. I don't think they'll have walked away on their own."

    "Thanks for nothing." shouted John looking back over his shoulder. "Don't count on me for any favours in future."

    Bert's choked reply brought him to a sudden halt. "Ah, John, believe me, I'm still your mate lad, but for Christ's sake watch out. Treat them with respect. You see the poor bugger's feet and legs are still inside them!"

    Kath O'Sullivan




    825

    John Keywood Royal Horse Artillery

    My grandfather, John Keywood, was born in Dec 1895 in London. He served with The British Royal Artillery, during the Great War. We know he lied about his age in order to be allowed to join up and was in the Battle of the Somme, in the Royal Horse Artillery. Can anyone help us find any information about him?

    Kim Syder




    824

    2nd Lt. Charles Colville Kelly Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>

    This photo includes my husband's grandfather Charles Colville Kelly who joined up in the South African Infantry and as a Private and then the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Second Lt.

    Julie Kelly




    822

    Frederick Atkinson Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Oct 1914)

    My Great Grandfather, Frederick Atkinson was in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers) and was killed, as far as we can tell, on the 19th of October 1914 in the battle of Le Bassie in Nothern France. No grave, and his name is on the Le Tournot memorial in the same area. I would love any information that anyone would have of the regiment, the battle etc. His name is the first one on the war memorial in Marple in Cheshire where he is from.

    Joe Hine




    821

    James Burns 15th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916)

    <p>

    My Great Uncle, James Burns, served with the 1st Salford Pals, his regiment number was 10728. He was killed on the 1st July 1916, his death certificate said Missing-in-action, presumed dead. I had found in war records in the regimental book, that he was listed as Died of wounds so in 1995, armed with a copy of this, and a letter, the Mod did give permission to change his Death certificate to read, "Died of wounds." I found the picture I have attached in an album that had belonged to my Great Grandmother Elizabeth, James was her only son. Elizabeth's husband James, who also served in France, was shot and lost the use of his right arm in 1915. This injury meant his trade as a shoemaker was no longer possible.

    Having found the picture, my father recalled that as a child his mother had told him James died on the 1st July, so we got into communication with the War Graves commission and located James's details. His name is on the Theipval Memorial, so my husband and baby son visited, just to say hello and hopefully let him know that his family never forgot him, and the newest Great, Great nephew had passed along to say hello.

    I have lots of research on his movements and a little history of the young man, before he went off to war. I think your site is a wonderful way of keeping their memories alive and educating the young.

    Sheila Sidebotham




    819

    L/Cpl. Joseph Robson 4th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th May 1915)

    My great great Uncle was in WW1 and died in 1915, Lance Corporal Joseph Robson, 4th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps. Aged 22 he was killed on 10/05/1915. He was the son of Mrs. Sarah Turnbull (formerly Robson), of 35, Palmer st., Sunderland, and the late Mr. E. Robson. His name is listed on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. if you know any infomation please e-mail me. Thank you ever so much

    Michael




    818

    John McCarthy Highland Light Infantry

    My Granddad was John McCarthy, I have a copy of a letter to the War Pensioners' Welfare Services in Dublin, where he was living. It says that he served in the Highland Light Infantry and was discharged 21st March 1919. it seems he was in the Munster Fusiliers before the HLI. I know he received medals for Mons, Somme & Arras and was wounded twice.

    Cathy




    817

    Walter Sydney Hitchcock Highland Light Infantry

    My Grandfather, Walter Sydney Hitchcock served in the Great War in the Highland Light Infantry. His older brothers also served in the army. He had 10 children, his son Bob served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War on HMS Hood and HMS Pandora.

    June Bremner




    816

    L/Cpl. Edward George Merrilees 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards (d.14th Sep 1916)

    L/Cpl Edward George Merrilees of the 1st Btn Grenadier Guards was born 18 July 1893 Died 14 September 1916 aged 23 he was killed in action on The Somme, France and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial

    Sheila Andre




    814

    CSM Joe Cavanagh 1st � Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

    My late Father, CSM Joe Cavanagh 1st Bttn. Seaforth Highlanders, served on the Western Front 1914-1919 in the 2nd 'Cameronians' as a Linesman/Telegrapher, behind the lines. Wounded in action and also decorated several times he remained but a Boy of 14/16 'Volunteer'. I am anxious to trace his 2nd Cameronians history.

    Mike E. Cavanagh




    809

    Pte. John Henry Bray Army Service Corps

    My sister Irene and I are looking for a photo of our Grandfather, or any information about him, as we have never seen him. The photographs that existed of him have long been lost. His name was J. H. Bray, we think the J. H. stood for John Henry. The reason we are asking is that we have found a medal that belonged to him. Printed on one side of the medal are the words "THE GREAT WAR OF CIVILISATION 1914 - 1919" and the other side is what seems to be an Angel. Round the edge of the medal are the words " M2 - 049076 PTE. J. H. BRAY A.S.C.". Thank you for taking time out to read this letter, and in anticipation Thank you for your help.

    Keith Bray




    807

    Thomas Young Gordon Highlanders

    Thomas Young from Dunfirmline served with the Gordon Highlanders in the Great War. He and his wife Jenny had four children, Janet, Annie, David and Edwin. Edwin lost his life when HMS Forfar was sunk in 1940.

    John Douglas




    806

    Able Seaman. Alec Button HMS Bayano (d.11th Mar 1915)

    My great uncle Alec Button was torpedoed in 1914 on the "Bayano" and was subsequently killed in 1915.

    Dave Button




    804

    Sapper Enoch Moxon 182nd tunnelling Company Royal Engineers (d.20th April 1916)

    A member of my family from this company was killed in action. He was Spr. Enoch Moxon, 182nd Tunnelling Company, died 20/04/1916.

    Andrea Moxon




    803

    Rifleman George Smyth 1st Batallion Royal Irish Rifles (d.30th Dec 1914)

    I know he sailed to France aboard the S.S. Anglo Canadian, and I have tried everywhere to locate a picture of this troop carrier. I am trying to put together a scrapbook for my grandchildren to let them know about their great-grandfather's efforts in W.W.1. Thank you very much for all help.

    Joan K Bourgeois




    802

    Harold John Thomas Wood 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th October 1918)

    Harold John Thomas Wood, Service number 16677, served with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He died on October 5th 1918 and is buried in Doingt Cemetery, near Peronne, Somme, France. He was the elder brother of my wife's grandmother and it would be fitting if he could be listed with those others who fought with the Fusiliers in the Great War.

    Paul Aylett




    801

    Robert Fox Drake Battalion

    Having just watched “Who Do You Think You Are” on TV with Robert Lindsay – I was very moved by the footage of Gallipoli. My father Robert Fox at 16 years old served there with the Royal Naval Division – Drake Battalion.

    I am very glad to say that what mementoes he had are safely in the Imperial War Museum. They were very glad to receive them as they had very little from the RND. These mementoes were mainly from his service in France. He kept a very rough pencilled diary [verboten]. I have retained a copy. I took my great-nephew, his great-grandson from the US, to the Museum to see those mementoes – I’m not sure he really understood what he was seeing.

    Several years ago, my late husband and I visited all the places he mentioned. Standing there and looking at buildings he must have seen – that and visiting numerous 2nd World War cemeteries, looking for the graves of men with whom my husband served [D-Day] really tore me to bits.

    About 30 years ago – or more – my father made a pilgrimage back to Gallipoli – rather difficult at that time. He said he was hoping to find a keg of rum he had buried there – I think it was rather more than that.

    Patricia Cohen




    799

    Sergeant William Henry Grant Tyneside Scottish Fusilliers

    I’m trying to find out about my great-grandfather and the circumstances of his death. Any history and information regarding my great-grandfather would be would be greatly appreciated.

    Paul Grant




    798

    William J Cunningham Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    I have been told that my father, William Joseph Cunningham, joined the Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers in Belfast. I don't know if he joined before or after WW1 started. His home was in Kilkeel, Co Down. He never talked about his service, but my mother told me that he served in the trenches in France and witnessed some gruesome sights. Am trying to do some family history and would certainly like to know more about him, can anyone help?

    Mary Hall




    785

    L/Cpl Thomas James Welsh 1st Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)

    <p>

    My Grandfather Thomas James Welsh was in the 1st Battalion Kings Loyal Lancashire regiment, a Liverpool lad. As a boy I would ask him about his war experience and it would always upset him. but he did say that he was a lewis gunner and he was shot in the neck with the bullet passing straight through his back. It was the germans who recovered him and he remembers waking up in a german field hospital with a german male medic saying to him in good english "dont worry Tommy your war's over now" which I have always thought is quite a compassionate thing to say to the enemy. He was imprisoned for the rest of the war I believe in Germany and Holland.

    Rob Jones




    784

    L/Cpl Thomas James Welsh 1st Btn. Kings Loyal Lancashire Regiment

    My Grandfather Thomas James Welsh was in the 1st Battalion Kings Loyal Lancashire regiment, a Liverpool lad. As a boy I would ask him about his war experience and it would always upset him. but he did say that he was a lewis gunner and he was shot in the neck with the bullet passing straight through his back. It was the germans who recovered him and he remembers waking up in a german field hospital with a german male medic saying to him in good english "dont worry Tommy your war's over now" which I have always thought is quite a compassionate thing to say to the enemy. He was imprisoned for the rest of the war I believe in Germany and Holland.

    Rob Jones




    783

    Pte. George Eaddie Royal Army Medical Corps.

    My Great Uncle Pvt George Eaddie served in Egypt, Sulva Bay, Dardernelles & The Western Front with the RAMC.

    Keith Renicor




    780

    Lt Cmdr. Wallace Moir Annand Colingwood Btn. Royal Naval Division (d.4th Jun 1915)

    Lieutenant-Commander Wallace Moir Annand, was killed with the Collingwood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division at Gallipoli in June 1915. His son Richard was the first soldier to be awarded a Victoria Cross in the Sceond World War.





    779

    Pte. Robert Welch 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (d.9th Sept 1916)

    I hope someone can help me find some information about by great uncle who served in the 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. I am trying to find out the location of the 6th Battalion when he was killed on 9th Sept 1916. I know they were on the Somme but can't pinpoint where. Can anyone help? Thank you, Bill Welch

    Bill Welch




    778

    Pte. Thomas Harold Bentley West Yorkshire Regiment

    Fantastic website! It has helped me research my maternal grandfather's Army service in WW1. He was Pvt Thomas Harold Bentley who served in the West Yorkshire Regiment, KOYLI, Labour Corps,RF. He served on the Western Front. Also the site has helped me research my great uncle: Pvt George Eaddie, RAMC (Royal Army Medical Corps). He served in Eqypt, Sulva Bay, Dardernelles, and the Western Front. God Bless you both.

    Keith Renicor




    776

    Stoker Thomas Gollop HMS Amphion

    Thomas Gollop, from Lyme Regis, served on HMS Amphion with my uncle Herbert Street. The Stokers had apparently had a break for cocoa just before Amphion struck the mine. Herbert had finished his cocoa and returned to the boiler room where he was killed. Thomas took a few minutes more to empty his mug and thus survived.

    Ted Street




    775

    Alexander Lawrie 3rd. Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

    I would love to find out some information on my Grandfather Alexander Lawrie whom I know served in the 3rd Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders. I know he was there in 1917 as it is stated on his marriage certificate.

    Anne




    774

    Pte J.S. Roberts "A" Company 9th South Lancers

    I have a letter from Pte J.S. Roberts dated March 27th, 1918. He was with "A" Company, 9th South Lancers, Salonica Forces, Greece. I am looking for further information concerning him, can anyone help?

    Ray Tamasauskas




    773

    Stroker First Class Herbert James Street HMS Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914)

    Herbert James Street was baptised on 1/06/1894 at Axminster, Devon. He was the son of William Street and Amelia Street (nee Cox). The following remarks were sent to me by the Ministry of Defense some years ago in response to my 1nquiry: Herbert James Street enlisted in the Royal Navy on 22/10/1912. He was placed in the Plymouth Division. His service number was SS112915.

    His description on the entry form read: Height 5ft 6ins; Chest 35 ins; Colour of Eyes brown; Colour of Hair brown; Complexion fair. Stoker 2nd Class: 22/10/1912. Stoker 1st Class: 24/12/1913. Character: VG. HMS Vivid (Shore establishment) 22/10/1912 - 01/04/1913. HMS Amphion (Light Cruiser) 02/04/1913 - 06/08/1914.

    Herbert was killed in action when HMS Amphion struck a mine in the North Sea 06/08/1914. HMS Lance and HMS Landrail, part of the British 2nd Destroyer Flotilla left Harwich at dawn on the first day of the war to sweep northwards towards German waters. The 1st Flotilla followed the Dutch coast and the 2nd Flotillla, led by the Light Cruiser Amphion, steamed up the middle of the North Sea. A British fishing vessel reported an unknown steamer throwing things overboard. This was the Konig Louise, a minelayer which the destroyers sank. The Amphion struck one of her mines while returning to base. Loss 1 Officer and 150 Men. Family accounts suggest that Herbert, an apprentice carpenter, joined the Navy because his younger brother, Albert William (known as Willie), had enlisted as a boy on 22/04/1912. Herbert's postcards from Devonport seem to support the idea of his extreme concern for his brother's welfare. However Herbert's age on enlistment limited his choice of trade to Stoker, and they were destined not to serve together. Again from family sources I learned that another Stoker, Thomas Gollop, from Lyme Regis, also served on Amphion. The Stokers had apparently had a break for cocoa just before AMPHION struck the mine. Herbert had finished his cocoa and returned to the boiler room where he was killed. Gollop took a few minutes more to empty his mug and thus survived. Herbert Street's name is inscribed on the Naval War Memorial on Plymouth Hoe. Herbert Street was my uncle. His brother, Albert William Street (always referred to as William), was my father. I shall send you further information about his Naval career which lasted until 1947. My youngest son, Petty Officer David William Edward Street (RANR), served as a Stoker in the Royal Australian Navy in the DDG HMAS Hobart.

    Ted Street




    772

    Thomas Elms 12th Battalion The Rifle Brigade "Prince Consort's Own" (d.21st September 1917)

    Thomas Elms of the Rifle Brigade-"Prince Consort's Own"-12th Battalion was killed in action at Langemark in the Ypres Salient on the 21st September 1917. I am looking for any information relating to the battle that took place over 21-23 September 1917, particularly around a fortified German bunker known as "Cement House."

    John Elms




    771

    William Brown Royal Garrison Artillery

    William Brown probably enlisted in Portsmouth and probably served in Jersey possibly around 1889 before going to McNabs Island, Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1897. On Jersey, they were part complementing four local batteries (Elizabeth Castle?) There is a chance he married there to Alice Jane Mauger. His service number prior to 1914 could be 6942. Assuming he rejoined the service in 1914, his service number could be 296116. That is all the information I have. Can anyone help put me in the right direction or give me further information?

    Desira Smith




    770

    Thomas Lee West Yorkshire

    Thomas Lee was my maternal grandfather who I believe was gassed, and as a consequence, died soon after the war. My mother's birth certificate (January 1915) shows his regiment as the West Yorks and his service number as 11247. My mother has a small photograph of him in uniform.

    Prof. John Nealon




    769

    Private Robert Stanley Watterson Kings Liverpool

    I believe Pte. Robert Stanley Watterson served in Egypt and was on the Transylvania which sunk on 4th May 1917. I cannot ascertain whether the ship was returning to the UK or going to Egypt. He ended up in France where he was injured with shrapnel wounds to his back and right leg. This happened during the closing days of the conflict. He convalesced at Prees Heath and was discharged from the service on 19th August 1919 as a member of the Loyal North Lancs, having served during the war with Kings Liverpool. His grandsons have asked about his involvement in the conflict, but he, during his lifetime, never spoke of his experiences.

    Stan Watterson




    767

    Prince Clegg

    My father was gassed in France in 1918 while serving with the Durham Light Infantry, but I am unable to discover which battalion he was in. My father did survive the war. His name was Prince Clegg, or he may have been known as Prince Russell. His service number was 81913.

    David R. Clegg




    765

    Dvr. Richard Latimer Sutton 46th Divisional Training Battery Royal Field Artillery

    I am tring to find anything on my great grandfather's military career. His name was Richard Latimer Sutton, he was a driver with the 46th Divisional Training Battery, Royal Field Artillery. This is all I know of him really from his sons birth certificate in June 1916.

    Pete




    764

    Pte. Sherwood McGill University Battalion 2nd Company Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

    Pte. Sherwood is named in Frank Mabson's Military Medal citation for assisting him in the attack on the machinegun emplacement at Vimy Ridge on the 9th of April 1917.





    763

    Sergeant Frank Tildesley Mabson MM. McGill University Battalion, 2nd Company Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

    Frank Tildesley Mabson was a student of Victoria College in the University of Toronto when he enlisted in the McGill University Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Montreal. He joined the British Expeditionary Force in France in September 1915 being identified as McG186 2nd Company PPCLI. Frank kept a diary from September 28th 1915 to June 11th 1916. As a sergeant he was awarded a military medal for his bravery during the action at Vimy Ridge in 1917. "During the action of VIMY RIDGE on 9th - 10th April, this N.C.O. displayed gallant conduct and splendid leadership of his Platoon throughout the advance and consolidation. He showed a splendid example by his indefatigable efforts. He was severely wounded towards the close of the first day. Too much cannot be said of his gallant actions. He has been with the Battalion for the past two years and the nature of his wounds will, in all probability, prevent his return." (Lon! don Gazette no. 30188 dated 18th July 1917) The action for which he was recommended for the Military Medal was his attack on a machine-gun emplacement with the aid of Private Sherwood. Frank attacked the position, captured the crew and destroyed the emplacement. Due to his wounds (the loss of sight in one eye) he was sent down the line and evacuated back to the UK. Despite this loss of vision he drove until his death in 1981 at the age of 91. One of his few regrets was that he did not continue keeping his diary after June 1916.

    Christine Chittock




    762

    Pte. John Burnham 1st Royal Marine Btn. Royal Marine Light Infantry (d.20th July 1917)

    John was married to Alice Margaret. He was killed in Action at Gavrelle whilst sering with the 63rd Royal Naval Division and buried in the Lonley House Cemetery, later he was reburied in the Point-du-Jour Cemetery, he was 25 years old.





    761

    A/Sjt Walter Sanders 11th Horse Transport Coy. Army Service Corps (d.22nd Nov 1916)

    Walter had previously served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and died in Malta.





    760

    Marjory Stephenson

    Marjory joined the Red Cross as a cook She worked at the No 6 British Red Cross Rest Station from the 19th of October 1914 and served with the VAD in Boulogne, Abbeville and Paris between 1914-1916 and at Salonika between 1916-1917. Before the war she had been studying biochemistry at University College, London and this stood her in good stead and she worked her way up to become the Superintendent of Red Cross Sisters’ Convalescent Home, Salonika. She was made an Associate of the Red Royal Cross on the 3rd of June 1918.

    After the war she returned to her studies working with F.G.Hopkins in Cambridge and became a Fellow of the Royal Society for her reaearch into bacteria.





    759

    Capt. Peter Flemming Gow MID, DSO Indian Medical Services

    Peter Gow was commissioned into the Indian Medical Services. He landed in France with the Indian Expeditionary Force on the 26th of September 1914 as Medical Officer to the 16th and 17th Cavalry. He also served with the IEF in Mesopotamia from January 1916, between May and July he served as the Special Infectious Diseases Office on the staff of the 1st Army Corps, he was then appointed Staff Surgeon at 1st Army HQ.

    He was Mentioned in Dispatches twice, on the 26th of June 1915 in France and on the 15th of August 1918 in Mesopotamia. He was awarded the DSO on the 27th of July 1916. His Citation Reads: For his gallantry on the 7th of April 1916 at Sannaiyat, Mesopotamia. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on several occasions, notably when he took one end of a stretcher after three bearers had been hit, and brought in a wounded officer.

    After the war Peter worked at Eden Hospital, Calcutta becoming a Professor of Midwifery. When he retired he moved back to Dundee.





    758

    nurse Kathleen Mary Jowett Military Hospital Maitland

    Kathleen Jowett served as a nurse for just under a year, she was released from service shortly after marrying Sjt Major Clennell. She requested a discharge to accompany him when he was posted to Kimberley.





    757

    Sjt. Ernest Walter Piper MM. 189th Bde. D Bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.13th Oct 1918)

    Ernest's death was reported in the Southend Standard on the 7th of November 1918, his family had received a letter from an officer who has served with him, stating that he was killed instantly. Ernest had first gone to France on the 30th of August 1915 as an Acting Bombardier.





    756

    Sjt. John Dunlin East Yorkshire Regt.

    John served in France, arriving on the 13th of July 1915.





    755

    Lt. D. Martin Highland Light Infantry

    Martin enlisted at Edinburgh in December 1914, he went overseas in December 1916 and served in the Machine Gun Coprs. He contracted Trench Fever and convalesced at the Ashton Court Convalescent Home in Bristol.





    753

    Pte. Herbert Edward Cooper 6th Btn. East Kent Regiment (d.18th Oct 1916)

    Herbert was 26 years old when he died of wounds. He is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe.





    752

    Pte. Reginald Field 1/4th Btn. Ox and Bucks Light Infantry

    Reginald Field landed in France on the 30th of March 1915. He later served as a Sapper with the Royal Engineers.





    751

    L/Cpl Wright Aspinall 4th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    Wright Aspinall landed in France in the 6th of November 1914. He was commissioned into the Liverpool Regiment on the 25th of September 1917.





    750

    Lt. Gordon Muriel Flowerdew V.C. Lord Strathcona's Horse (d.31st Mar 1918)

    <p>

    Gordon Flowerdew was born in Billingsford, Norfolk, England and emegrated to Canada in 1902 at the age of 18. In 1914 he enlisted in the 31st British Columbia Horse, transferring to the Lord Strathcona's Horse. He died as a result of wounds, the day after the The cavalry charge at the Bois de Moreuil in France, for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross and is buried in Namps-au-Val British cemetery, near Amiens, France.

    His V.C. Citation reads:

    For most conspicuous bravery and dash when in command of a squadron detailed for special service of a very important nature. On reaching the first objective, Lieutenant Flowerdew saw two lines of the enemy, each about sixty strong, with machine guns in the centre and flanks, one line about two hundred yards behind the other. Realizing the critical nature of the operation and how many depended upon it, Lieutenant Flowerdew ordered a troop under Lieutenant Harvey to dismount and carry out a special movement while he led the remaining three troops to the charge. The squadron ( less one troop ) passed over both lines, killing many of the enemy with the sword, and wheeling about galloped at them again. Although the squadron had then lost about 70 percent of its number, killed and wounded, from rifle and machine gun fire directed on it from the front and both flanks, the enemy broke and retired. The survivors then established themselves in a position, where later they were joined, after much hand-to-hand fighting, by Lieutenant Harvey's party. Lieutenant Flowerdew was dangerously wounded through both thighs during the operation, but continued to cheer on his men. There can be no doubt that this officer's great valour was the prime factor in the capture of the position.





    749

    Lt. Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey M.C., V.C. Lord Strathcona's Horse

    <p>

    Lieutenant Harvey was awarded the Victoria Cross for rushing a German machine gun post and capturing the gun position in front of the village of Guyencourt, France on 27 March 1917 on the Somme. His medal is on display in the Lord Strathcona's Horse Museum in Calgary.
  • The citation reads:

    For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During an attack by his regiment on a village, a party of the enemy ran forward to a wired trench just in front of the village and opened rapid fire and machine gun fire at a very close range, causing heavy casualties in the leading troop. At this critical moment when the enemy showed no intention of retiring and fire was still intense, Lieutenant Harvey, who was in command of the leading troop, ran forward well ahead of his men and dashed at the trench, still fully manned, jumped the wire, shot the machine gunner and captured the gun. His most courageous act undoubtedly had a decisive effect on the success of the operation.

    During the second world war Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey attained the rank of Brigadier and was District Officer Commanding for Alberta. He died aged 92 in 1980.





  • 748

    Pte. David Adam Magee Croix de la Guerre Army Service Corps

    <p>David Magree's certificate of discharge.

    My Grandfather David A. Magee joined the A.S.C 1915 and left in 1919. I believe he drove a field ambulance in France. According to his demob certificate while also involved with the Lord Stratheonas Horse & Canadian Expeditionary Force he was awarded the Croix de Guerre dated 13.3.1917. We have no more information on this and no medal, although we have all his other campaign medals. This is about the time of the Battle of Moreuil Wood. Can anyone help me acquire anymore information on why he was awarded this medal? Thanks.

    Robbie Hide




    746

    Act Cpl Cecil Hearnden Royal Fusliers

    My father served in WW1 having falsified his age to join up, he enlisted with the London Regiment and served with the Royal Fusilers and later the Army Service Corps. He was in the reserve at start of WW2 and went to France with the BEF, he was wounded and captured, ending up in Stalag XXB.

    If anyone has any information on his service during the Great War I'd be very grateful.

    Charles Hearnden




    745

    Pte. George Henry Jervis 9th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.8th Apr 1918)

    George died of wounds on the 8th of Apr 1918, he was 19 years old. He is buried at Etaples





    743

    Pte. Robert Montgomery 1/5th Btn. Welsh Regiment (d.1st Dec 1915)

    Robert entered the Balkans on the 8th of October 1915 and was killed in action at Gallipoli on December 1st. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial.





    742

    Pte. George Henry James Walker 14th (Service) Btn. D Coy. Hampshire Regiment. (d.29th Mar 1918)

    George died of wounds on the 29th of March 1918, he was 33 years old





    741

    Pte. Herbert Messenger West Yorkshire Regiment

    Herbert served with the West Yorkshire Regiment, The Royal Engineers, The Labour Corps and the Scottish Rifles.





    738

    Sjt. Jack Brady 1/6th Btn. Essex Regiment

    Sergt. Jack Brady of the 1/6th Essex Regiment, was in Alexandria in 1916, he sent a letter home: “The ex-hospital men here (several of whom are Essex) are improving in health wonderfully, and some are quite well again. Sergt-Major Johnson, who did such good work on the Peninsula, where he was severely wounded, is looking well in the circumstances, and after the day's duties are finished he keeps the boys alive with a ventriloquial entertainment, and as a ventriloquist he is excellent.”





    737

    Sjt. Mjr. William Northcroft Johnson 6th Btn. Essex Regiment

    William Johnson was badly wounded at Gallipoli, having landed tehre on teh 11th of August 1915 with the 6th Essex. His name is listed amongst the wounded published in the Essex Chronicle on the 17th of Sept 1915. He was evacuated to Alexandria. He is mentioned in a letter from Sergt. Jack Brady of the 1/6th Essex Regiment, sent from Alexandria in 1916 “The ex-hospital men here (several of whom are Essex) are improving in health wonderfully, and some are quite well again. Sergt-Major Johnson, who did such good work on the Peninsula, where he was severely wounded, is looking well in the circumstances, and after the day's duties are finished he keeps the boys alive with a ventriloquial entertainment, and as a ventriloquist he is excellent.” William later served as CSM with an employment company of the Northamptonshire Regiment and on the 30th of May 1917 he was commissioned as Temp. 2nd Lt. into the Labour Corps and commanded and Area Employment Company as Acting Captain on the 11th of May 1918.





    730

    Able Seaman James Stanley Jump HMS Minotaur

    James Jump joined the Royal Navy in 1911, he joined HMS Minotour in May 1912 and was onboard during the Battle of Jutland.





    728

    Pte. Albert Summersgill 18th Btn. Manchester Regiment

    Albert enlisted on the 6th of April 1915 aged 21 and was discharged on the 15th of November 1917.





    727

    Pte. John Hughes Welsh Guards

    John Hughes landed in France with the Welsh Guards on the 7th of August 1915





    726

    Pte. C. C. Alcock 8th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment

    <p>Pte Alcock on the 16th of Jan 1915 taken at Leighton Buzzard.

    Pte Alcock enlisted in the North Staffordshire Regiment and served with the 8th Btn of the Lincolnshire Regiment.





    725

    2nd Lt. Leslie William John Clist 2/4th Btn. Somerset Light infantry

    Leslie Clist enlisted in the Army Service Corps and was a Corporal when he went to France on the 24th of July 1915. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. into the Somerset Light Infantry on the 26th of Novemeber 1917 and was posted to the 2/4th Battalion, serving in Palestine and France. He was promoted to Lieutenant on the 30th of April 1919.





    723

    Cpl. Thomas Christen Trafford 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment (d.27th Sep 1916)

    I am doing my Mam's family tree for her and was just wondering if anyone can give me any more information about my Great Grandad, Thomas Trafford. His service number was 8200. He died on 27/9/1916 aged 40. Thomas seved in South Africa and Somaliland. His parents were George and Mary Trafford who at that time lived in North Kelsey, Brigg. An address for Thomas that I have been given is 5 Freehold Street Adelaide Street Hull. He was married to Rebecca, whose maiden name was Thompson.

    Maxine Draper




    721

    Rifleman. Andrew William Kennedy 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.7th May 1915)

    My Granddad was one of the fallen heroes. He was killed in Action in France on 7 May 1915 and is remembered forever with honour on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. I am sorry that I have no photograpth and will never know what he looked - but I think he was beautiful.

    Elizabeth Kennedy




    720

    George Tracey Recruiting Office

    We believe that George Tracey served in the Boar war, Kitchener's relief of Kartoum, he often told about fighting the "fuzzy wuzzies" when I was a small boy. We think he joined as a boy soldier, as he was born in 1855, most prob joined 1870s, married in feb 1893 aged 37, I have found him in 1901 cencus in London with wife & 3 children, I think he served in India at some, he also seemed to know a lot about West Indies. He served with teh Durham Light nfrantry. He tried to join up in First World War but to old, so he worked in the recruiting office in London. I am 80 yrs old, served in World War 2 in Far East, I would love get info about him before I pop off.

    Denis Tracey




    719

    Lance Cpl. Walter James Barber 2/1st Btn. Cheshire Yeomanry

    This gentleman was my Grandfather, the family have found an army book 129 written by my grandfather. It seems to be about his training at the Irish Command School of Instruction, Dublin which states names of staff, drill notes etc. the dates seem to start April 1918. Not knowing much about this person I am hoping for any information about him or any advice that could be given to me about this. I look forward to hearing any helpfull information. I have beeen lead to believe that he may have been stationed in Ireland to do with the black and tans but naturally I do not know if this could be correct.

    Lynda Gardiner




    717

    Pte. Alfred William Bowen Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry

    This man was my Father's oldest brother born abt 1900 all my Dad knows is that he served in the Ox and Bucks during the Great War and all he has is his Pocket Prayer Book "Active Service" 1914. My Father is 88yrs now and would love to know what campaignes my uncle would have been likely to have been involved in.

    Mrs M Burkhill




    716

    Kenneth Henry Alexander Durham RGA caa Battery

    My grandfather, Kenneth Alexander, Service number 166096, was a member of the Durham RGA, caa Battery, and served from 27.4.1914 until 10.3.1919, being discharged at Dover. A family story says that he worked on the "big guns" at Hartlepool and spent time on active service abroad. I have been unable to find his service record, possibly one of the burned ones, and would be grateful for any information.

    Margaret Alexander




    714

    Rifleman James William Keen 21st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.14th Aug 1917)

    In researching my family history I have discovered that James William Keen, of Camberwell, London, died aged just 20 in the Great War. James was the brother of my Great Nan, Lily. He served in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps 21st Battallion and is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as having died on the 14th August 1917. James was a Rifleman. His grave is at Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, although as someone whose knowledge of these things is very limited I don't know if that means that literally he is buried there or if the headstone is merely a memorial and that he lies elsewhere in an unknown grave.

    My family history has led me to discover many sad stories, some of children passing in infancy, but it is James' death more than any other which reduces me to tears. I have made some enquiries online and it appears that James would have been engaged in battle at Passchendaele, about which I have learned a little more as a result. I am beginning to discover the full horrors of the first phase of the Battle of Ypres yet still I can barely take in what those poor men must have suffered.

    I understand that there were no major battles on the 14th August 1917, which suggests, I'm told, that James may have died as a result of injuries sustained in the Battle of Pilckem or in the clearing operation following it. I shall probably never know how or why he died but if I can I should dearly like to find out as much as possible about the Kings Royal Rifle Corps during that time. A pacifist since my teens, I feel I owe it to all these men to understand the circumstances in which they lost their young lives and that my own children should be aware of how they suffered in order for us to have the freedom we take for granted. If anyone could help me in my quest to discover more I would be very grateful indeed.

    Finally, I would just like to add that I learned that it must have been Passchendaele in which James died by posing a question on "Yahoo Answers". I got many replies, some far more detailed than one particular response, but it is that short one which will forever stick in my memory. The gentleman who answered said that he felt that Passchendaele was indeed the most likely, gave a little more information, then at the bottom added:

    " R.I.P. James Keen, Soldier, 21st Batallion Kings Royal Rifle Group. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM."

    Those few words, from a total stranger to a man I might have had the pleasure to have known and loved had the War not taken him from my family meant more than I can say. They may not have changed my beliefs as a pacifist, but I know that this November I shall, for the first time in 42 years, wear a poppy, and wear it with pride.

    Miranda Cook




    712

    Rifleman Henry Frederick Bowman 16th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd Apr 1917)

    Henry was a member of Hertfordshire and Essex Flying Club, he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. His son Flt Lt. Henry Cyril Francis "Harry" Bowman DFC lost his life in the Second World War whilst flying with 129 sqd.

    Jane Thyrza Bowman




    711

    Henry Hunt

    <p>

    I'm trying to find out more about my grandfather Henry Hunt, who died from the effects of gassing after the first world war. In 1915 he was working in a car factory in Preston, and I wonder if he was called up for his ability to drive a car. Also, I remember my father saying that Henry had worked with horses. Anyway, the only lead have is a photograph, where is wearing a standard Tommies uniform, but has an unusual shoulder badge in the shape of a star. Could this be army service corps? It is close the the cap badge worn by the Army Service Corps.

    Bernadette Adams




    710

    Pte. Edward "Ned" Tyson 6th (Service) Btn. East Lancashire Rgt.

    Grandad was severely wounded at Gallipoli, where the 6th were fighting. He came from a large Liverpool family who moved to Darwen around 1891. He moved to the Isle of Man in 1930 for health reasons and died in 1967 after a successful business career.

    Mike Perry




    709

    Pte. James Le Doux 7th Btn. North Staffordshire Regt (d.25th Jan 1917)

    I am researching my paternal family tree and came about this gt uncle about whom I knew nothing previously. I seems that he was killed in battle in the Balkans, and is remembered on the Basra Memorial. (If anyone has any photos I would be grateful for a look at them). Further research proved that he went to war leaving a very young wife and baby boy. The baby boy also died on 2nd August 1918 from diptheria. How sad this young wife and mother must have been! James had two brothers, William and Leonard, both of whom also served in the army. Both were invalided out. Leonard - RAFA Driver 698(my grandfather)- suffered deafness as a result of being 'promoted' to gunner. My father also served in the army duing WW2 and was involved in the 'cleaning up operation' after the relief of Belsen. He will not tell us anything - not even what he did before that (although I have been told that he was involved in detection of landmines) the whole thing probably brings back memories too awful for us to imagine so we dont push him for details. Until now I didnt realise just how brave our soldiers were back then - and the youth of today SHOULD remember and SHOULD be taught. I have nothing but honour and respect for all those men and their families

    Ann James




    708

    Captain Eric Dixon Dent Observation Corps

    In 1971 I bought a house in Yelverton, Devon. In the loft I found literally hundreds of old photographic slides. these were a mixture of pictures of a Dent family dating from the 1890's and WW1 shots. It would seem that the second son, Eric Dixon Dent, served in the Observation Corps of the Flying Corps in WW1. Thus the collection contains annotated reconnaissance shots; interior and exterior shots of aircraft; views of aircraft engines and other educational slides. There are also one or two photos taken with a hand held camera of aircraft in flight. Eric Dixon Dent continued to serve with the RAF and, I conjecture, finished his career at the Meteorological Office at RAF Mountbatten in Plymouth. Because of its situation in Yelverton and because I have seen a photograph of him in a Swordfish,I would further conjecture that he served at RAF Harrowbarrow during WW11 but I have not been able to confirm this. There is also a single photograph of his elder brother William in the uniform of Major in The Durham Light Infantry (I think). Finally there a few slides taken on a family visit to Ripon Volunteer Camp in July 1907. The slides were found in very military looking boxes where they still remain. I would be interested to learn of any information that anyone have on Captain Dent

    Ray Heale




    707

    Pte. William Renton 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    William Renton was born 18.03.1886 , and christened 08.05.1886 At the time of his birth the Renton family were living at number 4 Minorca, in the east end of Sunderland. William married Rose Powers Renton on 22 August 1910 at St Patrick’s RC Church in Sunderland. The couple ended up having four children John William, James Patrick, Dorothy & Mary.(my grandmother)who was born in July of 1916 His service number 3/8476 indicates he was serving with the 3rd Special Reserve Battalion DLI when war broke out and entered France with the first or second reinforcements to the 2nd Bn on 24/09/1914. The fact that he went out to the 2nd Battalion DLI in September 1914 would mean that he was up to date with his camps and drills as a special reservist, no Territorial’s went out as drafts to the regulars as far as we are aware. The war and victory roll has him as 3/8576 serving with 2nd, 19th, 2nd and 1/9th Battalions and was charged with desertion on 7/11/1916, but was found not guilty. He returned to duty and ended the war with the Gatehead Bn

    Steve Cuthbert




    706

    William Le Doux

    My Great Uncle Wiliam, was invalided out of service during the war, as was my Grandfather, Leonard. Their brother James was killed in January 1917 leaving a young wife and baby son.

    Ann James




    705

    Dvr. Leonard Le Doux Royal Field Artillery

    My Grandfather Leonard Le Doux was a driver, and was then 'promoted' to the guns, which casued him to suffer deafness and be invalided out of service, as was his brother Wiliam. His other brother James was killed in January 1917 leaving a young wife and baby son.

    Ann James




    703

    John "Jack" Keaveney Inniskilling Fus

    John(Jack) of Beechwood Av, Londonderry was reared as an orphan in a Manse, Sligo with his two older brothers, both professional soldiers before him (see Enniskillen War Memorial). He served in Ireland, on the Nile and in Crete before the War. As one of the Old Contemptibles he was engaged on the left flank of the British Army - family has it before the Battle of Mons proper. There he was wounded in his right hand and bottom when his position was overrun in an Infantry pincher movement. The Germans found him beside a machine gun with the belt in his teeth. They admired him and gave him the best of attention, which included having his sinews and bottom passage fixed by a Vienesse surgeon. He was a POW and awarded with a ham by the Kaiser for his POW Camp vegetable garden. He converted to RC and lost his inheritence - the northern Whig family of Boyle were aunts? He served afterwards as a Barrack warden in Ebrington Barracks, Londonderry. In WW2 he was employed in runs to east Anglia supplying intercept missiles? I have not been able to find the skirmish on the left flank but the historians attribute the delay forcerd on the German Advance by the Inniskilling Fus as one of the causes of the war being won.

    Michael Cusack




    701

    Lt. Douglas B. Stimson Worcestershire Regiment

    Douglas Stimson served in both World Wars. He enlisted into Honourable Artillery Company and was commisioned as a Lt into the Worcestershire Regiment on the 12th of May 1917.

    His brother Montague also served with the Honourable Artillery Company and was killed whilst serving with the 10th Btn. East Surreys, attached to the 8th Btn. Younger brother Eric was killed whilst serving with the Rifle Brigade.





    700

    2nd Lt. Montaque Adolph Stimson 10th Btn East Surrey Regt. (d.30th Sep 1916)

    Montague Stimson was 21 years old when he was killed, he was serving with the 10th Btn. East Surreys, attached to the 8th Btn. He had previously served with the Honourable Artillery Company enlisting in 1914. His brother Douglas also served with the Honourable Artillery Company and younger brother Eric was killed whilst serving with the Rifle Brigade.





    698

    Sub Lt. Norman Arthur Cyril Hardy HMS Meteor

    Norman Hardy served on HMS Marlborough as a Midshipman and as a Sub-Lt on HMS Meteor. He also served in the Second World War Captaining HMS Forfar, he went down with the ship when she was torpeodoed in the North Atlantic on the Second of December 1940.





    681

    Able Seaman. James Thomas Bunting Drake Battlion

    <p>This photo was taken at either Netley Hospital or West Cliffe Hotel Hythe, Hants

    My father, AB James Thomas Bunting joined the Navy in August 1914. He was assigned to Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division. They did their training at HMS Victory III. Crystal Palace . The training was brief. The whole division was sent to Antwerp to defend the attempt of the Germans entering Belgium. They were very ill equipped for the task. Many had no greatcoats. Some did not even have rifles. Little hope against the seasoned German Army. There were many losses but my father survived.

    In February 1915 The Royal Naval Division left their new headquarters at Blandford Forum bound for Gallipoli in the Dardinelles Conditions were bad and by the end of March the whole division left for Egypt because of illnesses. By the end of April they were back at full strength but on the initial advance Collingwood Battalion was wiped out. July saw the depleted Division retreat to Larnos Island to recouperate. Everyone suffering from Diarrhoea Malaria and fly borne gastric infections. End of July saw them back again but campaign was declared a failure and all troops were withdrawn. Arriving at Marsailles in December 1915.

    January 1916 moving up through France. February, The Battle of Verdun. September, The Somme. Then it became the end of the war for dad. He was wounded at Arras near the village of Gavrille. On the 23rd. of April 1917. Shrapnel wound left arm. Entering just behind the left elbow. Leaving an 8 inch cut up the tricep and exiting along the forearm Fracturing the Ulna and taking the end off the humerus. Hospitalised at Wimereux.

    Departed on the 26th. of May on the hospital ship “St. Denis” for Victoria hospital Netley, Southampton. After six months in hospital he went on leave in December 1917.

    Overdoing his leave by six months he faced a court martial at Perham Down.

    “In that at Blandford camp on the 21st. of January 1918 he absented himself. Until surrendering himself to Goole ( his home town) police on the12th. of June 1918. Losing by neglect his equipment and regimental necessities. Sentenced to undergo detention for one year and to be put on stoppage of pay until he has made good the value of the articles valued at £2/6/9

    On the 2nd. of August 1918 The Lords Commision of the Admiralty quashed the charge. Returning the good conduct badge which had been confiscated when charged!! What had brought about the turnaround to the serious charges against him? It may have been his contract which he had signed on enlistment 8th. August 1914. Which had clearly stated that, “I undertake and bind myself till the end of the war Or for three years, whichever comes first.

    So legally his service had ended whilst he was hospitalised at Netley. Also consider he had served in three fierce campaigns. He was at that time rated as being 50% disabled.It would have being a travesty to have convicted him.

    In November 1918 he was declared unfit for service and discharged after 4 years and 82 days. On his discharge he was still rated 50% disabled. But after visiting different hospitals and appeal boards he was finally awarded a final pension assessment of 30% for life on the 25th. of July 1923 The wound, which never healed caused problems all his life Quite often flaring up and needing hot fermentations and poultices. My sister became an expert. When he became fit for work and had regained some of the grip in his hand he went back to his trade as boot repairer. But finally found work on the docks.

    Corby Bunting




    678

    Pte. Thomas Mayrick 14th btn. Royal Warwickshire Regt (d.28th Sep 1916)

    Pte Thomas Mayrick died of wounds at Netley on the 28th Sept 1916, he was 22 years old. He was buried at St Lawrence's Church, Bidford-on-Avon.





    677

    Dvr. George A. Phillips Army Service Corps (d.10th Oct 1914)

    George Phillips died at Netley on the 10th October 1914 he was 29 years old.





    675

    Frederick Brewis Bowman Hood Battalion

    My Great Grandfather, Frederick Brewis Bowman (No. Tyneside Z/2680) was in the Navy during WW1 and was posted to Hood Battalion on 18.7.1915.

    Claire Jones




    673

    Gnr. Harry Border Royal Horse Artillery

    My Granfather, Harry Border was injured during the great war. I know he was in the RHA and his regimental number, however his military records were destroyed apart from his medal records. It is unclear from these records where he served what regiments he supported and where he was trained.

    Clive Border




    672

    Ernest Worrell Gustave Armand Royal Horse Artillery

    My grandfather served in First World War in the Royal Horse Artillery, was awarded the Mons Star and fought in the battle of Ypres. His name was Ernest Worrell Gustave Armand. I cannot find any info regarding his call up dates, birth date etc. could anyone please help?

    Ian Wanliss




    671

    Mark Leonard Skingle 9th Btn. The London Regiment

    <p>Mark Leonard Skingle, 9th Battalion (County of London Volunteer Rifle Brigade) The London Regiment in 1918

    Seated at the front in this photo is Mark Leonard Skingle, taken whilst he was serving with the 9th Battalion (County of London Volunteer Rifle Brigade), The London Regiment, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, in Cologne, Germany with the Army of Occupation in 1918.

    Trevor Skingle




    643

    Reg Collins HMS Patrol

    I am looking for a photo of Reg Collins from Hollesley, he served with the Royal Navy on HMS Patrol in 1914.

    Barry Guthrie




    642

    Pte. William Bartle Baines 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    <p>William  Baines is the first on the left bottom row indicated by arrow

    My Grandfather, William Baines served with the 5th Battalion of the DLI. I dont know much about the rest of the men in the picture I am trying to find out more about the 5th battalion.

    Pte. william Baines

    John Mc Aree




    641

    George Frederick Doughty Warwickshire Yeomanry

    <p>George Frederick Doughty

    My Great Grand Father was enlisted into the Warwickshire Yeomanry in 1916. The picture included is of him George Frederick Doughty. He never made it into battle, during his training he was kicked in the head by his horse. He was medically discharged "unfit for duty". Seven years later he died of Brain paralysis. He fathered six children, three after his accident. The distress he must have felt knowing all his mates and colleagues were suffering those conditions. I often think of the horse, although my Great Grandad never entered battle, did the horse? Did the horse get through the ordeal or was it one of the many that got slaughtered? I feel that George.F.Doughty was still a casualty of that Bloody conflict.

    David H.Doughty




    640

    Charles Alfred Poole HMS Invincible

    I have a photo of my Grandmother's brother, Charles Alfred Poole, wearing a sailor's uniform with the HMS Invincible Cap. It was taken c 1914 and the family believe he was at the Battle of Jutland in WW1. Does anyone know if there are any crew lists of HMS Invincible?

    Gillian Everett




    639

    Cpl. Godfrey Charles Edwards 9 Pack Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery

    <p>The man on the left is believed to be. Godfrey Charles Edwards

    2nd Pack Brigade. R.G.A. -Royal Guard- 1921

    2nd Pack Brigade. R.G.A. Royal Guard, 1921

    9 Pack Battery at Lavington C.

    9 Pack Battery at Lavington Camp.

    9th. P. Bty. RGA

    These are some photos that I came across when I was going through some of my late Uncle's papers. He was Mr. Godfrey Charles Edwards born in 1899, at Crofton Farm, Great Bedwyn, Marlborough, Wiltshire. At 6ft 4ins tall, he joined the Army during 1914-18 war, becoming a Corporal, and he would appear to be in each of these pictures.

    In 1921 he was serving with 2nd Pack Brigade. R.G.A. Also I would be very interested in any information anyone may have.

    Joy Aust.




    638

    Albert Edward Bezant Durham Light Infantry

    <p>Albert Edward Bezant, marked with x.

    My grandfather, Albert Edward Bezant (1879-1927) served with the Durham Light Infantry in World War One. He is marked by the "ex's" in ball point pen in both photos.

    Albert Edward & Mary Ellen (nee Fox) Bezant.

    My Grandparents, Albert Edward & Mary Ellen (nee Fox) Bezant

    Ron Bezant




    636

    Lt Cmdr. Fraser HMS Doon

    Lt Cmdr Fraser was the Captain of HMS Doon. On the morning of the 16th of December 1914 whilst on a coastal patrol from Hartlepool, he sighted three enemy ships and lead an attack. Doon suffered a number of hits with the loss of one life and 8 injuries. The ship floundered, the enemy took her to be sinking and turned their fire back to the coast. On board the Doon, repairs were made and she returned to port.





    635

    Stoker 1st Class James Fraser Hms Doon (d.16th Dec 1914)

    James Fraser was killed on the 16th of December 1914 aboard HMS Doon when she engaged the enemy during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools. The ship along with Waveney, May and Test had been patroling the coast when the enemy was sighted by Doon's Captain Lt Cdr Fraser and ordered the attack. Doon closed to 5000 yards and was hit several times before she flounded. 8 men were wounded and Stoker Fraser was killed.





    634

    ERA 1st Class. P. James Sheridan HMS Patrol (d.16th Dec 1914)

    P J Sheridan died of wounds inflicted when HMS Patrol was struck by a shell as she was leaving Victoria Dock Hartlepool to engage the enemy who were bombarding the coast. He is buried at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Cemetery, North Ormesby.





    633

    Able Seaman. Ernest Charles Cummings HMS Patrol

    Ernest Cummings aged 20, from Brixton in London, lost his life when he was lost overboard from HMS Patrol when she was hit by a shell as she left Victoria Dock Hartlepool to engage the enemy during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools. He is buried in Holy Trinity Church Yard, Seaton Carew.





    632

    G. C. Martin HMS Patrol (d.16th Dec 1914)

    G C Martin a member of the Armourer's crew, was one of four men killed when a shell hit HMS Patrol as she was leaving Victoria Dock Hartlepool to engage the enemy during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th of December 1914.





    630

    Ldg Seaman. R. W. Hook HMS Patrol (d.16th Dec 1914)

    Ldg Seaman Hook was killed when an 11inch round struck HMS Patrol was she was leaving Victoria Dock in Hartlepool on the morning of the 16th of December 1914 during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools. HMS Patrol ran aground just outside the mouth of the harbour having been hit again by a 8.2 inch shell from the German ship Bulcher.





    629

    Spr. Little Royal Engineers (d.16th Dec 1914)

    Spr Little was killed during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools.





    628

    Acting Bombardier J. J. Hope MM. Durham. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Acting Bombardier Hope was awarded the Military Medal on the 16th of December 1914 during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools when he was manning the guns at Heugh Battery.





    627

    Sjt. F. W. Mallin MM. Durham. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Sjt Mallin was awarded the Military Medal for his part in the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th of December 1914. He was the Gun Captain of the No 2 gun at Heugh Battery.





    626

    Sjt. T. Douthwaite DCM. Durham. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Sjt Douthwaite was awarded the DCM for his swift action in removing a live cartridge from the Lighthouse gun at Heugh Battery on the 16th of December 1914 during the bombardment of the Hartlepools. The gun had misfired on the fourth shell, one of the leads carrying the electrical charge to fire the cartridge had become detached. The drill was that the cartridge should be left in the barrel for 10 minutes until it cooled. This would mean the gun being out of action. As they were under fire from the German ships. Sjt Douthwaite ordered his men away from the gun emplacement, and at great risk of the cartiridge exploding, withdrew it from teh gun and placed it in a bucket of water. The gun was then switched to percussion firing.





    625

    Capt. Jack Farmer Durham. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Capt Farmer was the gun Captain at the Lighthouse Battery, at Heugh Battery on the 16th of December 1914 during the Bombardment of teh Hartlepools.The third shell from his gun scored a direct hit on the "Bulcher's" forebridge at a distance of some 4,000 yards.





    624

    Lt -Col. Lancelot Robson DSO. Durham. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Lt Col Robson was the fire commander of Heugh Battery and also the Battery Medical Officer, being a Doctor in civilian life. He was at home in Hartlepool when the Bombardment began and rushed to the Battery on his bicycl, leaving his breakfast half eaten, when gunfire first sounded. The journey was not an wasy one as the townsfolk were filling the streets, some fleeing away from the coast, others running towards the sea to look at the spectacle.

    "The guns were going by that time and the first thing that cheered me was the sight of the old battery dog barking away beside the guns! So then I knew that everything was alright" (Northern Daily Mail, 29th March 1935)

    On reaching the lookout Robson found that the telephone lines had been brought down by the shelling, he had long argued that they should be routed underground, but he was relieved to see that the battery was acting under standing orders, as he could not contact his gunners to issue orders.





    623

    Gnr. Robert Spence Durham. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.16th Dec 1914)

    Gnr. Spence was killed by a German shell at Heugh Battery whilst acting as a stretcher barer along with Gnr Houston, attempting to rescue those men wounded by the first shell of the Bombardment.





    622

    Gnr. William Houston Durham. Royal Garrison Artillery (d.16th Dec 1914)

    Gnr. Houston was killed by a German shell at Heugh Battery whilst acting as a stretcher barer along with Gnr Spence, attempting to rescue those men wounded by the first shell of the Bombardment.





    619

    Gnr. Harry Tyson Durham Royal Garrison Artillery

    Gunner Tyson was serving at the Heugh Battery on the 16th December 1914 when the Bombardment of the Hartlepools took place.

    The men were billeted at the Borough Hall and at 7.30 that morning, they marched to the battery singing 'Tipperary'. Each man was issued with 250 rounds of .303 for their Lee Enfield rifles, at this time there was a shortage of webbing so the ammunition had to be carried in the pockets of their Greatcoats. Harry Tyson and Jack Wilkinson were assigned to look out duty and whilst most of their fellow gunners retired to the shelters, they marched back and firth btween the Heugh guns with bayonets fixed. As dawn broke the German raiderswere spotted by the gunners aty South Gare on the southern bank of Teesmouth, and Heugh Battery was alerted by telephone,though at this stage the ships were beleived to be British as they were flying the White Ensign and had responded to the signal. There was a British ship in the area, HMS Doon, whose Captain was aware of the true nationality of the newcommers but was out of range of his guns. He led HMS Moy, Test and Waveney as they closed the range and began firing.

    At Heugh Captain Trenchman ordered the gun crews to man the guns, Tyson and Wilkinson took up their posts at No. 1 gun as Number 2 and Loading number respectivley. The rangefinder crew took the barings and the guns were laid on the inavders.

    "Then all of a sudden the three ships gave us a broadside and Captain Trenchmann called 'Action'"

    The first of the shells began to fall and the men at the Maxin machine gun post were wounded. Shells also fell on the houses behind the Battery. The elctrical firing mechanism of No 1 Gun failed after firing two shots and it too several minutes to change to percussio firing whilst No 2 gun continued to get off 30 rounds. The German fire was very accurate, the shells hitting the concrete and bouncing over the Battery to explode on the houses and in the field behind. One shell landed next to the doors of teh ammunition locker but fortunatley did not explode. Teh German ships continued to fire on the Battery and the town for about 15 minutes before repossitioning and aiming at the docks and West Hartlepool. The ceasefire was ordered at 8.53, after 38 minutes in action, as the German ships retreated into the mist. Gunner Tyson noted in Ward's book "Dawn raid"

    "I would like to say a word of praise to our cooks, Billy Sanderson and Arthur Hall. They must have been making tea all the time we were in action. As soon as we stopped firing out came buckets of hot tea."

    Later that afternoon a group photograph of the gunners was taken





    617

    Capt. Oscar Trenchmann Durham. Royal Garrison Artillery

    Capt Trenchman was the Battery Commader at Heugh Battery during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th December 1914.

    He left the battery in 1915 with many of the gunners who had served with him, to join 41st Seige Battery RGA in France, returning to Hartlepool to become fire commander in 1918. His brother Richard also served at Heugh Battery.





    615

    Pte. G. J. Wandless 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Wandless was wounded during the Bombardment whilst serving at Heugh Battery on the 16th of December 1914.





    612

    Pte. Thomas Rutherford 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Rutherford was wounded on the 16th of December 1914 whilst serving at the Heugh Battery during the Bombardment.





    610

    Pte. L. H. Robinson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Robinson was wounded during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th of December 1914 whilst serving at Heugh Battery.





    609

    Lt. G. K. Raine 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Jul 1916)

    Lt Raine was killed on the 2nd of July 1916 he was 19 years old.





    608

    Pte. G. H. Powell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Powell was one of 11 soldiers of the 18th DLI wounded on the 16th December 1914 whilst serving at Heugh Battery during the Bombardment.





    605

    Pte. J. W. Lewis 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Lewis was wounded on the 16th December 1914, during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools whilst serving at Heugh Battery





    604

    Pte. D. Lamb 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Lamb was wounded whilst serving at Heugh Battery during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th December 1914.





    603

    Pte. Leslie Dobson Turner 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914)

    Pte Turner was 24 years old, he died of wounds having been struck by the first shell of the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th of December 1914. A plaque marks the spot where then men were manning a machine gun.





    597

    Pte. Robert Garrett 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Garrett was one of those wounded during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th of December 1914 whilst he was serving at Heugh Battery.





    596

    Pte. T. W. Dees 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte Dees was wounded during the Bombardment of Hartlepool on the 16th of December 1914, he was serving the the 18th Btn, DLI at the Heugh Battery.





    594

    Act L/Cpl Charles Stephen Clarke 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914)

    Acting Lance Corporal Charles Stephen Clarke served at the Heugh Battery in Hartlepool and was killed during the bombardment on the 16th of December 1914 aged 25.





    593

    Pte. R. B. Brown 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Pte. R Brown served at the Heugh Battery in Hartlepool and was wounded buring the bombardment on the 16th of December 1914.





    517

    Lt. J. A. Stenhouse Royal Army Medical Corps.

    Lt J A Stenhouse of the RAMC was attached to the 8th battalion of the Durham Light Infantry.





    406

    Capt. J. McNiff Royal Army Medical Corps.

    Captain McNiff of the RAMC was attached to the 8th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry.





    299

    Sjt. Joseph Heron 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    Sjt. Joseph Heron played the clarinet in the band of the 9th Battalion.





    271

    Alexander Lawrie 3rd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders

    I would love to find out some information on my Grandfather Alexander Lawrie whom I know served in the 3rd Batt of the Seaforth Highlanders. I know he was there in 1917 as it is stated on his marriage certificate. Can you help?

    Anne




    109

    William Albert Rose 11th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    I am researching my grandfathers service within the DLI during WW1 and would love to hear from anyone who may be connected in any way. Details of my grandfather are as follows: Name: William Albert Rose Born: 12 August 1895 Add: Possibly 35 Crossgate, Durham. Served in World War One 1914-1918 Durham Light Infantry. Army number and battalion: 25757 Sgn. 11th Durham L I. Rank: Pte. 11 DLI was a Pioneer battalion raised at Newcastle in September 1914.

    Paul Rose




    108

    James William Robson 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    I'm trying to find any imfo on my great granddad James William Robson who I'm told served in the 12th DLI in the first world war his number was 17090. Can anyone give me any information?

    Anthony Reay




    107

    Sjt Mjr Joseph Turnbull 3rd Btn. Durham Light Infantry

    I am trying to find any info about my Grandfather's Service record. He was Joseph Turnbull of the 3rd battalion D.L.I. Prior to WW1, he was serving I believe in Cork, Ireland. He was a sergeant major instructor around 1917. He was wounded in France and I have a copy of his medal card. He had the Victory,British and 14 Star medals. Any help any one?

    Kath Holland




    106

    Robert Brown Durham Light Infantry

    I am seeking information about my uncle, Robert Brown (DLI) who joined up when he was only 14/15yrs old and was taken prisoner arround 1916. His parents were originaly told he had died but later found he was still alive. It led to their seperation. I believe that his return may have featured in the local (Sunderland?) newspapers.

    Terry Johnson




    105

    Robert Edward Meek Durham Light Infantry

    I am trying to trace my family tree. I was informed by my father that his father, Robert Edward Meek was in the DLI in the Great War. I have tried to find out to no luck. can anyone help me? I have no other information about him not even his service number. It seems a complete mystery. I believe he was born in Middlesbrough and lived in the South moor, Stanley area.

    Graham Meek




    104

    John Miller Durham Light Infantry

    <p>John Miller and comrades who served with the DLI during WW1.

    This is a picture of my Grandfather, John Miller, and some comrades who served with the DLI during WW1. The photograph, I believe, was taken in a POW camp, somewhere in France.

    John Miller




    14

    Cpl. John Bellringer 1/5th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (d.12th Jul 1915)

    Corporal John Bellringer. no: 1326. of 'C'Coy. 1st/5th Bn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, died on Monday 12th July 1915, aged 23 years. He was the son of Edward & Jane Bellringer of Clune Brae, Port Glasgow, a reserve player for Ayr United. He is commemmorated on the Helles Memorial, panel 183 & 184, on the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsulain Turkey along with 20,000 men who fell in the Dardenelles campaign.





    6

    Pte. William Henry Ball North Staffordshire Regiment (d.27th Aug 1918)

    Pte William Henry Ball from Rugely, enlisted with the North Staffordshire Regiment, he also served with the Middlesex Regiment and the 7th London egiment. He was killed in action on the 27th August 1918





    4

    Pte. Joseph Bainton 1st btn Lincolnshire Regt

    My father served in the Great war with the Lincolnshire Regt. He was Pte J. Bainton 9540 1/Lincs.He was wounded in his arm and leg.The wounds got him home where he recovered in Royal Victoria Boscombe Hospital, Bournemouth.He liked Bournemouth so much that after the war Mum & Dad moved here from Scunthorpe. We have a photo of Dad in a basket wheel chair near the beach at Boscombe. The whole family would like to know which battle Dad was wounded.He never spoke of the war at all.

    Joseph Bainton Jun.




    2

    Pte Frederick John Leadbeater DCM 1/6th Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment

    <p>

    I have recently carried out a research on Private Leadbeater's family, he is the father of my brother-in-law.

    Private 241201 Frederick John Leadbeater served with the 1/6th North Staffordshire Regiment during the First World War in France and on the 29th September 1918 was awarded the D.C.M.

    I give below the details of his action on the 29th September 1918.

    241201 Pte F Leadbeater, 1/6th Bn., North Staffs. Regiment

    Private Leadbeater was awarded the D.C.M for conspicuous courage and initiative, Near Bellenglise, during the advance over the St. Quentin Canal on the 29th September,1918 he dashed over a footbridge which he found on the canal, and was fired on from behind by an enemy who came out of cover with the obvious intention of destroying the bridge. He at once rushed and killed the enemy and remained on guard on the bridge until others had crossed. His initiative and coolness were most marked throughout the advance.

    My sister and brother in law have this year been over to France to see exactly where this incident took place and they were very moved when they saw the St Quentin Canal and the various memorials which have be erected in honour of the events of W.W.1.

    Rita Maiden




    1

    Sjt Mjr John Errol Tompkins Northumberland Fusiliers

    I am trying to find information about paternal grandfather John Errol Tompkins. He was born in Cullercoats and became a Sergeant Major. My mother said he was severely injured in WW1 and served in the Northumberland Fusiliers.

    John Errol Tompkins






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